Lancelot of the Laik: A Scottish Metrical Romance (About 1490-1500 A. D.)

by Unknown

[BOOK III.]

The sun ascends in his altitude.

[56] So MS. Should we read “pasith”?

The long dirk paſag[56] of the vinter, & the lycht

[2472] Of phebus comprochit with his mycht;

The which, aſcending In his altitud,

Awodith saturñ with his ſtormys Rude;

The soft dew falls down from heaven.

[57] So MS. It should be “falis.”

The ſoft dew one fra the hewyne doune valis[57]

[2476] Apone the erth, one hillis and on valis,

And throw the ſobir & the mwſt hwmouris

Vp nuriſit ar the erbis, and in the flouris

Nature decks the earth with various hues.

Natur the erth of many diuerß hew

[2480] Our-fret, and cled with the tendir new.

[Fol. 31 a.]

The birdis may them hiding in the grawis

The birds may hide them from the hawk in the groves, and Scilla may ascend in the air.

Wel frome the halk, that oft ther lyf berevis;

And scilla hie aſcending in the ayre,

[2484] That euery vight may heryng hir declar

Of the ſeſſone the paſſing luſtynes.

This was the tyme that phebus gan hym dreß

In to the rame, and haith his courß bygown,

[2488] Or that the trewis and the ȝher vas Rown,

The time of combat between Galiot and the king drew near.

Which was y-ſet of galiot and the king

Of thar aſſemble, and of thar meting.

Arthur haith a xv dais before

[2492] Aſſemblit al his barnag and more

That weryng wnder his ſubieccioune,

Or louith hyme, or longith to his crown;

And haith his Iornay tone, withouten let,

Arthur goes to the appointed place.

[2496] On to the place the wich that was y-ſet,

Whar he hath found befor hyme mony o knycht

That cummyng war with al thar holl mycht,

Al enarmyt both with ſpere & ſcheld,

[2500] And ful of lugis plantith haith the feld,

Hyme In the wer for to ſupport and ſerf

At al ther mycht, his thonk for to diſſerf.

GAWANE REJOINS ARTHUR.

And gawan, which was in the ſeking ȝhit

[2504] Of the gud knycht, of hyme haith got no wit,

Gawane remembers the day,

Remembrith hyme apone the kingis day,

And to his falowis one this wys can ſay:

“To ȝhow is knowin the mater, in what wyß

[2508] How that the king hath with his ennemys

A certan day, that now comprochit nere,

And one to ws war hewynes to here

That he var in to perell or in to dreid,

[2512] And we away and he of ws haith neid;

For we but hyme no thing may eſchef,

And he but ws in honore well may lef;

For, be he loſt, we may no thing withſtond,

[2516] Our-ſelf, our honore we tyne, & ek our lond.

and proposes to his fellows to go to help the king.

Tharfor, I red we pas on to the king,

Suppos our oth It hurt in to ſum thing,

And in the feld with hyme for til endur,

[2520] Of lyf or deth and tak our aduentur.”

Thar-to thei ar conſentit euerilkon,

And but dulay the have thar Iorney toñe.

[Fol. 31 b.]

When that the king them ſaw, in his entent

Arthur is well content at their coming,

[2524] Was of thar com Right wonder well content;

For he preſwmyt no thing that thei wold

not expecting them.

Have cummyne, but one furth to yer ſeking hold.

And thus the kinghis oſt aſſemblit has

[2528] Aȝane the tyme, aȝaine the day that vas

Y-ſtatut and ordanit for to bee,

And euery thing hath ſet in the dogre.

[A]nd galiot, that haith no thing forȝhet

[2532] The termys quhich that he befor had set,

Galiot also assembles his folk,

Aſſemblit has, apone his best maner,

His folk, and al his other thingis ſere,

That to o weryour longith to prouid,

[2536] And is y-come apone the tothir ſyde.

doubling his army and artillery;

Whar he befor was one than vas he two,

And al his vthir artilȝery also

He dowblith hath, that merwell was to ſeñ;

and pitches on the green by the river.

[2540] And by the rewere lychtit one the greñ,

And ſtronghar thane ony wallit toune

His oſt y-bout ycloſit in Randoune.

Thus war thei cummyne apone ather ſyd

Before the truce is ended,

[2544] Be-for the tyme, them-ſelf for to prowid.

THE TRUCE ENDS.

Or that the trewis was complet & rwn,

Men mycht have ſen one euery ſid begwn

many combats are seen between lusty men;

Many a fair and knychtly Iuperty

[2548] Of luſty men, and of ȝong chevalry,

Diſyrus In to armys for to pruf;

Sum for wynyng, ſum cauſith vas for luf,

Sum In to worſchip to be exaltate,

[2552] Sum cauſit was of wordis he & hate,

That lykit not ydill for to ben;

a hundred pair at once.

A hundereth pair at onis one the gren.

Thir luſty folk thus can thar tyme diſpend,

[2556] Whill that the trewis goith to the ende.

The truce past,

The trewis paſt, the day is cummyne onoñe,

One euery ſyd the can them to diſpone;

And thai that war moſt ſacret & moſt dere

Galiot’s friends inquire who shall fight on his side on the morrow.

[2560] To galiot, at hyme the can enquere,

“Who ſal aſſemble one yhour ſyd to-morñe?

To-nycht the trewis to the end is worne.”

He anſuerit, “As yhit one to this were

[2564] I ame awyſit I wil none armys bere,

[Fol. 32 a.]

Bot If It ſtond of more Neceſſitee;

Nor to the feld will pas, bot for to ſee

Yhone knycht, the which that berith ſich o fame.”

He commands the first-conquest king to take 30,000 men.

[2568] Than clepit he the conquest king be name,

And hyme commandit xxx thouſand tak

Aȝaine the morne, and for the feld hyme mak.

And gawane haith, apone the toyer syde,

[2572] Conſulit his Eme he ſchuld for them prowid,

And that he ſchuld none armys to hyme tak

[58] MS. “Wihill.”

Whill[58] galiot will for the feld hyme mak.

[59] Omitted in MS.

“I grant,” quod [he[59]], “wharfor ȝhe mone diſpone

Gawane leads Arthur’s forces.

[2576] Yhow to the feld with al my folk to-morne,

And thinkith in yhour manhed and curage

For to reciſt ȝhone folkis gret owtrag.”

The day comes.

[T]he nycht is gone, vp goith the morow gray,

[2580] The brycht ſone ſo cherith al the day:

The knychtis gone to armys than, in haſt;

One goith the ſcheildis and the helmys laſt;

Arthur’s men cross the ford.

Arthuris oſt out our the furrde thai ryd.

[2584] And thai agane, apone the toyer syd,

Galiot’s men assemble in a vale.

Aſſemblit ar apone o luſty greyne,

In to o waill, whar ſone thar mycht be ſeyne

Of knychtis to-gedder many o pair

[2588] In to the feld aſſemblyng her & thair,

[60] MS. has “borne.” We should read “lorne,” as in line 2092.

And ſtedis which that haith thar maſter lorne;[60]

The knychtis war done to the erth doune borne.

DEEDS OF SIR ESQUYRIS.

Sir Esquyris, a manly knight,

Sir eſquyris, which was o manly knycht

[2592] In to hyme-ſelf, and hardy vas & wycht;

And in till armys gretly for to pryß,

Ȝhit he was pure, he prewit wel oft-ſyß;

at that time of Galiot’s company,

And that tyme was he of the cumpanee

[2596] Of galiot, bot efterwart was hee

With arthur; and that day In to the feild

He come, al armyt boith with ſpere and ſcheld,

With ferß deſir, as he that had na dout,

attacks a band,

[2600] And is aſſemblit ewyne apone a rowt;

His ſpere is gone, the knycht goith to the erd,

And out onon he pullith haith o ſwerd;

and proves his manhood.

That day In armys prewit he rycht well

[2604] His ſtrenth, his manhed; arthuris folk thai fell.

DEEDS OF SIR GWYANS.

Then Galys Gwynans, brother of Ywan,

Than galys gwynans, with o manly hart,

Which broyer was of ywane the baſtart,

He cummyne Is onone one to the ſtour

[Fol. 32 b.]

[2608] For conquering In armys of honour,

encounters him, and horse and man go all four to earth.

And cownterit with eſquyris hath so

[61] MS. has “than.”

That[61] horß and man, al four, to erth thai go;

And ſtill o quhill lying at the ground.

[2612] With that o part of arthuris folk thei found

Arthur’s folk rescue Gwyans;

Till gwyans, and haith hyme ſone reſkewit.

Aȝanis them til eſquyris thei ſewyt

thirty knights of Galiot’s arrive, and rescue Esquyris.

Of galiotis well xxx^ti knychtis & mo;

[2616] Gwyans goith done, and vthir vij alſo,

The wich war tone & eſqwyris relewit.

Next Ywan comes to the mêlée.

Than ywane the anterus, aggrewit,

With kynniſmen one to the melle ſocht.

[2620] The hardy knychtis, that one thar worſchip thocht,

Cownterit them In myddis of the ſcheld,

Whar many o knycht was born doñ in the feld;

Galiot’s men give way.

Bot thei wich ware on galiotis part,

[2624] So wndertakand nor of ſo hardy hart

Ne ware thei not as was in ye contrare.

Gwyans is again rescued.

Sir galys gwyans was reſqwyt thare

With his falowis, and eſqwyris don bore.

[2628] Thar al the batellis cam, withouten more,

On ather part, and is aſſemblit ſo

50,000 men are assembled.

Whar fyfty thouſand war thei, & no mo.

30,000 on Galiot’s side approach the river,

In o plane beſyd the gret Riwere

[2632] Xxx thouſand one galiotis half thei vare;

and 10,000 on Arthur’s.

Of arthuris x thouſand and no mo

Thei ware, and ȝhit thai contenit them ſo

And in the feld ſo manly haith borñ,

[2636] That of thar fois haith the feld forſworñ.

SIR GAWANE’S INTREPIDITY.

The conqueſt king, wich the perell knowith,

Gawane puts the conquest-king to flight.

Ful manly one to the feld he drowith;

The lord ſir gawan, couerit with his ſcheld,

[2640] He ruſchit in myddis of the feld,

And haith them ſo in to his com aſſayt,

That of his manhed ware thei al affrait;

No langer mycht thei contrar hyme endur,

[2644] Bot fled, and goith one to diſcumfiture.

Galiot, full of anger and grief, sends out a new band.

And galiot, wich haith the diſcumfit ſen,

Fulfillit ful of anger and of ten,

Incontinent he ſend o new poware,

[2648] Whar-with the feldis al our-couerit ware

[Fol. 33 a.]

Of armyt ſtedis both in plait and maill,

With knychtis wich war reddy to aſſaill.

Gawane draws his men together, and shews them comfortable words.

Sir gawan, ſeing al the gret ſuppris

[2652] Of fois cummyng In to ſich o wys,

Togiddir al his cumpany he drew,

And confortable wordis to them ſchew;

So at the cummyng of thar ennemys

They receive the foe in manly wise.

[2656] Thei them reſauf, in ſo manly wyß,

That many one felith deithis wound,

And wnder horß lyith ſobing one the ground.

This vther cummyth in to gret deſir,

[2660] Fulfillit ful of matelent and Ire,

So freſchly, with ſo gret o confluens,

Thar ſtrong aſſay hath don ſich vyolens,

And at thar come arthuris folk ſo led,

[2664] That thai war ay abayſit and adred.

Bot gawan, wich that, by this vorldis fame,

Of manhed and of knychthed bur the name,

Haith prewit [hym] well be experiens;

[2668] For only In til armys his defens

Gawane encourages his fellows,

Haith maid his falowis tak ſich hardyment,

That manfully thei biding one the bent.

Of his manhed war merwell to raherß;

[2672] The knychtis throw the ſcheldis can he perß,

That many one thar dethis haith reſauit;

None armour frome his mychty hond them ſauit,

though their foes are three to one;

Ȝhit ay for one ther ennemys wor thre.

[2676] Long mycht thei nocht endur in ſuch dugree;

The preß it wos ſo creuell & ſo ſtrong,

In gret anoy and haith continewit longe,

yet his men are forced to retreat to their tents.

That, magre them, thei nedis moſt abak

[2680] The way one to thar lugis for to tak.

Sir gawan thar ſufferith gret myſchef,

And wonderis in his knychthed can he pref;

His falouſchip haith merwell that hym ſaw,

[2684] So haith his fois that of his ſuerd ſtud aw.

SIR YWAN RESCUES GAWANE.

Arthur beholds the peril of the field, and sends Sir Ywan to help them,

King arthur, that al this whill beheld

The danger and the perell of the feld,

Sir ywan with o falowſchip he ſende,

[2688] Them In that ned to help & to defend,

[Fol. 33 b.]

Qwich fond them In to danger and in were,

And enterit nere In to thar tentis were.

who finds Sir Gawane fighting on foot with only his sword.

Sir gawan fechtand was one fut At erde,

[2692] And no defend, but only in his ſwerde,

Aȝanis them both with ſpere and ſcheld.

[62] Read “felde”?

Of galowa the knycht goith to the erde.[62]

The battle was furious and wood.

[63] MS. “woid,” but the “i” is undotted, and is therefore perhaps meant for the first stroke of a “u.”

Thar was the batell furyous and woud[63]

[2696] Of armyt knychtis; to the grownde thai ȝhud.

Sir ywane, that was a noble knyght,

He ſchew his ſtrenth, he ſchew thar his gret mycht,

In al his tyme that neuer of before

[2700] Off armys, nore of knychthed, did he more:

Sir Ywan rescues Sir Gawane,

Sir gawan thar reſkewit he of fors,

Magre his fois, and haith hyme ſet one horß

That frome the firſt conqueſt king he wañ;

who was so evilly wounded, that he was the worse thereof evermore.

[2704] Bot ſir gawan ſo ewill was wondit than,

And in the feld ſuppriſit was ſo ſore,

That he the werß thar-of was euermore.

Thar ſchew the lord ſir ywan his curage,

[2708] His manhed, & his noble waſſolage;

And gawan, in his doing, wald nocht irk;

END OF THE FIRST DAY’S BATTLE.

Darkness parts the combatants.

So al the day enduring to the dyrk

Sal them, magre of thar deſyre, conſtren

[2712] On ayar half fore [to] depart in twen.

And when that gawan of his horß vas toñ,

The blud out of his noiß & mouth is goñ,

And largly ſo paſſith euery wounde,

Sir Gawane swoons,

[2716] In ſwonyng thore he fell one to the ground:

Than of the puple petee was to here

The lemytable clamour, and the chere;

so that the king despairs of his “niece’s” life, and laments over him.

And of the king the ſorow and the care,

[2720] That of his necis lyf was in diſſpare.

“Far well,” he ſais, “my gladnes, & my delyt,

Apone knychthed far well myne appetit,

Fare well of manhed al the gret curage,

[2724] Yow flour of armys and of vaſſolage,

Gif yow be loſt!”—thus til his tent hyme brocht

The surgeons are sought,

With wofull hart, and al the ſurryȝenis ſocht,

Wich for to cum was reddy at his neid;

[2728] Thai fond the lord was of his lyf in dreid,

For wondit was he, and ek wondit ſo,

who found he had two broken ribs, but no mortal wound.

And in his ſyd ware brokyne Ribys two.

Bot nocht for-thi the king thai maid beleif

[Fol. 34 a.]

[2732] That at that tyme he ſhuld the deith eſchef.

[O]ff melyhalt the ladyis knychtis were

In to the feld, and can thir tithingis here,

The lady of Melyhalt’s knights tell her how the battle went,

And home to thar lady ar thai went,

[2736] Til hir to ſchewing efter thar entent,

In euery poynt, how that the batell ſtud

Of galiot, and of his multitud;

and how Gawane bare him in the field, and of his wounds.

And how gawan hyme in the feld hath borñ,

[2740] Throw quhoys ſwerd ſo many o knycht vas lorñ,

And of the knychtly wonderis that he wrocht,

Syne how that he one to his tent vas brocht.

The lady hard, that lowit gawan so,

She weeps for him.

[64] MS. “in in”; but “in to” is clearly meant.

[2744] She gan to wep, in to[64] hir hart vas wo.

Lancelot requests to see the lady;

Thir tythyngis one to lancelot ar goñ,

Whar-of that he was wonder wo-bygone,

And for the lady haſtely he sent,

[2748] And ſche til hyme, at his command, Is went:

and inquires if Gawane is really likely to die.

He ſaluſt hir, and ſaid, “madem, Is trew

Thir tithingis I her report of new

Of the aſſemble, and meting of the oſt,

[2752] And of ſir gawan, wich that ſhuld be loſt?

LANCELOT’S LAMENT FOR GAWANE.

If that be ſwth, adew the flour of armys,

He laments over him,

Now neuermore recoueryt be the harmys!

In hyme was manhed, curteſſy, and trouth,

[2756] Beſy trawell In knychthed, ay but ſleuth,

Humilyte, [and] gentrice, and cwrag;

In hyme thar was no maner of outrage.

first apostrophizing himself,

Allace! knycht, allace! what ſhal yow ſay?

[2760] Yow may complen, yow may bewail the day

As of his deith, and gladſchip aucht to ſes,

Baith menſtraſy and feſting at the des;

For of this lond he was the holl comfort,

[2764] In tyme of ned al knychthed to ſupport!

and next blaming the lady for not having allowed him to be present in the battle.

Allace! madem, and I durſt ſay at ȝhe

Al yhour beheſt not kepit haith to me,

Whar-of that I was in to full belef

[2768] Aȝañe this day that I ſchuld have my lef,

And nocht as cowart thus ſchamfully to ly

Excludit in to cage frome chewalry,

Whar othir knychtis anarmyt on thar ſtedis

[2772] Hawntis ther ȝhouthhed in to knychtly dedis.”

“Sir,” quod ſche, “I red yhow not diſpleß,

[Fol. 34 b.]

Ȝhe may In tyme her-efter cum at es;

LANCELOT PREPARES FOR BATTLE.

She promises he shall go to the next battle,

For the thrid day Is ordanit, & ſhal be

[2776] Of the oſtis a new aſſemble,

And I have gart ordan al the gere

That longith to ȝour body for to were,

saying that his sable armour is ready.

Boith horß and armour

In the ſamyne wyß

[2780] Of ſable, ewyne aftir ȝhour awn dewyß;

And yhe ſal her remayne one to the day;

Syne may ȝhe paß, fore well ȝhe knaw the way.”

“I will obey, madem, to yhour entent.”

[2784] With that ſche goith, and to hir reſt is went:

In the morn she takes her leave, to go to the court.

One the morn arly vp ſche roß

Without delay, and to the knycht ſche gois,

And twk hir lef, and ſaid that ſcho vald fare

[2788] On to the court, with-outen any mare.

He kneels, and thanks her often.

Than knelit he, and thankit hir oft-ſys,

That ſche ſo mych hath done hyme of gentriß,

And hir byhecht euer, at his myght,

[2792] To be hir awn trew & ſtedfaſt knycht.

She goes unto the king,

Sche thonkith hyme, and ſyne ſche goith her way

On to the king, with-owten more delay,

[65] MS. “with;” which is crossed out, and “in” inserted above, rather minutely written.

Whar that in[65] honour with king & qwen ſche ſall

[2796] Rycht thonkfully reſauit be with-all.

Eft to ſir gawan thai hir led, & ſche

Ryght gladly hyme deſyrit for to ſee,

and finds Sir Gawane quite different from what had been told her.

And ſche hyme fond, and ſche was glad tharfore,

[2800] All vthir ways than was hir told before.

The knycht, the wich in to hir keping vas,

The lady’s cousin cherishes Lancelot in her best manner.

Sche had commandit to hir cuſſynece,

Wich cheriſt hyme apone hir beſt manere,

[2804] And comfort hyme, and maid hym rycht gud chere.

[T]he days goith, ſo paſſith als the nycht,

The third day, the maiden goes to his chamber, and fastens on his armour.

The thrid morow, as that the ſone vas lycht,

The knycht onon out of his bed aroß,

[2808] The maden ſone one to his chalmer goß,

And ſacretly his armour one hyme ſpent.

He tuk his lef, and ſyne his way he went

He goes to the same green, beside the river, as before.

Ful prewaly, rycht to the ſamyne greñ

[2812] One the rewere, whar he befor had ben,

Ewyne as the day [he] the first courß hath maad.

Alone rycht thar he howit, and abaade,

[Fol. 35 a.]

Behalding to the bertes, whar the qweñ

He abides there alone, looking towards the parapet where he saw the queen.

[2816] Befor at the aſſemble he had señ

Rycht ſo the ſone ſchewith furth his lycht,

And to his armour went is euery wycht;

The jousting begins.

One athir half the Iusting is bygon,

[2820] And many o fair and knych[t]ly courß is rown.

The black knight still halts on his steed.

The blak knycht ȝhit howyns on his ſted,

Of al thar doing takith he no hed,

Bot ay, apone the beſynes of thocht,

[2824] In beholding his ey departit nocht.

THE QUEEN BEHOLDS THE BLACK KNIGHT.

The lady beholds him and knows him; but yet inquires who he is,

To quhom the lady of melyhalt beheld,

And knew hyme by his armour & his ſcheld,

Qwhat that he was; and thus ſche ſaid one hycht:

[2828] “Who is he ȝone? who may he be, ȝhone knycht,

So ſtill that hovith and ſterith not his Ren,

And ſeith the knychtis rynyng one the greñ?”

thus calling the attention of Gawane,

Than al beholdith, and in princypale

[2832] Sir gawan beholdith moſt of all;

Of melyha[l]t the lady to hyme maid

Incontinent, his couche and gart be had

Be-fore o wyndew thore, as he mycht se

[2836] The knycht, the oſt, and al the aſſemble.

He lukith furth, and ſone the knycht hath ſen,

who saith to the queen:

And, but delay, he ſaith one to the qwen,

“Madam, remember that the red knight halted where yon knight halts.”

“Madem, if ȝhe remembir, ſo it was

[2840] The red knycht in to the ſamyne place

That wencuſt al [at] the first aſſemble;

Whar that ȝone knycht howis, howit hee.”

“Why do you inquire?” she replies.

“Ȝha,” quod the qwen, “rycht well remembir I;

[2844] Qwhat is the cauß at ȝhe inquere, & quhy?”

“Madem, of [al] this larg warld is he

“He is the knight, madam, whom I most desire to see.”

The knycht the wich I most deſir to ſee

His ſtrenth, his manhed, his curag, and his mycht,

[2848] Or do in armys that longith to o knycht.”

THE ORDER OF BATTLE.

[B]y thus, arthur, with conſell well awyſit,

Arthur arranges his lines of battle.

Haith ordanit his batellis, and devyſit:

King Ydrus leads the first;

The firſt of them led ydrus king, & he

[2852] O worthy man vas nemmyt for to bee.

Harwy the Reweyll, an aged knight, the second.

The ſecund led harwy the Reweyll,

That in this world was knycht that had moſt feill

For to prowid that longith to the were,

[2856] One agit knycht, and well couth armys bere.

[Fol. 35 b.]

[T]he thrid feld [he] deliuerit in the hond

King Angus, a cousin of Arthur, leads the third.

Of angus, king of ylys of ſcotlande,

Wich cuſing was one to king arthur nere,

[2860] One hardy knycht he was, withouten were.

King Ywons the fourth.

The ferd batell led ywons the king,

O manly knycht he was In to al thing.

And thus dewyſit ware his batellis ſere,

In every company are 15,000.

[2864] In euery feld xv thouſand were.

[66] MS. “firſt.” See [l. 2870].

[T]he fift[66] batell the lord ſir ywan lede,

The lord Sir Ywan leads the rearguard.

Whois manhed was in euery cuntre dred,

Sone he was one to wryne the kyng,

[2868] Forwart, ſtout, hardy, wyß, and ȝhing;

Xx thouſand in his oſt thai paſt,

Wich ordanit was for to aſſemble laſt.

Galiot’s armies.

[A]nd galiot, apone the tothir ſyde,

[2872] Rycht wyſly gan his batellis to dewid.

Malenginys leads the first line;

The firſt of them led malenginys the king,

None hardyar In to this erth lewyng;

He neuer more out of his cuntre Raid,

[2876] Nor he with hyme one hundereth knychtis hade.

the first-conquest king the second; Walydeyne the third;

[T]he ſecund the first-conqueſt king led,

That for no perell of armys vas adred;

The thrid, o king clepit walydeyne,

[2880] He led, and was o manly knycht, but weyne.

Clamedeus the fourth;

[T]he ferd, king clamedeus has,

Wich that lord of far ylys was.

and King Brandymagus the fifth.

[67] MS. “firſt.”

The fift[67] batell, whar xl thouſand were,

[2884] King brandymagus had to led and ſtere,

O manly knycht, and prewit well oft-ſyß,

And in his conſell wonder ſcharp & wyß.

Galiot bore no arms;

Galiot non armys bur that day,

[2888] Nor as o knycht he wald hyme-ſelf aray,

but was arrayed as a servant in a habergeon with a “prekyne” hat, and a truncheon in his hand.

But as o ſeruand in o habariowne,

O prekyne hat, and ek o gret trownſciowñ

In til his hond, and one o curſour ſet,

[2892] The beſt that was in ony lond to get.

Endlong the rewar men mycht behold & ſee,

Of knychtis weryne mony one aſſemble;

The black knight still remains looking towards the parapet.

And the blak knycht ſtill he couth abyde,

[2896] Without remowyng, one the Riwer ſyde,

Bot to the bartes to behold and ſee

Thar as his hart deſyrit moſt to bee:

THE FIRST MESSAGE TO THE BLACK KNIGHT.

The lady says to the queen—

And quhen the lady of melyhalt haith ſeñ

[Fol. 36 a.]

[2900] The knycht ſo ſtond, ſche ſaid one to the qweñ,

“Madam, pray commend yourself to yon knight.”

“Madem, It is my conſell at ȝhe send

One to ȝone knycht, ȝour-ſelf for to commend,

Beſeiching hyme that he wald wndertak

[2904] This day to do of armys, for ȝour ſak.”

The queen replies

The quen anſuerit as that hir lykit nocht,

For othir thing was more In to hir thocht,

“For well ȝhe ſe the perell how disiont,

[2908] The adwentur now ſtondith one the point

Boith of my lord his honore, and his lond,

[68] Stevenson reads “the”; but “the” is crossed out, and “in” written over it.

And of his men, in[68] danger how thai ſtond:

that the lady and the rest may send a message, but that she will not herself take part in it.

Bot ȝhe, and ek thir vthere ladice may,

[2912] If that yhow lykith, to the knycht gar ſay

The meſag; is none that wil yhow let,

For I tharof ſal nocht me entermet.”

On to the quen ſcho ſaith, “her I,

[2916] If ſo it pleß thir vthir ladice by,

Am for to ſend one to the knycht content;”

And al the ladice can thar-to aſſent,

Beſeching hir the meſag to dewyß,

[2920] As ſche that was moſt prudent & moſt wyß.

The lady sends a discreet maiden,

Sche grantit, and o madeñ haith thai tone,

Diſcret, apone this meſag for till gone;

and Sir Gawane a squire, with two spears,

And ſir gawan a ſqwyar bad alſo,

[2924] With two ſperis one to the knycht to go.

The lady than, withouten more dulay,

Haith chargit hir apone this wyß to ſay:

to say that all the ladies, the queen alone excepted, commend them to the black knight,

“Schaw to the knycht, the ladice euer-ilkone

[2928] Ben In the court, excep the quen allon,

Til hyme them haith recommandit oft-ſyß,

Beſeching hyme of knychthed and gentriß,

(Or if It hapyne euermore that he ſhall

[2932] Cum, quhar thai may, owther an or all,

In ony thing awail hyme or ſupport,

Or do hyme ony pleſans or comfort,)

and pray him to essay some deed of arms.

He wold wichſaif for loue of them this day

[2936] In armys ſum manhed to aſſay;

And ſay, ſir gawan hyme the ſperis ſent;

Now go, this is the fek of our entent.”

The damsel and squire

The damyſell ſche hath hir palfray tone,

[2940] The sqwyar with the ſperis with hir goñ;

[Fol. 36 b.]

The nereſt way thai paß one to ye knycht,

repeat the message.

Whar ſche repete hir meſag haith ful rycht:

SIR LANCELOT IS NOT CONTENT.

Sir Lancelot, finding the queen not in the message,

And quhen he hard, and planly wnderſtude,

[2944] How that the quen not in the meſag ȝude,

was not content,

He ſpak no word, bot he was not content;

Bot, of ſir gawan, glaid in his entent,

He aſkit quhar he was, and of his fair?

[2948] And thai to hyme the maner can duclair;

but asks the squire to hold the two spears ready for him.

Than the ſqwyar he prayth that he wold

Paß to the feld, the ſperis for to hold.

He ſaw the knychtis ſemblyng her and thare,

[2952] The ſtedis Rynyng with the ſadillis bare;

His ſpuris goith in to the ſtedis syde,

That was ful ſwyft, and lykit not to byd;

HE USES UP SIR GAWANE’S TWO SPEARS.

And he that was hardy, ferß, and ſtout,

He attacks a company of a hundred knights, slays the nearest,

[2956] Furth by o ſyd aſſemblyng on a rout

Whar that one hundereth knychtis was, & mo;

And with the firſt has Recounterit so,

That frome the deth not helpith hym his ſcheld,

[2960] Boith horß and man is lying in the feld;

The ſpere is gone, and al in pecis brak,

and with the stump of his spear bereaves two or three of their saddles.

And he the trunſcyoune in his hand hath tak

That two or thre he haith the ſadillis reft,

[2964] Whill in his hond ſchortly no thing is left.

Syne, to the ſquyar, of the feld is goñ,

He takes a new spear from the squire, and overthrows three knights.

Fro hyme o ſpere In to his hond haith ton,

And to the feld returnyt he aȝayne:

[2968] The firſt he met, he goith one the plan,

And ek the next, and ſyne the thrid alſo;

Nor in his hond, nore in his ſtrak was ho.

His ennemys that veryng In affray

[2972] Befor his ſtrok, and makith rovm alway;

And in ſich wyß ay in the feld he vrocht,

Whill that his ſperis gon var al to nocht;

Whar-of ſir gawan berith vitneſing

[2976] Throw al this world that thar vas non levyng,

In ſo ſchort tyme ſo mych of armys wrocht.

His spears gone, he returns to his first position.

His ſperis gone, out of the feld he ſocht,

And paſſit is one to the Rewere syde,

[2980] Rycht thore as he was wont for to abyde;

[Fol. 37 a.]

And ſo beholdyne In the ſamyne plañ,

As to the feld hyme lykit nocht aȝañ.

THE SECOND MESSAGE TO THE BLACK KNIGHT.

Sir Gawane says to the queen:

Sir gawan ſaw, and ſaith on to the quen,

“Madam, yon knight thinks himself despised, because you so specially excepted yourself in the message;

[69] “not” seems required.

[2984] “Madem, yhone knycht diſponit [not],[69] I weyñ,

To help ws more, fore he ſo is awyſit;

As I preſume, he thinkith hyme diſpiſit

Of the meſag that we gart to hyme mak;

[2988] Yhowre-ſelf yhe have ſo ſpecialy out-tak,

He thinkith ewill contempnit for to bee,

Conſidering how that the neceſſitee

Moſt prinſpally to yhowr ſupporting lyis.

[2992] Tharfor my conſell is, yhow to dewyß,

And ek ȝhowre-ſelf in yhowr treſpas accuß,

ask him mercy, therefore, and excuse your guilt.

And aſk hyme mercy, and yhour gilt excuß.

For well it oucht o prince or o king

[2996] Til honore and til cheriß in al thing

O worthi man, that is in knychthed prewit.

For throw the body of o man eſchevit

Mony o wondir, mony one aduenture,

[3000] That merwell war til any creature.

And als oft-tyme is boith hard & ſen,

For often, by one knight’s prowess, have 40,000 been worsted by 5,000.

Quhar xl thouſand haith diſcumfit ben

Vith v thouſand, and only be o knycht;

[3004] For throw his ſtrenth, his vorſchip, & his mycht,

His falowſchip ſich comfort of hym tais

That thai ne dreid the danger of thar fays.

And thus, madem, I wot, withouten were,

If yon knight will continue to help the king,

[3008] If that ȝhone knycht this day will perſywere

With his manhed for helping of the king,

We ſal have cauß to dred in to no thing.

Our folk of hyme thai ſal ſich comfort tak,

[3012] And ſo adred thar ennemys ſal mak,

That ſur I am, onys or the nycht,

yon folk shall perforce take to flight.”

Of forß ȝhone folk ſal tak one them the flycht:

Wharffor, madem, that ȝhe have gilt to mend,

[3016] My conſell is one to ȝhon knycht ȝe ſend.”

She consents to send a message.

“Sir,” quod ſche, “quhat pleſſith yhow to do

Ȝhe may dewyß, and I conſent thar-to.”

Than was the lady of melyhalt content,

[3020] And to ſir gawan in-to-contynent

[Fol. 37 b.]

Sche clepit the maid, wich that paſſit ar;

A maiden is therefore sent to say,

And he hir bad the meſag thus duclar.

[70] “to” seems required.

“Say [to][70] the knycht, the quen hir recommendith,

[3024] And ſal correk in quhat that ſche offendith

At his awn will, how ſo hyme liſt dewyß;

that the queen humbly exhorts him

And hyme exortith, in moſt humyll wyß,

As euer he will, whar that ſche can or may,

[3028] Or powar haith hir charg, be ony way,

And for his worſchip and his hie manhede,

to help in that need to preserve the king’s honour, and to deserve her thanks.

And for hir luf, to helpen in that ned

The kingis honore, his land fore to preſerf,

[3032] That he hir thonk for euer may deſerf.”

SIR GAWANE SENDS HIM TEN SPEARS MORE.

And four ſquyaris chargit he alſo

Sir Gawane also sends four squires with three horses and ten spears.

With thre horß and ſperis x to go

Furth to the knycht, hyme prayng for his ſak,

[3036] At his raqueſt thame in his ned to tak.

[T]he maden furth with the ſqwyaris is went

One to the knycht, and ſchawith yar entent.

The message heard, he inquires about the queen,

Tho meſag hard, and ek ye preſent ſeñ,

[3040] He anſwerit, and aſkith of the qwen;

and is told that from yon parapet she can witness his deeds.

[71] A second “sche” is here required.

“Sir,” quod ſche, [“sche][71] in to ȝhone bartiis lyis,

Whar that this day yhour dedis ſal dewyß,

Yhowr manhed, yhour worſchip, and affere,

[3044] How ȝhe conteñ, and how yhe armys bere;

The quen hir-ſelf, and many o lady to,

Sal Iugis be, and vitnes how yhe do.”

Than he, whois hart ſtant in o new aray,

He returns a message that he is the queen’s knight.

[3048] Saith, “damyceyll, on to my lady ſay,

How euer that hir lykith that it bee,

Als far as wit or powar is in me,

I am hir knycht, I ſal at hir command

[3052] Do at I may, withouten more demand.

And to ſir gawan, for his gret gentriß,

Me recommend and thonk a thouſand ſyß.”

With that o ſper he takith in his hond,

He stands in his stirrups; and seems to increase a foot in height.

[3056] And ſo in to his ſterapis can he ſtond

That to ſir gawan ſemyth that the knycht

Encreſyng gon o larg fut one hycht;

And to the ladice ſaith he, and the qwen,

[3060] “Ȝhon is the knycht that euer I have ſen

In al my tyme moſt knychtly of affere,

And in hyme-ſelf gon fareſt armys bere.”

THE BLACK KNIGHT’S CHARGE.

[Fol. 38 a.]

[T]he knycht that haith Remembrit in his thocht

Greatly encouraged,

[3064] The qwenys chargis, & how ſche hym beſocht,

Curag can encreſing to his hart;

His curſer lap, and gan onon to ſtart;

And he the ſqwaris haith reqwyrit ſo,

[3068] That thai with hyme one to the feld wald go.

without delay he crosses over the river to the field;

Than goith he one, withouten mor abaid,

And our the reuar to the feld he raid;

Don goith his ſpere onone In to the Reſt,

and goes in wherever he sees most peril.

[3072] And in he goith, withouten mor areſt,

Thar as he ſaw moſt perell and moſt dred

[72] MS. “held.”

In al the feld, and moſt of help[72] had ned,

Whar ſemblyt was the firſt-conqueſt king

[3076] With mony o knycht that was in his leding.

He overthrows two knights.

The firſt he met, doune goith boith horß & man;

The ſper was holl, and to the next he Rañ

That helpit hyme his hawbrek nor his ſcheld,

[3080] Bot throuch and throuch haith perſit in the feld.

SIX KNIGHTS FOLLOW HIM.

Sir Kay, Sir Sygramors, Sir Gresown, Sir Ywan, Sir Brandellis, and Gahers, all six in a race spur across the field with stretched spears,

Sir kay, the wich haith this encontyr ſen,

His horß he ſtrekith our the larg gren,

And ſir ſygramors ek the deſyrand,

[3084] With ſir greſown cummyth at yar honde,

Son of the duk, and alſua ſir ywan

The baſtart, and ſir brandellis onan,

And gaherß, wich that broyir was

[3088] To gawan; thir ſex in a Raß

Deliuerly com prekand our the feldis

With ſperis ſtraucht, and couerit with thar ſcheldis;

Sum for love, ſum honor to purcheß,

and 100 knights after them.

[3092] And aftir them one hundereth knychtis was,

In ſamyne will, thar manhed to aſſay.

On his v falowis clepit than ſir kay,

Sir Kay exhorts them

And ſaith them, “ſiris, thar has ȝhonder ben

[3096] A courß that neuer-more farar was ſen

Maid be o knycht, and we ar cummyn ilkon

Only ws one [his] worſchip to diſpone;

And neuer we in al our dais mycht

[3100] Have bet axampil than iffith ws ȝone knycht

to keep near the black knight, and follow his guidance all day.

Of well doing; and her I hecht for me

Ner hyme al day, if that I may, to bee,

And folow hyme at al [my] mycht I ſall,

[3104] Bot deth or vthir adwentur me fall.”

With that thir ſex, al in one aſſent,

With freſch curag In to the feld Is went.

[Fol. 38 b.]

The blak knychtis ſpere in pecis goñe,

With a second spear, the black knight seeks the field, closely followed by the six.

[3108] Frome o ſqwyar oñe vthir haith he toñe,

And to the feld onone he goith ful rycht;

Thir ſex with hyme ay holdith at yar mycht.

And than bygan his wonderis in the feld;

[3112] Thar was no helme, no hawbryk, nore no ſcheld,

No knight nor armour can withstand him.

Nor yhit no knycht ſo hardy, ferß, nore ſtout,

No ȝhit no maner armour mycht hald owt

His ſtrenth, nore was of powar to withſtond;

[3116] So mych of armys dyde he with his honde,

Every wight wonders at his deeds.

That euery wight ferleit of his deid,

And al his fois ſtondith ful of dreid.

So beſely he can his tyme diſpend,

[3120] That of the ſperis wich ſir gawan ſend,

He uses up all Gawane’s spears.

Holl of them all thar was not lewit oñe;

Throw wich but mercy to the deyth is gon

Ful many o knycht, and many o weriour,

[3124] That couth ſuſten ful hardely o ſtour.

Two horses of his are killed, and he fights on foot.

And of his horß ſuppriſit ded ar two,

One of his awn, of gawanis one alſo,

And he one fut was fechtand one the gren,

[3128] When that ſir kay haith with his falowis ſeñ;

The squire brings him a fresh horse;

The ſqwyar with his horß than to hym brocht;

Magre his fois he to his courſeir ſocht

Deliuerly, as of o mychty hart,

he leaps into the saddle without stirrups.

[3132] Without ſteropis in to his ſadill ſtart,

That euery wycht beholding mervell has

Of his ſtrenth and deliuer beſynes.

SIR KAY ASKS WHO THE BLACK KNIGHT IS.

Sir Kay asks who he is,

Sir kay, ſeing his horß, and how that thai

[3136] War cled in to ſir gawanis aray,

Aſkith at the ſquyar if he knewith

What that he was, this knycht? & he hym ſchewith

but the squire cannot tell.

He wiſt no thing quhat that he was, nore hee

[3140] Befor that day hyme neuer ſaw with Ee.

Than aſkith he, how and one quhat wyß

On gawanis horß makith hyme ſich ſeruice?

The ſqw[y]ar ſaith, “forſuth y wot no more;

[3144] My lord ws bad, I not the cauß quharfore.”

The black knight returns to the field.

The blak knycht, horſit, to the feld can ſew

Als freſch as he was in the morow new;

The six comrades follow him.

The ſex falowis folowit hyme ilkone,

[3148] And al in front on to the feld ar goñ;

[Fol. 39 a.]

Rycht freſchly one thar ennemys thai ſoght,

And many o fair poynt of armys vroght.

Malangin’s host is discomfited by king Ydras; and retreats to join the second line, commanded by the Conquest-king;

[T]han hapnyt to king malangins oſt

[3152] By ydras king diſcumfit was, & loſt,

And fled, and to the conqueſt-king ar goñe,

Thar boith the batellis aſſemblit In to one;

King malengynis in to his hart was wo,

[3156] For of hyme-ſelf no better knycht mycht go;

so that 40,000 are now opposed to 15,000 of Arthur’s.

Thar xl thouſand war thai for xv.

Than mycht the feld rycht perellus be ſen

Of armyt knychtis gaping one the ground;

[3160] Sum deith, and ſum with mony a grewous wond;

For arthuris knychtis, that manly war and gud,

Suppos that vthir was o multitude,

Reſauit tham well at the ſperis end;

[3164] But one ſuch wyß thai may not lang defend.

THE BLACK KNIGHT’S PROWESS.

The black knight, knowing who is beholding him,

The blak knycht ſaw the danger of the feld,

And al his doingis knowith quho beheld,

And ek remembrith in to his entent

[3168] Of the meſag that ſche haith to hyme ſent:

Than curag, ſtrenth encreſing with manhed,

Ful lyk o knycht one to the feld he raid,

thinks to have his lady’s love, or die before her.

Thinking to do his ladice love to have,

[3172] Or than his deth befor hir to reſave.

Thar he begynyth in his ferß curag

Of armys, as o lyoune in his rag;

Than merwell was his doing to behold;

[3176] Thar was no knycht ſo ſtrong, nor yhit ſo bold,

That in the feld befor his ſuerd he met,

Nor he ſo hard his ſtrok apone hyme ſet,

That ded or wondit to the erth he ſocht;

He works nothing but wonders;

[3180] For thar was not bot wonderis that he wrocht.

And magre of his fois euerilkone,

and often passes alone through the field.

In to the feld oft tymys hyme aloñ

Throuch and throuch he paſſith to & fro;

[73] Another spelling of warld, i.e. world, which occurs in the fuller form in [l. 3212].

[3184] For in the ward[73] it was the maner tho

That non o knycht ſhuld be the brydill tak

Hyme to oreſt, nore cum behynd his bak,

Nor mo than on at onys one o knycht

[3188] Shuld ſtrik, for that tyme worſchip ſtud ſo rycht.

Ȝhit was the feld rycht perellus and ſtrong

Till arthuris folk, ſet thai contenyt longe;

[Fol. 39 b.]

Bot in ſich wyß this blak knycht can conten,

He fights in such wise as to encourage all who see his deeds.

[3192] That thai, the wich that hath his manhed ſeñ,

Sich hardyment haith takyne In his ded,

Them thocht thai had no maner cauß of dred,

Als long as he mycht owthir ryd or go,

[3196] At euery ned he them recomfort ſo.

Sir Kay and his fellows follow him all day.

Sir kay haith with his falowis al the day

Folowit hyme al that he can or may,

And wondir well thai have in armys prewit,

[3200] And with thar manhed oft thar folk relewit;

Bot well thai faucht in diuerß placis ſere,

But at last they are nearly all overpowered by numbers.

With multitud yar folk confuſit were,

That long in ſich wyß mycht thai nocht conteñ.

SIR KAY’S MESSAGE TO SIR HARWY.

Sir Kay sends Gawane’s squire with a message to Sir Harwy that he ought not to suffer the best knight that ever bore arms to be surprised,

[3204] Sir kay, that hath ſir gawans qſquyaris ſen,

He clepit hyme, and haith hyme prayt ſo,

That to ſir harwy the rewell wil he go,

And ſay to hyme, “ws think hyme ewil awyſit;

[3208] For her throuch hyme he ſufferit be ſuppriſit

The beſt knycht that euer armys bur;

And if it ſo befell of adwentur,

In his defalt, that he be ded or lamyt,

[3212] This warld ſal have hyme vtraly defamyt.

nor six knights of the Round Table to be discomfited.

And her ar of the round table alſo

A falouſchip, that ſall in well and wo

Abid with hyme, and furth for to endur

[3216] Of lyf or deth, this day, thar adwentur;

And if ſo fal diſcumfyt at thai bee,

The king may ſay that wonder ewill haith he

Contenit hyme, and kepit his honore,

[3220] Thus for to tyne of chevalry the flour!”

The squire takes the message.

The ſqw[y]ar hard, and furth his way Raid,

In termys ſchort he al his meſag ſaid.

Sir harwy ſaith, “y wytneß god, that I

[3224] Neuer in my days comytit tratory,

And if I now begyne In to myne eld,

In ewill tyme fyrſt com I to this feld;

Sir Harwy says that Sir Kay shall have no cause to reprove him.

Bot, if god will, I ſal me ſon diſcharg.

[3228] Say to ſir kay, I ſal not ber the charg,

He ſal no mater have me to rapref,

I ſal amend this mys if that I lef.”

The ſqwyar went and tellit to ſir kay;

GALIOT’S FOLK ARE WORSTED.

Sir Harwy comes to support them;

[3232] And ſir harwy, in al the haſt he may,

Aſſemblyt hath his oſtis, & onoñ

[Fol. 40 a.]

In gret deſyre on the feld is gon

Before his folk, and haldith furth his way;

[3236] Don goith his ſper, and ewyne before ſir kay

So hard o knycht he ſtrykith in his ten

That horß and he lay boith apone the gren.

Sir gawan ſaw the counter that he maad,

[3240] And leuch for al the ſarues that he had:

and proves himself a better warrior than might have been expected of one so old.

That day ſir harwy prewyt in the feld

Of armys more than longith to his eld,

For he was more than fyfty yher of ag,

[3244] Set he was ferß and ȝong in his curag;

And fro that he aſſemblyt his bataill

Galiot’s folk are beaten.

Doune goith the folk of galotis al haill;

For to withſtond thai war of no poware,

[3248] And yhit of folk x thouſand mo thei vare.

King Valydone comes to support them.

Kyng valydone, that ſauch on ſuch o wyß

His falowis dangerit with thar ennemys,

With al his folk, being freß and new,

[3252] Goith to the feld onon, them to reſſkew;

Thar was the feld rycht perellus aȝañe,

Of arthuris folk ful many on var ſlan.

Angus comes to aid Arthur’s men.

Bot angus, quhich that lykith not to bid,

[3256] And ſaw the perell one the tother ſid,

His ſted he ſtrok, and with his oſt is gon

Whar was moſt ned, and thar the feld has ton.

Clamedyus comes to aid Galiot’s men.

Kyng clamedyus makith non abaid,

[3260] Bot with his oſt one to the ſid he raid.

Ywons encounters Clamedyus.

And ywons king, that haith his cummyn ſen,

Encounterit hyme in myddis of the greñ.

The aucht batellis aſſemblyt one this wiß;

Great clamour and lamentable cries on either side.

[3264] On ather half the clamore and the cryiß

Was lametable and petws for til her,

Of knychtis wich in diuerß placis ſere

Wondit war, and fallyng to and fro,

[3268] Ȝhit galyotis folk war xx thouſand mo.

THE BLACK KNIGHT’S DARING RESOLUTION.

The black knight bids himself remember love’s power over him;

The blak knycht than on to hyme-ſelf he ſaid:

“Remembir the, how yhow haith ben araid,

Ay ſen ye hour that yow was makid knycht,

[3272] With love, aȝane quhois powar & whois mycht

Yow haith no ſtrenth, yow may It not endur,

Nor ȝhit non vthir erthly creatur;

and that only his lady’s mercy or his life’s end can amend him.

And bot two thingis ar the to amend,

[3276] Thi ladice mercy, or thi lyvys end.

And well yhow wot that on to hir preſens,

[Fol. 40 b.]

Til hir eſtat, nor til hir excellens,

Thi febilneß neuermore is able

[3280] For to attan, ſche is ſo honorable.

And ſen no way yow may ſo hie extend,

He counsels himself to strive for her thanks,

My verray conſell is, that yow pretend

This day, (ſen yow becummyne art hir knycht

[3284] Of hir comand, and fechtit in hir ſycht),

And well yow ſchaw, ſen yow may do no mor,

That of reſone ſche ſal the thank tharfore;

and to be ashamed of every point of cowardice.

Of euery poynt of cowardy yow ſcham,

[3288] And in til armys purcheß the ſum nam.”

With that of love in to o new deſir

Swift as a crossbow-bolt he seeks the field.

His ſpere he ſtraucht, and ſwift as any wyre

With al his forß the nereſt feld he ſoght;

[3292] His ful ſtrenth in armys thar he vroght,

In to the feld ruſching to and fro,

Doune goith the man, doune goith the horß also;

Sum throw the ſcheld is perſit to the hart,

[3296] Sum throw the hed, he may It not aſtart.

His sword carves the head from some, and cuts the arms of others in twain.

His bludy ſuerd he dreuch, that carwit ſo

Fro ſum the hed, and ſum the arm in two;

Sum in the feld fellit is in ſwoñ,

[3300] Throw ſum his ſuerd goith to the ſadill doune.

His fois waren abaſit of his dedis,

His mortell ſtrok ſo gretly for to dred Is;

When his foes see him, they leave the place for dread of death.

Whar thai hyme ſaw, within a lytall ſpace,

[3304] For dreid of ded, thai levyng hyme the place,

That many o ſtrok ful oft he haith forlorñ;

The ſpedy horß away the knycht hath borñ.

In to his wyrking neuermore he ſeſt,

[3308] Nor non abaid he makith, nor areſt.

His knightly deeds assure his fellows.

His falowis, ſo in his knychthed aſſuryd,

Thai ar recomfort, thar manhed is recoueryt,

And one thar fois ful ferſly thai ſoght,

[3312] Thar goith the lyf of many o knycht to nocht.

So was the batell wonderful to tell,

Of knychtis to ſe the multitud that fell,

It was pitiful to see the knights gaping upon the green.

That pety was til ony knycht to ſeñ

[3316] The knychtis lying gaping on the gren.

The blak knycht ay continewit ſo faſt,

[74] MS. “Whilk.”

Whill[74] many one, diſcumfit at the laſt,

[Fol. 41 a.]

Are fled, and planly of the feld thei pas:

GALIOT WONDERS WHY HIS MEN FLEE.

Galiot asks his men why they flee.

[3320] And galyot haith wondyr, for he was

Of mor powar, and aſkit at them qwhy

As cowartis thai fled ſa ſchamfully?

A knight replies, that whoever likes may go and see marvels.

Than ſaith o knycht, ſor wondit in the brayne,

[3324] “Who lykith, he may Retwrn aȝayne

Frome qwhens we come, merwalis for to ſee,

That in his tyme neuer ſich ſauch hee.”

Galiot asks, what marvels; and the knight tells him there is a knight who vanquishes all;

“Marwell,” quod he, “that dar I boldly ſay

[3328] Thay may be callit, and quhat thai ar, I pray?”

“Schir, in the feld forſuth thar is o knycht,

That only throw his body and his mycht

Wencuſſith all, that thar may non ſuſten

[3332] His ſtrokis, thai ar ſo fureows and ken.

who fares as a lion or a bear;

He farith as o lyone or o beyre,

Wod in his rag, for ſich is his affere.

to whom the red knight hears no comparison.

Nor he the knycht in to the armys Red,

[3336] Wich at the first aſſemble in this ſted

Wencuſſith all, and had the holl renown,

He may to this be no comparyſoune,

Fore neuer he ſeſith ſen the day vas goñ,

[3340] Bot euermore continewit in to one.”

Galiot says he will go and see.

Quod galiot, “in nome of god and we

Al, be tyme, the ſuthfaſtneß ſal see.”

GALIOT RALLIES HIS MEN.

Galiot is armed, rallies the flyers, and encourages his men.

[T]han he in armys that he had is gon,

[3344] And to the feld with hyme aȝane hath ton

[75] The sense, but not the metre, requires “in.”

Al the flearis, and foundyne [in][75] ſich aray

His folk, that ner diſcumfyt al war thay;

Bot quhen thai ſaw cummyne our the plan

[3348] Thar lord, thai tuk ſich hardement aȝañ,

They shout their war-cries.

That thar eſſenȝeis lowd thai gon to cry.

He chargit tham to go, that ware hyme by,

Straucht to the feld, with al thar holl forß;

[3352] And thai, the wich that ſparit not the horß,

All redy war to fillyng his command,

And freſchly went, withowten more demand:

Throw qwich thar folk recoueryt haith thar place,

All think a new host is coming.

[3356] For al the feld preſwmyt that thar was

O new oſt, one ſuch o wyß thai ſoght;

Arthur’s folk determine rather to die than fly.

Whar arthuris folk had paſſith al to nocht,

Ne war that thai the better war ilkoñe,

[3360] And at thai can them vtraly diſpoñe

[Fol. 41 b.]

Rathar to dee than flee, in thar entent,

And of the blak knycht haith ſich hardyment;

For at al perell, al harmys, and myſchef,

[3364] In tyme of ned he can tham al ralef.

[T]har was the batell dangerus & ſtrong,

Gret was the pres, bath perellus & throng;

The black knight is borne to the ground.

The blak knycht is born on to the ground,

[3368] His horß hyme falyth, that fellith dethis wound.

The six comrades go to the earth.

The vi falowis, that falowit hyme al day,

Sich was the preß, that to the erth go thay;

And thar in myd among his ennemys

[3372] He was about encloſit one ſich wyß

None know where he is.

That quhare he was non of [his] falowis knew,

Nor mycht nocht cum to help hyme, nore reſkew.

And thus among his ennemys allon

He defends himself with his sword.

[3376] His nakid ſuerd out of his hond haith ton;

And thar he prewit his wertew & his ſtrenth;

For thar was none within the ſuerdis lenth

That came, bot he goith to confuſioune.

No helm nor habergeon may resist his sword.

[3380] Thar was no helme, thar was no habirioune,

That may reſiſt his ſuerd, he ſmytith so;

One euery ſyd he helpith to and fro,

That al about the compas thai mycht ken;

[3384] The ded horß lyith virſlyng with the men.

Thai hyme aſſalȝeing both with ſcheld & ſpere,

He fares like a bear at the stake, that snubs the hardy hounds.

And he aȝane; as at the ſtok the bere

Snybbith the hardy houndis that ar ken,

[3388] So farith he; for neuer mycht be ſen

His ſuerd to reſt, that in the gret rout

He rowmyth all the compas hyme about.

GALIOT WONDERS AT LANCELOT’S PROWESS.

[A]nd galiot, beholding his manhed,

Galiot wonders at his deeds;

[3392] Within his-ſelf wonderith of his ded,

How that the body only of o knycht

Haith ſich o ſtrenth, haith ſich affere & mycht;

Than ſaid he thus, “I wald not that throw me,

and says that such a knight shall not die on his account.

[3396] Or for my cauß, that ſuch o knycht ſuld dee,

To conquer all this world that is ſo larg.”

His horß than can he with his ſpuris charg,

A gret trunſioune In to his hond hath ton,

[3400] And in the thikeſt of the preß is goñ,

He charges all his folk to cease;

And al his folk chargit he to ſeß.

At his command thai levyng al the preß;

[Fol. 42 a.]

And quhen he had departit all the rout,

[3404] He ſaid, “ſir knycht, havith now no dout.”

Wich anſwerit, “I have no cauß to dred.”

and assures the black knight that he will himself warrant him from all harm.

“Ȝis,” quod he, “ſa euer god me ſped,

Bot apone fut quhill ȝe ar fechtand here,

[3408] And yhow defendith apone ſich manere,

So hardely, and ek ſo lyk o knycht,

I ſal my-ſelf with al my holl mycht

Be yhour defens, and varand fra al harmys;

[3412] Bot had yhe left of worſchip In til armys,

What I have don I wold apone no wyß;

Bot ſen yhe ar of knychthed ſo to prys,

[76] MS. “ſalt.”

Ȝhe ſal[76] no maner cauß have for to dred:

He offers him as many horses as he needs; and proposes that they shall never again part.

[3416] And ſet yhour horß be falit at this ned,

Diſpleß yhow not, for-quhy ȝe ſal not want

Als many as yhow lykith for to hawnt;

GALIOT GIVES LANCELOT HIS OWN HORSE.

And I my-ſelf, I ſal yhowr ſqwyar bee,

[3420] And, if god will, neuer more ſal wee

He ’lights from his horse, and gives him to Lancelot, who thanks him.

Depart;” with that, anon he can to lycht

Doune frome his horß, and gaf hyme to y^e knycht.

The lord he thonkit, and the horß hath ton,

[3424] And als ſo freſch one to the feld is gon,

As at no ſtrokis he that day had ben.

His falowis glad, one horß that hath hym ſen,

To galiot one vthir horß thai broght;

[3428] And he goith one, and frome the feld he ſocht,

Galiot returns to his host, and chooses a band of 10,000 men.

And to the plan quhar that his oſtis were;

And brandymagus chargit he to ſtere

Efter hyme, within a lytill ſpace,

[3432] And x thouſand he takyne with hym haß.

Towart the feld onon he can to Rid,

And chargit them befor ye oſt to byd.

The trumpets, clarions, horns, and bugles are sounded.

Wp goith the trumpetis, and the claryownis,

[3436] Hornys, bugillis blawing furth thar ſownis,

That al the cuntre reſownit hath about;

Arthur’s folk despair.

Than arthuris folk var in diſpar & dout,

That hard the noys, and ſaw the multitud

[3440] Of freſch folk; thai cam as thai war wod.

LANCELOT HARANGUES ARTHUR’S HOST.

The sable knight, still fearless,

[B]ot he that was withowten any dred,

In ſabill cled, and ſaw the gret ned,

Aſſemblyt al his falowis, and arayd;

harangues his men, saying,

[3444] And thus to them in manly termes ſaid:

[Fol. 42 b.]

“What that ȝe ar I knaw not yhour eſtat,

“I know not who ye are, but I know that ye ought to be commended.

Bot of manhed and worſchip, well I wat,

Out throuch this warld yhe aw to be commendit,

[3448] This day ȝe have ſo knychtly yhow defendit.

Ye see how your enemies, as night approaches, are striving to give you an outrage or a fright.

And now yhe ſee how that, aȝanis the nycht,

Yhour ennemys pretendit with thar myght

Of multitud, and with thar new oſt,

[3452] And with thar buglis and thar wyndis boſt

Freſchly cummyng In to ſich aray,

[77] MS. “owtray.” See Glossary.

To ifyne yhow one owtrag[77] or affray.

And now almoſt cummyne Is the nycht,

Employ then your courage, so that the honour ye have won be not again lost.

[3456] Quharfor yhour ſtrenth, yhour curag, & yhovr mycht

Yhe occupye in to ſo manly wyß,

That the worſchip of knychthed & empryß

That yhe have wonyng, and ye gret renown

[3460] Be not yloſt, be not ylaid doune.

For one hour the ſufferyng of diſtreß,

Gret harm It war yhe tyne the hie encreß

Of vorſchip, ſeruit al this day before.

[3464] And to yhow al my conſell is, tharfore,

Resolve then to meet them sharply, without fear, so that they may feel the cold spear in their hearts.

With manly curag, but radour, yhe pretend

To met tham ſcharply at the ſperis end,

So that thei feil the cold ſperis poynt

[3468] Out-throw thar ſcheldis, in thar hartis poynt.

So ſal thai fynd we ar no-thing affrayt;

Whar-throuch we ſall the well leß be aſſayt.

Perhaps then the foremost will make the rest afraid.”

If that we met them ſcharply in the berd,

[3472] The formeſt ſal mak al the laif afferd.”

And with o woyß thai cry al, “ſir knycht,

Apone yhour manhed, and yhour gret mycht,

They promise to stand firm.

We ſal abid, for no man ſhall eſchef

[3476] Frome yhow this day, his manhed for to pref.”

Sir Yvan also bids his men be comforted; for that they see all the strength of their enemies.

And to his oſt the lord ſir yvane ſaid,

“Yhe comfort yow, yhe be no-thing affrayd,

Ws ned no more to dreding of ſuppriß;

[3480] We ſe the ſtrenth of al our ennemys.”

Thus he ſaid, for he wend thai var no mo,

Sir Gawane, however, knew better.

Bot ſir gawan knew well It vas not ſo;

For al the oſtis mycht he ſe al day,

[3484] And the gret hoſt he ſaw quhar yat it lay.

THE POEM ABRUPTLY ENDS.

Galiot also exhorts his men.

[A]nd galiot he can his folk exort,

Beſeching them to be of good comfort,

And ſich enconter

[The rest is wanting.]

[NOTES.]

---

[It may be observed, once for all, that the expression in to repeatedly occurs where we should simply use in; and one to is in like manner put for unto. The ending -ith (for -ed) is frequent in the past tense, and -it (also for -ed) in the past participle, though this distinction is not always observed. A still more noticeable ending is -ing (for -en) in the infinitive. Observe further that the letters v, u, and w are perfectly convertible, and used quite indiscriminately; so that wpone means upon; vthir means uthir, i.e., other: our is put for over; vounde signifies wound, etc.]

[Page 1], [line 1]. The soft morow. This nominative case has no verb. A similar construction occurs in the first lines of Books II. and III.

[4.] Uprisith—his hot courss, Upriseth in his hot course; chare, chariot.

[6.] sent, sendeth; so also stant, standeth, [l. 326].

[8.] valkyne, waken.

[10.] gyrss, grass.

[11.] assay, assault.

[13.] wox, voice.

[17.] frome I can, from the time that I did.

[18.] It deuit me, it availed me. Jamieson gives “Dow, 1. to be able; A.S. dugan (valere), to be able. 2. to avail; Teut. doogen.”

[P. 2], [l. 23]. hewy ȝerys, heavy years.

[24.] “Until that Phœbus had thrice gone through his full circuits” (lit. spheres). See the peculiar use of “pas” in other places.

[26.] “So, by such a manner, was my lot fated;” see [l. 41].

[28.] carving can, did cut.

[30.] be the morow, by the morn.

[36.] neulyngis, newly, anew.

[43.] walkith, walked.

[50.] I-clede, y-clad, clad. Ch. has clede.

[54.] “No one within thought he could be seen by any wight outside.”

[P. 3], [l. 56]. clos it, enclose it; the MS. has closit.

[57.] alphest. This reading of the MS. is an error for alcest. See Chaucer, Prologue to Legend of good women, l. 511:

“The grete goodnesse of the quene Alceste,

That turned was into a dayesye,”

Alceste being the contracted form of Alcestis.

[59.] Wnclosing gane, did unclose.

[60.] “The bright sun had illumined the spray, and had updrawn (upwarped) into the lusty air the night’s soft (sober) and moist showers; and had made the morning soft, pleasant, and fair.” With this difficult passage we should compare [l. 2477].

[66.] Quhill, until.

[67.] till ony vicht, to any wight.

[69.] Bot gladness til the thochtful, euer mo, etc., “But, as for gladness to the melancholy man, evermore the more he seeth of it, the more wo he hath.”

[73.] represent, represented (accented on the second syllable).

[74.] Al day gan be sor, etc., “All the day, my spirit began to dwell in torment, through sorrow of thought;” be sor, by sorrow (A.S. sorh).

[77.] Ore slep, or how I wot, “Or sleep, ere I knew how.”

[83.] A-licht, alighted.

[84.] levis in to were, livest in doubt.

[P. 4], [l. 91]. be morow, by morrow; at early morn.

[99.] set, although.

[103.] weil accordinge, very fitting.

[105.] long ore he be sonde, (It is) long ere he be sound.

[108.] seith, for to consel, saith, that as for concealing or shewing, etc.

[109.] althir-best, lit. best of all; see Chaucer’s use of alderfirst, alderlast.

[P. 5], [l. 127]. lat be thi nyss dispare, let be thy nice (foolish) despair.

[128.] erith, earth.

[134.] schall hyme hating, shall hate him. The termination -ing is here the sign of the infinitive mood after the verb shall.

[140.] Set, although.

[146.] tak one hand and mak, undertake and compose; trety, treatise; vnkouth, unknown, new.

[151.] belevis, believe will please thy lady.

[160.] yis, this.

[P. 6], [l. 161]. troucht, truth.

[163.] discharge, release.

[170.] spir, sphere.

[171.] “At command of a wise (god from) whose vision,” etc. We sometimes find in old English the adjective “a wise” used absolutely for “a wise man.” See “Le Morte Arthur,” ed. F. J. Furnivall, l. 3318.

[175.] tynt, lost.

[177.] be this worldis fame. Here again, as in many other passages, “be” expresses with relation to, as regards.

[185.] yaim, them.

[191.] demande, demur.

[P. 7], [l. 198]. Quhill, until.

[200.] conten, treat; lit. contain.

[202.] Lancelot is here called the son of Ban, king of Albanak; so again in [l. 1447].

[204.] redis, read.

[214.] “I will not waste my efforts thereupon.”

[219.] wnwyst, unwist, unknown.

[225.] nome, name.

[226.] Iwondit to the stak, very deeply wounded; but there is no doubt about the origin of the phrase. See Glossary.

[228.] astart, get rid of it, escape it.

[P. 8], [l. 240]. dedenyt to aras, deigned to pluck out.

[244.] hurtare, hurter.

[245.] Iwond, wounded.

[248.] ful wicht, full nimble.

[251.] of quhome, by whom.

[253.] send, sent.

[257.] pasing vassolag, surpassing prowess.

[260.] “Passed down into the fell caves.”

[264.] tane, taken.

[266.] cwre, care.

[P. 9], [l. 267]. gart be maid, caused to be made.

[271.] awoue, vow.

[275.] in to that gret Revare, in that great river.

[284.] o gret confusione of pupil and knychtis, al enarmyt, a great medley of people and knights, all fully armed. Stevenson actually reads unarmyt!

[294.] I wil report; both here and in [l. 320] we should almost expect to find “I nil report;” i.e. I will not tell. It must mean, “I will tell you why I omit to mention these things.” Compare lines [266], [320.]

[297.] thing, think.

[P. 10], [l. 305]. veris, wars.

[306.] be the wais, by the ways.

[307.] Tuex, betwixt; accorde, agreement.

[314.] mot, must.

[316.] stek, concluded.

[319.] most conpilour, very great composer.

[320.] “As to whose name I will only say, that it is unfit,” etc.

[326.] stant, standeth.

[328.] yroung, rung.

[330.] beith, shall be; observe the future sense of beith in this place.

[331.] suet, sweet.

[332.] “His soul in bliss preserved be on that account.”

[334.] and this endit. Whether endit here refers to inditing or ending is perhaps doubtful.

[NOTES TO BOOK I.]

[P. 11], [l. 336]. If by aryeit is here meant the sign, not the constellation of Aries, the day referred to is April 1 or 2, according to Chaucer’s “Astrolabie.”

[338.] bewis, boughs.

[340.] makyne gone, did make.

[341.] in ther chere, after their fashion. (For chere, see Glossary.)

[345.] auerding to, belonging to.

[351.] Anoit, annoyed.

[352.] For why, wherefore; so also for-thi, therefore.

[354.] can, began.

[355.] sende, sent.

[358.] heryng, hear (infin. mood). In the next line it occurs as a present participle.

[362.] to pas hyme, to go, depart.

[364.] meit, to dream of; aperans, an appearance, apparition.

[P. 12], [l. 365]. hore, hair.

[375.] vombe, womb; hence bowels.

[377.] stert, started.

[384.] gert, caused.

[390.] traist, trust.

[397.] demande, demur, delay.

[398.] at, that.

[P. 13], [l. 407]. whill, until.

[408.] the, they.

[410.] to viting, to know.

[412.] shauyth al hall, sheweth all whole.

[414.] chesith, chooseth.

[422.] shire, sir.

[424.] fore to awysing, in order to take counsel. 432. All this about astronomy (i.e. astrology) should be compared with Gower; Conf. Amantis, lib. vii; ed. Pauli, vol. 3, pp. 133, 134. Arachell, Nembrote, Moises, Hermes are there mentioned as astrologers.

[433.] The MS. has “set” (not with a long s). Mr Stevenson has “fet,” which would seem right.

[P. 14], [l. 435]. nembrot, Nimrod; see Genesis and Exodus (E.E.T.S.), l. 659.

[436.] herynes, miswritten for herymes, i.e. Hermes.

[439.] “The which they found were wondrously evil set.”

[440.] his sweuen met, dreamed his dream.

[443.] waryng in to were, were in doubt.

[444.] danger, power to punish; compare Shakspere’s use of the word.

[457.] but delay, without delay.

[459.] stondith heuy cherith, stood heavy-cheered, was sad in his demeanour.

[465.] fundyng, found.

[466.] depend to, depend upon.

[P. 15], [l. 475]. tone, taken.

[478.] assey, test.

[481.] record, to tell out, speak.

[487.] preseruith It allan, is preserved alone.

[499.] affy in-tyll, rely upon.

[500.] failye, fail.

[504.] there clergy, their science.

[P. 16], [l. 519]. “Through the watery lion, who is also faithful, and through the leech and eke the water also, and through the counsel of the flower.” It is very possible this passage is partly corrupt; [l. 520] should certainly be (as may be seen from lines [2010], [2056]),

“And throuch the leich withouten medysyne.”

The meanings of lion, leech, and flower are fully explained, however, in lines [2013-2120].

[524.] weyne, vain.

[527.] passid nat his thoght, left not his thoughts.

[531.] rachis, braches, dogs.

[533.] grewhundis, grayhounds.

[536.] This purely conjectural line is merely inserted to carry on the sense. It is imitated from line 3293. In the next line we should read “grewhundis,” rather than “grewhund.”

[538.] Befor ther hedis, before their heads.

[P. 17], [l. 545]. “All armed, as was then the fashion.”

[546.] salust, saluted.

[548.] kend, known.

[549.] leuyth, liveth.

[552.] The rime requires “land,” as in [l. 638].

[553.] yald hyme our, yield him over.

[554.] if tribut, give tribute.

[566.] recist, resist; mone bee, must be.

[568.] be, by.

[569.] day moneth day, ere this day month; comp. [l. 1162].

[P. 18], [l. 577]. fairhed, fair-hood, beauty.

[587.] magre myne entent, in spite of my intention.

[591.] nome, took.

[593.] Inquere at, inquire of.

[596.] wes, was.

[599.] rase, rose.

[605.] accordith, agree thereto.

[606.] recordith, belongith.

[607.] visare, wiser.

[P. 19], [l. 621]. This spek I lest, this I list to speak.

[622.] varnit, warned.

[626.] “Though the season of the year was contrary.”

[627.] atte, at the.

[629.] the ilk, that (Scotch thilk).

[632.] Melyhalt, the name both of a hill, and of the town built upon it.

[636.] affray, terror.

[642.] wnconquest, unconquered.

[643.] cwre, care.

[P. 20], [l. 649]. nemmyt, named.

[652.] were, war.

[654.] or than to morn, earlier than to-morrow.

[660.] our few, over few.

[677.] northest, north-east.

[P. 21], [l. 686]. fechteris, fighters.

[688.] holde, held.

[691.] presone, prison.

[697.] peite, pity.

[699.] The metre of Lancelot’s lament is that of Chaucer’s “Cuckoo and Nightingale,” and was very possibly copied from it. Qwhat haue y gilt, what crime have I committed.

[702.] ago, gone.

[703.] nat, naught; me glaid, gladden me.

[706.] til haue, to have.

[709.] Sen thelke tyme, since that time.

[P. 22], [l. 718]. of remed, for a remedy.

[719.] sesith, ceaseth.

[723.] with this lady, by this lady.

[728.] laisere, leisure.

[731.] diuerss wais sere, divers several ways.

[733.] bur, bore.

[735.] cher, car.

[740.] dout, to fear.

[745.] but were, without doubt. This expression often occurs.

[P. 23], [l. 751]. few menye, small company; an oddly sounding expression to modern ears.

[753.] cold, called.

[754.] hot, hight, was named.

[755.] but in his cumpany, unless he had with him.

[757.] He saith; the speaker is the captain of the hundred knights, called in [l. 806] Maleginis.

[768.] als fell, just as many.

[777.] hard, heard.

[781.] clepit, called.

[P. 24], [l. 793], as he wel couth, as he well knew how.

[796.] sen, seen.

[800.] sen, since.

[806.] was hot, was hight, was named.

[809.] In myde the borde and festinit in the stell, In the midst they encounter, and fastened in the steel. See [l. 850].

[812.] Rout, company.

[815.] ferde, fourth.

[817.] sauch thar latter batell steir, saw their last division stir.

[P. 25], [l. 820]. gane his mortall fell. A word seems here omitted; if after mortall we insert strokis, the sense will be, “His enemies began his mortall strokes to feel.”

[825.] worth, worthy. It would improve the metre to read worthy ([l. 875]).

[828.] In to were, in war, in the strife.

[829.] hyme bure, bore himself.

[839.] to-for, heretofore.

[841.] Atour, i.e. at over, across.

[842.] assall, assault. The rime shews we should read assaill, as in [l. 855].

[849.] socht atour, made their way across. The use of seke in Early English is curious.

[P. 26], [l. 861]. setith his payn vpone, devotes his endeavours to.

[868.] al to-kerwith, wholly cutteth in pieces.

[880.] dirk, dark.

[883.] tan and slan, taken and slain.

[P. 27], [l. 895]. It frequently occurs in the MS. that a space is left at the beginning of a line, and the first letter of the line is omitted. It is evident that the intention was that the first letter should be illuminated, and that this, after all, was not done. Here, for instance, the T is omitted, as indicated by the square brackets. So also in [l. 1083], etc.

[897.] pasing home, go home.

[899.] was vent, had gone.

[905.] dulay, delay. So also duclar for declare.

[907.] comyne, came.

[908.] ill paid, displeased.

[909.] homly, humbly. Stevenson reads hourly, but this is wrong; see [l. 914].

[911.] carful, full of care, unhappy.

[912.] withouten were, without doubt.

[914.] lawly, lowly.

[918.] wight, with (unusual, and perhaps wrong).

[P. 28], [l. 924]. leife, live.

[929.] eft, after.

[933.] thar longith, there belongeth.

[943.] I was for til excuss, I had some excuse.

[944.] “Because I did behove (to do it), out of very need.”

[946.] lefe it but, leave it without.

[953.] ma, make.

[954.] ga, go.

[955.] of new, anew.

[958.] But if that deth or other lat certan, “Except it be owing to death or other sure hindrance.”

[P. 29], [l. 960]. be hold, be held. MS. behold. Stevenson suggested the alteration, which is certainly correct.

[961.] withthy, on the condition that.

[965.] promyt, promise; als fast as, as soon as.

[973.] ferd, fourth.

[982.] “Where we shall decide the end of this war.”

[P. 30], [l. 997]. cag, cage, prison.

[999.] amen, pleasant.

[1000.] vodis, woods.

[1004.] lust, pleasure (Ch.). But the line is obscure; unless we read “diuersitee.”

[1009.] “His spirit started (owing to the) love (which) anon hath caught him,” etc.

[1012.] at, that.

[1014.] “(As to) whom they know not at all.”

[1019.] sen at, since that.

[1022.] the dewod, devoid thee.

[1024.] and, if.

[1026.] be ony mayne, by any mean.

[P. 31], [l. 1027]. y red, I advise.

[1035.] To warnnyng, to warn.

[1040]. our the furdis, over the fords.

[1044.] oyer. So in MS.; the y representing the old th (þ); other.

[1046.] hufyng, halting.

[1050.] worschip, honour. “It were more expedient to maintain your honour.”

[1058.] wonk, winked.

[1062.] vare, aware.

[P. 32], [l. 1064]. The meaning of “ferst-conquest” is “first-conquered” (conquest being Old Fr. for conquered). It is explained in [l. 1547] as having been a title given to the king whom Galiot first subdued.

[1067.] ferss, fierce.

[1070.] suppos, although.

[1073.] he; viz. the shrew.

[1077.] The MS. has “ſched.”

[1080.] ymen, I mean.

[1095.] tais, takes.

[P. 33], [l. 1109]. Galyot put for Galiotes, the genitive case-ending being often omitted, after a proper name especially.

[1110.] prewit, proved, tried.

[1129.] traist, trust.

[1131.] that euery thing hath cure, that (of) everything hath care.

[P. 34], [l. 1135]. “Aye from the time that the sun began to light the world’s face, until he was gone.”

[1137.] o forss, perforce.

[1141.] taiis, takes.

[1142.] hecht, promised.

[1151.] failȝeis, fail.

[1154.] fet, fetched.

[1156.] stant, standeth.

[1162.] resput, respite.

[1166.] very knychtis passing, weary knights go.

[P. 35], [l. 1170]. till spere, to inquire.

[1177.] ne wor his worschip, had it not been for his valour.

[1187.] qwheyar, whether.

[1191-4]. “And fond,” etc. These four lines are now for the first time printed. They were omitted by Stevenson, evidently by accident.

[1196.] Per dee. Fr. par Dieu: an oath common in old ballads, generally in the form pardy.

[1197.] vsyt, used.

[1198.] “I advise that we go unto his arms” (armour).

[1203.] haill, whole.

[P. 36], [l. 1207]. abwsyt, abused, i.e. made an ill use of.

[1208.] vsyt, used.

[1209.] suppos the best that lewis, even though (it were) the best that lives.

[1217.] on slep, asleep. The prefix a- in English is due to the Saxon on.

[1221.] al to-hurt, etc. See note in Glossary on the word To-kerwith.

[1225.] sauch, saw; rewit, rued, pitied.

[1233.] one syd a lyt, a little on one side.

[1236.] our mekill, over much.

[P. 37], [l. 1240]. yarof, thereof.

[1241.] ruput, repute, think.

[1242.] ablare, abler, readier.

[1253.] Insert a comma after thret, and destroy that after lowe. The meaning perhaps is, “But what if he be appealed to and threatened, and (meanwhile) his heart be elsewhere set to love.” Observe that and is often the third or fourth word in the sentence it should begin. See [l. 2833].

[1258.] ȝhe tyne yowr low, you lose your love.

[1260.] conclusit, ended.

[1265.] mokil, much.

[1268.] of new, anew, again.

[1273.] pan, pain.

[NOTES TO BOOK II.]

[P. 38], [l. 1279]. thocht, anxiety.

[1284.] apperans, i.e. vision, as in [l. 364].

[1295.] aqwynt, acquainted; Burns uses acquent.

[1297.] com, coming.

[P. 39], [l. 1316]. “So far out of the way you go in your course.” Compare [l. 1797].

[1317.] “Thy ship, that goeth upon the stormy surge, nigh of thy revels (i.e. because of thy revels) in the gulf it falls, where it is almost drowned in the peril.”

[1321.] “In the wretched dance of wickedness.” See the curious uses of the word “daunce” in Chaucer.

[1323.] the son, thee soon.

[1330.] powert, poverty; as the-selwyne wat, as thyself knows.

[1334.] in to spousag, in wedlock.

[P. 40], [l. 1343]. The word diuerss is required to complete the line; cf. [l. 731].

[1352.] suppriss, oppression.

[1354.] wedwis, widows.

[1367.] that ilke, that same.

[1369.] sufferith, makest to suffer.

[P. 41], [l. 1379]. Eccles. iv. 9, 10.

[1387.] yow mone, thou must.

[1392.] her-efter leif, hereafter live.

[1401.] A comma is scarcely needed after “sapiens.” It means “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Prov. ix. 10.

[P. 42], [l. 1409]. to ryng wnder his pess, to reign under His peace, by His permission. Roquefort gives pais, licence, permission.

[1420.] arour, error.

[1427.] leful, lawful.

[P. 43], [l. 1447]. Ban, king of Albanak, was Lancelot’s father. See [l. 202], [1450.]

[1474.] The MS. has “aſſit.”

[P. 44], [l. 1491]. tak the bak apone themself, turn their backs.

[1500.] yewyne, given.

[1504.] till, to; redundant.

[1506.] stand aw, stand in awe. So also in [l. 2684]. The same expression occurs in The Bruce, iii. 62, ed. Pinkerton, p. 42, ed. Jamieson; and also in Havelok, l. 277, where the word in, supplied from conjecture, should be struck out.

[P. 45], [l. 1537]. throw his peple, by his people.

[1541.] Thus falith not, etc., “Except wise conduct falleth to a king.”

[1546.] It may be right to retain the spelling of the MS.—“kinghe;” for, though strange and unusual, it occurs again in [l. 2527].

[P. 46], [l. 1556]. wende, weened.

[1560.] in to his contrare, against him.

[1568.] trewis, truce.

[1575.] his powar, his chief army.

[1576.] by the yhere, by the ear, privately.

[1579.] cold, called; as in [l. 753].

[P. 47], [l. 1597]. home fair, go home.

[1608.] And; redundant in modern English. For many of the precepts given by Amytans the author must have been indebted to Gower, or, at any rate, to the author of the Secreta Secretorum. See Gower; Conf. Amantis; ed. Pauli, lib. vii; vol. 3, pp. 152-159. And cf. Tyrwhitt’s note to the Canterbury Tales, l. 16915; and Warton’s Hist. Eng. Poetry.

[P. 48], [l. 1628]. lest, least; low, law. It requires care to distinguish the two meanings of low, viz. love and law.

[1633.] Iug, judge.

[P. 49], [l. 1660]. sar, sorely.

[1666.] A line omitted. The inserted line is purely conjectural.

[P. 50], [l. 1704]. pupelle, people.

[1708.] Inwyus, envious.

[1716.] longith, belongeth.

[1717.] the lykith, it likes thee, thou art pleased.

[P. 51], [l. 1724]. betak til hyme, confer upon him.

[1730.] essy, easy.

[1736.] for the nonis, for the occasion. See White’s Ormulum.

[1739.] vn to the vorthi pur yow if, unto the worthy poor thou give.

[1742.] set nocht of gret substans, though not of great value.

[1754.] alowit, approved of.

[P. 52], [l. 1761]. tynith, loseth.

[1763.] atonis, at once.

[1771.] resawe, receive.

[1773.] with two, also.

[P. 53], [l. 1791]. well less, al-out, much less, altogether. The punctuation hereabouts in Stevenson’s edition is very wild.

[1795.] wys, vice; the wrechitness, thy miserliness.

[1797.] pass the courss, go thy way.

[1808.] vrech, wretch; but here used instead of miser.

[1812.] viss, vice.

[1814.] ben y-knawith, are known (to be) (?).

[1815.] dant, daunt.

[1822.] the ton, the one.

[P. 54], [l. 1832]. beis var, beware.

[1834.] colde, cool.

[1852.] onys, once.

[1855.] whar-throw, through which, whereby.

[P. 55], [l. 1864], awn, own. The metre requires the more usual form awin.

[1879.] dispolȝeith, despoileth.

[1881.] For-quhi, wherefore. In this line the MS. has “scrikth.”

[P. 56], [l. 1899]. most nedis, must needs. Ye = the; i.e. The one, He.

[1909.] Mot, might.

[1917.] in should be into, as elsewhere.

[P. 57], [l. 1940]. havith, hath.

[1950.] hot, hight, is called.

[P. 58], [l. 1966]. wnepwnist, unpunished.

[1990.] omend, amend; spill, destroy.

[P. 59], [l. 2011]. ayre, are.

[2012.] duclar, declare; so also dulay for delay.

[2017.] the god werray, the Very God.

[P. 60], [l. 2036]. For-quhi, wherefore.

[2040.] mad, made.

[2041.] clergy, science.

[2062.] be the mycht dewyne, by the might divine.

[P. 61], [l. 2069]. far, fare.

[2079.] helyth frome the ground, heals from the bottom; i.e. effectually.

[2100.] not sessith, who ceaseth not.

[P. 62], [l. 2107]. Ne war, were it not for; hartly, hearty; it occurs again four lines below.

[2135.] yneuch, enough. He means he will ask but one question more.

[P. 63], [l. 2148]. To passing home, to go home.

[2162.] the xxiiij day. The first i in the MS. is like a “v” smudged over; we should read “xxiiij,” as in [l. 2155]. The contraction is to be read four and twentieth, not twenty-fourth; so also in [l. 610].

[P. 64], [l. 2190]. hal dure, hall door.

[2192.] o iorne most for to comend, a journey most to be commended.

[2194.] lowith, love.

[P. 65], [l. 2212]. the fewar eschef thay, the less they achieve.

[2229.] “For no adventure will prove so great, that ye shall not achieve it.”

[2241.] whill, until.

[P. 66], [l. 2247]. galot; so in MS.

[2265.] grant mercy, great thanks; Fr. grand merci.

[2267.] quhy, because.

[P. 67], [l. 2279]. thithingis, tidings; probably an error of the scribe for tithingis. Stevenson has chichingis!

[2284.] al-out, altogether.

[2304.] oft syss, oft-times. See Glossary (Syss).

[2306.] dante, dainty.

[2310.] tithandis, tidings; compare [l. 2279].

[P. 68], [l. 2323]. aw, owe.

[2328.] fantessy, fancy, notion.

[2334.] for no why, for no reason.

[2337.] mon I fair, must I go.

[2338.] our son It waire, over soon it were.

[2342.] For-quhy, because.

[P. 69], [l. 2352]. nor has the force of but.

[2366.] be ony men, by any means.

[2368.] on of tho, one of them.

[2375.] chen of low, chain of love.

[2376.] and if ȝhe may deren, an if you may declare.

[P. 70], [l. 2409]. hartly raquer, heartily require.

[2416.] gar ordan, cause to be provided.

[P. 71], [l. 2428]. prewaly disspone, privily dispose.

[2436.] ellis-quhat; I suppose this means, “he was on fire elsewhere.”

[2448.] hamlynes, homeliness.

[2452.] fest throw al the ȝher eliche, feast through all the year alike.

[P. 72], [l. 2469]. commend, commended.

[2470.] he drywith, he driveth, pursueth. The reading is not drawith, as in Stevenson.

[NOTES TO BOOK III.]

[P. 73], [l. 2471]. This line is too long, and the sense imperfect; but there is no doubt about the reading of the MS.

[2474.] Awodith, expels.

[2475.] doune valis, falls down; for it is evident that valis is an error for falis, the mistake having arisen from confusion with the succeeding line.

[2480.] cled, clad.

[2487.] bygown, begun. In the next line Stevenson has sown; but the true reading is Rown, run; as in [l. 2820].

[2492.] barnag, baronage, nobility.

[P. 74], [l. 2522]. but dulay, without delay; the, they.

[2524.] thar com, their coming.

[2530.] in the dogre, in its (due) degree.

[P. 75], [l. 2545]. Or that, ere that.

[2552.] he and hate, high and hot.

[2558.] the can, they began.

[P. 76], [l. 2574]. hyme mak, prepare himself; or perhaps simply, make (for the field), go.

[2582.] helmys last; last clearly means laced; see [l. 2250].

[2594.] Ȝhit, although.

[2599.] dout, fear.

[2600.] is assemblit, made an attack. The peculiar use of assemble must always be borne in mind.

[2601.] erd, earth.

[P. 77], [l. 2612]. found till gwyans, go to Gwyans.

[2614.] til esquyris thei sewyt, after Esquyris they followed.

[2619.] one to the melle socht, made their way to the mêlée.

[2627.] don bore, borne down.

[2630.] Fifty thousand. It would appear that Galiot had 40,000, of whom 10,000 were held in reserve; so that in [l. 2632] only 30,000 are mentioned. See [l. 2569], [2647.]

[P. 78], [l. 2646]. ten, sorrow, vexation.

[2656.] resauf, receive.

[2663.] at thar come, at their coming; led, put down.

[2670.] biding one the bent, abide on the grassy plain.

[P. 79], [l. 2679]. “That, despite their efforts, they must needs retire.”

[2684.] stud aw, stood in awe; see note to [l. 1506].

[2693, 4]. These lines do not rime. But we should certainly read felde, erde having slipped in from confusion with [l. 2691]. The knight of Galloway goes to the field, i.e. joins battle.

[P. 80], [l. 2712]. On ayar half, on either side. The MS. omits to.

[2713.] of, off.

[2714.] noiss, nose.

[2731.] Bot nocht forthi, But not on that account.

[P. 81], [l. 2754]. harmys, loss.

[2761.] aucht to ses, ought to cease.

[2765.] at, that.

[2768.] my lef, my leave, permission.

[2770.] in to cage, in prison.

[P. 82], [l. 2802]. commandit, commended.

[P. 83], [l. 2819]. one athir half, on either side.

[2820.] rown, run.

[2821.] howyns; an ungrammatical form; perhaps howyng is meant.

[2827.] one hycht, on height; i.e. aloud.

[2829.] sterith, stirreth.

[2833.] “The lady of Melyhalt made (her way) to him, and immediately caused his couch to be placed before a window.” Mr Stevenson reads,

“Of Melyhalt the lady to hyme maid

Incontinent his couche, and gart he[1] had,” etc.

i.e. “The lady immediately made his bed for him,” etc.

[2841.] wencust, vanquished. After this word we should perhaps insert “at,” as in [l. 3336].

[P. 84], [ll. 2877-2880]. These lines were printed by me for the first time, four lines having been here again omitted by Mr Stevenson.

[2880.] but weyne, without doubt.

[2884.] to led and stere, to lead and direct.

[P. 85], [l. 2893]. Endlong, along.

[2894.] weryne, were.

[2913.] let, hinder.

[P. 86], [l. 2925]. dulay, delay; as in several other places.

[2938.] fek, effect.

[2944.] ȝude, went.

[2947.] fair, welfare.

[P. 87], [l. 2964]. Whill, until.

[2970.] ho, stop, pause.

[2971.] veryng In affray, were in terror.

[2972.] rovm, room.

[2978.] socht, made his way.

[2984.] disponit, intends; but we must insert “not,” to complete the sense and the metre.

[P. 88], [l. 2998]. eschevit (used passively), is achieved.

[3003.] o knycht, a single knight.

[3005.] tais, takes.

[3006.] fays, foes.

[3013.] onys or the nycht, once ere the night.

[3015.] that ȝhe have gilt to mend, to amend that in which ye have trespassed.

[P. 89], [l. 3052]. Do at I may, Do that which I can.

[P. 90], [l. 3065]. This line is printed by Mr Stevenson,

“Curag can [ ] encresing in[2] his hart”;

but it is not clear that a word is wanting, for the metre is as complete as in many other lines; whilst, as regards the sense, “the knycht” is probably a nominative without a verb, and [l. 3065] means, “Courage did increase in his heart.” Or the reader may, if he pleases, insert “fele.” Compare [l. 3058].

[3066.] lap, leaped.

[3079.] Observe the omission of the word “neither” in this line.

[3080.] persit, pierced.

[3086.] onan, anon. A.S. on-án.

[P. 91], [l. 3093]. In samyne will, with like intent.

[3100.] bet axampil, better example.

[3104.] bot, unless; me fall, befall me.

[3108.] one vthir, another.

[3120.] send, sent.

[3121.] lewit one, left one.

[3122.] but mercy, without mercy.

[P. 92], [l. 3134]. deliuer besynes, clever readiness.

[3136.] aray, livery.

[3140.] Ee, eye.

[3146.] the morow new, the early morning.

[3160.] deith, dead.

[3162.] Suppos, although.

[P. 93], [l. 3178]. Nor; we now use but.

[3184.] ward; see Glossary. tho, then.

[P. 94], [l. 3200]. relewit, relieved.

[3201.] diuerss placis sere; as sere = diuerss, one of these words is redundant. So in [l. 3266].

[3207.] ewil awysit, ill advised.

[3217.] “And if it so happen, that they be discomfited.”

[P. 95], [l. 3240]. leuch, laughed; sarues, service.

[3246.] al haill, all whole.

[3248.] x thousand mo, ten thousand, and more.

[3259.] abaid, delay.

[3263.] aucht, eight.

[3265.] petws for til her, piteous to hear.

[P. 96], [l. 3297]. dreuch, drew.

[3299.] fellit, fallen.

[3304.] levyng, leave.

[P. 97], [l. 3307]. sest, ceased.

[3321.] askit at, asked of.

[3331.] Wencussith, vanquisheth.

[3340.] in to one, continually; which is sometimes the sense of A.S. on-án.

[P. 98], [l. 3353]. to fillyng, to fulfil.

[3357.] soght, came on; see Glossary.

[3359.] Ne war, etc., “Had it not been that they were, individually, the better men.”

[3364.] ralef, relieve.

[3368.] fellith, feeleth.

[P. 99], [l. 3384]. virslyng, wrestling, i.e. entangled with; a strong expression!

[3385.] assalȝeing, assail.

[3390.] rowmyth, roometh, emptieth.

[3403.] departit, parted.

[3404.] dout, fear.

[P. 100], [l. 3412]. left, failed.

[3423.] The lord, i.e. Galiot, as I suppose; Mr Stevenson has, “The Lord.”

[3430.] stere, to stir, move, come.

[P. 101], [l. 3450]. pretendit, endeavour.

[3457.] occupye, employ.

[3461.] For one hour, etc., “On account of suffering distress for one hour.”

[3470.] the well less, much less; see [l. 1791].

[3471.] berd, beard.

[3473.] o woyss, one voice.

[3475.] eschef frome yhow, not, win from you; but, withdraw himself from you. See Glossary.

[P. 102], [l. 3481]. wend thai var no mo, thought they were no more.

[3487.] And sich enconter, and such encounter. These three words are written at the bottom of the page as a catchword. The rest of the MS. is wanting.

[1] But the MS. has “be;” also “melyhat” instead of “Melyhalt.”

[2] MS. has “to.”

[GLOSSARIAL INDEX.]

---

[As many of the words occurring in “Lancelot” are well explained either in Jamieson’s Scottish Dictionary or in Roquefort’s “Glossaire de la langue Romane,” I have frequently referred to these works by means of the letters J. and R. Other abbreviations, as O.N. for Old Norse; Goth. for Mœso-Gothic; Su.-G. for Suio-Gothic

, etc., will be readily understood. Ch. has also been used as an abbreviation for Chaucer. The various French, Danish, German, and other words referred to in the Glossary are merely added by way of illustration, to indicate in what direction a word may be most easily traced up. To ensure accuracy as far as possible, I have verified every foreign word by the aid of dictionaries, referring for Gothic words to my own Glossary, edited for the Philological Society; for Suio-Gothic words, to Ihre’s Glossarium; for Icelandic words, to Egilsson; and for Old French words, to Roquefort and Burguy. Whatever errors occur below may thus, I hope, be readily traced.]

[ A ] [ B ] [ C ] [ D ] [ E ] [ F ] [ G ] [ H ] [ I ] [ K ] [ L ] [ M ] [ N ]
[ O ] [ P ] [ Q ] [ R ] [ S ] [ T ] [ U ] [ V ] [ W ] [ Y ] [ Ȝ ]

[Abaid], Abyde,

delay, tarrying, [1882], [2147], [3069], [3308].

A.S. abídan, J.

Abasit, Abasyt, Abaysit,

abashed, humbled, dispirited, cast down, [378], [1452], [2664].

Abasit of, dispirited by, [3301].

R. abaiser.

Abasit of (used passively), were dispirited by, [2243].

Abraid, awoke, [1231];

(Ch.) A.S. on-bredan.

Abwsyt (abused), made an ill use of, [1207].

Access, a fever; or better, a fit of the ague; Lat. accessus febris, (Wright’s Glossary), [31].

Accorde, to agree with, [1526].

Fr. s’accorder.

Accordith, is suitable for, becomes, [1679], [1951];
agree therewith, [605];
is useful for, is fit for, [1204].

According for, suitable for, [1512].

R. accordant.

Adred, terrified, [378], [2664].

A.S. on-drǽdan, to dread.

Affek, effect, [382].

Cf. Fek.

Afferd, afraid, [3472].

A.S. afered, afǽran.

Affere, warlike preparation, [985];
aspect, bearing, [3043], [3334], [3394].

See J., who makes it of Teutonic origin; but it may be no more than the O.Fr. afeire, afaire = state, condition; as explained by Burguy.

Afferith, belongs to, suits, [1550].

Afferis, is suitable, [1690], [1961].

R. aferer.

Affrait, terrified, from the verb Affray (Ch.), [2462], [3469].

R. effraer.

Affray, terror, fright, [636], [3454].

Fr. effroi.

Affy in till, trust to, rely upon, [499], [1394].

R. affier.

Afyre, on fire, [30], [251];
hence, used allegorically, in love, [2436].

Agrewit, Aggrewit,

aggrieved, vexed, [1308], [1538];
angry, enraged, [2618].

R. agrever.

Ago, gone, [159].

A.S. of-gán.

Aire, are, [1732].

Algait, Algat, always, [1996], [1792].

Gothic gatwô, a street, way.

Al magre thine, in spite of thee, [115].

An expression compounded of A.S. al, wholly; maugre (Fr. mal grè), ill-will, and thine (A.S. thín, the gen. case of thú, thou).

Al-out, altogether, [1676], [1791], etc.

Alowit, approved, [1754].

Fr. allouer.

Als, (1) as; (2) also.

Amen, Ameyne,

pleasant, [64], [999].

Lat. amœnus.

Anarmyt, fully armed, [545], [620], [2219], [2771].

See [Enarmyt].

And, if, [1024], [1591];
and if (= an if), if, [2376].

Anerly, only, [1476], [1696].

A.S. ǽn-líc.

Anoit, Anoyt,

annoyed, vexed, [351], [2244].

Anoyt, annoyeth, [1407].

Anterous, (for Aunterous, the shortened form of Aventurous), adventurous, [2618].

Fr. aventure.

Aparalit, apparelled, [338].

Aperans, an appearance, a vision, [364].

So also Apperans, [1284].

Apone, upon, [765], etc.

Appetit, desire, [2722].

Ch. has appetite as a verb, to desire.

Aqwynt, acquainted, [1295].

Burns uses acquent.

Aras, to pluck out, [240].

Fr. arracher.

Araid, disordered, afflicted, [3270].

See Araye in Halliwell. The examples there given shew that to araye sometimes actually signifies to disorder.

Arest, stop, delay, [678], [3072], [3308].

Fr. arrêt.

Arly, early, [4], [384], [975].

A.S. árlíce.

Artilȝery, implements of warfare, [2538].

See R. artillerie. Compare 1 Samuel, xx. 40.

Assay, (1) assault, trial, [11], [35], [112], [712];
attack, [537], [2662].

As a verb, to assault, attack, assail, [570], [1044].

Fr. assaillir.

(2) to essay, attempt, [2936];
to test, [478], [982].

Fr. essaier.

Assaid, Assayt,

assaulted, [1224], [2641].

Assall, assault, attack, [842].

We should perhaps read “assaill,” as in [l. 855].

Assalȝeing, assail (3 pers. plural), [3385].

Assemblay, an assembling of knights for a combat, a tournament, [267].

[Assemble], a hostile meeting, combat, battle, [978], [3336].

See J.

Assemblyng, encountering, [2588].

Assemblyng on, attacking, [2956].

Assey, to test, [478].

See Assay.

Astart, to start away from; hence to escape from, avoid, [228], [3296].

Ch. has asterte.

At, that, [1019], etc.

Compare Dan. at; O.N. at.

Atour, at over, i.e. across, [841], [849], [873];
in excess, in addition, besides, [1775].

Ather, either, [2629], [2819], [3264].

A.S. ǽgther.

Atte, at the, [627], [1055].

Aucht, eight, [3263].

Compare Ger. acht.

Auentur, adventure, [601].

Auer, ever, [273], etc.

Auerding to, belonging to (?), [345].

The sense seems to point to the A.S. and-weardian, to be present, Goth. and-wairths, present.

Aventur, Auentoure, adventure, [80], [222].

[Aw], owe, deserve; the present tense of the verb of which ought is the past tense; [3447].

A.S. áh, áhte.

[Awalk], awake, [1049].

Goth. wakan. The form awalk occurs in Dunbar,

“Awalk, luvaris, out of your slomering.”

(The Thistle and the Rose.)

Awant, boast, [2136].

As a verb, [1588];
and as a reflective verb, [2196], [2386].

Fr. se vanter. Ch. has avante.

Awin, own, [89].

A.S. ágen.

Awodith, maketh to depart, [2474].

See Avoid in Nares’ Glossary, edited by Halliwell and Wright.

Awow, Awoue,

vow, [234], [242], [246].

Ch. has avowe.

Awys, consideration, advisement, [558].

Awyß the, advise thee, consider, [1913].

Awyß, Awyſing,

to consider, [424], [429].

Fr. s’aviser.

Awysment, advisement, consideration, [360], [680].

Ay, ever, continually, [1135], [1486].

A.S. á.

Ayar (written instead of Athar), either, [2712].

Ayre, are, [2011].

Ayanis, [744], Aȝanis, [1164], [2283],

against.

A.S. ongean.

Aȝane, Aȝeine, again, [3253], [380].

[Bachleris], bachelors; a name given to novices in arms or arts, [1689].

See bacheler in R.

Banaris, banners, [770].

Bartes, [2897] Bartiis, [3041].

See [Bertes].

Barnag, baronage, nobility, [2492].

See barniez in R.

Batell, a battalion, division of an army, [784], [808], etc.

Be, by.

A.S. be.

Behest, promise, [2766].

A.S. behæs.

Behufis, behoves, [579].

A.S. behófan, often used impersonally.

Behuß, Behwß,

it behoves, it is necessary (to do), [944], [2342];

apparently contracted from behufis.

Beleif, in phr. ore belief = beyond belief, [112].

Bent, a grassy plain (properly a coarse grass; in German, binse), [2670]. J.

[Bertes], a parapet, a tower, [1007], [1118], [2815].

R. bretesche, from Low Latin brestachia.

Betak til, to confer upon, [1724].

A.S. be-tǽcan, in the sense, to assign.

Betakyne, betoken, [2014].

A.S. be-tǽcan, in the sense, to shew.

Bewis, boughs, [338].

A.S. boh.

Billis, letters, [142].

Fr. billet.

Blindis, blindness (?), [1903].

Borde, to meet in a hostile manner, encounter, [809].

We find in R. border, to joust, fight with lances.

Compare Fr. aborder, and Spenser’s use of bord. See horde in Burguy.

Bot, (1) but; (2) without. In general, without is expressed by but, and the conjunction by bot; but this distinction is occasionally violated.

Bown, ready, prepared, [1036].

O.N. búinn, past part. of búa, to prepare. Su.-G. boa, to prepare. J.

Bretis, fortifications, forts, [874];

“properly wooden towers or castles: Bretachiæ, castella lignea, quibus castra et oppida muniebantur, Gallis Bretesque. Du Cange.” Jamieson. See [Bertes].

Bukis, books, [434], [1862].

Burdis, boards, i.e. tables, [2198].

A.S. bórd, which means—1. a plank; 2. a table, etc.

Bur, bore, [733], [778].

But, without; common in the phrase but were, without doubt.

But if, unless, except, [958].

Byhecht, Byhicht,

promised, [1485], [2791].

A.S. be-hǽtan.

Byknow, notorious for, known to be guilty of, [1627].

Compare “I know nothing by myself” (1 Cor. iv. 4). Compare also Dan. bekiende, to make known.

By, near at hand, [1535], [2916].

[Cag,] Cage,

cage, prison, [997], [2770].

Can, an auxiliary verb, used nearly as we now use did.

Careldis, plural of Careld, a merry-making, revel (?), [1318].

“Caraude, réjouissance;” and “Caroler, danser, se divertir, mener une vie joyeuse.” Roquefort.

Catifis, wretches, [2102].

R. caitif, captif. Compare Ital. cattivo.

Chalmer, chamber, [2281], [2308], [2427], [2808]. J.

[Chare], Cher,

chariot, [4], [735].

R. cher.

Charge, load, [693].

Fr. charge; see discharge in the line following ([694]),

meaning to shake off a load.

Chargit, gave attention to, [710], [2454].

Fr. se charger de.

Chen, chain, [2375].

Cher, car, chariot, [735]. See [Chare].

Chere, cheer, demeanour, [83], [341], [695];
sad demeanour, outward grief, [2718].

Fr. chère; compare Ital. ciera, the face, look.

“Wepinge was hyr mosté chere.”

(Le Morte Arthur, l. 726.)

Cheß, choose, [1611], [1636], [2368].

A.S. ceósan; Ger. kiesen; Dutch kiezen.

Clariouns, clarions, [771], [789].

Clepe, to call, [90], [99].

A.S. clepan.

Clepit, callest, [93];
called, [781].

Clepith, is called, [1919].

Clergy, science, knowledge, [504], [511], [2041].

R. clergie.

Closine, closed, concluded, [316].

Closith, enclosed, shut up, [427].

Cold, called, [753], [1579].

Commandit, commended, [2802].

Comprochit, approached, [2472], [2509].

Conpilour, compiler, poet, [319].

Conquest, conquered, [574];
Fyrst-conquest, first conquered, [1545], etc.

Conseruyt, preserved, [332].

Conten (used as a reflective verb), to demean oneself valorously, to maintain one’s ground, [823], [1107], [1130].

See R. “contenement, contenance, conduite, maintien, posture.”

Contenit hyme, behaved himself, [3219];
Contenit them, [2634].

Contenyt, endured, [3190].

Contretioun, contrition, [1415], [1426].

Contynans, demeanour, [1693], [1747].

Counter, encounter, attack, charge, [3239].

Couth, could, [793].

A.S. cunnan; past tense, ic cúðe.

Cowardy, cowardice, [1023], [3287].

Cownterit, encountered, [2609], [2621]. J.

Crownel, coronal, corolla of a flower, [59]. J.

Cummyne, Comyne,

came, [807], [907].

Cumyne, [650], [1136], Cumyng, [447], Cummyng, [2498],

come (past part.).

Cunyng, knowledge, [1455].

Cusynace, [1270], Cusynece, [2802], Cusynes, [2287], Cwsynes, [1185],

kinswoman.

Cwre, care, [98], [266], [643].

Lat. cura. (N.B. Though Cwre = cura, yet cura should be distinguished from A.S. cearu.)

[Danger], power to punish; “the power of a feudal lord over his vassals,” (Wright), [444].

Also, power to injure, [3006].

See R. dangier.

Dans, (dance), in the phrase “wrechit dans,” evil mode of life, [1321].

See Chaucer’s use of daunce; and compare—

“I sai ȝow lely how thai lye

Dongen doun alle in a daunce.”

Lawrence Minot; quoted in Specimens of Early English, by R. Morris; p. [194].

Dede, [90], Ded, [3304],

death.

Dan. död. A.S. deáð. O.N. dauði.

Deden, deign, [949]. J.

Dedenyt, deigned, [240].

Deid, died, [215].

Deith, dead (past part.), [3160].

Delitable, delightful, [1738].

R. delitable.

Deliuer, nimble, clever, [3134].

Deliuerly, (cleverly), nimbly, lightly, [3089], [3131].

R. delivre.

Demande, demur, [191], [397], [3052], [3354].

See R. “demander, contremander, changer, revoquer l’ordre donné.”

Depart, to part, [3421].

R. departir.

Departit, parted, [3403].

Depaynt, painted, [46], [1703].

Fr. dépeint. Ch. depeint.

Depend me, waste or consume (my powers), [214]; possibly miswritten for despend.

Cf. Dispendit.

Depend to, to concern, appertain to, [466].

Deren, to speak out, tell, [2376].

R. derainier.

Dereyne, a plea, [2313];

“haith o dereyne ydoo,” hath appealed to trial by combat.

R. derainier.

Des, daïs, high table, [2762].

R. deis; Lat. discus.

Deuit, availed, [18]. See note.

Devith, Dewith,

deafen, [92], [94].

“Su.-G. deofwa; Icel. deyfa,” J.

Compare Dan. döve. Burns has deave.

Dewod the, devoid thyself, [1022].

Deuoydit was = departed, [1031].

Compare Awodith.

Dewyß, to tell, narrate, [373].

Discharg, to put aside one’s liability, [163], [1665].

Diseß, lack of ease, misery, [707].

Disiont (Disioint?), disjointed, out of joint; hence uncertain, hazardous, [2907].

“Disjoint, A difficult situation.” Halliwell.

Dispendit, spent, [1808].

R. despendre.

Dispens, expenditure, [1746].

Fr. dépense.

Dispolȝeith, despoileth, [1879].

Dispone, to dispose, provide; or, as a reflective verb, to be disposed to do, to intend, [54], [446], [980], [1590], [2428], [2462].

Disponit, declines (?); but much more probably, intends; and we must read “disponit not,” [2984].

Dout, fear, [2599], [3404], [3438];
(as a verb), to fear, [740], [1827].

Ch. doute. R. doubtance.

Drent, drowned, [1319].

A.S. drencan.

Dreß (as a reflective verb), to direct oneself, proceed, go, [1975], [2288], [2486].

Lat. dirigere.

Drywith, drives; “he drywith to the end,” i.e. concludes, [2470].

Duclar, declare, [3022].

Dulay, delay, [681], [788], [2925].

[Effere], shew, pomp, [2360].

Compare Affere.

Efter, after, [217].

A.S. efter.

Eld, old age, [3225], [3242].

A.S. yldo. Gothic alds.

Elyk, Eliche, alike, [182], [2452].

Eme, uncle, [2572].

A.S. eám.

Empit, emptied, empty, [180].

A.S. æmtian.

Empleß, to please, [2455]. J.

Empriß, worth, honour, [129], [269], [3458];

cf. Romans of Partenay, l. 2013.

Anxiety, oppression, [393].

R. emprindre.

[Enarmyt], fully armed, [285], [751], [2499]. J.

Endit, indited, [138];
indite, [206];
inditing, poem (?), [334].

If the meaning were, “this ends,” the form “endis” would be required; besides which, the rime shews that the i is long; cf. [ll. 138], [206].

Endlong, along, [2893].

A.S. andlang; Ger. entlang.

Entent, intention, will, meaning, thoughts, [448], [1451], [1499], [2938].

R. entente. Used by Chaucer.

Entermet, to intermeddle with, to have do with, [2914].

R. entremetre.

Enweronyt, environed, [53].

Erde, earth, [1072], [1540], [2601].

Compare Ger. erde.

Erdly, earthly, [498].

Erith, earth, [128].

A.S. eorð.

Eschef (1. eschew), to shun, withdraw himself, [3475].

R. eschever;

(2. achieve), to accomplish, [2212], [2513].

R. eschavir.

Eschef deith, to die, [2732].

Escheuit, achieved, [258].

Eschevit, is achieved, [2998].

Eß, [174], Eeß, [706],

ease.

Essenȝeis (ensigns), warcries, [3349], J.

See also R. enseigne.

Euerilkon, every one, [1039], etc.

Exasy, extasy, [76]. (Possibly miswritten.)

Exortith, beseecheth, [3026].

Extend, attain, [3281].

[Failȝeis], fail, (3 pers. plu. indicative), [1151].

[Fairhed] (fairhood), beauty, [577].

In A.S. fægernes, but in Dan. förhed.

Fall, to happen, befall, [493], [2139].

A.S. feallan; Dan. falde.

Fallyng, fallen, [1217], [1322].

Falowschip, used as we now use company, [1105], [2687], etc.

Falȝeing, failing, [1499].

Falȝet, Falȝheit, failed, [1460], [1469], [1498], [1503].

Farhed, beauty, [2440].

See [Fairhed].

Fayndit (feigned), dissembled, [2397].

Fays, foes, [3006].

A.S. fáh.

Fechtand, fighting, [2691], [3127], [3407].

Ger. fechten.

Fechteris, fighters, [686].

Feill, knowledge, skill, [2854]. J.

A.S. félian.

Fek (effect), sum, amount, result, drift, [2938].

Fr. effet.

Fell, to feel, [820], [2131].

Fellith, feeleth, [3368].

Fell, many; als fell, as many, [768].

A.S. féala; Gothic filu.

Fell, horrible, [260].

A.S. fell, cruel, fierce.

Ferde, fourth, [815], [973], [2285].

Compare Dan. fierde.

Ferleit, wondered, [3117].

A.S. fǽr-líc, sudden, fearful. Burns has ferlie.

Fet, fetched, [433], [1154].

A.S. feccan, past tense, ic feahte.

Fongith, catcheth, seizeth, [1922].

A.S. fangan; Goth. fahan.

Forfare, to fare amiss, to perish, [1348].

A.S. for-faran.

Forlorn, lost, [3305].

A.S. forloren; cf. Goth. fra-liusan.

For-quhy; see For-why.

For-thi, For-thy,

(there-fore), on that account, [332], [2261], [2731].

A.S. forthý; where thý (Gothic thê) is the instrumental case of se, that.

For-wrocht (for-wrought), over-worked, wearied out, [888].

A.S. forwyrcan.

For-why, [798], [925], [2209], For-quhy, [2171], [2342], [2290],

for the reason that, because that.

Found, to advance, go, [2612]. J.

A.S. fundian, to try to find, go forward.

Franchis, generosity, [230].

R. franchise.

Fremmytneß, strangeness, alienation, [1508].

A.S. fremdnes.

Froit, enjoyment, [1644];
fruit, [2088], [2109].

R. fruit.

Frome, from the time that, [17], [1432].

Goth. frums, a beginning.

Fruschit, broken, dashed in pieces, [1201].

R. frois, broken; from the verb froier.

Fundyne, [497], Fundyng, [465],

found (past part.).

Fyne, faithful, true, [519].

See R. “fine, fidéle;” and “fine, foi.”

Fyne, end, [1388], [2081].

Fr. fin.

[Ganith], is suitable for, [991].

Icel. gegna. J. Compare Dan. gavne.

Ganyth, it; it profits; used impersonally, [121].

R. gaagner.

Gare, to cause, [910], [2416].

Dan. giöre; Icel. göra.

[Gart], caused, [267], [2777].

Gentilleß, [917], [1847].

See Gentrice.

Gentrice, [130], [2757], Gentriß, [2790].

courtesy, nobleness.

R. gentilesse.

Gere, gear, equipment, armour, [2777].

A.S. gearwa.

Gert, [384].

See [Gart].

Giffis, give thou, (lit. give ye, the plural being used in addressing the king), [463].

A.S. gifan.

Gifyne, given, [1752].

Gilt, offended, done wrong, [699], [3015].

A.S. gyltan.

Grewhundis, greyhounds, [533], [537].

“O.N. grey, grey-hundr, a bitch.” Wedgwood.

Gowerne the, conduct thyself, [1598].

Grawis, groves, [2481].

Ch. greves.

Gyrß, grass, [10].

A.S. gærs.

Gyß, guise, fashion, custom, [545].

Ch. gise.

[Haade], had, [2150].

Habariowne, habergeon, [2889].

From haubergeon, the French form of Ger. halsberge.

See [Hawbrek].

Habirioune, habergeon, [3380].

Haill, whole, [3246].

A.S. hæl.

Haknay, an ambling horse for a lady, [1730].

R. hacquenée.

Half; in the phrase on arthuris half, i.e. on Arthur’s side, [883].

Compare use of Germ. halb.

Halk, a hawk, [1736], [2482].

A.S. hafoc.

Hall, Hoil, Holl, Hail,

various spellings of Haill, whole.

Hals, neck, [1054].

A.S. hals. Goth. hals.

[Hant], to exercise, practise, [2191].

Fr. hanter, lit. to frequent.

Hardement, [801], [2669], Hardyment, [900], [3362],

hardihood, boldness.

R. hardement.

Harrold, herald, [1047].

Hate, hot, [2552].

Havith, hath, [1940];
have, [3404].

[Hawbrek], [1070], [1200], Hawbryk, [3112],

hauberk, neck-defence;

Ger. hals-berge, armour for the neck.

Hawnt, to use, [3418].

See [Hant].

Hawntis, exercise, [2772].

[He], high, [1969], [2552].

A.S. háh.

Hecht, hight, is called, [2140];
was called, [2290].

Hecht, to promise, [3101];
promised (past part.), [1142].

A.S. hátan.

Hedis, heads, [538], [869].

Hewy, [442], Heuy, [459],

heavy.

A.S. hefig.

Hie, [550], Hye, [297],

high.

See [He].

Hienes, highness, [126].

Ho, pause, stop, cessation, [2970].

According to J. radically the same with the verb Houe, or How (see [Houit]). The Dutch, however, use hou, hold! from houden, to hold.

Holl, whole, [106], [745].

Hore, hair, [365].

“Holȝe were his yȝen and vnder campe hores.”

(Early English Alliterative Poems; ed. Morris. See Poem B. l. 1695.)

The meaning of the line quoted is, “Hollow were his eyes, and under bent hairs.”

Hot, hight, was called, [754], [806];
is called, [1950].

A.S. hátan (neuter).

[Houit], delayed, tarried, halted, [996].

“W. hofian, hofio, to fluctuate, hover, suspend,” Morris.

Hovith, stays, halts, [2829].

Howit, halted, [2814], [2842].

Howyns, halts, tarries, [2821].

Probably miswritten for “howyng.”

Hufyng, halting, delaying, [1046].

Hundyre, a hundred, [756], [1554].

[I], in, [332].

Dan. i; Icel. í.

Iclosit, y-closed; i.e. enclosed, shut in, [53].

If, to give, [554].

In lines [1718-1910] the word occurs repeatedly in several forms; as iffis, iffith, giveth; iffis, give ye (put for give thou); ifyne, given, etc.

Ifyne, to give, [3454].

Iftis, gifts, [1741].

In the line preceding we have giftis.

[Ilk]; the ilk (= thilk) that, [629], [1601].

Literally, the ilk = the same.

A.S. ylc. See [1367].

Ilk, each, [2211], etc.

A.S. ælc.

Illumynare, luminary, [3].

Incontinent, Incontynent,

immediately, [253], [1215], [2647], [2834].

Still used in French.

In-to-contynent (= Incontinent), [3020].

In to, used for “in;” passim.

Iornaye, journey, [680].

Irk, to become slothful, grow weary, tire, [2709].

A.S. eargian.

Iuperty, combat, [2547].

Fr. jeu parti, a thing left undecided;

hence the meanings, 1. strife, conflict; 2. jeopardy, as in Ch.

See J.; and Tyrwhitt’s note to C. T. 16211.

Iwond, [245], Iwondit, [226],

wounded.

We find in A.S. both wúnd and wúnded.

[I-wyß], certainly, of a surety, [1709], [1925], [1938].

A.S. gewís; Ger. gewiss. Often wrongly interpreted to mean, I know.

See [Wit].

[Kend], known, [548], [906].

[Laif], the remainder (lit. what is left), [1802], [3472].

A.S. láf. Burns has “the lave.”

Lametable, lamentable, [3265].

The omission of the n occurs again in [l. 2718], where we have lemytable.

Larges, liberality, [608], [1681], [1750].

Fr. largesse.

Larg, prodigal, profuse, [2434].

Lat, impediment, [958].

A.S. lǽtan, means (1) to suffer, (2) to hinder.

Lat, to let, permit (used as an auxiliary verb), [803].

Latith, preventeth, [1927].

Lawrare, a laurel, [82].

Ch. laurer.

Learis, liars, [493].

Led, put down, beat down, depressed, overpowered, [2663].

It is the past tense of A.S. lecgan, to lay, to cause to submit, to kill.

Lef, to live, [564], [3230].

Leful, lawful, [1427].

Legis, lieges, subjects, [1957].

R. lige; Lat. ligatus.

Leich, leech, physician, [106].

A.S. lǽce; Dan. læge.

See [520], [2056].

Leif, to live, [952], [1392].

A.S. lybban; Goth. liban.

Leir, to learn, [1993].

Comp. D. leeren.

Lest, to list, to please, [555], [621].

A.S. lystan.

Lest, to last out against, sustain, [811].

A.S. lǽstan.

Lest, least, [1628].

Let, hindrance, [2495].

Leuch, laughed, [3240].

A.S. hlihan, past tense ic hloh.

Lewis, liveth, [1209].

Lewith, left, deserted, [1854].

Liging, [376].

The sense requires lay, i.e. the 3rd p. s. pt. t. indic., but properly the word is the present participle, lying.

Longith, belongeth, [738], [1921], [2429], [2778].

Compare Dan. lange, to reach.

Longith, belonged, [3242].

Longyne, belonging, [433].

Lorn, lost, [2092];
destroyed, [2740].

See For-lorn.

Loß, praise, [1777].

Lat. laus. Ch. has losed, praised.

Low, Lowe,

(1) law, [1602], [1628], [1636], etc.

(2) love, [29], [1620].

It is sometimes hard to say which is meant.

Compare Dan. lov, law; A.S. luf, love.

Luges, tents, [874], [881], [2500], [2680].

Fr. loge, logis; Ger. laube, a bower, from laub, foliage; Gothic laúf, a leaf.

Lugyne, a lodging, tent, [891].

Lyt, a little, [1233].

At lyte, in little, used as an expletive, [143].

[Ma], short form of [Make], [953].

Maad, made, [697].

Magre of, in spite of, [500], [960], [2679], [2702], [2711].

Sometimes “magre” is found without “of.”

Fr. mal gré.

Matalent, Matelent,

displeasure, anger, [2169], [2660].

In both cases Mr Stevenson wrongly has maltalent.

R. maltalent, mautalent.

Mayne, [1026].

See [Men].

Medyre, mediator (?), [1624].

I am not at all sure of this word, but we find in R. many strange forms of “mediator,” such as méener, méeisneres, etc. In the Supplement to the “Dictionnaire de l’Academie” we find mediaire, qui occupe le milieu, from Low Lat. mediarius.

N.B. In the MS. the “d” is indistinct.

See mediare in Ducange.

[Meit], to dream, [363].

A.S. mætan.

Mekill, much, [876], [1236].

Mokil, [1265].

Melle, contest, battle, [2619].

Fr. melée, J.

Memoratyve, mindful, bearing in remembrance, [1430].

Fr. mémoratif.

[Men], mean, way; “be ony men” = by any means, [2366];
so, too, “be ony mayne,” [1026].

Fr. moyen.

Men, to tell, declare, [510].

A.S. mænan.

Menye, a company, multitude (without special reference to number); whence “a few menye,” a small company, [751].

Apparently from A.S. menigu; Ger. menge; but it may have nothing to do with the modern word many, and is more probably from the O.F. maisnée, a household.

Met, dreamt, [440].

See [Meit].

Meyne, [41].

See [Men].

Misgyit, misguided, [1663].

R. guier.

Mo, more, [3187], etc.

A.S. má.

Mon, man, [96].

Moneth, month, [569].

A.S. mónáð; Goth. menoth.

Morow, morning, [1], [30], [64], [341].

Goth. maúrgins.

Mot, must, [195].

A.S. ic mót.

Mys, a fault, [1888], [1937], [3230].

A.S. mis. Do o myß, to commit a fault, [1926].

Mysour, measure, [1830].

Myster, need, [1877], [2322].

Ch. mistere; R. mester; Lat. ministerium. Cf. Ital. mestiere.

[Nat], [naught], [703].

Shortened from A.S. ná wuht, i.e. no whit.

Nece, nephew, [2200], [2245], [2720].

R. niez.

Nedlyngis, of necessity, [2337], J.

A.S. neádinga.

Nemmyt, considered, estimated, [649], [2852].

A.S. nemnan, to name, call.

Ner, near, [441].

Neulyngis, newly, again, [36], J.

A.S. níwe-líce (?).

Newis, for Nevis, nieves, fists, [1222].

Icel. hnefi. Dan. næve. Burns has nieve; Shakspeare neif.

Noght, not, [1182].

Noiß, nose, [2714].

R. néis.

Nome, name, [226], [320], [1546], [3341].

Fr. nomme.

Nome, took, [591], [1048].

A.S. niman, past tense, ic nám.

Northest, north-east, [677].

Not (shortened from Ne wot), know not, [522], [3144].

A.S. nát, from nitan = ne witan.

Not, naught, [720].

See [Nat].

Noyith, annoyeth, [904].

Fr. nuire. Lat. nocere.

Noyt, annoyed, offended, [471].

Nys, Nyce,

(nice), foolish, [127], [1946].

Fr. niais.

[O], a, an, passim; one, a single, [2998], [3003], [3393], etc.

Obeisand, obedient, [641].

Obeß, obey, [2134].

Oblist, obliged, [969].

Occupye, to use, employ, [3457];
to dwell, [75].

Lat. occupare.

Of, with, [66].

Oft-syß, oft-times, [2304], [2594], [2789], [2885], [2929].

See [Syß].

On, and, [519].

Possibly a mistake.

One, on, often used for In; One to = unto.

Onan, Onone, Onon,

anon, [158], [1466], [2602], etc.

The form “onan,” [l. 3086], suggests the derivation of anon; viz. from A.S. on-án, in one; hence, forthwith, immediately.

Onys, once, at some time or other, [3013];

at onys, at once, [3187].

Opin, [1286], Opine, [13],

open.

Or, ere, before, [77], [1887], [2545].

A.S. ǽr.

Ordand, to set in array, [784];
to prepare, procure, [1713].

R. ordener; Lat. ordinare.

Ordan, to provide, [2416], [2777].

Ordynat, ordained, [490].

See [l. 507].

Orest (= Arest), to arrest, stop, [3186].

Orient, east, [5].

Oucht, it; it is the duty of (= Lat. debet), [2995].

Strictly, we should here have had “it owes” (debet), not “it ought” (debuit).

See [Aw].

Ourfret, over-adorned, decked out, [71], [2480].

A.S. frætwian, to trim, adorn.

Out-throng (= Lat. expressit), expressed, uttered, [65].

A.S. út, out, and þringan, to press.

Owtrag, outrage, [3454].

R. outrage; Ital. oltraggio, from Lat. ultra.

The MS. has outray, probably owing to confusion with affray in the same line.

We find “owtrag” in [l. 2578].

Oyß, to use, [1701], J.

[Paid], pleased; ill paid, displeased, [908].

Low Lat. pagare, to pay, satisfy.

Palȝonis, pavilions, tents, [734];

plural of

Palȝoune, a pavilion, a tent, [1305].

R. gives pavillon, a tent; cf. Low Lat. papilio, a tent.

Pan, pain, [1273].

Pas hyme, to pace, go, [362].

Paß, to go, [1213].

Pasing, pacing, departing, [371];
surpassing, [303], [346], [689], etc.

Pens, to think of, [1431].

Fr. penser.

Planly, at once, [3319].

J. gives “Playn, out of hand, like Fr. de plain.” In the same line “of” = off.

Plant, plaint, complaint, [137].

Fr. plainte.

Plesance, Plesans, pleasure, [941], [1939].

Plessith, pleases, [68].

Possede, to possess, [578].

Fr. posseder.

Poware, a power, a strong band of men, [2647]. We now say force.

Powert, poverty, [1330], [1744].

Pref, to prove, [2229], [3476].

Prekand, pricking, spurring, [3089].

See the very first l. of Spenser’s Faerie Queene.

Prekyne, [2890], showy(?), gaudy(?).

J. gives “Preek, to be spruce; to crest; as ‘A bit preekin bodie,’ one attached to dress; to prick, to dress oneself.”

Compare D. prijcken.

Pretend, to attempt, aspire to, [3282], [3465].

Fr. prétendre. So, too, in lines [559], [583].

Pretendit, endeavour, attempt, [3442].

Process, narration, [316].

Wright gives “Proces, a story or relation, a process.” The writer is referring to his prologue or introduction.

Promyt, to promise, [965].

Proponit, proposed, [361], [445].

Pupil, people, [285].

Puple, people, [1367], [1498], [1520].

Pur, [1648], Pure, [1697], Pwre, [1655],

poor.

[Quh-]. Words beginning thus begin in modern English with Wh. Thus, Quhen = when, etc.

Quhilk (whilk), which, [184].

A.S. hwylc = Lat. qualis rather than qui.

Quhill, while, used as a noun, [1229], [1293].

A.S. hwíl, a period of time.

Quhill, until, [24], [198].

See [Whill].

Quhy; the quhy = the why, the reason, [123], [1497].

Qwhelis, wheels, [736].

A.S. hweol.

Qwheyar, whether, [1187].

Quhois, Qwhois,

whose, [171], [1297].

[Rachis], hounds, [531].

Su-G. racka, a bitch, which from the v. racka, to race, course. Perhaps connected with brach.

Radur, fear, [1489], J.

From Su-G. rædd, fearful; Dan. ræd.

Raddour, [2133], Radour, [1835], [3465],

fear.

Raid, rode, [3070], [3260], etc.

Ralef, relieve, [3364].

Ramed, remedy, [117].

See [Remed].

Randoune, in, [2542].

The corresponding line ([l. 739]) suggests that in Randoune = al about, i.e. in a circuit. But if we translate it by “in haste,” or “in great force,” we keep nearer to the true etymology. In Ogilvie’s Imperial Dictionary, s.v. Random, we find the Nor. Fr. randonnée explained to mean the “sweeping circuit made by a wounded and frightened animal;” but the true meaning of randonnée is certainly force, impetuosity; see R., Cotgrave, etc. In Danish, rand is a surrounding edge or margin; while in Dutch we find rondom round about.

Raquer, require, [2409].

Raß, race, swift course, [3088].

A.S. rǽs. Compare Eng. mill-race, and D. ras.

[Recidens], delay, [2359].

R. residier, to defer.

Recist, resist, [566], [660], [2578].

Recounterit, met (in a hostile manner), encountered, [2958].

Fr. rencontrer.

Record, witness, testimony; hence value, [388].

R. record.

Recorde, to speak of, mention;

hard recorde, heard say, [121], [595].

Recorde, speak out, [454], [481].

See R. recorder.

Recordith, is suitable, belongs, [606].

Recourse, to return, [1798].

Lat. recurrere.

Red, to advise, [1027], [1198].

A.S. rǽdan; Goth. rêdan.

Relewit (relieved), lifted up again, rescued, [2617].

Fr. relever. J.

[Remede], [89], Remed, [718],

remedy.

Remuf, remove, [655].

Report, to narrate, [266];
to explain, [294];
to state, [320].

Reprefe, reproof, defeat, [764].

Reput, he reputed, i.e. thought, considered, [743].

Resauit, received, [2796].

Resawit, received, kept, [2106].

We should have expected to find “reseruit.”

Resonite, resounded, [66].

Resydens, delay, [670].

See [Recidens].

Revare, [275], Rewar, [2893], Rewere, [2812],

river.

Reweyll, proud, haughty, [2853].

R. revelé, fier, hautain, orgueilleux. Compare Lat. rebellare.

Richwysneß, righteousness, [1406].

A.S. rihtwísnes.

Rigne, [94], [1527], Ring, [1468], Ringe, [1325],

a kingdom.

Fr. régne. Ch. regne.

Rignis, kingdoms, [1858].

Rignis, Rignith, reigneth, [1825], [782].

Ringne, a kingdom, [1952].

Rout, a company, a band, [812], [2956], [3403].

Rowt, [2600].

Rowmyth, roometh, i.e. makes void, empties, [3390].

A.S. rúmian.

Rown, run; past part. [2488], [2820].

Rwn, run, [2545].

Rygnis, kingdoms, [1904].

Ryne, to run, [113]. See [2952].

Ryng, to reign, [1409], [2130].

[Sa], so, [3322], [3406].

Dan. saa.

Saade, said, [698].

Salust, saluted, [546], [919], [1553], [2749].

Ch. salewe.

Salosing, salutation, [1309].

Sar, sorely, [1660].

Sauch, saw, [817], [1219], [1225].

A.S. ic seáh, from seón.

Schawin, shewn, [2387].

Schent, disgraced, ruined, [1880].

A.S. scendan; Dan. skiænde.

Schrewit, accursed, [1945].

Scilla, the name of a bird, also called Ciris, [2483].

——“plumis in avem mutata vocatur

Ciris, et a tonso est hoc nomen adepta capillo.”

(Ovid, Met. viii. [150].)

Screwis, shrews, ill-natured persons, [1053].

More often used of males than females in old authors.

Sedulis, letters, [142].

R. cedule.

Sege, a seat, [2258].

Fr. siége.

Semble, a warlike assembly, hostile gathering, [988], [2206].

Semblit, assembled, [845].

G. sammeln; from Goth. sama, samana.

Semblyng, encountering, [2951].

See [Assemble].

Sen, since, [709], [800], etc.

Sen at, since that. In Piers Plowman we find syn.

Septure, sceptre, [666].

Sere, several, various, [594], [731], [746].

“Su-G. sær, adv. denoting separation.” J. Cf. Lat. se-.

Sess, to cease, [14], etc.

Fr. cesser.

Set, although.

Sew, to follow up, seek, [2326].

R. suir; Fr. suivre.

Sew, to follow up, go, proceed, [3145].

Sewyt, [2614].

Shauyth, shewith, [412].

Sice, such, [2115].

Scotch, sic.

Snybbyth, snubs, checks, [3387].

Comp. D. sneb, a beak; snebbig, snappish.

Sobing, sobbing, moaning, [2658].

Socht, Soght,

sought to go; and hence, made his (or their) way, proceeded, went, [2619], [3179], [3357], [3428].

Sought one, advanced upon, attacked, [3149], [3311].

Sought to, made his way to, [3130].

A.S. sécan, past tense ic sóhte, to seek, approach, go towards.

Sor, sorrow, anxiety, [74].

A.S. sorh; Goth. saúrga.

Sort, lot, fate, [26].

Fr. sort.

Sound, to be consonant with, [149].

See Gloss. to Tyrwhitt’s Chaucer.

Lat. sonare.

Soundith, [1811]. “So the puple soundith,” so the opinion of the people tends.

“As fer as souneth into honestee.”

(Chaucer: Monkes Prologue.)

Soundith, tend, [1943];
tends, [149].

Sown, sound, [1035].

Fr. son.

Sownis, sounds, [772], [3436].

Spent, fastened, clasped, [2809].

A.S. spannan, to clasp, join. Comp. Dan. spænde, to stretch, span, buckle together.

Spere, Spir,

sphere, [6], [170];

speris, spheres, circuits, [24].

Spere, to inquire, [1170].

A.S. spirian, to track. Cf. G. spur.

Sperithis, spear’s, [810].

Spill, to destroy, ruin, [1990].

A.S. spillan.

Spreit, spirit, [81], [364].

Stak, [226]. J. gives “to the steeks, completely;” and this is the sense here.

See Jamieson: s.v. “Steik.” Halliwell gives stake, to block up; also steck, a stopping place (cf. Shakespeare’s sticking-place, Macb. i. vii. l. 60). In the N. of France it is said of one killed or severely wounded, il a eu son estoque, he has had his belly-ful; from estoquer, to cram, satiate, “stodge.”

Compare Ital. stucco, cloyed. It has also been suggested that to the stak may mean to the stock, i.e. up to the hilt, very deeply.

Start, started up, leapt, [994], [1094].

Stede, stead, place, [218], [1124].

A.S. stede.

[Steir], to stir, [817].

A.S. stirian.

Stekith, shuts, [1651].

Ger. stecken. Burns has steek.

Stek, shut, concluded, [316].

Stell, steel, [809].

Stell commonly means a stall, or fixed place; but the form stell for steel occurs; e.g. “Brounstelle was heuy and also kene.” Arthur, l. 97.

Sterapis, [3056], Steropis, [3132],

stirrups.

A.S. stí-rap or stíge-ráp, from stígan, to mount, and ráp, rope.

Stere, ruler, arbiter, [1020];
control, guidance, [1974].

Stere, to rule, control, [1344], [2884],

A.S. stýran.

Stere, to stir, move, go, [3430].

See [Steir].

Sterith, stirreth, [2829].

Sterf, to die, [1028].

A.S. steorfan.

Sterit, governed, [612].

A.S. stýran.

Stert, started, [377].

Stok, the stake to which a baited bear is chained, [3386].

Stour, conflict, [1108], [2607], [3124].

R. estour.

Straucht, stretched out, [3090].

A.S. streccan, past part. gestreht.

Strekith, stretcheth, i.e. exciteth to his full stride, [3082].

Subiet, [1799], Subeitis, [1828], Subiettis, [1878],

subject; subjects.

Sudandly, Sodandly, suddenly, [1009], [1876].

Suet, sweet, [331].

Suppris, (surprise), overwhelming power, [691], [860], [2651];
oppression, [1352].

Fr. surprendre, to catch unawares.

Supprisit, overwhelmed, [1237], [1282];
overpowered, [2705], [3208].

Supprisit ded, suddenly killed, [3125].

Surryȝenis, surgeons, [2726].

[Suth], sooth, true, [110].

A.S. sóð.

Suthfastnes, truth, [1183].

A.S. sóðfæstnes.

Sutly, soothly, truly, [963].

Swelf, a gulf such as is in the centre of a whirlpool, a vortex, [1318], J.

A.S. swelgan, to swallow up.

Sweuen, a dream, [440].

A.S. swefn.

Swth, sooth, true, [2753].

See [Suth].

Syne, [2026], Synne, [2029],

sin.

Syne, afterwards, next. J. [45], [794], etc.

[Syß], times, [3054].

A.S. sið.

[Tais], [1095], [3005], Taiis, [1141].

takes. Abbreviated, as “ma” is from “make.”

See [Ma].

Tane, taken, [264].

Ten, grief, vexation, [2646], [3237].

A.S. teonan, to vex.

Tennandis, tennants, vassals holding fiefs, [1729].

R. tenancier.

Than, then, [3111].

The, (1) they, (2) thee, (3) thy.

Thelke, that, [709].

See [l. 629], where the ilk occurs; and see [Ilk].

Thir, these, those, [2734], [2745], [2911], [3110], etc.

Thithingis, tidings, [2279].

A.S. tidan, to happen.

Tho, then, [545], [2221];
them, [2368].

Thoore, there, [628]. Thore, [1102].

Thrid, third, [370], [2347], [2401].

A.S. þridda.

Throng, closely pressed, crowded, [3366].

A.S. þringan.

Til, to; til have, to have, [706].

Tint, lost, [1384].

See [Tyne].

Tithandis, tidings, [2310].

Tithingis, tidings, [902], [2336].

To, too, besides, [3045].

Togidder, together, [254].

To-kerwith, carves or cuts to pieces; al to-kerwith, cuts all to pieces, [868].

A.S. to-ceorfian. The prefix to- is intensive, and forms a part of the verb. See Judges ix. [53]: “All to-brake his skull;” i.e. utterly brake; sometimes misprinted “all to break” (!).

Ton, taken, [1054], [1071].

Ton, one; the ton, the one, [1822].

The tone = A.S. þæt áne.

To-schent, disfigured, [1221].

The intensive form of the A.S. verb scendan, to shame, destroy. In the same line we have to-hurt, and in the next line to-rent, words modelled on the same form. We find, e.g., in Spenser, the forms all to-rent, all to-brus’d. (See the note on the prefix To- in the Glossary to William of Palerne.)

Tothir, the other, [2536].

The tothir = A.S. þæt oþere, where þæt is the neuter gender of the definite article. Burns has the tither.

Toyer (= tother), the other;

y being written for the A.S. þ (th), [2571], [2584].

Traist, to trust, to be confident, [390], [1129], [1149], J.

Trast, [1659].

Traisting of (trusting), reliance upon, or expectation of, [25], J.

Translat, [508], Transulat, [2204],

to transfer, remove.

Tratory, treachery, [3224].

See R. traïtor.

Trety, treatise, [145].

Fr. traité.

Trewis, truce, [1568], [2488], [2545].

Tronsione, [239], Trunscyoune, [2962], Trownsciown, [2890],

a truncheon, a stump of a spear.

Fr. tronçon; from Lat. truncus.

In the last passage it means a sceptre, bâton.

“One hytte hym vpon the oldé wounde

Wyth A tronchon of an ore;” (oar.)

(Le Morte Arthur, l. 3071.)

Troucht, truth, [161].

Tueching, [403], Tweching, [386],

touching.

[Tyne], to lose, [1258], [1387].

Icel. týna.

Tynith, loseth, [1761].

Tynt, lost, [175], [1384], [1521].

[Unwist], unknown, [1140].

[Valis], falls; we should read “falis,” [2475].

Valkyne, to waken, [8].

See [Awalk].

Vall, billow, wave, [1317].

Ger. welle, a wave; quelle, a spring;

Icel. vella, to well up, boil. Cf. also A.S. wæl; Du. wiel; Lancashire weele, an eddy, whirlpool. So, too, in Burns:—

“Whyles owre a linn the burnie plays,

As thro’ the glen it wimpl’t;

Whyles round a rocky scaur it stays,

Whyles in a wiel it dimpl’t.”

Varand, to warrant, protect, [3411].

R. warandir.

Varnit, warned, [622].

[Vassolag], a deed of prowess.

Pasing vassolag, surpassing valour, [257].

R. has vasselage, courage, valour, valourous deeds, as indicative of the fulfilment of the duties of a vassal. We now speak of rendering good service.

Vassolage, valour, [2724].

Veir, were, [818].

Veris, wars, [305].

See [Were].

Veryng, were, [2971].

A.S. wǽron.

Vicht, a wight, a person, [10], [55], [67].

A.S. wiht.

Virslyng, wrestling, struggling, [3384].

J. gives the forms warsell, wersill.

Visare, wiser, [607].

Viting, to know, [410].

A.S. witan.

[Vncouth], lit. unknown; hence little known, rare, valuable, [1734].

A.S. uncúð.

Vodis, woods, [1000].

Vombe, womb, bowels, [375].

Goth. wamba.

Vondit, wounded, [700].

Vpwarpith, warped up, i.e. drawn up, [63].

See Note to this line. It occurs in Gawain Douglas’s prologue to his translation of the [12]th Book of the Æneid.

Du. opwerpen, from Goth. waírpan, to cast.

Vsyt, used, [1197], [1208].

[Vyre], a cross-bow bolt, [1092].

R. vire; cf. Lat. vertere.

[Wald], would, [419], [470], etc.

Walkin, to waken, wake, [1239].

See [Awalk].

Wapnis, weapons, [241].

A.S. wǽpen, or wǽpn.

Ward, world, [3184].

Grose’s Provincial Dictionary gives Ward = world; and the omission of the l is not uncommon; see Genesis and Exodus (E.E.T.S.), ll. 32, 1315.

Wassolage, valour, [2708].

See [Vassolag].

Wat, know, [512].

Wawasouris, vavasours, [1729].

A Vavasour was a sub-vassal, holding a small fief dependent on a larger fief; a sort of esquire.

R. vavaseur.

Weil, very. Weil long, a very long time, [79].

Comp. Ger. viel, J.

Wencussith, vanquisheth, [3331];
vanquished, [3337].

Wencust, vanquished, [2841].

Wend, (1) to go, [2191];

(2) weened, thought, [3481].

Wentail, ventaile, a part of the helmet which opened to admit air, [1056].

R. ventaile; from Lat. ventus.

[Were], (1) war. Fr. guerre. R. werre, [308], etc.

(2) doubt, [84], etc. “But were,” without doubt. A.S. wǽr, cautious, wary.

(3) worse, [1930]. Burns has waur.

Wering, weary, [58].

A.S. wérig.

Werray, very, true, [1262], [2017].

Werroure, warrior, [248].

Weriour, warrior, [663].

Wers, worse, [515].

Weryng, were, [2493].

Wex, to be grieved, be vexed, [156].

Weyn, vain, [382], [524].

Weyne, in phr. but weyne, without doubt, [2880].

A.S. wénan, to ween, to suppose.

[Whill], until, [1136], J. Formed from A.S. hwíl, a period of time.

Wice, advice, counsel, [1909].

Shortened from Awys.

Wichsaif, vouchsafe, [355], [1391].

Wichsauf, id. [2364].

Wicht, wight, person, [131].

[Wicht], strong, nimble, [248].

“Su-G. wig” J. Sw. vig.

Wight, with, [918]. Possibly miswritten.

Wist, knew, [225], [1047]. See [Wit].

[Wit], to know, [268].

A.S. witan; pres. ic wát, past tense, ic wiste.

Wit, knowledge, [2504].

With, by, [723].

Withschaif, vouchsafe, [1458].

With-thy, on this condition, [961].

See For-thy.

Wnkouth, little known, [146]. See [Vncouth].

Wnwemmyt, undefiled, [2097].

A.S. wam, wem, a spot.

Wnwyst, unknown, secretly, [219], [269].

Wod (wood), mad, [3334], [3440].

A.S. wód. Goth. wôds.

Woid, mad, [2695]. Perhaps we should read woud.

Wonde, wand, rod, or sceptre of justice, [1601], [1891]. J.

Wonk, winked, [1058].

Wonne, to dwell, [2046]. A.S. wunian.

Worschip, honour, [1158], [1164].

A.S. weorð-scipe.

Wot, know, [192], etc. See [Wit].

Wox, voice, [13].

Lat. vox.

Woyß, voice, [3473].

Wrechitnes, misery, [2102];
miserliness, niggardliness, [1795], [1859].

Wy, reason; “to euery wy,” for every reason, on all accounts, [2356].

Compare Quhy.

Wycht, strong, nimble, [2592].

See [Wicht].

Wynyth, getteth, acquireth, [1832].

Wyre, a cross-bow bolt, [3290].

See [Vyre].

Wys, vice, [1795].

Wysis, [1540].

[Y], written for “th.” Thus we find “oyer” for “other,” etc. The error arose with scribes who did not understand either the true form or force of the old symbol þ.

Yaf, gave, [387].

Yald, yield, [553];
yielded, [558].

A.S. gildan.

Yclepit, called, [414].

Yef, give, [563].

Yeif, give, [923].

Yer, year, [610].

Used instead of the plural “yeris,” as in [l. 3243].

Yewyne, given, [1500].

Ygrave, buried, [1800].

Comp. Ger. begraben.

Yhere, ear, [1576].

Yher, year, [2064].

Used instead of “yheris,” [3243].

Yhis, yes, [1397].

Yis, yes, [514];
this, [160].

Ylys, isles, [2858], [2882].

Ymong, among, [821].

Yneuch, enough, [2135].

A.S. genog.

Yolde, yielded (to be), [951], [1088].

Ystatut, appointed, [2529].

Fr. statuer.

Ywyß, certainly, [1798], [1942].

See [Iwyß].

[Ȝeme], to take of, regard, have respect to, [665].

A.S. géman.

Ȝere, year, [342].

Ȝerys, years, [23], [1432].

Ȝewith, giveth, [1772].

Ȝha, yes, [2843].

Ger. ja.

Ȝhe, ye, [921].

Observe that, as in this line, ye (A.S. ge) is the nominative, and you (A.S. eów) the objective case.

[Ȝhed], went, [1486]

Ch. has yede.

A.S. ic eóde, past tense of gán, to go.

Goth. ik ïddja, past tense of gaggan, to go.

Ȝher, year, [2064], [2274].

Ȝhing, young, [2868].

Ȝhis, yes, [1397].

Ȝhouth-hed, youth-hood, youth, [2772].

Ȝhud, went, [2696].

See [Ȝhed].

Ȝis, yes, [3406].

Ȝolde, yielded, [291], [380], [951].

A.S. ic geald, past tense of gyldan, to pay, to yield.

Ȝude, went, [2944].

See [Ȝhed].

[INDEX OF NAMES, ETC.]

---

Albanak, [202], [1447].

Alexander, [1837].

Alphest, [57].

Amytans, [1304], [2446].

Angus, [2858].

April, [1].

Arachell, [434].

Aries, [336].

Arthur (passim).

Ban, [202], [1447].

Bible, the, [1483].

Brandellis, [3086].

Brandymagus, [2884], [3430].

Camelot, [275], [280], [357], [407].

Cardole, [2153].

Carlisle, [347].

Christ, [2046].

Clamedeus, [2881], [3259].

Dagenet, [278].

Daniel, [1365].

Danȝelome, [435].

Esquyris, [2591], [2609], etc.

First-conquest king, [1064], etc.; [2568], etc.

Gahers, [3087].

Galiot (passim).

[Galys] Gwyans, [2605], [2613], etc.

Galygantynis, [599].

Galloway, [2690].

Gawane (passim).

Gwynans or Gwyans. See [Galys].

Gyonde or Gyande, [302], [551], [637].

Harwy, [2853], [3206], etc.

Herynes (i.e. Hermes), [436].

Hundred knights, king of, [1545], [1554].

Jhesu, [2046], [2096].

Kay, [254], [355], [3081], etc.

Lady of the Lake, [220], [223].

Lancelot (passim);

appears as the red knight, [991], etc.;

as the black knight, [2430], etc.

Logris, [2301].

Maleginis, [806].

See [Malenginys].

[Malenginys], [2873], [3151], [3155].

See also Hundred knights, king of.

May, [12].

Melyhalt, [283], [895].

Melyhalt, lady of (passim).

Moses, [436].

Nembrot (i.e. Nimrod), [435].

Nohalt, [255].

Phœbus, [24], [2472], [2486].

Priapus, [51].

Round Table, [795], [3213].

Saturn, [2474].

Scilla, [2483].

Solomon, [1378].

Sygramors, [3083].

Titan, [335].

Valydone, [3249].

See [Walydeyne].

Vanore, [575].

See [Wanore].

Virgin (Mary), [2049], [2087], etc.

Venus, [309].

Wales, [599], [2153].

[Walydeyne], [2879].

[Wanore], [230].

Wryne, [2867].

Ydrus, [2851], [3152].

Ywan, [2606], [2618], etc.

Ywons, [2861].

JOHN CHILDS AND SON, PRINTERS.

[Errors and Inconsistencies]

In the printed book, some line numbers were moved or omitted for reasons of space; they have been silently regularized. Sidenotes giving folio numbers are shown as printed. Headnotes have been moved to agree with the text, and will generally not coincide with printed page breaks.

An italic form of þ (thorn) was apparently not available to the printer. In the modern parts of the e-text, þ has been italicized when context seems to warrant it. The change in folio labeling from “21, 21b” to “22a, 22b” appears to be accidental.

All brackets [ ] are in the original. In the two primary texts (French and Scottish), errors in editorial punctuation have been corrected, while other apparent errors are noted but not changed. In the French text, it was assumed that Skeat’s word “commas” includes “inverted commas” or quotation marks. The random variation between capital and lower-case letters after an oversized initial is as in the original.

The word “invisible” means that there is an appropriately sized blank space, but the character itself is missing.

The form “reflective” (for “reflexive”) is used consistently.

In the primary text, the following unexpected forms are not individually noted:

capital I at mid-sentence or mid-word
non-final round s; final long s
non-initial v; initial u
word-final ſß (apparent “sss”)