1831 f.] soF. VII; om. MS.1833.clene]clereMS.1834 f.] soF. VII;Iesu Cryste, that com vp hereOn this strond, as I wenydMS.1836.my ch.] soF. VII;weMS.(159)Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn),Þat in a forest she is revyn),There wyld beestis were;1845She and they reach land.The see was eb, and went her ffroo,f. 106b.And lefte her and her children)twoAlone with-oute ffere.Her one child woke and be-gan)to wepe,The lady a-woke oute of her slepe1850Desonell stills her crying child,And said: ‘Be still̴, my dere,[1951]Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond;Yf there be any cryston man)nere hond,We shall̴ haue som socoure here.’1844.forest] soF. VII;ftrestMS.she is] soF. VII;be theyMS.A GRIFFIN CARRIES OFF ONE OF DESONELL’S BOYS.(160)The carefull̴ lady was full̴ blith,1855Vp to lond she went swith,As fast as euer she myght.Tho the day be-gan)to spryng,Foules a-Rose and mery gan syngDelicious notys on)hight.1860goes up a mountain,To a mowntayn went that lady ffree:[1961]Sone was she warr)of a CiteWith towrus ffeyre and bryght.There fore, i-wys, she was full̴ fayn),She sett her down), as I herd sayn),1865Her two children)ffor to dight.(161)and finds an Arbour there.Vppon)the low the lady ffoundAn Erber wrought withmannushond,With herbis, that were good.A Grype was in)the mowntayn)wonne,1870A Griffin carries off one of her boys.A way he bare her yong son)[1971]Ouera water fflood,Over in to a wyldernes,There seynt Antony ermet wes,There as his chapell̴ stode.1875She puts the other down,The other child down)gan)she ly,f. 107a.And on the ffoule did shoute & crye,That she was nere hond wood.1874.wasMS.1876.ly]layMS.A LEOPARD CARRIES OFF DESONELL’S 2ND BOY.(162)Vp she rose ageyn)the rougħ,and sorrows.With sorofull̴ hert and care Inougħ,1880Carefull̴ of blood and bone. . . . . . .[1981]She sye, it myght no better be,She knelid down)vppon)her kne,And thankid god and seynt Iohn).(163)A leopard takes her other boy away.There come a libard vppon)his pray,1885And her other child bare away,She thankid god thereAnd his moder Mary bryght.This lady is lefte alone ryght:The sorow she made there. . . . .1890(164)That she myght no further ffare:[1991]‘Of one poynt,’she sayd, ‘is my care,As I do now vnderstond,So my children)crystenyd were,Though they be with beestesthere,1895Theyre liffe is in goddushond.’The King of Jerusalem sees the leopard and child.The kyng of Ierusalem)had beneAt his brothers weddyng, I wene,That was lord of all̴ that lond.As he com homward on his way,1900He saw where the liberd lay[2001]With a child pleyand.1892.she s.] om. MS.(165)Torrent had yeveherringestwo,Each child has one of Torrent’s rings.And euery child had one of tho,Hym)with all̴ to saue.1905The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,Yonder is a liberd witha child,A mayden)or a knave.’f. 107b.The King’s menTho men)of armes theder went,Anon)they had theyre hors spent,1910Her guttys oute she Rave.[2011]For no stroke wold she stynt;kill the Leopard,Till̴ they her slew withsperis dynt,The child myght they not haue.1903.her]his ladyMS.HE (LEOBERTUS) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF JERUSALEM.(166)and take the Child to the King,Vp they toke the child ying1915And brought it be-ffore the kyngAnd vndid the swathing band,As his moder be-ffore had done,A gold ryng they ffound sone,Was closud in his hond.1920Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem):[2021]‘This child is come of gentill̴ teme,Where euer this beest hym)ffond.The boke of Rome berith wytnes,who christens him ‘Leobertus,’The kyng hym)namyd Leobertus,1925That was hent in hethyn)lond.1915.yongMS.1923.ffoundMS.(167)Two squiers to the town)gan)flyng,And a noryse to the child did bryng,Hym)to kepe ffrome greme.and takes him to Jerusalem.He led it in)to his own)lond1930And told the quene, how he it ffond[2031]By a water streme.Whan)the lady saw the ryng,She said, with-oute lettyng:‘This child is com)of gentill̴ teme:1935Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,For Iesu love thousholdist hym)makePrynce of Ierusalem).’1929.grameMS.1937.woldistMS.ST. ANTONY GETS THE FIRST BOY FROM THE GRIFFIN.(168)Now, in boke as we rede,St. AnthonyAs seynt Antony aboute yede,1940Byddyng his orysoun),[2041]f. 108a.sees the GriffinOf the gripe he had a sight,How she flew in a fflight,To her birdus was she boun).and Desonell’s first boy,Be-twene her clawes she bare a child:1945He prayed to god and Mary myld,On lyve to send it down).That man was well̴ with god all̴-myȝt),whom the bird lays at his feet.At his fote gan)she light,That foule of gret renown).1950(169)Vp he toke the child there,[2051]To his auter he did it bere,There his chapell̴ stode.A knave child there he ffond,There was closud in his hond1955A gold ryng riche and good.St. Antony takes the boy to his Father, the King of Greece.He bare it to the Cite grett,There the kyng his fadersettAs a lord of jentill̴ blood,For he wold saue it ffro dede;1960A grype flew a-bove his hede[2061]And cryed, as he were wood.1951.thareMS.1954.ffoundMS.1958.sett]lettMS.(170)This holy man)hied hym)tyteTo a Cite withtouris white,As fast as he may.1965The King seesThe kyng at the yate stodeAnd other knyghtesand lordys goodTo se the squiers play.The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,his son Antony,Yonder comyth Antony, my child,1970With a gryffon)gay.[2071]Som)of his byrdus take hath he,And bryngith hem)heder to me!’Gret ferly had thaye.HE (ANTONY FITZ-GRIFFIN) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF GREECE.(171)f. 108b.The kyng there of toke good hede,1975And a-geyn)his sonne he yedeAnd said: ‘Welcom)ye be!’‘Fader,’ he said, ‘god you saue!A knave child ffound I haue,who asks him to adopt Desonell’s boy asLoke, that it be dere to the!1980Frome a greffon)he was refte,[2081]Of what lond that he is lefte,Of gentill̴ blood was he:Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,his heir.For Iesu love thy sonne hym)make,1985As in the stede of me!’(172)The King of Greece agrees,The kyng said: ‘Yf I may lyve,Helpe and hold I shall̴ hym yeveAnd receyve hym as my son).Sith thou hast this lond forsake,1990My riche londys I shall̴ hym)take,[2091]Whan he kepe them)con).’and has the Boy baptized.To a ffont they hym yaue,And crystonyd this yong knave;Fro care he is wonne.1995The Boy is christend Antony Fitzgriffin.The holy man yaue hym)name,That Iesu shild hym)ffrome shame:Antony fice greffoun).1992.canMS.DESONELL BEWAILS HER LOST CHILDREN.(173)‘Fader, than)haue thou this ryng,I ffound it on)this swete thing,2000Kepe it, yf thou may:[2101]It is good in eueryfight,Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght,Be nyghtandbe day.’Let we now this children)dwell̴,2005And speke we more of Desonell̴:Desonell laments,f. 109a.Her song was welaway.God, that died vppon)the Rode,Yff grace, that she mete withgood!Thus disparplid are thay.20102002.fight]sightMS.?2004.Other beMS.and]or forme of(!) MS.2010.disparlidMS.(174)wanders among wild beasts,This lady walkyd all̴ alone[2111]Amonge wyld bestis meny one,Ne wanted she no Woo;Anon)the day be-gan to spryng,And the ffoules gan to syng,2015With blis on euery bowȝe. . . . . . .(175)‘Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be!Alone ye haue lefte me,and bewails her lost children.My children)yehaveslone.’As she walkid than)a-lone,2020She sye lordis on)huntyng gone,[2121]Nere hem)she yede full̴ sone.This carfull̴ lady cried faste,Than she herd this hornes blasteBy the yatis gone,2025Desonell flees from some huntersButranin to a wildernes,Amongist beests that wyld wes,For drede, she shold be slone.2018.haue]acorrected out ofeMS.2019.have sl.]sloughMS.2026.ran] om. MS.2027.wasMS.DESONELL FLEES TO THE LAND OF NAZARETH.(176)Till̴ it were vnder of the Day,She wentfrothat wilsom)way,2030In to a lond playn).[2131]into the land of Nazareth.The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there,Among the hertes, that gentill̴ were;There of she was full̴ ffayn). . . . . . . . .2030.fro]inMS.(177)They had ferly, kyng and knyght,2035Whens she come, that lady bryght,Dwelling here a-lone.She said to a squier, that there stode:‘Who is lord of most jentill̴ blood?’f. 109b.And he answerid her anon):2040‘This ys the lond of Naȝareth,[2141]She sees the King,Se, where the kyng gethe,Of speche he is ffull̴ bone;All̴ in gold couerid is he.’‘Gramercy, sir,’ said she,2045And nere hym)gan)she gone.(178)Lordys anon ageyn)her yode,For she was com)of gentill̴ blood,In her lond had they bene:whose Lords greet her.‘God loke the, lady ffree,2050What makist thou in this contre?’[2151]‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I wene,Seynt Katryn)I shold haue sought,Wekyd weders me heder hath broughtIn to this fforest grene,2055Desonell says that her boys are dead, and she is left alone.And all̴ is dede, I vnderstond,Saue my selfe, that com)to londWith wyld beestis and kene.’DESONELL IS WELCOMD BY THE QUEEN OF NAZARETH.(179)‘Welcom,’ he said,’ Desonell̴,By a tokyn)I shall̴ the tell̴:2060Onys a stede I the sent.[2161]Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree,To the shold I haue wedid be,My love was on)the lent.’Knyghtis and squiers, that there were,2065They horsid the lady there,She is taken to Nazareth,And to the Cite they went.The quene was curtes of that londand welcomd by the Queen,And toke the lady be the hondAnd said: ‘Welcom, my lady gent!2070(180)‘Lady, thou art welcom)here,[2171]f. 110a.As it all̴ thyn)own)were,All̴ this ffeyre contree!’‘Of one poynt was my care,And my two children)crystonyd ware,2075That in wood were reft ffro me.’‘Welcomart thou, Desonell̴,with whom she stays.In my chamber for to dwell̴,Inough there in shall̴ ye see!’Leve we now that lady gent,2080And speke we of sirTorrent,[2181]That was gentill̴ and ffre.2076.in]theadd. MS.TORRENT HEARS OF THE EXILE OF DESONELL AND HER BOYS.(181)Sir Torrent won’t stop in Norway,The kyng of Norway is full̴ woo,That sirTorent wold wend hym ffro,That doughty was and bold:2085‘Sir,’ he said, ‘abyde hereAnd wed my doughter, that is me dere!’He said, in no wise he wold.He shipped oute of the kyngessalebut goes back to Portugal.And Ryved vp in)Portingale2090At another hold.[2191]Whan)he herd tell̴ of Desonell̴,Swith on sownyng there he fell̴To the ground so cold.(182)The false King Calamond of PortugalThe fals kyng of Portingale,2095Sparid the yatis of his saleFor Torent the ffree;tells him that Desonell and her 2 Boys were sent out to sea.He said: ‘Be Mary clere,Thou shalt no wyfe haue here,Go sech her in)the see!2100With her she toke whelpis two,[2201]To lerne to row wold she go.’‘By god, thou liest,’ quod he,‘Kyng Colomand, here my hond!f. 110b.And I be knyght levand,2105I-quytt shall̴ it be!’(183)Torent wold no lenger byde,But sent letters on euery sideWith fforce theder to hye.Torrent gathers an army.Theder com oute of Aragon)2110Noble knyghtesof gret renown)[2211]With grett chevalrye.Torrent’s knightsOf Pervyns and Calaber alsoWere doughty knyghtesmeny moo,They come all̴ to that crye.2115Kyng Calomond had no knyght,That with sirTorent wold fyght,Of all̴ that satt hym)bye.2113.Calaber]Cababer(!) MS.TORRENT SENDS THE KING OF PORTUGAL TO DROWN.(184)There wold none the yatis deffend,and he are let into the chief City of Portugal,But lett sirTorent in wend2120With his men)euerychone.[2221]Swith a counsell̴ yede they to,Towhat deth they wold hym do,For he his lady had slone.‘Lordis,’ he said, ‘he is a kyng,2125Men may hym)nether hede ne hing.’Thus said they euerychone.and resolve to send the false King to seaThey ordenyd a shipp all̴ of treeAnd sett hym)oute in)to the see,Among the wawes to gone.21302123.To] om. MS.2126.hing]hengMS.(185)Gret lordis of that lond[2231]Assentid to thatcomnand,That hold shold it be.In the havyn)of Portyngale,There stode shippes of hede vale2135f. 111a.Of Irun and of tree.in a boat full of holes.A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn),Full̴ of holis it was born),Howsell̴ and shryftewoldhe.Sir Torent said: ‘Be seynt Iohn),2140Seth thou gaue my lady none,[2241]No more men)shall̴ do the!’2132.comlandMS.2138.borynMS.2139.wold]hadMS.TORRENT IS MADE KING OF PORTUGAL.(186)The false king Calamond is drownd,The shipp-men)brought sirColomondAnd sent hym fforth within)a stoundAs ffar as it were.2145Wott ye well̴ and vnderstond,He come never ayen to lond,Such stormes ffound he there.and Torrent is made King of Portugal,Gret lordys of renown)Be-toke sirTorent the crown)2150To reioyse it there.[2251]Loo, lordys of euery lond:Falshode wyll̴ haue a foule end,And wyll̴ haue euermore.(187)Sir Torent dwellid thare2155Fourty days in moche care,Season)for to hold;Sith he takith two knyghtes,To kepe his lond and his rightes,That doughty were and bold.2160but he gives the land up to the Queen,‘Madam),’ he said to the quene,[2261]‘Here than shall̴ ye lady bene,To worth as ye wold.’and resolves to go to the Holy-Land.He purveyd hym)anon),To wend ouer the see fome,2165There god was bought and sold.2161.He said madamMS.(188)And ye now will̴ liston)a stound,f. 111b.How he toke armes of kyng Calomond,Listonyth, what he bare.His arms are 3 silver ships on an azure field.Onasure, as ye may see,2170With syluershippes thre,[2271]Who so had be thare.For love of Desonell,For Desonell̴ is love so bryght,His londis he takyth to a knyght,And sith he isbounto fare.2175Torrent leaves Portugal.‘Portyngale, haue good dayFor Sevyn)yere, parmaffay,Paraventure som)dele mare!’2170. This line begins with a big initial letter.OffMS.2175.boun]homeMS.2178.moreMS.TORRENT TAKES THE CITY OF QUARELL.(189)Sir Torent passid the Grekys floodIn to a lond both riche and good,2180Full̴ evyn)he toke the way[2281]He besieges the City of QuarellTo theciteof Quarell̴,As the boke of Rome doth tell̴,There a soudan)lay.There he smote and set adown)2185And yaue asaute in to the town,That will̴ the storye say.So well̴ they vetelid were,for 2 years, and then takes it.That he lay there two yere,Sith in)the town)went they.21902182.cite]seeMS.2187.wellMS.saysMS.2190.And sith in toMS.(190)He has its inhabitants kild,And tho sirTorent ffound on)lyve,[2291]He comaundid with spere and knyffeSmertely dede to be;He said: ‘We haue be hereMoche of this two yere2195And onward on)the thre.’and shares its booty among his men.All̴ the good, that sirTorent wan),He partid it among his man),Syluer, gold and ffee;f. 112a.And sith he is boun to ride2200To a Cite there be-syde,[2301]That was worth such thre.2196.thridMS.2198.menMS.TORRENT TAKES ANOTHER CITY, AND GOES TO ANTIOCH.(191)Torrent then besieges another heathen City for 6 years.There he stode and smote adown)And leyd sege to the town),Six yere there he lay.2205By the VI yere were all̴ done,All its folk die of hunger.With honger they were all̴ slone,That in the Cite lay.TheSoudan sent to sirTorent than),With honger that thes people be slan,2210All̴ the folke of this Cite;[2311]‘Yf ye thinke here to lye,Ye shall̴ haue wyne and spycery,I-nough is in this contre.’2209.The]AMS.2209-14 put before 2203-8 MS.2210.slaynMS.2211.thesMS.(192)Now god do his soule mede!2215On the soudan)he had a dedeVppon)euery good ffryday.Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ,Torrent kills the Sultan,With dynt of sword he hym slougħ,There went none quyk away.2220Down knelid that knyght[2321]And thankid god with all̴ his myȝt):So ought he well̴ to say.The Cite, that sirTorent was yn),Worldely goodis he left ther yn),2225To kepe it nyght and day.(193)goes to Antioch,Sith he buskyd hym)to ridef. 112b.In to a lond there be-syde,Antioche it hight.Sevyn)yere at the Cite he lay2230and fights every good Friday.And had batell̴ euery good ffryday,[2331]Vppon)the Sarȝins bryght;And be the VII yere were gone,The child, that the liberd had tane,Found hym his fill̴ off ffyght. . . . . .22352230-32 put before 2227-29 MS.TORRENT’S SON LEOBERTUS FIGHTS AGAINST HIM.(194)The King of JerusalemThe kyng of Ierusalem)herd tell̴Of this lord good and fell̴,How doughtyly he hym bare.Vppon)his knyghtescan he call̴,‘Ordeyn)swith among you all̴,2240For no thing that ye spare!’[2341]They buskyd hem oute of the land,sends 50,000 knights,The nombre off ffyfty thousand,Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare. . . .2243.thousaidMS.(195)The kyng of Ierusalem said thus:2245and his adopted son Leobertus (Torrent’s second boy)‘My dere son, Liobertus,That thou be bold and wight!Thou shalt be here and defend the londFrom that fals traytors hondAnd take the ordre of a knyght.’2250He yaue hym armes, or he did passe:[2351]Right as he ffound was,Ongold he bare bryghtA liberd of asure blaA child be-twene his armes twa:2255Woo was her, thatseitmyght!2246.LiobertiousMS.2253.On]OfMS.2254.blay(!) MS.2255.twayMS.2256.ffulle wooMS.se it m.]it oughtMS.(196)Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde,But thederward gan)he ride;And to the feld were broughtagainst Torrent.f. 113a.Two knyghtes, that were there in stede;2260Many a man did they to blede,[2361]Such woundis they wrought.Torrent’s son LeobertusThere durst no man com)Torent nere,But his son, as ye may here,Though he knew hym nought.2265All̴ to nought he bet his shild,captures him.But he toke his fader in the feld,Though he there of evill̴ thought.TORRENT IS IMPRISOND IN JERUSALEM.(197)TorrentWhan)sirTorent was takyn)than),His men fled than), euery man),2270They durst no lenger abyde.[2371]Gret ruth it was to be hold,How his sword he did vp-holdTo his son)that tyde.is taken to JerusalemTo Ierusalem)he did hym)lede,2275His actone and his other wede,All̴ be the kyngis side;‘Sir,’ he said, ‘haue no care,Thou shalte lyve and welfare,But lower ys thy pryde!’2280(198)Fro that sirTorent was hom brought,[2381]Doughty men)vppon)hym)sought,and thrust into prison,And in preson)they hym)thronge.His son above his hede lay,To kepe hym)both nyȝt and day,2285He wist well̴, that he was strong.where his son Leobertus hears him lament a whole year.Thus in preson as he was,Sore he siȝed and said alas,He couth none other songe.f. 113b.Thus in bondys they held hym thare2290A twelfmonyth and som dele mare,[2391]The knyght thought ffull̴ long.2281.hom]hemMS.2283.And and(!) MS.throuȝeMS.TORRENT’S SON ASKS FOR HIS FATHER’S FREEDOM.(199)TorrentIn a mornyng as he lay,To hym selfe gan)he say:‘Why lye I thus alone?2295appeals to GodGod, hast thou forsakyn)me?All̴ my truste was in the,In lond where I haue gone!who once enabled him to kill Dragons and Giants.Thou gave me myȝt ffor to sleeDragons two other thre2300And giauntes meny one,[2401]And now a man)in wekid londHath myn)armourand stede in)hond:I wold, my liffe were done!’2299.fleeMS.!(200)His son Leobertus hears him,His son herd hym)say soo2305And in his hert was full̴ woo,In chamber there he lay;‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I haue thy wede,There shall̴ no man reioyse thy stede,Yf so be, that I may.2310By oure lady seynt Mary,[2411]and promises to get him freed.Here shalt thou no lenger lye,Nether be nyȝt)ne be day;As I am)Curtesse and hend,To the kyng I shall̴ wend,2315And ffor thy lovehympray!’
1831 f.] soF. VII; om. MS.1833.clene]clereMS.1834 f.] soF. VII;Iesu Cryste, that com vp hereOn this strond, as I wenydMS.1836.my ch.] soF. VII;weMS.(159)Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn),Þat in a forest she is revyn),There wyld beestis were;1845She and they reach land.The see was eb, and went her ffroo,f. 106b.And lefte her and her children)twoAlone with-oute ffere.Her one child woke and be-gan)to wepe,The lady a-woke oute of her slepe1850Desonell stills her crying child,And said: ‘Be still̴, my dere,[1951]Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond;Yf there be any cryston man)nere hond,We shall̴ haue som socoure here.’1844.forest] soF. VII;ftrestMS.she is] soF. VII;be theyMS.A GRIFFIN CARRIES OFF ONE OF DESONELL’S BOYS.(160)The carefull̴ lady was full̴ blith,1855Vp to lond she went swith,As fast as euer she myght.Tho the day be-gan)to spryng,Foules a-Rose and mery gan syngDelicious notys on)hight.1860goes up a mountain,To a mowntayn went that lady ffree:[1961]Sone was she warr)of a CiteWith towrus ffeyre and bryght.There fore, i-wys, she was full̴ fayn),She sett her down), as I herd sayn),1865Her two children)ffor to dight.(161)and finds an Arbour there.Vppon)the low the lady ffoundAn Erber wrought withmannushond,With herbis, that were good.A Grype was in)the mowntayn)wonne,1870A Griffin carries off one of her boys.A way he bare her yong son)[1971]Ouera water fflood,Over in to a wyldernes,There seynt Antony ermet wes,There as his chapell̴ stode.1875She puts the other down,The other child down)gan)she ly,f. 107a.And on the ffoule did shoute & crye,That she was nere hond wood.1874.wasMS.1876.ly]layMS.A LEOPARD CARRIES OFF DESONELL’S 2ND BOY.(162)Vp she rose ageyn)the rougħ,and sorrows.With sorofull̴ hert and care Inougħ,1880Carefull̴ of blood and bone. . . . . . .[1981]She sye, it myght no better be,She knelid down)vppon)her kne,And thankid god and seynt Iohn).(163)A leopard takes her other boy away.There come a libard vppon)his pray,1885And her other child bare away,She thankid god thereAnd his moder Mary bryght.This lady is lefte alone ryght:The sorow she made there. . . . .1890(164)That she myght no further ffare:[1991]‘Of one poynt,’she sayd, ‘is my care,As I do now vnderstond,So my children)crystenyd were,Though they be with beestesthere,1895Theyre liffe is in goddushond.’The King of Jerusalem sees the leopard and child.The kyng of Ierusalem)had beneAt his brothers weddyng, I wene,That was lord of all̴ that lond.As he com homward on his way,1900He saw where the liberd lay[2001]With a child pleyand.1892.she s.] om. MS.(165)Torrent had yeveherringestwo,Each child has one of Torrent’s rings.And euery child had one of tho,Hym)with all̴ to saue.1905The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,Yonder is a liberd witha child,A mayden)or a knave.’f. 107b.The King’s menTho men)of armes theder went,Anon)they had theyre hors spent,1910Her guttys oute she Rave.[2011]For no stroke wold she stynt;kill the Leopard,Till̴ they her slew withsperis dynt,The child myght they not haue.1903.her]his ladyMS.HE (LEOBERTUS) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF JERUSALEM.(166)and take the Child to the King,Vp they toke the child ying1915And brought it be-ffore the kyngAnd vndid the swathing band,As his moder be-ffore had done,A gold ryng they ffound sone,Was closud in his hond.1920Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem):[2021]‘This child is come of gentill̴ teme,Where euer this beest hym)ffond.The boke of Rome berith wytnes,who christens him ‘Leobertus,’The kyng hym)namyd Leobertus,1925That was hent in hethyn)lond.1915.yongMS.1923.ffoundMS.(167)Two squiers to the town)gan)flyng,And a noryse to the child did bryng,Hym)to kepe ffrome greme.and takes him to Jerusalem.He led it in)to his own)lond1930And told the quene, how he it ffond[2031]By a water streme.Whan)the lady saw the ryng,She said, with-oute lettyng:‘This child is com)of gentill̴ teme:1935Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,For Iesu love thousholdist hym)makePrynce of Ierusalem).’1929.grameMS.1937.woldistMS.ST. ANTONY GETS THE FIRST BOY FROM THE GRIFFIN.(168)Now, in boke as we rede,St. AnthonyAs seynt Antony aboute yede,1940Byddyng his orysoun),[2041]f. 108a.sees the GriffinOf the gripe he had a sight,How she flew in a fflight,To her birdus was she boun).and Desonell’s first boy,Be-twene her clawes she bare a child:1945He prayed to god and Mary myld,On lyve to send it down).That man was well̴ with god all̴-myȝt),whom the bird lays at his feet.At his fote gan)she light,That foule of gret renown).1950(169)Vp he toke the child there,[2051]To his auter he did it bere,There his chapell̴ stode.A knave child there he ffond,There was closud in his hond1955A gold ryng riche and good.St. Antony takes the boy to his Father, the King of Greece.He bare it to the Cite grett,There the kyng his fadersettAs a lord of jentill̴ blood,For he wold saue it ffro dede;1960A grype flew a-bove his hede[2061]And cryed, as he were wood.1951.thareMS.1954.ffoundMS.1958.sett]lettMS.(170)This holy man)hied hym)tyteTo a Cite withtouris white,As fast as he may.1965The King seesThe kyng at the yate stodeAnd other knyghtesand lordys goodTo se the squiers play.The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,his son Antony,Yonder comyth Antony, my child,1970With a gryffon)gay.[2071]Som)of his byrdus take hath he,And bryngith hem)heder to me!’Gret ferly had thaye.HE (ANTONY FITZ-GRIFFIN) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF GREECE.(171)f. 108b.The kyng there of toke good hede,1975And a-geyn)his sonne he yedeAnd said: ‘Welcom)ye be!’‘Fader,’ he said, ‘god you saue!A knave child ffound I haue,who asks him to adopt Desonell’s boy asLoke, that it be dere to the!1980Frome a greffon)he was refte,[2081]Of what lond that he is lefte,Of gentill̴ blood was he:Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,his heir.For Iesu love thy sonne hym)make,1985As in the stede of me!’(172)The King of Greece agrees,The kyng said: ‘Yf I may lyve,Helpe and hold I shall̴ hym yeveAnd receyve hym as my son).Sith thou hast this lond forsake,1990My riche londys I shall̴ hym)take,[2091]Whan he kepe them)con).’and has the Boy baptized.To a ffont they hym yaue,And crystonyd this yong knave;Fro care he is wonne.1995The Boy is christend Antony Fitzgriffin.The holy man yaue hym)name,That Iesu shild hym)ffrome shame:Antony fice greffoun).1992.canMS.DESONELL BEWAILS HER LOST CHILDREN.(173)‘Fader, than)haue thou this ryng,I ffound it on)this swete thing,2000Kepe it, yf thou may:[2101]It is good in eueryfight,Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght,Be nyghtandbe day.’Let we now this children)dwell̴,2005And speke we more of Desonell̴:Desonell laments,f. 109a.Her song was welaway.God, that died vppon)the Rode,Yff grace, that she mete withgood!Thus disparplid are thay.20102002.fight]sightMS.?2004.Other beMS.and]or forme of(!) MS.2010.disparlidMS.(174)wanders among wild beasts,This lady walkyd all̴ alone[2111]Amonge wyld bestis meny one,Ne wanted she no Woo;Anon)the day be-gan to spryng,And the ffoules gan to syng,2015With blis on euery bowȝe. . . . . . .(175)‘Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be!Alone ye haue lefte me,and bewails her lost children.My children)yehaveslone.’As she walkid than)a-lone,2020She sye lordis on)huntyng gone,[2121]Nere hem)she yede full̴ sone.This carfull̴ lady cried faste,Than she herd this hornes blasteBy the yatis gone,2025Desonell flees from some huntersButranin to a wildernes,Amongist beests that wyld wes,For drede, she shold be slone.2018.haue]acorrected out ofeMS.2019.have sl.]sloughMS.2026.ran] om. MS.2027.wasMS.DESONELL FLEES TO THE LAND OF NAZARETH.(176)Till̴ it were vnder of the Day,She wentfrothat wilsom)way,2030In to a lond playn).[2131]into the land of Nazareth.The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there,Among the hertes, that gentill̴ were;There of she was full̴ ffayn). . . . . . . . .2030.fro]inMS.(177)They had ferly, kyng and knyght,2035Whens she come, that lady bryght,Dwelling here a-lone.She said to a squier, that there stode:‘Who is lord of most jentill̴ blood?’f. 109b.And he answerid her anon):2040‘This ys the lond of Naȝareth,[2141]She sees the King,Se, where the kyng gethe,Of speche he is ffull̴ bone;All̴ in gold couerid is he.’‘Gramercy, sir,’ said she,2045And nere hym)gan)she gone.(178)Lordys anon ageyn)her yode,For she was com)of gentill̴ blood,In her lond had they bene:whose Lords greet her.‘God loke the, lady ffree,2050What makist thou in this contre?’[2151]‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I wene,Seynt Katryn)I shold haue sought,Wekyd weders me heder hath broughtIn to this fforest grene,2055Desonell says that her boys are dead, and she is left alone.And all̴ is dede, I vnderstond,Saue my selfe, that com)to londWith wyld beestis and kene.’DESONELL IS WELCOMD BY THE QUEEN OF NAZARETH.(179)‘Welcom,’ he said,’ Desonell̴,By a tokyn)I shall̴ the tell̴:2060Onys a stede I the sent.[2161]Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree,To the shold I haue wedid be,My love was on)the lent.’Knyghtis and squiers, that there were,2065They horsid the lady there,She is taken to Nazareth,And to the Cite they went.The quene was curtes of that londand welcomd by the Queen,And toke the lady be the hondAnd said: ‘Welcom, my lady gent!2070(180)‘Lady, thou art welcom)here,[2171]f. 110a.As it all̴ thyn)own)were,All̴ this ffeyre contree!’‘Of one poynt was my care,And my two children)crystonyd ware,2075That in wood were reft ffro me.’‘Welcomart thou, Desonell̴,with whom she stays.In my chamber for to dwell̴,Inough there in shall̴ ye see!’Leve we now that lady gent,2080And speke we of sirTorrent,[2181]That was gentill̴ and ffre.2076.in]theadd. MS.TORRENT HEARS OF THE EXILE OF DESONELL AND HER BOYS.(181)Sir Torrent won’t stop in Norway,The kyng of Norway is full̴ woo,That sirTorent wold wend hym ffro,That doughty was and bold:2085‘Sir,’ he said, ‘abyde hereAnd wed my doughter, that is me dere!’He said, in no wise he wold.He shipped oute of the kyngessalebut goes back to Portugal.And Ryved vp in)Portingale2090At another hold.[2191]Whan)he herd tell̴ of Desonell̴,Swith on sownyng there he fell̴To the ground so cold.(182)The false King Calamond of PortugalThe fals kyng of Portingale,2095Sparid the yatis of his saleFor Torent the ffree;tells him that Desonell and her 2 Boys were sent out to sea.He said: ‘Be Mary clere,Thou shalt no wyfe haue here,Go sech her in)the see!2100With her she toke whelpis two,[2201]To lerne to row wold she go.’‘By god, thou liest,’ quod he,‘Kyng Colomand, here my hond!f. 110b.And I be knyght levand,2105I-quytt shall̴ it be!’(183)Torent wold no lenger byde,But sent letters on euery sideWith fforce theder to hye.Torrent gathers an army.Theder com oute of Aragon)2110Noble knyghtesof gret renown)[2211]With grett chevalrye.Torrent’s knightsOf Pervyns and Calaber alsoWere doughty knyghtesmeny moo,They come all̴ to that crye.2115Kyng Calomond had no knyght,That with sirTorent wold fyght,Of all̴ that satt hym)bye.2113.Calaber]Cababer(!) MS.TORRENT SENDS THE KING OF PORTUGAL TO DROWN.(184)There wold none the yatis deffend,and he are let into the chief City of Portugal,But lett sirTorent in wend2120With his men)euerychone.[2221]Swith a counsell̴ yede they to,Towhat deth they wold hym do,For he his lady had slone.‘Lordis,’ he said, ‘he is a kyng,2125Men may hym)nether hede ne hing.’Thus said they euerychone.and resolve to send the false King to seaThey ordenyd a shipp all̴ of treeAnd sett hym)oute in)to the see,Among the wawes to gone.21302123.To] om. MS.2126.hing]hengMS.(185)Gret lordis of that lond[2231]Assentid to thatcomnand,That hold shold it be.In the havyn)of Portyngale,There stode shippes of hede vale2135f. 111a.Of Irun and of tree.in a boat full of holes.A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn),Full̴ of holis it was born),Howsell̴ and shryftewoldhe.Sir Torent said: ‘Be seynt Iohn),2140Seth thou gaue my lady none,[2241]No more men)shall̴ do the!’2132.comlandMS.2138.borynMS.2139.wold]hadMS.TORRENT IS MADE KING OF PORTUGAL.(186)The false king Calamond is drownd,The shipp-men)brought sirColomondAnd sent hym fforth within)a stoundAs ffar as it were.2145Wott ye well̴ and vnderstond,He come never ayen to lond,Such stormes ffound he there.and Torrent is made King of Portugal,Gret lordys of renown)Be-toke sirTorent the crown)2150To reioyse it there.[2251]Loo, lordys of euery lond:Falshode wyll̴ haue a foule end,And wyll̴ haue euermore.(187)Sir Torent dwellid thare2155Fourty days in moche care,Season)for to hold;Sith he takith two knyghtes,To kepe his lond and his rightes,That doughty were and bold.2160but he gives the land up to the Queen,‘Madam),’ he said to the quene,[2261]‘Here than shall̴ ye lady bene,To worth as ye wold.’and resolves to go to the Holy-Land.He purveyd hym)anon),To wend ouer the see fome,2165There god was bought and sold.2161.He said madamMS.(188)And ye now will̴ liston)a stound,f. 111b.How he toke armes of kyng Calomond,Listonyth, what he bare.His arms are 3 silver ships on an azure field.Onasure, as ye may see,2170With syluershippes thre,[2271]Who so had be thare.For love of Desonell,For Desonell̴ is love so bryght,His londis he takyth to a knyght,And sith he isbounto fare.2175Torrent leaves Portugal.‘Portyngale, haue good dayFor Sevyn)yere, parmaffay,Paraventure som)dele mare!’2170. This line begins with a big initial letter.OffMS.2175.boun]homeMS.2178.moreMS.TORRENT TAKES THE CITY OF QUARELL.(189)Sir Torent passid the Grekys floodIn to a lond both riche and good,2180Full̴ evyn)he toke the way[2281]He besieges the City of QuarellTo theciteof Quarell̴,As the boke of Rome doth tell̴,There a soudan)lay.There he smote and set adown)2185And yaue asaute in to the town,That will̴ the storye say.So well̴ they vetelid were,for 2 years, and then takes it.That he lay there two yere,Sith in)the town)went they.21902182.cite]seeMS.2187.wellMS.saysMS.2190.And sith in toMS.(190)He has its inhabitants kild,And tho sirTorent ffound on)lyve,[2291]He comaundid with spere and knyffeSmertely dede to be;He said: ‘We haue be hereMoche of this two yere2195And onward on)the thre.’and shares its booty among his men.All̴ the good, that sirTorent wan),He partid it among his man),Syluer, gold and ffee;f. 112a.And sith he is boun to ride2200To a Cite there be-syde,[2301]That was worth such thre.2196.thridMS.2198.menMS.TORRENT TAKES ANOTHER CITY, AND GOES TO ANTIOCH.(191)Torrent then besieges another heathen City for 6 years.There he stode and smote adown)And leyd sege to the town),Six yere there he lay.2205By the VI yere were all̴ done,All its folk die of hunger.With honger they were all̴ slone,That in the Cite lay.TheSoudan sent to sirTorent than),With honger that thes people be slan,2210All̴ the folke of this Cite;[2311]‘Yf ye thinke here to lye,Ye shall̴ haue wyne and spycery,I-nough is in this contre.’2209.The]AMS.2209-14 put before 2203-8 MS.2210.slaynMS.2211.thesMS.(192)Now god do his soule mede!2215On the soudan)he had a dedeVppon)euery good ffryday.Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ,Torrent kills the Sultan,With dynt of sword he hym slougħ,There went none quyk away.2220Down knelid that knyght[2321]And thankid god with all̴ his myȝt):So ought he well̴ to say.The Cite, that sirTorent was yn),Worldely goodis he left ther yn),2225To kepe it nyght and day.(193)goes to Antioch,Sith he buskyd hym)to ridef. 112b.In to a lond there be-syde,Antioche it hight.Sevyn)yere at the Cite he lay2230and fights every good Friday.And had batell̴ euery good ffryday,[2331]Vppon)the Sarȝins bryght;And be the VII yere were gone,The child, that the liberd had tane,Found hym his fill̴ off ffyght. . . . . .22352230-32 put before 2227-29 MS.TORRENT’S SON LEOBERTUS FIGHTS AGAINST HIM.(194)The King of JerusalemThe kyng of Ierusalem)herd tell̴Of this lord good and fell̴,How doughtyly he hym bare.Vppon)his knyghtescan he call̴,‘Ordeyn)swith among you all̴,2240For no thing that ye spare!’[2341]They buskyd hem oute of the land,sends 50,000 knights,The nombre off ffyfty thousand,Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare. . . .2243.thousaidMS.(195)The kyng of Ierusalem said thus:2245and his adopted son Leobertus (Torrent’s second boy)‘My dere son, Liobertus,That thou be bold and wight!Thou shalt be here and defend the londFrom that fals traytors hondAnd take the ordre of a knyght.’2250He yaue hym armes, or he did passe:[2351]Right as he ffound was,Ongold he bare bryghtA liberd of asure blaA child be-twene his armes twa:2255Woo was her, thatseitmyght!2246.LiobertiousMS.2253.On]OfMS.2254.blay(!) MS.2255.twayMS.2256.ffulle wooMS.se it m.]it oughtMS.(196)Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde,But thederward gan)he ride;And to the feld were broughtagainst Torrent.f. 113a.Two knyghtes, that were there in stede;2260Many a man did they to blede,[2361]Such woundis they wrought.Torrent’s son LeobertusThere durst no man com)Torent nere,But his son, as ye may here,Though he knew hym nought.2265All̴ to nought he bet his shild,captures him.But he toke his fader in the feld,Though he there of evill̴ thought.TORRENT IS IMPRISOND IN JERUSALEM.(197)TorrentWhan)sirTorent was takyn)than),His men fled than), euery man),2270They durst no lenger abyde.[2371]Gret ruth it was to be hold,How his sword he did vp-holdTo his son)that tyde.is taken to JerusalemTo Ierusalem)he did hym)lede,2275His actone and his other wede,All̴ be the kyngis side;‘Sir,’ he said, ‘haue no care,Thou shalte lyve and welfare,But lower ys thy pryde!’2280(198)Fro that sirTorent was hom brought,[2381]Doughty men)vppon)hym)sought,and thrust into prison,And in preson)they hym)thronge.His son above his hede lay,To kepe hym)both nyȝt and day,2285He wist well̴, that he was strong.where his son Leobertus hears him lament a whole year.Thus in preson as he was,Sore he siȝed and said alas,He couth none other songe.f. 113b.Thus in bondys they held hym thare2290A twelfmonyth and som dele mare,[2391]The knyght thought ffull̴ long.2281.hom]hemMS.2283.And and(!) MS.throuȝeMS.TORRENT’S SON ASKS FOR HIS FATHER’S FREEDOM.(199)TorrentIn a mornyng as he lay,To hym selfe gan)he say:‘Why lye I thus alone?2295appeals to GodGod, hast thou forsakyn)me?All̴ my truste was in the,In lond where I haue gone!who once enabled him to kill Dragons and Giants.Thou gave me myȝt ffor to sleeDragons two other thre2300And giauntes meny one,[2401]And now a man)in wekid londHath myn)armourand stede in)hond:I wold, my liffe were done!’2299.fleeMS.!(200)His son Leobertus hears him,His son herd hym)say soo2305And in his hert was full̴ woo,In chamber there he lay;‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I haue thy wede,There shall̴ no man reioyse thy stede,Yf so be, that I may.2310By oure lady seynt Mary,[2411]and promises to get him freed.Here shalt thou no lenger lye,Nether be nyȝt)ne be day;As I am)Curtesse and hend,To the kyng I shall̴ wend,2315And ffor thy lovehympray!’
1831 f.] soF. VII; om. MS.1833.clene]clereMS.1834 f.] soF. VII;Iesu Cryste, that com vp hereOn this strond, as I wenydMS.1836.my ch.] soF. VII;weMS.
1831 f.] soF. VII; om. MS.
1833.clene]clereMS.
1834 f.] soF. VII;
Iesu Cryste, that com vp hereOn this strond, as I wenydMS.
Iesu Cryste, that com vp here
On this strond, as I wenydMS.
1836.my ch.] soF. VII;weMS.
(159)Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn),Þat in a forest she is revyn),There wyld beestis were;1845She and they reach land.The see was eb, and went her ffroo,f. 106b.And lefte her and her children)twoAlone with-oute ffere.Her one child woke and be-gan)to wepe,The lady a-woke oute of her slepe1850Desonell stills her crying child,And said: ‘Be still̴, my dere,[1951]Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond;Yf there be any cryston man)nere hond,We shall̴ haue som socoure here.’
Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn),
Þat in a forest she is revyn),
There wyld beestis were;1845
The see was eb, and went her ffroo,
And lefte her and her children)two
Alone with-oute ffere.
Her one child woke and be-gan)to wepe,
The lady a-woke oute of her slepe1850
And said: ‘Be still̴, my dere,[1951]
Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond;
Yf there be any cryston man)nere hond,
We shall̴ haue som socoure here.’
1844.forest] soF. VII;ftrestMS.she is] soF. VII;be theyMS.
A GRIFFIN CARRIES OFF ONE OF DESONELL’S BOYS.
(160)The carefull̴ lady was full̴ blith,1855Vp to lond she went swith,As fast as euer she myght.Tho the day be-gan)to spryng,Foules a-Rose and mery gan syngDelicious notys on)hight.1860goes up a mountain,To a mowntayn went that lady ffree:[1961]Sone was she warr)of a CiteWith towrus ffeyre and bryght.There fore, i-wys, she was full̴ fayn),She sett her down), as I herd sayn),1865Her two children)ffor to dight.
The carefull̴ lady was full̴ blith,1855
Vp to lond she went swith,
As fast as euer she myght.
Tho the day be-gan)to spryng,
Foules a-Rose and mery gan syng
Delicious notys on)hight.1860
To a mowntayn went that lady ffree:[1961]
Sone was she warr)of a Cite
With towrus ffeyre and bryght.
There fore, i-wys, she was full̴ fayn),
She sett her down), as I herd sayn),1865
Her two children)ffor to dight.
(161)and finds an Arbour there.Vppon)the low the lady ffoundAn Erber wrought withmannushond,With herbis, that were good.A Grype was in)the mowntayn)wonne,1870A Griffin carries off one of her boys.A way he bare her yong son)[1971]Ouera water fflood,Over in to a wyldernes,There seynt Antony ermet wes,There as his chapell̴ stode.1875She puts the other down,The other child down)gan)she ly,f. 107a.And on the ffoule did shoute & crye,That she was nere hond wood.
Vppon)the low the lady ffound
An Erber wrought withmannushond,
With herbis, that were good.
A Grype was in)the mowntayn)wonne,1870
A way he bare her yong son)[1971]
Ouera water fflood,
Over in to a wyldernes,
There seynt Antony ermet wes,
There as his chapell̴ stode.1875
The other child down)gan)she ly,
And on the ffoule did shoute & crye,
That she was nere hond wood.
1874.wasMS.1876.ly]layMS.
1874.wasMS.
1876.ly]layMS.
A LEOPARD CARRIES OFF DESONELL’S 2ND BOY.
(162)Vp she rose ageyn)the rougħ,and sorrows.With sorofull̴ hert and care Inougħ,1880Carefull̴ of blood and bone. . . . . . .[1981]She sye, it myght no better be,She knelid down)vppon)her kne,And thankid god and seynt Iohn).
Vp she rose ageyn)the rougħ,
With sorofull̴ hert and care Inougħ,1880
Carefull̴ of blood and bone. . . . . . .[1981]
She sye, it myght no better be,
She knelid down)vppon)her kne,
And thankid god and seynt Iohn).
(163)A leopard takes her other boy away.There come a libard vppon)his pray,1885And her other child bare away,She thankid god thereAnd his moder Mary bryght.This lady is lefte alone ryght:The sorow she made there. . . . .1890
There come a libard vppon)his pray,1885
And her other child bare away,
She thankid god there
And his moder Mary bryght.
This lady is lefte alone ryght:
The sorow she made there. . . . .1890
(164)That she myght no further ffare:[1991]‘Of one poynt,’she sayd, ‘is my care,As I do now vnderstond,So my children)crystenyd were,Though they be with beestesthere,1895Theyre liffe is in goddushond.’The King of Jerusalem sees the leopard and child.The kyng of Ierusalem)had beneAt his brothers weddyng, I wene,That was lord of all̴ that lond.As he com homward on his way,1900He saw where the liberd lay[2001]With a child pleyand.
That she myght no further ffare:[1991]
‘Of one poynt,’she sayd, ‘is my care,
As I do now vnderstond,
So my children)crystenyd were,
Though they be with beestesthere,1895
Theyre liffe is in goddushond.’
The kyng of Ierusalem)had bene
At his brothers weddyng, I wene,
That was lord of all̴ that lond.
As he com homward on his way,1900
He saw where the liberd lay[2001]
With a child pleyand.
1892.she s.] om. MS.
(165)Torrent had yeveherringestwo,Each child has one of Torrent’s rings.And euery child had one of tho,Hym)with all̴ to saue.1905The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,Yonder is a liberd witha child,A mayden)or a knave.’f. 107b.The King’s menTho men)of armes theder went,Anon)they had theyre hors spent,1910Her guttys oute she Rave.[2011]For no stroke wold she stynt;kill the Leopard,Till̴ they her slew withsperis dynt,The child myght they not haue.
Torrent had yeveherringestwo,
And euery child had one of tho,
Hym)with all̴ to saue.1905
The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,
Yonder is a liberd witha child,
A mayden)or a knave.’
Tho men)of armes theder went,
Anon)they had theyre hors spent,1910
Her guttys oute she Rave.[2011]
For no stroke wold she stynt;
Till̴ they her slew withsperis dynt,
The child myght they not haue.
1903.her]his ladyMS.
HE (LEOBERTUS) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF JERUSALEM.
(166)and take the Child to the King,Vp they toke the child ying1915And brought it be-ffore the kyngAnd vndid the swathing band,As his moder be-ffore had done,A gold ryng they ffound sone,Was closud in his hond.1920Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem):[2021]‘This child is come of gentill̴ teme,Where euer this beest hym)ffond.The boke of Rome berith wytnes,who christens him ‘Leobertus,’The kyng hym)namyd Leobertus,1925That was hent in hethyn)lond.
Vp they toke the child ying1915
And brought it be-ffore the kyng
And vndid the swathing band,
As his moder be-ffore had done,
A gold ryng they ffound sone,
Was closud in his hond.1920
Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem):[2021]
‘This child is come of gentill̴ teme,
Where euer this beest hym)ffond.
The boke of Rome berith wytnes,
The kyng hym)namyd Leobertus,1925
That was hent in hethyn)lond.
1915.yongMS.1923.ffoundMS.
1915.yongMS.
1923.ffoundMS.
(167)Two squiers to the town)gan)flyng,And a noryse to the child did bryng,Hym)to kepe ffrome greme.and takes him to Jerusalem.He led it in)to his own)lond1930And told the quene, how he it ffond[2031]By a water streme.Whan)the lady saw the ryng,She said, with-oute lettyng:‘This child is com)of gentill̴ teme:1935Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,For Iesu love thousholdist hym)makePrynce of Ierusalem).’
Two squiers to the town)gan)flyng,
And a noryse to the child did bryng,
Hym)to kepe ffrome greme.
He led it in)to his own)lond1930
And told the quene, how he it ffond[2031]
By a water streme.
Whan)the lady saw the ryng,
She said, with-oute lettyng:
‘This child is com)of gentill̴ teme:1935
Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,
For Iesu love thousholdist hym)make
Prynce of Ierusalem).’
1929.grameMS.1937.woldistMS.
1929.grameMS.
1937.woldistMS.
ST. ANTONY GETS THE FIRST BOY FROM THE GRIFFIN.
(168)Now, in boke as we rede,St. AnthonyAs seynt Antony aboute yede,1940Byddyng his orysoun),[2041]f. 108a.sees the GriffinOf the gripe he had a sight,How she flew in a fflight,To her birdus was she boun).and Desonell’s first boy,Be-twene her clawes she bare a child:1945He prayed to god and Mary myld,On lyve to send it down).That man was well̴ with god all̴-myȝt),whom the bird lays at his feet.At his fote gan)she light,That foule of gret renown).1950
Now, in boke as we rede,
As seynt Antony aboute yede,1940
Byddyng his orysoun),[2041]
Of the gripe he had a sight,
How she flew in a fflight,
To her birdus was she boun).
Be-twene her clawes she bare a child:1945
He prayed to god and Mary myld,
On lyve to send it down).
That man was well̴ with god all̴-myȝt),
At his fote gan)she light,
That foule of gret renown).1950
(169)Vp he toke the child there,[2051]To his auter he did it bere,There his chapell̴ stode.A knave child there he ffond,There was closud in his hond1955A gold ryng riche and good.St. Antony takes the boy to his Father, the King of Greece.He bare it to the Cite grett,There the kyng his fadersettAs a lord of jentill̴ blood,For he wold saue it ffro dede;1960A grype flew a-bove his hede[2061]And cryed, as he were wood.
Vp he toke the child there,[2051]
To his auter he did it bere,
There his chapell̴ stode.
A knave child there he ffond,
There was closud in his hond1955
A gold ryng riche and good.
He bare it to the Cite grett,
There the kyng his fadersett
As a lord of jentill̴ blood,
For he wold saue it ffro dede;1960
A grype flew a-bove his hede[2061]
And cryed, as he were wood.
1951.thareMS.1954.ffoundMS.1958.sett]lettMS.
1951.thareMS.
1954.ffoundMS.
1958.sett]lettMS.
(170)This holy man)hied hym)tyteTo a Cite withtouris white,As fast as he may.1965The King seesThe kyng at the yate stodeAnd other knyghtesand lordys goodTo se the squiers play.The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,his son Antony,Yonder comyth Antony, my child,1970With a gryffon)gay.[2071]Som)of his byrdus take hath he,And bryngith hem)heder to me!’Gret ferly had thaye.
This holy man)hied hym)tyte
To a Cite withtouris white,
As fast as he may.1965
The kyng at the yate stode
And other knyghtesand lordys good
To se the squiers play.
The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,
Yonder comyth Antony, my child,1970
With a gryffon)gay.[2071]
Som)of his byrdus take hath he,
And bryngith hem)heder to me!’
Gret ferly had thaye.
HE (ANTONY FITZ-GRIFFIN) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF GREECE.
(171)f. 108b.The kyng there of toke good hede,1975And a-geyn)his sonne he yedeAnd said: ‘Welcom)ye be!’‘Fader,’ he said, ‘god you saue!A knave child ffound I haue,who asks him to adopt Desonell’s boy asLoke, that it be dere to the!1980Frome a greffon)he was refte,[2081]Of what lond that he is lefte,Of gentill̴ blood was he:Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,his heir.For Iesu love thy sonne hym)make,1985As in the stede of me!’
The kyng there of toke good hede,1975
And a-geyn)his sonne he yede
And said: ‘Welcom)ye be!’
‘Fader,’ he said, ‘god you saue!
A knave child ffound I haue,
Loke, that it be dere to the!1980
Frome a greffon)he was refte,[2081]
Of what lond that he is lefte,
Of gentill̴ blood was he:
Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,
For Iesu love thy sonne hym)make,1985
As in the stede of me!’
(172)The King of Greece agrees,The kyng said: ‘Yf I may lyve,Helpe and hold I shall̴ hym yeveAnd receyve hym as my son).Sith thou hast this lond forsake,1990My riche londys I shall̴ hym)take,[2091]Whan he kepe them)con).’and has the Boy baptized.To a ffont they hym yaue,And crystonyd this yong knave;Fro care he is wonne.1995The Boy is christend Antony Fitzgriffin.The holy man yaue hym)name,That Iesu shild hym)ffrome shame:Antony fice greffoun).
The kyng said: ‘Yf I may lyve,
Helpe and hold I shall̴ hym yeve
And receyve hym as my son).
Sith thou hast this lond forsake,1990
My riche londys I shall̴ hym)take,[2091]
Whan he kepe them)con).’
To a ffont they hym yaue,
And crystonyd this yong knave;
Fro care he is wonne.1995
The holy man yaue hym)name,
That Iesu shild hym)ffrome shame:
Antony fice greffoun).
1992.canMS.
DESONELL BEWAILS HER LOST CHILDREN.
(173)‘Fader, than)haue thou this ryng,I ffound it on)this swete thing,2000Kepe it, yf thou may:[2101]It is good in eueryfight,Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght,Be nyghtandbe day.’Let we now this children)dwell̴,2005And speke we more of Desonell̴:Desonell laments,f. 109a.Her song was welaway.God, that died vppon)the Rode,Yff grace, that she mete withgood!Thus disparplid are thay.2010
‘Fader, than)haue thou this ryng,
I ffound it on)this swete thing,2000
Kepe it, yf thou may:[2101]
It is good in eueryfight,
Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght,
Be nyghtandbe day.’
Let we now this children)dwell̴,2005
And speke we more of Desonell̴:
Her song was welaway.
God, that died vppon)the Rode,
Yff grace, that she mete withgood!
Thus disparplid are thay.2010
2002.fight]sightMS.?2004.Other beMS.and]or forme of(!) MS.2010.disparlidMS.
2002.fight]sightMS.?
2004.Other beMS.and]or forme of(!) MS.
2010.disparlidMS.
(174)wanders among wild beasts,This lady walkyd all̴ alone[2111]Amonge wyld bestis meny one,Ne wanted she no Woo;Anon)the day be-gan to spryng,And the ffoules gan to syng,2015With blis on euery bowȝe. . . . . . .
This lady walkyd all̴ alone[2111]
Amonge wyld bestis meny one,
Ne wanted she no Woo;
Anon)the day be-gan to spryng,
And the ffoules gan to syng,2015
With blis on euery bowȝe. . . . . . .
(175)‘Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be!Alone ye haue lefte me,and bewails her lost children.My children)yehaveslone.’As she walkid than)a-lone,2020She sye lordis on)huntyng gone,[2121]Nere hem)she yede full̴ sone.This carfull̴ lady cried faste,Than she herd this hornes blasteBy the yatis gone,2025Desonell flees from some huntersButranin to a wildernes,Amongist beests that wyld wes,For drede, she shold be slone.
‘Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be!
Alone ye haue lefte me,
My children)yehaveslone.’
As she walkid than)a-lone,2020
She sye lordis on)huntyng gone,[2121]
Nere hem)she yede full̴ sone.
This carfull̴ lady cried faste,
Than she herd this hornes blaste
By the yatis gone,2025
Butranin to a wildernes,
Amongist beests that wyld wes,
For drede, she shold be slone.
2018.haue]acorrected out ofeMS.2019.have sl.]sloughMS.2026.ran] om. MS.2027.wasMS.
2018.haue]acorrected out ofeMS.
2019.have sl.]sloughMS.
2026.ran] om. MS.
2027.wasMS.
DESONELL FLEES TO THE LAND OF NAZARETH.
(176)Till̴ it were vnder of the Day,She wentfrothat wilsom)way,2030In to a lond playn).[2131]into the land of Nazareth.The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there,Among the hertes, that gentill̴ were;There of she was full̴ ffayn). . . . . . . . .
Till̴ it were vnder of the Day,
She wentfrothat wilsom)way,2030
In to a lond playn).[2131]
The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there,
Among the hertes, that gentill̴ were;
There of she was full̴ ffayn). . . . . . . . .
2030.fro]inMS.
(177)They had ferly, kyng and knyght,2035Whens she come, that lady bryght,Dwelling here a-lone.She said to a squier, that there stode:‘Who is lord of most jentill̴ blood?’f. 109b.And he answerid her anon):2040‘This ys the lond of Naȝareth,[2141]She sees the King,Se, where the kyng gethe,Of speche he is ffull̴ bone;All̴ in gold couerid is he.’‘Gramercy, sir,’ said she,2045And nere hym)gan)she gone.
They had ferly, kyng and knyght,2035
Whens she come, that lady bryght,
Dwelling here a-lone.
She said to a squier, that there stode:
‘Who is lord of most jentill̴ blood?’
And he answerid her anon):2040
‘This ys the lond of Naȝareth,[2141]
Se, where the kyng gethe,
Of speche he is ffull̴ bone;
All̴ in gold couerid is he.’
‘Gramercy, sir,’ said she,2045
And nere hym)gan)she gone.
(178)Lordys anon ageyn)her yode,For she was com)of gentill̴ blood,In her lond had they bene:whose Lords greet her.‘God loke the, lady ffree,2050What makist thou in this contre?’[2151]‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I wene,Seynt Katryn)I shold haue sought,Wekyd weders me heder hath broughtIn to this fforest grene,2055Desonell says that her boys are dead, and she is left alone.And all̴ is dede, I vnderstond,Saue my selfe, that com)to londWith wyld beestis and kene.’
Lordys anon ageyn)her yode,
For she was com)of gentill̴ blood,
In her lond had they bene:
‘God loke the, lady ffree,2050
What makist thou in this contre?’[2151]
‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I wene,
Seynt Katryn)I shold haue sought,
Wekyd weders me heder hath brought
In to this fforest grene,2055
And all̴ is dede, I vnderstond,
Saue my selfe, that com)to lond
With wyld beestis and kene.’
DESONELL IS WELCOMD BY THE QUEEN OF NAZARETH.
(179)‘Welcom,’ he said,’ Desonell̴,By a tokyn)I shall̴ the tell̴:2060Onys a stede I the sent.[2161]Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree,To the shold I haue wedid be,My love was on)the lent.’Knyghtis and squiers, that there were,2065They horsid the lady there,She is taken to Nazareth,And to the Cite they went.The quene was curtes of that londand welcomd by the Queen,And toke the lady be the hondAnd said: ‘Welcom, my lady gent!2070
‘Welcom,’ he said,’ Desonell̴,
By a tokyn)I shall̴ the tell̴:2060
Onys a stede I the sent.[2161]
Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree,
To the shold I haue wedid be,
My love was on)the lent.’
Knyghtis and squiers, that there were,2065
They horsid the lady there,
And to the Cite they went.
The quene was curtes of that lond
And toke the lady be the hond
And said: ‘Welcom, my lady gent!2070
(180)‘Lady, thou art welcom)here,[2171]f. 110a.As it all̴ thyn)own)were,All̴ this ffeyre contree!’‘Of one poynt was my care,And my two children)crystonyd ware,2075That in wood were reft ffro me.’‘Welcomart thou, Desonell̴,with whom she stays.In my chamber for to dwell̴,Inough there in shall̴ ye see!’Leve we now that lady gent,2080And speke we of sirTorrent,[2181]That was gentill̴ and ffre.
‘Lady, thou art welcom)here,[2171]
As it all̴ thyn)own)were,
All̴ this ffeyre contree!’
‘Of one poynt was my care,
And my two children)crystonyd ware,2075
That in wood were reft ffro me.’
‘Welcomart thou, Desonell̴,
In my chamber for to dwell̴,
Inough there in shall̴ ye see!’
Leve we now that lady gent,2080
And speke we of sirTorrent,[2181]
That was gentill̴ and ffre.
2076.in]theadd. MS.
TORRENT HEARS OF THE EXILE OF DESONELL AND HER BOYS.
(181)Sir Torrent won’t stop in Norway,The kyng of Norway is full̴ woo,That sirTorent wold wend hym ffro,That doughty was and bold:2085‘Sir,’ he said, ‘abyde hereAnd wed my doughter, that is me dere!’He said, in no wise he wold.He shipped oute of the kyngessalebut goes back to Portugal.And Ryved vp in)Portingale2090At another hold.[2191]Whan)he herd tell̴ of Desonell̴,Swith on sownyng there he fell̴To the ground so cold.
The kyng of Norway is full̴ woo,
That sirTorent wold wend hym ffro,
That doughty was and bold:2085
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘abyde here
And wed my doughter, that is me dere!’
He said, in no wise he wold.
He shipped oute of the kyngessale
And Ryved vp in)Portingale2090
At another hold.[2191]
Whan)he herd tell̴ of Desonell̴,
Swith on sownyng there he fell̴
To the ground so cold.
(182)The false King Calamond of PortugalThe fals kyng of Portingale,2095Sparid the yatis of his saleFor Torent the ffree;tells him that Desonell and her 2 Boys were sent out to sea.He said: ‘Be Mary clere,Thou shalt no wyfe haue here,Go sech her in)the see!2100With her she toke whelpis two,[2201]To lerne to row wold she go.’‘By god, thou liest,’ quod he,‘Kyng Colomand, here my hond!f. 110b.And I be knyght levand,2105I-quytt shall̴ it be!’
The fals kyng of Portingale,2095
Sparid the yatis of his sale
For Torent the ffree;
He said: ‘Be Mary clere,
Thou shalt no wyfe haue here,
Go sech her in)the see!2100
With her she toke whelpis two,[2201]
To lerne to row wold she go.’
‘By god, thou liest,’ quod he,
‘Kyng Colomand, here my hond!
And I be knyght levand,2105
I-quytt shall̴ it be!’
(183)Torent wold no lenger byde,But sent letters on euery sideWith fforce theder to hye.Torrent gathers an army.Theder com oute of Aragon)2110Noble knyghtesof gret renown)[2211]With grett chevalrye.Torrent’s knightsOf Pervyns and Calaber alsoWere doughty knyghtesmeny moo,They come all̴ to that crye.2115Kyng Calomond had no knyght,That with sirTorent wold fyght,Of all̴ that satt hym)bye.
Torent wold no lenger byde,
But sent letters on euery side
With fforce theder to hye.
Theder com oute of Aragon)2110
Noble knyghtesof gret renown)[2211]
With grett chevalrye.
Of Pervyns and Calaber also
Were doughty knyghtesmeny moo,
They come all̴ to that crye.2115
Kyng Calomond had no knyght,
That with sirTorent wold fyght,
Of all̴ that satt hym)bye.
2113.Calaber]Cababer(!) MS.
TORRENT SENDS THE KING OF PORTUGAL TO DROWN.
(184)There wold none the yatis deffend,and he are let into the chief City of Portugal,But lett sirTorent in wend2120With his men)euerychone.[2221]Swith a counsell̴ yede they to,Towhat deth they wold hym do,For he his lady had slone.‘Lordis,’ he said, ‘he is a kyng,2125Men may hym)nether hede ne hing.’Thus said they euerychone.and resolve to send the false King to seaThey ordenyd a shipp all̴ of treeAnd sett hym)oute in)to the see,Among the wawes to gone.2130
There wold none the yatis deffend,
But lett sirTorent in wend2120
With his men)euerychone.[2221]
Swith a counsell̴ yede they to,
Towhat deth they wold hym do,
For he his lady had slone.
‘Lordis,’ he said, ‘he is a kyng,2125
Men may hym)nether hede ne hing.’
Thus said they euerychone.
They ordenyd a shipp all̴ of tree
And sett hym)oute in)to the see,
Among the wawes to gone.2130
2123.To] om. MS.2126.hing]hengMS.
2123.To] om. MS.
2126.hing]hengMS.
(185)Gret lordis of that lond[2231]Assentid to thatcomnand,That hold shold it be.In the havyn)of Portyngale,There stode shippes of hede vale2135f. 111a.Of Irun and of tree.in a boat full of holes.A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn),Full̴ of holis it was born),Howsell̴ and shryftewoldhe.Sir Torent said: ‘Be seynt Iohn),2140Seth thou gaue my lady none,[2241]No more men)shall̴ do the!’
Gret lordis of that lond[2231]
Assentid to thatcomnand,
That hold shold it be.
In the havyn)of Portyngale,
There stode shippes of hede vale2135
Of Irun and of tree.
A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn),
Full̴ of holis it was born),
Howsell̴ and shryftewoldhe.
Sir Torent said: ‘Be seynt Iohn),2140
Seth thou gaue my lady none,[2241]
No more men)shall̴ do the!’
2132.comlandMS.2138.borynMS.2139.wold]hadMS.
2132.comlandMS.
2138.borynMS.
2139.wold]hadMS.
TORRENT IS MADE KING OF PORTUGAL.
(186)The false king Calamond is drownd,The shipp-men)brought sirColomondAnd sent hym fforth within)a stoundAs ffar as it were.2145Wott ye well̴ and vnderstond,He come never ayen to lond,Such stormes ffound he there.and Torrent is made King of Portugal,Gret lordys of renown)Be-toke sirTorent the crown)2150To reioyse it there.[2251]Loo, lordys of euery lond:Falshode wyll̴ haue a foule end,And wyll̴ haue euermore.
The shipp-men)brought sirColomond
And sent hym fforth within)a stound
As ffar as it were.2145
Wott ye well̴ and vnderstond,
He come never ayen to lond,
Such stormes ffound he there.
Gret lordys of renown)
Be-toke sirTorent the crown)2150
To reioyse it there.[2251]
Loo, lordys of euery lond:
Falshode wyll̴ haue a foule end,
And wyll̴ haue euermore.
(187)Sir Torent dwellid thare2155Fourty days in moche care,Season)for to hold;Sith he takith two knyghtes,To kepe his lond and his rightes,That doughty were and bold.2160but he gives the land up to the Queen,‘Madam),’ he said to the quene,[2261]‘Here than shall̴ ye lady bene,To worth as ye wold.’and resolves to go to the Holy-Land.He purveyd hym)anon),To wend ouer the see fome,2165There god was bought and sold.
Sir Torent dwellid thare2155
Fourty days in moche care,
Season)for to hold;
Sith he takith two knyghtes,
To kepe his lond and his rightes,
That doughty were and bold.2160
‘Madam),’ he said to the quene,[2261]
‘Here than shall̴ ye lady bene,
To worth as ye wold.’
He purveyd hym)anon),
To wend ouer the see fome,2165
There god was bought and sold.
2161.He said madamMS.
(188)And ye now will̴ liston)a stound,f. 111b.How he toke armes of kyng Calomond,Listonyth, what he bare.His arms are 3 silver ships on an azure field.Onasure, as ye may see,2170With syluershippes thre,[2271]Who so had be thare.For love of Desonell,For Desonell̴ is love so bryght,His londis he takyth to a knyght,And sith he isbounto fare.2175Torrent leaves Portugal.‘Portyngale, haue good dayFor Sevyn)yere, parmaffay,Paraventure som)dele mare!’
And ye now will̴ liston)a stound,
How he toke armes of kyng Calomond,
Listonyth, what he bare.
Onasure, as ye may see,2170
With syluershippes thre,[2271]
Who so had be thare.
For Desonell̴ is love so bryght,
His londis he takyth to a knyght,
And sith he isbounto fare.2175
‘Portyngale, haue good day
For Sevyn)yere, parmaffay,
Paraventure som)dele mare!’
2170. This line begins with a big initial letter.OffMS.2175.boun]homeMS.2178.moreMS.
2170. This line begins with a big initial letter.OffMS.
2175.boun]homeMS.
2178.moreMS.
TORRENT TAKES THE CITY OF QUARELL.
(189)Sir Torent passid the Grekys floodIn to a lond both riche and good,2180Full̴ evyn)he toke the way[2281]He besieges the City of QuarellTo theciteof Quarell̴,As the boke of Rome doth tell̴,There a soudan)lay.There he smote and set adown)2185And yaue asaute in to the town,That will̴ the storye say.So well̴ they vetelid were,for 2 years, and then takes it.That he lay there two yere,Sith in)the town)went they.2190
Sir Torent passid the Grekys flood
In to a lond both riche and good,2180
Full̴ evyn)he toke the way[2281]
To theciteof Quarell̴,
As the boke of Rome doth tell̴,
There a soudan)lay.
There he smote and set adown)2185
And yaue asaute in to the town,
That will̴ the storye say.
So well̴ they vetelid were,
That he lay there two yere,
Sith in)the town)went they.2190
2182.cite]seeMS.2187.wellMS.saysMS.2190.And sith in toMS.
2182.cite]seeMS.
2187.wellMS.saysMS.
2190.And sith in toMS.
(190)He has its inhabitants kild,And tho sirTorent ffound on)lyve,[2291]He comaundid with spere and knyffeSmertely dede to be;He said: ‘We haue be hereMoche of this two yere2195And onward on)the thre.’and shares its booty among his men.All̴ the good, that sirTorent wan),He partid it among his man),Syluer, gold and ffee;f. 112a.And sith he is boun to ride2200To a Cite there be-syde,[2301]That was worth such thre.
And tho sirTorent ffound on)lyve,[2291]
He comaundid with spere and knyffe
Smertely dede to be;
He said: ‘We haue be here
Moche of this two yere2195
And onward on)the thre.’
All̴ the good, that sirTorent wan),
He partid it among his man),
Syluer, gold and ffee;
And sith he is boun to ride2200
To a Cite there be-syde,[2301]
That was worth such thre.
2196.thridMS.2198.menMS.
2196.thridMS.
2198.menMS.
TORRENT TAKES ANOTHER CITY, AND GOES TO ANTIOCH.
(191)Torrent then besieges another heathen City for 6 years.There he stode and smote adown)And leyd sege to the town),Six yere there he lay.2205By the VI yere were all̴ done,All its folk die of hunger.With honger they were all̴ slone,That in the Cite lay.TheSoudan sent to sirTorent than),With honger that thes people be slan,2210All̴ the folke of this Cite;[2311]‘Yf ye thinke here to lye,Ye shall̴ haue wyne and spycery,I-nough is in this contre.’
There he stode and smote adown)
And leyd sege to the town),
Six yere there he lay.2205
By the VI yere were all̴ done,
With honger they were all̴ slone,
That in the Cite lay.
TheSoudan sent to sirTorent than),
With honger that thes people be slan,2210
All̴ the folke of this Cite;[2311]
‘Yf ye thinke here to lye,
Ye shall̴ haue wyne and spycery,
I-nough is in this contre.’
2209.The]AMS.2209-14 put before 2203-8 MS.2210.slaynMS.2211.thesMS.
2209.The]AMS.
2209-14 put before 2203-8 MS.
2210.slaynMS.
2211.thesMS.
(192)Now god do his soule mede!2215On the soudan)he had a dedeVppon)euery good ffryday.Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ,Torrent kills the Sultan,With dynt of sword he hym slougħ,There went none quyk away.2220Down knelid that knyght[2321]And thankid god with all̴ his myȝt):So ought he well̴ to say.The Cite, that sirTorent was yn),Worldely goodis he left ther yn),2225To kepe it nyght and day.
Now god do his soule mede!2215
On the soudan)he had a dede
Vppon)euery good ffryday.
Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ,
With dynt of sword he hym slougħ,
There went none quyk away.2220
Down knelid that knyght[2321]
And thankid god with all̴ his myȝt):
So ought he well̴ to say.
The Cite, that sirTorent was yn),
Worldely goodis he left ther yn),2225
To kepe it nyght and day.
(193)goes to Antioch,Sith he buskyd hym)to ridef. 112b.In to a lond there be-syde,Antioche it hight.Sevyn)yere at the Cite he lay2230and fights every good Friday.And had batell̴ euery good ffryday,[2331]Vppon)the Sarȝins bryght;And be the VII yere were gone,The child, that the liberd had tane,Found hym his fill̴ off ffyght. . . . . .2235
Sith he buskyd hym)to ride
In to a lond there be-syde,
Antioche it hight.
Sevyn)yere at the Cite he lay2230
And had batell̴ euery good ffryday,[2331]
Vppon)the Sarȝins bryght;
And be the VII yere were gone,
The child, that the liberd had tane,
Found hym his fill̴ off ffyght. . . . . .2235
2230-32 put before 2227-29 MS.
TORRENT’S SON LEOBERTUS FIGHTS AGAINST HIM.
(194)The King of JerusalemThe kyng of Ierusalem)herd tell̴Of this lord good and fell̴,How doughtyly he hym bare.Vppon)his knyghtescan he call̴,‘Ordeyn)swith among you all̴,2240For no thing that ye spare!’[2341]They buskyd hem oute of the land,sends 50,000 knights,The nombre off ffyfty thousand,Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare. . . .
The kyng of Ierusalem)herd tell̴
Of this lord good and fell̴,
How doughtyly he hym bare.
Vppon)his knyghtescan he call̴,
‘Ordeyn)swith among you all̴,2240
For no thing that ye spare!’[2341]
They buskyd hem oute of the land,
The nombre off ffyfty thousand,
Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare. . . .
2243.thousaidMS.
(195)The kyng of Ierusalem said thus:2245and his adopted son Leobertus (Torrent’s second boy)‘My dere son, Liobertus,That thou be bold and wight!Thou shalt be here and defend the londFrom that fals traytors hondAnd take the ordre of a knyght.’2250He yaue hym armes, or he did passe:[2351]Right as he ffound was,Ongold he bare bryghtA liberd of asure blaA child be-twene his armes twa:2255Woo was her, thatseitmyght!
The kyng of Ierusalem said thus:2245
‘My dere son, Liobertus,
That thou be bold and wight!
Thou shalt be here and defend the lond
From that fals traytors hond
And take the ordre of a knyght.’2250
He yaue hym armes, or he did passe:[2351]
Right as he ffound was,
Ongold he bare bryght
A liberd of asure bla
A child be-twene his armes twa:2255
Woo was her, thatseitmyght!
2246.LiobertiousMS.2253.On]OfMS.2254.blay(!) MS.2255.twayMS.2256.ffulle wooMS.se it m.]it oughtMS.
2246.LiobertiousMS.
2253.On]OfMS.
2254.blay(!) MS.
2255.twayMS.
2256.ffulle wooMS.se it m.]it oughtMS.
(196)Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde,But thederward gan)he ride;And to the feld were broughtagainst Torrent.f. 113a.Two knyghtes, that were there in stede;2260Many a man did they to blede,[2361]Such woundis they wrought.Torrent’s son LeobertusThere durst no man com)Torent nere,But his son, as ye may here,Though he knew hym nought.2265All̴ to nought he bet his shild,captures him.But he toke his fader in the feld,Though he there of evill̴ thought.
Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde,
But thederward gan)he ride;
And to the feld were brought
Two knyghtes, that were there in stede;2260
Many a man did they to blede,[2361]
Such woundis they wrought.
There durst no man com)Torent nere,
But his son, as ye may here,
Though he knew hym nought.2265
All̴ to nought he bet his shild,
But he toke his fader in the feld,
Though he there of evill̴ thought.
TORRENT IS IMPRISOND IN JERUSALEM.
(197)TorrentWhan)sirTorent was takyn)than),His men fled than), euery man),2270They durst no lenger abyde.[2371]Gret ruth it was to be hold,How his sword he did vp-holdTo his son)that tyde.is taken to JerusalemTo Ierusalem)he did hym)lede,2275His actone and his other wede,All̴ be the kyngis side;‘Sir,’ he said, ‘haue no care,Thou shalte lyve and welfare,But lower ys thy pryde!’2280
Whan)sirTorent was takyn)than),
His men fled than), euery man),2270
They durst no lenger abyde.[2371]
Gret ruth it was to be hold,
How his sword he did vp-hold
To his son)that tyde.
To Ierusalem)he did hym)lede,2275
His actone and his other wede,
All̴ be the kyngis side;
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘haue no care,
Thou shalte lyve and welfare,
But lower ys thy pryde!’2280
(198)Fro that sirTorent was hom brought,[2381]Doughty men)vppon)hym)sought,and thrust into prison,And in preson)they hym)thronge.His son above his hede lay,To kepe hym)both nyȝt and day,2285He wist well̴, that he was strong.where his son Leobertus hears him lament a whole year.Thus in preson as he was,Sore he siȝed and said alas,He couth none other songe.f. 113b.Thus in bondys they held hym thare2290A twelfmonyth and som dele mare,[2391]The knyght thought ffull̴ long.
Fro that sirTorent was hom brought,[2381]
Doughty men)vppon)hym)sought,
And in preson)they hym)thronge.
His son above his hede lay,
To kepe hym)both nyȝt and day,2285
He wist well̴, that he was strong.
Thus in preson as he was,
Sore he siȝed and said alas,
He couth none other songe.
Thus in bondys they held hym thare2290
A twelfmonyth and som dele mare,[2391]
The knyght thought ffull̴ long.
2281.hom]hemMS.2283.And and(!) MS.throuȝeMS.
2281.hom]hemMS.
2283.And and(!) MS.throuȝeMS.
TORRENT’S SON ASKS FOR HIS FATHER’S FREEDOM.
(199)TorrentIn a mornyng as he lay,To hym selfe gan)he say:‘Why lye I thus alone?2295appeals to GodGod, hast thou forsakyn)me?All̴ my truste was in the,In lond where I haue gone!who once enabled him to kill Dragons and Giants.Thou gave me myȝt ffor to sleeDragons two other thre2300And giauntes meny one,[2401]And now a man)in wekid londHath myn)armourand stede in)hond:I wold, my liffe were done!’
In a mornyng as he lay,
To hym selfe gan)he say:
‘Why lye I thus alone?2295
God, hast thou forsakyn)me?
All̴ my truste was in the,
In lond where I haue gone!
Thou gave me myȝt ffor to slee
Dragons two other thre2300
And giauntes meny one,[2401]
And now a man)in wekid lond
Hath myn)armourand stede in)hond:
I wold, my liffe were done!’
2299.fleeMS.!
(200)His son Leobertus hears him,His son herd hym)say soo2305And in his hert was full̴ woo,In chamber there he lay;‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I haue thy wede,There shall̴ no man reioyse thy stede,Yf so be, that I may.2310By oure lady seynt Mary,[2411]and promises to get him freed.Here shalt thou no lenger lye,Nether be nyȝt)ne be day;As I am)Curtesse and hend,To the kyng I shall̴ wend,2315And ffor thy lovehympray!’
His son herd hym)say soo2305
And in his hert was full̴ woo,
In chamber there he lay;
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I haue thy wede,
There shall̴ no man reioyse thy stede,
Yf so be, that I may.2310
By oure lady seynt Mary,[2411]
Here shalt thou no lenger lye,
Nether be nyȝt)ne be day;
As I am)Curtesse and hend,
To the kyng I shall̴ wend,2315
And ffor thy lovehympray!’