King Horn

 Cambridge MS
 
 
 
 Alle beon he bliþe
 þat to my song lyþe:
 A sang ihc schal ȝou singe
 Of Murry þe kinge.
5King he was biweste
 So longe so hit laste.
 Godhild het his quen,
 Faire ne miȝte non ben.
 He hadde a sone þat het horn,
10Fairer 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,
15He was whit so þe flur,
 Rose red was his colur.
 In none kinge riche
 Nas non his iliche.
 Twelf feren he hadde
20Þat alle wiþ him ladde;
 Alle riche mannes sones
 & alle hi were faire gomes,
 Wiþ him for to pleie,
 & mest he luuede tweie;
25Þat on him het haþulf child,
 & þat oþer ffikenild:
 Aþulf was þe beste
 & fikenylde þe werste.
 Hit was vpon a someres day,
30Also ihc ȝou telle may,
 Murri þe gode king
 Rod on his pleing
 Bi þe se side,
 Ase he was woned ride:
35He fond bi þe stronde
 ariued on his londe
 Schipes fiftene
 wiþ sarazins kene.
 He axede what isoȝte
40Oþer to londe broȝte.
 A Payn hit ofherde
 & hym wel sone answarede:
 'Þi lond folk we schulle slon
 And alle þat Crist luueþ vpon
45And þe selue riȝt anon,
 Ne schaltu todai henne gon.'
 Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede,
 For þo he hauede nede,
 & his gode kniȝtes two;
50Al to fewe he hadde þo.
 Swerd hi gunne gripe
 & togadere smite;
 Hy smyten vnder schelde
 Þat sume hit yfelde.
55Þe 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,
65Bute 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,
75Þer heo seruede gode
 Aȝenes þe paynes forbode;
 Þer he seruede criste
 Þat no payn hit ne wiste:
 Eure heo bad for horn child
80Þat 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
85Payns him wolde slen
 Oþer al quic flen,
 Ȝef his fairnesse nere,
 Þe children alle aslaȝe were.
 Þanne spak on Admirad,
90Of wordes he was bald,
 'Horn, þu art wel kene,
 & þat is wel isene;
 Þu art gret & strong,
 fair & euene long;
95Þu schalt waxe more
 Bi fulle seue ȝere:
 Ȝef þu mote to liue go
 & þine feren also,
 Ȝef hit so bi falle
100Ȝe scholde slen vs alle:
 Þaruore þu most to stere,
 Þu & þine ifere;
 To schupe schulle ȝe funde
 & sinke to þe grunde,
105Þe 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.
115Ofte 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
120Þe children dradde þerof.
 Hi wenden to wisse
 of here lif to misse,
 Al þe day & al þe niȝt,
 Til hit sprang dai liȝt
 
125Til 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,
135Bi þe se side
 hi leten þat schup ride.
 Þanne spak him child horn,
 In suddene he was iborn,
 'Schup, bi þe se flode
140Daies haue þu gode:
 Bi þe se brinke
 No water þe nadrinke.
 Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne,
 Gret þu wel of myne kenne,
145Gret þu wel my moder,
 Godhild quen þe gode;
 & seie þe paene kyng,
 Jesucristes wiþering,
 Þat ihc am hol & fer
150On þis lond ariued her;
 And seie þat hei schal fonde
 Þe dent of myne honde.'
 Þe children ȝede to Tune
 Bi dales & bi dune.
155Hy metten wiþ almair king,
 Crist ȝeuen him his blessing,
 King of Westernesse,
 Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse.
 He him spac to horn child
160Wordes þat were Mild:
 'Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes,
 Þat her to londe beoþ icume,
 Alle þrottene
 Of bodie swiþe kene?
165Bigod þat me makede,
 A swihc fair verade
 Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde
 Bi westene londe:
 Seie me wat ȝe seche.'
170Horn 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
185In to a galeie,
 wiþ þe se to pleie,
 Dai hit is igon & oþer:
 Wiþute sail & roþer
 Vre schip bigan to swymme
190To þis londes brymme.
 Nu þu miȝt vs slen & binde,
 Ore honde bihynde,
 Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille,
 Helpe þat we ne spille.'
 
195Þanne 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
200Sone so he hit herde:
 'Horn ihc am ihote,
 Icomen vt of þe bote
 Fram þe se side:
 Kyng, wel mote þe tide.'
205Þanne hym spak þe gode kyng,
 'Wel bruc þu þin euening,
 Horn þu go wel schulle
 Bi dales & bi hulle;
 Horn þu lude sune
210Bi dales & bi dune,
 So schal þi name springe
 Fram kynge to kynge,
 & þi fairnesse
 Abute Westernesse,
215Þe 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:
225Forþ he clupede aþelbrus,
 Þat was stiward of his hus:
 'Stiward, tak nu here
 Mi fundlyng for to lere
 Of þine mestere,
230of wude & of riuere;
 & tech him to harpe
 Wiþ his nayles scharpe,
 Biuore me to kerue
 & of þe cupe serue;
235Þu 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.
245In þe curt & vte
 & elles al abute
 Luuede men horn child,
 & mest him louede Rymenhild,
 Þe kynges oȝene doster,
250He 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,
255Ne noȝt in þe halle
 Among þe kniȝtes alle,
 Ne nowhar in non oþere stede:
 Of folk heo hadde drede:
 Bi daie ne bi niȝte
260Wiþ him speke ne miȝte;
 Hire soreȝe ne hire pine
 Ne miȝte neure fine:
 In heorte heo hadde wo,
 & þus hire biþoȝte þo,
265Heo sende hire sonde
 Aþelbrus to honde
 Þat he come hire to,
 & also scholde horn do
 Al in to bure,
270ffor heo gan to lure;
 & þe sonde seide
 Þat sik lai þat maide,
 & bad him come swiþe,
 For heo nas noþing bliþe,
275Þe stuard was in herte wo,
 For he nuste what to do;
 Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte
 Gret wunder him þuȝte,
 Abute horn þe ȝonge
280To 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
290þu schalt hure biswike:
 Sore ihc me ofdrede
 He wolde horn misrede.'
 Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede
 & in to bure wiþ him ȝede.
295Anon vpon Aþulf child
 Rymenhild gan wexe wild:
 He wende þat horn hit were
 þat heo hauede þere.
 Heo sette him on bedde;
300Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde.
 On hire armes tweie
 Aþulf heo gan leie.
 'Horn,' quaþ heo, 'wel longe
 Ihc habbe þe luued stronge.
305Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte
 On myn hond her riȝte
 Me to spuse holde,
 & ihc þe lord to wolde.'
 
 Aþulf sede on hire ire
310So stille so hit were:
 'Þi tale nu þu lynne,
 For horn nis noȝt her inne.
 Ne beo we noȝt iliche:
 Horn is fairer & riche,
315Fairer bi one ribbe
 Þane eni Man þat libbe:
 Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde
 Oþer elles wher he wolde
 Oþer henne a þusend Mile,
320Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile.'
 
 Rymenhild hire biwente
 & Aþelbrus fule heo schente.
 'Hennes þu go, þu fule þeof,
 Ne wurstu me neure more leof;
325Went vt of my bur
 Wiþ muchel mesauentur.
 Schame mote þu fonge
 & on hiȝe rode anhonge.
 Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn
330Nis 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,
340Nis no whar his iliche:
 Aylmar þe gode kyng
 Dude him on mi lokyng;
 Ȝef horn were her abute,
 Sore y me dute
345Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie
 Bitwex ȝou selue tweie:
 Þanne scholde wiþuten oþe
 Þe kyng maken vs wroþe.
 Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene,
350Lefdi, my quene,
 & horn ihc schal þe fecche,
 Wham so hit recche.'
 
 Rymenhild ȝef he cuþe
 Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe:
355Heo makede hire wel bliþe;
 Wel was hire þat siþe:
 'Go nu,' quaþ heo, 'fone
 & send him after none,
 Whane þe kyng arise,
360On a squieres wise,
 To wude for to pleie:
 Nis non þat him biwreie.
 He schal wiþ me bileue
 Til hit beo nir eue,
365To 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
370Wyn for to schenche.
 'Horn,' quaþ he, 'so hende,
 To bure nu þu wende
 After mete stille
 Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle:
375Wordes suþe bolde
 In herte þu hem holde:
 Horn, beo me wel trewe,
 Ne schal hit þe neure rewe.'
 Horn in herte leide
380Al þat he him seide:
 He ȝeode in wel riȝte
 To Rymenhild þe briȝte,
 On knes he him sette
 & sweteliche hure grette.
385Of his feire siȝte
 Al þe bur gan liȝte.
 He spac faire speche,
 Ne dorte him noman teche:
 'Wel þu sitte & softe,
390Rymenhild þe briȝte,
 Wiþ þine Maidenes sixe
 Þat þe sitteþ nixte.
 Kinges stuard vre
 Sende me in to bure
395Wiþ 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.
405Ofte 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
415Of 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.'
 
425Þo 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.
435Help me to kniȝte
 Bi al þine miȝte,
 To my lord þe king,
 Þat he me ȝiue dubbing.
 Þanne is mi þralhod
440Iwent 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
455Þat he adun falle
 Bifore þe king in halle,
 & bidde þe king ariȝte
 Dubbe þe to kniȝte.
 Wiþ seluer & wiþ golde
460Hit wurþ him wel iȝolde.
 Crist him lene spede
 Þin erende to bede.'
 
 Horn tok his leue,
 For hit was neȝ eue.
465Aþelbrus 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;
475Þu schalt bere crune
 Tomoreȝe in þis tune;
 Tomoreȝe is þi feste:
 Þer bihoueþ geste.
 Hit nere noȝt for loren
480For to kniȝti child horn,
 Þine armes for to welde,
 God kniȝt he schal ȝelde.'
 
 Þe king sede sone,
 'Þat is wel idone.
485Horn me wel iquemeþ,
 God kniȝt him bisemeþ.
 He schal haue mi dubbing
 & afterward mi derling.
 & alle his feren twelf
490He schal kniȝten him self:
 Alle he schal hem kniȝte
 Bifore me þis niȝte.'
 Til þe liȝt of day sprang
 Ailmar him þuȝte lang.
495Þe day bigan to springe,
 Horn com biuore þe kinge
 Mid his twelf yfere:
 Sume hi were luþere.
 Horn he dubbede to kniȝte
500Wiþ 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.
 
505Aþulf fel aknes þar
 Biuore þe king Aylmar.
 'King,' he sede, 'so kene,
 Grante me a bene:
 Nu is kniȝ sire horn
510Þat 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:
515Let 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.
525After horn heo sente,
 & he to bure wente.
 Nolde he noȝt go one,
 Aþulf was his mone.
 Rymenhild on flore stod,
530Hornes come hire þuȝte god,
 And sede, 'wescome, sire horn,
 & Aþulf kniȝt þe biforn.
 Kniȝt, nu is þi time
 For to fitte bi me:
535Do 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,
540Vn 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
550So is þe manere
 Wiþ sume oþere kniȝte
 Wel for his lemman fiȝte,
 Or he eni wif take:
 For þi me stondeþ þe more rape.
555Today, so crist me blesse,
 Ihc wulle do pruesse
 For þi luue in þe felde
 Mid spere & mid schelde:
 If ihc come to lyue
560Ihc 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;
565Þer 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,
575Ef þu loke þeran
 & þenke vpon þi lemman.
 
 And sire Aþulf, þi broþer,
 He schal haue anoþer.
 Horn, ihc þe biseche,
580Wiþ loueliche speche,
 Crist ȝeue god erndinge
 Þe aȝen to bringe.'
 
 Þe kniȝt hire gan kesse,
 & heo him to blesse:
585Leue at hire he nam,
 & in to halle cam.
 Þe kniȝtes ȝeden to table,
 & horne ȝede to stable.
 Þar he tok his gode fole
590Also blak so eny cole;
 Þe fole schok þe brunie
 Þat al þe curt gan denie,
 Þe fole bigan to springe,
 & horn murie to singe.
595Horn rod in a while
 More þan a myle.
 He fond o schup stonde
 Wiþ heþene honde:
 He axede what hi soȝte
600Oþer to londe broȝte.
 
 An hund him gan bihelde,
 Þat spac wordes belde:
 'Þis lond we wulleȝ wynne
 & sle þat þer is inne.'
605Horn gan his swerd gripe,
 & on his arme wype;
 Þe sarazins he smatte
 Þat his blod hatte;
 At eureche dunte
610Þe heued of wente.
 Þo gunne þe hundes gone
 Abute horn al one:
 He lokede on þe ringe,
 & þoȝte on rimenilde.
615He sloȝ þer on haste
 On hundred bi þe laste
 Ne miȝte noman telle
 Þat folc þat he gan quelle:
 Of alle þat were aliue
620Ne miȝte þer non þriue.
 Horn tok þe maisteres heued,
 Þat he hadde him bireued,
 & sette hit on his swerde
 Anouen at þan orde.
625He verde hom in to halle
 Among þe kniȝtes alle.
 'Kyng,' he sede, 'wel þu sitte
 & alle þine kniȝtes mitte;
 To day, after mi dubbing,
630So irod on mi pleing,
 Ifond o schup Rowe
 Þo hit gan to flowe,
 Al wiþ sarazines kyn,
 & none londisse Men,
635To dai for to pine
 Þe & alle þine.
 Hi gonne me assaille,
 Mi swerd me nolde faille,
 Ismot hem alle to grunde
640Oþer ȝaf hem diþes wunde.
 Þat heued i þe bringe
 Of þe maister kinge.
 Nu is þi wile iȝolde,
 King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest.'
645A 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
650To sen auenture:
 Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte,
 Also he were of witte:
 Heo sat on þe sunne
 Wiþ tieres al birunne,
655Horn 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
670To holden & to knowe
 For eureche oþere wiȝte,
 & þarto mi treuþe iþe pliȝte.'
 Muchel was þe ruþe
 Þat was at þare truþe:
675For Rymenhild weop ille,
 & horn let þe tires stille.
 'Lemman,' quaþ he, 'dere
 Þu schalt more ihere;
 Þi sweuen schal wende,
680Oþer 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.'
 
685Aylmar rod bi sture,
 & horn lai in bure.
 Fykenhild hadde enuye
 & sede þes solye:
 'Aylmar, ihc þe warne,
690Horn þe wule berne;
 Ihc herde whar he sede,
 & his swerd forþ leide,
 To bringe þe of lyue,
 & take Rymenhild to wyue.
695He liþ in bure
 Vnder couerture
 By Rymenhild þi doȝter,
 & so he doþ wel ofte;
 And þider þu go al riȝt,
700Þer þu him finde miȝt;
 Þu do him vt of londe,
 Oþer he doþ þe schonde.'
 
 Aylmar aȝen gan turne
 Wel Modi & wel Murne.
705He fond horn in arme.
 On Rymenhilde barme
 'Awei vt,' he sede, 'fule þeof!
 Ne wurstu me neuremore leof.
 Wend vt of my bure
710Wiþ muchel messauenture.
 Wel sone bute þu flitte,
 Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte.
 Wend vt of my londe
 Oþer þu schalt haue schonde.'
 
715Horn sadelede his stede
 & his armes he gan sprede;
 His brunie he gan lace
 So he scholde in to place;
 His swerd he gan fonge,
720Nabod he noȝt to longe.
 He ȝede forþ bliue
 To Rymenhild his wyue.
 He sede, 'Lemman derling,
 Nu hauestu þi sweuening.
725Þe fiss þat þi net rente,
 Fram þe he me sente.
 Rymenhild, haue wel godne day,
 No leng abiden ine may.
 In to vncuþe londe,
730Wel more for to fonde;
 Ischal wune þere
 Fulle seue ȝere.
 At seue ȝeres ende,
 Ȝef ine come ne sende,
735Tak 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.
 
755Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe
 & al þat him isiȝe.
 To lond he him sette
 & fot on stirop sette.
 He fond bi þe weie
760Kynges sones tweie:
 Þat on him het harild,
 & þat oþer berild.
 Berild gan him preie
 Þat he scholde him seie,
765What his name were
 & what he wolde þere.
 'Cutberd,' he sede, 'ihc hote,
 Icomen vt of þe bote,
 Wel feor fram biweste
770To seche mine beste.'
 Berild gan him nier ride
 & tok him bi þe bridel;
 'Wel beo þu kniȝt ifounde!
 Wiþ me þu lef astunde:
775Also 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,
785Bitak 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;
795Iment þu hauest to wyue,
 Awai he schal þe dryue;
 For Cutberdes fairhede,
 Ne schal þe neure wel spede.'
 HIt was at Cristesmasse,
800Neiþer 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,
810King, vpon þi londe,
 On of hem wile fiȝte
 Aȝen þre kniȝtes:
 Ȝef oþer þre slen vre,
 Al þis lond beo ȝoure:
815Ȝef 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.
825Bute what schal vs to rede?
 Ihc wene we beþ alle dede.'
 
 Cutberd sat at borde
 & sede þes wordes:
 'Sire king, hit nis no riȝte
830On wiþ þ e to fiȝte,
 Aȝen one hunde
 Þre cristen men to fonde.
 Sire, ischal al one
 Wiþute more ymone
835Wiþ mi swerd wel eþe
 Bringe hem þre to deþe.'
 
 Þe kyng aros amoreȝe
 Þat hadde muchel sorȝe.
 & Cutberd ros of bedde
840Wiþ 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
850Hi gunnen vt ride,
 And funden on a grene
 A geaunt suþe kene,
 His feren him biside
 Hore deþ to abide.
 
855Þe ilke bataille
 Cutberd gan assaille:
 He ȝaf dentes inoȝe,
 Þe kniȝtes felle iswoȝe.
 His dent he gan wiþdraȝe,
860For hi were neȝ aslaȝe:
 & sede, 'kniȝtes, nu ȝe reste
 One while ef ȝou leste.'
 Hi sede hi neure nadde
 Of kniȝte dentes so harde;
865He was of hornes kunne,
 Iborn in Suddenne.
 
 Horn him gan to agrise,
 & his blod arise.
 Biuo him saȝ he stonde
870Þat driuen him of londe,
 & þat his fader sloȝ;
 To him his swerd he droȝ,
 He lokede on his rynge
 & þoȝte on Rymenhilde,
875He 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
880Gunne 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:
885Of 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,
910Sire kyng, or þu sterue;
 Þi sorwe schal wende
 Or seue ȝeres ende;
 Wanne hit is wente,
 Sire king, ȝef me mi rente:
915Whanne i þi doȝter ȝerne
 Ne schaltu me hire werne.'
 Cutberd wonede þere
 Fulle seue ȝere,
 Þat to Rymenild he ne sente
920Ne him self ne wente.
 Rymenild was in Westernesse
 Wiþ wel muchel sorinesse.
 
 A king þer gan ariue
 Þat wolde hire haue to wyue:
925Aton he was wiþ þe king
 Of þat ilke wedding.
 Þe daies were schorte,
 Þat Rimenhild ne dorste
 Leten in none wise;
930A writ he dude deuise,
 Aþulf hit dude write
 Þat horn ne luuede noȝt lite.
 Heo sende hire sonde
 To euereche londe,
935To 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;
940A knaue he gan imete.
 Horn seden, 'leue fere,
 Wat sechestu here?'
 'Kniȝt, if beo þi wille
 Imai þe sone telle.
945Iseche 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;
955Nis 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,
965For ischal beo þer bitime,
 A soneday bi pryme.'
 Þe knaue was wel bliþe
 & hiȝede aȝen bliue.
 Þe se bigan to þroȝe
970Vnder hire woȝe.
 Þe knaue þere gan adrinke:
 Rymenhild hit miȝte ofþinke.
 Rymenhild vndude þe dure pin
 Of þe hus þer heo was in,
975To 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.
980Hire fingres he gan wringe.
 
 Horn cam to þurston þe kyng.
 & tolde him þis tiþing.
 Þo he was iknowe
 Þat Rimenhild was his oȝe,
985Of his gode kenne,
 Þe king of Suddenne,
 & hu he sloȝ in felde
 Þat his fader quelde.
 & seide: 'king þe wise,
990Ȝeld me mi seruise,
 Rymenhild help me winne,
 Þat þu noȝt ne linne:
 & ischal do to spuse
 Þi doȝter wel to huse;
995Heo 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.
1005To horn come inoȝe,
 Þat to schupe droȝe.
 Horn dude him in þe weie
 On a god Galeie.
 Þe him gan to blowe
1010In alitel þroȝe.
 Þe se bigan to posse
 Riȝt in to Westernesse.
 Hi strike seil & maste
 & Ankere gunne caste.
1015Or eny day was sprunge
 Oþer belle irunge
 Þe word bigan to springe
 Of Rymenhilde weddinge.
 Horn was in þe watere,
1020Ne miȝte he come no latere.
 He let his schup stonde,
 & ȝede to londe.
 His folk he dude abide
 Vnder wude side:
1025Hor him ȝede alone,
 Also he sprunge of stone.
 A palmere he þar mette,
 & faire hine grette:
 'Palmere, þu schalt me telle
1030Al of þine spelle.'
 He sede vpon his tale:
 'I come fram o brudale;
 Ihc was at o wedding
 Of a Maide Rymenhild:
1035Ne miȝte heo adriȝe
 Þat heo ne weop wiþ iȝe:
 Heo sede þat heo nolde
 Ben ispused wiþ golde,
 Heo hadde on husebonde
1040Þeȝ he were vt of londe.
 & in strong halle,
 Biþinne castel walle,
 Þer iwas atte ȝate,
 Nolde hi me in late.
1045Modi 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.
1055Today ischal þer drinke
 Þat some hit schulle ofþinke.'
 His sclauyn he dude dun legge,
 & tok hit on his rigge:
 He tok horn his cloþes,
1060Þat nere him noȝt loþe.
 Horn tok burdon & scrippe,
 & wrong his lippe.
 He makede him a ful chere
 & al bicolmede his swere.
1065He makede him vn bicomelich,
 Hes he nas neuremore ilich.
 
 He com to þe gateward
 Þat him answerede hard.
 Horn bad vndo softe
1070Mani tyme & ofte;
 Ne miȝte he awynne
 Þat he come þerinne.
 Horn gan to þe ȝate turne
 & þat wiket vnspurne;
1075Þe 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
1080In beggeres rowe;
 He lokede him abute,
 Wiþ his colmie snute.
 He seȝ Rymenhild sitte
 Ase heo were of witte
1085Sore wepinge & ȝerne:
 Ne miȝte hure noman wurne.
 He lokede in eche halke,
 Ne seȝ he nowhar walke
 Aþulf his felawe,
1090Þat he cuþe knowe.
 Aþulf was in þe ture
 Abute for to pure
 After his comynge,
 Ȝef schup him wolde bringe.
1095He seȝ þe se flowe
 & horn nowar rowe.
 He sede vpon his songe:
 'Horn, nu þu ert wel longe.
 Rymenhild þu me toke
1100Þat ischolde loke.
 Ihc habbe ikept hure eure:
 Com nu oþer neure.
 Ine may no leng hure kepe,
 For soreȝe nu y wepe.'
 
1105Rymenhild Ros of benche
 Wyn for to schenche,
 After mete in sale,
 boþe wyn & ale.
 On horn he bar anhonde,
1110So laȝe was in londe.
 Kniȝtes & squier
 Alle dronken of þe ber.
 Bute horn alone
 Nadde þerof no mone.
1115Horn sat vpon þe grunde,
 Him þuȝte he was ibunde.
 He sede: 'quen so hende,
 Tomeward þu wende;
 Þu ȝef vs wiþ þe furste,
1120Þe 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.
1125He 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,
1135Wel feor icome bi este
 For fissen at þi feste:
 Mi net liþ her bi honde,
 Bi a wel fair stronde,
 Hit haþ ileie þere
1140Fulle seue ȝere.
 Ihc am icome to loke
 Ef eni fiss hit toke.
 Ihc am icome to fisse:
 Drink to me of disse,
1145Drink to horn of horne:
 Feor ihc am i orne.'
 Rymenhild him gan bihelde,
 Hire heorte bigan to chelde.
 Ne kneu heo noȝt his fissing,
1150Ne 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.
1155Heo 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
1165Þat horn of hure hadde;
 Sore hure dradde
 Þat horn isteue were,
 For þe Ring was þere.
 Þo sente heo a damesele
1170After þe palmere;
 'Palmere,' quaþ heo, 'trewe,
 Þe ring þat þu þrewe,
 Þu seie whar þu hit nome,
 & whi þu hider come.'
1175He sede: 'bi seint gile,
 Ihc habbe go mani Mile,
 Wel feor bi ȝonde weste,
 To seche my beste.
 Ifond horn child stonde
1180To schupeward in londe.
 He sede he wolde agesse
 To ariue in westernesse.
 Þe schip nam to þe flode
 Wiþ me & horn þe gode;
1185Horn was sik & deide,
 & faire he me preide:
 "Go wiþ þe ringe
 To Rymenhild þe ȝonge."
 Ofte he hit custe;
1190God ȝeue his saule reste.'
 
 Rymenhild sede at þe furste:
 'Herte nu þu berste,
 For horn nastu namore
 Þat þe haþ pined þe so sore.'
1195Heo feol on hire bedde,
 Þer heo knif hudde,
 To sle wiþ king loþe
 & hure selue boþe,
 In þat vlke niȝte,
1200If 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,
1205Ihc 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,
1215Iarmed 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
1230For þe tiþinge.
 After horn he arnde anon
 Also þat hors miȝte gon:
 He him ouertok ywis,
 Hi makede suiþe Muchel blis.
1235Horn tok his preie
 & dude him in þe weie.
 He com in wel sone,
 Þe ȝates were vndone,
 Iarmed ful þikke
1240Fram fote to þe nekke.
 Alle þat were þerin,
 Biþute his twelf ferin
 & þe king Aylmare,
 He dude hem alle to kare.
1245Þat at þe feste were,
 Here lif hi lete þere.
 Horn ne dude no wunder
 Of ffikenhildes falfe tunge.
 Hi sworen oþes holde
1250Þat neure ne fcholde
 Horn neure bitraie,
 Þeȝ he at diþe laie.
 Hi Runge þe belle
 Þe wedlak for to felle.
1255Horn him ȝede with his
 To þe kinges palais.
 Þer was brid & ale fuete,
 For riche men þer ete.
 Telle ne miȝte tunge
1260Þat gle þat þer was funge.
 
 Horn fat on chaere
 & bad hem alle ihere.
 'King,' he fede, 'þu lufte
 A tale mid þe befte.
1265Ine feie hit for no blame,
 Horn is mi name.
 Þume to kniȝte houe,
 & kniȝthod haue proued.
 To þe king men feide
1270Þat iþe bitraide:
 Þu makedeft me fleme
 & þi lond to reme:
 Þu wendeft þat iwroȝte
 Þat y neure ne þoȝte,
1275Bi Rymenhild for to ligge,
 & þat i wiþ fegge.
 Ne fchal ihc hit biginne,
 Til i fuddene winne.
 Þu kep hure a ftunde,
1280Þe while þat ifunde
 In to min heritage
 & to mi baronage.
 Þat lond ischal ofreche
 & do mi fader wreche.
1285Ischal beo king of tune
 & bere kinges crune,
 Þanne schal Rymenhilde
 Ligge bi þe kinge.'
 
 Horn gan to schupe draȝe
1290Wiþ his yrisse felaȝes,
 Aþulf wiþ him his brother,
 Nolde he non oþer.
 Þat schup bigan to crude,
 Þe wind him bleu lude.
1295Biþinne 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.
1305Horn him gan to take
 & sede: 'kniȝt, awake.
 Seie what þu kepest,
 & whi þu her slepest;
 Me þinkþ biþine crois liȝte
1310Þat þu longest to vre driȝte.
 Bute þu wule me schewe,
 Ischal þe to hewe:'
 Þe gode kniȝt vp aros,
 Of þe wordes him gros.
1315He sede: 'ihc haue aȝenes my wille
 Payns ful ylle.
 Ihc was cristene a while;
 Þo icom to þis ille
 Sarazins blake
1320Þat dude me forsake.
 On crist ihc wolde bileue,
 On him hi makede me reue,
 To kepe þis passage
 Fram horn þat is of age,
1325Þat 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.
1335Hi sloȝen kyng Murry,
 Hornes fader king hendy,
 Horn hi vt of londe sente;
 Tuelf felaȝes wiþ him wente,
 Among hem aþulf þe gode,
1340Min oȝene child, my leue fode:
 Ef horn child is hol & sund,
 & Aþulf biþute wund,
 He luueþ him so dere,
 & is him so stere,
1345Miȝte iseon hem tueie,
 For ioie ischolde deie.'
 
 'Kniȝt beo þanne bliþe
 Mest of alle siþe;
 Horn & Aþulf his fere
1350Boþe 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,
1360Ȝut lyueþ þi moder Godhild:
 Of ioie heo miste
 If heo þe aliue wiste.'
 
 Horn sede on his rime:
 'Iblessed beo þe time,
1365Icom 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:
1375Hi sloȝen & fuȝten,
 Þe niȝt & þe vȝten:
 Þe sarazins cunde
 ne lefde þer non in þende.
 Horn let wurche
1380chapeles & chirche.
 He let belles ringe,
 & Masses let singe.
 He com to his Moder halle
 In a roche walle.
1385Corn 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.
1395Strong castel he let sette,
 Mid séé him biflette.
 Þer ne miȝte liȝte
 Bute foȝel wiþ fliȝte.
 Bute whanne þe se wiþ droȝe
1400Miȝte come men ynoȝe.
 ffikenhild gan wende
 Rymenhild to schende.
 To woȝe he gan hure ȝerne,
 Þe kyng ne dorste him werne.
1405Rymenhild was ful of mode,
 He wep teres of blode.
 Þat niȝt horn gan swete,
 & heuie forto mete
 Of Rymenhild his make,
1410Into schupe was itake:
 Þe schup bigan to blenche,
 His lemman scholde adrenche.
 Rymenhild wiþ hire honde
 Wolde vp to londe.
1415ffikenhild aȝen hire pelte
 Wiþ his swerdes hilte.
 
 Horn him wok of slape
 So aman þat hadde rape.
 'Aþulf,' he fede, 'felaȝe,
1420To schupe we mote draȝe;
 ffikenhild me haþ idon vnder
 & Rymenhild to do wunder.
 Crist for his wundes fiue
 To niȝt me þuder driue.'
1425Horn 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,
1430To wedden hire biniȝte.
 He ladde hure bi þe derke
 In to his nywe werke;
 Þe feste hi bigunne
 Er þat ros þe funne;
1435Er þane horn hit wiste,
 Tofore þe sunne vpriste,
 His schup stod vnder ture
 At Rymenhilde bure.
 Rymenhild litel weneþ heo
1440Þat horn þanne aliue beo.
 Þe castel þei ne knewe,
 For he was so nywe.
 Horn fond sittinde Arnoldin
 Þat was Aþulfes cosin
1445Þat þer was in þat tide
 horn for tabide.
 'Horn kniȝt,' he fede, 'kinges sone,
 Wel beo þu to londe icome:
 Today haþ ywedde fikenhild
1450Þi swete lemman Rymenhild.
 Ne schal iþe lie,
 He haþ giled þe twie
 Þis tur he let make
 Al for þine sake,
1455Ne mai þer come inne
 Noman wiþ ? none ? ginne.
 Horn, nu crist þe wisse
 Of Rymenhild þat þu ne misse.'
 
 Horn cuþe al þe liste
1460Þat eni man of wiste.
 Harpe he gan schewe
 & tok selaȝes fewe,
 Of kniȝtes suiþe snelle
 Þat schrudde hem at wille.
1465Hi 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;
1475He sette him on þe benche
 His harpe for to clenche.
 He makede Rymenhilde lay,
 & heo makede walaway.
 Rymenhild feol yswoȝe,
1480Ne was þer non þat louȝe.
 Hit smot to hornes herte
 So bitere þat hit smerte.
 He lokede on þe ringe
 & þoȝte on Rymenhilde.
1485He ȝede vp to borde
 Wiþ gode suerdes orde.
 ffikenhildes crune
 Þer ifulde adune,
 & Al his men a rowe
1490Hi dude adun þrowe.
 Whanne hi weren aslaȝe,
 Fikenhild hi dude todraȝe.
 Horn makede Arnoldin þare
 King after king Aylmare,
1495Of 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.
1505Hi gunne for ariue
 Þer king modi was sire.
 Aþelbrus he makede þer king
 For his gode teching:
 He ȝaf alle þe kniȝtes ore
1510For horn kniȝtes lore.
 Horn gan for to ride,
 Þe wind him bleu wel wide.
 He ariuede in yrlonde.
 Þer he wo fondede,
1515Þer he dude Aþulf child
 Wedden maide Reynild.
 Horn com to suddenne
 Among al his kenne.
 Rymenhild he makede his quene,
1520So hit miȝte wel beon.
 Al folk hem miȝte rewe
 Þat loueden hem so trewe.
 Nu ben hi boþe dede;
 Crist to heuene hem lede!
1525Her 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
1530Ȝeue vs alle his suete blessing! Amen.
 
 EX-PLI-CIT.
 Laud MS
 
 Alle ben he bliþe
 Þat to me wilen lythe!
 A song ich wille you singe
 Of morye þe kinge.
5King he was bi westen
 Wel þe his dayes lesten.
 And godhild his gode quen;
 Feyrer non micte ben.
 Here sone hauede to nome orn;
10Fairer child ne micte ben born,
 Ne reyn ne micte upon reyne,
 Ne no sonne bi schyne.
 Fayrer child þanne he was:
 Brict so euere any glas;
15Whit so any lili flur;
 So rose red was his colur.
 He was fayr and eke bold,
 And of fiftene winter hold.
 Was noman him yliche
20Bi none kinges riche.
 Xii. feren he hadde
 Þat he mid him ladde,
 And alle riche kinges sones,
 And alle swiþe faire gomes,
25Mid him for to pleie,
 But mest he louede tueye;
 Þat on was hoten ayol child,
 And þat oþer fokenild.
 Athulf wes þe beste,
30Ant fykenyld þe werste.
 Hyt was vpon a someres day,
 Also ich ou telle may,
  Allof þe gode kyng,
 Rod vpon is pleyȝyng
35Bi þe see side,
 Þer he was woned to ryde.
 Wiþ him ne ride bote tuo -
 Al to fewe hue were þo!
 He fond by þe stronde,
40Aryued on is londe,
 Schipes fyftene
 wiþ saraȝyns kene
 He askede whet hue sohten
 Oþer on is londe brohten.
45A payen hit yherde,
 & sone hym onsuerede:
 "Þy lond folk we wolleþ slon,
 Þat euer Crist leueþ on
 & þe we wolleþ ryht anon.
50Shalt þou neuer henne gon."
  Þe kyng lyhte of his stede,
 For þo he heuede nede,
 Ant his gode feren tuo;
 Mid y wis huem wes ful wo.
55Swerd hy gonne gripe
 & to gedere smyte.
 Hy smyten vnder shelde
 Þat hy somme yfelde.
 
 Þe kyng hadde to fewe
60Aȝeyn so monie schrewe;
 So fele mihten ethe
 Bringe þre to dethe.
 Þe payns com to londe
 & nomen hit an honde
65 Þe folk hy gonne quelle,
 & saraȝyns to felle.
 Þer ne myhte libbe
 Þe fremede ne þe sibbe.
 Bote he is lawe forsoke,
70& to huere toke.
 Of alle wymmanne
 Werst wes godhyld þanne.
 For Allof hy wepeþ sore
 & for horn ȝet more.
75Godild hade so muche sore
 Þat habbe myhte hue na more
 Hue wente ut of halle
 From hire maidnes alle
 Vnder a roche of stone
80Þer hue wonede al one.
 Þer hue seruede gode
 Aȝen þe payenes forbode.
 Þer hue seruede crist
 Þat þe payenes hit nuste.
85Ant euer hue bad for horn child
 Þat crist him wrþe myld.
 
 Horn wes in payenes honde
 Mid is feren of þe londe.
  Muche wes þe feyrhade,
90 Þat ihesu crist him made.
 Payenes him wolde slo,
 & summe him wolde flo,
 ȝyf hornos feyrnesse nere:
 Yslawe þis children were.
95Þo spec on Admyrold -
 Of wordes he wes swyþe bold, -
 "Horn, þou art swyþe kene,
 Bryht of hewe & of shene.
 Þou art fayr & eke strong,
100& eke eueneliche long;
 Þu shalt waxe more
 Bi fulle seue ȝere.
 ȝef þu to lyue mote go
 Ant þine feren al so,
105Þat ymay byfalle,
 Þat ȝe shulle slen vs alle:
 Þare fore þou shalt to streme go,
 Þou and þine feren al so;
 To shipe ȝ shulle founde,
110& sinke to þe grounde.
 Þe see þe shal adrenche,
 Ne shal hit vs of þenche.
 For ȝef þou were alyue,
 Wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue,
115We shulden alle deȝe,
 Þy fader deþ to beye."
 Þe children ede to þe stronde,
 Wryngynde huere honde,
 Ant in to shipes borde
120At þe furste worde.
 Ofte hade horn be wo,
 Ah neuer wors þen him wes þo.
 
 Þe see bigan to flowen,
 & horn faste to rowen;
125Ant þat ship wel suyþe drof
 & horn wes adred þer of.
 Hue wenden mid y wisse
 Of huere lyue to misse,
 Al þe day & al þe nyht
130O þat sprong þe day lyht,
 Fflotterede horn by þe stronde
 Er he seye eny londe.
 "Feren," quoth horn þe ȝynge,
 "Ytelle ou tydynge:
135Ich here foules singe
 & se þe grases springe.
 Blyþe be ȝe alyue;
 Vr ship is come to ryue."
 Of shipe hy gonne founde,
140& sette fot to grounde.
 By þe see syde
 Hure ship bi gon to ryde.
 Þenne spec him child horn,
 In suddene he was yborn:
145"Nou ship by þe flode,
 Haue dayes gode.
 Bi þe see brynke,
 No water þe adrynke.
 Softe mote þou sterye
150þat water þe ne derye.
 ȝef þu comest to suddene,
 Gret hem þat me kenne,
 Gret wel þe gode
 Quene godhild mi moder,
155Ant seye þe heþene kyng,
 Ihesu cristes wytherlyng,
 Þat ich am hol & fere
 In londe aryued here;
 Ant say þat he shal fonde
160Þen deþ of myne honde."
 
 Þe ship bigon to fleoten,
 & horn child to weopen,
 By dales & by dounes.
 Þe children eoden to tounes,
165Metten hue Eylmer þe kyng,
 Crist him ȝeuen god tymyng,
 Kyng of westnesse
 Crist hym myhte blesse!
 He spec to horn child
170Wordes suyþe myld:
 "Whenne be ȝe, gomen,
 Þat bueþ her a londe ycomen,
 Alle threttene,
 Of bodye suyþe kene?
175By god þat me made,
 So feyr a felaurade
 Ne seh yneuer stonde,
 In westnesse londe:
 Seie me wat ȝe seche."
180Horn spac huere speche,
 
 Horn spac for huem alle,
 For so hit moste byfalle:
 He wes þe wyseste
 & of wytte þe beste.
185"We bueþ of suddenne,
 Ycome of gode kenne,
 Of cristene blode,
 Of cunne swyþe gode.
 Payenes þer connen aryue
190And cristine brohten of lyue.
 Slowen & to drowe
 Cristinemen ynowe.
 So crist me mote rede,
 Ous hy duden lede
195In to a galeye,
 Wiþ þe se to pleye,
 Day is gon & othþer,
 Wiþ oute seyl & roþer:
 Vre ship flet forþ ylome
200& her to londe hit ys ycome.
 Nou þou myht vs slen & bynde
 Oure honde vs bihynde.
 Ah ȝef hit is þi wille,
 Help vs þat we ne spille."
 
205Þo spac þe gode kyng
 He nes neuer nyþyng
 "Sey, child, whet is þy name?
 shal þe tide bote game."
 Þe child him onsuerede,
210So sone he hyt yherde:
 "Horn ycham yhote,
 Ycome out of þis bote,
 From þe see side.
 Kyng, wel mote þe bitide."
215Horn child quoþ þe king,
 "Wel boruc þou þy nome ȝyng.
 Horn him goþ so stille
 Bi dales & bi hulles;
 Horn, haþ lude soune,
220Þurh out vch a toune;
 So shal þi name springe
 Fram kynge to kynge,
 And þi nom springe
 From kynge to kynge,
225Ant þi feirnesse
 Aboute westnesse,
 Horn, þou art so suete,
 Ne shal y þe forlete."
 Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng
230& horn wiþ him, his fundlyng,
 & alle his yfere,
 Þat him were so duere.
 Þe kyng com in to halle
 Among his knyhtes alle;
235forþþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus,
 His stiward & him seide þus.
 "Stiward, tac þou here
 My fundling forto lere
 Of þine mestere,
240Of wode & of riuere,
 Ant toggen oþ harpe
 wiþ is nayles sharpe,
 Ant tech him alle þe listes
 Þat þou euer wystest,
245Byfore me to keruen,
 & of my coupe to seruen.
 Ant his feren deuyse
 Wiþ ous oþer seruise.
 Horn child þu vnderstond
250Tech him of harpe & of song."
 
 Athelbrus gon leren
 Horn & hyse feren.
 Horn mid herte lahte
 Al þat mon him tahte.
255Wiþ inne court & wiþ oute,
 & oueral aboute
 Louede men horn child,
 & most him louede rymenyld,
 Þe kynges oune dohter.
260For he wes in hire þohte;
 Hue louede him in hire mod
 For he wes feir & eke god:
 & þah hue ne dorste at bord
 Mid him speke ner a word,
265Ne in þe halle
 Among þe knyhtes alle,
 Hyre sorewe ant hire pyne
 Nolde neuer fyne.
 Bi daye ne by nyhte
270For hue speke ne myhte.
 Wiþ horn þat was so feir & fre
 Þo hue ne myhte wiþ him be.
 In herte hue hade care & wo,
 & þus hue biþohte hire þo:
275Hue sende hyre sonde
 Athelbrus to honde,
 Þat he come hire to,
 & also scholde horn do,
 In to hire boure,
280For hue bigon to loure;
 & þe sonde sayde
 Þat seek wes þe mayde,
 & bed him come suyþe
 For hue nis nout blyþe.
 
285Þe stiward wes in huerte wo,
 For he nuste whet he shulde do.
 What rymenhild bysohte
 Gret wonder him þohte,
 Aboute horn þe ȝinge
290To boure forte bringe.
 He þohte on is mode
 Hit nes for none gode:
 He toke wiþ him an oþer,
 Athulf, hornes broþer.
295"Athulf," quoþ he, "ryht anon
 Þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon
 To speke wiþ rymenhild stille
 To wite hyre wille.
 Þou art hornes yliche
300Þu shalt hire by suyke:
 Sore me adrede
 Þat hue wole horn mys rede."
 Athelbrus & Athulf bo,
 To hire boure beþ ygo:
305Vpon Athulf childe
 Rymenild con waxe wilde:
 Hue wende horn it were
 Þat hue hade þere:
 Hue seten adoun stille;
310Ant seyden hure wille;
 In hire armes tueye
 Athulf he con leye.
 "Horn," quoth heo, "wel longe
 Y haue loued þe stronge.
315Þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte
 In myn hond wiþ ryhte,
 Me to spouse welde,
 & ich þe louerd to helde."
 So stille so hit were,
320Athulf seyde in hire eere
 "Ne tel þou no more speche,
 May y þe by seche,
 Þi tale gyn þou lynne
 For horn nis nout her ynne.
325Ne be we nout yliche:
 For horn is fayr & ryche,
 Fayrore by one ribbe
 Þen ani mon þat libbe:
 Þah horn were vnder molde
330& oþer elle wher he sholde
 Hennes a þousent milen,
 Ynulle him bigilen."
 
 Rymenild hire bywente,
 Ant Athelbrus þus heo schende.
335"Athelbrus þou fule þef,
 Ne worþest þou me neuer lef;
 Went out of my boure,
 Shame þe mote by shoure.
 Ant euele hap to Schame mote vnderfonge
340& euele rode on to honge.
 Ne speke y nout wiþ horne:
 Nis he nout so vnorne;
 Horn is fairer thane beo he:
 wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie."
 
345Þo Athelbrus astounde
 Fel akneu to grounde.
 "Ha leuedy min owe,
 Me lyþe a lytel throwe!
 Ant list were fore ych wonde
350To bringen horn to honde.
 For orn is fayr & riche,
 Nis non his ylyche.
 Aylmer, þe gode kyng,
 Dude him me in lokyng.
355ȝif horn þe were aboute,
 Sore ich myhte doute
 Wiþ him þou woldest pleye
 Bituene ou seluen tueye.
 Þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe
360Þe kyng vs make wroþe.
 Ah forȝef me þi teone,
 My leuedy ant my quene,
 Horn y shal þe fecche,
 Wham so hit yrecche."
365Rymenild, ȝef he couthe,
 Con lyþe wiþ hire mouthe.
 Heo loh & made hire blyþe;
 For wel wes hire olyue.
 "Go þou," quoþ heo, "sone,
370& send him after none,
 A skuȝeres wyse.
 Whene þe king aryse
 He shal mid me bileue
 Þat hit beo ner eue,
375Haue ich of him mi wille;
 Ne recchi whet men telle." :
 
 Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle;
 Horn he fond in halle
 Bifore þe kyng obenche,
380Wyn forte schenche.
 "Horn," quoþ he, "þou hende,
 To boure gyn þou wende,
 To speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝinge,
 Dohter oure kynge;
385Wordes suyþe bolde,
 þin horte gyn þou holde.
 Horn be þou me trewe;
 Shal þe nout arewe."
 He eode forþ to ryhte
390To rymenild þe bryhte.
 Aknewes he him sette,
 & suetliche hire grette.
 Of his fayre syhte
 Al þat bour gan lyhte.
395He spac faire is speche -
 Ne durþ non him teche.
 "Wel þou sitte & softe,
 Rymenild kinges dohter,
 Ant þy maydnes here
400Þat sitteth þyne yfere.
 Kynges styward oure
 Sende me to boure
 Forte y here leuedy myn
 Whet be wille þyn.
405Rymenild vp gon stonde
 & tok him by þe honde:
 Heo made feyre chere
 & tok him bi þe suere.
 Ofte heo him custe,
410So wel so hyre luste.
 "Welcome horn," þus sayde,
 Rymenild þat mayde
 An euen & amorewe
 For þe ich habbe forewe
415Þat y haue no reste
 Ne slepe me ne lyste.
 Horn þou shalt wel swyþe
 Mi longe serewe lyþe
 Þou shalt wyþ oute striue
420Habbe me to wyue.
 Horn, haue of me rewþe,
 & plyht me þi treuþe.
 
 Horn þo him byþohte
 Whet he speken ohte.
425"Crist," quoþ horn, "þe wisse,
 & þeue þe heuene blisse
 Of þine hosebonde,
 Who he be a londe.
 Ich am ybore þral
430Þy fader fundlyng wiþ al.
 Of kunde me ne felde
 Þe to spouse welde.
 Hit nere no fair weddyng
 Bituene a þral & þe king."
435Þo gon rymenild mis lyken
 & sore bigon to siken:
 Armes bigon vnbowe;
 & doun heo fel yswowe.
 Horn hire vp hente
440& in is armes trente.
 He gon hire to cusse
 & feyre forte wisse.
 "Rymenild," quoþ he, "duere,
 Help me þat ych were
445Ydobbed to be knyhte,
 Suete, bi al þi mihte,
 To mi louerd þe kyng
 Þat he me ȝeue dobbyng:
 Þenne is my þralhede
450Al wend in to knyhthede.
 Y shal waxe more,
 & do, rymenild, þi lore."
 Þo rymenhild, þe yinge,
 Aros of hire swowenynge.
455"Nou horn, to soþe,
 Yleue þe by þyn oþe.
 Þou shalt be maked knyht
 Er þen þis forteniht.
 Ber þou her þis coppe
460& þis ringes þer vppe
 To Athelbrus þe styward,
 & say him he holde foreward.
 Sey ich him biseche,
 wiþ loueliche speche,
465Þat he for þe falle
 To þe kynges fet in halle,
 Þ he wiþ is worde
 Þe knyhty wiþ sworde,
 wiþ selver and wiþ golde
470Hit worth him wel iȝolde.
 Nou crist him lene spede
 Þyn ernding do bede."
 
 Horn tok is leue,
 For hit wes neh eue.
475Athelbrus he sohte
 & tok him þat he brohte,
 Ant tolde him þare
 Hou he hede yfare.
 He seide him his nede,
480& him bihet is mede.
 Athelbrus so blyþe
 Eode in to halle swyþe.
 Ant seide, "kyng, nou leste
 O tale mid þe beste.
485Þou shalt bere coroune
 To marewe in þis toune;
 To marewe is þi feste:
 Þe bihoueþ geste.
 Ich þe rede mid al my myht
490Þat þou make horn knyht,
 Þin armes do him welde:
 God knyht he shal þe ȝelde."
 Þe kyng wel sone,
 "Hit is wel to done.
495Horn me wel quemeþ;
 Knyht him wel bisemeþ.
 He shal haue mi dobbyng
 & be myn oþer derlyng.
 & hise feren tuelfalle his feren twef
500He shal dobbe him selue:
 Alle y shal hem knyhte
 Byfore me to fyhte."
 Al þat þe lyhte day sprong
 Aylmere þohte long.
505Þe day bigon to springe;
 Horn com byfore þe kynge,
 Wiþ his tuelf fere,
 Alle þer ywere.
 Horn knyht made he
510wiþ ful gre solempnite.
 Sette him on a stede:
 red so eny glede.
 Smot him a lute wiht
 & bed him buen a god knyht.
515Athulf vel a kne þer
 & þonkede kyng Aylmer.
 "King," he sede, "so kene
 Grante me a bene:
 Nu is knyht sire horn
520Þat in suddene wes yborn;
 Lord he is of londe
 & ouer vs þat by him stonde;
 Þin armes he haueþ and þy sheld
 Forte fyhte in þe feld:
525Let him vs alle knyhte
 So hit is his ryhte."
 Aylmar seide ful ywis,
 "Nou do þat þi wille ys."
 Horn adoun con lyhte
530& made hem alle to knyhte.
 For much wes þe geste
 & more wes þe feste:
 Þat rymenild nes nout þere,
 Hire þohte seue ȝere.
535Efter horn hue sende,
 Horn in to boure wende.
 He nolde gon is one;
 Athulf wes hys ymone.
 
 Rymenild welcomeþ sire horn,
540& Aþulf knyht him biforn.
 Knyht, nou is time
 For to sitte byme.
 Do nou þat we spake:
 To þi wyf þou me take.
545Nou þou hast wille þyne,
 Vnbynd me of þis pyne."
 "Rymenild, nou be stille!
 Ichulle don al þy wille,
 Ah her hit so bitide.
550Mid spere ichulle ryde,
 Ant my knyhthod proue,
 Er þen ich þe wowe.
 We bueþ knyhtes ȝonge,
 Alle to day yspronge;
555Ant of þe mestere
 Hit is þe manere:
 wiþ sum oþere knyhte
 For his lemmon to fyhte
 Er ne he eny wyf take;
560Oþer wyþ wymmon forewart make.
 To day, so crist me blesse,
 Y shal do pruesse,
 For þi loue mid shelde
 Amiddewart þe felde.
565ȝef ich come to lyye,
 Ychul þe take to wyue."
 "Knyht, y may yleue þe,
 Why ant þou trewe be:
 
 Haue her þis goldring:
570Hit is ful god to þi dobbyng;
 Ygraued is on þe rynge
 'Rymenild þy luef þe ȝynge':
 Nis non betere vnder sonne
 Þat enymon of conne.
575Ffor mi loue þou hit were
 & on þy fynger þou hit bere.
 Þe ston haueþ suche grace
 Ne shalt þuo in none place
 Deþ vnderfonge,
580Ne buen yalye wiþ wronge,
 ȝef þou lokest þeran
 & þenchest o þi lemman.
 Ant sire athulf, þi broþer,
 He shal han en oþer.
585Horn, crist y þe byteche
 Mid mourninde speche,
 Crist þe ȝeue god endyng
 &e found aȝeyn to brynge."
 Þe knyht hire gan to cusse,
590& rimenild him to blesse.
 Leue at hyre he nom,
 & in to halle he com:
 Knyhtes eode to table,
 & horn eode to stable:
595Þer he toc his gode fole,
 Blac so euer eny cole.
 Wiþ armes he him fredde
 Ant is fole he fedde.
 Þe fole bigon to springe,
600& horn murie to synge.
 Horn rod one whyle
 Wel more þen amyle.
 He seh a shyp at grounde
 wiþ heþene hounde.
605He askede wet hue hadden
 oþer to londe ladden.
 An hound him gan biholde
 & spec wordes bolde:
 "þis lond we wolleþ wynne
610& sle þat þer bueþ inne."
 Horn gan is swerd gripe
 Ant on his arm hit wype.
 Þe saraȝyn he hitte so
 Þat is hed fel to ys to;
615Þo gonne þe houndes gone
 Aȝeynes Horn ys one;
 He lokede on is rynge,
 Ant þohte o rymenyld þe ȝynge.
 He sloh þer of þe beste
620An houndred at þe leste,
 Ne mihte noman telle
 Alle þat he gon quelle.
 Of þat þer were oryue,
 He lafte lut o lyue.
 
625Horn tok þe maister heued,
 Þat he him hade byreued
 Ant sette hit on is suerde,
 Abooen oþen orde.
 He ferde hom to halle,
630Among þe knyhtes alle.
 "Kyng," quoþ he, "wel þou sitte,
 And alle þine knyhtes mitte.
 To day, ich rod o my pleyyng,
 After my dobbyng
635Yfond a ship rowen
 In þe found byflowen
 Mid vnlondisshe menne
 Of saraȝynes kenne.
 To deþe forte pyne
640Þe & alle þyne.
 Hy gonne me asayly:
 Swerd me nolde fayly:
 Y smot hem alle to grounde,
 In a lutel stounde.
645Þat heued ich þe brynge
 Of þe maister kynge.
 Nou haue ich þe ȝolde,
 þat þou me knyhten woldest."
 Þe day bigon to springe,
650Þe kyng rod on hontynge.
 To þe wode wyde,
 Ant ffykenyld bi is syde.
 Þat fals wes ant vntrewe,
 Whose him wel yknewe.
 
655Horn ne þohte nout him on
 Ant to boure wes ygon.
 He fond rymenild sittynde
 & wel fore wepynde.
 So whyt so þe sonne
660mid terres al byronne.
 Horn seide, "Luef, þyn ore!
 Whyi wepes þou so sore?"
 Hue seide, "ich nout ne wepe,
 Ah y shal er yslepe
665Me þohte omy metyng,
 Þat ich rod ofysshyng,
 To see my net ycaste
 And wel fer hit laste;
 A gret fyssh ate þe ferste
670My net he gan to berste.
 Þat fyssh me so bycahte
 Þat y nout ne lahte
 Ywene yshal forleose
 Þe fyssh þat ywolde cheose."
 
675"Crist & seinte steuene,"
 Quoþ horn, "Areche þy sueuene.
 No shal y þe byswyke,
 Ne do þat þe mis lyke.
 Ich take þe myn owe
680To hold & eke to knowe
 For euerech oþer wyhte,
 Þerto my trouþe yplyhte."
 Wel muche wes þe reuþe
 Þat wes at þilke treuþe,
685Rymenild wep wel ylle,
 Ant horn let terres stille.
 "Lemmon," quoþ he, "dere,
 Þou shalt more y here.
 Þy sweuen shal wende
690Summon vs wole shende.
 Þat fyssh þat brac þy net,
 Ywis it is sumwet
 Þat wol vs do sum tene,
 Ywis hit worþ ysene."
695Aylmer rod by stoure,
 Ant horn wes yne boure.
 Ffykenyld hade enuye
 & seyde þeos folye:
 "Aylmar, ich þe werne
700Horn þe wole forberne:
 Ich herde wher he seyde,
 Ant his suerd he leyde,
 To brynge þe of lyue,
 Ant take rymenild to wyue.
705He lyht in boure
 Vnder couertoure
 By rymenyld þy dohter,
 Ant so he doþ wel ofte.
 Do him out of londe,
710Er he do more shonde!"
 
 Aylmer gan hom turne
 Wel mody & wel sturne.
 He fond Horn vnder arme
 In rymenyldes barme.
715"Go out," quoþ Aylmer þe kyng,
 Horn, þou foule fundlyng!
 Forþ out of boures flore
 For rymenild þin hore.
 Wend out of londe sone,
720Her nast þou nout to done..
 Wel sone bote þou flette,
 Myd suert yshal þe sette."
 Horn eode to stable
 Wel modi for that fable.
725He set sadel on stede
 Wiþ armes he gon him shrede.
 His brunie he con lace
 So he shulde in to place.
 His suerd he gon teon:
730Ne durste non wel him feon.
 He seide, "Lemmon derlyng,
 Nou þou hauest þy sueuening.
 Þe fyssh þat þyn net rende,
 From þe me he sende.
735Þe kyng wiþ me gynneþ striue,
 A wey he wole me dryue.
 Þare fore haue nou godneday:
 Nou y mot founde & fare away.
 In to vncouþe londe,
740Wel more forte fonde;
 Yshal wonie þere
 Fulle seue ȝere.
 At þe seue ȝeres ende,
 ȝyf y ne come ne sende,
745Tac þou hosebonde;
 Forme þat þou no wonde.
 In armes þou me fonge,
 Ant cus me swyþe longe."
 Hy custen hem astounde
750& rymenyld fel to grounde.
 
 Horn tok his leue:
 He myhte nout bileue;
 He toc Aþulf, his fere,
 Aboute þe swere,
755Ant seide, "knyht so trewe,
 Kep wel mi loue newe.
 Þou neuer ne forsoke:
 Rymenild to kep ant loke.
 His stede he bigan stryde,
760Ant forþ he con him ryde:
 Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen
 Ant alle þat hit yseyȝen.
 Horn forþ him ferde,
 A god ship he him herde,
765Þat him shulde passe
 Out of westnesse.
 Þe wynd bigon to stonde,
 Ant drof hem vp olonde.
 To londe þat hy fletten
770Fot out of ship hy setten.
 He fond bi þe weye
 Kynges sones tueye;
 Þat on wes hoten Aþyld,
 Ant þat oþer beryld.
775Beryld hym con preye
 Þat he shulde seye
 What he wolde þere
 Ant what ys nome were.
 
 "Godmod," he seiþ, "ich hote,
780Ycomen out of þis bote,
 Wel fer from by weste
 To seche myne beste."
 Beryld con ner him ryde
 And toc him bi þe bridel:
785"Wel be þou, knyht, yfounde;
 wiþ me þou lef astounde.
 Al so ich mote sterue,
 Þe kyng þou shalt serue.
 Ne seh I neuer alyue
790So feir knyht her aryue."
 Godmod he ladde to halle,
 Ant he adoun gan falle:
 Ant sette him a knelyng
 Ant grette wel þe gode kyng.
795Þo saide beryld wel sone:
 "Kyng, wiþ him þuo ast done;
 Þilond tac him to werie;
 Ne shal þe nomon derye,
 For he is þe feyreste man
800Þat euer in þis londe cam."
 
 Þo seide þe kyng wel dere,
 "Welcome be þou here.
 Go, beryld, wel swyþe,
 & make hym wel blyþe.
805Ant when þou farest to wowen,
 Tac him þine glouen:
 Þer þou has munt to wyue,
 A wey he shal þe dryue;
 For Godmodes feyrhede
810Shalt þeou no wer spede."
 Hit wes at cristesmasse,
 Nouþer more no lasse;
 Þe kyng made feste
 Of his knyhtes beste,
815Þer com in at none
 A geaunt suyþe sone
 Y armed of paynyme
 Ant seide þthise ryme:
 "Site kyng, bi kyng,
820Ant herkne my tidynge:
 Her bueþ paynes aryue;
 Wel more þen fyue
 Her beþ vpon honde,
 Kyng, in þine londe;
825On þer of wol fyhte
 To ȝeynes þre knyhtes.
 ȝef oure þre sleh ure on,
 We shulen of ore londe gon;
 ȝef uore on sleh oure þre,
830Al þis lond shal vre be.
 To morewe shal be þe fyhtinge,
 At þe sonne vpspringe."
 
 Þo seyde þe kyng þurston,
 "Godmod shal be þat on;
835Beryld shal be þat oþer,
 Þe thridde Aþyd his broþer;
 For hue bueþ þe strongeste
 Ant in armes þe beste.
 Ah wat shal vs to rede?
840I wene we bueþ dede."
 Godmod set at borde
 And seide þeose wordes:
 "Sire kyng, nis no ryhte
 On wiþ thre fyhte:
845Aȝeynes one hounde,
 Þre cristene to founde.
 Ah, kyng, yshal alone,
 Wiþ oute more ymone,
 wiþ my suerd ful eþe
850Bringen hem alle to deþe."
 Þe kyng aros amorewe,
 He hade muche sorewe;
 Godmod ros of bedde,
 wiþ armes he him shredde:
855His brunye he on caste,
 & knutte hit wel faste,
 Ant com him to þe kynge
 At his vp rysynge.
 "Kyng," quoþ he, "com to felde,
860Me forte byhelde
 Hou we shule flyten,
 Ant to gedere smiten."
 
 Riht at prime tide
 Hy gonnen out to ryde
865Hy founden in a grene
 A geaunt swyþe kene,
 His feren him biside
 Þ day forto abyde.
 Godmod hem gon asaylen
870Nolde he nout faylen:
 He ȝef duntes inowe;
 Þe payen fel yswowe.
 Ys feren gonnen hem wiþ drawe,
 For huere maister wes neh slawe;
875He seide, "knyht, ȝou reste
 A while ȝef þou leste."
 Y ne heuede new of monnes hond
 So harde duntes in non lond,
 Bote of þe kyng Murry,
880Þat wes swiþe sturdy.
 He wes of Hornes kenne,
 Y sloh him in suddene.
 
 Godmod him gon to agryse,
 Ant his blod aryse.
885Byforen him he seh stonde
 Þat drof him out of lond
 Ant fader his aquelde.
 He smot him vnder shelde.
 He lokede on is rynge
890Ant þohte o rymenild þe ȝynge.
 Mid god suerd at þe furste,
 He smoth hom þourh þe huerte.
 Þe payns bigonne to fleon
 Ant to huere shype teon;
895To ship hue wolden erne
 Godmod hem con werne.
 Þe kynges sonews tweyne
 Þe paiens slowe beyne.
 Þo wes Godmod swyþe wo
900Ant þe payens he smot so
 Þat in a lutel stounde
 Þe paiens hy felle to grounde.
 Godmod ant is men
 Slowe þe payenes eueruchen.
905His fader deþ & ys lond
 Awrek godmod wiþ his hond.
 Þe kyng wiþ reuful chere
 Lette leggen is sones on bere
 Ant bringen hom to halle
910Much sorewe hue maden alle.
 In a chirche of lym & ston
 Me buriede hem wiþ ryche won.
 
 Þe kyng lette forþ calle
 His knyhtes alle.
915Ant seide, "godmod, ȝef þou nere,
 Alle ded we were.
 Þou art boþe go & feyr,
 Her ymake þe myn heyr,
 For my sones bueþ yslawe,
920Ant ybroht of lyf dawe.
 Dohter ich habbe one,
 Nys non so feyr of blod ant bone.
 Ermenild, þat feyre may,
 Bryht so eny someres day.
925Hire wolle ich ȝeue þe
 Ant her kyng shalt þou be."
 He seyde, "more ichul þe serue,
 Kyng, er þen þou sterue.
 When y þy dohter ȝerne,
930Heo ne shal me noþyng werne."
 Godmod wonede þere
 Fulle six ȝere
 Ant þe seueþe ȝer bygon
 To rymynild sonde ne sende he non.
935Rymenyld wes in westnesse
 wiþ muche sorewenesse.
 A kyng þer gan aryue
 Ant wolde hyre han to wyue;
 At one were þe kynges
940Of þat weddynge.
 Þe dayes were so sherte,
 Ant rymenild ne derste
 Latten on none wyse.
 A writ hue dude deuyse;
945Aþulf hit dude wryte,
 Þat horn ne louede nout lyte.
 Hue sende hire sonde
 Into eueruche londe
 To sechen horn knyhte
950Wher so er me myhte.
 Horn þerof nout herde
 Til o day þat he ferde
 To wode forte shete.
 A page he gan mete.
955Horn seide, "Leue fere,
 Whet dest þou here?"
 "Sire, in lutel spelle,
 Y may þe sone telle.
 Ich seche from westnesse
960Horn knyht of estnesse
 Ffor rymenild þat feyre may,
 Soreweþ for him nyht & day.
 A kyng hire shal wedde
 A sonneday to bedde,
965Kyng Mody of reynis,
 Þat is hornes enimis.
 Ich habbe walked wyde,
 By þe see side;
 Ne mihte ich him neyer cleche
970Wiþ nones kunnes speche,
 Ne may ich of him here
 In londe fer no nere."
 Wey la wey þe while!
 Him may hente gyle."
 
975Horn hit herde wiþ earen,
 Ant spec wiþ wete tearen:
 "So wel, grom, þe bitide!
 Horn stond by þi syde.
 Aȝeyn to rymenild turne
980& seye þat hue ne murne,
 Yshal be þer bitime,
 A sonneday er prime."
 Þe page wes wel blyþe
 & shipede wel suyþe.
985Þe see him gon adrynke
 Þat rymenil may ofþinke.
 Þe see him con ded þrowe
 Vnder hire chambre wowe.
 Rymenild lokede wide
990By þe see syde,
 ȝef heo seȝe horn come
 Oþer tidynge of eny gome:
 Þo fond heo hire sonde,
 Adronque by þe stronde,
995þat shulde horn brynge.
 Hire hondes gon hue wrynge.
 Horn com to þurston þe kynge
 Ant tolde him þes tidynge.
 Ant þo he was biknowe
1000Þat rymenild wes ys owe;
 Ant of his gode kenne
 Þe kyng of sudenne,
 Ant hou he sloh afelde
 Him þat is fader aquelde,
1005Ant seide, "Kyng so wyse,
 ȝeld me my seruise.
 Rymenild help me wynne,
 Swyþe þat þou ne blynne:
 Ant yshal do to house
1010Þy dohter wel to spouse:
 For hue shal to spuse haue
 Aþulf, my gode felawe,
 He is knyht mid þe beste
 & on of þe treweste."
1015Þe kyng seide so stille,
 "Horn, do al þi wille."
 He sende so by sonde
 ȝend al is londe
 After knyhtes fyhte,
1020Þ were men so lyhte.
 To him come ynowe
 Þat to shipe drowe.
 
 Horn dude him in þe weye
 In a gret galeye.
1025Þe wynd bo gon to blowe
 In a lutel throghe.
 Þe see bi gan wiþ ship to gon
 To westnesse hem brohte anon.
 Hue striken seyl of maste
1030Ant ancre gonnen caste,
 Matynes were yronge
 & þe masse ysonge.
 Of rymenild þe ȝynge
 & of Mody þe kynge.
1035Ant horn wes in watere,
 Ne mihte he come no latere.
 He let his ship stonde,
 Ant com him vp to londe.
 His folk he made abyde
1040Vnder a wode syde.
 
 Horn eode forh al one
 So he sprong of þe stone.
 En palmere he y mette
 & wiþ wordes hyne grette:
1045"Palmere, þou shalt me telle,"
 He syde, "of þine spelle.
 So brouke þou þi croune,
 Why comest þou from toune?"
 Ant he seide on is tale,
1050"Y come from a brudale
 From brudale wylde
 Of maide remenylde:
 Ne myhte hue nout dreȝe
 Þat hue ne wep wiþ eȝe.
1055Hue seide þat hue nolde
 Be spoused wiþ golde.
 Hue hade hosbonde
 Þah he were out of londe.
 Ich wes in þe halle,
1060Wiþ inne castel walle,
 A wey ygon glide:
 Þat dole ynolde abyde.
 Þer worþ a dole reuly,
 Þ brude wepeþ bitterly."
1065Quoþ Horn, "so crist me rede,
 We wolleþ chaunge wede.
 Tac þou robe myne
 Ant ȝe sclaueyn þyne,
 To day yshal þer drynke
1070Þat summe hit shal of þynke."
 Sclaueyn he gon doun legge,
 & horn hit dude on rugge,
 Ant toc hornes cloþes:
 Þat nout him were loþe.
 
1075Horn toc bordoun & scrippe
 Ant gan to wrynge is lippe.
 He made foule chere,
 & bicollede is swere.
 He com to þe ȝateward,
1080Þat him onsuerede froward:
 Horn bed vn do wel softe
 Moni tyme ant ofte;
 Ne myhte he ywynne
 Forto come þer ynne.
1085Horn þe wyket puste
 Þ hit open fluste.
 Þe porter shulde abugge.
 He þrew him a doun þe brugge
 Þat þre ribbes crakede.
1090Horn to halle rakede
 Ant sette him doun wel lowe
 In þe beggeres rowe;
 He lokede aboute
 Myd is collede snoute;
1095Þ seh he rymenild sitte
 Ase hue were of wytte,
 Wepinde sore;
 Ah he seh nower þore
 Aþulf is gode felawe,
1100Þat trewe wes in vch plawe.
 
 Aþulf wes o tour ful heh,
 To loke fer & eke neh
 After hornes comynge,
 ȝef water him wolde brynge.
1105Þe see he seh flowe
 Ah horn nower rowe.
 He seyde on is songe:
 "Horn, þuo art to longe.
 Rymenild þou me bitoke
1110Þat ich shulde loke;
 Ich haue yloked euere;
 & þou ne comest neuere."
 Rymenild ros of benche,
 Þ beer al forte shenche,
1115After mete in sale,
 Boþe wyn & ale.
 An horn hue ber an honde,
 For þat wes lawe of londe.
 hue dronc of þe beere
1120To knyht & skyere.
 Horn set at grounde;
 Him þohte he wes ybounde.
 
 He seide, "Quen so hende,
 To me hyderward þou wende;
1125Þou shenh vs wiþ þe vurste;
 Þe beggares bueþ afurste."
 Hyre horn hue leyde a doune,
 Ant fulde him of þe broune
 A bolle of a galoun;
1130Hue wende he were a glotoun.
 Hue seide, "tac þe coppe,
 Ant drync þis ber al vppe.
 Ne seh ich neuer, y wene,
 Beggare so kene."
1135Horn toc hit his yfere
 & seide, "Quen so dere,
 No beer nullich ibite
 Bote of coppe white.
 Þou wenest ich be a beggere,
1140Ywis icham a fisshere,
 Wel fer come by weste
 To seche mine beste.
 Min net lyht her hende,
 Wiþ inne a wel feyr pende.
1145Ich haue leye þere
 Nou is þis þe seueþeȝere.
 Icham icome to loke
 ȝef eny fyssh hit toke.
 ȝef eny fyssh is þer inne,
1150Þer of þou shalt wynne,
 Ffor icham come to fyssh.
 Drynke nully of dyssh:
 Drink to horn of horne.
 Wel fer ich haue y orne."
 
1155Rymenild him gan bihelde;
 Hire herte fel to celde.
 Ne kneu hue noht his fysshyng,
 Ne him selue nothyng.
 Ah wonder hyre gan þynke
1160Why for horn he bed drynke.
 Hue fulde þe horn of wyne
 Ant dronke to þat pelryne.
 Hue seide, "drync þi felle,
 & seþe þen me telle
1165ȝef þou horn euer seȝ
 Vnder wode leȝ."
 
 Horn dronc of horn asptunde
 And threu ys ring to grounde.
 Ant seide, "Quene, þou þench
1170What y þreu in þe drench."
 Þe quene eode to boure
 Mid hire maidnes foure.
 Hue fond þat hue wolde,
 Þe ryng ygraued of golde
1175Þat horn of hyre hedde;
 Fol sore hyre adredde
 Þat Horn ded were,
 For his ryng was þere.
 Þo sende hue a damoisele
1180After þilke palmere;
 "Palmere," quoþ hue, "so trewe,
 Þe ryng þat þou yn þrewe,
 Þou sey wer þou hit nome,
 Ant hyder hou þou come."
1185He seyde, "By seint gyle,
 Ich eode mony myle,
 Wel fer ȝent by weste
 To seche myne beste.
 Mi mete forte bydde
1190For so me þo bitidde.
 Ich fond horn knyht stonde
 To shipeward in stronde.
 He seide he wolde gesse
 To aryue in westnesse.
1195Þe schip nom in to flode
 wiþ me & horn þe gode;
 Horn by gan be sek & deȝe,
 & for his loue me preȝe:
 To gon wiþ þe rynge
1200To rymenild þe ȝynge.
 Wel ofte he hyne keste,
 Crist ȝeue is soule reste!
 
 Rymenild seide at þe firste,
 "Herte, nou to berste,
1205Horn worþ þe no more,
 Þat haueþ þe hath pined for."
 Hue fel adoun a bedde,
 & after knyues gredde,
 To slein mide hire kyng loþe
1210& hire selue boþe
 Wiþ inne þilke nyhte,
 Come ȝef horn ne myhte.
 To herte knyf hue sette,
 Horn in is armes hire kepte.
1215& wypede a wey þe foule blake,
 Þ wes opon his suere
 Ant seide, "Luef so dere,
 Ne const þou me yknowe?
 Ne am ich horn þyn owe?
1220Ich am horn of westnesse;
 In armes þou me kesse."
 Yclupten & kyste
 So longe so hem lyste.
 "Rymenild," quoþ he, "ich wende
1225Doun to þe wodesende:
 For þer bueþ myne knyhte
 Worþi men & lyhte;
 Armed vnder cloþe,
 Hue shule make wroþe
1230Þe kyng & hise gestes
 Þat bueþ at þise festes.
 To day ychulle huem cacche
 Nou ichulle huem vacche."
 
 Horn sprong out of halle
1235Ys brunie he let falle.
 Rymenild eode of boure
 Aþulf hue fond loure.
 "Aþulf, be wel blyþe
 & to horn go swyþe.
1240He is vnder wode bowe
 Wiþ felawes ynowe."
 Aþulf gon forþ springe
 For þat ilke tydynge.
 efter horn he ernde,
1245Him þohte is herte bernde.
 He oftok him ywisse;
 Ant custe him wiþ blisse.
 Horn tok is preye
 Ant dude him in þe weye.
1250Hue comen in wel sone:
 Þe ȝates weren vndone.
 Y armed suiþe thicke
 From fote to þe nycke,
 Alle þat þer euere weren
1255Wiþ oute is trewe feren
 Ant þe kyng aylmare,
 Ywis he hade muche care,
 Monie þat þer sete
 Hure lyf hy gonne lete.
1260Horn vnderstondyng ne hede
 Of ffykeles falsesede.
 Hue suoren alle ant seyde,
 Þat hure non him wreyede
 Ant suore oþes holde,
1265Þat huere non ne sholde
 Horn neuer bytreye.
 Þah he on deþe leye.
 Þer hy ronge þe belle
 Þat wedlak to fulfulle.
1270Hue wenden hom wiþ eyse
 To þe kynges paleyse,
 Þer wes brudale suete,
 For richemen þer ete.
 Telle ne mihte no tonge
1275Þe gle þat þer was songe.
 
 Horn set in chayere,
 & bed hem alle yhere.
 He seyde, "kyng of londe,
 Mi tale þou vnderstonde.
1280Ich wes ybore in sudenne:
 Kyng wes mi fader of kenne.
 Þou me to knyhte houe,
 Of knyhthod habbe y proue.
 Þou dryue me out of þi lond
1285& seydest ich wes traytour strong;
 Þou wendest þat ich wrohte
 Þat I neuer ne þohte,
 By rymenild forte lygge,
 Ywys ich hit wiþ sugge.
1290Ne shal ich hit agynne,
 Er ich sudenne wynne.
 Þou kep hyre me astounde,
 Þe while þat ich founde
 In to myn heritage,
1295Wiþ þis yrisshe page.
 Þat lond ichulle þorhreche
 & do mi fader wreche.
 Ychul be kyng of toune,
 & lerne kynges roune;
1300Þenne shal rymenild þe ȝynge
 Ligge by horn þe kynge."
 
 Horn gan to shipe drawe
 wiþ hys yrisse felawe,
 Aþulf wiþ him, his broþer:
1305He nolde habbe non oþer.
 Þat shup by gan to croude;
 Þe wynd him bleu wel loude;
 Wyþ inne dawes fyue
 Þe ship bigan aryue
1310Vnder sudennes side.
 Huere ship by gon to ryde
 Aboute þe midnyhte.
 Horn eode wel rihte;
 He nom Aþulf by honde
1315& ede vp to londe.
 Hue fonden vnder shelde
 A knyht liggynde on felde.
 Oþe shelde was ydrawe
 A croyȝ of ihesu cristes lawe.
1320Þe knyht him lay on slape
 In armes wel yshape.
 
 Horn him gan ytake
 & seide, "knyht, awake!
 Þou sei me whet þou kepest?
1325& here whi þou slepest?
 Me þuncheþ by crois liste,
 Þat þou leuest on criste.
 Bote þuo hit wolle shewe,
 My suerd shal þe to hewe."
1330Þe gode knyht up aros;
 Of hornes wordes him agros.
 He seide, "ich seruy ille
 Paynes to ȝeynes mi wille.
 Ich was cristene sumwhile:
1335Ycome in to þis yle
 Saraȝyns loþe & blake,
 Me made ihesu forsake.
 To loke þis passage
 For horn þat is of age,
1340Þat woneþ her by weste,
 God knyht mid þe beste;
 Hue slowe mid huere honde
 Þe kyng of þisse londe,
 Ant wiþ him mony honder,
1345Þer fore me þuncheþ wonder
 Þat he ne comeþ to fyhte.
 God ȝeue him þe myhte,
 Þat wynd him hider dryue
 To don hem alle of lyue.
1350Ant slowen kyng mury,
 Hornes cunesmon hardy.
 Horn of londe hue senten;
 Tuelf children wiþ him wenten,
 Wiþ hem wes aþulf þe gode,
1355Mi child, myn oune fode:
 ȝef horn is hol ant sounde,
 Aþulf tit no wounde,
 He louede horn wiþ mihte,
 & he him wiþ ryhte.
1360ȝef y myhte se hem tueye,
 Þenne ne rohti forte deye."
 
 "Knyht, be þenne blyþe
 Mest of alle syþe;
 Aþulf & horn is fere
1365Boþe we beþ here."
 Þ knyht to horn gan skippe
 & in his armes clippe.
 Muche ioye hue maden yfere
 Þo hu to gedere y come were.
1370He saide with steuene þare:
 "ȝungemen, hou habbe ȝe ȝore yfare?
 Wolle ȝe þis lond wynne
 & wonie þer ynne?"
 He seide, "Suete horn child,
1375ȝet lyueþ þy moder godhyld:
 Of ioie hue ne miste
 O lyue ȝef hue þe wiste."
 Horn seide on is ryme,
 "Yblessed be þe time
1380Icham icome to sudenne
 Wiþ mine yrisshemenne:
 We shule þe houndes kecche
 & to þe deȝe vecche.
 Ant so we shulen hem teche,
1385To speken oure speche."
 
 Horn gon is horn blowe;
 Is folk hit con yknowe;
 Hue comen out of hurne,
 To horn swyþe ȝurne;
1390Hue smiten & hue fyhten,
 Þe niht & eke þe ohtoun.
 Þe saraȝyns hue slowe
 Ant summe quike to drowe.
 Mid speres ord hue stonge
1395Þe olde & eke þe ȝonge.
 
 Horn lette sone wurche
 Boþe chapel & chyrche;
 He made belles rynge
 Ant prestes masse synge.
1400He sohte is moder halle
 In þe roche walle.
 He custe hire ant grette,
 Ant in to þe caste sette,
 Croune he gan werie,
1405Ant make feste merye;
 Murie lif he þer wrohte.
 Ah rymenild hit abohte
 
 Þe whiles horn wes oute.
 Ffikenild ferde aboute,
1410Þe betere forte spede,
 Þe riche he ȝef mede,
 Boþe ȝonge ant olde,
 Wiþ him forte holde;
 Ston he dude lade
1415Ant lym þerto he made.
 Castel he made sette
 Wiþ water by flette.
 Þat þer yn come ne myhte
 Bote foul wiþ flyhte.
1420Bote when þe see wiþ drowe,
 Þer myhte come ynowe.
 Þ fykenild gon by wende
 Rymenild forte shende.
 To wyue he gan hire ȝerne;
1425Þe kyng ne durst him werne.
 Ant habbeþ set þe day
 Ffykenild to wedde þe may.
 Wo was rymenild of mode;
 Terres hue wepte of blode.
1430Þilke nyht horn suete
 Con wel harde mete
 Of rymenild, his make,
 Þ into shipe wes take.
 Þe ship gon ouerblenche:
1435Is lemmon shulde adrenche.
 
 Rymenild mid hure honde
 Swymme wolde to londe;
 Ffykenild aȝeyn hire pylte
 Mid his suerdes hylte.
1440Horn awek in is bed
 Of his lemmon he wes adred.
 "Aþulf," he seide, "felawe,
 To shipe nou we drawe.
 Ffykenild me haþ gon vnder
1445Ant do rymenild sum wonder.
 Crist, for his wondes fiue,
 To nyht þider vs driue."
 
 Horn gon to shipe ride,
 His knyhtes bi his side.
1450Þe ship bigon to sture
 Wiþ wynd god of cure.
 Ant fikenild, her þe day springe,
 Ferde to þe kynge,
 After rymenild þe brhyhte,
1455Ant spousede hyre by nyhte.
 He ladde hire bi derke
 In to his newe werke.
 Þe feste hue bigonne,
 Er þen aryse þe sonne.
1460Er thane Horn hit wiste,
 Tofore þe sunne upriste,
 Hornes ship atstod in stoure
 Vnder fykenildes boure.
 Nuste Horn alyue
1465Wher he wes aryue.
 Þene castel hue ne knewe,
 For he was so newe.
 Þe see bigon to wiþ drawe.
 Þo seh horn his felawe.
1470Þe feyre knyht Arnoldyn,
 Þat wes Aþulfes cosyn,
 Þat þer set in þat tyde,
 Kyng horn to abide.
 He seide, "kyng horn, kyngessone,
1475Hider þou art welcome.
 To day haþ sire ffykenild
 Ywedded þi wif rymenild.
 White þe nou þis while:
 He haueþ do þe gyle.
1480Þis tour he dude make
 Al for rymenildes sake.
 Ne may þer comen ynne
 No mon wiþ no gynne.
 
 Horn, nou Crist þe wisse,
1485Rymenild þat þou ne misse."
 Horn couþe alle þe listes
 Þat eni mon of wiste.
 Harpe he gon shewe,
 And toc to felawe,
1490Knyhtes of þe beste
 Þat he euer hede of weste.
 Ouen o þe sherte
 Hue gurden huem wiþ suerde.
 Hue eoden on þe grauele
1495Towart þe castele.
 Hue gonne murie singe
 & makeden huere gleynge.
 Þat Fykenild mihte y here.
 He axede who hit were.
1500Men seide hi were harperis
 Iogelers ant fyþelers.
 Hem me dude in lete
 At halle dore hue sete.
 Horn sette him abenche,
1505Is harpe he gan clenche.
 He made rymehild a lay,
 Ant hue seide walaway.
 
 Rymenhild fel yswowe
 Þo nes þer non þat louwe.
1510Hit smot horn to herte
 Sore con him smerte.
 He lokede on is rynge
 Ant o rymenild þe ȝynge:
 He eode vp to borde
1515Mid his gode suorde:
 Ffykenildes croune
 He fel þer adoune,
 Ant alle is men arowe,
 He dude adoun throwe.
1520Ant made Arnoldyn þere
 After kyng Aylmere
 To be kyng of Westnesse
 For his mildenenesse.
 Þe kyng ant is baronage
1525ȝeuen him truage.
 
 Horn toc rymenild by honde
 Ant ladde hire to stronde,
 And toc wiþ him Aþelbrus,
 Þe gode stiward of hire fader hous.
1530Þe see bigan to flowen,
 Ant hy faste to rowen.
 Hu aryueden vnder reme
 In a wel feyr streme.
 Kyng Mody wes kyng in þat lond,
1535Þat horn sloh wiþ is hond.
 Aþelbrus he made þer kyng
 For his gode techyng:
 For sire hornes lore
 He wes mad kyng þore.
 
1540Horn eode to ryue;
 Þe wynd him con wel dryue.
 He aryuede in yrlonde,
 Þer horn wo couþe er fonde,
 He made þer Aþulf chyld
1545Wedde mayden Ermenyld.
 Ant horn com to sudenne
 To is oune kenne;
 Rymenild he made þer is quene;
 So hit myhte ben.
1550In trewe loue hue lyueden ay
 Ant wel hue loueden godes lay.
 Nu hue beoþ boþe dede -
 Crist to heouene vs lede! AmeN.
 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
5kyng he wes by weste
 þe whiles hit yleste
 ant godylt his gode quene
 no feyrore myhte bene
 ant huere sone hihte horn
10feyrore 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
15so 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
20in none kinges ryche
 tueye feren he hadde
 þat he wiþ him ladde
 alle richemenne sones
 & alle suyþe feyre gomes
25wyþ him forte pleye
 mest he louede tueye
 þat on wes hoten Athulf chyld
 & þat oþer ffykenyld
 Athulf wes þe beste
30ant fykenyld þe werste
 Hyt was vpon a someres day
 also ich ou telle may
 Allof þe gode kyng
 rod vpon ys pleyȝyng
35bi 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
40aryued on is londe
 shipes fyftene
 of saraȝynes kene
 he askede whet hue sohten
 oþer on is lond brohten
45a payen hit yherde
 & sone him onsuerede
 þy lond folk we wolleþ slon
 þat euer crist leueþ on
 & þe we wolleþ ryht anon
50shalt þou neuer henne gon
 þe kyng lyhte of his stede
 for þo he heuede nede
 ant his gode feren tuo
 mid y wis huem wes ful wo
55swerd hy gonne gripe
 & to gedere smyte
 hy smyten vnder shelde
 þat hy somme yfelde
 þe kyng hade to fewe
60aȝeyn so monie schrewe
 so fele myhten eþe
 bringe þre to deþe
 þe payns come to londe
 & nomen hit an honde
65þe 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
75Godild hade so muche sore
 þat habbe myhte hue na more
 hue wente out of halle
 from hire maidnes alle
 vnder a roche of stone
80þer hue wonede al one
 þer hue seruede gode
 aȝeyn þe payenes forbode
 þer hue seruede crist
 þat þe payenes hit nust
85ant 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
90þat ihesu crist him made
 payenes him wolde slo
 & summe him wolde flo
 ȝyf hornos feyrnesse nere
 yslawe þis children were
95þo spec on Admyrold
 of wordes he wes swyþe bold
 horn þou art swyþe kene
 bryht of hewe & 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
105þare 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
110ne shal hit vs of þenche
 for ȝef þou were alyue
 wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue
 we shulden alle deȝe
 þy fader deþ to beye
115þe children ede to þe stronde
 wryngynde huere honde
 ant in to shipes borde
 at þe furste worde
 ofte hade horn be wo
120ah 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
125hue 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
130er he seye eny londe
 feren quoþ horn þe ȝynge
 ytelle ou tydynge
 Ich here foules singe
 & se þe grases springe
135blyþe be ȝe alyue
 vr ship is come to ryue
 of shipe hy gonne founde
 & sette fot to grounde
 by þe see syde
140hure ship bi gon to ryde
 þenne spec him child horn
 in sudenne he was yborn
 nou ship by þe flode
 haue dayes gode
145by þe see brynke
 no water þe adrynke
 softe mote þou sterye
 þat water þe ne derye
 ȝef þou comest to sudenne
150gret hem þat me kenne
 gret wel þe gode
 quene godild mi moder
 ant sey þene heþene kyng
 ihesu cristes wytherlyng
155þat 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
165kyng of westnesse
 crist him myhte blesse
 he spec to horn child
 wordes suyþe myld
 whenne be ȝe gomen
170þat bueþ her a londe ycomen
 alle þrettene
 of bodye suyþe kene
 by god þat me made
 so feyr a felaurade
175ne seh yneuer stonde
 in westnesse londe
 say me whet ȝe seche
 horn spec huere speche
 Horn spac for huem alle
180for so hit moste byfalle
 he wes þe wyseste
 & of wytte þe beste
 we bueþ of sudenne
 ycome of gode kenne
185of cristene blode
 of cunne swyþe gode
 payenes þer connen aryue
 and cristine brohten of lyue
 slowen & to drowe
190cristinemen ynowe
 so crist me mote rede
 ous hy duden lede
 In to a galeye
 wiþ þe see to pleye
195day is gon & oþer
 wiþ oute seyl & roþer
 vre ship flet forþ ylome
 & her to londe hit ys ycome
 Nou þou myht vs slen & bynde
200oure honde vs bihynde
 ah ȝef hit is þi wille
 help vs þat we ne spille
 þo spac þe gode kyng
 he nes neuer nyþyng
205sey child whet is þy name
 shal þe tide bote game
 þe child him onsuerede
 so sone he hit yherde
 Horn ycham yhote
210ycome out of þis bote
 from þe see side
 kyng wel þe bitide
 horn child quoþ þe kyng
 wel brouc þou þy nome ȝyng
215horn him goþ so stille
 bi dales & by hulles
 horn haþ loude soune
 þurh out vch a toune
 so shal þi nome springe
220from kynge to kynge
 ant þi feirnesse
 aboute westnesse
 horn þou art so suete
 ne shal y þe forlete
225Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng
 & horn wiþ him his fundlyng
 & alle his yfere
 þat him were so duere
 þe kyng com in to halle
230among his knyhtes alle
 forþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus
 his stiward & him seide þus
 stiward tac þou here
 my fundling forto lere
235of þine mestere
 of wode & of ryuere
 ant toggen oþe harpe
 wiþ is nayles sharpe
 ant tech him alle þe listes
240þat þou euer wystest
 byfore me to keruen
 & of my coupe to seruen
 ant his feren deuyse
 wiþ ous oþer seruise
245horn child þou vnderstond
 tech him of harpe & of song
 Athelbrus gon leren
 horn & hyse feren
 horn mid herte lahte
250al þat mon him tahte
 wiþ inne court & wiþ oute
 & oueral aboute
 louede men horn child
 & most him louede rymenyld
255þe 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
260mid him speke ner a word
 ne in þe halle
 among þe knyhtes alle
 hyre sorewe ant hire pyne
 nolde neuer fyne
265bi 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
275in to hire boure
 for hue bigon to loure
 & þe sonde sayde
 þat seek wes þe mayde
 & bed him come suyþe
280for hue nis nout blyþe
 þe stiward wes in huerte wo
 for he nuste whet he shulde do
 what rymenild bysohte
 gret wonder him þohte
285aboute horn þe ȝinge
 to boure forte bringe
 he þohte on is mode
 hit nes for none gode
 he toke wiþ him an oþer
290aþulf hornes broþer
 Athulf quoþ he ryht anon
 þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon
 to speke wiþ rymenild stille
 to wyte hyre wille
295þou art hornes yliche
 þou shalt hire by suyke
 sore me adrede
 þat hue wole horn mys rede
 Athelbrus & Athulf bo
300to hire boure beþ ygo
 vpon Athulf childe
 rymenild con waxe wilde
 hue wende horn it were
 þat hue hade þere
305Hue seten adoun stille
 ant seyden hure wille
 In hire armes tueye
 Athulf he con leye
 horn quoþ heo wel longe
310y haue loued þe stronge
 þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte
 in myn hond wiþ ryhte
 me to spouse welde
 & ich þe louerd to helde
315so 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
320for horn nis nout her ynne
 ne be we nout yliche
 for horn is fayr & ryche
 fayrore by one ribbe
 þen ani mon þat libbe
325þah horn were vnder molde
 & oþer elle wher he sholde
 hennes a þousent milen
 ynulle him bigilen
 rymenild hire bywente
330ant athelbrus þus heo shende
 Athelbrus þou foule þef
 ne worþest þou me neuer lef
 went out of my boure
 shame þe mote by shoure
335ant euel hap to vnderfonge
 & euele rode on to honge
 Ne speke y nout wiþ horne
 nis he nout so vnorne
 þo Athelbrus astounde
340fel akneu to grounde
 ha leuedy myn owe
 me lyþe a lutel þrowe
 ant list were fore ych wonde
 to bringen horn to honde
345for horn is fayr & riche
 nis non his ylyche
 Aylmer þe gode kyng
 dude him me in lokyng
 ȝif horn þe were aboute
350fore ich myhte doute
 Wiþ him þou woldest pleye
 bituene ou seluen tueye
 þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe
 þe kyng vs make wroþe
355Ah forȝef me þi teone
 my leuedy ant my quene
 Horn y shal þe fecche
 wham so hit yrecche
 rymenild ȝef heo couþe
360con lyþe wiþ hyre mouþe
 heo loh & made hire blyþe
 for wel wes hire olyue
 go þou quoþ heo sone
 & send him after none
365a skuyeres wyfe
 when þe king aryse
 he shal myd me bileue
 þat hit be ner eue
 haue ich of him mi wille
370ne recchi whet men telle
 Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle
 horn he fond in halle
 bifore þe kyng obenche
 wyn forte shenche
375Horn quoþ he þou hende
 to boure gyn þou wende
 to speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝynge
 dohter oure kynge
 wordes suyþe bolde
380þin horte gyn þou holde
 Horn be þou me trewe
 shal þe nout arewe
 he eode forþ to ryhte
 to rymenild þe bryhte
385aknewes he him sette
 & suetliche hire grette
 of is fayre syhte
 al þat bour gan lyhte
 he spac faire is speche
390ne durþ non him teche
 wel þou sitte & soste
 rymenild kinges dohter
 ant þy maydnes here
 þat sitteþ þyne yfere
395Kynges 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
405Welcome horn þus sayde
 rymenild þat mayde
 an euen & amorewe
 for þe ich habbe sorewe
 þat y haue no reste
410ne slepe me ne lyste
 horn þou shalt wel swyþe
 mi longe serewe lyþe
 þou shalt wyþ oute striue
 habbe me to wyue
415horn 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
425of 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
435he gon hire to cusse
 & feyre forte wisse
 rymenild quoþ he duere
 help me þat ych were
 ydobbed to be knyhte
440suete bi al þi myhte
 to mi louerd þe kyng
 þat he me ȝeue dobbyng
 þenne is my þralhede
 Al wend in to knyhthede
445y shal waxe more
 & do rymenild þi lore
 Þo rymenild þe ȝynge
 aros of hire swowenynge
 Nou horn to soþe
450yleue þe by þyn oþe
 þou shalt be maked knyht
 er þen þis fourteniht
 ber þou her þes coppe
 & þes ringes þer vppe
455to Athelbrus þe styward
 & say him he holde foreward
 sey ich him biseche
 wiþ loueliche speche
 þat he for þe falle
460to þe kynges fet in halle
 þat he wiþ is worde
 þe knyhty wiþ sworde
 wiþ seluer & wiþ golde
 hit worþ him wel yȝolde
465nou 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
475Athelbrus so blyþe
 eode in to halle swyþe
 ant seide kyng nou leste
 o tale mid þe beste
 þou shalt bere coroune
480to marewe in þis toune
 to marewe is þi feste
 þe bihoueþ geste
 Ich þe rede mid al my myht
 þat þou make horn knyht
485þin armes do him welde
 god knyht he shal þe ȝelde
 þe kyng seide wel sone
 hit is wel to done
 Horn me wel quemeþ
490knyht him wel bysemeþ
 He shal haue mi dobbyng
 & be myn oþer derlyng
 & hise feren tuelue
 he shal dobbe him selue
495alle y shal hem knyhte
 byfore me to fyhte
 al þat þe lyhte day sprong
 aylmere þohte long
 þe day bigon to springe
500horn com byfore þe kynge
 wiþ his tuelf fere
 alle þer ywere
 horn knyht made he
 wiþ ful gret solempnite
505sette 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
515þin armes he haueþ & þy sheld
 forte fyhte in þe feld
 Let him vs alle knyhte
 so hit is his ryhte
 Aylmer seide ful ywis
520nou do þat þi wille ys
 Horn adoun con lyhte
 & made hem alle to knyhte
 for muchel wes þe geste
 & more wes þe feste
525þat rymenild nes nout þere
 hire þohte seue ȝere
 efter horn hue sende
 horn in to boure wende
 He nolde gon is one
530Athulf wes hys ymone
 rymenild welcomeþ sire horn
 & aþulf knyht him biforn
 knyht nou is tyme
 forto sitte byme
535do nou þat we spake
 to þi wyf þou me take
 Nou þou hast wille þyne
 vnbynd me of þis pyne
 rymenild nou be stille
540ichulle don al þy wille
 ah her hit so bitide
 mid spere ichulle ryde
 ant my knyhthod proue
 er þen ich þe wowe
545we bueþ nou knyhtes ȝonge
 alle to day yspronge
 ant of þe mestere
 hit is þe manere
 wiþ sum oþer knyhte
550for 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
555for þi loue mid shelde
 amiddewart þe felde
 ȝef ich come to lyue
 ychul þe take to wyue
 knyht y may yleue þe
560why 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
565nis 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
570ne shalt þou in none place
 deþ vnderfonge
 ne buen yslaye wiþ wronge
 ȝef þou lokest þeran
 & þenchest o þi lemman
575ant 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
585knyhtes eode to table
 & horn eode to stable
 þer he toc his gode fole
 blac so euer eny cole
 wiþ armes he him sredde
590ant is fole he fedde
 þe fole bigon to springe
 & horn murie to synge
 Horn rod one whyle
 wel more þen amyle
595he 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
605þe 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
610ant 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
615of þat þer were oryue
 he lafte lut o lyue
 Horn tok þe maister heued
 þat he him hade byreued
 ant sette on is suerde
620abouen oþen orde
 he ferde hom to halle
 among þe knyhtes alle
 kyng quoþ he wel þou sitte
 & þine knyhtes mitte
625to day ich rod omy pleyyng.
 after my dobbyng
 yfond a ship rowen
 in þe sound byflowen
 Mid vnlondisshe menne
630of saraȝynes kenne
 to deþe forte pyne
 þe & alle þyne
 hy gonne me asayly
 swerd me nolde fayly
635y smot hem alle to grounde
 in a lutel stounde
 þe heued ich þe brynge
 of þe maister kynge
 nou haue ich þe ȝolde
640þat þou me knyhten woldest
 þe day bigon to springe
 þe kyng rod on hontynge
 to þe wode wyde
 ant ffykenyld bi is syde
645þat 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
655hue seide ich nout ne wepe
 ah yshal er yslepe
 me þohte omy metyng
 þat ich rod ofysshyng
 to see my net ycaste
660ant wel fer hit laste
 a gret fyssh ate þe ferste
 my net made berste
 þat fyssh me so bycahte
 þat y nout ne lahte
665ywene yshal forleose
 þe fyssh þat ywolde cheose
 crist & seinte steuene
 quoþ horn areche þy sweuene
 no shal y þe byswyke
670ne do þat þe mis lyke
 ich take þe myn owe
 to holde & eke to knowe
 for eueruch oþer wyhte
 þerto my trouþe yplyhte
675wel muche was þe reuþe
 þat wes at þilke treuþe
 rymenild wep wel ylle
 ant horn let terres stille
 Lemmon quoþ he dere
680þou shalt more y here
 þy sweuen shal wende
 summon vs wole shende
 þat fyssh þat brac þy net
 ywis it is sumwet
685þat 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
695to brynge þe of lyue
 ant take rymenyld to wyue
 He lyht nou in boure
 vnder couertoure
 by rymenyld þy dohter
700ant so he doþ wel ofte
 do him out of londe
 er he do more shonde
 Aylmer gan hom turne
 wel mody & wel sturne
705he fond horn vnder arme
 in rymenyldes barme
 go out quoþ aylmer þe kyng
 Horn þou foule fundlyng
 forþ out of boures flore
710for rymenild þin hore
 wend out of londe sone
 her nast þou nout to done
 wel sone bote þou flette
 myd suert yshal þe sette
715Horn eode to stable
 wel modi for þat fable
 he sette sadel on stede
 wiþ armes he gon him shrede
 his brunie he con lace
720so 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
725He 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
730a wey he wole me dryue
 þare fore haue nou godneday
 nou y mot founde & fare away
 In to vncouþe londe
 wel more forte fonde
735yshal wonie þere
 fulle seue ȝere
 at þe seueȝeres ende
 ȝyf y ne come ne sende
 tac þou hosebonde
740forme þat þou no wonde
 In armes þou me fonge
 ant cus me swyþe longe
 hy custen hem astounde
 & rymenyld fel to grounde
745Horn toc his leue
 he myhte nout byleue
 He toc Aþulf is fere
 aboute þe swere
 ant seide knyht so trewe
750kep wel my loue newe
 þou neuer ne forsoke
 rymenild to kepe ant loke
 his stede he bigan stryde
 ant forþ he con hym ryde
755Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen
 ant alle þat hit yseyȝen
 Horn forþ him ferde
 a god ship he him herde
 þat him shulde passe
760out of westnesse
 þe wynd bigon to stonde
 ant drof hem vp olonde
 to londe þat hy fletten
 fot out of ship hy setten
765he fond bi þe weye
 kynges sones tueye
 þat on wes hoten Aþyld
 ant þat oþer beryld
 beryld hym con preye
770þat he shulde seye
 what he wolde þere
 ant what ys nome were
 Godmod he seiþ ich hote
 ycomen out of þis bote
775wel fer from by weste
 to seche myne beste
 beryld con ner him ryde
 ant toc him bi þe bridel
 wel be þou knyht yfounde
780wiþ me þou lef astounde
 al so ich mote sterue
 þe kyng þou shalt serue
 ne seh y neuer alyue
 so feir knyht her aryue
785godmod he ladde to halle
 ant he adoun gan falle
 Ant sette him a knelyng
 ant grette þene gode kyng
 þo saide beryld wel sone
790kyng 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
795þo seide þe kyng wel dere
 welcome be þou here
 go beryld wel swyþe
 & make hym wel blyþe
 ant when þou farest to wowen
800tac him þine glouen
 þer þou hast munt to wyue
 a wey he shal þe dryue
 for godmodes feyrhede
 shalt þou no wer spede
805hit wes at cristesmasse
 nouþer more no lasse
 þe kyng made feste
 of his knyhtes beste
 þer com in at none
810a geaunt suyþe sone
 y armed of paynyme
 ant seide þise ryme
 site kyng bi kynge
 ant herkne my tidynge
815her bueþ paynes aryue
 wel more þen fyue
 her beþ vpon honde
 kyng in þine londe
 on þer of wol fyhte
820to 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
825to morewe shal be þe fyhtynge
 at þe sonne vpspringe
 þo seyde þe kyng þurston
 godmod shal be þat on
 beryld shal be þat oþer
830þe þridde Aþyld is broþer
 for hue bueþ strongeste
 ant in armes þe beste
 ah wat shal vs to rede
 y wene we bueþ dede
835Godmod set at borde
 ant seide þeose wordes
 sire kyng nis no ryhte
 on wiþ þre fyhte
 aȝeynes one hounde
840þre cristene to founde
 ah kyng yshal alone
 wiþ oute more ymone
 wiþ my suerd ful eþe
 bringen hem alle to deþe
845þe 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
855hou we shule flyten
 ant to gedere smiten
 riht at prime tide
 hy gonnen out to ryde
 hy founden in a grene
860a geaunt swyþe kene
 his feren him biside
 þat day forto abyde
 Godmod hem gon asaylen
 nolde he nout faylen
865He ȝef duntes ynowe
 þe payen fel yswowe
 ys feren gonnen hem wiþ drawe
 for huere maister wes neh slawe
 he seide knyht þou reste
870a 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
875he wes of hornes kenne
 y sloh him in sudenne
 Godmod him gon agryse
 ant his blod aryse
 byforen him he seh stonde
880þat 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
885mid 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
890godmod hem con werne
 þe kynges sones tweyne
 þe paiens slowe beyne
 þo wes Godmod swyþe wo
 ant þe payens he smot so
895þat in a lutel stounde
 þe paiens hy felle to grounde
 godmod ant is men
 slowe þe payenes eueruchen
 his fader deþ & ys lond
900awrek 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
905in 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
910alle ded we were
 þou art boþe god & feyr
 her ymake þe myn heyr
 for my sones bueþ yslawe
 ant ybroht of lyf dawe
915dohter 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
920ant 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
925godmod wonede þere
 fulle six ȝere
 ant þe seueþe ȝer bygon
 to rymynyld sonde ne sende he non
 rymenyld wes in westnesse
930wiþ muchel sorewenesse
 a kyng þer wes aryue
 ant wolde hyre han to wyue
 at one were þe kynges
 of þat weddynge
935þe dayes were so sherte
 ant rymenild ne derste
 latten on none wyse
 a wryt hue dude deuyse
 Aþulf hit dude wryte
940þat horn ne louede nout lyte
 hue sende hire sonde
 in to eueruche londe
 to sechen horn knyhte
 wher so er me myhte
945Horn þer of nout herde
 til o day þat he ferde
 to wode forte shete
 a page he gan mete
 Horn seide leue fere
950whet dest þou nou here
 Sire in lutel spelle
 y may þe sone telle
 Ich seche from westnesse
 horn knyht of estnesse
955ffor rymenild þat feyre may
 soreweþ for him nyht & day
 A kyng hire shal wedde
 a sonneday to bedde
 Kyng Mody of reynis
960þat is hornes enimis
 ich habbe walked wyde
 by þe see side
 ne mihte ich him neuer cleche
 wiþ nones kunnes speche
965ne may ich of him here
 in londe fer no nere
 wey la wey þe while
 him may hente gyle
 Horn hit herde wiþ earen
970ant spec wiþ wete tearen
 so wel grom þe bitide
 horn stond by þi syde
 aȝeyn to rymenild turne
 & sey þat hue ne murne
975yshal be þer bitime
 a sonneday er prime
 þe page wes wel blyþe
 & shipede wel suyþe
 þe see him gon adrynke
980þat rymenil may ofþinke
 þe see him con ded þrowe
 vnder hire chambre wowe
 rymenild lokede wide
 by þe see syde
985ȝef heo feȝe horn come
 oþer tidynge of eny gome
 þo fond hue hire fonde
 adronque by þe stronde
 þat shulde horn brynge
990hire 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
995ant of his gode kenne
 þe kyng of sudenne
 ant hou he sloh afelde
 him þat is fader aquelde
 ant seide Kyng so wyse
1000ȝeld me my seruice
 rymenild help me to wynne
 swyþe þat þou ne blynne
 ant yshal do to house
 þy dohter wel to spouse
1005for hue shal to spouse haue
 Aþulf my gode felawe
 he is knyht mid þe beste
 & on of þe treweste
 þe kyng seide so stille
1010horn do al þi wille
 he sende þo by sonde
 ȝend al is londe
 after knyhtes to fyhte
 þat were men so lyhte
1015to him come ynowe
 þat in to shipe drowe
 Horn dude him in þe weye
 in a gret galeye
 þe wynd bi gon to blowe
1020in 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
1025matynes were yronge
 & þe masse ysonge
 of rymenild þe ȝynge
 & of Mody þe kynge
 ant horn wes in watere
1030ne 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
1035Horn eode forh al one
 so he sprong of þe stone
 en palmere he y mette
 & wiþ wordes hyne grette
 palmere þou shalt me telle
1040he 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
1045from brudale wylde
 of maide remenylde
 ne mihte hue nout dreȝe
 þat hue ne wep wiþ eȝe
 hue seide þat hue nolde
1050be spoused wiþ golde
 hue hade hosebonde
 þah he were out of londe
 ich wes in þe halle
 wiþ inne þe castel walle
1055a wey ygon glide
 þe dole ynolde abyde
 þer worþ a dole reuly
 þe brude wepeþ bitterly
 quoþ horn so crist me rede
1060we wolleþ chaunge wede
 tac þou robe myne
 ant ȝe sclaueyn þyne
 To day yshal þer drynke
 þat summe hit shal of þynke
1065sclaueyn he gon doun legge
 & horn hit dude on rugge
 ant toc hornes cloþes
 þat nout him were loþe
 horn toc bordoun & scrippe
1070ant gan to wrynge is lippe
 he made foule chere
 & bicollede is swere
 he com to þe ȝateward
 þat him onsuerede froward
1075horn bed vn do wel softe
 moni tyme ant ofte
 ne myhte he ywynne
 forto come þer ynne
 horn þe wyket puste
1080þat hit open fluste
 þe porter shulde abugge
 he þrew him a doun þe brugge
 þat þre ribbes crakede
 horn to halle rakede
1085ant sette him doun wel lowe
 in þe beggeres rowe
 he lokede aboute
 myd is collede snoute
 þer seh he rymenild sitte
1090ase hue were out of wytte
 wepinde sore
 ah he seh nower þore
 Aþulf is gode felawe
 þat trewe wes in vch plawe
1095aþulf wes o tour ful heh
 to loke fer & eke neh
 after hornes comynge
 ȝef water him wolde brynge
 þe see he seh flowe
1100ah horn nower rowe
 he feyde on is songe
 horn þou art to longe
 Rymenild þou me bitoke
 þat ich hire shulde loke
1105Ich haue yloked euere
 & þou ne comest neuere
 Rymenild ros of benche
 þe béér al forte shenche
 after mete in sale
1110boþe wyn & ale
 an horn hue ber an honde
 for þat wes lawe of londe
 hue dronc of þe béére
 to knyht & skyere
1115horn set at grounde
 him þohte he wes ybounde
 he seide quene so hende
 to me hydeward þou wende
 þou shenh vs wiþ þe vurste
1120þe 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
1125hue 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
1135wel fer come by weste
 to seche mine beste
 Min net lyht her wel hende
 wiþ inne a wel feyr pende
 Ich haue leye þere
1140nou 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
1145ffor icham come to fyssh
 drynke nully of dyssh
 drynke to horn of horne
 wel fer ich haue y orne
 Rymenild him gan bihelde
1150hire 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
1155hue fulde þe horn of wyne
 ant dronke to þat pelryne
 hue seide drync þi felle
 & seþþen þou me telle
 ȝef þou horn euer seȝe
1160vnder wode leȝe
 Horn dronc of horn astounde
 ant þreu is ryng to grounde
 ant seide quene þou þench
 what y þreu in þe drench
1165þe quene eode to boure
 mid hire maidnes foure
 hue fond þat hue wolde
 þe ryng ygraued of golde
 þat horn of hyre hedde
1170fol sore hyre adredde
 þat horn ded were
 for his ryng was þere
 þo sende hue a damoisele
 after þilke palmere
1175palmere 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
1180ich eode mony a myle
 wel fer ȝent by weste
 to seche myne beste
 Mi mete forte bydde
 for so me þo bitidde
1185ich fond horn knyht stonde
 to shipeward at stronde
 he seide he wolde gesse
 to aryue at westnesse
 þe ship nom in to flode
1190wiþ me & horn þe gode
 Horn by gan be sek & deȝe
 & for his loue me preȝe
 to gon wiþ þe rynge
 to rymenild þe ȝynge
1195wel ofte he hyne keste
 crist ȝeue is soule reste
 Rymenild seide at þe firste
 herte nou to berste
 horn worþ þe no more
1200þat haueþ þe pyned sore
 Hue fel adoun a bedde
 ant after knyues gredde
 to slein mide hire kyng loþe
 & hire selue boþe
1205wiþ 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
1215Ich horn of westnesse
 in armes þou me kesse
 yclupten & kyste
 so longe so hem lyste
 Rymenild quoþ he ich wende
1220doun to þe wodesende
 for þer bueþ myne knyhte
 worþi men & lyhte
 armed vnder cloþe
 hue shule make wroþe
1225þe kyng & hise gestes
 þat bueþ at þise festes
 to day ychulle huem cacche
 nou ichulle huem vacche
 Horn sprong out of halle
1230ys brunie he let falle
 rymenild eode of boure
 aþulf hue fond loure
 aþulf be wel blyþe
 & to horn go swyþe
1235he is vnder wode bowe
 wiþ felawes ynowe
 Aþulf gon forth springe
 for þat ilke tydynge
 efter horn he ernde
1240him þohte is herte bernde
 he oftok him ywisse
 ant custe him wiþ blysse
 Horn tok is preye
 ant dude him in þe weye
1245hue comen in wel sone
 þe ȝates weren vndone
 y armed suiþe þicke
 from fote to þe nycke
 alle þat þer euere weren
1250wiþ oute is trewe feren
 ant þe kyng aylmare
 ywis he hade muche care
 monie þat þer sete
 hure lyf hy gonne lete
1255Horn vnderftondyng ne hede
 of ffykeles falffede
 hue fuoren alle ant feyde
 þat hure non him wreyede
 ant fuore oþes holde
1260þat huere non ne sholde
 Horn neuer bytreye
 þah he on deþe leye
 þer hy ronge þe belle
 þat wedlak to fulfulle
1265hue wenden hom wiþ eyfe
 to þe kynges paleyfe
 þer wes þe brudale fuete
 for richemen þer ete
 telle ne mihte no tonge
1270þe gle þat þer was fonge
 Horn fet in chayere
 & bed hem alle yhere
 he feyde kyng of londe
 mi tale þou vnderftonde
1275Ich 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
1285Ne shal ich hit ner agynne
 er ich fudenne wynne
 þou kep hyre me aftounde
 þe while þat ich founde
 In to myn heritage
1290wiþ þis yrisshe page
 þat lond ichulle þorhreche
 & do mi fader wreche
 ychul be kyng of toune
 & lerne kynges roune
1295þenne shal rymenild þe ȝynge
 ligge by horn þe kynge
 Horn gan to shipe drawe
 wiþ hyse yrisshe felawe
 Aþulf wiþ him his broþer
1300he nolde habbe non oþer
 þe ship by gan to croude
 þe wynd bleu wel loude
 wyþ inne dawes fyue
 þe ship bigan aryue
1305vnder 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
1315þe 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
1325þe gode knyht vp aros
 of hornes wordes him agros
 he seide ich seruy ille
 paynes to ȝeynes mi wille
 Ich was cristene sumwhile
1330ycome in to þis yle
 saraȝyns loþe & blake
 me made ihesu forsake
 to loke þis passage
 for horn þat is of age
1335þat woneþ her by weste
 god knyht mid þe beste
 hue slowe mid huere honde
 þe kyng of þisse londe
 ant wiþ him mony honder
1340þer 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
1345ant slowen kyng mury
 hornes cunesmon hardy
 horn of londe hue senten
 tuelf children wiþ him wenten
 wiþ hem wes aþulf þe gode
1350mi child myn oune fode
 ȝef horn is hol ant sounde
 aþulf tit no wounde
 he louede horn wiþ mihte
 & he him wiþ ryhte
1355ȝef y myhte se hem tueye
 þenne ne rohti forte deye
 knyht be þenne blyþe
 mest of alle syþe
 Aþulf & horn is fere
1360boþe 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
1365He saide wiþ steuene þare
 ȝungemen hou habbe ȝe ȝore yfare
 wolle ȝe þis lond wynne
 & wonie þer ynne
 he seide suete horn child
1370ȝet lyueþ þy moder godyld
 of ioie hue ne miste
 o lyue ȝef hue þe wiste
 horn seide on is ryme
 yblessed be þe time
1375Icham icome in to sudenne
 wiþ fele yrisshemenne
 we shule þe houndes kecche
 & to þe deȝe vecche
 ant so we shulen hem teche
1380to speken oure speche
 Horn gon is horn blowe
 is folk hit con yknowe
 hue comen out of hurne
 to horn swyþe ȝurne
1385hue smiten & hue fyhten
 þe niht & eke þe ohtoun
 þe saraȝyns hue slowe
 ant summe quike to drowe
 mid speres ord hue stonge
1390þe olde & eke þe ȝonge
 horn lette sone wurche
 boþe chapel & chyrche
 he made belle rynge
 ant prestes masse synge
1395he sohte is moder halle
 in þe roche walle
 he custe hire ant grette
 ant in to þe castel fette
 Croune he gan werie
1400ant make feste merye
 Murie he þer wrohte
 ah Rymenild hit abohte
 þe whiles horn wes oute
 ffikenild ferde aboute
1405þe betere forte spede
 þe riche he ȝef mede
 boþe ȝonge ant olde
 wiþ him forte holde
 ston he dude lade
1410ant lym þerto he made
 Castel he made sette
 wiþ water by flette
 þat þer yn come ne myhte
 bote foul wiþ flyhte
1415bote when þe see wiþ drowe
 þer mihte come ynowe
 þus fykenild gon by wende
 Rymenild forte shende
 to wyue he gan hire ȝerne
1420þe 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
1425þilke nyht horn suete
 con wel harde mete
 of rymenild his make
 þat in to shipe wes take
 þe ship gon ouerblenche
1430is lemmon shulde adrenche
 Rymenild mid hire honde
 swymme wolde to londe
 ffykenild aȝeyn hire pylte
 mid his suerdes hylte
1435Horn awek in is bed
 of his lemmon he wes adred
 Aþulf he seide felawe
 to shipe nou we drawe
 ffykenild me haþ gon vnder
1440ant do rymenild sum wonder
 Crist for his wondes fyue
 to nyht þider vs dryue
 Horn gon to shipe ride
 his knyhtes bi his side
1445þe ship bigon to sture
 wiþ wynd god of cure
 ant fykenild her þe day springe
 ferde to þe kynge
 After rymenild þe brhyte
1450ant spousede hyre by nyhte
 he ladde hire by derke
 in to is newe werke
 þe feste hue bigonne
 er þen aryse þe sonne
1455Hornes ship atstod in stoure
 vnder fykenildes boure
 Nuste Horn alyue
 wher he wes aryue
 þene castel hue ne knewe
1460for he was so newe
 þe see bigon to wiþ drawe
 þo seh horn his felawe
 þe feyre knyht arnoldyn
 þat wes aþulfes cosyn
1465þat þer set in þat tyde
 kyng horn to abide
 he seide kyng horn kyngessone
 hider þou art welcome
 to day haþ sire ffykenild
1470yweddeþ þi wif rymenild
 white þe nou þis while
 he haueþ do þe gyle
 þis tour he dude make
 al for rymenildes sake
1475ne may þer comen ynne
 no mon wiþ no gynne
 Horn nou crist þe wisse
 rymenild þat þou ne misse
 Horn couþe alle þe listes
1480þat eni mon of wiste
 harpe he gon shewe
 ant toc him to felawe
 knyhtes of þe beste
 þat he euer hede of weste
1485ouen 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
1495hem me dude in lete
 at halle dore hue sete
 horn sette him abenche
 is harpe he gan clenche
 he made rymenild a lay
1500ant hue seide weylaway
 Rymenild fel yswowe
 þo nes þer non þat lowe
 hit smot horn to herte
 sore con him smerte
1505he lokede on is rynge
 ant o rymenild þe ȝynge
 he eode vp to borde
 mid his gode suorde
 ffykenildes croune
1510he fel þer adoune
 ant alle is men arowe
 he dude adoun þrowe
 ant made arnoldyn kyng þere
 after kyng Aylmere
1515to be kyng of Westnesse
 for his mildenesse
 þe kyng ant is baronage
 ȝeuen him truage
 Horn toc rymenild by honde
1520ant 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
1525hue 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
1530for his gode techyng
 for sire hornes lore
 he wes mad kyng þore
 Horn eode to ryue
 þe wynd him con wel dryue
1535he aryuede in yrlonde
 þer horn wo couþe er fonde
 he made þer Aþulf chyld
 wedde mayden ermenyld
 ant horn com to sudenne
1540to 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
1545Nou hue beoþ boþe dede
 crist to heouene vs lede AmeN.