Chapter VI: Part 6

By a Chemney he wente inne; Fulle stilly there he soughte it. 2352 a chimney; He it founde and girde it aboute him, And aftyr ful dere he bogħt it; he finds the girdle For by the light of a lampe the[rh] and puts it on, Floripas gan̄ him aspye, 2356 but Floripas Alle a-frayed oute of hir slepe for fere, perceives him But lowde than gan she crye and cries out. And saide “a thefe is in my boure, Robbe me he wole or sloo.” 2360 Ther-with come Rouland fro his tou[rh] Roland hurries to her To wete of hir woo. assistance, [leaf 59] He founde Mapyne bysyde hir bedde, Stondinge amased for drede, 2364 To the wyndowe he him ladde,[161] And there he smote of his hedde, cuts off Mapine’s And caste him oute in-to the see. head, and throws Of the gyrdille was he not wa[rh]; 2368 him out through But whan̄ he wist, the girdel hade he, the window without Tho hadde he sorowe and care. noticing the girdle. Florip«e» to the Cheste wente Floripas, seeing her And aspyed, hire gyrdel was goon̄, 2372 girdle lost, is much “Alas!” she saide, “alle is it shente! grieved; Sir, what haue ye done? He hath my girdel aboute hym̄. Alas! þat harde while! 2376 A rebelle hounde dotħ ofte grete tene; Howe be we alle begilede.” Tho spake Roulande witħ che[rh] boolde, “Dameselle! beytħ noughte aferde! 2380 Roland comforts her. If any vitaile be aboute this hoolde, We wole hem wynne withe dinte of swerde To morowe wole wee oute-goon̄ They agree to attempt And assaye, howe it wole it be. 2384 a sally to obtain I make a vowe to god alone, food.

[p069 THE PEERS, SURPRISING THE SARACENS, OBTAIN PROVISIONS.]

Assaile hem wole we! And if thay haue any mete, Parte withe hem̄ wole we. 2388 Or elles strokes thay shal gete By God and seynte Mary myn̄ avou[rh]!”[162] In the morne, er the larke songe, In the morning Thai ordeynede hem to ride 2392 To the Saresyns, þat hade so longe Leyen hem besyde. Duke Neymes and Oge[rh] Naymes and Ogier Were ordeynede to kepe the place. 2396 remain in the castle, The x othir of the xij peres the others start Wente oute to assaye here grace. Thay founden̄ hem in logges slepynge, and surprise the Of hem hade thay no thought. 2400 Saracens still Thai slowen̄ down̄ þat came to honde, sleeping in their Mahounde availed hem noghte. huts. [leaf 60] In shorte tyme the ende was made, Thay ten slough iij hundred the[rh]. 2404 They slew 300 and Tho founde thai vitaile, thay were glad, carried off as much As moche as thay myghte home be[rh]. food as they could Duke Neymes and Oge[rh], that kept the tou[rh], bear. Say hem witħ here praye. 2408 Thai thanked god hye of honoure, That thai spedde so þat day. Thay avaled the brigge and lete him yn, Florip̄ and here maydyns were gladde, 2412 And so were thay, that were with-yn; For alle grete hounger thay hadde. Thai eten̄ and dronken right I-nowe And made myrtħ ever amonge. 2416 But of the Sowdon̄ laban speke we nowe, Howe of sorowe was his songe. WHAN tidyngges came to him, That his men̄ were slayn̄, 2420 And howe thai hade stuffed hem̄ also[163]

[p070 THE SOUDAN IS ENRAGED WITH HIS GODS.]

With vitaile in agayne, For sorowe he woxe nere wode. The soudan is enraged, He cleped Brenlande and Sortybraunce. 2424 And tolde hem̄ witħ angry mode Of his harde myschaunce. “Remedye ordeyne me, Ye be chief of my counsaile; 2428 That I of hem may vengede be, It shalle you bouth availe. O ye goddes, ye faile at nede, That I have honoured so longe, 2432 I shalle yoᶙ bren̄, so mote[164] I spede, and is going to burn In a fayre fyre ful stronge; his gods, Shalle I neuer more on yoᶙ bileve, But renaye yoᶙ playnly alle. 2436 Ye shalle be brente this day er eve, That foule mote yoᶙ befalle!” The fire was made, the goddes were broght To have be caste the[rh]-inne. 2440 [leaf 61] Tho alle his counsaile him by-sought, but, appeased by his He shulde of þat erroure blynne, wise men, And saide “Sir, what wole ye done? Wole ye your goddis for-sake? 2444 Vengeaunce shalle than̄ on yoᶙ come, With sorowe, woo and wrake! Ye moste make offrynge for youre offence, For drede of grete vengeaunce, 2448 With oyle, mylke and ffranken̄cense By youre prestis ordynaunce.” Tho he dide bere hem in ayen̄, he sacrifices again, And to hem made dewe offerynge. 2452 The prestis assoyled him of þat synne, and is assoiled by Ful lowly for him prayinge. the priests. Tho he cleped his counselers Brulande and Sortybraunce, 2456 Laban holds council.

[p071 THE PEERS THROW LABAN’S GOLD AT THE ASSAILANTS.]

Axynge, howe he myght destroy«e» the xij peres, That Mahounde gife hem myschaunce. Thay cowde no more ther-on̄, But late saile ayen̄ the toure. 2460 Witħ xx^{ti} thousande thai gan̄ gon̄, And bigo«n»ne a newe shoure A new assault begins, To breke down̄ the Walles, With mattok«es» and witħ pike, 2464 but the ditches Tille iiij hundred of hem alle are filled with Lay slayne in the dike. assailants, who were So stronge was the cast of stoone. slain by the showers The Saresyns drewe hem̄ abakke, 2468 of stones hurled down Tille it was at hye none; by the peers. The Tho go«n»ne thay ayen̄ to shake. Saracens retire. A Tho fayled hem cast, þat were w«i»t«h»-inne; second attack ensues. Tho cowde thai no rede, 2472 There being no stones, For stoone was ther noone to wy«n»ne. Tho were thay in grete drede. Than saide Florip, “beitħ not dismayde! Ye shalle be holpe anoon̄. 2476 Floripas gave Here is syluer vessel and now,”[165] she sayde, them her father’s “That shulle ye prove goode woon̄.” silver and gold to She set it forth, thay caste oute faste cast amongst the Alle that came to honde. 2480 assailants. [leaf 62] Off siluer and goolde vessel thay made waste That wast[166] down̄ vppon̄ the sonde. Whan̄ thai saugħ that roial sight, Thai leften alle here dede; 2484 And for the tresoure thay do fight, Who so myghte it awey lede. The soudan in alarm Tho the Sowdon̄ wexe nere wode, for his treasure Seinge this tresoure thus dispoyle[d+], 2488 gives up the assault. That was to him so dere and goode Laye in the dike thus defoule[d+]. He bade that thai shulde leue

[p072 THE SOUDAN ASKS HIS GODS’ FORGIVENESS.]

And turne hem̄ agayne in haste. 2492 He wente home tille his tente than With grete sorowe and mournyn[g|] mode. To-fore his goddis whan̄ he came, He cryed, as he were wode: 2496 “O fals goddis, that y^e betħ, He is enraged with I have trustid to longe youre mode. his gods, We[167] were leve[rh] to suff[rh] dede, Than̄ lif this life here lenger nowe. 2500 I haue almoste loste the bretħ, xij fals trayto«urs» me overe-lede, And stroyen alle þat I haue. Ye fals goddis, the devel youe spede! 2504 Ye make me nowe for to rave; Ye do fayle me at my nede.” In Ire he smote Mahounde, and smites Mahound so That was of goolde fulle rede, 2508 that he fell on his That he fille down̄ to the grounde, face; As he hade bene dede. Alle here bisshopes cryden̄ oute And saide “Mahounde, thyn̄ ore!” 2512 And down̄ to the erthe wele lowe thay loute, Howlynge and wepynge sore, And saide “Sire Sowdon̄, what haue ye done? Vengeaunce shalle on the falle, 2516 But thoᶙ repente the here anone.” “Ye” q«uo»d he “I shrewe yoᶙ alle!” but the priests Thai made a fyre of fran[k|]encense induce him And blewen̄ hornes of bras, 2520 And casten in milke hony for the offence, [leaf 63] To-fore Mahoundes face. Thay counsailed Laban to knele a down̄ to kneel down and ask And aske forgevenes in that place. 2524 forgiveness. And so he didde and hade pardon̄ Throgh prayere and specialle grace.

[p073 RICHARD STARTS ON MESSAGE TO CHARLES.]

Then[168] this was done, þan̄ sayde Roulande Meanwhile Roland To his Felowes xj: 2528 exhorted Richard of “Here may we not longe holde londe, Normandy to go on By God that is in heven̄. message to Charles, Therefore sende we to Charles, the kinge, that he might come That he wolde reskowe vs sone; 2532 to their rescue. And certyfye him o[f|] oure strayȝte beinge, They all would the If ye thinke, it be to done. following morning, Richard of Normandye, ye most goon̄, before day break, I holde yoᶙ both wyse and hende. 2536 make an attack on And we shalle tomorowe, as stil as stoon̄, the Saracens, and The Saresyns a-wake, er ye wynde.[169] meanwhile he should And while we be mooste bysy in oure werke, steal off in the And medel witħ hem alle in fere, 2540 darkness. In the Stele ye a-waye in the derke! morning And spede you faste, ye were there!” On the morowe afti[rh] the daye Thay were armede ful ryghte, 2544 Thai rode fortħ stilly in here way, they sally out. God gouerne hem, mooste of myght! Florip«e» and here maydyns kept the tou[rh] Floripas and her And woonde vp the brigges on hye, 2548 maidens draw up the And prayde god, to kepe here paramou[rh], bridges after them. The Duke of Burgoyne, «Sir» Gȳe. She preyde to Rouland, er he wente, To take goode hede of him̄, 2552 That he were neyþer take nere shente, As he wolde her loue wynne. On thay set with herte stronge And alle hem̄ sore afrayed. 2556 Richard the whiles away he wronge, Thile[170] thai were alle dismayede. Richard went off Towarde the Mountrible he hyed him faste, towards Mantrible. To passe, if that he myghte. 2560 [leaf 64] Thedir he came at the laste.

[p074 GUY IS MADE PRISONER.]

God kepe him for his mocħ myght! His xij[171] felowes besyed hem̄ soo The others slay many That many of hem̄ thay sloughe.[172] 2564 Saracens; Gye slowe the kinge of Babyloyne tho; The Babyloynes of his hors him drowe, but Guy, overpowered And with force him drowe there by the Babylonians, And bounde his hondes ful fast. 2568 is taken prisoner. A newe game thai gan̄ him lere, For in depe prison̄ thay him caste. But Laban̄ wolde him first se, To wete what he was. 2572 “Telle me thy name nowe” q«uo»d he, Laban asks his name. “Thy songe shalle be ‘alas.’”— “Sire” he saide “my name is Gye, Guy tells him. I wole it never forsake. 2576 It were to me grete vilanye An̄ othir name to take.”— “O fals trayto«ur»” q«uo»d Laban̄, “My doghtir, þat stronge hore, 2580 Hath me for-sake and the hath tan̄, Thoᶙ shalte be honged therfore.” He is to be hanged. Roulande made grete moone, It wolde noon̄ other be. 2584 Homwarde thai gan̄ goon̄, .iij.c Saresyns ther saye he, 300 Saracens crowding That kepte the pace at the brigge-ende, near the gate of the Armed wel in goode araye, 2588 castle, attempted to That thai sholde not in wende, prevent the other But be take or slayn̄ þat daye. peers from entering. Roulande to his felowes saide: “Beth alle of right gode chere! 2592 And we shal make hem alle afrayde, E[rh] we go to oure soupere.” There byganne a bykeringe bolde A fearful struggle Of x Bachelers that tyde, 2596 begins.

[p075 BRYER IS SLAIN.]

Agayne iijc men̄ I-tolde, That durste righte wel a-byde. Tho was Durnedale set a werke, [leaf 65] XL of hethen he sloughe, 2600 He spared neþe[rh] lewde ner clerke, And Floripas the[rh]-of loughe. The shotte, the caste was so stronge, Syr Bryer was slayn̄ there 2604 Sir Bryer is killed. With dartes, gauylokes and speres longe, xx^{ti} on hym there were. Roulande was woo and Olyue[rh], Thay sloughen̄ alle that thai mette. 2608 Tho fledde the Turkes alle for fe[rh], At last the Saracens Thay durste no longer lette take to flight. And saide, thai we[rh] no men, But develis abroken̄ oute of helle, 2612 “.iij. hundred of vs agayn̄ hem ten̄. Oure lorde Mahounde hem qwelle! XL of vs here be ascaped, And hardde we be bistadde.”— 2616 “Who so wole of hem̄ more be iaped, I holde him worsse than madde.” Tho Roulande and Olyue[rh] The peers retire Maden̄ grete woo and sorowe, 2620 inside the castle, And token̄ the corps of Sir Bryere taking the corpse of And beryed it on the morowe. Bryer with them. Florip«e» asked Roulande anoone Floripas enquires “Where is my loue Sir Gye?”— 2624 after Guy, “Damesel” he saide “he is goon̄, And therfore woo am I.”— and on hearing of his “Alas” she saide “than am I dede, capture, begins to Nowe Gye my lorde is slayn̄, 2628 lament despairingly. Shall I neuer more ete brede Tille that I may se him̄ agayn̄.”— “Be stille” q«uo»d Roulande “and haue no ca[rh], Roland promises to We shal hym̄ haue ful wele. 2632 rescue Guy.

[p076 GUY IS GOING TO BE HANGED,]

Tomorowe wele we thiderward fa[rh] With spere and shelde of stele. But we bringe him to this Tou[rh]— Leeve me elles no more— 2636 With victorye and grete honou[rh], Or thay shalle abye it ful sore.” [leaf 66] On the morowe, whan tha daye was clere, Laban ordeynede Gye honged to be. 2640 On the following He cleped forth Sir Tampere morning Laban orders And badde him do make a Galowe tr«e», Sir Tamper to erect “And set it even̄ by-fore the tou[rh], a gallows before That þilke hore may him see; 2644 the castle, where For by lord Mahounde of honou[rh], Floripas could see it. This traito«u»r there shalle honged be. Take withe the .iij. hundred knigħtes Of Ethiopis, Indens and Ascopartes, 2648 That bene boolde and hardy to fight With Wifles, Fauchons, Gauylokes[173] and Dartes; Leste þat lurdeynes come skulkynge oute, For ever thay haue bene shrewes. 2652 Loke ech«e» of hem̄ haue sucħ a cloute, That thay neuer ete moo Sewes.” Forth thay wente with Sir Gye, Guy is led bound. That bounde was as a thefe faste, 2656 Tille thay come the tow[rh] ful nye; Thai rered the Galowes in haste. Roulande perceyued here doynge And saide “felows, let armes[174]! 2660 Roland calls his I am ful gladde of here comynge, companions to arms. Hem shall not helpe her charmes.” Oute thai riden a wele gode spede, They rush forth. Thai ix towarde hem alle. 2664 Florip witħ here maydyns toke gode hede, Biholdinge over the tou[rh] walle. Thai met first witħ Sir Tampe[rh],

[p077 BUT IS RESCUED BY ROLAND AND OLIVER.]

God gife him evelle fyne! 2668 Such a stroke lente hym Olyue[rh], Oliver cuts down Sir He clefe him down̄ to the skyne. Tamper; Roland kills Rouland bare the kinge of Ynde a king of India, Ther with his spere frome his stede. 2672 .iiij. fote it passed his bak byhynde, His herte blode þe[rh] didde he blede. He caught the stede, he was ful goode, And the swerde, þat the kinge hadde, 2676 takes his sword and And rode to Gye, there he stode, horse, [leaf 67] and And onbounde hym̄ and bade him be gladde. gives them to Guy, And girde him witħ that goode swerde, having unbound him. And lepen vppon̄ here stedes. 2680 “Be thou” he saide “righte nougħt a-ferde, But helpe vs wightly at this nede.” They slay many An hundred of hem sone thay slowe Saracens, and put the Of the beste of hem alle; 2684 rest to flight. The remen«au»nte a-way fast thay flowe, That foule motte hem byfalle! Rouland and his Felowes were glad That Gye was safe in dede. 2688 Thay thanked god, that thay[175] him hadde Gyfen thay«e»† sucħ grace to spede. As thay wente towarde the Tou[rh], Retiring towards the A litil bysyde the hye waye, 2692 castle, Thai saugh comynge with grete vigou[rh] they see admiral An hundred vppon̄ a laye.[176] Costroye and Costroye ther was, the Admyra[l~l], the soudan’s With vitaile grete plente, 2696 standard-bearer And the stondarte of the Sowdon̄ Roial. escorting a great Towarde Mauntrible riden̄ he, convoy, destined for .iiij. Chariotes I-charged witħ flessh and brede, the sultan, across a And two othe[rh] with wyne, 2700 field near the high Of divers colouris, yolowe, white and rede, road. And iiij Somers of spicery fyne.

[p078 THE PEERS LAY HOLD OF A CONVOY.]

Tho saide Roulande to Olyue[rh]: “With these meyne moste we shifte, 2704 To haue parte of here vitailes he[rh], For therof us nedith by my thrifte.”— “Howe, sires” he saide “god you see! Roland calls to them We pray youe for youre curtesye, 2708 Parte of your Vitaile gr«a»unte me, to share the For we may nother borowe ner bye.” provisions with them. Tho spake Cosdroye, that Admyral, “Ye gete none here for nogħt. 2712 Costroye refuses, Yf ye oght chalenge in specia[l~l], It most be dere I-boght.”— “O gentil knightes” q«uo»d Olyuere, “He is no felowe, þat wole haue alle.” 2716 “Go fortħ” q«uo»d the stondart, “thoᶙ getist noon here, Thy parte shalle be fulle smalle.”— “Forsoth” q«uo»d Roulande “and shift we wole, [leaf 68] Gete the better, who gete maye! 2720 To parte with the nedy it is gode skille, And so shalle ye by my faye.” He rode to the Admyral witħ his swerde and is slain by And gafe him suche a cloute, 2724 Roland. No wonder thogħ he were aferde, Both his eyȝen̄ braste oute. Olyuere met withe the proude stondarde, He smote him througħ the herte. 2728 Oliver kills the That hade he for his rewarde; standard-bearer. That wounde gan̄ sore smerte. Thai were slayn̄, that wolde fight Er durste bikure abyde. 2732 Thai forsoke her parte anoon̄ rigħt, It lefte alle on̄ that on̄ side. Forth thai drewen̄ þat vitaile The convoy is Streight in-to the Toure. 2736 conveyed into the There was no man̄ durst hem assayle castle. For drede of here vigou[rh].

[p079 THE SOUDAN DEFIES HIS GODS.]

Florip«e» hem resceyved w«i»t«h» honou[rh] And thanked Roulande fele sythe, 2740 Floripas thanks That she saugħ Gye hir paramou[rh], Roland for bringing That wolde she him qwite and kith«e». back Sir Guy, Thai eten̄ and dronken and made hem gladde, Hem neded ther aftyr fulle sore 2744 Of suche, as god hem sente hade, I-nowe for iiij moonþes and more. and proposes that he Florip saide to Roulande than, shall choose himself “Ye moste chese you a love[177] 2748 a mistress from Of alle my maydyns, white as swan̄.”— amongst her maidens. Q«uo»d Rouland “þat were myscheve; But Roland refuses to Oure lay wole not, þat we w«i»t«h» youe dele, take any that is no Tille that ye Cristyn̄ be made; 2752 Christian. Ner of your play we wole not fele, For than̄ were we cursed in dede.” NOWE shall ye here of Laban̄. The soudan, on Whan tidyngg«es» to him we[rh] comen̄, 2756 hearing such bad news, Tho was he a fulle sory man̄. Whan he herde, howe his vitaile were nomen̄, And howe his men were slayne, And Gye was go safe hem̄ froo, 2760 [leaf 69] He defyed Mahounde and Apolyne, again defies his gods, Iubiter, Ascarot and Alcaron̄ also. He co«m»maundede a fire to be digħt and threatens to With picche and Brymston̄ to bren̄. 2764 throw them into the He made a vowe with alle his mygħt, flames. “Thai shal be caste ther-Inne!” The prestes of he[rh] lawe ther-on̄, Thai criden̄ oute for drede 2768 And saide “alas, what wole ye done? The worse than moste ye spede!” The Sowdon̄ made a grete othe And swore by his hye trone, 2772 That though hem were never so lotħ,

[p080 RICHARD ARRIVES AT MANTRIBLE.]

Thai sholde be brente Ichon̄. Tho came the bisshop«e» Cramadas But bishop Cramadas And kneled bifore the Sowdon̄, 2776 kneels before him and And charged him by the hye name Sathanas, appeases him. To saven his goddes ychon̄: “For if ye brenne youre goddes he[rh], Ye wynnyn̄ her malison̄, 2780 Than wole no man do yoᶙ che[rh], In feelde, Cite, ne[rh] in town̄.” The Sowdon̄ was astonyed þan And gan him sore repente 2784 Of the foly, that he bygan̄, And els hade he be shente. A thousande of Besaunt«es» he offred þaym to, The soudan makes an By counsail of sir Cramadas, 2788 offering of 1000 To please witħ his goddys tho, besants to his gods. For fere of harde grace. The Sowdone co«m»maunded eu«er»y daye To assaile the tou[rh] witħ caste. 2792 But thay with-in gafe no«t» an Eye, For thai wroghte in wast. When Richard arrived NOWE speke we of Richarde of Normandy, as far as Mantrible, That on message was sente, 2796 he found the bridge Howe he spede and his meyne. barred by 24 chains, Whan he to Mauntrible wente, and Alagolafre He founde the brigge Ichayned sore; standing before it. xxiiij^{ti} were ouere-drawen̄. 2800 [leaf 70] Alagolofure stode there byfore, That many a man hade slawene. Whan Richard saugħ, ther was no gate, Determined not to But by flagot the flode, 2804 leave his errand His message wolde he not lete; unperformed, he knelt His hors was botħ bigge and goode. down and commended He kneled, bisechinge god of his grace, himself to God. A To save him fro myschiefe. 2808 hind appears A white hende he saugħ anoon̄ in þ«a»t place,

[p081 RICHARD CROSSES THE RIVER AND OVERTAKES CHARLES.]

That swam̄ ove[rh] the cliffe. and swims across. He blessed him in godis name Richard follows her, And folowed the same waye 2812 and, passing over in The gentil hende, þat was so tame, safety, That on̄ þat othir side gan playe. He thanked god fele syth«e», That him hade sente comforte. 2816 He hied him in his message swiþe, hurries on to To speke witħ Charles his lorde. Charlemagne. But I shalle yoᶙ telle of a trayto«ur», That his name was called Genelyne, 2820 He counseiled Charles for his honou[rh] Meanwhile Genelyn, To turne homewarde ageyn̄. the traitor, had He saide “the xij peres bene alle dede, advised Charles to And ye spende your goode in vayne, 2824 retire to France, And therfore dotħ nowe by my rede, because the 12 peers Ye shalle see hem no more certeyn̄.” were all slain. The The kinge bileved þat he saide, king believed him, And homwarde gan he fare. 2828 and marched homeward, He of his xij Dosiperes was sore dismayed, lamenting for his His herte woxe right fulle of ca[rh]. peers. Richard Rycharde of Normandy came prikande overtakes him, and is And hertly to ride begane. 2832 recognised by Charles, Kinge Charles aspyed him comande; He c«om»maunded to abide eu«er»y man̄. who asks him about “What tidingg«es»?” q«uo»d the kinge to Richarde, the others. Richard “Howe fare my felowes alle?” 2836 tells the king, how “My lorde” he saide “god wote, ful harde, they are besieged For thai be byseged with-in ston-walle, within the castle, Abydynge youre helpe and you[rh] socou[rh], and are waiting for As men þat haue grete nede. 2840 his assistance. For Ih«es»ues loue, kinge of honou[rh], Thiderward ye yoᶙ spede!” Charles, vowing “O Genelyne” q«uo»d the kinge, vengeance on “Nowe knowe I thy treson̄, 2844 [leaf 71] Genelyn, I shalle the qwite, be seynte Fremounde,

[p082 CHARLES MARCHES TO AGREMORE.]

Whan̄ this viage is don̄.” The kinge turned him ageyn̄, turned and marched to And alle his Ooste him witħ, 2848 Agremore. Towarde Mountrible certeyne. And[178] gr«a»unte him gree and grith! Richarde him tolde of that place, Howe stronge it was I-holde 2852 Richard informed him With a geaunte foule of face, of the giant, who The brigge hath chayned many folde; kept the bridge, The River was both depe and brode, Ther myght no man̄ over-ryde. 2856 and how he had passed “The last tyme that I over-rode, the river by a By myracle I passed þat tide. miracle. Therfore sir, I shal yoᶙ telle, Howe ye mote governe yoᶙ here. 2860 In yonde wode ye moste dwelle He proposed a plan, Priuely in this mane[rh], that 12 knights And xij of vs shalle vs araye disguised as In gyse of stronge marchauntes, 2864 merchants, with And fille oure somers withe fog and haye, To passe the brigge Currauntes. We shalle be armed vnder the cote their arms hidden With goode swerdes wele I-gyrde, 2868 under their clothes, We moste paye tribute, wele I wote, should pay the toll, And elles over we may not sterte. and the bridge being But whan̄ the chaynes be lete down̄ let down, Ouer ther for to passe, 2872 Than wole I, þat ye come on̄, In haste to that same place. Whan̄ I see tyme for to come, Than̄ shalle I my horne blowe. 2876 should blow a horn Loke, ye be redy alle and some, as a signal for the For that sha[l~l] ye welle knowe.” others to approach. Forth thay wente in þat araye They start and arrive To Mountrible, that Cite. 2880 at Mantrible.

[p083 THE BRIDGEWARD OF MANTRIBLE REFUSES TO LET THEM PASS.]

Alagolofu[rh] to hem̄ gan seye, Alagolafre asks “Felawes, wheder wole ye?” whither they are Richarde spake to the geaunte going. And saide “towarde the Sowdon̄, 2884 Richard says, they With dyu[e]rs chaffe[rh] as trewe marchaunte, are merchants on We purpose for to goon̄, their way to the To shewen him of pellu[rh] and Gryse,[179] Soudan, Orfrays of Perse Imperyalle, 2888 [leaf 72] We wole the yefe tribute of assaye and they are willing To passe by lycence in especya[l~l].” to pay the toll. “Licence gete ye noon̄ of me,[180] Alagolafre refuses to I am charged that noone sha[l~l] passe, 2892 let them pass, and For x lurdeyns of Fraunce were he[rh]; tells them about the God yefe hem evell grace! 10 knights, who had Thay passed this way to Egramou[rh]; passed there and done Thay haue done the Sowdon̄ grete tene, 2896 so much mischief to Thay have wonne his toure and his tresou[rh], the Soudan; And yet holde thai it, I wene. Wherfo[rh], felawes, I arest yoᶙ alle, therefore he will Tille I knowe, what þat ye bene.” 2900 arrest them all. Sire Focarde brayde oute his swerde witħ-alle, Sir Focard draws his Wel sore he gan to tene sword and And saide “fye on̄ the Sarasyne! For alle thy grete harde hede 2904 Shaltow never drinke wat«er» ner wyne, By god! thou shalte be dede.” He smote at him witħ egre chere smites at him. But he gafe thereof right nought. 2908 “Alas” q«uo»d Richard “thou combrest vs he[rh], By god, that me de[rh] hatħ boghte.” The cheynes yet we[rh] alle faste, The geaunte wexe nere wode, 2912 Richard blewe his horne in haste, Richard blows his That was both shrille and goode. horn, and Charles Kinge Charles hied him anoon̄ advances.

[p084 ALAGOLAFRE AND BARROCK ARE SLAIN.]

Towarde the brigge so longe; 2916 The Geaunte faught with hem̄ alone, He was so harde and stronge. With a Clo[g|] of an̄ Oke he faugħt, Alagolafre fights That was wele bound with stele. 2920 them with a great oak He slough al þat eve[rh] he raugħt, club. So stronge was his dinte to dele. Richard seizes a bar Richard raught him witħ a bar[rh] of bras, of brass and knocks That he caught at the gate. 2924 him down. He brake his legges, he cryed “alas” And felle alle che[k|]-mate. Loude than̄ gan̄ he to yelle; Thay herde him yelle througħ þat Cite, 2928 Like the grete develle of helle, And saide “Mahounde, nowe helpe me!” [leaf 73] iiij men him caught the[rh], 4 men get hold of him So hevy he was and longe, 2932 and throw him into And cast him ouer in-to the rive[rh]. the river. Chese he, whither[181] he wolde swy«m»me or gon[g|]! They loosened the Anoon̄ thay brast the Chaynes alle, chains; That ouer the brigge were I-drawe. 2936 The Saresyns ronnen̄ to the walle, but, the Saracens Many Cristen̄ men were the[rh] I-slawe. assembling on the Than came forth Dam barro[k|], the bolde, walls of the city, With a sith«e» large and kene, 2940 many Christians were And mewe a-down̄ as þikke as shepe in slain. Alagolafre’s folde, wife, Barrock the That came byforne hir by-dene. giantess, comes on This Barro[k|] was a geaunesse, with her scythe and And wife she was to Astragote, 2944 mows down all whom She did the Cristen̄ grete distresse, she meets. She felled downe alle þat she smote. There durst no man hire sithe abyde, She grenned like a develle of helle. 2948 Kinge Charles with a quarel þat tide Charles dashes out Smote hir, that she lowde gan̄ yelle, her brains,

[p085 CHARLES IS SHUT IN IN THE TOWN.]

Euer[182] the founte througħ-oute the brayn̄; That cursede fende fille down̄ dede. 2952 Many a man hade she there slayn̄, Might she never aftyr ete more brede! Charles entred in the firste warde and with 15 knights With xv knightis and no moo; 2956 enters the outer gate Of hym his oste toke no garde, of the town, He wende his oste hade entred also. thinking his army The Sarysyns ronne to the gate, would follow him. And shet it wonder faste. 2960 But the gate was Charles men̄ come to late; instantly closed upon Tho was Charles sore agaste. him, and his men came Betwene two wardes he was shit, too late. Defende he him if he can̄! 2964 The Sarysyns with him thay mette, Charles was in great Grete parel was he in than̄. danger; Tho Genelyne saie, the kinge was inne but Genelyn, seeing And the yates faste I-stoke, 2968 him shut in, Ther myght no man̄ to him wynne, So was he faste witħ-inne I-loke, To his frendes he gan speke And saide “the kinge is dede, 2973 [leaf 74] exclaimed And alle xij peres eke. that the king and On peyne” said he “to lese my«n» hede, the 12 peers were Let vs hye to Fraunce warde! dead, and proposed to For I wele be crownede kinge, 2976 retire, as he wished I shalle yoᶙ alle wele rewarde, to be king himself. For I wole spare for no thinge.” Anoon̄ thay assented to Genelyne, Thay saugh, ther was no bett«er» rede. 2980 The Frenssh men̄ drewe hem̄ al ayene, They are going to Thay wende the kinge hade bene dedde. return, Tho Ferumbras witħ his meyne than̄ but Ferumbras Came for to seke the kinge, 2984 And saugh hem turne eu«er»y man̄;

[p086 CHARLES IS RESCUED BY FERUMBRAS.]

Him thought, it was a wondir thin[g|]. “Where is the kinge?” q«uo»d Ferumbras. Q«uo»d Genelyne “with-in the walle, 2988 Shaltowe neue[rh] more seen̄ his face!” “God gyf the an̄ yvel falle! Turne agayne, thoᶙ traytoure! calls him a traitour, And helpe to reskowe thy lorde. 2992 And ye, sires, alle for you[rh] honou[rh]!” rallies the French, Thay turned agayne with that worde. Ferumbras with axe in honde, and with his axe Myghtyly brake up the gate, 2996 bursts open the gate. Ther myght laste him noon̄ yron̄ bonde, He hade ne[rh]-honde I-come to late. The kinge hadde fought so longe witħ-ynne, That onnethe myght he no more. 3000 Many ther were abouten̄ him, His men̄ were wounded ful sore. Ferumbras came with gode spede, He made the Sarasyns to fle. 3004 He chased the He reskowed the kinge at his nede, Saracens and rescued XL Sarasyns sone killed he. the king. Thai ronnen a-weye by every side, Thai durste nowhe[rh] rowte. 3008 In shorte tyme was falled her pride, Thay caught many a sore cloute. That Cite was wo«n»ne that same daye, Mantrible is taken, And every tou[rh] ther-ynne 3012 Of Mountreble, þat was so gaye, For alle he[rh] soubtile gynne, [leaf 75] Fulle of tresou[rh] and richesse, with all its engines Of Siluer and goolde and per[rh], 3016 and treasures. And clothes of goolde, wroght of Saresynes, Of riche aray and roialte. Richard found 2 Richarde, Duke of Normandy, children of 7 months Founde ij Children of .vij. monþes oolde,[183] 3020 old and

[p087 HE HURRIES ON TO AGREMORE.]

xiiij fote longe we[rh] thay, 4 feet high. Thay we[rh] Barrakes so«n»nes so boolde; They were sons of Bygote thay we[rh] of Astragot. Barrock, begotten by Grete joye the kinge of he«m» hade. 3024 Astragot. Hethen̄ thay we[rh] botħ, wele I wote, Therfore hem̄ to be cristenede he bade. Charles caused them He called þat one of hem Roulande, to be baptized, and And that other he cleped Olyue[rh]: 3028 called the one Roland “For thai shalle be myghty men of honde.” and the other Oliver. To kepen̄ hem, he was fulle chere. Thay myght not leve, her Dam was dede; But they soon died Thai coude not kepe hem fortħ. 3032 Thai wolde neyþer ete butt«er» nere brede, Ner no men̄[184] was to hem worthe. He[rh] Da«m»mes mylke they lakked the[rh], for want of their Thay deyden for defaute of here dam. 3036 mother’s milk. Kinge Charles made hevy che[rh], And a sory man̄ was than. The kinge lete ordeyne anoon̄, The Cite to be gouerne[d+] 3040 Of the worthyest of hem̄ ychon̄, That weren of wer[rh] best lerne[d+]. Duke Richarde of Normandy, The king appoints He was made chief gou«er»nou[rh]; 3044 Richard governor of And ij C with him in hys company the city, To kepe the brigge and tou[rh]. Fortħ he rode to laban̄ than̄, and hurries on With his Ooste and Si[rh] Ferumbras. 3048 to Agremore with A spye to the Sowdon̄ fast ran his army and with And tolde him al that cas, Ferumbras. How Charles was come with his ost, And Mountrible hade he wonne, 3052 “Alagolofur slayn̄ is for alle his bost, This game was evel begon̄.” Whane laban herde of his comynge,

[p088 FLORIPAS RECOGNISES THE FRENCH BANNER.]

Him thought his herte gan breke. 3056 “Shalle I never be withoute moornynge, [leaf 76] Tille I of him be wreke.” He co«m»maunded to blowe his Claryons To assemble alle his Ooste. 3060 His counsaile to him he lete calle And tolde, how kinge Charles was in þat coost, Laban, being told by Hadde wonne Mountrible and slayn̄ his men a spy that his city “And dishirytħ to disheryte me, 3064 was taken and the And proudely manessith me to fleen̄, bridge-ward killed, Or drive me oute of this contr«e». Me mervaylythe moch of his pride. By Mahounde, moost of mygħt! 3068 Ye and my sone withe him doth ride, To the develle I hem bedigħt. But I be venget of hem both swears to avenge him. And honge hem̄ on a tree, 3072 To myghty Mahounde I make myne othe, Shalle I never Joyfulle be. Therfore I charge yoᶙ in alle wyse He calls a council, That thay be taken or slayn̄. 3076 and charges his Thane shalle I py«n»ne heme at my gyse barons to take And don̄ hem alle qwike be flayn̄.” Charles alive that On the morowe, whan it was day, he might flay him. Kinge Charles was in the felde, 3080 Charles approaches. Byfore Agremou[rh] in riche aray On stede witħ spe[rh] and sheelde. Floripe lay on the tou[rh] on̄ hye Floripas first And knewe the bane[rh] of Fraunce. 3084 recognises the banner To Roulande she gan faste crye of France Tidynges of goode chaunce: “Kinge Charles is comen and Ferumbras, and tells the others. Here baners botħ I do see, 3088 With alle her oste yonde[rh] in þat place; Welcome to vs thay alle be.” Roulande and Olyuere

[p089 CHARLES DISMOUNTS LABAN AND LEADS HIM TO AGREMORE.]

Arayed hem for to ride; 3092 Roland and all his And here felawes alle in fe[rh], companions sally To Charles thay gon̄ that tyde. forth to meet Laban come forth with his mayne, Charlemagne. Laban Saresyns, that were ful felle, 3096 draws up all his Turkes, Indens, and Arabye people Ye and of the Ethiopes like the develes of helle. There were stronge wardes sette [leaf 77] By ordynaunce of dyuers batayle. 3100 in battle-order. Whan thay to geder were met, Eythir othir sore gan̄ assayle. Ther were Saresyns al to-hewe; The French make a Roulande sloughe many one. 3104 great slaughter of Thay lay so thikke dede on rewe, the Saracens. That onneþe myghte men ride or goon̄. Kinge Charles met with Laban̄ Charles encounters And bare him down̄ of his stede, 3108 the Soudan, unhorses He lighted down̄ and ceased him than̄, him, He thought to qwite him his mede. He brayde oute Mown̄joye wytħ gode wille And wolde have smeten of his hede, 3112 and would have cut Ferumbras prayde him to abyde stille, To crysten̄ him, er he we[rh] dede. off his head, but The Saresyns saughe Laban take, for Ferumbras, who Thay fledden̄ away fulle faste. 3116 requested that Lenger durste thay no maistryes make, his father might Thai were so sore agaste. be baptized. The The Cristen̄ hem chased to and fro, Saracens, seeing As a grehounde doth the hare. 3120 Laban a prisoner, .iij. c. ascaped with moche woo, fly; but the To Belmore gan thay fa[rh]. Christians pursue Kinge Charles ladde Laban̄ them. 300 escaped to In-to Agremou[rh] Cite. 3124 Belmarine. Charles And whan̄ þat he the[rh] came leads Laban to A ful sory man was he. Agremore. Floripas His doghter welcomed him welcomes her father,

[p090 FLORIPAS BRINGS OUT THE SACRED RELICS.]

W«i»t«h» right gode che[rh].[185] 3128 He loked on hir al grymme, but he is enraged at As he wode wroth we[rh], seeing her. And saide “fye on the, stronge hore, Mahounde confounde the!” 3132 Charles saide “here-of no more, But let us nowe mery be!”— “Sir” she saide thanne, She then bids “Welcome ye be into this tou[rh]! 3136 Charlemagne welcome, Here I presente to you, as I can, and presents the holy Relikes of grete honou[rh], relics to him. That were at Rome I-wonnen̄ And broght into this halle. 3140 That game was evel bygo«n»nen̄, It sithen rewed us alle.” [leaf 78] Kinge Charles kneled adown̄ To kisse the Relikes so goode, 3144 Charles kisses them, And badde the[rh] an̄ oryson̄ and says a prayer; To that lorde, þat deyde on̄ rode. he then thanks And þanked Floripe witħ al his herte, Floripas for her That she hade saued his meyne 3148 assistance to his And holpe hem oute of peynes smerte knights, and for And kepte the Relekes so fre. having preserved the Kinge Charles did calle bisshop«e» Turpyn̄ precious relics. He And bade him ordeyne a grete fat, 3152 orders Turpin to To baptyse the Sowdon̄ yne; prepare a vessel, “And loke what he shalle hat. wherein to baptize Unarme him faste and bringe him ne[rh], the Soudan I shal his godfader be. 3156 Fille it fulle of wate[rh] cle[rh], For Baptysed shalle he be. Make him naked as a Childe, He moste plunge ther-inne. 3160 For now most he be meke and mylde, and to wash off his And I-wassh awaye his synne.” sin in the water.

[p091 LABAN IS SLAIN, AND FLORIPAS WEDDED TO GUY.]

Turpyn toke him by the honde Turpin leads Laban to And ladde him to the fonte. 3164 the font, He smote the bisshope witħ a bronde but the Soudan And gaf him an evel bronte. strikes at him, He spitted in the water cle[rh] spits on the vessel, And cryed oute on hem alle, 3168 utters invectives And defied alle þat cristen̄ we[rh]. against all That foule mote him by-falle! Christians, “Ye and thoᶙ, hore serpentyne, And that fals cursed Ferumbras, 3172 and curses Ferumbras. Mahounde gyfe hem botħ evel endyn[g|], And almyghty Sathanas! By you came all my sorowe, And al my tresure for-lorne. 3176 Honged be ye both er tomorowe! In cursed tyme were ye born̄.” Ferumbras saide to the kinge, “Sir, ye see, it wole not be, 3180 Lete him take his endynge, For he loueth not Cristyante.” “Duke Neymes” q«uo»d Charles tho, Charles commands “Loke þat execucion̄ be don̄, 3184 Naymes to cut off his Smyte of his hedde! god gyfe him woo! head. [leaf 79] And goo we to mete anoone.” It was done as the kinge co«m»maunde, He is executed; his His soule was fet to helle, 3188 soul goes to hell, To daunse in þat sory lande there to dance with With develes, þat we[rh] ful felle. devils. Dame Florip was Baptysed than̄ And here maydyns alle, 3192 Floripas was baptized And to Sir Gye I-maryed. with all her maidens, The Barons honoured hir alle. and wedded to Guy. Alle the londe of Spayne Charles divided Spain Kinge Charles gyfe hem̄ two, 3196 between Guy and To departe bitwyxt hem twayne, Ferumbras, Ferumbras and Gȳ also.

[p092 CHARLES RETURNS TO FRANCE.]

And so thay livede in ioye and game, And brethern̄ both thay we[rh], 3200 In pees and wer[rh] both I-same, The[rh] durste no man̄ hem de[rh]. Kinge Charles turned home agayn̄ Towarde his contr«e», 3204 He charged Sir Brye[rh] of Bretayne and charges Sir Bryer His tresoure[rh] for to be: of Bretayne to take To kepe the Relikes of grete pris care of the relics, And his other tresou[rh], 3208 and to bring all his And bringe hem safe to Parys, treasure to Paris. There to a-bide in store. He saide “farewell, Sir Ferumbras, Ye and Gye, my dere frende! 3212 After taking leave of And thy wyf Dame Floripas! Guy and Floripas, For to Fraunce nowe wole I wende. Be ye togeder as breth[e]rn̄ botħ! No man̄ ye neditħ to drede, 3216 Be ye nevere to-gedere wrotħ, But eyther helpe othir at his nede. Vysityth me, whan̄ ye haue space; In-to Fraunce makitħ your disporte, 3220 God wole you sende the bett«er» grace, In age to do me comforte.” Thai toke leve of the kinge, With ful hevy che[rh], 3224 And turned agayn̄ botħ mornynge, With wepynge water cle[rh]. Kinge Charles with the victory he sails to Mounpeler, Sailed to Mou«n»peleres, 3228 And thanked almyghty god in glorye, [leaf 80] where he That he hade saued his Dosiperes, thanks God for the And fende him of the Saresynes victory, The hyer honde to have, 3232 For alle here strenghe[186] and he[rh] Engynes

[p093 GENELYN IS HANGED AT PARIS.]

The Relikes of Rome to saue. and for the relics. At oure lady of Parys He presents the He offred the Crosse so fre; 3236 cross to Paris, the The Crown̄ he offred at seynte Denyse, Crown to St. Denis, At Boloyne the nayles thr«e». the three nails to Alle his Barons of him we[rh] gladd, Boulogne. Thai gafe him grete presente. 3240 For he so wele hade I-spedde, Thay did him grete reuerence. Charles well The kinge hade wel in mynde remembered the The tresone of Genelyne, 3244 treachery of Genelyn, Anoon̄ for him he dide sende To yefe him an evel fyne: “Thou traito«ur» unkynde” q«uo»d the kynge, “Remembrist thoᶙ not how ofte 3248 Thou hast me betrayed, þ«o»u fals Genelyne? Therfore thoue shalt be honged on lofte!— Loke that the execucion̄ be don̄, That throgh Parys he be drawe, 3252 and ordered him to be And honged on hye on mou«n»t Fawcon̄, drawn and hanged at As longeth to traytoures by lawe; Montfaucon in Paris. That alle men shall take hede, What deth trayto«ur»ys sha[l~l] fele, 3256 That assente to such falshede, Howe the wynde here bodyes shal kele.” Thus Charles Thus Charles conquered Laban̄, conquered the Soudan The Sowdon̄ of Babyloyne, 3260 of Babylone. That riche Rome stroyed and wan̄ And alle the brode londe of Spayn̄. [187] . . . . . .[an]d of his Barons . . . . . . .[hi]s pride 3264 . . . . . . . .eligons . . . . . . . .þat tyde . . . . . . .on Charles soule . . . . . . .s also 3268

[p094 CONCLUSION.]

. . . . . . .Peter and Poule God lete hem never wete of woo! [leaf 81] But brynge here soules to goode reste! That were so worthy in dede. 3272 And gyf vs ioye of the beste, God give joy to all That of here gestes rede! who read this romance.

Here endithe the Romaunce of the Sowdon of Babyloyne and of Ferumbras his sone who conquerede Rome, And Kynge Charles off Fraunce withe xij. Dosyperes toke the Sowdon in the feelde And smote of his heede.

FOOTNOTES:

[89] «Read»: myghtes

[90] «MS.» dōō

[91] «leaf worn.»

[92]–† «See the note.»

[93] «See the note.»

[94] «or» Ar

[95] «See the note.»

[96] «See the note.»

[97] «looks like» hound.

[98] «Read» ‘wide’

[99] «sic.»? assaute.

[100] «MS.» M^l

[101] «This line in a much later hand.»

[102] «Read»: were ordeyned

[103] Estragote

[104] «Read»: reste

[105] «See the note.»

[106] «MS.» Oost «corrected to» Cost.

[107] «Read»: a ras.

[108] «See the note.»

[109] «Read»: We

[110] «MS.» Berumbras.

[111] «See the note.»

[112] «Read»: ‘without faile.’

[113] «See the note.»

[114] «Read»: ‘a ras.’

[115] «MS.» met.

[116] «See the note.»

[117] «MS. is rubbed, but it looks more like» welawai.

[118] «Read»: ‘reliqes.’

[119] «A modern hand has written in the margin» “Mount.”

[120] «See the note.»

[121] «Insert»: ‘gan.’

[122] «Read»: ‘sone.’

[123] «Read»: ‘lefe.’

[124] «Read»: ‘as thenketh.’

[125] «Blank in MS. See the note.»

[126] «MS.» deistowe.

[127] «Read»: ‘free.’

[128] «MS.» ensuce.

[129] «See the note.»

[130]–† «See the note.»

[131] «Probably an error for» ‘half.’

[132] «In the margin the Scribe adds»:—‘The merci Ladi helpe.’

[133] «See the note.»

[134] «Read»: ‘soghten.’

[135]–†: «See the note.»

[136] «Read»: ‘caughte.’

[137] As«c»opartes.

[138] «Miswritten for» ‘bounde«n».’

[139] ‘was.’

[140] «Read»: ‘dirke.’

[141] «Read»: ‘mente.’

[142] «Read»: ‘trew.’

[143] «Read»: ‘harme & skathe.’

[144] «See the note.»

[145] «Sic in MS. Query»—‘char«g»e.’

[146] «Read»: ‘byleven.’

[147] «Read»: ‘reliqes.’

[148] «Read»: ‘I dyne.’ «See the note.»

[149] «Sic in MS. Read»: ‘ye.’

[150]–† «These two lines are written as one in the MS.»

[151] MS. i^ouste.

[152] «Miswritten for» ‘were’?

[153] «MS.» strowde.

[154] «Read»: ‘a-«w»apide.’

[155] «Read»: ‘Assye.’

[156] «See the note.»

[157] «These two lines are written as one in the MS.»

[158] «See the note.»

[159] «See the note.»

[160] «Read»: ‘lafte.’

[161] «See the note.»

[162] «See the note.»

[163] «See the note.»

[164] «MS.» mete.

[165]? I now.

[166] «Read»: ‘went.’

[167]? Me.

[168]? ‘When.’

[169] «Read»: ‘wende.’

[170]? ‘while.’

[171]? xj.

[172] «See the note.»

[173] «MS.» Gamylokes.

[174] «Read»: ‘as armes.’

[175]-† «See the note.»

[176] «MS.» ‘alaye.’ «See the note.»

[177] «Read»: ‘leve.’

[178] «Read»: ‘God.’

[179] «Read»: ‘gray.’

[180] «See the note.»

[181]? ‘whether.’

[182] «Read» ‘over.’

[183] «See the note.»

[184] «Read»: ‘mete.’

[185] «These two lines are written as one in the MS.»

[186] «Read»: ‘streng«t»he’

[187] «A corner of the leaf torn off.»

[p095]

NOTES.

Page 1, line 1. «myghteste», evidently an error of the scribe for «myghtes», cf. ll. 1635, 1312, 3068, 2546, 1200, 2059; and «Syr Ferumbras», l. 2719.

“Nov help hem þe heȝ kyng of hevene,
Þat art of miȝtes most.”

«God in glorie» occurs again in l. 3229; cf. the French expression «Damedeu de glore»; «Fierabras» 2332.

p. 1, l. 2. «made» and «wroght» in l. 5 are the 2nd person sing. preterite, which in all other instances in this poem ends in «-est». But perhaps we might suppose a change of person here, and regard «made» and «wroght» as the third person. For examples of the change of person see «Syr Ferumbras», ll. 2719, 4393, and «Guy of Warwick», ed. Zupitza, l. 2324.

p. 1, l. 7. «shulde to love»; «to» before an infinitive, governed by an auxiliary verb, is pretty common in Middle English works. See Zupitza’s note to Guy, 1925.

p. 1, l. 9. «ȝyfe.» This is the only instance of «ȝ» being written in the present poem at the beginning of a word. «ȝife» is written «if» in all other passages of the poem, cf. ll. 550, 651, 763, and 1061, etc. As to the pronunciation of «ȝ» in the middle of a word, it is doubtful, whether it had still preserved its ancient guttural sound, or not, as the same words are written sometimes with it and sometimes without it, and are often made to rhyme with words in which «ȝ» or «gh» would be etymologically incorrect; e. g. «nye», which is spelt «nyȝe» in l. 2284, rhymes with «Gye», in l. 2657. We even find «whiȝte», in l. 2289, instead of «white» (l. 2008: «smyte»). At the end of a word «ȝ» has the sound of «s».

p. 1, l. 13. «idoone.» The prefix «i-», O.E. «ge-», sometimes occurs in this poem, but more frequently it is not written; see «Introduction», p. xxxviii.

p. 1, l. 14. cf. l. 2516.—ll. 1–14 may be said to contain the moral of the whole poem, which we know the romance writers to be very fond of placing at the beginning of their works. “La moralité de tout un poème,” says Léon Gautier, in his «Epopées Françaises», I. 233, “est quelquefois exprimée dans ses premiers vers.” [p096]

p. 1, l. 16. «moch» = «much» (as in l. 754) is the usual spelling in this poem. We likewise find «meche», l. 179, and «mikille», l. 1016.

p. 1, l. 19, «his» refers to «Rome».

p. 1, l. 22. Laban, the father of Ferumbras, is styled «sowdan» only in this poem, and once in the «Destruction de Rome», l. 1436:

“Les noveles en vindrent al «soldan» diffaié.”

The French, the Provençal and the English version of «Sir Ferumbras» all agree to call him «amyral» or «amirans».

p. 1, l. 24. The mention of King Louis and of the abbey of St. Denis (l. 27) seems to be an imitation of the «Destruction», l. 7 «et seq.»:

“Le chanchon est perdue et le rime fausee,
Mais . . li «rois Louis», dont l’alme est trespassee
—Ke li fache pardon la verge honoree—
Par lui et par Gautier est l’estoire aunee
Et le chanchon drescie, esprise et alumee
A «saint Dynis» de France premierement trovee.”

St. Denis also occurs in the beginning of the French «Fierabras», l. 4:

“A «Saint Denis» en France fu li raules trouvés.”

Cf. besides note to l. 26. «witnessith» = attests, testifies; cf. Stratmann, p. 645. It occurs again in l. 1489.

p. 2, l. 25. «Romaunce», the French or «Romance» language. We often find the authors of romances, both of translations and of imitations from the French, referring to the original; cf. «Syr Eglamour of Artoys», sign. E i:

“His own mother there he wedde,
In Romaunce as we rede.”

Again, fol. ult.:

“In Romaunce this cronycle is.”

[Quoted by Warton, «History of English Poetry», II. 146, footnote.]

p. 2, l. 26. «bokes of antiquyte». This is to be regarded as one of those frequent assertions of the authors of these poems, who in order to give more credit to their tales, thought it necessary to affirm their antiquity and celebrity in old times. Cf. Gautier, «Epop. Fr.», II. 87: “Il fut de bon ton d’annoncer, au commencement de chaque poème, qu’on avait trouvé la matière de ce poème dans quelque vieux manuscrit latin, dans quelque vieille chronique d’abbaye, surtout dans les manuscrits et dans les chroniques de Saint-Denis. On se donnait par là un beau vernis de véracité historique. Plus les trouvèrent ajoutaient aux chansons primitives d’affabulations ridicules, plus ils s’écriaient: ‘Nous avons trouvé tout cela dans un vieux livre.’”

p. 2, l. 27. «Seinte Denyse» is the genitive depending on «abbey».

p. 2, l. 28. «there as» = where, or where that. See Koch, «Englische Grammatik», II. § 511.

p. 2, l. 29. «Laban.» So the father of Ferumbras is called in the «Destruction de Rome», where only in six passages (ll. 891, 899, 1116, 1194, 1174, 981) we find the form «Balan», which is the only one used in the French «Fierabras», in the Provençal version, and in the English [p097] «Syr Ferumbras».—«of hie degre»; this kind of expletive occurs again in l. 100: «clerk of hie degre»; cf. also l. 168: «king of hie honour».

p. 2, l. 31. «Cristiante» = the company of Christians, the countries inhabited by Christians, cf. ll. 235, 374. It signifies “the religion taught by Christ” in l. 3182. «Cristiante» and «Christendom» are used promiscuously in Middle English writers.

p. 2, l. 33. «Agremare» : «there». The rhyme becomes perfect by reading «Agremore» : «thore», which we find in l. 1805; cf. also l. 1003 «Agremore» : «more» («i. e.» negro), and ll. 672, 775, 2140, 2895.

p. 2, l. 34. «Flagot.» See «Index of Names», s. v. Flagot, and cf. note to l. 1723.

p. 2, l. 37. This line is too long, nevertheless it seems to be correct as it stands, clearly imitated from several passages of the «Destruction de Rome».

l. 420. “Ensamble ou li issirent xv roi corone. Et xiiii amaceours . .”
l. 1155. “Bien i ad xxx rois et xiiii amaceours.”
l. 689. “xxx roi sont ou li et xiiii amaceours.”
l. 163. “Et xiiii amaceours.”

p. 2, l. 41. «hit» instead of «it» is found again in l. 2309; in all the other instances «it» is spelt as in modern English.

p. 2, l. 42. «pryke», to spur a horse, to excite, to spur or to stimulate. It is O.E. «prician», which occurs in Ælfric’s Grammar, ed. Zupitza, p. 174 («pungo» = «ic pricige»). This and the following line are imitated from Chaucer; cf. C.T. Prologue, ll. 10, 11, and see «Introduction», p. xlvi. «Kynde» = naturalis, ingenuus; «kynde wit» = common sense. «Kynde» is O.E. «cynde» (Modern English «kind»).