| Cambridge MS |
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| Alle beon he bliþe |
| þat to my song lyþe: |
| A sang ihc schal ȝou singe |
| Of Murry þe kinge. |
5 | King he was biweste |
| So longe so hit laste. |
| Godhild het his quen, |
| Faire ne miȝte non ben. |
| He hadde a sone þat het horn, |
10 | Fairer ne miste non beo born. |
| Ne no rein vpon birine, |
| Ne sunne vpon bischine: |
| Fairer nis non þane he was, |
| He was briȝt so þe glas, |
15 | He was whit so þe flur, |
| Rose red was his colur. |
| In none kinge riche |
| Nas non his iliche. |
| Twelf feren he hadde |
20 | Þat alle wiþ him ladde; |
| Alle riche mannes sones |
| & alle hi were faire gomes, |
| Wiþ him for to pleie, |
| & mest he luuede tweie; |
25 | Þat on him het haþulf child, |
| & þat oþer ffikenild: |
| Aþulf was þe beste |
| & fikenylde þe werste. |
| Hit was vpon a someres day, |
30 | Also ihc ȝou telle may, |
| Murri þe gode king |
| Rod on his pleing |
| Bi þe se side, |
| Ase he was woned ride: |
35 | He fond bi þe stronde |
| ariued on his londe |
| Schipes fiftene |
| wiþ sarazins kene. |
| He axede what isoȝte |
40 | Oþer to londe broȝte. |
| A Payn hit ofherde |
| & hym wel sone answarede: |
| 'Þi lond folk we schulle slon |
| And alle þat Crist luueþ vpon |
45 | And þe selue riȝt anon, |
| Ne schaltu todai henne gon.' |
| Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede, |
| For þo he hauede nede, |
| & his gode kniȝtes two; |
50 | Al to fewe he hadde þo. |
| Swerd hi gunne gripe |
| & togadere smite; |
| Hy smyten vnder schelde |
| Þat sume hit yfelde. |
55 | Þe king hadde al to fewe |
| Toȝenes so vele schrewe; |
| So fele miȝten yþe |
| Bringe hem þre to diþe. |
|
| Þe pains come to londe |
60 | & neme hit in here honde: |
| Þat folc hi gunne quelle |
| & churchen for to felle. |
| Þer ne moste libbe |
| Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, |
65 | Bute hi here laȝe asoke |
| & to here toke. |
| Of alle wymmanne |
| Wurst was godhild þanne; |
| For Murri heo weop sore |
70 | & for horn ȝute more. |
| He wenten vt of halle |
| Fram hire Maidenes alle; |
| Vnder a roche of stone, |
| Þer heo liuede alone, |
75 | Þer heo seruede gode |
| Aȝenes þe paynes forbode; |
| Þer he seruede criste |
| Þat no payn hit ne wiste: |
| Eure heo bad for horn child |
80 | Þat Jesu crist him beo myld. |
| Horn was in paynes honde |
| Wiþ his feren of þe londe. |
| Muchel was his fairhede, |
| for ihesu crist him makede |
85 | Payns him wolde slen |
| Oþer al quic flen, |
| Ȝef his fairnesse nere, |
| Þe children alle aslaȝe were. |
| Þanne spak on Admirad, |
90 | Of wordes he was bald, |
| 'Horn, þu art wel kene, |
| & þat is wel isene; |
| Þu art gret & strong, |
| fair & euene long; |
95 | Þu schalt waxe more |
| Bi fulle seue ȝere: |
| Ȝef þu mote to liue go |
| & þine feren also, |
| Ȝef hit so bi falle |
100 | Ȝe scholde slen vs alle: |
| Þaruore þu most to stere, |
| Þu & þine ifere; |
| To schupe schulle ȝe funde |
| & sinke to þe grunde, |
105 | Þe se ȝou schal adrenche, |
| Ne schal hit us noȝt ofþinche; |
| For if þu were aliue, |
| Wiþ swerd oþer wiþ kniue, |
| We scholden alle deie |
110 | & þi fader deþ abeie.' |
| Þe children hi broȝte to stronde |
| Wringinde here honde |
| In to schupes borde |
| At þe furste worde. |
115 | Ofte hadde horn beo wo |
| At neure wurs þan him was þo. |
| Þe se bigan to flowe |
| & horn child to rowe; |
| Þe se þat schup so fasste drof |
120 | Þe children dradde þerof. |
| Hi wenden to wisse |
| of here lif to misse, |
| Al þe day & al þe niȝt, |
| Til hit sprang dai liȝt |
|
125 | Til Horn saȝ on þe stronde |
| Men gon in þe londe. |
| 'Feren' quaþ he 'ȝonge, |
| Ihc telle ȝou tiþinge, |
| Ihc here foȝeles singe |
130 | & þat gras him springe. |
| Bliþe beo we on lyue, |
| Vre schup is on ryue.' |
| Of schup hi gunne funde |
| & setten fout to grunde, |
135 | Bi þe se side |
| hi leten þat schup ride. |
| Þanne spak him child horn, |
| In suddene he was iborn, |
| 'Schup, bi þe se flode |
140 | Daies haue þu gode: |
| Bi þe se brinke |
| No water þe nadrinke. |
| Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne, |
| Gret þu wel of myne kenne, |
145 | Gret þu wel my moder, |
| Godhild quen þe gode; |
| & seie þe paene kyng, |
| Jesucristes wiþering, |
| Þat ihc am hol & fer |
150 | On þis lond ariued her; |
| And seie þat hei schal fonde |
| Þe dent of myne honde.' |
| Þe children ȝede to Tune |
| Bi dales & bi dune. |
155 | Hy metten wiþ almair king, |
| Crist ȝeuen him his blessing, |
| King of Westernesse, |
| Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse. |
| He him spac to horn child |
160 | Wordes þat were Mild: |
| 'Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes, |
| Þat her to londe beoþ icume, |
| Alle þrottene |
| Of bodie swiþe kene? |
165 | Bigod þat me makede, |
| A swihc fair verade |
| Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde |
| Bi westene londe: |
| Seie me wat ȝe seche.' |
170 | Horn spak here speche, |
| He spak for hem alle, |
| vor so hit moste biualle; |
| He was þe faireste |
| & of wit þe beste. |
|
175 | 'We beoþ of Suddenne, |
| Icome of gode kenne, |
| Of Cristene blode |
| & kynges suþe gode. |
| Payns þer gunne ariue |
180 | & duden hem of lyue: |
| Hi sloȝen & todroȝe |
| Cristenemen inoȝe. |
| So crist me mote rede |
| Vs he dude lede |
185 | In to a galeie, |
| wiþ þe se to pleie, |
| Dai hit is igon & oþer: |
| Wiþute sail & roþer |
| Vre schip bigan to swymme |
190 | To þis londes brymme. |
| Nu þu miȝt vs slen & binde, |
| Ore honde bihynde, |
| Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille, |
| Helpe þat we ne spille.' |
|
195 | Þanne spak þe gode kyng, |
| Iwis he nas no Niþing: |
| 'Seie me, child, what is þi name, |
| Ne schaltu haue bute game.' |
| Þe child him answerde |
200 | Sone so he hit herde: |
| 'Horn ihc am ihote, |
| Icomen vt of þe bote |
| Fram þe se side: |
| Kyng, wel mote þe tide.' |
205 | Þanne hym spak þe gode kyng, |
| 'Wel bruc þu þin euening, |
| Horn þu go wel schulle |
| Bi dales & bi hulle; |
| Horn þu lude sune |
210 | Bi dales & bi dune, |
| So schal þi name springe |
| Fram kynge to kynge, |
| & þi fairnesse |
| Abute Westernesse, |
215 | Þe strengþe of þine honde |
| In to Eurech londe: |
| Horn, þu art so swete |
| Ne may ihc þe forlete.' |
| Hom rod Aylmar þe kyng |
220 | & horn mid him his fundyng |
| & alle his ifere |
| Þat were him so dere. |
|
| Þe kyng com in to halle |
| Among his kniȝtes alle: |
225 | Forþ he clupede aþelbrus, |
| Þat was stiward of his hus: |
| 'Stiward, tak nu here |
| Mi fundlyng for to lere |
| Of þine mestere, |
230 | of wude & of riuere; |
| & tech him to harpe |
| Wiþ his nayles scharpe, |
| Biuore me to kerue |
| & of þe cupe serue; |
235 | Þu tech him of alle þe liste |
| Þat þu eure of wiste, |
| In his feiren þou wise |
| In to oþere seruise: |
| Horn þu vnderuonge |
240 | & tech him of harpe & songe.' |
|
| Ailbrus gan lere |
| Horn & his yfere: |
| Horn in herte laȝte |
| Al þat he him taȝte. |
245 | In þe curt & vte |
| & elles al abute |
| Luuede men horn child, |
| & mest him louede Rymenhild, |
| Þe kynges oȝene doster, |
250 | He was mest in þoȝte: |
| Heo louede so horn child |
| Þat neȝ heo gan wexe wild: |
| For heo ne miȝte at borde |
| Wiþ him speke no worde, |
255 | Ne noȝt in þe halle |
| Among þe kniȝtes alle, |
| Ne nowhar in non oþere stede: |
| Of folk heo hadde drede: |
| Bi daie ne bi niȝte |
260 | Wiþ him speke ne miȝte; |
| Hire soreȝe ne hire pine |
| Ne miȝte neure fine: |
| In heorte heo hadde wo, |
| & þus hire biþoȝte þo, |
265 | Heo sende hire sonde |
| Aþelbrus to honde |
| Þat he come hire to, |
| & also scholde horn do |
| Al in to bure, |
270 | ffor heo gan to lure; |
| & þe sonde seide |
| Þat sik lai þat maide, |
| & bad him come swiþe, |
| For heo nas noþing bliþe, |
275 | Þe stuard was in herte wo, |
| For he nuste what to do; |
| Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte |
| Gret wunder him þuȝte, |
| Abute horn þe ȝonge |
280 | To bure for to bringe; |
| He þoȝte vpon his mode |
| Hit nas for none gode. |
| He tok him anoþer, |
| Athulf, hornes broþer. |
|
285 | 'Aþulf,' he sede, 'riȝt anon |
| Þu schalt wiþ me to bure gon, |
| To speke wiþ Rymenhild stille |
| & witen hure wille. |
| In hornes ilike |
290 | þu schalt hure biswike: |
| Sore ihc me ofdrede |
| He wolde horn misrede.' |
| Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede |
| & in to bure wiþ him ȝede. |
295 | Anon vpon Aþulf child |
| Rymenhild gan wexe wild: |
| He wende þat horn hit were |
| þat heo hauede þere. |
| Heo sette him on bedde; |
300 | Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde. |
| On hire armes tweie |
| Aþulf heo gan leie. |
| 'Horn,' quaþ heo, 'wel longe |
| Ihc habbe þe luued stronge. |
305 | Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte |
| On myn hond her riȝte |
| Me to spuse holde, |
| & ihc þe lord to wolde.' |
|
| Aþulf sede on hire ire |
310 | So stille so hit were: |
| 'Þi tale nu þu lynne, |
| For horn nis noȝt her inne. |
| Ne beo we noȝt iliche: |
| Horn is fairer & riche, |
315 | Fairer bi one ribbe |
| Þane eni Man þat libbe: |
| Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde |
| Oþer elles wher he wolde |
| Oþer henne a þusend Mile, |
320 | Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile.' |
|
| Rymenhild hire biwente |
| & Aþelbrus fule heo schente. |
| 'Hennes þu go, þu fule þeof, |
| Ne wurstu me neure more leof; |
325 | Went vt of my bur |
| Wiþ muchel mesauentur. |
| Schame mote þu fonge |
| & on hiȝe rode anhonge. |
| Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn |
330 | Nis he noȝt so vnorn; |
| Hor is fairer þane beo he: |
| Wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie.' |
|
| Aþelbrus in a stunde |
| Fel anon to grunde: |
335 | 'Lefdi Min oȝe, |
| Liþe me a litel þroȝe. |
| Lust whi ihc wonde |
| Bringe þe horn to honde. |
| For horn is fair & riche, |
340 | Nis no whar his iliche: |
| Aylmar þe gode kyng |
| Dude him on mi lokyng; |
| Ȝef horn were her abute, |
| Sore y me dute |
345 | Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie |
| Bitwex ȝou selue tweie: |
| Þanne scholde wiþuten oþe |
| Þe kyng maken vs wroþe. |
| Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene, |
350 | Lefdi, my quene, |
| & horn ihc schal þe fecche, |
| Wham so hit recche.' |
|
| Rymenhild ȝef he cuþe |
| Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe: |
355 | Heo makede hire wel bliþe; |
| Wel was hire þat siþe: |
| 'Go nu,' quaþ heo, 'fone |
| & send him after none, |
| Whane þe kyng arise, |
360 | On a squieres wise, |
| To wude for to pleie: |
| Nis non þat him biwreie. |
| He schal wiþ me bileue |
| Til hit beo nir eue, |
365 | To hauen of him mi wille, |
| After ne recchecche what me telle.' |
|
| Aylbrus wende hire fro, |
| Horn in halle fond he þo |
| Bifore þe kyng on benche |
370 | Wyn for to schenche. |
| 'Horn,' quaþ he, 'so hende, |
| To bure nu þu wende |
| After mete stille |
| Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle: |
375 | Wordes suþe bolde |
| In herte þu hem holde: |
| Horn, beo me wel trewe, |
| Ne schal hit þe neure rewe.' |
| Horn in herte leide |
380 | Al þat he him seide: |
| He ȝeode in wel riȝte |
| To Rymenhild þe briȝte, |
| On knes he him sette |
| & sweteliche hure grette. |
385 | Of his feire siȝte |
| Al þe bur gan liȝte. |
| He spac faire speche, |
| Ne dorte him noman teche: |
| 'Wel þu sitte & softe, |
390 | Rymenhild þe briȝte, |
| Wiþ þine Maidenes sixe |
| Þat þe sitteþ nixte. |
| Kinges stuard vre |
| Sende me in to bure |
395 | Wiþ þe speke ihc scholde; |
| Seie me what þu woldest, |
| Seie & ihc schal here |
| What þi wille were.' |
|
| Rymenhild vp gan stonde |
400 | & tok him bi þe honde: |
| Heo sette him on pelle |
| Of wyn to drinke his fulle: |
| Heo makede him faire chere |
| & tok him abute þe swere. |
405 | Ofte heo him custe |
| So wel so hire luste. |
| 'Horn,' heo sede, 'wiþute strif |
| Þu schalt haue me to þi wif; |
| Horn, haue of me rewþe |
410 | & plist me þi trewþe.' |
|
| Horn þo him biþoȝte |
| What he speke miȝte. |
| 'Crist,' quaþ he, 'þe wisse |
| & ȝiue þe heuene blisse |
415 | Of þine husebonde |
| Wher he beo in londe. |
| Ihc am ibore to lowe |
| Such wimman to knowe. |
| Ihc am icome of þralle |
420 | & fundling bifalle. |
| Ne feolle hit þe of cunde |
| To spuse beo me bunde: |
| Hit nere no fair wedding |
| Bitwexe a þral & a king.' |
|
425 | Þo gan Rymenhild mis lyke |
| & sore gan to sike: |
| Armes heo gan buȝe, |
| Adun he feol iswoȝe. |
|
| Horn in herte was ful wo, |
430 | & tok hire on his armes two: |
| He gan hire for to kesse |
| Wel ofte mid ywisse. |
| 'Lemman,' he sede, 'dere, |
| Þin herte nu þu stere. |
435 | Help me to kniȝte |
| Bi al þine miȝte, |
| To my lord þe king, |
| Þat he me ȝiue dubbing. |
| Þanne is mi þralhod |
440 | Iwent in to kniȝthod, |
| & ischal wexe more |
| & do, lemman, þi lore.' |
|
| Rymenhild, þat swete þing |
| Wakede of hire swoȝning: |
445 | 'Horn,' quaþ heo, 'vel sone |
| Þat schal beon idone: |
| Þu schalt beo dubbed kniȝt |
| Are come seue niȝt. |
| Haue her þis cuppe |
450 | & þis Ryng þer vppe |
| To Aylbrus & stuard, |
| & se he holde foreward: |
| Seie ihc him biseche |
| Wiþ loueliche speche |
455 | Þat he adun falle |
| Bifore þe king in halle, |
| & bidde þe king ariȝte |
| Dubbe þe to kniȝte. |
| Wiþ seluer & wiþ golde |
460 | Hit wurþ him wel iȝolde. |
| Crist him lene spede |
| Þin erende to bede.' |
|
| Horn tok his leue, |
| For hit was neȝ eue. |
465 | Aþelbrus he soȝte |
| & ȝaf him þat he broȝte, |
| & tolde him ful ȝare |
| Hu he hadde ifare, |
| & sede him his nede, |
470 | & bihet him his mede. |
|
| Aþelbrus also swiþe |
| Wente to halle bliue: |
| 'Kyng,' he sede, 'þu leste |
| A tale mid þe beste; |
475 | Þu schalt bere crune |
| Tomoreȝe in þis tune; |
| Tomoreȝe is þi feste: |
| Þer bihoueþ geste. |
| Hit nere noȝt for loren |
480 | For to kniȝti child horn, |
| Þine armes for to welde, |
| God kniȝt he schal ȝelde.' |
|
| Þe king sede sone, |
| 'Þat is wel idone. |
485 | Horn me wel iquemeþ, |
| God kniȝt him bisemeþ. |
| He schal haue mi dubbing |
| & afterward mi derling. |
| & alle his feren twelf |
490 | He schal kniȝten him self: |
| Alle he schal hem kniȝte |
| Bifore me þis niȝte.' |
| Til þe liȝt of day sprang |
| Ailmar him þuȝte lang. |
495 | Þe day bigan to springe, |
| Horn com biuore þe kinge |
| Mid his twelf yfere: |
| Sume hi were luþere. |
| Horn he dubbede to kniȝte |
500 | Wiþ swerd & spures briȝte. |
| He sette him on a stede whit: |
| Þer nas no kniȝt hym ilik. |
| He smot him a litel wiȝt |
| & bed him beon a god kniȝt. |
|
505 | Aþulf fel aknes þar |
| Biuore þe king Aylmar. |
| 'King,' he sede, 'so kene, |
| Grante me a bene: |
| Nu is kniȝ sire horn |
510 | Þat in suddenne was iboren: |
| Lord he is of londe |
| Ouer us þat bi him stonde: |
| Þin armes he haþ & scheld |
| To fiȝte wiþ vpon þe feld: |
515 | Let him vs alle kniȝte |
| For þat is vre riȝte.' |
|
| Aylmar sede sone ywis: |
| 'Do nu þat þi wille is.' |
| Horn adun liȝte |
520 | & makede hem alle kniȝtes. |
| Murie was þe feste |
| Al of faire gestes: |
| Ac Rymenhild nas noȝt þer |
| & þat hire þuȝte seue ȝer. |
525 | After horn heo sente, |
| & he to bure wente. |
| Nolde he noȝt go one, |
| Aþulf was his mone. |
| Rymenhild on flore stod, |
530 | Hornes come hire þuȝte god, |
| And sede, 'wescome, sire horn, |
| & Aþulf kniȝt þe biforn. |
| Kniȝt, nu is þi time |
| For to fitte bi me: |
535 | Do nu þat þu er of spake, |
| To þi wif þume take. |
| Ef þu art trewe of dedes, |
| Do nu ase þu sedes. |
| Nu þu hast wille þine, |
540 | Vn bind me of my pine.' |
|
| 'Rymenhild,' quaþ he, 'beo stille; |
| Ihc wulle don al þi wille. |
| Also hit mot bitide, |
| Mid spere ischal furst ride, |
545 | & mi kniȝthod proue, |
| Ar ihc þe ginne to woȝe. |
| We beþ kniȝtes ȝonge, |
| Of odai al isprunge, |
| & of vre mestere |
550 | So is þe manere |
| Wiþ sume oþere kniȝte |
| Wel for his lemman fiȝte, |
| Or he eni wif take: |
| For þi me stondeþ þe more rape. |
555 | Today, so crist me blesse, |
| Ihc wulle do pruesse |
| For þi luue in þe felde |
| Mid spere & mid schelde: |
| If ihc come to lyue |
560 | Ihc schal þe take to wyue.' |
|
| 'Kniȝt,' quaþ heo, 'trewe, |
| Ihc wene ihc mai þe leue: |
| Tak nu her þis goldring, |
| God him is þe dubbing; |
565 | Þer is vpon þe ringe |
| Igraue Rymenhild þe ȝonge. |
| Þer nis non betere anonder sunne |
| Þat eni man of telle cunne; |
| For my luue þu hit were |
570 | & on þi finger þu him bere: |
| Þe stones beoþ of suche grace |
| Þat þu ne schalt in none place |
| Of none duntes beon ofdrad, |
| Ne on bataille beon amad, |
575 | Ef þu loke þeran |
| & þenke vpon þi lemman. |
|
| And sire Aþulf, þi broþer, |
| He schal haue anoþer. |
| Horn, ihc þe biseche, |
580 | Wiþ loueliche speche, |
| Crist ȝeue god erndinge |
| Þe aȝen to bringe.' |
|
| Þe kniȝt hire gan kesse, |
| & heo him to blesse: |
585 | Leue at hire he nam, |
| & in to halle cam. |
| Þe kniȝtes ȝeden to table, |
| & horne ȝede to stable. |
| Þar he tok his gode fole |
590 | Also blak so eny cole; |
| Þe fole schok þe brunie |
| Þat al þe curt gan denie, |
| Þe fole bigan to springe, |
| & horn murie to singe. |
595 | Horn rod in a while |
| More þan a myle. |
| He fond o schup stonde |
| Wiþ heþene honde: |
| He axede what hi soȝte |
600 | Oþer to londe broȝte. |
|
| An hund him gan bihelde, |
| Þat spac wordes belde: |
| 'Þis lond we wulleȝ wynne |
| & sle þat þer is inne.' |
605 | Horn gan his swerd gripe, |
| & on his arme wype; |
| Þe sarazins he smatte |
| Þat his blod hatte; |
| At eureche dunte |
610 | Þe heued of wente. |
| Þo gunne þe hundes gone |
| Abute horn al one: |
| He lokede on þe ringe, |
| & þoȝte on rimenilde. |
615 | He sloȝ þer on haste |
| On hundred bi þe laste |
| Ne miȝte noman telle |
| Þat folc þat he gan quelle: |
| Of alle þat were aliue |
620 | Ne miȝte þer non þriue. |
| Horn tok þe maisteres heued, |
| Þat he hadde him bireued, |
| & sette hit on his swerde |
| Anouen at þan orde. |
625 | He verde hom in to halle |
| Among þe kniȝtes alle. |
| 'Kyng,' he sede, 'wel þu sitte |
| & alle þine kniȝtes mitte; |
| To day, after mi dubbing, |
630 | So irod on mi pleing, |
| Ifond o schup Rowe |
| Þo hit gan to flowe, |
| Al wiþ sarazines kyn, |
| & none londisse Men, |
635 | To dai for to pine |
| Þe & alle þine. |
| Hi gonne me assaille, |
| Mi swerd me nolde faille, |
| Ismot hem alle to grunde |
640 | Oþer ȝaf hem diþes wunde. |
| Þat heued i þe bringe |
| Of þe maister kinge. |
| Nu is þi wile iȝolde, |
| King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest.' |
645 | A Moreȝe þo þe day gan springe |
| þe king him rod an huntinge; |
| At hom lefte ffikenhild, |
| Þat was þe wurste moder child. |
| Heo ferde in to bure |
650 | To sen auenture: |
| Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte, |
| Also he were of witte: |
| Heo sat on þe sunne |
| Wiþ tieres al birunne, |
655 | Horn sede, 'lef, þinore, |
| Wi wepestu so sore?' |
| Heo sede 'noȝt ine wepe, |
| Bute ase ilay aslepe |
| To þe se my net icaste, |
660 | & hit nolde noȝt ilaste; |
| A gret fiss at þe furste |
| Minet he gan to berste. |
| Ihc wene þat ihc schal leose |
| Þe fiss þat ihc wolde cheose.' |
|
665 | 'Crist,' quaþ horn, '& seint steuene |
| Turne þine sweuene. |
| Ne schal iþe biswike, |
| Ne do þat þe mislike. |
| Ischal me make þinowe |
670 | To holden & to knowe |
| For eureche oþere wiȝte, |
| & þarto mi treuþe iþe pliȝte.' |
| Muchel was þe ruþe |
| Þat was at þare truþe: |
675 | For Rymenhild weop ille, |
| & horn let þe tires stille. |
| 'Lemman,' quaþ he, 'dere |
| Þu schalt more ihere; |
| Þi sweuen schal wende, |
680 | Oþer sum Man schal vs schende. |
| Þe fiss þat brak þe lyne |
| Ywis he doþ us pine, |
| Þat schal don vs tene, |
| & wurþ wel sone isene.' |
|
685 | Aylmar rod bi sture, |
| & horn lai in bure. |
| Fykenhild hadde enuye |
| & sede þes solye: |
| 'Aylmar, ihc þe warne, |
690 | Horn þe wule berne; |
| Ihc herde whar he sede, |
| & his swerd forþ leide, |
| To bringe þe of lyue, |
| & take Rymenhild to wyue. |
695 | He liþ in bure |
| Vnder couerture |
| By Rymenhild þi doȝter, |
| & so he doþ wel ofte; |
| And þider þu go al riȝt, |
700 | Þer þu him finde miȝt; |
| Þu do him vt of londe, |
| Oþer he doþ þe schonde.' |
|
| Aylmar aȝen gan turne |
| Wel Modi & wel Murne. |
705 | He fond horn in arme. |
| On Rymenhilde barme |
| 'Awei vt,' he sede, 'fule þeof! |
| Ne wurstu me neuremore leof. |
| Wend vt of my bure |
710 | Wiþ muchel messauenture. |
| Wel sone bute þu flitte, |
| Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte. |
| Wend vt of my londe |
| Oþer þu schalt haue schonde.' |
|
715 | Horn sadelede his stede |
| & his armes he gan sprede; |
| His brunie he gan lace |
| So he scholde in to place; |
| His swerd he gan fonge, |
720 | Nabod he noȝt to longe. |
| He ȝede forþ bliue |
| To Rymenhild his wyue. |
| He sede, 'Lemman derling, |
| Nu hauestu þi sweuening. |
725 | Þe fiss þat þi net rente, |
| Fram þe he me sente. |
| Rymenhild, haue wel godne day, |
| No leng abiden ine may. |
| In to vncuþe londe, |
730 | Wel more for to fonde; |
| Ischal wune þere |
| Fulle seue ȝere. |
| At seue ȝeres ende, |
| Ȝef ine come ne sende, |
735 | Tak þe husebonde, |
| ffor me þu ne wonde; |
| In armes þu me fonge |
| & kes me wel longe.' |
| He custe him wel a stunde |
740 | & Rymenhild feol to grunde. |
| Horn tok his leue, |
| ne miȝte he no leng bileue; |
| He tok Aþulf his fere |
| Al abute þe swere, |
745 | & sede, 'kniȝt so trewe, |
| Kep wel mi luue newe. |
| Þu neure me ne forsoke; |
| Rymenhild þu kep and loke |
| His stede he gan bistride |
750 | & forþ he gan ride: |
| To þe hauene he ferde, |
| & a god schup he hurede, |
| Þat him scholde londe |
| In westene londe. |
|
755 | Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe |
| & al þat him isiȝe. |
| To lond he him sette |
| & fot on stirop sette. |
| He fond bi þe weie |
760 | Kynges sones tweie: |
| Þat on him het harild, |
| & þat oþer berild. |
| Berild gan him preie |
| Þat he scholde him seie, |
765 | What his name were |
| & what he wolde þere. |
| 'Cutberd,' he sede, 'ihc hote, |
| Icomen vt of þe bote, |
| Wel feor fram biweste |
770 | To seche mine beste.' |
| Berild gan him nier ride |
| & tok him bi þe bridel; |
| 'Wel beo þu kniȝt ifounde! |
| Wiþ me þu lef astunde: |
775 | Also mote i sterue, |
| Þe king þu schalt serue; |
| Ne saȝ i neure my lyue |
| So fair kniȝt aryue.' |
| Cutberd heo ladde in to halle, |
780 | & he a kne gan falle: |
| He sette him a knewelyng |
| & grette wel þe gode kyng. |
| Þanne sede Berild sone: |
| 'Sire king, of him þu hast to done, |
785 | Bitak him þi lond to werie, |
| Ne schat hit noman derie; |
| For he is þe faireste man |
| Þat eureȝut on þi londe cam.' |
|
| Þanne sede þe king so dere: |
790 | 'Welcome beo þu here. |
| Go nu, Berild, swiþe, |
| & make him ful bliþe; |
| And whan þu farst to woȝe, |
| Tak him þine gloue; |
795 | Iment þu hauest to wyue, |
| Awai he schal þe dryue; |
| For Cutberdes fairhede, |
| Ne schal þe neure wel spede.' |
| HIt was at Cristesmasse, |
800 | Neiþer more ne lasse; |
| Þer cam in at none |
| A Geaunt suþe sone, |
| Iarmed fram paynyme, |
| And seide þes ryme: |
805 | 'Site stille, sire kyng, |
| & herkne þis tyþyng: |
| Her buþ paens ariued |
| Wel mo þane fiue: |
| Her beoþ on þe sonde, |
810 | King, vpon þi londe, |
| On of hem wile fiȝte |
| Aȝen þre kniȝtes: |
| Ȝef oþer þre slen vre, |
| Al þis lond beo ȝoure: |
815 | Ȝef vre on ouercomeþ ȝour þreo, |
| Al þis lond schal vre beo. |
| Tomoreȝe be þe fiȝtinge, |
| Whane þe liȝt of daye springe.' |
|
| Þanne sede þe kyng þurston: |
820 | 'Cutberd schal beo þat on, |
| Berild schal beo þat oþer, |
| Þe þridde Alrid his broþer. |
| For hi beoþ þe strengeste |
| & of armes þe beste. |
825 | Bute what schal vs to rede? |
| Ihc wene we beþ alle dede.' |
|
| Cutberd sat at borde |
| & sede þes wordes: |
| 'Sire king, hit nis no riȝte |
830 | On wiþ þ e to fiȝte, |
| Aȝen one hunde |
| Þre cristen men to fonde. |
| Sire, ischal al one |
| Wiþute more ymone |
835 | Wiþ mi swerd wel eþe |
| Bringe hem þre to deþe.' |
|
| Þe kyng aros amoreȝe |
| Þat hadde muchel sorȝe. |
| & Cutberd ros of bedde |
840 | Wiþ armes he him schredde; |
| Horn his brunie gan on caste, |
| & lacede hit wel faste, |
| & cam to þe kinge |
| At his vp risinge. |
845 | 'King,' he sede, 'cum to fel |
| For to bihelde |
| Hu we fiȝte schulle, |
| & togare go wulle.' |
| Riȝt at prime tide |
850 | Hi gunnen vt ride, |
| And funden on a grene |
| A geaunt suþe kene, |
| His feren him biside |
| Hore deþ to abide. |
|
855 | Þe ilke bataille |
| Cutberd gan assaille: |
| He ȝaf dentes inoȝe, |
| Þe kniȝtes felle iswoȝe. |
| His dent he gan wiþdraȝe, |
860 | For hi were neȝ aslaȝe: |
| & sede, 'kniȝtes, nu ȝe reste |
| One while ef ȝou leste.' |
| Hi sede hi neure nadde |
| Of kniȝte dentes so harde; |
865 | He was of hornes kunne, |
| Iborn in Suddenne. |
|
| Horn him gan to agrise, |
| & his blod arise. |
| Biuo him saȝ he stonde |
870 | Þat driuen him of londe, |
| & þat his fader sloȝ; |
| To him his swerd he droȝ, |
| He lokede on his rynge |
| & þoȝte on Rymenhilde, |
875 | He smot him þureȝ þe herte, |
| Þat sore him gan to smerte; |
| Þe paens þat er were so sturne, |
| Hi gunne awei vrne. |
| Horn & his compaynye |
880 | Gunne after hem wel swiþe hiȝe, |
| & sloȝen alle þe hundes |
| Er hi here schipes funde. |
| To deþe he hem alle broȝte, |
| His fader deþ wel dere hi boȝte: |
885 | Of alle þe kynges kniȝtes |
| Ne scapede þer er no wiȝte, |
| Bute his sones tweie |
| Bifore him he saȝ deie. |
| Þe king bigan to grete |
890 | & teres for to lete: |
| Me leiden hem in bare |
| ȝ burden hem ful ȝare. |
|
| Þe king com in to halle |
| Among his kniȝtes alle. |
895 | 'Horn,' he sede, 'iseie þe, |
| Do as ischal rede þe. |
| Aslaȝen beþ mine heirs, |
| & þu art kniȝt of muchel pris, |
| & of grete strengþe, |
900 | & fair o bodie lengþe. |
| Mi Rengne þu schalt welde, |
| & to spuse helde |
| Reynild mi doȝter, |
| Þat sitteþ on þe lofte.' |
|
905 | 'O sire king, wiþ wronge |
| Scholte ihc hit vnderfonge, |
| Þi doȝter þat ȝe me bede, |
| Ower rengne for to lede. |
| Wel more ihc schal þe serue, |
910 | Sire kyng, or þu sterue; |
| Þi sorwe schal wende |
| Or seue ȝeres ende; |
| Wanne hit is wente, |
| Sire king, ȝef me mi rente: |
915 | Whanne i þi doȝter ȝerne |
| Ne schaltu me hire werne.' |
| Cutberd wonede þere |
| Fulle seue ȝere, |
| Þat to Rymenild he ne sente |
920 | Ne him self ne wente. |
| Rymenild was in Westernesse |
| Wiþ wel muchel sorinesse. |
|
| A king þer gan ariue |
| Þat wolde hire haue to wyue: |
925 | Aton he was wiþ þe king |
| Of þat ilke wedding. |
| Þe daies were schorte, |
| Þat Rimenhild ne dorste |
| Leten in none wise; |
930 | A writ he dude deuise, |
| Aþulf hit dude write |
| Þat horn ne luuede noȝt lite. |
| Heo sende hire sonde |
| To euereche londe, |
935 | To seche horn þe kniȝt |
| Þer me him finde miȝte. |
| Horn noȝt þer of ne herde, |
| Til o dai þat he ferde |
| To wude for to schete; |
940 | A knaue he gan imete. |
| Horn seden, 'leue fere, |
| Wat sechestu here?' |
| 'Kniȝt, if beo þi wille |
| Imai þe sone telle. |
945 | Iseche fram biweste |
| Horn of Westernesse, |
| For a Maiden Rymenhild |
| Þat for him gan wexe wild. |
| A king hire wile wedde |
950 | & bringe to his bedde, |
| King Modi of Reynes, |
| On of hornes enemis. |
| Ihc habbe walke wide |
| Bi þe se side; |
955 | Nis he nowar ifunde: |
| Walawai þe stunde! |
| Wailaway þe while! |
| Nu wurþ Rymenild bigiled.' |
| Horn iherde wiþ his ires, |
960 | & spak wiþ bidere tires: |
| 'Knaue, wel þe bitide, |
| Horn stondeþ þe biside; |
| Aȝen to hure þu turne |
| & seie þat heo ne murne, |
965 | For ischal beo þer bitime, |
| A soneday bi pryme.' |
| Þe knaue was wel bliþe |
| & hiȝede aȝen bliue. |
| Þe se bigan to þroȝe |
970 | Vnder hire woȝe. |
| Þe knaue þere gan adrinke: |
| Rymenhild hit miȝte ofþinke. |
| Rymenhild vndude þe dure pin |
| Of þe hus þer heo was in, |
975 | To loke wiþ hire iȝe |
| If heo oȝt of horn isiȝe. |
| Þo fond heo þe knaue adrent |
| Þat he hadde for horn isent, |
| & þat scholde horn bringe. |
980 | Hire fingres he gan wringe. |
|
| Horn cam to þurston þe kyng. |
| & tolde him þis tiþing. |
| Þo he was iknowe |
| Þat Rimenhild was his oȝe, |
985 | Of his gode kenne, |
| Þe king of Suddenne, |
| & hu he sloȝ in felde |
| Þat his fader quelde. |
| & seide: 'king þe wise, |
990 | Ȝeld me mi seruise, |
| Rymenhild help me winne, |
| Þat þu noȝt ne linne: |
| & ischal do to spuse |
| Þi doȝter wel to huse; |
995 | Heo schal to spuse haue |
| Aþulf mi gode felaȝe, |
| God kniȝt mid þe beste |
| & þe treweste.' |
| Þe king sede so stille: |
1000 | 'Horn, haue nu þi wille.' |
| He dude writes sende |
| In to yrlonde |
| After kniȝtes liȝte, |
| Irisse men to fiȝte. |
1005 | To horn come inoȝe, |
| Þat to schupe droȝe. |
| Horn dude him in þe weie |
| On a god Galeie. |
| Þe him gan to blowe |
1010 | In alitel þroȝe. |
| Þe se bigan to posse |
| Riȝt in to Westernesse. |
| Hi strike seil & maste |
| & Ankere gunne caste. |
1015 | Or eny day was sprunge |
| Oþer belle irunge |
| Þe word bigan to springe |
| Of Rymenhilde weddinge. |
| Horn was in þe watere, |
1020 | Ne miȝte he come no latere. |
| He let his schup stonde, |
| & ȝede to londe. |
| His folk he dude abide |
| Vnder wude side: |
1025 | Hor him ȝede alone, |
| Also he sprunge of stone. |
| A palmere he þar mette, |
| & faire hine grette: |
| 'Palmere, þu schalt me telle |
1030 | Al of þine spelle.' |
| He sede vpon his tale: |
| 'I come fram o brudale; |
| Ihc was at o wedding |
| Of a Maide Rymenhild: |
1035 | Ne miȝte heo adriȝe |
| Þat heo ne weop wiþ iȝe: |
| Heo sede þat heo nolde |
| Ben ispused wiþ golde, |
| Heo hadde on husebonde |
1040 | Þeȝ he were vt of londe. |
| & in strong halle, |
| Biþinne castel walle, |
| Þer iwas atte ȝate, |
| Nolde hi me in late. |
1045 | Modi ihote hadde |
| To bure þat me hire ladde. |
| Awai igan glide, |
| Þat deol inolde abide. |
| Þe bride wepeþ sore, |
1050 | & þat is muche deole.' |
|
| Quaþ horn: 'so crist me rede, |
| We schulle chaungi wede: |
| Haue her cloþes myne, |
| & tak me þi sclauyne. |
1055 | Today ischal þer drinke |
| Þat some hit schulle ofþinke.' |
| His sclauyn he dude dun legge, |
| & tok hit on his rigge: |
| He tok horn his cloþes, |
1060 | Þat nere him noȝt loþe. |
| Horn tok burdon & scrippe, |
| & wrong his lippe. |
| He makede him a ful chere |
| & al bicolmede his swere. |
1065 | He makede him vn bicomelich, |
| Hes he nas neuremore ilich. |
|
| He com to þe gateward |
| Þat him answerede hard. |
| Horn bad vndo softe |
1070 | Mani tyme & ofte; |
| Ne miȝte he awynne |
| Þat he come þerinne. |
| Horn gan to þe ȝate turne |
| & þat wiket vnspurne; |
1075 | Þe boye hit scholde abugge, |
| Horn þreu him ouer þe brigge, |
| Þat his ribbes him to brake, |
| & suþþe com in atte gate. |
| He sette him wel loȝe |
1080 | In beggeres rowe; |
| He lokede him abute, |
| Wiþ his colmie snute. |
| He seȝ Rymenhild sitte |
| Ase heo were of witte |
1085 | Sore wepinge & ȝerne: |
| Ne miȝte hure noman wurne. |
| He lokede in eche halke, |
| Ne seȝ he nowhar walke |
| Aþulf his felawe, |
1090 | Þat he cuþe knowe. |
| Aþulf was in þe ture |
| Abute for to pure |
| After his comynge, |
| Ȝef schup him wolde bringe. |
1095 | He seȝ þe se flowe |
| & horn nowar rowe. |
| He sede vpon his songe: |
| 'Horn, nu þu ert wel longe. |
| Rymenhild þu me toke |
1100 | Þat ischolde loke. |
| Ihc habbe ikept hure eure: |
| Com nu oþer neure. |
| Ine may no leng hure kepe, |
| For soreȝe nu y wepe.' |
|
1105 | Rymenhild Ros of benche |
| Wyn for to schenche, |
| After mete in sale, |
| boþe wyn & ale. |
| On horn he bar anhonde, |
1110 | So laȝe was in londe. |
| Kniȝtes & squier |
| Alle dronken of þe ber. |
| Bute horn alone |
| Nadde þerof no mone. |
1115 | Horn sat vpon þe grunde, |
| Him þuȝte he was ibunde. |
| He sede: 'quen so hende, |
| Tomeward þu wende; |
| Þu ȝef vs wiþ þe furste, |
1120 | Þe beggeres beoþ ofþurste.' |
|
| Hure horn heo leide adun |
| & fulde him of a brun |
| His bolle of a galun, |
| For heo wende he were a glotoun. |
1125 | He seide: 'haue þis cuppe |
| & þis þing þer vppe. |
| Ne saȝ ihc neure, so ihc wene, |
| Beggere þat were so kene. |
| Horn tok hit his ifere, |
1130 | & sede: 'quen so dere, |
| Wyn nelle ihc Muche ne lite |
| Bute of cuppe white. |
| Þu wenest ibeo a beggere, |
| & ihc am a fissere, |
1135 | Wel feor icome bi este |
| For fissen at þi feste: |
| Mi net liþ her bi honde, |
| Bi a wel fair stronde, |
| Hit haþ ileie þere |
1140 | Fulle seue ȝere. |
| Ihc am icome to loke |
| Ef eni fiss hit toke. |
| Ihc am icome to fisse: |
| Drink to me of disse, |
1145 | Drink to horn of horne: |
| Feor ihc am i orne.' |
| Rymenhild him gan bihelde, |
| Hire heorte bigan to chelde. |
| Ne kneu heo noȝt his fissing, |
1150 | Ne horn hym selue noþing: |
| Ac wunder hire gan þinke |
| Whi he bad to horn drinke. |
| Heo fulde hire horn wiþ wyn |
| & dronk to þe pilegrym. |
1155 | Heo sede: 'drink þi fulle, |
| & suþþe þu me telle |
| If þu eure isiȝe |
| ?Horn? vnder wude liȝe.' |
| Horn dronk of horn a stunde |
1160 | & þreu þe ring to grunde. |
| Þe quen ȝede to bure |
| Wiþ hire maidenes foure. |
| Þo fond heo what heo wolde, |
| A ring igrauen of golde |
1165 | Þat horn of hure hadde; |
| Sore hure dradde |
| Þat horn isteue were, |
| For þe Ring was þere. |
| Þo sente heo a damesele |
1170 | After þe palmere; |
| 'Palmere,' quaþ heo, 'trewe, |
| Þe ring þat þu þrewe, |
| Þu seie whar þu hit nome, |
| & whi þu hider come.' |
1175 | He sede: 'bi seint gile, |
| Ihc habbe go mani Mile, |
| Wel feor bi ȝonde weste, |
| To seche my beste. |
| Ifond horn child stonde |
1180 | To schupeward in londe. |
| He sede he wolde agesse |
| To ariue in westernesse. |
| Þe schip nam to þe flode |
| Wiþ me & horn þe gode; |
1185 | Horn was sik & deide, |
| & faire he me preide: |
| "Go wiþ þe ringe |
| To Rymenhild þe ȝonge." |
| Ofte he hit custe; |
1190 | God ȝeue his saule reste.' |
|
| Rymenhild sede at þe furste: |
| 'Herte nu þu berste, |
| For horn nastu namore |
| Þat þe haþ pined þe so sore.' |
1195 | Heo feol on hire bedde, |
| Þer heo knif hudde, |
| To sle wiþ king loþe |
| & hure selue boþe, |
| In þat vlke niȝte, |
1200 | If horn come ne miȝte. |
| To herte knif heo sette, |
| Ac horn anon hire kepte. |
| He wipede þat blake of his swere |
| & sede: 'quen so swete & dere, |
1205 | Ihc am horn þinoȝe, |
| Ne canstu me noȝt knowe? |
| Ihc am horn of westernesse, |
| In armes þu me cusse.' |
| Hi custe hem mid ywisse, |
1210 | & makeden Muche blisse. |
|
| 'Rymenhild,' he sede, 'ywende |
| Adun to þe wudes ende; |
| Þer beþ myne kniȝtes |
| Redi to fiȝte, |
1215 | Iarmed vnder cloþe; |
| Hi schulle make wroþe |
| Þe king & his geste, |
| Þat come to þe feste: |
| Today ischal hem teche |
1220 | & sore hem areche.' |
|
| Horn sprong vt of halle |
| & let his sclauin falle. |
| Þe quen ȝede to bure |
| & fond aþulf in ture. |
1225 | 'Aþulf,' heo sede, 'be bliþe, |
| And to horn þu go wel swiþe. |
| He is vnder wude boȝe, |
| & wiþ him kniȝtes Inoȝe.' |
|
| Aþulf bigan to springe |
1230 | For þe tiþinge. |
| After horn he arnde anon |
| Also þat hors miȝte gon: |
| He him ouertok ywis, |
| Hi makede suiþe Muchel blis. |
1235 | Horn tok his preie |
| & dude him in þe weie. |
| He com in wel sone, |
| Þe ȝates were vndone, |
| Iarmed ful þikke |
1240 | Fram fote to þe nekke. |
| Alle þat were þerin, |
| Biþute his twelf ferin |
| & þe king Aylmare, |
| He dude hem alle to kare. |
1245 | Þat at þe feste were, |
| Here lif hi lete þere. |
| Horn ne dude no wunder |
| Of ffikenhildes falfe tunge. |
| Hi sworen oþes holde |
1250 | Þat neure ne fcholde |
| Horn neure bitraie, |
| Þeȝ he at diþe laie. |
| Hi Runge þe belle |
| Þe wedlak for to felle. |
1255 | Horn him ȝede with his |
| To þe kinges palais. |
| Þer was brid & ale fuete, |
| For riche men þer ete. |
| Telle ne miȝte tunge |
1260 | Þat gle þat þer was funge. |
|
| Horn fat on chaere |
| & bad hem alle ihere. |
| 'King,' he fede, 'þu lufte |
| A tale mid þe befte. |
1265 | Ine feie hit for no blame, |
| Horn is mi name. |
| Þume to kniȝte houe, |
| & kniȝthod haue proued. |
| To þe king men feide |
1270 | Þat iþe bitraide: |
| Þu makedeft me fleme |
| & þi lond to reme: |
| Þu wendeft þat iwroȝte |
| Þat y neure ne þoȝte, |
1275 | Bi Rymenhild for to ligge, |
| & þat i wiþ fegge. |
| Ne fchal ihc hit biginne, |
| Til i fuddene winne. |
| Þu kep hure a ftunde, |
1280 | Þe while þat ifunde |
| In to min heritage |
| & to mi baronage. |
| Þat lond ischal ofreche |
| & do mi fader wreche. |
1285 | Ischal beo king of tune |
| & bere kinges crune, |
| Þanne schal Rymenhilde |
| Ligge bi þe kinge.' |
|
| Horn gan to schupe draȝe |
1290 | Wiþ his yrisse felaȝes, |
| Aþulf wiþ him his brother, |
| Nolde he non oþer. |
| Þat schup bigan to crude, |
| Þe wind him bleu lude. |
1295 | Biþinne daies fiue |
| Þat schup gan ariue. |
| Abute middelniȝte |
| Horn him ȝede wel riȝte. |
| He tok aþulf bi honde |
1300 | & vp he ȝede to londe. |
| Hi founde vnder schelde |
| A kniȝt hende in felde. |
| Þe kniȝt him aslepe lay |
| Al biside þe way. |
1305 | Horn him gan to take |
| & sede: 'kniȝt, awake. |
| Seie what þu kepest, |
| & whi þu her slepest; |
| Me þinkþ biþine crois liȝte |
1310 | Þat þu longest to vre driȝte. |
| Bute þu wule me schewe, |
| Ischal þe to hewe:' |
| Þe gode kniȝt vp aros, |
| Of þe wordes him gros. |
1315 | He sede: 'ihc haue aȝenes my wille |
| Payns ful ylle. |
| Ihc was cristene a while; |
| Þo icom to þis ille |
| Sarazins blake |
1320 | Þat dude me forsake. |
| On crist ihc wolde bileue, |
| On him hi makede me reue, |
| To kepe þis passage |
| Fram horn þat is of age, |
1325 | Þat wunieþ bieste, |
| Kniȝt wiþ þe beste: |
| Hi sloȝe wiþ here honde |
| Þe king of þis londe, |
| & wiþ him fele hundred, |
1330 | & þerof is wunder |
| Þat he ne comeþ to fiȝte. |
| God sende him þe riȝte, |
| & wind him hider driue, |
| To bringe hem of liue. |
1335 | Hi sloȝen kyng Murry, |
| Hornes fader king hendy, |
| Horn hi vt of londe sente; |
| Tuelf felaȝes wiþ him wente, |
| Among hem aþulf þe gode, |
1340 | Min oȝene child, my leue fode: |
| Ef horn child is hol & sund, |
| & Aþulf biþute wund, |
| He luueþ him so dere, |
| & is him so stere, |
1345 | Miȝte iseon hem tueie, |
| For ioie ischolde deie.' |
|
| 'Kniȝt beo þanne bliþe |
| Mest of alle siþe; |
| Horn & Aþulf his fere |
1350 | Boþe hi ben here.' |
| To horn he gan gon |
| & grette him anon. |
| Muche ioie hi makede þere |
| Þe while hi togadere were. |
1355 | 'Childre,' he sede, 'hu habbe ȝe fare? |
| Þat ihc ȝou seȝ hit is ful ȝare. |
| Wulle ȝe þis lond winne |
| & sle þat þeris inne?' |
| He sede: 'leue horn child, |
1360 | Ȝut lyueþ þi moder Godhild: |
| Of ioie heo miste |
| If heo þe aliue wiste.' |
|
| Horn sede on his rime: |
| 'Iblessed beo þe time, |
1365 | Icom to Suddenne |
| Wiþ mine irisse menne: |
| We schulle þe hundes teche |
| To speken vre speche. |
| Alle we hem schulle sle |
1370 | & al quic hem fle.' |
| Horn gan his horn to blowe, |
| His folk hit gan iknowe, |
| Hi comen vt of stere, |
| Fram hornes banere: |
1375 | Hi sloȝen & fuȝten, |
| Þe niȝt & þe vȝten: |
| Þe sarazins cunde |
| ne lefde þer non in þende. |
| Horn let wurche |
1380 | chapeles & chirche. |
| He let belles ringe, |
| & Masses let singe. |
| He com to his Moder halle |
| In a roche walle. |
1385 | Corn he let serie |
| & makede feste merie. |
| Murie lif he wroȝte: |
| Rymenhild hit dere doȝte. |
|
| ffikenhild was prut on herte, |
1390 | & þat him dude smerte. |
| Ȝonge he ȝaf & elde |
| Mid him for to helde. |
| Ston he dude lede |
| Þer he hopede spede. |
1395 | Strong castel he let sette, |
| Mid séé him biflette. |
| Þer ne miȝte liȝte |
| Bute foȝel wiþ fliȝte. |
| Bute whanne þe se wiþ droȝe |
1400 | Miȝte come men ynoȝe. |
| ffikenhild gan wende |
| Rymenhild to schende. |
| To woȝe he gan hure ȝerne, |
| Þe kyng ne dorste him werne. |
1405 | Rymenhild was ful of mode, |
| He wep teres of blode. |
| Þat niȝt horn gan swete, |
| & heuie forto mete |
| Of Rymenhild his make, |
1410 | Into schupe was itake: |
| Þe schup bigan to blenche, |
| His lemman scholde adrenche. |
| Rymenhild wiþ hire honde |
| Wolde vp to londe. |
1415 | ffikenhild aȝen hire pelte |
| Wiþ his swerdes hilte. |
|
| Horn him wok of slape |
| So aman þat hadde rape. |
| 'Aþulf,' he fede, 'felaȝe, |
1420 | To schupe we mote draȝe; |
| ffikenhild me haþ idon vnder |
| & Rymenhild to do wunder. |
| Crist for his wundes fiue |
| To niȝt me þuder driue.' |
1425 | Horn gan to schupe Ride, |
| His feren him biside. |
| ffikenhild or þe dai gan springe |
| Al riȝt he ferde to þe kinge, |
| After Rymenhild þe briȝte, |
1430 | To wedden hire biniȝte. |
| He ladde hure bi þe derke |
| In to his nywe werke; |
| Þe feste hi bigunne |
| Er þat ros þe funne; |
1435 | Er þane horn hit wiste, |
| Tofore þe sunne vpriste, |
| His schup stod vnder ture |
| At Rymenhilde bure. |
| Rymenhild litel weneþ heo |
1440 | Þat horn þanne aliue beo. |
| Þe castel þei ne knewe, |
| For he was so nywe. |
| Horn fond sittinde Arnoldin |
| Þat was Aþulfes cosin |
1445 | Þat þer was in þat tide |
| horn for tabide. |
| 'Horn kniȝt,' he fede, 'kinges sone, |
| Wel beo þu to londe icome: |
| Today haþ ywedde fikenhild |
1450 | Þi swete lemman Rymenhild. |
| Ne schal iþe lie, |
| He haþ giled þe twie |
| Þis tur he let make |
| Al for þine sake, |
1455 | Ne mai þer come inne |
| Noman wiþ ? none ? ginne. |
| Horn, nu crist þe wisse |
| Of Rymenhild þat þu ne misse.' |
|
| Horn cuþe al þe liste |
1460 | Þat eni man of wiste. |
| Harpe he gan schewe |
| & tok selaȝes fewe, |
| Of kniȝtes suiþe snelle |
| Þat schrudde hem at wille. |
1465 | Hi ȝeden bi þe grauel |
| Toward þe castel: |
| Hi gunne murie singe |
| & makede here gleowinge. |
|
| Rymenhild hit gan ihere |
1470 | & axede what hi were. |
| Hi sede: 'hi weren harpurs, |
| & sume were gigours.' |
| He dude horn in late |
| Riȝt at halle gate; |
1475 | He sette him on þe benche |
| His harpe for to clenche. |
| He makede Rymenhilde lay, |
| & heo makede walaway. |
| Rymenhild feol yswoȝe, |
1480 | Ne was þer non þat louȝe. |
| Hit smot to hornes herte |
| So bitere þat hit smerte. |
| He lokede on þe ringe |
| & þoȝte on Rymenhilde. |
1485 | He ȝede vp to borde |
| Wiþ gode suerdes orde. |
| ffikenhildes crune |
| Þer ifulde adune, |
| & Al his men a rowe |
1490 | Hi dude adun þrowe. |
| Whanne hi weren aslaȝe, |
| Fikenhild hi dude todraȝe. |
| Horn makede Arnoldin þare |
| King after king Aylmare, |
1495 | Of al westernesse |
| For his meoknesse. |
| Þe king & his homage |
| Ȝeuen Arnoldin trewage. |
|
| Horn tok Rymenhild bi þe honde |
1500 | & ladde hure to þe stronde, |
| & ladde wiþ him Aþelbrus, |
| Þe gode stuard of his hus. |
| Þe se bigan to flowe |
| & horn gan to Rowe. |
1505 | Hi gunne for ariue |
| Þer king modi was sire. |
| Aþelbrus he makede þer king |
| For his gode teching: |
| He ȝaf alle þe kniȝtes ore |
1510 | For horn kniȝtes lore. |
| Horn gan for to ride, |
| Þe wind him bleu wel wide. |
| He ariuede in yrlonde. |
| Þer he wo fondede, |
1515 | Þer he dude Aþulf child |
| Wedden maide Reynild. |
| Horn com to suddenne |
| Among al his kenne. |
| Rymenhild he makede his quene, |
1520 | So hit miȝte wel beon. |
| Al folk hem miȝte rewe |
| Þat loueden hem so trewe. |
| Nu ben hi boþe dede; |
| Crist to heuene hem lede! |
1525 | Her endeþ þe tale of horn, |
| Þat fair was & ? noȝt ? vnorn; |
| Make we vs glade Eure among, |
| For þus him endeþ hornes song. |
| Jesus þat is of heuene king |
1530 | Ȝeue vs alle his suete blessing! Amen. |
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| EX-PLI-CIT. |
| Laud MS |
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|
|
| 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. |
| Harley MS |
|
| Her bygynneþ þe geste of Kyng Horn |
|
| Alle heo ben blyþe |
| þat to my song ylyþe |
| a song ychulle ou singe |
| of Allof þe gode kynge |
5 | kyng he wes by weste |
| þe whiles hit yleste |
| ant godylt his gode quene |
| no feyrore myhte bene |
| ant huere sone hihte horn |
10 | feyrore child ne myhte be born |
| for reyn ne myhte by ryne |
| ne sonne myhte shyne |
| feyrore child þen he was |
| bryht so euer eny glas |
15 | so whit so eny lylye flour |
| so rose red wes his colour |
| He wes feyr & eke bold |
| ant of fyftene wynter old |
| Nis non his yliche |
20 | in none kinges ryche |
| tueye feren he hadde |
| þat he wiþ him ladde |
| alle richemenne sones |
| & alle suyþe feyre gomes |
25 | wyþ him forte pleye |
| mest he louede tueye |
| þat on wes hoten Athulf chyld |
| & þat oþer ffykenyld |
| 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 ys pleyȝyng |
35 | bi þe see side |
| þer he was woned to ryde |
| wiþ him ne ryde bote tuo |
| al to fewe hue were þo |
| he fond by þe stronde |
40 | aryued on is londe |
| shipes fyftene |
| of saraȝynes kene |
| he askede whet hue sohten |
| oþer on is lond brohten |
45 | a payen hit yherde |
| & sone him 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 hade to fewe |
60 | aȝeyn so monie schrewe |
| so fele myhten eþe |
| bringe þre to deþe |
| þe payns come 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 godyld þanne |
| for Allof hy wepeþ sore |
| & for horn ȝet more |
75 | Godild hade so muche sore |
| þat habbe myhte hue na more |
| hue wente out of halle |
| from hire maidnes alle |
| vnder a roche of stone |
80 | þer hue wonede al one |
| þer hue seruede gode |
| aȝeyn þe payenes forbode |
| þer hue seruede crist |
| þat þe payenes hit nust |
85 | ant euer hue bad for horn child |
| þat crist him wrþe myld |
| Horn wes in payenes hond |
| mid is feren of þe lond |
| 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 & shene |
| þou art fayr & eke strong |
100 | & eke eueneliche long |
| ȝef þou to lyue mote go |
| ant þyne feren al so |
| þat ymay byfalle |
| þat ȝe shule slen vs alle |
105 | þare fore þou shalt to streme go |
| þou ant þy feren al so |
| to shipe ȝe shule founde |
| & sinke to þe grounde |
| þe see þe shal adrenche |
110 | ne shal hit vs of þenche |
| for ȝef þou were alyue |
| wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue |
| we shulden alle deȝe |
| þy fader deþ to beye |
115 | þe children ede to þe stronde |
| wryngynde huere honde |
| ant in to shipes borde |
| at þe furste worde |
| ofte hade horn be wo |
120 | ah neuer wors þen him wes þo |
| þe see bygon to flowen |
| & horn faste to rowen |
| ant þat ship wel suyþe drof |
| & horn wes adred þer of |
125 | hue wenden mid y wisse |
| of huere lyue to misse |
| al þe day & al þe nyht |
| o þat sprong þe day lyht |
| fflotterede horn by þe stronde |
130 | er he seye eny londe |
| feren quoþ horn þe ȝynge |
| ytelle ou tydynge |
| Ich here foules singe |
| & se þe grases springe |
135 | blyþe be ȝe alyue |
| vr ship is come to ryue |
| of shipe hy gonne founde |
| & sette fot to grounde |
| by þe see syde |
140 | hure ship bi gon to ryde |
| þenne spec him child horn |
| in sudenne he was yborn |
| nou ship by þe flode |
| haue dayes gode |
145 | by þe see brynke |
| no water þe adrynke |
| softe mote þou sterye |
| þat water þe ne derye |
| ȝef þou comest to sudenne |
150 | gret hem þat me kenne |
| gret wel þe gode |
| quene godild mi moder |
| ant sey þene heþene kyng |
| ihesu cristes wytherlyng |
155 | þat ich hol & fere |
| in londe aryuede here |
| ant say þat he shal fonde |
| þen deþ of myne honde |
| þe ship bigon to fleoten |
160 | & horn child to weopen |
| by dales & by dounes |
| þe children eoden to tounes |
| metten hue Eylmer þe kyng |
| crist him ȝeue god tymyng |
165 | kyng of westnesse |
| crist him myhte blesse |
| he spec to horn child |
| wordes suyþe myld |
| whenne be ȝe gomen |
170 | þat bueþ her a londe ycomen |
| alle þrettene |
| of bodye suyþe kene |
| by god þat me made |
| so feyr a felaurade |
175 | ne seh yneuer stonde |
| in westnesse londe |
| say me whet ȝe seche |
| horn spec huere speche |
| Horn spac for huem alle |
180 | for so hit moste byfalle |
| he wes þe wyseste |
| & of wytte þe beste |
| we bueþ of sudenne |
| ycome of gode kenne |
185 | of cristene blode |
| of cunne swyþe gode |
| payenes þer connen aryue |
| and cristine brohten of lyue |
| slowen & to drowe |
190 | cristinemen ynowe |
| so crist me mote rede |
| ous hy duden lede |
| In to a galeye |
| wiþ þe see to pleye |
195 | day is gon & oþer |
| wiþ oute seyl & roþer |
| vre ship flet forþ ylome |
| & her to londe hit ys ycome |
| Nou þou myht vs slen & bynde |
200 | oure honde vs bihynde |
| ah ȝef hit is þi wille |
| help vs þat we ne spille |
| þo spac þe gode kyng |
| he nes neuer nyþyng |
205 | sey child whet is þy name |
| shal þe tide bote game |
| þe child him onsuerede |
| so sone he hit yherde |
| Horn ycham yhote |
210 | ycome out of þis bote |
| from þe see side |
| kyng wel þe bitide |
| horn child quoþ þe kyng |
| wel brouc þou þy nome ȝyng |
215 | horn him goþ so stille |
| bi dales & by hulles |
| horn haþ loude soune |
| þurh out vch a toune |
| so shal þi nome springe |
220 | from kynge to kynge |
| ant þi feirnesse |
| aboute westnesse |
| horn þou art so suete |
| ne shal y þe forlete |
225 | Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng |
| & horn wiþ him his fundlyng |
| & alle his yfere |
| þat him were so duere |
| þe kyng com in to halle |
230 | among his knyhtes alle |
| forþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus |
| his stiward & him seide þus |
| stiward tac þou here |
| my fundling forto lere |
235 | of þine mestere |
| of wode & of ryuere |
| ant toggen oþe harpe |
| wiþ is nayles sharpe |
| ant tech him alle þe listes |
240 | þat þou euer wystest |
| byfore me to keruen |
| & of my coupe to seruen |
| ant his feren deuyse |
| wiþ ous oþer seruise |
245 | horn child þou vnderstond |
| tech him of harpe & of song |
| Athelbrus gon leren |
| horn & hyse feren |
| horn mid herte lahte |
250 | al þat mon him tahte |
| wiþ inne court & wiþ oute |
| & oueral aboute |
| louede men horn child |
| & most him louede rymenyld |
255 | þe kynges oune dohter |
| for he wes in hire þohte |
| hue louede him in hire mod |
| for he wes feir & eke god |
| & þah hue ne dorste at bord |
260 | mid him speke ner a word |
| ne in þe halle |
| among þe knyhtes alle |
| hyre sorewe ant hire pyne |
| nolde neuer fyne |
265 | bi daye ne by nyhte |
| for hue speke ne myhte |
| wiþ horn þat wes so feir & fre |
| þo hue ne myhte wiþ him be |
| In herte hue hade care & wo |
270 | & þus hue biþohte hire þo |
| Hue sende hyre sonde |
| Athelbrus to honde |
| þat he come hire to |
| & also shulde horn do |
275 | in to hire boure |
| for hue bigon to loure |
| & þe sonde sayde |
| þat seek wes þe mayde |
| & bed him come suyþe |
280 | for hue nis nout blyþe |
| þe stiward wes in huerte wo |
| for he nuste whet he shulde do |
| what rymenild bysohte |
| gret wonder him þohte |
285 | aboute horn þe ȝinge |
| to boure forte bringe |
| he þohte on is mode |
| hit nes for none gode |
| he toke wiþ him an oþer |
290 | aþulf hornes broþer |
| Athulf quoþ he ryht anon |
| þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon |
| to speke wiþ rymenild stille |
| to wyte hyre wille |
295 | þou art hornes yliche |
| þou shalt hire by suyke |
| sore me adrede |
| þat hue wole horn mys rede |
| Athelbrus & Athulf bo |
300 | to hire boure beþ ygo |
| vpon Athulf childe |
| rymenild con waxe wilde |
| hue wende horn it were |
| þat hue hade þere |
305 | Hue seten adoun stille |
| ant seyden hure wille |
| In hire armes tueye |
| Athulf he con leye |
| horn quoþ heo wel longe |
310 | y haue loued þe stronge |
| þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte |
| in myn hond wiþ ryhte |
| me to spouse welde |
| & ich þe louerd to helde |
315 | so stille so hit were |
| athulf seyde in hire éére |
| ne tel þou no more speche |
| may y þe by seche |
| þi tale gyn þou lynne |
320 | for horn nis nout her ynne |
| ne be we nout yliche |
| for horn is fayr & ryche |
| fayrore by one ribbe |
| þen ani mon þat libbe |
325 | þah horn were vnder molde |
| & oþer elle wher he sholde |
| hennes a þousent milen |
| ynulle him bigilen |
| rymenild hire bywente |
330 | ant athelbrus þus heo shende |
| Athelbrus þou foule þef |
| ne worþest þou me neuer lef |
| went out of my boure |
| shame þe mote by shoure |
335 | ant euel hap to vnderfonge |
| & euele rode on to honge |
| Ne speke y nout wiþ horne |
| nis he nout so vnorne |
| þo Athelbrus astounde |
340 | fel akneu to grounde |
| ha leuedy myn owe |
| me lyþe a lutel þrowe |
| ant list were fore ych wonde |
| to bringen horn to honde |
345 | for horn is fayr & riche |
| nis non his ylyche |
| Aylmer þe gode kyng |
| dude him me in lokyng |
| ȝif horn þe were aboute |
350 | fore ich myhte doute |
| Wiþ him þou woldest pleye |
| bituene ou seluen tueye |
| þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe |
| þe kyng vs make wroþe |
355 | Ah forȝef me þi teone |
| my leuedy ant my quene |
| Horn y shal þe fecche |
| wham so hit yrecche |
| rymenild ȝef heo couþe |
360 | con lyþe wiþ hyre mouþe |
| heo loh & made hire blyþe |
| for wel wes hire olyue |
| go þou quoþ heo sone |
| & send him after none |
365 | a skuyeres wyfe |
| when þe king aryse |
| he shal myd me bileue |
| þat hit be ner eue |
| haue ich of him mi wille |
370 | ne recchi whet men telle |
| Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle |
| horn he fond in halle |
| bifore þe kyng obenche |
| wyn forte shenche |
375 | Horn quoþ he þou hende |
| to boure gyn þou wende |
| to speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝynge |
| dohter oure kynge |
| wordes suyþe bolde |
380 | þin horte gyn þou holde |
| Horn be þou me trewe |
| shal þe nout arewe |
| he eode forþ to ryhte |
| to rymenild þe bryhte |
385 | aknewes he him sette |
| & suetliche hire grette |
| of is fayre syhte |
| al þat bour gan lyhte |
| he spac faire is speche |
390 | ne durþ non him teche |
| wel þou sitte & soste |
| rymenild kinges dohter |
| ant þy maydnes here |
| þat sitteþ þyne yfere |
395 | Kynges styward oure |
| sende me to boure |
| forte y here leuedy myn |
| whet be wille þyn |
| rymenild vp gon stonde |
400 | & tok him by þe honde |
| heo made feyre chere |
| & tok him bi þe suere |
| ofte heo him custe |
| so wel hyre luste |
405 | Welcome horn þus sayde |
| rymenild þat mayde |
| an euen & amorewe |
| for þe ich habbe sorewe |
| þat y haue no reste |
410 | ne slepe me ne lyste |
| horn þou shalt wel swyþe |
| mi longe serewe lyþe |
| þou shalt wyþ oute striue |
| habbe me to wyue |
415 | horn haue of me reuþe |
| & plyht me þi treuþe |
| horn þo him byþohte |
| whet he speken ohte |
| crist quoþ horn þe wisse |
420 | & ȝeue þe heuene blisse |
| of þine hosebonde |
| who he be a londe |
| ich am ybore þral |
| þy fader fundlyng wiþ al |
425 | of kunde me ne felde |
| þe to spouse welde |
| hit nere no fair weddyng |
| bituene a þral & þe kyng |
| þo gon rymenild mis lyken |
430 | & sore bigon to syken |
| armes bigon vnbowe |
| & doun heo fel yswowe |
| Horn hire vp hente |
| & in is armes trente |
435 | he gon hire to cusse |
| & feyre forte wisse |
| rymenild quoþ he duere |
| help me þat ych were |
| ydobbed to be knyhte |
440 | suete bi al þi myhte |
| to mi louerd þe kyng |
| þat he me ȝeue dobbyng |
| þenne is my þralhede |
| Al wend in to knyhthede |
445 | y shal waxe more |
| & do rymenild þi lore |
| Þo rymenild þe ȝynge |
| aros of hire swowenynge |
| Nou horn to soþe |
450 | yleue þe by þyn oþe |
| þou shalt be maked knyht |
| er þen þis fourteniht |
| ber þou her þes coppe |
| & þes ringes þer vppe |
455 | to Athelbrus þe styward |
| & say him he holde foreward |
| sey ich him biseche |
| wiþ loueliche speche |
| þat he for þe falle |
460 | to þe kynges fet in halle |
| þat he wiþ is worde |
| þe knyhty wiþ sworde |
| wiþ seluer & wiþ golde |
| hit worþ him wel yȝolde |
465 | nou crist him lene spede |
| þin erndyng do bede |
| Horn toke is leue |
| for hit wes neh eue |
| Athelbrus he sohte |
470 | & tok him þat he brohte |
| ant tolde him þare |
| hou he hede yfare |
| he seide him is nede |
| & him bihet is mede |
475 | Athelbrus so blyþe |
| eode in to halle swyþe |
| ant seide kyng nou leste |
| o tale mid þe beste |
| þou shalt bere coroune |
480 | to marewe in þis toune |
| to marewe is þi feste |
| þe bihoueþ geste |
| Ich þe rede mid al my myht |
| þat þou make horn knyht |
485 | þin armes do him welde |
| god knyht he shal þe ȝelde |
| þe kyng seide wel sone |
| hit is wel to done |
| Horn me wel quemeþ |
490 | knyht him wel bysemeþ |
| He shal haue mi dobbyng |
| & be myn oþer derlyng |
| & hise feren tuelue |
| he shal dobbe him selue |
495 | alle y shal hem knyhte |
| byfore me to fyhte |
| al þat þe lyhte day sprong |
| aylmere þohte long |
| þe day bigon to springe |
500 | horn com byfore þe kynge |
| wiþ his tuelf fere |
| alle þer ywere |
| horn knyht made he |
| wiþ ful gret solempnite |
505 | sette him on a stede |
| red so eny glede |
| smot him a lute wiht |
| & bed him buen a god knyht |
| Athulf vel a kne þer |
510 | & þonkede kyng Aylmer |
| Nou is knyht sire horn |
| þat in sudenne wes yborn |
| Lord he is of londe |
| & of vs þat by him stonde |
515 | þin armes he haueþ & þy sheld |
| forte fyhte in þe feld |
| Let him vs alle knyhte |
| so hit is his ryhte |
| Aylmer seide ful ywis |
520 | nou do þat þi wille ys |
| Horn adoun con lyhte |
| & made hem alle to knyhte |
| for muchel wes þe geste |
| & more wes þe feste |
525 | þat rymenild nes nout þere |
| hire þohte seue ȝere |
| efter horn hue sende |
| horn in to boure wende |
| He nolde gon is one |
530 | Athulf wes hys ymone |
| rymenild welcomeþ sire horn |
| & aþulf knyht him biforn |
| knyht nou is tyme |
| forto sitte byme |
535 | do nou þat we spake |
| to þi wyf þou me take |
| Nou þou hast wille þyne |
| vnbynd me of þis pyne |
| rymenild nou be stille |
540 | ichulle don al þy wille |
| ah her hit so bitide |
| mid spere ichulle ryde |
| ant my knyhthod proue |
| er þen ich þe wowe |
545 | we bueþ nou knyhtes ȝonge |
| alle to day yspronge |
| ant of þe mestere |
| hit is þe manere |
| wiþ sum oþer knyhte |
550 | for his lemmon to fyþte |
| er ne he eny wyf take |
| oþer wyþ wymmon forewart make |
| to day so crist me blesse |
| y shal do pruesse |
555 | for þi loue mid shelde |
| amiddewart þe felde |
| ȝef ich come to lyue |
| ychul þe take to wyue |
| knyht y may yleue þe |
560 | why ant þou trewe be |
| haue her þis goldring |
| hit is ful god to þi dobbyng |
| ygraued is on þe rynge |
| rymenild þy luef þe ȝynge |
565 | nis non betere vnder sonne |
| þat enymon of conne |
| ffor mi loue þou hit were |
| & on þy fynger þou hit bere |
| þe ston haueþ suche grace |
570 | ne shalt þou in none place |
| deþ vnderfonge |
| ne buen yslaye wiþ wronge |
| ȝef þou lokest þeran |
| & þenchest o þi lemman |
575 | ant sire athulf þi broþer |
| he shal han en oþer |
| Horn crist y þe byteche |
| myd mourninde speche |
| crist þe ȝeue god endyng |
580 | & sound aȝeyn þe brynge |
| þe knyht hire gan to cusse |
| & rymenild him to blesse |
| leue at hyre he nom |
| & in to halle he com |
585 | knyhtes eode to table |
| & horn eode to stable |
| þer he toc his gode fole |
| blac so euer eny cole |
| wiþ armes he him sredde |
590 | ant is fole he fedde |
| þe fole bigon to springe |
| & horn murie to synge |
| Horn rod one whyle |
| wel more þen amyle |
595 | he seh a shyp at grounde |
| wiþ heþene hounde |
| He askede wet hue hadden |
| oþer to londe ladden |
| an hound him gan biholde |
600 | & spek wordes bolde |
| þis land we wolleþ wynne |
| & sle þat þer bueþ inne |
| Horn gan is swerd gripe |
| ant on is arm hit wype |
605 | þe saraȝyn he hitte so |
| þat is hed fel to ys to |
| þo gonne þe houndes gone |
| aȝeynes Horn ys one |
| He lokede on is rynge |
610 | ant þohte o rymenyld þe ȝynge |
| he sloh þer of þe beste |
| an houndred at þe leste |
| ne mihte no mon telle |
| alle þat he gon quelle |
615 | of þat þer were oryue |
| he lafte lut o lyue |
| Horn tok þe maister heued |
| þat he him hade byreued |
| ant sette on is suerde |
620 | abouen oþen orde |
| he ferde hom to halle |
| among þe knyhtes alle |
| kyng quoþ he wel þou sitte |
| & þine knyhtes mitte |
625 | to day ich rod omy pleyyng. |
| after my dobbyng |
| yfond a ship rowen |
| in þe sound byflowen |
| Mid vnlondisshe menne |
630 | of saraȝynes kenne |
| to deþe forte pyne |
| þe & alle þyne |
| hy gonne me asayly |
| swerd me nolde fayly |
635 | y smot hem alle to grounde |
| in a lutel stounde |
| þe heued ich þe brynge |
| of þe maister kynge |
| nou haue ich þe ȝolde |
640 | þat þou me knyhten woldest |
| þe day bigon to springe |
| þe kyng rod on hontynge |
| to þe wode wyde |
| ant ffykenyld bi is syde |
645 | þat fals wes ant vntrewe |
| whose him wel yknewe |
| Horn ne þohte nout him on |
| ant to boure wes ygon |
| he fond rymenild sittynde |
650 | & wel sore wepynde |
| so whyt so þe sonne |
| mid terres al byronne |
| Horn seide luef þyn ore |
| why wepest þou so sore |
655 | hue seide ich nout ne wepe |
| ah yshal er yslepe |
| me þohte omy metyng |
| þat ich rod ofysshyng |
| to see my net ycaste |
660 | ant wel fer hit laste |
| a gret fyssh ate þe ferste |
| my net made berste |
| þat fyssh me so bycahte |
| þat y nout ne lahte |
665 | ywene yshal forleose |
| þe fyssh þat ywolde cheose |
| crist & seinte steuene |
| quoþ horn areche þy sweuene |
| no shal y þe byswyke |
670 | ne do þat þe mis lyke |
| ich take þe myn owe |
| to holde & eke to knowe |
| for eueruch oþer wyhte |
| þerto my trouþe yplyhte |
675 | wel muche was þe reuþe |
| þat wes at þilke treuþe |
| rymenild wep wel ylle |
| ant horn let terres stille |
| Lemmon quoþ he dere |
680 | þou shalt more y here |
| þy sweuen shal wende |
| summon vs wole shende |
| þat fyssh þat brac þy net |
| ywis it is sumwet |
685 | þat wol vs do sum tene |
| ywys hit worþ ysene |
| Aylmer rod by stoure |
| ant horn wes yne boure |
| ffykenyld hade enuye |
690 | & seyde þeose folye |
| Aylmer ich þe werne |
| horn þe wole forberne |
| Ich herde wher he seyde |
| ant his suerd he leyde |
695 | to brynge þe of lyue |
| ant take rymenyld to wyue |
| He lyht nou in boure |
| vnder couertoure |
| by rymenyld þy dohter |
700 | ant so he doþ wel ofte |
| do him out of londe |
| er he do more shonde |
| Aylmer gan hom turne |
| wel mody & wel sturne |
705 | he fond horn vnder arme |
| in rymenyldes barme |
| go out quoþ aylmer þe kyng |
| Horn þou foule fundlyng |
| forþ out of boures flore |
710 | for rymenild þin hore |
| wend out of londe sone |
| her nast þou nout to done |
| wel sone bote þou flette |
| myd suert yshal þe sette |
715 | Horn eode to stable |
| wel modi for þat fable |
| he sette sadel on stede |
| wiþ armes he gon him shrede |
| his brunie he con lace |
720 | so he shulde in to place |
| his suerd he gon fonge |
| ne stod he nout to longe |
| to is suerd he gon teon |
| ne durste non wel him seon |
725 | He seide lemmon derlyng |
| nou þou hauest þy sweuenyng |
| þe fyssh þat þyn net rende |
| from þe me he sende |
| þe kyng wiþ me gynneþ striue |
730 | a wey he wole me dryue |
| þare fore haue nou godneday |
| nou y mot founde & fare away |
| In to vncouþe londe |
| wel more forte fonde |
735 | yshal wonie þere |
| fulle seue ȝere |
| at þe seueȝeres ende |
| ȝyf y ne come ne sende |
| tac þou hosebonde |
740 | forme þat þou no wonde |
| In armes þou me fonge |
| ant cus me swyþe longe |
| hy custen hem astounde |
| & rymenyld fel to grounde |
745 | Horn toc his leue |
| he myhte nout byleue |
| He toc Aþulf is fere |
| aboute þe swere |
| ant seide knyht so trewe |
750 | kep wel my loue newe |
| þou neuer ne forsoke |
| rymenild to kepe ant loke |
| his stede he bigan stryde |
| ant forþ he con hym ryde |
755 | Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen |
| ant alle þat hit yseyȝen |
| Horn forþ him ferde |
| a god ship he him herde |
| þat him shulde passe |
760 | out of westnesse |
| þe wynd bigon to stonde |
| ant drof hem vp olonde |
| to londe þat hy fletten |
| fot out of ship hy setten |
765 | he fond bi þe weye |
| kynges sones tueye |
| þat on wes hoten Aþyld |
| ant þat oþer beryld |
| beryld hym con preye |
770 | þat he shulde seye |
| what he wolde þere |
| ant what ys nome were |
| Godmod he seiþ ich hote |
| ycomen out of þis bote |
775 | wel fer from by weste |
| to seche myne beste |
| beryld con ner him ryde |
| ant toc him bi þe bridel |
| wel be þou knyht yfounde |
780 | wiþ me þou lef astounde |
| al so ich mote sterue |
| þe kyng þou shalt serue |
| ne seh y neuer alyue |
| so feir knyht her aryue |
785 | godmod he ladde to halle |
| ant he adoun gan falle |
| Ant sette him a knelyng |
| ant grette þene gode kyng |
| þo saide beryld wel sone |
790 | kyng wiþ him þou ast done |
| þilond tac him to werie |
| ne shal þe nomon derye |
| for he is þe feyreste man |
| þat euer in þis londe cam |
795 | þo seide þe kyng wel dere |
| welcome be þou here |
| go beryld wel swyþe |
| & make hym wel blyþe |
| ant when þou farest to wowen |
800 | tac him þine glouen |
| þer þou hast munt to wyue |
| a wey he shal þe dryue |
| for godmodes feyrhede |
| shalt þou no wer spede |
805 | hit wes at cristesmasse |
| nouþer more no lasse |
| þe kyng made feste |
| of his knyhtes beste |
| þer com in at none |
810 | a geaunt suyþe sone |
| y armed of paynyme |
| ant seide þise ryme |
| site kyng bi kynge |
| ant herkne my tidynge |
815 | her bueþ paynes aryue |
| wel more þen fyue |
| her beþ vpon honde |
| kyng in þine londe |
| on þer of wol fyhte |
820 | to ȝeynes þre knyhtes |
| ȝef oure þre sleh ure on |
| we shulen of ore londe gon |
| ȝef vre on sleh oure þre |
| al þis lond shal vre be |
825 | to morewe shal be þe fyhtynge |
| at þe sonne vpspringe |
| þo seyde þe kyng þurston |
| godmod shal be þat on |
| beryld shal be þat oþer |
830 | þe þridde Aþyld is broþer |
| for hue bueþ strongeste |
| ant in armes þe beste |
| ah wat shal vs to rede |
| y wene we bueþ dede |
835 | Godmod set at borde |
| ant seide þeose wordes |
| sire kyng nis no ryhte |
| on wiþ þre fyhte |
| aȝeynes one hounde |
840 | þre cristene to founde |
| ah kyng yshal alone |
| wiþ oute more ymone |
| wiþ my suerd ful eþe |
| bringen hem alle to deþe |
845 | þe kyng aros amorewe |
| he hade muche sorewe |
| godmod ros of bedde |
| wiþ armes he him shredde |
| his brunye he on caste |
850 | & knutte hit wel faste |
| ant com him to þe kynge |
| at his vp rysynge |
| kyng quoþ he com to felde |
| me forte byhelde |
855 | hou we shule flyten |
| ant to gedere smiten |
| riht at prime tide |
| hy gonnen out to ryde |
| hy founden in a grene |
860 | a geaunt swyþe kene |
| his feren him biside |
| þat day forto abyde |
| Godmod hem gon asaylen |
| nolde he nout faylen |
865 | He ȝef duntes ynowe |
| þe payen fel yswowe |
| ys feren gonnen hem wiþ drawe |
| for huere maister wes neh slawe |
| he seide knyht þou reste |
870 | a whyle ȝef þe leste |
| y ne heuede ner of monnes hond |
| so harde duntes in non lond |
| bote of þe kyng Murry |
| þat wes swiþe sturdy |
875 | he wes of hornes kenne |
| y sloh him in sudenne |
| Godmod him gon agryse |
| ant his blod aryse |
| byforen him he seh stonde |
880 | þat drof him out of londe |
| ant fader his aquelde |
| he smot him vnder shelde |
| he lokede on is rynge |
| ant þohte o rymenild þe ȝynge |
885 | mid god suerd at þe furste |
| he smot him þourh þe huerte |
| þe payns bigonne to fleon |
| ant to huere shype teon |
| to ship hue wolden erne |
890 | godmod hem con werne |
| þe kynges sones tweyne |
| þe paiens slowe beyne |
| þo wes Godmod swyþe wo |
| ant þe payens he smot so |
895 | þat in a lutel stounde |
| þe paiens hy felle to grounde |
| godmod ant is men |
| slowe þe payenes eueruchen |
| his fader deþ & ys lond |
900 | awrek godmod wiþ his hond |
| þe kyng wiþ reuþful chere |
| lette leggen is sones on bere |
| ant bringen hom to halle |
| muche sorewe hue maden alle |
905 | in a chirche of lym & ston |
| me buriede hem wiþ ryche won |
| þe kyng lette forþ calle |
| hise knyhtes alle |
| ant seide godmod ȝef þou nere |
910 | alle ded we were |
| þou art boþe god & feyr |
| her ymake þe myn heyr |
| for my sones bueþ yslawe |
| ant ybroht of lyf dawe |
915 | dohter ich habbe one |
| nys non so feyr of blod ant bone |
| Ermenild þat feyre may |
| bryht so eny someres day |
| hire wolle ich ȝeue þe |
920 | ant her kyng shalt þou be |
| he seyde more ichul þe serue |
| kyng er þen þou sterue |
| when y þy dohter ȝerne |
| heo ne shal me noþyng werne |
925 | godmod wonede þere |
| fulle six ȝere |
| ant þe seueþe ȝer bygon |
| to rymynyld sonde ne sende he non |
| rymenyld wes in westnesse |
930 | wiþ muchel sorewenesse |
| a kyng þer wes aryue |
| ant wolde hyre han to wyue |
| at one were þe kynges |
| of þat weddynge |
935 | þe dayes were so sherte |
| ant rymenild ne derste |
| latten on none wyse |
| a wryt hue dude deuyse |
| Aþulf hit dude wryte |
940 | þat horn ne louede nout lyte |
| hue sende hire sonde |
| in to eueruche londe |
| to sechen horn knyhte |
| wher so er me myhte |
945 | Horn þer of nout herde |
| til o day þat he ferde |
| to wode forte shete |
| a page he gan mete |
| Horn seide leue fere |
950 | whet dest þou nou here |
| Sire in lutel spelle |
| y may þe sone telle |
| Ich seche from westnesse |
| horn knyht of estnesse |
955 | ffor rymenild þat feyre may |
| soreweþ for him nyht & day |
| A kyng hire shal wedde |
| a sonneday to bedde |
| Kyng Mody of reynis |
960 | þat is hornes enimis |
| ich habbe walked wyde |
| by þe see side |
| ne mihte ich him neuer cleche |
| wiþ nones kunnes speche |
965 | ne may ich of him here |
| in londe fer no nere |
| wey la wey þe while |
| him may hente gyle |
| Horn hit herde wiþ earen |
970 | ant spec wiþ wete tearen |
| so wel grom þe bitide |
| horn stond by þi syde |
| aȝeyn to rymenild turne |
| & sey þat hue ne murne |
975 | yshal be þer bitime |
| a sonneday er prime |
| þe page wes wel blyþe |
| & shipede wel suyþe |
| þe see him gon adrynke |
980 | þat rymenil may ofþinke |
| þe see him con ded þrowe |
| vnder hire chambre wowe |
| rymenild lokede wide |
| by þe see syde |
985 | ȝef heo feȝe horn come |
| oþer tidynge of eny gome |
| þo fond hue hire fonde |
| adronque by þe stronde |
| þat shulde horn brynge |
990 | hire hondes gon hue wrynge |
| Horn com to þurston þe kynge |
| ant tolde him þes tidynge |
| ant þo he was biknowe |
| þat rymenild wes ys owe |
995 | ant of his gode kenne |
| þe kyng of sudenne |
| ant hou he sloh afelde |
| him þat is fader aquelde |
| ant seide Kyng so wyse |
1000 | ȝeld me my seruice |
| rymenild help me to wynne |
| swyþe þat þou ne blynne |
| ant yshal do to house |
| þy dohter wel to spouse |
1005 | for hue shal to spouse haue |
| Aþulf my gode felawe |
| he is knyht mid þe beste |
| & on of þe treweste |
| þe kyng seide so stille |
1010 | horn do al þi wille |
| he sende þo by sonde |
| ȝend al is londe |
| after knyhtes to fyhte |
| þat were men so lyhte |
1015 | to him come ynowe |
| þat in to shipe drowe |
| Horn dude him in þe weye |
| in a gret galeye |
| þe wynd bi gon to blowe |
1020 | in a lutel þrowe |
| þe see bi gan wiþ ship to gon |
| to westnesse hem brohte anon |
| hue striken seyl of maste |
| ant ancre gonnen caste |
1025 | matynes were yronge |
| & þe masse ysonge |
| of rymenild þe ȝynge |
| & of Mody þe kynge |
| ant horn wes in watere |
1030 | ne mihte he come no latere |
| he let is ship stonde |
| ant com him vp to londe |
| his folk he made abyde |
| vnder a wode fyde |
1035 | Horn eode forh al one |
| so he sprong of þe stone |
| en palmere he y mette |
| & wiþ wordes hyne grette |
| palmere þou shalt me telle |
1040 | he seyde of þine spelle |
| so brouke þou þi croune |
| why comest þou from toune |
| ant he seide on is tale |
| y come from a brudale |
1045 | from brudale wylde |
| of maide remenylde |
| ne mihte hue nout dreȝe |
| þat hue ne wep wiþ eȝe |
| hue seide þat hue nolde |
1050 | be spoused wiþ golde |
| hue hade hosebonde |
| þah he were out of londe |
| ich wes in þe halle |
| wiþ inne þe castel walle |
1055 | a wey ygon glide |
| þe dole ynolde abyde |
| þer worþ a dole reuly |
| þe brude wepeþ bitterly |
| quoþ horn so crist me rede |
1060 | we wolleþ chaunge wede |
| tac þou robe myne |
| ant ȝe sclaueyn þyne |
| To day yshal þer drynke |
| þat summe hit shal of þynke |
1065 | sclaueyn he gon doun legge |
| & horn hit dude on rugge |
| ant toc hornes cloþes |
| þat nout him were loþe |
| horn toc bordoun & scrippe |
1070 | ant gan to wrynge is lippe |
| he made foule chere |
| & bicollede is swere |
| he com to þe ȝateward |
| þat him onsuerede froward |
1075 | horn bed vn do wel softe |
| moni tyme ant ofte |
| ne myhte he ywynne |
| forto come þer ynne |
| horn þe wyket puste |
1080 | þat hit open fluste |
| þe porter shulde abugge |
| he þrew him a doun þe brugge |
| þat þre ribbes crakede |
| horn to halle rakede |
1085 | ant sette him doun wel lowe |
| in þe beggeres rowe |
| he lokede aboute |
| myd is collede snoute |
| þer seh he rymenild sitte |
1090 | ase hue were out of wytte |
| wepinde sore |
| ah he seh nower þore |
| Aþulf is gode felawe |
| þat trewe wes in vch plawe |
1095 | aþulf wes o tour ful heh |
| to loke fer & eke neh |
| after hornes comynge |
| ȝef water him wolde brynge |
| þe see he seh flowe |
1100 | ah horn nower rowe |
| he feyde on is songe |
| horn þou art to longe |
| Rymenild þou me bitoke |
| þat ich hire shulde loke |
1105 | Ich haue yloked euere |
| & þou ne comest neuere |
| Rymenild ros of benche |
| þe béér al forte shenche |
| after mete in sale |
1110 | boþe wyn & ale |
| an horn hue ber an honde |
| for þat wes lawe of londe |
| hue dronc of þe béére |
| to knyht & skyere |
1115 | horn set at grounde |
| him þohte he wes ybounde |
| he seide quene so hende |
| to me hydeward þou wende |
| þou shenh vs wiþ þe vurste |
1120 | þe beggares bueþ afurste |
| hyre horn hue leyde a doune |
| ant fulde him of þe broune |
| a bolle of a galoun |
| hue wende he were a glotoun |
1125 | hue seide tac þe coppe |
| ant drync þis ber al vppe |
| ne seh y neuer y wene |
| beggare so kene |
| horn toc hit hise yfere |
1130 | & seide quene so dere |
| no béér nullich ibite |
| bote of coppe white |
| þou wenest ich be a beggere |
| ywis icham a fysshere |
1135 | wel fer come by weste |
| to seche mine beste |
| Min net lyht her wel hende |
| wiþ inne a wel feyr pende |
| Ich haue leye þere |
1140 | nou is þis þe seueþe ȝere |
| Icham icome to loke |
| ȝef eny fyssh hit toke |
| ȝef eny fyssh is þer inne |
| þer of þou shalt wynne |
1145 | ffor icham come to fyssh |
| drynke nully of dyssh |
| drynke to horn of horne |
| wel fer ich haue y orne |
| Rymenild him gan bihelde |
1150 | hire herte fel to kelde |
| ne kneu hue noht is fysshyng |
| ne him selue noþyng |
| ah wonder hyre gan þynke |
| why for horn he bed drynke |
1155 | hue fulde þe horn of wyne |
| ant dronke to þat pelryne |
| hue seide drync þi felle |
| & seþþen þou me telle |
| ȝef þou horn euer seȝe |
1160 | vnder wode leȝe |
| Horn dronc of horn astounde |
| ant þreu is ryng to grounde |
| ant seide quene þou þench |
| what y þreu in þe drench |
1165 | þe quene eode to boure |
| mid hire maidnes foure |
| hue fond þat hue wolde |
| þe ryng ygraued of golde |
| þat horn of hyre hedde |
1170 | fol sore hyre adredde |
| þat horn ded were |
| for his ryng was þere |
| þo sende hue a damoisele |
| after þilke palmere |
1175 | palmere quoþ hue so trewe |
| þe ryng þat þou yn þrewe |
| þou sey wer þou hit nome |
| ant hyder hou þou come |
| he seyde by seint gyle |
1180 | ich eode mony a myle |
| wel fer ȝent by weste |
| to seche myne beste |
| Mi mete forte bydde |
| for so me þo bitidde |
1185 | ich fond horn knyht stonde |
| to shipeward at stronde |
| he seide he wolde gesse |
| to aryue at westnesse |
| þe ship nom in to flode |
1190 | wiþ me & horn þe gode |
| Horn by gan be sek & deȝe |
| & for his loue me preȝe |
| to gon wiþ þe rynge |
| to rymenild þe ȝynge |
1195 | wel ofte he hyne keste |
| crist ȝeue is soule reste |
| Rymenild seide at þe firste |
| herte nou to berste |
| horn worþ þe no more |
1200 | þat haueþ þe pyned sore |
| Hue fel adoun a bedde |
| ant after knyues gredde |
| to slein mide hire kyng loþe |
| & hire selue boþe |
1205 | wiþ inne þilke nyhte |
| come ȝef horn ne myhte |
| to herte knyf hue sette |
| horn in is armes hire kepte |
| his shurte lappe he gan take |
1210 | & wypede a wey þe foule blake |
| þat wes opon his suere |
| ant seide luef so dere |
| ne const þou me yknowe |
| ne am ich horn þyn owe |
1215 | Ich horn of westnesse |
| in armes þou me kesse |
| yclupten & kyste |
| so longe so hem lyste |
| Rymenild quoþ he ich wende |
1220 | doun to þe wodesende |
| for þer bueþ myne knyhte |
| worþi men & lyhte |
| armed vnder cloþe |
| hue shule make wroþe |
1225 | þe kyng & hise gestes |
| þat bueþ at þise festes |
| to day ychulle huem cacche |
| nou ichulle huem vacche |
| Horn sprong out of halle |
1230 | ys brunie he let falle |
| rymenild eode of boure |
| aþulf hue fond loure |
| aþulf be wel blyþe |
| & to horn go swyþe |
1235 | he is vnder wode bowe |
| wiþ felawes ynowe |
| Aþulf gon forth springe |
| for þat ilke tydynge |
| efter horn he ernde |
1240 | him þohte is herte bernde |
| he oftok him ywisse |
| ant custe him wiþ blysse |
| Horn tok is preye |
| ant dude him in þe weye |
1245 | hue comen in wel sone |
| þe ȝates weren vndone |
| y armed suiþe þicke |
| from fote to þe nycke |
| alle þat þer euere weren |
1250 | wiþ oute is trewe feren |
| ant þe kyng aylmare |
| ywis he hade muche care |
| monie þat þer sete |
| hure lyf hy gonne lete |
1255 | Horn vnderftondyng ne hede |
| of ffykeles falffede |
| hue fuoren alle ant feyde |
| þat hure non him wreyede |
| ant fuore oþes holde |
1260 | þat huere non ne sholde |
| Horn neuer bytreye |
| þah he on deþe leye |
| þer hy ronge þe belle |
| þat wedlak to fulfulle |
1265 | hue wenden hom wiþ eyfe |
| to þe kynges paleyfe |
| þer wes þe brudale fuete |
| for richemen þer ete |
| telle ne mihte no tonge |
1270 | þe gle þat þer was fonge |
| Horn fet in chayere |
| & bed hem alle yhere |
| he feyde kyng of londe |
| mi tale þou vnderftonde |
1275 | Ich wes ybore in sudenne |
| kyng wes mi fader of kenne |
| þou me to knyhte houe |
| of knythod habbe y proue |
| þou dryue me out of þi lond |
1280 | & feydeft ich wes traytour strong |
| þou wendeft þat ich wrohte |
| þat y ner ne þohte |
| by rymenild forte lygge |
| ywys ich hit wiþ fugge |
1285 | Ne shal ich hit ner agynne |
| er ich fudenne wynne |
| þou kep hyre me aftounde |
| þe while þat ich founde |
| In to myn heritage |
1290 | wiþ þis yrisshe page |
| þat lond ichulle þorhreche |
| & do mi fader wreche |
| ychul be kyng of toune |
| & lerne kynges roune |
1295 | þenne shal rymenild þe ȝynge |
| ligge by horn þe kynge |
| Horn gan to shipe drawe |
| wiþ hyse yrisshe felawe |
| Aþulf wiþ him his broþer |
1300 | he nolde habbe non oþer |
| þe ship by gan to croude |
| þe wynd bleu wel loude |
| wyþ inne dawes fyue |
| þe ship bigan aryue |
1305 | vnder sudennes side |
| huere ship by gon to ryde |
| aboute þe midnyhte |
| horn eode wel rihte |
| he nom aþulf by honde |
1310 | & ede vp to londe |
| hue fonden vnder shelde |
| a knyht liggynde on felde |
| oþe shelde wes ydrawe |
| a croyȝ of ihesu cristes lawe |
1315 | þe knyht him lay on slape |
| in armes wel yshape |
| Horn him gan ytake |
| & seide knyht awake |
| þou sei me whet þou kepest |
1320 | & here whi þou slepest |
| me þuncheþ by crois liste |
| þat þou leuest on criste |
| bote þou hit wolle shewe |
| my suerd shal þe to hewe |
1325 | þe gode knyht vp aros |
| of hornes wordes him agros |
| he seide ich seruy ille |
| paynes to ȝeynes mi wille |
| Ich was cristene sumwhile |
1330 | ycome in to þis yle |
| saraȝyns loþe & blake |
| me made ihesu forsake |
| to loke þis passage |
| for horn þat is of age |
1335 | 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 |
1340 | 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 |
1345 | ant slowen kyng mury |
| hornes cunesmon hardy |
| horn of londe hue senten |
| tuelf children wiþ him wenten |
| wiþ hem wes aþulf þe gode |
1350 | mi child myn oune fode |
| ȝef horn is hol ant sounde |
| aþulf tit no wounde |
| he louede horn wiþ mihte |
| & he him wiþ ryhte |
1355 | ȝef y myhte se hem tueye |
| þenne ne rohti forte deye |
| knyht be þenne blyþe |
| mest of alle syþe |
| Aþulf & horn is fere |
1360 | boþe we beþ here |
| Þe knyht to horn gan skippe |
| & in his armes clippe |
| Muche ioye hue maden yfere |
| þo hue to gedere y come were |
1365 | He saide wiþ steuene þare |
| ȝungemen hou habbe ȝe ȝore yfare |
| wolle ȝe þis lond wynne |
| & wonie þer ynne |
| he seide suete horn child |
1370 | ȝet lyueþ þy moder godyld |
| of ioie hue ne miste |
| o lyue ȝef hue þe wiste |
| horn seide on is ryme |
| yblessed be þe time |
1375 | Icham icome in to sudenne |
| wiþ fele yrisshemenne |
| we shule þe houndes kecche |
| & to þe deȝe vecche |
| ant so we shulen hem teche |
1380 | to speken oure speche |
| Horn gon is horn blowe |
| is folk hit con yknowe |
| hue comen out of hurne |
| to horn swyþe ȝurne |
1385 | hue smiten & hue fyhten |
| þe niht & eke þe ohtoun |
| þe saraȝyns hue slowe |
| ant summe quike to drowe |
| mid speres ord hue stonge |
1390 | þe olde & eke þe ȝonge |
| horn lette sone wurche |
| boþe chapel & chyrche |
| he made belle rynge |
| ant prestes masse synge |
1395 | he sohte is moder halle |
| in þe roche walle |
| he custe hire ant grette |
| ant in to þe castel fette |
| Croune he gan werie |
1400 | ant make feste merye |
| Murie he þer wrohte |
| ah Rymenild hit abohte |
| þe whiles horn wes oute |
| ffikenild ferde aboute |
1405 | þe betere forte spede |
| þe riche he ȝef mede |
| boþe ȝonge ant olde |
| wiþ him forte holde |
| ston he dude lade |
1410 | ant lym þerto he made |
| Castel he made sette |
| wiþ water by flette |
| þat þer yn come ne myhte |
| bote foul wiþ flyhte |
1415 | bote when þe see wiþ drowe |
| þer mihte come ynowe |
| þus fykenild gon by wende |
| Rymenild forte shende |
| to wyue he gan hire ȝerne |
1420 | 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 |
1425 | þilke nyht horn suete |
| con wel harde mete |
| of rymenild his make |
| þat in to shipe wes take |
| þe ship gon ouerblenche |
1430 | is lemmon shulde adrenche |
| Rymenild mid hire honde |
| swymme wolde to londe |
| ffykenild aȝeyn hire pylte |
| mid his suerdes hylte |
1435 | 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 |
1440 | ant do rymenild sum wonder |
| Crist for his wondes fyue |
| to nyht þider vs dryue |
| Horn gon to shipe ride |
| his knyhtes bi his side |
1445 | þe ship bigon to sture |
| wiþ wynd god of cure |
| ant fykenild her þe day springe |
| ferde to þe kynge |
| After rymenild þe brhyte |
1450 | ant spousede hyre by nyhte |
| he ladde hire by derke |
| in to is newe werke |
| þe feste hue bigonne |
| er þen aryse þe sonne |
1455 | Hornes ship atstod in stoure |
| vnder fykenildes boure |
| Nuste Horn alyue |
| wher he wes aryue |
| þene castel hue ne knewe |
1460 | for he was so newe |
| þe see bigon to wiþ drawe |
| þo seh horn his felawe |
| þe feyre knyht arnoldyn |
| þat wes aþulfes cosyn |
1465 | þat þer set in þat tyde |
| kyng horn to abide |
| he seide kyng horn kyngessone |
| hider þou art welcome |
| to day haþ sire ffykenild |
1470 | yweddeþ þi wif rymenild |
| white þe nou þis while |
| he haueþ do þe gyle |
| þis tour he dude make |
| al for rymenildes sake |
1475 | ne may þer comen ynne |
| no mon wiþ no gynne |
| Horn nou crist þe wisse |
| rymenild þat þou ne misse |
| Horn couþe alle þe listes |
1480 | þat eni mon of wiste |
| harpe he gon shewe |
| ant toc him to felawe |
| knyhtes of þe beste |
| þat he euer hede of weste |
1485 | ouen o þe sherte |
| hue gurden huem wiþ suerde |
| hue eoden on þe grauele |
| towart þe castele |
| hue gonne murie singe |
1490 | & makeden huere gleynge |
| þat fykenild mihte y here |
| he axede who hit were |
| men seide hit were harperis |
| iogelers ant fyþelers |
1495 | hem me dude in lete |
| at halle dore hue sete |
| horn sette him abenche |
| is harpe he gan clenche |
| he made rymenild a lay |
1500 | ant hue seide weylaway |
| Rymenild fel yswowe |
| þo nes þer non þat lowe |
| hit smot horn to herte |
| sore con him smerte |
1505 | he lokede on is rynge |
| ant o rymenild þe ȝynge |
| he eode vp to borde |
| mid his gode suorde |
| ffykenildes croune |
1510 | he fel þer adoune |
| ant alle is men arowe |
| he dude adoun þrowe |
| ant made arnoldyn kyng þere |
| after kyng Aylmere |
1515 | to be kyng of Westnesse |
| for his mildenesse |
| þe kyng ant is baronage |
| ȝeuen him truage |
| Horn toc rymenild by honde |
1520 | ant ladde hire to stronde |
| ant toc wiþ him Aþelbrus |
| þe gode stiward of hire fader hous |
| þe see bigan to flowen |
| ant hy faste to rowen |
1525 | hue aryueden vnder reme |
| in a wel seyr streme |
| kyng Mody wes kyng in þat lond |
| þat horn sloh wiþ is hond |
| Aþelbrus he made þer kyng |
1530 | for his gode techyng |
| for sire hornes lore |
| he wes mad kyng þore |
| Horn eode to ryue |
| þe wynd him con wel dryue |
1535 | he aryuede in yrlonde |
| þer horn wo couþe er fonde |
| he made þer Aþulf chyld |
| wedde mayden ermenyld |
| ant horn com to sudenne |
1540 | to is oune kenne |
| Rymenild he made þer is quene |
| so hit myhte bene |
| In trewe loue hue lyueden ay |
| ant wel hue loueden godes lay |
1545 | Nou hue beoþ boþe dede |
| crist to heouene vs lede AmeN. |