E. ADAM, Ph.D. (continued 2)

(48) Ase Torrent Iesu gan⁾ pray, 540 He herd the dragon⁾, ther he lay Vndyr-nethe a clow; Of and on he wase stronge, The Dragon’s tail is 7 yards long, Hys tayle wase VII yerdes long, That aftyr hyme he drowe; 545 Hys wyngges wase long and wyght, To the chyld he toke a flyght With an howge swowe; Had he nether⁾ schyld ne spere, But prayd to god, he schold hyme were, 550 For he wase in dred i-nowe.

(49) and has a fiery head on it. On the tayle an hed ther⁾ wase, f. 85b. That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase, In fyer whan yt was dyght; A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther⁾, 555 Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schere Thurrow the grace of god almyght. As the boke of Rome tellys, Torrent cuts 4 ells off the Dragon’s tail; Of hys taylle he cut IIII elles With hys swerd so bryght. 560 Than cryed the lothely thyng, That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng, That hard the gyant wyght.

(50) The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond, There ys sum crystyn⁾ man⁾ nere hond, 565 My dragon here I cry. and while its Giant-owner is getting ready to help it, By hym, that schope bothe watyr⁾ and lond, All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond, Dere schall̴ they a-bye! Me thynkythe, I here my dragon⁾ schowt, 570 I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man⁾ hym a-bowght, I trow, to long I ly. Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston⁾, And my cheff-foster were gone, A false mayster were I!’ 575

(52) rides all night in a wood, Hys squyer⁾ Rod all̴ nyght In a wod, that wase full̴ tyght, With meche care and gret fare, 590 For to seke hys lord Torrent, That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent, And he wyst nevyr⁾ whethyr ne whar⁾. He Durst neuyr⁾ cry ne schuot, For wyld bestes were hym a-bowght 595 In⁾ the holttes hare; A lytyl whyll̴ be-fore the day He toke in⁾ to a Ryde-wey Hyme self to meche care.

(53) Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond, 600 till he finds a highway, Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond, With-owtyn⁾ any Delite, Also fast ase he myght fare, Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware, Lest they wold hym byght. 605 The sone a-Rose and schone bryght, Of a castyll̴ he had a syght, That wase bothe feyer⁾ and whyte . . . .

(54) and is met by a Giant. The gyant him se, & ny yed, And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped, 610 f. 87b. Thow art welcom to me: What dost thow here in my forest?’ ‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest, Yff yt yowr wyl be.’ ‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’ 615 To an oke he hym led: Gret Ruthe yt wase to se. The Giant cuts Torrent’s Squire into 4 quarters. In IIII quarteres he hym drowe, And euery quarter vppon a bowe; Lord, soche weys toke hee! 620

(55) Ase Torrent in⁾ the movnteyn⁾ dyd ly, Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry; Gret fere ther hyme thowght. ‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre, ‘Wher euyr⁾ my jentyll̴ squyer⁾ myght be, 625 That I with me to wod browght? On he dyd hys harnes a-geyne And worthe on hys sted, serteyne, And thetherward he sowght. And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond, 630 Torrent finds these, In fowre quartyres he hym fownd, For other wyse wase yt nowght.

(56) The gyant lenyd to a tre And be-hyld Torrent so free, For sothe, ase I yow seye. 635 Thys fend wase ferly to fyght, Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght, Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye. and is attackt by this giant Rochense. To the chyld than⁾ gan he smyght: ‘A theff, yeld the asttyt, 640 f. 88a. As fast as thow may!’ ‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood? God, that Dyed on the Rood, Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’

(57) He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght, 645 Torrent’s steed is kild. Hys steddes brayne he smot owte, So mykyll̴ he be-gan⁾. Torrent tho a good sped Ase fast a-bowte an eche yede; Ase swefte ase he myght, he Ran. 650 He gathyred svm of hys gere, Bothe hys schyld and hys spere; Nere hym yod he than⁾. He drives the Giant back Bacward than be a browȝ Twenty fote he gard hyme goo, 655 Thus erthe on hym he wane.

(58) Yt solasyd Torrant then⁾, When he sawe hyme bacward ren Downe be a movnteyn⁾ of Perowne, Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen⁾, 660 into a deep glen, Tyll̴ he com to a depe glen, Ther myght non hym stere. Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast, And hys spere on hyme he brast, Good Adyloke yed hyme nere. 665 where he stands in water. The fynd in⁾ the watyr stod, He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod, All̴ þe day in⁾ fere.

(59) f. 88b. Tho nere hond wase the day gone, Torrent wase so werry than⁾ 670 That on hys kne he kneld: Torrent prays God for help. ‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may! Desonell̴, haue good day!’ Fro hym he cest hys schyld. Iesu wold not, he were slayne, 675 Jesus freshens up Torrent. To hym he sent a schowyr⁾ of Rayne, Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld. The fynd saw, he wase ny mate, Owt of the watyr he toke the gate, He thowght to wyne the fyld. 680

(60) Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good; Nere the fynd sore he stod, Cryst hym saue and see! The Giant attacks again. The fynd fawt with an yron⁾ staff, The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe, 685 He brast hys schyld on thre. Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane, Torrent runs him thro’ the heart, To the hart he baryd hym than⁾, And lothely cry gane he. To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght, 690 cuts his head off, And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght, And thus he wynnythe the gre.

(61) Torrent knelyd on the grownd And thankyd god þat ylke stownd, That soche grace hyme send. 695 Thus II journeys in thys woo With hys handes slow he gyantys too, f. 89a. That meny a man⁾ hathe schent. Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod, finds him 24 ft. And met hyme XXIIII fotte, 700 Ther he lay on the bent. Hedles he left hym there, Howt of the fyld the hed he bare long, and goes to his Castle. And to the castell̴ he went.]

(62) Torrent goes to the Giant’s To thys castell̴ he gan far⁾; 705 Ther fond he armor⁾ and other⁾ gare, A swerd, that wase bryght. To the towre he toke the wey, Ther the gyantes bed lay, That Rychyly wase dyght. 710 At the beddes hed he fond Castle, and finds a splendid sword, A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond, That meche wase of myght. On the pomell̴ yt wase wret, Fro a prynce yt wase get, 715 Mownpolyardnus he hyght.

(63) The sarten to sey with-owt lese, A scheff-chambyr⁾ he hym ches, Tyll̴ on the morrow day. To the stabull̴ tho he yed, 720 and a noble white steed. There he fond a nobyll̴ sted, Wase comely whyt and grey. With the heads of the Giant and Dragon, Torrent The gyanttes hed gan he take, And the dragonnys wold he not forsake, And went forthe on hys wey. 725 He left mor⁾ good in that sale f. 89b. Than wase with in⁾ all̴ Portynggall̴, Ther ase the gyant laye.

(64) rides back to Portugal. Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght, Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght, 730 Ther ys lord gan dwell̴. The kyng ys gone to the gate, Torrent on kne he fond ther at, Schort tall̴ for to tell̴. Torrent gives the King the Giant’s and Dragon’s heads instead of a Falcon, ‘Haue thow thys in⁾ thyn⁾ hond: 735 No nother hawkys ther I fond At Mawdlenys well̴.’ The kyng quod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse, Torrent, I trow, sybbe ys To the dewell̴ of hell̴! . . . . 740

(65) ‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond, Ther ys no knyght, hys dynt may stond, So stronge he ys in dede!’ ‘Syr⁾,’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame, What ys the gyantes name, 745 So Euyr good me sped?’ and says the Giant Rochense was Slogus of Fuolles. ‘Syr⁾,’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the, Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee, That wyt ys vndyr wede.’ . . . . . .

(66) Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more, 750 Wondyr on the heddes thore, That Torrent had browght whome. The Lordes seyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴! Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴, To yow yt ys gret schame!’ 755 f. 90a. Torent ordeynyd prystes fyve, To syng for hys squyerys lyve, And menythe hym by name. Therfor⁾ the lady whyt ase swane Desonell gives her heart to Torrent. To Torrant, here lord, sche went than⁾, 760 Here hert wase to hyme tane.

(67) Lettyrres come ther withalle To the kyng of Portynggall̴, The King of Aragon asks for Desonell for his youngest Son. To ax hys dowghttyr Derre, Fro the kyng of Eragon⁾, 765 To wed her⁾ to hys yongeest son⁾, The lady, that ys so clere. For Torrent schuld not her⁾ haue, For hyme fyrst he here gafe, To the messenger⁾, 770 And hys way fast ageyn dyd pase, Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase, Ther of schuld he not be were.

(68) On a mornyng, ther ase he lay, The Queen of Portugal wishes The kyng to the quene gan sey: 775 ‘Madame, for cherryte, Thow art oftyn⁾ hold wyse; Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowr deuyce, How I may governe me: The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent, 780 For to aske my dowghttyr gente That ys so feyer⁾ and fre.’ ‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue, Torrent to have her. f. 90b. I Red yow let Torent her haue, For best worthy ys he.’ 785

(69) He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer⁾, To make an erlles sone myn Eyer⁾? The King refuses. I will̴ not, by sen Iame! There he hathe done maystres thre, Yt ys hys swerd, yt ys not he, 790 For Hatheloke ys ys name.’ ‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped, A knyghtes dowghttyr wase hyme bed, Ase whyt ase walles bane; And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴, 795 All that ther of here tell̴, Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’

(70) The false King of Portugal ‘Madam, vnto thys tyd There lythe a gyant here be-syd, That many a man⁾ hathe slayne. 800 plots to have Torrent kild by another Giant. I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr⁾ dere, To fyght with that fyndes fere, Thus he holdythe hyme in⁾ trayne. But I schall̴ make myn commnant so, That there schall̴ non with hyme go, 805 Neyther squyer⁾ ne swayne.’ ‘Syr⁾,’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the, So sore be-stad hathe he be, And wyll̴ commyn⁾ a-geyne!’

(71) Tho the belles be-gan to Ryng, 810 Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng, And the lady so fre, f. 91a. He and his Queen go to Mass. And aftyr-ward they went to mase, Ase the law of holy chyrge wase, With notes and solemnyte. 815 Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe, Knyghtes semlyd on a Rowe, Gret joy wase to see. Torrent sits at the head of a side table. Torrent a syd bord began⁾, The squyeres nexte hym than, 820 That good knyghtes schuld be.

(72) The King asks Torrent if he’ll Ase they sat a-myddes the mete, The kyng wold not foreget; To Torrent the kyng gan sey, He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue, 825 Thow woldes fayne my dowghttyr haue And hast lovyd her⁾ many a day.’ ‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than⁾, ‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man⁾, Ryght gladly, par ma fay!’ 830 do a deed of arms for Desonell. ‘Yf thow durst for her sake A poynt of armys vndyrtake, Thow broke her⁾ well̴ fore ay!’

(73) ‘Yes,’ says Torrent. ‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga, Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma 835 Of yowr dowghttyr hend, And aftyrward my ryghtys, Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’ . . . . . . And all̴ were Torrentes frende. f. 91b. ‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey, 840 ‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye, A-geyne yf god me send!’

(74) Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the Wyst I, where my jorney schold be, Thether I wolde me dyght.’ 845 The kyng gaff hyme an answere: ‘Then go to Calabria, ‘In the lond of Calabur ther⁾ Wonnythe a gyant wyhte, And he ys bothe strong and bold, Slochys he hyght, I the told, 850 and fight the Giant Slochys.’ God send the that waye Ryght!’ Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue good day, And, or I come a-geyn⁾, I schall̴ asay, Whether the fynd can fyght.’

(75) Tho wold he no lenger⁾ a-byde, 855 He toke ys wey for to Ryde On a sted of gret valewe. In to a chambyr⁾ he gas, Torrent takes leave of Desonell, Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas, Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe; 860 He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴! I schall̴ come a-geyn the tyll̴, Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’ starts, Thus he worthe on a stede. In hys wey Cryst hyme sped, 865 Fore he yt no thyng knewe!

(77) The porter⁾ Dyd hys commandment, The King of Provyns To the kynge he ys wente 880 And knelyd vppon⁾ ys kne: ‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale! Torrent of Portynggale Thus sendythe me to the; He praythe yow, yf ye myght, 885 To harburrow hym thys won⁾ nyght, Yf yowr will̴ yt bee.’ The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre: welcomes Torrent, and ‘There ys no man⁾ in⁾ crystyante More welcome to me!’ 890

(78) The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod, Lordes and other⁾ knyghtes good, That were glad of hys commyng. In to the hale he hyme browght, feeds him. Ryche met spare they nowght, 895 Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng. f. 91b. ‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the, Where be thy men off armys free, That with the schuld leng?’ ‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde, 900 Torrent’s sword is his only Squire. My squyer hongythe be my syde, No man schall̴ with me wend.’

(79) ‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the, Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee, Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’ 905 Torrent says he has to fight in Calabria. ‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly, At Calabur, sekyrly, I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴ With a squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde; Fast be the see Sydde 910 Schuld we pley owur fyle; And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond, Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hond Fore dred of denttes yll̴.’

(80) The King of Provyns warns The kynge seyd: ‘Be goddes ore, 915 I Rede, þat þou come 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 him 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, 925 As hys moder on slepe lay.’

(81) f. 92a. 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 and offers him his Daughter and 2 Duchies instead. Thow schalt here wed to thy fere, And, yf yt thy wyll be, Two duchyes in londe I wille geve here in⁾ hande.’ ‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he, 935 Torrent says he must keep his troth. ‘With my tonge so haue I wrowght, To breke my day than will̴ I nowght, Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’

(82) ‘In goddes name,’ the kyng gane sayne, ‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne, 940 Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’ Menstrelles was 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 He starts, And toke a Redy weyye, Be a see syd as yt laye, God send hym gattes Ryght! 950

(83) A hye stret hathe he nome, reaches Calabria, In to Calabur he ys come With in⁾ to days ore III; Soo come ther⁾ folkes hym a-geyne, Fast folloyng with cart and wayne, 955 Fro-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, 960 In ale thys covntre fare and wyde f. 92b. No mane on lyve levythe hee.’

(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; 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.’

(85) Tho wold he no lenger⁾ a-byd, 975 But 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 gattes of gret Renowne Stondyng⁾ all̴ baree. 980 Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne, and slain 50 men. Mo than fyfty had he slayne With gryme wounddes and sare. When Torrent of hym had a syght, Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr⁾ so bryght, 985 He will Reue hym hys chaffar⁾.

(86) Torrent in⁾ the storrope stod And 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, 990 That thys lothly fynd hym yeld A-non to me tyll̴! f. 93a. 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.

(87) Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane, Bothe schyld and spere than⁾, 1000 That they were sekyr and good. Torrent blows his horn. Aftyr þat, with in a throwe, Hys good horne gane he blowe. The gyant sawe, wher⁾ he stodde: The Giant Slongus, of Flonthus, Slonges of 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

(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⁾, 1015 That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’ The wey than to hym he toke And on hys bake he bare a croke, His Crook is 13 ft. long. Wase X fot long and thre; And thow he neuer so gret war⁾, 1020 Torrent thowght not fare to fare, f. 93b. Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.

(89) Thoo wold Torrent no lenger⁾ byd, Torrent charges, Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde, Ase fast ase euyr⁾ he may. 1025 The theff had non ey but on⁾, Soche sawe I neuer none, Neyther⁾ be nyght nor be day. Thurrow goddes helpe and sent Awsden⁾ pierces the Giant’s eye, The spere throw 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.

(90) Thow the fyndes ey were owte, 1035 Fast he leyd hym a-bowte All̴ þat somyrres nyght; 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. then spears him thro’ the body, Torrent to hyme Rane with a spere, Thurrow the body he gan hym bere, 1045 Thus helpe hym god of myght.

(91) All̴ that in⁾ the sytte were, Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere, and kills him. That thys fynd wase Dedde. f. 94a. Forthe they Ran with stavys of tre, 1050 Torrent 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 ase he hem bede, 1055 Mo than thre hunderd on a throng Yt ys solas Euyr⁾ a-mong Whan that he was dede.

(92) The King of Calabria 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 hys harnes for to do And cloth hym⁾ in another wede. Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe, 1065 Knyghtis 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

(93) Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan say To Torrent on the oþure day: ‘Wyll̴ ye wend with me A litull̴ here be-side to passe, There as the Geauntes dwelling was 1075 His maner now 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⁾, 1080 For thou hym⁾ slew, þat it dight, I vouche it saue on the,

(94) f. 94b. ‘I yeve yt the, sir, of my hond, and an Earldom. And there-to, an erledome of my lond, For soth, ye shall̴ it haue; 1085 Omage thou shalte none nor ffyne, 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: 1090 The castell̴ of Cardon⁾, by sawe. Two days or thre dwellith he thare And sith he takythe leve to ffare, Both at knyght and knave.

(95) By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane, 1095 That he had oute of preson i-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 Torrent hears that Desonell is to marry a strange King. There of herd he, sertaynle, That Desonell̴ wedid shold be With an vncouth Ray. And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce, Howe he lefte his countenaunce 1105 And takyth hym⁾ armes gay!

(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, 1110 My lordys doughter shall̴ wed be To a man⁾ off myght.’ f. 95a. ‘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.’

(97) Torrent has Sir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld, It was ryche in euery ffeld, 1120 Listonyth, what he bare: an azure shield with a gold squire on it; On aȝure 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, 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

(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 herd he tell̴ 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 . . . . . . .

(99) He wold not in passe, 1140 Till̴ at the myd mete was The kyng and meny a knyght; As they satt at theyre mete glade, Torrent rides into the Hall where Desonell is, In at the hall̴ dur he rade f. 95b. In armes ffeyre and bryght, 1145 With 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 all̴ I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴, 1150 Or Delyuer her me with right!’

(100) The kyng of Aragon⁾ sett her bye, And he defendid her nobely: ‘I wyll̴ none delyuer the.’ The Prince of Aragon accepts, 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. Trumpettes blew in the prese, Lordys stond on the grese, 1165 Ladyes lay ouer and be-held. Torrent The prynce and Torrent then Eyther to other gan ren⁾, Smertely in that ffeld; Torrent sett on hym⁾ so sore, 1170 unhorses 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 yere The prynce none armes myght weld. 1175

(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 yll̴ 1180 For 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; 1185 Better they had to haue be away, Suche comffort there he ffond.

(103) He wold not in passe, At dinner, 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, Torrent lays Slongus’s head on the table. And the hede on⁾ the bord he laid: ‘Lo, sir kyng, 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.

(104) Torrent at the syde bord stode: 1200 Torrent 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, 1205 To 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!’ 1210 Tho waried hym⁾ both kyng & knyght.

(105) The King of Aragon 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: 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.’

(106) The Emperoure of Rome ther was, Be-twene thes kynges gan⁾ he passe 1225 And 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 of ryghtes, 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 that anon⁾. 1235

(107) The King of Aragon sends to the giant Cate To the kyng the thoght com⁾ 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 f. 97a. The messingere toke the gate. Gret othes he sware hym than⁾, That he shold ffyght but with one man⁾, And purvey hym he bad Iryn stavis two or thre, 1245 to fight Torrent For to ffyght with Torent ffre, Though he there of ne watt.

(108) Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght, On lond that he shold not ffyght, [1250] But ffar oute in the see, 1250 on an island In 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, 1255 To spend with dedys ffre; And yf sir Torrent myght hym ouer-com⁾, He shold haue halfe Aragon⁾, Was better than suche thre. [1260]

(109) The Giant Cate comes to an Island. The Gyaunt shipped in a while 1260 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, 1275 Send me myght and strengith this day A-yen⁾ the ffend to stond!’ To the shipp sir Torent 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.

(111) and lands in the Island too. Whan sir Torrent in to the Ile was brought, The shipmen⁾ lenger wold tary nought, 1285 But hied hem sone ageyn⁾; The Giant The 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, 1290 Oute of his hand flew his staff: That thefe was full̴ fayn⁾. Tho sir Torent went nere Cate, . . . . . He thought, he wold hym⁾ haue slayn⁾.

(112) The theff couth no better wonne, 1295 and 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; 1300 Torrent 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 yell̴ 1305 Halfe a myle and mare.

(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, 1310 A bote that ye send to me, It is nere hand nyght!’ They Reysed a gale with a sayll̴, and he is towd ashore. The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴, All̴ men wonderid on that wight. 1315 Whan that they had so done, Torrent is shipt to the mainland. They went to sir Torent full̴ sone And shipped that comly knyght. [1320]

(114) The emperoure of Rome was there, The kynges of Pervens and of Calabere yare, 1320 And other two or thre. Torrent is awarded Desonell, territory, They yaue sir Torent, that he wan, Both the Erth and the woman⁾, And said, well̴ worthy was he. Sir Torent had in Aragon⁾ 1325 and 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 Dissonell̴ With gret solempnite. 1330

(115) For sir Torent the fend did fall̴, Gret lordys honoured hym⁾ all̴ And 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, 1335 And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’ He gaue to saint Nycholas de Barr⁾ A grett Erldome and a simarr⁾ [1340] That abbey of hym tas For Iesus love, moch of myght, 1340 That hym helpith day & nyght, Whan⁾ he to the battell̴ gas.

(116) Lordys than⁾ at the laste, Echone on theyre way paste, And euery man⁾ to his. 1345 and the Queen is glad. The quene of Portingale was ffayn⁾, That sir Torent was com agayn⁾ And thankyd god of this. [1350] The King of Portugal bids Torrent 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; wait 6 months and a day for Desonell. But abyde halfe yere and a day, And broke her well̴ with blis!’

(117) Torent said: ‘So muste I the, 1355 Sith it wyll̴ no better be, I cord with that assent!’ After mete, as I you tell̴, [1360] To speke with mayden⁾ Desonell̴, Torrent To her chamber he went. 1360 The damysell̴ so moche of pride Set hym on⁾ her bed-syde, And said: ‘Welcom⁾, verament!’ Such gestenyng he a-right, passes a night with Desonell. That there he dwellid all̴ nyȝt⁾ 1365 f. 99a. With that lady gent.

(118) Sir Torent dwellid thare Twelffe wekys and mare, [1370] Till̴ letters com hym till̴ The King of Norway begs Fro the kyng of Norway; 1370 For Iesus love he did hym praye, Yf it were his wyll̴, him to come and fight a Giant there. He shold com as a doughty knyght, With a Geaunt for to ffyght, That wyll̴ his londys spyll̴; 1375 He wold hym yeve his doughter dere And halfe Norway ffar and nere, Both be hold and be hyll̴. [1380]

(119) Torrent Sir Torent said: ‘So god me saue, I-nough to lyve vppon I haue, 1380 I wyll̴ desire no more; But it be, for Iesu is sake A poynt of armes for to take, That hath helpid me be-ffore. gives all his land to the King for Desonell; I yeve the here oute of my hond 1385 To thy doughter all̴ my lond, Yf that I end thore.’ And whan⁾ he toke his way to passe, [1390] Mo than ffyfty with hym was, That fals to hym⁾ wore. 1390

(120) Syr Torent to the lady went, Full̴ curtesly and gent: . . . . . ‘Desonell̴, haue good day! I muste now on my jurnay, A kyngis lond for to fend. 1395 leaves 2 gold rings with her, Thes gold rynges I shall̴ yeve the, Kepe them well̴, my lady ffre, Yf god a child vs send!’ [1400] f. 99b. She toke the ryngis with moche care, Thries in sownyng fell̴ she thare, 1400 Whan she saw, that he wold wend.

(121) and goes on board ship with his steed and armour. Shipp and takyll̴ they dight, Stede and armour ffor to ffyght To the bote they bare. Gentilmen⁾, that were hend, 1405 Toke her leve at theyre frend, With hym ffor to fare. Kyng Colomond, is not to layn⁾, [1410] He wold, that he cam nevure agayn⁾; There fore god yeff hym⁾ care! 1410 So within the ffyfty dayes Torrent gets to Norway. He Come in to the lond of Norways, Hard Contre ffound he thare.

(122) Thus sir Torrent, for soth, is fare, A noble wynd droffe hym⁾ thare, 1415 Was blowyng oute of the weste. Of the Coste of Norway they had a sight . . . [1419] Of sayling they were all̴ preste. So ffeyre a wynd had the knyght, A litull̴ be-ffore the mydnyght 1420 He Rode be a foreste. The shipmen tell him of a Giant. The shipmen said: ‘We be shent; Here dwellith a geaunt, verament, On his lond are we kest!’

(123) The maistershipmon⁾ said: ‘Nowe 1425 I Rede, we take down⁾ sayle & Rowe, While we haue this tyde. [1430] Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴myght, The giant lieth euery nyght On⁾ the mowntayn⁾ here be-syde; 1430 f. 100a. My lord the kyng wyll̴ not ffyght, Till̴ he of you haue a sight, On you ys all̴ his pryde!’ Torrent resolves to land. Sir Torrent said: ‘Here my hond! Sith we be ryven on this lond, 1435 To nyght wyll̴ I ryde.’

(124) Torrent and his knights arm. Sir Torent armyd hym⁾ anon [1440] And his knyghtes euerychone With sheld and spere in hond. The shipmen⁾ said: ‘As mut I thryve, 1440 I Rede, that euery man⁾ other shryve, Or that we go to the lond.’ Sir Torent said: ‘As god me spede, We will̴ firste se that ffede, My lord was never failand! 1445 Gentilmen, make chere good, For Iesu love, that died on Rood, [1450] He will̴ be oure waraunt!’

(125) They reach the Forest of Brasill. In a forest can⁾ they passe, Of Brasill̴, saith the boke, it was, 1450 With bowes brod and wyde. Lyons and berys there they ffand And wyld bestes aboute goand, Reysing on euery side. The coward knights flee to the ship, Thes men⁾ of armes, with trayn⁾ 1455 To the shipp they flew agayn⁾ In to the see at that tyde; [1460] Fast from land row they be-gan⁾, and leave Torrent alone. A-bove they left that gentilman⁾, With wyld beestis to haue kyde. 1460

(126) The shipmen⁾ of the same lond Ryved vp, I vnderstond, f. 100b. In another lond off hold. False tales of Torrent are told to the King of Norway. To the chamber they toke the way, There the kyng hym⁾ selfe lay, 1465 And fals talis hym⁾ told . . . . . . For he wold not the geaunt abyde, [1470] For all̴ this contrey feyre and wyde, Thouȝ he yeff it hym wold.

(127) ‘Sir kyng, ye haue youre selfe 1470 Erlis doughty be ten⁾ or twelfe, Better know I none: Send youre messingeris ffar and wyde, For to ffell̴ the geauntes pride, That youre doughter hath tane.’ 1475 The King of Norway wants Torrent to come. ‘I had lever to haue that knyght; With hym⁾ is grace of god all̴myȝt⁾, To be here at his bane.’ [1480] Full̴ litull̴ wist that riche kyng Of sir Torrentes ryding 1480 In the forest all̴ alone.

(128) Thorouȝ helpe of god that with hym was, Fro the wyld bestis gan⁾ he passe To an hye hyll̴. A litull̴ while be-fore the day 1485 He herd in a valey A dynnyng and a yell̴. [1490] Torrent rides up to 2 Dragons. Theder than⁾ riduth he, To loke, what thing it myȝt be, What adventure thare be-fell̴. 1490 It were two dragons stiff and strong, Vppon⁾ theyre lay they sat and song, Be-side a depe well̴.

(129) Sir Torent said thanne f. 101a. To god, that made man⁾ 1495 And died uppon⁾ a tree: Torrent prays to Christ, ‘Lord, as thou mayst all̴ weld, [1500] Yeve me grace, to wyn⁾ the feld Of thes ffendys onfre!’ Whan he had his prayers made, 1500 Pertely to hem⁾ he Rade spears the first Dragon; And one thorouȝ oute bare he. Thus sped the knyght at his comyng Thorough the helpe of hevyn⁾ kyng: Lord, lovid muste thou be! 1505

(130) The other dragon wold not flee, . . . . . But showith all̴ his myght; [1510] He smote ffire, that lothely thing, As it were the lightnyng, Vppon⁾ that comly knyght. 1510 There fore sir Torent wold not lett, But on⁾ the dragon) fast⁾ he bett and then kills the second. And over-come that foule wight. Tho anon the day sprong, Fowles Rose, mery they song, 1515 The sonne a-Rose on hyȝt.

(131) Torent of the day was full̴ blithe, [1520] And of the valey he did hym⁾ swith, As fast as euer he may. To a mowntayn⁾ he rode ryght, 1520 He sees a Castle. Of a castell̴ he had a sight With towrys hyȝe and gay . . . . . . He come in to an hyȝe strete, Few folke gan⁾ he mete, To wis hym⁾ the way. 1525

(132) Torrent rides to the Norse Giant’s castle gates. To the gatys tho he Rade; f. 101b. Full̴ craftely they were made [1530] Of Irun⁾ and eke of tree. One tre stonding there he ffond: Nyne oxen⁾ of that lond 1530 Shold not drawe the tre. The Giaunt wrought vp his wall̴ And laid stonys gret and small̴: A lothely man⁾ was he. ‘Now,’ quod Torrent, ‘I not, whare, 1535 My squiers be ffro me to fare, Euer waried they be! [1540]

(133) He considers what he shall do, ‘Lord god, what is beste, So Iesu me helpe, Est or Weste, I Can not Rede to say. 1540 Yf I to the shipp fare, No shipmen⁾ ffynd I thare; It is long, sith they were away. Other wayes yf I wend, Wyld bestis wyll̴ me shend: 1545 Falshede, woo worth it aye! and resolves to fight. I ffyght here, Iesu, for thy sake; [1560] Lord, to me kepe thou take, As thou best may!’

(134) Down⁾ light this gentill̴ knyght, 1550 To Rest hym⁾ a litull̴ wight, And vnbrydelid his stede He baits his steed. And let hym⁾ bayte on⁾ the ground, And aventid hym⁾ in⁾ that stound, There of he had gret nede. 1555 The Norse Giant prepares to fight. The Gyaunt yode and gaderid stone And sye, where the knyght gan⁾ gone, [1570] f. 102a. All̴ armed in dede; And wot ye well̴ and not wene, Whan eyther of hem had other sene, 1560 Smertely they rerid her dede.

(135) For that sir Torent had hym sene, He worth vppon his stede, I wene, And Iesu prayde he till̴: Torrent prays to Christ, ‘Mary son⁾, thou here my bone, 1565 As I am⁾ in venturus stad come, My jurnay to full̴-ffyll̴!’ [1580] A voys was fro hevyn⁾ sent and is cheerd by a voice from Heaven. And said: ‘Be blith, sir Torent, And yeve the no thing yll̴, 1570 To ffyght with my lordys enemy: Whether that thou lyve or dye, Thy mede the quyte he wyll̴!’

(136) Be that the giaunt had hym dight, The Giant advances against Torrent. Cam⁾ ageyn⁾ that gentill̴ knyght, 1575 As bold as eny bore; He bare on⁾ his nek a croke, [1590] Woo were the man⁾, that he ouertoke, It was twelfe ffote and more. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘ffor charite, 1580 Loke, curtes man⁾ that thou be, Yf thy wyll̴ ware: I haue so fought all̴ this nyght With thy II dragons wekyd and wight, They haue bett me full̴ sore.’ 1585

(137) The Giant says he’ll punish The Geaunt said: ‘Be my fay, Wors tydinges to me this day [1600] I myght not goodly here. Thorough the valey as thou cam⁾, Torrent for killing his 2 Dragons My two dragons hast thou slan⁾, 1590 f. 102b. My solempnite they were. To the I haue full̴ good gate; and his Brother Cate. For thou slow my brother Cate, That thou shalte by full̴ dere!’ Be-twene the giaunt and the knyght 1595 Men myght se buffettes right, Who so had be there. [1610]

(138) Sir Torent yaue to hym⁾ a brayd; He levid that the aungell̴ said, Of deth yaue he nought. 1600 In to the brest he hym⁾ bare, His spere hede lefte he thare, So evill̴ was hitt bythought. The Giant’s crook cuts through Torrent’s shield to his flesh, The Giaunt hym ayen⁾ smate Thorough his sheld and his plate, 1605 In to the flesh it sought; And sith he pullith at his croke, [1620] and sticks there. So fast in to the flesh it toke, That oute myȝt he gete it nought.

(139) On hym⁾ he hath it broke, 1610 Glad pluckys there he toke, Set sadly and sare. Sir Torent stalworth satt, Oute of his handys he it gatt, No lenger dwellid he thare. 1615 Torrent throws his shield and the Giant’s crook into the water. In to the water he cast his sheld, Croke and all̴ to-geders it held, [1630] Fare after, how so euer it ffare. The Giant goes in after them and is drowned. The Geaunt folowid with all̴ his mayn⁾, And he come never quyk agayn⁾: 1620 God wold, that so it ware.

(140) f. 103a. Sir Torent bet hym⁾ there, Till̴ that this fend did were, Or he thens wend. On hym had he hurt but ane, 1625 Lesse myght be a mannus bane, But god is full̴ hend: [1640] Thorough grace of hym, that all̴ shall̴ weld, There the knyght had the feld, Torrent rides to the Giant’s castle, Such grace god did hym⁾ send. 1630 Be than it nyed nere hand nyȝt⁾, To a castell̴ he Rode right, All̴ nyght there to lend.

(141) In the castell̴ found he nought, That god on the Rode bought; 1635 High vppon⁾ a toure, As he caste a side lokyng, [1650] and finds a fair Lady there. He saw a lady in her bed syttyng, White as lylye ffloure; Vp a-Rose that lady bryght, 1640 And said: ‘Welcom⁾, sir knyght, That fast art in stoure!’ ‘Damysell̴, welcom⁾ mut thou be! Torrent asks for a night’s lodging. Graunt thou me, for charite, Of one nyghtis soioure!’ 1645

(142) ‘By Mary,’ said that lady clere, ‘Me for-thinkith, that thou com⁾ here, [1660] The Lady says the Giant Weraunt will kill him. Thy deth now is dight; For here dwellith a geaunt, He is clepud Weraunt, 1650 He is to the devill̴ be-taught. To day at morn⁾ he toke his croke, Forth at the yates the way he toke, f. 103b. And said, he wold haue a draught; And here be chambers two or thre, 1655 In one of hem I shall̴ hide the, God the saue ffrome harmes right!’ [1670]

(143) ‘Certayn⁾,’ tho said the knyght, ‘That theffe I saw to nyght, Here be-side a slade. 1660 Torrent tells her to He was a ferly freke in ffyght, With hym faught a yong knyght, Ech on other laid good lade; Me thought well̴, as he stode, He was of the fendus blood, 1665 So Rude was he made. Dame, yf thou leve not me, [1680] come and see the Giant. Com⁾ nere, and thou shalt se, Which of hem abade.’

(144) Blith was that lady bryght 1670 For to se that selly sight: With the knyght went she. The Norwegian Princess sees the Giant’s corpse, Whan she cam, where the Geaunt lay, ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘parmaffay I wott well̴, it is he. 1675 Other he was of god all̴-myght Or seynt George, oure lady knyȝt⁾, [1690] That there his bane hath be. Yf eny cryston⁾ man smyte hym down⁾, and praises his slayer. He is worthy to haue renown⁾ 1680 Thorough oute all̴ crystiaunte.’

(145) ‘I haue wonder,’ said the knyght, ‘How he gate the, lady bryght, Fro my lord the kyng.’ She tells Torrent f. 104a. ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘verament, 1685 As my fader on huntyng went Erly in a mornyng, [1700] Fore his men pursued a dere, To his castell̴, that stondith here, That doth my hondys wryng, 1690 that her Father gave her, as his ransom, to the Giant. This Giaunt hym toke, wo he be! For his love he gevith hym⁾ me, He wold none other thinge.’

(146) Forth she brought bred and wyne, Fayn⁾ he was for to dyne . . . . . . 1695 This knyght made noble chere, Though that he woundid were [1710] With the Geaunt strong.

(147) Sir Torrent dwellid no lenger thare, Torrent takes her away. Than⁾ he myȝt away fare 1700 With that lady bryght. Torrent longs for Desonell. ‘Now, Iesu, that made hell̴, Send me on lyve to Desonell̴, That I my trouth to plight!’ Tho sye they be a forest syde 1705 Men⁾ of armes ffaste ride On coursers comly dight. [1720] The lady said: ‘So mvst I thee, The Norwegian Princess sees her Father. It is my fader, is com for me, With the Geaunt to ffyght.’ 1710

(148) An harood said anon⁾ right: ‘Yon I se an armed knyght, And no squier, but hym⁾ one: He is so big of bone & blood, He is the Geaunt, be the Rode!’ 1715 Som⁾ seith, he riduth vppon⁾. f. 104b. ‘Nay,’ said the kyng, ‘verament, [1820] Torrent is recognised It is the knyght, that I after sent, I thanke god and seynt Iohñ, For the Geaunt slayn⁾) hath he 1720 And wonne my doughter, well̴ is me! All̴ his men are atone!’

(149) Wott ye well̴, with Ioy and blis Sir Torent there recevid ys, As doughty man⁾ of dede. 1725 and welcomd by the King of Norway. The kyng and other lordys gent Said, ‘Welcom⁾, sir Torent, [1830] In to this vncouth thede!’ In to a state they hym⁾ brought, His wounds are drest. Lechis sone his woundis sought; 1730 They said, so god hem spede, Were there no lyve but ane, His liffe they wyll̴ not vndertane, For no gold ne ffor mede.

(150) The Princess The lady wist not or than⁾, 1735 That he was hurt, that gentilman⁾, And sith she went hym tyll̴; [1840] She sought his woundus and said thare: ‘Thou shalte lyve and welfare, Yf the no-thing evyll̴! 1740 claims Torrent as her husband. My lord the kyng hath me hight, That thou shalt wed me, sir knyght, The fforward ye to fulle ffyll̴.’ ‘Damysell̴, loo here my hond: And I take eny wyffe in this lond, 1745 It shall̴ be at thy wyll̴!’

(151) Her name is Gendres. Gendres was that ladyes name. [1850] The Geauntes hede he brought hame, f. 105a. And the dragons he brought. Mene myght here a myle aboute, 1750 How on the dede hedys they did shoute, For the shame, that they hem⁾ wrought, Both with dede and with tong Fyfte on the hedys dong, That to the ground they sought. 1755 Torrent stays 12 months in Norway. Sir Torrent dwellid thare Twelfe monythis and mare, [1860] That ffurther myȝt he nought.

(152) The kyng of Norway said: ‘Nowe, Fals thevis, woo worth you, 1760 Ferly sotell̴ were ye: Ye said, the knyght wold not com⁾: Swith oute of my kyngdome, Or hangid shall̴ ye be!’ The King of Norway sends Torrent’s false Squires to sea, His squiers, that fro hym⁾ fled, 1765 With sore strokys are they spred Vppon the wanne see, [1870] where all drown, save one. And there they drenchid euery man⁾, Saue one knave, that to lond cam⁾, And woo be-gone is he. 1770

(153) The child, to lond that god sent, In Portyngale he is lent, In a riche town⁾, That hath hight be her day, And euer shall̴, as I you say, 1775 The town⁾ of Peron⁾. He takes the news to the King of Portugal, By-fore the kyng he hym sett, [1880] ‘Full̴ well̴ thy men⁾, lord, the grett, And in the see did they drown.’ Desonell̴ said: ‘Where is Torent?’ 1780 and tells Desonell that Torrent is in Norway. f. 105b. ‘In Norway, lady, verament.’ On sownyng fell̴ she down⁾.

(154) She swoons, and folk see she is big with child. As she sownyd, this lady myld, Men myȝt se tokenyng of her child, Steryng on⁾ her right syde. 1785 Gret Ruth it was to tell̴, How her maydens on⁾ her fell̴, [1890] Her to Couer and to hide. Tho the kyng said: ‘My doughter, do way! By god, thy myrth is gone for aye, 1790 Spousage wyll̴ thou none bide! The King of Portugal declares he’ll send Desonell and her Bastard to sea. There fore thou shalt in to the see And that Bastard with-in the, To lerne you ffor to ride.’

(155) His Earls Erlis and Barons, that were good, 1795 By-fore the kyng knelid and stode For that lady free. [1900] and the Queen The quene, her moder, on knees fell̴, ‘For Iesu is love, that harood hell̴, Lord, haue mercy on⁾ me! 1800 That ylke dede, that she hath done, It was with an Erlis sonne, Riche man⁾ i-nough is he; pray for mercy for Desonell. And yf ye wyll̴ not let her lyve, Right of lond ye her yeve, 1805 Till̴ she delyuerd be!’

(156) Thus the lady dwellith there, [1910] She is delivered of 2 male children Tyll that she delyuerd were Of men⁾ children⁾ two; In all poyntes they were gent, 1810 like Torrent. And like they were to sir Torent; f. 106a. For his love they sufferid woo. The kyng said: ‘So mut I thee, Her Father says she shall be sent out to sea. Thou shalte in-to the see With oute wordys moo. 1815 Euery kyngis doughter ffer and nere, At the shall̴ they lere, [1920] Ayen⁾ the law to do.’

(157) She is led from his land. Gret ruth it was to se, Whan they led that lady ffree 1820 Oute of her faders lond. The Queen bewails her daughter’s fate. The quene wexid tho nere wood For her doughter, that gentill̴ ffode, And knyghtis stode wepand; A cloth of silke gan they ta 1825 And partyd it be-twene hem twa, Therin they were wonde. Desonell is sent to sea. Whan⁾ they had shypped that lady ying, [1930] An hunderid fell̴ in sownyng At Peron⁾ on⁾ the sond. 1830

(158) Whan that lady was downe fall, On Iesu Cryste dyd she call; Down⁾ knelid that lady clene: She prays to Christ for her children. ‘Rightfull god, ye me sende Some good londe, on to lende, 1835 That my chyldren may crystonyd bene!’ She said, ‘Knyghtis and ladyes gent, Grete well̴ my lord, sir Torrent, Yeff ye hym⁾ euer sene!’ The wynd Rose ayen⁾ the nyght, 1840 Fro lond it blew that lady bryght [1941] Vppon the see so grene.

Iesu Cryste, that com vp here On this strond, as I wenyd MS.

(159) Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn⁾, Þat in a forest she is revyn⁾, There wyld beestis were; 1845 She and they reach land. The see was eb, and went her ffroo, f. 106b. And lefte her and her children⁾ two Alone with-oute ffere. Her one child woke and be-gan⁾ to wepe, The lady a-woke oute of her slepe 1850 Desonell stills her crying child, And said: ‘Be still̴, my dere, [1951] Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond; Yf there be any cryston man⁾ nere hond, We shall̴ haue som socoure here.’

(160) The carefull̴ lady was full̴ blith, 1855 Vp to lond she went swith, As fast as euer she myght. Tho the day be-gan⁾ to spryng, Foules a-Rose and mery gan syng Delicious notys on⁾ hight. 1860 goes up a mountain, To a mowntayn went that lady ffree: [1961] Sone was she warr⁾ of a Cite With towrus ffeyre and bryght. There fore, i-wys, she was full̴ fayn⁾, She sett her down⁾, as I herd sayn⁾, 1865 Her two children⁾ ffor to dight.

(161) and finds an Arbour there. Vppon⁾ the low the lady ffound An Erber wrought with mannus hond, With herbis, that were good. A Grype was in⁾ the mowntayn⁾ wonne, 1870 A Griffin carries off one of her boys. A way he bare her yong son⁾ [1971] Ouer a water fflood, Over in to a wyldernes, There seynt Antony ermet wes, There as his chapell̴ stode. 1875 She puts the other down, The other child down⁾ gan⁾ she ly, f. 107a. And on the ffoule did shoute & crye, That she was nere hond wood.

(162) Vp she rose ageyn⁾ the rougħ, and sorrows. With sorofull̴ hert and care Inougħ, 1880 Carefull̴ of blood and bone . . . . . . . [1981] She sye, it myght no better be, She knelid down⁾ vppon⁾ her kne, And thankid god and seynt Iohn⁾.

(163) A leopard takes her other boy away. There come a libard vppon⁾ his pray, 1885 And her other child bare away, She thankid god there And his moder Mary bryght. This lady is lefte alone ryght: The sorow she made there . . . . . 1890

(164) That she myght no further ffare: [1991] ‘Of one poynt,’ she sayd, ‘is my care, As I do now vnderstond, So my children⁾ crystenyd were, Though they be with beestes there, 1895 Theyre liffe is in goddus hond.’ The King of Jerusalem sees the leopard and child. The kyng of Ierusalem⁾ had bene At his brothers weddyng, I wene, That was lord of all̴ that lond. As he com homward on his way, 1900 He saw where the liberd lay [2001] With a child pleyand.

(165) Torrent had yeve her ringes two, Each child has one of Torrent’s rings. And euery child had one of tho, Hym⁾ with all̴ to saue. 1905 The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld, Yonder is a liberd with a child, A mayden⁾ or a knave.’ f. 107b. The King’s men Tho men⁾ of armes theder went, Anon⁾ they had theyre hors spent, 1910 Her guttys oute she Rave. [2011] For no stroke wold she stynt; kill the Leopard, Till̴ they her slew with speris dynt, The child myght they not haue.

(166) and take the Child to the King, Vp they toke the child ying 1915 And brought it be-ffore the kyng And vndid the swathing band, As his moder be-ffore had done, A gold ryng they ffound sone, Was closud in his hond. 1920 Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem⁾: [2021] ‘This child is come of gentill̴ teme, Where euer this beest hym⁾ ffond. The boke of Rome berith wytnes, who christens him ‘Leobertus,’ The kyng hym⁾ namyd Leobertus, 1925 That was hent in hethyn⁾ lond.

(167) Two squiers to the town⁾ gan⁾ flyng, And a noryse to the child did bryng, Hym⁾ to kepe ffrome greme. and takes him to Jerusalem. He led it in⁾ to his own⁾ lond 1930 And told the quene, how he it ffond [2031] By a water streme. Whan⁾ the lady saw the ryng, She said, with-oute lettyng: ‘This child is com⁾ of gentill̴ teme: 1935 Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take, For Iesu love thou sholdist hym⁾ make Prynce of Ierusalem⁾.’

(168) Now, in boke as we rede, St. Anthony As seynt Antony aboute yede, 1940 Byddyng his orysoun⁾, [2041] f. 108a. sees the Griffin Of the gripe he had a sight, How she flew in a fflight, To her birdus was she boun⁾. and Desonell’s first boy, Be-twene her clawes she bare a child: 1945 He prayed to god and Mary myld, On lyve to send it down⁾. That man was well̴ with god all̴-myȝt⁾, whom the bird lays at his feet. At his fote gan⁾ she light, That foule of gret renown⁾. 1950

(169) Vp he toke the child there, [2051] To his auter he did it bere, There his chapell̴ stode. A knave child there he ffond, There was closud in his hond 1955 A gold ryng riche and good. St. Antony takes the boy to his Father, the King of Greece. He bare it to the Cite grett, There the kyng his fader sett As a lord of jentill̴ blood, For he wold saue it ffro dede; 1960 A grype flew a-bove his hede [2061] And cryed, as he were wood.

(170) This holy man⁾ hied hym⁾ tyte To a Cite with touris white, As fast as he may. 1965 The King sees The kyng at the yate stode And other knyghtes and lordys good To se the squiers play. The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld, his son Antony, Yonder comyth Antony, my child, 1970 With a gryffon⁾ gay. [2071] Som⁾ of his byrdus take hath he, And bryngith hem⁾ heder to me!’ Gret ferly had thaye.

(171) f. 108b. The kyng there of toke good hede, 1975 And a-geyn⁾ his sonne he yede And said: ‘Welcom⁾ ye be!’ ‘Fader,’ he said, ‘god you saue! A knave child ffound I haue, who asks him to adopt Desonell’s boy as Loke, that it be dere to the! 1980 Frome a greffon⁾ he was refte, [2081] Of what lond that he is lefte, Of gentill̴ blood was he: Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take, his heir. For Iesu love thy sonne hym⁾ make, 1985 As in the stede of me!’

(172) The King of Greece agrees, The kyng said: ‘Yf I may lyve, Helpe and hold I shall̴ hym yeve And receyve hym as my son⁾. Sith thou hast this lond forsake, 1990 My riche londys I shall̴ hym⁾ take, [2091] Whan he kepe them⁾ con⁾.’ and has the Boy baptized. To a ffont they hym yaue, And crystonyd this yong knave; Fro care he is wonne. 1995 The Boy is christend Antony Fitzgriffin. The holy man yaue hym⁾ name, That Iesu shild hym⁾ ffrome shame: Antony fice greffoun⁾.

(173) ‘Fader, than⁾ haue thou this ryng, I ffound it on⁾ this swete thing, 2000 Kepe it, yf thou may: [2101] It is good in euery fight, Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght, Be nyght and be day.’ Let we now this children⁾ dwell̴, 2005 And speke we more of Desonell̴: Desonell laments, f. 109a. Her song was welaway. God, that died vppon⁾ the Rode, Yff grace, that she mete with good! Thus disparplid are thay. 2010

(174) wanders among wild beasts, This lady walkyd all̴ alone [2111] Amonge wyld bestis meny one, Ne wanted she no Woo; Anon⁾ the day be-gan to spryng, And the ffoules gan to syng, 2015 With blis on euery bowȝe . . . . . . .

(175) ‘Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be! Alone ye haue lefte me, and bewails her lost children. My children⁾ ye have slone.’ As she walkid than⁾ a-lone, 2020 She sye lordis on⁾ huntyng gone, [2121] Nere hem⁾ she yede full̴ sone. This carfull̴ lady cried faste, Than she herd this hornes blaste By the yatis gone, 2025 Desonell flees from some hunters But ran in to a wildernes, Amongist beests that wyld wes, For drede, she shold be slone.

(176) Till̴ it were vnder of the Day, She went fro that wilsom⁾ way, 2030 In to a lond playn⁾. [2131] into the land of Nazareth. The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there, Among the hertes, that gentill̴ were; There of she was full̴ ffayn⁾ . . . . . . . . .

(177) They had ferly, kyng and knyght, 2035 Whens she come, that lady bryght, Dwelling here a-lone. She said to a squier, that there stode: ‘Who is lord of most jentill̴ blood?’ f. 109b. And he answerid her anon⁾: 2040 ‘This ys the lond of Naȝareth, [2141] She sees the King, Se, where the kyng gethe, Of speche he is ffull̴ bone; All̴ in gold couerid is he.’ ‘Gramercy, sir,’ said she, 2045 And nere hym⁾ gan⁾ she gone.

(178) Lordys anon ageyn⁾ her yode, For she was com⁾ of gentill̴ blood, In her lond had they bene: whose Lords greet her. ‘God loke the, lady ffree, 2050 What makist thou in this contre?’ [2151] ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I wene, Seynt Katryn⁾ I shold haue sought, Wekyd weders me heder hath brought In to this fforest grene, 2055 Desonell says that her boys are dead, and she is left alone. And all̴ is dede, I vnderstond, Saue my selfe, that com⁾ to lond With wyld beestis and kene.’

(179) ‘Welcom,’ he said,’ Desonell̴, By a tokyn⁾ I shall̴ the tell̴: 2060 Onys a stede I the sent. [2161] Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree, To the shold I haue wedid be, My love was on⁾ the lent.’ Knyghtis and squiers, that there were, 2065 They horsid the lady there, She is taken to Nazareth, And to the Cite they went. The quene was curtes of that lond and welcomd by the Queen, And toke the lady be the hond And said: ‘Welcom, my lady gent! 2070

(180) ‘Lady, thou art welcom⁾ here, [2171] f. 110a. As it all̴ thyn⁾ own⁾ were, All̴ this ffeyre contree!’ ‘Of one poynt was my care, And my two children⁾ crystonyd ware, 2075 That in wood were reft ffro me.’ ‘Welcom art thou, Desonell̴, with whom she stays. In my chamber for to dwell̴, Inough there in shall̴ ye see!’ Leve we now that lady gent, 2080 And speke we of sir Torrent, [2181] That was gentill̴ and ffre.

(181) Sir Torrent won’t stop in Norway, The kyng of Norway is full̴ woo, That sir Torent wold wend hym ffro, That doughty was and bold: 2085 ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘abyde here And wed my doughter, that is me dere!’ He said, in no wise he wold. He shipped oute of the kynges sale but goes back to Portugal. And Ryved vp in⁾ Portingale 2090 At another hold. [2191] Whan⁾ he herd tell̴ of Desonell̴, Swith on sownyng there he fell̴ To the ground so cold.

(182) The false King Calamond of Portugal The fals kyng of Portingale, 2095 Sparid the yatis of his sale For Torent the ffree; tells him that Desonell and her 2 Boys were sent out to sea. He said: ‘Be Mary clere, Thou shalt no wyfe haue here, Go sech her in⁾ the see! 2100 With her she toke whelpis two, [2201] To lerne to row wold she go.’ ‘By god, thou liest,’ quod he, ‘Kyng Colomand, here my hond! f. 110b. And I be knyght levand, 2105 I-quytt shall̴ it be!’

(183) Torent wold no lenger byde, But sent letters on euery side With fforce theder to hye. Torrent gathers an army. Theder com oute of Aragon⁾ 2110 Noble knyghtes of gret renown⁾ [2211] With grett chevalrye. Torrent’s knights Of Pervyns and Calaber also Were doughty knyghtes meny moo, They come all̴ to that crye. 2115 Kyng Calomond had no knyght, That with sir Torent wold fyght, Of all̴ that satt hym⁾ bye.

(184) There wold none the yatis deffend, and he are let into the chief City of Portugal, But lett sir Torent in wend 2120 With his men⁾ euerychone. [2221] Swith a counsell̴ yede they to, To what deth they wold hym do, For he his lady had slone. ‘Lordis,’ he said, ‘he is a kyng, 2125 Men may hym⁾ nether hede ne hing.’ Thus said they euerychone. and resolve to send the false King to sea They ordenyd a shipp all̴ of tree And sett hym⁾ oute in⁾ to the see, Among the wawes to gone. 2130

(185) Gret lordis of that lond [2231] Assentid to that comnand, That hold shold it be. In the havyn⁾ of Portyngale, There stode shippes of hede vale 2135 f. 111a. Of Irun and of tree. in a boat full of holes. A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn⁾, Full̴ of holis it was born⁾, Howsell̴ and shryfte wold he. Sir Torent said: ‘Be seynt Iohn⁾, 2140 Seth thou gaue my lady none, [2241] No more men⁾ shall̴ do the!’

(186) The false king Calamond is drownd, The shipp-men⁾ brought sir Colomond And sent hym fforth within⁾ a stound As ffar as it were. 2145 Wott ye well̴ and vnderstond, He come never ayen to lond, Such stormes ffound he there. and Torrent is made King of Portugal, Gret lordys of renown⁾ Be-toke sir Torent the crown⁾ 2150 To reioyse it there. [2251] Loo, lordys of euery lond: Falshode wyll̴ haue a foule end, And wyll̴ haue euermore.

(187) Sir Torent dwellid thare 2155 Fourty days in moche care, Season⁾ for to hold; Sith he takith two knyghtes, To kepe his lond and his rightes, That doughty were and bold. 2160 but he gives the land up to the Queen, ‘Madam⁾,’ he said to the quene, [2261] ‘Here than shall̴ ye lady bene, To worth as ye wold.’ and resolves to go to the Holy-Land. He purveyd hym⁾ anon⁾, To wend ouer the see fome, 2165 There god was bought and sold.

(188) And ye now will̴ liston⁾ a stound, f. 111b. How he toke armes of kyng Calomond, Listonyth, what he bare. His arms are 3 silver ships on an azure field. On asure, as ye may see, 2170 With syluer shippes thre, [2271] Who so had be thare. For love of Desonell, For Desonell̴ is love so bryght, His londis he takyth to a knyght, And sith he is boun to fare. 2175 Torrent leaves Portugal. ‘Portyngale, haue good day For Sevyn⁾ yere, parmaffay, Par aventure som⁾ dele mare!’

(189) Sir Torent passid the Grekys flood In to a lond both riche and good, 2180 Full̴ evyn⁾ he toke the way [2281] He besieges the City of Quarell To the cite of Quarell̴, As the boke of Rome doth tell̴, There a soudan⁾ lay. There he smote and set adown⁾ 2185 And yaue asaute in to the town, That will̴ the storye say. So well̴ they vetelid were, for 2 years, and then takes it. That he lay there two yere, Sith in⁾ the town⁾ went they. 2190

(190) He has its inhabitants kild, And tho sir Torent ffound on⁾ lyve, [2291] He comaundid with spere and knyffe Smertely dede to be; He said: ‘We haue be here Moche of this two yere 2195 And onward on⁾ the thre.’ and shares its booty among his men. All̴ the good, that sir Torent wan⁾, He partid it among his man⁾, Syluer, gold and ffee; f. 112a. And sith he is boun to ride 2200 To a Cite there be-syde, [2301] That was worth such thre.

(191) Torrent then besieges another heathen City for 6 years. There he stode and smote adown⁾ And leyd sege to the town⁾, Six yere there he lay. 2205 By the VI yere were all̴ done, All its folk die of hunger. With honger they were all̴ slone, That in the Cite lay. The Soudan sent to sir Torent than⁾, With honger that thes people be slan, 2210 All̴ the folke of this Cite; [2311] ‘Yf ye thinke here to lye, Ye shall̴ haue wyne and spycery, I-nough is in this contre.’

(192) Now god do his soule mede! 2215 On the soudan⁾ he had a dede Vppon⁾ euery good ffryday. Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ, Torrent kills the Sultan, With dynt of sword he hym slougħ, There went none quyk away. 2220 Down knelid that knyght [2321] And thankid god with all̴ his myȝt⁾: So ought he well̴ to say. The Cite, that sir Torent was yn⁾, Worldely goodis he left ther yn⁾, 2225 To kepe it nyght and day.

(193) goes to Antioch, Sith he buskyd hym⁾ to ride f. 112b. In to a lond there be-syde, Antioche it hight. Sevyn⁾ yere at the Cite he lay 2230 and fights every good Friday. And had batell̴ euery good ffryday, [2331] Vppon⁾ the Sarȝins bryght; And be the VII yere were gone, The child, that the liberd had tane, Found hym his fill̴ off ffyght . . . . . . 2235

(194) The King of Jerusalem The kyng of Ierusalem⁾ herd tell̴ Of this lord good and fell̴, How doughtyly he hym bare. Vppon⁾ his knyghtes can he call̴, ‘Ordeyn⁾ swith among you all̴, 2240 For no thing that ye spare!’ [2341] They buskyd hem oute of the land, sends 50,000 knights, The nombre off ffyfty thousand, Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare . . . .

(195) The kyng of Ierusalem said thus: 2245 and his adopted son Leobertus (Torrent’s second boy) ‘My dere son, Liobertus, That thou be bold and wight! Thou shalt be here and defend the lond From that fals traytors hond And take the ordre of a knyght.’ 2250 He yaue hym armes, or he did passe: [2351] Right as he ffound was, On gold he bare bryght A liberd of asure bla A child be-twene his armes twa: 2255 Woo was her, that se it myght!

(196) Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde, But thederward gan⁾ he ride; And to the feld were brought against Torrent. f. 113a. Two knyghtes, that were there in stede; 2260 Many a man did they to blede, [2361] Such woundis they wrought. Torrent’s son Leobertus There durst no man com⁾ Torent nere, But his son, as ye may here, Though he knew hym nought. 2265 All̴ to nought he bet his shild, captures him. But he toke his fader in the feld, Though he there of evill̴ thought.

(197) Torrent Whan⁾ sir Torent was takyn⁾ than⁾, His men fled than⁾, euery man⁾, 2270 They durst no lenger abyde. [2371] Gret ruth it was to be hold, How his sword he did vp-hold To his son⁾ that tyde. is taken to Jerusalem To Ierusalem⁾ he did hym⁾ lede, 2275 His actone and his other wede, All̴ be the kyngis side; ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘haue no care, Thou shalte lyve and welfare, But lower ys thy pryde!’ 2280

(198) Fro that sir Torent was hom brought, [2381] Doughty men⁾ vppon⁾ hym⁾ sought, and thrust into prison, And in preson⁾ they hym⁾ thronge. His son above his hede lay, To kepe hym⁾ both nyȝt and day, 2285 He wist well̴, that he was strong. where his son Leobertus hears him lament a whole year. Thus in preson as he was, Sore he siȝed and said alas, He couth none other songe. f. 113b. Thus in bondys they held hym thare 2290 A twelfmonyth and som dele mare, [2391] The knyght thought ffull̴ long.

(199) Torrent In a mornyng as he lay, To hym selfe gan⁾ he say: ‘Why lye I thus alone? 2295 appeals to God God, hast thou forsakyn⁾ me? All̴ my truste was in the, In lond where I haue gone! who once enabled him to kill Dragons and Giants. Thou gave me myȝt ffor to slee Dragons two other thre 2300 And giauntes meny one, [2401] And now a man⁾ in wekid lond Hath myn⁾ armour and stede in⁾ hond: I wold, my liffe were done!’

(200) His son Leobertus hears him, His son herd hym⁾ say soo 2305 And in his hert was full̴ woo, In chamber there he lay; ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I haue thy wede, There shall̴ no man reioyse thy stede, Yf so be, that I may. 2310 By oure lady seynt Mary, [2411] and promises to get him freed. Here shalt thou no lenger lye, Nether be nyȝt⁾ ne be day; As I am⁾ Curtesse and hend, To the kyng I shall̴ wend, 2315 And ffor thy love hym pray!’

(201) On⁾ the morow whan⁾ he Rose, The prynce to the kyng gose And knelid vppon⁾ his knee; f. 114a. Leobertus asks the King of Jerusalem for Torrent. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘ffor goddus sonne, 2320 The knyght, that lieth in the dungeon⁾, [2421] Ye wold graunt hym⁾ me! I hard hym say be hym⁾ alone, Many Geauntes had he slone And dragons II or thre.’ 2325 The King of Jerusalem grants Torrent to his elder son, The kyng said: ‘Be my ffay, Be warr⁾, he scape not away; I vouch hym saue on the!’

(202) who frees him from prison, The prynce in to the preson went, Torent by the hond he hent 2330 Oute of his bondys cold; [2431] To the castell̴ he brought hym sone tho’ still fettering him. And light ffettouris did hym⁾ vppon⁾, For brekyng oute off hold. The kyng said: ‘Be my ffaye, 2335 And he euer scape away, Full̴ dere he shall̴ be sold!’ ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘parmaffay, We wyll̴ hym⁾ kepe, and we may: There of be ye bold!’ 2340

(203) For he was curtes knyght & free, [2441] Torrent dines with the King, At the mete sett was he By the kyng at the deyse. ‘Sir, thou haste i-bene At Iustis and at tornementes kene, 2345 Both in warr⁾ and in peas: Sith thy dwelling shall̴ be here, I pray, that thou woldist my son⁾ lere, Hys Tymber ffor to asay.’ and promises to teach his son Leobertus spearcraft. ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I vnderstond, 2350 f. 114b. Affter the maner off my lond [2451] I shall̴, with outen delay.’

(204) The jousts at Jerusalem. The castell̴ court was large with in⁾, They made ryngis ffor to Ren⁾, None but they alone. 2355 Euery of hem to oþure Rade: Feyrer Turnamentes than they made, Men sye never none. The prynce in armes was full̴ preste, Torrent’s son Leobertus breaks 3 shafts on his Father. Thre shaftys on⁾ his fader he breste, 2360 In shevers they gan gone. [2461] Sir Torent said: ‘So mvt I thee, A man of armes shall̴ thou be, Stalworth of blood and bone!’

(205) Harroldys of armes cryed on⁾ hight, 2365 The prynce and that other knyght No more juste shall̴ thay; But lordys of other lond, Euery one to other ffond, And sith went theyre way. 2370 The jousts last 6 weeks. Sixe wekys he dwellid there, [2471] Till̴ that all̴ delyuerd were, That in the Cite lay. A Feast is held. Tho they held a gestonye, With all̴ maner of mynstralsye, 2375 Tyll̴ the Sevynth day.

(206) Lordis with all̴ other thing Toke leve at the kyng, Home theyre ways to passe. Torrent is declared victor. That tyme they yaue Torent the floure 2380 f. 115a. And the gre with moch honowre, [2481] As he well̴ worthy was. The King of Jerusalem promises to support Torrent. The kyng said: ‘I shall̴ the yeve Liffe and lyvelode, whill̴ I lyve, Thyn armour, as it was.’ 2385 Whan he sye ffeyre ladyes wend, He thought on her, that was so hend, And sighed and said: ‘Alas!’

(207) The King of Nazareth The kyng of Naȝareth home went, There that his lady lent, 2390 In his own⁾ lede. [2491] ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘ffor goddus pite, What gentilman⁾ wan⁾ the gre?’ He said, ‘So god me spede, One of the ffeyrest knyghtis, 2395 That slepith on⁾ somer nyghtes Or walkyd in wede; He is so large of lym⁾ and lith, All̴ the world he hath justid with, That come to that dede.’ 2400

(208) ‘Good lord,’ said Desonell̴, [2501] ‘For goddus love ye me tell̴, What armes that he bare!’ tells Desonell that the Victor (Torrent) has an armd Giant as his crest. ‘Damysell̴, also muste I the, Syluer and asure beryth he, 2405 That wott I well̴ thare. His Creste is a noble lond, A Gyaunt with an⁾ hoke in⁾ hond, This wott I well̴, he bare. He is so stiff at euery stoure, 2410 He is prynce and victoure, [2511] f. 115b. He wynneth the gree aye where.

(209) The Victor is a Knight of Portugal. Of Portyngale a knyght he ys, He wanne the town⁾ of Raynes And the Cite of Quarelle; 2415 At the last jurney that was sett, The prynce, my broders son⁾ he mett, And in his hond he ffell̴. The prynce of Grece leth nere There may no juster be his pere, 2420 For soth as I you tell̴: [2521] The King of Nazareth proclaims a Jousting. A dede of armes I shall̴ do crye And send after hym⁾ in hye.’ Blith was Desonell̴.

(210) This dede was cried ffar and nere, 2425 The kyng of Ierusalem did it here, In what lond that it shold be. The King of Jerusalem sends Torrent and his elder son Leobertus to it. He said: ‘Sone, anon right Dight the and thy cryston⁾ knyght, For sothe, theder will̴ we.’ 2430 Gret lordys, that herith this crye, [2531] Theder come richely, Everyman⁾ in his degre. The King of Greece brings the younger son, Antony Fitzgriffin. The kyng of Grece did make hym boun, With hym⁾ come Antony ffyȝ greffon⁾, 2435 With moche solempnite . . . . . . .

(211) ‘The kyng of Naȝareth sent me, That there shold a justynge be Of meny a cryston⁾ knyght, The Jousting is for a lady. And all̴ is ffor a lady clere, 2440 f. 116a. That the justyng is cryed ffar and nere, [2541] Of men⁾ of armes bryght.’ Gret joye it was to here tell̴, How thes kynges with the knyghtis fell̴ Come and semled to that ffyght. 2445

(212) Many folk come to the jousts. There come meny another mon⁾, That thought there to haue to done, And than⁾ to wend her way. Whan⁾ they come to the castell̴ gent, A Roall̴ ffyght, verament, 2450 There was, the sothe to say. [2551] Trompes resyn⁾ on the wall̴, Lordys assembled in the hall̴, They sup And sith to souper yede thay. They were recevid with rialte, 2455 Euery man⁾ in his degre, and sleep, And to her logyng went her way.

(213) rise, The lordys Rosyn all̴ be-dene On the morow, as I wene, hear Mass, And went masse ffor to here. 2460 And ffurthermore with-oute lent [2561] and dine, They wesh and to mete went, For to the ffeld they wold there. After mete anon⁾ right They axid hors and armes bryght, 2465 then mount, To hors-bak went thay in ffere. Knyghtis and lordys reuelid all̴, And ladyes lay ouer the castell̴ wall̴, That semely to se were.

(214) and begin to joust. Than⁾ eueryman toke spere in⁾ hond, 2470 And euerych to other ffond, [2571] f. 116b. Smert boffettes there they yeld. Torrent’s 2 sons joust. The prynce of Ierusalem⁾ and his brother, Eueriche of hem⁾ Ran to other⁾ Smertely in the feld . . . . . . . . 2475 The younger, Antony, unhorses his brother Leobertus. Though⁾ Antony ffygryffon⁾ yonger were, His brother Leobertus he can down⁾ bere; Sir Torent stode and be-held.

(215) ‘Be my trouth,’ said Torent thanne, ‘As I am⁾ a cryston⁾ man 2480 I-quytt shall̴ it be.’ [2581] Torent be-strode a stede strong And hent a tymber gret and long, And to hym⁾ rode he.

(216) Torrent rides down his younger son. Torrent to hym rode so sore, 2485 That he to the ground hym⁾ bare, And let hym⁾ lye in⁾ the bent. There was no man⁾ hyȝe ne lowe, That myght make Torent to bowe Ne his bak to bend. 2490 They justyd and turneyd there, [2591] And eueryman⁾ ffound his pere, There was caught no dethis dent. He and his sons are the best jousters. Of all̴ the Justis, that there ware, Torent the floure a way bare 2495 And his sonnys, verament.