435.mayn.]mayne let, with paler ink corrected intomayney.ryght] om. MS.438.I] om. MS.440.to take ys RestMS.DESONELL GIVES TORRENT A WHITE CHARGER.(40)The King of Portugal tells Desonell‘Ye schall̴ take hed of a jeentyll̴ man),A feyer)poynt for)yow he wane,445Desonell̴, at the last.’‘Syr,’sche seyd, ‘be hevyn kyng,Tyll̴ ye me told, I knewe no thyng,For who ys love yt wase.’‘Desonell̴, so mvt I the,450that Torrent kild the Giant for love of her.Yt wase for the lowe of the,That he trovylld so fast.I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode,Yt ys for yow bothe good,Ther to I Red yow trast.’455455.trustMS.(41)She gives Torrent a white steedForthe sche browght a whyt sted,As whyt as the flowyr in)med,Ys fytte blac ase slon.‘Leman), haue here thys fole,That dethe ys dynt schalt þou notthole,460Whyll̴ thow settyste hyme appon),And yf thow had persewyd beAnd hadyst ned fore to fle,Fast for to gone.which the King of Nazareth had sent her.The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me,465Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the,f. 84a.For betterlove may I none.’458.sloMS.460.thole]haueMS.461.settytheMS.462.p’revyd(!) MS.465. So Fragm. I (F. I);The kyng of Portynggalle seyd: ‘So mot I theMS.466.hym on] soF. I;ofMS.(42)Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd,Ase the went be the watyressyd,The kyng and yong Torrent,470The KingThe kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer),And he wyst, in)what maner),How he schuld be schent;treacherouslyA false lettyr mad the kyngAnd dyd messengyresforthe yt bryng,475On the Rever), ase they went,asks Torrent to get Desonell a FalconTo Torrent, that was trew ase styll̴,Yf he love Desonell̴ wyll̴,Get her a facon)jent.471.ded were] soF. I;were dedMS.472.he] soF. I;hymMS.477.that was] soF. I; om. MS.THE FALSE KING OF PORTUGAL DECEIVES TORRENT.(43)Torrent the letterbe-gan)to Red,480The kyng lestyned & nere yed,Ase he yt nevyr ad sene.‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘what may thys be,Loo, lord, come ner)and see,A-bowght a facon)schene?485I ne wot, so god me sped,In what lond that they bred.’The kyng answerd: ‘I wene,from the Forest of Magdalen.In the forrest of Mavdeleyn),Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne,490That byn of lenageclen).’482.syneMS.487.that] soF. I; om. MS.they]neadd. (!) MS.489.Mavd.] soF. I;MavdlenMS.491.clen)]geneMS.(44)And than seyd the kyng on-trew:‘Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew,Bryng on of them to me!’f. 84b.Torrent Seyd: ‘So god me saue,495He agrees to do it.Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue,At yowrwyll̴ they schal be.’Hys squyere bode he thar),Aftyr hys armor)for to far),In the fyld byddythe he.500Torrent ridesThey armyd hym in)hys wed,Tho he be-strod a noble sted,And forthe than Rod hee.498.squyere] soF. II;squyeresMS.thereMS.TORRENT FINDS A DRAGON IN THE FOREST.(45)Torrent toke the wey a-geyn)to the Forest of Magdalen,In to the forest of Mawdleyn),505In the wyld-some way;Berys and apes there founde he,And wylde bestys great plente,And lyons where they lay.In a wod that wase tyght,510Yt Drew nere-hand nyghtBy dymmynge of the Day,Harkyn, lordes,tothem came wo,gets separated from his Squire,He and hys squyer)partyd in two,Carfull̴ men then were they.515502.noble] soF. II;nothereMS.507-509: soF. II:Berrys he sawe stondyngAnd wyld bestes ther goyng,Gret lyonys ther he fond.MS.510.tyght] soF. II;thykeMS.512.By d.] soF. II;And ine the DawnyngMS.513.to—wo] soF. II;to] ofF. II.what I schalle seyMS.514.in two] soF. II;theyMS.515.men—they] soF. II;they were that DayMS.(46)At the schedyng of a RomeEche partyd other frome,For sothe, ase I vndyrstond.Torrent toke a dulful weyDowne in)a depe valey520Be-syd a well̴ strong.A lytyll̴ be fore mydnyghtand comes on a Dragon.Of a dragon he had syght,That grysly wase tofond;He had hym nowght to were,525f. 85a.But hys schyld and hys spere,That wase in)hys squyereshond.524.fond]syghtMS.A DRAGON ATTACKS TORRENT.(47)Torrent knelyd on hys kne,Torrent prays to ChristTo Iesu Cryst prayd he:‘Lord, mykyll̴ of myght,530Syne I wase in)meche care,Let me nevuyr)owt ofthys world far),Tyll̴ I haue take order of knyght.Ase I ame falsely hether)sent,Wyld-som weyes haue I went,535Withfyndesfor to fyght.Now, Iesu, for thy holy name,Ase I ame but man)a-lone,to be his help.Than)be my helpe to nyght!’532.thys]hys(!) MS.533.haue]oradd. (!) MS.order]othere(!) MS.(48)Ase Torrent Iesu gan)pray,540He herd the dragon), ther he layVndyr-nethe a clow;Of andon he wase stronge,The Dragon’s tail is 7 yards long,Hys tayle wase VII yerdeslong,That aftyr hyme he drowe;545Hys wynggeswase long and wyght,To the chyld he toke a flyghtWithan howge swowe;Had he nether)schyld ne spere,But prayd to god, he schold hyme were,550For he wase in dred i-nowe.542.clow]colodorcolvd,lcorrected fromd, MS.543.and]anMS.545.dreweMS.548.swowe]swayne(!) MS.551.inowtheMS.(49)and has a fiery head on it.On the tayle an hed ther)wase,f.85b.That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase,In fyer whanytwas dyght;A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther),555Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schereThurrow the grace of god almyght.As the boke of Rome tellys,Torrent cuts 4 ells off the Dragon’s tail;Of hys taylle he cut IIII ellesWithhys swerd so bryght.560Than cryed the lothely thyng,That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng,That hard the gyant wyght.554.yt]heMS.558.Tellys]tellytheMS.563.That the gyant hard wyghtMS.TORRENT KILLS THE DRAGON.(50)The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond,There ys sum crystyn)man)nere hond,565My dragon here I cry.and while its Giant-owner is getting ready to help it,By hym, that schope bothe watyr)and lond,All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond,Dere schall̴ they a-bye!Me thynkythe, I here my dragon)schowt,570I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man)hym a-bowght,I trow, to long I ly.Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston),And my cheff-fosterwere gone,A false maysterwere I!’575574.foster]stcorr. out oft.(51)Be the gyant wase Redy dyght,Torrent kills it.Torrent had slayne the dragon)Ryght;Thus gan god hyme scheld.To the mownteyne he toke the weyTo Rest hyme, all̴ that day,580He had myster, to be kyld.f. 87a.T1Tyll̴ the day be-gan to spryng,Fowllys gan myrre to syngBothe in)frethe and in feld.Leve we now of Torrent thore585Torrent’s SquireAnd speke we of thys squyer)more:Iesu hys sole fro hell̴ shyld!581.kyllydMS.585.thereMS.T1.There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.TORRENT’S SQUIRE IS MET BY A GIANT.(52)rides all night in a wood,Hys squyer)Rod all̴ nyghtIn a wod, that wase full̴ tyght,Withmeche care and gret fare,590For to seke hys lord Torrent,That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent,And he wyst nevyr)whethyr ne whar).He Durst neuyr)cry ne schuot,For wyld besteswere hym a-bowght595In)the holtteshare;A lytylwhyll̴ be-fore the dayHe toke in)to a Ryde-weyHyme self to meche care.592.wyslyMS.593.wherMS.595.wyld]wydMS.596.horeMS.597.lytyMS.(53)Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond,600till he finds a highway,Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond,With-owtyn)any Delite,Also fast ase he myght fare,Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware,Lest they wold hym byght.605The sone a-Rose and schone bryght,Of a castyll̴ he had a syght,That wase bothe feyer)and whyte. . . .602.Delite]delayMS.604.wereMS.(54)and is met by a Giant.The gyant him se, & ny yed,And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped,610f. 87b.Thow art welcom to me:What dost thow here in my forest?’‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest,Yff yt yowrwyl be.’‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’615To an oke he hym led:Gret Ruthe yt wase to se.The Giant cuts Torrent’s Squire into 4 quarters.In IIII quartereshe hym drowe,And euery quarter vppon a bowe;Lord, soche weys toke hee!620609.hemMS.618.dreweMS.TORRENT IS ATTACKT BY THE GIANT ROCHENSE.(55)Ase Torrent in)the movnteyn)dyd ly,Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry;Gret fere ther hyme thowght.‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre,‘Wher euyr)my jentyll̴ squyer)myght be,625That I withme to wod browght?On he dyd hys harnes a-geyneAnd worthe on hys sted, serteyne,And thetherward he sowght.And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond,630Torrent finds these,In fowre quartyreshe hym fownd,For other wyse wase yt nowght.624.fre]ferMS.630.wot]wadd. (!) MS.(56)The gyant lenyd to a treAnd be-hyld Torrent so free,For sothe, aseIyow seye.635Thys fend wase ferly to fyght,Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght,Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye.and is attackt by this giant Rochense.To the chyld than)gan he smyght:‘A theff, yeld the asttyt,640f. 88a.As fast as thow may!’‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood?God, that Dyed on the Rood,Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’635.I] om. MS.TORRENT FIGHTS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.(57)He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght,645Torrent’s steed is kild.Hys steddesbrayne he smot owte,So mykyll̴ he be-gan).Torrent tho a good spedAse fast a-bowte an echeyede;Ase swefte ase he myght,heRan.650He gathyred svm of hys gere,Bothe hys schyld and hys spere;Nere hym yod he than).He drives the Giant backBacward than be a browȝTwenty fote he gard hyme goo,655Thus erthe on hym he wane.649.yede]wentMS.650.he Ran]RyneMS.(58)Yt solasyd Torrant then),When he sawe hyme bacward renDowne be a movnteyn)of Perowne,Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen),660into a deep glen,Tyll̴ he com to a depeglen,Ther myght non hym stere.Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast,And hys spere on hyme he brast,Good Adyloke yed hyme nere.665where he stands in water.The fynd in)the watyr stod,He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod,All̴ þe day in)fere.657.thanMS.658.ren]Rond(!) MS.661.glen]thorneMS.662.stere]schereMS.668.þe]theadd. (!) MS.(59)f. 88b.Tho nere hond wase the day gone,Torrent wase so werry than)670That on hys kne he kneld:Torrent prays God for help.‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may!Desonell̴, haue good day!’Fro hym he cest hys schyld.Iesu wold not, he were slayne,675Jesus freshens up Torrent.To hym he sent a schowyr)of Rayne,Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld.The fynd saw, he wase ny mate,Owt of the watyr he toke the gate,He thowght to wyne the fyld.680671.knelyd heMS.677.kelydMS.TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.(60)Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good;Nere the fynd sore he stod,Cryst hym saue and see!The Giant attacks again.The fynd fawt withan yron)staff,The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe,685He brast hys schyld on thre.Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane,Torrent runs him thro’ the heart,To the hart he baryd hym than),And lothely cry gane he.To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght,690cuts his head off,And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght,And thus he wynnythe the gre.690.gowndMS.(61)Torrent knelyd on the growndAnd thankyd god þat ylke stownd,That soche grace hyme send.695Thus II journeys in thys wooWithhys handesslowhegyantys too,f. 89a.That meny a man)hathe schent.Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod,finds him 24 ft.And met hyme XXIIII fotte,700Ther he lay on the bent.Hedles he left hym there,Howt of the fyld the hed he barelong, and goes to his Castle.And to the castell̴ he went.]697.he]IIMS.THE SWORD AND STEED OF GIANT ROCHENSE.(62)Torrent goes to the Giant’sTo thys castell̴ he gan far);705Ther fond he armor)and other)gare,A swerd, that wase bryght.To the towre he toke the wey,Ther the gyantesbed lay,That Rychyly wase dyght.710At the beddeshed he fondCastle, and finds a splendid sword,A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond,That meche wase of myght.On the pomell̴ yt wase wret,Fro a prynce yt wase get,715Mownpolyardnushe hyght.706.gereMS.(63)The sartento seywith-owt lese,A scheff-chambyr)he hym ches,Tyll̴ on the morrow day.To the stabull̴ tho he yed,720and a noble white steed.There he fond a nobyll̴ sted,Wase comely whyt and grey.With the heads of the Giant and Dragon, TorrentThe gyantteshed gan he take,And the dragonnys wold he not forsake,And went forthe on hys wey.725He left mor)good in that salef. 89b.Than wase within)all̴ Portynggall̴,Ther ase the gyant laye.717.to sey] om. MS.718.he]scheMS.chesys(!) MS.720.yodMS.(64)rides back to Portugal.Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght,Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght,730Ther ys lord gan dwell̴.The kyng ys gone to the gate,Torrent on kne he fond ther at,Schort tall̴ for to tell̴.Torrent gives the King the Giant’s and Dragon’s heads instead of a Falcon,‘Haue thow thys in)thyn)hond:735No nother hawkys ther I fondAt Mawdlenys well̴.’The kyngquod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse,Torrent, I trow, sybbe ysTo the dewell̴ of hell̴!. . . .740738.quod] om. (!) MS.739.sybbe]sylkeMS.TORRENT IS LOVED BY DESONELL.(65)‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond,Ther ys no knyght,hys dynt may stond,So stronge he ysin dede!’‘Syr),’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame,What ys the gyantesname,745So Euyr good me sped?’and says the Giant Rochense was Slogus of Fuolles.‘Syr),’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the,Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee,That wyt ys vndyr wede.’. . . . . .742.knyght hys]knyghtesMS.743.in d.]on grondMS.(66)Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more,750Wondyr on the heddesthore,That Torrent had browght whome.TheLordesseyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴!Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴,To yow yt ys gret schame!’755f. 90a.Torent ordeynyd prystesfyve,To syng for hys squyerys lyve,And menythe hym by name.Therfor)the lady whyt ase swaneDesonell gives her heart to Torrent.To Torrant, here lord, sche went than),760Here hert wase to hyme tane.752.browght]hoadd. (!) MS.753.The] om. MS.seyd]headd. MS.Myhelle]my her,rcorrected tollewith paler ink.756.prystes] V add. (!) MS.A PRINCE OF ARAGON WANTS TO WED DESONELL.(67)Lettyrrescome ther withalleTo the kyng of Portynggall̴,The King of Aragon asks for Desonell for his youngest Son.To ax hys dowghttyr Derre,Fro the kyng of Eragon),765To wed her)to hys yongeest son),The lady, that ys so clere.For Torrent schuld not her)haue,Forhyme fyrst he here gafe,To the messenger),770And hyswayfast ageyn dyd pase,Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase,Ther of schuld he not be were.762.ther withalle]hetherwardMS.769.For]ToMS.771.way] om. MS.773.wareMS.(68)On a mornyng, ther ase he lay,The Queen of Portugal wishesThe kyng to the quene gan sey:775‘Madame, for cherryte,Thow art oftyn)hold wyse;Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowrdeuyce,How I may governe me:The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent,780For to aske my dowghttyr genteThat ys so feyer)and fre.’‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue,Torrent to have her.f. 90b.I Red yow let Torent her haue,For best worthy ys he.’785775.The (quene to the) kyng to the quene gan seyMS.779.That howMS.781.aske]asekeMS.(69)He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer),To make an erllessone myn Eyer)?The King refuses.I will̴ not, by sen Iame!There he hathe done maystresthre,Yt yshysswerd, yt ys not he,790For Hatheloke ys ys name.’‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped,A knyghtesdowghttyr wase hyme bed,Ase whyt ase wallesbane;And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴,795Allthat ther of here tell̴,Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’790.hys] om. MS.794.swalles(!) MS.boneMS.796.All]AndMS.THE KING OF PORTUGAL’S TREACHERY TO TORRENT.(70)The false King of Portugal‘Madam, vnto thys tydThere lythe a gyant here be-syd,That many a man)hathe slayne.800plots to have Torrent kild by another Giant.I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr)dere,To fyght withthat fyndesfere,Thus he holdythe hyme in)trayne.But I schall̴ make myn commnant so,That there schall̴ non withhyme go,805Neythersquyer)ne swayne.’‘Syr),’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the,So sore be-stad hathe he be,And wyll̴ commyn)a-geyne!’806.Neyther] om. MS.(71)Tho the bellesbe-gan to Ryng,810Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng,And the ladyso fre,f. 91a.He and his Queen go to Mass.And aftyr-ward they went to mase,Ase the law of holy chyrge wase,Withnotesand solemnyte.815Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe,Knyghtessemlyd on a Rowe,Gret joy wase to see.Torrent sits at the head of a side table.Torrent a syd bord began),The squyeresnexte hym than,820That good knyghtesschuld be.812.so fre]in fereeMS.815.nettes(!) MS.TORRENT AGREES TO FIGHT FOR DESONELL.(72)The King asks Torrent if he’llAse they sat a-myddesthe mete,The kyng wold not foreget;To Torrent the kyng gan sey,He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue,825Thow woldesfayne my dowghttyr haueAnd hast lovyd her)many a day.’‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than),‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man),Ryght gladly, parma fay!’830do a deed of arms for Desonell.‘Yf thow durst for her sakeA poynt of armys vndyrtake,Thow broke her)well̴ fore ay!’822.a] soF. III;theMS.825.saue] soF. III;spedMS.830.gladly] soF. III;gladMS.831.for h. s.] soF. III;par ma fayMS.833.broke] soF. III;brekeMS.(73)‘Yes,’ says Torrent.‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga,Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma835Of yowrdowghttyr hend,And aftyrward my ryghtys,Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’. . . . . .And all̴ were Torrentesfrende.f. 91b.‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey,840‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye,A-geyne yf god me send!’834.goF. III;gan RageMS.835.makeMS.839.frenddesMS.(74)Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I theWyst I, where my jorney scholdbe,Thether I wolde me dyght.’845The kyng gaff hyme an answere:‘Then go to Calabria,‘In the lond of Calabur ther)Wonnythe a gyant wyhte,And he ys bothe strong and bold,Slochys he hyght, I the told,850and fight the Giant Slochys.’God send the that waye Ryght!’Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue goodday,And, or I come a-geyn), I schall̴ asay,Whether the fynd can fyght.’844.be] om. MS.845.wolde] soF. III; om. MS.848.wyhte] soF. III;whyteMS.851.that w.] soF. III;waysMS.852.good]gooMS.853. Space left here for an initial letter of the largest size in MS.TORRENT STARTS TO FIGHT THE GIANT SLOCHYS.(75)Tho wold he no lenger)a-byde,855He toke ys wey for to RydeOn a sted of gret valewe.In to a chambyr)he gas,Torrent takes leave of Desonell,Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas,Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe;860He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴!I schall̴ come a-geyn thetyll̴,Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’starts,Thus he worthe on a stede.In hys wey Cryst hyme sped,865Fore he yt no thyng knewe!856.Ryde]ryghtMS.858.gas]gotheMS.859.tas]tokeMS.862.the]thanMS.(76)He toke hym a Redy wey,Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey,f. 91a.T2As hys Iorney fell̴.and rides to the Castle of the King of Provyns.Tyll̴ the castell̴ Be the See,870An hy stret heldythe hee,Ther the kyngdyddwelle.To the porter he gan seye:‘Wynd in), fellow, I the pray,And thy lord than tell̴,875Pray hym, on won nyght in)hys saleTo harburrow Torrent of Portynggall̴,Yf ytBee ys will̴!’868.pvysMS.871.AndMS.872.dyd dw.]dwellydMS.875.tyllMS.878.Yf ys wille to BeeMS.T2.There are two folios 91 in the MS.TORRENT A GUEST OF THE KING OF PROVYNS.(77)The porter)Dyd hys commandment,The King of ProvynsTo the kynge he ys wente880And knelyd vppon)ys kne:‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale!Torrent of PortynggaleThus sendythe me to the;He praythe yow, yf ye myght,885To harburrow hym thys won)nyght,Yf yowrwill̴ yt bee.’The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre:welcomes Torrent, and‘There ys no man)in)crystyanteMore welcome to me!’890
435.mayn.]mayne let, with paler ink corrected intomayney.ryght] om. MS.438.I] om. MS.440.to take ys RestMS.DESONELL GIVES TORRENT A WHITE CHARGER.(40)The King of Portugal tells Desonell‘Ye schall̴ take hed of a jeentyll̴ man),A feyer)poynt for)yow he wane,445Desonell̴, at the last.’‘Syr,’sche seyd, ‘be hevyn kyng,Tyll̴ ye me told, I knewe no thyng,For who ys love yt wase.’‘Desonell̴, so mvt I the,450that Torrent kild the Giant for love of her.Yt wase for the lowe of the,That he trovylld so fast.I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode,Yt ys for yow bothe good,Ther to I Red yow trast.’455455.trustMS.(41)She gives Torrent a white steedForthe sche browght a whyt sted,As whyt as the flowyr in)med,Ys fytte blac ase slon.‘Leman), haue here thys fole,That dethe ys dynt schalt þou notthole,460Whyll̴ thow settyste hyme appon),And yf thow had persewyd beAnd hadyst ned fore to fle,Fast for to gone.which the King of Nazareth had sent her.The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me,465Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the,f. 84a.For betterlove may I none.’458.sloMS.460.thole]haueMS.461.settytheMS.462.p’revyd(!) MS.465. So Fragm. I (F. I);The kyng of Portynggalle seyd: ‘So mot I theMS.466.hym on] soF. I;ofMS.(42)Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd,Ase the went be the watyressyd,The kyng and yong Torrent,470The KingThe kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer),And he wyst, in)what maner),How he schuld be schent;treacherouslyA false lettyr mad the kyngAnd dyd messengyresforthe yt bryng,475On the Rever), ase they went,asks Torrent to get Desonell a FalconTo Torrent, that was trew ase styll̴,Yf he love Desonell̴ wyll̴,Get her a facon)jent.471.ded were] soF. I;were dedMS.472.he] soF. I;hymMS.477.that was] soF. I; om. MS.THE FALSE KING OF PORTUGAL DECEIVES TORRENT.(43)Torrent the letterbe-gan)to Red,480The kyng lestyned & nere yed,Ase he yt nevyr ad sene.‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘what may thys be,Loo, lord, come ner)and see,A-bowght a facon)schene?485I ne wot, so god me sped,In what lond that they bred.’The kyng answerd: ‘I wene,from the Forest of Magdalen.In the forrest of Mavdeleyn),Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne,490That byn of lenageclen).’482.syneMS.487.that] soF. I; om. MS.they]neadd. (!) MS.489.Mavd.] soF. I;MavdlenMS.491.clen)]geneMS.(44)And than seyd the kyng on-trew:‘Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew,Bryng on of them to me!’f. 84b.Torrent Seyd: ‘So god me saue,495He agrees to do it.Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue,At yowrwyll̴ they schal be.’Hys squyere bode he thar),Aftyr hys armor)for to far),In the fyld byddythe he.500Torrent ridesThey armyd hym in)hys wed,Tho he be-strod a noble sted,And forthe than Rod hee.498.squyere] soF. II;squyeresMS.thereMS.TORRENT FINDS A DRAGON IN THE FOREST.(45)Torrent toke the wey a-geyn)to the Forest of Magdalen,In to the forest of Mawdleyn),505In the wyld-some way;Berys and apes there founde he,And wylde bestys great plente,And lyons where they lay.In a wod that wase tyght,510Yt Drew nere-hand nyghtBy dymmynge of the Day,Harkyn, lordes,tothem came wo,gets separated from his Squire,He and hys squyer)partyd in two,Carfull̴ men then were they.515502.noble] soF. II;nothereMS.507-509: soF. II:Berrys he sawe stondyngAnd wyld bestes ther goyng,Gret lyonys ther he fond.MS.510.tyght] soF. II;thykeMS.512.By d.] soF. II;And ine the DawnyngMS.513.to—wo] soF. II;to] ofF. II.what I schalle seyMS.514.in two] soF. II;theyMS.515.men—they] soF. II;they were that DayMS.(46)At the schedyng of a RomeEche partyd other frome,For sothe, ase I vndyrstond.Torrent toke a dulful weyDowne in)a depe valey520Be-syd a well̴ strong.A lytyll̴ be fore mydnyghtand comes on a Dragon.Of a dragon he had syght,That grysly wase tofond;He had hym nowght to were,525f. 85a.But hys schyld and hys spere,That wase in)hys squyereshond.524.fond]syghtMS.A DRAGON ATTACKS TORRENT.(47)Torrent knelyd on hys kne,Torrent prays to ChristTo Iesu Cryst prayd he:‘Lord, mykyll̴ of myght,530Syne I wase in)meche care,Let me nevuyr)owt ofthys world far),Tyll̴ I haue take order of knyght.Ase I ame falsely hether)sent,Wyld-som weyes haue I went,535Withfyndesfor to fyght.Now, Iesu, for thy holy name,Ase I ame but man)a-lone,to be his help.Than)be my helpe to nyght!’532.thys]hys(!) MS.533.haue]oradd. (!) MS.order]othere(!) MS.(48)Ase Torrent Iesu gan)pray,540He herd the dragon), ther he layVndyr-nethe a clow;Of andon he wase stronge,The Dragon’s tail is 7 yards long,Hys tayle wase VII yerdeslong,That aftyr hyme he drowe;545Hys wynggeswase long and wyght,To the chyld he toke a flyghtWithan howge swowe;Had he nether)schyld ne spere,But prayd to god, he schold hyme were,550For he wase in dred i-nowe.542.clow]colodorcolvd,lcorrected fromd, MS.543.and]anMS.545.dreweMS.548.swowe]swayne(!) MS.551.inowtheMS.(49)and has a fiery head on it.On the tayle an hed ther)wase,f.85b.That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase,In fyer whanytwas dyght;A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther),555Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schereThurrow the grace of god almyght.As the boke of Rome tellys,Torrent cuts 4 ells off the Dragon’s tail;Of hys taylle he cut IIII ellesWithhys swerd so bryght.560Than cryed the lothely thyng,That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng,That hard the gyant wyght.554.yt]heMS.558.Tellys]tellytheMS.563.That the gyant hard wyghtMS.TORRENT KILLS THE DRAGON.(50)The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond,There ys sum crystyn)man)nere hond,565My dragon here I cry.and while its Giant-owner is getting ready to help it,By hym, that schope bothe watyr)and lond,All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond,Dere schall̴ they a-bye!Me thynkythe, I here my dragon)schowt,570I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man)hym a-bowght,I trow, to long I ly.Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston),And my cheff-fosterwere gone,A false maysterwere I!’575574.foster]stcorr. out oft.(51)Be the gyant wase Redy dyght,Torrent kills it.Torrent had slayne the dragon)Ryght;Thus gan god hyme scheld.To the mownteyne he toke the weyTo Rest hyme, all̴ that day,580He had myster, to be kyld.f. 87a.T1Tyll̴ the day be-gan to spryng,Fowllys gan myrre to syngBothe in)frethe and in feld.Leve we now of Torrent thore585Torrent’s SquireAnd speke we of thys squyer)more:Iesu hys sole fro hell̴ shyld!581.kyllydMS.585.thereMS.T1.There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.TORRENT’S SQUIRE IS MET BY A GIANT.(52)rides all night in a wood,Hys squyer)Rod all̴ nyghtIn a wod, that wase full̴ tyght,Withmeche care and gret fare,590For to seke hys lord Torrent,That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent,And he wyst nevyr)whethyr ne whar).He Durst neuyr)cry ne schuot,For wyld besteswere hym a-bowght595In)the holtteshare;A lytylwhyll̴ be-fore the dayHe toke in)to a Ryde-weyHyme self to meche care.592.wyslyMS.593.wherMS.595.wyld]wydMS.596.horeMS.597.lytyMS.(53)Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond,600till he finds a highway,Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond,With-owtyn)any Delite,Also fast ase he myght fare,Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware,Lest they wold hym byght.605The sone a-Rose and schone bryght,Of a castyll̴ he had a syght,That wase bothe feyer)and whyte. . . .602.Delite]delayMS.604.wereMS.(54)and is met by a Giant.The gyant him se, & ny yed,And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped,610f. 87b.Thow art welcom to me:What dost thow here in my forest?’‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest,Yff yt yowrwyl be.’‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’615To an oke he hym led:Gret Ruthe yt wase to se.The Giant cuts Torrent’s Squire into 4 quarters.In IIII quartereshe hym drowe,And euery quarter vppon a bowe;Lord, soche weys toke hee!620609.hemMS.618.dreweMS.TORRENT IS ATTACKT BY THE GIANT ROCHENSE.(55)Ase Torrent in)the movnteyn)dyd ly,Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry;Gret fere ther hyme thowght.‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre,‘Wher euyr)my jentyll̴ squyer)myght be,625That I withme to wod browght?On he dyd hys harnes a-geyneAnd worthe on hys sted, serteyne,And thetherward he sowght.And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond,630Torrent finds these,In fowre quartyreshe hym fownd,For other wyse wase yt nowght.624.fre]ferMS.630.wot]wadd. (!) MS.(56)The gyant lenyd to a treAnd be-hyld Torrent so free,For sothe, aseIyow seye.635Thys fend wase ferly to fyght,Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght,Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye.and is attackt by this giant Rochense.To the chyld than)gan he smyght:‘A theff, yeld the asttyt,640f. 88a.As fast as thow may!’‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood?God, that Dyed on the Rood,Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’635.I] om. MS.TORRENT FIGHTS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.(57)He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght,645Torrent’s steed is kild.Hys steddesbrayne he smot owte,So mykyll̴ he be-gan).Torrent tho a good spedAse fast a-bowte an echeyede;Ase swefte ase he myght,heRan.650He gathyred svm of hys gere,Bothe hys schyld and hys spere;Nere hym yod he than).He drives the Giant backBacward than be a browȝTwenty fote he gard hyme goo,655Thus erthe on hym he wane.649.yede]wentMS.650.he Ran]RyneMS.(58)Yt solasyd Torrant then),When he sawe hyme bacward renDowne be a movnteyn)of Perowne,Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen),660into a deep glen,Tyll̴ he com to a depeglen,Ther myght non hym stere.Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast,And hys spere on hyme he brast,Good Adyloke yed hyme nere.665where he stands in water.The fynd in)the watyr stod,He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod,All̴ þe day in)fere.657.thanMS.658.ren]Rond(!) MS.661.glen]thorneMS.662.stere]schereMS.668.þe]theadd. (!) MS.(59)f. 88b.Tho nere hond wase the day gone,Torrent wase so werry than)670That on hys kne he kneld:Torrent prays God for help.‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may!Desonell̴, haue good day!’Fro hym he cest hys schyld.Iesu wold not, he were slayne,675Jesus freshens up Torrent.To hym he sent a schowyr)of Rayne,Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld.The fynd saw, he wase ny mate,Owt of the watyr he toke the gate,He thowght to wyne the fyld.680671.knelyd heMS.677.kelydMS.TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.(60)Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good;Nere the fynd sore he stod,Cryst hym saue and see!The Giant attacks again.The fynd fawt withan yron)staff,The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe,685He brast hys schyld on thre.Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane,Torrent runs him thro’ the heart,To the hart he baryd hym than),And lothely cry gane he.To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght,690cuts his head off,And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght,And thus he wynnythe the gre.690.gowndMS.(61)Torrent knelyd on the growndAnd thankyd god þat ylke stownd,That soche grace hyme send.695Thus II journeys in thys wooWithhys handesslowhegyantys too,f. 89a.That meny a man)hathe schent.Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod,finds him 24 ft.And met hyme XXIIII fotte,700Ther he lay on the bent.Hedles he left hym there,Howt of the fyld the hed he barelong, and goes to his Castle.And to the castell̴ he went.]697.he]IIMS.THE SWORD AND STEED OF GIANT ROCHENSE.(62)Torrent goes to the Giant’sTo thys castell̴ he gan far);705Ther fond he armor)and other)gare,A swerd, that wase bryght.To the towre he toke the wey,Ther the gyantesbed lay,That Rychyly wase dyght.710At the beddeshed he fondCastle, and finds a splendid sword,A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond,That meche wase of myght.On the pomell̴ yt wase wret,Fro a prynce yt wase get,715Mownpolyardnushe hyght.706.gereMS.(63)The sartento seywith-owt lese,A scheff-chambyr)he hym ches,Tyll̴ on the morrow day.To the stabull̴ tho he yed,720and a noble white steed.There he fond a nobyll̴ sted,Wase comely whyt and grey.With the heads of the Giant and Dragon, TorrentThe gyantteshed gan he take,And the dragonnys wold he not forsake,And went forthe on hys wey.725He left mor)good in that salef. 89b.Than wase within)all̴ Portynggall̴,Ther ase the gyant laye.717.to sey] om. MS.718.he]scheMS.chesys(!) MS.720.yodMS.(64)rides back to Portugal.Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght,Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght,730Ther ys lord gan dwell̴.The kyng ys gone to the gate,Torrent on kne he fond ther at,Schort tall̴ for to tell̴.Torrent gives the King the Giant’s and Dragon’s heads instead of a Falcon,‘Haue thow thys in)thyn)hond:735No nother hawkys ther I fondAt Mawdlenys well̴.’The kyngquod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse,Torrent, I trow, sybbe ysTo the dewell̴ of hell̴!. . . .740738.quod] om. (!) MS.739.sybbe]sylkeMS.TORRENT IS LOVED BY DESONELL.(65)‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond,Ther ys no knyght,hys dynt may stond,So stronge he ysin dede!’‘Syr),’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame,What ys the gyantesname,745So Euyr good me sped?’and says the Giant Rochense was Slogus of Fuolles.‘Syr),’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the,Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee,That wyt ys vndyr wede.’. . . . . .742.knyght hys]knyghtesMS.743.in d.]on grondMS.(66)Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more,750Wondyr on the heddesthore,That Torrent had browght whome.TheLordesseyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴!Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴,To yow yt ys gret schame!’755f. 90a.Torent ordeynyd prystesfyve,To syng for hys squyerys lyve,And menythe hym by name.Therfor)the lady whyt ase swaneDesonell gives her heart to Torrent.To Torrant, here lord, sche went than),760Here hert wase to hyme tane.752.browght]hoadd. (!) MS.753.The] om. MS.seyd]headd. MS.Myhelle]my her,rcorrected tollewith paler ink.756.prystes] V add. (!) MS.A PRINCE OF ARAGON WANTS TO WED DESONELL.(67)Lettyrrescome ther withalleTo the kyng of Portynggall̴,The King of Aragon asks for Desonell for his youngest Son.To ax hys dowghttyr Derre,Fro the kyng of Eragon),765To wed her)to hys yongeest son),The lady, that ys so clere.For Torrent schuld not her)haue,Forhyme fyrst he here gafe,To the messenger),770And hyswayfast ageyn dyd pase,Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase,Ther of schuld he not be were.762.ther withalle]hetherwardMS.769.For]ToMS.771.way] om. MS.773.wareMS.(68)On a mornyng, ther ase he lay,The Queen of Portugal wishesThe kyng to the quene gan sey:775‘Madame, for cherryte,Thow art oftyn)hold wyse;Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowrdeuyce,How I may governe me:The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent,780For to aske my dowghttyr genteThat ys so feyer)and fre.’‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue,Torrent to have her.f. 90b.I Red yow let Torent her haue,For best worthy ys he.’785775.The (quene to the) kyng to the quene gan seyMS.779.That howMS.781.aske]asekeMS.(69)He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer),To make an erllessone myn Eyer)?The King refuses.I will̴ not, by sen Iame!There he hathe done maystresthre,Yt yshysswerd, yt ys not he,790For Hatheloke ys ys name.’‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped,A knyghtesdowghttyr wase hyme bed,Ase whyt ase wallesbane;And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴,795Allthat ther of here tell̴,Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’790.hys] om. MS.794.swalles(!) MS.boneMS.796.All]AndMS.THE KING OF PORTUGAL’S TREACHERY TO TORRENT.(70)The false King of Portugal‘Madam, vnto thys tydThere lythe a gyant here be-syd,That many a man)hathe slayne.800plots to have Torrent kild by another Giant.I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr)dere,To fyght withthat fyndesfere,Thus he holdythe hyme in)trayne.But I schall̴ make myn commnant so,That there schall̴ non withhyme go,805Neythersquyer)ne swayne.’‘Syr),’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the,So sore be-stad hathe he be,And wyll̴ commyn)a-geyne!’806.Neyther] om. MS.(71)Tho the bellesbe-gan to Ryng,810Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng,And the ladyso fre,f. 91a.He and his Queen go to Mass.And aftyr-ward they went to mase,Ase the law of holy chyrge wase,Withnotesand solemnyte.815Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe,Knyghtessemlyd on a Rowe,Gret joy wase to see.Torrent sits at the head of a side table.Torrent a syd bord began),The squyeresnexte hym than,820That good knyghtesschuld be.812.so fre]in fereeMS.815.nettes(!) MS.TORRENT AGREES TO FIGHT FOR DESONELL.(72)The King asks Torrent if he’llAse they sat a-myddesthe mete,The kyng wold not foreget;To Torrent the kyng gan sey,He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue,825Thow woldesfayne my dowghttyr haueAnd hast lovyd her)many a day.’‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than),‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man),Ryght gladly, parma fay!’830do a deed of arms for Desonell.‘Yf thow durst for her sakeA poynt of armys vndyrtake,Thow broke her)well̴ fore ay!’822.a] soF. III;theMS.825.saue] soF. III;spedMS.830.gladly] soF. III;gladMS.831.for h. s.] soF. III;par ma fayMS.833.broke] soF. III;brekeMS.(73)‘Yes,’ says Torrent.‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga,Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma835Of yowrdowghttyr hend,And aftyrward my ryghtys,Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’. . . . . .And all̴ were Torrentesfrende.f. 91b.‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey,840‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye,A-geyne yf god me send!’834.goF. III;gan RageMS.835.makeMS.839.frenddesMS.(74)Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I theWyst I, where my jorney scholdbe,Thether I wolde me dyght.’845The kyng gaff hyme an answere:‘Then go to Calabria,‘In the lond of Calabur ther)Wonnythe a gyant wyhte,And he ys bothe strong and bold,Slochys he hyght, I the told,850and fight the Giant Slochys.’God send the that waye Ryght!’Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue goodday,And, or I come a-geyn), I schall̴ asay,Whether the fynd can fyght.’844.be] om. MS.845.wolde] soF. III; om. MS.848.wyhte] soF. III;whyteMS.851.that w.] soF. III;waysMS.852.good]gooMS.853. Space left here for an initial letter of the largest size in MS.TORRENT STARTS TO FIGHT THE GIANT SLOCHYS.(75)Tho wold he no lenger)a-byde,855He toke ys wey for to RydeOn a sted of gret valewe.In to a chambyr)he gas,Torrent takes leave of Desonell,Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas,Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe;860He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴!I schall̴ come a-geyn thetyll̴,Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’starts,Thus he worthe on a stede.In hys wey Cryst hyme sped,865Fore he yt no thyng knewe!856.Ryde]ryghtMS.858.gas]gotheMS.859.tas]tokeMS.862.the]thanMS.(76)He toke hym a Redy wey,Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey,f. 91a.T2As hys Iorney fell̴.and rides to the Castle of the King of Provyns.Tyll̴ the castell̴ Be the See,870An hy stret heldythe hee,Ther the kyngdyddwelle.To the porter he gan seye:‘Wynd in), fellow, I the pray,And thy lord than tell̴,875Pray hym, on won nyght in)hys saleTo harburrow Torrent of Portynggall̴,Yf ytBee ys will̴!’868.pvysMS.871.AndMS.872.dyd dw.]dwellydMS.875.tyllMS.878.Yf ys wille to BeeMS.T2.There are two folios 91 in the MS.TORRENT A GUEST OF THE KING OF PROVYNS.(77)The porter)Dyd hys commandment,The King of ProvynsTo the kynge he ys wente880And knelyd vppon)ys kne:‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale!Torrent of PortynggaleThus sendythe me to the;He praythe yow, yf ye myght,885To harburrow hym thys won)nyght,Yf yowrwill̴ yt bee.’The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre:welcomes Torrent, and‘There ys no man)in)crystyanteMore welcome to me!’890
435.mayn.]mayne let, with paler ink corrected intomayney.ryght] om. MS.438.I] om. MS.440.to take ys RestMS.
435.mayn.]mayne let, with paler ink corrected intomayney.ryght] om. MS.
438.I] om. MS.
440.to take ys RestMS.
DESONELL GIVES TORRENT A WHITE CHARGER.
(40)The King of Portugal tells Desonell‘Ye schall̴ take hed of a jeentyll̴ man),A feyer)poynt for)yow he wane,445Desonell̴, at the last.’‘Syr,’sche seyd, ‘be hevyn kyng,Tyll̴ ye me told, I knewe no thyng,For who ys love yt wase.’‘Desonell̴, so mvt I the,450that Torrent kild the Giant for love of her.Yt wase for the lowe of the,That he trovylld so fast.I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode,Yt ys for yow bothe good,Ther to I Red yow trast.’455
‘Ye schall̴ take hed of a jeentyll̴ man),
A feyer)poynt for)yow he wane,445
Desonell̴, at the last.’
‘Syr,’sche seyd, ‘be hevyn kyng,
Tyll̴ ye me told, I knewe no thyng,
For who ys love yt wase.’
‘Desonell̴, so mvt I the,450
Yt wase for the lowe of the,
That he trovylld so fast.
I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode,
Yt ys for yow bothe good,
Ther to I Red yow trast.’455
455.trustMS.
(41)She gives Torrent a white steedForthe sche browght a whyt sted,As whyt as the flowyr in)med,Ys fytte blac ase slon.‘Leman), haue here thys fole,That dethe ys dynt schalt þou notthole,460Whyll̴ thow settyste hyme appon),And yf thow had persewyd beAnd hadyst ned fore to fle,Fast for to gone.which the King of Nazareth had sent her.The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me,465Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the,f. 84a.For betterlove may I none.’
Forthe sche browght a whyt sted,
As whyt as the flowyr in)med,
Ys fytte blac ase slon.
‘Leman), haue here thys fole,
That dethe ys dynt schalt þou notthole,460
Whyll̴ thow settyste hyme appon),
And yf thow had persewyd be
And hadyst ned fore to fle,
Fast for to gone.
The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me,465
Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the,
For betterlove may I none.’
458.sloMS.460.thole]haueMS.461.settytheMS.462.p’revyd(!) MS.465. So Fragm. I (F. I);The kyng of Portynggalle seyd: ‘So mot I theMS.466.hym on] soF. I;ofMS.
458.sloMS.
460.thole]haueMS.
461.settytheMS.
462.p’revyd(!) MS.
465. So Fragm. I (F. I);The kyng of Portynggalle seyd: ‘So mot I theMS.
466.hym on] soF. I;ofMS.
(42)Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd,Ase the went be the watyressyd,The kyng and yong Torrent,470The KingThe kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer),And he wyst, in)what maner),How he schuld be schent;treacherouslyA false lettyr mad the kyngAnd dyd messengyresforthe yt bryng,475On the Rever), ase they went,asks Torrent to get Desonell a FalconTo Torrent, that was trew ase styll̴,Yf he love Desonell̴ wyll̴,Get her a facon)jent.
Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd,
Ase the went be the watyressyd,
The kyng and yong Torrent,470
The kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer),
And he wyst, in)what maner),
How he schuld be schent;
A false lettyr mad the kyng
And dyd messengyresforthe yt bryng,475
On the Rever), ase they went,
To Torrent, that was trew ase styll̴,
Yf he love Desonell̴ wyll̴,
Get her a facon)jent.
471.ded were] soF. I;were dedMS.472.he] soF. I;hymMS.477.that was] soF. I; om. MS.
471.ded were] soF. I;were dedMS.
472.he] soF. I;hymMS.
477.that was] soF. I; om. MS.
THE FALSE KING OF PORTUGAL DECEIVES TORRENT.
(43)Torrent the letterbe-gan)to Red,480The kyng lestyned & nere yed,Ase he yt nevyr ad sene.‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘what may thys be,Loo, lord, come ner)and see,A-bowght a facon)schene?485I ne wot, so god me sped,In what lond that they bred.’The kyng answerd: ‘I wene,from the Forest of Magdalen.In the forrest of Mavdeleyn),Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne,490That byn of lenageclen).’
Torrent the letterbe-gan)to Red,480
The kyng lestyned & nere yed,
Ase he yt nevyr ad sene.
‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘what may thys be,
Loo, lord, come ner)and see,
A-bowght a facon)schene?485
I ne wot, so god me sped,
In what lond that they bred.’
The kyng answerd: ‘I wene,
In the forrest of Mavdeleyn),
Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne,490
That byn of lenageclen).’
482.syneMS.487.that] soF. I; om. MS.they]neadd. (!) MS.489.Mavd.] soF. I;MavdlenMS.491.clen)]geneMS.
482.syneMS.
487.that] soF. I; om. MS.they]neadd. (!) MS.
489.Mavd.] soF. I;MavdlenMS.
491.clen)]geneMS.
(44)And than seyd the kyng on-trew:‘Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew,Bryng on of them to me!’f. 84b.Torrent Seyd: ‘So god me saue,495He agrees to do it.Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue,At yowrwyll̴ they schal be.’Hys squyere bode he thar),Aftyr hys armor)for to far),In the fyld byddythe he.500Torrent ridesThey armyd hym in)hys wed,Tho he be-strod a noble sted,And forthe than Rod hee.
And than seyd the kyng on-trew:
‘Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew,
Bryng on of them to me!’
Torrent Seyd: ‘So god me saue,495
Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue,
At yowrwyll̴ they schal be.’
Hys squyere bode he thar),
Aftyr hys armor)for to far),
In the fyld byddythe he.500
They armyd hym in)hys wed,
Tho he be-strod a noble sted,
And forthe than Rod hee.
498.squyere] soF. II;squyeresMS.thereMS.
TORRENT FINDS A DRAGON IN THE FOREST.
(45)Torrent toke the wey a-geyn)to the Forest of Magdalen,In to the forest of Mawdleyn),505In the wyld-some way;Berys and apes there founde he,And wylde bestys great plente,And lyons where they lay.In a wod that wase tyght,510Yt Drew nere-hand nyghtBy dymmynge of the Day,Harkyn, lordes,tothem came wo,gets separated from his Squire,He and hys squyer)partyd in two,Carfull̴ men then were they.515
Torrent toke the wey a-geyn)
In to the forest of Mawdleyn),505
In the wyld-some way;
Berys and apes there founde he,
And wylde bestys great plente,
And lyons where they lay.
In a wod that wase tyght,510
Yt Drew nere-hand nyght
By dymmynge of the Day,
Harkyn, lordes,tothem came wo,
He and hys squyer)partyd in two,
Carfull̴ men then were they.515
502.noble] soF. II;nothereMS.507-509: soF. II:Berrys he sawe stondyngAnd wyld bestes ther goyng,Gret lyonys ther he fond.MS.510.tyght] soF. II;thykeMS.512.By d.] soF. II;And ine the DawnyngMS.513.to—wo] soF. II;to] ofF. II.what I schalle seyMS.514.in two] soF. II;theyMS.515.men—they] soF. II;they were that DayMS.
502.noble] soF. II;nothereMS.
507-509: soF. II:
Berrys he sawe stondyngAnd wyld bestes ther goyng,Gret lyonys ther he fond.MS.
Berrys he sawe stondyng
And wyld bestes ther goyng,
Gret lyonys ther he fond.MS.
510.tyght] soF. II;thykeMS.
512.By d.] soF. II;And ine the DawnyngMS.
513.to—wo] soF. II;to] ofF. II.what I schalle seyMS.
514.in two] soF. II;theyMS.
515.men—they] soF. II;they were that DayMS.
(46)At the schedyng of a RomeEche partyd other frome,For sothe, ase I vndyrstond.Torrent toke a dulful weyDowne in)a depe valey520Be-syd a well̴ strong.A lytyll̴ be fore mydnyghtand comes on a Dragon.Of a dragon he had syght,That grysly wase tofond;He had hym nowght to were,525f. 85a.But hys schyld and hys spere,That wase in)hys squyereshond.
At the schedyng of a Rome
Eche partyd other frome,
For sothe, ase I vndyrstond.
Torrent toke a dulful wey
Downe in)a depe valey520
Be-syd a well̴ strong.
A lytyll̴ be fore mydnyght
Of a dragon he had syght,
That grysly wase tofond;
He had hym nowght to were,525
But hys schyld and hys spere,
That wase in)hys squyereshond.
524.fond]syghtMS.
A DRAGON ATTACKS TORRENT.
(47)Torrent knelyd on hys kne,Torrent prays to ChristTo Iesu Cryst prayd he:‘Lord, mykyll̴ of myght,530Syne I wase in)meche care,Let me nevuyr)owt ofthys world far),Tyll̴ I haue take order of knyght.Ase I ame falsely hether)sent,Wyld-som weyes haue I went,535Withfyndesfor to fyght.Now, Iesu, for thy holy name,Ase I ame but man)a-lone,to be his help.Than)be my helpe to nyght!’
Torrent knelyd on hys kne,
To Iesu Cryst prayd he:
‘Lord, mykyll̴ of myght,530
Syne I wase in)meche care,
Let me nevuyr)owt ofthys world far),
Tyll̴ I haue take order of knyght.
Ase I ame falsely hether)sent,
Wyld-som weyes haue I went,535
Withfyndesfor to fyght.
Now, Iesu, for thy holy name,
Ase I ame but man)a-lone,
Than)be my helpe to nyght!’
532.thys]hys(!) MS.533.haue]oradd. (!) MS.order]othere(!) MS.
532.thys]hys(!) MS.
533.haue]oradd. (!) MS.order]othere(!) MS.
(48)Ase Torrent Iesu gan)pray,540He herd the dragon), ther he layVndyr-nethe a clow;Of andon he wase stronge,The Dragon’s tail is 7 yards long,Hys tayle wase VII yerdeslong,That aftyr hyme he drowe;545Hys wynggeswase long and wyght,To the chyld he toke a flyghtWithan howge swowe;Had he nether)schyld ne spere,But prayd to god, he schold hyme were,550For he wase in dred i-nowe.
Ase Torrent Iesu gan)pray,540
He herd the dragon), ther he lay
Vndyr-nethe a clow;
Of andon he wase stronge,
Hys tayle wase VII yerdeslong,
That aftyr hyme he drowe;545
Hys wynggeswase long and wyght,
To the chyld he toke a flyght
Withan howge swowe;
Had he nether)schyld ne spere,
But prayd to god, he schold hyme were,550
For he wase in dred i-nowe.
542.clow]colodorcolvd,lcorrected fromd, MS.543.and]anMS.545.dreweMS.548.swowe]swayne(!) MS.551.inowtheMS.
542.clow]colodorcolvd,lcorrected fromd, MS.
543.and]anMS.
545.dreweMS.
548.swowe]swayne(!) MS.
551.inowtheMS.
(49)and has a fiery head on it.On the tayle an hed ther)wase,f.85b.That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase,In fyer whanytwas dyght;A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther),555Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schereThurrow the grace of god almyght.As the boke of Rome tellys,Torrent cuts 4 ells off the Dragon’s tail;Of hys taylle he cut IIII ellesWithhys swerd so bryght.560Than cryed the lothely thyng,That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng,That hard the gyant wyght.
On the tayle an hed ther)wase,
That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase,
In fyer whanytwas dyght;
A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther),555
Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schere
Thurrow the grace of god almyght.
As the boke of Rome tellys,
Of hys taylle he cut IIII elles
Withhys swerd so bryght.560
Than cryed the lothely thyng,
That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng,
That hard the gyant wyght.
554.yt]heMS.558.Tellys]tellytheMS.563.That the gyant hard wyghtMS.
554.yt]heMS.
558.Tellys]tellytheMS.
563.That the gyant hard wyghtMS.
TORRENT KILLS THE DRAGON.
(50)The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond,There ys sum crystyn)man)nere hond,565My dragon here I cry.and while its Giant-owner is getting ready to help it,By hym, that schope bothe watyr)and lond,All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond,Dere schall̴ they a-bye!Me thynkythe, I here my dragon)schowt,570I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man)hym a-bowght,I trow, to long I ly.Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston),And my cheff-fosterwere gone,A false maysterwere I!’575
The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond,
There ys sum crystyn)man)nere hond,565
My dragon here I cry.
By hym, that schope bothe watyr)and lond,
All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond,
Dere schall̴ they a-bye!
Me thynkythe, I here my dragon)schowt,570
I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man)hym a-bowght,
I trow, to long I ly.
Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston),
And my cheff-fosterwere gone,
A false maysterwere I!’575
574.foster]stcorr. out oft.
(51)Be the gyant wase Redy dyght,Torrent kills it.Torrent had slayne the dragon)Ryght;Thus gan god hyme scheld.To the mownteyne he toke the weyTo Rest hyme, all̴ that day,580He had myster, to be kyld.f. 87a.T1Tyll̴ the day be-gan to spryng,Fowllys gan myrre to syngBothe in)frethe and in feld.Leve we now of Torrent thore585Torrent’s SquireAnd speke we of thys squyer)more:Iesu hys sole fro hell̴ shyld!581.kyllydMS.585.thereMS.T1.There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.
Be the gyant wase Redy dyght,
Torrent had slayne the dragon)Ryght;
Thus gan god hyme scheld.
To the mownteyne he toke the wey
To Rest hyme, all̴ that day,580
He had myster, to be kyld.
Tyll̴ the day be-gan to spryng,
Fowllys gan myrre to syng
Bothe in)frethe and in feld.
Leve we now of Torrent thore585
And speke we of thys squyer)more:
Iesu hys sole fro hell̴ shyld!
581.kyllydMS.585.thereMS.
581.kyllydMS.
585.thereMS.
T1.There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.
TORRENT’S SQUIRE IS MET BY A GIANT.
(52)rides all night in a wood,Hys squyer)Rod all̴ nyghtIn a wod, that wase full̴ tyght,Withmeche care and gret fare,590For to seke hys lord Torrent,That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent,And he wyst nevyr)whethyr ne whar).He Durst neuyr)cry ne schuot,For wyld besteswere hym a-bowght595In)the holtteshare;A lytylwhyll̴ be-fore the dayHe toke in)to a Ryde-weyHyme self to meche care.
Hys squyer)Rod all̴ nyght
In a wod, that wase full̴ tyght,
Withmeche care and gret fare,590
For to seke hys lord Torrent,
That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent,
And he wyst nevyr)whethyr ne whar).
He Durst neuyr)cry ne schuot,
For wyld besteswere hym a-bowght595
In)the holtteshare;
A lytylwhyll̴ be-fore the day
He toke in)to a Ryde-wey
Hyme self to meche care.
592.wyslyMS.593.wherMS.595.wyld]wydMS.596.horeMS.597.lytyMS.
592.wyslyMS.
593.wherMS.
595.wyld]wydMS.
596.horeMS.
597.lytyMS.
(53)Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond,600till he finds a highway,Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond,With-owtyn)any Delite,Also fast ase he myght fare,Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware,Lest they wold hym byght.605The sone a-Rose and schone bryght,Of a castyll̴ he had a syght,That wase bothe feyer)and whyte. . . .
Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond,600
Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond,
With-owtyn)any Delite,
Also fast ase he myght fare,
Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware,
Lest they wold hym byght.605
The sone a-Rose and schone bryght,
Of a castyll̴ he had a syght,
That wase bothe feyer)and whyte. . . .
602.Delite]delayMS.604.wereMS.
602.Delite]delayMS.
604.wereMS.
(54)and is met by a Giant.The gyant him se, & ny yed,And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped,610f. 87b.Thow art welcom to me:What dost thow here in my forest?’‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest,Yff yt yowrwyl be.’‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’615To an oke he hym led:Gret Ruthe yt wase to se.The Giant cuts Torrent’s Squire into 4 quarters.In IIII quartereshe hym drowe,And euery quarter vppon a bowe;Lord, soche weys toke hee!620
The gyant him se, & ny yed,
And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped,610
Thow art welcom to me:
What dost thow here in my forest?’
‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest,
Yff yt yowrwyl be.’
‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’615
To an oke he hym led:
Gret Ruthe yt wase to se.
In IIII quartereshe hym drowe,
And euery quarter vppon a bowe;
Lord, soche weys toke hee!620
609.hemMS.618.dreweMS.
609.hemMS.
618.dreweMS.
TORRENT IS ATTACKT BY THE GIANT ROCHENSE.
(55)Ase Torrent in)the movnteyn)dyd ly,Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry;Gret fere ther hyme thowght.‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre,‘Wher euyr)my jentyll̴ squyer)myght be,625That I withme to wod browght?On he dyd hys harnes a-geyneAnd worthe on hys sted, serteyne,And thetherward he sowght.And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond,630Torrent finds these,In fowre quartyreshe hym fownd,For other wyse wase yt nowght.
Ase Torrent in)the movnteyn)dyd ly,
Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry;
Gret fere ther hyme thowght.
‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre,
‘Wher euyr)my jentyll̴ squyer)myght be,625
That I withme to wod browght?
On he dyd hys harnes a-geyne
And worthe on hys sted, serteyne,
And thetherward he sowght.
And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond,630
In fowre quartyreshe hym fownd,
For other wyse wase yt nowght.
624.fre]ferMS.630.wot]wadd. (!) MS.
624.fre]ferMS.
630.wot]wadd. (!) MS.
(56)The gyant lenyd to a treAnd be-hyld Torrent so free,For sothe, aseIyow seye.635Thys fend wase ferly to fyght,Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght,Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye.and is attackt by this giant Rochense.To the chyld than)gan he smyght:‘A theff, yeld the asttyt,640f. 88a.As fast as thow may!’‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood?God, that Dyed on the Rood,Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’
The gyant lenyd to a tre
And be-hyld Torrent so free,
For sothe, aseIyow seye.635
Thys fend wase ferly to fyght,
Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght,
Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye.
To the chyld than)gan he smyght:
‘A theff, yeld the asttyt,640
As fast as thow may!’
‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood?
God, that Dyed on the Rood,
Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’
635.I] om. MS.
TORRENT FIGHTS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.
(57)He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght,645Torrent’s steed is kild.Hys steddesbrayne he smot owte,So mykyll̴ he be-gan).Torrent tho a good spedAse fast a-bowte an echeyede;Ase swefte ase he myght,heRan.650He gathyred svm of hys gere,Bothe hys schyld and hys spere;Nere hym yod he than).He drives the Giant backBacward than be a browȝTwenty fote he gard hyme goo,655Thus erthe on hym he wane.
He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght,645
Hys steddesbrayne he smot owte,
So mykyll̴ he be-gan).
Torrent tho a good sped
Ase fast a-bowte an echeyede;
Ase swefte ase he myght,heRan.650
He gathyred svm of hys gere,
Bothe hys schyld and hys spere;
Nere hym yod he than).
Bacward than be a browȝ
Twenty fote he gard hyme goo,655
Thus erthe on hym he wane.
649.yede]wentMS.650.he Ran]RyneMS.
649.yede]wentMS.
650.he Ran]RyneMS.
(58)Yt solasyd Torrant then),When he sawe hyme bacward renDowne be a movnteyn)of Perowne,Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen),660into a deep glen,Tyll̴ he com to a depeglen,Ther myght non hym stere.Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast,And hys spere on hyme he brast,Good Adyloke yed hyme nere.665where he stands in water.The fynd in)the watyr stod,He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod,All̴ þe day in)fere.
Yt solasyd Torrant then),
When he sawe hyme bacward ren
Downe be a movnteyn)of Perowne,
Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen),660
Tyll̴ he com to a depeglen,
Ther myght non hym stere.
Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast,
And hys spere on hyme he brast,
Good Adyloke yed hyme nere.665
The fynd in)the watyr stod,
He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod,
All̴ þe day in)fere.
657.thanMS.658.ren]Rond(!) MS.661.glen]thorneMS.662.stere]schereMS.668.þe]theadd. (!) MS.
657.thanMS.
658.ren]Rond(!) MS.
661.glen]thorneMS.
662.stere]schereMS.
668.þe]theadd. (!) MS.
(59)f. 88b.Tho nere hond wase the day gone,Torrent wase so werry than)670That on hys kne he kneld:Torrent prays God for help.‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may!Desonell̴, haue good day!’Fro hym he cest hys schyld.Iesu wold not, he were slayne,675Jesus freshens up Torrent.To hym he sent a schowyr)of Rayne,Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld.The fynd saw, he wase ny mate,Owt of the watyr he toke the gate,He thowght to wyne the fyld.680
Tho nere hond wase the day gone,
Torrent wase so werry than)670
That on hys kne he kneld:
‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may!
Desonell̴, haue good day!’
Fro hym he cest hys schyld.
Iesu wold not, he were slayne,675
To hym he sent a schowyr)of Rayne,
Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld.
The fynd saw, he wase ny mate,
Owt of the watyr he toke the gate,
He thowght to wyne the fyld.680
671.knelyd heMS.677.kelydMS.
671.knelyd heMS.
677.kelydMS.
TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.
(60)Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good;Nere the fynd sore he stod,Cryst hym saue and see!The Giant attacks again.The fynd fawt withan yron)staff,The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe,685He brast hys schyld on thre.Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane,Torrent runs him thro’ the heart,To the hart he baryd hym than),And lothely cry gane he.To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght,690cuts his head off,And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght,And thus he wynnythe the gre.
Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good;
Nere the fynd sore he stod,
Cryst hym saue and see!
The fynd fawt withan yron)staff,
The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe,685
He brast hys schyld on thre.
Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane,
To the hart he baryd hym than),
And lothely cry gane he.
To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght,690
And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght,
And thus he wynnythe the gre.
690.gowndMS.
(61)Torrent knelyd on the growndAnd thankyd god þat ylke stownd,That soche grace hyme send.695Thus II journeys in thys wooWithhys handesslowhegyantys too,f. 89a.That meny a man)hathe schent.Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod,finds him 24 ft.And met hyme XXIIII fotte,700Ther he lay on the bent.Hedles he left hym there,Howt of the fyld the hed he barelong, and goes to his Castle.And to the castell̴ he went.]
Torrent knelyd on the grownd
And thankyd god þat ylke stownd,
That soche grace hyme send.695
Thus II journeys in thys woo
Withhys handesslowhegyantys too,
That meny a man)hathe schent.
Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod,
And met hyme XXIIII fotte,700
Ther he lay on the bent.
Hedles he left hym there,
Howt of the fyld the hed he bare
And to the castell̴ he went.]
697.he]IIMS.
THE SWORD AND STEED OF GIANT ROCHENSE.
(62)Torrent goes to the Giant’sTo thys castell̴ he gan far);705Ther fond he armor)and other)gare,A swerd, that wase bryght.To the towre he toke the wey,Ther the gyantesbed lay,That Rychyly wase dyght.710At the beddeshed he fondCastle, and finds a splendid sword,A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond,That meche wase of myght.On the pomell̴ yt wase wret,Fro a prynce yt wase get,715Mownpolyardnushe hyght.
To thys castell̴ he gan far);705
Ther fond he armor)and other)gare,
A swerd, that wase bryght.
To the towre he toke the wey,
Ther the gyantesbed lay,
That Rychyly wase dyght.710
At the beddeshed he fond
A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond,
That meche wase of myght.
On the pomell̴ yt wase wret,
Fro a prynce yt wase get,715
Mownpolyardnushe hyght.
706.gereMS.
(63)The sartento seywith-owt lese,A scheff-chambyr)he hym ches,Tyll̴ on the morrow day.To the stabull̴ tho he yed,720and a noble white steed.There he fond a nobyll̴ sted,Wase comely whyt and grey.With the heads of the Giant and Dragon, TorrentThe gyantteshed gan he take,And the dragonnys wold he not forsake,And went forthe on hys wey.725He left mor)good in that salef. 89b.Than wase within)all̴ Portynggall̴,Ther ase the gyant laye.
The sartento seywith-owt lese,
A scheff-chambyr)he hym ches,
Tyll̴ on the morrow day.
To the stabull̴ tho he yed,720
There he fond a nobyll̴ sted,
Wase comely whyt and grey.
The gyantteshed gan he take,
And the dragonnys wold he not forsake,
And went forthe on hys wey.725
He left mor)good in that sale
Than wase within)all̴ Portynggall̴,
Ther ase the gyant laye.
717.to sey] om. MS.718.he]scheMS.chesys(!) MS.720.yodMS.
717.to sey] om. MS.
718.he]scheMS.chesys(!) MS.
720.yodMS.
(64)rides back to Portugal.Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght,Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght,730Ther ys lord gan dwell̴.The kyng ys gone to the gate,Torrent on kne he fond ther at,Schort tall̴ for to tell̴.Torrent gives the King the Giant’s and Dragon’s heads instead of a Falcon,‘Haue thow thys in)thyn)hond:735No nother hawkys ther I fondAt Mawdlenys well̴.’The kyngquod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse,Torrent, I trow, sybbe ysTo the dewell̴ of hell̴!. . . .740
Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght,
Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght,730
Ther ys lord gan dwell̴.
The kyng ys gone to the gate,
Torrent on kne he fond ther at,
Schort tall̴ for to tell̴.
‘Haue thow thys in)thyn)hond:735
No nother hawkys ther I fond
At Mawdlenys well̴.’
The kyngquod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse,
Torrent, I trow, sybbe ys
To the dewell̴ of hell̴!. . . .740
738.quod] om. (!) MS.739.sybbe]sylkeMS.
738.quod] om. (!) MS.
739.sybbe]sylkeMS.
TORRENT IS LOVED BY DESONELL.
(65)‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond,Ther ys no knyght,hys dynt may stond,So stronge he ysin dede!’‘Syr),’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame,What ys the gyantesname,745So Euyr good me sped?’and says the Giant Rochense was Slogus of Fuolles.‘Syr),’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the,Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee,That wyt ys vndyr wede.’. . . . . .
‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond,
Ther ys no knyght,hys dynt may stond,
So stronge he ysin dede!’
‘Syr),’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame,
What ys the gyantesname,745
So Euyr good me sped?’
‘Syr),’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the,
Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee,
That wyt ys vndyr wede.’. . . . . .
742.knyght hys]knyghtesMS.743.in d.]on grondMS.
742.knyght hys]knyghtesMS.
743.in d.]on grondMS.
(66)Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more,750Wondyr on the heddesthore,That Torrent had browght whome.TheLordesseyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴!Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴,To yow yt ys gret schame!’755f. 90a.Torent ordeynyd prystesfyve,To syng for hys squyerys lyve,And menythe hym by name.Therfor)the lady whyt ase swaneDesonell gives her heart to Torrent.To Torrant, here lord, sche went than),760Here hert wase to hyme tane.
Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more,750
Wondyr on the heddesthore,
That Torrent had browght whome.
TheLordesseyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴!
Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴,
To yow yt ys gret schame!’755
Torent ordeynyd prystesfyve,
To syng for hys squyerys lyve,
And menythe hym by name.
Therfor)the lady whyt ase swane
To Torrant, here lord, sche went than),760
Here hert wase to hyme tane.
752.browght]hoadd. (!) MS.753.The] om. MS.seyd]headd. MS.Myhelle]my her,rcorrected tollewith paler ink.756.prystes] V add. (!) MS.
752.browght]hoadd. (!) MS.
753.The] om. MS.seyd]headd. MS.Myhelle]my her,rcorrected tollewith paler ink.
756.prystes] V add. (!) MS.
A PRINCE OF ARAGON WANTS TO WED DESONELL.
(67)Lettyrrescome ther withalleTo the kyng of Portynggall̴,The King of Aragon asks for Desonell for his youngest Son.To ax hys dowghttyr Derre,Fro the kyng of Eragon),765To wed her)to hys yongeest son),The lady, that ys so clere.For Torrent schuld not her)haue,Forhyme fyrst he here gafe,To the messenger),770And hyswayfast ageyn dyd pase,Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase,Ther of schuld he not be were.
Lettyrrescome ther withalle
To the kyng of Portynggall̴,
To ax hys dowghttyr Derre,
Fro the kyng of Eragon),765
To wed her)to hys yongeest son),
The lady, that ys so clere.
For Torrent schuld not her)haue,
Forhyme fyrst he here gafe,
To the messenger),770
And hyswayfast ageyn dyd pase,
Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase,
Ther of schuld he not be were.
762.ther withalle]hetherwardMS.769.For]ToMS.771.way] om. MS.773.wareMS.
762.ther withalle]hetherwardMS.
769.For]ToMS.
771.way] om. MS.
773.wareMS.
(68)On a mornyng, ther ase he lay,The Queen of Portugal wishesThe kyng to the quene gan sey:775‘Madame, for cherryte,Thow art oftyn)hold wyse;Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowrdeuyce,How I may governe me:The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent,780For to aske my dowghttyr genteThat ys so feyer)and fre.’‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue,Torrent to have her.f. 90b.I Red yow let Torent her haue,For best worthy ys he.’785
On a mornyng, ther ase he lay,
The kyng to the quene gan sey:775
‘Madame, for cherryte,
Thow art oftyn)hold wyse;
Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowrdeuyce,
How I may governe me:
The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent,780
For to aske my dowghttyr gente
That ys so feyer)and fre.’
‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue,
I Red yow let Torent her haue,
For best worthy ys he.’785
775.The (quene to the) kyng to the quene gan seyMS.779.That howMS.781.aske]asekeMS.
775.The (quene to the) kyng to the quene gan seyMS.
779.That howMS.
781.aske]asekeMS.
(69)He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer),To make an erllessone myn Eyer)?The King refuses.I will̴ not, by sen Iame!There he hathe done maystresthre,Yt yshysswerd, yt ys not he,790For Hatheloke ys ys name.’‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped,A knyghtesdowghttyr wase hyme bed,Ase whyt ase wallesbane;And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴,795Allthat ther of here tell̴,Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’
He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer),
To make an erllessone myn Eyer)?
I will̴ not, by sen Iame!
There he hathe done maystresthre,
Yt yshysswerd, yt ys not he,790
For Hatheloke ys ys name.’
‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped,
A knyghtesdowghttyr wase hyme bed,
Ase whyt ase wallesbane;
And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴,795
Allthat ther of here tell̴,
Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’
790.hys] om. MS.794.swalles(!) MS.boneMS.796.All]AndMS.
790.hys] om. MS.
794.swalles(!) MS.boneMS.
796.All]AndMS.
THE KING OF PORTUGAL’S TREACHERY TO TORRENT.
(70)The false King of Portugal‘Madam, vnto thys tydThere lythe a gyant here be-syd,That many a man)hathe slayne.800plots to have Torrent kild by another Giant.I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr)dere,To fyght withthat fyndesfere,Thus he holdythe hyme in)trayne.But I schall̴ make myn commnant so,That there schall̴ non withhyme go,805Neythersquyer)ne swayne.’‘Syr),’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the,So sore be-stad hathe he be,And wyll̴ commyn)a-geyne!’
‘Madam, vnto thys tyd
There lythe a gyant here be-syd,
That many a man)hathe slayne.800
I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr)dere,
To fyght withthat fyndesfere,
Thus he holdythe hyme in)trayne.
But I schall̴ make myn commnant so,
That there schall̴ non withhyme go,805
Neythersquyer)ne swayne.’
‘Syr),’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the,
So sore be-stad hathe he be,
And wyll̴ commyn)a-geyne!’
806.Neyther] om. MS.
(71)Tho the bellesbe-gan to Ryng,810Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng,And the ladyso fre,f. 91a.He and his Queen go to Mass.And aftyr-ward they went to mase,Ase the law of holy chyrge wase,Withnotesand solemnyte.815Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe,Knyghtessemlyd on a Rowe,Gret joy wase to see.Torrent sits at the head of a side table.Torrent a syd bord began),The squyeresnexte hym than,820That good knyghtesschuld be.
Tho the bellesbe-gan to Ryng,810
Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng,
And the ladyso fre,
And aftyr-ward they went to mase,
Ase the law of holy chyrge wase,
Withnotesand solemnyte.815
Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe,
Knyghtessemlyd on a Rowe,
Gret joy wase to see.
Torrent a syd bord began),
The squyeresnexte hym than,820
That good knyghtesschuld be.
812.so fre]in fereeMS.815.nettes(!) MS.
812.so fre]in fereeMS.
815.nettes(!) MS.
TORRENT AGREES TO FIGHT FOR DESONELL.
(72)The King asks Torrent if he’llAse they sat a-myddesthe mete,The kyng wold not foreget;To Torrent the kyng gan sey,He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue,825Thow woldesfayne my dowghttyr haueAnd hast lovyd her)many a day.’‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than),‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man),Ryght gladly, parma fay!’830do a deed of arms for Desonell.‘Yf thow durst for her sakeA poynt of armys vndyrtake,Thow broke her)well̴ fore ay!’
Ase they sat a-myddesthe mete,
The kyng wold not foreget;
To Torrent the kyng gan sey,
He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue,825
Thow woldesfayne my dowghttyr haue
And hast lovyd her)many a day.’
‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than),
‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man),
Ryght gladly, parma fay!’830
‘Yf thow durst for her sake
A poynt of armys vndyrtake,
Thow broke her)well̴ fore ay!’
822.a] soF. III;theMS.825.saue] soF. III;spedMS.830.gladly] soF. III;gladMS.831.for h. s.] soF. III;par ma fayMS.833.broke] soF. III;brekeMS.
822.a] soF. III;theMS.
825.saue] soF. III;spedMS.
830.gladly] soF. III;gladMS.
831.for h. s.] soF. III;par ma fayMS.
833.broke] soF. III;brekeMS.
(73)‘Yes,’ says Torrent.‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga,Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma835Of yowrdowghttyr hend,And aftyrward my ryghtys,Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’. . . . . .And all̴ were Torrentesfrende.f. 91b.‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey,840‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye,A-geyne yf god me send!’
‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga,
Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma835
Of yowrdowghttyr hend,
And aftyrward my ryghtys,
Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’. . . . . .
And all̴ were Torrentesfrende.
‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey,840
‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye,
A-geyne yf god me send!’
834.goF. III;gan RageMS.835.makeMS.839.frenddesMS.
834.goF. III;gan RageMS.
835.makeMS.
839.frenddesMS.
(74)Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I theWyst I, where my jorney scholdbe,Thether I wolde me dyght.’845The kyng gaff hyme an answere:‘Then go to Calabria,‘In the lond of Calabur ther)Wonnythe a gyant wyhte,And he ys bothe strong and bold,Slochys he hyght, I the told,850and fight the Giant Slochys.’God send the that waye Ryght!’Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue goodday,And, or I come a-geyn), I schall̴ asay,Whether the fynd can fyght.’
Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the
Wyst I, where my jorney scholdbe,
Thether I wolde me dyght.’845
The kyng gaff hyme an answere:
‘In the lond of Calabur ther)
Wonnythe a gyant wyhte,
And he ys bothe strong and bold,
Slochys he hyght, I the told,850
God send the that waye Ryght!’
Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue goodday,
And, or I come a-geyn), I schall̴ asay,
Whether the fynd can fyght.’
844.be] om. MS.845.wolde] soF. III; om. MS.848.wyhte] soF. III;whyteMS.851.that w.] soF. III;waysMS.852.good]gooMS.853. Space left here for an initial letter of the largest size in MS.
844.be] om. MS.
845.wolde] soF. III; om. MS.
848.wyhte] soF. III;whyteMS.
851.that w.] soF. III;waysMS.
852.good]gooMS.
853. Space left here for an initial letter of the largest size in MS.
TORRENT STARTS TO FIGHT THE GIANT SLOCHYS.
(75)Tho wold he no lenger)a-byde,855He toke ys wey for to RydeOn a sted of gret valewe.In to a chambyr)he gas,Torrent takes leave of Desonell,Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas,Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe;860He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴!I schall̴ come a-geyn thetyll̴,Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’starts,Thus he worthe on a stede.In hys wey Cryst hyme sped,865Fore he yt no thyng knewe!
Tho wold he no lenger)a-byde,855
He toke ys wey for to Ryde
On a sted of gret valewe.
In to a chambyr)he gas,
Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas,
Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe;860
He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴!
I schall̴ come a-geyn thetyll̴,
Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’
Thus he worthe on a stede.
In hys wey Cryst hyme sped,865
Fore he yt no thyng knewe!
856.Ryde]ryghtMS.858.gas]gotheMS.859.tas]tokeMS.862.the]thanMS.
856.Ryde]ryghtMS.
858.gas]gotheMS.
859.tas]tokeMS.
862.the]thanMS.
(76)He toke hym a Redy wey,Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey,f. 91a.T2As hys Iorney fell̴.and rides to the Castle of the King of Provyns.Tyll̴ the castell̴ Be the See,870An hy stret heldythe hee,Ther the kyngdyddwelle.To the porter he gan seye:‘Wynd in), fellow, I the pray,And thy lord than tell̴,875Pray hym, on won nyght in)hys saleTo harburrow Torrent of Portynggall̴,Yf ytBee ys will̴!’868.pvysMS.871.AndMS.872.dyd dw.]dwellydMS.875.tyllMS.878.Yf ys wille to BeeMS.T2.There are two folios 91 in the MS.
He toke hym a Redy wey,
Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey,
As hys Iorney fell̴.
Tyll̴ the castell̴ Be the See,870
An hy stret heldythe hee,
Ther the kyngdyddwelle.
To the porter he gan seye:
‘Wynd in), fellow, I the pray,
And thy lord than tell̴,875
Pray hym, on won nyght in)hys sale
To harburrow Torrent of Portynggall̴,
Yf ytBee ys will̴!’
868.pvysMS.871.AndMS.872.dyd dw.]dwellydMS.875.tyllMS.878.Yf ys wille to BeeMS.
868.pvysMS.
871.AndMS.
872.dyd dw.]dwellydMS.
875.tyllMS.
878.Yf ys wille to BeeMS.
T2.There are two folios 91 in the MS.
TORRENT A GUEST OF THE KING OF PROVYNS.
(77)The porter)Dyd hys commandment,The King of ProvynsTo the kynge he ys wente880And knelyd vppon)ys kne:‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale!Torrent of PortynggaleThus sendythe me to the;He praythe yow, yf ye myght,885To harburrow hym thys won)nyght,Yf yowrwill̴ yt bee.’The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre:welcomes Torrent, and‘There ys no man)in)crystyanteMore welcome to me!’890
The porter)Dyd hys commandment,
To the kynge he ys wente880
And knelyd vppon)ys kne:
‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale!
Torrent of Portynggale
Thus sendythe me to the;
He praythe yow, yf ye myght,885
To harburrow hym thys won)nyght,
Yf yowrwill̴ yt bee.’
The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre:
‘There ys no man)in)crystyante
More welcome to me!’890