Wr■^^,■^■^^^^^,^//////////////^/^y'.^^^Ml^W^.^\'^^^^W^^^^^^ University of California • Berkeley t OF THE EXCELLENT KNIGHT (better til 00* B^opal ^igtorie OF THE EXCELLENT KNIGHT (§tnmt}t6. EDITED FKOM THE UNIQUE MS. OF JOHN TOLLEMACHE, ESQ., M.P., OF PKCKFORTON CASTLE, SOUTH CHESHIRE, AND HELM INGHAM HALL, SUFFOLK, BY FREDERICK J. FURNIVALL. Bojcburglie Club. PRINTED FOR HENRY HUCKS GIBBS, ESQ. BY STEPHEN AUSTIN, HEETFORD. MDCCCLXV. HERTFORD : PRIHTED BY STKPHKN AUSTIN. TO THE PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF Cfie ISlo)dburfi|)e Clui) THIS ROMANCE or ^ir (^enerrtes. NOW FIRST PRINTED FROM A MS. OF THE FIRST HALF OF THE 16th CENTURY, IS DEDICATED AND PBESENTED BY THEIR OBEDIENT SERVANT, HENRY HUCKS GIBBa ST. DUNSTAN'S, REGENT'S PARK, Chriatmat, 1865. O 36 Cfie 3Rojcburfl[ie Club* MDCCCLXVI. THE DUKE OF 'BITCCLETJCH AND QUEENSBEREY, E.G., PRESIDENT. HIS EXCELLENCY MONSIEUR VAN DE WEYEE. MARQUIS OF LOTHIAN. EARL OF CARNARVON. EARL OF rOWIS, Vice-President. EARL OF CAWDOR. LORD VERNON. LORD DELAMERE. LORD DUFFERIN, K.C.B. LORD WENSLEYDALE. LORD HOUGHTON. HON. ROBERT CURZON. SIR STEPHEN RICHARD GLYNNE, BART. SIR EDWARD HULSE, BART. SIR JOHN BENN WALSH, BART. SIR JOHN SIMEON, BART. SIR JAMES SHAW WILLES. GEORGE BRISCOE, ESQ. REV. WILLIAM EDWARD BUCKLEY. PAUL BUTLER, ESQ. REV. WILLIAM GEORGE CLARK. REV. HENRY OCTAVIUS COXE. FRANCIS HENRY DICKINSON, ESQ. THOMAS GAISFORD, ESQ. HENRY HUCKS GIBBS, ESQ. GRANVILLE LEVESON GOWER, ESQ. RALPH NEVILLE GRENVILLE, ESQ., Treasurer. JOHN BENJAMIN HEATH, ESQ. ROBERT STAYNER HOLFORD, ESQ. ALEXANDER JAMES BERESFORD HOPE, ESQ. JOHN COLE NICHOLL, ESQ. EVELYN PHILIP SHIRLEY, ESQ. WILLIAM STIRLING, ESQ. CHRISTOPHER SYKES, ESQ. SIMON WATSON TAYLOR, ESQ. GEORGE TOMLINE, ESQ. CHARLES TOWNELEY, ESQ. CONTENTS. FAOKS Contents ix — xii Preface xiii — xxiv Bemains of the otheb version of Sib Gbnerii>es in the Libbaby of Trinity College, Cambridge xxv — xxx CHAPTEB I. [Summary of the Story, p. 1. Prologue, p, 2. Of Aufreus and his Queen Sirenydes, and how he begets G^enerides on the Princess Serejme of Surre] 1—21 CHAPTER n. Here the kinges doghtre of Surrey retoumeth home to hir countre of Surrey wher she was heir. And after hir fadre discesse was made Queue, and wedded to king Aufreyus by whom she had Generydes the goode knight 22 — 36 CHAPTER in. Here telleth of the desire of the Quene (.) hou she desired Generidea to haue desceyued the king his fadre 37 — 61 CHAPTER rV. Of the fals treason the quene and StV Amalek did to King Aufreus, and how he was put fro his lond 62 — 63 CHAPTER V. Here the fals Steward sir Amalek aspied that the king was passed by his bushment forth into the forest ; And so gate the Citie and the Castel and al the tresoure of king Aufreyus ; And did shet the gates, and kept the Citie with strenght ; And thurgh the fals consent of the Quene lete crovn him self king of that lond ; And held the Quene, and put oute his h X CONTENTS. souereyn lord Aufreyus from his lond and heritage, which was aftre avenged by the prowesse of the kinges son Generides, and was restored Ageyn to the lond and to the crovn, as ye may here more pleinlie here aftre 64— 69 CHAPTEK VI. [Of Queen Sereyne, and her adventures in search of Aufreus and Generides] 70 — 80 m CHAPTEE Vn. Of the fals treason that the tratoure Malachias enformed of malice his lord the Soudon of Perce ayeinst the good ladie Clarionas his doghtre, and Generides, for which cause he had euel ending, as ye may se aftre . . 81 — 104 CHAPTEE Vin. Here the Soudon writeth for al the kinges and Princes that wer vndre his obeissaunce to help him in his werre Ayeinst the king of kinges . . . 105 — 114 CHAPTEE IX.. Of the grete manhod of the king of kinges, how he enbatelled his wardes in thefelde 115—118 CHAPTEE X. How the Soudon and the King of Kinges encountren with both here oostes ; And how Generides discomfited Amalek the traitottr; And how than aftre Generides and the King of Kinges faght to-gedre, hand to hand, forto deterniyn the batell 119 — 152 CHAPTEE XI. Here Generides fighteth with the King of Kinges, And discomfiteth him, and maketh him to yelde him to the Soudan, And he and al his people to avoide the centre for euer ; And so he dieth of his hurtes that he had, in his gooing home 153 — 164 CHAPTEE XII. How the King of Kinges desireth to darreyii the batel [with] his ovii hondos 165—190 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTEE Xin. PAGES Here is tlie King of Kinges discomfited bi Generides, and departeth to goo home 191 — 227 CHAPTER XIY. How kiag Aufreus sent to the Soudon for his son Generidea to help him to conquere Ynde 228 — 232 CHAPTER XV. Here the Soudon sent for his doghtre forto tel }at he had yoven hir to Generides 233—239 CHAPTER XVI. Generides gooth into Ynde to help his fadre Aufreus to conquere the lend that Amalek the traitowr thoo had kept from him bi fals treasoun . . 240 — 252 CHAPTER XVn. Here leueth of the sege And Generides, [and] tumeth Ageyn to King Gwynan king of Egipt, how he ordeined him A grete ost of people forto werre vpon the Soudon of Perse to wyn Ageyn his ladie Clariunas, And to avenge him of the despite that Generides did to him whan he feched hir fro Egipt . 263—275 CHAPTER XVm. Here Amalek isshued out of the Citie with his people, and yafe grete batel to the ooste, So that moch of his people were sleyn, And he was fayne, for ease and socour of his people, to take A trews for A tyme 276 — 280 CHAPTER XIX. How Generides went privelie into Perse to King Gwynan, and made him to be sworn that he shuld neuer in al his life make werre Ayeinst the Soudon nor him (:) And accorded hem for euer, And lete him and al his people goo home into Egipt; And tho Generides hasted him Ageyn to Darel & his felows 281 — 291 Xll CONTENTS. CHAPTEK XX. PAOM Here Generides bringeth King G'w'yiian to the Soudon forto be at oon with him for euer ; And such Assuraunce was made or thei departed . . . 292 — 297 CHAPTEE XXI. How [Grenerides] went Into Tnde and wounded Amalek to the dethe. And how pitouslie in his dieng he asked mercy of him for al his trespace, and of the treason he had doon to King Aufreus his fadre ; And hou lamentablie Quene Serenydes come with a naked swerd to [Generides] And offred hir to die for hir grete vntrouth doon to hir lord the King Aufreus ; And how paynfullie hir hert brest in hir constreint sorow, And so she died ouertwhart Amalek ; And how [Generides] was coroned kingofYnde 298—308 CHAPTEK XXII. [Of Generides's and Clarionas's Wedding] 309—312 PEEFACE. rpHIS Eomance is, I believe, one entirely new to modern readers. Till Mr. Groome, of Monk Soliam, sent up extracts from it for the Philological Society's Dictionary I had never heard of it myself, and on asking Sir Frederic Madden, and the other best authorities, if its name was known to them, they answered in all cases, " No." The like result attended the enquiries kindly made for me by M. Francisque Michel and M. Michelant* in France, '' Sir Generides" was unknown to all. But after a time, the great Cambridge discoverer of fragments * M. Michelant writes on Nov. 17, 1865: "II me parait indubitable que votre poemc (Sir Generides) a une origine franijaise ; mais de tous ceux que je connais il n'y en a qu'un seul avec lequel il presente quelques faibles analogies. C'est un poeme en vers de 8 pieds, intitule Eledtts et Serene, conserve a la Bibliotheque de Stockholm, que j'esperais avoir en communication ici, et que j'attends encore. Vous en trouverez une description dans le Catalogue des Manuscrits franqais de la Bibliotheque de Stockholm par Stephens. (Forteckning af franc, och britt. Handskrifternar i des Kong. Bibl. i Stockholm af Stephens, 8vo, 1849.) Voici en quelques mots le contenu. Gemenas, roi de Tubie, a une fiUe nommee Serene, fiancee des son enfance avec un jeune due d'Alide nomme Maugrin. Elle s'^prend d'un chevalier appelle Eledus, fils du Comte de Monfleur, Maninus. Apr^s une suite de combats et d'aventures de tout genre ils flnissent par s'^pouser. L'ouvrage suedoii contient deui fragments assez courts qui pourront sans doute vous donner quelques eclaircissemonts de plus." The following extracts which I have made will show that the two Romances have (little or) nothing in common beyond the name Serene : A compter vous ay d'Eledus, Filh du pros conte Maninus, Tout ne fu roys, ne amyraux, De proesse conquerre plwf baux, Ne pour laisser tort ne malice Oncques en li uent vng malvice, Quar il conquist pour sa valeur La fille du roy son seigneur, Et troys roynes en Bougie, Dont se vous veuilh compter la vie. Mes d'Eledus veuilh laisser, Con fu bon roy natural, Et de grans honours principal, Et peut auoir a ses talens Cent mille howmes combatans. Vne cyte eut rault notable, Nulz n'en auoit de plf<« notable, Et eut nom Tubie la bonne, Ou eut mainte bonne personne, etc. Gemenas, le roy de Tubye, Quar de son seigneur veuilh compter ; ' Sestoit en son palays vng die. XIV PREFACE. in unthoiiglit-of places, Mr. Henry Bradshaw, Fellow of King's, and lover of MSS. and old books, found in a volume in Trinity Library some pages of an old text, printed seemingly by Wynkyn de "Worde, in which the hero of our Eomance was named, and which show that Sir Generides was known to our forefathers, and that our translator's reference to a French original was not a j&ction. The lines discovered by Mr. Bradshaw are printed from a copy which I owe to the kindness of Mr. W. Aldis Wright, at pages xxv to xxx of this volume, and a comparison of them with the parallel passages of the present version (pp. 259-60, 11. 8371-8423, and p. 271, 1. 8791, to p. 278, 1. 8981) will show the reader how the two different Englishers of the French text treated their original, and enable him either to rest satisfied that he has the better version here, or regret the loss of it, as his poetic judgment dictates. In the work itself we have one of the romances or novels of our ancestors, "made, al trew louers for to glade," and though we may Et si parloit ou ses priues. Atant le roy s'est resgardes, Et vit entrer vint pellerins Quj mowlt estoient noblentins, Ne pour ce p«« bien paroiewt riche ge»t, Car mult venoient cortoisement ; Chascun siet sus sou paleffroy, Et descendirent deuant le roy, Le plus noble a parle promier, Et dist au roy, "le droiturier Quj forma toute creature Vous enuoye bonnauenture. Sire roy, and a tous vos barons." Trestous les buys ont tost quasses, Et ceulx que treuvent tous estrawUes, Lors Eledus et I'escuier, Et auec luy maint cheualier Vont vers la tour du due Maugrier, Et montent sus droit au planchier, Les portes rompent bastiuement, Et puis entrerent hardiement. La sus trouerent le due Maugrier, Et Gention, & le roy Recbier, Et quatre roys, & vij conitours, Et d'autres C. tous des meillours, Du due Maugrter pour seiorner Estoient venus, & pour bagner, Et bien cuidoient segur dormir, etc. [A]tant vees vous lors I'escuier Qui monta hault en vng Soulier, Trouua Sebile et Serene, Vestir les fist & puis lez moyne A moult grant ioye vers Eledus. Et quant vei's luy furent venus, Eledus I'ala mowlt tost baiser, Et puis I'ava mowlt resgarder, Et son blyant vit desire [ ? ] Et de son sane par tout coste. Et il li dist qui ce auoit fait ; "Maugrier," dist elle, "par atrazait Des esperons me baty tant Que de tous lieux sally le sane." ■^{Stephens, pp. 146-9.) PKEFACE. XV often be tempted to smile at the plots and incidents of the books of its class, we must yet remember that those who once delighted in them were men "of Noble birth, Yaliant and Vertuous, full of baughtie Courage, Such as were growne to credit by the warres : "Not fearing Death, nor shrinking for Distresse, But always resolute, in most extreames." Written, as the present poem was, in the sixth Henry's time, Talbot himself may have seen it, he, "the great Alcides of the field,'' per- chance enjoyed it with his boy, "the Sonne of Chiualrie;" and though it lacks somewhat, as well the fire as the simple pathos, of stories of an earlier day, yet there is no need to ask for it a favouring ear from those who, with M. Hippeau, know " ce n'est jamais sans profit que Pen receuille quelques-uns des nombreux anneaux de la chaine qui permet de suivre a travers les ages toutes les transformations que subissent les mots d'une langue et les idees d'un peuple" [Messire Gauvain^ Preface, p. xxxiv.). The story told is shortly this : King Aufreus of Ynde has an unfaithful wife, and is himself led by Destiny to beget on the Princess of Surre a son (Generides) who is to become a knight of price. He is brought up by his mother, sent as a stranger to his father's coui*t, and is there beaten by the Steward, Sir Amalek, the paramour of the Queen, whose advances Generides has rejected. Unable, from his youth, to fight and avenge the insult of the grown-up warrior Sir Amalek, Generides goes to the Court of the Sowdon of Perse, where his service is gladly accepted, and where love at first sight strikes both the Sowdon's daughter (Clarionas) and him ; he is caught at her window, thrown into a dungeon, and is near being hanged. Meantime Aufreus's queen XVI PREFACE. (Serenydes) has given up his castle and herself to the Steward, Sir Amalek, and Aufreus has to take refuge in the land of Tharse, of which he is soon elected Steward, and then Xing. Here he finds his love Sereyne, Generides's mother, and " wedded hir with grete solempnitie ; A royaler fest did neuer man see." While the Sowdon is trying to get his Council to assent to Generides's being hanged, comes, in regular Arthur wise, a demand from Sir Bellyns, King of Kings, for tribute from the Sowdon's land, and for his daughter as the King's concubine for the space of twelve days. This saves Generides, for he claims to fight the King of Kings and avenge the Sowdon's right. Now come the great points of the book, a grand battle, or rather two of them, stretching from p. 119 to p. 164, and then the single combat between Generides and the King, from p. 165 to p. 190, ending in the King's defeat, and his death on his road home, p. 191. It is evident, from the care and elaboration given to these encounters, that the author and his readers held fighting the true meat for a man, and that though it was quite correct for a knight to fall in love, to be susceptible to any extent, to swoon and fall ill on proper occasions, and be recovered by a kiss from his sweetheart, yet his real function in life was — being on the right side — to break the backs of other men on the wrong side, run them through, chop off their ears and arms, after more or less fighting ; and when they got their opponents down, not, in modern fashion, to ^^donH Jcick''^ them, but to ride over and over them, and trample the life out of them, unless they gave in. Why give the devil a second chance if you've once got a good hold of him ? It is quite refreshing to feel how Syr Thomas Maleor and the older men enjoyed a good stand-up fight. They must have had many a one PREFACE. XVll with their arms, or seen it with their eyes, ere they could have described it so vividly with their pens. But to return to the story of the romance. King Bellyns's son, Gwynan, falls deeply in love with Generides's sweetheart, Clarionas, and having witnessed her lover's power of fighting, resorts to stratagem to get her into his possession. His friend. Sir Jewel, succeeds in carrying her off to Egypt, and there Gwynan, after his bridal-feast, is about to consummate his marital rights, when Generides, disguised as a leprous beggar, gets access to her and rescues her. Having deposited his lady-love in safety with the Sowdon, Generides goes off to help his father, Aufreus, win back his land of Ynde from the traitor Sir Amalek. After a first battle Amalek asks for a month's truce, and this gives Generides time to return to Perse and defeat Gwynan, who had invaded the Sowdon's country in the hopes of recovering Clarionas. Serenydes (Aufreus's first Queen and Amalek's paramour) takes advantage of Generides's absence in Perse to make a quarrel between him and Clarionas, inducing each to believe that the other is married; but by the good sense of Mirabel, Clarionas's maid or lady-in-waiting, the plot is defeated, and all made pleasant again. Generides then returns to Ynde, fights Amalek, and wounds him so badly, cutting off his right ear and arm, that he is carried off the field, and after repenting of his evil deeds, dies ; that is to say, he must be supposed to die, though the text does not tell us so, for at the end of his repentant speech, at the bottom of p. 303, there is evidently an omission, as well of the death of Amalek as of the scene promised us in the heading of Chapter XXI. — "hou lamentablie Queue Serenydes come with a naked swerd to [Generides], And offerd hir to die for hir grete vntrouth doon to hir lord the King Aufreus, And how paynfullie hir hert brest in hir XVUl PREFACE. constreint sorrow, and so she died ouertwhert Amalek" — the poem suddenly turns to another subject, the death of Generides's father and mother, and says no more of Amalek. These parents having con- siderately died at just the right time, "Generides wedded was ful rially To Clarionas that feire ladie," and having been crowned King of Ynde before his marriage, im- mediately afterwards becomes Emperor of Perse in right of his wife, whose father "The Sowdon died at the last." Then they reward all their friends who have helped them in their troubles, live long a good life, have much of worldly wealth, with many children, lords of price, and daughters ladies great : "Thei led here life in ioye and blis As thei were wele worthie i-wis." So ends the noble history of the excellent Prince Generides. If any one begins it, let him attend to the author's entreaty: "for goddes sake, or ye hens wende, Here this tale vnto the ende."— (p. 118, 11. 3769-70.) And let all who finish it "Pray for him this tale made, Al trew loners for to glade ! And graunt vs al at oure ende To heuen blis forto wende, EtemaUie there to be ! Seith Amen al, for charitie." The love part of the story is sufficiently romantic and exciting : there is first the sudden falling in love ; then the stolen interviews ; the discovery of the lovers by the Sowdon; the casting of Generides into a prison, and the distress of Clarionas ; the fear of his death in battle over and over again ; the lady's double abduction by Jewel ; PREFACE. XIX the pursuit and rescue of her by her lover ; the delayed marriage ; the report that each has married another, and all the woe involved in that; crowned at last by Generides's nearly dying at the news of his parents' death, — all this trouble before the joy and bliss of wedded life. With regard to the principal characters of the poem — Generides himself is a generous, simple-hearted, gallant fighting man, entirely devoted to his lady-love, willing to trust the promise of a traitor though he had deceived him twice before. He is endowed with the extra- ordinary power of swooning on the shortest notice that we have seen in the Graal knights, and is so tender-hearted that the news of his love's displeasure, or his parents' death, is nearly enough to kill him. His love, Clarionas, on the other hand, though described at first as a marvel of perfection,* turns out to be a somewhat hasty -tempered person, quick to believe injurious reports of her lover, able to call his messenger a liar, to scold him too right soundly, and ready to regret that she has lost his rival, Gwynan, when she finds that Generides wishes to postpone their marriage till he can make her a Queen. All these points are indications of love, no doubt; but they might well have been a little less sharp. Mirabel, Clarionas's friend and waiting-woman, is a much more estimable person than her young mistress. Always good and sensible, trusting the noble, suspecting the rascals, ready of wit, and quick in act, she is a worthy wife for Generides's trusted friend, Darel. Clarionas's father, the Sowdon, is a • " She was of beautie so feire and bright, In noo place, I you ensure, Was known so feire a creature, Hir bodie was ful gentil and small ; She was ful amj-ablc, and goodli withal, Defaute in hir might no man finde, She had al that nature might doo be kinde ; Therto she was courtes and free To euery man after his degre." — (p. 47, 11. 1502-10.) XX PREFACE. hot-tempered, violent, and changeable person (p. 170, 1. 5441), some- what of a sneak, more than half-inclined to give his daughter up, first to Bellyns's lust ^'in unclenness hir life to haunt" (1. 5444), and then to Gwynan as a wife, in order to save himself and his possessions from threatened invasions. He is not, however, an absolute despot. His knights hold him in check, and tell him plainly, "All may not be at youre will ; Thogh. ye wold put on him treason, Ye must doo that is reason, And juge him aftir the comon law, And not oonlie aftir youre own saw. The dome must goo by law and skill." — (p. 92, and see pp. 94-7.) Piers Plowman's wholesome doctrine that "Might of the Commons makes Kings reign,'' had borne good fruit. Aufreus, Generides's father, is worthy of respect, if we except his conjugal infidelity, for which he has, however, the excuse of Destiny, and his wife's previous faithless- ness, though that was unknown to him. The MS. is put by Sir Frederic Madden at about 1430-50, the date of so many of the MSS. of the " Canterbury Tales." It is a tall, double-columned folio, the first part of which contains "Lydgate's Troy Book," and the second, this "Sir Generides," from fol. 103 to fol. 152, back. All the initial letters of the chapters of the Generides are wanting, and most of the illustrations. The names of the hero and heroine are left blank in many places for the rubricator, who has not filled them in ; but a later hand has often made the attempt in black ink, generally spelling Generides GerenideSj and I have therefore paid no attention to such insertions. Where the names are written in red in the MS. they are printed in italic in the text; but the rubricated headings of the chapters, or illustrations, are printed in the ordinary type, and the italic names in the text-headings correspond to the black ink ones PREFACE. XXI in the rubricated headings of the MS. The italic letters occurring in common words mark the expansions of contractions. The MS. is an awkward one to print, on account of the number of strokes and tails about, and to, many of the words. Many of the tails occur after adverbs and infinitives, where in an earlier text they would have meant a final e; but as they occur in other places where they must mean nothing, and as the real marks of contraction are always in heavier lines and unmistakeable, I have disregarded the ordinary strokes and tails, treating them as mere flourishes of the scribe, except in the cases of A, /, m and w, about which there may be some doubt (though I have none myself), and which, as the lined letters existed in the ordinary founts of type, could be procured without difficulty. The lined h, t, in and ii are always printed as they are written, though in the in and n the line is often carried over the whole syllable or word of which the letter forms part. There are a few stops or metrical points in the MS. These are printed between brackets, thus (.) The metre of the poem is the ordinary four-accent one, normally consisting of four feet, each of an unaccented and accented syllable — Upon I a day | in s6m | er tyde, but admitting of the omission, of the doubling or trebling, of the un- accented syllable, as in the following instances: Line 221 "We ] ry and all | for | swett 1449 Sir I seid than | Nathan | adl 1450 Straun | ge con | tres X \ know wel 1851 His I desi ] re to | respite | 2323 Xf I tre met | e, walk | she wold 4049 Sey | hfm | with ] out les | 5295 As I for ni6 \ nov | I may | 1634 In this court | ther is | a gen | tilman 847 And said | ma | dame | mercy I XXU PREFACE. Line 206 Tho with | the goode la j die the king | gan goon | 1636 I offend | ed him nev | er in word | ne thoght 217 The king | set him doun, | the goode la | die him hy Of Rhyme the translator of this poem was certainly not a master; but he never lets spelling stand in his way. When destiny has to rhyme with high (hie), it appears as destiny gh ; therly is written therhigh (p. 218, 1. 7062); rank (or reng), when rhyming with strenght^ takes the form of renght ; and pleasure is turned into pleasire to cor- respond with desire in its fellow line (p. 33, 1. 1060): rebounded is docked of its ed (p. 181, 1. 5813) in order to rhyme with ground ; Soudon is turned into Soudoan to rhyme with Ottran (11. 9133-4) ; and for riuen in 1. 6001 we have reue ; while home (1. 855) answers to goone (1. 856). Of the Dialect of the verse, late as it is, I can say nothing certain. It is perhaps Midland, with a Northern mixture; though it may fairly pass, I think, as a specimen of the standard language, the Midland's child. There are Northern words and forms : til for to ; thertil for thereto ; aithre, either; naithir^ neither; ? algate (1. 2237); and sperc^ ask, enquire (1. 9119).* But these are met by the use of to^ therto^ nouthir. The imperfect participle in ing [f rushing^ 1. 3831; ambling ^ 1. 4031; tvaloping^ 1. 4744) is used as well as that in and (sechand^ 1. 1315; smyland^ 1. 9779; shaJcand^ walopand^ 11. 3641-2); and soft forms like wirchj^ work, occur beside wirk (1. 7048); wreche^ revenge (1. 1275), beside tvreke (1. 1296), awreke (1. 1272), wroke (1. 4634), wroken (1. 1256); -liche (11. 282, 290), beside -like (1. 1045) ; and we have both ilk and ych (1. 847), ax (1. 815), and assh^ ask, etc. Of verbal inflexions we * The gg for clg^ — egge^ edges (1. 6147) ; hgges, lodges (1. 6455) ; hrigge, bridge (1. 8160) , plegge, pledge (1. 6499) ; is not dialectal, I suppose. t Beteche, betake (1. 973); seche, seek (1. 1205); heseche (11. 336, 973), also occur, PREFACE. XXUl have a Northern plural s as well as a Midland n: ye me telles (1. 467) ; ye been* (are), 1. 927 ; louen, 3rd plur. (1. 1039); and th appears in the 2nd as well as the 3rd singular : hou Uketh thou (1. 3814) ; com/orth, comforts (1. 572) ; doothy does (1. 1638) ; and is used in the 2nd plural imperative : ffoothy go ye (1. 492); beth, be you (11. 1678, 1921); kept = kepeth^ keep ye (1. 620); but the usage is not consistent, as in — "com on and spareth not '' (p. 120, 11. 3803-4). Some infinitives are in n as well as without, as sayne^ say (1. 631); known, know (1. 923) ; sene (1. 140); seen, see (1. 928). Among the perfect tenses and participles that occur are the following : delt, p. dealt, line 9016 holp, p.p. helped, 369 fond, p. found, 378 ahold, p., 383 wold, p., 384 yatte, p. got, 443 drede, p. dreaded, 536 wet, p.p. wetted, 607 quake, p. quaked, 650 close, p. (? for closed), 687 1/olde, p.p. yielded, repaid, 947 hold, p.p. held, 948 know, p.p. known, 1226 wroken, p.p. wreaked, 1256 ferd, p. behaved, 1310 sigh, p. saw, 1325 wan, p. of win ; go, get, 1374 kest, p. cast, 1587 threst, p. thrust, 1588 iane, p.p. taken, 1620 bote, p. bit, 9656 smet, p. smote, 4613 stoong, p. stung, 5000 slaw, p.p. slain, 3180, 5009, 5206 floy, p. flew, 5934 shet, p. shot, rushed, 4598 sooke, p. sucked, 5994 pitt, p. put, 1947 blan, p. ceased, 2079 weshen, p. 3 pL, washed, 2334 washen, p.p., 611, 2339; wesh, 2372 wash, p., 30 ; washed, 2441 sprong, p. sprang, 2484 fligh, p. flcAV, 2670 cleue, p. clave, 2673 kest, p.p. cast, 2742 wex, p. waxed, grew, 2806 slough, p. slewed, 2861 droofe, p. drove, gushed, 2888 aetten, p. pi. sat, 3014 lough, p. laughed, 3253 meved, p. moved, 3282 quake, p. quaked, 3798 came, p. came, 3994 dalt, p. dealt, 4100 la/t, p. left, 8108 halpe, p. helped, 8550. thrast, p. thrust, burst, 8744 In the 3rd Pronoun, the plural thei alone occurs (11. 366, 422, etc.); but in the oblique cases, their (1. 524) occurs seldom, and them [theim, p. 6, 1. 133), I think, only once, here (11. 355, 423, 2044, etc.) and Mr (11. 422, 524) being the general possessives, and hem (1. 360) and him (11. 1691, 2034) the objectives. She is the feminine singular; and the possessive hers, which Mr. Merivale groundlessly questions in the *' Pas- ton Letters," occurs in 1. 4089, as, well as in Chaucer's *' Man of Lawes * We ar (1. 241) is used as well as ben Q.. 243). XXIV PREFACE. Tale," I moot le heres (1. 4647) Wycliffe's ''Isaiah" (ab. 1382 a.d.), and many earlier Northern and Midland texts, as in Eobert of Brunne's "Chronicle,'' a.d. 1330, ne non of Mrs, (Inner Temple MS., fol. 5, col. 1.) Who in the nominative is not used as a relative. In constructions we have the frequent one of the genitive : The Queries fadre of ynde (1. 3G94) for the Queen-of-Ynde's father ; the hinges ost of hinges (1. 3899) for the host of the king of hinges ; that, omitted in 11. 2944, 7498, hi him me boght ; on, in 1. 2962, etc. The text was copied very carefully from the MS. by Mr. W. A. Dalziel, and the copy read once, and the printed text twice, by myself, but the errors in the Corrigenda — besides others, no doubt — have nevertheless escaped notice. The Glossary is not exhaustive, and is slight, because in these late texts few words requiring elaborate treatment appear. The Index, also, does not pretend to completeness. My thanks are due to Mr. Tollemache for his kindness in allowing his unique MS. to remain so long in my possession. Would that some other possessors of MSS. little known to students would imitate his generous example, at least so far as to let the contents of their parchment-books be copied and given to the world. No chance .owner of a record of the mind and life of our old-English worthies has a right to turn Dog in the Manger, and do what he will with his own. A Chaucer relic, a Percy ballad; — the curse of all true men on him who misers these up in his own strong box, not for love of the writers, but for gratification of vanity and self. 3, Old Sqtjaee, Lincoln's Inn, \5th November, 1865. XXV EEMAINS OF THE OTHER VERSION OF SIR GENERIDES IN THE LIBRARY OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. Found in '-Miohaelis Menoti Sebmones quadbagesimalbs, Pabis, 1525," a volume FOBMEBLY IN THE POSSESSION OF EdMUND CaSTELL, THE GBEAT ObIENTAL SCHOLAB. [TJie words and letters in italics are supplied by guess, two of the three original leaves having been cut off at thf edges, and otherwise damaged^] I._GUSSAE'S FALSE TALE TO CLAKYONAS. (.See pp. 259, 260, II. 8371-8423, pM<.) Of a fortune whiche Aa« hefalle For in this case to you I do mayntayne Geneiydes is wedded in certayne It passeth not a fortenyght syth it* was To syr Amelokes doughter Lucydas [ 1 orig. m] This was his wyll in euery thynge The case was suche that he myght not saye nay His fader charged hym on his blyssynge That peas myght be appoynted for alway If ye trust not the wordes that I saye Here is a rynge whiche he sent you by me Ye gaue it hym in very certayn[t]e And forthermore he charged me To let you wete and suerly vnderstonde That ye may now stonde at your lyberte To wedde where that ye wyll in ony londe whan she herde that she myght no lenger stonde But downe she fell swounynge for grete doloure Myrable ran and toke her vp that houre Comfortynge her in all that euer she myght And whan she was recouered agayne To hym that brought the rynge she went ryght And in no wyse coude not her restrayne and smote the rynge out of his handes twaj'ne All sodaynly the rynge from hym was gone With that Myrable toke it vp anono And put the rynge in sure kepynge Than sayd Gussar vnto Claryonas [Two lines cut off.'] Gussar tells Cla- ryonas that Gene- rydes has wedded Amelok's daugh- ter, Lucydus, on his father's entreaty to make peace with Amelok, and has returned the ring Claryo- nas gare htm, saying that she is free to mairy any one else. Claryonas stfoons. recorers, and knocks the ring out of Gus- sar's hands. Myrable takes and keeps it. XXVI NEW INCIDENT. CLAIIYONAS THROWS AWAY GENERYDES S DOG. Claryonas also turns out Gene- rydes's gift dog, and Mjrable keeps that too. case ewery dele In alle wyse that ye kepe hym wele As for t he dogge quod she lo here it is I wil no lenger kepe it sykerly Ne not hynge elles that I may knowe was his Old the n she threwe the dogge hastely With tha t myrable caught it sodaynly Thou 8 halt no more quod she come in his waye Dame Im cydas shall neuer with the playe * [ » piayne in orig.] Gussar goes home. Claryonas mourns. For 1 10 yll kepe the at myn owne deuyse Whan G ussar sawe that there was none other way He toTce his leue anone in haste wyse And streyght d eparted on his Joumay Agey n to ynde as fast as he may Claryonas is to her chaumbre gone With sig hes depe and thoughtes many one Myrable suspects treachery. carefu 11 woman and fuU of perplexcyte Generi des alway remembrynge And jpla ynynge gretly his duplycyte But truly che he was giltles in no thynge And gentyl Myrable had alway demynge Of this mater to vnderstonde it wele That it was done by treason euery dele The Sowdan goes to comfort his daughter. Now wh an the Sowdan herde of this aray And ho w his doughtir toke such momynge Into Mr chaumber he toke the redy way As fad re wolde and as a gentyll kynge \Three lines cut ojf.~\ XXVI 1 II.— THE CLEARING UP OF THE MISCHIEF MADE BY SENERYDES AND GUSSAR WITH CLARYONAS'S RING. ' (Seep. 271, 1. 8791, top. 278, I. 8981, post.) But yf she here you this wote 1 wele and yet Darell wyll tell her 'fuerydele yet wyll she gyue no credence be ye sure But ye be there elles to no creature [>/fore] Generydes be^ Myrable and forthermore I praye you tell her so Me to mystruste truly she is vnkynde For one thynge shall I saye and true it is also Untrue to her she shall me neuer fynde and this I wyll remembre in my mynde Eche creature of nature hym delyteth That one good toume another quyteth. to assure Claryo- nas of his fidelity. with this worde Myrable began to smyle Her leue she toke and forthe she wente her waye Of syr Darell nowe let vs speke a whyle whiche hasted hym as fast as euer he maye And so ferforth he was on his Joumay That in the [lande] of perco arryued he And came to mountanar that fayre cyte Syr Darell jour* neys to Perce. Ha reaches Mountanar, Full streyght he wente to Claryonas And to her chaumber toke the way redy He knocked softly as the manor was Thau came a mayde and to hym sayde preuely Go fro this dore syr I pray you hertely My lady had no rest of all this nyght Nor slept not tyll nowe I you behyght goes to Claryo- nas's chamber, but is refused admission by the maid, Full fast he prayde but neuer the nerer he coude And whan he sawe it wolde none other be [^Three lines cut ojf.] XXVlll DARELL OBTAINS ACCESS TO CLARYONAS, AND but allowed en- trance by Claryo- nas. Then spake Claxyonas to hir mayde Go open nowe tlie chaumber dore she sayde Darell kneels to Claryonas, tells Generydes's distress, Whan he came in he kneled on his kne and thus he sayde vnto Claryonas Fro ynde I come now as faste as I can te Generydes commaundeth him to your grace as for my comynge this is the case Of you he hath ben drenched passynge sore Which dayly and nyghtly is more and more and explains all to her. She will not be- lieve him, and says Gene- rydes has wedded Lucydas. Than tolde he her the mater how it was She herde hym speke all his entent to fele Ye speke false wordes nowe quod Claryonas And all ye say is lesynges euery dele Suppose ye not I vnderstonde it well Generydes this is the mater playne To liucydas is wedded for certayne Darell reminds her of Generydes's con- stancy, To her it is the erande sholde be do And not to me for I haue done withall Now good madame quod he why say ye so My message is to you in especyall Now please it you to youre mynde to call Howe good how true he was to you alway And yet he is the same I dare well say and says that he (Darell) loves Lucydas, Of Lucydas quod he ye may be sure For in very trouthe without faynynge I loue her best of any creature She sente to me no malys supposynge [_Three lines cut off.'} EXPLAINS TO HER SENERYDES S MISCHIEF-DOING WITH THE RING. XXIX The rynge she sayde wolde make hyr fayn And for that cause I sente it to lucydas Nowe wote I well it was but for a trayn Senerydes it had this is the case That false gussar the messengere was Fro you and fro Generydes also To make a varyaunce bytwene you two and got her Ge- nerydes's ring with which Sene- rydes and Gussar have made all the mischief. This is quod he trouthe that I haue sayde And put me to what othe that euer ye liste In her concejrte than was the well apayde To you quod she nowe haue I no myatriste Truly madame quod he if I had wyste That ye mysdeme me sholde in ony rage I had nat taken on me this viage Claryonas is ap- peased, with that she made hym very frendly chere And whan the ^owdan wyste of his comynge To her he wente some tydynges to here and gaue hym anone his welcomynge what tydynges quod he do ye now hrynge For certayne syr suche as they be To you I wyll declare the certente and makes Mends with Darell. The Sowdanwel- comes him. The syege is layde to parentyne quod he a great deale nere than it was before The gates are all shytte of that cyte fmd of vytayle they haue but easy store Nor none may haue I say you forthermore So streyght them kepeth auferyus the kynge That out they may not for no maner thynge [Two lines of the next Stanza cut off."] and hears of Au- feryus's besieg- ing Parentyne very closely. XXX THE SOWDAN WANTS GENERYDES S HELP AGAINST GWYNAN. The Sowdan says he He hath hesege d them in suche a wyse That none ne can e scape I vnderstonde Till Amelok yeld yeth vp to hie lionde The Sowdan h erde him well & thus he sayde Now of Generyde s I am well apayde ■wants Generydes as Gwynan is ra- vaering his lands. Darell promises to tell Generydes, God wot I wol de that he were here with me For, tell him, Darell in ony wyse Gwynan the hy nge is nowe in this countre And unto me he doth great dyspyse Trulyche haue I great nede of his seruyse I go to Tnde as fast as I may gone Biht well, Sir King, y our erande shall be done and rcturas to Sur Darell tohe his leue & goth his wskj Ynde. Certes he wasfo unde euer gode and trewe Myrdble Perce warde gothe on hir Joumay He meets My- And on their way they m ette to gyder a newe rable, and each tells the And told to eche sucho tydynges as they knewe other news. With neither was no longer abydynge But both forth r ode with out more taryenge Amelok sallies out of Vyce. Sir AmeloTc out of the towne of vyce His Jcnightes d h is people forthe he sente For they had told hym in credeble wyse Generydes did lie seke in his tente Therefor he wyn nes to hym verament He sone was soio nde in theyr opynyowne They saw him jprikhy nge out before the towne Generydes slays Anamyell. Anone Gen erydes slewe anamyell [Owe line cut o^.] COERIGENDA. Page 1, line 15, /or "stong" read "strong." 7, ,, 178, for "begooh" read "begoon." 51, ,, 1642, insert [Clarionas] at the end of the line. 53, ,. 1701, /or "wrote" read "wote." 64, „ 2054, "thoo" perhaps belongs to the sentence following. 109, ,, 3508, "banerer" is probably for "baner" {see 1. 3515). 128, „ 4082, "ost" is probably omitted after "Soudanes." 143, „ 4571,/or "She" read "The." 186, „ 5999, /or "euercome" read "overcome." 192, „ 6200, /or "scretes" read "secretes." 245, „ 7922-3, put a comma after "stede," instead of after "kepe" POSTSCEIPT. 19/^ February, 1866. Mr. W. Aldis Wright has just sent up the following fragments of the printed version of Sir GenerideSy •which he has found among Sir John Fenn's papers, now in the possession of Philip Erere, Esq., of Dungate. They have suffered mutilation, in the same manner as the Trinity fragments, from having been used in the hinding of a hook. The corresponding passages of the Helmingham text are referred to in the headings. The parts in italics are supplied — by guess, was already printed, but with gladness I substitute for it — from the MS. whose re-discovery is announced below, and which •will, I hope, be printed by the Early English Text Society next year. Tbin. Coll., Monday, 26 Feb., 1866. Mt dear Furnivall, — I have only time to say that I have found the whole ballad of GmerideSj in the seven-line stanza, in a magnificent MS. of " Lidgate's Poems," in our library. I enclose those parts which help to piece out the imperfect printed fragment. — Yours ever, W. ALDIS WEIGHT. I. — ABEL AT THE SOUDON'S COUNCIL; AND THE ARE AY OF THE SOUDON'S HOST AGAINST THE KING OF KINGS. {See pp. 109-112, II. 3508-3587.) And in the formest batayll for to be He and liis ayres they clayme this dewfi'e And also to be constable of his boost And the forwarde to haue in gouemaun«e For to tiirky it longeth of ryght moost Besechynge you with humble obseruaunce Of your lordshyp ye lyst me so auaunce Tliat I may here without enuy or blame The formest baner in my faders name XXXiv* POSTSCRIPT. Anone withall the Sowdan gaue answere All your desyre I graunt for it is ryglit The kynge hym thanked in curteys manere Than to theyr tentes soone gan they them dyght And dressed all theyr hamays otter nyghf That they myght on the morowe without doivte Unto the kynge of kynges to gyue a stroufe Whan it was daye forwarde they gan dresse In bryght hamays these knyghtes eueryc^one With dyuers lordes more and lesse Of erles and barons many one Theyr helmes garnysshed so that they shone With grete perles and dyamondes of pryce Theyr coursers trapped on the best wyse In the cyte thrughe euery strete There was grete noyse of people all about To dresse them forth theyr enemyes to mete And soone vpon without ony doubte Forth of the cyte the Sowdan passed out And rode streyght vnto his tente With his lordes aboute hym wente. G.i. And whanne the y were all redy to go And all assem bled in company Thre shore thousande they brought without mo Thanne were o rdeyned the wardes by and by Theformest warde to guyde truly The king of turky had in gouernaunce Be very rig ht of his enherytaunce Thre thousa nde knyghtes in his ledynge Beside arch ers and fotemen that were there And as his graunte was at the begynnynge His son sir Abell dyde the baner here The second e warde to sertefye you here Was putte nto the kynge of araby \_Sir Sircii] s with thre thousande in theyr company POSTSCRIPT. XXXV' The third batayll therin was anazere And iciih h ym [was] Generydes also And all th e newe made knyghtes that there were And fifteen e hondred men withouten mo 0/ chosen men what euer they sholde do All vndern eth the reule more and les Of Anazere and of Generydes The Prin ce of cesar called Cherydone He was th e foiirth and in another warde Hisfelow shyp well besene echone A thousa nde knyghtes waytynge on his garde Thanne ca me tlio kynge of cesyle afterwarde Tlire tho usande knyghtes in his company With are hers and fotemen ryght hardely Next a fter came the kynge of nycomcde Five th ousande knyghtes wonder to beholde n.— ANOTHER FRAGMENT OF THE SAME. {This line follow* the latt above.) Full vgly shapcn in length and brede (recto) {p. 113, 1. 3633.) In that late 11 Darell bare the banere (verso) (j). 124, II. 3924-33.) And as they rode spekynge by the way (recto) Sygrym was ware where in a valay (j>. 125, tt. 3976-82.) Quod Amelok thou hast ynough to daye (verso) Beche me my shelde agayne and go thy waye Copied 18th Feb. 1866, W. A. W, XXX^d* POSTRCRIPT. MS. TEIN. COLL., CAMBRIDGE.— 0. 5. 2.— CATALOGUED AS -LIDGATE'S POEMS." (Large fol. 17j x 12. 37 folios — originally 3S — one having been cut out ; 2 col. on a page, and an average of 45 lines in a col.) And wlianne that they were redy to go And all assemelid in a companye iij skore thowsand they were withoute moo Thanne were ordeyned the wardes by and by The formest warde all redy for to gye The kyng of Turkey had in gouernaunce Be very right of his enheritaunce. Thre thowsand knyghtes att his deniening Be side archei's and foote men that were j>er And as his graunt was atte begynneng his Sonne sir Abell he was baneer The seconde ward to certifie you here "Was putte on to the kyng of Araby ij thowsaund knyghtez in his companye The iij * ward ther in was sir Anasore And with hym was Genciydcs also And all the new made knyghtez they were jore And XV hundred men withoute moo Of chosen men what euer they shuld do All vnder nethe bothe the rule of more and lesse Of Anasore and Generydes The prince of Ccsare callid cherydone he was the iiij'^ all in A no ther ward his felisshepe wele be sene echon A thowsand knyght wayteng on his gard Tlianne came the kyng of Cesell afterward iij thowsand knyghtez in his companye With archers and foote men by and by Next after hj'm came the kyng of Nycomede V thowsand knyghtes wonder to behold Full begely shapen bothe in length and brede THE CONTENTS OF THIS BOOK, HEEE begynneth a royat historie of the excellent knight Generides^ king Aufreus son, king of Ynde, that he gate on a faire ladie called Sereyne^ doghtre and heire vnto the king of Suitc, as he went on huntyng in a forest, and was conveid vnto hir by an hert which his houndes rail to, which was ordeined him by fate and destynye : like as oon of the seven sages called Catoii declared vnto hire the cause whi. which seid child conquered after many Eegions bi his grete noblesse, And was a famous Prince, and A goode cristen man, and a charitable to at! manor of people, and was maried unto Clarionas^ the Sowdanes doghtre, and heire of Perse. Aftir whos decesse he was king of Perse by hir^, And converted the countre to the cristeii lawe : And after sleugh Amalek the fals steward which hadd put oute his fadre Aufreus king of Ynde from his countre. and toke his queue from him, the which was called Syrenydes, doghtre and heire vnto the king of Affrik, and held hir, and kept hir from the king Aufreyus by stong hond, by hir own free wilt and vntrew agrement, which aftii'ward died in grete miserie and mischefe, and for sorow, whan the fals steward was sleyn, and toke him in hir armes, and so she died w/t/i him for verray shame of hir vntrouth ayeinst hir husbond. And hou king Aufreus, whan he was put out of [Ynde] by his fals steward, went in to the lend of Tarce, and ther was chosen steward of the lend : And after the king of Tharse decesed, and then was Aufreus chosen king of the loud by thassent of alt the lordes and comouns thurgh his goodelie and worshipfult demeanyng. And hou bi fortune the Queue Sereyne^ Queue of Surre, the moder of GeneriJes, was aspied in Tharse by the whasshing oute of the teeres of Aufreus shirt, which she wept vpon it whan she lay vriih Aufreus the same night that Genendes was ygoten betweii hem twoo in the forest, which teres wold ncucr out of the shirte : But with hir whashing, or elles that she had died. And how that Aufreus than wedded hir. and was tho crowned Queue of Tharse, As ye may here in this boke see itt more pleinlie declared here aftir. THE PROLOGUE. Introduction. A man mth little to do may soon find work : may tell of some old deed of doughty men, Guy, Tristram, Bevis, PerceTal, Gawe}Ti, and Oweyn. So I will tell you a tale, (written in Latin at Hertford) if you will listen awhile, A man that hath litel to doone, Werk he may make him soone ; 'Ne thar him nat be idel long 4 That any werk wit vnd^rfong, — N^either lewd man ne clerk, — That he ne may find him werk, Forto sing, or forto rede, 8 Or for to speke of sum old dede That here before hath be wroght, Which vnto this day be on thoght. Of doughtie men that sum tyme were, 12 How noble that thei hem here, — Guy of Warwik, and Tris train also, Bevis of Hampton, and othir moo, Percyuale, and curteys Gaweyii, 16 And othir knightes as Sir Oweyii, — I ne may reken heiii all That worship hafi goote in boure and hail. And, for here ladies sake, to and froo 20 Sufired grete sorow and woo ; And at the last, to here purpos, Thei gate worship and grete los. JiJ'ow of a geste that was sum tyme, 24 That was radde in frensh ryme : A clerk itt in to latyn tooke Att hertford out of a booke, There in latin was it wretin, 28 As clerkes wele knowen and weteii ; ISTow if ye wil listen a stound. Like as I haue this tale I-found, I shal you tell in my manor, 32 Yf it pleas you forto here. [Fol. 103*, col. 1.] Chap. T.] HOW THIS TALE IS OF KING AUFREUS. W 'Orshipful sirres, A tale I finde, That som tyme was a king in ynde, A feir man, gentil and wise, 36 Of noblesse he bare the prise, Loued he was, curtes and free. About him he held a feire meynee ; To god he bare him trew and mylde, 40 To mysdoers stern and wild : Aufreyus, the knight hight, Wedded he had a ladie bright, The kinges doughtre of Affrike, 44 Few of beutie were hir like ; Sirenydes, that ladie hight, Boril of noble bloode a-right, Curteys she was, and compenable, 48 But of hert not verray stable ; — And treulie that was grete pitie, Or elles a goode ladie was she, Saue that she was som dele fell, 62 And that was pitie, sothlie to tett. For to lufe she ne rought In othre wise than she ought, Yit such wifes han often shame [Foi.io36,coi.2.] 56 That doon hir husbondes dishonowr of name ; For many a goode man, — god it wot, — Bereth that name, and knoweth not, And durst swere for his wife 60 That she ne wold, for hir life. While he liueth an othir take But him that is hir chosen make. This noble ladie, this royall quene, 64 In hir there was no lak, I wene. But that she was sum- what to glad Of hir bodie to be so badd. of a King in Ynde, Aufreiis by name, who wedded the lovely lady Sirenydes. Not stable of heart was she. but loved where she ought not ; and such come oft to shame. OF THE TRAITOR STEWARD SIR AMALEK. [ClIAP. I. For Aufreus had a steward, rich and proud, and him, Sir Araalek, the Queen loved best, and did the king dislionour, he not suspecting it. Now in spring Au&eus goes hunting, The king, hir lord, had a Steward, 68 A bold knight, and noo coward, Eiche he was of lond and fee, A prouder man might nowhere be ; Born he was of noble kinde, 72 Of the grettest of all ynde ; Of all the lond he had his will, Ther durst noman, loude nor still, Him disobey, in wrathe nor tene, 76 For drede of displesaunce of the Queue : She loued him best, I you ensure. Of any othre living creature. If ye will know his name a-right, 80 Sir Amalek hight that knight. The queue and he a long while Did the king treason and gyle. The Steward durst no man discure, 84 So fals he was of coniecture, For all the lond was in his might. Him durst discure no maner wight ; All thei held hem in pes. 88 The king him self was recheles, And had no maner suspecioii To hem of their fals treason. It was in may, whan the leues sprong, 92 And smale foules merilie song. The king was som dele hert hevy. And he ne wist wherfor ne why. Ynto the forest he wold wende, 96 If god wold him gam send That light might his hert make. Som of his men he did wetA him take ; But thre or foure, and no moo. 100 In to [the] forest went he thoo ; Chap. I.] HOW AUFREUS HUNTS A HART. Eight as he was comen there, Anoon he p^rceyved where A grete hert passed him befom : ] 04 He vncoupled his houndes, and blew his horn,— and after a great hart through strange paths, Al the forest dynned of that blast — foUows With horn and crie he folowed fast ; No mo than foure houndes he had, 108 Al were goode, and noon bad. The king of hunting couth ynogh, Alwey nigh his houndes he drogh ; His stede was bothe swift and strong, 112 And vndre him lightlie he sprong. Ful straunge pathes yede the hert, For of foote he was ful smert ; Of him the king lost oft the sight, [Foi.io4,coi.i.] 116 But neuer-the-les, as soone as he might, He folowed alwey the houndes sown. And prikked aftre him vp and down. His squyers that were wz'ty^ him come, 120 With werynes were vndre-nome; And here horses that thei on ride, Were so werie that thei abide. The king to folow thei ne might, 124 Of him thei had lost the sight; On his gam was all his thoght, That of his meny he ne roght ; A ferre wey they wore in sondre. 128 Listeneth now a grete wondre : The king to his hunting so did entend Til he' sone gan low discend; The houndes were werie, no leng^r thei might The hounds 132 Een aftre the hert, but lost the sight, lose the h«rt, onitted^fore^'!!rst^ST;^4f ' "'"^"'^ ^ ^'^ ""''''' '- '''' ^"* I take it to be .A. sun,-t being till his squires and their horses are dead beat. Then happens a great wonder. 6 HOW AUFREUS LOSES HIS WAY IN A FOREST, [Chap. I. He wonders, In a valey from theim he fled ; And wlian thei had no better sped, andcomemourning On here maner thei gan to morn, to the king. 1 36 And to the king thei did retorii ; Here heides thei heng vnto the ground, And careful chere thei made that stound As thei sore beteii had I-bene. 140 Whan the king al that did sene, With such semblaunce wondre he can, That of the hert he bethoght him than. And seid " god ! hou is he gooii ? 144 Of my self reide can I noon, Sith I haue this hert lorn And my goode men forborii, Fast it draweth to the night, 148 And I can not the wey a-right Oute to gete of this forest, Kouthir est, south, ne west. In this forest I know no wey, 162 That I ne wote what I doo may ; But what therof so euer betide, Furth witt I streight ride And wit what my houndes han found 156 And whi thei morn so this stound." The king no longer there abode, But streite forth the way he rode, The same way the hert nam, 160 Til he in to a launde cam ; His houndes the wey with him toke. At last about him he gan loke ; On his right bond fast by, Heseesafairpiace. 164 A fairo pkco there he sigH ; Than gan he glade somedele, And praid to god of goode hosteft. and resolves to ride and see what his hoimds have found. [Fol. 104, col, 2.] Chap. 1.] AND COMES TO A GLORIOUS CASTLE. He went streight to that place ; 168 And whan he thider comen was, A paire of gates he saw there stound — Such ben now ful few in lond ; — Of every thei were made, 172 Graven ^iih gold that might nat fade, Of trewloue werk wi'oght ful wele ; The nailes hedes were eueridele With chareboncle stones set ouer atl 176 That shoone as clere as doth cristall ; And all the leges euerichoon With gold and asure were begooli. The picture and the purtrayng, 180 It liked wele vnto the king, And the briglitnes of the stoones That light gave for the noones ; As this was vpon the night, 184 lie wondi-ed raoch vpon that sight. And so grete delite therof him tlioght To loke theron, that he ne roght Of mete, of drink, ne of hostett, 188 The gates liked him so wele ; So feire him thoght that thei were, Al night he wold haue dwelled there Forto behold it at his wilt. 192 And as he houed there stitt, From within ther cometh a-Ryght A goodelie ladie in tires bright, Semelie of person, amyable to see : 196 The shottes of the gates opened she. And sett open the gates wide That the king in might ride. Humble on knees w^t/^ loulie obedience 200 She resceyued the king vfiih grete reuerence, with ivory gates, and airbiincle- headed nails, that shone like crystal. He gazes wonder- ingly at it, till a lady comes out, sets open the gates, 8 AUFKEUS IS WELCOMED IN THE CASTLE, BUT THE HART COMES IN. [Chaf. I. welcomes the king, and takes liim into the hall. He f^its down be- side the lady, and soon a hart comes in, weary and sweat- ing. Tlie king is all dis- mayed, for it is the hart that he has hunted. The ladv smiles, And welcomed him w/tA hert entier ; And he, as gentilnes wold requyer, Did hir obeisaunce, and in he yede. 204 Ther come a made, and toke his stede, And into the stable him led anooii. Tho with the goode ladie the king gaii goon Into an hal right wele beseen ; 208 But few people can he seeii Save an old man cam him ageyil, A goodeli man he was certeyn, And an othir maden yeng, — 212 Thei made grete ioye of his comyng, — The goode ladies serwaunt was she ; And elles he saw no moo meigney. The king was led to the high des 216 To rest him there in goode pees; The king set him doiin, the goode ladie him by, And talked to-gedre ful plesauntlie ; And as thei were in here talking, 220 Thurgh the halt an hert com rennyng, Wery and all forswetf As he had be hunted or to-bett : Eight wele on the hert was seen 224 With houndes he had hunted been. The king held him self al dismaied ; That he cam there he was yuel paied : Of that hert he was agast 228 To haue be chalenged or holden fast ; For well he wist that it was soo He had alday hunted him thoo. The ladie was full wele avised, 232 The kinges chere she wele devised, Saw him abasshed, & with laghing chere She said to him on this manere, [Fol. 1046, col. 1.] CUAP. I.] THE LADY COMFORTS AUFREL'S, AND THEY SUP TOGETHER. for he is come as a king to his owii ; they are his giior,ts, aud he must cheer id them up. " Loke ye fall not in noo thoght, and teiis him not _o _, -- , to be anxious, 236 For all day game naue ye soght ; And aftre trauaile, were nede of reste. Be glad, Sir, here ar ye noo geste, For ye are comen to youre owii ; 240 We shul you chere in that we mowii, For we ar glad of youre comyng, Ye ar both our lord and king ; "We ben vndre youre powers, 244 And this belding we made here Is for you (:) and youre gestes we be ; Make ye vs glad, for charitie, "With goode chere and Vfiih goode witl ; 248 For oght long ye shall know the skitt "Whi ye be come into this place ; For youre goode, by goddes grace, And not for youre yuett, by noo way, 252 Therfor be glad, sir, I you pray ; Of mete aud drink, sir, and of pleyng, Think, Sir, and on noon othre thing." Hir goodlie semblaunce, hir loving speche, 256 "Was the kinges hertes speche^ : * [? for lecla, physician, curer.] Boord and cloth was leid a-noon, To their soper gaii thei gooii. The king and this ladie in fere 260 Sat to-gedre at sopere, And the old man a little hem froo ; No moo meigne was ther thoo But this othre maiden yenge 264 That serued hem of all thing, Of brede and wyne and al deyntie, Of mete and drink right grete ple^Titie. The maiden was reedie of seruice, 268 Here mete was dight in the best wise ; Aufreus and the lady go to supper, served by a young maiden. 10 OF AUFREUS'S BED AND THE WONDROUS CHAMELEON PILLOW. [Chap. I. There was plentie, dout ye noght, Of all deyntes that coude be thoght. By than the king had dronken and eten, S^ca^ ^"'^''" 272 All cares were forgetyn ; The cloth draw, the herd leid to ground, And vp thei risen in a stound. Then ha goes off And to his chaumbro she did hym bring 276 Most plesauntlie to his liking, [Foi.io4i,coi.2.] Nooble dight with fresh pictoures — Portreyd aboute with diners coloures, — Of foule, of beste, and all thing 280 That he couth remembre to his thinking : to the fairest of go feire a chaumbre and so riche, chamDers ' Saw he neuer noon it liche. In that chaumbre was a bedd 284 With rich clothes ouer all spred, Panes of gold, coueringes of silk, Shetes of lawn, white as mylk ; The coueringes wer rich and wele I-wroght ; 288 In any lond, if men had soght, and richest of beds, No shuld thci fiude nOOU SO rich, Nor of beuatie noon hem lich. with a pillow At the hcid a pilow ther lay, 292 Made ful meruellous and gay: In noo lond marchaunt ther nys That devise it couth I-wys. An hundreth sith in day and night that is always 296 Chauugc it wil his colour bright ; changing colour, ^ o 7 Oft it was white, and oft grene, Oft reid, and oft blew, I wene. To all coloures it would chaunge ; 300 That was to the king ful straun[ge]. Perceyue neuer couth noo wight Hou it was wove or it was dight ; Chap. I.] OF THE FOUR STONES AT THE CORNERS OF THE PILLOW. 11 Hool it was without seme, 304 It shoone as dooth the son beme ; In euery comer ther was prest A rich stoon of vertue fest ; A wel faire Saphire therin was ooil ; 308 So felouil a sore was neuer noon, Outhre Vfiih touching or with sight, Hele it wold a-nooii right. An Emeraude that othir hight, 312 Sore eyen hele it might; Whoo had such oon wer at ese. The third stooii was a Turkese ; "What man that bereth on him that stoon, 316 Pouertie thar him drede nooii. The fourt stoon was a Jasper, The best stoon far or nere Forto staunch mannes bloode, 320 "Were he wounded neuer so woode. On the pilow at foure comers Were sett thes stoones in sondry manors ; Yndre whos heid it lay a stound, 324 "With what sekenes he wer bound, As long as it vndre him lay, Shuld noon yuell doo him betray. The king saw all this sight, 328 Hou richelie that the bed was dight, And saw also the ladie swete ; He begaii right wele to lete ; [Foi.io5,coi. 1.] The ladie saw his countenaMnce 332 And shewed him signes of grete plesaunce ; On the beddes fete thei hem sett ; Ne wold she noo lenger lett That she thoght to vtter in speche : 336 *'Nov, Sir," she said, *'I you beseche, \nthout seam, and jewelled in every comer. 1. a Sapphire; 2. an Emerald ; 3. a Turquoise ; 4. a Jasper. And no harm could befall a man while he lay on this pillow. The lady sits down by Aufreus at the foot of the bed, and tells him her storj', 12 THE LADY OF THE CASTLE TELLS AUFREUS HER STORY, [Chap. I. and what must happen to him and her. " The old man with me was one of the Seven Sages, Take it nov to no displesaunce Thogh that I tell you oure chaunce That most fall to you and me, 340 Which ordeined is thurgh destynie. Swete lordj take it nat in yuell Of that I shal say you vntitt, 'Ne hold me nat the more vnwise, 344 Ne haue me nat les in price. And, Sir, more wold I, if I wist, Tell you(:) for certein, ye me trist, I ne wot for what skill, 348 But I trow it is goddes will. Sir, If it youre will be. This old man that is here with me Was oon of the vii sages of Eome : 352 I shall tell you hov he hiddir come. For sothe he. Sir, and his ferus, In all Eome had noo perus, With here wisdom and here connyng 356 All that land was in hir ledyng. Tilt that an Emp -i i t banners on it, 2056 He did display his brode baners ; Chap. V.] AUFREUS, WHILE HUNTING, IS TOLD OF AMALEK S TREASON. 65 [Foi.ii36,coi.i.] The gates of the Citie in haste He did hem shet strong and fast, And sone aftre without tariyng 2060 He did him self crovn king. The centre, for drede of the Quene, Thei durst not ther ageyns bene, The lend therof despite had, 2064 And grete spech therof was made, And al the gretest of that lend Because of mede were at his hond Ageyns here lord Aufreus the king ; 2068 The pouer wer sory of that dooyng. The king of this was nothing war, For in the forest he hunted far For to chace the wilde dere, 2072 He loued wel hem to stere ; He knew nothing of this treasoun The steward had doon in the toun. Ther come a forster at the last 2076 Eiding on an hors ful fast ; He soght the king al that he coude, Blowing aftre him ful loude. Til he him found he neuer blan, 2080 For him he was a sory mail, He coude in noo wise lengor for-bere. But told the king in his ere, '' Thes iij barouns that with you ride, 2084 I pray god, evel mot they betide, For by hem falslie betrayed ar ye ; For both youre castel and Citie Thurgh here assent ar y-take, 2088 As goode semblaunt as they you make For to hide here fals tresoii, Thei ride with you vp and dovn.'' and crowns himself king. All the great of the land aie on Ama- lek's side, though the poor are sorry to lose Aufreus, who is hunting and knows nothing of the treason. At last a forester finds him, and tells him that the three barons with him are traitors. and that bis castle and city are lost. 66 AUFREUS KILLS THE THREE TRAITOR- BARONS RIDING WITH HIM [Chaf. Aufreus is full of wrath, and reproaches the three barons with him for their treachery. They tell him that they are not afraid of him. He splits one of them to the breast- bone; the others flee, but he overtakes one. cleaves his head to the breast, and then slays the third. "Ay, lefe frende,'' seid the king thoo, 2092 " Hath my steward serued me soo ?" "Yea, sir, and thurgh the quenes reid I drede that ye shul be deid.'' The king was so ful of ire, 2096 He quoke, his hert was so on fire ; Thoo he cleped his barouns, And seid, " ye traitowrs and fals larouns, Of my castel and my Citie 2100 [Ye have bireved me,] And hem deliuered to my dedli foo, And faslie betrayed me therfroo." Thes barons wer proude of hert 2104 And answerd the king ful ouertwert. And proudlie seid vnto the king " Thi grete manace we drede no thing ; Wherto makest thou the so wrooth ? 2108 Take the world nov as it gooth. For of vs getest thou noo right. We drede the not, by god almight." The king was so egre of moode, 2112 Oon of hem he smote so on the hoode, Thurgh hed and face the swerd can goo[ne] [Foi.ii3i,coi.2] Til it cam to the brest boone So that he fel deid from his palfray, 21 16 And streight to an othir he toke the way. Toward the Citie fast thei yede, Thei durst not turn ageyii for drede ; "Wei soone he gan oon ouertake, 2120 His swerd in such wise did he shake, His heid he clone dovn to the breste. He had noo leyser to ax a preste. The third he ouertoke also, 2124 And gave him such woundes twoo Chap. V.] AUFREUS's SQUIRES DECLARE THEY WILL SHARE HIS FORTUNES. 67 That sterk deid dovn he fell From his hors, trewlie to tett. Loo what falsnes may availe ! 2128 Thus he hem quyt for here travaile, And seid, " traitoures, to hel mot ye wende, With Satan to dwel withouten ende." Whan the king was thus a-wreke, 2132 To him self he gaii to speke, "Alias,'' he seid, "what is me best?" He turned ageyn into the forest Pitouslie making his moone ; 2136 And as he rode moumyng aloone, Ageyns him come his squyers Which herd thes tithinges by the forsters ; In their hertes thei liked yll, 2140 For these tithinges they momed stitt ; To the king thei spake soone, "Sir," thei seid, "what shal we doone ?'' " Sirres, I norished you and forth broght, 2144 And nov am I come to noght, I may nat kepe you with mee To mayntene you like youre degree, New lordeship seke ye mote, 2148 For I am broght vndre foote. What it is such tmtoures to avaunce, I hope to see hem haue mischaunce ; I not whedir I may draw 2152 To kepe me that I be nat slaw.'* The squiers thoo wept for pitie, And seid, " Sir, if youre wil be, Certes from you wil we not wende : 2156 Such fortune as god wil vs sende, Be it evel aithir goode, We wolle assay it by the roode : After which, Au- freus turns back to the forest, meet« his squires, and advises them to seek service else- where. They declare they will not leave him, but share his fortune, weal or woe. 68 AUFREUS GOES TO THARSE, AND IS MADE STEWARD OF IT. [Chap. V. So he leads them to Tharse, whose king was childless. The king gladly employs Aufrej-us and his squires, makes him steward of all Tharse, gives him a rich earldom, What penaunce ye suffre, outhir woo, 2160 Such part we wil take also." Whan he saw here goode witi That thei wold abide y^ith him stitt, Careful he was for hem twey ; 2164 To Tharse lond he toke the wey, Here king was aged, and that was routfi, Ouer al thing he loued trouth ; He was a man of chast lyve, 2168 He had nouthir childe ne wife. Whan Aufreyus into Tharse came, Into the kinges courte he name, To serue than he had nede, 2172 Therto wold he fayne him spede ; Welcome he was to the king then, And so he was to al men ; Al thogh he were at mischief, 2176 His seruice to the king was lef ; Grete wages and fees he yave him thoo. And squyers that cam vfith him alsoo ; And what he was, no man wist, 2180 To tel any he had noo list. Grete worship he gate in that lond, Ther was noon like him, I vndrestond ; The king him loued, and the baronage, 2184 That was to him grete avauntage ; For steward he was of al that lond Ynder the king of Tharse, I vndrestond. And was chosen bi the barons assent 2188 Eight even in the pleyn parlement. The king him gafe a rich erle-dam Which to him of Eshete late cam, Forto encrese with his fee ; 2192 A grete lord he waxed in that centre ; [Fol. 114, col.l.] GuAP. v.] AUFREUS GOVERNS THARSE AS HE LIKES. 69 Bi his consel the lond was lad, Al folkes him loued and drad ; The lond he governed at his witt, 2196 Ther was noon wit^seid, loud nor stilt. ;N'ov wol I speke of Surry the Queue That oones lay wetA Aufreus, I wene. and all the lands he governs at will. But now I will speak of Queen Sereyne. 70 SEREYNE IS TROUBLED ABOUT AUFREUs's BETRAYAL. [Chap, VI. CHAPTER VI. [Of Queen Sereyne, and her adventures in search of Aufreus and Generides.] As I haue told you beforn, t 2200 ^Ol Generides of hir was born ; Queen ciarionas Qf moch folk she herd tithinar hears of Aufreyus s ^ ^ betrayal, Hov hir lord Aufreyus the king Thurgh his Queue betraed was ; 2204 She was ful sory for that case, Sith Aufreyus was to sorow broght, and is anxious For Gcnerides was al hir thosjht, about her son , Generides. For of UOO Wight WCtO COVdc she 2208 Wher he was, in noo contre. A Steward she had, a goode knight That was a man of much might. He had wedded hir nigh kynrede, 2212 He was the more trew to hir in dede ; Priuelie betwix hem twey She tells one of her Al the SOth shc ffau him SOV kniffhts all about ^ ° ^ •' the birth of Gene- Of king Aufrcyus in that case, 2216 And how Generides on hir begoten was, At what tyme and the maner How he was begoten, whan & wher, Thurgh the wise man seyng 2220 That she neuer fond w^'t^ lesing : ^' Ma dame, youre counsel shal I kepe soo Therof weten shal noo moo." C BAP. VI.] 8EREYNE STARTS TO SEEK FOR AUFREUS AND GENERIDES. 71 [Foi. iH, col. 2.] " Nov, Sirr,'' she seid, "it is my "wiH: 2224 Mi lond ye take you vntiti: Forto haue in youre keping ; For trewlie, sir, wtthout lesing, Day nor night shal I not spare 2228 Til that I may finde whare To know the soth of Aufreyus the king, And of my sone here som tithing. Ne be thei neuer in so fer lond, 2232 Of hem to here I shal fond ; And if I neuer come ageyn. Of Surre I make you heire certeyn." " Ma dame, it is hettir thus," seid he, 2236 " And bettro bestowed on you trewlie ; Ajid sith that ye wil algate wende, I pro my s you that to my lines ende Trew to you shal I be 2240 Til god wil that I you eft see." Thoo the steward that was so trew Toke the chartre ensealed new, And kept the lond as she him bad ; 2244 Therof was he nothing glad. And lightlie she did hir redie make. And hir squiers, forto take But with hir a few meigne, 2248 "VYende she wold by lond and see ; She toke with hir but oon knight "Which was a wise man & a wight, And twoo squiers with hir to goo, 2252 In Surre wer born both twoo ; And twoo gromes with hir yede. And twoo gentilwomen also in dede. To ynde first the wey she toke, 2256 There forto wete and loke and desires him to take charge of her land while she goes to seek for Aufreus and her son. The knight agrees, and promises to be faithrul to her ; and she makes ready for her jour- ney, with one knight, and two squires, two grooms, and two gentlewomen. They go to Ynde, THE FORESTER TELLS SEREYNE OF THE TREASON DONE TO AUFREUS. [Chap. VT. and go to an hostel close to the forester who first told Au- frens of his barons' treason. The queen says she wants to see Au- freus, and the forester tells her that the king has been be- trayed, and driven out of his land, and that Amalek wears his (!rown. Where that they might Aufreyus finde If that he wer within ynde. As she logged in the ostrye, 2260 Ther dwelled the forster fast by Which loued Aufreyus at the best, .A.nd first told him of tresoii in the forest ; This goode man, this trew forstere, 2264 Welcomed hir with herty chere ; Ilere soper was soone dight, And serued in al hast that thei might. After soper than seid here ost, 2268 "Ma dame, what sech ye in this cost ?" She answerd than vnto his speche, And seid, " Sir, a king I seche ; Of my lend disheireted I am 2272 Thurgh fals men, and hider I cam ; I wold vfith king Aufreyus speke. And besech him me to awreke." The forster, whan he herd this, 2276 He sighed, and seid " madame, I-wis Betrayed is that king so trew. And that I may ful sore rew ; Of treason first I gaf him warnyng, 2280 Therfor I haue lost my living, A hundreth pound it was worth wele. It is taken fro me euery dele ; Sir Amalek, that fals knight, — 2284 By the queues counsel I you plight — Hath take fro me my living ; God bring hem both to shamful ending ! Mi lord the haue driven out of tovn, 2288 And Amalek wereth his crovn ; Yit slegh my lord in that forest Whan he [was] most carefullest, (Fol. 1145, col. 1.] Chap. VI.] SEREYNE ARRIVES AT THARSE, WHERE AUFREUS IS STEWARD. 73 Thre bold Barounes killed he thoo 2292 "Whicli wroght him al this treason and woo. Nov, wold god," seid the forster, " That vfith my lord Aufreyus I were ! If I may wete he be in Ynde, 2296 I shal neuer stint til I him finde." Than seid the Quene, '' I besech you nov For charitie let me goo yfiih you ! Eight to morov as erly as day 2300 Let vs begyn on oure iourney ; Abide noo purveaunce for yowr viage, For ye shal wende at my costage.'' *' Ma dame, I thank you hertlie ; 2304 To wend w«t/i you am I redie." On morow thei parted from that Citie, Thei wist not toward what contre, Thei knew not whedre to goo for the best, 2308 But forth thei riden by a forest, By wild contreis and by wast, So thei can here ioumes cast ; And at the last, thurgh goddes sond, 2312 To Tharse thei cam, that riche lond Ther wher Aufreyus was Steward, Fast thei drew hem thiderward, The Quene with hir smal meigne. 2316 And whan thei cam nigh to the Citie, Besid a brigge made of stooii Here ynnes ther thei toke anoon ; "WetA hir hames she did alight, 2320 And anoon she did hir redie dight. She herd Aufreyus was in tovn that day, She was the gladder hir to aray ; Aftre mete walk she wold 2324 That faire Citie to behold ; but he will never rest till he finds him. The queen asks leave to go with him, and next morning they start, travelling through forests and wild countries, till they come to Tharse, of which Aufreus is steward. Queen Sereyne alights. walks about the city, 10 74 SEREYNE SEES AGAIN THE SHIRT STAINED WITH HER TEARS. rCHAP. VI. and sees washer- womeu washing a shirt which she re- cofftiizes. They tell her that they cauuot pos- sibly get the spots out of it. She asks for it, and sees that the spots are those of her own tears which she wept when Generides was begotten. Aufreus had kept the shirt, And as she walked bi the riuere, The brigge she gan draw nere ; As she on the brigge stoode, 2328 The lauenders she saw in the floode Ful besilie washing a shert ; Whan she it saw, it lighted hir hert, She preid hem ful hertilie 2332 That she might that shert see Which thei weshen so sore, For she wondred theron more and more That thei al about that shert aloon 2336 Trauelled so sore euerichoon. Than oon answerd and seid, ''ma dame, This shert dooth vs moch shame. For we haue washen it right oft, 2340 But with noo washing, herd ne soft, The spottes we may not out bring Thogh we neuer so sore it wring." Sereyne seid, " my sustre dere, 2344 Take me nov that shert here, I shal it wash anoon certeyn. And in hast take it you ageyn." Anoon the shert thei hir toke ; 2348 As sone as she theron gan loke, Ful wel therof had she knowing ; The spottes were of hir weping That same night that Generides 2352 Begoten was, withouten les, Betwix hir and Aufreyus, king of ynde, As the wise man In hir destiny did finde ; At that tyme she it so bewept. 2356 King Aufreyus wel it kept. As the wise man told him in that stede That same night on Sereyns bed, [Fol.n4J,col.2.] Chap. VI.] SHE WASHES OUT THE STAINS, AND THE SHIRT IS SENT TO AUFREUS. 75 If euer lie had tithinges in certeyn 2360 Of his ladie the quene Sereyne, And if any washed it so clene That the spottes wer nat sene, Therby he might knowlege haue 2364 That she were in erthe ygraue, As I haue told you here beforii. Aufreyus that shert hath with him born Into Tharse whan that he went ; 2368 Oft to the lauenders he it sent, And euer he thoght hem vnwise That the weping spottes in no wise Thei coude with noo craft gete a-way, 2372 While thei had wesh it so many a day. Quene Sereyn thoo within a brayde The shirt in the water she layde ; With swilling thries, and oones wrong, — 2376 Therabout stoode she not long, — She gate awey the spottes in hast, The lauenders theron wondred fast Hon sone she made the shert clene 2380 Which had doon hem so moch tene ; She toke it hem^ and thei lete dwelt, And Sereyn went to hii' Ostett. The lauenders, whan the clothes dri were, 2384 To the Castel thei hem here, And to Aufreyus the shert thei toke ; And whan that he theron gan loke And saw that the spottes wer oute, [Foi. 115, COL 1.] 2388 Of his ladie Sereyn he had grete doute ; The lauenders told him nothing. He gan to fal in grete mournyng, Deid he wende Dame Sereyn bene ; 2392 Ther was noman about him there and taken it into Tharse; but tlie laundresses had never been able to wash out the tear-spots. Sereyne soon washes the spots out, gives back the shirt to the laundresses, and they take it to Aufreyus, who, when he sees the spots gone, thinks that Se- reyne must be dead. 76 THE FORESTER GOES TO AUFREUS, AND IS WELCOMED BY HIM. [Chap. YI. So hardie forte speke him to, In that tyme he dismaied him soo ; For rest might he haue nooii, 2396 For to bed wold he not goon ; His inly sorov his face did fade, So grete sorov for hir he made. The forester ^j^^ forstcr that ^Hh Soroyn came 2400 Eose erlie, and to hir chambre name ; *' I wil to the castel, and assay To speke with my lord, if I may." The forster went a goode pase goes to the castle, 2404 Til he to the Castel comen was ; and His lord than ful wel he knew, ^ Hou-be-it he was ful pale of hew ; And tho the forster drogh him nere 2408 And did him Eeu^rence w2tA humble chere. Aufreus recognizes gir Aufrcyus knew the forster wele, Whos comyng lightned his hert somdele, " Sir," he seid, " what ayleth you ? 2412 Me thinketh ye ar careful now." and tells him " Trculy," scid Aufreyus, '' wel know I Of my treason thou art sory ; For I haue found the trew and kiude, 2416 Therfor ther is noon in al ynde That I long to spek with so gladlie, I haue found the secret and priuey ; The sorov that I haue in myn hert all about the shirt, 2420 Cam ycstirday of a shert." Aufreyus told vnto the forster his meeting Se- Of Dame Screync his ladie dere, ''^^''^^' Hou he with hir acqueynted was ; 2424 Of the wiseman he told al the case That cast his destynie beforn ; begetting Gene- q^ GeneHdes, hou he was born ; Chap. VT.] AUFREUS HEAES THAT HIS LOVE HAS COME TO YNDE. 77 Of the shirt, and of the weping, 2428 Fro the begynnyng til the ending, Al he told thoo to the forster ; And also of the lauender That neuer might for noo washing 2432 For-doo the spottes of the weping Til Sereyn in hir graue were ; Moch sorow he made there. The forster answerd him ful soone, 2436 And seid, "goode lord, make not such For sith I come to town I wene I saw that shirt washen clene ; That saw I in a litle while." 2440 "Ay," seid Aufreyus, '^ by seint Gile, Whoo wash that shert, tel ye me. That is now in this centre ?'' [Foi.115, coi.2.] " Whethir she be maid or wife 2444 I ne wot by my life ; Of whens she is, by seint Dionise, I can not sey (:) she semeth wise ; I cam with hir yestirday 2448 From ynde, for in my hous she lay ; Euer for you she axed fast. And I told hir at the last That [you] wer not in that lond ; 2452 And for she you ther not fond. Come she is into this contree To wete if ye shuld here bee. What she is, can I not tell, 2456 Nor hou long she wil here dwell.'' Aufreus hert began to wake ; He wist not whethir he might make Joye or sorow, welth or woo. 2460 To the forster seid he thoo and the laundress not being able to wash the spots out of the shirt. The forester moone says that he saw the shirt washed, and that the lady who washed it was staying in his house, and has come from Ynde to seek for him. Aofrens's heart stixB. 78 AUFREUS AND SEBEYNE MEET AGAIN, AND MAKE GREAT JOY. [Chap. VI. Aufreus asks to be taken to his lady, and the forester leads him to Se- reyne's inn. At the sight of Aufreus she and he swoons too, but both at length recover, look, and kiss. and talk. Then Aufreus weds her, takes her to his castle, and bids the king and lords to his bridal. " Swete frende, lete me Mr see ! Mi ladie I suppose it be ; Bring me to hir, I you pray ; 2464 I shal you quite, if I Hue may." The forster seid, " if your wil be, Wil ye folow aftir me." His palfray tlioo he began to take, 2468 And rode out at the postern gate To Sereyns yn wet/^out letting. Til she perceyued his comyng She began to lose hir countenaMnce, 2472 And sodeinlie fel in a traunce : Flat on the ground she [fel] thoo, Wherfor Aufreus was so woo, On swonyng he fel right there ; 2476 Grete pitie had the forster ; There lay Aufreus fast by Sereyn. But at the last with moch peyil Thei arose from here swonyng, 24 SO Yet speke might thei no thing. Sereyn about the midel him toke, Ther was many a goodeli loke. And many a kyss was hem among 2484 Or any word of othir sprong ; And whan thei cam to here talking They made chore with grete sighing. Such ioye aithir of othre had 2488 That thei wer neuer erst so glad. So without any manor strife He hir wedded to his wife ; He led hir out from that citie 2492 To his Castel in al hast might be. The king and his lordes grete and small He praied hem to be at his bridall, Chap. VI.] AUFREUS IS ELECTED KING OF THARSE, AND RULES MEANLY. 79 For to wed this ladie he wold, 2496 And litel letting ther be shold. CurleSj the kinges messenger, [Foi.ii55,coi.i.3 Was sent to goo to Aufreyus there; But he was sent priuelie 2500 That he shuld come hastelie Forto speke with the king Which was nigh broght to his ending, Thurgh sekenes he was nigh paste, 2504 For he most nedes die in haste. Aufreus of this message was woo, Of Dame Sereyii he toke his leiie thoo. And highed him vnto the king, 2508 And fond him deid at his comyng. Grete sorow he made sekiiiie. For he loued him hertlie ; Aufreus lete burie him sono, 2512 As to his estate shuld be doone, In an abbey that nigh ther was. Ther was noon but cried " alias.'' The bodie to the erth did thei bring, 2516 Ther was many a sore weping; And to the palace ageyn thei went, No longer to tarie was here entent. Aufreyus lete ordein a parlement 2520 Thurgh the grete lordes assent : Here counsel to-gedre thei can take Whom thei shuld her king make ; Sir Aufreus thei chosen king 2524 Of Tharse lond without losing, For he was a manli knight. And therto trew he was, y plight. He toke the crovn with grete noblay, 2528 And governed hem manlie night and day ; Aufreus is sent for to see the king before he dies, but on going finds him dead. He is buried ; and Au&eus sum- mons a parliament which elects liim king, 80 AUFREU8 WEDS SEREYN AND BEGETS A SON ON HER. [Chap. VI. and he takes hom- age of them, and soon weds Se- reyn with great pomp and feasting. A child is soon be- gotten, who is called Is- mael de Sauage, and grows to be a noble knight. Of Erie, baroun, and knight, He toke homage, as was right. Anon aftre Sereyn he sent 2632 "While the lordes wer ther present ; He wedded hir with grete solempnitie ; A royaler fest did neuer man see In Tharse lond than it was thoo. 2536 Euery man aftre home can goo Ynto here ovn centre, Al but the kinges meigne And the new quene Dame Sereyii. 2540 Sone aftir betwix hem tweyii Begoten ther was in short space A goodeli childe, and ful of grace. By than he wax of any age, 2544 He was bold, wise, and sage ; And called he was in his centre Ismael de Sauage, sekirlie ; And aftre he proved a noble knight, 2548 And was a man of grete might. What fel of him, if ye wil lere, In this boke aftir ye may here ; But alwey this was here vsage 2552 To cal him Ismael de Savage. Chap. VII.] MALACHIAS SEES GENERIDES AT CLARIONAS S WINDOW. 81 CHAPTER VII. [FoL 115ft, eol. 2.] Of the fals treason that the tratoure Malachias enformed of malice his lord the Soudoii of Perce ayeinst the good ladie Clarionas his doght;v, and Generides, for which cause he had euel ending, as ye may se aftre. N' 'Ou turn we ageyn to our tale, And herk nov both grete and smale Hou Generides and Clarionas 2556 Thurgh the traitowr Malachias Thei wer broght in moch blame Bi Malachias ; god yeve him shame ! To Generides he bare grete hate, 2560 To awaite him shame, erlie and late Forto aspie in some season He did compas his fals treason ; So long he spied day and night 2564 Til he hapened to haue a sight, Ful erli in a mornyng He p^rceiued Generides comyng Thurgh the gardine to [Clarionas], 2568 As he ful oft went that pas To the window with hir to talk. As often he had vsed that walk, Malachias folowed him ful oft, 2572 And aspied him faire and soft Hou he yede and cam to Clarionas : He aspied al the case. Malachias hates Generides, and watches how to do him an ill turn. One morning he sees him going to Clarionas, follows him up, and sees the whole affair. 11 82 MALACHIAS AGAIN SEES GENERIDES MEET CLARION AS, AND KISS HER. [Chaf. VII Again Malachias watches Generides, climbs up a tree, sees Generides and Clarionas meet, clip, kiss, Whan bo saw him, he turned ageyii ; 2576 More he thoght forto seyii ; He went him erlie in a mornyng In somer er the day did spring, To Clarionas chambre he drogh, 2580 He knew the way wel ynogh, He clymbed vp al on high Into a tre that stoode fast therby ; Thoo aftre bi the window stoode 2584 Generides, which thoght but goode ; Ynto him cam Clarionas thoo As she was oft wont to doo. There thei clipped fast, and kist, 2588 Of here espie no thing thei wist, Thei waited al here plesaunce. This Traitour saw here countenaunce, But here talking was w/tAout vilanie. 2592 Generides saw the day gan hie, And toke his leue of Clarionas, And went to his ost a grete paas, Thurgh the gardin he went his wey. 2596 Malachias was glad of that play, Of that he saw and herd seyii ; Douii he cam fro the tre certeyn, Hastelie he him sped anoon 2600 To make compleint to the Sodon. Malachias to the Sovdoii cam. And into counsel he him nam. And said, " Sir, noght wel it gooth ; 2604 Grete cause ye han to be wrooth. Some, ye wene, were right trew, and tells him that But I cau tel you tithinges new Of [Generides,] a wondre thing 2608 Which is trew and noo lesing : and talk, and then Gene- rides depart. Malachias hastens to the Sowdon, [Fol. 116, col. 1.] Chap. VII ] MALACHIAS TELLS THE SO\MX)N, AND THEY BOTH WATCH FOR GENERIDES. 83 Youre doughtre him loueth paramours ; To hir he hath oft recours, And that is grete vilany, 2612 Betwix hem is sin and foly ; The sothe of this I haue espied ; I saw hem, it can not be denyed." Tho Malachias p^rceiued wele 2616 The Sovdans countenaunce eueri dele. The Sovdan oft his purpos withdrogh ; Malachias knew that wel ynogh, Woo he was the Sovdan did soo ; 2620 More he thoght to put therto, " Sir, if ye the sothe wist wett, I doute it not ye wold meruett ; And it like you forto se, 2624 Ye may know the certayntie." "Tel me liou," seid the Sovdan, And I wil preve it, by seint Ihon." ".Wil ye arise in the mornyng 2628 Erly or the day can spring, Ye may herken what thei sey, And elles therfore lete me dye ; If ye betymes wil awake, 2632 Erly we shul oure way take.'' "Wel," quod the Sowdon, " I wil wel ; I shal doo by youre counsel.'" This traitowr kept him close that night, 2636 And vp he rose or daies light. To cal the Sowdon furth he goos ; The Sowdon herd him, and vp rose ; To [Clarionas] chambre tho thei went, 2640 Streight to the window like as thei ment ; Behind a tree thei hem hid. But soon aftre, as it betid, his daughter loves Generides and commits sin with hira. Malachias also says that the Sow- don may see it himself' if he will rise early enough and come with him. The Sowdon agrees ; Next morning M:i- lachias calls him. and they go to Clarionas's win- dow, and hide be- hind a tree. 84 GENERIDES MEETS CLARIONAS, AND TELLS HER HIS DREAM OF MISCHANCE. [Chap. VII. Soon Generides comes, and Clarionas meets him. He feels trembly, and dreads some comins; mischance He dreamt that Malachias took away his clothes, and as he was try- ing to get them again the Sowdon stopt him and cast him into a pit; but yet he clove Malachias's head in two. though he could not get out of the pit. Thider come [Generides] 2644 That thoght no thing but pees ; [Clarionas] hir tyme kept That she her self not ouer-slept ; At the window she was prest 2648 To awaite on him she loued best, As she was oft wont or than. [Generides] wetA colour pale and wan Trembled oft, and him bethoght 2652 His hert fared not so for noght ; " Al my bodie," he seid, " dooth quake ; I am aferd som harme to take. This night I dremed sore and strong, 2656 So I me drede or oght long To haue som grete encomberaunce ; God preserue me fro mischaunce ! I dremed I saw Malachias 2660 In a place ther as I was ; Of my clothes [he] robbed me, I drogh my swerd so egrelie Forto win my clothes ageyn, 2664 But al, me thoght, was in veyn, For my lord the Sowdon vpon me soght In grete wrathe, as me thoght ; Both his hondes on me he sett, 2668 And cast me in a depe pitt. As I fel into the pit from high. Mi swerd out of myn bond fligh, A[nd] gafe Malachias a wound 2672 Euen in the heid that ilk stound, And cleue his heid in peces twey That for that stroke he must nedes dy ; But out of the pit coud I not wyn, 2676 Nouthir for craft nor bi noo gyn ; [Foi.ne, co!.2.] Chap. VII.] THE SOWDON AND MALACHIAS SEIZE AND BIND GENERIDES. 85 It was so depe, I had grete doute I shuld rather die than gete oute. If ther be treson, it cometh to rathe, 2680 And if we take any skathe, By my dreme I dar wel swere That M alachias is chief maker With som treason vs to betray, 2684 For al night I drempt, as I say, That he wold me haue slaw, But fro me he was to-draw, To haue his wil he might nat spede ; 2688 Mi dreme greueth me the lese in dede That I was so holp him froo, But euer I deme he shal doo vs woo." [Generides] seid, " I drede me, 2692 I quake as I speke, ye may see. For drede of him, and I not whi." " Ay," seid Clarionas, " even so fare I ; I tremble both foote and bond, 2696 I am agast here as I stond." While he and she in talking was. The Sowdon and Malachias From behinde the tree thei come, 2700 And [Generides] there thei nome. And bond his hondes syne fast That the bloode oute at the nales brast. The Sovdon seid \fiih angrie chere 2704 '' Strong thef, what doost thou here ? Art thou come into this lond Forto doo me shame and shond ? Take him now. Sir Malachias, 2708 And lede him to prison a goode paas, Vnto the toure, the grete dongeoii. Into the pitt cast him douil ; And if harm doee come, Malachias i«! the cause of it, as the dream said. Clarionas, too, i« all aghast ; and just then the Sowdon and Mala- chias spring out, seize Generides aiid hind him till the blood starts, and the Sowdon orders Malachias to cast liim into the prison-pit 86 THE SOWDON SHUTS UP CLARIOXAS, AND MALACHIAS IMPRISONS GKNE1UDP:S. [Cbap. VII. to cool his love, and fetter him h^av-ily ; meantime Clari- onas shall be kept more strictly. The Sowdon calls his daughter a harlot, and shuts her up in a dark room. Malachias takes Generides to prison, and orders him to be fettered and put in the pit. The Castellan Anazaree Ther he shal in sorow dwell ; 2712 His hote loue I shal fell ; That he hath me greued," he swore, " He shal repent that he was bore. That he ne shalt^ it sore abie, [' so in MS.] 2716 Outhir hanged or elles in prison to die ; On his legges thou doo fest Strong fetures, at my request, And Clarionas kepe shal I 2720 That she shal not be so redie Forto loue as she hath doone, I shal kepe hir therfro soone." Malachias Generides hent, 2724 And streight to the prison w«t/i him went : The Sowdon toke his doghtre there Bi the tresses of hir here, Oute of the chaumbre he hir drogh, 2728 And called hir harlot oft ynogh, And put hir in a chambre derk Wei made of strong werk ; Thus for here loue thei were constreyned, 2732 And for ich othir sorowfull peyned. Malachias to the toure cam, And Generides bi the here naiii. And called aftir the Castelleyii 2736 That of the prison was wardeyii. Tho he cam at the first doping, Malachias without tariyng Said in the Sowdanes name, 2740 " Take this prisoner, and doo him shame ; A pare of fetures on him fest, And in the pit that he were kest." The Castelleyne hight Anazaree, 2744 A gentil knight and a free ; [Fol.ll66,col.l.] Chap. ML MALACHIAS FETTERS GENERIDES AND HAMMERS HIS SHINS. 87 Woo him was for Generides^ But his office neuertheles He must nedes doo in dede ; 2748 So for the fetures than he yede. Malachias hent the fetoures that stound, And threw Generides to the ground Ful herd and right stoberlie, 2752 And fetured him ful egrelie, And with a grete hamour of stele The nales he reueted wele ; But for shrewdnes oft among, 2756 Som tyme with the hamour he smote wrong, Right vpoii Generides sliinne, And somtyme pitouslie brake the skyniie. If he smot on the fetoures oones, 2760 Ke hit foure tymes on the shin boones : For mercy of noo criyng Left not he his foul smytyng ; Generides he smote so long 2764 That the bloode thurgh the hoseii sprong. Whan Anazaree saw he bled soo, Grete pitie of him had he thoo ; He praid Malachias forto blyfi rFoi.iic*,coi.2.] 2768 "Sir," he seid, "ye doo grete syri To smyte so sore that youg thing ; Sith he is come to my keping Forto be here in prison, 2772 Me thinketh ye doo him noo Eeason So forto medle you bi maistrie." Than seid Malachias egrelie, " Sir, I shal smyte him sorer now 277b Maugre outhir him or thow." The tendre legges roufi on bloode ; Generides waxed egre of moode, pities Generides, but fetches the fetters. Malachias fetters Generides, riyet« the nails, and hammers hii; shin so often that the blood spirts through hia stockings. Anazaree re- proaches Mala- chias for his cruelty, on which he threatens to be crueller still. S8 GENERIDES BREAKS MALACHIAS S NECK FOR HIS CRUELTY. [Chap. VII. Generides warns him to beware ; but Malacbias smites the harder. Then Generides hits him in the neck, breaks it in two, his eyes drop out, and he falls down dead. Generides is glad that he has taken such vengeance on his enemy, and explains to Anazaree all Mala- chias's treachery. And praied him with spech soft, 2780 ^' Loke ye smyte not ouer oft, For elles I most yelde your mede But if ye leve a goode spede." Than wax Malachias nigh woode, 2784 And smote Generides with egre mode That men might see the shin boone. Generides waxed greued anoon. And seid " I suffre al to long ; 2788 Thogh I shuld on galoos hong, The third stroke yeve shal I." With his fist he was redie, And Malachias thoo he smote ; 2792 In the middes nek his stroke bote That his eyen fel out of his heid, Ynto the erthe he fel doun deid ; Oute of his mouth his tong sprong . 2796 Welnigh half a quarter long; His nek was in peces tway ; Eight so sterk deid he lay. Generides seid, '' so god me spede, 2800 I^ov haue I quit the thi mede ! Such as thou wel worthie were ; Goode man shal thou neuer dere ; Wel am I wroken on the, 2804 What som euer fal on me." Whaii Anazaree saw that case, Sory he wex, and woo him was ; Yet in hert he was full glad 2808 That the tratour such an end had. Generides thoo he gan reasoii Whi the Sowdoii did him in prisoii ; Than he told him al the case 2812 Of the falsnes of Malachias. Chap. VII.] ANAZAREE PLANS HOW TO SAVE GENERIDES FROM PUNISHMENT. 89 Anazaree of him routh hadd, And into a feire chambre him ladd, And lete him there goo vp and dovii, 2816 And eased him as a fre prisovn. After that he him bethoght, And in his hert counsel soght Hon he might of Malachias 2820 Best wirk in that case Generides best fortacquite/ \} for to acquit] That he shuld here therof noo wite. [Pol. 117, col. 1.] Anazaree was of gentil bloode, 2824 Of kinde it cam him to be goode ; His fadre was king of Arabic, A mightie Prince and a bardie ; Thogh Anazaree were a bastard, 2828 Yet was he called noo coward ; He was a goode knight of his bond, Oon of the best of that lond ; Felows he had the toure to tent 2832 Which were redie at his comaundment, Goode knightes bold and bardie. Oon ther was of that companie, Strong he was, and a bold knight, 2836 Eight welbeloued, and Darel he hight. Sir Anazaree spake to hem all. And told hem hou it was befatt ; Of Malachias the trouth thei fond, 2840 Hou he lay deid vpon the ground ; Than comyned thei al there That [Generides] saued were ; Than seid Darel, " by my trouth 2844 In me shal be found no slouth ; Thogh this dede may not be vowed. Yet wold I help [Generides] wer lowed, Anazaree treats him kindly, and schemes how to free him from blame for killing Malachias. Anazaree has knights to help him in the prison, and telU them how Malachias's death happened. They all a^ee to save Genendes, and one of them, Darel, proposes 12 90 THE SOWDON IS TO BE TOLD THAT MALACHIAS FELL DOWN STAIRS. [Chap. Vn. they shall tell the Sowdon that Mala- chias fell from the top step of the tower, and broke his neck. So they slue his body down the stairs, with the feet up and the head down. Anazaree then goes to the Sowdon, and tells him how Malachias brought a prisoner to the tower, and would fasten on the fetters himself, And doc my deuore by som queyntise 2848 That he therfor haue noo Justise, For the deth of this felown That many con hath doon treasoufi." Darel seid, " goo we to the Sowdoun 2852 And tel him of this treason anon, That from the highest steire of all Of the toure Down can he fait So that his nek brake on twoo, 2856 Eight there he may finde him soo ; Draw we thidre his bodie, [And leue it there to lie.] " The knightes were of oon assent ; 2860 The bodie among hem was hent ; At the steres thei slough it doun, Vpward his fete, donward his croun. Sir Anazaree the goode Castelleyil 2864 Anoon yede his erand to seyn ; He told the Sowdon the aventure How Malachias was fal of the toure. The Sowdon was in his chambre sitting, 2868 Ful wrooth, and moch sorow making ; Anazaree ful faire, as he wel cowde, Softli seid, and not lowde, " Sir, if it pleas you to listen me, 2872 Of Auenture ye may see That at the toure befallen is, And that me forthinketh y-wis. Malachias vfiih angry chore 2876 To the toure broght a prisoner ; Him self the fetours did on than. He wold suffre noon othir man ; Vnto myn office me thoght it felt, 2880 But whi he did soo I can not tett ; [Fol. 117, col.2.] Chap. VII.] THE SOWDON DECLARES HE WILL HANG THE YOUNG THIEF GENERIDES. 91 Sore lie hated the prisonere, I can not tell for what manor. While he did the fetoures oon, 2884 Eight in the same place anoon He smote him so vpon the shyn, That he brast both flesh and skyn, And the hosen so to-roofe 2888 That the bloode doun droofe. For that syn, I am a-drad That he hath the wors spede, For as he went furth in that moode, 2892 Fro the highest steire dovn he yoode ; There lith he in a shrewd plight ; He hath that many oon him behight." The Sowdon than for angre and care 2896 As a woode man began to fare ; '* It shal not be as thou wenest, For nov I wote what thou menest ; The yong thef that hath doon me shame, 2900 Thou woidest put him out of blame ; To morov he shal on galows hong If that I may life so long." "Treuly," seid Sir Anazaree, 2904 " That wer to you grete vilanye To deth any man to doo, Ayenst youre law to doo soo ; Fro such wilful nes ye you w/tAdraw, 2908 And guyde you Justlie aftir yowr law, To bring such a man to noght That from childhode han him broght And from fer com to serue you here, 2912 P^ra venture he is a man of more power Than he wil sey (:) so dome I he is ; Therfor, my lord, Auyse you of this ; and beat the man's shins till the blood burst out ; then, as he went away in that sav- age mood, he fell from the top stair and was killed. The Sowdou declares that Grene- rides shall be hung next day. Anazaree remonstrates with the Sowdon, prays him to act jusuy, to consider of it, 92 ANAZAREE PROTESTS AGAINST THE SOWDON HANGING GKNERIDRS. [Chap. VI 1. and not kill Gene- rides so suddenly. The Sow don says he shall be hanged at once. Anazaree warns the Sowdon that if he does in- justice he must take the conse- quences. Generides should be judged by the Common Law, and not by the Sow- don's own word. Anazaree returns in anger to the tower, and the Sowdon sends his chamberlain to bring Mala- chias's corpse to the temple ; but when they get there, Eemembre you, and it be your will, 291G And let him not so sodenlie spill." The Sowdon wrotlie answerd ageyn, '^ Goo hens," he seid, " Sir Castelleyn, He shall be hanged hastely, 2920 That al men shal be war him by," Sir Anazaree seid ageyii " Mi lord, I may not you with-seyn, And ther the Juggement shal be yeve, 2924 I shal be there and I lyve ; And if ye shuld yrith wrong him spill, All may not be at youre will ; Thogh ye wold put on him treason, 2928 Ye most doo that is reason. And Juge him aftir the comon law. And not oonlie aftir youre ovn saw ; To you we be sworn, I wene, 2932 Youre lawes treulie to mayntene ; And therfor crist be Yfith him wroth — I sey for me — that breketh his othe ; Be therfor wroth who so will, 2936 The dome most goo by law and skill." Sir Anazaree with pale coloure For wrath went ageyn to the toure ; The Soudan cleped his chambirleyii, 2940 " Goo to the toure, and hast you ageyn ; Loke wher Malachias lieth deid, That gentil knight of noble manhede ; Doo dight him, and ley him on his here, 2944 And at the Temple his bodie were." The Chambirleyn made him redye, And went with a grete companye To help the bodie wer there ; 2948 And as thei thider comen were, [Fol.)176,col.l. Chap. VI r.] THE SOWTX)N" HAS GENERIDES BROUGHT UP FOR JUDGMENT. 93 A hundred houndes on a throm He saw that were thider com, And al the bodie had to-rent, 2952 And ech of hem his pece hent ; Thei left not flesh, skyn, ne boon, That al to-gedre was agooh. The Chambirleyn to court gan fare, 295 C Grete costage he might spare ; Whan the Soudan herd of that chaunce. In hert he had such greuaunce That his wittes wer al myswent ; 2960 Aftir his barounes fast he sent. That on morov thei come to him Peyn of lesing lyfe and lym. Whan thei wer gadred on a hepe, 2964 The Soudan bad Anazaree clepe. And bad fecch forth [Generides ;] ** I shul," he seid, withouten les. Anazaree and Darel to-gedre 2968 With here feloship come thidre; [Generides] before hem was broght, Weping for shame and for thoght : Was noman that ther him sigh 2972 That he ne was weping nigh. Than seid the Soudon \ytth angri chere "Sirres(:) this felow that is called [Generides] here As I wene the soth to sayil, 2976 By my doghtre he hath layfi ; Therfor I wil he dampned be. And hanged high on galow tree ; I my self saw hem serkirlie 2980 Speke to-gedre priuelie." [Generides] answerd tho ful stitt And seid, " my lord, if it be jour will they see a hundred dogs tear the body all to pieces. When the Sowdon hears this, he nearly goes out of his wits, and summons all his barons at once. Generides is brought before them. and the Sowdon accuses him of having lain with his daughter, for which be should be banged. Generides answers 94 GENERIDES OFFERS TO FIGHT HIS ACCUSER AND PROVE HIM A LIAR. [Chap. II. that if any man accuses him of such a deed, he will fight him and prove it false, man to man. " Do me justice." The Sowdon declares that he will not give him this chance, hut will have him hanged forthwith. Generides protests that this is murder against all reason. The Sowdon de- mands vengeance. To licence me to tel my tale ; 2984 And ayeinst al men grete and smale That such thing bereth me on hond That I did you shame or shond, I wil defend me w^tA right, 2988 Be he haroii, be he knight, Or any othir, what so he be [foi.ii76,coi.2.] That ony such thing putteth on mee, "With my bodie to prove ageyns his 2992 That he hath seid on me a-mys ; And but if I hastelie acquite me soo, Anoon to the deth ye me doo. I besech you, of youre grace, 2996 Do me right in this case." The Sowdan for wrath his lip did bite That [Generides] wold so him acquite, "Ay ! ar ye become a champion? 3000 Kot for the valour of al this tovii Wold I lenght thi life soo ; The thar neuer trust therto ; That I haue seid, for trouth shal stond ; 3004 I wold not elles, for al my lond. Trust me, verily without delay Thou shalt be honged this same day." " Than grete wrong ye doo to me 3008 Whan I can not accused be By noo man (:) but by jour selfwil. And Ayeinst al reason and skill Ye wold murdre me by might : 3012 In this is nouthir law nor right." The barones setten al in pees, Thei herkened wel [Generides.] The Soudon began on high to speke, 3016 "Sirres, yeue him Jugement, and me a-wreke." Chap. VII.] ANAZABEB AND DAREL PROTEST AGAINST THE SOWDON*S VIOLENCE. 95 Anazaree tho began vprise, Holden he was for oon of the wise, And of spech most goodeliest, 3020 Best taght and hardiest ; He saw the Soudon greued in hert, Therfor the soner vp he stert, And seid, " my lordes and barouns, 3024 Here ye thes vnlawful reasouns Mi lord the Soudon seith vs among ; Me semeth he profereth vs al wrong To yeve such Jugement at his witt 3028 Ayeinst law any man to spitt ; Me thinketh this child hath wel answered Both before lewd and lered ; But if lawfullie that it were, 3032 For certanlie I dar wel swere If we suffre nov this shame We might fal in the same blame, For euer men shuld vpbraid vs 3036 That we had amonges vs thus A gentilman murthird wilfullie Ayeinst the law vnskilfullie ; This were to vs noo litle sore, 3040 But an vttir shame for euermore ; For euer we shuld our honowr lese. Nou, my lordes, ye mov chese ; Of this Juggement sey your will, [Foi.ii8,coi.i.] 3044 For I wil neuer assent thertil. The Sovdones dome so to queme, Ayeinst the law any man to deme.'' Forth stert Darel and vp stoode, 3048 He was for wrath egre of mode, " To sley this man wer vilanye, As nov is wel preued sekirlye." But Anazaree says the Sowdou's reasons are unlaw- ful, and he asks them to give judgment ajramst law. It will be an eternal reproach if they murder a gentleman against the law, and he (Anazaree) will never consent to it. Darel says it woiild be villainy. 96 SIR DAREL REBUKES THE SOWDON FOR HIS VIOLENT LANGUAGE. [Chap. VII. The Sowdon calls Generides a felon. Darel denounces this, and tells the Sow- don that if any other than he had so abused Anazaree he (Darel) would have avenged it, for Anazaree has served the Sowdon well and had a ^oor reward for it ; but whoever hangs him must hang Darel too. The Soudon to Anazaree seid, 3052 " Wherto makest thou such abreid ? Me thinkes thou spekest w«t^out reson Forto hold with such a feloii." Darel vpstert, and seid thoo, 3056 '' Whoo calleth him felon ? it is not soo ; He seith but as a knight shold ; To die for it with him wol I hold." Darel was a hardie knight 3060 And come of goode kinred aright, His fadre was Prince of Sesar, A grete lord, I make you war ; To speke to the Soudon in this case 3064 [He no whit afered wase.] ** Sir,'' he seid, " if othir than you So violently had seid now, I shuld for Anazaree be awreke, 3068 And elles brede mot I neuer breke ; Anazaree hath serued you bettir yet Than me thinketh ye han him quit ; He is redi in word and dede 3072 At youre comaundment whan ye han nede, And euer hath be to you ful trew, But now may he his seruice rew ; For, serue we you neuer so long, 3076 At the last we shal vndirfong For oure reward grete maugre. I wil not let to tel you pleinlie. Who hangeth him shal hong me ; 3080 While I may life, siker ye be, Or I shal die in this place But I may gete of you his grace." An othir knight was ther now 3084 Of grete wisdom, I promys you, Chap. VII.] SIR LUCAS ASKS THE SOWDON TO FORBEAR. A MESSENGER COMES. 97 Sir Lucas, I wot he hight, He was a man of mich might, And of noble bloode ycome, 3088 He was called lord of ydome, — Saue the Soudon of Perse ther nas So grete a lord of forest and chase, — Than mekelie he spake to the Soudon 3092 Among hem al euerichoon, And seid, " Sir, if it be youre will, Al youre knightes say but skil ; For if ye ayeinst law and right 3096 Shuld spil any man in such a plight Wiihont dome, ye did grete syn ; Therfor, my lord, I rede ye blyn. And, sir, ye may me wele beleue, [Foi. 118, coi.2.] 3100 More worship ye might Acheve To respite youre wilfulnes. And by youre counsel you redres.'' [Clarionas] asked aftir [Generides] 3104 And hou that he did doutles : Ooii told hir he was yet on line, And she was therof ful bliue. And as thes knightes here tale told, 3108 A proude messanger and a bold Among hem att cam riding. And seid to the Soudon there sitting, Without obeisaunce thus he began 3112 Seyng his message to the Sowdan, *' From the highest crovned king. And the richest in al thing That yndir heuen living is, 3116 And of most power I- wis, — In Egipt he is lord and Sire, He wil pay the thi hire — Sir Lucas, lord of Ydome, also entreats the Sowdon to forbear and give up his wilfulness. (Clarionas heais, and is ^lad, that Generides still lives.) While thus at council, a messen- ger comes to the Sow- don from the King of Kings, even the Lord of Egypt, 13 98 THE KING OF EGYPT DEMANDS HOMAGE FROM THE SOWDON. [Chap. VII. demanding homage and ser- vice from the Sow- don. This stops all talk of Generides, and the castellan takes him hack to the tower. The messenger then demands the Sowdon's daughter for his master, promising to re- turn her in twelve days, when he has done with her. The Sowdon in- dignantly refuses, Wondre he hath, and skom also, 8120 That thou ne wilt come him to And doo him seraice and homage, And the grettest of thi linage." The Sowdan sat a while still, 3124 Of this message he liked yll ; So than of [Generides] dome To speke had thei nomore tome Because of that proude messanger ; 3128 Tho the castellion he cleped ner. And bad haue him to the tour ageyfi ; [Generides] therof was fayfi. The castelioii put him vp anoon, 3132 And com ageyn as fast as he might goon. Tho spake the proude messanger, " Sir Sowdan, to long I dwel here ; Twoo monthes respit thou haste 3136 This mater to studie, and al is waste ; Leiser ynogh thou hast parde. Thi doghter which is here with the, Deliuer hir me nov, I rede, 3140 And to my lord I shal hir lede ; And within dais twelf I shal hir bring ageyii my self, For bi than, I dar wel say, 3144 nis appetite he shal delay. For long he loueth not forto wow Sith that he may find ynow ; Therfor send him hir without respit, 3148 Thou Shalt it finde for thi profit.'' The Soudan in his hert was wrothe, *' Felow," he seid, " that wer me lothe, Outhir for king or Emperour, 3152 To do my self such dishonour Chap. VII.] THE SOWDON DECLARES HE WILL FIGHT THE KING OP KINGS. 99 Nouthir of doghtir, nece, ne cosyn, Nor noon othir frende of myn. [Foi.ii86,ooui.] Goo, tel thi lord without let, 3156 That his day which he hath set I shal him mete, my lond to saue. And elles my life to plegge shal he haue.'' Than seid to him this messenger, 3160 " He is in this contre here Vpon the watre of Tigris, "With his ost ther logged he is Til he here of the tithing 3164 What thou wilt doo of this asking ; And in londes ouer al aboute Men called him Belvynes the stoute Befor or he was knight or king ; 3168 Nou hath he chaunged that cleping. And called he is with grete poustee '' King of kinges" in ech contree : The messanger aftir this talking 3172 Went his wey without losing. Darel stert vp in hast. To speke he wold not be the last, '' Were it not nov grete wrong 3176 That ye wold [Generides] hong ? Neuer had ye more mistere Nouthir of knight nor of squier ; Anazaree ye rebuked ayeinst the law 3180 For he wold not [Generides] were slaw ; And if he life, ye shal it see, A noble knight he shal be ; And therfor, sir, let him live, 3184 And al youre angre him for-yeve/' Than stert vp Anazare thoo Before the Soudan, his hert was woo. and says he will fight for his land. The messenger answers that the king of Egypt is by Tigris water ; his name was Bel- nyues the Stout, but now it is "King of Kings." Barel at once intercedes again for Generides, and asks for his pardon. Anazaree also again 100 THE SOWDON AND HIS COUNCIL RESOLVE TO COLLECT AN ARMY. [Chap. VII. asks that Generides may be forgiven, and excuses him. The Sowdon proposes that they shall col- lect an army at once against the King of Kings. Sir Lucas tells the Sowdon to summon all his barons to meet there within two months, that Perse may never do homage ; and meantime let Generides be pardoned, "Sir," seid than Anazaree, 3188 " Darel seith right wel Pardee, And ye wil youre wrath forbere ; As for [Generides], I dar swere That of that blame he hath noo gylt 3192 For which we wold thus him haue spilt, Nor neuer he thoght in word nor dede To do you vilanye in noo stede.'' The Soudon sat a while stiH, 3196 And at the last he seid his wilt; To his barounes he seid, " lordinges I haue wel herd thes new tithinges ; Lete vs ordein an ost priuelie, 3200 In al hast that it be redie ; And hou we may vs mayntene Ageyn this mightie king to bene.'' At that worde Lucas vpstert, 3204 ^'Sir," he seid, ''your counsell is goode: In short space make your somowns To Erles, Princes, and Baroufis, And al tho that ow you seruice, 3208 That thei you faile not in noo wise To be here in here best aray Within twoo moneths fro this day ; For neuer sith Perse was set 3212 I wist it yeve homage yet, And if your counsel be wel herd, Nor noon shal (:) but with dint of swerd. With sharp spere, quarel, and dart, 3216 I shal assay forto defend my part. But, goode sir, w^'t^out more delay Or we vs ordein to this iourney I beseche you g[ra]unt nov youre pees 3220 Ynto cure felow [Generides], [FoI.ll8»,coI.2.] Chap. VII.] THE SOWDON FORGIVES GENERIDES. 101 And deliuer him to vs anoon That he may furth mth vs goon ; Tor whi he did you neuer shame 3224 Wherfor ye shuld put him in blame ; That he hath euer be trew and goode I dar swere with him by the roode ; And therfor, goode lord, that ye doo so ; 3228 And we al besech you hertlie therto. And lightlie him out of prison take ; Graunt him armes, and knight him make, For of goode knightes ye haue nede ; 8232 Nou, goode lord, doo as we you rede." Al the barouns euerichoon Besoght the Sowdon so to doon, "And but if ye wil graunt hertoo, 3236 Elles we wot what [we] will doo.'' The Soudoii saw thei praied all, And his angre somdele lete he faft. And he pardoned [Generides] thoo 3240 Of al the wrathe betwix hem twoo. Anazaree and Darel anoon Pel on knees before the Soudon, And thanked him, and kissed his hondes 3244 For ioye he shuld out of bondes, And seid, " lord, we thonk you hertlie ; For els oure seruice ye had lost trewlie." Anazaree wold noo lenger abide, 3248 But toke Sir Darel bi his side, And to the toure gan thei goo [Generides] to make glad thoo. Thei called furth [Generides] 3252 And seid, " Sir, made is youre pees." Thoo Anazaree vpon him lough. That liked [Generides] wel ynogfe, for he has ever been true, and should be knighted, and light wim them. The rest of the barons ask for his pardon, too, and the Sowdon grants it. Anazaree and Da- rel thank the Sow- don, go to Generides, and tell him that his peace is madr. 102 GENERIDES SWEARS HE NEVER HARMED CLARIONAS. [Chap. VII. Generides's fetters are struck off, he swears to the Sowdon that he never thought to deceive Clarionas, and prays for for- giveness, and for arms, that he may fight the King of Kings, maintain the Sow- don's right, and avenge He seid to him, '* come forth anoofi ; 3256 Youre pees is made with the Soudon, And that ye shal finde right soon." Anoon his fetnres wer of doon, And to the Soudon he was led, 3260 But yet he was somdele a-dred ; Til he herd the Soudon speke He wend he wold haue ben a-wreke ; On knees he set him curteslie, 3264 And his othe he waged redilie " To doo you shame neuer I thoght, l^or never ayeinst you I wroght To deceyve my ladie Clarionas, 3268 As to you falslie accused I was. So wysslie god shild me fro shame As I am gyltles of that blame ! Therfor, my lord, I besech yov 3272 Youre displeasure forgyve me nov ; And therto armes ye wil me gyve, For trewly. Sir, if I may live, I trust to yelde it you so wele 3276 That lose theron ye shal noo dele ; For treulie, if youre wil bee. For youre sake I wil aventure mee To fight ayeinst the king of kinges 3280 That sent to you so proude tithinges ; The whiles that I afor you stoode. His message moved sore my bloode ; As woo as my hert was thoo, 3284 With him I wold fajme had a doo ; And treulie. Sir, me thinketh long Forto defende youre grete wrong ; Wei I hope, thurgh goddes might, 3288 I shal som tyme avenge youre right [Fol. 119, col. 1.] Chap. VII.] THE SOWDON PROMISES TO KNIGHT GENERIDES. 103 That of his purpos he shal faile, His boste shal him litle availe Youre doghtre to haue without mariage, 3292 Nor yet of your lond to have trevage." The Soudon beheld him wiselie And saw him speke so hardelie ; Than he bad him rise anoon, 3296 And ther among hem eurichoon, In token ther shuld be loue and pees, Goodelie he kissed Generides, And seid, '' to morow in al menes sight 3300 I my self shal dubbe you knight, And aftre you an hundredth moo For youre sake, or that I goo." Whan the Soudon thus had said, 3304 loye was vp, and care dovn laid Among the lordes old and yeng For gladnes of thes new tithing ; For ioye of that solempnitie 3308 Many oofi wept for verray pitie. So did the Soudon him self alsoo, Fro weping he might not kepe him [thoo]; Sir Anazaree cleped he, 3312 " Goo fast, I pray you hertlie, Vnto my doghtre Clanonas, And bring hir hidir to this place : Al wrathe I wil pardon hir here." 3316 Anazaree went "with goode chere. And fecched furth that feire ladie That for peyne and woo was hevie. And long had ben in careful life. [Foi. 119, col, 2.] 3320 "With Anazaree she went blife ; Ful seke and pale she cam anoon Before hir fadre the Soudoii. the insult to his daughter. The Sowdon kisses Generides, promises to dub him knight, and one hundred others, too, for his sake. At this, great joy fills all t£e court, and the Sowdon sends for his daughter, promising to for- give her. Anazaree fetches her; 104 CLARIONAS IS FORGIVEN, AND GENERIDES IS KNIGHTED. [Chap. VII. the Sowdon em- braces and kisses Clarionas, says he has done her wrong, but that now she shall be at large. She steals many a privy look at (Jene- rides, and takes again to mirth. Next day (Jene- rides ana one hun- dred men are made knights, and every one goes home to make ready for battle. The Soudon rose vp to yeve hir grace, 3324 And in his armes he can hir brace, And kissed hir ther weping stitt, " Doghtre,'' he seid, '' I haue doon ytt Ayeinst you, wel I wote ; 3328 But aftre bale euer cometh bote ; Goo to youre chambre nov ageyn. Ye shal be at youre large certeyn." She kneled, and thanked hir fadre thoo, 3332 And to hir chambre gan she goo ; Or she parted, neuer the les, Betwix hir and Generides Was stole many a privey loke, 3336 For in here hertes noon othir forsoke. Clarionas to hir chambre yede, The Castellion thoo gan hir lede ; To mirth she gan hir take ageyn, 3340 More mery neuer man had hir seyn. On morov, afor al the peoples sight. The Soudon made Generides knight ; And for his loue A hundreth were 3344 Made knightes furth-with there. Whan this was doo, siker ye be Ech man departed to his centre To make hem redie in plate and male, 3348 Boldlie hem purveid for the batale, And cam ageyn to the Soudon To help avenge him on his foon. Chap. VIII.] THE SOWDON's kings AND WARRIORS ASSEMBLE. 105 CHAPTEE VIII. Here the Soudon writeth for al the kinges and Princes that wer vndre his obeissaunce to help him in his werre Ayeinst the king of kinges. [Fol.ll96,col.l.] T he sowdon tho lete writes make, 3352 -L And messengers and horses doo take; To many sondri lond and centre His mesengers tho sent he, To come to Mountanar that feir Citie, 3356 And eche a Prince bring his semble. First come the king of Arabye With twoo Mi knightes hardie Without Archers, A grete route 3360 Of bold fotemen strong and stoute ; For Anazaree was his son. The soner thider was he come, Sircus was his right name, 3364 A noble man of grete fame. Aftir him come the king of Turkye With a ful noble companye, With a thousand helmes bright ; 3368 King Nayme him self hight, A yong man and a lustie also ; With him he broght his sonnes twoo, And both thei wer knightes hardie, 3372 And to al knightlie dedes redie ; The Sowdon sends messengers to sum- mon his vassals to Mountanar : — Sircus, king of Arabye, and 2000 knights; Nayme, king of Turkey, with 1000 helms, and hia two sons, 14 106 THE KINGS AND MEN OP THE SOWDON^S HOST. [Chap. Till. Six- Davy and Sir Abell. (The Turkish king loved Clarionas.) Next, Sir fJeridon, Prince of Sesare, with 7000 steel- clad men and 4000 archers; he was Darel's father. Then, King Thes sehale, with 500 knights and 2000 archers. Next, King Nicho- mede, with 2000 men, black as coal from top to toe, The eldre son Sir Davy hight, A goodelie man, a curtes knight ; The yonger hight Sir Abell, 3376 A proude knight. Dogged and fel, For he was doughty, war, and strong, Many men him fond so oft among. The king of Turkye loued [Clarionas,] 3380 For hir sake thider he come was. After that come the Prince of Sesare, "With him he broght a feire meigne. Seven thousand araied passing wele 3384 Both in Iren and in stele. And with him he had a grete route Of archers iiij Mi stoute ; That Prince hight Sir Geridon, 3388 A strong man of flesh and boone ; And moch of him self he lete, Darel of him was begete. His son and heire shuld he be, 3392 The rather he cam into that centre. Aftir him cam Thessehale the king, A feir man of goode liking ; The Soudon was his cosin Germayn ; 3396 Many knightes he broght in certayn, Ful doughtie men thei wer hold. Five hundreth of knightes bold. And twoo thousand of goode archers, 3400 Stoute men, bold and fers. Than come the king Nichomede, A yong man, and a doughti of dede ; Of his lond twoo thousand he broght 3404 Of blak men ful foul y-wroght, And fro the crovn to the toon Blak as cole thei wer echoon. [Fol,l]9i,col.2.] Chap. VUI.] THE KINGHS AND MEN OF THE 80WD0N*S HOST. 107 Esonas, I wene, hight here king ; 3408 I dar wel say without gabbing [Foi. 120, col. 1.] j^ gentitter knight than he was ooii In al the ost come there noon. After him come king Accusannt 3412 With many strong knightes & galaunt ; With him he broght A Mt and moo, Oute of Ethiope cam thei thoo ; Fyve thousand fotemen cam with him 3416 Of bold men stout and grym ; Chosen thei were al of the best, Yet was the king the doughtiest. And after that cam Sir Samadoyii, 3420 Lord and king of Macedoyn, And the king of Archadye, Both cam in oon companye ; Brethren thei werii in dwellinges, 3424 For thei both wer mightie kinges. Of men of armes thei broght x thousand, Bold men and doughtie of here bond ; And of othir men of fote also 3428 Thre thousand, without moo. Moak, of Capadose king. He come aftir without lesing ; — In werre somtyme a wound had he, 3432 A mayme in the haiii behind the kne, — He broght men of armes twoo thousand. Of goode men that wel wold stand ; Of his hurt it was grete routh, 3436 For he was a doughti knight in trouth. The king of Damask, Balaam, Ynto the Soudon thider cam ; And the king of Ermonye, 3440 Zelapus, -with grete companye. whose king was Esonas. Then King Accu- saunt, of Ethiope, with 1000 knights and 6000 footnien ; Sir Samadoyn, king of Macedoyn, and the king of Archadye, with 10,000 men- at-arms, md 3000 footmen ; Moak (or Moab, I. 3699), king of Capadose, with 2000 men-at- arms; Balaam, king of Damask ; Zelapus, king of Ermonye, 108 THE FIFTEEN KINGS AND THE MEN OF THE SOWDON's HOST. [Chap, VIII. with 1000 knights and above 900 archers ; the kings of Ar- bany and Batrise, with knights and hundreds of footmen. Last, the kings of Irre (with a host) and of Musse, Flentice, and Sellice, with 3000 men-at- arms. In all, 15 kings, besides dukes, etc* Since Alexander's time, no such host had been seen in Perse that man can recollect. A thousand knightes thei thre Broght yviih hem of here meigne, Without Archers and footemen 3444 Hundrethes mo than ix or x. Than come king of Arbany, A doughtie man, bold and hardie, And with him the king of Batrise 3448 With many a bold knight and wise ; Of fotemen he broght manyon, Hundrethes that on fote did goon. Aftir him cam the king of Irre 3452 With many knightes and a feire meigne ; The king of Musse, the king of Flentice, And the third king also of Sellice, Doughti men thei were of dede, 3456 And so was al [here] felowrede; Thes thre kinges on a route Broght thre Mi men of armes stoute. ISTou haue I told you, as I wene, 3460 Of kinges ther come fiftene Al vnto the Soudones somowns — Without Dukes, Erles, and barowns — Out of the contrees that wer nere, 3464 To help the Soudoii in his werre ; So many, that halfendele in the Citie Might in noo wise harbored be, But vndre a wod vndre the tovn 3468 Was pight many A pavilown, And riche tentes for the noones Garnyshed wetA gold and precious stoones ; Such a semble in Perse lond 3472 Sith Alexander, I vnderstond, Was ther neuer that lond to wyii That any man can of myfi. [Fol. 120, col. 2.] Chap. VIII.] THE SOWDON HOLDS A COUNCIL OF WAR. 109 It was in the plesaunt somer tide 3476 Whan leues sprong and spred wide, The Soudon into a mydow went, And aftir his ost holi he sent. Whan thei wer come euerichoon, 3480 His purpos he began anon, "Lordes,'' he seid, "what is youre reede ? Of your counsel now haue I nede ; The king of kinges is come here 3484 Ys to bring in grete daungere, And to destroy my lond and me, Wherfor I had leuer deid be ; But king of kinges I not whoo is, 3488 Saue onlie the king of blis." Abel, the kinges son of Turky, Stert vp and spake wordes on hy, — Lenger abide might he noght 3492 To tel that was in his thoght, — " Mi lordes, I besech you wet A hert entier. Take it not in euel that I say here ; If I tel you my thoght, 3496 I besech you al blame me noght. In al this world is not that baronage That hider wold come to assk trewage. But we shal youre londes defende ; 3500 The wors thei shul haue at the ende ; And therfor to morow I rede Eight vnto hem ride we in dede. And if we avise vs wel 3504 Oure bodies dere shul we sell. And the vsage of Perse is, And euer hath be hiderto I-wis, Whan the ost of Perse was most plener, 3508 Euer the chief banerer In the pleasant summer time the Sowdon consults his lords as to what he is to do against the King of Kings. Abel, of Turkey, says no truage must be paid. but to morrow they must attack the enemy, and, as of old right, 110 ABEL, AS SON OF THE TURKISH KING, CLAIMS TO LEAD THE VANGUARD. [Chap. VIII. the king of Turkey should bear the chief banner, be constable of the host, and lead the van- ward. Abel will do this. The Sowdon assents, Longeth vnto the king of Turkye It forto here and forto guy, And to be constable of youre ost 3512 He ought to be without boost, And youre vaward forto stere, Before youre ost to be rewler. Youre chief baner, I besech you, 3516 To morow deliuer me for your prow : As for my fadir I wil it here, Youre enmys therwith to dere As ferforth As I may or can." 3520 To him answerd the Soudan And seid, *' Sir Abel, soth it is, The chief baner nov I-wis Of Perse to youre fadre doth long ; 3524 I thank him he wil it vndrefong.'' The king of Turky in certeyn Seid, " of youre baner I am ful feyn, And also. Sir, I graunt wel 3528 That my yongest son Sir Abel, Sith he wil, youre baner here. And elles wold I, if he ne were ; The knight is yong, and of corage, 3532 And gladlie wold he doo outrage." Than gan thei echoon forto crie *' Goo we hens, and make vs redie That we mow, on goddes blissing, 3536 Begyn erly in the mornyng." Anoon out of that medow grene To here Innes thei went bi-dene : Ther men might see hawberks bright, 3540 And of helmes a grete sight, and in the morning On morov rosc vp Soudau and king And al othir lordes, whan day gan spring, and the king of Turkey says his son Abel shall bear the banner. All agree to make ready. [Fol. 1206, col. 1.] Chap. VTIl.] KING NAYME ARRAYS THE SOWDON*S HOST TN 15 BATTALIONS. HI ;Fo1.120J,co1.2.] Both Prince and Duke, baron & knight, 3544 And many of bodie that wer ful wight. And al without that feir Citie To-gedre thei made here assemble, Fourty thousand without moo 3548 Of knightes that wer to-gedre thoo. Nayme, that was king of Turkye, As it fel to his partie. That ost he ordeined faire and clene 3552 Bi his advise in batelles fiftene ; Abel, his son bold and hard. Bare the baner in the vaward ; With him ther wer ij thousand knightes 3556 Wei araied at al rightes ; Than come in the second renght King Sircus with his strenght, With twoo thousand knightes of Araby, 3560 Of armed men that wer doughtie ; In the third batel Sir Anazaree The good Castelion, wise and free. And the yong knight Generides 3564 That neuer departed in that pres, With al the knightes which wer dubbed new, To-gedre thei loued feithful and trew. Whan Generides dubbed was 3568 He led hem w/tA him in eueri place, A noumbre of yong sowdiers. Men that wer in here manors lolie, stout, fresh and gay, 3572 Seven hundred in ful noble aray. Ther come the Prince Cheridon With noble knightes many oon Of his centre of Sesaree, 3576 Seven hundred w^tAout moo treulie ; assemble 40,000 strong. King Nayme marshals the host in 15 battalions : 1. Abel led the vanward with 2000 knights. 2. Sircus, with 200 Arab knights. 3. Sir Anazaree and Generides, with the newly dubbed knights, 700 in number. 4. Prince Cheridon, with 700 knights of Sesaree. 112 THE 5th to the 12th battalions of the SOWDOn's host. [Chap. VIII. 5. King Orbetes, with 1000 knights in green. 6. King Cufas, of Colkos and Ni- chomede, with 1000 knights, black as coal. 7. King Ethiopes, with 1000 knights. 8. The three kings of Archadie, Anse- doyne, and Mace- dojTie, with 10000 knights and 10000 men. 9. King Moab, of Capadocie, with 1000 knights. 10. King Balaam, with 500 knights. 11. Zelapus, with 900 knights. 12. King Phares, Darel fader he was, saunfaile, A doghtie knight of good entaile. The king Orbetes of Thessale, 3580 In the fift ward com he Wiih a thousand knightes clene, And al wer armed in grene. In the sixt batel than 3584 Cam Cufas the noble man, King of Colkos and Nichomede, "With him he had a grete felowrede, A Mi knightes sterk and stoute, 3588 Blak as cole the skyn wet^oute. In the .vii. batel than King Ethiopes the noble mail ; He was grete, strong, and hardie, 3592 A Mi knightes folowed him nye. Than cam in the viij. warde Thre kinges that wer not coward. Of Archadie, and Ansedoyne, 3596 And the king of Macedoyne, With ten Mi of goode knightes And as fele of othir wightes. Moab, of Capadocie king, 3600 Of the ix. batel {-without losing) Lodesman and cheftan was thoo. Of a thousand knightes and moo. In the ten batel than cam 3604 A goode man, the king Balaam, With .V. hundreth knightes of price That wer both war and wise, Zelapus king in the xi. bataile 3608 With ix hundreth knightes of good entaile, The .xii. batel without les, Therin cam king Phares Chap. Vlll.] THE 13tH, 14iH, AND 15tH BATTALIONS OF THE SOWDON's HOST. 113 With an hundred knightes stoute 3612 To awaite on him al aboute. In the xiii cam king Jurdan That was a memellous strong man ; He broght w/tA him at the lest 8616 A thousand armed at his request. Lauran king of lentyce, And Chaynam, king of Selice, And Mathan the king of Mafy, 3620 Al thre com in oon company With thre Mi knightes goode, Wei arayed, of noble bloode. In the xiiii ward ther cam anoon 3624 Of the centre many oon Of knightes and squiers of that lond, Thei kept hem self in a bond. In XV. ward ther cam thoo 3628 The Soudon him self, with many moo, [Foi. 121,001.1.] With twelf thousand noble knightes, Bold men and stout in al men sightes ; And of werre thei were ful wise, 3632 Eedie to doo the Soudon sendee. Darel bare the Soudanes baner With hertli corage and manful chere ; Thus he went with noble aray, 3636 Thurgh holth and heth he toke the way Euen streight toward his Enmyes, With al thes folk of mych price In feire armes, and helmes shene, 3640 With rich sheldes pourtrayed clene. And feire launces yfiih wynd shakand, With feire stedes walopand. With trompes, pipes, and taboures, 3644 And grete homes of straunge ooloures : with 100 knights. 13. King Jurdan with 1000 men. Also three kings, Lawran, Chaynam, Mathan, with 3000 knights. 14. A band of knights and squires of Perse. 16. TheSowdon with 12,000 knights, Darel bearing his banner; and they march straight towards the foe. 15 114 THE S0WD0N*8 AND THE KINO's OPPOSING HOSTS DRAW NEAR. [Chap. VllI A fairer sight was never seen, except Alexander's host of 30 miles long. The army of the King of Kings ad- vances to meet the Sowdon's, in 30 battalions. Vndre hem dynned the way, It was a sight of great noblay, Feirer, I trow, was neuer noon 3648 To-gedre seen, but it wer ooil That right sone tel I may : — It was Alexaunder, witA noble aray, Which lad of .xxx.^ myle an ost ; — 3652 He come into Perse with grete host, — Which was an ost stem and stoute, For al the world did him doute. That othir ost com hem ageyfi 3656 With many a doughti man certeyn Enbatelled with mighti purveaunce Thurgh the grete kinges ordinaunce, With many a stede wel fairing 3660 Ayeinst the Soudon ther come riding. With XXX*' batels in goode aray ; I shal you tel hou wet^out delay. Chap. IX.] THE ORDER OF THE HOST OF THE KING OF KINGS. 115 CHAPTEE IX. Of the grete manhod of the king of kinges, how he enbatelled his wardes in the felde. ITlhe king of kinges com formest, 3664 JL For he held him self euer best ; And so he was of his bodie, Ther was no man more bardie, Nor noon so bold as was he, 3668 As ye may after here and se ; Therfor the vaward haue he wold. With him he toke kinges bold In his warde forto ride, 3672 And iii. Mi. knightes bi his side. With as many assigned to ich bataile Of the othir xxx" saunzfaile. Of goode knightes he gan ordeyfi 3676 Forto be here chevetayn, In euery warde kinges thre He assigned forto be. The kinges ovn son Gwynan, 3680 A yonge knight, A doughti man. The king of kinges banerer he was, [Foi. 181, col. 2.] His fadre him assigned in that case. The king of Inde cam aftirward, 3684 That sum tyme was Aufreyus steward. 1. The King of Kin« led me ran- ward, with 3000 knights ; and 3000 were in each of the 30 bat- talions (or 10 divi- sions). The king's son, G'Wjman, bare his banner. 116 FROM THE 2nd TO THE 6tH BATTALIONS OF THE KING OF KINGS* HOST. [Chap. IX. 2. Then came Sir Amalek, with two kings and 30,000 men. 3. King Samyke (the father of Au- freyus's false first wife), with 3000 knights. 4. Sir Madan, with two kings and 3000 knights. 5. Sir Barachias, King of Europe, with 3000 knights, two kings, and 30,000 men. 6. Sir Hermonyes, a gigantic man, Sir Amalek, that fals traitour, That did him so grete dishonour So to betray him of his lond, 3688 As ye haue herd tofore hond ; Twoo kinges had he in his companye, And thirti thousand men hardie. Next aftir him come king Samyke, 3692 Lord and Sire of al Affrik, He com in the third ward trewlie ; The Queues fadre of ynde was he That hir lord Aufreyus forsoke 3696 And the fals steward toke ; He come wz't^ iii Mi knightes goode, And many moo of gentil bloode. In the fourth ward ther com than 3700 The king of Grece, Sir Madan, A moch man, and right yong, — Of herd had he noon sprong, — A reed man he was, and amerous, 3704 And therto hardi and corageous ; With him ther com kinges twoo, And iii Ml. knightes also. In the fift ward ther was 3708 A Prince called Sir Barachias, King of Europe, and in his route He broght .iii. Mi knightes stoute ; And twoo kinges com with him thoo, 3712 With thirti thousand men also. In the sixt batel come than Sir hermonyes the hardie man, Yong he was, and moch of growyng, 3716 And of les Ynde he was king, A doughti man and an hidous, And of making he was mervellous : Chap. TX.] THE 7tH, 8tH, AND 9tH BATTALIONS OF THE KING OF KINGS* HOST. 117 Of his stature wer his knightes, 3720 Huge men, and mych of mightes, Grete hedes ^ith visage blak, Boistous bodies, as it wer a sak, Her bakkes large, twoo yerdes brode ; 3724 To hevie thei wer for any hors lode, Therfor thei rode on camelles ; And hou thei fought in batelles, Of swerd ne spere coude thei noght, 3728 Like mattokes wer here wepens wroght, With long helmes of yreu stoute That heng by her uekkes aboute. In seuent ward, god it wote, 3732 Come the king of Assirie, Sir Galaot, With othir twoo kinges curteys. And xii M^ men to preys. And in the viii ward Manassen, 3736 A noble knight, and his son Euben, [Foi.i8u,coi.i.] Faire knightes thei were, and doughtie. Few betre in al the companye ; "With hem come knightes grete and smale, 3740 Wele thre thousand told by tale ; Twoo othir kinges come W2tA him then, But the price of al bare Euben With xx^ .Mi. and wel moo 3744 Cam vfiih the thre kinges thoo. In the ix batel anoon Come the king of Libie, Leomedoii, With othir twoo kinges that com with him 3748 Leomedon was a doghtie man ; But few betre, I dar wel say, In al the ost of more noblay ; Thre thousand knightes he had to stere, 3752 And al thei come at his banere. with knights black-faced, having backs two yards broad, riding on camels, with weapons like spades hanging round their necks. 7. SirGaleot, with two kings and 12,000 men. 8. ^^anas8en and Euben, with 3000 knights; and two kings, with 20,000 men. 9. King Leomedon than : with 3000 knights. 118 THE 10th battalion op the king of kings* host. [Chap. IX. 10. King Aufireufl, In the X Ward, althir last, As it was ordeined so and cast, [foi. 1216,001.2.] Ther come a goode king w2t^oiit fails, 3756 Aufreus of Tharse, vfith his bataile ; JuarJ!"^ '^' ''"" The rereward he kept ful wiselie, And reuled it ful worshipfnllie. Whi he was so far behinde ; 3760 For Sir Amalek, the king of Ynde, Which had som tyme his steward bene, That so betraied him of his quene, The king of kinges in this wise 3764 Sondred hem after his devise, and with him Aufrcus led vfHh him, fair and free, two kings and Twoo othir kingcs vriih x thousand & thre ; Of Generides was he war noo thing, 3768 His son that was so nigh comyng : But, for goddes sake, or ye hens wende. Here this tale vnto the ende. 10,003 men. Chap. X.] THE SOWDON CHEERS HIS KNIGHTS UP AS THE ENEMY COMES ON. 119 CHAPTEE X. How the Soudon and the King of Kinges encountren with both here oostes ; And how Generides discomfited Amalek the traitowr ; And how than aftre Generides and the King of Kinges faght to gedre, hand to hand, forto determyn the bateti. [Fol. 122, col. 1.] N Ow wendeth this ost in wardes ten, 3772 -i-1 Ful wel araied w»tA noble men ; The dust a-rose, the centre had wonder, The erthe doned like the thonder ; Forth thei ride yfiih po[m]pe & pride, 3776 That neuer stil thei wold abide Til thei to the Soudanes ost came. The Soudon wel perceiued hem ; The no lenger he abode, 3780 But among his ost ful fast he rode, And chered his knightes, the soth to tel. And preid hem al to here hem wel. His ost he made holie to abide, 3784 And made thre knightes out to ride That ost without forto aspie ; Eight as thei were al redie They highed hem ageyn hastilie, 3788 For eche ost might othir see. Than was ther noon abide abide, [«*«.] But who that might goo or ride, The host of the King of Kings marches close to the Sowdon's, who sends three knights to spy it out. When each host sees the other, 120 THE BATTLE BEGINS. THE KING OF KINGS AND ABEL JOUST. [Chap. X. all prepare, and attack. the King of Kings first jousts and breaks his spear. Abel, the Persian banner-bearer, spears a knight, and taunts the King of Kings, who thereupon cuts him backward on to his horse's crupper, Here Palfreys tho thei forsoke, 3792 And to here stedes thei hem toke ; Here sheldes thei gan redi dight, And here launces, for to fight ; The trompettes gan to blow lowde, 3796 Euery man to doo what he cowde. Whan the batelles to-gedre toke, It semed that the erth quoke ; The king of kinges cam formest of at, 3800 He thoght to Just first, what so befal. At the first cours that he ther ran, He brake his spere, that both hors and man Ouer threw, and cried " com on my feres, 3804 And spareth not in noo maneres." Of that braide Abel was war. That the baner of Perse bare ; He ran to a knight w^'tA sheld and spere, 3808 And from his hors can him here, Thurgh the bodie the spere ran. The life there he lost than. His spirit from his bodie can hie ; 3812 Abel began loude to crie. And seid vnto the king of kinges, '' Hon liketh thou thes tithinges ? !N'ou to turn ageyn is myn advise ; 3816 Here haue ye won litle price." Than was the king woode for woo That Abel had scorned him soo ; With his launce grete and square 3820 To Sir Abel grymlie he bare. That he made him low stoupe Bakward ouer his hors croupe. Abel a-shamed began to be, 3824 And recouered his sadil hastilie ; Chap. X.] THE FIGHT BETWEEN GWYNAN AND GENERIDES. 121 But thurgh that stroke, ynder his fete [Foi.i22,coi.2.] The banere of Perse fall he lete. King Nayme his fadre saw that, 3828 The baner of Perse ageyn he gat : Tho begaii the batel strong and hard With the king of kinges in the vaward ; He com frushing, and leid on, 3832 And sleugh ther many a worthie mofi On both sides in that case. But the Soudanes side, hou so it was, Of here fighting were wery 3836 That thei might no longer dry ; Ageyn thei gan hem to withdraw. When Anazare and his felows that saw. And [Generides] in that grete node, 3840 Thei went to hem a goode spede. [Generides] than on al wise To Just had grete couetise ; Justed had he neuer to than, 3844 But, blessed be god, wel he began ; That craft lerned he right soone. Of kind it com him so to doone. [Generides] went out thoo treulie, 3848 The king of kinges sone gan he spie, Gwynam, al redie to Justing. [Generides] without letting Fewtred his spere, and to him ran ; 3852 Ageyns him ther com Gwynan, — Of Justing he coud wel the craft, — Thurgh [Generides] shelde vrith the shaft He smote it in to the sokett, 3856 That the Ireii with the hawberk met Eight ageyn the self brest ; Wel nigh it had ben his prest. making him drop the banner of Perse, and then slays many men. The Sowdon's men grow weary and begin to draw back, when Generides rides up, and seeing Gwy- nan, the King of Kings' son, ready, charges at him. Gwynan drives right through Gene- rides's shield to his breast ; 16 122 GENERIDES UNHORSES GWYNAN AND MOUNTS HIS STEED. tCUAP. X. but Generides unhorses Gwynan, takes away his splendid steed, (Blanchard) and gets his own saddle put onGwynan's steed, mounts it; and asks where But [Generides] ageyn ward, 3860 As a yong knight and noo coward, Gwynanes slielde perced with his spere, And out of his sadle gan him bere That ouer the crop he fel in that moode ; 3864 He saw the stede was goode, — In al the ost noon such, doutles, His fadre gaf it him for goodnes, — [Generides] the stede hent 3868 By the bridel, and forth went ; To his felows he gan to rape, Ynethes he might a-way scape For folowing of his enmyes 3872 To gete ageyn the stede of price. Ther was a felow hight Segryne, — Al langages he coiith wel and fyne, — Whan [Generides] of him had a sight, 3876 He called him to him anoon right, " Swete Segryne, leef fere. Take this sadil fro this hors here, And sett it on that fare stede ; 3880 Take you my courser to your mede." Segryne was curtes and wel taght. And sone he hath the sadil caght, And on his bak the sadel set, 3884 And gird him fast without let ; The stirop in his hond he kept The while [Generides] vpon him lept ; And so he had for his mede 3888 [Generides] own stede. From that tyme Segryne began To loue [Generides] afor any mail. [Generides] than gan him pray 3892 That he wold wete, and doo him say, [Fol. 1226, col.].] Chap. X.] GENERIDES ASKS SEGRYNE HOW HE CAN GET AT AMALEK. 123 Wher Amalek were, that fals traitoure That doo him such dishonoure. "Ay, Sir," he seid, "by seint Jame, 3896 Such oon ther is that bereth that name ; But not "whoo youre fadre is, But Amalek I knov wel I-wis ; But in the kinges ost of kinges 3900 He is ; I can tel you thoo tithinges ; In the first batel saue oon I saw him not long agoon.'' "Ay, swete Sir," seid [Generides] 3904 " Whoo is my fadre, without les Ther is no man that I wold tell, But to you wil I discouer my counsel ; Aufreus, som tyme of ynde king, 3908 Was my fadre wrt^out losing, And nov, as I vndrestond, He is king of Tharse lond ; Mi fadre he is, I dar wel say ; 3912 I pray you ye me noght bewray." "King Aufreus, as I you tel, I saw him late, I know him wel ; To the king of kinges now 3916 He Cometh in ost ageyns you." Tho gan [Generides] him beseche To Amalek he wold him teche, " Segryne, tel me as ye trow 3920 Hou I may best Amalek know." Segryne seid, " by this day He rideth on a stede gray ; Armes he bereth riche and clene 3924 With bendes of gold wel besene ; The champe, of goules red and bright, With riche stoones bordred a-right ; Amalek is. Segryne says that Amalek is in the second bat- talion. Generides tells Se- gryne that Auirens is his fitther, and Segryne says that Aufreus is in the host of the King of Kings. Segryne tells Gent- rides how to recog- nize Amalek. 124 THE FIGHT BETWEEN GENERIDES AND SIR AMALEK. [Chap. X. Segryne sees Amalek retire alone to valley ; he tells Generides, 3936 who at once spurs towards Amalek, and they charge. Amalek pierces Generides* shield, and he beats Ama- lek's out of his hold. They draw their swords, and deal full par- lous strokes ; A proude knight he is of his atire, 3928 And therto as fers as any fire." Segryne went forth that tide And saw wher Amalek gan ride, Oute of his ost with a page alloon 3932 Erom al his knightes euerichooiij Porto rest him in a valey : Segryne had euer on him his eye. To [Generides] Segryne went thoo, " Sir," he seid, " se yonder youre foo. Sir Amalek, youre fadres traitoure. Is there aloon from al socoure." [Generides] spored tho his stede, 3940 And toward him fast he yede ; Amalek closed him with his shelde, His spere in his hond fast he helde, And ageyn [Generides] fast he ran, 3944 For he was a doghti man ; He perced [Generides] shelde. And brake his hameys in the felde. [Generides] was in hert thral ; 3948 His shelde he made from him to fall With that strok he gaf him ageyn ; Ther was strong fight betwix hem tweyn ; Amalek wex agreued sore 3952 For his shelde, and for shame more, His cowardise he al withdrogli, He waxed hardie and bold ynogh. [Generides] hated him vttirlie, 3956 His swerd he drogh out egrelie, And Sir Amalek drogh his alsoo ; Many strokes thei yaue to-gedre thoo, And ful parlous that day wer delt ; 3960 Neuer til than Amalek felt [Fol.l22J,col.2.] Chap. X.] AMALEK NEARLY GIA'ES GENERIDES HIS DEATH-BLOW. 125 His strenght so moch as he than wist, Hardier to smyte he then list ; Out of here helmes the fire sprong 3964 Of strokes that wer delt hem among. Amalek was strong and hardie, His swerd was kerving and hevie ; [Generides] in his tumyng 3968 He smote so without losing That many nales of his hauberk Al to-brast, with othir work ; Ageyhs his brest the stroke cam. 3972 That stroke [Generides] to yuel nain, — Therfor he was som del affrayed, Such oon had he neuer assayed, — His bane that stroke was ful nigh ; 3976 Than spake Amalek on high, And seid, " knight, who so thou art, ISTou thou haddest almost thi part, For such a stroke I gaf the now 3980 That al astoned therof art thow ; Light, and bring me my sheld, I rede. And peace I graunt the to thi mede." Than wex [Generides] right wrooth, 3984 To goo a-wey he was ful looth ; To Amalek he seid this reason, " Thou fals traitour and thou feloii, Thou betraied my fadre from his lend, 3988 And me thou smotest with thin hond Euen befor my faders sight ; To quite it, than I the behight. [Foi;i23,ooi. I.] My step moder thou hast to wive ; 3992 With wrong she did ^ith me strive ; She seid of loue I hir besoght ; God knoweth it come neuer in my thoght. Amalek smites Generides so hard that his hauberk breaks. Amalek offers him peace if he will dismount and give him his shield. Generides gets angry, calls him traitor, and says he will take vengeance for all Amalek's wrongs to his fa- ther and himself. 126 GENERIDES CUTS OFF AMALEK's NOSE, AND RIDES HIM DOWN [Chap X. Generides then cuts off half Ama- lek's helm, and his nose and lip to the bare teeth. Generides taunts him, and on his trying to rise, rides him down. Then his people come to the rescue, and Generides re- treats, carrying off Amalek's steed and shield. But vilanye it is to me to say, 3996 Treulie of loue she gan me pray ; And for I wold not, she wroth was ; Thou shuldest haue sleyn me for that case. Therfor me nov awreke I shal." 4000 Without more wordes therwithal Amalek he smote on the crovii That twoo quarters he fold a-doun Of his helme wet A his bright brond ; 4004 That stroke come from a ful goode bond ; To the face the swerd doun gloode That it neuer stynt ne aboode Til nose and lip it had of shorn 4008 Ynto the bare tethe at beforn. Amalek fel a swoune to ground. For he had a grislie wound ; Than seid [Generides,] " thef, feloun ! 4012 Eight now thou bad me light a-doun And bring the thi sheld to bond ; Nov is noo nede, I vndrestond. To bring sheld, swerd, ne spere, 4016 That shuld nov thi bodie were." That word made Amalek to stert. And as a woode man w«tA grete hert ; But [Generides] with his hors fete 4020 Hurteled him doun, I you behete ; Ther he had him sleyn or nome, But his folkes of ynde come Amalek her lord to reskew. 4024 Than gan [Generides] to remew, The goode stede and the sheld also That Amalekes wer, he toke him froo. And, for any drede, hem y^iih him led, 4028 And to his felows his wey he sped. C«*p. X.] GENERIDES SENDS AUFREUS NEWS OF AMALEK's DEFEAT. 127 [Fol. 123, col. 2.] Whan the lordes of ynde him found, Here king so hurt liyng on ground, Thei set him on an ambling palfray, 4032 And so led him fro the feld away Ageyn to ynde ther he cam fro : Of that chaunce he was ful woo. Whan [Generides] was come to his feres, 4036 Aftir Segryne he fast enqueres Til that he found him at the last ; To doo his erand he praied him fast ; " Segryne," he seid, " take this stede, 4040 And to my fadre ye him lede. And sey him it was Amalekes That hath doon him so foule chekkes ; Sey him, the booldre that he bee, 4044 To day shal he not Amalek see, Nor here armes in this ost. For I haue so felled his boost. And if he aske oght of you 4048 ' Who sent him this stede nov ;' Sey him without les It was his son [Generides ;] He smote me before him at his mete j 4052 Yet haue I noght that forgete, And hou my fadre for that harme Smote Amalek thurgh the arme W^^^ a knife that he to him threw ; 4050 This token, he knoweth it is trew." " Nov treuly. Sir," seid Segryne, " This erand shal I doo wel and fyne." He toke the stede, and furth he went, 4060 King Aufreus therwith he gan present. And al the batel euery dele To king Aufreus gan he tel. Amalek is taken back to Ynde, and Grenerides sends Amalck's steed to his father Aufreus, with news how be has felled Anialek's pride because of the blow he gave him at supper. Segryne takes the steed to Aufreus, and tells him all about the fight. 128 AUFREUS ASKS AFTER GENERIUES, AND GENERIDES CHEERS ON HIS MEN. [Chap. X. Aufrcus is glad of the present, and asks how he may know Gene- rides again. " By his gray steed, and arms, field or in a border, with bends of gules, won from Sir Amalek." Generides's men are nearly discom- fited, but he cheers them and the mellay is fierce, Aufreus was glad of that present 4064 That his son had to him sent ; It was to him grete gladnes That he might here of [Generides] : " Segryne," he seid, " bi what maner 4068 May I know my sone dere, His armes, his stede, in al thing That I of him may haue knowing." " His stede is gray, without fable, 4072 He is both goode and profitable ; Armes he bereth ful wel besene, With bendes of goules bright and clene ; The champe of gold, I you ensure, 4076 With riche stoones in the bourdure ; He wan thes armes — I him behelde — From Sir Amalek in the felde." Aufreus al this vndrestoode ; 4080 He rewarded Segryne with mede fut goode. Segryne departed, his wey he yede, To the Soudanes he gan him spede. Of [Generides] nov speke we 4084 That wex a knight of grete bountie : His felows wer nigh discomfite. And in that wer thei not to wite. For al day had thei foght hard, 4088 And thei wer les folk in here ward Than in heres that ageyns hem were Be .ii. Mi, I dar wel swere. But [Generides] was of goode wilt, 4092 And his felows al(:) lowde and stift He comforted as he might ; Than began thei fast to fight. Ther men might se hard medle, 4096 Many feire knightes at grete pitie Chap. X.] THE KING OF KINGS ASKS WHO THAT IS ON HIS SON S HORSE. 129 the ground all wet with blood. Generides deals blows right and left, Slayne vndre here hers fete, The ground of bloode was al wete. [Generides] bestered him egrelie, 4100 Grete strokes he dalt ther by and by ; tFoi.i236,coi.i.] Many he felled, and many he slogti That wold haue doon him sorov ynogti ; That day he preued wel his might, 4104 And shewed ther was noon such a knight ; For of whom he might ley bond, Wightlie out of the sadil he wond. That saw the king of kinges wele, 4108 Dismayed he held him som dele ; He saw Segryne, and called him anoon, Out of the ost thei gan goon ; *' Segryne, frend," seid the king, 4112 "I prey the tel me oon thing ; Wettest thou euer what knight is yofi That rideth of Gwynanes stede, my son ? That stede I gaf him for grete deyntie ; 4116 Me reweth that I him yonder see ; For treulie, hou so that man him waii, He is a right doghti man, And a wel faring king, 4120 And wel he bereth him in fight ; God graunt it he wold dwel with me, I wold gyve him lend and fee.'' "A," seid Segryne, "wote ye what; 4124 Speke no mo wordes of that. For he is come of high linage And loketh aftre grete heritage ; For lend nor fee, treulie to tel, 4128 I wot wel he wil not vfiih you dwel ; [Clarionas^] and he be so lef, dear to ciarionas. 1 This and many following Clarionas-es and 6enerides-ea are written in a later hand, which I hare dis- regarded because Generides is generally spelt Gerenedet. 17 unhorsing all he lays hold of. The King of Kings sees this, and asks Segryne who that is on his son Gwjman's steed. Segryne says it is one 130 THE KING OF KINGS ATTACKS GENERIDES. [Chap. X. The king says that Clarionas is his, and spurs to seek Generides ; soon sees him, and they charge one another so hard that both slip out of their saddles ; hut they catch their steeds, fight again, To part from hir it wold him gref.'' "Doo way," quod the king to Segryne, 4132 ^' For [Clarionas,] I tel hir myne ; That knight of hir shal haue noo part And I may him mete with spere or dart." And forth he yede without letting 4136 For loue of this new tithing ; Anoon he spored his goode stede, Seching [Generides*] fast he yede, But Segryne hasted him beforn, — 4140 He wer looth Clarionas shuld be lorn, — And to [Generides^] tithinges broght Hou the king of kinges him soght. Then the grete king [Generides'] sey, 4144 And streight to him he toke the wey, And seid, " Sir knight, turn hiderward ; Thou ridest on my stede Blaun chard." Here speres both in hond thei hent, 4148 And either ageyn other went ; Strokes thei gaf hard and fell, — Here stedes wer goode, the soth to tett, — So hard thei smote than to-gedre, 4152 Out of here sadils thei gan to slidre, — Both the king and [Generides,] — Here speres wer hole neuer the les ; Both thei wer stern and light, 4166 Thei caght here stedes as thei best might, [foi.usa.coi.s.] To tell the trouth without lesing, Ashamed was Bellyns the king ; Generides also him with-drowe, 4160 To Justen eftsones wold he now. An othir cours to-gedre thei met, And herd strokes there thei set, 1 Gerenedea, * Gerinodes, in the later hand. Chap. X.] KING BELLYNS AND GENERIDES WOUND ONE ANOTHER. lai So that broken both here launces ; 4164 Than must thei nede for al chaunces Swerdes draw ; and so thei did. t^ . . ^ Thoo no lenger thei abide, 4168 Egrelie to-gedre thei ride ; Aftre noo loue daies thei ne soghteii, [But as bitir enmyes foghten.] The sparkes and the light fire 4172 Out of here helmes sprong for ire ; Helmes and hauberkes began to faile In many stedes, both plate and male. Of strokes that wer vndrefong, — 4176 For eithir hated othir strong ; — Yuel hurtes both thei caght, It was ful hard to make hem saght ; Thei wer not sondred til at the last 4180 The ostes nighed to-gedre fast, Tho went thei twoo in sondre ; If thei wer wroth, it was no wondre ; Ther was many a pitous sight, 4184 For therto put thei al here might ; Many a knight ther lost his life That neuer aftir spak we't/i child ne wife ; Many a feir and riche pensel 4188 With horses wer trode in the grauel ; Many a feir helme and shelde Lay al to-frushed in the felde ; Many a feire stede went a-stray 4192 Mastiiies that same day ; Men might see, and grete crie here Of knightes that hirt and wounded were ; The ground was al begoon with bloode, 4196 In som place like as a floode. and break their lances. Then they draw their swords, and fight fiercely till their armour gives way, and both are wounded. At length the two hosts separate them, and then was many a knight slain, many a steed made masterless, and many men wounded ; the ground was all be- gone with blood. 132 GENERTDES SMITES THE KING OF KINGS A MIGHTY BLOW. [Chap. X. Sir Lucas drives his lance right through Ma- nassen, ■who falls down dead, and then he taunts the King of Kings. The king rides at him, and unhorses him, hut Generides rescues Sir Lucas, and smites the king on his helm, cuts off a corner of it, the fastening of the shield, opens the king's chest armour, Than come the good knight Sir Lucas That lord of al ynde was ; He made a noble Justing 4200 Ageyn Manassen the goode king, That thurgh shelde, hauberk, and doublet, The launce perced ouer the soket, Euen thurghout the bodie 4204 That the ende shewed al bloodie ; Eight befor the king of kinges Manassen fel deid doun sidelinges. Than seid Lucas to the king bliue, 4208 " Take this present : yuel mot thou thriue ! I shal assay, or I goo. Eight soone to send the such moo." The king of kinges herd that scorn ; 4212 He closed with his shelde beforii ; He rode to Sir Lucas ; with his spere Out of his sadel he gan him here ; Eight ther he had ful nigh his pees. 4216 That gan aspie Generides^ That Lucas fal to the ground ; He reskewed him son in that stound, He smote the king of kinges thoo 4220 On high vpon his helme soo With his swerd that the oon comer Fel nigh a-doun bi his color ; Laces and stringes he kerue on twoo, 4224 And the girding of the shelde also So that the shelde to fal he lett ; Dovnermore the stroke went yet To the brest before the hauberk, 4228 That mych failed of that strong werk,— But to the bare come it noght, — It was harme it wanted oght : [Fol. 124, col. 1.] Chap. X.] GENERIDES RIDES THRICE OVER THE KING OF KINGS. The swerd glaced ferther doun, 4232 And clove a twoo the stedes crovn. The king was astooned thoo ; His goode stede he did forgoo, And him self to ground fel, — 4236 What day it was he wist not wel, — And ouer him rode Sir [Generides] Twies or thries or he wold cese : His life had he lost almost, 4240 Ne had socour be of his ost. Generides than forth he shoke, Ynto his felows the wey he toke. The kinges knightes a feir stede broght,- 4244 Here lord to worship was here thoght, — He toke the stede with fel hert, And in grete ire vp he stert ; His home he blew ful hidouslie 4248 That al the ost might here the crye, That he was wroth that did it know. Ageyn him A Mi on a row To-gedre riden tho hastilie, 4252 Ech man to prove his maistrie. Than come the folk of high ynde, Strong men, And of wonder kynde, With here maces of ireii and of stele, 4256 Mattokes hem semed to be ful wele. Whan thei cam to the route Thei leiden fast on aboute ; The grete pres thei parted on sondre, — 4260 Of here strokes men thoght wondre, — Many a goode knight thei ouerthrew. Whan thei of Perse here strokes knew, Thei durst hem noght abide, 4264 Thei shonned hem on eche a side. and splits his steed's skull in two. The king falls to the ground, and Generides rides over him, hut his host rescue him, remount him, and he hlows his horn for Us 1000 best men, of High Ynde, \rith maces like mattocks, who soon terrify the men of Perse. 134 THE SOWDON's men RETREAT SLOWLY TO THEIR CITY. [Chap. X. The Sowdon appeals to Ms lords for help, but Sir Geridon says that they cannot fight against devils ; they must retreat slowly, keeping close, so that the mattock- men may not break through them. This they do, turning oft on their pursuers, That saw the Soudan, and was woo That his folk wer scomfited soo, He seid to hem ^iih mild speche 4268 " Lordes al, I you beseche, Oure honour fond we forto saue As euer hiderward yet we haue, For oft ye haue goten me loos 4272 And grete worship ageyii my foos ; And if I youre help not had, Certanly my state were bad ; So grete nede had I neuer noon 4276 As I haue to day, ye see echoon." Than Answered Sir Geridon, Darel fadre, to the Soudon, " Suffre we may vs noght to stere 4280 Ageyns this boistous ost here ; Thei be develles, and noo men, Oon of hem is worth othir ten ; But neuer the les we may not flee 4284 To hasteli that thei may it see, For than thei shuld vs confound. And hastelie bring vs to the ground ; But softlie we shal withdraw, 4288 And defend vs that we be not slaw, And kepe vs to-gedre on a throin, Within vs that thei ne com." Whan the Soudon herd that skil, 4292 Nedes he must consent thertil ; He blew a mote stern and stoute, His folkes gadred him round aboute, And gan to flee softlie, 4296 And oft turned ageyn boldlie, And defended hem egrelie As thei with-drew hem wittilie ; [Fol. 124, col. 2.] Chap. X.] GENERIDES AND ANAZAREE ARE LEFT AT A DISTANCE, FIGHTING. 135 Thei nighed nigh at the last 4300 Toward the Citie in al hast ; The Soudanes folk entred in, — Wei was him might gete within, — Many a bold knight and hardie 4304 Were slayn on the Soudanes partie, And an hundreth or moo wer noma Or thei to the Citie might come ; Or thei might gete within the palace 4308 A thousand stedes won ther was. Whan the Soudon wist of this That thei lost such an entrepris. Than wer thei all sore dismayed 4312 Of that shoure thei had assayed. The Soudon did the gates shet, Here enmyes without to let ; The brigge he drogh hastelie ; 4316 Of his lose he was sorie. Generides and Sir Anazaree Wist not of here fleeyng trewlie, Nor of the Soudanes awey-fleyng 4320 Into the tovn wist thei nothing, For with here men grete and smale Thei were benethe in a dale [Foi.i246,coi.i.] Where was strong and hard fighting ; 4324 And thider cometh the stoute king Of Assirie and al his route. Bold men withouten doute. Moo than twoo Mi were fold and slaw ; 4328 Here folk gan fast to withdraw And lese in that strong batel, For of an hundred saunz faile Ther were but few in al here route. 4332 Therof Anazaree had grete doute, and get to the city, though many are slain, and 100 captured, also 1000 steeds ; at which the Sow- don and his men are discouraged. Generides and Anazaree, and their men, know nothing of this retreat, hut are fighting in a dale. The King of Assirie attacks them. and the Persians begin to lose. Anazaree 1 36 GENERIDES AND ANAZAREE TRY TO RETREAT THROUGH THE ENEMY's HOST. [Chap . X . advises a retreat to the host ; Generides agrees ; but on beginning it they find that the host has fled to the city, and that it is now surrounded by their enemies' tents. Anazaree adyises that they make for a postern in the tower And seid, ''[Generides,] I you rede, Draw we vs to cure felourede. For oure men begyn to lese ; 4336 Toward onre ost I rede we drese.'' [Generides] seid, " nov graunt I me." To-gedre thei gedred here meigne ; Thei trowed to here ost to haue went, 4340 But thei had almost be shent ; Tho -percemed thei redilie Here ost was fled into the Citie ; Thei gan to ride thider-ward, 4344 Wei sone thei had encountre herd, For thei wened to haue passed clene Thurgh the medo feire and grene. A Mi pavilons ther by and by 4348 [Generides^] told ful redilie Of his enmyes, ful bold barouns, "With riche pensels and gonfanons, And al aboute that grete Citie 4352 Tentes in making thei might see, Passing thik in medow and felde. "Whan Anazaree al this behelde. And saw at euery gate thoo 4356 A Mi pavilons and moo, Anazaree was wrooth on his maner, And seid, " [Generides] my leef fere, Nou me thinketh best rede in this : 4360 Ayenst the toure A postern ther is, — This ost perceiueth it noght yet — There is right A privey wiket ; Draw we thidre or we blyn, 4364 That our frendes may se vs within. ' Anazaree seems to suit I. 4354 better than Generides, which is written in a later hand. Chap, X.] A REPORT SPREADS THAT GENERIDES HAS BEEN SLAIN. 137 To let vs yn without letting beTS *^^^ '^^'^ Whan they p<9rceiue oure comyng ; Suffre vs must nede oure chaunce." 4368 [Generides] seid, " Sir, wet^out greuaunce Genendes agrees, Boldly I rede wende we ; But first send we before oure meygne, And kepe vs behinde hem we twey 4372 To guyde hem al that we may, And defende hem at oure power Til we may come the posterii nere." The Soudan made sorow certeyn 4376 For his knightes that wer sleyii. [Foi.i24»,eoi.2.] QJr Darcl wept for grete pitie kJ "VVhan he [Generides] might nat see, And Anazaree in certeyn ; 4380 He dred thei had both ben sleyn, And seid weping to the Soudoii, 80 that they two go last. The Sowdou sor- rows for his lost knights. Durel weeps for " Certes I wene we haue forgoon Twoo the best knightes of all oure side, 4384 Such twoo shal neuer vs betide. Ay, [Generides,] my felow ! alias ! Such a noble knight thou was.'' Darel anoon armed him wett, 4388 And went out of that Castett Priuelie with a page aloone. For [Generides] making grete moone ; Quik or deid, he wold him haue, 4392 Or die for his sake, so god him saue. Ouer al the Citie, the folk among, Of [Generides] the word sprong That he was sleyn or elles take ; 4396 Grete sorow for him thei all gan make. That tithinges so aboute ferd That [Clarionas] therof herd ; (Jenerides, and goes out to find him, dead or alive. The news spreads that he is skin or captured, and Clarionas hears it. 18 138 ANAZAREE AND GENERTDES ARE SEEN APPROACHING THE TOWER. [Chap. X. Cl.irionas is nearly killed by it, but Mirabel advises her to go up to a corner of the tower, which she does, and at last sees Aiiazarec. He and Generides are getting towards the tower, and are seen by the hostile king's mar- shal, Anfris. He rides to Au- freus, who is nearest the tower, and his knights rush to the attacb. Such screw hir hert about did cast, 4400 Hir Hue daies wer wel nigh past. Mirabel with hert entier Euer comforted hir ladie dere, And seid, " [Generides] ye shal sene, 4404 I may noo« othir wise beleuen ; Wherfor I counsel you, madame. Goo we vp in goddes name Ynto a corner of the toure, 4408 Ther while god may send socoure." Yp to the toure she yede at last. All day she had wept fast ; "Weping she loked ouer the [wal,^] 4412 And loked about ouer all. By that tyme come was Darel To [Generides] out of the Castetl ; Than at last [Clarionas] 4416 Of Anazaree p(9rceiued was, Hou he toward the toure drogh ; His armes she knew wel y-nogh ; Of [Generides] was she not ware, 4420 For Amalekes sheld that he bare. Anazaree and Sir [Generides] Thurghout thei russhed a-mong the pres Toward the toure a wel goode pas ; 4424 Here gooing wel p^rceiued was Of the kinges marshal Anfris, A dough ti man of mich price. To king Aufreus in the ost 4428 He prikked fast with grete host, — And than was Aufreus paviloun liText to that side of the tovfi, — And his knightes Aboute him euerichooii 4432 Here stedes lete bring forth anooii. [' wal is in the later hand, like Generides and Clarionas, [Fol. 125, col. 1.] Chap. X.] GENEBIDES AND HIS BROTHER ISMAEL FIGHT. 139 Eiding than who so ride might — Ismael was the formast knight, — Vnto the companye of his enmies ; 4436 He was son to king Aufrys, And Generides own brodre ; But oofi of hem kne\Y not an othre. Ismael saw Generides come, 4440 And redilie a shaft he hath y-nome ; Egrelie to-gedre thei met ; Ismael so Generides smet Euen in the middes of his shelde 4444 That Generides began to helde ; "Welnigh he had gooii to ground, It fortuned he kept him sauo and sound ; Blaunchard, his stede, fel on knees ; 4448 He was ashamed ; neuerthe-les Generides his stroke lost noght, — Welnigh it had him ouer-thoght, — For, with his spere strong and herd, 4452 Ismaels shelde in the midward He to-rofe and al to-brast ; Ismael was som del agast. As god wold, I trow wel, than 4456 The havberk to riue tho began, The helm went of also. The laces brast even a twoo ; Ful litle wanted the soket 4460 That with the throte it had y-met ; The tronchon yede al fro the bodie ; As god wold, it passed for by. And bare his helme into the felde ; 4464 Al bare Ismael he behelde. God be thanked, wound had he noon ; Saued was skyn, flesh, and boon. Ismael (Grenerides's own brother) char7a,coi.2. 4960 Lord and chieftaii of Aufrike ; He smote him so that ilk stound That oute of his sadil he fel to ground ; In the falling he brake his arme, 4964 [And that to him was ful gret harme.] Anazare rode vnto Barachias, That king of Europe for soth he was, He smote him in the middes of his sheld 4968 That he ouerthrew him in the felde ; and the rest agree. So the host assem- The Sowdon's men ride out of the city, and a hard fight begins. Generides is in the Tan, (with a new pennon nrom Clarionas), and Anazaree and Darel. Darel unhorses King Samyke ; Anazaree throws King Barachias ; 156 GENERIDES KILLS MADAN, AND KING BELLYNS KILLS ABEL. [Chap. XI. and Generides kills Kinw Madan. The King of Kings, Bellyns, grieves over this, and vows to avenge him. He prepares to joust : Abel charges him, Bellyns runs him right through, and the banner of Persia falls down. And as he doun to the erthe fel, He brake his legg in the grauel. [Generides] rode to king Madan, 4972 And such a stroke he gave him than That sheld he perced, and hauberk, And frushed al that othir werk ; The spere with the bare met, 4976 Thurgh the bodie a fadom it shet With the pensel ther al blodie ; To ground fel that deid bodie. King Bellins saw that, and wex woode, 4980 Thidre-ward he rode wet A egre moode, He beheld him as he died was, And began to crie " alias, alias, Alias that thou hast lost thi life ; 4984 Treulie thou were a litle to hastife ; For in the king Armonyus and the. Most in this world I affied mee ; Nov shal I neuer glad word speke 4988 Til I see thi dethe be a-wreke." Anoon to Juste he him bede : That saw Abel, and did him spede Ynto Bellins, and ^ith him met, 4992 And with his spere he him smet That it cam thurgh twoo foote long ; The king was bigg and right strong, And with his shelde, wiselie and ware, 4996 The stroke from his bodie he bare That it greued him noo dele. And so he smote thoo Ageyii Abel "With his spere sharp and strong 5000 That thurgh the bodie he him stoong ; Abel fel deid from his stede, The baner of Perse fel doiin in dede. Chap. XI.] THE SOWDON*S MEN BEGIN TO RETREAT TOWARDS THE CITY. 157 Whan the Soudon his dethe wist, 5004 To sorow thoo he had grete list ; His sorow might not be forborn, So goode a knight as he had lorn ; Not oon of the Soudones ost was 5008 But loude he cried oft ''alias" For Abel that ]>ore lay slaw. His felons fast to him goii draw, And reskewed the deid bodie 5012 Froin his enmyes that wer ny ; Al armed vp the bodie thei hent. And in to the Citie with it thei went For to berie that goode knight [Foi.i28,coi.i.] 5016 With grete worship, as it was right. Than wex the batel hard and strong, Many a feire knight died among. His life to wedde that same day lete, 5020 And ley troden vndre the hors fete ; Lordes, Dukes, Princes, and Kinges, Many oon there had here endinges. But thei within wexed werie, 5024 And thei without waxed hardie, Thei drow hein to the Citie ward ; The batel gan [be] sore and hard That thei within might it nat drie, 5028 The gates thei gonn draw nye. Into the Citie to haue fled ; There thei lost and left to wed Of here knightes grete plentie, 5032 That it was pitie forto see ; Sore discomfite thei goii ben. Whan the Soudon that gaii sen, Sore he wept, and hondes wrong, 5036 And gan to sorow wondre strong ; The Sowdon and all his host mourn for Abel, rescue his body, and carry it oflF for honourable burial. The battle grows fierce. many lose their lires, and the Sowdon's men begin to retreat to the city. The Sowdon weeps 158 GENERIDES REBUKES THE SOWDON's FEARS, AND ASSEMBLES HIS KNIGHTS. [Chap. XI. and thinks that all is lost, but Generides re- proves him, says his son-ow may soon turn to joy; let us turn again and fight, keepmg wel to- gether ; and may all cowards die. Generides blows his horn, collects 200 knights tells them all to keep together, He dismaied him hevilie, He wende haue be lost hastelie. And his worship for euermoo. 5040 [Generides] cam riding thoo, And drogh him to the Soudon nere, And saugh him make so careful chere ; He spake to him som what felli, 5044 And seid to him right sharplie, " It helpeth not such soro to make Al thogh we haue harme take ; Som of hem^ oure care might seen, [' the enemy.] 5048 That moch the bettre wold thei been, And cause vs to haue more shame ; Al this may turn vs to game Thurgh goddes help, in a litle while ; 5052 Turn we ageyn, for loue of seint Gile, And let vs gyve hem batel new, And kepe we vs to-gedre trew That we skater not a-sondre ; 5056 But we doo wel, me thinketh wondre ; And who so flee fro me, I sey, An euel dethe mot he die." [Generides] his horn gan blow 5060 That his felons might him know ; Anazaree and Darel herd that crie. And drogh hem to him hastelie With twoo hundreth on a route 5064 Of goode knightes bold and stoute. [Generides] seid vnto hem att, " Eeire lordes, harme is vs befatt ; That we shal win, me thinketh treulie ; 5068 For my loue, holdeth you fast bi me. And I shal hold me fast bi you, Softlie to-gedre goo we now, Chap. XI.] THE GIANTLIKE MEN OF HIGHER INDE DEAL BOISTOUS BLOWS. 169 [Foi. 128. col. 2.] Loke we smy te hard and sore, 5072 In heuen elles come I neuer more * But I doo as I best can, Count me neuer elles for gentilman." [Generides] turned him egrelie 5076 Ypon his enmies lustilie ; Whom so [Generides] gan hitt, Out of his sadle he made him flit ; Many a man he felled and slogh, 5080 That day he bare him wel y-nogli, God made neuer a bettre knight Of flesh and boon forto fight. But than cam encountre strong, 50S4 Folk of higher Inde among ; Ther cam of hem a grete frape, Ful like Giauntez thei wer y-shape. With here wepons like mattokkes 5088 Thei gafe many boistous knokkes ; Strong thei were out of mesure, Ther might noo man here strokes endure. Here king, Sir Armonyus hight, 5092 Of Anazaree he had a sight, And with his iren mattok His shelde he gaue such a knok That Anazaree gan to stoupe 5096 Bakward oner his hors croupe ; Had he no might to hold his shelde, The arme that it with-al he helde Was with the stroke astoyned soo sore 5100 He wende haue be lost for euermore. Had he not stouped he had be deid ; The mace was hevie as any leid That it the stedes nek to-brast ; 5104 Tho was Anazaree sore agast, and smite hard. Generides attacks the foe, and kills many. The men of Higher Inde, like giants, deal terrible blows. Their king, Ar- monius, hits Anazaree a tremendous blow with his mattock, kills his horse, 160 ARMONYUS ATTACKS DAREL. ANAZAREE KILLS A KNIGHT. [Chap. XI. and leaves him swooning. Then Armonius attacks Darel, and nearly fells him to the ground, but he clings to his horse's neck, and then goes to the men who are carrj'ing Anazaree from the field. But Anazaree recovers. and kills a knight of Ynde. Armonius grieves for the loss of the knight, collects his mat- tock-men. His stede fel deid vndre hiin thoo, Anazaree swoned in that woo ; Whan he stil in swonyng lay, 5108 He lete him lie, and went his wey. Than gah he Darel draw nigh. And lift vp his mace on high. And therwith Darel he smote soo 6112 Amiddes hetwix his shnldres twoo That Darel fel nigh to ground ; But as he stouped in that stound, Ahoute the nek his stede he hent 6116 That he not doun fullie went ; So he lay in swonyng a while. That theef almost did him begyle ; Sone he rose, and lay not long, 6120 He drogh him his felons among, For thei Anazaree with hem had. Him thei reskewed, irom the yndes lad ; Set he was on a goode stede, — 6124 The shame to his hert yede, — Anazaree lift vp his hond. And smote a knight of ynde lond On high on the helme ayeinst the crown 6128 That the grete stroke fled a-down Thurgh the helme in to the brayne ; For al his might, there was he slayne, Euen before Armonius sight 5132 Deid from his stede fel that knight. Thereof made Armonius the king Grete sorow and weymenting. For that knight he loued wele, 6136 Of his kyii he was somdele ; For wrath he gan loud crie. And his folkes to-gedre gan hie [Fol. 1234, col. 1.] Chap. XL] GENERIDES KILLS THE KING OF THE INDIAN MATTOCK-MEN. 161 "With here mattokkes long and grete ; 5140 Many thei made here Hues to lete. Armonyus saw [Generides], And to him he made ful grete pres ; As an hound that wold bite, 6144 Semblaunce he made forto smite ; [Generides] was of him ware, His naked swerd in hond he bare, The egge was mich wered a-wey 5148 On helmes, with his large pay, That wroght were of yren and stele. With strokes that he had set wele. King Armonius first smet 5152 On [Generides], such a stroke he sett On his shelde with his grete mace, That had it not ben thurgh goddes grace His deth he had caght tho, 5156 His sheld to-sheuered euen in twoo From ende to ende ouertwhert. Generides was egre of hert. The sheld he put vnto that dint, 5160 And in the sheld the stroke stint; He gafe Armonius ageynward A fill stroke, and an hard. On the helme aboue the crovn, 5164 That twoo quarters therof fel dovn. The barres of gold in sondre yede, The brond to the brayn gan spede. And euen clofe the heid in twoo, 5168 The nek to the breste boone also Euen right douh to the girdle stede ; The king from his stede fel doun deid. Than wax his folk dismaied sore, 5172 Batel to hold list thei no more ; who kill many of the Sowdon's party, and he himself attacks Generides, whose sword-edge is much injured Anth hacking helms. Armonius hits Generides, and nearly kills him, and Generides in turn cleaves Armonius in two, right to the breast-bone. This dismays the mattock-men, 21 162 OUTRAN SAYS GENERIDES TAKES ON I.IKE A DEVIL. [Chap. XI. and their captain, Outran, tells them to go, as Generides must be a devil to strike such a stroke as that. King Bellyns ex- horts the flying Indians ; but Outran says it is no good : Genendes goes on like a devil. Bellyns is very wroth, Outran, that was here Captein most, He seid, '* felous, goo we from this ost, For erthlie man neuer I sigfi 6176 Gif such a stroke, fer ne nigft, As did he this that oure lord slogti, For a deuel it was a stroke ynogti, And to mich for any man, 5180 I trow he is a fende," seid Outran, " There is noo counsel with vs but oon ; Goo we hens euerichoofi ; It is not worth longer to dwelt, 5184 Yondir devel shal vs aft quell." The king of kinges com riding. And met the yndianes fast fleyng. And saw the sorow that thei made ; 5188 His hert began sore to fade For wondir of here cowardise^ He trusted hem most in al wise. He wend to fight thei had bene best, 6192 For of his oste thei wer strongest ; Toward Outran he rode his stede. And seid, " felow, help at this node To destroie here oure enmyes, 5196 Or elles we lese here oure prise." Outran seid, " it may not be ; May not ye youre self see That yondre knight on the white stede 5200 Taketh on as a deuel in dede ? In this world I saw neuer such oon ; Thurgh him we ban our lord forgoon That was so strong and so bardie, 6204 With oon stroke he clofe his bodie." Whan king Bellins herd that saw, That king Armonius was slaw, [Fol.l28&,col.2.] Cbap. XI.] BELLYNS'S MEN GIVE WAY, AOT) ARE SLAUGHTERED BY GENERIDES. 163 He wex nigh woode for wrath, I wene ; 5208 But furth he rode in grete tene, On the helme he smote Lauran the king That he stouped and fel in swonyng, Of that stroke so astoned he was ; 6212 Yet was he holpen in that case. Generides ful fast thoo cam, And of king Bellins hede he nam ; He presed fast to him ward, 5216 But the pres was so thik and hard That sone thei were parted in sonndre, Elles had thei made grete wondre And proued here strenght that same day, 5220 Gladlie thei wold haue made assay, But than ne might it be noght. The king Bellins had grete thoght That his folk begon to scater ; 5224 Him self among, neuer the later, He bare him as a doughti knight. Many oon that day to dethe he dight ; His men were vnhorsed and taken, 5228 His folkes deid, on sondre shaken, Therof was he woo ynogfe Whan he saw thei hem withdrogti, For he ne might not aloone 5232 Fight ayeinst heiii eueriehoon. Generides was hardie and sligh. And saw hem flee, and drogh him nigh. Chasing and euer layng oii, [Foi. i29,coi.i.i 5236 With his swerd he slogh many on, And many from here horse ho kest ; His felows also at the best Bare hem wele that ilk tide, 5240 Many oii thei slogh oii ech a side. and hits King Lau- ran so that he Generides tries to get at Bellyns, but is prevented by the press. Bellpis is distressed at hu men's gmng way, and Generides chases and kilU them. •35 164 BELLYNS VOWS TO FIGHT GENERIDES IN SINGLE COMBAT. [Chap. XI. He and his com- panions turn back to the city, and those within give Generides great praise. Bellyns hears of it, and vows he will fight Generides. The victuals in the city are nearly gone, but Bellyns wishes to win it by fighting himself. That est ■without began to flee, [Generides] he turned ageyn trewlie, "With his felows to the Citie thei went, 5244 The gates thei shet bi here althers consent, And thei withoute than euerechooii To here pavilouns gan to goon, "Wele sore ashamed and dismaied 5248 That thei that day were so affraied. Moche ioye and solempnitie Thei made tho within the Citie ; Thei gave [Generides] the victorie, 5252 Of knighthod al did him magnifie ; 'No man herd him neuer boost. Yet was he best of all the oost. Moch laude gave him the Soudon, 5256 So did his lordes euerichon. And thanked him of here wynnyng. And worshipped him of his begynnyng. Bellins herd of his loos now ; 5260 Than to god he mad a vow " Die he wold vpon a day But he [Generides] wold assay ; Alloon he wold w^'t^ him fight, 5264 That al men may see here might, Which of hem shal haue maistrie ; " — To him he had so grete envie. Here vitailes in the Citie were spent, 5268 In point thei were to be shent And lese here lend and here honoure. But god send hem bettre socoure. The king of kinges knew here mischief, 5272 But him were moch bettre and lefe With his own bodie alloon to wyii Al that were the Citie within. Chap. XTI.] KING BELLTNS TELLS HIS LORDS WHAT LOSSES THEY'vE SUFFERED. 166 CHAPTER XII. How the King of Kinges desireth to darreyn the batel [with] his ovn hondes. Vpon a day in the morow tide He called his lordes on euery side, Of his oost he made assemble A litle beside that feire Citie In a middow faire and brode, 6280 Him self in the midward stode, Of hert he was passing proude, To hem he spake al on loude Forto shew his hertes witt, 5284 " Lordes,'' he seid, " standeth stitt. And listeneth wele to my purpose Of that I shal to you disclose ; If we lenger here dwell, 5288 Yn worship men wil of us mett; [Foi.i29,coi.2.] Of oure folk, ye wete wele att, Grete losse is vs befall. And that of the best most sonest 5292 I warfie you, I sey in emest. The deuel him hang bi the throte That will suffi-e this Eote ; As for me, nov I may, 5296 I will make a short assay To bring to end this batell Or six das without faile ; King Bellyns assembles ms host. and tells them that if they stop there longer they wiU be is- honoured, and therefore he will brine the war to an ena 166 BELLYNS WILL FIGHT ONE OP THE SOWDON's KNIGHTS. [Chap. XII. by a single com- bat with some knight of the Sowdon's vrithin four days. King Lamedon thinks that Bel- lyns's proposal is a good one, For, bi god I on bileue, 6300 Who it pleas, or who it greue, Ypon me Bellins, youre grete king, Shal faft the lose or the wynnyng ; "With my bodie alloone I shal 6304 Fight with som knight grete or smal, And ther be oon so hardie on here side Me in batet forto abide ; My werre ende now will I 6308 "With strenght of myn own bodie ; And therfore, bi youre counsel and reide. Send I wil without drede To the Soudoii into his toure, 6312 As he wil saue his high honoure, That he a knight purvey and finde. So he be of gentil kynde. That bodie for bodie, and bond for bond, 6316 Wil fight with me to saue his lond Within thes foure dales at the lest. Or out of his lond I shal him threst : Shal he noon othir mercy wyii, 6320 He nor noon of all his kyn." The king of libie, lamedon. He stert vp and answer d anoon, He seid, "lordes. Princes, and barouns, 6324 Hou liketh you bi the kinges resouns ? Euer me thinketh, bi seint Michet, The king of kinges hath seid wel ; But I trow ther is noon so hardie, 6328 Duke, Erie, ne noon of his baronye, Ayeinst him that will fight, So wele thei knew al his might. But that he profereth so large a way 6332 To put the bataile betwix twey, Chai.. XII.] BELLYNS SENDS HIS CHALLENGE TO SINGLE COMBAT TO THE SOWDON. 167 Him self that con wold bene, That chalenge is wele sene." The barouiies thoght that it was soo, 6336 And al thei assented wel thertoo. Lamedon was wise and sligh, Of the Soudanes kyii he was nigh, That the batel shuld on that manere 6340 As king Bellins ordeined there. But he had grete couetise To accord hem in som wise ; — Litle respite at mych nede [Foi.mj.coi.i.] 5344 Falleth som tyme wele to spede ; — For aythers worship, never the les, Leamedon coveteth pees. Than was the king of kinges glad 5348 That no man his will forbad ; He thanked king Leamedon And al his lordes euerechon, And chese his barouns wise and hende 6362 On his message forto wende, *' Goo and sey vnto the Saudaii, That if he may finde a man That were so strong and so bardie 5366 That durst bodie for bodie Ayeinst the king of kinges fight, "Were he at the degre of knight, That within the xv day 6360 He shuld send him without delay Into the middow the Citie by, There shal he finde redily Ayeinst him the king of kinges ; 6364 Al his meignye and lordinges. He shal remeve hem that tide, And him self there batel abide." and the other barons agree. Lamedon desires to reconcile Bell3ms and the Sowdon. But the King of Kings gives his barons his challenge to the Sowdon's knights to fight him within fifteen days in the city meadows alone. 168 BELLYNS'S MESSENGERS GIVE HIS CHALLENGE TO THE SOWDON. [Chap. XII. The messengers were Sampson, Loridas, and Jonathas. They take an olive- branch, go to the city, and are led to the Sowdon, whom Sampson tells that he must give up his land unless he finds a knight to fight body for body That oon messanger hight Sampson, 6368 A wise man of grete Eenoun ; Of Corinthie, that riche contree, Lord and chieftan was he ; That othre hight Loridas, 6372 A nohle man, lord of Damas, Wise he was of londes law ; Jonathas, hight the third felaw, Of Egipt a noble baroun, 6376 A wittie man of grete renoun, Doghtie of his bodie also ; To him and to his felows twoo The king of kinges told his wit, 5380 And bad his message thei shuld fulfit, To the Soudon tel in al thing His message pleiii without letting. Al thre thei were wise ynogh, 6384 And toke in here hand a bough Of Olive, in tokene of pees, And went here wey without les : At the gate lete yn thei were 6388 For the tokens that thei here. To the Soudon men broght hem sone Here message here forto doon ; Sampson spake, for he was theldest, 6392 To doo that message he was best ; " We be sent from the king of kinges For to bring you new tithinges ; Aftre this day, ye yelde youre lend 6396 Al hoUie vp in to his bond. But if ye may finde a knight That dar be so hardye and wight Ayeinst him in any wise 5400 Fight bodie for bodie ; nov you aviso, [Fol. 1296,001.2.] Chap. XII.] SAMPSON ADVISES THE SOWDON TO GIVE UP CLARIONAS TO BELLYNS. 169 For hard it were such con to finde, So bold, and comefi of gentil kinde, That ageyn him fight wold, 6404 A grete fule I shuld him hold. For so hardie a man in any lond, Ne so bold, I take on bond, As is Bellins, the king of kinges, 6408 That such an oost with him bringes. Also, Sir, of an othre thing He sendeth you word, that riche king ; That ye send him youre doghtre dere 6412 A while to be his pleing fere ; For as I deme, but she it make, Shul ye neuer haue pes, I vndretake ; For oure king as amerous is 5416 As any man in erthe I-wis ; Therfor I know no bettre reasoufi To bring al this werre a-douii Than youre doghtre him to send ; 5420 Best she shal youre right defend, That al this werre betwix you twoo May be peased for euermoo Without spilling of more bloode ; 5424 Bethink you if my reason be goode." The Saudon sat as stil as stooii. And al his baronnes euerichoon ; He saw wele he was at mischief, 5428 To saue his londes he was lefe. And knight had he nooii, as he wende. That his londes wold defende ; Welnigh it was in his thoght 5432 Sampsones counsel to haue wroght ; What he might doo he ne wist. Whan he saw no man list against the King of Kings, and unless he sends the king his daughter as a paramour. She will be the best means to stop the war. The Sowdon wishes to save his lands, and is thinking of doing what Samp- son requires, 22 170 GENERIDES PROTESTS AGAINST HIS LOVE BEING GIVEN UP TO BELLYNS. [Chap. XII. when Geneiides, disgusted at the others' silence, and seeing the Sowdon about to give up his daugh- ter, says he must not do so. it would be great ^^llainy to make his daugh- ter a bad woman, his enemies would hold him cheap for it. and his knights would be dis- honoured if they suffered it. To speke a word, but satten stil. 5436 [Generides] than liked ful yll Sucti cowardes thei shuld he hold, That noon of hem speke wold ; Than he saw bi the Soudones chere, 5440 And knew a parte of his manere, That he easy to chaunge was, And that he shuld his ladie To the king of kinges graunt, 5444 In vnclennes hir life to haunt. [Generides] that suffre ne might, But stert vp ful egre and light, And spake on high vnto the Soudon 5448 Before his lordes euerichoon, " Sir," he seid, " if youre wil be, Ye shal not bi the counsel of me Doo as thes messangers say to you ; 5452 For it were youre grete vilany nov Mi ladie, youre doghtre, any man to take, An evel woman of hir to make ; [toi. iso, coi. i.] If he wold speke of mariage, 5456 That were worship and avauntage; That othre were grete shame and lore, I shal tel you wel wherfore : Than might wel youre enmyes 5460 Hold you of ful litle price, And al youre lordes and eueiy man Wold set ful litle bi you than. And sey that it were yuel beset, 5464 The dishonowr we al therbi might gete. And the grete nurtoure and goodnes That ye haue doon vs more and les, If we shuld thurgh cowardise 5468 Suffre such vilanie in this wise ; Chap. XII.] GENERIDES ACCEPTS BELLYNS S CHALLENGE TO FIGHT. 171 For drede my ladie thus to lese, Eather I my self wold chese To take on hond tMs batel for you 5472 To saue youre lond for youi-e prou ; For wele I wote and vndrestond Youre quarel is trew ye haue on bond, And therfor who shal for you fight, 5476 He shal wirch al with the right ; And god, that neuer loued wrong, In youre right shal make me strong ; If his help be my guyde, 5480 Neuer shal I mis-betid ; And therfor if the king of kinges Wold haue youre doghtre w/tAout wedinges, He shal hir wyfi in pleyn bataile, 5484 And elles he shal now on hir faile." Whan he had thus seid to the Soudofi, To the messangers he seid anoon, He seid to Sampson there he stoode, 5488 " Ye ar a messanger, noble and goode To doo youre lordes message a-right ; But he is vncurtes, I you plight. And his counsel is bad therto, 5492 Therfor it shal nothing be soo ; Sey youre lord, If I ly ve may, He shal me finde the third day (Bi the might of goddes grace) 5496 Eedie armed in the place There he assigneth the batel to be ; Treuly I cast me not to flee ; Mi gloue here to plegge I lay 5500 To kepe my promys the same day ; To fight Yiiih me, him is noo shame, Wei I know, bi goddes name ! Rather than that, Generides will fight for the Sow- don, and God shall make him strong. Generides then charges Sampson to tell the King of Kings he will fi^ht him on the third day, whereof he lays his glove as a pledge. 4 172 SAMPSON TRIES TO DISSUADE OENERIDES FROM FIGHTING BELLYNS. [Chap. XII. The Sowdon repents of having imprisoned Gene- rides. Sampson, seeing his boldness and fair stature, advises him to withdraw, and not fight the best of all the knights of the world. Generides says he has the right on his side, A kiuges soil, I am certeyn, 5504 Neuer til nov I did it seyn ; A king is my fadre, my modre a quene, Som tyme I hope it shal be seen." Whan the Soudon herd of that, 5508 Wei stil he sighed ther he sat, And ful sore gan him Eepent That he him prisoned for such an entent Touching his doughtre [Clarionas] ; 5612 Therof ful sore dismayed he was. Sampson beheld [Generides], And saw that he noo colour lese, Kor noo maner abasshaunce, 5516 But bare him bold of countynawnce ; And therto he saw his feir stature. Large of brede and of goode mesure, And seid(:) " Sir, for youre goode 5520 I rede ye withdraw youre moode ; Many oon bereth him bold at home, Dar doo ful simplie if he out come ; Mi feire Sir, I rede you 5524 That ye so bold here not you To profre you to fight in such fightes With him that bereth the price of al knightes That is in this world, yong or olde ; 5528 If ye did(:) ful simple I wold you hold." [Generides] answerd him thoo, '•'' Sir," he seid, " it may wele be soo That he hath noo pere of prowes ; 5532 As therfor, neithre the more ne les, I haue the right and he the wrong, Eight maketh a feble man strong ; And here to god 1 make a vow, 5536 Were he as strong as Sampson now, [Fol. 130, col. 2.] Chap. XII.] BELLTMS IS GLAD THAT GENERIDES WILL FIGHT HIM. 173 Taxe getetti he noon of Perse lond ; I shal die rather than see it so bond. Out of this Citie alooii shal I 5540 Come(:) and he wil voide his company I shal him mete my self allooii, Than may he his [wil] to me doon ; The third day at prime it shal be seen, 5544 He shal me finde on yondre grene ; Take here my wedd, and say him thus, I shal not faile bi crist Ihesus." Sampson receyved ther the wed, 5548 And ageyii his wey he sped With his felows to the king, And told, as he bad him, in al thing His pleyii answer in ech degree, 5552 And of thes tithinges right glad was he ; And his pavilouiis from that stede, With al his oost, remeve he did From the towii twoo long myle, 555G He logged hem there for a while ; Vpon here Hues he hath forbede "That [when] so euer he there spede, That noon of hem shul remew, 5660 Him to help or reskew." Of this bataile the tithinges sprong In al the Citie the folk among ; For [Generides] thei made dole and weping, [Foi. 1806, col. 1] 5564 Bothe yong and old in grete mournyng. And for him thei preid ful hertilie. [Clarionas] sorowed for him gretelie That such a bataile shuld bene 5568 King Bellins and [Generides] betwene, Or than she herd ful wele sey "That knight lined noght at that day and will die sooner than Perse sliall be taxed; he will fight the king, Bellyns, on the third day. Sampson retitnu, and gives the king Generides's mes- sage. All mourn for- Generides, and Clarionas sor- rows for him, because she has heard 174 CLARIONAS WANTS GENERIDES NOT TO FIGHT BELLYNS. [Chap. XII. that Bellyns lays all who fight him low. If Generides dies, she will die too ; but she would ra- ther send and tell him to give up the fight, and she will go with him any- where. Mirabel will not hear of this, as all his honour would be lost by it, but tells Clarionas she m\ist ask him to fight for her lore That to Bellins wold be felow, 5572 But sone lie broght him right low, So strong and so doughtie he was ; " Grete sorow therfor made [Clarionas,] "Alias," she seid, "for verray pi tie 5576 This dooth [Generides] for loue of me ; If any thing hap him amys, I am cause therof I-wis ; I can noon othre boote therto, 5580 If he die, so shal I alsoo ; Outhir if he wold forsake The batel he hath vndretake, Whider-som-euer wend he wold, 5584 Goo with him for sothe I shold — If he wold me with him lede — To forsake al my kinrede ; And Mirabel, if ye wold assent, 5588 I wold my chambirleyn to him went. And pray him the batel to withdraw ; I had leuer goo with him thogh I shuld be slaw." "Doo wey, ma dame," seid Mirabett, 5592 It were not youre worship, treulie to tell, For ye were shent for euermore. And al his worship therbi were lore. Whan he to fight hath take on bond 5596 Forto saue al Perse lond ; Bi his withdrawing his foos might av«unt. He shuld be holden as Eecreaunt, And my lorde youre fadres worship therto 5600 Shuld be vttirlie lost for euermoo ; But send him word on this manere — Sith ye ar his ladie dere — That he wil undretake this fight 5604 For youre loue and for yowr fadres right; Chap. XII.] BELLYNS PREPARES FOR THE FIGHT, AND MOUNTS MORELL. 175 Behote him euer to be trew, And neu^ to chaunge him for noo new. Anoofi Gwynet hir chambirleyii — 5608 Which was euer trew, the sothe to seyn — The message did from [Clarionas] : To [Generides] sent he was, And curteslie did him present 5612 With the message his ladie to him sent. And told him the ende of al hir sonde, As ferforth as he couth vndrestond ? [Generides] thanked hir hertilie wel 5616 Both for hir message and hir pensel. And he besoght hir to be trew and kinde, For so shuld she him euer finde. [Foi.i306,coi.2.] Gwynet made noo tariyng 5620 But bare the report yfith glad tithing. On the third morow Bellins the king Eose erlie or the day gaii spring ; He lete sadle his sted Morett, 5624 And armed him richelie and wett. And stert vp, and furth he rode That neuer he stint ne aboode Into the medow til that he cam 5628 Where he to fight on bond nam. His stede that he sat vpon Was coUe blake, and ther-to he shoon As any gete ayeinst the light ; 5632 A feire stede he was, and therto wight, Therfor he him sonest chese To ride ageyii [Generides] ; His shelde was blak and blew, sanz fable, 5636 Barred of asure and of sable. With floures thik poudred wele, Stif, and sharplie heded with stele, and be erer true to her. This message Gwynet takes to Generides, who thanks his lady for it. On the third day Bellyns arms and rides forth on his steed MoreU, His steed was coal- black, his shield blue and sable, 176 GENERIDES RIDES FORTH ON HEARING THAT BELLYNS AWAITS HIM. [Chap. XII. his sword-hilt set with rubies, and he thinks no one will be bold enough to fight him. Generides hears of it, arms at once, mounts Grisel, and rides to the meadow where Bellyns awaits him, the Sowdon having given him Julian's sword, Long ynogh, and grete to see ; 5640 His helme was worth a riche countre ; His swerd heng bi his right side, The hilt was sett vfiih riche Eubie That bright shoon as any sterre, 5644 A bettre swerd come neuer in werre. There in the midow he houed alloon, — "With him no man of flesh and boon, — Euer leynyng on his launce ; 5648 With irons hert and grete countynawnce He domed noon so bardie were To come fight w^t^ him there. Vnto [Generides*] come the tithinges, 6652 That comen was the king of kinges, And armed in the middow rode, And the batel there abode. Whan [Generides] of that wist, 5656 To arme him he had grete list; Whan that he was armed wele He lept vpon his stede Grisel, The Soudon gaf it [Generides^], 5660 For him to fight he it obese. [Generides] set him on his stede. And forth he rode a goode spede Into the midow to the king, 5664 Wei y-armed in al thing ; Of hors and armes at his pay The Soudon yave him the same day, A feire swerd he yave him than 5668 That was the Emperours Julian, That thurgh treason was sleyn in Eome Of his comonns without dome ; ' This and the other Generides-es in the few next folios are in the later hand, and sometimes written Gerenides, - to his in the later hand. Chap. XII.] OF GENERIDES S SWORD CLARET, AND HIS SHIELD. 177 Twoo of the traitoures stole that brond, 5672 And broght it into Perse lond ; The Soudon smote of here heides bothe, [FoLisi.coi.i.] For traitoures was him euer loottie; The same swerd was goode and bright, 5676 This goode swerd Claret hight ; Aboute his nek heng his shelde, Bright it shoone ouer all the felde ; The champe of the feld was goules 5680 Thik y-poudred yfith smale foules Of riche gold, with a broode bourdure Purtraied with sable and vfith asure ; Therto he bare a ful grete launce, 5684 And heng theron his conyssaunce That [Clarionas] him last sent. Whan he was redie, furth he went ; At the Soudon his leue taketh he, 5688 And yede out at gates of the Citie ; To the walles yede many without faile Forto behold that strong bataile ; The grete went vp into the toure 5692 To behold that sharp shoure That than toward [Generides] was : In grete drede was [Claiionas]. [Generides] rode furth waloping 5696 Into the middow ther fast nighyng ; The king of kinges saw him come than, Waloping fast to him he ran. And proudlie with a stem chere 5700 He seid, '* art thou come, messangere ? What wondre did the hidre come ?" Whan [Generides] had vndre-nome How wrothe he was for his comyng, 5704 Agreued he was, and seid, '' sir king, named Claret. His shield red, with gold birds, and bordered, and on his lance hangs Clarionas's cognizance. The citizens go out of the gates to see the combat, and Clarionas is in great dread. King Bellyns gal- lops up to him, and asks if he has come as a messen- ger. 23 178 THE FIGHT BETWEEN GENERIDES AND KING BELLYNS BEGINS. [Chap. XII. "Yes, to tell you to go back to your own country ; No, to fight you, for the Sowdon and his land." The King of Kings bellows for rage ; both prepare, and charge, smash one an- other's shields, but do no hurt. On message I am come to the, The soudon me sent as thou may see ; Out of his lond he biddeth the goo 5708 To thi centre there thou come froo, For vpon him thou warrest w«tA wrong, And that may he not suffre long, And, Sir, now I haue the seid 5712 The message that was on me leid, Nou come I not as a messanger. But I come as A bachiller Ageinst the in the place anoon 5716 For defend my lord the Soudoii ; His lond, and his men, from trewage Or from ony othir manor seruage, Ageyns thi wrong in oure right 5720 I wil defend with al my might." The king of kinges this vndrestoode. And began to below for verray moode ; Of visage he wex pale ynogh, 5724 And a litle he him with-drogh, [Generides] also on his side Dressed him redie forto ride. He couerd him thoo yfiih his shelde, 5728 For to lust his spere he heldo ; [Bellins'] Also in his wise V -B^W"*** '^^ ^ i^t^"^ ^^"^-^ Purveid him in the same gyse. [folisi, coi.2.] The king lete his hors goon, 5732 And [Generides] vnto him ran anooii ; The first strokes that thei yeueii. Booth here sheldes al to-riven, Here launces passed furth fast bie 5736 That noon touched othirs bodie, Here speres beleft hole booth, And therfor thei were ful wrooth ; Chap. XII.] GENERIDES DRAWS THE FIRST BLOOD, AND THEN IS WOUNDED 179 The king in hert was neuer so woo, 5740 His stede he russhed to and froo ; An othre course thei riden wit^ hate, [Generides] come not to late, His spere he bare vpon high, 5744 The kinges helm it come ful nigii That al the plate ayeinst his vise The stroke it withstoode in noo wise ; . Thurgh the helme the spere yode, 5748 And euen forbi the visage glode, Yet it hurt not the king Ynethes but a litle ripling ; Bi the hauberk the bloode douii ran, 5752 "Welnigh he had his mede thaii ; The king in the same chaunce Smote [Generides] with his launce In his sheld, that it to-rofe ; 5756 Thurgh a rift the launce drofe Forth bi [Generides] side. On his armure it made an hole wide That [Generides] was armed in ; 5760 Som dele it touched of his skyn. But it made no depe wound, The reid bloode doun ran to ground. The king supposed at that stirt 5764 [Generides] he had thurgh girt, And cried on high, " maistre, thou bledes, A while thou must rest the nodes ; I rede that thou goo home ageyn, 5768 To saue thi life thou oughtest be fayn." " Sir king," seid [Generides], " I blede fast, it is noo les ; On line thou woldest lete me gooii, 5772 And so I wil, wilt thou or noon ; They charge again. Generides drives in the king's helm, and draws blood. The king makes a hole in Generides's side armour. draws blood too, and tells Generides he had better go home again. Generides 180 GENERIDES AND THE KING THROW ONE ANOTHER, AND CHANGE HORSES. [Chap. XII. taunts him with the wouiid in his face. They run the third course, and are both upset, horse and man, and the citizens and Clarionas fear for Generides. But he and Bellyns spring up, and by mistake take one another's horses. Of that thou hast lete me bloode It dooth me yet no thing but goode ; But think on the wound in thi face, 6776 That remembraunce shal be euer in that place." Out of witt he was for wode, Yet was his spere hole and goode, And so was [Generides] also ; 6780 Ful egrelie thei loked both twoo, Here stedes thoo to withdraw thei goii, The third course to-gedre thei ron ; In mid sheld aithre othir met 5784 With stoute strokes, and wele I-sett ; The sheldes erased thoo somdele, But both thei kept hem ful wele That hem self noon hurt thei toke ; 5788 Both here speres in peces thei broke, And eithir hors hurtled othir soo That al four fete men might se thoo, Both ouerthrew hors and man. 5792 Grete crie was in the Citie than. Of [Generides] thei were agast That he was so to ground cast, [Clarionas ^] also saw that 5796 Out of the toure there she sat ; Of [Generides] she was in were, She wept and made ful heuy chore. Both [Generides] and the king 5800 Thei were ashamed of here falling ; Yp thei rose, thei lay not long, For hast thei toke here horses wrong, Ich of hem in that hastie nede 5804 Stert vpon othirs stede ; The king was sore dismaied, Such a turn had he neuer assaied ; [Fol.l31*,col.l.] [ I Clarionas ther in the later hand.] Chap. XII.] BELLYNS ASKS GENERIDES TO BECOME HIS MAN, AND TAKE CaLARIONAS. 181 Swerdes draw thei must thoo, 5808 For speres had thei nomoo ; There began bataile strong, For litle loue was hem among, Helmes, sheldes, thei bete and clouen 6812 With grete strokes that thei youen, That the middow vndre hem rebound Of strokes thei yaue on the ground ; The king for wroth was nigh woode 5816 That oon man so long him withstoode, His bridel thoo he gan restreyn. And to [Generides] gan he seyn " Wikked man, art thou yete on line 5820 In this manor with me to striue ? Whi doost thou fight so felly w«tA me Whan I neuer erst mys-did the. And for thing that toucheth the nogtit ? 5824 Therfor I rede thou chaunge thi thoght, And my man become right now. That shal be mych more for thi prow ; To modes I wil gyve the thi life, 5828 And grete londes, and leue thi strife ; And whan I haue [Clarionas] y-gete. For thi loue I shal hir lete ; And thou wilt here of me craue, 5832 At my yeft thou shalt hir haue ; And, for I the so doughtie know. Me reweth sore to bring the low. Or ye to flee here at mischief, 5836 To saue thi life me were ful lef ; If thou wilt not, thou getest noo grace, But thou shal die here in this place.'' [Foi.i3ii,eoi.2.] Than answerd Sir [Generides], 5840 " I see wele I may haue thi pes They draw their swords and fight fiercely. Then the king pro- poses to Grenendes to become his man, and he will give up Clarionas to him; otherwise he, £el- lyns, will kill him. Generides says 182 GKNERIDES REJECTS BELLYNS's OFFER TO BECOME HIS MAN. [Chap. XII If I wil thi man become. "i And leue that I haue on hond nome, To defend the Soudon of his lond 6844 Ayeinst the with my right hond ; traUOT to°the^8ow- "^^ ™® ^^^^ ^® nouer treason finde, ^^' For it cam me neuer of kinde ; Fals to be found, siker thou be, 5848 Noght shal I for drede of the, Nor for thi loue, ne for thi heste, For that I preise euer at the lest : For thou proferest that thou hast no part, 5852 That me to yeue large thou art ; andastociarionas, Thou profcrest me rClarionasl, she is not Bellyns's , •- to give— That noght is thin, ne neu^r was ; For such a gift is not to allowe, 5856 For thou maist it not avow ; But who so hir haue at hir will. For sothe he may not spede iit, But sekirlie thou art not he, 6860 I dar wel say, who soo it be ; Thi part of hir, bi that we goon, he will have little I hope it shal be litlo or noon ; of her— •^ . ' And thogh I hir haue shold, 5864 Of thi gyft haue hir I nold ; And therfor, as for me, I sey let the sword With dint of swcrd betwix us twey." decide. -, , . , • i i Vvhan the kmg this answer herd, Beiiyns is furious, 5868 As a woodo man he blew and ferd, And to [Generides] he seid thoo, '' With-draw the now as my deidli foo ; For al the gold and siluer bright 5872 That euer was in the world dight, Thi life this day thou shuldest bye That thou ne shalt of my hondes die." Chap. XII. BELLYNS RIDES GENERIDES DOWN AND GALLOPS OVEll HOt. 183 To [Generides] his wey he made — 5876 Of that was many oori vnglade Of the Citie that saw it thoo, — [Generides] he smote soo That his sheld nigh al to-brast, 5880 Therof he was fiil sore agast ; The king perceyved in that dede The strengh of [Generides] stede, The chaunge he thoght was [not] a-mys 5884 That [Generides] had his stede I-wis ; The king was right slie and queynt, And saw his ovii stede gaii to feynt That [Generides] than bestrode ; 5888 The king hurtling to him rode, For with his ovn stedes brest The goode knight ther doun he kest, That vndre him that feint stede 5892 Both at oones to ground thei yede. With the falling [Generides] [Foi. 132, col. 1.] His goode swerd from his hond he les ; That saw the king, and ouer him rode 5896 Twies or thries or he abode ; Neuer wors than tho [Generides] lete, Yp he keuered on his fete. His goode swerd he saw on ground, 5900 Ful woo he was in that stound. The king approched to him fast. Yet his swerd he couerd at the last Yp from the ground, magre the king 5904 That made there many an hurtling Forto lete him his swerd to take. [Generides] hert began to quake, Of that shame he there betid, 5908 Al his bloode kele it did ; attacks Generides, and splits his shield; then charges him again, and throws his steed to the gpround ; Generides loses his sword, and the king rides over him, but he rises, recovers his sword. 184 GENERIDES MAKES BELLYNS S HOUSE FALL BACK WITH HIM. [Chap. XII. and catches the king's steed by the bridle ; the king spurs it to get free, but Generides holds tight ; the horse rears and falls backward with the king. Generides mocks him, and hits him a blow that nearly kills him, As thei made this turnyeng, The same stede that bare the king, Bi the bridel [Generides] him hent, 5912 And tho he swore by seint Clement " This stede deliuer me thou most, For it was myn, as wele thou west ; This day to wel he hath serued the, 5916 An euel chaunge it was for me." The king smote the hors in the side, From [Generides] wold he ride ; I blame him not thogh he were wrothe, 5920 The king had his stede, that was him lothe ;- The hors he held for al his russhing And for al the maugre of the king. So that thurgh his holding hard 5924 The sted arerud and fel bakward ; And ther lay the king of kinges, He was yuel paied of thes tithinges ; Vp he stert ; withdraw him he wold ; 5928 But [Generides] seid he ne shold, " Laugh there," he seid, " now, sir king. Thou plaidest mih me at thi liking, Kou shal I, Sir, magre thi leue, 5932 Som what ageyn the now greue." The king he smote vfith hert fett. Of his sheld floy of a grete cantel, A litle he hirt him in the face, 5936 Bi the brest his swerd gan glace. An hundreth nailes and many moo Of his hauberk he rent thoo ; Litle wanted that the king 5940 Of that stroke had his ending ; But the stroke vndre the fent Queyntly al a-side it went, Chap. XII.] BELLYNS GIVES GENERIDES A GREAT WOUND IX THE THIGH. 185 For bi his flank the swerd stert ; 5944 That tyme he had no more hirt, That men might see w/tAout couert, His bare knee it kerued overtwhert, The point of the swerd Vfiih that stroke lepe 5948 Into the ground twoo fote depe. [Fd. 132,001. 2.] The king on him loked bote, And seid, "cursed be thou that me so smote, And thi swerd both that kerueth so wele, 5952 For ther is in it to mych stele. Of this stroke I am in thi det, To quite it the I wil not let.'' With his shelde he couerd his bodie, 5956 He ran to him ful egrelie, From him som dele he wold haue wried Whan his fel coinyng he aspied, To eleue his heid the king made ame, 59G0 But — blessed be goddes holie name — [Generides] with his goode shelde That hidous stroke from him helde ; Euen to bokel the shelde rofe, 5964 Doun to the shuldre the swerd drofe, And brake both hauberk and Acton, In many stede the male fel douii, "Welnigh it came to the bare side ; 5968 The swerd yfiih the stroke gan glide, And gafe [Generides] a grete wound In the thigh that ilk stound ; The swerd furth in to the erthe shet, 5972 And made a depe hole and a grete. And thaii the king Bellins seid, " Felow, thou maist me nat abreid That I thi dettour long wold be, 5976 I trow thou art quit, so mot I the." but the sword glances aside and goes two feet into the ground. The king curses him, rushes at him, splits his shield and his shoulder and gives him a great wound in the tliigh. 24 186 GENERIDES AKD THE KING GIVE EACH OTHER FRESH WOUNDS. [Chap. XII. Generides Thoo was [Generides] hert ful woo, For angre he wexed angre thoo, He smote the king on the helm aboue,— 5980 That stroke was to his behoue, — With his swerd he hath doufi driuen A quarter of his helme al to-riuen, cuts oflf the King's And clouen a-wey the right ere ; right ear, , , 5984 That stroke sore did him dere, Gliding to the shuldre ward Thogh the hauberk wer strong and herd ; There the swerd cam, it al to-rent, and a great piece 5988 The bare armo at last it hent, And did the king mych harme, of his right arm. Hit bare a-wey of his right arme A grete pece of brawn with the skyfi ; 5992 No ner his bodie cam it In. For the first time The kiuff was stoyuod of that stroke, since he sucked his _ mother, the king YoY sith he of Ms modro sooko is dismayed, Dismaied was he neuer or thoo 5996 As whan he saw his ere agoo ; A little to feint he began, But he was so doughtie a man. And looth be euercome he was ; 6000 He stepped nere him in that place, but strikes Gene- On the shold that was reue, rides on the broken shield, [Generides] such a stroke he yeue That thurgh the shelde the swerd went, and cuts his shoui- 6004 On FGeneridesI shuldre it hent [i'oi.i32t,coi.i.] der to the bone ; ^ . i t ~ And wounded him to the boon. But mayme therof had he noon ; But nad the king be so werie, 6008 Al the shuldre fast bi the bodie Had goon of in that tide, I^e had goddes help ben on his side ; Chap. XII,] BELLYNS CUTS QENEREDEs's SHIELD IN TWO, AND NEARLY PELLS HIM. 187 With the strokes that yede hem among then they strike 6012 The fire out of here swerdes sprong, Here good hameys failed fast, Yren and stele might hem not last ; So egrelie here strokes thei sett 6016 That with here sheldes to-gedre thei met, Hurtling that men might here the soufi Out of the middow into the toun ; So sore thei gan fight thoo 6020 That here bloode wasted hem froo ; Here strokes gan somdele aslake, Yet wold naithir othir forsake, Ke outhir of othir ouercome be. 6024 Whan that Bellins that did see. For tene that in his hert stoode He smote [Generides] vfith egre moode That his shelde cleef euen in twoo, 6028 And in twoo peces it fel him froo. And w^tA grete wil to him raii Eft sones to smyte him than That the light fire out brast ; 6032 [Generides] was tho sore agast Of that stroke in that stound. For it made him nigh goo to ground, Such a dint he neuer hent — 6036 Therwith to fall had he went — Ne had his helfhe be goode of assay He had died the same day, His Hue was nigh boght and sold ; 6040 The king of kinges gan wax bold " Recreaunt, >ov most the yelde ! Long bataile maist thou not welde." Than wax [Generides] sore ashamed, Genendea 6044 And in his hert right yuel agramed ; and hurtle together till the blood streams ; then Bellyns cleaves Generides's shield in two so that the pieces fall away, and gives him a blow that nearly fells him. 188 GENERIDES CUTS OFF BELLYNS's CHEEK, AND MAKES HIM YIELD. [Chap. Xll. grips his sword with both hands, ekips to the king, hits him on the helm. outs oft" his cheek, and sends him swooning to the ground. When the king revives, he prays Generides for peace, yields to him as the noblest knight alive, To wreke him thogh he had noo shelde ; His goode swerd than he behelde, In booth his hondes he it be-clipt, 6048 And al at oones to the king he skipt, — [Clarionas] in her toure she^ sigh, — And therwithal he stept him nigh, With al his strenght he put therto, — 6052 The king saw him come thoo. And for wrathe he gan to quake And to [Generides] spech to make, But he in noo wise wold him here, 6056 He might not for wrathe him self stere,- He smote the king on the helm aboue A stroke that was not for noo loue. That twoo quarters fel to ground ; 6060 The king caught ther an euel wound, The chik ther lay doun to the ground, The flish, the boon, and al the skyn. The king swoned, and his brond 6064 For febilnes fel from his bond ; [Generides] saw him fal to ground. And beheld his griseli wound And the bloode that he tho shad ; 6068 Grete pitie of him he had, Yp he him drogh and him behelde. And made him lene vpon his shelde. "Whan the king of swonyng wooke, 6072 His swerd bi the point he tooke. And seid, " knight. Sir [Generides], At this tyme ye graunt me pees ; Mi woundes smert me so sore, 6076 With you may I fight nomore ; To you I yelde me anoon right As in this world for most noble knight [' ? for he.] [Fol.l3aJ,col.2.] Chap. XII.] BELLTNS CRIES GBNERIDES MERCY, AND BEGS LEAVE TO GO HOME. 189 That is living, I dar wele say, 6080 Youre "worthines tel I may. Wherfor mercy I now you one ; Forgyf me al my vilanye That I haue doofi and seid of you ; 6084 Merci, [Generides], for goddes loue nov (.) And graunt me, if it be youre witt. With myn ost to wende stitt Sauelie into my lend ageyn 6088 Without more tene or trayn, Ypon this swerd shal I swere That neu^r the Soudon shal I dere, Ne fro this tyme furth waite him no shame, 6092 Nor noon othir in my name ; And [Clarionas'], Sir, vnto you ^[If^l^l] I releysse my clame as now, For treulie to hir ye haue more right 6096 Than ony othir living wight. For neuer quite you she may That ye haue dooii for hir this day." [Generides] beheld the kinges state, 6100 Hou he gan wex feble and mate ; He had of him grete pitie ; " I graunt youre axing, ye shul goo free To modes, if that ye wil doo 6104 As ye haue seid betwix vs twoo ; Yis," seid he, " I wol neuer say nay." His naked swerd before him lay, And there kneling in that stid 6108 To [Generides] his othe he did As I seid before in al thing. And therwith he fel on swonyng ; But yet for any manor pitie 6112 To him the gode swerd toke he. Than had [Generides] swerdes twey, begs leave to retire with his host into his own land, and releases his claim to Clarionas, to whom Generides has most right. Generides grants his request ; and Bell3rns takes the oath and gives up his Bword to Generides, 190 GENERIDES IS BROUGHT INTO THE CITY WITH GREAT TRIUMPH. [Crap. XII. who binds up his wounds, puts him on his steed, and lets him go. Generides, faint and pale, goes towards the city; all within come forth to meet him, and bring him home with dance and song. Clarionas makes great joy, and Generides is honoured above all. Noon bettre in erthe I dar wel say. [foi. 133, coi. 1.] Generides than cut his shirt, 6116 In echo place ther the king was hirt He stoupped his woundes his ovn hond, And with the shredes hem he hond Forto staunche his bleding, 6120 And aftirward he toke the king Betwix his armes in that nede, And softlie set him on his stede, And the bridel put in his hond, 6124 And let him passe out of that lond. Generides was feint, no wondre was, He set him doun vpon the gras. His coloure was pale and wan, 6128 So sore bled that gentilman ; Yp he rose vfith swerdes tweyn, And ^iih his shelde, the sotlie to seyn. To the Citie he toke the wey. 6132 Whan thei within the toun it sey, [foi. 133, coi. 2.] Bi his armes thei him knew. For ioye anoofi the trompes thei blew ; The Soudon, kinges, Erles, and barouns, 6136 And the bisshops with processiouiis. Old and yong of the Citie that might. Went ayeinst him, as it was right, With daunsing, singyng, and al solempnitie, 6140 So was he broght in to the Citie. Whan Clarionas therof wist. She made grete ioye, ye may it trist : The Soudon made him leches to haue, 6144 And al that might him saue ; From that tyme with free and thraft Honoured he was ouer att ; Thus he quit him as ye haue herd, 6148 More is to come here aftirward. Chap. XIII.] THE DEATH OF BELLYNS. 191 CHAPTEE XIII. Here is the King of Kinges discomfited bi GenerideSj and departeth to goo home. [This heads a three-part illustration : 1, Of Bellyns lying prostrate in his ship ; 2, of Bellyns on his bier, drawn by horses and accompanied by mourners j 3, of the coronation of Gwynan.] F 'Ou listeneth of the king of kinges : To his ost he bare euel tithinges, He made heiii rewful contenawnce, 6162 And told hein of his grete mischaunce That him befet of the doughtiest knight Now living, and boldest in fight. Gwynan therof had grete disdeyn 6156 That his fadre so wold seyn Of [Generides] so grete preysing, It was shame (.) and noo liking : " Yea, foole," seid the king than, 6160 Who so him meteth shal finde him a man.'' Gwynan seid, " it forthinkes me That we haue lost [Bellins] the free ; Yete, and I Hue yeres seuen, 6164 I shal it quite, bi crist of heuen." The kinges woundes fast blede ; To the ship in hast thei hem spede, In bed thei leid him so soft, 6168 For febilnes he swoned oft, And so at last in swonyng Of his life he made ending, King Bellyns tells his host of his defeat. His son Gwynan sneers at him, and Bellyns calls him a fool, but Gwynan says he will take revenge on Generides. The king is put on board a ship, and dies. 192 BELLTN8 S SON GWTNAN IS CROWNED, AND LOVES CLARIONAS. [Chap. XIII. His corpse is taken to Egypt, buried with great honour, and his son Gwy- nan is made king. Gwynan is so in love with Clarionas that he cannot rest; he therefore asks his most-trusted baron, Jewel, So mycfe bloode was from him goon 6172 That lenger life had he noon. To Egipt the bodie thei here, [foi.i336,coi.i.] Al men for him sorie were ; Thei broght him to burieng 6176 With worship as men shuld a king, And aftir that entirment was, His son was crowned in his place, Gwynan, a doughti man and bold, 6180 He was drad of yong and old ; He thoght his hert shuld neu^r be glad For the shame his fadre in Perse had ; But euermor on [Clarionas] 6184 Both day and night his thoght was, So sore his loue to hir he kest, For hir he couth haue noo rest ; In Perse, in his fadres werre, 6188 From an high toure al aferre A sight he had of that ladie shene, Therby his ioye he lost clene. In his centre was a lording, 6192 To him most trusted the king Forto tel his^ pryuetie ; ['MS. Aw hit.] Jewel, that baron hight he ; On a day he called that knight, 6196 He cam to him anoon right, Thoo seid he(:) "Jewel, my trew fere, A counsel I must tel you here Of the Soudones doghtre of Perse, 6200 And my scretes thoghtes to you reherse. [Clarionas], that ladie bright. For my fadre (:) loue hir I ne might ; ^ ' The sense seems to require the insertion of some lines to say, " But yet I do love her with all my heart, and now that my father is dead, I must get possession of her." Chap. XIII.] SIR JEWEL UNDERTAKES TO OBTAIN CLARIONAS FOR GWYNAN. 193 Therfor, Sir Jewel, I you pray 6204 Tel me best what I doo may." " Mi lord," sith it so now is, Wil ye folow my reid in this, I shal help you at youre nede, 6208 Of youre purpos ye shul spede: A goode ship lete ordeyn me. And vitailes therto goode plentie, And therto stuf it wel yfiih men, 6212 And goode sport shal ye see then ; I shal not faile w/tA som queyntise [Clarionas] to wyn in som wise. And save bring hir you vntitt, 6216 To doo with hir al youre wilt ; For ten yere at al chaunce Doth make for me purviaunce ; "Within that tyme I take on bond 6220 To bring [Qarionas] into this lend." The king a ship lete redie make, Wynes and comes plentie to take, Of gold and siluer grete plentie 6224 For sir Jewel and his meigne, And men ynogh with him to fare, And furth thei went without care. The winde thei had at here will, [Foi.i336.coi. 2.] 6228 Aft to goode for that skitt; Jewel had the winde so goode That sone he passed the salt floode, And into Perse arriued he 6232 A litle from a feir Citie That was called Clarion«wnt,* A goodeli Citie and a plesaunt.^ With him he toke squyers twoo, 6236 Of his meigne wold he no moo ; what he can do to obtain her. Jewel says, " pro- vide me a good ship, well manned, and ril manage to bring Clarionas to you within ten years.' The ship is fitted out accordingly ; Jewel sets sail the and soon arrives at Clarionaunt in Perse. ' The mark of contraction is same in both these words.] He takes two squires with him, 2ff 194 JEWEL ARUIVES IN PERSE, AND GOES TO THE SOWDON. [Chap. Xlll. and rides on, being told by a pilgrim that he is in the Sowdon's land, and that in the city of M ounthanar the Sowdon has just made Gene- rides steward of his land. So Jewel rides to Mountanar, foes to the Sow- ion, The othir he lete ^iih the ship dwel, And had hem thei shuld hie and set, Marchauntes as thei had bene, 6240 Til he come ageyn hem to sene. Jewel yfiih his squiers twey Began to spede him on his wey ; With a pilgrym tho he met, 6244 With feire wordes he him gret, " Sir (:) who is lord of this place ?'' "The Soudon,'' he seid, "bi goddes grace ; He is not here, I make you war, 6248 He lieth in the Citie of Mounthanar ; I saw him but seueii night agoon "With barouns and knightes many con, A fest he held with noble price, 6252 And put a knight in new office That men cal [Generides], Steward of his lend he him chese With assent of his lordes all ; 6256 Therof was pleased grete and small, For he [is] holden the best knight Both of condicions and of might." To that contre than rode he, 6260 For it stoode toward the see. He toke the wey to Mountanar, Of that Citie whan he was war. Whan he to the Citie cam, 6264 His In sone there he naiii, It taried not long but that it yede To the Soudon his purpos to spede ; Whan he come to his presence, 6268 He obeid him with grete reuerence. And seid, " mi lord, if jour wil be, I come fro Egipt you to see. Chap. XIII.] JEWEL ENTEBS THE SOWDON's SERVICE AND IS MUCH LIKED. 195 Mi seruice you to profre and bede ; 6272 And also for what cause and nede : — Sir Gwynafi of Egipt is lord and king, He hateth me vpon al thing For his fadre that was here slaw, 0276 And for I told him the soth saw That his fadre w/tA wrong wroght Ageins you, and therfor he it boght ; And, sir, for that I seid him soo, 6280 As me thoght it was to doo, He hath take out of myn bond A baronage of ful goode lend ; {Foi. 134, coi.i.] And therforo, if it pleas you now, 6284 Mi seruice here I offre you." The Soudon seid, " gray mercy, I wil you resceyve hertlie Sith that ye for loue of me 6288 Hau thus lost youre ovn centre ; Such seruice ye shul haue That I shal youre honoure saue ; That ye haue lost for me, or more, 6292 I trow I shal you wel restore." Thus Jewel abode with the Soudon And wex a grete maister anoon, Ther was noon bettre loued than he, 6296 He couth wele glose, and was so fire; Therto he was wel taght and wise, And of feire spech he bare the prise ; Besie he was to wate euer his wil 6300 His fals purpos to fulfill Forto lede [Clarionas] a-way. The Soudon yaf to him grete fay ; He waited in a momyng 6304 At the Soudones vprising, and tells him that King Gwynan hates him, and has taken away his baronage, and therefore he offers his service to the Sowdon. The Sowdon ac- cepts it, and Jewel stays with him, much loved by all, but ever watching to carry off Clario' nas. One morning 196 jewel's plan to get GENERIDES away and carry off CLARIONAS. [Chap. XIII. he tells the Sowdon that Generides is about to ravish his daugh- ter, and advises that he should take Gene- rides out hunting ■with him, and see if he does not sneak away home to carry off Clarionas. The Sowdon and Generides go hunting; Jewel stays at home, to guard Clarionas, as he says; And into a gardyn yfith him yede, I^oon but thei, without drede ; " Sir, wil ye not bewrey me 6308 If I tel you a priuetie ? [Generides] is euer about I-wis To ravissh youre doughtre, so he is ; That shal ye preue, as I say ; 6312 And ye wil, within this third day He shal be take with the dede [If ye wil do bi my rede."] " What is youre counsel in this now ; 6316 Tel me, Sir Jewel, I prey you. To morow I purpos take my meigne, The best of al, to wend with me Into the forest on huntyng 6320 Without ony othir letting." " Yea, se that [Generides] be ther ooii Ynto the wod with you to goon ; Ful woo in hert ye shul him finde 6324 That ye leue him noght behinde ; His felows I warant he wil forsake, And homward to youre doughtre shake, And forto lede hir than away ; 6328 Thus, Sir, herd I oon say." Al this was Jewels treasouri To gete [Generides^] out of toun That he might his purpose atteyn 6332 To bring aboute his fals treyn. On the morow the Soudoii on hunting went, [Generides] with him went present. Thoo ful priuelie to the Soudoii 6336 " I wil abide, and not out gooii, To awaite on my ladie That she in noo wise take passe [ 1 Clarionas in a later hand.] Chap. XIII.] JEWEL, UNDER FALSE PRETENCES, GETS CLARIONAS TO RIDE WITH HIM. 197 [Foi. 134, col. 2.1 With [Geneiides] forto goon. 6340 " Doo yoiire best," seid the Soudon. Whan the Soudon to the wod was went, Anoon Jewel to his ship sent To warn his men to be redie, 6344 On his comyng to waite and spie ; And bad his men from him ride, And at the tovnes ende him abide. Jewel light vpon his stede bayard, 6348 And rode to [Clarionas] chambre ward Ther she was logged In, — She knew no thing of his fals gyii, — He called hir with loude voice on hie 6352 " Ma dame," he seid, " make you redie ; Mi lord youre fadre for you hath sent, For he hath gam for his entent ; In the forest he hunteth the dere, 6356 Therfor he wold that ye were there That part ye had of his disport." She was glad of that comfort. From hir stable was broght thoo 6360 An hors for hir and Mirabel also; Whan she was on hir palfray, With Sir Jewel she toke the way. Whan thei come the forest nigh, 6364 Mirabel p^rceyued and sigh Hou Jewel bi the forest hem led ; Of som treason she was a-drede. From the launde thei were passed a myle, 6368 The Soudon ther hunted that while; Jewel euer the wey helde Betwix the forest and the felde ; Mirabel, priuelie as she might ; 6372 Made hir ladie forto light. . but he sends to his men to be ready, and tells Clarionas her father has sent him for her to see the hunt in the forest. She and Mirabel go with Sir Jewel ; but Mirabel sus- pects some plot, makes Clarionas dismount, 198 MIRABEL TELLS NATHANAEL OP JE%VEL'S TREACHERY. [Chap. XIH. and tells her her suspicions. Just then Na- thanael comes up, and Mirabel ap- peals to him for protection, begging him to ask Generides to avenge them. Nathanael rides off, gets Generides's armour, and takes it to him in the forest. Generides arms. Of that lighting Jewel was woo, But nodes he must suffre thoo, — He wende it had bene for node, 6376 Neuer the les he had grete drede ; — Whan thei wer among the bussftes att, She seid, " ma dame, now tel I shal ; I drede Sir Jewel sore and herd ; 6380 He ledeth vs from the forest ward." As thei were in here talking, There come ]N'athanael riding Thurgh the busshes, folowing an hert. 6384 Mirabel was of eye ful smert. She him saw, and called him than ; And he was ful like a gentilman, Eefreyned his hors, and come hem too ; 6388 ''Mercy," she seid, what shal we doo ? IS'ou wher is my lord the Soudon ? But if we be holp of som man, Traied we been thurgh Sir Jewel. 6392 !N'ou help vs. Sir Nathanael, And in this case doo youre dever, Elles we be shamed for euer : [Generides] youre lord now besech 6396 On this mater to doo som wrech." To the Citie he rode a grete pase, Nathanael tho ful sorie was ; His lordes hameys toke he thoo, 6400 Into the forest gan he goo ; Wei sone he fond him, as god wold. And bad tithinges he him told Of [Clarionas], hou she was went. 6404 Anoon his barneys to him he hent. He armed him and toke his brond Boldlie in his right bond, [Fol. 1345, col. 1.] Chap. XIIL] GENERIDES OVERTAKES JEWEL CARRYING OFF CLARIONAS. 199 He thoglit for his ladies sake 6408 He wold Sir Jewel ouertake ; [Generides] for verray ire quoke, Sir Jewel harnes^ he ouer toke ; — U so '^ ^s.] (Jewel comforted hir on his manere, 6412 And seid, " swete ma dame, what chere ? Make not so grete sorow now, For or oght long ye shal se how Al is for youre worship that I doo ; 6416 Think noon othre but it is soo ; For I behote you oon thing, The shul haue the richest king Ynto youre husbond now on ly ve ; 6420 Therfor ye ought to be glad and blive.") — Jewel herd noyse of hors coinand ; [Generides] was ful nigh hand ; Whan he saw that (:) he him withdrogh 6424 And lighted, for doughtie he was y-nogh ; His sheld he gan to him take, And stoute countenawnce for to make ; He bethoght him of [Generides], 6428 Hou men spake of him more and les, And than lowde he gan to crie, "[Generides], now for thi curtesie, Gentil knight, refreyn youre stede, 6432 And take not on yuel this dede ; I shal you tel sikirlie Whi this ladie thus lede I, — Not for despite of the Soudoii, 6436 As euer might I ride or goon, Of al wymen that ben on live King Gwynaii wold haue hir to wive ; Therfore I wold hir to him lede ; 6440 For noght elles, so god me spede ! and shakes with anger. Jewel comforts Clarionas, and says she shall have the richest kin? li\-ing for her husband. Soon he hears Ge- nerides coming, dismounts, and tells him that he is taking Clarionas away to be King Gwj-nau's wife; 200 JEWEL TELLS GENERIDES A PLAUSIBLE STORY AND HE BELIEVES IT. [Chap. XIII. but as Generides is come, he gives her up to him at once, and begs that Ge- nerides will let him ride off, he (Generides) lodging all night in the forest. Generides agrees to Jewel's proposal to remain there all night. And sith ye hidre come be, I deliuer you hir for me ; Take hir to you in goddes name, 6444 Of you wil I bere noo blame ; If I had hir to Egipt broght And it had you forthoght, Ye might be siker in certeyii 6448 I shuld haue broght hir ageyn ; Sir, gyve me leue to Eide to the Citie, And that noo bodie biwrey me Of that I haue here dooii 6452 Til we speke to gedre sone. The Soudon in the Forest is, And al night wil be ther y-wis ; I saw som here logges make 6456 Or I my lourney hidre did take, For I trusted there thei wold abide — The trouth from you I wil not hide ; — And ye wil doo as I you say, 6460 Al night logge you here ye may. And erlie in the morow tide To the Citie than may ye ride." [Generides] trusted wel his saw, 6464 And seid, " Sir Jewel, goode felaw, Al that thou seist, wele trow I may ; Bi youre counsel I wil abide til day ; To the Citie goo ye a-right, 6468 For here wil we logge al night." Jewel his way began to hold As thogh he to the Citie wold. But euer a-side he gan espie 6472 [Generides] and his companye. Out of the wey he gaii to ride. And him among the busshes hide, [Fol.l346,col.2.] Chap. XIII.] jewel's further treachery against GENERIDES. 201 Waiting where thei here logges wroght ; 6476 [Generides] thoo noon euel thoght; But euer Jewel folowed sone To aspie what thei wold doone. In a launde a litle beside, 6480 His men he made there to abide ; "Whan he saw here logges wer wroght, His fals purpos he letted noght, To the Soudon he yede in hast 6484 Til he found him at the last ; To him seid he in this degree, " Pleasseth you to goo with me ; Of that I told you, if ye haue mynde, 6488 The trouth therof now shul ye finde, Of [Generides] and [Clarionas] Ye shuld finde it is noo les ; [Generides] youie doghtre hath a-way, 6492 In this forest I hem say ; With hir he hath doon his will, Here logge I can lede you vntiit." Thoo had the Soudon neu^ more care ; 6496 With Sir Jewel than gan he fare. Jewel to the logge hein broght ; The Soudon than him bethoght What was best forto doo ; 6500 Anoon in that hastie woo With his swerd in bond drawe He thoght there him to haue slaw. [Generides] thoght noo vilanye, [Foi.i35,coi.i.] 6504 Whan he had talked with his ladie, — He was wery of his huntyng, Whan he had talked — fel on sloping ; In the logge he lay bi the oon side, 6508 And bi that othir, as it wold betide, Jewel watches till Generides's men have made their huts, then goes to the Sowdon and tells him that Generides has his daughter out in the rarest, and has defiled her. The Sowdon goes with him to the hut, thinking to kill Generides, who meantime has fallen asleep, and so the Sowdon finds him, 26 202 THE SOWDON, DECEIVED BY JEWEL, ENTRUSTS CLARIONAS TO HIM. [Chap. Xlll. Clarionas being on the other side, with a sword be- tween them. The Sowdon hesi- tates to kill Gene- rides, only changes swords with him, and then carries Clarionas,sleeping, to Jewel, and bids him take her home. Clarionas and Mirabel lay ; Al this the Soudon wel say, And betwix hem there he found 6512 His swerd stikking in the ground In tokeil that noon evel was Betwix him and Clarionas^ !Noon othir than law of mariage, 6516 To doo the Soudon noon outrage. The Soudon beheld here liyng, And stoode stil in stoodiyng ; Ne might he not for gentilnesse 6520 Doo Generides noo distres ; He thoght wel what goode seruice He had dooii him in many wise ; The Soudon had grete pitie 6524 To slee a man of his bountie That yfiih doughtynes of his bond Had him saued, and al his lond. The Soudon Generides swerd toke, 6528 (He saw the chaunge whan he awoke,) And stikked his there that was, And left him sloping in the place. Vnto Clarionas he toke his wey 6532 There as Mirabel and she lay ; He toke hir in his armes twoo. And furth w«tA hir gan he goo Al sleping, that she ne did awake, 6536 And to Sir Jewel he did hir take, And bad he shuld haue noo doute, For sleyn was Generides the stoute. Sothe he domed that it [were], 6540 "Sir," he seid, ''I shal hir here To the Citie, and come ageyn ; I shal not dwel long certeyii." Chap. XIH.] MIBABEL TELLS GENERIDES HER SUSPICIONS OP JEWEL. 203 The Soudon wold no lenger abide, 6544 Ageyfi to his logge gan he ride, And Sir Jewel vfiih Clarionas Went thidre as his meigne was ; He wened Generides had beri deid, 6548 He had wel the les dred ! "Whan [Clarionas^] tho gaii a- wake, Mochel sorow did she make ; Thoo, without ony more lett, 6552 On a paliray he hir sett ; Toward the cee he rode a pase, For euer among a-drad he was With his treason to be ouertake ; 6556 His iourney faster did he make To the ship that he wer in, Til he come ther, wold he not blifi. [Pol. 185, col. 2.1 Generides awoke at the last 6560 And gan to loke aboute him fast ; He asked of Mirabel so dere, '' Where is my ladie ? is she not here Mirabel tho did hir mysse, 6564 "Alias!" she seid, " lost is my blis." "Treulie," she seid, "now wot I wel Betraied we ar thui-gh sir Jewel ; Al night I haue of him met ; 6568 Now euel chaunce betide him yet ! For nov is my sorow endles." With that swoned [Generides] ; Ooii word might he not speke moo. 6572 Mirabel went to him thoo And comforted him that she might ; He woke, and wex som dele light, " Nou wel I wote this fals theef 6576 Hath thus led a-way my leef." But he takes her to where his own men are, [ ' Generides in red ink, hut corrected to ClariO' not by the later hand.] ?" puts her on a palfrey, and rides off to his ship. Generides awakes, and asks Mirabel where his love is. She misses her, and says Sir Jewel has betrayed them. Generides swoons, but Mirabel com- forts him 204 GENERIDES PURSUES JEWEL, WHO HAS CARRIED OFF CLARION AS. [Chap. XIII. and urges him to pursue Jewel, and kill him for God's sake. Generides says he will never return without Clarionas (see l. 6631-6). then arms, recognizes the Sowdon's sword, knows he has for- borne to slay him, and rides ofif. Mirabel, while going to the Sow- don, is met by him, and tells him Mirabel seid, " Sir, arme you, And foloweth aftir hir nou. And loke that lie ascape you nogbt 6580 For his loue that hath you boght ; And if ye him ouertake, Slee him now, for goddes sake ; And to the Soudon shal I goon, 6584 And tel him al the sothe anoon. And if ye may Nathanaet see, Bid him high him aftir me ; I shat neuer see you in noo place 6588 Til I haue goten ClarionasJ^ Generides to arme him began. And his swerd he toke than ; "Whan he saw it was not his, 6592 He knew it was the Soudones I- wis ; Than seid he to Mirabel, " The Soudon was here, I wote ful wet ; I see wel, and he had hated me, 6596 He might haue sleyn me, parde." Generides stert vpon his stede, " Mirabel," he seid," god you spede." And streite to the Soudon Mirabel went ; 6600 Yet or she cain he had message sent That Jewel to the see him spedde. And his doghtre a-wey he ledde, Oon told him that with him met. 6604 The Soudon wold noo lenger let ; There Clarionas logge was, Thidre he rode a grete pas ; Mirabel he met bi the wey 6608 Thes tithinges to him forto sey. "Where is my doughtre?" seid he: "Sir, I wot neuer, & that forthinketh me; Chap. XIII.] MIRABEL TELLS THE SOWDON HOW JEWEL HAS DECEIVED HIM. 205 For yestir-day last past 6612 He seid, ye sent for hir in hast ; But euer a-wrong he hir led, [Foi.i35*,coi.i.i For to the cee fast he him sped Til [Generides] warned was, 6616 He ouertoke that thefe a pas; And for it was so nigh eve, In the forest he made vs leve ; Al that was Jewels reid, 6620 Ys to betray bettre he sped ; But, bi the trouth that you ow I, Youre doughtre he did noo vilany ; But it fortuned him at the last 6624 He fel on slope al in haste.'' "Treulie," quod the Soudon, and was wrothe, " He hath betraied me and you bothe ; But, Mirabel, I pray you 6628 Where is [Generides] ; wote ye now?" " Treuly, Sir, forward he is Aftre Sir Jewel to the cee I-wis, [Clarionas], if that he mow 6632 Hir ouertake, to socoure now, And bring hir to you in certeyn, Files shal ye neuer see him ageyii ; Thus he bad me to you say 6636 Whaii he parted and rode his way." The Soudon [seid] vnto hir thoo, " What reid ye now that I doo ?" *' Sir, lete [Generides] doo what he may, 6640 EUes gete ye hir neuer bi this day." As thei were in this talking Thei saw Nathanael come riding ; As sone as Mirabel him sigh 6644 She called him and drew him nigti ; how Jewel led Clarionas away till Generides over- took him, and was then per- suaded to stay in the forest ; but he did no wrong toClarionas ; and he ia now gone to overtake her and succour her. Then they see Nathanael, and Mirabel sends him 206 JEWEL SAILS OFF WITH CLARIONAS, AND SCOFFS AT GENERIDES. [Chap. XIII. after Generides * ' Nathanael, in al the haste ye may, high you * [ » MS. yon .] Aftre youre maistre to the cee now ; Jewel hath stole my ladie away, 6648 He hath betraied vs al to-day ; Youre lord is aftre, god him spede. To late he was ware, I me drede ; Swete frende, for goddes sake, to pursue Je^rei. 6652 Assay if ye may hem ouertake." Nathanael noo longer aboode, Toward the ce ful fast he roode ; Mirabel went to the Citie 6656 "With the Soudon and his meigne. This while Jewel sped him soo That to the cee he was come thoo. He went into ship, it was redie, 6660 And drew up saile ful hastilie; Whan the ladie was shipped, than sailed they, Thei had feire winde that same day. As he was in the ship sailand, 6664 [Generides] he saw vpon the strand; His manace drad he noght than, To scorn him fast he began, "Why slepst thou so [Generides?] 6668 Therfore thi feire ladie thou les ; Thou slepst, and I a-woke, [foi,i35&,coi.2.] Therfor thi ladie from the I toke ; Of [Clarionas] thi part thou hast ; 6672 Folow noo ferthir, for it is waste." [Generides] was agreued sore. And of his wordes yet moch more That he so had his ladie lorii, 6676 And also skorned hir beforil ; can do nothing, So thcrto coudc he doo uoo thing, s'^oo"'' But fel adouii in Bwonyng ; She and the Sow- don return to the city. Jewel meantime reaches the sea, ships Clarionas, sails off with her, and taunts Gene- rides on the strand with having slept so lon^ and lost his lady. Poor Generides Chap. XIII.] CLARIONAS SWOONS. GEXERIDES FINDS A VESSEL TO FOLLOW HER IN. 207 swoons too, fifty times, and wants to drown herself, but Jewel prevent« her. Generides revives, finds a swift galley from Surrey (Syria), [Clarionas] knew ful wel Ms tacfi, cianonas 6680 She saw that, and made the mach ; Thei in the ship did thei coude To comfort hir, stil and loude ; She swonned, or she com to lond, 6684 Fifti tymes, I vndrestond. The ship drofe in al it might, Of [Generides] thei lost the sight ; Than was she of wil ful goode 6688 Hir self to drench in the floode "Ne had Jewel kept hir therfro, Hir hert was ful of soro and woo. [Generides] from his swonyng cam, 6692 And hi the coe his way he nam ; A ship to sech he went ful fast, A galie he found at the last That was come out of Surrey, 6696 A feire vesel for the maistrie, And right swift on the floode ; The chief maister therin stoode — A moch mail of goode entaile, 6700 And wel araied without faile. [Generides] saw him & was fayne, To him ward he yede in certeyn ; Tho asshed he fro whens thei cain, 6704 And to what centre the wey thei naih. The maryner beheld him wel than, And saw him armed like a goodely man ; Som dele he was of him agast, 6708 But to him he spake at the last, He seid, " Sir, if youre wil be. The master says Wil ye doo noon harme to me ? May I be sure ye wil it swere ?" 6712 Seid [Generides], '' I shal doo you noo dere ; and asks the master whence he comes and where he is going to. 208 THE MARINER TO WHOM GENERIDES SPEAKS WAS SENT TO FIND HIM. [Chap. XIII. that lie has come from Surrie, where he left 100 ships of King Aufreyiis, who is going to Ynde: heiskingof Surre, and has given Tharse to his son Ismael. " His other son I am sent to seek ; pray tell me how to and him." Generides says that he is Aufreyus' son ; and also the sor- riest man on earth, But, leue Sir, for goddes mercy, To ask you counsel nov come I." " Treulie," seid the maryner, 6716 " I wil you counsel to my power ; Yet of late I cam fro Surrie, There I was wont with grete navie, An .C. shippes and wel moo 6720 Ther laft I whan I com it froo Thurgh the help of a goode king, Sir Aufreyus without losing ; Into Ynde he casteth him wende ; 6724 I woUe help him his enmyes forto shende, [foi.is6,coi.i.] For Surre he hath nov in hond, And reigneth king of that lond Of his wyfes grete heritage ; 6728 His son, Ismael de Sauage, The lond of Tharse he hath him yeve ; An othir son he hath (if that he lyve) In this contree, it is me told, 6732 A doughtie knight and a bold ; He shal haue Surre aftir his day. And Ynde if he it gete may ; Hidre am I sent him to sech. 6736 Goode Sir, if ye can me tech Hou I may I-know him, for charitie "Where shal I finde him tel ye me.'' Tho [Generides] wold be a-know, 6740 Ful simplie he answerd, and low, " Feire frende, if ye haue me soght, It am I, hide it wol I noght ; For sothe [Generides] hight I, 6744 The kinges son Aufreus sikerly. But the very trouth, shortlie to tel, No soryer man in erth may dwet Chap. XIII.] GENERIDES SAILS TO EGYPT, BUT JEWEL IS BEFOKE HIM. 209 Than I, nor carefuller in hert and chere ; 6748 For [Clarionas] my Souereyn ladie dere, Mi lordes doughtre the Soudoii, This day is stole and fro me gooii Euer more without recouerer." 6752 "Hon so?" seid the Mariner. "A fals Traitour that hight Jewel Hath stole hir, shortlie to tel, And now is with hir into the cee 6756 Toward Egipt that rich contree." " Feir lord," seid the mariner thoo, " Make ye not so mochel woo ; And if ye wol, ye shul sene 6760 Thei shal sone ouertake bene." Euen as [Generides] was a-light Into the ship, and redie dight, He saw comyng K^athanael, 6764 He lete therof right wel ; Thoo thei aboode his come. And sone into the ship him noma ; Here horses yfith hem into ship thei led, 6768 In al haste thei hem sped The othir ship to ouertake. The winde began som dele a-slake, But here enmyes wer beforii, 6772 The sight of the ship han thei lorfi, So that Sir Jewel and his folkes also In Egipt thei wer londed tho, And furth yfith this ladie thei went 6776 To the Citie of Egeas as thei wer bent. [Generides] euer in the Galie [Foi.i36,coi.2.] Spedeth him al that euer he may ; For al that euer the ship gan skoure, 6780 Jewel londed afore him an houre ; as his lady love has been stolen from him that day ; Jewel has sailed off with her to Egypt. The mariner says he can soon overtake her. Generides goes on board, taking Nathanael too, and their horses, and they sail after the other ship. But Jewel has al- ready landed in EgTOt, and gone to the city of Egeas. 27 210 KING GWYNAN COMES TO RECEIVE HIS BRIDE CLARIONAS. [Chap. Xlll. Generides stays in the ship, Trhile the mariner lands to see what isgoing on. King Gwynan rejoices at the coming of Clario- nas. and hids all his lords to his bridal. All come : there never was such a bridal. But the custom in Egypt is, that until the mar- riage feast is done, and every guest gone home, Whan [Generides] saw he was paste, He held him stil & made noon haste, But kept him in the cee there, 6784 Like a marchaunt as he were ; Til he herd of Jewells play- He held him stil in the galay ; But the maryner vp yede 6788 To purvey of that thei had nede. And to aspie al here disport, To bring [Generides] som comfort ; Whils that he held him stil, 6792 With manhod he might not haue his wil. King Gwynam to Jewel caiii, And mychel folkes he with him nam To welcome him and [Clarionas,] 6796 Of here comyng ful glad he was ; "Writes he did send aboute To al his lordes stern and stoute, That thei shuld come to his bridal 6800 With al estates both grete and smal. So thei com al at his sond. Such a bridal was neuer in lond Hold of king ne of kayser, 6804 Wittnes of hem that wer ther. In that lond was the vsage Of euery kinges mariage That the crovn shuld welde, 6808 As long as thei here fest helde. Both king and eke the Queue Al that tyme chast shuld bene Til the fest were broght til ende, 6812 And the lordes home shuld wende Euery man to his centre, Al saue his ovn meigney ; Chap. XIII.] THE mariner's plan FOR THE RESCUE OF CLARIONAS. 211 Than shuld the king with goode life 6816 Acqueynt him -^iih the quene his wife: That was the law in that centre, And euer is, and so shal be. He that was the maryner 6820 Went aboute fast to spere ; Of this mariage he herd tel ; "Wold he there noo longer dwel, To [Generides] anoon he went 6824 "With thes tithinges him to present ; ^' Sir," he seid, " dismay you noght ; I wote ye ar in grete thoght ; Youre strenght ye may not shew now, 6828 It were noo thing for youre prow ; But if ye might wet^ som queyntyse Finde som meane in any wise Youre ladie forto gete ageyn, 6832 Here haue I al the maner seyn. [Foi.i36ft,coi.i.] Therfore doo now as I you rede, I hope the bettir ye shal spede ; An oyntment I shal you take, 6836 Like a mesel it wil you make, But be therof no thing agast Thogh it cleue som dele fast ; Wiih a water I shal you take, 6840 Clene ageyn it wil you make ; And, Sir, whan that ye hir see, Wei a-vised most ye be To shew hir som tokeii that day 6844 Wherby know you she may ; Whan she knoweth youre queyntise, Ordein she wol in som wise With you to speke secretlie ; 6848 For goddes loue wirketh wiselie, the king may not acquaint him with his wife. The mariner tells Generides of the marriage, but says he is not to be anxious, as he will tell him how to get his lady again : — with some oint- ment he is to make himself like a leper, see Clarionas, make himself known to her ; she will manage to speak with him ; 212 GENERIDES GOES TO EESCXJE CLARIONAS FROM GWYNAN. [Chap. Xlll. then have Na- thanael and the horses near ; but he must go to court on foot, and change clothes ■with some beggar. Generides agrees at once, takes the ointment and water, and starts. He changes clothes ■with a beggar, makes himself like a leper, buys a cup and clapper, stands at the tem- ple door. And lete I^Tathanael youre Squyer Be ^ith youre horses som wher nere, And vrith youre armure, what so betide, 6852 In a secret place lete him abide "With youre barneys ; lete it be soo The while may ye to court goo. To goo on fote I wold you rede ; 6856 Also ye must chaunge yowr wede With som begger bi the wey That aftirward wil for you prey ; Sir, noo bettre reid I can." 6860 [Generides] answerd than, *' Bettre counsel may noo be ; God thonk you for this ye tel me." Thoyntment the maryner toke him thoo, 6864 ^iih the water ; forth gan he goo, ^' I shal abide you here," seid he, And if ye bring hir hidre to me. Of noo ship in Egipt is 6868 Ye thar not drede of hem y-wis." [Generides] wold no longer let, Bi the wey a begger he met. His rich clothes he chaunged there 6872 With the begger for his gere ; Than his oyntment did he take, And like a mesel he did him make. 'With his clothes al to-ragged 6876 To the courte fast he wagged, Cup and clapur he him boght, Of noo felow he ne roght ; At the temple dore he stoode, 6880 And drew forth a ring goode That his ladie him yave, ye may me trow, Therbi he trusted she shuld him know. Chap. XIII.] GENERIDES, AS A LEPROUS BEGGAR, ACCOSTS CLARIONAS. 213 From the temple folk com oute, 6884 [Generides] saw grete pres aboute, And fast lie cried hem among, He made him wey, for he was strong. Whan he toward the Quene gan stappe, fFoi.i36ft,coi.2.] 6888 "With his cup fast gan he clapp ; He cried on the quene so in that place She gan to loke him in the face, For bi the spech she thoght there 6892 Hir lord [Generides] nygh were ; And alwey he cried oon and on, So that €he gaii nere him gooii. On his finger she knew the ring, 6896 Of him had she noo knowleching, Hir hert begaii to wax sore, Peyu she wold wete more ; In the pres stil gaii she stond, 6900 And seid, " good mail, of what lend Ar ye that make al this crie ?" "Ma dame," he seid, "and feire ladie, In Surre lend was I born, 6904 In Ynde begoten here beforn, In Perse norished and forth broght. There haue I be sith I knew oght ; Me is befal thurgh chaunce 6908 This foule yuel and grete greuaunce ; I wende neuer to haue sene the tide In ony lend this sorow to abide, Therfor I come to you, ladie, 6912 Forto besech you of mercy, And help me now in my grete nede ; The bettre I hope that ye shal spede ; For ye ar come of Perse, Ma dame ; 6916 Help me, ladie, for goddes name !" pushes towards the queen, and cries to her so that she looks at him, goes near him, knows her ring on his finger, and asks him where he comes from. From Perse, he says, to get help of her. 214 GENERIDES MAKES HIMSELF KNOWN TO CLARIONAS. [Chap. XIII. Clarionas has the beggar taken to the castle, 6920 soon sends for him, 6924 and asks after Geuerides. He tells her 6928 6932 that he has come in this disguise for her sake : does she not know her ring 6936 6940 given to him at a window ? Yes, but tell me more. " I am Generides, 6944 6948 [Clarionas] mocli wondre thoght, Oon of hir men she besoght To lede him that same tide Into the Castel, hir to abide. Vnto the Castel he lad him thoo ; [Clarionas] cam the temple fro, And sone into hir chambre went ; After the mesel she hath sent ; To the chambre he com at hir sond, She saw him, and drew him ner bond. Of hir fadre she asked thoo, And of [Generides] hir lord also, "Ma dame,'' he seid, "dismay you noght, For I wil tel you al my thoght. A mesel ye wene that I were, But that euel dooth me noo dere, For youre sake I did me thus disgyse. And toke thes clothes of litle price With you to speke and to se ; Whan so I wil, I may clene be. Loo here this ring ; know ye it noglit?" [Clarionas] stoode in a thoght. " This ring," she seid, " know I wele ; But youre self know I noo dele. Who gaf you that ring, I you pray ?" " Oon that loued me, the sothe to say, Yave me thisEing"(:) "Where,'' quod she. [foi.i37,coi.i.] " At a window, ma dame," quod he, "Ay sir," she seid, "for goddes ore, What ye ar, tel me more." " Noo lenger hide it I wil, ma dame, [Generides] is my right name That soiii tyme ye loued ful wel. Al-thogh I seme here a mesel Chap, XIII.] CLARIONAS AGREES TO ESCAPE WITH GENERIBES. 215 I am noon such, siker ye be, 6952 For I can wel wassh me ; Nathanael in this forest is here, "With myn hemeys abiding there Til that I come to him ageyii ; 6956 And if it pleased you, I wold be feyn That from al this grete solempnitie, Dere hert, ye wold wende with me ; A goode ship and a swift at nede 6960 Is al redie vs In to lede." [Clarionas] made hir somdel wrothe, And seid, " sir, whaii saw ye me lothe To doo that were at youre liking 6964 Sith first ye had of me knowing ? Thogh I were, as I wel might, In heuen a-mong AungelUs bright, — Dere hert, bi him that sitteth aboue, 6968 I wold forsake hem for youre loue, If ye cam, to goo w^tA you Whedre-so ye wold lede me now ; Therfor, swete hert, now fare wel, 6972 And fast ye goo to Nathanael, And rediUe ayeinst the eveynyng Arme you wel for any thing. For I shal ordein bi some gynn 6976 The gardyn I shal gete within, There I pray you me to abide, Among the busshes ye may you hide ; Ye and youre Squier abide me there ; 6980 Mi trouth to you here I swere, While my life may endure For youre loue I shal me aventure." Anoon he parted from the Castel 6984 And went streight to Nathanael ; Natbanael is close by; dear heart, come, a swift ship is ready for us." Clarionas says that even if she were in heaven, she would leave the angels to go with him ; and therefore this evening she will get into the garden if he and Na- thanael will wait for her among the bushes. Generides leaves the castle, 216 CLARIONAS PLANS HOW TO JOIN GENERIDES IN THE GARDEN. [Chap. XIII. puts on his armour, and hides with Nathanael in the garden. Clarionas, iu order to get to the garden, asks her laundress if she -will keep her counsel. The laundress plights her troth not to betray it. His ragged clotlies lie of kest, And slang hem forth into the forest, His cup and his claper also ; 6988 His armes he gan to take thoo. Whan he saw it nighed night, Oute of the forest he went a right. He and Nathanael in certeyii, 6992 And toke the wey streite to the gardyn ; Thei hid hem ther in the thikkest Of the busshes, as hem thoght best. [Clarionas] was in grete studiyng 6996 Hir purpos aboute forto bring ; She bethoght hir of som trayne How she the gardyn might best attayii; To hir she called hir Lauendere 7000 That in hir chambre stoode hir nere ; She seid, "feire lone, vnto you Tel I wold my counsel nou ; So that I might you secrete finde, 7004 Ye shul finde me euer aftre kinde ; A rich woman I shal you make. That dar I wel vndretake ; Of al women that I can seen 7008 That me to serue assigned been. Best loue you, me thinketh I may, And youre seruice most take to pay." The lauender of hir ladies sayng 7012 Was glad to here of hir talking That in hir fauoure stoode so wele ; Hir purpos knew she noo dele ; " Ma dame," I shal ^iih al my might 7016 To you be trew, my trouth I plight ; I shal you neuer more bewrey Thogh I wist therfor to dey." [Fol. 137, col. 2.] Chap. XIII.] CLARIONAS'S PLAN TO JOIN GENERIDES IN THE GARDEN. 217 [Clarionas] seid, "graunt mercy;" 7020 To take hir trouthe she was redie. " Mi lord I loue ouer al thing, In his loue I haue such pleasing, But if he me loued as wel ageyn, 7024 Glad shuld I neuer be, certeyii ; Bi the sterres wirch wel I can That in this world neuer woman Shal he loue oj'er than me 7028 While that I on Hue be ; Therfor, if that ye wil assent, Ordein I wold for myn entent In the gardyn sone at night 7032 There to wirch bi the sterres light Mi lordes loue forto saue, "While that I line it forto haue. ]S"ou shal I tel you in what wise 7036 Ordeined I haue vs to disgyse Into the gardyn forto gooii : Oon of youre kuieft/s wold I haue con, As I in noo wise it were, 7040 And ech of vs a trusse shuld here Wonden in a feir white shete On oure heides, that whom we mete Shuld wene that I youre sernaunt were, 7044 You to help youre clothes to here." "Ma dame,'' seid the lauendere, " I conceyve youre entent here." The lauender to hir hous went home, 7048 And right sone ageyii she come, And broght with hir a girtel wide. Bi that it nighed the even tide ; The queue did of hir clothes lightlie 7052 Saue tho wer next to hir bodie, Clarionas then tells the laundress that as she can work by the stars to prevent her lord, uwynan, from loTing any other woman, she should like to do it that night in the garden, disguising herself as the laundreM^f maid. The laundress agrees, and gives her a wide kirtle. This Clarionas at night puts on, 28 218 AS CLARIONAS IS ESCAPING, SHE MEETS THE TRAITOR JEWEL. [Chap. XIII. tucks up her frock, and muffles her face up, but in stooping to have a bundle of clothes put on her head, she shows her white legs. As these shin bones might betray them, the laundress dabs them over with ashes and water. and then off she and Glarionas start. They get safely to the gates, but there is Sir Jewel, Glarionas starts on one side, and this makes him suspicious ; The lauendres kirtel on she cast, She gird hir, and tukked hir fast ; She mufled hir face hir to desgyse 7056 That noon shuld know hir in noo wise. The lauender had hir trusses bound, The lesse she toke in that stound To ley it on the queues croun ; 7060 Eight as she shuld stoupe a-douii, The queue was tukked wel on high. The lauender perceiued wel therbigh Hir white legges, and seid, " ma dame, 7064 Youre shin boones might doo vs blame ; Abide," she seid, " so mot I thee, More slotered thei most be." Asshes vfith the water she menged, 7068 And her white legges al be-sprenged. And the trusse on hir heid she leid, " Take ye that othir now," she seid, " Goo we hens on goddes blissing." 7072 Thei booth went furth wetAout lesing Thurgh the hal a goode pase ; Koman toke hede of [Glarionas] ; Thurgh the hal thei passed furth soo 7076 Til thei come the gates vnto ; There must hem nedes out sikirly. Sir Jewel stoode even fast by, Euen before the gates he stoode ; 7080 [Glarionas] for fere was nigh woode. She knew his voice, and glent a-side As she from him wold hir hide ; She did not wel, the sothe to say, 7084 For had she kept furth hir way He wold of hir haue take no yeme. But bi hir countenawnce he gan to deme. [Vol. 1376, col.1.] Chap. XIII.] THE LAUNDRESS PREVENTS JEWEL FROM DISCOVERING CLARIONAS. 219 Whi she so fled he had mervel, 7088 He stert to hir and seid, " Damesel." Hir kerchefe lift vp wold he Hir visage there forto see ; Tho thoght he hir kerchefe to vnknyt ; 7092 Than was she nigh out of hir wit, For drede hir welnigh did fatt. The lauender ran to hir with-att, And with bothe hir hondes thoo 7096 She put Jewel hir ladi froo, And seid, '* Sir, to blame art thou To let vs of that we haue to doo now ; Litle worship had it beeii 7100 If ye my ladies clothes had seeil ; Forto make hem clene we goon, To wassh hem, and to drie hem anooii ; For both oure trusses behoueth to night 7104 Forto be wasshen, dried, and dight. To morow ye shul haue youre will Of my maden, al youre fit! ; And rage with hir ye shal to mede, EFoi.i876,coi.2.] 7108 So ye lete vs goo now to doo our dede." Jewel seid, " she loketh so gay, That right euel trow I may A lauender that she shuld be ; 7112 Let me yet hir bettre see." And priuelie Jewel drogh to hir ; ''Now suffre," she seid, *'leue Sir, Thes clothes til we wasshen haue, 7116 Mi ladies honoure forto saue. And goo ye to myn hous therwhile ; I shal me hast, bi seint Gile, And bring hir thider redie to you 7120 To doo with hir what ye wil now ; he tries to lift up her kerchief, but the laundress pushes him off with both hands, tellshimhe mustn't loolc at her lady's clothes, as both bundles must be washed and dried that night. To-mor- row he shall have his fill of her maid if he will let her go now. Jewel thinks she (Clarionas) is too gay for a laundry maid, and still wants to look at her. So the laundress says she will bring the girl to him at her house. 220 CLARIONAS AT LAST GETS SAFELY TO THE GARDEN. [Chap, XUI. and she is a rich burgess's daughter who is hiding away from a knight. On this Jewel lets them go, and they pass out into the garden. Generides sees two women, and sends Na- thanael to find out who they are. Clarionas is very tired, hut knows Na- thanael, A fole she is (:) ye might hir shame, And cause me to haue grete blame ; Hir fadre is a rich burgeys, 7124 A goodeli man and a curteys; And for a knight that wold hir haue, "Not to wife, but to lemman, With me is she forto hide, 7128 His fadres wil she wil abide." "Now," quod Jewel, "bi youre lewtie Goo now, and hast you ageyn to me ; To youre hous I wol goo now, 7132 Til ye come I shal abide you." Than the lauender and [Clarionas] Did hem to goo ful grete pase ; Into the gardyn thei did hem hie, 7136 Among the busshes to aspie. [Generides] twoo women saw comyng. Trusses on here heides bering ; He wend not [Clarionas] it were, 7140 He saw hir neuer trusses here ; He bad Nathanael to hem goon, And wete whoo thei were anoon. [Clarionas] was wery, I you plight, 7144 That no ferthir goo she might ; Hir birthon she cast to ground, Kedes must she rest hir that stound ; The lauender seid, '' swete ma dame, 7148 "VYirk as ye thoght, in goddes name ; That we wer homward, I you pray. For euer I drede me of som fals tray." With that word com Nathanael, 7152 And seid, "ma dame, rest you wel." [Clarionas] knew him bi the spech. And seid, " frend, I you besech. Chap. XIII.] CLARIONAS SENDS FOR GENERIDES, AND KEEPS THE LAUNDRESS QUIET. 221 Where is youre lord, I wold him see, 7166 That taketh now noon hede of me." "Ma dame," seid Nathanael thoo, It is noo nede to sey soo. Because of the bordon ye did here 7160 He ne wist who ye were. And you to know he sent me ; Now shal he wete sone, parde." [Foi.i38,coui.] Nathanael went tho ful fast 7164 To here his lord tithinges in hast ; Therwhile spake tho the lauender With careful hert and hevy chore, She seid, " ma dame, what gam is this ? 7168 I drede me that we play amys. Is this the craft ye wold make ? Mi lord shuld you not forsake ; Now me thinkes aboute we goon, 7172 He shal lese vs, wil we or noon ; If this be knowen, I am but deid, Shal I neuer ete more breid. Jewel wil put on me treason, 7176 I shal be dampned for this Eeasofi; Ma dame, leue we this folic. And goo we hens, or I shal crie. Be god, as loude as euer I may." 7180 [Clarionas] seid, "feir loue, nay; In this gardin ther is a knight That I most loue of any wight, A doughtie man as ye shal see, 7184 Ful sone at vs he wil be ; Long we haue loued to-gedre ; And sith that we ar now come hidre, I rede you dwel with me stil, 7188 Betre is so than vs both spil. and asks after Generides. Nathanael goes to tell him, and the laundress reproaches Clario- nas for her deceit, and threatens to shout out as loud as ever she can. Clarionas says she had better stay with her, 222 CLARIONAS ESCAPES WITH GENERIDES AND KATHANAEL. [Chap. XIII. and go away with her. The laundress consents. Generides comes, sets Clarionas on his steed, Nathanael takes the laundress, and they ride towards the ship. Jewel suspects some plot, as the laundress doesnotcomeback; he goes to the castle, hears the laundress was with the queen, For thogh ye wold now crie Ye shuld be slient as wel as I, And namely most of Sir Jewel, 7192 For ye mokked him so wel; Vnto my contre with me ye wende, And ye shal euer finde me a frende.'' Than the lauender bethoght hir thoo, 7196 To leue hir contre she was woo And wende into a straunge place ; But therageyn she thoght on grace What she might haue to saue hir life ; 7200 And at the last w/tAout strife She graunted hir ladie at last ende That she wold with hir wende. Ypon this [Generides] cairi, 7204 And his ladie in his armes nam, And set hir behinde him on his stede ; Nathanael did the same dede, Tokee' vp the lauender behind him thoo 7208 Ypon his hors, and furth thei goo, Toward the ship thei toke the way. Jewel thoght of treason and tray Whan he at the lauenders hous was, 7212 Thoo he mysdemed in this case, Whan she cam not of so long while He supposed ther yede som gyle ; To the castel he went anoon, 7216 And soght the chambres euerichoon; Ladies and gentilwomen also, Ful wrothlie he asked of hem thoo, *' Where is the quene, is she not here ?" 7220 *' We saw hir here and the lauendere To-gedre in a chambre ful prive ; Where thei becam wot not we." ['so in MS.] [Fol. 138, col. 2.] Chap. XIII.] JEWEL PURSUES AND OVERTAKES CLARIONAS AND GENERIDES. 223 Whan Jewel of the lauender herd, 7224 Than he wist wel hou it ferd ; "Alias,'' he seid, "my grete trauel Is turned to a scorn, saunfaile." Jewel thoght hem ouertake, 7228 Of oon he hoped larder to make, " If I any man \yiih hem finde. Be he neuer of so grete kinde, Cleue I shal his bodie in twoo.'' 7232 And whan he had seid soo. To his loggeyng fast he yede, And in al hast toke his best stede ; He ai'med him, and stert vp thoo, 7236 And twoo men vfiih him, and no moo. Furth thei russhed a grete pas To ouertake feire [Clarionas] And the lauender alsoo 7240 Or thei cam the water too ; And so thei did at the last. For [Generides] rode not fast. [Clarionas] herd of here comyng, 7244 And than she seid, "now, sweting, Folowed we be, I see it wel." She loked ageyn, and saw Jewel ; His hors, his barneys, she it knew ; 7248 Pale as asshes wex hir hew ; That she were sone of him wreke, To [Generides] gan she speke. And seid, " dere hert, here cometh our foo, 7252 Jewel, that hath wroght vs al this woo ; Fast that I were doun light. And for my loue that ye him quite, Bi no manor noght him spare ; 7256 Comen he is to doo ys care.'' and then knows he has been taken in ; all his pains are nought. He declares he'll cut any man he finds with them in two, and sets off to overtake Clarionas. He does overtake her, Clarionas recog- nizes him. and prays Gene- rides not to spare him. 224 GENERIDES FIGHTS AND THROWS JEWEL. [Chap. XIII. Generides and Jewel charge fiercely, and Generides is thrown back on his horse's crupper. But he charges again, wounds Jewel, and unhorses him. Jewel prays Gene- rides for God's sake to spare his life. Generides is going to do so, when Clarionas That herd l^athanael, and cam, And [Clarionas] of the hors nam ; He did help his lord to dight. 7260 [Generides] dressed him aright Ypon his stede, with spere in hond ; Jewel he saw to him comand ; To [Generides] Jewel his spere set, 7264 And eithir mih othre herd met That thurgh the shelde that was strong The spere shet a span long ; The might of the stroke did him stoupe 7268 Bakward on his stede croupe. Ageyn dressed him [Generides] Without hridel, and stiroples ; The sokket thurgh the shelde rofe 7272 That the goode shelde al to-drofe. And Sir Jewel caght a wound. He lost his hors and fel to ground. [Generides] bad Nathanael 7276 " Take the stede, and kepe him wel, Eor of this hors we haue nede." * Nathanael led furth the stede. Than knew Jewel [Generides] 7280 Bi his spech, and fel on knees. To saue his life he praid, for goddes sake, And gan to swere, and grete othes make, " That neuer more in al his Hue 7284 Ageins him wold he striue." [Generides] was so merciable, Almost he beleued on his fable And lete the traitowr on Hue goo ; 7288 That saw [Clarionas,] and was woo, "Ay, [Generides,] "than seid she, " I wend that ye had loued me ! [Fol. 1386, col. 1.] Chap. XIIL] CLARIONAS PREVENTS GENERIDES FORGIVING THE TRAITOR JEWEL. 225 Think what treason lie hath wroght ! 7292 In thes wordes trust ye noght ; Euer he hath a traitoure be, Trew ye shal him neuer see ; If ye let him thus ascape, — 7296 Bi god that al thing hath shape Shal I neuer now passe the cee, "What som euer befal on mee." "Whari [Generides] herd hir so speke, 7300 On Sir (:) Jewel he wold hir wreke ; He light of his stede, wrothe and gryiii, Sir Jewel kneled doun to him And saw him come wel ynogh ; 7304 Priuelie his knife oute he drogh, And made as he to ground wold fal Of [Generides] mercy to cal ; As he lay, he dressed his knife 7308 To berefe [Generides] of his life. His hauberk than he vp lift. That saw [Clarionas] and glift. The blade she perceiued bright 7312 Of the knife bi the mono light ; She seid, " be ware, for goddes pitie ! Ye ar nigh deid ! a knife I see In the traitoures bond you to sloo ! " 7316 [Generides] stert a-side thoo ; In the sterting the knife was nigh, Jewel wounded him in the thigh. But in the flank he it ment, 7320 To haue sleyii him was his entent. Tho felt [Generides] that wound. The bloode ran doun to the ground ; The arme vfith the knife that him hirt, 7324 WitA his swerde he of gyrt. entreats him not to let Jewel escape. Generides dis- mounts to avenge her; Jewel draws his knife, and pretends to fall down and ask for mercy, in order that he may stab Gene- rides. Clarionas sees the knife, and warns Gene- rides; he starts aside, but Jewel wounds him, for which Gene- rides hews off his arm, 29 226 GENERIDES KILLS JEWEL, AND REACHES THE SEA WITH CLARIONAS. [Chap, XTII. and cleaves his head in two. Clarionas and the laundress are put on Jewel's horse ; they reach the sea, and ship ; and Generides's anxiety is over. King Gwynan mourns for Jewel and the loss of Cla- rionas, but says it is no good to pursue her. Generides and she Than gan he fast mercy crye. But [Clarionas] wold his deth hie, " Swete, dere hert," seid she thoo [foi.i384,coi.2,] 7328 " Slee him that hath doon vs al this woo." [Generides] wold hir wil fulfill, And smote him than vfiih egre wilt Euen on Sir Jewels croun, 7332 That helm and heid he cleue a-doun ; [Generides] his swerd wipt he thoo, And to hors bak gan he goo. On Jewels hors was [Clarionas] set 7336 And hir lauender both, without let ; Forth thei rode a grete pas Til thei to the cee comen was. The Maryner of hem was glad, 7340 And lightlie to the ship hem lad ; Both wymen and hors yn thei broght, [Generides] was lessed of his thoght. Thei of Egipt, I you ensure, 7344 King Gwynam, for this aventure Made sorow for Sir Jewel was sleyn, And the sothe of his page gan he freyn ; He seid "[Generides] that doughty knight 7348 Hath sleyfi my lord this same night. And leid [Clarionas] awey That hath be his paramowr many a day ; Jewel vnhappelie hidre did hir bring, 7352 For now he hath an euel ending." "Alias," seid the king than, " Thes tithinges make me a sory man ; To folow hem is not to dooii, 7356 I shal mete mih hem eft soon." [Generides] had wedir goode, And soone thei passed the salt floode ; Chap. XIII.] GENERIDES AND CLARIONAS COME HOME TO PERSE. 227 Lightlie Into Perse com thei than ; 7360 Glad of him was euery man. He gan a messanger ordeyn Vnto the Soudon forto seyn Al the sothe of here comyng. 7364 The Soudon was glad of that tithing; He hem met wetA hert entier, And welcomed his doughirewith grete chere, And the goode knight [Generides] also ; 7368 Al the lordes cam hem too, And made hem grete welcomyng, With gam & solace, mirth and pleyng. To the Citie echoon went than, 7372 Grete fest made ther the Soudon ; Right as thei wer serued all Of the first cours in the halt, Thre knightes come to the Soudon, 7376 With humble obeissaunce euerechon To the Soudon a lettre thei toke, And fast he gan therofi loke ; Whan he did the lettre breke, 7380 In this manor did it speke. soon reach Perse, and are welcomed by the Sowdon and lords, with great joy. A great feast is made, but after the first course come three messengers, bringing a letter to the Sowdon. 228 KING ATJFREUS ASKS THE SOWDON TO SPARE HIM GENERIDES. [Chap. XIV. CHAPTEE XIV. How king Aufreus sent to the Soudon for his son Generides to help him to conquere Ynde. King Aufreus's letter to the Sow- don, asking that he will send his son Gene- rides to help him recover Ynde from Sir Amalek ; and Generides shall have it, as well as Surre, after his mother's death ; though Ismael now has Iharse. "The host and the ships are ready. " A ufreus, of Tharse and Surre king, XJl. To you most loulie beseching ; It may please youre goodnes 7384 To send his son [Generides], His rightful heire of al Surrie, To wend with him in companye Into Ynde, to wyn his right, 7388 Ayeinst Sir Amelek forto fight, That falsely holdeth my lond yfith wrong. And hold wil, and hath doon long ; And be it neuer so sone y-wonn, 7392 [Generides] his eldest sonn Of his yeft shal it haue ; And whan his modre is begraue, Surre shal be his heritage ; 7396 But Sir Ismael de Sauage His yongest son, after his day He hath yoven him Tharse w/tAout nay ; Al be Sir [Generides] leue, 7400 So that it wold nat him greue ; Gaddred he hath in Surre His oost, and his shippes redie ; [Fol. 139, col.l.] Chap. XIV%] THE SOWDON GIVES GENERIDES HALF PEESE, AND CLARIONAS. 229 Wherfor he preith you with hert entier 7404 To send him his son that is so dere To help to wyn his heritage." Thus did thes knightes tho here message. The Soudoii the letfre vndrestoode, 7408 And thoght of the seruice goode That he had al tymes of [Generides]; Meruet he thoght yet neuer the les, So priuelie euer that he him bare 7412 That the Soudon noon erst was ware That he was the king son Aufris ; Or that tyme he knew it in noo wise Whan he so egre to him was 7416 For his doghtre [Clarionas]. He called [Generides] in that place And shewed to him al the case ; His fadres lettre he it rade ; 7420 The Soudon grete chore him made, " For kinges son sith I you know, I wil worship as I ow ; And namelie for youre goode seruice 7424 That ye haii doone me in many wise Thurgh doughtines of youre hondes, Ye shul be king of rich londes ; And more worship toward you is 7428 If ye folow my rede I-wis, For haluendel Perse I you yeve Forto hold while that ye live, Al al-to-gedre aftre my day ; 7432 And my doughtre also, withouten nay, [Clarionas] to haue to wife, With moch ioye to lede youre life. For she is come of noble bloode, tFoi.139, col. 2.] 7436 Ye may haue mth hir moch lond and goode ; send Aufreus his son." The SoTv-don wonders that Ge- nerides has never told hira he was King Aufreus's son; he gives Generides his father's letter, and says he will give him half Perse and his daughter Clarionas to wife. 230 GENERIDES DEFERS HIS MARRIAGE TILL HE SHALL BE KING. [Cha r. XIV, Generides thanks the Sowdon, but begs leave to go into Ynde, be crowned, and then make his daughter a queen. He will keep faith with her, and do her all the honour he can, for he has never done her wrong in word or deed, And as for hir, I am in certeyn That she wil not be therageyn." Ful mekelie he thonked the Soudon 7440 And seid, *' on erthe ther is noo man, Duke, Prince, Emperour, or King, Couth profre him so glad a thing, No so moch worship in al his Hue, 7444 As his heire and doghtre to haue to wiue ; I am youre man for euer moo ; But, Sir," seid [Generides] thoo, " I besech you take it not at yl, 7448 But gmunt me, and it be youre wil. Into ynde to my fadre forto wende ; And if his werre take goode ende, Crouned king I hope to bene ; 7452 Than shal my ladie youre doghtre be a queue. And more honour to hir and you Than thus to wed hir, as me semeth, now ; Of this mariage ye me respite 7456 Til that I haue al Ynde quite, And than whan I am king of Ynde, Vntrew ye shal me neuer fynde ; But I shal wed youre doughtre than 7460 Before any living womaii If ye and she assent therto ; For treulie. Sir, I loue hir soo That al the honour I can devise 7464 I shal doo to hir in ony wise ; For, bi that lord that sitteth aboue, Thogh she be thing that I most loue. Was neuer vilanye betwix vs wroght 7468 Nouthir in word, dede, nor thoght, But that I slept to fast that while That Jewel did me falslie begyle ; Chap. XIV.] GENERIDES ASKS THAT HIS HUNDRED KNIGHTS MAt GO WlTH HIM. 231 Most vilanye that euer to me was, 7472 Or euer I did to my ladie [Clarionas], That I lete hir be stole thoo ; But I am sure he shal stele nomoo. Sir, an hundreth knightes ye me lene 7476 Of my chesing, armed clone, And or oght long to-gedre echoon We shul goo and come anoon, And than wed yourdoughtre,if it be yowr wil, 7480 Al youre co?wmaundment to fulfil ; And herof siker ye may be, Mi trouth I plight you here treulie." " Graunt mercy," seid the Soudofi, 7484 *' Of al that I haue or make can. Of tresour also, men, and vitaile, For my lone that ye nooii faile ; And also, if ye wil me rede, 7488 I wil goo wet/^ you in this nede ; But of oon thing I drede me doutles. Of the king of Egipt wikkednes ; tFoi.i39j,coi.i.] Yf he may here tithinges of you 7492 That ye be out of this lend now, That he wil gadre his ost to-gedre And in al hast than come hidre To destroye vs, if that he may, 7496 For wrath ye toke [Clarionas] away." ** Now, "qM(?d[Generides]," drede you noght; I shal not faile you, bi him me boght ; Lete me haue Darel and tho knightes, if ye 7500 That wer made with me the same day ; Ko moo I ask to wende vfiih me Into ynde but thes meigne." "A goddes [name]," seid the Soudon, 7504 Take mih you whom ye wil han ; except when he let Jewel steal her away. If the Sowdon will lend him 100 knights, he will soon come back and wed his daughter. The Sowdon pro- mises him all he wants, and offers to go with him himself, but says he fears that Gwynan, in his absence. will invade his land. Generides says there is no fear, and asks that those may, who were knighted with him may go with him into Ynde. The Sowdon con- sents. 232 AUFREUS AND GENERIDES PREPARE TO GO INTO YNDE. [Chaf. XIV. So wele thei loue youre companye That vnto you thei wol be redy.'' Than seid [Generides] to the messangers and Generides 7508 " Gooth home agevn, my feire freres, sends word to his o j 7 j 1 father that he will _^n^ tel mv fadic Aufieus the kins come. *' ^ That I shal come w^'t^out tariyng.'' The messangers went here way 7512 With rich yeftes of grete noblay, And in to ynde thei went ageyn To tel the king and the quene certeyn Hon that thei here son shul see, 7516 "Thes tithinges ar trew, siker ye be.** Aufreus is glad of Qf thos tithinffes the kinsr was fflad, this, and makes . ° ^ f , haste to go into To wcndo into ynde grete hast he mad ; [Generides] also ^iih his knightes 7620 Araied him stronglie for the fightes ; His counsel he told vnto Darel, "W"herw^t^ he pleased him right wel ; To here felous thei sent aboute ; tbi which Gene- 7524 Thei come in hast ful bold and stoute, rides s companions ' niso prepare. Ecdic mth [Gcuerides] forto wende ; Ouer al men thei trust him for here frende. Chap. XV.] CLARIONAS IS GLAD THAT SHE IS TO MARRY GENERIDES. 233 CHAPTEE XV. Here the Soudon sent for his doghtre forto tel >at he had yoven hir to Generides. 7528 On morow at the son rising The Soudon seid in grete highing, The Sowdon orders his daughter to he fetched, and tells her how he has given her to Gene- rides to wife. " Lete fecch hidre my doghtre dere.'' Thoo he told hir in what maner To [Generides] he had hir yeven 7532 The whiles that thei to-gedre lyuen, With al Perse aftir his day ; "And forto put this in assay I haue to him my trouth plight, 7536 And he to me, as he is trew knight, That he wil you wed to wyve Afor any othre during his lyve." Than was [Clarionas] glad ynow, 7540 ''Mi lord," she seid, ''I pray you At what terme day set he That he wold feithfulli wed me ?" "Doghtre," he seid, "first into Surre, The Sowdon says [Foi.i89i,coi.2.] 7544 Thidre must he wende sikerlie ; The kinges son and his heire he is, And also al ynde Shal be his ; after Generides has *' , won Ynde His fadre thurgh treason it lost, 7548 For this cause he thidre most ; 80 Clarionas asks when they are to be married. 234 CLARIONAS GRIEVES OVER THE PinTING-OFT OF HER MARRIAGE. [Chap. XV. And whan he hath goten that lend, This Dar I vndretake on hond, k^'gXTshaii ^i^S therof crovned shal he bene, be his queen : 7552 Than wol he take you to his quene And wed you, I dar wel sayne, So trew I hold him in certeyn ; wais" ^^^ ^^ '^^^ *^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^ abiding, 7556 For to be wedded as a king." ciarionas [Clariouas] gau hir dismay, doesn't like this ^he loug torme did hir not pay long waiting. rpo abide SO loug the mariage, 7560 He was come of so high parage; Than hir self she forgate. Without spech stil she sate ; Than at the last she spake ful stil, 7564 " Fadre, I wil be at youre wil." She goes back to With that word she rose and yede her room and ^ *^ swoons, Ynto hir chambre a goode spede. In swonyng she fel on hir bed ; 7568 That saw Mirabel, and was adred ; Such sorow she thoo made, Hir coloure wex pale and fade. "Alias," seid Mirabel thoo, 7572 " For euer ye haue grete woo ; Thurgh weke and moneth, as I wene, "Were ye neuer withouten tene. That haue I sene many day and long." • and says that never 7576 '^Mirabel," scid shc (.) " yc Say wrong, till now has she ■% t o 1. known sorrow, Is cuer or HOW noon euel 1 lelt That so herd with me delt ; For thogh I haue had hevines, 7580 Yet it hath greued me wel the les, for before hope j^or hopo cucr comfortcd me : comforted her, •"• -1 ■, Of thing that now wil neuer be Chap. XV.] CLARIONAS REPROACHES GENERIDES FOR DELAYING THEIR MARRIAGE. 235 Min hope is turned al on mys, 7584 Therfore euer may I sorow I-wis. A, lord god ! I may repent Out of Egipt that euer I went ; There was I wedded and made a queue ; 7588 So wel at ease shal I neuer bene ; This haue I for my kinde hert, Al this is thurgh my desert ; Him that I loued oner al thing 7592 Hath me begiled -with his glosing, I wende, terme of al his life, He wold not forsake me for his wife ; Alias ! ful litle wende wold I 7696 Any such treason in so goodelie a bodie. As moch care mot him betide As he hath made me forto abide I " [Foi. 140, col. 1.] Mirabel wondred of hir woo, 7600 Whi hir ladie ferd soo ; *' Ma dame," she seid, *' tel me whi That ye ar wax now so sory, And I shal you counsel for the best, 7604 Som what to set youre hert in rest." [Clarionas] seid, " w^'tAout fable I haue euer found you trew and stable, I wil tel you my sorow sikerlie, 7608 What causeth myn hert thus woo to be. He that me loued most entier, He hateth me most, fer or nere. Of ony creature that bereth life 7612 Whan he forsaketh me for his wife. Mi fadre me profered him in mariage, And Perse to haue to his heritage Holy after my fadres day ; 7616 But he hath put it in delay, now it is gone. She had better have stayed in Egj-pt, where she was a queen ; for now her lover has beguiled her. May he suflfer for it! Mirabel asks what all the trouble is about, and Clarionas says, because Generides hates her ; for her father offered her to him in marriage, and he has put it off; 236 GENERIDES IS TOLD OF CLARIONAS S SORROW. [Chap. XV. therefore he must want to marry somebody else. AUas! May God never bless them. Mirabel begs her to be quiet, says Generides means no deceit, but only waits to wed her with more dignity, not as a mere soldier. but as a king. Generides soon comes ; Mirabel tells him what trouble Cla- rionas is in. So wot I wele is in his thoght To wed an othre, and me noglit. He seith he wil not wed me 7620 King crovned til he be ! And al is but treason, I vndretake ; Alias ! whi hath he me forsake ? Som othre he loueth. "Where she is, 7624 God hem nouthir of othre blis.'' Whan Mirabel knew of hir spech, " Sobre youre hert, ma dame, I you besecfi ; For I dar lay myn heid thertoo 7628 He neuer thoght to doo soo, Nor neuer ment to you noo gyle ; But he wil abide a while, Of gretter astate til that he be 7632 To wed you in more dignitie ; For now while he a Souldiour is. It wer not youre honour I- wis For to take him to husbond 7636 Til he be knowen king of lond ; Therfor suffre a while penaunce. For al shal turn to youre plesaunce." [Clarionas] ful stil thoo lay, 7640 And answerd nouthre yea nor nay. [Generides] aftre anoon earn ; Whan Mirabel sight of him nam. She ran to him -with an hasti brayde, 7644 And pitousli to him she sayd. He asked whi she was so sory ; " Sir" she seid, " grete cause whi : Mi ladie so grete sorow dooth make, 7648 And al is, sir, for youre sake : Whan hir fadre without strife Profered you hir to be youre wife, Chap. XV,] CLARIONAS SCOLDS AND REPROACHES GENERIDES. 237 And Perse to haue to youre heritage, 7662 Whi put ye in delay this mariage ?" [Generides] for sorow thoo [Foi. 140, col. 2.] Stoode stil, and spake no word for woo, "Alias ! that myn ovn derling 7656 Shuld suppose in me any such thing." " Now, Sir, goo ye a grete pase Ynto my ladie [Clarionas ;] Seke she is, and that ouer-doon 7660 But if that she amend soon Of hir line sore I me drede." Thoo [Generides] with Mirabel yede ; As sone as [Clarionas] him sigh, 7664 To him she gan speke on high. And seid, " goo hens out of my sight [Generides], the most vntrew knight ! Into Inde goo from me ; 7668 Kepe I neuer more you to see ! Take to wife, as ye haue ment, His doghtre that hath you most shent ; Sir Amalek doghtre, I mene, 7672 So may pees betwix you bene ; I shal behote you sikerlie, Neuer gete ye loue of me." With that she gan to wepe so sore 7676 That speke might she nomore. [Generides] lost his countenawnce. He might not speke for greuaunce, On hir bed he fel on swonyng ; 7680 Than was she in more mornyng Than euer she was in before, She dred she shuld hir Hue haue lore ; To his face she leid hir cheke, 7684 She felt it cold as yse or leke. and asks why he put off the mar- riage. He must go to her at once. Generides goes, and Clarionas hursts out into reproaches, "Go hence, untrue knight, marry Sir Amalek's daughter, and make peace with him; no more love will you get from me." She weeps, he swoons, and his face gets as cold as a leek. 238 CLARIONAS BEINGS GENERIDES TO BY KISSHfG HIM. [Chap. XV. On this Mirabel reproaches her, and orders her to kiss him well, or else he'll die. So Clarionas does kiss him till he gets better, and then he says she'll be the death of him, and swoons away again. Mirabel asks her what she is about ; tells her to stop all this nonsense, or else Generides will die. On this, Clarionas swoons, and poor Mirabel thinks they are both dead. Mirabel seid, '^ alias, ma dame, Treulie ye ar gretlie to blame Thus doughty to mys-seye, 7688 And sufPre him for youre loue to deye ; Shewed ye han youre ovn care ; So saw I neuer woman fare. Help him of his peynes strong ; 7692 Ma dame, in armes ye him fong. And kisse him, his hert to haue in rest, For elles he dieth now at the lest.'' Than anoon y^ith peynes strong 7696 She gan to kisse him euer among Til he com from his swonyng ; Than he seid, " ay, swete derling, So grete sorow ye make me, 7700 I wote ye wil my deth be ; Youre wordes vttirly wol me sloo, Ye see wel I may not you forgoo ;" 'With this he fel in swonyng sone. 7704 Mirabel seid, "what wil ye doone? Wil ye suffre him thus fare ? For you shal I neuer more care." And til hir ladie loude gan she crye, 7708 "Leue, madame, al this folye ! Meke youre hert, and speke him too. And elles he wil die for woo. Think what he hath doo for you ! 7712 Me semeth bi his chore he dieth now." "With this fel [Clarionas] to ground. And swoned in that same stound ; That saw Mirabel, and to hir ran, 7716 "Weping as a sory woman; She wened thei had died bothe ; Of hir life she gan to loothe. [Fol.l40/>,col.l. Chap. XV.] THE LOVERS ARE RECONCILED, AND GENERIDES LEAVES FOR YNDE. 239 From hir swonyng she come ageyn, 7720 Yet saw she [Generides] lie in peyn ; Hir angre she gan ther to lithe, And than she kissed him fel sithe Til he cam til knowlecti ageyn ; 7724 Oon word for sorow might he not seyfi; "A, dere hert [Generides]," seid she, " Wil ye leue me in this contree And forsake me thus in dede ?" [Foi.i406,coi.2.] 7728 ^' Nay ma dame," seid he, *^ god forbede ! Othre woman to loue than you, That shal I neuer, I make god a vow. Loo here my trouth to you I make 7732 That I shal you neuer forsake. Nor othir than you haue to my wife." Than stinted [Clarionas] hir strife : Aithir here trouthes to othir tooke, 7736 And al here sorow thei forsoke. [Generides] she thanked hertilie, *' Ouer al I loue you most speciallie ; And now, dere hert, leue al youre woo, 7740 For treuli my care is a-goo/' Within twoo dais Sir [Generides] Toke his leue withouten les ; And [Clarionas], weping hir fil, 7744 Yaue him leue ageyil hir wil. But nedes cost it must be soo ; A nouch yave she him whan he shuld goo. But Clarionas comes round, and sets to kissing Generides, till he comes round too. Then he vows never to love an- other than her, or forsake her. Clarionas is satis- fied, and gives him leave to go to Ynde, though against her will. 240 GENERIDES AND AUFREUS LAND UNOPPOSED IN TNDE. [Chap. XVI. CHAPTER XVI. Generides gooth into Ynde to help his fadre Aufreus to conquere the lond that Amalek the traitoMr thoo had kept from him bi fals treasoun. Generides aad his knights take leave of the Sowdon, and hearing that the Syrian host is at Damas, they ride there, sail to Ynde, and take posses- sion, rC\ enerides] than made him redie, 7748 L/J And al his knightes right lustilie, Bothe he and thei euerichoon Toke here leue at the Soudoii. [Generides] met bi the way 7752 Messengers that did him say- That al the oste of Surre was To-gedre y-come to Damas. Whan he herd of that tithing, 7756 Ful fast he rode w2t^out letting Toward Damas that feire Citie ; His fadres ost there found he, Which were ful glad of his comyng. 7760 Thei sailed to ynde without tariyng ; The havens of ynde to here plesaunce Thei toke without distourbaunce, So thei entred into the lond 7764 And toke al into here bond ; Tovnes and castels that heih withstoode, Thei bet hem doun with egre moode ; And al thoo that thei might of here 7768 That Sir Amalekkes frendes were, [Fol.HOft.col.ll.] Chap. XVI.] NEWS OF AUFREUS S INVASION IS BROUGHT TO AMALEK. 241 Thei did hem the shame thei might, And seased al here goodes w^t/^ right ; The grete of the contre hem sore dred, 7772 Thei durst not abide, but al fled. And highed hem fast to a Citie That vise was called in that contree ; [FoLHi.coui.] Thei vitailed it with the best, 7776 Thei doubted noo man est nor west. Som barounes on knees gaii fatt To king Aufreus mercy to call, And besoght him graunt here lifes 7780 Bothe for here childre and here wifes ; To al thoo that he trew fond, Lyfe and lym, castel and lond, He graunted (: ) but thoo that did him forsake, 7784 Magre Amalek he did hem take. And made hem to be hong and draw. And did hem slee bi the law. Amalek was that same while 7788 From the ost a ten myle ; Of this werk wist he nothing ; But as he sat at his pleyng At the ches with an othii- knight, 7792 And seid chekmate to him a-rigiit, Anoon come in a messengere And broght tithinges that al might here. And seid vnto Sir Amalek, 7796 " Ye sey vnto this knight chek, And I sey chekmate to you : King Aufreus is in this contre now With grete ost, and destroeth youre lond, 7800 This for trouth ye may vndrestond, With you he wil pley chek mate But if ye you purvey him to abate ; doin» shame to Amalek's frieDds. The great lords flee to the city of Vise, but some beg mercy from Au- which he grants to the true, but the faithless he hangs. Amalek knows nothmg of this till, while he is playing chess, a messenger tells him of Aufreus's inva- sion, 31 242 AMALEK MARCHES TO ATTACK KING AUFREUS. [Chap. XVI. and that Generides is -with him. Amalek sends for mango- nels, and strength- ens the city. His knights ride out into a meadow in 15 battalions of 1000 each, and Aufreus meets them with 12 battalions. Generides and Darel ride out to joust, "With him is come Sir [Generides], 7804 The best knight in werre and pes That now is holdeii in ony lond, And both thei be here nigh bond." Whan Amalek this vndrestoode, 7808 He loked as he were nigh woode ; "Writes he did make and sende, Ouer al the lond the writes wende ; He purveid for maygnelles and belfrayes 7812 And othre ordinaunce at al assay es ; Strong ynogh was that Citie, A moch stronger might noon be. [Generides ^] wold first him dres 7816 In the vaward for doghtines. There was in the Citie many goode knightes, Thei armed hem at al Eightes ; Oute of the Citie with grete oste 7820 Thei come w/t/i grete pompe and boste, In a brode medow feire and grene Thei batailed hem in ranges fiftene, A thousand armed in eche bataile, 7824 Without Archers that wold not faile. And king Aufreus, on his partie. He cam w^tA a feire companye Araied wel in batels twelf 7828 Of goode men that knew hem self. Whan [Generides] had of him a sight He rode to him as a doughtie knight With his spere lusting forto bede, — 7832 Darel •wiih him he gan thoo lede, — Amalekes brothre Sir Amanewel Saw wel [Generides] and Darel ; [Fol. 141, col. 2.] » The blank in the MS. has been filled in by a later hand with Gerenedes. Was not Amalek meant ? and should not this and the next line be put twelve lines down, after line 7828 ? Chap. X^^.] QENERIDES AND DAREL FIGHT AMANEWEL AND ATJNSEL. 243 A doughtie knight he was of dede, 7836 The doughtiest of al his kinrede ; A felow he had that Aunsel hight, Brethren thei were of trouth plight ; On here stedes to-gedre riding 7840 Thei went to [Generides] him meting. To [Generides] rode Amanewel, And Aunsel rode to Sir Darel ; Amanewel was so wight and smert 7844 That men called him the liones hert, [Generides] vfiih his spere he smote, Thurgh the shelde and hauberk it bote, But the hauberk was ful goode, 7848 The soket therageyns stoode ; [Generides] smote Amanewel so in the shelde "With his goode spere that he helde That he made him bakward stoupe 7852 Til he fel ouer his hors croupe. Than [Generides] toke his goode stede Bi the bridel, and did him lede ; Amanewel take he wold, 7856 But than cam many knightes bold. Darel in his part did his dede. With Aunsel to lust he yede. And Aunsel sone vfiih him met, 7860 And in the mid sheld him smet That Darel was in point thoo To the ground forto goo ; 'Wiih his launce goode and grete 7864 Aunsel out of the sadle he smet, And with that stroke to ground him kest ; To take his stede Darel was prest, But him to take might he not spede, 7868 For he was reskewed at his nede. and Amauewel (the Lion's Heart), and Aunsel charge them. Generides unhorses Amanewel, but is stopped from taking him pri- soner. Darel also unhorses Aunsel, and takes his steed, but Aunsel is rescued. 244 LEOMEDON JOUSTS WITH ANTITODES. [Chap. XVI. mi Leomedon, king of Luby, for love of Lucidas (daughter of Araa- lek by Aufreus's queen, Serenydes), rides forth to joust with Antitodes of An- tioch ; they charge, imhorse one an- other, and change steeds. Darel furth that stede led To his ost, no ferthir he fled ; Therof he had right goode game, 7872 [Generides] and he in-same. ^he ost W2tAin saw al this chaunce, The begnnyng was not to here ples«unce. Leomedan, king of Luby, 7876 A stoute man of Chiualrie, For loue of the ladie Lucidas — That Sir Amalekes doghtre was Bi Serenydes the Quene 7880 Sithen thei had wedded bene — Eedie to lust he went him out, He thoght he shuld noman dout. Lucidas loued him no thing, 7884 Nor noon othre to mennes weting, — She was feire of flesh and bloode, [foi.his.coi.i.] And therto of condicions goode, Nothing of hir modres maner, 7888 Therfor he loued hir y^iih hert entier — To iust for hir sake doutles Ful besilie he put him in pres ; Ynto the Prince of Antioche 7892 Ful fast he gan to him approche, (Antitodes that Prince hight) Eedie to lust he him dight, And rode vnto Leomedoii : 7896 Fellie to-gedre gan thei goon That here shaftes brake in twoo ; From here stedes fel thei thoo, Bot both thei were at that nede 7900 That ech of hem toke othres stede. The ost com on frusshing, Hem w/tAin ful fast sailing. Chap. XVI.] AMALEK KILLS A KNIGHT. AUTREUS KILLS KING SAMYK. 245 With stoute and grete chiualrie 7904 Many a goode man tlier gan die, Many wounded vndre shelde, And many vnhorsed in the felde. Sir Amalek smot ther a knight 7908 That he clefe his sheld doun right, And smot him thurgh the bodie ; Before king Aufreus gan he die, He fel deid from his stede. 7912 "Aufreus,'' quod Amalek, '^ the rede Take this present, and goo hens yffith al. Or elles send the more I shal." Aufreus thoo gan wax wrothe, 7916 He spored his stede, and frirth he goo the. Meting vfith the king Samyk That thoo was king of Aufrik, Ajid in that mode he smote him soo 7920 That his sheld he clefe in twoo. And in the bodie he smote him depe ; Samyk might him no longer kepe. On his stede he caght a deidlie wound, 7924 And in swonyng he fel to ground ; His helme of yede in that falling, Than had Aufreus of him knowing. And ful sory was of that chaunce 7928 For loue of here old acqueyntaunce ; Eight there died he(.) as he lay. With that, asone as euer he may, Cam Isores, his son eldest, 7932 That on his fadre his eyn kept. He saw him deid : " alias," quod he, " Sir Amalek, cursed mot thou be And thi Queue Serenides, 7936 Thogh she be my sustre neuer-the-Ies ; Many are killed. Amalek cuts a knight through before Aufreus, and tells him he'd better go home. Aofreus rides at King Samyk and wounds him so that he falls to the ground and dies. His son Isores curses Amalek and Serenides 246 ISORES SURRENDERS TO GENERIDES. [Chap. XVI. and has his father buried. Generides rides forth, God let you nouthre goode dethe die, for their harlotry, For thurgh youre vnthrifti harlotrie "Was the goode knight betraied I-wis 7940 That kind lord of this lond is : And now my fadre, alas, for dele, Is sleyn in youre fals quarel !'' The deid bodie he made furth bere, 7944 And ful richelie gan it entiere. Al the oost ■within of that chaunce "Were dismayed and lost countynawnce, And drew hem to the Citie ful fast. 7948 [Generides] saw hem flee in hast, He russhed aboute on euery side. And out of the ost gan he glide On Blaunchard his goode stede, 7952 Boldlie to lust furth he yede. isores charges him, Sir Isores rodo to him ageyn, He wold be wroken wonder fayn ; [Generides] he smot in the sheld soo 7956 That the shaft brast euen in twoo ; With that stroke the shelde to-rofe That the stede on knees doun drofe. But sone vp ageyii he rose ; 7960 Of that stroke his hert agrose. And Isores tho he smote ageyii In the middes of his sheld certeyn ; Bi his strenght the sheld to-rofe 7964 That thurgh the shuldre the spere drofe ; Isores his swerd thoo out hent, Therwith [Generides] he did present. And yeld him to him in that place. and says 7968 [Geueridos] Asked him whoo he was ; " Sir," he seid, " Samyk the king Was my fadre wet^out lesing, splits his shield, and drives his steed on its knees. But Generides gives Isores such a thrust that he surrenders at once, [Fol.l416,col.2.] Chap. XVI.] GENERIDES THREATENS SERENYDES. DAREL FIGHTS JOATHAN. 247 Mi sustre is quene Serenydes." 7972 Thoo Aunswerd him Sir [Generides], " Of you I haue ful grete pitie, And therfor shal I let you be ; To youre ost goo ye ageyn, 7976 Sey to quene Serenydes certeyn * That I [Generides] am now here ; She wold haue sleyn me this othir yere ; If god wil, I shal therof a-wreke me.' 7980 To goo youre wey ye shal haue help of me While ye light vp to that mede ; " In the mean while he held his stede. Isores did Serenydes to vndrestond 7984 Al the sothe of [Generides] send; Thoo gan she make rewful chere Whaii she wist that he was there ; Hope to escape had she nooii, 7988 To the deth she was sure to goon. Darel on a blak stede sat, To here him wel he noght forgate : Ther was a knight hight Joathail, 7992 Of Europe, a ful doughtie man, [Foi. 142, col. 1.] He loued Lucidas that Ladie bright. For hir sake he wold preue his might With Darel to iust in dede, 7996 Towardes him a pace he yede. But ageyiiward darel so him hit, Out of his sadle he made him flit, And wounded him thurgh the arme, 8000 On swoun he fel for that harme ; Eeskewed thoo was his bodie, But Darel as a knight hardie His feire stede mth him led, 8004 And to his felous he did him sped ; his sister is Queen Serenydes. Generides sets him free, bidding him tell Serenydes that Generides will take vengeance on her. This message is delivered, and Serenydes makes sure that she shall be killed. Darel is charged by Joathan, who loves Lucidas, but Darel unhorses and wounds him, though he is res- cued. 248 DAREL FALLS IN LOVE WITH AMALEK's DAUGHTER LUCIDAS. [Chap. XVI. Darei turns ^g^^ {^ i}^q turnyng ageynward To the toure he loked vpward, and sees Lucidas, Tho he perceyued lucidas, 8008 And saw hou feir a ladie she was ; So feire a creature neuer saw he Except [ClarionaSj] nor of such beutie ; and falls so in love The siffht of hir was in his thosjht, with her that ° ° ' 8012 In sore longyng it him broght ; he forgets all his p^rel his lusting tho forgate, jousting. *-' <~f f Loue so herd at his hert sate. Segryne he called to him that tide, 8016 And seid, ''frende, come bi mi side;" And seid, " frend, now tel me, Haue ye acqueyntaunce of this centre ? " *' Yea, sir,'' he seid, "I know it wel." Hs asks Segryne §020 " Now, ffcntil fclow," scid Darcl, who she IS. ? o ' " The feire ladie that I yondre see On high in the toure, what is shee ? Whethir is she maden or wife ? 8024 Such oon saw I neuer in al my life.'' " Sir," he seid, " wife is she noon; A maide I trow is she oon.'' " I koii you thonk for youre answere ; 8028 Now shal I tel you in youre ere, Hir loue myn hert so sore hath take. Departing can I noon make ; But to [Generides] ye it not sey, 8032 Nor of my counsel me bewrey." Segryne tells him " Sir," scid Scgryue, " I wil you rede On euery side wel to spede ; That ladie that ye speke of here thatsheisAmaiek's 803 G Is Sir Amalckkes dougfetre dere daughter by Se- -^ . , . a i renydes, Bi his qucnc Serenydes ; But I dar sey yet neuer-the-les Chap. XVI.] DAREL JOUSTS BEFORE HIS LOVE LUCIDAS. 249 That [Generides] in this case 8040 'Noon hate bereth to Lucidas. Now, bi my rede, send hir a ring, Therbi shal ye here tithing." Darel toke him a ring a-noon, 8044 And to the toure Segi-yne is goon ; He thoght for hir sake to doo dedes, To lust than he wold nedes, To Amanewel hir vncle he rode [Pol. 148, col. 2.] 8048 That ful hardelie him aboode; But neuer-the-les Sir Amanewel With the stroke he had of Darel Oute of the sadle he was born, 8052 And his goode stede he hath lorn. Al that saw Lucidas ; whan he fel, She semed Darel lusted wel, She thoght he was come of goode kyn, 8056 Som dele he gan hir loue to wyn ; If he wer come of goode kynrede, Loue him she wold for ony drede ; But wete she wold or oght long 8060 That she loued noght wrong. Of [Generides] she herd teft. She loued him euer wel, But, for he hated hir fadre, she drede 8064 That he hated al the kinrede; Therfor loue him durst she noght ; To Darel she turned al hir thoght, But neithir him nor [Generides] 8068 Knew she than without les. She seid to hir modre, '^ madame, That knight is [Generides] bi name. Se ye him vpon the blak stede ? 8072 I hold it he, so god me spede ; and advises him to send her a ring. Darel does so, and to show his prowess, rides at Amanewel and unhorses him. Lucidas sees this. and thinks she could love him if he was well born, as she dare not love Generides. She thinks it is Generides on the black steed, 32 250 LUCIDAS FALLS IN LOVE WITH DAREL. [Cbap. XVI. for he has jousted weU and thrown her uncle, though he on the white courser is the hest of all. Segryne comes in, 8084 tells them that the knight on the white steed is Generides, and he on the black one, Darel, son of the Prince of Cesar. Lucidas then falls in love with him ; her mother sees it and leaves her. 8088 Al day he holdeth him the toure nere, Many lusting/s he hath made hei'e, Speres broken, and stedes wonn, 8076 Sith the ostes to assemble gonn ; Min vncle he threw even nov doun rigftt, And wan his goode stede bi might ; So goode a knight saw I noon here 8080 But him that rideth on the white courser, He is doughtiest man in fight That euer I saw, and boldest knight." Into the toure sone come there Segryne the goode messangere ; The Queue perceyued him with sight, Of his comyng hir hert was light, She welcomed him, and gan him pray Of the ost without he wold hir say If he there any knight knew ; "Ma dame," he seid, *'bi seint Andrew, Se ye him on the white stede ? 8092 That is [Generides,] so god me spede ; And yondre knight on the stede blak Is a doughti man w2t^out lak. The Prince soil of Cesar he is, 8096 And his heire shal be I-wys ; Darel is his right name, A curtes knight of goode fame." Lucidas than loued him the more, 8100 Hir coloure therwith chaunged sore, A grete sigh than she drogh, Hir modre p^ceiued it wel ynogh Bi the chaungeyng of hir coloure 8104 That she loued him paramoure, For she that maner wel knew, Therfor it did hir bales brew. [Fol.H2i,col.l.] Chap. XVI.] DAREL AND LUCIDAS EXCHANGE RINGS. 261 Serenydes turned hir hastelie 8108 And laft Lucidas hir by; Segryne no lenger dwel wold, But toke hir thoo the ring of gold Which that Darel to hir had sent ; 8112 Moch it pleased hir hertes entent. A ring of hirs she toke Segryne, And seid, " frende and felow myne, To Sir Darel this ring ye here, 8116 And pray him for my loue it to were, And hertilie thonk him of his sond, For neuer erst was man in lond That I receiued of tokenyng 8120 Saue now, Segryne, without lesing.'* To hir modre ther she yede. And Segryne on his way gan spede Til he cam to the tournay ; 8124 Wei soone Darel him say. He told him tithinges his hert to glade. Of the ring grete ioye he made, Neuer of mirth smal ne grete 8128 Sith he was borii so wel he lete. Vnto Segryne than seid he, " Erend, vnto the toure folow me ; The first stede ye shal haue 8132 That I wyii, so god me saue.'' Tho met Darel with grete envie Leomedoii king of Lubie ; Thei met there with egre moode, 8136 Darelles hert to his ladie stoode, [Foi.u2j.coU2.] He smote him sore, leomedon. That out of his sadle he made him gooii, And there he wan his goode stede, 8140 And gafe it Segryne to his mede. Segryne gives Serenydes Darel's ring, and she gives Se- gryne one for Darel. Segryne gives it to Darel, who asks him to go vrith him to the tower. Darel unhorses Leome- don, and gives his steed to Segryne. 252 AMALEK RETREATS TO HIS CITY AND ArFREUS BESIEGES HIM. [Chap. XVI. Generides cleaves the King of Lubie's head in two, and Amalek's host withdraw into the city, discomfited ; and Aufreus's army besieges the city closely, and make engines to beat down the walls. Lucidas saw that lusting, It mysliked hir nothing. Among hem without faile 8144 Hard was alwey the bataile ; Sleyn and take was many oon. Tho Generides did his stede goon, With the king of Lubie tho he mett 8148 That was ageyn on hors set, Generides smot him on the heid on hie That the heid clefe on twoo parti e ; To the ground fel Leomedon 8152 King of Lubie, deid as a stoofi. Into the Citie ful fast thei drew, The ost without fast hem slew ; To the Citie or that thei come, 8166 Many good knightes wer ouernome, So that Sir Amalek and his ost "Wer discomfet for al his host. Thei that gate in and wer vnslaw, 8160 The gates thei shet, the brigges did draw ; And thei w/tAout, al thei might, Beseged the tovii a-noon right. Ageyn the toure on high to seyn, 8164 Generides gan his tentes ordeyn, Engynes thei did make ful fast The stoon walles doun to cast ; Or thei departed thei thoght to wyn 8168 The Citie and al that were within. Ch*p. XVII.] GWTNAN PREPARES TO INVADE YNDE. 253 CHAPTEE XVII. Here leueth of the sege And Generides^ [and] tumetft Ageyn to King Gwynari king of Egipt, how he ordeined him A grete ost of people forto werre vpon the Soudoii of Perse to wyn Ageyii his ladie ClarionaSj And to avenge him of the despite that Generides did to him whan he feched hir fro Egipt. [FoLI43,col.I.] Of this sege herd Gwynaih the king, And than he lete make purveing While [Generides] was out of lond 8172 Into Ynde to take werre on hond; Wonderlie couetous tho he was Forto a-wreke him on [Generides,] And of his fadres dethe also. 8176 A grete oste he gadred him thoo To Perse w/t^ him forto wende, Al that centre he thoght to shende ; A messenger he sent into ynde 8180 Ynto Amalek where he might him finde, And sent him word to kepe him close That he come not among his foos, But that he stronglie kepe his castel, 8184 For help to him shal come ful wel ; " Sey to him," quod Gwynan the king, " I and myn ost w/t^out letting Wil into Perse to win that lond ; 8188 And whan I haue it in myn hond, Gwynan, king of Egypt, fathers a great ost to invade Perse, and sends to tell Araalek to keep close in his castle. till Gwynan has taken Perse 254 LUCIDAS TELLS HER MOTHER ABOUT DAREL's RING. [Chap. XVII. and can come to help him. Serenydes asks her daughter Lycidas what tidings Se- gryne brought her that morning. "A diamond ring from a knight, son of the Prince of Cesare, named Sir Darel." Serenydes asks her to test Darel's lore Into ynde than come I shal Him to help with myn ostes al." To Amalek was this message doo ; 8192 Glad of thes tithinges was he thoo. Serenydes did hir doghtre call, She cam to hir forth-w2t^-all, She seid, " doghtre, wold ye tel me 8196 Of oon thing I shal ask you?" seid she. ''Ma dame," qwod she, ''gladlie I shal Tel you som dele, and elles al." " Doghtre," she seid, '' for my loue now, 8200 What tithinges broght Segryne to you To day soo ' tymelie in the momyng [ ' ms. soL] Whan ye were in so grete talking." She spake no word a grete while, 8204 But at the last she gan to smyle ; To tel the trouth, ashamed was she, Alwey hir modre kept hir pryuee ; Lucidas seid, '' for sothe, madame, 8208 I shal you tel w2t^out blame What Segrine seid vnto me, "A knight sent him hidre," seid she, "A ring with a diamount he me broght ; 8212 Of my goode fauoure he me besoght." "Who is that knight?" seid the queue. "Ma dame," she seid, "ye might him sene Yndre the wal of the toure al day 8216 Eiding as a knight in goode aray. He is the Prince son of Cesare, His heire nodes shal he be ; Thus told me Segryne I-wis 8220 That Sir Darel his name is." "Ay, feire doghtre," seid the quene " If he loue you ye shal sone sene : Chap. XVII.] SERENYDES's PLAN TO GET CLARIONAS*S RING FROM GENERTDES. 255 Send to Segryne bi som page, [F01.143.C01.2.] 8224 Pray him for his Avauntage That he come to you hastilie, And whan he cometh in privetie, As he you loueth ye him pray 8228 To^ Darel from you this message, ['?for That for youre loue he sech grace Of [Generides] to purchace The same ring that [Clarionas] 8232 Yave him while he in Perse was ; For ye may sey to Segryne That ye haue a nigh cosyri That peyned is with a strong goute, 8236 Of his Hue he hath grete doute, To him it come bi a vision That he shal neuer of that corrupcion Be deliuered for noo thing 8240 Til that he haue the same ring, If that he can bi any gyii To assay that ring to wyfi ; And whan he is hole, for certeyn 8244 Ye shul send him the ring ageyn. Let him goo to Sir Darel, I hope that he shal spede wel.'' Lucidas herd hir moders tale, 8248 She vndrestoode not of the bale That hir modre aboute went ; Aftre Segryne anoon she sent. And he come redilie at hir send : 8252 Wel soone she did him vndrestond Of the ring of hir modres spech, Pul hertlie she did him thoo besech For hir loue of Sir Darel to craue 8256 The same ring, that she might haue take."] by asking him to get her the ring that Clarionas gave to Generides, telling the story that a near relation wants it to cure him of " a strong goute," and when he is healed she will re- turn it. Lucidas, not seeing her mother's guile, sends to ask Darel for the ring 256 SERENYDE8 GETS CLARION AS S RING FROM GENERIDES. [Chap. XVII. to cure her Mend. Darel asks Gene- rides for the ring, and he gives it him at once. Darel then sends it to Lucidas, and she gives it to her mother. Serenydes gives it to a saucy wily lad, Gwisshare, For my grete frendes medicine That of the goute hath grete pine. Segryne went and Darel besogfit, 8260 And the forseid message to him brogtit. Ynto [Generides] Sir Darel yede, — He wist wel sone to spede, — [Generides] trusted Darel ynogfi, 8264 And the ring fro his finger sone he drogh ; Darel bad here it to Lucidas, And furth v^iih it he went a-pas ; He com to hir, and deliuerd hir the ring, 8268 And she made him grete welcomyng. "Whan Segryne departed fro the Castel She preid him recommaund hir to Daret. Serenydes saw wel whan he cam, 8272 And how hir doghtre the ring nam ; " Doghtre," she seid, " I se wel here This knight you loueth w/tA hert entier ; Loue Darel Ageyn now, I you rede, 8276 His loue I shal not you forbede ; And nov the Eing ye take to me, Therw^'t^ shal I doo a goode iourney." Whan Serenides the Eing had, 8280 Glad she was, and called a lad, — The laddes name was Gwisshare, A grete laper, he toke noo care, A sotel felow and a ples^^unt, 8284 Feire he was and Auenaunt, Born he was in Ethiope, He durst haue spoken to the Pope Or to the Emperoz^r, as for langage, 8288 Such dedes did him avauntage, — " Goo forth, a man I shal the make," (His erand mih the ring did he take) [Fol. 1436, col. 1.] Chap. XVII.] GWISSHAR GOES TO CLARIONAS WITH GENEKIDES S RING. 257 And faile not w«U this ring 8292 Discord to make for ony thing." " Ma dame," he seid, " if I haue life, I take on hond to make strife ; " So went he to Perse vfith the ring, 8296 But Lucidas wist noothing ; Yf she had wist of this sotelnes She wold not haue goote the ring I-wis. Gwisshar sped his wey ful fast, 8300 And into Perse he cam at last. To Mounthanar that feir Citie Thidre he cam for certaintie. The Soudon was tho in grete thoght 8304 For new tithinges that were him brogtit, How king Gwynan was in his lond And began to sease it into his hond, Castels, tovnes, burghes, and Cities, 8308 He begaii destroy e thurgh the centres ; Toward Monthanar he was comyng, A right grete ost him was foloyng. The Soudon was right besie thoo 8312 To send a-boute to and froo Aftre his lordes fer and nere Forto help him in this daungere. Gwisshar to Mounthanar is comefi, 8316 And his yn In the Touii hath nomen; Ynto the Castel anoon he yede Boldli Without ony drede; The Soudon in his champel * was, [' so in MS.] 8320 And his doughtre [Clarionas] ; Gwisshar into the Chapel drogfl, — He couth his craft weld ' ynogh, — Eight ageyn [Clarionas] he stoode, 8324 The ring was Fyne and goode. and tells him to make discord bjr means of it. He goes to Perse to the city of Mounthanar, where the Sowdon is, \7hile Gwynan is taking possession of his castles, etc. Gwisshar goes to the Chapel where Clarionas is, 33 258 CLARIONAS GROWS PALE ON SEEING HER RING ON GWISSHAR's FINGER. [Chap. XVII. and holds his hand so that Clarionas sees the ring. It chills her, [1 so in MS.] and she tells Mi- rabel that she has seen the ring that s gave Gencrides, on yon fellow's finger. Mirabel tells her to go to her room, and then brings Gwisshar to her. On his finger he it toke, And made as to godward he did loke, His bare hond ou^r his side casting, 8328 The ring to [Clarionas] euer shewing So that she saw it at the last ; A grete sigh she gaii to cast, And began to wex cold and pale 8332 Til she herd the sothe taile. Mirabel thoo perceyue gan His^ Ladies coloure wex pale and wan, She seid, " ma dame, what aileth you ? 8336 It is not wel, me thinketh now." Thoo [Clarionas] answerd ful stil, " I not whedre me is goode or il, Or whedre I may sorow or pleyn 8340 For a thing that I haue seyn. In this chapel I saw here The same Eing I gaf my fere Ful priuelie at a window 8344 The first tyme I did him know : See ye the felow doth yondre stand, And hou he leith furth his hond ; On his finger I saw it right now, 8348 Ful lefe me were to wete how He come therto, and in what maner." Mirabel seid, "my ladie dere. Goo to youre chaumbre and rest you, 8352 And I will abide here as now And speke with him, if I caii. To wete how he that ring waii." [Clarionas] to hir chaumbre yede ; 8356 Mirabel tho gan hir spede. To speke yfiih him was al hir thoght. To hir ladies chambre she him broght ; [Fol.l436,eol.2.] Chap. XHI.] GWISSHAR TELLS CLAHIONAS THAT GENERIDES HAS MARRIED. 259 Whan he was comen to [Clarionas] 8360 He did his message a grete pase, "Ma dame," he seid without les, To you coTwmaundeth him [Generides] ; Woo is me to be the messanger 8364 Of such tithinges as I bring you here, But of Surre and furth broght I am(:) therfore dismay you noght, I must nodes doo his wil 8368 In al that I can loude or stitt, And elles it wer me grete shame ; But I so did, I were to blame. Ma dame, for sothe ye vndrestond 8372 [Generides] is become an husbond ; Wedded he hath a ladie ful clone, Amalekes doghtre, as Iwene ; Ageyns his wil he did that dede, 8376 But his fadre gan him rede, Vpon his blissing he did him pray. So he durst not sey him nay. Thurgh that marriage is now taken 8380 An hole accord, and wrath forsaken Betwix Amalek and Aufris ; It was not bi [Generides] avice, Yet shal he be crovned king 8384 Of ynde thurgh that wedding ; If ye trow not that it so be, This token he sent you bi me ; He wil ye take an husbond 8388 Where so ye wil in ony lond. [Foi. 144, col. ].] Yet Ma dame, if youre wil be, Kofi [Generides] noo magre. For on the day of his wedding 8392 Thries he fel on swonyng Gwisshar tells Clarionas that Generides has married Amalek's daughter, against his will, but urged by his father, to make peace with Amalek. Therefore he has returned her ring, and wishes her to marry some one else. 260 CLARIONAS SWOONS AT THE FALSE REPORT. [Chap. XVII. Clarionas swoons away, but recovers and knocks the ring out of Gwis- shar's hand into Mirabel's face. Mirabel puts it safely away. Gwisshar goes off home again. Clarionas mourns, but Mirabel thinks there has been some trickery about the ring. The Sowdon goes to see Clario- nas, Before hem al that wer thare.'' Whan [Clarionas] herd him thus declare, And saw the ring a token goode, 8396 A swoun she fel as she stoode ; And for sorow that she had, Mirabel grete dole had. [Clarionas] at last ouercam, 8400 And of hir ring grete hede she nam, And fellie smote it out of his hond That Mirabel in hir face it fond. Mirabel toke it in that casting 8404 And put it in safe keping, For al this she thoght trewlie More of this ring wete wold she. Whan Gwisshar saw hir so take on, 8408 He toke his leue forto gooii Home ageyn to his contree. Of [Clarionas] was great pitie, So she wept and sorow made, 8412 And began to wax pale and fade. Mirabel on hir side also Wept, and wrong his handes twoo For drede of this fals tithing 8416 That cam bi token of the ring ; But Mirabel euer thoght Som falsnes therin might be wroght, And the ring stole bi some treson, 8420 She thoght it so in hir Eeason. The Soudon herd of [Clarionas] His doughtre, hou she soke was : Ynto hir chambre he gan goo, 8424 And on a swoun he found hir thoo. Moch sorow he gan to make. In his armes he did hir take. [Fol.144, col. 1.] Chap. xm.T THE SOWDON PROMISES CLARIONAS GWYNAN INSTEAD OF GENERIDES. 261 " Doghtre, hou cam this euel to you ? 8428 For my loue," he seid, '' tel me now.'' [Clarionas] opened hir eyen tweyn, And spake to hir fadre w/t^ grete peyn, " Sir," she seid, " for loue of oon 8432 That hath betraied vs euerechoon, And namely for you and me This euel I have, cursed be he ! Bi [Generides] it is that I mene, 8436 His trouth he hath brogke, I wene; Wedded he hath a wife in ynde." ^'Doghtre," he seid, "than is he vnkynde." "Sir," she seid, "thrugh that wedding, 8440 Amalek and Aufreus the king And [Generides], thei accorded bene, And pes is made hem betwene ; And, Sir, that this be noo lesing, lFoi.i44,coi.2.] 8444 To token he sent me my Ring." Than had the Soudon michel care, *' God," he seid, " hou may this fare, That in such a noble knight 8448 Falsed be found day or night ? But sith it is doo, there is no bote Therageyfi no longer to mote. Doghtre, dismay you not therfore ; 8452 For, sith that ye haue him forlore, Ye shal haue a richer husbond And a worthier, as I vndrestond, I hope within, thes daies thre ; 8456 For Gwynan neuer in al his Hue "Was so glad as he shal bene And he may haue you to his queue ; And pes in lend we shal haue, 8460 And neuer-the-les cure honowr saue." and she tells him how Generides has betrayed her. Cursed be he ! and has made peace with Ama- lek. The Sowdon says as the harm's done, there is no good in complaining. Clarionas shall have a richer hus- band within three days, even Gwynan, with whom peace shall be made. 262 MIRABEL DEFENDS GENERIDES AND REBUKES CLARIONAS. [Chap. XVII. Mirabel asks the Sowdon to wait till he knows the whole truth ; but Clarionas asks — Is not the ring enough proof? Whereupon Mira- bel rebukes her for mistrusting her love whom she had never found false. If Clarionas was stolen from him in the forest, why might not his ring be stolen too ? Mirabel persuades the Sowdon to wait, Mirabel of thes wordes lete yl ; That wedding wer not at hir wil ; And hir ladie witAseid it noght, 8464 Therfor she had mych thoght, For she loued euer [Generides] Passing wel without les ; Mercy she gan the Soudon crie 8468 That the wedding shuld not hie, Al the soth til that he wist. [Clarionas] tho to speke list, And seid, " this is a wondre thing, 8472 Mirabel, saw ye not the ring ? That was a goode token, I wene, [Coude euyr any betre bene ?]" She seid, '' trow it neuer I shal — 8476 For noo token grete ne smal — That he wold his trouth breke. Til that I here him self speke. For the Eing, no more ne les, 8480 For thnrgh treason right wel I gesse ; The ring I deme right wel he hath lore ; Fals ye found him neuer before ; Ma dame, ye shuld not bi right 8484 Neuer mystrust so gentil a knight For loue of a litle ring ! Oones he lost a betre thing In the forest while he did slope ; 8488 Therfore, ma dame, take goode kepe, "Whan youre self from him was stole Vnware, he might the betre thoole Thurgh gile to les a little ring, 8492 "Whan that he lost so precious a thing." In such wil the Soudon she broght That at the last he him bethoght Chap. XIV.] MIRABEL SETS OFF TO LEARN THE TRUTH FROM GENBRIDES. 263 And seid, " Mirabel, I wil tarie me 8496 If I might here and treulie se." " I pray you, licence me to goo To that centre," seid she thoo, " Into Ynde ther [Generides] is, [Foi. 1446, col. 1.] 8500 And I shal know the sothe I-wis ; In hast shal I come ageyn. And tel you the trouth in certeyn ; Twoo monethes respite graunt ye me 8504 Forto fulfil my Journey. The whils I am in that passage That ye make no manor mariage Betwene my ladie and Gwynaii, 8508 Nor to noon othir erthlie mail." Without moo wordes the Soudon Graunted hir axing thoo anooil ; Mirabel purveid hir to wende 8512 With twoo Squyers that wer hende, Wei y-horsed thei were al thre ; With a grome(.) And no moo meignee, The wey thei toke to Ynde ward. 8516 Listneth now of aventure hard. [Generides] was sore a-fright For that he dremed on a night : Him thoght the Soudon to him come, 8520 And [Clarionas] in his hond nome, Sore weping him beforn As she shuld hir Hue haue lorn ; Him thoght the Soudon to him spake 8524 And seid, " [Generides], nov awake ; Ye doo not as ye me behight Whan ye to me youre trouth plight, And also vnto my doghtre here, 8528 That ye shuld in no maner and asks his leaye to go into Ynde, see Generides, and find out the truth ; but during the two months she is Clarionas is not to be married to any man. The Sowdon agrees to this, and Mirabel starts for Ynde. Generides dreams that the Sowdon reproaches him with breaking his troth 264 GENERIDES DREAMS THAT GWYNAN CARRIES OFF CLARIONAS. [Chap. XVII. by marrying an- other wife, and that Clarionas demands her ring aarain. so that she may have GwjTian, and he his new wife Lucidas. Gcnerides also dreams that Gwy- nan is taking Clarionas into Egypt, when Mirabel seizes him, and releases Clarionas. Gcnerides wakes and cries out, and tells Darel and Nathanael, his dream. Othir wife than hir to take ; Foule ye haue jour trouth forsake Now ye haue wedded another wife ; 8532 Ne wende I neuer in al my life To haue found in you such treason." And [Clarionas] that same season Seid to him weping sore — 8536 As him thoght more and more — That he deliuer hir hir ring, Or elles she wold without letting To king Gwynan graunt his wil, 8540 His lust and pleasure to ful-fiU, And lete him kepe Lucidas That his new wedded wife was. Ouer that he drempt how king Gwynan 8544 [Clarionas] had seased than, And into Egipt he gan hir lede That he might it not forbede ; But than he thoght Mirabel caih, 8548 And Gwynan bi the throte nam, And cast him doufi to the ground. And halpe hir ladie in that stound. [Gcnerides] than had such care, 8552 In his slepe he had nigh mysfare ; At the last he awoke and abraide, He cried and was al dismaide. "With that crie vp stert Darel, 8556 And so did trew Nathanael, And asked him whi he cried soo. Than he hem answerd both twoo, " Swete felows," he seid, " mercy ! 8560 A wonder sweven drempt I." His dremyng al he hem told ; Darels hert began to cold ; [Fol. 144,col. 2.J Chap. X\ni.] DAREL CANNOT GET GENERIDE8*S RING BACK FROM SERENYDES. 265 Of that [Generides] told him had 8564 In his hert he was a-drad, For wel demed he in his thoght Som mervel ^ith the ring was wroght. For care out of the tent he yede, 8568 And called Segryne in that nede Softlie, and told him thoo Of all the meting to and froo ; "For goddes lone, Segryne," seid he, 8572 *' High you fast for the loue of me ; Pray Lucidas send me the ring, For euer I drede me of som thing That Serenydes therw/tA hath doon 8576 That shal repent vs euerichooii ; For euer she is ful of gyle To deceyue [Generides] with som wyle. "Wendeth fast, I you pray, 8580 Come ageyii as hastelie as ye may." Segryne went thoo ful fast Ynto Lucidas in grete hast, And preid hir deliuer him the ring. 8584 And she without more letting Ynto hir modre thoo she yede, But therof might she not spede ; Ageyn to Segryne thoo she went 8588 With heuy tithinges him to present, And seid, " alias ! traied we bene Of the ring bi my modre the Queue That I may not come therbi ; 8592 Som sorow she wirketh, wel wot I ; God send hir therwet^ euel to spede ! For Sir Darel I haue grete drede. For that ring he shal haue blame ; 8596 God kepe him for his holie name ! Darel fears that something wrong has been done with the ring, and at once sends Segryne to Lucidas for it. Lucidas foes to her mother, ut cannot get the ring. and telLs Segryne that the Queen has betrayed them, 84 266 DAREL IS TO GO TO PERSE AND SEE CLARIONAS AND THE SOWDON. [CHAr. XVII. and that as Gwy- nan has invaded Perse, Darel must go there to get news of the ring. Segryne tells Darel, and he asks Gene- rides leave to go to Perse, to see the Sowdon and Clarionas. Generides gladly But tel him I send him to seyii, That king Gwynan for certeyfi - Into Perse is come bi this 8600 With grete ost forto werre I- wis On the Soudon, his lond to wyn ; Therfor sey Darel that he ne blyn Of [Generides] his leue to take, 8604 To Perse his iourney priuelie he make, For ther I trow of the ring That he shall here som tithing ; For [Generides] thidre it is take 8608 To cause his ladie him to forsake, Thus I deme that it be, But prey him kepe this prive For his worship and for myfi, 8612 That noon but he, and ye, Segryfi, May haue herof knowleching." " Ma dame, I shal doo youre bidding." Segryne carefullie turned a-geyfi, 8616 Darel met him, the soth to seyn ; Segryne toke him bi the bond. And did him al this vndrestond, What word Lucidas to him sent ; 8620 And to [Generides] thoo he went, " Dismay you not for a dreme, For bi Ihesu born in Bethleem, Bi youre leue and youre assent 8624 To Perse to goo haue I ment, New tithinges there to here, — The Soudon the trouth wil me lere, And of my ladie [Clarionas] also, — 8628 In hast, and come ageyn you too ; Therto I haue grete longyng." [Generides] seid, ''on goddes blissing, [Fol. 145, eol. 1.] Chap. XVll.] GENERIDES 18 TOLD THAT CLARIONAS HAS MARRIED GWYNAN. 267 He you condite, my swete fere, 8632 This gooyng is me lefe and dere :" Darel made him redie and went. [Generides] hath him sore bi-ment, Of this dreme his hert was sore 8636 Til that he might know more ; That day hath he noon armes born, For his dremyng the night beforn Had him broght in such afray 8640 That refreyfi him he wold that day. Sone aftre Gwisshar to the oost cam, And bi the teching the wey he naih Euen to [Generides] tent, 8644 Or he into the Castel went Al his treason to fulfill, Forto folow Serenydes will Into the tent he him wond, 8648 And [Generides] therin he fond Liyng sore discolored, ful pale ; He did his obeisaunce, and told his tale: ''^' " [Generides]" quod he, *' for youre sake 8662 Grete trauel haue I vndretake, And Anazaree that goode knight now A Mi tymes cowmaundeth him to yow, And sendeth you word, Gwynan the king, 8656 In Perse he is wtthout leasing With navie and oste grete and strong, And you he hath doon grete wrong, jc For he hath wedded youre ladie 8660 Bi the Soudones assent sekirlie.'' So woo was than [Generides], For sorow his wit nigh he lese. And sore sighing, he seid, " what day 8664 "Was she wedded, I the pray ?" gives him leave, and Darel starts. Meantime Gwis- shar (Serenydes's emissary) makes his way to Generides, and tells him that Gwynan has invaded rerse, and wedded Clarionas, /S.ir 268 MIRABEL AND DAREL CROSS ONE ANOTHER ON THEIR JOURNEYS. [Chap. XVII. !hat GwLhar^^ " ^"'?" ^^^^ ^®J " *^^* ^^^® mornyng ^^^^^^^' That I departed tithinges to bring ; [foi. h5, coi. 2.] At a chapel I left hem there, 8668 Many oon to witnes it there wer ; Of that wedding I had noo sight, For so long dwel I ne might, Mi maister hasted me soo 8672 Hidre forto come you too ; But wedded she is sekirlie." Geneiides falls [Generidesl with that pitouslie swooning to the '- -" ground. On swouyug doun to ground fel. 8676 To him come rennyng Nathanael, And conforted him that he might, And blamed Gwisshar, I you plight. Eut now let us Qf Mirabel now speke we, turn to Mirabel. ^ ' 8680 For into Ynde come was she ; She meets Darei, Darel she met fast riding, And his hors ful sore rennyng ; Of him she was gretlie agast 8684 Whan she saw him comyng so fast. At last she knew him, and seid, " Darel, Of this meting it happeneth vs wel." Darel hir spech vndrestoode, 8688 And welcomed her with milde moode. Tithinges she axed anoon right, " Sir," she seid, " ye ar A kinght, First to speke bihoueth you, 8692 Of som tithinges tel me nov." and he asks her " Swctc louc," qwod Darel than, " Hou fareth my lord the Soudan, ciarionas is still And my ladic Dame [Clarionas], """^^"^ * 8696 Is she vnmaried as she was Whan we out of that lend went ?" " Sir," she said, " if ye wil assent Chap. XVII.] gwisshar's lies are at once set right. 269 Min axing forto tel me, 8700 I shal tel you trouth," seid she. "Yes," quod Darel, "so god me spede." " Sir," seid Mirabel, " haue ye noo drede That my ladie vnwedded is, 8704 And noon husband hath yet I-wis. Now tel me trouth, bi youre life. Hath [Generides] a new wife. And with Amalek is he at oon ?" 8708 " Bi god," seid Darel, " and bi seint Ihon, Hit come neuer in his thoght "Woman to wed that god hath wroght But [Clarionas], I dar wel swere, 8712 And on my life witnes to here." Than was she couwforted wel. And seid to him, " now, swete Darel, To my ladie now spede youre way, 8716 For I drede me that she wil dey The soner, but she counforted be Of thes tithinges ye tel me." "Maistres," he seid, " god you spede ! 8720 I shal me hast, have ye noo drede ; [Foi.i45j,coi.i.] And to Generides into the oost, Hast you, for diede he is almost." Mirabel seid, " I shal hast me 8724 To put awey his mornyng redilie." Darel went his wey ful fast. And Mirabel tho did hir haste That into the oost to Generides 8728 She was come thurgh al the pres; And as [she] cam to his tent, Gwisshar she mett as she in went ; That he it was she wel aspied, 8732 And to hir squiers thoo she cried, Yes, sayB Mirabel ; but has Generides a new wife ? No, says Darel. Then go to Cla- rionas, and tell her, says Mirabel ; and you go to Generides, says Darel. Mirabel meets Gwisshar as she enters Generides's tent. calls to her squires 270 GWISSHAR BREAKS HIS NECK. MIRABEL EXPLAINS ALL TO GENERIDES. [Chap. XVlI. to take him, catches him hy the hair, while her man gives him such a clap on the ear as makes him kiss the ground, and break his neck. Generides sees Mirabel, welcomes her heartily. and she tells him how Gwisshar had told Claiionas that Generides had married, and they all be- lieved it because of the ring, '' Mi felous, as ye be to me leef, Hastelie awreke me on this theef That vs with falshod thus hath lad." 8736 Gwysshar it herd, and was a-drad; He began to flee fast ; Mirabel caght him in hast, And al to-rent him bi the here 8740 The whiles oon gaf him on the ere Such a clap with his fist That he thoo the ground kyst ; The cheke in twoo he brast, 8744 And his neke on sondre thrast, And therwith he yeld vp the goost : So was a-bated all his boost. Generides of that noyse herd, 8748 And Mirabel unto him ferd. Whan he hir saw, wondre he gan. And to hir fast he ran ; He welcomed hir ful hartelie, 8752 " Min ovii feir loue, tel me whi Into this centre ye come now ? " *' Sir," she seid, '* for youre prow ; ITo thing, I hope, for youre skathe." 8756 Tithinges she told him rathe "Hou the traitour I-slayne was That cam to hir ladie Clarionas ; He told hir ' hou that ye doutles 8760 Had wedded, and taken pees Betwix you and Sir Amalek,' He told hir such a fals chek ; Also the ring she yave you, 8764 He had it, I wot neuer hou; Al we wende, for that ring. He had seid trouth of your wedding. Chap. XVII.] GEJfERIDES ATTRIBUTES ALL THE MISCHIEF TO SERENYDES. 271 So wroth my ladie he thoo made 8768 That no thing sith might hir glade Whan the token cam v^ith the ring Which I haue here w/tAout lesing : " To shew the ring, that it was soo, 8772 On hir finger she did it thoo. Ful wel thoo he lete therby Whan he it saw sekirly, He meruelled hou it cam ahoute, [Foi.i45j,coi.2.] 8776 For wel he wist withowi doute To Sir Darel he it lent ; Wondre he had what he ment, Whi he bourowed it of him soo ; 8780 Generides than demed thoo That Sercnydes brewed al this bale ; Therof he told a sothe tale. Thoo gah he make grete welcomyng 8784 To Mirabel for hir comyng, '' Haue I neuer ioye ne rest Whiles that my life may lest, If it in my power be, 8788 Your kindnes shal I quite sekirlie ; But, feire loue, I you pray. Hast you home al that ye may, For my ladie wil gyve noo feith 8792 Ynto Darel, what so he seith ; Therfore the more nede it were That ye were hastilie there, EecoTwmaund me hertlie, I you pray, 8796 And more ouer ye to hir say, Falshode fond she neuer in me, Nor neuer shal, so mot I the." Mirabel, in that she might, 8800 Toke hir leue of that knight, which Mirabel now shows him. Generides wonders at her having the ring. because he had lent it to Darel, but supposes that Serenydes has brewed all the mischief. He promises to re- ward Mirabel, and prays her to go back to Clario- nas at once, and tell her he was never false to her. Mirabel at once returns to Clario- oas. 272 DAREL REACHES CLARIONAS'S DOOR AND TRIES TO GET A HEARING. [Chap. XVII. But now let us tell how Darel sped. He goes to Cla- rionas's chamber, and knocks and beats at the door till a woman orders hira off, as her ladv is asleep. Darel says he brings good tidings from Generides. The woman says she'll have him turned away, but he shouts to Clarionas, who wakes, And fast highed to hir ladie With loyful hert, and right merie. Now of Darel I slial you say, 8804 Hon he sped him on his wey : To Mounthanar comen he was, And fast sped him a goode pas To Clarionas chambre ward ; 8808 The dore he fond shet hard; Twies or thries he called stil, But noon wold answer at his wil ; Eedie was noon in him to lete. 8812 On the dore w/tA his fist he bete ; Ther come a woman, and asked thoo Whoo knokked at the dore soo ? She bad him fro the dore to goon, 8816 For hir ladie rest may haue noon; " Thre dais she nouthir ete nor drank. For pure feint right now she sank. In a soft slepe she is fall, 8820 Ye come to wake hir -with att." Darel seid, " I you besech Lete me in, I shal be hir lech, Tel hir now hou I bring 8824 From Generides goode tithing." The woman answered egrelie, " Goo from the dore hastelie, Or I shal doo you hens goon 8828 Whethir that ye wil or noon ;" Of hir answerd^ agreued he was, [^ so in ms.] He cried alowde to(:) Clarionas^ " I am Sir Darel ! for charitie 8832 Eise vp and speke a word mih me." Clarionas herd Sir Darel, From slepe she rose, anoon to tel, [Fol. 146, col. 1.] Chap. XVn.] DAREL EXPLAINS SERENYDES S TREACHERY TO CLARIONAS, 273 Hir woman she bad the dore vndoo, 8836 And lete him In that crieth soo. The woman opened the dore in dede, And Darel hastelie In yede ; *' Mekelie vnto youre noblenes 8840 EecoTwmaundeth him hertlie [Generides] ; He dremed of you which him affi^yed, That neuer sith was he wel payed ; For that dreme hidre he sent me 8844 To here tithinges of you trewlye." "Doo wey," seid Clarionas thoo, " For that ye say is noo thing soo ; Youre glosing I vndrestond wel ; 8848 Goo ageyn," she seid to Darel, And doo this message in his name To Lucidas of noble fame Which he hath wed now newly. 8852 While I lyue, [I] think veraly I shal nouthir trust him nor you In this case, I make god avow." " Ma dame," seid Darel '' whi soo ? 8856 Bi god yo haue no skil thertoo, For wrong ye here him on hond If ye the trouth wold vndrestond, I shal not lie, bi god aboue : 8860 Lucidas paramoures I loue. And she thurgh hir modres glosing Sent vnto me for that Ring, And seid she had a seke cosyn 8864 Therof shuld haue a medicyn ; As sone as he did amend, The Eing ageyn she shuld send ; But hir modre the fals queue, 8868 That euer yet vntrew hath bene. and orders him to be let in. Darel gives her Generides' 8 greet- ing, and tells her, that Generides, in consequence of a dream, has sent to hear tidings of her. Clarionas tells Darel to go away, and tell his lies to Lucidas, Generides's bride. She cannot trust him or Grenerides. Darel swears she has no reason for dirtrust. It is he (not Gene- rides) who loves Lucidas, and she asked him, Darel, for the ring to cure her cousin ; but Serenydes 35 274 CLARIONAS BELIEVES DAREL S CLEARING OF GENERIDES. [Chaf. XVII. gave it toGwisshar to work the sepa- ration of Generides and Clarionas. He, Darel, was the beginner of all this trouble, and he swears on his sword that he tells the truth. Clarionas believes him, and he tells the Sowdon all about it; also that Generides has besieged Ama- lek in Vise. The Sowdon says the news is good, but he wants Ge- nerides sorely. Toke it Gwisshar, that fals felown, Forto wirch this fals treason To bring this knight and you on sondre. 8872 I was begynner of al this wondre "Whan I the Eing to borow gan, Therfor I am a sory man ; I thoght noo treason herin I-wis, 8876 So god bring me to his blis. Ma dame, but this soth be, EUes trust ye neuer to me." His naked swerd he drogh there, 8880 And kneling began theroii to swere, That he hir told, soth it was. "With that beheld him Clarionas, And saw this grete curtosie ; 8884 She rose vp, and to him gan hie, She toke him bi the bond, and kist. Him to welcome than she list. The Soudon into hir chambre cam, 8888 And Darel he welcomed home, Wondre he had that he there was ; He told him tithinges of Al the case. The tithinges liked him ful wel ; 8892 He enquered more of Sir Darel ; He seid, " Generides bi manly asise Hath beseged the tovn of Vise Ther Amalek and his folk is, 8896 That noon may passe out I- wis, Nor noo vitail gete thei goii, "Wel the soner thei shal be won." The Soudon seid, *' now, bi the roode, 8900 Thes tithinges ar passing goode ! God yeve him grace wel to spede. For of his help I haue grete nede ; [Fol. 146, col. 2.] Chap. XVII.] DAREL MEETS MIRABEL ON HIS ROAD TO YNDE. 275 Sone he may to long dwel ; 8904 Of king Gwynan ye may him tel, Hou he is comen into my lond Me to destroy e ^ith mighti hond, He destroyeth fast this centre now ; 8908 Tel him thus, I pray you." Darel seid " my lord, I shah" His leue he toke furth vfith at Of the Soudofi and Clarionas, 8912 And furth he went a grete pase To ynde ward, al that he might, Riding both bi day and night. The third day of his loumey, 8916 Mirabel in a momyng met he ; Eithir made othir goode chere, Long dwelled not thei in fere ; "Without lenger questionyng, 8920 Ech told othir tithing, And so departed thei twey. On here iourney thei went here wey And come where thei wold be certeyii 8924 As Darel come to Inde ageyn. and he must be told how Gwvnan is ravaging the Sowdon's lands. Darel promises to do this, and starts for Ynde. On the third day he meets Mirabel, they tell one an- other their news, and part. and Darel reaches Ynde. 276 DAREL KILLS THE DUKE OF EGYPT. [Chap, XVTII. CHAPTER XVIII. Here Amalek isshued out of the Citie w«tA his people, and yafe grete batel to the ooste, So that moch of his people were sleyfi, And he was fayne, for ease and socour of his people, to take A trews for A tyme. Amalek's folk feel bold on hearing that Generides is ill ; but Mirabel had since then recover- ed him, and Darel goes after him to the light. Darel attacks the Duke of Egypt and runs him through Amalek and his folk wer out Of the castel bold and stoute, Because thei herd wel seyn 8928 That Generides soke had leyn ; But he was holer than thei wend, Mirabel gan him so amend ; Armed he was, and went his wey 8932 Or Darel come to the tourney. Whan Darel to his tent com, And fond Generides not at home ; He armed him, and russhed his stede, 8936 And forto loust fast he yede ; The batel was ful hard and strong. Darel vnto the Castel among Cast his loke, and Lucidas sigfi, 8940 And for hir sake gan draw ful nigti ; To the Duke of Egipt he rode, That ful boldlie him abode Yndre the wal of the castel, 8944 Darel smote him y^iih hert fel That his shelde al to-brake, Neuer aftirward he spake, [Fol.l46J,col.l.] Chap. XVIIl.] GENERroES RUNS AMANUEL THROUGH. 277 Thurgh the hauberk to the hert 8948 The soket of the launce stert, So that the Duke fet deid to ground. Glad was Lucidas that stound Of Darelles ageyfi comyng ; 8952 Wei she knew him bi the lousting. Generides p(?rceyued wel thoo That it was Darel, and cam him too ; He seid, " art thou Darel, my fere, 8956 This noble stroke that gaf here ?" " Smyte on hem," seid Darel, *' Ye hafi most cause, I wote it wel." Tho was Generides right glad ; 8960 Forto lust goode wil he had Vnto Amanuel, Amalekkes brothre, That doghtier was than any othre. Amanuel rode Generides to mete, 8964 Here stedes to renn thoo thei lete, Thei hurled than to-gedre soo '^iih here strong speres thoo That Generides shelde to-rofe 8968 And a cantel a- way drofe, So the soket thurgh shet, 'With the pensel a fadom met Euen furth bi Generides side, 8972 Nomore he hirt him that tide ; Thurgh strenght of that sore dent His stirrops from his feete went. Generides with strenght certeyn 8976 In the mid shelde smote him ageyfi. The launce thurgh shelde and hauberk Befom hit frusshed al the werk. And thurgh the bodie an elle long : 8980 Amanuel thoo hem al among to the heart. Lucidas and Generides re- cognize Darel. Generides charges Amanuel, who breaks hii shield and drives his feet out of the stirrups. Generides runt Amanuel right through the hodj. 278 AMALEK AND UAREL FIGHT TILL BOTH FALL, [Chap.XVIII. Fel deid from his steid plat ; Amaiek . Amalok his brothre saw that, So strong care had he neuer noon, 8984 He russhed his stede, and did him goon, Toward Darel he roode than. And he to him like a man ; charges Darel, -poY that dede Lucidas was woo 8988 Whan she saw hem to-gedre goo, For hir fadre sore she drede. And Darel she wold wel haue sped. Amaiek to Darel gan smyte, [foi.ubj.coi.s.] 8992 The stroke in the shelde gan bite, And the rich pictoure to-brest ; Darel wold him neuer rest and they fight j^orto ley oon hard and sore, 8996 With here dyntes more and more The stedes vndre hem gan feint, till both fall down. And after thei were so atteynt That on the ground both thei fel ; 9000 Than were thei ful egre, to tel ; Thoo wax the prees aboute heiii thik, To Darel was the more wik, Amaiek is helped YoY Amalck was holp vp sone, 9004 And Darel had ynogh to doone but Darel is ridden Among his cumyos there liyng. Many oon rode ouer him prikking, And he defended him there as he lay, 9008 Defouled he was mich that day ; Yp he stert at the last And defended him right fast. At last Generides With that Cam Geuendes riding, im, gQ^2 gis naked swerd in bond bering. And departed the pres in sondre ; Of his strokes thei had grete wondre. Cbap. XVIII.] GENERIDBS GRANTS AMALEK A MONTH S TRUCE. 279 So many lie slogh, so many he feld, 9016 That ther wer noon that w/t^ him deld But he left deid in the place, Outhir sore wounded, bodie or face ; Therfor many his strokkes dred, 9020 And durst not him abide, but fled, For Darel sone had help anooh Froih his enmyes euerichoon ; Thei within began withdraw, 9024 And to Amanewel that was slaw Into the Citie forto burie, For him was Amalek vnmerie ; Thei without folowed hard, 9028 And slogh many of the rereward ; An hundreth of Amalekkes knightes, Without squiers, died douii rightes, Which sleyn were hem among. 9032 Amalek begaii to sorow strong For los of his folkes thoo, The gates he shet with mich woo ; The barones that within were, 9036 To-gedre thei assembled there. Among hem counsel thei toke A messenger hem to loke Forto send to Generides, 9040 Trewes prayng for the pees, A monetti, if it were his wil. The bodies that lay stil To put hem in buriyng. 9044 Whan Generides herd that tithing. Trews to graunt glad he was [Foi.H7,coui.] For the loue of [Clarionas], For the while his hert was bent 9048 To Perse to goo with goode entent. and killfi many of the enemy. They retire to the city, losing 100 knights, shut the gates, and resolve to ask for a month's trace. Generides gladly grants it, and resolyes to go to Perse. 280 GENERIDES RESOLVES TO GO TO PERSE. [Chip. XVIII. Sir Darel he called him vntoo, And his squier Nathanael Alsoo, " Sirres," he seid, " bi thassent of you 9052 To Perse I think to goo now, Priuelie while the trews is lasting ; Generides leaves - Darel," he seid, " ve ar connynsr, the host in Darel's ' ' "^ '^ °' charge, Doghtie, and trew, my lefe fere, 9056 In my stede ye shal bide here. And safelie' kepe al our oste ; [' MS.fa/eiie.] For thei withm, for al here boste. Ye know wel be deceyueable, 9060 Therfor hold you to-gedre stable, That, which tyme if thei arise. Ye may the bettre you avise Manli you forto defend ; 9064 And if nede be, aftre me send, I shal me hast ageyn to you ; [foi. 147, coi. 2.] but bids him to But, Icfc Darel, I pray you nov prepare 100 of t-. • i i pi them to accom- Pnucly to my lelows goo, pany him to Perse, ^^^„., ■, ^ ,-, -i 9068 And warn an hundreth, and no moo, In al hast to make hem redie To wende with me in companye Eight sone in the evennyng ; 9072 For I wote wel Gwynan the king Wil assay with al his might Forto wyn my ladie bright ; Darel, in hast, my lefe frende, and also Segryne. 9076 Aftre Sogryne that ye send. For he shal guyde vs in our lourneys. So wel he knoweth al contreys." Darel was redie to fulfil 9080 In hast al Generides wil. And neuer stint til he had wroght Al that Generides of him soght. CiTAP. xrx.] GENERIDES REACHES PERSE, AND FINDS IT WASTE. 281 CHAPTEE XIX. How Generides went privelie into Perse to King Gwynan, and made him to be sworn that he shuld neuer in al his life make werre Ayeinst the Soudon nor him (:) And accorded hem for euer, And lete him and al his people goo home into Egipt ; And tho Generides hasted him Ageyn to Darel & his felows. Generides privelie in the evenyng "Went his wey vfiihoMi letting, With an hundreth knightes of his assent, And Segryne into Perse went ; Thei ne stint day nor night 9088 Til thei of Perse had a sight. The contree waste there thei found, Xing Gwynan was in the lond And did grete destruccion, 9092 Castels and tovnes he bet doun. Generides saw the centre wast, He rode forth in grete hast ; As he rode, perceyue he can 9096 Eiding a grete gentil woman. From the high wey fast she fled. It semed as she wer a-dred ; Wonder fast she gan hir hie, 9100 Fiftene horses in hir companie. [Foi.i47>,coi.i.] Generides to hir a pase yede. And seid, "ma dame, no thing ye drede. Generides and his 100 knights start for Perse, which they find laid waste. Generides sees a lady fleeing, rides to her, 36 282 GENERIDES LEARNS THAT GWYNAN IS ONLY A MILE OFF. [Chap. XIX and asks her where she is going, and who she is. " The Sowdon's niece Goffare, and I seek him at Mounthanar." Gwynan is near, awaiting the king of Spain, hunting daily, till they can attack the Sowdon ; I meruel whi ye flee so fast, 9104 Ye nede not of me to be a-gaste." She houed on hir palfray To wit what he wold say : He hir demaunded, " feire ma dame, 9108 Whedre goo ye, in goddes name, And what ye ar, tel ye me." " I am a woman dismaied, as ye may see ; I am the Soudanes Nece Goffare, 9112 Of thes werres I was not ware That king Gwynan maketh in this lond, He wold me gyve an husbond, Oon of his cosynes, as I wene, 9116 And kept I had my widowhede clone ; Therfor to the Soudofi am I bent, To Mounthanar is myn entent." Generides spered of hir ful wel, 9120 "Where is Gwynan? can ye me tel?'' " Sir," she seid, " a myle bi west In a Castel bi a forest, The king of Spaigne, Ottran, to abide, 9124 That hath behote him with him to ride In this lond to werre, thei say. Gwynan wil the whiles play ; Euery day on hunting he rides 9128 In the forest there besides, For he dredeth of noo wight, Him self is so doughtie a knight ; His men ar chosen euerechoofi 9132 That w/tA him ride or goon. "Were he come, the king Ottran, Sech thei wold the Soudoan.'' Tho he asked of the ladie 9136 If moch people were dwelling bi ; CuAP. XIX.] GENERIDES SENDS SEGRYNE TO FIND OUT WHERE GWYNAN IS. 283 "Nay," she seid, "in certeyn, Not past an hundredth (the soth to seyn) Of knightes without Squiers, 9140 But thei be armed in al maners, And so thei ride on hunting For auenture of ony spiyng : ^ » ^ v. I pray you yeve me leue this tide." 9144 "Ma dame," he seid, " god be yowr guyde ! Ynto the Soudon I wold you pray On my behalf a message to say : Say him, that ' of Surre a knight 9148 Eecommaundeth him with al his might, As his man which hath liking Of him to here goode tithing.' In goddes name goo youre way 9152 And I shal come whan I may." This ladie oil hir wey sped. Generides and tho men that he led Gan to draw to the wod anooii, [Foi.i47A,coi.2.] 9156 ^nd thei enbusshed hem euerichooii. And ther among hein counsel toke To send oute Segryne forto loke "Where Gwynan was, and what he did, 9160 What wey he pleid in any stid. He went to wit hou it was ; Into the forest he toke his paso, Toward the touii of Mount Parsan ; 9164 There was that tyme king Gwynan, That dyned had in the momyng. And redie was to goo on hunting. Segryne knew wel here manere, 9168 Al here counsel he gan enquere; And to his maistre he turned ageyii And told of the hunting shuld be certeyn ; and Gwj-nan has only 100 knights •with him. Generides sends f reeling to the owdon, and the ladv Gof- fare leaves him. Generides and his men hide in a wood, and send Segryne to spy where Gwy- nan is. Segryne finds out all about it, 284 GENERIDES LIES IN AMBUSH, AND CUTS OFF GWYNAN. [Chai'. XIX, and proposes to let Gwynan go quietly by, and then thev can get between him and the castle. Gwynan and his tnights soon pass Generides and his men come out of their ambush, and the attack be- gins. " "Now lete vs stand al stil, 9172 And som what doo aftir my wil ; Here bi shal come Gwynan the king With al his knightes on hunting. "Wil ye doo bi the reid of me ? 9176 Lete hem passe — and kepe vs prive — With al his folk here for bi, That we make noo noyse nor crie ; At avauntage we shal been, 9180 We shal be the Castel and hem betwene ; Armed he is, and al his knightes, Wei yhorsed at al rightes ; Him self he rides on a white stede, 9184 That saw I or I thens yede. His shelde is white, and his launce, And al is^ white is hys countynaunce, And a percey ving knight he is ; 9188 Eight sone he cometh this wey I-wis ; I^Tow know ye al in this tide. In thes busshes let vs abide.'' Anoon thei passed bi that wey, 9192 Thei gon to ascrie hem that day, And come out of here busshaile Streight forto bede hem bataile. Gwynan turned and hein beheld, 9196 Hou thei wer armed with spere and shelde ; Wondre he gan, and seid now, " Goo we on hem for our prow ; To sane our worship in that we may, 9200 Manlie defende we vs this day." To-gedre thei met right soone, Aithir peyned hem wel to doone, So did Generides companye, 9204 Thei were of goode wil for the maistrie. [i?«o.] Chap. XIX.] GWYNAN KILLS SIR LUCAS, AND GENERIDES KILLS GWYNAN*S COUSIN. 285 The first assaute tliat euer thei made, Gwynan thei gan to vnglade, Foiirti of his knightes thei slougft 9208 Or euer thei hem withdrogh, And ouer that thei toke fiftene, For that Gwynan had grete tene. [Foi, H3,coi. 1.] He rode vnto Lucas of Ydome 9212 That vftih [Generides] was I-come, He was a goode knight of Eenouii ; Gwynan was egre as a Lioufi, And with his launce even to the hert 9216 Thurgh the bodie he him girt; Deid from his stede fel Lucas ; Generides therfor ful woo was, For he loued him speciallie ; 9220 He had grete cause sekirlie, For whan that he in prison was For the loue of ClarionaSj Lucas him goode spake, and honoured, 9224 And vnto his deliueraunce he procured. Generides wex so ful of moode For Sir Lucas that was so goode ; In he girt thurgh the pres, 9228 To avenge him he wold not cese ; He wold haue met with Gwynan the king But he was let bi a lording, Gwynanes cosyfi, that him assailed ; 9232 And Generides of him not failed, The lord he smote than so wrotho That shelde to-rofe, and hauberk bothe. The shaft into the bodie wound, 9236 The lord fel deid vnto the ground. That saw Gwynan : as woo he was As Generides for Sir Lucas : At the first assault, 40 of Gwynan's knights are slain, and 15 taken pri- soners. Gwynan thrusts Lucas right through the heart. Generides is woe for this, dashes in to attack Gwynan, hut is stopped by Gwynan's cousin, whom he kills. 286 GWYNAN IS WORSTED, AND TRIES TO ESCAPE. [Chap. XIX. Generides his, and they charge. ?ect?h?s'Er ^^' ^^® ^^^S Grwynan dismaied roode, 9240 He saw his men so abrode, He blew his horn lowd and hard, And gadred his men to him ward. Than Generides gadred his also ; 9244 There was noo hold but to go, Who so might his match dovii bring ; Ther was with hem ful mich criyng ; Ther lay among here hors fete, 9248 Many a knight his lyve lete, Gwynanis worsted. But Gwynan had the wors side ; His folk he saw sprede so wide, And many of his best men sleyii, 9252 He wold haue wroken him ful feyii. So come to him a bold baroun Of Corinthie, Sir Sampson, And seid, " Sir, ouercome we been ; 9256 Bot is ther noon but to fleen ; Therfor bi the reid of me "Withdraw you right prmelie, At youre Castel that ye were, 9260 Bettre forto ordeigne there ; Safe your self, what so of vs befal, Blow your horn, we may here it at." King Gwynan blew his horn, 9264 His folk gadred him beforii. Him self euer a-way he drogfi Euen from hem priuelie ynogh Prikking awey fast criyng ; 9268 Sampson toke his felons in keping. Whan nede were hem to defend. Generides gan tho to entend That Segryne aspied here fleeyng ; Se^^yneteiisGene. ^372 ^^Generides^' he seid, <'for ony thing. Sir Sampson of Corinthie advises him to re- treat to his castle, and save himself. Gwj-nan assemhles his men and steals quietly away. [Fol. 143, col. 2,] Chap, XIX.] GENERIDES OVERTAKES GWYNAX, AND CALLS ON HIM TO FIGHT. 287 If thos men thus escape, "We ar but deid ; this is noo lape ; To Mount Parsan his wey he hatfi nome, 9276 Eight he wil thidre come, His stede is swift and right goode/' Generides his tale vndrestoode. He spake to his stede on this maner, 9280 "Ay, blaunchard, hou I loue the dere ! "Wei hast thou serued me beforn, And fro many a daunger eke me born, But neuer had I so grete nede 9284 Til now, for of deth I me drede ; Help now, I prey the." He toke his stede, and fast yede he j Thail was he in litle while 9288 Before Gwynan half a myle, Bi an othre wey in the wod side That nauthir saw othre ride ; The pathes knew Generides^ 9292 Ouertwhart the wey he ches Toward Mount Parsan ther the king Was purposed to goo in his fleing ; Segryne for di*ede him folowed than. 9296 Sone aftir that king Gwynan Saw Generides him beforii. His county naunce he had ny lorn, For erst he saw him at the bataile 9300 That he was best there saunfaile, And the most durable in fight, Therfor he was the more a-fright ; He began to flee a-side ; 9304 Generides preid him to abide. He axed him, and seid, " sir king, For youre ladies sake abide lusting ! that Gwynan is es- caping to Mount Parsan, and must be stopped. Generides asks his steed Blaunchard not to fail him, and is soon half a mile before Gwy- nan. As soon as Gwynan sees Generides, he is afraid and turns a«ide, but Generides calls on him to stay and fight. 288 THE FIGHT BETWEEN GWYNAN AND GENEKIDES. [Chap. XIX. Gwynan stops and charges Generides; their spears and shields break ; they draw their swords ; Gw\'nan splits Ge- nerides' s shield in two, and his hauberk ; Generides High, you hidre, on goddes name, 9308 Elles shal I euer say you shame Ynto Clarionas wtian I hir see." Gwynan saw it might noon othir be ; Proude he was, bold and hardie, 9312 And a strong man of his bodie ; He couered him wet/« his shelde anoon, And spored his stede & did him goon Ageyn Generides a goode pase ; 9316 Bi that tyme ful redie he was, And ful egrelie he with him met ; Aither ful sore here strokes set That hir speres and sheldes brast, 9320 Therto might thei noo longer trast ; Here sharp swerdes thei drogh thoo. And fast to-gedre thei smote twoo ; Aither smote hard dyntes, 9324 The sparkles flow out as doth on flyntes ; Gold, asure, and rich pittour. Was al defaced with here rigour, Shyuered thei were ^iih strokes kene. 9328 Gwynan gan wax togh and tene That any knight so long him helde, [Generides] he smote that his shelde On twoo he clofe, and bare him froo ; 9332 His swerd glaced bi his side thoo And went bi [Generides] arme, Almost it had doon him harme. The hauberk brest even a twoo, 9336 The swerd bi the naked gan goo ; The king seid, " nov ar ye bare. Goo hens for drede of more care." [Generides] for that abraiding 9340 Waxed wroth toward the king, [Fol.l486,col.l.] Chap. XIX.] GWYNAN SUHRENDERS TD GENERIDES. 289 He lift vp his half shelde And ageyn his visage it helde, He loked on his goode brond 9344 And lift it vp w/tA his hond Thinking on the loue that was Betwix him and [Clarionas], And on the helm he smote Gwynan 9348 That the oon quarter than With that stroke fel to ground, And the swerd that same stound Shet doun within the shelde 9352 That the hond that it with helde Smote of there fingers twoo, That the hames of the sheld also That the sheld shuld hold bi 9356 Fel from him : than was he sory. [Generides] seid to the king, " Sir, nov want ye couering ; Without shelde ye most assaute, 9360 To day youre ovn shul ye faute." Gwynan for wrath was nigh woode, And saw his hond al on bloode, Grete sorow to him he nam ; 9364 With that [Generides] to him cam With his swerd him to haue slaw ; The king a little did him withdraw, And seid, "lefe frend, suffire me; 9368 Tel me what knight ar ye ; Youre name hide not fro me nov, For fight shal I nomore with yov ; Here is my swerd, and I me yelde 9372 To you while I my life shal welde, And neuer more your [sic] to faile If euer I may you availe, cuts off part of Gwynan's helm, two of his fingers, and the thong of his shield. Gwynan yields up hisswor^, and smbmits to Generides, 37 290 GWYNAN VOWS PEACE, AND GIVES UP CLAEIONAS. [Chap. XIX. who accepts the eword. Gwynan asks to be allowed to go home, and he will swear never to invade Perse again. He kneels down and swears this, and releases his ^.yight to Clarionas. Generides kisses him and makes friends, 9376 9380 9384 9388 9392 9396 9400 9404 9408 What so ye wil haue me to doon.'' [Generides] receyved his swerd sone And told him what that he hight ; Than was he the more a-fright, He seid, " if it be youre wil, To hate you I haue grete skil, Ye slough my fadre sekirlie ; That deth I forgyf you trewlie So that ye wil graunt me Oon thing, if youre wil be, Safelie to wend into my lend ; And I shal swere bi right hond Ynto the Soudoii, that neuer I shal Of Eerse chalange part ne al, "Nor therin come ageyns his wil Ayeinst him nor his, lowde nor stil." [Generides] light a-down thoo, So did king Gwynan alsoo : Bi than was Segryne to hem come And both here stedes hath I-nome, And king Gwynan kneled there, And on his swerd did he swere As he before seid euery dele ; Therto [Generides] listened wel, And laghing he seid on his glee, *' [Clarionas] ye shal leue with me.'V " To hir ye haue more right than I For grete labour of youre bodie, Moch woo ye haue had for hir ; Mi right I reles you here, Sir, Neuer to chalange hir no more ;" That oth eft yet he swore. [Generides] bi the hond did him take. And kissed him, more frendeship to make ; [Fol. I486, col 2.] Chap. XIX.] PEACE IS PROCLAIMED, AND GWYNAN*S HOST ORDERED HOME. 291 Oft men seyn " aftre hate strong Grete loue fele folk among ;" So farde it than grete loue and pes 9412 Betwix him and Sir [Generides], Ageyn thei lepe on here stedes, And sent Seeryne on here nedes *°^ *^f l^"^.?®: o •' gryne to stop their To here folkes forto cese, "«°'« fig^^ting. 9416 To abaite here strife and make pees. Whan Segryne broght hem that tithing Thei were glad to cese fighting ; au are giad, And w/t^ Segryne to Mount Parsan 9420 Al to-gedre went thei than ; Thei were glad of here comyng That Generides broght Gwynan the king ; Grete ioye thei made al that night. 9424 On morow at the daies light and next davGwy- . . . nan orders nis host To his ost went Gwynan the king, home. And bad his ost *' be gooyng Homward, for the werre is dooii ; 9428 High you afore, I wil come soone." 292 THE SOWDOK AND CLARIONAS DREAM OF GENERIDES, [Chap. XX. CHAPTEE XX. Here Generides bringeth Xing Gwynan to the Soudon forto be at oon with him for euer ; And such Assuraunce was made or thei departed. The Sowdon tells his daughter Cla- rionas that he dreamt that Generides fought Gwynan and beat him, hut Generides took pity on him. The Sowdon won- ders that they hear no tidings of Ge- nerides. The lady Goffare comes to him, LIsteneth nov of the Soudon [foi, h9, coi. %.] That wist not hou thes games wergoii. On the next day in the mornyng 9432 He went and told his dremyng Vnto [Clarionas] his doghtre dere ; " Doghtre," he seid, " wil ye here ? To-night I met that [Generides] 9436 Faght with Gwynan doutles, And him ouercome so nere That he cast him in a Eiuer ; Tho Gwynan held his hondes on hie, 9440 And mercy began forto crie ; [Generides] had of him pitie, And drogh him vp, as thoght me. Wondre me thinketh, bi heuen king, 9444 But we here of him tithing ; For myn hert euer telleth me . He is not fer from this centre." His doghtre herd this daliaunce, 9448 And told hir dremyng thurgh chaunce, "Me thoght he com from ynde to Perse ;" And thus here thoghtes thei can reherse. The ladie that him bi the wey met, 9452 She cam to the Soudon, she had forget ; Chap, XX.] CLARIONAS HEARS OF* THE PEACE BETWEEN GENERIOES AKD GWYNAN. 293 She seid, " my lord, I crie you mercy, For euel forgeten me haue I. I met a knight with feir meigne — 9456 Whan I come into this centre — Armed, on a good stede riding, Axing aftre Gwynan the king. To you reco»zmaunding him speciallie, 9460 And seid he wold see you hastilie, And that as sone as euer he might ; But he told not what he hight, But of Surre he seid he was.'' 9464 That word vndrestoode [Clarionas]; Who it was she knew wel ; She held hir pes thoo som del. [Generides] and king Gwynaii 9458 Twoo dais wer at Mount Parsail, And aftre went with here meigne To Mounthanar, that feire Citie ; Segi'yne thei made messenger ; 9472 The Soudon for this was mery of chore. Whan Segryne thes tithinges broght, Ynto [Clarionas] to goo he thoght ; Into hir chambre he cam rennyng, 9476 Goode tithinges to hir bringing, " That Gwynan the king and [Generides] Wer wel accorded in loue and pes. And the king home ageyfi shuld wende, 9480 Al the werre was broght to ende. And that hir lord was in the contree." "Where is [Generides]?" than seid she. iroi.H9,coi.2.] « Or is soone miswritten for some word rhyming with vndow ? Chap. XX.] GENERIDES SPENDS THE NIGHT Df CLARIONAS S ROOM. 297 "Trewlie, dere hert," he seid, "nay, But for that ye this othre day Supposed in me such variyng 9592 Whan it was told you of my wedding ; [Foi.i49j,coi.2.] But if ye had found vntrouth in me Ye shuld not haue domed that parde ; For verray wrath I thoght thoo, 9596 If I might my tyme come too, To wrath you if that a litle wight Mi purpos was, if that I might. Now In hast I most to Ynde, 9600 Elles my worship wer behinde ; Mi felows think for me ful long Til I be come hem among ; Of Amalekes treason euer I drede, 9604 To hast me therfor it is grete nede; Whan I haue sped my loumey I wil come to you, trust verilie." [Clarionas] wel vndrestoode 9608 That his reason was trew and goode. But neuer-the-les she was woo To depart so sone him froo ; She graunted him thoo his wil, 9612 Into hir chambre she toke him stil That noman but thei thre wist : There thei halsed and thei kist, Thei drew to mirth and al plesaunce 9616 And left al wanton Acqueyntaunce ; Al that night til the dawnyng He abode Mvith his derling. In the momyng departed he thoo ; 9620 Than was hir hert ful woo, But it might noon othre be ; He hasted furth on his lourne. " No, dear heart ; but it was very naughty of you to believe I had mar- ried some one else, and so I thought I'd teaze you when my turn came ; but T must go bacK at once to Ynde, and I will soon come back." Clarionas takes him into her cham- ber, loves and kisses him, and (doing nothing wrong) he spends all the night with her. Next morning he starts for Ynde. 38 298 AMALEK THIICKS TO OVERCOME DAREL. |Chap. XXI. CHAPTEE XXI. How [Generides] went Into Ynde and wounded Amalek to the dethe. And how pitouslie in his dieng he asked mercy of him for al his trespace, and of the treason he had doon to King Aufreus his fadre ; And hoii lamentablie Quene Serenydes come Yiith a naked swerd to [Generides] And offred hir to die for hir grete vntrouth doon to hir lord the King Aufreus ; And how paynfullie hir hert brest in hir constreint sorow, And so she died ouertwhart Amalek ; And how [Generides] was coroned king of Ynde. Generides I IE toko Scgryue, and went his wey [foi.i5o,coi.i.] 9624 -LL To Mount Parsan on his palfray ; arrives ia Ynde ; With his felows to ynde he went, And whan he come to his tent, Stil he yede without boost. ?"?P/»^^ ^Pt^t 9628 Darel was out with his oost : to fight Amalek, ' The same day come Amalek, And thoght to haue doo a shrewd chek ; Thogh he were redie to assaile, 9632 Darel thoght he wold not faile ; At his bond he was redie. [Generides] and his companye and joins him. Armed hem, and thidre yede; 9636 [Generides] was on a blak stede. Beside the Castel he met thoo Sampson Sampson that in Perse fled him fro Chap. XXI.] GENERIDES CUTS OFF AMALEk's RIGHT EAR AND ARM. 29D While he Mowed king Gwynan. 9640 Sampson was hold a doughtie man, And boldlie thoo w^t/^ him met, And [Generides] sore he smet That his spere on him to-brast, 9644 And his tronchon stikked fast With the soket in mid the shelde, Thnrgh it shet as he it helde ; [Generides] yet toke noo sore ; 9648 Sampson died to haue moch more. Thoo [Generides] thnrgh the haberion And thnrgh the bodie smot Sampson ; That saw Amalek, and cam prikking 9652 Toward [Generides] fast rennyng With his naked swerd on bond, To awreke Sampson he wold fond. [Generides] on the helme he smote, 9656 He felt wel the swerd bote, He clafe his shelde that oon quarter, The swerd went nigh the bond there ; The barneys was strong, the swerd stint. 9660 [Generides] for that bevie dint [Pol. 150, col. 2.] Was agreued in his bert, And to Amalek egrelie stert ; On the helme sore he him s[m]et 9664 That the swerd wold not let, The helme it clefe on the right side, Doun hi the heid the stroke gan glide, And the right ere bi the heid fast 9668 It bare awey at the last, Ynto his shuldre it did fal. And clefe it doun, and the arme w/t^al. That both twoo fel to ground ; 9672 And Amalek in that stound attacks Generides, and runs his spear through his shield. Generides runs Sampson through the body. Amalek comes to avenge him, cuts through Ge« nerides's helm, and chops off a quarter of his snield. Generides cleaves Amalek's helm, and cuts off his right ear and arm. 300 AMALEK IS TAKEN HOME, AND LAMENTS HIS EVIL LIFE. [Chap. XXI. Cried and pleyned him ful sore, *' In batel shal I come no more." Aboute him come grete pres, 9676 Yet knew him not [Generides]. Darel beheld, and saw Segryne, Darei asks who the ""What knight is vondre, frend myil, knight on theblack . steed is; That ridcth on the blak stede ? 9680 I wold him know, so god me spede ! That stede saw I neuer, as I deme ; Bi the grete strokes it shuld seme he ou^ht to be fGeneridesI it Asrht to bee." Generides. •- ^ <-> 9684 "Sir," seid Segryne, "it is hee, Of him be ye no thing a-dred ; Comen he is, and hath wel sped." Amaiek is rescued Amalek was reskewed thoo, 9688 For him his meny were ful woo, Thei leid him on a shelde on long. And him to the Citie bare hem among ; As softlie as euer thei might, 9692 Erom that batel thei hem dight. and carried to his Amalck was to the Castcl broght J Whan the quene saw him she had great thogfit. So had hir doghtre Lucidas, 9696 Grete sorow among hem was. He grows weak, Amalek gan to feble fast, and tells Serenydes The Qucnc he rcsoncd at the last Ful pitouslie in this maner, [foi.i506,coi.i.] that though they 9700 "Wel ye wot, my ladie dere, have loved one T.»-.ii-ri ^ tt '-ii another dearly, Michcl I loncd and cherisshcd you. And so alwey did ye me now ; yet their life has But CUcl WC haUC led OUr life, D 3een evil ; 9704 For ye wer king Aufreus wife ; Mi souereyn lord he was trewlye, In worship he did me magnifie ; Chap. XXI.] AMALEK DESIRES TO lilAKE AMENDS FOR HIS SINS. 301 And, like a traitour as I Am, 9708 His quene and wife from him I nam; With moch falshod I toke on bond Whan I drofe him from his ovii lond ; To him I was som tyme leef, 9712 For of his lond he made me chefe; Ageyiis goode I did him yl, Therfor this harm cometh me bi skil ; The grete wronges I haue him wroght, 9716 To my deth hath me broght ; Thogh I therfor thries might die, "Worthie it I were sekirlie ; Therfor, ma dame, I pray you 9720 On vs both haue pitie now. On our folie and our grete syn. And think how we haue ben therin. Think wel, my ladie dere, 9724 How that ye ar partenere Of that we haue doon to king Aufris, Or we be dampned we may not mis. Ladie, my deth nighes nere ; 9728 In hast let send a messangere To goode Darel, if his wil be, That he wold come hastilie to me And speke ^iih me or that I die ; 9732 Of his counsel I wold him prey, Hou I may amendes make To king Aufreus of al this wrake, And to his son [Generides], 9736 Of that I haue ayeinst the pees Wrongfullie hem myssgylt. Thogh my life in erth be spilt, Gladly I wold my soul saue, 9740 Mercy I hope of him to haue." he, like a traitor, stole his king's wife and drove him from his land, returning evil for good. and for these great wrongs death has come to him. " Therefore think, lady dear, on our BUU. my death draws nigh; send for Darel, that he may tell me how to make satisfaction for my sin, so that I may save my soul." 302 DAEEL IS SENT FOB, TO SEE AND COMFORT AMALEK. [Chap. XXI. Serenydes . but prays Lucidas to send for Darel, which she does. Darel asks Gene- rides if he may go, and Generides at once gives leave. Darel then declares his love for Luci- das, "Whan Serenydes herd this tale, For sorow she wax cold and pale ; She wailed that she was born, 9744 On swounyng she fel him befom ; Whan that she revived was. She called hir doghtre Lucidas, And praied hir hertilie 9748 To send for Darel hastilie. Lucidas for Segryne sent. And Segryne on hir message went Ynto Darel, to pray him come ; 9762 A sauecondit she him nome. That he shuld him saue bring And goo ageyn without hurting. Darel went to [Generides] anooh 9756 To assh leue for to gooii Ynto Amalek, for charitie To speko with him twoo wordes or thre ; " I here say that he wil die, 9760 And oft he crieth mercie." [Generides] thoo had pitie, And seid, " Darel, if it so be. Goo to him on goddes blissing, 9764 I pray you, hast you in al thing ; Eor my loue, with al your might Comfort him, and saue my right." " Sir, whi Lucidas sent for me, 9768 I loue hir paramours trewlie; But if I haue hir to my wife I shal neuer wed in al my life ; And, ye know, in grete loue is 9772 Som tyme sorow, somtyme blis, Som tyme yuel, som tyme goodnes, I take you self, Sir, to witnes. [Fol.l50ft,col.2.] Phap. XXI.] AMALEK PROMISES HIS DATJGHTER LT7CIDAS TO DAREL. 303 And, Sir, if it your liking be, 9776 I pray you help to gete hir me ; But if that she goten may be. Mi deth is nigh in short day." [Generides] answerd smyland, 9780 "Darel, I dar wel toke on hand That ye lone feire Lucidas, Therfor goo ye to hir a pas ; And hir fadre, while ye ar thore, 9784 Comfort him, as I seid yore. And I shal doo al that ye wil ; I hope youre loue ye shal not spil." Glad herof was Sir Darel, 9788 In hast he went to the Castel ; Amalek herd of his comyng, Ful nigh he was his ending ; Darel fast he behelde, 9792 And seid, " Sir, erist you yelde Of this comyng, ye doo charitie, I pray you pray [Generides] for me, That he forgyf my male talent 9796 That is doon thurgh my procurement, And w/tA his fadre to accord me ; This ax I him for charitie ; This shame & skath, al that I might, 9800 "Which is come to me by right. Sith ye ar come of goode kinrede, And also doghtie of your dede. If I wist to thank ye wold it take, /. 9804 A mariage fayne wold I make Betwix you and my doghtre dere, Lucidas that sitteth here ; Othre heire haue I noon than hir, 9808 Al shal she haue, feire Sir." andbem (Jenerides to helpnim get her. Generides tells him to go to her at once, comfort her father, and he (Generides) will do all he can for him. Bo Darel hastes to the castle, and Amalek prays him to beg for for^veness from Genendes and Aufreus ; and he will give him his daughter Lucidas. [ ? A folio, or passage, omitted in the MS. here.] 304 GENERIDES FALLS ILL ON HEARING OF HIS PAREKTs' DEATH. [Chap. XXT. Meantime news is brouglit to Gene- rides that his father and mother are dead, on hearing which he swoons and falls from his saddle. His men pick him up, and carry him to Damas, where they put him in bed, and he wastes away till there is not hope of his life. Then he sends Se- gryne to tell Cla- rionas That oon Constable of Damas is, That othre Constable of Surre I- wis : Thei seid to Generides sekirlie, 9812 ^'Youre fadre and modre both deid be; Thei died we't^in thre dais certeyn, That was grete pitie, soth to seyn." Whan he herd hem tel this tale, 9816 Anoon he wax ful deid and pale, Out of the sadle amonges hem al In swonyng doun gan he fal ; Thei cried alias that thei him sigfi 9820 So my eh sorow to see him drigh ; Ypon his hors men him lift, And thus this goode knight thei shift Euen to the Citie of Damas ; 9824 Thei led him a soft pase. In his palace he did a-light, And in his bed thei him dight ; There lay he seke a grete stound, 9828 His bountie fel fast to ground. His feire skyn that was so clone Wax al doun on him to sene. The flesh wasted fro the booii, 9832 He was so feble he might not goon, In him was noon hope of life ; Por him was grete sorow & strife. Aftre Segryne he gan to cal ; 9836 Afore him on knees did Segryne fal, And seid, '' my lord, loo here your man." Generides was ful feble than, ''Segryne," he seid, "a goode pase 9840 Goo to my ladie Clarionas ; Eecommaund me to hir hertilie, I trow neuer to see hir sekirlie, [Fol. 151, col. 1.] Chap. XXI.] CLARIONAS IS TOLD THAT GENERIDES IS SICK UNTO DEATH. 305 Doo hir verily to vndrestond 9844 Deth hath take me on hond ; Noon othir way may me betide, I doo not elles but deth abide ; Sey, I besech hir pray for me, 9848 High you ageyfi to this contre.'' Segryne toke a goode hakenay And hasted him on his lournay ; To Perse he cam, to that Citie 9852 To' Mounthanar was called treulie, [' ? Tiiat.i Into the Castel he went a pase There to speke w/tA Clarionas ; In hir chambre he fond hir sitting, 9856 His erand he did sore weping; Clarionas herd his message, The teres fel from hir visage As stremes douii out of a wel, 9860 Hir sorow might noman tel, Euer she swoned and wept. Mirabel tho to hir lept And held hir heid betwix hir handes ; [Foi.i5i,coi.2.] 9864 "Segryne," she seid, "in hard bandes Ye haue broght my ladie now ; What tithinges to hir broght yow ? '' Al his tithinges he hir told ; 9868 Hir hert began to wax cold ; Neuer-the-les, thogh she wer sory, She went to comfort hir lady ; To hir she seid, " dere Ma dame, 9872 I vndretake bi seint lame, Doo as I shal you tech, Sone shal ye be youre lordes lech." Clarionas seid, " hou might I soo ? 9876 Tel me and it shal be doo." that Death has hold of him, and she is to pray for him. Segryne goes to Mountha- nar, and tells Clarionas the message. Clarionas weeps and swoons. Mirabel comforts her, and says she can soon cure her lord, 39 306 CLARIONAS GOES TO DAMAS TO CURE GENERIDES. [Cbap. XXI. "Than wightlie take youre palfray, Sun?° ^ ^'"^ ''' -^^^ priuelie goo ye youre way Into Surre, Generides to sene ; 9880 Lete ricti array at home bene, Ye shal take but simple wede ; Komoo shal ye vfiiJi you lede vint ^^^ °^ ^^" -^^^ y^^^ °^^ seruawnt Gwynet ; 9884 Bi my counsel nomoo ye gete and one groom. gaf ou fote an othro man That youre hors kepe can ; W/t/iOut teching of ony wight 9888 Segryne knoweth the wey ful right.'' Ckrionas ClaHonas seid, " wetAout faile I shal doo bi youre counsaile." Eedie to goo she hir dight, starts at once, 9892 Fortli she wcut day and night Til she cam to Surre, goes to Damas, Eucn to Damas, that feire Citie ; To the Castel she gan goon 9896 Bi hir self al aloon. She houed at the Castel gate, Calling to come in therat ; and tells the castle The porter auoou spako to hir, porter that she can , ,, , • t /•/ n* rm cure Generides. 9900 "Where IS the king," she seid, " Sir .''" " Seke he is, as I herd say, Therfor I am come this way ; His sekenes I dar vndretake The porter 9904 In short tyme hole to make." The porter toke hir in soone, Hir message he yede forto dooii ; tells Nathanaei. Souo he met w^t^ Nathauael, 9908 And thoo he gan him forto tel "A woman was come that was a lech. That hertlie did him besech Chap. XXI.] CLARIONAS, IN DISGUISE, OPFERS TO CURE GENERIDES BY A KlSS. 307 To tel hou she dar vndretake 9912 Mi lord al hoi forto make:'' N'athanael mth the porter yede, And saw the woman in simple wede, Discoulored and simple [she] was ; 9916 He knew nat she was [Clarionas]; Sore weping he coud nat stil ; He asshed than what was hir wil. [Foi.i5i6,coui.] She saw him wepe sore dismay d, 9920 "Sir," she seid, "I haue assaid Yertues of gresse and of rotes, Of al euel I can doo bootes, I hope to god amend his state 9924 Be he neuer so feint and mate.'' At last he aspied a Eing Wherof he thoght he had knowing ; " Sustre, youre erand shal I doon." 9928 To [Generides] went he sone, " Sir, here is a woman, a lech, To make you hole she wil you tech ; Thogh she be in simple a-tire, 9932 To speke w«t// you is hir desire ; On hir finger a Ring I know, Ye yave youre ladie at a window." [Generides] bad Xathanael gooii, 9936 " Fecch me hidre that woman anooii.'' Kathanael thoo broght hir in ; Wympled she was both cheke and chin ; [Generides] tho knew hir noght ; 9940 To kysse him she him besoght, And hele him she shuld to mede. "Sustre," he scid, "god forbede Or any woman that I kysse 9944 But oon that I sore mysse ; Nathanael does not recognize Clarionas, but asks her what she wants. She says she can cure Gene- rides. Nathanael tells Generides that a woman has come to cure him. He orders her to be brought in, and she asks him to let her kiss him. He refuses, 308 CLARIOXAS CURES GENERIDES WITH A KISS. [Chap. XXI. but wishes he liad Clarionas to kiss and cure him. On this, she takes off her wimple, and says she is Clarionas, Generides is cured at once. Kisses and clips her with all his might ; and next day she sroes home. Generides is soon crowned king, and returns to Perse. With hir kissing, had I hir here, Sone hole I trow I were ; Of bote had I leuer mys 9948 Than ony othir forto kys." ^' Sir,'' she seid, " if she were here That ye speke of, youre ladie dere, Shuld hir kissing hele you?" 9952 "Yea trewlie shuld it," seid he now. She vnwimpled hir as fast. And wipt hir face in al hast, " Now kys me, I am [Clarionas]." 9956 [Generides] therof war was; So glad he was of hir comyng, Of his euel he felt no thing ; He kist and dipt with al his might, 9960 And kept hir in his armes al that night ; Moch mirth and ioye thei made. [Generides] gan to light and glade. And wex al hole at his liking. 9964 [Clarionas] in the mornyng With mirth and ioye to hir centre She went ageyn mth hir meigne ; The third day aftir hir wending, 9968 [Generides] ther was crovned king; He toke feith of free and bond. And set goode reule in the lond ; Whan al was wel, the soth to seyn, 9972 Home he went to Perse ageyii. tFol.l516,col.2.] Chap. XXII.] GENERIDES S WEDDING FEAST. 309 CHAPTEE XXII. [Of Generides's and Clarionas's Wedding.] [Foi.i52,coi.i.] r/~^ enerides] wedded was ful rially [VX To [Clarionas] that feire ladie ; A noble fest ther was hold 9976 Of al that thider come wold ; Thider come Gwynan the king, With him come many a grete lording, And the king of Tharse, Ismael, 9980 [Generides] brothre, and Sir Darel ; Of diuerse londes ther cam kinges, Moo than xxx, withoute leasinges, The king of Persan was ther goii, 9984 With him there come many oon ; And the kinges son of Lubie, A strong man and [a doughtie,*] And the king of Tharse alsoo, 9988 His right name was Sir Luboo ; And the king of Aragew, A feire man of his hew ; Also there come a strong king, 9992 Kabugodonosor son y^ithout leasing ; Of Egipt the kinges son also. With him cam many oon moo ; 1 The MS. has been blotted, and the vellam destroyed by some blanching material. Generides weds Clarionas, and holds a noble feast to which come Gwj-nan, Ismael, Luboo, Nabugodonosor's son. 310 THE SOWDON DIES, AND GENERIDES IS KING OF PERSE. [Chap. XXII. Ynel, Manassen, Balaam, and Essaunce. Darel is steward, and no dainties are wanting. At last the Sowdon dies, and Generides takes seisin of the land; all the lords obey- ins: him. He marries Mira- bel to Nathanael, and gives them the city of Soure, And also the king of Melafi, 9996 With him cam many a doughtie man; The king of Tuskan, as I trow, With many knightes on a row ; And king Ynel was an othir, 10000 King Ermonius was his brothir ; The king of Europe also, With him come kinges twoo ; King Manassen, an hardie knight, 10004 And king Euben of noble might; And king Balaam, as I wene. Cam with many knightes kene ; King Essaunce of noble apparaile, 10008 To be there he wold not faile. Darel was steward at that fest Eorto welcome most and lest ; Al the kinges in here aray 10012 Cam thidre -with grete noblay ; I dar wel say ther was plentie, There lakked no thing that was deintie. Whan the fest was broght to ende, 10016 Gwynan the king gan home wende, And the othir kinges echoon ; The ladies to here centres gan gooii. The Soudion died at the last ; 10020 [Generides] seased the lend in hast; Castels, tovnes, burghes, and Cities, Of al Perse he toke the fees ; Al the lordes, as it was skil, 10024 Him obeid ^lih goode wil ; He was gentil and merciable. Anoon in hast he maried Mirable To Nathanael ^iih grete honoure, 10028 He gafe hem the Citie of Soure [Fol. 152, col. 2.] Chap. XXII.] OF GENERIDES's BOUNTY, HIS HAPPY LIFE AND CHILDREN. 311 In Surre, witA al the contree Twelf myle aboute that noble Citie Forto hold with al Fraunchise, 10032 And made Nathanael chief lustise, So that he might dispend wele Vi M pound, and more som dele. He yafe Anazaree for his kindnes 10036 A f ul goode baronage doutles That was Sir Lucas of Idome, That bi eschete was to him come Aftre Sir Lucas was I-slaw ; 10040 That lend he yafe him bi the law ; He made him steward and chief lustise. And Segryne, for his goode seruyce, The lauender to wife him toke 10044 Bi-cause hir centre she forsoke ; The lordeship of a grete tovn He yafe him to his warison That was wel worth ecli yere 10048 Six hundred pound in oon manere; Of plentie thus he was abound To hem al that he his frendes found. A grete lord was [Generides], 10052 Emperowr of Perse, but neu^r-the-les King of Surre and of Ynde, He had hem bi heritage of kinde To him and to [Clarionas] his wife : 10056 Long lyued thei a goode life, And moch had of worldes wele, Childre betwix hem right fele That aftre were lordes of price, 10060 And here doghtres grete ladies ; And or xxx yere wer gooii. King Gwynun wedded that oon. the land and 12 miles round it. To Anazaree he gives Sir Lucas's baron- age that had escheated to him. To Segryne he gives the laundress to wife, with the lordship of a town, worth £600 a year. Generides and Clarionas lived long and had many sons and daughters. of whom Gwynan married one. 312 PRAY FOR THE TELLER OF THIS TRUE LOVERS* TALE ! [Chap, XXII. All their other children were of great renown, and Generides and Clarionas led their life in joy and bliss. Now the story of Generides and Clarionas is all told. May every true couple have such grace ! Pray for him who made this tale to gladden all true lovers ; and may God bring us all to heaven's bliss ; Amen! Of the othir childre al, 10064 Moch Worship to hem did fal; Many were kinges of noble fame, As here histories telleth the same. [Generides] lined many a day, 10068 And [Clarionas], the soth to say ; Thei led here life In ioye and blis As thei wer wele worthie I-wis. Of [Generides] and [Clarionas] 10072 Now haue ye herd al the case ; He was the king son of Ynde certeyii, Goten of the quene of Snrre, Sereyn ; Aufreus hight his fadre the king, 10076 In his tyme a grete lording. God graunt euery trew wight Gete his ladie with as moch right, And graunt hem such grace 10080 As had [Generides] and [Clarionas] ! Pray for him this tale made Al trew loners forto glade ; And graunt vs al at oure ende 10084 To heven blis forto wende, Eternallie there to be ! Seith Amen al, for charitie. Here endeth the noble historic of th[e excellent Pr]ince Generides^ which bi his mariage was Emperoure of P[erse and of] many a Region longyng therto. And bi heritage king of Ynde and [of Surre]. GLOSSAEY. A, 1797, 6662, at. Abasshed, 1229, perplexed. Abate, 7802, beat or put down, conquer. Abide, 3789, delay. Abide, 2301, wait for ; 122, come to a dead stop. Abide, 7598, suffer. Abiding, 7555, waiting, delay. Abound, 10049, abundant, generous. Abraid, 5974, frighten ; O.N. bregma ; A.S. hredan. See braid in Coleridge's Gloss. Abraide, 8553, started up. Abraied, 545, started. Abraiding, 9335, scoffing. Abreid, or rdther ' a breid,' 3052, a fuss. O.N. braffS. Acquiten, 1406, pay off. Acquite, 2993-8, clear, free. Acton, 4525. Sp. algodan ; Arab, al-goton. (Burguy.) " Aketon, or Haketon ... is a slevelesse jackett of plate for the warre, couered withe anye other stuffe ; at this day also called a jackett of plate ; suche aketon Walter Stapletone, Bishoppe of Ex- cester and Custos or "Wardene of Londone, had vppon hym secretlye, when he was apprehended and behedded in the twentyeth yere of Edwarde the seconde."— (1699. F. Thynne.) " Through shield and jack and acton past." —(1805, Sir W. Scott. "Lay of Last Minstrel," Canto yi. 1. 3.) Adoun, 5418, to an end. Afray, 8639, dismay. Afright of, 658, frightened about. Again, 209, to meet, from the opposite side. Agramed, 6044, angered. (Alysaunder, 3309.) A.S. gram, angry. Agoon, 2954, gone, disappeared. Agrose, 7960, was wroth. A.S. agrysan. A-know, 6739, known, recognized. Alas, sb., 692, crying alas I Algate, 2237, anywise, at all risks. Althers, 5244, of all. Althir, 3751, of all. Ame, 6959, aim. O.Fr. esrne ; L. eatt- matio. Among, 7696, at intervals. Among, 2755, during the work. Amyrayle, 1612, chief. An, 1337, one. A.S. an. And, 5540, 5831, if. Apaied, 4715, repaid, rewarded. Apaire, 4899, impair, injure. Fr. em- pirer ; L. in-pejorare. A pase, 9102, at speed, in haste. Arerud, 5924, reared up. As . . . as, 9237-8, conj. Ascrie, 9192, shout at. O.Fr. escrier aticun, to crie out on, or call upon, one. 4Q 314 GLOSSARY. Ashed, 4795, asked for. Asise, 8893, custom, way, fighting. Aslake, 6021, slacken. A.S. slacian, to slacken. Aslake, 6770, fall, grow less. Assay, 6037, temper, toughness. Assh, 9756, ask. Asshed, 6703, asked. At, 1974, of, (had envy of). At, 637, 1951, of, (take leave of). At, 7184, with. At, 1409, by, according to. Atteynt, 8994, tired out, done up. Fr. attaint, hit, strucken, fetched up ; il est attaint, he is but a gone man. (Cot- grave.) Aventure of (for), 9138, for chance of, to guard against. Avised, 231, informed. Fr. advise, in- formed. (Cotgrave.) Avisement, 4870, taking counsel. Fr. advisement, consideration. Avoide, 1253, get out of one's sight. O.Fr. voidier, fruia L. viduus. Awaite on, 6337, watch. A-wreke, 1272, avenge. A.S. wrecan, to avenge. Axing, 8510, request. A.S. acsung. Bare, 3820, went, rushed. Bare, 4229, bare skin, buff. Barred of, 5636, striped with. Banerer, 3508, baner ( ? a miswriting) Banerer, 3681, bearer of the banner. Batelles, 3552, battalions. Fr. hataille, the whole army, and sometimes also, any squadron, battallion, or part, thereof. (Cotgrave.) Bayne, 4640, bane, destruction. A.S. hana. Becam, 7223, went to. Bede, 1160, bid, declare. A.S. biddan. Begete, 4497, begetting, children. Begete, 4810, take, gain, success. A.S. begetan, to get, seize. Begoon, 178, gone over, covered. A.S. be-gdn, to go over, perambulate. Begoon, 4195, overrun. Begrave, 7394, buried. Behete, 463, promise. A.S. heJiMan, to promise. Behote, 5605, promise. Beleft, 5737, remained. A.S. helapfan, to leave. Belfrayes, 7811, tower to shoot from. Fr. baffroy, a watch-tower of timber, also a Bastilo of timber, whereout besiegers beat the besieged. (Cotgrave.) Bended, 4538, with bands or bars. Bendes, 3924, heraldic bands or bars. Beseen, 207, looked after, fitted, furnished, A.S. be-seon, to look about, behold. Besene, 3924, fitted, ornamented. Besprenged, 7068, besprinkled. A.S. be- sprengan, besprinkle. Betaght, 977, 9524, betook, committed; p. of beteche. A.S. bet^ecan, p. betmhte. Beteche, 973, betake, commit. Bett, 504, better. Bewept, 2355, wept, shed tears all over. A.S. bewSpan, bewail. Bidene, 3538, immediately. Bi-ment, 8634, troubled. Blin, 2048, stop, cease. A.S. blinnan. Bliue, 629, 4207, quickly, for belive. Cp. Dan. oplive, to quicken, enliven. (Col.) Bliue, 3106, blithe, glad. A.S. bli^e. Blyn, 2767, cease. Boistous, 3722, big and clumsy. Boistous, 4280, terrible, frightful. Boote, 5579, remedy. A.S. bot. GLOSSARY. 316 Bord, 364, ship hord, sliip'8 side. Bordes, 1019, tables. A.S. hord, table. Bote, 434, 3328, remedy. Bountie, 9828, prowesse, courage. (Cot- grave.) Bourdure, 4076, 5681, border. Brace, 3324, embrace. Brawn, 5991, flesh and muscle. Brayde, 7643, rusk O.N. hrag^. Brede, 5518, breadth. A.S. hred, a surface. Brent, 1661, burnt, scorched. A.S. humen, gebumen. Brayde, 2371, instant. Brethre, 4499, brothers. Bumesh, 780, "burnish, polir, to smooth, sleek, brighten, beautifie." (Cotgrave.) Busshaile, 9193, ambush. Fr. huschailles, small twigs or sprigs. Busshed, 3033, hid in bushes, lay in am- bush. Bushment, p. 64, heading, line 2, ambush. But if, 9769, except. By and by, 1158, at all times, constantly ; 4836, continuously. By and by, 4100, on both, all, sides. See extract under True-love. Can, 141, 3508, 9450, v. aux. did. Can, 144, 5579, know. A.S. ic can, I know, from cunnan. Can, 455, began, or did. Can thank, 1299, give thanks. Cantel, 5934, slice, piece. O.Fr. chantel. Careful, 138, 661, troubled, fuU of care and distress, or anxiety. Cast, 1444, 5498, plan, purpose, intend; 1448, plan, sketch out ; 8330, heave. Castelion, 3562, castellan. Casting, 8403, throwing, chucking. Caught, 6060, received. Cee, 6553, sea. Chambre (used without an article), 'into chambre,' 1263, etc. Champe, 3925, field, in heraldry; 5679, gi'oimd. Checkmate, 7792-7, 7801. Chek, 912, turn, trick. A.S. ceaca, a trial, proof. Chek, 8758, tale. Chekkes, 4042, injuries. Chere, 661-4, 5699, cheer, countenance. Fr. chere. Chere, 1051, cheer, fact, thing. Chere, 9486, sign, show, intention. Chik, 6061, check. A.S. cedca. Childi-e, 7780, children. Clene, 608, well-cut, neat, handsome. Clenlie, 880, neatly, well. Cleped, 956, called. A.S. clypidn, to cry, caU. Cleping, 2737, calling, summons. A.S. clypung. Cleping, 3168, calling, name. Clepur, 6877, clapper. Cold, 8562, grow cold. Come, 6765, coming. Comforth, 672, comforts. Companable, adj., and in Chaucer, " Schip- mannes Tale," 1. 14415. See Compenable, 47, social . (Palsgrave, 1530.) Fr. compagnahle, companable, friendly, sociable, conversable. (Cotgrave, ed. 1660.) Comyned, 2841, communed, consulted. Condicion, 9507, intent, plan. Condite, 8631, conduct, guide. Coniecture, 84, plot, tiick. See "Holy Graal." Conyssamice, 5684, flag, pennon, special to one knight. 316 GLOSSARY. Costage, 2302, cost, expense. Coude, 884, knew. Couerd, 5902, recovered. Couetous, 8173, desirous. Courser, 985, riding liorse. Fr. coursier, a Tilting Horse, or liorse for the Careere. (Cotgrave.) Couth, 280, vb. aux. could. Couth, 882, knew. A.S. cunnan, to know, p. ic cu^e, I knew. Covetise, 3842, 5341, desire, wish. Crased, 5785, cracked, were bruised. Fr. escraser, to squash downe, beat flat, crush in pieces. Croupe, 3822, rump. Fr. croupe, the rumpe, or crupper piece. Dampned, 2977, condemned. Darreyn, p. 165 (heading of chapter), end, decide. Fr. derreinier, from derrain, from de-retro-anus, dernier. (Burguy.) Daunger, 1874, difficulty, bother. Deceyuable, 9059, full of deceit. Deface, 9326. Deidhe, 1252, mortally. Delay, 3144, allay, satisfy. Fr. delayer, to allay, or soften, by steeping. Dele, 51, (some)what. A.S. dcsl, part. Dele, 446, whit, piece. Demean, 1911, behave. Departed, 513, divided. Fr. departir, to diuide. (Cotgrave.) Departed, 9013, separated. Departing, 4505, separation. Dere, 2802, harm, injure. A.S. dere, damage. Des, 215, dais. Devised, 232, understood. Devise, 1041, study, make out, understand. Devise, 1148, get at, discover. Deyntie, 4115, treat. Did, 7267, made. Dight, 268, prepared ; 2943, dress, put in funeral array. A.S. dihtan, to set in order, dispose, arrange. Dight, 9692, betook. Dight, 5226, sent. Discure, 83, 86, expose, betray. O.Fr. descuevrir, decouvrir, devoiler. L. dis- cooperire. (Eoquefort.) Disgyse, 1023, ornamented. Fr. desguiser, to set a false coate or glosse on. (Cot- grave.) Dishereited, 2271, disinherited. 0. Fr. deshirete. Displesaunce, 76, displeasing. Dome, 5670, trial, judgment. A.S. dorn. Don, 3774, din, resound. Doo, 8191, given. Doo way, 4131, 5591, get away, go along. Doth, 6218, do you. Doughtlie, 4905, doughtily. Dovnermore, 4226, further down. Doute, 3654, fear. Fr. doubter, to fear; double, fear. Doute of, 2388, fear for. Draw, 2151, go. Drench, 6688, drown. A.S. ge-drencan. Dres, 1726, go. Drese, 4336, betake ourselves. Dressed, 7307, prepared, got ready. Drigh, 9820, suffer. A.S. drecan, p. drehte, to trouble, oppress. Drinkes, 4630, charges, rushes at, for thrinhes, or thringes. A.S. jiringan, to press, to rush on or upon. (E. Morris.) Dry, 3836, suffer, last, stand. Durable, 9301, enduring, long-lasting. Dwell, 1992, pause. Dwelling, 9516, delay. GLOSSARY. 317 Eased, 2816, treated, accommodated. Cp. Chaucer, Prol. Cant. T., "we weren esud atte beste," Eche a, 3356, every. Eft, 1062, afterwards. Egge, 5147, edge. Egrely, 1351, savagely. Elde, 825, age. EUes, 468, else. Emprise, 1937, station, birth. O.Fr. em- prise, entreprise, projet. Enbatelled, 3657, in order of battle. Enbusshed, 9156, lay in ambush in bushes. Encheason, 436, occasion. O.Fr. acJieaon, enchaison. Entaile, 3608, 6699, cut, appearance. O.Fr. entailler, tailler ; entaille, cut, notch. L. talea. Entend, 129, attend. "I entende, I set my mynde, or apply my thought aboute a thyng. Je tuit delibere." — (Pakgrave.) Entende, 1121, 9266, understand. Erst, 506, before. Escape 590, get through. Eshete, 2190, escheat. O.Fr. eschet ; chaoir, tomber. Fade, 1288, pale. O.Fr. /ode, deplaisant; L. fatum. Falsed, 8448, falsehood. Fantise, 729, p. 24. O.Fr. faintise, dis- simulation, tromperie. Faute, 9360, miss, want. Feautie, 706, fealty. Feble, 9697, grow feeble. Feith, 9969, pledge, fealty. Feld, 5679, (heraldic) surface. Fele, 756, perceive, see. Fele, many. A.S. fela. Fellie, 8401, angrily, fiercely. A.S. fell, cruel. Felowrede, 3456, company, host. O.N. felagi, a partner in goods. Fent, 5941, vent or ventaille ( ? ) ; or another part of the armour, named from fente, the short slit at the collar of a robe closed by a brooch. (Way. Prompt. Parv. p. 156, v. 1.) Ferd, 1310, fared, behaved. A.S. faran, to go. Ferd, 4397, fared, went. Fere, sh., 259, company. A.S. gefer, a company. Ferus, 353, companions. Fest, 2717, fasten. Fett, 759, fetched, brought. Fetured, 2752, fettered. Fewtred, 3851, put do\vn to the charge. O.Fr. feutre, tapis, partie de la salle ; 'L.'L.filtrum; A.S. and 'E.felt. (Burguy.) Feyne, 4721, shirk. Fond, 2232, 4269, 9654, try. A.S. fandian. Fond, 414, undertake, perform (?) Foon, 3350, foes. A.S. fd, pi. of /aft. For, 4027, notwithstanding ; 8058, in de- spite of. For, 3180, because. For, 1863, against, to guard against. Forbere, 3189, restrain, give up. Forbi, 5748, by, past. Forbom, 146, borne from, separated from,. lost. A.S. forbdran, to forbear, abstain. Forbom, 5005, restrained. A.S. forhdran, to refrain. Fordoo, 2432, wash out, do away with. A.S. forddn, to destroy. Forgoo, 4234, lose. Forgoon, 4382, 5202, lost. Forth broght, 879, brought up. 318 GLOSSARY. Forswett, 221, covered with sweat; for, intensive. Fortliinkes, 6161, repents. Forthinketh, 2874, repents ; 6610, makes sorry. A.S. for\encan, to mistrust, de- spair. Forthoght, 6446, made sorry. Fortune, 1187, give the luck, grant. Fr. fortuner, give good successe unto. (Cot- grave.) Foryelde, 945, repay, reward. A.S. for- geldan, to repay. Foules, 5680, birds. Frape, 5085, crowd, rush. O.E. frape, quickly ; " ffor to fyghte with thy frapppe," host, army. (Morte Arthure, 1. 3549.) See frusMng, below. Frayn, 485, ask, question. A.S. fregnan; Goth, fraihnan. Freres, 7508, brethren. Fruslied, 4974, pierced, split. Frusshed, 8978, drove in, smashed. Frushing, 3831, 4901, rushing, hurtling. " ffrushchene on alle the ffrape." — (M. Arthure, 1. 2805.) Frushing, striking right and left. See tofrushed, 4190, beaten to pieces. Gan, 731, began. Gelous, 1070, desirous, lustful. Gate, sh. 5631, jet (the mineral). Gif, 5176, give. Girding, sb. fastening. A.S. gyrdan, to gird, to bind round. Girt, 5764, thrust, driven. A.S. gird, staff, stick. Glaced, 4231, 4680, slipped, cut. O.Fr. glacer, glisser, detoumer un coup. Glade, 702, gladden. A.S. gladian, to be glad. Glent, 7081, turned, swerved, Sc. glint, glent, to glide, slide. Glift, 7310, got a glimpse. Sc. gliff, a glimpse ; Dan. glippe, to wink. Gonfanon, 4350, banner; 4626, flag on a spear. Goodeli, 1554, 9536, well; 3298, kindly. Goodeli, 1183, 1186, handsome. Goodeliest, 3019, most eloquent. Goodelynes, 828, good looks. Gooth, 492, go you. Goules, 3925, gules, vermilion. Gramercy, 775, great thanks. Graunt, 788, 3235, agree. O.Fr. graunter, or creanter, from creant --= L. credens. (Biu-guy.) Gray mercy, 6285, great thanks. Gref, 4130, gi-ieve. Fr. grever, to grieue, aggrieue ; L. gravis, heavy. Grete, 1155, high, of noble parents. Guy, 3510, guide. Gyn, 610, device. Gynn, 6975, trick. A.S. gryn, a snare. Halfendele, 3465, the half part. A.S. half, liealf, half; dM, part. Hals, 1656, embrace round the neck. A.S. hals, neck. Halsed, 9614, took one another round the neck. Hand, bear on, 1904, have power over. Hap, 5577, happen to, befall. Fr. happer, to hap or catch. (Cotgrave.) Haunt, 5444, pass, spend. Fr. haunter, to haunt, resort unto. Helde, 4444, yield, or heel over (?) Hele, 725, conceal. A.S. Mian. Helm, 3367, helmed men, knights. A.S. helma, a helm, rudder. Helmes, 3729, picks (?) GLOSSARY. 319 Hende, 694, 5351, gentle. O.N. henda, to seize, happen ; then, like G. gefdllig, hende, courteous, faUing in with the feelings of another. (Wedgwood.) Hent, 1314, took; 2861, taken. O.N. henda, seize. Hent, 5988, caught ; 6035, received. Heres, 4089, hers. Hertlie, 821, earnestly. Hertlie, 1482, hearty, benign, kind. A.S. heart, hearty. Hie, 7326, hasten. A.S. htgan, to hasten ; hicgan, seek vehemently, struggle. High, 9532, haste, hurry. Highing, 7528, haste. Him, 2034, them. A.S. hen. His, 8334, her (as in the "Ayenbite"). Hole, 1123, whole. Holer, 8925, more whole or well. Holi, 3478, whoUy. Hond, bereth on, 2985, accuses of. Honestie, 1856, honour. Houe, 4635, stand. Houed, 192, halted, stopped. W. hofian, hofio, to fluctuate, hover, suspend. (Wedgwood.) Hurtled, 5789, hustled, charged. Hm-tling, 5904, charge, rush. I (for me), 902. lape, 9274, joke, nonsense. Fr. tapper, to yawle, to bawle, laper, 8282, joker, trickster. Fr. iappeur, a barker, bayer. I-fett, 791, fetched. A.S. fettan, fetigean ; Fris. /eij'e, to seize. (Wedgwood.) nk, 482, very. A.S. He, the same. Inly, 2397, inward. A.S. inlic, internal, loumey, 8278, deed, day's work. Fr. ioumde, a dayes worke or labour. (Cotgr.) It, 6265, he. I-wys, 294, certainly. A.S. getcts. lust, 1969, joust. Fr. ioiister, to iust, tilt, or tourney. (Cotgrave.) Justise, 2848, judgment, punishment. Fr. iustice, a paire of gallowes, authority to execute lawes. Kele, 5908, cool, grow cold. A.S. celan, to chill, be cold. Kepe, 1655, reckon. A.S. cSpan, to take. Kerued, 5946, carved, cut. Keuered, 5898, recovered, rose. Kind, 3846, kinde 2824, nature. A.S. cind, gecynd. Kuowleching, 6896, recollection. Kon magre, 8390, give displeasure to, bear ill-will to, be angry with. Cp. can thonke. Kon (thanke), 8027, give, return thanks. Kynrede, 2211, relative. A.S. cynren, kindred. Laghing, 9399, laughing. Du. een lachinge, a laughing. Larder, 7228, mincemeat (as we say now). Fr. larder, to stick with lard, to pricke or pierce as with a larding - pricke. (Cotgrave.) Large, at youre, 3330, at large, at liberty. Fr. mettre au large, release, giue roome to. (Cotgrave.) Largenes, 794, size. Launde, 160, open space. Fr. lande, a laund; a wild, vntilled, shrubbie or bushie plaine. (Cotgrave.) Lawndre, 611, launder, washerwoman, or the craft of laundry. Fr. lavandiere, a launderesse, or washing woman. (Cot- grave.) 320 GLOSSARY. Leclie, 1276, doctor. A.S. In'ce; ? from Fr. lecher, to licke, lap, slap vp (Cot- grave) : but Goth, lekeis, a leech ; Boh. lek, medicine ; Gael. leigJiis, to heal. See Wedgwood. Leaf, 6576, love, sweetheart. A.S. led/, beloved one. Lefe, 5428, desirous. Leges, 177, ledges. 'A Ledge (or out- ward member in architecture) Cymace.' (Sherwood.) O.N. logg ; Sw. lagg, pro- jecting rim. Leid, 7349, led. Lenght, 3001, lengthen. A.S. langian. Les, 840, lies. A.S. leas, false. Lessed, 7340, relieved. Let, 4314, hiuder, stop. A.S. lettan. Let, 3078, refrain, stop. Lete, 5905, prevent. Lete, 5140, leave, lose. A.S. leetan, to let go, release, dismiss. Lete, 5830, leave alone. Lete, 4498, rejoice. Du. liedt, a song. Lete, 847, 1787, 1844, 6764, rejoiced. Lete, 3389, thought. A.S. latan, think, suppose, pretend. Lett, 333, stop. Letting, 2496, hindrance, delay. A.S. Iceting, a hindering. Leuer, 567, liefer, rather. A.S. leofre. Levo, 6618, remain. Du. hlijven, to stay, to tarry, or to demure. (Hexham.) Lewd, 5, adj. lay. A.S. Icewd, laicus. Licence, 8497, give leave. Fr, Ucencier. Licorous, 1068, lecherous. Fr. lescheur, lickorous. (Cotgrave.) Life, 6817, conduct, propriety. Life, 2902, live. Light, 3981, dismount. Du. lichten, to light. Light, 801, active (?) Light, 983, glad. Light of, 447, delighted with. Lighting, 6373, dismounting. Liked, 180, pleased, A.S. lycian, to please. Lithe, 7721, make gentle. A.S. li^e, gentle ; Iv^ian, mitigate. Lodesman, 3601, leader. Logge, 6494, lodging, tent. Logged, 3162, lodged, encamped. Longed, 884, belonged. Lore, 5457, loss, disgrace. A.S. ledran, to lose ; loren, lost. Lorn, 145, lost. A.S. loren, p.p. of ledsan, leoran, to go forth, lose. Los, 22, sb. praise, honour. Fr. los, laud, j)raise. Loue daies, 4169, days of reconciliation. See Chaucer. Lough, 3253, laughed. Lowed, 2846, allowed, protected, borne harmless. Magre, 5931, notwithstanding. Fr. mau- gre ; mal, and L. gratum. Maim, 3432, woimd. Fr. mahain ; Sp. mancJia, stain, spot. Maistreys, 1966, 2046, crafts, tricks. O.Fr. maistrie, artifice. Maistrie, for the, 6696, for fast sailing, supremacy. Compare Chaucer. O.Fr. maistrie, mattrise, suprematie. Maistrie, 9200, trade, work, fighting. Maistries, 4636, 4700, prowess. Make, 63. A.S. maca, a mate, husband. Making, 508, form, shape. Male, 5966, mail, armour, plate. Male talent, 9798, evil schemes, desires. Maner, 2882, cause. Manlie, 2528, in a manlike way. Mastirles 4192, without a master, rider. GLOSSARY. _ 321 Mate, 4801, match, check. Mate, 6100, faint (?) Fr. matte, amated, quelled, tired, wearied. (Cotgrave.) Mate, 9924, ill. Maugre, 5922, opposition. Maugre, 3077, despite. Maygnelles, 7801, mangonels. "The magoneU, one instrumente to flynge or cast stones into a towne or against a towne walles, an engine not much vnlyke to the catapults, an instrumente to cast forthe dartes, stones, or ar- rowes."— (F. Thynne. "Animaduersions," 1599, p. 33, ed. 1865.) Mede, 2781, reward. A.S. med. Medicine, 8257, 8860, healing, cure. Fr. medecine, healing or curing; a remetlie for diseases. (Cotgrave.) Medle, 4095, mellay, struggle. Fr. mesUe, a fight, fray, conflict. (Cotgrave.) Meke, v. tr., 7709, hvunble. Du. muychen, to soften, to moUifie (Hex.) ; Groth. muks, soft. MeU, 5288, talk. Menged, 7067, mixed. A.S. mengian, to mix. Meny, 126, meynee, 88, company of fol- lowers. Fr. meigme, a meynie or house- hold. (Cotgrave.) Merciable, 7285, merciful. O.Fr. merciable, misericordieux. Mesel, 6836, leper. O.Fr. mesel ; Du. maesche, offce mascTiel, a spot or a blemish. (Hex.) Met, 6567, dreamed. A.S. matan, to dream. Mich, 691, much. Michel, 9701, much. Mischief, at, 5426, in evil plight. Fr. mescheif. Mistere, 3177, need, want. O.Fr. mestier, besoin. Moch, 3701, big. Mode, 2784, mood, temper. A.S. mod, passion. Moode, 1259, temper, anger ; 5722, rage. Moode, 5520, intention. Most, 339, must. Mote, 4293, blast or call of a horn. Fr. mot, a motto, a word ; also the mote winded by a huntsman on his home. (Cotgrave.) Mote, 8450, moot, argue (?) A.S. motlan, to discuss, dispute. Mown, 758, pi. may, can. Mychel, 6794, many (?) Myn, 3474, mind, remember. Mysbeleve, 9500, disbelief, want of trust. Mysdemed, 7212, suspected. Mysliked, 8142, displeased. Myssgylt, 9737, offended against. Myswent, 2959, misgone, gone out of his head. Nad, 6007, had not. Naked, 9332, naked skin. A.S. nacod, root nag (O.N. gnaga), gnaw, strip off bark, etc. (H. Coleridge.) Nam, 892, took. A.S. ndm, p. of niman, to take. Nam, 1322, went. Name, 2400, went, took her way. Nas, 3089, ne was, was not. Nauthir, 9286, neither. Nighen, 731, draw nigh. A.S. neah, nigh. Nold, 5864, ne wold, would not. Nome, 9752, gave, delivered to. See nam. Nome, 678, taken. Noones, the, 182, the nonce, then (= that) once. Nors, 765, nurse. Nortur, 972, nurture, training. O.Fr. noriture, education. 41 322 GLOSSARY. Not, 2151, 2693, 3397, ne not, know not. Nouch, 7746, ouch, carcanet. Fr. mouilles, necklaces, tablets, brouches or ouches; any such, ornaments for the necke. (Cotgrave.) Obeid, 682, bowed (?), served, attended. Fr. oheir, to be obsequious or dutifull unto. (Cotgrave.) Obeid, 6268, bowed to, saluted. Of, 5874, at. Of, 4098, with. Of, 4105, 4114, on. Of, 1394, off, from. Of, 6071, from. Of, 4416, by. Of, 4457, off. Of, 4866, during. Oght, 9485, at all. On, 4524, in. On, 6344, 6396, for. On, 5484, of On Hue, 630, alive. Or, 3302, before. Ordein, 6846, manage. O.Fr. ordener, mettre en ordre. 7361, send. Ordinaunce, 7811, artillery. Ostrye, 2259, hostelry, inn. O.Fr. osteus, hotel. Ouercam, 8399, came round (from swoon- ing), recovered. Ouer-doon, 7659, overdone, exhausted. A.S. oferddn, to overdo. Ouer-think, 1721, repent. Overslept, 2646. A.S. ofersldp, over- sleep. Ouertwert, 2104, overthwart, crossly. Outhre, 309, either. Ow, 7422, ought. Ow, 899, am bound, ought. Paied, 226, pleased. Fr. payer, to satisfie, content. (Cotgrave.) Pale, 1559, grow pale. Fr. se paslir, to wax pale, wan, bleake. (Cotgrave.) Palfrey, 3791, hack; as contrasted with steed, war horse. Pane, 284, cloth, coverlet (?) Fr. pan, a pane, piece, or pannell of a wall ; also the skirt of a gowne ; the pane of a hose, of a cloake, etc. (Cotgrave.) Paramour, 7350, love, sweetheart. Paramoures, 4553, by way of love, as a lover, desperately; 9768, dearly. Parlous, 3959, dangerous, terrible. O.Fr. perillous. Pas, 2568, way. Passing, 683, dying. Fr. passer, to de- cease. (Cotgrave.) Pay, 5665, pleasure. Pay, 7558, please. Peased, 5424, appeased. Pensel, 4952, ? the big flag, or banner, gonfanon, the small one. Fr. pensil, (slightly) hanging. (Cotgrave.) " J7e king he[om sejtte vp on an huUe [m]id mony pensiles." (standards.) ab. 1300. Lajamon's Brut, v. 3, p. 83, 1. 2. (The 1200 text has here-marken.) Perceivyng, 9187, quick, intelligent. Pere, 5531, equal. Personable, 1552, well-shaped. ' Personable, qui a bonne mine, lien fait." (Miege, 1684.) Perus, 354, peers, equals. Pictoure, 8989, ? painting, enamel. Pittour, 9324, ? painting, enamel. Place, 164, castle, mansion. Plat, 8977, flat to earth. Fr, plat, flat, plaine, low. Play, 6785, game, dodges, schemes, Plegge, 3158, pledge, Fr, pleiqe. GLOSSARY. S23 Plener, 3507, full. Pleyne, 1651, complain. Preise, 5850, value. Fr. pris, value. (Cotgrave.) Prest, 2039, willing; 2647, 7866, ready. O.Fr. prest. Prest, 3858, pay, death. O.Fr. prester, payer. Price, 344, esteem. Fr. pris, accompt, es- timation. Price, 3816, prize or praise. Price, 4426, value or renown. Price, 10059, esteem, renown. Prise, 5196, praise, honour. Prisoned, 5510, imprisoned. Prisovn, 2816, prisoner. Priuetie, 745, ? power of keeping secrets. Priuetie, 6193, secrets; 6308, secret. Fr. privauU, priuacie. Procure, 9220, help. Profre, 1218, sb. proffer. Prou, 5472, advantage. O.Fr. prou. Purchase, 8230, get, obtain. O.Fr. pur- chacier, procurer, amasser. Purveaunce, 2301, provision. Fr. pour- voyeur, a prouider ; prouvoyance, puruey- ance, prouision. (Cotgrave.) Purveid, 5730, arranged, disposed. Purvey, 5313, look for, provide. Purviaunce, 6218, provision. P^itt, 4588, shove, thrust. Queme, 3045, please. A.S. cweman. Quengeovn, 1339, ? a dwarf, or general term of contempt. * Coonyone or drowtly (conione or dwerhe, K. ; conione or dwerwe, H. ; congeon or dwerfe, P.) Sessillus.' " Thou coinoun wode " . . . " thou konioun." —(King Alisaundre, 11. 1718, 7748, Promptorium Parv., ed. Way.) Quentise, 6213, device, scheme. Fr. coin- Use, quaintnes. (Cotgrave.) Quert, 1674, heart, spirits, happiness. O.Fr. queor. Rage, 7107, copulate. Fr. rager, lasciui- ously to toy, dallie, or wantonnize it. (Cotgrave.) Eape, 3869, hurry. Dan. rap, quick, swift. Rathe, 8752, soon, quickly. A.S. ra^. quick ; hra^e, quickly, soon. Rathe, 2679, early. Rather, 3392, more willingly. A.S. hrd^e, of one's own accord. Reason, 2809, question. Recheles, 88, without care-taking or sus- picion. A.S. recce-leas, careless. Recover, 3824, get on to again. Redrcs, 358, restrain. Refreyned, 6387, reined in ; refreyn, 6431. Fr. refrener, to bridle, pull in. (Cot- grave.) Rehcrsed, 966, rehearse to, direct, tell. Fr. reherser, to harrow over again ; herse, harrow. (Cotgrave.) Reide, 1441, 6619, counsel, trick. A.S. rdd. Remew, 4024, remove, go away. Fr. re- muer, to remove. (Cotgrave.) Rereward, 3757, rearguard. Resign, 1886, give up. Respit, 3147, delay. Fr. respit. Respite, 1851, grant. Respite, 3101, give up, cease from. Restreyii, 5817, draw back, shorten. Reueted, 2754, riveted. Fr. river, to rivet or clench; rive, side, edge. (Cotgrave.) L. ripa ; not from rehattre. See Wedg. Revived, 9745. Rift, 5756, split. Dan. rift, splitte ; Du. rijten, to rieve or to split. 324 GLOSSARY. Kipling, 5750, scratch. Pl.D. rejaen, to rip, tear, rip up ; Dan. oprive. Riue, 4456, rive, split. Roght, 126, thought, recked. A.S. rohte, p. of recan, to reck, care for. Rote, 5294, turn, bad luck (?) Rought, 53, perf. of reck, care for, regard. A.S. rdhte, p. of r4can. Russhed, 5740, made to rush. Du. ruyschen, to rustle, or make a rustling noise. (Hex.) Saght, 4178, satisfied. A.S. said. Sailing, 7902, assailing. Fr. saillir, to goe out, issue forth. Salewing, 916, salutation. Sauecondit, 9752, safe conduct, pass. Saw, 2930, saying, tale ; 6463, dictum. A.S. scegen. Scarmysh, 4813, skirmish, fight. O.F. escarmoucTier, to skirmish, bicker, brable, (Cotgrave) ; Bret, garm, battle-cry ; W. ysgarmes, outcry, skirmish, (Wedgwood). Scomfited, 4266, discomfited. Seased, 7770, seized. Fr. saisir ; O.H.G. sazjan, to set, put, hisazjan ; G. hesetzen, take possession. (Burguy.) Sech, 6693, 6733, seek. A.S. secan. Sechand, 1315, seeking. Sekirlye, 408, surely, certainly. O.Fris. sikur ; L. securo. Self, 3857, very. Semblaunce, 141, appearance. Fr. sem- blance. Semble, 3356, assembly, host. Fr. as- semble; A.S. symbel, a meeting. Semed, 8054, thought. A.S. seman, to seem, judge. Seruiceable, 1152, useful, handy. O.Fr. serviable. Seyn, 2697, 2864, say. A.S. secgan, scegan. Seyn, 2576, see. A.S. se6n. Shaft, 4440, spear. A.S. sceaft, a shaved stick, pole, spear. Shake, 6326, go. A.S. scacan, shake, go, hasten. Sharplie, 5044, rebukingly. A.S. scearplice, sharply. Shende, 6724, punish, destroy. A.S. scendan, to confoimd, shame, shend. Shende, 8178, ravage, destroy. Shene, 3639, bright. A.S. scene, seine. Shent, 5593, ruined, disgraced. Shent, 1266, troubled. Shet, 4598, shot, rushed. A.S. scet, p. of scedtan. Shipped, 6661, put on board ship. A.S. scippod, p.p. shipped. Shoke, 4241, rode. Shond, 2986, disgrace. A.S. scond, shame, disgrace. Short, 562, shorten. A.S. sceoriian, Shottes, 196, bolts. A.S. scot, an arrow, dart. Shoure, 4312, 5692, fight. A.S. scur, shower of arrows, battle, fight. Sidelinges, 4206, sidewise, on his side ; -linges, adv., as -ling in groveling, flat- ling, -long in headlong. Sigh, 1325, saw. A.S. sedJi, I saw. Sith, 295, times. A.S. si^, time. Sith, 404, 1797, since. A.S. si'^^a. Sithen, 9496, afterwards. A.S. si^^an. Skill, 248, 2936, 8856, reason, O.N. skil; A.S. scyle, difference, distinction. Slidre, 4152, slip, slide. Du. sledderen, slibberen. Slotered, 7066, dirtied, darkened. Bav. schlotter, schlott, mud. (Wedgwood.) Slough, 2861, slewed; slew = sZi»e, slip. A.S. 8?j(/', sleeve. (Wedgwood.) GLOSSARY. 325 Smert, v. tr. pain, hurt. Dan. at snusrte ; Du. smerten, to paine. Smert, 6384, quick. Fris. snar, quick, smart. Smert, 1632, pain, disease. Dan. smarte. Snell, 4584, quick. A.S. sneU. Sobre, v. tr., 7626, quiet. Sofferaunce, 1671, suffering, endurance. Fr. aouffraunee. Soght, 2665, ran. A.S. s6h,te, I went to, p. of s6can. Send, 738, sending, gift; 8251, message. A.S. 8ond, a mission. Sond, 1123, adj. sound. Sonde, 5613, sending, message. Sonde, 369, aid, messenger (?) Sondri, in, 4847, asunder, Sotelnes, 8297, trick. Fr. vubtil, craftie, cunning. (Cotgrave.) Spere, 6820, enquire, find out. A.S. apirian, to track, inquire. Spered, 9119, asked, enquired. Spill, 1900, hurt, kill. A.S. apiUan, to destroy, kill. Stepmoder, 3991, stepmother. Stede, 683, time (?) A.S. stede, a place, station. Stede, 3792, war-horse, charger. A.S. steda ; Gael, steud, to nm. (Wedgwood.) Stere, 3751, guide, lead, command. A.S. siyran, to govern. Stere, 2072, stir. A.S. styran, to move, stir. Stere, 6056, control. Stere, 1773, steer, control. Sterling, 7317, starting aside. Stid, 484, stead, place. A.S. atede. Stint, 5160, was dulled, stopped. A.S. stintan, to be blunt, dull, faint. Stint, 2296, stop. Stint, 9077, 9087, stopped. Stiroples, 7270, without stirrups. A.S. 8ttg-rdp, a mounting-rope, stirrup. Stoberlie, 2751, harshly. Du. stohbe, the stock of a tree ; A.S. stub. Stound, 29, sb. a short time. A.S. stund. Stoyned of, 5993, astonished at. Supprise, 1912, preserve, keep. Swere, 1175, neck. A.S. siceora. Sweting, 7244, love, sweet one. Sweven, 8560, dream. A.S. swefen. Swilling, 2375, rinsing. A.S. swiltng, a gargle ; swil-ian, to swill, wash. Swow, 9578, swoon. Dan. besvime, to swoon away. Syke, 1046, sigh. A.S. aycan. Syn, 1796, since. Syne, 2701, afterwards. Take, 6839, give, deliver to. A.S. tacan, take. Take on, 1347, behave ; 5200, fight. Take on hand, 9780, say, assert. Taketh on, 5200, fights. Tane, 1620, taken, seized. Tel, 4132, account, consider. Ten, 3603, tenth. Tene, 75. A.S. tedna, injury, wrong, in- justice, insult. Tene, 1738, trouble. Tene, 6025, anger, vexation. Tene, 1264, out of tene, (?) in trouble, distress. Tene, 9328, vexed. A.S. teonan, tynam, to anger. Tent, 2831, guard. Than, 271, 431, the time that; ace. of the. To thank, 9803, in goodwill, pleasingly. Tliar, V. 316, 6868, need. A.S. ^earf, need ; j>earfan, to need. 326 GLOSSARY. Thar, the, 3002, thoti must ; thar him, 3, must he. That, 6573, all, as much as. Tliat, 1736, conj. That, 1737, rel. pron. who. That, 5861, the time that. The, 5976, thrive. A.S. ]>e6n. Ther as, 2660, where, in which. There, 861, where, in which. Thertil, 4292, thereto. Therto, 3928, also. Thoght, 6826, anxiety. Thoole, 8490, suffer. A.S. ]>6Uan. Thral, 3947, cast down (?) Thrast, 8744, broke. A.S. \ra3tian, to rack, twist. Threte, 1254, threaten. Tliretinges, 4800, threats. Tlirom, 2949, body, rout, all-together. A.S. truma, a troop or band of soldiers. Throm, 4289, cluster, close body. Tn, 2428, 4495, to. O.N. til To, 848, 4055, at. To, 5827, for, as. To, 1132, 3843, tUl. To, 3849, for. To, 853, too. To-bett, 222, very much beaten. A.S. toheot; to, intensive. To-brast, 3970, 4453, burst into pieces. A.S. tohorsten. To-fligh, 4678, flew to pieces. Tofore, 3688, before. A.S. toforen. To-frushed, 4190, battered to pieces. Togh, 9328, angry (?) Tome, 3126, leisure. A.S. torn, empty. Tooke, 25, translated. Toon, 3405, toes. A.S. taan, tdn. To-ragged, 6875, in rags, torn to rags. To-rent, 1258, 2951, rent to pieces. To-rofe, 4453, split to pieces. To-roofe, 2887, tore, split. To-sheuered, 5156, split. Traied, 6391, betrayed. Fr. trahi. Traitoure, 3697, betrayer. Trast, 9320, trust. A.S. tredic, trust. Trauelled, 2336, worked, laboured at. Fr. travailler, to swinke, labour, toyle, moyle, (Cotgrave.) Trauelled, 527, ? travailed, worked, dead- beat. Tray, 7150, trick, treason. Trayn, 6088, deceit. Trevage, 3292, tax, tribute. O.Fr. truage, a toll, custome, tax. (Cotgrave.) Treyn, 6332, treachery, deceit, trick. Fr. train, worke, dealing. Trewloue, 173 (O.N. trulofa spondere; lofa, to promise), ? of true-lovers' knots, or in imitation of a flower. * Truelove, herb Paris, a quatrefoil whose leaves bear a sort of likeness to a true-lovers' knot,' (Coles); 'Oneberry,' (Halliwell). Cp. " Then shall ye were a shelde of blewe, In token ye shall he trewe, With vines of golde set all aboute Within your shelde, and eke without, Fulfylled with yraagery, And poudred with true loves by and by." (The Squyr of Lowe Degre, 1. 210, llitson, V. 3, p. 154.) Tronchon, 4461, shaft of the spear. Fr. tronclion. Trusses, 7057, bundles of clothes. "a trusse or a fardle, em pack." — (Hex.) Tymelie, 8201, early. A.S. timlice, soon. Valour, 3000, value. Fr. valeur. Vaward, 3513, vanguard. Vncoupled, 104, uncoupled, slipped. Vncouth, 519, unknown, strange, A.S. GLOSSARY. 327 Vndede, 684r, opened. Vnderfong, 4, 3524, undertake. A.S. un- derfeng, undertook. Vndirfong, 3076, receive. A.S. under/on, to receive. Vndrefong, 4175, received. Vndre-nome, 120, seized, overcome. Vndre-nome, 5702, understood. A.S. undemiman, to undertake, comprehend, take. Vndre-yatte, 443, undergot, understood. A.S. undergitan, to understand. Vnethes, 3870, liardly, with difficulty. A.S. un^eliee. Vnglade, 5876, sorry. A.S. unglad. Vnglade, 9206, make sorry. Vnhende, 442, ungentle. Unhorsed, 5227. Vnknyt, 7091, unknot, untie. Vnmerie, 9022, sorry. VnskiKullie, 3038, without reason. See skill, O.N. akil. Vnslaw, 8159, not slain. Vntill, 342, to. Vnwimpled hir, 9953, took off her wimple or hood. Voide, 5540, come away from, or remove(?) See 1. 5554. O.Fr. vuider, emptie, rid of. Voye, 1925, vow. O.Fr. vo, vou, voeu, (Burguy); or avoye, adveu, (Cotgrave). Vprising, 574, getting up, out of bed. Vs, 4367, we. Vse, 1970, practise. Wage, 3264, pledge, take. Fr. gager. Waite, 6091, plot. Fr. agaiter, epier, ten- dre des pieges ; O.H.G. voahten ; Goth. vahan, watch. Waited, 1358, planned for, put upon. Waited, 2589, took leisurely (?) Walopand, 3642, galloping. Waloping, 4744, galloping. Wardes, p. 115 (heading of chapter) , divi- sions, battalions. Warison, 10046, guardianship (?) O.Fr. garison, warison, surete, sauvete. Was, 5674, were. Wayting, 4560, watching. Wed, 5030, pledge. A.S. wed. Wedd, 5545, pledge. Wende, 4691, thought. A.S. wende. Wendeth, 8579, go. A.S. toendan, to go. Wending, 9967, going, departure. A.S. wending, a turning. Wene, 607, think, suppose. A.8. wenan, to think. Went, 4339, 6403, gone. A.S. we^ided. Went him, 2577, went. Were, 4016, protect. A.S. werian. Wete, 569, learn. A.S. witan, to perceive. Weten, 28, know. Wetenes, 546, wetness. Weymenting, 5134, lamentation. Weyned, 781, was weaned. A.S. teenian. to wean. Whatsomeuer, 2804, whatsoever. Which, 8841, things which. Which, 680, 686, 718, who. Who, 313, whosoever. Whom, 2522. Wight, 1246, able; 2250, quick, able; 3544, quick, able, strong. Sw. vig, active. Wightlie, 1134, 4106, 9877, quickly. Wirch, 7032, work. Wit, 470, know. Wite, 4086, blame. A.S. wite, punishment ; witan, to blame. With, 4188, by. With, 6313, in. 328 GLOSSARY. Withold, 1053, keep, retain. A.S. ici^, against. Withseid, 8463, opposed. A.S. lovSseggan, to gainsay. Withsett, 4518, oppose. A.S. wr^setten, to resist. With-seyn, 2922, answer, resist. Wittilie, 4298, skilfully. A.S. loittig, skilful. Wode, 5777, savageness, passion. Wond, 4106, turned. A.S. wendan, to turn. Wonnyng, 394, dwelling, castle. A.S. wunung. Woode, 1260, mad. A.S. wod. Woode, 320, badly ; 4913, madly. Woone, 874, country (?) A.S. wunian, to inhabit. Wrech, 6396, revenge, punishment. A.S. wrac. Wreche, 1275, vengeance. Wreke, 1294-6, avenge. A.S. wraccan. Wring, 2342, twist. A.S. wrigan. Wrie, 5957, turn. A.S. wri'San, to writhe, twist. Wroken, 1256, wreaked, avenged. Wrothe, 9233, angrily, fiercely. A.S. Wrotlie, 2917, in wrath. Wry, 1352, turn, bend. Wysslie, 3269, surely, certainly. A.S. gewis. Ych, 847, each. A.S. ylc, same. Yede, 648, went. A.S. ic 4ode, I went. Yeft, 5832, gift. A.S. gift. Yelde, 9792, reward. A.S. geldan, to pay. Yeme, 7085, heed. A.S. geman, to heed. Yem, 1274, earnestly. A.S. geome. Yeuen, 5733, gave. A.S. we geafon, we gave. Ygraue, 2364, buried. A.S. greef, a grave : y marks the perfect participle. Yhorsed, 8513, horsed, mounted. Ylom, 653, lost. A.S. loren. Youres, 408, yours. Yndes, 5122, Indians, men of Higher Inde. Ynogh, 109, enough. A.S. genog. Yuel, 226, evil, iU. Yuel, nam to, 3972, took as bad, disagree- able, didn't like at all. Yuel paied of, 5926, ill-pleased with. YueU, 326, evil ; in. Yuell, 341, as improper. INDEX. Abell, Sir, p. 106, 1. 3375 ; Ms speech, pp. 109-10, 11. 3489-3519 ; bears the banner of the vanguard, p. Ill, 1. 3553 ; . figlits the King of Kings, p. 120. Accusaunt, King, p. 107, 1. 3411. Alexander, and his host 30 miles long, p. 114, 1. 3650. Amalek, the Steward, — is loved by Queen Sirenydes, p. 4; is set by her against Generides, pp. 40-1 ; beats and throws down Generides, p. 42 ; is wounded by Aufreus, p. 42 ; and takes refuge in his own castle, p. 43 ; gets possession of Aufreus's city and Queen, p. 64; is second in Bellyns's host, p. 116, 1. 3685 ; fights and is unhorsed by Generides, pp. 124-6; his land is invaded by Au- freus and Generides, p. 240, etc. ; is sore wounded by Generides, p. 299 ; repents of his wrong doing to Aufreus, p. 300 ; and asks for Darel ; gives Darel his daughter Lucidas, p. 303 ; death omitted, between pp. 303-4. Amanewel, 1. 7832 ; unhorsed by Gene- rides, p. 243, 1. 7852 ; thrown by Darel, p. 249 ; killed by Generides, p. 277. Anazaree, befriends Generides, pp. 86-102 ; is son of Sircus, king of Arabye, p. 105, 1. 3361 ; p. Ill, 1. 3561 ; charges Bara- chias, p. 155, 1. 4965 ; p. 159 ; gets Lucas's baronage, p. 311, 11. 10035-8. Anfris, the king's marshal, p. 138, 1. 4425. Ansedoyne, king of, p. 112, 1. 3595. Antitodes, Prince of Antioch, jousts with Leomedan, king of Luby, p. 244. Aptisma, a knight, p. 146, 1. 4675. Aragew, the king of, p. 309, 1. 9988. Arbany, the king of, p. 108, 1. 3445. Archadye, the king of, p. 107, 1. 3421; p. 112, 1. 3595. Armonius, king of Higher Inde, p. 153, 1. 4891 ; attacks Anazaree, p. 159 ; Darel, p. 160; Generides, and is killed, p. 161. Assirie, the king of, p. 135, 1. 4324. Aufreus, the king (spelt Aufris, 11. 7413, 8381, 9725), described, p. 2 ; goes hunt- ing, pp. 5-7 ; and begets Generides on Sereyne, p. 17, 1. 523 ; is king of Inde Major, p. 29, 1. 906 ; is betrayed by his Queen, and loses Inde, pp. 62-4 ; weds Sereyne, p. 78-80 ; and is made king of Tharse, p. 79; guards Bellyns's rear- guard, p. 118, 1. 3756 ; fights Darel, p. 145 ; kills king Samyk, p. 245 ; dies, p. 304. Aunsel, one of Amalek's knights, p. 243. 42 380 INDEX. B. Balaam, king of Damask, p. 107, 1. 3437 ; p. 112, 1. 3604; p. 310, 1. 10005. Barachias, Sir, king of Europe, p. 116, 1. 3708 ; p. 155, 1. 4965. Batrise, the king of, p. 108, 1. 3447. Bellyns, the King of Kings, sends to de- mand tribute from the Sowdon of Perse, pp. 97-8 ; his name, p. 99 ; musters his host to invade Perse, pp. 115-18 ; at- tacks the Sowdon, p. 129 ; fights Gene- rides, pp. 130-1 ; gathers his men to cut off Generides, p. 149, 1. 4791; kiHs Abel, p. 156 ; vows to fight Generides, pp. 164-6; does so, pp. 175-190; is beaten, pp. 188-90; and dies, p. 191, 1. 6170. Bevis of Hampton, p. 1, 1. 14. Blaunchard, Gwynan's steed, that Gene- rides took from him, p. 130, 1. 4146 ; p. 139, 1. 4447 ; p. 150, 1. 4825 ; p. 246, 1. 7951 ; p. 287, 1. 9280. C. Camels, ridden by men with backs two yards broad, p. 117, 1. 3725. Cesar, 1. 8095 ; Cesare, 1. 8217. Chaynam, king of Selice, p. 113, 1. 3618. Cheridon, or Geridon, Prince, p. Ill, 1. 3573. Claret, Generides's sword, p. 177, 1. 5676. Clakionas, the Sowdon's daughter, de- scribed, p. 47 ; falls in love with Gone- rides, p. 85 ; sees him when freed from prison, p. 104; hears the report of his death, p. 137 ; watches Generides fight, p. 142 ; is carried off by Jewel the first time, p. 197 ; rescued by Generides, p. 199 ; carried off again to Egypt, pp. 203-6, 209 ; married to King Gwynan, pp. 210-11 ; again rescued by Gene- rides, pp. 213-27; has her white legs slotered with ashes and water, p. 218, 11. 7063-8 ; is angry at Generides put- ting off his marriage with her, p. 234 ; regrets that she didn't marry Gwynan, p. 235; makes it up with Generides, p. 239 ; sees the ring she gave liim on Gwisshare's finger, p. 258 ; knocks it off, p. 260 ; curses Generides, p. 261 ; asks Segryne after Generides, p. 293; hears that Generides is sick unto death, p. 305 ; goes to him, p. 307 ; cures him with a kiss, p. 308 ; marries him, p. 309; and has many children, p. 311. Clarionaunt, a goodeli Citie of Perse, p. 193, 1. 6234. Cufas, king of Colkos and Nichomede, p. 112, 1. 3585. Curies, the king's messenger, p. 79, 1. 2497. D. Damas, Citie of, p. 304, 1. 9823. Darel — denounces the Sowdon's wish to kill Generides, pp. 95-6 ; intercedes for Generides, p. 99 ; frees him, pp. 101-2 ; bears the Sowdon's banner, p. 113, 1. 3633 ; is ridden over by Ismael, p. 143 ; fights Aufreus, p. 145 ; unhorses Aunsel, p. 243 ; and Joathan, p. 247 ; falls in love with Lucidas, p. 248 ; un- horses Amanewel, p. 250 ; and Leome- don, p. 251 ; borrows Generides's ring (Clarionas's gift) from him, p. 256 ; gets leave to go to Perse, p. 266; obtains entrance to Clarionas, p. 273 ; she kisses his hand, p. 274; he returns to Ynde, p. 275 ; kills the Duke of Egipt, p. 276 ; asks leave to go to Amalek, p. 302; goes, and is promised Lucidas in INDEX. 331 marriage, p. 303 ; is steward at Grene- rides's bridal, p. 310, 1. 10009. Davy, Sir, p. 106, 1. 3373. E. Egeas, citie of, 1. 6776. Egypt, Duke of, killed by Darel, pp. 276-7. Ermonye, the king of, p. 107, 1. 3439. Esonas, king of the coalblack men, p. 107, 1. 3407. Essaunce, King, p. 310, 1. 10007. Ethiopes, King, p. 112, 1. 3590. F. Ilentice, the king of, p. 108, L 3463. Fraunce, p. 144, 1. 4624. G. Galaot, Sir, king of Assirie, p. 117, 1. 3732. Gaweyn, p. 1, 1. 15. Gknerides — is begotten, p. 17, 1. 523 ; bom, p. 23 ; christened, p. 25, I. 764 ; sent to his father's court in Ynde, p. 31 ; rejects Queen Serenydes's offer of herself, p. 39 ; is beaten by Amalek, p. 42 ; goes to Perse and enters the Sowdon's service, pp. 45-6 ; falls in love with Clarionas, the Sowdon's daughter, p. 49 ; is found with her, p. 85 ; cast into prison, pp. 86-7 ; and tried for his life, pp. 93-8 ; is set free, p. 102 ; offers to fight Bellyns, King of Kings, p. 102 ; jousts with Gwynan, pp. 121-2 ; beats Amalek, pp. 124-6, and sends his steed to Aufreus, pp. 127-8 ; has his first fight with Bellyns, pp. 130-1 ; fights his own brother, Ismael, pp. 139-40 ; discovers himself to his father, p. 145 ; songs are made of his bravery, p. 151 ; undertakes to fight Bellyns, pp. 171-3 ; does so and conquers him, pp. 175-90 ; rescues Cla- rionas from Jewel in Perse, pp. 199- 200 ; follows them to Egypt, p. 199 ; dis- guises himself as a leper, p. 203-6, etc, ; and again rescues Clarionas, p. 213 ; takes her home, pp. 222-7 ; and puts off his marriage with her, p. 230 ; swoons at Clarionas's hard words, p. 237; helps Aufreus invade Amalek's country of Ynde, pp. 240-51 ; unhorses Amalek, p. 243 ; kills Leomedon, p. 252 ; lends Clarionas's ring to Darel, p. 256 ; dreams the Sowdon reproaches him with marry- ing Lucidas, pp. 263-4 ; grants a month's truce to Amalek, p. 279 ; kills Gwynan's cousin, p. 285 ; fights and beats Gwy- nan, pp. 287-9 ; visits Clarionas in Mounthanar, pp. 295-6 ; spends the night in her chamber, p. 297 ; returns to Ynde, p. 298 ; kills Sampson, p. 299 ; cuts off Amalek's right ear and arm, p. 299 ; is near dying when told of his parents' death, p. 304 ; is recovered by a kiss from Clarionas, p. 308 ; is crowned king, p. 308 ; marries Clarionas, p. 309 ; succeeds to Perse, p. 310; rewards his friends and dependants, p. 311 ; has many children, and leads a happy life, pp. 311-12. Geridon, Sir, Prince of Sesare, p. 106, 1. 3387 ; advises the Sowdon to retreat, p. 134, 1. 4277. Goffare, the Soudanes Nece, p. 282, 1. 9111 ; pp. 292-3. Grisel, Aufreus's steed, won by Generides from Amalek, p. 145, 1. 4653. Grisel, Generides's steed, given to him by the Sowdon, p. 176, 1. 5658. Guy of Warwik, p. 1, 1. 13. !32 INDEX. Gwisshare, Serenydes's mischievous mes- senger, p. 256, 1. 8281, etc. ; tells Clari- onas that Generides is married, p. 259 ; goes home, p. 260, 11. 8407-9 ; tells Generides that Clarionas is manied, p. 267 ; has his neck broken, p. 270. Gwynan, son of the King of Kings, p. 115, 1. 3679 ; p. 191, 1. 6155 ; is crowned king, p. 192 ; sends Jewel to wile away Cla- rionas, pp. 192-3 ; weds her, pp. 210-11 ; but she escapes, pp. 213-27 ; invades Perse to recover her, p. 253 ; is sur- prised while out hunting, p. 284 ; kills Lucas, p. 285 ; flees, pp. 286-7 ; fights Generides, p. 288, and surrenders to him, p. 289 ; comes to Generides's bridal, p. 309, 1. 9977 ; marries one of his daughters, p. 311, 1. 10062. Gwj'net, Clarionas's chamberlain, p. 142, 1. 4552 ; p. 175, 1. 5607 ; p. 306, 1. 9883. H. Hermonyes, Sir, king of Les Ynde, p. 116, 1. 3714. I. Irre, the king of, p. 108, 1. 3451. Ismael de Sauage, Generides's brother, be- gotten, p. 80 ; born, p. 80 ; fights with Generides, pp. 139-40 ; rides over Darel, p. 143 ; p. 208, 1. 6728 ; p. 309, 1. 9979. Isores, son of King Samyk, p. 245, 1. 7931 ; surrenders to Generides, p. 246. Jewel, Gwynan's knight, p. 192, 1. 6194; wiles away Clarionas, p. 197 ; is stopped by Generides, and deceives him, p. 199 ; takes in the Sowdon too, pp. 201-2 ; car- ries off Clarionas to Gwynan in Egypt, pp. 203-6, 209 ; nearly discovers her when escaping, pp. 218-20 ; pursues her, p. 223 ; is killed by Generides, pp. 224-6. Joathan, a knight of Europe, thrown by Darel, p. 247. Jonathas of Egipt, p. 168, 1. 5374. Jurdan, King, p. 113, 1. 3613. K. King of Kings, the, p. 99. See Bellyns. Lauran, king of Lentyce, p. 113, 1. 3617; p. 163, 1. 5209. Leomedon, king of Libie, p. 117, 1. 3746 ; p. 166, 1. 5321 ; unhorses Antitodes, p. 244, 1. 7875 ; is unhorsed by Darel, p. 251 ; and killed by Generides, p. 252., Loridas, lord of Damas, p. 168, 1. 5372. Lubie, son of the king of, p. 309, 1. 9985. Luboo, king of Tharse, p. 309, 1. 9988. Lucas of Ydome, killed by Gwynan, p. 285. Lucas's baronage given to Anazaree, p. 311, 1. 10037. Lucidas, Amalek's daughter, p. 247, 1. 7993 ; Darel falls in love with her, p. 248 ; she loves Daxel, p. 250, 1. 8099 ; is induced by Sirenydes to ask Darel for Generides's ring, p. 255 ; tells , Darel's messenger about it, pp, 265-6 ; sends for Darel to come to Amalek, p. 302 ; is promised in marriage to Darel, p. 303. M. Macedoyne, king of, p. 112, 1, 3596. Madan, Sir, king of Grece, p. 116, 1. 3700. Madan, king of Tharse, p. 154, 1. 4925 ; p. 156, 1. 4971. Manassen, a noble knight, p. 117, 1. 3736. Manassen, King, p. 310, 1. 10003. INDEX. 333 Mathan, king of Mafy, p. 113, 1. 3619. Medean, Sereyne's confidential servant, 11. 716, 741, 768. Melan, the king of, p. 310, 1. 9995. Mirabel, Clarionas's favourite woman, p. 50, 1. 1609 ; tells her it is love that ails her, pp. 51-2 ; sends her message to Generides, i^p. 56-8 ; suspects Jewel's treachery, p. 198 ; comforts Generides, p. 203 ; tells the Sowdon of Jewel's deceit, p. 205 ; sends Nathanael to Egypt with Generides, p. 206 ; rebukes Clarionas for her cruelty to Generides, p. 238; gets the Sowdon to put off giving Cla- rionas to GwjTian, and starts for Ynde, p. 262; meets Darel, p. 268; reaches Ynde, p. 269 ; explains all to Generides, p. 270 ; p. 305, 1. 9862 ; p. 306 ; sends Clarionas to Generides, p. 306 ; marries ^ Nathanael, p. 310, 11. 10026-7. Moab (1. 3599) or Moak (1. 3i29) king of Capadose, pp. 107, 112. Morell, Bellyns's steed, p. 175, 1. 5623. Mounthanar, city of, 1. 6218 ; p. 257, 1. 8315 ; p. 272, 1. 8805 ; p. 293, 1. 9470 ; p. 295, 1. 9545 ; p. 305, 1. 9852. Musse, the king of, p. 108, 1. 3453. N. Nabugodonosor's son, p. 309, 1. 9992. Nathanael, Sereyne's trusty knight, p. 28, 1. 876 ; takes Generides to Aufreus's court, p. 31; p. 36; p. 44; 1. 1085; then to Perse, pp. 45-6 ; helps him in his love matters, pp. 53-8 ; goes with Generides to rescue Claiionas from Egypt, pp. 206, 209 ; brings away the washerwoman, p. 222 ; marries Mirabel, p. 310, 1. 10027 ; is made Chief Justise, p. 311, 1. 10032. Nayme, king of Turkye, p. 105. 1. 3368 ; p. Ill, 1. 3549; recovers the baner of Perse, p. 121, 1. 3828. Nichomede, King, p. 106, 1. 3401. 0. Orbetes, king of Thessale, p. 112, 1. 3579. Ottran, king of Spaigne, p. 282, 1. 9123. Oweyn, Sir, p. 1, 1. 16. Outran, Captain of . the Indian Mattock- men, p. 162, 1. 5173, etc. Parentyne, city, p. 31, 1. 995. Parsan, Mount, the town of, p. 283, 1. 9159 ; p. 287, 11. 9275, 9289 ; p. 291, 1. 9419 ; p. 298, 1. 9624. Perceval, p. 1, 1. 15. Persan, the king of, p. 309, 1. 9983. Phares, King, p. 112, 1. 3610. R. Rodes, p. 28, 1. 888. Ruben, son of Manassen, p. 117, 1. 3742; p. 148, 1. 4745. Ruben, King, p. 310, 1. 10004. S. Samadoyn, Sir, lord and king of Mace- doyn, p. 107, 1. 3419. Sampson, lord of Corinthie, p. 168, 1. 5367. Sampson, Sir, of Corinthie, p. 286, 1. 9254 ; is kiUed by Generides, p. 299. Samyke, lord of al Affrik, p. 116, 1. 3691 ; is killed by Aufreus, p. 245. Segryne, who knew all languages, p. 122, 1. 3873 ; p. 248, 1. 8015 ; is sent by Darel to recover Generides's ring. p. 265 ; p. 283 ; p. 286, 1. 9271 ; p. 290, 1. 9393 ; p. 291, 1. 9414 ; p. 293, 1. 9473 ; 334 INDEX. pp. 304-5 ; marries the laundress, p. 311, 1. 10043 ; aud gets a lordship of £600a-year, 11. 10045-8. Sellice, the king of, p. 108, 1. 3454. Serenides, Queen, 11. 7878, 7935. Sereyne first sees Aufreus, p. 7, 1. 194 ; is crowned queen, p. 23 ; is brought to bed of Generides, p. 24; sends him to his father's court, p. 31 ; plans and takes a journey in search of Aufreus and Generides, pp. 70-3 ; finds his shirt, p. 74 ; washes the tear-spots out of it, p. 75 ; finds him and marries him, pp. 78- 80 ; has another son, Ismael de Savage, p. 80 ; dies, p. 304. Sircus, p. Ill, 1. 3558. Sircus, king of Arabye, p. 105, 1. 3363. Sirenydes, Aufreus's Queen, described, p. 2 ; lusts after Generides, pp. 34, 36 ; tempts and is refused by him, pp. 37-9 ; takes revenge on him, p. 42 ; betrays Aufreus, and gives herself up to his steward and her paramour, Amalek, p. 64 ; is cursed by Isores, p. 245, 1. 7935 ; plans to get Clarionas's ring from Gene- rides, p. 255 ; and make mischief with it, p. 256 ; is exhorted by Amalek to repent of her misdeeds, pp. 300-2. Sowdon of Perse, the, p. 46, 1. 1477 ; sends Generides with a dish of curlews to Cla- rionas, p. 48; catches him at her win- dow, p. 85 ; has him put in prison, p. 86 ; and wants to kill him, pp. 91, 94 ; summons his host against Bellyns, pp. 105-114 ; the battles, pp. 129-191 ; is changeable, p. 178, 1, 5441 ; and in- clined to give up Clarionas to Bellyns's lust, 11. 5442-4 ; his land is invaded by Gwynan, pp. 253, 257 ; is half glad to give up his daughter to Gwynan to save his land, pp. 261-2 ; dies, p. 310, 1. 10019. Soure, the Citie of, p. 310, 1. 10028. T. Tliessehale, the king, p. 106, 1. 3393. Tristram, p. 1, 1. 13. Tuskan, the king of, p. 310, 1. 9997. V. Vise, a City, p. 241, 1. 7774; p. 274, 1. 8894. Ynel, king, p. 310, 1. 9999. Z. Zelapus, king of Ennonye, p. 107, 1. 3440 ; p. 112, 1. 3607. STrPHlW ACSTIS, rEINT£S, BKRTFORD. PR20 •v/'/x- ^ \k >^