Thatswaupright letter m with macronoveletter r with right hook, uprightthe cliffe.and swims across.He blessed him in godis nameRichard follows her,And folowed the same waye2812and, passing over inThe gentil hende, þat was so tame,safety,Thatoupright letter n with macronþat othir side gan playe.He thanked god fele sythe,That him hade sente comforte.2816He hied him in his message swiþe,hurries on toTo speke witħ Charles his lorde.Charlemagne.But I shalleyoupright letter u with hooktelle of a traytour,That his name was called Genelyne,2820He counseiled Charles for hishonouletter r with right hook, uprightMeanwhile Genelyn,To turne homewardeageyupright letter n with macron.the traitor, hadHe saide “the xij peres bene alle dede,advised Charles toAnd ye spende your goode in vayne,2824retire to France,And therfore dotħ nowe by my rede,because the 12 peersYe shalle see hem no morecerteyupright letter n with macron.”were all slain. TheThe kinge bileved þat he saide,king believed him,And homwarde gan he fare.2828and marched homeward,He of his xij Dosiperes was sore dismayed,lamenting for hisHis herte woxe right fulle ofcaletter r with right hook, upright.peers. RichardRycharde of Normandy came prikandeovertakes him, and isAnd hertly to ride begane.2832recognised by Charles,Kinge Charles aspyed him comande;He commaunded to abide euerymaupright letter n with macron.who asks him about“What tidingges?” quod the kinge to Richarde,the others. Richard“Howe fare my felowes alle?”2836tells the king, how“My lorde” he saide “god wote, ful harde,they are besiegedFor thai be byseged with-in ston-walle,within the castle,Abydynge youre helpe andyouletter r with right hook, uprightsocouletter r with right hook, upright,and are waiting forAs men þat haue grete nede.2840his assistance.For Ihesues loue, kinge ofhonouletter r with right hook, upright,Thiderward yeyoupright letter u with hookspede!”Charles, vowing“O Genelyne” quod the kinge,vengeance on“Nowe knowe I thytresoupright letter n with macron,2844[leaf 71] Genelyn,I shalle the qwite, be seynte Fremounde,
‹p082›CHARLES MARCHES TO AGREMORE.
Whaupright letter n with macronthis viage isdoupright letter n with macron.”The kinge turned himageyupright letter n with macron,turned and marched toAnd alle his Ooste him witħ,2848Agremore.Towarde Mountrible certeyne.And178graunte him gree and grith!Richarde him tolde of that place,Howe stronge it was I-holde2852Richard informed himWith a geaunte foule of face,of the giant, whoThe brigge hath chayned many folde;kept the bridge,The River was both depe and brode,Ther myght nomaupright letter n with macronover-ryde.2856and how he had passed“The last tyme that I over-rode,the river by aBy myracle I passed þat tide.miracle.Therfore sir, I shalyoupright letter u with hooktelle,Howe ye mote governeyoupright letter u with hookhere.2860In yonde wode ye moste dwelleHe proposed a plan,Priuely in thismaneletter r with right hook, upright,that 12 knightsAnd xij of vs shalle vs arayedisguised asIn gyse of stronge marchauntes,2864merchants, withAnd fille oure somers withe fog and haye,To passe the brigge Currauntes.We shalle be armed vnder the cotetheir arms hiddenWith goode swerdes wele I-gyrde,2868under their clothes,We moste paye tribute, wele I wote,should pay the toll,And elles over we may not sterte.and the bridge beingButwhaupright letter n with macronthe chaynes be letedowupright letter n with macronlet down,Ouer ther for to passe,2872Than wole I, þat ye comeoupright letter n with macron,In haste to that same place.Whaupright letter n with macronI see tyme for to come,Thaupright letter n with macronshalle I my horne blowe.2876should blow a hornLoke, ye be redy alle and some,as a signal for theFor thatshaupright letters ll with middle tildeye welle knowe.”others to approach.Forth thay wente in þat arayeThey start and arriveTo Mountrible, that Cite.2880at Mantrible.
‹p083›THE BRIDGEWARD OF MANTRIBLE REFUSES TO LET THEM PASS.
Alagolofuletter r with right hook, uprighttoheupright letter m with macrongan seye,Alagolafre asks“Felawes, wheder wole ye?”whither they areRicharde spake to the geauntegoing.And saide “towarde theSowdoupright letter n with macron,2884Richard says, theyWith dyu[e]rschaffeletter r with right hook, uprightas trewe marchaunte,are merchants onWe purpose for togooupright letter n with macron,their way to theTo shewen him ofpelluletter r with right hook, uprightand Gryse,179Soudan,Orfrays of Perse Imperyalle,2888[leaf 72]We wole the yefe tribute of assayeand they are willingTo passe by lycence inespecyaupright letters ll with middle tilde.”to pay the toll.“Licence gete yenooupright letter n with macronof me,180Alagolafre refuses toI am charged that nooneshaupright letters ll with middle tildepasse,2892let them pass, andFor x lurdeyns of Fraunce wereheletter r with right hook, upright;tells them about theGod yefe hem evell grace!10 knights, who hadThay passed this way toEgramouletter r with right hook, upright;passed there and doneThay haue done theSowdoupright letter n with macrongrete tene,2896so much mischief toThay have wonne his toure and histresouletter r with right hook, upright,the Soudan;And yet holde thai it, I wene.Wherfoletter r with right hook, upright,felawes, I arestyoupright letter u with hookalle,therefore he willTille I knowe, what þat ye bene.”2900arrest them all.Sire Focarde brayde oute his swerde witħ-alle,Sir Focard draws hisWel sore he gan to tenesword andAnd saide “fyeoupright letter n with macronthe Sarasyne!For alle thy grete harde hede2904Shaltow never drinke waterner wyne,By god! thou shalte be dede.”He smote at him witħ egre cheresmites at him.But he gafe thereof right nought.2908“Alas” quod Richard “thou combrest vsheletter r with right hook, upright,By god, that medeletter r with right hook, uprighthatħ boghte.”The cheynes yetweletter r with right hook, uprightalle faste,The geaunte wexe nere wode,2912Richard blewe his horne in haste,Richard blows hisThat was both shrille and goode.horn, and CharlesKinge Charles hied himanooupright letter n with macronadvances.
‹p084›ALAGOLAFRE AND BARROCK ARE SLAIN.
Towarde the brigge so longe;2916The Geaunte faught withheupright letter m with macronalone,He was so harde and stronge.With aCloupright letter g with right barofaupright letter n with macronOke he faugħt,Alagolafre fightsThat was wele bound with stele.2920them with a great oakHe slough al þateveletter r with right hook, uprighthe raugħt,club.So stronge was his dinte to dele.Richard seizes a barRichard raught him witħ abarletter r with right hook, uprightof bras,of brass and knocksThat he caught at the gate.2924him down.He brake his legges, he cryed “alas”And felle allecheupright letter k with right bar-mate.Loudethaupright letter n with macrongaupright letter n with macronhe to yelle;Thay herde him yelle througħ þat Cite,2928Like the grete develle of helle,And saide “Mahounde, nowe helpe me!”[leaf 73]iiij men him caughttheletter r with right hook, upright,4 men get hold of himSo hevy he was and longe,2932and throw him intoAnd cast him ouer in-to theriveletter r with right hook, upright.the river.Chese he, whither181he wolde swymme orgonupright letter g with right bar!They loosened theAnooupright letter n with macronthay brast the Chaynes alle,chains;That ouer the brigge were I-drawe.2936The Saresynsronneupright letter n with macronto the walle,but, the SaracensManyCristeupright letter n with macronmen weretheletter r with right hook, uprightI-slawe.assembling on theThan came forth Dambarroupright letter k with right bar,the bolde,walls of the city,With a sithelarge and kene,2940many Christians wereAnd mewea-dowupright letter n with macronas þikke as shepe in folde,slain. Alagolafre’sThat came byforne hir by-dene.wife, Barrock theThisBarroupright letter k with right barwas a geaunesse,giantess, comes onAnd wife she was to Astragote,2944with her scythe andShe did theCristeupright letter n with macrongrete distresse,mows down all whomShe felled downe alle þat she smote.she meets.There durst no man hire sithe abyde,She grenned like a develle of helle.2948Kinge Charles with a quarel þat tideCharles dashes outSmote hir, that she lowdegaupright letter n with macronyelle,her brains,
‹p085›CHARLES IS SHUT IN IN THE TOWN.
Euer182the founte througħ-oute thebrayupright letter n with macron;That cursede fende filledowupright letter n with macrondede.2952Many a man hade she thereslayupright letter n with macron,Might she never aftyr ete more brede!Charles entred in the firste wardeand with 15 knightsWith xv knightis and no moo;2956enters the outer gateOf hym his oste toke no garde,of the town,He wende his oste hade entred also.thinking his armyThe Sarysyns ronne to the gate,would follow him.And shet it wonder faste.2960But the gate wasCharlesmeupright letter n with macroncome to late;instantly closed uponTho was Charles sore agaste.him, and his men cameBetwene two wardes he was shit,too late.Defende he him if hecaupright letter n with macron!2964The Sarysyns with him thay mette,Charles was in greatGrete parel was he inthaupright letter n with macron.danger;Tho Genelyne saie, the kinge was innebut Genelyn, seeingAnd the yates faste I-stoke,2968him shut in,Ther myght nomaupright letter n with macronto him wynne,So was he faste witħ-inne I-loke,To his frendes he gan spekeAnd saide “the kinge is dede,2973[leaf 74] exclaimedAnd alle xij peres eke.that the king andOn peyne” said he “to lese mynhede,the 12 peers wereLet vs hye to Fraunce warde!dead, and proposed toFor I wele be crownede kinge,2976retire, as he wishedI shalleyoupright letter u with hookalle wele rewarde,to be king himself.For I wole spare for no thinge.”Anooupright letter n with macronthay assented to Genelyne,Thay saugh, ther was no betterrede.2980The Frensshmeupright letter n with macrondreweheupright letter m with macronal ayene,They are going toThay wende the kinge hade bene dedde.return,Tho Ferumbras witħ his meynethaupright letter n with macronbut FerumbrasCame for to seke the kinge,2984And saugh hem turne euerymaupright letter n with macron;
‹p086›CHARLES IS RESCUED BY FERUMBRAS.
Him thought, it was a wondirthinupright letter g with right bar.“Where is the kinge?” quod Ferumbras.Quod Genelyne “with-in the walle,2988Shaltoweneueletter r with right hook, uprightmoreseeupright letter n with macronhis face!”“God gyf theaupright letter n with macronyvel falle!Turne agayne,thoupright letter u with hooktraytoure!calls him a traitour,And helpe to reskowe thy lorde.2992And ye, sires, alle foryouletter r with right hook, uprighthonouletter r with right hook, upright!”rallies the French,Thay turned agayne with that worde.Ferumbras with axe in honde,and with his axeMyghtyly brake up the gate,2996bursts open the gate.Ther myght laste himnooupright letter n with macronyroupright letter n with macronbonde,He hadeneletter r with right hook, upright-hondeI-come to late.The kinge hadde fought so longe witħ-ynne,That onnethe myght he no more.3000Many ther wereabouteupright letter n with macronhim,Hismeupright letter n with macronwere wounded ful sore.Ferumbras came with gode spede,He made the Sarasyns to fle.3004He chased theHe reskowed the kinge at his nede,Saracens and rescuedXL Sarasyns sone killed he.the king.Thai ronnen a-weye by every side,Thai durstenowheletter r with right hook, uprightrowte.3008In shorte tyme was falled her pride,Thay caught many a sore cloute.That Cite was wonne that same daye,Mantrible is taken,And everytouletter r with right hook, uprightther-ynne3012Of Mountreble, þat was so gaye,For alleheletter r with right hook, uprightsoubtile gynne,[leaf 75]Fulle oftresouletter r with right hook, uprightand richesse,with all its enginesOf Siluer and goolde andperletter r with right hook, upright,3016and treasures.And clothes of goolde, wroght of Saresynes,Of riche aray and roialte.Richard found 2Richarde, Duke of Normandy,children of 7 monthsFounde ij Children of .vij. monþes oolde,1833020old and
‹p087›HE HURRIES ON TO AGREMORE.
xiiij fote longeweletter r with right hook, uprightthay,4 feet high.Thayweletter r with right hook, uprightBarrakes sonnes so boolde;They were sons ofBygote thayweletter r with right hook, uprightof Astragot.Barrock, begotten byGrete joye the kinge of hemhade.3024Astragot.Hetheupright letter n with macronthayweletter r with right hook, uprightbotħ, wele I wote,Therforeheupright letter m with macronto be cristenede he bade.Charles caused themHe called þat one of hem Roulande,to be baptized, andAnd that other he clepedOlyueletter r with right hook, upright:3028called the one Roland“For thai shalle be myghty men of honde.”and the other Oliver.Tokepeupright letter n with macronhem, he was fulle chere.Thay myght not leve, her Dam was dede;But they soon diedThai coude not kepe hem fortħ.3032Thai wolde neyþer ete butternere brede,Ner nomeupright letter n with macron184was to hem worthe.Heletter r with right hook, uprightDammes mylke they lakkedtheletter r with right hook, upright,for want of theirThay deyden for defaute of here dam.3036mother’s milk.Kinge Charles made hevycheletter r with right hook, upright,And a sorymaupright letter n with macronwas than.The kinge lete ordeyneanooupright letter n with macron,The Cite to begouerneupright letter d with right vertical tilde3040Of the worthyest ofheupright letter m with macronychoupright letter n with macron,That weren ofwerletter r with right hook, uprightbestlerneupright letter d with right vertical tilde.Duke Richarde of Normandy,The king appointsHe was made chiefgouernouletter r with right hook, upright;3044Richard governor ofAnd ij C with him in hys companythe city,To kepe the brigge andtouletter r with right hook, upright.Fortħ he rode tolabaupright letter n with macronthaupright letter n with macron,and hurries onWith his Ooste andSiletter r with right hook, uprightFerumbras.3048to Agremore withA spye to theSowdoupright letter n with macronfast ranhis army and withAnd tolde him al that cas,Ferumbras.How Charles was come with his ost,And Mountrible hade he wonne,3052“Alagolofurslayupright letter n with macronis for alle his bost,This game was evelbegoupright letter n with macron.”Whane laban herde of his comynge,
‹p088›FLORIPAS RECOGNISES THE FRENCH BANNER.
Him thought his herte gan breke.3056“Shalle I never be withoute moornynge,[leaf 76]Tille I of him be wreke.”He commaunded to blowe his ClaryonsTo assemble alle his Ooste.3060His counsaile to him he lete calleAnd tolde, how kinge Charles was in þat coost,Laban, being told byHadde wonne Mountrible andslayupright letter n with macronhis mena spy that his city“And dishirytħ to disheryte me,3064was taken and theAnd proudely manessith me tofleeupright letter n with macron,bridge-ward killed,Or drive me oute of this contre.Me mervaylythe moch of his pride.By Mahounde, moost of mygħt!3068Ye and my sone withe him doth ride,To the develle I hem bedigħt.But I be venget of hem bothswears to avenge him.And hongeheupright letter m with macronon a tree,3072To myghty Mahounde I make myne othe,Shalle I never Joyfulle be.Therfore I chargeyoupright letter u with hookin alle wyseHe calls a council,That thay be taken orslayupright letter n with macron.3076and charges hisThane shalle I pynne heme at my gysebarons to takeAnddoupright letter n with macronhem alle qwike beflayupright letter n with macron.”Charles alive thatOn the morowe, whan it was day,he might flay him.Kinge Charles was in the felde,3080Charles approaches.ByforeAgremouletter r with right hook, uprightin riche arayOn stede witħspeletter r with right hook, uprightand sheelde.Floripe lay on thetouletter r with right hook, uprightoupright letter n with macronhyeFloripas firstAnd knewe thebaneletter r with right hook, uprightof Fraunce.3084recognises the bannerTo Roulande she gan faste cryeof FranceTidynges of goode chaunce:“Kinge Charles is comen and Ferumbras,and tells the others.Here baners botħ I do see,3088With alle her osteyondeletter r with right hook, uprightin þat place;Welcome to vs thay alle be.”Roulande and Olyuere
‹p089›CHARLES DISMOUNTS LABAN AND LEADS HIM TO AGREMORE.