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