The full titles of the principal collections of ballad-poetry in other languages, referred to in these volumes, are as follows:—
"Udvalgte Danske Viser fra Middelalderen; efter A.S. Vedels og P. Syvs trykte Udgaver og efter haandskrevne Samlinger udgivne paa ny af Abrahamson, Nyerup, og Rahbek." Copenhagen, 1812-1814. 5 vols.
Danmarks Gamle Folkeviser, udgivne af Svend Grundtvig. 2 vols., and the first part of the third. Copenhagen, 1853-58.
"Svenska Folk-Visor fran Forntiden, samlade och utgifne af Er. Gust. Geijer och Arv. Aug. Afzelius." Stockholm, 1814-1816. 3 vols.
"Svenska Fornsånger. En Samling af Kämpavisor, Folk-Visor, Lekar och Dansar, samt Barn- och Vall-Sånger. Utgifne af Adolf Iwar Arwidsson." Stockholm, 1834-1842. 3 vols.
"Altdänische Heldenlieder, Balladen, und Mährchen, übersetzt von Wilhelm Carl Grimm." Heidelberg, 1811.
"Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Alte dentsche Lieder." Arnim & Brentano. 3 vols. Heidelberg, 1806-8. 2d ed. of first part in 1819.
"Die Volkslieder der Deutschen, etc. Herausgegeben durch Friedrich Karl Freiherrn von Erlach." Mannheim, 1834-36. 5 vols.
"Versuch einer geschichtlichen Charakteristik der Volkslieder Germanischer Nationen, mit einer Uebersicht der Lieder aussereuropäischer Völkerschaften." Von Talvj. Leipzig, 1840.
"Schlesische Volkslieder mit Melodien. Aus dem Munde des Volks gesammelt und herausgegeben von Hoffmann von Fallersleben und Ernst Richter." Leipzig, 1842.
"Alte hoch- und niederdeutsche Volkslieder, in Fünf Büchern, herausgegeben von Ludwig Uhland." 2 vols. Stuttgart, 1844-5.
"Deutscher Liederhort. Auswahl der vorzüglichern deutschen Volkslieder aus der Vorzeit und der Gegenwart mit ihren eigenthümlichen Melodien." Von Ludwig Erk. Berlin, 1856.
"Niederländische Volkslieder. Gesammelt und erläutert von Hoffmann von Fallersleben." 2d ed. Hannover, 1856.
No incident is more common in romantic fiction, than the employment of some magical contrivance as a test of conjugal fidelity, or of constancy in love. In some romances of the Round Table, and tales founded upon them, this experiment is performed by means either of an enchanted horn, of such properties that no dishonoured husband or unfaithful wife can drink from it without spilling, or of a mantle which will fit none but chaste women. The earliest known instances of the use of these ordeals are afforded by theLai du Corn, by Robert Bikez, a French minstrel of the twelfth or thirteenth century, and theFabliau du Mantel Mautaillé, which, in the opinion of a competent critic, dates from the second half of the thirteenth century, and is only the older lay worked up into a new shape. (Wolf,Ueber die Lais, 327, sq., 342, sq.) We are not to suppose, however, that either of these pieces presents us with the primitive form of this humorous invention. Robert Bikez tells us that he learned his story from an abbot, and that "noble ecclesiast" stoodbut one further back in a line of tradition which curiosity will never follow to its source. We shall content ourselves with noticing the most remarkable cases of the use of these and similar talismans in imaginative literature.
In theRoman de Tristan, a composition of unknown antiquity, the frailty of nearly all the ladies at the court of King Marc is exposed by their essaying a draught from the marvellous horn, (see the EnglishMorte Arthur, Southey's ed. i. 297.) In theRoman de Perceval, the knights, as well as the ladies, undergo this probation. From some one of the chivalrous romances Ariosto adopted the wonderful vessel into hisOrlando, (xlii. 102, sq., xliii. 31, sq.,) and upon his narrative La Fontaine founded the tale and the comedy ofLa Coupe Enchantée. In German, we have two versions of the same story,—one, an episode in theKroneof Heinrich vom Türlein, thought to have been borrowed from thePercevalof Chrétien de Troyes, (Die Sage vom Zauberbecher, in Wolf,Ueber die Lais, 378,) and another, which we have not seen, in Bruns,Beiträge zur kritischen Bearbeitung alter Handschriften, ii. 139; while in English, it is represented by the highly amusing "bowrd," which we are about to print, and which we have calledThe Horn of King Arthur. The forms of the tale of the Mantle are not so numerous. Thefabliaualready mentioned was reduced to prose in the sixteenth century, and published at Lyons, (in 1577,) asLe Manteau mal taillé, (Legrand'sFabliaux, 3d ed., i. 126,) and under this title, or that ofLe Court Mantel, is very well known. An old fragment (Der Mantel) is given in Haupt and Hoffmann'sAltdeutsche Blätter, ii. 217, and the story is also in BrunsBeiträge.Lastly, we find the legends of the horn and the mantle united, as in the German balladDie Ausgleichung, (Des Knaben Wunderhorn, i. 389,) and in the English ballad ofThe Boy and The Mantle, where a magical knife is added to the other curiosities. All three of these, by the way, are claimed by the Welsh as a part of theinsigniaof Ancient Britain, and the special property of Tegau Eurvron, the wife of Caradog with the strong arm. (Jones,Bardic Museum, p. 49.)
In other departments of romance, many other objects are endowed with the same or an analogous virtue. In Indian and Persian story, the test of innocence is a red lotus-flower; inAmadis, a garland, which fades on the brow of the unfaithful; inPerceforest, a rose. TheLay of the RoseinPerceforest, is the original (according to Schmidt) of the much-praised tale of Senecé,Camille, ou la Manière de filer le parfait Amour, (1695,)—in which a magician presents a jealous husband with a portrait in wax, that will indicate by change of color the infidelity of his wife,—and suggested the same device in the twenty-first novel of Bandello, (Part First,) on the translation of which in Painter'sPalace of Pleasure, (vol. ii. No. 28,) Massinger founded his play ofThe Picture. Again, in the tale ofZeyn Alasman and the King of the Genii, in theArabian Nights, the means of proof is a mirror, that reflects only the image of a spotless maiden; in that of the carpenter and the king's daughter, in theGesta Romanorum, (c. 69,) a shirt, which remains clean and whole as long as both parties are true; inPalmerin of England, a cup of tears, which becomes dark in the hands of an inconstant lover; in theFairy Queen, the famous girdle of Florimel; inHorn and Rimnild(Ritson,Metrical Romances, iii. 301,) as well as in one or two ballads in this collection, the stone of a ring; in a German ballad,Die Krone der Königin von Afion, (Erlach,Volkslieder der Deutschen, i. 132,) a golden crown, that will fit the head of no incontinent husband. Without pretending to exhaust the subject, we may add three instances of a different kind: the Valley in the romance ofLancelot, which being entered by a faithless lover would hold him imprisoned forever; the Cave inAmadis of Gaul, from which the disloyal were driven by torrents of flame; and the Well inHorn and Rimnild, (ibid.) which was to show the shadow of Horn, if he proved false.
In conclusion, we will barely allude to the singular anecdote related by Herodotus, (ii. 111,) of Phero, the son of Sesostris, in which the experience of King Marc and King Arthur is so curiously anticipated. In the early ages, as Dunlop has remarked, some experiment for ascertaining the fidelity of women, in defect of evidence, seems really to have been resorted to. "By the Levitical law," (Numbersv. 11-31,) continues that accurate writer, "there was prescribed a mode of trial, which consisted in the suspected person drinking water in the tabernacle. The mythological fable of the trial by the Stygian fountain, which disgraced the guilty by the waters rising so as to cover the laurel wreath of the unchaste female who dared the examination, probably had its origin in some of the early institutions of Greece or Egypt. Hence the notion was adopted in the Greek romances, the heroines of which were invariably subjected to a magical test of this nature, which is one of the few particulars in which any similarity of incident can be traced between the Greeknovels and the romances of chivalry." See DUNLOP,History of Fiction, London, 1814, i. 239, sq.; LEGRAND,Fabliaux, 3d ed., i. 149, sq., 161; SCHMIDT,Jahrbücher der Literatur, xxix. 121; WOLF,Ueber die Lais, 174-177; and, above all, GRAESSE'SSagenkreise des Mittelalters, 185, sq.
The Boy and the Mantlewas "printed verbatim" from the Percy MS., in theReliques of Ancient English Poetry, iii. 38.
In the third day of May,To Carleile did comeA kind curteous child,That cold much of wisdome.5A kirtle and a mantleThis child had uppon,Withbrouchesand ringesFull richelye bedone.He had a sute of silke10About his middle drawne;Without he cold of curtesye,He thought itt much shame."God speed thee, King Arthur,Sitting at thy meate:15And the goodly Queene GuéverI cannott her forgett,"I tell you, lords, in this hall,Ihettyou all to heede,Except you be the more surer,20Is you for to dread."He plucked out of hispoterner,And longer wold not dwell;He pulled forth a pretty mantle,Betweene two nut-shells.25"Have thou here, King Arthur,Have thou heere of mee;Give itt to thy comely queene,Shapen as itt is alreadye.Itt shall never become that wiffe,30That hath once done amisse:Then every knight in the kings courtBegan to care forhis.Forth came dame Guénever;To the mantle sheeher hied;35The ladye shee was newfangle,But yett shee was affrayd.When shee had taken the mantle,She stoode as shee had beene madd:It was from the top to the toe,40As sheeres had itt shread.One while was itgule,Another while was itt greene;Another while was it wadded;Ill itt did her beseeme.45Another while was it blacke,And bore the worst hue:"By my troth," quoth King Arthur,"I think thou be not true."She threw down the mantle,50That bright was of blee;Fast, with a rudd redd,To her chamber can shee flee.She curst the weaver and the walkerThat clothe that had wrought,And bade a vengeance on his crowne55That hither hath itt brought."I had rather be in a wood,Under a greene tree,Then in King Arthurs court60Shamed for to bee."Kay called forth his ladye,And bade her come neere;Saies, "Madam, and thou be guiltye,I pray thee hold thee there."65Forth came his ladye,Shortlye and anon;Boldlye to the mantleThen is shee gone.When she had tane the mantle,70And cast it her about,Then was shee bare'Before all the rout.'Then every knight,That was in the kings court,75Talked,laughed,and showtedFull oft att that sport.Shee threw downe the mantle,That bright was of blee;Fast, with a red rudd,80To her chamber can shee flee.Forth came an old knight,Pattering ore a creede,And he proferred to this litle boyTwenty markes to his meede,And all the time of the Christmasse,85Willinglye to ffeede;For why, this mantle mightDoe his wiffe some need.When she had tane the mantle,90Of cloth that was made,Shee had no more left on her,But a tassell and a threed:Then every knight in the kings courtBade evill might shee speed.95Shee threw downe the mantle,That bright was of blee;And fast, with a redd rudd,To her chamber can shee flee.100Craddocke called forth his ladye,And bade her come in;Saith, "Winne this mantle, ladye,With a little dinne.Winne this mantle, ladye,And it shal be thine,105If thou never did amisseSince thou wast mine."Forth came Craddockes ladye,Shortlye and anon;But boldlye to the mantle110Then is shee gone.When she had tane the mantle,And cast it her about,Upp at her great toeIt began to crinkle and crowt:115Shee said, "Bowe downe, mantle,And shame me not for nought.Once I did amisse,I tell you certainlye,When I kist Craddockes mouth120Under a greene tree;Before he marryed mee."When shee had her shreeven,And her sines shee had tolde,125The mantle stoode about herRight as shee wold,Seemelye of coulour,Glittering like gold:Then every knight in Arthurs court130Did her behold.Then spake dame GuéneverTo Arthur our king;"She hath tane yonder mantleNot withright,but with wronge.135See you not yonder woman,That maketh her self soe'cleane'?I have seene tane out of her beddOf men fiveteene;Priests, clarkes, and wedded men140From her, bydeene:Yett shee taketh the mantle,And maketh her self cleane."Then spake the little boy,That kept the mantle in hold;145Sayes, "King, chasten thy wiffe,Of her words shee is to bold:Shee is a bitch and a witch,And a whore bold:King, in thine owne hall150Thou art a cuckold."The little boy stoodeLooking out a dore;'And there as he was lookingeHe was ware of a wyld bore.'155He was ware of a wyld bore,Wold have werryed a man:He pulld forth a wood kniffe,Fast thither that he ran:He brought in the bores head,160And quitted him like a man.He brought in the bores head,And was wonderous bold:He said there was never a cuckolds kniffeCarve itt that cold.165Some rubbed their knivesUppon a whetstone:Some threw them under the table,And said they had none.King Arthur and the child170Stood looking them upon;All their knives edgesTurned backe againe.Craddocke had a little kniveOf iron and of steele;175Hebritledthe bores headWonderous weele,That every knight in the kings courtHad a morssell.The little boy had a horne,180Of red gold that ronge:He said there was "noe cuckoldeShall drinke of my horne,But he shold it sheede,Either behind or beforne."185Some shedd on their shoulder,And some on their knee;He that cold not hitt his mouthe,Put it in his eye:And he that was a cuckold190Every man might him see.Craddocke wan the horne,And the bores head:His ladie wan the mantleUnto her meede.195Everye such a lovely ladyeGod send her well to speede.
In the third day of May,To Carleile did comeA kind curteous child,That cold much of wisdome.
In the third day of May,
To Carleile did come
A kind curteous child,
That cold much of wisdome.
5A kirtle and a mantleThis child had uppon,Withbrouchesand ringesFull richelye bedone.
A kirtle and a mantle
This child had uppon,
Withbrouchesand ringes
Full richelye bedone.
He had a sute of silke10About his middle drawne;Without he cold of curtesye,He thought itt much shame.
He had a sute of silke
About his middle drawne;
Without he cold of curtesye,
He thought itt much shame.
"God speed thee, King Arthur,Sitting at thy meate:15And the goodly Queene GuéverI cannott her forgett,
"God speed thee, King Arthur,
Sitting at thy meate:
And the goodly Queene Guéver
I cannott her forgett,
"I tell you, lords, in this hall,Ihettyou all to heede,Except you be the more surer,20Is you for to dread."
"I tell you, lords, in this hall,
Ihettyou all to heede,
Except you be the more surer,
Is you for to dread."
He plucked out of hispoterner,And longer wold not dwell;He pulled forth a pretty mantle,Betweene two nut-shells.
He plucked out of hispoterner,
And longer wold not dwell;
He pulled forth a pretty mantle,
Betweene two nut-shells.
25"Have thou here, King Arthur,Have thou heere of mee;Give itt to thy comely queene,Shapen as itt is alreadye.
"Have thou here, King Arthur,
Have thou heere of mee;
Give itt to thy comely queene,
Shapen as itt is alreadye.
Itt shall never become that wiffe,30That hath once done amisse:Then every knight in the kings courtBegan to care forhis.
Itt shall never become that wiffe,
That hath once done amisse:
Then every knight in the kings court
Began to care forhis.
Forth came dame Guénever;To the mantle sheeher hied;35The ladye shee was newfangle,But yett shee was affrayd.
Forth came dame Guénever;
To the mantle sheeher hied;
The ladye shee was newfangle,
But yett shee was affrayd.
When shee had taken the mantle,She stoode as shee had beene madd:It was from the top to the toe,40As sheeres had itt shread.
When shee had taken the mantle,
She stoode as shee had beene madd:
It was from the top to the toe,
As sheeres had itt shread.
One while was itgule,Another while was itt greene;Another while was it wadded;Ill itt did her beseeme.
One while was itgule,
Another while was itt greene;
Another while was it wadded;
Ill itt did her beseeme.
45Another while was it blacke,And bore the worst hue:"By my troth," quoth King Arthur,"I think thou be not true."
Another while was it blacke,
And bore the worst hue:
"By my troth," quoth King Arthur,
"I think thou be not true."
She threw down the mantle,50That bright was of blee;Fast, with a rudd redd,To her chamber can shee flee.
She threw down the mantle,
That bright was of blee;
Fast, with a rudd redd,
To her chamber can shee flee.
She curst the weaver and the walkerThat clothe that had wrought,And bade a vengeance on his crowne55That hither hath itt brought.
She curst the weaver and the walker
That clothe that had wrought,
And bade a vengeance on his crowne
That hither hath itt brought.
"I had rather be in a wood,Under a greene tree,Then in King Arthurs court60Shamed for to bee."
"I had rather be in a wood,
Under a greene tree,
Then in King Arthurs court
Shamed for to bee."
Kay called forth his ladye,And bade her come neere;Saies, "Madam, and thou be guiltye,I pray thee hold thee there."
Kay called forth his ladye,
And bade her come neere;
Saies, "Madam, and thou be guiltye,
I pray thee hold thee there."
65Forth came his ladye,Shortlye and anon;Boldlye to the mantleThen is shee gone.
Forth came his ladye,
Shortlye and anon;
Boldlye to the mantle
Then is shee gone.
When she had tane the mantle,70And cast it her about,Then was shee bare'Before all the rout.'
When she had tane the mantle,
And cast it her about,
Then was shee bare
'Before all the rout.'
Then every knight,That was in the kings court,75Talked,laughed,and showtedFull oft att that sport.
Then every knight,
That was in the kings court,
Talked,laughed,and showted
Full oft att that sport.
Shee threw downe the mantle,That bright was of blee;Fast, with a red rudd,80To her chamber can shee flee.
Shee threw downe the mantle,
That bright was of blee;
Fast, with a red rudd,
To her chamber can shee flee.
Forth came an old knight,Pattering ore a creede,And he proferred to this litle boyTwenty markes to his meede,
Forth came an old knight,
Pattering ore a creede,
And he proferred to this litle boy
Twenty markes to his meede,
And all the time of the Christmasse,85Willinglye to ffeede;For why, this mantle mightDoe his wiffe some need.
And all the time of the Christmasse,
Willinglye to ffeede;
For why, this mantle might
Doe his wiffe some need.
When she had tane the mantle,90Of cloth that was made,Shee had no more left on her,But a tassell and a threed:Then every knight in the kings courtBade evill might shee speed.
When she had tane the mantle,
Of cloth that was made,
Shee had no more left on her,
But a tassell and a threed:
Then every knight in the kings court
Bade evill might shee speed.
95Shee threw downe the mantle,That bright was of blee;And fast, with a redd rudd,To her chamber can shee flee.
Shee threw downe the mantle,
That bright was of blee;
And fast, with a redd rudd,
To her chamber can shee flee.
100Craddocke called forth his ladye,And bade her come in;Saith, "Winne this mantle, ladye,With a little dinne.
Craddocke called forth his ladye,
And bade her come in;
Saith, "Winne this mantle, ladye,
With a little dinne.
Winne this mantle, ladye,And it shal be thine,105If thou never did amisseSince thou wast mine."
Winne this mantle, ladye,
And it shal be thine,
If thou never did amisse
Since thou wast mine."
Forth came Craddockes ladye,Shortlye and anon;But boldlye to the mantle110Then is shee gone.
Forth came Craddockes ladye,
Shortlye and anon;
But boldlye to the mantle
Then is shee gone.
When she had tane the mantle,And cast it her about,Upp at her great toeIt began to crinkle and crowt:115Shee said, "Bowe downe, mantle,And shame me not for nought.
When she had tane the mantle,
And cast it her about,
Upp at her great toe
It began to crinkle and crowt:
Shee said, "Bowe downe, mantle,
And shame me not for nought.
Once I did amisse,I tell you certainlye,When I kist Craddockes mouth120Under a greene tree;Before he marryed mee."
Once I did amisse,
I tell you certainlye,
When I kist Craddockes mouth
Under a greene tree;
Before he marryed mee."
When shee had her shreeven,And her sines shee had tolde,125The mantle stoode about herRight as shee wold,
When shee had her shreeven,
And her sines shee had tolde,
The mantle stoode about her
Right as shee wold,
Seemelye of coulour,Glittering like gold:Then every knight in Arthurs court130Did her behold.
Seemelye of coulour,
Glittering like gold:
Then every knight in Arthurs court
Did her behold.
Then spake dame GuéneverTo Arthur our king;"She hath tane yonder mantleNot withright,but with wronge.
Then spake dame Guénever
To Arthur our king;
"She hath tane yonder mantle
Not withright,but with wronge.
135See you not yonder woman,That maketh her self soe'cleane'?I have seene tane out of her beddOf men fiveteene;
See you not yonder woman,
That maketh her self soe'cleane'?
I have seene tane out of her bedd
Of men fiveteene;
Priests, clarkes, and wedded men140From her, bydeene:Yett shee taketh the mantle,And maketh her self cleane."
Priests, clarkes, and wedded men
From her, bydeene:
Yett shee taketh the mantle,
And maketh her self cleane."
Then spake the little boy,That kept the mantle in hold;145Sayes, "King, chasten thy wiffe,Of her words shee is to bold:
Then spake the little boy,
That kept the mantle in hold;
Sayes, "King, chasten thy wiffe,
Of her words shee is to bold:
Shee is a bitch and a witch,And a whore bold:King, in thine owne hall150Thou art a cuckold."
Shee is a bitch and a witch,
And a whore bold:
King, in thine owne hall
Thou art a cuckold."
The little boy stoodeLooking out a dore;'And there as he was lookingeHe was ware of a wyld bore.'
The little boy stoode
Looking out a dore;
'And there as he was lookinge
He was ware of a wyld bore.'
155He was ware of a wyld bore,Wold have werryed a man:He pulld forth a wood kniffe,Fast thither that he ran:He brought in the bores head,160And quitted him like a man.
He was ware of a wyld bore,
Wold have werryed a man:
He pulld forth a wood kniffe,
Fast thither that he ran:
He brought in the bores head,
And quitted him like a man.
He brought in the bores head,And was wonderous bold:He said there was never a cuckolds kniffeCarve itt that cold.
He brought in the bores head,
And was wonderous bold:
He said there was never a cuckolds kniffe
165Some rubbed their knivesUppon a whetstone:Some threw them under the table,And said they had none.
Some rubbed their knives
Uppon a whetstone:
Some threw them under the table,
And said they had none.
King Arthur and the child170Stood looking them upon;All their knives edgesTurned backe againe.
King Arthur and the child
Stood looking them upon;
All their knives edges
Turned backe againe.
Craddocke had a little kniveOf iron and of steele;175Hebritledthe bores headWonderous weele,That every knight in the kings courtHad a morssell.
Craddocke had a little knive
Of iron and of steele;
Hebritledthe bores head
Wonderous weele,
That every knight in the kings court
Had a morssell.
The little boy had a horne,180Of red gold that ronge:He said there was "noe cuckoldeShall drinke of my horne,But he shold it sheede,Either behind or beforne."
The little boy had a horne,
Of red gold that ronge:
He said there was "noe cuckolde
Shall drinke of my horne,
But he shold it sheede,
Either behind or beforne."
185Some shedd on their shoulder,And some on their knee;He that cold not hitt his mouthe,Put it in his eye:And he that was a cuckold190Every man might him see.
Some shedd on their shoulder,
And some on their knee;
He that cold not hitt his mouthe,
Put it in his eye:
And he that was a cuckold
Every man might him see.
Craddocke wan the horne,And the bores head:His ladie wan the mantleUnto her meede.195Everye such a lovely ladyeGod send her well to speede.
Craddocke wan the horne,
And the bores head:
His ladie wan the mantle
Unto her meede.
Everye such a lovely ladye
God send her well to speede.
MS. Ver.7, branches.
MS. Ver.7, branches.
V.18, heate.
V.18, heate.
V.21, poterver.
V.21, poterver.
MS. V.32, his wiffe.
MS. V.32, his wiffe.
V.34, bided.
V.34, bided.
V.41, gaule.
V.41, gaule.
MS. Ver.75, lauged.
MS. Ver.75, lauged.
MS. Ver.134, wright.
MS. Ver.134, wright.
V.136, cleare.
V.136, cleare.
MS. V.175, Or birtled.
MS. V.175, Or birtled.
This amusing piece was first published entire in Hartshorne'sAncient Metrical Tales, p. 209, but with great inaccuracies. It is there calledThe Cokwolds Daunce. A few extracts had previously been given from the MS., in the Notes toOrfeo and Heurodis, in Laing'sEarly Popular Poetry of Scotland. Mr. Wright contributed a corrected edition to Karajan'sFrühlingsgabe für Freunde älterer Literatur. That work not being at the moment obtainable, the Editor was saved from the necessity of reprinting or amending a faulty text, by the kindness of J.O. Halliwell, Esq., who sent him a collation of Hartshorne's copy with the Oxford manuscript.
All that wyll of solas lere,Herkyns now, and ȝe schall here,And ȝe kane vnderstond;Off a bowrd I wyll ȝou schew,5That ys full gode and trew,That fell some tyme in Ynglond.Kynge Arthour was off grete honour,Off castellis and of many a toure,And full wyde iknow;10A gode ensample I wyll ȝou sey,What chanse befell hym one a dey;Herkyn to my saw!Cokwoldes he louyd, as I ȝou plyȝt;He honouryd them, both dey and nyght,15In all maner of thyng;And as I rede in story,He was kokwold sykerly;Ffor sothê it is no lesyng.Herkyne, seres, what I sey;Her may ȝe here solas and pley,20Iff ȝe wyll take gode hede;Kyng Arthour had a bugyll horn,That ever mour stod hym be forn,Were so that ever he ȝede.25Ffor when he was at the bord sete,Anon the horne schuld befette,Ther off that he myght drynk;Ffor myche crafte he couth thereby,And ofte tymes the treuth he sey;30Non other couth he thynke.Iff any cokwold drynke of it,Spyll he schuld, withouten lette;Therfor thei wer not glade;Gret dispyte thei had therby,35Because it dyde them vilony,And made them oft tymes sade.When the kyng wold hafe solas,The bugyll wasfettinto the plas,To make solas and game;40And then changyd the cokwoldes chere;The kyng them callyd ferre and nere,Lordynges, by ther name.Than men myght se game inowȝe,When every cokwold on other leuȝe,45And ȝit thei schamyd sore:Where euer the cokwoldes wer sought,Befor the kyng thei were brought,Both lesse and more.Kyng Arthour than, verament,50Ordeynd, throw hys awne assent,Ssoth as I ȝow sey,The tabull dormounte withouten lette;Ther at the cokwoldes wer sette,To have solas and pley.55Ffor at the bord schuld be non otherBot euery cokwold and hisbrother;To tell treuth I must nedes;And when the cokwoldes wer sette,Garlandes of wylos sculd be fette,60And sett vpon ther hedes.Off the best mete, withoute lesyng,That stode on bord befor the kyng,Both ferr and nere,To the cokwoldes he sente anon,65And bad them be glad euerychon,Ffor his sake make gode chere.And seyd, "Lordyngs, for ȝour lyues,Be neuer the wrother with ȝour wyues,Ffor no manner of nede:70Off women com duke and kyng;I ȝow tell without lesyng,Of them com owre manhed.So it befell sertenly,The duke off Glosseter com in hyȝe,75To the courte with full gret myȝht;He was reseyued at the kyngs palys,With mych honour and grete solas,With lords that were well dygȝht.With the kyng ther dyde he dwell,80Bot how long I can not tell,Therof knaw I non name;Off kyng Arthour a wonder case,Frendes, herkyns how it was,Ffor now begynes game.85Vppon a dey, withouten lette,The duke with the kyng was sette,At mete with mykill pride;He lukyd abowte wonder faste,Hys syght on euery syde he caste90To them that sate besyde.The kyng aspyed the erle anon,And fast he lowȝhe the erle vpon,And bad he schuld be glad;And yet, for all hys grete honour,95Cokwold was Kyng Arthour,Ne galle non he had.So at the last, the duke he brayd,And to the kyng thes wordessayd;He myght no longer forbere;100"Syr, what hath thes men don,That syche garlondes thei were vpon?That skyll wold I lere."The kyng seyd the erle to,"Syr, non hurte they haue do,105Ffor this was thruȝh a chans.Sertes thei be fre men all,Ffor non of them hath no gall;Therfor this is ther penans."Ther wyves hath ben merchandabull,110And of ther ware compenabull;Methinke it is non herme;A man of lufe that wold them craue,Hastely he schuld it haue,Ffor thei couth not hym wern.115"All theyr wyves, sykerlyke,Hath vsyd thebackefysyke,Whyll thes men were oute;And ofte they haue draw that draught,To vse well the lechers craft,120With rubyng of ther toute."Syr," he seyd, "now haue I redd;Ete we now, and make vs glad,And euery man fle care;"The duke seyd to hym anon,125"Than be thei cokwoldes, everychon;"The kyng seyd, "hold the there."The kyng than, after the erlys word,Send to the cokwolds bord,To make them mery among,130All manner of mynstralsy,To glad the cokwolds by and byWith herpe, fydell, and song:And bad them take no greffe,Bot all with loue and with leffe,135Euery man ... with other;Ffor after mete, without distans,The cockwolds schuld together danse,Euery man with hys brother.Than began a nobull game:140The cockwolds together cameBefor the erle and the kyng;In skerlet kyrtells over one,The cokwoldes stodyn euerychon,Redy vnto the dansyng.145Than seyd the kyng in hye,"Go fyll my bugyll hastely,And bryng it to my hond.I wyll asey with a gyneAll the cokwolds that her is in;150To know them wyll I fond."Than seyd the erle, "for charyte,In what skyll, tell me,A cokwold may I know?"To the erle the kyng ansuerd,155"Syr, be myn hore berd,Thou schall se within a throw."The bugyll was brought the kyng to hond.Then seyd the kyng, "I vnderstond,Thys horne that ȝe here se,160Ther is no cockwold, fer ne nere,Here of to drynke hath no power,As wyde as Crystiante,"Bot he schall spyll on euery syde;Ffor any cas that may betyde,165Schall non therof avanse."And ȝit, for all hys grete honour,Hymselfe, noble kyng Arthour,Hath forteynd syche a chans."Syr erle," he seyd, "take and begyn."170He seyd; "nay, be seynt Austyn,That wer to me vylony;Not for all a reme to wyn,Befor you I schuld begyn,Ffor honour off my curtassy."175Kyng Arthour ther he toke the horn,And dyde as he was wont beforn,Bot therwas ȝit gon a gyle:He wend to haue dronke of the best,Bot sone he spyllyd on hys brest,180Within a lytell whyle.The cokwoldes lokyd iche on other,And thought the kyng was their own brother,And glad thei wer of that:"He hath vs scornyd many a tyme,185And now he is a cokwold fyne,To were a cokwoldes hate."The quene was therof schamyd sore;Sche changyd hyr colour lesse and more,And wold haue ben a wey.190Therwith the kyng gan hyr behold,And seyd he schuld neuer be so bold,The soth agene to sey."Cokwoldes no mour I wyll repreue,Ffor I ame ane, and aske no leue,195Ffor all my rentes and londys.Lordyngs, all now may ȝe knowThat I may dance in the cokwold row,And take ȝou by the handes."Than seyd thei all at a word,200That cokwoldes schuld begynne the bord,And sytt hyest in the halle."Go we, lordyngs, all [and] same,And dance to make vs gle and game,Ffor cokwolds have no galle."205And after that sone anon,The kyng causyd the cokwolds ychonTo wesch withouten les;Ffor ought that euer may betyde,He sett them by hys awne syde,210Vp at the hyȝe dese.The kyng hymselff a gurlond fette;Uppon hys hede he it sette,Ffor it myght be non other,And seyd, "Lordyngs, sykerly,215We be all off a freyry;I ame ȝour awne brother."Be Jhesu Cryst that is aboffe,That man aught me gode loffeThat ley by my quene:220I wer worthy hym to honour,Both in castell and in towre,With rede, skerlet and grene."Ffor him he helpyd, when I was forth,To cher my wyfe and make her myrth;225Ffor women louys wele pley;And therfor, serys, have ȝe no dowteBot many schall dance in the cokwoldes rowte,Both by nyght and dey."And therefor, lordyngs, take no care;230Make we mery; for nothing spare;All brether in one rowte."Than the cokwoldes wer full blythe,And thankyd God a hundred syth,Ffor soth withouten dowte.235Every cokwold seyd to other,"Kyng Arthour is our awne brother,Therfor we may be blyth:"The erle off Glowsytur verament,Toke hys leve, and home he wente,240And thankyd the kyng fele sythe.Kyng Arthourlived at Karlyon,With hys cokwolds euerychon,And made both gam and gle:* * * * ** * * * ** * * * *A knyght ther was withouten les,245That seruyd at the kyngs des,Syr Corneus hyght he;He made this gest in hys gam,And named it after hys awne name,In herpyng or other gle.250And after, nobull kyng ArthourLyued and dyed with honour,As many hath don senne,Both cokwoldes and other mo:God gyff vs grace that we may goTo heuyn! Amen, Amen.
All that wyll of solas lere,Herkyns now, and ȝe schall here,And ȝe kane vnderstond;Off a bowrd I wyll ȝou schew,5That ys full gode and trew,That fell some tyme in Ynglond.
All that wyll of solas lere,
Herkyns now, and ȝe schall here,
And ȝe kane vnderstond;
Off a bowrd I wyll ȝou schew,
That ys full gode and trew,
That fell some tyme in Ynglond.
Kynge Arthour was off grete honour,Off castellis and of many a toure,And full wyde iknow;10A gode ensample I wyll ȝou sey,What chanse befell hym one a dey;Herkyn to my saw!
Kynge Arthour was off grete honour,
Off castellis and of many a toure,
And full wyde iknow;
A gode ensample I wyll ȝou sey,
What chanse befell hym one a dey;
Herkyn to my saw!
Cokwoldes he louyd, as I ȝou plyȝt;He honouryd them, both dey and nyght,15In all maner of thyng;And as I rede in story,He was kokwold sykerly;Ffor sothê it is no lesyng.
Cokwoldes he louyd, as I ȝou plyȝt;
He honouryd them, both dey and nyght,
In all maner of thyng;
And as I rede in story,
He was kokwold sykerly;
Ffor sothê it is no lesyng.
Herkyne, seres, what I sey;Her may ȝe here solas and pley,20Iff ȝe wyll take gode hede;Kyng Arthour had a bugyll horn,That ever mour stod hym be forn,Were so that ever he ȝede.
Herkyne, seres, what I sey;
Her may ȝe here solas and pley,
Iff ȝe wyll take gode hede;
Kyng Arthour had a bugyll horn,
That ever mour stod hym be forn,
Were so that ever he ȝede.
25Ffor when he was at the bord sete,Anon the horne schuld befette,Ther off that he myght drynk;Ffor myche crafte he couth thereby,And ofte tymes the treuth he sey;30Non other couth he thynke.
Ffor when he was at the bord sete,
Anon the horne schuld befette,
Ther off that he myght drynk;
Ffor myche crafte he couth thereby,
And ofte tymes the treuth he sey;
Non other couth he thynke.
Iff any cokwold drynke of it,Spyll he schuld, withouten lette;Therfor thei wer not glade;Gret dispyte thei had therby,35Because it dyde them vilony,And made them oft tymes sade.
Iff any cokwold drynke of it,
Spyll he schuld, withouten lette;
Therfor thei wer not glade;
Gret dispyte thei had therby,
Because it dyde them vilony,
And made them oft tymes sade.
When the kyng wold hafe solas,The bugyll wasfettinto the plas,To make solas and game;40And then changyd the cokwoldes chere;The kyng them callyd ferre and nere,Lordynges, by ther name.
When the kyng wold hafe solas,
The bugyll wasfettinto the plas,
To make solas and game;
And then changyd the cokwoldes chere;
The kyng them callyd ferre and nere,
Lordynges, by ther name.
Than men myght se game inowȝe,When every cokwold on other leuȝe,45And ȝit thei schamyd sore:Where euer the cokwoldes wer sought,Befor the kyng thei were brought,Both lesse and more.
Than men myght se game inowȝe,
When every cokwold on other leuȝe,
And ȝit thei schamyd sore:
Where euer the cokwoldes wer sought,
Befor the kyng thei were brought,
Both lesse and more.
Kyng Arthour than, verament,50Ordeynd, throw hys awne assent,Ssoth as I ȝow sey,The tabull dormounte withouten lette;Ther at the cokwoldes wer sette,To have solas and pley.
Kyng Arthour than, verament,
Ordeynd, throw hys awne assent,
Ssoth as I ȝow sey,
The tabull dormounte withouten lette;
Ther at the cokwoldes wer sette,
To have solas and pley.
55Ffor at the bord schuld be non otherBot euery cokwold and hisbrother;To tell treuth I must nedes;And when the cokwoldes wer sette,Garlandes of wylos sculd be fette,60And sett vpon ther hedes.
Ffor at the bord schuld be non other
Bot euery cokwold and hisbrother;
To tell treuth I must nedes;
And when the cokwoldes wer sette,
Garlandes of wylos sculd be fette,
And sett vpon ther hedes.
Off the best mete, withoute lesyng,That stode on bord befor the kyng,Both ferr and nere,To the cokwoldes he sente anon,65And bad them be glad euerychon,Ffor his sake make gode chere.
Off the best mete, withoute lesyng,
That stode on bord befor the kyng,
Both ferr and nere,
To the cokwoldes he sente anon,
And bad them be glad euerychon,
Ffor his sake make gode chere.
And seyd, "Lordyngs, for ȝour lyues,Be neuer the wrother with ȝour wyues,Ffor no manner of nede:70Off women com duke and kyng;I ȝow tell without lesyng,Of them com owre manhed.
And seyd, "Lordyngs, for ȝour lyues,
Be neuer the wrother with ȝour wyues,
Ffor no manner of nede:
Off women com duke and kyng;
I ȝow tell without lesyng,
Of them com owre manhed.
So it befell sertenly,The duke off Glosseter com in hyȝe,75To the courte with full gret myȝht;He was reseyued at the kyngs palys,With mych honour and grete solas,With lords that were well dygȝht.
So it befell sertenly,
The duke off Glosseter com in hyȝe,
To the courte with full gret myȝht;
He was reseyued at the kyngs palys,
With mych honour and grete solas,
With lords that were well dygȝht.
With the kyng ther dyde he dwell,80Bot how long I can not tell,Therof knaw I non name;Off kyng Arthour a wonder case,Frendes, herkyns how it was,Ffor now begynes game.
With the kyng ther dyde he dwell,
Bot how long I can not tell,
Therof knaw I non name;
Off kyng Arthour a wonder case,
Frendes, herkyns how it was,
Ffor now begynes game.
85Vppon a dey, withouten lette,The duke with the kyng was sette,At mete with mykill pride;He lukyd abowte wonder faste,Hys syght on euery syde he caste90To them that sate besyde.
Vppon a dey, withouten lette,
The duke with the kyng was sette,
At mete with mykill pride;
He lukyd abowte wonder faste,
Hys syght on euery syde he caste
To them that sate besyde.
The kyng aspyed the erle anon,And fast he lowȝhe the erle vpon,And bad he schuld be glad;And yet, for all hys grete honour,95Cokwold was Kyng Arthour,Ne galle non he had.
The kyng aspyed the erle anon,
And fast he lowȝhe the erle vpon,
And bad he schuld be glad;
And yet, for all hys grete honour,
Cokwold was Kyng Arthour,
Ne galle non he had.
So at the last, the duke he brayd,And to the kyng thes wordessayd;He myght no longer forbere;100"Syr, what hath thes men don,That syche garlondes thei were vpon?That skyll wold I lere."
So at the last, the duke he brayd,
And to the kyng thes wordessayd;
He myght no longer forbere;
"Syr, what hath thes men don,
That syche garlondes thei were vpon?
That skyll wold I lere."
The kyng seyd the erle to,"Syr, non hurte they haue do,105Ffor this was thruȝh a chans.Sertes thei be fre men all,Ffor non of them hath no gall;Therfor this is ther penans.
The kyng seyd the erle to,
"Syr, non hurte they haue do,
Ffor this was thruȝh a chans.
Sertes thei be fre men all,
Ffor non of them hath no gall;
Therfor this is ther penans.
"Ther wyves hath ben merchandabull,110And of ther ware compenabull;Methinke it is non herme;A man of lufe that wold them craue,Hastely he schuld it haue,Ffor thei couth not hym wern.
"Ther wyves hath ben merchandabull,
And of ther ware compenabull;
Methinke it is non herme;
A man of lufe that wold them craue,
Hastely he schuld it haue,
Ffor thei couth not hym wern.
115"All theyr wyves, sykerlyke,Hath vsyd thebackefysyke,Whyll thes men were oute;And ofte they haue draw that draught,To vse well the lechers craft,120With rubyng of ther toute.
"All theyr wyves, sykerlyke,
Hath vsyd thebackefysyke,
Whyll thes men were oute;
And ofte they haue draw that draught,
To vse well the lechers craft,
With rubyng of ther toute.
"Syr," he seyd, "now haue I redd;Ete we now, and make vs glad,And euery man fle care;"The duke seyd to hym anon,125"Than be thei cokwoldes, everychon;"The kyng seyd, "hold the there."
"Syr," he seyd, "now haue I redd;
Ete we now, and make vs glad,
And euery man fle care;"
The duke seyd to hym anon,
"Than be thei cokwoldes, everychon;"
The kyng seyd, "hold the there."
The kyng than, after the erlys word,Send to the cokwolds bord,To make them mery among,130All manner of mynstralsy,To glad the cokwolds by and byWith herpe, fydell, and song:
The kyng than, after the erlys word,
Send to the cokwolds bord,
To make them mery among,
All manner of mynstralsy,
To glad the cokwolds by and by
With herpe, fydell, and song:
And bad them take no greffe,Bot all with loue and with leffe,135Euery man ... with other;Ffor after mete, without distans,The cockwolds schuld together danse,Euery man with hys brother.
And bad them take no greffe,
Bot all with loue and with leffe,
Euery man ... with other;
Ffor after mete, without distans,
The cockwolds schuld together danse,
Euery man with hys brother.
Than began a nobull game:140The cockwolds together cameBefor the erle and the kyng;In skerlet kyrtells over one,The cokwoldes stodyn euerychon,Redy vnto the dansyng.
Than began a nobull game:
The cockwolds together came
Befor the erle and the kyng;
In skerlet kyrtells over one,
The cokwoldes stodyn euerychon,
Redy vnto the dansyng.
145Than seyd the kyng in hye,"Go fyll my bugyll hastely,And bryng it to my hond.I wyll asey with a gyneAll the cokwolds that her is in;150To know them wyll I fond."
Than seyd the kyng in hye,
"Go fyll my bugyll hastely,
And bryng it to my hond.
I wyll asey with a gyne
All the cokwolds that her is in;
To know them wyll I fond."
Than seyd the erle, "for charyte,In what skyll, tell me,A cokwold may I know?"To the erle the kyng ansuerd,155"Syr, be myn hore berd,Thou schall se within a throw."
Than seyd the erle, "for charyte,
In what skyll, tell me,
A cokwold may I know?"
To the erle the kyng ansuerd,
"Syr, be myn hore berd,
Thou schall se within a throw."
The bugyll was brought the kyng to hond.Then seyd the kyng, "I vnderstond,Thys horne that ȝe here se,160Ther is no cockwold, fer ne nere,Here of to drynke hath no power,As wyde as Crystiante,
The bugyll was brought the kyng to hond.
Then seyd the kyng, "I vnderstond,
Thys horne that ȝe here se,
Ther is no cockwold, fer ne nere,
Here of to drynke hath no power,
As wyde as Crystiante,
"Bot he schall spyll on euery syde;Ffor any cas that may betyde,165Schall non therof avanse."And ȝit, for all hys grete honour,Hymselfe, noble kyng Arthour,Hath forteynd syche a chans.
"Bot he schall spyll on euery syde;
Ffor any cas that may betyde,
Schall non therof avanse."
And ȝit, for all hys grete honour,
Hymselfe, noble kyng Arthour,
Hath forteynd syche a chans.
"Syr erle," he seyd, "take and begyn."170He seyd; "nay, be seynt Austyn,That wer to me vylony;Not for all a reme to wyn,Befor you I schuld begyn,Ffor honour off my curtassy."
"Syr erle," he seyd, "take and begyn."
He seyd; "nay, be seynt Austyn,
That wer to me vylony;
Not for all a reme to wyn,
Befor you I schuld begyn,
Ffor honour off my curtassy."
175Kyng Arthour ther he toke the horn,And dyde as he was wont beforn,Bot therwas ȝit gon a gyle:He wend to haue dronke of the best,Bot sone he spyllyd on hys brest,180Within a lytell whyle.
Kyng Arthour ther he toke the horn,
And dyde as he was wont beforn,
Bot therwas ȝit gon a gyle:
He wend to haue dronke of the best,
Bot sone he spyllyd on hys brest,
Within a lytell whyle.
The cokwoldes lokyd iche on other,And thought the kyng was their own brother,And glad thei wer of that:"He hath vs scornyd many a tyme,185And now he is a cokwold fyne,To were a cokwoldes hate."
The cokwoldes lokyd iche on other,
And thought the kyng was their own brother,
And glad thei wer of that:
"He hath vs scornyd many a tyme,
And now he is a cokwold fyne,
To were a cokwoldes hate."
The quene was therof schamyd sore;Sche changyd hyr colour lesse and more,And wold haue ben a wey.190Therwith the kyng gan hyr behold,And seyd he schuld neuer be so bold,The soth agene to sey.
The quene was therof schamyd sore;
Sche changyd hyr colour lesse and more,
And wold haue ben a wey.
Therwith the kyng gan hyr behold,
And seyd he schuld neuer be so bold,
The soth agene to sey.
"Cokwoldes no mour I wyll repreue,Ffor I ame ane, and aske no leue,195Ffor all my rentes and londys.Lordyngs, all now may ȝe knowThat I may dance in the cokwold row,And take ȝou by the handes."
"Cokwoldes no mour I wyll repreue,
Ffor I ame ane, and aske no leue,
Ffor all my rentes and londys.
Lordyngs, all now may ȝe know
That I may dance in the cokwold row,
And take ȝou by the handes."
Than seyd thei all at a word,200That cokwoldes schuld begynne the bord,And sytt hyest in the halle."Go we, lordyngs, all [and] same,And dance to make vs gle and game,Ffor cokwolds have no galle."
Than seyd thei all at a word,
That cokwoldes schuld begynne the bord,
And sytt hyest in the halle.
"Go we, lordyngs, all [and] same,
And dance to make vs gle and game,
Ffor cokwolds have no galle."
205And after that sone anon,The kyng causyd the cokwolds ychonTo wesch withouten les;Ffor ought that euer may betyde,He sett them by hys awne syde,210Vp at the hyȝe dese.
And after that sone anon,
The kyng causyd the cokwolds ychon
To wesch withouten les;
Ffor ought that euer may betyde,
He sett them by hys awne syde,
Vp at the hyȝe dese.
The kyng hymselff a gurlond fette;Uppon hys hede he it sette,Ffor it myght be non other,And seyd, "Lordyngs, sykerly,215We be all off a freyry;I ame ȝour awne brother.
The kyng hymselff a gurlond fette;
Uppon hys hede he it sette,
Ffor it myght be non other,
And seyd, "Lordyngs, sykerly,
We be all off a freyry;
I ame ȝour awne brother.
"Be Jhesu Cryst that is aboffe,That man aught me gode loffeThat ley by my quene:220I wer worthy hym to honour,Both in castell and in towre,With rede, skerlet and grene.
"Be Jhesu Cryst that is aboffe,
That man aught me gode loffe
That ley by my quene:
I wer worthy hym to honour,
Both in castell and in towre,
With rede, skerlet and grene.
"Ffor him he helpyd, when I was forth,To cher my wyfe and make her myrth;225Ffor women louys wele pley;And therfor, serys, have ȝe no dowteBot many schall dance in the cokwoldes rowte,Both by nyght and dey.
"Ffor him he helpyd, when I was forth,
To cher my wyfe and make her myrth;
Ffor women louys wele pley;
And therfor, serys, have ȝe no dowte
Bot many schall dance in the cokwoldes rowte,
Both by nyght and dey.
"And therefor, lordyngs, take no care;230Make we mery; for nothing spare;All brether in one rowte."Than the cokwoldes wer full blythe,And thankyd God a hundred syth,Ffor soth withouten dowte.
"And therefor, lordyngs, take no care;
Make we mery; for nothing spare;
All brether in one rowte."
Than the cokwoldes wer full blythe,
And thankyd God a hundred syth,
Ffor soth withouten dowte.
235Every cokwold seyd to other,"Kyng Arthour is our awne brother,Therfor we may be blyth:"The erle off Glowsytur verament,Toke hys leve, and home he wente,240And thankyd the kyng fele sythe.
Every cokwold seyd to other,
"Kyng Arthour is our awne brother,
Therfor we may be blyth:"
The erle off Glowsytur verament,
Toke hys leve, and home he wente,
And thankyd the kyng fele sythe.
Kyng Arthourlived at Karlyon,With hys cokwolds euerychon,And made both gam and gle:* * * * ** * * * ** * * * *
Kyng Arthourlived at Karlyon,
With hys cokwolds euerychon,
And made both gam and gle:
* * * * *
* * * * *
* * * * *
A knyght ther was withouten les,245That seruyd at the kyngs des,Syr Corneus hyght he;He made this gest in hys gam,And named it after hys awne name,In herpyng or other gle.
A knyght ther was withouten les,
That seruyd at the kyngs des,
Syr Corneus hyght he;
He made this gest in hys gam,
And named it after hys awne name,
In herpyng or other gle.
250And after, nobull kyng ArthourLyued and dyed with honour,As many hath don senne,Both cokwoldes and other mo:God gyff vs grace that we may goTo heuyn! Amen, Amen.
And after, nobull kyng Arthour
Lyued and dyed with honour,
As many hath don senne,
Both cokwoldes and other mo:
God gyff vs grace that we may go
To heuyn! Amen, Amen.
26, sette. See59,211.
26, sette. See59,211.
38, sett.
38, sett.
56, brothers.
56, brothers.
98, MS. spake.
98, MS. spake.
115, MS. baskefysyke.
115, MS. baskefysyke.
135, word wanting.
135, word wanting.
178, Bot he.
178, Bot he.
241, left at Skarlyon.
241, left at Skarlyon.
243, Three lines omitted in MS.
243, Three lines omitted in MS.
This is one of the few ballads contained in the Percy MS., which we have the pleasure of possessing as it is there written. Having first submitted an improved copy, "with large conjectural supplements and corrections," Percy added this old fragment at the end of the volume: "literally and exactly printed, with all its defects, inaccuracies, and errata," in order, as he triumphantly remarks, "that such austere antiquaries as complain that the ancient copies have not been always rigidly adhered to, may see how unfit for publication many of the pieces would have been, if all the blunders, corruptions, and nonsense of illiterate reciters and transcribers had been superstitiously retained, without some attempt to correct and amend them."
"This ballad," the Editor of theReliquesgoes on to say, "has most unfortunately suffered by having half of every leaf in this part of the MS. torn away; and, as about nine stanzas generally occur in the half-page now remaining, it is concluded that theother half contained nearly the same number of stanzas." The story may be seen, unmutilated and in an older form, in Madden'sSyr Gawayne, p. 298,The Weddynge of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnell.
The transformation on which the story turns is found also in Chaucer'sWife of Bath's Tale, in Gower's tale ofFlorent and the King of Sicily's Daughter; (Confessio Amantis, Book I.) in the ballad ofKing Henry(page 147 of this volume); and in an Icelandic saga of the Danish king Helgius, quoted by Scott in his illustrations toKing Henry, Minstrelsy, iii. 274.
Voltaire has employed the same idea in hisCe qui plaît aux Dames, but whence he borrowed it we are unable to say.
Worked over by some ballad-monger of the sixteenth century, and of course reduced to dish-water, this tale has found its way intoThe Crown Garland of Golden Roses, Part I. p. 68 (Percy Society, vol. vi.),Of a Knight and a Faire Virgin.