(78)The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod,Lordesand other)knyghtesgood,That were glad of hys commyng.In to the hale he hyme browght,feeds him.Ryche met spare they nowght,895Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng.f. 91b.‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the,Where be thy men off armys free,That withthe schuldleng?’‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde,900Torrent’s sword is his only Squire.My squyer hongythe be my syde,No man schall̴ withme wend.’892.knygesMS.899.leng]wyndMS.(79)‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the,Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee,Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’905Torrent says he has to fight in Calabria.‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly,At Calabur, sekyrly,I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴Witha squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde;Fast be the see Sydde910Schuld we pley owurfyle;And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond,Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hondFore dred of denttesyll̴.’TORRENT IS OFFERD A PRINCESS OF PROVYNS.(80)The King of Provyns warnsThe kynge seyd: ‘Be goddesore,915I Rede, þat þoucome not thore,Fore why, I wyll̴ the seye:Meche folke of that contreCome hether)for)sokor)of me,Bothe be nyght and day;920him against the terrible Giant there,There ys a gyant of gret Renowne,He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn)And all̴ þat euyr)he may;And ase the boke of Rome dothe tell̴,He wase get of the dewell̴ of hell̴,925As hys moder on slepe lay.’915.kynges(!) MS.916.thereMS.922.sete] secondecorr. out ofaMS.(81)f. 92a.The kyng Seyd: ‘Be seynt Adryan),I Rede, a nother Jentyll̴ maneBe there and haue the gre:I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere,930and offers him his Daughter and 2 Duchies instead.Thow schalt here wed to thy fere,And, yf yt thy wyll be,Two duchyes inlondeI wille geve here in)hande.’‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he,935Torrent says he must keep his troth.‘Withmy tonge so haue I wrowght,To breke my day than will̴ I nowght,Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’929.the] soF. IV; om. MS.degreMS.932. SoF. IV; om. (!) MS.933.londe]hondeF. IV; om. MS.935.syr s. h.] soF. IV;seyd he thaneMS.TORRENT ARRIVES IN CALABRIA.(82)‘In goddesname,’ the kyng gane sayne,‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne,940Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’Menstrelleswas them a-monge,Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe,Delycyous nottis on hyght.When tyme was, to bed they wente;945On the morrow Rose TorrenteAnd toke leve of kyng and knyghtHe starts,And toke a Redy weyye,Be a see syd as yt laye,God send hym gattesRyght!950947.of] soF. IV;onMS.948.toke] soF. IV;toMS.(83)A hye stret hathe he nome,reaches Calabria,In to Calabur he ys comeWithin)to days ore III;Soo come ther)folkeshym a-geyne,Fast folloyng withcart and wayne,955Fro-ward the sytte.‘Dere god!’ seyd Torrent nowe,‘Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow,Soo fast fore to flee?’and hears of the Giant.‘There ys a gyante here be-syde,960In ale thys covntre fare and wydef. 92b.No mane on lyve levythe hee.’951.nome] soF. V;noneMS.952.come] soF. V;goneMS.958.yow]noweadd. (!) MS.(84)‘Dere god,’ sayd Torrant thane,‘Where schall̴ I fynd that lothly man)?’Ther they answerd hym anone:965‘In a castyll̴ be-syd the see,Slongus, soo hyght hee,Many a man had he slone.The Giant Slongus is in Hungary;We wot will̴ wher he doth ly:Be-fore the cyte of Hungry;970He will̴ not thens gone,Tyll̴ he haue the Ryche kyng)To hys presone for to bryngg,To be lord of hyme self a-lone.’964.lothly] so Hall.;lovelyMS.965.anone] soF. V;a geyneMS.968.slone] soF. V;slaylne(!) MS.969.doth ly] soF. V;ysMS.970.cyte] soF. V;knyghthodMS.Hungry] soF. V;HongrysMS.971.thens]thusMS.TORRENT FINDS THE GIANT SLONGUS IN HUNGARY.(85)Tho wold he no lenger)a-byd,975But to the sytte gan he Ryde,As fast as he myght fare;he has broken the City gates,Here barys fell̴ and broke downe,And the gattesof gret RenowneStondyng)all̴ baree.980Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne,and slain 50 men.Mo than fyfty had he slayneWithgryme wounddesand sare.When Torrent of hym had a syght,Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr)so bryght,985He will Reue hym hys chaffar).986.hym]mcorr. out ofs. MS.chafferMS.(86)Torrent in)the storrope stodAnd prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode:Torrent prays to Christ for help.‘Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle,Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld,990That thyslothlyfynd hym yeldA-non to me tyll̴!f. 93a.A man schall̴ But onnys Dyee,I will̴ fyght, whill̴ I may Dryee.’He mad cher)nobyll̴.995When he had Iesu prayd of grace,He wyscheyd hyme a battell̴ plase,Ther as hym lyst welle.990.wynd(!) MS.vndyr nethe spere and schyldadd. (!) MS.991.lothly] om. MS.995.nobill chereMS.998.welle]wereMS.TORRENT CHALLENGES THE GIANT SLONGUS.(87)Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane,Bothe schyld and spere than),1000That they were sekyr and good.Torrent blows his horn.Aftyr þat, within a throwe,Hys good horne gane he blowe.The gyant sawe, wher)he stodde:The Giant Slongus, of Flonthus,Slongesof Flonthus staryd than);1005Quod Torrent: ‘Yf thow be a gentyll̴ man)Or come of gentyll̴ blod,Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be,And come prove thy strenghe on me,Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.’10101008.Let be thy b. a. t. erm.MS.(88)The gyant sayd: ‘Be the Roode,Dewell̴ of hell̴ send the fode,Hether to seche me:says he’ll wring Torrent’s nose.By the nose I schall̴ the wryng,Thow berdles gadlyng),1015That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’The wey than to hym he tokeAnd on hys bake he bare a croke,His Crook is 13 ft. long.Wase X fot long and thre;And thow he neuerso gret war),1020Torrent thowght not fare to fare,f. 93b.Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.1011.sayd] written above the line.1017.he] soF. VI; om. MS.1018.he]herMS.croke] soF. VI;creke(!) MS.1020.wereMS.TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT SLONGUS OF FLONTHUS.(89)Thoo wold Torrent no lenger)byd,Torrent charges,Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde,Ase fast ase euyr)he may.1025The theff had non ey but on),Soche sawe I neuernone,Neyther)be nyghtnorbe day.Thurrow goddeshelpe and sent Awsden)pierces the Giant’s eye,The sperethrow ye and herne gan ren.1030God send hym the Ryght wey;Than the theff be-gane to Rore.All̴ that in)the sytte wore,Ouyr)the wallys they laye.1024.the]fadd. (!) MS.1028.Blyther(!) MS.nor] soF. VI;andMS.1030.throw—ren]anon he toke to hymMS.1033.wore] soF. VI;wereMS.(90)Thow the fyndesey were owte,1035Fast he leyd hym a-bowteAll̴ þat somyrresnyght;He set ys backe to an hyll̴,That Torrent schuld not come hym tyll̴,So meche þat theff covd of fyght.1040He bled so sore, I vndyrstond,Hys croke fell̴ owt of hys hond,Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght.then spears him thro’ the body,Torrent to hyme Rane witha spere,Thurrow the body he gan hym bere,1045Thus helpe hym god of myght.1040.þat] þeadd. MS.(91)All̴ that in)the sytte were,Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere,and kills him.That thys fynd wase Dedde.f. 94a.Forthe they Ran withstavys of tre,1050Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the,Torrent preserves the Giant’s head.Kepe hole hys hed!Yf yt be broke, so god me sped,Yt ys wyll̴ the worse to lede.’They dyd asehehem bede,1055Mo than thre hunderd on a throngYt ys solas Euyr)a-mongWhan that he was dede.1047.That alleMS.1054.lede]Rede, struck out andledeadded in paler ink.1055.That seson theyMS.he hem]hyme(!) MS.bede]badMS.1057put before1056MS.TORRENT GOES TO THE CASTLE OF GIANT SLONGUS.(92)The King of CalabriaThan)the kyng of Calaber ayen)hym went,Torrent be the hond he hent,1060To the hall̴ he gan)hym ledeAnd comaundid squiers two,Of hysharnes for to doAnd cloth hym)in another wede.Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe,1065Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe,feasts him,And sith to the deyse they yede;‘Sir,’ quod the kyng, ‘of whens are ye?’‘Of Portingale, sir,’ said he,‘I com heder, to sech my dede.’10701062.two]thoMS.1063.hys]herMS.1070.dethMS.(93)Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan sayToTorrent on the oþure day:‘Wyll̴ ye wend with meA litull̴ here be-side to passe,There as the Geauntesdwelling was1075His manernow for to see?’and takes him to the Giant’s Castle.To the castell̴ gan)they gone,Richer saw they never none,Better myght none be.The King of Calabria gives Torrent the Giant’s castle,‘Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴-myȝt),1080For thou hym)slew, þat it dight,I vouche it saue on the,1072.To T.]Torrent saidMS.1081.it]isMS.TORRENT HEARS THAT DESONELL IS TO WED A KING.(94)f. 94b.‘I yeveytthe, sir, of myhond,and an Earldom.And there-to, an erledome ofmylond,For soth, ye shall̴ it haue;1085Omage thou shalte nonenorffyne,But euer more to the and thyne,Frely, so god me saue!’Lordys, and ye liston wold,The Castle’s name is Cardon.What was clepud the riche hold:1090The castell̴ of Cardon),by sawe.Two days or thre dwellith he thareAnd sith he takytheleveto ffare,Both at knyght and knave.1083.yt] om. MS.of]alleadd. MS.hond]londMS.1084.my] om. MS.1086.nor] om. MS.1091.by s.] om. MS.1092.thereMS.(95)By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane,1095That he had outeof presoni-taneHis son vppon a day.Gentilmen were blith and ffayn),That he in helth was comyn)agayn),That they myght with hym)play.1100Torrent hears that Desonell is to marry a strange King.There of herd he, sertaynle,That Desonell̴ wedid shold beWith an vncouth Ray.And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce,Howe he lefte his countenaunce1105And takyth hym)armes gay!1098.leve]the wayMS.1096.of preson] om. MS.1101.sertaynMS.1103.vnc.]aadd. MS.TORRENT IS KNIGHTED. DESONELL IS MARRIED.(96)The King of Provyns knights Torrent.By-fore the kyng he fell̴ on kne:‘Good lord,’ he said, ‘for charite,Yeve me order of knyght!I wott well̴, leryd are ye,1110My lordys doughter shall̴ wed beTo a man)off myght.’f. 95a.‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I trow, she moneTo the prynce off Aragon),By this day sevynnyght.1115Swith,’ he seith, ‘that this be done,That thou be there and wyn)thy shone,Gete the armes bryght.’1110.ye are lerydMS.1111.be wedMS.1115 and 1118 have changed their place in the MS.(97)Torrent hasSir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld,It was ryche in euery ffeld,1120Listonyth, what he bare:an azure shield with a gold squire on it;Onaȝure a squier off gold,Richely bett on mold;Listonyth, what he ware:and a grinning dragon of gold on the crest of his helmet.A dragon)lying hym be-syde,1125His mouth grennyng full̴ wyde,All̴ ffyghtyng as they were;The creste, that on his hede shold stond,Hit was all̴ gold shynand,Thus previd he hym)there.11301122.On]ofMS.(98)Lordys assembelid in sale,Well̴ mo than I haue in tale,Or ellis gret wonder were.He hears that Desonell’s marriage is certain.There herdhetell̴ ffor certan),That Desonell̴ wed shold be than),1135That was hym selfe ffull̴ dere.And whan)he herd of that ffare,Wors tydingis than were thare,Might he none gladly here. . . . . . .1134.he]lMS.TORRENT CHALLENGES THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.(99)He wold not in passe,1140Till̴atthe myd mete wasThe kyng and meny a knyght;As they satt at theyremeteglade,Torrent rides into the Hall where Desonell is,In at the hall̴ durheradef. 95b.In armes ffeyre and bryght,1145With a squier, that is ffre;Vp to the lady ryduth he,That rychely was i-dight.and challenges any one to fight him for her.‘Lordys,’ he said, ‘among you all̴I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴,1150OrDelyuerherme with right!’1141.at] om. MS.1143.mete] om. MS.1144.he]theyMS.1151.Delyuer it meMS.(100)The kyng of Aragon)sett her bye,And he defendid her nobely:‘I wyll̴ none delyuerthe.’The Prince of Aragon accepts,His son said: ‘So muste I thryve,1155There shall̴ no man just for my wiffe;But yf youre wyll̴ it be,For her love did I never no dede,I shall̴ to day, so god me spede:Be-hold and ye shall̴ se.’1160‘Alas!’ said Desonell̴ the dere,‘Full̴ longe may I sitt here,Or Torrent chalenge me.’(101)and the lists are made ready.Trumpettesblew in the prese,Lordys stond onthe grese,1165Ladyes lay ouerand be-held.TorrentThe prynce and Torrent thenEyther to other gan ren),Smertely in that ffeld;Torrent sett on hym)so sore,1170unhorses the Prince of Aragon,That hors and man down)he bore,And all̴ to-sheverd his sheld.So they tombelid all̴ in ffere,That afterward of VII yereThe prynce none armes myght weld.11751165.the grese]reugisorrengisMS.TORRENT BEATS THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.(102)Torrent said: ‘So god me saue,f. 96a.Other two coursus wyll̴ I haue,Yf ye do me law of lond.’Gret lordys stond styll̴,They said nether good ne yll̴1180For tynding of his hond.and he is carried indoors.The prynce of Aragon)in they barr)With litull̴ worshipp and sydes sare,He had no fote on ffor to stond.Thus thes lordys justid aye;1185Bettertheyhad to haue be away,Suche comffort there he ffond.1167.thanMS.1186.they]heMS.1187.ffoundMS.(103)He wold not in passe,At dinner,Till̴ they at myd mete was,On the other day at none.1190His squiers habite he had,Whan)he to the deyse yad,With oute couped shone,Torrent lays Slongus’s head on the table.And the hede on)the bord he laid:‘Lo, sirkyng, hold this,’ he said,1195‘Or ellis wroth we anon)!’They sett still̴ at the bord,None of hem spake one word,But ryght that he had done.1198.They spake nether ylle ne goodadd. (!) MS.TORRENT CLAIMS DESONELL, AND HALF PORTUGAL.(104)Torrent at the syde bord stode:1200Torrent proclaims the promise of the King of Portugal‘Lystonyth, lordynges, gentill̴ of blood,For the love of god all̴-myght:to give him Desonell, and half Portugal, if he slew Slongus.The kyng heyght me his doughter dere,To ffyght with a ffendys ffere,That wekyd was and wight,1205To wed her to my wyffe,And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe,And after his days all̴ his ryght.f. 96b.Lokyth, lordys, you among,[1210]Whether he do me ryght or wrong!’1210Tho waried hym)both kyng & knyght.1211.&]ky, struck out, add. MS.(105)The King of AragonTho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys:‘Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys,A gret maister arte thou!’The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen):1215‘With a sword thou shalte her wynne,Or thou haue her nowe:says his son has wedded Desonell.For why, my son to her was wed,Gret lordys to churche her led,[1220]I take wittnes of all̴ you.’1220‘Kyng Calamond, haue good day,He will be revenged on the King of Portugal.Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may,To god I make avowe.’1220.you alleMS.(106)The Emperoure of Rome ther was,Be-twene thes kyngesgan)he passe1225And said: ‘Lordys, as sone,To settle the quarrel,This squier, that hath brought this hede,The kyng had wend he had be dede,And a-venturly gan)he gone:[1230]the Emperor suggests a fight between 2 Champions.I rede you take a day ofryghtes,1230And do it vppon)two knyghtes,And let no man)be slon)!’Gret lordys, that were thare,This talis lovid at that fareAnd ordenyd thatanon).12351230.ryghtes]RestysMS.1232.slaynMS.1235.that]thanMS.TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT CATE.(107)The King of Aragon sends to the giant CateTo the kyngthe thoghtcom)was,To send vnto SathanasFor a geaunt, that hight Cate,For to make hym)knyght to his hond[1240]And sease hym)in all̴ his lond;1240f. 97a.The messingere toke the gate.Gret othes he sware hym than),That he shold ffyght but withone man),And purvey hym he badIryn stavis two or thre,1245to fight TorrentFor to ffyght with Torent ffre,Though he there of ne watt.1236.the thoghtom. MS.1247.wottMS.(108)Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght,On lond that he shold not ffyght,[1250]But ffar oute in the see,1250on an islandIn an yle long and brad;A gret payn)there was made,That holdyn)shold it be.Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys,for half Portugal.Halfe Portyngale shold be his,1255To spend with dedys ffre;And yf sirTorrent myght hym ouer-com),He shold haue halfe Aragon),Was better than suche thre.[1260]1248.couns.]ofadd. MS.1251.brodMS.THE GIANT CATE, AND TORRENT, GO TO THE ISLAND.(109)The Giant Cate comes to an Island.The Gyaunt shipped in a while1260And sett hym)oute in an yle,That was grow both grene and gay.Sir Torrent com)prekand on a stede,Richely armed in his wede;‘Lordyngys,’ gan he say,1265‘It is semely ffor a knyght,Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.’They said sone: ‘Nay,He is so hevy, he can not ryde.[1270]Torrent said: ‘Evill̴ mut he be-tyde,1270Falshode, woo worth it aye!’(110)f. 97b.‘Sir, takyth housell̴ and shrefte!’To god he did his hondys lifte,And thankid hym of his sond:Torrent prays for Christ’s help,‘Iesu Cryste, I the praye,1275Send me myght and strengith this dayA-yen)the ffend to stond!’To the shipp sirTorent went,With the grace, god had hym sent,[1280]That was never ffayland;1280All̴ the lordys of that contre,Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se,Stode and be-held on lond.1278. This line begins with a big initial letter.Torent]yode, struck out, add. MS.1283.On lond stode and be heldMS.(111)and lands in the Island too.Whan sirTorrent in to the Ile was brought,The shipmen)lenger wold tary nought,1285But hied hem sone ageyn);The GiantThe Giaunt said: ‘So must I the,Sir, thou art welcom to me,Thy deth is not to layn)!’[1290]knocks Torrent’s staff out of his hand,The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue,1290Oute of his hand flew his staff:That thefe was full̴ fayn).Tho sirTorent went nere Cate,. . . . .He thought, he wold hym)haue slayn).TORRENT KILLS THE GIANT CATE WITH COBBLE-STONES.(112)The theff couth no better wonne,1295and runs into the sea.In to the see rennyth he sone,As faste as he myght ffare.Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys,[1300]Good and handsom ffor the nonys,That good and round ware;1300Torrent shies cobble-stones at him,Meny of them to hym)he caste,He threw stonys on hym so faste,That he was sad and sare.kills him,f. 98a.To the ground he did hym fell̴,Men)myght here the fend yell̴1305Halfe a myle and mare.1298.gad.]goodadd. MS.1300.wereMS.1303.soreMS.1306.moreMS.(113)Sir Torent said, as he was wonne,He thankid Iesu, Maryes son),[1310]That kyng, that sent hym myȝt);He said: ‘Lordys, for charite,1310A bote that ye send to me,It is nere hand nyght!’They Reysed a gale witha sayll̴,and he is towd ashore.The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴,All̴ men wonderid on that wight.1315Whan that they had so done,Torrent is shipt to the mainland.They went to sirTorent full̴ soneAnd shipped that comly knyght.[1320]TORRENT WINS DESONELL, LANDS, AND A CITY.(114)The emperoure of Rome was there,The kyngesof Pervens and of Calabere yare,1320And other two or thre.Torrent is awarded Desonell, territory,They yaue sirTorent, that he wan,Both the Erth and the woman),And said, well̴ worthy was he.Sir Torent had in Aragon)1325and the City of Cargon.The riche Cite of Cargon)And all̴ that riche contre;Desonell is divorst from the Prince of Aragon.Archbeshoppes, as the law fell̴,[1330]Departid the prynce and Dissonell̴With gret solempnite.13301320.The kynges] om. MS.1321.other]kyngesadd. MS.or]theadd. MS.(115)For sirTorent the fend did fall̴,Gret lordys honoured hym)all̴And for a doughty knyght hym)tase;The King of Portugal acknowledges Torrent,The kyng said: ‘I vnderstond,f. 98b.Thou hast fought ffor my doughter& my lond,1335And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’He gaue to saintNycholas de Barr)A grett Erldome and asimarr)[1340]That abbey of hymtasFor Iesus love, moch of myght,1340That hym helpith day & nyght,Whan)he to the battell̴gas.1337.saint]sirMS.1338.simarre]marrMS.1339.tas]redithMS.1342.gas]yodeMS.(116)Lordys than)at the laste,Echone on theyre way paste,And euery man)to his.1345and the Queen is glad.The quene of Portingale was ffayn),That sirTorent was com agayn)And thankyd god of this.[1350]The King of Portugal bids TorrentThan said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond,Thou hast fought for my doughter& my lond,1350And art my ward, i-wys,And I wyll̴ not ageyn)the say;wait 6 months and a day for Desonell.But abyde halfe yere and a day,And broke her well̴ with blis!’TORRENT BEGETS TWINS ON DESONELL.
(78)The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod,Lordesand other)knyghtesgood,That were glad of hys commyng.In to the hale he hyme browght,feeds him.Ryche met spare they nowght,895Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng.f. 91b.‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the,Where be thy men off armys free,That withthe schuldleng?’‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde,900Torrent’s sword is his only Squire.My squyer hongythe be my syde,No man schall̴ withme wend.’892.knygesMS.899.leng]wyndMS.(79)‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the,Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee,Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’905Torrent says he has to fight in Calabria.‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly,At Calabur, sekyrly,I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴Witha squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde;Fast be the see Sydde910Schuld we pley owurfyle;And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond,Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hondFore dred of denttesyll̴.’TORRENT IS OFFERD A PRINCESS OF PROVYNS.(80)The King of Provyns warnsThe kynge seyd: ‘Be goddesore,915I Rede, þat þoucome not thore,Fore why, I wyll̴ the seye:Meche folke of that contreCome hether)for)sokor)of me,Bothe be nyght and day;920him against the terrible Giant there,There ys a gyant of gret Renowne,He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn)And all̴ þat euyr)he may;And ase the boke of Rome dothe tell̴,He wase get of the dewell̴ of hell̴,925As hys moder on slepe lay.’915.kynges(!) MS.916.thereMS.922.sete] secondecorr. out ofaMS.(81)f. 92a.The kyng Seyd: ‘Be seynt Adryan),I Rede, a nother Jentyll̴ maneBe there and haue the gre:I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere,930and offers him his Daughter and 2 Duchies instead.Thow schalt here wed to thy fere,And, yf yt thy wyll be,Two duchyes inlondeI wille geve here in)hande.’‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he,935Torrent says he must keep his troth.‘Withmy tonge so haue I wrowght,To breke my day than will̴ I nowght,Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’929.the] soF. IV; om. MS.degreMS.932. SoF. IV; om. (!) MS.933.londe]hondeF. IV; om. MS.935.syr s. h.] soF. IV;seyd he thaneMS.TORRENT ARRIVES IN CALABRIA.(82)‘In goddesname,’ the kyng gane sayne,‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne,940Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’Menstrelleswas them a-monge,Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe,Delycyous nottis on hyght.When tyme was, to bed they wente;945On the morrow Rose TorrenteAnd toke leve of kyng and knyghtHe starts,And toke a Redy weyye,Be a see syd as yt laye,God send hym gattesRyght!950947.of] soF. IV;onMS.948.toke] soF. IV;toMS.(83)A hye stret hathe he nome,reaches Calabria,In to Calabur he ys comeWithin)to days ore III;Soo come ther)folkeshym a-geyne,Fast folloyng withcart and wayne,955Fro-ward the sytte.‘Dere god!’ seyd Torrent nowe,‘Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow,Soo fast fore to flee?’and hears of the Giant.‘There ys a gyante here be-syde,960In ale thys covntre fare and wydef. 92b.No mane on lyve levythe hee.’951.nome] soF. V;noneMS.952.come] soF. V;goneMS.958.yow]noweadd. (!) MS.(84)‘Dere god,’ sayd Torrant thane,‘Where schall̴ I fynd that lothly man)?’Ther they answerd hym anone:965‘In a castyll̴ be-syd the see,Slongus, soo hyght hee,Many a man had he slone.The Giant Slongus is in Hungary;We wot will̴ wher he doth ly:Be-fore the cyte of Hungry;970He will̴ not thens gone,Tyll̴ he haue the Ryche kyng)To hys presone for to bryngg,To be lord of hyme self a-lone.’964.lothly] so Hall.;lovelyMS.965.anone] soF. V;a geyneMS.968.slone] soF. V;slaylne(!) MS.969.doth ly] soF. V;ysMS.970.cyte] soF. V;knyghthodMS.Hungry] soF. V;HongrysMS.971.thens]thusMS.TORRENT FINDS THE GIANT SLONGUS IN HUNGARY.(85)Tho wold he no lenger)a-byd,975But to the sytte gan he Ryde,As fast as he myght fare;he has broken the City gates,Here barys fell̴ and broke downe,And the gattesof gret RenowneStondyng)all̴ baree.980Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne,and slain 50 men.Mo than fyfty had he slayneWithgryme wounddesand sare.When Torrent of hym had a syght,Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr)so bryght,985He will Reue hym hys chaffar).986.hym]mcorr. out ofs. MS.chafferMS.(86)Torrent in)the storrope stodAnd prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode:Torrent prays to Christ for help.‘Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle,Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld,990That thyslothlyfynd hym yeldA-non to me tyll̴!f. 93a.A man schall̴ But onnys Dyee,I will̴ fyght, whill̴ I may Dryee.’He mad cher)nobyll̴.995When he had Iesu prayd of grace,He wyscheyd hyme a battell̴ plase,Ther as hym lyst welle.990.wynd(!) MS.vndyr nethe spere and schyldadd. (!) MS.991.lothly] om. MS.995.nobill chereMS.998.welle]wereMS.TORRENT CHALLENGES THE GIANT SLONGUS.(87)Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane,Bothe schyld and spere than),1000That they were sekyr and good.Torrent blows his horn.Aftyr þat, within a throwe,Hys good horne gane he blowe.The gyant sawe, wher)he stodde:The Giant Slongus, of Flonthus,Slongesof Flonthus staryd than);1005Quod Torrent: ‘Yf thow be a gentyll̴ man)Or come of gentyll̴ blod,Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be,And come prove thy strenghe on me,Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.’10101008.Let be thy b. a. t. erm.MS.(88)The gyant sayd: ‘Be the Roode,Dewell̴ of hell̴ send the fode,Hether to seche me:says he’ll wring Torrent’s nose.By the nose I schall̴ the wryng,Thow berdles gadlyng),1015That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’The wey than to hym he tokeAnd on hys bake he bare a croke,His Crook is 13 ft. long.Wase X fot long and thre;And thow he neuerso gret war),1020Torrent thowght not fare to fare,f. 93b.Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.1011.sayd] written above the line.1017.he] soF. VI; om. MS.1018.he]herMS.croke] soF. VI;creke(!) MS.1020.wereMS.TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT SLONGUS OF FLONTHUS.(89)Thoo wold Torrent no lenger)byd,Torrent charges,Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde,Ase fast ase euyr)he may.1025The theff had non ey but on),Soche sawe I neuernone,Neyther)be nyghtnorbe day.Thurrow goddeshelpe and sent Awsden)pierces the Giant’s eye,The sperethrow ye and herne gan ren.1030God send hym the Ryght wey;Than the theff be-gane to Rore.All̴ that in)the sytte wore,Ouyr)the wallys they laye.1024.the]fadd. (!) MS.1028.Blyther(!) MS.nor] soF. VI;andMS.1030.throw—ren]anon he toke to hymMS.1033.wore] soF. VI;wereMS.(90)Thow the fyndesey were owte,1035Fast he leyd hym a-bowteAll̴ þat somyrresnyght;He set ys backe to an hyll̴,That Torrent schuld not come hym tyll̴,So meche þat theff covd of fyght.1040He bled so sore, I vndyrstond,Hys croke fell̴ owt of hys hond,Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght.then spears him thro’ the body,Torrent to hyme Rane witha spere,Thurrow the body he gan hym bere,1045Thus helpe hym god of myght.1040.þat] þeadd. MS.(91)All̴ that in)the sytte were,Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere,and kills him.That thys fynd wase Dedde.f. 94a.Forthe they Ran withstavys of tre,1050Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the,Torrent preserves the Giant’s head.Kepe hole hys hed!Yf yt be broke, so god me sped,Yt ys wyll̴ the worse to lede.’They dyd asehehem bede,1055Mo than thre hunderd on a throngYt ys solas Euyr)a-mongWhan that he was dede.1047.That alleMS.1054.lede]Rede, struck out andledeadded in paler ink.1055.That seson theyMS.he hem]hyme(!) MS.bede]badMS.1057put before1056MS.TORRENT GOES TO THE CASTLE OF GIANT SLONGUS.(92)The King of CalabriaThan)the kyng of Calaber ayen)hym went,Torrent be the hond he hent,1060To the hall̴ he gan)hym ledeAnd comaundid squiers two,Of hysharnes for to doAnd cloth hym)in another wede.Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe,1065Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe,feasts him,And sith to the deyse they yede;‘Sir,’ quod the kyng, ‘of whens are ye?’‘Of Portingale, sir,’ said he,‘I com heder, to sech my dede.’10701062.two]thoMS.1063.hys]herMS.1070.dethMS.(93)Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan sayToTorrent on the oþure day:‘Wyll̴ ye wend with meA litull̴ here be-side to passe,There as the Geauntesdwelling was1075His manernow for to see?’and takes him to the Giant’s Castle.To the castell̴ gan)they gone,Richer saw they never none,Better myght none be.The King of Calabria gives Torrent the Giant’s castle,‘Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴-myȝt),1080For thou hym)slew, þat it dight,I vouche it saue on the,1072.To T.]Torrent saidMS.1081.it]isMS.TORRENT HEARS THAT DESONELL IS TO WED A KING.(94)f. 94b.‘I yeveytthe, sir, of myhond,and an Earldom.And there-to, an erledome ofmylond,For soth, ye shall̴ it haue;1085Omage thou shalte nonenorffyne,But euer more to the and thyne,Frely, so god me saue!’Lordys, and ye liston wold,The Castle’s name is Cardon.What was clepud the riche hold:1090The castell̴ of Cardon),by sawe.Two days or thre dwellith he thareAnd sith he takytheleveto ffare,Both at knyght and knave.1083.yt] om. MS.of]alleadd. MS.hond]londMS.1084.my] om. MS.1086.nor] om. MS.1091.by s.] om. MS.1092.thereMS.(95)By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane,1095That he had outeof presoni-taneHis son vppon a day.Gentilmen were blith and ffayn),That he in helth was comyn)agayn),That they myght with hym)play.1100Torrent hears that Desonell is to marry a strange King.There of herd he, sertaynle,That Desonell̴ wedid shold beWith an vncouth Ray.And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce,Howe he lefte his countenaunce1105And takyth hym)armes gay!1098.leve]the wayMS.1096.of preson] om. MS.1101.sertaynMS.1103.vnc.]aadd. MS.TORRENT IS KNIGHTED. DESONELL IS MARRIED.(96)The King of Provyns knights Torrent.By-fore the kyng he fell̴ on kne:‘Good lord,’ he said, ‘for charite,Yeve me order of knyght!I wott well̴, leryd are ye,1110My lordys doughter shall̴ wed beTo a man)off myght.’f. 95a.‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I trow, she moneTo the prynce off Aragon),By this day sevynnyght.1115Swith,’ he seith, ‘that this be done,That thou be there and wyn)thy shone,Gete the armes bryght.’1110.ye are lerydMS.1111.be wedMS.1115 and 1118 have changed their place in the MS.(97)Torrent hasSir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld,It was ryche in euery ffeld,1120Listonyth, what he bare:an azure shield with a gold squire on it;Onaȝure a squier off gold,Richely bett on mold;Listonyth, what he ware:and a grinning dragon of gold on the crest of his helmet.A dragon)lying hym be-syde,1125His mouth grennyng full̴ wyde,All̴ ffyghtyng as they were;The creste, that on his hede shold stond,Hit was all̴ gold shynand,Thus previd he hym)there.11301122.On]ofMS.(98)Lordys assembelid in sale,Well̴ mo than I haue in tale,Or ellis gret wonder were.He hears that Desonell’s marriage is certain.There herdhetell̴ ffor certan),That Desonell̴ wed shold be than),1135That was hym selfe ffull̴ dere.And whan)he herd of that ffare,Wors tydingis than were thare,Might he none gladly here. . . . . . .1134.he]lMS.TORRENT CHALLENGES THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.(99)He wold not in passe,1140Till̴atthe myd mete wasThe kyng and meny a knyght;As they satt at theyremeteglade,Torrent rides into the Hall where Desonell is,In at the hall̴ durheradef. 95b.In armes ffeyre and bryght,1145With a squier, that is ffre;Vp to the lady ryduth he,That rychely was i-dight.and challenges any one to fight him for her.‘Lordys,’ he said, ‘among you all̴I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴,1150OrDelyuerherme with right!’1141.at] om. MS.1143.mete] om. MS.1144.he]theyMS.1151.Delyuer it meMS.(100)The kyng of Aragon)sett her bye,And he defendid her nobely:‘I wyll̴ none delyuerthe.’The Prince of Aragon accepts,His son said: ‘So muste I thryve,1155There shall̴ no man just for my wiffe;But yf youre wyll̴ it be,For her love did I never no dede,I shall̴ to day, so god me spede:Be-hold and ye shall̴ se.’1160‘Alas!’ said Desonell̴ the dere,‘Full̴ longe may I sitt here,Or Torrent chalenge me.’(101)and the lists are made ready.Trumpettesblew in the prese,Lordys stond onthe grese,1165Ladyes lay ouerand be-held.TorrentThe prynce and Torrent thenEyther to other gan ren),Smertely in that ffeld;Torrent sett on hym)so sore,1170unhorses the Prince of Aragon,That hors and man down)he bore,And all̴ to-sheverd his sheld.So they tombelid all̴ in ffere,That afterward of VII yereThe prynce none armes myght weld.11751165.the grese]reugisorrengisMS.TORRENT BEATS THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.(102)Torrent said: ‘So god me saue,f. 96a.Other two coursus wyll̴ I haue,Yf ye do me law of lond.’Gret lordys stond styll̴,They said nether good ne yll̴1180For tynding of his hond.and he is carried indoors.The prynce of Aragon)in they barr)With litull̴ worshipp and sydes sare,He had no fote on ffor to stond.Thus thes lordys justid aye;1185Bettertheyhad to haue be away,Suche comffort there he ffond.1167.thanMS.1186.they]heMS.1187.ffoundMS.(103)He wold not in passe,At dinner,Till̴ they at myd mete was,On the other day at none.1190His squiers habite he had,Whan)he to the deyse yad,With oute couped shone,Torrent lays Slongus’s head on the table.And the hede on)the bord he laid:‘Lo, sirkyng, hold this,’ he said,1195‘Or ellis wroth we anon)!’They sett still̴ at the bord,None of hem spake one word,But ryght that he had done.1198.They spake nether ylle ne goodadd. (!) MS.TORRENT CLAIMS DESONELL, AND HALF PORTUGAL.(104)Torrent at the syde bord stode:1200Torrent proclaims the promise of the King of Portugal‘Lystonyth, lordynges, gentill̴ of blood,For the love of god all̴-myght:to give him Desonell, and half Portugal, if he slew Slongus.The kyng heyght me his doughter dere,To ffyght with a ffendys ffere,That wekyd was and wight,1205To wed her to my wyffe,And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe,And after his days all̴ his ryght.f. 96b.Lokyth, lordys, you among,[1210]Whether he do me ryght or wrong!’1210Tho waried hym)both kyng & knyght.1211.&]ky, struck out, add. MS.(105)The King of AragonTho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys:‘Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys,A gret maister arte thou!’The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen):1215‘With a sword thou shalte her wynne,Or thou haue her nowe:says his son has wedded Desonell.For why, my son to her was wed,Gret lordys to churche her led,[1220]I take wittnes of all̴ you.’1220‘Kyng Calamond, haue good day,He will be revenged on the King of Portugal.Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may,To god I make avowe.’1220.you alleMS.(106)The Emperoure of Rome ther was,Be-twene thes kyngesgan)he passe1225And said: ‘Lordys, as sone,To settle the quarrel,This squier, that hath brought this hede,The kyng had wend he had be dede,And a-venturly gan)he gone:[1230]the Emperor suggests a fight between 2 Champions.I rede you take a day ofryghtes,1230And do it vppon)two knyghtes,And let no man)be slon)!’Gret lordys, that were thare,This talis lovid at that fareAnd ordenyd thatanon).12351230.ryghtes]RestysMS.1232.slaynMS.1235.that]thanMS.TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT CATE.(107)The King of Aragon sends to the giant CateTo the kyngthe thoghtcom)was,To send vnto SathanasFor a geaunt, that hight Cate,For to make hym)knyght to his hond[1240]And sease hym)in all̴ his lond;1240f. 97a.The messingere toke the gate.Gret othes he sware hym than),That he shold ffyght but withone man),And purvey hym he badIryn stavis two or thre,1245to fight TorrentFor to ffyght with Torent ffre,Though he there of ne watt.1236.the thoghtom. MS.1247.wottMS.(108)Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght,On lond that he shold not ffyght,[1250]But ffar oute in the see,1250on an islandIn an yle long and brad;A gret payn)there was made,That holdyn)shold it be.Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys,for half Portugal.Halfe Portyngale shold be his,1255To spend with dedys ffre;And yf sirTorrent myght hym ouer-com),He shold haue halfe Aragon),Was better than suche thre.[1260]1248.couns.]ofadd. MS.1251.brodMS.THE GIANT CATE, AND TORRENT, GO TO THE ISLAND.(109)The Giant Cate comes to an Island.The Gyaunt shipped in a while1260And sett hym)oute in an yle,That was grow both grene and gay.Sir Torrent com)prekand on a stede,Richely armed in his wede;‘Lordyngys,’ gan he say,1265‘It is semely ffor a knyght,Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.’They said sone: ‘Nay,He is so hevy, he can not ryde.[1270]Torrent said: ‘Evill̴ mut he be-tyde,1270Falshode, woo worth it aye!’(110)f. 97b.‘Sir, takyth housell̴ and shrefte!’To god he did his hondys lifte,And thankid hym of his sond:Torrent prays for Christ’s help,‘Iesu Cryste, I the praye,1275Send me myght and strengith this dayA-yen)the ffend to stond!’To the shipp sirTorent went,With the grace, god had hym sent,[1280]That was never ffayland;1280All̴ the lordys of that contre,Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se,Stode and be-held on lond.1278. This line begins with a big initial letter.Torent]yode, struck out, add. MS.1283.On lond stode and be heldMS.(111)and lands in the Island too.Whan sirTorrent in to the Ile was brought,The shipmen)lenger wold tary nought,1285But hied hem sone ageyn);The GiantThe Giaunt said: ‘So must I the,Sir, thou art welcom to me,Thy deth is not to layn)!’[1290]knocks Torrent’s staff out of his hand,The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue,1290Oute of his hand flew his staff:That thefe was full̴ fayn).Tho sirTorent went nere Cate,. . . . .He thought, he wold hym)haue slayn).TORRENT KILLS THE GIANT CATE WITH COBBLE-STONES.(112)The theff couth no better wonne,1295and runs into the sea.In to the see rennyth he sone,As faste as he myght ffare.Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys,[1300]Good and handsom ffor the nonys,That good and round ware;1300Torrent shies cobble-stones at him,Meny of them to hym)he caste,He threw stonys on hym so faste,That he was sad and sare.kills him,f. 98a.To the ground he did hym fell̴,Men)myght here the fend yell̴1305Halfe a myle and mare.1298.gad.]goodadd. MS.1300.wereMS.1303.soreMS.1306.moreMS.(113)Sir Torent said, as he was wonne,He thankid Iesu, Maryes son),[1310]That kyng, that sent hym myȝt);He said: ‘Lordys, for charite,1310A bote that ye send to me,It is nere hand nyght!’They Reysed a gale witha sayll̴,and he is towd ashore.The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴,All̴ men wonderid on that wight.1315Whan that they had so done,Torrent is shipt to the mainland.They went to sirTorent full̴ soneAnd shipped that comly knyght.[1320]TORRENT WINS DESONELL, LANDS, AND A CITY.(114)The emperoure of Rome was there,The kyngesof Pervens and of Calabere yare,1320And other two or thre.Torrent is awarded Desonell, territory,They yaue sirTorent, that he wan,Both the Erth and the woman),And said, well̴ worthy was he.Sir Torent had in Aragon)1325and the City of Cargon.The riche Cite of Cargon)And all̴ that riche contre;Desonell is divorst from the Prince of Aragon.Archbeshoppes, as the law fell̴,[1330]Departid the prynce and Dissonell̴With gret solempnite.13301320.The kynges] om. MS.1321.other]kyngesadd. MS.or]theadd. MS.(115)For sirTorent the fend did fall̴,Gret lordys honoured hym)all̴And for a doughty knyght hym)tase;The King of Portugal acknowledges Torrent,The kyng said: ‘I vnderstond,f. 98b.Thou hast fought ffor my doughter& my lond,1335And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’He gaue to saintNycholas de Barr)A grett Erldome and asimarr)[1340]That abbey of hymtasFor Iesus love, moch of myght,1340That hym helpith day & nyght,Whan)he to the battell̴gas.1337.saint]sirMS.1338.simarre]marrMS.1339.tas]redithMS.1342.gas]yodeMS.(116)Lordys than)at the laste,Echone on theyre way paste,And euery man)to his.1345and the Queen is glad.The quene of Portingale was ffayn),That sirTorent was com agayn)And thankyd god of this.[1350]The King of Portugal bids TorrentThan said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond,Thou hast fought for my doughter& my lond,1350And art my ward, i-wys,And I wyll̴ not ageyn)the say;wait 6 months and a day for Desonell.But abyde halfe yere and a day,And broke her well̴ with blis!’TORRENT BEGETS TWINS ON DESONELL.
(78)The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod,Lordesand other)knyghtesgood,That were glad of hys commyng.In to the hale he hyme browght,feeds him.Ryche met spare they nowght,895Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng.f. 91b.‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the,Where be thy men off armys free,That withthe schuldleng?’‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde,900Torrent’s sword is his only Squire.My squyer hongythe be my syde,No man schall̴ withme wend.’
The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod,
Lordesand other)knyghtesgood,
That were glad of hys commyng.
In to the hale he hyme browght,
Ryche met spare they nowght,895
Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng.
‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the,
Where be thy men off armys free,
That withthe schuldleng?’
‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde,900
My squyer hongythe be my syde,
No man schall̴ withme wend.’
892.knygesMS.899.leng]wyndMS.
892.knygesMS.
899.leng]wyndMS.
(79)‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the,Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee,Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’905Torrent says he has to fight in Calabria.‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly,At Calabur, sekyrly,I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴Witha squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde;Fast be the see Sydde910Schuld we pley owurfyle;And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond,Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hondFore dred of denttesyll̴.’
‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the,
Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee,
Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’905
‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly,
At Calabur, sekyrly,
I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴
Witha squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde;
Fast be the see Sydde910
Schuld we pley owurfyle;
And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond,
Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hond
Fore dred of denttesyll̴.’
TORRENT IS OFFERD A PRINCESS OF PROVYNS.
(80)The King of Provyns warnsThe kynge seyd: ‘Be goddesore,915I Rede, þat þoucome not thore,Fore why, I wyll̴ the seye:Meche folke of that contreCome hether)for)sokor)of me,Bothe be nyght and day;920him against the terrible Giant there,There ys a gyant of gret Renowne,He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn)And all̴ þat euyr)he may;And ase the boke of Rome dothe tell̴,He wase get of the dewell̴ of hell̴,925As hys moder on slepe lay.’
The kynge seyd: ‘Be goddesore,915
I Rede, þat þoucome not thore,
Fore why, I wyll̴ the seye:
Meche folke of that contre
Come hether)for)sokor)of me,
Bothe be nyght and day;920
There ys a gyant of gret Renowne,
He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn)
And all̴ þat euyr)he may;
And ase the boke of Rome dothe tell̴,
He wase get of the dewell̴ of hell̴,925
As hys moder on slepe lay.’
915.kynges(!) MS.916.thereMS.922.sete] secondecorr. out ofaMS.
915.kynges(!) MS.
916.thereMS.
922.sete] secondecorr. out ofaMS.
(81)f. 92a.The kyng Seyd: ‘Be seynt Adryan),I Rede, a nother Jentyll̴ maneBe there and haue the gre:I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere,930and offers him his Daughter and 2 Duchies instead.Thow schalt here wed to thy fere,And, yf yt thy wyll be,Two duchyes inlondeI wille geve here in)hande.’‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he,935Torrent says he must keep his troth.‘Withmy tonge so haue I wrowght,To breke my day than will̴ I nowght,Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’
The kyng Seyd: ‘Be seynt Adryan),
I Rede, a nother Jentyll̴ mane
Be there and haue the gre:
I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere,930
Thow schalt here wed to thy fere,
And, yf yt thy wyll be,
Two duchyes inlonde
I wille geve here in)hande.’
‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he,935
‘Withmy tonge so haue I wrowght,
To breke my day than will̴ I nowght,
Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’
929.the] soF. IV; om. MS.degreMS.932. SoF. IV; om. (!) MS.933.londe]hondeF. IV; om. MS.935.syr s. h.] soF. IV;seyd he thaneMS.
929.the] soF. IV; om. MS.degreMS.
932. SoF. IV; om. (!) MS.
933.londe]hondeF. IV; om. MS.
935.syr s. h.] soF. IV;seyd he thaneMS.
TORRENT ARRIVES IN CALABRIA.
(82)‘In goddesname,’ the kyng gane sayne,‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne,940Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’Menstrelleswas them a-monge,Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe,Delycyous nottis on hyght.When tyme was, to bed they wente;945On the morrow Rose TorrenteAnd toke leve of kyng and knyghtHe starts,And toke a Redy weyye,Be a see syd as yt laye,God send hym gattesRyght!950
‘In goddesname,’ the kyng gane sayne,
‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne,940
Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’
Menstrelleswas them a-monge,
Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe,
Delycyous nottis on hyght.
When tyme was, to bed they wente;945
On the morrow Rose Torrente
And toke leve of kyng and knyght
And toke a Redy weyye,
Be a see syd as yt laye,
God send hym gattesRyght!950
947.of] soF. IV;onMS.948.toke] soF. IV;toMS.
947.of] soF. IV;onMS.
948.toke] soF. IV;toMS.
(83)A hye stret hathe he nome,reaches Calabria,In to Calabur he ys comeWithin)to days ore III;Soo come ther)folkeshym a-geyne,Fast folloyng withcart and wayne,955Fro-ward the sytte.‘Dere god!’ seyd Torrent nowe,‘Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow,Soo fast fore to flee?’and hears of the Giant.‘There ys a gyante here be-syde,960In ale thys covntre fare and wydef. 92b.No mane on lyve levythe hee.’
A hye stret hathe he nome,
In to Calabur he ys come
Within)to days ore III;
Soo come ther)folkeshym a-geyne,
Fast folloyng withcart and wayne,955
Fro-ward the sytte.
‘Dere god!’ seyd Torrent nowe,
‘Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow,
Soo fast fore to flee?’
‘There ys a gyante here be-syde,960
In ale thys covntre fare and wyde
No mane on lyve levythe hee.’
951.nome] soF. V;noneMS.952.come] soF. V;goneMS.958.yow]noweadd. (!) MS.
951.nome] soF. V;noneMS.
952.come] soF. V;goneMS.
958.yow]noweadd. (!) MS.
(84)‘Dere god,’ sayd Torrant thane,‘Where schall̴ I fynd that lothly man)?’Ther they answerd hym anone:965‘In a castyll̴ be-syd the see,Slongus, soo hyght hee,Many a man had he slone.The Giant Slongus is in Hungary;We wot will̴ wher he doth ly:Be-fore the cyte of Hungry;970He will̴ not thens gone,Tyll̴ he haue the Ryche kyng)To hys presone for to bryngg,To be lord of hyme self a-lone.’
‘Dere god,’ sayd Torrant thane,
‘Where schall̴ I fynd that lothly man)?’
Ther they answerd hym anone:965
‘In a castyll̴ be-syd the see,
Slongus, soo hyght hee,
Many a man had he slone.
We wot will̴ wher he doth ly:
Be-fore the cyte of Hungry;970
He will̴ not thens gone,
Tyll̴ he haue the Ryche kyng)
To hys presone for to bryngg,
To be lord of hyme self a-lone.’
964.lothly] so Hall.;lovelyMS.965.anone] soF. V;a geyneMS.968.slone] soF. V;slaylne(!) MS.969.doth ly] soF. V;ysMS.970.cyte] soF. V;knyghthodMS.Hungry] soF. V;HongrysMS.971.thens]thusMS.
964.lothly] so Hall.;lovelyMS.
965.anone] soF. V;a geyneMS.
968.slone] soF. V;slaylne(!) MS.
969.doth ly] soF. V;ysMS.
970.cyte] soF. V;knyghthodMS.Hungry] soF. V;HongrysMS.
971.thens]thusMS.
TORRENT FINDS THE GIANT SLONGUS IN HUNGARY.
(85)Tho wold he no lenger)a-byd,975But to the sytte gan he Ryde,As fast as he myght fare;he has broken the City gates,Here barys fell̴ and broke downe,And the gattesof gret RenowneStondyng)all̴ baree.980Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne,and slain 50 men.Mo than fyfty had he slayneWithgryme wounddesand sare.When Torrent of hym had a syght,Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr)so bryght,985He will Reue hym hys chaffar).
Tho wold he no lenger)a-byd,975
But to the sytte gan he Ryde,
As fast as he myght fare;
Here barys fell̴ and broke downe,
And the gattesof gret Renowne
Stondyng)all̴ baree.980
Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne,
Mo than fyfty had he slayne
Withgryme wounddesand sare.
When Torrent of hym had a syght,
Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr)so bryght,985
He will Reue hym hys chaffar).
986.hym]mcorr. out ofs. MS.chafferMS.
(86)Torrent in)the storrope stodAnd prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode:Torrent prays to Christ for help.‘Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle,Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld,990That thyslothlyfynd hym yeldA-non to me tyll̴!f. 93a.A man schall̴ But onnys Dyee,I will̴ fyght, whill̴ I may Dryee.’He mad cher)nobyll̴.995When he had Iesu prayd of grace,He wyscheyd hyme a battell̴ plase,Ther as hym lyst welle.
Torrent in)the storrope stod
And prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode:
‘Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle,
Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld,990
That thyslothlyfynd hym yeld
A-non to me tyll̴!
A man schall̴ But onnys Dyee,
I will̴ fyght, whill̴ I may Dryee.’
He mad cher)nobyll̴.995
When he had Iesu prayd of grace,
He wyscheyd hyme a battell̴ plase,
Ther as hym lyst welle.
990.wynd(!) MS.vndyr nethe spere and schyldadd. (!) MS.991.lothly] om. MS.995.nobill chereMS.998.welle]wereMS.
990.wynd(!) MS.vndyr nethe spere and schyldadd. (!) MS.
991.lothly] om. MS.
995.nobill chereMS.
998.welle]wereMS.
TORRENT CHALLENGES THE GIANT SLONGUS.
(87)Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane,Bothe schyld and spere than),1000That they were sekyr and good.Torrent blows his horn.Aftyr þat, within a throwe,Hys good horne gane he blowe.The gyant sawe, wher)he stodde:The Giant Slongus, of Flonthus,Slongesof Flonthus staryd than);1005Quod Torrent: ‘Yf thow be a gentyll̴ man)Or come of gentyll̴ blod,Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be,And come prove thy strenghe on me,Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.’1010
Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane,
Bothe schyld and spere than),1000
That they were sekyr and good.
Aftyr þat, within a throwe,
Hys good horne gane he blowe.
The gyant sawe, wher)he stodde:
Slongesof Flonthus staryd than);1005
Quod Torrent: ‘Yf thow be a gentyll̴ man)
Or come of gentyll̴ blod,
Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be,
And come prove thy strenghe on me,
Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.’1010
1008.Let be thy b. a. t. erm.MS.
(88)The gyant sayd: ‘Be the Roode,Dewell̴ of hell̴ send the fode,Hether to seche me:says he’ll wring Torrent’s nose.By the nose I schall̴ the wryng,Thow berdles gadlyng),1015That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’The wey than to hym he tokeAnd on hys bake he bare a croke,His Crook is 13 ft. long.Wase X fot long and thre;And thow he neuerso gret war),1020Torrent thowght not fare to fare,f. 93b.Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.
The gyant sayd: ‘Be the Roode,
Dewell̴ of hell̴ send the fode,
Hether to seche me:
By the nose I schall̴ the wryng,
Thow berdles gadlyng),1015
That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’
The wey than to hym he toke
And on hys bake he bare a croke,
Wase X fot long and thre;
And thow he neuerso gret war),1020
Torrent thowght not fare to fare,
Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.
1011.sayd] written above the line.1017.he] soF. VI; om. MS.1018.he]herMS.croke] soF. VI;creke(!) MS.1020.wereMS.
1011.sayd] written above the line.
1017.he] soF. VI; om. MS.
1018.he]herMS.croke] soF. VI;creke(!) MS.
1020.wereMS.
TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT SLONGUS OF FLONTHUS.
(89)Thoo wold Torrent no lenger)byd,Torrent charges,Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde,Ase fast ase euyr)he may.1025The theff had non ey but on),Soche sawe I neuernone,Neyther)be nyghtnorbe day.Thurrow goddeshelpe and sent Awsden)pierces the Giant’s eye,The sperethrow ye and herne gan ren.1030God send hym the Ryght wey;Than the theff be-gane to Rore.All̴ that in)the sytte wore,Ouyr)the wallys they laye.
Thoo wold Torrent no lenger)byd,
Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde,
Ase fast ase euyr)he may.1025
The theff had non ey but on),
Soche sawe I neuernone,
Neyther)be nyghtnorbe day.
Thurrow goddeshelpe and sent Awsden)
The sperethrow ye and herne gan ren.1030
God send hym the Ryght wey;
Than the theff be-gane to Rore.
All̴ that in)the sytte wore,
Ouyr)the wallys they laye.
1024.the]fadd. (!) MS.1028.Blyther(!) MS.nor] soF. VI;andMS.1030.throw—ren]anon he toke to hymMS.1033.wore] soF. VI;wereMS.
1024.the]fadd. (!) MS.
1028.Blyther(!) MS.nor] soF. VI;andMS.
1030.throw—ren]anon he toke to hymMS.
1033.wore] soF. VI;wereMS.
(90)Thow the fyndesey were owte,1035Fast he leyd hym a-bowteAll̴ þat somyrresnyght;He set ys backe to an hyll̴,That Torrent schuld not come hym tyll̴,So meche þat theff covd of fyght.1040He bled so sore, I vndyrstond,Hys croke fell̴ owt of hys hond,Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght.then spears him thro’ the body,Torrent to hyme Rane witha spere,Thurrow the body he gan hym bere,1045Thus helpe hym god of myght.
Thow the fyndesey were owte,1035
Fast he leyd hym a-bowte
All̴ þat somyrresnyght;
He set ys backe to an hyll̴,
That Torrent schuld not come hym tyll̴,
So meche þat theff covd of fyght.1040
He bled so sore, I vndyrstond,
Hys croke fell̴ owt of hys hond,
Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght.
Torrent to hyme Rane witha spere,
Thurrow the body he gan hym bere,1045
Thus helpe hym god of myght.
1040.þat] þeadd. MS.
(91)All̴ that in)the sytte were,Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere,and kills him.That thys fynd wase Dedde.f. 94a.Forthe they Ran withstavys of tre,1050Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the,Torrent preserves the Giant’s head.Kepe hole hys hed!Yf yt be broke, so god me sped,Yt ys wyll̴ the worse to lede.’They dyd asehehem bede,1055Mo than thre hunderd on a throngYt ys solas Euyr)a-mongWhan that he was dede.
All̴ that in)the sytte were,
Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere,
That thys fynd wase Dedde.
Forthe they Ran withstavys of tre,1050
Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the,
Kepe hole hys hed!
Yf yt be broke, so god me sped,
Yt ys wyll̴ the worse to lede.’
They dyd asehehem bede,1055
Mo than thre hunderd on a throng
Yt ys solas Euyr)a-mong
Whan that he was dede.
1047.That alleMS.1054.lede]Rede, struck out andledeadded in paler ink.1055.That seson theyMS.he hem]hyme(!) MS.bede]badMS.1057put before1056MS.
1047.That alleMS.
1054.lede]Rede, struck out andledeadded in paler ink.
1055.That seson theyMS.he hem]hyme(!) MS.bede]badMS.
1057put before1056MS.
TORRENT GOES TO THE CASTLE OF GIANT SLONGUS.
(92)The King of CalabriaThan)the kyng of Calaber ayen)hym went,Torrent be the hond he hent,1060To the hall̴ he gan)hym ledeAnd comaundid squiers two,Of hysharnes for to doAnd cloth hym)in another wede.Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe,1065Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe,feasts him,And sith to the deyse they yede;‘Sir,’ quod the kyng, ‘of whens are ye?’‘Of Portingale, sir,’ said he,‘I com heder, to sech my dede.’1070
Than)the kyng of Calaber ayen)hym went,
Torrent be the hond he hent,1060
To the hall̴ he gan)hym lede
And comaundid squiers two,
Of hysharnes for to do
And cloth hym)in another wede.
Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe,1065
Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe,
And sith to the deyse they yede;
‘Sir,’ quod the kyng, ‘of whens are ye?’
‘Of Portingale, sir,’ said he,
‘I com heder, to sech my dede.’1070
1062.two]thoMS.1063.hys]herMS.1070.dethMS.
1062.two]thoMS.
1063.hys]herMS.
1070.dethMS.
(93)Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan sayToTorrent on the oþure day:‘Wyll̴ ye wend with meA litull̴ here be-side to passe,There as the Geauntesdwelling was1075His manernow for to see?’and takes him to the Giant’s Castle.To the castell̴ gan)they gone,Richer saw they never none,Better myght none be.The King of Calabria gives Torrent the Giant’s castle,‘Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴-myȝt),1080For thou hym)slew, þat it dight,I vouche it saue on the,
Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan say
ToTorrent on the oþure day:
‘Wyll̴ ye wend with me
A litull̴ here be-side to passe,
There as the Geauntesdwelling was1075
His manernow for to see?’
To the castell̴ gan)they gone,
Richer saw they never none,
Better myght none be.
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴-myȝt),1080
For thou hym)slew, þat it dight,
I vouche it saue on the,
1072.To T.]Torrent saidMS.1081.it]isMS.
1072.To T.]Torrent saidMS.
1081.it]isMS.
TORRENT HEARS THAT DESONELL IS TO WED A KING.
(94)f. 94b.‘I yeveytthe, sir, of myhond,and an Earldom.And there-to, an erledome ofmylond,For soth, ye shall̴ it haue;1085Omage thou shalte nonenorffyne,But euer more to the and thyne,Frely, so god me saue!’Lordys, and ye liston wold,The Castle’s name is Cardon.What was clepud the riche hold:1090The castell̴ of Cardon),by sawe.Two days or thre dwellith he thareAnd sith he takytheleveto ffare,Both at knyght and knave.
‘I yeveytthe, sir, of myhond,
And there-to, an erledome ofmylond,
For soth, ye shall̴ it haue;1085
Omage thou shalte nonenorffyne,
But euer more to the and thyne,
Frely, so god me saue!’
Lordys, and ye liston wold,
What was clepud the riche hold:1090
The castell̴ of Cardon),by sawe.
Two days or thre dwellith he thare
And sith he takytheleveto ffare,
Both at knyght and knave.
1083.yt] om. MS.of]alleadd. MS.hond]londMS.1084.my] om. MS.1086.nor] om. MS.1091.by s.] om. MS.1092.thereMS.
1083.yt] om. MS.of]alleadd. MS.hond]londMS.
1084.my] om. MS.
1086.nor] om. MS.
1091.by s.] om. MS.
1092.thereMS.
(95)By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane,1095That he had outeof presoni-taneHis son vppon a day.Gentilmen were blith and ffayn),That he in helth was comyn)agayn),That they myght with hym)play.1100Torrent hears that Desonell is to marry a strange King.There of herd he, sertaynle,That Desonell̴ wedid shold beWith an vncouth Ray.And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce,Howe he lefte his countenaunce1105And takyth hym)armes gay!
By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane,1095
That he had outeof presoni-tane
His son vppon a day.
Gentilmen were blith and ffayn),
That he in helth was comyn)agayn),
That they myght with hym)play.1100
There of herd he, sertaynle,
That Desonell̴ wedid shold be
With an vncouth Ray.
And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce,
Howe he lefte his countenaunce1105
And takyth hym)armes gay!
1098.leve]the wayMS.1096.of preson] om. MS.1101.sertaynMS.1103.vnc.]aadd. MS.
1098.leve]the wayMS.
1096.of preson] om. MS.
1101.sertaynMS.
1103.vnc.]aadd. MS.
TORRENT IS KNIGHTED. DESONELL IS MARRIED.
(96)The King of Provyns knights Torrent.By-fore the kyng he fell̴ on kne:‘Good lord,’ he said, ‘for charite,Yeve me order of knyght!I wott well̴, leryd are ye,1110My lordys doughter shall̴ wed beTo a man)off myght.’f. 95a.‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I trow, she moneTo the prynce off Aragon),By this day sevynnyght.1115Swith,’ he seith, ‘that this be done,That thou be there and wyn)thy shone,Gete the armes bryght.’
By-fore the kyng he fell̴ on kne:
‘Good lord,’ he said, ‘for charite,
Yeve me order of knyght!
I wott well̴, leryd are ye,1110
My lordys doughter shall̴ wed be
To a man)off myght.’
‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I trow, she mone
To the prynce off Aragon),
By this day sevynnyght.1115
Swith,’ he seith, ‘that this be done,
That thou be there and wyn)thy shone,
Gete the armes bryght.’
1110.ye are lerydMS.1111.be wedMS.1115 and 1118 have changed their place in the MS.
1110.ye are lerydMS.
1111.be wedMS.
1115 and 1118 have changed their place in the MS.
(97)Torrent hasSir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld,It was ryche in euery ffeld,1120Listonyth, what he bare:an azure shield with a gold squire on it;Onaȝure a squier off gold,Richely bett on mold;Listonyth, what he ware:and a grinning dragon of gold on the crest of his helmet.A dragon)lying hym be-syde,1125His mouth grennyng full̴ wyde,All̴ ffyghtyng as they were;The creste, that on his hede shold stond,Hit was all̴ gold shynand,Thus previd he hym)there.1130
Sir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld,
It was ryche in euery ffeld,1120
Listonyth, what he bare:
Onaȝure a squier off gold,
Richely bett on mold;
Listonyth, what he ware:
A dragon)lying hym be-syde,1125
His mouth grennyng full̴ wyde,
All̴ ffyghtyng as they were;
The creste, that on his hede shold stond,
Hit was all̴ gold shynand,
Thus previd he hym)there.1130
1122.On]ofMS.
(98)Lordys assembelid in sale,Well̴ mo than I haue in tale,Or ellis gret wonder were.He hears that Desonell’s marriage is certain.There herdhetell̴ ffor certan),That Desonell̴ wed shold be than),1135That was hym selfe ffull̴ dere.And whan)he herd of that ffare,Wors tydingis than were thare,Might he none gladly here. . . . . . .
Lordys assembelid in sale,
Well̴ mo than I haue in tale,
Or ellis gret wonder were.
There herdhetell̴ ffor certan),
That Desonell̴ wed shold be than),1135
That was hym selfe ffull̴ dere.
And whan)he herd of that ffare,
Wors tydingis than were thare,
Might he none gladly here. . . . . . .
1134.he]lMS.
TORRENT CHALLENGES THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.
(99)He wold not in passe,1140Till̴atthe myd mete wasThe kyng and meny a knyght;As they satt at theyremeteglade,Torrent rides into the Hall where Desonell is,In at the hall̴ durheradef. 95b.In armes ffeyre and bryght,1145With a squier, that is ffre;Vp to the lady ryduth he,That rychely was i-dight.and challenges any one to fight him for her.‘Lordys,’ he said, ‘among you all̴I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴,1150OrDelyuerherme with right!’
He wold not in passe,1140
Till̴atthe myd mete was
The kyng and meny a knyght;
As they satt at theyremeteglade,
In at the hall̴ durherade
In armes ffeyre and bryght,1145
With a squier, that is ffre;
Vp to the lady ryduth he,
That rychely was i-dight.
‘Lordys,’ he said, ‘among you all̴
I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴,1150
OrDelyuerherme with right!’
1141.at] om. MS.1143.mete] om. MS.1144.he]theyMS.1151.Delyuer it meMS.
1141.at] om. MS.
1143.mete] om. MS.
1144.he]theyMS.
1151.Delyuer it meMS.
(100)The kyng of Aragon)sett her bye,And he defendid her nobely:‘I wyll̴ none delyuerthe.’The Prince of Aragon accepts,His son said: ‘So muste I thryve,1155There shall̴ no man just for my wiffe;But yf youre wyll̴ it be,For her love did I never no dede,I shall̴ to day, so god me spede:Be-hold and ye shall̴ se.’1160‘Alas!’ said Desonell̴ the dere,‘Full̴ longe may I sitt here,Or Torrent chalenge me.’
The kyng of Aragon)sett her bye,
And he defendid her nobely:
‘I wyll̴ none delyuerthe.’
His son said: ‘So muste I thryve,1155
There shall̴ no man just for my wiffe;
But yf youre wyll̴ it be,
For her love did I never no dede,
I shall̴ to day, so god me spede:
Be-hold and ye shall̴ se.’1160
‘Alas!’ said Desonell̴ the dere,
‘Full̴ longe may I sitt here,
Or Torrent chalenge me.’
(101)and the lists are made ready.Trumpettesblew in the prese,Lordys stond onthe grese,1165Ladyes lay ouerand be-held.TorrentThe prynce and Torrent thenEyther to other gan ren),Smertely in that ffeld;Torrent sett on hym)so sore,1170unhorses the Prince of Aragon,That hors and man down)he bore,And all̴ to-sheverd his sheld.So they tombelid all̴ in ffere,That afterward of VII yereThe prynce none armes myght weld.1175
Trumpettesblew in the prese,
Lordys stond onthe grese,1165
Ladyes lay ouerand be-held.
The prynce and Torrent then
Eyther to other gan ren),
Smertely in that ffeld;
Torrent sett on hym)so sore,1170
That hors and man down)he bore,
And all̴ to-sheverd his sheld.
So they tombelid all̴ in ffere,
That afterward of VII yere
The prynce none armes myght weld.1175
1165.the grese]reugisorrengisMS.
TORRENT BEATS THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.
(102)Torrent said: ‘So god me saue,f. 96a.Other two coursus wyll̴ I haue,Yf ye do me law of lond.’Gret lordys stond styll̴,They said nether good ne yll̴1180For tynding of his hond.and he is carried indoors.The prynce of Aragon)in they barr)With litull̴ worshipp and sydes sare,He had no fote on ffor to stond.Thus thes lordys justid aye;1185Bettertheyhad to haue be away,Suche comffort there he ffond.
Torrent said: ‘So god me saue,
Other two coursus wyll̴ I haue,
Yf ye do me law of lond.’
Gret lordys stond styll̴,
They said nether good ne yll̴1180
For tynding of his hond.
The prynce of Aragon)in they barr)
With litull̴ worshipp and sydes sare,
He had no fote on ffor to stond.
Thus thes lordys justid aye;1185
Bettertheyhad to haue be away,
Suche comffort there he ffond.
1167.thanMS.1186.they]heMS.1187.ffoundMS.
1167.thanMS.
1186.they]heMS.
1187.ffoundMS.
(103)He wold not in passe,At dinner,Till̴ they at myd mete was,On the other day at none.1190His squiers habite he had,Whan)he to the deyse yad,With oute couped shone,Torrent lays Slongus’s head on the table.And the hede on)the bord he laid:‘Lo, sirkyng, hold this,’ he said,1195‘Or ellis wroth we anon)!’They sett still̴ at the bord,None of hem spake one word,But ryght that he had done.
He wold not in passe,
Till̴ they at myd mete was,
On the other day at none.1190
His squiers habite he had,
Whan)he to the deyse yad,
With oute couped shone,
And the hede on)the bord he laid:
‘Lo, sirkyng, hold this,’ he said,1195
‘Or ellis wroth we anon)!’
They sett still̴ at the bord,
None of hem spake one word,
But ryght that he had done.
1198.They spake nether ylle ne goodadd. (!) MS.
TORRENT CLAIMS DESONELL, AND HALF PORTUGAL.
(104)Torrent at the syde bord stode:1200Torrent proclaims the promise of the King of Portugal‘Lystonyth, lordynges, gentill̴ of blood,For the love of god all̴-myght:to give him Desonell, and half Portugal, if he slew Slongus.The kyng heyght me his doughter dere,To ffyght with a ffendys ffere,That wekyd was and wight,1205To wed her to my wyffe,And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe,And after his days all̴ his ryght.f. 96b.Lokyth, lordys, you among,[1210]Whether he do me ryght or wrong!’1210Tho waried hym)both kyng & knyght.
Torrent at the syde bord stode:1200
‘Lystonyth, lordynges, gentill̴ of blood,
For the love of god all̴-myght:
The kyng heyght me his doughter dere,
To ffyght with a ffendys ffere,
That wekyd was and wight,1205
To wed her to my wyffe,
And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe,
And after his days all̴ his ryght.
Lokyth, lordys, you among,[1210]
Whether he do me ryght or wrong!’1210
Tho waried hym)both kyng & knyght.
1211.&]ky, struck out, add. MS.
(105)The King of AragonTho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys:‘Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys,A gret maister arte thou!’The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen):1215‘With a sword thou shalte her wynne,Or thou haue her nowe:says his son has wedded Desonell.For why, my son to her was wed,Gret lordys to churche her led,[1220]I take wittnes of all̴ you.’1220‘Kyng Calamond, haue good day,He will be revenged on the King of Portugal.Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may,To god I make avowe.’
Tho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys:
‘Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys,
A gret maister arte thou!’
The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen):1215
‘With a sword thou shalte her wynne,
Or thou haue her nowe:
For why, my son to her was wed,
Gret lordys to churche her led,[1220]
I take wittnes of all̴ you.’1220
‘Kyng Calamond, haue good day,
Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may,
To god I make avowe.’
1220.you alleMS.
(106)The Emperoure of Rome ther was,Be-twene thes kyngesgan)he passe1225And said: ‘Lordys, as sone,To settle the quarrel,This squier, that hath brought this hede,The kyng had wend he had be dede,And a-venturly gan)he gone:[1230]the Emperor suggests a fight between 2 Champions.I rede you take a day ofryghtes,1230And do it vppon)two knyghtes,And let no man)be slon)!’Gret lordys, that were thare,This talis lovid at that fareAnd ordenyd thatanon).1235
The Emperoure of Rome ther was,
Be-twene thes kyngesgan)he passe1225
And said: ‘Lordys, as sone,
This squier, that hath brought this hede,
The kyng had wend he had be dede,
And a-venturly gan)he gone:[1230]
I rede you take a day ofryghtes,1230
And do it vppon)two knyghtes,
And let no man)be slon)!’
Gret lordys, that were thare,
This talis lovid at that fare
And ordenyd thatanon).1235
1230.ryghtes]RestysMS.1232.slaynMS.1235.that]thanMS.
1230.ryghtes]RestysMS.
1232.slaynMS.
1235.that]thanMS.
TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT CATE.
(107)The King of Aragon sends to the giant CateTo the kyngthe thoghtcom)was,To send vnto SathanasFor a geaunt, that hight Cate,For to make hym)knyght to his hond[1240]And sease hym)in all̴ his lond;1240f. 97a.The messingere toke the gate.Gret othes he sware hym than),That he shold ffyght but withone man),And purvey hym he badIryn stavis two or thre,1245to fight TorrentFor to ffyght with Torent ffre,Though he there of ne watt.
To the kyngthe thoghtcom)was,
To send vnto Sathanas
For a geaunt, that hight Cate,
For to make hym)knyght to his hond[1240]
And sease hym)in all̴ his lond;1240
The messingere toke the gate.
Gret othes he sware hym than),
That he shold ffyght but withone man),
And purvey hym he bad
Iryn stavis two or thre,1245
For to ffyght with Torent ffre,
Though he there of ne watt.
1236.the thoghtom. MS.1247.wottMS.
1236.the thoghtom. MS.
1247.wottMS.
(108)Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght,On lond that he shold not ffyght,[1250]But ffar oute in the see,1250on an islandIn an yle long and brad;A gret payn)there was made,That holdyn)shold it be.Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys,for half Portugal.Halfe Portyngale shold be his,1255To spend with dedys ffre;And yf sirTorrent myght hym ouer-com),He shold haue halfe Aragon),Was better than suche thre.[1260]
Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght,
On lond that he shold not ffyght,[1250]
But ffar oute in the see,1250
In an yle long and brad;
A gret payn)there was made,
That holdyn)shold it be.
Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys,
Halfe Portyngale shold be his,1255
To spend with dedys ffre;
And yf sirTorrent myght hym ouer-com),
He shold haue halfe Aragon),
Was better than suche thre.[1260]
1248.couns.]ofadd. MS.1251.brodMS.
1248.couns.]ofadd. MS.
1251.brodMS.
THE GIANT CATE, AND TORRENT, GO TO THE ISLAND.
(109)The Giant Cate comes to an Island.The Gyaunt shipped in a while1260And sett hym)oute in an yle,That was grow both grene and gay.Sir Torrent com)prekand on a stede,Richely armed in his wede;‘Lordyngys,’ gan he say,1265‘It is semely ffor a knyght,Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.’They said sone: ‘Nay,He is so hevy, he can not ryde.[1270]Torrent said: ‘Evill̴ mut he be-tyde,1270Falshode, woo worth it aye!’
The Gyaunt shipped in a while1260
And sett hym)oute in an yle,
That was grow both grene and gay.
Sir Torrent com)prekand on a stede,
Richely armed in his wede;
‘Lordyngys,’ gan he say,1265
‘It is semely ffor a knyght,
Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.’
They said sone: ‘Nay,
He is so hevy, he can not ryde.[1270]
Torrent said: ‘Evill̴ mut he be-tyde,1270
Falshode, woo worth it aye!’
(110)f. 97b.‘Sir, takyth housell̴ and shrefte!’To god he did his hondys lifte,And thankid hym of his sond:Torrent prays for Christ’s help,‘Iesu Cryste, I the praye,1275Send me myght and strengith this dayA-yen)the ffend to stond!’To the shipp sirTorent went,With the grace, god had hym sent,[1280]That was never ffayland;1280All̴ the lordys of that contre,Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se,Stode and be-held on lond.
‘Sir, takyth housell̴ and shrefte!’
To god he did his hondys lifte,
And thankid hym of his sond:
‘Iesu Cryste, I the praye,1275
Send me myght and strengith this day
A-yen)the ffend to stond!’
To the shipp sirTorent went,
With the grace, god had hym sent,[1280]
That was never ffayland;1280
All̴ the lordys of that contre,
Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se,
Stode and be-held on lond.
1278. This line begins with a big initial letter.Torent]yode, struck out, add. MS.1283.On lond stode and be heldMS.
1278. This line begins with a big initial letter.Torent]yode, struck out, add. MS.
1283.On lond stode and be heldMS.
(111)and lands in the Island too.Whan sirTorrent in to the Ile was brought,The shipmen)lenger wold tary nought,1285But hied hem sone ageyn);The GiantThe Giaunt said: ‘So must I the,Sir, thou art welcom to me,Thy deth is not to layn)!’[1290]knocks Torrent’s staff out of his hand,The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue,1290Oute of his hand flew his staff:That thefe was full̴ fayn).Tho sirTorent went nere Cate,. . . . .He thought, he wold hym)haue slayn).
Whan sirTorrent in to the Ile was brought,
The shipmen)lenger wold tary nought,1285
But hied hem sone ageyn);
The Giaunt said: ‘So must I the,
Sir, thou art welcom to me,
Thy deth is not to layn)!’[1290]
The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue,1290
Oute of his hand flew his staff:
That thefe was full̴ fayn).
Tho sirTorent went nere Cate,. . . . .
He thought, he wold hym)haue slayn).
TORRENT KILLS THE GIANT CATE WITH COBBLE-STONES.
(112)The theff couth no better wonne,1295and runs into the sea.In to the see rennyth he sone,As faste as he myght ffare.Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys,[1300]Good and handsom ffor the nonys,That good and round ware;1300Torrent shies cobble-stones at him,Meny of them to hym)he caste,He threw stonys on hym so faste,That he was sad and sare.kills him,f. 98a.To the ground he did hym fell̴,Men)myght here the fend yell̴1305Halfe a myle and mare.
The theff couth no better wonne,1295
In to the see rennyth he sone,
As faste as he myght ffare.
Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys,[1300]
Good and handsom ffor the nonys,
That good and round ware;1300
Meny of them to hym)he caste,
He threw stonys on hym so faste,
That he was sad and sare.
To the ground he did hym fell̴,
Men)myght here the fend yell̴1305
Halfe a myle and mare.
1298.gad.]goodadd. MS.1300.wereMS.1303.soreMS.1306.moreMS.
1298.gad.]goodadd. MS.
1300.wereMS.
1303.soreMS.
1306.moreMS.
(113)Sir Torent said, as he was wonne,He thankid Iesu, Maryes son),[1310]That kyng, that sent hym myȝt);He said: ‘Lordys, for charite,1310A bote that ye send to me,It is nere hand nyght!’They Reysed a gale witha sayll̴,and he is towd ashore.The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴,All̴ men wonderid on that wight.1315Whan that they had so done,Torrent is shipt to the mainland.They went to sirTorent full̴ soneAnd shipped that comly knyght.[1320]
Sir Torent said, as he was wonne,
He thankid Iesu, Maryes son),[1310]
That kyng, that sent hym myȝt);
He said: ‘Lordys, for charite,1310
A bote that ye send to me,
It is nere hand nyght!’
They Reysed a gale witha sayll̴,
The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴,
All̴ men wonderid on that wight.1315
Whan that they had so done,
They went to sirTorent full̴ sone
And shipped that comly knyght.[1320]
TORRENT WINS DESONELL, LANDS, AND A CITY.
(114)The emperoure of Rome was there,The kyngesof Pervens and of Calabere yare,1320And other two or thre.Torrent is awarded Desonell, territory,They yaue sirTorent, that he wan,Both the Erth and the woman),And said, well̴ worthy was he.Sir Torent had in Aragon)1325and the City of Cargon.The riche Cite of Cargon)And all̴ that riche contre;Desonell is divorst from the Prince of Aragon.Archbeshoppes, as the law fell̴,[1330]Departid the prynce and Dissonell̴With gret solempnite.1330
The emperoure of Rome was there,
The kyngesof Pervens and of Calabere yare,1320
And other two or thre.
They yaue sirTorent, that he wan,
Both the Erth and the woman),
And said, well̴ worthy was he.
Sir Torent had in Aragon)1325
The riche Cite of Cargon)
And all̴ that riche contre;
Archbeshoppes, as the law fell̴,[1330]
Departid the prynce and Dissonell̴
With gret solempnite.1330
1320.The kynges] om. MS.1321.other]kyngesadd. MS.or]theadd. MS.
1320.The kynges] om. MS.
1321.other]kyngesadd. MS.or]theadd. MS.
(115)For sirTorent the fend did fall̴,Gret lordys honoured hym)all̴And for a doughty knyght hym)tase;The King of Portugal acknowledges Torrent,The kyng said: ‘I vnderstond,f. 98b.Thou hast fought ffor my doughter& my lond,1335And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’He gaue to saintNycholas de Barr)A grett Erldome and asimarr)[1340]That abbey of hymtasFor Iesus love, moch of myght,1340That hym helpith day & nyght,Whan)he to the battell̴gas.
For sirTorent the fend did fall̴,
Gret lordys honoured hym)all̴
And for a doughty knyght hym)tase;
The kyng said: ‘I vnderstond,
Thou hast fought ffor my doughter& my lond,1335
And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’
He gaue to saintNycholas de Barr)
A grett Erldome and asimarr)[1340]
That abbey of hymtas
For Iesus love, moch of myght,1340
That hym helpith day & nyght,
Whan)he to the battell̴gas.
1337.saint]sirMS.1338.simarre]marrMS.1339.tas]redithMS.1342.gas]yodeMS.
1337.saint]sirMS.
1338.simarre]marrMS.
1339.tas]redithMS.
1342.gas]yodeMS.
(116)Lordys than)at the laste,Echone on theyre way paste,And euery man)to his.1345and the Queen is glad.The quene of Portingale was ffayn),That sirTorent was com agayn)And thankyd god of this.[1350]The King of Portugal bids TorrentThan said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond,Thou hast fought for my doughter& my lond,1350And art my ward, i-wys,And I wyll̴ not ageyn)the say;wait 6 months and a day for Desonell.But abyde halfe yere and a day,And broke her well̴ with blis!’
Lordys than)at the laste,
Echone on theyre way paste,
And euery man)to his.1345
The quene of Portingale was ffayn),
That sirTorent was com agayn)
And thankyd god of this.[1350]
Than said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond,
Thou hast fought for my doughter& my lond,1350
And art my ward, i-wys,
And I wyll̴ not ageyn)the say;
But abyde halfe yere and a day,
And broke her well̴ with blis!’
TORRENT BEGETS TWINS ON DESONELL.