Octovian (Lincoln, Dean, and Chapter Library, MS 91)Frances McSparranca. 105 kilobytesMiddle English CompendiumOctL

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1993Octovian, version L / transcribed from Lincoln, Dean, and Chapter Library, MS 91 by Frances McSparranTranscribed from MS, unpublished in this form.The electronic text was created from a transcription of Lincoln, Dean, and Chapter Library, MS 91. Abbreviations have been expanded without notice, but otherwise the text, spelling, capitalization and punctuation are those of the manuscript. It is therefore a transcription and not an edition, and differs in many respects from the edition published for the Early English Text Society by the Oxford University Press, London and New York, 1986.Pagination conforming to that of the EETS edition has been supplied to facilitate comparison with the final edited version of the text.

Front and back matter from printed edition not included.

Editorial notes from printed edition not included in electronic edition.

 1350-1375
Octovian (Lincoln, Dean, and Chapter Library, MS 91) Lines 1 through 100 mekyll and littill olde & ȝynge herkyns all to my talkynge of whaym j will ȝow kythe Jhesu fadir, of heuen kynge, gyff vs all thy dere blyssynge and make vs glade & blythe for full sothe sawis j will ȝow synge off whaym þe worde full wyde gan sprynge and ȝe will a stownde me lythe in þe bukes of rome als it es tolde how byfelle amange oure eldyrs olde full ofte & fele sythe somtym byfell ane auenture in rome þer was ane emperoure als men in romance rede he was a man of grete fauoure and leuede in joye & grete honoure and doghety was of dede in tornament nor in no fyghte in þe werlde þer ne was a bettir knyghte no worthier vndir wede octouyane was his name thrughowte Euirylke man hade of hym dowte when he was armede one stede ane emprice he hade to wyffe one of fayreste þat was onelyffe thus thies clerkes sayne vs so seuen ȝeres had þay samen bene with joy & gamen þam bytwene and oþir myrthis moo the seuen ȝere were comen & gone bot child togedir had þay none getyn bytwene þam two þat aftir þam þair land moghte welde when þat þay drewe till elde and forthi in hert þam was full woo and als þe emperoure satt appon a daye in his chambir hym to playe with his lady bryghte he byhelde hir faire lyre was whyte so blossome on þe brere that semly was of syghte a sorow þan to his herte þer rane forthi þat þay childir hade nane thaire landis to rewle one ryghte and by his lady so als he satte for sorowe his chekes wexe all wate that was so hende a knyghte bot when þe lady þat gan aspye all chaunged þan hir bryghte blyee and scho syghede full sore scho felle hir lorde one knees agayne and of his sorow scho gan hym frayne and of his mekyll care sir scho sais if it were ȝour will ȝoure concelle for to schewe me till and of ȝour lyffes fare ȝe wote j ame ȝoure werldes fere opyn ȝour herte vnto me here ȝoure comforthe may be þe mare þan in his armes he gan hir folde and all his sorow he to hir tolde and all his hertis wonde now hafe we seuen ȝere samen bene and hase no chylde vs bytwene for fay we sall hythen fownde and j ne wote how þis land sall fare bot lyfe in werre and in kare when we are broghte to grownde therefore j hafe so mekyll thoghte þat when j am to bedde broghte i slepe bot littill stownde and þan answerde þat lady bryghte sir j kan rede ȝow full ryghte gyffe ȝow nothynge ill a ryche abbaye schall ȝe do make for oure swete lady sake and landis gyffe þeretill and scho will pray hir son so fayre that we may samen gete an ayere this land to welde with skyll an abbaye þan he gerte wyrke soo and sone he gatt knauechildire two als it was goddis wyll with childe þan ȝode þat lady þore full grete scho wexe with paynnes sore that was so faire & free till þe tym felle þat it was soo the lady hade knauechildir two that semly weren to see tythande come to þe emperoure þere he laye in his ryche towre a full glade man was hee two maydynes hym þe bodworde broghte withowttyn gyftes ȝede þay noghte aythire hadde townnes three the emperoure rosse with mylde mode and till his chambir he hym ȝode and thankes god his sande erly are þe daye gan sprynge Lines 101 through 200 he did a pryste his messe to synge his modir þore he fande sone scho said j am full blythe that þe empryse sall haf hyre lyfe and lyffe with vs in lande bot mekyll sorowe dose it me that rome sall wrange ayerde bee and jn vncouthe hande modir he sayse why saye ȝe soo haffe j noghte knauechildir two i thanke it goddes will nay certis scho said sone myn wete þou wele þay are noghte thyn and þat lykes me full ill for þou myghte no childir haue scho hase takyn thy kokes knaue i will it proue thurgh skyll a sorowe þere to his herte gan goo þat wordis moghte he speke no moo bot ȝod awaye full still till his chapelle forthe he ȝode full sory at his messe he stode als man þat was in kare his modir jwhils garte calle a knaue and highte hym grete gyftis to hafe a thowsande pownde or mare to the chambir bothe þay tuk þe waye there þe empryce in childbed laye all slepede þat were there for scho had wakyd ryghte longe in paynes & in thoghte full stronge or scho delyuered ware than said þat lady to þat knaue hye þe faste þi golde to hafe þou schall be rewarde þis nyghte haste þe tyte with all thi myghte preuely þat þou were dyghte and þat þou were vnclede softely by hir þou jn crepe þat scho ne wakyn of hir slepe for full seke es scho bystadde whatte for lufe & whatt for drede into þe ladyes beedd he ȝede he dyd als scho hym badd bot euir he droghe hym ferre awaye for þe rechese þat scho jn laye full sore þan was he drade the emperours modir away ȝode þan and till hir son full tite scho wan there he att his messe stode son scho saide þou trowed noghte me come forthe þou sall þe sothe now see with hir to chambir he ȝode bot when þe emperoure sawe þat syghte for sorowe no worde speke he ne myghte for he wexe nerhande wode a scharpe baselarde owte he droghe þat giltes knaue þere he sloghe alle was byblede with blode ay lay þat lady faste and slepee a dolefull sweuenynge gan scho mete scho was a wofull wyghte hir thoghte scho was in wyldyrnes in thornes & in thyknes þat scho myghte hafe no syghte and þer come flyande ouir þe strande a dragon all full bryghte birnande þat all schone of þat lyghte in his palmes alle byrnand so vp he tuke hir childir two & away he tuke his flyghte therewith þe lady bygan to wake a dolefull gronyng gan scho make and scho syghede full sare the emperoure to þe knaue wente þe hede vp by þe hare he hente and caste it till hir thare the lady blyschede vp in þe bedde scho saw þe clothes all byblede full mekyll was hir care scho bygan to skryke & crye and sythen in swonynge for to ly hir selfe scho wolde forfare wordis of this were spoken no mo to þat lady to þe kirke solde go als þe lawe was in þat lede the emperoure made a full riche feste of kynges & dukes þat were honeste of many & dyuirse stede the kynge of calabre allas that the lady fadir was thedir þan gan he bede alle were þay sampnede appon a daye with grete solace & mekill playe to þe kyrke that lady ȝede and þere duellyn þe kynges samen with joy & myrthe & mekill gamen at þat mawngery with gud myrthis þam emange harpes fethils & full faire songe Lines 201 through 300 cyteles and sawtrye till þe seuenyghte was gone with alkyn welthis in þat wone of myrthis and mynstralsye was neuir so riche a gedirynge that hadd so sary a partynge i sall ȝow tell for why grete dole for sothe it es to telle oppon þe haghten daye byfell herkyns & ȝe may here the emperoure to þe chambir ȝode all þe lordes abowte hym stode with full mery chere the emperoure said j vndirstande swylke a nawntir fell in þis lande by a lady to ȝere that was ouir taken with swylk a treson i aske juggement of þis with reson of hir whate worthy were when þe emperoure his tale hade tolde the kyng of calabire answere wolde he ne wyste whate it bement he said it es worthi for hir sake withowtten þe cete a fyre to make with rightwyse juggement & when þe fyre es byrnand faste hir & hir childir in it to caste till þay to þe dede be bryntte the emperoure answeres to hym sone thyn awen doghetir hase it done i holde to thyn assent there was dole & grete pete a fyre þay made withowtten þe cete with brondes byrnande bryghte to þe fyre þay ledde þat lady thare two sqwyers hir childir bare þat semly weren of syghte in a kirtyll of sckarlett rede into þe fyre to take hir dede all redy was scho dyghte the kynge of calabire made euyll chere he ne myghte for sorowe stande hir nere bothe wepede kynge and knyghte the lady þan þe sothe to telle byfore hir lorde one knees scho felle and bothe hir handis vp helde scho sayde my lorde for Jhesu sake graunt me ane orysoune to make till hym þat alle sall wellde and þen of me ȝe do ȝoure wyll the dede þat j am ordeynede till therto j will me ȝelde the emperoure graunted hir righte so ilke a man þan was full woo that were þat day in þe felde than þe lady hir one knes þer sette till Jhesu cryste full sore scho grette no wondir þoghe hir ware wo now lorde scho sayd of heuens blysse this day þou me rede and wysse and heuen qwene also mary mayden and modir free my prayere make j to the for my childir two als þou lete þam be borne of me helpe þat þay crystened may be or þat þay to þe dede goo than lordis þat abowte hyr ware and ladyes felle in swonyng thore and knyghttes stode wepande the emperoure stode by hyr full nere the teris trykylde one his lyre that wele nere myghte he stande than spake he wordis of gret pete and sayde thi dede will j noghte see with herte nor ȝitt with hande the emperoure gafe hire leue to goo and take with hir hir childir two and flemed hir of his lande the emperoure gafe hir fowrty pownde of florence þat were riche & rownde in romance als we rede and he bytaghte hir knyghtes two and bad þat þay solde with hir goo owt of his lande to lede two sqwyers hir childyr bare in stede þer þay were neuir are and intill vncouthe thede when scho was flemyd þat was so gent ilke a lorde to hys lande es went for sorow þaire hertes gan blede when þis lady was in a wyldirnes that full thyke of wylde bestes bysett was and all wylsom it semed to syghte thay hir bytaghte hir childir two gafe hir hir golde & bad hir go a stye þer laye full ryghte they bade hir holde þe hye strete for drede with whilde bestes to mete that mekill weren of myghte Lines 301 through 400 and agayne þay went with sory mode & allone þat lady forthe scho ȝode als a full wafull wyghte scho hade so wepede þer byforne that scho þe ryghte way hase sone forlorne so mekill was hir thoghte and jnto a wode was ferly thykke there dales weren depe & cleues wykke þe ryghte waye fonde scho noghte in a greue vndir ane hill scho found a welle full faire & schille and ane herbere þerby was wroghte with faire trees it was bysette the lady sett hir down & grette for ferrere scho ne moghte bot by þe welle scho sett hir down scho gret & cryede with sory sown for scho was lefte allone now lorde scho said if it be þi will in þis wode late me nott spylle for full will j am of wone mary mayden qwene of heuen i pray þe herkyn to my steuen and mend my carefull mone so full j am of pyn & wo that thre dayes es gon & mo þat mete ne ete j none and by þat scho had hir childir dyghte by þat þan wexe it euen myrk nyghte als scho satt by þe welle so jn þat herbere down scho laye till it was lyghte on þe toþir day that fowlles herde scho þan synge & ȝelle thare come an ape to seke hir pray hir one childe scho bare awaye vp heghe appon ane hyll what wondir was ȝif hir were wo when hir child was fro hir so in swonynge doun scho felle and in all þe sorow þat scho in was ryghte so com rynnande a lyones of wode als scho wolde wede in swonynge als þe lady laye hyr oþir childe scho bare awaye hir whelpes with to feede whate wonndir was þofe hyr were wo awaye were borne hir childir two in swoghe scho lay for drede bot for it was a kynge sone jwysse the lyones moghte do it no mys bot forthe þerwith scho ȝede there come a fewle full faire of flyghte a gryffone sayse þe buke he hyghte ouir þose holtes so hare the fewle þan was so mekill of myghte that esyly myghte he bere a knyghte alle armed þofe he ware the lyones with þe childe tuke he and intill ane jle of the see the gryffone bothe þam bare the child slepid in þe lyones mouthe of wele ne wo it ne kouthe bot god kepid it fro kare and whane þe lyones gatt fote on lande full styfly þan gan scho vp stande als beste bothe stronge & whilde the gryffone thurgh goddis grace scho sloghe and of þat fewle scho ete ynoghe and layde hir by þat childe the childe sowkyde þe lyones als it goddis will was when it þe pappes felide the lyones gan it wake and lufe it for hir whelpes sake and was þerwith full mylde with hir feete scho made a dene that lyttill childe jn broghte scho þen and kepede hym day & nyghte and ay when hir hungirde sore scho ȝode & ete of þe gryffone more þat are was mekill of myghte and thus als it was goddis will the lyones byleues þore styll with þat barne so bryghte the lady þat was leued allone to jhesu criste scho made hir mone als a full wofull wyghte scho sais jhesu kyng of alle with carefulle herte to þe j calle that þou be my socoure als j was kyngis doghetir & qwene and emprice of rome hase bene and many a riche towre and thorowe þe lessynges es one me wroghte till mekill sorow þus am j broghte and owte of myn honoure this werldes blysse hafe j forlorne and my two childir er fro me borne this lyfe may j noghte dowre this sorowe lorde þat j am jn Lines 401 through 500 full wele j wote es for my syn welcome be alle thi sande to þe werlde will j me neuir gyffe bot serue the lorde whills j may lyfe into þe holy londe and ouir an hill þe waye scho name and to þe grekkes se scho came and welke appon þe strande and byfore hir an hauen scho seghe and a cete with towris full heghe a redy waye þere scho fand whan þe lady com þan to þat town a schipe scho fond all redy bowne with pylgremes for to fare scho badd þe schipmen golde & fee in þat schipp þat scho moghte be if þat þaire willes it were a bote þay sente appone þe flode to þe lady right þer scho stode a wyghte man jn hir bare and by þe maste þay badde hir sytt there myghte no man hir sorowe wete and ay scho wepede sare the schippe come sayland by an jle syde the maystir badd þat þay sold byde for fresche watir hafe we nane bysyde þam was a roche on hye a welle streme þare þay see come rynnande ouir a stone two men to þe lande þay sent heghe vpe ouir þat roche thay went the welle þay found anone the lyones laye in hir dene and was full blythe of þe two men and full sone scho hade þam slayne so lange one ankir gan þay ryde thies two men for to habyde till none was of the daye than gan twelue men þam dyghte with helme & with hawberke bryghte and till þe lande wente þay the lyones fonde þay in hir dene a knauechilde laye sowkand hir þen and gan with þe lyones to playe vmwhile þe childe sowkede hir pappe vmwhile gan þay kysse & clappe for drede þay fledde awaye thay tolde þe wondir þat þay seghe & þat þay fonde on þe roche on heghe a lyones in hir den a knauechilde þerin laye therewith þe lyones gan hir playe and dede were bothe þaire men than spake þat lady so mylde mercy syrris þat es my childe one land ȝe late me rynn a bote þay sett appon þe flode the lady vnto þe lande þer ȝode full sore wepide þay þen when scho com on þat roche on heghe scho ran ywhils þat scho myght dreghe with full sory mode the lyones thurgh goddis grace when scho sawe þe lady face full debonorly vp scho stode thurgh þe myghte of mary mylde scho sufferd þat lady to tak hir childe and scho forthe with hir ȝode but when þe schippmen þe lyones seghe the land durste þay noghte com neghe for drede þay were nere wode sum hent an ore & som a sprete the wylde lyones for to mete and þaire chippe for to werre the lady intill þair chippe þay hente thritty fote aftir þe lyones sprente durste no man jn hir bere there was þan bot lyttill glee for many lepped into þe see so ferde of hir þay were bot by þe lady downe scho laye and with þe childe bygan to playe and to no man wolde scho dere they droghe vp saile of riche hewe the wynd þam owte of hauen blewe ouir þat wan streme the fyrste lande þan þat þay seghe was a cete with towres full heghe that hyghte jerusalem als blythe were þay þan of þat syghte als es þe fowlles when it es lighte of þe dayes gleme when it was ebbe & no flode the lady to þe lande þan ȝode into þat riche rewme ouir alle þe cete wyde & longe of þat lady the worde þan spronge þat þore one lande was lente and how scho hade a lyones broghte owte of wyldirnes Lines 501 through 600 the kyng aftir hir sente he bad scho solde lett for no thynge and þe lyones with hir brynge to þe castelle es scho went when scho byfore þe kynge þer come he kende hir for þe emprice of rome and by þe hande he hir hente the kyng þan frayned of hir fare scho tolde hym of hir mekill care and of hir grete vnryghte he garte hir duelle with þe qwene stille scho hadd maydyns redy to will to serue hir bothe daye & nyghte the childe þat was so faire & fre the kyng did it crystened for to be octouyane it highte when þe childe was of elde that he couthe ryde & armes welde the kyng dubbede hym to knyghte the lyones þat was so wilde belefte with þe lady & þe childe hir comforthe was the more the lady byleued with þe qwne with joye & blysse þam bytwene to couyre hir of hir care ilke man hir plesyde day & nyghte to make hir glade with all þair myghte vnto hir bettur were in jerusalem thus gan scho duelle of hir oþir childe now will j telle that þe ape awaye bare now comes þe ape þat was wilde thurgh þe forest with þe childe ouir þe holttis so hare als þe ape come ouir a strete with a knyghte so gan scho mete als scho þe childe bare thore faghte þe knyght wondirly longe agayne þe ape styffe & stronge his swerde so brake he there the ape leued þe childe & away ran the knyght þe child son vp wan and with it forthe gan fare forthe with þe child þe knyght went þan in þe wode mett he owtlawes tene that mekill weryn of myghte ȝitt was neuir þe knyghte so wo for his swerde was brokyn in two that he myghte nothyng fyghte if all þe knyghte were kene & thro those owtlawes wan þe child hym fro þat was so swete a wyghte þe knyghte was wondid forsothe to saye vnnethes his horse bare hym awaye so dulefully was he dyghte those owtlawes sett þam on a grene þe child þay laide þam bytwene and it faste on þam loghe þe maystir owtlawe spake þen grete schame it were for hardy men if þay a childe sloghe i rede we bere it here besyde to þe se with mekill pride and do we it no woghe it es comyn of gentill blode we sall hym selle for mekill gude for golde & syluir enoghe two owtlawes þan made þam ȝare to þe grekkes se þay it bare þay couthe þe way full ryghte it was no man þat it seghe þat þay ne wepid with þaire eghe so faire it was of syghte a burgesse of pareche com þan nere had bene a palmere seuen ȝere clement þe velayne he hyghte sirris he said will ȝe þis child selle the golde will j for hym telle florence bothe brode & bryghte for fourty pound hym selle þay wolde he said full lange may ȝe hym halde are ȝe hym so selle may gode men he said be my hode i trowe ȝe kan ful littill gude swilke wordis for to saye golde & siluir es me bot nede bot twentty pownd j will ȝow bede and mak ȝow redy paye the childe þay vnto clement ȝolde and twentty pownde he þam tolde and went forthe one his waye clement hase þe childe boghte a payneȝere did he to be wroghte the childe jn forthe to lede a noresche gatt he hym also into fraunce with hym to go that ȝong childe for to fede home he tuke þe way ful ryghte and hastede hym with all his myghte and vnto paresche he ȝede Lines 601 through 700 the burgesche of paresche wer ful fayne full many went clement agayne a slavyne was his wede thay haylsest clement & kyssed hym alle and broghte hym till his awen haulle his wyfe was glade & blythe scho hym fraynede þe ryght dome how he to þe childe come he tolde hir also swythe in þe holy lond j hym gatt and þore j wold hym noghte lett þe sothe j will the kythe his wyfe ansuerde with herte mylde he sall be myn awen childe scho kyste hym ful ofte sythe clement saide to his wyfe tho sen þe childe es getyn so in þe hethen thede and now es it to þis land broghte i pray the dame þat þou greue þe noghte and riche sall be thi mede sir scho said with wordis free full welecom es it vnto me full faire sall j hym fede and ȝeme hym with oure awen child to þat he come of helde and clothe þam in one wede clement was þerof full blythe he garte crysten þe child ful swythe it was not duellid þat nyghte and als it es in romance tolde the right name þat þay it callde florent þe child hyghte and when þe child was seuen ȝere olde he was bothe wysse faire & bolde the man þat redis righte alle þe rewme wyde & longe worde of þe childe spronge so was he faire to syghte euir þe burgesse & his wyfe loffed þe childe als þaire lyfe with þam he was full dere when he was tuelue ȝere olde & more he sett his owun son to þe lore to be a chawndelere and florent bytaughte he oxen two and bad hym ouir þe bryge go vnto a bouchere to lere his crafte for to do als hym was neuir of kynd þerto to vse swylke mystere als florent ouir þe brygge gan go dryvand on his oxen two a semely syghte sawe he a sqwyere bare als j ȝow telle a gentill fawcon for to selle that semly was to see florent to þe sqwyere ȝede and bothe his oxen he gan hym bede for þat fowle so fre þe sqwyere þerof was full glade he tuke þe oxen als he hym bade florent was blythe in ble the sqwyere hasted hym to go merueylle þerof thynkes mee if þou and alle thi men will blyn i will vndirtake to wynn paresche þat stronge cete bot mersabele þan weedde j will sayd þe sowdane j halde þertill with thi þat it so bee arageous appon þat same daye to þe mount martyn þer þe lady laye the waye he tuke full ryghte and hir hade leuir dede to hafe bene than hym in hir chambir to hafe sene so fulle he was of syghte he sayse leman kysse me belyue thy lorde me hase þe graunte to wyefe and paresche j hafe hym hyghte and j hete the wittirly the kynges heuede of fraunce certanely tomorowe or it be nyghte the mayden sayse with mylde mode to þe geaunte þer he stode and gaffe hym this answere the kynges heuede if þou me brynge than sall þou hafe thyne askynge for full lefe to me it were thane armede þe geaunt hym ful wele bothe in jryn and in stele with helme and schelde and spere it was twenty fote and twoo bytwyxe his crown & his too there myghte none horse hym bere the geaunte tuke þe ryghte waye vnto paresche þat ilke daye with hym wente no moo he lenede hym ouir þe towne walle and thus he spake þe folke with alle Lines 701 through 800 wordis kene and throo he badde þay solde send owte a knyghte þat myghte hym fynde his fill of fyghte ore he þat londe wolde ouirgoo þerin solde he noþir leue onelyffe beste ne man childe ne wyffe that he ne sold þam bryne & sloo than all þe folke of þat cete rane þe geaunte for to see at þe bretage þare he stode bot als ferre als þay myghte hym se or ken faste awaywarde gan þay ryn for ferde þay were nere wode there wente owte armede knyghtes fyve & sayd þay wolde auenture þair lyfe the geaunte thoghte it gode full hastyly he hase þam slayne skapede neuir one qwykke agayne that owte vnto hym ȝode when he had slayne the knyghtes fyve agayne to þe walles gan he dryve and ouir þe bretage gan lye kynge dagaberde of fraunce he sayde come thiselfe & fyghte a brayde for thi curtasye for j will with none oþir fyghte thi heuede j hafe my leman highte scho salle me kysse with thi and if þou ne will noghte do so alle this cete j will ouirgo als dogges þan sall þay dy grete dole it was þan for to see the sorowe þat was in þat cete bothe with olde and ȝonge for þer was noþir kynge ne knyghte þat with þat geaunt þan durste fyghte he was so foulle a thynge and ay jwhills arageous with his staffe many a grete bofete he gaffe and þe walles down gan he dynge and þan gane alle þe pepille crye vnto god & to mylde marye with sorowe & grete wepynge florent þan askede his fadir clement whate alle þat ppetous noyes þan ment and whedir þe folke so faste ren clement saide my dere sone a geaunte to þe walles es wone hase slayne fyve of oure men oure kynges hede hase he highte the sowdan doghetir þat es so bryghte for scho solde kysse hym then there es no man dare with hym fyghte forthi my dere sone hase he tyghte this cete to breke and bryne now fadir he sayde j hafe a stede wanttes me no thynge bot wede nowe helpes þat j were dyghte a lorde why euir þus many men hym drede me thynke j myghte do alle his nede and j were armede ryghte sayse clement & þou þerof speke i trow j sall thyn hede breke for had þou of hym a syghte for all þis cete wolde þou habyde bot faste awaywarde wold þou ryde he es so fowle a wyghte a fadir he said takes to none ille for with þe geaunt fighte j wille to luke if j dare byde and bot j tittir armede be i sall noghte lett so mote j the that j ne salle to hym ryde clement saide sen þou willt fare i hafe armoures swylke als þay are i sall þam lene þe this tyde bot þis seuen ȝere sawe þay no sone fadir he sayd alle es wonne ne gyffe j noghte a chide bot fadir he sayde j ȝow praye that we ne make no more delaye bot tyte þat j ware dyghte for j wolde noghte for þis cete that anoþir man before me vndirtuke that fyghte nay nay saise clement j vndirtake þat þer will none swylke maystres make noþir kynge ne knyghte bot god sone sende þe grace wirchipe to wyn and late me neuir hafe perelle þerin to þe dede if þou be dyghte for sorowe clement herte nere braste when he one hym an actone caste the childe was bolde and kene ane hawberke abowne lete he falle full ruysty weren þe mayles alle and alle his atyre bydene clement broghte forthe schelde & spere that were vnsemly for to were soyty and alle vnclene Lines 801 through 900 a swerd he broghte þe child byforne þat seuen byfore had noghte bene borne ne drawen & that was sene clement drewe þe swerd bot owte it nolde gladwyn his wyfe sold þe schawebereke holde and bothe righte faste þay drewe and when þe swerde owte glente bothe vnto þe erthe þay went than was þer gamen ynoghe clement felle to þe bynke so faste þat mouthe & nese al tobraste and florente stode and loghe grete gamen it es to telle how þay bothe to þe erthe felle and clement laye in swoghe child florent in his vnfaire wede whane he was armede on his stede his swerde with hym he bere his auentayle & his bacenete his helme appon his heued was sett and bothe full soyty were bothe two clement & his wyfe luffede þe child als þaire lyfe for hym þay wepede sore to jhesu criste full faste þay bede lene hym grace wele for to spede thay myghte do hym no more for his atyre þat was vnbryghte hym byhelde bothe kyng & knyghte and mekill wondir þam thoghte many a skornefull worde he hent als he thurghe þe cete went bot þerof gafe he noghte than gane þe folke to þe walles goo to see þe batelle bytwyx þam two when þay were samen broghte his fadir clement full sory was he to þat he wyste wheþir maystir solde be and glade ne was he noghte florent come to þe ȝates full sone and bade þe portere swythe vndone and open þe ȝates wyde all þat abowte þe ȝates stode loughe so faste þay were nere wode and skornede hym that tyde ilk a man sayde to his fere here comes a doghety bachelere hym semes full wele to ryde men may see by hys brene bryghte that he es a nobylle knyghte the geaunt for to habyde bot þan þe geaunt vpryghte gan stande and tuke his burdone in his hande that was of stele vnryde and to þe childe he smote so that his schelde brake in two and felle one aythire syde than was þe childe neuir so wo als when his schelde was in two bot more he thoghte to byde and to þe geaunt he smote so sore that his righte arme flowe of þore the blode stremyde þan full wyde than clement appon þe walles stode and full blythe he wex þan in his mode and gan amende his chere and said son j hafe herde j wene the nobill dynt þat es so kene with me þou arte full dere now thynke me righte in my mode that þou hase wele bysett oure gude swylke lawes for to lere childe florent in his vnfaire wede spronge als sparke dose of glede the sothe j will ȝow saye and rode hym forthe with egre mode to þe geaunt righte þer he stode was þore no childes playe the geaunt smote to þe childe so þat childe & horse to þe grownde gan go the stede one knes laye than cryede clement with sory mode and said sone be of comforthe gude and venge the if þou maye and als ill als the childe ferde when he þe speche of clement herde his herte bygan to bolde boldly his swerde vp he laghte and to þe geaunt a stroke he raughte þat all his blode gan colde the childe hym hitt one þe schuldir bone that to þe pappe þe swerde gan gone and þe geaunt to þe grounde gan folde and thus it felle thorow goddes grace he slewe þe geaunt in that place in bukes als it es tolde the kynges appon þe walles stode when þe geaunt to þe grounde ȝode the folke full blythe þay were alle þe folke at the childe loughe Lines 901 through 1000 how he the geaunt hede of droghe when he hade smetyn hym thore the childe leppe vp appon his stede and rode awaye wele gude spede with þam spekes he no more the childe toke þe ryghte waye to þe castelle þer þe mayden laye and the hede with hym he bare when he come to þe mayden haulle he founde the burdes couerde alle and þam bowne to the mete the mayden þat was mylde of mode in a surkott in hyr haulle scho stode and redy was to hir sette damesele said florent faire & free wele now gretis thi leman the of þat he the byhete lo here an heuede j hafe þe broghte the kynges of france ne es it noghte for it were full euylle to gete that mayden brighte als golden bey when scho þe geaunt heued sey full wele scho it kende and sayde he was ay trewe of his hete when he þe kynges heuede myght not gete his owen he hase me sende damesele he sayde faire & bryghte now wolde j hafe þat þat ȝe hym highte and ouir his sadylle he lende full ofte sythes he kyssede þat maye and hent hir vpe & wolde awaye bot þay alle þe brigge did fende crye & noyse rose in thate towne and sone þay ware to þe batelle bowne full many an hardy knyghte with speres longe and swerdes broune and florent lete þe mayden downe and made hym bowne to fyghte hyre surkotte sleue he rofe of þen and sayde by this ȝe sall me kene when ȝe se me by syghte swylke lufe wexe bytwix þam two that lady grett so was hir wo that he ne wyn hir myghte childe florent in his vnfaire wede full many a sarezene made he to blede the sothe j will ȝow saye many a hethyn man in a stownde he made to lygge appon the grownde was þer no childes playe when florent thoghte þat he wold founde withowtten oþir weme or wounde to paresche he tuke the waye the hethyn men were so adrede to cleremont with the may þay flede there þe sowdane laye and jn hir fadir paveleone thore lyghttede þe mayden down and knelede appon hir knee than was þe sowdane wondir blythe and to his doghetir went he swythe and kyssed hir sythes thre he sett hir downe appon þe dese that full riche was withowttyn lese with grete solempnyte scho tolde hir fadir & wilde nott layne how arageous þe geaunt was slayne a full sorye man was he scho saide leue fadir thyn ore at þe mont martyn late me lye no more so nere crysten men to bene in swylke ane auenture j was þis daye a rebawde me hade nere borne awaye fro alle myn knyghttes kene thore was no man of hethen londe that myghte a dynt stonde of his honde þat he ne fellede þam bydene als ofte als j appon hym thynke i may noþir ete nor drynke so full j ame of tene bot when þe sowdane þis tythande herde he his lippes & schoke his berde that grymly was to see and swore with hedouse contenance that he sulde hange þe kynge of frauncce and bryne alle cristyante and þat he sulde noþir leue onelyue man beste childe no wyfe with eghene þat he myghte see doughetir he said go to þi chambir and luke þou make full glade chere thow salle wele vengede be full richely was hir chambir sprede and thedir jn was þat lady lede with birdis þat scho broghte one softe seges was hir sete bot myghte scho noþir drynke ne ete so mekill scho was in thoghte sumtyme one his faire chere and one his coloure & one his lyre Lines 1001 through 1100 scho myghte forgete hym noghte full stylle scho saide with hert sore allas þat j ne with my lemane wore whedir he wolde me hafe broghte one hir bede righte als scho laye scho callede vnto hir a maye full preualy and stylle that mayden highte olyuayne þat was full faire of blode & bane and moste wiste of hir wille scho saide olyue in preuate my concelle j will schewe to the that greues me full ille for one a childe es alle my thoghte that me to paresche wolde hafe broghte and j ne maye come hym tylle olyue hir answers tho and sais lady sen ȝe will so ne drede ȝow for no wyghte for j sall helpe ȝow þat j may bothe by nyghte and by day that he wynn ȝow myghte ȝitt may swylke auenture be at ȝoure will ȝe may hym see or this daye fowrtene nyghte at þe monte martyne j wolde ȝe were there salle ȝe somewhate of hym here wheþir he be sqwyere or knyghte the cristyn men þan were full blythe when þay sawe florent onlyfe þay wende he hade bene lorne and when he come nere the cete agayne hym wente kynges thre and þe emperoure rode byforne and to þe palayse þe childe was broghte full riche atyre þay for hym soghte of golde and syluir schene men callede hym florent of paresche for thus in romance tolde it es þoghe he þer were noghte borne and clement for þe childes sake full faire to courte þay gan take and gaffe hym full riche wede one softe seges was he sett amonge grete lordes at þe mete and seruede of many riche brede the childe was sett with grete honowre bytwixe þe kynge & þe emperoure his mete þay gan hym schrede he was so curtayse & so bolde þat alle hym louede ȝonge & olde for his doghety dede noghte longe aftir als j ȝow saye the childe solde be knyghte þat oþir daye no lengir wolde þay habyde his atyre of golde was wroghte byfore þe emperoure þe childe was broghte a kyng one aythir syde the kyng of fraunce byfore hym ȝode with mynstralles full many and gode and lede hym vp with pryde clement to þe mynstralles gan go and gafe some a stroke & some two there durste noghte one habyde clement so sorye was þat daye for alle þaire costes þat he solde paye that he gane wepe wele sore and whills þe kynges dauwnsede in þe halle clement tuke þaire mantills alle and to his howse þam bare than the kynges gan þaire mantills myse and jlke man askede aftir his where þay bycomen were than swore clement by goddes daye for ȝoure mete moste ȝe paye or ȝe gete þam no more thereatt all þe kynges loghe there was joye & gamen ynoghe amonges þam in the haulle the kynge of fraunce with hert ful fayne said clement brynge þe mantils agayne for j sall paye for alle clement þoreof was full blythe and home he rane alsso swythe to his owen haulle and to þe palays he mantils bare and bade þam take þam alle þare and downe he lette þam falle the burdes were sett & couerd alle childe florent was broghte into þe haulle with full mekill presse the childe was sett with gret honowre bytwyxe þe kyng & þe emperoure sothe withowtten lese the emperoure gan þe childe byholde he was so curtayse & so bolde bot he ne wiste what he was and euir he thoghte in his mode the childe was comen of gentill blode hym thoghte righte als it was Lines 1101 through 1200 when þe folke all had eten clement hade noghte forgetyn his purse he openede thore thritty florence forthe keste he and said hafe here for my son & me i may paye for no more clement was curtaise & wyse he wend alle had bene marchandyse the pryde that he sawe thore at clement loghe the knyghtes alle so did þe kynges in þe haulle childe florent schamede full sore than spekes þe emperoure anone ryghte to florent þat was faire and bryghte wordis full wondir stille and said ȝonge knyghte telle þou me if ȝone man thyn owen fadir be the childe answerde hym till sir lufe hade j neuir hym too als j solde to my fadir doo neuir in herte ne wille bot of alle the men þat euir sawe j moste lufes myn herte ȝowe sekirly syr takes it to none ille the emperoure did calle clement þere and made hym come and sytt hym nere oppon the heghe dese he bade hym telle þe righte dome how he to þe childe come sothe withowtten lese sir he said þis childe was taken in a foreste fro a lady with a wylde beste in ane grete wildirnes and j hym boghte for thritty pownde euirylke peny bothe hole and rownde and sayde myn owen he was than was þe emperoure joyefull & blythe of his tales for to lythe and thanked god almyghte the emperoure felle one knes als swythe and kyssede þe childe full fele sythe thoghe he ne wiste whate he highte for full wele he trowede withowtten lese his owen sone that he was alle gamnes bothe kyng & knyghte the childes name was chaungede with dome thay callede hym þan florent of rome als it was full gude ryghte the emperoure was so blythe of chere that the teris trekelide one his lyre he made þan full grete care and said allas my faire wyfe the beste lady þat was onelyfe salle j hir see no mare me ware leuir þan alle þe golde þat euir was appon cristyn molde wyste j onelyue scho ware the emperoure gafe clement welthis fele to lyfe in reches and in wele aye nowe for euirmore als florent one an nyghte in bede laye he thoghte one marsabele þat faire maye and full mekill he was in kare the childe had noþir riste ne ro for thoghte how he myghte com hir to and whate þat hym beste ware the childe thoghte for þe mayden sake a message þat he wolde make and to þe sowdane fare and sone þe childe did sadill his stede and armede hym in full riche wede a braunche of olyue he bare for þat was þat tym messangere lawe a brawnche of olyue for to schewe and it in hand to bere for þe ordynance þan was so messangers solde sauely come & go and no man solde þam dere the childe takes þe heghe waye to cleremont þare þe sowdan laye with alle his grete here and at þe haulle dore he reyngened his stede and one fote in he ȝede messangere als he were than spekes þe childe with hardy mode byfore þe sowdane þere he stode als man of mekill myghte the kynge of fraunce me hedir sende and byddis the owte of his lande wende for þou werreys agayne þe righte or he wille brynge agayne the twentty thowsande tolde by thre with helmes and hawberkes bryghte and ilke a knyghte sall thritty sqwyers hafe and ilke a sqwyere a fote knaue worthe an heythen knyghte than the sowdane bygane to speke als he satt at his riche mete amonge his knyghttes kene the kynge of fraunce welecome sall be Lines 1201 through 1300 euir agayne on j sall brynge thre weite he withowtten wene that als fayne bene for to fyghte als fowle es of dayes lyghte to schewe þaire scheldes schene to prove tomorowe by my laye i kepe to take no langere daye than salle þe sothe be sene than spekes þat may with mylde mode to faire florent þare he stode that was so swete a wyghte messengir j wolde the frayne wheþir he es knyghte or swayne that es so mekill of myghte that hase my fadir geaunt slayne and wolde hafe rauesched me fra borow lerayne and slewe þer many a knyghte alle þoghe scho neuenede hym with ille full mekill was it þan hir wille of hym to hafe a syghte lady he sayse he es noþir lesse ne moree than it j myselfe wore sythe ȝe will of hym frayne ȝe sall hym knawe thurgh alle þe here ȝoure sleue he wille hafe on his spere in þe batelle al playne withowtten any more worde ilke man stirte vpe fro þe borde with swerdes and knyues drawen for alle þay wiste wele by þan þat he it was þat ilke man þat hade þe geaunt slayne than florent sawe no bettir bote bot nedely hym tydes to fighte one fote agayne þe sarazenes alle and euir he hitt þam amange where he sawe þe gretteste thrange full many he did to falle sum by þe armes he nome that the schuldir with hym come the prowdeste in the haulle and some he swilke a boxe lent þat þe heued fro þe body went als it were a foteballe and when his swerde broken was a mete forme he gatt par cas and þerewith he gan hym were and to þe grounde sone garte he go ten score & somdele mo that heythen knyghtes were florent made a waye ful gode to his stede righte þer he stode there myghte no man hym dere and home he takes þe righte waye vnto parische als it laye thurgheowte þe heythen here than were þe crysten folke full blythe when þay sawe florent onelyue thay wende he lorne hade bene and whene he come nere the cete agayne hym went kynges thre the emperoure rode bytwene alle þe folke pressede hym to se ilke a man fraynede whilke es he als þay hym neuir hade sene vnto þe palese he was ledde he tolde þam alle how he had spede amonge þe sarazens kene lordynges he saide lukes ȝe be ȝare vnto þe batelle for to fare and redy for to ryde tomorowe moste it nede be sene who es hardy man and kene no lengere ne may we byde the folke sayde þat þay were blythe to wende to þat batelle swythe in herde es noghte to hide a riche clothe one þe borde was sprede to make þe childe bothe blythe & glade a kyng one aythir syde one þe morowe when þe daye was lyghte the folke þam to þe batelle dyghte alle þat wapen moghte welde there men myghte se many a wyghte with helmes schene & hawberke bryghte with spere and als with schelde with trompes & with mekill pryde full boldly owt of borowe þay ryde vnto a full brode felde the felde was bothe longe & brode þore bothe þe partyes one habode and aythere oþir byhelde marsabele þat mayden fre was broghte þat batelle for to see to þe mont martyne appon seyne florent hir sleue did on his spere for in þe batelle he wolde it bere and forthe he rode in þe playne for þat men solde wele se þan that he it was þat ilke man Lines 1301 through 1400 that haued þe geaunt slayne and also for þat mayden free was broghte þat batelle for to see þereof scho was full fayne than was þere mekill sorow in syte when þe batelle bygan to smytte with many a grymly wonde fro morow þat þe daye was lyghte to it was euen & dirke nyghte or owthir partye wolde fownde florent gan euir amonges ryde and made þore many a sory syde þat ore was hale & sownde so many folke þore to þe dede ȝode that stedis wode in the blode that stremyd one the grounde thore men myghte see helmes bare and heuedis þat full faire waree full lawe to þe grownde þan lyghte the cristen men bycome so thyn that the felde myghte þay noghte wyn alle cryede bothe kyng and knyghte than florent smote with herte so gude his swerde thurghe þaire helmes wode so mekyll he was of myghte thurghe goddes grace & florent thore the cristen men þe bettir wore that ilke daye in þe fyghte the parties ere withdrawen awaye and taken there es anoþir daye that the batelle sulde be florent rode to borow lerayne besyde þe watir banke of sayne for auenturs wolde he see the mayden whitt als lely floure laye in a kirnelle of a towre was ferly faire and fre florent scho sawe on þe felde fare by hir sleue þat he bare scho knewe wele þat it was he than spekes þat may with milde mode to olyue þat byfore hir stode þat wyste hir preuate and saide howe were it beste to do a worde þat j myghte speke hym to i wysse than wele were me scho saide lady we one two by þe reuir banke sall go that he may vs see if he ȝow lufe with hert gude he lettes nothyng for þe flode a full gude horse haues he forthe þan went theis maydenes two owte of the castelle gan þay goo by the reuere syde when florent sawe þat swete wyghte he sprent als any fowle of flyghte no lengir þen wolde he byde his horse he was full wondir gude and bare hym smertly ouir þe flode hymselffe couthe full wele ryde it was grete joye to se þam mete with haulsynge & with kyssynge swete in herte es noghte to hyde lady he sayde full wele es mee a worde þat j may speke with the so bryghte ert þou of hewe in alle this werlde es non so free for whi þat þow wolde cristenede be and sythen of herte be trewe sir if þat þou myghte me wyn i wolde forsake all my kyn als j þam neuir knewe sythen þou wolde wedde me to wyfe i wolde lyue in cristen lyfe my joye solde euer be newe lady he sayde withowtten fayle howe were þan thi beste consaile that j the wynn myghte sertes ȝe me neuer wyn ne maye bot if it were þat ilke daye that ȝe hafe tane to fyghte that ȝe wolde send vp by þe flode men þat bene styffe and gude and a schippe þat wele were dyghte and ywhills þe folke weren at þaire dede that thay me myghte awaye lede into ȝoure cete full ryghte my fadir has a nobille stede in þe werlde es none so gude at nede in tornament no in fyghte in his heuede he hase an horne es schapen als an vnycorne that selcouthe es of syghte sir if þou myghte þat stede now wyn there were no man in heythen kynn agayne the that stande myghte florent kyssede þat faire maye and sayd lady hafe gud daye and holde þat þou hafe highte Lines 1401 through 1500 florent hase his stede nomen and ouir þat watir es he comen to paresche he tuke the waye he wolde neythir stynte ne blyn bot home to clement gan he wyn his awntirs for to saye and tolde hym of þat gude stede that nobille was in ilke a nede and of that faire maye and he said sone be doghety man of dede and certes þou sall hafe þat stede tomorowe gyff þat j maye one þe morne when þe day was lyghte clement gan hymseluen dyghte lyke an vnfrely fere and went into þe heythen oste thore þe presse was alþirmoste a sarazene als he were and to þe paveleone he gan wynn there þe sowdan hymselfe was jn full brymly he gan bere and askede þam sum of þaire mete full wele he couthe þaire speche speke the sowdane hymselfe gan here grete dole þe sowdane of hym thoghte and sone he was byfore hym broghte and with hym gan he speke he saide he was a sarazene stronge and jn his oste hade bene full longe and hade grete fawte of mete sir þere es no man in heythen thede that bettir kane ryde & kepe a stede or oþir horsses grete the sowdane saide þat ilke tyde if þat þou wele a stede kan ryde with me þou sall be lette thay horsede clement one a stede he spronge als any sparke one glede appone a full faire felde alle þat stode on ilk a syde hade joye to se clement ryde byfore the sowdans telde and when he hade reden courses thre alle had joye þat hym gan see the sowdan hym byhelde clement lyghtede down full sone and one a bettir horse was done full faire he gan hym welde grete joye þe sowdan of hym thoghte and badde his owen stede solde be broghte and clement one hym solde ryde and when clement was on þat stede he rode awaye wele gud spede no lengare he wold habyde and when he was redy for to fownde farewele he said heythen honde for þou hase loste thi pryde clement tuke hym þe heghe waye vnto paresche als it laye full blythe he was þat tydee florent he said whore art þou that j þe highte j hafe here nowe i hafe þe broghte þe stede florent was full blythe þat daye and saide fadir if þat j maye i salle þe ȝelde thi mede bot to þe emperoure of rome the stede j wolde were present sone to þe palesse ȝe hym lede for euir me thynke in my mode that j ame comen of his blode so prodly if j moghte spede than to þe palays þe stede was ledde the knyghttes were þan alle full glade one hym for to see the emperour byfore þam stode and resceyuede hym with mylde mode so wondir faire was hee florent spak with grete to his lorde þe emperour sir this stede gyffe j alle þat euir abowte sayde he was comen it moghte neuir oþir aftir this þe day that þe batelle agayne þe with trompes & with boldely owte of als men of mekill florent thoghte to þe batelle a schipe sone fro mont to paresche he wist noþir kyng that while when þe with many a fro morowe Lines 1501 through 1600 to it euen & with wondes and for þat the heythen folke the batelle þay or florent was to the emperoure & the kyng & þe cristen kynges all þat than florent smote with herte and rode thurgh þam als he of witt als he wolde wede thore was no sarazene of myghte ne þat myght with strenghe stande hym agayne whills þat he hade his stede than was of florent dole ynoghe how þay his stede vndir hym sloghe and he to þe gronde þan ȝode sir florent was taken in þat fyghte bothe þe emperoure kynge & knyghte bownden þay gan thaym lede the at þay ware lese was þore & oþir mo also full sore firste man l]ousede þan lese broþir florence of fraunce hate he was as to hym comen nomen in prese þat nobill dede to spede besyde ryde swythe þore dyghte and knyghte and blythe with grete honoure the emperoure he kythe þat he þore tolde ȝong and olde þay were to lythe in this lande j hafe þe soghte modir j hafe with me broghte to make hir pese the emperoure was neuir so blythe als for to kysse þe childe full swythe and for his sone hym chese lorde for a lessynge þat was stronge scho was flemede owt of londe i proue þat it was lese for joye þat he his wiefe gan se seuen sythes swonede he byfore the heghe dese faire florent þan was full blythe of þat tydandes for to lythe his modir for to see lorde scho said for alle þe noye þat me was wroghte thyn on childe j hafe the broghte and ȝemede hym euir with me thyn oþir sone in a foreste was taken with a wilde beste he was bothe faire & fre alle j wote es goddes grace i knowe hym by his faire face that ȝone ȝong knyghte es he than was þore full mekill gamen with halsynge & with kyssyngez samen into þe chambir þay ȝode and full grete joye þere was also at þe metyng of þe brethir two þat doghety weren of dede a riche feste þe emperour mad thare of lordes þat were ferre and nere and of many a londes lede this tale whoso telles ryghte the feste lastede a fourtenyghte in romance thus we rede marsabele þat faire maye was aftir sent þe sothe to saye to paresche righte þore scho was cristenede scho was on a sonondaye with joye & gamen and mekill playe florent to wyefe hir chese swylke a brydale als was þore in that cete was neuir ore Lines 1601 through 1634 ȝe wiete withowtten lese child florent þore hir gan wedde and into rome was scho ledde with prynces prowde in prese and þen byfelle appon a daye the emperoure bygan for to saye and tolde alle how it was and alle þan gafe juggement that his modir sulde be brynte in a belle of brasse als sone als scho þerof herde telle in swonynge to þe gronde scho felle hir hare of scho gan rase for schame þat scho was proued false in two scho cutte hir owen halse with a longe anelase and þerat alle þe kynges loghe there was joye & gamen ynowghe alle tuke þaire leue that tyde with trowmpes & with lowde songe ilke a man wente to his owun londe with joye & mekill pryde with gamen & joye & grete honoure to rome þan wente þe emperoure his lady by his syde and his two sonnes also and with þam many one mo home þan gan thay ryde and thus endis octouean that in his tym was a doghety man with þe grace of mary free now jhesu lorde of heuen kynge thou gyffe vs alle thi dere blyssynge amen amen par charyte amen