Brut (MS Cotton Caligula)

Layamon, fl.1200. Brut (MS Cotton Caligula)
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Brut (MS Cotton Caligula), lines 11001-12000

after his iwille; he wuneð þer uul stille;
þat no bið he for þan watere; nað%ðing idracched.
Þa sæide Howel hæh mon of Brutten.
Nu ic ihere tellen; seolcuðe spellen.
& seollic is þe lauerd; þat al hit isette.
Þa cleopede Arður; aðelest kingen.
Blaweð mine hornes; mid hæh3ere stæfne.
and suggeð mine cnihtes; þat ic fare forð-rihte.
Bemen þer blewen; hornes þer stureden.
blisse wes an hirede; mid bisie þan kinge.
for ælc wes ifreoured; & ferde to-ward his ærd.
And þe king for-bæd heom; bi heore bare liuen.
þat na mon on worlde; swa wod no iwurðe.
no swa ær-witte gume; þat his grið bræke.
and 3if hit dude æi mon. he sculden dom ðolien.
Æfne þan worde; fusde þa uærde.
þer su[n]gen beornes; seolcuðe leoðes.
of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge; & of his. here-þringen.
and sæiden on songe. to þisse worlde longe.
neo[re] neuere-mære swulc king; ase Arður þurh alle þing.
king no kæisere; in næuere nare kuððe.
Arður forð to Eouuerwic; mid folke swiðe seollic.
and wunede þer wiken sixe; mid muchelere wunne.

-576-

Þa burh-walles weoren; to-broken & to-fallen.
þat Childric al for-barnden; & þa hallen alle clæne.
Þa cleopede þe king; Piram. ænne preost mæren.
he wes swiðe wis mon; and witful on bocken.
Piram þu ært min a3e preost; þe æð þe scal iwur[ð]en.
Þe king nom ane rode; hali and swiðe gode.
and [bi-tok] Piram an hond; and þer-mid swiðe muchel lond.
and þene ærchebiscopes staf; þer he Piram a3af.
Ær wes Piram preost god; nu he is ærchebiscop.
Þa hæhte hine Arður; aðelest kingen.
þat he rærde churechen. & þa songes rihten.
and Goddes folc biwusten; & fæire heom diht%ten.
And he hæhte alle cnihtes; demen rihte domes.
and þa eorðe-tilien; teon to heore cræften.
& æuerælcne gume; oðerne i-græten.
& wulc mon swa wurs dude; þene þe king hafde iboden;
he wolde hine ifusen. to ane bare walme.
& 3if hit weore læð mon; he sculde hongie for þon.
Þa 3et cleope[de] Arður; aðelest kingen.
hæhte þat alc mon; þe his lond hafde for-gan;
mid wulches cunnes wite; swa he bi-wæiued weore.
þat he a3ain come; ful raðe & ful sone.
þe riche & þe la3e; and hefde æft his a3en.
bute he weore swa fule biwite; þat he weore lauerd-swike.
oðer touward his lauer[d] man-swore; þene þe king demde for-lore.
Þer come þreo ibroðeren; þe weore kiniborne.
Lot & Angel & Vrien; welle ((h))wulche þreo men.
Þeos here-þringes þreo; comen to þan ki[n]ge.
& setten an heore cneowen; biforen þan kæisere.
Hal seo þu Arður; aðelest kingen;
and þi du3eðe mid þe; a mote heo wel beo.
We sundeð þreo broðeren; iboren of kingen.
is al ure icunde lond; i-gan ut of ure hond.
for habbeoð hæðene men; us hene imakede.
and iwæst us al Leonæis; Scotlond & Muræf
& we biddeð þe for Godes luue; þat þu us beo fultume.
and for þire mucle wurð-scipe; þat þu us wurðe milde.
a3if us ure icunde lond and we þe sculleð luuien.

-578-

hælden þe for lauer[d]; an ælche leod-wisen.
Þis iherde Arður; aðelest king.
hu þeos þreo cnihtes; fæire hine bisohten.
reousede on heorte; & he reordien gan.
and þas word sæide; selest alre kinge.
Vrien bi-cum mi mon; þu scalt to Muræiue a3æn.
þer-of þu scalt beon; icleoped king of þan londe.
& hæh an mine hirede; mid þine mon-weorede.
And Angele ich sette an hond; al to-gadere Scotlond.
habbe hit an honde; and beon king of þan londe.
from þan fader to þan sune. þer-of þu scalt mi mon bi-cumen.
And þu Lot mi leofe freond; Godd þe wurðe liðe.
þu hauest mine suster to wiue; þæ bet þe scal iwur[ð]e.
Ich þe 3ifue Loenæis; þat is a lond faier.
and ich wulle le[g]gen þer-to; londes swiðe gode.
biside þere Humbre; wurð an hundred punden.
For mi fader Vðer; þe while þe he wes king here.
lufede wel his dohter. þe wes his bæd iþohte.
& heo is mi suster; & haueð sunen tweien.
þeo me beoð on londe; children alre leofest.
Þus spæc Ar[ð]ur þe king; þa wes Wolwain lute child.
swa ((ves)) þe oðer; Modræd his broðer.
Wale þat Mod%dræd wes ibore; muchel hærm com þer-fore.
Ar[ð]ur for to Lundene; & mid him his leoden.
he heold inne londe; ane muchele hustinge.
and sette alle þa la3en; þat stoden bi his ælderne da3en.
alle þa la3en gode; þe her ær stoden.
he sette grið he sette frið; and alle freodomes.
Þenene he for to Cornwale; to Cadores riche.
he funde þer a mæide; vnimete fæier.
Wes þas mæidenes moder; of Romanisce mannen.
Cadores ma3e; & þat maide him bi-tahte.
& he heo fæire a-feng. and softe heo fedde.
Heo wes of he3e cunne; of Romanisce monnen.
næs in nane londe; maide nan swa hende.
of spec%che & of dede; and of tuhtle swiðe gode.

-580-

heo wes ihaten Wenhauer; wif-monne hendest.
Arður heo nom to wife; & luuede heo wunder swiðe.
þis maiden he gon wedde and nom heo to his bedde.
Arður wes i Cornwale; al þene winter þere.
and al for Wenhæuere lufe; wimmonne him leofuest.
Þa þe winter wes agan; and sumer com þer anan.
Arður hine biþohte; whæt he don mahte.
þat his folc gode; aswunden ne læie þere.
He ferde to Æxchæstræn; to þan mid-festen.
& heold þer his hustinge; of heh3en his folke.
& seide þat he wolde; in-to Irlonde.
wenden al þat kine-lond; to his æh3ere hond.
buten þe king Gillomar; to him raþer come ær.
and mid listen him speken wið; & 3irnde Arðures grið.
he wolde westen his lond; and luðere him gon an hond.
mid fure mid stele; streit gomen wurchen;
& þat lond-folc aslæn; þe wolde stonden him a3ein.
Æfne þan worde; þa þe king sæide;
þa andswarede þat folc; fæire þan kinge.
Lau%uerd king hald þi word; we beoð alle 3arewe.
to ganne & to ride; oueral to þire neode.
Þer wes moni bald Brut; þe hafde beres leches.
heouen up heore bruwen; i-burst an heore þonke.
Wenden touwarde innen; cnihtes mid heore monnen.
heo ruokeden burnen; bonneden helmes.
heo wipeden hors leoue; mid lin%nene claðe.
heo sceren heo scoiden; scalkes balde weoren.
sum scæft horn; sum scaft ban. sum 3arked stelene flan.
sum mak((de)) ((þ))wonges; gode & swiðe strong.
summe beo((ve))den speren; & beonneden sceldes.
Arður letten beoden; 3eond al his kine-þeoden.
þat æuerælc god cniht; to him come forð-riht.
and euerælc oht mon; comen forð-riht anan.
& wa-swa bilæfden; his leomen he sculde leosen.
& wha-swa come glad-liche; he sculden wurðe riche.
Seouen niht uppen Æstre; þa men hafden iuast.
þa comen alle þa cnihtes. to scipen for[ð]-rihtes.
wind heom stod an honde; þe scaf heom to Irlonde.

-582-

Arður a þet lond ferde; and þa leoden a-merden.
muchel uolc he aslo3; orf he nom vniuoh.
& æuere he hæhte ælcne mon; chireche-grið halden.
Þet tidinde; com to þan kinge. þe lauerd wes of þan londe;
þat þer wes icu[m]en Arður; and ærmþen iwrohte þer.
He sumnede al his leoden; 3eond his kine-londe.
and his Irisce uolc; fusden to fehte.
to-3æines Arðure; þan aðele kinge.
Arður & his cnihtes. heom wepnede forð-rihtes.
& foren heom to-3eines; folc vnimete.
Arðures men weoren; mid wepnen al bi-þehte;
Þa Irisce men weoren; nakede neh þan.
mid speren & mid axen & mid swiðe scærpe sæxen.
Arðures men letten fleon; vnimete flan.
and merden Irisc ((folc)); & hit swiðe ualden.
ne mæhten heo iþolien; þurh nanes cunnes þingen.
ah flu3en awai [on] siðe; swiðe uæle þusend.
and Gillomar þe king flah; & awæ-wardes teh.
and Arður him after; and þene king ikahte.
he nom bi þan honde; þene king of þan londe.
Arður þe hæ3e; herbeorwe isohte.
an his mode him wes þa æðe; þat Gillomar him wes swa neh.
Nu dude Arður; aðelest kingen.
swiðe muche freond-scipe; at-foren al his folke.
he lette þene king scrude; mid ælchere prude.
and æc bi Arðure sat; and æc mid him-seolue æt.
mid Arðure he win dronc; þat him wes mucheles unðonc.
Naðeles þa he isah; þat Arður wes swiðe glad.
þa cleopede Gillomar; an his horte him wes sær.
Lauerd Arður þi grið; 3ef me leomen & 3if me lif.
ich wulle þi mon bicumen; & biteche þe mine þreo sunen.
mine sunen deore; to don al þine iwille.
& 3et ich wulle mare; 3if þu me wult 3efen ære.
ich wulle þe bi-tache; 3isles swiðe rich.
children sume sixti; hæ3e & swiðe mæhti.
3et ((ich)) wulle mære; 3if þu me 3ifuest ære.
ælche 3ere of mine londe. seouen þusend punde.

-584-

& senden heom to þine londe; & sixti mark of golde.
& 3et ich wulle mare; 3if þu wult me 3ifuen are.
alle þa steden; mid alle heore iweden.
þa hæuekes & þa hundes; & heh3e mine mahmes.
ich bitache þe to honde; of al mine londe.
And þenne þu hauest þis idon; ich wulle nimen. halidom.
of seint Columkille; þe dude Godes iwille.
& seint Brændenes hæfed; þe Godd seolf hale3ede.
& seinte Bride riht fot; þe hali is & swiðe god.
& halidomes ino3e; þe comen ut of Rome;
& swerien þe to soðe; swiken þe þat ich nulle.
ah ich þe wulle luuien; and halden þe for lauerd
halden þe for hahne king; & mi-seolf beon þin vnderling.
Þis iherde Arður; aðelest king;
& he gan lih3en; luddere steftne.
& he gon andswerie; mid ædmode worden.
Beo nu glad Gillomar; ne beo þin heorte noht sær.
for þv ært a wis mon; þa bet þe scal iwurðen.
for æuere me æhte wisne mon; wurðliche igreten.
for þine wis-dome; no scal þe noht þa wurse.
muchel þu me beodest; þe scal beon þa betere.
Her forð-rihtes; bi-foren al mine cnihtes.
for3iuen þe amare; al þæ haluen-dæle.
of golde & of gærsume; ah þu scalt mi mon bicumen.
and half þat gauel sende; ælche 3ere to mi[n]e londe.
Halfe þa steden; & halfe þa iweden.
halue þa hauekes; & halue þa hundes.
þæ þu me beodest. ich wulle þe bi-lefen;
ah ich wulle habben. þire hæhre monne children;
þeo heom beoð alre leofuest. ich heom mai þe bet ileouen;
& swa þu scalt wunien; in wurðscipe þire.
a þine kine-dome i þine rihte icunden.
& ic þe wulle 3euen to; þat ne scal þe king woh don.
buten he hit abugge; mid his bare rugge.
Þeo hit sæide Arður; aðelest kingen.
Þa hafden he an hond; al to-somne Irlond.
& þe king his mon bicumen; and bitæht him his þreo seonen.
Þa spæc Ærður; to sele his cnihten.
Faren to His-lond; & nimen we hit to ure honde.

-586-

Ferde þer fusde. & com to Islonde.
Ælcus þe king wes ihaten; hæh mon of þan ærd.
he iherde þa tidende of Arðure þan kinge.
he dude al so wis mon; & wende to3eines him anan.
anan forð-rihtes; mid sixtene cnihtes
he bar on his honde; ænne mucle 3eord of golde.
Sone swa he Arður isæh; swa he on his cneowen bæh;
& þas wor[d] him iquað. þe king wes afæred;
Wulcume sire Arður; wilcume lauerd.
Her ich biteche þe an hond; al to-gadere Islond.
þu scal beon min hæh3e king; and ((ich)) wul beon þin under-ling.
Ich þe wullen heren; swa mon scal don his hærren.
& ich wulle þi mon bicumen; & bitæche þe minne leofue sune.
Esscol is ihaten; and þu hine scalt iæðelien.
to cnihte hine dubben; alse þin a3ene mon.
His moder ich habbe to wife; þas kinges dohter of Rusie.
And æc ælche 3ere; 3iuen þe wulle æhte.
seoue þusend punde; of seoluere and of golde.
& to æuer-ælche ræde; beon 3æru to þire neode.
Þis ich wullen þe swerien; uppen mine sweorden;
þe halidom is a þere hilte; þe hexste of þisse londe.
likien swa ne liken; nulle ich þe nauere swiken.
Þis iherde Ar[ð]ur aðlest kingen.
Arður wes wunsum; þer he hafde his iwillen.
& he wes wod sturne; wið his wiðer-iwinnen.
Arður þa liðe word iherde; of þan leod-kinge.
al þat he 3irnde; al he him 3ette.
3i[s]les and aðes; and alle his ibodes.
Þa iherde suggen; soðere worden.
þe king of Orcaneie; vnimete kene.
Gonwais wes ihate; haeðene ke[m]pe.
þat Arður king wolde; cume to his londe.
mid muchele scip-ferde; fusen to leoden.
Gonwais him uerde to-3æines; mid wisen his þeines.
and sette Arðure an hond; al Orcaneies lond.
and twa and þritti æit-lond; þe þider in liggeð.
and his mon-radene; mid muchelere mensce.

-588-

And he him hafde a uoreward; biforen al his du3eðe.
ælche 3ere to iwiten; fulle sixti scipen.
mid his a3ere costninge; bringen heom to Londenne.
ifulled to iwisse; mid gode sæ-fisce.
Þis for-ward he iuaste; and 3isles he ((f))unde.
and aðes he swor gode. swiken þa[t] he nolde;
& seoððen he lefe nom. & forð he gon liðen;
Lauerd haue wel godne dæi. ich wulle cumen; wenne ich mai.
for nu þu art mi lauer((d)) leouest alre kingen.
Þa Ar[ð]ur hafde þis idon; þa 3et he wolde mare afon.
he nom his writen gode; and senden to Gutlonde.
and grætte þe king Doldanim; and hehte hine sone comen to him.
& him-seolf his mon bicume; and bringen him his tweien sunen.
And 3if þu þat nulle; do þat þu wulle.
Ich þe wulle sende; sixtene þusend.
he3e here-kempen; to mucle þine harmen.
scullen þi lond wasten; and þiire leoden aslan.
and þat lond setten; swa heom bezst þincheð.
and þe seoluen binden; & to me bringen.
Þis iherde þe king; þræt þas kaiseres.
& he on uaste iueng; fæiere his iweden.
hundes & hafekes; & his gode horsses.
muchel seoluer muchel gold; his tweien sunen an his hond.
And forð he gon wenden; to Arðure þan kingen.
and þas word sæide; Doldanim þe sele.
Hail seo þu Ar[ð]ur; aðelest kingen.
Her ich bringe tweiene; mine sunen beiene.
heore moder is kinges istreon; quene heo is min a3ene.
Ich tache þe mine leofen sunen; mi-seolf ich wulle þi mon bicumen.
ich heo bi3at mid ræflac; ut of Rusie.
And ic wulle sende; gauel of mine londe.
æuer-ælche 3ere; to 3iueles þingen.
ich wulle senden þe in-to Lundene. seouen þusend punden;
Þat ic wulle swerien. þat nulle ich næuere swiken.
ah here ich wulle þi mon bicomen; þi mon-scipe is þa mare.

-590-

swiken nulle ich nauere; swa longe swa beoð auere.
Arður nom his sonde; & sende to Winent-londe.
to Rumareð þan kinge; and hehte him cuðen an hi3inge.
þat he hæfde in his hond; Brut-lond & Scot-lond.
Gutlond & Irlond. Orcaneie & Islond;
He hæhte Rumareð. cumen; and bringen him his ældeste sune.
& 3if he þat nolde; he wolde hine driuen of londe.
and 3if he mihte afon; he wolde hine slæn oðer an-hon.
and his lond al for-don; his leoden for-demen.
Þis iherde Rumared; þe riche king of Winete.
swiðe he wes afered; al swa þa oðere weoren arer.
laðe him weoren þa tidende; from Arðure þan kinge.
Noðeles þe king Rumareð; hercnede rædes.
he nom his ældeste sune; and sele twælf eorles.
& ferde to Arðure; þan kinge aðele.
and set æt his foten; and feire hine gon greten.
Hail seo þu Arður; aðelest Brutten.
Ich hatten Rumareð; þe king of Winet-londe.
i-noh ich habbe iherd kenne; of ken-scipe þine.
þat þu ært widen i-cuð; kingen alre kennest.
Þu hauest moni kine-lond; bi3iten al to þire hond.
nis na king an londe; þe þe ma3en stonde.
king ne na kaisere; in nauere nane compe.
of al þat þu bi3innest; þu dest þine iwille.
Her ich æm to þe icume; and broht þe mine aldeste sune.
her ich sette þe an hond; me seoluen and mi kine-lond;
and minne sune leofe; and mine leoden alle.
wif & mine weden; and alle mine wunnen.
wið þat þu me griðie; wið þine grim ræsen.
And beo þu min hæh3e king; and ich wulle beon þin under-ling.
and senden þe to honde; fif hundred pund of golde.
þas 3euen ich finde þe wulle; æue[r]-alche 3ere
Al Arður him 3ette; þat þe king 3irde.
and seoððen he heolde runen; wið sele his þeinen.
& seide þat he wolde; a3æin to þisse londe.
and iseon Wenhaiuer; þe wuneliche quene.
Bemen he lette blawen; & bonnien his ferden.
and to scipen wenden; wunder bliðe. þeines.
Wind heom stod on willen; weder alse heo wolden.

-592-

bliðe heo weoren alle for þi; up heo comen at Grimesbi.
Þat iherden sone; þa hæhste of þissen londe.
and to þære quene com tidende; of Arðure þan kinge.
þat he wes isund icumen; & his folc on selen.
Þa weoren inne Bruttene; blissen ino3e.
Her wes fiðelinge and song; her wes harpinge imong.
pipen & bemen. murie þer sungen.
Scopes þer sungen; of Arðure þan kingen.
& of þan muchele wurð-scipe; þe he iwunnen hafeden.
folc com to hirede; of feole cunne þeode.
widen and siden; folc wes on selen.
Al þat Arður isæh; al hit him to bæh.
riche men and pouere; swa þe ha3el ualleð.
nes þer nan swa wræcche Brut; þat he nes awæl3ed.
Her mon mai arede; of Arðure þan king.
hu he twelf 3ere; seoðen wuneden here.
inne griðe & inne friðe; in alle uæ3ernesse.
Na man him ne faht wið; no he ne makede nan un-frið.
ne mihte nauere nan man; bi-þenchen of blissen.
þat weoren in æi þeode. mare þan i þisse.
ne mihte nauere mon-cunne; nan swa muchel wunne.
swa wes mid Arðure; & mid his folke here.
Ich mai sugge; hu hit iwarð; wunder þæh hit þunche.
Hit wes in ane 3eol-dæie; þat Arður in Lundene lai.
þa weoren him to i-cumen; of alle his kinerichen.
of Brutlonde; of Scotlonde; of Irlonde; of Islonde.
and of al þan londe; þe Arður hæfede an honde.
alle þa hæxte þeines; mid horsen & mid sweines.
Þer weoren seouen kingene sunes; mid seouen hundred cnihten icumen.
wið-uten þan hired; þe herede Arðure.
Ælc hafede an heorte; leches he3e.
and lette þat he weore; betere þan his iuere.
Þat folc wes of feole londe; þer wes muchel onde.
for þe an hine talde hæh; þe oðer muche herre.
Þa bleou mon þa bemen; & þa bordes bradden.
water me brohte an uloren; mid guldene læflen.
seoððen claðes soften; al of white seolke.
Þa sat Arður adun; & bi him Wenhauer þa quene.

-594-

seoððen sete þa eorles; and þer-after þa beornes.
seoððen þa cnihtes; al swa mon heom dihte.
Þa he3e iborne; þene mete beoren.
æfne forð-rihten; þa to þan cnihten.
þa tou-ward þan þæinen; þa touward þan sweinen.
þa touward þan bermonnen; forð at þan borden.
Þa du3eðe wærð iwraððed; duntes þer weoren riue.
ærest þa laues heo weorpen; þa while þa heo ilæsten.
and þa bollen seoluerne; mid wine iuulled.
& seo[ðð]en þa uustes; uusden to sweoren.
Þa leop þer forð a 3ung mon; þe ut of Winet-londe com.
he wes i3efen Arðure; to halden to 3isle.
he wes Rumarettes sune; þas kinges of Winette.
Þus seide þe cniht þere; to Arðure kinge.
Lauerd Arður buh raðe; into þine bure.
and þi quene mid þe & þine mæies cuðe;
& we þis comp scullen to-delen; wið þas uncuðe kempen.
Æfne þan worde; he leop to þan borde.
þer leien þa cniues; bi-foren þan leod-kinge.
þreo cnifes he igrap; and mid þan anæ he smat.
i þere swere þe cniht; þe ærest bi-gon þat ilke fiht.
þat his hefued i þene flor; hælde to grunde.
Sone he sloh ænne oðer; þes ilke þeines broðer.
ær þa sweordes comen; seouene he afelde.
Þer wes fæht swiðe græt; ælc mon oðer smat.
þer wes muchel blod-gute; balu wes an hirede.
Þa com þe king bu3en; ut of his buren.
mid him an hundred beornen; mid helmen & mid burnen.
ælc bar an his riht hond; whit stelene bro[n]d.
Þa cleopede Arður; aðelest kingen.
Sitteð sitteð swiðe; elc mon bi his liue.
and wa-swa þat nulle don; he scal for-demed beon.
Nimeð me þene ilke mon; þa þis feht ærst bigon.
& doð wiððe an his sweore; & dra3eð hine to ane more.
& doð hine in an ((ley)) uen; þer he scal liggen.
and nimeð al his nexte cun; þa 3e ma3en iuinden.
and swengeð of þa hafden; mid breoden eouwer sweorden.
Þa wifmen þa 3e ma3en ifinden; of his nexten cunden.

-596-

kerueð of hire neose; & heore wlite ga to lose.
and swa ich wulle al for-don; þat cun þat he of com.
And 3if ich auere-mare; seoððen ihere.
þat æi of mine hirede; of he3e na of lo3e.
of þissen ilke slehte; æft sake are[re].
ne sculde him neoðer gon fore; gold ne na gærsume.
hæh hors no hære scrud; þat he ne sculde beon ded.
oðer mid horsen to-dra3en; þat is elches swiken la3en.
Bringeð þene halidom; and ich wulle swerien þer-on.
swa 3e scullen cnihtes; þe weoren at þissen fihte.
eorles & beornes; þat 3e hit breken nulleð.
Ærst sweor Arður; aðelest kingen.
seoððen sworen eorles; seoððen sweoren beornes.
seoððen sweoren þeines; seoððen sweoren sweines.
þat heo nauere-mare; þe sake nulde arere.
Me nom alle þa dede; & to leirstowe heom. ladden.
Seoððen me bleou bemen; mid swiðe murie dremen.
weoren him leof weoren him læ[ð]; elc þer feng water & clæ[ð].
& seoððen adun seten; sæhte to borden.
al for Arðure æi3e. aðelest kingen;
Birles þer þurngen; gleomen þer sungen.
harpen gunnen dremen; du3eðe wes on selen.
Þus fulle seoueniht; wes þan hirede idiht.
Seoððen hit seið in þere tale; þe king ferde to Cornwale.
þer him com to anan; þat wæs a crafti weorc-mon.
and þene king imette; and feiere hine grætte.
Hail seo þu Arður; aðelest kinge.
Ich æm þin a3e mon; moni lond ich habbe þurh-gan.
ich con of treo-wrekes; wunder feole craftes.
Ich iherde suggen; bi-3eonde sæ neowe tidende.
þat þine cnihtes; at þine borde gunnen fihte.
a midewinteres dæi; moni þer feollen.
for heore mucchele mode; morð-gomen wrohten.
and for heore heh3e cunne; ælc wolde beon wið-inne.
Ah ich þe wulle wurche; a bord swiðe hende.
þat þer ma3en sitten to; sixtene hundred & ma.
al turn abuten; þat nan ne beon wið-uten.
wið-uten and wið-inne. mon to-3æines monne.

-598-

Whenne þu wult riden; wið þe þu miht hit leden.
and setten hit whar þu wulle; after þine i-wille.
and ne dert þu nauere adrede; to þere worlde longen.
þat æuere æ[ni]e modi cniht. at þine borde makie fiht.
for þer scal þe heh3e; beon æfne þan lo3e.
Timber me lete biwinnen. and þat beord bi-ginnen.
to feouwer wikene uirste; þat wrec wes iuorðed.
To ane he3e dæie; þat hired wes isomned.
and Arður himseolf beh; sone to þan borde.
and hehte alle his cnihtes; to þan borde forð-rihtes.
Þo alle weoren iseten; cnihtes to heore mete.
þa spæc ælc wið oðer; alse hit weore his broðer.
alle heo seten a-buten; ne((s)) þer nan wið-uten.
Æuere ælches cunne((s)) cniht; þere wes swiðe wel idiht.
alle heo weoren bi ane; þa heh3e & þa la3e.
ne mihten þer nan 3elpen; for oðere kunnes scenchen.
oðer his iueren; þe at þan beorde weoren.
Þis wes þat ilke bord; þat Bruttes of 3elpeð.
and sugeð feole cunne lesinge; bi Arðure þan kinge.
Swa deð auer-alc mon; þe oðer luuien con.
3if he is him to leof; þenne wule he li3en.
and suggen on him wurð-scipe; mare þenne he beon wurðe.
ne beo he no swa luðer mon; þat his freond him wel ne on.
Æft 3if on uolke feond-scipe arereð.
an æuer-æi time; bitweone twon monnen.
me con bi þan læðe; lasinge suggen.
þeh he weore þe bezste mon; þe æuere æt at borde.
þe mon þe him weore lað; him cuðe. last finden.
Ne al soh ne al les; þat leod-scopes singeð.
ah þis is þat soððe; bi Arðure þan kinge.
Nes næuer ar swulc king; swa duhti þurh alle þing.
for þat soðe stod a þan writen; hu hit is iwurðen.
ord from þan ænden; of Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
no mare no lasse; buten alse his la3en weoren.
Ah Bruttes hine luueden swiðe; & ofte him on li3eð.
and suggeð feole þinges; bi Arðure þan kinge.
þat næuere nes i-wurðen; a þissere weorlde-richen.

-600-

inoh he mai suggen; þe soð wule uremmen.
seolcuðe þinges; bi Arðure kinge.
Þa wes Arður. swiðe heh; his hired swiðe hende.
þat nas na cniht wel itald; no of his tuhlen swiðe bald.
inne Wales no in Ænglelond; inne Scot[lond] no in Irlond.
in Normandie no inne France; inne Flandres no inne Denemarc.
no in nauere none londe; þe a þeos halfe Mungiu stondeð.
þet weoren ihalde god cniht; no his deden itald oht.
bute he cuðe of Ar[ð]ure; & of aðelen his hirede.
his wepnen and his weden; & his hors-leden.
suggen and singen; of Arðure þan ginge.
and of his hir((ed))-cnihten; and of he3e heore mihten.
and of heore riche-dome; and hu wel hit heom bicomen.
Þenne weore he wilcume; a þissere weorlde-richen.
come þer he come; and þeh he weore i Rome.
al þat iherde of Ar[ð]ure telle.
heom þuhte muchel seollic; of selen þan kinge.
And swa hit wes iuuren iboded; ær he iboren weoren.
swa him sæide Merlin; þe wite3e wes mære.
þat a king sculde cume; of Vðere Pendragune.
þat gleomen sculden wurchen burd; of þas ki[n]ges breosten.
and þer-to sitten; scopes swiðe sele.
and eten heore wullen; ær heo þenne fusden.
and winscenches ut teon; of þeos kinges tungen.
and drinken & dreomen; daies & nihtes.
þis gomen heom sculde i-lasten; to þere weorlde longe.
And 3et him seide Marlin; mare þat wes to ((co))mene.
þat al þat he lokede on; to foten him sculde bu3en.
Þa 3et him sæide Mærlin; a sellic þe wes mare.
þat sculde beon unimete care; of þas kinges forð-fare.
and of þas kinges ende; nulle hit na Brut ileue.
buten hit beon þe leste dæð; at þan muchele dome.
þenne ure Drihte; demeð alle uolke.
Ælles ne cunne we demen; of Arðures deðen.
for he seolf sæide; to sele his Brutten.
suð inne Cornwale; þer Walwain wes for-faren.
and him-seolf wes for-wunded; wunder ane swiðe.

-602-

þat he uaren wolde. into Aualune.
in-to þan æit-londe; to Argante þere hende.
for heo sculde mid haleweie; helen his wunden.
and þenne he weore al hal; he wolde sone. come heom.
Þis ilefde Bruttes; þet he wule cumen þus.
& lokieð a whenne; he cume to his londe.
swa he heom bihahte; ar he heonne wende.
Arður wes an weorlde; wis king and riche.
god mon and grið-ful; his gumen hine luueden.
Cnihtes he hafede prute; and græte on heore mode.
& speken to þan kinge; of seol%lichen þinge.
and þus þat hired cleopede; to he3e þan kinge.
Lauerd Arður faren we; to Francene riche.
and iwinnen al þat lond; to þire a3ere hond.
flemen alle þa Freinscen. heore king feollen.
alle þa castles bonien; and setten heom to mid Brutten.
& rixlien a þere riche; mid reh3ere strengðe.
Þa andswarede Arður; aðelest kingen.
Eouwer wille ich wulle don; ah ær ich wulle to Norweien;
and ich wulle mid me leden; Lot minne oðem.
he is Wæl((way))nes fader; þa ich wel luuie.
For beoð icumen of Norwei3e; niwe tidende.
þat Sichelin king þer is ded; his du3eðen bileued.
& hæ hafeð al his kineriche; bi-queðe her Loððe.
For þe king is al bidæled; sune & eke dohteren.
and Lot is his suster sune; þe bet him scal iwurðe.
for ich hine wulle in Norwæ3e; neowe king makien.
and hine wæl lere; to wite3en wel þa leoden.
And þenne ich þus habbe idon; ich wullen seoððen cumen ham.
and 3arkien mine ferde; & faren into France.
and 3if þe king me stont wið; and nulle 3eornen mi grið.
ich hine wulle mid fehte; fallen to þan grunde.
Arður lette blawen; hornes and bemen.
and lette beoden to sæ; Bruttes swiðe balde.
Scipen he hæfde gode; bi þere sæ-flode.
fiftene hundred; fusden from londe.
and flu3en after þere sæ; swulc heo fluht hafden.
& buh3en in-to Norwæ3en; mid baldere strengðen.
Sone swa heo comen; hafne heo nomen.

-604-

mid muchelere strengðe; stepen a þa riche.
Arður senden; his sonde; wide 3eond þan londe.
& hæhte heom cumen sone; and Lot habben to kinge.
& 3if heo þat nolden; alle heom he wolde a-slan.
Þa nomen heore sonden; eorles Norenissce.
and senden to þan kingen; and hahten hine a3ain wenden;
& 3if þu nult a3æin faren; sorh3en þu scalt habben & kare.
for longe bið auere; þat ne iwurð næuere.
þat we uncuðne mon; to kinge scullen hæbben.
For 3if Sikelin is forð-faren; her beoð oðere icoren.
þe we ma3en bi vre iwille; hæbben to kinge.
& þis is þat soðe; nis þer nan oðer.
oðer far þe awæiward; and wend þe riht hamward.
oðer to-dæi a seoueniht; þu scalt habben græt fiht.
Þa eorles Norenissce. nomen heom to ræde;
þat king heo wolden habben; of seoluen heore cunden.
for al Sikelines quiden; sotscipe heo heolden.
And swa longe. swa beoð æuere; ne scal hit stonde næuere.
ah we scullen nimen Riculf; þe is swiðe riche eorl.
and hebben hine to kinge; þis is us iqueme.
and sumnen ure ferde; 3eond al þissen ærde.
and faren to Arðure; & flem%men hine mid fehte.
& Lot we scullen fusen; and flemen of londen.
oðer we mid fehten; sculleð hine fallen.
Heo nome Riculfe; þene eorl of Norene.
and hefuen hine to kinge; þeh hit neore him noht icunde.
and sumneden uerde; 3eond Nornisce ærde.
And Arður an his ende; 3uond þat lond gon wende.
þat londe he þurh-arnde; burh3es he uor-barnde.
æhte he nom inoh; muche moncun he þer of-sloh.
And Riculf him gon riden; to3æines Arðure anan.
to-gædere heo fusden; and veht heo bigunnen.
Bruttes bu3en heom to; balu þer wes riue.
Luken vt of scaþe; sweordes longe.
hefden flu3en a þene uelde; faluwede nebbes.
beorn a3ein beorne; scaft sette an breoste.
burnen þer breken; Bruttes bisie weoren.
brustleden sceldes; scalkes ueolen.

-606-

& swa al þene dæi-liht; i-laste þis muchele fiht;
ferden heo æst ferden heo west. þer Noreine wes þa wurse;
ferden heo suð ferden heo norð; þe Norrene þer feollen.
Bruttes weoren balde; þa Noreine heo a-qualden.
Noreinisce men þer feollen; fif and twenti þusend.
and Riculf king þer wes of-sla3en; and idon of lif-dæ3en.
lutel þer eode to læue; of þan leod-folke.
wulc-swa hafuede þat wracche lif; 3irde Arðures grið.
Ar[ð]ur bisæh a Lot; þe leof him wes swiðe.
and þus him c[l]eopien agon; Arður þe riche mon.
Lot wend hider to me; þu art mi wine deore.
Her ich þe biteche; al þas kineriche.
of me þu scalt halden; and habben me to munde.
Þa wes Walwain þider icumen; Lottes ældeste sune.
of Rome from þan Pape; þe Supplice wes ihate.
þa longe him wes dihte; and makede hine to cnihte.
Wælle wel wes hit bito3en; þat Walwain wes to monne iboren.
for Walwæin wes ful aðelmod; an ælche þeouwe he wes god.
he wes mete-custi; and cniht mid þan bezste.
Al Arðures hired; wes swiðe if((u))rðed.
for Walwaine þan kene; þe icumen wes to hirede.
and for his fader Lote; þe iloten wes to kinge.
Þa spac Arður him wið; and hehte hine halden god grið.
and hehte hine luuien; his griðfulle leoden.
& þa grið nolden halden; fallen heom to grunde.
Þa 3et c[l]eopede Arður; aðelest kingen.
Whær beo 3e mine Bruttes; fareð nu forð-rihtes.
3arkieð bi þan flode; mine scipen gode.
Al duden þa cnihtes; swa Arður heom hæhte.
Þa þa scipen weoren 3aru; Arður gon to sæ faren.
mid him he [n]o[m] his cnihtes; his Norenissce þeines.
and balden his Bruttes; and bah forð mid vðes.
and þe duhtie king; com to Dene[m]arke.
he lette slæn teldes; wide 3eond þa feldes.
bemen he lette blawen; and his cume bodien.
Þa wes inne Denemarke; a king of mucle mæhte.
Æscil wes ihate; hext ouer Denene.
he isah þat Ar[ð]ur bi-won; al þat him wes on willen.

-608-

Æscil king hine bi-þohte; whæt he don mahte.
lað him wes to leosen; leouen his leoden.
He isah þat [mid] strengðe; stonden he ne mahte.
a3ain Arðure mid nauere nane compe.
He sende gretinge; to Arðure kinge.
hundes & hauekes; & swiðe gode hors%ses.
seoluer and ræd gold; mid ræh-fulle worden.
& 3et dude mare; Æscil þe mære.
he sende to þan hæxten of Arðures hireden.
and bad heom. arndien him; to hæh3en þan kingen.
þat he moste his mon bicumen; & to 3isle bitæchen his sune.
and ælche 3ere him senden; gauel of his londe.
ænne bæt mid isunde; from breorde to grunde.
of golde & of gæ[r]sume; & of godliche pallen.
and seoððen he wolde swerien; swiken þat he nalden.
Þis i[h]erden Arður; aðelest kingen.
þat Æscil Denene king; wolde beon his vnderling.
buten ælche [f]ihte; he and alle his cnihtes.
Þa iwrað iaðeled; Arður þe riche.
and þus andswærede; mid aðmode worden.
Wel wurðe þan monne; þe mid wisdome;
biwineð him grið & frið; & freond-scipe to halden.
Þenne he isiht þet he bið; mid strengðe ibunden.
i3arked al to leosen; leofue his richen.
mid liste he mot leoðien; luðe his bendes.
Arður hehte þene king cume; and bringen his aldeste sune.
and he swa dude sone; þe king of Denemarke.
Arðures iwille; sone he gon fulle.
to-somne heo comen; and sæhten iwurðen.
Þa 3et cleopede Arður; aðelest kingen.
Faren ich wulle to France; mid muchele mire ferde.
ich wulle habben of Noreweie; ni3e þusend cnihtes.
& of Denemarke ich wulle leden; ni3e þusend of þan leoden.
and of Orkaneie; enleuen hundred.
and of Mureinen; þreo þuseond monnen.
and of Galeweien; fif þusend of þan leoden.
and of Irlonde; elleuen þusend.
and of Brutaine; mine cnihtes balde.

-610-

scullen þræsten bi-foren me; þritti þusunde.
and of Gutlonde; ich wulle leden; ten þuseond of þan leoden.
and of Frislonde; fif þusend monnen.
and of Brutaine; Howel þene balde.
and mid swulche uolke; France ich wulle i-sechen.
And swa ich ibiden Godes ære; 3et ich wulle haten mare.
þat of alle þan londen; þat stondeð a mire honden.
ich haten ælcne ohtne mon; þe his wepnen beren con.
alse he wule liuen; and his lumen habben.
þat he faren wið me; to fehten wið Frolle.
þat is Francene king; fæie he scal iwurðe.
He wes iboren i Rome; of Romanisce cunne.
Forð ferde Arður; þat he com to Flandres.
þat lond he gon biwinnen; and sette hit mid his monnen.
and seo[ð]ðe he beh þanene; in-to [Buluine]
[and al] Buluines lond. nom hit to his a3ere hond;
and seoððen he nom þene wæi; þe in touward France læi.
Þa bed he his bod; allen his beornen.
for þær heo uoren; þat na wiht heo ne nomen.
buten he mid rihte; hit bi3iten mihte.
mid rihte chepinge; i þas kinges hirede.
Þat iher[de] Frolle; þer he wes inne France.
of Arðures i-spede; and of alle his deden.
and hu al bi-wonne; þat he lokede on.
and al hit him to beh; þat he mid e3ene isah.
þa wes þe king Frolle; laðliche of-fered.
A þere ilke worlde. þa þis wes iwurðen.
wes Francene lond; Gualle ihaten.
and Frolle wes from Rome; ifaren in-to France.
and ælche. 3ere sende; gauel of þan londe.
ten hundred punde; of seoluer and of golde.
Nu i-herde Frolle; þe ældere wes of France.
of þere lond-sor3e; þe Arður dude an londe.
Sonde he sende sone; an uest touward Rome.
and hehte Romanisce folc; reden heom bi-tweonen.
hu feole þusend cnihten; heo þider wolden sen((den)).
þat he þa æð mihte; wið Arðure uihte.
and ulemen of londe; Arður þene stronge.

-612-

Cnihtes gunnen riden; vt of Rom-leoden.
fif and twenti þusend; ferden touward France.
Þis iherde Frolle mid muchele his ferde.
þat þe Romanisce uolc; riden touward londe.
Frolle & his ferde; heom to-3eines ferde.
þa heo comen to-somne; kene men and wihte.
of alle þan ærde; vnimete uerde.
Þæt iherde Arður; aðelest kingen;
& sumnede his ferde; and heom to-3aines wende.
Ah næs næuere king nan; þa quic wes an eorðen.
þa eouere ær an uolde; swulc folc a-walde.
for of alle þan kine-londe; þe Arður hafuede an honde;
forð he ladde mid him; alle þa kenneste men.
þat nuste he neuere on weorlde; hu feole þusend, þer weoren.
Sone swa heo comen to-somne; Arður & Frolle.
harliche heo igrætten; al þat heo imette.
Cnihtes swiðe stronge; igripen speren longe.
and ræsden heom to-gædere; mid ræh3ere strengðe.
Alle dæi þer weore duntes swiðe riue.
folc feol to uolden; and fæie-sið worhten.
græmende segges; gras-bæd isohten.
gullen þa helmes; 3eoumereden eorles.
sceldes þær scenden; scalkes gunnen reosen;
Þa cleopede Ar[ð]ur; aðelest kingen.
Whar beo 3e mine Bruttes; balde mine þaines.
Þe dæi him forð 3eongeð; þis folc us a3ein stondeð.
Lette we heom to gliden; scærpe gares ino3e.
& techen heom to riden; þene wæi touward Romen.
Æfne þan worde; þe Ar[ð]ur iseide.
he sprong forð an stede; swa sparc de[ð] of fure.
Him weore fuliende; fifti þusende.
hærde here-kempen; hælden to fihte.
smiten uppen Frolle; þær he wes on ulocke.
and brohten hine of fleme; mid muclen his folke.
þer Ar[ð]ur of-sloh; muchel uolc and vniuoh.
Þa fleh in-to Parise; Frolle þe riche.
and þa 3eten tunden; mid teonen ino3e.
and þa word seide; sorhful an heorte.

-614-

Leouere me. weore; þat ich iboren neore.
Þa weoren inne Paris; plihtliche spelle((s)) ful iwis.
sorhfulle iberen; burhmen gunnen beouien.
walles heo gunnen rihten; þa 3æten heo gunnen dihten.
mete heo nomen; al þat heo neh comen;
an ælchere halue; heo heolden to bur3e.
heo uerden þider alle; þe heolden mid Frolle.
Þat iherde Arður; aðelest kingen.
þat inne Paris wunede Frolle; mid unimete uerde.
and seiden þat he wolde wið Arðure stonden.
To Paris ferde Arður; ærhðe bi-deled.
and bi-læi þa walles; and are[r]de his teldes.
a feower halue he heo bi-lai; fouwer wiken and enne dæi.
Auared weoren þa leden; þa þere weoren wið-innen.
þa burh wes wið-innen; afulled mid monnen
and æten sone þene mete; þe þer wes isomned.
Þa feouwer wiken weoren a3onged; þa Arður wes þær atstonden.
þæ wes inne bur3e; vni-mete sor3e.
mid wræcche þan falke; þe leie þer an hungre.
þer wes wop þe[r] wes rop; and reou[ð]en vniuoh3e.
Heo cleopeden to Frolle; and beden hine frið wurchen.
Arðures mon bi-cumen; and his mon-scipe bruken.
and þene kinedom halden; of Arðure þan kenen.
and no lete noht þat wræcche uolk; uor-faren al mid hungre.
Þa andswarede Frolle; freo he wes an heorte.
Nai swa me helpe God; þæ alle domes awalt.
ne scal ich nauere his mon bicume; no he mi kine-laue((rd)).
mi-seolf ich wulle fihte; a Gode is al þat rihte.
Þa 3et cleopede Frolle; freo mon an heorte.
Næi swa me helpe Drihten; þe scop þas dæies lihten.
nulle ic nauere-mare; 3irnen Arðures ære.
ah fehten ich wulle; buten ælche cnihte.
licame wið licame; biforen mine leoden.
hond a3ain honde; wið Arðure kinge.
Whaðer unkere swa beoð þere wakere; sone he bið þe laðere.
wahðer vnkere swa þer ma luuien; his freonden he bið þe leouere.
and wha[ð]er unkere þe mæi of oðere; þat betere biwinne.

-616-

habben al þis oðeres lond; and sette hit an his a3ere hond.
Þis ic wulle 3irne; 3if Arður hit wule 3etten.
and þis ich wulle swerien; uppen mine sweorden.
and 3isles ich wulle finden; þreo kingene sunen.
þat ich þis forward wulle; fast-liche halden.
þat nulle ich hit li3en; bi mine quike liuen.
For leouere me is to liggen; bi-fore mine leoden;
þan ich iseo an uolde; for-faren heom mid hungre.
For we habbeoð mid fehte; ure cnihtes ((uor))-farene.
scalkes auælled; fifti þusende.
and moni ænne gode wifmon; i-whorht to ble((ð))ere widewe.
moni child fader-læs; and frouere bidaled.
and nu þis folc mid hungre; wunderliche ihærmede.
For-þi hit is betere; bi-twixen unke seoluen.
to-dælen and to-dihten þis kine-lond mid fihte.
and habbe hit þa betere; and bruken hit on wunne.
Frolle nom twalf cnihtes; mid þissen worden forð-rihtes.
and sende heom an sonde. to Arðure kinge.
& iwuste 3if he wolde; þis fore-warde halde.
and mid his a3ere hond; bi-telen þat kine-lond.
oðer uore-liggen; his leoden to harmen.
and 3if he hit bi-talden; hafde hit on an onwalde.
Þat iherde Arður; aðelest kingen.
næs he neuere swa bliðe; ær an his liue.
for him likede tidende; from Frolle þan kinge.
and þas word seide; Arður þe sele.
Wel saið Frolle; þe king is of France.
betere is þat wit tweie; bitelen þas riche.
þene þer beon of-sla3ene; ure þeines snelle.
Þis fore-ward ich bi-luuie; bi-fore mine leoden.
to ane isette dæie; to don þat he beodeð.
þat scal beon tomar3en; biforen unker monnen.
þat fehten wit scullen unc seoluen; & falle þe for-cuðere.
And whaðer unker þe geð abake; & þis feoht wulle for-sake.
beon he in ælche londe; iqueðe for ane sconde.
þenne mæie me singe; of ane swulche kinge.
þe his beot haueð imaked; and his cniht-scipe for-saken.
Þæt iherde Frolle; þe king wes of France.

-618-

þat Arður fehten wolden; him-seolf buten cnihte.
Strong mon wes Frolle; and sterc mon on mode.
and his beot imaked hafde; bi-foren al his du3eðe.
and [h]e ne mihte; for scome muchelen; scenden hine seoluen.
bi-læuen his balde ibeot; þat he i burh hafde iseid.
Sæide þat he sæide; to soðe he hit wende.
þat Arður hit wolde for-saken; and nawiht to þan fehte taken.
for 3if hit wuste Frolle; þe king wes ane France.
þat Arður him 3etten wolde; þat he i3irnd hafde.
don he hit nolde; for a scip ful of golde.
Neoðeles wes Frolle; to fihte swi[ð]e kene.
muche cniht & strong mon; and modi on heorten.
and sæide þat he wolde. þene dæi halde.
in þan æit-londe; þe mid watere is bi-3eonge.
Þat æit-lond stondeð ful iwis; inne þere burh of Paris.
Þer ich wulle mid fehte; bi-tele mine irihte.
mid scelden; and mid cnihtes iwede.
nu to-mar3en bið þe dæi; habben þe hit bi3iten mæi.
Comen þa tiðende; to Arðure þan kinge.
þat Frolle wolde mid fæhte; France bitellen.
næs he næuere swa bliðe; ær an his liue.
and he leh3en agon; ludere stæfnenen.
and þas word seide; Arður þe kene.
Nu ich wat þat Frolle; wið me wulle fihte.
to-mar3e in þan dæie; alse he seolf demde.
i þan ait-londe; þat mid watere is bistonde.
for hit bicumeð kinge; þat his word stonde.
Leteð blawen bemen; and bodien mine monnen.
þat æuer-ælc god mon; to-niht wakien for þon.
and bidden ure Drihten; þe alle domes awalt.
þat he me iscilde; wið Frolle þene wilde.
and mid his riht honde; wite3e me wið sconde.
And 3if ich mæi þis kinelond; bi3iten to mire a3ere hon[d].
auere-ælche ærmen mon; þe æð scal iwurðen.
and wurchen ic wulle; muchel Godes wille.
Nu me uulsten þer-to; þe alle þing mai wel ((i))don.
þe he3e heuene-liche king; stonde me an helping.
for ich hine luuien wulle; þa while þe ich liuie.
Þer wes al longe niht; songes an((d)) ca[n]del-liht.

-620-

hæhliche sungen clarckes; hali Godes salmes.
Þa hit dæi we[s] amar3en; du3eðe gunne sturien.
his wæpnen he nom an honden; Arður þe stronge.
warp he an his rugge; a ræf swiðe deore.
ænne cheisil scurte; & ænne pallene curtel.
ænne burne swiðe deore; ibroiden of stele.
Sette he an hefde; ænne helm godne.
to his side he swende; his sweorde Caliburne.
his sconken he helede; mid hosen of stele.
and duden on his uoten; spuren swiðe gode.
Þe king mid his weden; leop on his stede.
me him to rehte; anne scelde gode.
he wes al clane; of olifantes bane.
Me salde him an honde. enne scaft stronge.
þer wes a þan ænde; a spære swiðe hende.
hit wes imaked; i Kairmeðin; [bi] a smið þe hehte Griffin.
hit ahte Vðer; þe wes ær king her.
Þa þe iwepned wes þe rah3e; þa gon he to uarene.
he mihte þa bi-halde; þe þer bihalfues weore.
þene king richne; rehliche riden.
seo[ð]ðen þis weorlde wes a-stald; nes hit no-whar itald.
þat æuere ai mon swa hende; wunden uppen horse.
swa him wes Arður; sune Vðeres.
Riden after þan kinge; balde here-ðringes.
a þen feoremeste flocke; feouwerti hundred.
he3e here-kempen; bihonged mid stelen.
baldere Brutten; bisie mid wepnen.
After þan fusden; fifti hundred.
þeo Wælwain ladde; þe wæs a wæl-kempe.
Seoððen þer gunnen ut si3en; sixti þusende.
Bruttes swiðe balde; þat wes þa bac-warde.
Þer wes þe king Angel; þer wes Lot and Urien.
þer wes Vrienes sune; Ywæin ihaten.
þer wes Kæi and Beduer; and biwusten þa uerde þer.
þer wes þe king Howel; hah mon of Brut-lond.
Cador þer wes æc; þe kene wes on flocke.
þer wes of Irlonde; Gillomar þe stron[g].
þer wes Gonwais þe king; Orka[nei]es deorling.

-622-

þer wes Doldamin þe kene; ut of Gut-londe.
þer wes Escil þe king; Denemarkes deorling.
Folc þer wes afoten; swa feole þusend monnen.
þat nas nauere na swa wit-ful mon; a þissere weorlde-richen.
a nauere nane spelle; þat mihte þa þusend telle.
bute he hauede mid rihte; wisdom of Drihtene.
oðer he hafde mid him; þat him hafde Mærlin.
Arður forð gon liðe; mid vnimete folke.
þat he com fuliwis; into þere burh of Paris.
a west halue þan watere; mid mucle his genge.
An æst hælf wes Frolle; mid muc%chelere ferde.
3aru to þan fehte; biforen his cnihtes alle.
Arður nom ænne bat godne; & bæh þer an inne.
mid scelde mid stede; and mid alle his iwede.
and he þat scip stronge; scaf from þan lon((de)).
and stop uppen þat æit-lond; and ladde his stede an his hond.
his men þe hine þer brohte; alse þe king hehte.
leten þene bat bu3en; forð mid þan vðen.
Frolle into scipe ferde; þe king wes unuele.
þat he auere þohte wið Arðure to fehte.
Ferde to þan æite; mid aðele his wepnen.
uppen þan æit he stop; & his stede him after droh.
þeo men þe hine þer brohten; alse þe king hehte.
lette þene bat fusen; forð mid þan vðen.
and þa kinges tweien; ane þer wuneden.
Þa me mihte bihalden; þe þer bihalues weoren.
folc a þan uolde; feondliche adredde.
heo clumben uppen hallen; heo clumben uppen wallen.
heo clumben uppen bures; heo clumben uppe tures.
þat comp to bihalden; of þan tweom kingen.
Arðures men beden; mid muchele æðmoden.
Godd þene gode; and þa hali his moder.
þat heore lauerd þere; si3e moste habben.
and þa oðere eke; bede for heore kinge.
Arður stop a stel bo3e; and leop an his blancke.
and Frolle mid his i-wede; leop on his steden.
þe an an his ænde. a þan æit-londe.

-624-

and þæ oðer an his ænde; i þan æit-londe.
heo quehten heore scaftes; kine-wurðe cnihtes.
heo græneden heore steden; gode cnihtes heo weoren.
Næs he næuere ifunde; a næuere nane londe.
nan swa wiht-ful mon; þat hit wuste ær þan.
whæðer of þan kingen; ouer-cumen sculde liggen.
for beien heo weoren cnihtes kene; ohte men and wihte.
muchele men on mihte; and a maine swiðe stronge;
Heo mune3eden heore steden. and tosomne gunnen riden;
fusden feondliche. þat fur him sprong after;
Arður smat Frolle; mid feond-stronge maine;
uppen þene sceld heh3e;
and þe stede þe wes god; leop ut i þe ulod.
Arður ut mid his sweorde; balu wes a þan orde.
and puinden uppen Frolle; þer he wes an ulode.
ær heore comp weore; icumen to þan ænde.
Ah Frolle mid honde; igræp his spere longe.
and kept Arður anan; alse he aneoust com.
and þene stede balde; smat i þere breoste.
þat þat spere þurh raf; and Arður adun draf.
Þa aras þe mon-drem; þat þe uolde dunede a-3en.
aqueðen þa weolcne; for reme of þan uolke.
Þær Br((u))ttes wolden; ouer water bu3en.
3if Arður up ne sturte; sterc-liche sone.
and igræp his sceld godne; ileired mid golde.
and to-3aines Frolle; mid feondliche lechen.
breid bi-foren breosten; godne sceld brade.
And Frolle him to fusden; mid his feond-ræse.
and his sweord up ahof; and a-dun-riht sloh.
and smat an Arðures sceld. þat he wond a þene feld.
þe helm an his hæuede; and his hereburne.
gon to falsie; foren an his hafde.
& he wunde afeng; feouwer unchene long.
heo ne þuhte him noht sær; for heo næs na mare.
þat blod orn a-dun; ouer al his breoste.
Arður wes abol3e; swiðe an his heorte.
and his sweord Caliburne; swipte mid maine;
and smat Frolle uppen þæne hælm; þat he atwa helden.

-626-

þurh-ut þere burne hod; þat hit at his breoste at-stod.
Þa feol Frolle; folde to grunde.
uppen þan gras-bedde; his gost he bi-læfde.
Þa Bruttes loh3en; ludere stefuene.
and leoden to fleonen; feondliche swiðe.
Ar[ð]ur þe riche; wende to londe.
and þus cleopien agon; aðelest kingen.
Whær ært þu Walwain; monne me leofest.
Heot þas Rom-wæren alle; mid griðen liðen heonne.
ælc mon bruke his ham; swulc Godd hit him on.
hat ælcne mon; halde grið; uppen leome & uppen lif.
and ich hit wulle dihten; to-dæi a seouennihte.
hat þis folc þenne; liðen al to-somne.
and cumen to me seoluen. þæ bet heom scal i-wur[ð]en.
Heo scullen me mon-radene; mid mo[n]scipe fremmen.
and ich heom wulle holden; a mine on-wolden.
and setten i leode; la3en swiðe gode.
For nu scullen Romanisce la3en; to þan gru[n]de reosen.
þa iuurn here; stoden mid Frolle.
þe lið on æite of-sla3en; and idon of lif-da3en.
Her-after ful sone; scal his cun of Rome.
heren tidinge; of Arðure þan kinge.
for ich heom wulle wið speken; and Rome walles to-breken.
& munegie heom hu king Belin; Bruttes ladde þider in.
and iwon him þa londes alle; þat stondeð into Rome.
Arður beh to þan 3æte; forn at þere bur3e.
comen wit-fulle men; þe þa burh biwusten.
and Arður letten binnen; mid alle his monnen.
bitahten him halles bitahten him castles.
bitahten him ful iwis; al þa burh of Paris.
þer wes muchel blissce; mid Brutisce uolke.
Þe dæi sæh to burh3e; þe Arður iset hafde.
com al þa mon-weorede; and his men bicomen.
Arður nom his du3eðe; and atwa heom to-dalde.