The Romaunce of the Sowdone of Babylone and of Ferumbras his Sone who Conquerede Rome: ◊ (continued 2)

“My doghtir dere, that arte so free,142

The warde of hem now gif I the. 1616 The Soudan gives the

Loke, here sorowe be evere newe, prisoners into her

Tille that Ferumbras delyuered be.” guard.

She thanked her Fadere fele sithe

And toke her maydyns, and forth she gotħ, 1620 She now proceeded to

To the prisone she hyed hire swytħ. the prison,

The priso dore vp she dothe

And saide “sires, what be ye,

That make here this ruly moone? 1624

What yo lakkitħ, tellyth me; asked the prisoners

For we be here nowe alle alone.” what they wanted,

Tho spake Roulande with hevy chere

To Floripe, that was bothe gente and fre, 1628

And saide “lo, we two caytyfes here

For defaute of mete dede moste be.

vj dayes be comy and goo,

Sith we were loked in priso here, 1632

That mete nor drinke hade we noo

To comforte witħ oure hevy che.

But woolde god of myghtes moost,

The Sowdo wolde let vs oute goo, 1636

We to fight witħ alle his Ooste,

To be slay in feelde anoo.

To murthir me for defaute of mete,

It is grete shame tille a kinge; 1640

For every man most nedes ete,

Or ellis may he do no thinge.”

Tho saide Floripe with wordes mylde, and promised to

“I wolde fayne, ye were now here, 1644 protect them from any

From harme skatħ143 I wole you shelde, harm.

‹p048› CHARLES DESPATCHES GUY TO THE SOUDAN.

And gife you mete with right gode che.”

A rope to hem she lete dow goo, She let down a rope,

That above was teyde faste. 1648 [leaf 41] and drew up

She and hir maydyns drewe þer vppo, both, and led them to

Tille vp thay hadde hem at the last. her apartments.

She led hem into here chambir dere,

That arrayed for hem was rigħt wele, 1652

Both Roulande and Olyvere,

And gafe he there a right gode mele. There they ate,

And whan thay hadde ete alle her fille,

A batħ for hem was redy there, 1656 took a bath,

Ther-to thay went ful fayre and stille,

And aftyr to bedde with right gode che. and went to bed.

Now Floripas chamber is here prisone,

Withoute wetinge of the Sowdo; 1660 The Soudan knew

Thai were ful mery in that Dongeo, nothing of his

For of he wiste ma never oone. prisoners being in

Now lete we hem be and mery make, Floripas’ chamber.

Tille god sende hem gode delyueraunce. 1664

Aftir the tyme, þat thay were take,

What did Charles, the kinge of Fraunce,

Ther-of wole we speke nowe,

Howe he cleped forth Sir Gy 1668 Meanwhile Charlemagne

And saide “on my message shaltowe, tells Guy that he

Therfore make the faste redy, must go to the

To bidde the Sowde sende me my Nevewes botħ Soudan to demand the

And the Releqes also of Rome; 1672 surrender of Roland

Or I shal make him so wrotħ, and Oliver, and of

He sha not wete what to done. the relics of Rome.

And by þat god, þat hath me wroght,

I shal him leve Towre ner Tow. 1676

This barga shal so dere be bought

In dispite of his god Mahou.” Naymes of Bavaria

Uke Neymes of Baue vp stert tha represents that a And saide “Sir, hastowe no mynde, 1680 messenger to the How the cursed Sowda Laban Soudan should

‹p049› THE OTHERS REMONSTRATE, BUT MUST GO TOO.

Alle messengeris doth he shende? certainly be slain;

Ye haue lost inowe, lese no mo and that they ought

Onworthily Olyue and Roulande.” 1684 to be anxious not to

“By god, and thou shalt with him go, lose any more besides

For al thy grete brode londe.” Rouland and Oliver.

Ho Ogere Danoys, þat worthy ma, [leaf 42] Then said “Sir” he saide “be not wrotħ! 1688 the king, ‘By god, For he saitħ soutħ.”—“go tho tha! thou shalt go with

By Gode thou shalte, be tho never so loth.” Guy.’ Ogier the Dane

Sire” quod Bery Lardeneys, remonstrates, but is “Tho shalte hem se never more.”— 1692 ordered to go too. So “Go thou forth in this same rees, are Thierry of Ardane

Or it shalle the repente ful sore.”

Olk Baliante saide to the kinge, and Folk Baliant, “Liste ye youre Barons to lese?”— 1696 “Certis, this is a wondir thinge!

Go thou also, tho shalte not chese!”

Leroyse rose vp anone Aleroys And to the kinge þan ga he speke 1700 And saide “what thinke ye, sir, to done?”—

“Dresse the forth witħ he eke!”

Iron of Brabane spake an worde and Miron of Brabant. And saide “Sir, thou maiste do þy wille. 1704 Knowist thou not that cruel lorde,

How he wole thy Barons spille?”—

“Trusse the forth eke, sir Dasaberde,

Or I shalle the sone make! 1708

For of all thinge thou arte aferde,

Yet arte tho neyther hurte ner take.”

Isshope Turpy kneled adow Bishop Turpin kneels And saide “lege lorde, mercy!” 1712 down to implore the The kinge him swore by seynt Symo: king’s mercy, but he

“Thou goist eke, make the in hast redye!” must go too,

Ernarde of Spruwse, þat worthy knygħt, as well as Bernard of Saide “sir, avyse yo bette, 1716 Spruwse Set not of youre Barons so ligħt,

‹p050› THE SOUDAN ASSEMBLES HIS COUNCIL.

Thou maiste haue nede to he yette.”—

“Thou shalte goo eke for alle thy boost,

Haue done and make the fast yare! 1720

Of my nede gyfe tho no coost,

Ther-of haue thou right no care!”

Rye of Mounteȝ, þat marqwyȝ bolde, and Brier of Was not aferde to him to speke. 1724 Mountdidier. To the kinge sharply he tolde,

His witte was not worth a leke: [leaf 43]

“Woltowe for Angre thy Barons sende

To þat Tiraunte, þat alle men sleitħ? 1728

Or thou doist for þat ende,

To bringe thy xij peres to the detħ.”

The kinge was wrotħ and swore in halle

By him, þat boght him witħ his blode: 1732

“On my messange shall ye go alle!

Be ye never so wrotħ or wode.”

Thay toke here lefe and fortħ thay yede, The knights take

It availed not agayne him to sayne. 1736 leave and start.

I pray, god gif hem gode spede!

Ful harde it was to come agay.

Owe let hem passe in goddis name, And speke we of the Sowdo, 1740 The Soudan assembled Howe he complayned him of his grame, his council.

And what that he myght beste done.

“Sortybraunnce and Bronlande144” seyde he, Sortibrance and

“Of counsail ye be fulle wyse. 1744 Brouland

How shal I do to avenge me

Of kinge Charles, and in what wyse?

He brennyth my Toures and my Citees,

And Burges he levethe me never oo. 1748

He stroieth my me, my londe, my fees.

Thus shalle it not longe goo.

And yet me greveth most of alle,

He hath made Ferumbras renay his laye. 1752

‹p051› HE DESPATCHES XII MESSENGERS TO CHARLES.

Therfore my counselors I calle,

To remedy this, howe thay best maye.

For me were lever that he were slay,

Thane he a Criste hounde shulde be, 1756

Or witħ Wolfes be rente and slay,

By Mahounde mygħty of dignyte.”

To answerde Sortybraunce and Broulande advise him

And saide “gode counsaile we shal yo gyfe, 1760

If thoue wilte do aftyr covenaunte,

It shal yo profit, while yo lyve.

Take xij knightis of worthy dede to send 12 knights,

And sende hem to Charles on message nowe. 1764 and to bid Charles

A-raye hem welle in roial wede,

For th honou and for thy prowe. [leaf 44]

Bidde Charles sende thy sone to the to give up Ferumbras

And voyde thy londe in alle haste, 1768 and to withdraw from

Or ellis thou shalt him honge on a tre, his country.

As hye, as any shippes maste.”

“Nowe by Mahounde” quod Laban,

“This counseil is both trewe and goode, 1772

I shalle him leve for no ma

To parforme this, though he we woode.”

He did his lettris write in haste,

The knightes were called to goo þerwitħ, 1776 The knights are

That thay hyȝe he to Charles faste dispatched.

And charke145 hy vppo life and lithe.

Fortħ thai ride towarde Mantrible þa,

In a medowe, was fayre and grene, 1780 Near Mantrible

Thai mette witħ Charles messageris te. they meet with the

Duke Neymes axed he, what thai wolde mene, Christian messengers.

And saide “Lordynges, whens come ye? Duke Naymes inquires

And whider ye are mente, telle vs this tyde.” 1784 whither they intend

“Fro the worthy Sowdo” tha saide he, to go.

“To Charles on message shalle we ride,

‹p052› THE PEERS KILL THE SOUDAN’S MESSENGERS.

Euel tithyngges we shalle him telle,

Fro Laban, that is lorde of Spayne. 1788

Farewele, felowes, we may not dwelle.”

“A-byde” quod Gy “and turne agayne, Having heard their

We wole speke with yo, er ye goo, message,

For we be messengeris of his. 1792

Ye shal aby everichone,

So God brynge me to blis.”

Anoo here swerdes oute thay brayde

And smote dow right al a-boute. 1796

Tille the hethe were dow layde,

Thai reseyued many a sore cloute.

Thai smyte of here hedes alle, the delegates of

Eche ma toke one in his lappe. 1800 Charles cut off their

Fal what so euer byfalle, heads, which they

To the Soudo wole they trappe. take with them to

Tille thai come to Egremoure, present to the Soudan

Thai stynte for no worldes thinge; 1804 at Agremore.

Anone thai fonde the Sawda thore,

At his mete proudely sittynge, [leaf 45] The Soudan

And þat maide fai Dame Floripas was just dining.

And xiiij princes of grete price 1808

And kinge Lukafe of Baldas,

Thas was both bolde, hardy and wyse.

Doughty Duke Neymes of Baue Naymes delivers

To the Sowdone his message tolde 1812 his message: ‘God

And saide “god, þat made heve so cle, confound Laban and

He saue kinge Charles so bolde all his Saracens, and

And confounde Laba and all his me, save Charles,

That on Mahounde byleved146 1816

And gife hem evel endinge! ame.

To morue, longe er it be eve, who commands thee

He commaundith the vppo thy life to send back his

His Nevewes home to him sende, 1820 two nephews and to

And the Religes147 of Rome withoute strife; restore the relics.’

‹p053› THE PEERS ARE IMPRISONED IN FLORIPAS’ TOWER.

And ellis getist thou an evel ende!

xij lurdeynes mette vs on the waye;

Thai saide, thay come streight fro the. 1824

Thai made it botħ stoute and gay;

Here hedis here maistowe see. They then produce the

Thai saide, thai wolde to Charles goo, heads of the Soudan’s

Evel tidingges him to telle. 1828 messengers.

Loo here here heddis euerychone,

Here soulis bene in helle.”

“O” quod Lavane “what may this be,

To suff this amonge my knightes alle? 1832

To be rebuked thus here of the The Soudan vowed

At mete in myn owe halle! a vow that they

To Mahounde myghty I make a vowe, should all ten be

Ye shall be hanged alle ten, 1836 hanged as soon as

Anoon as I have ete I-nowe, he had finished

In presence of alle my me.” his dinner. But

Maide Floripas answered tho Floripas recommended

And saide “my derworth Fadir de! 1840 him to put off his

By my counsaile ye shal not so, resolution, until

Tille ye haue your Barons alle in fe, a general council

That thai may se what is the best, of his barons had

For to delyuere my brother Sir Ferumbras. 1844 determined on the

And aftirward, if þat ye liste, best way of the

Ye may gife hem ful evel grace.” liberation of

“Gramercy, doghter, thou saieste welle, Ferumbras. [leaf 46]

Take hem alle into thy warde. 1848 The Soudan gives them

Do feter hem faste in Ire and stele into her guard.

And set hem in strayȝte garde.

Thus was I neuer rebukede er nowe;

Mahounde myghty gyfe he sorowe! 1852

Thay shalle be flayn and honged on a bowe,

Longe ere tyme148 to morowe.” Floripas leads the

Flori toke these messangeris knights into her

And ladde hem vp in-to here tou, 1856 tower, where

‹p054› FLORIPAS ENQUIRES AFTER GUY.

There thai founde two of here feris. they were glad to

Thay thanked thereof god of honoure. find Roland and

Tho sayde Duke Neymys of Baue: Oliver.

“Gladde men we be nowe here, 1860

To fynde Roulande and Olyue

In helthe of bodye and of goode che.”

Thai kissed eche other with herte gladde

And thanked god of his grace; 1864

And eche toolde othir, howe thay sped hadde, They told each other

And howe thay come in-to that place how they had fared.

By helpe of mayde Flori hire self,

“God kepe hir in honoure! 1868

For thus hath she brought vs hider alle twelfe,

To dwelle in hir owe boure.”

Tho thay wessh and wente to mete, After washing,

And were served welle and fyne 1872

Of suche goode, as she myght gete,

Of Venyso, brede and gode wyne.

There thai were gladde and wel at ease; they dined off

The Soudo ne wist it noght. 1876 venison, bread and

Aftyr thay slepe and toke her ese, wine, and then

Of no man tha thay ne roght. went to sleep. The

On the morowe Flori, that mayde fre, following day,

To Duke Neymes spake in game: 1880 Floripas asks Naymes

“Sir gentil knigħt,” tho saide she, his name,

“Telle me, what is your name.”

“Whi axe ye, my lady dere,

My name here to knowe alle?” 1884

“For he149 spake with so bolde chere

To my Fadir yestirdaye in his halle.

Be not ye the Duke of Burgoyne, sir G, and enquires after

Nevewe unto the kinge Charles so fre?” 1888 [leaf 47] Guy of

“Noe, certes, lady, it is not I, Burgundy, whom she

It is yondir knight, þat ye may see.” had loved for a long

“A, him have I loved many a day; time, and for

‹p055› GUY CONSENTS TO TAKE HER FOR HIS WIFE.

And yet knowe I him noght. 1892 whom she would do all

For his loue I do alle that I maye, she could for their

To chere yo witħ dede and thought. benefit, and would be

For his love wille I cristenede be baptised,

And lefe Mahoundes laye. 1896

Spekith to him nowe for me,

As I yo truste maye;

And but he wole graunte me his loue, if he would agree to

Of yo askape shalle none here. 1900 love her in return.

By him, þat is almyghty aboue,

Ye shalle abye it ellis ful dere.”

Tho wente Duke Neymes to Sir Gye

And saide “This ladye lovetħ the, 1904 Naymes tells Guy

For thy loue she maketħ us alle merye,

And Baptizede wole she be.

Ye shalle hir take to your wedded wife, to take her for his

For alle vs she may saue.” 1908 wife,

“By God” quod Gye “þat gafe me life, But Guy refuses,

Hire wole I never haue,

Wyle I neuer take hire ner no woma, as he never will take

But Charles the kinge hir me gife. 1912 a wife, unless she be

I hight him, as I was trewe ma,

To holde it, while I lyve.” given him by Charles.

Tho spake Roulande and Olyue, Rouland and Oliver

Certyfyinge him of he myschefe, 1916 persuaded him,

Tellinge him of the parelles, þat þay in we,

For to take this lady to his wedded wife.

“But tho helpe in this nede,

We be here in grete doute. 1920

Almyghty god shalle quyte thy mede,

Elles come we nevere hennys oute.”

Thus thay treted him to and fro;

At the laste he sayde, he wolde. 1924 so that he at last

Floripas thay cleped fortħ tho; consented.

And brought fourth a Cuppe of golde, Floripas, holding a

Ful of noble myghty wyne, golden cup of wine,

‹p056› LUKAFER VISITS THE PRISONERS.

And saide “my loue and my lorde, 1928 [leaf 48]

Myn herte, my body, my goode is thy,”

And kissed him witħ that worde, kissed him, and

And “sir” she saide “drinke to me, requested him to

As the Gyse is of my londe; 1932 drink to her after

And I shalle drinke agay to the, the fashion of her

As to my worthy hosbonde.” country. She also

Thay clipped and kissed botħ in fere drinks to him. They

And made grete Joye and game, 1936 all make merry.

And so did alle, that were the,

Thai made ful mery alle in same.

Tho spake Floripas to the Barons boolde

And saide “I haue armu I-nowe; 1940

Therfore I tel yo, what I wolde,

And þat ye dide for your prowe.

To morue, wha my Fadir is at his soupe, For the following day

Ye shalle come in alle attonys; 1944

Loke ye spare for no fere,

Sle dow and breke botħ bake and bones;

Kithe yo knightis of hardynesse!

Ther is none helpe, but in this wyse, 1948

Then moste ye shewe youre prowes,

And wynne this Castel in this guyse.”

Thai sayden alle, it was welle saide,

And gladde thay were of this counsaile. 1952

Here armu was fortħ layde, they all prepare to

At souper the Sowdo to assaile. assail the Soudan at

Kinge Lucafere prayde the Sawdo, supper. Lukafer comes

That he wolde gif him lysence, 1956 to the Soudan and

To the prisoners for to goo, asks leave to see the

To see the maner of her presence. prisoners, in order

He gafe him lefe, and forth he wente to know the manner of

Vp vnto Floripas Toure. 1960 their detention.

To asspie the maner was his enten,

He to accuse agayne honoure. Finding the door

Wha he come, he founde the dore fast I-stoke, locked, he burst it

‹p057› HE TEACHES THEM A NEW GAME.

He smote there-on with his fist, 1964 open with a blow of

That the bar bega to broke. his fist.

To make debate, wel him list.

“Who artowe” quod Floripas150

“Þat maketh he sucħ araye†?” 1968

“I am kinge Lucafere of Baldas, [leaf 49]

The Sowdo sente me hidir in faye;

To see his prisoneris is my desire

And speke with hem everycho, 1972 He told them that he

To talke with hem by the fire was come to speak to

And speke of dedis of Armes amonge.” them,

Tho saide Duke Neymes “welcome be ye

To us prisoners here! 1976

What is your wille, nowe telle ye;

For we be me of feble chere.”

“I woolde wete of Charles the kinge, and to enquire after

What ma he is in his contre, 1980 Charlemagne.

And what meyne he hatħ, and of what thinge

He rekyneth moost his dignyte.”

Duke Neymes saide “an Emperoure Duke Naymes answers.

And kinge he is of many a londe, 1984

Of Citeis, Castels, and many a Toure,

Dukes, Erles, Barons bowynge to his honde.”

“But saye me, felowe, what is your vse,

To do in cont aftyr the none. 1988 He then asks what

And what is the custome of your hous, amusements they have

Tille me to souper shalle gone?” after dinner. Naymes

“Sir, somme me iouste151 witħ spe and shelde, says, ‘Some joust,

And somme me Carol and singe gode songes, 1992 some sing, some play

Some shote with dartis in the feelde, at chess.’

And somme play at Chesse amonge.”

“Ye bene but foulis of gode dissporte; ‘I will teach you

I wole yo tech a newe play. 1996 a new game,’ says

Sitte dow here by one assorte, Lukafer.

‹p058› LUKAFER IS ROASTED TO CHARCOAL.

And better myrthe never ye saye.”

He teyde a tredde on a pole With a thread he

With an nedil ther-on I-fest, 2000 fastened a needle

And ther vppo a qwi cole. on a pole and put a

He bade every man blowe his blast. burning coal upon it.

Duke Neymes hade a long berde, He blew it at

Kinge Lucafe blewe eve to hy, 2004 Naymes’s beard and

That game hade he never before lered. burnt it. Naymes

He brent the he of Neymes berde to the skyne. waxed wroth, and

Duke Neymes tha gan wex wrotħ, snatching a burning

For he hade brente his berde so white 2008 [leaf 50] brand from

To the Chymneye forth he goth the fire he smites at

And caught a bronde him witħ to smyte. Lukafer and throws

Witħ a goode wille he him smote, him into the fire,

That both his eye breste oute. 2012

He caste him in the fire al hote;

For sothe he hadde a rigħt gode cloute.

And with a fyre forke he helde him doune,

Tille he were rosted to colis ilkadele. 2016 where he was roasted

His soule hade his god Mahou. to charcoal. Floripas

Flori bade hi warme him wele. applauds this,

“Sires” tho saide Floripas,

“Entendith nowe al to me! 2020

This Lucafe of Baldas

Was a lorde of grete mayne.

My Fadir hade him euer yn che

I telle you for sothe everydele, 2024

He wolde anoo aftyr him enque, but points out their

And therefore loke, ye arme you we!” danger, and advises

Florip wente in, as the maner was, them to arm. At

To here Fadir at souper tyme. 2028 supper time she goes

No man spake worde of kinge Baldas, to her father.

Ner no man knewe of his sharp pyne.

The xij peris armed hem wel and fyne

With swerdes drawe and eg chere. 2032

While thay mery152 drinkyn the wyne

‹p059› THE PEERS TURN THE SARACENS OUT OF THE CASTLE.

And sittinge alle at here soupe. As they were sitting

Thai reheted the Sowdo and his Barons alle at table, the twelve

And made orders wondir fast, 2036 peers rushed in and

Thai slowe dow alle, þat were in the halle, slew all whom they

And made hem wondirly sore a-gast. met.

Olyvere egerly sued Laba Laban, pursued by

With swerd I-drawe in his honde. 2040 Oliver, jumps out of

Oute at the wyndowe lepte he þa a window on to the

Vppo the salte see stronde,153 sea-shore and escaped

And he skaped away fro hime,

But woo was he þerfore, 2044

That he went awaye witħ ly without injury.

To worche hem sorowe more.

Roulande tha came rennynge

And axed, where was Laban. 2048

Olyuere answerede moornynge [leaf 51]

And saide, howe he was agoo.

Tho thai voided the Courtes at the last They killed all in

And slowe tho, that wolde a-byde, 2052 the castle, and then

And drewe the brigge and teyed it fast, drew up the bridges

And shitte the gatis, that were so wyde. and shut the gates.

Laban, that by the ebbe escapede,

Of harde, er he come to londe, 2056

He alle astonyed and a-mapide,154

For sorowe he wronge botħ his honde

And made a vowe to Mahounde of myght, Laban vowed a vow

He wolde that Cite wynne 2060

And never go thens by day nor nyght,

For foo, for frende, ner for kynne.

“And tho traytouris will I do honge,

On a Galowes hye with-oute the gate; 2064 that he would hang

And my Doghter, þat hore stronge, them all and burn his

I-brente shal be there-ate.” daughter. He sent to

To mauntryble he gan sende anoo Mantrible for troops

Aftir men and tentis goode, 2068 and

‹p060› THE SOUDAN BESIEGES THE CASTLE.

And Engynes to throwe witħ stoo engines,

And goode armu many foolde.

The sege he did leyen a-bowte and besieged Agremore.

On every side of that Cite. 2072

To wallis with Engynes thai gan rowte,

To breke the Toures so fre.

Tho saide Flori, “lordingges goode, Floripas recommends

Ye bene biseged in this toure, 2076 the peers

As ye bene wight of mayne and moode,

Proveth here to saue youre honou.

The toure is stronge, drede yo nought,

And vitayle we have plente. 2080

Charles wole not leve yo vnsougħt;

Truste ye welle alle to me.

Therefore go we soupe and make merye, to enjoy themselves.

And takith ye alle your ease; 2084

And xxx^ti maydens lo here of Assyne,155

The fayrest of hem ye chese.

Take your sporte, and kith yo knyghtes,

Whan ye shalle haue to done; 2088

For to morowe, when the day is light, [leaf 52]

Ye mooste to the wallis goo

And defende this place witħ caste of stoo

And with shotte of quarelles and darte. 2092

My maydyns and I sha bringe goode wone,

So eueryche of us shalle bere hir parte.”

On morowe the Sowdo made assaute In the morning the

To hem, that were witħ-Inne, 2096 soudan attacks the

And certes in hem was no defaute, castle,

For of he myght thay nought wynne.

Here shotte, here cast was so harde,

Thay durste not nyȝhe the walle. 2100

Thay drowe hem bakwarde, but is repulsed.

Thay were bete over alle.

King Laba turnede to his tentes agay,

‹p061› HE ASKS BROULAND’S ADVICE.

He was nere wode for tene, 2104

He cryede to Mahounde and Apolyne He accuses his gods

And to Termagaunte, þat was so kene, of sleepiness, and

And saide “ye goddes, ye slepe to longe, shakes them to wake

Awake and helpe me nowe, 2108 up.

Or ellis I may singe of sorowe a songe,

And of mournynge right I-nowe.

Wete ye not wele, that my tresoure

Is alle witħ-inne the walle? 2112

Helpe me nowe, I saye therfore,

Or ellis I forsake yo alle.”

He made grete lamentacio,

His goddis byganne to shake. 2116

Yet that comfortede his meditacio,

Supposinge thay didde awake.

He cleped Brenlande to aske counsaile,

What was beste to done, 2120

And what thinge myght hi moste avayle,

To wynne the Cite sone.

“Thou wotist welle, þat alle my tresou

Is there in here kepinge, 2124

And my doughter, þat stronge hore,

God yif her evelle endyn!”

“Sir” he saide “ye knowe welle, [leaf 53] Brouland

That Toure is wondir stronge. 2128 tells him, as the

While þay haue vitayle to mele, castle is strong and

Kepe it thay wole fulle longe. well stored with

Sende to Mauntreble, you cheif Cite, provisions, the peers

That is the keye of this londe, 2132 will hold it very

That no passe, where it so be, long;

With-oute youre speciall sonde, but if he would send

To Alagolofu, þat geaunte stronge, orders to Alagolafre,

That is wardeyne of þat pas, 2136 the bridge-keeper at

That no man passe that brigge alonge, Mantrible, not to

But he have special grace. allow any one to pass

So shalle not Charles witħ his meyne without leave,

‹p062› ESPIARD IS DESPATCHED TO MANTRIBLE.

Reskowe tha Agramoure. 2140 they would get no

Tha thay shalle enfamyched be, assistance from

That shalle hem rewe ful sore.”— Charles, and die from

“Mahoundis blessynge have tho and myne, hunger.

Sortybraunce, for thy rede.”— 2144

“Espyarde, messange myne, Espiard is despatched

In haste thou most the spede to Mantrible,

To my Cite Mavntreble,

To do my message there, 2148

To Alogolof, þat giaunte orrible.

Bydde him his charge wele lere,

And tel him, howe that the last daye

Ten fals traytours of Fraunce 2152

Passed by that same waye

By his defaute witħ myschaunce,

Charginge him vppo his hede to lese,

That no man by the brigge,156 2156

Be it rayne, snowe or freze,

But he his heede dow ligge.”

Espiarde spedde him in his waye,

Tille he to Mauntrible came, 2160

To seke the geaunte, ther he laye

On the banke bysyde the Dame,

And saide “the worthy Sowdo,

That of alle Spay is lorde and si, 2164

Vppo thy life commaundeth the anoo, and commands the giant

To deserue better thyn hire.

The laste day tho letist here passe

Ten trattoures of douse Fraunce. 2168

God giffe the evel grace,

And he also moche myschaunce!

He charged the vppo life and detħ,

To kepe this place sikerlye; 2172

While in thy body lastetħ the bretħ, not to suffer any one

Lette noo enemye passe the-bye.” to pass the bridge.

‹p063› ALAGOLAFRE BARRICADES THE BRIDGE.

Alagolofur rolled his ye

And smote with his axe o the stone 2176

And swore by Termagaunte and Apolyne,

That ther-by shulde passen never one,

But if he smote of his hede,

And brought it to his lorde Laba, 2180

He wolde never ete no brede,

Nere never loke more on ma.

xxiiij^ti Cheynes he didde ouer-drawe, Alagolafre drew 24

That noo man passe mygħt, 2184 chains across the

Neyther for loue nere for awe, bridge.

No tyme by daye, nere by nyghte.

“Go, telle my lorde, I shalle it kepe;

On payne of my grete heede 2188

Shalle ther no ma goo ner crepe,

But he be take or dede.”

This geaunte hade a body longe

And hede, like an libarde. 2192

Ther-to he was devely stronge,

His skynne was blake and harde.

Of Ethiope he was bore,

Of the kinde of Ascopartes. 2196

He hade tuskes, like a bore,

An hede, like a liberde.

Laban nolde not forgete The soudan assaults

The saute to renewe,157 2200 the castle again,

To wynne the Toure, he wolde not lete.

Here trumpes lowde thay blewe.

Every man wente to the walle,

With pikeys or witħ bowe. 2204 [leaf 55]

Thai made assaute generalle,

The walles downe to throwe.

But thay witħ-inne bare he soo, but the 12 peers slay

Thay slowe of the Saresyns iij hundre. 2208 300 Saracens.

Thay wroghte hem both care and woo,

‹p064› MAVON BATTERS THE CASTLE.

Vppo her fightinge thay wondride.

Tho cryed Laba to hem on hye,

“Traytours, yelde yo to me, 2212 Laban threatens to

Ye shall be hongede els by and bye hang them, and utters

Vppo an hye Galowe tree.” imprecations

Tho spake Flori to the Sowdo

And sayde “thou fals tyraunte, 2216

Were Charles come, thy pride we done

Nowe, cursede myscreaunte. against Floripas, who

Alas! that thou ascapediste soo returns them.

By the wyndowe vppo the stronde. 2220

That thy ne hade broke a-twoo!

God sende the shame and shonde!”—

“A! stronge hore, god gife the sorowe!

Tho[u] venemouse serpente. 2224

Withe wilde horses158 tho shalt be drawe to morowe,

And on this hille be brente,

That al men may be wa by the,

That cursed bene of kynde. 2228

And thy love shalle honged be,

His hondes bounde him byhynde.”

He called forth Mavo, his Engynou, The soudan calls for

And saide “I charge the, 2232 Mavon, his engineer,

To throwe a magnelle to yon tou, and orders him to

And breke it downe on thre.” direct a mangonel

Mavon set vp his engyne against the walls.

With a stoo of .vj. C wigħt, 2236 Mavon knocked down

That wente as eve as eny lyne, a piece of the

And smote a cornell dow right. battlements.

Woo was Roulande and Olyue,

That þat myschief was be-falle, 2240

And so were alle the xij peres; Roland and Oliver

But Flori tha comforte hem alle: lament; they are

“Sires” she saide “beitħ of goode chere! comforted by Floripas.

This Toure is stronge I-nowe. 2244

‹p065› MARSEDAGE IS KILLED AND BURIED.

He may cast twies or thries or he hit ayen þer,159 [leaf 56]

For sothe I telle it yo.”

Marsedage, the roialle kinge,

Rode in riche weede, 2248

Fro Barbary commyng,

Vppo a sturdy stede,

Cryinge to hem vppo the walle:

“Traytouris, yelde yo here! 2252

Brenne you alle ellis I shalle,

By myghty god Iubyte.”

Gy aspied, that he came ne, Guy kills Marsedage

A darte to hime he threwe ful eve, 2256 the king of Barbary,

He smote him throwe herte & liver in fe. by throwing a dart at

Dame Floripe lough witħ loude steve him.

And saide “Sir Gye, my loue so free,

Thou kanste welle hit the prikke. 2260

He shall make no booste in his contre;

God giffe him sorowe thikke!”

Wha Laba herde of this myschie,

A sory ma was he. 2264

He trumped, his mene to relefe; They stop the attack

For to cease that tyme mente he.

Mersadage, kinge of Barbarye,

He did carye to his tente, 2268

And beryed him by right of Sarsenye to bury Marsedage,

With brennynge fire and riche oynemente,

And songe the Dirige of Alkaro,

That bibill is of here laye, 2272

And wayled his deth everycho, and bewail him 7 days

vij nyghtis and vij dayes. and nights.

Anoo the Sowdo, south to say, Then the soudan more

Sente iij hundrid of knightis, 2276 closely blockades the

To kepe the brigge and the waye castle.

Oute of that Castil rightis,

That noo of hem shulde issue oute,

‹p066› FLORIPAS PRODUCES A MAGIC GIRDLE.

To feche vitayle by no waye. 2280

He charged hem to wacche wel a abowte,

That thay for-fameli myght dye.

Thus thay kepte the place vij dayes, [leaf 57]

Tille alle hire vitaile was nyȝe spente. 2284 The provisions being

The yates thai pas the streyte weyes. exhausted,

Tho helde thai hem with-in I-shente.

Tho spake Roulande with hevy chere

Woordes lamentable, 2288

Wha he saugħ the ladies so whiȝte of le,

Faile brede on here table,

And saide “Charles, tho curteys kinge, Roland complains

Why forgetist tho vs so longe? 2292 of Charles’s

This is to me a wondir thinge; forgetfulness;

Me thinkitħ, thou doiste vs grete wronge,

To let vs dye for faute of mete,

Closed thus in a dongeo. 2296

To morowe wol we asaye what we ko gete,

By god, that berithe the crow.”

Tho saide Floripas “sires, drede noghte but Floripas cheers

For noo houng that may befalle. 2300 him up,

I knowe a medycyne in my thoughte

To comforte yo witħ alle.

I have a girdil in my Force, saying she possessed

Who so girde he ther-with aboute, 2304 a magic girdle which

Hunger ner thirste shal him neuer dere, was a talisman

Though he were vij yere witħ-oute.” against hunger and

“O” quod Sir Gy “my loue so trewe, thirst for those who

I-blessed mote ye be! 2308 wore it.

I pray yo, that ye wole us alle hit shewe,

That we may haue oure saule.”

She yede and set it fortħ anoo,

Thai proved alle the vertue, 2312 They all successively

And diden it aboute he euerycho. put it on and felt as

It comforted alle both moo and fewe, if they had feasted.

As thai hade bene at a feste.

‹p067› MAPYN ENTERS FLORIPAS’ CHAMBER.

So were thay alle wele at ease, 2316

Thus were thai refresshed botħ moost & lest

And weren bifore in grete disese.

Laba wondred, how thai myght endu

Witħ-oute vitaile so longe. 2320 Laban wondered at

He remembred him on Floripas senctu, their endurance, but

And of the vertue so stronge. at last remembering

Tho wiste he welle, that throgħ famyne the girdle, [leaf 58]

Might he he never wynne. 2324

He cleped to him fals Mapyne, he induced Mapyne

For he coude many a fals gynne:

He coude scale Castel and Toure

And over the walles wende. 2328

“Mapyne” he saide “for my honoure,

Thou mooste haue this in mynde:

That hore, my doghter, a girdil hatħ she,

Fro hounger it savyth he alle, 2332

That wonnen may thay never be,

That foule mote hir bifalle!

Kanstowe gete me that gyrdill by craft, to attempt to steal

A thousande pounde tha shal I gefe the; 2336 it at night.

So that it be there not lefte,160

But bringe it hithi to me.

Tho kanste see by nyghte as welle

As any man doth by daye. 2340

Whan thay bene in here beddes ful sti,

Than go forth thider right in thy waye.

Thou shalt it in here Chamber fynde,

Thou maist be thereofe sure.” 2344

“Sir, there-to I wole me bynde,

If my life may endure.”

Fortħ wente this fals Mapyne

By nyght into the Tou— 2348 Mapyne entered the

God gife him evel endinge!— chamber of Floripas

Euen in to Floripas bou. through

‹p068› MAPYN WITH THE GIRDLE IS THROWN INTO THE SEA.

By a Chemney he wente inne;

Fulle stilly there he soughte it. 2352 a chimney;

He it founde and girde it aboute him,

And aftyr ful dere he bogħt it; he finds the girdle

For by the light of a lampe the and puts it on,

Floripas ga him aspye, 2356 but Floripas

Alle a-frayed oute of hir slepe for fere, perceives him

But lowde than gan she crye and cries out.

And saide “a thefe is in my boure,

Robbe me he wole or sloo.” 2360

Ther-with come Rouland fro his tou Roland hurries to her

To wete of hir woo. assistance, [leaf 59]

He founde Mapyne bysyde hir bedde,

Stondinge amased for drede, 2364

To the wyndowe he him ladde,161

And there he smote of his hedde, cuts off Mapine’s

And caste him oute in-to the see. head, and throws

Of the gyrdille was he not wa; 2368 him out through

But wha he wist, the girdel hade he, the window without

Tho hadde he sorowe and care. noticing the girdle.

Floripe to the Cheste wente Floripas, seeing her

And aspyed, hire gyrdel was goo, 2372 girdle lost, is much

“Alas!” she saide, “alle is it shente! grieved;

Sir, what haue ye done?

He hath my girdel aboute hy.

Alas! þat harde while! 2376

A rebelle hounde dotħ ofte grete tene;

Howe be we alle begilede.”

Tho spake Roulande witħ che boolde,

“Dameselle! beytħ noughte aferde! 2380 Roland comforts her.

If any vitaile be aboute this hoolde,

We wole hem wynne withe dinte of swerde

To morowe wole wee oute-goo They agree to attempt

And assaye, howe it wole it be. 2384 a sally to obtain

I make a vowe to god alone, food.

‹p069› THE PEERS, SURPRISING THE SARACENS, OBTAIN PROVISIONS.

Assaile hem wole we!

And if thay haue any mete,

Parte withe he wole we. 2388

Or elles strokes thay shal gete

By God and seynte Mary my avou!”162

In the morne, er the larke songe, In the morning

Thai ordeynede hem to ride 2392

To the Saresyns, þat hade so longe

Leyen hem besyde.

Duke Neymes and Oge Naymes and Ogier

Were ordeynede to kepe the place. 2396 remain in the castle,

The x othir of the xij peres the others start

Wente oute to assaye here grace.

Thay founde hem in logges slepynge, and surprise the

Of hem hade thay no thought. 2400 Saracens still

Thai slowe dow þat came to honde, sleeping in their

Mahounde availed hem noghte. huts. [leaf 60]

In shorte tyme the ende was made,

Thay ten slough iij hundred the. 2404 They slew 300 and

Tho founde thai vitaile, thay were glad, carried off as much

As moche as thay myghte home be. food as they could

Duke Neymes and Oge, that kept the tou, bear.

Say hem witħ here praye. 2408

Thai thanked god hye of honoure,

That thai spedde so þat day.

Thay avaled the brigge and lete him yn,

Flori and here maydyns were gladde, 2412

And so were thay, that were with-yn;

For alle grete hounger thay hadde.

Thai ete and dronken right I-nowe

And made myrtħ ever amonge. 2416

But of the Sowdo laban speke we nowe,

Howe of sorowe was his songe.

Han tidyngges came to him, That his me were slay, 2420 And howe thai hade stuffed he also163

‹p070› THE SOUDAN IS ENRAGED WITH HIS GODS.

With vitaile in agayne,

For sorowe he woxe nere wode. The soudan is enraged,

He cleped Brenlande and Sortybraunce. 2424

And tolde he witħ angry mode

Of his harde myschaunce.

“Remedye ordeyne me,

Ye be chief of my counsaile; 2428

That I of hem may vengede be,

It shalle you bouth availe.

O ye goddes, ye faile at nede,

That I have honoured so longe, 2432

I shalle yo bre, so mote164 I spede, and is going to burn

In a fayre fyre ful stronge; his gods,

Shalle I neuer more on yo bileve,

But renaye yo playnly alle. 2436

Ye shalle be brente this day er eve,

That foule mote yo befalle!”

The fire was made, the goddes were broght

To have be caste the-inne. 2440 [leaf 61]

Tho alle his counsaile him by-sought, but, appeased by his

He shulde of þat erroure blynne, wise men,

And saide “Sir, what wole ye done?

Wole ye your goddis for-sake? 2444

Vengeaunce shalle tha on yo come,

With sorowe, woo and wrake!

Ye moste make offrynge for youre offence,

For drede of grete vengeaunce, 2448

With oyle, mylke and ffrankecense

By youre prestis ordynaunce.”

Tho he dide bere hem in aye, he sacrifices again,

And to hem made dewe offerynge. 2452

The prestis assoyled him of þat synne, and is assoiled by

Ful lowly for him prayinge. the priests.

Tho he cleped his counselers

Brulande and Sortybraunce, 2456 Laban holds council.

‹p071› THE PEERS THROW LABAN’S GOLD AT THE ASSAILANTS.

Axynge, howe he myght destroye the xij peres,

That Mahounde gife hem myschaunce.

Thay cowde no more ther-o,

But late saile aye the toure. 2460

Witħ xx^ti thousande thai ga go,

And bigonne a newe shoure A new assault begins,

To breke dow the Walles,

With mattokes and witħ pike, 2464 but the ditches

Tille iiij hundred of hem alle are filled with

Lay slayne in the dike. assailants, who were

So stronge was the cast of stoone. slain by the showers

The Saresyns drewe he abakke, 2468 of stones hurled down

Tille it was at hye none; by the peers. The

Tho gonne thay aye to shake. Saracens retire. A

Tho fayled hem cast, þat were with-inne; second attack ensues.

Tho cowde thai no rede, 2472 There being no stones,

For stoone was ther noone to wynne.

Tho were thay in grete drede.

Than saide Florip, “beitħ not dismayde!

Ye shalle be holpe anoo. 2476 Floripas gave

Here is syluer vessel and now,”165 she sayde, them her father’s

“That shulle ye prove goode woo.” silver and gold to

She set it forth, thay caste oute faste cast amongst the

Alle that came to honde. 2480 assailants. [leaf 62]

Off siluer and goolde vessel thay made waste

That wast166 dow vppo the sonde.

Wha thai saugħ that roial sight,

Thai leften alle here dede; 2484

And for the tresoure thay do fight,

Who so myghte it awey lede. The soudan in alarm

Tho the Sowdo wexe nere wode, for his treasure

Seinge this tresoure thus dispoyle, 2488 gives up the assault.

That was to him so dere and goode

Laye in the dike thus defoule.

He bade that thai shulde leue

‹p072› THE SOUDAN ASKS HIS GODS’ FORGIVENESS.

And turne he agayne in haste. 2492

He wente home tille his tente than

With grete sorowe and mournyn mode.

To-fore his goddis wha he came,

He cryed, as he were wode: 2496

“O fals goddis, that y^e betħ, He is enraged with

I have trustid to longe youre mode. his gods,

We167 were leve to suff dede,

Tha lif this life here lenger nowe. 2500

I haue almoste loste the bretħ,

xij fals traytours me overe-lede,

And stroyen alle þat I haue.

Ye fals goddis, the devel youe spede! 2504

Ye make me nowe for to rave;

Ye do fayle me at my nede.”

In Ire he smote Mahounde, and smites Mahound so

That was of goolde fulle rede, 2508 that he fell on his

That he fille dow to the grounde, face;

As he hade bene dede.

Alle here bisshopes cryde oute

And saide “Mahounde, thy ore!” 2512

And dow to the erthe wele lowe thay loute,

Howlynge and wepynge sore,

And saide “Sire Sowdo, what haue ye done?

Vengeaunce shalle on the falle, 2516

But tho repente the here anone.”

“Ye” quod he “I shrewe yo alle!” but the priests

Thai made a fyre of franencense induce him

And blewe hornes of bras, 2520

And casten in milke hony for the offence, [leaf 63]

To-fore Mahoundes face.

Thay counsailed Laban to knele a dow to kneel down and ask

And aske forgevenes in that place. 2524 forgiveness.

And so he didde and hade pardo

Throgh prayere and specialle grace.

‹p073› RICHARD STARTS ON MESSAGE TO CHARLES.

Then168 this was done, þa sayde Roulande Meanwhile Roland

To his Felowes xj: 2528 exhorted Richard of

“Here may we not longe holde londe, Normandy to go on

By God that is in heve. message to Charles,

Therefore sende we to Charles, the kinge, that he might come

That he wolde reskowe vs sone; 2532 to their rescue.

And certyfye him o oure strayȝte beinge, They all would the

If ye thinke, it be to done. following morning,

Richard of Normandye, ye most goo, before day break,

I holde yo both wyse and hende. 2536 make an attack on

And we shalle tomorowe, as stil as stoo, the Saracens, and

The Saresyns a-wake, er ye wynde.169 meanwhile he should

And while we be mooste bysy in oure werke, steal off in the

And medel witħ hem alle in fere, 2540 darkness. In the

Stele ye a-waye in the derke! morning

And spede you faste, ye were there!”

On the morowe afti the daye

Thay were armede ful ryghte, 2544

Thai rode fortħ stilly in here way, they sally out.

God gouerne hem, mooste of myght!

Floripe and here maydyns kept the tou Floripas and her

And woonde vp the brigges on hye, 2548 maidens draw up the

And prayde god, to kepe here paramou, bridges after them.

The Duke of Burgoyne, Sir Ge.

She preyde to Rouland, er he wente,

To take goode hede of hi, 2552

That he were neyþer take nere shente,

As he wolde her loue wynne.

On thay set with herte stronge

And alle he sore afrayed. 2556

Richard the whiles away he wronge,

Thile170 thai were alle dismayede. Richard went off

Towarde the Mountrible he hyed him faste, towards Mantrible.

To passe, if that he myghte. 2560 [leaf 64]

Thedir he came at the laste.

‹p074› GUY IS MADE PRISONER.

God kepe him for his mocħ myght!

His xij171 felowes besyed he soo The others slay many

That many of he thay sloughe.172 2564 Saracens;

Gye slowe the kinge of Babyloyne tho;

The Babyloynes of his hors him drowe, but Guy, overpowered

And with force him drowe there by the Babylonians,

And bounde his hondes ful fast. 2568 is taken prisoner.

A newe game thai ga him lere,

For in depe priso thay him caste.

But Laba wolde him first se,

To wete what he was. 2572

“Telle me thy name nowe” quod he, Laban asks his name.

“Thy songe shalle be ‘alas.’”—

“Sire” he saide “my name is Gye, Guy tells him.

I wole it never forsake. 2576

It were to me grete vilanye

A othir name to take.”—

“O fals traytour” quod Laba,

“My doghtir, þat stronge hore, 2580

Hath me for-sake and the hath ta,

Tho shalte be honged therfore.” He is to be hanged.

Roulande made grete moone,

It wolde noo other be. 2584

Homwarde thai ga goo,

.iij.c Saresyns ther saye he, 300 Saracens crowding

That kepte the pace at the brigge-ende, near the gate of the

Armed wel in goode araye, 2588 castle, attempted to

That thai sholde not in wende, prevent the other

But be take or slay þat daye. peers from entering.

Roulande to his felowes saide:

“Beth alle of right gode chere! 2592

And we shal make hem alle afrayde,

E we go to oure soupere.”

There byganne a bykeringe bolde A fearful struggle

Of x Bachelers that tyde, 2596 begins.

‹p075› BRYER IS SLAIN.

Agayne iijc me I-tolde,

That durste righte wel a-byde.

Tho was Durnedale set a werke, [leaf 65]

XL of hethen he sloughe, 2600

He spared neþe lewde ner clerke,

And Floripas the-of loughe.

The shotte, the caste was so stronge,

Syr Bryer was slay there 2604 Sir Bryer is killed.

With dartes, gauylokes and speres longe,

xx^ti on hym there were.

Roulande was woo and Olyue,

Thay sloughe alle that thai mette. 2608

Tho fledde the Turkes alle for fe, At last the Saracens

Thay durste no longer lette take to flight.

And saide, thai we no men,

But develis abroke oute of helle, 2612

“.iij. hundred of vs agay hem te.

Oure lorde Mahounde hem qwelle!

XL of vs here be ascaped,

And hardde we be bistadde.”— 2616

“Who so wole of he more be iaped,

I holde him worsse than madde.”

Tho Roulande and Olyue The peers retire

Made grete woo and sorowe, 2620 inside the castle,

And toke the corps of Sir Bryere taking the corpse of

And beryed it on the morowe. Bryer with them.

Floripe asked Roulande anoone Floripas enquires

“Where is my loue Sir Gye?”— 2624 after Guy,

“Damesel” he saide “he is goo,

And therfore woo am I.”— and on hearing of his

“Alas” she saide “than am I dede, capture, begins to

Nowe Gye my lorde is slay, 2628 lament despairingly.

Shall I neuer more ete brede

Tille that I may se hi agay.”—

“Be stille” quod Roulande “and haue no ca, Roland promises to

We shal hy haue ful wele. 2632 rescue Guy.

‹p076› GUY IS GOING TO BE HANGED,

Tomorowe wele we thiderward fa

With spere and shelde of stele.

But we bringe him to this Tou—

Leeve me elles no more— 2636

With victorye and grete honou,

Or thay shalle abye it ful sore.” [leaf 66]

On the morowe, whan tha daye was clere,

Laban ordeynede Gye honged to be. 2640 On the following

He cleped forth Sir Tampere morning Laban orders

And badde him do make a Galowe tre, Sir Tamper to erect

“And set it eve by-fore the tou, a gallows before

That þilke hore may him see; 2644 the castle, where

For by lord Mahounde of honou, Floripas could see it.

This traitour there shalle honged be.

Take withe the .iij. hundred knigħtes

Of Ethiopis, Indens and Ascopartes, 2648

That bene boolde and hardy to fight

With Wifles, Fauchons, Gauylokes173 and Dartes;

Leste þat lurdeynes come skulkynge oute,

For ever thay haue bene shrewes. 2652

Loke eche of he haue sucħ a cloute,

That thay neuer ete moo Sewes.”

Forth thay wente with Sir Gye, Guy is led bound.

That bounde was as a thefe faste, 2656

Tille thay come the tow ful nye;

Thai rered the Galowes in haste.

Roulande perceyued here doynge

And saide “felows, let armes174! 2660 Roland calls his

I am ful gladde of here comynge, companions to arms.

Hem shall not helpe her charmes.”

Oute thai riden a wele gode spede, They rush forth.

Thai ix towarde hem alle. 2664

Florip witħ here maydyns toke gode hede,

Biholdinge over the tou walle.

Thai met first witħ Sir Tampe,

‹p077› BUT IS RESCUED BY ROLAND AND OLIVER.

God gife him evelle fyne! 2668

Such a stroke lente hym Olyue, Oliver cuts down Sir

He clefe him dow to the skyne. Tamper; Roland kills

Rouland bare the kinge of Ynde a king of India,

Ther with his spere frome his stede. 2672

.iiij. fote it passed his bak byhynde,

His herte blode þe didde he blede.

He caught the stede, he was ful goode,

And the swerde, þat the kinge hadde, 2676 takes his sword and

And rode to Gye, there he stode, horse, [leaf 67] and

And onbounde hy and bade him be gladde. gives them to Guy,

And girde him witħ that goode swerde, having unbound him.

And lepen vppo here stedes. 2680

“Be thou” he saide “righte nougħt a-ferde,

But helpe vs wightly at this nede.” They slay many

An hundred of hem sone thay slowe Saracens, and put the

Of the beste of hem alle; 2684 rest to flight.

The remenaunte a-way fast thay flowe,

That foule motte hem byfalle!

Rouland and his Felowes were glad

That Gye was safe in dede. 2688

Thay thanked god, that thay175 him hadde

Gyfen thaye† sucħ grace to spede.

As thay wente towarde the Tou, Retiring towards the

A litil bysyde the hye waye, 2692 castle,

Thai saugh comynge with grete vigou they see admiral

An hundred vppo a laye.176 Costroye and

Costroye ther was, the Admyra, the soudan’s

With vitaile grete plente, 2696 standard-bearer

And the stondarte of the Sowdo Roial. escorting a great

Towarde Mauntrible ride he, convoy, destined for

.iiij. Chariotes I-charged witħ flessh and brede, the sultan, across a

And two othe with wyne, 2700 field near the high

Of divers colouris, yolowe, white and rede, road.

And iiij Somers of spicery fyne.

‹p078› THE PEERS LAY HOLD OF A CONVOY.

Tho saide Roulande to Olyue:

“With these meyne moste we shifte, 2704

To haue parte of here vitailes he,

For therof us nedith by my thrifte.”—

“Howe, sires” he saide “god you see! Roland calls to them

We pray youe for youre curtesye, 2708

Parte of your Vitaile graunte me, to share the

For we may nother borowe ner bye.” provisions with them.

Tho spake Cosdroye, that Admyral,

“Ye gete none here for nogħt. 2712 Costroye refuses,

Yf ye oght chalenge in specia,

It most be dere I-boght.”—

“O gentil knightes” quod Olyuere,

“He is no felowe, þat wole haue alle.” 2716

“Go fortħ” quod the stondart, “tho getist noon here,

Thy parte shalle be fulle smalle.”—

“Forsoth” quod Roulande “and shift we wole, [leaf 68]

Gete the better, who gete maye! 2720

To parte with the nedy it is gode skille,

And so shalle ye by my faye.”

He rode to the Admyral witħ his swerde and is slain by

And gafe him suche a cloute, 2724 Roland.

No wonder thogħ he were aferde,

Both his eyȝe braste oute.

Olyuere met withe the proude stondarde,

He smote him througħ the herte. 2728 Oliver kills the

That hade he for his rewarde; standard-bearer.

That wounde ga sore smerte.

Thai were slay, that wolde fight

Er durste bikure abyde. 2732

Thai forsoke her parte anoo rigħt,

It lefte alle o that o side.

Forth thai drewe þat vitaile The convoy is

Streight in-to the Toure. 2736 conveyed into the

There was no ma durst hem assayle castle.

For drede of here vigou.

‹p079› THE SOUDAN DEFIES HIS GODS.

Floripe hem resceyved with honou

And thanked Roulande fele sythe, 2740 Floripas thanks

That she saugħ Gye hir paramou, Roland for bringing

That wolde she him qwite and kithe. back Sir Guy,

Thai ete and dronken and made hem gladde,

Hem neded ther aftyr fulle sore 2744

Of suche, as god hem sente hade,

I-nowe for iiij moonþes and more. and proposes that he

Florip saide to Roulande than, shall choose himself

“Ye moste chese you a love177 2748 a mistress from

Of alle my maydyns, white as swa.”— amongst her maidens.

Quod Rouland “þat were myscheve; But Roland refuses to

Oure lay wole not, þat we with youe dele, take any that is no

Tille that ye Cristy be made; 2752 Christian.

Ner of your play we wole not fele,

For tha were we cursed in dede.”

Owe shall ye here of Laba. The soudan, on Whan tidyngges to him we come, 2756 hearing such bad news, Tho was he a fulle sory ma.

Whan he herde, howe his vitaile were nome,

And howe his men were slayne,

And Gye was go safe he froo, 2760 [leaf 69]

He defyed Mahounde and Apolyne, again defies his gods,

Iubiter, Ascarot and Alcaro also.

He commaundede a fire to be digħt and threatens to

With picche and Brymsto to bre. 2764 throw them into the

He made a vowe with alle his mygħt, flames.

“Thai shal be caste ther-Inne!”

The prestes of he lawe ther-o,

Thai cride oute for drede 2768

And saide “alas, what wole ye done?

The worse than moste ye spede!”

The Sowdo made a grete othe

And swore by his hye trone, 2772

That though hem were never so lotħ,

‹p080› RICHARD ARRIVES AT MANTRIBLE.

Thai sholde be brente Icho.

Tho came the bisshope Cramadas But bishop Cramadas

And kneled bifore the Sowdo, 2776 kneels before him and

And charged him by the hye name Sathanas, appeases him.

To saven his goddes ycho:

“For if ye brenne youre goddes he,

Ye wynny her maliso, 2780

Than wole no man do yo che,

In feelde, Cite, ne in tow.”

The Sowdo was astonyed þan

And gan him sore repente 2784

Of the foly, that he byga,

And els hade he be shente.

A thousande of Besauntes he offred þaym to, The soudan makes an

By counsail of sir Cramadas, 2788 offering of 1000

To please witħ his goddys tho, besants to his gods.

For fere of harde grace.

The Sowdone commaunded euery daye

To assaile the tou witħ caste. 2792

But thay with-in gafe not an Eye,

For thai wroghte in wast. When Richard arrived

Owe speke we of Richarde of Normandy, as far as Mantrible, That on message was sente, 2796 he found the bridge Howe he spede and his meyne. barred by 24 chains,

Whan he to Mauntrible wente, and Alagolafre

He founde the brigge Ichayned sore; standing before it.

xxiiij^ti were ouere-drawe. 2800 [leaf 70]

Alagolofure stode there byfore,

That many a man hade slawene.

Whan Richard saugħ, ther was no gate, Determined not to

But by flagot the flode, 2804 leave his errand

His message wolde he not lete; unperformed, he knelt

His hors was botħ bigge and goode. down and commended

He kneled, bisechinge god of his grace, himself to God. A

To save him fro myschiefe. 2808 hind appears

A white hende he saugħ anoo in þat place,

‹p081› RICHARD CROSSES THE RIVER AND OVERTAKES CHARLES.

That swa ove the cliffe. and swims across.

He blessed him in godis name Richard follows her,

And folowed the same waye 2812 and, passing over in

The gentil hende, þat was so tame, safety,

That o þat othir side gan playe.

He thanked god fele sythe,

That him hade sente comforte. 2816

He hied him in his message swiþe, hurries on to

To speke witħ Charles his lorde. Charlemagne.

But I shalle yo telle of a traytour,

That his name was called Genelyne, 2820

He counseiled Charles for his honou Meanwhile Genelyn,

To turne homewarde agey. the traitor, had

He saide “the xij peres bene alle dede, advised Charles to

And ye spende your goode in vayne, 2824 retire to France,

And therfore dotħ nowe by my rede, because the 12 peers

Ye shalle see hem no more certey.” were all slain. The

The kinge bileved þat he saide, king believed him,

And homwarde gan he fare. 2828 and marched homeward,

He of his xij Dosiperes was sore dismayed, lamenting for his

His herte woxe right fulle of ca. peers. Richard

Rycharde of Normandy came prikande overtakes him, and is

And hertly to ride begane. 2832 recognised by Charles,

Kinge Charles aspyed him comande;

He commaunded to abide euery ma. who asks him about

“What tidingges?” quod the kinge to Richarde, the others. Richard

“Howe fare my felowes alle?” 2836 tells the king, how

“My lorde” he saide “god wote, ful harde, they are besieged

For thai be byseged with-in ston-walle, within the castle,

Abydynge youre helpe and you socou, and are waiting for

As men þat haue grete nede. 2840 his assistance.

For Ihesues loue, kinge of honou,

Thiderward ye yo spede!” Charles, vowing

“O Genelyne” quod the kinge, vengeance on

“Nowe knowe I thy treso, 2844 [leaf 71] Genelyn,

I shalle the qwite, be seynte Fremounde,

‹p082› CHARLES MARCHES TO AGREMORE.

Wha this viage is do.”

The kinge turned him agey, turned and marched to

And alle his Ooste him witħ, 2848 Agremore.

Towarde Mountrible certeyne.

And178 graunte him gree and grith!

Richarde him tolde of that place,

Howe stronge it was I-holde 2852 Richard informed him

With a geaunte foule of face, of the giant, who

The brigge hath chayned many folde; kept the bridge,

The River was both depe and brode,

Ther myght no ma over-ryde. 2856 and how he had passed

“The last tyme that I over-rode, the river by a

By myracle I passed þat tide. miracle.

Therfore sir, I shal yo telle,

Howe ye mote governe yo here. 2860

In yonde wode ye moste dwelle He proposed a plan,

Priuely in this mane, that 12 knights

And xij of vs shalle vs araye disguised as

In gyse of stronge marchauntes, 2864 merchants, with

And fille oure somers withe fog and haye,

To passe the brigge Currauntes.

We shalle be armed vnder the cote their arms hidden

With goode swerdes wele I-gyrde, 2868 under their clothes,

We moste paye tribute, wele I wote, should pay the toll,

And elles over we may not sterte. and the bridge being

But wha the chaynes be lete dow let down,

Ouer ther for to passe, 2872

Than wole I, þat ye come o,

In haste to that same place.

Wha I see tyme for to come,

Tha shalle I my horne blowe. 2876 should blow a horn

Loke, ye be redy alle and some, as a signal for the

For that sha ye welle knowe.” others to approach.

Forth thay wente in þat araye They start and arrive

To Mountrible, that Cite. 2880 at Mantrible.

‹p083› THE BRIDGEWARD OF MANTRIBLE REFUSES TO LET THEM PASS.

Alagolofu to he gan seye, Alagolafre asks

“Felawes, wheder wole ye?” whither they are

Richarde spake to the geaunte going.

And saide “towarde the Sowdo, 2884 Richard says, they

With dyu[e]rs chaffe as trewe marchaunte, are merchants on

We purpose for to goo, their way to the

To shewen him of pellu and Gryse,179 Soudan,

Orfrays of Perse Imperyalle, 2888 [leaf 72]

We wole the yefe tribute of assaye and they are willing

To passe by lycence in especya.” to pay the toll.

“Licence gete ye noo of me,180 Alagolafre refuses to

I am charged that noone sha passe, 2892 let them pass, and

For x lurdeyns of Fraunce were he; tells them about the

God yefe hem evell grace! 10 knights, who had

Thay passed this way to Egramou; passed there and done

Thay haue done the Sowdo grete tene, 2896 so much mischief to

Thay have wonne his toure and his tresou, the Soudan;

And yet holde thai it, I wene.

Wherfo, felawes, I arest yo alle, therefore he will

Tille I knowe, what þat ye bene.” 2900 arrest them all.

Sire Focarde brayde oute his swerde witħ-alle, Sir Focard draws his

Wel sore he gan to tene sword and

And saide “fye o the Sarasyne!

For alle thy grete harde hede 2904

Shaltow never drinke water ner wyne,

By god! thou shalte be dede.”

He smote at him witħ egre chere smites at him.

But he gafe thereof right nought. 2908

“Alas” quod Richard “thou combrest vs he,

By god, that me de hatħ boghte.”

The cheynes yet we alle faste,

The geaunte wexe nere wode, 2912

Richard blewe his horne in haste, Richard blows his

That was both shrille and goode. horn, and Charles

Kinge Charles hied him anoo advances.

‹p084› ALAGOLAFRE AND BARROCK ARE SLAIN.

Towarde the brigge so longe; 2916

The Geaunte faught with he alone,

He was so harde and stronge.

With a Clo of a Oke he faugħt, Alagolafre fights

That was wele bound with stele. 2920 them with a great oak

He slough al þat eve he raugħt, club.

So stronge was his dinte to dele. Richard seizes a bar

Richard raught him witħ a bar of bras, of brass and knocks

That he caught at the gate. 2924 him down.

He brake his legges, he cryed “alas”

And felle alle che-mate.

Loude tha ga he to yelle;

Thay herde him yelle througħ þat Cite, 2928

Like the grete develle of helle,

And saide “Mahounde, nowe helpe me!” [leaf 73]

iiij men him caught the, 4 men get hold of him

So hevy he was and longe, 2932 and throw him into

And cast him ouer in-to the rive. the river.

Chese he, whither181 he wolde swymme or gon! They loosened the

Anoo thay brast the Chaynes alle, chains;

That ouer the brigge were I-drawe. 2936

The Saresyns ronne to the walle, but, the Saracens

Many Criste men were the I-slawe. assembling on the

Than came forth Dam barro, the bolde, walls of the city,

With a sithe large and kene, 2940 many Christians were

And mewe a-dow as þikke as shepe in folde, slain. Alagolafre’s

That came byforne hir by-dene. wife, Barrock the

This Barro was a geaunesse, giantess, comes on

And wife she was to Astragote, 2944 with her scythe and

She did the Criste grete distresse, mows down all whom

She felled downe alle þat she smote. she meets.

There durst no man hire sithe abyde,

She grenned like a develle of helle. 2948

Kinge Charles with a quarel þat tide Charles dashes out

Smote hir, that she lowde ga yelle, her brains,

‹p085› CHARLES IS SHUT IN IN THE TOWN.

Euer182 the founte througħ-oute the bray;

That cursede fende fille dow dede. 2952

Many a man hade she there slay,

Might she never aftyr ete more brede!

Charles entred in the firste warde and with 15 knights

With xv knightis and no moo; 2956 enters the outer gate

Of hym his oste toke no garde, of the town,

He wende his oste hade entred also. thinking his army

The Sarysyns ronne to the gate, would follow him.

And shet it wonder faste. 2960 But the gate was

Charles me come to late; instantly closed upon

Tho was Charles sore agaste. him, and his men came

Betwene two wardes he was shit, too late.

Defende he him if he ca! 2964

The Sarysyns with him thay mette, Charles was in great

Grete parel was he in tha. danger;

Tho Genelyne saie, the kinge was inne but Genelyn, seeing

And the yates faste I-stoke, 2968 him shut in,

Ther myght no ma to him wynne,

So was he faste witħ-inne I-loke,

To his frendes he gan speke

And saide “the kinge is dede, 2973 [leaf 74] exclaimed

And alle xij peres eke. that the king and

On peyne” said he “to lese myn hede, the 12 peers were

Let vs hye to Fraunce warde! dead, and proposed to

For I wele be crownede kinge, 2976 retire, as he wished

I shalle yo alle wele rewarde, to be king himself.

For I wole spare for no thinge.”

Anoo thay assented to Genelyne,

Thay saugh, ther was no better rede. 2980

The Frenssh me drewe he al ayene, They are going to

Thay wende the kinge hade bene dedde. return,

Tho Ferumbras witħ his meyne tha but Ferumbras

Came for to seke the kinge, 2984

And saugh hem turne euery ma;

‹p086› CHARLES IS RESCUED BY FERUMBRAS.

Him thought, it was a wondir thin.

“Where is the kinge?” quod Ferumbras.

Quod Genelyne “with-in the walle, 2988

Shaltowe neue more see his face!”

“God gyf the a yvel falle!

Turne agayne, tho traytoure! calls him a traitour,

And helpe to reskowe thy lorde. 2992

And ye, sires, alle for you honou!” rallies the French,

Thay turned agayne with that worde.

Ferumbras with axe in honde, and with his axe

Myghtyly brake up the gate, 2996 bursts open the gate.

Ther myght laste him noo yro bonde,

He hade ne-honde I-come to late.

The kinge hadde fought so longe witħ-ynne,

That onnethe myght he no more. 3000

Many ther were aboute him,

His me were wounded ful sore.

Ferumbras came with gode spede,

He made the Sarasyns to fle. 3004 He chased the

He reskowed the kinge at his nede, Saracens and rescued

XL Sarasyns sone killed he. the king.

Thai ronnen a-weye by every side,

Thai durste nowhe rowte. 3008

In shorte tyme was falled her pride,

Thay caught many a sore cloute.

That Cite was wonne that same daye, Mantrible is taken,

And every tou ther-ynne 3012

Of Mountreble, þat was so gaye,

For alle he soubtile gynne, [leaf 75]

Fulle of tresou and richesse, with all its engines

Of Siluer and goolde and per, 3016 and treasures.

And clothes of goolde, wroght of Saresynes,

Of riche aray and roialte. Richard found 2

Richarde, Duke of Normandy, children of 7 months

Founde ij Children of .vij. monþes oolde,183 3020 old and

‹p087› HE HURRIES ON TO AGREMORE.

xiiij fote longe we thay, 4 feet high.

Thay we Barrakes sonnes so boolde; They were sons of

Bygote thay we of Astragot. Barrock, begotten by

Grete joye the kinge of hem hade. 3024 Astragot.

Hethe thay we botħ, wele I wote,

Therfore he to be cristenede he bade. Charles caused them

He called þat one of hem Roulande, to be baptized, and

And that other he cleped Olyue: 3028 called the one Roland

“For thai shalle be myghty men of honde.” and the other Oliver.

To kepe hem, he was fulle chere.

Thay myght not leve, her Dam was dede; But they soon died

Thai coude not kepe hem fortħ. 3032

Thai wolde neyþer ete butter nere brede,

Ner no me184 was to hem worthe.

He Dammes mylke they lakked the, for want of their

Thay deyden for defaute of here dam. 3036 mother’s milk.

Kinge Charles made hevy che,

And a sory ma was than.

The kinge lete ordeyne anoo,

The Cite to be gouerne 3040

Of the worthyest of he ycho,

That weren of wer best lerne.

Duke Richarde of Normandy, The king appoints

He was made chief gouernou; 3044 Richard governor of

And ij C with him in hys company the city,

To kepe the brigge and tou.

Fortħ he rode to laba tha, and hurries on

With his Ooste and Si Ferumbras. 3048 to Agremore with

A spye to the Sowdo fast ran his army and with

And tolde him al that cas, Ferumbras.

How Charles was come with his ost,

And Mountrible hade he wonne, 3052

“Alagolofur slay is for alle his bost,

This game was evel bego.”

Whane laban herde of his comynge,

‹p088› FLORIPAS RECOGNISES THE FRENCH BANNER.

Him thought his herte gan breke. 3056

“Shalle I never be withoute moornynge, [leaf 76]

Tille I of him be wreke.”

He commaunded to blowe his Claryons

To assemble alle his Ooste. 3060

His counsaile to him he lete calle

And tolde, how kinge Charles was in þat coost, Laban, being told by

Hadde wonne Mountrible and slay his men a spy that his city

“And dishirytħ to disheryte me, 3064 was taken and the

And proudely manessith me to flee, bridge-ward killed,

Or drive me oute of this contre.

Me mervaylythe moch of his pride.

By Mahounde, moost of mygħt! 3068

Ye and my sone withe him doth ride,

To the develle I hem bedigħt.

But I be venget of hem both swears to avenge him.

And honge he on a tree, 3072

To myghty Mahounde I make myne othe,

Shalle I never Joyfulle be.

Therfore I charge yo in alle wyse He calls a council,

That thay be taken or slay. 3076 and charges his

Thane shalle I pynne heme at my gyse barons to take

And do hem alle qwike be flay.” Charles alive that

On the morowe, whan it was day, he might flay him.

Kinge Charles was in the felde, 3080 Charles approaches.

Byfore Agremou in riche aray

On stede witħ spe and sheelde.

Floripe lay on the tou o hye Floripas first

And knewe the bane of Fraunce. 3084 recognises the banner

To Roulande she gan faste crye of France

Tidynges of goode chaunce:

“Kinge Charles is comen and Ferumbras, and tells the others.

Here baners botħ I do see, 3088

With alle her oste yonde in þat place;

Welcome to vs thay alle be.”

Roulande and Olyuere

‹p089› CHARLES DISMOUNTS LABAN AND LEADS HIM TO AGREMORE.

Arayed hem for to ride; 3092 Roland and all his

And here felawes alle in fe, companions sally

To Charles thay go that tyde. forth to meet

Laban come forth with his mayne, Charlemagne. Laban

Saresyns, that were ful felle, 3096 draws up all his

Turkes, Indens, and Arabye people

Ye and of the Ethiopes like the develes of helle.

There were stronge wardes sette [leaf 77]

By ordynaunce of dyuers batayle. 3100 in battle-order.

Whan thay to geder were met,

Eythir othir sore ga assayle.

Ther were Saresyns al to-hewe; The French make a

Roulande sloughe many one. 3104 great slaughter of

Thay lay so thikke dede on rewe, the Saracens.

That onneþe myghte men ride or goo.

Kinge Charles met with Laba Charles encounters

And bare him dow of his stede, 3108 the Soudan, unhorses

He lighted dow and ceased him tha, him,

He thought to qwite him his mede.

He brayde oute Mowjoye wytħ gode wille

And wolde have smeten of his hede, 3112 and would have cut

Ferumbras prayde him to abyde stille,

To cryste him, er he we dede. off his head, but

The Saresyns saughe Laban take, for Ferumbras, who

Thay fledde away fulle faste. 3116 requested that

Lenger durste thay no maistryes make, his father might

Thai were so sore agaste. be baptized. The

The Criste hem chased to and fro, Saracens, seeing

As a grehounde doth the hare. 3120 Laban a prisoner,

.iij. c. ascaped with moche woo, fly; but the

To Belmore gan thay fa. Christians pursue

Kinge Charles ladde Laba them. 300 escaped to

In-to Agremou Cite. 3124 Belmarine. Charles

And wha þat he the came leads Laban to

A ful sory man was he. Agremore. Floripas

His doghter welcomed him welcomes her father,

‹p090› FLORIPAS BRINGS OUT THE SACRED RELICS.

With right gode che.185 3128

He loked on hir al grymme, but he is enraged at

As he wode wroth we, seeing her.

And saide “fye on the, stronge hore,

Mahounde confounde the!” 3132

Charles saide “here-of no more,

But let us nowe mery be!”—

“Sir” she saide thanne, She then bids

“Welcome ye be into this tou! 3136 Charlemagne welcome,

Here I presente to you, as I can, and presents the holy

Relikes of grete honou, relics to him.

That were at Rome I-wonne

And broght into this halle. 3140

That game was evel bygonne,

It sithen rewed us alle.” [leaf 78]

Kinge Charles kneled adow

To kisse the Relikes so goode, 3144 Charles kisses them,

And badde the a oryso and says a prayer;

To that lorde, þat deyde o rode. he then thanks

And þanked Floripe witħ al his herte, Floripas for her