Chapter VIII: Part 8

Wende to-morn~ to þe toure
As þ{o}u were a good gynoure;
Take on þy honde squyer and scantlon~
As þ{o}u were a free mason~; 656
Behold~ þe to{ur} vp and doun~,
Þe porter is cruel and Feloun~;
Wel sone he wyl com{e} to the,
And aske what man{er} man þ{o}u be, 660
And bere on þe, Felonye,
And sey þ{o}u art com{e} to be a spye.

Wend tomoreȝe to þe Tur,
Also þu were a gud ginnur. 324
Ber wiþ þe sq{ui}re {and} schau{n}tillun,
Also þu were a gud Mascun.
Bihold of þe ture þe hiȝhede,
And wiþ þi fot met þe brede. 328
Þe port{er} is culuert {and} felun;
Forþ he wule sette{n} his resun,
And bere vpon þe felonie,
And segge þ{a}t þu art a spie. 332

And þow shalt~ answere swetlych{e},
And sey to him myldelych{e}, 664
Sey þ{o}u art a gynoure,
To beholde þat feire Toure,
For to loke and for to fonde
To make suche another in þy londe. 668

Ansuare him wel hendeliche,
And spek wiþ him wel sueteliche,
And seie þert icome fra{m} ferre{n} lo{n}de,
For to seche {and} for to fonde, 336

[Sidenote: and induce the porter to play at draughts.]

[_No gap in MS._]
Wel sone he wyl com þe nere,
And wyl byd þe play at þe chekere.
When þ{o}u art at cheker brouȝt,
W{i}t{h}out seluer [be] þ{o}u nouȝt; 672
Þou shalt haue redy w{i}t{h} the
XX. Marke beside þy knee;

If mi lif so longe ilast,
To makie atur aft{er} þis cast,
In þine londe ate frume
Wha{n}ne þu ert hom icume. 340
Whane he þe hireþ speke so he{n}deliche,
And ansuerie so sueteliche,
Þe{n}ne he wule come þe nier,
And bidde þe pleie at þe escheker. 344
Whane þescheker is forþ ibroȝt
Biþute panes ne plei þu noȝt.
Þu most habbe redi mitte
Twenti Marc ine þi slitte. 348

Ȝif~ þou wynne ouȝt of~ his,
Þow tel þ{er}of~ lytel prys; 676
And yf~ he wynne ouȝt of~ þyn~,
loke þow leue it with hym~;
So þ{o}u shalt, al w{i}t{h} gynne,
Þe porters loue forsoth wynne, 680
Þ{a}t he þe help on þis day:
But he þe help{e}, no man may.

Þeȝ þu biwi{n}ne oȝt of his,
Hold hit of wel litel pris.
If he biwi{n}neþ oȝt of þe,
Ȝif hi{m} of þine suche þre. 352
Muche he wule þonki þe
And of þe suþe iwu{n}dred beo,
For he is suþe couet{us},
And at þescheker enuius. 356

[Headnote: _Details of the plan._]

[Sidenote: Manage him so as to secure an invitation for the morrow.]

[Sidenote: [106 _b_]]
Wel ȝerne he wyl þe bydde and p{ra}y
Com{e} anoþer day to playe: 684
Þ{o}u shalt seye þ{o}u wylt soo;
Þ{o}u shalt take w{i}t{h} þe suche twoo;

Ȝerne he wile þe bidde {and} p{re}ie
Þ{a}t þu come amoreȝe {and} pleie.
G{ra}nte hi{m} þ{a}t þu wilt so,
And tak mid amoreȝe suche two. 360

[_No gap in MS._]
Þe þrydde day take an hundred pound~,

And wel þi nedes for to do
Þ{a}t þridde day þu wend hi{m} to,
And ber wiþ þe forti pund,

[Sidenote: Show him your cup, and he will be greedy for it.]

And þy Coupe hool and sound~: 688
Ȝeue him markes & pound{es} of þy male;
Of~ þy tresour tel þ{o}u no tale;
Wel ȝerne he wyl þe bydde and p{ra}y
To lay þy Coupe, and to play. 692
Þ{o}u shalt answere alþ{er}first,
Lenger to play þe ne lyst.
Ful muche he wylle for þe Coupe bede,
Ȝif~ he myȝt þe better spede; 696

And þine cupe hol {and} sund. 364
Wha{n}ne þu lest lest him þe cupe iseo,
Wel angussus he wile beo.
He wile beo wel coveitus,
And hire to bigge suþe fus. 368
Muchel he þe wule beode
If him miȝte þe bet{er}e spede.
Ihc wot he wille þilke day
Hon{ur}e þe so muche so he may. 372

[Sidenote: At length give him the cup.]

Þ{o}u shalt it blethly ȝeue him
Ȝif it be of~ gold fyne;
And he wol ful moche loue þe,
And to þe bowe also, p{ar}de, 700

He wule þe lede to his i{n}ne
Þe cupe of þe to biwi{n}ne.
Ȝerne he wule þe bidde and p{re}ie
Þ{a}t þu legge þe cupe to pleie. 376
Þu hi{m} ansuere atte furste,
Þ{a}t no leng pleie þe ne luste.
Ansuere hi{m} wel he{n}deliche,
‘Þin beo þe cupe,’ seie bluþeliche. 380
For his gode co{m}paygnie
A wu{n}ne he haþ þi druerie.

[_No gap in MS._]

Ihc wot þ{a}t he mai alrebest
Of þine neode helpe þe mest. 384
Þu miȝt segge, ‘þe ne faileþ non
Gold ne selu{er} ne riche won.’
Seie þu wilt p{ar}te wiþ him of þan,
Þ{a}t he schal eure beo riche man. 388
Whanne he hereþ þe speke so richeliche,
And ansuerie so hendeliche,
Þa{n}ne he wile beo wel bliþe,
And bigi{n}ne to luuie þe suiþe, 392

[Sidenote: Promise him unlimited gold and silver if he will aid you. He will then fall at your feet and be your man.]

Þat he wyl falle to þy foote,
And become þyn~, ȝif~ he moote.
And homage þ{o}u shalt fonge,
And þe trouþ of his honde.” 704

And falle he wile to þi fote,
And bicome þi man, if he mote.
His ma{n}rede þu schalt fonge,
And his truþe of his ho{n}de, 396
Þ{a}t he þe bere al þe helde
Þ{a}t man schal to his lou{er}d ȝelde.
And þus þureȝ þe cupe and his gi{n}ne
Þu miȝt þi le{m}man best awi{n}ne. 400
Þa{n}ne þu miȝt beon iknewe,
And þi cu{n}sail to hi{m} schewe.”

[Headnote: _By this plan Floris wins over the ‘porter.’_]

As he seide, he dide ywys;
And as he ordeynd, so it is:
Þe Porter ys Florys man bycom{e},
For his gold~ and his waryson{e}. 708

And alþus floris hath iwroȝt,
As daris hi{m} haþ itaȝt. 404
Ac þureþ (_sic_) þe cupe {and} þureȝ g{er}sume,
Þe port{er} is his man bicume.

[Sidenote: Then reveal to him your wishes.]

Florys seide, “now art þ{o}u my moon~,
Al my trust is þe vppon~;
Now my consel y wyl þe shewe;
Rede me ryȝt, ȝif~ þ{o}u be trew.” 712

¶ Nu quaþ floriz, “þu art mi man;
Al mi trest is þe vpon. 408
Þ{er}uore þu most me helpe nede;
Biþute þe ne mai me spede.”

[Sidenote: Floris acts as advised, and discloses his identity.]

Now eu{er}y word he haþ him tolde,
How þe mayde was fro him sholde,
And how he was of~ Spayn~ a kynges soon~,
For grete loue þeder ycoom~ 716
To fonden, w{i}t{h} som{e} gynne,
Þat feire mayde for to wynne.

Ord {and} ende he haþ him told,
Hu þ{a}t maide was isold, 412
And hu he was of spaygne a kinges sune,
For hire luue he was þider icume,
To fo{n}de mid sume ku{n}nes ginne,
Hu he miȝte hire awinne. 416

[Headnote: _The porter covers Floris in a basket of flowers._]

[Sidenote: The porter at first reproaches himself, but presently promises his aid.]

Þe Porter þat herde, and sore syȝt,
And seide, “y am betrayde aryȝt; 720
Þrouȝ þy Catel, y am dismayde;
Þerfore y am wel euyl a-payde
[Sidenote: [107 _a_]]
Now y woot how it gooþ;
For þe shal y suffre deth; 724
I shal þe faile neuer moo,
Þe while y may ryde and goo;
Þy forwardes shal y holde alle,
What-so-eu{er} may befalle. 728

I-wend nu, floriz, to þin i{n}ne,
While i biþenche of sume gi{n}ne. 428
Ihc wulle fonde what ido may
Bituene þis {and} þe þ{ri}dde day.”
Floriz siȝte {and} weop among
Þulke t{er}me him þuȝte long. 432
++ÞE port{er} þoȝte what to rede;
He let flures gadere on þe mede.
Cupen he let fulle of flures,
To strawe{n} in þe maidenes bures. 436

Wynde now hoom~ to þyn~) ynne
While y beþenke me of su{m} gynne;
Bytwene þis and þe þrydde day.
Fonde y shal, what y do may. 732
Flores spake and wept among{e}
And þouȝt þe terme al to long{e}.
Þe Porter þouȝt þe best reed,
And let geder floures in a meed~; 736
He wist it was þe maydons wylle.
To lepes he lete of floures fylle:

Þo þe port{er} iherde þis, he siȝte,
“Ihc am,” he sede, “bitraid wiþ riȝte,
Þ{a}t þureȝ þis cupe {and} þis g{er}sume
Ihc am nu þi man bicume. 420
Nu ihc seo hu hit geþ;
For þe ihc drede þolien deþ.
Noȝt for þan while ihc mai go,
I ne schal þe failli neure mo. 424
What me bitide oþ{er} bifalle,
Ihc schal þe foreward holde{n} alle.

[Sidenote: He covers Floris in a basket of flowers, which is borne above.]

Þat was þe best reed, as him þouȝt þoo,
Floures in þat oon~ lep to doo. 740
Twoo maydens þe lepe bore;
So heuy charged neuer þey wore,
And bade god ȝeue hem euyl fyn{e};
To mony floures he dide þ{er}ynne. 744

Þ{a}t was his red to helpe him so;
He let floriz on þ{a}t on cupe go.
Tuei gegges þe cupe bere,
And for heuie wroþ hi were. 440
Hi bede{n} God ȝiue hi{m} vuel fin,
Þ{a}t so manie flures dude þ{er}in.

To Blaunchefloures Chamber þey shuld{e} tee;
Þey ȝede to anoþ{er}, and let þ{a}t be:
Þey shuld haue gon{e} to Blauncheflo{ur},
And ȝede to swete Clarys boure, 748

To þe chau{m}bre þ{er} hi scholde go,
Ne ȝeden hi ariȝt no. 444
To anoþ{er} chau{m}bre hi beoþ agon,
To blau{n}cheflures chau{m}bre no{n}.

[Sidenote: Floris mistakes another maiden for Blauncheflur and leaps forth.]

And cursed him so fele brouȝt to honde;
Þey ȝede hoom~, and lete hem stonde.
Clarys to þe lepe com{e} wolde,
Þe Flores to hondel and to be-holde; 752
Florys wende it hadde be his swete wyȝt;
Of~ þe lepe he stert vpryȝt;

Þe cupe hi sette to þe grunde,
And goþ forþ {and} leteȝ hire stonde. 448
O maiden com {and} wolde
Þe flures handlen {and} biholde.
Floriz we{n}de hit were his swete wiȝt;
Vt of þe cupe he lep ariȝt; 452

[Sidenote: The maiden cries out.]

And þe mayde, al for drede,
Bygan to shrell{e} and to grede. 756

And þ{a}t maide, for þe drede,
Bigan to crie {and} to grede.

[Sidenote: Floris covers himself again.]

When he sawȝ it was not shee,
In-to þe lepe aȝen~ stert he,
And held~ him betrayde clene;
Of~ his lyf~ tolde he not a beene. 760

Þo nuste floriz what to rede,
For þe ferlich þ{a}t he hadde. 456
Into þe cupe he sterte aȝen,
And wiþ þe flures he hudde him.
Þis maide þoȝte anon riȝt
Þ{a}t hit was floriz, þ{a}t suete wiȝt, 460
For here chau{m}bres niȝ were;
Selde was þ{a}t hi togadere nere;
And ofte blau{n}cheflur hire hadde itold
Hu heo was fram him isold. 464

[Headnote: _Claris discovers Floris._]

Þ{er} com{e} maydons, and to Clarys lepe
by ten, by twelf~, on an heepe
[Sidenote: [107 _b_]]
And þey asked what hur were,
And why she made suche a bere. 764
Clarys byþouȝt hur anoon{e}ryȝt
Þ{a}t hit was Blauncheflo{ur} þe white,

Nu Maidenes comeþ in to hire lepe,
Wei fiftene in on hepe,
And axede hire what hire were,
And whi heo makede suche bere. 468
Wel heo was biþoȝt {and} whare,
To finde{n} he{m} ansuare.

[Sidenote: The maiden conceals the fact by a clever story.]

And gaue þe Maydons answere anoon~,
Þat to her Chamber were goon~, 768
Þat to þe lepe com{e} she wold{e},
Þe Flowres to hondel and to beholde;
“And, or y it ere wyst,
An Ott{er} fleyȝ a-geynst my brest: 772
I was so soore a-drad þan,
Þ{a}t y loude crye can.”
Þe Maydons þ{er}of~ hadden glee,
And turned hem, and lete hur be. 776

[_No gap in MS._]
“To þe cupe,” heo sede, “ihc com {and} wolde
Þis flures handlen {and} biholde, 472
Þer fliste vt a but{er}fliȝe,
Are ihc wiste, on min iȝe.
So sore ihc was offerd of þan,
Þ{a}t ihc crie bigan.” 476
Þis oþ{er}e loȝen {and} hadde gleo,
And goþ aȝen {and} leteþ beo.

[Sidenote: Claris bids Blauncheflur come see a ‘well fair flower.’]

As sone as þe maydons were gon~,
To Blauncheflo{ur} she ȝede anoon~,
And seide boldly to Blauncheflo{ur},
“Felow, com{e} and see a feire Flo{ur}! 780
Suche a flo{ur} þe shal wel lyke,
Haue þ{o}u it sene a lyte.”

++CLarice hatte þ{a}t maide hende:
To blau{n}cheflures chau{m}bre heo ga{n} we{n}de, 480
And sede, “suete blau{n}cheflur,
Wiltu seo a wel fair flur?
Hit ne greu noȝt on þis londe,
Þat flur þ{a}t ihc bringe þe to honde.” 484

[Sidenote: Blauncheflur bids Claris depart, and reproaches Floris for his inconstancy.]

“Awey, Clarys!” q{uo}d Blauncheflo{ur};
“To scorne me, it is none honoure. 784
[_No gap in MS._]
I here, Clarys, w{i}t{h}out gabbe,
Þat þe Amyral wyl me to wyf~ habbe;

“Away, Clariz,” quaþ blancheflur;
“Ho þ{a}t luueþ p{ar} amur
And haþ þ{er} of ioye, mai luue flures;
Ac ic libbe in soreȝe in þis tures, 488
For ihc wene bithute gabbe,
Þ{a}t þe Admiral me wule habbe.

But þ{a}t day shal neuer be,
Þ{a}t he shal eu{er} haue me, 788
Þ{a}t y shal be of~ loue so vntrewe,
Ne chaunge my loue for no newe;
For no loue, ne for noon~ aye,
Forsake Florys in his Contraye. 792
Now y shal swete Florys mysse,
Ne shal noon~ other of me haue blysse.”

Ac þilke day ne schal neure be;
Ne schal me neure at-wite me, 492
Þ{a}t ihc beo of luue vntrewe,
Ne chau{n}ge luue for no newe,
Ne lete þe olde for no newe be,
So doþ floriz on his Contre. 496
Ac þeȝ floriz forȝe me,
Ne schal ihc neure forȝete þe.”

[Headnote: _Claris brings Blauncheflur to Floris._]

[Sidenote: Claris further urges Blauncheflur, who at length comes.]

Clarys stood and beheld þat rewth,
And þe trewnesse of~ hur trewth, 796
And seide, “lady Blaunchefloure,
Goo we see þ{a}t ilk~ floure.”

Clariz iherde þes ille reuþe,
Of trewnesse {and} of trewþe. 500
Þe t{er}res glide of hire lere;
“Blau{n}cheflur,” he sede, “go we ifere,
Leue suete blau{n}cheflur,
Cu{m} {and} se a well fair flur.” 504

To þe lepe þey went both.
Ioyful man was Florys þoo, 800
For he had herde al þis.

To gedere hi goþ nu iwis,
And floriz haþ iherd al þis.

[Sidenote: Floris springs forth, and they embrace one another.]

Of~ þ{a}t lepe he stert y-wys:
[Sidenote: [108 _a_]]
Wel sone Blauncheflo{ur} chaunged hewe;
Ayther of~ hem other knewe: 804
W{i}t{h}oute speche togeder þey lepe,
And klippt~ and kyst~ wonder swete.

Vt of þe cupe he lep anon,
{And} to blau{n}cheflur he gan gon. 508
Eiþ{er} oþ{er} sone ikneu;
Boþe nuþe hi chau{n}geþ heu.
To gadere wiþute word hi lepen,
Klepte {and} keste {and} eke weopen 512
Here kessinge ileste a mile;
And þ{a}t he{m} þuȝte litel while.

[Headnote: _Joyful reunion of the lovers._]

[Sidenote: Claris asks Blauncheflur if she knows this flower.]

Clarys beheld~ al this,
Her countenaunce and her blysse, 808
And seide þen to Blaunchefloure,
“Felow, knowist þ{o}u auȝt þis flo{ur}?
[_No gap in MS._]
She shul konne ful muche of~ Art
Þat þ{o}u woldest þ{er}of~ geue part~.” 812

Clarice biheold al þis,
Here cu{n}tenau{n}ce {and} here blis. 516
Seide Clarice to blau{n}cheflur,
“Knowestu oȝt ȝete þis flur?
A litel er þu noldest hit se;
Nu ne miȝte hit lete fram þe. 520
He moste ku{n}ne muchel of art
Þ{a}t þu woldest ȝeue þ{er} of part.”
“Certes,” q{ua}þ blau{n}cheflur to Clariz,
“Þis is min oȝene suete floriz.” 524

[_MS. lf. 8: Fr. p. 32, l. 522._]
. . . . wel muchel of art
. . woldest ȝeue þer of eny part.
. . . . de blancheflur to clarise
. . . min owene leue floyres

[Sidenote: Both beg Claris not to betray them.]

Now Blauncheflo{ur} and Florys,
Boþ þese swete þinges ywys,
Cryen her m{er}cy, al wepyng~,
Þat she ne wrey hem to þe king~. 816

Nu boþe tuo, þes suete þinges,
Crieþ hire m{er}ci, al wepinge,
To þe Admiral þ{a}t hem ne wreie,
For þe{n}ne were here soreȝe niwe. 528

. . . . þis ilke swete þinges
. . . . clarisse merci . .
Vnto þe amyrayl noȝt ne wreye
. . . . . . scholden deȝe

[Sidenote: Claris promises silence.]

[_No gap in MS._]
“Ne douȝt no more of~ me in alle,
Þan it were myself~ byfalle.
Wete ȝe wel weturly,
Heele y wyl ȝoure drury.” 820

Clarice hadde of hem pite;
“Noþing,” heo sede, “ne dute ȝe,
Ne dute ȝe na{m}more wiþ alle,
Þ{a}t hit were to me bifalle. 532
Hele ihc wulle {and} noþing wreie,
Ower beire cu{m}paignie.”

. . . . . namore mid alle
. . . hit were to me by falle
. . . . . wel wytterli
. . . . . beyre drewori

To a bedde þey ben brouȝt,
Þat is of palle and of~ sylke wrouȝt;
And þ{er}e þey sette hem doun~
And drouȝ hem self~ al a room~: 824

Clarice he{m} haþ to bedde ibroȝt,
Þ{a}t was of pal {and} selc iwroȝt. 536
In bedde heo broȝte he{m} adun,
An hure self we{n}de he{m} fram.

. . bedde heo hem haueþ ibrouȝt
. . selk {and} pal i wrouht
. . heo sette hem þer adou{n}
. . . . . . wende aroum
. . . more bote cluppe {and} cusse
. . . blancheflur hit wiste

[Sidenote: The two rejoice together greatly.]

Þ{er} was no man þ{a}t myȝt radde
Þe ioye þ{a}t þey twoo madde.
Florys þen to speke bygan~,
And seide, “lord þat madest man, 828
I it þonke goddes sone
Þat al my care I haue ou{er}com{e};
Now my leue I haue y-founde,
Of~ al my care y am vnbounde.” 832

[_No gap in MS._]
Þo floriz furst speke bigan.
“Vre lou{er}d,” he sede, “þ{a}t makedest man, 540
Þe ihc þonki, godes sune,
Þ{a}t ihc am to mi leof icume.
Mi leof, nu ihc habbe þe ifunde,
Of al mi care ihc am vnbu{n}de.” 544

. . . . formest speke bigon
. . . d þ{a}t makedest mon
. . . . nou godes sone
. . . . he is ouer [c]ome
. . . . habbe ifounde
. . . . . am vnbounde

[Headnote: _The maidens are at mornings to assist at the ‘Admiral’s’ toilet._]

Clarys hem s{er}uyd al at wylle,
Boþ dernlyche and stylle.
++cLarys w{i}t{h} þe white syde
Rose vp on morn{e} tyde, 836
And cleped after Blaunchefloure
To wende w{i}t{h} him in to þe Toure:
She seide “y am co{m}maund~”;
But her answere was slepaund~. 840

Nu aiþ{er} haþ oþ{er} itold
Of here soreȝe {and} care cold,
Þ{a}t hi hadde ifunde bo
Suþþe hi were ideld atuo. 548
Nu hi cluppeþ and cusseþ
And makeþ togadere muchel blisse.
If þ{er} was aȝt bute custe,
Swete blau{n}cheflur hit wiste. 552
Non oþ{er} heuene hi ne bede,
Bute eure swich lif to lede.
Ac lo{n}ge ne miȝte hi hem wite
Þ{a}t hi neren vnderȝete. 556

. . . . . oþer haueþ told
. . . . . kare ful cold
. . . . . me wel stronge
. . . . . rt so longe
. . . . . serueþ al to wille
. . . . [dern]eliche {and} stille
. . . . heo noȝh longe wite
. . . . eren vnder ȝete

[Sidenote: Each morning two maidens went to the Admiral’s tower to comb his hair and wash his hands,--]

Þe Amyral had such a woon{e},
Þ{a}t eu{er}y day shulde com{e}
[Sidenote: [108 _b_]]
Twoo maydons of~ hur bo{ur}
Vp to him in to þe Toure, 844
[_No gap in MS._]
W{i}t{h} water and clooth, and basyn~,
For to wesshe his hondes ynne:

Vor þe Admiral hadde such a wune,
Ehc moretid þer moste cume
Tuo maidenes wiþ muchel hon{ur}
Into þe heȝeste Tur, 560
Þ{a}t were feire {and} suþe hende,
Þ{a}t on his heued for to kembe,
Þ{a}t [oþer] bringe towaille {and} bacin,
For to wasse his honden in. 564

[Sidenote: but especially often, Claris and Blauncheflur.]

Þat day þey s{er}uyd him feire;
Anoþer day com{e} another peire; 848
But most were wonyd into þe Toure,
Clarys and Blauncheflo{ur}.

Swiche him s{er}ueþ a day so faire;
Amoreȝe moste anoþ{er} peire.
Ac mest were iwuned in to þe tur
Maide Clariz {and} blau{n}cheflur. 568

. . . . wel hire mote bi tide
. . . . . amorewe tide
. . . . . ed blanche flur
. . . . hire in to þan to{u}r
. . . . ich am cominge
. . . . . was slepinge

[Headnote: _Claris invents an excuse for Blauncheflur’s absence._]

[Sidenote: The next morning Claris calls Blauncheflur, but she falls asleep again.]

Clarys com{e} þenne aloon~:
Þe Amyral asked a-noon~, 852
[_No gap in MS._]
“Where is Blauncheflo{ur} so free?
Why comeþ she not heder w{i}t{h} þe?”

Clarice, ioie mote hire bitide,
Aros vp in þe moreȝentide,
And haþ icluped blau{n}cheflur
To go wiþ hire in to þe tur. 572
Q{ua}þ blau{n}cheflur, “ihc am cominge.”
Ac heo hit sede al slepinge.
Clariz co{m} i{n} to þe Tur;
Þe Admiral axede blau{n}cheflur. 576

. . . . . . ane wine
. . . . . . . . come
. . . . of herd . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
[Sidenote: [_leaf 8, col. 2_]]
. . . . . . . . . . .
Þe amiral askede blanche[flur]

[Sidenote: Claris invents an ingenious excuse for her.]

“Sir,” she seide anoon~ ryȝt,
“She haþ wakyd al þis nyȝt, 856
And y-cryde and y-loke
And y-redde on hur booke,
And y-bede to god her orysou{n}
Þat he geue þe his benysou{n}, 860
And þat he holde long~ þy lyf~;
And now þe mayde slepeþ swyth;
She slepeþ so fast, þ{a}t mayde swete,
Þat she may not com ȝete.” 864

“Sire, Alniȝt heo set at hire boke,
And haþ þ{er}on irad {and} loke,
And þ{er}on ibede hire oresun,
Þ{a}t god, þ{a}t þolede passiun, 580
Þe holde, sire, longe aliue;
And nu heo is asleped suiþe,
[_No gap in MS._]
Þ{a}t heo ne mai come to þe.”

{and} clarisse seyde anonriȝht,
“Sire, he haueþ i waked al niȝht,
{and} iwaked {and} iloked,
{and} irad on hire boke,
{and} ibede to god hire orison,
Þ{a}t ȝeue þe his beniscun,
{and} god þe holde longe aliue.
{and} nou þat mayde slepeþ so suiþe,
Heo slepeþ so faste, þ{a}t mayde suete,
Þat heo ne may nouȝt come ȝete.”

[_No gap in MS._]
“Certes,” seide þe kyng~,
“Now is she a swete þing~:
Wel auȝt me ȝerne her to wyf~,
Þat so preyeth for my lyf~.” 868

“Is þ{a}t soþ?” sede he. 584
Heo sede, “ȝe, sire, withute lesing.”
“Heo is,” he sede, “a suete þing;
Wel aȝte ihc willen hire to wif,
Þ{a}t so ȝerne biddeþ mi lif.” 588

{and} þo bi spak him þe king
Iwis heo is a swete þing.
Wel auȝhte ich wilny habbe hire to wiue
So ȝerne heo bit for mine liue.

[Headnote: _The ‘Admiral’ doubts Claris’s second story._]

[Sidenote: The following morning Claris again calls Blauncheflur in vain to go with her.]

Anoþ{er} day Clarys erly Aryst;
Þ{a}t Blauncheflo{ur} wełł wyst,
[_No gap in MS._]
And seide, “y com{e} anoon~,”
When Clarys her clepe bygan~, 872
And fel in a slepe newe.
Sone after it made hem to rewe:

Amoreȝe, þo Clariz arist,
Blau{n}cheflur heo atwist
Þ{a}t he makede so longe dem{ur}e.
“Aris,” heo sede, “{and} go we ifere.” 592
Q{ua}þ blau{n}cheflur, “ich come anon.”
Ac floriz cleppe{n} hire bigon,
And he him also vnwise
And feolle aslepe one þis wise. 596

Clarisse a noþer day arist,
{and} haueþ blancheflur at wist
Þat heo haueþ so longe de mere,
“Aris vp nou {and} g[on]e ifere.”
Þer heo seyde ich come anon
. . . floyres hire . . . .
Abode þe children ase don wise.
Vell aslepe on þisse wise
On þisse wise hey . . . . .
Sone þer . . . . . . . .

Clarys to þe Pyler cam~;
A basyn~ of gold~ in hond she nam~, 876
And Cleped after Blaunchefloure
To wende w{i}t{h} hur in to þe Toure.

Þo Clarice to þe piler com,
And þe bacin of golde nom,
To bere wiþ into þe Tur,
Heo lokede aft{er} blau{n}cheflur. 600

Clarise to þe piler wende anon
A basin of gold þer heo nom,
{and} haueþ ycleped [blanchef]lur
To wende . . . . . . .
Heo ne . . uerede ȝe ne . .
Þo wende clarisse þ{a}t heo were ago.

[Sidenote: The Admiral again inquires for Blauncheflur, and not content with Claris’s story,]

Þe Amyral asked after Blauncheflo{ur},
[_No gap in MS._]
“What! is she not com{e} ȝet? 880
Now she me douteþ al to lyte.”

Þo Clarice com into þe tur,
He axede aft{er} blau{n}cheflur.
“Sire, ihc wende hire finde here;
He was arise are ihc were. 604
Nis heo noȝt icume ȝete?”
Q{ua}þ he, “heo duteþ me to lite.”

Þo clarisse com in to þe tur,
Þe amiral askede blanchefl[ur],
{and} askede whi heo ne come,
Also heo was woned to done.
“Heo was arise are ich were,
Ich wende hire habbe ifunde þere.
What nis heo . . icome . .
Wod heo . . . me to . .

[Headnote: _The ‘Admiral’ finds the children in bed together._]

[Sidenote: sends his chamberlain, who finds the two children in bed together.]

Forþ he cleped his Chamburlayn~,
And bade him wende w{i}t{h} his mayn~
[Sidenote: [109 _a_]]
To wete why she wyl not com{e} 884
As she was wonyd to doon~.
Þe Chamburlayn~ is forth noom~;
In to Chambre he is coom~,

He clupede to hi{m} his chau{m}berlayn,
And het hi{m} go wiþ alle mayn, 608
For to wite whi heo ne come
To his heste suthe sone.
Forþ he wende sone anon
To hire chau{m}bre þ{a}t he com. 612

. . . . . . . chaumberlen
. . . . . . . his . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
So heo was . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .

And stondeþ byfore hur bedde, 888
And fyndeþ þere, nebbe to nebbe,
Nebbe to nebbe, and mouþ to mouþ.
To þe Amyral it was sone couþ;
Vp in to þe Toure he steyȝ, 892
And told his lord al þ{a}t he seyȝ.

In hire bedde he fond tuo,
Wel faste iclupt, aslepe bo,
Neb to neb {and} muþ to muþ;
Sone were here soreȝ{er}en cuþ. 616
[T]o þe Admiral sone he teȝ
[A]nd tolde him what he iseȝ.

. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
[Sidenote: [_leaf 8, back_]]
. . . . . a ȝe . . . .
. . his louerd wat he i aȝheþ
{and} ȝet he þouhte, are he hem quelle,
Wat he were hui scholden telle.
{and} seþþe he þoute he{m} to deþe don.

[Sidenote: The Admiral then goes with drawn sword and finds the children.]

Þe Amyral late him his swerd bryng{e},
For wete he wolde of~ þat tydyng{e}:
[_No gap in MS._]
He went to hem þ{er}e þey lay: 896
Ȝit was she a-slepe þ{er}e ay.

[Þe] Admiral het his suerd bringe;
[Iw]ite he wolde of þus þinge. 620
[Fo]rþ he wende wiþ al his mayn,
[He] {and} his chaumberlayn.
[In] þe bed heo fond tueie;
[Ȝit] was þe slep in here eie. 624

Þe amirayl bed his swerd him bringe
W[i]te he wolde of þisse tiþinge.
Vorþ he wende mid al his mayn,
Þat he com þer hei boþe leie.
Þe ȝet was þe slep in here eȝe.

The Amyral lete þe clothes doun~ cast
A lytel by-nethe hur brest,
And sone he knew anoon~ 900
Þ{a}t oon~ was woman, & þ{a}t oþ{er} groom~.
He quaked for tene þere he stood;
Hem to sloon~ was in his mood~;
Ȝit he þouȝt, or he hem quelde, 904
What þey were, þey shuld him telle,
And seth he wyl w{i}t{h} dome hem done.

[He] let Adu{n} þe cloþes caste
[Bin]eþen here breste.
Bi here breste he kneu anon
Þ{a}t on was maide {and} þ{a}t oþ{er} a mon. 628

Þe amiral het here cloþes adou{n} caste
A lutel bi neþe here breste.
Þo iseih he wel anon
Þon was may {and} þoþer mon.
Þe amirayl quakede, for angys þe astod,
Hem to quelle, hit was on his mod.

[Sidenote: They awake and cry for mercy.]

Þe Children wakyd swyth soone,
And saw þe swerde ouer hem drawe; 908
Þey ben adrad, and in awȝe.
Þan seide Florys to Blauncheflo{ur},
“Of~ oure lyf~ is no soco{ur}.”
But þey cryde him m{er}cy swyth, 912
For to length her lyue.

Þe children awoke þo anon
And seȝe þe Admiral biuore he{m} gon,
Wiþ his suerd al adraȝe;
Sore hi beoþ offerd {and} wel maȝe. 632
“Seie,” q{ua}þ þe Admiral, “belamy,
Ho makede þe so hardy,
For to come in to mi Tur
And to ligge bi blau{n}cheflur?” 636
Hi crieȝ him “m{er}ci,” boþe suiþe,
Þ{a}t he ȝiue hem furst of liue.

Þe children a woken vnder soon (?)
And seȝen þ{a}t swerd ou{er} hem a drawe,
Hij weren agr . . {and} eþe hui mawe.
. . . . . . . . belami
Who makede þe so hardi
. . . . . . . in my tour
. . . . . . . blancheflur.
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . þe . . . . fore.
Þo seyde floyres to blancheflur,
“Of vre liue nis no socur.”
Ak hei crieþ him merci so suiþe
Þ{a}t he ȝaf hem furst of here liue.

Vp he bade hem sytte booth,
And do on boþ her cloþ;
Seþ he dide hem bynde fast, 916
And in p{r}ison~ lete hem be cast.

Vp he bad hem sitte boþe,
{and} don on here beyre cloþe,
{and} þo he bad hem binde faste,
{and} in to one p{ri}sun he het hem cast.

[Headnote: _The ‘Admiral’ summons his counsellors._]

[Sidenote: The Admiral summons his counsellors and tells them the case.]

Now haþ he after his Barons sent,
To wreke him after Iugement,
Now han þe Barons vndernome, 920
And to þe Amyral þey ben coom{e}.

Aft{er} his barnage he haþ isend,
To awreke him wiþ iugem{en}t. 640
And let he{m} þe while binde faste,
And in to p{ri}son ben icaste.
His palais þ{a}t was so faire ibuld,
Of Erles {and} barons hit was ifuld. 644

. . . he . . after his barenage
. . . . he him . . . .
. . . barenage . . . . .
Þ{a}t to nan amyrayl abeþ nome .
. . . . . . . . . ibuld
. . . . . . . . was ifuld.

He stood vp a-mong{e} hem al,
W{i}t{h} semblant wroþ w{i}t{h}alle,
[Sidenote: [109 _b_]]
And seide: “Lordynges, w{i}t{h} much hono{ur}, 924
Ȝe herde speke of Blauncheflo{ur},
Þ{a}t y bouȝt hur dere a plyȝt
For seuen sithes of golde hur wyȝt;
For y wende w{i}t{h}-out wene 928
Þat feire mayde to haue had to Quene.

Vp he stod among he{m} alle,
Bi semblau{n}t wel wroþ wiþ alle.
“Lordinges,” he sede, “wiþ muchel hon{ur},
Ȝe habbeþ iherd of blau{n}cheflur, 648
Hu ihc hire boȝte apliȝt,
For seuesiþe of gold hire wiȝt.
To hire was mi meste wene,
For to habbe to mi quene. 652

Þe amiral stod up among he{m} alle
. . . . . . wreþ mid [alle]
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
[Sidenote: [_leaf 8, back, col. 2_]]
. . . . . . wiþoute w[ene]
To habben hire to mi quene

[Headnote: _The trial of the children._]

Among~ my maydons in my Toure
I hur dide, w{i}t{h} muche honoure;
Byfore her bedde my self~ y coom~; 932
I fonde þ{e}ryn a naked man.
Þan were þey to me so looþ,
I þouȝt to haue sleyn~ hem booþ,
I was so wroþ and so wood~. 936

[_No gap in MS._]
Nis noȝt ȝore þ{a}t i ne com
And fond hire wiþ hordom,
Me to schame {and} deshonur,
In hire bedde on mi Tur. 656

. . . hire bedde miself ich co[me]
. . . hire ane naked grome
. . . . . . . me wel loþe
. . . . . . . he{m} boþe.
{and} ich was so wroþ {and} wod

Ȝit y w{i}t{h}drowȝ myn~ hoot blood~
Tyl y haue sende after ȝow, by assent,
To wreke me w{i}t{h} Iugement.
Now ȝit ȝe woot how it is goon~, 940
Wreke me soon~ of~ my foon~.”

[_No gap in MS._]
Ihc habbe ȝou told hu hit is went;
A wrekeþ me wiþ Jugem{en}t.”

{and} ȝet ihc wiþ drou . . . .
Þ{a}t ich hadde after . . . .
To wreke me þo{r}uh iugem[ent].
Nou ȝe habbeþ iherd hou it is.
Awrekeþ me of mine fon.”

[Sidenote: One suggests that the children be heard before being judged.]

Þan spake a kyng~ of þat londe,
“We haue herd al þis shame and shonde;
But, or we hem to deth deme, 944
Lat vs hem see, ȝif it þe Queeme,
What þey wolde speke or sygge,
Ȝif~ þey wyl auȝt ageyn~ vs legge:
Hit were nouȝt ryȝt iugement, 948
W{i}t{h}out answere make acoupement.

Þa{n}ne spak a freo burgeis,
Þ{a}t was hende {and} curt[eis], 660
“Sire, are hi beo to diþe awreke,
We mote ihere þe childre{n} speke.
[_No gap in MS._]
Hit nere noȝt elles rist iugem{en}t,
Biþute{n} ansuare to acupem{en}t.” 664

¶ Þo spak a king of þulk . .
“Ȝe habbeþ iherd þis . . . .
Ak are we he{m} to deþe . . .
We schullen i heren þe . . .
What huy wolleþ speke . . .
{and} ȝif huy wolleþ ou . . .
Hit nis no riȝht iugem[ent].”
Wiþ oute onsuere . . . . .

[Headnote: _The trial continued._]

[Sidenote: The king of Nubia advises that they be instantly burned.]

Til þis is herde of~ more and lasse,
What myster is, to bere wytnesse?”

Þe king of Nubie sede þo,
“For soþ, ne schal hit noȝt go so.
Hit is riȝt þureȝ alle þing
Felons inome hond habbing, 668
For to suffre Jugeme{n}t
Biþute ansuere oþ{er} acupeme{n}t.”

¶ Þe king of nubie . . . .
“Sire, so ne schal hit . . . .
Trait{ou}r þat is nome hond . .
Hit is riȝht þo{r}u alle þ . . .
To beo for don oþ{er} i sch . .
Wiþ outen oni here of . . .
Al þis ihe . . {and} lag . .
{and} bereþ him þer of w . . .

After þe Children haue þey sent,-- 952
To brenne hem was his entent;--
Two s{er}ieauntes hem gan bryng{e}
Toward~ hur al wepyng{e}.
Drery booþ þese children goo; 956
Ayther bemeneþ oþ{er}is woo.

Aft{er} þe children nu me sendeþ;
Hem to berne fir me tendeþ. 672

After þes childeren . . . .
Hem to for berne þer . . . .
Twene seriauns hem forþ bringe
To fonge here dom sore wepin[ge]
Dreri weren þo chyldren . .
Her eyþer by wepeþ oþer . .

[Sidenote: Floris reproaches himself to Blauncheflur.]

Þan seide Florys to Blauncheflo{ur},
“Of~ oure lyf~ is no soco{ur}:

Seide floriz to blau{n}cheflur,
“Of vre lif nis no sucur;
Ac min is þe guld {and} þe vnmeþ,
Þ{a}t þu for me schalt þolie deþ. 676

¶ Þo seyde floyres to blanche[flur]
Of vre liue nis no soc[ur].

Yf~ kinde of~ man it þole myȝt, 960
Twyes y shuld dye w{i}t{h} ryȝt,
Oones for my self~, anoþ{er} for the,
For, þy deeþ þ{o}u hast for me.”
[Sidenote: [110 _a_]]
Blauncheflo{ur} seyde þoo, 964
“Þe gylt is myn~, of oure woo.”

Ac if cu{n}de hit þolie miȝte,
Ihc oȝte deie tuye wiþ riȝte.
O deþ for þe, on oþ{er} for me;
For þis þu þolest nu for me. 680
For if i nere i{n} to þis t{ur} icume,
Wiþ mireȝþe þu miȝtest her i{n}ne wune.”

[Sidenote: He gives her the ring, telling her of its properties.]

Florys drouȝ forþ þ{a}t ryng
Þat his moder him gaff at her p{ar}tyng~:
“Haue þis ryng~, le{m}man myn{e}; 968
Þ{o}u shalt not dye while it is þyn{e}.”
Blaunchefloure seide þoo,
[_No gap in MS._]
“So ne shal it neu{er} goo,
Þat þis ryng~ shal help me, 972
And þe deed on þe see.”

He droȝ forþ a riche ring,
His moder him ȝaf at his p{ar}ting. 684
“Haue þis ring, le{m}man min,
Þu ne miȝt noȝt deie þe while he is þin.”
Þe ring he haueþ forþ araȝt
And to blau{n}cheflur bitaȝt. 688
“Þe ring ne schal neure aredde me;
For deþ ne mai ihc se on þe.”

[Sidenote: She attempts to force the ring back on him; it falls to the ground and is picked up by an earl.]

Florys þ{a}t ryng~ hur rauȝt,
And she it him agayn~ betauȝt,
Nouther ne wyl other deed seene; 976
Þey let it falle hem bytwene;
A king~ com~ after; a ryng~ he fonde,
And brouȝt it forth in his honde.

Þe ring heo wolde aȝe reche,
And to floriz hi{m} biteche. 692
Ac for al þ{a}t heo miȝte do,
He hi{m} nolde aȝen ifo.
And þe ring bi one stunde,
Fel adu{n} to þe grunde. 696
A duc stupede {and} hi{m} vp nom,
And was þer of wel bliþe mon.

Þus þe Children wepyng~ com~ 980
To þe fire and hur doom~.
Byfore þe folk~ þey were brouȝt;
Drery was her bothes þouȝt;

Nu þes childre forþ me bri{n}geþ
To here dom, al wepinge. 700

[Headnote: _The ‘fairness’ of the children excites compassion._]

[Sidenote: The ‘fairness’ of the children excites compassion.]

Þ{er}e was noon~ so stern{e} man 984
Þat þe Children loked oon~,
Þ{a}t þey ne wolde, al wel fawe,
Her iugement haue w{i}t{h}drawe,
And w{i}t{h} grete Catel hem bygge, 988
Ȝif~ þey durst speke or sygge;
For Flores was so feire a ȝonglyng~,
And Blaunchefloure so swete a þing~,
Þ{er} wyst no man whor hem were woo, 992
For no semblaunt þ{a}t þey made þoo.

Ac þ{er} nas no{n} so st{ur}ne mon,
Þ{a}t he{m} lokede vpon,
Þ{a}t nolde þo suþe saȝe
Þ{a}t iugem{en}t were wiþdraȝe. 704
[_No gap in MS._]
For floriz was so fair ȝongling,
And blau{n}cheflur so suete þing,
Of me{n} {and} wi{m}me{n} þ{a}t buþ nuþe,
Þ{a}t goþ {and} seoþ {and} spekeþ wiþ muþe, 708
Ne buþ so faire in here gladnesse,
So hi were in here sorinesse.

[Sidenote: But the Admiral is very wroth.]

Þe Admyral was so wood~,
Ne myȝt he nouȝt kele his hoot blood~;
He bade þe Children fast be bound~, 996
And in to þe fire slong~.

Ac þe admiral was so wroþ {and} wod,
He q{ua}kede for g{ra}me þ{er} he stod. 712
And het he{m} binde wel faste
And i{n} to þe fire caste.

[Sidenote: The earl with the ring steps forward and speaks in behalf of the children.]

Þat ilk{e} king~ þ{a}t þe ryng~ fond~,
To Amyral he spake and round~,
And wolde hem saue to þe lyf~, 1000
And told~ how for þe ryng~ þey gon~ stryf~.
Þe Amyral lete hem ageyn~ clepe,
For he wolde here hem speke,
[Sidenote: [110 _b_]]
And asked Florys what he heete: 1004
And he tolde him ful skeete:

Þe duc þ{a}t þe ring fu{n}de,
Com to þe Admiral {and} runde, 716
And al to gad{er}e he gan him schewe;
Of þ{a}t þe children were biknewe.
Þe Admiral let he{m} aȝe{n} clepe,
For he wolde wiþ floriz speke. 720

[Headnote: _The ‘Admiral’ is touched with pity._]

[Sidenote: Floris asks clemency for the maiden, and the maiden prays for him.]

“Sir,” he seide, “yf~ it were þy wylle,
Þ{o}u ne getest not þ{a}t maide to spylle;
But, good sir, quel þ{o}u me, 1008
And lete þ{a}t maide on lyue be.”
[_No gap in MS._]
Blauncheflo{ur} seide byne,
“Þe gilt of~ oure dedes is moyne.”

“++Sire,” q{ua}þ floriz, “forsoþ ihc telle,
Þu noȝtest noȝt þ{a}t maide quelle.
Of al þis gilt ihc am to wite;
Ihc oȝte deie {and} he go quite.” 724
Q{ua}þ blau{n}cheflur, “aquel þu me,
And let floriz aliue be.
Ȝef hit n{er}e for mi luue,
He n{er}e noȝt fram his londe icome.” 728

Þe Admyral seide þoo 1012
“I-wys ȝe shul dye boo.”
His swerd he breide out of his sheeth,
Þe Children to haue don{e} to deeth.
Blaunchefloure put forþ hur swire, 1016
And Florys dide her agayn~ to tyre,
And seide, “I am man; I shal byfore,
W{i}t{h} wrong hast þ{o}u þy lyf loore.”
Florys forth his swerd putte, 1020
And Blauncheflo{ur} agayn~ him tytte.

Q{ua}þ þe Admiral, “so ihc mote go,
Ȝe schulle deie togadere bo.
Miself ihc wulle me awreke;
Ne schulle ȝe neure go ne speke.” 732
Floriz forþ his nekke bed,
And blau{n}cheflur wiþd{ra}ȝe hi{m} ȝet.
Blau{n}cheflur bid forþ hire suere,
And floriz aȝen hire gan tire. 736
Neiþ{er} ne miȝte þ{er}e þole
Þ{a}t oþ{er} deide bifore.

[Sidenote: The Admiral is at length touched with pity.]

Þe king~ seide, “dredry mot ȝe be,
Þis rouþ by þis Children to see.”
Þe king~ þat þe ryng~ hadde, 1024
For routh of~ hem sone he radde,
And at þe Amyral wyl he spede,
Þe Children fro þe deþ to lede.

Þo þe Admiral, þeȝ he wroþ were,
Þ{er} he chau{n}gede his chere. 740
For he seȝ þ{a}t eyþ{er} wolde for oþ{er} deie,
And for he seȝ mani wepinde eie,
And for he luuede so muche þ{a}t mai,
Al wepinge he t{ur}nde away. 744
His swerd fel of his hond to gru{n}de;
Ne miȝte he hit holde þulke stu{n}de.

[Sidenote: The earl with the ring speaks for the children.]

“Sir,” he seide, “it is lytel prys, 1028
Þese Children for to slee y-wys;
And it is wel more worship,
Florys counsel þ{a}t ȝe weete,
Who him tauȝt þ{a}t ilke gynne, 1032
Þy toure for to com{e} ynne,
And who him brouȝt þare,
And other, þ{a}t ȝe may be ware.”

Þe duc þ{a}t here ring hadde,
For he{m} to speke wille he hadde. 748
“++Sire Admiral,” he sede, “iwis
Hit is þe wel litel pris
Þis feire childre{n} for to quelle.
Ac bet{er}e hit is þ{a}t hi þe telle 752
Hu he com in to þi tur,
To ligge þ{er} bi blau{n}cheflur.
His engin whan þu hit wite,
Þe bet{er}e wiþ oþ{er}e þu miȝt þe wite.” 756

Þan seide þe Amyral, “as god me saue, 1036
Florys shal his lyf~ haue,
Ȝif~ he me telle who him tauȝt þ{er}to,
Of Florys, þat shal y neuer doo.”

Alle þ{a}t herde wordes his,
Bisecheþ þ{a}t he g{ra}nti þis.
He het hi{m} telle his engin,
Hu he to blau{n}cheflur co{m} in, 760
And to hi{m} radde {and} help þarto.

[Headnote: _Floris tells his story._]

[Sidenote: Floris refuses to tell how he gained entry to the tower until pardon has been promised the porter.]

Now þey bydden al y-wys 1040
Þ{a}t þe Admyral g{ra}unted þis,
To forȝeue þ{a}t trespas
Ȝif~ Florys told how it was.

“Þ{a}t,” q{ua}þ he, “nelle ihc neure do,
For þing þ{a}t me mai me do,
Bute hit he{m} beo forȝiue also.” 764
Alle þoþ{er}e bisecheþ þis,
And of þe Admiral ig{ra}nted is.

[Sidenote: He then tells his story.]

[Sidenote: [111 _a_]]
Now eu{er}y word~ he haþ him tolde, 1044
How þ{a}t maide was for him solde,
And how he was of~ spayn~ a kynges sone,
For grete loue þeder y-com{e},
For to fonde, w{i}t{h} sum gynne, 1048
Þat feire maide for to wynne,
And how þe porter was his man by-com{e},
For his gold and for his warysoun~,
And how he was in þe Florys born{e}. 1052
Alle þe lordinges lowȝ þ{er}forn{e}:

Nu ord {and} ende he haþ he{m} itold,
Hu bla[un]cheflur was fram him isold, 768
And hu he was of spaygne a kinges sone,
For hire luue þuder icume,
To fo{n}den wiþ sume gīnne,
Hu he miȝte hure awi{n}ne, 772
And hu þureȝ þe cupe {and} þureȝ þe g{er}sume,
Þe port{er} was his man bicume,
And hu he was in a cupe ibore;
Alle þes oþ{er}e lowe þ{er}uore. 776

[Headnote: _Scene of reconciliation._]

[Sidenote: The Admiral lifts them up, dubs Floris knight, and causes them to be married in church with a ring.]

Now þe Admyral wol him tyde;
Florys setteþ next his syde,
And efte he made him stonde vpryȝt, 1056
And dubbed him þere knyȝt,
And bade he shulde w{i}t{h} him be,
Þe furthermost of his meyne.

++Þe Admiral þo, wel hi{m} bitide,
Þ{a}t Child he sette bi his side,
And haþ forȝiue his wraþþe bo,
Floriz {and} blau{n}cheflur also. 780
And sede wiþ him hi scholde be,
Þe beste of al his maine.

Florys falleþ doun~ to his feet, 1060
And p{ra}yeþ geue him his sweet.
Þe Amyral gaf~ him his le{m}man~:
Al þ{a}t þ{er}e were, þankyd him þanne.
To a Chirche he let hem bryng{e}, 1064
And dede let wed hem w{i}t{h} a ryng{e}.
Boþ þese twoo swete þinges y-wys
Fel his feet for to kysse;

And floriz he makeþ stonde vpriȝt,
And þ{er} he dubbede him to kniȝt. 784
Nu boþe togadere þes childre for blisse
Falleþ to his fet hem to kisse.
He let he{m} to one Chirche bringe,
And spusen he{m} wiþ one gold ringe. 788

[Sidenote: The Admiral takes Claris to be his queen.]

And þrouȝ consel of Blauncheflo{ur}, 1068
Clarys was fet doun~ of þe Toure,
And Amyral wedded hur to queene.
Þ{er}e was fest swythe breeme;
I can not telle al þe sonde, 1072
But rycher fest was neu{er} in londe.

Þureȝ þe red of blau{n}cheflur,
Me fette Clariz adun of þe Tur.
Þe Admiral hire nam to quene.
Þilke feste was wel breme, 792
For þ{er} was alle ku{n}nes gleo,
Þ{a}t miȝte at eni briddale beo.

[Sidenote: Messengers come to Floris announcing his father’s death.]

Was it nouȝt longe after þan~,
Þat to Florys tydyng~ cam~,
Þ{a}t þe king~ his Fader was deed~. 1076

Hit nas þ{er} aft{er} noþing longe
Þ{a}t þ{er} co{m} floriz writ {and} sonde, 796
Þ{a}t þe king his fader was ded,

[Sidenote: The Admiral tries in vain to induce him to remain.]

Þe Baronage gaf~ him reed
Þat he shuld wende hoom~,
And fonge his feire kyngdoom~.
At þe Amyral þey toke leue, 1080
And he byddeþ þem byleue.

And þ{a}t he scholde nime{n} his red.
Þa{n}ne seide þe Admiral,
“If þu dost bi mi consail, 800
Bilef wiþ me; ne wend naȝt hom,
Ihc wulle ȝeue þe a kinedom
Also long {and} also brod,
Also eure ȝet þi fader ibod.” 804

[Sidenote: Floris makes rich presents in parting,]

Hom{e} he went w{i}t{h} royal array,
And was crownyd w{i}t{h}-in a short day.

(_Follows. _The batełł of Troye_,
sithe þ{a}t god þis world~ wrouȝt~
Heuen and erthe made of~ nouȝt~
leaves 111-134. Then _Amys and Amylion_, leaves 134-147. MS. ends
with one leaf of _Sir Eglamour_._)

Ac floriz nolde for no wi{n}ne;
Leu{er}e hi{m} were wiþ his ki{n}ne.
Þe Admiral he bid god day,
And þo{n}kede Clariz þ{a}t faire may, 808
And to hire he haþ iȝolde
Twenti pond of ride golde.
And to Daris þ{a}t hi{m} so taȝte,
Twenti pund he araȝte. 812
And alle þ{a}t for him dude{n} eidel,
He ȝeld here while suþe wel.

[Headnote: _Floris and Blauncheflur depart for their native land._]

[Sidenote: and comes home, where he and Blauncheflur reign as king and queen.]

He bitaȝte he{m} alle godalmiȝte
And com hom whane he miȝte. 816
He was king wiþ Muchel hon{ur},
And heo his quene blau{n}cheflur.
Nu ȝe habbeþ iherd þane ende
Of floriz {and} his le{m}man hende, 820
Hu aft{er} bale comeþ bote;
God leue þ{a}t vs so mote,
Þ{a}t we him mote louie so,
Þ{a}t we mote to heuene go. AMEN. 824

E-X-PLI-C-IT.

¶ ASSUMPCIOUN DE N{OT}RE DAME

_Cambr. Univ. MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2._

++MErie tale telle ihc þis day
Of sei{n}te Marye þ{a}t swete may.
Al is þe tale {and} þis lescoun
Of hire swete asso{m}pcioun, 4
Hu heo was fram erþe ynome
In to blisse wiþ hire sone.
Þe kyng of heuene hem blessi
Þ{a}t þis listneþ {and} wel herkni. 8
Alle moten hi iblessed beo,
Þat vnderstonde wel þis gleo.

HIC INCIPIT ASSUMPC{I}O B{EA}TE MARIE

_Brit. Mus. Add. MS. 10,036, lf. 62._

++IN honorance of ih{es}u cryst
Sitteþ stille {and} haueþ lyst;
And ȝif ȝe wille to me here,
Off oure ladi ȝe mai lere, 4
Floure of heuene, ladi {and} quene,
As sche auȝt wel to bene,
To wham au{n}geles dou{n} here myȝt
To serue hure boþe day {and} nyȝt. 8
P{ar} auent{ur}e ȝe haue noȝt iherde
How oure ladi went out of þ{i}s werde:
Sitteþ stille {and} herkeneþ to me;
Now ih{es}u cryst oure helpe be! 12

¶ Whan ih{es}u c{ri}st was don on rode,
{And} þolede deþ for vre gode, 12
He clepede to hym sei{n}t Iohan
Þ{a}t was his oȝe qenes man,
{And} his oȝene moder also;
Ne clepede he hym fere{n} no mo. 16

¶ Whan ih{es}u c{ri}st was dou{n} on þe rode
And þolede deþ for oure goode,
He callide to hym seynt Iohan,
That was his fleschli kynnes man. 16
His moder swete he dide also;
He callid no men mo him to.

And sede, “wif, lo her þi child,
Þ{a}t on þe rode is ispild.
[_No gap in MS._]
Nu ihc am ho{n}ged on þis tre,
Wel sore ihc wot hit reweþ þe. 20
Mine fet {and} honden of blod [buþ red];
Biþute gult ih[c] þolie þis ded.

And seide, “wo{m}man, lo here þi sone,
And, man, take hure to mod{er} i{n} good wone. 20
And þenkeþ on my sorwe nowe
How I hange here abowe,
How I hange apon{e} a tre,
Ful sore, I wote, hit reweþ þee. 24
[Sidenote: [leaf 62, back]]
Myn feet, myn hondes, of blode ben rede;
With owte gilt I þole dede.

Mine men þ{a}t aȝte me to loue,
For whan ihc co{m} fram heuene abuue, 24
Me haueþ idon þis ilke schame,
Ihc naue no gult; hi buþ to blame.
To mi fader ihc bidde mi bone
Þ{a}t he forȝiue hit hem welsone.” 28

But þei haue wille to louen me
For wham I hange on þis tree. 28
The Iewis me deden mychel schame;
Ther of hadde I neu{er} blame.”

[Headnote: _Jesus entrusts Mary to John._]

¶ Marie stod {and} sore weop;
Þe t{er}res feolle to hire fet.
No wu{n}der nas þeȝ heo wepe sore;
Of soreȝe ne miȝte heo wite nomore, 32
Whe{n}ne he þ{a}t of hire nam blod {and} fless,
Also his suete wille was,
He{n}g Inayled on þe treo.

++MArie his moder sore dide wepe;
The teeres fellen at hure fete. 32
Nas no wondre þouȝ sche wepe sore;
Of sorwe wist sche neu{er} more.
When he þat of hure flesche nam,
For his holi swete nam, 36
Honge þ{er} nailed to a tre,

“Alas, my sone,” seide heo, 36
“Hu may ihc liue? hu may þis beo?
Hu mai ihc al þis soreȝe iseo?
Ne cuþe ihc neure of soreȝe noȝt;
Mi leue sone, wat hastu þoȝt? 40
Hou schal ihc lyue biþute þe?
Leue sone, what seistu me?”

“Alas, my sone,” þo saide sche,
“How mai I lyue? how mai I bene?
How mai I þis sorwe ysene? 40
Neu{er} ere wist I of sorwe nouȝt;
Leue sone, what hauest þou þouȝt?
How schal I leue w{i}t{h} oute þee?
Leue sone, what saist þou to me?” 44

¶ Þo spac ih{es}u wordes gode,
Þ{er} he heng vpon þe rode, 44
{And} sede to his moder dere,
“Ihc schal þe teche a trewe ifere,
Þ{a}t trewliche schal loky þe,
Þe while þ{a}t þu in erþe be.” 48

Ih{es}u spak þo wordes goode,
As he henge on þe rode,
And seide to his moder dere,
“I schal þee take a trewe fere, 48
[Sidenote: [leaf 63]]
That trewly schal kepen þee,
While in erþe þou schalt be.”

¶ Þo seide vre lord to sei{n}t Iohan,
“For my loue qep me þis wymman.
Ȝem hire wel wiþ al þi miȝte
Þ{a}t noman do hure non vnriȝte.” 52

Than seide Ih{es}u to seynt Iohan,
“For my loue kepe wel þis wo{m}man. 52
Kepe hure wel w{i}t{h} al þi myȝt,
That no man do hure vnryȝt.”
¶ Þan nam þe apostel, seynt Iohan,
On his kepynge þis wo{m}man. 56
He kept hure wel w{i}t{h} al his myȝt,
That no man do hure none vnryȝt.[A-1]

[Footnote A-1: MS. viryȝt]

In to þe te{m}ple mid hire he nam,
{And} also sone so he þar cam,
Amo{n}g þe lefdis in þe stede,
God to s{er}ui he hire dude. 56

To þe temple he hure nam,
And also sone as he þer cam, 60
God to serue he hure dede,
Amonge þe nu{n}nes in þat stede.

Þ{er} bilefte heo al hure lif;
Ne louede he noþ{er} fiȝt ne st{ri}f,
Þeo þ{a}t in þe temple were,
Ne miȝte noȝt hire forbere. 60
Wiþ al hure miȝte þe while heo was þore,
Heo s{er}uede boþe lasse {and} more;
Poure {and} sike he dude god,
{And} seruede he{m} to hond {and} fot. 64

Ther sche bileft al hure lyfe,
Ne loued sche noþ{er} fiȝt ne stryf. 64
¶ The ladies þat þ{er} Inne weren,
Ful wel þei ne myȝt hure forberen,
For eu{er} þe while sche was þore,
Sche wolde serue las {and} more. 68
Seke {and} hole sche dide gode
And seruede hem to hande {and} fote.

Poure {and} hu{n}grie wel faire he fedde,
{And} sike heo broȝte in here bedde.
Nas þ{er} non so hol ne fer,
Þ{a}t to hire nadde mester. 68
Hi louede hure alle wiþ here miȝte,
For heo seruede he{m} wel riȝte.