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La Vie Seint Edmund 
 Le Rei 
 
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 An Anglo-Norman Poem of the Twelfth Century 
 
 BY 
 
 DENIS PIRAMUS 
 
 A DISSERTATION 
 
 PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF BRYN MAWR COLLEGE 
 
 FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF 
 
 PHILOSOPHY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF 
 BY 
 
 FLORENCE LEFTWICH RAVENEL 
 
 1906 
 
 THE JOHN C. WINSTON CO. 
 PHILADELPHIA 
 
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/F or the A n/* 
 
 ( UNIVERSITY J YU\i±£3 
 
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 INTRODUCTION. A»A/H 
 
 The author of La Vie Seint Edmund le Rei alludes 
 to himself twice in the poem as Denis Piramus; but 
 neither he nor his work is referred to by any other writer 
 of the Middle Ages. The existence of the shorter lyric 
 productions to which he lays claim, the "Serventeis, 
 Chanceonettes, Rimes, Saluz, " is attested only by his 
 own word. 
 
 The only manuscript in which his work is preserved 
 was found in 1838 in the British Museum, by Francisque 
 Michel. In his Rapport a Monsieur le Ministre de V In- 
 struction publique (II, p. 258 seq.) he described the manu- 
 script and printed an extract from the beginning and one 
 from the conclusion of the poem, and until very recent 
 times all that was known concerning Denis or his work 
 was gathered from these lines. 
 
 For many years every student or critic who turned 
 his attention to Marie de France or to the unknown 
 author of Partenopeus, quoted from St. Edmund the lines 
 referring to the author of the Lais, or those beginning 1 
 
 "Cil ki Partenope trova" 
 
 and drew from them evidence to confirm his own opinions 
 or discredit those of his opponents; but no one studied 
 Denis' work as a whole, or thought it worth while to 
 ascertain the real purport and connection of the much 
 quoted couplets. 
 
 One theory was built upon the misquotation of cer- 
 tain lines, and was supported in all seriousness by scholars 
 of reputation. I refer, of course, to the hypothesis that 
 Denis Piramus was the author of Partenopeus, an opinion 
 first expressed by Francisque Michel (Rapport, 1838, 
 pp. 250^ seq.). Duval (Histoire litter aire de la France, 
 Paris, 1838, Vol. XIX, pp. 629-648) accepts this assump- 
 
 *(cf. St. Edmund, lines 25-50.) 
 
2 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 tion without question, as does also Paulin Paris (Manu- 
 scrits francais de la Bibliotheque du Roi, Paris, 1840, 
 Vol. Ill, pp. 72-87). As late as 1876, Kolbing (Beitrage 
 zur vergleichenden Geschichte der romantischen Poesie, 
 Breslau) alludes to Denis' authorship of Partenopeus as 
 to an admitted fact, and Chevalier {Repertoire des sources 
 historiques du Moyen Age, Paris, 1877) saw no reason to 
 reopen the discussion. 
 
 However, even before the publication of the Life 
 of St. Edmund, this theory had been abandoned (cf. G. 
 Paris in Rom. IV, p. 148). Indeed, a superficial exam- 
 ination of the two works should suffice, one would think, 
 to remove every doubt; for a stronger contrast can 
 scarcely be imagined than that between St. Edmund and 
 Partenopeus de Blois. The latter is one of the most 
 charming, picturesque and frankly pagan of Old French 
 romances, and its author allows himself flights of fancy 
 and extremes of realistic description which would have 
 been impossible to Denis at any period of his career. 
 
 Even without regard to the internal evidence in 
 the case, the hypothesis of Michel must remain one of 
 the curiosities of literary interpretation, for it is based 
 upon the omission of certain lines from the text, and the 
 arbitrary juxtaposition of others which, in the original, 
 have no connection, but form parts of separate para- 
 graphs. Line 6 of St. Edmund says : 
 
 "Jeo ai nun Denis Piramus" 
 
 This is followed by eight lines in which the author speaks 
 of his advancing years and the change of heart which 
 has induced him to undertake his present task; and 
 then, at the opening of a new paragraph, he writes: 
 
 "Cil ki Partenope trova, 
 E ki ces vers fist e riraa," 
 
 and proceeds to characterize, in terms of mingled admira- 
 tion and disapproval, the work of an author whose name 
 he either did not know or did not choose to mention, 
 but which was manifestly not his own. If we bring 
 
INTRODUCTION 3 
 
 together the three lines cited, and omit the middle and 
 end of the passage, a certain plausibility is gained for 
 the hypothesis, and the followers of Michel seem to have 
 read no farther, and asked no embarrassing questions. 
 
 But this is not the only false impression to which 
 Denis' introductory lines have given rise. His evidence 
 is cited in another literary controversy. 
 
 In lines 35-48 of our text, Denis alludes to Marie 
 de France as the author o : the Lais, but makes no men- 
 tion of the Fables nor of the Espurgatoire Seint Patriz. 
 The latter omission might be easily explained if, as we 
 suppose, Marie's latest work had not appeared when 
 Denis began the Vie Seint Edmund; but that he should 
 ignore the existence of the fables, seems to demand jus- 
 tification. One reason for this silence readily suggested 
 itself to scholars who were concerned, not with Denis 
 Piramus, but with Marie de France. If Denis does not 
 refer to the fables, they maintain, it is because they were 
 not yet written, and therefore it is evident that the Lais 
 were Marie's earliest work, preceding the fables by at 
 least five or ten years. It is in this order that they are 
 placed by Gaston Paris {Litter ature Francaise au Moyen 
 Age, Paris, 1890. Tableau Chronologique, p. 248) and 
 by Warnke in his edition of the fables, 1898 (Introduc- 
 tion, pp. 1 1 5-1 1 7). In 1895, however, Gaston Paris 
 (Rom. XXIV, compte rendu, p. 295) abandoned his former 
 position, and for reasons which seem to me conclusive, 
 restored Marie's works to their more natural order. 
 
 A closer examination of the introduction to the Life 
 of St. Edmund would have promptly disposed of Denis' 
 testimony in this question. For is not Denis' object 
 simply a comparison between these two authors, who 
 wrote to amuse, and himself who had in view the edi- 
 fication of his hearers? As he says (lines 59-63) : 
 
 "Si vus volez entendre a mei, 
 Jeo vus dirrai, par dreite fei, 
 Un dedut qui mielz valt asez 
 Ke ces altres ke tant amez." 
 
4 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 And again (lines 67-71): 
 
 " Um deit mult mielz a sen entendre, 
 Ke en folie le tens despendre. 
 Un dedut par vers vus dirrai, 
 Ke sunt de sen e si verrai." 
 
 Partenopeus and the Lais of Marie are to Denis 
 Piramus representatives of that romantic and erotic 
 literature, against which was directed the influence of 
 the Church, soon to triumph in the reaction of the thir- 
 teenth century. He may well have been acquainted 
 with Marie's fables and yet have avoided all allusion to 
 them here; for though fables are technically fictitious, 
 they have always a didactic intention, and a reference 
 to them in this connection might have weakened the 
 force of his argument. 
 
 The complete edition of Denis' authentic work, 
 which should clear up all these misapprehensions, was 
 slow in making its appearance. Finally, in 1892, La 
 Vie Seint Edmund le Rei was published as part of the 
 Memorials of St. Edmund's Abbey, a collection contained 
 in two quarto volumes of the Rolls Series, and edited by 
 Mr. Thomas Arnold. We have no reason to question 
 Mr. Arnold's qualifications as an historian; his intro- 
 duction contains valuable and interesting material which 
 I have been glad to utilize. But his numerous errors, 
 both in reading and in interpreting the manuscript, lead 
 us to the conclusion that he is but scantily equipped 
 for editing an Old French text. (Compare the Compte 
 rendu by Gaston Paris, in Romania XXII, p. 170.) 
 
 After alluding to the fact that nothing had been 
 known hitherto of the work of Denis Piramus except the 
 extracts printed by Michel, Paris adds: 
 
 "II est d'autant plus regrettable que l'6diteur soit 
 aussi peu prepare a sa tache. Son Edition est encore 
 plus mauvaise que celle de Gamier, parue dans la meme 
 collection, dont nous avons rendu compte il y a quelques 
 ann6es. (XVIII, p. 314.) Les fautes de lecture et de 
 ponctuation abondent dans le texte, les fautes d 'inter- 
 
INTRODUCTION 5 
 
 pr6tation dans le glossaire. . . II va sans dire que l'6di- 
 teur, incapable de comprendre le texte qu'il publiait, 
 n'a meme pas tente" de corriger les nombreuses fautes 
 que renferme 1 'unique MS. de la Vie Seint Edmond." 
 
 As examples of Mr. Arnold's false reading of the 
 MS., I refer to line 260: MS. algent, Arn. a le gent; 196: 
 MS. ateinstrent, Arn. atemptrent; 198: MS. doterent, 
 Arn. docerent; 274: MS. desrayner, Arn. defrayer; 320: MS. 
 desrey, Arn. defreie; 449: MS. irra, Arn. ura; 55: MS. 
 ires, Arn. ires; 362 : MS. resceyvre, Arn. rescuyvre. 
 
 When a correction of the text is obviously necessary, 
 Mr. Arnold in a number of instances neglects to make it, 
 leaving the unintelligible word or construction as it stands, 
 e. g., line 61: milez for mielz; 9: creire for treire; 89: 
 quns for quens; 445 : regum for regiun; beside the many 
 cases where the rhyme or metre calls for some small 
 emendation, e. g., line 9: teles for tels; 60: dreit for 
 dreite; 61 : valut for valt, etc. 
 
 As examples of emendations, where the manuscript 
 has evidently the correct reading, I cite line 758: MS. 
 leire, Arn. terre; 534: MS. cresance, Arn. creance; lines 
 1025-26: MS. doune, abandoune, Arn. donne, abandonne; 
 etc. 
 
 The following are a few examples of Mr. Arnold's 
 conjectures, definitions and glossarial notes: MS. 11. 
 705-706. (Arn. 11. 703-704): 
 
 Si est il feit le reis di mey, 
 Ki iesqu ci ay 4t6 rey! ■ 
 
 Cf. Glossarial Notes p. 398: "The natural order of 
 the words is changed: 'All is over with me the king;' 
 unless reis = campaign is intended, in which case the 
 meaning would be: 'my career is ended'. But Prof. 
 Atkinson is of the opinion that the first is the more prob- 
 able explanation. " ~j 
 
 Note on line 1576, (Arn. 1578) p. 399: " 'A tut dis 
 mes'. This is another tag, padding to fill up the verse 
 
 J (N. B. I quote the MS. as it stands.) 
 
6 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 and round the rhyme. See dis and mes in the Glossary. " 
 And under dis in the Glossary we find: dis = 10; dis = 
 word, with reference to the above passage. 
 
 Lines 355-360, where the MS. reading is evidently 
 corrupt, (cf. text criticism below) Mr. Arnold disposes 
 of the passage as an example of anacoleuthon. (Glos. 
 Notes, p. 398.) 
 
 For definitions I refer to the following: defreyner 
 (MS. desreyner) : " to open, to free oneself from restraint ; " 
 defreier (MS. desreier): "to trouble oneself;" altre (in 
 the phrase, "tries un tries altre s'enveit," 1. 3569): the 
 editor simply places an interrogation point after this 
 word. 
 
 Of Mr. Arnold's conjectures as to the meaning of 
 unfamiliar words, I will cite only one: 1. 3878: 
 
 "Tant par ert encrisme felun. " 
 
 In the footnote we find the following: "'Crisme': Does 
 this refer to the story told by Malmesbury of the sullying 
 of the font at Ethelred's baptism?" (p. 246.) 
 
 Line 158 of the MS. is omitted in the Arnold edition, 
 and the former half of line 229 is connected with the 
 latter half of line 330, making a line without either mean- 
 ing or rhyme. 
 
 SOURCES OF LA VIE ST. EDMUND. 
 
 As the chief sources of the work of Denis Piramus 
 are included among the Memorials of St. Edmund's Abbey, 
 and published in the first volume of the collection, it 
 will be needless to go into detail on this point. I merely 
 give, for the sake of completeness, a summary of the facts 
 known concerning these sources, with such comments as 
 seem necessary, referring the reader to the documents 
 themselves, and to Mr. Arnold's Introduction. 
 
 The principal sources from which Denis Piramus 
 drew the material for his Vie Seint Edmund, are : 
 
SOURCES OF LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 7 
 
 i. De Infantia Sancti Edmundi, in Latin, by Gal- 
 fridus de Fontibus, composed between 1148-1156 (cf. 
 Memorials, Vol. I, pp. 93-103 ; and Int. pp. XXXIV and 
 XXXV). 
 
 2. Passio Sancti Edmundi, by Abbo of Fleury (d. 
 1004) (cf. Memorials, Vol. I, pp. 26-92, and Int., pp. 
 XXVIII and XXIX), written about the close of the 
 eleventh century. 
 
 3. At the close of the introduction, where Denis 
 gives a brief history of the Saxon conquest of Britain, and 
 the retreat of the Britons into Wales, with a parenthetic 
 account of the treason of Hengist and Horsa, he follows 
 Geoffrey of Monmouth, Historia Britonum (Bk. XII, 
 15, 16, 19; Bk. VI, 15, 16, 10). 
 
 Beginning with line 433, Denis follows the De Infan- 
 tia, or, according to Mr. Arnold's conjecture, an English 
 version of Galfridus, as far as line 2000. Cf. Arnold's 
 note on line 3268, where Denis says: 
 
 "Translate l'ai desque a la fin, 
 E del Engleis, et del Latin." 
 
 "It seems therefore," says Mr. Arnold, "that there 
 must have been an English version of the Infancy lying 
 before him, which is not now extant. This English Life 
 may perhaps be indicated by someone among the titles 
 of the works on the Edmundian story, not now existing, 
 which are written on the margin of MS. Bodl. 240 (Memo- 
 rials, p. XVI of Introduction), e. g., the book of Bliburgh 
 or Alia Legenda, or Nicholaus of Warengford, or H. Nor- 
 wicensis (p . 228, footnote) . ' ' 
 
 P| This suggestion of Mr. Arnold has in its favor only 
 the expression used by Denis himself, as no English 
 version of the Infancy is known. Even if Denis had 
 access to certain English Sources, I should be inclined to 
 believe that he handled his material with a certain free- 
 dom. Some of the most interesting passages in St. 
 Edmund are those in which the author, while following 
 the general outline of his original, alters the details, 
 greatly to the advantage of the effect. 
 
8 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 The long account of Edmund's voyage, moreover, 
 is not found in Galfridus nor in any known source, and 
 this recalls a statement of Sir Thomas Hardy, quoted in 
 Arnold's Introduction (Catalog. 1107; cf. Memorials, 
 Vol. II, pp. 18-26) to the effect that Denis Piramus 
 composed his St. Edmund to amuse the king and his 
 nobles during a long journey by sea. Certainly the wealth 
 of detail with which Denis describes every episode of 
 the voyage, and the knowledge of nautical and geograph- 
 ical terms which he displays, seem to imply that he had 
 himself at some time in his life accomplished the voyage 
 he attributes to his hero. 
 
 From line 2000 to line 3268, the Passio of Abbo is 
 the only known source. The principal differences between 
 Denis' treatment of the story and that of Abbo are : 
 
 1. The account of the partition of Britain between 
 Saxons, Jutes and Angles, including the glowing descrip- 
 tion of East Anglia, form part of Abbo's introduction. 
 Denis has inserted this passage between his sketch of 
 British history and the opening of Galfridus' Infancy. 
 If we may attribute this rearrangement (to which Mr. 
 Arnold makes no allusion) to Denis himself, it shows con- 
 siderable skill in the ordering of his material. 
 
 2. The motive which induced the invasion of the 
 Danish brothers, as given by Galfridus and adopted by 
 Denis, is sheer malice combined with envy of the blood- 
 less conquest achieved by their young neighbor. Denis 
 makes no allusion to the version of Abbo, written from an 
 intensely clerical and theological point of view, according 
 to which Inguar and Hubbe are messengers of Satan, sent 
 to tempt the servant of God. (Cf. Abbo, Passio, p. 8, 
 Memorials, Vol. I.) 
 
 3. Inguar does not, according to Abbo, summon 
 Edmund to renounce his faith, nor even to yield up all 
 his treasures, but merely to divide his possessions and 
 rule as Inguar's vice-gerent. Such moderate conditions 
 could give his hero scant claims to the crown of martyr- 
 dom, and naturally Denis, or his unknown source, modi- 
 
HISTORICAL FOUNDATION 9 
 
 fied the story to meet the requirements for sainthood. 
 Moreover, in Abbo's account, Edmund does not refuse at 
 once and without qualification, to accept the invader's 
 terms ; he only stipulates that before he, a Christian king, 
 shall swear allegiance to Inguar, the Dane shall become 
 a Christian. 
 
 The account of the miracles of St. Edmund, which 
 forms the second part of the poem, is based upon the 
 Liber de Miraculis Sancti Edmundi, of Herman, Abbot 
 of St. Edmund's Abbey (cf. Memorials, Vol. I, pp. 26-92 ; 
 also cf. Introduction, pp. XXVIII). From Herman 
 comes the account of events succeeding the martyrdom 
 of St. Edmund, the chronology of the kings of East 
 Anglia, etc., to line 3937, where begins the history of 
 Sweyn's invasion. 
 
 From this point Denis makes use of sources quite 
 unknown (cf. Arnold's edition, p. 240, footnote), perhaps 
 simply the oral traditions with which he was familiar. 
 The manuscript breaks off with line 4030, and the story 
 of the treason of the four earls in the reign of Ethelred 
 is left incomplete. 
 
 HISTORICAL FOUNDATION AND LATER DEVEL- 
 OPMENT OF THE LEGEND. 
 
 All that is known of St. Edmund is comprised in a 
 few lines of Ethelwerd's Chronicle, of Asser's Life of 
 Alfred and of the Saxon Chronicle. 
 
 There was a Saxon king of East Anglia who bore 
 that name and reigned in the ninth century (the accepted 
 date of the martyrdom is 870 A. D.). King Edmund was 
 attacked by the Danes, and, according to the historical 
 version, fell in battle defending his throne. (Cf. Ethel- 
 werd's Chronicle, Bk. IV, Chap. II, in Six Old English 
 Chronicles, p. 26; Bohn's Library, London, 1875; Asser's 
 
IO LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Life of Alfred, ibidem, p. 54 ; also Two Saxon Chronicles, 
 p. 71, Plummer, Oxford, 1892; and Memorials, Vol. I, 
 Int., pp. 18-21.) 
 
 The legend as we have it in the work of Denis Pira- 
 mus, has not yet assumed its final form. In its later 
 development, not only is Edmund sprung from the royal 
 stock of Old Saxony, but his father and mother are both 
 named: Alcmund and Siward. The date 841 is assigned 
 as the time of his birth, and Nuremberg as his native city. 
 
 Moreover, the later versions assign another motive 
 for the Danish invasion. Lodbrok, it is said, the father 
 of Inguar, had already visited England incognito, and 
 having, by his superior marksmanship, excited the jeal- 
 ousy of Bern, Edmund's chief huntsman, was treacher- 
 ously slain by him in the forest. The guilty Bern (as 
 we see, he is no longer the son of Lodbrok) condemned 
 by King Edmund and set adrift upon the ocean, was 
 borne by the winds and waves to Denmark; and once 
 there, he gave a false account of Lodbrok's death, incrimi- 
 nating Edmund, and thereby arousing against the holy 
 king the implacable hatred of Inguar and Hubbe, Lod- 
 brok's two sons. 
 
 In its completest form, the legend of St. Edmund 
 is found in the Curteis Register (Wm. Curteis, Abbot from 
 1429 to 1457). Cf. Memorials, Vol. I, Int., p. XV; also 
 Horstmann's edition of Nova Legenda Angliae, Oxford, 
 1901. App., pp. 573~ 688 - 
 
 METRE. 
 
 La Vie Seint Edmund is written in octosyllable 
 rhymed verse, rhyming a a, b b, c c, etc. The metre 
 presents those peculiarities which distinguish the versi- 
 fication of insular poets from that prevalent on the main- 
 land at the same period. Denis Piramus seems to have 
 been neither more nor less remiss than his fellow coun- 
 
METRE II 
 
 trymen in the observance of metrical rules ; and though 
 there is a relatively large number of irregular lines in the 
 manuscript, yet a considerable portion of these can be cor- 
 rected by a slight emendation of the text, and are there- 
 fore to be set down to the account of the copyist. 
 
 Among the licenses admitted by Anglo-Norman 
 usage, we find the following (Cf. Suchier, St. Auban, 
 pp. 33-37; Koch's Introduction to Chardri, pp. 41-42; 
 Rolf's Adgar Legenden, Romanische Forschungen, Vol. I, 
 pp. 193-200): 
 
 a. Elision of atonic e: 
 
 1 . Pretonic (before consonant or in hiatus) : — 
 
 De sage rei (e) bon justiser 716 
 
 E recov(e)rer vostre comfort 867 
 
 Ke lenfant namen(e)runt nient 960 
 
 Li decol(e)ur si fu irez »47 a 
 
 La meite del host i men(e)reit 2091 
 
 2. Posttonic: — 
 
 De Bur(e)s qui encore est assise 1 775 
 
 En ceste ter(e) lenfant menames 1678 
 
 Car il murust en tel(e) creance 748 
 
 Ke lalb (e) del jur fu escrevee 1404 
 
 E de sa vi(e) traist a la fin 755 
 
 Tel(e) dignete aveit la cit 1774 
 
 3. In the termination ent of verb forms: — 
 
 Tant cum il fur(e)nt, ceo mest avis 135 1 
 
 Kant la nef avei(e)nt aprestee 1383 
 
 Bon vent avei(e)nt e bien portant 1459 
 
 Pur ceo le fesei(e)nt sujurner 1591 
 
 Hue le fesei(e)nt curuner 1761 
 
 Quil avei(e)nt en lur companie I 9 I S 
 
 b. Double vowels and diphthongs contracted when 
 necessary : 
 
 Pur nus e pur nostre raanceun 2372 
 
 Pur la vergoine quil unt eu J 995 
 
 Remark : On the other hand, diphthongs and atonic 
 e have often their full syllabic value: 
 
12 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Kal tierz jur unt Frise veue 1411 
 
 Ke Jesu nostre salveiir 2321 
 
 Cest repons que as ci o'i 2328 
 
 Cume le membre Jesu Crist 2357 
 
 Ke le reis sucurs nen oust 2189 
 
 c. Contraction of pronouns and particles: 
 
 Jeo le vus dirrai, sempres maneis 3280 
 
 Quil pais mist devers Galerne 134 
 
 Ne saveit daltre, ceo est le veir 199 
 
 d. It is frequently possible to correct the six and 
 seven syllabled lines by the restoration of an atonic e, 
 or, in the case of lines of nine or ten syllables, by the 
 elision of this e. In a few instances, where a simple verb 
 has been substituted for a compound, the metre may 
 be made right by the restoration of the prefix: 
 
 Ke assemble les puisse [re]treire 
 
 In my correction of the text I have, as a rule, adopted 
 only such forms as are supported by other examples in 
 the MS., or by the requirements of both metre and sense. 
 Not all the irregular lines, however, will yield to such 
 treatment. There remains a relatively large number 
 of seven syllabled lines, both masculine and feminine, 
 a smaller number with nine, and a very few which cannot 
 be made to count more than six syllables. The few ten 
 syllabled lines of the manuscript can all, I believe, be 
 reduced to eight or nine. 
 
 Examples: 
 
 1 . Seven syllables (feminine) : 
 
 E trop ai use ma vie 3 
 
 En peche e en folie 4 
 
 Kil tel ore lur tramette 1441 
 
 2. Seven syllables (masculine): 
 
 Seit of mei e si ait, 24 
 
 E les vers sunt mult amez 33 
 
 De trestuz ses pechez net, 662 
 
 Tames lances truncuner 3758 
 
LITERARY VALUE 1 3 
 
 3. Nine syllables: 
 
 Le rei Suain veit quil nad nul ados, 3823 
 
 Hue li prist maladi(e) si grant, 643 
 
 En maladi(e) dunt apres murust, 872 
 
 Tant cum il vesqui, si pout bien estre, 373° 
 
 4. Six syllables (masc. and fern.) : 
 
 E li grant e li mendre 3 2 7° 
 
 Quil mustre sa pussance 3635 
 
 Kant de li sen ala 1001 
 
 5. As I have said, the ten syllabled lines can be 
 reduced to eight or nine (cf . tinder nine syllables) : e. g. : 
 
 Denis Piramus quil (ad) translate 3 2 79 
 
 Here it is evident from the rhyme word (baratte) 
 that the present tense is intended. 
 
 LITERARY VALUE. 
 
 Like any other document of unquestioned authen- 
 ticity, La Vie Seint Edmund is of interest to the historian 
 and to the student of language ; but has it, as mere litera- 
 ture, any claim upon our attention ? Is it at all worthy 
 of a place among those literary productions which have 
 come down to us from the same period and in the same 
 tongue? 
 
 In his introduction, Mr Arnold characterizes the 
 style of Denis as "earnest" and "copious" beyond that 
 of most writers on similar themes. The justice of the 
 epithets is indubitable, but they ought not, perhaps, to 
 be employed in an unreservedly complimentary sense. 
 Earnestness is indeed a virtue, but to one who has toiled 
 through the four thousand lines of St. Edmund, its "co- 
 piousness" will scarcely seem altogether commendable. 
 For indeed Denis carries the habit of repetition to an 
 extreme seldom reached even by a mediaeval poet. Each 
 episode is recounted at least twice, and with a tasteless 
 
14 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 emphasis, a wearisome iteration that quickly chills 
 whatever sympathy his story may have aroused. In the 
 very first lines we have an example of this peculiarity: 
 
 Mult ai use cume pechere, 
 Ma vie en trop fole manere; 
 E trop ai use ma vie 
 En peche en folic 
 
 The habit grows as the work progresses, until it may 
 be affirmed that two thousand lines would have sufficed 
 to tell St. Edmund's story, with greater clearness and 
 better effect than Denis has achieved in more than four 
 thousand. 
 
 Perhaps, however, we should not be too severe with 
 Denis for all these duplicated passages. The poem is 
 evidently intended to be recited, or to be read aloud, as 
 the frequent appeal to his audience would indicate, and 
 even in an age when books were rare and difficult of 
 access, the reader may have found his hearers often 
 drowsy and inattentive. When, then, some of the more 
 impressive passages failed of their effect, it is not improb- 
 able that the author, or some ambitious copyist of later 
 date, may have added other and more detailed versions 
 to emphasize the original story. Some such supposition 
 is necessary to explain the length to which certain epi- 
 sodes are drawn out; for example, the account of the 
 Roman lady's vision, which is first told by the author 
 and then, almost without variation, put into the mouth 
 of the lady herself (lines n 15-1294). Other illustrations 
 are not wanting, the most conspicuous being the story of 
 the martyrdom, where the verbiage befogs the mind of 
 the reader and obscures the outlines of the narrative. 
 
 On the other hand, if we would do justice to the 
 work of Denis Piramus, we must compare it with other 
 saints' lives and edifying tales of the same period. Writ- 
 ten almost at the end of the Twelfth century, there lingers 
 in the work of Denis something of the epic tone, of that 
 combination of boldness and naivett, of manly daring 
 
LITERARY VALUE I 5 
 
 and childlike credulity, which is the distinguishing note 
 of the Chanson de Geste. In spite of his pacific theme, 
 Denis loves to sing of arms and heroes, of long voyages 
 across perilous seas in search of new worlds to conquer. 
 There are not fewer than three such voyages recounted by 
 him, in more or less detail, while raids, sieges and mas- 
 sacres are scattered thickly through his pages and always 
 dwelt upon with keen relish. 
 
 As to the form of his work, there is little to be said, 
 aside from, the technical considerations of metre and 
 rhyme. His verse is the verse of his time and of his 
 country, the vehicle in which have come down to us ro- 
 mances of chivalry and legends of saints. Denis is no 
 inspired poet; he is at his best, and that rarely enough, 
 only a writer of graceful verse. No doubt his earlier 
 experiences and courtly training were not without their 
 effect upon his style and his point of view; and though 
 not one verse has come down to us of those "rimes," 
 " saluz" and " serventeis" which he professes to have 
 composed, yet we may catch sometimes, in the midst 
 of his graver work, an echo of their lighter tone. In 
 his introduction, where he is addressing an audience 
 made up of his social superiors, he gives evidence of a 
 tact and lightness of touch not unworthy of a contem- 
 porary of Marie de France. 
 
 Again, in the episode of Ofla's visit to the Saxon king, 
 the picture of the young Edmund, growing up at his 
 father's side, in the exercise of all courtly and Christian 
 graces, is not badly done, although the ideal of Denis 
 is distinctly priestly rather than chivalric. In particular, 
 the scene of parting between the old king and the boy has 
 a freshness, a warmth of simple human feeling, which we 
 certainly do not find in the ponderous phrases of the Latin 
 original. 
 
 The story of the landing of Edmund on the shores 
 of his unknown kingdom is worthy of note, as it is one of 
 the author's rare, and in this case not unsuccessful, at- 
 tempts to portray natural scenes and objects. 
 
l6 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 'Quant Seint Edmund fu venuz 
 A tere, e hors del nief eissuz, 
 En une planesce acceptable 
 E bele e verte e delitable, 
 De liez la mer en oreisuns 
 Chei li ber a genuilluns, 
 E preia Dieu pitusement 
 Pur le pais e pur la gent. 
 
 Ses hommes li amenent devant 
 
 Un palefrei, sueif amblant. 
 
 Si cum le ber munter deveit, 
 
 Vers Occident [re] garde e veit 
 
 E veit hors [de] la tere sailler 
 
 Dulces funteines, par air, 
 
 Od dulz curs, od clere gravele, 
 
 Nul ne poet choisir la plus bele : 
 
 Cuntre curent vers la mer, 
 
 Semblant funt de li welcomer. 
 
 Del liu dunt les russels sunt surs, 
 
 Jusquen la salse funt lur curs, 
 
 E isnelment se destendent, 
 
 Od duz murmure, en mer descendent." 
 
 (lines 1501-8; 1521-1534.) 
 In the Vie de Seint Gregoire, for example, we look in 
 vain for lines like these; and the difference is not only in 
 the century, but in the spirit of the author. The hero 
 of Frere Angier is a mere abstraction, to whom the affec- 
 tions that bind the natural man to his fellows are but 
 stumbling-blocks in the road to perfection. No reader 
 of St. Edmund can question the sincere piety of Denis 
 Piramus, nor his faith in the wonders he relates; and 
 yet, compared with the puerile, often immoral, legends 
 attributed to Adgar, the ideal set forth in the life and 
 death of the English saint is sane and sober, pure and 
 wholesome, and even the miracles ascribed to him seem 
 akin to life and reality. Written at the close of the 
 Twelfth century, Denis' work may be called in some sort 
 a work of transition; but his standpoint is certainly 
 not further removed from the romanticism to which we 
 owe Partenopeus and Thomas' Tristan, than from the 
 asceticism which brought forth such works as St. Gre- 
 goire, or the St. Josaphaz and Les Set Dormans of Chardri. 
 
I. 
 
 LANGUAGE OF THE AUTHOR AS INDICATED BY 
 THE RHYME WORDS. 
 
 PHONOLOGY. 
 
 A. Vowels. 
 
 i . Free in tonic position : 
 
 a. Latin a > e before oral consonants : laisse ( : lee) 173 ; 
 mer ( : justiser) 1653. 
 
 Orthographic variants of e are : 
 
 (1) ieinief ( : tref) 145 1. 
 
 (2) eeiregnee (: devise) 168; haitee ( : lee) 3942. 
 Remark : In the foregoing examples, the second e might 
 
 be explained as e posttonic. However, the orthography 
 ee < a occurs frequently out of the rhyme. Cf. Language 
 of Copyist, under free aigreef 158; neefes, etc.) 
 
 (3) ei : melleies : espeies 2755-6. 
 
 Remark 2 : -aticum becomes -age : sage : message 3915. 
 Remark 3 : a in -alis remains in leal ( : seneschal) 172$; 
 real ( : estal) 732 ; rarely > el : e spirit el : hostel 2857. 
 
 b. a + pal > ai often reduced to e especially medial : ( 1 ) 
 e (medial) : mestre (:estre) 31, 1953; pes (:apres) 431, 
 etc. (2) ai (final) : verrai: dirrai 69; (lais : ) verais 38, etc. 
 
 Remark : Final ai < a + pal. has often the value of a true 
 diphthong: pais ( : pis 27 p, : dis 421, : pris 33, etc.). Be- 
 side e, ei is a frequent variant of ai, though rarely occurring 
 at the end of a word : retreire : fere 1825-6 ; feire : cuntreire 
 3781. The three orthographies rhyme each with the others, 
 apparently without restriction. 
 
 Remark 2 : -ariu > -ier as in General Old French, the 
 -ier being frequently reduced to -er in Anglo Norman. 
 The frequency with which both forms (ier and er) occur 
 in our .text, both in and out of the rhyme, suggests that 
 probably both sounds, as well as both orthographies, were 
 familiar to the author. 
 
 17 
 
1 8 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Moreover, -ier and -er (< ariu, e and pal. + a) rhyme 
 as a rule only with each other; not more than half a 
 dozen examples are found where the -ier and -er rhyme 
 with e < a : bacheler : conquest er 187; justiser •: mer 1553, 
 etc. It seems possible that, though ie had ceased to be 
 felt as a true diphthong, at the time when our text was com- 
 posed, yet it may have had at times something approaching 
 a diphthongal value, e. g. : ye. 
 
 c. Pal. + a > ie, often reduced to e, (cf. under -ariu) 
 rhymes preferably with itself or with ie, e ( < ariu or e) . 
 
 d. a + free nasal > ain (written often ein) vilain 
 ( : plain) 21 13 ; faim : pain 117; luinteins : procheins 1077 ; 
 Romeine : demeine 1193. 
 
 Remark: (1) celestiene (:ben) 2313. This combination 
 of pal + a + n > ien has usually two syllables (cf. 1293) ; 
 (2) ain (<a + n) rhymes, as we see, with ein and ain 
 (<e + n). 
 
 e. a + nas. -f- pal. > ain (for the different orthographies 
 of n cf. under Language of Copyist, Consonant n) : Al- 
 maine : cumpaine 3934 ; chevetaine : cumpaine 209. 
 
 2. A checked : 
 
 a. a remains before oral consonants : quatre : cumbatre 
 295 ; colpasent : decolasent 2434. 
 
 b. a + checked nasal remains, e. g. : lance : demurance 
 274-5; enfant (ivivant) 284; aniahan 1095, etc. -ant 
 does not rhyme regularly with -ent, cf., however, the word 
 talent : p or tant 1459. 
 
 c. a + 1 + cons : 
 
 There is no rhyme that is absolutely conclusive as to the 
 quality of this combination. However, as 1 is consistently 
 written in the rhyme words, though often vocalized in the 
 middle of the line, it seems probable that it has not entirely 
 lost its consonantal value ; e. g.: halz : asalz 234 ; orien- 
 tals : vassals 169-70. 
 
 I. 5 f ree m tonic position. 
 
 a. Becomes ie (frequently reduced to e) before oral con- 
 sonants : 
 
LANGUAGE OF AUTHOR 19 
 
 Of ie and e (< e) the same may be said as of -ie(r) 
 and -e(r) out of ariu, and ie out of pal. -f- a. The two 
 orthographies are used interchangeably in our text, but they 
 rhyme preferably each with itself or with each other, rarely 
 with e < a. 
 
 For examples, cf. 997, 2185, 3633, etc. (cf. under -ariu, 
 pp. 18 and 19, also pal. -f- a, p. 19). 
 
 b. 5 + f ree nasal > ie: e. g., biensiriens 493, 413; 
 biemrevien 221 1. 
 
 Very rarely we find the reduced form ie > e ; but this is 
 probably to be ascribed to the coypist: (celestiene) : ben 
 2313. The forms avent and revent (635-6) are, of course, 
 analogical. 
 
 c. 5 + P a l- > i : tnatire ( : dire) 28; pris ( : avis) 135 1 ; 
 despist ( : dist) 2165, etc. 
 
 5 + pal. > e in mat ere : art ere 2709. 
 Remark: muster {'.mariner) 3 161; here we have the 
 familiar exchange of suffixes. 
 2. 5 checked. 
 
 a. 5 checked before orals and nasals remains: estre 
 ( : mestre) 32 ; apic estre 135 ; Vent : supprent 1381, etc. 
 
 b. 5 + 1 + Cons. 
 
 1 is written consistently in the rhyme words, but as this 
 combination does not rhyme with e + 1 + cons, from other 
 sources, the quality m of the el must remain uncertain: 
 bels : dancels 475 ;. kernels : chastels 229, etc. 
 
 E. 
 
 I. E free in tonic position : 
 
 a. Becomes ei before oral consonants : veit : dreit 785 ; 
 veie: desreie 319-20; vein aver 3333. 
 
 Variants of ei are : ( 1 ) e crere ( : arveire) yy ; aver 
 ( : veir) 613 ; (2) a\:fai:lai 2678. Ai is a very rare variant 
 of e, and though found once or twice in the rhyme may very 
 well be due to the copyist 
 
 b. E 4- free nasal > ei : peine: demeine 1875, 2 533> e tc. 
 (1) E is a rare variant of ei: mene: demeine 851; (2) 
 
 i : serin : demain 1457 ; (3) ai : plain ( : vilain) 21 13. 
 
20 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 c. E + pal. > ei : reis ( : curteis) 3481 ; rei ( : mei) 
 3335, etc. 
 
 d. E -f- 1 > ei (ai) : vermeil : soleil 1250; cunseil : soleil 
 1265. 
 
 Remark : It is worthy of note that ei < e, including its 
 variants, does not rhyme with ei, e or ai from other sources 
 (e < a; e < ie; e, ei, ai < a + pal. ; or ie(e) < pal. + a 
 and -ariu). 
 
 Two rhymes only in our text appear to conflict with this 
 rule, and they are susceptible of other explanation ; namely : 
 ( 1 ) cuntreerent : armerent 2064, where cuntraire may have 
 passed over to Conjugation I (cf. treier = traire (3769 not 
 in the rhyme) (e) cerchiriveir (2674) where the original 
 cerchir may have passed over to Conjugation II. The fre- 
 quent examples of esteit : aveit are analogical. 
 
 2. E checked in tonic position remains : prist : conquist 
 (277) , etc. ; entendent : defendent 267 ; gent : cointement 
 254; sens : purpense 505, etc. 
 
 -ent occasionally written ant, when it rhymes with -ant: 
 talant ( : portant) 1457. 
 
 I. 
 
 I remains in all positions. 
 
 Q. 
 
 1 . O free in tonic position : 
 
 a. Remains before orals in volt: tolt 1787; ovre : recovre 
 24ig, etc. O is particularly common in verb forms outside 
 the rhyme. 
 
 b. Diphthongizes (also before orals). 
 
 ( 1 ) 9 > oe : quoer : foer 1942. 
 
 (2) 9 > ue (orthographic variant of oe, estuetipuet 
 
 1334. 
 
 (3) We find one example of 9 > e, which is probably 
 merely a reduction of oe, quer ( : penser) 53. Outside the 
 rhyme several cases of this reduction are found : nove > nef, 
 2060, also quer 233, 649, etc. 
 
 c. Q > ue before free nasals ; vesquens ( : tens 4009 : sens 
 3669; suens ( : bons) 1855). Bons remains in orthography 
 
LANGUAGE OF AUTHOR 2 1 
 
 even in tonic position ; but this is probably to be ascribed to 
 the copyist. 
 
 d. O + pal. > ui (reduced often to u). (i) ui in nuit 
 ( : tuit) 3307; ennui ( : li) 1391 ; (2) u nut ( : dedut) 1490, 
 etc. 
 
 e. Before I, o > oi (rarely written oe) vpihdoel 153; 
 oil: soil 2331, etc. 
 
 f. Before n, o > uo (occurs but once) suonge : menceonge 
 29. 
 
 2. ,0 checked in tonic position. 
 
 a. Remains before orals : mort : ressort 675 ; cors : dehors 
 3689. 
 
 b. Becomes u before checked nasals (sometimes written 
 o) : cunte (munte) 68; frunt ( : sunt) 3393; omme 
 (:Rome) 1133. 
 
 Q. 
 
 1. O free in tonic position : 
 
 a. O becomes u before orals: honur ( : jur) 3497; dolur 
 
 Ojur) 1537- 
 
 Remark : The orthography ou, though found frequently in 
 our text, both in and out of the rhyme, is evidently due to the 
 copyist. Ou was not in general use (as representing Latin o 
 and u) until late in the thirteenth century (cf. Koch's Intro- 
 duction to Chardri, p. XXVI). 
 
 b. O + free nasal > un ( for on cf . under o -f- oral 
 above) : draguns : leuns 1819; regiun:dun 1275, etc. 
 
 c. O + pal. > oi (with ui as a variant) : (1) oi: croiz: 
 voiz 2393 ; (2) ui : tuit ( : deduit) 3307, etc. 
 
 The forms glorie: estorie (1934 et al.) are characteristic 
 of Anglo-Norman texts. 
 
 d. O + n becomes oi (with ui as occasional variant) 
 verguine: suessoine 1257; cf. the curious rhyme doind: Ed- 
 mund 434, where the mouillation is lost and the diphthong 
 apparently reduced. 
 
 2. O checked in tonic position. 
 
 a. Before orals, o > u : jur : dolur 1537; entur 3169; 
 segnur 3599; burc ( : Gheniesburc) 3905. 
 
22 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 b. O + checked nasal > u, sometimes written o : Ed- 
 mund : respunt 2717 ; sunt : mund 1807 ; parfunt : funt 3693. 
 O + u > eu in deus ( : vus) 1086. 
 
 U. 
 
 a. Tonic u free and checked remains before orals and 
 nasals : plus ( : nuls) 349 ; dreiture : me sure 1837 ; veue : neue 
 141 ; seur ( : eur) 651. 
 
 Remark : u + 1 + s : rhymes, as we see, with u + s, so 
 it would appear that in this combination, 1 had lost its con- 
 sonantal value. 
 
 b. u + pal. becomes ui, often reduced to u, ( 1 ) in deduit 
 ( : trestuit) 571 ; (2) u : dedut ( : nut) 1399. 
 
 AU. 
 
 Au free and checked becomes o before orals and nasals 
 (before nasals written u) : chol (: vol) 316; or tresor 911 ; 
 clot ( : mot) 743 ; hunte ( : cunte) 86. 
 
 B. Consonants. 
 
 Of the consonants in the rhymed syllables, there is little 
 to be said. 
 
 I. Dentals. 
 
 a. t final after a vowel falls : lie : espandie, 2526 (cf. 
 also fust alternating with fu) . 
 
 b. d final has the value of t (checked) and occasionally 
 falls : Edmun : mesprisiun, 3294; Edmund : amunt, 3313, etc. 
 
 c. s + t. 
 
 In our text, s before t is still written in a large majority 
 of examples, and, as a rule, when s is retained before t, we 
 do not find st rhyming with t, e. g., preterites in -st rhyme 
 with each other or with words like Crist, despist, etc. : prist, 
 sist, fist, parmist : Crist (cf. 3274, 2532, 2532, 2538, etc.). 
 
 Forms without s occur more rarely and rhyme with each 
 other. The two exceptions to this rule are fist : escrit, 3469 ; 
 dit:requist, 1969. The fact however that the same forms 
 
LANGUAGE OF AUTHOR 23 
 
 occur with and without the s would seem to indicate that 
 this letter had become silent before a consonant. 
 
 d. s and z are, as a rule, kept separate in the rhyme 
 words, z being used as an equivalent for cons. + s ; how- 
 ever, I find forz'.cors, 2665; also sutilz:ustils, 3127; 
 gopilz : cortilz, 2 1 1 1 ; where the 1 is perhaps silent as in Hz. 
 
 Remark : I find a few examples of the introduction of in- 
 organic s : vest ( : lest) 1364, also cizt ( : dit) 1590. 
 
 II. Labials. 
 
 a. f + cons, often remains in orthography, though it was 
 certainly silent: amiswifs, 1652; cf. also jolifs and joef- 
 nesse, 17 (not in the rhyme) ; poestifs is written sometimes 
 with, and sometimes without, f ( : vifs, 1024: pais, 1029). 
 
II. 
 
 MORPHOLOGY OF THE AUTHOR. 
 A. Case Flexion (Nouns and Adjectives). 
 
 The disorganization of the Old French system of case 
 flexion, which was to become a characteristic of the Anglo- 
 Norman dialect, has already made considerable progress in 
 the text of Denis Piramus. It was however in its earlier 
 stages, by no means so far advanced as we find it, for 
 example, in the works of Chardri, or in the Vie St. Gregoire, 
 which belong to the early years of the thirteenth century. 
 
 i. The s of flexion in nominative singular of nouns and 
 adjectives remains: 
 
 a. In the subject: li reis (:deis), 479; nuls (iplus), 
 350; vifs (icheitis), 2735, etc. Twenty-seven times in 
 the four thousand lines of the Vie Seint Edmund (cf. 1465, 
 18 19, 1846, etc.). Of these twenty-seven, all but three are 
 assured by the rhyme. 
 
 b. After etre: reis \ Engleis , 107; irez (\piez), 2472 
 esliz:berbiz, 2479 (cf. 630, 759, 2538, 3007, 3082, etc.) — 
 forty-eight times in the course of the poem. In all but eight 
 examples the s is assured by the rhyme; in eight only the 
 retention of s may possibly be due to the copyist, though the 
 tendency of the latter, who is writing when case flexion had 
 practically disappeared, would be rather to let fall, than to 
 add the s (cf. 3361, 7^1, 1500, 3239, 1277, 887, etc.). 
 
 2. The s of flexion lost in the nominative singular (sub- 
 ject and after etre) : 
 
 a. s lost in subject: meschyn (ipelrin), 504; chemin 
 ( : parRn), 452; enemi ( : baili), 14; sene ( : apele), 438 — 
 (cf. 815, 1977, 3304, 2203, etc.) — forty-six times in our 
 text. Fifteen of these examples are not conclusive, because 
 the s might have been retained without destroying the 
 rhyme; and fourteen belong to a class of nouns which, in 
 
 24 
 
UNIVER3 
 
 OF 
 
 £AUFCF 
 
 MORPHOLOGY OF THE AUTHOR 2$ 
 
 Old French, either did not assume the s, or assumed it later, 
 by analogy : 
 
 (i) Old accusatives: larum, 1856; felun, 3900; barun, 
 3503; traitur ': pastur ', 21 17-18; vescunte, 3525; salveur, 
 2321; ome,3476. 
 
 (2) Old nominatives, where s of flexion is analogical: 
 sire, 3304; ber, 2451 ; lere, 2087; nom. of homo : hum (um), 
 2176; pecker e, 1; also martir, frere and pere, which were 
 originally without s. 
 
 b. s of flexion lost after etre: acute {'.reclame), 1439; 
 sire ( : dire), 2253 (cf. also: 3202, 2509, etc., in all thirty- 
 five examples). 
 
 Six of these examples do not consistently take s even 
 in General Old French (see above and cf. 2253, etc.). 
 
 Remark : We thus see that the s of flexion in the nomi- 
 native singular masculine was retained in a majority of in- 
 stances in our text; while its fall is assured by a sufficient 
 number of rhymes, to prove that the rule was not con- 
 sistently observed even by the poet himself. 
 
 3. Nominative Plural. 
 
 The plural form seems to have advanced nearer than the 
 singular to the stage of modern French : 
 
 a. Nom. plu. subject and after etre: without s: (1) Sub- 
 ject, thirty-three times; (2) After etre, nineteen times (cf. 
 136, 187, 287, 2063, 3131, 3895, etc.). 
 
 b. Nom. plu. masculine with s : 
 
 Subject and after etre, fifty-six times (cf. 209, 363, 369, 
 427, 3293, etc.). 
 
 B. Conjugation. 
 
 1. Present Indicative. 
 
 a. Weak Verbs. 
 
 (1). Class I. 
 Singular : 
 
 1st person without e : comant ( : avant), 708; cunt ( : Ed- 
 mund), 99; mant: comant, i6gi-2. 
 
26 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 3d person with e: crieve : lieve, 11 7-8; envirune ( : Ham- 
 tune), 386; devise ( : Tatnise), 401 ; conveie ( :veie) 607; 
 prise (iservise), 503 (cf. also 1406, 1588, 1954, 2206, 
 3807, etc.). 
 
 3d person without e: griet ( : dechiet), 703 ; also irregular 
 verbs like va ( : a) 1843; vait: trait, 2229, etc. 
 Plural : 
 
 1 st person: -um (without s):avum (icelerum), 1680; 
 parlum (ivarun) 1780, etc. 
 
 2d person : -ez : aves ( : escutez) , 1638 ; paries : vantez, 
 1971-2. 
 
 3d person : -ent : alient : aiient, 211; aturnent : sujurnent; 
 1779-80 (also vunt {:unt), 151-2). 
 
 (2). Class II. 
 Singular : 
 
 1st person : -s : languis ( : amis), 613. 
 
 2d person : -s : quiers ( : messagiers) , 2234. 
 
 3d person: -t: apent (:gent), 1422; somunt ('.Ed- 
 mund), 2343; tolt (:volt) 1787-8 (cf. also 3050, 1513, 
 etc.). 
 Plural : 
 
 3d person : requerent ( : esmaierent), 291. 
 
 b. Strong Verbs. 
 Singular : 
 
 1st person without termination: ai ( : trametterai) , 591 ; 
 vei ( : rei), 1643, 2248; di ( : issi), 3320. 
 
 3d person: -t: receit (:esteit), 468; veiti'feit, 530 (cf. 
 1524, 2430, 3141-2, etc.). 
 Plural : / 
 
 3d person : -ent : veient ( : pureient), 2395, etc. 
 
MORPHOLOGY OF THE AUTHOR 27 
 
 2. Imperfect Indicative. 
 
 a. Weak Verbs. 
 
 (i). Class I. 
 Singular : 
 
 (a) 1st person: -oue (once only and that not in the 
 rhyme, 1262). 
 
 3d person: -out: penout (:pout), 499; parloutiso- 
 jurnout, 1 145-6; sonout (not in rhyme), 3162; gettout (not 
 in rhyme), 11 70. 
 
 (b) 1st person in -ei : no examples in rhyme. 
 
 3d person in -eit : esteit : aveit, 486; amenteit, 1858, etc. 
 Plural : 
 
 3d person: (esteient) wiveient, 2633; demandeient : re- 
 quereient, 2649. 
 
 Remark: The imperfect of Class I is of rare occurrence 
 in the rhyme, with the exception of the one word esteit, 
 which rhymes regularly with the imperfect of other Conju- 
 gations. The form in ou occurs only in the instances cited 
 above, but the few examples in the rhyme and probably 
 those in the middle of the line, are due to the author. The 
 copyist, unless a person of special culture, would be more 
 likely to err in the other direction. 
 
 (2). Imperfect of Class II, and of 
 
 b. Strong Verbs. 
 Singular : 
 
 3d person: -eit, 1287, 1303, etc. 
 Plural : 
 
 3d person: -eient, 3359, 1157, 1177, etc. 
 
 The imperfect of estre is ert or perhaps sometimes iert, 
 though the i of the latter form may usually be read : 1 < ibi. 
 
28 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 3. Preterite Indicative. 
 
 a. Weak Verbs (Classes I and II). 
 Singular : 
 
 1 st person : -ai, -i, ou, -u, 687-8. 
 
 3d person : -a, -it, -ut ; lava : aurna, 3247-8 ; vesquit : suff- 
 rit, 3287 ; parut : resceut, 3243. 
 Plural : 
 
 1st person: -ames, -umes, -imes (cf. 1663-4, 1279-80, 
 1683-4). 
 
 3d person: -erent, -irent, (-urent) (cf. 381, 836, 3432-3, 
 3611-12, etc.). 
 
 Remark: Cf. also one example of Preterite in ie(t) : es- 
 pandie (:lie), 2526. 
 
 b. Strong Preterites. 
 Singular : 
 
 3d person: -ist, -t, -ust, -ut (cf. 559"6o> 55 I2 > 831-2, 
 1255, etc.). 
 Plural : 
 
 ist person: -ames, -imes, -umes (cf. 1675-6, 1683, etc.). 
 
 3d person: -rent (cf. 1593, 2819-20, 2145, etc.). 
 
 4. Future Indicatives. 
 Singular : 
 
 ist person: -ai (cf. 592, 2282, 2237-8, etc.). 
 
 3d person: -a (cf. 446-7, 1108, etc.). 
 Plural : 
 
 ist person: -um (cf. 859-60, 906-7, 1679, etc.). 
 
 2d person: -ez (cf. 3953-4, 2270). 
 
 3d person: -runt (cf. 213-14, 1057-8, etc.). 
 
 5. Conditional. 
 Singular : 
 
 3d person: -eit (cf. 2196, 2289). 
 Plural : 
 
 3d person: -eient (cf. 1597-8, 2671-2, etc.). 
 
morphology of the author 2$ 
 
 Subjunctive Mood. 
 
 i. Present. 
 Singular : 
 
 ist person with e : repente ( : entente) g. 
 
 3d person (1) without e: ait, 24; doint, 534; port, 1408. 
 
 3d person (2) with e: tramette \ mette , 1 441-2; main- 
 tienge \ mesavienge , 162 1-2. 
 Plural : 
 
 2d person : -ez : puissez : conoissez, 589-90 ; creez : ren- 
 eiez, 2273-4. 
 
 Imperfect Subjunctive. 
 Singular : 
 
 ist : -sse : eusse : pusse, 4029-30. 
 
 3d person : -st : oust : poust, 2189-90. 
 Plural : 
 
 ist person : -um : realisum ( : returnerum) , 1662. 
 
 2d person : -ez : alisez ( : deverez), 1244. 
 
 3d person: -isent, -asent : colpasent: decolasent, 2443-4; 
 cerchasent : menasent 3589-90; espandisent : occisent, 
 2341-2. 
 
 Infinitives. 
 
 The verb chercher appears once as cerchir : veir ( < ver- 
 um), 2574; blancheier: graveir, 3994; the verb venir ap- 
 pears once as vener: oyer, 2865-6; escorchier: neir, 3371-2. 
 
 Though these forms occur in the rhyme, they are all 
 probably errors of the copyist. 
 
 Pronouns. 
 
 a. Personal disjunctive: (1) met, 59, 647; (2) tei, 1064; 
 (3) li and reflex, set are frequent. 
 
 b. Possessives: (1) li mien, 571; as suens, 1855. 
 Pronominal forms take the place of adjectival, but not in 
 
 the rhyme : cf. la mei amur, 542 ; li mien ceptre, 732. 
 
LANGUAGE OF THE COPYIST. 
 
 The study of the language of the copyist, to whom we owe 
 the only remaining manuscript of St. Edmund, reveals cer- 
 tain peculiarities distinct from those of the author. 
 
 I. 
 Phonology. 
 A. Vowels. 
 
 A. 
 
 i. Free in Tonic Position : 
 
 a. a > e before oral consonants : 
 
 Beside the orthographic variants of e < a, found both in 
 and out of the rhyme (cf. Language of Author under a), we 
 find one example of a > i : til < tale, 655. 
 
 Examples of the other variants are : ( 1 ) ee — greef, 1 58 ; 
 neefes, 179; frees, 685. (2) ie — piere (patrem), 565; 
 niefs, 1039, etc. ; piert, 2464; clier, 3029. (3) ei — hantei, 5 ; 
 trei, 18; neifes, 1365; sueif, 1522. 
 
 b. Pal. + a > ie (often reduced to e) (cf. 41, 593, etc.). 
 -aticum > -age, 2915; 3338, etc. 
 
 c. a + pal. > ai (with ei and e as variants) for ai (cf. 
 22, 79, 54, etc. ; ei : 18,405, 1264, etc.; e: 13, 15,33, 151). 
 
 Remark : ( 1 ) Medial, and especially before s -f- cons., e is 
 the prevailing orthography for a + pal. 
 
 (2) Aqua appears as ewe and euwe, 1342, 1428, 31957 
 etc. 
 
 ( 3 ) -ariu becomes -ier, -er. 
 
 Outside the rhyme er is commoner than ier. Exceptional 
 is the form lumeir, 1263. 
 
 d. a + nasal > ai, with ei as a variant (cf. Lang, of 
 Author, p. 19). 
 
 30 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 3 1 
 
 Checked Tonic A: 
 
 a. remains before orals and nasals. 
 
 b. a + 1 + cons : 1 is sometimes vocalized, sometimes re- 
 mains, in orthography at least; while in some cases we find 
 a stage of transition : 
 
 ( i ) 1 remains, but u is inserted before it : hauls, 853. 
 
 (2) 1 > u: autre, 87, etc.; fause, 2480; bauz, 419; vaut, 
 316. 
 
 (3) 1 falls leaving no trace in saf, 524. 
 
 (4) 1 remains orthographically in salf, 529, etc. 
 
 Remark : While in the rhyme words 1 is consistently main- 
 tained so far as orthography is concerned, elsewhere the 
 greatest irregularity prevails. At the time when our manu- 
 script was transcribed, probably the vocalization or fall of 
 the 1 was universal ; while in the original the old form still 
 remained, though the exact value of 1 cannot now be de- 
 termined. 
 
 c. a + labial combination (secondary) appears as ou 
 (cf. 3397,2540). 
 
 1 . Free in Tonic Position : 
 
 a. before orals > ie, often reduced to e (cf. Lang of 
 Author, p. 20) . A rare orthographic variant is ei : peiz, 1434 ; 
 feirt, 406. 
 
 b. e + pal. > e: pris, 188; lit, 1387. Rarely we find the 
 suffix -eria > ire : matire, 30. 
 
 c. e + nasal > ie (cf. 336, 493, 204) ; ie > e very rarely. 
 
 d. In mieldre, meldres, 21, 15 17, 1 has lost its mouillation. 
 
 2. 5 Checked Tonic. 
 
 a. remains before orals and nasals. 
 
 b. e. + 1 + cons. : 1 sometimes remains graphically (cf. 
 235, 160, 468, etc.), but sometimes a is inserted as a glide 
 between the e and the 1 : beats, 482 ; more rarely 1 > u : 
 beus, 533. 
 
32 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E. 
 i. E Free in Tonic Position: 
 
 a. becomes ei before orals, with ai and e as orthographic 
 variants; very rarely we find oi : cf. 24, 542, 938 (cf. Lang, 
 of Author, pp. 19, 20). 
 
 b. For treatment of e + nasal, e + pal. and pal. + e cf . 
 Lang, of Author, p. 20. 
 
 2. E Checked Tonic. 
 
 a. remains before orals and nasals. 
 
 b. e + 1 + cons. : 1 is written in most cases, but we find 
 two examples of 1 > u in eus, 735, 295. 
 
 I. 
 
 Tonic i free and checked remains or becomes y (cf. form 
 miest = mist, 1569). 
 
 The orthography y for i is peculiarly common in diph- 
 thongs and occurs frequently throughout our text, e. g., 
 moy, 540 ; rey, 566, etc. 
 
 However, y as the equivalent of i does not become usual 
 until late in the thirteenth century, so I have ventured to 
 restore the i throughout. (Cf. Stimming; Boeve, App., 
 186.) 
 
 0- 
 
 For o free in tonic position, we have substantially the 
 same development in and out of the rhyme : 
 
 a. o > ue with oe as an orthographic variant. The re- 
 duced form u is occasionally found, and more frequently the 
 form o, which is perhops a reduction of oe, as u of ue. 
 
 (1) oe: poeple, 257, etc.; soens, 3574; 
 
 (2) o: volent, 261; vols, 2333; quor, 2284; volt, 2490. 
 Other rare variants of ue (oe) are: ou, voult, 456; u, 
 
 puse, 707 ; Hue, 345 ; eo : ceo, 272, etc. ; e : nef ( < nove) , 
 quer, 647. 
 
 b. o + pal. > ui : uit, 2060 ; quise, 2408 ; also the charac- 
 teristic Anglo-Norman reduction ui > u = nut, 1410, etc. 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 33 
 
 Remark : Locum > liu regularly in our text, 2629, etc. ; 
 but we find one example of lui, 731 ; jo cum > geu, 563. 
 
 c. o + 1 or n > oi. 
 
 The form oe occurs in doel, 2624, and once o + n > on, 
 e. g. } son (soin) 571. 
 
 d. o + nasal > ue : quens, 89, etc. 
 
 The form bons is probably to be ascribed to atonic position. 
 
 O Checked Tonic: 
 
 a. remains before orals. 
 
 b. o + nasal + cons, is usually rendered by u : cuntre, 
 953 ; tundre, 789, rarely by o : longes, 1473. 
 
 9- 
 
 1. Free in Tonic Position: 
 
 a. Before orals and nasals- > u(ou). (For the orthog- 
 raphy ou cf. Lang, of Author, p. 21 ; for examples, cf. 358, 
 2746, 2590, etc.) 
 
 b. o + pal. > (1) oi: croiz, 2310; estoire, 3261; voiz, 
 1753; (2) ui (sometimes reduced to u) : cunusent, 1848. 
 
 c. o + n > oi or ui (cf. 499, 1995). 
 
 2. O Checked. 
 
 o checked tonic > u(ou) before orals and nasals (cf. 
 Lang, of Author, pp. 21, 22). 
 
 U. 
 
 a. u free and checked remains before orals and nasals 
 (cf. Lang, of Author, p. 23) ; exception murmuire, 1534, is 
 result of confusion. 
 
 b. u + pal. ui, sometimes reduced to u (cf. Lang, of Au- 
 thor, p. .23). ( 
 
 (For treatment of Au see under Language of Author, 
 p. 22.) 
 
34 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Atonic Vowels. 
 
 i. Pretonics. 
 
 As very few atonic vowels are assured by the rhymes, 
 they must be considered under the head of " the Language 
 of the Copyist." 
 
 a. Pretonic a remains in chai, 283 ; maladie, 874, etc., etc. 
 
 b. We find two examples of pretonic a > ue : suessoine, 
 101, 299; suessune, 419. 
 
 In suessoine the a of the first syllable appears to have been 
 assimilated to the oi of the tonic. 
 
 c. We have several examples of ai : chivaler, 1357; chimin, 
 
 3 2 4. 
 
 d. a + nasal -f- cons, appears twice as au : garaunter, 65 
 (reading doubtful) ; erraument, 964. 
 
 5 and E. 
 
 a. e is often retained between the consonant groups b'r, 
 v'r, d'r: descoveri, 1298; devereit, 1246. 
 
 Remark : Often this e has no syllabic value, as* the metre 
 proves ; but sometimes it was evidently pronounced. 
 
 b. e>a in a few instances: salvagine, 758 (assimila- 
 tion?) ; parfeite, 178, etc. 
 
 c. e is assimilated to the tonic in boseinuse, 631, to oi in 
 boisoines, 630. 
 
 d. e -f- pal. remains in medi, 1181 ; > ie in miedi, 1449; 
 > ei in meite, 1398. 
 
 I becomes e in mesprisiun, 387. 
 
 O and O. 
 
 a. o > ou in soulement by analogy to soul. 
 
 b. o > e in demeine, 851 et al. ; volente, 1224. 
 
 c. o + pal > oi, ui (reduced often to u) : cointement, 
 255; fuisun, 162; pussance, 747. 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 35 
 
 Au. 
 
 a. au > o, ou: oure, 190; loant, 3255. 
 
 b. In hiatus au > o, ou and semi-vocalic j(y) : oyes, 79 
 et al. Again, we find oir 3085, rhyming with words in -ir. 
 
 Forms like oyerent : words in -ir may be ascribed to the 
 copyist. (Cf. 2665, 271 1.) 
 
 Notes on Pretonic 5 an d E. 
 1. Fall of e. 
 
 Under the following conditions e often falls in our text : 
 
 a. between two consonants of which r is one : pelfrerent, 
 2354; pelrinage, 11 62; frunt, 260, lerrait, 2092, etc. 
 
 b. between two consonants other than r : almaine, 393, etc. 
 
 c. before vowels (in hiatus) : veir, 1094; ust, 846; em- 
 perur, 83. However, be it observed that this e often remains 
 under the same conditions if the metre so require. Cf. 
 seurte, 355, etc. 
 
 2. Inorganic E. 
 
 An inorganic e may be introduced before the tonic : 
 
 a. before or after vowels or dipthongs : lees, 419; veneue, 
 1200; respondeu, 289. 
 
 b. between consonants to facilitate pronunciation : s'entre- 
 falderunt, 214; liver er, 1053. 
 
 For these rules and for further examples, cf. Stimming 
 Boeve d' Hamtone. (Appendix under unaccented e; pp. 
 176-184.) 
 
 Posttonic 5 an d E. 
 
 1 . E falls or becomes silent : 
 
 a. in feminine forms : real, 1833 ; grant, 245 ; conte, 1322 ; 
 un, 316; vailant, 11 16, etc., etc. 
 
 The exigencies of rhyme and metre prove that many of 
 these forms are due to the copyist, whether found in or out 
 of the rhyme. (Cf. 1324, 1299 et al.). 
 
 b. in masculine forms: sir, 855, 1015; chevetain, 161 9; 
 mund, 1694. 
 
36 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 c. after vowels, especially accented e: moi (posses.), 542; 
 la moi amur; Privement, 1246. 
 
 d. In verb forms : obit, 358 ; mand, 691 ; gard, 567. Most 
 of these are the work of the copyist, as the metre proves. 
 Cf. Stimming's Boeve, App., pp. 181-184. 
 
 t 
 Consonants. 
 
 As very few consonants are assured by the rhyme, many 
 of the phenomena now to be studied must be attributed to 
 the copyist. 
 
 1. Liquids. 
 
 a. L -f- Consonant : 
 
 (1) remains. (Cf. Lang, of Author, pp. 19, 20.) 
 
 (2) 1 is vocalized (cf. Lang, of Copyist, pp. 31, 32). 
 
 (3) 1 falls after a (cf. Lang, of Copyist, p. 31). 
 
 (4) 1 remains, but a is inserted as a glide. (Cf. Lang, 
 of Copyist, p. 31.) 
 
 b. 11 > 1 : aler, 1243 ; apele, 531 ; bele, 532. 
 
 c. T loses mouillation (cf. Lang, of Copyist, p. 33). 
 
 d. T represented by 1, il, (yl), 11, el, li: vitaile, 181; 
 maliers, 2147; lilies, 780; cuilli, 1291 ; Ulee, 442, etc. 
 
 1 in oels (opus) is inorganic, 3129. 
 
 a. r is metathesized in berbiz, 2016; kernel, 229; em- 
 pernez, 1056, etc. 
 
 b. r > 1 in dreiturel ( : justiser), 272. 
 
 c. r falls before cons, in sevir, 507; purpalle, 3774; atilus, 
 1930. 
 
 d. r > rr: irra, 447; serra, 264; dirrum, 10 18, etc. 
 
 e. rr > r : tere, 269 ; guere, 376. s 
 
 2. Nasals. 
 M. 
 
 a. m final > n in nun, 128, 153. 
 
 b. mm >m: comandez, 1039. 
 
 c. m > mm : Rumme, 936. 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 37 
 
 (i) N and N'. 
 
 a. n (initial) > m in mumbre, 292; (medial) solum, 48. 
 
 b. n after r remains in comes, 2668. 
 
 c. nn > n: vienent, 826; tienent, 825 (secondary forma- 
 tions). 
 
 d. N' represented by : in, yn, ygn, ngn, gn, ni : copaynes, 
 210 ; chevetaines, 209 ; gayndble, 220 ; ceynent, 232 ; sesoynes, 
 101 ; gaygnour, 242 ; cyngnes, 472 ; alongni, 237. 
 
 (2) Fall of N: 
 
 a. before p: copaynes, 210. 
 
 b. before t in meite, 754. 
 
 c. before v in covendra, 274. 
 
 d. before g in laguages (once), 376. 
 Occasionally the n of en falls (cf. 94, etc.). 
 
 2. Labials and Labial Groups. 
 
 a. p > b in enberse, 2457. 
 
 b. v (Latin medial, Romance final) > f : vifs, 910, etc.; 
 joefnes, joefnesce, 18. 
 
 c. p inserted between m and n in Dampnedieu, 750; in 
 columpne, 2525. 
 
 d. After m, b falls in andeus, 444 ; amedeus, 2753. 
 
 e. After o or u, v sometimes falls or is absorbed, in 
 poure, 1752; owe, 20 (doubtful). 
 
 f. Between vowels v falls in espourer, 2835 ; espontee, 
 
 3576. 
 
 g. v = consonantal u, w under English influence : jowes, 
 2754 (cf. Eng. jaw.) ; ewe, 1343. 
 
 h. o (u) in hiatus > w (u sometimes retained as a 
 graphic sign) in euwe, 3195; geuwent, 1393; louwer, 556. 
 
 1. Dentals. 
 
 a. t final remains occasionally, at least, as a graphic sign : 
 fut (cf. under verbs, p. 45). 
 
 b. d intervocalic remains in vedve, 11 19; cf. also d 
 ( > final in Romance) in od and ad. 
 
38 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 c. s (voiceless). 
 
 (i) ss (medial) > s'.asez, 294; vavasur, 82. 
 
 (2) ss > sc: musceons, 274. 
 
 (3) s > c: ceisant, 244. 
 
 d. s (voiced) > c in baptice, 2312. 
 
 2. Dental Groups. 
 
 a. Before and after consonants, t may fall: forment, 
 2385; tanque, 2540; apertemen, 3177. 
 
 b. d introduced to facilitate pronunciation in meldre, 
 15 17; to replace c in veindre. 
 
 3. Groups with S. 
 
 a. s + cons, usually retained as a graphic sign both 
 medial and final (cf. Lang, of Author, p. 24) ; cf. also 
 blesme, 702 ; desque, 3059. Sometmes s falls as in memes, 
 3001. 
 
 b. s (pi. sign) falls in de = des, 322 et at; cf. also 1st 
 pers. pi. of all verbs except sumes, 871. 
 
 c. s + cons, falls in ceptre, 732. 
 
 d. z ( < cons. + s) is regularly distinct from s in our text 
 (for exceptions cf. Lang, of Author, p. 23). 
 
 Palatals, C and K, Qu. 
 
 1. C, K (Before o, u or cons.). 
 
 a. c is represented by k (medial and initial) in kernels, 
 224; ovekes, 2660; ileokes, 3553, etc. 
 
 b. c + u(o) written qu : quer, 233 ; quidai, 1234, etc 
 
 MORPHOLOGY OF THE COPYIST. 
 
 Articles. Masculine. 
 
 1. Masc. sing. nom. li (le and V are less common forms) : 
 li occurs eleven time in five hundred lines (100, 350, 467, 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 39 
 
 etc.) ; /' once only in six hundred lines; le seven times in 
 five hundred lines (99, 167, etc.). 
 
 2. Plural nom. li seven times in five hundred lines (154, 
 187, etc.). 
 
 3. Masc. accus. sing. : le fifteen times in six hundred lines 
 (397, 401, etc.) ; /' three times in six hundred lines. 
 
 N. B. — The elision of the e is not always indicated by the 
 orthography. 
 
 4. Masc. accus. pi. les regular form (cf. 8, 26, etc.). 
 
 Feminine. 
 
 Fern. nom. sing, la (regular form). 
 Fern. nom. sing, li once in five hundred lines, 192. 
 Fern. nom. sing. /' twice in five hundred lines (cf. 118, 
 117). 
 
 Fern. nom. and accus. pi. is les. 
 
 Articles Contracted in Combination with 
 Prepositions. 
 
 Masc. sing. : de: del (56, 246, etc.). 
 Masc. sing.: a: al (133). 
 Plural de: dels, des, de (378, 471, 125, etc.). 
 Plural a: as (460, 275, etc.). 
 Plural: a (460). 
 
 Fern, of indefinite article appears as un once in one 
 thousand lines. 
 
 Nouns and Adjectives. 
 
 1. Case Flexion Outside the Rhyme Words. 
 a. In lines 1-1000, the following nouns and adjectives 
 retain the s of the nominative singular : quens ( 1 ) , sires ( 1 ) , 
 reis ( 12) , heals ( 1 ) , nuls ( 1 ) , pruz ( 1 ) , Dieus (7) , malades 
 
 On the other hand, rei occurs twenty-four times without 
 s ; sire three times. All other nouns and adjectives are unin- 
 flected in nom. sing. In five hundred lines (taken at ran- 
 dom) 1570-2075, I find the following nominatives with s: 
 nuls, Hers, 1820; sages, enveziez, 18 19; reis, 1651 (four 
 times) ; riches, 1880; sorciers, 1933. 
 
40 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Remark : From these figures we see that the case flexion 
 of the copyist was in a more advanced stage of disintegration 
 than that of the author. 
 
 An examination of the plural forms leads us to a similar 
 conclusion. 
 
 Masculine Plural Subject. 
 
 I. Form without s is found in the following words be- 
 tween lines i-iooo : joefne, 187 ; apreste, 193 ; triste e dolent, 
 672. All other plurals have s. 
 
 Between lines 1575-2075, we find the following nomina- 
 tive plurals without s: li barun, 1598; li plus riche, 1596; 
 li evesque, 1627; les sage cumte, 1628. 
 
 In a few examples it is impossible to determine whether 
 the form is singular or plural. 
 
 Vocative Singular. 
 
 a. without s : beal Hz, 511; ben Hz, 533 ; seneschal mestre, 
 925; Sir, 857; m, 871, etc 
 
 b. with s : beals Hz chers, 599. 
 
 Vocative Plural (with s). 
 segnurs (4 times), 673, etc.; chers amis, 672. 
 
 2. Agreement of Nouns and Adjectives. 
 
 a. Gender (lines i-iooo). 
 
 1. Fern, noun with masc. adj.: bons genz, 93; cheignes 
 forz, 233; bons gestes, 93; Engletere . . . departi, 112; 
 pescheries bons, 223. 
 
 2. Masc. noun with fern, adj.: poeples joiuse, 169-174; 
 cointe . . . enfant, 510-11. 
 
 b. Number: 
 
 Plural noun with sing, adj.: poeples joiuse, 169-174; 
 tute genz, 490. 
 
 Pronouns. 
 
 1. Personal: 
 
 a. Subject pronoun of 1st person is regularly omitted, 
 except for emphasis. 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 4 1 
 
 Singular : 
 
 ist person: jeo, 15; ieo, 18, 99, 125. 
 
 3d person: (masc), il, 28, 32; (fern.), ele, 37, etc. 
 Plural : 
 
 ist person : nus, 950. 
 
 2d person : vus, 59, 69. 
 
 3d person: (masc.), il, 53, 86; eus = il, inverted order 
 in 2888. 
 
 II is used disjunctively in 553, 611. 
 
 b. Object. 
 
 1. Direct Object {Conjunctive). 
 
 Singular (masc.) : 
 
 ist person: me, 9, 13, etc. 
 
 2d person: te, f (rare), 2323, 2327. 
 
 3d person: le, 44, 7 2 '> t> 54o; U, 56a 
 
 3d person (fern.) : la (regular form). 
 Plural : 
 
 ist person : nus. 
 
 2d person : vus. 
 
 3d person : les. 
 
 2. Indirect Object (Conjunctive). 
 
 Singular (masc.) : 
 
 ist person: me, 552. 
 
 3d person, le, li, 524. 
 Plural : 
 
 ist person: nus. 
 
 2d person : vus. 
 
 3d person: les and lur (cf. 161, 180 et al.). 
 
 3. Direct and Indirect Objects (Disjunctive). 
 
 Singular : 
 
 ist person: moi, 24; mei, 1008. 
 
 2d person : tei, 2324. 
 
 3d person: eus, 295, 735; els, 535. 
 
42 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 c. Reflexives. 
 
 ( i ) Conjunctive : se (cf. eus, 228 ; 1* 785) . 
 
 (2) Disjunctive: sei, 562, etc. 
 
 4. Demonstratives {Pronouns and Adjectives). 
 
 Singular (masc.) : 
 
 (a) Pro. : cil, 25, 57; cesti, 661. 
 
 (b) Adj.: cil, 195; c^/, 421, 124; icel, ill, 296 (rare); 
 c*rf, 657, 688; c«rf», 755. 
 
 Singular (fern.) : 
 
 (a) Pro. : cele 3 242, 355, etc. ; ceste, 367, 76, 85, etc. 
 
 Neutre: ceo, 31, 74, etc. 
 Plural : 
 
 (a) Pro. : ceus, 177; eels (common form), 390, 383, etc. 
 
 (b) Adj. : ces, 62, etc. 
 
 Relatives. 
 
 Forms ki and ke, qui and que are interchangeable ; nomi- 
 native form used for accusative and vice versa. 
 
 (a) Subject: ki, 25, 81, etc.; que, 147, qui, 271, 96; ke, 
 412, 579, etc. 
 
 (b) Object: ki, 658; fet (dative), 811 ; ke, 684. 
 
 Possessives (Pronouns and Adjectives). 
 
 Adjective. 
 
 Masculine singular: 
 
 1st person: mon; plu., mes. 
 
 2d person : tun. 
 
 3d person : sun; plu., j«. 
 Feminine : 
 
 1st person : ma, etc. ; plu., mes. 
 3d person : sa; plu., ses. 
 Exception : son = ses, 338. 
 Plural masculine and feminine : 
 
 1st person : nostre, nos. 
 
 2d person : vostre, vos. 
 3d person : lur. 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 43 
 
 Possessive pronoun is of rare occurrence: li mien, 571 
 (rhyme) ; la moy amur, 542; li mien ceptre, 732. 
 
 Verbs. 
 
 The system of conjugation agrees very closely with that 
 of the rhyme words. There are, however, a few unusual 
 forms attributable to the copyist which will be noticed below. 
 
 Indicative Mood. 
 Present. 
 Singular : 
 
 1st person: su (for suis, 1230) ; pus (for puis, 555) ; 
 
 estui (studiare), 553. 
 3d person: recoilt (recueillir) , 1382. 
 Plural : 
 
 1st person : sumes (only form with s, 546 et al.). 
 
 Imperfect. 
 1st person without s : hantei, 5 ; fesei, 6. 
 
 Preterites. 
 
 Remark: (1) 1st pers. sing. It is sometimes difficult to 
 determine whether the termination ei, ai belongs to the im- 
 perfect or to the preterite, e. g., penai, 9; parlai, 1239, etc. 
 
 (2) Two Picard forms appear: vinch (2), 1227, 1245. 
 '(3) Fut and fu are both found; fut occurs three times 
 in one thousand lines. 
 
 (4) Sometimes the metre demands a trisyllabic form of 
 the 1st and 2d plurals : meimes, 947; veistes, 844. 
 
 Future. 
 Contracted forms : 
 
 1st singular: durrai, 556. 
 
 1st plural: musterum, 906. 
 
 2d plural : freez, 89. 
 
 3d plural : frunt, 260. 
 
 Cf . also forms with pretonic e : averunt, 288. 
 
44 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Subjunctives. 
 Present : 
 
 ist singular : doigne, 543 ; murge, 721. 
 
 3d singular : alge, 1329 ; murge, 652 ; gard, 567. 
 Plural : 
 
 Cf. the curious form susum (etre) which occurs but once 
 in our text, and seems to be a sort of hybrid, compounded of 
 seisum and fussum (960). 
 
 Imperfect Subjunctive. 
 
 There is a change of conjugation in the 3d plu. : tenisent, 
 204; cf. also the form revenist, 953. 
 
 SUMMARY. 
 
 Though, in general, the language of the copyist agrees 
 with that of the author, there are the following minor differ- 
 ences to be noted : 
 
 1. The number of variants of £ and e is greater, and their 
 occurrence relatively more frequent, outside the rhyme. 
 This would seem to indicate that the distinction between 
 close and open e was less clearly felt by the copyist than by 
 the author. 
 
 2. The orthography ou < o is unquestionably an innova- 
 tion of the copyist and is of comparatively late date. 
 
 3. The substitution of y for i is also to be ascribed to the 
 copyist. 
 
 4. The vocalization of 1 (graphically at least) is probably 
 not due to the author. 
 
 5. The frequent insertion of posttonic e, where it is ad- 
 mitted neither by rhyme nor by metre, is due to the copyist. 
 
 6. To him also we must ascribe, in a large measure at 
 least, the disorganization of the Old French system of in- 
 flection. 
 
 These phenomena justify the conclusion that the only 
 manuscript of the Vie Seint Edmund which we at present 
 possess was transcribed not earlier than the middle of the 
 thirteenth century (1250-1260). 
 
LANGUAGE OF COPYIST 45 
 
 That we cannot set the date later than 1260, is proved by 
 the absence from the text of certain late Anglo-Norman 
 peculiarities : 
 
 1. a -J- n + cons. > au only twice, and one of these is 
 is a doubtful reading. Cf . erraument and gar aunt er ( ?) . 
 
 2. The orthography ie < e. is still very frequent, both in 
 and out of the rhyme. 
 
DATE OF DENIS PIRAMUS. 
 
 An interval of nearly a hundred years separates the two 
 extreme dates assigned to the original manuscript of La 
 Vie Seint Edmund le Rei. Suchier places it in the first 
 period of Anglo-Norman literature, that is, before 1150 
 (Ueber die Vie St. Auban, Introduction, p. 3), and Mr. 
 Arnold suggests 1240 as the probable time of its composition 
 (Mem. St. E. A., Vol. II, p. 137). The correct date will 
 be found, I believe, about half way between these two, in 
 the last decade of the twelfth century (1 190-1200). (Cf. 
 G. Paris in Litt. Fr. au M. A., p. 215). 
 
 In the absence of all knowledge of Denis Piramus drawn 
 from outside sources, the evidence at our command divides 
 itself into two classes : 
 
 1. Evidence deduced from a study of the language, es- 
 pecially of the rhyme words. 
 
 2. Evidence derived from the character and content of the 
 poem: 
 
 1. Evidence from the Language. 
 
 a. Comparison with those Anglo-Norman authors whose 
 work is placed, by common consent, about the middle of the 
 third quarter of the twelfth century, proves that the language 
 of Denis Piramus deviates more widely from the General 
 Old French norm than that of any writer before 1170. 
 
 b. On the other hand, a similar comparison with Anglo- 
 Norman works composed after the beginning of the thir- 
 teenth century shows the language of our author to be more 
 archaic, i. e., more regular, than that of any work written 
 after 1200. 
 
 1. Comparison with works composed between 1 1 50-1 170 : 
 a. Lois Guillaume (Ed. J. E. Matzke, Introduction). 
 
 46 
 
date of denis piramus 47 
 
 Phonology. 
 
 Vowels. 
 
 ( i ) Free tonic o* is not diphthongized. (Int., p. 47.) 
 (2) o > u. (Int., p. 47.) 
 
 Consonants. 
 Dentals. 
 
 Probably t and d intervocalic remain in the original MS. 
 Cf. fiede. (Int., p. 48.) 
 Inflection : 
 
 (1) Relative pronoun has always the form ki for nomi- 
 native and ke for accusative. 
 
 (2) Present subjunctive has always the short form, e. g., 
 aint, cleimt. (Matzke, Int., p. 50.) 
 
 As the work is in prose, and the manuscript of relatively 
 late date, we have no means of determining the state of case 
 flexion in the original. 
 
 b. Cambridge Psalter (about 1170). Cf. Schumann, 
 Vokalismus und Consonantismus des Cambridger Psalters. 
 (Heilbronn, 1883.) 
 
 Phonology. 
 
 Vowels. 
 
 (1) e. > ie (rarely reduced to e), p. 24. 
 
 (2) o is diphthongized (Schumann, p. 28). 
 
 (3) o > u and sometimes ou, especially in the termination 
 -osus. This frequent occurrence of ou < o is one of the 
 peculiarities of the Cambridge Psalter. ( Schumann, p. 40. ) 
 
 Consonants. 
 
 (1) Dentals: t and d final sometimes remain. (Schu- 
 mann, p. 47.) 
 
 (2) n final retained in journ and charn. (Cf. Michel's 
 edition Psalms IV and X.) 
 
 Case flexion still tolerably regular, though showing some 
 signs of disorganization. (Cf. Schumann, Appendix.) 
 
48 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 c. Comparison with Adgar' s Legendes de la Vierge, com- 
 posed about 1 1 70. Edition of Neuhaus in Alt Franzosische 
 Bibliothek, Vol. IV ; also Rolf's Study of the Language, in 
 Romanische Forschungen, I, pp. 179-236. 
 
 Remark : In general, the language of Adgar corresponds 
 strikingly with that of our text. 
 
 > 
 
 Phonology. 
 Vowels. 
 
 (1) a -f n + t > au in erraument (cf. Rolf, p. 206). 
 
 (2) ai and ei rhyme regularly (cf. Rolf, p. 208). 
 
 (3) Though some rhymes of ei with ai occur in Adgar, 
 e < a in the termination -are does not rhyme with e < ei< 
 Latin e, except in two or three legends not ascribed to Adgar. 
 (Rolf, pp. 209-210.) According to Rolf (p. 210) the 
 other Anglo-Norman texts in which eir < er is separated 
 from er < are in the rhyme words are : Estoire des Engleis, 
 Lai du Corn, Chanson de la Premiere Croisade, Fantome's 
 Chronique, La Vie St. Thomas. To these we may add La 
 Vie St. Edmund. 
 
 (4) §, pal. + a and -arm become ie, or the reduced form 
 e; beside these, we find frequently i (cf. Rolf, p. 214). 
 
 (5) o often remains undiphthongized, sometimes > oe, 
 ue (cf. Rolf, p. 211). 
 
 Morphology. 
 Pronouns. 
 
 (1) The long forms of the demonstrative are frequent: 
 icel, ico ,etc. (Rolf, p. 228). 
 
 (2) Present subjunctive has the older form without e 
 (Rolf, p. 230). 
 
 (3) Imperfect indicative has the form in -oue, -out, with 
 a few examples of a transfer from Conjugation I to II 
 in the imperfect (cf. Rolf, p. 232). 
 
 (4) Case flexion is almost regular. The editor has re- 
 stored the flexional s throughout. 
 
DATE OF DENIS PIRAMUS 49 
 
 (5) Archaic forms of the nominative (not found in St. 
 Edmund) : enfes, cumpainz, fels, soer. 
 
 (6) Archaic verb forms: i 
 Infin. : sivre, veintre. 
 
 Pres. : siwent, respunent. 
 
 Future: destruerai. 
 
 Pret. : vesqui, benesqui. (Cf. Rolf, pp. 232-5.) 
 
 2. Comparison with Texts of the Beginning of the 
 Thirteenth Century. 
 
 I. Seint Joseph, Les Set Dormanz and Le Petit Plet, by 
 Chardri {Alt Franzosische Bibliothek, Vol. I, Koch), com- 
 posed in the first decade of the thirteenth century. 
 
 Phonology. 
 1 . Vowels. 
 
 (1) Latin £, pal.+a and -arm have all become e ( : e<a) 
 (cf. Koch's Introduction, p. 25). 
 
 (2) o>u (ouof later MSS. is corrected throughout to 
 u, cf. Int., p. 26). 
 
 (3) a + n + cons - > au > though in the earliest MS. this 
 is still rare (Int., p. 30). 
 
 2. Consonants. 
 
 (1) s and z have fallen together: tuz: angussus (Int., p. 
 
 38). 
 
 (2) 1 > u as in General Old French (Int., p. 30). 
 
 Morphology. 
 
 I. Case flexion has entirely disappeared (Int., pp. 37-38). 
 
 II. Vie Seint Gregoire, composed and written by Frere 
 Angier in 12 12. (Edition Paul Meyer in Romania XII, 
 pp. 145-208.) 
 
50 la vie seint edmund 
 
 Phonology, 
 i. Vowels. 
 
 (i) a + nas. > ei (Rom. XII, p. 193). 
 
 (2) e > ei or oi (Rom. XII, p. 196). 
 
 (3) o > ou, o or u; ou is the favorite orthography, es- 
 pecially in the termination -osus. The more common Anglo- 
 Norman form u is rare, and the form o is found only in 
 nove (Rom. XII, p. 197). 
 
 Morphology. 
 
 (1) Case flexion has ceased to exist, as a rule, though 
 sporadic examples occur (Rom. XII, p. 198). 
 
 (2) Imperfects of I are found both in -ot and -eit, the 
 latter rare (Rom. XII, p. 200). 
 
 3. La Vie Seint Edmund. 
 
 Phonology. 
 
 Vowels. 
 
 ( 1 ) Latin £, pal. + a and -arm become ie, sometimes re- 
 duced to e; ie predominates in the rhyme. (Cf. Phon. of 
 Author under a and £, pp. 17, 18, 19; cf. also Camb. Ps., p. 
 
 47 of this study; Ad gar, ibidem, p. 48; Cliardri, ibidem, p. 
 
 49-) 
 
 (2) e > ei, e; does not rhyme with ei, e from other 
 sources. Cf. Phon. of Author under e, p. 20; Adgar, p. 
 
 48 of this study.) 
 
 (3) 9 sometimes diphthongizes, sometimes appears as o. 
 (Cf. o in Phon. of Author, pp. 20, 21 ; also Lois Guillaume, 
 p. 47 of this study ; Adgar, p. 48, ibidem.) 
 
 (4) o > u (ou to be ascribed to the copyist). (Cf. Phon. 
 of Author, p. 22 ; Lois Guillaume, p. 47 of this study ; Camb. 
 Ps., p. 47, ibidem ; Chardri, p. 49, ibidem ; Vie St. Gregoire, 
 p. 50, ibidem.) 
 
 (5) a -f- n + cons, does not become au (cf. Adgar, p. 
 48 of this study). 
 
DATE OF DENIS PIRAMUS 51 
 
 Consonants. 
 
 (i) No sign of the vocalization of 1 (graphically) in the 
 rhyme words. (Cf. Phon. of Author under a and e, pp. 18, 
 19; Chardri, p. 49 of this study.) 
 
 (2) s and z are regularly kept apart. (Cf. Cons, of 
 Author, p. 24; Chardri, p. 50.) 
 
 (3) s + cons. : s usually written, but probably silent. 
 (Cf. Cons, of Author, p. 23.) 
 
 Morphology. 
 
 (1) The disorganization of the Old French system of 
 case flexion has begun, but has made relatively little progress 
 in the work of Denis Piramus. (Cf. Morphol. of Author, 
 pp. 25, 26; cf. other works examined, pp. 46-50.) 
 
 (2) Archaic verb forms are found occasionally in St. 
 Edmund: 
 
 Infin. : veintre, veindre, 2395. 
 
 Pres. : siut, 2795. 
 
 Pret. : siwerent, 2718. 
 
 Fut. : destruerai, 1708. 
 
 Old. pret. : in -iet found once: espandie: lie, 2526. (Cf. 
 Rolf, pp. 232-3.) 
 
 5. The evidence from the language would seem to place 
 La Vie Seint Edmund about half way between the early 
 writers with whose work it has been compared, and those 
 who belong confessedly to the beginning of the thirteenth 
 century. But this conclusion leaves a margin of about thirty 
 years between the earliest and the latest date to which Denis' 
 work can be assigned. 
 
 These limits may be, I believe, still further contracted by 
 the evidence drawn from the character and content of the 
 poem. In certain lines of his introduction, to which atten- 
 tion has already been called, Denis Piramus alludes to Marie 
 de France as to a contemporary, and implies that he had 
 been, in his youth, her fellow-laborer, if not her rival, in the 
 profession of verse making. 
 
 Now, though the Vie St. Edmund does not belong to the 
 period of his life when its author presumably lived at court, 
 
52 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 yet he speaks of Marie not only as of one whose works 
 were still familiar to the public, but as of a person still 
 living. I quote the lines to which I refer : 
 
 " E Dame Marie, altresi, 
 Ki en rime fist e basti 
 E compensa les vers de lais, 
 Ke ne sunt pas de tut verais; 
 E si en est ele mult loee, 
 E la rime par tut amee. 
 Kar mult laiment, si lunt mult cher 
 Cunte, barun e chivaler, 
 E si en aiment mult lescrit, 
 E lire le funt, si unt delit, 
 E si les funt sovent retreire, 
 Les lais soleient 1 as dames pleire." Etc. 
 
 The Lais of Marie were, however, almost certainly not 
 published before 1165 (cf. Warnke's edition of Fables, 1898, 
 Int., pp. 1 1 5-1 17), and according to Gaston Paris (Rom. 
 XXIV, p. 290) not before 1180; especially if we admit that 
 the fables precede the Lais, and there is strong reason for 
 believing that this is the correct order. (Cf. pp. 3, 4.) 
 
 Moreover, Denis Piramus did not acquire his familiarity 
 with the Lais after his retirement to a life of religious se- 
 clusion. Marie, her glory and her faults, are to him then 
 but a reminiscence of his past existence. It is true that 
 Denis does not profess to be old, only " drawing near to old 
 age " ; but it seems safe to assume that at least some years 
 separate his life at court from the time of composition of his 
 St. Edmund. 
 
 I have said " some years " ; but here again we must be on 
 our guard. We must not assume that a very great interval 
 of time elapsed between the appearance of the Lais and the 
 penning of this, the only allusion to them or to their author 
 which has come down to us from the period. After Denis 
 Piramus a great silence falls around Marie de France, broken 
 by no mention of her name throughout the thirteenth cen- 
 tury. Her works, indeed, live on ; but in the various coun- 
 tries and languages in which the Lais are found, they form 
 parts of anonymous collections, and are interspersed with 
 
 1 Correct suelent on account of metre. 
 
DATE OF DENIS PIRAMUS 53 
 
 the works of far less skilful hands. (Cf. Warnke's edition, 
 Int., pp. viii and ix.) 
 
 One circumstance should be noted, which has a certain 
 value, if only negative, in determining the date of La Vie 
 Seint Edmund. 
 
 The latest work of Marie, the Espurgatoire Seint Patriz, 
 has been assigned by both Gaston Paris and Warnke (cf. 
 Rom. XXIV, p. 290, 1895, and Warnke's edition of the 
 Fables, Int., pp. 115-117, 1898) to the year 1190 or there- 
 abouts. Now, though it seems natural, for the reasons 
 given above, that Denis should have omitted all mention of 
 the fables, we cannot say the same respecting the Espur- 
 gatoire. Here was a work distinctly religious in character, 
 which could scarcely have failed to appeal to Denis in his 
 role of penitent and reformer. If the Espurgatoire had 
 already appeared at the time when he began the Life of 
 St. Edmund, is it probable that he would have passed it by 
 in silence? If Marie too, in his own words, had " set her 
 mind upon another sort of achievement/' would not Denis 
 have made use of her eminent example to increase the force 
 of his own ? 
 
 Conclusion : 
 
 1. Evidence from the language makes it almost certain 
 that the Vie Seint Edmund was composed between the years 
 1 1 70 and 1200. 
 
 2. Evidence from the content of the poem makes it highly 
 probable that it was written between 11 90 and 1200. 
 
La Vie Seint Edmund le Rei 
 
The MS. of La Vie Seint Edmund was copied for me by Mr. E. 
 A. Herbert of the British Museum. This copy was subsequently 
 collated with the original by my friend Miss Edith Fahnestock, 
 Mistress of Modern Languages of the Mississippi College for 
 Women, at Columbus, Mississippi. My sincere thanks are due 
 both to Miss Fahnestock and Mr. Herbert for their careful and 
 accurate work. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND LE REI. 
 
 Mult ai use cume pechere, 
 
 Ma vie en trop fole manere, 
 
 E trop [par] ai use ma vie 
 
 En peche e en folie, 
 5 Kant curt hantei of les curteis; 
 
 Si fesei les serventeis, 
 
 Chanceunettes, rimes saluz, 
 
 Entre les drues e les druz. 
 
 Mult me penai de tels vers fere, 
 10 Ke assemble les puse [re] treire, 
 
 E kensemble fussent justez 
 
 Pur acomplir lur volentez. 
 
 Ceo me fit fere le enemi ; 
 
 Si me tint ore a mal baili. 
 15 James ne me burderai plus. 
 
 Jeo ai nun Denis Piramus ; 
 
 Les jurs jolifs de ma joefnesce 
 
 Senvunt; si trei jeo a veilesce, 
 
 Si est bien dreit ke me repente; 
 20 En altre ovre metterai mentente, 
 
 Ke mult mieldre est e plus nutable. 
 
 Deus me ait espiritable, 
 
 E la grace Seint Espirit 
 
 Seit of mei e si a'it ! 
 25 Cil ki Partenope trova, 
 
 E ki les vers fist e rima, 
 
 Mult se pena de bien dire; 
 
 Si dist il bien de cele matire, 
 
 Cume de fable e de menceonge. 
 30 La matire resemble songe; 
 
 Kar ceo ne poiist unkes estre. 
 
 MS. 11. 2, cum; 3, E trop ai (7syl); 5, courte; 9, teles; 10, puise; 
 creire; 16, noun; 20, oure; 22, Dieus, ayde; 24, moy; 29, cum., 
 30, suonge; 31, put. 
 
 (57) 
 
58 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Si est il tenu pur bon mestre, 
 
 E les vers sunt mult amez, 
 
 E en ces riches curts loez. 
 35 E Dame Marie altresi, 
 
 Ki en rime fist e basti, 
 
 E compensa les vers de lais, 
 
 Ke ne sunt pas de tut verais; 
 
 Si en est ele mult loee, 
 40 E la rime par tut amee. 
 
 Kar mult laiment, si lunt mult cher 
 
 Cunte, barun e chivaler. 
 
 E si en aiment mult lescrit, 
 
 E lire le funt, si unt delit, 
 45 E si les funt sovent retreire. 
 
 Les lais suelent as dames pleire. 
 
 De joie les oient e de gre, 
 
 Quil sunt sulum lur volente. 
 
 Li rei, li prince e li curtur, 
 50 Cunte, barun e vavasur, 
 
 Aiment cuntes, chanceuns e fables 
 
 E bon diz qui sunt delitables; 
 
 Kar il hostent e gettent penser, 
 
 Doil, enui e travail de quer, 
 55 E si funt ires ublier, 
 
 E del quer hostent le penser. 
 
 Kant cil e vus, segnur trestuit, 
 
 Amez tel ovre e tel deduit, 
 
 Si vus volez entendre a mei, 
 60 Jeo vus dirrai, par dreite fei, 
 
 Un deduit qui mielz valt asez, 
 
 Ke ces altres ke tant amez ; 
 
 E plus delitable a oir, 
 
 Si purrez les almes garir 
 65 E les cors garanter de hunte. 
 
 Mult deit hum bien oir tel cunte, 
 
 MS. 11. 34, curtes; 39 E si; 46, soleient (9 syl.); 49, courtur; 50, 
 cunt; 54, travaile; 58, oure; 60, dreit; 61, milez, valut;j65, garannter; 
 66 and 67, home. 
 
UMVER3JTY 1 
 
 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 59 
 
 Hum deit mult mielz a sen entendre, 
 
 Ke en folie le tens despendre. 
 
 Un dedut par vers vus dirrai, 
 70 Ke sunt de sen e si verrai 
 
 Kunkes rien ne pout plus veir estre, 
 
 Kar bien le virent nos ancestre, 
 
 E nus en apres de eir en eir, 
 
 Avum bien veu que ceo est veir ; 
 75 Kar a nos tens est avenu 
 
 De ceste oevre meinte vertu. 
 
 Ceo que hum veit, ceo deit hum creire. 
 
 Kar ceo nest pas sunge ne arveire. 
 Les vers que vus dirrai, si sunt 
 80 Des enfances de Seint Edmunt, 
 
 E des miracles altresi ; 
 
 Unkes hum plus beals nad 01. 
 
 Rei, due, prince e empereur, 
 
 Cunte, barun e vavasur, 
 85 Deivent bien a ceste oevre entendre, 
 
 Kar bon ensample il purrunt prendre. 
 
 Reis deit bien oir de altre rei, 
 
 E lensample tenir a sei, 
 
 E due de due e quens de cunte ; 
 90 Kant la reison a bien amunte. 
 
 Les bones genz deivent amer 
 
 De oir retreire e recunter 
 
 Des bones gestes les estoires 
 
 E retenir en lur memoires. 
 95 Ore oiez, Cristiene gent, 
 
 Vus qui en Dieu omnipotent 
 
 Avez e fei e esperance, 
 
 E de salvaciun fiance, 
 
 Li seintime ber dunt jeo cunt, 
 100 Li bon due, li pius Edmunt, 
 
 Fu de Sessoine veirement, 
 
 ML. li. 72, nostre, 75, aveneu; 76, verteu; 77, home (bis), crere; 
 8o, enfantes; 81, de; 82, home, ne; 83 emperur; 84, cunt; 87, rei; 
 91, 93, bons; 94, e lur; 99, Le seintim, 10 1, Suessoyne. 
 
60 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ne de reis e de halte gent, 
 Des anciens Saisnes fu ne, 
 Li e tute sa parente. 
 
 105 Princes e reis furent ses ancestre, 
 
 E il apres cum il dut estre. 
 Si fu en Engletere reis 
 De une partie des Engleis ; 
 Reis e dutre fu de la gent 
 
 no Del pais devers orient. 
 
 Kar Engletere en icel temps, 
 Fu departie en treis sens, 
 E treis princes les segnuries 
 Aveient de ces treis parties, 
 
 115 Kar un rei aveit en chescune. 
 
 Seint Edmund esteit rei del une, 
 De cele part u lalbe crieve, 
 E u lesteile jurnal lieve, 
 E u le soleil lieve en est, 
 
 120 Les peisanz le claiment Est. 
 
 Ore purreit acun doter, 
 E de ceste oevre demander : 
 Pur quei treis reis out en pais, 
 En eel tens ensemble estais, 
 
 125 E Seint Edmund fut un des treis ; 
 
 Jeo le vus dirrai sempres maneis. 
 Kar ainz aveit sanz mesprisun 
 Engletere Bretaigne a nun, 
 De Brut qui sa gent i mena, 
 
 130 E qui la tere poplia 
 
 Pus la tindrent, de rei en rei, 
 En bien, en pes e en requei, 
 Dekes al tens de Vortigerne, 
 Qui le pais mist devers Galerne. 
 
 135 Pus jesque Uterpendragun, 
 
 Tindrent la tere li Bretun. 
 
 M. S. 11. 103; ancienes sechnes ; 112, departi; 117, parte; 118, iurnal; 
 119, soleile; 122, oeuvre; 125, de; 128, noun; 135, E pus, 
 
°r Th e ■ 
 
 ■ ve*; TY 
 
 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 De Uterpendragun jesque Arthur, 
 
 La tindrent il bald e seur. 
 
 Apres Arthur la tere avint 
 140 A Cadawaladre qui la tint. 
 
 En son tens vint une murine, 
 
 Ke lur surt de une famine, 
 
 Ke les seisante parz e mais 
 
 De la faim mururent a fais. . 
 145 Cadawaldre qui reis fu 
 
 Fu mult dolent e irascu 
 
 De la gent que mururent de faim ; 
 
 Ki ne aveient ni ble ni pain 
 
 Dunt pussent vivre un repast. 
 150 Le pais guerpirent tut gast. 
 
 [E] pur la mesese quil unt, 
 
 En Armoniche tuz sen vunt, 
 
 Ke Petite Bretaigne ad nun ; 
 
 La vait li reis e li Bretun, 
 155 Plurant, criant, fesant grant doel, 
 
 Morz voleient estre a lur voil. 
 
 Suz ciel ne ad mesese endreit sei, 
 
 Ke tant grief cum faim en sei. 
 
 Meis Alein qui sires esteit 
 160 De eel pais, bel les resceit; 
 
 Ki les dune assez guarisun 
 
 Pain e vin, char a fuisun, 
 
 E richement fist sujurner, 
 
 Tant cum il i voldrent ester. 
 165 Dune remist Bretaigne la grant 
 
 Sanz home e feme e sanz enfant. 
 
 Trestut le pais fu gastine, 
 
 •Fors des oisels e de salvagine. 
 
 Kant les poeples ultremarins 
 
 170 Qui a Bretaigne furent enclins 
 
 MS. 11. 140 and 145, Radawaladre; 147, morerent, 148, ne (bis); 
 151, Pur la (7 syl.); 153, petit, ad a noun; 158, greef; 161, doune; 
 166, home, f6me (the line — = double m is probably due to the 
 copyist). 
 
62 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Oirent la novele dire, 
 
 Que les Bretuns unt lur empire 
 
 Issi deguerpi e leisse, 
 
 Mult en furent joius e le. 
 175 Tost unt apreste lur navies, 
 
 De vitaile e de ble garnies, 
 
 Cels de Sessoine e les Engleis, 
 
 E de Gutlande les Gutteis. 
 
 Lur nefs aprestent e aturnent, 
 180 E lur peise ke tant sujurnent. 
 
 Vitaile amenent a delivre, 
 
 Dunt il purrunt bien set ans vivre, 
 
 E riches armes a plente, 
 
 E tute manere de ble. 
 185 De ces treis teres finement, 
 
 I vunt mult de la Viste gent ; 
 Li pruz, li joefne bacheler, 
 Pur los e pur pris conquester. 
 Attendu unt e demure 
 
 190 Tanque Dieus lur tramist oure. 
 
 Kant il virent le vent estable, 
 
 E que loure fu covenable, 
 
 E que de errer apreste sunt 
 
 En mer se mettent, si sen vunt. 
 195 Tant se penerent de sigler, 
 
 Quil sentre ateinstrent en la mer 
 
 E kant il pres aprochiez erent 
 
 Les uns des altres se doterent, 
 
 Kar nule de ces treis navies 
 200 Ki en [la] mer sunt departies, 
 
 Ne saveit daltre, ceo est la veire, 
 
 Que en Bretaigne tenisent eire. 
 
 II sentre demanderent quil sunt, 
 Dunt il vienent e u il vunt? 
 
 205 Tant unt enquis, tant demande, 
 
 MS. 11. 171, oyerent; 174, ioyuse e lee; 177, Suessune; 179, neefes; 
 180, suiournent; 181, i amenent (9 syl.); 197, aproiciez; a 00 en mer 
 (7 syl.); 203 senter. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 63 
 
 Quil sentredient verite: 
 
 Ke en Bretaine vunt pur conquere, 
 
 Hors de lur pais e de lur tere. 
 
 Tant unt parle les chevetaines 
 210 Des treis genz e des treis companies, 
 
 Ke trestuz ensemble se alient, 
 
 E compainie entrels se afient, 
 
 E quil ensemble se tendrunt, 
 
 E james ne sentrefalderunt. 
 215 Tant unt sigle, tant unt curu, 
 
 Quil sunt en Bretaigne venu. 
 
 Dreit vers la marine del North, 
 
 Siglent, vagent e prenent port. 
 
 Le pais trovent delitable 
 220 E la tere bien gainable. 
 
 II trovent les granz gaineries, 
 
 Bois e forest e praeries, 
 
 Pescheries bones e fines, 
 
 E sur la mer bones salines. 
 225 Un meis il unt ja demure, 
 
 Tant quel pais sunt acerte; 
 
 Dune funt les granz fosses lever; 
 
 Pur els garir e rescetter, 
 
 Levent bresteches od kernels, 
 230 Ke cuntrevalent bons chastels; 
 
 De hericeuns e de paliz 
 
 Les ceinent; si funt riuleiz 
 
 Del quer des cheines forz e halz, 
 
 Ki ne criement sieges ni asalz. 
 235 Bon chastel i funt e bon burg, 
 
 Kum claime encore Escardeburg. 
 
 Pus ne se sunt pas alongni, 
 
 Kar de ble furent bien garni ; 
 
 Les teres laborent e erent, 
 240 E richement les cultiverent; 
 
 Kar mult par furent a eel jur 
 
 MS. 11. aio, De; an, ki; 222, Boise; 223, bons? 224, bons; 233, 
 burge; 236, escardeburge; 24i,iour. 
 
64 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Cele gent bon gaaignur. 
 
 Tant unt en tere travaile, 
 
 E labore e gaaigne, 
 245 Quil aveient en tens grant plentez 
 
 E del un e de tuz [les] blez. 
 
 En Armoniche est tost veneue 
 
 La novele, e tost espandeue. 
 
 Kant les Bretuns loirent dire, 
 250 Grant doel en aveient e grant ire, 
 
 Si tost cum poent, ariere vindrent, 
 
 En Bretaigne quil primes tindrent 
 
 Od tant de gent cum il aveient, 
 
 E cum il areimer purreient, 
 255 II se aprochent vers cele gent, 
 
 Si les mandent mult cointement, 
 
 E lur messages les tramettent, 
 
 Ke de lur tere se demettent, 
 
 Ke est lur dreit e lur heritage ; 
 260 Algent deluc, si frunt que sage; 
 
 E sil ne volent pur amur 
 
 Tost issir hors de lur honur, 
 
 Par force les f erunt aler ; 
 
 Si serra pis le demurer. 
 265 Kant les foreins de ultre mer, 
 
 Oirent les messagers parler. 
 
 E il escultent e entendent, 
 
 Kil la tere les defendent, 
 
 II remandent hardiement 
 270 E as Bretuns e a lur gent 
 
 Ke tost sen algent del pais. 
 
 U si ceo nun, si serra pis. 
 
 Le demurer, as branz dascer 
 
 Lur covendra a desrainer. 
 275 As branz de ascer e od la lance 
 
 Desrainerunt la demurance. 
 
 MS. 11. 24a, gaygnour; 344, gayne (7 syl.); 246, tuz blez (7 syl.); 
 a49,loyerent; 26 r, amour 262, honour; 266, oyerent; 272, noun; 276, 
 desrynerunt. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 65 
 
 II sunt del desrainer tut prest, 
 
 Ke ceo est lur tere e lur conquest; 
 
 Kar kant il en la tere entrerent 
 280 Home ne feme ni troverent, 
 
 Ki de rien lur contredist, 
 
 Ne ki a reisun les mist. 
 
 Kar en la tere dune vivant, 
 
 Ne out home, feme ni enfant. 
 285 Les Bretuns i sunt pus entrez, 
 
 Folement i sunt arivez. 
 
 Ceo les mandent bien li forein; 
 
 La bataile averunt els demain. 
 Kant les foreins unt respundeu, 
 290 E les Bretuns unt entendeu, 
 
 Ke [cil] la bataile requerent, 
 
 Sachez que mult sen esmaierent; 
 
 Kar les foreins sunt bien armez 
 
 E plus gent unt quil nunt de asez. 
 295 En cuntre un de els, il en unt katre. 
 
 Nest pas ouwel ( i ) icel cumbatre. 
 
 Nepurkant les Bretuns (2) 
 
 Sesbaldirent cume baruns. 
 
 Lendemain funt lur chivalers 
 300 Armer e munter lur destriers, 
 
 Od tant de gent cum il orent 
 
 E cum il aramir porent. 
 
 Od les foreins dune se asemblerent, 
 
 E meint rude colp [i] donerent. 
 305 E les foreins ensement 
 
 Se cumbatirent fierement; 
 
 Od branz, od haches, od espiez, 
 
 Colpent testes e poines e piez, 
 
 Gettent lur grandes pieres rundes 
 
 MS. 11. 277, desreyner; 280 and 284, home, feme (For double m in 
 these words here and elsewhere, cf. note on line 165) ; 291, ke la (7 syl.); 
 298, cum; 302, poerent; 304, coupe — donerent; 307, espeies; 309, 
 roundes, grant. 
 
 Note (1) ouwel < aequalis. (2): Six syllabled line. 
 
66 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 310 Od lur eslinges, od lur fundes 
 
 Od les haches les vunt requere, 
 
 Ke tuz les fendent desken tere. 
 
 Lancent gavelocs empennez, 
 
 Dunt il unt mil emboucliez, 
 315 Ke tut trespercent al primer vol. 
 
 Halberc ne valt foile de chol. 
 Kant les Bretuns ne pourent mes 
 
 Des foreins sustenir le fes, 
 
 En cumbatant tienent lur veie 
 320 Issi que nul ne se desreie; 
 
 Avant enveient la rascaile, 
 
 E les bestes od lur vitaile ; 
 
 Dreit en Gales, les chies enclins, 
 
 Tienent e veies e chemins, 
 325 Que Vortigerne ot poplie, 
 
 Kant de Bretaine fu chacie 
 
 Par Horse e Henge e lur gent ; 
 
 Que Vortigerne, veirement, 
 
 Out ainz atraiz el pais, 
 330 Cume soldeers de grant pris. 
 
 Tenu les out, e nuts e jurs, 
 
 Feit lur out bien, e granz honurs, 
 
 E richement les soldeia, 
 
 Reale solde les dona. 
 335 E cil guarderent le pais 
 
 Bien de utlages e de enemis. 
 
 Pus feseient mult grant treisun 
 
 Horse e Henge e lur compainun. 
 
 Le rei mandent a Ambresbire 
 340 E les plus halz de sun empire ; 
 
 E il i vindrent veirement 
 
 Sanz arme cum a parlement. 
 
 Meis Horse e Henge e lur mesnee, 
 
 Pur la tere quil unt coveitee, 
 
 MS. 11. 315, tresperce; 316 valt un foile (9 syl.); 317, purrent; 
 331, nutes, iours; 332, grant; honours; 334' E reale (9 syl.); 338, sun 
 companiun; 343, mesne; 344, covcite. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 67 
 
 345 Vortigerne unt iluc pris, 
 
 E les altres unt tuz occis 
 
 Des knivez que unt en musceuns, 
 
 Que riches cuntes, que baruns, 
 
 Katre cent e ceisante e plus, 
 350 Fors sul li rei, ne eschapa nuls. 
 
 Vortigerne qui sen embla 
 
 E dreit en Guales senala, 
 
 Si i hanta, il e sa gent, 
 
 Ke a li vindrent coiement. 
 355 Pur seiirte de cele gent 
 
 E quil sunt de lur parent, 
 
 I vunt ceste gent descumfite. 
 Li reis ki el pais abite 
 
 Bel e haltement les resceut, 
 360 Cume parenz resceivre dut. 
 
 La sunt li Bretun areste, 
 
 E li forein sunt returne, 
 
 De la victoire balz e lez 
 
 E quil unt les Bretuns chaciez. 
 365 Issi perdirent li Bretun 
 
 Bretaine e Bretaine sun nun, 
 
 E pur ceo heient les Galeis 
 
 Par mortel guere les Engleis. 
 
 E les foreins ultremarins 
 370 Ki sages esteient de grant fins, 
 
 Vers la marine repairerent, 
 
 U la menue gent leisserent, 
 
 Cume de femes e denfanz, 
 
 E de anceles e de serjanz. 
 375 E si refirent mult que sages : 
 
 Pur ceo quil sunt de treis languages, 
 
 II eslistrent entrels treis reis, 
 De chescun language des treis, 
 Ke nuls de altre dire poiist, 
 
 MS. 11. 347,musceouns, 349,ceisant; 350, soul ^3 5 7 II unt.descumfit; 
 358, abit| 36i,§les bretuns; 362, Les foreins;; 366, noun;" 376, la- 
 guages. gP_- 
 
68 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 380 Ke greindre segnurie oust. 
 
 E apres ceo lur loz loterent 
 
 E la tere en treis departerent : 
 
 A eels de Angle cha'i le su ; 
 
 Liez en furent, e bel lur fu, 
 385 Sicume la mer lenvirune 
 
 De Tamise dekes Hamtune. 
 
 De eels de Angle sanz mesprisun 
 
 Resceust Engletere sun nun. 
 
 Le pais del North altresi 
 390 A eels de Guthlande chai ; 
 
 Descoce dekes al Humbre, 
 
 Grant erent, ne sai le numbre. 
 A un fier barun de Alemaine, 
 
 Ki ert venu od la compaine, 
 395 Otrierent entrels Lindeseie 
 
 Pur sa ruiste chevalereie. 
 
 Linde apellerent le barun ; 
 
 De li prist Lindeseie sun nun. 
 A eels de Sessoine ensement 
 400 Cha'i le pais del orient, 
 
 Sicume la mer le devise, 
 
 De Wytheme dekes Tamise, 
 
 Riche pais e gaainable, 
 
 E bon e dulz e delitable ; 
 405 Mult par i feit bon habiter. 
 
 Al un coste i fiert la mer, 
 
 Del altre part est li mareis ; 
 
 Asez i a del peissun freis. 
 
 Devant est de granz fosses ceint, 
 410 Ke del une ewe al altre ateint. 
 
 Est Angle apelent le pais 
 
 La gent ke i sunt estais 
 
 Ki sunt asasez de tuz biens, 
 
 MS. 11. 380, eust; 381, lotirent; 382, department; 385, Sicum; '388, 
 noun; 392; mumbre; 393, almayne (7 syl.); 398, noun;J399, sue- 
 soine; 401, sicum; 403, gaynable (7 syl.); 404, douce; 405, feirt; 
 407, parte; 408, pessun; 410, euwe. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 69 
 
 Tut sunt manant, ne lur fait riens. 
 415 Le pais est de treis contrees 
 
 Establies de bien e sazees : 
 
 Northfolk, Suthfolc, Estsex unt nun; 
 
 De tuz biens i ad grant fuisun. 
 
 Les Saisnes furent balz e lez 
 420 Kar mult furent bien herbergiez. 
 
 Bien garderent eel est pais, 
 
 Apres long tens, e anz e dis ; 
 
 E pus tramistrent sanz essoine 
 
 Lur messages deske a Sessoine, 
 425 Pur lur freres, pur lur cosins 
 
 Pur lur amis, pur lur veisins ; 
 
 Kant il vindrent, bien venuz. 
 
 Sunt el pais e bien receuz ; 
 
 Si poeplierent la cuntree, 
 43° U gastee fu e desertee. 
 
 En richesce e joie e en pes 
 
 Vesquirent, e lur eirs apres. 
 
 Un rei aveient, ceo fu le veir, 
 
 Prodome mult de grant saveir: 
 435 Offe out nun, si fu apelle, 
 
 Bon chivaler, sage e sene. 
 
 E Cristiente mult ama. 
 
 E Seinte eglise enhalcea. 
 
 Cil fu de Est Angle rei secund, 
 440 Devant le rei Seint Edmund. 
 
 Li reis Offe fu mult marriz 
 
 De ceo quil ne out file ne fiz, 
 
 A qui il puse deviser 
 
 La regiun a son finer. 
 445 Plusurs penses out en curage; 
 
 A la parfin pensa que sage, 
 
 Ke a Jerusalem irra 
 
 E Jesu Crist depriera 
 
 MS. 11. 417, noun; 419, suesunes, leez; 428, en; 430, gaste; 432, 
 vesquierent; 435, noun, 441, Le rey; 442, filee; 444, le regum; 445, 
 avait (9 syl.); 446, al parfin (7 syl.). 
 
JO LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ke Jesu Crist li doint tel eir 
 450 Ki digne seit del regne aveir. 
 
 Si purposa a la parfin, 
 
 Ke par Sessoine ert sun chemin, 
 
 Par sun Cusin qui reis esteit, 
 
 E qui Sessoine mainteneit. 
 455 II fet tost son eire aprester, 
 
 Kar il ne volt plus sujurner 
 
 Primerement ad pris cunge 
 
 A seinte eglise e al clerge, 
 
 Pus pris cunge a ses princers, 
 460 As baruns e as chivalers ; 
 
 E son regne les comanda 
 
 E mult dulcement les pria. 
 
 Quil tenisent dreite justise, 
 
 E enhalceasent seinte eglise. 
 465 Dune se met en mer, si senturne; 
 
 Dekes Sessoine ne sujurne. 
 
 Li reis qui son cosin esteit 
 
 Bel e haltement le receit ; 
 
 Mult se pena de li joir 
 470 E richement le fist servir 
 
 Des brauns e des veneisuns, 
 
 E des cignes e des pouns, 
 
 De vessele de or e de argent, 
 
 Vin de Claree e de piment. 
 475 Servir le feit de vint dancels, 
 
 Des plus nobles e des plus bels 
 
 E qui mielz sunt enparente, 
 
 E des plus halz de sun regne. 
 
 Son fiz demeine fist le reis 
 480 Le rei Offe servir a deis. 
 
 Edmund nomerent le meschin ; 
 
 Mult par esteit beals, de grant fin ; 
 
 Suz ciel ni ad home vivant, 
 
 MS. 11. 456, voult, suiourner; 458, clergie; 460, a chivalers; 462, 
 milt; 463, dreit; 465, se; 466, sujournc; 472, cyngnes; 473, vessel; 
 474, De vyn; 479, demene; 481, E Edmund (9 syl.); 483, nad (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND Jl 
 
 Ki unke veist plus bel enfant. 
 485 E od les bealtes quil aveit 
 
 Sur tute rien curteis esteit 
 
 E plein de grant ensegnement; 
 
 Suz ciel ni ad afaitement 
 
 Dunt il ne fut endoctrine. 
 490 De tute gent esteit ame 
 
 E si out une rien en sei : 
 
 Dieu e Cristiente e fei 
 
 Ama sur tutes altres riens. 
 
 Tant out en li bunte e biens 
 495 Ke fort me serreit le retreire. 
 
 Tant fut, estre ceo, de boneire, 
 
 Quil ama tute bone gent 
 
 E tute gent li ensement. 
 
 Li enfant mult se penout, 
 500 Sa cure il mist de tant quil pout 
 
 De servir le rei pelerin ; 
 
 Mult le servit bel le meschin. 
 Li reis Offe mult aime e prise 
 
 Edmund lenfant e son servise; 
 505 Ses paroles e son semblant 
 
 E sa bealte qui tant ert grant; 
 
 Sovent recorde en sa purpense, 
 
 Si se mervaile de son sens, 
 
 E ke enfant de si tendre age 
 510 Est si pruz, si coint [e] si sage 
 
 E ke servir vit le le dancel 
 
 Tant asenement e bel. 
 
 Mult recorda ses fez, ses diz, 
 
 Si desira quil fust son fiz. 
 515 Kant li reis Offe out sujurne, 
 
 En Sessoine a sa volente, 
 
 Son eire volt tenir avant, 
 
 Ke mult esteit e long e grant. 
 
 MS. 11. 484, veit; 486; tut; 488, nad; 490, genz; 494, bounte, 498, 
 ensemenent; 501, sevir, pelryn (7 syl.); 503, rei; 506, baealte (a marked 
 for cancellation) ; 510, cointe si; 515, suiourne, le rei. 
 
J2 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Cunge ad demande al rei, 
 520 E as baruns quil out od sei. 
 
 E eels deprient Dieu le grant 
 
 Pitusement [e] en plurant 
 
 Que Dampnedieus par son pleisir 
 
 Li doint salve veie tenir 
 525 E salf venir e salf aler, 
 
 E en son pais returner 
 
 Li enfant Edmund tendrement 
 
 Plure pur Offe son parent. 
 
 Li reis Offe qui sen veit 
 530 Pitie en ad e grant doel feit, 
 
 E li reis Offe a sei le apele, 
 
 De ses mains terst sa face bele, 
 
 Si li dist : "Bel fiz Edmund, 
 
 Dieus bone cresance vus doind !" 
 535 Devant els trestuz lenbrascea 
 
 E sovente fez le beisa. 
 
 De son dei treist un anel de or ; 
 
 La piere valust grant tresor. 
 
 II tendi avant eel anel, 
 540 Si lad done al damisel. 
 
 E dist : "Beal fiz, cest dun tenez ; 
 
 Pur la meie amur le gardez ; 
 
 Cest dun vus dune en remembrance. 
 
 Entre nus deus seit conuisance 
 545 De parente, de cusinage, 
 
 E que nus sumes de un liniage, 
 
 E ke vuz remembrez de mei. 
 
 Par cest anel de nostre dei, 
 
 Graces e grant merci vus rend, 
 550 De Dampnedieu omnipotent, 
 
 Del bel servise e del bel het, 
 
 E del honur que me avez fet. 
 
 Jeo vus estui mult greniur dun 
 
 MS. 11. 520, barunes; 522, Pitousement en (7 syl.); 524, doyne; 
 525, saf; 526, retourner; 529, rei; 534, crejnce;535, lembrajea; 536, 
 Sovent (7 syl.). 541 doun; 542, moy; 543, doygne; 551, service, 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 73 
 
 En curage e entenciun. 
 555 Si ariere pus repairer, 
 
 Durrai vus paternel louwer, 
 
 Si nostre seint pere Jesu 
 
 Ad mon repairer purveu. 
 
 Kant li enfant le anel receust 
 560 Mult li mercie cum il dust. 
 
 Son pere charnel qui ceo vit, 
 
 En brancha sei e si sen rit ; 
 
 Par geu li dust [e] en gabant: 
 
 "Ai ! ore Edmund bien est atant ! 
 565 Pur pere me avez deguerpi 
 
 E le rei Offe avez choisi. 
 
 II vus gard des ore en avant, 
 
 Cume pere deit fere enfant ; 
 
 E vus le servez, matin e seir, 
 570 Cume pere a vostre poeir. 
 
 Ne ai soin de mirer pur le mien 
 
 Altri enfant, ceo sachez bien." 
 Offe le rei mult se delite 
 
 De la parole quil ad dite. 
 575 Lenfant [si] tost [il] apellast 
 
 A sei, sil prist e enbrasceast ; 
 
 Si [ad] treit hors de sa almonere 
 
 Un anel de or od une piere 
 
 Ke mult ert riche, de grant fin. 
 580 A Edmund le mustra, son cosin. 
 
 Le anel li ad Offe mustre 
 
 Quil resceust kant fu curune 
 
 Del evesque quil benesqui, 
 
 E de son ceptre le seisi. 
 585 "Edmund, fiz," fist il, "esgardez 
 
 Cest anel e bien le avisez, 
 
 E le semblant e la f eiture, 
 
 Cum il est fet e en quele mesure, 
 
 MS. 11. 554, doun; 555, puse; 559, lenfant; 563, dist en (7 syl.); 
 565, piere; 566, chosi; 568 and 570 cum; 571, son; 575, Lenfant tost 
 apellast (6 syl.); 577, Si treit; 582, Kant il fu (9 syl.). 
 
74 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ke bien conustre le puissez 
 590 E ke vus bien le conoissez. 
 
 Kar si jeo mester de vus ai 
 
 Ces enseignes vus trametterai, 
 
 Ke facez mon comandement, 
 
 Si ne vus retreiez nient. 
 595 Tut le feites, de chief en chief, 
 
 Kanque vus manderai par brief. 
 
 Le anel gardez par dreite fei, 
 
 Si vus ja vivez plus de mei. 
 
 Beals fiz chers, des ore en avant, 
 600 Vus amerei cum mon enfant 
 
 E durrei vostre gareison 
 
 Si pus aver possessiun. 
 Li enfant mult le mercie. 
 
 Li reis Offe od sa cumpanie 
 605 Fist trusser ses sumers aneire, 
 
 Cunge ad pris, si tint son eire. 
 
 Li reis de Sessoine le conveie 
 
 Dedenz Sessoine bien grant veie. 
 
 A Dampnedieu lad comande 
 610 - Si sen est atant returne 
 
 Offe li reis, il e sa gent, 
 
 Of mult noble aparailement, 
 
 Od bele gent, od grant aver, 
 
 Ere el chemin, matin e seir. 
 615 Tant se pena li bers derrer, 
 
 Ke par [la] tere, ke par [la] mer, 
 
 Ke en Jerusalem est venuz, 
 
 Tut sein, [tut] halegre [e] tut druz; 
 
 Kil unkes home ne perdi 
 620 Ne cumpainun, la Dieu merci. 
 
 Offe od granz afflicciuns. 
 
 Fist almoines e ureisuns, 
 
 Cume pelerin fin e pius, 
 
 MS. 11. 597, dreit (7 syl.); 602, puse; 604, rei; 607, rei; 614, E ere 
 e chemin e matin e seir; 615, ber; 616, Ke par tere, ke partner; 618, 
 tut sein halegre tut druz (7 syl.); 622, urisuns; 623, cum. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 75 
 
 As eglises e as seinz lius, 
 625 U Jesus Crist fu morz e vifs, 
 
 E al sepulcre u il fu mis ; 
 
 Son offerende fit riche e real 
 
 E al temple e al hospital, 
 
 A chapeles e a musters 
 630 U besoin esteit e mestiers ; 
 
 A pelerins, a besoinus, 
 
 Ki de aver erent suffreitus, 
 
 Fist li reis Offe tant doner, 
 
 Ken lur pais pourent realer. 
 635 Kant li reis out par tut oure 
 
 E en tuz les bons lius este, 
 
 Ne voleit plus tenir sujur; 
 
 Vers son pais prist le retur. 
 
 II erra tant par ses jurnez, 
 640 Ke par chemins ke par estrez, 
 
 Ke al braz Seint Jorge vint tut dreit, 
 
 Kar par la son chemin esteit. 
 
 Hue li prist maladie si grant, 
 
 Si angususe e si pesant 
 645 Kil ne puet [en] avant errer; 
 
 Hue li estuet sujurner. 
 
 Veirs est kum dit en lescripture : 
 
 "Sage est ki en Dieu mette sa cure, 
 
 Ki en son quer ad conferme, 
 650 Fei, esperance e charite." 
 
 Par tut puet aler asez seur, 
 
 Sil murt, si murge a bon eur ; 
 
 Kar en lome nest pas sa veie, 
 
 Ainz est en Dieu qui le conveie. 
 655 Hum suelt dire e so vent avient : 
 
 "Tel vait hors qui ne pas revient." 
 
 MS. 11. 625, mort; 629, chapels; 630, bosoyne, 631, boseynuses; 
 632, stiff reituses ; 633, rei; 634, porent; 637 suiour; 638, retour; 
 639, iournez; 641, brace; 643, (9 syl.); 645, Kil ne put avant 
 errer (7 syl.); 646, suiourner; 651, put; 655, Home soleit, avent*(io 
 syl-); 656, Til, revent. 
 
?6 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Si fu de cest rei pelerin, 
 
 Ki Dampnedieu prist en chemin 
 
 De Jerusalem, u Jesus Crist 
 660 Ala, marcha e nus conquist. 
 
 Dieus vit que cesti fu fet 
 
 De trestuz ses pechez net, 
 
 E aveit ces treis [riens] en sei : 
 
 Charite, esperance e fei. 
 665 Pur ceo le vult Dieus a sei prendre 
 
 E en sa glorie sein le rendre : 
 Li reis Offe fu malades fort, 
 
 Nul ne le puet garir de la mort, 
 
 Fors Dieus quad tuz a governer. 
 670 Li reis fist ses privez mander, 
 
 E il i vindrent errantment, 
 
 Pur lur segnur triste e dolent. 
 
 "Segnurs," fist il, "mes chers amis, 
 
 Le mal est fort dunt jeo languis. 
 675 Ne vei altre rien fors la mort, 
 
 Envers ki ne est nul resort. 
 
 Mult me avez lealment servi, 
 
 E bien e bel entresque ci ; 
 v E uncore ai mester mult grant 
 680 Ke vus me reservez avant, 
 
 E vos feies me afeiez 
 
 Ke mon comandement ferez. 
 
 Veez vus, segnurs, cest anel, 
 
 Ke jeo mustrai al damisel, 
 685 A Edmund, le fiz mon cosin, 
 
 Kant ceo endreit pris le chemin 
 
 Par Sessoine, u jeo sujurnai ; 
 
 U cest anel a li mustrai? 
 
 De cest brief le ferez present, 
 690 E de cest anel ensement ; 
 
 Dites li, ke saluz li mand, 
 
 MS. 11. 663, treis — en (7 syl.); 666; seinement; 667, rei; 668, put; 
 671, errantement (9 syl.); 675, morte; 676, kei, resorte; 687, suiour- 
 nay; 688, li; 689, breif, freez. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND J J 
 
 E par cest anel li comand, 
 
 Trestut mon regne a governer, 
 
 En Estangle, ultre la mer, 
 ^95 Quil seit [e] sire e prince e rei 
 
 E quil prie pur lalme de mei. 
 
 Segnurs sovent avez veii, 
 
 Si en estes aparceii 
 
 Kant en un realme ad segnur 
 700 Ki par justise e par amur 
 
 La gent governe sagement, 
 
 Kil ne se blesme de neient ; 
 
 Si en eel point murt e dechiet, 
 
 Ne quidez vus qual poeple griet ?" 
 705 "Si est il," feit li reis, "de mei 
 
 Ki jesque ci ai este rei 
 
 De Est Angle, ore ne pus avant. 
 
 Bel les ai gardes cea en ariere, 
 710 E bien en dreiture pleniere, 
 
 Ke unkes par ma coveitise, 
 
 Ni par sufreite de justise 
 
 Ne perdi nuls rien de son dreit. 
 
 Dampnedieus mercie en seit! 
 715 Meis ore avera grant mestier 
 
 De sage rei e bon justiser, 
 
 Ki pais e justise maintienge, 
 
 E en amur le poeple tienge. 
 
 Jeo ne sai nul plus acceptable, 
 720 Ni al poeple plus covenable, 
 
 Kant jeo muir e trei a me fin, 
 
 Ke Edmund le fiz mon cusin. 
 
 Beals est de cors, dulz en saveir, 
 
 Pruz e forz e de grant poer; 
 725 E de real liniage est nez. 
 
 Par Sessoine vus en irrez, 
 
 MS. 11. 695, Quil seit sire; (7 syl.); 700, justice; 707, puse; 713, 
 nul; 714, Dampnedieu; 715, avereit; 717, maintinge; 718, amur, 
 teing; 720, ne (7 syl.); 721, murge; 723, Beal, douce; 724, fort; 
 725, reale. 
 
?8 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Sanz feintise, tut [a] estrus; 
 
 Le amenez en Estangle od vus 
 
 E ceo me afierez vus ore bien 
 730 Que vus, pur aver ne pur rien, 
 
 Ne serrez en liu ne en estal, 
 
 U ja li mien ceptre real 
 
 Seit otrie, u seit done, 
 
 Si la nun u lai comande." 
 735 Li reis prist de els le serement 
 
 E les chargea parf undement ; 
 
 A Dieu apres les comanda, 
 
 E sa benesciun les dona. 
 
 Kant li reis aveit feit sa devise, 
 740 E des prelats de seinte eglise, 
 
 Aveit resceu confessiun, 
 
 E de tuz ses pechez pardun, 
 
 Unk pus a els ne parla mot ; 
 
 Li reis sa buche e ses oilz clot. 
 745 Entre lur mains iluc fini, 
 
 E lalme del cors dune parti. 
 
 Unkes enemis nout pussance, 
 
 Kar il murust en tele creance, 
 
 Quil out ces treis choses en sei : 
 750 Charite, esperance e fei. 
 
 De Jesus Crist traist a fin 
 
 Rei enoint e umble pelrin 
 
 Angels de ciel, qui prez i erent, 
 
 En parais lalme porterent. 
 755 Cesti OfTe dunt jeo vus di, 
 
 [E] ki si seintement fini 
 
 E de sa vie traist a fin, 
 
 En leire Dieu e en le chemin, 
 
 Ne fu pas Offe, lenemis, 
 760 Li reis, li tirant des marchis, 
 
 Ki Seint Ayelbrict, le barun, 
 
 MS. 11. 727; tut estrus; 731,1m; 734, noun; 735, le rei; 739, le 
 rey; 740, prelates; 743, unkes (9 syl.); 744, rey, bouche; 756, Ki si 
 (7 syl.); 757, al fin; 760, le rei. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 79 
 
 Trai, cum encriesme felun, 
 
 E en son prisun fist gisir. 
 
 E meinte peine fist sufrir, 
 765 E cruelement son cors pena, 
 
 E a la parfin decola. 
 
 Un altre Offe uncore i aveit, 
 
 De Sessoine qui reis esteit. 
 
 Les Sessoineis orientals 
 770 Governa cume bons vassals; 
 
 Cil fu produm e justisers, 
 
 E sage reis e dreiturels. 
 
 Si ama Dieu e verite, 
 
 E maintint la Cristiente. 
 775 Kil ama Dieu bien i parut ; 
 
 Devant ceo quil morut, 
 
 Par la grace Seint Espirit, 
 
 Sicum Dieus rova en lescrit, 
 
 Deguerpi cil feme e enfanz, 
 780 Fiz e filles, petiz e granz, 
 
 E son pais e son regne, 
 
 E ses homes e son barne, 
 
 Si prist le screp e le burdun, 
 
 Trestut a pe, cume poiin, 
 785 En pelerinage sen veit, 
 
 Vers [le] seint Pere, a Rome dreit, 
 
 A lapostoile Costentin. 
 
 De li se fist li pelerin 
 
 Tundre e feire moine profes ; 
 790 Si servit Dieu tuz jurs apres, 
 
 E en labit longment vesqui, 
 
 E en labit sa vie fini. 
 
 Lalme de li, ceo dit lestorie, 
 
 Resceiit Dieus en sa glorie. 
 795 De cil Offe dunt jeo di ci, 
 
 Ne de cil qui Seint Ayelbrict trai, 
 
 MS. 11. 764, meyte; 768, rei; 770, cum bon (7 syl.); 771, prodome; 
 774, meinteint; 784, cum; 785, pelrinage (7 syl.); 786, vers seint; 
 789, moigne. 
 
80 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ne fu pas Offe, li palmiers, 
 
 Li saint hum e li dreiturers 
 
 Ki del sepulcre repairant, 
 800 Resceut maladie si grant 
 
 Quil morust en cele manere 
 
 Cum jeo vus ai dit cea en arere. 
 
 Cil fut un des reis sen eghan (1) 
 
 Ki dedenz ceissant e un an, 
 805 Regnerent devant Seint Edmund, 
 
 Le derein dels e le secund 
 
 De Seint Edmund, le bon barun, 
 
 Fu cesti Offe sanz mesprisun, 
 
 Qui al braz Seint Jorge fu mort, 
 810 Dunt grant damage fu e fort; 
 
 De ki mort sa gent funt tel doel, 
 
 Morz voldreient estre a lur voel. 
 
 Mult demenerent grant dolur 
 
 Les genz Offe pur lur segnur. 
 815 Li seneschal, li buteilier, 
 
 Li chamberleng, li dispenser, 
 
 Usser [e] cou, e li serjant, 
 
 Pover e riche, petit e grant 
 
 Plurent, crient e tel doel funt, 
 820 II nad si dur home en cest mund 
 
 Qui ve'ist lur contenement, 
 
 Ke nust tendrur e marrement 
 Kant unt lur grant doel demene, 
 
 E lur segnur unt entere, 
 825 Vers lur pais la veie tienent, 
 
 E par mi Sessione sen vienent. 
 Al rei de Sessoine vienent dreit, 
 
 Qui cosin lur segnur esteit, 
 
 Si li cunterent la dolur, 
 
 MS. 11. 798, home; 803, de; 812, volient; 817, Usser cou (7 syl.); 
 820, dure. 
 
 Note (1). sineingenio: cf. Paul Meyer in Glossarial note of Arnold's 
 edition, Memorials St. Edmund's Abbey, Vol. II, p. 398. Neither 
 word occurs again in this form in our text. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 8l 
 
 830 E la perde de lur segnur. 
 
 Kant il [1] 01 mult li desplout; 
 
 Unkes mes si grant doel ne out. 
 
 Li reis en une chambre entra, 
 
 E son cosin mult regreta. 
 835 Plure, waiment e tel doel fet, 
 
 Ke nel poeit nuls mettre en het. 
 
 En la chambre treis jurs estut, 
 
 Quil unkes ne mangea ne but, 
 
 Ne ne fina de doluser 
 840. Ni ne volt a home parler. 
 
 Kant Edmund o'i la novele, 
 
 Del rei Offe, ne li f u bele ; 
 
 Einz fist li enfant doel si grant, 
 
 Unkes ne veistes enfant 
 845 Qui greindre doel ni marrement 1 
 
 Oust pur cosin ne pur parent. 
 Li Seneschal Offe le rei, 
 
 Ki les genz Offe mene o sei, 
 
 A la chambre le rei senturne, 
 850 Pur son segnur e triste e murne. 
 
 Deus compainuns od sei mene, 
 
 De sa compainie demeine, J 
 
 Des plus halz e des plus vailanz, 
 
 Des plus sages, des mielz sachanz. 
 855 A la chambre le rei entrerent, 
 
 E dulcement le conforterent. « 
 
 "Sire," funt il, "lessez ester ; 
 
 Lessez de vostre doluser 
 
 Kar bien savez que tuz murrum, 
 860 E eschapper [nuls] ne purrum, 
 
 Ja par plur ne doluserie, 
 
 Ne recovera mort la vie. 
 
 Meis tant i puet hum gaaigner : 
 
 MS. II. 831, oi; 833, rei; 836, nul; 840, ne voult; 843, lenfant (7 
 syl.); 853, de plus (bis) haulz; 854, de mielz; 857, Sir; 860, eschaper 
 ne purrum (7 syl.); 861, Ja par plure ne par doluserie (10 syl.); 863, 
 put home gaynier. 
 
82 
 
 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Les oilz e le cors enpirer. 
 865 Kant nul ne puet el conquester, 
 
 Bien devez laisser le plurer, 
 
 E recoverer vostre comfort, 
 
 E feire bien pur lalme al mort 
 
 (Nus avum en a conseilier) 
 870 Que doluser e waimenter." 
 
 "Reis, nus sumes, tut a estrus, 
 
 Pur grant chose venuz a vus ; 
 
 Kar Reis Offe, tant cum il jut 
 
 En maladie dunt apres murut, 
 875 Kant il senti quil dut murir, 
 
 Tuz nus fist devant sei venir, 
 
 E si nus fist sur seinz jurer, 
 
 E nos feies nus fist after, 
 
 Que nus tuz, estruseement, 
 880 Ferum [tut] son comandement. 
 
 Pus, nus comencea a retreire 
 
 De vostre lin, de vostre eire ; 
 
 Kant il out longement retraiz 
 
 Vos bons overs e vos [bien] feiz, 
 885 Si parla de Edmund, vostre fiz, 
 
 Cum il est beals e escheviz, 
 
 Sages e pruz, dulz e membrez, 
 
 Curteis, enseignez e senez. 
 
 Pus hosta le anel de son dei, 
 890 Quil receust kant il fut fet rei, 
 
 Le anel qua vostre fiz mustra, 
 
 Kant de cest pais sen ala 
 
 Vers Jerusalem u nus fumes, 
 
 E u la grant perde resceumes, 
 895 De li que si avum perdu, 
 
 Li rei Offe, qui produm fu. 
 
 II nus comanda finement 
 
 Que nus par icel serement, 
 
 MS. 11. 873, rei, iut; 879, estrusement ; 880 Ferum — son (7 syl.); 
 883, longment; 884, vos feiz (7 syl.); 887, sage (7 syl.), dulce; 888, 
 ensegnez; 889, and 890, bracketed in MS; 896, prodome. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 83 
 
 Kil devant li nus fist jurer, 
 900 A mielz quil soust deviser, 
 
 Sur les relikes vertuuses, 
 
 Seintes, riches e pretiuses, 
 
 A mielz quil nus soust escharir 
 
 E la parole mielz furnir, 
 905 Ke par cest anel que tenum, 
 
 E que nus ici vus musterum, 
 
 Seisisum Edmund, vostre fiz, 
 
 Del realme e des apentiz 
 
 De Estangle, e de tut le pais, 
 910 Cum il mielz lout quant il fu vifs. 
 
 Son ceptre e sa corune de or, 
 
 Sa veissele e tut son tresor, 
 
 Nus ad Reis Offe comande, 
 
 Que a vostre fiz seit tut livere. 
 915 Uncore i ad en le serement, 
 
 E es fiances ensement, 
 
 Que ne poeum pas sujurner 
 
 Ni en cest pais demurer 
 
 For sulement une quinzaine ; 
 920 E dedenz eel terme demeine, 
 
 Devum vostre fiz mettre en mer, 
 
 E en Estangle od nus mener, 
 
 Si vent nostre eire ne deslaie 
 
 De tant nus porta il manaie." 
 925 Li reis responst : "Seneschal, mestre, 
 
 Ceo ke vus dites ne puet estre, 
 
 Kar nel otreiereie mie, 
 
 De Edmund, mon fiz la departie; 
 
 Pur tut laveir, ceo est la sume, 
 930 Kest de Sessoine deske a Rome, 
 
 Ne otreiereie le sevrer, 
 
 Ni, si feiterement, mener 
 
 Si loinz de mei mon fiz Edmund. 
 
 MS. 11. 900, sout; 912, treisor; 916, E en fiances; 917, suioumer; 
 919, soulement; 922, amener; 926, put; 932 otrieray; 933, mey. 
 
84 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Nel fereie pur tut le mund." 
 935 Mult fu produm li seneschals, 
 
 Sages e queint e bons vassals. 
 
 "Rei," fet il, "ne te pas merveile, 
 
 Meis prenez vus altre conseile, 
 
 Si vus devez le retenir, 
 940 Kil ne deive of nus venir. 
 
 Par egard de Cristiente 
 
 Si hum la garde en lealte, 
 
 Bien il deit venir, sire rei, 
 
 E vus sai bien dire purquei : 
 945 Pur salver nostre serement, 
 
 E nos fiances ensement, 
 
 Ke me'imes pur li en gage. 
 
 Grant doel sereit, e grant damage, 
 
 Ke tanz e de tele parente, 
 950 Cum nus sumes, fusum dampne 
 
 Pur le venir e pur le aler, 
 
 Dun enfant jesques ultre mer; 
 
 E revenist quant il voldreit, 
 
 Ja nul hum nel cuntre estereit 
 955 Quil ne poiist [en] revenir 
 
 Kant il voldra, a son pleisir. 
 Li reis est en plusurs purpens, 
 
 Si se purpense en plusurs sens, 
 
 Si les dit estruseement, 
 960 Ke lenfant ne amenerunt nient. 
 
 E nepurkant a la parfm, 
 
 De la chambre ist, le chief enclin. 
 
 En la sale vient errantment, 
 
 Si se est asis entre sa gent; 
 965 Ses ercevesques ad mandez, 
 
 Ses evesques e ses abbez, 
 
 Cuntes, baruns e ses princiers, 
 
 MS. 11. 934, ferei, mound; 935, produme, seneschal; 936, Sage 
 queint e bon vassal; 937-8, mervaile, consaile; 941, agarde; 94a, 
 home; 943, Sir; 950, susum; 952, iesque; 954, home; 955, pust; 963, 
 erraument. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 85 
 
 E vavasurs e chivaliers, 
 
 [E] cunseil les ad demande, 
 970 De ceo que Offe li aveit mande; 
 
 La parole les ad mustree, 
 
 De chief en chief cum est alee : 
 
 Ke li reis Offe, son cosin, 
 
 Kant il murust e traist a fin, 
 975 Par ses consiliers plus privez, 
 
 Ki mielz furent de li amez, 
 
 Lad de son fiz Edmund requis, 
 
 Kil seit rei en son pais, 
 
 En Estangle u il maneit, 
 980 E dunt il sire e rei esteit, 
 
 "E li reis Offe a li dune 
 
 Son ceptre de or e sa curune, 
 
 Sa vessele dargent e de or, 
 
 E son aveir e son tresor; 
 985 E si ad mis tute sa gent 
 
 Par fiance e par serement, 
 
 Quil of els le amenerunt 
 
 En Est Angle, e rei le ferunt; 
 
 Uncore i ad es covenances, 
 990 El serement e es fiances, 
 
 Kil ne poent, pur nule peine, 
 
 Ci sujurner ke une quinzaine, 
 
 Ni sanz mon fiz [la mer] passer, 
 
 Ne ultre eel terme ci ester. 
 995 Ceste aventure me ad mandee 
 
 Offe par sa gent plus privee, 
 
 Par ses lettres e par son brief, 
 
 Ke lire ai fet de chief en chief, 
 
 E par ensegnes del anel, 
 1000 Kil mustra al enfant bel, 
 
 Kant [li reis] de li sen ala, 
 
 De cest.pais u sujurna 
 
 MS. 11. 968, vavasours; 969, Cunseile; 974, treit al fin; 981, rei, 
 doune; 990, E serement e en nances; 992, suiourner, un; 993, fiz 
 passer (6 syl.); 995, mande; 1001, Kant de li; (6 syl.); 1002, suiourna. 
 
86 
 
 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ore mestuet vif conseil aver, 
 
 De mon fiz fere remaneir, 
 1005 E de ces messagers salver 
 
 Des fiances e del vuer. 
 
 Segnurs, Pur Dieu, or enpensez, 
 
 Ki les hunurs de mei tenez, 
 
 De ceste chose traire a chief, 
 1010 Me donez vif conseil e bref." 
 
 Des ordenez tut li plus sage, 
 
 Li plus senez de greniur age; 
 
 Ki plus ourent 01 e veu, 
 
 Unt al rei dit e respondu : 
 1015 "Sire reis, a nus entendez! 
 
 Ke vif conseil nus demandez, 
 
 Kant sur nus est le conseil mis, 
 
 Nus vus dirrum [tut] nostre avis ; 
 
 Offert vus ad mult grant amur, 
 1020 Offe li reis, e grant honur, 
 
 Kant Edmund vostre fiz fet heir 
 
 De son realme e son aveir, 
 
 Dunt sires fu quant il fu vifs, 
 
 E en cest secle poestifs. 
 1025 Le realme haltement dune 
 
 A vostre fiz e labandune, 
 
 Par ses conseiliers plus privez, 
 
 Ki plus erent de li amez 
 
 E ki plus sunt poestis 
 1030 En le realme e en le pais, 
 
 E ki tut unt la segnurie, 
 
 E les fermetez en bailie; 
 
 [E] grant lealte les fist feire 
 
 Kant par ci feseient lur repaire. 
 1035 Fei, lealte e grant amur 
 
 Unt [il] porte vers lur segnur. 
 
 MS. 11. 1003, conseile; 1006, vouer; 1012, greinur; 1013, out; 1014, 
 dist; 1015, Sir; 1018, dirrum — nostre avis (7 syl.); io2i,heire; 1023, 
 sire; 1025, doune; 1026, abandoune; 1033, Grant lealte le (7 syl.); 
 1036, Unt porte vers, etc., (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 8^ 
 
 Fetes, reis, ceo que vus dirrum ; 
 
 Ja ne vus forconseilerum : 
 
 Treis bones nefs comandez quere, 
 1040 Les plus riches de vostre tere, 
 
 Si fetes [i] mettre sanz faile, 
 
 Asez guarison e vitaile, 
 
 E mult seient bien ustilez, 
 
 E richement aparailez; 
 1045 Si mettez i pur les nefs duire, 
 
 E bien e salvament conduire, 
 
 Mariners bons e queints e sages 
 
 Ke tuz conusent les rivages, 
 
 E de la mer seient apris 
 1050 Deske en Est Angle le pais; 
 
 Si les donez mult largement, 
 
 Riches dras e or e argent; 
 
 Si fetes liverer as vassals 
 
 Beles armes e bons chevals 
 1055 E vostre fiz les comandez, 
 
 E lur seremenz en pernez, 
 
 Ke lealment li servirunt, 
 
 E salvament le garderunt, 
 
 En bois, en plains, e enz e hors, 
 1060 Cume meimes vostre cors; 
 
 E vint chivalers eslisez 
 
 Des meliurs e des plus prisez 
 
 De la mesnie Offe le rei 
 
 Ki pur ton fiz vienent a tei. 
 1065 Kant ces vint averez esliz, 
 
 Si les comandez vostre fiz, 
 
 Liverez les lune nef des treis, 
 
 Es altres deus seit lur herneis ; 
 
 Si sen algent bald e seur, 
 1070 Dreit en Est Angle abeneur. 
 
 Si seit vostre fiz rei de la, 
 
 MS. 11. 1039, niefs; 1041, fetes-mettre (7 syl.); 1045,^ mettezl pur, 
 niefs (7 syl.); 1047, bons queintes; 1060, Cum memesj(6 syl.); [1062, 
 presez; 1067, nief de ; 1068, En autres deus seient. 
 
88 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E vus rei e sire de cea. 
 
 Vos regnes aiez en comune; 
 
 Mielz valent deus realmes que une. 
 1075 Son pere estes, il vostre fiz; 
 
 Ne poez estre departiz. 
 
 Nuls ne vus puet fere luinteins, 
 
 Kant tant estes parenz procheins 
 
 Mai ait son cors de tut endreit, 
 1080 Ki le partir de vus voldreit! 
 
 Cil est departi, a tut dis, 
 
 Ki pere e mere e ses amiz 
 
 Deguerpist, e sa veie tient, 
 
 E james apres [ne] revient 
 1085 Si nest il mie, rei, de vus; 
 
 Assez estes procheins andeus ; 
 
 Kar kant vus le voldrez veeir, 
 
 E son contenement saveir, 
 
 Ne vus estuet fors passer mer 
 1090 E a leisir of li parler; 
 
 E kant vus voldrez revenir, 
 
 Revenez a vostre pleisir ; 
 
 E vostre fiz tut ensement, 
 
 Vus puet venir veeir sovent, 
 1095 Sanz grant travail e sanz ahan, 
 
 Une fez u deus en le an. 
 
 Issi salverez ceste gent 
 
 Des fiances, del serement, 
 
 Kil feseient a vostre cosin. 
 1 100 Rei, nus sumes a vus enclin, 
 
 Si sumes tuz vostre feeil ; 
 
 Ki desdira icest conseil 
 
 Ne aime pas vus ne vostre fiz." 
 
 Tuz se greent, granz e petiz, 
 1 105 E dient tuz : "Bien est a feire : 
 
 Ne se deit pas li reis retreire." 
 Li reis dit que ceo nert ja; 
 
 MS. 11. 1077, Nul ne vus put; 1084, E iames apres revient; 1089, 
 tut; 1 107, Le rei. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 89 
 
 Ja de li ne departira, 
 
 Son fiz Edmund, ni tant ni kant, 
 1 1 10 Kil plus aime ke rien vivant. 
 
 Tant cum li clerc e li lettre 
 
 Li plus sage, li ordene, 
 
 Li riche cunte e li barun, 
 
 Sunt en cele grant contenciun, 
 1 1 15 Este vus en la sale atant 
 
 Une dame pruz e vailant ! 
 
 Romaine fu, de Rome nee, 
 
 Seinte dame, sage e senee ; 
 
 Vedve ert, enpres son segnur, 
 1 120 Si fu donee al creatur. 
 
 Dieus laveit de bien replenie, 
 
 Ke meinte bone prophetie 
 
 Diseit la dame, qui pus furent 
 
 Trovez veires, cum estre durent. 
 1 125 La dame ert mult aqueinte al rei, 
 
 E a la gent que aveit of sei, 
 
 En la cite de Rome enceis; 
 
 Kar alez i esteit li reis; 
 
 Enceis que Edmund fu engendrez, 
 1 130 Son fiz, i fu li reis alez, 
 
 En oreisuns hors de sa tere 
 
 Seint Pere de Rome requere. 
 
 Kar custume esteit a eel jur, 
 
 Ke rei, e due e emperur, 
 1 135 Se soleient mettre el veiage 
 
 De Seint Pere en pelerinage. 
 
 Ne teneient plait de riche home 
 
 Ki neiist este a Rome. 
 
 La bone dame dunt parlum, 
 1 140 E dunt nus parlance feisum, 
 
 Aveit a Rome mult servi 
 
 Le rei, e sa gent altresi, 
 
 MS. 11.; 1126, E al gent (7 syl.); 1129, engendre; 1130, le rei ale 
 1134, emperour; 1135, en le (9 syl.); 1136, pelrinage (7 syl.); 1137, 
 tienent. 
 
90 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E enveie meint bel present, 
 
 E feit meint [grant] honur sovent, 
 1 145 E sovent od le rei parlout. 
 
 Tant cum li reis i sujurnout. 
 
 Li reis aveit la dame chere, 
 
 E mult lama de grant manere, 
 
 Pur son sen e pur son saveir, 
 1 1 50 E pur ceo quele diseit si veir 
 
 De ceo que li reis demandeit ; 
 
 Sovent esprovee laveit. 
 
 Pur le conseil que entrels teneient 
 
 E la privete quil aveient, 
 1 155 En erent esbai plusurs 
 
 E diseient que ceo ert amurs. 
 
 Mes ceo desdiseit lur curage, 
 
 Ke la dame ert de grant age. 
 
 Al departir que li reis dut 
 1 160 E quil vers son pais sesmut 
 
 De Rome, u out fet son veiage, 
 
 Pur Dieu [servir] en pelrinage, 
 
 Si vint la dame al desevrer, 
 
 Al departir, of le rei parler. 
 1 165 Cume la dame entrer deveit 
 
 En la chambre u li reis esteit, 
 
 Avis li fut que une flambe grant, 
 
 Cume ceo fut de feu ardant 
 
 Sen issit hors del piz al rei, 
 1 1 70 Ki tele clarte gettout de sei, 
 
 Cume ceo fut rais de soleil, 
 
 Kant matin surt en Est vermeil ; 
 
 Avis li fut quel rais sestendi, 
 
 Ke hors del piz le rei issi, 
 1 175 Parmi les nues tut defrunt 
 
 Jesqual soverein ciel amunt. 
 
 MS. 11. 1 144, feite meint honur; 1146, reis suiournout (7 syl.); 
 ii47,lerei; 1 1 5 2 , esprove ; 1154 priveete (9 syl.); 1 162, Pur dieu— -en 
 (6syl.); 1 164, A departir; n65,cum; 1166, le rei; ix 68, cum; 1170 
 tel clarete; 11 71, cum; reis, soleile; 11 72, vermeile. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 91 
 
 De eel rai, katre rais isseient, 
 
 Ki en quatre parz se estendeient: 
 
 Li un amunt vers orient, 
 1 180 E li altre vers Occident, 
 
 E li tierz devers medi, 
 
 Li quart devers north se estendi. 
 Li reis les vist, si se esbai, 
 
 E la dame tut altresi. 
 1 185 Nest merveile si se esbairent, 
 
 Kant icele merveile virent. 
 
 Meis la dame f u queinte e sage ; 
 
 Si fist semblant en son curage, 
 
 Si cum ele ne le vit mie. 
 1 190 Kant la clarte fu esvanie, 
 
 Li reis od la dame parla, 
 
 Conge ad pris, si senala. 
 
 Pur ceste aventure demeine, 
 
 Vint la bone dame Romaine, 
 1 195 Al rei de Sessoine, en Sessoine, 
 
 Ki entendeit a la besoine, 
 
 (U sa cure ert forte e greindre) 
 
 De Edmund son fiz feire remeindre. 
 Kant la dame fu descendue, 
 1200 E en la curt al rei veneue, 
 
 En la presence le rei sest mise, 
 
 E tut dreit devant li assise, 
 
 Issi ke unkes ne le salua, 
 
 Ni de rien ne lareisna, 
 1205 Ni bel semblant na li feseit, 
 
 Cum a Rome fere soleit. 
 
 Li reis la garde, e la conut, 
 
 Si se merveile cum il dut, 
 
 Purquei la dame i fu venue 
 12 10 E ke ceo deit que ele nel salue, 
 
 MS. 11. 1178 (7 syl.); 1179, Le un; 1180, le autre; 1 181, le tierce; 
 1182, Le quart; n83,Lerey; 1185, esbaierent; 1186, icel; n89,nel; 
 1 196, bosoyne; 1197, Ou sa cure enfortir e greindre; 1200, curte; 
 1203, la salua; 1204, la reisna; 1205, ne; 1207, la agarde. 
 
9 2 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E pur quei e ke ceo deveit, 
 
 Ke si murne chere feseit 
 
 Li reis leve, si lapella, 
 
 Mult la cheri e honura. 
 121 5 Si lad de iuste li asise, 
 
 E mult dulcement lad requise 
 
 Kele li die maintenant, 
 
 Pur quei feseit murne semblant, 
 
 E de li se trea ariere. 
 1220 "Sachez," fet il, "ma dame chere, 
 
 Ke jeo nai [nul] si cher aveir, 
 
 Si vus le voldriez aveir, 
 
 Ke na vus seit abandone 
 
 Trestut a vostre volente." 
 1225 "Reis," fet ele, "ceo sai jeo bien; 
 
 Meis de tut ceo ni ad rien. 
 
 Jeo ne vine pas en ceste tere, 
 
 Pur tresor ne pur aveir quere. 
 
 Assez en ai, la Dieu merci ! 
 1230 Meis, reis, jeo su venue ci, 
 
 Numeement pur vus veeir, 
 
 E de vostre ovre alques saveir ; 
 
 Kar altre chose, sire rei, 
 
 Quidai en vus ke jeo ne vei 
 1235 E vus sai bien dire coment : 
 
 A Rome fustes veirement, 
 
 En oresuns pur Dieu servir, 
 
 E vos pechiez espeneir. 
 
 Jeo parlai a vus mult sovent 
 1240 E [vus] conseilai bonement, 
 
 De Dieu amer, de Dieu servir, 
 
 E sur tute rien obeir. 
 
 Kant aler vus endeverez, 
 
 Enceis que vus en alisez, 
 1245 I ymc J eo > re i s > a vostre aler, 
 
 MS. 11. 1213, Le rey, le apella; 1216, doucement;' 1221, nay — si 
 cher(7syl.); 1227, vinch; 1230, rey; 1231, Numement, veir (6 syl.); 
 1233, sir; 1240, E — conseilai (7 syl.); 1242, tut; 1245, vinch. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 93 
 
 Priveement a vus parler. 
 
 Si cume jeo en la chambre entrai, 
 
 Me fut avis que vei un rai 
 
 De grant clarte, cler e vermeil, 
 1250 Cume ceo fu rai de soleil, 
 
 Hors de vostre piz, reis, salir, 
 
 Amunt al ciel par grant hair. 
 
 De eel rai quatre rais eissirent, 
 
 Ki en quatre parz sespandirent 
 1255 A merveile men esbai, 
 
 Kant jeo cele merveile vi ; 
 
 E vus, Sire reis de Sessoine, 
 
 En ustes pur mei vergoine; 
 
 Meis jeo ne fis unke semblant, 
 1260 Ke jeo le vis [ne] tant ne kant, 
 
 Mult le ai cele, reis, longement, 
 
 Kar jeo quidoue veirement, 
 
 E si laveie espermente, 
 
 Ke Dieus qui est vereie clarte, 
 1265 Vereie lumere, verei soleil, 
 
 Par sa grace e par son conseil, 
 
 Vus muntast en mult grant haltesce, 
 
 En grant pussance e en richesce, 
 
 E ke Dieus vus donast tel heir, 
 1270 Ki par son sen e son saveir, 
 
 Muntast en si grant poeste, 
 
 Ke [en] tut le mund en fut parle; 
 
 E ki Cristiente amast, 
 
 E maintenist e enhalceast, 
 1275 U ke Dieus vus donast le dun 
 
 De aler en estrange regiun, 
 
 Dunt vostre honur fut mielz acruz, 
 
 E vostre nun fust plus cremuz. 
 
 MS. 11. 1246, privement (7 syl.); 1248, que jeo vei (9 syl.); 1249, 
 vermeile; 1250, cum, rey de soleile; 1251, saliir; 1257, rei; 1258, 
 verguyne; 1259, ni; 1260, vis tant; 1261, rey longment (7 syl.); 1263, 
 la veie espermentee; 1264, verei; 1265, verei, solaile; 1266, consaile; 
 1272, Ke tut, mound; 1275 doun; 1276, regioun; 1277, Dount; 1278, 
 
94 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Le miracle ke nus ve'imes, 
 1280 Reis, kant a Rome departimes, 
 
 Si est [de] mult grant signifiance, 
 
 De haltesce e de grant pussance, 
 
 U de glorie celestiene, 
 
 U de grant honur teriene 
 1285 Ke devereit avenir pur veir. 
 
 U a vus, reis, u a vostre heir; 
 
 Vus ne savez [ceo] ke ceo iert. 
 
 Meis ore vei bien [e] apert 
 
 Ke vus estes vers Dieu enfrez, 
 1290 E de mult grant chose for fez, 
 
 Kil si vus ad cuilli en he, 
 
 Kant vus ad si del tut oste 
 
 Del riche tresor e del dun 
 
 De ceste grant demustreisun." 
 1295 Li reis a la Romaine en tent, 
 
 E suspire parf undement ; 
 
 Devant tute sa gent gehi. 
 
 Laventure e la descoveri ; 
 
 Cume la dame laveit dite, 
 1300 Tut isi lout li reis escrite ; 
 
 A un evesque baila lescrit, 
 
 E cil de chief en chief le lit ; 
 
 En ordre dist cum veu aveit 
 
 La dame ke venue esteit. 
 1305 Un evesque pruz e sene, 
 
 Sage clerc e bien lettre, 
 
 Dit, oyanz clers e oyanz lais : 
 
 "Sire reis," fet il, "icest rais" 
 
 Ke issit hors de vostre piz, 
 13 10 Ceo est vereiement vostre fiz, 
 
 Edmund, qui reis ert del regne, 
 
 Ke reis Offe li ad done. 
 
 A li sera Estangle enclin, 
 
 MS. 11. 1281, est — mult (7 syl.); 1287, savez — que (7 syl.); 1288, 
 bien i pert (7 syl.); 1299, Cum, dit (7 syl.); 1300, escrit; 1308, Sir; 
 1310, vereyment (7 syl.); 131 1, regnee; 1312, donee. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 95 
 
 E kant il trerra a sa fin, 
 13 1 5 La companie Seint Michel 
 
 Porterunt salme en [le] ciel, 
 
 Od grant lumere od grant clarte, 
 
 Devant Dieu en sa majeste. 
 
 E les rais ke de li surderent 
 1320 E par la tere se estenderent, 
 
 Ceo ert la bone renomee, 
 
 Ke de li ert par tut cuntee. 
 
 Reis ne le devez pas cuntredire; 
 
 Kant Dieus, li treseintime sire, 
 1325 Si aperte signifiance 
 
 Vus mustra, devant la nessance 
 
 De vostre fiz ke avez tant cher, 
 
 Mult le devez bien otrier 
 
 Kil alge en Estangle, el pais, 
 1330 Si [en] seit reis e poestis. 
 
 Li reis forment sescrie en plurs, 
 
 Si les ad dit : "Beals chers segnurs, 
 
 Kant Dieu le volt, feire lestuet ; 
 
 Kar altrement estre ne puet. 
 1335 Li reis comanda les nefs quere, 
 
 Les meliurs de tute sa tere ; 
 
 Si fist [i] mettre a grant fusun, 
 
 Vitaile e asez guarisun, 
 
 E vin de clare e piment, 
 1340 E vessele de or e de argent. 
 
 Si i fist mettre marinals, 
 
 Mult forz e pruz e bons vassals, 
 
 Queinz dewe e [si] sages en mer, 
 
 E ki bien sevent nefs guier. 
 1345 E pus eslust vint chivalers 
 
 Li reis, de eels quil out plus chers, 
 
 E vint chivalers ensement 
 
 MS. 11. 13 16, en ciel (7 syl.); 13 19, surderunt (9 syl.); 1320, se 
 estenderimt (9 syl.); 1322, cunte; 1323, Rey; 1324, treiseintim , 
 1330, Si seit (7 syl.); 133 1, sescrient (9 syl.); 1335, nefes; 1337, Si fist 
 mettre (7 syl.); 1342, fortes; 1343, Queintes, e sages 7 (syl.); 1344, 
 nefes. 
 
g6 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 De la mesnee e de la gent 
 
 Offe le rei, ki les tramist, 
 1350 E ki les seremenz en prist, 
 
 Tant cum il furent, ceo mest avis, 
 
 Karante chivalers de pris. 
 
 Li reis les dona bels conreis, 
 
 Armes, destrers e palefreiz, 
 1355 E or e argent a plente, 
 
 E son fiz les ad comande, 
 
 E la plus bele nef des treis; 
 
 En deus fit mettre lur herneis. 
 
 Kant il derrer sunt apreste 
 1360 Hors del haven se sunt bute. 
 
 Li reis ne fine de plurer, 
 
 Kant il les vit en mer entrer. 
 
 A Dieu les comand, si les lest, 
 
 E en plurant ariere vest. 
 1365 Kant les treis nefs sunt hors de port, 
 
 Lur batel devers le bort 
 
 Treistrent en la nef maintenant 
 
 Li marinal e li servant. 
 
 La nef fu forte e [si] mult bele, 
 1370 Bien fete, seure e novele, 
 
 U Seint Edmund esteit, li ber, 
 
 Ki unke mes ne fu en mer. 
 
 Li servant e li mariner 
 
 En vunt lur cordes adrescier. 
 *375 Chescun mariner del esneke 
 
 Forment le sigle desharneske, ( 1 ) 
 
 Lur hobens estreignent vers destre, 
 
 Hors lancent [lur] lof (2) vers senestre, 
 
 La veile treient jesqua la hune, 
 
 MS. 11. 1350, Ke; 1352, Karant: 1357, nief; de treis; 1363, comande; 
 1365, neifes; 1369,6 mult bele (7 syl.); 1376, deshaneke; 1377, es- 
 Ueinent; 1378, lancent — lof (7 syl.); 1379, iesqual (7 syl.). 
 
 Note (1), line 1376, desharneske from dis and harneschier *=■ to arm, 
 to equip, referring both to soldiers and to ships (Cf. Godefroy). Here 
 the meaning seems to be: to unroll, to unfurl. 
 
 Note (2), line 1378, lof = lower part of the sail (Cf. Godefroy). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 97 
 
 1380 E al vent la firent comune. 
 
 La boeline halent al vent, 
 
 Ki lore recoilt e supprent. 
 
 Kant la nef aveient aprestee, 
 
 A Dampnedieu lunt comandee. 
 1385 Pus atturnerent el batel 
 
 Li chamberleng al damisel 
 
 Un riche lit, de noble atur, 
 
 U il alient lur segnur. 
 
 Les chivalers, ki en la nef sunt, 
 1390 Ki garden t lur segnur Edmund 
 
 En le batel sunt entre of li ; 
 
 Si parolent pur lennui. 
 
 As esches geuwent e as tables, 
 
 Dient respiz e cuntent fables. 
 1395 Meis ki kentende al enveiser, 
 
 Li ber entent a son Salter, 
 
 Ke en Sessoine aveit comence, 
 
 Dunt apris aveit la meite. 
 
 Le jur siglent a grant dedut, 
 1400 Si feseient tute la nut, 
 
 Lez la costee de Sessoine, 
 
 Ke la nef gueres ne sesbaine. 
 
 Jesqual demain al einz jurnee, 
 
 Ke lalbe del jur fu escrevee, 
 1405 Suple vent unt, mer pleine e bele, 
 
 La nef ne crole ne chancele. 
 
 As marinals en peise fort 
 
 Kil nunt vent ki plus tost les port. 
 
 Le secund jur unt tant sigle, 
 14 10 E la nut a ciel estele, 
 
 Kal tierz jur unt Frise veue, 
 
 De loinz, cum ceo fut une nue. 
 
 Jesqual quart jur, dun vent de bise 
 
 MS. 11. 1381, Le boelin; 1383, nief, apreste; 1384, comande; 1387, 
 atour; 1388, segnour; 1393, eschesse geuwent e a tables; 1399, iour; 
 1402, nief, guaires; 140 1-2, Sessoine rhymes with esbainel 1406, La 
 nief; 1410, la nute, eel; 1412, neue. 
 
9& LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Siglent la costere de Frise, 
 141 5 Tant quil acosteient Houtlande, 
 
 Une contree large e grande. 
 
 Le quart jur, de Houtlande veient 
 
 Les granz faleises ki blancheient. 
 
 Le sisme jur une contree 
 1420 Acostent, qui est large e lee; 
 
 Selande la apelent, la gent; 
 
 Al honur de Flandres apent. 
 
 Dune lur surt un vent devers tere, 
 
 Si les feseit damage e guere, 
 1425 Kar tant furent loinz en la mer, 
 
 Kil ne pourent a port aler. 
 
 La mesnie en est malbailie, 
 
 Kar dulce ewe lur ert failie 
 
 Mult en sufrirent grant hachie 
 1430 Les esquiers e la mesnie 
 
 Des deus nefs ke vindrent deriere, 
 
 Ki ensewirent le premiere. 
 Li enfant 01 la novele, 
 
 Edmund, sachez ne li fu bele. 
 1435 Sur ses piez en estant sest mis, 
 
 Vers orient turna son vis. 
 
 Dieu reclama devotement, 
 
 Kil ait pitie de sa gent. 
 
 A genuilluns sest acute, 
 1440 E Dampnedieu ad reclame, 
 
 Kil tele ore lur tramette, 
 
 Ki a salve porte les mette. 
 Oiz la primere vertu, 
 
 Ke Dampnedieu fit pur son dru, 
 1445 Seint Edmund, sicum il oura, 
 
 E de fin quer Dieu reclama ! 
 
 II ne aveit mie par oure, 
 
 Kil nunt vent a [lur] volente. 
 MS. 11. 1415, acostent (7 syl.); 1417, veienent; 1420, acostient; 
 1426, porent; 1427, mesnee; 1430, mesnee; 1431, niefes; 1433. Len- 
 fant(7syl.); 1435, peiz; 1437, devoutement; 1441, tel (7 syl.); 1448, 
 a volente (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 99 
 
 Un vent surst devers [le] midi, 
 1450 Bien aspre, ki les acuilli, 
 
 Ki en la veile e en lur tref 
 
 Fiert, si enpeint avant la nef . 
 
 Les mariners en sunt mult lie; 
 
 Lur lof unt enz mult tost lancie, 
 1455 E [tost] alaschent lur boelins 
 
 E estreiment lur holgurdins. 
 
 Aspre est le vent, li sigle legier, 
 
 Unc ne les covint harnesker ; 
 
 Bon vent aveient e bien portant ; 
 1460 Tut le jur siglent a talant, 
 
 E tute la nut a serin ; 
 
 Desque il ajurna lendemain, 
 
 Se tindrent a la halte mer. 
 
 Le soleil lieve, e halt e cler, 
 1465 Bels est li jurs, le tens seriz, 
 
 Le vent de Su lur est failliz, 
 
 Kil ne pourent aler avant, 
 
 Ainz vunt en halte mer wacrant. 
 
 E kant vint entre tierce e prime, 
 1470 Ke le soleil abate la rime, 
 
 Dune lur surst devers orient, 
 
 Une dulce ore, un suple vent, 
 
 U il se sunt longes tenu, 
 
 Tant quil unt choisi e veii, 
 1475 E virent clerement lensegne 
 
 Des granz faleises, devers Lyn 
 
 Cele part siglent a espleit, 
 
 Tant cum la nef aler poeit ; 
 
 Tant unt sigle, tant unt vage 
 1480 Ke a la tere sunt aprochie. 
 
 MS. 11. 1449, devers miedi (7 syl.); 1452, en peint — nief; 1455, E 
 alaschent (7 syl.); 1457, sigleigier (reading unintelligible); 1458, han- 
 eker; 1460, iour; 1461, nute; 1462, aiourna; 1465, le iour; 1467, por- 
 ent; 1468, halt; i469,tirce; 1472, un (7 syl.); 1475, la sen (reading 
 unintelligible; correct as above, or for sen, read sein, seing; (cf. 
 Godefroy); 1476 len; 1477, parte; 1478, nief. 
 
IOO LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Pus ont hors lance lur batel, 
 
 A tere mistrent le dancel, 
 
 Edmund, lur naturel segnur, 
 
 Par la grace del creatur. 
 1485 Ke Dieu claime en la prophetie, 
 
 Sicum nus mustre la clergie : 
 
 "Oisel volant del orient, 
 
 E de luin home, a son talant." 
 
 Les nefs tutes treis arivees 
 1490 Sunt, [e] a la tere enancrees, 
 
 A mesmes dune petite terele, 
 
 A merveile aate e bele, 
 
 Ki a eel temps esteit clamee, 
 
 E ki uncore est apellee : 
 1495 Maidenesboure en engleis, 
 
 Chambre as puceles en franceis. 
 
 E la vile de li ad nun, 
 
 En engleis, Hunestanestun, 
 
 E en franceis est apelee, 
 1500 La vile de piere melee: 
 
 Quant Seint Edmund fu venuz 
 
 A tere, e hors la nef eissuz, 
 
 En une planesce acceptable, 
 
 E bele e verte e delitable, 
 1505 De lez la mer, en oreisuns 
 
 Chai li ber a genulliuns, 
 
 E pria Dieu pitusement, 
 
 Pur le pais e pur la gent. 
 
 La mustra Dieus quil aveit chere, 
 1 5 10 E sa oreisun a sa priere; 
 
 Kar la vertu de sa oreisun 
 
 Mustre le pais envirun, 
 
 Ka Hunestanestun apent. 
 
 Ceo sevent bien tute la gent, 
 
 MS. 11. 1489, nefes; 1490, Sunt a la (7 syl.); 1491, terel; 1492, 
 bel; 1493, ce ^ e » clame; 1494, apelle; 1496, E chambre as pucels 
 (9 syl.); i497» noun; 1498, hunstanestun ; 1502, del nief; 1505, le; 
 1506, chcy; 1507, preia; 1509, dieu; 1513, hunstanestun (7 syl.); 
 2514, seivent, tut. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND IOI 
 
 15 1 5 Ke la tere est plus gaainable, 
 
 E de tuz biens plus fusunable 
 
 En Est, e gette meldres blez, 
 
 Ke nule altre tere de lez. 
 
 Kant Seint Edmund out oure, 
 1 520 E Dampnedieu out reclame, 
 
 Ses homes li amenent devant 
 
 Un palefrei suef amblant. 
 
 Sicum li ber munter deveit, 
 
 Vers Occident [re] garde e veit, 
 1525 Veit hors de la tere saillir 
 
 Dulces funteines par ai"r, 
 
 Od dulz curs, od clere gravele 
 
 Nul ne puet choisir la plus bele. 
 
 Cuntrecurent vers la mer, 
 1530 Semblant funt de li welcomer. 
 
 Del liu dunt les russels sunt surs, 
 
 Jesquen la salse, funt lur curs 
 
 E isenelement se destendent, 
 
 Od duz murmure en mer descendent. 
 1535 Mult par sunt bones les funteines; 
 
 Pur beivre nad suz ciel si seines, 
 
 E meint hum jesqua [i]cest jur 
 
 En garist de meint [grant] dolur; 
 
 De meinte grant enfermete, 
 1540 En unt plusurs eii sante. 
 
 E kant li ber fu curune, 
 
 E il fu fet rei del regne, 
 
 Le liu out chier, si lama tant 
 
 Kil [i] fist feire maintenant 
 1545 Une sale riche e reale, 
 
 Grant e noble e emperiale, 
 
 E une mult riche chapele, 
 
 MS. 11. 1515, gaynable; 1518, leez. 1522, sueif; 1524, garde; 1525, E 
 veit (9,syl.); 1527, dulces; 1528, poeit; 1534. murmuire; 1537, home; 
 iesqua cest iour; 1538, meint dolur (7 syl.); 1539, meint (7 syl.); 
 1540, en sante; 1542, reys; 1544, Kil fist (7 syl.); 1545. real; 1546, 
 emperial. 
 
102 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Halte e avenante e bele, 
 
 U li seint reis soleit aourer 
 1550 Kant il soleit [i] sujurner. 
 
 E pus apres quant il reis fu, 
 
 E le realme aveit resceu, 
 
 Le liu ama, si out mult cher, 
 
 Sovent i soleit repairer, 
 1555 Mult i soleit venir sovent 
 
 E sujurner priveement. 
 
 Les baruns ki od lenfant esteient, 
 
 E ki en lur garde [1] aveient, 
 
 Le amenerent tut sagement, 
 1560 Sanz noise e sanz seii de gent, 
 
 A une cite noble e grant 
 
 Ke en eel tens ert riche e vailant 
 
 E de mult noble renomee : 
 
 Atleburg esteit apelee 
 1565 La cite; Atle lapela — 
 
 Atle li reis ki la funda. 
 
 Uncore i ad vile champestre ; 
 
 A eels de Mortimer suelt estre. 
 
 En cele cite mist enfin 
 1570 Edmund tut un an enterin; 
 
 E son Salter il paraprist 
 
 Par la grace de Jesu Crist, 
 
 Ken Sessoine aveit comence 
 
 Dunt apris aveit la meite, 
 1575 E altre sen aprist apres, 
 
 Dunt sage fu a tut dis mes. 
 
 Ceo le fist Dieus par sa puissance, 
 
 E par sa dulce purveance. 
 
 E kant le regne out en sa main, 
 1580 Al governer fu plus certain. 
 
 Ceo est grant sen e courteisie, 
 
 Kant prince e reis entent clergie ; 
 
 Al regne governer li valt, 
 
 MS. 11. 1550, soleit suiourner (7 syl.); 1551, rey; 1558, aveient; 
 1568, soleit (9 syl.); 1569, miest. 1574, apris. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 I03 
 
 Kar quant le sen des altres fait, 
 1585 Par la clergie quest ajuwe, 
 
 [Si] ad tost sen e reisun suwe. 
 
 Kant les altres ni veient gute, 
 
 La clergie le sen i bute. 
 
 Edmund, cume jeo ai desus dit, 
 1590 Sujurne en Atleburg la cit; 
 
 Pur ceo le feseient sujurner 
 
 En Atleburg, e demurer, 
 
 Cels qui el pais mene lourent : 
 
 Kar il soucherent bien e sourent, 
 1595 Ke li barun plus poestis. 
 
 E li plus riche del pais, 
 
 Kant il de la mort Offe oireient, 
 
 Pur le realme mesuvereient ; 
 
 Si feseient tut li barun 
 1600 E furent en grant contenciun. 
 
 Chescun dels voleit endreit sei 
 
 De la tere estre sire e rei 
 
 Lestreif dura un an enter, 
 
 Pur poi ne surst grant encumbrier 
 1605 Kar les teres ultre marines 
 
 Ka eel pais erent veisines, 
 
 Ke hum claime collaterals, 
 
 Les promistrent gueres e mals : 
 
 Kil les vendreient assaillir 
 1 610 Sil ne volsissent obeir 
 
 A els, e rendre les treii. 
 
 Kant la tere e le pais feu 
 
 Si longement sanz chief segnur, 
 
 Le poeple en est en grant errur, 
 161 5 En grant crierhe e en grant turment, 
 
 E dutent que foreine gent 
 
 Vienge sur els, si les asaile, 
 
 Si envers els pernent bataile, 
 
 MS. 11. 1585, aguwe; 1586, Ad tost (7 syl.); 1590, cizt; 1593, en; 
 1593-4, lorent: sorent; 1597, morte; 1607, home; 161 3, longment 
 (7 syl.); 1615, crieme en (7 syl.); 1616, doutent; 1617, viengent. 
 
104 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Sanz chevetaine e sanz segnur, 
 1620 Ki les maintienge en estur; 
 
 Kant il nunt ki les maintienge, 
 
 Si crement ke les mesavienge. 
 
 Cunseil unt demande e quis 
 
 De tuz les sages del pais. 
 1625 A Castre funt lur asemblee 
 
 Ke dune ert de grant renomee 
 
 Tuz les plus sages del regne, 
 
 E li evesque e li abe, 
 
 Li sage cunte e li barun 
 1630 Furent a cele elecciun. 
 
 Entrels cunseil unt demande, 
 
 De ki rei ferunt del regne. 
 Li seneschal lieve en estant, 
 
 Ki mult sages ert e valiant, 
 1635 Ki a la mort fu Offe le rei, 
 
 E ki Edmund mena od sei 
 
 "Segnurs," fet il, "ore escutez, 
 
 Ke mestier de cunseil avez, 
 
 A rei eslire e [a] segnur, 
 1640 Ki le pais guart a honur, 
 
 E al poeple seit acceptable, 
 
 E sage duitre e covenable. 
 
 Acheisun ni reisun ne vei, 
 
 Ke meis puissez estre sanz rei; 
 1645 E kant rei vus estuet aver, 
 
 Errer vus estuet par saver, 
 
 De tel eslire, de tel choisir, 
 
 Ke en pes vus puise maintenir, 
 
 E dreit e justise garder 
 1650 E la tere en pes governer. 
 
 Mult vus fu li reis Offe amis, 
 
 E vus ama tant cum fu vifs, 
 
 MS. 11. 1619, cheveteyn; 1620, 162 1, maintinge; 1625, asemble; 
 1627, regnee; 1636, a mene (9 syl.); 1638, conseil en (9 syl.); 1639, 
 c segnour (7 syl.); 1640, honur; 1648, Ki (9 syl.); 1649, Justice; 
 1653, e bon (9 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 105 
 
 Sage rei fu, bon justiser, 
 
 E seintment murust ultre mer. 
 J 655 Jeo fu of li quant il murust; 
 
 Mult me peisa ke morir dust ; 
 
 Devant ceo ke la mort li prist, 
 
 Par fei e par serment me mist, 
 
 E mei e tute sa altre gent 
 1660 Mist par fei e par serement, 
 
 Ke quant nus en returnerum, 
 
 Par Sessoine nus realisum, 
 
 U li reis e nus sujurnames 
 
 Kant a Jerusalem alames 
 1665 Od le rei, son cosin germein, 
 
 Qui tute Sessoine ad suz sa main, 
 
 E ke nus menisum defrunt 
 
 Le fiz le rei, lenfant Edmund, 
 
 Quen Estangle en feisum rei. 
 1670 Ceo nus fist il plever par fei. 
 
 Offe seisi le damisel 
 
 En cest realme, par son anel, 
 
 Dunt il fu fet rei e sacre, 
 
 Kant il fu primes corune. 
 1675 E nus, segnurs, par la venimes ; 
 
 Tant parlames, e tant fe'ismes, 
 
 Ke kant nus de iluc en alames, 
 
 En ceste tere lenfant menames. 
 
 [E] purquei le vus celerum? 
 1680 A grant peine conquis le avum. 
 
 Kant li reis Offe ad le regne 
 
 A Edmund son cosin devise, 
 
 Par nus qui la fei enplevimes. 
 
 E le serement en fe'ismes — 
 1685 Ki dirra le dreit e le veir? — 
 
 Bien il deit estre e rei e heir ; 
 
 E pur ceo e pur altre rien, 
 
 MS. 11. i657,morte; 1658, serement; 1661, nus returnerum (7 syl.); 
 1674, primier; 1677, iluc alames (7 syl.); 1679, Purquei (7 syl.); 
 1 68 1, le rei; regnee; 1683, le fiz; 1684, fesimes. 
 
106 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Dunt jeo vtis musterai tres bien, 
 
 Le devez choisir e eslire, 
 1690 Kil seit de vus e rei e sire. 
 
 Edmund est mult de halt parage, 
 
 E ne est de real liniage, 
 
 E la bealte de li est si grant, 
 
 Ke en mund ni ad si bel enfant. 
 1695 E od la grant bealte de li, 
 
 Unkes puis ke jeo ne fui, 
 
 Ne vi plus sage creature, 
 
 De sen, de reisun, de mesure, 
 
 Ni qui plus tost seiist juger 
 1700 Une reisun, ne desreisnier. 
 
 Segnurs, mult est lenfant Edmund 
 
 De acu sen e de parfunt, 
 
 E kant il est cosin le rei 
 
 Offe, ki si nus mist par fei, 
 1705 Kil seit reis de cest pais, 
 
 Jeo vus dis bien le mien avis : 
 
 Qui ceste chose volt desdire, 
 
 Quil ne seit e rei e sire 
 
 De cest pais, de cest regne? 
 1 7 10 Segnurs, sachez en verite, 
 
 Ke nus enfin destrut serrum 
 
 E le realme perderum, 
 
 Kar si son pere en Sessoine, 
 
 Ki rei est, oit la grant vergoine 
 17 1 5 Que vus lavez si refuse, 
 
 Bien le di, par ma lealte, 
 
 Of mult grant gent sur nus vendra, 
 
 E la tere e nus destruera." 
 Kant il aveit dit e parle 
 1720 E [si] tut son avis mustre, 
 
 Levesque de Norwiz parla, 
 
 E tut le poeple lescuta : 
 
 "Segnurs," fet il, "ore escutez ; 
 
 MS. 11. 1691, mlt, 1694, nad (7 syl.); 1701, mlt; 1702, acue; 1709, 
 regnee; 1720, E tut (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 107 
 
 Si jeo di bien, sil graantez. 
 1725 Mult ad oure li Seneschal 
 
 Cume sage home e cum leal, 
 
 Cume prudome, cum sene, 
 
 Quant nus a le dreit heir mene, 
 
 De ceste, nostre regiun, 
 1730 Dunt estes en contenciun. 
 
 Ni entent ni sai plus dreit heir, 
 
 Qui mielz deive le regne aveir, 
 
 Ke Edmund lenfant, que cist message 
 
 Unt amene pur le heritage ; 
 x 735 Fiz de rei est, de halte gent, 
 
 Cosin Offe e prochein parent 
 
 Le rei, qui devant quil fini, 
 
 De cest realme le seisi. 
 
 Par son anel que a li tramist, 
 1730 Dunt estes en contenciun. 
 
 E od tut ceo, mist ceste gent, 
 
 E par fei e par serement, 
 
 Ki en cest pais le amenerent, 
 
 E qui le message aporterent. 
 1 745 Mult les devum saver bon gre, 
 
 Quant vus unt le dreit heir mene. 
 
 Jeo vus lo que tuz i alez, 
 
 E mult tost a rei le levez." 
 
 Tuz se greent, grant e petit, 
 1750 Mult par ad levesque bien dit. 
 
 Dune se levent tute la gent, 
 
 Riche, povre, comunalment, 
 
 A une voix, e a un cri, 
 
 En un voler sunt [tuz] parmi, 
 1755 En une mesme volente, 
 
 Cume Dieu les out espire. 
 
 A Atleburg en vunt, tut dreit, 
 
 U li enfant Edmund esteit ; 
 
 MS. 11. i724,grantez (7 syl.); 1726-7, cum; 1728, Quant a nus (9 syl.); 
 1730, Dunt vus estes (9 syl.); i73i,ne — nesey(7 syl.); 1735, halt (7syl.); 
 i753,voyce; 1754, sunt parmi (7 syl.) ; 1756, cum; 1758, lenfant (7 syl). 
 
108 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Si lunt a Bures, la cite, 
 1760 Mult honurablement mene. 
 
 Hue le feseient coruner, 
 
 E haltement a rei sacrer, 
 
 Del evesque, qui Hubert out nun, 
 
 Qui par mult grant devooiun 
 1765 Fist le servise e la feste, 
 
 Mult haltement, ceo dist la geste. 
 
 Bures esteit [une] cite, 
 
 En icel tens de antiquite, 
 
 De grant honur, de grant noblesce, 
 1770 E tute de mult grant haltesce; 
 
 Kar la soleit hum coruner 
 
 Les reis, e enoindre e sacrer, 
 
 Qui de Estangle furent eslit. 
 
 Tele dignete aveit la cit 
 1775 De Bures, que encore est assise 
 
 Mult bien, e de mult bele guise, 
 
 Desur une ewe redde e pure, 
 
 Que la gent apelent le Sture; 
 
 Marche est e devise certeine, 
 1780 Entre Estsex e Suthfolc demeine. 
 
 Ceste grant chose fu parfeite, 
 
 E parfurnie e a chief treite, 
 
 Dunt jeo vus ai ici cunte, 
 
 Le jur de la nativite. 
 1785 Del rei des reis, qui tutes choses 
 
 Ad en sa poeste encloses 
 
 Qui les regiuns done e tolt, 
 
 E les despent la u il volt. 
 
 Kant Edmund li [tres] seint ber. 
 1790 Dunt avant vus volum mustrer, 
 
 Fu feit cheveteyne e segnur, 
 
 E rei [fu] de eel grant honur, 
 
 Sapience li fu veisine, 
 
 MS. 11. 1763, noun; 1767, esteit dune cite (7 syl.); 1768, eel (7 syl.); 
 1772, reis enoyndre (7 syl); 1773, destangle; 1777, euwe; 1789, li 
 seint ber (6 syl.); 1791, feite cheveteyn; 1792, E rei de (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND IO9 
 
 Ke lenseigne, aprent e doctrine, 
 1795 E plus e plus i met le sens 
 
 En son quer, e en son purpens, 
 
 Cum en Dieu se deit contenir, 
 
 E coment la gent maintenir, 
 
 E cume grant chose ad conquise 
 1800 E cume grant feisance emprise 
 
 E cume grant fes ad sur sei, 
 
 Cil qui de tere est prince e rei. 
 
 De tut ceo purvit la reisun, 
 
 La mesure e la mesprisiun, 
 1805 Par le conseil de la mestresce, 
 
 Sapience, qui est furmeresce 
 
 De tutes les choses del mund, 
 
 Ke feites e crees [i] sunt; 
 
 Omnicreatice la claiment 
 1 8 10 Tuz eels qui mesure e dreit aiment. 
 
 Li ber, Seint Edmund, sa doctrine 
 
 [Re] treit bien, e sa discipline; 
 
 Sa simplesce ert tant enterine 
 
 Dulce, amiable e columbine, 
 181 5 E sa fierte si atempree, 
 
 E de tut si a mesuree; 
 
 Columb sanz fel vers ses amis 
 
 Esteit ; e vers ses enemiz 
 
 Eveziez plus que [nuls] draguns 
 1820 Esteit, [e] plus fiers que leuns, 
 
 E contre pensez de purpens ; 
 
 E quanquil diseit esteit sens. 
 
 Tant par ert e ferme e estable 
 
 En mesure, que unkes diable 
 1825 Par engin ne [le] purreit feire 
 
 De dreit [ni] de reisun retreire; 
 
 Ni malengin par coveitise, 
 
 MS. 11. 1799, 1800 and 1801, cum; 1808, creez sount (7 syl.); 181 2 
 Ke treit bien; 1815, A sa; '1818-20, . vers ses enemys ; Eveziez 
 
 plus que draguns, Esteit plus fiers que nuls leouns; 1825, ne purreit 
 (7 syl.); 1826, De dreit, de reisun (7 syl.). 
 
HO LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Quil se retreisist de justise 
 
 Nel purreit unc par nul arveire, 
 1830 Par duns ni promesses deceivre ; 
 
 E la chose quil ne saveit, 
 
 Entendantement enquereit. 
 
 La reale veie si erra, 
 
 Quil unkes [de]hors n[en] ala; 
 1835 Ni trop a destre senhalceant, 
 
 Ni trop a senestre apuiant 
 
 A vice ne a iniquite 
 
 Del humaine f ragilite ; 
 
 Issi par reisun e dreiture, 
 1840 Lestreite line de mesure 
 
 Tint ; que ultre ne passa vers destre 
 
 Ni hors nala devers senestre; 
 
 Qui hors de cele line va, 
 
 Reisun, dreit ni mesure na. 
 1845 As vedves e as orfanins 
 
 Fu pere pius e enterins, 
 
 Francs e larges as besoinus 
 
 As povres e as sufreitus. 
 
 Tuz jurs recorde en son corage 
 1850 Le dit ke jadis dit un sage: 
 
 "Establi te unt rei e princier? 
 
 Ne te voile trop enhalcier, 
 
 Meis tel seies entre ta gent, 
 
 Si cum un dels comunalment." 
 1855 Issi fu Seint Edmund as suens 
 
 Francs, deboneire e simple e buens ; 
 
 E pur ceo quil de eels esteit, 
 
 Dunt lapostle nus amenteit : 
 
 "Nus sumes a Dieu bon odur, 
 
 fE MS. 11. 1828, treisist (7 syl.); 1829-30, arveire: deceivre. I have 
 not ventured to correct to deceveir; both the metre and the e in arveire 
 seem to forbid. 1832, entendantment (7 syl.); 1833, real, issi; 1834, 
 hors ne ala (6 syl.); 1835, enhalceant (7 syl.); 1837, vices ni (9 syl.); 
 1841, Tant; 1846, puis; 1847, Franc, bosoynus; 1849, iours; 1851, 
 Establete; 1855, a suens; 1856, Franc, bons. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND III 
 
 i860 En tuz lius e bone dulceur, 
 
 En cele qui perisent defrunt 
 
 E en icels qui salf resunt." 
 
 Cum par tut flaire le flairur 
 
 De Dieu, e de sa dulce odur ; 
 1865 Ceo est la bone renumee 
 
 De vie honeste demustree, 
 
 Qui esclercist tuz jurs apres, 
 
 En bone fame, loinz e pres. 
 
 Si fu de la vie al barun, 
 1870 Seint Edmund, dunt nus ci parlum. 
 
 Ceo dit Seint Augustin le grant : 
 
 "Vus qui amastes le bien feisant 
 
 Vus vesquistes sanz nul retur, 
 
 En Dieu e en sa dulce odur." 
 1875 E par icele odur demeine, 
 
 Remort celi qui trop se peine 
 
 De envie aver sur tute rien, 
 
 Vers celi qui tuz jurs fet bien. 
 
 De tels enviiis, a estrus, 
 1880 Fu Lothebrok li envius, 
 
 Qui mult fu riches de grant fin, 
 
 Meis trop esteit felun veisin. 
 
 Kar fel esteit vers ses procheins, 
 
 E mult cruel vers ses lointeins. 
 1885 Gopil a tuz vers ses parenz, 
 
 E enemi a tutes genz. 
 
 Lothebrok sune en engleis, 
 
 Ruisel hainus [est] en franceis. 
 
 Vereiement hainus esteit 
 1890 II, e ceo que de li surdeit 
 
 Kar il aveit treis fiz feluns, 
 
 E si vus dirrai bien lur nuns : 
 
 Ingar aveit a nun lainne, 
 
 Hubbe laltre, Bern le puisne. 
 
 MS. 11. 1867, esclerzist; 1875, icel; 1878, iours; 1884, lonteins; 
 i887,soune; 1888, hainus en (7 syl.); 1889, Vereyment (7 syl.); 1893, 
 liainne (9 syl.); 1894, Hulbe (?); baerin. 
 
112 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 1895 En un angle mananz esteient 
 
 De le Danemarche u maneient. 
 
 En mer fu eel liu enangle 
 
 Mult bien enclos e bien ferme, 
 
 Quil ne doteient nules genz, 
 1900 Ni les Guteis, [de] lur parenz, 
 
 Qui cele gent cum mort haieient, 
 
 Kar plusurs mals fet les aveient. 
 
 Cil Lothebrok e ses treis fiz 
 
 Furent de tute gent ha'iz 
 1905 Kar utlages furent en mer ; 
 
 Unk ne finerent de rober 
 
 Tuz jurs vesquirent de rapine; 
 
 Tere ne cuntree veisine 
 
 Nert pres dels, u il, a larun, 
 19 10 Neusent feit envasiun. 
 
 De ceo furent si enrichez, 
 
 Amuntez e amanantez, 
 
 Quil aveient grant aiinee 
 
 De gent e mult grant asemblee, 
 191 5 Quil aveient en lur companie 
 
 Kant errouent od lur navie; 
 
 Destrut en aveient meint pais, 
 
 Meint poeple destrut e occis. 
 
 Nule contree lez la mer, 
 1920 Ne se poeit dels ja garder. 
 
 Iceles genz, ices tiranz 
 
 Furent de curages mult granz; 
 
 Armes aveient merveiluses, 
 
 Granz a demesure e hiduses, 
 1925 Od tut ceo chescun sa partie 
 
 Out de chescune felunie 
 Ingar ert si fel e culvert, 
 
 E de felunie si ouvert, 
 
 Ke nul conustre nel poeit, 
 
 MS. 11. 1896, Delee danmarch; 1899, nuls; 1900, Guteis lur parenz 
 (7 syl.); 1906 Unkes; 1907, iours; 1914, asemble; 1920, put (7 syl.); 
 1931, Icels; 1923. merveilouses; 1924, hidouses. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 113 
 
 1930 Si fel, si atilus esteit, 
 
 Que a mil home ne deist 
 
 Son corage, ne descoverist. 
 
 Hubbe fu sorciers, si sout lestre 
 
 De sorcierie, si fu mestre ; 
 J 935 J a ne ^ ust nost Q 11 ^ surve'ist, 
 
 Quil od poi de gent ne venquist, 
 Bern ert si fel e si engres, 
 
 De ire anguisuse si ires, 
 
 Lire de li fu si ardant, 
 1940 Suz ciel ni ad home vivant, 
 
 Quil esparniast a nul foer, 
 
 Kant lire li [ajmunte en quer, 
 
 Ke de li feist le nes voler, 
 
 U oreile u les oilz crever ; 
 1945 Ja ne li fut si fin parent, 
 
 Meis il out od li une gent 
 
 Granz e membruz, ki le teneient, 
 
 Kant ses hees li surveneient. 
 Un jur vindrent devant le pere, 
 1950 Ingar, Hubbe e Bern lur frere, 
 
 Li murdrer, li engres larun, 
 
 Devant lur pere, le f elun ; 
 
 Se sunt asis en sa presence; 
 
 Chescun apres laltre comence 
 1955 A retreire les larecins 
 
 Quil unt fet a lur veisins, 
 
 Les murdres e les traisuns, 
 
 Les roberies, les arsuns, 
 
 Les destrucciuns deglises, 
 i960 Les aguaiz e les granz occises, 
 
 Dunt il unt destrut e gaste 
 
 Meinte tere e meinte contree. 
 Lur pere les oit e entent 
 
 MS. 11. 1933, Hulbe (?), si sout tut le estre (9 syl.); 1936, venqueist ; 
 1937, Berin (9 syl.); 1939, Le ire; 1940, nad (7 syl.). 1942, le ire,li 
 munt (7 syl.); 1950, Hulbe, berin; 1955, larcins (7 syl.); 1957, treisun 
 (7 syl.); 1964, orgulousement. 
 
114 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Parler si orgulusement, 
 1965 Les denz aguisse e cruist e gruint, 
 
 Frunce del neis, frunce del frunt, 
 
 Roule des oilz od quer enfle, 
 
 Ad si respondu e parle; 
 
 Od grant dedegne, si ad dit: 
 1970 Laniers ceo dit — malveis requist! 
 
 "Tut est vent quanque vus parlez; 
 
 Nest rien de ceo dunt vus vantez 
 
 Kanz pais [e] kantes regiuns, 
 
 Kantes cites, kantes mansiuns 
 1975 Avez conquis e purchaciez, 
 
 Dunt de rien seiez enhalciez. 
 
 Un juvencel, de Sessoine ne, 
 
 Nun Edmund, si est nume, 
 
 Fiz del rei qui [ore] est segnur 
 1980 De Sessoine, e qui tient lonur, 
 
 Od poi de gent, en mer .entra, 
 
 Od sul treis nefs, si ariva 
 
 En Estangle dunt ore est sire 
 
 E reis, e prince del empire. * 
 
 1985 Le pais ad, e le regne, 
 
 Suz sa main, a sa volente. 
 
 Quele aventure e quele conqueste 
 
 Feistes unc semblable a ceste? 
 
 Ahi ! cume f eite engendrure 
 1990 E cume bone nuriture 
 
 Ai fet en vus, e quels enfanz 
 
 Ke tant par vus feites puisanz !" 
 
 Cil sunt de grant ire embrase, 
 
 Pur lur pere qui out si parle, 
 1995 Pur la vergoine quil unt eii. 
 
 De la sale se sunt eisu, 
 
 MS. 11. 1966, neis; 1970, Lanier ceo ait malveis requist: MS. 
 reading evidently corrupt, and the reading above, suggested by Arn- 
 old, is very doubtful; 1973, Kantes pais, kantes; 1974, cites e kantes 
 (9 syl.); 1978, noun, issi; 1982, soul, niefes; 1985, regnee; 1989, 
 cum feit; 1990, cum. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 1^5 
 
 Trestuz pensis, de ire enragez, 
 Cument purrunt estre vengez 
 De Edmund, fiz le rei de Sessoine, 
 
 2000 Pur qui aveient hunte e vergoine 
 
 De lur pere, qui si les laidi ; 
 Mult en sunt irrie e marri 
 Purparlant vunt la traisun, 
 Cument averunt le barun 
 
 2005 E puis si unt tuz lur privez, 
 
 E lur pere ensemble ajustez; 
 Conseil les unt de ceo requis, 
 E il diseient lur avis. 
 
 Tant en parlerent en comun, 
 
 2010 Quil en furent trestuz en un, 
 
 Ke en Estangle dreit en irunt, 
 E le pais tut destruirunt, 
 E occirunt tute la gent, 
 Riches, poures comunalment, 
 
 2015 Vielz [e] joefnes, petiz e granz, 
 
 Homes e femes e enfanz, 
 E le rei Edmund, tut primier, 
 Voldrunt occire e detrenchier. 
 Dune feseient lur host banir, 
 
 2020 E genz comencent a venir. 
 
 Une gent hiduse e grant, 
 Quaveient orible semblant. 
 Les uns unt res les chefs amunt, 
 Tut fors un tup devant le frunt. 
 
 2025 E les acuns unt res les chefs 
 
 Trestuz fors un tupet detries. 
 Mulz i vindrent, par mer, par tere, 
 Armez e prestz de fere guere. 
 Par mer vindrent de tutes parz, 
 
 2030 E en dromunz e en chalanz, 
 
 f MS. 11. 1999, Edmund le fiz (9 syl.); 2006, peres; 2008, il les dis- 
 eient (9 syl.); 201 s, vielz ioefnes (7 syl.); 2019, feseient tost (9 syl.); 
 2022, mult orible (9 syl.); 2028, prestez (9 syl.); 2029, tute. 
 
Il6 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E en esnekes e en hallos, (i) 
 
 En bouces, en barges pertros; 
 
 Mil nefs en une compainie, 
 
 Mult asemblerent grant navie, 
 2035 Ke tute fu la mer cover te, 
 
 De cele pute gent culverte. 
 Quant il unt apreste lur eire 
 
 En la mer se mettent aneire, 
 
 En halte mer sen vunt siglant, 
 2040 Trestuz emsemble, en un tenant. 
 
 Tant unt par cele mer erre, 
 
 E tant curu e tant sigle 
 
 Par aces e par amuntes, 
 
 Unt tant sigle par lur jurnes, 
 2 °45 Quil unt Engletere choisie, 
 
 Si laprochent od lur navie; 
 
 En dreit del pais del North erent, 
 
 Tant cururent, quil ariverent 
 
 Juste la mer, sur la costere, 
 2050 Od lur estoire grant e fiere ; 
 
 Kar nul port receivre ne pout 
 
 Lestoire, tantes nefs i out, 
 
 Dunt la compainie fu tant grant. 
 
 Ceo fu endreit Northumberland, 
 2055 U cele gent sunt arivee. 
 
 II sespandent par la contree. 
 
 Minut ert, les cokes chantanz 
 
 Kant eels laruns, eels malfesanz 
 
 Se mistrent parfunt en le pais, 
 2060 Bien uit liwes u neuf u dis. 
 
 Ceo fut Ingar qui la avala; 
 
 Sur la marine Hubbe leissa. 
 
 Damparz trestuz [dune] se armerent 
 
 E lur batailes [si] contrerent, 
 
 MS. 11. 2033, niefes; 2035, tut; 2052,niefes; 2053, tan; 2057, mynute; 
 2060, nef; 2063, Trestuz se (7 syl.); 2064, batailes, contreerent. 
 
 Note (1): hallos: I have been unable to identify this word. ^Possi- 
 bly it is a mutilated form of chaloupr. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND II7 
 
 2065 Quil furent al albe aparant, 
 
 Kant le jur vait esclarisant, 
 
 Trestuz aprestez de mal fere. 
 
 Li enemi, li adversaire. 
 
 Dune se desrengent e dereient, 
 2070 Ardent e robent tut, e preient. 
 
 Es liz occient les dormanz, 
 
 E tut destrenchent les veilanz ; 
 
 Nul ne poet aver garisun, 
 
 Ne de sa vie ranciun, 
 2075 Ke tut ne seit a mort livere, 
 
 Kanque ateint unt e encontre. 
 
 Cil ki de Ingar poet eschaper 
 
 Nad u f uir fors vers la mer ; 
 
 Al encontrer ne poet guandir 
 2080 De Hubbe, quil nestuet morir. 
 
 Ne aveient garisun ne ados 
 
 De mort le poeple quil unt enclos 
 
 De lur deus hosts e de lur gent, 
 
 Ke occis ne seient a turment. 
 2085 Quant cele grant preie unt acquise 
 
 E fet aveit la grant occise, 
 
 Ingar li fel, [li] vezier lere, 
 
 Prist conseil a Hubbe son frere, 
 
 Kil lerait la li e sa gent, 
 2090 Si ireit devers orient ; 
 
 La meite del hoste i menereit, 
 
 E laltre meite li lerreit. 
 
 Kant ceo fut purparle e fet, 
 
 En mer se mette, si sen vet. 
 2095 Od grant estoire, od grant navie, 
 
 Od merveiluse compainie, 
 
 Se mistrent en la halte mer. 
 
 Unc ne finirent de sigler 
 
 Tanquil vindrent a un port, 
 
 MS. 11. 2068, adversiere; 2070, Ardent robent (7 syl.); 2071, En 
 liz; 2073, poeit; 2075, morte; 2077, poeit; 2078, fuer; 2081, ne; 
 2082, del morte; 2083, hostes; 2085, prei; 2087, li fel vezier (7 syl.). 
 
Il8 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 2 too Ke la gent claime Orefort, 
 
 Ke dune ert une grant cite, 
 
 Anciene, de antiquite. 
 
 Devant le port, loinz en la mer, 
 
 Leisserent sigles avaler : 
 2105 De tutes parz ancre se sunt ; 
 
 Desque la nut attendu unt. 
 
 Quant il vienent a la nuitant, 
 
 [E] quil virent le riot muntant, 
 
 Mult tost se sunt desaancre, 
 21 10 E enz le port sunt tuz entre, 
 
 Tuit alarun, cum gopilz, 
 
 Qui par nut cerche les cortilz 
 
 Pur les gelins, le [fel] vilain 
 
 Dunt volt aver son ventre plain ; 
 21 15 E cume lou, fel e maldiz, 
 
 Qui entre en la falde as brebiz, 
 
 Quant est endormi le pastur; 
 
 Si fist Ingar, le traitur, 
 
 Ki en la tere des Estangleis. 
 2120 Vint cume beste muntaneis, 
 
 Kant les genz furent en lur liz, 
 
 E les poeples furent endormiz. 
 
 En la cite subdeinement 
 
 Entra, il e tute sa gent; 
 2125 Quant veit que les ad si surpris, 
 
 Des katre parz unt le feu mis ; 
 
 Dune pristrent tut comunalment, 
 
 Le aver, les dras, le or e le argent, 
 
 La cite mistrent en carbun, 
 2130 Puis feseient tele occisiun, 
 
 De la cheitive gent ke [i] erent 
 
 Qui garde dels ne se donerent, 
 
 Bouche de home nel poet dire, 
 
 MS. 11. 2104, leissierent; 2106, nute; 2107, E quant il veient (9 syl.); 
 2108, Quil virent (7 syl.); 2111, cum; 2112, nute; 2113, le vilain 
 (7 syl.); 2115, cum; 21 17, pastour; 2118, treitour \ 2120, cum; 
 muntaneis; 2125, supris; 2 131, ki. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 19 
 
 La occise e la grant martire 
 2135 Des cheitives e des cheitis ; 
 
 Nul ne poet dels esturtre vifs, 
 
 Quil en lur glaive [n] encheisent, 
 
 E que orible mort ne suffrisent. 
 
 Feseient lur iniquite 
 2140 E ravirent la chastete 
 
 Des espuses e des puceles, 
 
 Des vedves e des damiseles; 
 
 A grant dolur les demenerent 
 
 E huntusement les vergunderent, 
 2145 E puis apres, a mort les mistrent, 
 
 E detrenchierent e occistrent. 
 
 Les baruns, veanz lur muliers 
 
 Deglagierent les aversiers; 
 
 E les muliers tut ensement, 
 2150 Mistrent a mort e a turment. 
 
 Joefnes e vielz, petiz e granz, 
 
 E les enfanz, [les] alaitanz, 
 
 Destrenchierent e esbuelrent, 
 
 Occistrent e a mort getterent. 
 2155 Kant lur eschet unt iluc feit, 
 
 Amunt el pais se sunt treit. 
 
 Tut altre tel funt les tiranz 
 
 Des gaainurs, des paisanz 
 
 Tuz les [i] unt morts e occis 
 2160 E lur aver robe e pris, 
 
 Fors la cheitive vilanaile, 
 
 La povre gent e la rascaile, 
 
 Quil dedegnerent a tuer, 
 
 E lur branz en els besordier. 
 2165 A icels parle Ingar e dist: 
 
 "Vifs vus ai leisse par despist, 
 
 MS. 11. 2137, glaime, encheisent (7 syl.); 2139, E feseient (9 syl.); 
 2141, de; 2142, de (bis); 2145, 2150, morte; 2152, enfanz alaitanz 
 (7 syl.); '2154, morte; 2156, en le (9 syl.); 2158, gagneurs (7 syl.); 
 2159, tint mort e occis (7 syl.); 2162, poure (v and u indistin- 
 guishable); 2165, eels (7 syl.). 
 
120 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Quen vostre sane ne voil muiller 
 
 Mes beles armes ni soiller. 
 
 E si vus volez vie aver, 
 2170 Si me dites tost le veir, 
 
 De Edmunt, le rei de cest pais. 
 
 U hante, u est il estais ?" 
 
 Cels aveient pour de morir, 
 
 Nel osent celer ne coverir; 
 2175 Ainz repundent : "A Hailesdun; 
 
 Hoc [ore] meint, ceo dit hum." 
 Ingar li fel, Dieu enemis, 
 
 De males arz coint e apris, 
 
 Ententivement le quereit; 
 2180 Kar sovent dire o'i aveit. 
 
 Ke Edmund, li seint glorius rei, 
 
 Out mult bones teches en sei ; 
 
 Quil ert joefnes, dentur trent anz, 
 
 Pruz bacheler, forz e valianz ; 
 2185 En bataile hardi e fiers. 
 
 Pur ceo se hasta le aversers, 
 
 De tuz occire e [tuz] tuer, 
 
 Kanque en la tere poet trover, 
 
 Ke li reis sucurs nen oust, 
 2190 Dunt il defendre se poust. 
 
 Pur ceo se hasta Inguar sanz fable, 
 
 Li fel, li membres al diable, 
 
 De tost errer, de tost occire 
 
 Quanquil pout trover en lempire; 
 2195 E bien sout que li reis naveit 
 
 Defense u garir se purreit, 
 
 En Hailesdun, en eel hamel, 
 
 Ke ert loinz de burc e de chastel, 
 
 (Le Ham, le bois le ewe de le, 
 2200 Tut est Hailesdun apelle.) 
 
 U li chivaler Crist Jesu, 
 
 MS. 11. 2175, respounent; 2176, Hoc meint, home (7 syl.); 2177, 
 le; 2184, fort; 2186, li (9 syl); 2187, occire e tuer (7 syl.); 2188, 
 poeit; 2192, membre (7 syl); 2199, euwe. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 121 
 
 Seint Edmund, a cele ore fu. 
 Ingar li Achemenien, 
 
 Ki unkes ore ne fit bien, 
 2205 Derrer se haste e se desreie, 
 
 A grant espleit [si] tient sa veie, 
 
 Tanquil mei'smes venu sunt. 
 
 A la vile u ert Seint Edmund. 
 
 Dune ad pris un son chivaler, 
 2210 Si en ad fet son messagier 
 
 "Va tost," fet il, "e tost revien, 
 
 Al rei Edmund, si li di bien, 
 
 A mei se rende e de mei tienge 
 
 Son regne, e mon home devienge; 
 2215 E si me dune tut son tresor, 
 
 Son aver, son argent, son or, 
 
 Treu me rende chescun an, 
 
 Del regne, quant orra mon ban, 
 
 E en mes dieus, u me affi tant 
 2220 Creie, e les seit obeissant, 
 
 Sul issi vers mei se humilie, 
 
 A.sez tost li lerrai la vie 
 
 Si a mei ne se voult obeir, 
 
 De dure mort lestuet morir, 
 2225 E il e trestute sa gent : 
 
 Ceo li dites seiirement. 
 
 Ne aez ja nule pour; 
 
 Nus serrum pres a tun retur. 
 Li messager si [tost] sen vait, 
 2230 E dreit a Hailesdun se trait. 
 
 A la porte vint, si hucha, 
 
 E le porter li demanda: 
 
 "Ki es tu ? va ! que vols ? que quiers ?" 
 
 Cil dit : "Jeo su un messagiers ; 
 2235 Parler voldrai od vostre rei." 
 
 Le porter dit : "Attendez mei ; 
 
 MS. 11.' 2202, 2204, ;oure; 2206, espleit-teint (seven syl.); 2207, 
 mesmes; 2211, reveien; 2213, teinge; 2215, doune; 2223, voult; 2224, 
 morte; 2227, nul; 2228, retour; 2229, si sen vait (7 syl.). 
 
122 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Jeo irrai a li, si lenquerei, 
 
 Quil voldra, si vus [le] dirrei." 
 
 Le porter va al rei nuncier, 
 2240 "Que a la porte ad un messager, 
 
 E si voldreit a vus parler." 
 
 Li reis respont : "Leissel entrer." 
 
 Li messager est venu avant, 
 
 Oiant Seint Edmund maintenant, 
 2245 E oaint trestute sa gent, 
 
 Dist son message hardiement : 
 "Reis," fet il, "entendez a mei, 
 
 E tuz eels altres que ci vei. 
 
 Ingar, qui mult feit a duter, 
 2250 En tut le siecle, en tere en mer, 
 
 Ki unkes jur vencu ne fu, 
 
 Ne james ne serra vencu, 
 
 Ki [si] est nostre lige sire, 
 
 Finablement vus mande a dire : 
 
 22 5 5 Q ue vers cest P ais a( * conquis 
 
 Plusurs teres, plusurs pais, 
 
 Dunt tuz les poeples sunt enclin 
 
 A son comandement enfin. 
 
 Ore est en cest regne arive, 
 2260 Quil [ja] mult par ad desire, 
 
 Od grant estoire, od grant navie; 
 
 Aver en volt la segnurie. 
 
 E en cest pais volt ester 
 
 Tut cest iver e sujurner. 
 2265 Si vus mande ke a li venez, 
 
 E tost son home devenez, 
 
 E de li tiengez vostre honur, 
 
 Cume de vostre chief segnur: 
 
 Chescun an treii li rendez, 
 2270 Tantost cum vus son ban oirez. 
 
 MS. 11. 2238, vus dirrei (7 syl.); 2242, lessel; 2248, autre; 2251, 
 iour; 2253, Ki est (7 syl); 2257, tut le poeple est (7 syl.); 2260, 
 Quil mult (7 syl.); 2 264,suiourner; 2267, honour; 2268, cum; segnour. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I23 
 
 E si li donez errantment, 
 
 Tut vostre aver, or e argent, 
 
 E ken sa creance creez, 
 
 E Crestiente reneiez. 
 2275 Feites ceo, ceo vus mande il bien ; 
 
 E si vus retreiez de rien, 
 
 Vus perderez mult tost la vie, 
 
 E le regne e la segnurie; 
 
 Grant turment vus estuet sufrir 
 2280 E puis de orible mort morir. 
 
 Reis, responez sanz [nul] delai, 
 
 A mon segnur le nuncierai." 
 Quant li seintime reis ceo 01, 
 
 De parfunt quoer gemist e fremi, 
 2285 ,E suspira od grant dolur, 
 
 E od grant ire e od tristur. 
 
 E un son evesque apella, 
 
 Ki ert son prive, si demanda, 
 
 Quel conseil aver en purreit, 
 2290 E que, sur ceo li respondereit ? 
 
 E cil li conseila e dist, 
 
 E loa bien quil [tut ceo] feist, 
 
 Kanque Ingar li aveit mande 
 
 Pur aver vie e salvete ; 
 2295 Prendre purreit confessiun, 
 
 Quant ale sen fut li felun. 
 Kant li reis loit si regarda 
 
 Vers la tere, un poi sembruncha, 
 
 Aval regarda, si se tout. 
 2300 Quant une piece pense out, 
 
 Cuntre munt ad son chief leve; 
 
 Oiez quil ad dit e parle : 
 
 "Evesque, Dieus, dunt surst tut bien, 
 
 Ki justise est de tute rien, 
 
 MS. 11. 2271, erraument; 2276, vus vus retreiez (9 syl.); 2280, morte; 
 2281, sanz delai (7 syl.); 2283, seintim rey; 2284, quor; 2288, privee; 
 2292, quil-feist (6 syl.); 2297, lout; 2297, agarde a; 2299 esgarda; 2304, 
 justis, tut. 
 
124 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 2305 II seit [ore] temoin de mei, 
 
 Ke empereor, prince ne rei, 
 
 Ne nul hum que seit ne en mund, 
 
 Ne departira mei, Edmund, 
 
 Mort ne vif, de la charite. 
 2310 Jesus Crist quen croiz fu pene, 
 
 Ki anel de fei jeo ai receu, 
 
 Al funz kant jeo baptise fu, 
 
 U deniai e deguerpi 
 
 Del tut, Sathanas lenemi, 
 2315 E ses ovres e ses pompees, 
 
 Les males les demesurees." 
 
 Dune dist li seint reis dreiturer, 
 
 E si parla al messagier : 
 
 "Digne fussez de aver la mort 
 2320 Des mains des miens, meis jeo record 
 
 Ke Jesu nostre salveiir, 
 
 Pur nus suffrit mort e dolur, 
 
 Pur ceo ne te voil adeser, 
 
 Ne mes mains en tei maculer. 
 2325 En le nun Dieu, voil la mort sufrir, 
 
 Mielz qua vostre rei obeir. 
 
 Va ten mult test e si li di 
 
 Ceste response que as ci 01." 
 A peine aveit ces moz pardiz 
 2330 Li seintim reis, e parfurniz; 
 
 A peine aveit turne son oil, 
 
 E li messager passe le soil, 
 
 Ai vus ! encuntre le f ricun 
 
 Ingar, li engres felun. 
 2335 Al messagier dist par desrei : 
 
 "Di mei la response le rei." 
 
 E cil li dist de mot en mot, 
 
 [|JMS. 11. 3305, seit temoyne (7 syl.); 2306, eperur; 2307, home; 
 2310, croice; 2312, bapticc; 2319, morte; 2320, De maynes, rec- 
 orde; 2322, morte; 2324, me; 2325, noun, voile, morte; 2328, cest 
 respons; 2329, payne; 2331, payne; 2332, out passe (10 syl.); 2336, 
 tost les respons (9 syl.). ft Ik* 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 125 
 
 Cume li reis respondu out. 
 
 E li tiranz, kant le entendi, 
 2340 Si comanda tost e bani, 
 
 Ke tute sa gent sespandisent, 
 
 E [tuz] tuassent e ocisent, 
 
 E de querre mult les somunt, 
 
 Nomeement le rei Edmunt, 
 2345 Ki dedegne ses leis tenir, 
 
 E a ses preceptes obeir. 
 
 Cels sespandent amunt, aval, 
 
 Qui mult coveiterent le mal. 
 
 Kanquil troverent detrenchierent 
 2350 E occistrent e deglagierent, 
 
 En la vile de Hailesdun. 
 
 Tut pristrent li colvert larun 
 
 Le aver ke en la vile troverent ; 
 
 Naveit meisun quil ne pelfrirent. 
 2355 Dune sunt dreit al paleis veneu 
 
 U le ami Dieu, Seint Edmund fu, 
 
 Cume le membre Jesu Crist, 
 
 Trestut sul en son paleis sist. 
 
 Kant choisi lunt, mult tost f u pris ; 
 2360 A tere lunt gette e mis, 
 
 E puis apres li unt liez. 
 
 Estreitement, e mains e piez 
 
 Dune lunt les feluns treine, 
 
 E pardevant Ingar mene, 
 2365 Li colvert due, de mal esclate. 
 
 Cum Jesu fu devant Pilate, 
 
 Sestut devant li, li seint rei, 
 
 Arme de creance e de fei, 
 
 Ki coveite ensivre la trace 
 2370 De Jesu Crist, qui par sa grace 
 
 Suffrit e mort e passiiin 
 
 Pur nus e pur nostre ranceun. 
 
 MS. 11. 2338, cum; 2339, tirant; 2342, E tuassent, occeissent (7 syl.); 
 2344, nomement; 2357, cum; 2358, soul; 2364, amene (9 syl.); 2372, 
 raanceun (9 syl.). 
 
126 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Seint Edmund tienent ferme lie 
 
 Devant le tirant enrage. 
 2 375 De meinte manere gabe 
 
 Lunt, e laidi e buffete. 
 
 Puis lunt mene demeintenant 
 
 De iloc, les ministres al tirant, 
 
 E en menant lunt si batu 
 2380 Pur poi que [li reis] mort ne fu; 
 
 E dune lunt amene tut dreit, 
 
 A un arbre, qui pres esteit. 
 
 Apres, le unt, la malveise gent, 
 
 Al arbre lie fermement; 
 2385 E puis forment le turmenterent, 
 
 E batirent e flaelerent, 
 
 E de bastuns puinals mult granz 
 
 E descurgez e de verganz. 
 
 Unkes hum de mere nasquit, 
 2390 Ki tant mortel dolur suffrit; 
 
 Unkes pur ceo vencu ne fu, 
 
 Kil napellast le nun Jesu, 
 
 Ki pur nus fu mis en la croiz, 
 
 Plurant od mult pituse voiz. 
 2395 Kant les turmenturs ceo veieient, 
 
 Ke par tant veindre nel purreient, 
 
 Enragez sunt, de ire embrasez 
 
 Pur poi quil ne sunt forsenez. 
 
 Tuz a un bruit les enemis 
 2400 Lur saites, lur arcs unt pris, 
 
 Lur pilez e lur darz aguz, 
 
 E lur gavelocs esmoluz, 
 
 Un poi se esloignent del seint rei 
 
 E dune traistrent par grant desrei, 
 2405 Trestuz al cors del seint martir, 
 
 Ensemble, par si grant air, 
 
 Que les braz li unt estroez, 
 
 MS. 11. 2380, que mort (6 syl.); 2381, mene (7 syl.); 2388, descur- 
 giez; 2389, home; 2393, croice; 2394, voice; 2305 , veient (7 syl.); 
 2399, seites (7 syl.); 2402, gavelokes. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND \2,J 
 
 Quises e geambes e costez, 
 
 Par mi le dos, par mi lentraile, 
 2410 E parmi la mestre coraile, 
 
 Parmi le chief e la cervele, 
 
 Parmi le ventre e la boele; 
 
 Lunt trespercie de tutes parz 
 
 Saites, gavelocs e darz. 
 2415 Tant trait e tant lancie unt 
 
 Al cors del seint martir, Edmund. 
 
 Tant i treistrent espessement, 
 
 E pilez e darz ensement, 
 
 Ke lune plaie en laltre [s]ovre, 
 2420 Kant la saite liu recovre, 
 
 E tant espes i sunt li dart, 
 
 Kant il les traient cele part, 
 
 Ke lune escorche laltre el cors, 
 
 U de laltre part le boute hors. 
 2425 Tant i out des darz grant fuisun, 
 
 En le cors del seintime barun, 
 
 Pel de hericeon resembla, 
 
 U tel fuisun despines a. 
 
 II nout ne braz, ne poinz, ne pie, 
 2430 Que plein ne fut de darz fiche 
 
 E de saites e de darz 
 
 Tant en [i] out de tutes parz 
 
 Ke nul ne pout de oil choisir. 
 
 La char del seintime martir. 
 2 435 Quant li cruel Ingar veit 
 
 Quil ne poeit en nul endreit, 
 
 Fere Seint Edmund, le martir, 
 
 A ses comandemenz obeir, 
 
 Ni obeir a ses comanz, 
 2440 Dune comanda li fel tiranz 
 
 As turmenturs qui pres [i] erent, 
 
 MS. 11. 2414, Seites (7 syl.); 2419, oure (7 syl.); 2421, espesse; 2423, 
 escoche, en cors; 2426, seintim, 2427, hericiun;, 2430, fichee; 2432, 
 en out (7 syl.); 2433, put; 2434. seintim; 2439. Ne; 2441, turmentours 
 qui pres erent (7 syl.). 
 
128 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ke cruelement le turmenterent, 
 
 Ke la teste tost li colpassent. 
 
 E ignelement decolassent. 
 2445 Li decoleiir veint avant 
 
 Al seint martir, Dieu reclamant, 
 
 Jesu Crist od pituse voiz, 
 
 Qui pur nus fu mis en la croiz; 
 
 Sicum il pout, mult reclama 
 2450 Jesu Crist e sovent noma, 
 
 Tanque le seintime martir 
 
 Pout de la lange mot furnir; 
 
 Si fu ateint quil ne pout plus ; 
 
 Li decoleiir fist son us. 
 2455 Le seint martir ad deslie, 
 
 E del fut sanglant lad sache. 
 
 Enperce fu de tutes parz, 
 
 E de sa'ites e de darz, 
 
 Ken le dur fust enserre esteient, 
 2460 Al sacher en le fust remaneient ; 
 
 E parmi le cors se conduistrent, 
 
 E les fieres plaies remistrent, 
 
 Tant espessement en le cors 
 
 Ke point dentre ne piert de hors, 
 2465 U le point tuchast dun pointel, 
 
 Que blesmie ne fust la pel 
 
 Del seint martir, del bon barun; 
 
 Mult suffrit peine e passiun, 
 
 A peine en le cors li bateit 
 2470 Lalme; tant turmente esteit, 
 
 Ka peine pout ester sur piez. 
 
 Li decoleiir si fu irez, 
 
 Si li comanda maintenant, 
 
 Ke le chief estendit avant 
 2475 Que soleit estre corunee, 
 
 E de reale curune urnee. 
 
 MS. 11. 2443 le 2 447» piteuse; voyce; 2448, croyce 2451, seint (6 syl.); 
 2457, enberse; 2458, seites (7 syl.); 2458, dure; 2469, en core (7 
 syl.); 2475, ia soleit (9 syl); corune; 2476, real, urne. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 29 
 
 Li martir Dieu, nostre segnur, 
 
 Sestut devant les turmenturs, 
 
 Si cum li mutun qui est esliz 
 2480 De tute la falde de berbiz, 
 
 Ke mort e sacrifice atent, 
 
 Si fist le seint hum ensement, 
 
 Ki volt sa vie teriene 
 
 Changier pur la celestiene, 
 2485 Ententif en Dieu benefice, 
 
 Atent de sei le sacrifice, 
 
 Repleniz de bone manere, 
 
 De la pardurable lumere, 
 
 De la quele en ceste bataile, 
 2490 Volt estre resaziez sanz faile. 
 
 Entre les urisuns quil fist 
 
 Vers son salveur, Jesu Crist, 
 
 Li decoleiir ad de sespee 
 
 A un cop sa teste copee. 
 2495 Issi departit de cest mund, 
 
 Lalme del seint martir, Edmund; 
 
 Issi otrea a suffrir 
 
 Dieus [St.] Edmund, son cher martir, 
 
 Pur li e son seintime nun, 
 2500 Martire e mort e passiun. 
 
 E de sa vie prist amendes, 
 
 En le tens del duzime Kalendes 
 
 De Decembre; ceo dit lestoire, 
 
 Ke Dieus le resceust en sa gloire 
 2505 E quil suffrit le sacrifice 
 
 De sei, pur Dieu e seinte eglise. 
 
 En la fin de sa passiun 
 
 Resceust tele expurgaciun, 
 
 Ke plus fu purge e pruve, 
 2510 Que ne [l]est fin or esmere. 
 
 Od la victoire que out conquise, 
 
 MS. 11. 2478, turmentour; 2494, test; 2498, Dieus Edmundjj^syl.) ; 
 2499, seintim noun; 2500, martir, morte; 2501, 1[; 2506, put (bis) 
 (9 syl.); 2509 pruvee; 2510, ne est (7 syl.). 
 
I30 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E od la corune de justise, 
 
 Entra en pardurable bien 
 
 En seint cene celestien. 
 2515 Par cele eissue vereiment 
 
 De mort e de cruciement, 
 
 Quil [si] out de son cors sufferte, 
 
 Par lur mal, nient par sa deserte, 
 
 E quil out ensuwi la trace 
 2520 De Jesu Crist, qui par sa grace, 
 
 Suffrit e mort e passiun, 
 
 Pur nus e nostre raanceun 
 Cil pur saner nus en ceste vie 
 
 De pechie, de mal, de folie, 
 2525 A la columpne u fut lie, 
 
 Ne pas pur sei son sane espandie 
 
 Meis pur nus il leissa ensegnes 
 
 Des bateures e des engreines, 
 
 Quil suffrit pur nus salver 
 2530 E pur nus hors denfer getter; 
 
 E cist pur la gloire conquere, 
 
 Ke unkes ne fait, suffrit en tere, 
 
 Liez al fut sanglant, tele peine, 
 
 Pur lamur Jesu Crist demeine. 
 2 535 Cil, Dieus e hum entier en vie, 
 
 Pur hoster de nus la felonie, 
 
 E la roile de nos pechiez, 
 
 De gre suffrit que cloufichiez 
 
 Fut, par mi piez e par mi mainz, 
 2540 De clous de fer, hidus griffains. 
 
 Icist pur la veire amiste 
 
 De Jesu Crist fu trespercie 
 
 De pilez, darz e gavelos 
 
 Parmi la meule e [par] les os, 
 2 545 Ke tut son cors, de tutes parz 
 
 De pilez, gavelos e darz, 
 
 MS. 11. 2517, Quil out, suffert (7 syl.); 2518, desert; 2521, morte, 
 2523, Cil Dieus (10 sly), 2532, suffri; 2533, a fu 2535, home; 2537,10 
 roile; 2544, e les os (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I3I 
 
 Ert si covert que rien ne piert 
 
 Del cors, qui dedens enclos ert, 
 
 Ke tut decire vereiment 
 2550 Fut del aspresce e del turment, 
 
 E humblement li martir Crist 
 
 En la confessiun parmist 
 
 E al darein en pacience, 
 
 Resceust la capitale sentence : 
 2 555 Q u ^ eust l a teste copee 
 
 E bien loinz del cors desevree. 
 
 [E] le cors issi destrenchie 
 
 E de pilez si herice, 
 
 Leisserent iloques sanz fable, 
 2560 Les feluns ministrals al diable. 
 
 Ingar li felun, li tirant, 
 
 Le engres larun, le suduiant, 
 
 La teste del martir ad portee, 
 
 E par malice loinz gettee, 
 2565 Bien loinz del cors en un buissun, 
 
 Celeement tut cum larun, 
 
 En un rufflei que espes esteit, 
 
 Que nul avenir ne poeit, 
 
 En [mi] le bois de Hailesdun, 
 2570 Kant sen alerent li felun 
 
 Od lur grant host, de la contree. 
 
 La teste unt pur ceo desevree 
 
 Loinz del cors : que ne la trovassent 
 
 Cristiens, ni al cors lajustassent 
 2 5 75 E que en honeste sepulture 
 
 Ne meissent par aventure, 
 
 Le chief e le cors ensement, 
 
 Del martir Dieu omnipotent. 
 Un hum de la cristiene lei 
 2580 Ert eschape del grant desrei 
 
 MS. 11. 2555, out; 2556, desevre; 2557, Le cors (7 syl.); 2559, iluc 
 (7 syl.); 2564, malisce si loinz (9 syl.); 2567, espesse; 2569, En le (7 
 syl.); 2573, nel (7 syl.); 2574,1a iustassent; 2579, home, del, lay; 
 2580, desray. 
 
132 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 [E] de la grant occisiun; 
 
 En [mi] le bois de Hailesdun 
 
 Se esteit pur la pour muscie, 
 
 E en un rufflei se ert fichie, 
 2 5^5 Qui Dieus aveit feit eschaper, 
 
 Pur ceste grant chose mustrer. 
 
 Par Dieu e par sa purveance 
 
 Vist il trestute la feisance, 
 
 E bien nota, en son aguait, 
 2590 Le hidus e le horible feit 
 
 Del seint martir, del rei Edmund, 
 
 Quanque les feluns feit li unt; 
 
 Les granz peines e le turment, 
 
 Trestut le vist apertement. 
 2595 Meis del chief, puis quil le colperent 
 
 Ne sout cume loinz le porterent; 
 
 Meis tant vist bien, que porte lunt, 
 
 Les murdrers ens en le bois parfunt 
 
 E puis apres, quant pais venue 
 2600 Fu as eglises e rendue 
 
 E les Cristiens se leverent 
 
 De plusurs lius, u musciez erent, 
 
 Grant ire en unt e grant dolur, 
 
 De la mort lur tres cher segnur. 
 2605 Ententivement demande 
 
 En unt entre els la verite 
 
 Del cors e del chief ensement, 
 
 De lur segnur dunt sunt dolent, 
 
 Cum il les purrunt assembler ; 
 2610 Kar a grant honur enterer 
 
 Le voldreient a lur poeir ; 
 
 Mult le desirerent a aveir. 
 Kant alez furent les frarins, 
 
 Les feluns murdrers Sarazins, 
 2615 En lur pais, u il ainz furent, 
 
 MS. 11. 2581, De la (7 syl.); 2582, En le (7 syl.); 2596, cum; 2604, 
 morte. 
 

 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 33 
 
 Kant vers Engletere sesmurent, 
 
 E les Cristiens revenuz 
 
 Sunt, qui esteient espanduz, 
 
 Fuiz e musciez e repost, 
 2620 Pur Ingar, e [pur] son grant host; 
 
 Kant il se sunt aseure, 
 
 Ensemble se sunt asemble, 
 
 Pur quere le cors e le chief, 
 
 De lur segnur dunt lur est grief. 
 2625 II quierent ententivement, 
 
 E si troverent errantment 
 
 E virent le cors del martir, 
 
 Sanz teste a la tere gesir ; 
 
 En meime le liu lunt trove 
 2630 U li seint rei fu decole, 
 
 U son curs aveit acumpli 
 
 E del tut vencu lenemi. 
 
 Cels dentur qui fuiz esteient, 
 
 E merci Dieu uncore viveient, 
 2635 De tutes parz i aiinerent, 
 
 E corurent e asemblerent, 
 
 Pur la remembrance e lamur 
 
 Del seint rei, de lur segnur. 
 
 E pur la pitie des bienfaiz, 
 2640 E des granz biens quil les out faiz, 
 
 Comencerent tuz a plurer, 
 
 E mult grant doel a demener ; 
 
 Kant il nunt le chief trove 
 
 Od le cors, mult lur ad peise; 
 2645 Mult par en sunt triste e dolent. 
 
 Meis Dampnedieus omnipotent, 
 
 Par sa halte benignite. 
 
 Les ad tost en quoers espire, 
 
 Quil a celi demandereient, 
 2650 E mult vivement requereient, 
 
 Kel bois fu muscie en laguait. 
 
 E vist tute le ovre e le fait. 
 
 MS. 11. 2620, e son (7 syl.); 2639, de; 2640 de; 2645, tristes (9 syl.)' 
 2649, demandeient, 2652, tut. 
 
134 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Demande lunt e si enquis, 
 
 E il les dist tut son avis, 
 2655 De mot en mot trestut les dist 
 
 [Tut] ceo quil sout, e ceo quil vist, 
 
 E dit bien quil vit saieter 
 
 Le seint martir, e puis colper 
 
 La teste, e eels qui la colperent 
 2660 Oveke els el bois la porterent; 
 
 Bien vit que els issi departirent, 
 
 Meis del chief ne sout quil [puis] firent, 
 
 E bien sucha en son cur age, 
 
 Ke li chief remist el boscage. 
 2665 La gent al seint quant ceo oirent, 
 
 Par [mi] le bois se departirent, 
 
 Od lur maisnie e od lur forz, 
 
 Od cors pur quere le chief del cors ; 
 
 Si aveient entrels purparle, 
 2670 Ke cil qui eust le chief trove, 
 
 Haltement son cor cornereit 
 
 E les altres apelereit. 
 
 E si soucherent bien pur veir, 
 
 Cels qui erent pur le chief cerchir, 
 2675 Ke li Sarazin sudduiant 
 
 Lur fole siwte cultivant, 
 
 Envie aveient de nostre lei, 
 
 De la creance e de la fei ; 
 
 Pur ceo aveient le chief desevre, 
 2680 [E] loinz del cors en le bois porte, 
 
 E muscie en alcun rufflei, 
 
 En buisun u en genestei, 
 
 U reposte la seinte teste 
 Unt, suz alcune vile bleste, 
 2685 U gettee pur devorer, 
 
 MS. 11. 2656, Ceo quil (7 syl.); seust; 2660, Ovekes (9 syl.); 2662, 
 quil firent (7 syl.); 2665, oyerent; 2666, Par le bois (7 syl.); 2667, 
 maisnee od (7 syl.); 2668, comes (10 syl.); 2671, come; 2677, lay; 
 2678, fay; 2680, Loinz (7 syl.); 2681, acun; riffiei; 2684, Aveient (10 
 syl.); 2685, gette (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I35 
 
 U a farein u a senglier, 
 
 Ke Cristiens ne la trovassent, 
 
 Ni al seint cors [ne] lasemblasent, 
 
 Ne a ceo feisent enterement 
 2690 Od grant honur devotement. 
 
 Les Cristiens, la bone gent, 
 
 Funt lur primier purposement; 
 
 Par la selve vunt maintenant 
 
 Amunt, aval, le chief querant, 
 2695 Del seintime martir Edmund. 
 
 Querent aval, querent amunt, 
 
 Querent en buisun e en broile. 
 
 Desuz branches, e desuz foile, 
 
 En espesse e desuz plaissie, 
 2700 Partut unt quis, partut cerchie ; 
 
 Tant quen tin espes espinei, 
 
 Tut enclos dun grant runcerei, 
 
 O'irent une voiz lointeine 
 
 Meis nesteit mie halteine. 
 2705 Oiez miracle e grant vertu \ 
 
 En le siecle tel oi ne fu : 
 
 Le chief, del cors bien loinz sevre, 
 
 Getta voiz, si ad parle 
 
 Sanz aie e sanz matere 
 2710 De veine u de nerf u dartere. 
 
 Les quereiirs, quant ceo oi'rent, 
 
 En querant, cele part tendirent, 
 
 Pas devant pas, partut querant, 
 
 E tut entur, en halt criant : 
 2715 "U es tun chief, martir, seint rei, 
 
 La plus principale part de tei ? 
 
 U est, u est, martir Edmund?" 
 
 La langue el chief dit e respund, 
 
 Par treis feiz, "Her, her, her!" 
 2720 Unc ceo ne fina de crier, 
 
 MS. 11. 2688, cors, lasemblasent (7 syl.); 2690, devoutement. 2695, 
 Seintim; 2697, broil; 2698, foil; 2701, Tan; 2702, runcei (7 syl.); 
 2703, voice, oyerent; 2712, 2716, parte; 2718, respound. 
 
136 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Sulum le language as Engleis; 
 
 Ceo est a dire en [language] franceis: 
 
 "Ici, ici, ici," ceo dit. 
 
 Issi est note e escrit. 
 2725 Tuz a ceste voiz treiz se sunt . : 
 
 Envirun, puis ke veii lunt. 
 
 La langue morte fiert e tuche 
 
 As denz desuz, a overte buche, 
 
 Es joes de la morte teste, 
 2730 E le paleis desus sareste. 
 
 Unkes miracle plus verais, 
 
 De cest ne fut, ni ert jamais. 
 
 Neis del asne Balaan 
 
 Ke parla en liu de Rechan, 
 2735 Pur la folie del prophete, 
 
 Qui en ceo nesteit pas discrete. 
 
 Cest miracle, ceste feisance 
 
 Otrea Dieu, en sa puissance, 
 
 Qui vit e regne omnipotent, 
 2740 Tut dis e pardurablement, 
 
 A son tres pretiiis ami, 
 
 Ki par martire deservi, 
 
 E par turment e par [sa] peine, 
 
 La dulce gloire sovereine (1) Miraculum. 
 2745 Li formeiir de tut le mund. 
 
 Le pretiiis martir Edmund, 
 
 De un altre miracle embeli; 
 
 Fors eel, unc tel ne fu oi. 
 
 La gent ki si feitement virent. 
 2750 La teste parler e oirent 
 
 Aparceiirent de lez la teste 
 
 Un grant lou, une fiere beste, 
 
 Ki out mis amedeus ses powes, 
 
 Des deus parz le chief, lez les jowes; 
 2755 Issi out le chief enbracie, 
 
 MS. 11. 2721, la; 2722, en franceis (6 syl.); 2725, voice, 2726, vi; 
 2728, bouche; 2732, ne ert (7 syl.); 2737, cest; 2738, e sa; 2743, par 
 peine (7 syl.); 2750, oierent; 2752, Une; 2754, De. 
 
 Note (1). In red. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I37 
 
 Que son groin aveit apuie 
 
 Sur le frunt, mais la face aperte 
 
 Out, e la buche descoverte, 
 
 Dunt la langue uncore moveit, 
 2760 E "her, her, her," sovent diseit. 
 
 Cil lou a la tere se just, 
 
 Tut en pes, ke unkes ne se must; 
 
 E a tere ses geambes teneit 
 
 Le seint chief, dunt gardein esteit, 
 2765 Si se peina del chief garder, 
 
 Ke unkes nel leissa adeser 
 
 A beste ni a altre rien. 
 
 Mult par le garda li lou bien; 
 
 Sa salvagesce vereiment, 
 2770 Sa rage e son devurement, 
 
 Si ublie del tut esteit, 
 
 Ke a rien fors al chief ne entendeit. 
 
 Cels qui virent esbai sunt; 
 
 Cors et buisines corne unt ; 
 2775 De tutes parz i acururent 
 
 Tuz eels qui entre el bois furent. 
 
 Cels qui cele merveile virent 
 
 De grant maniere se esbairent 
 Kant la gent ert tute asemblee, 
 2780 E la merveile unt esgardee, 
 
 Lespes runcerei deslacierent, 
 
 E vers le seint chief se aprochierent. 
 
 Tost se leva la beste fiere, 
 
 Quant ceo vit, si treist ariere, 
 2785 E cels od grant devociiin, 
 
 Od chant e od processiun, 
 
 La seinte teste quil troverent, 
 
 A son seintime cors porterent, 
 
 E li lou en pres els veneit, 
 2790 Pas devant pas, pres le siweit, 
 
 MS. 11. 2756, apoue; 2759, uncor; 2763, chambes; 2767, ne (7 
 syl.); 2770, devourement ; 2771, del tut en tut (10 syl.); 2774, 
 Comes; 2777, eel; 2778, esbaierent; 2780, le; 2788, seintim. 
 
I38 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Triste e dolent mult en sa guise; 
 
 Quil unt de li la teste prise, 
 
 Dunt il esteit mestre e gardein. 
 
 La fiere beste, li farein, 
 2795 Les siut apres, bon aleiire, 
 
 Deske al liu de la sepulture, 
 
 Quil unkes home ne tucha 
 
 Ni ne laidi [ni] ne blecha. 
 
 Meis simplement cum un aigniel, 
 2800 Les siut apres desqual tumbel. 
 
 Quant il out [si] grant piece este, 
 
 E en sa guise doluse, 
 
 Ariere sen vait maintenant, 
 
 Dreit^al bois u il fut devant. 
 2805 Mult se merveilerent la gent 
 
 Del lou e del contenement ; 
 
 Veient que ceo ert la Dieu vertu ; 
 
 Ke unke mes ne aveient veu 
 
 Nul si fier lou en lur vivant, 
 2810 Si hidus, si fort ne si grant. 
 
 La laie gent e la clergie 
 
 Qui aveit quis e purchace 
 
 Cele tres chere margarite, 
 
 Pretiuse, entere e parfite, 
 2815 Cel tresor [e] eel grant honur, 
 
 Le seintim cors del cher segnur; 
 
 Par grant entent e grant queintise 
 
 E par lasent de seinte eglise, 
 
 La seinte teste, a mielz quil sourent, 
 2820 E al plus bel quil unke pourent 
 
 Al seintime cors ajusterent, 
 
 E devutement aturnerent; 
 
 E la char e la pel dehors 
 
 Del col se joinst si ferme al cors 
 
 MS. 11. 2798, ne ne laidi ne blecha (7 syl.); 2800, pres; 2801 out 
 grant piece (7 syl.); 2804, fust; 2815, tresor eel (7 syl.); honour; 
 2816, seint (7 syl.); segnour; 2819, sorent; 2820, porent; 2821, 
 seintim, iusterent; 2822, devoutement; 2824, si oinst. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 39 
 
 2825 Cum il fut ainz quant il vif fu; 
 
 Ceo fu miracle e grant vertu. 
 
 E puis apres lensevelirent, 
 
 E sur sa tumbe fere firent 
 
 Une loge, une chapelette, 
 2830 Ne mie grant, meis petitette, 
 
 U li seint reis, de Dieu ame, 
 
 Just maint an puis entere. 
 
 A cele fez ne pourent plus fere, 
 
 Pur la pour del aversaire, 
 2835 Ingar, dunt sunt espoiirez, 
 
 Qui mult sovent les out laidez. 
 E puis quant la pes vint en tere, 
 
 E aquaise fu la grant guere, 
 
 E la tempeste fu remise, 
 2840 E pes revint a seinte eglise, 
 
 E le poeple, qui espandu, 
 
 E partut esparpilie fu, 
 
 Revindrent a possessions, 
 
 E as teres e as mansiuns ; 
 2845 E il furent aseure, 
 
 Dune se sunt entrels purpense 
 
 Del corseint del martir Edmund, 
 
 Que trop longement sufert lunt 
 
 E trop longement lunt leisse 
 2850 Gisir suz si povre fie 
 
 E en si povre meisonette, 
 
 Si estreite, si petitette. 
 
 Ereer en volent par saveir, 
 
 E tut altre conseil aveir. 
 2855 Li corseint en tel povre hostel, 
 
 Seint fu [ja] e espiritel, 
 
 Ki de la main Dieu beneit fu, 
 
 Out meint an en tere geii, 
 
 MS. 11. 2926, mracle; 2830, petitete; 2831, rei; 2833, porent; 
 
 2834, aversiere; 2842, esparplie; 2848, logment; 2849, longment, 
 
 leisie; 2850 and '51, poure; 2852, petitete; 2855, poure; 2856, fu e 
 (7syl.)- " 
 
I40 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E ki pur lanur Jesus Crist, 
 2860 En eel liu maint miracle fist, 
 
 E mainte vertu mult sovent, 
 
 Veant le poeple e la gent ; 
 
 Cume de avugles alumer, 
 
 E de meuz rendre le parler, 
 2865 E cume les sourz fere car, 
 
 E devez en lur sens venir, 
 
 E des contrez rendre le aler, 
 
 E cume langurus saner. 
 
 De tutes parz i acururent 
 2870 Les bones genz qui entur furent, 
 
 Mult par i aveit grant repaire, 
 
 De grant gent a icele afaire. 
 
 La rascaile e la povre gent 
 
 Ni vindrent mie soventement, 
 2875 Meis les plus riches del pais 
 
 E qui plus erent poestis, 
 
 Cum evesques e cum abez 
 
 E cume plusurs ordenez, 
 
 Cuntes, baruns e chivalers, 
 2880 E bacheliers e esquiers, 
 
 Citeeins, burgeis e paisanz, 
 
 Riches, povers, petiz e granz, 
 
 I soleient mult repairer, 
 
 E od lur lumere esveiler. 
 2885 Ses homes qui encore viveient, 
 
 E quen lur remembrance aveient 
 
 E lamur e la companie 
 
 De li, e de sa segnurie, 
 
 La dulceiir e les granz buntez 
 2890 Quil out feit [en] vers ses privez, 
 
 Mistrent en quoer e en corage, 
 
 Que voelent de tel liu salvage 
 
 MS. 11. 2863, cum de avougles; 2865, oyer; 2866, vener; 2868, 
 cum; 2870, bone, que entur (7 syl.); 2872, icel a faire; 2873, poure; 
 2874, sovenerement (10 syl.); 2878, cum; 2884, lumer; 2890, vers (7 
 syl.); 2891, Les mist en quoer (9 syl.) 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I4I 
 
 Hoster le seint cors lur segnur, 
 
 E aliurs mettre, a grant honur. 
 2895 Tant unt cerchie par le pais, 
 
 Tant unt demande e enquis, 
 
 Quil unt trove liu acceptable, 
 
 E bel e bon e covenable, 
 
 En une grant vile reale 
 2900 Ki riche ert e emperiale, 
 
 Bederiches Worthe nomee, 
 
 De Bederiz qui lout fundee, 
 
 Un riche rei, qui la funda, 
 
 E de sun nun, nun li dona; 
 2905 Bederiches Worthe en engleis, 
 
 La curt Bederiz est en franceis. 
 
 [Si] est dite e entrepretee, 
 
 De Bederiz qui lout fundee. 
 Quant il unt choisi e eslit 
 2910 Le seint liu e le seint habit, 
 
 U il voleient lur segnur 
 
 Herbergier od mult grant honur; 
 
 Dune unt [tant] quis e purchacie, 
 
 Quil unt fmablement cungie 
 2915 Des segnurages de eel flu, 
 
 De faire en icel mesme liu, 
 
 Bele chapele u bel muster, 
 
 U devutement herberger 
 
 Pussent lur seintime segnur, 
 2920 Od grant glorie, od grant honur. 
 
 Cels ne voldrent pas demurer, 
 
 Ainz funt errantment aturner 
 
 Une grant eglise de fust, 
 
 U li treseintim martir just. 
 2925 Mult par la fir en t bele e grant 
 
 E mult bien feite e avenant, 
 
 De merveiluse entablement, 
 
 MS. 11. 2899, real; 2900, ert emperial (7 syl.); 2904, noun (bis); 
 2906, curte; 2907, Est dite (7 syl.), 2913, Unt quis (7 syl.);^ 2914, 
 finement (7 syl.); 2918, devoutement ; 2926, Mult bien feit. 
 
142 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E de mult riche entailement. 
 
 Mult valt mielz que feire muster 
 2930 Ki fut de piere e de mortier. 
 
 La eglise ert bele a demesure, 
 
 E de si tres bele feiture, 
 
 Ke unkes hum [jesquja eel jur, 
 
 Nen aveit veu beleisur. 
 2935 Mult fu par grant engin overee, 
 
 E quant ele fu par aprestee, 
 
 Que nule rien ni out a feire, 
 
 Dune se mistrent en lur repaire; 
 
 Que par sentier, que par chariere, 
 2940 A Hailesdun vindrent ariere. 
 
 Si unt al poeple recunte, 
 
 Coment il unt feit e ovre, 
 
 E quil unt leglise aprestee, 
 
 Mult bele e grant e longe e lee ; 
 2945 E avenant de mult grant guise, 
 
 Unk hum ne vit si bele eglise 
 
 De fust, fors sulement iceste. 
 
 De herberger est tute preste 
 
 Le corseint Edmund le martir. 
 2950 Ore le funt tost defuir. 
 
 Cels unt tost la clergie mande, 
 
 E les plus sages del regne, 
 
 E quant il tuz asemble sunt, 
 
 Le seint cors del martir Edmund, 
 2955 Funt ignielement defuir. 
 
 Puis pristrent le cors del martir. 
 
 Od la case u il [dune] giseit 
 
 [E] u il primes mis esteit; 
 
 Stir une biere hint puis mis, 
 2960 E sagement e bien asis, 
 
 Diloc porterent le barun 
 
 MS. 11. 2933, home a eel jour (7 syl.); 2934, Ne aveit (7 syl.); 2939, 
 sentiere; 2943, apreste; 2944, long e le (7 syl.); 2946, Unkes home 
 ne veit (9 syl.); 2948, tut (7 syl.); 2950, feites; 2952. regnee; 2957, 
 il giseit (7 syl.); 2958, Ou il (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I43 
 
 Od joie e od processiiin, 
 
 Vers Bederiches Worthe dreit, 
 
 Errent e vunt a grant espleit 
 2965 Mult i vint gent e poeple grant; 
 
 Clerc e chivaler e paisant 
 
 Cuntre le corseint sunt ale, 
 
 E la clergie de la cite, 
 
 E chivaler, clerc e citein, 
 2970 De la cite isirent a plein, 
 
 Od processiiin e od chant, 
 
 Mult par en unt eels joie grant, 
 
 Quil unt tel tresor conqueste; 
 
 Trestuz en unt Dieu mercie. 
 2975 En la cite entre en sunt, 
 
 Od le corseint que mene unt 
 
 Dreit al liu que apreste esteit, 
 
 U le corseint gisir deveit, 
 
 La case u il primes mis fu, 
 2980 En quele meint an aveit geu, 
 
 Desjointe unt e desserree; 
 
 Une altre case unt aprestee 
 
 De un estrange fust pretiiis, 
 
 U li corseint e gloriiis 
 2985 Voleient mettre cum iert dreit, 
 
 E cum Dieus purveii le aveit. 
 Kant la vieile case unt descloee, 
 
 E desjointe e deserree, 
 
 Le cors seint unt deseveli ; 
 2990 Kar trover le quident purri, 
 
 De ceo que longment geu out 
 
 En tere, sicum a Dieu plout. 
 
 Quant tant' i out este enclos, 
 
 Ne quident trover fors les os. 
 2 995 Oiez miracle e grant vertu ! 
 
 II unt esgarde e veii, 
 
 MS. 11. 2963, baderiches, dreite; 2964, Eirent; 2968, Tute la (10 syl.); 
 2970, iserent; 2980, giu; 2983-4, pretiuse; gloriuse; 2985, volent 
 (7 syl.); 2987, vielz; 2988, desjoint; 2991-92, ust; plust. 
 
144 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 E trovent le corseint si sein, 
 
 Sanz plaie, si bel e si plein, 
 
 Des granz plaies quil resceust 
 3000 Que blesceure ni aparust. 
 
 Par eles memes sunt sanees 
 
 Les granz plaies demesurees; 
 
 E la u le chief culpe ert 
 
 Cum un filet vermeil apert, 
 3005 Ke tut entur le col li gist ; 
 
 Ceste vertu fist Jesu Crist 
 
 Pur son dru qui est de li amez, 
 
 E puis altres vertuz assez. 
 
 II unt le corseint aturne 
 3010 Mult richement e aurne, 
 
 E hors de la viel case pris, 
 
 E en la novele lunt mis 
 
 E en le plus bel liu del eglise, 
 Od halt chant e od grant servise, 
 3015 Le mistrent mult devutement, 
 
 Cum a si grant tresor apent. 
 E la case de serreiires 
 Bones e fortes e seiires 
 Lenserrent, e as clercs livrerent, 
 3020 A seinte gent qui dignes erent 
 
 De garder si riche tresor, 
 Qui mult valt mielz que argent u or. 
 Si fu li seint cent ans e dis, 
 En char e os, cum il fu vifs ; 
 3025 E les gardeins ki le garderent, 
 
 Plusurs feiz en Ian le visiterent, 
 E quant il overirent la biere, 
 Si virent quil out plus vive chiere, 
 E le vis plus cler e rovent 
 3030 Ke nul damisel de juvent; 
 
 [E] virent que ses cheveuz furent 
 
 MS. 11. 2997, troevent; 3003, Culpee; 3004, vermeile i pert; [J3006, 
 cest; 3012, chant od (7 syl.); 3015, devoutement; 3017, serrures; 
 3022, milz; 3030, nule damisele; 3031, Viren (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 145 
 
 Creiiz, e que ses ongles crurent, 
 
 E de ses piez e de ses mains, 
 
 Sicum il fu vifs e tut sains. 
 3035 Entre ces seints gardeins aveit 
 
 Une dame, nonain esteit, 
 
 Seinte feme, e de grant maniere 
 
 Religiuse e almonere, 
 
 En Junes e en oreisuns, 
 3040 [En] prieres e afflictiuns 
 
 Esteit icele e nut e jur, 
 
 Entur la fertre al seint segnur; 
 
 Ceste dame dunt vus ai dit, 
 
 Par la grace Seint Espirit, 
 3045 En prist mult grant hardiement ; 
 
 Dieu la fist feire, omnipotent, 
 
 Pur sa demustreisun demeine. 
 
 La dame se mist en grant peine 
 
 De honurer tuz jurs le cors seint, 
 3050 De li servir pas ne se feint. 
 
 Nel teneit a peine ne ahan; 
 
 Kar mult sovent feiz en Ian 
 
 La fertre overi, si li peigna 
 
 Les cheveuz, e puis [les] roina; 
 3055 E ses ungles tut ensement 
 
 Reculpa ele mult sovent, \ 
 
 En une chere case mist \ . 
 
 Les retailes quele en prist, 
 
 Ke desque a cest jur sunt gardeez, 
 3060 E cum relikes honureez 
 
 En leglise de Seint Edmund, 
 
 U cherement gardees sunt. 
 
 De cest mester tuz jurs servit 
 
 La dame tant cume vesquit, 
 3065 Ke mulz anz vesquit e mulz jurs, 
 
 MS. 11. 3034, vif; 3037, seintes; 3040, Prieres (7 syl.); 3041, cele 
 e nute e iour (7 syl.); 3042, le, segnour; 3045, hardement (7 syl); 
 3047, Par; 3049, iour, 3053, Le fertre; 3054, puis royna (7 syl); 
 3059, iour; 3062, gardes (7 syl.); 3063, iours; 3064, cum; 3065, 
 multz (bis), vesqui. 
 
I46 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Plus que ne f unt ore plusurs ; 
 
 Dune viveient plus longement 
 
 Dasez, que ore ne funt la gent. 
 
 Oswen ert la dame nomee, 
 3070 Seinte dame, sage e membre ( 1 ) miraclm. 
 
 Un evesque, Theodred out nun, 
 
 Seint hum, de grand religiun 
 
 Evesques ert de la cuntree. 
 
 Oiez cum Dieus li ad mustree 
 3075 Par sa grace la verite, 
 
 Cum nus avum desus cunte, 
 
 De Seint Edmund, le bon barun, 
 
 Ki enter gist sanz coruptiun, 
 
 Tut enterins en char, en os. 
 3080 En sa seintime case enclos, 
 
 Od bele chere e od cler vis, 
 
 Cum il fu encore tut vifs. 
 
 En tele manere le pruva 
 
 Li evesques ki Dieu ama, 
 3085 Cume vus purrez ore oir : 
 
 A la fertre del seint martir 
 
 Veneient gent de meinte tere, 
 
 Pur Dieu e pur le seint requere, 
 
 E reis e cuntes e baruns, 
 3090 I veneient en oreisuns 
 
 [E] offrirent mulz belbelez, 
 
 Nusches dor, bos dor e anelez, 
 
 Harpuns dor, preciuses pieres, 
 
 Besanz e margarites cheres, 
 3095 Dunt la fertre de Seint Edmund 
 
 Est la plus riche de cest mund. 
 
 De tutes parz i vindrent gent : 
 
 Tel offri or, e tel argent; 
 
 MS. 11. 3068, Desez; 3070, membre; 3071, noun; 3072, home; 
 3073, Evesque (7 syl.); 3081, chiere; 3085, cum; 3086, al fertre 
 (7 syl.); 3087, Venirent, meint (7 syl.); 3091, Offrirent (7 syl.); 
 3095, le fertre; 3096, le. 
 
 Note (1): Underlined word in red. 
 

 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I47 
 
 De plusurs riches regiuns 
 3100 I vindrent genz en oreisuns. 
 
 Mult par lur veneient grant aport 
 
 Del Suth, del West, del Est, del Nort. 
 
 De tutes parz i vendrent gent, 
 
 Riches, povres comunalment, 
 3105 Ki les aportouent le bien. 
 
 Richert le liu, sur tute rien. 
 
 Oient laruns, pleins de felonie; 
 
 Del riche liu aveient envie. 
 
 Feluns erent en tutes guises, 
 31 10 Murdrers e frussiers deglises. 
 
 De tutes maneres de mals 
 
 Furent mestres icels vassals. 
 
 II aveient entrels machine 
 
 E conseile e purpalle, 
 3 1 1 5 Ke leglise despecerunt, 
 
 E tut le tresor emblerunt, 
 
 Quanque enclos ert del cimitire, 
 
 Ki rien nen avera adire. 
 
 II se sunt mult tost apreste 
 3120 E a cele rage aturne. 
 
 Une nut que fu mult oscure, 
 
 Vindrent il, tut bald-e-seiire, 
 
 Quant la gent furent en repos, 
 
 Si se mistrent tost en le clos 
 3125 Del eglise de Seint Edmund. 
 
 E puis tost al muster sen vunt 
 
 Od lur engeins od lur ustilz, 
 
 Dunt il furent duiz e sutilz, 
 
 Desquels il unt oes, a parfeire, 
 3130 Li larecin e le cuntreire. 
 
 Kant al muster furent venu, 
 
 Si sefforcent par grant vertu, 
 
 Trestuz, del eglise enfundrer; 
 ' * Li un prent seschiele a drescier 
 
 MS. 11. 3104, poures; 3105, aportoient; 3112, eels (7 syl.); 3121, 
 nute; 3122, baldesure (7 syl.); 3129, oels; 3130, larcin (7 syl.). 
 
I48 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 3135 Sus a la parei del muster, 
 
 Seurement sanz encumbrer, 
 
 Quil se mette par la fenestre 
 
 En le muster u voleit estre; 
 
 Li altre, od sa lime dure, 
 3140 Lime del uis la serreiire, 
 
 E trenche les clous u se tient; 
 
 Li altre od son martel i vient 
 
 E se peine de martelier, 
 
 Kar le uis [il] volt descloer. 
 3145 Li altre od besques e picois, 
 
 Quil unt afeitiez a lur chois, 
 
 Suffoent entur la parei ; 
 
 Chescun se peine, endreit sei, 
 
 De cele ovregne parfurnir, 
 3150 Kar a chief en quident venir. 
 
 Sicum il sunt en lur estal 
 
 Partie amunt, partie aval, 
 
 Tut a lur mester entendant, 
 
 Tel abaisie, tel en estant, 
 3155 Les lia Dieus e le martir, 
 
 Ke nul dels ne se pout partir, 
 
 Ne li curbe ne pout drescier, 
 
 Ne cil en estant abaisier ; 
 
 Quil ne se pourent remuer, 
 3160 Desqual matin, que jur fu cler. 
 
 Cele nut just un mariner 
 
 Ki sonout les seins en le muster, 
 
 Qui tut oit cest batestal 
 
 Ke feseient amunt, aval, 
 3165 Meis pur lamur del seint martir 
 
 Le fist Dieus si en pes gesir, 
 
 Kil ne poiist del liu lever 
 
 Ne mot dire, ne mot soner, 
 
 MS. 11. 3135, al parei; 3138, la ou il (9 syl.); 3140, serrure; 314a. 
 Laltre (7 syl.); 3144. le us volt descloer (7 syl.); 3145. picois, 3149. 
 overegne (9 syl.); 3 151, curb; 3160, clier; 3164, feseit amunt e aval; 
 3167 pout (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I49 
 
 Desqual demain quil fu cler jur 
 3170 Ke la gent vindrent dentur, 
 
 Qui unt apertement veii 
 
 Cel miracle, e cele vertu, 
 
 Des laruns qui si sunt lie 
 
 En la ovre que aveient comence 
 3175 Diloc les unt ostez e pris, 
 
 En fierges e en prisun mis ; 
 
 Puis furent par le vengement 
 
 Del seint evesque vereiment, 
 
 Theodred, mis tuz a la hart, 
 3180 Ki puis sen repentit trop tart, 
 
 Quil les out si a mort juge ; 
 
 Dolent en fu e corusce, 
 
 Kar a grant peche le teneit 
 
 Quil issi les juge aveit. 
 3185 [Kar] si sen fust einz purpense, 
 
 Ne les oust pas a mort livere. 
 
 Ne pensa pas kant il ceo fist, 
 
 Ke Dieus par le prophete dist : 
 
 "Del deliverer ja ne cessez, 
 3190 Cels qui sunt a la mort jugez." 
 
 Si les dit del prophete Dieu, 
 
 Kum apele Eliseu, 
 
 Ke garist e remist a la vie 
 
 Les laruncels de Samarie, 
 3195 E pain e ewe les dona, 
 
 E en lur pais enveia, 
 
 E defendit le rei e dist 
 
 Quil pas a mort ne les me'ist. 
 Pur la quele chose cest produm, 
 3200 Cist evesque dunt dit avum, 
 
 Quant il se fut repurpense, 
 
 Mult fu dolent e trespense, 
 
 De ceo quil out fet des laruns. 
 
 MS. 11. 3169, iour; 3170, dentour; 3171, apertemen; 3i72,verteu; 3173, 
 De laruns; 3175, Deloques (9 syl.); 3185, Si sen fust (7 syl.); 3186, 
 morte;3i93,Ki; 3195, euwe; 3198, morte, mist (7 syl.); 3199, prodome. 
 
I50 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Mult en fut dolent e enbruns, 
 3205 E penitence gref en prist, 
 
 E merci Dieu, bien la parfist. 
 
 Pur ceo se mist en granz dolurs, 
 
 Longtens en oreisuns e plurs, 
 
 E par mult grant compunctiun, 
 3210 Pria Dampnedieu de pardun. 
 
 Kant parfeite out sa penitence, 
 
 Si manda par grant patience, 
 
 Par sa eveschie tut envirun 
 
 Que tute la gent abandun, 
 3215 A pain e a ewe jeiinasent, 
 
 E Dieu nostre segnur priasent 
 
 Treis jurs en langes e nu piez, 
 
 Ke Dieus li pardoint ses pechiez, 
 
 E li otreit, par son pleisir, 
 3220 Quil puse le cors del martir 
 
 Veeir e de [ses] mains manier, 
 
 Sil gist, sicum hum dit, entier. 
 
 E il si feseient entreset. 
 
 Kant aveient la June fet; 
 3225 A la chase vienent tut dreit, 
 
 U li ber Seint Edmund giseit. 
 Li evesque chiet a genuliuns 
 
 Devant la chase en oreisuns ; 
 
 Kant aveit oure e prie, 
 3230 A la chase se est aprochie. 
 
 La chase prist tost a overir, 
 
 E le corseint a descoverir. 
 
 Le cors trova e sein e bel, 
 
 E si enterine la pel, 
 3235 E issi clere la faceun, 
 
 Frunt e vis e nes e mentun, 
 
 E piez e meins, e ventre e dos, 
 
 MS. 11. 3207, E pur ceo (9 syl.); dolours; 3208, pi ours; ^213, 
 eveschie envirun (7 syl); 3215, e euwe (7 syl.); 3216, E nostre (7 
 syl.); 3218, pardunt; 3221, de mains (7 syl.); 3222, home; 3229, ore, 
 3236, Funt, neis. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I5I 
 
 Od char serree sur les os, 
 
 Cum il [ainz] fu, quant il fu vifs, 
 3240 E en cest siecle poestifs. 
 
 E la char trova si entiere 
 
 Cum nus avum dit cea en ariere, 
 
 Ke unkes blesceure ni parut 
 
 Des granz plaies quil ainz resceut, 
 3245 Li evesque, qui produm fu, 
 
 Sicum Dieus laveit purveu, 
 
 Le seint cors de ses mains lava, 
 
 E le vestit e le aiirna 
 
 Des dras de seie de ultre mer, 
 3250 Des plus chiers quil poiist trover. 
 
 E puis en une chase chere, 
 
 Ki ert de plus riche manere 
 
 Que laltre fu, u il ainz just, 
 
 Lenseveli, si cum il dust; 
 3255 Benesquirant Dieu, en loant 
 
 Le seintime rei, tut puisant, 
 
 Qui en ses seinz est merveilus, 
 
 E en ses ovres gloxius, 
 
 E vit e regne, Dieus e sires, 
 3260 Par tut secies, par tuz empires. Amen. 
 
 (1) Translate avum laventure 
 
 Solum le livre e lescripture, 
 
 De Seint Edmund coment il vint 
 
 En Engletere quil puis tint, 
 3265 Dunt rei fu, tant cum il vesquit ; 
 
 E del martire quil suffrit. 
 
 Translate lai desque a la fin, 
 
 E del engleis e del latin, 
 
 Que en franceis le poent entendre, 
 3270 E [tut] li grant, e [tut] li mendre. 
 
 MS. 11. 3239, il fu (7 syl.); 3241, chare; 3242, ceanariere; 3245, 
 proz home; 3249, sei; 3250, pout; 3252, Ke (7 syl.); 3255, Ben- 
 esquierent; 3256, seintim; 3259, rengne; 3266, martir (7 syl.); 3270, 
 E le grant e li mendre (6 syl.). 
 
 Note (1) Here begins the second division of the poem, called the 
 "Miracles of Seint Edmund." 
 
IS 2 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Uncore volum avant aler, 
 
 E les granz miracles cunter, 
 
 Que nostre sire, Jesus Crist, 
 
 Pur samur mustra e fist. 
 3275 Dit en ai [une] grant partie, 
 
 En sun martire e en sa vie; 
 
 Meis ore vus dirrai la summe. 
 
 Nel tient pas a fais, ne a grant summe 
 
 Denis Piramus, kil translate; 
 3280 Nel tient pas a fais ne a baratte. 
 
 Li Seint Espirit me doint grace, 
 
 Que jeo resnablement la face. 
 
 E gre me sache de ma peine ; 
 
 E Dieus e Seint Edmund demeine, 
 3285 E del eglise li segnur, 
 
 Ki me unt enchargie cest labur! 
 
 Del primer tens que Dieus forma 
 
 Le mund, e le secle estora, 
 
 I out cinq mil anz par dreit numbre 
 3290 Desqual tenz que Dieus en umbre. 
 
 Fu en la virgine Marie, 
 
 Pur nus getter de mort a vie; (l)La ^e de la'pas- 
 , siun Seint Edmund 
 
 E de eel tens, sanz mesprisun, 
 
 Desqual martire Seint Edmun, 
 3295 Uit cenz anz e ceisant e dis. 
 
 Issi le avum en livre apris, 
 
 E lescripture le nus dit, 
 
 Ki lestre Seint Edmund descrit. 
 
 Li seint florist en ceste vie 
 3300 Cume larbre que fructefie, 
 
 E gette e porte beles flurs, 
 
 Dunt ist la tres dulce flairurs. 
 
 MS. 11. 3275, ai grant partie (6 syl.); 3277 and 9, sume; 3279, ad 
 translate (10 syl.); 3280, tint; 3281, seit grace; 3282, renablement ; 
 3283, ' sace; 3292, morte; 3295, seysant; 3297 lescriptur; 3300, 
 cum. 
 
 Note (1); Side-note in black-face type is in red 
 

 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 53 
 
 Buche de home ne poet descrire. 
 
 Kantes vertuz, Dieu nostre sire, 
 3305 Pur le seint martir anceis fist 
 
 Quil venist la u ore gist. 
 
 Meinte clarete i virent tuit, 
 
 Kant plus oscure fu la nuit. 
 
 La clarte nert pas mainoveree 
 3310 Dengin de home, ne aurnee; 
 
 Ainz ert espirital lumere, 
 
 Ke veneit de seinte manere, 
 
 Cume granz rais del ciel amunt 
 
 De sur la tumbe Seint Edmund. 
 3315 Ceo en est la signifiance: 
 
 Que Jesu par sa grant puissance 
 
 Li ad en son regne aleve, 
 
 En sa pardurable clarete. 
 Veirement il avint issi, 
 3320 Cum escrit est e jeo vus di, 
 
 Que apres que Seint Edmund li ber, 
 
 Dunt vus me oiez ci cunter, 
 
 Suffrit e mort e passiiin, 
 
 Pur lamur Dieu, e pur sun nun, 
 3325 Que de Engletere les parties 
 
 Teneient plusurs segnuries, 
 
 E mulz plusurs reis i aveient 
 
 Lur realmes quil [i] teneient, 
 
 Plus quil ni out avant ne apres; 
 3330 Meis Estangle trestut ades 
 
 Ert sanz rei, e sanz chief segnur. 
 
 Que de tuz les pais de entur 
 
 Ni out grant, ne meien, ne mendre, 
 
 Qui osast segnurie en prendre 
 3335 Sur la tere al seintime rei ; 
 
 Nul nen osa prendre sur sei. 
 
 De grant manere le duterent, 
 
 MS. 11/ 3303, Bouche; 3304, Kant; 3320, jeo le vus (9 syl.); 33 2 3. 
 morte; 3324, noun; 3328, quil teneient (7 syl.); 3333, maien; 3333, 
 seintim; 3337, douterent. 
 
154 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Kar en lur curages noterent, 
 
 Que bien deit estre e reis e sire 
 3340 Del pais u suflrit martire. 
 
 Kar mult len aveit deservi 
 
 Vers Dampnedieu, e bien meri, 
 
 Que nuls reis charnel poeste 
 
 Oust sur li, en son regne. ( 1 ) Miraculum. 
 3345 En eel contemple i aveit 
 
 Un rei qui mult produm esteit 
 
 En Westsex fu son regne, 
 
 E si ert Eadred appele. 
 
 En son tens Christiente fu 
 3350 Bien enhalcie e meintenu 
 
 Partut Engletere envirun, 
 
 Fors sul en la tere al barun, 
 
 Seint Edmund ; la fu esquaisie, 
 
 E de grant manere abaisie 
 3355 P ar Daneis, qui i converserent, 
 
 Qui apres Ingar remis erent, 
 
 E cele folur quil maintindrent, 
 
 Quil pur sen en lur guise tindrent, 
 
 Par tut Engletere voleient 
 3360 Fere errer si il [le] poeient. 
 
 Meis Eadred, li reis dreiturers, 
 
 Ki mult esteit bons chivalers, 
 
 Les abaisa de lur folur 
 
 E [si] les fist meint deshonur. 
 3365 Quant Daneis od lur grant acost, 
 
 Sur li veneient od lur ost, 
 
 Soventes feiz pur guerreier, 
 
 Tuz jurs fu lur li encombrier, 
 
 Li reis Eadred pas ne les ama, 
 3370 Meint en occist e meint tua, 
 
 MS. 11. 3343, nul; 3344, regnee; 3347. regnee; 3350, eshalcie; 335^, 
 remis i erent (9 syl.); 3360, si il poeient (7 syl.); 3362, bon; 3364, E 
 les fist (7 syl.); 3367, Sovent, guerreer (7 syl.); 3368, encombreer; 
 3369, rei. 
 
 Note (1) Miraculum underlined in red. 
 

 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 155 
 
 E meint fist en vie escorchier, 
 
 E meint ardeir, e meint neier, 
 
 E meint fist les membres cuper ; 
 
 Kar unkes jur ne les pout amer. 
 3375 Mult par hait lur veisinage; 
 
 Unkes ni vindrent sanz damage. 
 
 Ceste bataile e cest ahans 
 
 Dura entrels entur cinq anz, 
 
 Que unkes li felun vassal 
 3380 Ne pourent tenir nul estal 
 
 Cuntre Eadred le rei hardi 
 
 Ki sur tute rien les hai, 
 
 [E] ki tuz jurs les descomfist, 
 
 Kar mult ferement les requist. 
 33^5 Quant les Daneis, serfs al malfe, 
 
 Veient e se sunt purpense, 
 
 Quil ne pourent plus mal feire 
 
 En la tere, ne plus contrere, 
 
 En mer entrent od lur navie, 
 3390 Si vunt siglant vers Normandie; 
 
 Cum il ainz pourent, ariverent, 
 
 E par mi la tere en passerent 
 
 De Normandie tut defrunt. 
 
 Tant unt erre que venu sunt 
 3395 En France, dreit devant Paris. 
 
 Si unt entrels lur conseil pris, 
 
 Ke la cite par force prendre 
 
 Voelent, sil ne se voelent rendre 
 
 A els, e feire les homages, 
 3400 E rendre chescun an chevage. 
 
 Meis Charles li Chalf, qui reis fu 
 
 De France, est tost contrels venu 
 
 Od ses Franceis, e od sa gent, 
 
 E les descomfist errantment, 
 3405 Si les fist fuir e turner 
 
 MS. H. 3372, neer; 3374, iour; 3377, Cest bataile*(7 syl.); cist 
 haanz; 3380, porent; 3382, tut; 3383, Ki tuz iours (7 syl.); 3387, 
 porent; 3393, le frunt; 3401, le chalf; 3402, contrels, r interlined. 
 
15^ LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Od hue leve, envers la mer ; 
 
 Mulz en occistrent en fuant 
 
 Li chivaler e li servant ; 
 
 Mulz en i out nafrez a mort, 
 3410 Ainz quil revenisent a port, 
 
 U il ariverent enceis. 
 
 Tant les menerent li Franceis 
 
 Que mulz en unt nafrez e pris. 
 
 Par force les unt en [lur] nefs mis; 
 3415 E Charles li Chalf od sa gent 
 
 Reveit en France errantement; 
 
 E les Daneis mult tost lur nefs 
 
 Aprestent, e levent lur trefs, 
 
 Cum ainz pourent a rive vindrent, 
 3420 Unk puis en France ne revindrent, 
 
 Les cols de France tant doterent, 
 
 Ki fierement les encontrerent. 
 Li Daneis, li Dieu enemi, 
 
 Sen vunt en halte mer fui ; 
 3425 Encore ne voleient pas cessier 
 
 De lur grant rage demener; 
 
 Ainz cuillerent errantement 
 
 Grant companie e mult grant gent, 
 
 Mult greindre quil naveient enceis 
 3430 Quant les descomfistrent Franceis. 
 
 Si alerent de tere en tere, 
 
 Ardant, robant, feisant grant guere, 
 
 E quanquil surmonter poeient, 
 
 De fiere mort morir feseient. 
 3435 Les feluns Daneis, la gent sote, 
 
 Demenerent ceste riote, 
 
 Tant que derechief returnerent 
 
 Vers Engletere, e ariverent; 
 
 Kar il voleient Engletere 
 
 MS. 11. ; 3406, vers (7 syl.); 3410, venisent (7 syl.); 3414, en 
 ncfes; 3415, le; 3416, errantment (7 syl); 3417, nefes; 3418, trefes; 
 3420, Unkes (9 syl.); 3427, errantment (7 syl.); 3431. morte 3437. 
 derichief. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 57 
 
 3440 E asailir e [si] conquere 
 
 De un rei, Alure aveit nun, 
 
 Frere fu Eadred, le barun, 
 
 Li rei qui regna devant li; 
 
 Prodomes furent ambedui. 
 3445 Meis ainz quil al rei asemblasent 
 
 E quil de rien i aprochasent, 
 
 Si enveia la Dieu puisance 
 
 Sur els tele ire e tele pesance, 
 
 E Seint Edmund, le bon martir, 
 3450 Ki de rien ne ama lur venir; 
 
 (Kar il les mist tost a la mort, 
 
 Sanz recoverer e sanz resort). 
 
 Pestilences fortes e fieres, 
 
 Denfermetez plusurs maneres 
 3455 Les ferirent si subdainement, 
 
 Que lur feit devint a nient. 
 Quant Alure li reis loi, 
 
 Ke si furent aneanti 
 
 Par les merites Seint Edmund, 
 3460 Dune suspira de quer parfunt, 
 
 Si loa Dieu e le martir, 
 
 En plorant ne se pout tenir. 
 
 Le corseint tant cum il vesqui, 
 
 Ama, honura e cheri. 
 3465 En eel contemple qui dune fu, 
 
 Ne mustra Dieus nule vertu 
 
 El liu u li corseint giseit ; 
 
 E ceo esteit a mult bon dreit, 
 
 Kar eels qui i erent conversant, 
 3470 Ne esteient mie bien creant, 
 
 E si Dieus miracles 'i fist, 
 
 Nul ne [les] nota en escrit, 
 
 Ne nul [dels le] sen [ne] perneit; 
 
 MS. 11. 3440, e conquere (7 syl.); 3441, noun; 3451, morts, 2351, 
 resorte; 3454, de plusurs (9 syl.); 3455, feri; 3457, rei; 3458, 
 aneinte; 3466, dieu; 3472, nul ne nota ne lescrit( 7 syl.); 3473. Ne 
 nul ne sen perneit (6 syl.). 
 
I58 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Kar lur creance faible esteit. 
 3475 Meis un apostoile out a Rome, 
 
 Martin out a nun, treseint home 
 
 Qui une partie ad tramis 
 
 De la croiz u Jesu fu mis 
 
 En al tere al rei Alure, 
 3480 Kar oi aveit de sa bunte, 
 
 Que bons Cristiens fu li reis, 
 
 Sages hum, mult pruz e curteis ; 
 
 E par le requist Alure 
 
 Li out le Pape graante 
 3485 A lescole engleise a tut dis, 
 
 La franchise dunt fu requis. 
 
 Par ces reliques quil tramist 
 
 Par la grace de Jesu Crist, 
 
 Lapostoile al rei Alure 
 3490 Enveia la Cristiente. 
 
 Ces reliques sunt bien gardeez 
 
 E cherieez e honureez 
 
 En Engletere a grant honur, 
 
 Cume dreit est jesqua cest jur. 
 3495 Apres ces fesances, feni 
 
 E de cest secle departi 
 
 Alure, li reis honurez. 
 
 E apres ces jurs corunez 
 
 Fu li vielz Edward en le pais, 
 3500 Si en fu reis poestis, 
 
 Meis mult poi de tens il dura, 
 
 E apres ses jurs si regna 
 
 Rei Athelston, li bon barun, 
 
 E puis un rei, Edmund out nun, 
 3505 E le rei Ealured altresi, 
 
 E apres li le rei Edwi, 
 
 E puis Edgar, sun frere, apres 
 
 MS. 11. 3474, fieble; 3476, out noun (7 syl.); 3481, bons; 348a, 
 sage home; 3483, la requeste; 3484, la pape; grante; 3485, eng- 
 leche tut dis; 3491, gardez; 3492, cheriez, honurez; 3494, cum, 
 iour; 3497, honure; 3498, iours corune; 3502, iours; 3504, noun. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 59 
 
 Regna en le pais tut ades. 
 
 Quant cil fini, u tost u tart, 
 3510 Si regna le seint rei Edward, 
 
 E apres ses jurs si regna, 
 
 E la regiiin governa 
 
 Un rei qui ert Aielred clame, 
 
 Qui mult ama Cristienete, 
 3515 E en ses ovres vereiment 
 
 Se mustra Dieus omnipotent, 
 
 E fist meinte bele vertu 
 
 Pur Seint Edmund, son trescher dru, 
 
 Que li evesque, e li abe, 
 3520 Prestre, diacne, clerc, lettre 
 
 Mistrent en escrit errantment, 
 
 Dunt ore vus dirrai en present 
 
 Un bel miracle, une grant vertu 
 
 Coment avint e coment fu. 
 3525 Lestoire dit e pur veir cunte 
 
 Quil avint si quun vescunte, 
 
 Lefstan out nun, si fu nome, 
 
 Vesquens esteit de la cunte 
 
 U le cors Seint Edmund giseit. 
 3530 Meis sur tute rien fel esteit. 
 
 Cil ne volt onkes fere honur 
 
 A Seint Edmund, le cher segnur ; 
 
 Meis tut le mal e le contraire 
 
 Quil poeit e sout as suens fere. 
 3535 Meis sa guere sur sei verti, 
 
 Kar Seint Edmund bien le rendi 
 
 Le mal, la peine, la grant perte, 
 
 Quil out de li long tens suferte. 
 
 Dieus se coruscea mult forment, 
 3540 Si en prist de li vengement. 
 
 Si avint dune que cil vesquens 
 
 Leva matin, en este tens ; 
 
 MS. H/3511, iours; 3516, Si, dieu; 3523, une bele miracle (11 syl.) 
 3527, noun; 3528, vecunt, del (7 syl.); 3533, la contraire; 3534, a 
 suens; 3539, D'ieu; 3540, de li le (9 syl.). 
 
l6o LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Ceo fu li primer jur de Mai, 
 
 Que del soleil sunt cler li rai. 
 3545 Quant leve fu e apreste, 
 
 Si envait tenir sa cunte, 
 
 De suz la vile Seint Edmund, 
 
 En une place de lez un munt; 
 
 Thinghowe lapelent la gent; 
 3550 Meint hum i ad este dolent. 
 
 La hum soleit les batailes fere; 
 
 Meint hum i ad eu contraire. 
 
 Ilukes tint il sa cunte, 
 
 Si cum il fu acustume, 
 3555 Pensant e enginnant coment 
 
 II puise enginner povre gent, 
 
 E coment il les mette a perte 
 
 E en forfez, sanz lur deserte. 
 
 Sicum cil entur ceo moele, ( 1 ) 
 3560 Si troveit escrit en son roele 
 
 La feme qui ert vers li forfeite, 
 
 E si sulum lescrit en fraite. 
 
 Cele ert triste, murne e marrie, 
 
 De grant manere espourie, 
 3565 Que li vesquens en son record, 
 
 Ne la feist Juger a mort. 
 
 Mult par duta la vie perdre; 
 
 Ne saveit aleure u aerdre. 
 
 Meis, tries un, tries altre, senvait, 
 3570 A la fertre Seint Edmund treit. 
 
 La quida aver guarisun 
 
 De mort e de destrucciun. 
 
 Que unke li vesquens nele sout, 
 
 MS. 11. 3543, i°ur; 3544. soleile; 3546, sun conte; 3548, E une; 
 leez; 3550 and 51, home; 3551, soleit or suelt; 3553, sun; 3555, 
 Pensant eginnant (7 syl.); 3557, a pert; 3558, En forfez (7 syl.); desert; 
 3559, molle; 3562, E solum (7 syl.); 3564, espurie; 3s6s,Vescunt; 3569, 
 alure; 3570, E al fertre Seint Edmund se treit (9 syl); 3572, morte; 
 destrucciun; 3573, le vescunt, nel (7 syl.). 
 
 Note (1) I find no satisfactory explanation of this word. It appears 
 to be a form of modular e > motder (rocle < rotulus). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND l6l 
 
 Ne nul des soens, qui of li out. 
 3575 La cheitive feme esgariee, 
 
 Ke mult par fu espoentee, 
 
 Gist devant la chase al martir, 
 
 Plurant, e gettant meint suspir. 
 
 E pria Dieu devutement, 
 3580 E le seint martir ensement, 
 
 Que sicum il est poestis, 
 
 La gard de tuz ses enemiz. 
 Kant le felun Lefstan le sout, 
 
 Ke la feme que en plait mise out, 
 3585 Sen fu fuie al muster, 
 
 Nen out en li que coruscier; 
 
 Ses homes mult tost apela, 
 
 E irrement [lur] comanda, 
 
 Ke le muster mult tost cerchasent, 
 3590 E la feme tost li menasent. 
 
 E ses serjanz tuz errantment, 
 
 Vunt fere sun comandement. 
 
 II alerent dreit al muster, 
 
 Pur quere la povre mulier. 
 3595 Quant il vindrent, trovee hint 
 
 Devant la fertre Seint Edmund, 
 
 E mult egrement demanderent 
 
 A eels qui entur la fertre erent, 
 
 La feme qui out este, le jur, 
 3600 Jugiee devant lur segnur. 
 
 Un des plus anciens [lur] respunt, 
 
 Que ele ert entur Seint Edmund. 
 
 Prestre ert e un diacne od li ; 
 
 A piez se drescent ambedui, 
 3605 E respunderent errantment, 
 
 Que il noserent [mie pur] nient, 
 
 MS. 11. 3574, de soens; 3576, espontee; 3579, devoutement; 358a, 
 jarde; 3585, fui (7 syl.); 35 88 , irrement comanda (7 syl.); 3595, 
 trove (7 syl.); 3596,1c fertre; 3598, iour; 3600, jugie, segnour (7 syl.); 
 3601, de plus anciens respount (7 syl.); 3606, noserent naient 
 (6 syl.). 
 
l62 
 
 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Home ne feme a els liverer, 
 
 Ki ja pur sa vie salver, 
 
 Fust venu al seint, a garant; 
 3610 Nel fereient, ne tant ne quant. 
 
 Kant les serjanz ceo oirent, 
 
 Irreement entrels f remirent ; 
 
 Kar il noserent contredire, 
 
 Que comande les out lur sire 
 3615 Ainz cururent tuz par air, 
 
 Dreit a la fertre le martir, 
 
 U la povre feme giseit, 
 
 Ke mult sovent Marie crieit. 
 
 II la pristrent mult cruelement, 
 3620 E treistrent felonessement 
 
 La cheitive povre mulier, 
 
 Par poinz, par piez, hors del muster ; 
 
 Quant les clers e cil qui esteient 
 
 Entur le martir ceo veieient, 
 3625 Ke cil unt fet cele grant rage, 
 
 E al martir si funt ultrage, 
 
 De luc sen alerent tut dreit, 
 
 La u li seint martir giseit; 
 
 Lur set psalmes [i] comencerent, 
 3630 Devutement les verseilerent, 
 
 E la letenie ensement, 
 
 Od lermes, mult devutement. 
 ! - i Dieu prient, de fin quer entier, 
 
 E le bon corseint del muster, 
 3^35 Quil [ore] mustre sa pusance 
 
 E del surfeit pregne vengeance. 
 
 Dune avint si quentre cest feit, 
 
 Lessa li fel vescuens son pleit 
 
 Pur la feme que aver voleit, 
 3640 E si ala a grant espleit, 
 
 MS. r 11* 3610, freient; 361 1, oyerent; 3612, fremierent, irrement 
 (7 syl.); 3615, hair; 3624, Quen entur, veient; 3625.ee!; 3629, psalmes 
 comencerent, (7 syl.); 3630 and 32, devoutement ; 3635, Quil mustre 
 (6 syl.) £3636, prengne; 3638, vescunt. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 163 
 
 E se hasta vers le muster, 
 
 U il teneient la mulier, 
 
 Qui pur li [i] enveie erent. 
 
 Avis li fut que trop demorerent. 
 3645 Cum il el cimitire entra, 
 
 E sicum il [a] mielz erra, 
 
 Si sarestut sempres aneire, 
 
 A une tumbe de un proveire 
 
 Ki, quant fu vif Bonde ert clame; 
 3650 La sest li vesquens areste, 
 
 Quil nalast avant pur nul plait. 
 
 Pur le grant pechie quaveit fait. 
 
 Dieus le engetta [hors] de sa vie. 
 
 Li diable resceust le mal bailie, 
 3^55 Vereiment en sa companie, 
 
 Pur son pechie, pur sa folie. 
 Si cume ses homes ceo virent, 
 
 La povre feme deguerpirent ; 
 
 E corurent tuz ses vaslez 
 3660 A lur segmur qui fut devez, 
 
 Plurant e criant mult forment 
 
 Pur lur segnur dunt sunt dolent. 
 
 E puis tantost cum il vindrent 
 
 A peine e [a] dolur le tindrent. 
 3665 A cele ore Dieus le puissant 
 
 Fist deus miracles mult granz : 
 
 Le un ke delivera la mulier 
 
 De peril de mort [e] dencombrier; 
 
 E laltre fu, ke li vesquens 
 3670 Fu sudeinement hors de sens, 
 
 Par Seint Edmund, le treseint rei, 
 
 Qui en desdein out son desrei. 
 Cil cheitif, cil Dieu enemi 
 
 MS. 11. 3643,11 enveie (7 syl.); 3645, en cimiter (7 syl.); 3646, il 
 mielz (7 syl.); 3650, vescunt; 3651, II; 3653, Dieu; le engetta de sa 
 vie (7 syl.); 3654, E li diable resceive le mal baillie (10 syl.); 3657, 
 Sicum (7 syl.); 3659, tres vasez; 3664, A peyne e dolur (7 syl.); 
 3665, dieu; 3666, mulz; 3668, morte dencumbrier. 
 
164 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 De ceste vie departi. 
 3675 Male fin out e male mort, 
 
 Par ses culpes e par son tort, 
 
 Sicume lorent li malfe 
 
 En ceste vie enfantosme. 
 
 Si firent il mult grant vergoine 
 3680 A son ord cors, a sa charoine, 
 
 Que tere nel poeit sufrir. 
 
 Ne sepulture retenir. 
 
 Meinte feiz de la tere issi, 
 
 Puis cum laveit enseveli ; 
 3685 La gent nel pourent endurer 
 
 Plus longement; meis aturner 
 
 Feseient le quir dun tor grant, 
 
 Si feseient mettre maintenant 
 
 Cele orde charoine, eel cors, 
 3690 E puis coustre forment dehors, 
 
 E treinerent errantement 
 
 Hors de la vile e hors de gent, 
 
 En un ord putel que ert parfunz, 
 
 Le feseient getter jesqua funz. 
 3695 Une piere a son col pendu, 
 
 Ki a funz lad bien tenu. 
 
 Une altre fez, en tens deste, (1) Miracle. 
 
 Si mustra Dieus sa poeste, 
 
 Quil fist de un fort rei felun, 
 3700 Pur lamur de Seint Edmun; 
 
 Pur qui Dieus, nostre salveur, 
 
 Fist grant vertu e grant honur. 
 
 Cil felun rei si out nun Suain, 
 
 De grant felonie esteit plain, 
 3705 De cest secle mult artilus, 
 
 E des ovres Dieu oblius, 
 
 MS. 11. 3677, Sicum; 3684, lout (7 syl.); 3685, poerent;{3686,long- 
 ment; 3687, tor mult grant (9 syl.); 3691, errantment (7 syl.); 3693, 
 E en une orde putel; parfunz (9 syl.); 3694, founz 3696, Ke a (6 
 syl); 3697, Un autre fez; 3703, noun. 
 
 Note (1): Miracle in red. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 65 
 
 En Danemarche ert son regne, 
 
 Sa richesce e sa poeste. 
 
 Cil reis ses veisins mult ha'f, 
 3710 E de tut son poer laidi; 
 
 Kanquil pout de mal soleit fere, 
 
 Meis puis li turna a contreire. 
 
 Cel reis aveit en sa bailie, 
 
 De plusurs gent grant companie ; 
 3715 Kar Daneis, Suaneis e Guteis, 
 
 E Westwikins e Winedeis, ( i ) 
 
 E mult des genz daltres contrees, 
 
 Le siwirent pur lur soldees, 
 
 Ke les doneit e permetteit. 
 3720 A grant merveile gent avent. 
 
 Dune ert al rei Suain bien avis, 
 
 Kil poeit [tost] chescun pais, 
 
 E chescune tere conquere 
 
 Od son grant host e od sa guere. 
 3725 Dune fist asembler errantment, 
 
 Tut son people e tute sa gent; 
 
 Sa tere asist e ordena, 
 
 E ses assises i mustra 
 
 Sicume firent ses ancestre; 
 3730 Tant quil vesqui si pout bien estre. 
 
 Puis fist sa mesnee aturner, 
 
 E od sa gent se mist en mer. 
 
 Bon vent ourent a lur talant; 
 
 Vers Engletere vunt siglant. 
 3735 Quant en la tere arive sunt, 
 
 Robent aval, robent amunt, 
 
 Tant roberent e tant pelfrerent, 
 
 En Northfolc u ariverent, 
 
 MS. 11. 3707, danmarche (7 syl.); 3709, rey; 3711, les soleit (9 
 syl.); 3713, celi; 3717, dautre contres; 3718, soldes; 3722, poeit 
 chescun (7 syl.); 3729, Sicum fist son ancestre (6 syl.); 3730, cum 
 il (9 syl-.); 3733, ount. 
 
 Note (1): " West Vikings and Wends, between whom and the Danes 
 close intercourse existed at this period. " Cf. Arnold's Edition, p 241, 
 note. 
 
1 66 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Quil unt mult grant aver conquis, 
 3740 Par la tere e par le pais. 
 
 Tant se longnerent de lur port, 
 
 Quil sunt venu [jesqua] Tiefort. 
 
 Meis iluc les covint atendre, 
 
 Kar la tere les volt defendre 
 3745 Un riches hum de eel pais, 
 
 Chivalier bon e de grant pris ; 
 
 Hardi e pruz cume leun, 
 
 Ulfektel aveit il a nun. 
 
 II se combati ferement 
 3750 Od sa mesnee e od sa gent; 
 
 E les Daneis, tut altresi, 
 
 Qui mult furent pruz e hardi ; 
 
 Merveilus colps sentre donerent, 
 
 Dambes parz kant sasemblerent. 
 3755 La veissez les granz melees, 
 
 Granz colps de haches e despees, 
 
 Tanz poinz, tant piez, tanz chiefs voler, 
 
 E tantes lances truncuner, 
 
 Tanz chivalers escervelez, 
 3760 E tanz occis e tanz nafrez, 
 
 Tanz espandre sane e cervele, 
 
 E si treiner tante boele 
 
 Tanz escuz a or estroir, 
 
 Tante blanche broine falsir, 
 3765 Tantes lances fraindre e crussir, 
 
 Tanz homes mors envers gisir, 
 
 Tantes saites e tanz darz 
 
 Treier ( 1 ) e lancer dambes parz, 
 
 Qui trespercent quir e coraile, 
 3770 Escu ne halberc ne valt maile, 
 
 Ke tut ne trespercent li dart ; 
 
 MS. 11. 3739, mul a tiefort (7 syl.); 3745, Un riche home; ^3747, 
 cum; 3748, noun; 3753, Merveilus coupes; 3755, melleies; 3756, 
 espeies; 3757, Tant; 3758, Tantes (7 syl.); 376^, falser;] J3767, 
 Tanz seites. 
 
 Note: (1) Treier seems to have passed to Conj I (Cf. contreerent 
 above). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 167 
 
 Ni ad oes lanier ne cuart. 
 Ulfeketel e les soens od sei 
 
 Ert en le frunt del primier cunrei, 
 3775 Q ue quanquil ateint acravante; 
 
 Nul apres son colp ne se vante, 
 
 Kil ne puisse, sil volt, bien dire, 
 
 Ke ja mester ne avera de mire. 
 
 E li reis Suain, del altre part, 
 3780 Se contient cum urs e leopart, 
 
 Ki se cumbate mult ferement; 
 
 Kanquil ateint parmi li fent. 
 
 La bataile oust bien vencu, 
 
 Kant il ad choisi e veii 
 3785 De treis sei, une companie, 
 
 Une mult grant chevalerie, 
 
 Ke Ulfeketel i out enveiee, 
 
 E ke de guere esteit veziee ; 
 
 Priveement lad recelee, 
 3790 Par une sutive valee ; 
 
 II furent set cenz chivaliers, 
 
 E quatre cenz des archiers, 
 
 Ki pres les chivaliers armez 
 
 Veneient, le petit pas, serrez. 
 3795 Si as chivaliers surd destresce, 
 
 Quil les seient forteresce. 
 
 Kant li reis Suain e son vassal, 
 
 Les vit surdre devers le val, 
 
 II ad dit a ses plus privez : 
 3800 "Enginnez sumes e gabez. 
 
 Veez cume grant gent la surt. 
 
 Ne quid que nul de nus returt 
 
 James al pais dunt eissimes; 
 
 Folie fu que cea venimes; 
 3805 Meis contenum nus sagement, 
 
 MS. 11. 3772, ose 3775, ad cravante; 3776, colpe; 3778. f %£ (9 
 syl.); 3779, li rei, parte; 3787, enveie; 3788, vezie; 3789, Privement 
 ad (7 syl.); 3795, surde; 3796, fortresce (7 syl.) 3801, Viez 3802, 
 quide (9 syl.). 
 
l68 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Cume pruz e hardie gent. 
 
 Le darein cunrei se cumbate 
 
 A eels, si les movent baratte, 
 
 E vus cea, a mielz que purrum, 
 3810 Vers Ulfeketel combaterum." 
 
 Ulfeketel ert del altre part; 
 
 En sa main destre tint un dart. 
 
 Quant il ad choisi sa gent 
 
 Del val surdre serreement, 
 3815 He les suens, tuz a un cri, 
 
 Unt Suain e les suens esbai ; 
 
 E eels del aguet les requierent, 
 
 Ki unc de rien ne les requierent. 
 
 La veissez tel crusseiz 
 3820 De lances e tel chapleiz 
 
 De haches, despees, de branz, 
 
 Dunt il donent les cops mult granz. 
 
 Reis Suain veit quil nad nul ados; 
 
 E de tutes parz est enclos 
 3825 De ses plus mortels enemis. 
 
 Mult en est dolent e pensis, 
 
 Ni ne veit liu que il se venge, 
 
 Ni ne sait quel conseil en prenge. 
 
 Kar Ulfeketel e sa gent, 
 3830 Des soens occient cent e cent ; 
 
 Lur estre ne valt mes un as, 
 
 Kar de cumbatre sunt si las, 
 
 Quil ne se poent mes aider. 
 
 II veient bien lur encumbrer, 
 3835 Quil ne poent aver repos. 
 
 A Ulfeketel turnent le dos, 
 
 Parmi les cunreis del aguet 
 
 Senfuirent tut entreset, 
 
 E Ulfeketel e sa mesnee 
 3840 Les feseient mult grant hachies, 
 
 MS. 11. 3806, cum, (7 syl.); 381 1, parte; 3813, choise; 3814, serre- 
 rnent; 3819, veisiez, corusseiz; 3823, Le rey (9 syl.); 3824, tutes (s 
 interlined) est ore enclos (9 syl); 3827, ne; 3828, Ne ne; 3840, feseit 
 
 (7 «yi). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 1 69 
 
 Ke a dos les vunt enchaceant, 
 
 E par centeines occiant. 
 
 Tant en occistrent les Engleis, 
 
 Des feluns, des engres Daneis, 
 3845 Buche de home ne numbrast mie, 
 
 Tanz perdirent iluc la vie. 
 
 Tanz sunt morz e tanz sunt occis, 
 
 De set mil ne eschaperent vifs, 
 
 Fors sulement cessant e set. 
 3850 Cels emmene Suain, qui sen vet, 
 
 Mats e desumfiz vers la mer. 
 
 Sachez, nunt cure de sujurner. 
 
 Kant furent a lur nef venuz, 
 
 Nerent mie lents ni paresceuz; 
 3855 En halte mer tost mis se sunt, 
 
 E vers lur pais se revunt. 
 
 Ringhemere est icil liu dit 
 
 U Daneis furent descumfit. 
 
 E Ulfeketel pas ne sujurne; 
 3860 Vers Seint Edmund mult tost se turne. 
 
 Dieu mercie, le rei de glorie, 
 
 E le seint rei, de sa victorie, 
 
 Par qui grace il ad Suain vencu, 
 
 E descumfit e confundu. 
 3865 Pur veir vus di que dune regna 
 
 E tut le pais governa, 
 
 Dengletere tut envirun, 
 
 Un rei, qui Aieldred out nun; 
 
 Cil ne osa unkes manier 
 3870 Escu ne brand, nespee balier, 
 
 Ne altre arme vers son enemi, 
 
 Tant out le quer anaienti, 
 
 E tant ert coart e chaluz, 
 
 Malveis, laners e pourus. 
 3875 E nepurquant meint contreire 
 
 MS. 11. 3845, Bouche; 3849, soulement; 3850, en meine; 3851, 
 mates; 3852, nun; sujourner; 3853, nief; 3854, lentes; 386i,merci 
 (7syl.); 3868, noun; 3870, espeie; 3875, meinte. 
 
I70 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Fist il as soens, e meint desfaire 
 
 Fist il, a tort e sanz reisun, 
 
 Tant par ert encrisme felun. 
 
 Quatre pruz homes en le pais 
 3880 Vers le North, erent astais; 
 
 Mult furent cil quatre prodome, 
 
 Boris e leals, ceo est la sume. 
 
 Meis li reis en he les coilli, 
 
 Pur ceo quil erent pruz e hardi. 
 3885 Les baruns a la mort mettereit 
 
 Mult volentiers, sil le poeit. 
 
 Cels quatre baruns qui li reis 
 
 Hai tant, orent nuns Engleis; 
 
 Ne furent pas nomez Richer, 
 3890 William e Robert ne Gauter. 
 
 Meis le un dels out nun Leofwine, 
 
 E laltre ert clame Aelfwine; 
 
 Le tirz Siverz, le quart Markiers. 
 
 Mult par furent bons chivaliers; 
 3895 E sunt del rei forment hai. 
 
 Meis il erent [tuz] bien garni ; 
 
 Ne les hait pas pur lur folur, 
 
 Meis pur pruesce e pur valur, 
 
 Dunt duiz sunt li quatre barun. 
 3900 Pur ceo les hait li reis felun. 
 
 Mult erent riches de grant fin, 
 
 Cil quatre barun palain, 
 
 Kar tute la tere esteit lur, 
 
 Sicum la mer lenclost entur; 
 3905 Descoce jesqua Gainesburc, 
 
 Nen out cite, chastel ne burc 
 
 Dunt il ne furent chief segnur. 
 
 Tut le mielz de Engletere ert lur. 
 
 Li reis les hai mult forment, 
 
 MS. 11. 3876, a soens; 3878, en crisme; 3882, ce est (7 syl.);^3884 
 qui erent; 3885, morte; 3886, mul, si il (7 syl.); 3890, William, rob- 
 ert (7 syl.); t interlined; 3893, tirce; 3896, erent bien (7 syl.); 3897, 
 hai; 3900, heit; 3905, Gheniesburc; 3906, erite; 3907, fusent. 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUND I7I 
 
 3910 E il le rei [tut] ensement. 
 
 Engin [rejque'isent volentiers, 
 
 Qual rei sursissent encumbriers ; 
 
 E feseient procheinement 
 
 Al rei doel e grant marrement. 
 3915 II pristrent des lurs quatre sages, 
 
 E tramistrent en lur messages ; 
 
 En Danemarche les tramistrent, 
 
 E les comanderent e distrent : 
 
 Quil saluasent Suain, le rei 
 3920 De lur part, chescun endreit sei, 
 
 Cume lur tres lige segnur, 
 
 De qui tendreient lur honur, 
 
 Sil volsist venir en le pais, 
 
 Reis en sereit [e] poestis. 
 3925 De la tere, de la segnorie 
 
 Avereit il la greindre partie; 
 
 Volentiers le receiverunt, 
 
 E tuz homage a li ferunt, 
 
 E a li livrerunt del pais 
 3930 Tut le mielz, sulum lur avis : 
 
 Cumberland e Westmeriland, 
 
 E trestute Northumberland. 
 
 Ne avera chastel, cite ne burc, 
 
 Descoce jesqua Gainesburc, 
 3935 Forest ne chace ne pescherie, 
 
 Dunt il navereit la segnurie. 
 Les messagers se sunt turne, 
 
 A Danemarche en sunt ale, 
 
 Al rei unt dit tut lur avis, 
 3940 Purquei il [i] erent tramis. 
 
 Quant le rei Suain loit, mult fu le; 
 
 Unc tant de rien ne fu haite. 
 
 MS. 11. 3910, rei-ensement (7 syl.); 3911, queisent (7 syl.) ;~ 3913, 
 feseint (7 syl.); 3915, de lurs (s interlined); 3916, tramisterent (9 
 s yl-)» 39 J 7» l e ; 3921, cum (7 syl.); 3924, sereit poestis (7syl.); 3926, 
 grendre; 3932, trestut; 3935, Foreste (9 syl.); 3936, nen; 3940,* jl 
 erent (7 syl.); 3941, lee; 3942, haitee. 
 
172 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Les messagiers bel apela, 
 
 E si mult [par] les honura, 
 3945 E si les fist mult bele chere, 
 
 E honura de grant manere, 
 
 E fist sujurner noblement, 
 
 Tant cume lur vint a talent. 
 
 E quant il sen voldrent aler, 
 3950 Mult riches duns les fist duner, 
 
 E puis son conge les dona, 
 
 E ces paroles les livera : 
 "Amis," fet il, "vus en irez, 
 
 E vos segnurs me saluerez, 
 3955 Cume a mes plus tres chers amis, 
 
 Qui jeo aime tant cum sei vifs, 
 
 E tuz eels del North altresi : 
 
 Dites que jeo lur mand defi, 
 
 Quen cest an les vendrai veeir, 
 3960 Si jeo ma sante puis aveir." 
 
 Cels revunt en lur tere dreit, 
 
 E ceo que Suain dit les aveit, 
 
 Noterent les quatre messages 
 
 En privete a lur segnurages. 
 3965 Reis Suain ne sest pas obliez; 
 
 Ainz ad tuz ses baruns mandez ; 
 
 Son conseil lur ad descovert, 
 
 E bien les ad dit en apert, 
 
 Que tuz se aprestent cum a guere, 
 3970 Kar aler volt en Engletere; 
 
 Puis fet tute sa gent banir; 
 
 E gent comencent a venir. 
 
 Deus tant de poeple asembla 
 
 Quil nout quant il primes ala 
 3975 En Estangle u se combati 
 
 A Ulfeketel qui le venqui. 
 
 Li reis Suain bien les soldeia ; 
 
 MS. 11. 3944, E ausi mult les honura; 3947, E les fist suiourner (9 
 iyl.); 3948, cum; 3950, dones; 3954, salurez (7 syl.); 3955, cum; 
 3959, veisr (s marked for cancellation) (7 syl.). 
 
LA VIE SEINT EDMUNB 1 73 
 
 Riches soldees les dona, 
 
 Ainz quil ne meissent en mer. 
 3980 Ne les voleit plus demorer ; 
 
 Puis fist mettre sa gent banie 
 
 En halte mer od lur navie; 
 
 Puis se mist li reis en sa nef, 
 
 E fist drescier mult tost son tref. 
 3985 Od sei ne mene, tant ne quant, 
 
 Ni parent, ni feme, ni enfant, 
 
 Fors sulement son fiz Knut 
 
 Amena od sei quant il se mut. 
 
 Dune siglent e vagent tut dreit 
 3990 Vers Engletere, a grant espleit. 
 
 Tant siglerent e tant cururent 
 
 Quil virent bien e cunurent 
 
 Dest Engletere le graveir, 
 
 E les faleises blancheeir. 
 3995 Dune apela Suain, le rei, 
 
 Son mestre mariner a sei ; 
 
 "Siglez mei," fet il, "beals amis, 
 
 Trestut dreit devers le pais, 
 
 U jadiz solei ariver. 
 4000 La voldrum a nut hosteler." 
 
 Li mariner issi le fist, 
 
 Cume Suain son segnur [li] dist; 
 
 Od lur estoire sunt entre 
 
 En Gernemue, e arive. 
 4005 La novele est tost espandue, 
 
 Ke le rei Suain est a Gernemue. 
 
 A Ulfeketel vint la novele; 
 
 Saver poez, ne li fu bele. 
 
 Ulfeketel esteit a eels tens 
 4010 De deus cuntez lur vesquens. 
 
 La gent del pais asembla 
 
 Devant li, si les demanda, 
 
 MS. 11. 3978, soldes; 3981, gents; 3983, nief; 3984, trief ; 3987,5011!- 
 ement; Knout; 3997, me; 4000, nute; 4002, cum; segnour dist (7 
 syl.); 4002 and 4006, Sueyn. 
 
174 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 Quel conseil il en purrunt prendre, 
 
 Kar ne se purrunt pas defendre, 
 4015 Vers Suain qui si sudeinement 
 
 Est sur els venu od grant gent, 
 
 Ki tuz les volt a mort retreire 
 
 E destruire, sil poeit faire, 
 
 "Kar tresbien le savez, enfin, 
 4020 Que Suain est plus f el que mastin ; 
 
 Ja vers li ne troverum grace, 
 
 Quil nus doint un sul jur despace 
 
 Quil ne nus face une nuaie 
 
 E nus nen avum nul aie ; 
 4025 Ne nul conseil de nostre rei, 
 
 Ne nul comfort, ne nul agrei; 
 
 Qui nus devereit trestuz aider, 
 
 E maintenir e conseilier. 
 
 Meis si tant de respit en eusse, 
 4°3° Q ue J eo & en t assembler peiisse, 
 
 Ja Suain ne ireit de cest pais 
 
 Quil ne fust descomfist e pris." 
 
 The MS. breaks off here at the foot of folio 24 b. with 
 the catchwords : "E ses amis li respundi." 
 
 MS. 11. 4015, Sueyn; 4016, eus; 4017, E ki (9 syl.); voult; 402a, 
 iour; 4029, usse; 4030, pusse; 4031, Sueyn. 
 
LIFE. 
 
 My parents were James Turner Leftwich, of Virginia, 
 and Adelia Lake, of New York, and I was born at Alexan- 
 dria, Virginia. In 1879 my parents removed to Baltimore, 
 Maryland, where my preparatory training was received at 
 the Southern Home School, taught by Mrs. Wilson M. Cary. 
 
 After a year's special study at Wellesley College and a 
 year spent in Europe, as well as several years of private 
 study of the Modern Languages and Latin, I entered Bryn 
 Mawr College in 1893, an< ^ was graduated in 1895 with the 
 degree of A. B., my major subjects being French and Latin. 
 
 As holder of the Bryn Mawr European Fellowship, I 
 spent the year 1895-96 in Paris, where I attended the closed 
 and open courses at the Sorbonne and the lectures at the 
 College de France. 
 
 I wish here to offer to Professor Ferdinand Brunot, of the 
 Sorbonne, my cordial acknowledgments of the personal kind- 
 ness and encouragement which I received from him while 
 I was in attendance upon his courses. 
 
 On my return to America I held for two years the chair 
 of Modern Languages at the Mississippi College for Women, 
 at Columbus, Mississippi. In 1898 I returned to Bryn Mawr 
 College, where I continued my work in Latin, under Pro- 
 fessor Gonsalez Lodge, and in Old French Philology and 
 Dialects under Professor Louis Emil Menger. 
 
 As holder of the Fellowship awarded by the Baltimore 
 Society for the Promotion of the Higher Education of 
 Women, I spent the year 1899- 1900 in the University of 
 Zurich, where I studied principally under Professor Hein- 
 rich Morf. I cannot express too strongly my sense of obli- 
 gation to Professor Morf for the inspiration I received 
 from his work, as well as for the personal kindness and con- 
 sideration with which he treated me while I was connected 
 with the University. 
 
 (175) 
 
I76 LA VIE SEINT EDMUND 
 
 During the year 1 900-1 901, I had charge of the French 
 Department at the Bryn Mawr Preparatory School in Balti- 
 more. At the beginning of the second Semester of 1902 I 
 returned to Bryn Mawr College, where I was awarded the 
 Resident Fellowship in Romance Languages for the year 
 1 902- 1 903. 
 
 In June, 1903, I received the degree of Ph. D. from Bryn 
 Mawr College, my major subject being Old French Phi- 
 lology and Literature, my first and second minors being 
 Latin and Spanish respectively. 
 
 Let me here express my gratitude to all the professors 
 under whom I studied at Bryn Mawr College. Especially 
 are my thanks due to M. Lucien Foulet, Professor of French 
 Literature; to Dr. Gonsalez Lodge, Professor of Latin, and 
 to Dr. Fonger de Haan, Professor of Spanish. To their 
 wise counsels and kind assistance, I am not less indebted 
 than to the valuable instruction I received from their courses. 
 
 To the late Dr. Louis Emil Menger, Professor of Old 
 French Philology, under whose direction my dissertation 
 was composed, I owe the practical assistance, the wise en- 
 couragement and the discriminating criticism without which 
 I should scarcely have been able to complete the task I had 
 undertaken. I keenly regret that my dissertation in its pres- 
 ent form could not be submitted to Dr. Menger, nor receive 
 the benefit of his final judgment. 
 
 Florence Leftwich Ravenel. 
 
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