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<D EMO>
<V VERSE>
<T ROMANCE>
<G X>
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[^THE ROMANCE OF SIR BEUES OF HAMTOUN,
VOLS. I-III.
EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY, E.S. 46, 48, 65.
ED. E. KOELBING.
NEW YORK, 1973 (1885-1894). 
PP. 1.1     - 21.474      (SAMPLE 1)
PP. 81.1535 - 105.2146    (SAMPLE 2)^]

<S SAMPLE 1>
<P 1>
[}SIR BEUES OF HAMPTOUN.}]

   Lordinges, herkne+t to me tale!
Is merier +tan +te ni+gtingale,
+Tat y schel singe;
Of a kni+gt ich wile +gow roune,
Beues a hi+gte of Hamtoune,
Wi+t outen lesing.
Ich wile +gow tellen al to gadre
Of +tat kni+gt and of is fadre,
Sire Gii:
Of Hamtoun he was sire
And of al +tat ilche schire,
To wardi.
<P 2>
Lordinges, +tis, of whan y telle,
Neuer man of flesch ne felle
Nas so strong,
And so he was in ech striue,
And euer he leuede wi+t outen wiue,
Al to late and long.
<P 3>
Whan he was fallen in to elde,
+Tat he ne mi+gte him self welde,
He wolde a wif take;
Sone +tar after, ich vnderstonde,
Him hadde be leuer +tan al +tis londe,
Hadde he hire for-sake.
An elde a wif he tok an honde,
+Te kinges dou+gter of Scotlonde,
So faire and bri+gt.
Allas, +tat he hire euer ches!
For hire loue his lif a les
Wi+t mechel vnri+gt.
+Tis maide ichaue of y-told,
Faire maide +ghe was & bold
And fre y-boren;
Of Almayne +tat emperur
Hire hadde loued paramur
Wel +tar be-foren
Ofte to hire fader a sente
And he him selue +teder wente
For hire sake;
Ofte gernede hire to wiue:
+Te king for no +ting aliue
Nolde hire him take.
<P 4>
Si+te a +gaf hire to sire Gii,
A stalword erl and hardi
Of Sou+thamtoun.
Man, whan he falle+t in to elde,
Feble a wexe+t and vnbelde
+Tour+g ri+gt resoun.
So longe +tai +gede to gedres te bedde,
A knaue child be-twene hem +tai hedde,
Beues a het.
Faire child he was & bolde,
He nas boute seue winter olde,
Whan his fader was ded.
   +Te leuedi hire mis-be-+tou+gte
And meche a+gen +te ri+gt +ghe wrou+gte
In hire tour:
'Me lord is olde & may nou+gt werche,
Al dai him is leuer at cherche,
+Tan in me bour.
Hadde ich itaken a +gong kni+gt,
+Tat ner nou+gt brused in werre & fi+gt,
Also he is, 
A wolde me louen dai and ni+gt,
Cleppen and kissen wi+t al is mi+gt
And make me blis.
<P 5>
I nel hit lete for no +tinge,
+Tat ich nel him to de+te bringe
Wi+t sum braide!'
Anon ri+gt +tat leuedi fer
To consaile clepede hir masager
And to him saide:
'Maseger, do me surte,
+Tat +tow nelt nou+gt discure me
To no wi+gt!
And +gif +tow wilt, +tat it so be,
I schel +te +geue gold and fe
And make +te kni+gt.'
+Tanne answerde +te masager - 
False a was, +tat pautener,
And wel prut - 
'Dame, boute ich do +te nede,
Ich graunte, +tow me for-bede
+Te londe +tour+g out.'
+Te leuedi +tanne was wel fain:
'Go,' +ghe seide, 'in to Almaine
Out of me bour!
Maseger, be +gep and snel,
And on min helf +tow grete wel
+Tat emperur,
<P 6>
And bid, in +te ferste dai,
+Tat come+t in +te mone+t of May,
For loue of me,
+Tat he be to fi+gte prest
Wi+t is ferde in hare forest
Be side +te se.
Me lord ich wile +teder sende
For his loue, for to schende
And for to sle;
Bid him, +tat hit be nou+gt be-leued,
+Tat he ne smite of his heued
And sende hit me!
And whan he haue+t so y-do,
Me loue he schel vnder-fo,
Wi+t outen delai!'
+Tanne seide +tat masager:
'Madame, ich wile sone be +ter!
Now haue gode dai!'
   Now +tat masager him go+t.
+Tat ilche lord him wor+te wro+t,
+Tat him wrou+gte!
To schip +tat masager him wode:
Allas! +Te wind was al to gode,
+Tat him ouer brou+gte.
+To he com in to Al-mayne,
+Tar a mette wi+t a swain
And grette him wel:
'Felawe,' a seide, 'par amur:
Whar mai ich finde +temperur?
+Tow me tel!'
<P 7>
'Ich wile +te telle anon ri+gt:
At Rifoun a lai to ni+gt,
Be me swere!'
+Te masager him +tankede anon
And +teder-wardes he gan gon
Wi+t outen demere.
+Temperur +tar a fonde;
Adoun a kneulede on +te grounde
Ase hit was ri+gt,
And seide: '+Te leuedi of Sou+t-Hamtone
+Te grette wel be godes sone,
+Tat is so bri+gt,
And bad +te, in +te ferste day,
+Tat come+t in +te mone+t o May,
How so hit be,
+Tat +ge be to fi+gte prest
Wi+t +gour ferde in hare forest
Be side +te se.
Hire lord +ghe wile +teder sende
For +te loue, for to schende,
Wi+t lite meini;
+Tar aboute +tow schost be fouse,
And +tow schelt after [{her{] wedde to spouse,
To +tin amy.'
'Sai,' a seide, 'icham at hire heste:
+Gif me lif hit wile leste,
Hit schel be do!
Gladder icham for +tat sawe,
+Tan +te fouel, whan hit ginne+t dawe,
And sai hire so!
<P 8>
And for +tow woldes hire erande bede,
An hors icharged wi+t golde rede
Ich schel +te +geue,
And wi+t inne +tis fourtene ni+gt
Me self schel dobbe +te to kni+gt,
+Gif +tat ich liue.'
+Te mesager him +tankede +gerne;
Hom a+gen he gan him terne
To Hamtoun;
+Te leuedi a fond in hire bour,
And he hire clepede doceamur
And gan to roun:
'Dame,' a seide, 'I +te tel:
+Tat emperur +te grette wel
Wi+t loue mest:
Glad he is for +tat tiding,
A wile be prest at +tat fi+gting
In +tat forest.
+Gif +tou ert glad +te lord to sle,
Gladder a is for loue of +te
Fele si+te!'
+Te mesager ha+t +tus isaid,
+Te leuedi [{was{] ri+gt wel apaid
And maked hire bli+te.
<P 9>
In Mai, in +te formeste dai,
+Te leuedi in hire bedde lai,
Ase hit wer nede;
Hire lord +ghe clepede out of halle
And seide, +tat euel was on hire falle,
+Ghe wende be ded.
+Tat erl for hire ha+t sorwe ikau+gt
And askede, +gif +ghe disired au+gt,
+Tat mi+gte hire freure.
'+Ge,' +ghe seide, 'of a wilde bor
I wene, me mine+t boute for,
Al of +te feure!'
'Madame,' a seide, 'for loue myn,
Whar mai ich finde +tat wilde swin?
I wolde, +tow it hadde!'
And +ghe answerde wi+t tresoun mest,
Be +te se in hare forest,
+Tar a bradde.
   +Tat erl swor, be godes grace,
In +tat forest he wolde chace,
+Tat bor to take;
And +ghe answerde wi+t tresoun +tan:
'Blessed be +tow of alle man
For mine sake!'
<P 10>
+Tat erl is hors be-gan to stride,
His scheld he heng vpon is side,
Gert wi+t swerd;
Moste non armur on him come,
Him self was boute +te fer+te some
Toward +tat ferd.
Allas, +tat he nadde be war
Of is fomen, +tat weren +tar,
Him forte schende:
Wi+t tresoun wor+t he +ter islawe
And i-brou+gt of is lif-dawe,
Er he hom wende!
Whan he com in to +te forest,
+Temperur a fond al prest;
For enui
A prikede out be-fore is ost,
For pride and for make bost,
And gan to crie:
'A+gilt +te, treitour! +tow olde dote!
+Tow schelt ben hanged be +te +trote,
+Tin heued +tow schelt lese;
+Te sone schel an-hanged be
And +te wif, +tat is so fre,
To me lemman i chese!'
<P 11>
+Terl answerde at +tat sawe:
'Me +tenke+t, +tow seist a+gen +te lawe,
So god me amende!
Me wif and child, +tat was so fre,
+Gif +tow +tenkest be-neme hem me,
Ich schel hem defende!'
+To prikede is stede sire Gii,
A stalword man and hardi,
While he was sounde;
+Temperur he smot wi+t is spere,
Out of is sadel he gan him bere
And +trew him to grounde.
'Treitour!' a seide, '+tow ert to bolde!
Wenestow, +te+g ich bo olde,
To ben afered?
+Tat +tow hauest no ri+gt to me wif,
I schel +te ki+te be me lif!'
And drou+g is swerd.
+Tat erl held is swerd adrawe,
+Temperur wi+t he hadde slawe,
Nadde be sokour:
+Tar come kni+gtes mani & fale,
Wel ten +tosent told be tale,
To +temperur.
+To sire Gii him gan defende,
+Tre hondred heuedes of a slende
Wi+t is brond;
Hadde he ben armed wel, y-wis,
Al +te meistre hadde ben his,
Ich vnderstonde.
<P 12>
+Tre men were slawe, +tat he +ter hadde,
+Tat he wi+t him out ladde
And moste nede;
To haue merci, +tat was is hope;
+Temperur after him is lope
Vpon a stede.
+Terl knewlede to +temperur,
Merci a bad him and sokour
And is lif:
'Merci, sire, ase +tow ert fre,
Al +tat ichaue, i graunte +te,
Boute me wif!
For +tine men, +tat ichaue slawe,
Haue her me swerd idrawe 
And al me fe:
Boute me +gonge sone Bef
And me wif, +tat is me lef,
+Tat let +tow me!'
'For gode,' que+t he, '+tat ich do nelle!'
+Temperur to him gan telle,
And was agreued,
Anon ri+gt is swerd out drou+g
And +te gode kni+gt a slou+g
And nam is heued.
<P 13>
A kni+gt a tok +te heued an honde:
'Haue,' a seide, 'ber +tis sonde
Me leue swet!'
+Te kni+gt to Hamtoun +to gan gon,
+Te leuedi +tar a fond anon
And gan hire grete:
'Dame,' a seide, 'to me atende:
+Temperur me hider sende
Wi+t is pray!'
And +ghe seide: 'Blessed mot he be!
To wif a schel wedde me
To morwe in +te dai.
Sai him, me swete wi+gt,
+Tat he come +get to ni+gt
In to me bour!'
+Te mesager is wei ha+t holde,
Al a seide, ase +ghe him tolde,
To +temperur.
   Now scholle we of him mone,
Of Beues, +tat was Guis sone,
How wo him was:
+Gerne a wep, is hondes wrong,
For his fader a seide among:
'Allas! Allas!'
<P 14>
He clepede is moder & seide is sawe:
'Vile houre! +Te worst to-drawe
And al to-twi+gt!
Me +tenke+t, ich were +ter of ful fawe,
For +tow hauest me fader slawe
Wi+t mechel vnri+gt!
Allas, moder, +te faire ble!
Euel be-come+t +te, houre to be,
To holde bordel,
And alle wif houren for +te sake,
+Te deuel of helle ich hii be-take,
Flesch and fel!
Ac o +ting, moder, i schel +te swere:
+Gif ich euer armes bere
And be of elde,
Al +tat ha+t me fader islawe
And ibrou+gt of is lif dawe,
Ich schel hem +gilden!'
+Te moder hire ha+t vnderstonde,
+Tat child +ghe smot wi+t hire honde
Vnder is ere.
+Te child fel doun & +tat was sca+te,
His meister tok him wel ra+te,
+Tat hi+gte Saber.
<P 15>
+Te kni+gt was trewe & of his kinde,
Strenger man ne scholde men finde
To ride ne go.
A was ibrou+gt in tene & wrake
Ofte for +tat childes sake
Ase wel ase +to.
+Tat childe he nam vp be +te arm, 
Wel wo him was for +tat harm,
+Tat he +tar hadde.
Toward is kourt he him kende;
+Te leuedi after Saber sende
And to him radde.
'Saber,' +ghe seide, 'tow ert me lef,
Let sle me +gonge sone Bef,
+Tat is so bold!
Let him an-hange swi+te hi+ge,
I ne reche, what de+t he di+ge,
Si+t+te he be cold!'
Saber stod stille & was ful wo;
Na+teles a seide, a wolde do
After hire sawe;
+Te child wi+t him hom he nam,
A swin he tok, whan he hom cam,
And dede hit of dawe.
<P 16>
+Te childes clo+tes, +tat were gode,
Al a bi-sprengde wi+t +tat blode
In mani stede,
Ase +gif +te child were to-hewe,
A +tou+gte to his moder hem schewe,
And so a dede.
At +te laste him gan adrede,
He let clo+ten in pouer wede
+Tat hende wi+gt,
And seide: 'Sone, +tow most kepe
Vpon +te felde mine schepe
+Tis fourte ni+gt!
And whan +te feste is come to +tende,
In to ano+ter londe I schel +te sende
Fer be sou+te,
To a riche erl, +tat schel +te gie
And teche +te of corteisie
In +te +gou+te.
And whan +tow ert of swich elde,
+Tat +tow mi+gt +te self wilde,
And ert of age,
+Tanne scheltow come in te Ingelonde,
Wi+t werre winne in to +tin honde
+Tin eritage.
<P 17>
I schel +te helpe wi+t alle me mi+gt,
Wi+t dent of swerd to gete +te ri+gt,
Be +tow of elde!'
+Te child him +tankede & sore wep,
And for+t a wente wi+t +te schep
Vpon +te velde.
   Beues was herde vpon +te doun,
He lokede homward to +te toun,
+Tat scholde ben his;
He be-held to-ward +te tour,
Trompes he herde and tabour
And meche blis.
'Lord,' a seide, 'on me +tow mone!
Ne was ich ones an erles sone
And now am herde?
Mi+gte ich wi+t +tat emperur speke,
Wel ich wolde me fader awreke
For al is ferde!'
<P 18>
He neme+t is bat and for+t a go+t,
Swi+te sori and wel wro+t,
To-ward +te tour;
'Porter!' a sede, 'let me in reke!
A lite +ting ich aue to speke
Wi+t +temperur.'
Go hom, truant!' +te porter sede,
'Scherewe houre sone, y +te rede,
Fro +te gate:
Boute +tow go hennes also swi+te,
Hit schel +te rewe fele si+te,
+Tow come +ter ate!
Sixte +te scherewe, ho be itte,
A loke+t, [{as{] a wolde smite
Wi+t is bat:
Speke he ou+gt meche more,
I schel him smite swi+te sore
Upon is hat.'
'For gode,' que+t Beues, 'na+teles,
An houre sone for so+t ich wes,
Wel ich it wot!
Y nam no truant, be godes grace!'
Wi+t +tat a lefte vp is mace
Anon fot hot.
<P 19> 
Beues wi+t oute +te gate stod
And smot +te porter on +te hod,
+Tat he gan falle;
His heued he gan al to cleue
And for+t a wente wi+t +tat leue
In to +te halle.
Al aboute he gan be-holde,
To +temperur he spak wordes bolde
Wi+t meche grame:
'Sire,' a sede, 'what dostow here?
Whi colles +tow aboute +te swire
+Tat ilche dame?
Me moder is +tat +tow hauest an honde:
What dostow her vpon me londe
Wi+t outen leue?
Tak me me moder and mi fe,
Boute +tow +te ra+ter hennes te,
I schel +te greue!
Nastow, sire, me fader slawe?
+Tow schelt ben hanged & to-drawe,
Be godes wille!
Aris! Fle hennes, I +te rede!'
+Temperur to him sede:
'Foul, be stille!'
<P 20>
Beues was ni+g wod for grame,
For a clepede him foul be name,
And to him a wond;
For al +tat weren in +te place,
+Tries a smot him wi+t is mace
And wi+t is honde.
+Tries a smot him on +te kroun;
+Tat emperur fel swowe adoun,
+Tar a sat.
+Te leuedi, is moder, gan to grede:
'Neme+t +tat treitour!' +ghe sede,
'Anon wi+t +tat!'
+To dorste Beues no leng abide;
+Te kni+gtes vp in ech a side,
More and lasse,
Wo hem was for +te childes sake,
Boute non of hem nolde him take,
Hii lete him pase.
Beues go+t faste ase he mai,
His meister a mette in +te wai,
+Tat hi+gte Saber,
& he him askede wi+t bli+te mod:
'Beues!' a seide, 'for +te rode,
What dostow her?'
<P 21>
'I schel +te telle al to gadre:
Beten ichaue me stifadre
Wi+t me mace;
+Tries i smot [{him{] in +te heued,
Al for ded ich him leued
In +te place!'
'Beues!' que+t Saber, '+tow ert to blame:
+Te leuedi wile now do me schame
For +tine sake!
Boute +tow be me consaile do,
+Tow mi+gt now sone bringe vs bo
In meche wrake!'

<S SAMPLE 2>
<P 81>
   Now is Iosian a quene,
Beues in prisoun ha+t gret tene.
+Te romounce telle+t, +ter a set,
Til +te her on is heued greu to is fet;
Snakes and euetes & oades fale,
How mani, can i nou+gt telle in tale,
+Tat in +te prisoun were wi+t him,
+Tat prouede euer wi+t her venim
To sle Beues, +tat gentil kni+gt,
Oc, +tour+g +te grace of god almi+gt,
Wi+t +te tronsoun, +tat he to prisoun tok,
A slou+g hem alle, so sai+t +te bok.
A fleande nadder was in an hole,
For elde blak ase eni cole;
Vnto Beues +ghe gan flinge
And in +te fore-hed +tou+gte him stinge.
Beues was redi wi+t is tronsoun
And smot hire, +tat +ghe fel adoun.
Vpon a+gen +te nadder rowe
And breide awei his ri+gt browe;
+To was Beues sore agreued
And smot +te nadder on +te heued;
So harde dent he hire +gaf,
+Te brein cleuede on is staf.
Doun fel +te nadder, wi+t outen faile,
And smot so Beues wi+t +te taile,
+Tat ne+g a les +ter contenaunse,
Almest is lif was in balaunse.
Whan he awakede of +tat swou+g,
+Te tronsoun eft to him a drou+g
And bet hire al to pises smale,
Ase hit is fonde in frensche tale.
+To he hadde slawe +te foule fendes,
Be +tat hadde Beues lein in bendes
Seue +ger in peines grete,
Lite idronke & lasse iete;
His browe stank for de-faut of +geme,
+Tat it set after ase a seme,
<P 82>
Whar +tour+g +tat maide ne kneu him nou+gt,
Whan hii were eft to gedre brou+gt.
   On a dai, ase he was mad & feint,
To Iesu Crist he made is pleint
& to his moder, seinte Marie,
Reuliche he gan to hem crie:
'Lord,' a seide, 'heuene king,
Schepere of er+te & alle +ting:
What haue ich so meche misgilt,
+Tat +tow sext & +tolen wilt,
+Tat +te we+terwines & +te fo
Schel +te seruaunt do +tis wo?
Ich bedde +te, lord, for +te pite,
+Tat +tow haue merci on me
And +geue grace, hennes to gange
Or sone be drawen o+ter an-hange!
Me rou+gte neuer, what de+t to me come,
Wi+t +tat ich were hennes nome!'
<P 83>
+Te gailers, +tat him scholde +geme,
Whan hii herde him +tus reme,
'+Tef! cherl!' seide +tat on +to:
'Now be+t +te lif dawes y-do,
For king ne kaiser ne for no sore
Ne scheltow leue no lenger more.'
Anon ri+gtes wi+t +tat word
A laumpe he let doun be a cord,
A swerd a tok be his side,
And be +te cord he gan doun glide
And smot him wi+t +tat o+ter hond,
& Beues, to +te grounde a wond.
'Allas,' que+t Beues, '+tat ilche stounde!
'Wo is +te man, +tat li+t y-bounde
Medel bo+te fet and honde!
+To ich com ferst in to +tis londe,
Hadde ich had me swerd Morgelay
And Arondel, me gode palfray,
For Dames, nadde be tresoun,
I nolde haue +geue a botoun,
And now +te meste wreche of alle
Wi+t a strok me do+t adoun falle,
Bidde ich neuer wi+t Iesu speke,
Boute ich +ter of [{may{] ben awreke!'
<P 84>
A smot +te gailer wi+t is fest,
+Tat is nekke him to-berst.
His felawe aboue gan to crie:
'Hi+ge hider, felawe,' que+t Beues, 'hi+ge!'
'+Gif +tow most haue help,' a sede,
'Ich come to +te wi+t a gode spede!'
'+Gis!' que+t Beues, al for gile,
And knette +te rop +tar while
Ase hi+g ase a mi+gte reche.
+To que+t Beues wi+t reuful speche:
'For +te loue of sein Mahoun,
Be +te rop glid bliue adoun
And help, +tat +tis +tef wer ded!'
Whan he hadde +tus ised,
+Tat o+ter gailer no leng abod,
Boute be +te rop adoun he glod.
Whan +te rop failede in his hond,
Beues held vp +tat gode bronde
And felde to gronde +tat sori wi+gt,
+Tour+g out is bodi +tat swerd he pi+gt.
   Now er +tai ded, +te geilers tweie,
& Beues li+t to +te rakenteie,
His lif him +tou+gte al to long,
+Tre daies after he ne et ne drong.
<P 85>
Tofore +tat, for so+te to sai,
A was woned, ech o+ter dai
Of bere lof to haue a quarter
To his mete & to his diner;
And, for is meisters wer bo+te ded,
+Tre daies after he ne et no bred.
To Iesu Crist he bed a bone,
And he him grauntede wel sone;
So +gerne he gan to Iesu speke,
+Tat his vetres gonne breke
And of is medel +te grete ston.
Iesu Crist he +tankede anon;
A wente quik out of prisoun
Be +te rop, +te gailer com adoun,
And wente in to +te castel ri+gt,
Ac it was aboute +te mid-ni+gt;
He lokede aboute fer & ner,
Noman wakande ne se+g he +ter;
He be-held for+ter a lite
To a chaunber vnder a garite,
+Tar inne he se+g torges i-li+gt;
Beues wente +teder ful ri+gt;
Twelf kni+gtes a fond +ter aslepe,
+Tat hadde +te castel for to kepe;
+Te chaumber dore a fond vnsteke,
And priueliche he gan in reke
And armede him yrene wede,
+Te beste, +tat he fond at nede,
And gerte him wi+t a gode bronde
And tok a gode spere in is honde;
A scheld aboute is nekke he cast
And wente out of +te chaumber in hast.
For+ter a herde in a stable
Pages fele, wi+t oute fable,
Ase +tai sete in here raging;
In at +te dore Beues gan spring,
And for +tai scholde him nou+gt wrain,
Vnder his hond he made him plai.
& whan +te Sarasins wer islawe,
+Te beste stede he let for+t drawe
<P 86>
And sadelede hit & wel adi+gt
And wente him for+t anon ri+gt
And gan to crie wi+t loude steuen
And +te porter he gan neuenen:
'Awake!' a seide, 'proude felawe,
+Tow were wor+ti ben hanged & drawe!
Hi+ge, +te gates wer vnsteke,
Beues is out of prisoun reke,
And icham sent now for is sake,
+Te treitour +gif ich mi+gte of-take!'
+Te porter was al bewaped:
'Allas!' que+t he, 'is Beues ascaped?'
Vp he caste +te gates wide,
And Beues bi him gan out ride
And tok is wei ful hastelie
Toward +te londe of Ermonie.
He nadde ride in is wei
Boute seue mile of +tat contrei,
He wex asleped wonder-sore,
He mi+gte ride no for+ter-more;
He reinede his hors to a chesteine
And felle aslepe vpon +te pleine;
And alse a slep, in is sweuene
Him +tou+gte, Brademond & kinges seuen
Stod ouer him wi+t swerdes drawe,
Al slepande him wolde han slawe.
Of +tat sweuen he was of-drad,
He lep to hors ase he wer mad,
<P 87>
Towarde Damas a-gein, apli+gt!
Now reste we her a lite wi+gt,
& speke we scholle of Brademond.
Amorwe, whan he it hadde ifonde,
+Tat Beues was ascaped so,
In is hertte him was ful wo.
+Tat time be comin acent
+Tar was comin parlement,
Erles, [{barouns{] , lasse & more,
& fiftene kinges wer samned +tore.
To hem Brademond tolde +tare,
+Tat Beues was fro him i-fare,
And bad help wi+t mi+gt & main,
For to feche Beues again.
<P 88>
A king +tar was swi+te fer,
His nam was hote Grander.
An hors he hadde of gret pris,
+Tat was icleped Trinchefis;
For him a +gaf seluer wi+gt,
Er he +tat hors haue mi+gt.
<P 89>
He armede him in yrene wede,
Seue kni+gtes he gan wi+t him lede
And prikede for+t on Trenchefis
And wende wenne meche pris;
And Beues sone he gan se,
Ase he rod to-ward +te cite.
'A+gilt +te,' a seide, '+tow fox welp,
+Te god schel +te no+ting help,
For her +tour+g min hondes one,
For so+te, +tow schelt +te lif for-gon!'
'So me helpe god!' que+t Beues +to,
'Hit were no meistri, me to slo,
For +tis is +te fer+te dai agon,
Mete ne drinke ne bot i non:
Ac na+teles, god it wot,
+Gif ich alle nedes mot,
+Git ich wile asaie,
A lite box +te to paie!'
   King Grander was of herte grim
& rod to Beues & he to him;
And ase +tei bo+te to gedre mete,
Wi+t here launces +tei gonne mete,
+Tat hit gonnen al to-driue
& te-borsten on pises fiue.
Here swerdes drowe kni+gtes stoute
And fi+gte+t faste, it is no doute;
+Te medwe squau+gte of her dentes,
+Te fur fle+g out, so spark o flintes;
<P 90>
+Tus +tai leide on in bo+te side
Be-twene midmorwe & vndertide.
King Grander was agremed strong,
+Tat sire Beues him stod so long,
And wi+t is swerd a hitte is scheld,
A quarter fel in to +te feld,
Hauberk, plate and aktoun,
In to Beues for+ter arsoun
Half a fot he karf doun ri+gt.
+To Beues se+g +tat strok of mi+gt,
A seide: '+Tat dent was wel iset,
Fasten y wile ano+ter bet!'
Wi+t +tat word Beues smot doun
Grander is scheld wi+t is fachoun,
And is left hande be +te wrest,
Hit fle+g awei +tour+g help of Crist.
+To Grander hadde his scheld i-lore,
He fau+gt ase he wer wode +ter fore;
A +gaf Beues strokes +tat tide,
Non ne moste o+ter abide.
Beues +ter of was agreued
And smot of king Grander is heued,
+Te dede kors in +tat +trowe
Fel out ouer +te sadel bowe.
+To king Grander was islawe,
+Te seue kni+gtes of he+ten lawe
Beues slou+g +tat ilche stounde,
So hit is in Frensch y-founde.
For nou+gt Beues nolde be-laue,
+Te beter hors wolde haue;
Beues Trenchefis be-strit,
And in is weie for+t a rit,
<P 91>
And Brademond wi+t al is ost
Com after wi+t meche bost;
So longe hii han Beues driue,
+Tat hii come to +te cliue,
+Tar +te wilde se was.
Herkne+t now a wonder-cas!
In to +te se a moste, iwis,
O+ter fi+gte a+genes al he+tenes.
To Iesu Crist he bad a bone,
And he him grauntede wel sone:
'Lord,' a sede, 'heuene king,
Schepere of er+te & alle +ting,
+Tow madest fisch ase [{wel{] alse man,
+Tat no+ting of senne ne can,
Ne nou+gt of fisches kenne
Neuer +get ne dede senne,
Of +tis he+tene hounde,
+Tat beste +te and bounde
And bete +te body to +te de+te,
+Tar fore ich may alse e+te
To water fle in +tis stede,
To fisch, +tat neuer senne dede,
+Tan her daien in londe
In al +tis Sarasines honde!'
Beues smot is hors, +tat it lep
In to +te se, +tat [{was{] wel dep.
<P 92>
Whan he in to +te se cam,
Ouer +te se, y wot, a swam;
In a dai and in a ni+gt
A bar ouer +tat gentil kni+gt.
Whan he com of +tat wilde brok,
His gode stede him resede & schok,
And Beues, for honger in +tat stounde
+Te hors +trew him doun to grounde.
'Allas!' que+t Beues, whan he doun cam,
'Whilom ichadde an erl-dam
And an hors gode and snel,
+Tat men clepede Arondel;
Now ich wolde +geue hit kof
For a schiuer of a lof!'
A restede him +ter a lite tide,
His gode stede he gan be-stride
And rod ouer dale & doun,
Til he com to a gret toun;
+Te leuedi +tar of ouer +te castel lai,
And Beues hire sone of-say
And wende ben al out of care
And +Tou+gte wel to spede +tare.
Beues to +te castel gate rit
And spak to hire, aboue him sit:
'Dame,' a seide, '+tat sit aboue,
For +tat ilche lordes loue,
On wham +tin herte is on iset:
+Geue me to day a meles met!'
<P 93>
+Te leuedi answerde him +to:
'Boute +tow fro +te gate go,
+Te wer beter elles whar +tan her:
Go, or +te tit an euel diner!
Me lord,' +ghe seide, 'is a geaunt
& leue+t on Mahoun & Teruagaunt
And felle+t cristene men to grounde,
For he hate+t hem ase hounde!'
'Be god!' que+t Beues, 'i swere an o+te:
Be him lef and be him lo+te,
Her ich wile haue +te mete
Wi+t loue or ei+ge, wha+ter I mai gete!'
+Te leuedi swi+te wro+t wi+t alle
Wente hire for+t in to +te halle
And tolde hire lord anon fore,
How a man hadde iswore,
+Tat he nolde fro +te +gete,
Er he hadde +ter +te mete.
+Te geaunt was wonder-strong,
Rome +tretti fote long;
He tok a leuour in is hond,
And for+t to +te gate he wond.
Of Beues he nam gode hede,
Ful wel a knew Beues is stede:
'+Tow ert nome +tef, y-wis:
Whar stele +tow stede Trenchefis,
<P 94>
+Tat +tow ridest vpon here?
Hit was me bro+teres Grandere!'
'Grander,' que+t Beues, 'y +gaf hod
And made him a kroune brod;
+To he was next vnder me fest,
Wel y wot, ich made him prest,
And hi+g dekne ich wile make +te,
Er ich euer fro +te te!'
+Tanne seide +te geaunt: 'Meister sire,
Slou+g +tow me bro+ter Grandere,
For al +tis castel ful of golde
A liue lete +te ich nolde!'
'Ne ich +te,' que+t Beues, 'i trowe!'
+Tus be-ginne+t grim to growe.
   +Te geaunt, +tat ich spak of er,
+Te staf, +tat he to fi+gte ber,
Was twenti fote in leng+te be tale,
+Tar to gret & no+ting smale;
To sire Beues a smot +ter wi+t
A sterne strok wi+t outen gri+t,
Ac a failede of his diuis
And in +te heued smot Trenchefis,
+Tat ded to grounde fel +te stede.
'O,' que+t Beues, 'so god me spede,
+Tow hauest don gret vileinie,
Whan +tow sparde me bodi
And for me gilt min hors aqueld,
+Tow witest him, +tat mai nou+gt weld.
Be god, i swere +te an o+t:
+Tow schelt nou+gt, whan we to-go+t,
Lau+gande me wende fram,
Now +tow hauest mad me gram!'
<P 95>
Beues is swerd anon vp swapte,
He and +te geaunt to-gedre rapte
And delde strokes mani & fale:
+Te nombre can i nou+gt telle in tale.
+Te geaunt vp is clobbe haf
And smot to Beues wi+t is staf,
+Tat his scheld fle+g fram him +tore
+Tre akres brede and sumdel more.
+To was Beues in strong erur
And karf ato +te grete leuour
And on +te geauntes brest a wonde,
+Tat ne+g a felde him to +te grounde.
+Te geaunt +tou+gte +tis bataile hard,
Anon he drou+g to him a dart,
+Tour+g Beues scholder he hit schet,
+Te blod ran doun to Beues fet.
+To Beues se+g is owene blod,
Out of is wit he wex ne+g wod,
Vnto +te geaunt ful swi+te he ran
& kedde +tat he was dou+gti man,
And smot ato his nekke bon:
+Te geaunt fel to grounde anon.
<P 96>
Beues wente in at castel gate,
+Te leuedi a mette +ter ate.
'Dame!' a seide, 'go, +geue me mete,
+Tat euer haue +tow Cristes hete!'
+Te leuedi, sore adrad wi+t alle,
Ladde Beues in to +te halle,
And of eueriche sonde,
+Tat him com to honde,
A dede hire ete al +ter ferst,
+Tat +ghe ne dede him no berst.
And drinke ferst of +te win,
+Tat no poisoun was +ter in.
Whan Beues hadde ete inou+g,
A keuerchef to him a drou+g
In +tat ilche stounde,
To stope mide is wonde.
'Dame, dame,' Beues sede,
'Let sadele me a gode stede,
<P 97>
For hennes ich wile ride,
I nel no lenger her abide!'
+Te leuedi seide, +ghe wolde fawe;
A gode stede +ghe let for+t drawe
And sadeled hit & wel adi+gt,
And Beues, +tat hendi kni+gt,
Into +te sadel a lippte,
+Tat no stirop he ne drippte.
For+t him wente sire Beuoun,
Til he com wi+t oute +te toun
In to a grene mede.
'Now, louerd Crist,' a sede,
'+Geue it, Brademond, +te king,
He and al is of-spring,
Wer ri+gt her vpon +tis grene:
Now ich wolde of me tene
Swi+te wel ben awreke,
Scholde he neuer go ne speke:
Now min honger is me aset,
Ne liste me neuer fi+gten bet!'
   For+t a wente be +te strem,
Til a com to Iurisalem;
To +te patriark a wente cof,
& al his lif he him schrof
<P 98>
And tolde him, how hit was be-go,
Of is wele and of is wo.
+Te patriark hadde reu+te
Of him and ek of is treu+te
And for-bed him vpon his lif,
+Tat he neuer toke wif,
Boute +ghe were clene maide.
'Nai, for so+te!' sire Beues saide.
On a dai a+genes +te eue
Of +te patriarke he tok is leue;
Erliche amorwe, whan it was dai,
For+t a wente in is wai;
And also a rod him self alone:
'Lord,' a +tou+gte, 'whar mai i gone?
Whar ich in to Ingelonde fare?
Nai,' a +tou+gte, 'what scholde i +tare,
Boute +gif ichadde ost to gader,
For to sle me stifader?'
He +tou+gte, +tat he wolde an hie
In to +te londe of Ermonie,
To Ermonie, +tat was is bane,
To his lemman Iosiane.
<P 99>
And also a wente +teder ri+gt,
A mette wi+t a gentil kni+gt,
+Tat in +te londe of Ermonie
Hadde bore him gode companie;
+Tai kiste hem anon wi+t +tat
And a+ter askede of o+teres stat.
+Tanne seide Beues and lou+g:
'Ich aue fare hard inou+g,
Sofred bo+te honger & chele
And o+ter peines mani & fele
+Tour+g king Ermines gile:
+Get ich +tenke to +gelde is while,
For he me sente to Brademond,
To haue slawe me +tat stonde:
God be +tanked, a dede nou+gt so,
Ac is in prisoun wi+t meche wo
Ichaue leie +tis seuen +gare,
Ac now icham from him ifare
+Tour+g godes grace & min engyn,
Ac al ich wite it king Ermyn,
And, ne wer is dou+gter Iosiane,
Sertes, ich wolde ben is bane!'
'Iosiane,' que+t +te kni+gt, 'is a wif
A+gen hire wille wi+t meche strif.
Seue +ger hit is gon and more.
+Tat +te riche king Yuore
To Mombraunt ha+t hire wedde
Bo+te to bord and to bedde,
<P 100>
And ha+t +te swerd Morgelai
And Arondel, +te gode palfrai:
Ac si+te +te time, +tat i was bore,
Swiche game hadde ich neuer be-fore,
Ase ich hadde +tat ilche tide,
Whan i se+g king Yuor ride
To-ward Mombraunt on Arondel;
+Te hors was nou+gt ipaied wel:
He arnede awai wi+t +te king
+Tour+g felde & wode, wi+t outen lesing,
And in a mure don him cast,
Almest he hadde deied in hast.
Ac er hii wonne +te stede,
Ropes in +te contre +tai leide;
Ac neuer si+te, wi+t oute fable,
Ne com +te stede out of +te stable,
So sore he was aneied +tat tide;
Si+t+te dorste noman on him ride!'
For +tis tiding Beues was bli+te,
His ioie kou+te he noman ki+te.
'Wer Iosiane,' a +tou+gte, 'ase lele,
Alse is me stede Arondel,
+Get scholde ich come out of wo!'
And at +te kni+gt he askede +to:
'Whider-wardes is Mombraunt?'
'Sere,' a sede, 'be Teruagaunt,
+Tow mi+gt nou+gt +tus wende for+t,
+Tow most terne al a+gen nor+t!'
Beues ternede his stede
And rod nor+t gode spede;
Euer a was pasaunt,
Til a com to Mombraunt.
Mombraunt is a riche cite,
In al +te londe of Sarsine
<P 101>
Nis +ter non +ter to iliche
Ne be fele parti so riche.
And whan +tat hende kni+gt Beuoun
Come wi+t outen +te toun,
+Tar wi+t a palmer he mette,
And swi+te faire he him grette:
'Palmer,' a sede, 'whar is +te king?'
'Sire!' a seide, 'an honting
Wi+t kinges fiftene.'
'And whar,' a seide, 'is +te quene?'
'Sire,' a seide, 'in hire bour.'
'Palmer,' a seide, 'paramour,
+Gem me +tine wede
For min and for me stede!'
'God +geue it,' que+t +te palmare,
'We hadde driue +tat chefare!'
Beues of is palfrei ali+gte
And schrede +te palmer as a kni+gte
And +gaf him is hors, +tat he rod in,
For is bordon and is sklauin.
+Te palmer rod for+t ase a king,
& Beues wente alse a bre+teling.
Whan he com to +te castel gate,
Anon he fond +tar ate
Mani palmer +tar stonde
Of fele kene londe,
<P 102>
And he askede hem in +tat stede,
What hii alle +tar dede.
+Tanne seide on, +tat +tar stod:
'We be+t icome to haue gode,
And so +tow ert also!'
'Who,' que+t Beues, 'schel it vs do?'
'+Te quene, god hire schilde fro care!
Meche +ghe loue+t palmare;
Al +tat +ghe mai finden here,
Eueriche dai in +te +gere,
Faire +ghe wile hem fede
And +geue hem riche wede
For a kni+gtes loue, Beuoun,
+Tat was i-boren at Sou+thamtoun;
To a riche man +ghe wolde him bringe,
+Tat kou+te telle of him tiding!'
'Whanne,' que+t Beues, 'schel +tis be don?'
A seide: 'Be-twene middai & noun.'
Beues, hit ful wel he sai,
Hit nas boute +gong dai;
A +tou+gte, +tat he wolde er +tan
Wende aboute +te barbican,
<P 103>
For to loke & for to se,
How it mi+gte best be,
+Gif he +te castel wolde breke,
Whar a mi+gte best in reke;
And also a com be a touret,
+Tat was in +te castel iset,
A herde wepe and crie;
+Tederward he gan him hie.
'O allas,' +ghe seide, 'Beuoun,
Hende kni+gt of Sou+t-hamtoun,
Now ichaue bide +tat day,
+Tat to +te treste i ne may:
+Tat ilche god, +tat +tow of speke,
He is fals & +tow ert eke!'
In al +te seuene +ger eche dai
Iosiane, +tat faire mai,
Was woned swich del to make,
Al for sire Beues sake.
+Te leuedi gan to +te gate te,
+Te palmeres +tar to se;
And Beues, after anon
To +te gate he gan gon.
+Te palmers gonne al in +treste,
Beues abod & was +te laste;
<P 104>
And whan +te maide se+g him +tar,
Of Beues +ghe nas no+ting war;
'+Te semest,' que+t +ghe, 'man of anour,
+Tow schelt +tis dai be priour
And be-ginne oure deis:
+Te semest hende and corteis.'
Mete and drinke +tai hadde afyn,
Bo+te piment and plente a wyn,
Swi+te wel +tai hadde ifare;
+Tanne seide +te quene to [{eche{] palmare:
'Herde euer eni of +gow telle
In eni lede or eni spelle,
Or in feld o+ter in toun,
Of a kni+gt, Beues of Hamtoun?'
'Nai!' que+t al, +tat +tar ware.
'What +tow?' +ghe seide, 'niwe palmare?'
+Tanne seide Beues and lou+g:
'+Tat kni+gt ich knowe wel inou+g!
Atom,' a seide, 'in is contre
Icham an erl and also is he;
<P 105>
At Rome he made me a spel
Of an hors, men clepede Arondel:
Wide whar ichaue iwent
And me warisoun ispent,
I sou+gt hit bo+te fer & ner,
Men telle+t me, +tat it is her:
+Gif euer louedestow wel +tat kni+gt,
Let me of +tat hors haue a si+gt!'



