| | Laud MS |
|---|
|
| |
| |
| | Alle ben he bliþe |
| | Þat to me wilen lythe! |
| | A song ich wille you singe |
| | Of morye þe kinge. |
| 5 | King he was bi westen |
| | Wel þe his dayes lesten. |
| | And godhild his gode quen; |
| | Feyrer non micte ben. |
| | Here sone hauede to nome orn; |
| 10 | Fairer child ne micte ben born, |
| | Ne reyn ne micte upon reyne, |
| | Ne no sonne bi schyne. |
| | Fayrer child þanne he was: |
| | Brict so euere any glas; |
| 15 | Whit so any lili flur; |
| | So rose red was his colur. |
| | He was fayr and eke bold, |
| | And of fiftene winter hold. |
| | Was noman him yliche |
| 20 | Bi none kinges riche. |
| | Xii. feren he hadde |
| | Þat he mid him ladde, |
| | And alle riche kinges sones, |
| | And alle swiþe faire gomes, |
| 25 | Mid him for to pleie, |
| | But mest he louede tueye; |
| | Þat on was hoten ayol child, |
| | And þat oþer fokenild. |
| | Athulf wes þe beste, |
| 30 | Ant fykenyld þe werste. |
| | Hyt was vpon a someres day, |
| | Also ich ou telle may, |
| |
Allof þe gode kyng, |
| | Rod vpon is pleyȝyng |
| 35 | Bi þe see side, |
| | Þer he was woned to ryde. |
| | Wiþ him ne ride bote tuo - |
| | Al to fewe hue were þo! |
| | He fond by þe stronde, |
| 40 | Aryued on is londe, |
| | Schipes fyftene |
| | wiþ saraȝyns kene |
| | He askede whet hue sohten |
| | Oþer on is londe brohten. |
| 45 | A payen hit yherde, |
| | & sone hym onsuerede: |
| | "Þy lond folk we wolleþ slon, |
| | Þat euer Crist leueþ on |
| | & þe we wolleþ ryht anon. |
| 50 | Shalt þou neuer henne gon." |
| |
Þe kyng lyhte of his stede, |
| | For þo he heuede nede, |
| | Ant his gode feren tuo; |
| | Mid y wis huem wes ful wo. |
| 55 | Swerd hy gonne gripe |
| | & to gedere smyte. |
| | Hy smyten vnder shelde |
| | Þat hy somme yfelde. |
| |
| | Þe kyng hadde to fewe |
| 60 | Aȝeyn so monie schrewe; |
| | So fele mihten ethe |
| | Bringe þre to dethe. |
| | Þe payns com to londe |
| | & nomen hit an honde |
| 65 |
Þe folk hy gonne quelle, |
| | & saraȝyns to felle. |
| | Þer ne myhte libbe |
| | Þe fremede ne þe sibbe. |
| | Bote he is lawe forsoke, |
| 70 | & to huere toke. |
| | Of alle wymmanne |
| | Werst wes godhyld þanne. |
| | For Allof hy wepeþ sore |
| | & for horn ȝet more. |
| 75 | Godild hade so muche sore |
| | Þat habbe myhte hue na more |
| | Hue wente ut of halle |
| | From hire maidnes alle |
| | Vnder a roche of stone |
| 80 | Þer hue wonede al one. |
| | Þer hue seruede gode |
| | Aȝen þe payenes forbode. |
| | Þer hue seruede crist |
| | Þat þe payenes hit nuste. |
| 85 | Ant euer hue bad for horn child |
| | Þat crist him wrþe myld. |
| |
| | Horn wes in payenes honde |
| | Mid is feren of þe londe. |
| |
Muche wes þe feyrhade, |
| 90 |
Þat ihesu crist him made. |
| | Payenes him wolde slo, |
| | & summe him wolde flo, |
| | ȝyf hornos feyrnesse nere: |
| | Yslawe þis children were. |
| 95 | Þo spec on Admyrold - |
| | Of wordes he wes swyþe bold, - |
| | "Horn, þou art swyþe kene, |
| | Bryht of hewe & of shene. |
| | Þou art fayr & eke strong, |
| 100 | & eke eueneliche long; |
| | Þu shalt waxe more |
| | Bi fulle seue ȝere. |
| | ȝef þu to lyue mote go |
| | Ant þine feren al so, |
| 105 | Þat ymay byfalle, |
| | Þat ȝe shulle slen vs alle: |
| | Þare fore þou shalt to streme go, |
| | Þou and þine feren al so; |
| | To shipe ȝ shulle founde, |
| 110 | & sinke to þe grounde. |
| | Þe see þe shal adrenche, |
| | Ne shal hit vs of þenche. |
| | For ȝef þou were alyue, |
| | Wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue, |
| 115 | We shulden alle deȝe, |
| | Þy fader deþ to beye." |
| | Þe children ede to þe stronde, |
| | Wryngynde huere honde, |
| | Ant in to shipes borde |
| 120 | At þe furste worde. |
| | Ofte hade horn be wo, |
| | Ah neuer wors þen him wes þo. |
| |
| | Þe see bigan to flowen, |
| | & horn faste to rowen; |
| 125 | Ant þat ship wel suyþe drof |
| | & horn wes adred þer of. |
| | Hue wenden mid y wisse |
| | Of huere lyue to misse, |
| | Al þe day & al þe nyht |
| 130 | O þat sprong þe day lyht, |
| | Fflotterede horn by þe stronde |
| | Er he seye eny londe. |
| | "Feren," quoth horn þe ȝynge, |
| | "Ytelle ou tydynge: |
| 135 | Ich here foules singe |
| | & se þe grases springe. |
| | Blyþe be ȝe alyue; |
| | Vr ship is come to ryue." |
| | Of shipe hy gonne founde, |
| 140 | & sette fot to grounde. |
| | By þe see syde |
| | Hure ship bi gon to ryde. |
| | Þenne spec him child horn, |
| | In suddene he was yborn: |
| 145 | "Nou ship by þe flode, |
| | Haue dayes gode. |
| | Bi þe see brynke, |
| | No water þe adrynke. |
| | Softe mote þou sterye |
| 150 | þat water þe ne derye. |
| | ȝef þu comest to suddene, |
| | Gret hem þat me kenne, |
| | Gret wel þe gode |
| | Quene godhild mi moder, |
| 155 | Ant seye þe heþene kyng, |
| | Ihesu cristes wytherlyng, |
| | Þat ich am hol & fere |
| | In londe aryued here; |
| | Ant say þat he shal fonde |
| 160 | Þen deþ of myne honde." |
| |
| | Þe ship bigon to fleoten, |
| | & horn child to weopen, |
| | By dales & by dounes. |
| | Þe children eoden to tounes, |
| 165 | Metten hue Eylmer þe kyng, |
| | Crist him ȝeuen god tymyng, |
| | Kyng of westnesse |
| | Crist hym myhte blesse! |
| | He spec to horn child |
| 170 | Wordes suyþe myld: |
| | "Whenne be ȝe, gomen, |
| | Þat bueþ her a londe ycomen, |
| | Alle threttene, |
| | Of bodye suyþe kene? |
| 175 | By god þat me made, |
| | So feyr a felaurade |
| | Ne seh yneuer stonde, |
| | In westnesse londe: |
| | Seie me wat ȝe seche." |
| 180 | Horn spac huere speche, |
| |
| | Horn spac for huem alle, |
| | For so hit moste byfalle: |
| | He wes þe wyseste |
| | & of wytte þe beste. |
| 185 | "We bueþ of suddenne, |
| | Ycome of gode kenne, |
| | Of cristene blode, |
| | Of cunne swyþe gode. |
| | Payenes þer connen aryue |
| 190 | And cristine brohten of lyue. |
| | Slowen & to drowe |
| | Cristinemen ynowe. |
| | So crist me mote rede, |
| | Ous hy duden lede |
| 195 | In to a galeye, |
| | Wiþ þe se to pleye, |
| | Day is gon & othþer, |
| | Wiþ oute seyl & roþer: |
| | Vre ship flet forþ ylome |
| 200 | & her to londe hit ys ycome. |
| | Nou þou myht vs slen & bynde |
| | Oure honde vs bihynde. |
| | Ah ȝef hit is þi wille, |
| | Help vs þat we ne spille." |
| |
| 205 | Þo spac þe gode kyng |
| | He nes neuer nyþyng |
| | "Sey, child, whet is þy name? |
| | shal þe tide bote game." |
| | Þe child him onsuerede, |
| 210 | So sone he hyt yherde: |
| | "Horn ycham yhote, |
| | Ycome out of þis bote, |
| | From þe see side. |
| | Kyng, wel mote þe bitide." |
| 215 | Horn child quoþ þe king, |
| | "Wel boruc þou þy nome ȝyng. |
| | Horn him goþ so stille |
| | Bi dales & bi hulles; |
| | Horn, haþ lude soune, |
| 220 | Þurh out vch a toune; |
| | So shal þi name springe |
| | Fram kynge to kynge, |
| | And þi nom springe |
| | From kynge to kynge, |
| 225 | Ant þi feirnesse |
| | Aboute westnesse, |
| | Horn, þou art so suete, |
| | Ne shal y þe forlete." |
| | Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng |
| 230 | & horn wiþ him, his fundlyng, |
| | & alle his yfere, |
| | Þat him were so duere. |
| | Þe kyng com in to halle |
| | Among his knyhtes alle; |
| 235 | forþþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus, |
| | His stiward & him seide þus. |
| | "Stiward, tac þou here |
| | My fundling forto lere |
| | Of þine mestere, |
| 240 | Of wode & of riuere, |
| | Ant toggen oþ harpe |
| | wiþ is nayles sharpe, |
| | Ant tech him alle þe listes |
| | Þat þou euer wystest, |
| 245 | Byfore me to keruen, |
| | & of my coupe to seruen. |
| | Ant his feren deuyse |
| | Wiþ ous oþer seruise. |
| | Horn child þu vnderstond |
| 250 | Tech him of harpe & of song." |
| |
| | Athelbrus gon leren |
| | Horn & hyse feren. |
| | Horn mid herte lahte |
| | Al þat mon him tahte. |
| 255 | Wiþ inne court & wiþ oute, |
| | & oueral aboute |
| | Louede men horn child, |
| | & most him louede rymenyld, |
| | Þe kynges oune dohter. |
| 260 | For he wes in hire þohte; |
| | Hue louede him in hire mod |
| | For he wes feir & eke god: |
| | & þah hue ne dorste at bord |
| | Mid him speke ner a word, |
| 265 | Ne in þe halle |
| | Among þe knyhtes alle, |
| | Hyre sorewe ant hire pyne |
| | Nolde neuer fyne. |
| | Bi daye ne by nyhte |
| 270 | For hue speke ne myhte. |
| | Wiþ horn þat was so feir & fre |
| | Þo hue ne myhte wiþ him be. |
| | In herte hue hade care & wo, |
| | & þus hue biþohte hire þo: |
| 275 | Hue sende hyre sonde |
| | Athelbrus to honde, |
| | Þat he come hire to, |
| | & also scholde horn do, |
| | In to hire boure, |
| 280 | For hue bigon to loure; |
| | & þe sonde sayde |
| | Þat seek wes þe mayde, |
| | & bed him come suyþe |
| | For hue nis nout blyþe. |
| |
| 285 | Þe stiward wes in huerte wo, |
| | For he nuste whet he shulde do. |
| | What rymenhild bysohte |
| | Gret wonder him þohte, |
| | Aboute horn þe ȝinge |
| 290 | To boure forte bringe. |
| | He þohte on is mode |
| | Hit nes for none gode: |
| | He toke wiþ him an oþer, |
| | Athulf, hornes broþer. |
| 295 | "Athulf," quoþ he, "ryht anon |
| | Þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon |
| | To speke wiþ rymenhild stille |
| | To wite hyre wille. |
| | Þou art hornes yliche |
| 300 | Þu shalt hire by suyke: |
| | Sore me adrede |
| | Þat hue wole horn mys rede." |
| | Athelbrus & Athulf bo, |
| | To hire boure beþ ygo: |
| 305 | Vpon Athulf childe |
| | Rymenild con waxe wilde: |
| | Hue wende horn it were |
| | Þat hue hade þere: |
| | Hue seten adoun stille; |
| 310 | Ant seyden hure wille; |
| | In hire armes tueye |
| | Athulf he con leye. |
| | "Horn," quoth heo, "wel longe |
| | Y haue loued þe stronge. |
| 315 | Þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte |
| | In myn hond wiþ ryhte, |
| | Me to spouse welde, |
| | & ich þe louerd to helde." |
| | So stille so hit were, |
| 320 | Athulf seyde in hire eere |
| | "Ne tel þou no more speche, |
| | May y þe by seche, |
| | Þi tale gyn þou lynne |
| | For horn nis nout her ynne. |
| 325 | Ne be we nout yliche: |
| | For horn is fayr & ryche, |
| | Fayrore by one ribbe |
| | Þen ani mon þat libbe: |
| | Þah horn were vnder molde |
| 330 | & oþer elle wher he sholde |
| | Hennes a þousent milen, |
| | Ynulle him bigilen." |
| |
| | Rymenild hire bywente, |
| | Ant Athelbrus þus heo schende. |
| 335 | "Athelbrus þou fule þef, |
| | Ne worþest þou me neuer lef; |
| | Went out of my boure, |
| | Shame þe mote by shoure. |
| | Ant euele hap to Schame mote vnderfonge |
| 340 | & euele rode on to honge. |
| | Ne speke y nout wiþ horne: |
| | Nis he nout so vnorne; |
| | Horn is fairer thane beo he: |
| | wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie." |
| |
| 345 | Þo Athelbrus astounde |
| | Fel akneu to grounde. |
| | "Ha leuedy min owe, |
| | Me lyþe a lytel throwe! |
| | Ant list were fore ych wonde |
| 350 | To bringen horn to honde. |
| | For orn is fayr & riche, |
| | Nis non his ylyche. |
| | Aylmer, þe gode kyng, |
| | Dude him me in lokyng. |
| 355 | ȝif horn þe were aboute, |
| | Sore ich myhte doute |
| | Wiþ him þou woldest pleye |
| | Bituene ou seluen tueye. |
| | Þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe |
| 360 | Þe kyng vs make wroþe. |
| | Ah forȝef me þi teone, |
| | My leuedy ant my quene, |
| | Horn y shal þe fecche, |
| | Wham so hit yrecche." |
| 365 | Rymenild, ȝef he couthe, |
| | Con lyþe wiþ hire mouthe. |
| | Heo loh & made hire blyþe; |
| | For wel wes hire olyue. |
| | "Go þou," quoþ heo, "sone, |
| 370 | & send him after none, |
| | A skuȝeres wyse. |
| | Whene þe king aryse |
| | He shal mid me bileue |
| | Þat hit beo ner eue, |
| 375 | Haue ich of him mi wille; |
| | Ne recchi whet men telle." : |
| |
| | Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle; |
| | Horn he fond in halle |
| | Bifore þe kyng obenche, |
| 380 | Wyn forte schenche. |
| | "Horn," quoþ he, "þou hende, |
| | To boure gyn þou wende, |
| | To speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝinge, |
| | Dohter oure kynge; |
| 385 | Wordes suyþe bolde, |
| | þin horte gyn þou holde. |
| | Horn be þou me trewe; |
| | Shal þe nout arewe." |
| | He eode forþ to ryhte |
| 390 | To rymenild þe bryhte. |
| | Aknewes he him sette, |
| | & suetliche hire grette. |
| | Of his fayre syhte |
| | Al þat bour gan lyhte. |
| 395 | He spac faire is speche - |
| | Ne durþ non him teche. |
| | "Wel þou sitte & softe, |
| | Rymenild kinges dohter, |
| | Ant þy maydnes here |
| 400 | Þat sitteth þyne yfere. |
| | Kynges styward oure |
| | Sende me to boure |
| | Forte y here leuedy myn |
| | Whet be wille þyn. |
| 405 | Rymenild vp gon stonde |
| | & tok him by þe honde: |
| | Heo made feyre chere |
| | & tok him bi þe suere. |
| | Ofte heo him custe, |
| 410 | So wel so hyre luste. |
| | "Welcome horn," þus sayde, |
| | Rymenild þat mayde |
| | An euen & amorewe |
| | For þe ich habbe forewe |
| 415 | Þat y haue no reste |
| | Ne slepe me ne lyste. |
| | Horn þou shalt wel swyþe |
| | Mi longe serewe lyþe |
| | Þou shalt wyþ oute striue |
| 420 | Habbe me to wyue. |
| | Horn, haue of me rewþe, |
| | & plyht me þi treuþe. |
| |
| | Horn þo him byþohte |
| | Whet he speken ohte. |
| 425 | "Crist," quoþ horn, "þe wisse, |
| | & þeue þe heuene blisse |
| | Of þine hosebonde, |
| | Who he be a londe. |
| | Ich am ybore þral |
| 430 | Þy fader fundlyng wiþ al. |
| | Of kunde me ne felde |
| | Þe to spouse welde. |
| | Hit nere no fair weddyng |
| | Bituene a þral & þe king." |
| 435 | Þo gon rymenild mis lyken |
| | & sore bigon to siken: |
| | Armes bigon vnbowe; |
| | & doun heo fel yswowe. |
| | Horn hire vp hente |
| 440 | & in is armes trente. |
| | He gon hire to cusse |
| | & feyre forte wisse. |
| | "Rymenild," quoþ he, "duere, |
| | Help me þat ych were |
| 445 | Ydobbed to be knyhte, |
| | Suete, bi al þi mihte, |
| | To mi louerd þe kyng |
| | Þat he me ȝeue dobbyng: |
| | Þenne is my þralhede |
| 450 | Al wend in to knyhthede. |
| | Y shal waxe more, |
| | & do, rymenild, þi lore." |
| | Þo rymenhild, þe yinge, |
| | Aros of hire swowenynge. |
| 455 | "Nou horn, to soþe, |
| | Yleue þe by þyn oþe. |
| | Þou shalt be maked knyht |
| | Er þen þis forteniht. |
| | Ber þou her þis coppe |
| 460 | & þis ringes þer vppe |
| | To Athelbrus þe styward, |
| | & say him he holde foreward. |
| | Sey ich him biseche, |
| | wiþ loueliche speche, |
| 465 | Þat he for þe falle |
| | To þe kynges fet in halle, |
| | Þ he wiþ is worde |
| | Þe knyhty wiþ sworde, |
| | wiþ selver and wiþ golde |
| 470 | Hit worth him wel iȝolde. |
| | Nou crist him lene spede |
| | Þyn ernding do bede." |
| |
| | Horn tok is leue, |
| | For hit wes neh eue. |
| 475 | Athelbrus he sohte |
| | & tok him þat he brohte, |
| | Ant tolde him þare |
| | Hou he hede yfare. |
| | He seide him his nede, |
| 480 | & him bihet is mede. |
| | Athelbrus so blyþe |
| | Eode in to halle swyþe. |
| | Ant seide, "kyng, nou leste |
| | O tale mid þe beste. |
| 485 | Þou shalt bere coroune |
| | To marewe in þis toune; |
| | To marewe is þi feste: |
| | Þe bihoueþ geste. |
| | Ich þe rede mid al my myht |
| 490 | Þat þou make horn knyht, |
| | Þin armes do him welde: |
| | God knyht he shal þe ȝelde." |
| | Þe kyng wel sone, |
| | "Hit is wel to done. |
| 495 | Horn me wel quemeþ; |
| | Knyht him wel bisemeþ. |
| | He shal haue mi dobbyng |
| | & be myn oþer derlyng. |
| | & hise feren tuelfalle his feren twef |
| 500 | He shal dobbe him selue: |
| | Alle y shal hem knyhte |
| | Byfore me to fyhte." |
| | Al þat þe lyhte day sprong |
| | Aylmere þohte long. |
| 505 | Þe day bigon to springe; |
| | Horn com byfore þe kynge, |
| | Wiþ his tuelf fere, |
| | Alle þer ywere. |
| | Horn knyht made he |
| 510 | wiþ ful gre solempnite. |
| | Sette him on a stede: |
| | red so eny glede. |
| | Smot him a lute wiht |
| | & bed him buen a god knyht. |
| 515 | Athulf vel a kne þer |
| | & þonkede kyng Aylmer. |
| | "King," he sede, "so kene |
| | Grante me a bene: |
| | Nu is knyht sire horn |
| 520 | Þat in suddene wes yborn; |
| | Lord he is of londe |
| | & ouer vs þat by him stonde; |
| | Þin armes he haueþ and þy sheld |
| | Forte fyhte in þe feld: |
| 525 | Let him vs alle knyhte |
| | So hit is his ryhte." |
| | Aylmar seide ful ywis, |
| | "Nou do þat þi wille ys." |
| | Horn adoun con lyhte |
| 530 | & made hem alle to knyhte. |
| | For much wes þe geste |
| | & more wes þe feste: |
| | Þat rymenild nes nout þere, |
| | Hire þohte seue ȝere. |
| 535 | Efter horn hue sende, |
| | Horn in to boure wende. |
| | He nolde gon is one; |
| | Athulf wes hys ymone. |
| |
| | Rymenild welcomeþ sire horn, |
| 540 | & Aþulf knyht him biforn. |
| | Knyht, nou is time |
| | For to sitte byme. |
| | Do nou þat we spake: |
| | To þi wyf þou me take. |
| 545 | Nou þou hast wille þyne, |
| | Vnbynd me of þis pyne." |
| | "Rymenild, nou be stille! |
| | Ichulle don al þy wille, |
| | Ah her hit so bitide. |
| 550 | Mid spere ichulle ryde, |
| | Ant my knyhthod proue, |
| | Er þen ich þe wowe. |
| | We bueþ knyhtes ȝonge, |
| | Alle to day yspronge; |
| 555 | Ant of þe mestere |
| | Hit is þe manere: |
| | wiþ sum oþere knyhte |
| | For his lemmon to fyhte |
| | Er ne he eny wyf take; |
| 560 | Oþer wyþ wymmon forewart make. |
| | To day, so crist me blesse, |
| | Y shal do pruesse, |
| | For þi loue mid shelde |
| | Amiddewart þe felde. |
| 565 | ȝef ich come to lyye, |
| | Ychul þe take to wyue." |
| | "Knyht, y may yleue þe, |
| | Why ant þou trewe be: |
| |
| | Haue her þis goldring: |
| 570 | Hit is ful god to þi dobbyng; |
| | Ygraued is on þe rynge |
| | 'Rymenild þy luef þe ȝynge': |
| | Nis non betere vnder sonne |
| | Þat enymon of conne. |
| 575 | Ffor mi loue þou hit were |
| | & on þy fynger þou hit bere. |
| | Þe ston haueþ suche grace |
| | Ne shalt þuo in none place |
| | Deþ vnderfonge, |
| 580 | Ne buen yalye wiþ wronge, |
| | ȝef þou lokest þeran |
| | & þenchest o þi lemman. |
| | Ant sire athulf, þi broþer, |
| | He shal han en oþer. |
| 585 | Horn, crist y þe byteche |
| | Mid mourninde speche, |
| | Crist þe ȝeue god endyng |
| | &e found aȝeyn to brynge." |
| | Þe knyht hire gan to cusse, |
| 590 | & rimenild him to blesse. |
| | Leue at hyre he nom, |
| | & in to halle he com: |
| | Knyhtes eode to table, |
| | & horn eode to stable: |
| 595 | Þer he toc his gode fole, |
| | Blac so euer eny cole. |
| | Wiþ armes he him fredde |
| | Ant is fole he fedde. |
| | Þe fole bigon to springe, |
| 600 | & horn murie to synge. |
| | Horn rod one whyle |
| | Wel more þen amyle. |
| | He seh a shyp at grounde |
| | wiþ heþene hounde. |
| 605 | He askede wet hue hadden |
| | oþer to londe ladden. |
| | An hound him gan biholde |
| | & spec wordes bolde: |
| | "þis lond we wolleþ wynne |
| 610 | & sle þat þer bueþ inne." |
| | Horn gan is swerd gripe |
| | Ant on his arm hit wype. |
| | Þe saraȝyn he hitte so |
| | Þat is hed fel to ys to; |
| 615 | Þo gonne þe houndes gone |
| | Aȝeynes Horn ys one; |
| | He lokede on is rynge, |
| | Ant þohte o rymenyld þe ȝynge. |
| | He sloh þer of þe beste |
| 620 | An houndred at þe leste, |
| | Ne mihte noman telle |
| | Alle þat he gon quelle. |
| | Of þat þer were oryue, |
| | He lafte lut o lyue. |
| |
| 625 | Horn tok þe maister heued, |
| | Þat he him hade byreued |
| | Ant sette hit on is suerde, |
| | Abooen oþen orde. |
| | He ferde hom to halle, |
| 630 | Among þe knyhtes alle. |
| | "Kyng," quoþ he, "wel þou sitte, |
| | And alle þine knyhtes mitte. |
| | To day, ich rod o my pleyyng, |
| | After my dobbyng |
| 635 | Yfond a ship rowen |
| | In þe found byflowen |
| | Mid vnlondisshe menne |
| | Of saraȝynes kenne. |
| | To deþe forte pyne |
| 640 | Þe & alle þyne. |
| | Hy gonne me asayly: |
| | Swerd me nolde fayly: |
| | Y smot hem alle to grounde, |
| | In a lutel stounde. |
| 645 | Þat heued ich þe brynge |
| | Of þe maister kynge. |
| | Nou haue ich þe ȝolde, |
| | þat þou me knyhten woldest." |
| | Þe day bigon to springe, |
| 650 | Þe kyng rod on hontynge. |
| | To þe wode wyde, |
| | Ant ffykenyld bi is syde. |
| | Þat fals wes ant vntrewe, |
| | Whose him wel yknewe. |
| |
| 655 | Horn ne þohte nout him on |
| | Ant to boure wes ygon. |
| | He fond rymenild sittynde |
| | & wel fore wepynde. |
| | So whyt so þe sonne |
| 660 | mid terres al byronne. |
| | Horn seide, "Luef, þyn ore! |
| | Whyi wepes þou so sore?" |
| | Hue seide, "ich nout ne wepe, |
| | Ah y shal er yslepe |
| 665 | Me þohte omy metyng, |
| | Þat ich rod ofysshyng, |
| | To see my net ycaste |
| | And wel fer hit laste; |
| | A gret fyssh ate þe ferste |
| 670 | My net he gan to berste. |
| | Þat fyssh me so bycahte |
| | Þat y nout ne lahte |
| | Ywene yshal forleose |
| | Þe fyssh þat ywolde cheose." |
| |
| 675 | "Crist & seinte steuene," |
| | Quoþ horn, "Areche þy sueuene. |
| | No shal y þe byswyke, |
| | Ne do þat þe mis lyke. |
| | Ich take þe myn owe |
| 680 | To hold & eke to knowe |
| | For euerech oþer wyhte, |
| | Þerto my trouþe yplyhte." |
| | Wel muche wes þe reuþe |
| | Þat wes at þilke treuþe, |
| 685 | Rymenild wep wel ylle, |
| | Ant horn let terres stille. |
| | "Lemmon," quoþ he, "dere, |
| | Þou shalt more y here. |
| | Þy sweuen shal wende |
| 690 | Summon vs wole shende. |
| | Þat fyssh þat brac þy net, |
| | Ywis it is sumwet |
| | Þat wol vs do sum tene, |
| | Ywis hit worþ ysene." |
| 695 | Aylmer rod by stoure, |
| | Ant horn wes yne boure. |
| | Ffykenyld hade enuye |
| | & seyde þeos folye: |
| | "Aylmar, ich þe werne |
| 700 | Horn þe wole forberne: |
| | Ich herde wher he seyde, |
| | Ant his suerd he leyde, |
| | To brynge þe of lyue, |
| | Ant take rymenild to wyue. |
| 705 | He lyht in boure |
| | Vnder couertoure |
| | By rymenyld þy dohter, |
| | Ant so he doþ wel ofte. |
| | Do him out of londe, |
| 710 | Er he do more shonde!" |
| |
| | Aylmer gan hom turne |
| | Wel mody & wel sturne. |
| | He fond Horn vnder arme |
| | In rymenyldes barme. |
| 715 | "Go out," quoþ Aylmer þe kyng, |
| | Horn, þou foule fundlyng! |
| | Forþ out of boures flore |
| | For rymenild þin hore. |
| | Wend out of londe sone, |
| 720 | Her nast þou nout to done.. |
| | Wel sone bote þou flette, |
| | Myd suert yshal þe sette." |
| | Horn eode to stable |
| | Wel modi for that fable. |
| 725 | He set sadel on stede |
| | Wiþ armes he gon him shrede. |
| | His brunie he con lace |
| | So he shulde in to place. |
| | His suerd he gon teon: |
| 730 | Ne durste non wel him feon. |
| | He seide, "Lemmon derlyng, |
| | Nou þou hauest þy sueuening. |
| | Þe fyssh þat þyn net rende, |
| | From þe me he sende. |
| 735 | Þe kyng wiþ me gynneþ striue, |
| | A wey he wole me dryue. |
| | Þare fore haue nou godneday: |
| | Nou y mot founde & fare away. |
| | In to vncouþe londe, |
| 740 | Wel more forte fonde; |
| | Yshal wonie þere |
| | Fulle seue ȝere. |
| | At þe seue ȝeres ende, |
| | ȝyf y ne come ne sende, |
| 745 | Tac þou hosebonde; |
| | Forme þat þou no wonde. |
| | In armes þou me fonge, |
| | Ant cus me swyþe longe." |
| | Hy custen hem astounde |
| 750 | & rymenyld fel to grounde. |
| |
| | Horn tok his leue: |
| | He myhte nout bileue; |
| | He toc Aþulf, his fere, |
| | Aboute þe swere, |
| 755 | Ant seide, "knyht so trewe, |
| | Kep wel mi loue newe. |
| | Þou neuer ne forsoke: |
| | Rymenild to kep ant loke. |
| | His stede he bigan stryde, |
| 760 | Ant forþ he con him ryde: |
| | Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen |
| | Ant alle þat hit yseyȝen. |
| | Horn forþ him ferde, |
| | A god ship he him herde, |
| 765 | Þat him shulde passe |
| | Out of westnesse. |
| | Þe wynd bigon to stonde, |
| | Ant drof hem vp olonde. |
| | To londe þat hy fletten |
| 770 | Fot out of ship hy setten. |
| | He fond bi þe weye |
| | Kynges sones tueye; |
| | Þat on wes hoten Aþyld, |
| | Ant þat oþer beryld. |
| 775 | Beryld hym con preye |
| | Þat he shulde seye |
| | What he wolde þere |
| | Ant what ys nome were. |
| |
| | "Godmod," he seiþ, "ich hote, |
| 780 | Ycomen out of þis bote, |
| | Wel fer from by weste |
| | To seche myne beste." |
| | Beryld con ner him ryde |
| | And toc him bi þe bridel: |
| 785 | "Wel be þou, knyht, yfounde; |
| | wiþ me þou lef astounde. |
| | Al so ich mote sterue, |
| | Þe kyng þou shalt serue. |
| | Ne seh I neuer alyue |
| 790 | So feir knyht her aryue." |
| | Godmod he ladde to halle, |
| | Ant he adoun gan falle: |
| | Ant sette him a knelyng |
| | Ant grette wel þe gode kyng. |
| 795 | Þo saide beryld wel sone: |
| | "Kyng, wiþ him þuo ast done; |
| | Þilond tac him to werie; |
| | Ne shal þe nomon derye, |
| | For he is þe feyreste man |
| 800 | Þat euer in þis londe cam." |
| |
| | Þo seide þe kyng wel dere, |
| | "Welcome be þou here. |
| | Go, beryld, wel swyþe, |
| | & make hym wel blyþe. |
| 805 | Ant when þou farest to wowen, |
| | Tac him þine glouen: |
| | Þer þou has munt to wyue, |
| | A wey he shal þe dryue; |
| | For Godmodes feyrhede |
| 810 | Shalt þeou no wer spede." |
| | Hit wes at cristesmasse, |
| | Nouþer more no lasse; |
| | Þe kyng made feste |
| | Of his knyhtes beste, |
| 815 | Þer com in at none |
| | A geaunt suyþe sone |
| | Y armed of paynyme |
| | Ant seide þthise ryme: |
| | "Site kyng, bi kyng, |
| 820 | Ant herkne my tidynge: |
| | Her bueþ paynes aryue; |
| | Wel more þen fyue |
| | Her beþ vpon honde, |
| | Kyng, in þine londe; |
| 825 | On þer of wol fyhte |
| | To ȝeynes þre knyhtes. |
| | ȝef oure þre sleh ure on, |
| | We shulen of ore londe gon; |
| | ȝef uore on sleh oure þre, |
| 830 | Al þis lond shal vre be. |
| | To morewe shal be þe fyhtinge, |
| | At þe sonne vpspringe." |
| |
| | Þo seyde þe kyng þurston, |
| | "Godmod shal be þat on; |
| 835 | Beryld shal be þat oþer, |
| | Þe thridde Aþyd his broþer; |
| | For hue bueþ þe strongeste |
| | Ant in armes þe beste. |
| | Ah wat shal vs to rede? |
| 840 | I wene we bueþ dede." |
| | Godmod set at borde |
| | And seide þeose wordes: |
| | "Sire kyng, nis no ryhte |
| | On wiþ thre fyhte: |
| 845 | Aȝeynes one hounde, |
| | Þre cristene to founde. |
| | Ah, kyng, yshal alone, |
| | Wiþ oute more ymone, |
| | wiþ my suerd ful eþe |
| 850 | Bringen hem alle to deþe." |
| | Þe kyng aros amorewe, |
| | He hade muche sorewe; |
| | Godmod ros of bedde, |
| | wiþ armes he him shredde: |
| 855 | His brunye he on caste, |
| | & knutte hit wel faste, |
| | Ant com him to þe kynge |
| | At his vp rysynge. |
| | "Kyng," quoþ he, "com to felde, |
| 860 | Me forte byhelde |
| | Hou we shule flyten, |
| | Ant to gedere smiten." |
| |
| | Riht at prime tide |
| | Hy gonnen out to ryde |
| 865 | Hy founden in a grene |
| | A geaunt swyþe kene, |
| | His feren him biside |
| | Þ day forto abyde. |
| | Godmod hem gon asaylen |
| 870 | Nolde he nout faylen: |
| | He ȝef duntes inowe; |
| | Þe payen fel yswowe. |
| | Ys feren gonnen hem wiþ drawe, |
| | For huere maister wes neh slawe; |
| 875 | He seide, "knyht, ȝou reste |
| | A while ȝef þou leste." |
| | Y ne heuede new of monnes hond |
| | So harde duntes in non lond, |
| | Bote of þe kyng Murry, |
| 880 | Þat wes swiþe sturdy. |
| | He wes of Hornes kenne, |
| | Y sloh him in suddene. |
| |
| | Godmod him gon to agryse, |
| | Ant his blod aryse. |
| 885 | Byforen him he seh stonde |
| | Þat drof him out of lond |
| | Ant fader his aquelde. |
| | He smot him vnder shelde. |
| | He lokede on is rynge |
| 890 | Ant þohte o rymenild þe ȝynge. |
| | Mid god suerd at þe furste, |
| | He smoth hom þourh þe huerte. |
| | Þe payns bigonne to fleon |
| | Ant to huere shype teon; |
| 895 | To ship hue wolden erne |
| | Godmod hem con werne. |
| | Þe kynges sonews tweyne |
| | Þe paiens slowe beyne. |
| | Þo wes Godmod swyþe wo |
| 900 | Ant þe payens he smot so |
| | Þat in a lutel stounde |
| | Þe paiens hy felle to grounde. |
| | Godmod ant is men |
| | Slowe þe payenes eueruchen. |
| 905 | His fader deþ & ys lond |
| | Awrek godmod wiþ his hond. |
| | Þe kyng wiþ reuful chere |
| | Lette leggen is sones on bere |
| | Ant bringen hom to halle |
| 910 | Much sorewe hue maden alle. |
| | In a chirche of lym & ston |
| | Me buriede hem wiþ ryche won. |
| |
| | Þe kyng lette forþ calle |
| | His knyhtes alle. |
| 915 | Ant seide, "godmod, ȝef þou nere, |
| | Alle ded we were. |
| | Þou art boþe go & feyr, |
| | Her ymake þe myn heyr, |
| | For my sones bueþ yslawe, |
| 920 | Ant ybroht of lyf dawe. |
| | Dohter ich habbe one, |
| | Nys non so feyr of blod ant bone. |
| | Ermenild, þat feyre may, |
| | Bryht so eny someres day. |
| 925 | Hire wolle ich ȝeue þe |
| | Ant her kyng shalt þou be." |
| | He seyde, "more ichul þe serue, |
| | Kyng, er þen þou sterue. |
| | When y þy dohter ȝerne, |
| 930 | Heo ne shal me noþyng werne." |
| | Godmod wonede þere |
| | Fulle six ȝere |
| | Ant þe seueþe ȝer bygon |
| | To rymynild sonde ne sende he non. |
| 935 | Rymenyld wes in westnesse |
| | wiþ muche sorewenesse. |
| | A kyng þer gan aryue |
| | Ant wolde hyre han to wyue; |
| | At one were þe kynges |
| 940 | Of þat weddynge. |
| | Þe dayes were so sherte, |
| | Ant rymenild ne derste |
| | Latten on none wyse. |
| | A writ hue dude deuyse; |
| 945 | Aþulf hit dude wryte, |
| | Þat horn ne louede nout lyte. |
| | Hue sende hire sonde |
| | Into eueruche londe |
| | To sechen horn knyhte |
| 950 | Wher so er me myhte. |
| | Horn þerof nout herde |
| | Til o day þat he ferde |
| | To wode forte shete. |
| | A page he gan mete. |
| 955 | Horn seide, "Leue fere, |
| | Whet dest þou here?" |
| | "Sire, in lutel spelle, |
| | Y may þe sone telle. |
| | Ich seche from westnesse |
| 960 | Horn knyht of estnesse |
| | Ffor rymenild þat feyre may, |
| | Soreweþ for him nyht & day. |
| | A kyng hire shal wedde |
| | A sonneday to bedde, |
| 965 | Kyng Mody of reynis, |
| | Þat is hornes enimis. |
| | Ich habbe walked wyde, |
| | By þe see side; |
| | Ne mihte ich him neyer cleche |
| 970 | Wiþ nones kunnes speche, |
| | Ne may ich of him here |
| | In londe fer no nere." |
| | Wey la wey þe while! |
| | Him may hente gyle." |
| |
| 975 | Horn hit herde wiþ earen, |
| | Ant spec wiþ wete tearen: |
| | "So wel, grom, þe bitide! |
| | Horn stond by þi syde. |
| | Aȝeyn to rymenild turne |
| 980 | & seye þat hue ne murne, |
| | Yshal be þer bitime, |
| | A sonneday er prime." |
| | Þe page wes wel blyþe |
| | & shipede wel suyþe. |
| 985 | Þe see him gon adrynke |
| | Þat rymenil may ofþinke. |
| | Þe see him con ded þrowe |
| | Vnder hire chambre wowe. |
| | Rymenild lokede wide |
| 990 | By þe see syde, |
| | ȝef heo seȝe horn come |
| | Oþer tidynge of eny gome: |
| | Þo fond heo hire sonde, |
| | Adronque by þe stronde, |
| 995 | þat shulde horn brynge. |
| | Hire hondes gon hue wrynge. |
| | Horn com to þurston þe kynge |
| | Ant tolde him þes tidynge. |
| | Ant þo he was biknowe |
| 1000 | Þat rymenild wes ys owe; |
| | Ant of his gode kenne |
| | Þe kyng of sudenne, |
| | Ant hou he sloh afelde |
| | Him þat is fader aquelde, |
| 1005 | Ant seide, "Kyng so wyse, |
| | ȝeld me my seruise. |
| | Rymenild help me wynne, |
| | Swyþe þat þou ne blynne: |
| | Ant yshal do to house |
| 1010 | Þy dohter wel to spouse: |
| | For hue shal to spuse haue |
| | Aþulf, my gode felawe, |
| | He is knyht mid þe beste |
| | & on of þe treweste." |
| 1015 | Þe kyng seide so stille, |
| | "Horn, do al þi wille." |
| | He sende so by sonde |
| | ȝend al is londe |
| | After knyhtes fyhte, |
| 1020 | Þ were men so lyhte. |
| | To him come ynowe |
| | Þat to shipe drowe. |
| |
| | Horn dude him in þe weye |
| | In a gret galeye. |
| 1025 | Þe wynd bo gon to blowe |
| | In a lutel throghe. |
| | Þe see bi gan wiþ ship to gon |
| | To westnesse hem brohte anon. |
| | Hue striken seyl of maste |
| 1030 | Ant ancre gonnen caste, |
| | Matynes were yronge |
| | & þe masse ysonge. |
| | Of rymenild þe ȝynge |
| | & of Mody þe kynge. |
| 1035 | Ant horn wes in watere, |
| | Ne mihte he come no latere. |
| | He let his ship stonde, |
| | Ant com him vp to londe. |
| | His folk he made abyde |
| 1040 | Vnder a wode syde. |
| |
| | Horn eode forh al one |
| | So he sprong of þe stone. |
| | En palmere he y mette |
| | & wiþ wordes hyne grette: |
| 1045 | "Palmere, þou shalt me telle," |
| | He syde, "of þine spelle. |
| | So brouke þou þi croune, |
| | Why comest þou from toune?" |
| | Ant he seide on is tale, |
| 1050 | "Y come from a brudale |
| | From brudale wylde |
| | Of maide remenylde: |
| | Ne myhte hue nout dreȝe |
| | Þat hue ne wep wiþ eȝe. |
| 1055 | Hue seide þat hue nolde |
| | Be spoused wiþ golde. |
| | Hue hade hosbonde |
| | Þah he were out of londe. |
| | Ich wes in þe halle, |
| 1060 | Wiþ inne castel walle, |
| | A wey ygon glide: |
| | Þat dole ynolde abyde. |
| | Þer worþ a dole reuly, |
| | Þ brude wepeþ bitterly." |
| 1065 | Quoþ Horn, "so crist me rede, |
| | We wolleþ chaunge wede. |
| | Tac þou robe myne |
| | Ant ȝe sclaueyn þyne, |
| | To day yshal þer drynke |
| 1070 | Þat summe hit shal of þynke." |
| | Sclaueyn he gon doun legge, |
| | & horn hit dude on rugge, |
| | Ant toc hornes cloþes: |
| | Þat nout him were loþe. |
| |
| 1075 | Horn toc bordoun & scrippe |
| | Ant gan to wrynge is lippe. |
| | He made foule chere, |
| | & bicollede is swere. |
| | He com to þe ȝateward, |
| 1080 | Þat him onsuerede froward: |
| | Horn bed vn do wel softe |
| | Moni tyme ant ofte; |
| | Ne myhte he ywynne |
| | Forto come þer ynne. |
| 1085 | Horn þe wyket puste |
| | Þ hit open fluste. |
| | Þe porter shulde abugge. |
| | He þrew him a doun þe brugge |
| | Þat þre ribbes crakede. |
| 1090 | Horn to halle rakede |
| | Ant sette him doun wel lowe |
| | In þe beggeres rowe; |
| | He lokede aboute |
| | Myd is collede snoute; |
| 1095 | Þ seh he rymenild sitte |
| | Ase hue were of wytte, |
| | Wepinde sore; |
| | Ah he seh nower þore |
| | Aþulf is gode felawe, |
| 1100 | Þat trewe wes in vch plawe. |
| |
| | Aþulf wes o tour ful heh, |
| | To loke fer & eke neh |
| | After hornes comynge, |
| | ȝef water him wolde brynge. |
| 1105 | Þe see he seh flowe |
| | Ah horn nower rowe. |
| | He seyde on is songe: |
| | "Horn, þuo art to longe. |
| | Rymenild þou me bitoke |
| 1110 | Þat ich shulde loke; |
| | Ich haue yloked euere; |
| | & þou ne comest neuere." |
| | Rymenild ros of benche, |
| | Þ beer al forte shenche, |
| 1115 | After mete in sale, |
| | Boþe wyn & ale. |
| | An horn hue ber an honde, |
| | For þat wes lawe of londe. |
| | hue dronc of þe beere |
| 1120 | To knyht & skyere. |
| | Horn set at grounde; |
| | Him þohte he wes ybounde. |
| |
| | He seide, "Quen so hende, |
| | To me hyderward þou wende; |
| 1125 | Þou shenh vs wiþ þe vurste; |
| | Þe beggares bueþ afurste." |
| | Hyre horn hue leyde a doune, |
| | Ant fulde him of þe broune |
| | A bolle of a galoun; |
| 1130 | Hue wende he were a glotoun. |
| | Hue seide, "tac þe coppe, |
| | Ant drync þis ber al vppe. |
| | Ne seh ich neuer, y wene, |
| | Beggare so kene." |
| 1135 | Horn toc hit his yfere |
| | & seide, "Quen so dere, |
| | No beer nullich ibite |
| | Bote of coppe white. |
| | Þou wenest ich be a beggere, |
| 1140 | Ywis icham a fisshere, |
| | Wel fer come by weste |
| | To seche mine beste. |
| | Min net lyht her hende, |
| | Wiþ inne a wel feyr pende. |
| 1145 | Ich haue leye þere |
| | Nou is þis þe seueþeȝere. |
| | Icham icome to loke |
| | ȝef eny fyssh hit toke. |
| | ȝef eny fyssh is þer inne, |
| 1150 | Þer of þou shalt wynne, |
| | Ffor icham come to fyssh. |
| | Drynke nully of dyssh: |
| | Drink to horn of horne. |
| | Wel fer ich haue y orne." |
| |
| 1155 | Rymenild him gan bihelde; |
| | Hire herte fel to celde. |
| | Ne kneu hue noht his fysshyng, |
| | Ne him selue nothyng. |
| | Ah wonder hyre gan þynke |
| 1160 | Why for horn he bed drynke. |
| | Hue fulde þe horn of wyne |
| | Ant dronke to þat pelryne. |
| | Hue seide, "drync þi felle, |
| | & seþe þen me telle |
| 1165 | ȝef þou horn euer seȝ |
| | Vnder wode leȝ." |
| |
| | Horn dronc of horn asptunde |
| | And threu ys ring to grounde. |
| | Ant seide, "Quene, þou þench |
| 1170 | What y þreu in þe drench." |
| | Þe quene eode to boure |
| | Mid hire maidnes foure. |
| | Hue fond þat hue wolde, |
| | Þe ryng ygraued of golde |
| 1175 | Þat horn of hyre hedde; |
| | Fol sore hyre adredde |
| | Þat Horn ded were, |
| | For his ryng was þere. |
| | Þo sende hue a damoisele |
| 1180 | After þilke palmere; |
| | "Palmere," quoþ hue, "so trewe, |
| | Þe ryng þat þou yn þrewe, |
| | Þou sey wer þou hit nome, |
| | Ant hyder hou þou come." |
| 1185 | He seyde, "By seint gyle, |
| | Ich eode mony myle, |
| | Wel fer ȝent by weste |
| | To seche myne beste. |
| | Mi mete forte bydde |
| 1190 | For so me þo bitidde. |
| | Ich fond horn knyht stonde |
| | To shipeward in stronde. |
| | He seide he wolde gesse |
| | To aryue in westnesse. |
| 1195 | Þe schip nom in to flode |
| | wiþ me & horn þe gode; |
| | Horn by gan be sek & deȝe, |
| | & for his loue me preȝe: |
| | To gon wiþ þe rynge |
| 1200 | To rymenild þe ȝynge. |
| | Wel ofte he hyne keste, |
| | Crist ȝeue is soule reste! |
| |
| | Rymenild seide at þe firste, |
| | "Herte, nou to berste, |
| 1205 | Horn worþ þe no more, |
| | Þat haueþ þe hath pined for." |
| | Hue fel adoun a bedde, |
| | & after knyues gredde, |
| | To slein mide hire kyng loþe |
| 1210 | & hire selue boþe |
| | Wiþ inne þilke nyhte, |
| | Come ȝef horn ne myhte. |
| | To herte knyf hue sette, |
| | Horn in is armes hire kepte. |
| 1215 | & wypede a wey þe foule blake, |
| | Þ wes opon his suere |
| | Ant seide, "Luef so dere, |
| | Ne const þou me yknowe? |
| | Ne am ich horn þyn owe? |
| 1220 | Ich am horn of westnesse; |
| | In armes þou me kesse." |
| | Yclupten & kyste |
| | So longe so hem lyste. |
| | "Rymenild," quoþ he, "ich wende |
| 1225 | Doun to þe wodesende: |
| | For þer bueþ myne knyhte |
| | Worþi men & lyhte; |
| | Armed vnder cloþe, |
| | Hue shule make wroþe |
| 1230 | Þe kyng & hise gestes |
| | Þat bueþ at þise festes. |
| | To day ychulle huem cacche |
| | Nou ichulle huem vacche." |
| |
| | Horn sprong out of halle |
| 1235 | Ys brunie he let falle. |
| | Rymenild eode of boure |
| | Aþulf hue fond loure. |
| | "Aþulf, be wel blyþe |
| | & to horn go swyþe. |
| 1240 | He is vnder wode bowe |
| | Wiþ felawes ynowe." |
| | Aþulf gon forþ springe |
| | For þat ilke tydynge. |
| | efter horn he ernde, |
| 1245 | Him þohte is herte bernde. |
| | He oftok him ywisse; |
| | Ant custe him wiþ blisse. |
| | Horn tok is preye |
| | Ant dude him in þe weye. |
| 1250 | Hue comen in wel sone: |
| | Þe ȝates weren vndone. |
| | Y armed suiþe thicke |
| | From fote to þe nycke, |
| | Alle þat þer euere weren |
| 1255 | Wiþ oute is trewe feren |
| | Ant þe kyng aylmare, |
| | Ywis he hade muche care, |
| | Monie þat þer sete |
| | Hure lyf hy gonne lete. |
| 1260 | Horn vnderstondyng ne hede |
| | Of ffykeles falsesede. |
| | Hue suoren alle ant seyde, |
| | Þat hure non him wreyede |
| | Ant suore oþes holde, |
| 1265 | Þat huere non ne sholde |
| | Horn neuer bytreye. |
| | Þah he on deþe leye. |
| | Þer hy ronge þe belle |
| | Þat wedlak to fulfulle. |
| 1270 | Hue wenden hom wiþ eyse |
| | To þe kynges paleyse, |
| | Þer wes brudale suete, |
| | For richemen þer ete. |
| | Telle ne mihte no tonge |
| 1275 | Þe gle þat þer was songe. |
| |
| | Horn set in chayere, |
| | & bed hem alle yhere. |
| | He seyde, "kyng of londe, |
| | Mi tale þou vnderstonde. |
| 1280 | Ich wes ybore in sudenne: |
| | Kyng wes mi fader of kenne. |
| | Þou me to knyhte houe, |
| | Of knyhthod habbe y proue. |
| | Þou dryue me out of þi lond |
| 1285 | & seydest ich wes traytour strong; |
| | Þou wendest þat ich wrohte |
| | Þat I neuer ne þohte, |
| | By rymenild forte lygge, |
| | Ywys ich hit wiþ sugge. |
| 1290 | Ne shal ich hit agynne, |
| | Er ich sudenne wynne. |
| | Þou kep hyre me astounde, |
| | Þe while þat ich founde |
| | In to myn heritage, |
| 1295 | Wiþ þis yrisshe page. |
| | Þat lond ichulle þorhreche |
| | & do mi fader wreche. |
| | Ychul be kyng of toune, |
| | & lerne kynges roune; |
| 1300 | Þenne shal rymenild þe ȝynge |
| | Ligge by horn þe kynge." |
| |
| | Horn gan to shipe drawe |
| | wiþ hys yrisse felawe, |
| | Aþulf wiþ him, his broþer: |
| 1305 | He nolde habbe non oþer. |
| | Þat shup by gan to croude; |
| | Þe wynd him bleu wel loude; |
| | Wyþ inne dawes fyue |
| | Þe ship bigan aryue |
| 1310 | Vnder sudennes side. |
| | Huere ship by gon to ryde |
| | Aboute þe midnyhte. |
| | Horn eode wel rihte; |
| | He nom Aþulf by honde |
| 1315 | & ede vp to londe. |
| | Hue fonden vnder shelde |
| | A knyht liggynde on felde. |
| | Oþe shelde was ydrawe |
| | A croyȝ of ihesu cristes lawe. |
| 1320 | Þe knyht him lay on slape |
| | In armes wel yshape. |
| |
| | Horn him gan ytake |
| | & seide, "knyht, awake! |
| | Þou sei me whet þou kepest? |
| 1325 | & here whi þou slepest? |
| | Me þuncheþ by crois liste, |
| | Þat þou leuest on criste. |
| | Bote þuo hit wolle shewe, |
| | My suerd shal þe to hewe." |
| 1330 | Þe gode knyht up aros; |
| | Of hornes wordes him agros. |
| | He seide, "ich seruy ille |
| | Paynes to ȝeynes mi wille. |
| | Ich was cristene sumwhile: |
| 1335 | Ycome in to þis yle |
| | Saraȝyns loþe & blake, |
| | Me made ihesu forsake. |
| | To loke þis passage |
| | For horn þat is of age, |
| 1340 | Þat woneþ her by weste, |
| | God knyht mid þe beste; |
| | Hue slowe mid huere honde |
| | Þe kyng of þisse londe, |
| | Ant wiþ him mony honder, |
| 1345 | Þer fore me þuncheþ wonder |
| | Þat he ne comeþ to fyhte. |
| | God ȝeue him þe myhte, |
| | Þat wynd him hider dryue |
| | To don hem alle of lyue. |
| 1350 | Ant slowen kyng mury, |
| | Hornes cunesmon hardy. |
| | Horn of londe hue senten; |
| | Tuelf children wiþ him wenten, |
| | Wiþ hem wes aþulf þe gode, |
| 1355 | Mi child, myn oune fode: |
| | ȝef horn is hol ant sounde, |
| | Aþulf tit no wounde, |
| | He louede horn wiþ mihte, |
| | & he him wiþ ryhte. |
| 1360 | ȝef y myhte se hem tueye, |
| | Þenne ne rohti forte deye." |
| |
| | "Knyht, be þenne blyþe |
| | Mest of alle syþe; |
| | Aþulf & horn is fere |
| 1365 | Boþe we beþ here." |
| | Þ knyht to horn gan skippe |
| | & in his armes clippe. |
| | Muche ioye hue maden yfere |
| | Þo hu to gedere y come were. |
| 1370 | He saide with steuene þare: |
| | "ȝungemen, hou habbe ȝe ȝore yfare? |
| | Wolle ȝe þis lond wynne |
| | & wonie þer ynne?" |
| | He seide, "Suete horn child, |
| 1375 | ȝet lyueþ þy moder godhyld: |
| | Of ioie hue ne miste |
| | O lyue ȝef hue þe wiste." |
| | Horn seide on is ryme, |
| | "Yblessed be þe time |
| 1380 | Icham icome to sudenne |
| | Wiþ mine yrisshemenne: |
| | We shule þe houndes kecche |
| | & to þe deȝe vecche. |
| | Ant so we shulen hem teche, |
| 1385 | To speken oure speche." |
| |
| | Horn gon is horn blowe; |
| | Is folk hit con yknowe; |
| | Hue comen out of hurne, |
| | To horn swyþe ȝurne; |
| 1390 | Hue smiten & hue fyhten, |
| | Þe niht & eke þe ohtoun. |
| | Þe saraȝyns hue slowe |
| | Ant summe quike to drowe. |
| | Mid speres ord hue stonge |
| 1395 | Þe olde & eke þe ȝonge. |
| |
| | Horn lette sone wurche |
| | Boþe chapel & chyrche; |
| | He made belles rynge |
| | Ant prestes masse synge. |
| 1400 | He sohte is moder halle |
| | In þe roche walle. |
| | He custe hire ant grette, |
| | Ant in to þe caste sette, |
| | Croune he gan werie, |
| 1405 | Ant make feste merye; |
| | Murie lif he þer wrohte. |
| | Ah rymenild hit abohte |
| |
| | Þe whiles horn wes oute. |
| | Ffikenild ferde aboute, |
| 1410 | Þe betere forte spede, |
| | Þe riche he ȝef mede, |
| | Boþe ȝonge ant olde, |
| | Wiþ him forte holde; |
| | Ston he dude lade |
| 1415 | Ant lym þerto he made. |
| | Castel he made sette |
| | Wiþ water by flette. |
| | Þat þer yn come ne myhte |
| | Bote foul wiþ flyhte. |
| 1420 | Bote when þe see wiþ drowe, |
| | Þer myhte come ynowe. |
| | Þ fykenild gon by wende |
| | Rymenild forte shende. |
| | To wyue he gan hire ȝerne; |
| 1425 | Þe kyng ne durst him werne. |
| | Ant habbeþ set þe day |
| | Ffykenild to wedde þe may. |
| | Wo was rymenild of mode; |
| | Terres hue wepte of blode. |
| 1430 | Þilke nyht horn suete |
| | Con wel harde mete |
| | Of rymenild, his make, |
| | Þ into shipe wes take. |
| | Þe ship gon ouerblenche: |
| 1435 | Is lemmon shulde adrenche. |
| |
| | Rymenild mid hure honde |
| | Swymme wolde to londe; |
| | Ffykenild aȝeyn hire pylte |
| | Mid his suerdes hylte. |
| 1440 | Horn awek in is bed |
| | Of his lemmon he wes adred. |
| | "Aþulf," he seide, "felawe, |
| | To shipe nou we drawe. |
| | Ffykenild me haþ gon vnder |
| 1445 | Ant do rymenild sum wonder. |
| | Crist, for his wondes fiue, |
| | To nyht þider vs driue." |
| |
| | Horn gon to shipe ride, |
| | His knyhtes bi his side. |
| 1450 | Þe ship bigon to sture |
| | Wiþ wynd god of cure. |
| | Ant fikenild, her þe day springe, |
| | Ferde to þe kynge, |
| | After rymenild þe brhyhte, |
| 1455 | Ant spousede hyre by nyhte. |
| | He ladde hire bi derke |
| | In to his newe werke. |
| | Þe feste hue bigonne, |
| | Er þen aryse þe sonne. |
| 1460 | Er thane Horn hit wiste, |
| | Tofore þe sunne upriste, |
| | Hornes ship atstod in stoure |
| | Vnder fykenildes boure. |
| | Nuste Horn alyue |
| 1465 | Wher he wes aryue. |
| | Þene castel hue ne knewe, |
| | For he was so newe. |
| | Þe see bigon to wiþ drawe. |
| | Þo seh horn his felawe. |
| 1470 | Þe feyre knyht Arnoldyn, |
| | Þat wes Aþulfes cosyn, |
| | Þat þer set in þat tyde, |
| | Kyng horn to abide. |
| | He seide, "kyng horn, kyngessone, |
| 1475 | Hider þou art welcome. |
| | To day haþ sire ffykenild |
| | Ywedded þi wif rymenild. |
| | White þe nou þis while: |
| | He haueþ do þe gyle. |
| 1480 | Þis tour he dude make |
| | Al for rymenildes sake. |
| | Ne may þer comen ynne |
| | No mon wiþ no gynne. |
| |
| | Horn, nou Crist þe wisse, |
| 1485 | Rymenild þat þou ne misse." |
| | Horn couþe alle þe listes |
| | Þat eni mon of wiste. |
| | Harpe he gon shewe, |
| | And toc to felawe, |
| 1490 | Knyhtes of þe beste |
| | Þat he euer hede of weste. |
| | Ouen o þe sherte |
| | Hue gurden huem wiþ suerde. |
| | Hue eoden on þe grauele |
| 1495 | Towart þe castele. |
| | Hue gonne murie singe |
| | & makeden huere gleynge. |
| | Þat Fykenild mihte y here. |
| | He axede who hit were. |
| 1500 | Men seide hi were harperis |
| | Iogelers ant fyþelers. |
| | Hem me dude in lete |
| | At halle dore hue sete. |
| | Horn sette him abenche, |
| 1505 | Is harpe he gan clenche. |
| | He made rymehild a lay, |
| | Ant hue seide walaway. |
| |
| | Rymenhild fel yswowe |
| | Þo nes þer non þat louwe. |
| 1510 | Hit smot horn to herte |
| | Sore con him smerte. |
| | He lokede on is rynge |
| | Ant o rymenild þe ȝynge: |
| | He eode vp to borde |
| 1515 | Mid his gode suorde: |
| | Ffykenildes croune |
| | He fel þer adoune, |
| | Ant alle is men arowe, |
| | He dude adoun throwe. |
| 1520 | Ant made Arnoldyn þere |
| | After kyng Aylmere |
| | To be kyng of Westnesse |
| | For his mildenenesse. |
| | Þe kyng ant is baronage |
| 1525 | ȝeuen him truage. |
| |
| | Horn toc rymenild by honde |
| | Ant ladde hire to stronde, |
| | And toc wiþ him Aþelbrus, |
| | Þe gode stiward of hire fader hous. |
| 1530 | Þe see bigan to flowen, |
| | Ant hy faste to rowen. |
| | Hu aryueden vnder reme |
| | In a wel feyr streme. |
| | Kyng Mody wes kyng in þat lond, |
| 1535 | Þat horn sloh wiþ is hond. |
| | Aþelbrus he made þer kyng |
| | For his gode techyng: |
| | For sire hornes lore |
| | He wes mad kyng þore. |
| |
| 1540 | Horn eode to ryue; |
| | Þe wynd him con wel dryue. |
| | He aryuede in yrlonde, |
| | Þer horn wo couþe er fonde, |
| | He made þer Aþulf chyld |
| 1545 | Wedde mayden Ermenyld. |
| | Ant horn com to sudenne |
| | To is oune kenne; |
| | Rymenild he made þer is quene; |
| | So hit myhte ben. |
| 1550 | In trewe loue hue lyueden ay |
| | Ant wel hue loueden godes lay. |
| | Nu hue beoþ boþe dede - |
| | Crist to heouene vs lede! AmeN. |