The romance of Sir Beues of Hamtoun. Ed. from six manuscripts and the old printed copy, with introduction, notes, and glossary, by Eugen Kölbing ...516 600dpi TIFF G4 page imagesUniversity of Michigan LibraryAnn Arbor, Michigan2006ANZ2316.0001.001820.6 E13e no.46,48,65

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Early English Text Society. Extra series, 46, 48, 65Early English Text Society (Series). no. 46, 48, 65.The romance of Sir Beues of Hamtoun. Ed. from six manuscripts and the old printed copy, with introduction, notes, and glossary, by Eugen Kölbing ...Kölbing, Eugen, 1846-1899.Schmirgel, Carl.lxvi, viii, 417 p. diagr. 23 cm. London,Pub. for the Early English Text Society by K. Paul, Trench, Trübner & Co.,1885, 1886, 1894.Title and half-title of pt. 1 and Temporary notice (viii p.) bound in after Introduction.Appendix: Typical expressions and repetitions in "Sir Beues of Hamtoun." By Dr. Carl Schmirgel: p. xlv-lxvi.

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The Romance of Sir Beues of Hamtoun.

EDITED FROM SIX MANUSCRIPTS AND THE OLD PRINTED COPY, with Introduction, Notes, and Glossary, BY EUGEN KÖLBING, PH.D., PROFESSOR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BRESLAU.

LONDON: PUBLISHED FOR THE EARLY ENGLISH TEXT SOCIETY BY KEGAN PAUL, TRENCH, TRÜBNER & CO., PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING-CROSS ROAD. 1885, 1886, 1894.

Extra Series, XLVI, XLVIII, LXV.

R. CLAY & SONS, LIMITED, LONDON & BUNGAY.>

Lordinges, herkneþ to me tale!Lordlingis N. lystniþ ESNC. to m. t.] grete & smale C. Is merier þan þe niȝtingale,Þat is EN; It is S; om. C. Þat y schel singe;Þat] om. ESC. schel] wole ȝow ESNC. Of a kniȝt ich wile ȝow roune,ich—roune] þat hyȝte Beuoun ES; sir Be|uoun N. Beues a hiȝte of Hamtoune,B. a h.] That hyght Befys C; Þat was born EN; Þat was lord S. of] in EN. South|hamptoun SN. Wiþ outen lesingoute SC. He was ryȝt (om. SN) a stalwurþe man And manye (kinges londys he (kyngdomes SN) wan To goddys lawe (lawes SN); He was þe beste (in any ferde (þat com in felde SN), And most wan wiþ (dynt off swerde (spere and shelde (SN) Be hys lyff (om. S) dawe (dawes SN). add. ESN. Ich wile ȝow tellen al to gadreȝow—gadre] telle yow as y can C. Of þat kniȝt and of is fadre,þat] þe ESN. Of hys fadur, that doghty man C. Sire Gii:Þat hyȝte sere Gy EC; Þe good erl sir Gy SN. Of Hamtoun he was sirewas] lord and add. SN. he w. s.] & of all þat schyre C. And of al þat ilche schire,Ther of he was lorde & syre C. To wardi.Vn to E; Hym to SN. That ys so hardy C.Sir—Hamt.] So A with red ink; Hic in|cipitur Beffs de Hamptoun E; Sir Beuous of Hampton S; Sir Beuys of Hamptone N; om. C. Lordinges, þis, of whan y telle,Lordlingis N. þis] þe E; he C; eerl add. ESN. of w. y] that y of SNC. Neuer man of flesch ne felleÞer was neuere EC; In his tyme SN. Nas so strong,That was C; Nas noon SN; Halff E. And so he was in ech striue,And so] As ESNC. ech] euery C; a add. E. And euer he leuede wiþ outen wiue,And] But E. out SNC; a add. E.17 put before 16 SN. Al to late and long.Al to] Tyl ESNC. late and] hyt was C. Whan he was fallen in to elde,Whan] Þo ESN. to] om. SN. Þat he ne miȝte him self welde,When he myght not C. be-welde E. He wolde a wif take;A wyff wolde he (om. E) take EC. Sone þar after, ich vnderstonde,And sone SN; And C. þar] om. SC. after] as add. C. Him hadde be leuer þan al þis londe,He C. be] om. SC. betere E. þis] his ESC. Hadde he hire for-sake.He hadde here ESC. An elde a wif he tok an honde,In age C. A wyf in elde SN. A wyff he took in eelde E. an] yn C. Þe kinges douȝter of Scotlonde, So faire and briȝt.So] Ful E. Allas, þat he hire euer ches!euere he here ESC. For hire loue his lif a lesFor—lif] Hys owne (lyf for her (hed þer|fore E) ESNC. Wiþ mechel vnriȝt.muche S. Þis maide ichaue of y-told,mayden E. Þis m.] Sche C; þat add. SNC. ich—of] off whom I haue E. Faire maide ȝhe was & boldA faire SN. wymman ESN; om. C. And fre y-boren;fre] weel EC. Of Almayne þat emperurþat] þe ESNC. Hire hadde loued paramurHad hur C. hadde] om. SN. Wel þar be-foren.Wel] om. E; longe add. SNC. þar] tyme C; om. S. Ofte to hire fader a senteAnd ofte C. a] om. C. And he him selue þeder wentehe] om. SNC. he—þeder] for here loue þedyr he E. For hire sake;Al for E. hire] own add. C. Ofte gernede hire to wiue:Ofte g.] Mechyl (Muche SN) he desyryd ESNC; to haue add. C. Þe king for no þing aliueÞe king] But they wolde not C. Nolde hire him take.Wolde SN. Here nolde E; Hur to C. Siþe a ȝaf hire to sire Gii,Ac (And SN) seþþyn ESN; But C. a] om. C. A stalword erl and hardiA] om. E. erl] man ESN; knyght C. and] an add. SNC. Of Souþhamtoun.Hamptoun E. Man, whan he falleþ in to elde,But whanne men (he SN) ESN. fallen E; fel SN. to] om. S. A man oon (?) he ys holde C. Feble a wexeþ and vnbeldea w. and] and wexe (waxen N) SN; hem wurþ and E. vnwylde SN. Þourȝ riȝt resoun.Be ESN. riȝt] grete C; om. E. So longe þai ȝede to gedres te bedde,to gedere EN; samen S; om. C. te] oon add. C. A knaue child be-twene hem þai hedde,Knaue] man NC. be-tw. h.] to gedere ESNC. Beues a het.Þat Beues heete SN; & Befyse of Hamp|ton he hyght C; Beffs hyȝte certayn E. Faire child he was & bolde,A feire SN. child] om. C. was] had (!) S. & b.] yn many folde C. He nas boute seue winter olde,Than he C. was EC. winter] ȝere SNC. Whan his fader was ded.Tho SN. was slayn E; dyed yn fyght C; hym lete SN. Þe leuedi hire mis-be-þouȝtehire m.-be] a mysse hur be C; al a mys hur (she S) SN. And meche aȝen þe riȝt ȝhe wrouȝteAnd] om. EC. þe] om. SN. riȝt] lawe C. Aȝeyns þe ryȝt meche E. In hire tour:And cawsyd moche dolowre C. 'Me lord is olde & may nouȝt werche,lord] sche seyde add. C. Al dai him is leuer at cherche,Al d.] om. C. is him S; He hath C. leuer] to be add. SNC. Þan in me bour. Hadde ich itaken a ȝong kniȝt,But had S. Þat ner nouȝt brused in werre & fiȝt,ner nouȝt] hadde be nouȝt E: was neuyr C; had not (neuer N) be SN prouyd C. werre &] om. ESNC. Also he is,he] now add. ESN. As now ys he C. A wolde me louen dai and niȝt,louen] haue louyd E. dai a. n.] wiþ al his myȝt ESN. Cleppen and kissen wiþ al is miȝtClyppyd & kyssyd E. wiþ—m.] be (bothe N; om. S) day & nyȝt ESN. And make me blis.maad E. I nel hit lete for no þinge,But I E. woll C. hit] not C; om. ESN. lette N; leue EC. Þat ich nel him to deþe bringeÞat] But C; Tyl þat E. wol S; wyll C; om. E. to (om. E.) deþe hym ESNC. Wiþ sum braide!'braide] gyle E; rede C. Anon riȝt þat leuedi ferriȝt] tyde C. the C. lady ESNC. fer] free NC; cleer E. To consaile clepede hir masagerCleped to counsel SN; Callyd to here E. hir] a E. messanger ESN. A messengere clepyd sche C. And to him saide:him] sche add. C. Þat ylke whyle E. 'Maseger, do me surte,Mas.] y prey the add. C. surte] ensewre C. Þat þow nelt nouȝt discure menelt] wylt C; ne wylt E; shalt SN. not N; neuere SC; om. E. discrure (!) A. me dyskeuer C. To no wiȝtNeuer to N. Of soche maters as y schall schewe to the, And euyr my counsell kepe trewle Bothe be day & be nyght. add. C. And ȝif þow wilt, þat it so be,And] om. SC. I schel þe ȝeue gold and fewolle SNC. ȝeue] boþe add. ESN. gold] londe C. And make þe kniȝt.'þe] a add. C. Þanne answerde þe masager—answ.] bespak E. False a was, þat pautener,Full false C. þat] and SN; hys (!) C. losanger E. And wel prut— 'Dame, boute ich do þe nede,Madame SN; om. E. ich] trewely add. E. do] wel add. SN. þy ESN. dede E. Ich graunte, þow me for-bedegr.] wole þat ESN. Þe londe þourȝ out.'Þy ESN.81—84. And to that lady seyde: Madame, yf y euer dyskeuer the, I graunt that ye take me And smyte of my hedd.C. Þe leuedi þanne was wel fain:þanne] þer of SNC; om. E. was] þo add. E. wel] ful ESNC. 'Go,' ȝhe seide, 'in to Almainego] Messengere, sche seyde, go C; Wende SN. she s.] om. C. in] om. E. Out of me bour!me b.] þis tour SN. To the man moost of honowre C. Maseger, be ȝep and snel,Mas.] Syr, y prey the C. ȝep] wys EC; queynt SN. fel EC. And on min helf þow grete welþow] om. ESN. on—þow] sey that y C. grete] hym add. ESNC. Þat emperur,Þat] Þe EC; noble add. C. And bid, in þe ferste dai,And] om. S. bid] hym add. ESNC; þat add. SN. on E. fyrste ESNC; ferþe (!) A. Þat comeþ in þe moneþ of May, For loue of me,For] þe add. SNC. Hou þat so it bee E. Þat he be to fiȝte prestto fiȝte] wiþ his ferde E; with his men SN; all C. Wiþ is ferde in hare forestWyth hys men C; For to fyȝte ESN. hare] þat E; oure SN; a C. Be side þe se.Be side] Vpon ESNC. Me lord ich wile þeder sendeÞedyr I wole my lord sende E. For his loue, for to schendeloue] lyf S. for to] to N; hym to C.98 put before 97 S. And for to sle;for] hym C. Wiþ lytyl (few SN) meyne ESN. Bid him, þat hit be nouȝt be-leued,Bid him] And say E. leuyd S. Þat he ne smite of his heuedne] om. N. Þat he ne] But that he C. his] my lord is N. And sende hit me!hit] to add. SC; vnto add. N. And whan he haueþ so y-do,when S. haþ ESN. doon S; ydone N. Me loue he schel vnder-fo,vnder-fo] vndyr-goo E; wyn to com S. schel v.] wynnyth to come & gone N. Wiþ outen delai!'oute SN. Þanne seide þat masager:Þen N; hym add. E. þe ESN. 'Madame, ich wile sone be þer!wile] wel add. SN. ich—þer] he seyde, I leue ȝow her E. Now haue gode dai!'Haue now E.103—108 om. C. Now þat masager him goþ.Now] Forþ ESN. þat] þe ESN; ys the C. he SN. him g.] go C. Þat ilche lord him worþe wroþ,Þat i. l.] Iesu Crist SNC. wurþe hym ESC; make him N. wroþ] wo C. Þat him wrouȝte! To schip þat masager him wode:þat] þe ESN. To—mas.] The messengere to schyppe C. him wode] ȝood ESNC. Allas! Þe wind was al to gode,al to] to S; so NC. Þat him ouer brouȝte.Þat] And N. Þo he com in to Al-mayne,Þo] When SNC. com] was comyn C. Þar a mette wiþ a swainÞar] Þo SN; Sone C. And grette him wel:And] sir add. N. 'Felawe,' a seide, 'par amur:Fel.] Syr SN. pur S. Whar mai ich finde þemperur?mai] shal SN. Þow me tel!'I prey þe, that thou me telle! C. 'Ich wile þe telle anon riȝt:Ich.—telle] And he hym tolde C. At Rifoun a lai to niȝt,Repayn S; Rapain N; Refon C. to] þys C. Be me swere!'me] god y C. Þe masager him þankede anonþankede] þankēde (!) A; turnyd C. And þeder-wardes he gan gonþeder-w.] to Repayn (Rapayn N, Refon C) SNC. þeder warder (!) A. gan] is S. Wiþ outen demere.demere] denere S; dynere N; ony dere C. Þemperur þar a fonde;The emperour SN; Anon þe Emperowre C. þar] om. C. Adoun a kneulede on þe grounde,And downe N; On kne C. on] to C. Ase hit was riȝt, And seide: 'Þe leuedi of Souþ|HamtoneAnd seide] Sir SN; sir add. C. Þe grette wel be godes sone,Þe greteþ wel S; Gretyth þe wele C. Maryes (Mary N) soon SN ; my crowne C. Þat is so briȝt, And bad þe, in þe ferste day,biddeþ SN; preyeth C. þe] ȝow SN. in] om. S. first SNC. ferþe (!) A. Þat comeþ in þe moneþ o May, How so hit be,it so S. Þat ȝe be to fiȝte prestto fiȝte] with ȝour meyne (men N) SN. Wiþ ȝour ferde in hare forestferde] men C. wiþ ȝ. f.] For to fyȝt SN. hare] highe S; hur N; a C. Be side þe se.Bi sidist (!) N; Vpon C. Hire lord ȝhe wile þeder sende For þe loue, for to schende,þe] ȝour SN. for] hym C. Wiþ lite meini;lytull C; few SN. meyne SN; moon C. Þar aboute þow schost be fouse,And ther N. þow schost] ye shall C; she shal SC. fouse] besy SN. be f.] yow howse C. And þow schelt after her wedde to spouse,And sone aftur þou shalt be hur spowse C; And ȝe her shal wed or (& N) spousy SN. her] om. A. To þin amy.'þin a.] ȝoure amee SN; thy own name C. 'Sai,' a seide, 'icham at hire heste:Go seye SN; Messengere say C. a—ich.] to þy lady C. a—heste] (thi lady (om. S) þat hur hest SN. Ȝif me lif hit wile leste,ȝif] þat add. SNC. hit] om. SNC. wyll C; may SN. Hit schel be do! Gladder icham for þat sawe,Gladder] So C; Glad (!) A. I am glad|der SN. of that day C; y þe say SN. Þan þe fouel, whan hit ginneþ dawe,þe—dawe] eny tonge tel may SNC. And sai hire so!hire] to hur C. And for þow woldes hire erande bede,And] om. SN. hire] þyn S. An hors icharged wiþ golde redecharged SN; trappud C. Ich schel þe ȝeue,schel] wyl SNC. And wiþ inne þis fourtene niȝtfourtenyȝt SNC. Me self schel dobbe þe to kniȝt,Me s.] om. C. schel] y wyl SNC. þe dubbe S; make the C. to] a C; om. SN. Ȝif þat ich liue.'ich] may add. C. leue SNC. Þe mesager him þankede ȝerne;þankyth hym C. Hom aȝen he gan him terneAnd hoom SC. him] om. SNC. To Hamtoun;To Southhamton SNC. Þe leuedi a fond in hire bour,a fond] lay SN; was C. in] on N. toure SNC. And he hire clepede doceamurAnd (after him sent (clepyd hym C) in (om. N) to her boure SNC. And gan to roun:began C. rome S. 'Dame,' a seide, 'I þe tel:Madame SN. y] wyll add. C. Þat emperur þe grette welÞat] Þe SNC. þe greteth SN; gretyth the C. Wiþ loue mest:Wiþ] For hys C. Glad he is for þat tiding,is] was SN. for] of SNC. tythyng NC. A wile be prest at þat fiȝtingA] And SN. at] in S. at þat f.] with owt lesyng C. In þat forest. Ȝif þow ert glad þe lord to sle,þow] he C. ert] be SC. þe] my SN. Gladder a is for loue of þefor] þe add. SNC. Fele siþe!'Wel fele SN; Many a C. Þe mesager haþ þus isaid,haþ] þat SN. þus] all C. saide SNC. Þe leuedi was riȝt wel apaidwas riȝt] ys full C; with him was SN. was] om. (!) A. paide SC. And maked hire bliþe.And] Tho tythynges C. made SN; makyth C. hire] him SN. In Mai, in þe formeste dai,in þe f.] the fyrste C. In þe first day of May SN. Þe leuedi in hire bedde lai,bed] tour on bed N. Ase hit wer nede;wer] grete add. C. Hire lord ȝhe clepede out of halleHire lord] Þe erl SNC. of] þe add. SN. ȝhe—halle] fraynyd hur with all C. And seide, þat euel was on hire falle,And] Sche C. þat] an NC; om. S. in (on N) hur was SN. Ȝhe wende be ded.ȝhe] And SNC. veyned C.; hur add. C; to add. SNC. Þat erl for hire haþ sorwe ikauȝtÞat] The SNC. haþ] om. SN. hath for hur C. cauȝt SN. sorwe i-k.] euyll thoght C. And askede, ȝif ȝhe disired auȝt,askede] her add. SN. dis.] wolde C. Þat miȝte hire freure.freure] keuer SN. miȝte h. f.] he myght socowre C. 'Ȝe,' ȝhe seide, 'of a wilde borȝe] Sir SN; om. C. seide] yf y had þat hed add. C. I wene, me mineþ boute for,me m. b.] my bote N; my lyf S. for] wyl be þoore SN. Al of þe feure!'Al of þe] Of þis SN.185 f. I schulde haue my bote therfore Of thys grete dolowre C. 'Madame,' a seide, 'for loue myn,Dame SNC. Whar mai ich finde þat wilde swin?mai] myȝt NC; shal S. I wolde, þow it hadde!'it] him SN. The for to glee C. And ȝhe answerde wiþ tresoun mest,And] Tho S; om. NC. ȝhe answ.] þe lady seide SN; hym add. C. reson moost C. Be þe se in hare forest,Be] syde add. SN. hare] oure SN. In that forest vpon the see coost C. Þar a bradde.For þere he bredde SN; There they bee C. Þat erl swor, be godes grace,Þat] Þe SNC. swor] seide SNC. In þat forest he wolde chace,she (!) A. he wolde] wyll y C; y wyl go SN. Þat bor to take;Þat] Þe SN. bor to] swyne for to C. And ȝhe answerde wiþ tresoun þan:And] om. C. seide SN; hym add. C. reson C. þen SN. 'Blessed be þow of alle manþow] Iesu S. þow of alle] soche a C. men SN. For mine sake!'my SNC. Þat erl is hors be-gan to stride,Þat] Þe SNC. gan S. can an hors C. to str.] bestryde SC. His scheld he heng vpon is side,heng vpon] honged (hinge N) by SN. And rode hym with grete pryde C. Gert wiþ swerd;And gyrd him with a (his N) swerde SNC. Moste non armur on him come,Moste] Ne myȝt SN. Moste n. a.] Ther was no harnes þat C. Him self was boute þe ferþe someȝyt hym selfe C. some] gome N. boute—s.] þe furste man C. Toward þat ferd.þat] þe S; the forest thei N. That toke the felde C. Allas, þat he nadde be warne had SN; had C. Of is fomen, þat weren þar,fomen] enmyes C. Him forte schende:to SN. Wiþ tresoun worþ he þer islaweworþ—isl.] þere he was slawe C. Iwys þey had ben slawe SN. And i-brouȝt of is lif-dawe,i-br.] broght owt C. is] om. SN. Er he hom wende!þey SN. Whan he com in to þe forest,in to þe] to þat C. Þemperur a fond al prest;a fond] was C. al] wel SN. For enuiFor] With SN. There wyth grete yoye C. A prikede out be-fore is ost,out] forthe C. For pride and for make bost,and for] om. C; to add. SNC. And gan to crie:beganne C. 'Aȝilt þe, treitour! þow olde dote!Ayelde N; ȝelde SC. þow] om. C. Þow schelt ben hanged be þe þrote,ben h.] honge SN. Þin heued þow schelt lese;lese] lefe (!) N. Þe sone schel an-hanged besone] Beuys add. SN. honged S.219 f. om. C. And þe wif, þat is so fre, To me lemman i chese!'me] om. SN. i] her add. SNC. Þerl answerde at þat sawe:sawe] lawe (!) S. 'Me þenkeþ, þow seist aȝen þe lawe,þynke S. seist] speke S; spekist N; doyst C. ayenst N. So god me amende!As so C. mende C. Me wif and child, þat was so fre,and] my C; my add. SN. þat was] þat ys C; om. SN. Ȝif þow þenkest be-neme hem me,hem] om. S. þenk.—hem] þynke to reve them C. Ich schel hem defende!'Ich schel] Here y SNC. them C. Þo prikede is stede sire Gii,Þo] Then SN. A stalword man and hardi,man] knyȝt SNC. and] an add. SC. While he was sounde;Well he was founde C. Þemperur he smot wiþ is spere,Þempeur (!) A. Out of is sadel he gan him berehis] þe C. gan] om. NC. And þrew him to grounde.þrew] fellyd C. And þ. h.] Doun SN. to] þe add. SNC. 'Treitour!' a seide, 'þow ert to bolde!to] om. C. Wenestow, þeȝ ich bo olde, To ben afered?Of þe to (y S) SNC. be SC. aferde SNC. Þat þow hauest no riȝt to me wif,not C. l schel þe kiþe be me lif!'schel] wyl SNC. þe k.] þem kepe C. And drouȝ is swerd. Þat erl held is swerd adrawe,The SN. idrawe N. Þemperur wiþ he hadde slawe,Þemp.] þer add. SN. he h.] to haue SN. Nadde be sokour:Ne had SN. Þar come kniȝtes mani & fale, Wel ten þosent told be tale,ten þ.] twoo hundred SN. tol (!) A. To þemperur. Þo sire Gii him gan defende,Þo s. G.] The doghty erle C. gan him SN; can C. Þre hondred heuedes of a slende241—248. om. C.Þre hondred] Fourty SN; An C. C. heu. of] knyghtys can C. swende S; swengde N; schende C. Wiþ is brond;brond] own honde C. Hadde he ben armed wel, y-wis,wel] om. C. Al þe meistre hadde ben his,maistry SN; pryce C. Ich vnderstonde.As y C. Þre men were slawe, þat he þer hadde, Þat he wiþ him out ladde And moste nede;And] At his SN. To haue merci, þat was is hope;þat] om. SN. Þemperur after him is lopeafter him is] to hors was SN. Vpon a stede.Vpon a] And slouȝ his SN.253—258: The emperour vp rose anon And to the erle can he gone, To syr Gye. Hys swyrde he can owt drawe, All the erlys men be slawe Wyth grete cheualrye. The erle, amonge them all To the grounde he ys falle And ys sadulles. He ne myght no more fyght; They came anon ryght Abowte hym prees. C. Þerl knewlede to þemperur,to] before C. Merci a bad him and sokourMerci—him] Syr, mercy, he seyde C. And is lif:And] On S; To saue C. 'Merci, sire, ase þow ert fre,sire] he seide SN. Al þat ichaue, i graunte þe,ichaue] myn is S; is myne N. gr.] geue SN. Boute me wif!Boute] Owt-take C; Saue S; Saufe N. For þine men, þat ichaue slawe,þy SNC. Haue her me swerd idrawedrawe C; adrawe S. And al me fe:And] Wyth C.265—267 wrongly put before 262 S. Boute me ȝonge sone BefAnd but S. sone yong Befyse C. And me wif, þat is me lef,is] to add. C. Þat let þow me!'Hem leue ȝe me SN; Ye leue them to me C. 'For gode,' queþ he, 'þat ich do nelle!'queþ he] he seyde SNC. ich do] do I NC; y S. Þemperur to him gan telle,Þemp.] þo add. N. to—telle] start hym tyll C.272 put before 271 SN. And was agreued, Anon riȝt is swerd out drouȝriȝt] om. SN. out] þere he S; he þer N. Hys swyrde anon owt he drowe C. And þe gode kniȝt a slouȝAnd] om. SN. þe] þat NC. gode] doghty C. kniȝt] erl SNC ; ther add. N; þere with add. S. And nam is heued.nam] smot of SNC. A kniȝt a tok þe heued an honde:an] yn C. 'Haue,' a seide, 'ber þis sondeHaue] Go SNC. seide] and add. SNC. Me leue swet!'To my dere lefe C. Þe kniȝt to Hamtoun þo gan gon,þo] om. SNC. Þe leuedi þar a fond anonþar] om. SNC. And gan hire grete:And] sone he add. C. hur gan SN. 'Dame,' a seide, 'to me atende:Madame SN. entende SN. to me a.] þe emperour well gretyþ þe C. Þemperur me hider sendehider] haþ add. S. And hedur he hath sende me C. Wiþ is pray!'is] þis SNC. And ȝhe seide: 'Blessed mot he be!And] Syr C; om. SN. To wif a schel wedde meshal he SNC. To morwe in þe dai.morow S. morwe in þe] morowe NC. Sai him, me swete wiȝt,Sai him] And say to C; And byd him SN. Þat he come ȝet to niȝtȝet to] to me to C; þis ilke SN. In to me bour!'In to] Vnto SN. Þe mesager is wei haþ holde,is—holde] (forth gan (away can C) wynde SNC. Al a seide, ase ȝhe him tolde,And tolde hyt to the hende C; And (hit add. N) tolde boþ worth and ende SN. To þemperur. Now scholle we of him mone,scholle] wol SN. No more of þys erle wyll y telle C. Of Beues, þat was Guis sone,And tel of Bevys (om. S) his ȝong soon SN; But of hys sone wyll y spelle C. Beueþ (!) A. How wo him was:him] he C. Ȝerne a wep, is hondes wrong,ȝerne] Sore C; Fast SN. wep his] wept & SNC. For his fader a seide among:And for SN. For h. f.] And euyr C. 'Allas! Allas!' He clepede is moder & seide is sawe:He] And S. callyd C. is] þis SN. 'Vile houre! Þe worst to-draweFowle SNC. Þe worst] þou be S; þou were worþe N. Þe—drawe] þat þou were drawen C. And al to-twiȝt!to-tviȝt] to-rente with myght C. Me þenkeþ, ich were þer of ful fawe,þynk S. ich—ful] þer of y were SN. ich—fawe] y wolde fayne C. For þow hauest me fader slaweFor] that add. C. Wiþ mechel vnriȝt!muche SN. In C the succession of the lines is as follows: 305, 306, 304, 302, 303. Allas, moder, þe faire ble! Euel be-comeþ þe, houre to be,Euel bec. þe] Full euyll þou semyst C; an add. NC. To holde bordel,To h.] And to pley C. And alle wif houren for þe sake,And] om. SNC. wif h.] hores SNC. Þe deuel of helle ich hii be-take,ich hii] y hem SN; þem y C. Flesch and fel!Both flessh SN. Ac o þing, moder, i schel þe swere:Ac] But SNC. oon C. moder oo thing SN. schel] om. SNC. Ȝif ich euer armes bereȝif] Mowe SN. ȝif ich e.] And euer y leue & C. And be of elde,be of] so SN; come to C; ben (!) of A. Al þat haþ me fader islaweAlle SN. haue NC; han S. slawe SNC. And ibrouȝt of is lif dawe,broȝt SC; him add. SN; hym owt add. C. is] om. N. Ich schel hem ȝilden!'them C. Þe moder hire haþ vnderstonde,Þe] His SNC. hire haþ] can C; gan þat S. hire h. v.] herd þat wondir stound (!) N. Þat child ȝhe smot wiþ hire hondeÞat] Þe SN. Þat—smot] And smote hym C. Vnder is ere.is] þe SN. Þe child fel doun & þat was scaþe,Þe—doun] To ground he fel SNC. was] om. (!) A. His meister tok him wel raþe,tok] hent C. wel] vp SNC; ful add. SN. Þat hiȝte Saber. Þe kniȝt was trewe & of his kinde,&] om. N. his] so N; hygh S; om. (!) A. trewe & of] of hys own C. Strenger man ne scholde men findeA strenger SNC. ne sch. m.] myght no man SN. To ride ne go.ne] ne to N; nor to C; & S. A was ibrouȝt in tene & wrakebrouȝt SNC. Ofte for þat childes sakeFull ofte C. þat] þe SN.329 put before 328 SNC. Ase wel ase þo.And yn mekull wo C. Þat childe he nam vp be þe arm,Þat] Þe SNC. nam] tok SNC. vp be þe] yn hys C. Wel wo him was for þat harm,Full wo C; Wroþ SN. he SNC. þat] his SC. Þat he þar hadde.In that brayde C. Toward is kourt he him kende;Towardes S. court] hous SN. him k.] went anoon SN. Þe leuedi after Saber sendesent sone SN. And to him radde.gradde SN.334—336. Saber kept the chylde stylle, That lady spake to hym schrylle, And thus to hym sche sayde C. 'Saber,' ȝhe seide, 'þow ert me lef,ȝhe s.] om. C. ert] to add. C. Let sle me ȝonge sone Bef,Let] Do C. ȝonge] om. C. Þat is so bold! Let him an-hange swiþe hiȝe,Let] Do SNC. hong SNC. swiþe] yn C. I ne reche, what deþ he diȝe, Siþþe he be cold!'Siþþe] So that C; But þat SN. be] were C. Saber stod stille & was ful wo;Þo was Saber swyth woo SN; Hys eme Saber was þerfore wo C. Naþeles a seide, a wolde doNaþ.—wolde] And grauntyd hur to C. do] so add. SNC. After hire sawe;his (!) N; own add. C. Þe child wiþ him hom he nam,þe] That C. hom] om. C. mame (!) N. A swin he tok, whan he hom cam,And a C. whan—cam] anone C. And dede hit of dawe.hit] out add. N. And smertly had hyt slawe C. Þe childes cloþes, þat were gode,þat were] ryche & C. Al a bi-sprengde wiþ þat blodeAl a bi-spr.] He sprenglid hem N; And (!) sprong (!) hem S; He had sparkylde C. þat] the N; þe swynes S. In mani stede,mani] a add. SNC. Ase ȝif þe child wer to-hewe,ȝif] om. SNC. þe child] he SN. wer] al add. SNC. to-d awe C. A þouȝte to his moder hem schewe,to—hem] hem his moder S. A—hem] To þe lady he þoght to C. om. (!) N. And so a dede. At þe laste him gan adrede,But at SN. him g. a.] Saber for drede SN. For drede of knowyng yn þat stede C. He let cloþen in pouer wedeHe] The childe SN. He l. cl.] He clothed þe chylde C. pore SNC. Þat hende wiȝt,hende w.] gode knyght C. And seide: 'Sone, þow most kepeAnd s. S.] Befyce, he seyde C. Vpon þe felde mine schepeOn N. my SNC. Þis fourte niȝt!All thys C. And whan þe feste is come to þende,And] om. SNC. þe] þis SNC. feste] fourtenyȝt SN. come] broȝt C. ȝende SNC. In to anoþer londe I schel þe sendeIn] om. N. anoþr (!) A. Fer be souþe,That ys on-knowen to the C. To a riche erl, þat schel þe giea r.] an SNC. þe shal S. gie] eye (!) N. And teche þe of corteisieteche þe of] þe teche S. In þe ȝouþe.364—366. To an erle y schall sende the, That curtesy schall teche the, In to the sowthe cuntre C. And whan þow ert of swich elde,And] om. N. of swich] come to SN. Þat þow miȝt þe self wilde,miȝt þe s.] may armes SN.367 f. And when þou art wexyn þere And haue strenkyth for to were C. And ert of age, Þanne scheltow come in te Ingelonde,Þanne sch.] Thou schalt C. in] om. S. Wiþ werre winne in to þin hondewerre] to add. SN. Wiþ w. w.] For to gete C. thy NC. Þin eritage.Þin] Thy ryght C. I schel þe helpe wiþ alle me miȝt,schel] wyl SNC. Wiþ dent of swerd to gete þe riȝt,gete] wynne C. Be þow of elde!'Be my trewe feythe! C. Þe child him þankede & sore wep,sore] faste can C. wept N. And forþ a wente wiþ þe schepAnd] om. SN. þe] his N. Vpon þe velde.Vpon] In to SN.377 f. For þat he schulde kepe schepe And stylle forthe he goyth. C. Beues was herde vpon þe doun,As B. SNC. her (!) N. doun] toun (!) S. He lokede homward to þe toun,homw.] yn C. homw.—toun] hoom to|ward Hamptoun SN. Þat scholde ben his;That was hys fadurs all same C. He be-held to-ward þe tour, Trompes he herde and tabourTrumpettes C. And meche blis.And mekull yoye and game C. 'Lord,' a seide, 'on me þow mone!on] of S. Lorde a s.] He seyde: Lorde Cryst C. Ne was ich ones an erles soneNe—ones] Was (Am N) y nouȝt SN; I was sometyme C. And now am herde?am] a C; an S. schepard C. Miȝte ich wiþ þat emperur speke,Miȝte ich] Yf y may C; euer add. SN. þat] þe NC; om. S. Wel ich wolde me fader awrekeMy ffadur dethe y wyll awreke C; On (Of N) him y wolde ben awreke SN. For al is ferde!'Of hym y am not aferde C. He nemeþ is bat and forþ a goþ,nemeþ] tok SNC. bott C. a] om. NC. Swiþe sori and wel wroþ,wel] full NC; om. S. To-ward þe tour;Toward] Euyn streght to C. 'Porter!' a sede, 'let me in reke!in] om. C. A lite þing ich aue to spekelytel SNC. þing] om. C. aue] for add. C. Wiþ þemperur.' 'Go hom, truant!' þe porter sede,hom tr.] hens traytour SNC. saide SNC. 'Scherewe houre sone, y þe rede,Scher.] Fowle C. Þy proude worde (wordis N) me (hold add. N) nouȝt paide SN. Fro þe gate:Go fro (forthe on N) SN. þe] thys C. Boute þow go hennes also swiþe,Boute] yf add. C. also] om. SNC. blyue SN. Hit schel þe rewe fele siþe,Hit] so C; His (!) A. Þou shalt it aþynk, so mot y þryue SN. Þow come þer ate!And þou SN. Þow come] That thou stode C. Sixte þe scherewe, ho be itte,þe] Sest þou þis horeson, (þauȝ þou be (þat is so N) lyte SN. A lokeþ, as a wolde smiteA—wolde] Þou lokest as þou wolst me S; Lokith as he wolde me N. as] om. (!) A. Wiþ is bat:is] þy S. Speke he ouȝt meche more, I schel him smite swiþe sore Upon is hat.'his] þe S.406—408. om. N. Beuys was sore ashamed And of his wordes agramed, Þat he spak. He nyst neuer, what he do myȝt, To þe porter he gan him dyȝt And his hed brak. add. SN. 'For gode,' queþ Beues, 'naþeles,nertheles S. An houre sone for soþ ich wes,For sothe an horeson (horis son N) SN. Wel ich it wot!Wel ich it] Ful wel y SN. Y nam no truant, be godes grace!'am SN. truant] traytour S. Wiþ þat a lefte vp is maceþat] word add. SN. vp] om. SN. Anon fot hot.403—414. om. C. Beues wiþ oute þe gate stodAs (All (!) N) it byfel and grace stood SN. And smot þe porter on þe hod,And] He SNC. on] vppon S. Þat he gan falle;can downe C. His heued he gan al to cleueAll hys NC; And his S. he] om. C. al] om. SNC. to cl.] glowe C. And forþ a wente wiþ þat leueAnd went (him add. N) forth with oute leue SN; And forþe went Befyce prowde ynowe C. In to þe halle. Al aboute he gan be-holde,Al ab.] Vp and doun SN. To þemperur he spak wordes boldewordes] om. C. om. N. Wiþ meche grame:Wordys þat were grymme & felle C. 'Sire,' a sede, 'what dostow here?dost S. Whi colles þow aboute þe swireWhi c. þ.] Þow collest S; Thou (!) N. thi (!) N. Why holdyst þou so there C. Þat ilche dame?ilche d.] gentyll damysell C. Me moder is þat þow hauest an honde:moder] it add. SNC. þat] om. SC. holdest SN. yn C. What dostow her vpon me londeher] om. C. Wiþ outen leue?out SN; owt my C. Tak me me moder and mi fe,Tak] ȝeue SNC. me] thou N; om. S. moder] londe SNC. Boute þow þe raþer hennes te,Boute—raþer] And that þou soone C. Boute—hennes] And but þou hennes fast SN. te] to (!) A; flee SNC. I schel þe greue!I schel] Or ellys y wyll C. Nastow, sire, me fader slawe?Nastow s.] Why hast þou SN; For þat þou haste C. Þow schelt ben hanged & to-drawe,schuldist N. drawe C. Be godes wille!Be godes] And y may haue my C. wille] lawe (!) S. Aris! Fle hennes, I þe rede!'Ryse C. Aris f. h.] ȝeue me my londe SN. Þemperur to him sede:Tho the e. S; The e. tho N. to him] then C.113—437 are lost in E. 'Foul, be stille!'Foul] Þou foole SN. Fool ffool E. Beues was niȝ wod for grame, For a clepede him foul be name,For a cl.] When he called SN; For—him] Þat he hym clepyd E.440 put before 439 N. And to him a wond;a] om. ESN. wente E. For al þat weren in þe place,For] Befforn E. þe] þat S; om. E. Þries a smot him wiþ is macehim him (!) A. is] the N. And wiþ is honde.And wiþ] Þat was in SN. And strokes hym sente E.439—444. om. C. Þries a smot him on þe kroun;Þries—him] Befyse hym smote C. on] vpon ES. Þat emperur fel swowe adoun,Þat] Þe ESN. emp.] he C; he add. E. sw. ad.] yn swowne downe C; in swoun SN; adoune E. Þar a sat.Þar] þat add. E; as add. C. seet E. Þe leuedi, is moder, gan to grede:is m. g.] lowde gan E; gan anoon SN. The lady began to make a brayde C. 'Nemeþ þat treitour!' ȝhe sede,Neme SN; Take C. þat] þe SN. treit.] anon add. C; faste add. E. ȝhe] þan add. N. seide SNC. 'Anon wiþ þat!'Anon] Smertly C. Þat is so keet E; And swith spake SN. Þo dorste Beues no leng abide;Þo] There C. dorste B.] durste he E; he derst SC; he ne durst N. lengere ESNC. byde C. Þe kniȝtes vp in ech a side,Þe] om. N. vp in] vp on E; roos vpon SN; resyn on C. ech a] euery SC; eche N. More and lasse,Boþe more EC. Wo hem was for þe childes sake,hem] so N; him AE; he S; Wo h. w.] So wo þey were C. þe ch.] hys EC. Boute non of hem nolde him take,Boute] That C; om. SN. þem C. wolde ESNC. Hii lete him pase.Hii] But ESNC. Beues goþ faste ase he mai,Beues] He SN. goþ f.] ȝede swyþe E; ron hoom SNC; as add. S. faste—mai] y yow say C. His meister a mette in þe wai,a mette] mette him SN; hym mette E. in] on EN. Þat hiȝte Saber,hete N; was hoten E; syr add. C. & he him askede wiþ bliþe mod:&] om. ESNC. he] Hys maystyr E. askyd hym ESNC. bliþe] mylde ESNC. 'Beues!' a seide, 'for þe rode,for] be EC. What dostow her?'dostow] dollow (!) A; now add. E. 'I schel þe telle al to gadre:schel] wole ESC. þe] yow C. Beten ichaue me stifadreI haue bete (ibete N; smetyn C) SNC. ffader (!) S. Wiþ me mace;me] sympull add. C. Þries i smot him in þe heued,smot] set SN; him] so ESNC; om. (!) A. on ESNC. Al for ded ich him leuedAl] And all SN; And C. Lyyng in swowne I hym beleuyd E. In þe place!'þe] þat SN. On þat ylke on þat ylke (!) plas E. 'Beues!' queþ Saber, 'þow ert to blame:Beues] Sir C. seyde Saber C; he seide SN. B. q. S.] Saber sayde E. Þe leuedi wile now do me schameme now do S. now] om. EC. For þine sake!Al ffor E. þy ESNC. Boute þow be me consaile do,And but SN. be me] aftur C; wylt be E. Þow miȝt now sone bringe vs bomay SN; mayste C. now] om. ESNC. sone] om. SN. vs bo] vs too E; vs both twoo SN; bothe two C. In meche wrake!'In to E. mechyl EC. Saber Beues to his hous ladde,Beues—hous] in to a (hys C) chamber hym SNC.f. Saber þat chyle (!) nam be þe goure & belokyd hym in hys boure. E. Meche of þat leuedi him dradde.And of the lady he was drad C; Þe lady ful sore he (sho (!) N) drad SN. þat ylke day add. SN. Þe leuedi out of þe tour cam,out] om. S. þe] her SN. bour E. To Saber þe wei ȝhe nam.Saberys E; in add. EC. And gan to say add. SN. 'Saber,' ȝhe seide, 'whar is Bef,is] my sone add. E. Þat wike treitour, þat fule þef?'þe SNC. wykkyd ESNC. treitour] gost EC. þat] þe S. fals SN. þat is so felle add. SN. 'Dame,' a seide, 'ich dede him of daweDame a s.] Madame SN. him] out add. N. of dawe] slawe C. Be þe red and be þe sawe;Be] Þorw EC. þe red] þyn heste E. be] þorw E; om. C. Þou wost ful well add. SN. Þis beþ his cloþe, þow her sixt.'Þese E; Þoos S; Thes C. his] the C. cloþis ESNC; þat add. ESNC. her] om. SNC. Þe leuedi seide: 'Saber, þow lixt!Þe—Saber] By god, Saber, she seide SNC. See where he goþ (gethe N) add. SN. Boute þow me to him take,Boute] yf add. C. me to him] wylt me hym out (om. C) EC; him me to honde SN. Þow schelt abegge for is sake.'abye C; abeggyd E; haue SN. An euyl dethe add. SN. Beues herde his meister þrete;Beue(!) A. Þo B. SN. herde] here add. E. his m.] þat sche can C. To hire a spak wiþ hertte gretewiþ hertte] wordes SN. Out off þe chaumbyr he gan lepe E; And to hur can he lepe C. Wiþ out delay add. SN. And seide: 'Lo me her be name!And s.] om. SNC. me her] where I am EC. her] Beues add. SN. Do me meister for me no schame!Do me m.] My maystyr shall haue C. Dame, y þe pray! add. SN. Ȝif þow me sext, lo, whar ich am here!'ȝif] Now S; Lo nowe N. sckyst EC. lo] now C. whar] om. EC. am] om. (!) A. whar ich am] me S. lo—am] om. N. His moder tok him be þe ere;His m.] Þe lady ESNC. hym took E. ere] swere E. Sone anoon add. SN. Fain ȝhe wolde, a were of liue.Fain] For E. Fain—a] I wold, she seide, þou SN. Foure kniȝtes ȝhe clepede bliue:Foure] Tweye E; Þre SN. clepede] took vnto here E; als add. SN. bl.] swythe S. Þat were his foon add. SN. Þat chyl sche took hem on honde add. E. To hem she tok þe childe on honde add. SN.493 f.: And seyde to hym swythe: 'Y wolde, þou were not on lyue!' Two knyghtes toke hym yn honde C. 'Wendeþ,' ȝhe seide, 'to þe stronde:Wende SC; Goþ E; ye add. C. þe] see add. E. As fast as ȝe may add. SN. Ȝif ȝe seþ schipes of painim londe,And yf C. ȝe] om. (!) C. see SC; sene N; ffynde E. a schyppe C; shipmen S; chepmen N. pain. l.] paynye (!) E; palme (!) C; Sarazyn SN; paimī (!) londe A. Selleþ to hem þis ilche hyne,to] om. SN. ilche] wykkyd SN. Selliþ him blyue & þat on hyȝe E; Then sylle to them Befown C. Þis ilke day add. SN. Þat ȝe for no gode ne fine,om. ESNC. Whaþer ȝe haue for him mor or lesse,or] & (!) A. (Bydde men (Haue ye C) more, (bydde men (haue ye C) lesse EC.f.] om. SN. Selleþ him riȝt in to heþenesse!'riȝt] om. EC. Forþ þe kniȝtes gonne te,Forþ] For (!) A; wente add. SN. þe] þese to E. gonne te] can gone C; þree SN. Til þat hii come to þe se,þat hii] þay ESNC. vnto S; vntill N; ryȝt to E. se] fome add. C. On þe strond (ground N) add. SN. Schipes hii fonde þer stondeSchipes—þer] Þere þey ffoundyn schyppys EC.f.] om. SN. Of heþenesse and of fele londe;heþ.] paynym E. of fele] odur C. Þe child hii chepeden to sale,Þat E. þey E. chep.] schyppeden E; profurde C. Þe—ch.] And chepyn (cleped S) þe childe SN. to] þe add. E. selle C. Marchaundes þai fonde ferli faleAnd merchaundes C. ferli] wondyr E; mony and SN; om. C. Of heþen lond add. SN. And solde þat child for mechel auȝteAnd] They SNC. þat ch.] hym ESNC. muche SN. frauȝte E. for m. a.] & gode raght C. And to þe Sarasins him be-tauȝte.And] om. ESN. Sar.] þey add. SN; Beffs þey add. E. him] om. E. Ryȝt hastely add. SN. Forþ þai wente wiþ þat child,wente] ryden E; saylyd C. Crist of heuene be him mild!him] so C; vs (!) A. Crist—him] Oure lord be wiþ Beffs so E. Þe childes hertte was wel colde,was wel] waxe all C. Þe—wel] Beffs wepte, hys herte sat E. For þat he was so fer isolde;þat] om. EC. solde C. Naþeles, þouȝ him þouȝte eile,Neuer þe lees C; But E. him] he C. ylle C; nouȝt good ne heyle E. Toward painim a moste saile.In to C. paimin (!) A. Whan hii riuede out of þat strond,Þey roweden forþ be þe stronde E; They arevyd at þe see stronde C. Þe king hiȝte Ermin of þat londe;Armyn C. His wif was ded, þat hiȝte Morage,His w.] The quene C. Marage E; Mergaret C. A douȝter a hadde of ȝong age,He hadde a douȝtyr E. of ȝ. a.] whyte & swete C. Iosiane þat maide het,maydyn E. hyght C. Hire schon wer gold vpon hire fet;Hire] Þe EC. on C. So faire ȝhe was & briȝt of mod,So] om. C. faire] whyt E. briȝt] ffayr E. Ase snow vpon þe rede blod;Ase] So E. is þe snowȝ E; ys knowen (!) C. vpon þe] on E. þe r.] om. C. Whar to scholde þat may discriue?Whar to] What C. scholde] I add. E. mayde E. þat m.] we more hur bewte C. Men wiste no fairer þing aliue,Men knewe noon so feyre on lyue C; Sche was þe fayreste þat bar lyue E. So hende ne wel itauȝt;Sche was so E. ne] & so E; nor so C. Boute of cristene lawe ȝhe kouþe nauȝt.Crystes C. ne (om. C) cowde sche EC. Þe marchauns wente an hiȝingÞoo E. wente an h.] were good in here doynge E; can faste wynde C. & presente Beues to Ermyn king.presentyd EC. Beues] þe chylde C. Ermyn] the C.509—528: Þe childe was foundaunt ouer þe flood, Wynde and weder þey (he N) had good, To (Till N) Ermonye. With her ship þere (gon þey (thei gan N) lond, Þre marchauntes gan þen (om. N) found To þat citee. With hem þey toke childe Beuoun, For to selle him in þe toun For gold plente. With seluer cheynes þey (him gyrte (were bigurd N), To lede him þey were aferde, Eche held on him honde. For him to haue grete byȝete, Þey lad him þrouȝout euery strete, On his hed a roos garlonde. And þey (ther N) ne myȝt no man fynde, To bye þe child of cristen kynde, So dere þey gan him hold, Tyl þer com a (the N) kinges stewarde, Þat was hende (kynd N) and no negarde, An tyl (to N) him þey him sold. The steward went to þe kyng And presented him with þe (that N) childe so (om. N) ȝyng SN. Þe king þar of was glad & bliþeÞer off þe kyng E. was therof N. And þankede hem mani a siþe:hem] them C; þo marchauntes E; him SN; þer of add. S. mani a] mony S; ffele EC. 'Mahoun!' a seide, 'þe miȝt be proute,Be Mahoun E. þe] we E. þe miȝt be] now were y SN. And þis child wolde to þe aloute;And] Yf C. Wolde þis chyld ESN. vnto E. þe] vs ESN. loute ESNC. Ȝif a wolde a Sarasin be,And yf C; And E. a] it ENC. Sar.] paynym SNC. a Sar.] with vs E. Ȝit ich wolde hope, a scholde þe!ȝit] om. ESNC. I hope well C. a] it SNC. wolde ESNC. Be Mahoun, þat sit an hiȝ,Mah.] Appolyn ENC; Appolony (!) S. syttyth hye C. A fairer child neuer i ne siȝ,ne] om. C. neuer i ne] y neuer S. A—ne] Fayrere neuere non I E. Neiþer a lingþe ne on brade,a] off ESNC. ne] nor C; neyþer E. on] off ESNC. Ne non, so faire limes hade!non] om. SN; þat add. E. Nor fayrer colour had C. Child,' a seide, 'whar wer þe bore? What is þe name? telle me fore!What—name] Þat i it wyste E. fore] before E; now foore S. Telle me þy name beforne C. Ȝif ich it wiste, hit were me lef.'it] om. SN. ȝif—wiste] Þy name to wete E. 'For gode,' a seide, 'ich hatte Bef,For gode] Sere ESNC. ich h.] my name is ESNC. Iboren ich was in Ingelonde, At Hamtoun, be þe se stronde;In N. Southamton SN. be þe se] vpon þe ES; bi þe N. be—stronde] y vndur|stonde C. Me fader was erl þar a while,þere was erl S; was ther erle N. þar] om. C; off add. E. a] some C. Me moder him let sle wiþ gile,Me m.] Men C. leet hym slen E; let slee hym C; him slouȝ al SN. And me ȝhe solde in to heþenlonde:And me solde E; She me solde SN; My dame solde me C. heþenl.] þis londe ESN. Wikked beþ fele wimmen to fonde!Wikked beþ] Wol wykkyd are E; Suche ben S. fele] om. ESNC. Sho is woman N; for add. SNC. Ac, sire, ȝif it euer so be-tide,Ac] But ESN; sire ȝif] & it EC. so] myȝte E. euer so] were (!) S. Þat ich mowe an horse rideÞat] euer add. S. may SNC. an] om. C. And armes bere & scheft to-breke,And] om. ESNC. schafftys breke ESNC. Me fader deþ ich schel wel wreke!'faderys ESNC. schel wel] schal E; wyll C; wol N; wolde S. awreke SNC; be wreke E. (Þat chyld (Al he SN) tolde þere (him in SN) hys sawe, Hou þe emperour hadde his fadyr islawe (slawe SN). add. ESN. Þe kinges hertte wex wel cold,Þat (The C) kyng herde hou Beffs tolde EC; When B. had þis (him add. N) tolde SN. wx (!) A. Whan Beues hadde þus itolde,For hym hys herte (sat al colde (can folde C) EC; Þerfore þe kynges hert was colde SN. & saide: 'I naue non eir after me dai,y haue noon (no N) SN; I ne haue E. eir] om. E. I naue—dai] Þou schalt be my heyre C. Boute Iosian, þis faire mai;þis] þat ESN. And Iosyan þat ys so feyre C. And þow wile þe god for-sakewilt SN; wolde C; woldyst E. god] lord SNC. And to Apolyn, me lord, take,to—me] Apolyn to þy EC. lord] god SN; to add. N. Hire i schel þe ȝeue to wiuei schel] y wyl SN; I wolde E; wyll y C. yeue the NC. And al me lond after me liue!'al] om. N. 'For gode!' queþ Beues, 'þat i noldeFor g.] Nay SN. For—Beues] Sere, he sayde E; Befyse seyde C. þat] doo add. ESN. For al þe seluer ne al þe golde,þe] þi NC. ne al] and EC; and al SN. þe] þi NC. Þat is vnder heuene liȝt,Þat is] Ne for all þe gode C. Ne for þe douȝter, þat is so briȝt:Ne] Nodur C. I nolde for-sake in none manerewolde not C: nele E. for-s.] beleue E. in] on ESC. no] ESNC. Iesu, þat houȝte me so dere:But on Iesu E; God C. mc] man SN; me dotted, man superscribed E. Al mote þai be doum and deue,All be they brente to dethe C. Þat on þe false godes be-leue!'on] in S. þe] ȝoure E; odur C; om. SN. beleuyth C; leue E. Þe king him louede wel þe more,louyd hym C. wel] mekyl E. For him ne stod of noman sore,Þat eyȝe him stod no man foore SN; Þat he hys god nolde forsake þerffore E; For he wolde not chaunge hys lore C. & seide: 'Beues, while þow ert swain,B. while] whylys E. ert] a add. E. Beues—ert] to hym: my gode C. Þow schelt be me chaumberlain, And þow schelt, whan þow ert dobbed kniȝt,And] But SN. þou sch.] om. ESNC. idubbyd a E. Me baner bere in to eueri fiȝt!'baner] þou schalt add. E; shalt þou add. SN. Bere my baner C. to] om. ESNC. eueri] eueriȝt (!) A; om. ESN. Beues answerde al wiþ skil:al w. s.] swyþe (þe king SN; hym full C) stylle ESNC. 'What ȝe me hoten, don ich wil!'What] That C; As ESN. me h.] me bydden E; byd me SN; me comawnde C. Beues was þer ȝer and oþer,þere was E. was þ. ȝ.] myght do with oon C. Þe king him louede also is broþer,as ESNC. And þe maide, þat was so sliȝ:þe] þat ESNC. maydyn E. sliȝ] clere C; sheene S. So dede eueri man, þat him siȝ.eu. man] alle EN; al folk S. þat weren hym ny E; bydeene S. Sche dud all þat was hym dere C.580 put before 579 E. Be þat he was fiftene ȝer olde,Be þat] And þoo E; When C. was] of add. N. XIIII wynter C. Kniȝt ne swain þar nas so bolde,Þer ne was kn. E. swain] squyer SN. þar nas] was noon SN; om. E. Kniȝt—so] He was a man swythe C. Þat him dorste aȝenes ridehim d. a.] durst him agayn SN; durste aȝeyns hym goo ne E. Ne wiþ wreþþe him abide.wiþ] in SN. wreþþe] werre N.583 f.: Ther durste no man hym abyde Nodur yn wrath agayne hym ryde C. His ferste bataile, for soþ te say, A dede a Cristes messe day;585 f.: The ffyrste batayle (off Beffs (þat B. dide SN), iwis (ys C), Whan (Sethe SN) he com (was C) in to (om. C) heþenys, It befyl (Was SN) on (in a N) (Cryste masse (Crystynmas C) day ESNC. (Al add. SN) ffor soþe as (om. N) I ȝow (telle may (say SN) (this line put before the preceding one in SN). ESNC. Ase Beues scholde to water rideAse] Þat EC. to the water N; ouer a reuer S. & fiftene Sarasins be is side,&] om. SN. fiftene] syxty ESNC. ride (!) N. And Beues rod on Arondel, Þat was a stede gode and lel:lel] snel SN.589 f. om. EC. A Sarasin be-gan to sayÞat on E; And oon C. Sar.] him add. SN. gan ESN; can C. for to E; om. SN. assaye SN. And askede him, what het þat day.And a. h.] Beffs EC. het] hyght C; he cleped SN; is E. þat] thys C; þis ylke E. Beues seide: 'For soþ y-wis,Beues] And he E. answerde EC. I not neuer, what dai it is,wot C; ne woot ESN; no (!) A. neuer] not C; om. ESN. For i nas boute seue winter old,was EC. X SN. ȝeer ESC; yeris N. Fro Cristendome ich was i-sold;Crist.] when add. SN. Fro—was] Þo þat i was hedyr E; When y to hethen men was C. Þar fore i ne can telle nouȝt þe,i—nouȝt] can y not tel SN; felawe i (telle now (say C) EC. What dai þat hit miȝte be.'I (ne woot (wot not C) what EC; þys add. C. þat h. m.] it may cleped SN; þat it E; may C. Þe Sarasin be-held and louȝ:Þe S. beh.] Þan seide þe saryzyn SN. Then the sarsyn seyde C. Þoo a sarezyn gan to mouþe E. 'Þis dai,' a seide, 'i knowe wel inouȝ:a seide] om. SN. Þis—knowe] I can þe telle EC. i-nouþe E. Þis is þe ferste dai of ȝoul,ȝoul] yyne (?) E. Þe god was boren wiþ outen doul;Þe] That þy C; Þat E. out SNC. dole SNC. wiþ o. d.] off a virgyne E. For þi men maken þer mor blisseFor þi] Þere SN. man N. maker (!) A. þer] om. SN. Þan men do her in heþenesse:do her] makyn SN.603 f. om. EC. Anoure þe god, so i schel myn,An. þe] Þey (om. N) honouren her SN. so shal y S; as i do EC. Boþe Mahoun and Apolyn!' Beues to þat Sarasin said:Beues] þoo add. E. þat] þe SNC; a E. 'Of Cristendom ȝit ichaue a-braid,ȝit] om. ESNC. ich.] y haue SN; i am EC. vpbrayde SC; drede (!) N. Ichaue seie on þis dai riȝton] in SN. þis] a N. dai] wey SN. Armed mani a gentil kniȝt, Torneande riȝt in þe feldTorn. riȝt] To turney fast SN. With helmes briȝt and mani scheld;mani] a add. S.609—612 om. EC. And were ich alse stiþ in plas,And] ȝiff EC. i were ESNC. stiþ] styf SN; wytty E; whyte (!) C. Ase euer Gii, me fader, was,euer] sir add. C. And ȝiff (þen C) y were iarmyd weel Boþe in yryn & in steel ; add. ESN. Ich wolde for me lordes loue,lordes] goddes SN. me l. l.] þe loue off hym EC. Þat sit hiȝ in heuene aboue,sit—heuene] in heuyn (sitteþ vs (sitte N) SN. Þat (suffryd deþ (dyed on rode C) ffor oure (my C) syn EC. Fiȝte wiþ ȝow euerichon,Iustene E. ȝow] al add. S. Er þan ich wolde hennes gon!'þan] om. ESNC. hennes] fro ȝow S. Þe Sarasin seide to his felawes:Sar.] So SN; sarasines (!) A. 'Lo, breþern, hire ȝe nouȝt þis sawes,619 f. Þanne bespak (seyde C) a (fowle add. C) sarezyn, Þat leuyd vpon (on C) Apolyn: EC. How þe ȝonge cristene hounde,þe ȝonge] þat (om. N) þis SN. How þe ȝ.] See ȝe now þis E; Seyst þou þys C. A saiþ, a wolde vs fellen te grounde:A] om. SN. A saiþ a] Hou he E; That C. vs all C; ys (!) E. fellen] bryng SNC. Wile we aboute him gonWile we] Let vs C; alle add. ESNC. gon] rynge C. And fonde þat treitour slon?'þat tr.] hym for to SN. And to-breken hym euery bon E; And harde strokys on hym dynge C. Al aboute þai gonne þringe,þai gonne] him þey S; thei him strong N. ab. þ. g.] þey gunne abouten hym E.hard] sore & harde E; om. SN. vppon S. þai] om. ESN. And hard on him þai gonne dinge625 f.: Then all they abowte hym gone And gaue hym strokys gode wone C. And ȝaf him wondes mani onwondes] dentys E. on] & sore E. Þourȝ þe flesch in to þe bon, Depe wondes and sore,wondes] harde add. SN.628 f. om. E.627—629 om. C. Þat he miȝte sofre namore;Þat] Tyl EC. he] ne add. N. For he felyd woundys sore add. C. Þo his bodi be-gan to smerte,Þo] When C. gan N. his—to] Beffs (he C) ffelte hys woundys EC. He gan plokken vp is hertte,gan] to add. S. He—vp] Sore hym greuyd at E; He wrathed sore yn C. Ase tid to a Sarasin a wondAse tid] Anoon SN; he add. S. a] so N; om. (!) A. þe saryzyns S. a] om. S. And breide a swerd out of is honde,is] oon is S.633 f. To a sarezyn he gan to gon And hente a swerd off hym anon, E; And to a sarsyn he went And a swyrde fro hym he hent, C. And fifti Sarasins, in þat stondeAnd f.] Sixti SN. þat] a SN. Þar wiþ a ȝaf hem dedli wonde,hem dedli] (mony a (om. N) depe SN.636 put before 635 in SN. And sum he strok of þe swire, Þat þe heued fleȝ in to þe riuere,637 f.: So he smote on her sweres, Þat her hedes fel on þe myres SN. And sum he clef euene asonder;clef] After this word a letter is dotted in A.cleued N. euene] om. SN. Here hors is fet þai laine vnder;is] om. SN. laine] fley S; honge N. Ne was þer non, þat miȝte ascape,Ne—miȝte] Þer myȝt noon þere (om. N) SN. So Beues slouȝ hem in a rape:slouȝ—rape] her crownes (bygan to (gan N) crake SN.635—642: (A strook he sette vp (And stroke hym C) on hys (the C) hed, Þat he ffyl þere (om. C) doun ded. So with inne a lytyl stounde Alle syxty he smoot to grounde. EC. Þe stedes hom to stable ranÞe] Ther C; Here E. hom] þan SN; gunne E; can C. ren EC. Wiþ oute kenning of eni man.kenning] techyng ESN; tydyng C. Beues hom be-gan to ride,And B. SN. gan N. hom—to] hom|ward þoo gan E; can homwarde C. His wondes bledde be ech side;bleding N. be] on ESNC. ech] ylke a E; euery C. Þe stede he graiþed vp anon,Þe] Hys ESNC; owne add. E. tyed SN; sette EC. In to his chaumber he gan gonIn] And ESNC; in add. E. can he C; to add. E. And leide him deueling on þe grounde,And] He SN. deu.] neslong S; nose|lyng N; plat E; flatlyng C. on] vpon E; to S. To kolen is hertte in þat stounde.kolen] kele C; solace SN. herrte] woun|dys C. To—in] Hese woundys ffor to hele E. Tiding com to king Ermyn,Tythynges C. king] om. N. Ermyn kyng E; Armyn þe kyng C. Þat Beues hadde mad is men tyn;His men were slay in þat tyme SN; That (om. E) hys men were slawe with outen (owt N) lesyng EC. Þe king swor and seide is sawe:and—sawe] for (yn C) þat wronge EC. For þi a scholde ben to-drawe.He shulde be honged and todrawe SN; Þat Beffs scholde be (drawe & (om. C) honge EC. Vp stod þat maide Iosian,Up starte SN; Forþ wente EC. And to hire fader ȝhe seide þan:Befforn here ffadyr soone sche cam E; To hur fadur ys sche gone C. 'Sire, ich wot wel in me þouȝt, Þat þine men ne slouȝ he nouȝt,þi N; ȝour S.657 f.: And sayde: Sere, as þou art ffree, (Lat Beffs now comen (Do calle Befyse C) before þee! Þat (The C) chyld is so mylde (meke C) off mood, He (wolde no man doo (wyll do no man N) but good. EC. Be Mahoun ne be Tervagaunt,ne be] and ESNC. Termagaunt ENC; Tirmagaunt S. Boute hit were him self defendaunt!Boute] yf add. C. him] hys C. self] om. ESNC. Ac, fader,' ȝhe seide, 'be me red,Ac] But SN. ȝhe s.] om. S; do add. SN. Er þow do Beues to ded,þow] ȝe S. Ich praie, sire, for loue o me,praie] ȝow add. S; the N. for] þe add. SN. o me] of me SN; oine(!) A. Do bringe þat child be-fore þe!Do (Lete N) com SN. þe child N; B. S. Whan þe child, þat is so bold, His owene tale haþ itolde,Haþ his S. haþ] om. SN. And þow wite þe soþ, apliȝt,þow] þat (om. N) ȝe SN. þe soþ] sone N. Who haþ þe wrong, who haþ riȝt,wrong] and add. SN. haþ] om. N; þe add. SN. Ȝef him his dom, þat he schel haue,him] me N. his] þe SN. Whaþer þow wilt him slen or saue!'ȝe wil S. slen] spille S.661—670: Whan (þou hast (ye haue C) herd hym speke, Ryȝt fu lyche (þou mayst be (be ye C) awreke. EC. King Ermyn seide: 'Me douȝter fre,King E.] Þe kyng EC. Ase þow hauest seid, so it schel be!'Ryȝt as E. hauest s.] sayst E. so] om. N. schal it ESNC. Iosiane þo anon riȝtesÞenne Ios. EC. þo] om. ESNC. Clepede to hire twei kniȝtes:to hire] forþ EC. Clepede to h.] To hur she callede (clepid N) SN. twei] twoo SN; goode add. E. 'To Beues now wende ȝenow] chamber anoon SN. And prai him, þat he come to me:to] speke with SN. Er me fader arise fro his des;And say, my fader (y wille sees (wol a cese (!) N) SN. Ful wel ich schel maken is pes!'And ful SN. ich schel] om. SN. Forþ þe kniȝtes gonne gon, To Beues chaumber þai come anonþai come] ryȝt SN. And praide, ase he was gentil man,praide] him add. SN. Come speke wiþ Iosian.To come and SN.675—682: And sayde to (hem ryȝt soone (them C) a|non: 'To Beffs chaumbyr (ȝe moot (þat ye C) gon, And byddiþ (bydd C) hym, as he is (curteys & (om. C) ffre, Þat he come & speke wiþ me!' (Þey twoo (The knyȝtes C) to wende þey were fful (om. C) glad, And deden (om. C), as þe (mayde hem (maydyn þem C) bad. EC. Beues stoutliche in þat stoundeþat] a S. Beues—þat] Soone Beffs vp on a E; Yong Befyse at that C. Haf vp is heued fro þe grounde;Hoof E; Heued SN; Lyfte C. hys hed vp on E. Wiþ stepe eiȝen & rowe brenrowe] rounde E; holow N. bren] browe ESNC. So loþeliche he gan on hem sen,He loked on hem lothelych, y trowe SN; He lokyd vp on hem ful rowe E; Grymly on them he lokyd, y trowe C. Þe twei kniȝtes, þar þai stode,And the N; That þe C; Þerfore þoo E. twei] two N; om. E. þar þai] þat þere E. Þai were aferde, hii wer niȝ wode.Þai] om. ESNC. aferde] so SN; om. (!) A. hii] þey SN. af.—niȝ] for drede nere C; nyȝ for drede E. Beffs (He C) sayde to hem (þem C): 'What men be ȝe? Out off my chaumbyr i rede ȝow (ye C) fflee!'add. EC. A sarsyn seyde anon than: 'We be messengerys fro Iocyan; Sche preyed yow specyalle, To come & speke with hur yn prcuyte.' add. C. A seide: 'Ȝif ȝe ner masegers,A] B. SN; And (!) C. A s.] om. E. ȝif] & C; nere (!) SN. ner] ne were E; were not C; were SN. mas.] twoo add. E. Ich wolde ȝow sle, losengers!sle] foule add. SN. Boþe ȝoure hedes ȝe scholde fforgoo E; All your lyuys loose schuld yc C. I nele rise o fot fro þe grounde,nele] wyl (wolde N) not SNC. rise] gon EC. o fot] om. SN. fro þe] on E; of C. For speke wiþ an heþene hounde:For] To EC. Ȝhe is an honde, also be ȝe,also] & soo ESNC. Out of me chaumber swiþe ȝe fle!'swiþe] i rede ESNC. ȝow ESN. Þe kniȝtes wenten out in rape,out in] on a SN. Þai were fain so to ascape.were] wel add. S; ful add. N. fain] glad S. so] for SN. To Iosian þai wente as titÞey went to Iosyan SN. And seide: 'Of him is gret despit:is gret] it is SN.695—698: Þe knyȝtes wenten forþ anon, And to Iosyan gunne þey gon. E. The knyȝtes went forthe than, Tyll þey came to Iocyan, And tolde hur lasse & mare All to gedur ther answare. C. Sertes, a clepede þe heþene houndSertes—heþene] And sayde þat (how C) he (clepyd hem (calde hur C) EC. Þries in a lite stounde:wiþ inne E. lytyl ESNC. We nolde for al Ermoniewolde not C. Erm.] heþenesse EC. Eft sones se him wiþ our eie!'our] om. SN. Han (off hym a syȝte (a syght of hym C) iwysse EC. 'Hardeliche,' ȝhe seide, 'comeþ wiþ me,Hard.] ȝit E; ȝis C. com SNC. And ich wile ȝour waraunt be!'wile] schalle N. your warant schall y C. Forþ þai wente al isame,al is.] als soone SN. To Beues chaumber þat he came.þat he] þo þey SN. 'Lemman,' ȝhe seide, 'gent and fre,Lem.—and] Þo (Than N) seid Iosyan, B. lemman SN. and] d written above the line A. For godes loue, spek wiþ me!'705—708: Forþ þey (sche C) wente in þat stounde And Beffs in hys chaumbyr þey (om. C) ffounde. Iosyan (Sche C) caste here armys (arme C) abouten his swere, (On here he made a (And he made on hur C) loþly chere. EC. Ȝhe keste him boþe moþ & chinhim kist SN. boþe] on E; om. SNC. &] on add. E. And ȝaf him confort gode afin,And began to coumforten hym E; And faste sche comfortyd hym C; Medycyns good (om. N) she ȝaue him (good add. N) with wyn SN. So him solaste þat mai,solaste] slaked SN. Þat al is care wente awai,711 f. om. EC. And seide: 'Lemman, þin ore!And] He E; Befyse C. seide] mercy add. E. Lemman] Iosyan ESNC. Icham i-wonded swiþe sore!' 'Lemman,' ȝhe seide, 'wiþ gode ententLem.] B. SN. Ichaue brouȝt an oyniment,Ich.] þe add. SN. an] om. S; good add. SN. For make þe boþe hol & fere:For] To SN. þe boþe] you bothe N; þy body S. Wende we to me fader dere!' Forþ þai wenten an hiȝing Til Ermyn, þe riche king, And Beues tolde vnto him þan, How þat stour ended & gan,719—722: Forþ he went in good faye (To þe king of (Til he come to N) Ermonay; To þe king B. tolde þan, How þe (þat N) stryf among hem bygan. SN. And schewed on him in þat stoundeon him] þere SN. þat] a lytel SN. Fourti grete, grisli wounde. Þanne seide king Ermin þe hore:þe hore] þere SN. 'I nolde, Beues, þat þow ded worewere SN. For al þe londes, þat ichaue;Nouȝt for SN. Ich praie, douȝter, þat þow him sauepraie] þe add. SN. And proue to hele, ase þow can,proue—ase] hele him, douȝter, yf SN. Þe wondes of þat douȝti man!' In to chaumber ȝhe gan him taketo] a add. SN. gan] dide SN. And riche baþes ȝhe let him make,let] dide SN.715—732: 'ȝe, lemman,' sche sayde in (at þat C) heste, 'I am a leche wiþ (at C) þe beste. (No betere salue, i vndyrstonde, Ne is in al paynyme londe (Ther ys non yn paynym londe, Hath bettur salue, y vndurstonde, C), Þan i haue brouȝt (wiþ me (thys stounde C), (Ful weel i wole hele þe. (For to hele thy byttur wounde. C.) Arys,' sche sayde, '& come wiþ me, And (i wole þy waraunt (thy warant schall y C) bee!' Forþ þey wenten wiþ (outen lesyng (owt dwellyng C) Beffore syr (se (!) E) Armyn (the add. C) kyng. Beffs (hadde on hym xxty (on hym had mony a C) wounde, Þe leste wolde (of þem myȝt C) brynge a man to grounde. But (om. E) whan þe kyng say & herde Al to gedere hou it fferde, (So moche rewe þe he hadde þere, (He made then so rewly chere, C) Þat þe teres watten (ranne down be C) hys lere. He clepyd to hym (soone anan (anon than C) Hys owne douȝtyr Iosyan And sayde: 'Help (hele þou C), ȝyff þat (om. C) þou can, (To hele (om. C) þe woundys off þis (doghty add. C) man! I nolde (wolde not C) ffor al paynyme londe (Lesen hym (Lose hys lyfe C), i vndyrstonde!' Iosyan took Beffon soone (om. C) anon And to (hur add. C) chaumbyr gunne (can C) þey gon, (And add. C) þere (þey kystyn hem (sche kyssyd hym C) ful offte And helyd hym swyþe (feyre and C) soffte EC. Þat wiþ inne a lite stondeÞat] So þat S; So ENC. wiþ inne] in SNC. lytyl ESNC. He was boþe hol and sonde.He] B. SN. boþe] helid N; om. S. Þanne was he ase fresch to fiȝt,Þanne] Þo SN. Þanne w. h.] And EC. ffers E; for add. EC. So was þe faukoun to þe fliȝt.Soo is E; As is SNC. þe] om. (!) C. to þe] of SN. His oþer prowesse who wile lere,His] Off SN. who wile] ȝif ȝe wille S; ye mowe N. here SN. Hende, herkneþ, and ȝe mai here!Hende h.] Herkeneþ of B. SN. mow lere SN.737 f.: For þe tyme, þat god made, Fyl þe cuppe & make vs glade! E. So hyt befelle vpon a day, Syr Befyse thoght hym to play. C. A wilde bor þar was aboute,was þere SNC. Ech man of him hadde gret doute,Euery man ES; All men C. had of him N. gret] om. ESC. Man and houndes, þat he tok,For man E. houndes] beste al E; all C; woman SN. þat he t.] of bestes most(!) SN. Wiþ his toskes he al to-schok.Þat boor slowe aboute in þat cost SN. Þei him hontede kniȝtes tene,Þouȝ þat E. huntye E. Þar of ne ȝef he nouȝt a bene.ne ȝef he] ȝaue he S; he yaue N. Þar—he] Of them he roght C. nouȝt] not CN. Off alle he nolde hym doute þen E. At is mouþ fif toskes stoden out,At] Of SN. fif t. st.] stood twoo tuskes SN. Euerich was fif enches about,Eyther SN. vnche S.745 f. om. EC. His sides wer hard & strong,sides wer] hed was EC. &] eke add. E. His brostles were gret & long,And his SN; And C. brostles] tusschus EC. were] he had C; om. SN; boþe add. E. gret] hard S. Him self was fel and kouþe fiȝte,self] þat boor add. SN. and k. f.] of syȝt SN. No man sle him ne miȝte.sle—miȝte] durst with him fyȝt SN.749 f.: No man durste hym assay, Nothur be nyght nor be day. C. Beues lay in is bedde a niȝtlay—bedde] beþoght hym on C. And þouȝte, a wolde keþen is miȝtAnd] He E. a wolde] for to SN. Onys with the bore to fyght. C. Vpon þat swin him self one,On E. þat s.] þe bore SN. Vpon—self] Wyth the bore he C. alone ESNC. Þat noman scholde wiþ him gone.Þat] And NC. A morwe, whan hit was dai cler,A] On E; On þe C. whan] tho N. hit w. d.] þe (om. C) day was EC. dai] da (!) A. Ariseþ kniȝt and squier;Vp aros E; Vp roos SNC. Beues let sadlen is ronsi,B.] He E. let s.] sadelyd C. Þat bor a þouȝte to honti,The C. bor] swyn E. A gerte him wiþ a gode bronda] hys E; wel add. SN. And tok a spere in is hond,in] on S.759 f.: He toke a gode swyrde yn honde And a spere, þat was longe, C. A scheld a heng vpon is side,A] His SNC. vpon] by SNC. Toward þe wode he gan ride.Tow.] And to C. wode] felde SN. Iocyan yn hur towre lay And sawe Befyse on hys palfray ; add. C. Iosian, þat maide, him be-held,Þe maide (maiden N) Iosyan SN; As sche stode and C. Al hire loue to him ȝhe feld;ȝhe] om. C. She louyd him wel in (toun and (om. N) felde SN. To hire self ȝhe seide, þer ȝhe stod:To—seide] Þan seid (she to (om. N) her self SN; Than sche þoght C. þer ȝ. s.] with (in N) grete mood SN. 'Ne kepte y neuer more godeNe kepe y S; I desyre C. Ne namore of al þis worldes blisse,Ne] Nor C. nam.] more SNC. al] om. SNC. þis w.] worldely C. Þanne Beues wiþ loue o time te kisse;Þanne] But C. o time] onys C. Beues—time] oones his swete mouth S. te] om. N. In gode time were boren,were boren] born she were SN; were sche bore þan C. Þat Beues hadde to lemman koren!'That myȝt hym to hur lemman C; That myȝt (may N) him haue to playfere SN. Þo Beues in to þe wode cam,in] om. C. wode] feld SN; he add. N. His scheld aboute is nekke a nam And tide his hors to an hei þorntyed SC; rayned (!) N. hei] om. SNC. And blew a blast wiþ is horn;a] good add. SN. wiþ] in SN. blew—wiþ] full lowde can he blowe C. Þre motes a blew al arowe,al] euyn S; on N. Þat þe bor him scholde knowe.him sch.] myȝt him S.775 f.: A long myle he soght, Or he the bore fynde moght. C. Þo he com to þe bor is den,Þo] When C. to] nye C. den] so SNC; dan (!) A. A seȝ þer bones of dede men,þer] þe S; om. N. þer b. of] many C. men] so SNC; man A. Þe bor hadde slawe in þe wode,That þe bore C; Þat he SN. hadde sl.] slewe C. Ieten here flesch & dronke her blode.Ieten] ȝete C. here] þe C. her] þe C. 'Aris!' queþ Beues, 'corsede gast,queþ B.] he seide SN; þou add. SNC. corsede] foule C. And ȝem me bataile wel in hast!'ȝem] ȝeue SNC. wel] riȝt N; om. S. ȝem—wel] batayle þou geue me C. Sone so þe bor him siȝ,Sone þo S; When C. him] Beuys SN; sir Befyse C. A rerde is brosteles wel an hiȝrerde] set vp SN; set C. wel] swyth SN; vp C. an] om. SN. And starede on Beues wiþ eien holwe,starede] loked SN. on him SN; om. C. wiþ] hys add. C. howe (!) A. Also a wolde him haue a-swolwe;Os C; Ryȝt as SN. him] Sir Befyse C. haue] om. SNC. swolwe SNC. And for þe bor ȝenede so wide,And] om. C. for] þo SN; om. C. bor] roos & C. ȝen.] gan ȝane SN. so] om. SNC. A spere Beues let to him gli le;A—let] Befyse let þe spere C. B. (om. N) with a spere to (B. til N) him gan ryde SN. On þe scholder he smot þe bor, His spere barst to pises þore;789 f.: The bore he smote, him self gan were, A twoo peces brak (brast N) his spere. SN. A grete spere to hym he bare, Hyt brake yn two pecys & mare; The hedd of stele, þat was well wroȝt, With ynne þe bore came hyt noght. C. Þe bor stod stille aȝen þe dent,Stylle he stode agenste C. His hyde was harde ase eni flent.hyde] sydes SN; hedd C. were SN. harder C. ase eni] so þe SN; þen þe C. Now al to-borste is Beues spere,Now] Þenne S; When C. al tobrast S; al tobroke N; broken C. is] was syr C; om. S. A drouȝ his swerd, him self to were,drouȝ] toke SN. self] with S; for N; om. C. And fauȝt aȝen þe bor so grim,And] B. SN. aȝen] with SN. gym (!) N. A smot þe bor and he to him.A] And N. smot] at add. S. to] at S. Þus þe bataile gan leste longgan l.] lasted SN. Til þe time of euesong,þe t.] tyme passed SN. euynsong SN.795—798: The batell was strong, y yow say, Tyll noon of the day, C. Þat Beues was so weri of fouȝte,Þoo was B. SN. of] for C. fyȝt (!) S; faght (!) C. Þat of is lif he ne rouȝte,he] so SN; hē (!) A. roght he noght C. And þo þe bor was also,þo] om. SN. And—was] In lyke case was þe wylde bore C. Awai fro Beues he gan go,Beues] him SNC. he can S; dud he C. Wile Beues made is praierÞe while SN. Then made Befyse C. To god and Mari, is moder dere,god] Iesu C. Mari] to SN; om. C. Whaþer scholde oþer slen:Wheþer of hem SN. Wiþ þat com þe bor aȝen And bente is brostles vp, saunfaile,bente] rered SN. vp] om. SN. Aȝen Beues to ȝeue bataile;ȝeue] do SN. Out at is mouþ in aiþer sideat] of SN. in a.] on euery SN. Þe foim ful ferli gan out glide;foom SN. ful] om. SN. fersly S. out] om. S. And Beues in þat ilche venev,in] at SN. thilk N. Þourȝ godes grace & is vertv Wiþ is swerd out a slinteout a sl.] smot and mynt SN. Twei toskes at þe ferste dent;Two SN. toskes] a (at N) twoo add. SN. þe f.] oo S. A spanne of þe groin be-fornþe gr.] his browe S; his brayne N. before S. Wiþ is swerd he haþ of schoren.of] hit N; om. S.816 put before 815 S. Þo þe bor so loude cride,And þo þat SN. Out of þe forest wide and side,Out—and] Þat crye (he N) was herd in eche SN. To þe castel þar þat lai Ermin,þat] om. SN. Men herde þe noise of þe swin;noise] crye SN. þe] þat SN. And, alse he made þat loþeli cri,Wyde (So lowde N) he ȝaned and lowde (gan crye (cride N) SN. His swerd Beues hasteliHis s. B.] And B. his swerd SN. In at þe mouþ gan þreste þoþe] om. N. gan þr.] he (hit N) þrast SN. And karf his hertte euene ato:805—824: That oon of vs myȝt odur sloo, Or þat we parte yn two. Be þat come þe bore agayne And Befyse to hym with myȝt & mayne. The bore ranne with all hys myȝt, Ageyne Befyse for to fyght. Befyse hys swyrde owt hent And hys tuschys he all torent, That þe bore felle to grounde, He was so smetyn yn þat stounde, And with hys swyrde þe bore he stonge Thorow þe lyuyr & þe longe. C. Þe swerd a breide aȝen fot hotÞat SN. a br. aȝ.] aȝeyn he tok S; anone N. Þe—fot] And with hys swyrde as C. And þe bor is heued of smot,And] om. C. þe] þat SN. of] he add. SC. And on a tronsoun of is spereAnd] om. SC. on] vpon C. tronchon C; tronchen S; tronchyn N. is] a C. Þat heued a stikede for to bere.The S. a st. for] he put (picchid N) home SN. He set the hed of the bore C. Þanne a sette horn to mouþeÞanne] And after SN. sette] his add. S. And blew þe pris ase wel kouþe,þe] om. SN. ase] he add. SN. So glad he was for is honting.for] of SN. is] that N; om. S. Þat heued a þouȝte Iosian bring:Ios.] to add. SN. & er he com to þat maide fre,&] But SN. þat] þe N. Him com strokes so gret plente,To him N. strokes so] enemys SN. Þat fain he was to weren is hedÞat—was] He was (ful fayn (wel fawe N) SN. And saue him self fro þe ded.fro þe] foro (!) S. Astiward was wiþ king Ermin,wiþ] the add. N. Þat hadde tiȝt to sle þat swin;tiȝt] þouȝt S; ithought N. To Beues a bar gret envie,bar] had SN. For þat he hadde þe meistrie;þat] om. SN. He dede arme his kniȝtes stoute,He dede] And lete SN. his kn.] knyȝtes wel SN. Foure and twenti in a route,in] on SN. And ten forsters also he tokalso] with him SN. And wente to wode, seiþ þe bok.to] þe add. S. wode] so add. SN. Þar of ne wiste Beues nouȝt:ne] om. SN. B.] ryȝt add. SN. Helpe him god, þat alle þing wrouȝt!Him hilp (halp N) SN. þing] haþ S. In is wei he rit pas for pas.he—pas] as (om. N) he gan pace (pas N) SN. Herkneþ now a ferli cas:ferli] sely N. A wende pasi in griþ & pes,pasi in] to pace (pas N) with SN. Þe stiward cride: 'Leiþ on & sles!'cride—on] seiþ: smyteþ him S; seid: smyte him N.829—850: Befyse was glad of þat thynge And went homward to þe kynge. As he went yn hys way, He sawe XII fosters, as y yow say, Wele armyd yn to the tethe, And all sweryn Befyse dethe. C. Beues seȝ, þat hii to him ferde,hii to] þey with SN. mysferde SN. Then Befyse wyste how hyt farde C. A wolde drawe to is swerde:A] And SN. A—to] He wenyd to haue drawen C. Þanne hadde he leued it þor, Þar he hadde slawe þe bor.Þar—þe] Ther (As N) he slouȝ þe wylde SN.853 f.: Then he had the swyrde leuyd, There he smote of þe borys hed. C. He nadde noþing, him self to were,ne had S; had NC. self] with SN; om. C. Boute a tronsoun of a spere.a] the C. tronchon N; tronchyn S. a] his S. Þo was Beues sore desmeid,Þere S; Ther fore N. Þe heued fro þe tronsoun a braid,from SN. tronchon N; tronchyn S. And wiþ þe bor is heued a fauȝta f.] gan fyȝt SN. And wan a swerd of miche mauȝt,a] his SN. myȝt SN. Þat Morgelai was cleped, apliȝt:apliȝt] ryȝt SN. Beter swerd bar neuer kniȝt.A betir N. bar] had N. Þo Beues hadde þat swerd an hond,þat] his SN. an] in S. Among þe heþene kniȝtes a wond, And sum vpon þe helm a hitte,on SN. In to þe sadel he hem slitte,Þat doun of his sadel he pit (pilte N) SN. And sum kniȝt Beues so ofrauȝte,knyȝtes SN; syr add. S. so] om. SN. araught N; rauȝt S. Þe heued of at þe ferste drauȝte,Her SN. hedis N. of] wypt add. SN. þe f.] a SN. So harde he gan to lein abouteto] om. SN. Among þe heþene kniȝtes stoute, Þat non ne pasede hom, apliȝt;ne] om. S. hom] him SN. So þourȝ þe grace of god almiȝtSo þourȝ þe] It was throwe (by S) SN. Þe kinges stiward a hitte so,hitte] smot SN. Þat is bodi a clef ato.Þat] alle add. N. cleuyd S; claue N. Þe dede kors a pulte adounÞe d.] And dide his (that N) SN. a p.] put S; pit N. And lep him self in to þe arsoun.him self] hastely SN. Þat strok him þouȝte wel iset,beset SN. For he was horsed meche bet. He þouȝte make pes doun riȝtes Of þe forsters ase of þe kniȝtes;ase] and SN. To hem faste he gan ride;And to SN. Þai gonne schete be ech a side,And þey SN. be] in S; on N. a] om. SN. So mani arwes to him þai sende, Unneþe a miȝte him self defende,Þat vnneth S; That vnnethis N. self] om. SN. And þo in a lite stoundeAnd þo] so SN; So þat (!) A. lytel SN. Þe ten forsters wer feld te grounde,wer feld] he fel. SN. And hew hem alle to pices smale:hew] smot SN. to] in SN. So hit is fonde in frensche tale.So—fonde] As (And S) y fynde SN. frensche] þe firste (!) SN. Iosian lai in a castelÞat Ios. SN. a] þe SN. & seȝ þat sconfit euerich del:sconfit] fyȝtyng SN. 'O Mahoun,' ȝhe seide, 'oure driȝte,O M.] A god SN. What Beues is man of meche miȝte!Þat SN. man of m.] so much of SN. Al þis world ȝif ich it hedde, Ich him ȝeue me to wedde;Ich h. ȝ.] I wolde ȝeue B. SN.857—894: Two fosters he smote downe Wyth þe dynte of hys tronchon; VI he slowe at dyntys thre, And odur two awey can flee; And aftur þat awey fledd IIII. That sawe þe maydyn yn hur bowre, Sche seyde: 'Be Mahounde, þat ys bryȝt, Befyse ys a man of mekyll myght.' C. Boute he me loue, icham ded:icham] but add. SNC. Swete Mahoun, what is þe red?Mah.] Iesu SN. þe] my SN. Loue-longing me haþ be-couȝt,me haþ] y haue C. cauȝt SC; icaught N. Þar of wot Beues riȝt nouȝt.'And þer of C. B. wot ryȝt SN; wottyþ my lemman C. Þus þat maide made hire mon,maide repeated in A. Þar ȝhe stod in þe tour al on,stod] lay SN. þe] þat S. And Beues þar þe folk be-lenedBeues þar þe] þerfore (þer with N) B. þat SN.899—901: The mayde yn hur towre lay And that wondur-syght say, How Befyse þe fosters leuydd, C. And wente hom wiþ þe heued;þe] bores add. SNC. Þat heued of þat wilde swinThe SNC. He presente to king Ermin.He presented (hit add. N) to SN; To present þer with C.904 put before 903 C. Þe king þar of was glad & bliþeÞe—of] Þer of he SN. And þankede him ful mani a siþe,And] He S. him] Befyse C. ful m. a] an hundred SN; fele C. Ac he ne wiste þer of nowiȝt,Ac] But SN. he] om. N. now.] nouȝt S. How is stiward to deþe was diȝt.is] þe SN. diȝt] brouȝt S. Þre ȝer after þat bataile,Þre ȝer] Thenne sone SN. Þat Beues þe bor gan asaile, A king þer com in to Ermonieþer] om. S. in] om. SN. And þouȝte winne wiþ meistrieþouȝte] to add. SN. Iosiane, þat maide briȝt,maide] berde SN. Þat louede Beues wiþ al hire miȝt. Brademond cride, ase he wer wod,cride] he (om. S.) grad SN. To king Ermin, þar a stod:Right to N. king E.] þe king SN.907—916: And aftur þat kyng Armyn vpon a day, As he yn hys towre lay, An hethen kyng he sawe come þen Wyth syxty M. of doghty men; Of Damaske he hyght Bradmonde, He was come to fett Iocyan þat stounde. He spake to Armyn with prowde mode In the fylde þere he stode: C. 'King,' a seide swiþe bliue,King] Sir SN; Armyn add. C. swiþe] als SN. bliue] om. C. 'Ȝem me þe douȝter to wiue!to] my add. SNC. Ȝef þow me wernest, wiþ outen faile,me hir wernyst N; say nay C. wyth owt C; saunȝ S; sam (!) N. I schel winne hire in plein bataile,schel] wyll C. hur wynne SNC. in] with SN. plein] fyue N; om. SC. On fele half i schel þe anvȝe,On f. h.] On filde half N; And yn the fylde C. schel] wylle SNC. an.] noye C; enuyroun SN. And al þe londe I schel destruȝeAnd—londe] All thy londys C. Destroy þy londe and thy croun SN.922 put before 921 C. And þe sle, so mai be-tide,þe] to add. SN. And lay hire a niȝt be me side,hire a n.] þy douȝter SN. And after i wile þe douȝter ȝeuedouȝte (!) A. To a weine pain, þat is for-driue!'923—926 om. C. Ermin answerde bliue an hiȝe:Ermin] The kyng C. bliue] om. C. Thanne seide king Ermyn with onde SN. 'Be Mahoun, sire, þow schelt liȝe!'Mah.] god SN. sire] om. SNC. liȝe] dye C; be withstonde SN. Adoun of his tour a went And after al is kniȝtes a sental] om. S. al is] om. C. kn.] fele add. C. And tolde hem, how Brademond him asailed hadde,tolde hem how] so SN; om. (!) A. asailid hym N; seid him S. And askede hem alle, what hii radde.hii] þey SN.931 f.: And tolde þem, with owt fayle, How Bradmonde wolde hym assayle. C. A word þanne spak þat maiden briȝt:þanne] om. SNC. maid NC. 'Be Mahoun, sire! wer Beues a kniȝt,Mah.] Iesu (!) SN. Be—wer] Syr, do make C. a] om. SNC. A wolde defende þe wel inouȝ:wyll C. def. þe] ȝow (the N) socoure SN. the helpe C. Me self i seȝ, whar he slouȝMc self] For C. Ȝour owene stiward, him beset,owene] om. SN. stiw.] þat had add. S; him] had add. N. Al one in þe wode wiþ him a met, With XXIIII knyȝtes he him met In þe wood, as it is seene, And with ffosters ten bydene (om. N). SN. At wode he hadde his swerd beleued,At wode] ȝit S; And yet N. leuyd S. Þar he smot of þe bores heued; He nadde noþing, him self to were,And had SN; with him add. S. him self] with him N; om. S. Boute a tronsoun of is spere,is] a N. And ȝour stiward gret peple hadde,And] om. SN. hadde] lad SN. Four and twenti kniȝtes a ladde,ladde] hadde SN. Al y-armed to þe teþ,Al] Wel SN. yarmed] in add. SN. teþ] deþ (!) A. And eueri hadde swore is deþ,euerychone S; eche N. hadden S. swore] B. add. N. And ten forsters of þe forestAnd] The S. Wiþ him a brouȝte ase prest,Wiþ—ase] Alle with him ȝeden ful SN. Þat þouȝte him haue slawe þoreÞat] And SN. him] to SN. slawe] him add. SN. And take þe heued of þe bore,And] he add. SN. tok SN. And ȝeue þe stiward þe renoun.ȝeue] smot S. þe] of S; gret N. Þo Beues seȝ þat foule tresoun,Beues] he SN. A leide on wiþ þe bor is heued, Til þat hii were adoun i-weued,þat—iw.] þey were al dedde SN. And of þe stiward a wan þat dayof—wan] he wan of þe steward SN. His gode swerd Morgelay. Þe ten forsters also a slouȝalso] þere SN. And hom a pasede wel inouȝ,hom a p.] passed hoom SN. Þat he of hem hadde no loþe.'hadde of hem S.957—959: Two ffosters he smote adowne With þe dynte of hys tronchon, VI he slowe at dyntys thre, And odur VII a way can flee. They went awey full wrothe. C. King Ermyn þanne swor is oþe,Þe king S. þanne] om. SN. Þat he scholde be maked kniȝt,he] B. SN. be dobbed SN; dubbe hym C. His baner to bere in þat fiȝt.And hys C. þat] euery SN; om. C. He clepede Beues at þat sakeat þat] for hur S. And seide: 'Kniȝt ich wile þe make:Kniȝt—þe] y shal þe knyȝt SN.963 f.: Befyse, he seyde, be now dyght: Now y wyll þe dubbe knyght; C. Þow schelt bere in to bataile Me baner, Brademond to asaile!' Beues answerde wiþ bliþe mod:seide SN. bliþe] mylde SNC. 'Bleþelich,' a seide, 'be þe rod!'a s.] om. SN. Bleþ. a s.] Gladly, syr, y wyl þat do C. þe] good add. S; holy add. N. King Ermin þo anon riȝteþo] om. SN. Dobbede Beues vn-to kniȝtevn to] to be SN. And ȝaf him a scheld gode & sura] om. S. Wiþ þre eglen of asur,egles SN. of] fyne add. SN. Þe champe of gold ful wel i-diȝtÞe] A N. ful] om. SN. Wiþ fif lables of seluer briȝt;fif] om. SN. labelles S; lambels (!) N. sables (!) A. Siþe a gerte him wiþ Morgelay,And sethen (sith N) SN. A gonfanoun wel stout and gayA gonf. wel] A myȝt (!) man wel S; Whiche was bothe N. Iosian him brouȝte for to bere. Sent of þe scheld, y ȝow swere!Sent—scheld] Hauberk, acton SN.969—978 om. C. Beues dede on is actoun,is] a gode C. hatton (!) C. Hit was worþ mani a toun;For hit N. An hauberk him brouȝte þat mai,An] And an (his S) NS. hamberk (!) S. broght hym C. him—mai] þat ilk (same N) day SN. So seiden alle þat hit isai:So] Þen SN. seiden a.] he sayde C. say SNC. [That þey (ne add. N) sey neuer sucche any, [A feyrer þen he sawe euer ony, C] Hit was (nas N) but þe wyȝt (weyȝt C) of a peny. add. SNC. Hit was wel iwrouȝt & faire,wel iwr.] so wel wrouȝt S; iwroȝt so wel N; Hit—iwr.] Wroght hyt was well C. Non egge tol miȝte it nouȝt paire.Non—miȝte] Þer myȝt nothing SN. nouȝt p.] apaire SNC. Than came Iocyan, that maye, And broght hys swyrde Mordelay; Ther was none bettur vndur sonne, Many a londe ther with was wonne. add. C. After þat ȝhe ȝaf him a stede,After þat] Also SN; ȝyt C. Þat swiþe gode was at nede,swiþe—at] was good at eche (euery C) SNC. For hit was swift & ernede wel:hit] he SNC. swift] wyght C. ranne SNC. ful wel N; so snelle S. Me clepede hit Arondel.Therfore men SN. hit] him SNC. Beues in þe sadel lep,And B. in to SN. His ost him folwede al to hepto] on an (om. N) SN. Wiþ baner briȝt & scheldes schene,baners SN. Þretti þosent and fiftene.Well XXX (XX S) SN. Þe ferste scheld trome Beues nam.schilton (!) N.989—993: In all þys worlde was hors noon, That so faste myght goon; Syr Befyse yn to þe sadull startyth, He towchyd nodur starop nor gyrthe. Kyng Ermyn with þe hore berde Dubbyd hym knyght with a swyrde And gaf hym a gode horne, In þat tyme was none bettur worne, And betaght hym goost gryme And XX M. men with hym. Befyse hys horne can blowe, For þat hys men schulde hym knowe. A grete oost with hym he name. C. Brademond aȝenes him cam;Kyng Bradmonde C; with his men (ost N) add. SN. aȝeyn SNC. His baner bar þe king Redefoun,þe] om. SNC. Radfon S; Rafon C; Radsone N. Þat leuede on sire Mahoun.sire] no god but SN; Apolyn & C. Mah.] one N. Row he was also a schep,Row—a] He was als rowȝ as eny SN. Beues of him nam gode kep.And (Syr C) B. þat was (bothe add. C) wyse and ȝepe SNC. He smot Arondel wiþ spures of golde;He] om. SN. Ar.] þe hors C. wiþ] þe add. C. Þanne þouȝte þat hors, þat he scholde,Þo SN. þouȝte] wist SNC. þe hors C; he SN. þat he] what he do SNC. Aȝen Redefoun Beues gan rideAȝens S; kynge add. C. Beues] he SNC. And smot him þourȝ out boþe side,smot] bare SNC. out] om. SN. boþe s.] yn þat tyde C. Hauberk ne scheld ne actounne] om. C. Shilde, hauberk (hambark (!) S) SN. ne] nor C; and (!) S). hatton (!) C. Ne vailede him nouȝt worþ a botoun,Ne v.] Avaylyd C. nouȝt worþ] not C; om. N. He smot þrouȝ, by my crowne S. Þat he ne fel ded to þe grounde.Þat] But C. ne] om. SC. to þe] to N; down to C. 'Reste þe,' queþ Beues, 'heþen hounde!Reste þe] Rest N; Lye þere S; Aryse C. queþ B.] he seyde C; þou add. SNC. Þe hadde beter atom þan here!'Þe hadde] Þou haddest ben SN. 'Lay on faste!' a bad his fere.feres (!) S. Þo laide þai on wiþ eger modþai] he N. And slowe Sarsins, as hii wer wod,slowe] þe add. S. hii] þey S; he N. And sire Beues, þe cristene kniȝtþe] þat SN. Slouȝ ase mani in þat fiȝt Wiþ Morgelay him self alone, Ase þai deden euerichone. And euer hii were to fiȝte presthii—fiȝte] was þe (to N) fyȝt prest SN. Til þat þe sonne set in þe west.þat] om. SN. set] sate N. in þe west] so SN; riȝt (!) A. Beues and is ost wiþ inne a stoundewiþ] om. SN. in SN. stōude (!) A. Sexti þosent þai felde to grounde,þai f.] leide SN. Þat were out of Dameske isent,Damas N. Þat neuer on homward ne went.But SN. on homw.] homwarde þey SN. Þo Brademond seȝ is folk islayn,folk isl.] ost was slayn SN. A fleȝ awei wiþ miȝte & mayn. Ase he com ride be a cost,rydyng S; ridand N. a] þe S. Twei kniȝtes a fond of Beues ost;Twoo SN. Of his stede he gan doun liȝtegan] om. SN. And bond hem boþe anon riȝte,boþe] om. S.1007—1026: Befyse & hys oost, with owt lesyng, XV thousande to deþe gan dynge. Kynge Bradmonde sawe hys oost so flee, He cryed & bad þem agayne turne (!) And sware be Apolyn: 'But yf ye sle kyng Armyn And Befyse of Hampton faste bynde, Or (!) y wyll neuyr hense wynde!' Befyse that harde & logh yare And thoght, he wolde hym feere, And seyde: 'Bradmonde, þou olde wrech, Art þou come, Iocyan to fech? Or þou passe þorow my honde And Mordelay, my gode bronde!' There myȝt men sorow see Amatud that there had be, How Befyse with hys bronde Smote of legys, fote & honde, That þe Sarsyns yn a rome At that tyme were ouercome. Bradmonde toke II of Befyse knyȝtes, And lad þem for þe anon ryghtes, And yn a dyke he had þem bounde And had ythoght stounde, C. And þouȝte hem lede to his prisounAnd—to] And (hem led (lad ham N) toward SN; To haue þem ledd to C. And haue for hem gret raunsoun.And—hem] For hem to haue SN; And for them take C. gret] om. C. Ase he trosede hem on is stede,trussed SN. is] a SN. As Bradmonde had do þat dede C. Beues of hem nam gode hede,Syr Befyse C. of h. n.] þerof tok SNC. grete N. And hasteliche in þat tide After Brademond he gan ride And seide: 'Brademond, olde wreche,seide] om. (!) S. olde] wold (!) S. Ertow come Iosiane to feche?Ertow come] Come þou heder SN. Io|sane (!) A. Þou shalt fynde who þe shal bete (lette N) And hong þe on a gebet! add. SN. Erst þow schelt pase þourȝ min hondErst] And S; om. N. And þourȝ Morgelay, me gode brond!'And þ.] With SN. Wiþ outen eni wordes moWiþ o. e.] And with oute SN. Beues Brademond hitte soSir B. SN.1031—1038 om. C. Vpon is helm in þat stounde,On SN. Vpon is h.] And smot Brad|monde C. Þat a felde him flat to grounde.a—flat] he fel plat SN; hors & man felle C. 'Merci!' queþ Bradmond, 'ich me ȝelde,seide SNC. Br.] so SNC; om. (!) A. Recreaunt, to þe, in þis felde,to þe] om. C. To þe recraund SN. þis] the C; om. SN. So harde þe smitest vpon me kroun,þe] þow SN; sm. v. me] smot me on þe SN. As þou art knyght of renowne C. Ich do me alle in þe bandoun, Sexti cites wiþ castel tourA þousand (casstelles, cites (cytees, cas|tels C) & toures SNC. Þin owen, Beues, to þin onour,I shal (om. C) þe ȝeue (to thyn (in thi N; with all C) honoures SNC. Wiþ þat þow lete me ascape!'me] fro the add. SN. scape SN. Beues answerde þo in rape:þo in] al with SN. 'Nay!' a seide, 'be sein Martyn!a seide] seyde Befyse C; sir king SN. Gylmyn C. Icham iswore to king Ermin:Icham—king] Become þou schalt þe kynges man C. Al þat ich do, it is his dede,his] so SN; om. (!) A. Þar fore, sire, so god me spede,Þar f. sire] And þerfore SN.1051 f.: And do hym homage & fealte And holde of hym all thy fee. C. Þow schelt swere vpon þe lay,vpon þe] by thy SNC. fay SN. Þow schelt werre on him niȝt ne dai,Þat þou N. schelt] neuer add. SN. Neuer to warre C. vppon S. him] by add. SC. ne] nor S. And omage eche ȝer him ȝeldeeche ȝ. h.] him euer SN. And al þe londe of him helde!' Brademond answerde anon riȝte:Br.] hym add. N. 'Þar to me treuþe y þe pliȝte,to] sir B. add. SN. þe] om. SN. Þat i ne schel neuer don him dereÞat] om. N. ne] om. S. Ne aȝen þe, Beues, armes bere!' And whan he hadde swore so, Beues let king Brademond go.1055—1062: Bradmond seyde, þat he schulde; Befyse let hym go þere he wolde. C. Allas, þat he nadde him slawene had SNC. And ibrouȝt of is lif dawe!ibr.] him brouȝt SN; broȝt hym C. of] fro C. is] om. SN. For siþþe for al is faire be-hesteSythen C; ȝit SN. faire] grete S. heste C. Mani dai a maked him feste,Mani] a add. C. maked] dud C. He made him (B. N) a wykked fest SN. In is prisoun a lai seue ȝere,a lai] was B. SN; he was C. Ase ȝe may now forþward here.mowe SN. now f.] afterward S; here aftir N; aftur C. Beues rod hom & gan to singerod] went SN. & g. t. s.] hyghyng SN. & seide to Ermin þe kinge:seide to] com byfore SN.1069 f.: Syr Befyse, þat doghty knyȝt, To kyng Armyn he went ryght. C. 'Sire! Brademond, king of Sarasine,Sire] And seide SNC; kyng add. C. king] om. SNC. Saryzinye S; Sarseny N; Sarsene C. A is be-come one of þine;[He (The N) hath don [Schall do C] þe (om. N) homage and fewte (fealte C; fyne N) SNC. Þe man a is to þin heste,þin] þen (!) A. While his lif wile leste,1073 f.: And þy man become & to þe sworne, As he ys kynge & kynges sone borne C; om. SN. Londes and ledes, al þat he walt,Londe SN. and] om. C. lyde S; lith N; & add. N. weldeth SN. al—walt] newe and olde C. A saiþ, sire, of þe hem halt!'A s. s.] Al to geder SNC. of] on C. hem h.] he holdeth SN; to holde C. Þanne was king Ermin at þat siþeÞo SN. king E.] þe king SN; Armyn C. at þ. s.] ful blithe SN; glad & blythe C. In is hertte swiþe bliþe,And þanked Befyse (him S) mony (an C C) sithe SNC. A clepede is douȝter & saide:A] And C. 'Iosian, þe faire maide,þe] thou C. Vn-arme Beues, he wer at mete,Do onerme C. B.] þat add. C. at m.] sett C. And serue þe self him þer ate!'þe self] om. C. þer ate] at mete C.1079—1082: Iosian, þat maide bryȝt, Vnarmed him (anoon ryȝt (al a plight N) And hyghed blyue þat he were sete, Hur self seruid him at his (om. N) meete. SN. Þo nolde þat maide neuer blinne,Then C. wold SNC. Til ȝhe com to hire inne,ȝhe] he SN. hire] þat SN; hys C. Þar ȝhe lai hire selue aniȝt:ȝhe—selue] her self lay SN.1086 put before 1085 S. Þar ȝhe sette þat gentil kniȝt,Þar ȝ. s.] And set þer SN; And let set þere C. Hire self ȝaf him water to hondHire s.] She S. him yaue N. Watur sche gaue hym C. to] his add. SC. And sette be-fore him al is sonde.And made him glad semblande SN. Þo Beues hadde wel i-eteWhen SNC; þat add. SN; sir add. C. wel] om. SN. & on þe maidenes bed isete,And] om. SN. þe] þat SN. isete] he sete SN; long setyn C. Þat mai, þat was so briȝt of hiwe,Þat mai] Iocyan C; Þo thoght (om. (!) S) Iosian SN. þat was so] om. SN. Þouȝte, ȝhe wolde hire consaile schewe,Þouȝte] Þat SN. And seide: 'Beues, lemman, þin ore! Ichaue loued þe ful ȝore,For y haue C. the louid N. ful] swyth SN. ful ȝ.] so sore C. Sikerli can i no rede,y can SNC. Boute þow me loue, icham dede,icham] but add. SNC. And boute þow wiþ me do þe wille.'boute þow] om. C. me] now add. C. 'For gode,' queþ Beues, 'þat ich do nelle!Be C. queþ B.] so SN; seyd Befyse C. B. om. (!) A. do y SNC. Her is,' a seide, 'min vnliche, Brademond king, þat is so riche,1099 f. om. SN. In al þis world nis þer man,nis þer] is noon suche SN. Prinse ne king ne soudan,King, prince SN. Þat þe to wiue haue nolde,þe] he N. haue] he add. S. And he þe hadde ones be-holde!'oones had SN. And y am a knyȝt of vncouth londe I (And N) haue no more (good add. N) þan y in (on N) stonde, Neither (Nor N) here ne in my herde, But y it wynne with dynt of swerde. add. SN. 'Merci,' ȝhe seide, 'ȝet wiþ þanȝet wiþ] nouȝt for SN. Ichauede þe leuer to me lemman,I haue SN. Þe bodi in þe scherte naked,Þe bodi] Aloon S; Al N. in] on N. Þan al þe gold, þat Crist haþ maked,gold] good SN. Crist haþ] euer was SN. And þow wost wiþ me do þe wille!' 'For gode,' queþ he, 'þat i do nelle!'1099—1110 om. C.1109 f.: Þat þou woldest me loue derne.' Þen seide B.: 'Nay!' also ȝerne. SN. Ȝhe fel adoun and wep riȝt sore:wep r.] wept SNC. 'Þow seidest soþ her be-fore:Þow] And seide þou SN. her] om. SN. Þow—her] And seyde thus hym C. In al þis world nis þer man,nis þer] þer ys no C. Prinse ne king ne soudan,Kynge, prynce nor C.1113 f.: Þat in þis world (nas knyȝt ne king (nys king ne knyght N (!)), Emperour ne grete (riche N) lordyng (lord|ling N) SN. Þat me to wiue haue nolde, And he me hadde ones be-holde,1115 f.: But þat to wyfe wolde haue me, And he with eyen myght me see, C. Þat nolde me chese to his wyf To fore al wymmen (nowe add. N) alyue, SN. And þow, cherl, me hauest for-sake:hast (þou add. (!) N) me SNC. Mahoun þe ȝeue tene and wrake!ȝeue þe SNC. Beter be-come þe iliche,Hyt were more to the lyke C. For to fowen an olde diche,fowen] ferme C. Þanne for to be dobbed kniȝt,for] om. C. Te gon among maidenes briȝt;mai.] ladyes C. To oþer contre þow miȝt fare:To oþer] In to the C. miȝt] muste C. Mahoun þe ȝeue tene & care!'geue the C.1119—1124 om. SN. 'Damesele,' a seide, 'þow seist vnriȝt;a s.] seide B. SN. Dam. a s.] Tho seyde Befyse: Damysell C. seist] hast N. Me fader was boþe erl & kniȝt:knyȝt and erl (!) S. How miȝte ich þanne ben a cherl,miȝte] schulde N. Whan me fader was kniȝt & erl?Whan] om. N. was] bothe add. N. To oþer contre ich wile te: Scheltow me namore ise!1127—1130 om. S.1129 f.: I wyll yn to my cuntre fare, Thou schalt me neuer see mare. C; om. N. Þow ȝeue me an hors: lo it her!gauyst C. An hors þou me ȝeue SN. lo] haue N; lo haue C. hym C. I nel namore of þe daunger!'wol N. nel n. of] wyll not be yn C. In (For N) to my countre wyl y goo, Ne shalt þou (me se (se me N) neuer moo. add. SN. Forþ him wente sire Beuounhim] then C. And tok is in in þat toun,þat] þe SNC. Sore aneiȝed and aschamed,asch.] agramed S. And sore he was schamyd C. For ȝhe hadde him so gramed.ȝhe] þat (the C) maide (may S) SNC. him had N. hadde] om. C. so] om. SNC. shamed S. Þo Beues was to toun igo,Þo B.] When he C; When þat he SN. to t.] yn to þe towne C; awey SN. Þo be-gan þat maidenes wo;Thenne SNC. began] awaked S; awake N. þat m.] al her SNC. Þanne was hire wo wiþ alle,Þanne—wo] Swith woo (was hur (hur was N) SN. Hire þouȝte, þe tour wolde on hir falle.Hire] And S.1139 f. om. C. Ȝhe clepede hire chaumberlein Bonefasȝhe] And SN. callyd C. Bonyfas N. And tolde to him al hire casto] om. SNC. hire] þe SNC. And bad him to Beues wende:him] om. SN. to] sir add. C. Beucs] þat he shuld S; he wolde N. 'And sai him, ich wile amendeAnd] om. S. sai—wile] al her trespas she wold SN; say to hym þat y wyll C. Al to-gedre of word & dede,of] om. SNC. Of þat ichaue him misede!'him] hinn (!) A. That y haue to hym C; Þat euer she had SN. amys seide N. Forþ wente Bonefas in þat stounde And Beues in is chaumber a founde1147 f.: Forthe then went Boneface To syr Befyse a grete pase, And when he came sir Befyse to, As Iocyan bad, he tolde hym tho C. And seide, ȝhe him þeder sende,ȝhe] þat she C; Iosyan SN. þedur hym C; me hedir N. And þat ȝhe wolde alle amendeAnd þat] To telle hym þat C; And seide SN. alle] wele C. Al to-gedres to is wille,geder at SNC. is] ȝour S; thi N. Boþe loude and eke stille.Boþe] Whedur hyt be C; Þat she mys|seide SN. and eke] or SNC. Þanne answerde Beues þe fer:answ.] seyde C. þe fer] anon there C. 'Sai, þow miȝt nouȝt speden her!miȝt] maist SN. not SNC. speden] fynde me C. Ac for þow bringest fro hire mesage,Ac] But SN; And C. brouȝtest SN; woldyst bryng C. fro hire] me þys C. I schel þe ȝeue to þe wagewyll C. geue the C; þe ȝelde SN. to þe] thy C; good SN. truage SN. A mantel whit so melk;mantel] as add. N. so] as eny SNC. Þe broider is of tuli selk,broider] bordel S; bordure N. twily N. Þe—tuli] I wene, hyt be of fyne C. Beten abouten wiþ rede golde,Beten ab.] Ibotened SN. Þe king to were, þeȝ a scholde!'þeȝ] yf C. Þe—a] Þauȝe þe king it were SN. Bonefas him þankede ȝerne,The messengere þankyd hym C. Hom aȝen he gan terne;And home C. Aȝen hoome SN. can he C. A fond þat maide in sorwe & careA] And SNC. þat] þe SC. And tolde hire his answare,And] he add. C. hire] all add. C. Þat he ne miȝte nouȝt spedeHow þat C. he] so SNC; om. (!) A. ne] om. C. nothing SNC. Aboute hire nede,Ab. hire] Of þat y went abowt your C; I rede ȝow (the N) goo seche (ȝoure own (thi nowne N) SN. & seide: 'Þow haddest vnriȝt,&—hadd.] For sothe (ȝe haue (thou hast N) muche SN; Madame, he seyde, ye dud C. So te misain a noble kniȝt!'So] om. SNC. myssay SNC; misin (!) A. a noble] so gentull a C. 'Who ȝaf þe þis ilche wede?'Who] He SN. þe] me SN. 'Beues, þat hendi kniȝt!' a sede.þat] þe S. 'Allas!' ȝhe seide, 'ich was to blame, Whan ich seide him swiche schame,Whan—swiche] Þat (I add. N) him seide suche a SN.1169—1172: 'That mantell,' she seyde, 'who gaue hit the?' 'Befyse,' he seyd, 'be my lewte!' C. For hit nas neuer a cherles dede,For] om. C. was C. neuer] om. SN. a] no SN; nor (!) C. chrles (!) A. To ȝeue a maseger swiche a wede! Whan he nel nouȝt to me come,Whan] Seþ SN; Sche seyde þo: 'Syth C. wille not SNC. come to me C. Þe wei to his chaumber y wil neme,To B. y wyl goo, þat good gom SN; I wyll to hym, so mote y the C. And, what euer of me be-falle,And what] What so SNC. Ich wile wende in to is halle!'in] om. C. I schall neydur stynt nor blynne, Or that y come to hys ynne!' add. C. Beues herde þat maide þer oute:When B. SNC. þer] with C. Ase ȝif a slep, he gan to route.ȝif a s.] þauȝe he slept SN; he had slept C. to] om. C. 'Awake, lemman,' ȝhe seide, 'awake!Aw.] my add. C. she seide, leman SN. Icham icome, me pes to make.me] þy SN. Lemman, for þe corteisie,Mercy, lemman,' sche can seyn C.1183 f.: Leman, as þou art hende and free, A word of (in N) loue þou speke with (to N) mee!' SN. Spek wiþ me a word or tweie!'tweyn C. 'Damesele,' queþ Beues þanne,queþ] seyde C. 'Let me ligge & go þe wei henne!Let me l.] Leue me in pees SN; Speke on C. þe wei] om. SNC. Icham weri of-fouȝte sore,of-f.] forfouȝten (for fighting N) SN. Ich fauȝt for þe, i nel namore.'wille S.1187 f.: 'Syr, y haue leuyd on false lore, For þy loue y wyll no more!' C. 'Merci,' ȝhe seide, 'lemman, þin ore!'lem. þ. o.] & can wepe C. Ȝhe fel adoun & wep wel sore:ȝhe] And C. down SC. wep w.] wept SN. &—sore] at hys fete C. 'Men saiþ,' ȝhe seide, 'in olde riote,saiþ ȝ. s.] seye, quod she SN; say C. roote SNC. Þat wimmannes bolt is sone schote:Þat] A C. For-ȝem me, þat ichaue misede,me] now add. C. ichaue] y NC; is S. myssaide SNC. And ich wile riȝt now to medemede] meide (!) S. wile—med] schall do, as y am mayde C. Min false godes al for-sakeMy SNC. godde S. And cristendom for þe loue take!'And (A N) cristen be for thy; ake SN. 'In þat maner,' queþ þe kniȝt,On C. queþ] seyde C; B. add. SN. 'I graunte þe, me swete wiȝt!'þe graunt SNC. And kiste hire at þat cordement.And] He SNC. þat] a SN. Þar fore he was neȝ after schent.And þerf. C. was he SN. neȝ a.] wel ny N; nerehond S; nere C. Þe twei kniȝtes, þat he vnbond,twoo SNC. vnbondes (!) S. Þat were in Brademondes hond,hondes S. He made þat on is chaumberlain: Him hadde be beter, he hadde hem slein!he had hym N; þey had ben S.1203 f. om. C. Þei wente to þe king & swor oþe:They yede C; om. N. & sw.] & swere þer C; he swore his N. 'No wonder, sire, þeȝ ȝe be wroþe,sire] om. C. ȝe] þou N; he C. No wonder, þeȝ ȝe ben agreued,wonder] sir add. NC. ȝe] þou N; he C. be greuyd NC. Whan Beues, scherewe mis-be-leued,Whan] om. N. scherewe] þat is NC. Þe douȝter he haþ now for-lain:douȝter] sir add. N. Þe—haþ] He hath Iocyan C. now] om. N. Hit were gode, sire, þat he wer slain!'were] so N; om. (!) A. Gode hyt were C. sire] om. NC.1205—1210 om. S. Hii lowe, þe scherewes, þat him gan wreie:Hii—þat] They lyed on hym & C; Þus þat schrew SN. gan (can C) him wrye SNC. In helle mote þai hongen beie!hongen b.] long lye C. In (A N) foule deth mot he deye (on dy N) SN. He dede noþing, boute ones hire kiste,He d. n.] He ne had (!) C. Nouȝt elles bi hem men ne wiste.No thyng C. bi—ne] þat ony man C.1213 f.: Nothing by him þere he wyst, But oones þat he her mouth kyst. SN. Þar fore hit is soþ isaideÞar—is] ȝit (it is (is hit N) well SN. And in me rime riȝt wel ilaid:And] As it is SN. me r. r.] romaunce SC; romanus (!) N. wel] om. SN. Deliure a þef fro þe galwe,galowse C; wiþ SN. He þe hateþ after be alle halwe!He—after] And he wyll þe hate C. halowse. And he (wol do (dothe N) þe shame syþ SN. 'Allas!' queþ Ermin, þe king,Then allas seyde C. 'Wel sore me reweþ þat tiding!Wel] om. SNC. þat] þis SC. thynge C. Seþþe he com me ferst to,he] sir B. SN. furste me to C; me to S; to me to (!) N. So meche he haþ for me ido,So meche] Moche worschyp C; Feire prowes SN. for] om. SNC. I ne miȝte for al peynim londe,ne m.] ne wolde S; nolde N; wolde not C. peyn. l.] Ermony (Ermoyne (!) S) SN. Þat men dede him eni schonde!See ony man do hym wronge C; (To add. N) see him haue a vilonye SN. Ac fain ich wolde awreke be,Ac] Ful SN; om. C. awrekud C; wreke SN. Boute i ne miȝte hit nouȝt ise.'i ne m.] y wolde SNC. hit n.] not that C. Þanne be-spak a Sarasin:be-spak] seide SN; answeryd C. Sar.] paynym C. —Haue he Cristes kurs & myn—Haue—kurs] Cristes (God is N) cors haue he SN. That beleuyd on Apolyn C. 'Sire, ȝhe scholle for is sakeȝhe s.] we schull (wolle S) SN. A letter swiþe anon do makeletter—do] swithe good letter SN.1229 f.: 'Syr,' he seyde, 'do ye make Soone a lettyr for hys sake C. To Brademond, þe stronge king,þe] that N. stronge] good S. And do him þeder þe letter bringe;do] let SNC. And in þe letter þe schelt saie,þe] þat SN. þe sch.] do him to SN; ye may hym C. And byd him bryng him out of lyf, For he shal haue Iosyan to wyf. add. SN. Tho seyde kyng Armyne: 'As þou haste seyde, so schall hyt byn!' And cawsyd hys secretory a lettyr to make All for syr Befyse sake. add. C. Þat he haþ Iosian for-laie!' Whan þe letter was come to þende,And when C; Þoo SN. come] made SN; broȝt C. ende SNC. After Beues þe king let sendeþe k. l.] he gan to (om. N) SN; dud he C. And seide: 'Beues, þow most hanneseide] sir add. N; to add. C. hanne] goon SN. þow m. h.] than C. To Brademond, þin owene manne:Thou muste to C. Al in solas and in delitsolas] yoye C. and] so C; in (!) A. in] om. C. I pray þe þat þou þe dyghte SN. Þow most him bere þis ilche scriit!bere hym C. ilche s.] wryte C; letter bryȝt SN. scritt A. Ac ȝif þow schelt me letter bere,Ac] And SNC. schelt me] wilt þis SN; my C. brere (!) N. Vpon þe lai þow schelt me swere,On C; By SN. thy SN. þe lai] a boke C. me] om. C. Þat þow ne schelt wiþ noman mele,ne] om. SNC. mele] dele C. To schewe þe prente of me sele!'To] Nor C. prente] priuete S. 'I wile,' queþ Beues ase snel,wile q.] schall, seyde C. I—B.] B. seide SN. swell (!) C. 'Þe leter bere treuliche & wel;Þe—treul.] Bare (!) thy lettur feyrc C. Haue ich Arondel, me stede,Had C. me] gode add. C.1246 f.: Haue y my stede Arundelle, Þy letter (wille y (I woll N) bere at nede. SN. Ich wile fare in to þat þede,Ich w. f.] (And wende (I wolde C) forth SNC. in—þede] at thys nede C. And Morgelai, me gode bronde,And] Haue y SN. Mordelay (!) C. gode] om. SN. Ich wile wende in to þat londe!'wolde C. King Ermin seide in is sawe,sawes S. Þat ner no mesager is lawe,ner] is SN. no] aȝenst S. lawes S. To ride vpon an heui stede,an highe S; his N. Þat swiftli scholde don is nede:swiftli sch.] stilly shal SN. is] suche a SN. 'Ac nim a liȝter hakenaiAc n.] But take SN. liȝter] lytel SN. & lef her þe swerd Morgelai,lef h.] let SN. And þow schelt come to Brademondeto] king add. SN. Sone wiþ inne a lite stounde!'wiþ inne] in S. lytel SN.1251—1258: What woldyst þou do yn dede Wyth Arondell, thy stede, Or with thy swyrde Mordelay? Take with the a lytull hakeney! C. Benes an hakenai be-stritSyr B. C. an] dud þat C. Þat hakenay B. SN. bestrod SN; bestryde C. And in is wei forþ a ritrit] rood SN. And forþe he goth with þat wryte C. And bereþ wiþ him is owene deþ, Boute god him helpe, þat alle þing seþ!halp (!) S. þíg (!) A.1261 f.: God helpe hym, þat beste may! Forþe he goyth yn hys way. C. Terne we aȝen, þar we wer er,er] om. C. & speke we of is em Saber! After þat Beues was þus sold,þus] om. C. For him is hertte was euer cold;For him] om. C.1265 f.: Saberes hert was ful colde, When þe (that N) childe was ferre ysolde; SN. A clepede to him his sone Territo him his] his owne SN. Tarry C; Tyrrye SN. And bad him wenden & aspie&] to SN; yn to C. assay (!) C. In to eueri londe fer and ner,In—londe] In hethenes SN; And seke Befyse C. Whider him ladde þe maroner,Whodur C. ladde] had sent N. mary|nere SNC. And seide: 'Sone, þow ert min owen,Son, he seide SN. owe S. Wel þow canst þe lord knowen!Wel] For SN. þyn S. lord] wel add. SN. knowe S. Ich hote þe, sone, in alle manere,I þe hoote S; He hote (!) N. sone] om. SN. Þat þow him seche þis seue ȝer:þis] om. SN. In which lond so (that N) þou wende, Spendyng ynowȝe (euer N) y shal (wol N) þe sende, Where þou be in eny londe, Euer þou sende me þy sonde: add. SN.1271—1274: Palmars wede þou schalt were, So mayst þou þe bettur aftur hym speer, And euyr whodur þat þou wende, Golde ynogh y schall the sende.' Tho seyde Tarry: 'Be the trynyte, I schall hym seke yn many a cuntre. C. Ich wile feche him, mowe þow him fynde,feche—þow] him seche tyl y SN. wile—þow him] schall assay hym to C. Þouȝ he be bi-ȝende Ynde!'Þouȝ] If that C. bi-ȝ.] in þe lond of SN.1276 put before 1275 C. Terri, is sone, is forþ ifare,(Now add. C) forþ (in his way (om. C) Tyrry is fare SNC. Beues a souȝte eueri whare;B.—eu.] And souȝt (sekyth C) B. wyde SNC. Now ys Tarry passyd the see: God kepe hym for hys pete! And soght Befyse thorow Tuskey, Thorow Armony and Assay, add. C. In al heþenes nas toun non,al] om. C. nas] þer was C; nan (!) A. Þat cristene man miȝte þer in gon,men SNC. miȝte] had SN. þer] om. SNC. in] om. N. Þat he ne haþ Beues in isouȝt,he] Tyrry SN. had SN. in] om. SN. But Tarry Befyse soght C. Ac he ne kouþe finde him nouȝt.Ac] But SNC. kouþe] myȝt SN. he—finde] ȝyt he founde C. So hit be fel vpon a cas, Þat Terri com beside Damas; & ase he com forþ be þat stede, A sat and dinede in a wede Vnder a faire medle tre, Þat sire Beues gan of-see.see] om. (!) A. 'Sire,' queþ Terri, 'for sein Iuline! Is it þe wille, com nere & dine!' Beues was of-hongred sore And kouþe him gret þank þer fore, For twei dawes he hadde ride Fastande in þat ilche wede. Þe palmer nas nouȝt wiþouten store, Inouȝ a leide him be-fore, Bred and flesc out of is male And of his flaketes win & ale Whan Beues hadde eten gret foisoun, Terri askede at sire Beuoun, Ȝif a herde telle ȝong or olde Of a child, þat þeder was solde: His name was i-hote Beuoun, I-bore a was at Souþ-Hamtoun. Beues be-held Terri & louȝ & seide, a knew þat child wel inouȝ: 'Hit is nouȝt,' a seide, 'gon longe, I seȝ þe Sarsins þat child an-honge!' Terri fel þer doun and swouȝ, His her, his cloþes he al to-drouȝ. Whan he awok and speke miȝte, Sore a wep and sore siȝte And seide: 'Allas, þat he was boren! Is me lord Beues for-loren?' Beues tok him vp at þat cas And gan him for to solas: 'Wend hom,' a seide, 'to þe contre! Sai þe frendes so ichaue þe: Þouȝ þow him seche þes seue ȝer, Þow worst þat child neuer þe ner!' Terri on Beues be-held And seȝ þe boiste wiþ a scheld. 'Me þenkeþ, þow ert a masager, Þat in þis londe walkes her; Icham a clerk and to scole ȝede: Sire, let me þe letter rede, For þow miȝt haue gret doute, Þin owene deþ to bere aboute!' Beues seide, ich vnder-stonde: 'He, þat me tok þis letter an honde, He ne wolde loue me non oþer,loue] om. A. Þan ich were is owene broþer.' Beues him þankede & þus hii delde: Terri wente hom and telde His fader Saber in þe ilde of Wiȝt, How him tolde a gentil kniȝt, Þat Sarsins hadde Beues for-fare And hangede him, while he was þare. Saber wep and made drem, For he was þe childes em, And ech ȝer on a dai certaine Vpon þemperur of Almaine Wiþ a wel gret baronage A cleimede his eritage. Let we now ben is em Saber & speke of Beues, þe maseger! Forþ him wente sire Beuoun, Til a com to Dames toun; Aboute þe time of middai Out of a mameri a sai Sarasins come gret foisoun, Þat hadde anoured here Mahoun. Beues of is palfrei aliȝte And ran to her mameri ful riȝte And slouȝ here prest, þat þer was in, And þrew here godes in þe fen And louȝ hem alle þer to scorn. On ascapede and at-orn In at þe castel ȝete, Ase þe king sat at þe mete. 'Sire' seide þis man at þe frome, 'Her is icome a corsede gome, Þat þroweþ our godes in þe fen And sleþ al oure men; Vnneþe i scapede among þat þring, For to bringe þe tiding!' Brademond quakede at þe bord & seide: 'Þat is Beues, me lord!' Beues wente in at þe castel ȝate, His hors he lefte þer ate And wente forþ in to þe halle And grete hem in þis maner alle: 'God, þat made þis world al ronde,al r.] aronde (!) A. Þe saue, sire king Brademond, And ek alle þine fere, Þat i se now here, And ȝif þat ilche blessing Likeþ þe riȝt noþing, Mahoun, þat is god þin, Teruagaunt & Apolin, Þe blessi and diȝte Be alle here miȝte! Lo her, þe king Ermin Þe sente þis letter in parchemin, And ase þe letter þe telleþ to, A bad, þow scholdest swiþe do!' Beues kneuled & nolde nouȝt stonde & ȝaf vp is deþ wiþ is owene honde. Brademond quakede al for drede, He vndede þe letter & gan to rede And fond iwriten in þat felle, How þat he scholde Beues aquelle. Þanne seide Brademond to twenti king, Þat were þat dai at is gistning, A spak wiþ tresoun & wiþ gile: 'Ariseþ vp,' he sede 'a while, Euerich of ȝow fro þe bord, And wolcomeþ ȝour kende lord!' Alle hii gonnen vp riȝt stonde,1283—1399: (Tyll hyt befelle vpon a day, As ye the sothe here may. Keste we now of Tarrys fare And of Befyse speke we mare! Syr Befyse rode a gode pase Toward the cyte of Damaske. Two dayes he rode ryght, Or he of hys hors lyght, But as faste as he myght ryde Tyll þe thrydde morne tyde. Be þat lyste Befyse to ete & drynke, As a wery man aftur swynke To slepe he lyste, as þe romans tellys; For he myȝt gete nothyng ellys, Befyse leyde hym to slepe þat stounde, And hys hors ete vpon þe grounde. When he was wakyd of hys slepe, Vpon hys hors can he lepe. C; om. SN. Sir B. rood fourþ (om. C.) on (in N) hys (þe S) way, He nold (wolde C) make noon delay; In a forest long and brood On (Vpon C) his hors forth he rood. On (Vpon C) his ryȝt honde he seyȝe him (om. C) nere A palmer sit (syttyng C) at his (om. C) dynere, Al oon he sat, as he was born, (And add. C; Good add. N) mete and drynke was (he had N; om. C) him byforn, (He sate vnder a feire tree, (Mete & drynke for knyghtes thre, C) While he (þey C) wolde (sitte and (om. S) þere (þer at C) be. (iii. fowles (There C) he hadde to (at C) his dynere, (Þat men calle colueres (The curlews þat be clepyd C) here; Inouȝ he had, (þat goodman (of gode mone C), Þauȝe he were pore to see vppon (om. C); He loked vp with eyȝen (eye C) bryȝt, And of (syr add. C) B. he had a syȝt And (He C) praide him with hert free: 'Syr, com nere and dyne with me, Dyne with me vppon þis (þe C) grounde, And (om. N) sethe (then NC) shal (wyll C) we speke (talke C) a stounde, Where in londe (þat add. C) þou hast beene, And what (of add. C) auentures þou hast seene; Me þynketh, (þou art (þe a C) gentyl (gent N; knyȝt add. C) and free, Muche (That makyth C) myn herte falleth (to falle C) to thee, Þat (I hope C) þou me (om. C) shalt wysshe ful (me C) euyn To a man, þat (om. N) y shal (the add. N) nemen (neuyn C)!' He lyȝt adoun (als so ȝern (hyt ys not to layn C), [And al his þouȝt bygan (he gan N) to tern, [And of that syght he was fayne, C] They (He C) eten (ete C) and (dronken grete (dranke C) plente, While (þey wolde (þat he C) þer ate (wolde add. C) bee. After meete is tyme to speke, And (Syr C) B. bygan (can furste C) out to (om. C) breke And asked þe palmer, as he wel (om. C) can, ȝif he were a cristen man, (And of add. C) whennes he was and what he souȝt, And (where oon was his (what was C) most (yn hys add. C) þouȝt: 'Tel me, yf þy wille be, ȝif þow wilt yleue (I loue N; haue the loue of C) me (the N)!' Þe palmer seide, y vnderstonde: 'Y was born in Ingelonde, Atte Southamton (Hampton N) vppon (on C) þe see; Þere (me were (were me C) lef (for add. N) to bee. I haue ysouȝt þis seuen ȝere In mony londes (a londe C) fer and nere After a man, þat y shal nemyn (nevyn C): B. he hatte (hyght C), by god in (of NC) heuyn, Þat (So C) is his name, y vnderstonde, (That add. C) I haue him (om. C) souȝt in mony a (om. N) londe And euer shal, tyl y him fynde, But [with hond (hondis N) men [yf men wyth cordys C] me bynde, To bryng him in to Ingelonde, To help my fader with his honde!' 'What hat (hyght C) (þy fader (he N)?' quod (seyde C) B. þan, 'What woldest þou (do add. NC) with suche a man, Þat þou hast (so wyde ysouȝt (soght so wyde where C) (In mony a londe and fonde him nouȝt (In dyuers londys farre and nere C): Tel me, ȝif (what C) þy wille is, (And then add. C) ȝif y can, y wylle (schall C) þe wys!' The palmer seide with simpel (mylde C) chere: '(Men calle my fader (My ffadur hyght C) sir Sabere; He was B. his (om. C) own eme, He shulde haue cast him in (to add. N) þe (a C) streme Þrowȝ (his moders (the meiris (!) N) com|maundement, Therfore was (om. C) my ffader (ys nere add. C) shent. First she gan (bad C) my fader too (hym sloo C), (Hur owne soon for to sloo (That he neuyr came hur too, C) And for to cast him in (to add. N) þe see; (But add. C) my ffader him sauid, y tel þe, Þerfore he haþ (is in NC) muche (mekull C) stryf, (And add. C) for he sauid the childes lyf;90 put before 89 C. She (He NC) (kepeth him (ys C) in a castel steff and good, Closed with þe salt flood, In (an yle (a penakull C) of the see; Mete (and drynke (om. N) he hath (grete add. N) plente (To him and mo þauȝ þey were, (And II. C knyghtys dere, C) (Vitailes good (And mete and drynke C) for seven (XII C) ȝere. Now haue y tolde þe (om. N) of (all C) my care (sare C), How (Whom C) y (haue him (hym haue N; haue C) souȝt wyde whare: Tel me now, yf þou can, Where y myȝt fynde suche a man!' Þen seide (syr add. C) B. in his sowe: '(By god, þat ilke man (Soche a man wele C) y knowe!' [And seide: 'It is not longe agoo, Seeth y him seye in muche woo; [Be all that y on lefe, I loue no man so moche as Befe; C.] It is not (ȝyt add. C) þree dayes (with al (falle C), That (Syth C) we ete (to geder (om. C) in an halle, Bothe we ete of (om. N) oo mete (bredd C), [And (om. N) at oo bord (borthe (!) S) we sete: [And bothe we sate at oon stedd And ete bothe of oon flesche, Of oon plater and of oon dysche. C.] By þe (that C) tale, þat þou me (om. N) tel'es, (Þat was B. (I wot beste C) and no man elles. Wende hoom to þy fader aȝeyn, And tel him of (om. NC) al þy peyn, Where in londe (londis N; þat add. C) þou hast been, And what auentures (þat add. C) þou hast scene, Help him (om. C), to defende his castel strong, Þat no man do him (no add. C) wrong! (And add. C) when y haue my message doon, I wyl (schall C) speke with sir (om. C) (B. sone (Beuone N); (And add. C) y shal don þy herand wele To sir B. euerydele! [He ys my felowe and my frynde, Wyth hym to Ynglonde wyll y wynde.' Then seyde the palmer wyth herte fre: 'Syr,' he seyde, 'y pray the, Telle me, where y may fynde Befyse, þat ys so gode and hende!' 'Syr,' he seyde, 'be goddys ore, Of hym y wyll telle the nomore!' add. C.] Þan seide þe palmer with hert free: 'Tel me (I pray the C) now pur (for C) charyte, Whiche is my way to Inglond (þis lond N) nowe, And wheder in (on C) message wendest þou?' ['To Damas I wylle tee, Þat is a feire citee; [Be god, y am a messangere To Damaske, y wolde be there; Hyt ys a well feyre cyte: Be god, þere wolde y fayne bee! C.] With me y bere a letter folde (yn holde C), Iclosed in (wyth C) siluer and in (om. C) gold, To þe king him self, ywys, And (om. C) y wot neuer (not C), what it is.' Þe palmer seide: 'So mot þou þee, Let me now þy (þat C) letter see, What þing þer (yn is (ys yn C) wrete: Wel were (is N) me, and (yf C) y myȝt (mow C) wete!' B. (seide to (answeryd C) him anoon (tho C): 'So couth y my self doon: [Bi the (þat C) king, that sitteth in trone, Hit schal neuer be vndone (om. S).] Tyl þe king him self it see, (Shal it neuer vndone be!' (Of Damaske, that ryche cyte!' C). (Þe palmer (They C) kyssed him (om. C) anoon þoo And toke his (ther C) leue for to goo. [The palmer toke þe wey (into Ingelonde (to þis lond N), (B. went (Brode N) forth and þowȝt no shonde. [The palmer yn to Ynglond toke þe way, And syr Befyse forþe wyth owt delay C.] Toward (To C) þe cite of Damasce, Þat shon (as bryȝt as (bryghter þen C; cny add. N; þe add. C) glas; (It was (Ryght C) about þe (om. N) mydnyȝt, Hit shoon (so clere and so bryght (bryȝt as sonne lyght C), [Þat B. had forlorn his siȝt Þrowȝe þe clerete of þe (that N) lyȝt. [Hyt schonne so bryȝt & so clere, That Befyse had loste hys syȝt nere. C.] Alle þe weyes (wendowis N; howsys C) (and al (wyth yn C) þe walles (walle C), [O cristal bryȝt, chambur (chambers N) and halles; [All they were of crystalle; C] (The crystall was semely leyde, As hyt ys yn romans seyde: The pelers were of cyprys holde, Ipeynted wyth redd golde; Ilke a rofe hyllyd wyth ledde, Poyntyd about wyth golde red. Soche was the borow, The romans tellyth, thorow & þorow. Ther was neuer man, þat myȝt go Abowte the cyte yn dayes yn (!) two. add. C. Þat (Hyt C) was (wyde add. C), with oute doute, (And add. C) double walled al about; Þe cite was closed with a dyche, [Noon depper was (nas N) [Ther was none soche C] vnder heuyn ryche; It was (so add. C) depe and eke (right N; om. C) large, (That add. C) þeryn myȝt fleetc (om. C) ship and barge; (Þerin mow shippes (Abowte þe cyte wyth galleys C) rowe, (Þeryn is (Wyth C) ioye (& myrthe & game add. C) ynowe. (Ther be add. C) aboute (þe cite (om. C; is add. N) VII (syxty C) ȝates, ywys, With (And II C) brugges and (II add. C) portecules; Suche ȝates (a cyte C) were (ner N; was C) neuer (noon C) vnder sonne, It myȝt (was C) neuer ben (nor schall be C) ywoone. 197 f. put before 195 f. C. Ouer þe water (ys add. C) a brygge of bras, Men (Man NC) and bestes (best NC) þer ouer (on S) myȝt (to C) pas. [Vnder þe brugge were sixty belles, As the romaunce in book (bokis vs N) telles [om. C]; When (man or best (ony bestys C) þer ouer (on S) (did add. N) gon, [Þe belles ryngen euerychoon. [Os bellys ryngyng faryth hyt þan. C.] At þe brigge ende stondeth a toure, Paynted with gold and assour; [On þe toure stood an egell bold (olde N), Þat was (allc add. N) of riche golde [om. C], (His eyȝen were (The toret was C) of precious stoones, Riche and good for þe noones; Þe stoones ȝaue more lyȝt, Þan þat (alle þe C) citee, þat was so bryȝt. Als wel myȝt B. þis (þat cyte C) see, As had he (he had NC) (in þe cite (ther yn C) bee; And ȝit (sir B. (he C) was (þus far add. C) þerfroo XXX. myle and wel (ȝyt C) moo, [XXX. myle long and brood, It was yfonde, as he (B. C) rood. [om. C.] Þan seide B., (as y seye (so mote y C) thee: 'A ryche (feyre C) citee now y see: Seth y was born of woman, Suche a citee sawe y neuer noon!' (As add. C) he rood forth on (in N) his waye Toward Damas þat ilke (om. C) daye, (He sawe a tempull large & rownde, Newe made on the grownde. As syr Befyse rode yn hys way, Moche pcople at þe tempull he say: 'What,' seyde Befyse, 'may thys bee? Wete y schall, so mote y the!' He lyght a downe wyth owt more And tyed hys hakeney at the dore And owt drewe hys bryght bronde, And yn to the tempull he wonde. He lokyd on them wyth eyen gray, And mony of them can he fray, And some he smote of the hedd, And some he woundyd to the dedd, Some the leggys & some the arme, To sle them he thoght no harme. Be syde the tempull he made a fyre And threwe þer yn dam & syre, Sone & doghtur, all he brent, And all þer goddys, or he went; But oon Sarsyn a way gan stalke, Or þat Befyse myght hym take, And tolde Bradmonde, the kyng, All to gedur, wyth owt lesyng, How þat a man hym selfe allone Hath slayne men mony oon, Some woundyd and all torent 'And all owre goddys ybrent.' Tho sayde the kyng: 'Be Mahoun, That ys Befyse of Hampton! Lordynges,' he seyde, 'ryse vp fro þe borde And welcome syr Befyse, yowre lorde!' When Befyse had do that owtrage And slayne bothe syre and page, He rode forthe on hys way To Damaska that ylke day. add. C). On (Vpon C) þe brygge he rood a good (om. C) paas, He spared nouȝt þe brygge of braas, [The brygge rang as bellys than, Soche a pase the hakeney ran, add. C.] (And al þe belles gon (The bellys all began to C) rynge, In þe cite (þat herde þe kinge (wyth owt lesyng C). [Þe king seide: 'What be þis may? Þe brugge makeþ so grete derray!' Fast to (a tour (the brig N) went he, For to wete and for to see. [All the men of that cyte Had gretc wondur, how hyt myȝt be. C.] B. rod to the castel ȝate, He (And NC) (met king (fonde C) Brad|mound (stondyng add. C) þer ate. When he sawe þe king with crown, Of his hakeney (hors C) he lyȝt a (om. C) doun, [On knee he him set, he nolde stound, And ȝaue vp his deth with his hond: 'Jesu, þat made þe world round, Þe blesse (blessith N), king Bradmound! Wel þe greteth kyng Ermyn And sent þe þis letter in (of N) parchemyn!' Þan seide þe letter soo (tho N), Þat he shulde sir B. sloo. [The kyng quakyd & had grete drede, He wende, he schulde neuer haue go fro þat stede. Befyse knelyd and wolde not stonde And toke the lettyr yn hys honde And saluted þe kyng on þys manere, As ye may aftur here: 'Iesu, that made the planettes VII And all the worlde vndur heuyn, And made þys worlde wyde & rome, Geue the, syr kyng, hys malyson, And Mahounde, that ys god thyn, Bothe Mahounde and Apolyn, The blesse now myght, And all thy men ryght!' And seyde: 'Lo, syr, here, kyng Armyn A lettyr hath sente yn parchemyn, And for hys loue he byddyth the, In haste that hyt spedde be!' The lettyr he toke yn hys hande, Euyll aferde and sore tremelande; He behelde þe lettyr closyd yn golde, And all he sawe, what he do schulde: Take syr Befyse & do hym slo And let hym neuer farther goo. When he had radd the lettyr bryȝt, Be the hande he toke the knyȝt, And hys men at oon worde Welcomyd syr Befyse, ther lorde. He broght hym yn to the halle And set hym at mete yn knyȝtes stalle; He was set to mete soone, Mete & drynke he had gode wone. When he was seruyd yn the halle, The kyng can hys knyghtes calle: 'Arme yow, lordynges, y bydde yow, Befyse to take for yowre prowe!' An C knyghtes were armyd bryȝt In to the dethe for drede of fyȝt. C.] (And he (The kyng C) swoor by (om. C) his god (othe C) þan, Þat (om. C) he was (nas N) neuer gladder (so aferde C) of man: 'Þou art he (þat man C), þat made me þralle (And eke (Me and C) my knyȝtes alle, Thou (And S) slouȝ of (all C) my men to ground XV thousand yn a (lytull add. C) stound, And (me þou dedest othes (dud me an othe C) swere, Þat y shuld neuer armes bere Aȝen þy lord (with muche vnryȝt (yn wrong nor ryght C), (Þe whiles (The while N; Whyll þat C) he (I C) liued and had syȝt. (Now goo to halle and (Do now bothe C) eete and drynke, (As muche (Soche C) as þe (thou C) good þynke: (For add. C) þou shalt (neuer ete (ete neuer C) mare, Euyl (om. C) and hard (þou shalt (schall thou C) fare!' SNC. Þe Saryzyns ledden B. to halle And sette him in a knyȝtes stalle; Þey seruide him as (a add. N) messengere Wyth ryche (moche N) meetes and drynkes clere. add. SN. & Brademond tok Beues be þe honde1399 f.: Bradmond toke B. by þe honde, Him to slee with muche wronge. SN. And held him faste at þat sake,at] for S. Þat he ne scholde is swerd out take,Þat] For N. ne sch.] shuld not S. & cride, alse he hadde be wod,cride] loude add. SN. hadde be] were SN. To hem alle, aboute him stod:alle] þat SN. 'Ase ȝe me louen at þis stoun le,at þ. st.] soone in hast SN. Bringeþ þis man swiþe to grounde!'Adoun to þe ground (ye add. N) him cast SN. So faste hii gonne aboute him scheue,So f. h.] Al þey SN. can S; om. N. clyue SN. Ase don ben aboute þe heue:bees doon SN. þe] an SN. So wiþ inne a lite stoundeSo wiþ] And hastely SN. lite] om. SN. Beues was ibrouȝt to grounde.Beues w. i-br.] Alle þey brouȝt him SN. Brademond seide him anon riȝt:him] om. SN. 'Ȝif þow me naddest wonne wiþ fiȝt,ȝif—nad.] Þou madest me SN; won.] a woman (!) N. I nolde for noþing hit be-leue,hit be-l.] leuen SN. Þat þow schost be hanged er eue:þow] ne add. SN. be h.] hong SN. Ac ase euel þe schel be-tide,Ac] Or SN. als so S; els N. eucl] deeth add. SN. In me prisoun þow schelt abideIn—schelt] As man may in prison SN. Vnder þerþe twenti teise,erth SN. paise S; pase N. Þar þow schelt haue meche miseise.Þar] om. SN. haue] suffre SN. disseise SN. Ne scheltow haue, til þow be ded, Boute ech a dai quarter of a lof bred;1419 f.: Þou shalt haue euery day sekerlyche A sauser ful of soden barlyche; SN. Ȝif þow wilt drinke, þeȝ it be nouȝt swet,not SN. Þe schelt hit take vnder þe fet!'take] seche SN. A dede Beues binde to a ston gret,A—binde] He led him N. ston] wel add. N Þat weȝ seue quarters of whet,seue] VIII N. of] om. N.1423 f. om. S. And het him caste in to prisoun,And—caste] He let cast him SN. to] his add. SN. Þat twenti teise was dep adoun.teise] paces SN. doun N. At þe prisoun dore Beues fondþe] om. S. A tronsoun, þat he tok in is hond:trounchen S; tronchon N. in] an N. is] om. SN. Þar wiþ a þouȝte were him þereÞar w.] Tho N. were] to defende SN. Fram wormes, þat in prisoun were.Of SN. in] þe add. SN. 1399—1430: And then wyth swyrdes drawe They schulde hym haue slawe. Sore adrad he schulde byn In the londe, that he was yn. They jugyd hym wytterly, Wykkyd dethe for to dye; They hym jugyd to hange on tre, And some, wyth stedys todrawe bee. Befyse leyde hys eere and harde, Euery juge how hyt farde; 'Syrs,' seyde Befyse, 'hyt were wykkyd rede, To juge a knyght to houndys dedd; I am a knyght and so be ye, Kyng Armyn dubbyd me: Graunt me armowre & a stede, Spere & schylde gode at nede, A sekur helme and a schylde, And brynge me safe yn to þe fylde, And arme yow, knyȝtes lesse & more, An hundurd yf that ther wore, And let me dye yn batayle ryȝt, As maner ys for a doghty knyght!' The sarsyns seyde yn the halle And to the kyng can calle: 'Yf þat þou graunt þat batayle bolde, He wyll thy men downe folde: Therfore graunt hym preson be owre redd And let hym lye, tyll he be dedd, Wyth owt mete, wyth owt drynke!' 'As ye haue seyde gode me thynke: In my presons ar dragons two And odur wormys mony moo!' 'Syr, yf he be yn your preson done, He leuyth not tyll to morowe noon: Sir, y rede, we brynge hym thare And let hym holde þere all hys fare, And not yn fylde among þy men: Do now, syr, as we the kenne!' Then seyde the kyng Bradmonde, There he stode yn that stounde: 'He schall dye wyth moche sorowe, Therfro schall no man hym borowe!' All they can aboute hym dryue, As beys do abowte the hyve; There they bounde syr Befown And put hym yn hys preson; As he schulde to preson þat tyde, Ther lay a staffe the preson be syde; Thorn nor boghe was hyt noon, Nodur alablastur no stone; Hevy & feyre hyt was to loke, Hyt sauyd hys lyfe, as seyth the boke. When he come there he schulde be, He stode yn watur to the kne, The watur ranne thorow nyȝt & day, Hyt bare the odur fro hym a way. Yf that he sate ther ynne, The watur ranne to hys chynne. Two dragons of moche myght He fonde þere wyth hym to fyght, That caste fyre to hym grete oon: The romans seyth, hyt brent the stone; But thorow the vertus of a ryall ryng The dragonys myȝt do to hym no þyng; Agayne syr Befyse, that was (om. ms.) so wyght, Thre dayes lasted the fyght, That þey nodur stynt nor blanne; Syr Befyse was a sory man. At the IIIIthe day abowte noone The dragonys were bothe done, And hys staffe was nere away, A lytull lafte yn hys honde ay. Syr Befyse was so wery for faght, That of hys lyfe roght he noght; Lever he were to be dedd, For he cowde no bettur redd, But þanked god, þat all may wynne, Of the care þat he was ynne. Thorow the grace of god almyght, VII yere he stode vp ryght; That VII yere he was þer ynne, That he ne myȝt neuer mete wynne, But onys yn a weke a symple messe Of sodyn barley was hart lees; Ratons & myse and soche smale dere, That was hys mete that VII yere, For bredd of whete ete he noon, Tyll þo VII yerys were all goon. C. Now is Beues at þis petes grounde:Now] Thus C. Beues] he SN. at] in SN. þis] þe SN; om. C. God bringe him vp hol and sonde!vp—sonde] out for his wound SN. Now speke we of Iosian, þe maide,Speke we now C. þe] þat SNC. Þat com to hire fader & saide:Þat] How she SC. com] om. SN. fader] come add. N. &] om. S. 'Sire,' ȝhe seide, 'whar Beues be,whar] euer add. C. Þat me miȝte him nouȝt fern i-se?'me] we ne SN. nouȝt] om. SN. Thus many a day myght y hym not see C. 'Douȝter,' a seide, 'a is ifare In to his londe and woneþ þare,In] om. SN. contrey SNC. dwellyth C. In to is owene eritage,In to] In SN; Vpon C. baronage SN. And haþ a wif of gret parage, Þe kinges douȝter of Ingelonde, Ase men doþ me to vnderstonde.' Þanne was þat maide wo ynouȝ,Tho SN. In hire chaumber hire her ȝhe droȝȝhe] to N. hire h. ȝ.] she hur C. And wep and seide euer mo,And] Sho N. weped S; wept NC. mo] woo C. Þat sum tresoun þar was y-do:þar] om. SNC. 'Þat me ne telde ord and ende, What dai awai whanne a wolde wende.'aw. wh.] awhanne (!) A.1447 f.: When þat he fro me (vs N) wende, He toke no leue, he is myssende. (Falsly betayed (!) (Betraide N), y wene, he is, Þat nobel knyȝt, forsoth ywys! SN. That he tolde me not, when he went, Iwysse, he dud onkyndely, verament. C. Of Mombraunt þe king Yuor,Aftur þys of C. Of M. þe] Now speke we (schul add. N) of SN. A riche king of gret tresore,A riche] Þat was SN. king] man SNC. gret] om. C. Whan he owhar to werre wolde,owhar to w.] in werre (werren add. N.) SN; yn to batayle C. schulde N. Fiftene kinges him sewe scholde:sewe him SN; folowe C. Comen a is Iosian to wedde;Now he is come SN; He came thedur C. Aȝen hire fader so a spedde,Aȝens S; Ayenst N. so] sone SNC. Þat he hire grauntede to is wiueÞat he] And soon C. hire] om. SNC. gr.] shuld (hur add. N) haue SN. to is] her (om. N) to SNC. And al is londe after is liue.is] the C. londe] of add. (!) S. Þo Iosian wiste, ȝhe scholde be quen,Þo] When C. ȝhe s. be] to be a SN. Hit was nouȝt be hire wille, i wen;Hit—wille] Aȝeyn (Agenste C) hir wille (it was (as C) SNC. Hire were leuer haue had lassewere] was S. Leuyr sche were C; to add. SNC. had] om. N. And haue be Beues is contasse.And—is] And to haue be Befyse C; To be sir B. S; To sir B. weddid as N. Naþeles, now it is so, Hire fader wil ȝhe moste do,1461 f.: 'Allas,' she seide, 'now is no boote, But after my ffader doon y moote.' SN. But neuyr the lees sche muste do Aftur hur ffadur also. C. Ac euer ȝhe seide: 'Beuoun,And C. seide] sir add. C. Ac—seide] I had leuer haue SN. Hende kniȝt of Souþ-Hamtoun,Þat hynde SN. Souþ] om. N. Gentyll knyȝt & bolde baron C. Þan al þis world to wynne; He is betraide, and þat is synne. add. SN. Naddestow me neuer for-sake,Hadde he neuer me SN. forsakid N. Ȝif sum tresoun hit nadde make:Ne hadde som treson ben ymaken (imakid N) SN.1465 f. om. C. Ac for þe loue, þat was so gode,Ac] om. C. Ac—was] That hinde knyȝt is SN. Þat i louede ase min hertte blode,Þat i l.] I loue him SN; I louyd the C. my C. hertte] own SN. Ichaue,' ȝhe seide, 'a ring on,on] vppon SN. Þat of swiche vertu is þe ston:Þat] om. SN. While ichaue on þat ilche ring,While—ilche] Al þe while y were þe (this N) SN. To me schel noman haue welling, Þawȝ y be wedded tyl (to N) Yuor the king, To lygge by me (him N), y shal not gabbe, Lykyng (on me add. N) (shal he (he schal N) noon habbe) SN. And, Beues!' ȝhe seide, 'be god aboue,And—god] By god þat sitteþ vs alle SN. I schel it weren for þe loue!'schel] wol N; wolde S. þe] B SN.1469—1474: A loue gyrdull y wyll do make, And þat y wyll abowte my myddull take; All thys worlde for to wynne Schall þer neuer man wyth me synne, Nodur schall y neuyr so ontrewe bee, As thou art, Befyse, yn thy cuntre!' C. Whan hit to þat time spedde,Tho it SN; Then C. þat] þe SNC. time] faste hyt add. C. Þat Yuor scholde þat maide wedde,Þat] kyng add. C. þat lady SN; hur C. He let sende wiþ outen ensoinewiþ o. e.] hastely þan SN. He sende a messengere soon C. After þe soudan of BabiloineTo Babeloyn after þe sowdan SN. And after þe fiftene kinge,þe] om. SNC. kinges SN. kyngys X V C. Þat him scholde omage bringe,shuld him SN. That homagerys to hym bene C. And bad hem come lest & meste,þem C. lest & m.] at hys heste C. To onoure þat meri feste.To] And C. meri] ryche C.1481 f.: And (om. N) þat þey highen to þat (the N) fest, And comen sone at his hest. SN. Of þat feste nel ich namor telle,Of] If (!) A. þat] his SN; þys C. wille SN. nam.] nouȝt SN. nomore wyll y C. For to hiȝe wiþ our spelle.wiþ our] forth my SN. For all to longe schulde y dwelle C. Whan al þe feste to-ȝede,al þe] þat SN; þys C. to-ȝede] was al doon (idone N) SN; was broȝt to ende C. Ech kniȝt wente to is stede,Euery SC. king SNC. wente—stede] hoom gan goon SN; can home wynde C. Men graiþede cartes & somers,graicede (!) A. charged SC; yarkid N. cartes] charys C. Kniȝtes to horse and squiers,om. N. And Iosian wiþ meche careWhen (And C) Iosian was brouȝt (forth to fare (yn a chare C) SNC. Þeder was brouȝt in hire chare.Muche sorow she hadde and care SN; In grete sorowe and yn care C. King Ermin nom Arondelnom] toke C; let fecche (take N) SN. And let him sadlen faire & wel,let] dud C. sadel him SN. faire &] swith SN; full C. Sadel and brydel with oute gabbe add. SN. Þat sir B. was wont to habbe add. S. A wente to Beues chaumber, þer he lay,A] They SN; And C. yede C. Beues] om. SNC. he] Befyse C. And nom his swerd Morgelay;nom] tok SC. om. N. Wiþ Arondel a-gan it ledeÞan SN. a-gan it] he bad SN. Wiþ—it] And forthe he can them C. To king Yuor, & þus a sede:And C. &—sede] to be his stede SN; he can þem bede C. 'Sone,' a sede, 'haue þis stede,Sir SN. Þe beste fole, þat man mai fede,1497 f. om. C. And þis swerd of stel broun,And] He seyde: Haue here C. of stel] om. C. Þat was Beues of Hamtoun:Hyt C. Þat (sum tyme (whilom N) bare sir Beuoun SN. A nolde hit ȝeue, wer it in is honde, Nouȝt for al painim londe!'Nouȝt] om. SN. paynymys SN. 'Ne ich,' queþ þe king Yuor,þe] om. SN. 'For al þe gold ne þe tresor,gold] good SN. þe] om. SN. Þat þow miȝt in þe cite be-louke!'lowke SN. 'Sone,' queþ Ermin, 'wel mot þe it brouke!'queþ] seide SN. mot] om. SN.1501—1506: He toke them of hym wyth herte free And thankyd hym for that gyfte tendurle. C. Yuer gan homward te rideForth to Vmbraunt he gan ryde SN; Then homwarde Iuore can ryde C. & dede lede Arondel be is side.dede lede] om. SNC. Whan he com wiþ oute Mombraunt,Þo SN. A swor is oþ be Teruagaunt,Termagaunt C; Turmegaunt S. om. N. Þat he wolde in to his cite rideÞat] om. SN. his] þe SN. in—cite] to towne C. Vpon Arondel be-fore is bride.On SNC. be-f.] be C. Arondel þar he be-strit;Þen Arundel he bestrode SN; When he had Arondell bestrydde C. Þat hors wel sone vnder-ȝit,The C. wel s.] wel ȝerne S; sone C. vnder-ȝede SNC. Þat Beues nas nouȝt vpon is rigge:was C. not SC. on SNC. Þe king wel sore scholde hit abegge.wel s.] om. C. sch. h.] sone shal S: hit schal N. schall hyt soone C. He ran ouer dich and þorn, Þourȝ wode & þourȝ þekke korn;Þourȝ—þekke] Ouer dale and ouer SN. For no water ne for no londe,For no] Neither by SN. for no] by SN. Nowhar nolde þat stede astonde;Arundel nold nouȝt stonde SN.1517—1520: The stede start ouyr dykys then, Ouyr foreste and ouyr fenne; C. At þe laste a þrew Yuor doun And al to-brak þe kinges kroun,1521 f. om. SNC. Þat al is kingdom wel vnneþeÞat] om. SNC. wel] om. SN. wel v.] wolde he geue C. Arerede him þer fro þe deþe;Ar.] Sauyd SN. þer] om. SN. from N. And er hii miȝte þat hors winne,And] om. SN. þey SN. þat] þe SN. Þai lauȝte him wiþ queinte ginne.lauȝte] toke SN. wiþ] a add. SN.1524—1526: Yf he wyste for to leue. Of þe stede or he myght wynne, He wende to haue loste all hys kynne; He was so feryd yn that stounde, He wenyd neuer to haue go on grounde. The stede þey caght wyth queynt gynne And ladde hym home to hys ynne. C. A wonder-þing now ȝe may here:now] om. SNC. schall ye C. After al þat seue ȝereOf SNC. þat] ilke add. SNC. To rakenteis a stod iteide,With yron cheynes SN; At the rakke C. tyed SNC. Nas mete ne drinke be-fore him leid,(Ther add. C) was no SNC. ne drinke] om. SNC. Hey ne oten ne water clere,Nodur hey C. ne] om. S. oten] corn SN. ne o. ne] nor C. Route be a kord of a solere.kord] doun add. SN; owt C. a] the C. celere N. Noman dorste come him hende,Ther durste no man C. hende] nye C. Þar þat hors stod in bende.There he stode yn hys rakketye C.1533 f. om. SN. Now is Iosian a quene, Beues in prisoun haþ gret tene.And B. SNO. in pr. haþ] lyth in SN. gret] muche SNC. Þe romounce telleþ, þer a set,Þe rom.] Þe bok SN; Men M. tell.] seith SN; þat add. SN. þer] om. SN. a] B. S. Til þe her on is heued greu to is fet;þe] his M. on is h.] om. SNM. greu] heng M. to] tyl S. Snakes and euetes & oades fale,Addres and snakes to him felle SN. How mani, can i nouȝt telle in tale,y can SN. not S. in t.] om. SN. Þat in þe prisoun were wiþ him,Þat] om. S. þe] om. N. pr.] þer add. SN. Þat prouede euer wiþ her venimpr. euer wiþ] stonge him with SN. her] om. S. To sle Beues, þat gentil kniȝt,For to SN. Beues] om. SN. Oc, þourȝ þe grace of god almiȝt,Oc] But S; And N. Wiþ þe tronsoun, þat he to prisoun tok,þe] þat SN. tronchen SN; tronchon N. to pr.] with him SN. A slouȝ hem alle, so saiþ þe bok.hem alle] þe wormes SN. A fleande nadder was in an hole,fleyng adder SN. For elde blak ase eni cole;elde] was add. SN. Vnto Beues ȝhe gan flingeAnd to SN; he S; om. N. And in þe fore-hed þouȝte him stinge.And—þouȝte] Þrouȝ þe hed he thoght (gan S) SN. Beues was redi wiþ is tronsounis] þat S. tronchon SN. And smot hire, þat ȝhe fel adoun.hire] him SN. ȝhe] he SN. doun N. Vpon aȝen þe nadder roweVp fleyȝe an cdder þat was rowȝe SN.1539—1553: And foule wormes on hym dyd crepe, On the nyȝt, as he on slepe lay, There come an edder, soth to say, An edder there was, grct and rowȝe, M. And breide awei his riȝt browe;And] That M. br.] bote M. his] B. SN. riȝt] ouer M. Þo was Beues sore agreuedÞan S. And smot þe nadder on þe heued;adder SN. vppon SN. So harde dent he hire ȝaf,harde] a add. SN. he hire] þat (the N) adder he SN. Þe brein cleuede on is staf.Þat þe SN. cleue N. is] þe SN. Doun fel þe nadder, wiþ outen faile,Adoun SN. þat adder SN. wiþ o.] sam (!) S; saunz N. And smot so Beues wiþ þe taile,so] sir S; om. N. B.] so add. SN. þe] her S; his N. Þat neȝ a les þer contenaunse,lose S; lost N. þer] his SN. Almest is lif was in balaunse.His lyf was al in disperaunce SN. Whan he awakede of þat swouȝ, Þe tronsoun eft to him a drouȝ And bet hire al to pises smale, Ase hit is fonde in frensche tale.1563—1566 om. SN. Þo he hadde slawe þe foule fendes,þe foule] al þese S; alle his N. Be þat hadde Beues lein in bendesB. had SN. Seue ȝer in peines grete,yeris N. payne N; panymys (!) S. Lite idronke & lasse iete;Lytel he dranke SN. he ete SN. His browe stank for de-faut of ȝeme,fauȝte S; faute N. Þat it sct after ase a seme,set—seme] afterward was yseene (sene N) SN.1555—72 om. M. Whar þourȝ þat maide ne kneu him nouȝt,Whar þ.] There fore M. þat] þe S. ne] om. SNM. k. h.] him (B. N) knew SN. Whan hii were eft to gedre brouȝt.þey SNM. eft] om. SNM. He was not well helid sone, In his browe there was a seme. Lorde, or the VII yere be ido, Moche he wiste of sorowe and woo, And sorowe he had ffull ryve, Wery he was of his lyve, add. M. On a dai, ase he was mad & feint,ase—mad] he was mate N; he mated S. And for he was so sore affeynt M.1537—1575: Strong wordes were (hym leyde (them O) beforne, He cursyd þe tyme, þat he was borne; His heer hangyd (hange O) longe and syde, Full symple (was syr Befyse (than was his O) pryde. Vpon (On O) a day as syr (om. O) Befyse (schulde lye to (gan O) slepe, Ther can (cam O) an eddur (and add. O) on hym (gan add. O) crepe And stonge hym sore, wyth owt (outen O) lye, On (Vpon O) hys browe aboue hys (the O) eye, And (Than O) Befyse wakyd (awaked O) & lowde can crye And (He O) seyde: '(Iesu, my lorde (Lorde Iesu O), mercy! Thys eddur hath (beton me (me bytten O) sore, Fro (Out of O) lyfe, y wolde, that (om. O) y were: Helpe, lorde, yf hyt be thy wylle, Let me not (neuer thus O) yn preson spylle!' Wyth that come (om. O) an angell downe (come is O) And (Whyche O) appered to syr Befowne (Beuys O), (And thorow þat angell & þat lyght (He thought, the aungel cam from hyght O), (That fowle (By whome the O) worme loste hys syght And there (om. O) before hym all tobraste. Befyse sawe þat and loghe faste. Syr Befyse was (for fawte of mete (bothe feble and O) faynt, CO. To Iesu Crist he made is pleintCrist] om. O. To I. C.] On a day M. complaynt O. & to his moder, seinte Marie,&—mod.] To Criste and to M. seinte] mylde SN; om. CO. Reuliche he gan to hem crie:Wel rewliche N; Wel rewthelych S; And rewfully CO; Petiously M. thus gan he C; he began M; began O. hem] om. MO. to hem] om. SNC. 'Lord,' a seide, 'heuene king,And seide: Lord SN. seide] of add. C. Schepere of erþe & alle þing:Sch. of e.] As þou schope me CO; Maker þou arte M; Þou art socoure SN. &] of SNM. What haue ich so meche misgilt,gilte M. so m. m.] to the (do add. O) gylt CO. Þat þow sext & þolen wilt,sext & þ.] helpe me ne C; me helpe ne O; thus soferist and sofer M. Þou maist (myȝt N) me help, ȝif (and N) þou wylt. SN. Þat þe weþerwines & þe foweþ. &] Iewis, that be M. fone M. Schel þe seruaunt do þis wo?To (!) sle me and mysdone M.1583 f.: Þese wykked fendes, þyn own foo, Why suffrest þou (om. N) hem do þy seruant woo? SN. Ich bedde þe, lord, for þe pite,bedde] pray SN. Ich—l.] Lorde, I byd M. Þat þow haue merci on mehaue m.] wilte rew M. And bryng me fro this sory striffe, Other dede other on lyve. add. M. And ȝeue grace, hennes to gangeAnd] om. M. ȝeue] ȝe (!) S; leue N; me add. SNM. hethen N. gone M. Or sone be drawen oþer an-hange!Eiþer S. sone] to SN. be] om. S. oþer] either S; or N. to hange S. To be th re forebrent or slone M. Me rouȝte neuer, what deþ to me come,Me r. n.] Ne rek I not M. to] om. M. Wiþ þat ich were hennes nome!'Wiþ] But M.1589 f. om. SN. Þe gailers, þat him scholde ȝeme,Two M. gailers] s written above the line. A. shuld him SN. him sch. ȝ.] Beues dyd kepe M. Whan hii herde him þus reme,Þo (Thus M) þey SNM. þus] so loude SN. þus r.] in his slepe M. 'Þef! cherl!' seide þat on þo:þat on þo] the tone M. Þanne saide: Þeef, chorle! (om. S.) þat oon M. 'Now beþ þe lif dawes y-do,Now beþ] om. M. dawes] be nyȝe add. M. goon SN; agone M. For king ne kaiser ne for no sore Ne scheltow leue no lenger more.'1595 f. om. SNM.1583—1596: Thes false (om. O) Sarsyns worche me (moche add. O) woo: (Venge me (Mercy O), lorde, (y am ther (they be my O) foo, (And sende (Nowe gyue O) me grace, heuyn to wynne, (And add. O) owt of þe (this O) preson, þat y am ynne!' Hys (The O) II wardens harde Befyse playnt (complaynt O), How feble he was & how faynt; They (The one O) seyde: 'Heryst þou þat (this O) felon, How he dyspysyth owre nacion (Mahowne O) ? He wenyth, hys god may hym saue, And socour þenketh he to haue: (But, be Machown, hym shall not gayne, (But I shal hym let, certayne O) I schall neuer reste, or (tyl O) he be slayne!' CO. Anon riȝtes wiþ þat wordryȝt SNM. An. r. w.] Smertly after C; Sodaynly at O. A laumpe he let doun be a cord,He late downe a lampe O; He let a bronde down C. A—be] Down they (!) yede with M. He sayde: 'Come downe, whan I the cal, To helpe me, what som euer befal!' add. O. A swerd a tok be his side,And a C. A—tok] And toke his sworde M. And be þe cord he gan doun glideþe] a SN. roope SNMO. he g. d.] downe (adoun S) gan he (om. SN) SNCMO. slyde O. And smot him wiþ þat oþer hond,And] He S. him] sir B. SN; Befyse C. þat o.] þat C; his SN. bronde C. & Beues, to þe grounde a wond.Þat SNC; sir add. S. B.] he C. þe] om. S. gr.] erthe C. to ground sir B. N. a] om. SNC.1601 f.: Than smote he Beuys in that stounde, That he fel downe to the grounde. O. Whan they (!) come to the pittes ground, There that Beues lay ibounde, He smote Beues with his ffiste, That to the ground he hym thriste. M. 'Allas,' queþ Beues, 'þat ilche stounde!Allas] Lorde M. queþ] seid SNM. þat i.] in þat SNM. 'Wo is þe man, þat liþ y-boundeþe man] a man M; him SN. liþ] is M. Medel boþe fet and honde!boþe] om. M. foot SN. and] also add. M. Þo ich com ferst in to þis londe,Þo] Sith SN; Whan M. ferst] om. SN.1603—1606: 'Lorde,' seyde Befyse, '(why add. O) doyst þou soo? Now ys my herte (in add. O) full (great add. O) woo. CO. Hadde ich had me swerd Morgelayhad] om. SNCO. me] gode add. CO. And Arondel, me gode palfray, For Dames, nadde be tresoun,Of (For O) all Damaske, (ne were (wyth theyre O) treson CO; For all Damas, but with treason M; Of al Damas enuyroun SN. I nolde haue ȝeue a botoun,I n. h.] I wolde not CM; Wolde I nat O. And now þe meste wreche of alle Wiþ a strok me doþ adoun falle,At M. strok] dynte CM. doþ] so SN; om. (!) A. doun SN. me d. a.] me makyth to M; makyth me to CO. Bidde ich neuer wiþ Iesu speke,Bidde] So mote SN. euer SN. (Now were y (I wolde, I were O) hanged on an oke CO. Me thinkyth, my hert wyll tobreke M. Boute ich þer of may bon awreke!'þer—ben] of hym may be M. may] om. (!) A. Of þe þeef y most (wol N) be wreke SN; But y (be venged (were wroken O) of þat stroke CO. A smot þe gailer wiþ is fest,A] B. SNCO. þe g.] him þoo SN; hym C. wyth his fyst smote hym O. fest] so faste add. CO. Þat is nekke him to-berst.him] al NC; he al O; boon S. brest S; braste CO.1615 f.: His ffiste he drowe also hote And in the nek he hym smote, He smote hym with his oþure hond, That his nek all towonde; He fell down to the ground, Was he nevure hole ne sound. M. His felawe aboue gan to crie:760—1617 are lost in E.To his M. His f.] Þe jailer SN. bigan N. ab. gan to] he gan M. That (The O) odur cryed, þat was aboue CO. 'Hiȝe hider, felawe,' queþ Beues, 'hiȝe!'hider] the M. qu. B.] hye the M. 'How, ffelaw,' he sayde, 'hyȝe hye E; 'Felowe, y pray þe, þat þou (þe add. N) hye SN; And seide: Felowe, for my loue CO. 'Ȝif þow most haue help,' a sede,most h.] hast of SN. a s.] nede ESNM. Haste þou to (of O) me ony nede C. 'Ich come to þe wiþ a gode spede!'Hyt ys bettur (best O) y CO; wole add. E. to þe] doun E. wiþ] om. S. a] wel NM; wel add. S. wiþ a] ryȝt E. wiþ—sp.] for drede C. to—sp.] the to rede O. 'Ȝis!' queþ Beues, al for gile,ȝif (!) A. queþ] seid SCO. B. seid N. al] as E. for] wiþ ESNM. And knette þe rop þar whilekn.] kitte SN; hente E. þar] þat ylke E; in þat SN. And this he spake all wyth wyle. Whan that felow come to the pittes ground, There that Beues lay ibound, He smote Beues with his fiste, That to the ground he hym thriste. 'Lorde,' said Beues in that stounde, 'Woo ys a man, that is bound!' M. Þat oþer gayler began doun glyde Wiþ a scharp swerd be hys syde, add. E. Ase hiȝ ase a miȝte reche.And al so EM. a] þe swerd SN. Þo queþ Beues wiþ reuful speche:queþ] cryede E; said M. rewely E; myld M. And spak to him in Saryzns (!) (sarsyne N) speche SN. 'For þe loue of sein Mahoun,Felow, for SN. Sir, for loue M. seynt E; om. SN. Be þe rop glid bliue adounglid bl.] com blyue SN; now glyde E; glide thou M. down M. And help, þat þis þef wer ded!'help] me add. EM. þis þef] he EM. Whan he hadde þus ised,Whan] Anoon as SN. Þus B. to þe gayleer sede E; And brought oute of that foule stid M. Þat oþer gailer no leng abod,Þat o. g.] Þe jayler aboue SN; He abode M. lenger SNM. ab.] above M. Boute be þe rop adoun he glod.be] a add. S; þe] so M; om. (!) A. downe bi the rope N. down dyd he glove M.1629 f.: Beffs þat swerd heeld vp ryȝt, Þat oþer nam þe corde anon ryȝt, In to þe pet ryȝt ffaste he wond; E. Whan þe rop failede in is hond,Whan] But E; om. SN. in] of M. Beues held vp þat gode brondeAnd B. SN; benethe add. M. þat g.] his SN; the M. om. E. And felde to gronde þat sori wiȝt,And] He M. And f.] So fel SN; He ffyl E. þat s. w.] anon ryȝt E. Þourȝ out is bodi þat swerd he piȝt.Þorw þe swerd, þat was so bryȝt E; Thorough a sword, that stode vp right M; And þe swerd þrouȝ him pyȝt SN. Now er þai ded, þe geilers tweie,er þai ded] B. haþ slayn E. gayles twayn M. Þe jailers (now ben ded both (liggen bothe dede N) SN. & Beues liþ to þe rakenteie,to þe] bounde in (with M; om. N) ESN; a add. SM. rakende (!) N; raketeye E; cheyn M. His lif him þouȝte al to long,His—al] Þoo hym þouȝte hys lyff E. Þre daies after he ne et ne drong.after] om. E.1638 put before 1637 E.1637 f.: There thre days ete he no mete ne drynke, But meny thoughtes dyd he thinke; Now he thinkyth his liffe to longe, For he lay bounden in sore bond. M; om. SN. Tofore þat, for soþe to sai,(For arst þoo (While þat SN; Before whill M) hee in presoun lay ESNM. A was woned, ech oþer daiwas w.] had byfore him S; had N. ech oþer] euery ESNM. Of bere lof to haue a quarterbere] a sour E. bere l.] whete bran M. a q.] there M. Of soden barly a ful sawcere SN. To his mete & to his diner;&] or E. to] om. M. sopere M. And, for is meisters wer boþe ded,And—meisters] (But þoo (Þo SN; Whan that M) hys wardeynys ESN. boþe] om. ESNM. Þre daies after he ne et no bred.IIII N. after he] he drank E. after—et] ete he M. after—bred] had he no meete SN. Ne no drynke he ne dronke, And þo him þouȝt his lyf to longe. add. SN. And that hym thought ferly wronge, He thought, his liffe laste to longe. add. M. To Iesu Crist he bed a bone,a] his SN. And he him grauntede wel sone;him] it SN. wel] om. SN. That he shold hym helpe sone M. So ȝerne he gan to Iesu speke,to I.] on Cryste M. Þat his vetres gonne brekevetres gonne] cheynes bygan to SN. vetres g. b.] bondis all tobreke M. And of is medel þe grete ston.And of] Fro M. is] þe N. Iesu Crist he þankede anon;Iesu] om. M. He þanked Iesu Crist SN. þank.] sone add. M. A wente quik out of prisounAnd SN. quyte SN. Be þe rop, þe gailer com adoun,rop] þat add. S. iaylers SN. doun SN.1651 f.: Oute of the pitt, that was so hye, By the rope he vp can stye. M. And wente in to þe castel riȝt,And] He SM. wente] forth add. M. Ac it was aboute þe mid-niȝt;And SM. it was] þis byfel SN. ab.] toward M. þe] om. SN. He lokede aboute fer & ner, Noman wakande ne seȝ he þer;But n. S; And found n. N. wak.—he] fonde he walkyng S; walkand N. He be-held forþer a liteforþer a l.] and seye a ryȝt (light N) SN. To a chaunber vnder a garite,To] In SN. Þar inne he seȝ torges i-liȝt;torches lyȝt SN. Beues wente þeder ful riȝt;And theder he wente sone a plyȝt SN. Twelf kniȝtes a fond þer aslepe,þer] om. SN. Þat hadde þe castel for to kepe; Þe chaumber dore a fond vnsteke,chamberes S. fond] gan S. And priueliche he gan in rekegan] him add. N. And armede him in yrene wede, Þe beste, þat he fond at nede,1665 f. om. SN. And gerte him wiþ a gode brondeAnd] He S. a] full add. S. And tok a gode spere in is honde;gode] om. S.1667 f. om. N. A scheld aboute is nekke he cast And wente out of þe chaumber in hast.out of þe chamber went S.1655—70 om. M. Forþer a herde in a stableForþer—a] Furth he went in to þe SN. stable] in hast add. (!) N. Pages fele, wiþ oute fable,There p. SN. fele w. o.] pleiden and maden SN. Ase þai sete in here raging;raging] jangelyng SN; ragin (!) A. In at þe dore Beues gan spring,B. in at þe dor S. And for þai scholde him nouȝt wrain,h. n. w.] not him bewrye SN. Vnder his hond he made him plai.hem dye SN. & whan þe Sarasins wer islawe,&] om. SN. Þe beste stede he let forþ drawelet forþ] gan out SN. And sadelede hit & wel adiȝt And wente him forþ anon riȝt1679 f.: And girde him wel (oute (!) S), with oute dwellyng, And gan in to þe sadel spryng; SN.1645—1680: 'Now, Iesu, ȝyff it be þy wylle, Sende me mete & drynk my ffylle! Lord,' sayde B. wiþ stedeffast þouȝt, 'Þou madyst al þis world off nouȝt As weel Jewys as crystene men, A [nd I a [illegible]m here amonges hem, [But I [illegible] woot, þou woost alle þyng, Al my nede and my pynyng: Þenk on me, þat lygge ibounde Here among þese heþene hounde! Soo wel I woot, þat þou, lord, myȝt!' Þe ston aboute hys myddyl bryȝt Al tobrak & hys bondys al soo; Iesu Cryst he þankyd þoo Off hys swete, holy sonde; Al delyueryd he gan vp stonde, Be þe roop he gan vp styge Out of þe pet, þat was so hyȝc. Al aboute he gan to looke, Hys heere tryllyd doun too hys ffoote; He herde gret noyse þere in a stable, Gromes syngen & make gret ffable. He lokyd anon in at an hole And sawȝ hem greyþyn þere here ffole; He sawȝ where here wepenys stood, He smoot þe dore vp wiþ hys ffoot, Þat þe dore al towond; He slowȝ þere al þat euere he ffond And armyd hym ryȝt weel inowȝ, And a stede fforþ he drowȝ; He took a spere and and (!) a schylde, Now Cryst hym saue & hys modyr mylde! Þoo no lengere he ne abood, But þat stede he bestrood; He prekyd hys hors al arnende, As þouȝ þe castel hadde ibrende. E. And gan to crie wiþ loude steuenAnd—crie] Þo (So N) gan he grede SN; He gradde faste E. wiþ] ryȝt a add. E. And þe porter he gan neuenen:And] om. ESN. porteres SN; name add. SN; anon add. E. gan] to add. E. nemene ES. 'Awake!' a seide, 'proude felawe,seide] þou add. SN. Arys, he sayde, ryȝt be þe lawe E. Þow were worþi ben hanged & drawe!were w.] shalt SN; to add. E. hanged &] om. E. todrawe ESN. Hiȝe, þe gates wer vnsteke,Hiȝe] þat add. E. vnloke ESN. Beues is out of prisoun reke,prsoun (!) A. ibroke E; broke SN. And icham sent now for is sake,now] om. SN. Þe treitour ȝif ich miȝte of-take!'may take SN.1687 f. om. E. Þe porter was al bewaped:al be rape SN; gretly adrad þoo E. 'Allas!' queþ he, 'is Beues ascaped?'q. he] he sayde E. ascape SN; þus goo E. Vp he caste þe gates wide, And Beues bi him gan out ride And tok is wei ful hastelieHe SN. ful h.] and (om. N) forth he gas SN. As a man, þat nede has, Forþ he rood on his way add. SN. Toward þe londe of Ermonie.Ermonay SN. He nadde ride in is weine had S. in] on N. Boute seue mile of þat contrei, He wex asleped wonder-sore,He w. asl.] Slepe him took SN. He miȝte ride no forþer-more;He] ne add. N. no] om. N. He reinede his hors to a chesteineto] at S. And felle aslepe vpon þe pleine;And] He S. þe] þat SN. And alse a slep, in is sweueneAnd] om. SN. slep in is] slep (slept S), him þouȝt a SN. Him þouȝte, Brademond & kinges seuenHim þ.] Þat SN. kinges] his knyȝtes SN. Stod ouer him wiþ swerdes drawe, Al slepande him wolde han slawe.And al sleping SN. him] he (!) S. Of þat sweuen he was of-drad,And of SN. þat] þe S. adrad SN. He lep to hors ase he wer mad,He lept on S: And (!) on his N. Towarde Damas a-gein, apliȝt!apliȝt] he (om. N) toke his way SN. Now reste we her a lite wiȝt, Rydyng (Ridand N) fast on his palfray. Now (we haue (haue we N) tolde of B. woo, Stynt we (here add. N) and let him goo! SN. & speke we scholle of Brademond.scholle] more SN. of] king add. SN. Amorwe, whan he it hadde ifonde,Am.] awey add. SN. whan] þan N. he—i-f.] B. was found SN. Þat Beues was ascaped so,Þo he wist, (that add. N) he scaped so SN. In is hertte him was ful wo. Þat time be comin acentIn þat S. Þat t. be] That was in tyme of N. Þar was comin parlement,was] a add. SN. Erles, barouns, lasse & more,barouns] so SN; kinges A. & fiftene kinges wer samned þore.&] om. SN. samned] sone SN. To hem Brademond tolde þare,And to SN. Þat Beues was fro him i-fare,How SN. was] scaped and add. SN. hem S. And bad help wiþ miȝt & main,bad] hem add. SN. For to feche Beues again.feche B.] help him to fecche him S; socour him N.1691—1720: Anon þe gate he vpon look And B. out at þe gate strook; He rod al þat day so longe, Tyl it were tyme off euensonge. He was so ffeynt in (ffor written over in) hys hurte, Þer ffore he was al most al morte; And ar þe sunne wente adoun, He cam aȝenward to þe toun. Sleep ffyl soo vpon hys yȝe, Þat hym þouȝte, þat he scholde dye. He ne myȝte a ffoote ffur þere goo, Or þat he hadde islepyd þoo. Þoo þat hee off hys sleep awook, Þe ryȝte wey fforþ he took. Forþ he goþ ryȝt on hys way: Now god hym spede, þat best may! Þoo twoo gaylers, þat he hadde slaye, Twoo dayes ne were þey isaye; Here ffrendys þer off token gome And to þe presoun anon þey come And ffounden hem dede euerychon, And B. ffrom presoun was igon. To þe kyng þey wenten fful snelle; Anon þey gunne hym to telle, Hou sere B. hadde hem betrayyd. Kyng Brademound wax sore amayyd And sayde to þe kyngys ffyfftene, Þat homage were wunt brynge hym bed nnc; To hem he made gretly his moone; Þey armyd hem þenne euerychone. E.1655—1720: He sye pagis good and abull And light also oute of the stabull, He lokyd in at an hole And sye one cory there a fole; He smote the dur vp wyth his fote, That it euery dele toshoke; A staff he toke in his hond And kyllud all that he there ffond. A stede there fforthe he drowȝe, He sadullid hym well inouȝe, He sterte vppon the stedis bak And cried: 'Porter,' right with that, 'Arise,' he said, 'thou ffeloun, The devill the hang, foule gloton! Thou were worthy, to be hang and drawe, Swith the gates were vp thrawe: Beues is fro preson brokyn!' The porter said, as he was wakyn: 'Alas, is Beues ascapud soo?' Anon the gates he gan vp throwe. Beues is fro preson brokyn, Oute at the gatis is he reayn. Than Beues hied hym oute faste, And forth his way he rode in haste. The wardens, that kepud Beues, Theire wiffes come to the preson, iwis; They ffond them dede euerychone, And Beues was forth igone. To the kynge they yode snell, And sone they gan hym tell, How that Beues had ham betrayd; Then was Bradmond all dismaid. He told to the ffyftene kyngis All his sorowfull tydinges, And to them he made his mone; They armed ham swith euerychone. M.1622—1720: Come þou (om. O) hedur (to me add. O) a lytull whyle, For (me behoueth to (I must O) haue þy redd, Or (that add. O) Befyse be (broght to dedd (al dede O)!' That (The O) other warden no more (lenger O) abode, But (by þe rope down (downe by the rope O) he glode (slode O) And (Whan he O) sawe Beuys hole and sounde And sawe (om. O) hys felowe dede on (the add. O) grounde, He wolde haue fledd (vp add. O) ageyn þat tyde: 'Nay!' seyde Befyse, 'þou muste abyde!' Befyse wyth hys felows bronde Smote yn sonder thorow godys sonde The rope aboue the sarsyns hedd, (That he wyth Befyse yn preson abede. (And after hym felled starke-dede. O). Then was Befyse glad & fayne, (When he had add. O) bothe hys wardens (hath he (om. O) slayne. Thre dayes he lay & (noght he (no thynge O) ete, He (Hym O) thoght hys (that O) lyfe lytull (wonder-O) swete. ȝyt was he (Beuys O) wonte before eche day, Whyll þat he yn pryson lay, Of whyte brawne (to haue (he had O) a messe, Ther wyth he maked hym well at ese. But when hys II wardens were slayne (for|done O), Brede ne (nor O) brawne had he none; That penance (þoȝt he full (was hym to O) stronge, He (Hym O) þoȝt, he leuyd all to longe. 'Iesu Cryste,' syr Befyse sayde, 'Helpe me now (lorde O) a lytull brayde! (Sothly add. O) the rope may y not reche, But yf þou me wysse & (or O) teche.' So hye smote Befyse hyt (the rope O) yn sonder, Yf he hyt raght (reche O), hyt were (great add. O) wonder. But (noght for þy þorow (neuertheles by O) godys grace (myght O) Befyse lepe (skypped O) vp, (full lyght he was (he was ful lyght O), (And kaght (He gate O) the rope yn hys honde And (Than O) vp he steyed (cam O), y vndur|stonde. When he come vp, he sawe no lyght, For (than add. O) hyt was abowte mydnyght, But well (he harde (herde he O) yn a stable Gromes synge and make fable. To the (that O) stable dore he went And smote hyt vp (open O) at a dynte. The (A O) dore barre he toke yn honde And slewe all þat he þere fonde. A gode stede (forthe he drowe (toke he thare O) And sadulde hym wele ynogh (and fayre O). (Than add. O) Befyse rode to þe gate full euyn And callyd þe portar wyth lowde (mylde O) steuyn: ('Aryse vp, portar' ('Ryse, porter!' anone O), he sayde, 'For (om. O) Befyse of Hampton hath vs be|trayed, (Faste þat the gatys were on loken, For Befyse ys owt of preson broken! Let me faste aftur hym ryde, Y schall hym brynge wyth moche pryde!' The portar was full euyll payde; 'Is Befyse of Hampton scapyd?' he sayde. The portar set þe yatys opon, And wyth that Befyse ys owt lopon; (That the gates were opened sone: Wyth that is Beuys out gone! O). (Than add. O) the portar hys wey toke To (Unto O) the pryson for to loke; He founde (bothe add. O) the wardens slayne, ywysse, And Befyse a wey scapyd ys. (Then seyde the portar (The porter sayde O) : 'Be my snowte, Thys (That O) was Befyse, that y lete owte!' The portar went to the kyng & sayde, How that Befyse had hym betrayed And slayne hys wardens bothe yn same (fere O); The kyng made sorowe & (lytull game (heuy chere O); There were V kynges yn that palays, That broȝt (made O) hym homage, þe story says. To þem kyng Bradmonde made hys moone, (And þey anon armed them (Than they theym armed O) euerychone. CO. A king þar was swiþe fer,A—was] Þer was a knyȝt (kynge M) EM; One of them was bothe O; ryȝt add. E; sw. f.] stout and stere SN; prowde & ferse CO. His nam was hote Grander.His] ryȝte add. E. hote] sere E. Grande|nere (!) N. He was clepyd syr Gandere ywysse C; He was callid Graundynere M; Men called hym syr Graundyers O. An hors he hadde of gret pris,He hadde an hors ESNM. of muche prys SN; hyȝte Trencheffys E. Þat was icleped Trinchefis;That men clepyd (called O) CO; His name was hoote (callid M) SNM. Trenchefise SC; Tranchevise N; Trenschfice M. Trunche|fyce O. It was fful ryȝt gret off prys E. For him a ȝaf seluer wiȝt,a] om. M. ȝaf s.] of siluer yaue (om. M) his NM. He ȝaff ffor hym hys monay bryȝte E. Er he þat hors haue miȝt.haue] bigge N. Er—haue] Often tymes he take M. IIe armede him in yrene wede,in yr.] on riche N.And VII N. he—him] with him gan N. Seue kniȝtes he gan wiþ him lede1725—1728 om. S.1727 f.: Graundyneee (!) was the ffirste, He rode oute of tho gatus juste: M; om. E. And prikede forþ on TrenchefisAnd] He S. And p. f.] He leep vp þoo (om. M) EM. on] or (!) N. on Tr.] in þat wyse S. And wende wenne meche pris;And] He EM. wende] to add. SNM. wenne m.] haue wunne (ful gret (the M) EM. And Beues sone he gan se,he gan sone ysee SN. Ase he rod to-ward þe cite.þe] þat SN.1731 f.: Also sone as he Beues sye, There he rode be the way, M. Þere no lenger he ne abood, But beforn he alle fforþ rood; Kyng Brademond & al hys hoost Afftyr comen wiþ gret boost. Sere Grandeer B. offseyȝ, As he rood on an hyl an heyȝ: E.1725—1732: He was worthe hys weyght of golde, So (ranne he well (he wolde renne O) vpon the molde. Syr Graundiers (Gandere C) was (the add. O) fyrste dyght (And vpon (On O) Trenchefyce vp he lyght; An (He O) sprang forþe (om. O) aftur on Trenchefyce, Well he wenyd (thought O) to (haue had (wynne O) þe pryce. When he was paste (a myle fro (om. O) Damas (Damaske C), He sawe Befyce ryde a softe pase. C. 'Aȝilt þe,' a seide, 'þow fox welp,Yeld M. fox] sory M. Aȝilt—fox] He seyde: 'Turne the, dogges C. Þe god schel þe noþing help,For thy M. god] goddes ne E. schel] may EM. noþ.] nouȝt S; not M; ryȝt nouȝt E. þe n.] not the now N. For her þourȝ min hondes one,For her] om. ESNM. þourȝ] with SN. one] (ryȝt here (here M; now SN) anon ESNM. For soþe, þow schelt þe lif for-gon!'For s.] Certis SN; om. EM. lif] now add. E.1735 f.: 'Thorow (By O) þe y schall gete (great add. O) renown, If þou be Befyse of Sowthe (om. O) Hamp|ton.' CO. 'So me helpe god!' queþ Beues þo,god me helpe EM. said M. So—queþ] Certis, seide SN. Then seyde Befyse: 'So mote y go, CO. 'Hit were no meistri, me to slo,nere N; is ECMO. For þis is þe ferþe dai agon,For] om. SN. ferþe] XL (!) N. þis—dai] ffyue (thre M) dayys it is now (om. M) EM. gon ES. Mete ne drinke ne bot i non:Þat mete ESN. ne] and N. ne eet E; ete N; had S; sye M. Ac naþeles, god it wot,But ESNM. neuerþeles SM. Ȝif ich alle nedes mot,ȝif ich alle] Whan þat now I E; Sethe þat y SNM. alle n.] algatis M. Ȝit ich wile asaie,ȝit] With al my myȝt SN. wile] now onys add. E. as.] me defend M. A lite box þe to paie!'lite b. þe] strok or twoo for SN. A—to] ȝiff I mowe on box þe E. Yf Cryste wylt (!) me grace send M. King Grander was of herte grimwas of] with SN. & rod to Beues & he to him;&] He SN. he] B. SN. And ase þei boþe to gedre mete, Wiþ here launces þei gonne mete,On her sheldes þe strokes sette SN. Þat hit gonnen al to-driuehit] her speres SN. al] om. SN. & te-borsten on pises fiue.te-b. on p.] to peces brosten on SN. Here swerdes drowe kniȝtes stouteHere s. d.] Þese twoo SN. And fiȝteþ faste, it is no doute;And f.] Fouȝten SN. is] was S; nas N. Þe medwe squauȝte of her dentes,sq. of her] quakyd with þe SN. Þe fur fleȝ out, so spark o flintes;so sp. o] as doth of SN. Þus þai leide on in boþe sidein boþe] on euery S; eithir N. Be-twene midmorwe & vndertide.midm.] prime S. vndetide (!) A. King Grander was agremed strong,Grangener (!) N. agreuyd SN. Þat sire Beues him stod so long,him] om. S. And wiþ is swerd a hitte is scheld,hitte] smot SN. is] i (!) A. A quarter fel in to þe feld,fel] flye N. Hauberk, plate and aktoun,brestplate N. In to Beues forþer arsounAnd in SN. B.] is add. S. for SN. Half a fot he karf doun riȝt.a] om. N. adoun S. Þo Beues seȝ þat strok of miȝt, A seide: 'Þat dent was wel iset,And N. sey S. wel] sore S. Fasten y wile anoþer bet!' Wiþ þat word Beues smot dounword] dynt SN. Grander is scheld wiþ is fachoun,fach.] acton N. And is left hande be þe wrest,left] life (!) N. hande] fast add. SN. fest S. Hit fleȝ awei þourȝ help of Crist.fleȝ] fille N. Þo Grander hadde his scheld i-lore,Þo] om. S. hath N. scheld] hond SN. forlore S. He fauȝt ase he wer wode þer fore; A ȝaf Beues strokes þat tide, Non ne moste oþer abide. Beues þer of was agreuedBeues—was] Sore þerof was B. S; Sore was B. ther fore N. greuyd S. And smot of king Grander is heued,And] He S. king] om. SN. Gran|dener (!) N. heued] ed written above the line. A. Þe dede kors in þat þroweÞat SN. þat] a SN. Fel out ouer þe sadel bowe.ouer] of SN. sadelles S. Þo king Grander was islawe,Þo k.] And þoo þat SN. Þe seue kniȝtes of heþen lawe Beues slouȝ þat ilche stounde,þat i.] in a litel SN. So hit is in Frensch y-founde.As SN. Fr.] book S; bokis N; frnsch (!) A. For nouȝt Beues nolde be-laue,best SN. wolde haue] þouȝt hem (him N) reue SN. Þe beter hors a wolde haue;1745—1784: Beues turnyd there his stede, That his sidus gan to blede, And smote vppon Graundynere, Oute of his sadull a quartere, And thorough his stelyn hode, That at his breste the dynt stode, And Graundynere fell down lowe Dede ouer his sadull bowe. M. Beues Trenchefis be-strit,Beues] The stede SN. Strenchefis (!) A; Trenschfice Beues he M. he bestrood SN. And in is weie forþ a rit,in] on M. forþ] faste M. rood SN.1745—1786: He took hys scheeld & hys spere, As it semyd a good rydere; He prekyd þoo hys goode stede, Þat boþe hys sydys begunne to blede. He smoot out off sere Graunger Off hys scheeld a gret quarter. Adoun he gan sere Graunger bere And þrewȝ hym flat on grounde þere. Wol euele þenne sere B. hym herte Wiþ hys spere euene to þe herte. He lay ded vpon þe grounde, And sere B. in þat ylke stounde Took þat hors off gret prys, þat was ihoten Trencheffys,He lepte is the catch-word at the bottom of fol. 138b. The following leaf is lost. E.1729—1786: For yf that y slayne bee, Hyt ys þorow hungur & not þorow þe; But neuer þe lees y schall (wyl O) assay, How þou wylt (shalt O) my dynte apay (pay O)!' Befyse turned hym well & feyre And (They O) rode to hym (geder O) wyth grete yre (ayre O), And (om. O) soche a stroke he gaf Gandere (Thorow owt helme & hawberk clere, (That thoroughe the helme that was so clere, O) Hed & body he clafe yn sonder, Hym (There O) halpe no armour, & þat was wondur; Ryght to þe sadull, be (my brayn (hede myn O), He clafe (yn two ryȝt (hym downe O) as a swyne. (Trenchefyce Befyce bestrydeth (Beuys Trunchefyce sone bestrode O), He (And O) lefte hys (own & (hors, than O) forthe he rydeth (rode O). CO. And Brademond wiþ al is ostAnd] Kyng CO; By (With N) þat com SN; om. M. al] om. SN. bost (!) A. Com after wiþ meche bost;Com] rydyng add. CO; Com a.] And after him rood SN; After folooyd M. meche] greete SNCO. So longe hii han Beues driue,þey hadden SN. longe—B.] faste they haue hym M. Þat hii come to þe cliue,Þat hii] That he M; Tyl he SN. þe] an hye M; see add. SN. Þar þe wilde se was.wilde] grete SN. wildese] place so depe M. Herkneþ now a wonder-cas!Herk. n.] Now hereth of B. SN; Now is this M. In to þe se a moste, iwis,That he in M. a] om. M. Oþer fiȝte aȝenes al heþenes.Or SNM. ageyn M. aȝ. al h.] with al his enemys SN. To Iesu Crist he bad a bone,bad a b.] made his mone M. And he him grauntede wel sone:wel] swith SN. he—wel] to his dere moder M. 'Lord,' a sede, 'heuene king,a s.] thou arte of M. Schepere of erþe & alle þing,Schep.] Maker SN. Sch. of] Thou, that madiste M. erþe & a.] alle skynnes S; alle NM.1798 put before 1797 M. Þow madest fisch ase wel alse man,wel] so SNM; om. (!) A. Þat noþing of senne ne can,nouȝt SN. ne] done SN. Þat—ne] Now, lord, that I ne swymme M. Ne nouȝt of fisches kenne Neuer ȝet ne dede senne,ne] om. SN. Of þis heþene hounde,Of] But SN. howndes S. Þat beste þe and boundebeste] beten SN. þe] me S. bounde] ȝaue me woundes S. And bete þe body to þe deþe,bete] diden SN. þe body] þe lord SN. þe] om. N. Þar fore ich may alse eþeÞar f.] And now SN.1801—1806: Till this day I dyd nevure swymme, For I am not of ffysshis kynne: Oute of this hethyn houndus ffere Graunte me, to passe this water chlere, And, as thou diediste vppon a tree, Geve me grace, ffro them to fle. M. To water fle in þis stede,Tow. f.] Thou helpe me here M. in] on SN. To fisch, þat neuer senne dede,To] As this M. fisshes SN.1808 put before 1807 M. Þan her daien in londeAs SN. That I dye not here on londys M. In al þis Sarasines honde!'al] om. SM. þis] om. N. Sar. h.] hethyn dogges hondis M.1789—1810: And so faste folowed he, That Befyse þey (was O) dreuyn euyn (om. O) to þe see. Then seyde Befyce: '(Now am y schent (I shal be slayne O), (For here ys none amendement; Odur behoueth me to take þe see Or fyght ageyne þem; y may not flee (om. O). (And yf (Yf that O) y fyȝt so many agayn, (For hungur & febulnes y schall be slayn; ȝyt ys me lever to watur flee, (Yet had I leuer to water fle, iwys, And lat god worke what his wol is, O). Then to be slayne among þem all: Helpe (me add. O), lorde, (for now (on the O) y calle!' CO. Beues smot is hors, þat it lepB.] He SN. it] he SN. it lep] he can shete (skyp O) CO. In to þe se, þat was wel dep.was] so SN; om. (!) A. wel] so SN. þat-dep] full XL fete C; fourty fote he lept O.1811 f.: He smote the hors with hert good, And forthe he rode in to the flood, M. Whan he in to þe se cam,And whan M. to] om. M. Ouer þe se, y wot, a swam;Ouer þe s.] The hors M. y wot] soone SN; streight fforthe M. In a dai and in a niȝtin] om. M.1813—1815: The Sarsyns behelde (sawe O), þat aftur come, How þat (the O) hors wyth Befyce swome; Thorow þe grace of god almyght CO. A bar ouer þat gentil kniȝt.A] The hors O. þat] the M. noble O. Whan he com of þat wilde brok,of] ouer SNM. wilde] grete SN. þat w.] the M. com—brok] was þat (ouer the O) watur paste CO. His gode stede him resede & schok,His g.] Þe SCMO; That N. res.] russhed SN. him r. &] stode still and hym M. hors restyd & schoke hym faste CO. And Beues, for honger in þat stoundeAnd] So that O. B. f. h.] for febulnes CO. in] om. O. for—þat] in þat ilke SN. Þe hors þrew him doun to grounde.Þe—doun] Fel doun (adowne N) for hunger SN; Syr (om. O) Befyce of þe hors felle CO. to] þe add. S.1819 f.: And Beues ffell down to the groundFor honger at that ilke stound. M. 'Allas!' queþ Beues, whan he doun cam,Allas—whan] 'Lorde,' he said, tho M. doun] vp SNM. 'Whilom ichadde an erl-damWh.] Sum tyme SNM. And an hors gode and snel,And an h.] And (om. S) now þis hors so (om. M) SNM. gode] stronge M. Þat men clepede Arondel;Þat m. c.] And þauȝ y hadde SNM. Now ich wolde ȝeue hit kofNow] Alle SM; And N. wolde] right now add. M. hit k.] als coue N; als soone S; here M.1821—1825: 'Lorde,' seyde Befyse, '(that add. O) febull am y, (But, & (If O) y were kynge of Armony, I wolde hyt (the kyngedome O) geue, (& be not wrothe (in dede O), CO. For a schiuer of a lof!'shyue SN; lumpe C. a lof] browne brede O. A restede him þer a lite tide, His gode stede he gan be-stride1826—1828: Of a lofe to haue a shyuer!' He ne wiste, what he do myght, But lepe vppon his hors right. M.1827 f.: He nust for hunger, what he do myȝt, But lepe to hors anoon ryȝt SN. And rod ouer dale & doun,And] He M. Til he com to a gret toun;gret] castell M; om. SN. Þe leuedi þar of ouer þe castel lai,þar of] om. M. And Beues hire sone of-sayAnd] om. M. sone of-s.] beheld and ryght well say M. And wende ben al out of careAnd] He M. ben al] haue be brought M. And þouȝte wel to spede þare.And] He M. Beues to þe castel gate ritto—rit] rode vnto the yate M. And spak to hire, aboue him sit:spak om. (!) M. ab. h. s.] that above sate M.1831—1836: A castel he sey fast þerby And (a tour, þer yn (in a toret N) a faire lady. He wende of mete to spede þore, But furst he bouȝt it full sore. To þe castel (B. him dyȝt (went the knyght N) And spake to þat lady bryȝt: SN. 'Dame,' a seide, 'þat sit aboue,Madame SN. þat] þou N. sittest SN. For þat ilche lordes loue, On wham þin herte is on iset:on] moste M. That in heuyn hath his seete SN. Ȝeue me to day a meles met!'ȝeue] to add. M. to] this M.1829—1840: (Than add. O) fforthe yede (rode O) Befyse wyth grete yre (ayre O), Tyll he come to a castell feyre; A lady ouyr the wallys (wal O) lay: 'Dame,' seyde Befyce, 'y the pray, For hys loue, that dyed on tre, A melys mete geue thou me!' CO. Þe leuedi answerde him þo:answ.] said to M. him] om. O. þo] anon M. 'Boute þow fro þe gate go,Boute þ.] I rede the C. þe] my C. ȝates SNMC. gone M. Fro my gate, I rede, thou go O. Þe wer beter elles whar þan her:Thou NC ; It O. elles w.] at þe toun S; hens N. ellys where bettur C. Better, that thou hens were M. Go, or þe tit an euel diner!þou tytyst SN. Go—tit] For here þou getyste CO; For the betidith M. aneuel A; a fowle N; a colde CMO. Me lord,' ȝhe seide, 'is a geauntFor my O. ȝhe s.] om. CMO. a] om. N; gret add. M. & leueþ on Mahoun & TeruagauntÞat S; He M; byleueth SO. Mah. &] om. SNO. Termagaunt CO; Tyrmegaunt S; Tirmagaunt N; Turmagaunte M. And felleþ cristene men to grounde,And] He M. felleþ] hateth SN; hath (!) M. For he hateþ hem ase hounde!'For—ase] Þey ben him lother þan an SNM.1847 f.: Yf he (wete, that (knowe O) þou be crystyn, He wyll (do the (the sle wyth O) moche pyne.' CO. ' Be god!' queþ Beues, 'i swere an oþe:For C. queþ] seyde CO. Be—Beues] B. seide SN. i] and SNMCO. swore SNO. an] his SN. Be him lef and be him loþe,him] he O. and] or CMO. him] he O. Be þat geaunt neuer so wrothe SN. Her ich wile haue þe metewil I NO. þe] a meelys C; om. SNM. h. þe m.] my mete ete O. Wiþ loue or eiȝe, whaþer I mai gete!'or e. w.] ȝif SN. Wiþ—wh.] To dye therfore but CO; Yf that M. mai] hyt CO; it add. SN; eny add. M. And (om. N) but with loue y may it habbe, I wyl with eyȝe, y wyl noȝt gabbe.' add. SN. Þe leuedi swiþe wroþ wiþ alleswiþe] was SNCO; om. M. wroþ] abasched CO; there M. Wente hire forþ in to þe halleWente h. f.] And (She M) went (her add. M) doun (adoun S; om. O) SNCMO. in to] in vnto O. And tolde hire lord anon fore,And] She O. tolde] all add. M. anon fore] byfore S; beforne M; fore N; þat was so stowte CO. How a man hadde is wore,man] cristen knyȝt SN; knyght M. swore SN; sworne þer (with O) owte CO. Þat he nolde fro þe ȝete,nolde] wyll not M. Er he hadde þer þe mete.Or that M. hadde þ. þ.] haue wonne his M.1857 f.: Þat (om. N) fro þe ȝates he wyl (nel N) not shrynke, Tyl he haue both (om. N) mete and drynke. SN. Þe geaunt was wonder-strong,wonder] passinge M. Rome þretti fote long;Rome] om. M. fote] he was add. M. And (om. N) large twenty SN. He tok a leuour in is hond, And forþ to þe gate he wond.to] at M. ȝates SN. he] om. SN; fonde S; sprong M. Of Beues he nam gode hede,Of] sir add. SN. nam] toke SNM. ffull add. M. gode] grete SN.1857—1863: That he wolde (ete here (there ete O) hys fylle, (Or ellys he wolde þys castell-spylle (Maugre of bothe theyre wyl O). 'Ye,' seyde þe gyaunt, 'wyll he soo?' (In his hande (add. O) a durre barre toke he thoo (And to (Unto O) syr Befyse anon (than O) he yede (brayde O). CO. Ful wel a knew Beues is stede:And ful SN. a] om. N. Soone knewe he sir C. B.] þe S; om. NM. is] om. SC. And vnto hym thus he saide O. 'Þow ert nome þef, y-wis:nome þef] ynome,' he seide SN; he said, takyn M. What art thou syr nyse (uyse?; swyse O) C. Whar stele þow stede Trenchefis,hast thou stollyn M. þow] þis add. SN. stede] om. MCO. Þat þow ridest vpon here?syttyst MCO. Hit was me broþeres Grandere!'Hit] That C; His (!) N; He MO. broþ.] sir add. SNCO. 'Grander,' queþ Beues, 'y ȝaf hodsaid M. Grander q. B.] B. seide SN. ȝaf] him an add. N; him on þe add. S. ȝaf hod] orderyd hym M. And made him a kroune brod;And] I NM. schofe S; schaue N; gaue M. brod] red so blood S; of rede blode N; and gryme add. M. Þo he was next vnder me fest,Þo] Whan M. next] laste M. Wel y wot, ich made him prest,Wel] For sothe M.1871 f.: I shofe (schaue N) him a (om. N) prest doun (in N) to þe nekke, With my swerd y made him bekk, SN. And hiȝ dekne ich wile make þe,And hiȝ] His M. ich wile] wold I M. Er ich euer fro þe te!'euer] hens M. from N. te] flee SNM. Þanne seide þe geaunt: 'Meister sire,Meister] so S; master N; meiff or meise (!) A. Slouȝ þow me broþer Grandere,broþer] sir add. SN. For al þis castel ful of golde A liue lete þe ich nolde!'A—þe] Þe on lyue lete SN. 'Ne ich þe,' queþ Beues, 'i trowe!'þe] om. N. Þus be-ginneþ grim to growe.Þus þey gun stryf to knowe SN. Þe geaunt, þat ich spak of er,(are of (of ar N) spoke SN. Þe staf, þat he to fiȝte ber,to f. b.] with him toke SN. Was twenti fote in lengþe be tale,in l. be] longe in SN. Þar to gret & noþing smale;And ȝit wel more (grete N) and nouȝt so (wel N) smale SN. To sire Beues a smot þer wiþsire] om. N. A sterne strok wiþ outen griþ,out SN. Ac a failede of his diuisBut SN. And in þe heued smot Trenchefis,And] He S. heued] heurd (!) A. in—smot] smot of þe hed of SN. Þat ded to grounde fel þe stede.þe] þat SN. 'O,' queþ Beues, 'so god me spede,O] Þo S; So N. seide SN. Þow hauest don gret vileinie,hast me doon SN. Whan þow sparde me bodiWhan þ. s.] My hors to slee and spare SN. And for me gilt min hors aqueld,And f. m.] With oute SN. a-q.] þou kylt S; to quylt N. Þow witest him, þat mai nouȝt weld.mai n. w.] hath no gylte SN.1875—1894: The jeaunt, with his gret mace Anon right than in that place Faste he Beues asaid: 'Shame haue thou for thy dede!' He smote the hors on the hede, That he ffell down there dede. Now is Beues vppon his fote: God send hym helpe and bote! Vp he sterte also right As sperkyll oute of fire right(!), To the jeaunt with wrethe he said. 'Shame haue thou ffor thy dede, That thou haste slayn my stede stronge, Thou quyte hym all with wronge. Yf I stond and to the speke, Thou sholdiste on me be awreke And not wite on hym the gilte; But sithe thou haste hym spilte, M. Be god, i swere þe an oþ: Þow schelt nouȝt, whan we te-goþ,we te-g.] thou goiste M. Lauȝande me wende fram, Now þow hauest mad me gram!'1895—1898: But y the seye with out othe, Now þou (hast made me (me hast made N) þus wroth: ȝif any grace wyl falle or (of N) hap, I woll fonde to ȝeue þe a cap (knap N).' SN. Beues is swerd anon vp swapte,anon] his swerd add. (!) S. vp] out SN. whappid N. He and þe geaunt to-gedre rapteHe and] And to SN. And delde strokes mani & fale:Strokes grete and noon smale SN. Þe nombre can i nouȝt telle in tale.Þe—in] Þey smete (smote N) to geder out of SN. Þe geaunt vp is clobbe hafis clobbe] his (þe S) leuer SN. And smot to Beues wiþ is staf,He S. to] so SN. Þat his scheld fleȝ fram him þorefro N. þore] þoo S. Þre akres brede and sumdel more.sumdel] om. SN. Þo was Beues in strong erurB. was S. erroyur (!) S. And karf ato þe grete leuourHe S. in two N. þat SN. strong S. And on þe geauntes brest a wonde,And in N; In to S. a. w.] it went SN. Þat neȝ a felde him to þe grounde. Þe geaunt þouȝte þis bataile hard,1897—1911: Laughynge wend awey fro me, And that, here I tell it the, Thou haste made me grame, There thou shalte haue shame!' His sworde anon he oute drewe And on the jeaunt faste he hewe, So that in a litull stound He gaue the jeaunt dethis wound. The jeaunt of this thought smerte, M. Anon he drouȝ to him a dart,And M. to h.] fforth M. Þourȝ Beues scholder he hit schet,And thorough M; And in N; In to S. he h. sch.] he smote M; hit went SN. Þe blod ran doun to Beues fet.That the M. blold (!) A. Beu.] his M. fote M. This line is added at the bottom of the page. A.1910—1914: Þat to þe ground þe geaunt glent. Þat (The N) bataile þe geaunt þouȝt to smert, For teene he wexe (waxid N) al swert. Sir B. he in (to add. N) the shulder shore, Þat to his foot (fete N) þe blood ronne þore. SN.1869—1914: 'God wote,' (than add. O) seyde (syr Befown (Beuys O), 'I schofe (shope O) syr Graundere (Gan|dere C) a crowne (iwys add. O); When we mette laste yn batayle, (Dekon y made hym, sauns fayle (I made hym deken, without fayle O); And yf thou wylt ordurs take, A preest,' seyde Befyse, 'y schall þe make!' 'Allas,' seyde þe gyaunt, 'for syr Graun|dere (Gandere C), (Now he ys dedd, þou schalt (His deth shalt thou O) bye hyt (om. O) full dere!' Tho (om. O) to syr Befyse he smote full (ryght O) sore, But of (syr Befyse þen fayled he (hym he fayled O) thore; He (And O) hyt gode (om. O) Trenchefyce at (in O) þat stounde, That he felle dedd (om. O) down to (the add. O) grounde. Befyse start vp wyth owt respyte (And to (Unto O) the gyaunt can he smyte. Soche (strokes were (a stroke was O) neuer seen yn londe, Syth (Sythen O) Olyuere dyed and Row|londe. The gyaunt sawe þat Befyce was stronge, (And drewe owt (He drewe O) a darte scharpe & longe; Thorow Befyce schouldur he can hyt schete (shote O), The blode (felle downe (ranne O) to hys fete (fote O). CO. Þo Beues seȝ is owene blod,When CMO; syr add. O. owene] om. O. Out of is wit he wex neȝ wod,is] om. SN. Out—wit] For pewre (yre and O) tene CO; With mayne and strengith M. waxid NM; was O. nere CO; om. M. Vnto þe geaunt ful swiþe he ranAnd to SN. ful] om. SN. he] om. N. & kedde þat he was douȝti man,kithe S. was] a add. SN. And smot ato his nekke bon:He S. Þe geaunt fel to grounde anon.1917—1920: Vppon the jeauntis heryn panne He gave hym a dynt than, His sworde so kyndly yode, That at the breste the dynt stode; The jeaunt fell down to ground, Was he never after sound. M.1787—1920 are lost in E. Beues wente in at castel gate,wente] strykiþ E; stroke M. at] þe add. SN; that add. M. castel] om. EM. Þe leuedi a mette þer ate.And the N. leu.] lady sone S. a] om. N. mette] ffond stondinge M; sone add. N; redy add. E. 'Dame!' a seide, 'go, ȝeue me mete,Dame a s.] He (And N) seide: 'Dame SN. go] om. ESNM. ȝeue] þou add. N. me] sum add. E. Þat euer haue þow Cristes hete!'And SN; As M. haue þou euer S. goddys ESN; criston (!) M. Þe leuedi, sore adrad wiþ alle,leu.] was add. ESN. aferd SN. Ladde Beues in to þe halle,And lad SN; Sche ledde E. B.] fforþ add. E.1917—1926: He smote the gyaunt then vntyll Wyth all hys myȝt & all hys wylle, And (om. O) soche a stroke he hath (there O) hym lente, That (helme & (the O) hed (yn sondur (fro the body O) wente; Breste & body all (om. O) clafe he downe Wyth the dynte of hys ffawchon. Now seyde Befyse: 'Be mone & sonne, I trowe, y haue my mete ywonne (wel wonne O)! 'Dame,' (Daue (!) (O) seyde Befyse, 'wyth owt (outen O) more Go (om. O) geue me (some add. O) mete, (me hungurth (I hunger O) sore, And þus (men schall teche odur by (shal I neuer, so mot I O) þe, Of mete & drynke no (negyn to (churle O) bee.' Sche (The lady O) durste not hym (Beuys O) wythstonde, Sche (But O) ladde (syr Befyse (hym O) yn by þe honde And (She O) seruyd hym furste (om. O) of bredd & wyne, And afturward of (the kechyne (metys fyne O). CO. And of eueriche sonde,And] But C; Sche sette beforn hym E. euer.] eche kyn E; a add. C. And of e.] Of goddes grace and goddes SN. Of euery messe, I understande O. Þat him com to honde,him—to] come to syr Befyse CO; men myȝte bryngen to here E. Þat—to] Diuerse mete (metis N) she brouȝt him (with her (to N) SN. A dede hire ete al þer ferst,dede] made ENCO. hire] to add. C; alway to E. al þer] þer of SN; at þe C; om. E. ferst] fyrste whyle C. hire—ferst] the lady therof begyn O. Þat ȝhe ne dede him no berst,Þat] Lest EO. ȝhe] þey E. ne] om. ESNCO. deden E; myȝt do C. no] ony E; maner add. SN. berst] wrest E; gyle C. dede—berst] had put poyson therin O.1925—1930: The lady lad hym in to the hall, Sore she was adred with all, For euermore it is seid And in this Romayn well ileyd: More for scathe, that she (!) doutes, Many a man to other loutis. Then sat Beues down at the tabull. She brought hym mete, with oute ffabull, He made her euer ete beffore, That she dyd hym no gile thore, M. And drinke ferst of þe win,And] to add. C. drinke] she dranke M. that M; euery E. drinke—þe] fecchid (fet N) him wel good SN. Þat no poisoun was þer in.was] were MC. Þat—þer] Lest þer were ony poysoun E.1931 f.: He made hyr drynke fyrst truly, Lyst she shulde do hym velanye. O. Whan Beues had le ete inouȝ,And when þat C; Þoo ESN. jeeten E; ryȝt add. E. A keuerchef to him a drouȝÞe lady a E. A] whyte add. CO. kercher S. to him] of her had SN; fforþ EM. a] sche E. In þat ilche stounde,In] That he myght at M. ilche om. M. In þ. i.] And with yn a SN; lytyl add. ESN. To stope mide is wonde.To—is] For to stoppe (with his (sere B. E) EM; He stopped þer with his SN. 'Dame, dame,' Beues sede,dame] sir SN; þoo add. E. B.] þan add. SN. saide SN; dame—sede] he said at this nede M. 'Let sadele me a gode stede,Let s.] Let do sadull M; Do lete sadil N; Do sadel S; Lat brynge E. me] now forþ add. E. gode] om. ESNM. stede] in þis braide add. S. For hennes ich wile ride,For h.] Out of this castel SN. wile] anon add. E. For—wile] That I may vppon M. I nel no lenger her abide!'wille SN. No lengere (I wole (will I M) EM. Þe leuedi seide, ȝhe wolde fawe;wol N. seide ȝ. w.] þer off was wol E. fawe] not lynge M. A gode stede ȝhe let forþ drawegode] om. M. forþ] out SN. let forþ dr.] dyd to B. brynge M. And sadeled hit & wel adiȝt,And sad. hit] Isadelled SN; All is. M; Ryȝt weel is. E. &] ful add. SN. idyȝt EN; dyȝt SNM. And Beues, þat hendi kniȝt,And] To serve M. þat] good add. SNM. hendi] om. M. þat h. k.] leep on hym anon ryȝt E. Into þe sadel a lippte,a l.] he ne lepte E; þoo he lepe SN; he hym wond M. Þat no stirop he ne drippte.stepte C. no—drippte] he ne (om. N) towchid no stirepe SN. Or that he the steroppe ffond M.1935—1946: And (stoppyd þer wyth (therwyth stopped O) hys depe wounde, To staunche þe (blode at (bledynge in O) þat stounde; Befyse (euyn to (into the O) stable yede And made to sadull hym a (ful gode add. O) stede. There wolde he no lenger abyde, He (But O) toke hys leue & forthe can ryde. CO. Forþ him wente sire Beuoun,him] than M; om. C. wente] rood EC; þo add E. Forþ—sire] And when þe (þat N) hynde knyȝt SN. him—Beu.] than syr Beuys rode O. Til he com wiþ oute þe tounTil] þat add. E. Til he c.] Com a myle SN. þe t.] a brode O. In to a grene mede.To C; Unto O; Right in to M; In SN. a] feyre add. CO; wol fayr add. ESN. mede] place CO; way M. 'Now, louerd Crist,' a sede,Now l.] Lord Iesu ESN; Lorde M; þoo add. E. a] B. E. a s.] than gan he say M. Lorde, (he seyde (sayde Beuys O), blessyd be thy grace CO. 'Ȝeue it, Brademond, þe king,ȝeue] ȝif SN; Yf M; Wolde now E; (And nowe add. O) I wolde CO. it] þat ESNCMO. þe] om. O. He and al is of-spring,He and] Were here wyth (me and add. O) CO. is] schrewyd add. E. hospryng E; sprynge O. Wer riȝt her vpon þis grene:riȝt her] ryȝt now S; now EN. on S; in N. Now ich wolde of me teneFor now SN. Now i. w.] I wolde here E. of] for N; al add. E. Swiþe wel ben awreke,Anon ryȝt iben E. Scholde he neuer go ne speke:Ne scholde E. go ne s.] ffyrþere reke E. Now min honger is me aset,me a.] off set E; ysette SN. Ne liste me neuer fiȝten bet!'Ne] om. ESN. Me lest E. neuer] to add. SN.1953—1958: On þys grene (þen schulde men (men shulde O) see, Whedur (that add. O) y (wolde a fote hym (shulde them O) flee!' CO. That they were in the grene wose, And I shold hem well tose; I shold me venge this ilke day, Be hym, that borne was of a may! Nowe haue I etyn and well am dight, Liste me never better to ffyght.' M. Forþ a wente be þe strem,wente] rode M. a w.] B. rood E; rode Befyse CO. þe] þat E; a O. Til a com to Iurisalem;Til] þat add. E. Ierusalem ESNCM. To þe patriark a wente cof,cof] full swythe C; blithe M; truly O. a w. c.] wente Beue SN. & al his lif he him schrof&] Of SNC. al h. l.] smertely M. to hym he E; he dud (gan M) hym CM. shreue SN; schryue CM. And tolde hym his lyfe by and by O. And tolde him, how hit was be-go,He M. And t. h.] Al to gedere E; Of al his lif SN. goo ESN. how—be-go] or he wold goo M. Of is wele and of is wo.Boþe off E; And of N. wele—is] liffe bothe wele and M.1963 f. om. CO. Þere (All M) he tolde al (hym M) his lyf, Of hur þat shuld be his wyf.add. SNM. And (There O) tolde (hym also (he O) wyth owt (outen O) stryfe Of Iocyan, þat schulde be (haue ben O) hys wyfe.add. CO. And off Iosyan, þat ffayre lyff, Þat scholde han ben sere B. wyff.add. E. Þe patriark hadde reuþehadde] hadde ryȝt E; sawe hys C; gret add. ESCM. reuþe] nye C. Of him and ek of is treuþehim] his liffe M. ek] om. M. ek of is] off hys grete ESN. For Befyse he wepyd, so thoȝt hym rewly. C.1965 f.: Whan the patryarke that harde, truly, He wept for hym and had petye. O. (And leet (He made CM; to add. C; lechys add. M) helen þere (þoo SN; om. CM) (hys (syr Befyse C) wounde (woundes S), [And made hym (hem S) [Tyll þat he was C] both (om. E) hool (and sounde (in lytyl stounde C). add. ESNCM. He kept wyth hym Beuys sole, Tyl he was bothe sounde and hole. add. O. And for-bed him vpon his lif,And] Than O; he add. MO. on SCMO. Þat he neuer toke wif,toke] shold take M. neuer t.] ne (om. C) scholde take no EC; shulde neuer wed SNO; a add. O. Boute ȝhe were clene maide.Boute] ȝiff add. EO. were] a add. ECMO. maydyn clene CO. 'Nai, for soþe!' sire Beues saide.sire B.] B. þanne E. for—saide] said Beues, be seynt Martyne! M. On a dai aȝenes þe eueVp on E. On—þe] So it byfelle on (vppon N) an SN; Whan it was come to M. Of þe patriarke he tok is leue;B. of S. he] B. N; om. S. is] om. N.1970—1972: 'Gladly (Nay, syr, O),' seyde syr (om. O) Befyse, '(as add. O) y wene!' When hyt (was agenste (cam to O) þe nyght, Befyse toke hys (om. O) leue as a curtes (gentyl O) knyȝt. CO. Erliche amorwe, whan it was dai,And S; Sone N. a] on þe SCO; on E; at N. a m.] om. M. Forþ a wente in is wai;Forþ a w.] B. rood (went SN) fforþ ESNCO. He hym dight and went M. in] on ENO; vpon C; om. SM. wai] iournay E. And also a rod him self alone:And] om. CO; thought add. M. also] as ESNCMO. a] B. SN. rydeth C. him s.] om. SNM. 'Lord,' a þouȝte, 'whar mai i gone?a þouȝte] he sayde E; om. M. whedyr E; wheþure M. He thenkyth whodur ys beste to gone C; Hym thought, wheder warde he wolde gone O; Lord, þouȝt he, what is to doon? SN. Whar ich in to Ingelonde fare?Wheþer ECMO; Yf SN; that add. C; shal add. MO. in] om. CO. Nai,' a þouȝte, 'what scholde i þare,Or nay C; What M. a þ.] quod he SN; he said M; om. CO. what] om. M. i] doo add. ENCMO. Boute ȝif ichadde ost to gader,yf þat C; om. ESM. I myght O. an ost SNCO; gret folke M. men E. to] om. O. For to sle me stifader?'For to] That I myght M. He þouȝte, þat he wolde an hieþat he w.] to wende al E. He—an] But þen he þouȝt for to SN. In to þe londe of Ermonie,In—of] Wend ageyn to M. To Ermonie, þat was is bane,Ermonie] kyng Ermyn C; Ermyne N; þat] þer NM. To his lemman Iosiane.And to E; And SN; his] hs (!) A. lemman] douȝtyr E. To h. l.] But he wold speke with M.1981—1984: 'I wyll,' he seyde, 'to Armony, (There wyll y wete (To wete the cause O) wherfore & why That þe kyng dud me (om. O) þys treson For my godenes agenste reson.' CO. And also a wente þeder riȝt,And] as MO; om. SN; also a w.] as he gan to ryde E; Befyse rode CO. þeder] forþ ECO; there forthe M. A mette wiþ a gentil kniȝt,gentil] hethen SN. A—gentil] And by þe way he ouertoke a C; He ouertoke another O. Þat in þe londe of ErmonieÞat in] And toward SN. in—of] wolde go to CO; beffore in M. Hadde bore him gode companie;Hadde—gode] Hadde ben of hys E; Þey wente togeder in SN; And (Than O) Befyse beryth (bare O) hym CO. And as they redon, at the laste Eyther behelde odur faste And eyther odur then (of them O) knewe, For sometyme þey were felows trewe. add. CO. Þai kiste hem anon wiþ þathem] and clepton SN. hem anon] both to geder M. To gedur þey kyssyd aftur (þe gate (that O) CO. And aþer askede of oþeres stat.And] om. O. aþer] he CO. ask.] syr (om. O) Befyse add. CO. other S; hys CO. estate MC. Þanne seide Beues and louȝ:Þo ESN; God wote CO. seide] spake M; answeryd E; sere add. EC. 'Ich aue fare hard inouȝ,ffarid M. fare hard] yfaren well SN; had sorowe O. Sofred boþe honger & cheleI suffred SN; I haue suffryd E; And suffurde CO. boþe] om. M. hung.] thurste add. M. chele] colde CMO. And oþer peines mani & feleAnd] Wyth O. oþer—&] mony other paynes SN. & fele] folde CMO. Þourȝ king Ermines gile:And al þrouȝ (for N) SN; þe add. EM. Ȝet ich þenke to ȝelde is while,For ȝit SN; That M. þynke E; hope SNM. to] om. S. ȝelde] hym add. E. is] som M. For he me sente to Brademond,to] king add. SN. To haue slawe me þat stonde:þat] in a SN. God be þanked, a dede nouȝt so,And god SN. þanke S. a d. n.] it is not SN. Ac in is prisoun wiþ meche woBut in prisoun he dide me doo SN. Ichaue leie þis seuen ȝare,Ichaue l.] And (But N) alle SN. ȝare] and more add. SN. Hunger and paynes y suffred sore, God me delyuered of þat care, add SN. Ac now icham from him ifareAc now] And þus SN. hem N. Þourȝ godes grace & min engyn,Þourȝ] With SN. Ac al ich wite it king Ermyn,Ac al] My woo SN. it] om. S.1997—2004: Thorow treson of kyng Armyn, Ȝyt schall y quyte hym all my pyne (peyne C)! CO; om. EM. And, ne wer is douȝter Iosiane,And] om. ESNCMO. Nere N; Were nat O. Sertes, ich wolde ben is bane!'shold M. Sertes ich w.] Thys day schulde (wolde O) y CO. Þoo spak þe knyȝt þere þat he stood To sere B. wiþ mylde mood: add. E. 'Iosiane,' queþ þe kniȝt, 'is a wifqueþ þe k.] he sayde ECO. Ios.—kn.] Þoo seide þe knyȝt: Iosian SN; The knyght said: Iosyan M. is] nowe add. O. Aȝen hire wille wiþ meche strif.Aȝeyns E; Agenste CMO. wiþ] in S. mekyll M. Seue ȝer hit is gon and more,agone NM. gon a. m.] be Termagaunt CO. Þat þe riche king Yuoreþe r.] here weddyd E. Syth (Sythen O) kyng Inguour (Iour O) of Mombrant CO. To Mombraunt haþ hire weddeIocyan to CO. Moumbrand E; Vmbraunt SN; Mombrant C; Membraunt O. haþ h.] he (om. S) gan here ESN; dud CO. haþ h. w.] her led M. Boþe to bord and to bedde,Boþe] To hauen here E. bord] boure O. and] also add. O. to] om. E. And richely he hath her wed M. And haþ þe swerd MorgelaiAnd] He ESNCMO. þe (= þy)] goode add. ESNM. swerd] gode add. O. And Arondel, þe gode palfrai:gode] noble E. Ac siþe þe time, þat i was bore,Ac] But SN. Swiche game hadde ich neuer be-fore,game] bord N; a borde S. hadde] harde (!) S. Ase ich hadde þat ilche tide,ich h.] was doone S. Whan i seȝ king Yuor rideÞo SN. i] B. (!) S. To-ward Mombraunt on Arondel; Þe hors was nouȝt ipaied wel:Þat SN. nas N. paid N. w. n. ip.] nouȝt paide S. That þe king sat on his rigge, Þe hors þouȝt, he shuld abygge; add. SN. He arnede awai wiþ þe kingran SN. Þourȝ felde & wode, wiþ outen lesing,wiþ o.] þat is no S. And in a mure don him cast, Almest he hadde deied in hast.hadde deied] had bene dede N; was ded S. Ac er hii wonne þe stede,Ac—þe] Or þat þey wan þat (the N) good SN. Ropes in þe contre þai leide;In to (om. N) al þe contrey roopes SN. Ac neuer siþe, wiþ oute fable,Neuer S; And euer N. sethen SN. Ne com þe stede out of þe stable,Ne] om. S. þe] þat S. þe] om. N. stabe (!) A. So sore he was aneied þat tide;agreuyd S; agramyd N; ther with add. S. Siþþe dorste noman on him ride!'Siþþe d.] That sethen myȝt SN. on] om. N. For þis tiding Beues was bliþe,For] Of S. bl.] glad SN. His ioie kouþe he noman kiþe.And (om. N) in his hert no sorow was stad SN. 'Wer Iosiane,' a þouȝte, 'ase lele,a þ.] in hert SN. Alse is me stede Arondel, Ȝet scholde ich come out of wo!'of] my add. SN. And at þe kniȝt he askede þo:at] to SN. ask.] seide SN.2015—2036 om. ECMO. 'Whider-wardes is Mombraunt?'Whederwart SN; Whedyr, quod B. E. Whider-w. is] Whederward is it M. Where ys CO; he seyde add. C. Mombr.] sayde Beuys tho add. O. 'Sere,' a sede, 'be Teruagaunt,a s.] said he M; quod þat oþer E. And he seyde: Syr C. be] syde add. (!) C. Ter|magaunt ENC; Tirmegaunt S; Turma|gaunte M; Mahounde, so O. Þow miȝt nouȝt þus wende forþ,most SNM; schalt C. not C; om. SNM. þus w.] wynde þus C; wenden euene ESN; now r.de M. forþ] south N. Þow most terne al aȝen norþ!'But þou EC; All wey thou M. mvste M. terne] wynde C; ride M. aȝen] a lytyl more E; more C. Þow—aȝen] And take þe way in to þe SN. Beues ternede his stedeThen syr B. C. tern.] þan turnyd E; turned þenne SNM. his] goode add. E. And rod norþ gode spede;riduth M. norþ] forth SNCM; ryȝt add. E; ful add. SN; a well add. C; a add. M. Myles moo þan oon or twoo, Was not his way (so add. N) soone ydoo. add. SN. Euer a was pasaunt,Euer] om. M. a w. p.] he rood ryȝt so arnand E; more he was rydaunt SN; he rode (euer add. M) forthe errande (araunte M) CM. 'So farforth may ye nat go to day, But turne ye agayne another way!' Than rode Beuys forth errant, O. Til a com to Mombraunt.Til] þat add. E. Mombraunt is a riche cite,is] was CM. Þan was Vmbraunt SN. a] þe SNC. rychest SN; chefe C. In al þe londe of SarsineIn] Of SNM. Sarȝaiye M. Þe ffayrest þat euere man see E; Fayre and louely on to se O. Nis þer non þer to ilicheNis þer] Ne is þer nowher E; Was there none M; Ther was noon C; In al þat londe was (nas N) noon SN. þer to il.] it lyche ESNCM. Ne be fele parti so riche.2047 f. om. O.Nor C. be f.] in no maner M. parte M. parties N; partyys half E; sithes S; folde C. And whan þat hende kniȝt BeuounAnd] om. ESNCM. whan] Þo þat E. þat] þe E; thys CM. hende] om. EM. kn.] sere add. EM. Whan syr Beuys of South Hamptwne O. Come wiþ outen þe toun,Come] Was M; nere add. C; a litull add. M; þere a lytyl add. E. wiþ o.] ffro M. outen þe] in that ryche O. þe] cite add. SN. Þar wiþ a palmer he mette,Þar] om. ESNCMO. he] þere he SMO; ther him N; sone he C; B. þere E. And swiþe faire he him grette:And] om. N. swiþe] ryȝt E; well C. And sw.] And ffull M; Ful O. he him] eyther other O. 'Palmer,' a sede, 'whar is þe king?'is] so ESNMO; om. (!) A. 'Sire!' a seide, 'an hontingseide] he is add. SM. Wiþ kinges fiftene.'Wiþ] (Þer be (And CMO) with hym ECMO; ryche add. S. knyȝtys EM. Wyth many knyghtes stoute and kene O. 'And whar,' a seide, 'is þe quene?'And] om. SNCMO. whar] Palmer O. whar a s.] Sir, said Beues M; where add. MO. 'Sire,' a seide, 'in hire bour.'Sire] om. M. seide] she is add. M. tour ESNCMO. 'Palmer,' a seide, 'paramour,a s.] said Beues M; now add. E. Ȝem me þine wedeȝem] Wylt thou geue CO. me] om. (!) S; now add. EM. thy ECMO; al þy SN; now þy pore (om. M) EM. For min and for me stede!'min] here add. E; armour add. M. min a. f.] my clothynge and O. 'God ȝeue it,' queþ þe palmare,ȝe god E. ȝeue] wold SNM. it] þat S; om. ENM. Wolde to (om. O) god CO. seyde CMO. þe] pore add. C. 'We hadde driue þat chefare!'Þat we ESNM; That ye O. driue] made SNMO. We h. d.] That thou woldyst make C; þat] swych a E. chef.] change in fere S. Beues of is palfrei aliȝte(Anon add. C) sere (om. M) B. (anon add. EM) ESNMO. is] the N. palf.] hors SN. of—al.] þo (om. CM) doun lyȝte ECMO. And schrede þe palmer as a kniȝteAnd sch.] He cled M. And þe palmere (hym vndyȝte (yn hys wede dyght C) EC.2063 f. om. O. And ȝaf him is hors, þat he rod in,And] He ESMO; Beuys O. him] om. O. is] þe SM; an C. stede SN. in] on SNM. þat—in] boþe (om. CO) good & (om. O) fyn ECO. For is bordon and is sklauin.bordon] sklauen SNM; staff EC. is—is] the palmers O. skl.] burdon SNM. For his burdoun and for (om. N) his hat, Ful glad was sir B. of that. add. SN. Þe palmer rod forþ ase a king,Þe—forþ] Þo rood þe palmer SN. & Beues wente alse a breþeling.wente] om. SN. brotheling SN.2067 f. om. ECMO. Whan he com to þe castel gate,Whan he c.] He (B. EMO) wente (come M; a doun add. E) ESNCMO. castel] om. E. Anon he fond þar atefond] stonde add. (!) A. Anon he f.] Palmerys ffele stoden (he mett C) EC; Many palmers he fonde O; Than sye he stond|inge M; And pore men he fonde S; And founde pore men N. Mani palmer þar stondeAnd mony palmers SN; Palmers there meny M. Of fele kene londe,Of f. k.] Þat were of mony (om. M) diuerse SNM.2071 f. om. EC. And he askede hem in þat stede,ham askyd M. And—hem] Þan seide B. SN. stede] place M. What hii alle þar dede.What h. a.] And hem asked what þey SN. hii—dede] they dyd there in that case M.2073 f.: Syr Befyse askyd yn þat stounde, Who them all mete founde. C. Sere rabastor (?) to þe gate goþ And askyd hem, what þey þere doþ. E. Þanne seide on, þat þar stod:on] a palmer SN. Þanne s. on] One answerid M. þar] be hym C. 'We beþ icome to haue gode,are come C; com heder SN. haue] sum add. SN.2075 f. om. E. And so þow ert also!'And—ert] Ne (He said M) art thou not so (om. C) CM; And art þou come palmere E; Ne com þou heder (thedir N) þerfore SN. 'Who,' queþ Beues, 'schel it vs do?'Who] ȝe, sere E. seyde B. C; om. M; who add. E. it vs] vs good ESNCM. 'Þe quene, god hire schilde fro care!schylde here EM; Þe—schilde] He seyde: 'God saue the quene C. god—care] þat wel mot she fare SN. Meche ȝhe loueþ palmare;Meche] (For add. M) wel SNM; om. C. loueþ] euery add. SNCM. Now Iesu late here well to ffare E. Al þat ȝhe mai finden here,there M. Eueriche dai in þe ȝere,For euery ESN. in] off E. in þe ȝ.] wyth gode chere C.2082 put before 2081. ESN. Faire ȝhe wile hem fedeFaire—hem] Sche wole (hathe M) hem (them C; om. SN) fful (om. CM) fayre (hem om. ECM) ESNCM. And ȝeue hem riche wedeþem S. riche] ful ryche SN; wel gode C; gold & syluer to E; othure thinges to M. wede] mede ECM. For a kniȝtes loue, Beuoun, Þat was i-boren at Souþhamtoun; To a riche man ȝhe wolde him bringe, Þat kouþe telle of him tiding!'2085—2088 om. ESNCM. 'Whanne,' queþ Beues, 'schel þis be don?'Whanne] What tyme C. queþ B.] sayde B. ESNCM. þis] it M; þus S. A seide: 'Be-twene middai & noun.'A s.] The tother said M; om. ESNC. Be-t.] the add. C. &] þe add. EC; ȝong add. S. Be-t. m. &] Before the M. Beues, hit ful wel he sai,Sere B. ESNC. hit] þanne E; om. SN. ful] wol E. he] it add. SN. hit—he] lifte vp his hede and M; hit—sai] thoght yn fay C. Hit nas boute ȝong dai;Þat it was ESNCM. boute] om. EM. ȝong] erly CM; no tyme off (!) E; on the add. M. A þouȝte, þat he wolde er þanþat] om. SN. þat—er] anon C. Wende aboute þe barbican,Wende] To go C. þe b.] or it bygan SN.2093 f.: He ȝede aboute faste wiþ alle And beheeld þe castel walle, E. For to loke & for to se, How it miȝte best be,How] that add. M. miȝte] þanne add. E. Ȝif he þe castel wolde breke,he] om. M. cast.] that he add. M. As he cam forþ be þe strete E. Whar a miȝte best in reke;And where SN.2097 f. om. C. And also a com be a touret,And] om. SM. as SNCM. Þat was in þe castel iset,þe] that N. A herde wepe and crie;There he SN. herde] one add. M. wepyng and C; a woman SN. Þederward he gan him hie.And þed. SN. Þed. he] And thedur faste C. him] he C; om. NM. hie] esspye M. Þan was it Iosian, þe quene; 'Þus,' she seide, 'alweye y weene, add. SN. 'O allas,' ȝhe seide, 'Beuoun,O] om. CM. al.] om. C. ȝhe s.] He herde þe quene sey C; om. SNC; allas, sir add. SNC; ffor add. M. Beues M. Hende kniȝt of Souþ-hamtoun,Gentil SNC. Hampton C. Of Hamp|ton the knyght famous M. Now ichaue bide þat day,For now C. haue y SNM. abeden C. þat] þis SN. Þat to þe treste i ne may:to—i] y to þe truste C. Þat ilche god, þat þow of speke,god] promyse C. He is fals & þow ert eke!'He—&] Therof, certen, false C. eke] om. C. In al þe seuene ȝer eche daiIn al þe] All that M; Tho C. yerys C. euery CM.2106—2109 om. SN. Iosiane, þat faire mai,My self Iosian SN. þat] the N. Was woned swich del to make,Was w.] To be wedded SN. del] sorowe for O. swich—make] for syr Befyse sake C. Al for sire Beues sake.And all M. Soche sorowe for to make C. Þe leuedi gan to þe gate te,Þ. l. g.] And þo she wolde SN; Then wolde sche go C; Than M. te] wold she M; om. C. Þe palmeres þar to se;Al þe SNC. þar] for SN; all M; om. C. se] þer ate add. C. And Beues, after anonAnd] om. SN. And B. a.] So than did she right M; þat tyme add. SN. To þe gate he gan gon.can she M.2115 f. om. C. Þe palmers gonne al in þreste,And the M; And þo þe N. palmer (!) M. Þe p.] They C. al] om. M. in] agenst hur C. gonne—þr.] in at þe (om. N) ȝate þrast SN. Beues abod & was þe laste;Syr B. C. abod] stod SN; still add. M. þe] om. C. And whan þe maide seȝ him þar,And] om. SNCM. whan þe m.] (Whan that (Þo SN) Iosian SNM. him] þem C. Of Beues ȝhe nas noþing war;Of] syr add. C. B.] hym M. nas scho N; she was M; was she S. noþing] not well N; om. C. 'Þe semest,' queþ ȝhe, 'man of anour,Þe] And (Sche C) seide: Þou SNC. queþ ȝ.] she said M; a C; om. SN. man] om. SN. Þow schelt þis dai be priour(And add. C) þerfore þou SNCM. þis d.] om. SNCM. be] here add. SN. And be-ginne oure deis:And] om. C. oure] þat ilke SN; þou schalt the C; to day the M. daysee S. Þe semest hende and corteis.'For þou SNM. hende and] om. C. corteis] free (!) S. Mete and drinke þai hadde afyn,þai] he SN. fyn SNCM. Boþe piment and plente a wyn,Boþe] of add. M. plente a] other S; of M; om. C. Swiþe wel þai hadde ifare;hadde if.] fared there C; had ffeyre (!) M. Þanne seide þe quene to eche palmare:seide] askyd C. þe q.] she M. to] om. C. eche] so SN; euery C; the M; om. (!) A. 'Herde euer eni of ȝow telleHerde—ȝow] Lordynges (Lordlingis N), herde ȝe neuer SN; Herde ye euer ought M; Yf þey harde euyr C. In eni lede or eni spelle,Oþer in M. eni] om. MC. lede] londe SM; londis N; town C; Romans M. eni] in M; yn odur C. or e. sp.] þere knyȝtes dwelle SN. Or in feld oþer in toun,Other M; Odur C; Either S; And N. oþer] or SNCM. Of a kniȝt, Beues of Hamtoun?'a kn.] sir M; þat hyȝt (hete N) add. SNC. B. of Southamton SN; Befown C.2132 put before 2131. C. To (om. C; a add. M) ryche man y wolde (wyll C) him bryng Þat couth (ean N) [me (om. C) tel of him [of him tel me S] tydyng add. SNCM. 'Nai!' queþ al, þat þar ware.Nai queþ] We can none! said M. They seyde, þey cowde not telle þare C. They seyde: 'Madame, certis, nay, We herde neuer of him be (om. N) nyȝt nor (ne N) day.' SN. 'What þow?' ȝhe seide, 'niwe palmare?'seide] thou add. M. þow—niwe] sche seyde, þou onkowth C. What (om. S), þou new palmer (what add. S), seist þou? SN. Of hym some tythyng telle me here!' Then anon he can answere: add. C. Þanne seide Beues and louȝ:seide] bespake M; sir add. SC. B.] to hur add. N. Certes, madame, with out wowȝ add. SN. 'Þat kniȝt ich knowe wel inouȝ!Hym y knowe C; I know sir (om. M) B. SNM. Atom,' a seide, 'in is contrea s.] om. SNCM. is] owne add. SN. Icham an erl and also is he;so SNC. and a. is] as well as M. (Leueþ me now þrouȝoute (He louid me moste ouer M) alle, At hoom (y am his (wyth him I am M) parmyngalle (paruyngal N; oryginall M). add. SNM. In hys contre y am hys pere, Therfore he louyth me full dere. add. C. At Rome he made me a spelIn M. At—made] He made onys to C. me a] grete SNM. Of an hors, men clepede Arondel:an h.] his stede CM. men cl.] þat hight (hete N) SNM. Wide whar ichaue iwentwhar] in lond M. haue y C. And me warisoun ispent,me w.] gret (mekyll M) raunsom y haue SNM; moche golde haue y C. I souȝt hit boþe fer & ner,And y SN; And C; haue hym add. M. hit] him SN; yn londys C; om. M. boþe] om. SNCM. Men telleþ me, þat it is her;But men SN; And men C. telleth] sey SNCM; to add. M. tell. me þ.] me tolde C. it] hors SN; he CM. was C. Ȝif euer louedestow wel þat kniȝt,lou. wel] ye louyd C. euer—kniȝt] þou louyst (love M) B. from (bifore N; om. M) eny wyȝt SNM. Let me of þat hors haue a siȝt!'Of þat hors let me SN. haue of hym CM. For he spak of sir Bef, He was Iosian ful lefe (lyf S). add. SN. What helpeþ hit, to make fable?What h. h.] Anon ryȝt SN; Also sone M; Then þe quene C. to m.] without SNCM. Ȝhe ladde Beues to þe stable;ȝhe] om. C. syr B. C; þe palmer N. hym led M; in add. SNCM. Iosian be-held him be-fore,Ios.] Sche CM; (& add. N) when she SN. him] Beues M; in þe face add. SN. euer|more M. Ȝhe seȝ his browe to-tore;ȝhe] And SNCM. seȝ] þat add. SN. browe] face C; was add. SN; all add. CM. After Bonefas ȝhe gan grede,Þoo after SN. gan g.] grad N; cryed C. At stable dore to him ȝhe sede:At] (And add. C) before the CM. to h.] om. CM. ȝhe] and M. yede C. And al her colour woxe (wexed N) reede SN. 'Be þe moder, þat me haþ bore,haþ] om. SNC. Ner þis mannes browe to-tore,Nor S; Ne were M. þis m.] his SNM. browe] were add. S; so add. NM. And seyde: 'Ne were hys face so ytore C.2154 put before 2153. SNC. Me wolde þenke be his fasoun,wolde þe.] thynkyth C. his f.] the fftission (!) M. Þat hit were Beues of Hamtoun!'hit] he S. Þat h. w.] Hyt schulde be C. Whan þat hors herde neueneþat h.] Arundel SNM. herde] þe name add. M. nemyn SN. His kende lordes steuene,Of his M. Sir B. name, his SN. kende] own CM; om. SN. lordes] lorde the M. His rakenteis he al te-rofrakk C; sevyn cheynes SN. he] om. SN. drove SN; anone add. N. And wente in to þe kourt wel kofþe] þ (!) A. In to þe castel he went coue (sone N) SN; And owt of þe stabull drofe C.2159 f.: The cheyn he brake, the dur also, And ran into the yerd right tho. M. And neide & made miche prideAnd] He SCM. made made (!) A. gret M. miche p.] chere proude SN; grete solas C. Wiþ gret ioie be ech a side.And caste vp the fete on euery side M. And with his neyȝing gred loude SN; Won|durly yn that place C. 'Allas!' þo queþ Iosiane,þo] alas NC; om. SM. queþ] seyde CM; the quene add. M. 'Wel mani a man is baneWel] He wyll be M; om. C. man] schall haue C. Now wol þis hors be mannes bane SN. To dai he worþ i-lauȝt, Er þan þis stede ben icauȝt!'2165 f.: Or he be to day caght, Moche harme schall be wroght, C. Grete harme men shul (may N) lacche (And grete noye, or men him cacche (Er thei schulle this hors cacche N).' SN. Or this hors this day be nomen, Mekyll shame to vs ys comen!' M. Þan seide þat palmere: 'Madame, he shal (seid (!) N) no man dere.' add. SN. Þanne seide Beues & louȝ:Þoo S. 'Ich can take hit wel inouȝ:can] wyl SN; dare M; hym M. him take SNC. Wolde ȝe,' a sede, 'ȝeue me leue,Ȝif thou wilt SN; Woldiste thou M. a s.] dame M; om. SNC. Hit ne scholde noman greue!'He ne shal SN; Shold he this day M; I shal (wolde C) hym take C; & add. C. 'Take hit þanne,' ȝhe sede,him SNM. ȝhe] þe lady SN; the quene M. 'And in to stable þow it ledein to] to the SNM. him SNM.2171 f.: Sche seyde: 'Take hym yn feyre manere In to þe stabull & tye hym þere!' C. And teie it þar it stod,And t.] Thou brynge M. him SNM. And t. it] Ryght euen C. it] he SC; that he M; as he afore N. And þow schelt haue mede gode!'And—haue] And y (om. (!) S) wyl (shall M) ȝeue þe SNM. mede] mete M; to mede muche S; gyftys C. Beues to þe hors teȝ; Þo þe hors him knew and seȝ, Hit ne wawede no fot,2175—2177: Anon syr Befyse to hym can hye, And when þe hors can hym see, He ne mevyd fote nor toppe, C. Til Beues hadde þe stirop;Til] syr add. C. þe] om. (!) C.2175—2178: Þo þe steede (seyȝe him (him sye N) als skete, He boued doun (adowne N) to B. fete; SN. Beues to Arondell is gone, And he stode still as eny stone; Whan he sye Beues, he stynt on fote, And Beues stode still in the steroppe; M Beues in to þe sadel him þrew,Beues] And C; Than M. to] om. M. sad.] he add. M. drewe SN. Þar bi þat maide him wel knew.And there by M. þat] þe SNCM. maydyn NC. him w.] first him SN; hym C. Anon seide Iosian wiþ þan:Anon] Haue mercy on me C. wiþ] om. C. Anon—wiþ] And (om. M) Iosian seide anoon SNM. 'O Beues, gode lemman,Owe S; Welcome M; Sire N; om. C. B.] my add. SNCM. gode] dere SN; om. M. Let me wiþ þe rekeAnd let C. me] now add. CM; now awey add. SN. reke] ride M. In þat maner, we han ispeke,maner] tyme S; as add. C. haue speke SN; spake C. We haue it spoke or this tyde M. And þenk, þow me to wiue tok,And] om. SN. þenk] how add. SN. And þ. þ.] And that ye (thou me M) to wyfe (wyll me (om. M) CM; take M. Whan ich me false godes for-sok:fforsake M. In that maner as we spake C. Now þow hast þin hors Arondel,Now] om. SNM. þy SNM; good add. SN. Þe swerd ich þe fette schel,ich—schel] ffeche the I wyll M. Morge|lay þou shalt haue (as snell (also wel N) SN. And let me wende wiþ þe siþþelet me wende] lede thou me fforth M. let —þe] lede me, lemman, hethen (hens N) SN. siþþe] swithe N; om. M. Hom in to þin owene kiþþe!'Hom] With þe SN. kiþþe] contre M.2187—2190: Thou haste Arondell, þy gode palfray, Feche y schall þy swyrde Mordelay, And lede me now wyth the Home yn to thy cuntre!' C. Queþ Beues: 'Be godes name,Queþ B.] Syr (om. M) Befyse seyde CM. Ichaue for þe sofred meche schame,Ich.] had add. C. sofred m.] moche M; grete C. 'Certes,' (seid B. (B. seid N) þoo, 'I haue sethen suffred muche woo, SN. Lain in prisoun swiþe strong:And (om. M) (yleye (liggen N; leyne C) SNCM. swiþe] om. SN. longe CM. Ȝif ich þe louede, hit were wrong!were] grete add. SNCM. Þe patriark me het vpon me lif,me h.] bad me C; herd M. vpon] om. M. Þe patriark forbede it me, In hethenes and (ne N) in cristiante, As y wyl haue (saue N) my lyf, SN. Þat i ne tok neuer wif,He bad, that M. ne t. n.] shulde (shal S) neuer wed (take CM) SNCM. Boute ȝhe were maide clene;Boute] yf add. C. were] a add. SNCM. maiden NCM. And þow hauest seue ȝer ben a quene,byn VII yere CM. a] om. CM. And eueri niȝt a king be þe:niȝt] had add. SN. How miȝtow þanne maide be?'schouldyst þou C. þanne] om. C; a add. SNC. maiden NC.2199 f.: How shold thou a mayden be, That haddist euery nyȝt a man with the?' M. Her hert wox (wexid N) wonder-colde Of febel contenaunce and vnbolde: add. SN. 'Merci,' ȝhe seide, 'lemman fre,A, mercy SN. seide] my add. M. lem. f.] swetyng, nay SN. Led me hom to þe contre,And lede M. to] in to SNC; in M. contray SN. And boute þe finde me maide wimman,þou SN; ye C. me fynde C; a add. SC. maiden NC. wim.] þan SNC. Be þat eni man saie can,Be] In al SN; maner add. C. eni m.] ye C. saie] assay SN.2203 f.: And whan thou haste me there than, But thou me ffynd a good woman, M. Send me aȝen to me fonaȝen] hed r SNC. to me f.] agayn (ful add. N) soone SN. Al naked in me smok alon!'Al] om. C. Al—me] In my bare M. Beues seide: 'So i schel, In þat for-ward i graunte wel!'2207 f.: Then seyde Befyse as swell: 'In that maner graunt y wyll!' C. Than said Beues also snell: 'All this will I graunte the tyll! M. 'In þat forward,' seide þe knyȝt, 'I þe graunte, my (om. N) swete wyȝt; SN. [Hye blyue [Go (now faste (than, he said M), CM] and make ȝow (the CM) ȝare, Yf (ȝe wyl (thou wilte MC) with me fare!' add. SNCM. Bonefas to sire Beues sede:Þan B. SN. 'Sire, þe is beter do be me rede!þe] it SN. me] my SN; om. (!) A.2209 f.: All that (this M) harde Boneface, That (om. M) euyr hur chaumberleyn (he add. M) was: 'Syr,' (he seyde (om. M), 'wyll ye (now add. M) here, (Ye may not do yn thys (I wyll you tell a better M) manere: CM. Þe king comeþ sone fro hontingsone] om. C. huntynges C. And wiþ him mani a riche king,mani—king] (comyth add. M) XV kyngys CM. Fiftene told al in tale,ytolde SN. in] by SN. Dukes and erles mani and fale.and] om. SN.2213 f. om. CM. Whan hii fonde vs alle agon,Yf SNC. þey S; he NC. fynde SC; founde N. alle agon] awey goon SN; gone C. And he ffynd, that ye were gone M. Þai wolde after vs euerichonÞai] He NCM. wyll C. after vs] vs folowe M. vs eu.] soone anoon SN CM. Wiþ wonder-gret cheualrie,wonder] al his SN CM. gret] om. M. And do vs schame and vileinie;schame] grame SN. And take vs all with maystrye M. Ac formeste, sire, wiþ outen fable,out SN. Led Arondel in to þe stable,in] aȝen SN. þe] om. S.2219 f.: (Do now aftur (And thou shalte do be M) my rede And (om. M) Arondell yn (om. M) to stabull lede, CM. And ate þe gate þow him abide,gate] halle dore CM. þow h.] om. CM. Til þe king comeþ bi þe ride;Til] om. CM. comeþ—ride] (con hoome (home come N) ryde SN; wyll (om. M) come (be thy (the be M) syde CM. A wile þe asken at þe frome,aske þe SNC. atte (at S) frome (begyn|nynge M) SNM; beforn C. Whider þow schelt & whannes þow come;schelt] wilt SNC. whenne S; fro when (whens C) NC. Whens thou come and what tydinge M. Sai, þat þow hauest wide i-went,Sai] Seth S. þat] om. CM. And þow come be Dabilent,And] om. S; as add. SNCM. Dyablent S; Diabilent N; Dyabolent C; Dabalent M. Þat is hennes four iurne;Þat] Hyt C. four] XIIII C; dayes add. SNM; nyght add. C. Sai, men wile þer þe king sle,And sey C; þat add. SC. þe] þat SN. wile—king] þe kyng wolde C; wold his brother M. Boute him come help of sum oþer;Boute] to add. C; of add. S. of] or of S. sum] om. SN. And king Yuor is his broþer,And] Of S; Or N; For C. kynge Y.] he C; þat add. SN. his] own add. C.2229 f.: But he hym helpe and socoure, He shall lose both castell and toure. M. & whan he hereþ þat tiding,&] om. C. hereþ] of add. N. þat] this M. Þeder a wile an hiȝingÞed. a w.] He wyll theder M; ryde add. SN. an] in S. an h.] wyth great hastynge M; for ony thyng C. Wiþ al is power and is ost:and] al add. N. Þanne mai we wiþ lite bostye may C. And þen we mow SN. lite] out SNC; outen M. Forþ in oure wei go!'Right forth SN. in] on SC; than M. yowre C. goon SN; take CM. Beues seide: 'It schel be so!'Þan seide B. SN. so] doon SN. And Arondel to stable lad,Than N. stable] he add. SN. Ase Bonefas him bad;And dide as SN. And to þe gate Beues ȝodeAnd] om. SN. þe] castel add. SN. B.] he SN. Wiþ oþer beggers, þat þer stode,Wiþ—þer] Amonge þe pore men þer (om. N) he SN. & pyk and skrippe be is side,&] om. SN. scripte (!) N. In a sklauin row & wide;In] And SN. His berd was ȝelw, to is brest wax,was was (!) S. ȝelw] waxen SN. wax] boon S; om. N. And to his gerdel heng is fax.Als feire a man as (thei add. N) myȝt goon (gest N) SN. Al þai seide, þat hii ne siȝeþai] om. SN. hii ne s.] him seyen S; thei seen N. So faire palmer neuer wiþ eiȝe,palmer] a man seye þey (om. N) SN. eyȝen S; yen N. Ne com þer non in þat contre:non] neuer seth (suche N) SN. Þus wondred on him þat him gan se;Þus] þey add. S. gan se] see S; sey N. And so stod Beues in þat þring, Til noun belle be-gan to ring.noun] vndern SN. Fram honting com þe king Yuore,Fro SN. þe] om. SN. & fiftene kinges him before, Dukes & erles, barouns how fale,&] om. SN. erles] and add. SN. how] om. SN. I can nouȝt telle þe riȝte tale.How mony y can (ken hem N) noȝt (hem add. S) by tale SN. Mervaile þai hadde of Beues alle. Yuor gan Beues to him calle And seide: 'Palmer, þow comst fro ferie:fro] om. SN. Whar is pes and whar is werre? Trewe tales þow canst me sain.'me] ne (!) N. Þanne answerde Beues again:B. answered þe king aȝeyn SN. 'Sire, ich come fro Iurisalem Fro Nazareþ & fro Bedlem,Naftireth (!) N. fro] om. SN. Emavns castel & Synaie;Sinary S. Ynde, Erop and Asie,Erop] Arabie SN. and] eke add. N. Assy SN. Egippte, Grese and Babiloine, Tars, Sesile and Sesaoine,Thares S. Sesoyn S; Sessoyn N. In Fris, in Sodeine & in Tire,Fryslond S. in] om. S. Sidon S; Sydoyn N. in] om. S. In Aufrik and in mani empire,Affryke S. in] om. S. mani] anoþer add. S. Ac al is pes þar ichaue went,Ac] om. SN. Saue in þe lond of Dabilent;But SN. In pes mai noman come þare,come] goo SN. Þar is werre, sorwe & care:For þere SN. Þe kyng of þat londe, verament, By þis tyme y trow be shent; add. S. Þre kinges and dukes fiue His cheualrie adoun ginneþ driue,adoun g.] for to doun S; thei N. todryve N. And meche oþer peple ischent,meche] of add. N. oþer] om. S. peple] þere ben add. S. shent SN. Cites itake and tounes i-brent;His cites ben take SN. and] om. N; his add. SN. brent SN. Him to a castel þai han idriue,Him] In SN. han idr.] gan him dryue SN. Þat stant be þe se vpon a cliue,stondeþ SN. vpon a] om. SN. And al þe ost liþ him about,þe] þat SN. liþ] is SN. Be þis to daie a is in doute.'to d.] day SN. King Yuor seide: 'Allas, allas, Lordinges, þis is a sori cas!Lordlingis N. Þat is me broþer, ȝe witen wel, Þat liþ be-seged in þat castel: To hors and armes, lasse & more, In haste swiþe, þat we wer þore!'we] so N; ȝe S; om. (!) A. Þai armede hem anon bedene, Yuor and his kinges fiftene,2286—2288: 'When he ys forthe (wyth his men add M) schake.' (Hyt was (And thus they dyd M), as Bone|face (they M) sayde: The kyng hath (om. M) hys oost rayed (gan oute braid M). CM. And to þe Cite of DiablentAnd—of] To socour hys brodur at C; His brother to socoure at M. Alle samen forth þey went.samen] in fere N. Alle—þey] Thedur are they all C; And theder they be all M. But an old king, þat hight Garcy,king] knyȝt CM. hete N. Gryssy C. hight G.] Garsye they clepe M. At home he lefte to kepe þe lady.he] I (!) N. At—l.] He lefte at home CM; to—lady] the quene to kepe M; for hys amy C. Þoo seid B.: 'Make ȝow ȝare,Þoo] Sone N. Ȝif þat ȝe wille with me fare!' Sir Bonefas answered þoo: 'Ȝif ȝe wil by my consaile do:Thow wolt N.2293—2296: Then (They M) come to gedur at that case (Befyce, Iocyan and (And said than to (!) M) Bonyface; Then seyde syr (om. M.) Befyse, the (knyght so add. M) free: 'Wyll ye now wynde (forth add. M) wyth me?' (And ȝyt (om. M) Boneface (to Befyse (spake and M) seyde: ('Abyde & do (Syr, do ye M) aftur my rede! CM. Here is an olde king Garcy,king] knyȝt CM. Þat muche can of Nygremancy;Þat m.] Moche he M. He may see in his goldryng,may] can CM. ryng CM. What any man dooth in alle þing.any man dooth] men do CM. in] of M. I know an Erbe in þe forest, Now wille y sende þer after prestwol we N.2301 f.: I knowe a grase yn an arbere; Y wyll brynge hyt to yow here; C. And let brochen reynessh wynerimysch (!) N. And—reynessh] Do hyt stampe & take gode C. And do þat ȝerbe anoon þerynne,þat] þe N. do—anoon] take þe gyste & put C.2301—2304: I knowe a grasse in this wood, I wyll it seche, be my hood, And stronge wyne wyll I take, The juse there wyth wyll I make, M. And what he be, þat þer of doþ drynke,what] þat add. N. what he be] all C; the (!) M. doþ] om. NC. He shal lerne for to wynkeHe] They C; om. M. lerne] ren (!) M. swynke M. And slepe anon after ryȝtAnd] This grasse shal make them O. anon a.] faste anon C; faste with all his M; a add. N. myȝt M. Al a day and al a nyȝt.'al a] a C. Sir Bonefas dide al þis þing;Sir] Whan M; om. C. dide al] had do M. Þey resen vp in þe dawnyng; Inowȝ þey toke what þey wolde,In.—what] And rayed (dressed M) þem (ham M) as CM. þey] beste add. C. Both of siluer and of golde,Both] Inough they toke M. of] wyth C; om. M. of] wyth C. And other tresoure þey toke also,tres.—also] thingis meny moo M. And in hur way þey gunne goo.What them likid ellis there to M.2313 f. om. C. And when þey were went away,And] They M. when—aw.] went (did M) forthe (on þer (ride in the M) way CM. Garcy awaked a morow dayAnd G. M. awoke NM. a] the N; on C; om. M. mor.] that oþure M; the IIIde C. And had wonder swith stronge,And h. w.] He wonderyd than M. swith] om. C. Þat he hadde slept so longe.Þat] Why C. slepe N. His ryng he gan to him tee,Then hys rynge he to hym toke C; The rynge he toke to hym then M. For to loke and for to see;loke] see C. sene M; loke C. And in his ryng say he þare,And] he sawe add. C. he sey NM; om. C. there CM. The queene awey with þe palmer was fare.That þe C. awey] was gone (forth M) CM. was] om. NCM. fare] om. CM. To his men he grad ryȝt:men] oost C. grad r.] seyde tyte C. 'As armes, lordinges, for to fyȝt!'lordlingis N. As a. l.] Make yow redy C.2323 f.: To all his hoste he cryed on hye: 'Arme you anon, I byd truwly!' M. And tolde his folke, verament,And] He M. his f. v.] (ham all (om. C), how hyt was (can M) fare CM. How þe Queene was a wey went.Of (the quene (Iosian M) & of (om. M) þe palmare CM. Þey armed hem in ryche wedehem—wede] þem well ynogh C. And euery knyȝt lep on his stede,eche N. lepi N. euery—stede] aftur them they droghe C.2327 f.: All the lond after hem drowȝe, Armyd with good harnes inouȝe, M. And after went al þat routeAnd a. w.] Of all þat (the M) londe þere (om. M) come CM. al þ.] the (a M; om. C) grete NCM. And besette hem al aboute.And] They M; were add. M. hem] them C; om. M. Þenne seide B. to Bonefas: 'Kepe wel Iosian at þis cas,wel I.] thowe wel N. And y wil wynde to bataile, Garcy and his ost to assaile.and] al add. N.2331—2334: Syr Befyse behelde all that case And seyde to Boneface: 'Iocyan thou take wyth the yn hyght, And y schall ageyn them fyght.' C. I wil fonde, what y do may,I—do] Fonde y wyll, yf that y C. I haue rested me moony a day.a] om. N. I—a] To slee them thys C. Fyȝt y will now my fyllewill] schall C. And hem ouercom by goddes wille!'þem C. by] wyth C. I haue me rested mony a day, On þem my myght y schall assay. add. C. Þo Bonefas to hym saide:Þo] come add. N. Bon.] and add. N. Then seyde Boneface yn þat stede C. 'Sir, ȝow is better do by my reed:Sir—by] Abyde & do aftur C.2331—2340: Beues, he sye sone that caas And said than to Bonyface: 'Iosyan beteche I the And ageyn I wyll turne me; With Morglay, my good sworde, Ageyn all this gret herd Fyght I wyll, yf I may, To ouercome hem all this day!' 'Sir,' said Bonyface, 'Do be my rede in this case, M. Ȝe shal be in þe lasse dout,ȝe s. be] Thow schalt the do N; And I shall you do M; I wyll, ye stonde C. þe] om. NCM. For y know þe contre al a-bout;For] om. NCM. þe] this NM. I can bryng ȝow in to a caue,can] schall C. ȝow] the N. you brynge M; the brynge C. Þere a sheparde with a staue,There as M; That N. herd M. a] his M. There as ye schall be safe C. Theyȝe men hadden his deth sworn,Theyȝe] Ther N; all add. M; þey all add. C. his (owre C) deth had CM. swore NCM. He myȝt him kepe wel þerforn!'Myght hym defend euermore M; Ye myght be there for euyrmore C.2346 put before 2345 M. Into þe caue he hath hem brouȝt;þe] a CM. hath h.] þem C. Garcy, þe kyng, hem couth fynde nouȝt,þe k.] om. CM. þem C; he (!) N. fynde cowde C. hem c. f.] can ffynd hem M. Þerfore him was swith woo;him] he NC. swith] om. C. He and his ost be-þouȝt hem thoo,beþ. h.] hem thought N. Hoom aȝeyn for to wendefor to] thei did N. And sende Ascopart hem to shende.Asc.] so N; a scoper (!) S.2350—2352. He and hys men can home goo C.2349—2352: There he gan ffor to mone, His hoste he can ffor to turne. M. In þe Caue þey were al nyȝtþe] that C. With oute mete or drynke, aplyȝt.With o.] om. M. mete] so NCM; om. (!) S. or] ne M. apl.] they ne gete myght M. or dr. a.] arayed or dyght C. Twoo dayes it was goon,agone NM. Þat mete ne drynke had þey noon.Þat] Sith M. ne] nor C. ne dr.] om. M. had] ete C. Iosian was a-fyngered sooreanhungrid N; hungurde C. And told anoon B. þerfore.B. anone N. told—þerf.] so seyde to Befyse thore C. B. seid: 'How darst þou of me meete craue?How—me] Dar the me no (!) N. Wel þou wotest, þat noon y haue.'wote N. þat] om. N. Iosian answered sone anoonsone a.] with mylde mone N. And bade sir B. to wood goon: 'I haue herde of sauagenes,of] in N. Whenne ȝonge men were in wyldernes, Þat þey toke hert and hinde And other bestes, þat þey myȝt fynde; Þey slowen hem and soden hem in her hide;Þey] om. N. hem] om. N. hidis N. Þus doon men, þat in wood abyde.abidis N. Sir, þou myȝtest bestes lyȝtly take,myght N. For sause good y wyl þe make!'2359—2370. om. C. B. seide to Bonefas þan:Syr Befyse C. þan] om. C. 'I pray þe kepe wel Iosian,I p. þe] om. C. Ios.] yn þys case add. C. Þe while y wynde into þe forest, For to take sum wylde beest!'sum] sone (!) N.2373 f.: I wyle wynde vpon þe ȝondur hylle, Some veneson for to take & kylle, And come ageyn anon tyght, And þou schalt owre mete dyght. C.2357—2374: Alas, that Bonyface had bred than, Sylver and gold whan that he wan! Iosyan said, that she wold ete, She bad Beues go gete some mete. M. Forth went B. in þat forest, Beestes to sheete he was ful prest.Beestes] For N.2375 f.: (Befyse went forthe (Forth he went M) yn þat stounde, (Wyth bowe bent & arows grounde, (With rachis and with grehoundes M) CM. Als sone as he was forth y-fare,Als s. as] When C; And whan M. forth] oute NM. Two lyouns þer com yn þare,þer] than M; om. C. yn] om. CM. In to (om. M) the cave, there he (Iosyan M) was, To (Bothe M) Iocyan and Boneface, add. CM. Grennand and rampand with her feet.and] om. N. her] ther C. with h. f.] om. M. Sir Bonefas þen als skeetSir] And CM; þen a. s.] as tyte C; with oute lettynge M. His hors to him þoo he drowȝUnto ham his hors M. þoo] om. CM. he] om. M. And armyd him wel y-nowȝ And ȝaue þe lyouns bataile to fyȝt;lyouns] so N; lyoun (!) S. the l.] þem C. And—bat.] He began anon M. Al to lytel was his myȝt.But all CM. Þe twoo lyouns sone had sloontwoo] om. CM. had] haue hym M. had hym sone C. slayne CM. Þat oon his hors, þat other þe man.The C. his] the NC. þat] the C. man] swayne C. Bothe hors and man with mayn M. Iosian into þe caue gan shete,to M. þe] a N; anodur CM. caue] place M. sete N; fflite M. And þe twoo lyouns at hur feete,And] om. NM. twoo] om. CM. ly.] lay add. C; laid ham add. M. Grennand on hur with muche grame,Gr. on hur] And on hur þey (om. M) grennyd CM. with] ffor M. muche] om. M. game M. But þey ne myȝt do hur no shame,ne] om. NCM. For þe kind of Lyouns, y-wys,For] om. C. of] the add M. lyon M; þem C. y-wys] for sothe ys C; om. M. A kynges douȝter, þat maide is,To a M. maiden N. þat m. is] may do no distruccion M. The mayde, a kyngys doghtur ys, C. Kinges douȝter, quene and maide both,maiden N. Þe lyouns myȝt do hur noo wroth.wroth] loth N. B. com sone fro huntyng With þree hertes, with out lesyng,2393—2396: They myght do hur no lothe, But lay be hur bothe. Now ys Befyse fro huntyng come And yn þe cave he sawe beforne, C. They lay so and myght do her no lothe, She was stronge inough ffor hem bothe. Beues gan ffro huntynge ffare And in the cave he sye thare M. And fonde an hors gnawe to þe boon,And fonde] om. CM. hors] was add. C. And Iosian a-wey was goon.a-w.] om. M. agone M. Fro cave to cave he can gone add. (!) M. He sowned soone for sorow and þouȝt,sow.—and] fell in sown in grett M. soone—þouȝt] as he well moght C. Fro caue to caue he her souȝt,caue to] that C. he her] forthe he C. To wete, how þat cas myȝt be,To w. h.] What C. And in a caue he gan to see,And] om. C. to] there C.2400—2402: How that the case be mought. Fro cave to cave gan he see, There Iosyan sat, he come, trewly. M. Where Iosian sate in grete douteWhere] om. C. sytte C. drede C. And twoo lions hur a-bout.hur a.] at hur fete C. Too sir B. gan she speke:sir] om. M. sche can CM. 'Sir, þyn help, me to awrekeSir—to] Come hedur and be C; Sir, she said, come and M. Of þese two Liouns, þat þy chamberleyn,þese t.] the M. þat] om. NM. Of—þat] Boneface C. þy] oure M. Ryȝt now han him slayn!'That right M. Ryȝt now] Thes two lyons C; thei add. NM. him] om. M. She seide, she wolde þat oon hoolde,she w.] I wyll M. I schall holde the oon, so mote y goo C. While þat he þat other quelde.þat] om. M. he] ye CM; make add. M. þat] the C. the tother M. quelde] sloo C; colde M. A-boute þe nekke she hent þat oon,hent] toke CM. þat] the C. And B. bade let him goon,B.] he M. bade] hur add. CM. And seide: 'Dame, forsoth, y-wys,Dame f.] to hur C. And—fors.] For sothe, he said M; than add. CM. I myȝt ȝelp of lytel prys,ȝelp] speke C; be hold M. lytel] grete C. There y had a lyon quelde,That CM. a l. q.] slayn a lyon C; gryme add. M. Þe while a woman a nother helde!Whyll C. a n. h.] hold hym M; lay hym vpon C. Thow shalt neuer vmbraide me,Thow] ne add. N. vpbraid N. When þou comest hoom to my contre:2417 f. om. CM. But þou let hem goo both twoo,þou] ye CM. hem—twoo] hym come anon (to me M) CM. Haue good day, fro þe y goo!'fro—goo] for y wyll goon C; I go ffro the M. She let hem skip vp and doun,hem sk.] ham (them C) go CM. And B. assailed þe lyoun.as. þe] asaid that one M. þe l.] þem full soone C. Strenger bataile ne strenger fyȝtStronge (!) N. ne st.] and stronge N. Herde ȝe neuer of no knyȝt Byfore þis in romaunce telle, Þan B. had of beestes felle. Al þat herkeneþ word and ende, To heuyn mot her sowles wende! Þat oon was a Lionesse, Þat sir B. dide grete distresse; At þe first begynnyng To B. hondes she gan spryng And al to peces rent hem þere,peces] scho add. N. hym thare N. Or B. myȝt þer of be werre.ware N. Þat other lyon, þat Iosian gan holde, To fiȝt with B. was ful bold; He ran to him with grete randon And with his pawes he rent adoun His Armour almost to ground, And in his thyȝe a wel grete wound. Tho was B. in hert grame,hert] grete N. For þe lioun had do him shame;þe] that N. As he were wood, he gan to fyȝt; Þe lionesse seyȝe þat sight And rauȝt to B., with out faile,rauȝt] ranne N. Boþ at oones þey gan him assaile. Þoo was B. in strong tempestes,tempest N. So strong and egre were þese beestes,best N. Þat nyȝe þey hadde him þere queld;aqueld N. Vnnethe he kept him with his shelde. With Morgelay, þat wel wold byte,wol N. To þe lioun he gan smyte;lyons (!) N. His ryȝt foot he shore asonder, Sir B. shilde þe Lyoun ranne vnder And with his teeþ with sory happe He kitte a pece of his lappe,pece] out add. N. And B. þat ilke stoundeB.] in add. N. For anguysse fel to þe grounde,to þe] on kne to N. And hastely B. þan vp stert,þan] gan N. For he was greuyd in his hert;And smote þe lyon þrow lyuer & hert N. He kyd wel þo, he was agreuyd,tho wel N. And clef a twoo þe lyon is heuyd,And] He N. And to his hert þe poynt þrast;And] In N. Þus þe lioun died at þe last.2289—2464. So S; lost in A. Stoutliche þe liounesse þanDouȝteliche SN. Asailede Beues, þat douȝti man, And wiþ hire mouþ is scheld tokis] þe SN. So sterneliche, saiþ þe bok,stern.] so add. N. Þat doun it fel of is left hond.fel] out add. SN. left] om. SN. Þo Iosian gan vnder-stonde,gan] hit add. N. Þat hire lord scholde ben slawe; Helpe him ȝhe wolde fawe.wolde she SN; wel add. SN. Anon ȝhe hente þat lioun:Anon] In her handes SN. þat] þe SN. Beues bad hire go sitte adoun,And B. SN. go] om. SN. sitte ad.] him doun S. And swor be god in trinite, Boute ȝhe lete þat lioun be,ȝhe] thowe N. þat] þe SN. lionesse S. A wolde hire sle in þat destresse Ase fain ase þe liounesse. Þo ȝhe ne moste him nouȝt helpe fiȝte,moste] myȝt SN. nouȝt] om. SN. help him N; to add. SN. His scheld ȝhe brouȝte him anon riȝtehim brouȝt SN. anon] a S. & ȝede hire sitte adoun, saun faile,And—adoun] She sitteth (sette N) hur doun SN. And let him worþe in þat bataile.him] hem (!) S. Þe liounesse was stout & sterne,stout] strong SN. Aȝen to Beues ȝhe gan erneto] om. S. gan] come N. ȝerne SN. And be þe riȝt leg ȝhe him grep,ȝhe] he (!) A. Ase þe wolf doþ þe schep,þe] a SN. þe] a SN. Þat neȝ ȝhe braide out is sparlire;neȝ] out SN. out] om. SN. sparlith (!) S. Þo was Beues in gret yre, And in þat ilche selue veneuselue] first SN. Þourȝ godes grace and is vertu Þe liounesse so harde he smot Wiþ Morgelai, þat biter bot, Euene vpon þe regge an hiȝ, Þat Morgelai in þerþe fliȝ.þerþe] to þe erthe SN; gan add. N. Þo was Iosian ful fain,ful] well SN. Þo þat hii were boþe slain,Þo] Fo (!) A; om. SN. hii] þe lions SN. boþe] om. SN. And Beues was glad & bliþe,And] sir add. SN. was] om. SN. His ioie ne kouþe he noman kiþe,ne] om. SN. he] om. SN. And ofte he þankede þe king in gloriin] of SN. Of is grace & is viktori;Of—is] Þat him ȝaue the SN.2423—2500: Strong was the (to se that M) batayle: Betwene them (ham M) thre, sauns (with|oute M) fayle; Full (om. M) ofte (the lyons (they M) made hym (Beues M) wroth, But (And M) at þe laste he slewe them (hem M) bothe. CM. Ac wo him was for Bonefas,Ac] Wel SN; om. C. he was C; was B. SN. And þo he seȝ, non oþer it nas,And—seȝ] But seth it SN. it] om. SN. was N. But he sawe no bettur case C.2501 f. om. M. A sette Iosian vpon a mulevpon a] on hur CM. moyle (!) M. And ride forþ a lite while,He M. ride—lite] rode down (fforth by M) þe hylle a CM.2503 f.: Iosian vp (on N) her mule he sett And forth þey went (rode N) with out let. SN. And metten wiþ a geauntAnd m. wiþ] On an hulle they met SN; There he (they M) mett CM. Wiþ a loþeliche semlaunt.Wiþ a] Þat had a SN; wel add. N; full add. M. loþ.] sory SNC. He was wonderliche strong,He] This geant O; wondur C; hougely M. Rome þretti fote long;2507 f. om. SN.Rome] om. M. Rome þ.] He was XXIIII C. fote] he was add. M. His berd was boþe gret & rowe; A space of a fot be-twene is browe;2509 f.: Hys heere was as þe brystels of a sowe, Two fote betwene hys browe; C. His berd ferd as brusteles of a (om. N) swyn, Aboue (Apon N) his mouthe a wel grete gryn, Twoo foot bytwene his browe, A span long þey were, wel (fulle N) rowe. SN. His berde like bristullis of a swyne And two fote betwexte his eyn. M. His clob was, to ȝeue a strok,His c. w.] He bare a bat (staffe M) SNCM. A lite bodi of an ok.A lite] Al þe SNC; Hit was a M. Beues hadde of him wonder grethad wondur of hym C. And askede him, what a het,hyght C. And ȝef men of his contreȝef] the add. M; all þe add. C. Were ase meche ase was he.Were] all add. M. ase] so SN. grete S. was] om. M. 'Me name,' a sede, 'is Ascopard;Me n.] I hight M. is] om. M. Asca|part C; a scopard M. Garci me sente hiderward,Knyght Gryssy C. sent me SNC. For to bringe þis quene aȝenþis] þe CM. aȝeyn þe queene SN. And þe, Beues, her of-slen.B.—slen] to slee al bydene SN. And þou here schalt be slayne C; And here for to leve the slayn M. Icham Garci is chaumpiounG. is] the kyngys C. And was idriue out of me toun;And] Y SN. dreuyn y was CM. me] þe C; a M. Al for þat ich was so lite,Al] om. SNCM. þat] om. SNCM. so] at hoom so SN; so wondur C; there so M. lyght C. Eueri man me wolde smite;Eche SN. me w. s.] wold me smyte M; dud me smyght (!) C; had of me despite SN. Ich was so lite & so meruȝ,so] om. N. lytull CM. meruȝ] naroo M; be werf SN. Eueri man me clepede dweruȝ,That euery (eche N) SNM. callyd me CM. dw.] a sparoo M. And now icham in þis londe,in þis] here in M. cuntre C. I-woxe mor, ich vnderstonde,I-w. mor] I am more C; Well more M; More than thowe N. ich v.] then odur thre C. And strengere þan oþer tene,þan] nor C; þou and add. SN. tene] thre CM; two C. And þat schel on vs be sene;on vs be] here be wel SN; thou both fele and M. see M. schel—sene] þou schalt wete, or þat þou go C. I schel þe sle her, ȝif i mai!'schel] wyl SNCM. her] om. SNCM. yf that C; and M. 'Þourȝ godes help,' queþ Beues, 'nai!'Be C. Þourȝ g.] So god me SN. help] grace M. queþ B.] seyde B. C; Beues said M. Beues prikede Arondel a side,Syr B. C. pr.] rode C. Ar.] hys stede SNC; sone add. M. a] be C. a s.] in (om. N) þat tyde SN. Aȝen Ascopard he gan rideAȝ.] And to SNC; And on M. Asc.] þe scopard (!) S. And smot him on the scholder an hiȝ,And] He CM. him on þe] on his SN. sch.] sheld SNM. an] in N. Þat his spere al to-fliȝ, And Ascopard wiþ a retretAnd] om. C. þe scopard (!) S. a] oute M. a r.] yre trete SN; hys staffe onmeete C. Smot after Beues a dent gret,after] to S; om. M. B.] hym C. strok SCM. And wiþ is o fot a slintteThat his own (!) fote toslynte M; That a fote yn to þe erthe hyt sclent C; His foot slood, so hard he mynt SN. And fel wiþ is owene dentte.And] he add. SNM. fel] doun add. S. And—owene] Sir B. folowyd at that C. Beues of is palfrai aliȝteB.] ys add. C. palf.] hors CM; so add. S. lyȝt SCM. & drouȝ his swerd anon riȝte And wolde haue smiten of is heued; Iosian be-souȝte him, it were beleued:But I. CM. bes.] prayde SNCM. him] om. C; that add. M. it were bel.] þat he belevid (leuyde S) SN; hyt myȝt be leuydd C. 'Sire,' ȝhe seide, 'so god þe saue,She said: Sir M. þe] me SNC. Let him liuen & ben our knaue!'our] yowre C; thy M. 'Dame, a wile vs be-trai!'Dame] he seide add. NC. shall M. 'Sire, ich wil ben is bourȝ, nai!'Sire] om. SNCM; ȝhe add. (!) A. wil] so SNCM; om. (!) A. is] om. SNC. bourȝ] she seide add. SNC. Þar a dede Beues omageÞo SNM. a] Ascopart NCM; þe sco|parde seide and S. dede B.] to B. dyd M. And be-com is owene page.And] that tyme add. M. bec.] ys be|come there C. is] B. S; sir B. N. ow.] om. SNCM. Forþ þai wenten alle þre,alle] al y (!) N. Til þat hii come to þe se;þat] om. SNCM. þey SNCM. vnto M. A dromond hii fonde þer stonde,hii f.] þey sey SNM. There they founde a dromonde stonde C. Þat wolde in to heþene londe,wolde in to] was toward (in N) SN. heþ.] a nodur CM. Wiþ Sarasines stout & fer,Wiþ] And N. prowde C. ferse CM. Boute þai nadde no maroner.þai] he M. had SNCM. maryners CM. Þo hii siȝe Ascopard come,Than M. þey SNM. Hii þouȝten wel, alle & some,Hem þouȝt SN; They wend M. He wolde hem surliche hem lede,Þat he SNM. hem] om. M. sekerly SNM. hem] om. SNM. For he was maroner god at nede.mar.—nede] sleyȝ (om. M) of þat (such M) dede SNM.2557—2560. om. C. Whan he in to þe schipe cam,he] Asc. SNC. in] om. CM. þe] om. NC. sch.] see M. His gode bat an honde he nam,gode] om. C. he on hond N; vp he C. His—honde] A gret staff sone M. A drof hem out and dede hem harm,A] And NC. ham M; þem C. hem] gret M. and d. h.] wyth moche C. Arondel a bar to schip in is arm,Ar.—schip] And (om. N) to ship bare Ar. SN; And bare yn Ar. C; And he toke Ar. M. in] vnder SN. And after in a lite whileafter] also C. lytel SNC. Iosian and hire mule,He bare in (y (!) S) I. SNC. and] on S.2565 f.: He bare hym in to the shippe thoo, Iosyan with her love also, M. And drowen vp saile al so snelAnd] Þey SNC. vp] the M; om. C. al] a (!) A. al so s.] os swelle (!) C; ffeire and well M. And sailede forþ faire & wel,Forthe they sailud also snell M. Þat hii come wiþ outen ensoineTyl þey come þrouȝ goddes myȝt SN; Tyll they come in to Myssyn M; They saylyd forthe yn the see C. To þe hauen of Coloine.In to M. hauen] lond M. Colene C; Colyn M. In to Coleyn hauyn ryȝt SN. Whan he to londe kem,Men tolde when SN; Beues seid whan M. to l.] þere SN. Men tolde, þe bischop was is em,Men t.] Þat SNM. A noble man wis afin,An.] And was SN. afin] in dyuyne SN. & hiȝte Saber Florentin.2573 f. om. CM. (Þo sir B. com (B. dud hym C) to lond (And add. C) at Coleyn þe bisshop he fonde. add. SNC. In Colyne the bysshopp he ffond, He gret hym ffeire at the hond; add. M. Beues grete him at þat casHe C. him] well add. C. B. gr. h.] And (he add. N) him tolde SN. at] al S. Beues—þat] He met hym ffeire in the M. And tolde him what he was.And t. h.] Al to geder SN. what he] all how it M. Þe beschop was glad afinbeschop] þer of add. SN; of hym add. M. and fyn (fayn M) SNM. was g. a.] resseyuyd hym fayne C. And seide: 'Wolkome, leue cosin!And] He S; hym kyssud and add. M. leue] my dere SN; om. CM. Gladder I nas, seþe ich was bore,ne was M. I was neuer (so glad (glad|der N) SNC. seþe] þat add. C. Ich wende, þow haddest be forlore.Cosyn, y SN; For y C. þow h.] þat ye had CM. lore SN. Who is þis leuedi schene?'What SNCM; is] she add. SNM; he seyde add. C. þis] þat SN. 'Sire, of heþenesse a quene,heþ.] she is add. M. And ȝhe wile, for me sake,And] here add. C. wile] now add. M. Cristendome at þe take.'at þe] of ȝow SN; now C; om M; to add. N. vndertake M. 'Who is þis wiþ þe grete visage?'What SNCM. þis] he SNCM. þe] þat SM. grete] brode C. 'Sire,' a sede, 'hit is me pagea s.] said Beues M; om. C. hit] he NCM. And wile ben icristnede also,And] om. CM. wile b. i.] ȝe must cristen him SNCM. And ich bidde, þat ȝe hit do!'And] so add. SN. ich] yow add. N. pray SNCM; ȝow add. SCM. hit] so CM; om. SN. Þe nexste dai after þanÞe nexste] Þat other SN. Þe beschop cristnede Iosian.2589 f.: The byschopp crystenyd Iocyan And aftur weddud them. C. For Ascopard was mad a koue;For] om. SN. a tonne CM; þere (yare N) fulsoone SN. Whan þe beschop him scholde in schoue,Whan] om. SNM. him—schoue] (wold him (om. N) in to þe water (him wold haue add. N) schone SN; to crysten hym begonne C; put in water sone M. A lep anon vpon þe benchelep a.] lepyd abowte C; lepud on hye M; skipped fro him S. Fro him he skippid N. vpon þe] on a SN. And seide: 'Prest, wiltow me drenche?Prest] Schepard C; Besshoppe M. Shep|herd, he seide SN. Þe deuel ȝeue þe helle pine,helle] moche M. ȝeue þe h.] of helle ȝeue þe SN. Icham to meche te be cristine!'2595 f. om. C. Theyȝ (om. N) Ascopard had grete grame, Alle þey louȝ and hed (made grete N) game. add. SN. They lough all and had good game, Of hym to make a criston man. add. M. After Iosian is cristing Beues dede a gret fiȝting,2597 f.: Now (Iosian hath (h. I. N) hir (om. S) fals goddes forsake And B. haþ a grete bataile take. SN. Swich bataile dede neuer nonSw.] Soo grete a SN. dede] seye S. neuer] man add. S. man neuer non N. Cristene man of flesch ne bon,Þat cr. S; That cristened N. man] om. N; was add. SN. flesch ne] blood and SN. Of a dragoun þer be side, Þat Beues slouȝ þer in þat tide,þer] om. SN. þat] a lytel SN.2597—2602: Now ys Befyse yn (to M) Coleyn londe (gone M) Thorow Iesu (the myght of M) Crystes (goddus M) sonde (son M), And (om. M) þere (than add. M) syr Befyse of Hampton Faght wyth a fowle dragon. CM. Saue sire Launcelet de Lake,Saue] And CM; om. S. sire] om. N. de] the M. He fauȝt wiþ a fur drake,He] om. CM. fur] brennynge M. And Wade dede also,And] Sir M; syr add. C. dede] om. C; ryȝt add. SN. soo S. & neuer kniȝtes boute þai to,knyȝt SN; man M. neuer k.] none C. þo S. & Gij a Warwik, ich vnder-stonde,&] But CM. Slouȝ a dragoun in Norþ-Homberlonde.Sl.] Faght wyth CM. But (om. M) soche a dragon, as he (that M) was oon, (But þo afore seyde (With outen hym) was neuyr none. add. CM. How þat ilche dragoun com þer,ilche] om. SN. Ich wile ȝow telle, in what maner.2609 f.: I wyll yow telle yn a whyle, How þey become dragonys euyll. C. As syr Beues with hym can ffyght, He slowe hym thorouȝe goddus myght. What maner dragon that he was, I shall you tell all the case. M. Þar was a king in Poyle londeSaber londe C; Colyn lond M; Cala|bere SN. And anoþer in Calabre, ich vnderstonde;And] om. SNM. Cal.] Poyle SNCM. ich v.] with oute fable (faile N) SN. Þis twe kinge fouȝte iferekynges SN. Þis—i.] They (That M) warryd (to geder add. M) in CM. More þan foure and twenti ȝere,tw.] fyfty SN. More—tw.] As (men say (the romayns seith M) XXXti CM. Þat hii neuer pes nolde,þey SNCM. pees neuer S; neuer acorde CM; haue add. SN. wolde CM. Naiþer for seluer ne for golde,ne] neithir N; nor C. And al þe contre, saundoute,Þe contrey of hem hadden (had N) grete doute SN. Þai distruede hit al aboute;For þey SN. Þai hadde mani mannes kours,mani] a add. SN. Whar þourȝ hii ferden wel þe wors;þourȝ hii] fore þey SN. wel] muche SN.2617—2620: (They faght (That M) VII yere yn batayle, (As seyth the romans (The romans said M), wyth owt fayle, (Many of ther (On bothe partyes M) men were slawe And broght (om. M) owt of ther (theire M) lyfe dawe (drawe M); (Tho two (The M) kynges were full of felonye (And add. M) eydur to odur had grete (om. M) envye; Bothe they can to gedur ryde And eche (eyther M) smote odur vndur (thorouȝe M) þe syde. CM. Þar fore hii deide in dedli sinneþey SN. Þar—dedli] Than for (ffrome M) that fowle (ylke M) CM. And helle pine þai gan hem winne.And] to add. N. peyn S. That þo two kynges dyed ynne CM. After in a lite whileAnd sone þer after SN; They become (be-comthe (!) M; bothe add. M. lite] om. SNCM. Þai be-come dragouns vile,Þai b.] Two CM. vile] euyll C; that were wyld M. And so þai fouȝte dragouns ifereAnd] om. SN. And—dr.] In (two add. M.) dragons forme þey faght CM. drag. if.] VII yere M. Mor þan foure & þretti ȝere.þretti] twenty SN. As men sey, odur VII yere C; And so contenewd bothe in ffere M. Grete harme þey dide (al about (with out dout N) To man and best (with oute dout (al about N). add. SN. And destroyed beestys (bothe beste M) and men (man M), And all þat þey myght kenne (com vppon M). No man durste (come add. M) yn þat cuntre rowte (om. M) (Be hoole XX (Aboute ham XXXti M) myle abowte (and thre M). add. CM. An ermite was in þat londe,An e. w.] Ther was C; I wene, there was than M; Þo was a man SN. Þat was feld of godes sonde;Þat w. f.] Ful of grace SN; A man full C; ffyllud add. M. of] with M. godes] Iesu Crystys C. To Iesu Crist a bed a bone,He bade a bone to god above NCM. Þat he diliure þe dragouns sonedil.—sone] for his moder is (om. C) love NC. Out of þat ilche stede, Þat hii namore harm ne dede.2629—2632. om. S.2631 f.: Shulde (That he wold M) delyuer throwe (wyth C) his sonde (honde C) The (Tho C) two dragons out of that (þe CM) londe. NCM. And Iesu Crist, þat sit in heuene, Wel herde þat ermites steuene And grauntede him is praiere. Anon þe dragouns boþe i fere Toke here fliȝt and flowe awai,To (!) A. Þar neuer eft man hem ne sai. Þat on fleȝ anon wiþ þan, Til a com to Toscan. Þat oþer dragoun is fliȝt nome To seinte Peter is brige of Rome; Þar he schel leggen ay, Til hit come domes dai.2633—2644: Certeynly (Þrouȝe his prayers S), as y ȝow (the N) telle, Þe dragons myȝt no lenger dwelle, [But flowen in to a nother londe And deden muche shame and shonde; [But þey flewe (a way (om. M) to Tuskayn And (wroght þere (there theyd (!) dyd M) moche payne CM]; (And add. C) fro Tuskan in (om. C) to Lumbardy, (Þere dide þey (And did there N; And there þey dud CM) muche (grete CM) vilony; Þat (The C; And M) oo dragon swythe soone Fleyȝe into þe court (contrey S; borough M) of Roome, [There he distroyed beste and man And all that euer he myght tane, Where in a while he was so grette, He myght nother go no lepe, add. M.] And (But M) fleyȝ (lay C; went M) vnder (seynt add. CM) Petyrs brygge, And (om. C) þere he lithe (lyght (!) C), as y ȝow sygge. SNCM. And eueri seue ȝer ones,And] Within M. And—ȝer] With ynne þe citee for sothe SN. Whan þe dragoun moweþ is bones,Whan—moweþ] The (That M) cursed best (goost C) reised (reysyth C; storith M) SNCM. Þan comeþ a roke & a stinkÞan] Þanke (!) A. Out of þe water vnder þe brink, Þat men þer of takeþ þe feuere, Þat neuer after mai he keuere;2647—2650: Than in (!) that contre is in quakynge, Of hym comyth the foule stynkynge, That men cache moche maladye, And mony of hem dye, sekerly. M. And who þat nel nouȝt leue me,And w.] He M. nel n. l.] wyll not beleve M. Wite at pilgrimes, þat þer haþ be,Wite at] Aske of M. For þai can telle ȝow, iwis, Of þat dragoun how it is.2653 f. om. M.2647—2654: Than was þe contre al in dout And of him foule yshent about.SN. Then ys the cuntre full of stynche And for hym lyke to drenche. C. Þat oþer þanne fleȝ an hiȝe Þourȝ Toskan and Lombardie, Þourȝ Prouince, wiþ outen ensoine, Into þe londe of Coloyne; Þar þe dragoun gan ariue At Coloyne vnder a cliue. His eren were rowe & ek long, His frount be-fore hard & strong; Eiȝte toskes at is mouþ stod out, Þe leste was seuentene ench about, Þe her, þe cholle vnder þe chin,ching (!) A. He was boþe leiþ and grim; A was i-maned ase a stede; Þe heued a bar wiþ meche pride, Be-twene þe scholder & þe taile Foure and twenti fot, saunfaile. His taile was of gret stringeþe, Sextene fot a was a lingþe; His bodi ase a wintonne. Whan hit schon þe briȝte sonne, His wingges schon so þe glas. His sides wer hard ase eni bras. His brest was hard ase eni ston; A foulere þing nas neuer non. Ȝe, þat wile a stounde dwelle, Of his stringeþe i mai ȝow telle.2655—2680: Þat (The C) other dragon, y vnderstond, Fleyȝe in to Coleyn lond. Vnder (And yn C; In M) an hille (yle M) [þan lay (lyght C) he [can he lye M], Beside Coleyn citee. [No man ne durst com þer out, Of þe dragon þey had suche dout. [That (om. M) no man durste rowte (for hym come oute M), (In all (Of M) that cuntre (cite to go M) abowte CM.] Þo (Tyll CM) sir (that M) B. was (om. M) þeder ycoom (come CM) Þrouȝ þe grace of goddes soon. SNCM. Beues ȝede to bedde a niȝtSir B. SNC. ȝede] was brouȝt SNC. to bedde] om. (!) S. Beues—bedde] In his bed he was brought M. a] at SCM. Wiþ torges and wiþ candel liȝt.Wiþ] fele add. SN; many add. CM. and w. c.] brennand S; brennyng N; that were M; om. C. Whan he was in bedde ibrouȝt, On Iesu Crist was al is þouȝt. Him þouȝte, a king, þat was wod, Hadde wonded him þer a stod; He hadde wonded him biter & sore, A wende, a miȝte leue namore, And ȝet him þouȝte, a virgine Him brouȝte out of al is pine. Whan he of is slepe abraid, Of is sweuene he was afraid. Þanne a herde a reuli cri, And be-souȝte Iesu merci: 'For þe venim is on me þrowe, Her I legge al to-blowe, And roteþ me flesch fro þe bon, Bote ne tit me neuer non!'non] mo (!) A. And in is cri a seide: 'Allas, Þat euer ȝet I maked was!' Anon whan hit was dai liȝt, Beues awakede & askede riȝt, What al þat cri miȝte ben. His men him answerde aȝen2683—2704: And (in his first (as he was all in M) slepyng He herde a rewful (doolful SM) gronyng, Þe (That M) gronyng seide in (þe citee (hys crye CM): ['Iesu Crist, (mercy and pitee (lorde, mercy C)! [Thou haue, Iesu, on me mercy M]!' 'I roote,' he seide, '(boon fro (bone by M; fro the C) boon: Iesu Crist, what shal I doon?' (Syr add. C) B. þerof hadde grete (om. S) sorow, [(And add. N) his men he clepid at (a N) morow [And (tolde hyt men (toke his men M) on the morowe CM]; And (He M) asked (them add. C; hem add. M), (what was (of C) þat (the M; ylke add. S) cry, And men (they CM) (him told (told hym M) hastely (sone yn hye C; on hye M; the pareye (?) N) SNCM. And seide, þat he was a kniȝt,And] They M. þat—a] it was a SNCM; douȝty add. SNC. In bataile he was holden wiȝt;Þat in SNCM. he w. h.] had ben SNCM; wel add. SN. right N. Alse a wente him to plaie Aboute her in þis contrai,2707 f. om. SNCM. In þis contre avirounAnd (om. C) as he com (went M) þrouȝ þe toun SN; om. C. A mette wiþ a vile dragoun,And he C. fowle SNCM. And venim he haþ on him þrowe:And] And had SN; That had M. he haþ] om. SNM. Þar a liþ al to-blowe!Þar a l.] Þat (And N; om. M) þe knyȝt lay SNM. to lowe M.2711 f.: And had caste on hym venome, And the knyght all to-sloon. C. And roted boon fro boon, And his dede (was him oon (him hadde vppon N). add. SN. Rote he schall flesche and boon; Hys lyfe save no man can.' add. C. He lieth and rotith bone ffor bone, And thus he makyth his mone: add. M. 'Lord Crist,' queþ Beues þo,Lord] Iesu SNC. Crist] mercy CM. seide SNC. than C. 'Mai eni man þe dragoun slo?'eni] no SNM; þer no C. þe] that CM. þe d.] him SN. His men answerde, wiþ outen lesing: 'Þar nis neiþer emperur ne king, Þat come þar þe dragoun wore, An hondred þosend men & more, Þat he nolde slen hem euerichon, Ne scholde hii neuer þannes gon.'2715—2720: 'Nay, (No CM), for soþ' (than add. M) seide he (þe (!) S; tho add. C), Þauȝe (Not M) al þe men in (of S) cristiante (That are bolde and hardyest bee add. C), (And they add. M) com with (aȝeyn S) þe (þat C) dragon to fyȝt, He wolde hem (ham NM; þem C) slee anoon ryȝt! SNCM. 'Ascopard,' a seide, 'whar ertow?'Tho seyde Befyse: 'A. C. a s.] seid Beues M; om. SNC. ertow] nowe add. N. 'Icham her; what wilte now?'Icham her] Lo me here now SN; Here, syr C. wyll ye C. Ich.—wilte] Come heder,' he said, 'to me nowe! M. 'Wile we to þe dragoun gon?we] two add. C. Wile we] Wilt þou now and y S. goo S. Þourȝ godes help we scholle him slo!''ȝe, for soþ!' seide he þo SNCM.2098—2724 are lost in E. Ble[þe]leche (Boldely SN; Gladly C) wylle we (we wol N; we schole E) to hym goo And (om. SN) þorwȝ (wyth C) þe (om. SN) grace off god (we schole (we wol N; om. C) hym sloo! add. ESNC. 'Ȝa, sire, so mot I þe, Bleþeliche wile I wende wiþ þe!' Beues armede him ful wel, Boþe in yrene and in stel, And gerte him wiþ a gode bronde And tok a spere in is honde.2725—2730. om. ESNCM. Out ate gate he gan ride,Out—he] (Sere add. E) B. þedyrward (thedur C) ESNCM. gan] to add. E. And Ascopard be his side.Asc.] ryȝt add. E. Alse hii wente in here pleȝing, Hii speke of mani selkouþ þing. Þat dragoun lai in is den And seȝ come þe twei men; A made a cri and a wonder, Ase hit were a dent of þonder Ascopard was adrad so sore, Forþer dorste he go namore;2733—2740: They had redyn but a whyle, The mowntaunce of a myle, The dragon caste vp a yelle, As hyt had be a deuyll of helle. C. Whan they had gone a while, With oute the town halfe a myle, The dragon had of ham a smell And he keste vp a gret yell, That was grisslye as a thonder, And Ascaparte had gret wonder. A seide to Beues, þat was is fere:(Tho seyde Bcfyse: add. C) Heryst þou, (he sayde (now, sir S; nought N; maister M; om. C), þat (what SN) I here? ESN CM. 'A wonder-þing ȝe mai here!'[(I ne (om. C) harde neuer [Neuere ne herde I E] a ffoulere (so fowle a N; suche a S) bere ESNC; Me thinkyth, it is a lothely bere M. Beues seide: 'Haue þow no doute,Sere B. E. 'ȝe,' seid B. SNM; Cer|teynly C; þanne add. E. Haue þ. n.] wiþ outen EC. Þe dragoun liþ her aboute;liþ] is E. her] nye add. SN. Hadde we þe dragoun wonne, We hadde þe feireste pris vnder sonne!'2745 f.: [(Boldeliche we schole (B. we wyl SN; We schall b. C) to (tyl S) hym [Boldely to hym we shall M] goo And (om. SN) þorwȝ (wyth C) þe (om. SN) (grace off god (we shul add. SN) hym sloo. ESNCM. Sere B. (þedyrward began to (forthe can C) ryde And Ascopard (by hys syde (can abyde C). add. EC. Ascopard swor, be sein Ion, A fot ne dorste he forþer gon. Beues answerde and seide þo:answede (!) A. 'Ascopard, whi seistow so?2747—2750: 'Nay (Then C; sir add. N) for soþe,' quod (seyde CM) Ascopard, 'I wole (turne aȝen (aȝeyn SM; go home N; go C) homward (ayenward N): I nolde (ne wolde NM; wolde not C) ffor al heþenysse Haue (a syȝte off hym (of him a sight SNM), iwysse!' (Þoo seyde ('Ascaparte,' quod M) sere (om. CM) B. (swythe add. C) þan: 'I wende, (þat add. C) þou were (had be M. (a douȝty (an hardy EM) man: ESNCM) Whi schelt þow afered beWhi sch.] Wilt SNCM; Woldyst E. þow] so add. SNCM. af.] now add. E. Of þing þat þow miȝt nouȝt sen?'Of] For S; a add. EC. þat] ar EC. maiste not M; hym E; hyt C; neuer SN. A swor, alse he moste þen, He nolde him neiþer hire ne sen: 'Icham weri, ich mot haue reste; Go now forþ and do þe beste!' Þanne seide Beues þis wordes fre: 'Schame hit is, to terne aȝe!' A smot his stede be þe side, Aȝen þe dragoun he gan ride, Þe dragoun seȝ, þat he cam Ȝenande aȝenes him anan, Ȝenande & gapande on him so, Ase he wolde him swolwe þo. Whan Beues seȝ þat ilche siȝt, Þe dragoun of so meche miȝt, Hadde þerþe opnede anon, For drede a wolde þer in han gon; A spere he let to him glide And smot þe dragoun on þe side; Þe spere sterte aȝen anon, So þe hail vpon þe ston, And to-barst on pices fiue. His swerd he drouȝ alse bliue; Þo þai fouȝte, alse i ȝow sai, Til it was hiȝ noun of þe dai. Þe dragoun was atened stronge, Þat o man him scholde stonde so longe; Þe dragoun harde him gan asaile And smot his hors wiþ þe taile Riȝt amideward þe hed, Þat he fel to grounde ded. Now is Beues to grounde brouȝt, Helpe him god, þat alle þing wrouȝt! Beues was hardi and of gode hert, Aȝen þe dragoun anon a stert And harde him a gan asaile, And he aȝen wiþ strong bataile; So be-twene hem leste þat fiȝt, Til it was þe þerke niȝt. Beues hadde þanne swich þrast, Him þouȝte, his herte to-brast; Þanne seȝ he a water him be side, So hit miȝte wel be-tide, Fain a wolde þeder flen, He ne dorste fro þe dragoun ten; Þe dragoun asailede him fot hot, Wiþ is taile on his scheld a smot, Þat hit cleuede heuene ato, His left scholder dede also. Beues was hardi & of gode hert, Into þe welle anon a stert.After anon follows a lep, expuncted. Lordinges, herkneþ to me now: Þe welle was of swich vertu: A virgine wonede in þat londe, Hadde baþede þer in, ich vnderstonde; Þat water was so holi, Þat þe dragoun, sikerli, Ne dorste neȝe þe welle aboute Be fourti fote, saundoute. Whan Beues parseuede þis, Wel glad a was in hertte, i-wis; A dede of is helm of stel And colede him þer in fraiche wel, And of is helm a drank þore A large galon oþer more. A nemenede sein Gorge, our leuedi kniȝt, And sete on his helm, þat was briȝt; And Beues wiþ eger mode Out of þe welle sone a ȝode; Þe dragoun harde him asaile gan, He him defendeþ ase a man. So be-twene hem leste þe fiȝt, Til hit sprong þe dai liȝt. Whan Beues miȝte aboute sen, Bliþe he gan þanne ben; Beues on þe dragoun hew, Þe dragoun on him venim þrew; Al ferde Beues bodi þere, A foule mesel alse ȝif a were; Þar þe venim on him felle, His flesch gan ranclen & tebelle, Þar þe venim was icast, His armes gan al to-brast; Al to-brosten is ventaile, And of his hauberk a þosend maile. Þanne Beues, sone an hiȝe Wel loude he gan to Iesu criȝe: 'Lord, þat rerede þe Lazaroun, Diliure me fro þis fend dragoun!' Þo he seȝ his hauberk toren, 'Lord!' a seide, 'þat I was boren!' Þat seide Beues, þar a stod, And leide on, ase he wer wod; Þe dragoun harde him gan asaile & smot on þe helm wiþ is taile, Þat his helm cleuede ato, And his bacinet dede also. Tweies a ros and tweies a fel, Þe þredde tim ouer-þrew in þe wel; Þar inne a lai vp riȝt, A neste, whaþer hit was dai oþer niȝt.oþer] þe A. Whan ouer-gon was his smerte And rekeured was of is hertte, Beues set him vp anon; Þe venim was awei igon, He was ase hol a man, Ase he was, whan he þeder cam. On is knes he gan to falle, To Iesu Crist he gan to calle: 'Help,' a seide, 'godes sone, Þat þis dragoun wer ouer-come! Boute ich mowe þe dragoun slon, Er þan ich hennes gon, Schel hit neuer aslawe be For noman in cristente!' To god he made his praiere And to Marie, his moder dere; Þat herde þe dragoun, þer a stod, And fleȝ awei, ase he wer wod. Beues ran after, wiþ outen faile, And þe dragoun he gan asaile; Wiþ is swerd, þat he out braide, On þe dragoun wel hard a laide, And so harde a hew him þan, A karf ato his heued pan, And hondred dentes a smot þat stonde, Er he miȝte keuren a wonde, A hitte him so on þe cholle And karf ato þe þrote bolle. Þe dragoun lai on is side, On him a ȝenede swiþe wide. Beues þanne wiþ strokes smerte Smot þe dragoun to þe herte, An hondred dentes a smot in on, Er þe heued wolde fro þe bodi gon, And þe gode kniȝt Beuoun Þe tonge karf of þe dragoun; Vpon þe tronsoun of is spere Þe tonge a stikede for to bere. A wente þo wiþ outen ensoine To-ward þe toun of Coloine. Þanne herde he belles ringe, Prestes, clerkes loude singe; A man þer he haþ imet, And swiþe faire he haþ him gret, & asked þat ilche man þo,þat] at (!) A. Whi þai ronge & songe so. 'Sire,' a seide, 'wiþ outen faile, Beues is ded in bataile; Þar fore, for soþe I saie þe: Hit is Beues dirige!' 'Nai,' queþ Beues, 'be sein Martin!' And wente to bischop Florentin. Þo þe bischop hadde of him a siȝt, A þankede Iesu ful of miȝt And brouȝte Beues in to þe toun Wiþ a faire prosesioun; Þanne al þe folk þat þar was, Þankede Iesu of þat gras.2753—2910: Ascopard sayde wiþ reweful chere:I kepe noȝt (nodur C) him (to add. C) se ne (nor C) here NC; I kepe noȝt to see him in no manere S.; Me þynke, it is a lowthly bere, Þe deuyl of hell þauȝ hit were. add. SN. 'Fare weel, ffor I wole nouȝt come þere!'1 f. om. M. Sere B. sayde anon ryȝt þoo:Sere] om. C. ryȝt] om. C. Þan seide (bespake M) sir B. þo SNM. 'I wole hym see, ar þat I goo!wole] shal SNM. þat I] I M; y hennes SN. I hope, now I see hym here, Me þynkiþ, I here a reweful chere!'5 f. om. SNCM. Þanne prekyd sere B. hys steede,sere] om. M. syr Befyse prekyd C. steede] be side add. M. To þe dragoun he gan to rede.Riȝt to SN; And to M. to] om. M. he—rede] forth he ȝede SN; a well gode spede C. Whanne þat ffoule cursyd dragounAnd when C. þat] the CM; ilke add. SN. ffoule] om. M. cursyd] om. SNCM. drag.] nere was add. M. Hadde a syȝte off sere Beffoun,And had M. Beues M. He gan casten vp a ȝelle,gan] to add. SNM. gan c.] caste C. cast vp a] crye and (to add. N) SN. Men myȝten heren hym in to helle.Men—hym] His voys was herde SN; He myght be hard M. Men—to] As hyt had be a deuyll of C. He turnyd hym vpward in to þe sunne,He] And S. vpw.] om. SNC. in] om. M. Hys myddyl was gret as a tunne,myd.] body SNC. as gret S; gretter C. as] þen C. a] eny N. Hys eyen were bryȝte as any glas,And hys C. eyen] wynges SNC; scalis M. were] also M; om. C. bryghter C. as] þen C. any] þe C; om. NM. Hys hed as hard soo any bras,And hys CM. hed] sydus M. as] om. SN. soo] as SNCM. any] om. M. Be tween hys hed and hys taylehed] shuldres SN; sholder M. Fourty ffeet was, saun fayle;Were f. SN; Was XL CM. foote SNCM. was] om. SNCM. saun] with oute SNM. He (meuyd him þoo (come C; gan come M) out of his denne And (Syr C) B. pryked his stede þenne; (Sir B. (And M) (to him a spere (a spere to hym C; he add. M) bare, (Al to (In XX C; In ffourty M) peces hit brast (brake CM) þare (& mare C); He stood (styf aȝeyn þe (stylle agenste þat C) dynt, (His body (Hys hedd C; He M) was (as hard as (hard so N; harder þen CM) the (om. S) flynt. (Than add. M) þe dragon þoo (anon C; om. M) (with out (sauns C) faile Smot sir (om. M) B. with his tayle, add. SNCM. He smoot B. with hys tayl anon,Þat his stede (to ground gan (is to ground M) goon SNCM. Þat off hys rybbys he tobrak on.Þat] And C. he tobr. on] þere brake II C. Sir B. rybbes breken anoon (sone N) SN; And in Beues brake ribbus two M. Whan that Ascaparte sye this, Home he ran swithe, iwys, Vnto the bysshoppe, there he stode, As a man, that was ny wood, And he said: 'The dragon, iwys, Hathe slayn sir Beues!' The byshoppe was in sory case, For that he Beues eme was; All the preestis of Colyn, iwys, He made ham synge for sir Beues. add. M. Þoo B. was to grounde ffalle,Þoo] When C; Þeyȝe SNM. were SNM. Vp he sterte soone wiþ alle,sterte] rose C. A good swerd he gan out breydeAnd his sword oute he braid M. And on þe dragoun ffaste he leyde;faste] hard N. For al þat euere sere B. myȝte smyteeuere] om. C. sere B.] he SCM. myȝt he N. Hys swerd wolde nouȝt in hym byte.in] on SM; om. C. Þe dragoun ffelyd hym smyte soreTho the M. hym sm.] no woundys C; no NM; þo S. And gan hym neyȝen more & more,And] He SM. neyȝen] nere S. And—ney.] But euer he nyghed C. Tyl he cam sere B. so nyȝ,so] fulle SN; om. CM. Þat al bakward B. þoo flyȝ.And þan a bakward gan he flyȝe SN; Than syr Befye bakward fley C; Beues than bacward dyd fflee M. He ne myȝte no whedyr blenche,He ne] And syr B. SN; myȝte] durste M. whederward M; ferther C; weyes S; wey N. clenche S.32 put before 31 SN. Þe dragoun cowde soo many a wrenche.soo] om. SN. a] om. N. Ryȝt þere in þat ylke place,Ryȝt] Þanne SNCM; was add. M. þere] syr Befyse C. ylke] om. SNCM. As it ffyl be goddys grace,byfelle SN. be] þrouȝ SNM. A welle þer was off watyr cleer,Was a SN; There was a C. þer w.] full CM; om. SN. And B. wist no welle þere, As he (went a (went N; fflew M) bakward þare. add. SNM; And he wyste no welle there, And Befyse bakward felle add. C. He ffyl þer inne ar he ware wer,þer i.] in þe water (well M) SNM. were warre M; was ware SN. As god wolde, yn to the welle C. Whenne þat sere B. wyste þis,þat] om. SM. sere] om. SN. sere B.] he M. þis] that it was soo M. In hys herte he was woo, iwis,he] him S. iw.] om. M. For, ffor soþe, he wende þoo,ffor s.] om. SNM. wende] ryȝt add. SN; right well add. M. then M. Þat þe dragoun scholde hym haue sloo.haue] om. SN. In that place he shold be sleyn M.37—40. Then was he wo begoon, He wende, þe dragon wolde hym haue sloon. C. Or he oute of the well come, To Iesu Cryste he made a bone. add. M. Þenne was þe welle off gret vertuþe] that M. gret] soche CM. Þorwȝ þe myȝt off swete Ihesu;myȝt] grace C. swete] Criste M; om. C. A vyrgyne hadde wonyd in þat londe,vyrg. h. w.] maydyn dwellyd C. þat] om. SN. Þat was fful off goddys sonde;Þat] om. SN. fful] ffyllud add. M. off] with M; grace of add. SN. goddys] Iesu Crystes C. Baþyd here sche hadde in þat welle ryȝt,Baþyd—hadde] She had bathud her M; And had hur bathed SN; Sche had leyde C. þat] the C. Þer ffore þe dragoun hadde no myȝt.Þer ff.] Þat SNCM. Þe welle was ronne al aboute,Þe—al] (For add. M) to come (þe welle (that well M; there C) nyȝ (om. CM) SNCM. Fourty ffeet it was, sauns doute;By fourty SNCM. foote SCM. it w.] om. SNCM. sauns] without SN. sauns d.] oute and oute M. Whanne sere B. parceyuyd þis,sere] om. M. parc.] was war of SN. þis] ywysse C. parc. þ.] that parcevid had M. In hys herte he was ful glad, iwys;ful] om. SNM. iw.] om. M. was—iw.] made grete blysse C. He aventyd hys aventayleHe] And SNM. vnlased SNCM. ventaile SNCM. And drowȝ off hys helm, saun fayle,drowȝ off] om. C. saun] with oute M. And vp he sterte ryȝt soone anon,And] om. SN. ryȝt s. a.] (anon add. N) þenne full snelle SN.f. Whan he had dronkyn his ffyll, Vp he sterte swith well M; And dranke of þat watur clere Wyth a full gode chere, And when he had dronke his fylle, Vp he rose owt of the welle. C. Out off þe welle he gan to gon.Swithe sone out of þe welle SN. Hys swerd he gap out to breydeÞoo his SN; And his M. he gan] om. M. out] vp S. to] om. SNCM. And on the dragoun ffaste he leyde,ffaste] harde SN. Þe dragoun ffelte hys woundys smertehys] þe S; om. NCM. woun.] strokes SNCM. And hym wraþþede at hys herte:he CM. wraþ.] wrathed CM; greuid SN; at] in SNCM. Out off hys mouþ he caste þore A large galoun and wel more,and w.] and SC; other NM. Þat was venym strong wiþ alle, Al on B. it gan doun ffalle.Al] And SNCM. on] syr add. C. doun] om. SNCM. Þoo þat ffoule loþly dragounÞoo] When SNM; And when C. þat] the C; fende þat add. SN. loþly] om. SNCM. drag.] had do this add. M. Hadde cast venym on sere Beffoun,Hadde] om. M. cast] þat add. S; the add. NM. Beues M. Hys armure, it tobrast anoneAl his SNC. it] om. SNCM. tobr.] braste M; brake C; sone add. M. And to þe grounde B. ffyl fful sone;þe] om. SN. B.—sone] his body gan goon SN; can he goon C; he is gone M. On hym ne was no lyff isene,ne] om. SNC. no lyfe was C. No maner liffe was on hym sene M. He semyd ded vpon þe grene.He s.] But lay as (as a N; him S; all M) SNCM. ded] man add. N. on SNCM. Þo þe dragoun, saunffayleÞo] ȝit SN; Than M; When C; þat add. (!) E. þe] þis S. saun] wyth owt CM. Smoot sere B. wiþ hys tayle;sere] efte to M. Sere B. took þer off no kepe,Sere] om. M. þer of (to M) toke SNCM. But lay as man, þat scholde slepe.lay] om. M; stylle add. C. as] a add. NM. þat sch.] þat N; a C; dide (!) S; were in dede M. Anoþer tyme, as I ȝow telle,Þat other SN. An. t.] At a nodur stroke C. ȝow] wyll M. He kaste sere B. in to þe welle,sere] om. M. in] om. M. Þat wal þere in þat ylke place;wal þ.] was CM; him byfelle so SN. in] om. M. ylke] om. SNC. Þat was þanne a wol ffayr grace.And that CM. þanne] to hym M; om. C. wol] om. CM. Þat—ffayr] Iwys, it was þrouȝ goddes SN. Ful woo was B. þat ylke stounde, He gan to loken vpon hys wounde,77 f.: Of his swon sir B. awooke And of his body good hede tooke SN; Now ys syr (om. M) Befyse harde ybounde And (depe at the (in the depe M) wellys grounde; The watur hym freschyd, þat was colde, (Syr Befyse (And he M) sate (vp & dud (still to M) beholde. CM. He lokyd hys body soone anon:soone a.] vpon CM. Þoo was þe venym from hym al gon,79 f.: Þan was þat venym fro him gon And him felede al (hool moon (hele anon N). SN.Þoo] Then CM. from h.] of hym M; om. C. al] om. M. He was al soo hool a man,And he M; And C. al s.] as C. Als hoole he feld him þan SN. As he ffyrst to batayle cam.As] whenne add. SN. As ffurste whan he M. Whan he hadde parseyuyd þis,he] sir B. SNC. hadde] om. SNCM. Sere B. was fful glad, iwis,Sere B.] He SN. Than he made yoye & blys C; In herte he had mekyll blis M. Hese layuerys he took anonlayu.] harnes M; poyntys C. toke] soone add. SN. And fastenyd hys hawberk hym vpon,fast.] dressed S; lasid N. haw. h.] armour C. And hys helme, was al toreuyd,And] om. SN. helme] þat add. SNCM. al] so C; om. M. todryued S; todryve N; reuydd C; raid (!) M. To gedere he ffastnyd on hys heuyd,ffast. on] bounde about S. To—on] He sett hyt vpon C. he—heu.] on his hed bound hit ful sure N. And sette hym doun in þat stede,And] He N. sette—þat] on knees he set hym on his M. To god almyȝty he bad a bede,And to M. alm.] of heuyn SNCM. bad] made M. Þat he myȝte þat dragoun sloo,þat] the CM. Ar þat he passyd hym ffroo;þat he] he þennes SNM. passyd h. f.] shold goo M. He blessyd hym wiþ good herte, Out off þe watyr he gan to sterte,And out SNC; And swith oute M. off] om. (!) M. he] om. CM. gan] om. SCM. to] om. SNCM. Hys swerd he gan out for to breydeSone his SN; Tho his M. he—to] anon he can owt C; oute he M; he forth SN. And on þe dragoun faste he leyde.faste] hard N. Euery dyntte after other, Also hevy as a fother. add. M. Þe dragoun turnede & wolde fflee,turn.] him add. SN. fflee] haue fledd C. And sere B. afftyr gan tee;And] But C. sere] om. SNM. B.] fast add. SN. gan t.] hym sterte C; hym wold be M. Aboue þe tayl ffyue ffoot & moreAnd ab. C. He hew ffrom þe body þore,hew] smot SNC. fro SCM. And siþþen he wente to þe scolleAnd] om. NCM. stolle] polle SN; skulle CM; stolle E? And hew a twoo hys þrote bolle,a two] in twoo M; him in (to add. N) SN; a sonder C. hys] the SNCM. golle (!) C. On a trunchoun off hys spereVppon SNCM. hys] a CM. Hys hed he sette þer on to bere.Hys—sette] He set the hedd C; He pyȝt þat hed SN; The hede he stekyd M. þer on] for SNCM.104 put before 103 M. He þankyd god wiþ deuocyounHe] And SNC. wiþ] good add. M. wiþ d.] in heuyn on hye SN. And wente in to Coloyne toun;in] om. C. wente in] bare it forth M. Þat him ȝaue þe victory SN. He went him in to Coleyn toun, Þe men him ȝaue grete renoun. add. SN. Bellys he herde merye ryngeherd he M. merely S; faste CM. And prestys & clerkes faste synge.And] om. SNM. faste] loude SN; meryly C; meny M. Sere B. sayde: 'What may þis bee?'Sere] om. M. Tho seyde sir Befyse C. Alle þey sayden: 'It is ffor þee; We wenden, þe dragoun þe hadde slon,had the M. Þer fore wee syngen euerychon!'wee s. e.] thys ryngyng ys done C. Þenne sayde B. al so snel:Þenne] Nay M. sayde] syr add. C. al s. s.] os swelle C. 'Hadde I dynyd, i fferde wel!'dynyd] dronken SN. fferde] were C. Whenne þe bysschop herde al þis,al] om. SNCM. Þat hys cosyn icomen is, He wente aȝen sere Beffoun Wiþ a wol solempne processyoun,a w. s.] a feire SN; grete CM. Alle men wol merye syngyndeWith Te deum syngand (meryly syngyng C) SNC; Te deum laudamus lowde syngyng M. And god off heuene ffaste þankynde.And] om. SN. off] in SN. ffaste] moche M.; om. SNC. thankyng CM; herryand SN. Alle, þat weren in Coloyne toun,Alle] For they M. toun] burges M. Blyssyd ryȝt ffaste sere Beffoun.Bl. r. ff.] Alle þey blessed SNM; Blessyd & thanked C. Beues M. On a dai sire Beues sede:Vpon C. sire] than M. saide SNCM; keem E. 'Leue em, what is to redeis] om. (!) A. to] your C; thy M. As a man þat were dismaide SN; To þe bysschop þat was hys eem E. Of me stifader Deuoun, Þat holdeþ me londes at Hamtoun?'2913 f.: Schone hym askyd at þat ffrome Off hys lond, þat was hym benome; He sayde:'My ffalse steffadyr Deuoun Heldiþ my lond wiþ ffalse tresoun And my ffadyr haþ islawe(Here finishes fol. 142. The following leaves are lost.) E. Leue (eme, nowe (ȝeue me now and S) reed me soone, Of my steffader what is to doon, Þat slouȝ my fader with his hond And me withhalt al my lond? He is my steffader with fals resoun, He (And N) halt my londe with grete tresoun (resoun (!) N), And my fader haþ yslawe: I wolde be wroke wel (fulle N) fawe! Tel me now (om. N), sir, with sum gyn How y may myn herytage wyn! SN. Of my stepfadur (with hym add. M) to done, (That holdyth (He hath M) my londe wyth (gret add. M) treson, And also he (om. M) hath my fadur slayne: (There of add. M) I wolde be awreke fayne, Yf y myght wyth ony gynne (The vyctorye of hym (Myne heritage ageyn to M) wynne. CM. Þe beschop seide anon riȝt: 'Kosin, Saber, þin em, is in Wiȝt,Thy cosyn M; om. SNC. þin em] om. M. in] þe ile of add. SN. in W.] a knyght CM. & eueri ȝer on a dai certaineAnd] om. SNM. eche N. on] om. SCM. a d.] one tyme M. Vpon þemperur of AlmaineOn SNC. þemp.] the emperoures broder M. He ginneþ gret bataile take,ginneþ] wyll M; comyþ to him SN. gret] om. SNCM. bat.] to add. SNC; there add. M. Beues, al for þine sake;Beues] Cosyn SNC; þat is add. SN. al] om. S. B. al] And hold it there M. (He comyþ (om. CM) with (full add. CM) gret baronage, (And add. N) al (for CM) to chalange (wynne CM) þyn herytage. add. SNCM. He weneþ wel, þat þow be ded;ful wel SN; om. C. þat] om. S. Þar fore, kosin, be me red,fore] Beues add. M. kos.] do add. SN. be me] I the M. An hondred men ich ȝeue þe wiȝte,ich] wyll add. C. wiȝte] right M; profitable SN. Aȝen þemperur to fiȝte,Eueryche (Euerychon N) strong and stable (profitable (!) N) SN; Eche of them worthe a knyght C; Eueryche pere to a knyght M. Stalworde men and fer,men] bold add. SN; hardy add. M; ferse add. C. fer] fers M; bolde C. And þow schelt wende te Saber:And] om. SN. te] sir add. SNCM. Sabers M; holde add. C. Sai, ich grette him wel ilome!And say M. il.] in lond M. Ȝif ȝe han nede, sendeþ to me,sendeþ to me] send me your sond M.2927 f. om. SNC. Ich wile ȝow helpe wiþ al me miȝt,And I M; He SN. ȝow] þe S; om. M. help the N. me] his SN. Aȝen þemperur to fiȝt.þemp.] the emperours broder M. While þow dost þis ilche tourne,The wilie (!) M. þis] that M. tourne] stoure M. Þe leuedi schel wiþ me soiurne,schel] may M. soioure M. And þe page Ascopardpage] knave M. Schel hire boþe wite and ward.'Her may kepe well in warde M.2931—2934 om. SNC. Forþ wente Beues wiþ þanForþ—wiþ] Sir (And M) B. (went forth (anon right M) SNCM. To his lemman Iosian:To his l.] Til he com to SNC. Comyn is to his love M. 'Lemman,' a seide, 'ich wile goAnd seide: Lemon SNC. And avenge me of me fo,And a.] For to venge (wreke S; awreke N; speke C) SNM. me of] me vpon S; wyth C. foon SN. Ȝif ich miȝte wiþ eni ginneȝif] þat add. C. may SNC. Me kende eritage to winne!'Me k.] Myn SNC. for to C; y wyll SN. 'Swete lemman,' Iosian sede, 'Who schel me þanne wisse & rede?' Beues sede: 'Lemman min, Min em, þe bischop Florentin, And Ascopard, me gode page, Schel þe warde fro damage.'2939—2946: And myne heritage to wynne, Brynge I wyll the there in!' Iosyan said than also tite: 'Who shall kepe me and wyte?' 'Leman,' he said, 'as that I hope, Myne eme, that is the bysshoppe, And my knave Ascaparte, He the well shall kepe in warde!' M. 'Ȝe, haue ich Ascopard,' ȝhe sede,ȝe] om. M. ȝhe s.] said she M. 'Of noman ne stant me drede;nom.—drede] no thinge drede I me M. Ich take þe god & seinte Marie:Ich t. þe] She hym betaught M. Sone so þow miȝt, to me þow hiȝe!'Sone — miȝt] And said: Whan thou maiste M. þow] om. M.2941—2950 om. SNC. Benes wente forþ anonForth (hym add. M) went sir (om. M) (B. anone (Beuoon S) SNCM. Wiþ is men euerichon,men] meyne M. Þat þe bischop him hadde ȝeue.had him NCM. So longe þai hadde here wei idriue,And so M. hauyth N. he hath his M. Þat hii come vpon a done,Þat hii] Tyl they SNC; Till he M. a] þe SNC. A mile out of Souþhamtone.Two SNC; But two M. out of] fro SNC; it was fro M. 'Lordinges,' to his men a sede,Lordlingis N; Lordis M. his m.] hem SN. 'Ȝe scholle do be mine rede!Ȝe sch.] Wyll ye C; nowe add. M. be] aftur C. my SNCM. Haue ich eni so hardi on,Haue ich] Is þer (here CM) SNCM. on] a (om. S) man SNCM. Þat dorre to Hamtoun gon,dar SNC; yn add. CM. To þemperur of Almaine,þemp.] þe emperoures broder M. And sai: her comeþ a vintaine,her] þer C. comeþ] is M. vint.] cheff|teyn M; doghty swayn C. Al prest an hondred kniȝte,prest] wiþ add. SN. knyȝtes S. an—kn.] and redy dight M. Wyth an C knyghtys tyght C. Þat fore his loue wilen fiȝtehis l. w.] him wolden SN. fyȝtes (!) S. And he hath wyll for to ffyght M; All preste wyth hym to fyght C. Boþe wiþ spere & wiþ launce,spere] sheld M. Al fresch icome out of Fraunce!Al fr.] As SC; Is N; om. C. Al fr. ic.] All comyn late M. of] þe reme of add. NC. Ac euer, an erneste & a rage,Ac euer] Both M. rage] game M. Euer spekeþ frensche laungage,Euer sp.] Speke in M. fresche (!) A. laung.] and sey the same M.2967 f. om. SNC. And sai, ich hatte Gerard,And] om. SNCM. sai] him add. S; to him add. N; þat add. SNM. ich] he C. hiȝt SCM; syr add. C. And fiȝte ich wile be forward,To N; And to M. wile be] haue made M. And—be] That wyll make that C. And of þe meistri icham sure,And] om. SNC. icham] I wyll be M. sewre C; a (as N; om. M) sire SNM. Ȝif he wile ȝilde min hure?'ȝif] And M. ȝilde] geue C; me add. SNCM. my (myn NM) hire SNM; gode armour C. Forþ þer com on redi reke,Forthe ther ys oon yreke (irede M) CM; Byfore sir B. (gan forth (furthe gan N) reke SN. Þat renabliche kouþe frensch speke;Þat r. k.] Þat can well C; A man re|sonable (renable N) SN. fr.] to add. SN. That in ffrenche couth hym selfe guyde M. 'Sire,' a seide, 'ich wile gon, Þe mesage for to don anon!'Þe m. f.] Thyne crand M. to] so M; om. (!) A.2975 f. om. SNC. Forþ a wente to þe castel gateForþ] When SNC. wente] com SNCM. castel] om. M. Þe porter a mette þer ate,a m.] sone (om. M) he fonde SNCM. He fond the porter ther ate C. To þemperur he haþ him lad,haþ h.] was C. To—haþ] That to the lord M. he—lad] þe porter wende SN. Al a seide, ase Beues him bad.Al] And SNCM. a] om. SNC. seide] to (til N) him add. SN. ase] sir add. C. him] om. C. bad] kende SN. Þe emperoure (lord M) was glad of þat (this M) tydynge And made (sir add. N) B. (good gestenyng (ffeire gretynge M). add. SNCM. Þemperur & Beues sete ifere&] sir add. C. sete] om. C. in fere SNCM. Þat ilche niȝt at þe sopere;Sate þat C. ilche] om. SNC. þe] ther C; om. SN. And his moder (sate add. N) (byfore him (bifore N; om. C) in a cheyere, (She him (They C) honoured (him add. C) swith (full C) feire. add. SNC. His moder in a cheyre beffore And honowred hym ffull ffeire thore. add. M. Þemperur askede him, what a het;Þemp.] Than the emperoures broder M. him om. SM. him axid N. hight SNCM. 'Gerard!' a seide alse sket.alse sk.] as tyght C; y ȝow plyȝt S; I am a knyght M. 'Gerard,' a seide, 'for soþ iwis,a s.] seyde þe emperour C. Ger. a s.] The emperoure said to Beues M. for s.] þer with SN; om. CM. Þis leuedi hadde her er þisleu.] she add. M. her] om. M. hadde—þis] my wyf is SN; that here ys C. An erl to lord, er ich hire wedde,Had an C. to l.] was her lord SN. A sone be-twene hem to þai hadde,childe SNC. them C. to] om. SNC. A proud wreche and a ȝing, And for soþe a lite gadling;And f. s.] Iwys, it was SN; He was M; And C. lythe (!) S; lethir N; lither M; lether or lecher C. So was is fader of proud mode,of] a S. proud] lyther SN. Icomen of sum leþer blode;And yc. SN; They come CM. lether] lechur C; proude SNM. His sone, þat was a proud garsoun,Her SNCM. þat] om. SNC. proud] lether M. Men him clepede Beuoun;cleped him SN; callid hym M; syr add. C. Beu.] Beves of Hamton M. Sone he was of age,As sone as SNCM. was] comen add. (!) M. A solde me his eritage And spente his panes in scham & schonde,panes] lyvelood M. in sch. &] with SN. And spendyd hyt all same C. And siþe fleȝ out of Ingelonde.sithen SNC; he add. M. went CM. of Ing.] of þis (the M) lond SNM; þe londe with schame C. To me come word after well sone, That he was hangid with moche shome, add. M. Now haþ he her an em in Wiȝt,And now M. her] om. SNCM. in] om. C. Sire Saber, a wel strong kniȝt,Sire] That hight M. wel strong] hardy SNC; doughty M. And comeþ wiþ gret barnageAnd c.] And eche a yere C; Euery yere M; And (He S) wonyþ þere SN. gret] om. SNC. And cleimeþ his eritage,And] He SCM. chalangeth SNCM; here add. SN. & ofte me doþ her gret gile,&] ffull add. M. me d. h.] doyth me C; doth he M. &—her] He wolde be my deth with SN. gile grett M. And þow miȝt ȝilden is while,And—ȝild.] Miȝtest þou quyte (yelde N) him SNC. Woldiste thou geve hym a swett M. Him to sle wiþ swerd in felde,Him—felde] To slee hym yn fyght on C; In Wyght hym slo with ffight in M; With him to fyȝt on þe SN. Wel ich wolde þin here ȝelde!'Full well CM. wold y SN; y schulde C. þy while SN; the C. ich—here] thy mede I shall the M. 'Sire,' queþ Beues anon riȝt,seide SNCM. 'Ichaue kniȝtes of meche miȝt, Þat beþ vnarmed her of wede,her of] of yren S; of theyre M; of C. For we ne miȝte non out ledene] om. SNC. out] armour SN; om. C. That haue nether hors ne stede M. For we myght no armour bere, We had with vs to moche gere add. M. Ouer þe se wiþ outen aneiȝe;Ouer] On M. out SNC. an.] noye M; lye SN; fyght C. Þar fore, sire, swiþe an hiȝeswiþe] he said M. Þar—an] Þoo sir B. with greet SN. sw. an h.] blyue tyght C. Let arme me kniȝtes echon,Let] them add. C. armour N. me kn.] his men SN; all my men M; them C. euerychon SNC; om. M. And ȝef hem gode hors forþ enon,ȝef] toke SN. þem C. And ȝ. h.] Take me M. horsys gode C. forþ] om. SNC. forþ e.] and let me go hen M. And (let diȝt also (do them schyppe C) saunz faile, In to (þe ship (the shippis N; a schyppe C) good (wyth C) vitaile, add. SNC. Let dight vs shippus with good parayll, And two good shippes with vetayll, add. M. An hondred men sent þow þe self,And an C C. men] knyghtes M. thou send M. þow] om. SNC. þe s.] to me SN. Ase mani ichaue be min helf,So CM. on my halfe (behalfe M) CM. Diȝt me þe schip & þin men boþe,þe] a M; yn C. þin] your M; my C. And y schel swere þe an oþe,schel] the M; om. C. swere] say C. þe an] wyth owt (outen M) CM.3016—3018: For (& N) y wol (not long (no lenger N) dwel with þe, With me in ship hastelye, And y (om. N) the swer (y add. N) by seynt Marye, SN. Þat i schel ȝeue swiche asautȝeue] speke SNCM. sw. as.] with hym full fferes (!) M; also hote (whoot (!) S) SN; tyght C. On þat ilche Sabaaut,On] With SNC; To M. ilche S.] same (old M) knyght SCM; Sabers add. M. Þat wiþ inne a lite whileÞat] And SNC. wiþ] om. C. lytel SNCM. Þow schelt here of a queinte gile!'of] om. SNC. Al þus þemperur haþ him diȝtAl þ.] Al SN; Anon C; As M. þemp.] the emperoures broder M. hym hath M; had SN; om. C. Boþe hors, armes and kniȝt,armes] man M. armes a. k.] and armour bryȝt SN. Horsys, armour & an C knyghtes C. Þar to schipes wiþ gode vitaile;Þar to] And her SN; And thre M. And a schyppe C. gode] om. M. Forþ þai wente & drowe saile.Forþ—drowe] & (om. N) fforth on þe water þay gon SN; theire add. M. In þe schipe þe kniȝtes seten, y-wis,þe—seten] þoos (that N) shippes B. set SN; þe schyppe sir Befyse sett C; yche shippe he sett M. On of here, anoþer of his.On] (Euer add. M) a knyght SNM. here] þe emperours (men add. C) and SNC; and M. an.] oon SM. Whan þai come amidde þe forde,And þo SN. amydis N; yn myddys C. forth S; flode N. Ech þrew is felawe ouer þe bord;Ech] They C. þe] om. N. is—þe] þem ouyr the schyppe C.3029 f.: And whan they had sayled a throwe, Echone threwe ouer his felowe. M. Of þemperures kniȝtes euerichonOf] om. CM. þemp.] Sir Mordoure is M. echon N. Wiþ inne bord ne leuede non.There with M. in.] þe add. SNC; shippes add. SN. ne l.] þey lefte CM; l ft SN. non] not (neuyr C) oon SNC. Forth þey sailed (anoon ryȝt (tyght C; that ilke nyȝt M), Tylle þey com to þe ile of Wyȝt, add. SNCM. Saber hem ful wel y-say,Saber h. f.] Þoo Saber SN; And that syr Saber C; That Sabers men M. Ase he vpon is toure lay,vpon is t.] in þe castel SN. Ase—t.] In hys towre there he C; Ouer the castell as they M. [He seyȝe muche (there M) [When he sawe C] armour bryȝt, [He (Hym N) drad þan (hym C) [Aferd he was M], what it be myȝt. add. SNCM. Mani baner he seȝ arered. Þo was Saber sumdel afered, Þat þemperur wiþ is ost come, Biker he made wel y-lome.3035—38: Mony a baroun there was araid And Sabere was there of adrad, That sir Mordoure is oste was comand, For to make war in that lond. M; om. SNC. Beues wiste wel and sede,Sir B. C. wiste] knew M. and s.] yn dede CM; y rede add. SN. Þat Saber him wolde drede;Þat] sir add. C. wolde hym CM. Þat—wolde] Put vp a pensell, lest Saber vs SN. Vpon þe hiȝeste mast is top þereAnd on M. is t. þ.] there C; that was there M; weele SN. He let sette vp a stremerelet] om. C. vp] om. M. He (Þey S) sette þere a feire pensell SN. Of his fader armure,Of] And N. his] own add. M. arm.] armes M; own armour SN; armys bryght C. Saber þe raþer to make sure,þe r.] in hert M. Saber—make] Sir Saber to know and be SN. sures (!) M. That Saber had born yn many a fyght. C. For mani a time þar be-forentime] day M. He hadde hit in to bataile boren.He—bat.] In to bataile he had it SNC; He in batayll it had M. Þo þe schip to londe drouȝ,Þo] Whan SNM; So C. drewe M. Saber hit knew wel inouȝ(And add. C) Saber þe baner (armys C) wel knewe SNC; Sabere it right well knewe M. And þouȝte and gan to vnderstonde,And þ.] om. C; wel add. SN. And—gan] Than gan he well M. to] om. SNCM. Þat Beues was come inte Ingelonde.Þat] sir add. SNC. was c.] com N. into] to SC. lond SNC. 'Lord,' a sede, 'hered þow be,A, lorde C; God M. blessyd CNM. Þat ich mai me kende lord se:kende] om. M. ich—lord] my lorde y may C.3051 f.: And furthermore, when he better gan (g. b. N) see: 'A, lord,' he seide, 'welcom (mote add. N) þou bee! SNC. Þat he wer ded, ich was of-drad,Þat he] Lest þou SN. wer] was M; had be C. ich] he C. adrade SNM; dradd C. Meche sorwe ichaue for him had.'Sir Saber was þenne swith gladde SN; Than was Sabere right glad M; Saber was neuer ȝar so gladd C. A wente wiþ is kniȝtes bliue,A—kniȝtes] With all his knyghtes he went M; And went him forth also SN; And went down as C. blithe M. Þar þe schipes scholde ariue;There as C; Tille þe keye þere SN. ship SN. scholde] gan N. ryue SNC. And on the lond met hym ffull blyve M. Eiþer oþer gan to kisse,And either SN. gan other SCM; gan go othir N. to] hals and M; om. SC. And made meche ioie & blisse,And (Þey SNM) wept bothe (om. C) for ioy and blys SNCM. They went both hond in hond, And caste the vetayll on the lond, With (!) mekyll joy, than Beues made, They ete and dranke and made ham glad. add. M. And Beues tolde him in a while,And] Sir SNC. him] his eme SN; with M; om. C. He hadde do þemperur a gile.How (he dide þe emperoure (the e. h. d. N) begyle SN; Of the emperour and hys gyle C; To Sabere of sir Mordoure is gile M. Þo seide Beues wiþ þan:Þo] Then C; And there M. seide] sir add. C. Þo s. B.] Sir B. seide to his eme SN. wiþ] aftur C; om. SNM. 'Haue ich eni so hardi man,Haue ich] Hast þou here SN; Is ther C. hardi] a add. CM. Þat dar (wyll C) wende also hote (whoot (!) S) To (South- add. M) hampton in a flet (flote N; om. CM) boot SNCM. Þat dorre to Hamtoun gon Ouer þe water sone anon, And sai þemperur anon riȝt,sai] to add. C; ye (!) add. M. þemp. anon] the emperoure is broþure M. Þat i nam no Frensche kniȝt,i nam] he (it M) was SNCM. Ne þat i ne hatte nouȝt Gerard,Nodur C; And sey M. i—nouȝt] he ne hight M; he hiȝt not (om. C) SNC. Þat made wiþ him þe forward,Þat] there add. M. þe] þat SNCM. wiþ h. þ.] his M.3068 put before 3067 M. And sai him, ich hatte Beuoun,And—hatte] Sey (But M; that add. NM) my name is SNM; But that he hyght sir C. Beues M. & cleymeþ þe seinori of Hamtoun,&—sein.] (Þat was add. N) Gyes son SN; That is lorde C. Southampton N. And lorde of Southampton ys M. & þat is wif is me dame,þat] om. M. Þat schel hem boþe terne te grame;hem b.] þem C; hym M. te] meche add. CM. schame C. And I hem shal doo booth shame SN. Now of hem boþe to gadreNow] om. C; wyll I add. M. of] on M. þem CM. gadre] there add. C. And sey (on add. N) hem both y wylle (fiȝt add. N) to geder SN. I schel fonde wreke me fadre?'I sch.] Þe deeþ SN. fonde w.] (to add. N) awreke of (om. C) SNC. I—wreke] Wreke the dethe of M. fad.] dere add. C. Vp þar sterte an hardi on:Vp þ. st.] Vp there rose M; Þoo stood vp SN. on] man M; knyȝt SNC. 'Sire,' a seide, 'ich wile gon,Þat message y woll do a plyȝt SN. And seyde: 'Y wyll þy message do aryȝt' C. Þe mesage for-doþ hem boþe,On thy M. for d. h.] to them M. And maken hem sori & wroþe.'3077 f. om. SNC. Forþ a wente ase hotForþ a w.] And (He CM) armed him SNCM. ase] foot SN. Ouer þe water in a bot,Ouer þe w.] And manned (him welle (om. C) SNC; And he made redy M. in the N; hys CM. Forþ a wente also whatealso wh.] on the nyȝt M. In at þe castel gate;And he come to Hampton right M.3081 f. om. SNCM. (Tho add. N) (the emperoure (sir Mordoure M) was at (hys add. CM) sopere, (And add. M) he droȝ to (on M; a C) londe his destrere. add. SNCM. He bad, none fro the bote they yede, But mete hym there, yf he had nede. Then went he fforth on his gate, Tyll he come to the castell yate. add. M. At þe soper alse a set,þe] om. NC. as NC; þere S. a] þey SN. Þemperur he gan þus gret:Þemp.—þus] Þe emp. þus (gan he (he gan N) SN; Thus he can the emperour C.3083 f.: Sir Mordoure sat at his mete, And ffull ffeyre he gan hym grete. M. 'Sire emperur, i þe bringeemp.] Mordoure M. A swiþe sertaine tiding:A] om. SNCM. Wel þe grete þat ilche kniȝt,Wel þe g.] Fro M. ilche] vncouth add. M. Þat sopede wiþ þe ȝerstene niȝt;3087 f. om. SNC.ȝerst.] this oþure M. A saiþ, a hatte nouȝt Gerard,A—nouȝt] Þat (þe knyȝt (he M) hiȝt (hate N) not SNCM. Þat made wiþ þe þe for-ward,mad w. þ.] thou madiste M. þe] thy M; þat SNC; suche N. A saiþ, þat he hatte BeuounBeues he hat of Hampton SN; But (om. M) he hight (ys C) Befyse of Hampton CM. And cleymeþ þe seinori of Hamtoun,Þat is þyn own lady soon. SNCM. And is icome wiþ þe to speke,And] He C. And is i.] Also he haþ S. wiþ þe] this M. Also with the he hath yspeke N. Of his fader deþ to ben awreke,Of] But N; om. SCM. his] own add. C. deþ] om. C. to b.] he wille SN; to CM. Þe te sle wiþ schame & schondeÞe] And þe SN; And M. And for to winne is owene londe.'And] om. SN. And f. to] The and M. is ow.] aȝeyn his SNCM. Þemperur herde of him þat word,Þemp. h.] Anon sir Mordoure M. of h.] with M; om. SNC. þat] þis SN. His sone stod be-fore þe bord;þe] his S. He þouȝte wiþ is longe knifþouȝte] þrew SN. Be-reue þat mesageres lif;To reve M; To benym SN; To haue benome C. þat] þe SNCM. messynger is (his M) NCM. A þrew is knif & kouþe nouȝt redi3101 f.: [(He smot (Tho smote he N) his soon [Hys sone he smote C] þrouȝ þe boody, (That add. C) he fel doun al (dedd & C) bloody.SCN. He threwe at the messingere And smote his son in the body there. M. And smot his sone þourȝ þe bodi. Þe mesager spak a gainli worda gainli] a game C; ageyn a M. Be-fore þemperur is bord:þemp. is] the emperours C; sir Mordoure at his M. 'Þow gropedest þe wif aniȝt to lowe,an.] this nyȝt M. gr.—aniȝt] gropyst to nyȝt þy wyfe C. Þow miȝt nouȝt sen ariȝt to þrowe;That þou myȝt (may C) not CM. ariȝt] þy knyfe C; om. M. Þow hauest so swonke on hire to niȝt,so] om. C. on hire] so sore C; om. M. Þow hauest neȝ for-lore þe siȝt:That (þou haste lorne thy (loste thou hast (thyne eye M) syght CM. Her þow hauest liþer haunsel,Her] Therfore C. liþer] feble C. A worse þe be-tide schel!'And C. A w.] Wors, I wene M. be|tyde the C. wyll M.3103—3110. om. SN. And smot is hors wiþ þe sporeAnd] He CM; Þe messengere SN. is] the C. spere S. And arnde out at halle dore;arnde] rode NCM; he rood S. at] þe add. SNCM. Wel and faire he haþ him diȝtFeire and welle SNC; In the bote M. haþ] om. SN. & com aȝen to Beues in WiȝtTo B. he come (went S) in to þe ile of Wyȝt SN; And to (sir add. C) Beues he come to Wyght (right M) CM. And tolde, a slouȝ is sone for grame;And] He M. seyde C; howe add. N. a] þe emperour C. Beues louȝ and hadde gode game.And B. SM. hadde] ful add. N. Lete we sire Beues þannewe sire B.] we be stille of þis SN; vs now speke M. sire B. þ.] now them bee C. & speke of Iosiane,speke] tell M; we add. SNM. of] maide add. SN. And of Iocyan speke we C. Þat in Coloine was wiþ Beues em,Þat] was lefte add. C. was] is SN; om. C. is in Colyn M. B.] his M. B. em] Ascopard SN. Til þat he aȝen þeder kem.Tyl B. com aȝeyn thedir (om. S) ward SN; To soiorne there, till he com ageyn M; What sorowe þat to hur came C. In þat londe þat ilche whileþat] yn that C. ilche] om. C. Þar wonede an erl, þat hiȝte Mile;Dwellid M. An erle þer was C. þat] men add. M. hiȝte] callid M. Þere wonyd an erle þere beside, In þat lond, þat is so (ful N) wyde. SN. To Iosian he hadde his loue casthadde] om. M. he—loue] his loue he SNC. & gan hire to wowen fast,gan—wowen] wowyd hur full C; he her wooyd swith M. And wende to haue had (om. N) her loue stedfast SN. Faire a spak to terne hire þouȝt,Faire] Faste M. & ȝhe seide, a was aboute nouȝt.And] Let sir S; Lete be, sir N; For sothe C; om. M. a w. a.] hyt ys for C; it helpeth SN. Þat erl was wroþ in is manere,Þe SNCM. in] on N. For Iosian him nolde here,For] Þat SNC. nolde him S; wolde hym not C; hym wold not M. here] habbe to fere SN. & spak to hire wiþ loude gret:&] Þoo SN; He M. seide SNCM. to h.] he SN. loude] hert SNCM. 'For wham,' a seide, 'scholde ich it lete,a s.] is it that I M. wham a s.] whoos eyȝe SN. schall C. it] om. SNC. ich it] om. M. Boute ich mai haue of þe me wille?haue—me] with thy good M. ich—me] (yef add. NC) (þou wilt me loue (y may C) with good SNC. Ich wile,' a seide, 'who þat nille!'a s.] þe haue SN; om. C. who þat] wilt þou or SN; whedur thou wyll or CM. Ȝhe seide: 'While ichaue Ascopard,Nay, she seide SN; om. C. Of þe nam ich noþing afard,nam ich n.] I am no thinge M; am y nouȝt SN; y am not C. For þe wreþþe ne for þin ost,For] Of C. wr.] bragge SN. for] of C. thy bost SNCM. Ne for þe ne for þine bost!'Neither SN; Nodur C; om. M. for] of C. ne for] nor of C. ost SNCM. And þo þouȝte þat erl MileAnd] All M; om. SNC. þo] than CM. þat] þe SNC; om. M. erl] sir add. SN. To do Iosian a gile:For to CM. Ios.] hur C. To do I.] Hur to haue with (throw N) SN. a] sum SNCM. A leter he let for to write,he—to] sone he let S; he lete sone N; he made sone M; he dud C. In þis maner he dede it adite,In þ. m.] And þus SNCM. dede] gan SN CM. endite SNM. he—ad.] hyt sayde (!) C. Þat Ascopard come scholde To Beues, þar þe letter him tolde,To] helpe add. M. þar] as SNCM. him] om. SNCM. wolde SN. In to a castel in an yle,In to] Tyll M. Þe brede of þe water þre mile;of—þre] therof ys two C. wat.] was add. M. Þe—þre] Ouer þe brood water a SN. To Ascopard þai come snel;þai] one M. Þai seide, Beues him grette welÞai] And M. seide] that add. M. gret hym M. & be-souȝte, for is loue In haste a scholde to him come.3145—3148. om. SNC.3147 f. om. M. Forþ wente Ascopard ase hotForþ w. A.] He bad, he shold M. Ouer þe water in a bot;Ouer þe w.] To the castell com M. This letter he send to the, he said And bad, that thou it rede, Eche word to the end.' That it were soth, well he wend. add. M.3149 f.: (To geder þey went (There he broght hym C) faire and welle Ouer þe water to þat (the C) castelle. SNC. In to the bote he went snell And went with hym to the castell. M. Whan he was ouer þe water come,Whan—water] And (om. N) when þey were ouer (þeder SN) SNC. come] ynome C. Hii vn-lek þe ȝate at þe frome;He vnloked (vnloke N) SN; In to C. ȝate] castel SNC. þe] om. SN. at þe f.] soon they come C.3151 f. om. M. & whan he was comen wiþ inne,&—was] Whan that they were M. wiþ] om. M. Þai sperede him faste wiþ ginne.Faste the gate they sparud to hym M.3153 f.: And put Ascopard (hym C) in lether (with a C) gynne, And loked (loke N) þe (ȝates þoo (gate when C) he was ynne. SNC. Aȝen to Iosiane Miles gan terne:Miles g.] þe erl gan SN; can he C. Aȝen—Miles] Erle Myle to Iosyan M. 'For wham,' a seide, 'schel ich it werne?'For wh.] Who M. ich it] me now M.And seid: 'Now (maist not me (may þou me not N) werne SN. And seyde: 'Who schall me warne C. (The add. C) for to be my leman, Now Ascopard is (fro þe (om. C) goon. add. SNC. Ȝhe þouȝte for to kepe hire, apliȝt,for] om. M. apl.] as longe as she myght M. Iosian as hastely as she myȝt SN; Than Iocyan for fyght C. Ȝhe sente a masager to Wiȝt,ȝhe] om. SNC. A messingere she sent M. in to SN; þe ile of add. SC. To Beues that he shold hye, To kepe her ffro velony, add. M. To Beues, be letter & tolde foreTo] And N. be] with a C. To B. be] How the M. & t.] þat tolde C; tolde him N; told be M; and sent him S. fore] þore C. Al to gedre lasse & more.nore (!) A. Miles wolde haue is wille And ȝhe bed him holde stille:3161 f.: On (Vppon NM) a day þe erl to her cam And in his armes he her nam. SNCM. Wel he þouȝt to (om. N) haue doon his dede. 'For charite, (mercy, sir (s. m. N)!' she seide, 'I haue sworn, certis, myn othe, Þat y ne shal for lef ne lothe, add. SN. For he wolde haue do that dede. 'Mercy,' sche seyde and can grete, 'I haue an othe swore, That y forlayn schall be nomore, add. C. That he wold with her ly on slepe, For no thing wold he lett. She said: 'Sir, I haue swore, Though I shold be dede there fore, add. M. 'Nouȝt, þeȝ i scholde lese me lif,Nouȝt] om. SNC. schalle N; þerfore add. C. Nouȝt—lese] To haue no man in M. Boute ich were þe weddede wif;Boute] Er that M; yf add. C. were] be M. þe] a SNC; his M. wed.] spoused SN. Ȝif eni man me scholde wedde,eni—scholde] þou wilt (me spouse and (take me to C) SNCM. Þanne mot ich go wiþ him to bedde:Þanne—him] I wille with the go SNC; I wyll than go M. to] thy add. M. I trowe, he is nouȝt now here, Þat schel be me wedde-fere!' 'Y schel þe wedde aȝenes þe wille, To morwe y schel hit ful-fille!'3167—3170: 'Bleþly,' he seide, 'as (so C) (mot y (y mote N) the, To morow (morne C) [schal thow spowsid (weddyd C) [spoused shalt þou S] be!' SNC. To morowe I shall spouse the, For thou shalte not forsworne be: I wyll not, that thou the forswere, This day I wyll the fforbere!' M. And kiste hire anon riȝtAnd] He SNCM. her kyssud M. anon] and partid M. ryȝtes SC. And sente after baroun & kniȝtAnd] He M. barons and knyȝtes SC. And bed hem come leste & meste,And b. h.] That they shold M. To anoure þat meri feste.To—meri] He thought to hold a gret M.3173 f. om. SNC. (For to com (All he bad M) to his gestenyng (gestynge M) And (om. NM) for to honoure his spousyng (weddyng C). add. SNCM. Þe niȝt is gon, þat dai comen is,is] was C. The—gon] Sone after SN. þat] þe SNC. comen is] was come C; com SN. The day yode, the nyȝt come M. Þe spusaile don hit is[At (That C) þe (om. NM) morow [That C] þe spousing was don SNCM. Wiþ merþe in þat tounWiþ] muche add. SN; mckull add. C; grett add. M. yoye CM. in] be side M. þat] þe SNCM. & ioie of erl and baroun.&—and] And grete ioy of (alle add. N) SN; And with honoure of M; Bothe with knyghtes and C. And whan hit drouȝ toward þe niȝt,And wh.] Whan M; Þoo SNC. drouȝ tow.] come at M. Here soper was þer redi diȝt,Here] Theire M; A ryche SNC. was þer] wer (!) A. was þer redi] was well M; þere was SNC. And þeȝ þai richelich weren ifed,And] But M. were richely M. Þat erl wolde ben a bed.The M. a] in his M.3181 f. om. SNC. Iosian he het lede to bour,Ios.—lede] He had lad Iosyan M; Soon he had hur yn C; When tyme was, he went SN. To haue hire vnder couertour; Vpon hire bedde þar ȝhe sat,hire] his M; the C. þar] as SNC. þar ȝhe] she down M. Þat erl com to hire wiþ þat,Þe SNCM. to hire] in M. to hur com SN. Wiþ kniȝtes gret compainiekn.] barons SNCM; a add. CM. Wiþ pyment and wiþ spisorie,spis.] clarry C. Wiþ al þe gamen þat hii hedde,Wiþ] And M. they M. For to make hire dronke a bedde:For] om. M. dr. a] drinke in her M. Ac al anoþer was hire þouȝt,Ac al] But M. was hire] she hath in M. Ne gamnede hire þat gle riȝt nouȝt.Ne] For it M. þat gle] om. M.3189—3192. om. SNC. 'Sire,' ȝhe seide to þat erl sone,Sire] There C; om. M. vnto M. þat] the CM. ȝhe—erl] to þe erl she seide SN. sone] anon M. 'Ich bidde, þow graunte me a bone,Sir y S; Sir M. pray SNC; om. M. ȝow SC. gr. me] of S. þow—bone] the atte frome N. And boute þow graunte me þis one, I ne schel þe neuer bedde none:3195 f.: Ellis wyll I none aske of the, But thou wylte graunte it me. M; om. SNC. Ich bidde þe at þe ferste frome,I beseche yow at my forme C; om. SN. Þat man ne wimman her in come;ne] nor C; and N. in] ne add. N.3197 f.: That man ne woman com here in: I pray it the ffor seynt Martyne! M. Be-lok hem þar oute for loue o me,Be-l.] Sparre CM. þar] om. CM. for] þe add. C. Þat noman se our priuite!noman se] they se not M. Wimmen beþ schamfast in dedeFor women be CM. in] theyre add. M. And namliche maidenes,' ȝhe sede.3199—3202: But þat þe dor (fast yshut (yschitte fast N) be, Do (Dothe N) þat for þe loue of me, For at (om. N) my first priuete I kepe, þat no man dide me see, For wymmen ben fast (om. S) doutyng And namly (maineliche N) maydens at (in N) her first (om. N) weddyng, Wel nyse al (alle in N) þe first nyȝt, Namely a mayde with a knyȝt. SN. Þat erl seide, a wolde faine.Þat—wolde] Leman, he seyde, y wyll CM; Leman, y do þyn hest wel (om. N) SN. ffarun (!) M. A drof out boþe kniȝt & swaine,A] And he M. drof] put C. boþe] baron C; om. M. A—boþe] Goth (Go N) hennes, barouns SN. knyȝtis N. sw.] baroun M. Leuedies, maidenes & grome,maid.] also add. M. &] eke add. SN. Þat non ne moste þer in come,þer] here S. non—in] non þer yn myght C; there in myght none M. And schette þe dore wiþ þe keie:And sch.] He loked (loke N) SNC; He sparid M. þe k.] a k. SNC. Litel a wende haue be so veie.wende] wyste M. Litel—so] It was a signe, þe erl was SN. haue—veie] (for to (that he shold M) dye CM. Iosian he com aȝen to:he c. a.] swithe (sythen C; then M) he com NCM; her add. M. om. S. 'Lemman,' a seide, 'ichaue ido,And seyde: 'Lemman C. Þe bone ichaue do wiþ lawe,bone] heste C. lawe] all C. I haue ffullffyllud youre sawe M; Þus y haue ydo well fawe SN. Me schon i mot me self of drawe,i—self] myself y wol (schall C; mvst M) SNCM. Ase y neuer ȝet ne dede.'ȝet ne] ere M. Adoun a set him in þat stede;And down M. Þanne was be-fore his bed itiȝt,That M. dight M. Ase fele han of þis gentil kniȝt,As he hath meny anyght M. A couertine on raile tre,A curten drawen with gret rialte M. For noman scholde on bed ise.on] hem in M.3213—3218: Adoun he (set him (sate N) in þat stede, His shon him self he of dede. A curtayn, so it was þe lawe, Byfore her bed it was ydrawe. Iosian ȝaue (brouȝt N) him suche a drynke, Þat it (he N) lerned him (for add. N) to wynke, SN; om. C. Iosian be-þouȝte on hiȝing,Ios. be-þ.] And þenne sone SN; Then anon Iocyan C. on] in SNC. On a towaile ȝhe made knotte riding,Made on C. a tow.] hur gurdul SNC. ȝhe m.] om. C; a add. SNC. kn. rid.] knyttyng SN.3219 f.: There Iosyan made with her hond On her gurdill a knott rennand; M. Aboute his nekke ȝhe hit þrewþrew] cast SM. And on þe raile tre ȝhe drew;on—ȝhe] vpon (ouer M) a rayle (rayler M) sche hym (it M) CM. Him to honge hard and fast SN. Be þe nekke ȝhe haþ him vp tiȝtBe þe n.] Vppon a beme SN. haþ—tiȝt] (him vp (vp hym M; him C) twight NCM; it knytte S. & let him so ride al þe niȝt.&] She S. so r.] ride there M; ryde and hong SN; hange C. al] om. M. þe] that M; om. SNC. Iosian lai in hire bed:Ios.] she add. M. No wonder, þouȝ ȝhe wer adred.3225 f. om. SNC. She lay and syȝed all that nyȝt: 'Alas, that Beues were com fro Wight!' add. M. Dai is come in alle wise,Dai is c.] Þe nyȝt was (om. C) passed SNC; The nyght it yode M. on SC. A morwe þe barouns gonne ariseAt morow M; On þe morne C. arise] vp ryse SN; ryse C; to rise M. Sum to honten and sum to cherche,Sum] yede add. M. huntyng SNCM. And werk men gonne for to werche.And] the add. M. werk] laboryng C. gonne] yode M; om. C. werk m. g.] som to werk S. for to] to ther C; to M. om. N. Þe sonne schon, hit drouȝ to vnder,hit] and M. hit—vnder] þey had won|dur C. Þe barouns þar of hadde wonder;2915—3232 are lost in E.Þer of (þe barons (alle N) SNM. hadde] gret add. M. wondir hadde SN. For hyt drewe to the vndur C. Þat þerl lai so longe a bed,Þat] Why ESNM. so longe lay E. a] in EM. Gret wonder þar of he hedde.Gret—he] Þo þey alle wundyr E; There of they moche wonder M.3233 f.: (Þer of al (All the barons C) wonder hadde, Why (For C) þe erl lay so long a bed. SNC. Queþ sum: 'Let him lie stille!sunn (!) A. Summe sayden ESNCM. lie] be NM. Of Iosian he haþ al is wille.'For of CM. he] she (!) S. he haþ] lat hym han E. al] om. ECM. fylle C. Middai com, hit drouȝ te noune,com] yode M. drouȝ] com M. te] om. C. Þe barouns speke þer eft soune;speke þ. e.] ther of spoke C. eft s.] of sone M; soon C; of echoon SN. om. E. Queþ þe boldeste: 'How mai þis be?Þe boldeste (eldest C) sayde ESNC; Lady and baroun M. be] gon E. How—be] So mote y the C. Wende ich wile vp and ise!'I wyll wend M. vp] myselff EM; om. N. and] to M. see EM. I wol goo and ysee S; I wyll wete, he seyde, perde C. Hou it may þer off ibee add. E. Þat baroun dorste wel speke,baroun M. dorste] ffull add. M. To þe chaumber he gan rekeAnd to M.3241 f. om. ESNC. And smot þe dore wiþ is honde,And] He ESNC. honde] foot SN. Þat al wide opvn it wonde.al w.] om. C. al w. op.] in to þe flore M; soone add. E. vpon (!) A. Þat it gan wyde vp (opun N) shoot SN. 'Awake,' a seide, 'sire erl Mile,Aw.] awake add. E. sire] om. C. erl] om. E. Þow hauest sleped so longe while,islepen E. so longe] a long ECM; a wel good (grete N) SN. Þin heued oweþ to ake wel:Þin] Hys C. oweþ to a.] akiþ (well add. M) I wot (ryȝt add. E) ESNCM. wel] om. M. Dame, let make him a caudel!'let] do C; om. E. Thou haste nede of a cawdell hote M. 'Nai,' queþ Iosian at þat sake,quod C; seide SN. Nai q. I.] Iosyan sayde E. at] for C. 'Neuer eft ne schel his heued ake!3249 f. om. M.eft] om. C. ne] om. ESNC. nel N; wole E; wille S. Ichaue so tyled him for þat sore,Ich.] He ys C. so] om. ESNC. telyd hym E; him heled SN; helyd C. for] fro SN; off EC. the SN. Nay, said Iosyan, be goddus ore M. Schel hit neuer eft ake more,Hys hed wole (nel N) ake neuere (no M) more ESNM; Neuyr wyll hys hed ake more. C. Al nyȝt he haþ reden ydyl (with euyl wylle C) Wiþ outen (an (!) C) haltyr, wiþ outen (owt C) brydyl. add. EC. I haue lullid hym so well, That it akyth never a dele; All nyght he hath redyn well, With oute eny sadull or brydull. add. M. Al nyȝt he honged, y sey ȝow soth, With my gurdel, and ȝit doth. add. SN. Ȝerstendai he me wedded wiþ wrongweddyd me ECM. wiþ] muche add. SN. & to niȝt ichaue him honge:to] this M. ichaue] I dede E. This nyȝt y him honged with my gurdel strong SN. Doþ be me al ȝoure wille,Doþ be me] Now doþ wiþ me E; Do with me now S; Dothe bi me nowe N; Do now (om. M) with me CM; al ȝ. w.] what he (!) wyll M.put after 3256 ESNCM. Schel he neuer eft wimman spille!'eft] om. M. Schel—eft] Neuere efft (more C; ne add. SN) schal he ESNC. spille] so ESNCM; soille (!) A. Al hii made meche sorwe;Þenne þey maden EC; Þo made þey alle SN; The maiden all to M. mochyl E. Anon riȝtes in þat morweAnon ryȝt E; Sone anoon SN; Anon C. in þat] vp on þe ESN. Anon—þat] All that day till the M. Sum hire demte þannedemed hur C; for soþe add. E. Hur to deme fast gon þey renne SN. In a tonne for to branne.a toun S; to the towne N. for] om. C.3259 f.: And all they her haue dampned there, In a tun to brenne all in ffere. M. Wiþ oute þe toun hii piȝte a stake,þey pyȝt SN; þey putten E; they set M; was C. stake] so ESNCM; wake (!) A. Þar þe fur was i-make,(And add. M) þere þey wolden (can M) þat (a M) ffyr make ECM; There þat þey þe fyre schulde make C; Þere hur to brenne and (a add. N) fire make SN. Þe tonne þai hadde þer iset,þai—iset] þer yn was sett C; þey brouȝten þedyr þenne E; þey hadde thedir (þerfore S) brouȝt SN. Þai fette wode and elet.Þai] And ESNC. fecched NC. and e.] and hyt hett C; & maden it brenne E; al for nouȝt SN.3263 f.: And brought ffire with oyle swete, There they had the twun (!) sett. M. Ascopard wiþ inne þe castel lay,And A. þat E. wiþ in.] in ESNC. castel] toure M. Þe tonne and al þe folk he say;tonne] ffire M. al] om. ESC. folk] þere add. C. Ful wel him þouȝte þat while,him] he SNCM. þouȝte] in add. ECM. Þat him trokede a gret gile,him—gret] þere was don (om. SC) sum queynte (maner C; om. M) ESCM; there crochid sum N. For he was in þe castel be-loke,Þere þat (om. S) he was inne (fast in N; fast S) iloke ESN; That ther yn he was loke C.put after 3270 ESNC. Þe castel wal he haþ to-broken;wal] soone ESNC. he hadde EN; had he S; he C. ibroke EN; broke SC.3269 f.: For they had hym so besteke; The castell anon he can tobreke. M. He was maroner wel gode,was] a add. ESNC. A marynere he was M. wel] fful ESNM; om. C. A stertte in to þe salte flode,lepe NM; lepte E; leped SC; hym forth add. M. salte] om. M. A fischer he seȝ fot hot,Fyschers C. fot] al so ESN; that was so M. f. h.] yn a boot C. Euer a swam toward þe bot.And euere E; And euyn SN; And M; om. C. tow.] vnto SN; to M. þe] hys EM. tow. þe b.] to them as hote C. Þe fischer wende, sum fend it were,fyschers C. sum] a SN. deuyl ESNC. Out of is bot he fleȝ for fere.is] þe SC. they flewe C. And fled oute of his bote M. for f.] þere SN. Ascopard hente þe bot an hondehente] toke CM. þe] þat SN. bot] ore M. an] in SNCM. And rew him self to þe londe,rowyd CM. him s.] there with M. rew—self] þer wiþ he (om. SN) rowyd (fast add. SN) ESN. þe] om. ESNC. To-ward þe fur faste a schok,Tow.—faste] Faste to the fyre C. Beues com and him of-tok:Ser B. ESNC. com] after add. SN. com a.] on Arundel E; there hym M. ouyr took ESCM; atoke N. 'Treitour,' a seide, 'whar hastow be?Thef SNM. Þis dai þow hauest be-traied me!'3281 f.: (And seyde (om. E): To day þou hast me betrayde EC.Þis] To M. begyled SNM. 'Nai, sire!' Ascopard seide,Nai sire] Sir, nay M; Nai, for sothe C; þoo add. E; than add. M. Asc. s.] he seide, so (as N) mot y the SN. & tolde, Miles him hadde be-traide.&] He M. Miles h. h.] how the erle hym M. Þe eerl hadde betrayyd me E; But (Ac N) þe erl Myle betraide me SN; om. C. To-ward þe fur þai wente bliue:þai w.] he come M. wente bl.] ronne blyue SN; come swythe C; gunne to tee E. Toward þe ffyr þey reden blyue add. E. Þe prest, þat hire scholde schriue,hire sch.] scholde Iosyan ESNCM. Godes blessing mote he fonge,Crystys ESNCM. most S; myght M. For þat he held Iosiane so longe!þat] om. ESNCM. held] taryyd EC. Ios.] here ESNCM. In hire smok ȝhe stod naked,hire hire (!) A. ȝhe st.] þen (that N) stood she SN; al add. M. Þar þe fur was imaked;Þar] When S; þat add. E; as add. C. þe] þat SN. Ase men scholde hire for-brenne,Riȝt as SNCM; And as E. men] they M. wolden ESNM. brenne ESNCM. Beues on Arondel com renneon] wiþ ESNM. com] gan M; began to E; on hem (him N) gan SN. B.—com] Syr Befyse made Arondell to C. Wiþ is swerd Morgelay;is] goode add. ESNM. Mordelay C. Ascopard com be anoþer way,And A. ESNCM. com] om. ESNCM. þat oþer E. And slowen in þat ilche stounde Al þat hii aboute þe fur founde,3295 f.: Þey slowen þen þat þere stonden, Alle þat þey (om. N) aboute þe fire (thei add. N) fonden SN; Þey slowen alle þat þey þere ffonde Wiþ hys swerd & wiþ hys honde; E; All þat þey abowte þe fyre founde, They slewe them yn that stounde; C. They slowe all that they ffound, And they, that aboute the ffyre dyd stond. M. And þat he hadde for is while,And] om. SNCM. hadde] wan C. he h.] had they all M. is] theire M. gyle ESNCM. Þat proude erl, sire Mile.Þe ESNC; Of the M. proute S; prowde M; ryche E. erl] þoo add. E. sire] om. M. A sette Iosian on is palfrai, And wente forþ in here wai; Þai wente to schip anon riȝte And sailede forþ in to Wiȝte.3299—3302: Sere (om. M) B. took Iosyan (with him SNC; before hym M) þat (his SN; this M) may (And sette here (om. M; byfore add. SNCM; him add. SM) on hys (hur (!) C; owne add. E) palffray, Al so blyue (swith M) as þey (he SNM) myȝte, [(Tyl þat (Tyll C; om. M) þey comen [And (He N) wente SN] in (ageyn hom M; om. C) to (þe yle of add. SNC) Wyȝte. ESNCM. Wel was Saber paid wiþ þanwas] sere add. E. paid w.] apayde SNM; om. E. Of Ascopard & of Iosian.Of] With M. & of] and ESNCM.3303 f. om. C. Here begynniþ a newe paas: Lystniþ, lordyngys, hout (!) it was! add. E. Beues & Saber sente here sondeNow (Þan SC; om. M) Sabeer & B. ESNCM. þer C; theire M. sondys C. Wide in to fele londe,Wide] Far C; All M; abouten add. ESNM. to] om. ENM. fele] euery ESN; dyuers C; theire M. londys C. And hii sente an hieAnd] also add. SN. þey SNC. swythe on hye C; hastely SN. They haue sent all in hye M. After gret cheualrie,3307 f. om. E. Of al þe londe þe stringeste kniȝte,Of] In M. al þe] euery ESM; eche N. douȝtiest SNC; stalwurþe EM. knyȝtys ESNM. Þat hii owhar finde miȝte.That þei ouȝt where afynde myght N; That they euer ffynd myghtes (!) M. Þat þey owȝhar myȝt fynd to fyȝt S; Þat þey myȝte ffynde bolde in ffyȝtys E; Come to hym anon ryghtys C. Þey (ne add. SN) sparyd neyþer (om. SN) for syluyr ne (nor C) golde, [(Þen of (For C) þe best (haue þey (thei haue N) wolde [Þat þey þe beste haue wolde E]. add. ESNC. Þat emperur neȝ daide,Þe SNC. emp.] for sorow add. SNC. For sorwe þe emperour EM. nere C. ny for sorowe N. gan (can C) dye SNC; wexid wood M. His wif confortede him & saide:His w.] Sche C. conf.—saide] (comfort hym (h. c. SN; soon add. C) in (grete add. S) hygh SNC; hym beffore stode M. 'Sire,' ȝhe seide, 'doute ȝow nouȝt!seide] ne add. E. drede SNC; dismay M. ye C; the NM. Of gode consaile icham be-þouȝt:For of M. Ȝe scholle sende, for sertaine,Þou shalt SNCM. for] on (om. SNM) a day ESNM; om. C. After ȝour ost in to Almaine,ȝour] þyn SNM; thy C. to] om. M. And whan ȝour ost is come to gadre,(And add. CM) whenne þou hast þyn ost (to geder (gadered C) SNCM. Send to þe king of Scotlonde, me fadre;Send to] Þen send after SN. Scottes M. þe—Sc.] Scotlonde to C.3317 f.: And whanne ȝe han to gedere ȝoure hoost, Sendiþ to my fadyr wiþ outen boost: Kyng he is off Scotlonde, A douȝty man, I vndyrstonde; E. He wile come to þe an hiȝeAnd he SNC; For he M. þe] ȝow E; vs SN. an] in NC. Wiþ wonder-gret cheualrie,wonder] wol E; full CM. Þat þow derst haue no sore Of þat þef, Saber þe hore,3321 f.: Þanne thar ȝow nouȝt ben afferde Off Sabeer wiþ hys whyte berde E; And þou ne darst haue no fere Of B. ne of (sir add. N) Sabere.' SN; And þat ye haue no feere Of the thefe, syr Sabere C. That ye thare not drede than Of Sabere, that grey-herud man, M. Ne of Beues, þat is me loþe:Beues] om. C; my sone add. ECM. me] so C. Ȝit ȝe schollen hem hangen boþe!'ȝyt (But M) þey schall C; Þey scholen ȝit E. hem h.] be hongyd ECM.3323 f. om. SN. Þo þe letters were ȝare,Þo þe] Here ESN; Theire M; Then C. were] þey makyd SNM; made they C; þey dyȝten sory ful E. ȝare] there M. Þe masegers wer forþ ifare.Þe] And the M; Her SN; And C. wer] ben ENM; arn SC. In Mai, whan lef & gras ginþ springe,whan] þe N. leues & E; om. CM. gan SN; can CM. And þe foules merie to singe,þe—to] byrdys so meryly C. To Hamp|tone þer cam þe kynge E; To Hampton com both prynce (knyght M) and king SNM. Þe king of Scotlonde com to fiȝteAnd þe S. cam prest to E; for to S; to N. fyȝtes E. Wiþ þretti þosend of hardi kniȝteþosend] hundryd E. þr. þ.] meny an other M. of] om. NM. doughty M. knyȝtes EC. Of Almaine, is owene barouny,And off EC. owene] om. SN. baron|age M. is o. b.] grete cheualrye C. Wiþ wonder-gret cheualry.Wiþ w.] Cam ryȝt wiþ E; And of Almayn C. And all that were of hys baroune C; And many knyghtes, squiers and page M. 'Lordinges,' a seide, 'ȝe witeþ alle,' Whan hii were be-fore him in þe halle,3333 f.: [Þe emperour ladde hem (þem C) in [Sir Mordoure hem led] to þe halle: (Lordynges, he sayde (And seid: L. SN), ȝe [weten (wot CM) weel [ben welcome SN] alle, ESNCM. 'Þat ofte þis þef, Saber þe hore,Þat—þef) Ofte sir SN; That often tyme C; That the traytour M. þis—þe] Sabeer þat þeeff so E. Me haþ aneied swiþe sore.agreuyd E; greuyd SN. Hath me greuyd C; Often me hath anoyed M. swiþe] full C; harde and E; om. M. Now is him come help to fiȝte,help] more ffolk E; him c. h.] com (he comyn C) to help him SNC.3338 put before 3337 SN. Beues of Hamtoun, an hardi kniȝte,an h.] a strong SN; a wol strong E; a doughty M; þat noble C. To Sarasins was solde gon longe,Tyll M. Sar.] he add. SNCM. gon l.] ago longe M; agoo it is ful long S; syþen go long C; longe N; in fer cuntree E. Ich wende, he hadde ben anhonge;he hadde ben] that he had ben CM. he om. (!) A. anh.] honge CM; hem among S. I wolde, he hadde deyyd on galewetre E. He me þreteþ for to slenthretenyd N; thretyth me C. for to] to ben SC; to brenne and E. slone M. & for to winne is londe aȝen;aȝen] anon M. om. E. Wiþ him he haþ a geaunt brouȝt:A (stronge add. M) geaunt (he haþ wiþ hym (with hym he hath C) brouȝt ESNCM. Erþliche man semeþ he nouȝt,man] ne add. E. he semyth N. Ne noman of flesch ne felle,Ne] Nodur C; om. SN. of] om. M. ne] nor C; of add. N. Boute a fend stolen out of helle;Boute] He is SN; Hyt ys C. stolen] brouȝt SN. out of] fro C. Boute—out] I trowe, he be a deuyl E. Boute—of] He semyth a devill com ffro M. Ascopart men clepeþ him þer oute,cl.] callen E. they clepe C. him þ. o.] þat frout S; þat freke N. Of him ichaue swiþe gret doute.sw. gr.] wol (ful S) gret ES; mekyll C. ich.—doute] many one dothe speke N.3347 f.: Ascaparte his name men rede, Of hym I haue moche drede. M. Ac, lordinges,' a seide, 'arme ȝe wel,Ac] om. ESNC. Lordlingis N. Ac—seide] But not ffor thye M. ȝe] ȝow ESNC; we vs M. We scholle besege hem in here castel;wole E; wyll M. hym besege M. here] his M. Both in iren and in stele SNC. There we wyll do hym moche woo, And with honger there ham sloo. add. M. Þe Ascopard be strong & sterk,Þe] And thogh C; ȝif SN. str. &] stef and SN; thefe C. Mani hondes makeþ liȝt werk!'ȝyt many C.3351 f.: And mak ȝoure armure redy thare, Wiþ spere & scheeld redy to fare. Rapely were þey redy dyȝt, Manye a þousand off wol hardy knyȝt. E. Forþ þai wenten ase snel,For (!) A. Til þai come to þe castel,3353 f.: In to (a add. C) schyppe (shippis N) (þey wenten (he dide hem SN; they dud them C) alle And ryueden (ryuen S; aryvid N; armyd þem C) vndyr (at SN) þe castel walle, ESNC. With theire shippus they comyn all Armed vnder the castell wall. M. Þar Saber and Beues weren inne,Þar—Beues] Þat sere (om. CM) B. and Saber ECM. Þai piȝte pauilouns & bente ginne.piȝte] here add. E. pau.] logges SN; tentys C. bendyn SN; made C. & b.] wiþ C. Ne was neuere man in toun ne ffeelde, Þat so moche ffolk sawȝ wiþ spere & schelde Ne men þat blewen so moche boost; Abouten þe castel þey spradden here hoost, add. E. Ne sey þou neuer in no lege So grete ost (a add. N) castel (to add. N) besege. add. SN. Ther sawe neuer man, as y yow telle, A gretter hoost besege a castell. add. C. Ne sye never men, as I herd say, So gret an hoste, as at the castell lay, add. M. [(And add. E) sere [As than had M] B. and sere Saber [Al (om. SN) here hoost hadde (þey SN) gaderyd þer [Gaderyd ther oost to gedur C; All theire folke to geder there M] Off [Alemayne (Frensh S; Fraunce N; Colyn M) & [þer frendys C] off oþir (euery SN; yche M; many a C) londe Euere (Of M) þe beste þat (men myȝten (þey SNM; myght be C) fonde. add. ESNCM. Ten off þoo wiþ inne þe castel Wolde ouyrcome ffourty ffayre & wel. add. E. Þanne wold þey in þe castel Ouercom him (ham N) with out ful wel. add. SN. The myght them (r. here?) in the castell Euer come oute (meny well (r. mangonel?). Sabere hard with oute gret booste, Makyng logges a myghty hooste. add. M. Saber stod on is tour an hiȝ,on] in ESNC. is] a SN. Saber—tour] Vppon the toure he was M. an] yn C; ful N. Al þat grete ost a siȝ;Al þat] And al þis E; And all the M; And þat S; And the C. Gret wonder þer of he hade,Gretter M. Þe holi crois be-fore him he madeholi] om. S. be-fore] on ENCM; vpon S. bade N. And swor be his berde hore,swor] sword (!) M. berde] soo add. E. Hit scholde some of hem rewe sore.(That add. M) it scholde (shal SN) rewen hem (som SN) fful (om. M) sore ESNM; That some of þem schulde rewe sore C. hem] om. (!) A. rewe] it add. (!) A. Saber doun of his tour went, After al is kniȝtes a sent: 'Has armes, lordinges!' he gan segge, 'Þemperur þer oute vs wile be-legge:3363—66: Off hys (the M) tour he wente adoun (downe CM; iwys add. M), And tolde þus (it al SN; hyt CM) to sere Beffoun (Beues M), [To (Sir SN) B. (Sabere M) sayde Sabeer (Beues M) [Then seyde Befyse C] saun|fayle: 'Arme we vs (now add. M) to (vnto S; al wel in to N) bataylle!' ESNCM. Make we þre vintaine,we] vs add. EM. þre v.] other queyn|tyne (!) M. Þat be gode and certaine!be] boþe add. E. Þat—and] And let god wyrke in M.3367 f. om. SNC. Þe ferste ich wile me self out lede,ferste] ost add. SNC. ich—self] seyde Saber, wyll y C. out] om. SNC. & þow þat oþer, Beues!' a sede,þow] om. M. oþer] sere add. ESN. B.] Sabere M. a] om. E. And ye þe next, so god me spede C. 'And Ascopard þe þredde schel haueAnd] om. SNM. Wiþ is gode, grete staue.gode gr.] longe C. Be we þre vpon þe grene,þre] brouȝt ESNM. Wel ich wot and nouȝt ne wene:ne] I E. and n. ne] with out SN. That oure game shall be sene M. Mani man is þar oute kete,man] om. SNM; þat add. ESNM. is] ben SN; are M. þar] with S. þar oute] now M. kete] ful kete E; wel skeete SN; ffull scete M; gete (!) A. Þis dai schel is lif for-lete!'Schal (Schul N) þis (to M) day here (theire M) ESNM. lyvus M. leete SNM.3373—76: Befyse seyde: 'Hyt schall be sene: Well y wot, vpon the grene That many be now full lusty, Schall to day delefully dye. C. Saber is horn be-gan to blowe,an horn SN; soone C. gan SNM. to] om. S. Þat his ost him scholde knowe.Þat] For SNC; For that M. ost] men E; folk SN. scholde hym ESNCM; wel add. N. 'Arme ȝow, lordynges!' þoo sayde Sabeer, 'Þe emperour is comen wiþ bryȝt baner And many a knyȝt wiþ spere & scheld, He haþ besegyd vs in þe ffeeld; add. E. 'As armes, lordynges!' he (Saber N) gan sigge, 'Þe emperour þer out doþ vs besege; add. SN. 'Arme you, lordus!' Sabere can say, 'The emperoure wyll vs bewray; add. M. 'Lordynges,' he seyde, 'arme yow well: Þe emperour ys vndur þe castell; add. C. 'Lordinges,' a seide, 'ne doute ȝow nouȝt,Lord. a s.] Beeþ (Be NM) glad (good SNM) off herte ESNM; Be of gode hart C. ne] and SC; om. M. drede E. ȝow] ȝe SN; the M; om. C. Ȝe scholle þis dai be holde so douȝt,We scholen hem slee as we han þouȝt E; We shul hem belede so touȝt SN; We schall (hym meete, as y haue (ham teche, so haue I M) þoȝt CM. Þat hem were beter at Rome,hem w.] hem had S; they were M; thei had ben N; he were C. beter] be add. S; to be add. C; haue be add. M. Þanne hii hadde hider icome.'hii] þey SN. hii—ic.] hedur for to come C; hederward to haue come M.3381 f.: Þey were wol betere at hom haue ben, Þan hedyr haue comen, so moot I then! E. Whan ye haue ham all slayn, Youre seruice I wyll well payn!' add. M. Þo þemperur herde in castel blowe,Þo] When C; om. SNM. þemp.] The hoste M. in (on M) þe castel EM; him SNC. Þar bi he gan to knowe,And there M. he] wyste & add. E. to] ful wel SN. he g. to] they well can M. he—kn.] well he knewe C. Þat hii armede hem in þe castel;þey ESNM. hem armyd SN; were armyd E. His kniȝtes he het ase snel:kn.] hoost E. he het] he callede E; hem armed SN. His—het] Than said Mordoure M. snel] well SN.3385 f.: The lordyngys as swelle Armyd þem yn þe castell. C. 'Has armes, lordinges, to bataile!lordlingis N; lordys E. Has—lord.] All ar þe lordynges yn C; That they them armed M. Out hii comeþ, vs to asaile.'Out] They M; of þe castelle add. SNCM. hii] þey SN; om. CM. com SN. vs to] om. C. Out—to] Þey in þe castel wole vs E. Twei ostes þai gonne make,Tweyne E; Twoo SNCM. þai] the em|perour C. gunne E; gan SN; can CM. take E. He of Scotlonde haþ on itake,He] Þe kyng ESNCM. haþ on] þe oon haþ C; þat oon gan take SN; ad one take M. haþ—itake] ffor hys sake E. Þemperur þat oþer ladde:Þemp.] hym selfe add. C. oþe (!) A. þe todur C. And Mordoure hym the second than did awake M. His deþ þat dai þer he hadde.His—þer] There as þat day hys dethe C; Þat ylke day hys deþ E; At þat bataile his deeth SN. om. (!) M. Out of þe castel cam beforeOut] om. M. þe] þat E. castel] þer add. C. comyþ C; him add. S; oute add. M. Saber wiþ is berde hore,Sere S. EC. berde] hed so E. And in is compainieAnd] eke add. SN; he brought add. M. in is] wiþ hym in E. Þre hondred kniȝtes hardie.Fyue þousand ESNC; of add. SN. Þre h. kn.] With (!) knyghtes, that were M; ryȝt add. E; ful add. NM. Sire Morice of MounclereSire Meres þe mouncher so ffeer E; Mors (Moris N) of Mochalray (Malachry N) þe fers SN; Mors of Mongeray that fere C; Mores of Punculer the ffere M. His stede smot aȝenes Sabere;stede] he add. ESNCM. smot] prekyd EM; sett C. aȝen EN; agenste C; to sir M. Sabers SN. His spere was sumdel kene,was] long & add. E; greet and SN; scharpe and C. sumd.] also S; om. C. And he had a sherpe spere M. And Saber rod him aȝene:And] sir add. SN. him rood S; prekyd to hym M. aȝ.] in ffere M. Saber hym mette & þat was sene E; Agenste hym rode sir Saber, y wene C. Þouȝ is spere wer scharp igrounde,And þouȝ E; But thouȝ M. grounde C; & sound N. scharp igr.] kene that stound M. Saber slouȝ him in þat stounde.Sere S. E. slouȝ—stounde] hym ȝaff dedly wounde E; him barre (b. h. M) to þe ground SNM; smote hym dedd to grounde C. Out on Arondel þo com BeuounOut on] On SNM; And vpon C. þo] than M; om. SNC. com] sir add. SN. Befon C. Beues M. And mette wiþ is stifader Deuoun,Deu.] iwys M. is st. D.] þe emperour of grete renoun SN. Wyth hys ffadur he mett sone C. And wiþ a dent of gret forsAnd] om. SNC. a] his SNC. of gret] and with his SNC. A bar him doun of his hors;A—doun] He smote the emperour C; Þe emperour he cast SN.3405 f.: They smote to geder with moche ffors, And Mordoure fell to ground with his hors. M. Wiþ Morgelay, þat wolde wel bite,And with Mordelay C. cowde wel C; wel wold (wol N) SN. He hadde ment is heued of smite;ment] þouȝt SN. of] to add. SNC. He h. m.] And Beues wold M. of] to add. SNC.3403—3408: Þanne cam B. out off þe castel Harde precande on Arundel; Þe emperour fful soone he mette And wiþ hys spere he hym grette; E. His ost cam riding him to,But hys EC. rid.] redy E. His o. c.] Then come his knyghtes M. cam r. h.] him rood (gan ride N) SN. rid. h. t.] anon tho C. Wel ten þosend oþer mo;ten] two C. oþer] and C; and meny M; off men & E. So stronge were þo hii come:stronge] kene þey SNCM. þo hii] when þey SNCM; were add. M. str.—hii] manye & so ffele to hym E. Þemperur Beues hii benomeÞemp.] Þat þe e. EC; That Sabere ffrome M; sir add. SN; haþ sere add. E; fro hym add. E. hii] þey CM; om. ESN. inome E; nome CM. And brouȝte him an horse þo;And (Ageyn SN; om. C) on hys (om. SN) stede þey (hym M) sett (brouȝt SNM) hym (om. M) þoo ESNCM. Þar fore was Beues swiþe wo.Therof CM. was Sabeer E; B. was NCM. sw.] fful EM. Þar com in þe þredde partÞenne EC. com] þere add. EC. in] on M; om. E. þe þr.] that hynder M. Wiþ is batte Ascopard;bat.] clubbe þenne E; bataille SNC. Euer alse he com þan,Euer] furth add. SNC; the ffurther add. M; forþ ryȝt add. E. he] thei N. þan] om. ESNM. A felde boþe hors & man.felde] bare C; doun add. ECM. boþe] om. C. Þar wiþ was Beues wel apaide,Þar—B.] And þer with sir Befyse was C. paid M. Abouten hym ffaste he leyde E. A clepede Ascopard & to him saide:A] And SN. A cl. A.] He callyd to hym A. C; B. hym clepyd E; He there told M. to h.] om. SNC. 'Ascopard, tak riȝt gode hede:Asc.] now add. E; he said add. M. tak] nym (my (!) S) SN. riȝt] om. ESNCM. Þemperur rit on a whit stede; Þin hure i schel þe ȝilde wel,schel] wole ESNM. þe] om. ESN. ȝilde] quyte M; ryȝt add. E. Wiþ þat þow bringe him to me castel!'Wiþ þat] ȝiff E; And SNC; om. M. þow] om. CM. hym brynge ES. to me] yn to þe CM. 'Sire,' a seide, 'I schel for soþe'Sir, for sothe,' said he, M. In to þe castel bringe him to þe!'3425 f. om. ESNC.In—castel] Theder I wyll M. Ascopard leide on wel inouȝ,wel] faste M; wode C; om. SN. Boþe man & hors he slouȝ;Boþe] om. SNC. hors and man SNCM; bothe add. C; euer add. SM; ther add. N. Þar nas non armur in þat londe, Þat miȝte þe geauntes strok astonde. Þe king of Scotlonde, wiþ is bat A ȝaf him swiche a sori flat Vpon þe helm in þat stounde, Þat man and hors fel ded to grounde. Þanne anon, wiþ oute soiur, A wente to þat emperur,3429—3436 om. SNCM. And hasteliche wiþ miȝt and mainAnd—and] To the emperour he went (come M) with CM. A hente þe hors be þe rain;And C. hente] caght C. hors] stede C. A—hors] His stede he toke M.3437 f.: To þe emperoure he him spede, He (And N) hent (his steede (the hors N) by þe hede SN. Wolde he, nolde he, faire & welAnd wold SN. nolde he] nolde N; or not C. faire &] also SNM; as C. wel] snelle M; swelle C. He bar hors and man to þe castel.bar] brought M. hors a. m.] þem bothe C; hym M; in add. SNCM.3427—40: Ascopard þoo fforþ hym dyȝt And boþe he slowȝ hors and knyȝt, And soone he took þat emperour And brouȝte hym swyþe to þe tour. E. Of al þat oþer, siker apliȝte, Þat were ensemled in þat fiȝte, Of Scotlonde and of Al-maine, Beues and Saber wiþ miȝt and maine Wiþ deþ is dentes gonne doun driue, Þat þar ne scapede non aliue. And þus sire Beues wan þe pris And vengede him of is enemis, And to þe castel þai wente isame Wiþ gret solas, gle and game,3441—50 om. ESNCM. And þat his stifader wer ded,Sere B. rood swyþe gret randoun E; Now we him haue in oure (his (!) N) ban|don SN; Then anon sir Befyse with owt þe towne C; And Beues anon light adown M. Ase tit he let felle a ledAse—felle] Let (Made to C) set ouer SNC; Lat boylen, he sayde EC; And he let ffech M. led] gret (om. C) cawdroun ESNCM. Ful of pich and of bremston,pich] so ESNCM; bich (!) A. of] om. SM. And hot led let falle þer on;And] om. M. hot] molten SC.; molte N. let f.] (and add. N) cast ESNC; made he caste M. vpon EC. Whan hit alþer swiþer seþ,And when CM; Þoo ESN. alþ. s.] al þer (þe S) hattest SN; moost fastest C. sethyd C. alþer—seþ] dede seþe & playde ffaste E; boyled alther faste M. Þemperur þar in a deþ;a] þey E; was M. dooth SN; dud C; caste EM. Þar a lay atenende:lay] died M. Þere he deyde & made hys ende E; Þere he had his endyng day SN; There he dyed at that stounde C. Wende his saule, whider it wende!Wende h. s.] Hys soule to helle E. whider] where SN; so moot E. it] he (!) S. Wende—it] God wot whodur hys sowle C; Whether that euer the soule M. wende] may SN. Houndys hym gnowen to þe bon Soo wreke vs god off alle oure ffoon! add. E. His moder ouer þe castel lai,SC; in M. þe] her M. Hire lord seþen in þe pich ȝhe sai;sethyng C; om. SN. þe] om. E. Hire—þe] In sethyng (!) M. pich] cawdron C. So swiþe wo hire was for sore,So] om. C. swiþe] om. SNCM. wo] for sothe add. M. she was M; was sche C. for s.] þerfore SNCM. Ȝhe fėl and brak hire nekke þer fore.ȝhe f. and] That she M. þer f.] þoore SNCM.3461 f.: Þer ffore þe lady sory was, Sche drowȝ here heer and sayde: 'Allas!' Doun sche ffyl ouer þe wal off ston And þere sche brak here nekke bon. E. Alse glad he was of hire,Alse] om. SN. he—hire] was B. to here M; was B. and sir Sabere SN. Of his damme, ase of is stipsire,ase] and SNM. of] om. M. sire SN; stepfader M.3463 f.: Glad was B. ffor þat tydyng And thankyd god off alle þyng E; om. C. And seide: 'Damme, for-ȝeue me þis gilt,And s.] Now E; om. C. damme] god EC. me] seyde Befyse add. C. þat C. I ne ȝaf þe noþer dent ne pilt!'Þorwȝ me off þe was sche was (!) nouȝt pylt E; I haue þe nodur dreynt nor spylte C.3465 f. om. SNM. Befyse was as gladd or gladder Of hys dame as of hys stepfadur. add. C. Þanne al þe lordes of Hamteschire Made Beues lord and sire And dede him feute & omage, Ase hit was lawe & riȝt vsage. Þo was Beues glad and bliþe And þankede god ful mani a siþe,3467—3472: Þoo (When SNC; om. N) þat (þe SNCM) emperour was (þus add. SNM) islawe (sloo S; slayn M), And (Al SNC; om. M) þat (his SNM; the C) hoost (away gan (can wyth C; gan hem with N; hem with S; come them M) drawe (droo S; ageyn M), (A way þey gunne ffaste to (And westward gun SN; And can w. awey C; And awey them to M) fflee, And (But M; om. SN; all add. CM) þe burgeyses (burgeyce S; burges CM) off þat cyte (contre C) Wiþ ioye & (merthe and (with SNCM) grete (muche SNM) pryde, Aȝens (Aȝen SNCM) sere (om. SNM) B. (þey gunne to (gonne SN; can they CM) ryde, Off Hamptoun al (om. C) þat (þe SNCM) barounnage (Al add. SN) þey comen (and deden (to do SN; sir add. C) B. homage; [Þey (And SNM) vndyrfongyd (vnderfong SNM) hym [Agayne hym þey went C] fayre & wel And brouȝten hym (in add. SN) to hys owne (om. C) castel. 'Lord god (Crist N; Iesu C; om. S),' quod (seyde CM) sere (om. NCM) B. þoo (thanne M), Swyþe (Full C; Right M) weel me is (is me NCM) begoo (begone M), ESNCM. Þat he was wreke wel inouȝhe was] I am ESNCM. awreke SNC; vengid M; ryȝt add. E. wel i.] nowe SNCM. Of him, þat his fader slouȝ.his] my ESNCM. Wel hasteliche ȝhe let sende To Coloine after þe bischop hende, And spusede Beues & Iosiane. Of no ioie nas þer wane;3475—3478: [Iosyan he (off sente (seide SN) wiþ (outen ensoyne (asoyn SN) [He sende aftur Iocyan, þe soþe to sayne C] And (Sende we SN) afftyr þe erchebysschop (bisshop SNC) of Coloyne, For (om. SNC) þat he (om. SNC) (was sere B. (is myn owne SN) eem, [And wol swyþe he þedyr kem [And he (y N) wyl sone heder (thedir N) coom SN; And thedur soone he come C] And weddyd (spoused SN; maryed to gedur C) B. and Iosyan [Wiþ merþe and ioye and many a man [Þere was ioye and muche game SN; Moche yoye þere was than C]. ESNC. Iosyan he went after sone And after the bysshopp, as was to done, After the besschoppe of Colyn, That was sir Beues eme; Full smertely he theder cam And so dyd ffeire Iosyan. Then the bysshoppe spoused Iosian, The joy, that there was, can tell no man. M. Þouȝ ich discriue nouȝt þe bredale, Ȝe mai wel wite, hit was riale, Þat þer was in alle wise Mete and drinke & riche seruise.3479—3482: Ryȝt gret ffeste þere was holde Off eerlys, barouns and knyȝtes bolde, Off ladyys and mayde, I vndyrstonde, Alle þe ffayreste off þat londe, Þat al þe castel donyd and rong Off here merþe and off here song. E; There was joye and feste amonge, Ellis it had be moche wronge. M; om. SNC. Now haþ Beues al is stat;Now] Than SN. had SN. stat] stage M. Of Hampton all the baronage add. M. Tweie children on hir he beȝatTwoo ESNCM. on] of M. hir] Iosyan EM; his wyf SNC; him (!) A. gaat ESN CM. Feire they were and grett of state add. M. In þe formeste ȝere,Whyl (Whiles SN; The whilis M; þat add. C) þey weren to gedere (in ffere (there SM) ESNCM. Whiles þat hii were ifere.In þat ylke formeste ȝere E; Hyt was in the ffurste yere M; In that contre there C; And in þat castel dwelled yfere (there N) SN. And Saber him redde þarAnd] Sir S; om. NCM. Sab.] his eme add. NC. him r.] B. rad S; avysyd hym C. thar him radde N. Wende to þe king Edgar;To w. SNCM; than add. M. þe] om. SNCM. Edgard N. Þo wiþ inne a lite stoundeÞo—lite] Tho wende he forth in a SN; Then at that C; Anon right in that M. Þe king a fond at Lounde.At Londe (London NC) þe king he (þey C) found SNC; The kynge at London they ffound M.3487—3490: Þoo he wente wiþ outen lettyng To Lundone ryȝt vnto þe kyng. Whanne he was to Lundone come, He was welcome wiþ alle and some. E. Beues a knes doun him set,Beues] Beffore þe kyng he E. doun] om. E. Þe king hendeliche a gret;Þe—a] And curteysly he hym E.3491 f. om. SNCM. Þe king askede him, what he wereking] him add. SN. Þanne askyd þe kyng E. him] om. ESNCM. he] they CM. And what nedes a wolde þere.nedes] þyng ESNM; þat C. a] þey CM. wolde] souȝte ESNCM. Þanne answerde Beuoun:ans.] sere add. ESNCM. Beues M. 'Ichatte Beues of Hamtoun;I hyȝte E; My name is SNC. The erle of Hampton iwys M. Me fader was þer þerl Gii;was] is S. þer þ.] eerl ESNM; þe erle C; þer off sere add. E; and hight (hete N) add. SN; sir add. CM. Þemperur for is leuediÞat þe e. EC; That Mordoure M. Out of Almaine com & him soluȝ:Out of] Of S; Frome M. Ichaue wreke him wel inouȝ;And y haue S. him wroke (vengyd C) SNC. Ich. wr. h.] Now I am wroke E. Ich.—wel] And now I am vengid M. Ich bidde be-fore ȝour barnage,bidde] aske ESNCM. be-f.] þe grace of SN. ȝour] thy C; my N; om. S. Þat ȝe me graunte min eritage!'ȝe] þou SN. Þat ȝe me] For to C. gr.] geve M; haue C. 'Bleþeliche,' a seide, 'sone min,Blely E. Bl. a] The king SNC. Ich graunte þe, be sein Martin!'Ich] it add. M. gr.] it add. E. the graunt CM. be s. M.] heritage þyn S; þi eritage, bi seint Austyne N. He hym keste and took be þe hond And wolcomyd hym & to (!) þe lond. add. E. He hym kyste and toke by the hond, And thus to hym said with oute shond: add. M. His marchal he gan be-holde:His] The SN. His m.] Þe kyng E; My chamberlayn M; sone add. SNC. he] sere B. E. gan] dud C; hath M. gan b.] behelde SN. 'Fet me,' a seide, 'me ȝerde of golde!And seyde: 'F. C; Feche SNM; þou add. SN. ȝ. of g.] golden ȝerde SN. Gii, is fader, was me marchal,Sere Gy ESNM. is f.] he seyde C; om. SNM. Also Beues, is sone, schal.'And also ESN; And so M. B.] now EM; om. SNC. sone] with me be add. SN. His ȝerd he gan him þer take;Þe SNCM. he] þe king SNC. him] Beues M. þer] om. SNCM. Þe kyng þat ȝerde B. betook E. So þai atonede wiþ oute sake.So] Thus M. at. w. o.] acordid ffor his M. And sere B. it nouȝt fforsook E; Soche a cordement can þey make C; And made him marshal for his faders sake SN. Þanne was sere B. war and wys, In Yngelond he bar þe prys. add. E. In somer aboute whit-sontide,somer] it was add. E. ab.] at EC; aȝeyn SNM; þe add. NM. whissonday S. Whan kniȝtes mest an horse ride,Whan] erls and add. SN. kn.] princes S. mest] þer C. an] om. SNC. horsys C; om. SN; gon add. SN; can add. C. ride] play S. A gret kours þar was do grede,A gr.] At a M. A—do] Þe kyng a cours he dede E; A cors ther (om. S) was lat SN; A wager there was leyde C. grede] gret C; crye M. For to saien here alþer stede,For] Euery knyȝt SN. asayen ESNC. here a.] þe beste E; his SN; þer C. stedys with owt lett C. For to preve theire stedus bye M. Whiche were swift & strong.were] was SNCM; boþe add. E. swift|ist N; wyghtest C; worthiest M; styff E; steffest S. &] most add. SN. Þe kours was seue mile long;Þe] Þat SN. Who þat come ferst þeder, han scholdeþat] so ESNM; om. C. fferst com E. ferst þ.] there furste M. þeder] om. SNC. han] hyt add. C.put after 3518 C. A þosand pound of rede golde.þos.] hundred ESNCM. rede] syluyr & E. Þar wiþ was Beues paied wel:apaide SN. Þar—paied] Payd there of Beues was M. Meche a treste to ArondelMeche a tr.] He (trust him (trustid M) moche (wel S) SNM; Hys truste was vp C. to] on SNC.3519 f. om E. A morwe, whan hit was dai cler,A] At S; On the C. whan] þoo SN. hit w. d.] þe (om. C) day was EC. Ariseþ boþe kniȝt and squierAr.] Vp aros E; Vp roos SNC. boþe] om. SNC. And lete sadlen here fole.And] Þey E. lete s.] sadulled SNC. here] boþe stede and E. here f.] her (þer C) stedes anoon SNC. And (gan to (can forthe C) ryde and (gan to add. S) goon add. SNC. Twei kniȝtes hadde þe kours istole,Ten SN. hadde] han E; badde (!) A. her cours hadden SN.3521—3524. At morow the knyghtes had forth stole (!) M. Þat hii were to mile be-fore,Þat] And SN. þey EN; þo S. to] a SN. Þat—to] Well nere thre M. Er eni man hit wiste y-bore.Er—wiste] Ar it wyste ony man E. om. SNM. Whan Beues wiste þis, fot hotÞoo SN. wist hit NM; þat wyste E. fot] al so ESNM. Arondel wiþ is spures a smotwiþ is s.] in þe syde ESNM.3524—3528: Euery man, the sothe to say, Had take two myle yn ther way, Or Befyse wyste ony whyt, And tho Befyse anon ryght Arondell yn the syde he smot And rode forthe fote hoot. C. & is bridel faste a schok;faste] so N. faste a sh.] he toshoke M.Þe stede felte sere B. strook E. A mide þe kours he hem of-tok.A m.] And (om. N) in þe myd (myddis of N) EN; In myddus M. þe] om. E. ouyr took EM; toke N.3529 f. om. SC. Than began they better to ride, The space of two myle side be side, That they to the end had but a myle: Beues was aferd of gile. add. M. 'Arondel,' queþ Beues þo,Now Ar. E. sayde ESCM. 'For me loue go bet, go,loue] now add. E. bet] now ESM. And i schel do faire and welAnd] om. S. do] make C; ryȝt E; make add. S. For þe loue reren a castel!'þe l.] thy sake S; þe E. reren] maken E; om. SC. a] ffayr add. ESC. chapell (!) C.3533 f. om. M. And the brydull faste he schoke, And yn mydwarde þe wey he þem ouertoke. add. C. Whan Arondel herde, what he spak,Whan] Þoo E; om. SCM. what] þat S; how C. he] B. ES. spak] said M. Be-fore þe twei kniȝtes he rak,Before them all he brake C; Before hem all forth he braid M; Byfore hem al a cours he tooke S; Þanne fforþ he bar hym on hys bak E.3531—3536 om. N. Þat he com raþer to þe tresore,Than C. raþir he cam E. raþer] om. CM. þat E. He come to þe tresour ful (wel N) ȝore SN. Þan hii be half and more.Or C. hii] þey EC. Þan h.] om. SN. Þan h. b.] Before hem M. half] twoo myle E; a myle add. SNCM. and] or ESNM. Beues of his palfrai aliȝteSir B. SNC. palf.] stede ESNC; þo doun add. E; he add. S. of his p.] than gan M. lyȝte ESC. & tok þe tresore anon riȝte:tok] vp add. M. tres. a.] gold as it was E. Wiþ þat and wiþ mor catelAnd with C. þat] gold add. E; gode add. C. wiþ] om. NC. cat.] so EC; gatel (!) A. attelle (!) N; a castel (!) S. He made þe castel of Arondel.He—of] He let make and called it castel S. Meche men preisede is stede þo,Mochyl EC. is] þat EC. men—stede] (þat stede (his hors M) was (he NM) preised SNM. þo] then M. For he hadde so wel igo;ydo N; iren M. Þe kynges sone (þat was al (wex wel SN; was nere C) mad add. ESNC; The knyghtis, they were all mad add. M.—To sere B. a bone he bad add. E; Sir B. of ȝifte of (om. N) Arundel he bad add. SN; Of sir Befyse þe stede wolde he haue had add. C; That they ne Beues hors had add. M. Þe prince bad, a scholde it him ȝeue:(Hys stede (They bad Beues M) þat he scholde EM. it h.] ham M. 'Nay,' queþ Beues, 'so mot y leue,Arondell, that was hym leffe M.3545 f. om. SNC. Þouȝ þow wost me take an honde Al þe hors of Ingelonde!' Siþþe þat he him ȝeue nele, A þouȝte, þat he it wolde stele. Hit is lawe of kinges alle, At mete were croune in halle, & þanne eueriche marchal His ȝerde an honde bere schal.3547—3554: 'I wyll not, thouȝ ye wold geve me in my hond All the hors, that be in Englond!' Whan Beues hym ne geve ham wold, They thought, that they stele hym shold. It is wonnyd in the kynges hall, Whan (!) that he his crowne bere shall. M. Þe kyngys sone wiþ B. was wroþ And euere more afftyr he was hym loþ And swor hys oþ ffor woo or wele, Þat he scholde þat stede stele. Whan þat rydyng was al don, To þe kynges court þey comen anon, Boþe duke, eerl, baroun and knyȝt, To a feste, þat wel was dyȝt. It was soo be eldere dawe And was a custum in þe lawe, Þat euery kyng at mete in halle Sat corownyd beforn hem alle, And þat euery marchal scholde Beren beforn hym a ȝerde off golde. Beffs took þe ȝerde in hys hond, Marchal he was off Yngelond, And seruyd þe kyng weel to pay And al þe barounnage þat ylke day. E; Sir B. seide: 'Y vnderstonde, He wil be with no man in londe, But with þe marshal of þe kinges halle: It is his woon to suche men alle, (And with euery marchalle, Thedur his yerde bere schalle; add. N) Sir, he nyl suffer, ywis, No man him touche, þer he is, But his maister certenly; It is greet (a N) fooly, to com him nye!' SN; Befyse seyde: 'Y vndurstonde, For all the horsys yn Ynglonde I wolde not geue Arondell, That yn many a batell haþ seruyd me well!' That day, as y telle schall, The kyng sate crownyd yn the halle, And euery marschall, as y yow say, In hande schall bere hys ȝerde þat day. C. While Beues was in þat office,The while M; þat add. C. was] seruyd þe king SN. þat] hys ESNC; om. M. Þe kinges sone, þat was so nice,þat] he M; om. SN. so] ful SN; om. M. What helpeþ for to make fable?What h.] Thoght C; om. E. What—to] Where to shold I M. make] scorn & add. E. What—make] Þe kinges son with out SN. A ȝede to Beues stableȝede] went ESN CM; in add. ECM. to] sire add. ESNCM. istable (!) A. And ȝede Arondel to niȝe,put after 3560 S.ȝede] went N. And ȝ. A.] Sir B. stede he com S; all add. C. And also a wolde him vntiȝe,And] om. SN. as SN. also a w.] wolde haue C.3559 f.: For to haue stole sere B. stede, And he quytte hym cuele hys mede. E. And toke Arondell in hond, For he wold haue losud his bond. M. And þo Arondel, fot hotþo] om. C. And] þo om. ESNM. fot] ryȝt al so EM; þoo als SN; as C. Wiþ his hint fot he him smothis] þe S. hinder SN; after M; om. EC. he h.] þe prynce he E; him SNCM. And to-daschte al is brain.And] And al S; Þat he al ENCM. tobrast E; tosquat N; toquast (!) S. al] om. ESNCM. Þus was þe kinges sone slain.Þere EM; Tho C. Þey token hem alle to gedere in ffere And before þe kyng brouȝte hym on bere. add. E. They toke theire rede, that there were, To ffore the kyng hym to bere. add. M. Men made del & gret wepingMen m.] Þere was ESCM; Tho was N. del] sorwe E. gret] muche SNCM. For sorwe of þat ilche þing;And (moche sorowe (sorowȝ inouȝ M) for that thynge CM; And care inowȝ for þat endyng E; And (om. N) as y ȝow tel with out lesyng SN. Þe king swor, for þat wrongeswor] þoo add. E. for þat] and þat with (was N) SN. Þat Beues scholde ben an-hongeÞat] sir add. M. an-h.] heyȝe ihonge E; honge CM. & to-drawe wiþ wilde fole.Or be brent all to cold M. Þe barnage it nolde nouȝt þoleBut þe EM. barouns E. But sir B. (!) SN. wolde E. it n. n.] wold itt not M; nolde hit S; hit nolde N. hold (!) M.3569 f.: And be dedd with moche woo, And hys barons wolde not soo C; Þan seide a lord in his sawe: 'Sir king, þat may (om. (!) S) not ben don with (bi N) lawe SN. & seide, hii miȝte do him no wors,& s.] om. SNM. hii m. do] ye may do to C; Ye ne may do M. hii—him] To him ȝe mow do SN. Boute lete hongen is hors;lete h.] for to hange C; let do hong M. þat jugement ȝeue SN. Hii miȝte don him namore, For he seruede þo þe king be-fore.3573 f. om. SNCM.seuede (!) A.3571—3574: Þe barouns sayde euerychon: 'Wers may no man hym don Þan hongen hym, þat dede þat dede, And þat was Arundel, hys stede.' E. 'Nai,' queþ Beues, 'for no catelesayde ESNCM. Nel ich lese min hors Arondele,Nel ich] Ne wolde I E; Wold I M; I wolde not C; Wille y S. lese] lett honge M. min h.] so N; om. ESCM. Ac min hors for to wereAc] But certis SN. Or I shold my hors fforbere M; But to me bettur hyt were C. Ingelonde ich wile for-swere;All Ynglonde C; seuen ȝeres add. S. ich w.] to C; rather I shold M.3577 f.: My stede,' he sayde, 'graunte ȝe mee, And Yngelond now wole I fflee. E. Min eir ich wile make herwile m. h.] make myn (!) Saber E. Þis gode kniȝt, min em Saber.'Þis—em] Myn eme, (þat hight (om. C) sir (om. S) SNC; Myn own son sir M. A curteys knyȝt hardy and ffeer E. In þat maner hii wer at one,maner] comenand M. hii] þey ESNCM. are C. And Beues is to Hamtoun gone;is] now add. E. to Hampton is SN; of H. gan M. A tolde Iosian & Ascopard foreAnd tolde C; om. ESN. Asc.] Sabeer E; he tolde add. ESN. before E; þore C. Al to gedre, lasse and more.Al to g.] Whi it was SN; boþe add. E. And soone afftyr vpon a day He took leue & wente hys way; On horse he sette Iosyan so mylde, For sche was gret wiþ chylde; add. E; He seet Iosian on a (hur C) mule And [(reden (rode N) forth on [forthe they rode C] a while, add. SNC. Beues lep on is rounciSyr B. C; Hym selff E; And S. lepte E; lepyd C; vp add. N. And made is swein Terri,swein] squyer SN. made is s.] took wiþ hym ȝungge E; wyth hym hys cosyn C; sir add. SNC. Þat Saber is sone is;S. is] syr Saber C. And whan Ascopard wiste þis,3583—3588: To the contre, there they come ffroo; Beues went on his jurney, His squier he made Terry, in ffey, That sir Sabers son was. Whan Ascaparte wiste that case, M.3587 f.: Þoo Askopart wist ywys, Þat Tirry Saberes soon is, SN; Sere Saberes sone he was, I plyȝt, Douȝty in dede, hardy in ffyȝt. Þey wenten forþ in here iournay: Now helpe hem god, þat best may! As soone as Ascopard wyste þis, In hys herte he þouȝte amis, E. Whiche wei hii wolde take,And wh. S. wei] þat add. E. hii] þey ESM; he NC. schulde C. Aȝen to Mombraunt he gan schake,can he C; to add. E. He (And N)þouȝt her company (to add. N) forsake SN. Agayn to turne to Vmbraunt (And add. S) (þouȝt Ascopard (A. þ. N), þat long geaunt, add. SN. To be-traie Beues, as ȝe mai se,B. to betray S; And B. be traide (!) N;He betrayed sir Befyse C. ȝe m. s.] y telle the C. For he was falle in pouerte, For, whan a man is in pouerte falle,For] om. SNC. a man is] men ben (are C) SNC. He haþ fewe frendes wiþ alle.Þey haue SNC; but add. C. wiþ] om. C.3591—3594 om. M. To him seide king Yuore:To h. s.] Tyll he come to M.3591—3595: Now is he to Mounbraunt went, For he wolde Iosyan haue schent, And sere B. he wolde haue slawe And brouȝt hem boþe off here lyff dawe. ȝerne he wente wiþ outen lettyng, Tyl þat he come to þe kyng; Doun on knees he hym sette And þe kyng ffayre he grette. Þe kyng spak to hym þer: E. 'Treitour, whar hastow be þus ȝore?'Tr.] om. E. þus ȝ.] many a ȝer E.Where hast thou be, thou fals traytour? M. 'Sire,' a seide, 'haue souȝt þe quene,haue] om. M. thy M. & haue had for hire miche tene!&] I M. for her had M. Sire,' a seide, 'certeine for soþe, Ȝet ich kouþe bringe hire to þe!' 'Ich wile þe ȝeue a kingdom riȝt, Bring þow me þat leuedi briȝt!' Queþ Ascopart: 'Þer to i graunt, Be Mahoun & be Tervagaunt, So þat ichaue fourti kniȝtes, Stout in armes & strong in fiȝtes; For Beues is ful sterne & stoute, Of him ichaue swiþe gret doute; He ouer-com me ones in bataile: Me be-houeþ help, him to asaile.' King Yuor grauntede anon riȝtes; He let him chese fourti kniȝtes And armede hem in yrene wede, & forþ wiþ Ascopard þai ȝede.3599—3614: Yff thou wilte do after me, I wyll yet her brynge to the!' 'I shall geve the moche of my gold, Yff thou brynge her to my fold!' With thritty Sarzins, that were strange, Ageyn her they gan gange, For he wiste at the end, Whederward she wold wend.M.3598—3614: J wolde ryȝt ffayn haue brouȝt here aȝen; Wylt þou ȝelde me my trauayle, And I brynge here þe, wiþ outen ffayle! 'ȝis!' sayde þe kyng þanne and lowȝ, 'I schal þe ȝelde weel inowȝ, I wole þe ȝeuen mochyl off my lond, So þat þou brynge here to myn hond, And XXXty Sareȝynys, þat ben fful wyȝt, With þe schole gon for to ffyȝt!' 'Sere,' he sayde, hauiþ good day, Forþ we wole wenden in oure way, We wolen vs rapen to þat hende: Ful weel I woot, hou þey wole wende!' E.3595—3614 om. SNC. Now lete we be þis Ascopard & speke of Beues, þat rit forþward In is wei til Ermonie Þourȝ Fraunce & þourȝ Normondie;3615—3618: Forþ rod Iosyan & Beffoun, Þorwȝ feeld (& fen & many a (and þrouȝ SN; and C) toun, ESNC. Forthe rode Beues and Iosyan Thorowȝ feld and thorouȝ ffen, M. And Iosiane, Crist here be milde!And] om. SN. And I.] om. C. be here E. Cr. here be] Cr. of heuyn be hur C; that was M. here be m.] fro shame hur shelde SN. In a wode was be-stonde of childe.a] om. SN. Was in the wood M. bestad SNM; stad E. In—be-st.] There sche trauayled C. of] wiþ EM. Cryst, now ȝeue here tyme good For vertu off þy swete blood! add. E. God (hur help and ȝaue (geue C; send M) hur (om. N; full add. M) good tyme, (For ryȝt (Right M; om. C) vnder þe wood ryne (ryme C; lyne M) add. SNCM. Beues and Terri doun liȝteSere B. E. doun] adoun NC; doun þey E; adoun gon S. And wiþ here swerdes a logge piȝte;And] om. SN. here] þer C. a so ESNM; om. (!) A. logge] om. C; þey add. E; gon add. SN. a pyghte (!) C; dyȝte ESN. Made hur a logge with bowes And preyed for hur to owre lady & all halowes. add. C. Þai brouȝte Iosiane þer inne,Þai] And ESNC; And they M. Ios.] hur CM. For hii ne kouþe no beter ginne.For h.] Þey SNC. ne] om. C. For—kouþe] Cowde þey doo E; Ne couth they M. Beues is seruise gan hire bede,Sere B. ESNC. is] her M. seru.] he add. E. hire] om. SNM. is—hire] can hur seruyse C. To helpe hire at þat nede.For to M. Hur to help S. at] in E. þat] her M; om. C. 'For godes loue,' ȝhe seide, 'nai,For g. l.] Gro mercy, sere (om. C) ESN CM. Leue sire, þow go þe wai,Leue s. þ.] For goddys (Crystes C) loue ESNCM; sir add. M. goþ E; wynde C. þe] ȝoure ECM. God for-bede for is pite,God] so SNCM; Crist E; For (!) A. Þat no wimman is priuiteno] any SN; euere M; euere ony E; man schulde see C. To noman þourȝ me be kouþe:man E; any man SN. þourȝ me] þat it SN. be] were ESN. iknowe E; þourȝ—kouþe] be wraid ffor me M. Goþ and wendeþ hennes nouþe,3631 f. om. C.wend. h.] wondreþ fro me SN. and—nouþe] & romiþ (?) ȝow a þrowe E. But goo to the wood and play the M. Þow and þe swain Terry,Þe (!) E. þe] ȝoure E. sw.] squier M; knyȝt SN; ȝungge add. E. Þow—sw.] Wynde ye forthe and C. And let me worþe & oure leuedy!'And] om. M. worþe] alone E. &] on C. Forþ þai wente boþe ifere,in ffere ESNCM. For hii ne miȝte hire paines here.For] Þat SC; om. N. þey ESNCM. ne m.] myȝt not SN; ne wolden E. payn M. ne—paines] hur peynys myȝt not C. Allas, þat ilche cherreBut allas and weylaway E; Allas, hyt schulde be so that day C. Hii wente fro hire alto ferre!Hii] Þey SNC; Þat þey E. wente] were C. fro h.] om. E. alto] to SNC; so E. ferre] away add. EC. Alse hii wer out of þe weie,Alse hii] Whyl þey ESNC. out—weie] so ffer a stray E; a way thoo C.3637—3639: Alas, she was there alone, They were all ffrome her gone; The whilis they went for to play, M. Ȝhe hadde knaue children tweie.ȝhe] Þe lady SN. knaue] men M. Man chyldur had sche two C. Also ȝhe diliuered was,Also] And (om. SNC) ryȝt as ESNCM. Þar com Ascopard go-ande a pasÞar] Forth SN. Asc. cam E. go.] to here E; om: M. a] om. E; gret add. ESC; good add. M; wel good add. N. & fourti Sarasins, þe Frensch seþ, Al iarmede to þe teþ.3643 f. om. ESNCM. For al hire sorwe & hire wohire] þe ESNCM. sorwe] woo M. & h. w.] þat (om. E) sche hadde þoo ESNCM. Þai made hire wiþ hem to go,Þai m. h.] Iosyan he dede (made N) ESN; They (He C) made Iocyan C. hym ESNC. te] om. E. And gret scorning of hire þai maked And bete hire wiþ swerdes naked. Wo was þe leuedi in þat stounde, Þat was so beten & ibounde; & in here wei ase þai gonne wende, Ȝhe seide: 'Ascopard, freli frende, For bounte, ich dede þe while And sauede þe fro perile, Þo Beues þe wolde han slawe And i-brouȝt of þe lif dawe, Ich was þe bourȝ, þe schost be trewe: Þar fore i praie, on me þe rewe And ȝeue me space a lite wiȝt, For wende out of þis folkes siȝt, To do me nedes in priuite, For kende hit is, wimman te be Schamfaste and ful of corteisie, & hate dedes of fileinie.' Ascopard answerde hire þo: 'Whider þow wilt, dame, þow schelt go, So ichaue of þe a siȝt!' Þanne Iosiane, anon riȝt Out of þe way ȝhe gan terne, Ase ȝhe wolde do hire dedes derne. While ȝhe was in Ermonie, Boþe fysik and sirgirie Ȝhe hadde lerned of meisters grete Of Boloyne þe gras and of Tulete, Þat ȝhe knew erbes mani & fale, To make boþe boute & bale. On ȝhe tok vp of þe grounde, Þat was an erbe of meche mounde, To make a man in semlaunt þere, A foule mesel alse ȝif a were. Whan ȝhe hadde ete þat erbe, anon To þe Sarasines ȝhe gan gon, And wente hem forþ wiþ oute targing To-ward Yuore, þe riche king. Þai nadde ride in here way Boute fif mile of þat contray, Ȝhe was in semlaunt & in ble A foule mesel on to se. Þo ȝhe was brouȝt to king Yuore, To Ascopard a seide þore: 'Who is þis wimman, þow hast me brouȝt?' 'What,' a seide, 'knowest hire nouȝt? Ȝhe is Iosiane, þe quene: Ichaue had for hire meche tene.' Þanne seide Yuor: 'I praie Mahoun Þar fore ȝeue þe is malisoun, Swiche a leuedi me to bringe, So foule of siȝt in alle þinge! Led hire awai, god ȝeue ȝow schame, Þe and hire, boþe isame!' A castel hadde king Yuor Fro his paleise fif mile & mor; Þeder Yuor bad hire lede And finde hire þat hire wer nede. Þo Ascopard wiþ outen dwelling In to þat castel gan hire bring, In wildernesse vpon a plaine, And half a ȝer a was hire wardaine. Now lete we be of þis leuedi And speke of Beues & of Terri.3647—3710: And leet þe chyldryn ben ryȝt þore: No wundyr, þouȝ here herte wel sore. E; The (Hur N) children þey lefte þoore: Wonder, þat hur hert (ne brast þerfore (barst not for sore N)! SN; And drove hur the wode thorowe: No wondur, yf hur hert braste for sorowe! C. Som dyd her drive and som dyd folowe: No wonder, thouȝe her hert had sorowe! M. Beues, aȝen is wei he nam,Sere B. E. aȝenward ESN. is] þe E. he] om. ESNM. is—nam] come tho C. In to þe logge þat he cam;In] And EM; om. SNC. þat] soone E; anon M; þere C. cam] fro came N; com fram (fro C) SC. Fond he þer noþer ȝong ne elder,Ne (There C) fonde he SNC. þer] om. SNCM. nor C. olde SM. Boute twei heþene knaue childer,heþ.] yong N; ffeire M; om. S. knaue ch.] man ch. C; childer M; (feire on (on the M) molde add. SM.3713 f.: In þat logge no þyng he say, But tweye chyldryn, were bore þat day; E. Swiþe faire children wiþ alle,Swiþe] And passinge M; Two C. knaue childir N; þey weren ESN. Alse hii were fro þe moder falle.Ryȝt as E. þey ESNM. Alse h. w.] Newe C. from EN. þe] hur SN. Beues fel þar doun and swouȝ;Sere B. E. þar] om. ESNC. doun] om. C. and] in SNC; ryȝt in a E. Terri wep and him vp drouȝ,wept SNC. vp him N.3717 f.: For sorowe Beues sowned that tide, Terry wepte sore, that was there be side. M. And koursede biter þat while Ascopard is tresoun & is gile.3719 f.: Beffs wyste weel in þat whyle, Þat Ascopard hadde don hym gyle. E. And sore they warryed the while, Of Ascaparte and of his gile. M; om. SNC. Þei kottede here forers of ermin,Þei] so ENCM; Þe (!) A; And S. cuttyn E; kytte SNM; toke C. theire M; þe SN; a C. ffurrours E; furres SNM; furre C. of] good add. E. Þe ȝonge children wonde þer in.ȝonge] hethen SN. chil.] they add. N; he add. S. Þe—wonde] And wounden (wrapped C) þe (two add. M) chyldren weel (om. CM) ECM. Þar nolde hii no long abide,wolde þey C. lenger C. Þar—long] (And add. SN) no lengere (wolde þey (they wold M; nolde he S; nolde N) ESNM. byde C. Þei lope to horse & gonne ride;Þei] But ESNCM. lept SN. to] on EM. lope to h.] toke þer horsys C. &] forþe add. CM. can CM. & g.] for S; to add. ESN. In þe wode a forster þai mettewode] fforeste C. a] om. (!) E. forster] man C. And swiþe faire þai him grette:And] om. N. swiþe—þai] sir B. (wel add. N) feire SN; feyre sir Befyse C. swiþe—him] Beues hym ffull ffeyre M. 'God þe blesse, sire!' Beues sede,And sayden to hym: 'So god þe spede E; 'Crist þe blesse,' he seide þan SN; 'Cryste mvst the blesse,' he said M; Crystys blessyng mote þe betyde C. 'Siȝe þe eni leuedi her forþ ledeeni] owher a E; man a add. M. wum|man ESNCM. her f.] þys way C; om. EM. lede] gon SN; ryde C. Owhar be þis ilche way?'Owh. be] In M. Ow.—ilche] (Or add. C) here about by any SNC; Eyþir be paþ eyþir be E; derne add. M. 'Sire, for gode,' a seide, 'nay!'he sayde, ffor gode EC. 'What dones man ertow, bacheler?'dones] maner of C; om. ESNM. man] om. M. ertow] he sayde add. E. bach.] here C. 'Sire,' a seide, 'a forster!'a s.] om. C; I am add. EC. 'Forster, so Crist þe be milde,Forster] Wylt þou ECM; om. SN; he sayde add. E. be þe E. þe be m.] be thy shild M; þe fro shame shilde SN. Wiltow lete cristen þis heþen childe?Wilt.] om. ESNCM. lete] Doo ESNC. crist.] me add. M. þis] here an E; ilke add. SN. heþen] om. M. And kepen it wiþ mete and wede, And I schal quyte þe weel þy mede. add. E. Riȝt, lo, now hit was iboreFor ryȝt E. lo] om. ESN. now] ywys add. SN. hit] he N. was] yn þe wode add. C. And ȝong hit haþ is moder for-lore:3735 f. om. M.And] To C; om. N. hit] he N. is] þe C. Þe modyr it haþ to ȝung E. lore NC. om. S. Wilt þow kep it for to min,' a sede,Wilt þ.] And M. to] of (!) A. min] me M. 'And i schel quite wel þe mede?'&—þe] I wyll the well yeld thy M.3737 f. om. ESNC. This same day it was borne, To yonge the moder hath it lorne.' add. M. Þe forster him grauntede þer,grauntyd hym C; grauntyd B. ryȝt E. þore S. To kepe hit al þe seuen ȝer.For to SNCM. hit] him N; hem (!) S; þe chyld E. al þe] fulle E; om. SNCM. And oþere VIIe (yere add. NC), ȝiff þat (om. SNCM) he wolde (sholde SNM), Wiþ outen syluyr (and add. S) (wiþ outen (or C; or eny M) golde. add. ESNCM; the second line put before the first SN. 'Sire, what schel it hote ȝet?'Sire] om. ESNC. hote] be clepyd, he seyde C. ȝet] telle me ryȝt E; myn own swete S; he seid als (!) N. 'Gii,' a sede, 'ase me fader het.a s.] om. SNC. hyȝt EC.3741 f.: 'What shall it hight?' said the fostere; 'Gye,' said Beues, 'so dyd my ffader.' M. Riȝt sone so he is of elde,Riȝt s. s.] Also sone as M; And whanne (yef N) ESNC. he] þat childe SN; it M. is] be N; was (!) M. of] ony add. E; VII yere add. C. Tech him bere spere & schelde!'Doo E. him] to add. SNCM. bere] boþe add. EM. Þat child þe forster he be-tokThe M. he the foster M. Þen (Tho N; To C) þe fforster þe child (he add. C) toke SNC. And forþ in is wei a schok.And in (on C) his way forth (ffaste C) SNCM. a] they M. Anoþer man a mette þere,mette] ouertoke SNM. Þat seide, a was a fischere;He C.3745—3748: Þe foster he betook þat chyld ryȝt þare, And B. rod forþ in sorwe and care. Soone aftyrward he ouertook þan In þat wode anoþir man; Sere B. hym askede, what he was: 'A ffysschere,' he sayde, 'be goddys gras.' E. Ten mark Beues him betok,Twenty M. Beues] he E. toke M. And þat oþer child to lok,And] With M; om. E. þat] the M. child] for add. EM. There he toke hym that other And said, the ffoster hath his broder. add. M. And he him self, at þe cherche stileAnd—self] (Afftyr þat (The M) ffysscherc EM. He let neuene þe child Mile.He—child] He dede þe chyld be clepyd E; After hym selfe callid it M.3749—52: He (And N) lete him cristen and clepe (clepid N) him Myle After him self (in a (that N) while. SN; 'Syr,' he seyde, 'wylt þou þys chylde take And crysten hyt for my sake?' The ffyscher grauntyd well þer tyll, And toke hyt of hym with gode wylle. The fyschers name was Myle, Certenly, wyth owt gyle; Then aftur hym selfe yn a whyle He clepyd þe seyde chylde Myle. C. Þar nolden lengere abide, Þai lope to hors & gonne ride3753 f. om. ESNCM. Ouer dale and ouer doun,Forþ þey ȝeden (redyn C; rode NM) ouer ESNCM. ouer] om. ESNCM. Til þai come to a gret toun,Til] þat add. E. gret] good E; feire M; castell C. & at a faire in þai liȝte,&—in] Alle both feire SN. &—þai] Ther yn they downe C. alight N. Þere þey token here in at nyȝt E. & riche soper þai gonne hem diȝte.riche] to ESNCM; here add. E. gonne] om. ESNCM. them C. Beues at a wendowe lokede outBeues—wend.] At a wyndowe (sir add. C) B. SNCM; On a soleer as B. E. And seȝ þe strete ful abouteAnd] om. ES; he add. M. seȝ] yn add. CM. seȝ þe s.] in þe strete he seye þere SN; At a wyndowe E. ful] al E; om. SNCM. ab.] with owte CM. Of stedes wrien and armes briȝt:Of] om. SNCM. wrien] ytrapped SN; armyd C; hillud M. and] yn C; with M. armour SCM. Of—armes] Helmes he sawȝ and brynyys E. A wonder him þouȝte, what it be miȝt;A—þouȝte] And (om. CM) B. asked SNCM. it] þat SN. He hadde gret wun|dyr of þat syȝte E. At here ostesse he askede þere, What al þe stoute stedes were.3763 f.: Afftyr hys hoost he sente on hy, And þey comen to hym fful hastyly; 'Sere,' sayde B., 'I pray now þe: What is þis gaderyng, tel þou me, Of knyȝtes bolde & armys bryȝt, Speres & scheldys al redy dyȝt?' E; om. SNCM. 'Sire,' a seide, 'veraiment, Þai ben come for a tornement,3765 f.: 'Sere,' (Sirus M) [sayde hys (theire M) hoost [quod þe ostelere SN; they seyde C], 'wost þou (woot ȝe SNCM) no þyng Off þis ylke (om. SNCM) grete justenyng (justyng SNCM)? ESNCM. Þat is cride for a maide faire,Þat is c.] It is E; om. SNCM. maydyn E; swyþe add. ESNM; full add. C. A kinges douȝter and is air.A] The SC. dukys ESNCM. Who þat þar be beste kniȝt And stireþ him stoutliche in þat fiȝt, He schel haue þat maide fre And Aumbeforce, þe faire contre.'3769—72: A turnement sche haþ don crye,sche] he SNCM. A wundyr-gret for þe maystrye,A] om. SNCM. wund.] Swithe SNM; Full C. For to loken and for to see,For to] And ffor she wold M. for to] om. M. What knyȝt ys to han þe gree.Which CM. knyȝt ys] knyȝty (!) E. ys—gree] (to her add. M) beste schulde (may M) bee CM.3 f.: Whiche knyȝt þat best ryde can, He shal haue þat feire woman. SN. He þat þere best may begynne,þere b. m.] beste there can M. He—may] Who so þat game can best S; Who so can best þat game N. Þat maydenys loue he schal wynne,Þat] The S. Þat m.] Her M. loue] than add. M. shal he SN; may he there M.5 f.: He that ys beste at that justyng, He wyn|nyth hur loue with a rynge C. And par auenture al hys lyueal h. l.] as blyue C; also swithe M. That louely may schal han to wyue.'That—han] (He may hur (Her may he M) wedde CM.7 f. om. SN. E. Þanne seide Beues vnto Terry:Þo ESNM. spak E; seide NM; to add. M. vnto] to ESNC. vnto] om. M; sir add. SM. 'Wile we tornaie for þat leuedy?'torn.—leu.] to morwe justy (justeny E) ESNCM; sekerly add. M. 'Ȝe, sire,' a sede, 'be sein Thomas of Ynde!ȝas S. sire] om. CM. a s.] said Beues M; om. SNC. seynt SCM; seid (?) N. sein—Ynde] gode ys mynde E. Whan werwe woned be by-hinde?we] om. (!) A. wened (!) A. Whan—be] Wee be nouȝt wunt to be E; We ne shal not leue SN; We wyll not leve it thus M. If we may ony queyntys fynde C. We scholle lete for non nede,scholle l.] wyll not leve M. mede M. Þat we ne scholle manliche forþ vs bede!'But we wyll vs forth spede M. A morwe þe lauerkes songe, Whan þat þe liȝte day was spronge; Beues and Terry gonne arise & greiþede hem in faire queintise. Here armes were riale of siȝt, Wiþ þre eglen of asur briȝt; Þe chaumpe of goldful faire tolede, Portraid al wiþ rosen rede. And Terri, Saberes sone of Wiȝt, In riche armes also was diȝt. Ase þai com ride þourȝ þe toun, Erles, barouns of renoun Hadde wonder of here armes slie, In þat londe neuer swich þai sie. Þe trompes gonne here bemes blowe; Þe kniȝtes riden out in a rowe, & þo þe tornement be-gan, Þar was samned mani a man, Þe tornement to be-holde, To se þe kniȝtes stout and bolde. Þai leide on ase hii were wode Wiþ swerdes and wiþ maces gode; Þar nolde noman oþer knowe, Þar men miȝte se in lite þrowe Kniȝtes out of sadel iboren, Stedes wonne and stedes loren. Þe kinges sone of Asie Þouȝte wenne þe meistrie: Out of þe renge he com ride, & Beues nolde no leng abide; He rod to him wiþ gret randoun, & wiþ Morgelai, is fauchoun, Þe prince a felde in þe feld; He was boren hom vpon is scheld. And also Beues adoun bar A noble duk, þat was þar: In Aumbeforce cleped a wes Balam of Nuby, wiþ outen les; Taile ouer top he made him stoupe & felde him ouer is horses croupe, And seuen erles he gan doun þrawe, Sum iwonded and sum y-slawe. Saber is sone, þat hiȝte Terry, Kedde, þat he was kniȝt hardy; He leide on, alse he wolde awede, And wan his lord mani gode stede. Alle þo þat hii miȝte hitte, Noman miȝte here strokes sitte.3777—3826: On þe morwe, whan þe day was cleer,On þe] A SN; At M. whan] þo N. þe d. w.] it was day SNM. Euery knyȝt and hys squyerEche N. hys] euery S; eche N; eke M; om. C. Fayre queyntyse on hem gunne þrowe,þem C. dyd on hem M. For no man scholde hem knowe.That M. no man] the maiden SNM. myght M. þem C; him S; om. N; not add. C. Whan they justed on that day, As the maide in the toure lay, add. M. Sere B. dysgysyd al here wedeSere] om. M. dysg. al] deuysede SN; dud on C; visud hym of M. here] hys CM. Off blak sendel and off rede,off] om. S. rede] stede (!) M. Florysschyd wiþ rosys off syluyr bryȝt,Vernysched C; Stencelled S; And taccllid (!) N. Steyned all M. rosys] crosses N. off s.] om. SNCM. rosys—br.] russet C. And þat was þyng off fful gret syȝt.And] om. SNCM. was] a add. SNCM. þyng off] om. SM. fful gr.] mekull C; faire SNM. Þey comen rydyng in þe weye, Beffs and Terry togedere þey tweye.9 f.: And whan he come in to the felde, Meny a knyght he beheld; They sye in the grene way Knyghtis comyng in grett aray. M; om. SNC. A knyȝt was redy in þat grene,A—redy] On prikede SN; Then oon prekyd forthe C; One there smote M. in] on C; to add. SNM. þat] þe SNCM. And B. prekyd to hym, as I wene,And sir (om. M) B. rood (went C; prekyd M) him aȝene SNCM. And smot hym soo in þe schelde,And—soo] Beues hym smote M. in] on M; vppon S; apon N. Þat doun he ffel in to þe ffelde;doun—to] he fell down in M. Terry smoot on soo wiþ hys spere,Terry—soo] Another Terry smote M. hys] a M. Þat doun to grounde he gan hym bere.doun to] to the M. gan] dyd M. Alle men þat were þere, Hadde gret wundyr, what þey were,15—18 om. SN.17 f.: All that sye hym in that place, Mervelid sore of that caas. M. For alle þat ȝeden hem aȝene,For] And S; om. NM. ryden him SN; euer hym rode M. Doun þey ffeld hem on þe grene.Adoun (Down M) he SNM. playn SN.13—20 om. C. E. So Beues demeinede him þat dai,dem. him] iustede SN. So—him] So bar hym B. E; Beuys demenyd hym so M; Syr Befyse spedde so C. þat] ylke add. E. Þe maide hit in þe tour say.That the M. hit—say] þat (om. EN) in þe castel lay ESNCM. Hire hertte gan to him acorde,His (!) S. to hym gan ESNCM; to add. E. Þat ȝhe wolde haue him to lorde,Þat ȝhe w.] For to SNC. to] here add. ESNC. Oþer wiþ loue oþer wiþ strif; And euer a seide, he haþ a wif,But M. a s.] said Beues M. And—seide] But sere B. sayde E; þan (Tho N) seide B. SN; But yf C. he] y SNM. hadde E; haue SNCM. & seide, ȝhe was stolen him fro.Befyse seyde C; And (He M) tolde (here þat (how SNM) ESNM. ȝhe] hys wyfe C. st.] om. E. him] om. (!) N. Þanne saide þe maide: 'Now it is so,Þanne—m.] Þe mayde answerde E; 'Now,' (Syr C) she seide SCM; 'Nowe,' quod she N. now] seth SNC; sethen M. Þow schelt al þis seuen ȝereal] haue S. Be me lord in clene manere,Be—clene] Haue (om. S) my loue on eche SN. And ȝif þe wif comeþ þe aȝen,ȝif] om. M. þe w.] sche ESNCM. come ESNCM; to add. ESNC. þe] thy wyffe M. Terry, þe swein, me lord schel ben!'þe—schel] schal my lord ESNC. þe—ben] shall be my lord, sertayn M. Beues seide: 'So i schel; In þat forward i graunte wel!'3839 f.: 'Al þis,' sayde B., 'I graunte weel!' He þankyd fayre þat damysel. E. 'All this,' quod Beues, 'I graunt the, Whan it behovith, (so to (to do (!) ms.) be.' M; om. SNC. (Lat we bee off (Leue we syr C) B. ryȝt (& Tarry C) heere (there C. And speke we more (om. C) off sere Sabeer. add. EC. Saber at Hamtoun lai in is bed,at H.] in a nyght M. at—is] slept a nyȝt in SNC. Him þouȝte, Beues a wonde hed;He C. þouȝte] þat add. SNC. a w.] woundes SN; a w. h.] was streyttely (om. C) bestadd CM. A way he was, him þouȝte þat while,Aw. he w.] Al wey N; In the way C; Hevy M; om. S. him] he CM. þat] he was other (that M; þe C) SNCM.3841—43: Sere Saber sleep in bedde on a nyȝt & dremyd of B., þat hendy knyȝt, Þat B. hadde be woundyd sore, & þer to maymyd for euere more, Fer be ȝounde þe salte see, As he rod on hys iourne; He mette, it was in þat yle, E. Toward sein Iemes & sein Gile.&] or SN. Whan he awok, he was afraid, To his wif is sweuene a said. 'Sire,' ȝhe seide, 'þow hauest wrong, Þat þow dwellest her so long: Alse ich am wimman ibore, Wif or child he haþ for-lore; Þourȝ Ascopard he haþ þat gile.' Twelf kniȝtes Saber let atile3845—52: Þoo þat he wook, hys herte was colde,Þoo] When CM. þat] om. SNCM. waked SNC; awoke M. his] hit(!) N. herte] cart(!) S. was] waxed M. To Erneborwȝ, hys wyff, he tolde;Ereborowe S; Heryn|borowe C. To E.] And on the morowe M. he] hyt add. C. His sweuyn, þat he met þat nyȝt: 'Leue dame, rede it a (om. N) ryȝt!' add. SN. 'Sere,' sche sayde, 'wiþouten wene,with out SNC; as I M. I wot, sere B. haþ mechyl tene:sere B. haþ] he is in M. I—haþ] B. is (brouȝt in (a man of C) SNC. muche SNCM. Al se weel brouke I my lyff,Al—I] As (euyr add. C) y mot brouke SNC; So mvste I broke M. myn own l. M. He haþ lorn boþe chyld & wyff,Lorne (Forlore M) he hath CM. boþe] om. SNCM. &] or SNCM. Or hys goode stede Arundel, Or Morglay, I woot ryȝt wel,7 f. om. SNCM. Þorwȝ Ascopard, þat false traytour!' Twelue knyȝtes þey token in þat stour;9 f.: And (om. N) Ascopard with sum wyle Haþ don him sum gyle.' Sir Saber, þat grete (good N) sire, Twelf knyȝtes he let him (hem N) tyre (atire N) SN; Thorow Ascapart, y swere! Then XII knyghtys he dud tyre C; Ascaparte hym hath done wronge.' Twelfe knyghtis hem dight at the hond M. E. In palmer is wedes euerichon,weede SNCM; dyrtiþ ȝow add. E. eu.] anon C; swith anon M. And armede hem riȝt wel anon;And—wel] And good armure þer vndyr E; (And add. M) wel yarmed (soone anoon (euerychon CM) SNCM. Here bordones were imaked welTher CM. bord.] speris M. im.] full add. M. Wiþ longe pikes of wel gode stel,Wiþ l. p.] Igrounden SN; Well grounde C; And the hedis M. wel] ryȝt SN. wel] full M. of w. g.] and made of C.3855 f.: Now haþ Saber dyȝt hym ȝare And twelue knyȝtes wiþ hym fare, In armure bryȝt, boþe good and fyn, And abouen þat a gray sclauyn. Here burdoune were maad al off steel, Igrounde kene, boþe ffayre and weel. E. And whan þai were so idiȝt, To schip þai wente anon riȝt And pasede ouer þe grikische se; Gode winde & weder hadden he. Whan þai come to þe londe, Faste þai gonne fraine & fonde, In what londe were þe quene, And men tolde hem al be-dene, How þe geaunt Ascopard In a castel hire hadde to ward, In wildernesse al be selue. Þo Saber and is feren twelue, Þourȝ help of god þat ilche stounde Sone þai han þe castel founde. Þe castel ase he ȝede aboute,he] ȝhe (!) A. For to diuise þe toures stoute, Iosian lay in a tour an hiȝ, Saber and felawes ȝhe siȝ, And to him ȝhe gan to crie: 'Help, Saber, for loue of Marie!' Þo Ascopard herde þat steuene, How ȝhe gan Saber to neuene, He wente him out wiþ hertte wroþ & be Mahoun a swor his oþ, To deþe a scholde Saber diȝte. His sclauin ech palmer of twiȝte, Þo schon here armur wel clere; Þo Saber and his felawes ifere Aboute Ascopard þai þringe, And harde on him þai gonne dinge And hew him alle to pices smalehim] heim, e expuncted, A. And brouȝte Iosian out of bale; And hasteliche þo, veraiment, Iosian wiþ an oinimentan oin.] anoiniment A. Hire coulur, þat was loþli of siȝt, Ȝhe made boþe cler and briȝt. Þo Saber, þat was wis of dede, Iosian, hire diȝte in palmers wede, And forþ þai wente hasteli, To seche Beues and sire Terri. Seue ȝer to gedres þai him souȝt, Er þan hii him finde mouȝte. In grete Grese, so saiþ þe bok, Saber gret sikenesse tok, Þat oþer half ȝer in none wise Ne miȝte he out of is bed arise,This line is added at the bottom of the page. A. And tresor he nadde namore, Þan half a mark of olde store. While Iosian was in Ermonie, Ȝhe hadde lerned of minstralcie, Vpon a fiþele for to play Staumpes, notes, garibles gay; Þo ȝhe kouþe no beter red, Boute in to þe bourȝ anon ȝhe ȝed And bouȝte a fiþele, so saiþ þe tale, For fourti panes, of one menstrale; And alle þe while, þat Saber lay, Iosian eueriche a day Ȝede aboute þe cite wiþ inne, Here sostenaunse for to winne. Þus Iosian was in swiche destresse, While Saber lai in is siknesse. At þat oþer half ȝer is ende Swiche grace god him gan sende And heled him of his maladie, And forþ þai wente hastelie, Beues and Terry for to seche, Wheder þat god hem wolde teche. So þourȝ a toun þai com þringe, Þar Beues was in also a kinge; A brouȝte Iosian at here inneIosyan he brouȝte EM. al] to ESNCM. here] hys E; an M. & wente te toun, here mete to winne.&] om. E; Sabeer add. EM. te t. h.] him out SN; forthe C; to M. w. te t.] out ȝede E. to] wyth M. Whan he com to þe castel gate,Whan] om. ESNC. he] Saber E. com] went C. þe] þat S. Terry, is sone, a mette þer ate,mette] fond ESNCM. Þat was stiward of al þat londe,Þat w. st.] Steward he was SNCM. al] om. SNCM. Þat—þat] Homward he was out off þe E. And Saber gan to vnder-stonde,And] om. ESNCM. Saber] his fader (sone (!) E) add. ESN. to] well CM; om. ESN. Þat hit was is sone Terry,hit] om. S. is] owne add. N. And bad him for loue of our leuedyAnd] He E. bad] prayde EC. him] om. ES. for] þe add. ESNC.3933 f.: So must I broke my liffe in hye, That it was his son Terry. M. & for loue of þe gode rode&] He prayd him M; also add. C. for] the add. N; hys add. E. loue of] om. SC. gode] om. NCM; hooly add. SN. of þe g.] þat deyde on E. Ȝeue him sum what of hire gode.To geue CM; him] me ESN; now add. E. what] om. ECM. hire] ȝoure E; thy SN; hys CM. fode C. Terry be-held Saber ful bliuebeheeld hym EC; him bchelde SN. ful] al soo E; als SN; as C. be-h.—bl.] said than be lyve M. & seide: 'Palmer, so mot y þriue,'Palmere,' he sayde E. & s.] om. M. so] as SCM. must M. Þow schelt haue mete richemete] ful add. SNCM. riche] ale and wyn E. For loue of me fader, þert iliche!'loue—þert] þou art my fader SNC. of—iliche] þou art lyche ffadyr myn E. loue—il.] my ffader that thou arte liche M. Sere Sabeer, be my lewte, Soo I hope now, þat þou bee.' add. E. 'So seide þe moder, sone, þat i was!'sone] om. ESNCM. And Terry him in is armes las,And T.] Terry tho C; Terry M. him] his ffader M; om. ESNC. in] on N. is] om. M. armes] hym add. EC; cas E; takes C; did brace M. & gonne cleppen and to kisse And made meche ioie & blisse.3943 f.: And keste hym wol fele syþe;wol f.] mony SN; many a C;ffull meny M. Þey were neuere er so blyþe.Þey] ne add. SN. er] arstc C; in hert M; om. SN. so] more M. To B. wente Terry on a ffrome And sayde: 'My fadyr is now icome!'3 f. Terry anon told Beues there, That comyn was his fader Sabere. M; om. SNC. For ioye þer was mechyl to done,muche SNM. Moche yoye there was done C. And wol more ioye þer was soone.And] ȝet add. SN. wol] om. C. ioye] om. SNCM. was] schal be NM; felle C. To tounne Saber now is wenttounne] ayen add. M. now is] is M; fforth S. sone N. To—is] Sabyr to hys ynne C. And wesch off Iosyanys oynement,wesshed SN. Ios.] Iosian þat SN. oyntment C. Till Iosyan with an oyntmente M.E. Saber Iosian wel faire gan diȝteSaber—gan] And (om. SNCM) ffayre and weel he haþ (om. SNC) here ESNCM. And brouȝte hire to þe castel riȝtebr.—castel] to the (þat N) castel he hur brouȝt (brought her M; ful add. N) SNM. And tok hire sire Beues to honde,And] Þey E; He S. token E; betoke SC; betaught M; bitakith N. sire] tyl S; om. ENCM. to] on ESN; yn C. Ne cam him neuer leuer sonde.No M. Ne c.] Ther come to C. neuer] a add. NC. so leffe a M; betere EN. 'Louerd Crist,' queþ Iosian þo,Lo.] Iesu add. E. queþ] sayde EM. 'Swiþe wel is me be-go,Ryȝt swyþe weel me is begoo E. Þat ichaue me lord ifonde: Hadde ich me children hol & sonde!'Hadde ich] Were E. Here in this ylke stound. M. Now may I glad and blith be, That I may my lord see. add. M. Þat hii were ded, wel ȝhe wende.hii] þey E. Beues after hem let sende;Beues—let] Þe chyldryn weren afftyr E.3949—54 om. SNC.3953 f.: The childer he dyd after send, That they were dede, well Iosyan wend. M. Þan com þe fischer & þe forsterÞan] Þoo E; So S. com] om. C. þe] þat SN. Þan—fischer] The ffyssher come M. þe] þat SN. And brouȝte þe children of fair cher.And] They M. And—child.] Þe children were SN. of] om. M. fair] good S. cher] and clere M. f. ch.] colour cleer E. Broght home þe chyldur dere C. When they were in the hall same, There was myrthe, joye and game. He gave the ffoster his warisoun And the ffyssher a full good town; He made hem both with hym to dwell, While theire lyvis abide wyll. add. M. Þanne weddede TerryÞanne] Þoo soone afftyr E; Also anon M; And þo SN. wed.] syr add. C. Of þat londe þe riche leuedy;þe] þat ESNCM. þe] þat EM. Þere was mochyl ioye and blysse, And eche off hem oþer began to kysse. add. E. Þere was (a grete add. C) fest (al to wysse (ywys C), On euery side ioye and blysse. add. SNC. There was game and joye, iwis, On euery behalfe there was blis. add. M. And after mete þar it was,And] om. E. þar it w.] than iwys M; ryȝt in þat place E. Þe children pleide at þe taluas,taluas] tabullis M. And to þe iustes þai gonne ride;þe] om. EN. juste M. gonne] to add. E. Þar was ioie be eueri side.Þer off þey hadden (ioye and (moche M) pryde EM.3259—62 om. SNC. Þanne sire Beues & sere Terry Wente hem in til Ermonie, And Iosiane and sire Sabere, And Miles and Gii boþe ifere. Wiþ þat was come king Yuore, To ȝeue bataile Ermyn þe hore; Ipiȝt he hadde is pauilioun, To be-sege him in þat toun. Wiþ þat com Beues in þat tide Wiþ gret folk be þat oþer side. Þo was Ermin afered sore, For tresoun he hadde don him be-fore. Aȝen Beues anon a ȝede And merci cride of his misdede, And sire Beues þo, veraiment, For-ȝaf him alle is mautalentmaūtalent A. And seide, a wolde anon riȝte Aȝen Yuor take þe fiȝte. Out of þe cite Beues rod, And al is ost, wiþ outen abod, And slowe doun riȝtes mani & fale, Sixti þosand told in tale; And Beues þrew Yuor adoun And sente him Ermin to prisoun. He gan him take be þe honde; Þe king Ermin gan vnder-stonde, Þat he ne schel nouȝt scape awai, Wiþ oute gret raunsoun for to pai. Þo swor Yuor to king Ermin Be Mahoun and be Apolyn,3963—92: Lestniþ, lordynges, and ȝe schole here, Hou it befel and on what manere,1 f.: Let we þem yn þer myrþys be And of Euore & Armyn speke we. C; Beues he so|iourned there, Also longe as his wyll were. M; om. SN. And I schal telle ȝow in rymÞen (Nowe N) went þey to ost aȝen SN; Now begynnyth a yeste ageyn C; Now begynneth the romauns ffyne M. Off kyng Yuore and kyng Ermyn.Off] om. SN. kyng] om. M. kyng] om. C. Be tween hem batayle þey han take,þem C. þey han] gan SN. bat. þ. h.] can þey batell C. They began gret batell to make M. & al it was for Iosyans sake.And] om. SN. it] om. SNCM. was] om. SNC. A palmere þus B. gan telle.messingere M. gan B. þus S; gan thus B. N; gan syr Befyse þys C; ther of gan Beues M. Messangerys he sente snelleAnd mess. C; And he M. sente] dyd send M; ful add. S; wel add. N; also add. M; as add. C. swelle C. As wyde as he cowde gon or myȝte,wyde] far C; swithe N. he] þey S. gon] om. SNC. or] and SN. Afftyr xxxty þousand of hardy knyȝte,hardy] om. N. of h.] om. S.9 f: That they com with all her myghtes, That in haste XV thousand knyghtis M. Þat hadde be wiþ Beffs beffore,There that M. Beffs] he hadde ywonne SN; he had knowen CM; þere add. C. And alle to hym þey ben iswore.And alle] Þat were SN. they ben] by othe (othes M) SNM. alle—ben] be othe to them C. B. leet dyȝte hys cumpanyeSyr B. C; He M. let d.] let arme SN; armed all M; well armyd C. And took hys leue off Terrye,took] nam SN. off] sir add. SNC. And Terry wende wiþ hym wolde,And] om. SNCM. with him wende SNCM. And B. sayde, þat he ne scholde:And] But S. 'ȝiff I haue mystyr, to þe I sende;mys.] nede SNCM. I] wyll add. M. to þe I] y shal (to þe (om. C) SNC. Sabeer, þy ffadyr, wiþ me schal wende.'þy ff.] he M. shal with me SNCM. Gy & Mylys on horse were dyȝteSir Gy SC; Sir Milis N. Mylys] Gy N. to hors C; om. SN. were] hem SNM; þem C. And xxxty þousand off hardy knyȝte.And xxx] With xv M. hardy kn.] good knyghtis M. With stout men for to fyȝt SN; And wyth them many a doghty knyȝt C. Iosyan was set on here palffray,And Ios. M. palf.] moyle M. And reden forþ alle in here iournay.And fforthe they ryden a longe while M.21 f. om. SNC. Now wendiþ sere B. wiþ hys semblesere] om. SNC. Now—B.] Beues went forth M. semble] meyne M. To Hampmyngforde, þat goode cyte;Amby|fort SN; Amby|fforthe M; Amforde C. goode] feire SM; riche NC. A messanger to Ermyn þe kyng Sere B. sente wiþ outen lettyng. Kyng Ermyn in hys tour lay, And sere B. hoost al he say;25—28 om. M. Þe messanger come to þe kyngA M. And brouȝte hym ryȝt good tydyng:brouȝte—good] told hym of that M. 'Sere,' he sayde, 'haue þou no douteþou] ye M. Off þis ylke grete route:þis] that M. Þe hoost, þat comiþ wiþ outen þe toun,comiþ] is M. oute M. It comiþ with B. off Souþ-Hamptoun;with] sir add. M. Souþ] om. M. Now thar þou drede neuere moreNow th. þ.] The thare M. dr.] the add. M. neuere] the add. M. Off þat myȝty kyng Yuore.'þat m.] the prowde M. 'Allas,' þan sayde kyng Ermyn,Allas þ. s.] Tho said the M. 'I woot, to day comiþ my ffyn.'to] this M. is com M. Þoo sere B. off hys stede alyȝte,Þoo s.] Than M. hors light M. Sere Ermyn þe kyng anon ryȝteSere] And M. Beffore B. sette hym vp on hys kneesette] ffell M. vp on h.] on M. And cryede hym mercy pur charyte:And cr. h.] He said M. pur] ffor M.25—42: Of his comyng þe king was blythe And (mercy he cryed him (mercy him cried N; cryed hym mercy C) fele sithe. SNC. 'Soo þat þou wylt forȝeuen it mee,Soo—it] And seid: 'Sir (om. C), þy wroth forȝeue SNC; Thy wrath thou wylle forgeve M. Rȝyt here I wole icrystenyd bee.'Ryȝt here] And for þy loue SNC. Ryȝt—icr.] A cryston man nowe wyll I M. Sere B. fforȝaff Ermyn þe kyng Al hys wraþþe, wiþ outen lesyng; Þe kyng hym kyste with herte ffree And sayde: 'Sere B., welcome to mee, And my douȝtyr Iosyan soo schene, I þanke god, I may here sene!' Þe kyng was crystenyd þe nexte day Wiþ merþe & song, ioye and play, And al þat lond, wiþ outen lesyng, Weren wol glad off Beffs comyng. Leue we off hem now at þis chere, Off kyng Yuore now wole we here.45—56: 'God, I the thanke,' quod Beues, 'of this, And there to witt ye well iwys, I had thought, to make hym grame, That me dyd so moche shame!' But there they acordyd bothe, That be ffore to geder were lothe; The kynge toke Beues by the hond, And to the castell can they gange. Speke we fforth of this matere, How that tyme Yuore on hym dyd werre! M. Tho yn that maner þey acordyd were, And toke batayle wyth kyng Euore. C; om. SN. Men comen & tolden hym beforeKing Yuore men (om. N) told fore (hym there C) SNC; Some men told Yuore M. Þat B. & Sabeer icomen wore,Þat] How C; Of M. Saber and B. S. ic. w.] where they wore M. & of sere Mylys & of sere Gy;&] Both M. sere] om. M. sere] om. M. Anon he sente ful hastylyAnd Yuore lett send in hye M. Afftir xxxty M. of hardy knyȝteFor M. of h. kn.] good knyghtis M. And armed hem weel to ffyȝte.And a. h.] He bad hem arme ham M. ffyghtes M.59—62: (Yuor him gadered a (He gadered than C) gret ost And rood (come rydyng C) with (wel muche (grete C) bost SNC; om. M. Now he haþ ryȝt wiþ gret route Besegyd þe toun al aboute, Þat kyng Ermyn and B. were inne, For he þouȝte hem to wynne.63—66 om. SNCM. Sere B. lay on þe tour on hy And herde gret noyse & gret cry Off kyng Yuore and off hys hoost; Be ffore þe toun þey maden boost.67—70: Grete was þat (the M) noyse and þat (the M) crye, B. in a (to the M) toure hem alle (om. M) seye; SNM; And made grete noyse and crye, Syr Befyse stode yn hys towre & sye; C. Sere B. off þe tour doun wenteSere—doun] Adoun of his (þe S) toure he SNC; With his oste ageyn he M. And kyng Yuore soo he schente,And] to add. M. soo] sone M. sent M. Þat ffyfftene þousand off hys menÞat] And M. He slowȝ, or he wente þen,He] Beues M; slowȝ] hem add. SN. þennes went S. And off hys hors þrew hym dounoff—þrew] þere he drewe (fel S) SN. And—þrew] He fellyd C. hym] kyng (om. M) Yuor SNCM. And sente hym Ermyn to hys presoun.sente] set SN. Erm. to h.] in (on N) Ermyns SN; to Armyn to C. That tayle ouer toppe he turnyd his crown M. Alle hys men begunne to flee; Beffs turnyd aȝen to Ermonee. Þoo cam B. in to Ermynys halle Among þe kynges & þe knyȝtes alle. Þe kyng Ermyn þere he mette And fayre & weel he hym grette. B. took Yuore be þe honde And sayde: 'Ermyn, now vndyrstonde, Lat hym nouȝt gon for no mannys sake, But ȝif þou ransoun for hym take!'77—86 om. SNCM. Þe kyng Yuor swoor be hys croun,Þe] Then C; om. SN. be h. cr.] with grete vaunt SN. sw.—cr.] sore gretande C. Be Termagaunt & hys god Mahoun,Swere be C. Term. &] Mahounde & C; om. SN. Mah.] Tirmegaunt SNC. E. Þat gret raunsoun paie he wolde,gret] he to C; he to his SN; his E. paie he] ȝeue SN; ȝylde C; ben E. scholde ES. Sixti pound of rede golde,Sixti] hundryd add. E. Þrytty somers SNC. of] with SN. rede] om. EC. Foure hondred beddes of selk echon,Wiþ f. E. hond.] of add. E. Quiltes of gold þar vpon,3857—3996: Now is sere Sabeer fforþ igan: Now god off heuene helpe Iosyan! Now goþ Saber ouer dale & dounne, Faste goynge to Mounbraunt tounne, And as he wente forþ in þat way, He ouyr-took Iosyan, þat fayre may, And Ascopard, þat wykkyd traytour, And þrytty Sarezynys wiþ good armour. Saber gan to Iosyan wende And here grette as knyȝt so hende. When Iosyan sawȝ þat hendy knyȝt, In here herte sche wax full lyȝt; Sche sayde: 'Sabeer, doo me sum red, But þou me helpe, I am but ded!' Saber answerede: 'Fayre madame, Þee to helpen hedyr we came!' Sere Saber spak to hem anon: 'Traytours, ȝe schole deyen echon!' Þoo drowȝ hys burdoun eche palmere, Sere Saber smoot sere Ascopard þere With hys burdoun in þe brest, Þat no lengere hys lyff ne lest; Þey slowen þe sarezynys euerylkan, And wiþ hem token fayre Iosyan. Sabeer hys felawys hoom haþ sent And Iosyan haþ maad an oynement; Here skyn, þat was boþe bryȝt & schene, Þere wiþ sche made ȝelew and grene. So þey dyȝten þat fayre may, Þat men ne scholden nyȝt ne day Here knowen nower in no manere, What sche was ne what sche were. To geder VIIe ȝeer þey haue souȝt, But off B. ne Terry ffounde þey nouȝt. Þo it fyl vpon a day, As þey wenten in here iournay, In to a good toun þey comen ryȝt, Þere B. was, þat hendy knyȝt, E. God be Iosian is waraunt:Now god M. As she com toward Vmbraunt,For as M. com] went M. tow.] wyth owt C. Saber agayn him gan wynde:him] hur NC. can C; come N. 'Gentyl knyȝt,' she seide, 'and hende,To the place there as she lend M. Sabere and his meyne Mett with Ascaparte sodenly, With hym and all his felowhede: God send them evyll spede, For by Ascaparte, that fals man, Begyled was good Iosyan, And yf she had to courte com, Her liffe had be but litull and som! As she dyd by the way wend, Anon she spyed Sabere, her ffrend; Sabere agayn her can wend And met Iosyan, that was hend. add. M. Do me now som socoure and reed:She said: 'Do M. now] om. M. soc. and] good M; om. C. But thou me help, y am but deed!'But] yf add. C. helpe me M. me] om. C. 'Dame,' he seide, 'with out ȝelpe, I am com þe to helpe!7 f.: 'Dame,' he seid at frome, 'The to helpe y am icome.' N; Then seyde Saber anon: 'To helpe the hedur y come.' C. Smyte,' he seide, 'eche palmere!'Fyght C. euery C. Sir Saber smot Ascopart þereSir] om. C. With his burdon in to the brest,to] om. NC.7--11: 'Dame, be god,' said Sabere, 'I am come to helpe the here.' Hym selfe slew Ascaparte there With that wepyn that he bare; He bad his felows to smyte faste. M. Þat no lenger his lyf leest.no—lyf] theire lyvus not longe M. laste M; myȝt laste C. Þe Saryzyns flowe echonÞe Sar.] All his ffelows M. fl.] þey slewe C; he slow M. And Iosian with him he nom;And] om. N. him] hem M; them C. he n.] can gon CM. His felowes weren yshent.wer. ysh.] away (ageyn M) he (hath add. M.) sent CM. He anoynted her with oynement;And smeryd hur C; And sethyn M. with] an add. CM. oyntment CM. Her hew, þat was bryȝt and shene,hew] hede M. bryȝt] feire M. Þer with hit woxe pale and grene.hit] sho N. Þer—woxe] Hyt lokyd bothe C; There he made M. pale] yelowe CM. Seuen ȝere sir B. he souȝt,And VII M. sir B. he] they Befyse C; to geder they M. Or þat he him fynde mouȝt.þat he] they CM. him] Beues M. Þrouȝ a toun he gan spryng,he g. sp.] þey came rydyng C; they can thrynge M. Þere was sir B. woonyng.Þere] as add. C. sir] om. NC. was—woon.] that Beves was a kyng M. S.Wiþ q. E; Þe q. SN; And as many q. C. of] all C. þar vp.] for þe noon SN; fayre begon E; begon C. Foure hondred copes of gold fyn And ase fele of maslin.ase f.] also (as C) manye ESNC. Al þat, sere, I wole ȝeue, Sertys, sere, so I moot leue.' add. E. Al þis to (om. C) raunsom y wyl þe ȝeue, And (Yef N; So þat C) þou wilt let me leue.' add. SNC. 'Ȝe,' seide Beues, 'asend it me,ȝe—asend] (Sir B. (Kyng Ermyn (!) E) sayde: '(Lat fette (Fecche SNC) ESNC. And wend hom to þe contre!'wend] þanne add. E. A masager a sente wiþ mainwiþ m.] ful ffayn E. (Þenne he sent (He sende aftur hyt, hyt ys C) not to layn SNC. To Tabefor, his chaumberlain,After Thabefers (Tabafers N) SN; Hoom vnto E; Dalforde C. & he him sente þat raunsoun:&—sente] Alle (And he N) him brouȝt SN. Þus com Yuor out of prisoun.com] king add. SN. Þus c. Y.] And so he cam E.4003 f.: Thus come Euore owt of preson, When he had payde þat raunsom. C. Now let we be of king YuoreNow—be] Lete we be N; Leue (Rest S) we now ESC. And speke we of Ermin þe hore,And off kyng Ermyn speke we more E. Þat in is bedde sike lay.in] on N. bed.] ryȝt add. E. in is b.] kyng Armyn C.put after 4008 C. So hit befel vpon a day,So] And soo E; om. SNC. Er he out of þis world went,out] om. S. After Beues children a sent.Aft.] syr add. C. He clepede to him sire GiiTo hym he clepyd ESNC. sire] B. soone E. And wiþ is croune gan him crounyAnd] om. SN. is] om. SN. cr.] he add. SNC. gan] dud C. And sette hys corowne on hys hed on hy E. And ȝaf him alle is kenedom.is] þat fayre E. kyngdome N. him—kene.] hyt to hym be kynge C. Sone þar after hit be-com,þar] om. SN. Sone—hit] And þer kyng he E. Thus he dud at hys endynge C. Þat a daide at þe ende,þe] þat S. Þat—þe] Kyng Ermyn þere made hys E. To heuene mote his saule wende! Þanne sire Beues and sire Gii, Al þe londe of Ermony Hii made cristen wiþ dent of swerd, Ȝong and elde, lewed and lered. So hit be-fel vpon an eue,aneue A. Saber of Beues tok leue, Hom te wende to his contre,4017—4023: (Then add. C) to B. cam (sir add. SN) Sabeer, (hys eem, ryȝt (om. SNC) þare And askyd (nam SN; toke C; his add SNC) leue, hoom to ffare, In to Ingelond (ffor to tee (þere wolde he fayne bee C), ESNC. His wif, his children for to se.His] om. SN. wif] and add. SNC. his] om. SN. for] om. E. Ne stente neuer sire Saber, Til þat he in Ingelonde were;4025 f.: Now rydiþ Sabeer ouer dale & dounne, Tyl þat he cam to Souþhamptounne; E; Toward Inglond he sped him (om. N) fast, To Hamptoun he com at þe (om. N) last SN; om. C. Wel sore aneiȝed schel Beues be,Wel] om. E. agreuyd E. Er þan he Saber eft ise!þan] om. E. Saber] so E; Beues (!) A. ise] schal seen E.4027 f. om. SNC. Þe king Yuor hadde a þef:Þe] om. SN. Yuor] with him add. SN. God him ȝeue euel pref,ȝeue hym ESNC; wol add. EN. For þat he kouþe so wel stele!þat] om. SC. so w. s.] stele (ful add. S; so add. C) wel ESC. He stel Beues Arondelestel] sere add. E; fro add. SC. Wiþ his charmes, þat he kouþe,charme C. þat he k.] he staal þat stede E. And brouȝte hit to Mombraunt be souþeAnd b. h.] om. ESC. to] so ESNC; om. (!) A. M.] he him lad add. S; he had hym add. C; he gan hym lede add. E. be s.] sowth C; om. E.4031—4034 om. N. And presentede þe king Yuore. Þe king be Mahoun haþ swore,be M.] hys oþ þanne E. Þat Beues scholde abegge soreBe.] he E. abeyn E; abegged (!) A. ful add. E. Þe raunsoun, þat he hadde be-fore.hadde] took E.4035—4038 om. SNC. Now sire Beues let we gan And to sire Saber wile we tan.4039 f. om. ESNC. Saber at Hamtoun in bedde lay;Saber at H.] At (In SN) Hamptoun [(on add. C) a nyȝt add. SNC] Saber ESNC. in b.] a slepe SN; om. C. Him þouȝte, þat he Beues sayHe S; And C; Þat nyȝt hym E. þat he B.] þat he E; sir B. with eyȝen he (om. N) SN; þat syr Befyse he C. In bataile wo be-gonIn b. wo] B. (And N; om. SC) iwoundyd (sore add. SNC) and euele ESNC. And al to-heue, flesch and bon.And—and] And (om. S) (hadde to|broken (ibroken was hys SNC) hepe (nek SN) ESNC. Þo he abraide out of is sweuene, To his wif a tolde hit ful euene Al to gedres how him met. 'O sire,' ȝhe seide wiþ outen let, 'Be þe sweuene ful wel I wat, Þat Beues is in semple stat;4045—4050: Þoo (om. C) hee awook, he (and C) was afrayde, (Too Erneborwȝ (And to SNC) hys wyff he (tolde and add. SNC) sayde; 'Sere,' sche sayde, 'þou doost (hast C) wronge, Þat þou dwellyst (taryest C) here soo longe: (Ryght add. C) as I am wumman (þe beffore (born SNC), Wyff or chyld B. (he SNC) haþ forlore (lorn N), ESNC. He haþ for-loren Arondel,He h. f.] Or hys goode (om. SNC) stede ESNC. And þat I wet finliche wel.'And þat] Þat SN; Hyt ys so C; Or Morglay E. finl.] fful E; ful (for N) sothe SN; om. C. Saber was wo for þat sake;Woo was Saber ESNC. þat] B. E; hys C. Eft scrippe and bordoun he gan takeEft] om. ESNC. script and burthon N. can he C; to add. E. And tok leue of his wiftok] nam SN; his add. SN. of] at C. And to Beues a wente be-lif.And] om. S. B.] Ambyfort SN; Am|forde C. came C. Beues was glad, þat he was come,Glad was B. SNC. þat] when C. And tolde, his hors was him benome:seide SNC. him be.] fro him noom SNC. 'A roboun hit stal ful ȝoreRaban SN; Rabon C; þe þeef add. SNC. him stale SN; stale hym C. ful] wel N; om. C. And haþ ȝeue hit to king Yuore.'hath him ȝcue SN; ladde hym C. to] om. N. 'Þat,' Saber seide, 'a-þenkeþ me, Boute ȝif ich miȝte winne it aȝe!'4061 f. om. SNC. Aȝen to Mombraunt wente Saber,Aȝen] om. SNC. wente] sir add. SNC. Þar men watrede þe deistrer;men] þey SN. þe] þat SN. Þar he stod and a-bod,Þar] as add. C. A proud Sarasin þer on rod;4065 f. om. S.A—on] A sarsyn to þe watur hym C; And sy, a sarsyn on Arondel N. 'Mahoun þe saue!' seide Saber,Mah.—seide] Vpon him anoon lepe S. 'Fro whanne komeþ þis fair deistrer?whennes SC. com SNC. fair] om. C. Hit haueþ brestes þikke and proute.brasten S; brestyn N; a breste C. þikke] stef S; stithe N. prowde C; stout SN. Which is þe kroupe? terne aboute!'How C. Which—terne] With þis þe croupyn turned SN. Aboute he ternde þe deistrer;þe] þat SN. Vp be-hinde lep SaberAnd vp C. Vp be-h.] Vpon him anoon SN. lep] start C; sir add. NC. & smot þe Sarasin ded adoun&] He N. ded] þat (om. N) he fel SN. doun SNC. Wiþ þe pik of his bordoun. To þe king Yuor he gan grede:Saber to Yuor gradde (cryed C) and saide SNC. 'Lo, Arondel ich a wei lede:Lo] With SN; Of C. ich—lede] a wey y brayde S; y am a wey braid N; þou art betrayed C. Ȝe him stele wiþ envieȝe] And þou C. stale NC. felonye SNC.put after 4078 C. And ich him feche be-fore ȝour eie!'I haue hym fett C. þyn C. Þe king Yuor was swiþe wo And after Saber þai gonne go; Þre þosend haþ Saber be-set;4079—4081: (Tho add. C) Yuor was (wood þoo (wroth C) with alle, ['As armes, lordinges!' gan he calle; [And seyde: 'Arme yow, lordynges all!' C] And (om. C) after him (þey reden (dud ryde C) þoo, Wel foure (X C) þousand and (othir N) mo. Saber þey (had hard (hym C) beset, SNC. Iosian stod in a toret;And I. C; as she add. SN. stod] so SNC; stond (!) A. a] her SNC. Al þis folk ȝhe seȝ ful welþis] þat SN; the C. ful] om. C. And Saber com ride on Arondel;rydyng S; ridand N; om. C. Out of þe tour ȝhe wente adounOut] om. SNC. þe] that N; hur C. down C. And seide: 'Beues of Hamtoun,And tolde (hyt add. C) Gy and sir (om. C) Beuoun SNC. Her comeþ Saber vpon þe stede:He N. vpon þe] on ȝoure SNC. Iesu Crist him ȝilde is mede!Iesu] om. SNC. Crist] of heuyn add. SN. ȝylde hym C; ȝelde SN; him add. (!) A. Ac he is be-set al abouteAc] om. SNC. he] And SN. Wiþ wonderliche grete route;Wiþ] a add. NC. wond.] full C. Al most he is in point to spille!'in] om. (!) A. 'Has armes!' Beues cride schille.4091 f. om. SNC. Ferst smot out þe ȝonge king GiiFerst] þenne add. SN. went SNC. þe ȝ. k.] sir SNC. And Miles wiþ gret cheualry;wiþ g. ch.] his brother hardely SN; that was hardy C. Tyrryes son, þat hight Beuoun, A (om. N) ȝong knyȝt (knyȝtis N) and hardy in felde and toun. add. SN. And syr Tarryes sone, þat hyȝt Befown, They went to gedur owt of þe towne. add. C. Þai come to Saber at þat stourWhen þey SN; Tyll þey C. Saber at] om. SNC. þat] hard add. SN. And brouȝte Saber gode sokourAnd br. S.] Saber þei brouȝt SN. And leide on wiþ alle here miȝt & slowe Sarasines adoun riȝt.4097 f. om. SNC. Of al þat sewede him so ȝerne,Of] om. SNC. al] tho add. C. folowed C. him] Saber SNC. To Mombraunt gonne neuer on terne,Aȝeyn to SN. To M.] Home ageyn C. gonne n. on] þey gonne (can C; om. N) SNC. Þat þai ner ded vpon þe grene,ner ded] ne died SN. Many of them dyd dye then C. Eueri moder sone, i wene;By fyue, bi (or S) sixe, bi (om. S) twelf and (bi N) teen SNC. And þus Saber in þis wise4103—4108 om. SNC. Wan Arondel wiþ is queintise. Now mowe ȝe here forþormore Ful strong bataile of king Yuore; Ac er þan we be-ginne fiȝte, Ful vs þe koppe anon riȝte! Þe king Yuore him ros amorwe,Þe] om. SNC. him] om. SNC. am.] on the C. In his hertte was meche sorwe.his—meche] greet care and in (om. S) SNC. He let of sende an hiȝingHe] And S. let of-s.] sent after SNC. in SN. an h.] lordyngys C. Þretti amirales & ten king.Þretti] XV SNC. ten] XV SN; om. C. Þai armede hem in yrene wede,Þai] And SNC. them C. in y. w.] prest (om. C) to fyȝt SNC. To Ermonie he gan hem lede.Erm.] Ambyfort SN; Amford C. he—lede] þey went ryȝt SNC. Hii piȝte pauiliouns & bente ginne, For to be-sege hem þer inne,4115 f. om. SNC. And Yuore clepede at þat casAnd] King SNC. clep.] om. SNC. at] yn C. Morable and sire Iudas.Cleped Arabele SN; Clepyd C. sire] om. SN. and s.] to hym marschall C. 'Redeþ me,' a seide, 'ariȝt,Rede SNC. me] now add. SN. Ȝif ich mai vnder-stonde þis fiȝtȝif] that add. C. mai] shal SNC. vnd.] take SN; do C. þis] ylke add. SN. Aȝen Beues of Hamtoun,Aȝens S; sir add. SN. Þat is so stout a baroun!' 'We redeþ meintene ȝour parti!' He lep to hors & gan to crie: 'Sire Beues of Hamtoun,' a sede, 'Þou hauest þar inne gret ferede,Þou] Þat (!) A. And ich her oute mani stout kniȝt,ich] haue add. SNC. oute] om. SNC. stout] a NC; om. S. Ichaue brouȝt wiþ me to fiȝt,Seker and bolde (for to (and prest to N; yn euery C) fyȝt SNC. And ȝif we bataile schel abide,4122—29: 'A nobel knyȝt of renoun, 'We reede þer to, (we seye (thei seiden N) alle!' B. of Hampton he (þei N) gan calle, Swythe lowde he gan crye: 'Þou hast here a (om. N) grete cheualrye, SN. That ys a man of grete renown.' 'We assent ther to,' they seyde all, And to syr Befyse can they calle; Swythe lowde they can crye: 'Thou haste a grete compenye,' C. Gret slauȝter worþ in eiþer side.4129 f. om. SNC. Wiltow graunte be þen helue,be þ. h.] in thy behalf (half N) SN; me on thy party C. Þat ich and þow mote fiȝte vs selue?Þow and y by oure self SN; For to fyght thou and y C. Ȝif þow slest me in bataile,me slee (slo NC) SNC. in] pleyn add. SN. Al min onour, wiþ outen faile,wiþ o.] saunz SNC. Ich þe graunte þourȝ & þourȝ, Boþe in cite and in bourȝ!'citees N.4135 f. om. S. The romauns tellith, saunz faile, B. him grauntid that bataile. add. N. B. him graunted þat bataile, Þe romaunce telleþ, saunz faile. add. S. As hyt ys yn romans tolde, Befyse grauntyd that batayle bolde. add. S. Here glouen þai gonne vp holdeTher C. gloues SNC. gonne] dud C. In þat forward, þat Yuor tolde,þat] þe SN. forw.] maner C. þat Y.] þat y ȝow SN; as they C. And armede hem in armes briȝte And lopen to horse anon riȝte In an yle vnder þat cite, Þar þat scholde þe bataile be.4139—4142: Her armour (þey gan (gan thei N) to hem tee And to hors lepen hee. SN; They armyd them soone yn hye And starte to ther horsys lustyly. C. Ouer þat water þai gonne ride,þat] þe SN. To hire godes þai bede in eiþer side;god SN. bede in] prayde in (on N) SN.4143 f.: And to ther goddys þe hethen party prayed, And so dud Befyse to hys lorde on hys syde. C. Beues bad help to Marie sone And king Yuor to sein Mahoune; Ase Beues bad helpe to Marie, To Teruagaunt Yuor gan crie, Þat he scholde helpe him in þat fiȝt, Also he was king of meche miȝt. Wiþ þat hii ride to gedres boþe, Ase men, þat were in hertte wroþe, So harde þai gonne to gedres mete And wiþ here launces gonne grete, Þat þourȝ þe scheldes þe speres ȝode; At þe breinies þe dent wiþ-stode. So harde þai þreste to gedre þo, Þat here gerþes borste ato, & felle to grounde boþe þo, A fote nedes þai moste go. Out of here sadles þai gonne springe And wiþ fauchouns to gedere flinge; Aiþer on oþer strokes set, Of helm and scheld and bacinet Þe fure brast out so brond ibrent, So fel and eger was eiþer dent. Þus to gederes þai gonne dinge Fram prime til vnderne gan to ringe. Alle, þat siȝen hem wiþ siȝt, Seide, neuer in none fiȝt So stronge bataile siȝe er þan Of Sarasin ne of cristene man. At hiȝ midday þe king Iuore, To Beues he smot a dent ful sore, Þat sercle of gold & is crestel Fer in to þe mede fel. Doun of þe helm þe swerd gan glace And karf riȝt doun be-fore is face, Doun riȝt þe viser wiþ is swerd And half þe her vpon is berd. Ac þourȝ þe help of godes grace His flesch noþing atamed nas. Þo cride þe Sarasins al at ones: 'Þis Beues wiþ his grete bones Ful sone worþ imaked tame!' Þo wex Beues in gret grame And þouȝte wel wiþ Morgelay Ȝelden his strok, ȝif þat he may. To king Yuor he gan areche Anon wiþ oute more speche Vpon þe scholder in þat tide, Þat half a fot hit gan in glide. For smertte Yuor in þat stounde Fel a knes vnto þe grounde, Ac vp he sterte in haste þan & in wraþþe to Beues ran & þouȝte han Beues aqueld; And Beues keppte him wiþ is scheld, And Yuore wiþ þe strok of yre Made fle in to þe riuere A large quarter of his scheld, Þat neuer nas atamed in feld.atamed] d written above the line. A. Or Yuor miȝte his hond wiþ-drawe, Beues, þe kniȝt of cristene lawe, Wiþ Morgelay a smot him þo, Þat his scheld he clef ato, And his left hond, be þe wrest Hit fleȝ awei þourȝ help of Crist. Whan Yuor hadde his hond lore, He fauȝt, ase he wer wod þer fore, And hew to Beues in þat tide, No strok ne moste oþer abide. Þo Beues seȝ is strokes large, He kepte his strokes wiþ is targe; Þo Beues to Yuor gan flinge And þourȝ þe miȝt of heuene king His riȝt arm & is scholder bon He made fle to gronde anon. Wiþ þat strok Yuor þe Mombraunt Cride: 'Merci, Teruagaunt, Mahoun, Gouin and Gibiter, Reseue now me saule her, For wel ich wot, ich am dede!' Þo Beues herde him so grede, He seide: 'Yuor, let be þat cri And clepe to god and to Mari, And let þe cristen, er þe deie, Or þow schelt go þe worsse weie And wiþ outen ende dwelle In þe stronge peine of helle!' 'Nay,' queþ Yuor, 'so mot y þen, Cristene wile ich neuer ben, For min is wel þe beter lawe!' Þo Beues herde þat ilche sawe, A felde him doun, wiþ outen faile, And vnlacede his ventaile, And tok him be þe heued anon And strok hit fro þe scholder bon, And on his spere he hit piȝte. And þo þe cristen siȝe þat siȝte, Þai þankede god in alle wise, Þat Beues hadde wonne þe prise. Þanne al þe Sarasins lasse & more, Þat was ycome wiþ king Yuore,wiþ] added above the line. A. Þai siȝe her lordes heued arered, Sore þai weren alle afered; To-ward Mombraunt þei wolde fain, Ac Saber made hem terne again, And sire Beues and sire Terry, And sire Miles and sire Gii Slouȝ hem doun riȝtes þore, Þat þer ne scapede lasse ne more.4145—4252: (Then add. C) to geder þey smeten (smote NC) on (þe sheldes (schylde C), (That add. C) þe peces flowe (flewe C; fly N) in to (om. C) þe feldes (fylde C); Her (Ther C) sheldes tocleue (cleue C), þat þey born (bere C), [And her brenies (brevis N) al totorn. [And bothe ther hawberkes can they tere. C]. To geder þey went (rode C) (on þe (ouer the N; a nodur C) way: (And add. C) B. smot Yuor with Morgelay Vppon (his hed (the helme C) on hyȝe; (That add. C) the (crest of his hed adoun (crystall downe C) flyȝe, And a cantyl of his sheld Fleyȝe (out amydde (fro hym yn to C) þe felde, And þe arsoun (byfore, with oute lye, (be|hynde, as y yow say, C), [Þauȝe þat hors were with yren wrye. [Syr Befyse smote clene a way. C] (Then add. C) Yuor fel, (as add. C) ȝe mow wel (om. C) wete; Þat þouȝt (was of C) B. a good smyte (smete C): [Out start Yuor out (om. N) of þe (his N) arsoun, Sir B. (of his steede lepe adoun (lepe of his stede doun C); [Euore start vp at that stounde, And syr Befyse lyght to grounde; C] Yuor drowe (owt add. C) his swerd al (fote C) hoot, (And add. C) a grete dynt on B. helm (om. C) he smot With his swerde ygrounde keene; Vpon his (the C) helm þe dynt was seene. Sir B. þerof was agreuyd And als sone (swythe C) he (om. NC) smot of his heuyd. Þe saryzyns syked (seyde C) at þat stound, When (þey sawe Yuor falle to (he was at the C) ground, And neuer (neue (!) S) more (aftur C) vp arysen (schulde ryse C), [So sore þe saryzyns gan agrysen (to grisyn N), [Ther with ther hertys dud gryse, C] Þey flowe (fly N) (toward þe (faste yn ther C) passage. (Gy and Miles (And Mylys & Gye aftur C) with her (ther C) baronage [Þere (Thei N) hem slowȝ [And slewe many of þem C] neuer þe later, Or þey myȝt ouer (passe C) þe water. (Then add. C) toward Vmbrauntrood Gyoun, For (om. C) to seise (sesy in N; assayle C) þat ilke toun. A paynym (him rad (councellyd hym C) þo, [(A add. C) saryzyns armes (armour C) on him (to add. C) doo; [Saresyns ayen him gan go N], And þrouȝ (om. N) þat ilke (om. C) gynne (mate N) Vmbraunt (he gan wel (wel he gan N; can they C) wynne (take N), And (He N) slowȝ al þat (him stood (were them C) aȝen Wiþ her (ther C) swerdes grounde (þat were C) kene. SNC. Þo crounede þai Beues king in þat lond,Þo cr. þai] Now is SNC. in] of SNC. Þat king Yuore held in hond,king] om. SNC. held] kept C. in] his add. SNC. And Iosiane briȝt and schene,And] om. SN. Ios.] þat is add. SNC. Now is ȝhe þer twies quene.ȝhe] losyan N. Now—þer] Therof sche ys C. On a dai þai wente a riuere;dai] as add. S. wente] playde by SNC. a] þe C. Þar com ride a masagere,Þar c. r.] To hem com SN; Than þer come C. And euer he askede fer & nerfer & n.] anoon (om. C) þan SNC. After þe hende kniȝt Saber.þe—Saber] Saber, þat douȝty man SNC. Anon Saber gan forþ springe:Saber forth gan S; furthe Saber gan N. 'Masager,' a sede, 'what tiding?'a s.] om. S. M. a s.] And seyde to hym C. 'Sire,' a sede, 'þe king Edgareþe] om. SN. Þe driueþ to meche te bismare,Dryueþ þe SNC. to m.] om. SN. to—bism.] to grete myspayre C. Desereteþ Robaunt, þin eyr!'And (He S) destroyeth SNC. Robefaude C. 'For god,' queþ, 'þat is nouȝt feir!'F. g. q.] Tho seyde Saber C; om. SN. nouȝt] quod Saber add. SN. And sire Saber in haste þo Tok leue of Beues, hom to go;4267 f.: And com to B. and (tolde him (seyde C) soo, And (toke his (axid him N; askyd C) leue for (om. N) to goo SNC. And sire Beues corteis & hende,And s.] Sir SN; Then seyde C. A seide, a wolde wiþ him wende,A—him] Wiþ þe, (he seide, y wol (wyll y C) SNC. And sire Miles and sire Gii,And] om. N. And is owene sone Terry.is] thy NC. ow.] om. C. sone] syr add. C. Now wendeþ Beues in te Ingelondein] om. SN. Wiþ is kniȝtes fel to fonde,And Tyrry with his (þer C) knyȝtes strong SNC. And Terry wiþ is kniȝtes fale,And T.] om. SNC. is] þer C. kn.] mony and add. SNC. Sexty þosend told in tale.in] by SNC. Þai lende ouer þe se beliue, At Souþhamtoun þai gonne vp riue.4277 f.: And sailed ouer with renoun With armed men in (om. N) to Hamptoun. SN. They saylyd ouyr the randown And londed at Sowthhampton. C. Heruebourȝ, Saber is wif,Ermborowe S; Erneborow N; Heryn|borow C; þat was syr add. C. And Robaund anon ase blifRobant SN; Robefaud C. anon] his son SNC. ase] om. S. al blythe N. Aȝen Saber come þo;Saber] him SN. They come ageyn þem bothe two C. Queþ Saber: 'How is þis i-go?'Queþ] Tho seyde C. is þis] þis is (!) A. is þis ygoo SN; may þys goo C. And þai him tolde at þe frome,And] om. SNC. tolde him S. þe] om. SN. him—frome] tolde þere all and some C. Þat Edgar hadde here londes be-nome.Þat] om. SN; kyng add. SNC. hur lond SN; fro þem þer londes C. Þanne seide Beues: 'So mot y þe, Þar of ich wile awreke be!' Anon þe kniȝt, sire Beuoun, His ost he let at Hamtoun, & to-ward Londen a wente swiþe; His quene a let at Potenhiþe;4285—90: [Sir B. seide: 'Yf þat we leue, He hit shal aȝeyn sone ȝeue!' [Then syr Befyse seyde as blyue: 'I wyll yow se ageyn, be god a lyue!' C] (Then add. C) þe bailef (baylyes C) of (the toun (Sowthhampton C) Messengers sent to London, [(And warned (To warny N) þe king at frome, [And þe kyng þey can ynforme, C] Þat B. and Saber weren ycome (yn come C); With grete ost (þey com fro (ful N; stowte and C) ferre (fere C), (King Edgar aȝeyn þe (In to Ynglond on them C) to werre. (Then add. C) B. at (of (!) N) Hamptoun leued his ost (And prekyd (went CS) forth with lytel bost. His wyf (quene C) he lefte at Pountany (Pountenay N; Ponteney C), (And add. C) ouer Temse he (om. C) went (on hye (they C); SNC. He tok wiþ him sex kniȝtesHe] And N. VII C. And wente forþ anon riȝtes,And] om. C. wente f.] to London þey com SNC. anon] om. SN. And in is wei forþ a ȝode And pasede ouer Temse flode.4293 f. om. SNC.lost in E. To Westmenster whan he com þan, A fond þe king and mani man,4295 f.: Whan þey comen to Lundone sounde, Þe kyng at Westemynstyr þey founde; E; When þey to þe cite com were, King Edgar þey fonde þere; SN; When they come to that cyte, Kyng Edgare soone fonde he; C. And on is knes he him set,And] om. E. he] B. E. Þe king wel hendeliche a gretAnd þe E. wel h.] fful ffayre E.4297 f. om. SNC. & bad be-fore his barnage,& b.] And (Befyse C) prayde hym EC; Sir B. him prayde SN. beforn E; for SN. barounnage EC; herytage SN. Þat he him graunte is eritage.Þat—gr.] To ȝeuen hym aȝen ESN; For to geue hym C. baronage SN. 'Bleþeliche,' a seide, 'sone min, I graunte þe, be seinte Martin!'4301 f.: Þe kyng hym wolde haue ȝouen wiþ ryȝte, Þe styward sayde nay, þat he ne myȝte. E; om. SNC. And alle þe barouns, þat þer were,And] om. ESN. bar.] knyȝtys ESNC. were there C. On Beues made glade chere,To B. þey made ESN; Maden to B. ryȝt E; Welcomyd hym wyth C. gl.] mylde SN; gode C. Boute þe stiward of þe halle,Boute] Except C. He was þe worste frend of alle:þe] his SN; om. C. wor.—alle] most foo yfalle S. Þe king wolde haue ȝeue him griþ, Þe stiward seide nay þer wiþ,4307 f.: And (He C) sayde anon to þe kyng: 'Sere (om. C), þis is now (om. SN) a wundyr þyng, ESNC. & seide: 'Þis for-banniiste man& s.] Þat ESN; Of C. þis] ylke add. E. for] om. SNC. man] certayne add. C. Is come to þe land aȝan,That ys C. come] in add. ESNC. þe] ȝoure E; þis SN; þe C. And haþ þin owene sone slawe:(Good it is (God hyt wolde C), þat he be (were C) slawe ESNC. He haþ y-don aȝenes þe lawe,For he haþ wrouȝt E; For he doyth C;He asketh wrong SN. aȝen ESN; agenste C. Þe king (wold haue ȝeue him (him wolde haue yeve N) griþ, (But add. C) þe steward seid nay þer wiþ. add. SNC. And ȝif a mot forþer gon, A wile vs slen euerichon!' Beues þat herde, a was wroþ, And lep to hors, wiþ outen oþ, And rod to Londen, þat cite, Wiþ sex kniȝtes in meine. Whan þat he to Londen cam, In Tour strete is in he nam, And to þe mete he gan gon, And is kniȝtes euerichon. Let we now Beues be, & of þe stiward telle we, Þat hateþ Beues, also is fo: Sexty kniȝtes he tok & mo, In to Londene sone he cam, And into Chepe þe wei he nam And dede make þer a cri Among þe peple hasteli, And seide: 'Lordinges, veraiment, Hureþ þe kinges comaundement: Sertes, hit is be-falle so, In ȝour cite he haþ a fo, Beues, þat slouȝ þe kinges sone; Þat tresoun ȝe ouȝte to mone: I comaunde, for þe kinges sake, Swiþe anon þat he be take! Whan þe peple herde þat cri, Þai gonne hem arme hasteli, & hii, þat hadde armur non, Þai toke staues & gonne gon; Þai schette anon eueri gate Wiþ þe barres, þai founde þer ate; And sum þai wente to þe wal Wiþ bowes and wiþ springal; Eueri lane and eueri strete Was do drawe wiþ chaines grete, Þat, ȝif Beues wolde awei flen, Þe chaines scholde holde him aȝen. Boute her of Beues weste nouȝt: Help him god, þat alle þing wrouȝt! Beues at þe mete sat, He be-held and vnder-ȝat Al is fon, þat were þer oute; He was afered of þat route. He askede at þe tauarnere, Þat armede folk, what it were. And he answerde him at þat sake: 'Þai ben y-come, þe to take!' Whan Beues herde him speke so, To a chaumber he gan go, Þat he hadde seȝe armur inne; In haste þe dore he gan vp winne And armede þer anon riȝtes Boþe he and is sex kniȝtes, And gerte him wiþ a gode brond And tok a spere in is honde, Aboute his nekke a doble scheld: He was a kniȝt stout and belde. On Arondel a lep þat tide, In to þe strete he gan ride. Þanne seide þe stiward to sire Bef: 'Aȝilt þe, treitour, þow foule þef! Þow hauest þe kinges sone islawe, Þow schelt ben hanged & to-drawe!' Beues seide: 'Be sein Ion, Treitour was y neuer non: Þat i schel keþe hastely, Er þan ich wende, sikerly!' A spere Beues let to him glide And smot him vnder þe riȝt side; Þourȝ is bodi wente þe dent, Ded a fel on þe pauiment. A sede anon after þat dint: 'Treitour! now is þe lif itint: Þus men schel teche file glotouns, Þat wile misaie gode barouns!' Þe folk com wiþ grete route, Besette Beues al aboute; Beues and is sex kniȝtes De-fendede hem wiþ al her miȝtes, So þat in a lite stounde Fiue hondred þai brouȝte te gronde. Beues prikede forþ to Chepe, Þe folk him folwede al to hepe; Þourȝ Godes lane he wolde han flowe, Ac sone wiþ in a lite þrowe He was be-set in boþe side, Þat fle ne miȝte he nouȝt þat tide. Þo com þer fot-men mani & fale Wiþ grete clobbes & wiþ smale! Aboute Beues þai gonne þringe And hard on him þai gonne dinge. Al Beues kniȝtes, in þat stounde Þar hii were feld to grounde And al to-hewe flesch & bon: Þo was Beues wo be-gon, For he was on & hii were ded; For sorwe kouþe he no red; Þat lane was so narw y-wrouȝt, Þat he miȝte defende him nouȝt, He ne Arondel, is stede, Ne miȝte him terne for non nedė. To Iesu he made his praiere And to Marie, is moder dere, Þat he moste pase wiþ is lif, To sen is children & is wif. Out of þe lane a wolde ten, Þe chynes held him faste aȝen. Wiþ is swerd he smot þe chayne, Þat hit fel a peces twayne, And forþ a wente in to Chepe; Þe folk him folwede al to hepe, And al þai setten vp a cry: 'Aȝilt þe, Beues, hastely, Aȝilt þe, Beues, sone anon, And elles þow schelt þe lif for-gon!' Beues seide: 'Ich ȝelde me To god, þat sit in trinite! To non oþer man i nel me ȝelde, While þat ich mai me wepne welde!' Now be-ginneþ þe grete bataile Of sire Beues, wiþ outen faile, Þat he dede aȝenes þat cite: ȝe þat wile here, herkneþ to me! Þis was aboute þe vnder tide, Þe cri aros be ech a side Boþe of lane and of strete; Aboute him com peple grete, Al newe & fresch, wiþ him to fiȝt, Ac Beues stered him ase gode kniȝt, So þat in a lite þrawewhile, struck out, add. A. Fif þosend þar was islawe Of þe strengeste, þat þer wore, Þat him hadde ȝeue dentes sore; Ac euer his stede Arondel Faste fauȝt wiþ hertte lel, Þat fourty fote be-hinde & forn Þe folk he haþ to grounde i-born. Þus þat fiȝt leste longe Til þe time of euesonge. Tidinge com to Potenhiþe, To Iosian also swiþe, Þat Beues in Londen was islawe And ibrouȝt of his lif dawe. Iosian þanne fel aswowe, Gij and Miles hire vp drowe And confortede þat leuedi briȝt Hendeliche wiþ alle her miȝt, And askede hire, what hire were; And ȝhe tolde hem anon þere, How Beues was in Londen slayn And his kniȝtes wiþ gret payn: 'Now keþe, ȝe ben noble kniȝtes, And wrekeþ ȝour fader wiþ ȝour miȝtes!' Sire Gii and Miles seide þan To here moder Iosian: 'Dame, be him, þat herwede helle, We scholle his deþ wel dere selle!' Þanne sire Miles and sire Gii Gonne hem arme hasteli And on here knes set hem doun And bad her moder benesoun. Sire Gii lep on a rabit, Þat was meche & noþing lite, And tok a spere in is hond, Out at þe halle dore a wond Toward þe cite of Londen toun, And sire Miles wiþ gret randoun Lep vpon a dromedary, To prike wolde he nouȝt spary. Whan þai come to Londen gate, Mani man þai fonde þer ate, Wel iarmed to þe teþ, So þe frensche bok vs seþ, Aȝen þe children þei ȝeue bataile,þei] þe (!) A. & hii aȝen, wiþ outen faile, And made of hem so clene werk, Þat þai neuer spek wiþ prest ne clerk; And after-ward, ase ȝe mai hure, Londegate þai sette a fure. Whan þai come, wiþ outen faile, Þo be-gan a gret bataile Be twene Bowe and Londen ston, Þat time stod vs neuer on. Þar was a Lombard in þe toun, Þat was scherewed & feloun; He armede him in yrene wede And lep vpon a sterne stede And rod forþ wiþ gret randoun And þouȝte haue slawe sire Beuoun. Wiþ an vge masnel Beues a hite on þe helm of stel, Þat Beues of Hamtoun, veraiment, Was astoned of þe dent; What for care and for howe, He lenede to his sadelbowe. Þanne com priken is sone Gii, To helpe his fader, hastely; Wiþ a swerd drawe in is hond To þat Lombard sone a wond & smot him so vpon þe croun, Þat man and hors he cleuede doun; Þe poynt fel on þe pauiment, Þe fur sprong out after þe dent. Þanne com ride is broþer Mile Among þe peple in þat while; Al þo, þat a miȝte reche, Ne dorste he neuer aske leche, For to hele þer is wonde, Þat he ne lai ded vpon þe grounde. & whan Beues seȝ þat siȝte, In hertte he was glad & liȝte & þankede Iesu, our sauiour, Þat hadde sent him so gode sokour, And egerliche, wiþ outen faile, Þe grete peple he gan asaile. So meche folk was slawe & ded, Þat al Temse was blod red; Þe nombre was, veraiment, To and þretti þosent. And also sone so hit was niȝt, To þe Ledene halle þai wente riȝt; A fette Iosian wiþ faire meine To Londen, to þat riche cite, & helde a feste fourtene niȝt To al þat euer come, apliȝt! Tiding com to king Edgar, Þat Beues hadde his men for-fare; For is borgeis in is cite He made del and gret pite & seide: 'Ichaue leued me lif Longe wiþ outen werre & strif, & now icham so falle in elde, Þat i ne may min armes welde: Twei sones Beues haþ wiþ him brouȝt, Þar fore hit is in me þouȝt, Miles, his sone, me douȝter take, In þis maner is pes to make.' Þai grauntede al wiþ gode entent, & king Edgar Beues of-sent, And sire Saber & sire Gii, And sire Miles & sire Terry, & king Edgar Miles gan calle Be fore his barouns in þe halle And ȝaf him is douȝter be þe honde, And after is day al Ingelonde, And pes and loue was maked þare Be twene Beues & king Edgare. Þe maide & Miles wer spused same In þe toun of Notinghame. Ȝe witeþ wel, þouȝ i ne telle ȝow, Þe feste was riale inow, Ase scholde be at swiche a spusing And at þe kinges couroning; Þe feste leste fourtene niȝt To al þat euer come, apliȝt! And at þe fourtene niȝt is ende, Beues tok leue, hom to wende, At king Edgar & at Sabere, And Miles, is sone, a lefte here And kiste and ȝaf him is blessing, & wente to Mombraunt, þer he was king; And his erldom in Hamte-schire A ȝaf to his em Sabere And schipede at Hamtoun hastely, And wiþ him wente his sone Gii, And Terry wiþ is barnage. Þe wind blew hardde wiþ gret rage And drof hem in to Ermonie, Þar be-lefte his sone Gii4313—4582: Forþ þanne rod sere Beffounþanne] him SN. rod] went SNC. And took hys in ryȝt in þe toun.ryȝt] om. SNC. þe] London S. Whanne B. set to þe mete,B.] was add. SNC. þe] hys C; om. S. Þe styward haþ hym nouȝt forȝete;haþ—forȝ.] þouȝt to be awreke SN; thoght hym to bete C. He dede cryen in Lundone tounAnd SN. dede] made C; let SN. in] þorow C. Boþe to burgeys & to garsoun,Boþe to] Þat euery SN; That þer was nodur C. & to] and SN; nor C. To eche man þai myȝte armys bereTo e. m.] om. SNC. þat] euer add. SN; myȝt a.] ony armys myght C. And hys owne hed iwere,And] Or SN. And—hed] But he them schulde C. For to taken þe kynges ffoon,For] om. S. ffeloon S.put after 10 SNC. He bad armen hem euerychon.Þat þey shuld be redy anoon SN; And þat þey schulde arme þem ylkoon C. Euery lane & euery streteIn eu. SNC. &] in NC. Weren idrawe wiþ chenys grete;Þere were SN; Ther was C. wiþ] om. SNC. ȝiff þat B. awey wolde ffleen,That yf C. þat] om. SN. wolde awey SNC. Þe cheynys scholde hym holden aȝen.wolde C. hold him SNC. Tydyng cam to sere BeffounThen tydynges C. Of al þis ylke false tresoun;þis] that C. ylke] om. SN. false] grete S; fowle N; om. C. He dede hym arme swyþe weel,He] (Then add. C) sir B. SNC. did arme him N; armyd hym C. sw.] om. SNC. Boþe in yryn & eke in steel,eke] om. SNC. And took hys owne lytyl meyne, And wolde haue went out of þat cytee.19 f. om. SNC. He mette þe styward off þe halle,He m.] Þoo com S. He was þe werste ffrend off alle,He] That C. þe] his SNC. werste f.] most foo S. And twoo hundryd wiþ spere & schelde,And] Wyth C. wiþ—schelde] men armed wel SC. Redy to ffyȝte in toun and ffelde.Boþ in yren and in stele SC.21—24 om. N. 'Beffs schal deyen,' þere sayde on,He seyde: Befyse C; þou add. SN. schalt SNC. þere s. on] anoon SNC. 'For sekyr soþ, we scholen hym slon!'soþ] om. C. y shal SN. hym] þe SNC. Þe styward prekyd beforn hem þar,bef. h.] his stede SN. bef. h. þ.] tho wyth þat yre C. And to sere B. a spere he bar;And] om. C. he bare a spere SNC. To sere B. so harde he droff,To—harde] So hard to him SN; so harde to gedur C. he] they C. he dr.] ded he dreue N. Þat sere B. scheeld al tocloff.sere B.] his SN. al toreue N; roofe C. Sere B. houyd stylle and beheeld,stylle] om. SNC. Hou þe styward hadde clouen hys scheeld;hadde cl.] cleue S; slow N; brake C. Quod B.: 'Now behouiþ me to smyte;me houyth (!) N. Quod—me] Now be|gynnyth Befyse C. Leef me were my dette to quyte!'me—dette] ys me þy dyntes SN; he were hys dynte C. Sere B. wolde no lengere abyde,Sere] om. SNC. no lenger wolde (nolde S) SN. byde C. But to þe styward he gan to ryde.But to] Tille SN. he] om. C. to] om. SNC. A strook he sette vp on hys croun,vp] om. N. vp on h.] him on þe S. Þat to þe sadyl he cleff hym doun.Þat to] Of SN. þe] his SNC. sad. he] gyrdyll hyt C. cl.] felle SN. hym] om. SNC. adoun SN. Soo wiþ inne a lytyl stoundeSo w. in.] And sone in SN. Alle twoo hundryd he slowȝ to grounde.Alle] om. SN. he fel S; he fellid N; were leyde C. Þorwȝ Gooslane B. wente þoo,B. went þrouȝ Goos lane SN; Forthe went Befyse yn to Gose lane C. Þere was hym don ryȝt mechyl woo;was—mech.] was doon (do to C) him muche SNC; him was do moche N. shame SNC. Þat lane was so narw iwrouȝt,The lane C; Þer yn he SN. ybrouȝt SN. Þat sere B. myȝte deffende hym nouȝt.sere B.] he him SN; he C. hym] om. SN. He hadde wunnen in to hys hondhath C. in to] with SN. in—hond] y vndurstonde C. Many a batayle in sundry lond,a] om. SN. batailes S. sundry l.] to hys honde C. in s. l.] y vnderstond SN. But he was neuere so careful man,caref.] sory S; a add. C. For sekyr soþe, as he was þan.sekyr] om. C; off add. (!) E. For s. s.] om. SN. þan] þo he þeder cam SN. Whanne B. sawȝ, hys men were ded,B.] he C. For sorwen cowde he no red,For s.] Then C. no] bettur add. C.49 f. om. SN. But Morglay, hys swerd, he drowȝBut] om. SN. And manye he felde & manye he slowȝ,And] om. SNC. he f.] fledd C. he—manye] men þer wyth N. Many a man he slowȝ þoosl. þoo] dud sloo C. And out he wente wiþ mochyl woo.Or he myght owt of Gose lane go C.53 f. om. SN. Forþ wente B. in to Chepe,wente B.] he went C; he passed SN. Many a man þere cam on hepe.Many a m.] Þere gan mony SN. þere—hepe] aboute (ayen N) him (can add. C) lepe SNC. Þey fauȝt harde, as y sey the, Aȝen B. in þat citee. add. SN; Now begynnyth þe fyȝt, as y say þe, Betwene Befyse and the cyte. add. C. Þenne sayde B. ryȝt þere he stood,ryȝt—stood] hende and good SNC. To þe folk, þat was so wood:þe] that N. people C. was] were SN. was so w.] be hym stode C. 'I rede ȝow opene þe ȝatys wyde, And lat me now þere out ryde, Or, ffor soþe I wole ȝow telle, My lyff I schal ȝow dere selle!'59—62. (Good is ([councell C) ȝow (ye N) vndo þe ȝate And let me (a wey scape (wynde owte þer ate C). SNC. Alle þey gunne ffaste cryen:Then all C. gunne] can C. ffaste] to him SN. 'ȝelde þe, B., or þou schalt dyen!'B. or] traytur C. schalt] om. N. Sere B. sayde þoo: 'I ȝelde me To god, þat syt in trynyte, And to non oþer leuande wyȝt Ne schal I ȝelde me to nyȝt.'65—68 om. SNC. Sere B. gan ffyȝten, as he were wood,Sere] Tho C; om. SN. gan ff.] smote C. as—wood] with hert good SNC. And baþyd hys swerd in here blood;And] He SN. þer C. VIII hundryd men he slowȝ to grounde,VII þousand SN; V hundurd C. slowȝ] fel SN; fellyd C. Hadde he neyþer wem ne wounde,ȝit had SN. Hadde—ne] And hym selfe neuer a C. But al þe blood wiþ inne hym þanBut] om. SNC. wiþ—þan] þat was in þat man SN; of tho men C. Þorwȝ swoot out off hys body ran.In SN; As C. swete C. þer bodyes C. Wiþ þat it gan wexen wel neer nyȝte,Wiþ þ.] By þen SN. gan—neer] was derke SNC. And euere cam ffresch ffolk to ffyȝte;And] Þe SN; folk were add. SN; men were add. C. cam ffr. f.] fresche C; prest SN. Thus was that strong fyght Halfe a day and a nyght add. C. Arundel, hys stede, began to byte,hys] þe SN; gode add. C. beg. to b.] was whyte SN; fote hote C. And wiþ hys hyndyr ffeet to smyte:And] om. SNC. fote N. to sm.] gan smyte SN; smote C. Be ffourty ffeet aboute on eche syde,Be] Þat SN. foot SNC. ab.] om. SNC. euery SC; eche a N. No man durste þat stede abyde.Ther durste no man C. þat] þe C. hors SNC. Þus ganne laste þat stronge ffyȝt Al þat day and al þat nyȝt.Al þat] Half a SN. al þat] half a SN.81 f. om. C. Tydynges com to Pountenay,Tythinge N. Poynntenay S. To Iosyan þere sche lay,þere sche l.] as y ȝow say SNC. Þat sere B., here lord, was slawesere B.] om. SNC. & brouȝt þat nyȝt of his lyf dawe,þat n.] owt C; om. SN. his] om. SN. lyfes S. And Iosyan in þat ylke stoundeAnd] om. SNC. ylke] om. C. Fyl on swownyng on þat grounde.Fyl—þat] In a (om. C) sowȝ (sowne N; swowne C) fel to SNC. Sere Mylys, here sone, and sere Gyhere s.] om. SNC. Comen to here modyr on hy,þer C. yn hye C; hastely SN. And askyd here, what here was. 'Parfay,' sche sayde, 'a wundyr caas: ȝistyrday hadde I a lord on, Sertys, þis day haue I non; Þe beste red now þat I can, Flee we hennes now euery man!'91—96 om. SNC. 'Madame,' sayde Gy, 'what may þis bee?'Dame SN; Modur C. quod SN. what] how SNC. 'Sertys, sone,' þanne sayde schee,þanne s. schee] y telle the C. 'ȝoure douȝty ffadyr, sere Beffoun,douȝty] om. SNC. Is slayn in Lundoun wiþ tresoun.'in] at C. þorow treson C; toun SN. (Therfore add. C) þe best redde þat y can, Awey (Is þat we C) flee, euery (hens eche C) man. add. SNC. Þanne bespak here sone, sere Myle,saide SNC. here s.] om. SNC. sere] Gye and C. To hys modyr in þat whyle:hys] ther C. þat] a S. 'ȝyff oure fadyr slayn now bee,now] om. SNC. We wole neuere ffro hym fflee!'wole] schall C. neu. ffro] sone to SN. te SN. Þoo chyldryn deden hem arme weelÞoo—arme] Gy and Myles ben armed SNC. Boþe in yryn and in steel, And setten hem on here knees adoun And token here moderys benysoun.107 f. om. SNC. Sere Gy bestrood a rabyte,a rabyght C; Arabite (!) S. Þat was mochyl & nouȝt lyte,moche NC; grete S; nouȝt] no þing S; om. C. lyght C. Þat sere B. wiþ hys hond Hadde iwunnen in paynyme lond. A swerd he took off mochyl myȝt,took] had SNC. muche SNC. mayn S; mey (!) N. Þat was iclepyd Aroundyȝt;callyd C. Raudoudeyn or Randondeyn S; Rauduney N; Radondyght C. It was Launcelettys þe Lake,was] sir add. SN. Launcelet S. Þere wiþ he slowȝ þe ffyrdrake;Mony a croun þer with was crake SNC. Þe pomel was off charbocle ston,In þe SNC. pomel] hylte C. off] a SNC. A betere swerd was neuere non,nas N. Þe romaunce telliþ, as I ȝow say,ȝow] the SN. Ne non schal tyl domys day;Ne] Nor C. non] neuer C; om. SN. schal] be add. SN. And sere Mylys þere bestrytAnd] om. SN. þere bestr.] with out (outen N) faile SN; as y yow telle C. A dromounday and forþ he ryt;Bystrod (a rabyte (Arabyte (!) S, London to assayle SN; Bestrode a stede þat hyȝt Arondell C. Þat hors was swyfft as ony swalwe,hors] om. SNC; swyfft] as wyȝt C. No man myȝte þat hors begalewe.No—hors] Shuld no man (wycche S; wyth add. N) hym SNC; Ther myȝt no hors hym C. Þey token here leue at Pountenay, And ouer Tempse þey token þe way;125 f. om. SNC. Foure þousand men, as ȝe mowe see,as—see] pur varyte SN; y telle the C. Þey brouȝten to Lundone to þat cyte.bro.] with hem add. SN. to þat] om. SN. Lund.—þat] the C. Botes þey toke, þey were ful (wel N) ryue, Ouer (the add. N) Tempse þey com als swyth. add. SN; They toke weyes at the next, And to London they come all preste. add. C. Whanne þey comen to Ludgate, Manye armyd men þey founden þer ate,129 f.: Þe portcoles (port colens C; ther add. N) weren (was C) draw, (And mony men (Many a man C) þere were (was C) slawe; SNC. Ludgate soone þey setten on fere,soone] om. SNC. And slowen alle þat þere were;And] Þey SN. sl.] om. C. þat þ. w.] that they fonde there C; about þat cure SN. Many a man þey gunne to sloo, In þey wenten wiþ moche woo.Then for C. now] om. C. Al þat þey founde þey slowȝ, (in fay (y say N), SN.133 f. om. SNC. For soþe now as I ȝow say, Þanne gan sprynge þe lyȝt off day,Þanne] By þat SN. Þanne g.] Began to C. þe] om. C. off] om. C. Wiþ þat was B. so fforfouȝte,By þat SN; Then C. so] om. C. fforf.] wery of (for C) fought (faght C) SNC. Þat off hys lyff he ne rouȝte;And of hym selfe roght he noght C. Arundel, hys stede, was al soo, On foote ferþere ne myȝte he goo; Þere þat goode stede stood Vp to þe fytlokkes in mannys blood.139—142 om. SNC. Þan was þere in þat tounÞan] om. SN. was—þat] a Lumbard of London (the C) SNC. A noble man off gret renoun,gret] om. SN. Þat hadde gaderyd hym an hoostÞat—hym] Had him gadered SN; He gaderyd C. an] gret add. SNC. And cam prekynge wiþ gret boost,prek.] to B. SN. And c. pr.] To Befyse he come C. And in hys hand a mase ful snel,And] om. SN. hand] he toke add. SN. mase] swyrde C. ful sn.] wele SN; so haue I hele C. Þat was maad off good steel;off] ful add. SN. Anon he prekede to sere BeeffAnon he] And (He N) þan SN; Then he C. rode C. Be|fown C. And sayde: 'ȝelde þe, ffoule þeeff!'And s.] Anon SN. ffoule þ.] stronge felon C. A greet strook to sere B. he sente,A—to] He smot SN; And soche a strok to C. sere om. C. B.] þat add. SN. lente C; grynt SN. Þat he was stonyd off þat dente.Þat] om. SN. he] And N. astonyed SN. Wiþ care B. in þat þrowe(Þoo wist (And C) B. of (wyth gret C) care ynowȝ SNC. Lenyd hym on hys sadyl bowe.And l. SN; hym om. SN. on] ouer SN. Wiþ þat cam prekynge hys sone Gy,Wiþ þ.] Þo SN; Then C. hys s.] om. C; sir add. NC ȝerne to hys ffadyr on hy;ȝerne] om. C. ffad.] soone add. C. in C. His douȝty ffader to socory SN. Too þat burgeys a strook he sente, Þorwȝ helme & hed doun it wente;157 f.: Wiþ Randyndon (Randunay N; Radondyght C) (in his (drawyn yn C) hond (He smot (And to C) þe Lumbard (& him fond (soone he wonde C); A stroke on (vpon C) his hed he sette, (Hit sanke þrouȝ (That clafe bothe C) helm and basnette; SNC. Boþe man & hors in þat stoundeBoþe] That C; om. SN. He cleuyd doun to þe grounde;He—þe] He smot (hem vnto (hard to N) þe SN; Felle down dedd to C. Hys swerdys poynt to þe erþe went,Hys sw.] Þe SN. vnto S; in to N; in S. Hys—erþe] So glethurly the swyrde C. Þat ffyr sprong out off þe pament.Þe SN; That þe C. sprong] om. SNC. pam.] glent add. SN; sprent add. C. B. off þat strook lowde lowȝSir B. SNC. off] at C. lowde] om. SNC. And good coumfort to hym he drowȝgood] om. SNC. he] om. SNC. And þankyd god omnypotent, Þat hadde hym ffrom heuene sent,hadde—heu.] fro heuyn had þat strok C; his children þeder SN. For to helpen hym in ffyȝt.And for C. in] to SNC. Beffs gan wexe ffresch and lyȝt,Sir B. SNC. gan w.] waxe bothe C; wox (waxid N) swyth SN. ffresch and] om. SN. And Arundel, þat goode stede,And] om. SN. þat] þe S; his N. þat g. s.] yn that tyde C. Gan to wexen good at nedeNeyȝed fast (om. C) for muche (grete C) pride SNC. And douȝtyly bar hym, þat douȝty man,stoutly SNC. hym] om. SNC. myȝti N. And halp hym to fyȝte faste þan.hym] for add. SN. faste] om. SNC. Beffs turnyd hym in þat whyleSir B. SNC. him turned SN; turnyd C. þat] a SN. And saw, hys sone þere, sere Myle,hys] odur add. NC. þere] om. SNC. Cam prekynge wiþ gret route,Cam pr.] Comyng to him SN. Wiþ many a douȝty knyȝt & stoute.Wiþ] And C. many] om. SN. a—stoute] armed men al (hym C) about SNC. Alle þoo sere Mylys myȝte ouerreche,þoo s.] þat SNC. areche SN; reche C. Ne þurste hem neuere asken leche.Ne—asken] Durst neuer haue other SN; He nedyth to haue no nodur C. Þere men myȝte seen schafftys schakesch. sch.] crownes crake SNC. And mennys crownys al tocrake;(Al þey (Many C) died þat were þer ate SNC. Soo harde þey gunne to gedere mete,can C. Þat þe blood ran þorwȝ þe strete;Þat] om. SN. gan renne SN. þorwȝ þe] in euery (eche N) SNC. Þe blood ffel on þat pawment, Ryȝt doun to þe Temple barre it went.183 f. om. SNC. As it saiþ in ffrensch romaunce,is seyde SC. ffrensch] om. SNC. Boþe in Yngelond and in Fraunce,englysch C. So manye men at onys were neuere seye ded,men] om. C. at o.] there SNC; neuere s.] slayne to C; om. SN. For þe water off Tempse of blood wax red.For] That NC; om. S. off] in SN. of bl.] om. SNC. waxid N; was C; al add. S. Fro seynte Marye bowe to Lundone stonMarye] at add. NC; at þe add. S. to L. st.] om. SN. þer wonyd no man, as (tho N) y trow, So longe tyme it is goon (agone N), add. SN. Þat ylke tyme was housyng non.At that tyme C; Þere SNC; ne add. N. In þat stede, wiþ outen ffayle,Vppon SN. stede] place C. oute SNC. Was ismeten þat stronge batayle,ism.] made C. str.] om. SN. Þe noumbre off ffolk þat þere was slaweffolk] men C. þere were C; were þere SN. And ibrouȝt þere off here lyff dawe,þere] om. SNC; owt add. C. here] ther C; om. SN. Þe romaunce telliþ, wiþ outen stryff,wiþ o. str.] verament SNC. Syxty þousand þere loren here lyff,xxxiiii þousand were lore and shent SN; That ther was slayne xxx thousand C. Þat þere were slawen & brouȝt to ded,þere] om. SNC. was C. to] þe added above the line E. Þorwȝ þe fals stywardys red,stewardes fals SN. As we tellen in oure talkyng:tellyng SN; spellyng C. Falsnessc cam neuere to good endyng,Of falsn. SN. cam—good] comeþ euyl SN. Þoo sere Mylys and sere GyÞoo] Then C; om. SN. sere] B. (!) add. N. Token sere B., here ffadyr, on hy,Toker (!) S. sere. B.] om. SNC. ther C. ffad.] soone add. C. on] yn NC. And reden forþ in here iournay To here moder to Pountenay.203 f.: Þey toke þe way to Poyntenay, Ouer Tempse þey gan hem hye. SN; And went ouer Temys, as y yow say, And soone they come to Pentency. C. Whan Iosyan saw here sonys twaysonys two C; twoo soones SN. And here lord comen in þe way,ther C. lord—way] ffader with (hem comes (them also C) SNC. For gret ioye in þat stoundegret] om. SNC. þat] ilke add. S. Þryys sche ffyl doun to þe grounde.Þryys] om. SNC. doun] in sownyng SN. þe] om. C. Tydyng cam to Edgar þe kyng,Tydynges C. Hys men were slayn, wiþ outen lesyng,That hys C. out SNC. And kyng Edgar anon ryȝtAnd] om. SNC. ryȝtes SNC. Sente afftyr eerl, baroun, and knyȝt,Callyd C. erls SN; om. C. barons SNC. knyȝtes SNC. And tolde hem, hou hys men were dedþem C. hou] om. S. men] burgeis NC; citezens S. Þorwȝ þe false stywardys red:þe f.] his SN. styw.] fals add. S. 'And sere B. is comen ffrom fferresere] told how SN. was SN. Wiþ gret hoost, wiþ me to werre;gret] om. SN. wiþ me] on him for S; apon him N.215 f. om. C. Here ends S. And I am olde & brosyd off bon,olde—bon] now an olde man C. I wolde haue pes & werre non.217 f. om. N. And seyde, Befyse was full fere, Wyth grete oost on hym to were. add. C. Twoo sones he haþ wiþ hym brouȝt,wyth hym he hath C. Þerfore I haue me beþouȝt,I—beþ.] in my thought N. Ther on my harte hath moche þoght C. Sere Mylys, hys sone, my douȝtyr schal take,Sere] om. NC. sone] y wol add. N. schal] om. N. And ben aton ffor þat sake.'In this (that C) maner pese to make NC. Hys barouns redden hym þer tooHys—hym] Thei him radde al N; They all avysyd hym C. And sayden, it wolde ryȝt weel be soo.The kyng graunted, þat it were so N; And so he hath ydo C. Þorwȝ herytage of þat maydyn ȝyngÞorwȝ] the add. N. mayd. ȝ.] weddyng N. Sere Mylys was corounnyd kyng.Sere—cor.] Thei crownyd (syr add. C) Milis (to be (om. C) NC. (Ye wot wel, þouȝ men tel not yow (Me nedyth not to telle yow C), That the fest was riche ynow, That schulde be (at þat weddyng (of soche spowsyng C) And (om. C) at (that kyngis crownyng (the crownyng of a kyng C). add. NC. Þe ffeste laste fourtenyȝt,That N. And sere B. homward haþ hym dyȝt;And] om. NC. haþ] gan N; can C. (Saber Milis (Mylys to Saber he C) hath him (be- C) take And yerne (om. C) bade (hym lerne add. C) for his sake, That he (him euer schulde (schulde hym teche & C) lere And faile him (not add. C) in no manere. add. NC. Sere B. homward gan hym hyeSere—hym] Furthe he went (in gret (anon yn C) NC. Toward þe lond off Ermonye,Til he come to sur Tyrrye NC. Þo B. sone, sere Gy, was kyng,Þo—was] That was (a wel (also a C) nobille NC. And betauȝte hem god alweldyng.And] Be|fyse C. him C. him bitauȝt N. To Mounbraunt is sere B. ffareis s. B.] B. is furthe N; he can C. And Iosyan ffyl syke ryȝt þare;And] Then C; om. N. was sike N; syghed C. ryȝt þ.] (& wondirly (full C) sare NC. Þer ffore was sere B. fful woo,And therf. C. ys C. sere] om. N. sere B.] he C. fful] wondirly N; om. C. And in to þe stable sere B. gan goo;And] om. C. in] om. N. þe] his N. sere B. g.] he was N; ys he C. Arundel he fond deyd doun leyd,And Ar. C. fond] ther add. N. deyd d. l.] dede NC. As men to hym hadden iseyd,To Gy, his son, he it seide N; Tho he seyde to Gye yn þat stedd C. And Iosyan wole deyen al soo.'Sur,' he seid, 'my moder wol dy' N; That hys modur wolde dye C. In to chaumbre sere B. is goo,To hur he (they C) went hastely (yn hye C) NC. And in hys armys hys wyff he tas,And] Sur B. NC. hys w.] hur NC. he] om. N. lace N; tase C. And kyste here ffayre in þat caas.ffayre] om. NC. in] at NC. For soþe, þey deyden boþe in ffere,For s.] And N; And there C. As seiþ þe romaunce on þis manere.As—þis] The kyng (nolde in (wolde on C) no NC. Alle þe ffolk off þat cyte Wolden nouȝt suffren hem beryyd be Ne in no erþe ffor to be leyd, But euerychon ryȝt wiþ a breyd Off seynt Lauraunce a cherche made þere, Off gold þey maden þe heyȝe awtere And beryeden hem boþe in same: Off hem comiþ boote to blynde & lame.245—52. That thei in erthe buried were; Of seint Laurence he lete a chapel rere, And of gold made a chist gay, And bothe hur bodies þer in lay; Men tellith bothe in gest & ryme, Thei were leide in maner of shryne. N. That they yn erthe beryed were, For a chapell of seynt Laurens he wyll rere, Of golde he made þe ryche couere, There are þey beryed boþe yn fere. C. An hous þey maden off relygyoun,And a N. he made C; maad N. Euere to syngen ffor sere BeffounTo synge ever N. And ffor Iosyan, þat lady ffree:ffor] om. C. þat l.] the NC. God on here soulys now haue pete!on] of N. ther C. now] om. NC. And on Arundel, hys goode stede,on] also for NC. hys g. s.] om. NC. ȝiff men for hors scholden synge or rede.men] that N. for] an add. C. schol.—rede] men may bid wel N; prey schall C. Þus endiþ sere Bcffs off Hamptoun,sere] om. NC. Þat was so noble a baroun. Amen.so n. a] king and nobil N. Þat—a] Gentyll knyght & bolde C. Al that of his life haue (herd inviron (harde C), God yeve hare (ther C) sowlis (of add. C) heven pardon (parte C), And (that we were al (to be C) of suche (as grete C) renoun, As (euyr add. C) was B. of Hamptoun. add. NC. Amen. Here endith Bevys of Hampton. add. N. E. Wiþ his barouns gode & hende; & Terry to Aumberþe gan wende, And Beues wente wiþ oute dwelling In to Mombraunt, þar he was king; Wiþ him wente Iosian, is quene, & leuede wiþ oute treie & tene Twenti ȝer, so saiþ þe bok. Þanne swiche siknesse þe leuedi tok, Out of þis world ȝhe moste wende; Gii, hire sone, ȝhe gan of-sende, And Terry, þe riche king, For to ben at here parting. And whan þai were alle þare, To his stable Beues gan fare; Arondel a fond þar ded, Þat euer hadde be gode at nede; Þar fore him was swiþe wo, In to chaumber he gan go & seȝ losian drawe to dede: Him was wo a moste nede, And er her body be-gan to colde, In is armes he gan hire folde, And þar hii deide boþe ifere. Here sone ne wolde in non manere, Þat hii in erþe beried were: Of sein Lauarauns he let arere A faire chapel of marbel fin, Þat was ikast wiþ queint engin; Of gold he made an hiȝ cornere And leide þem þar in boþe ifere. An hous he made of riligioun, For to singe for sire Beuoun And ek for Iosian þe fre: God on here saules haue pite! & also for Arondel, Ȝif men for eni hors bidde schel. Þus endeþ Beues of Hamtoun: God ȝeue vs alle is benesoun!Amen. Here begynnyth a good tale of Bevys of Hamtoun, a good werriour. Lystonythe, lordinges, yf ye will dwell:Lordinges, lysten and holde you styl, O. Of a doughty man I wyll you tell,Of doughty men tel I wyl O. That hathe bene in many a stourehaue O. And holdyn in Englond his honoure,in E.] vp E. in O. That be-fore this tyme hathe bene; By a knyght is that I meane, Sir Beves of Hampton, for soþe, he hight,for s. h.] that knyght O. That nevure was kyd coward in fight,kyd] preued O. And by his faders days, that hight sir Gye,fad. d.] fader O. A stalworthe knyght and an hardye,stalw.] noble O. an] a ful O.Here—werriour] om. O. And howe sir Gye be-trayed was Thorough his wiffe, alas, alas! Some tyme was Gye of gret renowne,Some] That O. Erle he was of Southe Hampton; In crystondome far and nerecryst] both add. O. Of doughtynes was none his pere Ne so hardy ne so stronge,Ne] none add. O. ne] nor O. He lovid the ryght and not the wronge. Whill Sir Gye was yonge and light, He was kyd a doughty knyghtKnowen he was O. In yche lond, that he riduth and goos,that—goos] he rode and yede O. For to wynne price and loos,wynne] hym add. O. loos] mede O. In Fraunce, in Flaunders and in All|mayn,in Fl.] Fl. O. In Braban, in Cesile and in Bretayn,in C.] C. O. In Denmarke, in Walis and in Gascon,in Walis] om. O. In Hungry, in Calabre and in Burgayn,in Calabre] Calabre O; in Silabre M. In Pole, in Normandye and in Mayne, In Turkye, Nabrant and in Spayne add. O. In Englond, in Norway and in Pecardye,Engl.] Estelonde O. in] om. O. In Scotlond, in Walis and in Lum|bardye, In crystendome & in hethenesse Wel was knowen syr Guyes worthynesse. add. O. In all the landus of Crystiantelonde O. Was none i-ffound so good as he. Whill sir Gye was yonge and joliffe,sir G.] he LO. Wold he nevure wed no wiffe,he n.] syr Guy LO. But whan sir Gye be-gan to old,whan] that add. O. sir G.] he LO. beg. to] waxed O. He was ffebull and on-bold,He w.] Wexed L. vn-welde L. And his blode began to wexe colde O. He toke his leve of chevalryeHe] And L. And dwelt in Englond, certenly.And] to add. M. Whan tyme come, Edgare, oure kyng,In that tyme kynge Edgar anone LO. Send after sir Gye, with oute lesyng.sir] om. O. with o. l.] full sone LO. And for Sir Gye was trewe and wysefor] so O; om. M. And knowen ffor a knyght of price, He made him styward of his lond;hym] hyghe add. LO. lond] londg M. What sir Gye did, trewly shold stond.What—trewly] And what so (om. O.) euer he sayd, it LO. He kepte well Englond in his days, He sett peas and stabelud the laws,He] And LO. stab. the] stable O. That no man was so hardye, To do another velonye. On a day he be-thought hym, sir Gye,Vpon LO. he be-th. h.] thought LO. That he wold wed som feire ladye And haue be-twene hem children ffeire,And] To O. them LO; some add. LO. That of his lond myght be his heyre.his] theyr LO. londes O. his] theyr LO. The kyng of Scotland in that tyde Had a doughter of muche pride;muche] grete LO. The Emperourys broþure of Almayn Wold haue wed that lady ffayn;Wold h. w.] Loued L; Wedded (!) O. fayn] as men sayne LO. So wold Sir Gye, so god me saue,So—so] But Guy wedded her L; Ryght so dyd Guy O. me] hym LO. And at her fader he gan her crave.gan] dyd LO. The kyng of Scotlond not for thisthis] thy LO. Gaue his doughter to sir Gye, I-wys,to] vnto LO. I-wys] om. LO. Ageyne the wyll of his doughter bryght:Ayenst LO. She had lever haue had that other knyght,that] the LO. For he was yonge and also bold,also] om. LO. And Sir Gye was waxen old.Gye] also add. M. Alas, that Gye euer hir chase!Gye] om. LO. euer] om. O. hir] he her to hym LO; his (!) M. His owen liffe ffor her he lease.he l.] to lose LO. Sir Gye wedyd that lady ffree And brought her home to his contre. So longe to bed he her led, A man child to geder they hed;That a LO. A ffeyrer child was nevure none bore, Sithe god spronge of Jesses more, Ne doughtyer in no ffyghtyng, And that ye shall here, with oute lesynge!69—72 om. LO. Beues men callid that child so bolde;men] they LO. so] om. LO. He was no more but vii yere old, Whan that his fader was slaynthat] om. L. Of sir Mordoure of Allmayn.Of] Wyth LO. The lady be-thought her on a dayThat LO. on] vpon LO. And to her selfe can she say:And] om. O. vnto LO. 'My lord is old and may not worche, All day he courith in the churche:courith in] goth vnto L; bydeth in O. What for bresyng and for age,breysynge L; brosynge O. and] what add. LO. He lovith not with me to rage;me] for add. L. But had I take a yonge knyght, That had not bene bryssud in fight, He wold me love both nyȝt and daydaye and nyght LO. And make me all the myrth, he may:he may] that he myght LO. Certes it shall be this no while,Certes] Truly LO. I shall sle hym with som gyle!'shall] let add. LO. Also sone that lady there To her callid a messingere, That be-fore was her ffrend, And said: 'Thou shalte a message wend;89—92: After a messenger the lady sende, That before (had ben (he was L) her frende, And (She O) sayd: Thou shalt on my mess|age, Thy selfe alone without ony page: LO. With that thou hold it counsayll,With] So O. hold it] kepe my O. I shall quyte well thy trauayll;shall] the add. LO. well] for L. As I am lady gent and bryght, I shall with that dub the knyght!'95 f. om. LO. 'Madame,' he said, 'hold you styll, For I wyll go at your wyll!'go] do LO; all add. L. at] after O. The lady was than glad and ffayn:The—and] Than was the lady very O. 'Go,' she said, 'in to Almaynin to] vnto O. And grete well sir Mordoure—well] fro me add. O. Broþure he is to the Emperoure—vnto O. And byd hym, in the furste day,in] on O. That comythe in the month of May,That c. in] Of O. That he in oure foreste be, Well armed with his meyne; Bid hym, that it be not belevid,leued O. That he smyte of my lordus hedeBut that my lorde be there beheded O. And send it me in present:me in] to me to O. My lord shall nakyd be to hym sent!to hym be O. Yf he me love, there shall I se;there] that O. I] So O; he M. Go forthe and grete hym well by me!'well] thus O. The messingere to water yode:to] the add. O. yede O. Alas, the wynde was to good!to good] al for spede O. In to Allmayn is he brought,is he] he was O. To courte he goos, forgetith he nought;Than to themperours court he sought O. He speryd so at one and oþure, Till he come to the Emperours broþure, He toke hym the letter in hond;He] And O. in] his add. O. Sir Mordoure red that he þere ffondSir M.] The lorde it O. that] as O. And said: 'Certes, nowe I may seeAnd—may] Nowe truly may I wel O. Thinge, that I love, nowe lovis me!Howe that lady loueth me O. Gladder I am, thus may thou say,thus may thou] if that I O. Than eny tonge tell may: All her wyll wull I do;wull I] shal be O. Grete her well and say her soo! Haue here a stede for thy trauayll, With tresoure chargid, saun fayll,sam (!) M; wythout O. And yf I stonde with mayn and myȝt,with] in O. I my selfe shall dub the knyght!'dub] make O. The messingere thankyd hym thoo, Ageyn to Englond gan he gooAgeyn to] And vnto O. gan] is O. And to Hampton can he fare;And] om. O. Hamp.] sone add. O. To that lady he went thareVnto the O. And said: 'Madam, god the saue and see!And] He O. saue and] om. O. Well gretith sir Mordoure the:syr Murdure greteth O. Glad he is of thy message And well he hathe quyt my wage,And] Ful O. quyt] me add. O. viage O. And sertenly he wyll be presteAnd sert.] He sayth, truly O. With mekyll route in that foreste,mek. r.] a great oste O. that] iour O. Thy lorde to slay with mayn and myght,slay] assayle O. To wynne thy love, lady bryght!'Thy loue to wynne O. Whan the messingere had I-said,had] thus add. O. The lady holdith her well payd.helde O. apaide O. In the ffurste weke of MaySo after on O. weke] day O. The lady ffeyned her seke and laye; She made her lord to her callynher—her] a man hyr lorde to O. And said, an evill was on her ffallyn.on hyr was O. The Erle for her had gret thoughtgret] sorowe & O. And axid, yf she wold ought.axid] hyr add. O. 'Sir,' she said, 'yf I myght gete,yf I m.] myght I it O. Of a borys hede I wold ete!'borys—wold] wylde bore wolde I fayne O. 'Dame,' he said, 'ffor love myn,ffor] and O. Where may I ffynde that wild swyne,myght O. That I myght onys glad be?'I] om. O. be] the O. 'Sir, in oure forest bredith he!'your O. 'Dame,' he said, 'make solace,make] gode add. O. For in that forest will I chase!'I] go add. O. And she with treson answerid than:She answered wyth treason then O. 'Sir, blessud be ye for all men!'Sir] om. O. for] of O. The Erle a courser can be-stride,a] wyght add. O. stryde O. His sworde he henge be his side;His—henge] And henge his gode swerde O. Ne myght no man with hym goone,Ne] Ther O. goone] corr. out of come M; renne O. Hym selfe was forth sent alone.He was the formest man ther in O. Alas, that he ne had be warreWolde god, he had ben aware O Of the Enemys, that be thare!the] his O. be] were O. Whan he come to that foreste,to that] into the O. He began to chase after the beeste,beg. to] gan O. That it harde sir Mordoureit] om. O. And ascryed sir Gye as a traytoure;ascr. s. G.] lept forth O. a]fals add. O. He prekyd forth be-fore his hostehis] the O. For pride and to make booste,For] pompynge add. O. and] om. O. make] great add. O. And to sir Gye gan he say: 'Yeld the, traytour, for thou shalt dyethou s. d.] by my fay O. Thou & thy son both dede shal be, For the loue of thy lady fre,175 f. so O. For the love of thy ffeyre lady, For l her lovid, or thou her sye. M. For I hyr loued, or thou hyr knewe, If thou hyr haue, thou shalt it rewe!' Syr Guy answered hym with reason And sayd: 'Alas, for here is treason! Yet wyl I, so god me mende, Here in my ryght my selfe defende!' Eyther than other gan defye; Than pryked his stede gode syr Guy And smote syr Murdour with a spere,spe O. That out of his sadel he gan hym bere. 'Traytour,' he sayde, '& cowarde vn|bolde, Wenest þou, thoughe I be olde, That I shulde be of the abasshed?' Wyth that syr Guy his swerde out wrasted And shulde haue slayne that fals knyght, Had nat socour come ful ryght. Syr Murdurs men hyed them so, Agaynst syr Guy they were ful thro. Syr Guy dyd stoutly against them stande, An hundred he slewe with his hande; Had he be wel armed, i-wys, Al the maystry had ben his. By that syr Murdure was horsed agayne, Syr Guyes horse had they slayne. Alas, his horse was slayne that stounde! Syr Guy was felled than to the grounde; For, had his horse lyued that tyde, He had abayted al theyr pryde. Whan Guy was on fote, without lese, Al they gan about hym prese. Ye herde neuer tel of an olde man ere, That faught so wel, as he dyd there. Than kneled Guy to syr Murdour And saide: 'Mercy and socour! Syr Murdure, for thy genterye Thus cowardly let me nat dye, But lene me horse, armour and shelde, And lete me dye manly in the felde! So that thou wylt do so, I the forgyue, if thou me slo!' Than cryed they al in this wyse: 'Sle hym, that he neuer ryse!' Wyth that syr Murdure to hym yede And smote there of his hede; To a knyght he toke this hede in honde: 'Go,' he seide, 'and bere this sonde To that countesse, that is so bryght, And say, I come to hyr bour this nyght!' The knyght went to that lady gent & saide: 'Madame, haue this present:177—226. So O; there is a leaf lost in M. My lorde the it sente, syr Mordoure; To nyght he commyth to thy boure!To] This O. 'This yefte,' she sayde, 'is lefe to me, And thanke syr Mordure of his gentreAnd] I O. And saye, I am all at his wyll,And s.] Say to hym, that O. all] om. O. Erly and late, loude and styll!' The messenger away thenne wenteaway] his way O. And tolde his lorde, as she had sent. Nowe wyll we of yonge Beuys telle, Howe wod he was & howe hym befelle.wod] wo O. 'Alas!' he sayd all for tene, 'That I with my ffader had bene,I] had not add. LO. had] om. LO. To haue holpyn hym in that stourehym] my fader L. Ageyne the fals theeff, sir Mordoure!'Ayenst that LO. To his moder he ran and said: 'Dame, why haste thou my fader be-traydeDame] om. LO. And wyll be wedyd to his foman?I wyll be wrokyn of his bane LO. Alas, that euer thou waste woman!waste] were LO. I-wys, moder, thou semyste full well To be an hore, an old Brothell!245 f. om. LO. All fals horys, ffor thy sakeAnd all LO. The devill in hell I hem be-take!To the LO. in] of LO. them LO. But one thynge, moder, I the swere,thinge] othe LO. Yf euer I may armes bere,I may euer LO. I shall be vengid with myght and mayn Of hym, that hath my fader slayn!'On them L; On al them O. haue O. His moder thes wordes vnder-stodeWhan his O. thes] his L. thes w.] hym O. And gaue hym a boffet good;And] She O. good] vpon (on O) the hode LO. To ground he fell, and that was harme;To] the add. LO. His maister hent hym by the arme.hent h.] toke hym vp LO. Men callid his maister sir Sabere, The child to his vnkyll was dere,That LO. to—was] was to hym lefe and LO. For Sabere was sir Gyes broþure; In Englond was not suche anoþure. Home with the child sir Sabere went;sir] om. O. sir S.] he L. The lady after Sabere sent,lady] than add. O. Sab.] hym O. Sche said: 'Sabere, for well or woo,Sabyre, she sayd LO. or] for add. L. Beues, my son, loke that thou sloo,My sone Beuys LO. For shall I nevure glad be,I shal O. Whilis that I on lyve hym see!'Whilis—lyve] That daye that l LO. Sir Sabere was no thinge well payd,no th.] not LO. apayde LO. Graunted the lady that she said,But graunted as LO. that she] om. LO. Home he went ffor soroughe, I-wys,ffor—l-wys] full sory in this wyse L; wyth wordes fewe O. He toke fforth and slouȝe a gryse;forth] for wyles L. And for a wyle a pygge he slewe O. The riche clothis ffeyre and goodThe r.] Beuys O; chyldes add. L. feyre and] that were so O. He hath be-sprynged with the blood;hath besp.] them bespronge L; sprenkled them O. the] pygges add. O. Than Sir Sabere ffor dredeThan] om. L. Sab.] all add. LO. Clothed the child in a pore wede,a] om. LO. And he said: 'Beues, thou mvst kepehe] om. LO. thou m.] it behoueth the to L. Vppon the ffeld all my shepe, Till the spousage be brought to end;to] an add. L. Than we wyll to Wales wend:And then wyll we LO. vnto L. There is an Erle sibbe to the;to] vnto L. Thou shalt there dwell and with hym be. Whan thou arte waxen and armes will berewaxen and] bygge O. may bere L; to bere O. And haste strengith ffor to were,haue L. ffor] harneys LO. Thou shalte chalange thyn heritageThan LO. mayste thou O. chal.] clayme LO. And venge thy fader, be thou of age, And I shall helpe the than to ffightThan shal I O. than] for O. With dyntte of sword, to wynne thy right. There fore thou mvste my shepe forth dryve,thou—forth] my shepe (forth thou (se thou forth O) LO. That no man witt, thou be on lyve!'witt] knowe LO. be] art O. Beues hym thankyd and sore can wepe, And forthe he went with Sabers shepe.289 f.: (And forth he wente (Forth went Beuys O) with Sabyres shepe To (Unto O) the felde and sore gan wepe LO. As Beues was set vppon the down,As] Whan LO. set] on (om. O) hygh LO. He lokyd Bacward to Southampton;Bacw. to] to-warde L; downe to O. He be-held toward the town,As he O. town] toure O. Trumpus he herd and taborne,Trumpettes O. tabour O. Harpyng, pypyng and moch blisHarp. p.] There was harpynge O. Was in the place, that shold be his:Was] om. O. 'Lorde,' he said, 'on me thou mone! Was I not an Erlis son? And nowe I am but an herde Alas, that I ne had a swerde!297—300: Lorde, he sayde, of me thou art gouernour: Was I nat an erles son of honour? O. I wyll no more dwell on this down,more] lenger O. on] in O. I wyll home to Southampton And so I wyll ffor thyeso] om. O. for thye] se verely O. And se, what Mordoure doþe with my lady!'And se] om. O. my] that O. He ranne hym forth at the ȝate,hym—the] fast on his O. Till he come to the paleyse gate:pal.] castel O. 'Porter,' he said, 'take it to none yll:to n.] nat O. I am a messingere, in to the hall I will!'I—hall] For into the hal on message O. 'Fye on the rebaude,' said the porter thoo,on the] om. O. 'Horeson, harlot, home thou goo! There was none, but he was mad,none] neuer man O. were O. mad] so O; wood M. In message to send suche a lad!'In mess. to] That wolde on message O. 'Horeson,' said Beues, 'yf I be one, Harlot was I nevure none;Yet harlot O. Thou sholdiste none vnkyd man dis|spise!sh. none vnkyd] shalt neuer straunge O. Haue thou this ffor thy seruice!'thou this] this, he sayde O. Suche a stroke Beues hym gaue,Beues] he O. That his brayn clevid on the staff.That to his staffe the braynes claue O. Beves went in to the hall, with oute lees,went] om. O. with o. l.] went O. As a man, that thought no pees, He wente in with outen leve,320 f. om. O. With a ragud gown and a torne sleve,Wyth ragged clothes and sleues rent O. And all aboute he gan be-hold;And] om. O. gan] dyd O. To Mordoure he spake with wordus bold:To] syr add. O. with] om. O. 'Fals knyght, what dooste thou here?knyght] thefe O. Why haste thou slayn my fader dere? Wendith fforth bothe, I you tell! And ye ayenst my wyll dwell, . . . . .326—29: My moder it is, that thou haste tane: Wende forth in the deuylles name! And if thou dwel agaynst my leue, O. I make a vowe to god, I shall you greve,make a v.] trust O. you] the O. And there fore wendith forth boþe in fere And loke, ye byde no lenger here!'331 f. om. O. Sir Mordoure said: 'Thou fole, be still!Thou] om. O. Thou cannyste no good, but mekyll ill!'moche O. Beues hit sir Mordoure at that worde, That he sowned ryght at that Borde;ryght at th.] ouer the O. A nother stroke he smote sadly, With that the lady be-gan to crye. Than wold Beues no lenger bydeBeuys wolde O. abyde O. For knyghtes, that rise on yche a side.that] om. O. rose O. yche a] euery O. Beues ran home, the sothe to say, And met his eme in myddus the way:341 f.: For yonge Beuys wo there was, They toke hym nat, but lete hym passe. Beuys went home thoroughe the strete, Than wyth his mayster gan he mete. O. 'What is now best?' Beues said to Sabere;is n. b.] nowe O. to] om. O. 'For goddus love, what doiste thou here?'love] sake O. what] so O; whas (!) M. 'I wyll you tell all to geder: Bete I haue my stepfader! With my staff I smote hym on the hede, That I lefte hym all ffor dede!'345—348: Beten I haue my stepfadere And slayne I haue his owne portere O. Said Sabere to Beues: 'Thou arte to blame,Said—B.] Than saide Sabere O. Here fore I gete bothe harme and grame!Here f.] There O. gr.] shame O. Be-tyde, what so euer be-tyde,But bet. O. so e.] may O. Yet,' he said, 'I shall the hide!'Yet he s.] Onys agayne O. wol O. Sabere in to the chamber hym led,in—hym] hym to chamber O. Of the countez he was adred; The countes wold nevure blynne, Till she come to Sabers ynne: 'Sabere,' she said, 'where is Bevoun, That wekyd lad, that ffelown?'wek.] cursed O. that] and stronge O. 'Dame,' he said, 'he is dede At your counsell, at youre rede:couns.] and add. O. Lo here his clothis all with blood!'here] om. O. cl.] are add. O. with] on O. 'Thou liest,' she saith, 'thou arte wood:thou a.] as thou were O. But thou me that lad take,But] if add. O. me] om. O. Thou shalte dye ffor his sake!'dye] abye O. Beves herd, how she can threte:how] that O. can] hym O. Till her he lepe with hert grete,He to hyr lept O. And said: 'Lo! here I am, madame;am I O. Do my maister ffor me no shame!' The lady said: 'Thou harlot bold.harl.] art so O. Now haue I thy thryfte sold!'haue—thr.] vnto me thy lyfe is O. Sabere and another knyght She callid to her anon ryght: Her son them be-taught sheHer s.] Hym vnto O. betoke O. And bad them wend to the see,wend to] cast hym in O. 'And caste the boy amyddus the streme,And c.] Cast ye O. in myddes of O. And, Sabere, thouȝ thou be his eme, But thou drench that gloton,But] if add. O. thou] e add. (!) M. drowne O. Thou shalte be hongid for thy treason!'be h.] abye O. thy] that O. 'Gladly, madame!' said he.I wyl gladly O. The child they led to the see,vnto O. They wold not drown hym, sekerly,sek.] in no wyse O. But anoþure they had redy:an.] thynge add. O. had r.] gan deuyse O. They ffound there shippus boþe more and lesse,there] theire (!) M; om. O. Of payneme lond and of hethenes;paynyms O. of] om. O. They sold the childe for gold gret plente,childe] so O; childer (!) M. for—plente] wyth moche thought O. And with the paynemus wendith he.And the paynyms gladly hym bought O. Beves hert wax all cold,wax all] wexed O. For he was to paynemus sold.Whan O. was to p.] to hethenesse was O. But yet hym lyst nat for to rage, Ouer they made gode viage. add. O. Theire sayll they drew, the wynd was good,The O. They sayled forth in to the flood,forth—the] ouer the salt O. Tyll they come to paynemepayn.] the ryuy O. In to the lond of Armony.In to] Of O. Ermony O. Her kyng hight Armyn of the lond,Ermyne O. that O. His wiffe was dede, I vnderstond; He had a doughter ffeyre and bryght, Iosyan, that Maiden, she hight,M. she] lady O. Her visage was white as floure,as] lylly add. O. There in ran a reed coloure;a] the O. With Bent browes and eyen shene,Bent] bryght O. With her long as gold wire on the grene,long] g, one letter blotted out before it M; om. O. Hyr nose was comely, hyr lyppes swete, Wyth a louely mouth and fayre fete, With tethe whyte & euen set, Hyr handes were swete as vyolet, Hyr body was gentyl withouten lacke, Wel shapen both body and backe. add. O. With small handus and fyngurs longe,With—and] Hyr handes were smal, hyr O. No thinge of her was shapen wronge.of] on O. Where to shold I her discryve?Where—her] What nedeth me hyr to O. There was none so ffeire on lyve.none so f.] neuer fayrer mayde O. Thes Marchandus gan to courte wendwend] gone O. And presentid the kyng Beues the hend;B. the h.] with Beuys anone O. He there of was glad and blitheHe th. of] Of hym the kynge O. And thankyd the marchaundus meny sithe:meny] an C. O. 'Be Mahound,' said the kyng, 'I were gay, And this child wold turne to my lay;And—my] Wolde the chylde forsake his O. For be Mahound, that is so hye,is so] sytteth on O. I saw nevure child with eye,Yet sawe I O. That had so moche of ffayrehede,That bare so moche fayrnesse O. Nother of lengith ne of brede.of] in O. ne of br.] nor in brodenesse O. Child,' he said, 'thy name tell me!tell] thou add. O. Where was thou borne and in what contre?'was thou] thou were O. 'Sir,' he said, 'Beues is my name! Where I was borne, me thinkyth no shame:There O. me th.] thynke 1 O. In Englond bare my moder me, At Southampton vppon the see;my moder bare O. My fader was there erle a while,therof was O. My moder let slee hym with a gylewith] by O. And hath me sold to paynemus lond:payn. l.] paynemys O. Wekyd is woman ffor to ffond!A wyckeder moder may none be iwys O. And I may lyve sekerly,And] If O. certaynly O. I shall venge my faders dethe sir Gye!'faders d.] fader O. Said kyng Ermyn also snell:The kynge of Ermony sayde ful wel O. 'Of Gye hard I oft tell;oft] of (!) M. hard—oft] of Hampton I haue herde O. Many a panym and meny a sarzynesar.] so O; sarzon (!) M. Hath he slayn with mekyll pyn;moche O. payn M; yeyne (!) O. But, Beves,' he said, 'I haue none eyre,But] om. O. Saue a doughter, that is ffeire:Saue] But O. And thou wyll thy lord forsakeAnd] if add. O. lord] god O. And Apolyne to thy lord take,And] to add. O. to—take] our god the betake O. I shall geve the her to wiffegeve—to] the hyr gyue to be thy O. And all my lond after my lyffe!'And] Wyth O. 'Sir,' he said, 'that wyll I nought For all the tresoure, that euer was wrought,tres.] gode O. Ne for no yeft that may be,Nor O. ȝeft] thynge O. Ne for thy doughter, that is so ffree!Nor O. I dyd my selfe dishonoure,selfe] great add. O. And I forsoke my creatoure!'If O. fors.] shulde forsake O. The kyng had of hym more affiaunce,of] in O. more] no (!) O. fyaunce O. For he was stidfast in his creaunce; He said: 'Beues, whill thou arte swayn,He] The kynge O. Thou shalte be my chamberlayn, And whan thou arte dubbyd knyght,And] om. O. arte] more and add. O; be (!) add. M. Thou shalte bere my baner in ffight!' Beues answerid myldly and still:mylde O. 'That ye me teche, gladly I wyll!'What O. teche gl.] byd do O. Beues was lovid with knyght and kyng,kn. and kyng] squyer & knyght O. For he was curtes in all thinge;in all th.] both day and nyght O. Iosyan Beues can loveBeues can] began hym for to O. Ouer all erthly thinge above.erthly th.] thinges that were O. Whan Beues was XIIII yere old, Knyght ne squier was none so bold,ne] nor O. That durst ageyn yong Beues rideagaynst yonge Beuys durst O. Ne with no wepyn hym abyde.Nor O. wth (!) M. The ffurst dede, with outen lees, That Beues dyd in hethenes, By-fell vppon the Yewle day:It befel O. the Y.] a Crystenmas O. How it was, I shall you say.wyl O. Beues rode to the feld, hym to solace, And Sixti Sarzons more and lasse;Sixti] thre skore O. more and l.] wyth hym was O. A Sarzin can to Beues say:A S.] Than one of them O. 'Beves,' he said, 'what hight this day?' Beues answeryd and said: 'Iwys,and s.] om. O. I wot not, what day it is, For I was but VII yere old, To Sarzins whan I was sold;Sar.] hethenesse O. There fore, ffelow, blame not me, Yf I ne wot, what day it be!'ne w.] wot nat O. Than the Sarzin said and louȝe:Than the S.] The sarazyns O. 'I wot, Beues, well I-noughe:I w. B.] We can tel the O. This is the ffurst yewle day,This] same add. O. ffurst y.] Crysten|mas O. Thy god was borne, as men say;That thy O. This day thou sholdist thy god honoureshulde O. With all thinge, as we done oure!'all th.] some noblesse O. Beues to the Sarzin said:to the] vnto a O. 'Of crystondome I haue a-brayd;I h. a b.] dost thou me braid O. Were I as well armed in this place,Were I] I wolde I were O. As euer sir Gye, my fader, was, For his love, that werid the crown of thorneware O. And also on this holy day was borne,on] om. O. With all youre route wold I juste, And there it shall be right well wiste,485 f.: Wolde I iuste with al the rout, Than shulde men se withouten dout O. Wheþure were strenger god in hevyngod were stronger O. Or all the mawȝmettes, that ye can neven!'mahoundes O. neven] mene O; neme (!) M. 'Herkenyth, felowes,' said a sarzin,Harke O. felowes] so O; felowe M. a] the O. 'How he disspisuth Apolyne! Yet wenyth this wreche crysten hound,wreche] om. O. crysten] so O; hethyn (!) M. That he shold bryng vs to the ground:to the] al to O. We wyll no lenger haue respite, Who doith beste, shall be sene tyte.tyte] nowe ryght O. Turne the, Beues, we the deffye, There is none oþure, but thou shalte dye!'none o.] nought elles O. All at onys to hym they throngeto] on O. swonge O. And gave hym woundus wyde and longe; Beues was sure of no wepyn longe ne small,was s. of] had O. longe] great O. That he myght deffend hym with all,That he m.] For to O. And he sye, it was no better paye,And he s.] Than O. better p.] bote to pray O. But shifte hym in the beste way;sh.] let O. in—way] do the best he may O. Beues was wise and toke good kepe:wise—kepe] both lyght & quycke O. To a Sarzin anon he lepe,And to O. anon] gan O. With his fiste smote hym so faste,Whome with. O. smote h.] he stroke O. That his cheke-bone all to-braste;cheke-bones O. The sarzins sword he toke on hond,Than the O. on] in O. He ffellid all that be-fore hym ffond.He] And O. that] wolde add. O. stande O. There myght men se mekyll on-hele,men myght O. moche wo O. Whan that Beues be-gan to rele:that] om. O. rele] go O. Some he gaue suche a wounde, That they lay gronyng as an hound.gr. as] grennynge lyke O. Of Sarzins were meny, with oute ly,Of] The O. meny—ly] both wight and slye O. That asayled Beues with gret envye;That] And O. Beues amonge the Sarzins lepe,amonge the S.] about them dyd O. As they were a flok of shepe;were] had ben O. Of som the wombes had he torne,had he t.] he gan downe tere O. There trayled her guttes ham be-forn.That the guttes trayled here and there O. There was no sarzin, that hym hitte,hym] he O. But he is body all to-slitt:all to-s.] in sunder smyt O. There myght none fle be no side,be] on O. But he was with strokys made on-ride,But Beuys made hym to abyde. And Beues with in a litull stoundAnd] Thus O. Sixte sarzins he brought to ground.The LX O. he] had O. Great game had Beuys, to se then The dede Sarazyns lye and grenne. add. O. 'Here is it sene,' said Bevoun,it] om. O. Bev.] Beuys in this stounde O. 'That god is stronger than is Mahoun!'is M.] Mahounde O. The Sarzins stedis home can rennecan r.] warde ranne O. With oute takynge of any men, And Beues homward gan rideAnd] Than dyd O. gan] om. O. With woundis bledyng on ych a side;blody woundes O. ych a] euery O. He stabeled vp his hors thoo, Vnto his chamber gan he goo,And to O. To the freshe erth he laid hym flatt,To] On O. For to staunche his woundus with that. Tydinges come to kyng Ermyne, That in disspite of Apolyne Beues had slayn of his men sixteHow B. O. The kynge to scathe and velonye.The—scathe] To the kynge great shame O. Yf it were so, till Beues were dede,were] be O. B. w.] he be O.put after 540 O. The kynge swere, he wold nevure ete bred.kynge] so O; om. (!) M. shulde O. Whan Iosyan it herd, she was full wooit] that O. And to her fader can she goo,Vnto O. And she said: 'It fallid to geve no jugment,she] om. O. said] syr add. O. fall.—no] falleth nat to gyue O. But bothe partyes were present.But] Tyl O. were] be O. Beues is so myld of mode, I wot, he dyd no man but good, Be Mahound and Turmagaunte, But it were hym selfe defendaunte;But] if add. O. hym] his O. Whan ye haue herd bothe partyes, Than it is tyme, to be Iustice!'be] gyuc O. The kyng said: 'Brynge Beues to me:Than saide the kynge O. Beues] both O. As Iosian said, so shall it be!'saith O. Iosyan callid forth II knyghtes: 'Go,' she said, 'anon rightesanon] forthe O. To Beues chamber, that is so ffree, And byd hym com and speke with me!' To the chamber they went, as she hem bad,the] his O. them O. Eyther be the arme oþure lad,be—oþure] other by the hand O. Whan they cam to the chamber dore,f.] so O; om. M. The one knyght went in before And said: 'Beues, is it thy wyll,is it] if it be O. To come speke with Iosyan thy ffyll?'To] om. O. with] so O; om. M. Beves lokyd vp with grym vesage, As it had be a man savage:Fye, he saide, on your message! O. 'I will not rise ffro this ground,rise fro] onys stere of O. To speke with no hethyn hound!no] an O. Oncristoned dogges, I rede, you flee,Uncrysten hoondes O. Your hertes blood ellis wyll I see!'Or 1 your O. herte O. ellis w. 1] shal O. The knyghtis hied ham sone away,ham s.] fast O. To Iosyan can they bothe say;And to O. bothe] om. O. They said: 'Beues clepith the houndBeuys called the hethen hounde O. Thris with in a littill stound:Thris] so O; Thus M. We ne will efte wend to hymne—wend] wolde nat agayne retourne O. For all this Cite, he is so grym!'is] loketh O. Than said Iosyan: 'Come with me,Than] Wel O. And I shall youre warand be!'And] truly add. O. Forth they went wyth that maythat] the O. To Beues chamber, there he lay;Vnto the chamber where Beuys lay O. Beues lokyd vp stoutly thoostoutly] anon O. And Iosyan in her armes two Toke hym vp and kyssud hym swete,hym vp] Beuys O. His malincoly there to abate;His malice, she saide, that she wolde bete O. She said: 'Beues, leman, thyn ore! Thou arte wounded fferly sore:fferly] wonder O. There is not in all payneme londpaynyms O. Better salve, I vnderstond, Than I haue made in a littill stound,made—lit.] brought this O. For to hele with all thy wound. Arise,' she said, 'and go with me, And thy warand wyll I be!'589 f. om. O. Beves rose vp at her Byddyng And home he went be-ffore the kyng.home he w.] went hym forth O. On Beues was there told that tyde Thrytty woundes large and wyde;large] longe O. Kyng Ermyn ffrayned hym the soth and herdthe soth and] so O; so (!) M. All the treason, how it fferd;ffaryd M. Howe Beuys and the Sarazyns ferde O. Hym thought suche ruth and pite,Hym th.] He had O. The teris ran down gret plente;That the O. ran] fel O. He said: 'Doughter Iosyan, Hele Beues woundis, yf thou can! I wold not, as I vnderstond, Lose his liffe ffor all my lond!' Iosyan to chamber gan hym ledeto—hym] dyd Beuys to chamber O. And staunchid his woundus, they shold not blede;And st.] To stop O. With drinke and salffe she helid hym softe,salues and drynkes O. And she kyssud hym ffull ofte,And] euer amonge add. O. ffull] om. O. So that in a litull stoundthat] with O. Beues was bothe hole and sound. A wild bore was there aboute, All men of hym had gret doute, Man and beste, all that he toke, With his tusshis he all to-shoke; The Bore was mekyll and ferly longe,mek.] great O. ferly l.] wonder stronge O. His body was herd, his tusshis stronge,His hede was great, his tunge was longe O. Ech man dred hym, bothe knyght and kyng,man d. h.] one was greued O. To come in that Borus metyng.For to O. 'Lord,' thought Beues on a day,thought] saide O. 'Wheþure the bore be, as men say, Certes, my hert shall euer be sore,Sothly O. Till I haue ffought with that bore!'that] the O. Beues rose erly vppon a day And he sadullid his palffraye;he] om. O. his] gode add. O. He toke a sword stiffe and stronge, A stalworth sheld and spere longe;stalw.] stronge O. and] a add. O. Forth he prekyd ouer the feld:Then pryked he O. Iosyan sawe and all she be-held.sawe] stode O. she] om. O. Beues come to the wood, his spere he shoke,Whan B. O. his sp.] om. O. His sworde aboute his medull he toke,med.] necke O. His hors he tied be a thornebe] to O. And lowde he gan blow his horne,he g.] began to O. All aboute the forest he sought,All] Rounde O. forest] so O; bore M. But the Bore ffound he nought,But] of add. O. Till he come at the devillus denne,at] to O. dev.] bores O. There found he meny dede men,he] om. M. That in the wood the Bore slewe,Whyche O. the] that O. The blood he drinkyth, the flesh he gnewe;dranke O. 'Arise,' said Beues, 'thou ffoule geste,Rise, he saide O. beste O. And geve me batell here in haste!'geve] agaynst O. here in] thou O. Whan the Bore Beues sye,B. sye] of Beuys had an iye O. He set his Brystullus all on hye, And he starid with eyen holowe,And] om. O. with] his add. O. As he wold Beues swoolow.Ryght as O. swoolow] corrected with darker ink from swaloo M. 'Of the,' said Beues, 'I haue mervayll:haue I O. Full well I haue be-sett my travayll!'Full] om. O. sett O. A spere Beues to hym bare,Beuys to hym a spere dyd bere O. On ffourty pecis it brake thare,In seuen O. it br.] he brast it O. All to lethy the spere was wrought,lethy] weyke O. For in the Bore bote it nought. His sword he drew, hym to were, But there myght no thing him dere;thing] dynt O. Beues thought at iche dynte, That he had smetyn on a fflynte, And the Bore stroke to Beues hard,And] om. O. smote O. B.] so add. O. That nevure was kyd no coward.nevure—no] he was nere hande ataynt O With oute reste tho ffought they,tho] so O. Till it was none of the day. 'Lord,' said Beues, 'helpe and mercy! I am so wery, me thinkyth, I dye!' The bore was ffeynt and febull also,feble and faint O. Fro Beues than can he goo;And from O. than] om. O. Than said Beues: 'That wold nevure Iesus,nat Iesu O. That I shold lose my vertue thus!thus lese my vertue O. Certes,' said Beues, 'tyde, what wyll be-tyde,Certes] Betyde O. tyde w. w.] what me O. The tone of vs shall dede abyde!'The one O. Beues sewith the Bore in to the playn,scwith] met O. to] om. O. The Bore sye that and turnyd ageyn; As the Bore come gapyng in the way,the B.] he O. in the w.] al to wonder O. The ouer groyne smote Beues a-way,smote B. a-way] he smote in sunder O. Evyn thorough oute the Bore he bareIn at the mouthe he bare the bore O. And clefte his herte in sonder thare,claue O. And with his sword also hoteThan O. also h.] al in hast O. The Boris hede of he smote;smote] cast O. Vppon a trunchyn of a spereVppon] And on O. The hede he stekyd forth to bere.forth] for O. That sye the fosters of that foreste,fosters] so O; foster M. How Beues had slayn that foule beeste; They said: ' Now is this disspite,Now—dissp.] we haue great disdayne O. That he hath slayn this bore so tyte;slayn] om. O. so t.] slayne O. Go we to hym, we shall hym sloo And take the Borus hede hym ffroo! Than shall we haue honowres,haue] al the add. O. Like as we were conqueroures! 'Like] Ryght O. As Beues shold passe with pley and pride,As] so O; And M. passe—pride] fro the forest ryde O. They hym be-sett on yche syde; Thes fosters were well armed XIIThe XII fosters were armed eche one O. And Beves nakyd but hym selfe;B.] was add. O. but h. s.] & al alone O. Beues shold his swerd take, for to say,Whan B. O. his—say] hande on his swerde lay O. The scabarde he ffound, the sword was away,the] his O. was] so O; om. M. For he had his sworde levydhis s. l.] left his swerde thore O. There he smot of the borus hede.Where he slewe the wylde bore O. Than he had hym nouȝt with to were,he—with] had he nought hym O. But a tronchyn of a spere.a] the O. The ffosters he bete downThe] Thre O. smote he O. With a dynte of a trounchon;dynte] stroke O. a] his O. Nyne he slouȝe at dyntes thre, The tother thre awey gan flee.The t.] And other O. Beues with the hede went forth his way,Beuys went wyth the hede a way O. Iosyan sye all, there she lay;Ios.—there] Al sawe Iosian where O. Such love Iosyan to hym caste,Ios. to h.] on hym she O. That never shall ffall, but euer laste.shall ff.] dyd fayle O. euer] dyd add. O. The hede of the wyld swyne, Beues presentid it kyng Ermyn.it] to O. Than at the arste rose Beues losefyrst O. lose] pryse O. With all tho, that riduth and goos.That was bothe curteis and wyse O. Sone after that tymethat t.] nat longe durynge O. Come tydinges to kyng Ermyntyd.] a messanger O. k. E.] Ermyne the kynge O. Fro kyng Bradmond of Damas, That swore be Mahound and Golias, But kyng Ermyn geve hym as blyveBut] if add. O. geve—blyve] without stryfe O. Iosyan, his doughter, to wyffe,Ios.—to] Sende Iosian, to be his O. In all his land he wold hym noyeall h. l.] many wayes O. And all his castellis he wold distroye,cast. he w.] londe robbe and O. And told hym, in the ffurst weke of Maytold h.] saide O. weke] day O. Shold he come and hold his day,Sh. he] That he wolde O. And lede away his doughter thanAnd] To O. And all his landus stroye and bran.londe O. Kyng Ermyn was wode and wrothe;and] om. (!) O. He send after Erles and barons botheHe] And O. And told hem all, with oute ffayll,them O. How Bradmond the kyng hight hym batayll.How—hym] That kynge Bradmonde bad them O. A worde spake Iosyan the bryght:A w.] Than O. 'Be Mahoun, were Beues a knyght,Mah.] syr add. O. a] om. O. He wold you socoure well I-nowe! My selfe sye, where that he slowȝewhere that] whan O. Nyne fosters at dyntes thredyntes] strokes O. And oþure thre they gan to fflee,they gan to] away gan O. And he had nought hym with to were,And] Yet O. with] om. O. But a tronchoun of a spere!'a] the O. Said the kyng: 'There fore we shall not lett!'Therfore, saide the kynge, shal we O. He made Beues be-ffore hym ffettHe m.] But let O. be-f. h.] to vs be O. And dubbyd than Beues a knyght,And] He O. Beuys than O. He made hym cheften ffor to ffight;He] And O. cheft.] harnes O. Full wele he dyd the kynges jurneyhe—jurney] the kynge gan hym puruay O. With mekyll hoste ageyn the day.mck.] a great O. the] that O. The kyng said to Beues: 'At my nedeBeuys, saide the kynge, helpe at this nede O. All myn hoste now shalte thou lede:For al O. hoste—thou] men thou shalt O. Arme the tite and take the ffeld,tite] ryght O. the f.] thy shelde O. For Bradmond biduth vnder sheld!'Kynge Bradmonde abydeth the in the felde O. Beues dyd on an haburgun,an hab.] his auctowne (!) O. Was wrought in meny a good town,That had angred many a towne O. And an haubarke Iosyan hym brought,And] om. O. And an helme well I-wrought; Sothly, a better was neuer wrought. O. An helme she gaue hym gode and fayre, There myght no thynge it apayrs. add. O. Than gave hym that ffeire may His good sword Morglay;His] A O. sw.] that hyght add. O. There was none better vnder the son, Many a lond with that was won.with that] therwyth O. Iosyan gave hym suche a stede,suche] sithen O. The beste, that euer was at nede;was at n.] on grounde yede O. He was so swifte and so snell,Ful wel I can his name telle: O. Men callid hym Arondell; Ther was no hors in the world so stronge, That myght ffolowe hym a fur longe.hym folowe O. Sir Beues, in the sadull he light,Sir] om. O. he] om. O. Iosyan smyled, that is so bryght;smyled] so O; symled (!) M. is] was O. Beues gan than his horne blowe,than] om. O. For all his hoste shold hym knowe.For all] That O. Beues lad with hym, I vnderstond, Of bold Sarzins XXti thousand,Sarzins] barons O. And yet they, that were theire ffoo,they th. w.] there was of O. Had also meny moo;For Bradmonde had O. And whan Beues come in to the ffeld,And] om. O. in] om. O. Bradmond the kyng stode and be-held;the k.] om. O. and] hym add. O. A lowde lauȝter louȝe Bradmond thoo,A—louȝe] Lowde laughed O. For he sye, there was no moo;For] Whan O. was] were O. Eyther oste can oþure ascrye,oste] om. O. oþure] oft add. O. They shott dartis on eyther partye, With Bowes turkes and arablastearablasters (!) M. They slowe on bothe partyes faste;They sl. faste on b. p. M. But whan they met to geder in same, There was sorowe and no game:767—70: Wyth swerdys thei gaue woundes wyde, Many were slayne on euery syde; But whan that they had broke the ray, Fyers and mortal was that fray. O. Kyng Bradmondus baner bare Radison, He was sterne as any lion;Whyche was stronge O. Beves and he ffor gret envyeand he ffor] at hym had O. Eyther oþure gan deffye;And as sone as he dyd hym spye O. They smote theire stedus with spurres of gold,They—stedus] He smote Arundel O. Arondell ran right as he shold.Ar.] And he O. ran] euen add. O. wolde O. Bothe partyes stode and be-held: Ayther smote oþure in myddus the sheld;Howe eyther hyt O. myd.] of add. O. Sir Radisons spere in sonder braste,Sir] om. O. in s. br.] al tobrast O. Beues spere held and he smote faste,But B. O. he] om. O. That thorouȝe sheld and actoun He bare thorough knyght Radison;thorough kn.] kinge O. The spere brast, the knyght fell down,the kn.] and he O. And in his breste be-lefte the tronch|own.And] om. O. be-l.] abode O. Tho was kyng Bradmond abasshid,Tho w.] Than O. Br.] was al add. O. For in Radison was all his truste.was—truste] al he trusted O. They went fforth, they had suche mayn,went—had] wende, for he was of O. That none shold stond ham ageyn;no. sh.] no man myght O. hym O. Aboute sir Beues they can gone,can g.] cam redely O. To venge the dethe of Radison,the] his O. of R.] on eyther partye O. And Beues had game and thought full good, To bathe Arondell in theire blood.Ar.] Morglay. O. Beues men myght se in a stoundB.] om. O. se] haue sene O. a] that O. An hunderid Sarzins ffellid to ground.ffellid] brought O. A litull ffurther rode he thoofarther he rode O. And slewe there as mony moo.sl. th.] there he slewe O. The Sarzins, that with Beues were, Helpud hym to theyre powere;Helpe O. to] fast wyth O. Men myght se ouer all Hedys cirlyng as a ball.cirlyng] trendel O. Sarzins meny myght men meteMany Sarazyns O. With guttes tirlinge in the strete;With] theyr add. O. tir.—s.] trailynge about theyr fete O. A thousand stedus men myght se than Ren with outen any man.803 f.: Some al armeles away gan fle And some blindefelde with neuer an iye; Some thoroughe the chekes were smyten clene, Some lay gronynge on the grene; Some were smyt with suche a wounde, That they lay grennynge lyke an hounde. A thousand stedes men myght se Wyth dede Sarazyns away fast fle, And al they sayde, seke and hole, That they had ben at Beuys dole. O. Bradmond sye his men evill fare,evill f.] mysfare O. Toke he two of Beues knyghtes thare,Toke—knyghtes] Two of Beuys knyghtes he toke O. And he lad hem fforth and fled,he] om. O. them O. and] wyth them add. O. Beues sye that and hym besterid,that—best.] howe they were bestad O. And he said: 'Abyde, thou wreche!And] om. O. thou] olde add. O. Arte thou come, Iosyan to ffeche? Take me tho presoners, with oute vari|aunce,tho] thy O. distaunce O. Or I shall make of the delyueraunce!'of the] om. O. Such a stroke Beues gaue Bradmond,Beues] he O. That hors and man he ffellid to ground.he f.] fel O. 'Mercy,' said Bradmond, 'Beues, thyn ore!Beues] om. O. Let me liffe, smyte me no more,liffe] and add. O. And thre cites with castellis and towrusAnd] om. O. I shall the geve with honowrus!'with] great add. O. Said Beues: 'I wyll not of thyne,Beuys sayde O. none O. But þou shalte be-come the kynges man Ermyneþou sh.] om. O. And do hym omage and ffewte, For other wyse shall it not be!'wyse] wages there O. it not] none O. Said Bradmond: 'Me is levure to do so,Said—to] Br. saide: Leuer had I O. Than here to dye with moche woo!'moche] peyne and O. Beues chargid hym there on his laye,there on] in O. That never he shold be nyght ne dayhe shulde neuer O. ne] nor O. Wayte kyng Ermyn with treason,with] no O. But to be redy at his somownto] euer O. And hold hym of his londis chefe,his l.] thy londe as O. Were hym lothe or were hym lefe.Were h.] Be thou O. be thou O. Beues was kynge Ermyns attorneywas k.] om. O. att.] was add. O. And toke omage of Bradmond that day;To receyue homage in that place O. Whan he had done, he let hym goo:he] Beuys O. Alas, why nold he not hym sloo!nold] dyd O. hym nat O. For afterward, as ye shull here,afterw.] sone after O. may O. He seruyd hym of well wors chere.of w.] in O. manere O. Thes knyghtes, that Beues raught fro Bradmond,B. raught] he toke O. He led ham fforth with hym that stound;He] Beuys O. ham f.] om. O. hym] in add. O. For gret love he wold not blynne,he] Beuys O. But bothe he led ham to his ynne;bothe—to] led them bothe vnto O. He gave them mete and drynke of the beste And on his bed laid hem to reste.them O. Whan sir Beues had so I-do,And whan O. done so O. To courte to the kyng gan he goo: 'Sir kyng,' he said, 'make good visage,He sayde: Syr kyng O. For Bradmond hath do you omage,you] the O. To be his chefe lord in feld and town,To be] And take you to O. And redy shall be at youre somown!'And—be] Euer to be redy O. Than was kyng Ermyn glad & blitheThan—E.] The kynge Ermyn was O. And kyssud Beues meny a sithe;kyssud] thanked O. meny a] often O. He said: 'Iosian, my doughter,' thanne,Ios.—thanne] to his doughter Iosian O. 'Anon that you on-arme this man,An. th. y.] Sone O. un.] me add. O. Lede Beues in to chamber, god hym saue,B. in] him O. god] Mahounde O. For there may Beues his ease haue,For—Beues] That he may there O. rest O. And serve hym there with mete and drynke,And] om. O. there with] both of O. Of the best that he can thynke!'can] after add. O. Than was Iosyan ffull glad,ffull] ryght O. To her chamber she hym ladAnd to O. And sett Beues on her bed;She set hym soft vpon a bed O. A borde was sett, a cloth was spred.A—was] Bordes were laide and clothes O. Whan she had on-armed Bevoun,had] so O; om. M. Beuys O. At the Bord they set ham downAt] To O. they—down] she hym set iwys O. And made them well at ease and ffynethem] hym O. With riche metes and nobull wyne.mete O. Whan they had well etyn And on her beddus well I-setyn,theyre bed togeder sytten O. Iosyan, that was so trewe, Thought, she wold her love renewe; She said: 'Beues, leman, thyn ore! Than I can tel, I love the more;Than I can tel] so O; Certes, Beucs M. But yf thou do after my rede,Certys, Beuys, but thou me rede O. For pure love I mvst be dede!'shal O. He said: 'Iosyan, be thou styll!He s.] Than saide Beuys O. thou] om. O. Me thinkyth, thou spekyst ageynst skyll:Me th.] om. O. spekyst] al add. O. Thou maiste haue one me on-liche,myghtest O. me] al O. Bradmond, the kyng, that is so ryche;B. the k.] Kynge Br. O. In all the world is no man, Kynge ne duke ne Soudan,Kynge ne d.] Prynce, kynge O. But he wold haue the to quene,he] they O. And he had the with eyen sene;And he] If they O. with e.] onys O. And I am knyght of vncouth lond,And] om. O. am] a add. O. straunge O. I haue no more than I in stond!' 'Mercy, Beues!' said Iosyan, 'I had the lever to my leman, Thy body wythe thy shirte all nakyd,wythe] in O. Than all the gold, that Mahoun makyd!'gode O. 'Beuys,' she saide, 'tel me thy thought!' Beuys sat styl and spake nought. add. O. She ffell down and wepte sore And said: 'Thou saidiste soth be-fore:And] She O. soth] here O. What kyng he is, that had me sene,What—is] There is no kynge O. me hath O. But he wold me wed to quene,But] that add. O. me w.] haue me O. And thou thinkyste of dispite? Wend oute of my chamber tite!891 f.: And thou disdaynest of me so: Se, thou out of my chamber go! O. More kyndely it were the liche,comely O. For to fferme an old diche,fferme an o.] hedge and make a O. Than nowe to be dubbid a knyght,nowe] thus O. a] om. O. To sitt amonge byrdus bryght;And to O. byr.] maydens O. Go forthe, carle, oute of my fare,forthe c.] churle O. Mahoun geve the sorowe and care!'sor. and] moche O. 'Damysell,' said Beues, 'I am no carle,said B.] he sayde O. churle O. My fader was bothe knyght and erle! To my contre I wyll me hye,Vnto O. Thou shalte no more se me with eye;Neuer more shalt thou me se O. Thou gaue me an hors, now take hym here,now] om. O. I kepe not to be in thy daungere!'thy] my O. He went forth and wold not blynne,He] Beuys O. Tyll he come to his ynne,his] owne add. O. Sore agrevid and evill apayd,and e. a.] as he were blamed O. For Iosyan had him myssaid.myss.] so asshamed O. Thes two knyghtes, that Beues there levid,The O. there l.] saued O. Askyd, who had hym grevid;Askyd] hym add. O. Beues said noþer good ne yll,ne] nor O. But sett hym down and held hym still. When Beues went Iosyan ffro,went] was gone O. Than be-gan all her woo; She callid her chamberlayn Bonyface And bad hym helpe in that case;helpe] hyr add. O. this O. To Beues ynne she hyme sendynne] on message O. And said, she wold all amend.And s.] Saynge O. all] thynge add. O. That she had saide loude or stylle, So that he wolde come hyr tyll. add. O. Bonyface his way hath nomen,his—nomen] forth is gone O To Beues chamber is he comenis he c.] he cam anone O. And said: 'Sir, Iosian me sendAnd] He O. sir] that O. me] hym thyder O. And saith, she wyll all amendsaith] that O. all] thynges add. O. That she myssaid you with yll,yow] þow (!) M. myss.—yll] hathe sayde loude or styl O. With that þat ye wyll com her till!'So O. þat] om. O. Beues said: 'What shold I do thare?What] Why O. do th.] so O. She bad me go oute of her chamber!'go—chamber] out of hyr chamber go O. A Robe gaue Beues the messingereBeues] he O. With all the garmentes fresh and clere:all—fresh] other wedes fayre O. clere] nere (!) M. Wel furred wyth great valour: 'Haue this,' he sayde, 'for thy labour!' add. O. 'And grete thy lady thus by me,And gr.] Grete wel O. thus by] fro O. Say, I wyll her never see!'Say] And say that O. neuer hyr O. Bonyface hym thankyd thoothonked hym O. And went ageyn there he come ffro; He said: 'Madame, make good chere! But Beues wyll no more com here.For O. no] neuer O. Certes, madame, ye did not ryght,not r.] vnryght O. To myssay so nobull a knyght,For to O. For it was nevure churlis dede,nevure] a add. O. To geve a messingere suche a wede!' Than said Iosyan the ffree: 'Synne Beues wyll not come to me,939 f.: If Beuys wyl nat come to me, I wyl nat rest, tyl I hym se. O. Be-fall there of wele or woo, To his chamber wyll I goo!'his] Beuys O. Iosian wolde no lenger blynne, Tyl she cam to Beuys ynne. add. O. Beues herd Iosyan with oute,Whan Beuys O. As he shold slepe, he be-gan to route.he] so O; om. M. 'Beves,' she said, 'a while ye wake:ye w.] awake O. I am come, my peas to make!' 'Damysell,' said Beues then,then] tho O. 'Let me lye and go hen!hen] me fro O. I am wery for ffyghtyng sore,wery f. f.] of fyghtynge wery and O. So wyll I for thy love no more!'thy] om. O. 'Mercy,' she said, 'my leman swete!' Than fell she down to his fete;She fel downe and began to wepe O. 'Forgeve me, Beues, that I myssayd,Beues] om. O. myss.] haue myssayde O; mysdid M. I wyll, yf thou be wyll payd,yf thou] that ye O. apaide O. My fals goddus I wyll forsake And crystondome for thy love take!' 'On that comenand,' said Beues than, 'I wyll the love, Iosyan!'love] faire add. O. And he kyssud her to cordment;And] om. O. a cordement O. There fore was sir Beues shent.was s. B.] after was he O. There thes two knyghtes were that stound,There thes] The O. were] there add. O. That Beues delyuerd of Bradmond,del. of] had taken fro O. And herd all theire talkynge;And] They O. talk.] couenaunt O. To the kynge they went, with oute lesyng,They went to the kynge in that instant O. And said: 'Beues this iche dayAnd] They O. iche] same O. Hath made Iosyan forsake her lay; Certys, nowe wol he by hyr lye, But if ye fynde some remedy. add. O. But he be brought down, sekerly,down s.] of by awe O. All oure law he wyll distroye!'Sothly, he wyl destroy your lawe O. This ys trewe, by al halowes:It is sothe O. by al hal.] so O; with oute ffabullus M. Delyuer a theeff ffro the galoos,galowes O. And he shall wayte the to rob or sloo;He shal the wayte O. And so ffared be thes knyghtes two:And so] So it O. ffared] so O; ffare (!) M. Beues delyuerd hem ffro perill,them O. And they haue quyt hym all with gile.haue] om. O. all w.] with a O. 'Alas,' he said, Armyn, the kynge,he] om. O. Arm. the] Ermyne O. 'Sore me rewith of this tyding!of this] that O. Sethyn that Beues come me to,to] tyl O. Moche he hath ffor me do;ffor me do] done at my wyl O. I wyll not ffor all Armonyewolde O. Se men do Beues velonye;men do B.] Beuys take any O But I wold awrokyn be,auenged O. So that I shold not it see!'shold not it] dyd it nat O. Said than to hym a sarzin:Said—hym] Syr, sayde O. 'Ye shall make in perchmyneWe O. make] do wryte O. A letter kyng Bradmond tok. Br. to] vnto kynge Bradmonde O. And byd hym, that he Beues sloo,Byddynge hym brynge Beuys to the grounde. As he is knyght to you sworne,is] trew add. O. And he shall bere this letter to morne:And by Beuis shell the letter be borne O. And, be Mahoun, than dare I say,Than d. I] I dare O. That Beues shall nevure go quyk away!' And whan this letter was made, vera|ment,And] om. O. letter—ver.] was brought to the ende O. After Beues the kyng, he sentThe kinge gan after Beuis sende O. And said: 'Beues, thou mvst go as tyteBeues] om. O. shalt wende O. tyte] ryght O. In to Damace all in deliteAnd be true messenger, as thou art knight. O. And bere kyng Bradmond this letter:bere] so O; bare (!) M. Euer more thou shalte be the better!'And euer O. Another els shoulde bere it: It shall turne the to great profyt. add. O. 'Sir, haue I Arondell and Morglay, I wyll vndertake that way:that] the O. Be Bradmond nevure so wroth ne wood, I shall geve hym strokys good!'geve h. st.] make my parte O. 'Where to,' sayd Ermyn, 'said þou so?to] fore O. said] thynkest O. He is thy ffrend and not thy ffoo:Thou shalt but on message go: O. Take an easy hakeney, That may bere the be the wev,be the w.] easely away O. Hit ffallith no messingere to ledemessager for to O. To vncouth lond suche a stede!To vnc. l.] So vncomly O. But, Beves,' he said, 'thou shalte swere,he s.] om. O. shalte] me add. O. Thou wylte be trewe, my letter to bere;Thou—trewe] That thou shalt truly O. to] om. O. As thou arte trew man and sele, Vndo not the prynte of my seale!'seale] brefe O. 'Nay,' said Beues, 'be Cryste on rode!'be Cr. on] on christen O. He toke the letter, and forth he yodethe] hys O. he] om. O. On an ambelynge hakeney;Upon O. At home he lefte Arondell and Mor|glay.Leuing at home O. Iesu hym counsell and rede:couns.] comfort O. On hym selfe he beryth his dede!Upon O. selfe] om. O. his] owne add. O. Alas, that he ne wiste ryght nought Of all the treason, that was wrought: But god, that died ffor man be name, Saue his body ffro dedly shame!1017—1020 om. O. Leve we sall of Beves here,sall] now O. And speke we of his eme, sir Sabere.sir] om. O. After that Beues was fro hym sold, Hys hert waxid ffor hym ffull cold,waxid—ffull] for him waxed O. And callid to hym his son TerryAnd] He O. And bad hym wend to asspye In to Sarzins lond ffar and nere,In] om. O. lond] bothe add. O. Yf he myght ought of Beues here: 'A palmers wede thou shalte were,A] om. O. So may thou best after hym inquere!'maist O. better O. inq.] spere O. Than toke he hym tresoure I-nough to spend,Than t. he] He gaue him O. I-n.] for O. By that were gone, god more wyll send.Whan O. gone] done O. more w.] may more O. Forth gan child Terry ffareForth] than add. O. To hethynnes, till he come thare,heth.] Sarasyns lande O. In meny londis he hath hym sought,londis] a lande O. hym s.] fought O. But of Beues harde he nought,he herde O. Till it be-ffell vppon a day, As afterwarde I shall you say; Turne we ageyne, there we were be-fore,ageyne] om. O. And speke we of sir Beues more!And—Beues] Of Beuys of Hampton speke we O. Beues rode fforth a softe pacesofte] om. O. Towarde the Cite of Damace; He rode two days and nyȝtes bothe,two] om. O. He restid hym not, with oute othe;He r. h.] And rested O. He rode as faste as he myght ride, Tyll the thrid morowe tyde,Tyll the th.] Two or thre O. And than leste he bothe ete and drynke,And] om. O. he b.] hym bothe to O. As euery man doth after swynke;euery] a wery O. sw.] thynke O. Slepe he mvste, as the romans tellis,mvste] lysted O. That nyght he gate nought ellis.nyght—nought] myght he gete and no thynge O. Beues lay down and slepte a stound And leyd his face vnto the ground.And lete his hors bayte on the grounde C. Whan he wakyd of his slepe,awoke O; out add. O. No more he bode, but vp he lepe,But no (!) M. more] lenger O. but] so O; om. M. he] dyd O. And as Beues fforth rode,And as B.] Beuys than O. In a foreste ffeire and brodeIn] Towarde O. He sye a palmer sitt hym nere With bred and wyne at his dynere;at] to O. Bakyn curlews had he thre,he had O. Thouȝe he were pore on to see.on to] so O; vnto M. The palmer saw, Beues was knyght,was] a add. O. And avayled his hat, as it was ryght,valed O. hat] bonet O. And seid: 'Sir, ffor love myne,And] The palmer O. sir ffor] fayre O. Ys it thy wyll, to come and dyne?'thy] your O. 'There of,' said Beues, 'I am ffull ffayn: For hunger hath me almoste slayn!'1065 f.: For my wyl is moche gyuen to the, Therfore it forgyueth me, That thou shalt wysshe me, withouten fayle, To a man, for whome I trauayle!' Beuys saide agayne ful fayne: 'Hunger hath done me moche peyne!' O. Beues ete and dranke gret plente,gret] ful gode O. Whill he wold there at be;wold] syt and add. O. Than to speke Beues be-ganne: 'Palmer,' he said, 'arte thou a cryston man? Where was thou borne? tell it me,was th.] thou were O. it] thou O. And what thou doiste in this contre!' Said the palmer, I vnderstond,Than saide O. That he was borne in Englond,he] I O. At South-Hampton vppon the see, 'And I come to this contre,I am come O. To seche after a child, I-plight:I-pl.] ryght O. Beues ffor sothe he hight;Beues—he] That Beuys of South-Hamp|ton O. I shall hym seke, till I hym ffynd, Right vnto the worldus end,Right vnto] Thoughe I hym seke to O. To bryng hym in to Englond, To helpe my fader with dyntte of hond!'dyntte of] his O. Agaynst his stepfader for to fyght, To wynne his heritage and his right.' add. O. 'What hight thy fader, sir palmere?'sir] om. O. He said: 'Men call hym sir Sabere;He said] Syr O. sir] om. O. He is Beues eme, be my liffe, For hym he is in moche stryffe;1085 f.: He hath ben euer in stryfe Syth syr Guy of Hamptons lyfe. O. I lefte hym in an yle good, Be-closud it is with salte flood,Be-cl. it is] Closed about O. salte] the se O. And euery other day, sertayn,other] yere a O. He fyght with sir Mordoure of All|mayn, That with hym holdith gret baronage, To wynne Beues heritage.1091 f.: For to wynne his heritage He doth for hym great viage. O. Tell me nowe, yf thou can,nowe] syr O. And wise me ryght to such a man!'And] om. O. to such a] vnto that O. Than said Beues with myld chere: 'I haue known Beues this vii yere:I—vii] Beuys haue I knowen this X O. Hit is not yet iiii days at all,yet] om. O. thre O. at] wyth O Sethyn we ete bothe in one hall;Seth.] That O. ete] were O. There is no man, be goddus ore, In cristondome, that I love more, And he told me ffor thy,We were felawes and certaynly O. That his ffader hight sir Gye.'That] He tolde me O. 'Sir,' said the palmer, 'that is he: For goddus love, let me hym se!' 'Nay,' said Beues, 'it may not be so,Nay s. B.] Beuys saide O. For in message mvste I goo;in] on O. And wend thou forth to Englond ageyn,And—forth] But go thou home O. And helpe thou thy fader with all thy mayn,thou] om. O. all thy] myght & O. For whan I haue my message done, I wyll speke with sir Beues sonewyll] shal O. sir] om. O. And tell hym of this tythandof this t.] this, I vnderstande O. And make hym hye in to Englond:hye] hym add. O. Par chaunce, ffor Beues is my ffrend,ffor] om. O. I shall with hym in to Englond wend!'in] om. O. 'Sir,' said the palmer in his langage, 'Wheþer go ye in message?'in] on O. 'To kyng Bradmond,' said Beues, 'I wend,To—Beues] He saide: 'To kynge Bradmonde O. He is my ffoo and not my ffrend.'He] Whyche O. Said the palmer: 'Yf thy wyll be,The palmer saide O. thy] it your O. Wilte thou let me thy letter see?'Wilte—thy] Let me a lytel your O. Said Beues: 'Nay, as haue I rest or roo, So couth I my selfe haue do;1121 f.: Nay, saide Beuys, so mot I go, So thought I nat my selfe to do! O. Shall it never on-done be, Tyll the kyng hym selfe it se!'the—selfe] kynge Bradmonde hath O. They toke theire leve ffor to go,ffor to] and forthe gan O. And yche ffrome oþure gan parte thoo.Eyther kyssed other of them two O. The palmer went to Englond warde And Beues rode fforth swith hardefforth s. h.] sone forwarde (!) O. Towarde the cite of Damas, That was a ffull ffeyre space;place O. All the wyndowes and all the wallisFor al O. all] om. O. With cristall was peynted, chamber and hallis,With—chamber] Were painted wyth golde bothe toures O. Pelouris and durris were all of brasse,al were O. With laten sett and with glasse;With—and] Wyndowes of latyn were se (!) O. Hit was so riche in many wyse, That it was like to paradise.to] a O. Aboute the place lay a diche,lay] there was O. For brodder and depper was none it liche;In brede and depenesse there O. it] om. O. Ouer that a brygge lay,that] the dyke O. brygge] there add. O. That man and beste myght passe away. Vnder the bryg was syxte bellus,were O. As the story of Beues tellis,As—Beues] Ryght as the romayns O. That there myght passe no thing,passe no th.] no man passe in O. But the bellis began to rynge, To warne them, that were with in1144 f. om. O. Thorough the ryngyng of that gynne.Thorough—that] But al they range wyth a O. At the Bryge stode a toure,bryge] ende add. O. Peynted with gold and asure,and] with add. O. Riche it was to be-hold,was it O. There on stode an egull of gold; His eyn were of precious stoneswere] al add. O. Off gret vertue ffor the nones. The stones were so riche and bright, That al the place shone of lyght. add. O. Whan Beues was nere at the Cite,at] om. O. Of that place than mervelid he,than] om. O. For sethyn that Beues borne was,tha M. Sye he never so ffeire a place.so f.] suche O. Whan Beues was the Cite withinwas] cam O. A gret araye he sye be gynne,A g. a.] Great myrthe and noise O. As sarzins shold make theire sacryfice To theire mawmettes in theire gise;in] so O; and M. th. g.] this wyse O. And Beues come nere, ffor to see,And] om. O. nere] them add. O. And he said: 'What devill do ye?And] om. O. devill] of hel add. O. Why make ye Mahound this present And so disspice god omnipotent?so] om. O. I shall wytt, so haue I roo,so—roo] or that I go O. What Mahound can say or doo!'do O; goo M. Beues lepe to Mahounlept vnto O. And pullid hym right to the groundAnd toke hym ryght by the crowne O. And caste hym in myddus the myre,And] He O. myd.] of add. O. And he bad hem take her syre.he—her] bad them take vp theyr O. The Sarzins, that be Beues stode, For Ire and tene waxid wood,ire—wax.] very angre were nere O And they swore all, he shold abyeAnd] om. O. swore] saide O. For disspysinge of theire mawmentrye.dissp. of] he despysed O. There was no more than to say,than to say] vnto hym saide O. But all at onys to Beues they lay;to B.] on hym O. layde O. Beves sye, that theire swordus they drowe,Beuys than his swerde drewe O And all that wold abide, he slowe. The crye arose in the Cite,Than rose a crye O. Sarsins gaderid gret plenteThe Sar. O. And presud faste to sir Bevoun,They presed about Beuys tho O. For he had disspised Mahown.Mah.] so add. O. Beues sye that and toke a stoure, And at eche stroke he ffellid ffoure;And] om. O. Withe the Sarzins he faught so faste, That two hunderid to ground he caste;to] the add. O. With in a litull while men myght metelit.] om. O. Sarzins fleynge in yche a strete,yche a] the O. To haue socoure of theire kynge, And there they told hym this tydinge1189 f.: Vnto the palays they ran fleinge, For to haue socour of the kynge. O. And said: 'Sir, we be anoyed,They sayde: Syr kynge, we ar sore noyed O. The Cite is nere hand distroyedThe] Your O. Thorough a knyght, that is heder comyn,hyder is O. Cure god ffrome vs he hath nomengoddys hath he from vs O. And tredith hym vnder his fetetroden them O. In the dirte amyddus the strete,dirte am.] foule myre of O. And all thy men hath he slayne,he hath O. That eny thing dyd hym ageyn.eny thing dyd] euer faught O. Sir kyng, but we haue helpe of the,helpe] some counsel O. He shall distroye all this Cite!'wyl O. the O. Said kyng Bradmond: 'Be my hode,Kynge Bradmonde saide O. He is a devill or he is wood; What he is, I wyll go see: Arme you tite and come with me!'tite] ryght O. Forth they went, all the route, Of that place they passud oute,Of the palays without dout O. Right on the bryge, the Romans seys,seys] so O; tellis M. They met Beues inwarde the paleys.Beues inw.] into O. Whan Beues sye the kyng with crown, On his knees he set hym downset hym] kneled O. And gave hym his letter with his hond;his] the O. with] in O. He said: 'Iesu, that is all weldand,He] And O. weld.] I vnderstande O. That shope all this world rounde,this] the O. world] so add. O. He geve the sorowe, kyng Bradmond!He] so O; They M. Bothe Mahound and ApolyneBut O. And Turmagawnte, all goddus thyne,all] be O. They geve the theire blessynge, That is shorte liffe and evill endyng! Well the gretys kynge Ermyne And sendith the a letter in parchemyne;And] He O. a] this O. He byddith the, thou do his byddyng, As thou arte a trewe kynge!'1221 f.: And byddeth the his byddinge do, Ryght as thou art sworne hym to.' O. The kyng toke at Beues this dedetoke—this] of Beuys receyued the O. And toke it a clerke ffor to rede;toke] gaue O. it] to add. O. ffor] om. O. The letter bad, that he shold Beues sloo,that] om. O. Beues] hym O. And that he shold not away goo:away goo] passe hym fro O. 'For, sertes, yf that he passe away,that] om. O. He wyll distroye all oure laye!' Whan kyng Bradmond herd this,herd] al add. O. He made moche Ioy and blisHe was therof ful glad iwys O. And said: 'Beues, welcome be this day,And] He O. be th. d.] to court with shame O. For sone thy songe shall be: welawey!We shal lerne the a newe game O. Thou arte he, that made me thrall And sethyn sloweste my men all,And s. sl.] Me and O. Thou slowe my men and brought to ground Fyftene thousand in a litull stoundTwenty O. And haste disspised seynt MahounAnd hast in despyte slayne Mahounde O. And slayne my men in this town!slayne] om. O. town] stounde O. But Mahoun, blessud mvste thou be,But blessyd mot Mahounde be O. That the hathe send heder to me,hath the O. For now I shall be vengid soneshall] wol O. wroken O. Of all the sorowe, thou haste me done!sorowe] treason O. But wyte me not, Beues, thy turment,wyte] blame O. thy t.] in thyn entent O. But wyte hym, that the heder sent:blame O. Sone he me bad, thou shold be slaynSone—thou] Some saide, he O. And never more come there ageyn!'And some saide, he shulde be quycke flayne O. Than som bad drawe hym thorowe the Cite,Than] om. O. And som bad hange hym on a tree, And euer stode Beues still and herdAnd—and] Styl stode Beuys and them O. All the treason, how it fferd.Of al that O. ffarid M; fared C. 'Sir kynge,' he said, 'is it thy rede,is it thy] it is no O. To Iuge me to a doggis dede?to] om. O. A knyght I am, as well as thou,you O. There fore take thy counsell noweyour O. And graunte me armour and stede, Sworde and spere at my nede,Shelde O. at my] gode at O. Seker helme and stalworth sheld,Sure O. And brynge me save in to the ffeld, And arme thy men lesse and more, Sixte thousand yf they wore,hundred O. And let me dye in batell right,Than O. As maner is of a doughty knyght!'noble O. The Sarzins then cried all,Than the Sarazyns O. And to theire kyng can they callAnd to th.] Unto the O. And said, 'He shall thy men down fold,And] They O. Yf thou graunte hym this batell bold:Yf] that add. O. this] om. O. Graunte hym preson thorouȝ oure redethorouȝ] by O. And hold hym there, till he be dede,And h. h.] Let hym be O. For in youre preson are dragons twobe O. And oþer wormes meny moo,And] Wyth O. And were he in preson brought,And] om. O. in] into your O. Vnto none of day levith he nought.of—he] he lyueth O. Brynge hym theder, as we can,as we c.] they al saide then O. And not in ffeld amonge thy men!'thy] your O. Than be-spake kynge Bradmond:spake O. 'Faste brynge you hym to grounde,Faste—to] Bringe hym lyghtly to the O. For he shall dye with moche sorowe, All cristondomeshall hym not borowȝe!'nat hym O. Aboute Beues than can they dryve,than] om. O. As Bees done aboute an hyve, And Beues sye no better bote,And] Whan O. none other rest O. He wold with hem no more mote.Than he began to do his best O. With his sword he stode at deffence Ageyn them all in presence.Agaynst O. in] theyr add. O. Sir Beues ffought so wonder-faste,so w. f.] al to wonder O. Tyll his sworde in sonder braste;brast in sonder O. 'Alas,' said Beues, 'and welawaye, For now I lake my good MorglayeFor—my] Nowe want I O. And Arondell, my good stede: Alas, helpe now at this nede!'1289 f. om. O. But not ffor thyȝe sir Bevoun,not f. th.] neuerthelesse O. Beuys O. With his ffistus he ffellid hem down;Brought to grounde wyth his fystes O. Sixte Sarzins to ground he caste, Sethyn his sword in sonder braste,Sethyn] After that O. in s.] dyd O. And euer they folowyd moo and mooAnd] But O. fol.] gadred O. And toke Beues with moche woo; They bound his handus to geder faste,his—geder] togeder his handes so O. At yche ffynger the blood oute braste;At—the] That al his fyngers on O. They led hym sithen in to the hallsithen] than into O. And set hym in a knyghtes stall; A knyght hym ffed with mete and drinkewith] of O. And all that he wold after thinke.And a. th.] What euer O. The kyng bad hym ete ffaste:hym] Beuys O. 'For this,' he said, 'shall be thy laste!' And hunderyd sarzins and moo Were aboute Beues with swordus thoo,Stode O. Yf in chaunce his bondis braste,In chaunce if O. bon.] handys out O. That he shold make hem all agaste.That] Lyst O. hem all] them O. Whan Beues had etyn and made hym glad, In to preson they hym led.to] the add. O. Whan he was down in preson ground,down in] at the O. Beues handis they on-bound,Beues] Sone his O. For of hym they were bothe seker and traste,For than were they sure and fast O. That he shold nevure make ham agaste.nev.] nat O. them O. In to preson whan he come down,to] the O. There he ffound a shorte trunchown; In his hand he it vp toke,vp] om. O. It savid his liffe, thus saith the boke.It] And O. thus] so O. A water thorough the preson ranne,the] that O. That bare the ffilth of that man;That b.] To voyde O. of th.] from any O. He had nat ben there but a whyle, Nat the mountenaunce of a myle, add. O. Two dragons of moche myghtThe two O. Ageyn hym come ffor to ffight;Ag. h.] Agaynst syr Beuys O. ffor] om. O. Fast he ffaught, bothe he and they,he] om. O. All the nyght and all the day, That thes two dragons never blanne;That] om. O. two] om. O. bl.] left of, truly O. By that was Beues a wery man.Tyl Beuys was both sore and wery O. But by the oþure day at nonethe] that O. Bothe dragons were for-done;Bothe] These two O. His staff was brokyn all awey,all] nere O. A litull in his hond lafte aye.hond] was add. O. When the two dragons were dede,the] these O. Beues couthe no better rede,Than coude Beuys O. But thankyd god, that all can wynne,god] Iesu O. can] shal O. Of the sorow that he was ynne,Of] al add. O. care O. And thankyd god of all his care.om. O. Sevyn wynter was he thare;yere O. Mete ne drynke had he no more,ne—no] he had neuer O. His liffe that tyme to restore,om. O. But onys on the day, with oute lees, Of bran he had a sympull messe,Of] whete add. O. sympull] om. O. For to lengith with his liffe,with] al add. O. In penaunce and in moche stryffe.penurye O. in] om. O. Bred ne corne he ete none,ne] of O. ete he O. But water had he good one; But w. he had greet wone O. Rattes and myce and suche smal dere Was his mete that seuen yere. add. O. Thus is Beues at the pittes ground:is] so O; om. M. pit.] pryson O. God bryng hym vp hole and sound!vp] out both O. Speke we nowe of Iosyan, that may,nowe] om. O. How she to her fader dyd say;she] om. O. dyd] she gan O. 'Sir,' she said, 'where is he?Sir] Beuys add. O. For it is longe, sith I Beues see!'Ful longe me thinketh, tyl I hym se O. 'Doughter,' he said, 'I vnderstond, Beues is gone in to EnglondBeu.] He O. gone] home add. O. And levith there on his heritage,There lyueth he in O. And hath a wiffe of gret parage:lynage O. The kynges doughter weddyd hath he,The] A O. As marchauntes hath told me!'A marchaunt, iwys, so tolde it me O. Than was Iosyan woo I-nouȝe, Her here she all to-drewȝe: 'Yf it be sothe, my fader me told, Alas, that I ne were cold!' She wepte and said euer moo, That som treason was I-do, That he ne told me, whan he went, For he was bothe good and gent!1357—1364: Than was Iosian ful of wo And to hyr chamber dyd she go. She wept sore (for syr (fyr (!) ms) Beuys Alas, she saide, some treason there is! There is no man can tel the sorowe, That she made bothe euen and morowe. O. Of Mombraunte kynge Yuore, A riche kynge of gret honowre, Whan he in to the wer wold, Fyftene kynges folowe hym shold;1367 f. om. O. He is come Iosyan to wed,He] om. O. For with her fader sone he sped,For with] And of O. sone] hath O. That he her graunted to his wiffeHe graunted hyr vnto O. his] so O; om. M. And all his londis after his liffe.londe O. Whan Iosyan wiste to be a quenewiste—a] herde she shulde be O. Ageyn her will, as I wene,Agaynst O. as] it was O. Lever her were to haue lesse,Leuer she had withouten lesse O. And for to Be Beues countes,And—Be] To haue ben syr O. But never the lesse, now it is so,But] om. O. now] syth O. was O. Her faders wyll she mvst do;Agaynst hyr fader she durst nat do O. In to chamber there she went, And sore she wepte, verament; Mekyll she wepte and made mone And said to her goddus ychone: 'Now that Beues wyll me forsake, That shold be my worldus make, I wyll ffor-sake hym nevure the more For none oþure kynges lore, For my hert seith me sone, That som treason is I-done, For he nevure told me, whan he went; He is so curtes and so gent, And for that he was so good, I love hym as my herte blood; For his love was so gent, I wold thorough a chauntment, A litull girdull to make me, That shall aboute my medull be. I wyll adaunte never more To no hethyn kyngis lore, Will I never haue to done On suche maner with no man, I wyll never so on-trew be, As Beues is in his contree!' Tho it to the tyme sped.Tho] To M. That kyng Yuore shold her wed, He let send, with oute encheson, To the Soudan of Babilon And after the XV kynges, That to hym shold do bowinge, And they shold come to his heste, For to honoure all his feste. Of his ffeste I wyll not tell, For than I shold to longe dwell, But to the fest they yede.fest] written in blacker ink above the line. M. Tho he wold lepe on his stede, Men brought cartus and somers, Knyghtes hors and squiers, And Iosyan was brought in a chare; They toke theire leve ffor to fare. The kyng Ermyne toke Arondell And made hym be sadullid swyth well, With add. M.Arondell, so god me saue, That was wont Beues to haue. Arondell made gret pryde: He wend, Beues shold on hym ryde. He yode to the chamber, there Beues lay, And he toke his sword, þat hight Morglaye, And the hors toto above the line. kyng Yuore ledto] written above the line. M. With that sworde and to hym said: 'Son,' he said, 'haue here this sworde, The beste, that eny man may with girde, Also haue here this stede, The beste, that any man hath at nede! I tell the, be goddus son, Both were Beues of Hampton; He ne wold yeve hem oute of his hond For all the gold in payneme lond!' 'In trouth,' than sayd kynge Iuore, 'Nother I ffor all the tresoure, That I myght in this toure loke!' Said kynge Ermyn: 'Well thow it broke!' So there they can her hors be-stride, And to Mombraunt can they ride, To Mombraunte, the cite riche, In hethynnes is none it liche; Hit and Damas hath the price, There that Beues in preson lies.1379—1446: Euer she sayde: 'Syr Beuys, Kynde knyght of South-Hampton is, Haddest thou me neuer forsake, But some treason it dyd make: I shal neuer so vntrue be, As thou art, Beuys, vnto me; I shal go make me a wrytte Thoroughe a clerke wyse of wyt, That there shal no man haue grace, Whyle that letter is in place, Agaynst my wyl to lye me by Nor do me shame nor velany!' She dyd the letter sone be wrought On the maner, as she had thought, About hyr necke she hanged it, She wolde nat begyle Beuys yet. Whan it was to the tyme sped, That kynge Iour shuld be wed, He sent after, withouten mo, The Sowdan of Babylon tho And after the Sowdan of Percy: What nedethe, theyr names to discryc? He prayed them, wyth hym to be, Whan he shuld wed that lady fre. Whan the feste shulde begynne, Euery knyght went to his ynne; Whan the feste was al done, Kynge Ioure wolde home go With Iosian, that lady bright, That was true both day and nyght. Iosian was brought to chare With great thought & moche care. Kynge Ermyne toke Arundel And saddled hym fayre and wel; He toke wyth hym gode Morglay, And to kynge Iour gan he say: 'Haue here, I gyue the this stede, Stalworth and gode at euery nede, Haue here Morglay of stele browne: They longed both to Beuys of Hampton!' Kynge Iour hym thanked then And rode forth before his men. O. Tho they were com ny Mombraunte,Whan O. com ny] nere O. He swore be sir Termagaunte,He] The kynge O. sir] om. O. That he wold to town rideto t.] into the cyte O. On Arondell be-fore the bryde.the] his O. The hors he nome be his side And anon he can hym be-stride; So sone in the sadull he satt, Arondell this vnder-yate, That Beues sat not on his ryge: The kynge sore it shold abyge. Arondell sore was in grame, The brydull with the teth he name1451—1458: On Arundel he was vp brought, But Arundel was wel bethought, That it was nat syr Beuys, That was vpon his backe, iwys. O. And ran ouer ffeld and corneAnd r.] He lept O. ffeld] dyche O. and] ouer add. O. And ouer the diches and ouer the thorne;And—diches] Ouer brere O. the] om. O. Nother in water ne in lond For no thinge wold he stond. Youore, that on hym sat tho, Wend, his liffe had be do; All this kyngdome myȝt on-nethe Kepe hym ffro the dethe, And or they myght that hors wynne, They hym toke with gret gynne. A wonders thinge ye may here: In that ilke VII yere To a Rak his stede he tied; Was no mete ne drinke to hym laid,1461—1472: He wolde neuer stynt rennynge, Tyl he had cast downe the kynge. So sore to grounde he hym cast, That his backe al tobrast, And hat nat soner come socour, He had slayne kynge Iour. They toke the hors wyth moche slyght And led hym to the palays ryght; Wyth great ropes they hym bounde, There was no mete before hym founde, O. Hey, bred ne water clere,Hey, bred] Neyther otes O. But be a cord thorouȝe a selere. Durste no man be hym stond, There the hors stode in bond.1474—1476: There he stode that seuen yere, But that Iosian hym brought, And that wyst the kynge right nought, For his men coude no rede, Wyth hunger nor thyrst peyne hym to dede. O. Now is Iosyan a quene, Beues in preson hath moche tene.And B. O. hath] wyth O. 2071 ff.: Beuys sayde: 'Bretherne dere, For what thynge abyde ye here?' They answerde hym, that there stode: 'We stande here, for to haue some gode!' Beuys sayde: 'Who shal vs gode do?' 'The quene,' they sayde, 'we byleue so, For al that she hathe fonde here, Euery day this seuen yere, Gode chere she dothe them make Onys on a day for goddys sake, And also she dothe it, by my crowne, For Beuys loue of Hampton.' Than sayde Beuys: 'For Crystes ore, Tel me nowe, ye palmers pore, Whan this almys shal be done!' 'Syr,' they sayde, 'at after-none!' Beuys sayde: 'Yet is it but erly day!' Therfore he went fro them away; He thought, he wolde go spye & se, Howe that it myght best be. Than, as he cam by a turret, That in the castel wal was set, He herde Iosian wepe and crye; Theder than went he to espye. 'Alas,' she sayde, 'for syr Beuys, He gentyl knyght of South-hampton is: Wheder I shal neuer se that day, That I wyth hym speke may? But Iesu Cryste, I the pray, Helpe me nowe, as thou best may!' This seuen yere euery day Iosian, that fayr may, Was wont, suche sorowe for to make For syr Beuys of Hamptons sake. Sone after she went to the gate thore, For to let in the palmers pore. Beuys hyed fast to the gate, Lyst he shulde haue come to late; The palmers presed in fast, Beuys abode and was the last. Unto the hal she led them than; Than vnto Beuys sayde Iosian: 'Palmer, thou semest best to me, Therfore men shal worshyp the: Begyn the borde, I the pray, Thou semest best, withouten nay!' Whan the palmers were al set, Mete and drynke was to them fet; Than dyd Iosian to Beuys say: 'Tel me, palmer, by thy fay, Hardest thou euer tel, In any londe, there it befel, Eyther in felde or ellys in towne, Of syr Beuys of Hampton? I shal make hym ryche, wythout lesynge, That can tel me of hym tydynge!' 'Ye, dame,' sayde Beuys and loughe, 'Syr Beuys knowe I wel ynoughe: At home in his owne cuntre I am an Erle and so is he; There he loued me wel I-wys, He was my felawe and I was his. At home he gan me moche tel Of an horse, called Arundel. I haue asked in many a londe For that horse, I vnderstonde, I haue hym sought both farre and nere, But euer men say, that he is here: Ryght as ye loue that same knyght, Late me haue of that horse a syght!' Than the quene, without fable, Led Beuys into the stable. The quene began Beuys to beholde; Than vnto Bonyface she tolde: 'I trowe,' she sayde, 'by my crowne, This is syr Beuys of Hampton; But Beuys browe was neuer torne, Sythe he was of his moder borne!' Whan Beuys into the stable cam, Lyghtly to Arundel he ranne; He sayde: 'Arundel, god the saue, Without the towne I wolde the haue! Wyth the come I neuer to Mambraunt, But with me thou shuldest to England!' He brast in sonder cheynes seuen, Whan he harde Beuys steuen; Of the stable ran he out, And many one put he in great dout. 'Alas,' sayde Iosian tho, 'For Arundel I am ful wo, For he wyl be many a mannys bane, Ere that he agayne be tane!' 'Nay, nay,' sayde Beuys and loughe, 'I can take hym wel ynoughe; So that ye wyl gyue me leue, I shal hym take wythout greue!' To take the horse she hym prayde: 'And lede hym vp!' the lady sayde, 'Let there be no more dystaunce, And I shal after the auaunce!' 'I graunt,' sayde Beuys, 'by goddys dome!' Whan Arundel sawe his lorde come, He wolde neyther stryke ne lope, Tyl Beuys fote was in the styrope. Beuys hym selfe in the sadyl threwe, And therby Iosian anon hym knewe; She sayde: 'Beuys, loue dere, Ryde nat fro me in no manere! Thou promysed, me to wyfe to take, Whan I my fals goddys dyd forsake: Helpe me, Beuys, at this nede, For thou hast Arundel, thyn owne stede; I shal the fetche thy swerde Morglay, And lede me, Beuys, wyth the away!' Syr Beuys sayde: 'By saynt Iame, If I the loue, I were to blame: For the I lay in pryson stronge Seuen yere, and that was longe; Also the patriarke on my lyfe Charged me, neuer to take wyfe, But if she were a mayden clene, And seuen yere thou hast ben quene, And euery nyght a knyght by the; Howe shuldest thou than a mayden be?' 'Mercy, syr Beuys,' than sayde she, 'Haue me home to thy cuntre: But ye fynde me a true woman In al that euer ye say can, Sende me hyder to my fo, My selfe naked and no mo!' 'I graunt,' sayde Beuys, 'that thou wyth me go, On that couenaunt, that it be so: Hye the fast and make the prest, If thou wyth me go lest!' Bonyface stode a lytel besyde And herde theyre counsel in that tyde; 'Syr Beuys,' he sayde, 'it is peryl; I shal you tel a better skyl: The kynge is gone on huntynge, certayne, And sone wyl he retourne agayne; If he fynde, we be a way, He wil pursue bothe nyght and day Wyth al his great chyualry; Than we for our trechery Thoroughe the towne shal drawen be And after hanged vpon a tre. Syr Beuys,' he sayde, 'I wyl you rede, Arundel to stable agayne ye lede, And at the gate ye shal abyde, For, whan the kynge doth in ryde, He wyl of you aske tydynges, I wene, In what cuntrees ye haue ben; Ye shal tel hym redely, That ye come out of Surry; Tel, that londe is greatly noyed, The townes brent & men destroyed, And that kynge Bradwyn is In poynt, to lese his londe, I-wys, Thoroughe kynge Syracke, wythouten fayle, Whyche often tymes doth hym as|sayle; Loke, ye tel hym none other, For kynge Bradwyne is hys broder, And whan he hereth this tydynge, He wyl go thyder wyth great hastynge With al his power and al is oste; Than may we go wyth lytel boste!' Than sayde Beuys: 'I holde me payde!' He led vp the horse as he sayde. Sone after cam the kynge from hunt|ynge, And at Beuys he asked tydynge; Vnto the kynge tolde Beuys thore, As Bonyface tolde hym before. 'I haue great wonder,' sayde kynge Iour, 'That he sendeth nat hyder for socour!' 'The messangers were taken fyue,' Syr Beuys sayde, 'by my lyue, That cam from kynge Bradwyne; I the tel by goddys pyne: Kynge Syracke hathe them in holde, I trowe, it be nat to Bradmonde tolde!' 'Certaynly,' sayde kynge Iour, 'I wyl haste me to that stoure, For to helpe to venge my broder In his ryght agaynst that other!' Than kynge Iour withe al his chyualry Forthe went vnto Surry, But his stywarde, syr Grassy, He left at home ful redely. Than cam togeder in that case Beuys, Iosian and Bonyface: 'Nowe is tyme,' sayde Beuys, 'to go!' 'Nay,' sayde Boniface, 'ye shal nat so: The kynges stywarde, syr Grassy, Is made kepar of my lady; I knowe a grasse,' he sayde, 'I-wys, That of suche vertue is, That who euer therof do drynke, It wyl make theyr iyen to wynke. This grasse shal make them slepe by myght Al a day and al a nyght: Had Grassy dronke this grasse in wyne, Than myght we go wyth counsel myn!' Whan Bonyface had done that thynge, Up they rose, wythout lesynge, On the morowe, wythouten mys, Iosian, Bonyface and Beuys, They purueyed them as they wolde, Bothe of syluer and of golde; They hyed them forthe on theyr way. Syr Grassy a-woke on the other day; Whan he wyst, the quene was gone Wyth the palmer, he made great mone. He made his men them to dyght,myde O. And gadred great power for to fyght. Than he rode forthe al by-dene After the palmer and the quene; Al Mambraunt after them droughe, Wepened and armed wel ynoughe; On euery syde a great rout. They beset Beuys rounde about. Than sayde Beuys to Bonyface: 'Thou seest, we be in straunge case: Thou shalt wyth Iosian abyde here styl, Tyl I go fyght wyth them my fyl; They shal abye, if that I may, For I haue rested me many a day; Had ye neuer so gode gamynge,euer O. As ye shal se, whan we ar samynge!' 'Nay,' sayde Bonyface tho, 'Forsothe, it shal nat be so, I shal brynge you in lesse dout: We ar beset rounde about; A lytel space besyde vs here Is a caue in a roche nere; Were we onys therin brought, For them al I care ryght nought!' To the caue nowe haue they thought, Grassy sought and fonde them nought, And therfore he was ful wo; Therfore agayne home-warde dyd he go. In that caue they were al nyght Wythout mete or drynke, I you plyght; Iosian on the morowe hungred sore And vnto Beuys complayned therfore. Beuys sayde to Bonyface: 'Kepe here Iosian in this place, And I wol on this hyl go, If I may any beste slo, That we may on the coles cast, For Iosyan may nat wel fast!' Forthe went Beuys in that stounde Wyth hym he led a gode grehounde. Than, whan syr Beuys went them fro, Into the caue cam lyons two, Grennynge and rampynge wyth theyr fete, And bothe on Bonyface gan they lepe; His hors vnto hym he droughe And armed hym wel ynoughe; He gaue them batayle for to fyght, But al to lytel was his myght, For anone they hym slewe And hym and his hors al to-gnewe. Whan they had eten of that man They went bothe vnto Iosian And layde theyr hedes in hyr barme, But they wolde do hyr no harme, For it is the lyons kynde, I-wys, A kynges doughter, that mayden is, Hurt nor harme none to do; Therfore lay these lyons so. Whan Beuys cam from huntynge, In the caue, at the begynnynge,begynnyge (!) O. As he went in-warde for the nonys, He sawe a man gnawen al to the bones; Into the caue than went he, To se, what case there myght be; Iosian sat in moche dout And two lyons hyr about. 'Gode syr,' sayde Iosian tho, 'Come venge me of these lyons two, For ryght nowe haue they slayne Bonyface, my chamberlayne; The one lyon wyl I holde, Whyle ye make the other colde!' About the necke she toke the one, But Beuys bad hyr lat hym gone: 'I say, Iosian, let them ben! I se, thou art a mayden clene: What maystry is it, them to slo, In bondes whan thou holdest them so? Late them come to me both, Or ellys, forsothe, I wol be lothe!' She lete go the lyon, wythout mys. And bothe they assayled syr Beuys. Stronge and perylous was that fyght Bytwene the lyons and the knyght; They gaue hym woundes longe & wyde And tare his armour on euery syde. Beuys loked on Iosian, And suche a confort toke he than, That, thoughe the lyons were grym and lothe, At one stroke he slewe them both. For Bonyface ful wo was he, But whan he sawe, no bote wolde be, He toke vp Iosian in that tyde And on his way forth gan ryde. They had nat ryden but a whyle, Nat the mountenaunce of a myle, But they met wyth a geant Wyth ful sory semblant. This geant was bothe myghty & stronge And fully thrytty fote longe;lenge O. He was brysteled lyke a sowe, A fote he had bytwene eche browe, His lyppes were great & hanged syde, His iyen were holowe, his mouth was wyde. Lothely he was to loke on than And lyker a deuyl than a man. His staf was a yonge oke, Harde and heuy was his stroke. Beuys wondred on hym ryght And hym enquyred, what he hyght, And if al the men of his cuntre Were as myghty and great as he. 'My name,' he sayde, 'is Ascaparde, Syr Grassy sent me hyder-warde, For to brynge you home agayne, And nowe I am very fayne, That I haue you here founde, For bothe togeder ye shal be bounde; Than shal I lede you to Mambraunt Wyth a ful sory semblaunt!' 'Yet,' sayde Beuys, 'thou mayst fayle: I shal fyrst sle the in batayle!' Of Arundel downe he lyght And toke hym to Iosian the bryght; Than Beuys wyth a bolde hart Wyth Morglay assayled Ascaparde; Bytwene them two was great fyght, Syr Beuys was bothe nemble and wyght And start away from his dynt, Whan Ascaparde at hym dyd mynt. If his hart shulde haue brast, He coude no stroke on Beuys fast, For, had he hyt syr Beuys onys, He wolde haue broken al his bonys.his his (!) O. Beuys skypped here and thore And gaue hym woundes wyde and sore; Than Ascaparde was ful wo And smote at syr Beuys tho, He smote, to hyt syr Beuys crowne, His fote fayled and he fel downe, And or that he aryse myght, Beuys was redy wyth his swerde bryght, To haue smyten of his hede, But Iosyan dyd it forbede: 'Syr,' she sayde, 'ye shal hym saue And late hym lyue and be your knaue!' 'Dame,' he sayde, 'he wyl vs betray!' 'I wyl be borowe,' she sayde, 'nay!' Ascaparde made Beuys homage And in that place becam his page. Than went they forthe al thre, Tyl they cam to the se; A dromonde fonde they redy thare, Into crystendome for to fare; There were Sarazyns great plente, That letted Beuys therin to be. Whan Ascaparde harde of that, Anone he toke hym to his bat 1 And droue them out wyth moche harme And bare Arundel vnder his arme; Beuys and Iosian to shyp he bare And drewe vp the sayle & made them fare. They sayled forth, soth to sayne, Unto the hauen of Coleyne. Beuys went into the londe, And sone a frende there he fonde: The bysshop of that towne, parcas, To syr Beuys besyb was. Syr Beuys gret wel the bysshop bolde, And, what he was, to hym he tolde. Than was the bysshop wel apayde: 'My dere cosyn, welcome!' he sayde; 'That I you se, I am ful fayne: Sothly, I wende, ye had ben slayne! Whens,' he sayde, 'is this lady shene?' Beuys sayde: 'Of hethenes a quene; For hyr I suffred moche peyne, And she wolde become crysten fayne!' 'What is,' sayde he, 'this bad vysage?' 'Syr,' sayde Beuys, 'he is my page: I pray you crysten hym also, Thoughe he be bothe blacke and blo!' The bysshop crystened Iosian, That was as whyte as any swan; For Ascaparde was made a tonne, And whan he shulde therin be done, He lept out vpon the brenche And sayde: 'Churle, wylt thou me drenche? The deuyl of hel mot fetche the: I am to moche, crystened to be!' The folke had gode game and loughe, But the bysshop was wrothe ynoughe. Beuys is nowe in Coleyne londe Thoroughe myght of Crystes honde; There he gate great renowne For the sleynge of a dragowne; For whan syr Launcelot du Lake Faught wyth the brennynge drake, Guy of Warwycke, I vnderstonde, Slewe a dragon in Northumberlonde; But suche a dragon was neuer sene, As syr Beuys slewe, I wene. Beuys went to bed a nyght With moche ioy and torches bryght, And after hys fyrst slepynge He herde a ruful cryenge; The voyce sayde in his crye: 'Lorde Iesu, haue on me mercy! I rotte,' he sayde, 'bone by bone, My deth is comynge me vpon!' Beuys had therof great sorowe And asked men there on the morowe, He asked them, what was that crye,aske O. They answered and tolde hym why; They sayde, it was a noble knyght, That was stronge and bolde in fyght, And as he rode out of the towne, He met wyth a fel dragon, That hath venym vpon hym throwe, There lyeth the knyght al to-blowe; And I shal tel you al the cas, Howe of the dragon the comynge was. In Calaber, as men tel, Were two dragons great and fel, These two dragons there dyd fyght Seuen yere bothe day and nyght, They destroyed both man and beste On euery syde, bothe west and este. There was a man in that londe, That was ful of goddys sonde; He prayed vnto god aboue, That he wolde for his moders loue Delyuer out by his holy grace These two dragons out of that place. Than these two dragons downe fel, They had no power there to dwel. Than flewe they to Tuskayne, Many men there haue they slayne, From Tuskayne vnto Lumbardye, There they dyd great velany. The one dragon, by goddys dome, Flewe vnto the court of Rome; He there rested his cursed bonys, In seuen yere he styreth nat onys; Men say, he is there yet, Enclosed wyth clerkes wyt. The other dragon, I vnderstonde, Flewe hyder to Coleyne londe; Wythin a clyue there lyeth he,clyue] myle O. But a myle from the se; In Coleyne londe al about They haue of hym great dout. That dragon was here this nyght And hath destroyed the foresayde knyght. 'Lorde Iesu Cryst,' sayde Beuys tho, 'May no man that dragon slo?' 'Nay,' they sayde, 'wythout fable, Al crystendome were nat able; But if Myghel from heuen come downe, Shal no man sle that dragon!' Beuys called Ascaparde hym to And asked hym, what was best to do; He sayde: 'Wylt thou wyth me go And assay, that dragon for to slo? Parchaunce, if we wyth hym fyght, We shal hym sle wyth goddys myght!' 'I am redy,' sayde Ascaparde, 'I the hyght: Haue do and go we thyder ryght!' Beuys hym armed and forth gan ryde And Ascaparde by his syde. Whan they were out of the cyte And nere the place, where they shulde be, The dragon kest vp a yelle, That it wolde haue frayed the deuyl of hel. Ascaparde sayde wyth heuy chere: 'Herest thou, mayster, what I here?' 'Yes,' sayde Beuys, 'haue no dout, The dragon is nere here about; Boldly to hym shal we go, Wyth goddys grace we shal hym slo!' Beuys rode forth a fast pase, Where he thought the dragon was. 'Forsoth, syr,' sayde Ascaparde tho, 'I wyl agayne home-warde go, For I wolde not for al pany Se the deuyl, that made that crye!' 'What deuyl,' sayde Beuys, 'art thou so mad? I wende, no thynge myght make the adrad; For shame shalt thou aferde be Of any thynge, or thou it se?' 'Syr,' he sayde with heuy chere, 'I wyl hym neyther se nor here!' 'Wel,' sayde Beuys, 'wylt thou so, I shal hym sle, or that I go!' Ascaparde ferther wolde nought, But Beuys rode forthe and sought, And whan the dragon, that foule is, Had a syght of syr Beuys, He cast vp a loude crye, As it had thundred in the skye; He tourned his bely agaynst the sonne, Whyche was as great as any tonne; His skales bryghter were than glasse And moche harder than any brasse; Bytwene his shulders and his tayle Was XL fote, wythouten fayle. He weltred out of his denne, Beuys pryked his stede then And to hym a spere he thrast, That al to sheuers it brast. Than dyd the dragon Beuys assayle And so sore smote hym wyth hys tayle, That to the grounde he hym cast And two of his rybbes he brast. Up stert Beuys wyth gode wyl And after ranne the dragon tyl; Than gode Morglay out he brayde And on the dragon fast he layde, But for no stroke, that he dyd smyte, Wolde nat Morglay on hym byte. The dragon was agreued sore And smote at Beuys more and more; There had he many a great wounde And often was felled to the grounde; What for wery and what for faynt, Syr Beuys was nerehande attaynt. The dragon sued on Beuys so harde, That, as he shulde haue fled bacwarde, There was a wel, so haue I wynne, And Beuys stumbled ryght therin; Than was Beuys aferde and wo, Lest the dragon wolde hym slo, Or that he myght away pas. Whan he in that wel was, Than was that wel of suche vertue Thoroughe the myght of Cryste Iesu, For som tyme dwelled in that londe A vyrgyn full of goddys sonde, That had ben bathed in that wel, That neuer after, as men tel, Myght venymous beste com therin, By the vertue of that vyrgyn, Nor nere it by seuen fote and more; Than was Beuys glad wythout sore. Whan Beuys sawe, the dragon fel Had no myght, to come nere that wel, Than was he glad, wythout fayle, And rested hym there for hys auayle. Than of that water he dranke his fyl And than lept out wyth gode wyl, And wyth Morglay, his bryght bronde, He assayled the dragon, I vnderstonde. Upon the dragon he smote so fast, Where euer he hyt, the skales brast. The dragon was ataynt sore And cast a galon and more Out of his mouthe of venym stronge, And on Beuys he it flonge; It was so venymous, I-wys, That, whan it was on syr Beuys, Al his armour brake that stounde, And Beuys fel dede to the grounde; There was no lyfe in hym sene, But lay as dede vpon the grene. The dragon smote Beuys, wythout fayle, That he turned hym top ouer tayle, But therof toke he no kepe, He lay as dede man on slepe; He smote Beuys, as I you tel, That he tumbled into the wel; That was of great vertue that tyme, For it wolde suffer no venyme, Thoroughe vertue of that vyrgyn That somtyme was bathed therin. Whan Beuys was at the wellys grounde, The water made hym hole and sounde And quenched the venym away, That wel saued hym that day. Whan Beuys felt hym hole and lyght And wyst that wel of so great myght, Than was he a ioyful man And was as fresshe, as whan he began. Than kneled he downe, the sothe to say, To Iesu Cryste gan he pray, That he wolde sende hym myght, To sle the dragon in that fyght. Beuys blessyd hym & forthe rode, He lept forth wyth hart ful gode. Than to the dragon he hyed is, And also the dragon to syr Beuys; Longe and harde was the fyght Bytwene the dragon and the knyght, But whan syr Beuys was hurt sore, He went to the wel & wesshed hym thore; He was as hole and sounde than As he was, when he began. The dragon sawe, it myght nat auayle, Besyde that wel to holde batayle; He thought, he wolde by some wyle Of that place Beuys begyle; He wolde haue flowen than away, Out Beuys lept after wyth gode Morglay And hyt the dragon vnder the wynge, Ryght as he was fleynge. There was he tender wythout skale, So Beuys thought, to be his bale; He smote after, as I you say, Wyth his swerde, gode Morglay, That in vnto the hyltes it yode, Thoroughe hert, lyuer, bone and blode, That to the grounde the dragon fel. Than gladder was Beuys, than tunge coude tel. Under the skale al on hyght The dragons hede he smote of ryght, And stake it vpon his spere, Out vnethys he myght it bere. Than towarde Coleyne he went that tyde Wyth moche ioy, myrthe and pryde. Whan they of the cyte sawe Beuys Come wyth the dragons hede, I-wys, Al the bellys gan they rynge. Prestes & clerkes agayne hym dyd synge. They brought Beuys so into the towne Wyth fayre processyon & great renowne. Than was Beuys in great honoure, Euery man had hym in fauour; In euery londe he praysed was And welcomed to euery place. Fayne was the bysshop tho, That syr Beuys had borne hym so. Beuys went vpon a day To the bysshops chamber, where he lay, And sayde: 'Syr, what is your rede? I wolde go venge my faders dede Of that wycked felon, That slewe my fader wyth treason; If I myght fynde auauntage, To wyn agayne myn herytage: Syr, ye be my faders broder, And syr Sabere is the other; Of you two wolde I haue counsayle, For, certys, that thefe wyl I assayle!' 'Syr,' sayde the bysshop anon ryght, 'Syr Saber is a doughty knyght; For euery yere a day certayne He fyghteth thy stepfader agayne Wyth great baronage, For to wynne thyn herytage. An hundreth men shalt thou haue of me, At thy nede for to socour the. Therfore go thou to Sabere ryght, For he is in the yle of Wyght!' 'I thanke you,' sayde Beuys, 'verely, But late these men be sone redy!' Syr Beuys anon rode than And toke his leue at Iosyan; He sayde: 'My lady, I must go, To be auenged on my fo, For to wyn into my honde Myn herytage and my londe, And here styl shalt thou be, And Ascaparde shal byde wyth the. Ye shal haue, or I wende, Money ynoughe for to spende!' Iosyan sawe, it wolde be so, She kyssed hym and forth gan go, Forth went Beuys wyth his route Of hardy men hym about, That the bysshop hym gaue, So longe on the se they draue, Tyl they cam to a towne, But two myle from South-hampton. Beuys sayde to his men tho: 'Is here any, that wyl go Unto syr Murdour of Almayne, And say, here is come a Brytayne, And doughty knyghtes, wythout dis|tauncee, The best of al the royalme of Fraunce, And say, we come into this londe, For we be done to vnderstande, That there shulde be great warre and fyght Bytwene hym and another knyght; And if he wol vs wyth hym holde, We wol defende hym as barons bolde, And if he wol nat do so, We wol to the other ga?' A knyght went forth on that message, That gentel was of his langage; Whan he cam to the castel gate, The porter lete hym in therat; Wnto syr Murdour was he lad, He tolde hym, as syr Beuys bad.He] And O. Syr Murdour than was ful fayne, He rose vp and went hym agayne, And brought syr Beuys into the hal And ful fayre welcomed them al. Beuys was syr Murdours fere, Forsoth, that nyght at soupere; His owne moder, wythout lesynge, Made syr Beuys great festynge. Murdour asked hym, what he hyght; 'Iarrarde,' he sayde, 'syr, I you plyght!' 'Iarrarde,' he sayde, 'I-wys, This countes had I or thys, An Erle hyr had, or I hyr wed, He gate a chylde on hyr in bed. Whan the erle to dethe was brought, The boy anon wexed ryght nought; For his fader was of symple blode, The boy neuer drewe to gode. So whan the boy cam to age, He solde to me his heritage, He spent the syluer with moche blame And went out of this londe for shame. Nowe cometh his eame, an hardy knyght, That dwelleth in the yle of Wyght, And chalangeth his heritage Wyth ful great baronage And oft tymes wyth his great rout Destroyeth our londe al about. This is the cause, Syr Iarrarde, That we warre togeder so harde.' Whan syr Murdour had al sayde, Beuys sate styl & was euyl apayde; He sayde: 'Lorde, whether shal I slo This fals traytour, or I go?' 'Nay,' he sayde, 'and reason, why: It wolde turne me to velany, For men myght wene be reason, That I hym slewe by gyle and treason; It wolde turne me to cowardyse, If I slewe hym in this wyse; I wyl hym nat here assayle, But I shal hym sle in playne batayle.' Whan Beuys a whyle had sytten styl, 'Syr,' he sayde, 'wol ye here my skyl? I haue hyder company brought, But in armour be they nought; They myght none armour wyth them lede, But if it noyed them, as they yede; And fewe horses, I-wys, haue we, We lete for cariage of the se: Lene me horse & armour then, Bothe for me & al my men, Let vs haue shyppynge to, And we shal to that yle go; This nyght I wyl lyue and dye On hym, that is thyn ennemye, And so wythin a lytel whyle Ye shal here a quaynt gyle!' Syr Murdour dyd, as Beuys hym bede, And lent his men armour and stede; He ordeyned them shyppynge gode And than brought Beuys vnto the flode. Than sayled they forth ryght, Tyl they cam to the yle of Wyght. Sabere out of his castel lay And harde moche noyse & great aray, He sawe, a shyp to londe was pyght Wyth an hundred hedes wyth helmes bryght; He had great wonder, what they were, But Beuys displayed his baner there,dyplayed (!) O. For to make syr Sabere chere Of hys fader, syr Guyes, armere, For many a tyme there beforne Were those armes in batayle borne. Sabere knewe the conysaunt, And therfore made he gode semblaunt, He sayde: 'Certys, I vnderstande, That yonder is Beuys come to lande!' Sabere went thyder in haste, There as the shyp was made fast; He welcomed Beuys, I-wys, And eyther gan other kysse. He thanked god of his grace, That Beuys was come into that place. Than forth went Beuys and Sabere Wyth theyre men al in fere; Beuys dyd his eame to wete, Howe his stepfader and he dyd mete, And Beuys asked forth wyth than, If that there were any man, That durst go as hote Unto Hampton in a bote 'And tel to syr Murdour ryght, That I am no frenche knyght, Nor he hyght nat syr Iarrarde, That made wyth hym that forwarde, But say, it was Beuys of renowne, The ryght heyre of South-hampton, And say, his countesse is my dame: The deuyl gyue them bothe shame! And say, I wyl auenged be Of that they dyd to my fader and me; And who so wyl this for me do, Wythout rewarde he shal nat go!' Up start a knyght wyth bolde vysage And vndertoke that same message; He armed hym also hot And was brought ouer in a bote. Whan he cam to the other syde, Unto the castel gan he ryde; He fonde syr Murdour at his soupere Wyth gode semblant and great chere. The knyght vpon his kne hym set, And curtesly syr Murdour he gret, He sayde: 'Syr Murdour, I the brynge Suche a certayne tydynge, That the knyght hyght nat Iarrarde, That made wyth the that forwarde, But he hyght Beuys of Hampton, He is thy ladyes owne sonne: I harde hym so to Sabere speke, His faders deth he wyl awreke And wyn agayne hys heritage Of them, that haue done hym outrage!' Whan syr Murdour herde that worde, He cast his knyfe ouer the borde, To haue hit the messangere, But he fayled, as ye may here, And smote his owne son in the brest, That he spake neuer wyth clerke nor preste. Than arose a noys and a crye, The messanger dyd hym thens hye, For it was nat gode, to byde there longe, Therfore he lept out them amonge. Than fayre and wel he gan hym dyght, Tyl he come to the yle of Wyght; He tolde syr Bèuys and syr Sabere, Howe syr Murdour sat at soupere, And his owne son for Ire he sloughe; Beuys therat had game and loughe, And gaue the messangere for his ty|dynge Syxty florens of rede golde shynynge. Late we of Beuys be styl than And speke we nowe of Iosyan, That in Coleyne dwelled styl; There she had nat al hyr wyl. There dwelled an erle, called Myle, In the londe of Coleyne that whyle; To Iosyan his loue he cast And wowed hyr wonder-fast,wondr O. But al his speche turned to nought, For he coude nat chaunge hyr thought. The erle was wroth in his manere, For she made hym no better chere; Than in ire downe he hym set And to Iosian spake wordes gret: 'I wyl do wyth the my wyl, Wheder it lyke the wel or yl!' 'Syr,' sayde Iosyan: 'thy boste late be: I drede the nat, so mot I the, For if thou go to the harde, I affye me in Ascaparde!' 'Certys,' than thought the erle Myle: 'I shal Ascaparde begyle!' Whan he sawe, he myght nat spede, Up he rose and forthe he yede; He made a letter be wryten ryght, On this maner it was dyght, From Beuys, as the letter wolde, That Ascaparde come sholde Unto a castel, that stode in an yle; It was from Coleyne but a myle. Whan Ascaparde herde that sonde, He toke his great staf in his honde And went forth with that messangere In great haste, tyl he cam there. Whan Ascaparde was within, The messangere was quaynt of gynne; Wythin he left Ascaparde And locked the gates after hym harde; Than rowed he to londe agayne And tolde syr Myle of that trayne. Than had erle Myle of no thynge drede, To Iosian agayne he yede; He sayde: 'Iosian, make no mone, For Ascaparde is fro the gone: In a castel within the se Locked fast, forsoth, is he!' Than was Iosian nat wel apayde, She called a messanger & to hym sayde: 'Go thou to shyp this same nyght And passe forthe to the yle of Wyght, And byd syr Beuys, for any thynge Come to me wythout lettyng, If he wyl haue me on lyue: Wherfore I pray the, go belyue; Thy rewarde I shal the pay, Spede the thyder wythout delay!' The messanger went on his way, There was no more to say. So Myles sone after than Cam agayne to Iosian And fyrst wolde haue lyne hyr by; 'I pray the, syr,' she sayde, 'mercy, For I haue sworne by goddys payne, That I shal neuer be belayne, Thoughe I therfore shulde lese my lyfe, Tyl I be a wedded wyfe: If thou wylt me spouse & wed, I wyl go wyth the to bed!' 'Gladly, Iosyan!' than sayde he, 'To morowe shal we wedded be!'be] de (!) O. He kyssed hyr anon, as ryght is, And sende after barons & knyghtes, That were of his pryuyte, At his weddynge for to be, For he wolde wed hyr pryuely, In the mornynge erly. Erly on the mornynge he forgat nought, Bothe they were to the churche brought; The erle gan Iosian wed Both to borde and to bed. Whan the weddynge was al done, By than it was hye none; Erles and barons sone were set And ryche metes forthe were fet, Ther lacked none, verely, Of ryche metes and mynstrelsy. Whan it drewe towarde nyght, A ryche souper there was dyght, And after that, verament, The knyght and she to chamber went. Uppon her bedde where as she sat, The erle came to her with that, With barons a great company, With pimente and with spisery; Whan they had dronken the wyne, 'Syr,' sayd Iosian, 'fayre loue myne, Let no person herein be, This night to here our preuite, Neyther knight, mayden nor swayne; My selfe shalbe your chamberlayne!' He sayd: 'Lemman, it shalbe so!' Both man & maiden he made out go, He shet the dore well and fast, And set hym downe at the last. There was a curtayne, as it was lawe, Before the bed it was drawe; Than on her gyrdel, withouten lesinge, Se made a knot rydyng, About his necke she drewe it thore And strangled him, withouten more. Than on a beme she hanged him hye, And let him ther fore his fole. The night passed in that wyse, The barons began for to ryse, Some on hunting & some to þe church, An workemen rose to worche. The halfe day passed, withouten fayle, The barons had of him maruayle. Some said: 'Let him be styll, Of Iosian he hath his will!' The mydday went, it drew to none, A baron spake then sone: 'I maruyle,' he sayd, 'how may this be? I wyll go to the chamber and se!' He smote the dore with his fot so fast, That all to peces he it brast; 'Aryse,' he sayde, 'thou erle Myle, For thou hast slept a great whyle: Thy head aketh, wot I well, Thou hast nede of a caudell!' 'Nay,' sayd Iosian, 'I vndertake, His head shall neuer more ake: I haue charmed him from that sore, That his head shall ake no more; Nowe haue I quitte his weddinge, Yonder mayst thou se him hinge. He shall neuer woman spyll: Do with me what soeuer ye wyll!' All they made great sorowe; That other day on the morowe Se was dight, verament, In a tonne to be brente. Without the towne was set a stake, A great fyre gan they make. In a castel lay Ascaparte, And ouer þe wal loked thederwarte, And had great wonder, truely, What that fyre might signify. Than he thought him in his hert tho, That Iosian was brought in some wo. Of the castel, that he was in loken, A turret he had al to-broken; He was so wo and so wode, That he lept into the flode, And fast by hym also hote Cam a fyssher wyth his bote. Than Ascaparde toke the bote in hande And rowed hym selfe to the londe;vowed (!) O. Towarde the folke fast gan he loke, Beuys cam after and hym ouertoke; He sayde: 'Thefe, where haste thou bene? Why kepest thou no better my quene?' 'Syr Beuys, lorde, mercy,' he sayde, 'The Erle Myle had me betrayde!' Towarde the fyre they hyed them blyue, The preste, that dyd Iosyan shryue, Crystys blessynge haue he amonge, For that he taryed hyr so longe! Whan the fyre was al redy, In hyr smocke she stode therby. Ryght as they shulde hyr brenne, On Arundel Beuys gan renne, And in his hande gode Morglay, But Ascaparde went by another way. Than al, that Beuys about hyr founde, He slewe and felled to the grounde. There was neyther knyght nor swayne, That passed away that tyme vnslayne, And al made the fals erle Myle By his treason and his gyle. Beuys toke wyth hym than Bothe Ascaparde and Iosian And went forth anone ryght, Tyl they cam to the ile of Wyght. Syr Sabere welcomed wyth gode hert Both Beuys, Iosyan and Ascaparde. Than Beuys and Sabere sende theyr sonde Wyde about in euery londe. After great chyualry Of stalworth knyghtes and hardy, That they myght fynde then Of euery londe the doughtyest men. They spared neyther syluer nor golde, For the best men haue they wolde. Beuys was curtes and fre To euery man in his degre; There cam erles and barons, I-wys, For to socour syr Beuys; There came knyghtes, squyers & pages, Echone had of hym gode wages And ryche gyftes more and lesse, Eche man after his doughtynesse. Therfore eche man vnto hym sought, He toke and left, what hym best thought; Euer he chase hym of the beste, That he coude fynde eyther este or west. Syr Murdour, moche sorowe made he, Whan he sawe, Beuys had suche a meyne; The countesse sayde: 'Drede ye nought, Of gode counsel I am bethought: Ye shal sende, in certayne After the power of Almayne, Also ye shal sende your sonde After my fader into Skotlonde, He wyl come to you redely Wyth a ful great company, And we may haue many mo Out of Englonde and Wales also: Wherfore shulde ye drede then, Whyle ye may haue so many men? If Beuys se, you haue suche a rout, He wyl fle away for dout!' Syr Murdour dyd by hyr counsayle, The messanger went, wythout fayle. Than afterwarde, without lesynge, To Hampton cam both prynce & kynge; Ther cam wyth the kynge of Skotlande The noumber of seuen thousande, There cam out of Almayne Wyth syr Moryce of Vyayne Syx thousande wyth helmes bryght And wel armed for to fyght, And syr Murdour had also Thre thousande hym selfe and mo. 'Nowe, lordynges,' sayd syr Murdour, 'That hyther be come me to socour, Oft ye have herde speke, parde, Of the stryfe bytwene Sabere and me. Nowe is come to helpe hym to fyght Syr Beuys of Hampton, a noble knyght; Wel I wende, he had ben dede: What is therfore your best rede? He threteneth me to be slayne And that he wyl wynne his londe agayne; A geant wyth hym hathe he brought, Erthely man semeth he nought, Neyther of flesshe nor of fel, For he is lyke the deuyl of hel; Men cal hym Ascaparde about, Of hym, forsoth, I haue great dout. Lordynges,' he sayde, 'arme you wele Both in iren and in stele: Thoughe Ascaparde be neuer so starke, Many handes make lyght warke!' Whan they were al armed and dyght, They shypped to the ile of Wyght. Al the yle was bespred Wyth the power, that syr Murdour led. Syr Sabere loked out at a toure And sawe the oste of syr Murdour; Then smartly downe gan he go, For to tel syr Beuys so; He sayde: 'Beuys, by my counsayle I trowe, it shulde vs best auayle, Within this castel to holde vs styl And to defende vs from al yl; For suche an oste as hath Murdour, Sawe I neuer in no stour!' 'Do way, Sabere,' sayde Beuys tho, 'For if they were as many mo, Agaynst vs shulde they haue no myght: They haue the wronge, and we the ryght. Haste you, lordynges,' Beuys gan crye, 'That ye were armed hastely, And ye shal haue, syr Sabere, Thre thousande vnder your banere, And as many shal I lede Of doughty men and gode at nede, For I wyl haue the forewarde.' And than he sayde to Ascaparde: 'Thou shalt byde behynde, truly, Wyth thre thousande of men hardy, And whan we haue medled a stounde And echone brought other to grounde, Whan the batayle is moste stronge, Hye he thyder and dwel nat longe, For thre thousande of fresshe men Gode dedys shal do then!' Than Beuys gan his horne blowe, That his men myght hym knowe; By that blowynge knewe syr Murdour, That they gadred to that stour; He sayde: 'Lordynges, wythouten fayle, Nowe come oure ennemyes to batayle: Be ye hardy and stout also, For we be as many mo!' Two batayles gan they make, The kynge of Skotlonde the one gan take; Syr Murdour the other lad, Eyther of them X thousande had. The fyrste, that of the castel cam out, Was syr Beuys wyth his rout, And Sabere wyth his company Cam after ful boldly; Eyther oste gan other defye, Than medled they ful cruelly. Than syr Morys of Vyayne Fast rode syr Sabere agayne; Syr Sabere defended hym, I-wys, And suche a stroke he gaue Morys,haue (!) O. That quyte away gan he cleue, Fro the shulder, arme and sleue.For (!) O. Afore the preas went syr Beuys, On eche syde he felled them downe, I-wys; There myght none armoure agaynst hym stonde. That sawe the kynge of Skotlonde, He preased forth wyth his rout And beset syr Beuys rounde about; Than began Beuys to play And to get hym rowme wyth gode Morglay; Yet wolde he nat stynt so, Tyl he went the kynge vnto, And suche a stroke he hym lent, That his hors on the grounde went. But suche socour cam tho, That Beuys must thens go, But or he was horsed agayne, Many of his men had Beuys slayne; Beuys thoroughe the preas dyd ryde And them ouerthrewe on euery syde, He wolde nat stynt in that stour, Tyl he cam to syr Murdour; 'Traytour,' he sayde wyth great enuye, 'Turne the nowe, I the defye!' Whan Murdour sawe, he was so bested, He tourned his backe and wolde haue fled, And wyth gode Morglay after smote he; He fayled of hym, & that was pyte, For by his backe the stroke fel downe And hyt vpon hys sadyl cropowne; Yet wyth his stroke in that stounde He smote his hors vnto the grounde, But than cam hastely socour And horsed agayne syr Mordour. Than boldly dyd he abyde, The people were slayne on euery syde. Beuys rode forth on Arundel, On euery syde he dyd them fel, Some lay bledynge as a bore, Some were so hyt, that they spake no more, Of some the lyppes he dyd so pare, That men myght se theyre tethe bare, None went vnmarked away, That Beuys hyt wyth Morglay, For sore agreued was he, Where Beuys had one, Murdour had thre, But Beuys and Sabere bare them so, That agayne one they slewe two. Whan the thronge was moste harde, Than cam in Ascaparde, Al on fote, as I you swere, For there myght no hors hym bere; Wyth a great staffe in his honde He slewe al downe, that he fonde. Whan Ascaparde cam wyth hys rout, Than was syr Murdour in great dout, For he brought wyth hym then Thre thousande of fresshe men And felled downe on euery syde And slewe al that wolde abyde. Great pyte it was, certayne, So many men as there were slayne. Aferde thay were of Ascaparde, For he smote so sore and harde, That thre thousand of them dyd fle And drowned them selfe in the se. Beuys called Ascaparde hym tyl And sayde: 'Felawe, here my skyl: Loke, that thou take gode hede Of hym, that rydeth on the whyte stede, And bere hym alyue into the tour, For that same is syr Murdour!' 'Yes, syr,' sayde Ascaparde tho, 'We shal hym shryue, or we go!' Ascaparde, wyth his staue Many one his deth he gaue Wyth great strength and moche payne, He cam to syr Murdour of Almayne, And euen on his horse as he sat there, Under his arme he gan hym bere. Than began Murdoures men to hye, To rescue hym, that he shulde nat dye. The kynge of Skotlande with his rout Beset Ascaparde rounde about; Than syr Beuys and syr Sabere Cam to helpe hym wyth theyre power And slewe al that wolde stande, The noumber of thre thousande, And, maugre if they had sworne, Murdour was to the castel borne. The kynge of Skotlande sore dyd mourne, Whan Murdour was to the castel borne And many of his men were cast to grounde, He tourned his backe in that stounde. Than they wolde no lenger abyde, But slewe them downe on euery syde. Syr Beuys and syr Sabere Enchased them wyth theyre power, And so fast folowed he, That many were dryuen into the se, And al that euer stode them agayne, Wythout mercy they were slayne; Some lacked theyr shankes fro the kne, Some theyr hedes quartered in thre, Some into the se dyd skyp; The kynge of Skotlonde toke a shyp And fled away forthe by the west, There as it hym pleased best. Beuys and Sabere tourned agayne Into the castel glad and fayne; Syr Beuys, wythout any let, Made a caudron on the fyre be set Ful of pytche and of brymstone: A wors deth was neuer none. Whan the caudron boyled harde, Murdour was cast in the myd-warde. That deth dyed he, sykerly, For the deth of gode syr Guy. Therof harde the countasse, That syr Murdour dede was; She stode aboue in a toure, So wo she was for syr Murdour, That she fel downe & brake hyr necke: I beshrewe hym, that therfore doth recke. Whan syr Beuys tydynges herde Of his moder, howe she fared, As sory was he for hyr, As he was for his stepfader. Sone after syr Beuys Come to South-hampton is, To take possession of his londes, That had ben longe out of his hondes; The burgeyses, wyth moche pryde Agaynst syr Beuys gan they ryde And brought syr Beuys fayre and wel To Hampton to his owne castel. Of Hampton al the baronage Cam and dyd Beuys homage. Than was Beuys glad and fayne, That he had his ennemyes slayne. Than Beuys, the soth to sayne, Sende after the bysshop of Coleyne, That he wolde for any thynge Come and be at his weddynge. Whan the bysshop was thyder come, Two knyghtes had Iosian nome; Unto the churche they hyr led, The bysshop on the boke redde And to Beuys hyr wedded blyue Unto the endynge of hyr lyue. Nowe hath Beuys couered hys estate; Two chyldren by hyr he gate The fyrst nyght togeder in fere, As ye shal hereafter here. Saber counsayled hym thare, To wende to London to kynge Edgare,Edare O. For to make homage, as ryght wolde, For his londes to chalange and holde. Syr Beuys dyd after counsaylynge And went hym forthe before the kynge And profered, to do hym homage, As ryght was, for his heritage. Kynge Edgare asked hym, what he hyght And what he claymed for his ryght; 'Syr,' he sayde, 'my name is Beuys; Therldom of Hampton it is, After my faders deth syr Guy, That was slayne for his lady Wyth syr Murdoure of Almayne; But thanked be god, nowe is he slayne!' The kynge sayde: 'Beuys, I holde me payed, I graunt to al, that thou hast sayde!' The kynge toke his marchal by the hande And sayde: 'Delyuer me thy wande, For Guy, his fader, was my marchal, And so syr Beuys, hys son, shal!' The yerde to Beuys he taketh And his marchal he hym maketh. Beuys is nowe of great myght And loued both of kynge and knyght, Wyth euery knyght, squyer and barowne, Beuys was loued vp and downe, For largely wolde he spende And gyftes both gyue and sende To euery man after his estate; Had no man cause, hym to hate; So curteys was he and so hende, That euery man was his frende, Saue syr Bryan of Cornewayle, He hated Beuys, wythouten fayle, For those offyces had Beuys, That sometyme were hys. In somer about wytsontyde, Whan knyghtes moste on hors ryde, A cours they cryed on a day, Stedes and palfrayes to assay, What hors that best myght ren; Thre myle the cours was then. Who fyrst cam to the ende, sholde Haue twenty pounde of redy golde. Syr Beuys was apayde wel, For moche he trusted in Arundel. On the morne, whan it was lyght, Theder cam bothe baron and knyght Wyth fayre stedes and moche pryde, That on that cours wolde ryde. Two knyghtes were stolen before, A large halfe myle and more, That none of theyre felawes yt wote;yt] dyd (!) O. But Beuys wyth his sporys his hors smote, On Arundel, so sayth the boke, In the myd way he them ouertoke. He had ryden the cours within a whyle, Or they thought, he had ryden a myle. Nowe hath Beuys the golde wonne Thoroughe Arundel, that wel had ronne, Therfore wyth that & another del He made the castel of Arundel. They praysed the hors in that cas, For he so swyft and lusty was. The kynges sonne and his ayre Thought the hors both gode and fayre, Unto syr Beuys anon he yede And sayde: 'I pray the, gyue me thy stede!' 'Nay,' sayde Beuys, 'nat for no golde; But aske me ellys what ye wolde, At thy wyl thou shalt it haue, But Arundel do thou nat craue: For any prayer, that man may pray, Shal I neuer gyue Arundel away!' The kynges son sawe, it coude nat auayle, To aske the stede, wythout fayle; Wythout any more fable, He went into syr Beuys stable, For he wolde the hors vntye, And cam a lytel ouer-nye, And Arundel also hote Wyth his hynder fote he smote, That he al to-brake his brayne: Thus was the kynges son slayne. There was dole and great wepynge; Whan tydynges cam vnto the kynge; Than the kynge, verament, Made to be set his parlament And began to ordayne, That syr Beuys shulde be slayne And wyth wylde bestes be drawe; But his barons wythstode that lawe, They sayde: 'To sle Beuys, it were no skyl, But Arundel shal be at thy wyl, For he slewe thy son so, But nought to Beuys may we do!' 'Nay,' sayde Beuys, 'for no catel Wolde I let sle Arundel, For he is gode in euery were; Yet had I leuer Englonde forswere!' Than spake syr Bryan of Cornewayle: 'Syr, this is our counsayle, That ye do one of the two!' 'I assent,' sayde Beuys tho, 'Before you al I gyue here Myn herytage to syr Sabere!' Syr Beuys delyuered vp the wande And so forsware Englande; A fortnyght respyte had he, For to passe out of the cuntre; And afterwarde myght be founde, He shuld be take & fast be bounde. On thys maner they were al one, And to Hampton he rode anone, And al togeder tolde he thore Of his case, bothe lesse and more: 'It is no lenger but hens to morne, For here may we no lenger soiourne!' Beuys and Iosian made them redy And toke theyre leue for to ferry. Sabers sonne, that hyght syr Terry, Beuys toke wyth hym for company. Ascaparde, that fals thefe, For hym was Beuys in moche grefe; He thought: 'If I dwel here, wythout fayle, I gete nought ellys but great trauayle; If that I myght, by Tarmagant, Brynge Iosian to Mambraunt, Ryght welcome shulde I be it tyl And haue I-nough of my wyl!' This Ascaparde, fals was he, For Beuys was fallen in pouerte: Whan a man in pouertye is fal, Fewe frendys meteth he wythal. Forth dyd Beuys and Iosian ryde, Tyl they cam to a forest syde, And Iosyan, that was so mylde, In that wode trauayled of chylde. Beuys and Terry downe gan lyght And wyth theyre swerdes a lodge they dyght And brought Iosian therin, For they coude no better gyn. Syr Beuys dyd hyr seruyce bede, For to helpe hyr at hyr nede; 'Gramarcy, syr,' she sayde, 'nay,' For goddys loue go hens away, Go and sport you wyth Terry And late me worke and our lady: Shal neuer womans pryuete To man be shewed for me!' Beuys and Terry forth went there, For they wolde nat hyr peynes here, But Ascaparde toke another way, On treason thought the thefe ay. After that Beuys was gone hyr fro, She was delyuered of chyldren two. Whan Ascaparde harde this cas, That Iosyan delyuered was, To the lodge went he there, And Iosyan away dyd he bere, There myght no prayer hyr borowe; I wonder, hyr hert brast nat for sorowe, For he sware by Tarmagant, He wolde hyr lede to Mambrant. Whan Beuys had longe taryed, Agayne to the lodge he hym hyed; In the lodge fonde he no mo, But yonge male chyldren two; He wyst nat, what to do nor say, Whan he sowe, Iosyan was away; 'Alas,' than sayde syr Beuys, 'Ascaparde hathe done treason, I-wys!' Syr Beuys fel downe in a traunce, But Terry dyd hym vp enhaunce. Whan Beuys sawe, no better wolde be, His ryche mantel than toke he And wrapped the two chyldren therin, For they were somdel of his kynne. No lenger there wolde he abyde, But toke his chyldren and forthe gan ryde. A foster in the wode he met, And syr Beuys fayre hym gret: 'Felawe,' sayde he to hym than, 'Sawest thou ought of suche a man Lede a woman by any way?' 'Syr,' sayde the foster, 'nay!' 'What maner of man art thou, bache|lere?' 'Syr,' he sayde, 'I am a foster!' 'Wylt thou,' sayde Beuys, 'so Cryst the shylde, Do crysten here an hethen chylde? But ryght nowe was it borne, Ful erly it hathe the moder lorne, And kepe it but this seuen yere, For X marke, and haue it here?' 'Gladly!' sayde the foster tho; He toke the chylde & the golde also. He sayde: 'What shal I cal hym, syr knyght?' Beuys sayde: 'Guy, as my fader hyght; And whan he is of seuen yere, In eche londe do thou enquere After syr Beuys of Hamptowne: My name is so, by my crowne, And brynge the chylde than to me, And wel rewarded shalt thou be!' 'Gladly, syr,' sayde he, 'I-wys!' He went his way & Beuys his. Forthe they rode, so sayth the boke; Another man they ouertoke; They asked, what maner a man was he; He sayde: 'A fyssher of the se!' Than Beuys wyth glad semblaunt Made wyth hym the same couenaunt, That he shulde in the same maner His other son kepe seuen yere. The fyssher graunted as Beuys sayde; He toke the chylde and helde hym apayde. After hym selfe in that whyle He crystened the chylde Myle. Forth rode Beuys bi dale and downe, Tyl he cam to a castel towne; He toke his Inne as a curteys knyght, And vnto souper he hym dyght. Than at a wyndowe as he loked out, He sawe in the strete rounde about Stedes trapped fayre and bryght, Dukes and erles and many a knyght, Out at the wyndowes on euery syde Armes were hanged fayre and wyde. Herodes gan the armes escrye, And therof Beuys maruayled greatly; He asked his oste therof tydynge; 'Syr,' he sayde, 'harde you no thynge Of the great Iustynge, that shal be Tomorowe here in this cyte? The dukes doughter and his eyre, She is a mayden gode and fayre, Hyr fader is nowe nere dede, Therfore it is gyuen hyr to rede, A great iustynge for to crye, And he, that may haue the maystry, Shal thys mayden haue to wyfe And al hyr londe wythouten stryfe! Than sayde Beuys to Terry: 'Shal we iust for that lady?' 'Yes,' sayde Terry, 'god forbede ellys, If it be soth, that he vs tellys!' Beuys gaue that man for his tydynge Of grotes twenty shelynge. On the morowe, whan it was day clere, Than arose bothe knyght and squyer; Fayre tokens dyd they on them throwe, Wherby the lady shulde them knowe. Syr Beuys and syr Terry Armed them ful hastely; Syr Beuys bare of colour poymant (!) A rede lyon of golde rampant. Than forthe rode Terry and he Thyder, where the iustynge shuld be. The fayre lady Helyanour Ouer the castel lay that houre, And al the iustynge she behelde, What knyght hym bare best in the felde. Than these knyghtes began to ryde, Eche at other on euery syde. The fyrst knyght, that Beuys rode agayne, Was themperours son of Almayne, And Beuys at hym bare so fast, That hors and man to grounde he cast. The erle Florens forth gan thrynge Agaynst Beuys wyth great hastynge; Beuys met hym in the felde And hyt hym in myddes of the shelde, That two londe brede and more, He cast hym from his hors thore. Than rode forth the duke Antoyne, That than was duke of Burgoyne; He was stronge and great of pryce, And thus he sayde to syr Beuys: 'Turne the, knyght, and make defence, For I wol venge the erle Florence!' Than wolde Beuys no lenger abyde, But smote Arundel vnder the syde; So harde eyther to other droue, That theyr speres al to-roue. But Beuys so harde to hym thrast, That his shulder bone al to-brast; Therof he was agreued sore, For that day myght he iust nomore. Than rode forth syr Terry To the kynges broder of Hungry And gaue to hym suche a rebowne, That both he and his hors fel downe. Than cam the erle Hamaut And to Terry made a saute, And Terry hyt hym in the shelde, That he bare hym into the felde. There was no knyght, verely, That myght wythstande Beuys nor Terry, But al the knyghtes for great enuy Them two assayled cruelly, And ful narowe them sought, But Beuis of Hampton spared nought; The stywarde of that same londe Beuys cast downe in myddys of the sonde. Than loughe the lady Elyanore For the boste, that he made before, And many Beuys bare thoroughout, That of theyr lyfe they stode in dout. They stynted neuer, tyl it was nyght, That they wanted the day lyght; Than they left of theyr Iustynge, And on the morowe they harde tyd|ynge, That syr Beuys of Hamptowne Had wonne the laude and the re|nowne. Dame Helyanour wolde nat blynne, Tyl Beuys was brought to hyr Inne; She sayde: 'Syr, it is gyuen me to counsayle, Thou shalt me wed, wythouten fayle, Eyther to other terme of lyfe.' 'Nay,' sayde Beuys, 'I haue a wyfe,' And tolde, howe she was stolne hym fro. Than sayde the lady: 'Sythe it is so, Thou shalt al this seuen yere Be my lorde in clene manere, And if thou fynde hyr nat by than, I wyl the haue before any man; And if in that tyme ye fynde your wyfe, I wol none husbonde durynge my lyfe: And loke, Beuys, if I say skyl!' 'Dame,' sayde Beuys, 'I holde me thertyl.' Thus was Beuys hyr gouernour And led that londe in great honour. As Sabere slept on a nyght in bed, Hym thought, that Beuys was bested Wyth Ascaparde, that was his swayne That he had Beuys nerehande slayne. Whan he awaked, his hert was colde, His dreme vnto his wyfe he tolde. 'Syr,' she sayde, 'as I wene, Beuys is brought in some tene; As I trowe, syr, by. my lyfe, He hath lost outher chylde or wyfe, By Ascaparde, that fals thefe, Beuys is brought vnto some grefe.' Than sayde Sabere: 'I shal seke that syre.' Twelue knyghtes he dyd atyre In palmers wede, by saynt Iohn, Wel armed euerychone; They were armed sure and wel Both in yren and in stele. Forthe they went, both more and lesse, Tyl they came to hethenesse. Whan Iosian was nere at Mambraunt, Iesu Cryst he hyr warrant! She met wyth Sabere in the vylage, And sayde: 'Palmer,' in hyr langage, 'I pray you of socour and rede: But ye me helpe, I am but dede.' 'Certys, Iosyan,' sayde Sabere, 'Me lyketh wel, that ye be here, For of you, madame, verament, I shal make Beuys a present.' Than agreued was Ascaparde, For they assayled hym ful harde; They hym beset on euery syde, But there wolde none his dynt abyde. Fro his stroke away they dyd shone And start agayne as knyghtes anone And gaue hym great strokes and sore, For anger he fomed lyke a bore. Than as he smote after a knyght, Syr Sabere ran to hym ful ryght, And wyth his swerde, wythout dout, He bare Ascaparde thoroughout, That he fel dede to the grounde; Glad was Iosyan that stounde. Syr Sabere toke Iosyan, That was as whyte as any swan, Hyr body, that was so fayre and gent, He anoynted wyth an oyntment And made hyr to seme yelowe & grene, That before was fayre and shene, That no man shulde take hyr hym fro, Therfore he discolowred hyr so; And after that Beuys they sought, But tydynges of hym harde they nought. That wol be founde, founde shal be: On a day they went thoroughe the cyte, They ledde Iosyan to hyr Inne, And than he went, some mete to wynne. Sabere went to the castel gate And met his son Terry therat, He prayed hym in the honour of the rode, That he wolde gyue hym some gode. Terry hym behelde blyue And sayde: 'Palmer, so mot I thryue, There shal no mete be the to dere, For thou art lyke my fader Sabere!' Saber sayde: 'By goddys grace, So thy moder sayde, I was.' Whan Terry sawe, that it was he, He ran to hym wyth hert fre; He hym kyssed and asked his fader What caused hym to come thyder. Sabere sayde: 'Son, thou shalt se, What thynge I haue brought wyth me.' Forthe they went togeder in fere, Tyl they to theyr Inne cam nere; Than they bothe wyth gode entent Wasshed away the oyntement; Fayre and wel they hyr dyght And brought hyr to the castel ryght And toke hyr vnto Beuys in honde: He had neuer erste a gladder sonde. Than cam the fyssher & the fostere Wyth theyr chyldren fayre and clere, And for they helde Beuys couenaunt ryght, He made eyther of them a knyght, And than wedded syr Terry, Of that londe that fayre lady; There was a ryche feste, I-wys, On euery syde ioy and blysse. But nowe begynneth a newe tydynge Of kynge Iour and Ermyne kynge. Bytwene them batayle gan they take, And al was for Iosyans sake. A palmer tolde Beuys that tydynge, Therfore syr Beuys al hastynge Sent after great chyualry Of doughty knyghtes and hardy, That he had knowen beforne, And al they were to hym sworne. Than Beuys had gadred his company, He toke his leue at syr Terry, And Terry profered wyth hym to go; But Beuys sayde, he shulde nat so: 'Sabere, thy fader, shal go wyth me; If I nede, I shal sende for the.' Guy and Myles to hors were dyght Wyth stalworth swerdes for to fyght. Than Beuys wyth al his company Went forthe vnto Ermony; Of his comynge the kynge was blythe And asked hym mercy on hundreth sythe And sayde: 'If thou wylt forgyue me, I wyl be crystened for loue of the.' On that couenaunt Beuys gan hym kysse, Thus be they acorded, I-wys. Than anon with oute other domeThan anon] om. O. oute] any add. O. Beues send to the pope of Rome,pope] erased in O. That he shold send his clerkys good, And Sabere to the Bysshoppes yode,And] om. O. to the B.] them prayed or they O. That they myght with theire clergyemyght—clergye] wolde solempnly O. Cryston the lond of Ermonye, For that the kynge graunted had;that—gr.] al the kynges graunt they O. The pope it hard and he was glad,pope] pope of, intentionally destroyed in O. it—was] that herynge was ful O. And he hath sent after his saweAnd—sent] He sent thyder O. Clerkys, that wyse were of the lawe;were wyse O. the] om. O. They crystoned kyng Ermyn with her hondistheyr hande O. And than all the other of the londys.than] om. O. other] people O. his lande O. In meny a stid Beues dyd wyrkestid] place O. dyd] gan O. Abbeys, mynesters, and meny a kirke.myn.] om. O. a] fayre add. O. So was ffurste Armonye Thorouȝ Beues crystoned, sekerly. Kyng Yuore herd sone tythand,Whan kynge Iour did vnderstonde O. That Beues and Iosyan were in the land,and—the] was come into that O. A grett oste he gaderid thoo,grett] he add. (!) M. gadred he O. Fourty thousand and well moo;and well] saraȝyns and O. To Aremonye they went thanneUnto O. went he O. And be-gan to robbe and branne,And] there add. O. And Beues hard, that he was comyn,And] Whan O. Grett power he hath nomenA great oste he had anone O. And rode kynge Yuore ageyn With ten thousand men, sertayn; It was a ffeire sight to be-hold,to be-h.] who so behelde O. Whan both partyes were in the ffeld;were] met O. The ffeld shone wonder-bryghtwonder-br.] al on lyght O. Of helmys and of basnettes light;Of basenettes and helmes bryght O. But sone after there was another, Eyther oste discried other;Whan eyther O. defyed O. As the romans seith, on bothe partyesOn both partyes, the romayns says, O. They shott dartys with bows turkeys,dartys] arowes O. Quarellis, alblasters, and caste stonys, There was a sight ffor the nonys,3707 f.: Quarels were shot on euery syde, Spere (!) men togeder dyd ryde, O. Of dartys and quarellis grett plente,Of—quar.] Arowes were shot so O. There myght none hoste well other see.There—other] That one oste myght nat another O. Wyth swerdes bryght, that wel gan byte, Eche man dyd other smyte. add. O. But whan they were comyn in same,were comyn] hanled bothe O. There was ernyste and litull game;lit.] no O. With swordys and fauchouns, that wold byte, Eche man on other faste gan smyte,3713 f. om. O. And Beues with Morglay sterid hym soo,sterid] quyt O. soo] fo (!) O. That all, he hitt, he cleve in two.That all] What euer O. cleve] smote O. The Sarȝins can Beues deffye And thyk aboute hym they hye,thyk] cam O. hye they (!) M; redely O. And on ych side than he louȝe,And—he] Therwyth he was wel apayd & O. And faste the Sarȝins there he slouȝe;And—he] On euery syde he them downe O. So meny slowe he in that ffeld in sight,he slewe O. ffeld in s.] fyght O. That to his steroppes they lay vp right.styrop O. He yode fforth, whan he lyste,yode] rode O. he] st add. M, struck out. he l.] they hym left O. And slowe meny bothe este and weste.And there he slewe as many eft O. Sabere is come, thouȝe they were wood,is c.] his eame O. they] he O. wood] olde O. He thare stonyed the Sarsons blood,He shewed, that he was yonge and bold O. He slouȝe be-fore hym by X and XII,by] om. O. Till he come to the kynge hym selfe, And in magree of Mahounin] om. O. He hath bete kynge Yuore down.He—Yu.] There bare he the kynge O. Than the Sarȝins flew on hepe,Than] om. O. flew] folowed O. on] an add. O. To kynge Yuore sone they lepesone] gon O. And with ffors horsud hym ageyn,And] om. O. ffors] they add. O. And all at onys on Sabere they leyn.And] Than O. Sab.] hym O. Beues sye Sabere in doute,Whan B. O. Sab.] was add. O. He presud fforthe amonge the routefforthe] in O. And socourid Sabere in that stoure,soc. Sab.] hym rescued O. houre O. Hym selfe yode to kynge YuoreHym s. y.] Than rode he O. And led hym fforth all with ffors And be-takyth Sabere his corsbetoke O. And led hym in to a toure;And l.] He bad lede O. a] the O. He presented Armyn with Yuore.And present O. with] kynge add. O. Sabere lad hym all quyk, The Sarȝins folowid hym than thik,than] ful O. But suche strokys gaue ham sir Bevoun,delt syr Beuys O. That kyng Yuore was lad to townwas—town] led thyder is O. For ought, that they myght done,do myght O. Whan they sye that, they fled sone,that sawe O. sone] ryght O. They wold there no lenger byde;no lenger there abyde O. Beues and his men can after ride,after gan O. He made after hem so hard chase,He chased them so harde, certayne, O. That ten thousand slayn he hase.he had slayne O. Many a knyght in the ffeld Myght men se dede vnder sheld,Myght men se] Lay there O. vnder] theyr add. O. And meny Sarȝins in that daySarȝ. in] a saraȝyne O. With deth woundis went away;deth] dedely O. fled O. Stedis meny men myght seeMany stedes O. With oute maisters awey fflee,oute m.] dede men O. aw.] fast add. O. And meny Sarȝins myȝt men haue herdAnd—men] Men myght the saraȝyns O. Curs Mahoun, ffor they so fferd.Cursud (!) M. Curs Mahounde, they were so aferde O. Whan sir Beues had made that chase,sir] that O. He comyth ageyn with grett solace,cam O. And as smertely sir BevownThan syr Beuys ryght anon O. Bad caste kyng Yuore in presown.Bad] Made O. Kyng Yuore praid Beues thoo,paid (!) M. That he myȝt make raunsom and goo, And for his raunsom geve he woldgeve] haue O. sholde O. Twenty somers of red goldredy (!) O. And an hunderid beddus of sylke,And an] Wyth thre O. Also white as eny mylke,Also] And an hundred stedes as O. eny] om. O. And an hunderid copus of gold ffyneAn O. And also meny of mascelyne:And also] Wyth as O. 'All this wold I to raunsom geve,wold—rauns.] tresour I wyl the O. With that thou wilte let me lyve!'With] If O. Said Beues: 'Lett it heder bryng:Said B.: 'L.] Beuys sayde: 'Do O. I shall lett the goo, sir kyng;I—goo] And I shal saue thy lyfe O. So moche drede I not the, But me were lever thy tresoure than the!'me were] that I had O. Than was kyng Yuore ffayne,sent O. There after he sendith his chamberlayn, And he brought his raunsom:And he] The messangere O. his] the O. So come kyng Yuore oute of preson,So] Than O. Off kyng Yuore lett we be,Nowe of O. late O. And of kyng Ermyn now speke we,now] om. O. That shold passe oute of this liffethis] his O. And sent after Beues sonnes blyve,And] He O. B. sonnes] his son O. And there he toke Beues eldeste sonAnd—toke] Syr Guy was O. And on his hede he sett the crowne; He made hym kynge of Armonye; And sone after hastelyAnd] Than O. Dyd the kyng dye and made his end,Dyed kynge Ermyne the hende O. To hevyn mvste his soule wend.mot O. To Sir Beues come Sabere thereUnto O. And toke his leve, home to ffare,homewarde O. For to Englond wold he blyveUnto O. To his child and to his wyffe.chyldren O. Beues wold haue hym, verament,wold h. h.] bad hym tary O. Sabere wold nought, but forth went.forth] home O. Nowe is kyng Yuore in Mowmbraunte And sware be Mahound and Turma|gaunte,swereth O. That he wold hym wel a-vaunce,he—wel] so O; wold hys eme (!) M. That couth stele be eny chauncewith] by O. Good Arondell with som treason Fro sir Beues of Hampton;From O. 'For, and Beues lackyd Arondell,and B. l.] if he wanted O. I trow, that men shold wyth hym dele!'that] om. O. myght O. del] mel O. There was a theffe, that hight Ribown,Rabone O. A queynt theffe and a felown,queynt] stronge O. a] fals add. O. And vnder-toke the maistery,And] He O. And went fforth in to Armonye;in] om. O. With his charmes and with his crafte Arondell ffro sir Beues he raughtAr.—B.] From Beuys Ar. O. And brought hym in to Mowmbraunt toureAnd] He O. in] om. O. And presentid hym to kyng Yuore. Than was the kyng well paid,the k.] Iour O. apayde O. That he ffro Beues was betrayed;he ffro] om. O. was] so add. O. Woo was Beues, the soth to tell, Whan he myssud Arondell. As Sabere slepud a nyght tide, Hym thought, he sye Beues ride, And Arondell to the erth I-caste,to—I-c.] downe hym cast O. And his rigge bone all to-braste.That two of his rybbes he brast O. Whan he wakyd, he was afrayd,awoke O. afrayde O; aferd M. And to his wyffe he told and seid; 'Sir,' she said, 'ye haue do wronge,haue] om. O. Ye dwell fro Beues all to longe:dw. fr.] byde from O. By hym, that was of Mary borne,was—borne] of myght is moste O. I trow, he hathe that hors lorne!'that] hys O. loste O. Sir Sabere, ffor sir Beues sake Hors and spere gan he takeHors a. s.] Staffe and skryp O. And went hym forth with good sem|bland.hym] om. O. Tyll that he come to Mombraund;that] om. O. Theder he went, to asspye,went] for add. O. And lefte the lond of Ermony. Sir Sabere come by a revere,Sir] om. O. a r.] so O; Arevere (!) M. There they waterid theire destrere;Theyre (!) M. destere (!) M. Men dyd theyre bestes water there O. Saw Sabere, as he abode,Saw. S.] He sawe O. he] there add. O. On Arondell how Rabon rode; Now thought Sabere: 'Be hevyn kyng,Now th.] Than sayde O. Now haue I my metynge!Now—my] Glad am I of this O. Felowe,' he said, 'so god the rede,the r.] me spede O. This may well be callid a stede: He is well brestid, with oute doute: Good ffelowe, turne hym aboute!'hym] the O. As he turnyd the destrere,And as O. destere M. the d.] hym there O. Vp be-hynde lepe Sabere,lepe] hym lept O. He smote to deth the theffe Rabon With the end of his tronchon; He wold no lenger there abyde. Sarȝins to the court can rideThe s. O. And the kyng can they tell,And] Unto O. How one was gone with Arondell.gone with] forth on O. Than rose the crye thorouȝ the Cite, All that euer there in myȝt be,3853 f.: Than made the kynge to crye, That they shuldé after hye. O. They ride after faste hyand,rode O. hy.] in a bande O. The nomber of thre thousand, And full narroo they hym be-sett.they] om. O. Iosyan stode in a turrett, All the folke be-held she well And one on hym ridyng, Arondell.one—rid.] howe one cam rydynge on O. In to the hall she hied her downUnto O. And said: 'Sir Beues, with oute the townAnd] Syr, she O. sir B.] om. O. Comyth one ridyng on youre stede,vpon O. And, certeyn, he is in moche drede,And c.] Certys, she sayde O. moche] great O. For he is be-sett all abouteFor] om. O. With a wonderffull gret route!'a w.] men of armes a O. 'Wold god,' said Beues, 'a while hym saue,Wold] Gode O. a w. h.] hym helpe and O. Hastely socoure he shold haue!'Hast.—shold] And socour sone shal he O. The ffurste on hors was sir Gye,The—hors] Fyrst on horsbacke O. And Myles, his broder, and sir Terry,And] Syr O. broder] so O; hors (!) M. And sir Beues, faste hyed he With all the knyghtes of that Cite.that] the O. They hyed ham faste in that stoureHe O. hym O. in] to O. And brought Sabere good socoure; They slow the Sarȝins down right,They] And O. That none of hem scape myght.them escape O. Good game had Sabere to sene, How they lay on the grene.lay] spranglynge add. O. Tydinges come to kyng Yuore, That his men were slayn in stoure,in] that add. O. He made send hastely After his broder of Surrybroder] the kynge add. O. And told, how his men were dede;And t.] He tolde hym O. He askyd hym counsell and rede.He] And O. 'I shall the say,' quod kyng Bradwyne,quod kyng] sayde O. 'Thou arte hold a nobull Sarȝin, In payneme ne in Surry, I-wys,pany nor O. Surry I.] hethenesse O. Ys none the lyke of lose ne of price;the lyke] so O; om. (!) M. of—price] in doughtynesse O. There fore counsell I the so:couns. I] I counsayle O. Thou do the batell be-twene you two,Thou] To O. be-tw.] Thereafter ham, struck out M. And make redy thy ffauchonAnd m.] Make thou O. And make thy sacrafice to Mahoun, That he send the the ouer-hand!the sende O. And, ffor sothe, I vnderstond That thou shalte a conquerour be,a conq.] so O; conquerid (!) M. And we wyll all wend with thewend] go O. And stond with the in thy wyll, To socoure the in thy perell!'3897 f.: We shal be wyth the, wythout drede, And helpe the, if that thou haue nede!' O. Now said kyng Yuore: 'I assent!' And as smertely forth they wentAnd as] Than O. And made Mahoun sacryfice With all his sarȝins, that were wise, And all they praid to Mahoun,to Mah.] more and lesse O. To saue the kyng fro sir Bevoun.the] theyre O. Beuys O. Whan the kyng had so done, He let arme hym also sonealso] ryght O. And went hym forth to Armonyhym] om. O. With ten thousand sarȝins hardy.sarȝ.] men O. Sone come to Beues tydinges thencome to] had O. tydynge O. Of kyng Yuore and his men; He toke with hym his sonnes two, Sabere, Terry and other moo,Sab.] and add. O. And rode kyng Yuore ageyn. Whan Yuore sye Beues, he was ffayn,Yu.] he O. was] ful add. O. He said: 'Beues, I vnderstond,He] And O. I] thou shalt O. Whill we be comen to the lond,Why O. to the] into this O. Furste thou ffechid awey my wyffe,ffech. aw.] rauysshed O. And thou haste refte my men theire liffe,thou h.] sythen O. Where fore I haue takyn counsell,Therfore haue I O. By-twene vs two to do the batell:do the] holde O. And thou sle me, by Turmagaunte, I geve the the lond of Mowmbraunte,And] if add. O. And yf that I the sle, ffor thyethat—sle] I sle the nal O. I wold, thou graunte me Armony!'wil O. Beues graunted, as he had told, And vndertoke the Batell bold. In to the place they can ride,the] a O. gan they O. Theyre speris they brake on euery side;Closed wyth water on euery syde O. They dressud theire speyrus and theire shildus; The folke lokyd on hem in the ffeldys, And to geders can they ride, Theire speris they brake on euery side;3929—32 om. O. They drew theire swordys hastely And smetyn to geders sekerly;smote O. sek.] wyth gret enuye O. Theire sheldys there haue they borne,there—borne] were bryssed that they bare O. Theyre helmys crasud and to-torne.and to.] theyr browes tare O. To geder they ridyn another way,ridyn] went O. And Beues hitt Yuore with Morglay, That halfe the helme he can pare:the] his O. can] downe add. O. Than myght men se his hede bare.That men myght O. hede] al add. O. A quarter oute of his sheld,And a O. oute] om. O. Hit fell down in to the ffeld;That it O. to] om. O. The hors be-gan down to dryve And fell to ground with oute lyve.3943 f.: That hors and man to the grounde fel, That stroke was wonderous of to tel. O. Vp lepe Yuore, and stodelepe] lept kynge O. And cried on Mahoun, as he were wood; He smote to Beues with his ffauchon,He] And O. And Beues of Arondell light adown,And] Than O. lyghted downe O. And right in Beues down lightyng Yuore smote hym, with oute lesyng,hym smote O. A-Bove sir Beues helme on hye, That the blood ranne by his eye,That the crest downe gan flye O. And he clave the helme in sonder;And—helme] His helme ther wyth crased O. Sir Beues knelid, and that was wonder;Sir] om. O. Sir Beues was than agrevyd sore,Sir] om. O. And vp he lepe, with oute more,And] Than O. lepe] stert O. And clave hym down to the arsoun; Than was glad sir Bevoun.3957 f.: And gaue kynge Iour suche a rout, That he neuer rose, wythout dout. O. The sarzins were sory that stound,The—sory] Wo were the sarazyns in O. Whan they sye Yuore dede to ground,they—to] that Iour fel dede to the O. That he shold never after rise,That he s.] He coude O. rise] nor go add. O. There fore they were agrise.fore] that add. M. agrise] ful sory and wo O. That other peopull, for fere they fled,Than his men wolde haue fled O. But Gye and Myles ham with-stedham w.-s.] them dyd forbede O. And slow ham, both more and lesse,them O. Or they myght ouer the water passe;ouer] om. O. And som were drenchid in myddus the flood,And] om. O. drowned O. myd.] om. O. There was none, that awey quyk yode.There—awey] None of them al agayne O. Sir Beues was of good purviaunce, He toke kyng Yuoris conysaunceIour O. conys.] so O; retynaunce M. And made vppon hym to throwe,made] dyd it O. to] om. O. That no man shold hym fro Yuore knowe.no man sh.] none myght O. A grett powere there toke hethere] wyth hym O. And went to Mombraunte, that Cite. Whan they, that were in the toure,that were] with O. Sye the comyng of kyng Yuore, All were they glad and ffayn,they were O. They openyd the gatys hym ageyn,They] And O. And Beues in to the Cite gan rideAnd] Than O. With gret Ioy and moche pride, And thorouȝ that queyntyȝ and that gynneAnd—and that] Thus by that subtyle O. The riche Cite gan they wynne,The] That O. And made hem all come with gleeAnd] He O. them O. come w. g.] become his men O. And do hym omage and ffewte,And do] They dyd O. ffew.] then add. O. And there distroyed the mawmentreAnd—the] Than they cursed theyr O. And be-levid in god and seynt Marye.be-l. in] worshypped O. s. M.] our lady O. And who that wold not do soo, Full sone there he dyd ham sloo.F. s. th.] Smertly O. them O. Now is Beues kyng in that lond,in] of O. That som tyme Yuore had in hond;tyme] kynge add. O. Iosyan, that ys bryght and shene,that ys] bothe O. Twyse there she hath be quene.she hath] of hath she O. With haukys they went to play,haukys] thankys or thaukys M. As it be-ffell on a day,3993 f.: Beuys and Iosian on a day Wyth hawkes and houndes went them to play. O. And as they come be a revere,And] om. O. Sone they mett a messingere, That sperid of ham after a knyght,That—h.] He asked them O. That his name sir Sabere hight;That—Sab.] Named Sabere, as I you O. And Sabere forth gan spryngeAnd S.] Sabere anon O. And said: 'Messingere, what tything?' The messingere said: 'Sir, oure kyngThe—Sir] Syr, he sayde, Edgare O. Thorouȝ his fals stywardus counsellyngfals] om. O. Hath desirited Robert, thyn eyre!'He hathe O. dysheryted O; desirud (!) M. 'Certes,' quod Sabere, 'that is not ffeyre!'sayde O. He told Beues there anon sotold—anon] rode to Beuys and tolde hym O. And askyd hym leve home to go.home] for O. Sir Beues answerid as hend:Sir] om. O. as] a knyght add. O. 'Sabere, I shall with the wend,I—the] he sayde, wyth the I shal O. Iosyan, Mylis, and sir Gye,Wyth Ios. O. And thyne own son Terry!'thyne own] my neuewe, thy O. There of was sir Sabere glad;There of] Than O. For gret power with sir Beues he had;sir B. he] hym syr Beuys O. And so went they forth in to Englondforth in] to O. With men of armes ten thousand. They sayled right to Southampton, Sabere and Terry, and sir Bevoun,4015 f.: Sabere, Terry, and Beuys of renowne Sayled forth to Southhamptowne. O. Saberis wiffe and Robert his ayre, They welcomyd them wonder-ffayre,They] om. O. wonder] wel and O. And Sabere sperid at hym tydinges;Sabere wolde tydynges vnderstande. O. 'Sir,' said Robert, 'all oure londislande O. Hathe the kynge arested, samffayll,arested] areste (!) M. The kynge hath arested by counsayle O. Thorouȝe Brians counsell of Cornwayll,Th. Br. c.] Of syr Bryan O. And holdith hem thorouȝ his stywardes rede,And—thorouȝ] He doth this by O. stywardes rede] so O; styward M. For Arondell smote his son to dede!' Tho said Beues: 'Be god an lyve,Than O. We wyll theder also blyve!' Beues rode theder with oute booste,oute] lytel O. To Pownteneth he brought his hoste,To—brought] At Putneth he left O. That is ffro London mylis thre; And there lefte Beues his meyneAnd] om. O. B.] he O. company O. And rode to London hym selfe, No mo with hym but knyghtes twelfe. He went hym forth to kyng Edgarehym] om. O. And askyd hym, why and in what manere He had disherited sir Saberedisherite M. Of his londys both good and ffeyre;And his sonne, that was his heyre O. I delyuerd hym myn heritage Here be-fore thy baronage.thy] your O. The kyng said to Beues as sone:Beues as] hym ryght O. 'Sir Beues, yf ought be mysdone, Hit shall be mendid in parlamentamended O. By erlis and barouns assent!'By] Wyth O. barouns] of our add. O. All the knyghtes that there were,were there O. To Beues they made glad chere,To] syr add. O. they] om. O. gode O. Saue sir Bryane, foule mvst he fall!Br.] that add. O. mot hym befal O. He was the moste ffoo of all.the] his O. 'Sir,' said Brian to the kyng,to] vnto O. 'Now is this a wonder-thyng,Now is th.] Me thynketh, this is O. That this for-banyshid swayn Ys come to Ynglond ageyn:into O. With skyll he shall be hang and drawe,With—be] By ryght ye shulde hym O. For he is a traytour ageyn the lawe!'is—ageyn] hath done agaynst O. The kyng wold haue grauntid Beues right,gr.] pardoned O. right] om. O. The fals styward said, he ne myght.But the O. he ne m.] nay iwys O. Beues rode forth wroth and woodrode] went O. forth] bothe add. O. And answerid nother yll ne good,ne] nor O. But toke his ynne in the town,ynne in] leue into O. And to his mete he sett hym down.to] at O. Sir Brian, fforth went he And made a crye thorouȝ the Cite, That all, that myght armes bereall] they add. O. armes myght O. And ffight with sheld and spere,And had myght harnays to were O. That they shold aray them anonaray] arme O. And to take the kyngis ffone.And] For O. Than was all the gatis stokyn,was] were O. stokyn] loken O. Wyndows and durres all were brokyn,brokyn] stoken O. Cheynes I-drawe in yche strete,i dr.] were drawen O. euery O. To let sir Beues, that may ye wytte!that—wytte] ye may wel wete O. Whan sir Beues hard that treason, Vp he lepud as a lyon,lep. as a] lept as wode as any O. And well armed he hym thoohe] om. O. And bad his knyghtes, that they shold gokn. that they] men shulde O. To Pownteneth be water away:Putneth O. 'And to my sonnes ye may say,ye may] so ye O. That they hye them be-lyve,them] hyther O. And they wyll se theire fader on lyve;And] If O. For whill I sitt here with oute,sitt] fyght O. Ye may go, wythe outen doute!'May ye O. out O. Beues lepe vp on Arondell,lept O. He had no lenger terme to dwell;terme] leyser O. The ffirste that he mett, sam ffayll,sam] without O. Was sir Brian of Cornwayll, And with hym a grett route,And] He had O. And be-sett Beues all aboute.be-sett] syr add. O. all] rounde O. To Beues said sir Brian:To] Unto syr O. sir] om. O. 'Turne the, as thou arte a man, Thou arte an old knyght of werre!' And to sir Beues he bare a spere; So hard he to sir Beues droffe,he] om. O. Be.] he add. O. The spere breke and Beues shott forthe.That his spere brast & syr Beuys spere roue O. Sir Beues hovid and be-held,Than syr O. h. and] om. O. How the styward had broke his sheld; 'Certes,' said Beues, 'I shall the smyte!I sh. the] nowe wol I O. Full leffe me were, this dede to quyte!'Full—dede] I wyl assay that dynt O. Beues smote Arondell vnder the side, And with Morglay in that tydewith] gode add. O. He hitt sir Brian on the crown; To the sadull he cleve hym down.That to O. Than sterid hym Beues in that stound,Than—B.] Beuys so styred hym O. That two hunderid he fell to ground,fell] kest O. And rode forthe in to Bredstrete;And r.] Than rode he O. to] om. O. Meny Lumbardis he gan mete;he gan] there gan he O. They asayled Beues faste,Beues] wonder add. O. On yche side he them down caste.euery O. Sir Beues had bene in many lond,many] so O; my M; a add. O. And meny a batell hath had in hond,hath] om. O. Yet was he nevure so carefull a man,caref.] wery O. In no batell, as he was thanne.as] so O; that M. Sir Beues deffendid him well I-nouȝe,him] so O; hem M. Meny he ffellid and mony he sleweȝ; On yche side he them down slonge,euery O. slonge] cast O. He prekyd fforth amonge the thronge,He] And O. the thr.] ryght fast O. Tyll he come in to Chepe;to] the add. O. Than at the erste he be-gan to swete;There fonde he many men on hepe O. Than anon be-ganne the ffyght,Than a.] There agayne O; he add. M. the] so O; to M. That tyme be-twene the Cite and the knyght.That t.] om. O. Than said sir Beues hend and good To the folke, that there stode:Unto O. 'I rede, that ye on-lok the yateyate] gate O; yatis M. And let me scape there oute ate,That I may passe forthe therat O. For, yf I were slayn here with in, Litull worshippe shall ye wynne!'shulde O. And all they gan ageyn hym crye:And] Than O. agaynst O. 'Yeld the, Beues, or thou shalte dye!' Tho fought Beues, as he were wood, And bathid Morglay in theire blood; Sevyn hunderid men he fellid to ground,Six O. Yet had he nether wemme ne wound,ne] nor O. But moche of the blood of that manof the] om. O. For hete thorouȝe his body ran.For h. th.] Thoroughe swete of O. Tyll that it wexid derke nyght,Tyll th.] Than O. The folke were euer redy to fyght;redy euer O. Than be-gan Arondell, his stede,his st.] in dede O. To helpe sir Beues at his nede;sir B.] his mayster O. By twenty fote on euery side Durste no man that hors abyde.that] his O. So leste than that ffyghtAnd so lasted that cruel fyght O. Be-twene ham all a gentill nyght.Be—gent.] Al that longe somers O. Sir Beues knyghtes, I vnderstond,vnderstoīd (!) M. To Pownteneth brought theire sond,Putneth O; they add. O. That Beues sonnes shold hye ham blyve, Yf they wold se theire ffader on lyve,se] haue O. And Iosyan hard mynge Bevoun,And] Whan O. mynge B.] they spake of Beuys O. And in a sown there she fell down;And] om. O. there] om. O. down] iwys O. Sir Milis, her son, and sir Gye Toke her vp, certenly: 'Sonnes,' she said, 'what is youre rede? For, certes, youre fader Beues is dede!certaynly O. Beues] om. O. The beste rede, son, that I can,son] om. O. I] we O. Is, that we flee hens, yche man!'Is] so O; om. M. euery O. 'Nay,' said Myles, 'we will not soo! To oure fader wyll we gooUnto O. And bryng hym good socoure, Yf he be leving in that stoure; And yf that he slayn be, We shall distroye that Cite!'shall] wol O. that] al the O. 'As armes, lordinges!' can they crye,As] On O. 'Lyghtly that we were redy!'Lyghtly] Sone O. ye O. were] al add. O. Sir Gye be-strode a rabyt tyght,a rabyght O; araby (!) M. tyght] om. O. He was moche and no thinge light,thinge] thyng add. M, struck out. Sir Beues with his own brondbr.] hand O. Had wonne with in the holy lond,Had—with] Wan hym O. A nobull sword he gan hym take,And a O. he g. h.] gan he O. That was Launcelottes the Lake;That] sometyme add. O. de] so O; the M. In the hilte was a charbokyll-stone, A better sword was never none, That no man knew to this day, Saue Beues good sword Morglaye,4165—68 om. O. And Myles had Colbrandys brond,Colbr. br.] Curtayne in his honde O. That som tyme had Rouland;had] longed to O. His hors white, they callid hym Swalowe,white—hym] was swyft as any O. There myght no hors hym ffolowe.myght no h.] was no hors that myght O. Shippus toke they at that tydeat] in O. And ouer Temmus gan they ride And brought with hem to the CiteAnd] They O. them O. Ten thousand of knyghtis ffree, They come ynne at the water side With grett Ioy and moche pride.grett] moche O. moche] great O. At Ludgate gan they than arere,gan th. th.] they gan O. They slew all that they found there.They] And O. Certes, lordinges, as I you say,Certes l.] Certaynly O. Be than spronge the light day,light] of the add. O. Sir Beues was wery in that ffyght,Sir] om. O. was] so add. O. That vnnethe he myght sitt vp-right.myght he O. A Lumbard dwellid so there in the town,dellid (!) M. A—there] There dwelled a Lumbarde O. He was a man of gret renown,He was a] A doughty O. He had gaderid a grett hoste, And forthe he rode with gret booste,And rode forth O. gret] moche O. And in his hond a good fauchoun, That was made of stele brown; And forthe he yede to sir Beues,And] om. O. yede] pryked O. He said: 'Wylte thou aske no trewis?' And anon with his fauchonAnd a.] Than the Lumbarde O. A grete stroke he gaue Bevoun, And Beues for ffeynt bere hym loweAnd] Than O. bere] layde O. And leyned hym on his sadull bowe;leyned h.] lened O. That sye Beues son, sir Gye, And come prekyng with gret envye, With his sword drawn in hond,in] his add. O. And to the Lumbard he send his sond; So hard on his hede he sett,he] it add. O. That thorouȝ helme and basnett, Man and hors that stoundhors] in add. O. He smote thorouȝ to the ground.thorouȝ] in sunder O. The poynte on the pawment glente, That the ffyre there after sprente.there] out O. sprente] went O. Sir Beues, ffor the stroke he louȝeffor the] at that O. he] om. O. And grett comfforte to hym drouȝe;grett] gode O. hym] he add. O. He thankyd god omnipotent, That hym helpe ffro hevyn sent,ffro h.] had thyder O. And Arondell for Ioye nyed right, He helpid than Beues to ffyght,He] And O. than B.] Beuys for O. And stoutly bare hym, that good man, And helpid well to ffyght thanne;4213 f. om. O. Sire Beues turnyd hym in that whilein] om. O. And sye his other son, sir Myle, Come prekyng with gret routerydynge O. with] a add. O. And meny armed men hym aboute;And meny] Of O. Thurfte he never after to aske leche,Th. he n.] He ncded neuer O. aske] seke O. That sir Mylis myght ouer-reche; Men myght here theire crownus crake,here theirc] se O. Whan Beues sonnes vengeaunce dyd take;dyd] gan O. So hard they can to geder mete, That the blood ran down in yche strete;down] om. O. euery O. So meny men there were dede,was O. That Temmus was as blood red,Tem. was as] Chepesyde ran of O. For there was slayn, I vnderstond,were O. The nomber of thrytty thousand Thorouȝ the fals stywardis rede. And yet was he the furste, was dede.was d.] dede O. Hit is sothe, with oute lesyng: Of falshede comyth never good ending. In euery strete men myght semyght] he add. (!) M. Lumbardys on hepys dede there lye,Men lyenge in poynt to dye O. Hedys and quarters lye in pecysand—pecys] quartred wyth the thyes O. And leggis cutt of by the knees,And l.] Shankes O. Hedus with helmys strayling aboute, Handys and armes cutt oute and oute,4237 f.: Handes and armes bothe cut out, Hedes trendlyngc al about. O. Dede bodyes quarterrid in thre:in] the add. M, struck out. That was grett pyte ffor to see.That] It O. Whan Beues had his enemys distroyed, To Powntnethe ageyn he hyed,Unto O. ag. he] he hym O. And Iosyan was never so ffayn,And] om. O. As whan she sye Beues agayn. Beues toke Iosyan as blyve,as bl.] ful sone O. To Southampton can they dryve,And to O. can th. d.] went anon O. There had they wend, samffayll,had—samf.] he had thought, wythout fayle O. To byd the kyngis batayll.To] haue add. O. kynge O. Tythingis come to kyng Edgare Of all the ffyght, that was thare;all the f.] the batayle O. Than dyd kynge Edgare full right:Than—Edg.] Kynge Edgare than O. He send after erle, baroun, and knyght;Sent for lordes and many a knyght O. And tolde them, thorouȝ his fals sty|wardys redeAnd tolde them] so O; om. M. That all the folke be this dede:That—be] Howe al his men were O. 'I am now an old man And Beues moche of werre can, And he is comyn heder fro fferreAnd—fro] Hider is he come from O. With moche peopull, on me to werre,moche p.] great power O. Two sonnys with hym, he hath brought,Two—hath] Wyth hym two sonnes hathe he O. There fore, dere lordis, I haue in thought,I] om. (!) M. dere—in] lordynges, I haue great O. Mylis shall my doughter take,my d. t.] take my doughter to wyfe O. For to swage all this debate;this] so O; his M. deb.] stryfe O. I wyll make sir Myles erle of Corn|wayll,I w.] And O. That sir Brian had in hond, samfayll!'That was syr Bryans, wythouten fayle O. All they cownsellid hym to do so; A messingere the kyng sent thoo To South-Hampton after Bevoun;To syr Beuys of Hampton O. He bad, he shold come to Londoun:He—shold] Byddynge hym O. 'I wyll that it be ordenyd so, To make a lynage be twene vs two:lynage] loueday O. Thy son shall wed my doughter free,Thy] His O. And Erle of Cornwayll shall he be!' Now ys Beues to London comyn,to L. c.] come to London iwys O. The kyngis doughter was sone nomynwas s. n.] brought forthe is O. And to the mynester durre I-led,And] om. O. myn.] churche O. I|l.] was she led O. Vnto sir Myles was she wed.Vnto] And there O. was she] dyd hyr O. The kyng gaue Myles in spousayll The Erle-dome of Cornwayll. There was myrth at theire spousyng, Turnament and grett Iustyng, But of all men there bare the gree Beues two sonnys and he; And whan the spousyng was at the end, Beues wold homward wend; He toke his leve at the kyng And at all his seli shyppyng, He toke his leve at the hend, At erle, baroun, and at ffrend, And at his son, sir Myle; His way he toke in a while4281—4290: At the weddynge in that manere The kynge and Beuys sat ful nere. Whan Beuys wolde home wende, He toke his leue of the kynge so hende, And at the lordes in that whyle, And also at his sonne, syr Myle. O. And be-toke his son to Sabere, For he shold hym teche and lere.For] That O. Now is Beues went and sir Gyeis B. went] gone is Beuys O. With Iosyan and sir Terry, And Beues lefte hym in his own londAnd] om. O. hym] them O his] theyr O. And be-toke hem to god all-weldand.hem] them al O. all-w.] in honde O. In to Mombraunt Beues gan fareIn] Than O. And sevyn yere he levid thare;lyued he O. Than waxid Iosyan seke and lay, And so dyd Beues, as I you say.so d. B.] Beuys also O. Bysshoppus and ffrerus come be-lyve,come] thyder add. O. Beues and Iosyan gan they shryve.gan they] for to O. Whan Beues and Iosyan the goodthe good] wyth gode entent O. Hath receyvyd goddus flesh and blood,Had O. goddus—blood] the sacrament O. Eyther to oþure trewly turnyd in haste,Eyther] tourned add. O. trewly—haste] wythout boste. O. And both in armes yeld vp the gaste.in a. yeld] they yelded O. Moche sorow than made sir Gye,than] om. O. There was no bote not for thye,not f. th.] for that, truly O. For all shall we dye, I-wys,we shal O. Whan that Crystus wyll it ys.it] om. O. Syr Guy, to the stable went he, Arundel, his hors, to se; Whan he cam there, fonde he no rede, The stede lay in the stable dede. Syr Guy maruayled, the sothe to say, For al they dyed vpon a day.4311—4316. So O; om. M. Than sir Gye, he lett makeThan—lctt] Syr Gye dyd ordayne and O. For Beves and Iosyans sakeFor] syr add. O. An house of religyon,An h.] A place O. rel.] of pryce O. To syng for Beues and Iosyan.Iosyan and Beuys O. He towmbed ham to geder in ffere,ham] them O. Kyng and quene as they were; Iesu Criste in trenite On both theire soulus haue mercy!On both] Of O. And thus endith Beues of Hampton,Southhamptowne O. That was kyng of grett renown:That w. k.] Kynge and knyght O. All that hath herd this talkyng,All] they add. O. haue O. Iesu them graunt good ending,graunt them O. He bryng hem all to hevyn blis,He—all] And brynge vs O. That euer shall laste and never mys, To that blis bryng vs he, That ffor vs died vppon a tree!vppon a] on the rode O.Here endyth a good tale of Beues of Hamtoun, that Good Verriour.Beues] beus (!) M. Here—Verr.] om. O.Amen.