Chapter VI: Part 6

he seyde on is songe,
“horn, þou art to longe.
rymenild þou me bitoke,
þ{a}t ich hire shulde loke. 1180
Ich haue yloked euere,
{ant} þou ne comest neuere.”
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: Rymenhild bears wine and beer to the guests.]

¶ Rymenhild Ros of benche,
Wyn for to schenche,
Aft{er} mete i{n} sale,
Boþe wyn {and} ale. 1188
On horn he bar anhonde,
So laȝe was i{n} londe.

Reymyld ros of benche,
Þe knyȝtes for to schenche.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
An horn hye ber on honde,
As hyt was lawe of londe.

Rymenild ros of benche,
þe beer al forte shenche,
after mete in sale,
boþe wyn {ant} ale. 1188
an horn hue ber an honde,
for þ{a}t wes lawe of londe.

Kniȝtes {and} squier
Alle dronke{n} of þe ber; 1192
Bute horn al one
Nadde þ{er}of no mone.
Horn sat vpo{n} þe g{ru}nde;
Him þuȝte he was ibu{n}de. 1196

Hye drank of þebere,
To knyt and to squier{e}. 1192
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
And horn set on þe grunde;
Hym þoute he was bounde. 1196

hue dronc of þe beere,
to knyht {ant} skyere. 1192
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
horn set at grounde;
him þohte he wes y-bounde. 1196

[Headnote: _Horn addresses Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: Horn asks Rymenhild to serve the beggars.]

He sede, “q{ue}n so he{n}de,
To meward þu we{n}de.
Þu ȝef vs wiþ þe furste;
Þe beggeres beoþ of þurste.” 1200

He seyde, “quen so hende,
To meward gyn þou wende.
Schenk hus Myd þe furste;
Þe beggeres beþ of þerste.” 1200

¶ he seide, “quene so hende,
to me hydeward þou wende.
[Sidenote: [leaf 90]]
þou shenh vs wiþ þe vurste;
þe beggares bueþ afurste.” 1200

[Sidenote: Rymenhild fills a gallon bowl with brown beer, and offers it to Horn.]

¶ Hure horn heo leide adun,
{And} fulde him of a brun,
His bolle of a galun,
For heo wende he were a glotoun. 1204
He seide, “haue þis cuppe,
{And} þi{s} þi{n}g þ{er} vppe.
Ne saȝ ihc neure, so ihc wene,
Beggere þat were so kene.” 1208

Þe horn hye leyde adoune,
And fulde hem of þe broune,
A bolle of one galun;
Hye wende he were a glotoun. 1204
“Nym þou þe coppe,
And drinkyt al oppe.
Sey ich neu{er}e, ich wene,
Begger{e} so bold and kene.” 1208

hyre horn hue leyde a doune,
ant fulde him of þe broune,
a bolle of a galoun;
hue wende he were a glotoun. 1204
hue seide, “tac þe coppe,
ant drync þis ber al vppe.
ne seh y neuer, y wene,
beggare so kene.” 1208

[Sidenote: He refuses it, saying that he will have nothing ‘bote of coppe white,’]

Horn tok hit his ifere,
{And} sede, “que{n} so dere,
Wyn nelle ihc, Muche ne lite,
Bute of cuppe white. 1212

Horn tok þe coppe hys fere,
And seyde, “quen so dere,
No drynk nel ich bite,
Bote of one coppe wite. 1212

horn toc hit hise yfere,
{ant} seide, “quene so dere,
no beer nullich i bite,
bote of coppe white. 1212

[Sidenote: and that he is no beggar, but a fisher.]

Þu wenest i beo a beggere,
{And} ihc am a fissere,
“Wel feor icome bi este,
For fissen at þi feste. 1216
Mi net liþ her bi honde,
Bi a wel fair stronde.

Þou wenst ich be a begger{e};
For gode ich am a fyȝsser{e},
Hy come fram by weste,
To fyȝen an þi feste. 1216
My net hys ney honde,
In a wel fayr ponde.

þou wenest ich be a beggere;
ywis icham a fysshere,
wel fer come by weste,
to seche mine bestee. 1216
Min net lyht her wel hende,
wiþ-inne a wel feyr pende.

[Sidenote: Horn further alludes to her dream of the fish net, and bids her ‘drynke to horn of horne.’]

Hit haþ ileie þere
Fulle seue ȝere. 1220
Ihc am icome to loke
Ef eni fiss hit toke.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Ihc am icome to fisse;
Dri{n}k to me of disse.
Drink to horn of horne,
Feor ihc am i orne.” 1228

Hyt hat hy be here
Al þis seueȝere. 1220
Hyc am hy come to loke
Ȝif any he toke.
Ȝyf any fyȝs hys þerynne,
Þer of þou winne. 1224
Ich am hy come to fyȝsse,
Drink to me of þy disse;
Drynk to horn of horn,
For ich habbe hy ȝouren.” 1228

Ich haue leye þere,
nou is þis þe seueþe ȝere. 1220
Icham icome to loke
ȝef eny fyssħ hit toke.
ȝef eny fyssħ is þer-inne,
þer-of þou shalt wynne. 1224
For icham come to fyssħ,
drynke nully of dyssħ.
drynke to horn of horne;
wel fer ich haue y-orne.” 1228

[Sidenote: Rymenhild looks at him and trembles, not fully comprehending his meaning.]

Ryme{n}hild hi{m} gan bihelde;
Hire heorte bigan to chelde.
Ne kneu heo noȝt his fissing,
Ne horn hymselue noþing; 1232
Ac wu{n}der hire gan þinke,
Whi he bad to horn drinke.

Reymyld hym gan by holde,
And hyr{e} h{er}te to kolde.
Neyȝ he nowt hys fyssing,
Ne hym selue no þyng. 1232
Wond{er} hyre gan þynke,
Wy he hyre bed drynke.

¶ Rymenild hi{m} gan bihelde;
hire herte fel to kelde.
ne kneu hue noht is fysshyng,
ne hi{m} selue noþyng. 1232
ah wonder hyre gan þynke,
why for horn he bed drynke.

[Headnote: _Horn puts the ring in the horn._]

[Sidenote: She fills the horn with wine and bids him drink his fill, and then tell her if he knows aught of Horn.]

Heo fulde hire horn wiþ wyn,
{And} dronk to þe pilegrym. 1236
Heo sede, “dri{n}k þi fulle,
{And} suþþe þu me telle
If þu eure isiȝe
Horn vnder wude liȝe.” 1240

He fulde horn þe wyn,
And dronk to þe pyleg{r}im. 1236
“Palmere, þou d{r}inke þy fulle,
And syþe þou schalt telle,
Ȝyf þou horn awt seye
Hond{er} wode leye.” 1240

hue fulde þe horn of wyne,
ant dronk to þat pelryne. 1236
hue seide, “drync þi felle,
{ant} seþþen þou me telle
ȝef þou horn euer seȝe
vnder wode leȝe.” 1240

[Sidenote: Horn drinks, then throws the ring in the horn.]

Horn dro{n}k of horn a stu{n}de,
And þreu þe ring to gru{n}de.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1244

++Horn d{ra}nk of horn a stounde,
A{n}d þrew hys ryng to þe grounde.
He seyde, “quen, nou seche
Qwat hys in þy drenche.” 1244

¶ Horn dronc of horn a stounde,
ant þreu is ryng to grounde,
ant seide, “quene, þou þench
what y þreu in þe drench.” 1244

[Sidenote: Rymenhild goes to her bower, and finds the ring.]

Þe quen ȝede to bure,
Wiþ hire maidenes foure.
Þo fo{n}d heo what heo wolde,
A ri{n}g ig{ra}uen of golde, 1248
Þ{a}t horn of hure hadde.
Sore hure dr{a}dde
Þ{a}t horn isteue were,
For þe Ri{n}g was þere. 1252

Reymild ȝede to bour{e},
Wyt hyre maydenes four{e}.
He fond þat he wolde,
A ryng hy g{ra}uen of golde, 1248
Þat horn of hyre hadde.
Wel sore hyre of dradde
Þat horn child ded were,
For þe ry{n}g was þere. 1252

þe quene eode to boure,
mid hire maidnes foure.
hue fond þ{a}t hue wolde,
þe ryng yg{ra}ued of golde, 1248
þat horn of hyre hedde.
fol sore hyre adredde
þat horn ded were,
for his ryng was þere. 1252

[Headnote: _Rymenhild summons Horn to her bower._]

[Sidenote: She sends for the palmer, and inquires where he got the ring.]

Þo se{n}te heo a damesele
Aft{er} þe palm{er}e.
“Palm{er}e,” q{ua}þ heo, “trewe,
Þe ri{n}g þ{a}t þu þrewe, 1256
Þu seie whar þu hit nome,
{And} whi þu hider come.”

Þo sende hye a damysele
Adoun aft{er} þe palm{er}e.
“Palm{er}e,” hye seyde, “so trewe,
Þe ryng þou here þrewe, 1256
Sey war þou ith nome,
And hyder wi þou come.”

þo sende hue a damoisele
after þilke palmere.
“palm{er}e,” quoþ hue, “so trewe,
þe ryng þ{a}t þou yn þrewe, 1256
þou sey wer þou hit nome,
ant hyder hou þou come.”

[Sidenote: Horn says that in his wanderings he has met Horn by the strand.]

He sede, “bi sei{n}t gile,
Ihc habbe go mani Mile, 1260
Wel feor bi ȝonde weste,
To seche my beste.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1264
I fond horn child stonde,
To schupeward in londe.

He seyde, “bi seynt gyle,
Ich aue hy go mani amyle, 1260
Wel fer her by weste,
To seche my beste,
My mete for to bidde,
So hyt me by tidde. 1264
Þat fond ich horn child stonde,
To scyppeward on stronde.

he seyde, “by seint gyle,
ich eode mony a myle, 1260
wel fer ȝent by weste,
to seche myne beste,
Mi mete forte bydde,
for so me þo bitidde. 1264
ich fond horn knyht stonde,
to shipeward at stronde.

[Sidenote: He continues to relate how Horn, on ship board, fell ill and died, and how Horn charged him to bear the ring to Rymenhild.]

He sede he wolde agesse
to ariue in west{er}nesse. 1268
Þe schip nam to þe flode,
Wiþ me {and} horn þe gode.
Horn was sik {and} deide,
{And} faire he me p{re}ide, 1272
‘Go wiþ þe ringe,
To Ryme{n}hild þe ȝo{n}ge.’
Ofte he hit custe,
God ȝeue his saule reste.” 1276

He seyde he wolde agesce
To ryuen in westnesse. 1268
Þat scyp hym ȝede to flode,
Myd me and horn þe gode.
Horn was sech and ded,
And for his loue me bed, 1272
‘To schipe with me þe ring
To Reymyld quene þe ȝeng.’
Ofte he me kuste,
God ȝyue hys soule reste.” 1276

he seide he wolde gesse
to aryue at westnesse. 1268
þe ship nom in to flode,
wiþ me {ant} horn þe gode.
Horn by-gan be sek {ant} deȝe,
{ant} for his loue me preȝe 1272
to gon wiþ þe rynge,
to rymenild þe ȝynge.
wel ofte he hyne keste,
c{ri}st ȝeue is soule reste.” 1276

[Headnote: _Horn prevents Rymenhild from stabbing herself._]

[Sidenote: The princess raves with grief, and attempts to slay herself with a knife, but is prevented by Horn,]

¶ Ryme{n}hild sede at þe furste,
“Herte, nu þu berste,
For horn nastu namore,
Þ{a}t þe haþ pined þe so sore.” 1280

Reymyld seyde ate ferste,
“Herte, nou to berste;
Horn ne worþ me na more,
For wam hy pyne sore.” 1280

¶ Rymenild seide at þe firste,
“herte, nou to berste.
horn worþ þe no more,
þat haueþ þe pyned sore.” 1280

Heo feol on hire bedde
Þer heo knif hudde,
To sle wiþ ki{n}g loþe,
{And} hure selue boþe, 1284
In þ{a}t vlke niȝte,
If horn come ne miȝte.
To herte knif he sette;
Ac horn anon hire kepte. 1288

Hye fel adoun on þe bed
Þer hye hauede knyues leyd,
To slen hire louerd loþe,
And hyre selue boþe, 1284
In þat hulke [nyȝte],
Bote horn come myȝte.
Knyf to hyre h{er}te hye sette,
And horn hire gan lette. 1288

[Sidenote: [leaf 90, back]]
Hue fel adoun a bedde,
ant after knyues gredde,
to slein mide hire kyng loþe,
{ant} hire selue boþe. 1284
wiþ-inne þilke nyhte,
come ȝef horn ne myhte.
to herte knyf hue sette,
horn in is armes hire kepte. 1288

[Sidenote: who then wipes away the black from his face.]

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Hys schirt lappe he gan take,
And wiped awey þat blake

his shurte lappe he gan take,
{ant} wypede a wey þe foule blake

[Headnote: _Horn makes himself known._]

[Sidenote: Horn tells who he is, and bids Rymenhild kiss him.]

He wipede þ{a}t blake of his swere,
{And} sede, “Quen so swete {and} dere, 1292
Ihc am horn þinoȝe;
Ne canstu me noȝt knowe?
Ihc am horn of west{er}nesse;
In armes þu me cusse.” 1296

Þat was on hys swere,
And seyde, “quene so dere, 1292
Canst þou me nawt knowe?
Ne am ich al þyn owe?
Ich am horn of estnesse;
In þyn armes þou me kusse.” 1296

Þ{a}t wes opon his suere,
ant seide, “luef so dere, 1292
ne const þou me yknowe?
ne am ich horn þyn owe?
Ich, horn of westnesse;
in armes þou me kesse.” 1296

[Sidenote: After fond embraces, he tells her that he has armed men by the ‘wodes ende,’ who will prevent the wedding.]

Hi custe he{m} mid ywisse,
And makeden Muche blisse.
¶ “Ryme{n}hild,” he sede, “ywende
Adun to þe wudes ende. 1300
Þer beþ myne kniȝtes,
Redi to fiȝte,
Iarmed vnder cloþe.

Hye clepten and hye kuste
Þe wile þat hem luste.
“Reymyld,” qwad horn, “ich moste we{n}de
To þe wodes hende, 1300
After mine knyȝtes,
Hyrische men so wyȝte,
Armed hond{er} cloþe.

yclupten {ant} kyste
so longe so hem lyste.
“Rymenild,” quoþ he, “ich wende
doun to þe wodes ende, 1300
for þer bueþ myne knyhte,
worþi men {ant} lyhte,
armed vnder cloþe;

Hi schulle make w{ro}þe 1304
Þe ki{n}g {and} his geste
Þ{a}t come to þe feste.
Today i schal he{m} teche,
{And} sore he{m} areche.” 1308

He scholen make{n} wroþe 1304
Þe king and hyse gestes
Þat sytten atte feste.
To day we schole hem keche,
Ryȝt nou ich wolle hem teche.” 1308

hue shule make wroþe 1304
þe kyng {ant} hise gestes
þ{a}t bueþ at þise festes.
to day ychulle huem cacche,
nou ichulle huem vacche.” 1308

[Sidenote: He leaves the bower, and Rymenhild sets out in search of Athulf.]

¶ Horn sprong ut of halle,
{And} let his sclauin falle.
Þe quen ȝede to bure,
{And} fond Aþulf in ture. 1312
“Aþulf,” heo sede, “be bliþe,
And to horn þu go wel swiþe.

++HOrn sprong out of halle;
Þe sclavyn he let falle.
And Reymyld wente to toure,
And fond ayol lure. 1312
“Ayol, be wel blyþe,
And go to horn swyþe.

¶ Horn sprong out of halle;
ys brunie he let falle.
rymenild eode of boure;
aþulf hue fond loure. 1312
“aþulf, be wel blyþe,
{ant} to horn go swyþe.

[Sidenote: Athulf goes to find Horn, and embraces him.]

He is vnder wude boȝe,
{And} wiþ him kniȝtes Inoȝe.” 1316
¶ Aþulf bigan to sp{ri}nge
For þe tiþi{n}ge.
Aft{er} horn he arnde anon,
Also þ{a}t hors miȝte gon. 1320
He hi{m} ou{er}tok ywis;
Hi makede suiþe Muchel blis.

He hys hond{er} wode bowe,
And Myd hym felawe ynowe.” 1316
Ayol forþ gan springe,
Wel glad for þat tydyngge.
Faste aft{er} horn he rende;
Hym þoute hys h{er}te brende. 1320
Of tok he horn hy wys,
And kuste hym wit blys.

he is vnder wode bowe,
wiþ felawes ynowe.” 1316
Aþulf gon froth sp{ri}nge,
for þ{a}t ilke tydynge.
efter horn he ernde;
him þohte is herte bernde. 1320
he oftok hi{m} ywisse,
ant custe him wiþ blysse.

[Headnote: _Horn breaks up the wedding feast._]

[Sidenote: Horn, with his armed men, breaks into the hall and slays many of the guests,]

Horn tok his preie,
{And} dude hi{m} i{n} þe weie. 1324
He co{m} i{n} wel sone,
Þe ȝates were vndone,
Iarmed ful þikke
Fra{m} fote to þe nekke. 1328

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1324
He com aȝen wel sone,
Þe gates weren ondone.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1328

horn tok is preye
ant dude him in þe weye. 1324
hue comen in wel sone,
þe ȝates weren vndone;
y-armed suiþe þicke
from fote to þe nycke. 1328

Alle þ{a}t were þ{er}in,
Biþute his twelf ferin
{And} þe ki{n}g Aylmare,
He dude he{m} alle to kare 1332
Þ{a}t at þe feste were.
Here lif hi lete þere.

Hye þat ate feste heten,
Here lyue he go{n}ne{n} þer leten.
And þe kyng mody
Hym he made blody. 1332
And þe king aylm{er}e
Þo hauede myche fere.

alle þ{a}t þer euere weren,
wiþ-oute is t{re}we feren
ant þe kyng aylmare,
ywis he hade muche care. 1332
monie þ{a}t þer sete,
hure lyf hy gonne lete.

[Sidenote: but he does not understand Fikenhild’s treachery, for all deny the treason.]

Horn ne dude no wu{n}der
Of ffike{n}hildes false tu{n}ge. 1336
Hi swore{n} oþes holde,
Þat neure ne scholde

++Horn no wond{er} ne makede
Of fykenildes falsede. 1336
He sworen alle and seyde
Þat her{e} non hym by wreyde.

Horn vnderstondyng ne hede
of Fykeles falssede. 1336
Hue suoren alle, ant seyde,
þ{a}t hure non him wreyede

[Sidenote: All swear that they have not betrayed Horn.]

Horn neure bit{ra}ie,
Þeȝ he at diþe laie. 1340
Hi Ru{n}ge þe belle,
Þe wedlak for to felle.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1344
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

And ofte he swore{n} hoþes holde,
Þat þere non ne scholde 1340
No ware horn by wreyen,
Þou he to deþe leyen.
He rongen þe bellen,
Þe wedding for to fulle{n}, 1344
Of hor þat was so hende,
And of reymyld þe ȝonge.

ant suore oþes holde
þat huere non ne sholde 1340
Horn neuer bytreye,
þah he on deþe leye.
þer hy ronge þe belle,
þat wedlak{e} to fulfulle. 1344
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Headnote: _Horn weds Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: The wedding is celebrated in the king’s palace.]

Horn hi{m} ȝede with his,
To þe ki{n}ges palais. 1348
Þer was brid {and} ale suete,
For riche me{n} þ{e}r ete.
Telle ne miȝte tu{n}ge
Þ{a}t gle þ{a}t þ{er} was su{n}ge. 1352

Horn ledde hyre hom wit heyse,
To hyr{e} fad{er} paleyse. 1348
Þer was brydale swete;
Riche men þer hete.
Tellen ne Myȝte no tonge
Þe joye þat þer was songe. 1352

hue wenden hom wiþ eyse,
to þe kynges paleyse. 1348
þer wes þe brudale suete,
for richemen þer ete.
telle ne mihte no tonge
þe gle þat þer was songe. 1352

[Sidenote: Horn addresses the king, and begins to recount his history.]

¶ Horn sat on chaere,
{And} bad he{m} alle ihere.
“Ki{n}g,” he sede, “þu luste
A tale mid þe beste. 1356
I ne seie hit for no blame,
Horn is mi name.
Þu me to kniȝt houe,
{And} kniȝthod haue p{ro}ued. 1360
To þe ki{n}g me{n} seide
Þ{a}t iþe bit{ra}ide;

++Horn set on hys cheyere,
And bed he scholden alle here.
He seyde, “kyng so longe,
My tale þou hond{er}stonde. 1356
Hy was born i{n} sode{n}ne;
Kyng was My fad{er} of kunne.
Þo me to knyȝte þou ȝoue;
My knyȝthede ich haue p{ro}ued. 1360
To þe of me men seyde
War for þi h{er}te creyde.

¶ Horn set in chayere,
{ant} bed hem alle yhere.
he seyde, “kyng of londe,
mi tale þou vnderstonde. 1356
Ich wes ybore in sudenne;
kyng wes mi fader of kenne.
þou me to knyhte houe;
of knythod habbe y proue. 1360
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: Horn explains to the king his innocence,]

Þu makedest me fleme,
{And} þi lo{n}d to reme. 1364
Þu we{n}dest þ{a}t iwroȝte
Þ{a}t y neure ne þoȝte,
Bi Ryme{n}hild for to ligge,
{And} þ{a}t i wiþsegge. 1368

Þou makedest me to rewe,
Þo þou bote me fleme. 1364
Þou wendes þat ich wroute
Þat hy neu{er}e ne þoute,
Wyt Reymyld for ligge.
I wys ich hyt wyt sigge. 1368

þou dryue me out of þi lond,
{ant} seydest ich wes t{r}aytour strong. 1364
þou wendest þat ich wrohte
þat y ner ne þohte,
by rymenild forte lygge;
ywys ich hit wiþsugge. 1368

[Sidenote: and says that he will not take Rymenhild to wife until he has regained his kingdom of Sudenne.]

Ne schal ihc hit bigi{n}ne,
Til i suddene wi{n}ne.
Þu kep hure a stu{n}de,
Þe while þ{a}t i funde 1372
In to min heritage
{And} to mi baronage.

Ich ne schal neu{er}e a gynne,
Er ich sodenne wynne.
Kep hire me a stounde,
Þe wille ich he{n}nes founde 1372
In to myn h{er}itage,
Mid myn hirysce page.

[Sidenote: [leaf 91]]
Ne shal ich hit ner agynne,
er ich sudenne wynne.
þou kep hyre me a stounde,
þe while þ{a}t ich founde 1372
In to myn heritage,
wiþ þis yrisshe page.

Þ{a}t lond i schal ofreche,
And do mi fader wreche. 1376
I schal beo ki{n}g of tune,
{And} bere ki{n}ges crune.
Þa{n}ne schal Ryme{n}hilde
Ligge bi þe ki{n}ge.” 1380

Þat lond ich schal of reche,
And do my fad{er} wreche. 1376
Ich schal be kyng of tune,
And wite of kynges r[?]owne.
Þenne schal Reymyld þe ȝonge
Lygge{n} by horn þe kynge.” 1380

þat lond ichulle þorhreche,
{ant} do mi fader wreche. 1376
ychul be kyng of toune,
{ant} lerne kynges roune.
þenne shal rymenild þe ȝynge
ligge by horn þe kynge.” 1380

[Headnote: _Horn sets sail for Sudenne._]

[Sidenote: He sets sail with Athulf and his Irish companions, and has a favouring wind.]

¶ Horn gan to schupe draȝe,
Wiþ his yrisse felaȝes.
Aþulf wiþ hi{m} his broþer;
Nolde he no{n} oþer. 1384
Þ{a}t schup bigan to crude,
Þe wind hi{m} bleu lude.

Hor gan to schipe ryde,
And hys knyȝtes bi side.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1384
Here schip gan to croude,
Þe wynd hym bleu wel loude.

¶ Horn gan to shipe drawe,
wiþ hyse yrisshe felawe.
Aþulf wiþ hi{m}, his broþer,
he nolde habbe non oþer. 1384
þe ship by-gan to croude;
þe wynd bleu wel loude.

[Sidenote: They reach Sudenne within five days.]

Biþi{n}ne daies fiue
Þ{a}t schup gan ariue, 1388
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Abute middelniȝte.
Horn hi{m} ȝede wel riȝte. 1392

Hond{er} sode{n}ne syde
Here schip bi gan to glide, 1388
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Abowte myd niȝte.
Horn hym yede wel ryȝte, 1392

wyþ-inne dawes fyue
þe ship began aryue. 1388
vnder sudennes side
huere ship by-gon to ryde,
aboute þe midnyhte.
horn eode wel rihte; 1392

[Headnote: _He finds a knight sleeping by the wayside._]

[Sidenote: Horn and Athulf land, and find a goodly knight sleeping by the wayside.]

He tok aþulf bi ho{n}de,
And vp he ȝede to lo{n}de.
Hi fou{n}de vnder schelde,
A kniȝt he{n}de i{n} felde. 1396
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þe kniȝt hi{m} aslepe lay
Al biside þe way. 1400
Horn hi{m} ga{n} to take,
{And} sede, “kniȝt, awake.

Na{m} ayol on hys honde,
And yeden op hon londe.
Hye found hond{er} schelde,
A knyt liggen i{n} felde. 1396
Op þe scheld was drawe
A crowch of ih{es}u c{r}i{s}tes lawe.
Þe knyt hy lay on slepe,
[KH-6]In armes wel ymete. 1400
Horn hym gan take,
And seyde, “knyt, awake.

[Footnote KH-6: Between vv. 1399 and 1400 stands in the MS. Laud
the incomplete line _Horn hym gan m_, underdotted to indicate that
it is due to a mistake of the scribe.]

he nom aþulf by honde,
{ant} ede vp to londe.
hue fonden vnder shelde,
a knyht liggynde on felde. 1396
o þe shelde wes ydrawe
a c{ro}yz of ih{es}u c{ri}stes lawe.
þe knyht hi{m} lay on slape,
in armes wel yshape. 1400
¶ Horn him gan ytake,
{ant} seide, “knyht, awake.

[Sidenote: Horn bids him tell his business, under pain of death.]

Seie what þu kepest,
{And} whi þu her slepest. 1404
Me þinkþ, biþine crois liȝte,
Þ{a}t þu lo{n}gest to vre d{ri}ȝte.
Bute þu wule me schewe,
I schal þe to hewe.” 1408
Þe gode kniȝt vp aros;
Of þe wordes hi{m} gros.

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1404
Me þynkeþ, by þe crowches lyste,
Þat þou leuest on c{r}iste.
Bote þou hit raþe schewe,
Wyt Mi swerd ich schal þe hewe.” 1408
Þe gode knyt op aros;
Of hornes wordes hym agros.

þou sei me whet þou kepest,
{ant} here whi þou slepest! 1404
me þuncheþ, by crois liste,
þ{a}t þou leuest on c{ri}ste;
bote þou hit wolle shewe,
my suerd shal þe to-hewe.” 1408
þe gode knyht vp aros;
of hornes wordes hi{m} agros.

[Headnote: _The knight tells his story._]

[Sidenote: The knight says that he serves the Saracens against his will,]

He sede, “ihc haue, aȝenes my wille,
Payns ful ylle. 1412
Ihc was c{ri}stene a while,
Þo i com to þis ille
Sarazins blake,
Þ{a}t dude me forsake. 1416

He seyde, “hy serue ylle
Paynyms, aȝen My wille. 1412
Ich was c{r}istene som wyle,
And þo were come i{n}to þis yle
Sarazyns lodlike and blake,
And dide me god forsake. 1416

he seide, “ich seruy ille
paynes, toȝeynes mi wille. 1412
Ich was c{ri}stene sum while;
y come in to þis yle.
Sarazyns loþe {ant} blake
me made ih{es}u forsake, 1416

[Sidenote: and tells how the Saracens invaded the land and slew King Murry.]

On C{ri}st ihc wolde bileue;
On hi{m} hi makede me reue,
To kepe þis passage
Fra{m} horn þ{a}t is of age, 1420
Þ{a}t wunieþ bieste,
Kniȝt wiþ þe beste.
Hi sloȝe wiþ here ho{n}de,
Þe ki{n}g of þis lo{n}de, 1424

Bi god on wam yleue,
Þo he makede{n} me reue,
To loke þis passage
For horn þat hys of age. 1420
He woneþ alby weste,
God knyt myd þe beste.
He slow Mid hys honde
Þe kyng of þise londe, 1424

[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
to loke þis passage
for horn þ{a}t is of age, 1420
þ{a}t woneþ her by weste,
god knyht mid þe beste.
hue slowe mid huere honde,
þe kyng of þisse londe, 1424

[Sidenote: He wonders that Horn does not return to avenge his father’s death.]

{And} wiþ him fele hu{n}dred.
{And} þ{er}of is wu{n}der
Þ{a}t he ne comeþ to fiȝte;
God se{n}de hi{m} þe riȝte, 1428
{And} wi{n}d hi{m} hider driue,
To bri{n}ge he{m} of liue.
Hi sloȝen kyng Murry,
Hornes fader, king hendy. 1432
Horn hi vt of londe sente;
Tuelf felaȝes wiþ him wente,

And wyt hym me{n} an hundred.
Þer fore me þinkeþ wond{er}
Þat he comeþ fiȝþcte.
God yeue hym þe miyȝte, 1428
Þat wynde hym driue
To bringen hem of liue.
He slowen þe kyng mory,
Hornes fad{er} so stordy. 1432
Horn to wat{er} he sente,
xij children myd hym we{n}te.

ant wiþ hi{m} mony honder.
þer fore me þuncheþ wonder
þ{a}t he ne comeþ to fyhte;
god ȝeue hi{m} þe myhte, 1428
þ{a}t wynd hi{m} hider dryue,
to don hem alle of lyue.
ant slowen kyng mury
hornes cunesmon hardy. 1432
Horn, of londe hue senten;
tuelf children wiþ hi{m} wenten.

[Headnote: _The knight proves to be Athulf’s father._]

[Sidenote: He continues to tell how his son, Athulf, is Horn’s faithful companion.]

Amo{n}g hem aþulf þe gode,
Min oȝene child, my leue fode. 1436
Ef horn child is hol and sund,
{And} Aþulf biþute wund,
He luueþ hi{m} so dere,
{And} is him so stere, 1440
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Miȝte iseo{n} he{m} tueie,
For ioie i scholde deie.” 1444

Þer mong was ayol þe gode,
Myn owe child, myn owe fode. 1436
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
He louede horn wel derne,
And horn hym also ȝerne. 1440
Ȝyf horn hys hol and sounde,
Ayol ne tyt no wounde.
Bote ich nou se hem tweye,
I wys ich wolle deye.” 1444

wiþ he{m} wes aþulf þe gode,
mi child, myn oune fode. 1436
ȝef horn is hol ant sounde,
aþulf tit no wounde.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1440
he louede horn wiþ mihte,
{ant} he hi{m} wiþ ryhte.
ȝef y myhte se hem tueye,
þenne ne rohti forte deye.” 1444

[Sidenote: The two make themselves known, and a joyful scene of recognition follows.]

¶ “Kniȝt, beo þa{n}ne bliþe,
Mest of alle siþe.
Horn {and} Aþulf his fere,
Boþe hi be{n} here.” 1448
To horn he gan gon,
{And} g{re}tte hi{m} anon.

“Knyt, be swiþe blyþe,
Mest of alle syþe.
Ayol and horn yfere
Boþe he ben here.” 1448
Þe knyt to hem ga{n} steppe,
And in armes cleppe.

¶ “knyht, be þenne blyþe,
mest of alle syþe.
Aþulf, {ant} horn is fere,
boþe-we beþ here.” 1448
Þe knyht to horn gan skippe,
{ant} in his armes clippe.

Muche ioie hi makede þere,
Þe while hi togadere were. 1452
“Childre,” he sede, “hu habbe ȝe fare?
Þ{a}t ihc ȝou seȝ hit is ful ȝare.
Wulle ȝe þis lo{n}de wi{n}ne,
{And} sle þat þ{er}is i{n}ne?” 1456

Þe joie þat he made,
Myȝte no ma{n} rede. 1452
He seyde wit steuene ȝare,
“Children, hou abbe ȝe fare?
Wolle ȝe þis lond wi{n}ne,
And wonye þer inne?” 1456

Muche ioye hue maden yfere,
þo hue to gedere y-come were.” 1452
[Sidenote: [leaf 91, back]]
He saide wiþ steuene þare,
“ȝungemen, hou habbe ȝe ȝore yfare?
wolle ȝe þis lond wynne,
{ant} wonie þer ynne?” 1456

[Sidenote: The old knight informs Horn that his mother, the queen Godhild, still lives.]

He sede, “leue horn child,
Ȝitt lyueþ þi moder Godhild.
Of ioie heo miste,
If heo þe aliue wiste.” 1460

He seyde, “leue horn child,
Ȝet liueþ þy mod{er} godild.”
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1460

he seide, “suete horn child,
ȝet lyueþ þy moder godyld.
of ioie hue ne miste,
o lyue ȝef hue þe wiste.” 1460

[Sidenote: Horn informs the old knight that he has with him many Irish companions.]

¶ Horn sede o{n} his rime,
“Iblessed beo þe time
I co{m} to sudde{n}ne,
Wiþ mine irisse me{n}ne. 1464
We schulle þe hu{n}des teche
To speken vre speche.
Alle we he{m} schulle sle,
{And} al q{ui}c hem fle.” 1468

Horn seyde on hys rime,
“Hyblessed be þe tyme
Ich am ycome to sode{n}ne,
Wyt Myn hyrysce me{n}ne. 1464
Þis lond we schollen wi{n}ne
And fle at þat þere ben i{n}ne.
And so we scholen he{m} teche
To speken our{e} speche.” 1468

Horn seide on is ryme,
“yblessed be þe time
Icham icome in to sudenne,
wiþ fele yrisshemenne. 1464
we shule þe houndes kecche,
{ant} to þe deȝe vecche.
ánt so we shulen hem teche
to speken oure speche.” 1468

[Headnote: _Horn delivers Sudenne from the Saracens._]

[Sidenote: Horn blows his horn, and his men arrive;]

Horn gan his horn to blowe;
His folk hit gan iknowe.
Hi come{n} vt of st{er}e,
Fram hornes ban{er}e. 1472

Horn gan hys horn blowe,
Þat hys folc it gan knowe.
He come{n} out of scyp st{er}ne,
To horn ward wel ȝerne. 1472

¶ Horn gon is horn blowe;
is folc hit con yknowe.
hue comen out of hurne,
to horn swyþe ȝurne. 1472

[Sidenote: and they attack and slay the Saracens, old and young.]

Hi sloȝen {and} fuȝte{n},
Þe niȝt {and} þe vȝten.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1476
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þe Sarazi{n}s cu{n}de,
Ne lefde þ{er} no{n} i{n} þe{n}de. 1480

He smyten and he fouten,
Þe nyȝt and eke þe ouȝten.
Myd speres hord he stonge,
Þe held and eke þe ȝonge. 1476
Þat lond he þoru sowte{n};
To deþe he hus brouten
Sarazines kende,
Þe leuede on þe fende. 1480

hue smiten {ant} hue fyhten,
þe niht {ant} eke þe ohtoun.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1476
þe sarazyns hue slowe,
ant summe quike to drowe.
mid sp{er}es ord hue stonge
þe olde {ant} eke þe ȝonge. 1480

[Sidenote: Then Horn causes chapels and churches to be built.]

Horn let wurche
Chapeles {and} chirche;

Horn let sone werchen
Chapeles and cherchen;

¶ Horn lette sone wurche
boþe chapel {ant} chyrche.

[Sidenote: Horn causes the bells to be rung and masses to be celebrated.]

He let belles ringe,
{And} Masses let singe. 1484

Bellen he dide ryngen,
And p{re}stes messe synge{n}. 1484

He made belle rynge
ant p{re}stes masse synge. 1484

[Sidenote: Then he seeks his mother, and all make merry.]

He co{m} to his Mod{er} halle,
In a roche walle.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1488
Corn he let serie,
And makede feste merie.
M{ur}ie lif he wroȝte;
Ryme{n}hild hit dere boȝte. 1492

He sowte hys mod{er} ou{er}alle,
Wit i{n}ne eu{er}iche walle.[KH-7]
He custe{n} and hye clete{n},
And in to halle we{n}ten. 1488
Croune he go{n}ne{n} werie,
And makede festes merye.
Murye he þere wroute;
Reymyld hyt aboute. 1492

[Footnote KH-7: This line repeated in the MS.]

He sohte is moder halle,
in þe roche walle.
He custe hire ant grette,
ant in to þe castel fette. 1488
Croune he gan werie,
ant make feste merye.
Murie he þer wrohte,
ah rymenild hit abohte. 1492

[Headnote: _Fikenhild builds a strong castle._]

[Sidenote: In the meantime Fikenhild, by gifts, wins powerful support,]

¶ Fikenhild was prut on herte,
{And} þat him dude smerte.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1496
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Ȝo{n}ge he ȝaf {and} elde,
Mid hi{m} for to helde. 1500

Wile þat horn was oute,
Fikenyld ferde aboute.
To wiue he gan hire ȝerne;
Þe kyng ne dorst hi{m} werne. 1496
Muche was hys prede;
Þe ryche he ȝaf mede,
Ȝonge and eke þe helde,
Þat Mid hym scholde helde. 1500

¶ Þe whiles horn wes oute,
Fikenild ferde aboute.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1496
þe betere forte spede,
þe riche he ȝef mede,
boþe ȝonge ant olde,
wiþ him forte holde. 1500

[Sidenote: and builds a castle entirely surrounded by the water.]

Ston he dude lede,
Þ{er} he hopede spede.
St{ro}ng castel he let sette,
Mid see hi{m} biflette. 1504
Þ{er} ne miȝte liȝte
Bute foȝel wiþ fliȝte;
Bute wha{n}ne þe see wiþ droȝe,
Miȝte come men ynoȝe. 1508

Ston he dede lede,
And hym þerto he made.
A kastel he dude feste
Wit wat{er} alby sette. 1504
Miȝt no ma{n} hon on legge,
By paþe ne by brigge;
Bote wan þe wit drowe,
Þer mu{n}the come. 1508

Ston he dude lade,
ant lym þerto he made.
Castel he made sette,
wiþ water by flette. 1504
Þ{a}t þer yn come ne myhte
bote foul wiþ flyhte;
bote when þe see wiþ-drowe,
þer mihte come ynowe. 1508

[Sidenote: Fikenhild then plots to wed Rymenhild, and sets the day for the wedding.]

Fikenhild gan we{n}de
Ryme{n}hild to sche{n}de.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1512
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1516

Þis fykenild ga{n}to we{n}de[KH-8]
Reynyld for to wende.
Þe day by ga{n} to wexe,
Þat hem was by twexe. 1512
Fekenyld, her þe day gan sp{r}inge,
Ferde to aylm{er} þe kynge,
Aft{er} reynyld þe bryȝte,
And spousede hire by niȝte. 1516

[Footnote KH-8: Written wē{n}de]

þ{us} fykenild gon by-wende
Rymenild forte shende.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1512
to wyue he gan hire ȝerne;
þe kyng ne durst hi{m} werne.
ant habbeþ set þe day,
Fykenild to wedde þe may. 1516

[Sidenote: Rymenhild weeps tears of blood.]

To woȝe he gan hure ȝerne;
Þe kyng ne dorste him werne.
Ryme{n}hild was ful of mode;
He wep teres of blode. 1520

He ledde hyre hom i{n} derke,
To his newe werke.
Þe festes he by go{n}ne,
Her{e} aryse þe so{n}ne. 1520

wo was rymenild of mode;
terres hue wepte of blode.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Headnote: _Horn dreams of danger to Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: Horn dreams that Rymenhild is shipwrecked, that she tries to swim to land, but that Fikenhild prevents her with his sword hilt.]

Þ{a}t niȝt horn gan swete,
And heuie for to mete
Of Rymenhild his make,
Into schupe was itake. 1524
Þe schup bigan to blenche;
His le{m}man scholde adrenche.

Þat nyȝt gan horn swete,
And harde forto mete
Of Reymyld hys make,
Þat i{n} to schype was take. 1524
Þat schip scholde on hire blenche;
Hys lema{n} scholde adrenche.

þilke nyht horn suete
con wel harde mete
of rymenild his make,
þ{a}t in to shipe wes take. 1524
þe ship gon ouerblenche;
is lemmon shulde adrenche.

Ryme{n}hild wiþ hire honde
Wolde vp to londe. 1528
Fikenhild aȝen hire pelte
Wiþ his swerdes hilte.

Reymyld wit hire honde
Wolde sue{m}me to londe. 1528
Fykenyld hire ȝen pulte
Wit his sword hylte.

¶ Rymenild mid hire honde,
swymme wolde to londe. 1528
Fykenild aȝeyn hire pylte,
mid his suerdes hylte.

[Sidenote: Horn awakes, and tells Athulf his dream.]

¶ Horn him wok of slape,
So a man þ{a}t hadde rape. 1532
“Aþulf,” he sede, “felaȝe,
To schupe we mote draȝe.
Fikenhild me haþ idon vnder,
{And} Rymenhild to do wunder. 1536
Crist, for his wu{n}des fiue,
To niȝt me þuder driue.”

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
“Ayol,” qwat horn, “trewe felawe,
Into schip go{n}ne we drawe.
Fykenyld haueþ gon ond{er},
And don Reynyld som wond{er}. 1536
God, for his wordes fiue,
To nyȝt us þyder driue.”

Horn awek in is bed;
of his lemmon he wes adred. 1532
“Aþulf,” he seide, “felawe,
to shipe nou we drawe.
Fykenild me haþ gon vnder,
ant do rymenild sum wonder. 1536
Crist, for his wondes fyue,
to nyht þider vs dryue!”

[Headnote: _Horn sets out to the rescue of Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: He immediately sets sail, with a good wind.]

Horn gan to schupe Ride,
His fere{n} him biside. 1540
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Fikenhild, or þe dai gan sp{ri}nge,
Al riȝt he ferde to þe kinge, 1544

Horn ga{n} to Scype Ride,
And his knyȝtes by side. 1540
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1544

[Sidenote: [leaf 92]]
¶ Horn gon to shipe ride,
his knyhtes bi his side. 1540
þe ship bigon to sture,
wiþ wynd god of cure.
ant fykenild her þe day sp{ri}nge,
seide to þe kynge, 1544

[Sidenote: Fikenhild espouses Rymenhild by night, and leads her to his castle.]

Aft{er} Rymenhild þe briȝte,
To wedden hire biniȝte.
He ladde hure bi þe derke,
Into his nywe werke. 1548

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1548

After rymenild þe brhyte,
ant spousede hyre by nyhte.
he ladde hire by derke,
in to is newe werke. 1548

[Sidenote: They begin the feast before sunrise.]

Þe feste hi bigu{n}ne,
Er þ{a}t ros þe su{n}ne.
Er þane horn hit wiste,
To fore þe su{n}ne vpriste. 1552

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Here schip biga{n} to terne
By þe wat{er}es sterne. 1552

þe feste hue bigonne,
er þen aryse þe sonne.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: Horn’s ship arrives under the castle.]

His schup stod vnder ture,
At Rymenhilde bure.

Hys schip stod i{n} store,
Hond{er} fikenildes bour{e}.

Hornes ship atstod in stoure,
vnder fykenildes boure.

[Sidenote: Horn does not recognize the new castle, but meets Arnoldin, who is awaiting him,]

Rymenhild, litel weneþ heo
Þ{a}t Horn þa{n}ne aliue beo. 1556
Þe castel þei ne knewe,
For he was so nywe.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Horn fond sittinde Arnoldin,
Þ{a}t was Aþulfes cosin,
Þ{a}t þ{er} was in þ{a}t tide,
Horn for tabide. 1564

Ne wiste horn on liue
Whar he was a Ryue. 1556
Þe kestel he ne knewe,
For he was so newe.
Þe sond by gan to drye,
And hyt hym makede weye. 1560
He fond stonde arnoldyn,
Þat was ayolles cosyn,
Þat was þere in tyde,
Horn for to abyde. 1564

Nuste horn a-lyue
wher he wes aryue. 1556
þene castel hue ne knewe,
for he was so newe.
þe see bigon to wiþ drawe;
þo seh horn his felawe, 1560
þe feyre knyht arnoldyn,
þ{a}t wes aþulfes cosyn,
þat þer set in þat tyde,
kyng horn to abide. 1564

[Headnote: _Arnoldin explains the situation to Horn._]

[Sidenote: and who tells him that Fikenhild that day has wedded Rymenhild.]

“Horn kniȝt,” he sede, “kinges sone,
Wel beo þu to londe icome.
Today haþ y wedde fikenhild,
Þi swete le{m}man, Rymenhild. 1568
Ne schal i þe lie;
He haþ giled þe twie.

He seyde, “horn, kynges sone,
Wel be þou her{e} to londe come.
Nou hat wedded fikenyld
Þy nowe lemma{n}, Reymyld. 1568
Nele ich þe nowt lye;
He haueþ þe gyled twye.

he seide, “kyng horn, kyngessone,
hider þou art welcome.
to day haþ sire Fykenild
yweddeþ þi wif, rymenild. 1568
white þe nou þis while;
he haueþ do þe gyle.

Þis tur he let make
Al for þine sake. 1572
Ne mai þ{er} come i{n}ne
Noma{n} wiþ none gi{n}ne.
Horn, nu crist þe wisse,
Of Rymenhild þ{a}t þu ne misse.” 1576

Þis castel he dude make
For Reymyldes sake. 1572
Þer may mo man on legge,
By paþe neby brigge.
Horn, nou c{r}ist þe wisse,
Of Reymyld þat þou ne misse.” 1576

þis tour he dude make
al for rymenildes sake. 1572
ne may þer comen ynne
no mon wiþ no gynne.
¶ Horn, nou c{ri}st þe wisse,
rymenild þ{a}t þou ne misse.” 1576

[Headnote: _Horn enters the castle, disguised as a harper._]

[Sidenote: Horn, and some companions, disguise themselves as harpers, hiding their swords under their garments.]

¶ Horn cuþe al þe liste
Þ{a}t eni man of wiste.
Harpe he gan schewe,
{And} tok felaȝes fewe, 1580
Of kniȝtes suiþe snelle,
Þ{a}t schrudde he{m} at wille.

Horn her kenede al þe lyste
Þat any ma{n} of wiste.
To herpe he gan drawe,
And wyȝt hys tweye felawe, 1580
Knyȝtes swyþe felle,
And schurde hem in pelle.

Horn couþe alle þe listes
þ{a}t eni mon of wiste.
harpe he gon shewe,
ant toc[KH-9] him to felawe, 1580
knyhtes of þe beste
þ{a}t he euer hede of weste.

[Footnote KH-9: MS. tot]

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Hi ȝeden bi þe grauel,
Toward þe castel.
Hi gu{n}ne m{ur}ie singe,
And makede here gleowinge. 1588

Wyt swerdes he hem gyrte
Anouen here schirte. 1584
He wenden on þe g{ra}uel
Toward þe castel.
He go{n}ne murye synge,
And makede here glewinge. 1588

ouen o þe sherte
hue gurden huem wiþ suerde. 1584
hue eoden on þe g{ra}uele,
towart þe castele.
hue gonne murie singe,
{ant} makeden huere gleynge, 1588

[Sidenote: Fikenhild hears their singing, and bids bring them in.]

¶ Rymenhild hit gan ihere,
{And} axede what hi were.
Hi sede hi weren harpurs,
{And} sume were gigours. 1592
He dude horn in late,
Riȝt at halle gate.
He sette hi{m} on þe benche,
His harpe for to clenche. 1596

Þat fykenyld myȝt yhere;
Hearkede wat hye were.
Men seyde hyt harperes,
Iogelours and fiþeleres. 1592
He dude hem in lete;
At halle dore he sete.
Horn set on þe benche;
Hys harpe he gan clenche. 1596

þ{a}t fykenild mihte y-here;
he axede who hit were.
men seide hit were harpeirs,
iogelers ant fyþelers. 1592
hem me dude in lete;
at halle dore hue sete.
horn sette hi{m} a benche;
is harpe he gan clenche. 1596

[Sidenote: Horn makes a lay to Rymenhild, and she falls in a swoon.]

He makede Rymenhilde lay,
{And} heo makede walaway.
Rymenhild feol yswoȝe;
Ne was þ{er} non þ{a}t louȝe. 1600
Hit smot to hornes herte
So bit{er}e þ{a}t hit sm{er}te.

He makede Reymyld a lay,
And reynyld makede weylawey.
Reymyld fel yswowe;
Þo was þer non þat lowe. 1600
Hyt ȝede to hornes herte;
Sore hym gan smerte.

he made rymenild a lay,
ant hue seide weylawey.
¶ Rymenild fel y swowe;
þo nes þer non þ{a}t lowe. 1600
hit smot horn to herte;
sore con hi{m} smerte.

[Sidenote: Horn looks on his ring and thinks of Rymenhild, then with his good sword slays Fikenhild and all his men.]

He lokede on þe ringe,
{And} þoȝte on Ryme{n}hilde. 1604
He ȝede vp to borde,
Wiþ gode suerdes orde.
Fike{n}hildes c{ru}ne
Þer ifulde adune, 1608
{And} al his me{n} arowe
Hi dude adun þrowe!

Hey lokede on hys gode Ryng,
And Reymyld þe ȝonge. 1604
Hey ȝede op to borde,
Mid hys gode swerde.
Fykenyldes crowne
He leyde þere adowne; 1608
And alle hys men arewe
He dide adoun þrewe.

he lokede on is rynge,
ant o rymenild þe ȝynge. 1604
he eode vp to borde,
mid his gode suorde.
Fykenildes croune
he fel þer adoune; 1608
ant alle is men arowe
he dude adoun þrowe.

[Headnote: _Horn slays Fikenhild, and makes Arnoldyn king._]

[Sidenote: He makes Arnoldin king there, after Aylmer,]

Wha{n}ne hi were{n} aslaȝe,
Fike{n}hild hi dude to d{ra}ȝe. 1612
Horn makede Arnoldin þare
Ki{n}g, aft{er} ki{n}g Aylmare,
Of al west{er}nesse,
For his meoknesse. 1616
Þe ki{n}g {and} his homage
Ȝeue{n} Arnoldin t{re}wage.

Þo he weren alle yslawe,
Fykenyld he dide to drawe. 1612
He makede arnoldyn kyng þer{e},
Aft{er} þe kyng aylm{er}e,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þe knytes and þe barnage
Dude hym alle utrage. 1616

[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1612
ant made arnoldyn kyng þere,
after kyng aylmere,
to be kyng of westnesse,
for his mildenesse. 1616
þe kyng ant is baronage
ȝeuen him t{ru}age.

[Sidenote: and taking with him Athulf and Rymenhild, sets out for King Modi’s kingdom.]

¶ Horn tok Rymenhild bi þe honde,
{And} ladde hure to þe stronde, 1620
{And} ladde wiþ him Aþelbrus,
Þe gode stuard of his hus.
Þe se biga{n} to flowe,
{And} horn gan to Rowe. 1624

Horn tok rymyld by þe hond,
And ledde hire by þe se strond. 1620
He tok hym syre aylbrous,
Stiward of þe kynges hous.
He riuede in a reaume,
In a wel fayr streume, 1624

¶ Horn toc rymenild by honde,
ant ladde hire to st{r}onde,
Ant toc wiþ hi{m} Aþelbrus,
þe gode stiward of hire fader hous. 1620
[Sidenote: [leaf 92, back]]
þe see bigan to flowen,
ant hy faste to rowen.
hue aryueden vnder reme,
in a wel feyr streme. 1624

[Sidenote: Horn slays King Modi, and makes Athelbrus king in his place.]

Hi gu{n}ne for ariue
Þ{er} ki{n}g modi was sire.
Aþelfr{us} he makede þ{er} ki{n}g,
For his gode techi{n}g. 1628
He ȝaf alle þe kniȝtes ore,
For horn kniȝtes lore.

Þer kyng mody was syre,
Þat horn slow wyt yre.
Aybrous he makede þer kyng,
For hys gode tydyng; 1628
For syre hornes lore,
He was kyng þore.

kyng Mody wes kyng in þat lond;
þ{a}t horn sloh wiþ is hond.
Aþelbrus he made þer kyng,
for his gode techyng; 1628
for sire hornes lore
he wes mad kyng þore.

[Headnote: _Athulf weds Reynild, and Horn marries Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: He then proceeds to Ireland, and causes Athulf to marry the princess Reynild.]

Horn ga{n} for to ride;
Þe wi{n}d hi{m} bleu wel wide. 1632
He ariuede in yrlo{n}de,
Þ{er} he wo fo{n}dede.
Þ{er} he dude Aþulf child
Wedde{n} maide Reynild. 1636

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Horn ariuede in hyre londe,
Þer he hadde woned so longe.
Þer he dude ayol childe
Wedden mayden h{er}menylde. 1636

¶ Horn eode to ryue;
þe wynd hi{m} con wel dryue. 1632
he aryuede in yrlonde,
þer horn wo couþe er fonde.
He made þer Aþulf chyld
wedde mayden ermenyld, 1636

[Sidenote: Then he returns to Sudenne, and makes Rymenhild his queen.]

Horn co{m} to sudde{n}ne,
Amo{n}g al his kenne.
Ryme{n}hild he makede his quene,
So hit miȝte wel beon. 1640

Horn wente to sodenne,
To hys owe kunne.
Reymyld he makede quene,
So ich Miyȝte wel bene. 1640

ant horn com to sudenne,
to is oune kenne.
Rymenild he made þer is quene,
so hit myhte bene. 1640

[Sidenote: They live in true love, and cherish God’s law. ‘Nu ben hi boþe dede.’]

Alfolk he{m} miȝte rewe,
Þat louede{n} he{m} so t{re}we;
Nu be{n} hi boþe dede;
Crist to heuene he{m} lede. 1644
Her endeþ þe tale of horn
Þ{a}t fair was {and} noȝt vnorn.
Make we vs glade Eure among,
For þus him endeþ hornes song. 1648
Jesus þ{a}t is of heuene king,
Ȝeue vs alle his suete blessi{n}g.
EX--PLI--CIT. Amen.

Alle folc hyt knewe
Þat he hem louede trewe.
Nou ben he alle dede;
God hem to heuene lede. 1644
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1648
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Am . . . e . . . n.

In trewe loue hue lyueden ay,
ant wel hue loueden godes lay.
Nou hue beoþ boþe dede,
c{ri}st to heouene vs lede. AmeN! 1644

FLORIS AND BLAUNCHEFLUR.

[Transcriber’s Note:
In the Trentham MS., spelling is normally “þ{o}u”, rarely “þow”.
Any variations are as printed.]

_Trentham MS., fol. 98 a; vellum, c. 1440: beginning lost. Headlines
‘Florence and Blanchefloure.’_

Ne thurst men[FB-1] neu{er} in londe
After feirer Children fonde.
Þe Cristen woma{n} fedde hem þoo,
Ful wel she louyd hem boþ twoo. 4
So longe sche fedde hem in feere
þat þey were of elde of seuen ȝere.
Þe kyng behelde his sone dere,
And seyde to him on this manere, 8
Þat harme it were muche more
But his son{e} were sette to lore
On þe book~ letters to know,
As men don{e}, both hye and lowe. 12
“Feire sone,” she seide, “þ{o}u shalt lerne,
Lo þ{a}t þ{o}u do ful ȝerne.”
Florys answerd w{i}t{h} wepyng,
As he stood byfore þe kyng~; 16
Al wepyng~ seide he,

[Footnote FB-1: first ‘mey,’ then alterd]

[Sidenote: Floris says that he cannot learn unless Blauncheflur is with him.]

“Ne schal not Blancheflo{ur} lerne w{i}t{h} me?
Ne can y noȝt to scole goon{e}
W{i}t{h}-out Blanchefloure,” he seide þan{e}. 20
“Ne can y in no scole syng~ ne rede
W{i}t{h}-out Blancheflo{ur},” he seide.
Þe king~ seide to his soon{e},
“She shal lerne for þy loue.” 24

[Sidenote: The two are put to school together, and make good progress.]

To scole þey were put;
Boþ þey were good of~ wytte.
Wonder it was of~ hur lore,
And of~ her loue wel þe more. 28
Þe Children louyd to-geder soo,
Þey myȝt neu{er} p{ar}te a twoo.
When þey had .v. ȝere to scoole goon{e}
So wel þey had lerned þoo, 32
Inowȝ þey couþ of latyne,
And wel wryte on p{ar}chemyn{e}.
Þe kyng~ vnderstod þe grete Amoure
Bytwene his son{e} and Blanchefloure, 36
And þouȝt when þey were of Age
Þat her loue wolde noȝt swage;
Nor he myȝt noȝt her loue w{i}t{h}drawe
When Florys shuld~ wyfe after þe lawe. 40
[Sidenote: [98 _b_]]
Þe king~ to þe Queene seide þoo,
And tolde hur of~ his woo,
Off~ his þouȝt and of his care,
How it wolde of~ Floreys fare. 44

[Sidenote: The king begins to devise to separate the two, and proposes to put the maiden to death.]