Chapter VII: Part 7

“Dame,” he seide, “y tel þe my reed{e},
I wyl þat Blaunchefloure be do to deed{e}.
When þat maide is y-slawe,
And brouȝt of her lyf~ dawe, 48
As sone as Florys may it vnder ȝete,
Rathe he wylle hur forȝete.
Þan may he wyfe after reed{e}.”
Þe Queene answerde þen and seid{e}, 52
And þouȝt w{i}t{h} hur reed{e}
Saue þe mayde fro þe deed{e}.
“Sir,” she seide, “we auȝt to fond{e}
Þat Florens lyf~ wit menske in lond{e}, 56
And þat he lese not his hono{u}r
For þe mayden Blauncheflo{u}r.
Who so myȝt þat mayde clene,
Þat she were brouȝt to deþ bydene, 60
Hit were muche more hono{u}r
Þan slee þ{a}t mayde Blancheflo{u}r.”
Vnneþes þe king~ g[{r}a]unt þ{a}t it be soo.
“Dame, rede vs what is to doo.” 64

[Headnote: _Floris is sent to Mountargis to school._]

[Sidenote: The queen suggests that Floris be sent away.]

“Sir, we shul oure soon{e} Florys
Sende into þe londe of Mountargis.
Blythe wyl my suster be
Þat is lady of~ þat Contree. 68
And when she woot for whoom~
Þ{a}t we have sent him vs froom~,
She wyl doo al hur myȝt,
Boþ by day and by nyȝt, 72
To make hur loue so vndoo
As it had neu{er} ben soo.
And, s{ir},” she seide, “y rede eke
Þat þe maydens moder make hur seek~. 76
Þat may be þat other resoun~
For þat ylk~ enchesou{n},
Þat she may not fro hur moder goo.”
Now ben þese Children swyþ woo, 80
[Sidenote: [99 _a_]]
Now þey may not goo in fere
Drewryer þinges neu{er} noon{e} were.
Florys wept byfore þe kyng~,
And seide, “S{ir}, w{i}t{h}-out lesyng~, 84
For my harme out ȝe me sende,
Now she ne myȝt w{i}t{h} me wende.
Now we ne mot to-geder goo,
Al my wele is turned to woo.” 88
Þe king~ seide to his soon{e} aplyȝt,
“Sone, w{i}t{h}ynne þis fourtenyȝt,
Be her moder quykke or deed{e},”
“Sekerly,” he him seide, 92
“Þat mayde shal com{e} þe too.”

[Sidenote: Floris is sent to his aunt at Mountargis, with the promise that Blauncheflur shall follow within fourteen days.]

“Ȝe, s{ir},” he seid, “y p{ra}y ȝow it be soo.
Ȝif þat ȝe me hur sende,
I rekke neu{er} wheder y wende.” 96
Þat þe Child~ g{ra}unted þe kyng~ was fayn{e},
And him betauȝt his Chamburlayn{e}.
W{i}t{h} muche honoure þey þeder coom{e},
As fel to a ryche kynges soon{e}. 100
Wel feire him receyuyd þe Duke Orgas,
Þat king~ of þ{a}t Castel was,
And his Aunt wiþ muche hono{u}r;
But euer he þouȝt on Blanchefloure. 104
Glad and blythe þey ben him withe;
But for no ioy þ{a}t he seith,
Ne myȝt him glade game ne gle,
For he myȝt not his lyf~ see. 108
His Aunt set him to lore
Þere as other Children wore,
Boþ maydons and grom{e};
To lerne mony þeder coom{e}. 112
Inowȝ he sykes, but noȝt he lernes;
For Blauncheflo{ur} eu{er} he mornes.
Yf~ enyman to him speke
Loue is on his hert steke. 116
Loue is at his hert roote
Þ{a}t no þing~ is so soote:
Galyngale ne lycorys
[Sidenote: [99 _b_]]
Is not so soote as hur loue is, 120
Ne nothing~ ne non{e} other.
So much he þenkeþ on Blancheflo{ur},
Of~ oo day him þynkeþ þre,
For he ne may his loue see. 124

[Headnote: _The King proposes to put Blauncheflur to death._]

[Sidenote: He grieves until the fourteen days are past.]

Þus he abydeth w{i}t{h} muche woo
Tyl þe fourtenyȝt were goo.
When he saw she was nouȝt ycoom{e},
So muche sorow he haþ noom{e}, 128
Þ{a}t he loueth mete ne drynke,
Ne may noon{e} in his body synke.

[Sidenote: The chamberlain reports Floris’s sorrow to the king.]

Þe Chamberleyn{e} sent þe king~ to wete,
His sones state al y-wrete. 132

[Sidenote: The king is very angry, and again proposes to put Blauncheflur to death.]

Þe king~ ful sone þe waxe to-brake,
For to wete what it spake:
He begynneth to chaunge his mood{e},
And wel sone he vnderstode, 136
And w{i}t{h} wreth he cleped þe Queene,
And tolde hur alle his teene,
And w{i}t{h} wraþ spake and sayde,
“Let do bryng~ forþ þ{a}t mayde! 140
Fro þe body þe heued shal goo.”
Þenne was þe Quene ful woo.
Þan spake þe Quene, þ{a}t good lady,

[Sidenote: The queen proposes, instead, to sell the maiden.]

“For goddes love, s{ir}, mercy. 144
At þe next hauen þ{a}t here is,
Þ{er} ben chapmen ryche y-wys,
Marchaundes of~ babyloyn{e} ful ryche,
Þat wol hur bye blethelyche. 148
Than may ȝe for þ{a}t louely foode
Haue muche Catełł and goode.
And soo she may fro vs be brouȝt,
Soo þat we slee hur nouȝt.” 152
Vnneþes þe king~ g{ra}unted þis;
But forsoþ so it is,
Þe king~ let sende after þe burgeise,
Þ{a}t was hende and Curtayse, 156
And welle selle and bygge couth,
And moony langages had in his mouth.

[Sidenote: This is done, and for the maiden they receive among other things a magnificent cup with a romantic history.]

Wel sone þat mayde was him betauȝt;
An to þe hauen{e} was she brouȝt. 160
[Sidenote: [100 _a_]]
Þer haue þey for þ{a}t maide ȝolde
xx. Mark~ of reed golde,
And a Coupe good and ryche,
In al þe world~ was non{e} it lyche. 164
Þ{er} was neu{er} noon{e} so wel graue;
He þ{a}t it made was no knave.
Þ{er} was purtrayd on, y weene,
How P{ar}yse ledde awey þe Queene; 168
And on þe Cou{er}cle a-boue
Purtrayde was þ{er} both her love;
And in þe Pomel þ{er}on{e}
Stood a Charbuncle stoon{e}. 172
In þe world~ was not so depe soler,
Þat it nold~ lyȝt þe Botelere,
To fylle boþ ale and wyne,
Of syluer and g{o}ld{e} boþ good and fyne. 176
Enneas þe king~, þat nobel man,
At Troye in batayle he it wan,
And brouȝt it in-to Lumbardy,
And gaf~ it his le{m}man, his Amy. 180
Þe Coupe was stoole fro king~ Cesar;
A þeef~ out of his tresour hous it bar.
And sethe þ{a}t ilke same þeef~
For Blaunchefloure he it ȝeef~. 184
For he wyst to wynne suche þree,
Myȝt he hur bryng~ to his contree.
Now þese Marchaundes saylen ou{er} þe see,
W{i}t{h} þis mayde, to her contree. 188
So longe þey han vndernome,

[Headnote: _Blauncheflur is sold and carried to Babylon._]

[Sidenote: Blauncheflur is taken to Babylon and sold to the Admiral.]

Þ{a}t to Babyloyn{e} þey ben coom{e}.
To þe Amyral of~ Babyloyn{e}
Þey solde þat mayde swythe soon{e}; 192
Rath and soone þey were at oon{e}.
Þe Amyral hur bouȝt Anoon{e},
And gafe for hur, as she stood vpryȝt,
Seuyn{e} sythes of~ gold{e} her wyȝt, 196
For he þouȝt w{i}t{h}out~ weene
Þat faire mayde haue to Queene;
Among~ his maydons in his bo{ur}
He hur dide w{i}t{h} muche hono{ur}. 200

_MS. Cott. Vitell. D. III., 6 a, col. 1._

_The 3 leaves of this MS. are burnt and shrunk, and are hardly
legible._

. . . . . [FB-2]so dere (196)
. . . . wiþ þoute wene.
. . þat maide to his quene.
. his maidenes vp in is tur, 4
. hire wiþ muchel honur (200)

[Footnote FB-2: _MS. note._ See Introduction; also _Floris et
Blanch._, Paris 1856, p. 28, l. 673.]

Now þese merchaundes þ{a}t may belete,
[Sidenote: [100 _b_]]
And ben glad of~ hur byȝete.
++nOw let we of Blauncheflo{ur} be,
And speke of Florys in his contree. 204
Now is þe Bu[r]gays to þe king~ coom{e}
W{i}t{h} þe gold{e} and his garyson{e},
And haþ take þe king~ to wolde,
Þe seluer and þe Coupe of golde. 208

. . marchans þis maide forlete,
. . . bliþe mid here by-ȝete.
. . . . we blancheflur be. 8
. . floires in his cu{n}tre. (204)
. burgeys to þe king icome.
. . . gold {and} þisse garisome.
. . . þan king i ȝolde. 12
. . þo cupe of golde. (208)

[Sidenote: The king and queen cause to be made a supposititious tomb for Blauncheflur.]

They lete make in a Chirche
As swithe feire g{ra}ue wyrche.
And lete ley þ{er}-vppon{e}
A new feire peynted stone, 212
W{i}t{h} letters al aboute wryte
W{i}t{h} ful muche worshipp{e}.
Who-so couth þe letters rede,
Þus þey spoken, and þus þey seide: 216
“Here lyth swete Blaunchefloure
Þat Florys louyd P{ar}amoure.”
Now Florys haþ vndernome,

. . . let at one chiriche.
. . . . les wereche,
. . . [þ]at anouen . . 16
. . pointe stonde (212)
. . . . bi write.
. . . . . hele worþsipe
. . . þe lett{er}s rede. 20
. . . . . . . . . (216)
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . [h]aueþ vnder-nome 24

[Headnote: _Floris returns and inquires for Blauncheflur. ‘She is dead.’_]

[Sidenote: Floris returns, and asks his father and mother for Blauncheflur in vain.]

And to his Fader he is coome. 220
In his Fader halle he is lyȝt,
His Fader him grette anoon{e} ryȝt,
And his moder, þe Queene, also,
But vnneþes myȝt he þ{a}t doo, 224
Þat he ne asked where his Le{m}man bee;
Nonskyns answere chargeþ hee.
So longe he is forth noom{e},
In to Chamber he is coom{e}. 228

. . faderlonde he is icome (220)
. . . halle he is alyȝt
. . . . he grette anonryȝt
. . þe quene he grette also 28
. . . haueþ his greti{n}ge ido, (224)
. . . askeþ war þ{a}t maide beo
. . . were no{u} targeþ heo.
. . . res hit haueþ vnder nome 32
. . boure & a is icome (228)

[Sidenote: He then asks the girl’s mother.]

Þe maydenys moder he asked ryȝt,
“Where is Blauncheflo{ur}, my swete wyȝt?”
“Sir,” she seide, “forsothe ywys,
I ne woot where she is.” 232
She beþouȝt hur on þ{a}t lesyng~
Þat was ordeyned byfoore þe king~.
“Þ{o}u gabbest me,” he seyde þoo,
“Þy gabbyng~ doþ me muche woo. 236
Tel me where my leman be.”
Al wepyng~ seide þenne shee,

. . . to hire ano{n}riȝt
. [bl]ancheflur mi suete wiȝt
. . . . . . ful iwis 36
. . . . . war heo is (232)
[Sidenote: [_leaf 6, col. 2_]]
Þine gabbinge deþ me wo;
Tel me war my le{m}mon beo.
Al wepinge onsuerede heo, 40

[Sidenote: The mother at length tells Floris that Blauncheflur is dead.]

“Sir,” shee seide, “deed{e}.” “deed!” seide he.
“Sir,” sche seide, “for sothe, ȝee.” 240
“Allas, when died þ{a}t swete wyȝt?”
[Sidenote: [101 _a_]]
“Sir, w{i}t{h}ynne þis Fourtenyȝt
Þe erth was leide hur aboute,
And deed she was for thy loue.” 244

“Sire,” heo seyde, “ded.” “ded!” quad he.
“Sire,” heo seyde, “for soþe ȝe,
Alas, wenne deide my suete wyȝt?”
“Sire,” heo seyde, “wiþ inne þis seueniȝt 44
Þat vrþe hire was leyd aboue,
And ded heo is for þine loue.

[Sidenote: Floris swoons.]

Flores, þat was so feire and gent,
Sownyd þ{er}e verament.
Þe cristen woman began to crye
To ih{es}u crist and seynt Marye. 248
Þe king~ and þe queene herde þ{a}t crye;
In to þe Chamber þey ronne on hye.
And þe Queene herde her byforn{e}
On sowne þe Childe þat she had born{e}. 252

Floyres þat was so fayr {and} ge{n}t,
He fel iswoue vp on þe paueme{n}t. 48
And þe cristene wi{m}mon go{n} to crie
To crist {and} to sey{n}temarie.
Þe king & þe quene iherdde þ{a}t cri;
In to þe bure þo vrne hy. 52
And þe quene ate frome
By wepeþ hire dere sone.

Þe kinges hert was al in care,
Þat sawe his son{e} for loue so fare.
When he a-wooke and speke moȝt,
Sore he wept and sore he syȝt, 256
And seide to his moder ywys,
“Lede me þ{er}e þat mayde is.”

{And} þe kinges herte is ful of care
Þat he sikþ is sone vor loue so fare. 56
Anon he of swoninge awok {and} speke miste.
Sore he wep {and} sore he syȝte,
And on his moder he by siþt.
“Dame,” he sayde, “led me þar þ{a}t mayde lyþ.” 60

[Sidenote: His mother comes to him, and conducts him to the supposititious tomb.]

Þeder þey him brouȝt on hyȝe;
For care and sorow he wold{e} dyȝe. 260
As sone as he to þe graue com,
Sone þ{er}e behelde he þen,

Þider heo hine broute wel suþe,
Vor care a[n]d sorwe of hire deþe.
Ano{n} þ{a}t he to þe burles com,
Wel ȝerne he bi-hul þer-on, 64

[Headnote: _Floris reads the inscription on the monument, and swoons._]

[Sidenote: Floris reads the inscription, and then swoons three times.]

And þe letters began to rede,
Þat þus speke and þus seide: 264
“Here lytħ swete Blauncheflo{ur},
Þat Florys louyd p{ar}amoure.”
Þre sithes Florys sownydde nouth;
Ne speke he myȝt not w{i}t{h} mouth. 268
As sone as he awoke and speke myȝt,
Sore he wept and sore he syȝt~.

And letteres bigon to rede.
Þus spek {and} þus sede
Þat þar lay suete blancheflur.
[Þat] floyres louede par amur. 68
Þ . . . . swouneþ nouþe
[[empty line]]
And asone ase he speke myȝte.
Sore he wep {and} sore he syȝte,
And gon blancheflur bi mene 72
Wit teres riue ase a sc{ur} of r[e]ne.

[Sidenote: Floris weeps and sighs, and laments Blauncheflur’s death.]

“Blauncheflo{ur}!” he seide, “Blauncheflo{ur}!”
So swete a þing was neu{er} in boure. 272
Of Blauncheflo{ur} is þat y meene,
For she was com{e} of~ good kyn{e}.

“Blancheflur,” he seide, “blancheflur,
So sute þing nas ner in bur,
[Sidenote: [_leaf 6, back_]]
Vor þou were ibore of gode cu{n}ne, 76
Vor in worle nes nere non
Þine imake of no wimmon.
Inouȝ þou cuþest of clergie
And of alle curteysie. 80

Lytel and muche loueden þe
For þy goodnesse and þy beaute. 276
Ȝif deþ were dalt aryȝt,
We shuld be deed boþ on oo nyȝt.
On oo day born{e} we were;
We shul be ded boþ in feere.” 280

& muchel {and} litel hit louede þe
Vor þi fayr hede {and} þi bunte.
Ȝif þat deþ were ideld ariȝt,
We scholden habbe idiȝed boþe in ar niȝt. 84
Vor in one deye ibore we were;
Mid riȝte we scholden deie ifere.”

[Sidenote: He apostrophizes death.]

[Sidenote: [101 _b_]]
“Deeþ,” he seide, “ful of~ enuye,
And of alle trechorye,
Refte þ{o}u hast me my le{m}man.”
“For soth,” he seide, “þ{o}u art to blame. 284
She wolde haue leuyd, and þu noldest,
And fayn{e} wolde y dye, and þu woldest.

“Deþ,” he seyde, “vol of enuie,
{and} vol of alle tricherie, 88
Mid t{ra}isu{n} þ{o}u me hast mi lef binome.
To bi-t{ra}ie þat folk hit is þi wone;
Heo wolde libbe {and} þu noldest.
Þou nelt me slen {and} ihc wolde; 92

[_No gap in MS._]

Wiþ þere me wolde þat þou were.
Nul tu no wiȝt come þere,
{and} þer me wolde þ{a}t þou . . ne come,
Þer þou wolt come Ilome. 96
Þilke þ{a}t buste best to libbe,
Hem þou stikest under þe ribbe.
{and} ȝif þer is eni forliued wrecche,
Þat of is liue nouȝt ne recche, 100
Þat fawe wolde deie for sorewe & elde,
On hem neltou nouȝht bi helde.
No lengore ich nelle mi lef bileue,
I chulle be mid hyre ere eue. 104

After deeþ clepe nomore y nylle,
But slee my self~ now y wille.” 288

Nou after deþ clepie ich þe nulle,
Ac mi sulue aslen ich wille.”

[Headnote: _He tries to stab himself, but is prevented by his mother._]

[Sidenote: He attempts to stab himself with a knife, but is prevented by his mother.]

His knyf~ he braide out of his sheth;
Him self he wolde haue doo to deth.
And to hert he had it smeten{e}
Ne had his moder it vnder ȝeten{e}. 292
Þen þe Queene fel him vppon{e},
And þe knyf~ fro him noom{e}.
She reft~ him of~ his lytel knyf~,
And sauyd þere þe Childes lyf~. 296
Forþ þe Queene ranne, al wepyng~,
Tyl she com{e} to þe kyng~.

Ase a mo{n} þat draȝh him sulue to þe deþe,
His knif he draȝh out of his scheþe, 108
{and} to his herte hit wolde habbe ismite,
Nadde his moder hit vnder gete.
Ac þe quene his moder . . fel vpon,
& þis knif heo him binom. 112
Heo bi nom him his atel knif.
[Sidenote: [_leaf 6, back, col. 2_]]
Þat heo com bi . . . . . . .

[Headnote: _The queen discloses to Floris the deception._]

[Sidenote: The queen persuades the king to reveal the truth.]

Þan seide þe good lady,
“For goddes loue, s{ir}, mercy! 300
Of .xii. children haue we noon{e}
On lyue now but þis oon{e}.
And better it were she were his make,
Þan he were deed for hur sake.” 304

Þanne spac þe quene þe . .
{and} seyde to þe kinge, “sire, mercy, 116
Sire, of þis children nabbe we non,
Non aliue bote þis on,
{and} bote hit were þ{a}t hit wer . .
Þane eyþer deȝede vor oþer . . . 120

“Dame, þ{o}u seist soþ,” seide he;
“Sen it may noon{e} other be,
Leuer me were she were his wyf~,
Þan y lost my sonnes lyf~.” 308
Of~ þis word þe Quene was fayn{e},
And to her soon{e} she ran agayn{e}.

“Dame, þou seist soþ,” þo seyde he,
“Nu hit nele no{n} oþer bee.
Leuere me were þ{a}t heo were
Þane ihc for lore mine sone l[yf].” 124
Of þisse wordes þe quene w . .
To floyres, hire sone, . . .

[Sidenote: They tell him the facts, and together open the grave and find it empty.]

“Floryes, soon{e}, glad make the,
Þy lef þ{o}u schalt on lyue see. 312
Florys, son{e}, þrouȝ engynne
Of~ þy Faders reed and myne,
Þis graue let we make,
Leue son{e}, for þy sake. 316
Ȝif~ þ{o}u þ{a}t maide forgete woldest,
After oure reed wyf~ þ{o}u sholdest.”

“Floyres, sone, glad make þe .
For ut þou schalt þi lef . . 128
Leue sone . . . . . . .
. . . . fader rede {and} . .
. . . . . wo . . .
Leue sone so . . . . . . 132
Vor [_two lines illegible here_]
. . . . . vre rede . . .

Now eu{er}y word{e} she haþ him tolde,
How þ{a}t þey þ{a}t mayden solde. 320
[Sidenote: [102 _a_]]
“Is þis soth, my moder dere?”
“For soth,” she seide, “she is not here.”
Þe rowȝ stoon{e} adoun{e} þey leyde,
And sawe þ{a}t was not þe mayde. 324

. . . word {and} ende him .
Hou hei habbeþ þat mayde, 136
“{and} is þis soþ, mi moder dere?”
“Ȝe, for soþe,” heo nis not .
Þane stond hii panne . . . .
He isay þ{a}t þere nas . . . . 140

[Sidenote: Floris declares his resolve to find Blauncheflur.]

“Now, moder, y þink þ{a}t y leue may.
Ne shal y rest nyȝt ne day,
Nyȝt ne day ne no stound{e},
Tyl y haue my le{m}mon found{e}. 328

Nu me þencheþ . . . . .
. . . ne schal ihc . . . .
Niȝt ne da . . . . . .
. . . ich . . . . . . 144

[_Some folios lost here. Continued at bottom of page 84._]

Hur to seken y wołł wend{e},
Þauȝ it were to þe worldes ende.”
To þe king~ he goþ to take his leue,
And his Fader bade him byleue. 332
“Sir, y wyl let for no wynne;
Me to bydden it it were grete synne.”
Þan seid þe king~, “seth it is soo,
Seþ þ{o}u wylt noon{e} other doo, 336
Al þat þe nedeþ we shul þe fynde;
Ih{es}u þe of~ care vnbynde.”

[Headnote: _Floris equips a company with which to search for Blauncheflur._]

[Sidenote: He describes to the king the retinue that he would like.]

“Leue Fader,” he seide, “y telle þe
Al þ{a}t þ{o}u shalt fynde me. 340
Þ{o}u mast me fynde, at my deuyse,
Seuen horses al of~ prys,
And twoo y-charged vppon~ þe molde
Boþ w{i}t{h} seluer and wyþ golde, 344
And two ycharged w{i}t{h} monay
For to spenden by þe way,
And þree w{i}t{h} clothes ryche,
Þe best of~ al þe kyngryche, 348
Seuen horses and seuyn~ men,
And þre knaues w{i}t{h}out hem,
And þyn{e} own{e} Chamburlayn{e},
Þat is a wel nobel swayn{e}. 352
He can vs wyssħ and reede,
As marchaundes we shułł vs lede.”
His Fader was an hynde king~,

[Sidenote: The king gives him also the marvellous cup, and an elegantly caparisoned ‘palfray.’]

Þe Coupe of golde he dide him bryng~, 356
Þat ilke self~ Coupe of golde
Þat was Blauncheflo{ur} for ȝolde.
“Haue þis, soon{e},” seide þe king~,
“Herew{i}t{h} þ{o}u may þ{a}t swete þing~, 360
[Sidenote: [102 _b_]]
“Wynne so may betyde,
Blauncheflo{ur} w{i}t{h} þe white syde,
Blauncheflo{ur}, þ{a}t faire may.”
Þe king let sadel a Palfray, 364
Þe oon{e} half so white so mylke,
And þat other reed so sylk~.
I ne can telle nouȝt
How rychely þat sadel was wrouȝt. 368
Þe Arson~ was of gold{e} fyn{e},
Stones of v{er}tu stode þ{er}yne,
Bygon{e} aboute wit orfreys.

[Sidenote: The queen gives him a magic ring.]

Þe Queene was kynde and curtays, 372
Cast hur toward þe kyng~
And of~ hur fynger she brayde a ryng~:

_Cambridge MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2._

Heo tok forþ a wel fair þing,
Of hire finger a riche Ryng.

“Haue now þis ylke ryng~:
While is it þyn{e}, douȝt no þyng~ 376
Of~ fire brennyng~ ne water in þe See;
Ne yren~ ne steele shal dere thee.”

“Mi sone,” heo sede, “haue þis ring.
“Whil he is þin, ne dute noþing, 4
Þ{a}t fur þe bre{n}ne ne adrenche se,
Ne ire ne steil ne mai þe sle.
And to þi wil þu schalt habbe g{ra}ce,
Late {and} rathe in eche place.” 8

[Headnote: _Floris and his company arrive at the haven._]

[Sidenote: Floris takes leave and comes to the haven, and lodges at the same house where Blauncheflur had been.]

He took~ his leue for to goo;
Þ{er} was ful muche woo; 380
[_No gap in MS._]
Þey made him noon~ other chere
Þan her soon~ were leide in bere.

++Floris nimeþ nu his leue;
No long{er} nolde he bileue.
He custe he{m} wiþ softe muþe;
Al wepinge hi dep{ar}teþ nuþe. 12
Ne makede his Moder no{n} oþ{er} chere,
Bute also he were ileid on bere.
For him ne wende hi neu{er}e mo
Eft to sen; ne dude hi no. 16

Furþ he went w{i}t{h} al his mayn~;
W{i}t{h} him went þe Chamberlayn~. 384
So haue þey her hauyn~ nome
Þat þey ben to þe hauyn~ come
Þere Blaunchefloure was alnyȝt,
Wel rychely þey ben dyȝt; 388

Forþ he wende wiþ al his mein,
And wiþ hi{m} his fader chau{m}berlein.
Fort to þe hauene hi beoþ icume,
And þ{er} habbeþ here in inome. 20
At þe selue huse hi buþ aliȝt
Þ{a}t blau{n}cheflur was þ{a}t oþ{er} niȝt.
Riche sop{er} þer was idiȝt,

[Sidenote: They find there good entertainment.]

Þe lord of~ þe ynne was welle hende;
Þe Child~ he sette next þe ende,
In al þe feirest seete

And m{ur}ie hi verde{n} þ{er} aniȝt. 24
Floriz ne let for ne feo
To finden al þ{a}t neod beo,

[Sidenote: All make good cheer except Floris, who thinks ever on Blauncheflur.]

Alle þey dronken and al þey ȝete: 392
[_No gap in MS._]
Ete ne drynke myȝt he nouȝt;
On blauncheflour was al his þouȝt.

Of fless, of fiss, of tendre bred,
Of whit win, {and} eke red. 28
Glad {and} bliþe hi weren alle
Þ{a}t were{n} wiþ he{m} in þe halle,
And pleide {and} gamenede ehc wiþ oþ{er}.
Ac floriȝ þe{n}cheþ al on oþ{er}, 32
For he net ne dronk riȝt noȝt.
On blau{n}cheflur was al his þoȝt.

[Headnote: _Floris mourns. He hears of Blauncheflur, and is glad._]

[Sidenote: The hostess observes his ‘mourning,’ and tells him that she is reminded of the mourning of Blauncheflur.]

Þe lady of þat vnderȝat
Þ{at} þe Childe mornyng~ sat, 396
And seide to her lord w{i}t{h} styl dreme,
“Sir, nym{e} now good{e} ȝeme
How þe Child~ mo{ur}nyng syttes:
Mete and drynke he forȝetes: 400
[Sidenote: [103 _a_]]
Lytel he eteþ, and lasse he drynkeþ;
He is a marchaund, as me þynkeþ.”

Þe lefdi of þer inne vnderȝat
Þ{a}t he m{ur}ni{n}ge sat. 36
To hire lou{e}rd heo sede wiþ stille dreme,
“Sire, nimestu no ȝeme
Hu þis child m{ur}ni{n}ge sit?
Mete ne drinke he nabit. 40
He net mete ne he ne drinkeþ;
Nis he no marchau{n}t, ase me þinkeþ.”

To Flores þen seide she,
“Al ful of~ mo{ur}nyng~ y the see. 404
Þ{er} sate þ{er} þis sender day,
Blauncheflo{ur}, þ{a}t swete may.
Heder was þ{a}t mayde brouȝt
W{i}t{h} Marchaundes þ{a}t hur had bouȝt; 408
Heder þey brouȝt þ{a}t mayde swete;
Þey wold haue solde hur for byȝete;
To Babyloyn{e} þey wyll{e} hur bryng{e},
Boþ of semblant & of~ mornyng{e}.” 412

“Floriz,” heo sede, “what mai þe beo,
Þus m{ur}ninge as ich þe seo? 44
Þus her inne þis oþ{er} day
Sat blau{n}cheflur, þ{a}t faire may.”
Ord {and} ende he haþ him told,
Hu blau{n}cheflur was þari{n}ne isold. 48
[_No gap in MS._]
“Þu art hire ilich of alle þinge,
Boþe of semblau{n}t {and} of m{ur}ni{n}ge,
Of fairnesse {and} of muchelhede,
Bute þu ert a man {and} heo a maide.” 52

[Sidenote: Floris rejoices at the mention of the name. He gives the hostess a silver cup, etc., and inquires further about Blauncheflur.]

When Florys herd speke of~ his le{m}man,
Was he neuer so glad a man,
And in his hert bygan to lyȝt;
Þe Coupe he let fulle anoon~ ryȝt: 416

Þo floriz iherde his le{m}ma{n} ne{m}pne,
So blisful him þuȝte þilke steuene,
He let fulle a cupe of win.

“Dame,” he seide, “þe fessel is þyn{e},
Boþ þe Coupe and þe wyn{e},
Þe wyn{e} and þe gold eke,
For þ{o}u of my leman speke: 420
On hur y þouȝt, for hur y syȝt;
I ne wyst where I hur fynde myȝt;
Wynde ne weder shal me assoyn{e},
Þat y ne shal seche hur in Babyloyn{e}.” 424

“Dame,” he sede, “þis hail is þin, 56
Þ{a}t win {and} þ{a}t gold eke,
For þu of mi le{m}ma{n} speke.
For hire iþoȝte, for hire isiȝte,
For inot wher hire seche miȝte. 60
Hire to seche ihc wille i wende,
Þeȝ heo beo at þe wordles ende.”

Now Florys resteþ him al a nyȝt.

Floriz geȝ to his rest;
On blau{n}cheflur he þoȝte mest. 64
Ac rest ne miȝte he nabbe none,
Fort þe dide slep hi{m} nome.

[Sidenote: Floris sets sail once more.]

At morn{e}, when it was day lyȝt,
He dide him in-to þe wylde flood~.
Wynde and weder w{i}t{h} him stood; 428
Sone so Florys com{e} to londe,
Þ{er}e he þanked goddes sonde

A moreȝe so sone so hit was day
He tok his leue {and} we{n}te his way, 68
And dude him i{n}to þe salte flod;
He hadde wind {and} weder ful god.
Þe Marin{er} he ȝaf largeliche,
Þ{a}t broȝte hi{m} ou{er} bluþeliche. 72

[Headnote: _Floris reaches the land where his Leman is._]

[Sidenote: He arrives in the country where his leman is.]

To þe londe þ{er} his lyf~ ynne is:
Him þouȝt he was in paradyse. 432

Þ{er} hi wolde{n} he{m} self alonde,
For hi fu{n}de{n} he{m} so hende,
To þe lond þ{er} his le{m}ma{n} is;
Hi{m} þuȝte he was i{n} p{ar}ais. 76

Sone to Florys tydyng men tolde
Þ{a}t þe Amyral wold~ Fest holde;
His Erls, Barons, comyn~ sholde,
And al þ{a}t wold~ of him lond holde, 436
For to herkyn~ his hest
And for to honoure his Feest.

Ano{n} me hi{m} tiþi{n}ge tolde
Þ{a}t þe admiral wolde feste h[olde].
Erles, baruns þ{er} come sch[olde],
And þat wolden of hi{m} h[olde]. 80

Glad was Florys of þ{a}t tydyng~;
He hoped to com{e} to þ{a}t gestyng~, 440
Ȝif~ he myȝt, in þ{a}t halle,
His le{m}man see among hem alle.

Bliþe was floriz of þe tiþinge;
He hopede come to þ{a}t gesni{n}ge.
Wel he hopede among he{m} alle
His le{m}ma{n} sen in þe halle. 84

[Sidenote: [103 _b_]]
++nOW to þ{a}t Citee Florys is com{e};
Feire he hath his ynne y-noom{e} 444
At a palaise; was non{e} it lyche;
Þe lord of þ{a}t ynne was fulle ryche;
He hadde ben ferre and wyde.

To a riche Cite hi buþ icume;
Vaire hi habbeþ here i{n} inome,
At one paleis suþe riche;
Þe lord of þ{er} i{n}ne nas no{n} his liche. 88
Him feol gold inoȝ to honde,
Boþe in water {and} in londe.

[Sidenote: At the inn there is good cheer, and Floris enters into conversation with the host.]

Þe Childe he set next his syde, 448
In al þe feirest seete.
Alle þey dronken and ete,
Al þat þ{er}ynne were,
Al þey made good chere, 452
Þey ete and dronke echoon~ w{i}t{h} other;
But Florys þouȝt al another,
Ete ne drynke he myȝt noȝt,
On Blauncheflo{ur} was al his þouȝt. 456

He hadde ilad his lif ful wide;
Þis child he sette next his side. 92
Glad {and} bliþe hi weren alle,
So fele so were in þe halle.
[_No gap in MS._]
Ac floriz net ne dronk noȝt;
Of blau{n}cheflur was al his þoȝt. 96

Þan spake þe Burgays
Þat was hende and Curtays:
“Ow, child~, me þynkeþ welle
Þ{a}t muche þ{o}u þynkest on my catell{e}.” 460
“Nay, s{ir}, on Catel þenke y nouȝt,”
(On Blauncheflo{ur} was al his þouȝt,)
“But y þynke on al wyse
For to fynde my marchaundise; 464
And ȝit it is þe most woo,
When y it fynd, y shal it forgoo.”

Þe lord of þ{er}inne vnderȝat
Þ{a}t þis child m{ur}ninge sat.
“Floriz,” he sede, “what mai þe beo,
Þus m{ur}ni{n}ge þ{a}t ihc þe seo? 100

Þan spak~ þe lord of~ þ{a}t ynne,
“Þis sender day, þ{er} sate hereyn{e} 468
Þat faire Maide Blauncheflo{ur},
boþ in halle and in boure.
Eu{er} she made mornyng chere,
And bement Florys, her lyf~ fere; 472
Ioye ne blis made she noon~,
But for Florys she made her moon~.”

[Þ]us heri{n}ne þis oþ{er} day
[S]at blau{n}cheflur þ{a}t faire may.
[I]n halle ne in bur ne at bord,
[O]f hire ne herde we neure a word. 104
[B]ute of floriz was hire mone;
[Heo] nadde in herte ioie none.”

Florys toke a Coupe of~ syluer clere,
A mantyl of~ Scarlet w{i}t{h} menyuere: 476
“Houe þis, s{ir}, to þyn~ hono{ur};
Þ{o}u may þonke it Blauncheflo{ur}.
He myȝt make myn~ hert glade,
Þ{a}t couþ me tel wheder she is ladde.” 480

[Whanne] herde he ne{m}pnen his le{m}man,
[Bliþe] he was iwis for þan. 108
[He lat] bringe a cupe of seluer
[And eke] a pane of menuuer.
[Þanne] he sede, “haue þis to þin honur,
[So þ]u speke of blau{n}cheflur. 112
[Þu mi]ȝtest make min heorte ful glad;
[Þu tel]le me wuder heo were ilad.”
[Þanne] sede þe burgeis,
[Þat was] wel hende {and} c{ur}tais, 116

[Headnote: _The innkeeper tells Floris how the Admiral bought Blauncheflur._]

[Sidenote: The host tells him that Blauncheflur has been sold to the Admiral at Babylon.]

“Child~, to Babyloyne she is brouȝt;
Þe Amyral hur haþ bouȝt:
[Sidenote: [104 _a_]]
He gaf~ for hur, as she stood vpryȝt,
Seuen sithes of~ gold hur wyȝt; 484
For he þenkeþ w{i}t{h}-out weene,
Þat faire may haue to Queene.
Among~ his maydons in his toure
He hur dide, w{i}t{h} much honoure.” 488

[“To Babi]lloigne he was ibroȝt;
[Þe adm]iral hire haȝ iboȝt.”

Now Flores resteþ him þ{er}e al nyȝt,
Tyl on þe morrow þe day was lyȝt;
He roos on þe morownyng~,
He gaf~ his Ost an hundryd shelyng~, 492
To his ost and to his Ostesse,
And toke his leue, and feire dide kysse;

[Floriz go]þ to his rest;
[On Blaunch]eflur he þoȝte mest. 120
Ac reste ne miȝte he habbe none;
Fort þe dide slep him nome.
Amoreȝe so sone so hit was day,
He nem his liue, {and} we{n}de his way. 124

[Sidenote: Floris gives the host a hundred shillings, and asks his assistance.]

And ȝerne his ost he besouȝt,
Þat he him help, ȝif he myȝt ouȝt, 496
Ȝif~ he myȝt~, w{i}t{h} any gynne,
Þat feire may to him wynne.

And for his niȝtes gestinge
He ȝaf his oste an hundred schillinge.
[_No gap in MS._]
And ȝerne he haþ his oste bisoȝt
Þ{a}t he him helpe wiþ al his þoȝt, 128
In Babilloine, oþ{er} wher a beo,
Þ{a}t he miȝte hire iseo,
Hu he miȝte mid sume ginne,
His le{m}man blau{n}cheflur awinne. 132
Þa{n}ne sede þe burgeis,
Þ{a}t was hende {and} curtais,

_MS. Cott. Vitell. D. III._

[Sidenote: [_leaf 7_]]
. . . . . . . by souht
. . . . . mid al his mauht
. . frend in babiloyne hadde
. . wisede {and} wel radde
. . . he mihte mid eni ginne
. . . blancheflour iwinne

[Headnote: _The innkeeper gives Floris instructions._]

“Childe,” he seide, “to a brygge þ{o}u shalt com{e},
The Senpere fynde at hoom{e}: 500
He woneth at þe brygges ende;
Curtays man he is, and hende;
We arn~ bretheren, and trouthes plyȝt:
He can þe wyssh and rede a-ryȝt; 504

At babilloine atte frume,
To one brigge þu schalt cume. 136
Whane þu comest to þe ȝate,
Þe port{er} þu schalt find þarate.
Wel hende man {and} fair he is;
He is icluped sire daris. 140
Mi felaȝe he is þureȝ truþe ipliȝt,
And he kan rede þe ariȝt.

. . one longe brugge þou schalt come
. . . ngere finde þer ate frome.
. . . c is ate brugge ende
. . . mon he is {and} hende
. . . breþeren {and} treweþe ipliht
. . . wisi {and} reden wel riht.

[Sidenote: The innkeeper sends him with a ring of introduction to the bridge porter at Babylon.]

Þ{o}u shalt bere him a rynge
Fro my-self~ to tokenynge,
Þat he help þe in boure and halle
As it were my self~ befalle.” 508
[_No gap in MS._]
Florys takeþ þe ryng~, and nemeþ leue,
For long~ wold~ he nouȝt beleue.

Haue {and} ber him þis ring,
On mine halue to tokning, 144
Þ{a}t he þe helpe in alle halue,
Ase he wolde me selue.”
Floriz herof was wel bliþe,
And þonkede his oste wel suiþe. 148
Feire of him he nimeþ leue;
No lengur nolde he bileue.

. . . bere him neseno[FB-3] ring
. . . . . . to toking
. . . . . elpe on eche halue
. . . . . {and} takeþ is leue
. . . . . . þer by sene

[Footnote FB-3: ?]

[Sidenote: Floris takes leave, and by midday reaches the bridge and finds the porter.]

By þ{a}t it was vndern~ hyȝe,
Þe Brygge com{e} he swyth nye. 512
Þe Senperes name was Darys.
Florys gret him wel feire ywys,
And he him þe ryng~ arauȝt,
And ful feire it him betauȝt. 516

Biþ{a}t hit was middai hiȝ,
Floriz was þe brigge niȝ. 152
Þe he com to þe gate
Þe port{er} he fond anon þ{er}ate,
Sittinde one a marbelston,
Suþe fair {and} hende mon, 156
And so him sede child floriz,
“Rest þe m{ur}ie, sire daris,”

. . . . . . ondarne heyȝ
. . . . . [bru]gge suiþe neyȝ
. . . . . þane brugge icome
. . . . . bruggere ate frome
. . . . . . . a Marbreston
. . . . . mon he was on
. . . . . was of Muchel p{ri}s
. . . . . . him sulf iwis
. . . . . ys was i hote doyre
. . . . . s him grette wel fayre
. . . . . him þane ri{n}g arauht
. . . [d] ayre hine him bi tauht

[Headnote: _Floris presents his ring of introduction to Daris._]

[Sidenote: Floris presents the ring, and is hospitably received.]

Þrouȝ þe token of þ{a}t ilk~ ryng~
Florys had ful faire gestnyng~
Off~ Fyssħ and flessh and tender breed~,
Of~ wyn~, both white and reed~: 520

And tok him to tokne þis ring;
And þ{er}fore he hauede wel fair gestni{n}g. 160
Glade {and} bliþe hi weren alle,
So fele so weren in þe halle,

. . . . þe tockne of þe ringe
. hadde þ{er} aniht wel gode gistinge
. . . . b of fles of tendre bred
. . . . t win {and} eke of red

[Sidenote: Floris sits mourning.]

And eu{er} Florys sate ful colde,
And Dares bygan þe Childe beholde:

Ac floriz net ne dronk noȝt;
On blau{n}cheflur was al his þoȝt 164
Sire daris vnderȝet
Þ{a}t floriz m{ur}ni{n}ge set.

. . . . re floyres sike {and} colde
. . . . gon þ{a}t chil by holde

[Sidenote: Daris asks if he is not pleased with his entertainment.]

[Sidenote: [104 _b_]]
“Leue Child, what may þis be,
Þus þouȝtful as y the see? 524
And þ{o}u nouȝt al in feere,
Þat þ{o}u makist þus sory chere,
Or þ{o}u lykkest noȝt þis yn~?”

“Floriz,” he sede, “what mai þe beo,
So þoȝtful ase ihc þe seo? 168
Me þincheþ bi þine chire,
Þu nert noȝt glad of þi sop{er}e,
Oþ{er} þe ne likeþ noȝt þis in.”

. . . . wat may þe be
. . . . . þe i see
. . . . . . . uoice al fere
. . . . . . . . ele chere.
[Sidenote: [_leaf 7, col. 2_]]
. . . . . . . . þin in.”

Þan Floreys answered him~: 528
“Ȝis, s{ir}, by goddes ore,
So good ne had y mony day ȝore:
God let me abyde þat daye
Þat y þe quyte wel may: 532

Þo floriz ansuerede him: 172
“Sire,” he sede, “bi godes ore,
So god in nauede ihc wel ȝore,
Vre lou{er}d me lete ibide þe day
Þ{a}t ihc hit þe ȝulde may. 176

Bot floyres onswerede him,
“Nay, sire, bi godes ore,
So god nadde [I] wel ȝore.
God lete me abide þane day
Þ{a}t ich hit þe ȝelde May.

[Sidenote: Floris tells him, in veiled words, his real trouble.]

But y þenke on al wyse
Most vppon~ my marchaundyse;
[_No gap in MS._]
And ȝit it is most woo,
When y hit Fynde, y shal it forgoo.” 536

Ihc þenche, sire, on fele wise
Nu vpon mi marchau{n}dise,
Last ine finde noȝt atte frume
Þ{a}t þing for whi ihc am hider icume. 180
And þeȝ ihc hit finde hit is mi wo
Lest ihc schulle hit forgo.”

Ac ich þenche on alle wise
Vppon mine Marchaundise
Ware vore ich am hider icome,
Lest ich ne feynde hit ate frome,
{and} þ{a}t is ȝet mi meste wo,
Ȝif ich hit finde {and} hit forgo.

[Sidenote: Daris bids him speak plainly, and Floris speaks out.]

[_No gap in MS._]
“Childe, woldest þ{o}u telle me my gryf~,
To hele þe, me were ful lyf~.”

Þo sede daris, þe freo burgeis,
Þ{a}t was wel hende {and} curteis, 184
“Fain ihc wolde þe rede {and} lere,
Þ{a}t þu muche þe bet{er}e were,
Ȝef þu toldest me þi gref,
To rede þe me were lef.” 188

Child, woldest þou telle me of þi gref
To helpe þe me were lef.

[Headnote: _Floris tells his story to Daris._]

Eu{er}y word he haþ him tolde,
How þe mayde was fro him solde, 540
And how he was of~ Spayn~ a kynges son{e},
For grete loue þider y-com{e},
To fonde, w{i}t{h} quantyse and w{i}t{h} gyn~,
Blauncheflo{ur} for to wynne. 544

Þo floriz bigan his consail schewe,
{And} to daris beon iknewe.
Ord {and} ende he haþ him told,
Hu blau{n}cheflur was isold, 192
And hu he was a kinges sune,
For hire luue þider icume,
To fonde þureȝ sume cu{n}nes ginne
His le{m}ma{n} blau{n}cheflur biwinne. 196

And now floyres hi{m} haueþ itold
Hou þ{a}t mayd from him wa sold,
{and} hou he was of spayne one kinges sone,
Vor hire loue þider icome.

[Headnote: _Daris begins to tell of the Admiral and the city._]

[Sidenote: Daris takes him to be a fool, and proceeds to tell the strength of the Admiral and the size of the city.]

“Now,” seith Dares, “þ{o}u art a Folt,”--
And For a Foole þe Childe he halt,--
“Now y woot how it gooth,
Þ{o}u desirest þyn~ own~ death. 548
Þe Amyral haþ to his Iustinges
Oþ{er} half~ hundred of ryche kinges;
And þe Alder-rychest king~
Durst not begynne suche a þing~. 552

Daris þa{n}ne floriz bihalt,
{And} for more þane fol him halt.
“Floriz,” he sede, “iseo hu hit geþ;
Þu ert abute þinoȝe deþ. 200
Þe Admiral haueþ to his gestninge
Oþ{er} half hu{n}dred of riche kinges.
Ne þ{er} nis no{n} so riche king
Þ{a}t dorste ent{er}met{en} of eni such þing, 204
Þilke maide to awinne,
Noþ{er} wiþ strengþe ne wiþ ginne,

Nou doyres þ{a}t chil[d] by halt,
{and} for a fol he hine halt.
“Child, nou ich wot al hou hit geþ;
Iwis þou welnest þin owene deþ.
Þe amirel haueþ to his iustninge
Oþ{er} half hondert of riche kinge,
Þe alre richeste kinge
Ne dorste bi ginne swch a þing.

Ȝif~ Amyral myȝt it vnderstond{e},
He shulde be drawe in his owne londe,
A-bout Babyloyne, y wene,
Six longe myle and tene; 556
At eu{er}y myle is a walle þ{er}ate,
Seuen sithes twenty ȝate;
And .xx. toures þ{er} ben ynne,
Þ{a}t eu{er}y day chepyng is ynne; 560

And þe Admiral hit miȝte iwite,
Þ{a}t he n{er}e of his lif aquite. 208
And Babilloine, ihc vnderstonde,
Dureþ abute furte{n}niȝt gonde.
Abute þe walle þ{er} buþ ate,
Seuesiþe tuenti ȝates. 212
And ine þe bureȝ amidde riȝt
Beoþ twe tures ipiȝt.

And mihste þe amirayl hit vnder ȝete,
Sone of his liue he were quite.
Aboute babiloyne beþ to ȝonge wiþoute wene,
Sixti longe Mile {and} tene,
{and} ate walle þer beþ ate,
Seuesiþe tuenti ȝate.
And tueye toures þer beþ inne,
Þ{a}t þe chepinge is eche day inne.

Eu{er}y day and nyȝt þrouȝ-out þe ȝere
Þe Chepyng~ is y-lyche plenere;
[Sidenote: [105 _a_]]
And þauȝ al þe men þ{a}t ben bore,
Had on hur lyf~ swore 564
To wynne þat maide feire and free,
Al shul þey die, so moot y the.

Eche day in al þe ȝere
Þe feire is þ{er} iliche plenere. 216
Seue hu{n}dred tures {and} two
Beoþ in þe burȝ, biþute mo.

Nis þer day þoruh out þan ȝer,
Þat þe chepinge is iliche plener.
Seue hundred tures, wit oute{n} þan tuo,
Þ[er] beþ in þan boruh {and} somdel mo.
Þe alre febleste tour
Nolde nouht duti þe amp{er}ur.

[Headnote: _Description of the maidens’ ‘tower.’_]

[Sidenote: Daris tells of the ‘towers,’ the spring, the wonderful carbuncle,]

In þ{a}t bo{ur}, in mydward pyȝt,
Stondeþ a toure, y the plyȝt, 568
An hundryd fathum~ it is hye,--
Who-soo beholdeþ hit, fer or nere,
An hundred fathum it is y-fere;--
It is made w{i}t{h}-out[en] pere, 572

And ine þe burȝ amidde riȝt,
Beoþ twe t{ur}es ipiȝt, 220

Vor to come þer wiþ inne,
No þ{er} wid stregþe ne wid ginne.
[Sidenote: [_leaf 7, back_]]
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . aȝen woo
. schal to iwinne þat Mayd al so sone
. . . . . þe so{n}ne {and} mone.
. . . þe bor . . mid rift
. . . . . . . . aplyft
. . hondred teyse þe to{ur} is heie
. . . . by halt fur {and} nei.
{and} an hundret teyse hit is wid,
{and} imaked wiþ muchel pruid.

Of lyme and of Marbulston{e};
In al þis world~ is suche noon{e}.
Now is þe morter made so wele,
Ne may it breke, iren ne steele. 576
Þe Pomel þat aboue is leide,
It is made w{i}t{h} muche p{r}ide;

Of lym {and} of marbelston;
In þe world nis swich t{ur} non.
In þe tur þ{er} is a welle,
Suþe cler hit is wiþ alle. 224
He vrneþ in o pipe of bras,
Whider so hit ned was.
Fra{m} flore in to flore
Þe strimes vrneþ store, 228
Fram bure in to halle
Þe st{ri}mes of þis welle.
In þe tur is o kernel
Of seluer {and} of crestel. 232
On þe tur anouenon
Is a charbugleston
Þ{a}t ȝiueþ leme day {and} niȝt,
Ne bi hit neure so derk niȝt. 236

Of lym {and} of marbel ston;
In cristiante nis swich non.
Þ{a}t morter is i maked se wel,
Ne May hit breke ire ne stel.
And þe pomel about þe lede
Is i wrouht mit so . . . . .

Þ{a}t man ne þar in þe Tour bern{e}
Nouther torcher[FB-4] ne lantern{e}; 580
Suche a pomel was þ{er} bygo{n}e,
Hit shyned a nyȝt so doþ þe soone.

[Footnote FB-4: MS. torther]

In þe bureȝ ne darf me berne
Lampe ne torche ne lant{er}ne,
Þ{a}t he ne ȝiueþ liȝt {and} leme
As doþ a day þe su{n}ne beme. 240

Ne þarf me aniht . . . . .
Nouþer torche . . . . . .
. . . . . a pomel . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .

[Headnote: _How the maidens are guarded._]

[Sidenote: the porter on guard,]

[_No gap in MS._]

Þ{e} port{er} is prud wiþalle;
Eche day he goþ on þe walle.
And ef þ{er} comeþ eniman
Biþi{n}ne þilke barbecan, 244
Bute he him ȝeue leue,
He wule him boþe bete {and} reue.
Þe port{er} is culuart {and} felun;
He wule him sette areisun. 248

[Sidenote: and the forty-four maidens kept in the ‘high tower.’]

Now arn~ in þat ilk~ Tour
Twoo and fourty nobełł boure; 584
Wel were þat ilke man
Þ{a}t myȝt woon{e} in þ{a}t oon~!
Ne durst him neu{er} more ywys
Couete after more blysse. 588

“Þer buþ in þe hiȝe tur
Forti Maidenes {and} four.
Wel were þ{a}t ilke mon
Þ{a}t miȝte winne wiþ þ{a}t on. 252
Ne þorte he neure ful iwis
Wilne more of p{ar}adis.

. . . . . beþ in þan . .
Foure {and} fourti . . . . .
[Þ]at wel were þ{a}t ilke . . .
. . Mihte wonie . . . . .
[_About twenty lines illegible here._]

Naw arn~ þer Seriauntes in þ{a}t stage
Þ{a}t s{er}uen þe maydons of hyȝe p{ar}age;
But no s{er}ieaunt may s{er}ue þ{er}ynne
Þ{a}t bereþ in his breche þat gynne 592
To s{er}ue hem day and nyȝt,
But he be as a Capou{n} dyȝt.
At þe gate is a ȝateward~;
He is not a Coward~; 596
He is wonder proude w{i}t{h} alle;
Eu{er}y day he goþ in ryche palle.

Þ{er} buþ seriau{n}s in þe stage
Þ{a}t s{er}ueþ þe maidenes of p{ar}age. 256
Ac ne mot þ{er} no{n} ben inne
Þ{a}t one þe breche bereþ þe ginne,
Noþ{er} bi daie ne biniȝt,
Bute he also capun beo idiȝt. 260

[Sidenote: The Admiral takes a new wife each year.]

And þe Amyral haþ a wonder woon~,
Þ{a}t he þ{a}t is com{e} of cristendom{e}, 600
Euery ȝere to haue a new wyf~,
Þen he loueþ his Queene as his lyf~.

And þe Admiral is such a gume,
In al þe world nis such a sune.
Ne bu his wife neure so schene,
Bute o ȝer ne schal heo beon his q{ue}ne. 264
Þeȝ heo luue him ase hire lif,
Þ{a}t he nele habbe anoþ{er} wif.
And, floriz, imai þe telle fore,
Heo schal beon his quene icore. 268

Neuer . . [_leaf 7, back, col. 2_]
To chesen hire . . . . . .
Þeyȝ he louede is quene . . .

[Headnote: _Description of the wonderful orchard._]

[Sidenote: The maidens are brought down into a beautiful orchard in which is a marvellous spring and a wonderful tree.]

[Sidenote: [105 _b_]]
Then shul men bryng{e} doun~ of þe Toure
Al þe Maidens of grete honour, 604
And bryng{e} hem into an Orchard~,
Þe feirest of al mydlerd~:
Þeryn is mony fowles song~;
Men myȝt leue þ{er}yn ful long~: 608
About þe Orchard is a walle,--
Þe fowlest stone is Cristall{e},--

Alle þe maidenes of p{ar}age
Me schal bringe adu{n} of þe stage,
And leden he{m} in to on orchard,
Þe faireste of al þe Middellerd. 272
Abute þe orchard is a wal;
Þe eþelikeste ston is cristal.
Ho so wonede a moneþ in þ{a}t spray,
Nolde him neure longe{n} away. 276
So m{er}ie is þ{er}i{n}ne þe foȝeles song,
Þ{a}t ioie {and} blisse is eure among.

Me schul fecche adoun of þe . .
Alle þe maydenes of parage.
{and} bringe hem in on orcharde
Þe fayreste of þe middel[erd].
Þer is fowelene song
Ne mihte wel libbe hem a[mong]
Abute þan orchard is a wa[l] .
Su{m}me of þe stones be . . .
Þ{er} me may ise uppon a . . .
I write muchel of þe w . . .

And a wełł spryngeþ þ{er}ynne,
Þ{a}t is made w{i}t{h} muche gynne; 612
Þe wel is of~ muche prys,
Þe stremes com froo P{ar}adyse;
Þe grauel of~ þe ground is p{re}cious stoones,
And al of v{er}tu for þe noones. 616
Now is þe wełł of much{e} auȝt;

In þe orchard is a welle
Þ{a}t is suþe cler wiþ alle. 280
Ihc mai seggen iwis,
Þe st{ri}mes comeþ f{ra}m p{ar}adis.
For in þe st{ri}mes þe smale stones,
Hi beoþ þ{er} funden eurech one, 284

And a welle þ{a}t springeþ . . .
Þ{a}t is i mad mid muchel . . .
Þis welle is . . Muchel
Þ{a}t grauel bi þe . . . . .
And of v . eu . . . .
Of safir . . {and} of . . .
Of omcie {and} of . . . . .
Þe welle is al . . . . . .

[Headnote: _The marvellous spring and marvellous tree._]

[Sidenote: If any maiden, who is not a virgin, approach the spring, the water boils up as if mad.]

Ȝif a woman com þ{a}t is for-lauȝt,
And she be doo to þe streeme
For to wesshe her honndes clene, 620
Þe wat{er} wylle ȝelle as it were wood~,
And bycom{e} red as blood~.
On what maide þe water fareþ soo,
Sone she shal to deþ be doo. 624
Þoo þat ben maidens clene,
Þey may wessh{e} þ{er}yn, y wene;
Þe water wołł stonde feire and clere;
To hem makeþ it no daungere. 628
At þe walles hed stondeþ a tree,
Þe feirest þat on erthe may be;
It is cleped þe tree of loue:
Flowers and blossomes spryngen aboue; 632

[Sidenote: The maiden upon whom first falls a blossom from this tree is chosen queen.]

Þen þey þat maydons clene bene,
Þei shul be brouȝt vnder þe tren{e},
And whicħ so falleþ þe floure,
Shal be queene w{i}t{h} muche hono{ur}. 636

Boþe saphirs {and} sardoines,
And suþþe riche cassidoines,
And Iacinctes and topaces,
And onicle of muchel g{ra}ce, 288
And mani on oþ{er} direwerþe ston
Þ{a}t ich nu ne{m}pne ne can.
Aboue þe walle stant atreo
Þ{a}t faireste þ{a}t miȝte in erþe beo. 292
Hit is ihote þe treo of luue,
For lef {and} blosme beoþ þ{er} buue.
So sone so þe olde beoþ idon,
Þer sp{ri}ngeþ niwe riȝt anon. 296
Alle þilke þ{a}t clene maidenes beo,
Schulle sitte arewe vnder þat treo;
And which falleþ on þ{a}t furste flur
Schal beo q{ue}ne {and} fonge þonur. 300
Ȝef þ{er} is eni maide forleie,
Þe wal is of so muchel eie,
An heo stepe to þe gru{n}de,
For to wassche hire honde, 304
Ha bulmeþ vp so he were wod,
{And} chau{n}geþ f{ra}m wat{er} in to blod.
On wuche þe welle fareþ so,
Also suiþe he wurþ fordo. 308

Ȝif þer come . . . . . . .
. . . ho . . . . . . .
For . . . . . . . . .
. . w . . wele . . . .
. . come al so . . . . .
. . wlyche w . . . . .
Wel sone . . . . . . .
Alle þ{a}t . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . wole . . . . . .

[_About nine more lines illegible. Several folios lost here._]

[_No gap in MS._]
Ȝif~ any mayden þ{er} is
Þat þe Amyral telleþ of~ more p{r}is,
Þe flour shal be to her sent
Þrouȝ art of~ enchauntement. 640

Ac ȝef þ{er} eni maide{n} is,
Þ{at} þe Admiral luueþ mest of pris,
On hire schal beo þ{at} flur i went,
Þureȝ c{on}iureson {and} chau{n}tem{en}t. 312

Þe Amyral cheseþ hem by þe flo{ur},
And euer he herkeneþ after Blauncheflo{ur}.
[Sidenote: [106 _a_]]
Thre sithes Flores sownyd anoon~
Riȝt byfore hem eu{er}ychoon~: 644
When he awoke, and speke myȝt~,
Sore he wept, and sore he syȝt,

Þus he cheoseþ his wif þureȝ þe flur;
Alle weneþ hit schulle beo blau{n}cheflur.”
Ihc wene ne darf me axi noȝt
If floriz were of dreri þoȝt. 316

[Headnote: _Daris suggests to Floris a plan._]

[Sidenote: Floris implores the aid of Daris.]

And seide, “Dares, y worth now deed~,
But þ{a}t y hope of þe som reed~.” 648
“Leue soon~, wyl ȝe see
Þat þy trust is muche on me;
Þen is þe best~ reed þat y can~--
Other reed ne can y noon~-- 652

“Daris,” he sede, “ihc wurthe ded
Bute if þu do me summe red.”
Þa{n}ne se Daris, þe freo burgeis,
Þ{a}t was wel he{n}de {and} c{ur}teis, 320
“Floriz,” he sede, “leue man,
Þe beste red þ{a}t ihc þe can,

[Sidenote: Daris bids him go, disguised as a mason, to the tower,]