GOd in glorye of myghteste89moost,1God has ordained allThat al thinge made in sapiencethings wisely.By vertue of woorde and holy goost,Gyvinge to man grete excellence,4He has subjected theAnd alle, þat is in erthe, wroghtearth to man, and manSubiecte to man andmaupright letter n with macronto the,to God.That he shoulde witħ herte and thoughtTo loue and serve, andnooupright letter n with hookbut the:8The man who keeps HisFor ȝyfemaupright letter n with macronkepte thy commaundementecommandments and lovesIn al thinge and loued the welleHim well, will feelAnd hadde synnede in his entente,His grace. But manyThaupright letter n with hookshulde he fully thy grace fele;12who offended Him haveBut for the offences to GodI-doon90felt His vengeance. IMany vengeaunces haue be-falle.will tell you of one;Where-of I woleyoupright letter u with hooktelle ofooupright letter n with hook,it would take too longIt were to mocħ to telle of alle.16to tell of all. ListenWhile þat Rome was in excellenceto me, and ye shallOf alle Realmes in dignite,hear how Rome, theAnd howe it felle for his offence,former mistress of allListinythe a while and ye shal see,20nations, came to fallHowe it waswoneupright letter n with hookand brenteby its sins, and wasOf aSowdoupright letter n with hook,thatheatheupright letter n with hookwas,destroyed by a heathenAnd for synne howe it was shente;Soudan. King Lewis hasAs Kinge Lowes witnessith þat cas,24borne witness to
‹p002›LABAN, THE SOUDAN OF BABYLON, HEARS
As it is wryten in Romauncethat story, which,And founden in bokes of Antiquytewritten in RomanceAt Seinte Denyse Abbey in Fraunc[e],91and found in veryThere as Cronycles remembrede be,28old chronicles atHowe Laban, the kinge of hie degre,St Denys in France,Andsyletter r with right hook, uprightandSowdoupright letter n with hookof hieBabiloupright letter n with hook,relates how Laban, theConquerede grete parte of Christiante,king of Babylon, whoThat was born inAskaloupright letter n with hook.32was born at Ascalon,And in the Cite of Agremare92conquered a great partVppoupright letter n with macronthe Rivere of Flagoteof Christendom. He wasAt þat tyme he soiornedtheletter r with right hook, upright†holding his court inFulle roially, wel I wote,36the city of Agremore,With kinges xij and Admyralles xiiij,on the river Flagot,With many aBaroupright letter n with macron& Kniȝtis ful boold,with 12 kings and 14That roialle were and semly to sene;admirals, and manyHere worþynesse al may not be told.40worthy barons andHit bifelle by-twyxte March and Maye,[lf 1, bk] knights,Whan kynde corage begynneth to pryke,when, in the timeWhaupright letter n with macronffritħ and felde wexen gaye,between March and May,And every wight desirith his like,44Whaupright letter n with macronloversslepeupright letter n with macronwitheopyupright letter n with macronyȝe,As Nightyngalis on grene tre,And sore desire þat thai cowde flye,That thay myghte withe here louere be:48This worthySowdoupright letter n with macronin thissesoupright letter n with macronhe went to the chaseShope him to grene woode togooupright letter n with macron,To chase the Bore or theVenesoupright letter n with macron,The Wolfe, the Bere and the Bawson.52He roode thovppoupright letter n with macrona fforeste strondein a wood near the sea.With grete rowte and roialte,The fairest, þat was in alle þat londe,With Alauntes, Lymmeris and Racches free.56His huntes to chace he commaunde,Here Bugles boldely for to blowe,To fere the beestis in þat launde.
‹p003›OF THE CAPTURE OF A SARACEN SHIP BY THE ROMANS.
TheSowdoupright letter n with macronwoxe wery I-nowe;60Being weary withHe rested him vndere an holme trehunting, he sat downSittyngevppoupright letter n with macrona grene seteunder a holm tree, and,Seynge a Dromonde com seilyng in þeseeseeing a dromondAnone he charged tobekyupright letter n with macronhimwithhonde64sailing on the sea, he chargedTo here of him tidinges newe.one to enquire for newsThe maistersende a man to londe,concerning the ship. TheOf diuers langages was gode and trewe,interpreter of the vessel beingAnd saide “lorde, this Dromonde9368sent ashore, informed theFro Babyloynecomeupright letter n with macronis,soudan, that thisThat was worþe thousande poundis,dromond, freighted atAs94it mete with shrewes I-wis,Babylon, with a cargoCharged with perle and precious stones72of rich furs, spices,And riche pelure and spicerye,oil, brass and pearls,With oyle and bras qweynte for the nonesintended as a presentTo presente yow, my lorde worthy.to the soudan, had beenA drift ofwediletter r with right hook, uprightvs droffe to Rome,76driven by stress ofThe Romaynes robbed vs anone;weather to Rome, whereOf vs thai slowgh ful many one.they had been robbed byWith sorwe and care we be bygone.the Romans.Whereof, lorde, remedye80[leaf 3]Ye ordeyne by youre Barons boolde,Therefore he solicitedTo wreke the of this vilane;that the soudan wouldOr certes oure blis is coolde.”take revenge on thoseThe Soudon hirynge this tyþinge,84who had done suchWith egre chere he made a vowevillainy to him.To Mahounde and to Appolyne,The soudan, hearingThat thai shulde by it dere I-nowe,these tidings, madeEr that he wente fro theyme.9588a vow to Mahound and“Where be ye, my kinges boolde,to Apolyn, that theyMy Barons and my Admyral?should dearly pay forThes tidinges make myn herte coolde,it.But I be venged, dyen I shalle.92‘Ferumbras, my son,’ heSire Ferumbras, my sone so dere,said, ‘and my daughterYe muste me comforte in this case;Floripas, ye must
‹p004›THE SOUDAN STARTS FROM AGREMORE
My ioye is alle in the nowe herebe my comfort in thisAnd in my Doghter Dame Florypas.96case.Sortybraunce, my Counselere,Order Sortibrance,Lete clepe him forthe to counsaile me,my counsellor, to beAnd Oliborne, my Chauncelerecalled for, and myAnd noble Clerke of hie degre,100chancellor Oliborn,And Espiarde, my messangere,and Espiard myTo goon to Assye and to Aufrike,messenger, that heTo kinges, princesferletter r with right hook, uprightandneletter r with right hook, upright,may go to Africa andBarons, Admyralls and Dukes frike,104to Asia and to allComaundinge hemvppoupright letter n with macronher legeauncethe princes, who oweTo come in al hast vnto me,me allegiance, andWel Armed with shelde and launse,command them hastily toTo Egremoureþoupright letter n with macronriche Cite.”108assemble with shieldIn shorte tyme this message was wroghteand lance at Agremore.’An hundred thouusande on a rowteIn a short time 100,000That robbery was righte dere boght,men had assembled.Was never none derrer withoutendouȝte.112On the advice of Lukafer,The kinge of Baldas, sirLukafeletter r with right hook, upright,king of Baldas,Of Aufryke lorde and governoure,the soudan alsoSpake to theSowdoupright letter n with macron,that menmyghte here,brought together 700 sailAnd saide “sir, for thynhonouletter r with right hook, upright,116and a dromond for himself,Do sende for shippes bothfeletter r with right hook, uprightand nere.”for Ferumbras ofCarrikes, Galeis and shippes shene,Alexandrie, for thevij hundred were gadered al in fereAsiatic king ofAnd a Dromonde for the Sowdeupright letter n with macronkene.120[leaf 4] Chaunder andSir Ferumbras of Alisaundrefor Floripas. ThereIn the Dromonde with him was,were two masters inOf Assy the kinge ofChaundeletter r with right hook, upright,that vessel, and twoAnd his faire dogħter Floripas.124idols placed on theTwo maistres were in the Dromounde,main top, with roundTwo goddes on hyeseteupright letter n with macronthoremaces, therewith toIn the maister toppe, withe macis rounde,menace the Christians.To manace with theCristeupright letter n with macronlore.128The sails of redThe sailes were of rede Sendelle,sendal-silk wereEmbrowdred witħ riche araye,
‹p005›TO INVADE ROME WITH A GREAT ARMY.
With beestes and breddes every dele,richly embroideredThat was right curious and gaye;132with figures ofThe Armes displaied of Labananimals and birds.Of Asure and foure lions of goolde.Four golden lions, theOf Babiloyne the richeSowdoupright letter n with macron,arms of the soudan ofMoost myghty man he was of moolde,136Babylon, were alsoHe made a vowe to Termagaunte,displayed thereon.Whan Rome were distroied & hade myschaunce,Laban made a vow toHe woolde turne ayen erraunteTermagant, to destroy Rome,And distroye Charles the kinge of Fraunce.140and after that Charlemagne.Fortħ thai sailed on the flode,Having disembarked inTille thai come to the haven of Rome:the haven of Rome,The wynde hem served, it was ful goode.they slew allTher londed many a grymlye gome.144Christians, and burnedThai brente and slowen, þat Cristen were,towns, abbeys andTowupright letter n with macron,Abbey and holy chirche.churches.The hethen hade such power there,The Pope of Rome,That moche woo gan thai there wircħ.148hearing of the heathensTidinggis came to Rome anonelaying waste the wholeUnto the Pope, that þttyme was,country,That the heþen came to bren and slone.This was to hem a sory cas.152He lete cal his counsaile to-gederassembled his council.To wete, what was beste todoupright letter n with macron.Anone as thai were comeþedeletter r with right hook, upright,He asked of hem al ful sone:156“Lordinges, it is vnknowne96to you,That this cursed hathenSowdoupright letter n with macronBrennyth and stroyeth oure pepul nowe,Alive he leveth vnneth not one.160Seint Petir be oure governoure[leaf 5]And save this worthi Cite of Rome,And Seinte Poule be oure gydoureFrom this cursedhetheupright letter n with macronhoune97!”164Ifreȝ he bispake himthaupright letter n with macron,Jeffrez, a senator
‹p006›SAVARIS LEADS THE CHRISTIAN TROOPS
Of Rome he was a Senatoure,of Rome, advised thatAnd saide “senditħ some worthy manworthy men should beTo Charles kinge of hye honoure.168sent to Charles ofHe wolde you helpe with al his mygħte,Douce France to imploreThat noble kinge of Dowse Fraunce.”his assistance.“Certes” quod Savaris “þat weren no rigħte,But Duke Savariz,It were right a foule myschaunce,172thinking this to beTo sende to þat worthy kinge.a wretched pieceWe have oure hedes yet al hole,of timidity, as theyOure sheldes be not broke no-thinge,had not triedHawberke, spere, ner poleyne, ner pole.176anything for themselves,Where-of shul weplayupright letter n with macronto him,That no thinge yet have assaide?Mecħ uylanye we myght wynne,That for noght were so sone afrayed.180Ten thousande men delyuere me tyteasked for 10,000 menTomorue next in-to the feelde,to be put under hisAnd I shall prove with al my myghtecommand.To breke there bothe spere and shelde.”184Vnto the Senatours it semed welle,His counsaile goode and honurable.This worthi Duke was armed in steleIn armes goode and profitable;188He bare a Chek of goulis clere,An Egle of goolde abrode displayed.With him many a bolde BachelereTho spake Savaryȝ witħ wordes on hye192The next morning theAnd saide “my felowes alle,duke addressed his men,This daie prove youmeupright letter n with macronworthy,And faire you al shal befalle.Thenke yat Criste is more myghty196Than here fals goddis alle;And he shal geve vs the victorie,And foule shal hem this day bifalle.”Fortħ than rode þat faire Ooste200and directed them toWith right goode chere andrandoupright letter n with macron,the soudan’s
‹p007›AGAINST THE SARACENS AND CONQUERS THEM.
Tille than come ful nyȝe the cooste.pavilion near theOf the SowdonsPavyloupright letter n with macronshore.Ferumbras was of hem ware204[leaf 6] Ferumbras,And sprange out as a sparkil of glede;that doughtyOf Armes bright a sheelde he bare,warrior, becomingA Doughtymaupright letter n with macronhe was of dede.aware of them, ledxv thousande came oute there20815,000 men against theWith him at þat same tyde,Romans.Ayen the Romaynes for to were,Witħ bobaunce, booste and grete pride.The stoure was stronge,endurynletter g with right barlonge:212The Romaynes hade there the feelde;The Sarysyns thai slougħ amonge,Ten thousand and mo with spere and sheelde.10,000 and more of theSauariz was wise and ware216Saracens were slain,And drowe towards þat Citee.and the Romans, thoughHis baner displaied witħ him he barevictorious, were ledTo releve with his meyne.back to Rome by theThe Pope with his Senatours220cautious Savaris.Thanked god þat tyme of glorie,The Pope thanked GodThat gafe hem þat day grete honours,for the victory.Of hethen that dai to have the victorie.Lukafer of BaldasLukafere, kinge of Baldas,224having scoured theThe countrey hade serchid and sought,country,Ten thousande maidyns faire of facebrought 10,000 maidensVnto the Sowdan hath he broghte.to the soudan, whoTheSowdoupright letter n with macroncommanded hem anone,228ordered them to beThat thai shulde al beslayupright letter n with macron.slain,Martires thai wereeuerychoupright letter n with macron,saying, he wouldAnd therof were thai al ful fayne.not have his peopleHe saide “my peple nowe ne shalle232polluted by them, andWith hem noughte defouled be,he would destroy everyBut I wole distroie ouerallChristian seed.The sede over alle Cristiante.”Lukafer said to theTho spake lukefere the kinge,236soudan:Thathetheupright letter n with macronhounde Baldas,
‹p008›THE NEXT DAY LUKAFER ASSAULTS THE CITY,
And saide “SirSowdaupright letter n with macron,graunte me one thinge,“Grant me thy daughterThi doghter Dame Floripas.and I will bring theeThe kinge of Fraunce I shal the bringe240Charlemagne and all hisAnd the xij dosipers alle in fere.”twelve peers.”The Sowdan saide in þattokenynupright letter g with right bar,Laban assented; but“I graunte the here, that is so dere.”Floripas said, sheTho sayde Floripe “sire,nooupright letter n with macronhaste,244would only consent toHe hath note done as he hath saide.be his darling,I trowe, he speketh these wordes in waste,[leaf 7]He wole make bute an easy brayde.Whan he bryngith home Charles the kinge248when he had takenAnd the xij dosipers alle,Charles and theI graunte to be his derlyngedouzepeers.What so evere therof by-falle.The next morning theThan on the morowe theSowdaupright letter n with macron252soudan ordered LukaferCallid to himLukafeletter r with right hook, uprightof Baldas,to assault the CityTo assaile the Cite anone:with 30,000 men.“And loke thou tary not in this cas!Thritty thousande of my menie,256Of Gallopes, Ethiopes and Aufricanes,Take hem to the walles witħ the.Betitħdowupright letter n with macronwallis, towris and stones.”Lukafeletter r with right hook, uprightblewe hisclarioupright letter n with macron260To Assemble the Sarasyns þat tide,Where-of thai knewe right welle the soune,Thai made hem redy for to ride,But whan thai come to the yate,264The Dikes were so develye depe,The Saracens, findingThai helde hem selfe Chek-mate;the ditches too deep,Ouer cowde thai nothir goo nor crepe.cannot pass, and areLukafeletter r with right hook, uprightin al the haste268Turned to the Sowdanagayupright letter n with macronobliged to return.And saide “sir, it is alle in waste,We laboure nowe alle in vayne.To depe and brode the Dikes bene,272The Towres so stronge be witħ alle,
‹p009›BUT THE HEATHENS ARE OBLIGED TO WITHDRAW.
That by Mahounde I can noteseeupright letter n with macron,How that we shulde wyne ther to the walle.”Who was woode but theSowdoupright letter n with macron?276He reneyed his goddis alle.He clepede his Engynoursir mavone,The soudan calls forTo counsaile he did him faste calle.his engineer Mavon,He tolde him the case of þat myschefe,280How it stode at that ilke tyde.Mavon Gafe him counsel in breefewho advised him to fillTo fille the Dikes þat were depe.98the ditchEvery man to woode shalgooupright letter n with macron,284Fagotis to hewe and faste bynde,with fagots.And fille the Dikes fasteanooupright letter n with macronWith alle, that we may ther fynde.“Gramercy,Mavoupright letter n with macron,”quodLabanthaupright letter n with macron,288Laban thanks his wise“Mahoundis benysone thou shalt haue,engineer.Of alle myn Ooste the wiseste man,[leaf 8]With counsaile men for to saue.”Alle this was done the seconde daye,292The following day, theMen myght go even to the walle;ditch being filled withOn every party the ooste laye,fagots, the cityThai made assaite99then generalle.was assaulted from allThe Romaynesronneupright letter n with macronto the toures,296quarters. The RomansThai were in ful grete dowte;ran to the towers, andThai hade many sharpe shoures,a sharp conflictThai were assailed sore a-bowte.ensued.Wifis and maidyns stones thai bare300Women and maidensTo the walles than ful faste,carried stones whichThai were in grete drede and care;theThe men over the wallis did caste.men threw over theThai slowen many aSarasyupright letter n with macron,304walls.xthousande100pepul ofheupright letter m with macronand moo.10,000 Saracens wereThe daie passed to the fyne,slain andThe hethen withdrowe hem tho.the heathens obliged toWhan these tidinges came to laban,308withdraw.
‹p010›LUKAFER ENTERS THE MAIN TOWER OF ROME.