1Bladud hafde enne sune. Leir wes ihaten.
2Efter his fader daie; he heold þis drihliche lond.
3somed an his liue; sixti winter.
4He makede ane riche burh; þurh radfulle his crafte.
5& he heo lette nemnen; efter him-seoluan.
6Kaer Leir hehte þe burh; leof heo wes þan kinge.
7þa we an ure leod-quide; Leirchestre clepiað.
8Ȝeare a þan holde dawen; heo wes swiðe aðel burh.
9& seoððen þer seh toward; swiðe muchel seorwe.
10þat heo wes al for-faren; þurh þere leodene uæl.
11Sixti winter hefde Leir; þis lond al to welden.
12Þe king hefde þreo dohtren; bi his drih-liche quen.
13nefde he nenne sune; þer-fore he warð sari.
14his manscipe to halden; buten þa þreo dohtren.
15Þa ældeste dohter haihte Gornoille; þa oðer Ragau. þa þridde Cordoille.
16Heo wes þa ȝungeste suster. a wliten alre vairest.
17heo wes hire fader al swa leof; swa his aȝene lif.

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18Þa ældede þe king; & wakede an aðelan.
19& he hine bi-þohte; wet he don mahte.
20of his kineriche; æfter his deie.
21He seide to himsuluen. þat þat vuel wes;
22Ic wlle mine riche to-don; allen minen dohtren;
23& ȝeuen hem mine kine-þeode; & twemen mine bearnen.
24Ac ærst ic wille fondien; whulchere beo mi beste freond.
25and heo scal habbe þat beste del; of mine drih-lichen lond .
26Þus þe king þohte; & þer-æfter he worhte.
27He clepede Gornoille; hes guðfulle dohter.
28vt of hire bure; to hire fader deore;
29& þeus spac þe alde king. þer he on æðelen seat.
30Sei me Go(r)noille; soðere worden.
31swiþe dure þeo eart me; hu leof æm ich þe.
32Hu mochel worȝ leste þu me; to walden kineriche.
33Gornoille was swiðe wær; swa beoð wif-men wel ihwær.
34& sei(de) ane (le)singe; heore fædere þon king.
35Leofe fæder dure; swa bide ich Godes are.
36swa helpe me Apollin; for min i-læfe is al on him.
37þat leuere þeo ært me æne; þane þis world al clane.
38& ȝet ic þe wlle speken wit; þeou ært leouere þene mi lif.
39& þis ich sucge þe to seoðe; þu mith me wel ileue.
40Leir þe king ilefde his dosterdohterEdition: doster læisinge;
41& þas ænsware ȝef. þat waes þe olde king.
42Ich þe Gornoille seuge; leoue (dohter) dure.
43god scal beon þi meda; for þira gretinge.
44Ic eam for mire ælde; swþe vnbalded.
45& þou me leuoste swþe; mare þan is on liue.
46Ich wille mi dirhliche lond; a þroe al to-dalen.
47þin is þat beste deal; þu ært mi dohter (deore) .
48& scalt habben to lauerd. min alre beste þein.
49þeo ich mai uinden; in mine kinne-londe.
50Æfter spac þe olde kinge; wit his oðer dohter.
51Leoue dohter Regau; waet seist tu me to ræide;
52Seie þu bi-fore mire duȝðen; heo dure ich am þe an herten.
53Þa answærde mid rætfulle worden;
54Al þat is on liue nis me swa dure.

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55swa me is þin an lime forðe min ahȝene lif.
56Ah heo ne seide naþing soð; no more þenne hiire suster .
57Alle hire lesinge; hire uader ilefe(de) .
58Þa answarede þe king; hiis doȝter him icwemde.
59Þea þridde del of mine londe; ich bi-take þe an honde.
60þu scalt nime louerd; þer þe is alre leowost.
61Þa ȝet nolde þe leod-king; his sothscipe bi-læuen;
62he hehte cumen him bi-foren. his dohter Gordoille.
63Heo was alre ȝungest; of soðe ȝær-witelest.
64& þe king heo louede more; þanne ba tueie þe oðre.
65Cordoille iherde þa lasinge. þe hire sustren seiden þon kinge;
66nom hire leaf-fulne huie; þat heo liȝen nolden.
67hire fader heo wolde suge seoð; were him lef were him lað.
68Þeo queð þe alde king; vnrad him fulede.
69Iheren ich wlle; of þe Cordoille.
70sua þe helpe Appollin; hu deore þe beo lif min.
71Þa answarede Cordoille; lude & no-wiht stille.
72mid gomene & mid lehtre; to hire fader leue.
73Þeo art me leof al-so mi fæder; & ich þe al-so þi dohter.
74Ich habbe to þe sohfaste loue; for we buoð swiþe isibbe.
75& swa ich ibide are; ich wille þe suge mare.
76Al swa muchel þu bist woruh; swa þu velden ært.
77& al swa muchel swa þu hauest; men þe wllet luuien.
78for sone heo bið ilaȝed ; þe mon þe lutel ah.
79Þus seide þe mæiden Cordoille; & seoððen (set) swþe stille.
80Þa iwarðe þe king wærð; for he nes þeo noht iquemed.
81& wende on is þonke; þat hit weren for vnðeawe.
82þat he hire weore swa unwourð; þat heo hine nold iwurði
83swa hire twa sustren; þe ba somed læsinge speken.
84Þe king Leir iwerðe swa blac; swlch hit a blac cloð weoren.
85iwærð his hude & his heowe; for he was suþe ihærmed.
86mid þere wræððe he wes isweued. þat he feol iswowen.
87Late þeo he up fusde; þat mæiden wes afeared.
88Þa hit alles up brac; hit wes vuel þat he spac.
89Hærne Cordoille; ich þe telle wlle mine wille.
90Of mine dohtren þu were me durest; nu þu eært me arle læðest .
91Ne scalt þu næuer halden; dale of mine lande.

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92ah mine dohtren ich wlle delen mine riche;
93& þu scalt worðen warchen. & wonien in wansiðe;
94for nauere ich ne wende. þat þu me woldes þus scanden;
95Þar-fore þu scalt beon dæd ich wene; fliȝ ut of min eæh-sene.
96Þine sustren scullen habben mi kine-lond; & þis me is iqueme.
97Þe Duc of Cornwaile; scal habbe Gornoille.
98& þe Scottene king; Regau þat scone.
99& ic hem ȝeue al þa winne; þe ich æm waldinge ouer.
100& al þe alde king dude; swa he hafuede idemed.
101Ofte wes þen mæidene wa; & næure wors þenne þa.
102wa hire wes on mode; for hire fader wærþe.
103Heo uende into hire boure; þar heo ofte sætte sare.
104for heo nolde liȝen; hire fadder leoue.
105Þat maide wes swðen swomefest; for hire fader heo scunede.
106& dude þene beste red. in hire bure heo abed.
107& þolede þene mod-kare; & mornede swþe.
108& þus ane stonde hit stod æ ðon ilka.
109In France wes a king; riche & swiðe kene.
110Aganippes wes ihaten; hæleðen he wes ældere.
111He wes a ȝenge king. ah quene nauede he nane;
112He sende hiis sande. into þisse lande;
113to Leir þan king. & leofliche hine gret.
114He bæd hine don is iwille; ȝeuen him Cordoille.
115& he heo wolde habben; hæȝe to are quene.
116& æfter hire don ærest; þat hire were alre leofust.
117Feor haueden liðende men; ispeken of þan mæidene.
118feiȝernesse & freo-scipe; at-foren þan Frensce kinge.
119of hire mucla fæira wlita; of hire muchela monschipe.
120hu heo wes þolemod; of fæire hire þeæwen.
121þat nes on Leir kinges lond; nan wifman al swa hende.
122& þe king Aganippus; igrette Leir kin þus.
123Leir kin hine biþohte; wat he don mohte.
124he letten writen a writ; & wel hit lette dihten.
125& sende hit bi his sonde; in Frauncene londe.
126Þus spec þes kinges writ; hit wes widen icuð.
127Þe kinge of Bruttaine. þe Leir is haten.
128greteð Aganippus. þene aldere of Fraunce.
129Worðschepe haue þu; þire wel-deda.
130& þire feire sonde; þat grete þu me woldest.

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131Ac ich do þe wel to witene; hær bi mine writ rith.
132þat mi drihliche lond atwa ich habbe ideled.
133iȝeuen hit mine twam dohtren þe me beoh swiðe deore.
134Dohter ich habbe þa þridda; ac ne ræcche ich wær heo libbe.
135for heo me for-huste; & heo hold me for hæne;
136& for mire halde. heo me unælede .
137heo makede me swa swiþe wrað. þe worse hire scal i-wurðen;
138of alle mine londe. ne of alle mine leode;
139þe ich auere biȝeat. oðer bi-ȝete mæie;
140ich þe sucge soð-riht; na scal heo habbe nawiht.
141Ac ȝef þu heo wult habben; for mæide heo is hende.
142ich heo wulle þe biwiten; & senden ha þe in ane scipe.
143mid seoluen hire claðen; of me nafð heo na more.
144Ȝif þu heo wult underfon; al þis ilka ich wulle don.
145Iseid ich habbe þene grund; & þu seolf wurð al hisund.
146Þis writ com to Fraunce; to þan freo kinge.
147He hit lette raden; leof him weren þa runen.
148Þa wende (þe) kinge; þat hit were for vuele.
149þat Leir kin(ge) hire fæder; heo him wolde atleden.
150& he mochul a þa wode(lo)ker; wilnede þeos mæidenes.
151& seide to is bornen; þat wes þe bisie king.
152Ich eam riche mon i-noh; þat na mare ich ne recche.
153ne scal neuere Leir king; þat mæiden me attlede
154ac ich heo wulle habben; to hæhȝere are quene.
155Habben heore fader al is lond; al hiis seoluer and is gold.
156Ne bidde ich nanne maðmes; me seolf ich habben inoȝe.
157bute þat mæiden Cordoille. þenne hæbbe ich mine wille;
158Mid writ & mid worde. he sende eft to þisse londe;
159& bad Leir king him sende his dohter þe wæs hende.
160& he wolde wel don; mid muchele worðe-scipe heo under-fon.
161Þa nom þa olde king; æðele his meiden.
162mid seoluen hire claðes; & lette heo forðe liðen.
163ofer þa stremes; hire fader hire wes sturne.
164Aganippus þe Frennsce king; vnder-feng þis meiden child.
165al hiis folc hit wes iqueme; & makeden heo to quene.
166& þus heo þer bi-lefde; leof heo wes þon leoden.
167& Leir king hire fæder; luuede i ðisse londe.
168& hadde iȝeuen is twain dohtren; al his drihliche leand.

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169He ȝef Gornoille; Scotlondes kinge.
170he hæhte Maglaunus; his mæhte weren store.
171Cornwailles duke; Regau is dohter.
172Þa i-lomp hit seoððe; sone þar-æfter.
173þat þe Scottene king; & þe duk; speken to-gaðere.
174mid heore stil rune; nome hem to reda.
175þat heo wolden al þis lond; habben on heora hond.
176& feden Leir þane king; þe while þe he leouede.
177dæies & nihtes mid feowerti hired-cnihtes;
178& heo him wolden finden. hauekes & hundes;
179þat he mihte riden; ȝeond alle þanne þeoden.
180& libben on lisse; þe while þe he leouede.
181Þus heo þa ispeken; & eft hit to-breken.
182& Leir king hit iherde; & eft him wes þe worsse.
183& Leir gan liðe; to Scottenæ leoda.
184mid Maglaune his aðume; & mid þere eldre dohtre.
185Me vnder-fenge þene king; mid mochele feirnusse.
186& wel me him dihte; mid feowerti hired-cnihtes.
187mid horsen & mid hundes; mid al þet him bi-heovede.
188Þa hi-lomp hit seoððen; seone þer-after.
189þe Gornoille bi-þohte. whet heo don mihte;
190Heore þuhte swiþe eille. of æðelene hire fædere;
191& heo hit bi-gan to mainen. to Maglaune hire louerde;
192and seide him ibedde. þer heo leiin iueore;
193Seie me mi lauerd. monne þu ert me leouest;
194me þuncheð þat mi fæder. nis nowhit felle.
195no he wurh-scipe ne can; his wit he hauet bileued.
196Me þuncheð þe alde mon; wole dotie nou nan.
197He halt here fauwerti cnihtes; daies and nihtes.
198he haueht her þas þeines; and alle heore swaines.
199hundes and hauekes; þer-uore we habbet harmes.
200and nowher heo ne spedet; and auere heo spenet.
201& al þat goud þat we hem doð; heo hit bluðeliche vnder-foð.
202and cunnen us vnðonc; for ure wel-dede.
203Heo doð muchel bisemære; ure men hi to-betet.
204mi fader hauet to monie; of idele manne.

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205Ale þa feorðe dale; lete we forð fuse.
206inoh he hauet on þirti; to þirngen to borde.
207Vs selve we habbet cokes; to quecchen to cuchene.
208vs sulue we habbet bermen; & birles inowe.
209Lete we sum þis mochele folc; fare wher ha wulleð.
210swa ich æuere ibiden are; iðolien nulle ich hit mare.
211Þis iherde Maglaunus; þat is quene spilede þus.
212& he hire andswarede; mid aðelere spiche.
213Leiuedi þu haues mochel wouh; nauest þu rich-dom inoh.
214Ah hald þine fæder on lisse; ne luueðe he no-wiht longe.
215For ȝef ferrene kinges; hiherde þa tidinde.
216þe we swa takede him on; heo us wolden tælen.
217Ah late we hine welden; his folc on his willen.
218and þis min aȝe ræd is; for sone her-æfter he beð dead.
219& ac we habben in ure hond; al half is kine-lond.
220Þa seide Gornoille; Lauerd beo þeu stille.
221let me al iwurþen; & ich ham wulle atwailden.
222Heo sende mid hire ginne; to þare cnihtene inne
223heo hahte hem faren here wæi; for heo nolden hem no more feden;
224moni of þen þeinen. monie of þen sweinen;
225þe þider weren icumene. mid Leir þanne kinge;
226Þis iherde Leir king. þar-fore he wes swuþe wrah;
227þa iȝedede þe king. mid ȝemeliche worden;
228and þus seide þe kinge. sorhful on mode;
229Wa worðe þan monne. þe lond haueðe mid menske;
230and bi-tachet hit is childe. þe while þe he mai hit walden;
231for ofte hit ilimpð. þat eft hit him of-þincheð;
232Nu ich wulle hunne faren; forð-rihte to Cornwalen.
233ȝernen ich wulle rædes; to Regau mire dohter.
234þe hauede Hemeri þe duc; & mi drihliche lond.
235Fo(r)hd þe king wende; in-to þan suð ende.
236to Regau is dochter; for rædes him trukeden.
237Þa he to Cornwale com; he wes feire þer vnder-fon.
238swa al þet halue ȝer; mid al his hirede he wes þer.
239Þa saide Regau to hire duc Hemeri.
240Lauerd herne þu me; to fulle soþe ich sucge hit þe.
241We habbet idon unwisdom. þat we mine fader habbet vnder-fon;

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242mid þirtti cnihten hit nis me noht iqueme.
243Do we awai þane twenti; a tene beoð inohȝe
244for al heo dringket and eteð; & na god heo ne bi-ȝeteð.
245Þa seide Hemeri þe duc; þe his alde fader bi-swake.
246Swa ich eæuere beo on liue; ne scal he habben beote fiue.
247for þe(r) he hauet h(i)rde hinoh; for he nauyt no doð.
248& ȝef he wille henne faren; fuse we hine sone.
249Al heo ispedden; ase heo (i)speken hafden.
250binomen him is doȝeðe; and al his drihliche folc.
251nolden heo him bi-leafuen; cnihtes beoten fiue;
252Þis iseh Leir þe king; wa wes him on liue.
253His mod him gon mengen; he morȝnede swiðe.
254and þas worde seide; mid seorhfulle laichen
255Wela weolla. wella. hu þu bi-swikest monine mon.
256Þenne he þe treoweðe alre best on; þenne bi-swikes tu heom
257Nis hit nowit ȝare; noht fulle twa ȝere.
258þat (ich) was a riche king; and held mine cnihtes.
259Nu ich habben ibiden þat ich bare sitte;
260wunnen biræued ; wa is me on liue.
261Ich wes at Gornoille; mire god-fulle dohter.
262wuneden on hire leoden; mid þritti cnihtes.
263þe ȝet ich mihte libben; ah þenne igonne liðen.
264Ich wende swiðe wel to don; ac wurse ich habbe vnder-fon;
265Aȝen ich wulle to Scotte; to scone mire docter.
266ȝernen hira milcea; þat heo me nele wurdea.
267bidden heo me vnder-fon; mid mine fif cnihten.
268Þer ich wulle wunie; and þolie þeos wænen;
269ane lutele stunde. for ne libbe ich no-wiht longe;
270Leir þe king wende forh. to is dohter wunede norð;
271Fulle þre nihtes; heo hærabarewude hine. and is cnihtes
272heo swor a þane ferþe dæi; bi al heuenliche main.
273þat ne sculde he habben mare; bute enne kincte þere.
274and ȝef he þet nolde; ferde wuder he wolde.
275Wel oft wes Leir wa and neuere wurs þanne þa.
276Þa seide þe alde king; æruu e was on herten.

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277Wallan dæð wela deað. þat þu me nelt for-demen;
278Seoð seide Cordoille. for cuð hit is me nouþe.
279mi ȝengestte dohter; heo was me wel dure.
280seoððen heo me wes leaðest; for heo me seiden alre sohust.
281þat mehe bið vnworð & lah. þe mon þe litul ah;
282and ihc nas na wurdra. þenne ich (nes) weldinde.
283Ouer soh seiden þat ȝunge vifmon; hire folweð mochel wisdom.
284Þa wile þe ich hæuede mi kinelond; luueden me mine leoden.
285for mine londe & for mine feo; mine eorles fulle to mine cneo;
286Nu ich æm a wrecche mon. ne leouet me no mon for þan;
287Ah mi dohter me seide seoh for nou ich hire ileue i-noh.
288& ba twa hire susteren; lasinge me seiden.
289þat ich ham wes swa leof; leuere þenne hire aȝe lif.
290& Cordoille mi dohter; dohȝeþe me seide.
291þat heo me leouede swa feire; swa monnes fader scolde.
292Wet wold ich bidde mare; of mire dohter dure.
293Nu ich wullen faren feorð. & ouer sæ fusen.
294ihiren of Cordoille. wat beon hire wille;
295Hire seohðe word ich nam to grame. þar-fore ich habbe nu muchele scame;
296for nu ich mot bi-secchen; þat þing þat ich ær for-howede.
297Nule heo me do na wurse; þanne hire lond forwurnen.
298Leir ferde to þere sæ; mid ane alpie swein.
299in-to ane schipe he bi-com; ne icnwo hine no mon
300ouer sea icomen; hauene sone. anomen.
301Forð wende þe king Leir; nauede he bute enne swein.
302Hi axeden þa quene; þat heo comen hire a neweste.
303tahten heom leode; wer wes þes londes quene.
304Leir king wende on anne feld; & reste hine on folden.
305and is swein he forð sende; þe wes irad-mon hende.
306to þere quene Cordoille; and seide hire wel stille.
307Hail wurð þu feire quene; Ich eam þines fader sweine.
308and þi uader is hider (i)kimen for al is lond is him bi-nomen.
309Beoð ba þine sustren; touward him for-sworene
310He cumeð for neode; in-to þisse leode.
311and help him nu for þu miht; he is þi fader alse hit is riht.
312Þe quene Cordoille; seæt longe swþe stille.
313Heo iward reode on hire benche; swilche hit were of wine-scenche.
314and þe swain sæt at hire fæit; sone þer-after him wes þe bet.

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315Þa alles vppe abræc; hit wes god þet heo spæc.
316Appollin mi lauerd . ich þankie þe; þat mi fæder is icumme to me.
317Tidinge ic ihire leoue; þat mi fader on liue is.
318Of me he habben scal goudne reæd; bute ich beo þe raðer ded.
319Seie me nuþe leof swein. & harne mine lare
320Ich þe wulle bi-tache a male riche
321peniȝes þer buoð an sunda; to iwisse an hundrad punda
322Ich bi-tæche þe anne hængest; godna & strongna.
323to læden þis garisume to leuene mine fadere;
324and seie him þat ich hine gret; godere gretinge.
325& hatine fare swiþe; to hare feire burȝe.
326and rumen him herberia; i summe riche burie.
327& bugge him alre errust; þat him wes alre leouust
328metes & drinches. & hende claðes;
329hundes & hauekes; & durewurðe horses.
330halde in is heose. feuwerti hired-cnihtes.
331heȝe and riche; bi-hongen mid ræue.
332makie him god baid. & ofte hine baðie;
333& him blod lete lutlen and ofte.
334Wenne þu wult more suluer; sæche hit at me suluen.
335& ich him wulle senden; inoh of þisse ende.
336swa neuer he ne cuðe; of his alde cuððe.
337cnihte ne sweine; ne nauer nanne þeine.
338Þenne feowerti dawes beoð agan. þenne cuðe he anan;
339to leue mine lauerd. þat Leir is an is londe.
340icume ouer sæ-streme; to isen is eastresse.
341& ich hit wulle swa nimen; alse ich hine nusten.
342liðen him to-ȝænes. mid mine lauerde.
343fainen mines lauerdes & is fæirliche cume.
344Nute hit neuere nane gume; buten he beo neowene icume.
345& þus hit writen sende; to mine lauerd kinge.
346& þu þas æhte on-fo; and loca þat þu wel do.
347and ȝef þu heo þus dalest; to godere þire hæle.
348& þe swein on-feng þas ahte; & to is louerd ferde.
349to Leir þon kinge. & seide þas tidinge;
350þer he læi on felde; and reste hine on folde.
351Sone werð þe alde king; wunliche iæðeled.
352& þas wuord seide; mid soðere stefuene.
353After vuele cumeð god; wel is him þe hit habbe mot.
354Heo ferden to hare æȝene burh; ase þe quene hæhte.

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355& al heo iduden; efter hire lare.
356Þa forð wuren agan; feuwerti daȝene.
357þon nom Leir þe king; is leouste cnihtes.
358& gret Aganippum; þat was his leue aðum.
359& seide him bi his sond; þet icume he wes to is londe.
360to speken wit his dohter; þe wes him swuðe dure.
361Aganippus wes bliþe; þet Leir wes cumen liðen.
362ferde him to-ȝenes; mid alle his þeines.
363and þa quene Cordoille; þa hauede Leir is wille.
364Heo comen to-gadere; & ofte heo custen.
365heo uenden to bu(r)ȝe; blisse wes an hirede.
366Þer wes bemene song. þere ȝeden pipen among.
367al weren þe hællen; bi-hongen mid pellen.
368alle þa mete-burdes; ibrusted mid golde;
369Ringes of golde ælc mon hafte on honde.
370mid fiþelen and mid harpen; hæleðes þer sungen.
371Lette þe king gan awal; & lude clepien ouer-al.
372and seide þat Leir kin; icume wes to londen.
373Nu hateð Aganippus; þe is þe heȝest ouer us.
374þat ȝe Leir king; alle wurðe liðe.
375& scal beon eouwer lauerd; inne þissere leoden.
376al swa fele ȝere; swa he wonien wulle here;
377& Aganippus ure king; scal beon is vnder-ling.
378Wha-swa wulle libba; alde þas sibba;
379& ȝef o man hit wille breken; on ueste it bið iwreken.
380& wite he alle is mon; þat he here haldet. on.
381Þa answareda þa duȝeþa; Don we hit wullet
382lude and stille; al þes kinges wille.
383Þurð-out al þat ulke ȝer; heo duden al þus þer.
384mid muchelere sibba; mid mocheleære seahte.
385Þa þeos ȝer wes a-gon; þa wold Leir king fare ham.
386to þisse londe liðen; and ȝer(n)de þeos kinges leue.
387Þe king Aganippus answerede him þus;
388Ne scalt þu neuere þider faren bute mochelere ferde.
389ah ich þe wulle lanen; of mine leode-folc
390fif hundred schipes. ifulled mid cnihten;
391& al þat heom bihoueð; to habben on fore.
392And þine dohter Cordoille; þa is þisse londes quene.
393heo scall mid mochelere ferde faren mid þe;

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394an liþen to þen londen; þer þu were leode(ne) king.
395and ȝef þu miht æine finden þe þe wulle aȝen-stonde;
396binimen þe þine rihte & þine kine-riche.
397þu ahliche ueht. & fel heo to grunde;
398& irum al þat lond. and sete hit Cordoille an hond;
399þat heo hit al habbe. efter þine daie;
400Þas wordes seide Aganippus. & Leir king dude þus;
401and al he iworhte. swa his freond him tahte.
402To þisse londen he com liðen. mih leoue his dohter;
403He higreðede mid þane beste; þe him buwen wolden.
404& alle he ham fulde; þe him wit feohten.
405and he al þis kine-lond; biwon to his aȝere hande.
406& ȝef hit Cordoille; þe wes Francene quene.
407and hit ane stunde; stod a þissene ilke.
408Leir king one leoden; þreo ȝer leouede.
409þæ com his ende-dæi; þat þe king ded læi.
410Inne Leirchestre; his dohter hine leide.
411inne Ianies temple; al swa þe boc tellet.
412and Cordoille heold þis lond; mid hæȝere strenðe.
413fulle fif ȝere; quene wes here.
414þa while Francene king; fæisiðe makede.
415and Cordoille com þat wourd; þat heo was iworðen widewe.
416Þa come þa tidende; to Scottlondes kinge.
417þat Aganippus was dead; Leir king idæied.
418He sende þurh Brittaine; into Cornwaille.
419& hehte þane duc stronge; heriȝen in suð londe.
420and he wolde bi norðen. iahnien þa londa.
421For hit was swuþe mouchel scome; & ec swiþe muchel grame.
422þat scholde a quene; beon king in þisse londe.
423& heora sunen beon buten; þa weren hire beteren.
424of þan aldre sustren; þa þa æðelen sulden habben.
425Nulle we hit na-more iþolien; al þat lond we wulleð habben.

426Vortimer þe ȝunge king; wes swiðe kene þurh alle þing.
427he sende Hengest word; & Horse his broðer.
428buten heo hiȝenliche; uerden of þis riche.
429he heom walde ufel don; baðe ablenden and anhon.

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430& his aȝene fader; he for-uaren walde.
431& alle þa hæðene; mid hæȝere strengðe.
432Þa andswærede Hengest; cnihtene alre hendest.
433Her we wulleð wunien; wintres & sumeres.
434riden & ærnen; mid þan kinge Vortigerne.
435& alle þa mid Vortimere uareð; heo sculleð habben sorȝen & kare.
436Þat iherde Vortimer; he wes wis & swiðe iwar.
437& lette beoden uerde; ȝeond allen þissen ærde.
438þat al þat Cristine folc; come to hirede.
439Vortimer þe ȝunge king; i Lundene heold his hus-ting.
440þe king hehte ælcne mon; þe luuede þene Cristindom.
441þat heo þa hæðene; hatien scolden.
442& þa hæfden bringen; to Vortimer þan kinge.
443& twalf panewes habben to mede; for his wel-dede.
444Vortimer þe ȝunge; verde ut of Lundene.
445& Pascent his broðer; & Katiger þe oðer.
446heom wes icumen word; þat Hengest læi at Epiford.
447uppen þan watere; þe men nemneð Darewente.
448Þer comen to-somne; sixti þusend monnen.
449an are halue wes Uortimer; Pascent & Categer.
450& al þat leod-liche folc; þat luueden ure Drihten.
451an oðere halue weoren; drenches; mid Vortigerne þan kinge.
452Hengest and his broðer; & moni þusend oðer.
453To-somne heo comen; & mid mæine on-sloȝen.
454þer uellen to þan grunde; twa & þritti hundred.
455of Hængestes monnen; & Hors wes for-wonded.
456Catiger þer com; & mid his spere hine þurh-nom.
457& Hors forð-riht þer; for-wundede Catiger.
458& Hengest gon to flonnen; mid al his driht-monnen.
459& Vortigerne þe king; flæh forð alse þe wind.
460heo floȝen forð in-to Kent; & Vortimer heom after went.
461uppen þere sæ-brimme; þer Hengest þolede pine.
462þer heo gunnen at-stonden; & fuhten swiðe longe.
463Fif þusende þer weoren islæȝen; & idon of lif-dæȝen.
464of Vortigernes monnen; of þan hæðene cunnen.
465Hengest hine biðohte; whæt he don mahte.
466iseh he þer bi-halues; ane hæuene swiðe mære.
467moni scipen gode; þer stoden i sæ-flode.
468Heo iseȝen an heore riht hond; a swiðe fæier æit-lond.
469hit is ihaten Tænate; þiderward heo weoren whæte.

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470þer þa Sæxisce men; þæ sæ isohten.
471& anan gunnen wenden; in-to þan æit-londe.
472& Bruttes heom after; mid feole cunne craften.
473& heom to-heolden; in æchere hælue.
474mid scipen & mid baten; heo gunnen smiten & sceoten.
475Ofte wes Hængest wæ; & nauere wurs þene þa.
476buten he dude oðerne ræd; þer he sculden wurðen dæd.
477He nom ænne spere-scæft; þe wes long & swiðe stærc.
478& dude a þene ænde; ænne mantel hende.
479& cleopede to þan Brutten; & bed heom abiden.
480he wold spæcken heom wið; & ȝirnen þeos kinges grið.
481& mid griðe sende. Uortigerne to londe.
482to makien his forward; þat he faren moste.
483wið-uten mare sconde; in-to Sæx-londe.
484Bruttes wende to londe; to Vortimere heore kinge.
485and Hengest spæc wið Vortigerne; of rune swiðe derne.
486Vortigerne wende a þat lond; & ber anne ȝerd an his hond.
487Þa while þa heo of griðe speken; Saxes i scipe leopen.
488& droȝen up to coppe; hæȝe heore seiles.
489& wenden mid wedere; i þere sæ wilde.
490& letten i þissen londe; wiues & heore children.
491& Vortigerne king; þe heom luuede þurh alle þing.
492Mid muchele mod-kære; Hengest gon a-wæi uaren.
493swa longe heo ferden; þat inne Saxlonde heo weoren.
494Þa weoren inn Bruttene; Bruttes swiðe balde.
495heo droȝen on heom muchel mod; & duden al þat heom þuhte god.
496& Vortimer þe ȝunge; wes duhti mon þurh alle þing.
497& Vortigerne his fader; ferde ȝeond þas Bruttene.
498ah nes hit nan swa wac mon; þat him ne hokerede on.
499& swa he gon wondrien; fulle fif wintren.
500& his sune Vortimer; riche king wuneden her.
501& al þis leodisce folc; luueden hine swiðe.
502he wes milde ælche cnafe; & tahte þan folke Godes læȝe.
503þan ȝungen & þan ælden; hu heo Cristindom sculden halden.
504Writen he sende to Rome; to þan Pape wel idone.
505þe wes ihaten Sceint Romæin; al Cristindom he makede fain.
506Biscopes he nom twæin; hali men heo weoren bæien.
507Germain & Leois; of Ceore & of Træis.
508heo uerden ut of Rome; swa þat heo hider comen.
509Þa wes swa bliðe Vortime(r) ; swa he nes næuere ær her.

page I,384

510he & alle his cnihtes; iwenden uorð-rihtes.
511an here bare uoten; to-ȝeines þan biscopen.
512& mid michelere murhðe; muðes þer custen.
513Nu þu miht iheren; of þan kinge Vortimere.
514heu he spac wið Seint Germain; for heore kume he wes fæin.
515Lusteð me lauerd-dinges; ich æm þissere leodene king.
516ich hatte Vortimer; mi broðer hatte Catimer.
517Vortigerne hehte ure fader; him uulieð unrædes.
518He hafð ibroht i þis lond; hæðene leoden.
519ah we heom habbeoð iflemed; al swa ure uulle iuan;
520& mid wepnen i-felled; of heom ueole þusen.
521& isend heom ouer sæ-stram ; þat heo nauere sel ne cumen aȝan.
522& we scullen an londe; luuiæn ure Drihten.
523Godes folc ur(o)frien; & freond-liche hit halden.
524wurðen mils liðe; wið þa lond-tilien.
525churichen we scullen hæhȝen; & hæðene-scipe hatien.
526Habbe alc god mon; his rihte ȝif Godd hit an.
527& ælc þrel & ælc wælh; wurðe iuroeid.
528& here ich bi-teche eou an hond; al freo ælc chiric-lond.
529& ich for-ȝiue ælchere widewe; hire lauerdes quide.
530& þus we scullen an ure daȝen; aniðeri Hengestes laȝen.
531& hine & his hæðene-scipe; þæ he hider brohte.
532& minne fader biswak; þurh swike his craftes.
533þurh his dohter Rouwenne; mine uader he uor-radde.
534& mi uader swa uuele agon; scunede þene Cristindom.
535& þa hæðene laȝen; luuede to swiðe.
536þa we sculleð sceonien; þa while þa we luuien.
537Þa answarede Seint Germain; for swulche worden he wes fain.
538Ich þonkie mine Drihte; þe scop þes daȝes lihte.
539þet he swulche mildce; sent to moncunne.
540Þas biscopes ferden ȝeond þis lond; & setten hit al a Godes hond.
541& þene Cristindom heo rihten; & þat volc þer-to dihten.
542& seoððen þer-æfter sone; heo iwenden to Rome.
543& sæiden þan Papen; þe Roumain wes ihaten.
544hu he hafden her idon; iriht þene Cristindom.
545& þus hit ane stunde; stod a þan ilken.
546Vo we ȝet a Uortigerne; alre kinge si he ærmest.
547he louede Rouwen; of þan hæðenne cunne.

page I,386

548Hengestes dohter; heo þuhten him wel softe.
549Rouwenne heo bi-þohte; whæt heo don mahte.
550hu heo mahte hire fader wreken; & hire freondene deað.
551Ofte heo sende sonde to Uortimere þon kinge.
552heo him sende maðmes; moniare cunne.
553of seoluer & of golde; þe beste of æie londe.
554heo ȝirnede his ære; þat heo moste wonien here
555mid Uortigerne his fader; & foluen his rædes.
556Þe king uor his fader bone; ȝette hire hir bone.
557buten þat heo sculde wel don; luuien þene Cristindom;
558al þat þe king ȝirnede; al heo hit ȝette.
559Ah wale þat Uortimer; of hire þonke næs wær.
560Wale þat þe gode king; of hire þonke nuste na-þing.
561þat he nuste þene swikedom; þe þohte þa luðere wimman;
562Hit ilomp an are tide; heo nom hire to ræde;
563to don bi his ræde alle hire neode.
564and to wlche time heo mihte wel don; vnderuongen þene Cristindom.
565Forð heo gon riden; to Uortimer þan kinge.
566þa heo hine imette; uæire heo hine igrette.
567Hal wrð þu lauerd king; Bruttene deorling.
568Ich æm þe icomen to; Cristindom ich wulle auon.
569an þan ilke dæie; þe þu seolf demest.
570Þa wæs Uortimer þe king; bliþe þurh alle þing.
571he wende þat hit weore soð; þat þeo scaðe sæide.
572Bemen þer bleowen; blisse wes on hirede.
573forð mon brohte þat water; bi-foren þan kinge.
574heo seten to borde; mid muchelure blisse.
575Þa þe king hafde iæten; þa eoden þeines-men to mete.
576in halle heo drunken; harpen þer dremden.
577Þa swicfulle Rouuenne; eode to are tunne.
578þer wes idon in; þes kinges deoreste win.
579nom heo an honde; ane bolle of ræde golde.
580& heo gon scenchen; on þas kinges benche.
581Þa heo isæh hire time; heo fulde hir scale of wine.
582& at-foren al þan dringe; heo eode to þan kinge.
583& þus hailede him on; þe swic-fulle wimman.
584Lauerd king wæs hail; Uor þe ich am swiðe uæin.
585Hercne nu muchel swikedom; of þere luðere wimmon.

page I,388

586hu heo gon swiken þer; þene king Uortimer.
587Þe king heo uæire under-uæng; to his fæie-siðe.
588Fortimer spæc Bruttisc; & Rouuenne Saxisc.
589þan king þuhte gomen inoh; for hire spæche he loh.
590Hærcne hu heo toc on; þis swicfulle wimman.
591In hire bosme heo bar; bi-neoðen hire titten.
592ane guldene ampulle; of attere i-fulled.
593& þa luðere Rouuenne; dronc þene bolle.
594þat heo hafde half don; after þes kinges dom.
595Þa while þe þa king loh; þa ampulle heo ut droh.
596þene bolle heo sette to hire chin; þat atter heo halde in þat win.
597& seoðen heo þa cuppe; bitahte þan kinge.
598Þe king dronc al þat win; & þat atter þer-in.
599Þe dæi forð eode; blisse wes on hirede.
600for Uortimer þe gode king; of þan swikedom nuste na-þing.
601for he isah Rouuenne; halden þene bolle;
602& drinken half þat ilke win; þat heo heuede idon þer-in.
603Þa hit com to þare nihte; þa to-dælleden hired-cnihtes.
604& þa ufele Rouwenne; wende to hire inne.
605& alle hire cnihtes; mid hire uorð-rihtes.
606Þa heihte heo hire sweines; & ec þaie þeines.
607þat heo an hiȝinge; heore hors sculden sadelien.
608& heo swiðe stille; stelen ut of buruwe.
609& wenden al bi nihte; to Þwoncchestre uorð-rihte.
610& þer swiðe vaste; bi-clusen heom in ane castle.
611& luȝen Uortigerne; þat his sune hine wolde biliggen.
612& Vortigerne þe swikele king; ilæfde þare læsing.
613Nu vnder-ȝat Uortimer his sune; þat he hefde atter inomen.
614ne mihte na lechecraft; helpen him næ wiht.
615He nom feole sonden; & sende ȝeond his londe.
616& hehte alle his cnihtes; to him comen forð-rihtes.
617Þa þat folc was icumen; þa wes þe king swiðe untrumed.
618þa ȝirnde þe king heore grið; & þus he spac hem alle wið.
619Alre cnihten wrð eow best; þe heren æie kinge.
620þer nis nan oðer red; buten hiȝend-liche ich beo dæd.
621hir ich bitæche eow mi lond; al mi seoluer & al mi gold.
622& alle mine maðmes; eowre monscipe is þa mare.
623& ȝe forð-rihtes senden after cnihtes;
624& ȝeuen heom soluer & gold; & hældeð ȝe seolf eowre lond.

page I,390

625& wrekeð eow ȝif ȝe cunnen; of Sexisce monnen.
626uor weonne so ich beo uorð-faren; Hengest eow wul makien kare.
627& nimeð mine likamæ; & leggeð an chæsten.
628& ledeð me to þare sæ-stronde; þer Saxisce men wulleð cumen a lond.
629Anan swa heo me þer witen; awæi heo wulleð wenden.
630nouðer quic ne dead ne durren heo me abiden.
631I-mong þissen dome; dæd i-warð þe gode king.
632þer wes wop þer wes rop; & reuliche iberen.
633Heo nomen þes kinges licame; & ladden to Lundene.
634& bisides Bælȝes-ȝate fæire hine bi-burȝeden.
635& nawiht hine ne ladden; alse þe king heihte.
636Þus liuede Uortimer; & þus he endede þar.
637Þa iueolen Bruttes; a balu-fulle ræde.
638heo nomen Uortigerne anan; & bi-tahten heom þesne kenedom.
639welle reoulich wes þer a þing; nu was Vortigerne æft king.
640Uortigerne nom his sonde; & sende to Sexlonde.
641& grette wel Hengest; cnihten alre væirest.
642& bad hine an hiȝinge; comen to þisse londe.
643& mid him brouhte here; an hundred ridæren.
644For þat wite þu þuru alle þing; þat dead is Vortimer þe king.
645& siker þu miht hider comen; for dæd is Fortimer mi sune.
646Nis þe non neod to bringen; mid þe muchel genge.
647leste ure Bruttes; æft beon abolȝen.
648þat eow æft seorwen; siȝen bitweonen.
649Hengest somnede uærde; of feole cunne ærde.
650þat he hefde to iwiten; seouen hundred scipen.
651& ælc scip he dihte; mid þreo hundred cniten.
652i þere Temese at Lundene; Hengest com to londe.
653Þat word com ful sone to Uortigerne þan kinge.
654þat Hengest was in hauene; mid seouen hundred scipene.
655Ofte was Uortigerne wa; neuer wrse þan þæ.
656& Bruttes weoren sari; & seorhful an heorte.
657nusten heo an world-riche; ræd þat heom weore ilike.
658Hengest was of ufele war; þat he wel cudde þær.
659he nom sone his sonde; & sende to þan kinge.
660& grette Uortigerne king; mid swiðe uæire worden.
661& seide þat he was icumen; swa fader sculde to his sune.
662mid sibbe & mid saihte; he wolde on sele wunien.
663grið he wolde luuien; un-riht he wolde scunien.

page I,392

664grið he wolde habben; grið he wolde holden.
665& al þis leodisce folc; luuien he wolde.
666& Uortigerne þene king; luuien þurh alle þing.
667Ah he hefde ibroht i þis lond; ut of Sexleoden.
668seouen hundred scipene; of hæðene folke.
669þat beoð þe alre wihteste men. þat wunieð under sunnen.
670& ich wulle quað Hengest; leden heo to þan kinge.
671to an i-sette dæie; at-foren al his duȝeðe.
672& þe king scal arisen; and of þan cnihten cheosen.
673twa hundred cnihten; to leden to his fihten.
674þe sculen biwiten þene king; durewurðliche þurh alle þing.
675& seoððen scullen þa oðere; uaren to heore ærde.
676mid sibbe & mid sæle; aȝen to Sæx-londe.
677& ich wulle bi-læuen; mid monnen alre selest.
678þat is Uortigerne þe king; þe ich luuie þurh alle þing.
679Þat word com to Brutten; hu Hengest bihæhte heom.
680þa weoren heo uæine; uor uæiren his worden.
681& setten grið & setten frið; to whulchen ane uirste.
682þe king an ane dæie; wolde iseon þas duȝeðe.
683Þat iherde Hengest; cnihten alre uæirest.
684Þa wes he swa bliðe; swa he nes neuer ær an liue.
685for he þohte swike; þene king an his riche.
686Her iwrað Hengest; cnihte uor-cuðest.
687swa bið æuerælc mon; þe bi-swikeð þe him wel on.
688Wha wolde wenen; a þissere weorld-riche.
689þat Hengest swiken þohte; þene king þat hæfde his dohter.
690for nis nauer nan mon; þat me ne mai mid swike-dome ouer-gan.
691Heo nomen ænne isetne dæi; þat scolden þas duȝeðen.
692cumen heom to-somne; mid sæhte & mid sibbe.
693an ane uælde þe wæs muri; an-uast Ambresburi.
694Þe stude wes Ælenge; nu hatte hit Stan-henge.
695Þer Hengest þe swike; æiðer bi worde & bi write.
696cuðde þan kinge; þat he cumen wolde.
697mid his mon-uerde; to wurð-scipe þes kinges.
698ah he nalde bringen on drihte; buten þreo hundred cnihten.
699þa alre wiseste men; þe he mihte uinden.
700& þe king brohte al swa ueole; baldere þeinen.
701and þeo weoren þa alre witereste; þe wuneden on Bruttene.
702mid goden heore iweden; al buten wepnen.
703þat heom no to-wurðen; þurh þrist of þan wepnen.
704Þus heo hit speken; & æft heo hit to-breken.

page I,394

705for Hængest þe leod-swike; þus he his gon learen.
706þat ælc nome a long sax; & læiden bi his sconke.
707wið-inne his hose; þer he hit mihte hæle.
708Þenne heo comen to-somne; Sæxes & Bruttes.
709þenne queð Hengest; cnihten alre swikelest.
710Hail seo þu lauerd king; ælc þe is þin vnder-ling.
711Ȝif æuere æi of þine gume; gære haueð bisiden.
712send hit mid freond-scipe; feor from us seoluen.
713& beon we on sele; and motegen of sahte.
714nu we maȝen mid sibben; ure lif libben.
715Þus þe balde-fulle mon; bi-spac þer þa Bruttes.
716Þa andswarede Uortiger; her he wes to vn-war.
717Ȝif here is æi cniht swa wod; þat wepnen habbe bi siden.
718he scal leosen þa hond; þurh his aȝene brand.
719buten he hit sone; heonene isende.
720Heore wepnen heo awæi senden; þa nefden heo noht an honden.
721cnihtes eoden upward; cnihtes eoden adonward.
722ælc spac wið oðer; swulc he weore his broðer.
723Þa weoren Bruttes; imænged wið þan Saxes.
724Þa cleopede Hengest; cnihtene swikelæst.
725Nimeð eoure sexes; sele mine bernes.
726& ohtliche eou sturieð; & nænne ne sparieð.
727Bruttes þer weoren riche; ah ne cuðe heo noht þa speche.
728whæt þa Saxisce men; seiden heom bi-tweonen.
729Heo breoden ut þa sæxes; alle bihalues.
730heo smiten an riht half; heo smiten an lift half.
731biuoren & bihinden; heo leiden heom to grunde.
732alle heo sloȝen; þat heo neh comen.
733of þes kinges monnen; sone þer feollen
734feouwer hundred. & fife. wa wes þan kinge on liue;
735Þa Hengest hine igrap; mid grimmen his gripen.
736& bi þan mantle hine ibræid; þat breken þa strenges.
737& Sæxes him sette to; & wolden þene king fordon.
738& Hengest hine gon werien; & nalde hit noht iþeuen.
739ah he heold hine ful faste; þe while þat feht i-laste.
740Þer wes moni riche Brut; biræfued þan liue.
741Summe heo fluȝen swiðe; ofer þene feld brade.
742& wereden heom mid stanen; for wepnen næfden heo nane.
743Þer wes swiðe hard fiht; þer feol moni god cniht.
744Þer wes of Salesburi; an oht bonde icumen.

page I,396

745ænne muchelne mæin clubbe; he bar an his rugge.
746Þa wes þer an aðele eorl; Aldulf ihaten.
747cniht mid þan bezste; he æhte Glochæstre
748he to þan cheorle leop; swulc hit a liun weoren.
749& binom him þe clubbe; þa he bar an rugge.
750æuere wulcne swa he smat; þer forð-rihtes he iwat.
751bi-foren & bi-hinden; he laide heom to grunde.
752Þreo & fifti he þer sloh; & seoððe to ane stede droh.
753he leop uppen stede; & swiðe gon him riden.
754he ærde to Glochæstre; & þe ȝates læc ful feste.
755& anan forð-rihtes; lette ærmi his cnihtes.
756ȝeond alle þan londe. & nomen þat heo funden.
757heo nomen orf heo nomen corn; & al þat heo quic funden.
758& brohten to burhȝe; vnnimete blisse.
759þa ȝæten heo tunden uaste; & wel heom biwusten.
760Lete we hit þus stonden; & speken of þan kinge.
761Sexes him leoppe to; & wolde þene king (for)-do.
762Hengest cleopede uorð-rihtes; Aswikeð mine cnihtes.
763ne sculle ȝe hine noht for-faren; for us he haueð ihaued mucle care.
764& he haueð to quene; mine dohter þa is scone.
765ah alle his burhȝes; he scal us bitæchen.
766ȝif he wule his lif broken; oðer ælles him is balu ȝiueðe.
767Þa wes Uortigerne; væste ibunden.
768giues swiðe grete; heo duden an his foten.
769ne moste he nauere biten mete; ne wið nenne freond speken.
770ær he heom hæfden isworen; uppen halidom þat wes i-coren.
771þat he al þis kine-lond; wolde bitæchen heom an heond.
772burhȝes & castles; & al his comelan.
773& al swa he idode; ase hit idemed was.
774& Hengest nom an his hond; al þis riche kine-lond.
775& delde his leoden; muchel of þisse londe.
776he ȝæf æne eorle al Kent; ase hit bi Lundene went.
777he ȝæf his stiwarde Æst-sex;
778& his burðeine; Middel-sax bitahte.
779Þa cnihtes hit at-fengen; and ane while heo heolden.
780þa while Uortigerne; ȝeond þis lond ferde.
781& bitahte Hengest; hæȝen his burhȝes.
782& Hengest forð-rihtes; dude þer-in his cnihtes.
783þa while muchel smal folc; læi inne Suð-sæxe.
784& inne Middel-sæxe; muchel of þan kunne.

page I,398

785& inne Æst-saxe; heore aðeleste ȝuȝeðe.
786Mete heo ferden; al þat heo funden.
787heo for-læiȝen þa wif; & Godes laȝen breken.
788heo duden i þan londe; al þat heo wolden.
789Þat iseȝen Bruttes; þat balu wes on londe.
790& hu Sæxisce men; isiȝen weoren to heom.
791Brut(tes) scupten þan londe nome; for Sæxisce monnen scome.
792& for þan swike-dome; þat heo idon hæfden.
793for þan þe heo mid cnifen; biræueden heom at liue.
794þa cleopeden heo þat lond al; Æst-sæx & West-sæx.
795& þat þridde; Middel-sæx.
796Vortigerne þe king; bi-tahte heom al þis lond.
797þat ne bilæfde him an honde; a turf of londe.
798& him-seolf Vortigerne; flæh ouer Sæuærne.
799feor in-to Wellisce londe; & þer he gon at-stonde.
800& his hired mid him; þe hæne wes iwurðen.
801& he hæfde an horde; gersume swiðe stronge.
802he lette his men riden; widen & siden.
803and lette him to bonnen; of ælches cunnes monnen.
804þe æuere wolden his feoh; mid freond-scipe ȝirnen.
805Þat iherden Bruttes; þat iherden Scottes.
806to him heo comen; þer-after ful sone.
807an ælchere side; þider heo gunnen riden.
808monies hæȝes monnes sune; for golde & for gærsume.
809Þa hæfde he to-somne; sixti þusend monnen.
810þa sumnede he þa richen; þa wel cuðen ræden.
811Gode men rædeð me ræd; uor me is swiðe muchel neod.
812whar ich mihte on wilderne; wurchen ænne castel.
813þer ic mihte an inne; libbe mid mine monnen.
814& halden hine wið Hengest; mid hæȝere strengðe.
815a þat ich mihte bæt; burhȝen iwinnen.
816wræken me a mine feonden; þa mine wines feolden.
817& habbeð al mi kine-lond; awræht ut of mire hond.
818& þus me iflæmed; mine fulle ifan.
819Þa andswerede a wis mon; þe wel cuðe ræden.
820Lust me nu lauerd king; ich þe cuðe god þing.
821uppen þan munte of Reir; ich wullen ræden.
822þat þu castel wurche; mid stronge stan walle.
823for þer þu miht wunien; & libben mid winne.

page I,400

824& ȝet þu hauest a þire hond; muchel seoluer & gold.
825to halden þine hired; þa þe helpen scal.
826& swa þu miht on liue; libben alræ sælest;
827Þa andswerede þe king; Let hit cuðen an hiȝing.
828ȝeond muchele mire ferde; þæt ich faren wulle.
829to þan munte of Reir; & ræren þer castel.
830Forð ferde þe king; & þa ferde mid him.
831Þa heo þider comen; dic heo bigunnen sone.
832Hornes þer bleouwen; machunnes heowen.
833lim heo gunnen bærnen; ȝeond þat lond ærnen.
834& al Wæst Walsce lond; setten a Uortigernes hond.
835al heo hit nomen; þat heo neh comen.
836Þa þe dic wes idoluen; & allunge ideoped.
837þa bi-gunnen heo wal; a þere dic ouer-al.
838& heo lim & stan; leiden to-somne.
839of machunes þer wes wunder; fif and twenti hundred.
840A dæi heo leiden þene wal; a niht he feol ouer-al.
841a marwe heo hine arædden; a niht he gon to-reosen.
842Fulle seouen nihte; swa heom dihte.
843ælche dæi heo hine aredden; & ælche niht he gon reosen.
844Þa wes sari þe king; & sorhful þurh alle þing.
845swa wes al þa uerde ladliche of-færed.
846for æuere heo lokede; whænne Hengest come an-uuenan.
847Þe king wes ful særi; & sende after witien.
848æfter world-wise monne; þa wisdom cuðen.
849& bad heom leoten weorpen; & fondien leod-runen.
850fondien þat soðe; mid heore siȝe-craften.
851whær-on hit weore ilong; þat þe wal þe wes swa strong.
852ne moste niht-longes; nauere istonden.
853Þas weorlde-wise men; þer a twa wenden.
854summe heo wenden to þan wude; summe to weien-læten.
855heo gunnen loten weorpen; mid heore leod-runen.
856fulle þreo nihten; heore craftes heo dihten.
857Ne mihten heo nauere finden; þurh nauere nane þinge.
858whær-on hit weore ilong; þat þe wal þat wes swa strong.
859æuere-ælche nihte to-ras; & þe king his swinc læs.
860Buten witie þer wes an; he wes ihaten Ioram.
861he seide þat he hit afunde; ah hit þuhte læsinge.
862he seide ȝif mon funde; in auer æi londe.

page I,402

863æuer æi cniht bærn; þe næuere fæder no ibæd.
864& openede his breoste; & nomen of his blode.
865& mengde wið þan l(i)me; & þæne wal læide.
866þenne mihte he stonde; to þere worlde longe.
867Þat word com to þan kinge; of þere læsinge.
868& he hit i-lefde; þah hit læs weore.
869Sone he nom his sonde; & sende ȝeond þan londe.
870swa feor swa he for dæðes kare; dursten æies weies faren.
871& in ælche tune; hercneden þa runen.
872whær heo mihten ifinden. speken of swulche childe;
873Þas cnihtes forð ferden; widen ȝeond þan ærde.
874tweien uerden ænne wæi; þe west-riht him læi.
875þe læi forð-rihtes in; þer nu is Kaer-merðin.
876Bisides þere burh; in ane weie brade.
877hefden ænne muchelne plæȝe; alle þa burh-cnauen.
878Þas cnihtes weoren weri; & an heorte swiðe særi.
879& seten adun bi þan plaȝe; & bi-heolden þas cnauen.
880Vmben ane stunde; heo bigunnen striuinge.
881al-se hit wes auer laȝe; imong childrene plæȝe.
882þe an þe oðerne smat; & he þeos duntes abad.

883Þa com þer in are tiden; an oht mon riden.
884and brohte tidinge; Arðure þan kinge.
885from Moddrede his suster sune; Arðure he we(s) wilcume.
886for he wende þat he brohte; boden swiðe gode.
887Arður lai alle longe niht; and spac wið þene ȝeonge cniht.
888swa nauer nulde he him sugge; soð hu hit ferde.
889Þa hit wes dæi a marȝen; and duȝeðe gon sturien.

page II,734

890Arður þa up aras; and strehte his ærmes.
891he aras up and adun sat; swulc he weore swiðe seoc.
892Þa axede hine an uæir cniht; Lauerd hu hauest þu iuaren to-niht.
893Arður þa andswarede; a mode him wes uneðe.
894To-niht a mine slepe; þer ich læi on bure.
895me imætte a sweuen; þer-uore ich ful sa(ri) æm.
896Me imette þat mon me hof; uppen are halle.
897þa halle ich gon bi-striden; swulc ich wolde riden.
898alle þa lond þa ich ah; alle ich þer ouer sah.
899and Walwain sat biuoren me; mi sweord he bar an honde.
900þa com Moddred faren þere; mid unimete uolke.
901he bar an his honde; ane wiax stronge.
902he bigon to hewene hardliche swiðe.
903and þa postes for-heou alle; þa heolden up þa halle.
904Þer ich iseh Wenheuer eke; wimmonnen leofuest me.
905al þere muche halle rof; mid hire honden heo to-droh.
906Þa halle gon to hælden; and ich hæld to grunden.
907þat mi riht ærm to-brac; þa seide Modred Haue þat.
908Adun ueol þa halle; & Walwain gon to ualle.
909and feol a þere eorðe his ærmes brekeen beine.
910& ich igrap mi sweord leofe; mid mire leoft honde.
911and smæt of Modred is hafd þat hit wond a þene ueld.
912And þa quene ich al to-snaðde; mid deore mine sweorede.
913and seoððen ich heo adun sette. in ane swarte putte.
914and al mi uolc riche; sette to fleme.
915þat nuste ich under Criste; whar heo bicumen weoren.
916Buten mi-seolf ich gon atstonden; uppen ane wolden.
917& ich þer wondrien agon; wide ȝeond þan moren.
918þer ich isah gripes. and grisliche fuȝeles.
919Þa com an guldene leo; liðen ouer dune;
920deoren swiðe hende. þa ure Drihten makede .
921Þa leo me orn foren to; and iueng me bi þan midle.
922& forð hire gun ȝeongen; & to þere sæ wende.
923And ich isæh þæ vðen; i þere sæ driuen.
924and þe leo i þan ulode; iwende wið me seolue.
925Þa wit i sæ comen; þa vðen me hire binomen.

page II,736

926com þer an fisc liðe; and fereden me to londe.
927þa wes ich al wet; & weri of sorȝen and seoc.
928þa gon ich i-wakien; swiðe ich gon to quakien.
929Þa gon ich to biuien; swulc ich al fur burne.
930And swa ich habbe al niht; of mine sweuene swiðe iþoht.
931for ich what to iwisse; agan is al mi blisse.
932for a to mine liue; sorȝen ich mot driȝe.
933wale þat ich nabbe here; Wenhauer mine quene.
934Þa andswarede þe cniht; Lauerd þu hauest un-riht.
935ne sculde me nauere sweuen; mid sorȝen are(c)chen.
936þu ært þe riccheste mon; þa rixleoð on londen.
937and þe alre wiseste; þe wuneð under weolcne.
938Ȝif hit weore ilumpe; swa nulle hit ure Drihte;
939þat Modred þire suster sune; hafde þine quene inume.
940and al þi kine-liche lond; isæt an his aȝere hond.
941þe þu him bitahtest; þa þu to Rome þohtest.
942and he hafde al þus ido; mid his swike-dome.
943þe ȝet þu mihtest þe awreken; wurð-liche mid wepnen.
944& æft þi lond halden; and walden þine leoden.
945and þine feond fallen; þe þe ufel unnen.
946and slæn heom alle clane; þet þer no bilauen nane.
947Arður þa andswarede. aðelest alre kinge.
948Longe bið æuere; þat no wene ich nauere.
949þat æuere Moddred mi mæi;
950wolde me biswiken. for alle mine richen.
951no Wenhauer mi quene; wakien on þonke.
952nulleð hit biginne; for nane weorld-monne.
953Æfne þan worde forð-riht; þa andswarede þe cniht.
954Ich sugge þe soð leofe king; for ich æm þin vnder-ling.
955þus hafeð Modred idon; þine quene he hafeð ifon.
956and þi wun-liche lond; isæt an his aȝere hond.
957he is king & heo is quene ; of þine kume nis na wene.
958for no weneð heo nauere to soðe; þat þu cumen aȝain from Rome.
959Ich æm þin aȝen mon; & iseh þisne swike-dom.
960and ich æm icumen to þe seoluen; soð þe to suggen.
961Min hafued beo to wedde; þat isæid ich þe habbe.
962soð buten lese; of leofen þire quene.
963& of Modrede þire suster sune; hu he hafueð Brut-lond þe binume,

page II,738

964Þa sæt hit al stille; in Arðures halle.
965þa wes þer særinæsse; mid sele þan kinge.
966þa weoren Bruttisce men; swiðe vnbalde uor þæn.
967Þa umbe stunde; stefne þer sturede.
968wide me mihte iheren; Brutten iberen.
969and gunne to tellen; a feole cunne spellen.
970hu heo wolden for-deme; Modred & þa quene.
971and al þat mon-cun for-don; þe mid Modred heolden.
972Arður þa cleopede; hendest alre Brutte.
973Sitteð a-dun stille; cnihtes inne halle.
974and ich eou telle wulle; spelles vncuðe.
975Nu to-mærȝe þenne hit dæi bið; & Drihten hine sende.
976forð ich wulle buȝe; in to-ward Bruttaine.
977and Moddred ich wulle slan; & þa quen for-berne.
978and alle ich wulle for-don; þa biluueden þen swike-dom.
979And her ich bileofuen wulle; me leofuest monne.
980Howel minne leofue mæi; hexst of mine cunne.
981and half mine uerde; ich bilæfuen a þissen ærde.
982to halden al þis kine-lond; þa ich habbe a mire hond.
983& þenne þas þing. beoð alle idone; aȝan ich wulle to Rome.
984& mi wunliche lond bitæche; Walwaine mine mæie.
985and iuorþ(e) m(i) beot seoððe; bi mine bare life.
986Scullen alle mine feond; wæi-sið makeȝe.
987Þa stod him up Walwain; þat wes Arðures mæi.
988and þas word saide; þe eorl wes abolȝe.
989Ældrihten Godd; domes waldend.
990al middel-ærdes mund; whi is hit iwurðen.
991þat mi broðer Modred; þis morð hafueð itimbred.
992Ah to-dæi ich at-sake hine here; biuoren þissere duȝeðe.
993and ich hine for-demen wulle; mid Drihtenes wille.
994mi-seolf ich wulle hine an-hon; haxst alre warien.
995þa quene ich wulle mid Goddes laȝe. al mid horsen to-draȝe.
996For ne beo ich nauere bliðe; þa wile a beoð aliue.
997and þat ich habbe minne æm; awræke mid þan bezste.
998Bruttes þa andswarede; mid baldere stefne.
999Al ure wepnen; sunden ȝarewe; nu to-marȝen we scullen uaren.
1000A marȝen þat hit dæi wes; & Drihten hine senden.
1001Arður uorð him wende; mid aðelen his folke.

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1002half he hit bilæfde; & half hit forð ladde.
1003Forð he wende þurh þat lond; þat he com to Whit-sond.
1004scipen he hæfde sone; monie & wel idone.
1005ah feowertene niht fulle; þere læi þa uerde.
1006þeos wederes abiden; windes bi-delde.
1007Nu was sum for-cuð kempe; in Arðures ferde.
1008anæn swa he demen iherde; of Modredes deðe
1009he nom his swein aneouste; and sende to þissen londe.
1010and sende word Wenhaueren; heou hit was iwurðen.
1011and hu Arður wes on uore; mid muclere ferde.
1012and hu he wolde taken on; & al hu he wolde don.
1013Þa quene com to Modred; þat wæs hire leofuest monnes.
1014and talde him tidende; of Arðure þan kinge.
1015hu he wolde taken an; & al hu he wolde don.
1016Modræd nom his sonde; and sende to Sex-lond.
1017after Childriche; þe king wes swiðe riche.
1018and bæd hine cume to Brutaine; þer-of he bruke sculde.
1019Modræd bad Childriche; þene stronge & þene riche.
1020wide senden sonde; a feouwer half Sex-londe.
1021and beoden þa cnihtes alle; þat heo biȝeten mihte.
1022þat heo comen sone; to þissen kinedome.
1023and he wolde Childriche; ȝeouen of his riche.
1024al biȝeonde þere Humbre; for he him scolde helpe.
1025to fihten wið his æme; Arðuren kinge.
1026Childrich beh sone; in-to Brutlonde.
1027Þa Modred hafde his ferde; isomned of monnen.
1028þa weoren þere italde; sixti þusende.
1029here-kempen harde; of heðene uolke.
1030þa heo weoren icumen hidere; for Arðures hærme.
1031Modred to helpen; forcuðest monnen.
1032Þa þe uerde wes isome; of ælche mon-cunne.
1033þa heo weoren þer on hepe; an hunddred þusende;
1034heðene and cristene. mid Modrede kinge;
1035Arður lai at Whit-sond; feouwertene niht him þuhte to long.
1036and al Modred wuste; wat Arður þær wolde;
1037ælche dai him comen sonde. from þas kinges hirede;

page II,742

1038Þa ilomp hit an one time; muchel rein him gon rine.
1039& þæ wind him gon wende. & stod of þan æst ende.
1040and Arður to scipe fusde; mid alle his uerde.
1041and hehte þat his scip-men; brohten hine to Romerel;
1042þer he þohte up wende; in-to þissen londe.
1043Þæ he to þere hauene com; Moddred him wes auornon.
1044ase þe dæi gon lihte; heo bigunnen to fihten;
1045alle þene longe dæi; moni mon þer ded læi.
1046summe hi fuhten a londe; summe bi þan stronde.
1047summe heo letten ut of scipen; scerpe garen scriþen.
1048Walwain bi-foren wende; and þene wæi rumde.
1049& sloh þer a-neuste; þeines elleouene;
1050he sloh Childriches sune; þe was þer mid his fader icume.
1051To reste eode þa sunne; wæ wes þa monnen;
1052þer wes Walwain a-slæȝe; & idon of lif-daȝe.
1053þurh an eorl Sexisne; særi wurðe his saule.
1054Þa wes Arður særi; & sorhful an heorte for-þi.
1055& þas word bodede; ri(c)chest alre Brutte;
1056Nu ich ileosed habbe; mine sweines leofe;
1057Ich wuste bi mine sweuene; whæt sorȝen me weoren ȝeueðe.
1058i-slaȝen is Angel þe king; þe wes min aȝen deorling.
1059& Walwaine (mi) suster sune; wa is me þat ich was mon iboren.
1060Up nu of scipen biliue; mine beornes ohte.
1061Æfne þan worde; wenden to fihte.
1062sixti þusend anon; selere kempen.
1063and breken Modredes trume; and wel neh him-seolue wes inome.
1064Modred bi-gon to fleon; & his folc after teon;
1065fluȝen ueond-liche. feldes beoueden eke;
1066ȝurren þa stanes. mid þan blod-stremes.
1067Þer weore al þat fiht i-don; ah þat niht to raðe com;
1068ȝif þa niht neore; islaȝen hi weoren alle.
1069Þe niht heom to-delde; ȝeond slades & ȝeon dunen.
1070and Modred swa vorð com; þat he wes at Lundene;
1071Iherden þa burh-weren; hu hit was il ifaren.
1072and warnden him inȝeong; & alle his folke;
1073Modred þeone wende; to-ward Winchastre.
1074and heo hine under-uengen; mid alle his monnen.
1075And Arður after wende; mid alle his mahte.

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1076þat he com to Winchestre; mid muchelere uerde.
1077& þa burh al biræd; & Modred þer-inne abeod.
1078Þa Modred i-sæh; þat Arður him wes swa neh.
1079ofte he hine biþohte; wæt he don mahte.
1080Þa a þere ilke niht; he hehte his cnihtes alle.
1081mid alle heore iwepnen; ut of burhȝe wenden.
1082and sæide þat he weolde; mid fihte þer at-stonden.
1083He bi-hehte þere burȝe-were; auer-mare freo laȝe.
1084wið þan þa heo him heolpen; at heȝere neoden.
1085Þa hit wes dæi-liht; ȝaru þa wes heore fiht;
1086Arður þat bi-hedde; þe king wes abolȝe.
1087he lette bemen blawen; and beonnen men to fihten.
1088he hehte alle his þeines; & aðele his cnihte.
1089fon somed to fihten; and his ueond auallen.
1090and þe burh alle for-don; and þat bur(h)-folc ahon;
1091Heo to-gadere stopen; and sturnliche fuhten.
1092Modred þa þohte; what he don mihte.
1093& he dude þere; alse he dude elles-whare.
1094swike-dom mid þan mæste; for auere he dude unwr(a)ste.
1095he biswac his iueren; biuoren Winchestren.
1096and lette him to cleopien; his leofeste cnihtes. anan.
1097and his leoueste freond alle; of allen his folke.
1098and bi-stal from þan fihte; þe feond hine aȝe.
1099and þat folc gode lette; al þer for-wurðe.
1100Fuhten alle dæi; wenden þat heore lauerd þer læi.
1101and weore heom aneouste; at muchelere neode.
1102Þa heold he þene wai; þat tou-ward Hamtone lai.
1103and heolde touward hauene; forcuðest hæleðe.
1104and nom alle þa scipen; þa þer oht weore.
1105and þa steor-men alle; to þan scipen neodde.
1106and ferden into Cornwalen; forcuðest kingen a þan daȝen.
1107And Arður Winchestre; þa burh bilai wel faste;
1108& al þat moncun of-sloh; þer wes sorȝen inoh.
1109þa ȝeonge and þa alde. alle he aqualde.
1110Þa þat folc wes al ded; þa burh al for-swelde.
1111þa lette he mid alle; to-breken þa walles alle.
1112Þa wes hit itimed þere; þat Merlin seide while.

page II,746

1113Ærm wurðest þu Winchæstre; þæ eorðe þe scal forswalȝe.
1114swa Merlin sæide; þe witeȝe wes mære.
1115Þa quene læi inne Eouwerwic; næs heo næuere swa sarlic.
1116þat wes Wenhauer þa quene; særȝest wimmonne.
1117Heo iherde suggen; soððere worden.
1118hu ofte Modred flah; and hu Arður hine bibah.
1119Wa wes hire þere while; þat heo wes on life.
1120Ut of Eouerwike; bi nihte heo i-wende.
1121& touward Karliun tuhte; swa swiðe swa heo mahte;
1122þider heo brohten bi nihte; of hire cnihten tweiȝe.
1123and me hire hafd bi-wefde; mid ane hali rifte.
1124and heo wes þer munechene; kare-fullest wife.
1125Þa nusten men of þere quene; war heo bicumen weore.
1126no feole ȝere seoððe; nuste hit mon to soðe.
1127whaðer heo weore on deðe.
1128þa heo hire-seolf weore; isunken in þe watere.
1129Modred wes i Cornwale; & somnede cnihtes feole.
1130to Irlonde he sende; a-neoste his sonde.
1131to Sex-londe he sende; aneouste his sonde.
1132to Scotlonde he sende; aneouste his sonde.
1133he hehten heom to cume alle anan; þat wolde lond habben.
1134oðer seoluer oðer gold; oðer ahte oðer lond.
1135on ælchere wisen; he warnede hine seoluen.
1136swa deð ælc witer mon; þa neode cumeð uuen-an.
1137Arður þat iherde. wraðest kinge;
1138þat Modred wæs i Cornwale. mid muchele monweorede;
1139& þer wolde abiden þat Arður come riden.
1140Arður sende sonde; ȝeond al his kine-londe.
1141and to cumen alle hehte; þat quic wes on londe.
1142þa to uihte oht weoren; wepnen to beren.
1143and wha-swa hit for-sete; þat þe king hete.
1144þe king hine wolde a folden; quic al for-bernen.
1145Hit læc to-ward hirede; folc vni-mete.
1146ridinde & ganninde; swa þe rim falleð adune.

page II,748

1147Arður for to Cornwale; mid unimete ferde.
1148Modred þat iherde; & him toȝeines heolde.
1149mid vnimete folke; þer weore monie uæie.
1150Uppen þere Tambre; heo tuhten to-gadere.
1151þe stude hatte Camelford; euer-mare ilast þat ilke weorde.
1152And at Camelforde wes isomned; sixti þusend.
1153& ma þusend þer-to; Modred wes heore ælder;
1154Þa þider-ward gon ride. Arður þe riche;
1155mid unimete folke. uæie þah hit weore.
1156Uppe þere Tambre; heo tuhte to-somne.
1157heuen here-marken. halden to-gadere;
1158luken sweord longe. leiden o þe helmen;
1159fur ut sprengen; speren brastlien.
1160sceldes gonnen scanen; scaftes to-breken.
1161þer faht al to-somne; folc vnimete.
1162Tambre wes on flode; mid vnimete blode.
1163mon i þan fihte non þer ne mihte; ikenne nenne kempe.
1164no wha dude wurse; no wha bet. swa þat wiðe wes imenged.
1165for ælc sloh adun-riht; weore he swein weore he cniht.
1166Þer wes Modred of-slaȝe; and idon of lif-daȝe.
1167in þan fihte
1168Þer weoren of-slaȝe; alle þa snelle.
1169Arðures hered-men. heȝe and lowe
1170and þa Bruttes alle; of Arðures borde.
1171and alle his fosterlinges; of feole kineriches.
1172And Arður forwunded; mid wal-spere brade.
1173fiftene he hafde; feondliche wunden.
1174mon mihte i þare laste; twa glouen iþraste.
1175Þa nas þer na-mare; i þan fehte to laue;
1176of twa hundred þusend monnen. þa þer leien to-hauwen;
1177buten Arður þe king ane; & of his cnihtes tweien.
1178Arður wes for-wunded; wunder ane swiðe.
1179þer to him com a cnaue; þe wes of his cunne.
1180he wes Cadores sune; þe eorles of Corwaile.
1181Constantin hehte þe cnaue; he wes þan kinge deore.
1182Arður him lokede on; þer he lai on folden.
1183and þas word seide; mid sorhfulle heorte.

page II,750

1184Costæntin þu art wilcume; þu weore Cadores sone.
1185Ich þe bitache here; mine kineriche.
1186and wite mine Bruttes; a to þines lifes.
1187and hald heom alle þa laȝen; þa habbeoð i-stonden a mine daȝen.
1188and alle þa laȝen gode; þa bi Vðeres daȝen stode.
1189And ich wulle uaren to Aualun; to uairest alre maidene.
1190to Argante þere quene; aluen swiðe sceone.
1191& heo scal mine wunden; makien alle isunde.
1192al hal me makien; mid haleweiȝe drenchen.
1193And seoðe ich cumen wulle. to mine kineriche.
1194and wunien mid Brutten; mid muchelere wunne.
1195Æfne þan worden; þer com of se wenden.
1196þat wes an sceort bat liðen; sceouen mid vðen.
1197and twa wimmen þer-inne. wunderliche idihte;
1198and heo nomen Arður anan; and aneouste hine uereden.
1199and softe hine adun leiden; & forð gunnen liðen.
1200Þa wes hit iwurðen; þat Merlin seide whilen.
1201þat weore uni-mete care; of Arðures forð-fare.
1202Bruttes ileueð ȝete; þat he bon on liue.
1203and wunnien in Aualun; mid fairest alre aluen.
1204and lokieð euere Bruttes ȝete; whan Arður cumen liðe.
1205Nis nauer þe mon iboren; of nauer nane burde icoren.
1206þe cunne of þan soðe; of Arðure sugen mare.
1207Bute while wes an witeȝe; Mærlin ihate.
1208he bodede mid worde; his quiðes weoren soðe.
1209þat an Arður sculde ȝete; cum Anglen to fulste.
1210Costantin þus leouede on londe; & Bruttes hine lufede.
1211and swiðe deore heom he wes. and w(r)ðeliche heo hine heolden;
1212Nu hæfuede Modred sunen tweie. an main(e) swiðe stronge.
1213hei iseȝen hu hit ferde here; of Arðure þan kaisere.
1214and hu heore fader wes of-slaȝe; & i-don of lif-daȝen.
1215& hu Bruttes to-dreued weoren; mid feole cunne bursten.
1216Þa ilke tweie broðeren; speken heom bi-tweohnen.
1217and somneden þa cnihtes alle; selest þa heom þuhte.
1218þa weoren wide to-flo(ȝen ut) of þan wiðer-uehte.
1219and somneden uerde; wide ȝeond þan arde.

page II,752

1220and þuhten to slan Costantin; and al his lond binimen him.
1221Þat iherde sugge Costantin; þe king wes a-bolȝen;
1222and sende his sonde; wide ȝeond his londe.
1223and hirede hehte cume; þan kingge to helpe.
1224Siȝen toward hirede; ȝeonglinges snelle.
1225þritti þusend anan; somned comen þrasten.
1226and þe king forð-rihtes; makeden hom cnihtes.
1227Þa oðere cnihtes þer comen; þa at þan fehte ar weoren.
1228þa hafde he to-somne; sixti þusende.
1229Þat iherde bodien; beien Moddredes sunen.
1230and nomen heom to rade; and to som-rune.
1231þat þe an liðen wolde; in-to Lundene.
1232and þe oðer liðen wolde; in-to Winchastre.
1233and þer heo wolden abiden; þat þe king comen riden.
1234and wolden wið him fehten; mid allen heore mehten.
1235Ah þæ hit com to neode; oðer weis hit eode.
1236Costantin gon liðe; touward Lundenne.
1237Þat iherden bodien; þeo þa burh biwusten.
1238hælden to-somne; to heore hustinge.
1239heo nomen heom to rade; and to som-rune.
1240þat heo wolden halden alle; mid Costantin þan kinge.
1241and for-saken Modredes sune; þæ þat morð wrohte;
1242Modredes sune flah; and in-to ane munestere teh.
1243And Constantin him after wende. and þer hine icæhte;
1244þe king mid his sweorde; þat hefd him of-swipte.
1245And þus þe king wordede; wræð on his þonke;
1246Liȝe þer þu laðe mon; leof þu beo þan Sucke.
1247slæð heom aneouste; al þat ȝe findeð þere.
1248mine wiðer-i-winnen; weorpeð heom to grunden.
1249Þis slaht wes sone idon; for moni mon þer wenden to.
1250Seoðen lette Costantin þe king wes on londe;
1251blawen his bemen; and bonnien his ferden.
1252and wende riht þene wai; þe touward Winchæstre lai.
1253and forð ladde mid him; þa Bruttes of Lundene.
1254and to Winchæstre comen; and a-neouste binnen wenden.
1255Þat isæh Meleou; þe wes Modredes sone.

page II,754

1256and from his iueren cherde; and fleh to are chirche.
1257and forð-riht anan wende; forn to ane wefde.
1258Costantin braid ut his sweorde; & þat hafde him of-swipte.
1259þat seint Anfibales weofd; iwrað þer-of a blode.
1260and seoðen he lette slen; alle Melaeoues men;
1261Þeo wes Costantin king here; of þessere kine-riche.
1262þa bigunnen blissen; in Brutene to wunien.
1263her wæs grið her wes frið; and freoȝ laȝen mid folke.
1264and ful wel heolden þa ilke laȝen; þat stoden on Arðures daȝen.
1265Ah þat ilke i-laste; to lutele while.
1266for no ilast he buten feouwer ȝer; his feond hine aqualde.
1267and his folc hine uerede; in-to Stan-henge.
1268and þer hine leide; bi leofen his aldren.
1269Seoððen wes Conan; ihouen her to kinge.
1270þat wes þe for-cuðeste mon; þet sunne here scean on.
1271Costantines suster sune; his æm he biswac to deðe.
1272for he hefde rihte; to þissere kine-riche.
1273Conan mid attere; his æmes sune aqualde;
1274He bigon un-frið. (is men) him fuhten wið.
1275and he gon sechien; to his twam susteren.
1276alc burh i þan londe; ferde al to sconde.
1277astured wes al þas þeode; strong-liche swiðe.
1278Six ȝere ilaste; þas særinesse on londe.
1279þa veol þe king of horse; and fæi-sið makede.
1280wel wes al þis folke; for his fæie-siðe.
1281Þa þis wes al ido þus; þa i-warð king Uortiporus.
1282Þeo comen Sexisce men; seilen to londe.
1283and m(u)chelne harm wrohten; biȝeonde þere Hunbren.
1284sloȝen & nomen; al þat heo neh comen.
1285And Uortiporus þe hen(de) sende after genge.
1286and ferede heom ouenon; and feolde Sexisce men.
1287and monie þusend sente; to þare se-grunde.
1288and þus he heom a-ferde; and flemde of londe.
1289þat næuer seoððen bi his daȝen; ne lusten heom hider uaren.

page II,756

1290His daȝes ilaste seuen ȝere; and seoððen he deiȝede
1291And seoððen nom þas riche; Malgus þe reȝe.
1292þat was þe faireste mon; wið-uten Adam & Absolon.
1293swa alse þe boc us suggeð; þa æuere iboren weore.
1294Þes lette his hired dihte; al wið ohte cnihten.
1295þuhten alle þes sweines; swulche heo weoren þeines.
1296haueden alle his hired-cnafe; ælches godes sweines laȝe.
1297Ne durste nauere nan vn-hende mon; þas kinges hus isechen.
1298He biwun þa londes alle; þa stoden him an honde.
1299Þa wes al þas Bruttene; afeolled mid blisse.
1300þa bleden uorð comen; ȝeond al þis kine-domen.
1301Þe king ne rohte of æhte; ah al he hit ȝaf his cnihten.
1302no mihte no mon sugge; of wundere na-mare.
1303þene wes mid þan kinge; bu(ten) of ane þinge.
1304He luuede þane sunne; þe lað (is) ure Drihtene.
1305þa wifmen heo for-soken; to mare sunne heo token.
1306wapmon luuede wapmon; wifmen heom laðe weoren.
1307swa þat monie þusende; wenden of þissen lond.
1308wifmen swiðe feire; ferden to oðere þeoden;
1309for mucchel scome heom þuhte; þat wepmen heom ne rohte.
1310Þurh-ut alle cunnes þinge; þis ilke wes a god kinge.
1311buten of þere sunne; þat ich iseid habbe.
1312Þa com an of his cunne; Carric wes ihaten.
1313and nom þisne kine-dom. and mid seorȝen wunede þer-on.
1314snel cniht wes Carric; ah he nes noht iseli.
1315þat wes for un-leoden; spilden al his þeoden.