Torrent of Portyngale.f. 76a.Here bygynneth a good taleOf Torrente of Portyngale.(1)leaf1May God giveGod, that ys worthy and Bold,Heuen)and Erthe haue In hold,Fyld, watyr, and wynde,us grace to win Heaven!Yeve vse grace hevyn)to wyne,And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne5And In thy seruyse to Ende!A stounde and ye woll̴ lyst be-Dene,Ale dowghtty men)þat Euyr hathe ben),Wher So that they lende,I’ll tell you of a doughty knight.I Schall̴ yow tell̴, ore I hense pase,10Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase,In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.8.bynMS.(2)He dwelt in Portugal,In Portynggall̴, that Ryche londe,An Erell̴ that wase wonande,That curtese wase andwyght;15Sone aftyr he had a sone,The feyerest þat on fot myght gon,Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght.and fought well when 18.Be tyme he wase XVIII yer)old,Of deddesof armys he wase bold,20To felle bothe kyng and knyght;And now commythe dethe appon a dayAnd takythe hys father), ase I yow sey,For God ys most of myght.15.wyght]DowghttyMS.21.felle] firstlabove the line MS.TORRENT LOVES DESONELL.(3)The KingThe kyng of Portynggall̴ wase fayne,25To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne,That Dowghtty ys in)dedde;gives Torrent an earldom,And ther he fesomnyd in)hys hondA good Eyrldom in)that lond,f. 76b.Bothe forest andfede.30The kyng hathe a dowghttyrwhyteasefame,Dysonellwase her name,Worthyest in wede.and he falls in love with the King’s daughter Desonell,When Torrent had of her)a syght,More he lovyd that swetewyght35Than)all̴ ys fathyrys lede.30.fede]DowneMS.31.whyte ase fame]feyer ase flowyrMS.32.Dyscenys, MS.35.swete]swet, MS.wyght]wyteMS.36.lede]londeMS.(4)and for her,For love of thys lady Deyr)In dede of armys far and nereAventorresgan he takeWithheve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde,40Ther myght no man)hys dent a-bydde,unhorses many knights.But to the Erthe he them strake.Her father and other knyghttesmoHad farly, how he Ryd soo,And on a day to hyme spake,45He Seyd: ‘Torrent, howe may thys byne,That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghtteskeneAnd ordurresnon woll̴ take?’39.A ventorresMS.42.strokeMS.47.dysplesystMS.(5)Torrent sayd: ‘So mvt I the,An other sayment woll̴ Isee,50Ore I take ordor of knyght.’The KingTho he sware be hevyn kyng,Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng)In hys chambyr to nyght:knows that Torrent loves his daughter,‘For)the love of my doughter dere55Thow makyst good far and nereIn)Dedde of armys bryght;And wyt thow wyll̴, so god me saue,Thow schalt her)wyne, yf thow her haue,Be thow neuyr so wyght!’6050.AndMS.see]beeMS.60.wyght]wytthtMS.THE KING ASKS TORRENT TO FIGHT A GREEK GIANT.(6)Torrent sayd: ‘Be Marry dere,f. 77a.And I were off armyse clere,Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.’The kyng seyd: ‘Yf yt be soo,Ore VII yere be a-go,65More schall̴ we here:and asks him if, for her sake, he’ll fightDurst thow, for my dowghttyr sake,A poynt of armys for to takeWith-owt helpe of fere?’Than seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped,70Withanny man)that syttythe on stedeOther far ore nere!’61.Marry]ecorrected intoy.65.a-go]a gone,nestruck out, MS.(7)Ther-of the kyng)for tene wax wode:‘Yf thow wylt make thy body good,Be trew and hold thy contenance. . . . . . .75Tho seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped ere!And I wyst, in)what sted they were,Fore no man)wold I chaunce.’75.contnnceMS.78.chaunce] corrected out ofchangeMS.(8)a Giant in the Greek sea.‘In to the Grekessee a mylleTher lyvythe a gyantin anyle,80Full̴ Euyll̴ thow dourst hyme stond.My fayer)forestesfellythe downe heAnd Ryche castellesin)that contre,No ston lettythe he stond.’80.lyvythe]lyghttytheMS.in an yle]mauyleMS.TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT BEGONMESE.(9)TorrentTerrent sayd: ‘Be Marre bryght,85Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght,The devyll̴ of hell̴ hym blynd!’Thekyngsayd: ‘Parla-more de dewe,Thow darryst full̴ evyll̴ withthy Ey hym sewe,He wold fell̴ the withhys wynde.’90agrees to fight‘Now, be my trowthe,’ seyd Torrent than),‘Ase I ame a jentylman),Yf I may hym fynd,Won fot woll̴ I not fro hym pase,f. 77b.Thow he be stronger)than Samson)wase,95Or anny man)ofhyskynd!’86.he] written above the line, MS.88.kyng]knyghtMS.96.hys] om. MS.(10)Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare,With-owt fere that he schold fareTo that gret iorney,the Giant Begonmese,Withthe gyant heygh for to fyght.100Be-gon)-mese that gyant hyght,That fynddesfere for aye.To arme hyme Torrant gas,Hys good stede withhym he tas,Withowt squyer)that Day.105He takythe leve at lorddys hend,and sets out.And on hys wey gan he wynd,For hym all̴ they pray.97.soreMS.102.fareMS.103.gas]goosMS.104.tas]takytheMS.108.pray]praydMS.(11)Desonell knows not that it is for love of her.Lytyll̴ wyst Desonell̴ that jente,For whos love that he went110To fyght withthat knave.God give Torrent victory!Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode,Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod,The fyld for to haue!He that schall̴ wend soche a wey,115Yt were nede for hym to pray,That Iesu hym schuld saue.Yt ys in)the boke of Rome,Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome,That jorney Durst crave.120TORRENT SEES THE GIANT SLEEPING.(12)After 6 days’ rideVI days Rydythe heBy the cost of the feyer)see,To seke the gyant kene.f. 78a.By the cost as he Rode,In a forest longe and brode125And symly wase to sene,Hey sperrys ther he fondeAnd gret olyvys growondeCoverd in)levysgrene.he sees the Giant asleep.Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say,130Vppon a movnteyn)ther he layeOn slepe, ase I wene.123.seke]ches, struck out,sekewritten over with paler ink.126.seeMS.129.grene]smaleMS.(13)Torrent, on kne knelyd heAnd be-sowght Jesu so fre,That bowght hym withhys blod:135He prays for Christ’s help.‘Lord, ase thow dydryght for Mary,Let me nevertake velonyAnd gef me of thy fode!Serttes, yf I hym slepyng)slone,Manfull̴ Ded were yt none140For my body, be the Rode.’Tho Terrant blewe hys bugell̴ bold,To loke that he a-wake wold,And sythe ner)hyme Rode.136.ryght]lyghtwritten above the line with paler ink.mareMS.TORRENT WAKES THE GIANT BEGONMESE.(14)As Torrent can’t wake the Giant with his bugle,So fast a-slepe he wase browght,145Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght,He swellyd ase dothe the see.Torrent saw, he woll̴ not wake,He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake,Ase a jentyll̴ man)so fre.150So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne,Ther myghtno horse wynd hym)a-geyn)f. 78b.But yf he nowyd wold be;Thowe the wey neuyr)so wykkyd ware,On hys wey gan he fare,155In)gret perayll̴ went hee.150.so fre]in fereMS.151.say]saydMS.152.mygh(!) MS.154.wereMS.(15)Torent went to that movnteyn),he stirs him up with his spear,He put hys spere hyme a-geyne,‘A-Ryse, fellow!’ gan he saye;‘Who made the so bold here to dwell̴,160My lordesfrethe thus to fell̴?A-mendesthe be-hovythe to pay.’and makes him wild.The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn)wod,And Redyly by hyme stode,Be-syd hyme on a lay,165And seyd: ‘Sertes, yf I leve,Soche a wed I woll̴ the geff,To meve the Euyr)and ay.’157.movntenMS.(16)Thow the chyld were neuyr)so yinge,The fyndesspere sparrythe hyme no-thyng)170Inthe holttesharee;Who had fare and nere byne,And neuerhad of fytyng syn),He myght a lernyd thare.The fight begins.The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast,175His good schyld all̴ to-brast,In schevyresspred waseyare;Tho covd he no betturRed,But stond styll̴, tyll̴ one were ded;The gyant lefte hym thar.180169.yongeMS.171.In]Ihū(!) MS.horeeMS.173.seynMS.174.thereMS.175.to hym] written above the line.177.thereMS.178.he no]not heMS.RydMS.180.therMS.THE GIANT BURSTS HIMSELF ON A ROCK.(17)Torrent grips the Giant;Torrent vndyr hys spryt hesprentf. 79a.And a-bowght the body he hyme hente,As far as he myght last.‘A! fellow, wylt thow so?’they both fall, and roll down the mountain.And to the grownd gan they goo,185Of the movnteyn)bothe downe they past.Ase the boke of Rome tellys,They tornyd XXXIIellys,In armys walloyng fast.Yt tellythe in)the boke of Rome,190Euyr)ase the gyant a-boue come,The Giant burstsHys guttesowt of hys bodybrast.181.sprent]spredMS.186.they past]gan they paseMS.188.ellys]tymysMS.192.brast]RaneMS.(18)At the fot of the movnteyn)open against a big stone.Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston), serteyn),Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon)195And also hys Ryght syd,Ther to that gyant fell̴ that tyd,AseIherd in)Rome. . .197 put before 196. MS.198.I]heMS.TORRENT THANKS GOD FOR HIS VICTORY.(19)Torrent stabs the Giant,Thorrow hyme, that mad man),Torrent sone a-bovyn)wane200And fast he ganhim quelleWitha knyffe feyer)and bryght;Torrent, withall̴ hys myghtTher-withhe gard hyme dwell̴.199. afterThorrow,ofhas been scraped out.201.him quelle]warkeMS.203.hys]hcorrected out ofmMS.(20)Torent knelyd on hys kne,205To Iesu Cryst prayd he,That hathe thys world to wyld:and then thanks Christ.‘Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be,The feyer)fyld thow hast lent Me,’f. 79b.—Vpp bothe hys handes heheld—210‘All̴ onely with-owt any knaueOf the fynd the maystry to haue,Of hym to wyn the fyld.’Now ys ther none other to say,Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day;215I pray God hyme schyld.210.he] om. MS.213.wyn]wynd,derased MS.214.towritten above the line, MS.215.Now ys ther non other sayOf hyme to wyne the fyld þat dayadd. (!) MS.(21)Torrent went vppe a-geyneTo the movnt, ase I gan sayne,The londesto se far and nere;He sees the sea,In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt,220An hold wase Rychyly wrowt,In that lond wase not here perre.The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey,and goes to it.Torrent thether toke the way,Werry all̴ thow he were;225Torrent finds the Giant’s castle,And ther he fownd Ryche wonys,TowrresEndentyd withpresyos stonys,Schynyng ase crystall̴ clere.219.to sewritten above the line.TORRENT GOES TO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.(22)Twogattys off yron)ther he fond,Ther in)Torrent gan wonde,230A nyghtesRest there in)tota;guarded by a lion and lioness.And at the hale dore ther waseA lyon)& a lyonasse,Ther men be-twene them twaFast Etyng), ase ye may here;235Crystyñmanthowhewere,f. 80a.Hys browyswexebla,And wit yow will̴, lord god yt wote,He durst goo no fote,Lest they wold hyme sla.240(23)Torrant stod and be-held,And prayd to god, that ale may wyld,To send hyme harborrow good.He hears a lady sighing within.Sone hard he within a whalleThe syghyng of a lady smalle,245Sche weppte, as sche were wod;Sche mornyd sore and sayd: ‘Alas,That Euyr)kyngesdowghttyr waseOuer-come of so jentyll̴ blod,For now ame I holdyn)here250In lond witha fyndesfere!’Torrent hard, wher he stod.226.wonys]wayesMS.229.Two]TheMS.231.to ta]he takeMS.234.twa]twayneMS.236.man]thow(!) MS.he]theyMS.237.wexe bla]be gan to bloweMS.240.sleMS.244.whalle] with paler ink corrected fromwhyle.245.syghyng] with paler ink corrected fromsyngyng.TORRENT WANTS TO ENTER THE GIANT’S CASTLE.(24)‘Deregod,’ seyd Torrant than),‘Yff ther be anny crystyn)man)In thys hold of ston),255Torrent asks for a night’s lodging in the Castle.That woll̴, for the love of god of myght,Harbourrow a jentylman)thys nyght,For I ame but on)!’‘Seynt Marry,’ seyd that lady clere,‘What crystyn)man)axithe harburrow here?’260Nere hym sche gothe a-non.‘I wold harburrow the full̴ fayne,But a gyant wyll̴ the slayne.’To hym sche mad here mone.259.clere]ecorrected out ofrMS.261.sche gothe anon]a non sche gotheMS.(25)f. 80b.‘Say me now, fayer)lady,belyve,265Who owteofthys plase schall̴me dryve,Thes tourres, that are so bryght?’The Lady saysTher sche Seyd: ‘Be hevyn)kyng),Here ys a gyant Dwellyng,That meche ys of myght.270Be my trowthe, and he the see,Were ther)XX lyvys in)the,the Giant will kill him.Thy dethe than wyll̴ he dyght.Iesu cryst yef me graceTo hyd the in)some preve plase275Owt of the fyndessyght!. . . . .265.bel.] om. MS.266.of] om. MS.me dryve]hyghtMS.267.so]feyer andadd. MS.271.the]thow,werased andechanged intoo, MS.273.They(!) MS.275.hyd] corrected fromhyde.(26)‘Euyr)me thynkythe be thy tale,The song of the burdessmaleOn slepe hathe hyme browght.’‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ore he be wakyn),280I schall̴ the tell̴ soche a tokyn),Of hym thow haue no thowght!But wolddesthow for thy gentryDo the lyonnys downe lye,That they nyee me nowght?’285The Lady takes Torrent past the Lions, into the Castle.By the hande sche ganne hym taAnd led hyme in)betwe them twa;Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.277.thy]myerased andthywritten above the line.283.thy]thcorrected fromm.gentry]gentre,ecorrected fromy.285.nyee] firsteabove the line.286.hande]dcorrected frome.taneMS.287.bewteMS.twayneMS.TORRENT IS TAKEN INTO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.(27)The lady wase neuyr)so a-drad,In to the hale sche hym lad,290That lemyred ase gold bryght;f. 81a.Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede:‘Make vse myrre a-geyne owreDedd,I wot will̴, yt ys so dyght!’He tells her he has kild the Giant.‘Be my trowthe!’ seyd Torrent,295‘I wole be thy warrant,He comythe not here thys nyght.On soche a slepe he ys browght,All̴ men of lyve wakythe hym nowght,But onely godes myght.’300300.godes myght]gode a loneMS.(28)Blythe then wase that lady jent,For to on-harnes Torrent,That dowghtty wase and bold;She tells him of Prince Verdownys,‘For sothe,’ sche seyd, ‘I wot wher ysThe kyngessoneVerdownys,305Fast put in holdand 4 Earls’ sons in the Giant’s prison.In a dongon), that ys dym;Fowyre good Eryllessonnys be withhymeYs fet in)fere and fold.The gyant wan theme in)a tyde,310Ase they Rane be the watyr syd,And put them in)preson)cold.305.Verdownys]of pvenseMS.TORRENT FREES A PRINCE AND 4 EARLS’ SONS.(29)‘In an yron)cage he hathe them done.’Torrent went thether)sone:‘Are ye yet levand?’315The kyngessone askyd than),Yf ther were anny crysten man),‘Wold bryng vse owtof bond?’‘Lord,’ he seyd, ‘god all̴myght,f. 81b.I had levyr on a Day to fyght,320Than all̴ my fathyrys lond.’Torrent breaks open the prison,Withan iryn)mall̴ styff and strong)He brake vpe an yron)dore or longe,And sone the keyes he fond.318.owt]ow(!) MS.323.or longe] added in paler ink.(30)and frees the 5 youths.Owt he toke thys chyldyryn)fyve,325The feyrest that were on lyve,I-hold in)anny sted.The lady wase full̴ gled,Sche byrlyd whyt wyn)and Redd,They sup.And sethyn)to soper sone they yed.330‘Lordes,’ he seyd, ‘syn yow are her),I Red yow make Ryght good cher),For now ys all̴ thy nede.’Thus he covyrd owt of care.God, that sofryd wonddessare,335Grante vse well̴ to sped!325.chyld.] avstruck out, follows.328.gladMS.335.soreMS.336.welleto sped]to sped welleMS.THEY ALL CHOOSE THEIR HORSES TO RIDE AWAY.(31)Lorddes, and ye wol lythe,The chyldyr namys I woll̴ tell̴ blythe,Here kyn, how they were me told;Torrent freed Prince Verdownys, LordsThe kyngessone, that dowghttyys,340Wase clepyd Verdownys,That dowghtty wase and bold,Torren, Jakys, and Amyas,And an Eryllesson, that hyght Torren),A nother Iakys of Berweyne,f. 82a.The forthe was Amyas bold.345and Princess Eleanor.The kyngesdowghttyr of Gales lond,Elyoner), I vndyrstond,That worthy wase in hold,337. afterwol,bestruck out MS.340.ys]waseMS.346-348 put before 343-345, MS.(32)She takes Torrent to his chamber,In to hys chambyr sche hyme led,Ther gold and syluyr wase spred,350And asur), that wase blo;In yron ther he gan stond,Body and armysal schynand,In)powynt to trusse and goo.and then all of them to the stable, where each chooses a horse.In to a stabyll̴ sche hym led,355Eche toke a full̴ feyer)sted,They wereredyto goo;And wote ye well̴ and vndyrstond,Had the gyant be levand,They had not partyd soo.360351.blo]bleweMS.353.al sch.]lygand(!) MS.354.trusse] corrected fromtruste.357.redy] om. MS.358.wote] with paler ink corrected fromwhat.359.Had] corrected out ofhan.bynfollows, almost entirely erased.gyant]tcorrected fromd.(33)They woll̴ not to bed gange,Tyll̴ on the morrow the Day spronge,Thus a wey to ffare.Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse,All̴ that he lyst he clepyd hys,365The keys and thyng he bare.Torrent feeds the lions on the Giant’s body,The lyons that wasat the doreWase led to her)maysterthat wase befor),On hym thay fed themyare,Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther)levyd,370and puts his head on a horse.On hym thei trussyd the gyanttesheved.Thus helpt hym god thar).361.gange]ganMS.lleon thestruck out, follows.366.keys]ewritten with paler ink above the line.367.lyons that was]lyoneMS.369.Vn(!) MS.hym]ycorrected out ofeMS.thay] corrected fromthat.yare]therMS.371.Vn(!) MS.thei]iwritten above the line.hedMS.372.therMS.TORRENT RETURNS TO PORTUGAL.(34)But ore III wekeswer)commyn)to End,He goes back to Portugal.To Portynggall̴ gan he wend,Ther)ase the kyng ganlend;375The porter)sawehymther he stood,He fled a wey, ase he were wod,f. 82b.Flyngyng ase a fynd.‘Syr kyng,’ he seyd, ‘be goddesdede,Torrant bryngythe a devyll̴ ys hed,380Ther withhe woll̴ yow present.’Desonell̴ seyd: ‘Porter), be styll̴!’. . .In hys walke ther ase he went.373.were]ther, struck out, andwerewritten over.375.lend]lyeMS.376.sawe h. th.]ther sawe heMS.(35)The kyng to the gatys gan pase,Gret lordesthat ther wase,385Bothe knyghtesand squyerre,The King and his Lords are afraid of the lions.Lordeswase full̴ sore a-dredFore the lyonys, þat he had,They durst not come hyme ner).The kyng seyd: ‘I wyll̴thekysse,390Durst I for)thy bestes, Iwysse.’Torrent dyd them ly ther),Torrent kisses the King of Portugal.And kyssyd the kyng withjoy and blyse;And aftyr, other lordesof hys,And aftyr, ladysclere.395386.squyerresMS.390.the]hymMS.395.aftyr]otheradd. (!) MS.clere]jentMS.VERDOWNYS’S FATHER IS TOLD OF HIS SAFETY.(36)Messengyreswentthe weye,The King of Provyns is gladTo the kyng of Provyns to sey,Hys sone ys owt of hold:‘Yyng Torrent of Portynggall̴Hathe browght hym owt of balle400And slayne the jeyant bold.’Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴ þat ther wer),f. 83a.All̴ they mad good cherHer)prynse fayne se wold.of his son Verdownys’s safetyThe kyngseyd: ‘So mot I the,405I woll̴ geff the towynnys threFor)the tallesthow hast me told.’396.went]to(!) MS.397. afterProvynsIMS.399.YoyngMS.405.kyng seyd]kynges messengereMS.405-7 put before 402-4.(37)Than seydthey, thatto Gales yede,Yeftys totakewere hem no ned,ThenVerdownys had they.410Ase theyseyłydon a tyde,At Perrown)on the see syd. . . . . . . . . . .The kyng of Provynse seyd: ‘So mot I the,and promises Torrent gifts.Yftles schall̴ they not be,415That dare I sothely sey.’The King of Gales offers Torrent his daughter.The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer):‘Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer),When so euyr)thow may!. . . . .408.Than—that]That they thanMS.Gales] with paler ink corrected fromCalles.yede] corrected fromwent.409.take] om. MS.hymMS.410.Then DownysMS.417.gales]gwith paler ink corrected fromc.TORRENT GETS WELAND’S SWORD ADOLAKE.(38)The kyng of Pervense seyd: ‘So mot I the,420Thys seson)yeftles schall̴ thow not be,Haue here my Ryng of gold,The King of Provyns gives Torrent his SwordMy sword, that so wyll̴ ys wrowyt;A betterthan)yt know I nowghtWithin)crystyn)mold;425Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase,made by Weland,Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase,Bettyr ys non)to hold.I have syne sum tyme in)lond,Whoso had yt of myn)hond,430Fawethey wereI-told.’429.Loke thou hold yt with fullehond, add. MS.431.I fawght therfore I toldMS.(39)Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad,The good swerd ther he had,and named Adolake.The name wase Adolake.A gret maynerey let he makeryght435A fortnight’s Feast is held.That lest all̴ a fortnyght,f. 83b.Who so will̴ hys met take.Euyry man toke ys leve, aseIyow say,Hom-ward to wend ther wey,Euery man ys Rest to take.440Tyll̴ yt be-fell̴ vppon a day,Ase they went be the wey,The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake:
Torrent of Portyngale.f. 76a.Here bygynneth a good taleOf Torrente of Portyngale.(1)leaf1May God giveGod, that ys worthy and Bold,Heuen)and Erthe haue In hold,Fyld, watyr, and wynde,us grace to win Heaven!Yeve vse grace hevyn)to wyne,And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne5And In thy seruyse to Ende!A stounde and ye woll̴ lyst be-Dene,Ale dowghtty men)þat Euyr hathe ben),Wher So that they lende,I’ll tell you of a doughty knight.I Schall̴ yow tell̴, ore I hense pase,10Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase,In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.8.bynMS.(2)He dwelt in Portugal,In Portynggall̴, that Ryche londe,An Erell̴ that wase wonande,That curtese wase andwyght;15Sone aftyr he had a sone,The feyerest þat on fot myght gon,Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght.and fought well when 18.Be tyme he wase XVIII yer)old,Of deddesof armys he wase bold,20To felle bothe kyng and knyght;And now commythe dethe appon a dayAnd takythe hys father), ase I yow sey,For God ys most of myght.15.wyght]DowghttyMS.21.felle] firstlabove the line MS.TORRENT LOVES DESONELL.(3)The KingThe kyng of Portynggall̴ wase fayne,25To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne,That Dowghtty ys in)dedde;gives Torrent an earldom,And ther he fesomnyd in)hys hondA good Eyrldom in)that lond,f. 76b.Bothe forest andfede.30The kyng hathe a dowghttyrwhyteasefame,Dysonellwase her name,Worthyest in wede.and he falls in love with the King’s daughter Desonell,When Torrent had of her)a syght,More he lovyd that swetewyght35Than)all̴ ys fathyrys lede.30.fede]DowneMS.31.whyte ase fame]feyer ase flowyrMS.32.Dyscenys, MS.35.swete]swet, MS.wyght]wyteMS.36.lede]londeMS.(4)and for her,For love of thys lady Deyr)In dede of armys far and nereAventorresgan he takeWithheve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde,40Ther myght no man)hys dent a-bydde,unhorses many knights.But to the Erthe he them strake.Her father and other knyghttesmoHad farly, how he Ryd soo,And on a day to hyme spake,45He Seyd: ‘Torrent, howe may thys byne,That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghtteskeneAnd ordurresnon woll̴ take?’39.A ventorresMS.42.strokeMS.47.dysplesystMS.(5)Torrent sayd: ‘So mvt I the,An other sayment woll̴ Isee,50Ore I take ordor of knyght.’The KingTho he sware be hevyn kyng,Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng)In hys chambyr to nyght:knows that Torrent loves his daughter,‘For)the love of my doughter dere55Thow makyst good far and nereIn)Dedde of armys bryght;And wyt thow wyll̴, so god me saue,Thow schalt her)wyne, yf thow her haue,Be thow neuyr so wyght!’6050.AndMS.see]beeMS.60.wyght]wytthtMS.THE KING ASKS TORRENT TO FIGHT A GREEK GIANT.(6)Torrent sayd: ‘Be Marry dere,f. 77a.And I were off armyse clere,Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.’The kyng seyd: ‘Yf yt be soo,Ore VII yere be a-go,65More schall̴ we here:and asks him if, for her sake, he’ll fightDurst thow, for my dowghttyr sake,A poynt of armys for to takeWith-owt helpe of fere?’Than seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped,70Withanny man)that syttythe on stedeOther far ore nere!’61.Marry]ecorrected intoy.65.a-go]a gone,nestruck out, MS.(7)Ther-of the kyng)for tene wax wode:‘Yf thow wylt make thy body good,Be trew and hold thy contenance. . . . . . .75Tho seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped ere!And I wyst, in)what sted they were,Fore no man)wold I chaunce.’75.contnnceMS.78.chaunce] corrected out ofchangeMS.(8)a Giant in the Greek sea.‘In to the Grekessee a mylleTher lyvythe a gyantin anyle,80Full̴ Euyll̴ thow dourst hyme stond.My fayer)forestesfellythe downe heAnd Ryche castellesin)that contre,No ston lettythe he stond.’80.lyvythe]lyghttytheMS.in an yle]mauyleMS.TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT BEGONMESE.(9)TorrentTerrent sayd: ‘Be Marre bryght,85Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght,The devyll̴ of hell̴ hym blynd!’Thekyngsayd: ‘Parla-more de dewe,Thow darryst full̴ evyll̴ withthy Ey hym sewe,He wold fell̴ the withhys wynde.’90agrees to fight‘Now, be my trowthe,’ seyd Torrent than),‘Ase I ame a jentylman),Yf I may hym fynd,Won fot woll̴ I not fro hym pase,f. 77b.Thow he be stronger)than Samson)wase,95Or anny man)ofhyskynd!’86.he] written above the line, MS.88.kyng]knyghtMS.96.hys] om. MS.(10)Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare,With-owt fere that he schold fareTo that gret iorney,the Giant Begonmese,Withthe gyant heygh for to fyght.100Be-gon)-mese that gyant hyght,That fynddesfere for aye.To arme hyme Torrant gas,Hys good stede withhym he tas,Withowt squyer)that Day.105He takythe leve at lorddys hend,and sets out.And on hys wey gan he wynd,For hym all̴ they pray.97.soreMS.102.fareMS.103.gas]goosMS.104.tas]takytheMS.108.pray]praydMS.(11)Desonell knows not that it is for love of her.Lytyll̴ wyst Desonell̴ that jente,For whos love that he went110To fyght withthat knave.God give Torrent victory!Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode,Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod,The fyld for to haue!He that schall̴ wend soche a wey,115Yt were nede for hym to pray,That Iesu hym schuld saue.Yt ys in)the boke of Rome,Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome,That jorney Durst crave.120TORRENT SEES THE GIANT SLEEPING.(12)After 6 days’ rideVI days Rydythe heBy the cost of the feyer)see,To seke the gyant kene.f. 78a.By the cost as he Rode,In a forest longe and brode125And symly wase to sene,Hey sperrys ther he fondeAnd gret olyvys growondeCoverd in)levysgrene.he sees the Giant asleep.Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say,130Vppon a movnteyn)ther he layeOn slepe, ase I wene.123.seke]ches, struck out,sekewritten over with paler ink.126.seeMS.129.grene]smaleMS.(13)Torrent, on kne knelyd heAnd be-sowght Jesu so fre,That bowght hym withhys blod:135He prays for Christ’s help.‘Lord, ase thow dydryght for Mary,Let me nevertake velonyAnd gef me of thy fode!Serttes, yf I hym slepyng)slone,Manfull̴ Ded were yt none140For my body, be the Rode.’Tho Terrant blewe hys bugell̴ bold,To loke that he a-wake wold,And sythe ner)hyme Rode.136.ryght]lyghtwritten above the line with paler ink.mareMS.TORRENT WAKES THE GIANT BEGONMESE.(14)As Torrent can’t wake the Giant with his bugle,So fast a-slepe he wase browght,145Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght,He swellyd ase dothe the see.Torrent saw, he woll̴ not wake,He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake,Ase a jentyll̴ man)so fre.150So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne,Ther myghtno horse wynd hym)a-geyn)f. 78b.But yf he nowyd wold be;Thowe the wey neuyr)so wykkyd ware,On hys wey gan he fare,155In)gret perayll̴ went hee.150.so fre]in fereMS.151.say]saydMS.152.mygh(!) MS.154.wereMS.(15)Torent went to that movnteyn),he stirs him up with his spear,He put hys spere hyme a-geyne,‘A-Ryse, fellow!’ gan he saye;‘Who made the so bold here to dwell̴,160My lordesfrethe thus to fell̴?A-mendesthe be-hovythe to pay.’and makes him wild.The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn)wod,And Redyly by hyme stode,Be-syd hyme on a lay,165And seyd: ‘Sertes, yf I leve,Soche a wed I woll̴ the geff,To meve the Euyr)and ay.’157.movntenMS.(16)Thow the chyld were neuyr)so yinge,The fyndesspere sparrythe hyme no-thyng)170Inthe holttesharee;Who had fare and nere byne,And neuerhad of fytyng syn),He myght a lernyd thare.The fight begins.The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast,175His good schyld all̴ to-brast,In schevyresspred waseyare;Tho covd he no betturRed,But stond styll̴, tyll̴ one were ded;The gyant lefte hym thar.180169.yongeMS.171.In]Ihū(!) MS.horeeMS.173.seynMS.174.thereMS.175.to hym] written above the line.177.thereMS.178.he no]not heMS.RydMS.180.therMS.THE GIANT BURSTS HIMSELF ON A ROCK.(17)Torrent grips the Giant;Torrent vndyr hys spryt hesprentf. 79a.And a-bowght the body he hyme hente,As far as he myght last.‘A! fellow, wylt thow so?’they both fall, and roll down the mountain.And to the grownd gan they goo,185Of the movnteyn)bothe downe they past.Ase the boke of Rome tellys,They tornyd XXXIIellys,In armys walloyng fast.Yt tellythe in)the boke of Rome,190Euyr)ase the gyant a-boue come,The Giant burstsHys guttesowt of hys bodybrast.181.sprent]spredMS.186.they past]gan they paseMS.188.ellys]tymysMS.192.brast]RaneMS.(18)At the fot of the movnteyn)open against a big stone.Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston), serteyn),Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon)195And also hys Ryght syd,Ther to that gyant fell̴ that tyd,AseIherd in)Rome. . .197 put before 196. MS.198.I]heMS.TORRENT THANKS GOD FOR HIS VICTORY.(19)Torrent stabs the Giant,Thorrow hyme, that mad man),Torrent sone a-bovyn)wane200And fast he ganhim quelleWitha knyffe feyer)and bryght;Torrent, withall̴ hys myghtTher-withhe gard hyme dwell̴.199. afterThorrow,ofhas been scraped out.201.him quelle]warkeMS.203.hys]hcorrected out ofmMS.(20)Torent knelyd on hys kne,205To Iesu Cryst prayd he,That hathe thys world to wyld:and then thanks Christ.‘Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be,The feyer)fyld thow hast lent Me,’f. 79b.—Vpp bothe hys handes heheld—210‘All̴ onely with-owt any knaueOf the fynd the maystry to haue,Of hym to wyn the fyld.’Now ys ther none other to say,Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day;215I pray God hyme schyld.210.he] om. MS.213.wyn]wynd,derased MS.214.towritten above the line, MS.215.Now ys ther non other sayOf hyme to wyne the fyld þat dayadd. (!) MS.(21)Torrent went vppe a-geyneTo the movnt, ase I gan sayne,The londesto se far and nere;He sees the sea,In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt,220An hold wase Rychyly wrowt,In that lond wase not here perre.The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey,and goes to it.Torrent thether toke the way,Werry all̴ thow he were;225Torrent finds the Giant’s castle,And ther he fownd Ryche wonys,TowrresEndentyd withpresyos stonys,Schynyng ase crystall̴ clere.219.to sewritten above the line.TORRENT GOES TO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.(22)Twogattys off yron)ther he fond,Ther in)Torrent gan wonde,230A nyghtesRest there in)tota;guarded by a lion and lioness.And at the hale dore ther waseA lyon)& a lyonasse,Ther men be-twene them twaFast Etyng), ase ye may here;235Crystyñmanthowhewere,f. 80a.Hys browyswexebla,And wit yow will̴, lord god yt wote,He durst goo no fote,Lest they wold hyme sla.240(23)Torrant stod and be-held,And prayd to god, that ale may wyld,To send hyme harborrow good.He hears a lady sighing within.Sone hard he within a whalleThe syghyng of a lady smalle,245Sche weppte, as sche were wod;Sche mornyd sore and sayd: ‘Alas,That Euyr)kyngesdowghttyr waseOuer-come of so jentyll̴ blod,For now ame I holdyn)here250In lond witha fyndesfere!’Torrent hard, wher he stod.226.wonys]wayesMS.229.Two]TheMS.231.to ta]he takeMS.234.twa]twayneMS.236.man]thow(!) MS.he]theyMS.237.wexe bla]be gan to bloweMS.240.sleMS.244.whalle] with paler ink corrected fromwhyle.245.syghyng] with paler ink corrected fromsyngyng.TORRENT WANTS TO ENTER THE GIANT’S CASTLE.(24)‘Deregod,’ seyd Torrant than),‘Yff ther be anny crystyn)man)In thys hold of ston),255Torrent asks for a night’s lodging in the Castle.That woll̴, for the love of god of myght,Harbourrow a jentylman)thys nyght,For I ame but on)!’‘Seynt Marry,’ seyd that lady clere,‘What crystyn)man)axithe harburrow here?’260Nere hym sche gothe a-non.‘I wold harburrow the full̴ fayne,But a gyant wyll̴ the slayne.’To hym sche mad here mone.259.clere]ecorrected out ofrMS.261.sche gothe anon]a non sche gotheMS.(25)f. 80b.‘Say me now, fayer)lady,belyve,265Who owteofthys plase schall̴me dryve,Thes tourres, that are so bryght?’The Lady saysTher sche Seyd: ‘Be hevyn)kyng),Here ys a gyant Dwellyng,That meche ys of myght.270Be my trowthe, and he the see,Were ther)XX lyvys in)the,the Giant will kill him.Thy dethe than wyll̴ he dyght.Iesu cryst yef me graceTo hyd the in)some preve plase275Owt of the fyndessyght!. . . . .265.bel.] om. MS.266.of] om. MS.me dryve]hyghtMS.267.so]feyer andadd. MS.271.the]thow,werased andechanged intoo, MS.273.They(!) MS.275.hyd] corrected fromhyde.(26)‘Euyr)me thynkythe be thy tale,The song of the burdessmaleOn slepe hathe hyme browght.’‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ore he be wakyn),280I schall̴ the tell̴ soche a tokyn),Of hym thow haue no thowght!But wolddesthow for thy gentryDo the lyonnys downe lye,That they nyee me nowght?’285The Lady takes Torrent past the Lions, into the Castle.By the hande sche ganne hym taAnd led hyme in)betwe them twa;Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.277.thy]myerased andthywritten above the line.283.thy]thcorrected fromm.gentry]gentre,ecorrected fromy.285.nyee] firsteabove the line.286.hande]dcorrected frome.taneMS.287.bewteMS.twayneMS.TORRENT IS TAKEN INTO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.(27)The lady wase neuyr)so a-drad,In to the hale sche hym lad,290That lemyred ase gold bryght;f. 81a.Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede:‘Make vse myrre a-geyne owreDedd,I wot will̴, yt ys so dyght!’He tells her he has kild the Giant.‘Be my trowthe!’ seyd Torrent,295‘I wole be thy warrant,He comythe not here thys nyght.On soche a slepe he ys browght,All̴ men of lyve wakythe hym nowght,But onely godes myght.’300300.godes myght]gode a loneMS.(28)Blythe then wase that lady jent,For to on-harnes Torrent,That dowghtty wase and bold;She tells him of Prince Verdownys,‘For sothe,’ sche seyd, ‘I wot wher ysThe kyngessoneVerdownys,305Fast put in holdand 4 Earls’ sons in the Giant’s prison.In a dongon), that ys dym;Fowyre good Eryllessonnys be withhymeYs fet in)fere and fold.The gyant wan theme in)a tyde,310Ase they Rane be the watyr syd,And put them in)preson)cold.305.Verdownys]of pvenseMS.TORRENT FREES A PRINCE AND 4 EARLS’ SONS.(29)‘In an yron)cage he hathe them done.’Torrent went thether)sone:‘Are ye yet levand?’315The kyngessone askyd than),Yf ther were anny crysten man),‘Wold bryng vse owtof bond?’‘Lord,’ he seyd, ‘god all̴myght,f. 81b.I had levyr on a Day to fyght,320Than all̴ my fathyrys lond.’Torrent breaks open the prison,Withan iryn)mall̴ styff and strong)He brake vpe an yron)dore or longe,And sone the keyes he fond.318.owt]ow(!) MS.323.or longe] added in paler ink.(30)and frees the 5 youths.Owt he toke thys chyldyryn)fyve,325The feyrest that were on lyve,I-hold in)anny sted.The lady wase full̴ gled,Sche byrlyd whyt wyn)and Redd,They sup.And sethyn)to soper sone they yed.330‘Lordes,’ he seyd, ‘syn yow are her),I Red yow make Ryght good cher),For now ys all̴ thy nede.’Thus he covyrd owt of care.God, that sofryd wonddessare,335Grante vse well̴ to sped!325.chyld.] avstruck out, follows.328.gladMS.335.soreMS.336.welleto sped]to sped welleMS.THEY ALL CHOOSE THEIR HORSES TO RIDE AWAY.(31)Lorddes, and ye wol lythe,The chyldyr namys I woll̴ tell̴ blythe,Here kyn, how they were me told;Torrent freed Prince Verdownys, LordsThe kyngessone, that dowghttyys,340Wase clepyd Verdownys,That dowghtty wase and bold,Torren, Jakys, and Amyas,And an Eryllesson, that hyght Torren),A nother Iakys of Berweyne,f. 82a.The forthe was Amyas bold.345and Princess Eleanor.The kyngesdowghttyr of Gales lond,Elyoner), I vndyrstond,That worthy wase in hold,337. afterwol,bestruck out MS.340.ys]waseMS.346-348 put before 343-345, MS.(32)She takes Torrent to his chamber,In to hys chambyr sche hyme led,Ther gold and syluyr wase spred,350And asur), that wase blo;In yron ther he gan stond,Body and armysal schynand,In)powynt to trusse and goo.and then all of them to the stable, where each chooses a horse.In to a stabyll̴ sche hym led,355Eche toke a full̴ feyer)sted,They wereredyto goo;And wote ye well̴ and vndyrstond,Had the gyant be levand,They had not partyd soo.360351.blo]bleweMS.353.al sch.]lygand(!) MS.354.trusse] corrected fromtruste.357.redy] om. MS.358.wote] with paler ink corrected fromwhat.359.Had] corrected out ofhan.bynfollows, almost entirely erased.gyant]tcorrected fromd.(33)They woll̴ not to bed gange,Tyll̴ on the morrow the Day spronge,Thus a wey to ffare.Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse,All̴ that he lyst he clepyd hys,365The keys and thyng he bare.Torrent feeds the lions on the Giant’s body,The lyons that wasat the doreWase led to her)maysterthat wase befor),On hym thay fed themyare,Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther)levyd,370and puts his head on a horse.On hym thei trussyd the gyanttesheved.Thus helpt hym god thar).361.gange]ganMS.lleon thestruck out, follows.366.keys]ewritten with paler ink above the line.367.lyons that was]lyoneMS.369.Vn(!) MS.hym]ycorrected out ofeMS.thay] corrected fromthat.yare]therMS.371.Vn(!) MS.thei]iwritten above the line.hedMS.372.therMS.TORRENT RETURNS TO PORTUGAL.(34)But ore III wekeswer)commyn)to End,He goes back to Portugal.To Portynggall̴ gan he wend,Ther)ase the kyng ganlend;375The porter)sawehymther he stood,He fled a wey, ase he were wod,f. 82b.Flyngyng ase a fynd.‘Syr kyng,’ he seyd, ‘be goddesdede,Torrant bryngythe a devyll̴ ys hed,380Ther withhe woll̴ yow present.’Desonell̴ seyd: ‘Porter), be styll̴!’. . .In hys walke ther ase he went.373.were]ther, struck out, andwerewritten over.375.lend]lyeMS.376.sawe h. th.]ther sawe heMS.(35)The kyng to the gatys gan pase,Gret lordesthat ther wase,385Bothe knyghtesand squyerre,The King and his Lords are afraid of the lions.Lordeswase full̴ sore a-dredFore the lyonys, þat he had,They durst not come hyme ner).The kyng seyd: ‘I wyll̴thekysse,390Durst I for)thy bestes, Iwysse.’Torrent dyd them ly ther),Torrent kisses the King of Portugal.And kyssyd the kyng withjoy and blyse;And aftyr, other lordesof hys,And aftyr, ladysclere.395386.squyerresMS.390.the]hymMS.395.aftyr]otheradd. (!) MS.clere]jentMS.VERDOWNYS’S FATHER IS TOLD OF HIS SAFETY.(36)Messengyreswentthe weye,The King of Provyns is gladTo the kyng of Provyns to sey,Hys sone ys owt of hold:‘Yyng Torrent of Portynggall̴Hathe browght hym owt of balle400And slayne the jeyant bold.’Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴ þat ther wer),f. 83a.All̴ they mad good cherHer)prynse fayne se wold.of his son Verdownys’s safetyThe kyngseyd: ‘So mot I the,405I woll̴ geff the towynnys threFor)the tallesthow hast me told.’396.went]to(!) MS.397. afterProvynsIMS.399.YoyngMS.405.kyng seyd]kynges messengereMS.405-7 put before 402-4.(37)Than seydthey, thatto Gales yede,Yeftys totakewere hem no ned,ThenVerdownys had they.410Ase theyseyłydon a tyde,At Perrown)on the see syd. . . . . . . . . . .The kyng of Provynse seyd: ‘So mot I the,and promises Torrent gifts.Yftles schall̴ they not be,415That dare I sothely sey.’The King of Gales offers Torrent his daughter.The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer):‘Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer),When so euyr)thow may!. . . . .408.Than—that]That they thanMS.Gales] with paler ink corrected fromCalles.yede] corrected fromwent.409.take] om. MS.hymMS.410.Then DownysMS.417.gales]gwith paler ink corrected fromc.TORRENT GETS WELAND’S SWORD ADOLAKE.(38)The kyng of Pervense seyd: ‘So mot I the,420Thys seson)yeftles schall̴ thow not be,Haue here my Ryng of gold,The King of Provyns gives Torrent his SwordMy sword, that so wyll̴ ys wrowyt;A betterthan)yt know I nowghtWithin)crystyn)mold;425Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase,made by Weland,Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase,Bettyr ys non)to hold.I have syne sum tyme in)lond,Whoso had yt of myn)hond,430Fawethey wereI-told.’429.Loke thou hold yt with fullehond, add. MS.431.I fawght therfore I toldMS.(39)Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad,The good swerd ther he had,and named Adolake.The name wase Adolake.A gret maynerey let he makeryght435A fortnight’s Feast is held.That lest all̴ a fortnyght,f. 83b.Who so will̴ hys met take.Euyry man toke ys leve, aseIyow say,Hom-ward to wend ther wey,Euery man ys Rest to take.440Tyll̴ yt be-fell̴ vppon a day,Ase they went be the wey,The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake:
Torrent of Portyngale.
f. 76a.Here bygynneth a good taleOf Torrente of Portyngale.
Here bygynneth a good tale
Of Torrente of Portyngale.
(1)leaf1May God giveGod, that ys worthy and Bold,Heuen)and Erthe haue In hold,Fyld, watyr, and wynde,us grace to win Heaven!Yeve vse grace hevyn)to wyne,And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne5And In thy seruyse to Ende!A stounde and ye woll̴ lyst be-Dene,Ale dowghtty men)þat Euyr hathe ben),Wher So that they lende,I’ll tell you of a doughty knight.I Schall̴ yow tell̴, ore I hense pase,10Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase,In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.
God, that ys worthy and Bold,
Heuen)and Erthe haue In hold,
Fyld, watyr, and wynde,
Yeve vse grace hevyn)to wyne,
And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne5
And In thy seruyse to Ende!
A stounde and ye woll̴ lyst be-Dene,
Ale dowghtty men)þat Euyr hathe ben),
Wher So that they lende,
I Schall̴ yow tell̴, ore I hense pase,10
Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase,
In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.
8.bynMS.
(2)He dwelt in Portugal,In Portynggall̴, that Ryche londe,An Erell̴ that wase wonande,That curtese wase andwyght;15Sone aftyr he had a sone,The feyerest þat on fot myght gon,Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght.and fought well when 18.Be tyme he wase XVIII yer)old,Of deddesof armys he wase bold,20To felle bothe kyng and knyght;And now commythe dethe appon a dayAnd takythe hys father), ase I yow sey,For God ys most of myght.
In Portynggall̴, that Ryche londe,
An Erell̴ that wase wonande,
That curtese wase andwyght;15
Sone aftyr he had a sone,
The feyerest þat on fot myght gon,
Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght.
Be tyme he wase XVIII yer)old,
Of deddesof armys he wase bold,20
To felle bothe kyng and knyght;
And now commythe dethe appon a day
And takythe hys father), ase I yow sey,
For God ys most of myght.
15.wyght]DowghttyMS.21.felle] firstlabove the line MS.
15.wyght]DowghttyMS.
21.felle] firstlabove the line MS.
TORRENT LOVES DESONELL.
(3)The KingThe kyng of Portynggall̴ wase fayne,25To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne,That Dowghtty ys in)dedde;gives Torrent an earldom,And ther he fesomnyd in)hys hondA good Eyrldom in)that lond,f. 76b.Bothe forest andfede.30The kyng hathe a dowghttyrwhyteasefame,Dysonellwase her name,Worthyest in wede.and he falls in love with the King’s daughter Desonell,When Torrent had of her)a syght,More he lovyd that swetewyght35Than)all̴ ys fathyrys lede.
The kyng of Portynggall̴ wase fayne,25
To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne,
That Dowghtty ys in)dedde;
And ther he fesomnyd in)hys hond
A good Eyrldom in)that lond,
Bothe forest andfede.30
The kyng hathe a dowghttyrwhyteasefame,
Dysonellwase her name,
Worthyest in wede.
When Torrent had of her)a syght,
More he lovyd that swetewyght35
Than)all̴ ys fathyrys lede.
30.fede]DowneMS.31.whyte ase fame]feyer ase flowyrMS.32.Dyscenys, MS.35.swete]swet, MS.wyght]wyteMS.36.lede]londeMS.
30.fede]DowneMS.
31.whyte ase fame]feyer ase flowyrMS.
32.Dyscenys, MS.
35.swete]swet, MS.wyght]wyteMS.
36.lede]londeMS.
(4)and for her,For love of thys lady Deyr)In dede of armys far and nereAventorresgan he takeWithheve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde,40Ther myght no man)hys dent a-bydde,unhorses many knights.But to the Erthe he them strake.Her father and other knyghttesmoHad farly, how he Ryd soo,And on a day to hyme spake,45He Seyd: ‘Torrent, howe may thys byne,That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghtteskeneAnd ordurresnon woll̴ take?’
For love of thys lady Deyr)
In dede of armys far and nere
Aventorresgan he take
Withheve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde,40
Ther myght no man)hys dent a-bydde,
But to the Erthe he them strake.
Her father and other knyghttesmo
Had farly, how he Ryd soo,
And on a day to hyme spake,45
He Seyd: ‘Torrent, howe may thys byne,
That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghtteskene
And ordurresnon woll̴ take?’
39.A ventorresMS.42.strokeMS.47.dysplesystMS.
39.A ventorresMS.
42.strokeMS.
47.dysplesystMS.
(5)Torrent sayd: ‘So mvt I the,An other sayment woll̴ Isee,50Ore I take ordor of knyght.’The KingTho he sware be hevyn kyng,Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng)In hys chambyr to nyght:knows that Torrent loves his daughter,‘For)the love of my doughter dere55Thow makyst good far and nereIn)Dedde of armys bryght;And wyt thow wyll̴, so god me saue,Thow schalt her)wyne, yf thow her haue,Be thow neuyr so wyght!’60
Torrent sayd: ‘So mvt I the,
An other sayment woll̴ Isee,50
Ore I take ordor of knyght.’
Tho he sware be hevyn kyng,
Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng)
In hys chambyr to nyght:
‘For)the love of my doughter dere55
Thow makyst good far and nere
In)Dedde of armys bryght;
And wyt thow wyll̴, so god me saue,
Thow schalt her)wyne, yf thow her haue,
Be thow neuyr so wyght!’60
50.AndMS.see]beeMS.60.wyght]wytthtMS.
50.AndMS.see]beeMS.
60.wyght]wytthtMS.
THE KING ASKS TORRENT TO FIGHT A GREEK GIANT.
(6)Torrent sayd: ‘Be Marry dere,f. 77a.And I were off armyse clere,Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.’The kyng seyd: ‘Yf yt be soo,Ore VII yere be a-go,65More schall̴ we here:and asks him if, for her sake, he’ll fightDurst thow, for my dowghttyr sake,A poynt of armys for to takeWith-owt helpe of fere?’Than seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped,70Withanny man)that syttythe on stedeOther far ore nere!’
Torrent sayd: ‘Be Marry dere,
And I were off armyse clere,
Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.’
The kyng seyd: ‘Yf yt be soo,
Ore VII yere be a-go,65
More schall̴ we here:
Durst thow, for my dowghttyr sake,
A poynt of armys for to take
With-owt helpe of fere?’
Than seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped,70
Withanny man)that syttythe on stede
Other far ore nere!’
61.Marry]ecorrected intoy.65.a-go]a gone,nestruck out, MS.
61.Marry]ecorrected intoy.
65.a-go]a gone,nestruck out, MS.
(7)Ther-of the kyng)for tene wax wode:‘Yf thow wylt make thy body good,Be trew and hold thy contenance. . . . . . .75Tho seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped ere!And I wyst, in)what sted they were,Fore no man)wold I chaunce.’
Ther-of the kyng)for tene wax wode:
‘Yf thow wylt make thy body good,
Be trew and hold thy contenance. . . . . . .75
Tho seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped ere!
And I wyst, in)what sted they were,
Fore no man)wold I chaunce.’
75.contnnceMS.78.chaunce] corrected out ofchangeMS.
75.contnnceMS.
78.chaunce] corrected out ofchangeMS.
(8)a Giant in the Greek sea.‘In to the Grekessee a mylleTher lyvythe a gyantin anyle,80Full̴ Euyll̴ thow dourst hyme stond.My fayer)forestesfellythe downe heAnd Ryche castellesin)that contre,No ston lettythe he stond.’
‘In to the Grekessee a mylle
Ther lyvythe a gyantin anyle,80
Full̴ Euyll̴ thow dourst hyme stond.
My fayer)forestesfellythe downe he
And Ryche castellesin)that contre,
No ston lettythe he stond.’
80.lyvythe]lyghttytheMS.in an yle]mauyleMS.
TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT BEGONMESE.
(9)TorrentTerrent sayd: ‘Be Marre bryght,85Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght,The devyll̴ of hell̴ hym blynd!’Thekyngsayd: ‘Parla-more de dewe,Thow darryst full̴ evyll̴ withthy Ey hym sewe,He wold fell̴ the withhys wynde.’90agrees to fight‘Now, be my trowthe,’ seyd Torrent than),‘Ase I ame a jentylman),Yf I may hym fynd,Won fot woll̴ I not fro hym pase,f. 77b.Thow he be stronger)than Samson)wase,95Or anny man)ofhyskynd!’
Terrent sayd: ‘Be Marre bryght,85
Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght,
The devyll̴ of hell̴ hym blynd!’
Thekyngsayd: ‘Parla-more de dewe,
Thow darryst full̴ evyll̴ withthy Ey hym sewe,
He wold fell̴ the withhys wynde.’90
‘Now, be my trowthe,’ seyd Torrent than),
‘Ase I ame a jentylman),
Yf I may hym fynd,
Won fot woll̴ I not fro hym pase,
Thow he be stronger)than Samson)wase,95
Or anny man)ofhyskynd!’
86.he] written above the line, MS.88.kyng]knyghtMS.96.hys] om. MS.
86.he] written above the line, MS.
88.kyng]knyghtMS.
96.hys] om. MS.
(10)Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare,With-owt fere that he schold fareTo that gret iorney,the Giant Begonmese,Withthe gyant heygh for to fyght.100Be-gon)-mese that gyant hyght,That fynddesfere for aye.To arme hyme Torrant gas,Hys good stede withhym he tas,Withowt squyer)that Day.105He takythe leve at lorddys hend,and sets out.And on hys wey gan he wynd,For hym all̴ they pray.
Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare,
With-owt fere that he schold fare
To that gret iorney,
Withthe gyant heygh for to fyght.100
Be-gon)-mese that gyant hyght,
That fynddesfere for aye.
To arme hyme Torrant gas,
Hys good stede withhym he tas,
Withowt squyer)that Day.105
He takythe leve at lorddys hend,
And on hys wey gan he wynd,
For hym all̴ they pray.
97.soreMS.102.fareMS.103.gas]goosMS.104.tas]takytheMS.108.pray]praydMS.
97.soreMS.
102.fareMS.
103.gas]goosMS.
104.tas]takytheMS.
108.pray]praydMS.
(11)Desonell knows not that it is for love of her.Lytyll̴ wyst Desonell̴ that jente,For whos love that he went110To fyght withthat knave.God give Torrent victory!Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode,Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod,The fyld for to haue!He that schall̴ wend soche a wey,115Yt were nede for hym to pray,That Iesu hym schuld saue.Yt ys in)the boke of Rome,Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome,That jorney Durst crave.120
Lytyll̴ wyst Desonell̴ that jente,
For whos love that he went110
To fyght withthat knave.
Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode,
Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod,
The fyld for to haue!
He that schall̴ wend soche a wey,115
Yt were nede for hym to pray,
That Iesu hym schuld saue.
Yt ys in)the boke of Rome,
Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome,
That jorney Durst crave.120
TORRENT SEES THE GIANT SLEEPING.
(12)After 6 days’ rideVI days Rydythe heBy the cost of the feyer)see,To seke the gyant kene.f. 78a.By the cost as he Rode,In a forest longe and brode125And symly wase to sene,Hey sperrys ther he fondeAnd gret olyvys growondeCoverd in)levysgrene.he sees the Giant asleep.Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say,130Vppon a movnteyn)ther he layeOn slepe, ase I wene.
VI days Rydythe he
By the cost of the feyer)see,
To seke the gyant kene.
By the cost as he Rode,
In a forest longe and brode125
And symly wase to sene,
Hey sperrys ther he fonde
And gret olyvys growonde
Coverd in)levysgrene.
Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say,130
Vppon a movnteyn)ther he laye
On slepe, ase I wene.
123.seke]ches, struck out,sekewritten over with paler ink.126.seeMS.129.grene]smaleMS.
123.seke]ches, struck out,sekewritten over with paler ink.
126.seeMS.
129.grene]smaleMS.
(13)Torrent, on kne knelyd heAnd be-sowght Jesu so fre,That bowght hym withhys blod:135He prays for Christ’s help.‘Lord, ase thow dydryght for Mary,Let me nevertake velonyAnd gef me of thy fode!Serttes, yf I hym slepyng)slone,Manfull̴ Ded were yt none140For my body, be the Rode.’Tho Terrant blewe hys bugell̴ bold,To loke that he a-wake wold,And sythe ner)hyme Rode.
Torrent, on kne knelyd he
And be-sowght Jesu so fre,
That bowght hym withhys blod:135
‘Lord, ase thow dydryght for Mary,
Let me nevertake velony
And gef me of thy fode!
Serttes, yf I hym slepyng)slone,
Manfull̴ Ded were yt none140
For my body, be the Rode.’
Tho Terrant blewe hys bugell̴ bold,
To loke that he a-wake wold,
And sythe ner)hyme Rode.
136.ryght]lyghtwritten above the line with paler ink.mareMS.
TORRENT WAKES THE GIANT BEGONMESE.
(14)As Torrent can’t wake the Giant with his bugle,So fast a-slepe he wase browght,145Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght,He swellyd ase dothe the see.Torrent saw, he woll̴ not wake,He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake,Ase a jentyll̴ man)so fre.150So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne,Ther myghtno horse wynd hym)a-geyn)f. 78b.But yf he nowyd wold be;Thowe the wey neuyr)so wykkyd ware,On hys wey gan he fare,155In)gret perayll̴ went hee.
So fast a-slepe he wase browght,145
Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght,
He swellyd ase dothe the see.
Torrent saw, he woll̴ not wake,
He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake,
Ase a jentyll̴ man)so fre.150
So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne,
Ther myghtno horse wynd hym)a-geyn)
But yf he nowyd wold be;
Thowe the wey neuyr)so wykkyd ware,
On hys wey gan he fare,155
In)gret perayll̴ went hee.
150.so fre]in fereMS.151.say]saydMS.152.mygh(!) MS.154.wereMS.
150.so fre]in fereMS.
151.say]saydMS.
152.mygh(!) MS.
154.wereMS.
(15)Torent went to that movnteyn),he stirs him up with his spear,He put hys spere hyme a-geyne,‘A-Ryse, fellow!’ gan he saye;‘Who made the so bold here to dwell̴,160My lordesfrethe thus to fell̴?A-mendesthe be-hovythe to pay.’and makes him wild.The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn)wod,And Redyly by hyme stode,Be-syd hyme on a lay,165And seyd: ‘Sertes, yf I leve,Soche a wed I woll̴ the geff,To meve the Euyr)and ay.’
Torent went to that movnteyn),
He put hys spere hyme a-geyne,
‘A-Ryse, fellow!’ gan he saye;
‘Who made the so bold here to dwell̴,160
My lordesfrethe thus to fell̴?
A-mendesthe be-hovythe to pay.’
The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn)wod,
And Redyly by hyme stode,
Be-syd hyme on a lay,165
And seyd: ‘Sertes, yf I leve,
Soche a wed I woll̴ the geff,
To meve the Euyr)and ay.’
157.movntenMS.
(16)Thow the chyld were neuyr)so yinge,The fyndesspere sparrythe hyme no-thyng)170Inthe holttesharee;Who had fare and nere byne,And neuerhad of fytyng syn),He myght a lernyd thare.The fight begins.The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast,175His good schyld all̴ to-brast,In schevyresspred waseyare;Tho covd he no betturRed,But stond styll̴, tyll̴ one were ded;The gyant lefte hym thar.180
Thow the chyld were neuyr)so yinge,
The fyndesspere sparrythe hyme no-thyng)170
Inthe holttesharee;
Who had fare and nere byne,
And neuerhad of fytyng syn),
He myght a lernyd thare.
The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast,175
His good schyld all̴ to-brast,
In schevyresspred waseyare;
Tho covd he no betturRed,
But stond styll̴, tyll̴ one were ded;
The gyant lefte hym thar.180
169.yongeMS.171.In]Ihū(!) MS.horeeMS.173.seynMS.174.thereMS.175.to hym] written above the line.177.thereMS.178.he no]not heMS.RydMS.180.therMS.
169.yongeMS.
171.In]Ihū(!) MS.horeeMS.
173.seynMS.
174.thereMS.
175.to hym] written above the line.
177.thereMS.
178.he no]not heMS.RydMS.
180.therMS.
THE GIANT BURSTS HIMSELF ON A ROCK.
(17)Torrent grips the Giant;Torrent vndyr hys spryt hesprentf. 79a.And a-bowght the body he hyme hente,As far as he myght last.‘A! fellow, wylt thow so?’they both fall, and roll down the mountain.And to the grownd gan they goo,185Of the movnteyn)bothe downe they past.Ase the boke of Rome tellys,They tornyd XXXIIellys,In armys walloyng fast.Yt tellythe in)the boke of Rome,190Euyr)ase the gyant a-boue come,The Giant burstsHys guttesowt of hys bodybrast.
Torrent vndyr hys spryt hesprent
And a-bowght the body he hyme hente,
As far as he myght last.
‘A! fellow, wylt thow so?’
And to the grownd gan they goo,185
Of the movnteyn)bothe downe they past.
Ase the boke of Rome tellys,
They tornyd XXXIIellys,
In armys walloyng fast.
Yt tellythe in)the boke of Rome,190
Euyr)ase the gyant a-boue come,
Hys guttesowt of hys bodybrast.
181.sprent]spredMS.186.they past]gan they paseMS.188.ellys]tymysMS.192.brast]RaneMS.
181.sprent]spredMS.
186.they past]gan they paseMS.
188.ellys]tymysMS.
192.brast]RaneMS.
(18)At the fot of the movnteyn)open against a big stone.Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston), serteyn),Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon)195And also hys Ryght syd,Ther to that gyant fell̴ that tyd,AseIherd in)Rome. . .
At the fot of the movnteyn)
Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston), serteyn),
Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon)195
And also hys Ryght syd,
Ther to that gyant fell̴ that tyd,
AseIherd in)Rome. . .
197 put before 196. MS.198.I]heMS.
197 put before 196. MS.
198.I]heMS.
TORRENT THANKS GOD FOR HIS VICTORY.
(19)Torrent stabs the Giant,Thorrow hyme, that mad man),Torrent sone a-bovyn)wane200And fast he ganhim quelleWitha knyffe feyer)and bryght;Torrent, withall̴ hys myghtTher-withhe gard hyme dwell̴.
Thorrow hyme, that mad man),
Torrent sone a-bovyn)wane200
And fast he ganhim quelle
Witha knyffe feyer)and bryght;
Torrent, withall̴ hys myght
Ther-withhe gard hyme dwell̴.
199. afterThorrow,ofhas been scraped out.201.him quelle]warkeMS.203.hys]hcorrected out ofmMS.
199. afterThorrow,ofhas been scraped out.
201.him quelle]warkeMS.
203.hys]hcorrected out ofmMS.
(20)Torent knelyd on hys kne,205To Iesu Cryst prayd he,That hathe thys world to wyld:and then thanks Christ.‘Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be,The feyer)fyld thow hast lent Me,’f. 79b.—Vpp bothe hys handes heheld—210‘All̴ onely with-owt any knaueOf the fynd the maystry to haue,Of hym to wyn the fyld.’Now ys ther none other to say,Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day;215I pray God hyme schyld.
Torent knelyd on hys kne,205
To Iesu Cryst prayd he,
That hathe thys world to wyld:
‘Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be,
The feyer)fyld thow hast lent Me,’
—Vpp bothe hys handes heheld—210
‘All̴ onely with-owt any knaue
Of the fynd the maystry to haue,
Of hym to wyn the fyld.’
Now ys ther none other to say,
Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day;215
I pray God hyme schyld.
210.he] om. MS.213.wyn]wynd,derased MS.214.towritten above the line, MS.215.Now ys ther non other sayOf hyme to wyne the fyld þat dayadd. (!) MS.
210.he] om. MS.
213.wyn]wynd,derased MS.
214.towritten above the line, MS.
215.
Now ys ther non other sayOf hyme to wyne the fyld þat dayadd. (!) MS.
Now ys ther non other say
Of hyme to wyne the fyld þat dayadd. (!) MS.
(21)Torrent went vppe a-geyneTo the movnt, ase I gan sayne,The londesto se far and nere;He sees the sea,In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt,220An hold wase Rychyly wrowt,In that lond wase not here perre.The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey,and goes to it.Torrent thether toke the way,Werry all̴ thow he were;225Torrent finds the Giant’s castle,And ther he fownd Ryche wonys,TowrresEndentyd withpresyos stonys,Schynyng ase crystall̴ clere.
Torrent went vppe a-geyne
To the movnt, ase I gan sayne,
The londesto se far and nere;
In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt,220
An hold wase Rychyly wrowt,
In that lond wase not here perre.
The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey,
Torrent thether toke the way,
Werry all̴ thow he were;225
And ther he fownd Ryche wonys,
TowrresEndentyd withpresyos stonys,
Schynyng ase crystall̴ clere.
219.to sewritten above the line.
TORRENT GOES TO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.
(22)Twogattys off yron)ther he fond,Ther in)Torrent gan wonde,230A nyghtesRest there in)tota;guarded by a lion and lioness.And at the hale dore ther waseA lyon)& a lyonasse,Ther men be-twene them twaFast Etyng), ase ye may here;235Crystyñmanthowhewere,f. 80a.Hys browyswexebla,And wit yow will̴, lord god yt wote,He durst goo no fote,Lest they wold hyme sla.240
Twogattys off yron)ther he fond,
Ther in)Torrent gan wonde,230
A nyghtesRest there in)tota;
And at the hale dore ther wase
A lyon)& a lyonasse,
Ther men be-twene them twa
Fast Etyng), ase ye may here;235
Crystyñmanthowhewere,
Hys browyswexebla,
And wit yow will̴, lord god yt wote,
He durst goo no fote,
Lest they wold hyme sla.240
(23)Torrant stod and be-held,And prayd to god, that ale may wyld,To send hyme harborrow good.He hears a lady sighing within.Sone hard he within a whalleThe syghyng of a lady smalle,245Sche weppte, as sche were wod;Sche mornyd sore and sayd: ‘Alas,That Euyr)kyngesdowghttyr waseOuer-come of so jentyll̴ blod,For now ame I holdyn)here250In lond witha fyndesfere!’Torrent hard, wher he stod.
Torrant stod and be-held,
And prayd to god, that ale may wyld,
To send hyme harborrow good.
Sone hard he within a whalle
The syghyng of a lady smalle,245
Sche weppte, as sche were wod;
Sche mornyd sore and sayd: ‘Alas,
That Euyr)kyngesdowghttyr wase
Ouer-come of so jentyll̴ blod,
For now ame I holdyn)here250
In lond witha fyndesfere!’
Torrent hard, wher he stod.
226.wonys]wayesMS.229.Two]TheMS.231.to ta]he takeMS.234.twa]twayneMS.236.man]thow(!) MS.he]theyMS.237.wexe bla]be gan to bloweMS.240.sleMS.244.whalle] with paler ink corrected fromwhyle.245.syghyng] with paler ink corrected fromsyngyng.
226.wonys]wayesMS.
229.Two]TheMS.
231.to ta]he takeMS.
234.twa]twayneMS.
236.man]thow(!) MS.he]theyMS.
237.wexe bla]be gan to bloweMS.
240.sleMS.
244.whalle] with paler ink corrected fromwhyle.
245.syghyng] with paler ink corrected fromsyngyng.
TORRENT WANTS TO ENTER THE GIANT’S CASTLE.
(24)‘Deregod,’ seyd Torrant than),‘Yff ther be anny crystyn)man)In thys hold of ston),255Torrent asks for a night’s lodging in the Castle.That woll̴, for the love of god of myght,Harbourrow a jentylman)thys nyght,For I ame but on)!’‘Seynt Marry,’ seyd that lady clere,‘What crystyn)man)axithe harburrow here?’260Nere hym sche gothe a-non.‘I wold harburrow the full̴ fayne,But a gyant wyll̴ the slayne.’To hym sche mad here mone.
‘Deregod,’ seyd Torrant than),
‘Yff ther be anny crystyn)man)
In thys hold of ston),255
That woll̴, for the love of god of myght,
Harbourrow a jentylman)thys nyght,
For I ame but on)!’
‘Seynt Marry,’ seyd that lady clere,
‘What crystyn)man)axithe harburrow here?’260
Nere hym sche gothe a-non.
‘I wold harburrow the full̴ fayne,
But a gyant wyll̴ the slayne.’
To hym sche mad here mone.
259.clere]ecorrected out ofrMS.261.sche gothe anon]a non sche gotheMS.
259.clere]ecorrected out ofrMS.
261.sche gothe anon]a non sche gotheMS.
(25)f. 80b.‘Say me now, fayer)lady,belyve,265Who owteofthys plase schall̴me dryve,Thes tourres, that are so bryght?’The Lady saysTher sche Seyd: ‘Be hevyn)kyng),Here ys a gyant Dwellyng,That meche ys of myght.270Be my trowthe, and he the see,Were ther)XX lyvys in)the,the Giant will kill him.Thy dethe than wyll̴ he dyght.Iesu cryst yef me graceTo hyd the in)some preve plase275Owt of the fyndessyght!. . . . .
‘Say me now, fayer)lady,belyve,265
Who owteofthys plase schall̴me dryve,
Thes tourres, that are so bryght?’
Ther sche Seyd: ‘Be hevyn)kyng),
Here ys a gyant Dwellyng,
That meche ys of myght.270
Be my trowthe, and he the see,
Were ther)XX lyvys in)the,
Thy dethe than wyll̴ he dyght.
Iesu cryst yef me grace
To hyd the in)some preve plase275
Owt of the fyndessyght!. . . . .
265.bel.] om. MS.266.of] om. MS.me dryve]hyghtMS.267.so]feyer andadd. MS.271.the]thow,werased andechanged intoo, MS.273.They(!) MS.275.hyd] corrected fromhyde.
265.bel.] om. MS.
266.of] om. MS.me dryve]hyghtMS.
267.so]feyer andadd. MS.
271.the]thow,werased andechanged intoo, MS.
273.They(!) MS.
275.hyd] corrected fromhyde.
(26)‘Euyr)me thynkythe be thy tale,The song of the burdessmaleOn slepe hathe hyme browght.’‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ore he be wakyn),280I schall̴ the tell̴ soche a tokyn),Of hym thow haue no thowght!But wolddesthow for thy gentryDo the lyonnys downe lye,That they nyee me nowght?’285The Lady takes Torrent past the Lions, into the Castle.By the hande sche ganne hym taAnd led hyme in)betwe them twa;Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.
‘Euyr)me thynkythe be thy tale,
The song of the burdessmale
On slepe hathe hyme browght.’
‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ore he be wakyn),280
I schall̴ the tell̴ soche a tokyn),
Of hym thow haue no thowght!
But wolddesthow for thy gentry
Do the lyonnys downe lye,
That they nyee me nowght?’285
By the hande sche ganne hym ta
And led hyme in)betwe them twa;
Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.
277.thy]myerased andthywritten above the line.283.thy]thcorrected fromm.gentry]gentre,ecorrected fromy.285.nyee] firsteabove the line.286.hande]dcorrected frome.taneMS.287.bewteMS.twayneMS.
277.thy]myerased andthywritten above the line.
283.thy]thcorrected fromm.gentry]gentre,ecorrected fromy.
285.nyee] firsteabove the line.
286.hande]dcorrected frome.taneMS.
287.bewteMS.twayneMS.
TORRENT IS TAKEN INTO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.
(27)The lady wase neuyr)so a-drad,In to the hale sche hym lad,290That lemyred ase gold bryght;f. 81a.Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede:‘Make vse myrre a-geyne owreDedd,I wot will̴, yt ys so dyght!’He tells her he has kild the Giant.‘Be my trowthe!’ seyd Torrent,295‘I wole be thy warrant,He comythe not here thys nyght.On soche a slepe he ys browght,All̴ men of lyve wakythe hym nowght,But onely godes myght.’300
The lady wase neuyr)so a-drad,
In to the hale sche hym lad,290
That lemyred ase gold bryght;
Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede:
‘Make vse myrre a-geyne owreDedd,
I wot will̴, yt ys so dyght!’
‘Be my trowthe!’ seyd Torrent,295
‘I wole be thy warrant,
He comythe not here thys nyght.
On soche a slepe he ys browght,
All̴ men of lyve wakythe hym nowght,
But onely godes myght.’300
300.godes myght]gode a loneMS.
(28)Blythe then wase that lady jent,For to on-harnes Torrent,That dowghtty wase and bold;She tells him of Prince Verdownys,‘For sothe,’ sche seyd, ‘I wot wher ysThe kyngessoneVerdownys,305Fast put in holdand 4 Earls’ sons in the Giant’s prison.In a dongon), that ys dym;Fowyre good Eryllessonnys be withhymeYs fet in)fere and fold.The gyant wan theme in)a tyde,310Ase they Rane be the watyr syd,And put them in)preson)cold.
Blythe then wase that lady jent,
For to on-harnes Torrent,
That dowghtty wase and bold;
‘For sothe,’ sche seyd, ‘I wot wher ys
The kyngessoneVerdownys,305
Fast put in hold
In a dongon), that ys dym;
Fowyre good Eryllessonnys be withhyme
Ys fet in)fere and fold.
The gyant wan theme in)a tyde,310
Ase they Rane be the watyr syd,
And put them in)preson)cold.
305.Verdownys]of pvenseMS.
TORRENT FREES A PRINCE AND 4 EARLS’ SONS.
(29)‘In an yron)cage he hathe them done.’Torrent went thether)sone:‘Are ye yet levand?’315The kyngessone askyd than),Yf ther were anny crysten man),‘Wold bryng vse owtof bond?’‘Lord,’ he seyd, ‘god all̴myght,f. 81b.I had levyr on a Day to fyght,320Than all̴ my fathyrys lond.’Torrent breaks open the prison,Withan iryn)mall̴ styff and strong)He brake vpe an yron)dore or longe,And sone the keyes he fond.
‘In an yron)cage he hathe them done.’
Torrent went thether)sone:
‘Are ye yet levand?’315
The kyngessone askyd than),
Yf ther were anny crysten man),
‘Wold bryng vse owtof bond?’
‘Lord,’ he seyd, ‘god all̴myght,
I had levyr on a Day to fyght,320
Than all̴ my fathyrys lond.’
Withan iryn)mall̴ styff and strong)
He brake vpe an yron)dore or longe,
And sone the keyes he fond.
318.owt]ow(!) MS.323.or longe] added in paler ink.
318.owt]ow(!) MS.
323.or longe] added in paler ink.
(30)and frees the 5 youths.Owt he toke thys chyldyryn)fyve,325The feyrest that were on lyve,I-hold in)anny sted.The lady wase full̴ gled,Sche byrlyd whyt wyn)and Redd,They sup.And sethyn)to soper sone they yed.330‘Lordes,’ he seyd, ‘syn yow are her),I Red yow make Ryght good cher),For now ys all̴ thy nede.’Thus he covyrd owt of care.God, that sofryd wonddessare,335Grante vse well̴ to sped!
Owt he toke thys chyldyryn)fyve,325
The feyrest that were on lyve,
I-hold in)anny sted.
The lady wase full̴ gled,
Sche byrlyd whyt wyn)and Redd,
And sethyn)to soper sone they yed.330
‘Lordes,’ he seyd, ‘syn yow are her),
I Red yow make Ryght good cher),
For now ys all̴ thy nede.’
Thus he covyrd owt of care.
God, that sofryd wonddessare,335
Grante vse well̴ to sped!
325.chyld.] avstruck out, follows.328.gladMS.335.soreMS.336.welleto sped]to sped welleMS.
325.chyld.] avstruck out, follows.
328.gladMS.
335.soreMS.
336.welleto sped]to sped welleMS.
THEY ALL CHOOSE THEIR HORSES TO RIDE AWAY.
(31)Lorddes, and ye wol lythe,The chyldyr namys I woll̴ tell̴ blythe,Here kyn, how they were me told;Torrent freed Prince Verdownys, LordsThe kyngessone, that dowghttyys,340Wase clepyd Verdownys,That dowghtty wase and bold,Torren, Jakys, and Amyas,And an Eryllesson, that hyght Torren),A nother Iakys of Berweyne,f. 82a.The forthe was Amyas bold.345and Princess Eleanor.The kyngesdowghttyr of Gales lond,Elyoner), I vndyrstond,That worthy wase in hold,
Lorddes, and ye wol lythe,
The chyldyr namys I woll̴ tell̴ blythe,
Here kyn, how they were me told;
The kyngessone, that dowghttyys,340
Wase clepyd Verdownys,
That dowghtty wase and bold,
And an Eryllesson, that hyght Torren),
A nother Iakys of Berweyne,
The forthe was Amyas bold.345
The kyngesdowghttyr of Gales lond,
Elyoner), I vndyrstond,
That worthy wase in hold,
337. afterwol,bestruck out MS.340.ys]waseMS.346-348 put before 343-345, MS.
337. afterwol,bestruck out MS.
340.ys]waseMS.
346-348 put before 343-345, MS.
(32)She takes Torrent to his chamber,In to hys chambyr sche hyme led,Ther gold and syluyr wase spred,350And asur), that wase blo;In yron ther he gan stond,Body and armysal schynand,In)powynt to trusse and goo.and then all of them to the stable, where each chooses a horse.In to a stabyll̴ sche hym led,355Eche toke a full̴ feyer)sted,They wereredyto goo;And wote ye well̴ and vndyrstond,Had the gyant be levand,They had not partyd soo.360
In to hys chambyr sche hyme led,
Ther gold and syluyr wase spred,350
And asur), that wase blo;
In yron ther he gan stond,
Body and armysal schynand,
In)powynt to trusse and goo.
In to a stabyll̴ sche hym led,355
Eche toke a full̴ feyer)sted,
They wereredyto goo;
And wote ye well̴ and vndyrstond,
Had the gyant be levand,
They had not partyd soo.360
351.blo]bleweMS.353.al sch.]lygand(!) MS.354.trusse] corrected fromtruste.357.redy] om. MS.358.wote] with paler ink corrected fromwhat.359.Had] corrected out ofhan.bynfollows, almost entirely erased.gyant]tcorrected fromd.
351.blo]bleweMS.
353.al sch.]lygand(!) MS.
354.trusse] corrected fromtruste.
357.redy] om. MS.
358.wote] with paler ink corrected fromwhat.
359.Had] corrected out ofhan.bynfollows, almost entirely erased.gyant]tcorrected fromd.
(33)They woll̴ not to bed gange,Tyll̴ on the morrow the Day spronge,Thus a wey to ffare.Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse,All̴ that he lyst he clepyd hys,365The keys and thyng he bare.Torrent feeds the lions on the Giant’s body,The lyons that wasat the doreWase led to her)maysterthat wase befor),On hym thay fed themyare,Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther)levyd,370and puts his head on a horse.On hym thei trussyd the gyanttesheved.Thus helpt hym god thar).
They woll̴ not to bed gange,
Tyll̴ on the morrow the Day spronge,
Thus a wey to ffare.
Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse,
All̴ that he lyst he clepyd hys,365
The keys and thyng he bare.
The lyons that wasat the dore
Wase led to her)maysterthat wase befor),
On hym thay fed themyare,
Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther)levyd,370
On hym thei trussyd the gyanttesheved.
Thus helpt hym god thar).
361.gange]ganMS.lleon thestruck out, follows.366.keys]ewritten with paler ink above the line.367.lyons that was]lyoneMS.369.Vn(!) MS.hym]ycorrected out ofeMS.thay] corrected fromthat.yare]therMS.371.Vn(!) MS.thei]iwritten above the line.hedMS.372.therMS.
361.gange]ganMS.lleon thestruck out, follows.
366.keys]ewritten with paler ink above the line.
367.lyons that was]lyoneMS.
369.Vn(!) MS.hym]ycorrected out ofeMS.thay] corrected fromthat.yare]therMS.
371.Vn(!) MS.thei]iwritten above the line.hedMS.
372.therMS.
TORRENT RETURNS TO PORTUGAL.
(34)But ore III wekeswer)commyn)to End,He goes back to Portugal.To Portynggall̴ gan he wend,Ther)ase the kyng ganlend;375The porter)sawehymther he stood,He fled a wey, ase he were wod,f. 82b.Flyngyng ase a fynd.‘Syr kyng,’ he seyd, ‘be goddesdede,Torrant bryngythe a devyll̴ ys hed,380Ther withhe woll̴ yow present.’Desonell̴ seyd: ‘Porter), be styll̴!’. . .In hys walke ther ase he went.
But ore III wekeswer)commyn)to End,
To Portynggall̴ gan he wend,
Ther)ase the kyng ganlend;375
The porter)sawehymther he stood,
He fled a wey, ase he were wod,
Flyngyng ase a fynd.
‘Syr kyng,’ he seyd, ‘be goddesdede,
Torrant bryngythe a devyll̴ ys hed,380
Ther withhe woll̴ yow present.’
Desonell̴ seyd: ‘Porter), be styll̴!’. . .
In hys walke ther ase he went.
373.were]ther, struck out, andwerewritten over.375.lend]lyeMS.376.sawe h. th.]ther sawe heMS.
373.were]ther, struck out, andwerewritten over.
375.lend]lyeMS.
376.sawe h. th.]ther sawe heMS.
(35)The kyng to the gatys gan pase,Gret lordesthat ther wase,385Bothe knyghtesand squyerre,The King and his Lords are afraid of the lions.Lordeswase full̴ sore a-dredFore the lyonys, þat he had,They durst not come hyme ner).The kyng seyd: ‘I wyll̴thekysse,390Durst I for)thy bestes, Iwysse.’Torrent dyd them ly ther),Torrent kisses the King of Portugal.And kyssyd the kyng withjoy and blyse;And aftyr, other lordesof hys,And aftyr, ladysclere.395
The kyng to the gatys gan pase,
Gret lordesthat ther wase,385
Bothe knyghtesand squyerre,
Lordeswase full̴ sore a-dred
Fore the lyonys, þat he had,
They durst not come hyme ner).
The kyng seyd: ‘I wyll̴thekysse,390
Durst I for)thy bestes, Iwysse.’
Torrent dyd them ly ther),
And kyssyd the kyng withjoy and blyse;
And aftyr, other lordesof hys,
And aftyr, ladysclere.395
386.squyerresMS.390.the]hymMS.395.aftyr]otheradd. (!) MS.clere]jentMS.
386.squyerresMS.
390.the]hymMS.
395.aftyr]otheradd. (!) MS.clere]jentMS.
VERDOWNYS’S FATHER IS TOLD OF HIS SAFETY.
(36)Messengyreswentthe weye,The King of Provyns is gladTo the kyng of Provyns to sey,Hys sone ys owt of hold:‘Yyng Torrent of Portynggall̴Hathe browght hym owt of balle400And slayne the jeyant bold.’Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴ þat ther wer),f. 83a.All̴ they mad good cherHer)prynse fayne se wold.of his son Verdownys’s safetyThe kyngseyd: ‘So mot I the,405I woll̴ geff the towynnys threFor)the tallesthow hast me told.’
Messengyreswentthe weye,
To the kyng of Provyns to sey,
Hys sone ys owt of hold:
‘Yyng Torrent of Portynggall̴
Hathe browght hym owt of balle400
And slayne the jeyant bold.’
Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴ þat ther wer),
All̴ they mad good cher
Her)prynse fayne se wold.
The kyngseyd: ‘So mot I the,405
I woll̴ geff the towynnys thre
For)the tallesthow hast me told.’
396.went]to(!) MS.397. afterProvynsIMS.399.YoyngMS.405.kyng seyd]kynges messengereMS.405-7 put before 402-4.
396.went]to(!) MS.
397. afterProvynsIMS.
399.YoyngMS.
405.kyng seyd]kynges messengereMS.
405-7 put before 402-4.
(37)Than seydthey, thatto Gales yede,Yeftys totakewere hem no ned,ThenVerdownys had they.410Ase theyseyłydon a tyde,At Perrown)on the see syd. . . . . . . . . . .The kyng of Provynse seyd: ‘So mot I the,and promises Torrent gifts.Yftles schall̴ they not be,415That dare I sothely sey.’The King of Gales offers Torrent his daughter.The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer):‘Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer),When so euyr)thow may!. . . . .
Than seydthey, thatto Gales yede,
Yeftys totakewere hem no ned,
ThenVerdownys had they.410
Ase theyseyłydon a tyde,
At Perrown)on the see syd
. . . . . . . . . . .
The kyng of Provynse seyd: ‘So mot I the,
Yftles schall̴ they not be,415
That dare I sothely sey.’
The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer):
‘Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer),
When so euyr)thow may!. . . . .
408.Than—that]That they thanMS.Gales] with paler ink corrected fromCalles.yede] corrected fromwent.409.take] om. MS.hymMS.410.Then DownysMS.417.gales]gwith paler ink corrected fromc.
408.Than—that]That they thanMS.Gales] with paler ink corrected fromCalles.yede] corrected fromwent.
409.take] om. MS.hymMS.
410.Then DownysMS.
417.gales]gwith paler ink corrected fromc.
TORRENT GETS WELAND’S SWORD ADOLAKE.
(38)The kyng of Pervense seyd: ‘So mot I the,420Thys seson)yeftles schall̴ thow not be,Haue here my Ryng of gold,The King of Provyns gives Torrent his SwordMy sword, that so wyll̴ ys wrowyt;A betterthan)yt know I nowghtWithin)crystyn)mold;425Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase,made by Weland,Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase,Bettyr ys non)to hold.I have syne sum tyme in)lond,Whoso had yt of myn)hond,430Fawethey wereI-told.’
The kyng of Pervense seyd: ‘So mot I the,420
Thys seson)yeftles schall̴ thow not be,
Haue here my Ryng of gold,
My sword, that so wyll̴ ys wrowyt;
A betterthan)yt know I nowght
Within)crystyn)mold;425
Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase,
Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase,
Bettyr ys non)to hold.
I have syne sum tyme in)lond,
Whoso had yt of myn)hond,430
Fawethey wereI-told.’
429.Loke thou hold yt with fullehond, add. MS.431.I fawght therfore I toldMS.
429.Loke thou hold yt with fullehond, add. MS.
431.I fawght therfore I toldMS.
(39)Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad,The good swerd ther he had,and named Adolake.The name wase Adolake.A gret maynerey let he makeryght435A fortnight’s Feast is held.That lest all̴ a fortnyght,f. 83b.Who so will̴ hys met take.Euyry man toke ys leve, aseIyow say,Hom-ward to wend ther wey,Euery man ys Rest to take.440Tyll̴ yt be-fell̴ vppon a day,Ase they went be the wey,The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake:
Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad,
The good swerd ther he had,
The name wase Adolake.
A gret maynerey let he makeryght435
That lest all̴ a fortnyght,
Who so will̴ hys met take.
Euyry man toke ys leve, aseIyow say,
Hom-ward to wend ther wey,
Euery man ys Rest to take.440
Tyll̴ yt be-fell̴ vppon a day,
Ase they went be the wey,
The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake: