Chapter IV: Part 4

Tille than come ful nyȝe the cooste. pavilion near the Of the Sowdons Pavylon̄ shore. Ferumbras was of hem ware 204 [leaf 6] Ferumbras, And sprange out as a sparkil of glede; that doughty Of Armes bright a sheelde he bare, warrior, becoming aware A Doughty man̄ he was of dede. of them, led xv thousande came oute there 208 15,000 men against the With him at þat same tyde, Romans. Ayen the Romaynes for to were, Witħ bobaunce, booste and grete pride. The stoure was stronge, enduryn[g|] longe: 212 The Romaynes hade there the feelde; The Sarysyns thai slougħ amonge, Ten thousand and mo with spere and sheelde. 10,000 and more of the Sauariz was wise and ware 216 Saracens were slain, And drowe towards þat Citee. and the Romans, though His baner displaied witħ him he bare victorious, were led To releve with his meyne. back to Rome by the The Pope with his Senatours 220 cautious Savaris. Thanked god þat tyme of glorie, The Pope thanked God That gafe hem þat day grete honours, for the victory. Of hethen that dai to have the victorie. Lukafer of Baldas Lukafere, kinge of Baldas, 224 having scoured the The countrey hade serchid and sought, country, Ten thousande maidyns faire of face brought 10,000 maidens Vnto the Sowdan hath he broghte. to the soudan, who The Sowdon̄ co«m»manded hem anone, 228 ordered them to be That thai shulde al be slayn̄. slain, Martires thai were eu«er»ychon̄, saying, he would And therof were thai al ful fayne. not have his people He saide “my peple nowe ne shalle 232 polluted by them, and With hem noughte defouled be, he would destroy every But I wole distroie ou«er» all Christian seed. The sede over alle Cristiante.” Lukafer said to the Tho spake lukefere the kinge, 236 soudan: That hethen̄ hounde Baldas,

[p008 THE NEXT DAY LUKAFER ASSAULTS THE CITY,]

And saide “Sir Sowdan̄, g«ra»unte me one “Grant me thy daughter thinge, and I will bring thee Thi doghter Dame Floripas. Charlemagne and all his The kinge of Fraunce I shal the bringe 240 twelve peers.” And the xij dosipers alle in fere.” Laban assented; but The Sowdan saide in þat tokenyn[g|], Floripas said, she “I g«ra»unte the here, that is so dere.” would only consent to Tho sayde Floripe “sire, noon̄ haste, 244 be his darling, He hath note done as he hath saide. I trowe, he speketh these wordes in waste, [leaf 7] He wole make bute an easy brayde. Whan he bryngith home Charles the kinge 248 when he had taken And the xij dosipers alle, Charles and the I g«ra»unte to be his derlynge douzepeers. What so evere therof by-falle. The next morning the Than on the morowe the Sowdan̄ 252 soudan ordered Lukafer Callid to him Lukafe[rh] of Baldas, to assault the City To assaile the Cite anone: with 30,000 men. “And loke thou tary not in this cas! Thritty thousande of my menie, 256 Of Gallopes, Ethiopes and Aufricanes, Take hem to the walles witħ the. Betitħ down̄ wallis, towris and stones.” Lukafe[rh] blewe his clarion̄ 260 To Assemble the Sarasyns þat tide, Where-of thai knewe right welle the soune, Thai made hem redy for to ride, But whan thai come to the yate, 264 The Dikes were so develye depe, The Saracens, finding Thai helde hem selfe Chek-mate; the ditches too deep, Ouer cowde thai nothir goo nor crepe. cannot pass, and are Lukafe[rh] in al the haste 268 Turned to the Sowdan agayn̄ obliged to return. And saide “sir, it is alle in waste, We laboure nowe alle in vayne. To depe and brode the Dikes bene, 272 The Towres so stronge be witħ alle,

[p009 BUT THE HEATHENS ARE OBLIGED TO WITHDRAW.]

That by Mahounde I can note seen̄, How that we shulde wyne ther to the walle.” Who was woode but the Sowdon̄? 276 He reneyed his goddis alle. He clepede his Engyno«ur» sir mavone, The soudan calls for To counsaile he did him faste calle. his engineer Mavon, He tolde him the case of þat myschefe, 280 How it stode at that ilke tyde. Mavon Gafe him counsel in breefe who advised him to fill To fille the Dikes þat were depe.[98] the ditch Every man to woode shal goon̄, 284 Fagotis to hewe and faste bynde, with fagots. And fille the Dikes faste anoon̄ With alle, that we may ther fynde. “Gramercy, Mavon̄,” q«uo»d Laban than̄, 288 Laban thanks his wise “Mahoundis benysone thou shalt haue, engineer. Of alle myn Ooste the wiseste man, [leaf 8] With counsaile men for to saue.” Alle this was done the seconde daye, 292 The following day, the Men myght go even to the walle; ditch being filled with On every party the ooste laye, fagots, the city Thai made assaite[99] then generalle. was assaulted from all The Romaynes ronnen̄ to the toures, 296 quarters. The Romans Thai were in ful grete dowte; ran to the towers, and Thai hade many sharpe shoures, a sharp conflict Thai were assailed sore a-bowte. ensued. Wifis and maidyns stones thai bare 300 Women and maidens To the walles than ful faste, carried stones which Thai were in grete drede and care; the The men over the wallis did caste. men threw over the Thai slowen many a Sarasyn̄, 304 walls. x «thousande»[100] pepul of hem̄ and moo. 10,000 Saracens were The daie passed to the fyne, slain and The hethen withdrowe hem tho. the heathens obliged to Whan these tidinges came to laban, 308 withdraw.

[p010 LUKAFER ENTERS THE MAIN TOWER OF ROME.]

His goddes he gan chide. Laban chides his gods He waxe both blake, pale and wan, and nearly grows mad He was nyȝe woode þat same tyde. with vexation. But Tho Lukafer comfortede him welle 312 Lukafer told him that, And saide “sir, be not dismayed, having espied that For I have aspied everydele, Savaris would, the Howe thai shalle alle be betrayede. following day, come Sauariz wole to morowe witħ us fighte, 316 out again to fight His baner knowe I ful welle; with them, he would I shal have an othere, I yoᶙ plighte, have a banner made Like to this every dele. exactly like his, which Whan he is moste besy in bataile, 320 when Savaris was much Than wole I with banere displaiede engaged in the battle, Ride in to Rome w«i»t«h»out faile, he would unfold and Thus shal thai al be betrayede.” enter Rome. The Sowdan̄ was glad of this tidinge, 324 Hopinge it shulde be so; And even as it was in purposynge, And so it Right so was it aftir I-do. turned out; the Romans Wenynge it hade be Sauarye, 328 mistaking him for Relevinge fro the hethen stou[rh], Savaris, returning from Wenynge doth ofte harme w«i»t«h»oute lye, his sally, he entered He entred to the maist«er» Toure. the main tower, The firste warde thus thay wo«n»ne 332 [leaf 9] By this fals contrevede engyne. Thus was moche sorowe bygon̄, Thai slougħ all, that were ther-Inne. and slew all therein. Whan̄ Sauariz saugħ this discomfitu[rh] 336 Savaris becoming aware Of the Romaynes in that tyme, of the artifice of the And howe harde than̄ was here aventu[rh], enemy, Of sorowe þat myghte he ryme Of x thousande men̄ lefte no moo 340 and seeing out of But sexty men̄ and twelfe, 10,000 Romans no more And whan he sawe this myschief tho, than seventy-two left, He turned homewarde agayn him selue. turned back, but found By than̄ he founde the gate shite 344 the gate shut,

[p011 THE POPE DESPATCHES MESSENGERS TO CHARLEMAGNE.]

With Sarisyns, that hade it wone; And Estragot with him he mette With bores hede, blake and donne. For as a bore an hede hadde 348 And a grete mace stronge as stele. He smote Sauaryz as he were madde, and was slain by That dede to grounde he felle. Estragot, a black giant This Astrogot of Ethiop, 352 of Ethiopia. He was a kinge of grete strengtħ; Ther was none suche in Europe So stronge and so longe in lengtħ. I trowe, he were a develes sone, 356 Of Belsabubbis lyne, For ever he was thereto I-wone, To do Cristen̄ men grete pyne. Whan tidinggis came to the [P]ope, 360 After the death of That Duke Sauaryz was dede slayn̄, Savaris, the Pope Than̄ to woo turned alle his hope; He dide calle than̄ to counsaile summoned his council Alle the Senatouris of Rome, 364 again. What þinge þat myght hem most availe, And what were beste to done. Tho by-spake a worthy man of counsaile, An Erille of the Senatouris: 368 An earl of the “The best counsaile, þat I can senatours suggested the necessity of Sending vnto Charles the kinge[101] dispatching messengers Certifiynge him by your myssangeris to Charlemagne, The myschief þat ye are Inne, 372 imploring him to come That he come with his Dosyperys to their deliverance. To reskue Cristiante fro this heþen.” [leaf 10] All thai assentede anone therto; They all assented. The l«ett»res were made in haste. 376 Three messengers, with Thre messageres we ordeyn̄[102] therto, letters written in That went forthe at the laste. haste,

[p012 THE SARACENS THROW DOWN A BASTILE OF ROME.]

At a posterne thai wente oute left the city by a Pryvely aboute mydnygħt, 380 postern at midnight, And passed through alle the route. and passed the enemy’s Of hem was war no wigħt. camp without being BVT let we nowe the messangeris goon̄, noticed by any wight. And speke we of Laban̄, 384 Howe he dide saile the Cite anoon̄, And co«m»maundid, þat every man Laban commanded every Shulde withe Pikeys or witħ bille man to throw pikes and The Wallis over throwe, 388 bills over the walls, That he myght the Romaynes kille, to kill the Romans. Playnly on a rowe, By water he ordeynede the shippes goon̄, He ordered the ships The bootis bownden to the maste, 392 to go up the water, That thai myght fight with hem anoon̄, with their boats bound Honde of honde, þat was here caste. to the mast, that they To the Toure a bastile stode, might fight in close An engyne was I-throwe— 396 combat. That was to the Cite ful goode— Near the tower there And brake down̄ towres both hie and lowe. stood a bastile which Tho sorowede alle the Citesyns formed a principal And were ful hevy than̄. 400 protection to the city. Tho wox prowde the Sarasyns, It was laid low by And than bispake sire laban stones hurled from an And saide “yolde youe here to me, engine. Ye may not longe endure, 404 Laban, growing proud, Or ellis shall ye al slayn̄ be, summoned the Romans to By mahounde I you ensure.” surrender. A Romayne drife a darte him to Instead of an answer, a And smote him on the breste plate, 408 Roman hurled a dart at Ne hadde his hawberke lasted tho, his breast-plate, but Mahounde had come to late. his hauberk shielded Tho was the Sowdon̄ more þan̄ wod, him. He cried to Ferumbras, 412 The soudan, more than “For Mahoundes loue, þat is so good, mad, charged Ferumbras Destroye vp bothe man and place. to destroy them all,

[p013 ESTRAGOT IS CRUSHED BY A PORTCULLIS.]

Spare no thinge that is alyve, Hows, Toure ner Walle, 416 [leaf 11] Beest, ner man, Childe nere Wife, Brenne, slo and distroye alle.” Tho Ferumbras ordeynede anone To bende the Engynes to the town̄ 420 And bete down̄ botħ Toure and stoon̄. He cleped fortħ Fortibraunce and Mavon̄ and enjoined And saide “be youre Engynes goode? Fortibrance and Mavon Shewe forth here nowe your crafte 424 to direct their For Mahoundis love, þat gevith man foode, engines against the That ther be no Toure lafte.” walls. Tho the grete gloton̄ Estagote[103] The great glutton With his myghty mace sware 428 Estragot, with his On the Gatis of Rome he smote heavy mace, And brake hem alle on thre thare. smote on the gates In he entrid at the Gate and brake them in The Porte-Colis on him thai lete falle. 432 pieces. He wende, he hade come to late, But as he was It smote him through herte, lyuer and entering one of the galle. gates, they let the He lai cryande at the grounde portcullis fall, Like a develle of Helle; 436 which crushed him to Through the Cite wente the sowne, the ground, So lowde than gan he yelle. where he lay crying Gladde were al the Romaynes, like a devil. That he was take in the trappe, 440 The Romans were glad, And sorye were al the Sarsyns but the Saracens Of þat myschevos happe. grieved. Sory was the Soudon̄ than̄ And Ferumbras and Lukafe[rh]. 444 They withdrew to Thai drowe hem tille her tent«es» than̄, their tents, leaving Thai left him ligginge there. behind the corpse of Mahounde toke his soule to him Estragot, whose soul And broght it to his blis. 448 went up to Mahound. He loued him wel and al his kyn,

[p014 THE POPE ATTEMPTS A SALLY.]

Of þat myghte he not mys. Anone the [P]ope dide somon̄ alle; The Pope called all The peple of the Cite came, 452 his people to St. To Seinte Petris he dide hem calle, Peter’s, And thidere came every man. He saide on hie “my Children dere, and proposed to them Ye wote wel, howe it is; 456 Ayenst the Sarisyns, þat nowe be here, We mowe not longe endure I-wis. Thay brekene oure walles, oure Toures alle [leaf 12] With caste of his Engyne. 460 Therefore here amonge yoᶙ alle Ye shalle here counsaile myne. Thai bene withdrawe to here Oost,[104] And on-armede thay ben alle. 464 Therfore, me thenketh, is beste to attempt a sally To-morowe erly on hem to falle. with 20,000 men, to We have xxx^{ti} thousande men; attack the enemy Twenty thousande shal go witħ me, 468 before day-break And in this Cite leve ten within their camp, To governe the comynalte.” and to leave 10,000 The Senatouris assentede sone for the guard of the And saide, bet«er» myghte no man seyne. 472 city. The senators On the morowe this was it done[105]; assented. God bringe hem wele home agayne. In the morning The Pope did display than the Pope displayed The hie baner of Rome, 476 the banner of Rome, And he assoiled every man̄ Througħ gracious god in Dome. He praide of helpe and socou[rh] and after a prayer Seinte Petir and Poule also 480 for the preservation And oure lady, þat swete floure, of the city, To saue the Cite of Rome from woo. they marched out. Forth thai riden̄ towarde the Oost. But Ferumbras, going Ferumbras romede a-boute; 484 his rounds,

[p015 FERUMBRAS DRAWS UP THE SARACEN TROOPS.]

He saw the Romaynes comen̄ by the Cost,[106] discovered their Thereof he hade grete dowte. coming, He blewe an horne, of bras it was; sounded the alarm, The Sarsyns be-gon̄ to wake. 488 “Arise vp” he saide in aras,[107] “We bene elles alle I-take, And Armes anone, every wight, To horse with spere and shelde! 492 Ye may se here a ferefu[l~l] sighte Of oure enemyes in the felde. Astopars,[108] goo ye biforne vs, and drew up his For ye be men of myghte; 496 troops. Ethiopes, Assayneȝ and Askalous, Go nexte afore my sighte. My Fadir and I with Babyloynes, Ho[109] shal kepe the rerewarde. 500 King Lukafe[rh] with Baldeseynes, To venge alle, shalle have the Fowarde.” [leaf 13] The Romaynes aspied, þat thai were ware Of here comynge than̄, 504 And therfore hade thay moche care. Natheles on he«m» thai gon̄— Seinte Petir be here socoure!— And laiden on side, bake and bon̄. 508 There bigan a sturdy shoure There began a hard Sire [110]Ferumbras of Alisaundre oon̄,[111] struggle. That bolde man was in dede, Vppon a steede Cassaundre gaye, 512 He roode in riche Weede. Sire Bryer of Poyle a Romayne to fraye Ferumbras slew Sir He bare through witħ a spere, Bryer of Apulia Dede to the grounde ther he lan̄ 516 Might he no more hem dere!

[p016 A GREAT MANY ARE SLAIN ON EITHER SIDE.]

That sawe Huberte, a worthy man, Howe Briere was I-slayn̄, Ferumbras to qwite than̄ 520 To him he rode ful even̄. With a spere vppone his shelde þan̄ Stifly ganne he strike; The shelde he brake I-myddis the feelde; 524 His Hawberke wolde not breke. Many goode strokes were delte. Ferumbras was a-greved tho, He smote with mayne and mygħte 528 and the worthy Hubert. The nekke asonder, the ventayle also, That dede he sate vprighte. There was bataile harde and stronge; Many a steede wente ther a-straye, 532 And leyen at the grounde I-stonge, That resyn never aftyr that day, IX thousand of the payens pride 9000 pagans were That day were slayn̄, 536 killed, And viij thousande of the Romaynes side, and 8000 Romans. That in the feelde dede lay«n»e. Lukafere, þat paynym proude, Lukafer destroyed Slough Romaynes eyȝtene, 540 eighteen Romans, Of wer[rh] moche sorowe he coude, he also slew Gyndard, His strokes were over alle sene. a senator of Rome, Gyndarde, a Senatoure of Rome, who had slain ten Had slayne Sarsenys ten̄, 544 [leaf 14] Saracens. Tille he met with the cursed gome, Lukifere slough him than. Tho come the Pope with grete aray, Then came the Pope His baner to-fore him wente. 548 with a great guard Ferumbras than gan̄ to assaye, and his banner before If he myght that praye entente, him. Supposynge in this though[t]e, Ferumbras, supposing Ther was the souerayne; 552 him to be the He spared him therfore rigħt nogħt, sovereign,

[p017 FERUMBRAS ENCOUNTERS THE POPE.]

But bare him down̄ ther in þ^e playn̄. burst open the thick Anoon̄ he sterte on him all ane crowd and threw him His Ventayle for to onlace, 556 down to the ground. And saugh his crown̄ newe shafe, But seeing his A-shamed thanne he was. tonsure, he was “Fye, preest, god gyfe the sorowe! ashamed. What doist thou armede in the feelde, 560 “Fie, priest,” That sholdest saie thi matyns on morwe, he said, “what What doist thoᶙ witħ spere and shelde? doest thou in the I hoped, thoᶙ hadiste ben̄ an Emp«er»oure, battle-field? Or a Cheftayne of this Ooste here, 564 Or some worthy conqueroure. Go home and kepe thy Qwe[rh]! Shame it were to me certayne It would be a shame To sle the in this bataile, 568 for me to slay thee. Therfore turne the home agayn̄!” Go home and think of The Pope was gladde þ«er»-of certayne,[112] thy choir-service!” He wente home to Rome that nyght The Pope retired with Witħ Five thousande and no more, 572 5000 men, XV thousande lefte in the feelde aplight, 15,000 being killed. Full grete sorowe was therfore. NOWE telle we of the messange[rh], That wente to Charlemayne, 576 Charlemagne, having Certyfyinge him by lettres dere, learned from the Howe the Romaynes were slayne, messenger the great And howe the Contrey brente was disaster which had Vnto the Gate of Rome, 580 befallen the Romans, And howe the people song ‘alas,’ Tille socoure from him come. “Who” q«uo»d Charles, that worthy kinge, said, he would not “The Sowdon̄ and Ferumbras? 584 desist until he had I nyl lette for no thinge, [leaf 15] chased the Till I him oute of Cristendome chace. soudan and Ferumbras Therefore Gy of Burgoyn̄, out of Christendom. Mynne owen nevewe so trewe, 588

[p018 THE SARACENS AGAIN ATTACK THE CITY.]

Take a thausande pounde of Frankis fyne, He gave 1000 pounds To wage wytħ the pepul newe. of francs to his Take this with the nowe at this tyme, nephew Guy of And more I wole sende the, 592 Burgundy, Loke that thou spare no hors ne shelde, and sent him off with But þat he dede be; orders to advance And faste hye the thyderwarde, against the soudan by For I drede thay haue grete nede, 596 forced marches. And I shalle come aftirwarde Himself would follow As faste, as I may me spede.” as soon as possible. SPEKE we of Sir Laban̄ And let Charles and Gy be, 600 Howe he ordeyned for hem than̄ To Distroye Rome Citee. “Sir Lukafe[rh], thou madiste thi boost Laban reminded To conque[rh] the Romaynes 604 Lukafer of his And to bringe me the Ooste vaunting promise to Of the xij peris and Charlemayne. bring him Charlemagne Vppon̄ a condicion̄ I graunte the and his douzepeers, My doghter, dere Dame Floripas. 608 in return for his Wherefore, I aske nowe of the daughter Floripas. To holde coven«au»nte in this cas.” “That I saide” q«uo»d Lucafere, Lukafer said, he “To Mahounde I make a vowe 612 would do all he had To done al þat I hight the the[rh], promised. Ye and more th«a»n[113] for Florip love.” He ordeyned assaute anone in haste With 10,000 men he With x thousande men and moo; 616 attacked the city on And Ferumbras at that oþ«er» side faste one side, the other Assailed hem with grete woo. being assaulted by The saute endured al þ«a»t daye Ferumbras. The combat From morowe, tille it was nyght, 620 continues as long as To throwe and shete by eu«er»y waye, daylight lasts. At While that hem endured the light. night they retired to Tho wente thai home to thai[rh] tentys, their tents.

[p019 THEY ENTER ROME BY TREASON.]

Tille it were on the morowe. 624 Isres, who possessed Isres in his fals ententes by inheritance Purposed treson̄ and sorowe. the guard of the He was chief Porter of the Town̄, [leaf 16] principal By heritage and fee so he shulde be. 628 gate, planned treason. He wente to the Sowdan̄, He repaired to the For the riche Cite betraye woolde he, soudan and offered to And saide “lorde, gife me grace betray the city on For my goodes and for me, 632 condition that his And I wole del«yu»er the this place life and property To haue and holde for ever in fee. should be spared. The keyes of this riche Cite I haue in my bandon.” 636 “That gr«a»unte I” q«uo»d Laban “the The soudan promised To be free withoute raunson̄.” it. Ferumbras made him yare, Ferumbras with 20,000 With xx^{ti} thousand men̄ and moo, 640 men went with Isres. With this Isres for to fare, And to wynne the Cite soo. As sone as he entred was On entering the gate, The chief Gate of alle, 644 And alle his men in aras,[114] he caused the He lete the Portcolys falle. traitor’s head to be He smote of the traitourus hede struck off by the And saide “god gife him care! 648 portcullis, and Shal he never more ete brede, All traito«ur»s evel mot[115] thai fare! If he myght leve and reigne here, He wolde betraye me; 652 For go he west, soutħ or Nortħ, Traito«ur» shalle he never be.” to be carried on the He dide lete bere his hede on a spere point of a spear Througħ-oute this faire Citee. 656 through the city. ‘Treson, treson̄’ thai cried there, “Treason,” cried the Pite it was to here and see. people within,

[p020 FERUMBRAS TAKES THE RELICS TO AGREMORE.]

The people fled by every waye, Thai durst no-where a-bide. 660 The hye wey ful of dede men laye, and all streets were And eke by every lanys side. soon covered with Ferumbras to Seinte Petris wente, dead men. Ferumbras And alle the Relekes he seased anoon̄, 664 went to St. Peter’s, The Crosse, the Crown̄, the Nailes bente; seized the relics, He toke hem with him everychone. the cross, the crown He dide dispoile al the Cite and the nails, Both of tresoure and of goolde, 668 And after that brente he [leaf 17] burned Alle þat ever myght be toolde. the whole city, and And alle the tresoure witħ hem þai bare carried away all the To the Cite of Egremou[rh]. 672 treasures and the Laban the Sowdon̄ soiourned there[116] gold to Agremore, Thre monþes and thre dayes more where the soudan went In myrtħ and Ioye and grete solas. to stay. Three months And to his goddes offrynge he made, 676 and three days they He and his sone Sir Ferumbras spent there in great Here goddis of golde dide fade, festivities, making Thai brente Franken̄sense, offerings to their That smoked vp so stronge, 680 gods, and burning The Fume in her presence, frankincense in their It lasted alle alonge. honour. Thai blewe hornes of bras, Thai dronke beestes bloode. 684 They drank the blood Milke and hony ther was, of beasts and milk, That was roial and goode. and ate honey and Serpentes in Oyle were fryed snakes fried in oil. To serve þ^e Sowdon̄ with alle, 688 “Antrarian Antrarian” thai lowde cryed That signyfied ‘Ioye generalle.’ Thus thai lived in Ioye and blis Two monþes or thre. 692 Lete we now be alle this,

[p021 GUY AND CHARLEMAGNE APPROACH.]

And of Gye nowe speke we. NOW speke we of Sir Gȳe That toward Rome hied witħ his Oost. 696 Whan̄ he approched there-to so nyȝe, When Sir Guy drew That he myght se the cooste, near Rome, finding Alle on a flame þat Cite was, the whole city in That thre myle al abowte, 700 flames, Ther durst no man̄, þat ther was, Come nyȝe the Cite for grete dowte. That was a sory Cite than, Sir Gye was in grete care, 704 he grieved much Ther was nowhere a soryer man̄, For sorowe he sighed ful sare, And saide “welallas”[117] the while “For we come ar to late, 708 that he had arrived For by some treson or some gyle too late. Thai entred in at some Gate. There is no more but for to abyde, He resolved there to Tille Charles come, the kinge, 712 wait for Charlemagne In this mede Vnder grene wode side, [leaf 18] To telle him of this tithinge, and then to tell him, Howe Laban hath the Cite brente how Laban had burnt And bore the Religes[118] a-waye, 716 the city, and had And howe he hath hem to Spayne sente sent the relics to With Shippes of grete aray, Agremore, To Egremou[rh] his chief Cite, his principal town in Ther to live and ende; 720 Spain. And manassitħ Charles and his baronye. God gife hem evelle ende!” Kinge Charles he forgate nought King Charles advanced To come to reskowe Rome, 724 to rescue Rome with Alle his Doȝypers were I-sought, his douzepeers Fulle sone to him thay come. Thre hundred thousande of Sowdeoures and 300,000 soldiers.

[p022 CHARLES HEARS OF THE MISCHIEF DONE BY THE SARACENS.]

Kinge Charles with him dide lede, 728 They were doughty in all stourys And worthy men of dede. Sir Roulande þat worthy knighte, Roland led the He ladde the Fowarde, 732 vanguard, And Sir Olyue[rh], that was so wighte, Oliver the rear, Gouerned the Rerewarde. The Kinge himselfe and his Baronye, the king was With Dukes And Erilles roialle, 736 Gouerned alle the medil partye. with the main body. By co«m»maundemente generall He ordeynede grete plente The provisions Of Flessh and Fissh, brede and wyne, 740 In shippes to saile by the see, were conveyed by sea. To serven him ful wel and fyne. Sir Gye aspied his comynge, Guy seeing them come, He knewe the baner of Fraunce, 744 went to He wente anoon̄ ayen the kinge meet the king, and And tolde him of þat myschaunce, told him the mischief Howe that the cursed Sowdan̄ done by the soudan, Hath brent Rome and bore the Relekis awaye, 748 And how he hath slayn̄ alle and some, That he hatħ founde of Cristen̄ faye. And more-over he made his a-vowe, who moreover had made To seke kinge Charles in Fraunce 752 a vow to seek Charles And do him wo ther I-nowe. in France in order “God gif him moch myschaunce!”— to afflict him with “A” q«uo»[d+] Charles “þat neditħ noght, grief. [leaf 19] “He He shal fynde me nere. 756 will find me near,” By god, þat dere me bogħt, said Charles, “and He shal by it ful dere. shall dearly pay for I shalle him never leve I-wis it. Withinne walle ner witħoute, 760 I swere by god and seinte Denys, Tille I have sought him oute; Unless he consents to And but if he will Baptised be be baptized,

[p023 HE GOES OVER TO SPAIN.]

And lefe his fals laye, 764 Babyloyne shal he never see he never shall see For alle his grete aray.” Babylon again.” They Anoon to shippe every man̄ all took ship without With vitaile and with store, 768 delay. Euen towarde the proud Sawdan̄ With-outen̄ any more. Wynde him blewe ful fayre and goode Into the Ryver of Gaȝe, 772 Propitious winds Even over the salte flode drove them into the And ouer the profounde rase. river Gase, where XXX legeeȝ from Egremou[rh] they landed, 30 miles By londe for south it is, 776 from Agremore, And ther withoute any more To londe thai wente I-wis, And brente and sloughen̄ al þ«a»t thai fonde, and laid waste the And stroyed both Toure and town̄. 780 country. Thai lefte no thinge on grounde, That thai ne bete it down̄. Tithinggis were tolde to Laban, Laban, hearing this Howe Charles was I-come 784 news, And slough bouth childe, wyfe, man And brente and stroyed alle and some With thre hundred thousand of Bacheleris, That were both stoute and gaye, 788 And with him al his Dosyperis, Pepul of grete araye. “And but ye ordeyne remedy, He wole you brenne and sloon̄, 792 Youe and youre riche Baronye, He wole leve a-life neu«er»e oon̄.” Whan Laban herde these tidyngys, His herte woxe alle coolde 796 And saide “this is a wonder thinge! [leaf 20] Howe durste he be so boolde? was astonished at Litill ke«n»nyth he what I may doo, Charles’s presumption.

[p024 A GREAT BATTLE ENSUES.]

He dredith me litil nowe. 800 But certes he shalle, e[rh] he goo, To Mahounde I make a vowe. Sir Lucafe[rh] and Ferumbras He assembled all his To him dide he calle 804 barons, And Mavon̄ and Sortebras And his Barons alle. I charge you vppon̄ youre legeaunce, That ye bringe me that gloton, 808 and charged them to That clepeth himselfe kinge of Fraunce, bring him alive that Hidere to my Pavilon̄. glutton that called Kepe him a-live, the remenaunte sle himself king of The xij Peris ychoon̄! 812 France, and to slay I shalle tech him curtesye, the remnant. I swere by god Mahounde.” Ferumbras anoon̄ than Ferumbras went forth Arrayed him for to ride 816 with many Saracens. With proude Sarasyns many a man, That boldely durst a-bide. Rowlande met with Ferumbras He meets with Roland. And gafe him such a stroke 820 That al astonyed þerof he was, It made him lowe to stoupe. Ferombras smote him agayne They deal each other With myghte and may«n», with ire 824 heavy strokes. That he stenyed alle his brayne, Him thought, his eyen̄ were alle on fyre. With Lucafe[rh] Olive[rh] mette, Oliver cuts off a And hit him on the sheelde 828 quarter of Lukafer’s A stroke, that was right wel sette; shield. A quarter flye in the feelde. Thus thai hurteled to-gedere The combat lasted the Alle the lefe longe daye, 832 whole day. Nowe hider and nowe theder; Mony an hors wente ther astraye. Well fought the The Dosyperis thay foughten wele, twelve peers.

[p025 CHARLES ENCOUNTERS FERUMBRAS AND LUKAFER.]

Duke Neymys and Oge[rh], 836 With goode swerdes of fyne stele And so dide Gye and Syr Brye[rh]. Ferumbras was euer a-bowte [leaf 21] To fyghte witħ Olyvere, 840 Ferumbras charges And Olyue[rh] with-oute dowte Oliver. Leyde on with goode chere. Kinge Charles saugh Ferumbras, King Charles, seeing To him fast he rode 844 this, rides on to And it on the helme witħ his mace, Ferumbras, That stroke sadlye abode. and strikes his helm Ferumbras was woode for woo, with his heavy mace. He myght for prees come him to 848 Ferumbras cannot For no worldis thinge, that myght be tho. approach him on Kinge Charles anoon[119] Ioye oute-drowe, account of the crowd. And with his owen honde Charlemagne with his XXX^{ti} Sarseynys ther he slowe, 852 sword Mounjoy slew 30 That laie dede vppone the sonde; Saracens. Many of hem therfore made joy Inowe. Sir Lucafere of Baldas, Lukafer of Baldas, He presed to Charles sone, 856 encountering Charles, And saide “Sir, with harde grace, What hastowe here to done? I behight Laban to bringe the to him told him that he had And the xij peris alle; 860 promised the soudan Now shaltowe come from al thy kyn to bring him Charles Into the Sowdans halle. and the douzepeers. Yelde the to me” he saide, “Thy life shalle I safe.” 864 A stroke on him than Charles layde; Charles strikes him He made the Paynym to rafe. on his helmet, He smote him on the helme With mown-Ioye, his gode bronde. 868 Ne hadde he be reskued than, He hade slayn him with his honde.

[p026 THE SARACENS QUIT THE FIELD.]

Than came Baldeȝynȝ with thronge but Lukafer is To reskue there here lorde, 872 rescued by a great And nubens with hem amonge throng. Roland, And Turkes by one accorde. drawing Durendale, Tho Roulande Durnedale oute-drowe cleared a space And made Ro«m»me[120] abowte. 876 around him and XL of hem ther he slowe, Tho were thai in grete dowte. Roulande as fiers as a lion̄ With Durnedale[121] tho dinge 880 hammered the heads of Vppon the Sarsyns crowne, the Saracens. As harde as he myght flynge. [leaf 22] Duke Neymys and Sir Olyue[rh], So do the other peers, Gy and Alloreynes of Loreyne, 884 And alle the noble xij Peris, Oge[rh] and Brye[rh] of Brytayne, Thai foughten as feythfully in þat fight, The feelde ful of dede men laye. 888 XXX^{ti} thousande, I you plight, and 30,000 Saracens Of Sarsenys ther were slayn̄. were slain. Al thinge moste haue an̄ ende, The nyghte come on ful sone, 892 At night the Pagans Every wighte retourned to wende; quit the field. Ferumbras to his men gan gone And saide “oure hornes blowe we, This day haue we a ful ille afraye, 896 To saie the south and not to lye, Oure goddis holpe vs not to daye, What devel þat ever hem̄ eilith. This bataile was so sharpe in faye, 900 That many a man it wailyth. Shalle I never in herte be glade to daye, Ferumbras vows, never Till I may preve my myghte to desist With Roulande, that proude ladde, 904 Or with Olyue[rh], that is so lighte,

[p027 CHARLES PRAISES THE OLD KNIGHTS.]

That evel hath vs ladde; And in Paris be crowned kinge unless he be crowned In despite of hem alle, 908 king at Paris. I wole leve for no thinge What so evere byfalle.” Kinge Charles with grete honou[rh] Charles went to his Wente to his Pavilon̄; 912 pavilion and Of the treyumple he bare the flou[rh] In dispite of Mahounde. Almyghty God and Seynte Denyse thanked God He thanked ful ofte sithe 916 And oure lady Marie of Paris, and St. Mary of That made hem gladde and blitħ. France. He recomendide the olde Knightes, He praised the elder That þat daye hade the victorye, 920 knights for having And charged the yonge with al her myghtes won the victory and To haue hem in memorye; exhorted the young For worthynesse wole not be hadde, ones But it be ofte sougħte, 924 [leaf 23] Ner knigħthode wole not ben hadde, Tille it be dere boghte. “Therfore ye knightes, yonge of age, Of oolde ye may now lere, 928 Howe ye shalle both hurle and rage In felde with sheelde and spere. And take ensample of the xij Peris, to take an example by Howe thai have proved her myght, 932 them. And howe thai were both wight and fiers To wy«n»nen honourys in righte. These hethen houndes we shal a-tame By God in magiste, 936 They make merry and Let us make myrtħ in goddis name go to supper. And to souper nowe goo we.” Prayer addressed “O THOW, rede Marȝ Armypotente, to the red Mars That in the trende baye hase made þy trone, 940 Armipotent, That god arte of bataile and regent

[p028 SPRING IS THE TIME OF LOVE.]

And rulist alle that alone, To whom I profre precious present, To the makande my moone 944 Witħ herte, body and alle myn entente, A crown̄ of precious stoones, And howe to the I gyfe Withouten fraude or engyne, 948 Vppon̄ thy day to make offerynge, And so shal I ever, while þat I live; By righte þat longith to my laye, In worshipe of thy reverence 952 On thyn owen Tewesdaye With myr[rh], aloes and Frankensense, Vppon̄ condicion̄ that thou me gr«a»unte, to grant the The victorye of Crystyn̄ Dogges, 956 Mahometans the And that I may some[122] hem adaunte victory over the And sle hem down̄ as hogges, Christians. That have done me distruccion̄ And grete disherytaunce 960 And eke slayn my men w«i»t«h» wronge. Mahounde gyfe hem myschaunce!” IN the semely seson of the yere, In the spring of the Of softenesse of the sonne, 964 year In the prymsauns of grene vere, Whan floures spryngyn̄ and bygy«n»ne, [leaf 24] And alle the floures in the fritħ Freshly shews here kynde, 968 Than it is semely therwytħ, man ought to show his That manhode be in mynde; manhood For corage wole a man to kitħ, If he of menske haue mynde, 972 And of loue to lystyn̄ and lithe, and to think of love. And to seke honu[rh] for þat ende. For none can be a For he was neu«er»e gode werryou[rh], good warrior, unless That cowde not loue a-ryght; 976 he knows how to love.

[p029 THE SOUDAN RALLIES HIS TROOPS.]

For loue hath made many a conquerou[rh] And many a worthy knighte. This worthy Sowdan, though he heþen we[rh], The soudan was a He was a worthy conquerou[rh]; 980 great conqueror; Many a contrey with shelde and spere He conquerede wyth grete honoure. And his worthy sone Ferumbras, Ferumbras and That kinge was of Alisaund[rh], 984 And Lucafe[rh] of Baldas, Lukafer wrought That cruel kinge of Cassaund[rh], That wroughten wonders w«i»t«h» here honde wonders with their With myghte and mayne for to fyghte, 988 hands. And over-ride mony a manly londe, As men of Armes hardy and wighte. The Sowdan seyinge this myschief, How Charles hade him a-greved, 992 That grevaunce was him no thinge lese,[123] He was ful sore ameved. He sente oute his bassatoures The soudan sent for To Realmes, provynces fer[rh] and ne[rh], 996 his vassals, To Townes, Citeis, Castels and Tours, To come to him the[rh] he were, To Inde Maior and to Assye, To Ascoloyne, Venys, Frige and Ethiope, 1000 To Nubye, Turkye and Barbarye, To Macedoine, Bulga[rh] and to Europe. Alle these people was gadred to Agremore, and assembled more Thre hundred thousand of Sarsyns felle, 1004 than 300,000 Saracens Some bloo, some yolowe, some blake as at Agremore. more, Some horible and stronge as devel of helle. He made hem drinke Wilde beestes bloode, [leaf 25] Of Tigre, Antilope and of Camalyon̄, 1008 As is here vse to egre here mode, Whan þai in werre to battayle goon. He saide to hem “my frendes de[rh], He addressed them in As my trust is alle in you, 1012 order

[p030 THE SARACENS SACRIFICE TO THEIR GODS.]

On these Frenche dogges, that bene here, to increase their Ye moste avenge me nowe. ardour, Thai have done me vilanye, Mikille of my people have thay slayn̄. 1016 And yet more-over thay manace me And drive me to my contrey agayn; Wherefore I wole at the bygynnynge ordered a solemn To Mahounde and to my goddis alle 1020 sacrifice to his gods, Make a solempne offerynge; The better shall it vs byfalle. The laste tyme thai were wrothe, We hade not done oure dute. 1024 Therefore to saye the southe” . . . . There were many hornys blowe, The preestes senden̄ thikke I-nowe Goolde, and silver thikke thai throwe, 1028 With noyse and crye thai beestes slowe, And thought to spede wel I-nowe; And every man his vowe he made To venge the Sowdan̄ of his tene. 1032 Here goddis of golde thai wex alle fade, The smoke so grete was hem bitwene. Whan alle was done, the Sowdan than Charged Ferumbras redy to be 1036 and charged Ferumbras On the morowe, ere day began, To ride oute of þat Cite With xxx^{ti} thousande of Assiens, to march with 30,000 Frigys, Paens and Ascoloynes, 1040 of his people Turkis, Indeis and Venysyens, Barbarens, Ethiopes and Macidoynes, “Bringe him to me, that proude kinge; against the Christian I shal him teche curtesye, 1044 King, whom he wished Loke that thou leve for nothinge to teach courtesy, To sle alle his other mayne, [leaf 26] and to slay Safe Rouland and Olyuere, all his men except That bene of grete renowne, 1048 Roland and Oliver,

[p031 FERUMBRAS CHALLENGES 6 CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS TO SINGLE COMBAT.]

If thai wole reneye he[rh] goddis the[rh] if they would And leven on myghty Mahounde.” renounce their FERUMBRAS with grete araye gods. Ferumbras led Rode forthe, Mahounde him spede, 1052 out his troops; Tille he came nyȝe the[rh] Charles lay until arriving near By syde in a grene mede. Charles’s camp, he In a woode he buskede his men ordered them to Prively that same tyde, 1056 halt in a wood, and And with his felowes noon but ten advanced with only To kinge Charles he gan ride ten of his men to the And said “si[rh] kinge, that Arte so kene, camp of Charlemagne, Upon trwes I come to speke with the, 1060 If thou be curteis, as I wene, Thou wolte gr«a»unte a bone to me, That I migħte fight vppon̄ this grene, and offered him to With Rouland, Olyvere and Gye, 1064 fight at once against Duke Neymes and Oge[rh] I mene, Roland, Oliver, Guy, Ye and Duke Richarde of Normandye, Duke Naymes, Ogier With al sex attones to fight. the Dane, and Richard My body I prof[rh] here to the 1068 of Normandy. And requyre the, kinge, thoᶙ do me right, As thou art gentille Lord and fre; And if I may conquere hem in fere, If he should conquer To lede them home to my Faderis halle; 1072 them, he would lead And if thai me, I gr«a»unte the here, them away to his To be thy man, body and alle.” father’s hall; if he The kinge Answered with word«is» mylde should be conquered, And saide “felowe, þat neditħ nought, 1076 he would be his man. I shalle fynde of myn̄ a Childe, That shal the fynde that thou hast sought.” The kinge lete calle Sir Roulande The king sent for And saide “thou most with this man figħt, 1080 Roland and ordered To take this bataile here on honde, him to undertake Ther-to God gyfe the grace and myghte!” the combat. Roland Roulande answered with woordis boolde refuses, And saide “Sir, have me excuse[d+]!” 1084

[p032 ROLAND REFUSES TO UNDERTAKE THE COMBAT.]

He saide, certeynly he ne wolde; The bataile vttirly he refused. because Charles had “The laste day ye preised faste praised the old The oolde knightes of he[rh] worthynes. 1088 knights. [leaf 27] Let hem goon fortħ, I haue no haste, “May they show their Thai may goo shewen he[rh] prowes.” valour now.” Charles, For that worde the kinge was wrothe vexed, smites Roland And smote him on the mouthe on̄ hye, 1092 on the mouth, so that The bloode at his nose oute-goth, the blood springs And saide “traito«ur», thou shalte a-bye.” from his nose, and he “A-bye” q«uo»d Roulande “wole I noughte, calls him a traitor. And traito«ur» was I never none, 1096 By þat lord, þat me dere hath bought!” And braide oute Durnedale þe[rh] anone. Roland draws his He wolde haue smyten̄ the kinge the[rh], sword, but the other Ne hadde the barons ronne bytwene; 1100 barons separate them The kinge with-drowe him for fe[rh] and try to conciliate And passed home as it myght beste bene. them. The Barons made hem at one With grete praye[rh] and instaunce, 1104 As every wrath moste over-gone, Meanwhile Oliver, Of the more myschiefe to make voydaunce. who, being sorely Olyuere herde telle of this, wounded, kept his That in his bedde laye seke sore. 1108 bed, on hearing of He armede him ful sone I-wisse, this dispute, had And to the kinge he wente withoute more armed himself and And saide “Sir Kinge, a bone graunte me went to Charles. He For alle the servyse, that I haue done, 1112 reminds him of his To fight with þat kinge so free long services, and To morue day, ere it be none.” demands the battle. Charles answered to Olyue[rh]: Charles remonstrates “Thou arte seke and woundede sore, 1116 with him. And thou also my cosyn̄ dere, Therfore speke thereof no more.”— “Sir Kinge” he saide “I am alle hoole, But Oliver insists. I aske you this bone in goddis name.” 1120

[p033 OLIVER GOES TO FIGHT WITH FERUMBRAS.]

“Certes” he saide “I holde the a fole, But I praye, god sheelde the fro shame.” Oliver rides to the Forth he rideth in that Forest, forest, and finds Tille he gan Ferumbras see, 1124 Ferumbras alighted Where he was ligħt and toke his rest, under a tree, to His stede renewed til a grene tre. a branch of which “Sir” he saide “reste thoᶙ wele! his steed was tied. Kinge Charles sente me hidu[rh]. 1128 “Arise,” he said, If thou be curteys knighte and lele, “I am come to fight Rise vp and let vs fight to-geder.” with thee.” [leaf 28] Ferumbras sate stille and lough, Ferumbras, without Him liste not to rise oute of the place. 1132 moving, demands his “My felowe” q«uo»d he “what arte thou? name. Telle me thy name for goddis grace.” “Sir” he saide “Generyse, “I am Generys,” says A yonge knighte late dobbet newe.” 1136 Oliver, “a young “By Mahounde” q«uo»d he “thou arte not knight lately dubbed.” wyse, For thy comyng shaltowe sore rewe. I holde Charles but a foole Ferumbras observes, To sende the hide[rh] to me, 1140 “Charles is a fool to I shall the lerne a newe scole, send thee. If thoue so hardy to fighte be. I wende, he wolde haue sende Roulande, Olyue[rh] and iiij mo Dosyperys, 1144 That hade bene mygħty men of honde Bataile to a-bide stronge and fiers. Go and tell him to With the me liste no playe begynne, send me Roland and Ride agayn̄ and saye him soo! 1148 Oliver, and such four Of the may I no worshyp«e» wynne, other douzepeers. For Though I slougħ the and such V mo.” little honour were it “Howe longe” q«uo»d Olyue[rh] “wiltowe to me to fight with plete? thee.” Take thyn̄ armes and come to me, 1152 “Spare thy words,” And prove þat thou saiest in dede, says Oliver, “and For boost thou blowest, and þenkes[124] me.” take thy arms.” Whan Ferumbras herde him speke so wel,

[p034 OLIVER LAYS HOLD OF THE BOTTLES OF BALM,]

He caught his helme in grete Ir«e», 1156 Ferumbras is wrath That wroght was of goode fyne stele and seizes his With Perlis pight, Rubeis and Saphir«e». helmet, which Oliver Olyue[rh] halpe him it to onlase; assists him to lace. Gilte it was alle abowte. 1160 Ferumbras thanks him, Ferumbras þanked him of his grace courteously bowing to And curteisly to him gan lowte. him. They mount their Thai worthed vp on̄ here stedes, steeds, To Iuste thai made hem preest, 1164 Of Armes to shewe he[rh] myghty dedis Thai layden here speres in a-reeste, rush together like To-geder thai ro«n»nen̄ as fire of fire of thunder, and thonde[rh], have their lances That both here Launces to-braste. 1168 broken. [leaf 29] That they seten̄, it was grete wonder; They draw their So harde it was, þat thay gan threste. swords. Tho drowen̄ thai oute here swordes kene And smyten to-geder by one assente. 1172 There thai hitten̄, it was wele sene; To sle eche other was here entente. Ferumbras smites Syr Ferumbras smote Olyue[rh] Oliver on his Vppon̄ the helme righte on hye 1176 helmet so that the With his swerde of metel cle[rh], fire flies. Oliver That the fyre he made oute-flye. strikes at the head Olyue[rh] him hitte agayn̄ vpon̄ the hede of Ferumbras, breaks [125]the hede than fulle sore, 1180 away the circle of He carfe awaye with mygħt and mayne his helmet, and the The cercle, that sate vppon̄ his crown̄. sword glancing off The stroke glode down by his bak«e», down his back, he The Arson he smot ther awaye 1184 cuts off two bottles And the botelle«s» of bawme withoute of balm, lak«e», That uppone the grene ther thai laye, That were trussed by-hynde him faste. Tho Ferumbras was fu[l~l] woo; 1188 Olyue[rh] light adown̄ in haste, The botellis he seased both two,

[p035 THROWS THEM INTO THE RIVER, BUT HAS HIS HORSE KILLED.]

He threwe hem into the River than which he throws into As fer[rh] as he myghte throwe. 1192 the river. “Alas” q«uo»d Ferumbras “what doistowe,[126] manne? Thou art wode, as I trowe. Thai were worth an C mɫ pounde Ferumbras tells To a man, þat were wounded sore. 1196 him that they were Ther was no p«re»cioso«ur» thinge vppon̄ invaluable to a grounde, wounded man, and that That myghte helpe a man more. he Thou shalt abye by Mahounde, That is a man of myght«es» moost. 1200 I shall breke both bake and crown̄ And sle the, ther thou goist.” should atone for Tho Olyue[rh] worth vp agayn̄, their loss with his His swerde he hade oute I-drawe. 1204 life. He strikes at Ferumbras him smote with mayne Oliver, who wards off And mente to haue him slawe. the blow with his He smote as doth the dinte of þondir; shield, but his steed It glased down by his sheelde 1208 is killed under him. And carfe his stedes neke a-sonder, [leaf 30] That dede he fille in the felde. Wightly Olyue[rh] vp-sterte Oliver quickly starts As Bacheler, doughti of dede, 1212 up and tries to kill With swerde in honde him for to hirte his adversary’s horse, Or Ferumbras goode stede. That Ferumbras aspied welle, He rode a-waye than ful faste 1216 And tiede him to a grene hasel, but Ferumbras rides And come ayen to him in haste off and ties it to And saide “nowe yelde the to me! a hazel. “Yield Thou maiste not longe endure; 1220 thyself to me,” says And leve on Mahounde, þat is so de[rh],[127] Ferumbras; “believe And thy life I shalle the ensure.[128] on Mahound, and I Thou shalt be a Duke in my cont[rh], will make thee a duke And men haue at thyn̄ owen̄ wille. 1224 in my country and To my Sustir shaltowe wedded be, give thee my sister.”

[p036 THEY TAKE BREATH. OLIVER DECLARES HIS NAME.]

It were pite the for to spille!” “Better” q«uo»d Olyue[rh] “shul we dele, By God that is in magiste, 1228 “Ere I yield to And of my strokes shaltow more fele, thee,” answered Er I to the shalle yelde me.” Oliver, “thou shalt Thai smeten togeder witħ egre mode, feel my strokes.” And nathir of othire dradde; 1232 They fight for a Thai p«er»sed he[rh] hauberk«es», that considerable time; were so goode, the blood ran from Tille both thayr bodyes bladde. both their bodies. By Thay foughten̄ soo longe, þat by assente mutual consent they Thai drewe hem a litil bysyde, 1236 stop to take breath. A litil while thaym to avente, And refresshed hem at þat tyde. “Generis” q«uo»d Ferumbras, Ferumbras asks Oliver “As thou arte here gentil knighte, 1240 again his name and Telle me nowe here in this place kin. Of thy kyn̄ and what thoᶙ hight; Me thenkith by the now evermore, Thou shuldist be one of the xij peris, 1244 “Thou must be one That maiste fighte with me so sore, of the douzepeers, And arte so stronge, worthy and fiers.” as thou fightest so Olyuere answered to hym agayn̄: well.” “For fe[rh] I leve it not ontoolde, 1248 “I am Oliver, cousin My name is Olyuere certayn̄, to Charlemagne.” Cousyn to kynge Charles the boolde, [leaf 31] To whome I shalle the sende Qwikke or dede this same daye, 1252 By conqueste here in this feelde, And make the to renye thy laye.” “O” q«uo»d Ferumbras than̄ to Olyue[rh], “Welcome thoᶙ arte in-to this place, 1256 “Thou art welcome I have desyrede many a yere here,” says To gyfe the harde grace. Ferumbras; “thou Thou slough myn̄ uncle Sir P«er»sagyne, slewest my uncle, The doughty kinge of Italye, 1260 The worthyeste kinge þat lyued of men,

[p037 OLIVER RECEIVES A HEAVY BLOW.]