Torrent of Portyngale

by Unknown

Footnotes to Introduction

[1.] Halliwell says, Preface v f.: ‘It is very incorrectly written, and the copy of the romance of Torrent of Portugal, which occupies 88 pages of the book, contains so many obvious blunders and omissions, that it may be conjectured with great probability to have been written down from oral recitation.’

[2.] The rhymes with tane and with John are not quoted, as these words occur also as tone and Johan; they are, therefore, of no use in fixing the sound of the â.

[3.] On this term see Octavian, ed. Sarrazin, p. xxxviii.

[4.] See Warton’s opinion upon the legendary origin of many romances, History of Engl. Poetry, London, 1824, I. p. ccxliv: ‘Many romances were at first little more than legends of devotion, containing the pilgrimage of an old warrior. At length, as chivalry came into vogue, the youthful and active part of the pilgrim’s life was also written. The penitent changed into the knight-errant.’ Sometimes, of course, the opposite change may have taken place, as for instance is probably the case with the story of the two faithful friends, Amis and Amiloun (cf. Koelbing, Amis, p. lxxxi), and with the story of Robert the Devil (cf. Sir Gowther, ed. Breul, p. 74).

[5.] See the edition of The worthie Hystorie of Plasidas, 1566, by H. H. Gibbs, for the Roxburghe Club, 1873.

[6.] Guill. d’Engleterre, ed. Fr. Michel, Chron. Anglo-Norm., III. 39-172. On the authorship of this poem see C. Hofmann, Sitzungsberichte der Münch. Akad., 1870, II. p. 51, and P. Meyer, Romania, VIII. p. 815 f.

[7.] Die gute Frau, ed. E. Sommer in Haupt’s Zeitschrift für deutsches Alterthum, II. 389.

[8.] Der Graf v. Savoyen, ed. F. H. v. d. Hagen, Minnesinger, IV. 640, and Eschenburg, Denkmäler altdeutscher Dichtkunst, Bremen, 1799.

[9.] On this text see Sarrazin, Octav., p. xlv; he speaks of “die entstellte, spielmannsmässig zersungene Form, in der die Thornton Ms uns die legende überliefert. . . . . . dasselbe Pathos, dieselbe Sentimentalität und Frömmelei, aber auch dieselbe anschauliche und lebhafte Erzählungsweise (sc. as in Oct.).”

[10.] The Thornton Romances, p. xxii f. ‘The romance of Torrent is partly founded upon the story related in Sir Eglamour. The names are changed, but the resemblance is too striking to have been the result of chance. The treachery of the sovereign, the prowess of the knight, the indiscretions and misfortunes of the lady, and the happy conclusion of her misfortunes, these form the leading incidents of each romance . . . . there is, perhaps, a secret history attached to the source of these romances that remains to be unravelled.’

[11.] Cf. Koelbing’s Englische Studien, vii. p. 191 ff.

[12.] Cf. The Thornton Romances, p. xxv ff., and p. xxxvi.

[13.] See the following passages which Halliwell has quoted in the notes: Eglam. 54, 96, 107, 111, 122, 128, 139, 153, 177, 195, 213, 247, 337, 347, 399, 445, 572, 605, 614, 737, 740, 765, 858, 883, 945, 985, 1081, 1143, 1206, 1216.

[14.] See Eglamour, notes on ll. 1064, 1082, 1267.

f. 76a.

Here bygynneth a good tale

Of Torrente of Portyngale.

[ (1)]

God, that ys worthy and Bold,

Heuen⁾ and Erthe haue In hold,

Fyld, watyr, and wynde,

Yeve vse grace hevyn⁾ to wyne,

And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne [5]

And In thy seruyse to Ende!

A stounde and ye woll̴ lyst be-Dene,

Ale dowghtty men⁾ þat Euyr hathe ben⁾,

Wher So that they lende,

I Schall̴ yow tell̴, ore I hense pase, [10]

Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase,

In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.

8. byn MS.

[ (2)]

In Portynggall̴, that Ryche londe,

An Erell̴ that wase wonande,

That curtese wase and wyght; [15]

Sone aftyr he had a sone,

The feyerest þat on fot myght gon,

Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght.

Be tyme he wase XVIII yer⁾ old,

Of deddes of armys he wase bold, [20]

To felle bothe kyng and knyght;

And now commythe dethe appon a day

And takythe hys father⁾, ase I yow sey,

For God ys most of myght.

15. wyght] Dowghtty MS.

21. felle] first l above the line MS.

TORRENT LOVES DESONELL.

[ (3)]

The kyng of Portynggall̴ wase fayne, [25]

To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne,

That Dowghtty ys in⁾ dedde;

And ther he fesomnyd in⁾ hys hond

A good Eyrldom in⁾ that lond,

Bothe forest and fede. [30]

The kyng hathe a dowghttyr whyte ase fame,

Dysonell wase her name,

Worthyest in wede.

When Torrent had of her⁾ a syght,

More he lovyd that swete wyght [35]

Than⁾ all̴ ys fathyrys lede.

30. fede] Downe MS.

31. whyte ase fame] feyer ase flowyr MS.

32. Dyscenys, MS.

35. swete] swet, MS.
wyght] wyte MS.

36. lede] londe MS.

[(4)]

For love of thys lady Deyr⁾

In dede of armys far and nere

Aventorres gan he take

With heve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde, [40]

Ther myght no man⁾ hys dent a-bydde,

But to the Erthe he them strake.

Her father and other knyghttes mo

Had farly, how he Ryd soo,

And on a day to hyme spake, [45]

He Seyd: ‘Torrent, howe may thys byne,

That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghttes kene

And ordurres non woll̴ take?’

39. A ventorres MS.

42. stroke MS.

47. dysplesyst MS.

[ (5)]

Torrent sayd: ‘So mvt I the,

An other sayment woll̴ I see, [50]

Ore I take ordor of knyght.’

Tho he sware be hevyn kyng,

Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng⁾

In hys chambyr to nyght:

‘For⁾ the love of my doughter dere [55]

Thow makyst good far and nere

In⁾ Dedde of armys bryght;

And wyt thow wyll̴, so god me saue,

Thow schalt her⁾ wyne, yf thow her haue,

Be thow neuyr so wyght!’ [60]

50. And MS.
see] bee MS.

60. wyght] wyttht MS.

THE KING ASKS TORRENT TO FIGHT A GREEK GIANT.

[ (6)]

Torrent sayd: ‘Be Marry dere,

And I were off armyse clere,

Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.’

The kyng seyd: ‘Yf yt be soo,

Ore VII yere be a-go, [65]

More schall̴ we here:

Durst thow, for my dowghttyr sake,

A poynt of armys for to take

With-owt helpe of fere?’

Than seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped, [70]

With anny man⁾ that syttythe on stede

Other far ore nere!’

61. Marry] e corrected into y.

65. a-go] a gone, ne struck out, MS.

[ (7)]

Ther-of the kyng⁾ for tene wax wode:

‘Yf thow wylt make thy body good,

Be trew and hold thy contenance . . . . . . . [75]

Tho seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped ere!

And I wyst, in⁾ what sted they were,

Fore no man⁾ wold I chaunce.’

75. contnnce MS.

78. chaunce] corrected out of change MS.

[ (8)]

‘In to the Grekes see a mylle

Ther lyvythe a gyant in an yle, [80]

Full̴ Euyll̴ thow dourst hyme stond.

My fayer⁾ forestes fellythe downe he

And Ryche castelles in⁾ that contre,

No ston lettythe he stond.’

80. lyvythe] lyghttythe MS.
in an yle] mauyle MS.

TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT BEGONMESE.

[(9)]

Terrent sayd: ‘Be Marre bryght, [85]

Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght,

The devyll̴ of hell̴ hym blynd!’

The kyng sayd: ‘Par la-more de dewe,

Thow darryst full̴ evyll̴ with thy Ey hym sewe,

He wold fell̴ the with hys wynde.’ [90]

‘Now, be my trowthe,’ seyd Torrent than⁾,

‘Ase I ame a jentylman⁾,

Yf I may hym fynd,

Won fot woll̴ I not fro hym pase,

Thow he be stronger⁾ than Samson⁾ wase, [95]

Or anny man⁾ of hys kynd!’

86. he] written above the line, MS.

88. kyng] knyght MS.

96. hys] om. MS.

[(10)]

Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare,

With-owt fere that he schold fare

To that gret iorney,

With the gyant heygh for to fyght. [100]

Be-gon⁾-mese that gyant hyght,

That fynddes fere for aye.

To arme hyme Torrant gas,

Hys good stede with hym he tas,

With owt squyer⁾ that Day. [105]

He takythe leve at lorddys hend,

And on hys wey gan he wynd,

For hym all̴ they pray.

97. sore MS.

102. fare MS.

103. gas] goos MS.

104. tas] takythe MS.

108. pray] prayd MS.

[(11)]

Lytyll̴ wyst Desonell̴ that jente,

For whos love that he went [110]

To fyght with that knave.

Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode,

Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod,

The fyld for to haue!

He that schall̴ wend soche a wey, [115]

Yt were nede for hym to pray,

That Iesu hym schuld saue.

Yt ys in⁾ the boke of Rome,

Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome,

That jorney Durst crave. [120]

TORRENT SEES THE GIANT SLEEPING.

[(12)]

VI days Rydythe he

By the cost of the feyer⁾ see,

To seke the gyant kene.

By the cost as he Rode,

In a forest longe and brode [125]

And symly wase to sene,

Hey sperrys ther he fonde

And gret olyvys growonde

Coverd in⁾ levys grene.

Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say, [130]

Vppon a movnteyn⁾ ther he laye

On slepe, ase I wene.

123. seke] ches, struck out, seke written over with paler ink.

126. see MS.

129. grene] smale MS.

[ (13)]

Torrent, on kne knelyd he

And be-sowght Jesu so fre,

That bowght hym with hys blod: [135]

‘Lord, ase thow dyd ryght for Mary,

Let me never take velony

And gef me of thy fode!

Serttes, yf I hym slepyng⁾ slone,

Manfull̴ Ded were yt none [140]

For my body, be the Rode.’

Tho Terrant blewe hys bugell̴ bold,

To loke that he a-wake wold,

And sythe ner⁾ hyme Rode.

136. ryght] lyght written above the line with paler ink.
mare MS.

TORRENT WAKES THE GIANT BEGONMESE.

[ (14)]

So fast a-slepe he wase browght, [145]

Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght,

He swellyd ase dothe the see.

Torrent saw, he woll̴ not wake,

He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake,

Ase a jentyll̴ man⁾ so fre. [150]

So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne,

Ther myght no horse wynd hym⁾ a-geyn⁾

But yf he nowyd wold be;

Thowe the wey neuyr⁾ so wykkyd ware,

On hys wey gan he fare, [155]

In⁾ gret perayll̴ went hee.

150. so fre] in fere MS.

151. say] sayd MS.

152. mygh (!) MS.

154. were MS.

[(15)]

Torent went to that movnteyn⁾,

He put hys spere hyme a-geyne,

‘A-Ryse, fellow!’ gan he saye;

‘Who made the so bold here to dwell̴, [160]

My lordes frethe thus to fell̴?

A-mendes the be-hovythe to pay.’

The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn⁾ wod,

And Redyly by hyme stode,

Be-syd hyme on a lay, [165]

And seyd: ‘Sertes, yf I leve,

Soche a wed I woll̴ the geff,

To meve the Euyr⁾ and ay.’

157. movnten MS.

[ (16)]

Thow the chyld were neuyr⁾ so yinge,

The fyndes spere sparrythe hyme no-thyng⁾ [170]

In the holttes haree;

Who had fare and nere byne,

And neuer had of fytyng syn⁾,

He myght a lernyd thare.

The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast, [175]

His good schyld all̴ to-brast,

In schevyres spred wase yare;

Tho covd he no bettur Red,

But stond styll̴, tyll̴ one were ded;

The gyant lefte hym thar. [180]

169. yonge MS.

171. In] Ihū (!) MS.
horee MS.

173. seyn MS.

174. there MS.

175. to hym] written above the line.

177. there MS.

178. he no] not he MS.
Ryd MS.

180. ther MS.

THE GIANT BURSTS HIMSELF ON A ROCK.

[ (17)]

Torrent vndyr hys spryt he sprent

And a-bowght the body he hyme hente,

As far as he myght last.

‘A! fellow, wylt thow so?’

And to the grownd gan they goo, [185]

Of the movnteyn⁾ bothe downe they past.

Ase the boke of Rome tellys,

They tornyd XXXII ellys,

In armys walloyng fast.

Yt tellythe in⁾ the boke of Rome, [190]

Euyr⁾ ase the gyant a-boue come,

Hys guttes owt of hys body brast.

181. sprent] spred MS.

186. they past] gan they pase MS.

188. ellys] tymys MS.

192. brast] Rane MS.

[(18)]

At the fot of the movnteyn⁾

Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston⁾, serteyn⁾,

Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon⁾ [195]

And also hys Ryght syd,

Ther to that gyant fell̴ that tyd,

Ase I herd in⁾ Rome . . .

197 put before 196. MS.

198. I] he MS.

TORRENT THANKS GOD FOR HIS VICTORY.

[(19)]

Thorrow hyme, that mad man⁾,

Torrent sone a-bovyn⁾ wane [200]

And fast he gan him quelle

With a knyffe feyer⁾ and bryght;

Torrent, with all̴ hys myght

Ther-with he gard hyme dwell̴.

199. after Thorrow, of has been scraped out.

201. him quelle] warke MS.

203. hys] h corrected out of m MS.

[(20)]

Torent knelyd on hys kne, [205]

To Iesu Cryst prayd he,

That hathe thys world to wyld:

‘Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be,

The feyer⁾ fyld thow hast lent Me,’

—Vpp bothe hys handes he held— [210]

‘All̴ onely with-owt any knaue

Of the fynd the maystry to haue,

Of hym to wyn the fyld.’

Now ys ther none other to say,

Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day; [215]

I pray God hyme schyld.

210. he] om. MS.

213. wyn] wynd, d erased MS.

214. to written above the line, MS.

215.

Now ys ther non other say

Of hyme to wyne the fyld þat day add. (!) MS.

[(21)]

Torrent went vppe a-geyne

To the movnt, ase I gan sayne,

The londes to se far and nere;

In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt, [220]

An hold wase Rychyly wrowt,

In that lond wase not here perre.

The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey,

Torrent thether toke the way,

Werry all̴ thow he were; [225]

And ther he fownd Ryche wonys,

Towrres Endentyd with presyos stonys,

Schynyng ase crystall̴ clere.

219. to se written above the line.

TORRENT GOES TO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.

[ (22)]

Two gattys off yron⁾ ther he fond,

Ther in⁾ Torrent gan wonde, [230]

A nyghtes Rest there in⁾ to ta;

And at the hale dore ther wase

A lyon⁾ & a lyonasse,

Ther men be-twene them twa

Fast Etyng⁾, ase ye may here; [235]

Crystyñ man thow he were,

Hys browys wexe bla,

And wit yow will̴, lord god yt wote,

He durst goo no fote,

Lest they wold hyme sla. [240]

[ (23)]

Torrant stod and be-held,

And prayd to god, that ale may wyld,

To send hyme harborrow good.

Sone hard he within a whalle

The syghyng of a lady smalle, [245]

Sche weppte, as sche were wod;

Sche mornyd sore and sayd: ‘Alas,

That Euyr⁾ kynges dowghttyr wase

Ouer-come of so jentyll̴ blod,

For now ame I holdyn⁾ here [250]

In lond with a fyndes fere!’

Torrent hard, wher he stod.

226. wonys] wayes MS.

229. Two] The MS.

231. to ta] he take MS.

234. twa] twayne MS.

236. man] thow (!) MS.
he] they MS.

237. wexe bla] be gan to blowe MS.

240. sle MS.

244. whalle] with paler ink corrected from whyle.

245. syghyng] with paler ink corrected from syngyng.

TORRENT WANTS TO ENTER THE GIANT’S CASTLE.

[(24)]

‘Dere god,’ seyd Torrant than⁾,

‘Yff ther be anny crystyn⁾ man⁾

In thys hold of ston⁾, [255]

That woll̴, for the love of god of myght,

Harbourrow a jentylman⁾ thys nyght,

For I ame but on⁾!’

‘Seynt Marry,’ seyd that lady clere,

‘What crystyn⁾ man⁾ axithe harburrow here?’ [260]

Nere hym sche gothe a-non.

‘I wold harburrow the full̴ fayne,

But a gyant wyll̴ the slayne.’

To hym sche mad here mone.

259. clere] e corrected out of r MS.

261. sche gothe anon] a non sche gothe MS.

[ (25)]

‘Say me now, fayer⁾ lady, belyve, [265]

Who owte of thys plase schall̴ me dryve,

Thes tourres, that are so bryght?’

Ther sche Seyd: ‘Be hevyn⁾ kyng⁾,

Here ys a gyant Dwellyng,

That meche ys of myght. [270]

Be my trowthe, and he the see,

Were ther⁾ XX lyvys in⁾ the,

Thy dethe than wyll̴ he dyght.

Iesu cryst yef me grace

To hyd the in⁾ some preve plase [275]

Owt of the fyndes syght! . . . . .

265. bel.] om. MS.

266. of] om. MS.
me dryve] hyght MS.

267. so] feyer and add. MS.

271. the] thow, w erased and e changed into o, MS.

273. They (!) MS.

275. hyd] corrected from hyde.

[ (26)]

‘Euyr⁾ me thynkythe be thy tale,

The song of the burdes smale

On slepe hathe hyme browght.’

‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ore he be wakyn⁾, [280]

I schall̴ the tell̴ soche a tokyn⁾,

Of hym thow haue no thowght!

But wolddes thow for thy gentry

Do the lyonnys downe lye,

That they nyee me nowght?’ [285]

By the hande sche ganne hym ta

And led hyme in⁾ betwe them twa;

Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.

277. thy] my erased and thy written above the line.

283. thy] th corrected from m.
gentry] gentre, e corrected from y.

285. nyee] first e above the line.

286. hande] d corrected from e.
tane MS.

287. bewte MS.
twayne MS.

TORRENT IS TAKEN INTO THE GIANT’S CASTLE.

[ (27)]

The lady wase neuyr⁾ so a-drad,

In to the hale sche hym lad, [290]

That lemyred ase gold bryght;

Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede:

‘Make vse myrre a-geyne owre Dedd,

I wot will̴, yt ys so dyght!’

‘Be my trowthe!’ seyd Torrent, [295]

‘I wole be thy warrant,

He comythe not here thys nyght.

On soche a slepe he ys browght,

All̴ men of lyve wakythe hym nowght,

But onely godes myght.’ [300]

300. godes myght] gode a lone MS.

[ (28)]

Blythe then wase that lady jent,

For to on-harnes Torrent,

That dowghtty wase and bold;

‘For sothe,’ sche seyd, ‘I wot wher ys

The kynges sone Verdownys, [305]

Fast put in hold

In a dongon⁾, that ys dym;

Fowyre good Erylles sonnys be with hyme

Ys fet in⁾ fere and fold.

The gyant wan theme in⁾ a tyde, [310]

Ase they Rane be the watyr syd,

And put them in⁾ preson⁾ cold.

305. Verdownys] of pvense MS.

TORRENT FREES A PRINCE AND 4 EARLS’ SONS.

[(29)]

‘In an yron⁾ cage he hathe them done.’

Torrent went thether⁾ sone:

‘Are ye yet levand?’ [315]

The kynges sone askyd than⁾,

Yf ther were anny crysten man⁾,

‘Wold bryng vse owt of bond?’

‘Lord,’ he seyd, ‘god all̴myght,

I had levyr on a Day to fyght, [320]

Than all̴ my fathyrys lond.’

With an iryn⁾ mall̴ styff and strong⁾

He brake vpe an yron⁾ dore or longe,

And sone the keyes he fond.

318. owt] ow (!) MS.

323. or longe] added in paler ink.

[ (30)]

Owt he toke thys chyldyryn⁾ fyve, [325]

The feyrest that were on lyve,

I-hold in⁾ anny sted.

The lady wase full̴ gled,

Sche byrlyd whyt wyn⁾ and Redd,

And sethyn⁾ to soper sone they yed. [330]

‘Lordes,’ he seyd, ‘syn yow are her⁾,

I Red yow make Ryght good cher⁾,

For now ys all̴ thy nede.’

Thus he covyrd owt of care.

God, that sofryd wonddes sare, [335]

Grante vse well̴ to sped!

325. chyld.] a v struck out, follows.

328. glad MS.

335. sore MS.

336. welle to sped] to sped welle MS.

THEY ALL CHOOSE THEIR HORSES TO RIDE AWAY.

[ (31)]

Lorddes, and ye wol lythe,

The chyldyr namys I woll̴ tell̴ blythe,

Here kyn, how they were me told;

The kynges sone, that dowghtty ys, [340]

Wase clepyd Verdownys,

That dowghtty wase and bold,

And an Erylles son, that hyght Torren⁾,

A nother Iakys of Berweyne,

The forthe was Amyas bold. [345]

The kynges dowghttyr of Gales lond,

Elyoner⁾, I vndyrstond,

That worthy wase in hold,

337. after wol, be struck out MS.

340. ys] wase MS.

346-348 put before 343-345, MS.

[(32)]

In to hys chambyr sche hyme led,

Ther gold and syluyr wase spred, [350]

And asur⁾, that wase blo;

In yron ther he gan stond,

Body and armys al schynand,

In⁾ powynt to trusse and goo.

In to a stabyll̴ sche hym led, [355]

Eche toke a full̴ feyer⁾ sted,

They were redy to goo;

And wote ye well̴ and vndyrstond,

Had the gyant be levand,

They had not partyd soo. [360]

351. blo] blewe MS.

353. al sch.] lygand (!) MS.

354. trusse] corrected from truste.

357. redy] om. MS.

358. wote] with paler ink corrected from what.

359. Had] corrected out of han.
byn follows, almost entirely erased.
gyant] t corrected from d.

[(33)]

They woll̴ not to bed gange,

Tyll̴ on the morrow the Day spronge,

Thus a wey to ffare.

Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse,

All̴ that he lyst he clepyd hys, [365]

The keys and thyng he bare.

The lyons that was at the dore

Wase led to her⁾ mayster that wase befor⁾,

On hym thay fed them yare,

Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther⁾ levyd, [370]

On hym thei trussyd the gyanttes heved.

Thus helpt hym god thar⁾.

361. gange] gan MS.
lle on the struck out, follows.

366. keys] e written with paler ink above the line.

367. lyons that was] lyone MS.

369. Vn (!) MS.
hym] y corrected out of e MS.
thay] corrected from that.
yare] ther MS.

371. Vn (!) MS.
thei] i written above the line.
hed MS.

372. ther MS.

TORRENT RETURNS TO PORTUGAL.

[ (34)]

But ore III wekes wer⁾ commyn⁾ to End,

To Portynggall̴ gan he wend,

Ther⁾ ase the kyng gan lend; [375]

The porter⁾ sawe hym ther he stood,

He fled a wey, ase he were wod,

Flyngyng ase a fynd.

‘Syr kyng,’ he seyd, ‘be goddes dede,

Torrant bryngythe a devyll̴ ys hed, [380]

Ther with he woll̴ yow present.’

Desonell̴ seyd: ‘Porter⁾, be styll̴!’ . . .

In hys walke ther ase he went.

373. were] ther, struck out, and were written over.

375. lend] lye MS.

376. sawe h. th.] ther sawe he MS.

[ (35)]

The kyng to the gatys gan pase,

Gret lordes that ther wase, [385]

Bothe knyghtes and squyerre,

Lordes wase full̴ sore a-dred

Fore the lyonys, þat he had,

They durst not come hyme ner⁾.

The kyng seyd: ‘I wyll̴ the kysse, [390]

Durst I for⁾ thy bestes, Iwysse.’

Torrent dyd them ly ther⁾,

And kyssyd the kyng with joy and blyse;

And aftyr, other lordes of hys,

And aftyr, ladys clere. [395]

386. squyerres MS.

390. the] hym MS.

395. aftyr] other add. (!) MS.
clere] jent MS.

VERDOWNYS’S FATHER IS TOLD OF HIS SAFETY.

[(36)]

Messengyres went the weye,

To the kyng of Provyns to sey,

Hys sone ys owt of hold:

‘Yyng Torrent of Portynggall̴

Hathe browght hym owt of balle [400]

And slayne the jeyant bold.’

Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴ þat ther wer⁾,

All̴ they mad good cher

Her⁾ prynse fayne se wold.

The kyng seyd: ‘So mot I the, [405]

I woll̴ geff the towynnys thre

For⁾ the talles thow hast me told.’

396. went] to (!) MS.

397. after Provyns I MS.

399. Yoyng MS.

405. kyng seyd] kynges messengere MS.

405-7 put before 402-4.

[(37)]

Than seyd they, that to Gales yede,

Yeftys to take were hem no ned,

Then Verdownys had they. [410]

Ase they seyłyd on a tyde,

At Perrown⁾ on the see syd

. . . . . . . . . . .

The kyng of Provynse seyd: ‘So mot I the,

Yftles schall̴ they not be, [415]

That dare I sothely sey.’

The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer⁾:

‘Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer⁾,

When so euyr⁾ thow may! . . . . .

408. Than—that] That they than MS.
Gales] with paler ink corrected from Calles.
yede] corrected from went.

409. take] om. MS.
hym MS.

410. Then Downys MS.

417. gales] g with paler ink corrected from c.

TORRENT GETS WELAND’S SWORD ADOLAKE.

[ (38)]

The kyng of Pervense seyd: ‘So mot I the, [420]

Thys seson⁾ yeftles schall̴ thow not be,

Haue here my Ryng of gold,

My sword, that so wyll̴ ys wrowyt;

A better than⁾ yt know I nowght

With in⁾ crystyn⁾ mold; [425]

Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase,

Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase,

Bettyr ys non⁾ to hold.

I have syne sum tyme in⁾ lond,

Whoso had yt of myn⁾ hond, [430]

Fawe they were I-told.’

429. Loke thou hold yt with fulle hond, add. MS.

431. I fawght therfore I told MS.

[(39)]

Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad,

The good swerd ther he had,

The name wase Adolake.

A gret maynerey let he make ryght [435]

That lest all̴ a fortnyght,

Who so will̴ hys met take.

Euyry man toke ys leve, ase I yow say,

Hom-ward to wend ther wey,

Euery man ys Rest to take. [440]

Tyll̴ yt be-fell̴ vppon a day,

Ase they went be the wey,

The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake:

435. mayn.] mayne let, with paler ink corrected into mayney.
ryght] om. MS.

438. I] om. MS.

440. to take ys Rest MS.

DESONELL GIVES TORRENT A WHITE CHARGER.

[(40)]

‘Ye schall̴ take hed of a jeentyll̴ man⁾,

A feyer⁾ poynt for⁾ yow he wane, [445]

Desonell̴, at the last.’

‘Syr,’ sche seyd, ‘be hevyn kyng,

Tyll̴ ye me told, I knewe no thyng,

For who ys love yt wase.’

‘Desonell̴, so mvt I the, [450]

Yt wase for the lowe of the,

That he trovylld so fast.

I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode,

Yt ys for yow bothe good,

Ther to I Red yow trast.’ [455]

455. trust MS.

[ (41)]

Forthe sche browght a whyt sted,

As whyt as the flowyr in⁾ med,

Ys fytte blac ase slon.

‘Leman⁾, haue here thys fole,

That dethe ys dynt schalt þou not thole, [460]

Whyll̴ thow settyste hyme appon⁾,

And yf thow had persewyd be

And hadyst ned fore to fle,

Fast for to gone.

The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me, [465]

Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the,

For better love may I none.’

458. slo MS.

460. thole] haue MS.

461. settythe MS.

462. p’revyd (!) MS.

465. So Fragm. I ([F. I]); The kyng of Portynggalle seyd: ‘So mot I the MS.

466. hym on] so [F. I]; of MS.

[(42)]

Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd,

Ase the went be the watyres syd,

The kyng and yong Torrent, [470]

The kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer⁾,

And he wyst, in⁾ what maner⁾,

How he schuld be schent;

A false lettyr mad the kyng

And dyd messengyres forthe yt bryng, [475]

On the Rever⁾, ase they went,

To Torrent, that was trew ase styll̴,

Yf he love Desonell̴ wyll̴,

Get her a facon⁾ jent.

471. ded were] so [F. I]; were ded MS.

472. he] so [F. I]; hym MS.

477. that was] so [F. I]; om. MS.

THE FALSE KING OF PORTUGAL DECEIVES TORRENT.

[(43)]

Torrent the letter be-gan⁾ to Red, [480]

The kyng lestyned & nere yed,

Ase he yt nevyr ad sene.

‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘what may thys be,

Loo, lord, come ner⁾ and see,

A-bowght a facon⁾ schene? [485]

I ne wot, so god me sped,

In what lond that they bred.’

The kyng answerd: ‘I wene,

In the forrest of Mavdeleyn⁾,

Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne, [490]

That byn of lenage clen⁾.’

482. syne MS.

487. that] so [F. I]; om. MS.
they] ne add. (!) MS.

489. Mavd.] so [F. I]; Mavdlen MS.

491. clen⁾] gene MS.

[(44)]

And than seyd the kyng on-trew:

‘Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew,

Bryng on of them to me!’

Torrent Seyd: ‘So god me saue, [495]

Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue,

At yowr wyll̴ they schal be.’

Hys squyere bode he thar⁾,

Aftyr hys armor⁾ for to far⁾,

In the fyld byddythe he. [500]

They armyd hym in⁾ hys wed,

Tho he be-strod a noble sted,

And forthe than Rod hee.

498. squyere] so [F. II]; squyeres MS.
there MS.

TORRENT FINDS A DRAGON IN THE FOREST.

[(45)]

Torrent toke the wey a-geyn⁾

In to the forest of Mawdleyn⁾, [505]

In the wyld-some way;

Berys and apes there founde he,

And wylde bestys great plente,

And lyons where they lay.

In a wod that wase tyght, [510]

Yt Drew nere-hand nyght

By dymmynge of the Day,

Harkyn, lordes, to them came wo,

He and hys squyer⁾ partyd in two,

Carfull̴ men then were they. [515]

502. noble] so [F. II]; nothere MS.

507-509: so [F. II]:

Berrys he sawe stondyng

And wyld bestes ther goyng,

Gret lyonys ther he fond. MS.

510. tyght] so [F. II]; thyke MS.

512. By d.] so [F. II]; And ine the Dawnyng MS.

513. to—wo] so [F. II];
to] of [F. II].
what I schalle sey MS.

514. in two] so [F. II]; they MS.

515. men—they] so [F. II]; they were that Day MS.

[(46)]

At the schedyng of a Rome

Eche partyd other frome,

For sothe, ase I vndyrstond.

Torrent toke a dulful wey

Downe in⁾ a depe valey [520]

Be-syd a well̴ strong.

A lytyll̴ be fore mydnyght

Of a dragon he had syght,

That grysly wase to fond;

He had hym nowght to were, [525]

But hys schyld and hys spere,

That wase in⁾ hys squyeres hond.

524. fond] syght MS.

A DRAGON ATTACKS TORRENT.

[(47)]

Torrent knelyd on hys kne,

To Iesu Cryst prayd he:

‘Lord, mykyll̴ of myght, [530]

Syne I wase in⁾ meche care,

Let me nevuyr⁾ owt of thys world far⁾,

Tyll̴ I haue take order of knyght.

Ase I ame falsely hether⁾ sent,

Wyld-som weyes haue I went, [535]

With fyndes for to fyght.

Now, Iesu, for thy holy name,

Ase I ame but man⁾ a-lone,

Than⁾ be my helpe to nyght!’

532. thys] hys (!) MS.

533. haue] or add. (!) MS.
order] othere (!) MS.

[ (48)]

Ase Torrent Iesu gan⁾ pray, [540]

He herd the dragon⁾, ther he lay

Vndyr-nethe a clow;

Of and on he wase stronge,

Hys tayle wase VII yerdes long,

That aftyr hyme he drowe; [545]

Hys wyngges wase long and wyght,

To the chyld he toke a flyght

With an howge swowe;

Had he nether⁾ schyld ne spere,

But prayd to god, he schold hyme were, [550]

For he wase in dred i-nowe.

542. clow] colod or colvd, l corrected from d, MS.

543. and] an MS.

545. drewe MS.

548. swowe] swayne (!) MS.

551. inowthe MS.

[ (49)]

On the tayle an hed ther⁾ wase,

That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase,

In fyer whan yt was dyght;

A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther⁾, [555]

Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schere

Thurrow the grace of god almyght.

As the boke of Rome tellys,

Of hys taylle he cut IIII elles

With hys swerd so bryght. [560]

Than cryed the lothely thyng,

That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng,

That hard the gyant wyght.

554. yt] he MS.

558. Tellys] tellythe MS.

563. That the gyant hard wyght MS.

TORRENT KILLS THE DRAGON.

[(50)]

The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond,

There ys sum crystyn⁾ man⁾ nere hond, [565]

My dragon here I cry.

By hym, that schope bothe watyr⁾ and lond,

All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond,

Dere schall̴ they a-bye!

Me thynkythe, I here my dragon⁾ schowt, [570]

I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man⁾ hym a-bowght,

I trow, to long I ly.

Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston⁾,

And my cheff-foster were gone,

A false mayster were I!’ [575]

574. foster] st corr. out of t.

[ (51)]

Be the gyant wase Redy dyght,

Torrent had slayne the dragon⁾ Ryght;

Thus gan god hyme scheld.

To the mownteyne he toke the wey

To Rest hyme, all̴ that day, [580]

He had myster, to be kyld.

Tyll̴ the day be-gan to spryng,

Fowllys gan myrre to syng

Bothe in⁾ frethe and in feld.

Leve we now of Torrent thore [585]

And speke we of thys squyer⁾ more:

Iesu hys sole fro hell̴ shyld!

581. kyllyd MS.

585. there MS.

[T1.] There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.

TORRENT’S SQUIRE IS MET BY A GIANT.

[(52)]

Hys squyer⁾ Rod all̴ nyght

In a wod, that wase full̴ tyght,

With meche care and gret fare, [590]

For to seke hys lord Torrent,

That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent,

And he wyst nevyr⁾ whethyr ne whar⁾.

He Durst neuyr⁾ cry ne schuot,

For wyld bestes were hym a-bowght [595]

In⁾ the holttes hare;

A lytyl whyll̴ be-fore the day

He toke in⁾ to a Ryde-wey

Hyme self to meche care.

592. wysly MS.

593. wher MS.

595. wyld] wyd MS.

596. hore MS.

597. lyty MS.

[(53)]

Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond, [600]

Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond,

With-owtyn⁾ any Delite,

Also fast ase he myght fare,

Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware,

Lest they wold hym byght. [605]

The sone a-Rose and schone bryght,

Of a castyll̴ he had a syght,

That wase bothe feyer⁾ and whyte . . . .

602. Delite] delay MS.

604. were MS.

[(54)]

The gyant him se, & ny yed,

And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped, [610]

Thow art welcom to me:

What dost thow here in my forest?’

‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest,

Yff yt yowr wyl be.’

‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’ [615]

To an oke he hym led:

Gret Ruthe yt wase to se.

In IIII quarteres he hym drowe,

And euery quarter vppon a bowe;

Lord, soche weys toke hee! [620]

609. hem MS.

618. drewe MS.

TORRENT IS ATTACKT BY THE GIANT ROCHENSE.

[(55)]

Ase Torrent in⁾ the movnteyn⁾ dyd ly,

Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry;

Gret fere ther hyme thowght.

‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre,

‘Wher euyr⁾ my jentyll̴ squyer⁾ myght be, [625]

That I with me to wod browght?

On he dyd hys harnes a-geyne

And worthe on hys sted, serteyne,

And thetherward he sowght.

And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond, [630]

In fowre quartyres he hym fownd,

For other wyse wase yt nowght.

624. fre] fer MS.

630. wot] w add. (!) MS.

[ (56)]

The gyant lenyd to a tre

And be-hyld Torrent so free,

For sothe, ase I yow seye. [635]

Thys fend wase ferly to fyght,

Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght,

Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye.

To the chyld than⁾ gan he smyght:

‘A theff, yeld the asttyt, [640]

As fast as thow may!’

‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood?

God, that Dyed on the Rood,

Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’

635. I] om. MS.

TORRENT FIGHTS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.

[(57)]

He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght, [645]

Hys steddes brayne he smot owte,

So mykyll̴ he be-gan⁾.

Torrent tho a good sped

Ase fast a-bowte an eche yede;

Ase swefte ase he myght, he Ran. [650]

He gathyred svm of hys gere,

Bothe hys schyld and hys spere;

Nere hym yod he than⁾.

Bacward than be a browȝ

Twenty fote he gard hyme goo, [655]

Thus erthe on hym he wane.

649. yede] went MS.

650. he Ran] Ryne MS.

[ (58)]

Yt solasyd Torrant then⁾,

When he sawe hyme bacward ren

Downe be a movnteyn⁾ of Perowne,

Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen⁾, [660]

Tyll̴ he com to a depe glen,

Ther myght non hym stere.

Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast,

And hys spere on hyme he brast,

Good Adyloke yed hyme nere. [665]

The fynd in⁾ the watyr stod,

He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod,

All̴ þe day in⁾ fere.

657. than MS.

658. ren] Rond (!) MS.

661. glen] thorne MS.

662. stere] schere MS.

668. þe] the add. (!) MS.

[(59)]

Tho nere hond wase the day gone,

Torrent wase so werry than⁾ [670]

That on hys kne he kneld:

‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may!

Desonell̴, haue good day!’

Fro hym he cest hys schyld.

Iesu wold not, he were slayne, [675]

To hym he sent a schowyr⁾ of Rayne,

Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld.

The fynd saw, he wase ny mate,

Owt of the watyr he toke the gate,

He thowght to wyne the fyld. [680]

671. knelyd he MS.

677. kelyd MS.

TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT ROCHENSE.

[ (60)]

Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good;

Nere the fynd sore he stod,

Cryst hym saue and see!

The fynd fawt with an yron⁾ staff,

The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe, [685]

He brast hys schyld on thre.

Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane,

To the hart he baryd hym than⁾,

And lothely cry gane he.

To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght, [690]

And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght,

And thus he wynnythe the gre.

690. gownd MS.

[ (61)]

Torrent knelyd on the grownd

And thankyd god þat ylke stownd,

That soche grace hyme send. [695]

Thus II journeys in thys woo

With hys handes slow he gyantys too,

That meny a man⁾ hathe schent.

Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod,

And met hyme XXIIII fotte, [700]

Ther he lay on the bent.

Hedles he left hym there,

Howt of the fyld the hed he bare

And to the castell̴ he went.]

697. he] II MS.

THE SWORD AND STEED OF GIANT ROCHENSE.

[(62)]

To thys castell̴ he gan far⁾; [705]

Ther fond he armor⁾ and other⁾ gare,

A swerd, that wase bryght.

To the towre he toke the wey,

Ther the gyantes bed lay,

That Rychyly wase dyght. [710]

At the beddes hed he fond

A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond,

That meche wase of myght.

On the pomell̴ yt wase wret,

Fro a prynce yt wase get, [715]

Mownpolyardnus he hyght.

706. gere MS.

[ (63)]

The sarten to sey with-owt lese,

A scheff-chambyr⁾ he hym ches,

Tyll̴ on the morrow day.

To the stabull̴ tho he yed, [720]

There he fond a nobyll̴ sted,

Wase comely whyt and grey.

The gyanttes hed gan he take,

And the dragonnys wold he not forsake,

And went forthe on hys wey. [725]

He left mor⁾ good in that sale

Than wase with in⁾ all̴ Portynggall̴,

Ther ase the gyant laye.

717. to sey] om. MS.

718. he] sche MS.
chesys (!) MS.

720. yod MS.

[(64)]

Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght,

Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght, [730]

Ther ys lord gan dwell̴.

The kyng ys gone to the gate,

Torrent on kne he fond ther at,

Schort tall̴ for to tell̴.

‘Haue thow thys in⁾ thyn⁾ hond: [735]

No nother hawkys ther I fond

At Mawdlenys well̴.’

The kyng quod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse,

Torrent, I trow, sybbe ys

To the dewell̴ of hell̴! . . . . [740]

738. quod] om. (!) MS.

739. sybbe] sylke MS.

TORRENT IS LOVED BY DESONELL.

[ (65)]

‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond,

Ther ys no knyght, hys dynt may stond,

So stronge he ys in dede!’

‘Syr⁾,’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame,

What ys the gyantes name, [745]

So Euyr good me sped?’

‘Syr⁾,’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the,

Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee,

That wyt ys vndyr wede.’ . . . . . .

742. knyght hys] knyghtes MS.

743. in d.] on grond MS.

[(66)]

Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more, [750]

Wondyr on the heddes thore,

That Torrent had browght whome.

The Lordes seyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴!

Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴,

To yow yt ys gret schame!’ [755]

Torent ordeynyd prystes fyve,

To syng for hys squyerys lyve,

And menythe hym by name.

Therfor⁾ the lady whyt ase swane

To Torrant, here lord, sche went than⁾, [760]

Here hert wase to hyme tane.

752. browght] ho add. (!) MS.

753. The] om. MS.
seyd] he add. MS.
Myhelle] my her, r corrected to lle with paler ink.

756. prystes] V add. (!) MS.

A PRINCE OF ARAGON WANTS TO WED DESONELL.

[(67)]

Lettyrres come ther withalle

To the kyng of Portynggall̴,

To ax hys dowghttyr Derre,

Fro the kyng of Eragon⁾, [765]

To wed her⁾ to hys yongeest son⁾,

The lady, that ys so clere.

For Torrent schuld not her⁾ haue,

For hyme fyrst he here gafe,

To the messenger⁾, [770]

And hys way fast ageyn dyd pase,

Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase,

Ther of schuld he not be were.

762. ther withalle] hetherward MS.

769. For] To MS.

771. way] om. MS.

773. ware MS.

[(68)]

On a mornyng, ther ase he lay,

The kyng to the quene gan sey: [775]

‘Madame, for cherryte,

Thow art oftyn⁾ hold wyse;

Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowr deuyce,

How I may governe me:

The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent, [780]

For to aske my dowghttyr gente

That ys so feyer⁾ and fre.’

‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue,

I Red yow let Torent her haue,

For best worthy ys he.’ [785]

775. The (quene to the) kyng to the quene gan sey MS.

779. That how MS.

781. aske] aseke MS.

[(69)]

He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer⁾,

To make an erlles sone myn Eyer⁾?

I will̴ not, by sen Iame!

There he hathe done maystres thre,

Yt ys hys swerd, yt ys not he, [790]

For Hatheloke ys ys name.’

‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped,

A knyghtes dowghttyr wase hyme bed,

Ase whyt ase walles bane;

And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴, [795]

All that ther of here tell̴,

Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’

790. hys] om. MS.

794. swalles (!) MS.
bone MS.

796. All] And MS.

THE KING OF PORTUGAL’S TREACHERY TO TORRENT.

[ (70)]

‘Madam, vnto thys tyd

There lythe a gyant here be-syd,

That many a man⁾ hathe slayne. [800]

I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr⁾ dere,

To fyght with that fyndes fere,

Thus he holdythe hyme in⁾ trayne.

But I schall̴ make myn commnant so,

That there schall̴ non with hyme go, [805]

Neyther squyer⁾ ne swayne.’

‘Syr⁾,’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the,

So sore be-stad hathe he be,

And wyll̴ commyn⁾ a-geyne!’

806. Neyther] om. MS.

[ (71)]

Tho the belles be-gan to Ryng, [810]

Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng,

And the lady so fre,

And aftyr-ward they went to mase,

Ase the law of holy chyrge wase,

With notes and solemnyte. [815]

Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe,

Knyghtes semlyd on a Rowe,

Gret joy wase to see.

Torrent a syd bord began⁾,

The squyeres nexte hym than, [820]

That good knyghtes schuld be.

812. so fre] in feree MS.

815. nettes (!) MS.

TORRENT AGREES TO FIGHT FOR DESONELL.

[(72)]

Ase they sat a-myddes the mete,

The kyng wold not foreget;

To Torrent the kyng gan sey,

He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue, [825]

Thow woldes fayne my dowghttyr haue

And hast lovyd her⁾ many a day.’

‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than⁾,

‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man⁾,

Ryght gladly, par ma fay!’ [830]

‘Yf thow durst for her sake

A poynt of armys vndyrtake,

Thow broke her⁾ well̴ fore ay!’

822. a] so [F. III]; the MS.

825. saue] so [F. III]; sped MS.

830. gladly] so [F. III]; glad MS.

831. for h. s.] so [F. III]; par ma fay MS.

833. broke] so [F. III]; breke MS.

[ (73)]

‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga,

Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma [835]

Of yowr dowghttyr hend,

And aftyrward my ryghtys,

Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’ . . . . . .

And all̴ were Torrentes frende.

‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey, [840]

‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye,

A-geyne yf god me send!’

834. go [F. III]; gan Rage MS.

835. make MS.

839. frenddes MS.

[(74)]

Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the

Wyst I, where my jorney schold be,

Thether I wolde me dyght.’ [845]

The kyng gaff hyme an answere:

‘In the lond of Calabur ther⁾

Wonnythe a gyant wyhte,

And he ys bothe strong and bold,

Slochys he hyght, I the told, [850]

God send the that waye Ryght!’

Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue good day,

And, or I come a-geyn⁾, I schall̴ asay,

Whether the fynd can fyght.’

844. be] om. MS.

845. wolde] so [F. III]; om. MS.

848. wyhte] so [F. III]; whyte MS.

851. that w.] so [F. III]; ways MS.

852. good] goo MS.

853. Space left here for an initial letter of the largest size in MS.

TORRENT STARTS TO FIGHT THE GIANT SLOCHYS.

[(75)]

Tho wold he no lenger⁾ a-byde, [855]

He toke ys wey for to Ryde

On a sted of gret valewe.

In to a chambyr⁾ he gas,

Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas,

Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe; [860]

He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴!

I schall̴ come a-geyn the tyll̴,

Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’

Thus he worthe on a stede.

In hys wey Cryst hyme sped, [865]

Fore he yt no thyng knewe!

856. Ryde] ryght MS.

858. gas] gothe MS.

859. tas] toke MS.

862. the] than MS.

[ (76)]

He toke hym a Redy wey,

Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey,

As hys Iorney fell̴.

Tyll̴ the castell̴ Be the See, [870]

An hy stret heldythe hee,

Ther the kyng dyd dwelle.

To the porter he gan seye:

‘Wynd in⁾, fellow, I the pray,

And thy lord than tell̴, [875]

Pray hym, on won nyght in⁾ hys sale

To harburrow Torrent of Portynggall̴,

Yf yt Bee ys will̴!’

868. pvys MS.

871. And MS.

872. dyd dw.] dwellyd MS.

875. tyll MS.

878. Yf ys wille to Bee MS.

[T2.] There are two folios 91 in the MS.

TORRENT A GUEST OF THE KING OF PROVYNS.

[(77)]

The porter⁾ Dyd hys commandment,

To the kynge he ys wente [880]

And knelyd vppon⁾ ys kne:

‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale!

Torrent of Portynggale

Thus sendythe me to the;

He praythe yow, yf ye myght, [885]

To harburrow hym thys won⁾ nyght,

Yf yowr will̴ yt bee.’

The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre:

‘There ys no man⁾ in⁾ crystyante

More welcome to me!’ [890]

[ (78)]

The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod,

Lordes and other⁾ knyghtes good,

That were glad of hys commyng.

In to the hale he hyme browght,

Ryche met spare they nowght, [895]

Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng.

‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the,

Where be thy men off armys free,

That with the schuld leng?’

‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde, [900]

My squyer hongythe be my syde,

No man schall̴ with me wend.’

892. knyges MS.

899. leng] wynd MS.

[(79)]

‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the,

Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee,

Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’ [905]

‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly,

At Calabur, sekyrly,

I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴

With a squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde;

Fast be the see Sydde [910]

Schuld we pley owur fyle;

And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond,

Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hond

Fore dred of denttes yll̴.’

TORRENT IS OFFERD A PRINCESS OF PROVYNS.

[ (80)]

The kynge seyd: ‘Be goddes ore, [915]

I Rede, þat þou come not thore,

Fore why, I wyll̴ the seye:

Meche folke of that contre

Come hether⁾ for⁾ sokor⁾ of me,

Bothe be nyght and day; [920]

There ys a gyant of gret Renowne,

He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn⁾

And all̴ þat euyr⁾ he may;

And ase the boke of Rome dothe tell̴,

He wase get of the dewell̴ of hell̴, [925]

As hys moder on slepe lay.’

915. kynges (!) MS.

916. there MS.

922. sete] second e corr. out of a MS.

[(81)]

The kyng Seyd: ‘Be seynt Adryan⁾,

I Rede, a nother Jentyll̴ mane

Be there and haue the gre:

I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere, [930]

Thow schalt here wed to thy fere,

And, yf yt thy wyll be,

Two duchyes in londe

I wille geve here in⁾ hande.’

‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he, [935]

‘With my tonge so haue I wrowght,

To breke my day than will̴ I nowght,

Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’

929. the] so [F. IV]; om. MS.
degre MS.

932. So [F. IV]; om. (!) MS.

933. londe] honde [F. IV]; om. MS.

935. syr s. h.] so [F. IV]; seyd he thane MS.

TORRENT ARRIVES IN CALABRIA.

[(82)]

‘In goddes name,’ the kyng gane sayne,

‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne, [940]

Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’

Menstrelles was them a-monge,

Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe,

Delycyous nottis on hyght.

When tyme was, to bed they wente; [945]

On the morrow Rose Torrente

And toke leve of kyng and knyght

And toke a Redy weyye,

Be a see syd as yt laye,

God send hym gattes Ryght! [950]

947. of] so [F. IV]; on MS.

948. toke] so [F. IV]; to MS.

[ (83)]

A hye stret hathe he nome,

In to Calabur he ys come

With in⁾ to days ore III;

Soo come ther⁾ folkes hym a-geyne,

Fast folloyng with cart and wayne, [955]

Fro-ward the sytte.

‘Dere god!’ seyd Torrent nowe,

‘Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow,

Soo fast fore to flee?’

‘There ys a gyante here be-syde, [960]

In ale thys covntre fare and wyde

No mane on lyve levythe hee.’

951. nome] so [F. V]; none MS.

952. come] so [F. V]; gone MS.

958. yow] nowe add. (!) MS.

[ (84)]

‘Dere god,’ sayd Torrant thane,

‘Where schall̴ I fynd that lothly man⁾?’

Ther they answerd hym anone: [965]

‘In a castyll̴ be-syd the see,

Slongus, soo hyght hee,

Many a man had he slone.

We wot will̴ wher he doth ly:

Be-fore the cyte of Hungry; [970]

He will̴ not thens gone,

Tyll̴ he haue the Ryche kyng⁾

To hys presone for to bryngg,

To be lord of hyme self a-lone.’

964. lothly] so Hall.; lovely MS.

965. anone] so [F. V]; a geyne MS.

968. slone] so [F. V]; slaylne (!) MS.

969. doth ly] so [F. V]; ys MS.

970. cyte] so [F. V]; knyghthod MS.
Hungry] so [F. V]; Hongrys MS.

971. thens] thus MS.

TORRENT FINDS THE GIANT SLONGUS IN HUNGARY.

[(85)]

Tho wold he no lenger⁾ a-byd, [975]

But to the sytte gan he Ryde,

As fast as he myght fare;

Here barys fell̴ and broke downe,

And the gattes of gret Renowne

Stondyng⁾ all̴ baree. [980]

Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne,

Mo than fyfty had he slayne

With gryme wounddes and sare.

When Torrent of hym had a syght,

Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr⁾ so bryght, [985]

He will Reue hym hys chaffar⁾.

986. hym] m corr. out of s. MS.
chaffer MS.

[(86)]

Torrent in⁾ the storrope stod

And prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode:

‘Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle,

Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld, [990]

That thys lothly fynd hym yeld

A-non to me tyll̴!

A man schall̴ But onnys Dyee,

I will̴ fyght, whill̴ I may Dryee.’

He mad cher⁾ nobyll̴. [995]

When he had Iesu prayd of grace,

He wyscheyd hyme a battell̴ plase,

Ther as hym lyst welle.

990. wynd (!) MS. vndyr nethe spere and schyld add. (!) MS.

991. lothly] om. MS.

995. nobill chere MS.

998. welle] were MS.

TORRENT CHALLENGES THE GIANT SLONGUS.

[ (87)]

Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane,

Bothe schyld and spere than⁾, [1000]

That they were sekyr and good.

Aftyr þat, with in a throwe,

Hys good horne gane he blowe.

The gyant sawe, wher⁾ he stodde:

Slonges of Flonthus staryd than⁾; [1005]

Quod Torrent: ‘Yf thow be a gentyll̴ man⁾

Or come of gentyll̴ blod,

Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be,

And come prove thy strenghe on me,

Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.’ [1010]

1008. Let be thy b. a. t. erm. MS.

[(88)]

The gyant sayd: ‘Be the Roode,

Dewell̴ of hell̴ send the fode,

Hether to seche me:

By the nose I schall̴ the wryng,

Thow berdles gadlyng⁾, [1015]

That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’

The wey than to hym he toke

And on hys bake he bare a croke,

Wase X fot long and thre;

And thow he neuer so gret war⁾, [1020]

Torrent thowght not fare to fare,

Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.

1011. sayd] written above the line.

1017. he] so [F. VI]; om. MS.

1018. he] her MS.
croke] so [F. VI]; creke (!) MS.

1020. were MS.

TORRENT SLAYS THE GIANT SLONGUS OF FLONTHUS.

[ (89)]

Thoo wold Torrent no lenger⁾ byd,

Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde,

Ase fast ase euyr⁾ he may. [1025]

The theff had non ey but on⁾,

Soche sawe I neuer none,

Neyther⁾ be nyght nor be day.

Thurrow goddes helpe and sent Awsden⁾

The spere throw ye and herne gan ren. [1030]

God send hym the Ryght wey;

Than the theff be-gane to Rore.

All̴ that in⁾ the sytte wore,

Ouyr⁾ the wallys they laye.

1024. the] f add. (!) MS.

1028. Blyther (!) MS.
nor] so [F. VI]; and MS.

1030. throw—ren] anon he toke to hym MS.

1033. wore] so [F. VI]; were MS.

[(90)]

Thow the fyndes ey were owte, [1035]

Fast he leyd hym a-bowte

All̴ þat somyrres nyght;

He set ys backe to an hyll̴,

That Torrent schuld not come hym tyll̴,

So meche þat theff covd of fyght. [1040]

He bled so sore, I vndyrstond,

Hys croke fell̴ owt of hys hond,

Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght.

Torrent to hyme Rane with a spere,

Thurrow the body he gan hym bere, [1045]

Thus helpe hym god of myght.

1040. þat] þ^e add. MS.

[(91)]

All̴ that in⁾ the sytte were,

Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere,

That thys fynd wase Dedde.

Forthe they Ran with stavys of tre, [1050]

Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the,

Kepe hole hys hed!

Yf yt be broke, so god me sped,

Yt ys wyll̴ the worse to lede.’

They dyd ase he hem bede, [1055]

Mo than thre hunderd on a throng

Yt ys solas Euyr⁾ a-mong

Whan that he was dede.

1047. That alle MS.

1054. lede] Rede, struck out and lede added in paler ink.

1055. That seson they MS.
he hem] hyme (!) MS.
bede] bad MS.

1057 put before 1056 MS.

TORRENT GOES TO THE CASTLE OF GIANT SLONGUS.

[ (92)]

Than⁾ the kyng of Calaber ayen⁾ hym went,

Torrent be the hond he hent, [1060]

To the hall̴ he gan⁾ hym lede

And comaundid squiers two,

Of hys harnes for to do

And cloth hym⁾ in another wede.

Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe, [1065]

Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe,

And sith to the deyse they yede;

‘Sir,’ quod the kyng, ‘of whens are ye?’

‘Of Portingale, sir,’ said he,

‘I com heder, to sech my dede.’ [1070]

1062. two] tho MS.

1063. hys] her MS.

1070. deth MS.

[ (93)]

Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan say

To Torrent on the oþure day:

‘Wyll̴ ye wend with me

A litull̴ here be-side to passe,

There as the Geauntes dwelling was [1075]

His maner now for to see?’

To the castell̴ gan⁾ they gone,

Richer saw they never none,

Better myght none be.

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴-myȝt⁾, [1080]

For thou hym⁾ slew, þat it dight,

I vouche it saue on the,

1072. To T.] Torrent said MS.

1081. it] is MS.

TORRENT HEARS THAT DESONELL IS TO WED A KING.

[ (94)]

‘I yeve yt the, sir, of my hond,

And there-to, an erledome of my lond,

For soth, ye shall̴ it haue; [1085]

Omage thou shalte none nor ffyne,

But euer more to the and thyne,

Frely, so god me saue!’

Lordys, and ye liston wold,

What was clepud the riche hold: [1090]

The castell̴ of Cardon⁾, by sawe.

Two days or thre dwellith he thare

And sith he takythe leve to ffare,

Both at knyght and knave.

1083. yt] om. MS.
of] alle add. MS.
hond] lond MS.

1084. my] om. MS.

1086. nor] om. MS.

1091. by s.] om. MS.

1092. there MS.

[ (95)]

By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane, [1095]

That he had oute of preson i-tane

His son vppon a day.

Gentilmen were blith and ffayn⁾,

That he in helth was comyn⁾ agayn⁾,

That they myght with hym⁾ play. [1100]

There of herd he, sertaynle,

That Desonell̴ wedid shold be

With an vncouth Ray.

And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce,

Howe he lefte his countenaunce [1105]

And takyth hym⁾ armes gay!

1098. leve] the way MS.

1096. of preson] om. MS.

1101. sertayn MS.

1103. vnc.] a add. MS.

TORRENT IS KNIGHTED. DESONELL IS MARRIED.

[ (96)]

By-fore the kyng he fell̴ on kne:

‘Good lord,’ he said, ‘for charite,

Yeve me order of knyght!

I wott well̴, leryd are ye, [1110]

My lordys doughter shall̴ wed be

To a man⁾ off myght.’

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I trow, she mone

To the prynce off Aragon⁾,

By this day sevynnyght. [1115]

Swith,’ he seith, ‘that this be done,

That thou be there and wyn⁾ thy shone,

Gete the armes bryght.’

1110. ye are leryd MS.

1111. be wed MS.

1115 and 1118 have changed their place in the MS.

[ (97)]

Sir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld,

It was ryche in euery ffeld, [1120]

Listonyth, what he bare:

On aȝure a squier off gold,

Richely bett on mold;

Listonyth, what he ware:

A dragon⁾ lying hym be-syde, [1125]

His mouth grennyng full̴ wyde,

All̴ ffyghtyng as they were;

The creste, that on his hede shold stond,

Hit was all̴ gold shynand,

Thus previd he hym⁾ there. [1130]

1122. On] of MS.

[ (98)]

Lordys assembelid in sale,

Well̴ mo than I haue in tale,

Or ellis gret wonder were.

There herd he tell̴ ffor certan⁾,

That Desonell̴ wed shold be than⁾, [1135]

That was hym selfe ffull̴ dere.

And whan⁾ he herd of that ffare,

Wors tydingis than were thare,

Might he none gladly here . . . . . . .

1134. he] l MS.

TORRENT CHALLENGES THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.

[ (99)]

He wold not in passe, [1140]

Till̴ at the myd mete was

The kyng and meny a knyght;

As they satt at theyre mete glade,

In at the hall̴ dur he rade

In armes ffeyre and bryght, [1145]

With a squier, that is ffre;

Vp to the lady ryduth he,

That rychely was i-dight.

‘Lordys,’ he said, ‘among you all̴

I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴, [1150]

Or Delyuer her me with right!’

1141. at] om. MS.

1143. mete] om. MS.

1144. he] they MS.

1151. Delyuer it me MS.

[ (100)]

The kyng of Aragon⁾ sett her bye,

And he defendid her nobely:

‘I wyll̴ none delyuer the.’

His son said: ‘So muste I thryve, [1155]

There shall̴ no man just for my wiffe;

But yf youre wyll̴ it be,

For her love did I never no dede,

I shall̴ to day, so god me spede:

Be-hold and ye shall̴ se.’ [1160]

‘Alas!’ said Desonell̴ the dere,

‘Full̴ longe may I sitt here,

Or Torrent chalenge me.’

[ (101)]

Trumpettes blew in the prese,

Lordys stond on the grese, [1165]

Ladyes lay ouer and be-held.

The prynce and Torrent then

Eyther to other gan ren⁾,

Smertely in that ffeld;

Torrent sett on hym⁾ so sore, [1170]

That hors and man down⁾ he bore,

And all̴ to-sheverd his sheld.

So they tombelid all̴ in ffere,

That afterward of VII yere

The prynce none armes myght weld. [1175]

1165. the grese] reugis or rengis MS.

TORRENT BEATS THE PRINCE OF ARAGON.

[ (102)]

Torrent said: ‘So god me saue,

Other two coursus wyll̴ I haue,

Yf ye do me law of lond.’

Gret lordys stond styll̴,

They said nether good ne yll̴ [1180]

For tynding of his hond.

The prynce of Aragon⁾ in they barr⁾

With litull̴ worshipp and sydes sare,

He had no fote on ffor to stond.

Thus thes lordys justid aye; [1185]

Better they had to haue be away,

Suche comffort there he ffond.

1167. than MS.

1186. they] he MS.

1187. ffound MS.

[ (103)]

He wold not in passe,

Till̴ they at myd mete was,

On the other day at none. [1190]

His squiers habite he had,

Whan⁾ he to the deyse yad,

With oute couped shone,

And the hede on⁾ the bord he laid:

‘Lo, sir kyng, hold this,’ he said, [1195]

‘Or ellis wroth we anon⁾!’

They sett still̴ at the bord,

None of hem spake one word,

But ryght that he had done.

1198. They spake nether ylle ne good add. (!) MS.

TORRENT CLAIMS DESONELL, AND HALF PORTUGAL.

[ (104)]

Torrent at the syde bord stode: [1200]

‘Lystonyth, lordynges, gentill̴ of blood,

For the love of god all̴-myght:

The kyng heyght me his doughter dere,

To ffyght with a ffendys ffere,

That wekyd was and wight, [1205]

To wed her to my wyffe,

And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe,

And after his days all̴ his ryght.

Lokyth, lordys, you among, [1210]

Whether he do me ryght or wrong!’ [1210]

Tho waried hym⁾ both kyng & knyght.

1211. &] ky, struck out, add. MS.

[(105)]

Tho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys:

‘Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys,

A gret maister arte thou!’

The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen⁾: [1215]

‘With a sword thou shalte her wynne,

Or thou haue her nowe:

For why, my son to her was wed,

Gret lordys to churche her led, [1220]

I take wittnes of all̴ you.’ [1220]

‘Kyng Calamond, haue good day,

Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may,

To god I make avowe.’

1220. you alle MS.

[ (106)]

The Emperoure of Rome ther was,

Be-twene thes kynges gan⁾ he passe [1225]

And said: ‘Lordys, as sone,

This squier, that hath brought this hede,

The kyng had wend he had be dede,

And a-venturly gan⁾ he gone: [1230]

I rede you take a day of ryghtes, [1230]

And do it vppon⁾ two knyghtes,

And let no man⁾ be slon⁾!’

Gret lordys, that were thare,

This talis lovid at that fare

And ordenyd that anon⁾. [1235]

1230. ryghtes] Restys MS.

1232. slayn MS.

1235. that] than MS.

TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE GIANT CATE.

[(107)]

To the kyng the thoght com⁾ was,

To send vnto Sathanas

For a geaunt, that hight Cate,

For to make hym⁾ knyght to his hond [1240]

And sease hym⁾ in all̴ his lond; [1240]

The messingere toke the gate.

Gret othes he sware hym than⁾,

That he shold ffyght but with one man⁾,

And purvey hym he bad

Iryn stavis two or thre, [1245]

For to ffyght with Torent ffre,

Though he there of ne watt.

1236. the thoght om. MS.

1247. wott MS.

[(108)]

Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght,

On lond that he shold not ffyght, [1250]

But ffar oute in the see, [1250]

In an yle long and brad;

A gret payn⁾ there was made,

That holdyn⁾ shold it be.

Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys,

Halfe Portyngale shold be his, [1255]

To spend with dedys ffre;

And yf sir Torrent myght hym ouer-com⁾,

He shold haue halfe Aragon⁾,

Was better than suche thre. [1260]

1248. couns.] of add. MS.

1251. brod MS.

THE GIANT CATE, AND TORRENT, GO TO THE ISLAND.

[ (109)]

The Gyaunt shipped in a while [1260]

And sett hym⁾ oute in an yle,

That was grow both grene and gay.

Sir Torrent com⁾ prekand on a stede,

Richely armed in his wede;

‘Lordyngys,’ gan he say, [1265]

‘It is semely ffor a knyght,

Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.’

They said sone: ‘Nay,

He is so hevy, he can not ryde. [1270]

Torrent said: ‘Evill̴ mut he be-tyde, [1270]

Falshode, woo worth it aye!’

[(110)]

‘Sir, takyth housell̴ and shrefte!’

To god he did his hondys lifte,

And thankid hym of his sond:

‘Iesu Cryste, I the praye, [1275]

Send me myght and strengith this day

A-yen⁾ the ffend to stond!’

To the shipp sir Torent went,

With the grace, god had hym sent, [1280]

That was never ffayland; [1280]

All̴ the lordys of that contre,

Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se,

Stode and be-held on lond.

1278. This line begins with a big initial letter.
Torent] yode, struck out, add. MS.

1283. On lond stode and be held MS.

[(111)]

Whan sir Torrent in to the Ile was brought,

The shipmen⁾ lenger wold tary nought, [1285]

But hied hem sone ageyn⁾;

The Giaunt said: ‘So must I the,

Sir, thou art welcom to me,

Thy deth is not to layn⁾!’ [1290]

The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue, [1290]

Oute of his hand flew his staff:

That thefe was full̴ fayn⁾.

Tho sir Torent went nere Cate, . . . . .

He thought, he wold hym⁾ haue slayn⁾.

TORRENT KILLS THE GIANT CATE WITH COBBLE-STONES.

[(112)]

The theff couth no better wonne, [1295]

In to the see rennyth he sone,

As faste as he myght ffare.

Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys, [1300]

Good and handsom ffor the nonys,

That good and round ware; [1300]

Meny of them to hym⁾ he caste,

He threw stonys on hym so faste,

That he was sad and sare.

To the ground he did hym fell̴,

Men⁾ myght here the fend yell̴ [1305]

Halfe a myle and mare.

1298. gad.] good add. MS.

1300. were MS.

1303. sore MS.

1306. more MS.

[ (113)]

Sir Torent said, as he was wonne,

He thankid Iesu, Maryes son⁾, [1310]

That kyng, that sent hym myȝt⁾;

He said: ‘Lordys, for charite, [1310]

A bote that ye send to me,

It is nere hand nyght!’

They Reysed a gale with a sayll̴,

The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴,

All̴ men wonderid on that wight. [1315]

Whan that they had so done,

They went to sir Torent full̴ sone

And shipped that comly knyght. [1320]

TORRENT WINS DESONELL, LANDS, AND A CITY.

[(114)]

The emperoure of Rome was there,

The kynges of Pervens and of Calabere yare, [1320]

And other two or thre.

They yaue sir Torent, that he wan,

Both the Erth and the woman⁾,

And said, well̴ worthy was he.

Sir Torent had in Aragon⁾ [1325]

The riche Cite of Cargon⁾

And all̴ that riche contre;

Archbeshoppes, as the law fell̴, [1330]

Departid the prynce and Dissonell̴

With gret solempnite. [1330]

1320. The kynges] om. MS.

1321. other] kynges add. MS.
or] the add. MS.

[ (115)]

For sir Torent the fend did fall̴,

Gret lordys honoured hym⁾ all̴

And for a doughty knyght hym⁾ tase;

The kyng said: ‘I vnderstond,

Thou hast fought ffor my doughter & my lond, [1335]

And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’

He gaue to saint Nycholas de Barr⁾

A grett Erldome and a simarr⁾ [1340]

That abbey of hym tas

For Iesus love, moch of myght, [1340]

That hym helpith day & nyght,

Whan⁾ he to the battell̴ gas.

1337. saint] sir MS.

1338. simarre] marr MS.

1339. tas] redith MS.

1342. gas] yode MS.

[ (116)]

Lordys than⁾ at the laste,

Echone on theyre way paste,

And euery man⁾ to his. [1345]

The quene of Portingale was ffayn⁾,

That sir Torent was com agayn⁾

And thankyd god of this. [1350]

Than said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond,

Thou hast fought for my doughter & my lond, [1350]

And art my ward, i-wys,

And I wyll̴ not ageyn⁾ the say;

But abyde halfe yere and a day,

And broke her well̴ with blis!’

TORRENT BEGETS TWINS ON DESONELL.

[ (117)]

Torent said: ‘So muste I the, [1355]

Sith it wyll̴ no better be,

I cord with that assent!’

After mete, as I you tell̴, [1360]

To speke with mayden⁾ Desonell̴,

To her chamber he went. [1360]

The damysell̴ so moche of pride

Set hym on⁾ her bed-syde,

And said: ‘Welcom⁾, verament!’

Such gestenyng he a-right,

That there he dwellid all̴ nyȝt⁾ [1365]

With that lady gent.

[ (118)]

Sir Torent dwellid thare

Twelffe wekys and mare, [1370]

Till̴ letters com hym till̴

Fro the kyng of Norway; [1370]

For Iesus love he did hym praye,

Yf it were his wyll̴,

He shold com as a doughty knyght,

With a Geaunt for to ffyght,

That wyll̴ his londys spyll̴; [1375]

He wold hym yeve his doughter dere

And halfe Norway ffar and nere,

Both be hold and be hyll̴. [1380]

TORRENT SAILS TO FIGHT A NORWEGIAN GIANT.

[ (119)]

Sir Torent said: ‘So god me saue,

I-nough to lyve vppon I haue, [1380]

I wyll̴ desire no more;

But it be, for Iesu is sake

A poynt of armes for to take,

That hath helpid me be-ffore.

I yeve the here oute of my hond [1385]

To thy doughter all̴ my lond,

Yf that I end thore.’

And whan⁾ he toke his way to passe, [1390]

Mo than ffyfty with hym was,

That fals to hym⁾ wore. [1390]

1387. there MS.

1390. were MS.

[ (120)]

Syr Torent to the lady went,

Full̴ curtesly and gent: . . . . .

‘Desonell̴, haue good day!

I muste now on my jurnay,

A kyngis lond for to fend. [1395]

Thes gold rynges I shall̴ yeve the,

Kepe them well̴, my lady ffre,

Yf god a child vs send!’ [1400]

She toke the ryngis with moche care,

Thries in sownyng fell̴ she thare, [1400]

Whan she saw, that he wold wend.

1393. Denoselle MS.

1397. them] om. MS.

[(121)]

Shipp and takyll̴ they dight,

Stede and armour ffor to ffyght

To the bote they bare.

Gentilmen⁾, that were hend, [1405]

Toke her leve at theyre frend,

With hym ffor to fare.

Kyng Colomond, is not to layn⁾, [1410]

He wold, that he cam nevure agayn⁾;

There fore god yeff hym⁾ care! [1410]

So within the ffyfty dayes

He Come in to the lond of Norways,

Hard Contre ffound he thare.

TORRENT REACHES NORWAY, AND HEARS OF A GIANT.

[(122)]

Thus sir Torrent, for soth, is fare,

A noble wynd droffe hym⁾ thare, [1415]

Was blowyng oute of the weste.

Of the Coste of Norway they had a sight . . . [1419]

Of sayling they were all̴ preste.

So ffeyre a wynd had the knyght,

A litull̴ be-ffore the mydnyght [1420]

He Rode be a foreste.

The shipmen said: ‘We be shent;

Here dwellith a geaunt, verament,

On his lond are we kest!’

1424. kest] sett MS.

[(123)]

The maistershipmon⁾ said: ‘Nowe [1425]

I Rede, we take down⁾ sayle & Rowe,

While we haue this tyde. [1430]

Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴myght,

The giant lieth euery nyght

On⁾ the mowntayn⁾ here be-syde; [1430]

My lord the kyng wyll̴ not ffyght,

Till̴ he of you haue a sight,

On you ys all̴ his pryde!’

Sir Torrent said: ‘Here my hond!

Sith we be ryven on this lond, [1435]

To nyght wyll̴ I ryde.’

1425. maistershipmen MS.

1429. lieth] here add. MS.

1434. Torerent MS.

TORRENT LANDS IN THE FOREST OF BRASILL.

[ (124)]

Sir Torent armyd hym⁾ anon [1440]

And his knyghtes euerychone

With sheld and spere in hond.

The shipmen⁾ said: ‘As mut I thryve, [1440]

I Rede, that euery man⁾ other shryve,

Or that we go to the lond.’

Sir Torent said: ‘As god me spede,

We will̴ firste se that ffede,

My lord was never failand! [1445]

Gentilmen, make chere good,

For Iesu love, that died on Rood, [1450]

He will̴ be oure waraunt!’

1445. fleand MS.

1446. make] made MS.

[(125)]

In a forest can⁾ they passe,

Of Brasill̴, saith the boke, it was, [1450]

With bowes brod and wyde.

Lyons and berys there they ffand

And wyld bestes aboute goand,

Reysing on euery side.

Thes men⁾ of armes, with trayn⁾ [1455]

To the shipp they flew agayn⁾

In to the see at that tyde; [1460]

Fast from land row they be-gan⁾,

A-bove they left that gentilman⁾,

With wyld beestis to haue kyde. [1460]

1451. bowes] browes MS.

1452. ffound MS.

1460. k corrected out of r.

[ (126)]

The shipmen⁾ of the same lond

Ryved vp, I vnderstond,

In another lond off hold.

To the chamber they toke the way,

There the kyng hym⁾ selfe lay, [1465]

And fals talis hym⁾ told . . . . . .

For he wold not the geaunt abyde, [1470]

For all̴ this contrey feyre and wyde,

Thouȝ he yeff it hym wold.

1465 put before 1464 MS.

TORRENT COMES ON 2 DRAGONS IN A VALLEY.

[(127)]

‘Sir kyng, ye haue youre selfe [1470]

Erlis doughty be ten⁾ or twelfe,

Better know I none:

Send youre messingeris ffar and wyde,

For to ffell̴ the geauntes pride,

That youre doughter hath tane.’ [1475]

‘I had lever to haue that knyght;

With hym⁾ is grace of god all̴myȝt⁾,

To be here at his bane.’ [1480]

Full̴ litull̴ wist that riche kyng

Of sir Torrentes ryding [1480]

In the forest all̴ alone.

1471. doughty be] om. MS.

1476. that] ky, struck out, add. MS.

[(128)]

Thorouȝ helpe of god that with hym was,

Fro the wyld bestis gan⁾ he passe

To an hye hyll̴.

A litull̴ while be-fore the day [1485]

He herd in a valey

A dynnyng and a yell̴. [1490]

Theder than⁾ riduth he,

To loke, what thing it myȝt be,

What adventure thare be-fell̴. [1490]

It were two dragons stiff and strong,

Vppon⁾ theyre lay they sat and song,

Be-side a depe well̴.

1490. thare] that MS.

[(129)]

Sir Torent said thanne

To god, that made man⁾ [1495]

And died uppon⁾ a tree:

‘Lord, as thou mayst all̴ weld, [1500]

Yeve me grace, to wyn⁾ the feld

Of thes ffendys onfre!’

Whan he had his prayers made, [1500]

Pertely to hem⁾ he Rade

And one thorouȝ oute bare he.

Thus sped the knyght at his comyng

Thorough the helpe of hevyn⁾ kyng:

Lord, lovid muste thou be! [1505]

1499. onfre] ontrewe MS.

1502. he bare MS.

TORRENT KILLS THE 2 DRAGONS, AND SEES A CASTLE.

[(130)]

The other dragon wold not flee, . . . . .

But showith all̴ his myght; [1510]

He smote ffire, that lothely thing,

As it were the lightnyng,

Vppon⁾ that comly knyght. [1510]

There fore sir Torent wold not lett,

But on⁾ the dragon) fast⁾ he bett

And over-come that foule wight.

Tho anon the day sprong,

Fowles Rose, mery they song, [1515]

The sonne a-Rose on hyȝt.

1507. shotith MS.

1516. hyȝe MS.

[ (131)]

Torent of the day was full̴ blithe, [1520]

And of the valey he did hym⁾ swith,

As fast as euer he may.

To a mowntayn⁾ he rode ryght, [1520]

Of a castell̴ he had a sight

With towrys hyȝe and gay . . . . . .

He come in to an hyȝe strete,

Few folke gan⁾ he mete,

To wis hym⁾ the way. [1525]

1525. wish MS.

TORRENT BEFORE THE NORSE GIANT’S CASTLE.

[ (132)]

To the gatys tho he Rade;

Full̴ craftely they were made [1530]

Of Irun⁾ and eke of tree.

One tre stonding there he ffond:

Nyne oxen⁾ of that lond [1530]

Shold not drawe the tre.

The Giaunt wrought vp his wall̴

And laid stonys gret and small̴:

A lothely man⁾ was he.

‘Now,’ quod Torrent, ‘I not, whare, [1535]

My squiers be ffro me to fare,

Euer waried they be! [1540]

1526. rode MS.

1529. ffound MS.

1532. welle MS.

1535. wot MS.

1537. they] thou MS.

[(133)]

‘Lord god, what is beste,

So Iesu me helpe, Est or Weste,

I Can not Rede to say. [1540]

Yf I to the shipp fare,

No shipmen⁾ ffynd I thare;

It is long, sith they were away.

Other wayes yf I wend,

Wyld bestis wyll̴ me shend: [1545]

Falshede, woo worth it aye!

I ffyght here, Iesu, for thy sake; [1560]

Lord, to me kepe thou take,

As thou best may!’

1540. say] done MS.

1542. And no MS.
I] om. MS.

[ (134)]

Down⁾ light this gentill̴ knyght, [1550]

To Rest hym⁾ a litull̴ wight,

And vnbrydelid his stede

And let hym⁾ bayte on⁾ the ground,

And aventid hym⁾ in⁾ that stound,

There of he had gret nede. [1555]

The Gyaunt yode and gaderid stone

And sye, where the knyght gan⁾ gone, [1570]

All̴ armed in dede;

And wot ye well̴ and not wene,

Whan eyther of hem had other sene, [1560]

Smertely they rerid her dede.

1553. bayte] hym add. MS.

1561. they] om. MS.

TORRENT GETS ASSURANCE FROM HEAVEN.

[ (135)]

For that sir Torent had hym sene,

He worth vppon his stede, I wene,

And Iesu prayde he till̴:

‘Mary son⁾, thou here my bone, [1565]

As I am⁾ in venturus stad come,

My jurnay to full̴-ffyll̴!’ [1580]

A voys was fro hevyn⁾ sent

And said: ‘Be blith, sir Torent,

And yeve the no thing yll̴, [1570]

To ffyght with my lordys enemy:

Whether that thou lyve or dye,

Thy mede the quyte he wyll̴!’

1566. sad MS.

1567. to] than MS.

1573. He wylle quyte the thy mede MS.

[(136)]

Be that the giaunt had hym dight,

Cam⁾ ageyn⁾ that gentill̴ knyght, [1575]

As bold as eny bore;

He bare on⁾ his nek a croke, [1590]

Woo were the man⁾, that he ouertoke,

It was twelfe ffote and more.

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘ffor charite, [1580]

Loke, curtes man⁾ that thou be,

Yf thy wyll̴ ware:

I haue so fought all̴ this nyght

With thy II dragons wekyd and wight,

They haue bett me full̴ sore.’ [1585]

THE NORSE GIANT, WERAUNT, WOUNDS TORRENT.

[ (137)]

The Geaunt said: ‘Be my fay,

Wors tydinges to me this day [1600]

I myght not goodly here.

Thorough the valey as thou cam⁾,

My two dragons hast thou slan⁾, [1590]

My solempnite they were.

To the I haue full̴ good gate;

For thou slow my brother Cate,

That thou shalte by full̴ dere!’

Be-twene the giaunt and the knyght [1595]

Men myght se buffettes right,

Who so had be there. [1610]

1590. slayne MS.

[ (138)]

Sir Torent yaue to hym⁾ a brayd;

He levid that the aungell̴ said,

Of deth yaue he nought. [1600]

In to the brest he hym⁾ bare,

His spere hede lefte he thare,

So evill̴ was hitt bythought.

The Giaunt hym ayen⁾ smate

Thorough his sheld and his plate, [1605]

In to the flesh it sought;

And sith he pullith at his croke, [1620]

So fast in to the flesh it toke,

That oute myȝt he gete it nought.

1600. nought] no dynt MS.

1603. byth.] mynt MS.

[(139)]

On hym⁾ he hath it broke, [1610]

Glad pluckys there he toke,

Set sadly and sare.

Sir Torent stalworth satt,

Oute of his handys he it gatt,

No lenger dwellid he thare. [1615]

In to the water he cast his sheld,

Croke and all̴ to-geders it held, [1630]

Fare after, how so euer it ffare.

The Geaunt folowid with all̴ his mayn⁾,

And he come never quyk agayn⁾: [1620]

God wold, that so it ware.

1612. sore MS.

1615. there MS.

TORRENT SLAYS THE NORSE GIANT, WERAUNT.

[(140)]

Sir Torent bet hym⁾ there,

Till̴ that this fend did were,

Or he thens wend.

On hym had he hurt but ane, [1625]

Lesse myght be a mannus bane,

But god is full̴ hend: [1640]

Thorough grace of hym, that all̴ shall̴ weld,

There the knyght had the feld,

Such grace god did hym⁾ send. [1630]

Be than it nyed nere hand nyȝt⁾,

To a castell̴ he Rode right,

All̴ nyght there to lend.

1626. But lesse MS.

[(141)]

In the castell̴ found he nought,

That god on the Rode bought; [1635]

High vppon⁾ a toure,

As he caste a side lokyng, [1650]

He saw a lady in her bed syttyng,

White as lylye ffloure;

Vp a-Rose that lady bryght, [1640]

And said: ‘Welcom⁾, sir knyght,

That fast art in stoure!’

‘Damysell̴, welcom⁾ mut thou be!

Graunt thou me, for charite,

Of one nyghtis soioure!’ [1645]

1645. socoure MS.

TORRENT IN THE GIANT WERAUNT’S CASTLE.

[ (142)]

‘By Mary,’ said that lady clere,

‘Me for-thinkith, that thou com⁾ here, [1660]

Thy deth now is dight;

For here dwellith a geaunt,

He is clepud Weraunt, [1650]

He is to the devill̴ be-taught.

To day at morn⁾ he toke his croke,

Forth at the yates the way he toke,

And said, he wold haue a draught;

And here be chambers two or thre, [1655]

In one of hem I shall̴ hide the,

God the saue ffrome harmes right!’ [1670]

1650. Weraunt] weraumt (?) MS.

1651. to] of MS.

[(143)]

‘Certayn⁾,’ tho said the knyght,

‘That theffe I saw to nyght,

Here be-side a slade. [1660]

He was a ferly freke in ffyght,

With hym faught a yong knyght,

Ech on other laid good lade;

Me thought well̴, as he stode,

He was of the fendus blood, [1665]

So Rude was he made.

Dame, yf thou leve not me, [1680]

Com⁾ nere, and thou shalt se,

Which of hem abade.’

1660. slate or flate MS.

1663. lode MS.

1669. abode MS.

[ (144)]

Blith was that lady bryght [1670]

For to se that selly sight:

With the knyght went she.

Whan she cam, where the Geaunt lay,

‘Sir,’ she said, ‘parmaffay

I wott well̴, it is he. [1675]

Other he was of god all̴-myght

Or seynt George, oure lady knyȝt⁾, [1690]

That there his bane hath be.

Yf eny cryston⁾ man smyte hym down⁾,

He is worthy to haue renown⁾ [1680]

Thorough oute all̴ crystiaunte.’

1671. selly] om. MS.

TORRENT RESCUES THE PRINCESS OF NORWAY.

[ (145)]

‘I haue wonder,’ said the knyght,

‘How he gate the, lady bryght,

Fro my lord the kyng.’

‘Sir,’ she said, ‘verament, [1685]

As my fader on huntyng went

Erly in a mornyng, [1700]

Fore his men pursued a dere,

To his castell̴, that stondith here,

That doth my hondys wryng, [1690]

This Giaunt hym toke, wo he be!

For his love he gevith hym⁾ me,

He wold none other thinge.’

1688. For MS.

[(146)]

Forth she brought bred and wyne,

Fayn⁾ he was for to dyne . . . . . . [1695]

This knyght made noble chere,

Though that he woundid were [1710]

With the Geaunt strong.

[(147)]

Sir Torrent dwellid no lenger thare,

Than⁾ he myȝt away fare [1700]

With that lady bryght.

‘Now, Iesu, that made hell̴,

Send me on lyve to Desonell̴,

That I my trouth to plight!’

Tho sye they be a forest syde [1705]

Men⁾ of armes ffaste ride

On coursers comly dight. [1720]

The lady said: ‘So mvst I thee,

It is my fader, is com for me,

With the Geaunt to ffyght.’ [1710]

TORRENT IS WELCOMD BY THE KING OF NORWAY.

[ (148)]

An harood said anon⁾ right:

‘Yon I se an armed knyght,

And no squier, but hym⁾ one:

He is so big of bone & blood,

He is the Geaunt, be the Rode!’ [1715]

Som⁾ seith, he riduth vppon⁾.

‘Nay,’ said the kyng, ‘verament, [1820]

It is the knyght, that I after sent,

I thanke god and seynt Iohñ,

For the Geaunt slayn⁾) hath he [1720]

And wonne my doughter, well̴ is me!

All̴ his men are atone!’

1714. big] long MS.

1722. at.] tane MS.

[(149)]

Wott ye well̴, with Ioy and blis

Sir Torent there recevid ys,

As doughty man⁾ of dede. [1725]

The kyng and other lordys gent

Said, ‘Welcom⁾, sir Torent, [1830]

In to this vncouth thede!’

In to a state they hym⁾ brought,

Lechis sone his woundis sought; [1730]

They said, so god hem spede,

Were there no lyve but ane,

His liffe they wyll̴ not vndertane,

For no gold ne ffor mede.

1728. thede] lond MS.

PRINCESS GENDRES. TORRENT STAYS A YEAR IN NORWAY.

[(150)]

The lady wist not or than⁾, [1735]

That he was hurt, that gentilman⁾,

And sith she went hym tyll̴; [1840]

She sought his woundus and said thare:

‘Thou shalte lyve and welfare,

Yf the no-thing evyll̴! [1740]

My lord the kyng hath me hight,

That thou shalt wed me, sir knyght,

The fforward ye to fulle ffyll̴.’

‘Damysell̴, loo here my hond:

And I take eny wyffe in this lond, [1745]

It shall̴ be at thy wyll̴!’

[(151)]

Gendres was that ladyes name. [1850]

The Geauntes hede he brought hame,

And the dragons he brought.

Mene myght here a myle aboute, [1750]

How on the dede hedys they did shoute,

For the shame, that they hem⁾ wrought,

Both with dede and with tong

Fyfte on the hedys dong,

That to the ground they sought. [1755]

Sir Torrent dwellid thare

Twelfe monythis and mare, [1860]

That ffurther myȝt he nought.

1749. he br.] also MS.

1752. they] had add. MS.

[ (152)]

The kyng of Norway said: ‘Nowe,

Fals thevis, woo worth you, [1760]

Ferly sotell̴ were ye:

Ye said, the knyght wold not com⁾:

Swith oute of my kyngdome,

Or hangid shall̴ ye be!’

His squiers, that fro hym⁾ fled, [1765]

With sore strokys are they spred

Vppon the wanne see, [1870]

And there they drenchid euery man⁾,

Saue one knave, that to lond cam⁾,

And woo be-gone is he. [1770]

DESONELL IS NEAR CHILD-BEARING.

[(153)]

The child, to lond that god sent,

In Portyngale he is lent,

In a riche town⁾,

That hath hight be her day,

And euer shall̴, as I you say, [1775]

The town⁾ of Peron⁾.

By-fore the kyng he hym sett, [1880]

‘Full̴ well̴ thy men⁾, lord, the grett,

And in the see did they drown.’

Desonell̴ said: ‘Where is Torent?’ [1780]

‘In Norway, lady, verament.’

On sownyng fell̴ she down⁾.

1774. hatt (!) MS.

1778. the] they MS.

1779. did] are MS.
drowned MS.

[(154)]

As she sownyd, this lady myld,

Men myȝt se tokenyng of her child,

Steryng on⁾ her right syde. [1785]

Gret Ruth it was to tell̴,

How her maydens on⁾ her fell̴, [1890]

Her to Couer and to hide.

Tho the kyng said: ‘My doughter, do way!

By god, thy myrth is gone for aye, [1790]

Spousage wyll̴ thou none bide!

There fore thou shalt in to the see

And that Bastard with-in the,

To lerne you ffor to ride.’

1791. bide] lede MS.

DESONELL BEARS TWINS TO TORRENT.

[ (155)]

Erlis and Barons, that were good, [1795]

By-fore the kyng knelid and stode

For that lady free. [1900]

The quene, her moder, on knees fell̴,

‘For Iesu is love, that harood hell̴,

Lord, haue mercy on⁾ me! [1800]

That ylke dede, that she hath done,

It was with an Erlis sonne,

Riche man⁾ i-nough is he;

And yf ye wyll̴ not let her lyve,

Right of lond ye her yeve, [1805]

Till̴ she delyuerd be!’

[(156)]

Thus the lady dwellith there, [1910]

Tyll that she delyuerd were

Of men⁾ children⁾ two;

In all poyntes they were gent, [1810]

And like they were to sir Torent;

For his love they sufferid woo.

The kyng said: ‘So mut I thee,

Thou shalte in-to the see

With oute wordys moo. [1815]

Euery kyngis doughter ffer and nere,

At the shall̴ they lere, [1920]

Ayen⁾ the law to do.’

1807. Thus the] so [F. VII]; This MS.

1808. Tyll] so [F. VII]; om. MS.

1810. all] so [F. VII]; om. MS.

[(157)]

Gret ruth it was to se,

Whan they led that lady ffree [1820]

Oute of her faders lond.

The quene wexid tho nere wood

For her doughter, that gentill̴ ffode,

And knyghtis stode wepand;

A cloth of silke gan they ta [1825]

And partyd it be-twene hem twa,

Therin they were wonde.

Whan⁾ they had shypped that lady ying, [1930]

An hunderid fell̴ in sownyng

At Peron⁾ on⁾ the sond. [1830]

1827. so [F. VII]; om. MS.

1828. had sh.] so [F. VII]; clepud MS.
yeng MS.

DESONELL IS SENT OUT TO SEA. SHE REACHES LAND.

[(158)]

Whan that lady was downe fall,

On Iesu Cryste dyd she call;

Down⁾ knelid that lady clene:

‘Rightfull god, ye me sende

Some good londe, on to lende, [1835]

That my chyldren may crystonyd bene!’

She said, ‘Knyghtis and ladyes gent,

Grete well̴ my lord, sir Torrent,

Yeff ye hym⁾ euer sene!’

The wynd Rose ayen⁾ the nyght, [1840]

Fro lond it blew that lady bryght [1941]

Vppon the see so grene.

1831 f.] so [F. VII]; om. MS.

1833. clene] clere MS.

1834 f.] so [F. VII];

Iesu Cryste, that com vp here

On this strond, as I wenyd MS.

1836. my ch.] so [F. VII]; we MS.

[ (159)]

Wyndes and weders haue her drevyn⁾,

Þat in a forest she is revyn⁾,

There wyld beestis were; [1845]

The see was eb, and went her ffroo,

And lefte her and her children⁾ two

Alone with-oute ffere.

Her one child woke and be-gan⁾ to wepe,

The lady a-woke oute of her slepe [1850]

And said: ‘Be still̴, my dere, [1951]

Iesu Cryst hath sent vs lond;

Yf there be any cryston man⁾ nere hond,

We shall̴ haue som socoure here.’

1844. forest] so [F. VII]; ftrest MS.
she is] so [F. VII]; be they MS.

A GRIFFIN CARRIES OFF ONE OF DESONELL’S BOYS.

[(160)]

The carefull̴ lady was full̴ blith, [1855]

Vp to lond she went swith,

As fast as euer she myght.

Tho the day be-gan⁾ to spryng,

Foules a-Rose and mery gan syng

Delicious notys on⁾ hight. [1860]

To a mowntayn went that lady ffree: [1961]

Sone was she warr⁾ of a Cite

With towrus ffeyre and bryght.

There fore, i-wys, she was full̴ fayn⁾,

She sett her down⁾, as I herd sayn⁾, [1865]

Her two children⁾ ffor to dight.

[(161)]

Vppon⁾ the low the lady ffound

An Erber wrought with mannus hond,

With herbis, that were good.

A Grype was in⁾ the mowntayn⁾ wonne, [1870]

A way he bare her yong son⁾ [1971]

Ouer a water fflood,

Over in to a wyldernes,

There seynt Antony ermet wes,

There as his chapell̴ stode. [1875]

The other child down⁾ gan⁾ she ly,

And on the ffoule did shoute & crye,

That she was nere hond wood.

1874. was MS.

1876. ly] lay MS.

A LEOPARD CARRIES OFF DESONELL’S 2ND BOY.

[(162)]

Vp she rose ageyn⁾ the rougħ,

With sorofull̴ hert and care Inougħ, [1880]

Carefull̴ of blood and bone . . . . . . . [1981]

She sye, it myght no better be,

She knelid down⁾ vppon⁾ her kne,

And thankid god and seynt Iohn⁾.

[(163)]

There come a libard vppon⁾ his pray, [1885]

And her other child bare away,

She thankid god there

And his moder Mary bryght.

This lady is lefte alone ryght:

The sorow she made there . . . . . [1890]

[(164)]

That she myght no further ffare: [1991]

‘Of one poynt,’ she sayd, ‘is my care,

As I do now vnderstond,

So my children⁾ crystenyd were,

Though they be with beestes there, [1895]

Theyre liffe is in goddus hond.’

The kyng of Ierusalem⁾ had bene

At his brothers weddyng, I wene,

That was lord of all̴ that lond.

As he com homward on his way, [1900]

He saw where the liberd lay [2001]

With a child pleyand.

1892. she s.] om. MS.

[(165)]

Torrent had yeve her ringes two,

And euery child had one of tho,

Hym⁾ with all̴ to saue. [1905]

The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,

Yonder is a liberd with a child,

A mayden⁾ or a knave.’

Tho men⁾ of armes theder went,

Anon⁾ they had theyre hors spent, [1910]

Her guttys oute she Rave. [2011]

For no stroke wold she stynt;

Till̴ they her slew with speris dynt,

The child myght they not haue.

1903. her] his lady MS.

HE (LEOBERTUS) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF JERUSALEM.

[(166)]

Vp they toke the child ying [1915]

And brought it be-ffore the kyng

And vndid the swathing band,

As his moder be-ffore had done,

A gold ryng they ffound sone,

Was closud in his hond. [1920]

Tho said the kyng of Ierusalem⁾: [2021]

‘This child is come of gentill̴ teme,

Where euer this beest hym⁾ ffond.

The boke of Rome berith wytnes,

The kyng hym⁾ namyd Leobertus, [1925]

That was hent in hethyn⁾ lond.

1915. yong MS.

1923. ffound MS.

[(167)]

Two squiers to the town⁾ gan⁾ flyng,

And a noryse to the child did bryng,

Hym⁾ to kepe ffrome greme.

He led it in⁾ to his own⁾ lond [1930]

And told the quene, how he it ffond [2031]

By a water streme.

Whan⁾ the lady saw the ryng,

She said, with-oute lettyng:

‘This child is com⁾ of gentill̴ teme: [1935]

Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,

For Iesu love thou sholdist hym⁾ make

Prynce of Ierusalem⁾.’

1929. grame MS.

1937. woldist MS.

ST. ANTONY GETS THE FIRST BOY FROM THE GRIFFIN.

[(168)]

Now, in boke as we rede,

As seynt Antony aboute yede, [1940]

Byddyng his orysoun⁾, [2041]

Of the gripe he had a sight,

How she flew in a fflight,

To her birdus was she boun⁾.

Be-twene her clawes she bare a child: [1945]

He prayed to god and Mary myld,

On lyve to send it down⁾.

That man was well̴ with god all̴-myȝt⁾,

At his fote gan⁾ she light,

That foule of gret renown⁾. [1950]

[ (169)]

Vp he toke the child there, [2051]

To his auter he did it bere,

There his chapell̴ stode.

A knave child there he ffond,

There was closud in his hond [1955]

A gold ryng riche and good.

He bare it to the Cite grett,

There the kyng his fader sett

As a lord of jentill̴ blood,

For he wold saue it ffro dede; [1960]

A grype flew a-bove his hede [2061]

And cryed, as he were wood.

1951. thare MS.

1954. ffound MS.

1958. sett] lett MS.

[(170)]

This holy man⁾ hied hym⁾ tyte

To a Cite with touris white,

As fast as he may. [1965]

The kyng at the yate stode

And other knyghtes and lordys good

To se the squiers play.

The kyng said: ‘Be Mary myld,

Yonder comyth Antony, my child, [1970]

With a gryffon⁾ gay. [2071]

Som⁾ of his byrdus take hath he,

And bryngith hem⁾ heder to me!’

Gret ferly had thaye.

HE (ANTONY FITZ-GRIFFIN) IS ADOPTED BY THE KING OF GREECE.

[ (171)]

The kyng there of toke good hede, [1975]

And a-geyn⁾ his sonne he yede

And said: ‘Welcom⁾ ye be!’

‘Fader,’ he said, ‘god you saue!

A knave child ffound I haue,

Loke, that it be dere to the! [1980]

Frome a greffon⁾ he was refte, [2081]

Of what lond that he is lefte,

Of gentill̴ blood was he:

Thou hast none heyre, thy lond to take,

For Iesu love thy sonne hym⁾ make, [1985]

As in the stede of me!’

[ (172)]

The kyng said: ‘Yf I may lyve,

Helpe and hold I shall̴ hym yeve

And receyve hym as my son⁾.

Sith thou hast this lond forsake, [1990]

My riche londys I shall̴ hym⁾ take, [2091]

Whan he kepe them⁾ con⁾.’

To a ffont they hym yaue,

And crystonyd this yong knave;

Fro care he is wonne. [1995]

The holy man yaue hym⁾ name,

That Iesu shild hym⁾ ffrome shame:

Antony fice greffoun⁾.

1992. can MS.

DESONELL BEWAILS HER LOST CHILDREN.

[ (173)]

‘Fader, than⁾ haue thou this ryng,

I ffound it on⁾ this swete thing, [2000]

Kepe it, yf thou may: [2101]

It is good in euery fight,

Yf god yeve grace, that he be knyght,

Be nyght and be day.’

Let we now this children⁾ dwell̴, [2005]

And speke we more of Desonell̴:

Her song was welaway.

God, that died vppon⁾ the Rode,

Yff grace, that she mete with good!

Thus disparplid are thay. [2010]

2002. fight] sight MS.?

2004. Other be MS.
and] or forme of (!) MS.

2010. disparlid MS.

[(174)]

This lady walkyd all̴ alone [2111]

Amonge wyld bestis meny one,

Ne wanted she no Woo;

Anon⁾ the day be-gan to spryng,

And the ffoules gan to syng, [2015]

With blis on euery bowȝe . . . . . . .

[ (175)]

‘Byrdus and bestis, aye woo ye be!

Alone ye haue lefte me,

My children⁾ ye have slone.’

As she walkid than⁾ a-lone, [2020]

She sye lordis on⁾ huntyng gone, [2121]

Nere hem⁾ she yede full̴ sone.

This carfull̴ lady cried faste,

Than she herd this hornes blaste

By the yatis gone, [2025]

But ran in to a wildernes,

Amongist beests that wyld wes,

For drede, she shold be slone.

2018. haue] a corrected out of e MS.

2019. have sl.] slough MS.

2026. ran] om. MS.

2027. was MS.

DESONELL FLEES TO THE LAND OF NAZARETH.

[(176)]

Till̴ it were vnder of the Day,

She went fro that wilsom⁾ way, [2030]

In to a lond playn⁾. [2131]

The kyng of Naȝareth huntid there,

Among the hertes, that gentill̴ were;

There of she was full̴ ffayn⁾ . . . . . . . . .

2030. fro] in MS.

[(177)]

They had ferly, kyng and knyght, [2035]

Whens she come, that lady bryght,

Dwelling here a-lone.

She said to a squier, that there stode:

‘Who is lord of most jentill̴ blood?’

And he answerid her anon⁾: [2040]

‘This ys the lond of Naȝareth, [2141]

Se, where the kyng gethe,

Of speche he is ffull̴ bone;

All̴ in gold couerid is he.’

‘Gramercy, sir,’ said she, [2045]

And nere hym⁾ gan⁾ she gone.

[ (178)]

Lordys anon ageyn⁾ her yode,

For she was com⁾ of gentill̴ blood,

In her lond had they bene:

‘God loke the, lady ffree, [2050]

What makist thou in this contre?’ [2151]

‘Sir,’ she said, ‘I wene,

Seynt Katryn⁾ I shold haue sought,

Wekyd weders me heder hath brought

In to this fforest grene, [2055]

And all̴ is dede, I vnderstond,

Saue my selfe, that com⁾ to lond

With wyld beestis and kene.’

DESONELL IS WELCOMD BY THE QUEEN OF NAZARETH.

[(179)]

‘Welcom,’ he said,’ Desonell̴,

By a tokyn⁾ I shall̴ the tell̴: [2060]

Onys a stede I the sent. [2161]

Lady gent, ffeyre and ffree,

To the shold I haue wedid be,

My love was on⁾ the lent.’

Knyghtis and squiers, that there were, [2065]

They horsid the lady there,

And to the Cite they went.

The quene was curtes of that lond

And toke the lady be the hond

And said: ‘Welcom, my lady gent! [2070]

[ (180)]

‘Lady, thou art welcom⁾ here, [2171]

As it all̴ thyn⁾ own⁾ were,

All̴ this ffeyre contree!’

‘Of one poynt was my care,

And my two children⁾ crystonyd ware, [2075]

That in wood were reft ffro me.’

‘Welcom art thou, Desonell̴,

In my chamber for to dwell̴,

Inough there in shall̴ ye see!’

Leve we now that lady gent, [2080]

And speke we of sir Torrent, [2181]

That was gentill̴ and ffre.

2076. in] the add. MS.

TORRENT HEARS OF THE EXILE OF DESONELL AND HER BOYS.

[(181)]

The kyng of Norway is full̴ woo,

That sir Torent wold wend hym ffro,

That doughty was and bold: [2085]

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘abyde here

And wed my doughter, that is me dere!’

He said, in no wise he wold.

He shipped oute of the kynges sale

And Ryved vp in⁾ Portingale [2090]

At another hold. [2191]

Whan⁾ he herd tell̴ of Desonell̴,

Swith on sownyng there he fell̴

To the ground so cold.

[(182)]

The fals kyng of Portingale, [2095]

Sparid the yatis of his sale

For Torent the ffree;

He said: ‘Be Mary clere,

Thou shalt no wyfe haue here,

Go sech her in⁾ the see! [2100]

With her she toke whelpis two, [2201]

To lerne to row wold she go.’

‘By god, thou liest,’ quod he,

‘Kyng Colomand, here my hond!

And I be knyght levand, [2105]

I-quytt shall̴ it be!’

[(183)]

Torent wold no lenger byde,

But sent letters on euery side

With fforce theder to hye.

Theder com oute of Aragon⁾ [2110]

Noble knyghtes of gret renown⁾ [2211]

With grett chevalrye.

Of Pervyns and Calaber also

Were doughty knyghtes meny moo,

They come all̴ to that crye. [2115]

Kyng Calomond had no knyght,

That with sir Torent wold fyght,

Of all̴ that satt hym⁾ bye.

2113. Calaber] Cababer (!) MS.

TORRENT SENDS THE KING OF PORTUGAL TO DROWN.

[ (184)]

There wold none the yatis deffend,

But lett sir Torent in wend [2120]

With his men⁾ euerychone. [2221]

Swith a counsell̴ yede they to,

To what deth they wold hym do,

For he his lady had slone.

‘Lordis,’ he said, ‘he is a kyng, [2125]

Men may hym⁾ nether hede ne hing.’

Thus said they euerychone.

They ordenyd a shipp all̴ of tree

And sett hym⁾ oute in⁾ to the see,

Among the wawes to gone. [2130]

2123. To] om. MS.

2126. hing] heng MS.

[ (185)]

Gret lordis of that lond [2231]

Assentid to that comnand,

That hold shold it be.

In the havyn⁾ of Portyngale,

There stode shippes of hede vale [2135]

Of Irun and of tree.

A bote of tre they brought hym be-fforn⁾,

Full̴ of holis it was born⁾,

Howsell̴ and shryfte wold he.

Sir Torent said: ‘Be seynt Iohn⁾, [2140]

Seth thou gaue my lady none, [2241]

No more men⁾ shall̴ do the!’

2132. comland MS.

2138. boryn MS.

2139. wold] had MS.

TORRENT IS MADE KING OF PORTUGAL.

[ (186)]

The shipp-men⁾ brought sir Colomond

And sent hym fforth within⁾ a stound

As ffar as it were. [2145]

Wott ye well̴ and vnderstond,

He come never ayen to lond,

Such stormes ffound he there.

Gret lordys of renown⁾

Be-toke sir Torent the crown⁾ [2150]

To reioyse it there. [2251]

Loo, lordys of euery lond:

Falshode wyll̴ haue a foule end,

And wyll̴ haue euermore.

[ (187)]

Sir Torent dwellid thare [2155]

Fourty days in moche care,

Season⁾ for to hold;

Sith he takith two knyghtes,

To kepe his lond and his rightes,

That doughty were and bold. [2160]

‘Madam⁾,’ he said to the quene, [2261]

‘Here than shall̴ ye lady bene,

To worth as ye wold.’

He purveyd hym⁾ anon⁾,

To wend ouer the see fome, [2165]

There god was bought and sold.

2161. He said madam MS.

[ (188)]

And ye now will̴ liston⁾ a stound,

How he toke armes of kyng Calomond,

Listonyth, what he bare.

On asure, as ye may see, [2170]

With syluer shippes thre, [2271]

Who so had be thare.

For Desonell̴ is love so bryght,

His londis he takyth to a knyght,

And sith he is boun to fare. [2175]

‘Portyngale, haue good day

For Sevyn⁾ yere, parmaffay,

Par aventure som⁾ dele mare!’

2170. This line begins with a big initial letter.
Off MS.

2175. boun] home MS.

2178. more MS.

TORRENT TAKES THE CITY OF QUARELL.

[ (189)]

Sir Torent passid the Grekys flood

In to a lond both riche and good, [2180]

Full̴ evyn⁾ he toke the way [2281]

To the cite of Quarell̴,

As the boke of Rome doth tell̴,

There a soudan⁾ lay.

There he smote and set adown⁾ [2185]

And yaue asaute in to the town,

That will̴ the storye say.

So well̴ they vetelid were,

That he lay there two yere,

Sith in⁾ the town⁾ went they. [2190]

2182. cite] see MS.

2187. well MS.
says MS.

2190. And sith in to MS.

[(190)]

And tho sir Torent ffound on⁾ lyve, [2291]

He comaundid with spere and knyffe

Smertely dede to be;

He said: ‘We haue be here

Moche of this two yere [2195]

And onward on⁾ the thre.’

All̴ the good, that sir Torent wan⁾,

He partid it among his man⁾,

Syluer, gold and ffee;

And sith he is boun to ride [2200]

To a Cite there be-syde, [2301]

That was worth such thre.

2196. thrid MS.

2198. men MS.

TORRENT TAKES ANOTHER CITY, AND GOES TO ANTIOCH.

[ (191)]

There he stode and smote adown⁾

And leyd sege to the town⁾,

Six yere there he lay. [2205]

By the VI yere were all̴ done,

With honger they were all̴ slone,

That in the Cite lay.

The Soudan sent to sir Torent than⁾,

With honger that thes people be slan, [2210]

All̴ the folke of this Cite; [2311]

‘Yf ye thinke here to lye,

Ye shall̴ haue wyne and spycery,

I-nough is in this contre.’

2209. The] A MS.

2209-14 put before 2203-8 MS.

2210. slayn MS.

2211. thes MS.

[ (192)]

Now god do his soule mede! [2215]

On the soudan⁾ he had a dede

Vppon⁾ euery good ffryday.

Iesu sent hym strengith I-nougħ,

With dynt of sword he hym slougħ,

There went none quyk away. [2220]

Down knelid that knyght [2321]

And thankid god with all̴ his myȝt⁾:

So ought he well̴ to say.

The Cite, that sir Torent was yn⁾,

Worldely goodis he left ther yn⁾, [2225]

To kepe it nyght and day.

[ (193)]

Sith he buskyd hym⁾ to ride

In to a lond there be-syde,

Antioche it hight.

Sevyn⁾ yere at the Cite he lay [2230]

And had batell̴ euery good ffryday, [2331]

Vppon⁾ the Sarȝins bryght;

And be the VII yere were gone,

The child, that the liberd had tane,

Found hym his fill̴ off ffyght . . . . . . [2235]

2230-32 put before 2227-29 MS.

TORRENT’S SON LEOBERTUS FIGHTS AGAINST HIM.

[ (194)]

The kyng of Ierusalem⁾ herd tell̴

Of this lord good and fell̴,

How doughtyly he hym bare.

Vppon⁾ his knyghtes can he call̴,

‘Ordeyn⁾ swith among you all̴, [2240]

For no thing that ye spare!’ [2341]

They buskyd hem oute of the land,

The nombre off ffyfty thousand,

Ageyn Torent ffor to ffare . . . .

2243. thousaid MS.

[ (195)]

The kyng of Ierusalem said thus: [2245]

‘My dere son, Liobertus,

That thou be bold and wight!

Thou shalt be here and defend the lond

From that fals traytors hond

And take the ordre of a knyght.’ [2250]

He yaue hym armes, or he did passe: [2351]

Right as he ffound was,

On gold he bare bryght

A liberd of asure bla

A child be-twene his armes twa: [2255]

Woo was her, that se it myght!

2246. Liobertious MS.

2253. On] Of MS.

2254. blay (!) MS.

2255. tway MS.

2256. ffulle woo MS.
se it m.] it ought MS.

[ (196)]

Sir Torent wold no lenger abyde,

But thederward gan⁾ he ride;

And to the feld were brought

Two knyghtes, that were there in stede; [2260]

Many a man did they to blede, [2361]

Such woundis they wrought.

There durst no man com⁾ Torent nere,

But his son, as ye may here,

Though he knew hym nought. [2265]

All̴ to nought he bet his shild,

But he toke his fader in the feld,

Though he there of evill̴ thought.

TORRENT IS IMPRISOND IN JERUSALEM.

[ (197)]

Whan⁾ sir Torent was takyn⁾ than⁾,

His men fled than⁾, euery man⁾, [2270]

They durst no lenger abyde. [2371]

Gret ruth it was to be hold,

How his sword he did vp-hold

To his son⁾ that tyde.

To Ierusalem⁾ he did hym⁾ lede, [2275]

His actone and his other wede,

All̴ be the kyngis side;

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘haue no care,

Thou shalte lyve and welfare,

But lower ys thy pryde!’ [2280]

[(198)]

Fro that sir Torent was hom brought, [2381]

Doughty men⁾ vppon⁾ hym⁾ sought,

And in preson⁾ they hym⁾ thronge.

His son above his hede lay,

To kepe hym⁾ both nyȝt and day, [2285]

He wist well̴, that he was strong.

Thus in preson as he was,

Sore he siȝed and said alas,

He couth none other songe.

Thus in bondys they held hym thare [2290]

A twelfmonyth and som dele mare, [2391]

The knyght thought ffull̴ long.

2281. hom] hem MS.

2283. And and (!) MS.
throuȝe MS.

TORRENT’S SON ASKS FOR HIS FATHER’S FREEDOM.

[ (199)]

In a mornyng as he lay,

To hym selfe gan⁾ he say:

‘Why lye I thus alone? [2295]

God, hast thou forsakyn⁾ me?

All̴ my truste was in the,

In lond where I haue gone!

Thou gave me myȝt ffor to slee

Dragons two other thre [2300]

And giauntes meny one, [2401]

And now a man⁾ in wekid lond

Hath myn⁾ armour and stede in⁾ hond:

I wold, my liffe were done!’

2299. flee MS.!

[ (200)]

His son herd hym⁾ say soo [2305]

And in his hert was full̴ woo,

In chamber there he lay;

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I haue thy wede,

There shall̴ no man reioyse thy stede,

Yf so be, that I may. [2310]

By oure lady seynt Mary, [2411]

Here shalt thou no lenger lye,

Nether be nyȝt⁾ ne be day;

As I am⁾ Curtesse and hend,

To the kyng I shall̴ wend, [2315]

And ffor thy love hym pray!’

2313. Nether be day ne be nyȝt MS.

2316. ffor thy love and pray this nyȝt MS.

[(201)]

On⁾ the morow whan⁾ he Rose,

The prynce to the kyng gose

And knelid vppon⁾ his knee;

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘ffor goddus sonne, [2320]

The knyght, that lieth in the dungeon⁾, [2421]

Ye wold graunt hym⁾ me!

I hard hym say be hym⁾ alone,

Many Geauntes had he slone

And dragons II or thre.’ [2325]

The kyng said: ‘Be my ffay,

Be warr⁾, he scape not away;

I vouch hym saue on the!’

TORRENT IS FREED, AND HONOURD IN JERUSALEM.

[ (202)]

The prynce in to the preson went,

Torent by the hond he hent [2330]

Oute of his bondys cold; [2431]

To the castell̴ he brought hym sone

And light ffettouris did hym⁾ vppon⁾,

For brekyng oute off hold.

The kyng said: ‘Be my ffaye, [2335]

And he euer scape away,

Full̴ dere he shall̴ be sold!’

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘parmaffay,

We wyll̴ hym⁾ kepe, and we may:

There of be ye bold!’ [2340]

2331. And toke hym oute MS.

[(203)]

For he was curtes knyght & free, [2441]

At the mete sett was he

By the kyng at the deyse.

‘Sir, thou haste i-bene

At Iustis and at tornementes kene, [2345]

Both in warr⁾ and in peas:

Sith thy dwelling shall̴ be here,

I pray, that thou woldist my son⁾ lere,

Hys Tymber ffor to asay.’

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I vnderstond, [2350]

Affter the maner off my lond [2451]

I shall̴, with outen delay.’

2348. I pray] om. MS.

2352. delay] lese MS.

TORRENT JOUSTS WITH HIS ELDER SON, AND OTHERS.

[ (204)]

The castell̴ court was large with in⁾,

They made ryngis ffor to Ren⁾,

None but they alone. [2355]

Euery of hem to oþure Rade:

Feyrer Turnamentes than they made,

Men sye never none.

The prynce in armes was full̴ preste,

Thre shaftys on⁾ his fader he breste, [2360]

In shevers they gan gone. [2461]

Sir Torent said: ‘So mvt I thee,

A man of armes shall̴ thou be,

Stalworth of blood and bone!’

2356. Rode MS.

2357. Turmentes MS.

[(205)]

Harroldys of armes cryed on⁾ hight, [2365]

The prynce and that other knyght

No more juste shall̴ thay;

But lordys of other lond,

Euery one to other ffond,

And sith went theyre way. [2370]

Sixe wekys he dwellid there, [2471]

Till̴ that all̴ delyuerd were,

That in the Cite lay.

Tho they held a gestonye,

With all̴ maner of mynstralsye, [2375]

Tyll̴ the Sevynth day.

2373. lay] were MS.

[(206)]

Lordis with all̴ other thing

Toke leve at the kyng,

Home theyre ways to passe.

That tyme they yaue Torent the floure [2380]

And the gre with moch honowre, [2481]

As he well̴ worthy was.

The kyng said: ‘I shall̴ the yeve

Liffe and lyvelode, whill̴ I lyve,

Thyn armour, as it was.’ [2385]

Whan he sye ffeyre ladyes wend,

He thought on her, that was so hend,

And sighed and said: ‘Alas!’

DESONELL IS TOLD OF TORRENT’S VICTORY.

[ (207)]

The kyng of Naȝareth home went,

There that his lady lent, [2390]

In his own⁾ lede. [2491]

‘Sir,’ she said, ‘ffor goddus pite,

What gentilman⁾ wan⁾ the gre?’

He said, ‘So god me spede,

One of the ffeyrest knyghtis, [2395]

That slepith on⁾ somer nyghtes

Or walkyd in wede;

He is so large of lym⁾ and lith,

All̴ the world he hath justid with,

That come to that dede.’ [2400]

[ (208)]

‘Good lord,’ said Desonell̴, [2501]

‘For goddus love ye me tell̴,

What armes that he bare!’

‘Damysell̴, also muste I the,

Syluer and asure beryth he, [2405]

That wott I well̴ thare.

His Creste is a noble lond,

A Gyaunt with an⁾ hoke in⁾ hond,

This wott I well̴, he bare.

He is so stiff at euery stoure, [2410]

He is prynce and victoure, [2511]

He wynneth the gree aye where.

2403. he] ye MS.

TORRENT AND HIS 2 SONS GO TO A JOUSTING.

[ (209)]

Of Portyngale a knyght he ys,

He wanne the town⁾ of Raynes

And the Cite of Quarelle; [2415]

At the last jurney that was sett,

The prynce, my broders son⁾ he mett,

And in his hond he ffell̴.

The prynce of Grece leth nere

There may no juster be his pere, [2420]

For soth as I you tell̴: [2521]

A dede of armes I shall̴ do crye

And send after hym⁾ in hye.’

Blith was Desonell̴.

2415. Quarellis MS.

2416. that] he add. MS.

2417. he m.] was gatt MS.

[ (210)]

This dede was cried ffar and nere, [2425]

The kyng of Ierusalem did it here,

In what lond that it shold be.

He said: ‘Sone, anon right

Dight the and thy cryston⁾ knyght,

For sothe, theder will̴ we.’ [2430]

Gret lordys, that herith this crye, [2531]

Theder come richely,

Everyman⁾ in his degre.

The kyng of Grece did make hym boun,

With hym⁾ come Antony ffyȝ greffon⁾, [2435]

With moche solempnite . . . . . . .

2434. make hym b.] assigne MS.

[(211)]

‘The kyng of Naȝareth sent me,

That there shold a justynge be

Of meny a cryston⁾ knyght,

And all̴ is ffor a lady clere, [2440]

That the justyng is cryed ffar and nere, [2541]

Of men⁾ of armes bryght.’

Gret joye it was to here tell̴,

How thes kynges with the knyghtis fell̴

Come and semled to that ffyght. [2445]

2445. semlend MS.

THE JOUSTS AT NAZARETH BEGIN.

[ (212)]

There come meny another mon⁾,

That thought there to haue to done,

And than⁾ to wend her way.

Whan⁾ they come to the castell̴ gent,

A Roall̴ ffyght, verament, [2450]

There was, the sothe to say. [2551]

Trompes resyn⁾ on the wall̴,

Lordys assembled in the hall̴,

And sith to souper yede thay.

They were recevid with rialte, [2455]

Euery man⁾ in his degre,

And to her logyng went her way.

2446. man MS.

[ (213)]

The lordys Rosyn all̴ be-dene

On the morow, as I wene,

And went masse ffor to here. [2460]

And ffurthermore with-oute lent [2561]

They wesh and to mete went,

For to the ffeld they wold there.

After mete anon⁾ right

They axid hors and armes bryght, [2465]

To hors-bak went thay in ffere.

Knyghtis and lordys reuelid all̴,

And ladyes lay ouer the castell̴ wall̴,

That semely to se were.

[(214)]

Than⁾ eueryman toke spere in⁾ hond, [2470]

And euerych to other ffond, [2571]

Smert boffettes there they yeld.

The prynce of Ierusalem⁾ and his brother,

Eueriche of hem⁾ Ran to other⁾

Smertely in the feld . . . . . . . . [2475]

Though⁾ Antony ffygryffon⁾ yonger were,

His brother Leobertus he can down⁾ bere;

Sir Torent stode and be-held.

2471. ffound MS.

2472. there th. y.] they yeldyd there MS.

TORRENT AND HIS SONS JOUST. HE IS VICTOR.

[(215)]

‘Be my trouth,’ said Torent thanne,

‘As I am⁾ a cryston⁾ man [2480]

I-quytt shall̴ it be.’ [2581]

Torent be-strode a stede strong

And hent a tymber gret and long,

And to hym⁾ rode he.

2483 put before 2482 MS.

[ (216)]

Torrent to hym rode so sore, [2485]

That he to the ground hym⁾ bare,

And let hym⁾ lye in⁾ the bent.

There was no man⁾ hyȝe ne lowe,

That myght make Torent to bowe

Ne his bak to bend. [2490]

They justyd and turneyd there, [2591]

And eueryman⁾ ffound his pere,

There was caught no dethis dent.

Of all̴ the Justis, that there ware,

Torent the floure a way bare [2495]

And his sonnys, verament.

2485 f.:

Torrent so sore to hym rode,

That he bare hym to the ground MS.

2487. bent] ffeld MS.

2493. dynt MS.

2496. ver.] in that tyde MS.

[(217)]

And on⁾ the morow, whan⁾ it was day,

Amonge all̴ the lordys gay,

That worthy were, par de,

Desonell̴ wold no lenger lend, [2500]

But to sir Torent gan⁾ she wend [2601]

And knelid on her kne.

She said: ‘Welcom⁾, my lord sir Torent!’

‘And so be ye, my lady gent!’

In sownyng than fell̴ she. [2505]

Vp they coueryd that lady hend,

And to mete did they wend

With joye and solempnite.

2499. par de] in wede MS.

2502. And on her kne she knelid MS.

DESONELL GREETS TORRENT. HER BEAUTY.

[ (218)]

Dame Desonell̴ be-sought the kyng.

That she myght, with oute lesyng, [2510]

Sytt with Torent alone. [2611]

‘Yes, lady, be hevyn⁾ kyng,

There shall̴ be no lettyng;

Worthy is he, be seynt Iohn⁾!’

Tho they washid and went to mete, [2515]

And rially they were sett

And seruid worthely, echone.

Euery lord in⁾ the hall̴,

As his state wold be-ffall̴,

Were couplid with ladyes schone. [2520]

2514. ffor welle worthy MS.

2517. echone] verament MS.

2520. schone] gent MS.

[ (219)]

But of all̴ ladyes, that were there sene, [2621]

So ffeire myght there none bene

As was dame Desonell̴. . . . . . . .

Thes two kyngis, that doughty ys,

To the Cite come, i-wys, [2525]

With moche meyne emell.

2526. emell] om. MS.

[ (220)]

To the castell̴ they toke the way,

There the kyng of Naȝareth lay,

With hym⁾ to speke on higħ.

At none the quene ete in⁾ the hall̴, [2530]

Amongist the ladyes ouer all̴, [2631]

That couth moche curtesye.

Desonell̴ wold not lett,

By sir Torent she her sett,

There of they had envye . . . . . . [2535]

2535. envye] wonder MS.

DESONELL FINDS HER TWO SONS BY TORRENT.

[(221)]

Whan⁾ eyther of hem other be-held,

Off care no thyng they ffeld,

Bothe her hertes were blithe.

Gret lordys told she sone,

What poyntes he had for her done, [2540]

They be-gan to be blithe; [2641]

And how her fader in the see did her do,

With her she had men⁾ childre two;

They waried hym⁾ fell̴ sithe.

‘Sir kyng, in this wildernes, [2545]

My two children⁾ fro me revid wes,

I may no lenger hem⁾ hide.

2542. fader] om. MS.

2546. was MS.

[(222)]

‘The knyght yaue me rynges two,

Euerich of hem⁾ had one of thoo,

Better saw I never none. [2550]

A Gryffon⁾ bare the one away, [2651]

A liberd the other, parmaffay,

Down⁾ by a Roche of stone.’

Than⁾ said the kyng of Ierusalem⁾:

‘I ffound one by a water streme, [2555]

He levith with blood & bone.’

The kyng of Grece said: ‘My brother,

Antony my son⁾ brought me anoþure.’

She saith: ‘Soth, be seynt Iohn⁾?’

2556. levith] yet add. MS.

TORRENT INVITES 3 KINGS TO PORTUGAL.

[(223)]

The kyng said: ‘Sith it is so, [2560]

Kys ye youre fader bo, [2661]

And axe hym⁾ his blessyng!’

Down⁾ they knelid on⁾ her knee:

‘Thy blessing, ffader, for charite!’

‘Welcom⁾, children⁾ ying!’ [2565]

Thus in armes he hem⁾ hent,

A blither man⁾ than⁾ sir Torent

Was there none levyng;

It was no wonder, thouȝe it so were;

He had his wiffe and his children⁾ there, [2570]

His joye be-gan⁾ to spryng. [2671]

2561. bothe MS.

2565. yong MS.

[(224)]

Of all̴ the justis, that were thare,

A way the gre his sonnys bare,

That doughty were in dede.

Torent knelid vppon⁾ his knee [2575]

And said: ‘God yeld you, lordys ffree,

Thes children⁾ that ye haue ffed:

Euer we will̴ be at youre will̴,

What jurney ye will̴ put vs tyll̴,

So Iesu be oure spede, [2580]

With that the kyng thre [2681]

In to my lond will̴ wend with me,

For to wreke oure stede.’

[ (225)]

They graunted that there was,

Gret lordys more and lesse, [2585]

Bothe knyght and squiere;

And with Desonell̴ went

Al the ladyes, that were gent,

That of valew were.

Shippis had they stiff and strong, [2590]

Maistis gret and sayles long, [2691]

Hend, as ye may here,

And markyd in to Portingale,

Whan⁾ they had pullid vp her sayll̴,

With a wynd so clere. [2595]

TORRENT, DESONELL, AND THEIR SONS, GO TO PORTUGAL.

[ (226)]

The riche quene of that lond

In her castell̴ toure gan stond

And be-held in⁾-to the see.

‘Sone,’ she said to a knyght,

‘Yonder of shippis I haue a sight, [2600]

For sothe, a grett meyne.’ [2701]

The quene said: ‘Verament,

I se the armes of sir Torent,

I wott well̴, it is he.’

He answerid and said tho: [2605]

‘Madam, I will̴, that it be so,

God gefe grace, that it so be!’

2605-7 put before 2602-4 MS.

[(227)]

A blither lady myȝt none be,

She went ageyn hym⁾ to the see

With armed knyghtes kene. [2610]

Torent she toke by the hond: [2711]

‘Lordys of vncouth lond,

Welcom muste ye bene!’

Whan she sye Desonell̴,

Swith in⁾ sownyng she fell̴ [2615]

To the ground so grene.

Torent gan⁾ her vp ta:

‘Here bene her children⁾ twa,

On lyve thou shalt hem seene!’

2616. grene] kene MS.

2619. see MS.

TORRENT WEDS DESONELL. HIS SONS MADE HEIRS OF KINGS.

[(228)]

In the Castell̴ of Portyngale [2620]

A-Rose trumpes of hede vale, [2721]

To mete they went on⁾ hye.

He sent letters ffar and nere;

The lordys, that of valew were,

They come to that gestonye. [2625]

The Emperoure of Rome,

To that gestonye he come,

A noble knyght on⁾ hyȝe.

Whan⁾ all̴ thes lordys com were,

Torrent weddid that lady clere, [2630]

A justyng did he crye. [2731]

2621. of] om. MS.

2629. ware MS.

[ (229)]

So it ffell̴ vppon a day,

The kyng of Ierusalem⁾ gan say:

‘Sir, thy sonne I ffound

Lying in a libertes mouth, [2635]

And no good he ne couth,

Dede he was nere hond:

Wold thou, that he dwellid with me,

Till̴ that I dede be,

And sith reioyse my lond?’ . . . . . . [2640]

[(230)]

Be fore lordys of gret renown⁾, [2741]

Torent gaue hym⁾ his son⁾ . . . . . . . .

The kyng of Grece said: ‘Sir knyght,

I yeff thy son all̴ my right

To the Grekys flood: [2645]

Wouch thou saue, he dwell̴ with me?’

‘Yea, Lord, so mut I thee,

God yeld you all̴ this good!’

For sir Torent was stiff in stoure,

They chose hym ffor Emperoure, [2650]

Beste of bone and blood. [2751]

2645. flood] I plight add. MS.

TORRENT IS MADE EMPEROR. HE DIES.

[ (231)]

Gret lordys, that there were,

Fourty days dwellith there,

And sith they yode her way;

He yaue his sonnys, as ye may here, [2655]

Two swerdys, that were hym⁾ dere,

Ech of hem⁾ one had they.

Sith he did make vp-tyed

Chirchus and abbeys wyde,

For hym⁾ and his to praye. [2660]

In Rome this Romans berith the crown⁾ [2761]

Of all̴ kerpyng of Renown⁾:

He leyth in a feire abbey.

2654. And sith her way they yode MS.

2663. leyth] in Rome add. MS.

[(232)]

Now Iesu Cryst, that all̴ hath wrought,

As he on the Rode vs bought, [2665]

He geve hvs his blessing,

And as he died for you and me,

He graunt vs in blis to be,

Lesse and mare, both old and ying! Amen.

2669. Oute of this world whan⁾ we shalle wend MS.

Explicit Torent of Portyngale.

[THE FRAGMENTS.]

[I.] [1]

[The King of Portugal plots Torrent’s death.]

Desonell gives Torrent a Horse

[T] . . . . est hym vp . . . . 462

. . . . . chent be for to fle

. . . . . ly ivyll he gone 464

The kynge of Nazareth sent hym me,

Torent, I wot-saue hym on the,

For better loue I none!’ 467

Afterwarde vpon a tyde,

As they walkyd by the ryvers syde,

The kynge and yonge Torent, 470

This lorde wolde fayne, that he dede were

And he wyst nat, on what manere,

Howe he myght hym shent. 473

A fals letter made the kynge

And made a messangere it brynge,

On the ryuer syde as they went, 476

To Torent, that was true as stele,

If he loued Dyssonell wele,

Gete hir a faucon gent. 479

Torent the letter began to rede,

The kynge came nere and lystened,

As thoughe he it neuer had sene. 482

The kynge sayde, ‘what may this be?’

‘Lorde, it is sent to me

For a faucon shene; 485

I ne wote, so God me spede,

In what londe that they brede.’

The kynge sayde, ‘as I herde sayne, 488

. . . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . .

In the forest of Maudelayne 491

FRAG. 2. TORRENT GOES TO THE FOREST OF MAUDELAYNE.

[II.] [2]

Than sayde [the] kyn[g] vntrue, 492

‘And ye fynde haw[k]es of great value,

Brynge me one with the!’ 494

Torent sayd: ‘so God me saue,

Yf it betyde, that I any haue,

At your wyll shall they be.’ 497

To his squyer bade he thare,

After his armoure to fare,

In the felde abode he; 500

They armed hym in his wede,

He bestrode a noble stede

. . . . . . . . . . 503

Torent toke the way agayne

Unto the forest of Maudelayne,

In a wylsome way; 506

Berys and apes there founde he

And wylde bestys great plente

And lyons, where they lay. 509

In a wode, that is tyght,

It drewe towarde the nyght.

By dymmynge of the day 512

Lysten, lordes, of them came wo,

He and his squyer departed in two,

Carefull men then were they. 515

At a shedynge of a rome

Eyther departed other frome,

As I vnderstande. 518

Torent taketh a dolefull way

Downe into a depe valay,

. . . . . . . . . . 521

FRAG. 3. TORRENT IS TO FIGHT THE CALABRIAN GIANT, SLOGUS.

[III.] [3]

[The King of Portugal sends Torrent to be kild by the Giant Slogus.]

Torrent sits at the head of a side table.

. . . . . . . . . . . . 819

And the good squyres after h[ym],

That knyghtes sholde be. 821

As they were a-myddes theyr . . .

The kynge wolde not forgete,

To Torente than sayd he, 824

He sayd: ‘so god me saue,

Fayne thou woldest my dough[ter haue],

Thou hast loued her many a d[aye].’ 827

‘Ye, by my trouthe,’ sayd Torente,

‘And I were a ryche man,

Ryght gladly by my faye.’ 830

‘If thou durst for her sake

A poynte of armes vndertake,

Thou broke her vp for ay.’ 833

‘Ye,’ sayde he, ‘or I go,

Sykernes thou make me so

Of thy doughter hende. 836

Ye and after all my ryghtes

By VII score of hardy knyghtes’

Al they were Torentes frende. 839

‘Now, good lordes, I you praye,

Bere wytnes of this day

Agayne yf god me sende!’ 842

Torente sayd, ‘so may I the,

Wyst I, where my jorney shold [be],

Thyder I wolde me dyghte.’ 845

The kyng gaue hym an answ[e]re,

‘In the londe of Caleb[e]re

There wonneth a gyaunte wygh[hte] 848

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Slogus he hyght as I the tolde,

God sende the that waye ryghte!’ 851

FRAG. 4. TORRENT WILL NOT GIVE UP HIS GIANT-FIGHT.

[IV.] [4]

[Torrent is offerd a Princess of Provyns.]

The king of Provyns warns

. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . .

For why I wyll the saye, 917

Moche folke of that countre

Cometh heder for socoure to me,

Bothe by nyghte and by daye. 920

There is a gyaunte of grete renowne,

He destroyeth bothe cyte and towne

And all that he may. 923

As bokes of rome tell,

He was goten with the deuyll of hell,

As his moder slepynge lay.’ 926

The kynge sayde, ‘by Saynt Adryan,

I rede, a nother gentylman

Be there and haue the degre. 929

I haue a doughter, that me is dere,

Thou shalte wedde her to thy fere,

And yf it thy wyll be, 932

Two duchyes in honde

I wyll gyue her in londe.’

‘Gramercy, syr,’ sayd he, 935

‘With my tonge I haue so wrought,

To breke my day wyll I nought,

Nedes me behoueth there to be.’ 938

‘On Goddes name,’ the kynge gan sayne,

‘Iesu brynge the saffe agayne,

Lorde, moche of myght!’ 941

Mynstralsy was them amonge,

With harpe, fedyll and songe,

Delycyous notes on hygh[t]e. 944

Whan it was tyme, to bed they wente,

And on the morowe rose Torente

And toke leue of kynge and knyght 947

And toke a redy way.

FRAG. 5. TORRENT HEARS OF THE CALABRIAN GIANT, SLOGUS.

[Fragment V.] [5]

By the se syde as it lay,

God sende hym gatys ryght! 950

An hye waye hath he nome,

Into Calabre is he come

Within two dayes or thre. 953

So he met folke hym agayne,

Fast comynge with carte and wayne

Frowarde the se. 956

‘Dere God,’ sayd Torente now,

‘Good folke, what eyleth you,

That ye thus fast fle?’ 959

‘There lyeth a gyaunte here besyde,

For all this londe brode and wyde

No man on lyue leueth he.’ 962

‘Dere God,’ sayd Torente then,

‘Wher euer be that fendes den?’

They answered hym anone: 965

‘In a castell in the see,

Slogus’ they sayd ‘hyght he,

Many a man he hath slone. 968

We wote full well, where he doth ly

Byfore the cyte of Hungry,’

. . . . . . . . . . 971

FRAG. 6. TORRENT FIGHTS A GIANT. DESONELL HAS TWINS.

[VI.] [6]

[Torrent fights the Giant.]

The number and configuration of dots corresponds as closely as possible to the printed book.

The giant says he’ll wring Torrent’s nose.

. . . . . . all the wrynge, 1014

. . . . . . . . lynge

. . . . . . . . . thou the 1016

. . . . . . . . he toke,

. . . . . . . . bare a croke

. . . . . . . . te longe and thre 1019

. . . . . . ever so longe were

. . . . . . . . had no fere

. . . . yd darste thou come nere 1022

. . . . . nte nolengre a-byde

. . . . . nte wolde he ryde

. . . . ghte. 1025

. . . . one eye but one,

. . . . . . neuer none,

. . . nor by nyght. 1028

. . . . lpe of god of heuen,

. . . . . herin euen,

. . . . . . . . . . . . 1031

. . . . gan to rore,

. . . . the cyte wore,

. . . ay. 1034

. . . . es eyen were oute

. . . . . . . . boute

. . . . . . . . . . . 1037

FRAG. 7. DESONELL AND HER TWINS ARE SENT TO SEA.

[VII.] [7]

[Desonell bears twins. All are sent out to sea. They reach land.]

Thus the lady dwelled there, 1807

Tyll that she delyuered were

Of men chyldren two. 1809

Of all poyntes were they gent,

Lyke were they to Sir Torent,

For his loue suffred they wo. 1812

The kynge sayd, ‘so mote I the,

Thou shalt into the se

Without wordes mo. 1815

Every kynges doughter fer and nere

At the they shall lere,

Agaynst right to do!’ 1818

Great ruthe it was to se,

Whan they led that lady fre

Out of hir faders lande. 1821

The quene, hir moder, was nere wode

For hir doughter, that gentyll fode,

Knyghtes stode wepynge.[8] 1824

A clothe of sylke toke they tho,

And departed it bytwene the chyldren two,

Therin they were wonde. 1827

Whan they had shypped that gentyll thynge,

Anone she fell in swownynge

At Peron on the sonde. 1830

Whan that lady was downe fall,

On Iesu Cryste dyd she call.

To defende hir with his honde: 1833

‘Rightfull God, ye me sende

Some good londe on to lende,

That my chyldren may crystened be[n].’ 1836

She sayd, ‘ladyes fayre and gent,

Great well my lorde Sir Torent,

Yf euer ye hym se[n]!’ 1839

The wynde arose on the myght,

Fro the londe it blewe that lady bryght

Into the se so grene. 1842

FRAG. 7. DESONELL AND HER TWINS REACH LAND.

Wyndes and weders hathe hir dryuen,

That in a forest she is aryuen,

Where wylde bestys were. 1845

The se was ebbe and went hem fro

And left hir and hir chyldren two

[Alo]ne without any fere. 1848

Hir one chylde began to wepe,

The lady awoke out of hir slepe

And sayde, ‘be styll, my dere, 1851

Ihesu Cryste hathe sent vs lande,

Yf there be any Crysten man at hande,

We shall haue socoure here.’ 1854

The carefull lady then was blythe,

To the londe she went full swythe,

As fast as she myght. 1857

Tyll the day began to sprynge,

Foules on trees merely gan synge

Delicyous notes on hyght. 1860

To a hyll went that lady fre,

Where she was ware of a cyte

With toures fayre and bryght. 1863

Therof I-wys she was fayne,

She set hir downe, as I herd sayne,

Hir chyldren for to dyght. 1866

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