1Alle beon he bliþe
2Þat to my song lyþe,
3A sang ihc schal ȝou singe
4Of Murry þe kinge.
5King he was biweste
6So longe so hit laste.
7Godhild het his quen;
8Faire ne miȝte non ben.
9He hadde a sone þat het horn;
10Fairer ne mistemiȝte non beo born,
11Ne no rein vpon birine,
12Ne sunne vpon bischine.
13Fairer nis non þane he was;
14He was briȝt so þe glas.
15He was whit so þe flur,
16Rose red was his colur.

page 2

17In none kinge riche
18Nas non his iliche.
19Twelf feren he hadde
20Þat alle wiþ him ladde,
21Alle riche mannes sones,
22And alle hi were faire gomes,
23Wiþ him for to pleie.
24And mest he luuede tweie;
25Þat on him het haþulf child,
26And þat oþer ffikenild.
27Aþulf was þe beste
28And fikenylde þe werste.
29Hit was vpon a someres day,
30Also ihc ȝou telle may,
31Murri þe gode king
32Rod on his pleing
33Bi þe se side,
34Ase he was woned ride.
35He fond bi þe stronde,
36Ariued on his londe,
37Schipes fiftene,
38Wiþ sarazins kene.

page 3

39He axede what isoȝte
40Oþer to londe broȝte.
41A Payn hit of herde
42And hym wel sone answarede,
43"Þi lond folk we schulle slon
44And alle þat Crist luueþ vpon,
45And þe selue riȝt anon;
46Ne schaltu todai henne gon."
47Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede,
48For þo he hauede nede,
49And his gode kniȝtes two;
50Al to fewe he hadde þo.
51Swerd hi gunne gripe
52And to gadere smite.
53Hy smyten vnder schelde
54Þat sume hit yfelde.
55Þe king hadde al to fewe
56Toȝenes so vele schrewe.
57So fele miȝten yþe
58Bringe hem þre to diþe.
59Þe pains come to londe
60And neme hit in here honde.
61Þat folc hi gunne quelle
62And churchen for to felle.

page 4

63Þer ne moste libbe
64Þe fremde ne þe sibbe,
65Bute hi here laȝe asoke
66And to here toke.
67Of alle wymmanne
68Wurst was godhild þanne.
69For Murri heo weop sore
70And for horn ȝute more.
71He wenten vt of halle,
72Fram hire Maidenes alle,
73Vnder a roche of stone.
74Þer heo liuede alone.
75Þer heo seruede gode,
76Aȝenes þe paynes forbode.
77Þer he seruede criste,
78Þat no payn hit ne wiste.
79Euere heo bad for horn child,
80Þat Iesu crist him beo myld.
81Horn was in paynes honde
82Wiþ his feren of þe londe.
83Muchel was his fairhede,
84For ihesu crist him makede.

page 5

85Payns him wolde slen
86Oþer al quic flen.
87Ȝef his fairnesse nere,
88Þe children alle aslaȝe were.
89Þanne spak on Admirad,
90Of wordes he was bald,
91"Horn, þu art wel kene,
92And þat is wel isene;
93Þu art gret and strong,
94fair and euene long.
95Þu schalt waxe more
96Bi fulle seue ȝere.
97Ȝef þu mote to liue go,
98And þine feren also,
99Ȝef hit so bi falle,
100Ȝe scholde slen vs alle.
101Þaruore þu most to stere,
102Þu and þine ifere.
103To schupe schulle ȝe funde
104And sinke to þe grunde.
105Þe se ȝou schal adrenche;
106Ne schal hit us noȝt of þinche.
107For if þu were aliue,
108Wiþ swerd oþer wiþ kniue

page 6

109We scholden alle deie,
110And þi fader deþ abeie."
111Þe children hi broȝte to stronde,
112Wringinde here honde,
113Into schupes borde
114At þe furste worde.
115Ofte hadde horn beo wo,
116At neure wurs þan him was þo.
117Þe se bigan to flowe
118And hornchild to rowe.
119Þe se þat schup so faste drof,
120Þe children dradde þer of.
121Hi wenden to wisse
122Of here lif to misse,
123Al þe day and al þe niȝt,
124Til hit sprang dai liȝt.
125Til horn saȝ on þe stronde
126Men gon in þe londe.
127"Feren," quaþ he, "ȝonge,
128Ihc telle ȝou tiþinge.

page 7

129Ihc here foȝeles singe
130And þat gras him springe.
131Bliþe beo we on lyue,
132Vre schup is on ryue."
133Of schup hi gunne funde
134And setten fout to grunde.
135Bi þe se side
136Hi leten þat schup ride.
137Þanne spak him child horn,
138In suddene he was iborn,
139"Schup, bi þe se flode,
140Daies haue þu gode;
141Bi þe se brinke
142No water þe na drinke.
143Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne,
144Gret þu wel of myne kenne;
145Gret þu wel my moder,
146Godhild, quen þe gode.
147And seie þe paene kyng,
148Iesucristes wiþering,
149þat ihc am hol and fer
150On þis lond ariued her.

page 8

151And seie þat hei schal fonde
152Þe dent of myne honde."
153Þe children ȝede to Tune
154Bi dales and bi dune.
155Hy metten wiþ almair king,
156Crist ȝeuen him his blessing,
157King of Westernesse,
158Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse.
159He him spac to horn child
160Wordes þat were Mild,
161"Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes,
162Þat her to londe beoþ icume,
163Alle þrottene
164Of bodie swiþe kene?
165Bigod þat me makede,
166A swihc fair verade
167Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde
168Bi westene londe.
169Seie me wat ȝe seche."
170Horn spak here speche,
171He spak for hem alle,
172Vor so hit moste biualle.

page 9

173He was þe faireste
174And of wit þe beste.
175"We beoþ of Suddenne,
176Icome of gode kenne,
177Of Cristene blode
178And kynges suþe gode.
179Payns þer gunne ariue
180And duden hem of lyue.
181Hi sloȝen and to droȝe
182Cristenemen inoȝe.
183So crist me mote rede,
184Vs he dude lede
185In to a galeie,
186Wiþ þe se to pleie.
187Dai hit is igon and oþer
188Wiþute sail and roþer.
189Vre schip bigan to swymme
190To þis londes brymme.
191Nu þu miȝt vs slen, and binde
192Vre honde bihynde.
193Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille,
194Helpe þat we ne spille."
195Þanne spak þe gode kyng,
196I wis he nas no Niþing,

page 10

197"Seie me, child, what is þi name?
198Ne schaltu haue bute game."
199Þe child him answerde,
200Sone so he hit herde,
201"Horn ihc am ihote,
202Icomen vt of þe bote,
203Fram þe se side,
204Kyng, wel mote þe tide."
205Þanne hym spak þe gode king,
206"Wel bruc þu þin euening.
207Horn, þu go wel schulle
208Bi dales and bi hulle.
209Horn, þu lude sune
210Bi dales and bi dune.
211So schal þi name springe
212Fram kynge to kynge,
213And þi fairnesse
214Abute Westernesse,
215Þe strengþe of þine honde
216Into Eurech londe.
217Horn, þu art so swete
218Ne may ihc þe forlete."
219Hom rod Aylmar þe kyng,
220And horn mid him his fundyng

page 11

221And alle his ifere,
222Þat were him so dere.
223Þe kyng com in to halle
224Among his kniȝtes alle;
225Forþ he clupede aþelbrus,
226Þat was stiward of his hus.
227"Stiwarde, tak nu here
228Mi fundlyng for to lere
229Of þine mestere,
230Of wude and of riuere,
231And tech him to harpe
232Wiþ his nayles scharpe,
233Biuore me to kerue
234And of þe cupe serue.
235Þu tech him of alle þe liste
236Þat þu eure of wiste.
237In his feiren þou wise
238In to oþere seruise.
239Horn þu vnderuonge
240And tech him of harpe and songe."
241Ailbrus gan lere
242Horn and his yfere.

page 12

243Horn in herte laȝte
244Al þat he him taȝte.
245In þe curt and vte,
246And elles al abute,
247Luuede men horn child;
248And mest him louede Rymenhild,
249Þe kynges oȝene dofter.
250He was mest in þoȝte.
251Heo louede so horn child,
252Þat neȝ heo gan wexe wild;
253For heo ne miȝte at borde
254Wiþ him speke no worde,
255Ne noȝt in þe halle
256Among þe kniȝtes alle,
257Ne nowhar in non oþere stede,
258Of folk heo hadde drede,
259Bi daie ne bi niȝte,
260Wiþ him speke ne miȝte.
261Hire soreȝe ne hire pine
262Ne miȝte neure fine.
263In heorte heo hadde wo,
264And þus hire biþoȝte þo.
265Heo sende hire sonde
266Aþelbrus to honde,

page 13

267Þat he come hire to,
268And also scholde horn do
269Al in to bure,
270ffor heo gan to lure.
271And þe sonde seide
272Þat sik lai þat maide,
273And bad him come swiþe
274For heo nas noþing bliþe.
275Þe stuard was in herte wo,
276For he nuste what to do.
277Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte,
278Gret wunder him þuȝte.
279Abute horn þe ȝonge
280To bure for to bringe,
281He þoȝte upon his mode
282Hit nas for none gode.
283He tok him anoþer,
284Athulf, hornes broþer.
285"Aþulf," he sede, "riȝt anon
286Þu schalt wiþ me to bure gon,
287To speke wiþ Rymenhild stille
288And witen hure wille.
289In hornes ilike
290Þu schalt hure biswike.

page 14

291Sore ihc me ofdrede
292He wolde horn misrede."
293Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede
294And in to bure wiþ him ȝede.
295Anon vpon Aþulf child
296Rymenhild gan wexe wild.
297He wende þat horn hit were
298Þat heo hauede þere.
299Heo sette him on bedde,
300Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde.
301On hire armes tweie
302Aþulf heo gan leie.
303"Horn," quaþ heo, "wel longe
304Ihc habbe þe luued stronge.
305Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte
306On myn hond her riȝte,
307Me to spuse holde,
308And ihc þe lord to wolde."
309Aþulf sede on hire ire,
310So stille so hit were,
311"Þi tale nu þu lynne,
312For horn nis noȝt her inne.

page 15

313Ne beo we noȝt iliche,
314Horn is fairer and riche,
315Fairer bi one ribbe
316Þane eni Man þat libbe.
317Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde,
318Oþer elles wher he wolde,
319Oþer henne a þusend Mile,
320Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile."
321Rymenhild hire biwente,
322And Aþelbrus fule heo schente.
323"Hennes þu go, þu fule þeof,
324Ne wurstu me neure more leof
325Went vt of my bur,
326Wiþ muchel mesauenteur.
327Schame mote þu fonge
328And on hiȝe rode anhonge.
329Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn,
330Nis he noȝt so vnorn.
331Horn is fairer þane beo he,
332Wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie."
333Aþelbrus in a stunde
334Fel anon to grunde.
335"Lefdi, Min oȝe,
336Liþe me a litel þroȝe.

page 16

337Lust whi ihc wonde
338Bringe þe horn to honde.
339For horn is fair and riche,
340Nis no whar his iliche.
341Aylmar, þe gode kyng,
342Dude him on mi lokyng.
343Ȝef horn were her abute,
344Sore y me dute
345Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie
346Bitwex ȝou selue tweie.
347Þanne scholde wiþuten oþe
348Þe kyng maken vs wroþe.
349Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene,
350Lefdi, my quene,
351And horn ihc schal þe fecche,
352Wham so hit recche."
353Rymenhild, ȝef he cuþe,
354Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe.
355Heo makede hire wel bliþe
356Wel was hire þat siþe.
357"Go nu," quaþ heo, "sone,
358And send him after none
359Whane þe kyng arise,
360On a squieres wise.

page 17

361To wude for to pleie.
362Nis non þat him biwreie;
363He schal wiþ me bileue
364Til hit beo nir eue,
365To hauen of him mi wille.
366After ne recchecche what me telle."
367Aylbrus wende hire fro;
368Horn in halle fond he þo,
369Bifore þe kyng on benche,
370Wyn for to schenche.
371"Horn," quaþ he, "so hende,
372To bure nu þu wende,
373After mete stille,
374Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle.
375Wordes suþe bolde
376In herte þu hem holde.
377Horn, beo me wel trewe;
378Ne schal hit þe neure rewe."
379Horn in herte leide
380Al þat he him seide.
381He ȝeode in wel riȝte
382To Rymenhild þe briȝte.

page 18

383On knes he him sette,
384And sweteliche hure grette.
385Of his feire siȝte
386Al þe bur gan liȝte.
387He spac faire speche;
388Ne dorte him noman teche.
389"Wel þu sitte and softe,
390Rymenhild þe briȝte,
391Wiþ þine Maidenes sixe
392Þat þe sitteþ nixte.
393Kinges stuard vre
394Sende me in to bure.
395Wiþ þe speke ihc scholde;
396Seie me what þu woldest.
397Seie, and ich schal here,
398What þi wille were."
399Rymenhild vp gan stonde
400And tok him bi þe honde.
401Heo sette him on pelle,
402Of wyn to drinke his fulle.
403Heo makede him faire chere
404And tok him abute þe swere.
405Ofte heo him custe,
406So wel so hire luste.

page 19

407"Horn," heo sede, "wiþute strif
408Þu schalt haue me to þi wif.
409Horn, haue of me rewþe,
410And plist me þi trewþe."
411Horn þo him biþoȝte
412What he speke miȝte.
413"Crist," quaþ he, "þe wisse,
414And ȝiue þe heuene blisse
415Of þine husebonde,
416Wher he beo in londe;
417Ihc am ibore to lowe
418Such wimman to knowe.
419Ihc am icome of þralle,
420And fundling bifalle.

page 20

421Ne feolle hit þe of cunde
422To spuse beo me bunde.
423Hit nere no fair wedding
424Bitwexe a þral and a king."
425Þo gan Rymenhild mis lyke,
426And sore gan to sike.
427Armes heo gan buȝe;
428Adun he feol iswoȝe.
429Horn in herte was ful wo,
430And tok hire on his armes two.
431He gan hire for to kesse,
432Wel ofte mid ywisse.
433"Lemman," he sede, "dere,
434Þin herte nu þu stere.
435Help me to kniȝte,
436Bi al þine miȝte
437To my lord þe king,
438Þat he me ȝiue dubbing.
439Þanne is mi þralhod
440Iwent in to kniȝthod,
441And i schal wexe more,
442And do, lemman, þi lore."
443Rymenhild, þat swete þing,
444Wakede of hire swoȝning.

page 21

445"Horn," quaþ heo, "vel sone
446Þat schal beon idone.
447Þu schalt beo dubbed kniȝt
448Are come seue niȝt.
449Haue her þis cuppe,
450And þis Ring þer vppe,
451To Aylbrus and stuard,
452And se he holde foreward.
453Seie ich him biseche,
454Wiþ loueliche speche,
455Þat he adun falle
456Bifore þe king in halle,
457And bidde þe king ariȝte
458Dubbe þe to kniȝte.
459Wiþ seluer and wiþ golde
460Hit wurþ him wel iȝolde.
461Crist him lene spede
462Þin erende to bede."
463Horn tok his leue,
464For hit was neȝ eue.
465Aþelbrus he soȝte
466And ȝaf him þat he broȝte,
467And tolde him ful ȝare
468Hu he hadde ifare,

page 22

469And sede him his nede,
470And bihet him his mede.
471Aþelbrus also swiþe
472Wente to halle bliue.
473"Kyng," he sede, "þu leste
474A tale mid þe beste.
475Þu schalt bere crune
476Tomoreȝe in þis tune.
477Tomoreȝe is þi feste;
478Þer bihoueþ geste.
479Hit nere noȝt for loren
480For to kniȝti child horn
481Þine armes for to welde;
482God kniȝt he schal ȝelde."
483Þe king sede sone,
484"Þat is wel idone.
485Horn me wel iquemeþ;
486God kniȝt him bisemeþ.
487He schal haue mi dubbing
488And afterward mi derling.
489And alle his feren twelf
490He schal kniȝten him self.

page 23

491Alle he schal hem kniȝte
492Bifore me þis niȝte."
493Til þe liȝt of day sprang
494Ailmar him þuȝte lang.
495Þe day bigan to springe,
496Horn com biuore þe kinge,
497Mid his twelf yfere;
498Sume hi were luþere.
499Horn he dubbede to kniȝte
500Wiþ swerd and spures briȝte.
501He sette him on a stede whit;
502Þer nas no kniȝt hym ilik.
503He smot him a litel wiȝt
504And bed him beon a god kniȝt.
505Aþulf fel a knes þar
506Biuore þe king Aylmar.
507"King," he sede, "so kene,
508Grante me a bene.
509Nu is kniȝt sire horn
510Þat in suddenne was iboren.
511Lord he is of londe,
512Ouer us þat bi him stonde.
513Þin armes he haþ and scheld,
514To fiȝte wiþ vpon þe feld.

page 24

515Let him vs alle kniȝte,
516For þat is vre riȝte."
517Aylmar sede sone ywis,
518"Do nu þat þi wille is."
519Horn adun liȝte
520And makede hem alle kniȝtes.
521Murie was þe feste,
522Al of faire gestes.
523Ac Rymenhild nas noȝt þer,
524And þat hire þuȝte seue ȝer.
525After horn heo sente,
526And he to bure wente.
527Nolde he noȝt go one;
528Aþulf was his mone.
529Rymenhild on flore stod,
530Hornes come hire þuȝte god,
531And sede, "Welcome, sire horn,
532And Aþulf, kniȝt þe biforn.
533Kniȝt, nu is þi time
534For to sitte bi me.
535Do nu þat þu er of spake,
536To þi wif þume take.
537Ef þu art trewe of dedes,
538Do nu ase þu sedes.

page 25

539Nu þu hast wille þine,
540Vnbind me of my pine."
541"Rymenhild," quaþ he, "beo stille;
542Ihc wulle don al þi wille.
543Also hit mot bitide,
544Mid spere ischal furst ride,
545And mi kniȝthod proue,
546Ar ihc þe ginne to woȝe.
547We beþ kniȝtes ȝonge,
548Of o dai al isprunge,
549And of vre mestere
550So is þe manere,
551Wiþ sume oþere kniȝte
552Wel for his lemman fiȝte,
553Or he eni wif take;
554For þi me stondeþ þe more rape.
555Today, so crist me blesse,
556Ihc wulle do pruesse
557For þi luue in þe felde,
558Mid spere and mid schelde.
559If ihc come te lyue,
560Ihc schal þe take to wyue."
561"Kniȝt," quaþ heo, "trewe,
562Ihc wene ihc mai þe leue.

page 26

563Tak nu her þis gold ring,
564God him is þe dubbing.
565Þer is vpon þe ringe
566Igraue, 'Rymenhild þe ȝonge.'
567Þer nis non betere anonder sunne,
568Þat eni man of telle cunne.
569For my luue þu hit were,
570And on þi finger þu him bere.
571Þe stones beoþ of suche grace,
572Þat þu ne schalt in none place
573Of none duntes beon ofdrad,
574Ne on bataille beon amad,
575Ef þu loke þeran
576And þenke vpon þi lemman.
577And sire Aþulf, þi broþer,
578He schal haue anoþer.
579Horn, ihc þe biseche
580Wiþ loueliche speche,
581Crist ȝeue god erndinge,
582Þe aȝen to bringe."
583Þe kniȝt hire gan kesse,
584And heo him to blesse.

page 27

585Leue at hire he nam
586And in to halle cam.
587Þe kniȝtes ȝeden to table,
588And horne ȝede to stable.
589Þar he tok his gode fole,
590Also blak so eny cole.
591Þe fole schok þe brunie,
592Þat al þe curt gan denie.
593Þe fole bigan to springe,
594And horn murie to singe.
595Horn rod in a while
596More þan a myle.
597He fond o schup stonde
598Wiþ heþene honde.
599He axede what hi soȝte,
600Oþer to londe broȝte.
601An hund him gan bihelde
602Þat spac wordes belde,
603"Þis lond we wulleȝ wynne,
604And sle þat þer is inne."

page 28

605Horn gan his swerd gripe
606And on his arme wype.
607Þe sarazins he smatte,
608Þat his blod hatte.
609At eureche dunte
610Þe heued of wente.
611Þo gunne þe hundes gone,
612Abute horn al one.
613He lokede on þe ringe,
614And þoȝte on rimenilde.
615He sloȝ þer on haste
616On hundred bi þe laste.
617Ne miȝte noman telle
618Þat folc þat he gan quelle.
619Of alle þat were aliue
620Ne miȝte þer non þriue.
621Horn tok þe maisteres heued,
622Þat he hadde him bireued,
623And sette hit on his swerde,
624Anouen at þan orde.
625He verde hom in to halle,
626Among þe kniȝtes alle.
627"Kyng," he sede, "wel þu sitte,
628And alle þine kniȝtes mitte.

page 29

629To day, after mi dubbing,
630So i rod on mi pleing,
631I fond o schup Rowe,
632Þo hit gan to flowe,
633Al wiþ sarazines kyn,
634And none londisse Men.
635To dai, for to pine
636Þe and alle þine.
637Hi gonne me assaille.
638Mi swerd me nolde faille;
639I smot hem alle to grunde,
640Oþer ȝaf hem diþes wunde.
641Þat heued i þe bringe
642Of þe maister kinge.
643Nu is þi wile iȝolde,
644King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest."
645A Moreȝe þo þe day gan springe,
646Þe king him rod an huntinge.
647At hom lefte ffikenhild,
648Þat was þe wurste moder child.
649Heo ferde in to bure,
650To sen auenture.

page 30

651Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte
652Also he were of witte.
653Heo sat on þe sunne,
654Wiþ tieres al birunne.
655Horn sede, "lef þin ore,"
656Wi wepestu so sore?"
657Heo sede, "noȝt i ne wepe;
658Bute ase i lay aslepe,
659To þe se my net icaste,
660And hit nolde noȝt ilaste.
661A gret fiss at þe furste,
662Mi net he gan to berste.
663Ihc wene þat ihc schal leose
664Þe fiss þat ihc wolde cheose."
665"Crist," quaþ horn, " and seint steuene,
666Turne þine sweuene.
667Ne schal i þe biswike,
668Ne do þat þe mislike.
669I schal me make þin owe,
670To holden and to knowe,

page 31

671For eurech oþere wiȝte;
672And þarto mi treuþe i þe pliȝte."
673Muchel was þe ruþe
674Þat was at þare truþe,
675For Rymenhild weop ille,
676And horn let þe tires stille.
677"Lemman," quaþ he, "dere,
678Þu schalt more ihere.
679Þi sweuen schal wende,
680Oþer sum Man schal vs schende.
681Þe fiss þat brak þe lyne,
682Ywis he doþ us pine.
683Þat schal don vs tene
684And wurþ wel sone isene."
685Aylmar rod bi sture,
686And horn lai in bure.
687Fykenhild hadde enuye
688And sede þes folye: -
689"Aylmar, ihc þe warne,
690Horn þe wule berne.
691Ihc herde whar he sede,
692And his swerd forþ leide,
693To bringe þe of lyue,
694And take Rymenhild to wyue.

page 32

695He liþ in bure,
696Vnder couerture,
697By Rymenhild, þi doȝter;
698And so he doþ wel ofte.
699And þider þu go al riȝt;
700Þer þu him finde miȝt.
701Þu do him vt of londe,
702oþer he doþ þe schonde."
703Aylmar aȝen gan turne,
704Wel Modi and wel Murne.
705He fond horn in arme,
706On Rymenhild barme.
707"Awei vt," he sede, "fule þeof,
708Ne wurstu me neuremore leof.
709Wend vt of my bure,
710Wiþ muchel messauenture.
711Wel sone bute þu flitte,
712Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte.
713Wend ut of my londe,
714Oþer þu schalt haue schonde."

page 33

715Horn sadelede his stede,
716And his armes he gan sprede.
717His brunie he gan lace,
718So he scholde, in to place.
719His swerd he gan fonge;
720Nabod he noȝt to longe.
721He ȝede forþ bliue
722To Rymenhild his wyue.
723He sede, "lemman, derling,
724Nu hauestu þi sweuening.
725Þe fiss þat þi net rente,
726Fram þe he me sente.
727Rymenhild, haue wel godne day,
728No leng abiden i ne may.
729In to vncuþe londe,
730Wel more for to fonde.
731I schal wune þere
732Fulle seue ȝere.
733At seue ȝeres ende,
734Ȝef i ne come ne sende,

page 34

735Tak þe husebonde,
736ffor me þu ne wonde.
737In armes þu me fonge,
738And kes me wel longe."
739He custe him wel a stunde,
740And Rymenhild feol to grunde.
741Horn tok his leue;
742Ne miȝte he no leng bileue.
743He tok Aþulf, his fere,
744Al abute þe swere,
745And sede, "kniȝt so trewe,
746Kep wel mi luue newe.
747Þu neure me ne forsoke,
748Rymenhild þu kep and loke."
749His stede he gan bistride,
750And forþ he gan ride.
751To þe hauene he ferde,
752And a god schup he hurede,
753Þat him scholde londe
754In westene londe.
755Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe,
756And al þat him isiȝe.

page 35

757To lond he him sette,
758And fot on stirop sette.
759He fond bi þe weie,
760Kynges sones tweie;
761Þat on him het harild,
762And þat oþer berild.
763Berild gan him preie
764Þat he scholde him seie
765What his name were,
766And what he wolde þere.
767"Cutberd," he sede, "ihc hote,
768Icomen vt of þe bote,
769Wel feor fram bi weste,
770To seche mine beste."
771Berild gan him nier ride,
772And tok him bi þe bridel.
773"Wel beo þu, kniȝt, ifounde;
774Wiþ me þu lef a stunde.
775Also mote i sterue,
776Þe king þu schalt serue.
777Ne saȝ i neure my lyue
778So fair kniȝt aryue."
779Cutberd heo ladde in to halle,
780And he a kne gan falle.

page 36

781He sette him a knewelyng,
782And grette wel þe gode kyng.
783Þanne sede Berild sone,
784"Sire king, of him þu hast to done.
785Bitak him þi lond to werie;
786Ne schat hit noman derie,
787For he is þe faireste man
788Þat eureȝut on þi londe cam."
789Þanne sede þe king so dere,
790"Welcome beo þu here.
791Go nu, Berild, swiþe,
792And make him ful bliþe.
793And whan þu farst to woȝe,
794Tak him þine gloue.
795Iment þu hauest to wyue,
796Awai he schal þe dryue;
797For Cutberdes fairhede
798Ne schal þe neure wel spede."
799Hit was at Cristesmasse,
800Neiþer more ne lasse,
801Þer cam in at none,
802A Geaunt suþe sone,

page 37

803Iarmed fram paynyme,
804And seide þes ryme: -
805"Site stille, sire kyng,
806And herkne þis tyþyng.
807Her buþ paens ariued,
808Wel mo þane fiue.
809Her beoþ on þe sonde,
810King, vpon þi londe.
811On of hem wile fiȝte
812Aȝen þre kniȝtes.
813Ȝef oþer þre slen vre,
814Al þis lond beo ȝoure;
815Ȝef vre on ouercomeþ ȝour þreo,
816Al þis lond schal vre beo.
817Tomoreȝe be þe fiȝtinge,
818Whan þe liȝt of daye springe."
819Þanne sede þe kyng þurston,
820"Cutberd schal beo þat on;
821Berild schal beo þat oþer;
822Þe þridde, Alrid, his broþer.
823For hi beoþ þe strengeste,
824And of armes þe beste.
825Bute what schal vs to rede?
826Ihc wene we beþ alle dede."

page 38

827Cutberd sat at borde,
828And sede þes wordes: -
829"Sire king, hit nis no riȝte,
830On wiþ þre to fiȝte;
831Aȝen one hunde,
832Þre cristen men to fonde.
833Sire, i schal al one,
834Wiþute more ymone,
835Wiþ mi swerd wel eþe
836Bringe hem þre to deþe."
837Þe kyng aros a moreȝe,
838Þat hadde muchel sorȝe;
839And Cutberd ros of bedde,
840Wiþ armes he him schredde.
841Horn his brunie gan on caste,
842And lacede hit wel faste,
843And cam to þe kinge,
844At his vp risinge.
845"King," he sede, "cum to felde ,
846For to bihelde
847Hu we fiȝte schulle,
848And togare go wulle."
849Riȝt at prime tide,
850Hi gunnen ut ride,

page 39

851And funden on a grene,
852A geaunt suþe kene,
853His feren him biside,
854Hore deþ to abide.
855Þeilke bataille
856Cutberd gan assaille.
857He ȝaf dentes inoȝe;
858Þe kniȝtes felle iswoȝe.
859His dent he gan wiþdraȝe,
860For hi were neȝ aslaȝe.
861And sede, "kniȝtes, nu ȝe reste
862One while, ef ȝou leste."
863Hi sede, "hi neure nadde
864Of kniȝte dentes so harde.
865He was of hornes kunne,
866Iborn in suddenne."
867Horn him gan to agrise,
868And his blod arise.
869Biuo him saȝ he stonde
870Þat driuen him of londe,
871And þat his fader sloȝ.
872To him his swerd he droȝ.

page 40

873He lokede on his rynge,
874And þoȝte on Rymenhilde.
875He smot him þureȝ þe herte,
876Þat sore him gan to smerte.
877Þe paens þat er were so sturne,
878Hi gunne awei vrne.
879Horn and his compaynye
880Gunne after hem wel swiþe hiȝe,
881And sloȝen alle þe hundes,
882Er hi here schipes funde.
883To deþe he hem alle broȝte;
884His fader deþ wel dere hi boȝte.
885Of alle þe kynges kniȝtes,
886Ne scapede þer no wiȝte.

page 41

887Bute his sones tweie
888Bifore him he saȝ deie.
889Þe king bigan to grete,
890And teres for to lete.
891Me leiden hem in bare,
892And burden hem ful ȝare.
893Þe king com in to halle,
894Among his kniȝtes alle.
895"Horn," he sede, "i seie þe,
896Do as i schal rede þe.
897Aslaȝen beþ mine heirs,
898And þu art kniȝt of muchel pris,
899And of grete strengþe,
900And fair o bodie lengþe.
901Mi Rengne þu schalt welde,
902And to spuse helde
903Reynild, mi doȝter,
904Þat sitteþ on þe lofte."
905"O sire king, wiþ wronge
906Scholte ihc hit vnderfonge.
907Þi doȝter þat ȝe me bede,
908Ower rengne for to lede.

page 42

909Welmore ihc schal þe serue,
910Sire kyng, or þu sterue.
911Þi sorwe schal wende
912Or seue ȝeres ende.
913Wanne hit is wente,
914Sire king, ȝef me mi rente.
915Whanne i þi doȝter ȝerne,
916Ne schaltu me hire werne."
917Cutberd wonede þere
918Fulle seue ȝere,
919Þat to Rymenild he ne sente,
920Ne him self ne wente.
921Rymenild was in Westernesse,
922Wiþ wel muchel sorinesse.
923A king þer gan ariue
924Þat wolde hire haue to wyue.
925Aton he was wiþ þe king,
926Of þat ilke wedding.
927Þe daies were schorte,
928Þat Riminhild ne dorste
929Leten in none wise.
930A writ he dude deuise;

page 43

931Aþulf hit dude write,
932Þat horn ne luuede noȝt lite.
933Heo sende hire sonde
934To euereche londe,
935To seche horn, þe kniȝt,
936Þer me him finde miȝte.
937Horn noȝt þer of ne herde,
938Til, o dai þat he ferde
939To wude for to schete,
940A knaue he gan imete.
941Horn seden, "Leue fere,
942Wat sechestu here?"
943"Kniȝt, if beo þi wille,
944I mai þe sone telle.
945I seche fram bi weste,
946Horn of westernesse,
947For a Maiden Rymenhild
948Þat for him gan wexe wild.
949A king hire wile wedde,
950And bringe to his bedde,
951King Modi of Reynes,
952On of hornes enemis.
953Ihc habbe walke wide
954Bi þe se side,

page 44

955Nis he no war ifunde,
956Walawai þe stunde.
957Wailaway þe while,
958Nu wurþ Rymenild bigiled."
959Horn iherde wiþ his ires,
960And spak wiþ bidere tires,
961"Knaue, wel þe bitide,
962Horn stondeþ þe biside.
963Aȝen to hure þu turne,
964And seie þat heo ne murne,
965For i schal beo þer bitime,
966A soneday bi pryme."
967Þe knaue was wel bliþe,
968And hiȝede aȝen bliue.
969Þe se bigan to þroȝe
970Vnder hire woȝe.
971Þe knaue þer gan adrinke;
972Rymenhild hit miȝte of þinke.
973Rymenhild vndude þe dure pin
974Of þe hus þer heo was in,

page 45

975To loke wiþ hire iȝe,
976If heo oȝt of horn isiȝe.
977Þo fond heo þe knaue adrent
978Þat he hadde for horn isent,
979And þat scholde horn bringe;
980Hire fingres he gan wringe.
981Horn cam to þurston þe kyng,
982And tolde him þis tiþing.
983Þo he was iknowe
984Þat Rimenhild was hise oȝe,
985Of his gode kenne,
986Þe king of suddenne,
987And hu he sloȝ in felde
988Þat his fader quelde,
989And seide, "king þe wise,
990Ȝeld me mi seruise.
991Rymenhild help me winne;
992Þat þu noȝt ne linne,
993And i schal do to spuse
994Þi doȝter wel to huse.
995Heo schal to spuse haue
996Aþulf, mi gode felaȝe,
997God kniȝt mid þe beste,
998And þe treweste."

page 46

999Þe king sede so stille,
1000"Horn, haue nu þi wille."
1001He dude writes sende
1002Into yrlonde,
1003After kniȝtes liȝte,
1004Irisse men to fiȝte.
1005To horn come inoȝe,
1006Þat to schupe droȝe.
1007Horn dude him in þe weie,
1008On a god Galeie.
1009Þe him gan to blowe
1010In a litel þroȝe.
1011Þe se bigan to posse
1012Riȝt in to Westernesse.
1013Hi strike seil and maste,
1014And Ankere gunne caste,
1015Or eny day was sprunge
1016Oþer belle irunge.
1017Þe word bigan to springe
1018Of Rymenhilde weddinge.
1019Horn was in þe watere;
1020Ne miȝte he come no latere.
1021He let his schup stonde,
1022And ȝede to londe.

page 47

1023His folk he dude abide
1024Vnder wude side.
1025Horn him ȝede alone,
1026also he sprunge of stone.
1027A palmere he þar mette,
1028And faire hine grette.
1029"Palmere, þu schalt me telle
1030Al of þine spelle."
1031He sede vpon his tale,
1032"I come fram o brudale,
1033Ihc was at o wedding
1034Of a Maide Rymenhild.
1035Ne miȝte heo adriȝe
1036Þat heo ne weop wiþ iȝe.
1037Heo sede þat 'heo nolde
1038Ben ispused wiþ golde;
1039Heo hadde on husebonde,
1040Þeȝ he were vt of londe.'
1041And in strong halle,
1042Biþinne castel walle,

page 48

1043Þer i was atte ȝate;
1044Nolde hi me in late.
1045Modi ihote hadde
1046To bure þat me hire ladde.
1047Awai i gan glide;
1048Þat deol i nolde abide.
1049Þe bride wepeþ sore,
1050And þat is muche deole!"
1051Quaþ horn, "So crist me rede,
1052We schulle chaungi wede.
1053Haue her cloþes myne,
1054And tak me þi sclauyne.
1055Today i schal þer drinke,
1056Þat some hit schulle ofþinke."
1057His sclauyn he dude dun legge,
1058And tok hit on his rigge.
1059He tok horn his cloþes,
1060Þat nere him noȝt loþe.
1061Horn tok burdon and scrippe,
1062And wrong his lippe.
1063He makede him a ful chere,
1064And al bicolmede his swere.
1065He makede him vn bicomelich;
1066Hes he nas neuremore ilich.

page 49

1067He com to þe gateward,
1068Þat him answerede hard.
1069Horn bad undo softe,
1070Mani tyme and ofte.
1071Ne miȝte he awynne
1072Þat he come þerinne.
1073Horn gan to þe ȝate turne,
1074And þat wiket vnspurne.
1075Þe boye hit scholde abugge;
1076Horn þreu him ouer þe brigge,
1077Þat his ribbes him to brake;
1078And suþþe com in atte gate.
1079He sette him wel loȝe,
1080In beggeres rowe.
1081He lokede him abute,
1082Wiþ his colmie snute.
1083He seȝ Rymenhild sitte
1084Ase heo were of witte,
1085Sore wepinge and ȝerne;
1086Ne miȝte hure noman wurne.
1087He lokede in eche halke;
1088Ne seȝ he nowhar walke
1089Aþulf his felawe,
1090Þat he cuþe knowe.

page 50

1091Aþulf was in þe ture,
1092Abute for to pure
1093After his comynge,
1094Ȝef schup him wolde bringe.
1095He seȝ þe se flowe,
1096And horn nowar rowe.
1097He sede vpon his songe,
1098"Horn, nu þu ert wel longe.
1099Rymenhild þu me toke,
1100Þat i scholde loke.
1101Ihc habbe kept hure eure;
1102Com nu oþer neure.
1103I ne may no leng hure kepe;
1104For soreȝe nu y wepe."
1105Rymenhild Ros of benche,
1106Wyn for to schenche,
1107After mete in sale,
1108Boþe wyn and ale.
1109On horn he bar an honde,
1110So laȝe was in londe.
1111Kniȝtes and squier
1112Alle dronken of þe ber;
1113Bute horn al one
1114Nadde þerof no mone.

page 51

1115Horn sat vpon þe grunde;
1116Him þuȝte he was ibunde.
1117He sede, "quen so hende,
1118To meward þu wende.
1119Þu ȝef vs wiþ þe furste;
1120Þe beggeres beoþ of þurste."
1121Hure horn heo leide adun,
1122And fulde him of a brun,
1123His bolle of a galun,
1124For heo wende he were a glotoun.
1125He seide, "haue þis cuppe,
1126And þis þing þer vppe.
1127Ne saȝ ihc neure, so ihc wene,
1128Beggere þat were so kene."
1129Horn tok hit his ifere,
1130And sede, "quen so dere,
1131Wyn nelle ihc, Muche ne lite,
1132Bute of cuppe white.
1133Þu wenest i beo a beggere,
1134And ihc am a fissere,
1135Wel feor icome bi este,
1136For fissen at þi feste.
1137Mi net liþ her bi honde,
1138Bi a wel fair stronde.

page 52

1139Hit haþ ileie þere
1140Fulle seue ȝere.
1141Ihc am icome to loke
1142Ef eni fiss hit toke.
1143Ihc am icome to fisse;
1144Drink to me of disse.
1145Drink to horn of horne,
1146Feor ihc am i orneiorneEdition: i orne."
1147Rymenhild him gan bihelde;
1148Hire heorte bigan to chelde.
1149Ne kneu heo noȝt his fissing,
1150Ne horn hymselue noþing;
1151Ac wunder hire gan þinke,
1152Whi he bad to horn drinke.
1153Heo fulde hire horn wiþ wyn,
1154And dronk to þe pilegrym.
1155Heo sede, "drink þi fulle,
1156And suþþe þu me telle
1157If þu eure isiȝe
1158Horn vnder wude liȝe."
1159Horn dronk of horn a stunde,
1160And þreu þe ring to grunde.

page 53

1161Þe quen ȝede to bure,
1162Wiþ hire maidenes foure.
1163Þo fond heo what heo wolde,
1164A ring igrauen of golde,
1165Þat horn of hure hadde.
1166Sore hure dradde
1167Þat horn isteue were,
1168For þe Ring was þere.
1169Þo sente heo a damesele
1170After þe palmere.
1171"Palmere," quaþ heo, "trewe,
1172Þe ring þat þu þrewe,
1173Þu seie whar þu hit nome,
1174And whi þu hider come."
1175He sede, "bi seint gile,
1176Ihc habbe go mani Mile,
1177Wel feor bi ȝonde weste,
1178To seche my beste.
1179I fond horn child stonde,
1180To schupeward in londe.

page 54

1181He sede he wolde agesse
1182to ariue in westernesse.
1183Þe schip nam to þe flode,
1184Wiþ me and horn þe gode.
1185Horn was sik and deide,
1186And faire he me preide,
1187'Go wiþ þe ringe,
1188To Rymenhild þe ȝonge.'
1189Ofte he hit custe,
1190God ȝeue his saule reste."
1191Rymenhild sede at þe furste,
1192"Herte, nu þu berste,
1193For horn nastu namore,
1194Þat þe haþ pined þe so sore."
1195Heo feol on hire bedde
1196Þer heo knif hudde,
1197To sle wiþ king loþe,
1198And hure selue boþe,
1199In þat vlke niȝte,
1200If horn come ne miȝte.
1201To herte knif he sette;
1202Ac horn anon hire kepte.

page 55

1203He wipede þat blake of his swere,
1204And sede, "Quen so swete and dere,
1205Ihc am horn þinoȝeþin oȝeEdition: þinoȝe;
1206Ne canstu me noȝt knowe?
1207Ihc am horn of westernesse;
1208In armes þu me cusse."
1209Hi custe hem mid ywisse,
1210And makeden Muche blisse.
1211"Rymenhild," he sede, "ywende
1212Adun to þe wudes ende.
1213Þer beþ myne kniȝtes,
1214Redi to fiȝte,
1215Iarmed vnder cloþe.
1216Hi schulle make wroþe
1217Þe king and his geste
1218Þat come to þe feste.
1219Today i schal hem teche,
1220And sore hem areche."
1221Horn sprong ut of halle,
1222And let his sclauin falle.
1223Þe quen ȝede to bure,
1224And fond Aþulf in ture.
1225"Aþulf," heo sede, "be bliþe,
1226And to horn þu go wel swiþe.

page 56

1227He is vnder wude boȝe,
1228And wiþ him kniȝtes Inoȝe."
1229Aþulf bigan to springe
1230For þe tiþinge.
1231After horn he arnde anon,
1232Also þat hors miȝte gon.
1233He him ouertok ywis;
1234Hi makede suiþe Muchel blis.
1235Horn tok his preie,
1236And dude him in þe weie.
1237He com in wel sone,
1238Þe ȝates were vndone,
1239Iarmed ful þikke
1240Fram fote to þe nekke.
1241Alle þat were þerin,
1242Biþute his twelf ferin
1243And þe king Aylmare,
1244He dude hem alle to kare
1245Þat at þe feste were.
1246Here lif hi lete þere.
1247Horn ne dude no wunder
1248Of ffikenhildes false tunge.
1249Hi sworen oþes holde,
1250Þat neure ne scholde

page 57

1251Horn neure bitraie,
1252Þeȝ he at diþe laie.
1253Hi Runge þe belle,
1254Þe wedlak for to felle.
1255Horn him ȝede with his,
1256To þe kinges palais.
1257Þer was brid and ale suete,
1258For riche men þer ete.
1259Telle ne miȝte tunge
1260Þat gle þat þer was sunge.
1261Horn sat on chaere,
1262And bad hem alle ihere.
1263"King," he sede, "þu luste
1264A tale mid þe beste.
1265I ne seie hit for no blame,
1266Horn is mi name.
1267Þu me to kniȝt houe,
1268And kniȝthod haue proued.
1269To þe king men seide
1270Þat i þe bitraide;

page 58

1271Þu makedest me fleme,
1272And þi lond to reme.
1273Þu wendest þat iwroȝte
1274Þat y neure ne þoȝte,
1275Bi Rymenhild for to ligge,
1276And þat i wiþsegge.
1277Ne schal ihc hit biginne,
1278Til i suddene winne.
1279Þu kep hure a stunde,
1280Þe while þat i funde
1281In to min heritage
1282And to mi baronage.
1283Þat lond i schal ofreche,
1284And do mi fader wreche.
1285I schal beo king of tune,
1286And bere kinges crune.
1287Þanne schal Rymenhilde
1288Ligge bi þe kinge."
1289Horn gan to schupe draȝe,
1290Wiþ his yrisse felaȝes.
1291Aþulf wiþ him his broþer;
1292Nolde he non oþer.
1293Þat schup bigan to crude,
1294Þe wind him bleu lude.

page 59

1295Biþinne daies fiue
1296Þat schup gan ariue,
1297Abute middelniȝte.
1298Horn him ȝede wel riȝte.
1299He tok aþulf bi honde,
1300And vp he ȝede to londe.
1301Hi founde vnder schelde,
1302A kniȝte hende in felde.
1303Þe kniȝt him aslepe lay
1304Al biside þe way.
1305Horn him gan to take,
1306And sede, "kniȝt, awake.
1307Seie what þu kepest,
1308And whi þu her slepest.
1309Me þinkþ, bi þine crois liȝte,
1310Þat þu longest to vre driȝte.
1311Bute þu wule me schewe,
1312I schal þe to hewe."
1313Þe gode kniȝt vp aros;
1314Of þe wordes him gros.

page 60

1315He sede, "ihc haue, aȝenes my wille,
1316Payns ful ylle.
1317Ihc was cristene a while,
1318Þo i com to þis ille
1319Sarazins blake,
1320Þat dude me forsake.
1321On Crist ihc wolde bileue;
1322On him hi makede me reue,
1323To kepe þis passage
1324Fram horn þat is of age,
1325Þat wunieþ bi este,
1326Kniȝt wiþ þe beste.
1327Hi sloȝe wiþ here honde,
1328Þe king of þis londe,
1329And wiþ him fele hundred.
1330And þerof is wunder
1331Þat he ne comeþ to fiȝte;
1332God sende him þe riȝte,
1333And wind him hider driue,
1334To bringe hem of liue.
1335Hi sloȝen kyng Murry,
1336Hornes fader, king hendy.
1337Horn hi vt of londe sente;
1338Tuelf felaȝes wiþ him wente,

page 61

1339Among hem aþulf þe gode,
1340Min oȝene child, my leue fode.
1341Ef horn child is hol and sund,
1342And Aþulf biþute wund,
1343He luueþ him so dere,
1344And is him so stere,
1345Miȝte iseon hem tueie,
1346For ioie i scholde deie."
1347"Kniȝt, beo þanne bliþe,
1348Mest of alle siþe.
1349Horn and Aþulf his fere,
1350Boþe hi ben here."
1351To horn he gan gon,
1352And grette him anon.
1353Muche ioie hi makede þere,
1354Þe while hi togadere were.
1355"Childre," he sede, "hu habbe ȝe fare?
1356Þat ihc ȝou seȝ hit is ful ȝare.
1357Wulle ȝe þis londe winne,
1358And sle þat þer is inne?"
1359He sede, "leue horn child,
1360Ȝitt lyueþ þi moder Godhild.

page 62

1361Of ioie heo miste,
1362If heo þe aliue wiste."
1363Horn sede on his rime,
1364"Iblessed beo þe time
1365I com to suddenne,
1366Wiþ mine irisse menne.
1367We schulle þe hundes teche
1368To speken vre speche.
1369Alle we hem schulle sle,
1370And al quic hem fle."
1371Horn gan his horn to blowe;
1372His folk hit gan iknowe.
1373Hi comen vt of stere,
1374Fram hornes banere.
1375Hi sloȝen and fuȝten,
1376Þe niȝt and þe vȝten.
1377Þe Sarazins cunde,
1378Ne lefde þer non in þende.
1379Horn let wurche
1380Chapeles and chirche;

page 63

1381He let belles ringe,
1382And Masses let singe.
1383He com to his Moder halle,
1384In a roche walle.
1385Corn he let serie,
1386And makede feste merie.
1387Murie lif he wroȝte;
1388Rymenhild hit dere boȝte.
1389Fikenhild was prut on herte,
1390And þat him dude smerte.
1391Ȝonge he ȝaf and elde,
1392Mid him for to helde.
1393Ston he dude lede,
1394Þer he hopede spede.
1395Strong castel he let sette,
1396Mid see him biflette.
1397Þer ne miȝte liȝte
1398Bute foȝel wiþ fliȝte;

page 64

1399Bute whanne þe see wiþ droȝe,
1400Miȝte come men ynoȝe.
1401Fikenhild gan wende
1402Rymenhild to schende.
1403To woȝe he gan hure ȝerne;
1404Þe kyng ne dorste him werne.
1405Rymenhild was ful of mode;
1406He wep teres of blode.
1407Þat niȝt horn gan swete,
1408And heuie for to mete
1409Of Rymenhild his make,
1410Into schupe was itake.
1411Þe schup bigan to blenche;
1412His lemman scholde adrenche.
1413Rymenhild wiþ hire honde
1414Wolde vp to londe.
1415Fikenhild aȝen hire pelte
1416Wiþ his swerdes hilte.

page 65

1417Horn him wok of slape,
1418So a man þat hadde rape.
1419"Aþulf," he sede, "felaȝe,
1420To schupe we mote draȝe.
1421Fikenhild me haþ idon vnder,
1422And Rymenhild to do wunder.
1423Crist, for his wundes fiue,
1424To niȝt me þuder driue."
1425Horn gan to schupe Ride,
1426His feren him biside.
1427Fikenhild, or þe dai gan springe,
1428Al riȝt he ferde to þe kinge,
1429After Rymenhild þe briȝte,
1430To wedden hire bi niȝte.
1431He ladde hure bi þe derke,
1432Into his nywe werke.
1433Þe feste hi bigunne,
1434Er þat ros þe sunne.
1435Er þane horn hit wiste,
1436To fore þe sunne vpriste.
1437His schup stod vnder ture,
1438At Rymenhilde bure.

page 66

1439Rymenhild, litel weneþ heo
1440Þat Horn þanne aliue beo.
1441Þe castel þei ne knewe,
1442For he was so nywe.
1443Horn fond sittinde Arnoldin,
1444Þat was Aþulfes cosin,
1445Þat þer was in þat tide,
1446Horn for tabide.
1447"Horn kniȝt," he sede, "kinges sone,
1448Wel beo þu to londe icome.
1449Today haþ y wedde fikenhild,
1450Þi swete lemman, Rymenhild.
1451Ne schal i þe lie;
1452He haþ giled þe twie.
1453Þis tur he let make
1454Al for þine sake.
1455Ne mai þer come inne
1456Noman wiþ none ginne.
1457Horn, nu crist þe wisse,
1458Of Rymenhild þat þu ne misse."
1459Horn cuþe al þe liste
1460Þat eni man of wiste.

page 67

1461Harpe he gan schewe,
1462And tok felaȝes fewe,
1463Of kniȝtes suiþe snelle,
1464Þat schrudde hem at wille.
1465Hi ȝeden bi þe grauel,
1466Toward þe castel.
1467Hi gunne murie singe,
1468And makede here gleowinge.
1469Rymenhild hit gan ihere,
1470And axede what hi were.
1471Hi sede hi weren harpurs,
1472And sume were gigours.
1473He dude horn in late,
1474Riȝt at halle gate.
1475He sette him on þe benche,
1476His harpe for to clenche.
1477He makede Rymenhilde lay,
1478And heo makede walaway.
1479Rymanhild feol yswoȝe;
1480Ne was þer non þat louȝe.
1481Hit smot to hornes herte
1482So bitere þat hit smerte.

page 68

1483He lokede on þe ringe,
1484And þoȝte on Rymenhilde.
1485He ȝede vp to borde,
1486Wiþ gode suerdes orde.
1487Fikenhildes crune
1488Þer ifulde adune,
1489And al his men arowe
1490Hi dude adun þrowe!
1491Whanne hi weren aslaȝe,
1492Fikenhild hi dude to draȝe.
1493Horn makede Arnoldin þare
1494King, after king Aylmare,
1495Of al westernesse,
1496For his meoknesse.
1497Þe king and his homage
1498Ȝeuen Arnoldin trewage.
1499Horn tok Rymenhild bi þe honde,
1500And ladde hure to þe stronde,
1501And ladde wiþ him Aþelbrus,
1502Þe gode stuard of his hus.
1503Þe se bigan to flowe,
1504And horn gan to Rowe.
1505Hi gunne for ariue
1506Þer king modi was sire.

page 69

1507Aþelfrus he makede þer king,
1508For his gode teching.
1509He ȝaf alle þe kniȝtes ore,
1510For horn kniȝtes lore.
1511Horn gan for to ride;
1512Þe wind him bleu wel wide.
1513He ariuede in yrlonde,
1514Þer he wo fondede.
1515Þer he dude Aþulf child
1516Wedden maide Reynild.
1517Horn com to suddenne,
1518Among al his kenne.
1519Rymenhild he makede his quene,
1520So hit miȝte wel beon.
1521Alfolk hem miȝte rewe,
1522Þat loueden hem so trewe;
1523Nu ben hi boþe dede;
1524Crist to heuene hem lede.
1525Her endeþ þe tale of horn
1526Þat fair was and noȝt vnorn.
1527Make we vs glade Eure among,
1528For þus him endeþ hornes song.
1529Jesus þat is of heuene king,
1530Ȝeue vs alle his suete blessing.
1531EX-PLI-CIT. Amen.