Brut (MS Cotton Caligula)

Layamon, fl.1200. Brut (MS Cotton Caligula)
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Brut (MS Cotton Caligula), lines 12001-13000

and þa haluendæle; Howele bitætte.
and hehte hine uaren sone; mid muchele þere uerde.
mid Brutisce monnen; londes iwinnen.
Howel dude al swa; alse Arður hine hehte.
he biwon Barri; and alle þa londes þer-bi.

-628-

Angou and Turuine; Aluerne and Gascunne.
and þa hafuenes alle; þe herden to þan londes.
Guitard þe duc hæhte; þe Peytouwe ahte.
he nolde bu3en Howele; ah heold to-3æines him æuere.
nolde he 3irnen na grið; ah Howel him faht wið.
ofte he uolc ualde; and ofte he ulem makede.
Howel al þat lond weste; & of-sloh þa leode.
Þa isæh Guitard; þe i Peitou wes lauerd.
þat alle his leoden; him to lose eoden.
wið Howele he grið makede; mid al his mon-weorede.
and bicom Arðures mon; þas aðele kingen;
Arður him warð liðe; and luuede hine swiðe.
& hehte hine his; lond bruken; for he him bæh to foten.
þa hafde Howel; hæhliche agunnen.
Arður hafde France; and freoliche heo sette.
he nom þa his ferde; and wende 3eond þan ærde.
to Burguine he wende; and sette hit an his honde.
and seo[ð]ðen he gon liðen; in-to Loherne.
and alle þa londes; sette him-seolue an honde.
al þat Arður isæh; al hit him to bæh.
and seoððen he wende ful iwis; a3ain ham to Paris.
Þa hafde Arður France; mid gode griðe astalde.
i-set and isemed; þat sel was an þeoden.
þa hehte he þa cnihtes alden; þa he hafde 3are at-halden.
þat heo to þan kinge comen; and heore læn a-fængen.
for heo feole 3eren; hafden i-bon his iueren.
Summen he 3æf lond; summen seoluer and gold.
summen he 3æf castles; summen he 3af claðes;
hehte heom uaren an wunne; and beten heore sunnen.
for-bed heom to berne wap[n]en; for ælde heom eode ouenan.
and hehte heom luuien swiðe; Godd in þissen liue.
þat he an ende ful iwis; 3efen heom his paradis.
þæt heo mosten bruken; blisse mid ænglen.
Alle þa cnihtes alde; foren to heore londe.
and þa 3unge bilæfden; mid leouen; heore kingen.
Alle þa ni3en 3ere; Arður wuneden þere.
ni3en 3ere he heold France; freoliche on honde.
and seoððen na lengere; þat lond he ne walde.

-630-

Ah þa while þe þat kinelond; stod an Ar[ð]ures hond.
þinges seolcuðe; si3en to þere þeode.
monienne mod-fulne mon; Arður make((de)) milde.
and monienne hehne mon; he helde to his foten.
Hit wes an ane Æst%tere; þat men hafden iuaste;
þat Arður ((an)) Æstere dæi hafde; his aðele men at-somne.
al þat hæhste mon-cun; þat herden in-to Francen.
& of alle þan londen; þe þider in læien.
Þer he 3ette his cnihten; alle heore irihten.
elc ane he 3ef æhte; alse he iærned hafde.
Þus him iquað Arður; aðelest kingen.
Kæi bisih þe hiderward; þu ært min haxte stiward.
her ich Angou 3iue þe; for þire wel-dede.
and alle þa irihte; þe þide[r] in beoð idihte.
Cneole me to Beduer; þu art min hexte birle her.
þa while þa ich beo an liue; luuien ich þe wulle.
her ich 3iue þe Neustrie; aneuste mire riche.
Þa hehte Neustrie; þat nu hatte Normandie.
Þe ilke tweien eorles weoren; Ar[ð]ures deore men.
at rede and at rune; an æuer-ælche tune.
Þa 3et him seide Arður; aðelest kingen.
Wend þe hider Howel-din; þu ært mi mon and mi cun.
haue þu Bulune; and bruc his on wunne.
Cum%me ner Borel; þu art cniht wis and war.
her ich þene Mans þe; mid monscipe bitæche.
and bruc þu his on wunne; for þire wel-dede.
Þus Arður þe king delde; his driht-liche londes.
after heore iwurhte; for he heom þuhte wurðe.
Þa weoren bliðe spelles; in Arðures hallen.
þer wes harepinge and song; þe[r] weoren blissen imong.
Þa Æstre wes a3onge; and Aueril eode of tune.
and þat gras was riue; and þat water wes liðe.
and men gunnen spilien; þat wes Mæi at tune.
Arður nom his folc feire; and to þere sæ uerde.
and lette bonien his scipen; wel mid þan bezsten.
& ferde to þissen londe; and up com at Londen.
up he com at Lundene; leoden to blissen.

-632-

Al hit wes bliðe; þat hine isæh mid e3en.
sone heo gunnen singe; of Arðure þan kinge.
and of þere wurð-scipe muchele; þe he iwunne hafde.
Þer custe uader þene sune; and seide to him wel-cume.
dohter þa moder; broðer þene oðer.
suster custe suster; þa softere heom wes an heorten.
A monie hundred studen; stoden bi þan weie.
folc fraini[n]ge; of feole cunne þingen.
and cnihtes heom talden; of heore on-walden.
and heore 3eolp makeden of muchele bi3eten.
Ne mihte na mon suggen; nære he na swa hende. mon.
of halue þan blissen; þa weoren mid þan Brutten.
Ælc ferde an his neode; 3eond þas kine-þeode.
from burh3e to burh3e; mid blissen uniuo3e.
and þus hit ane stu[n]de; stod a þan ilke.
blisse wes on Brutene; mid balde þan kinge.
Þa Æstre wes a3eonge; and sumer com to londe.
þa nom Arður his red; wið r[i]che his monnen.
þat he wolde inne Karliun; bere his crune him on.
and a White-sune-dæi; his folc þer isomnie.
A þen ilke da3en; men gunnen demen.
þat nes i nane londe; burh nan swa hende.
na swa wide cuð; swa Karliun bi Uske.
buten hit weoren þa burh riche; þe Rome is ihaten.
Þa 3et wes mid þan kinge; moni mon an londe.
þat quidde þa burh of Karlion; ricchere þene Rome.
and þat Uske weore; selest alre wateren.
Medewes þer weoren brade; bihalues þere burh3e.
þer wes fisc; þer wes fu3el; and fæier-nesse ino3e.
þer wes wude and wilde deor; wunder ane monie.
þer wes al þa murhðe; þe æi mon mihte of þenche.
Ah nauer seoððen Arður þider bæh; þa burh seoððe no iþæh.
no nauere ((ne)) mæi; bi-twene þis and Domes-dæi.
Summe bokes suggeð to iwisse; þat þa burh wes biwucched.
and þæt is wel isene; soð þat hit sunde.
I þære burh weoren; twa munstres swiðe mære.
þat an munstre wes of Seint Aaron; þer-inne wes muchel halidom.
þat oðer of þan martir Seint Iuliæn; þe heh is mid Drihten.

-634-

þer weoren nunnen wel idon; moni heh iboren wifmon.
Þe biscop-stole wes at Sein[t] Aaron. per wes moni sel mon;
canunes þer weoren; þe cuð weoren widen.
þer wes moni god clarc; þe wel cuðe a leore.
muchel heo ferden mid þan crafte; to lokien in þan leofte.
to lokien i þan steorren; neh3e and feorren.
þe craft is ihate; Astronomie.
Wel ofte heo þan kinge; seide of feole þinge.
heo cudden him on leoden; what him sculde ilimpen;
Swulc wes þe burh of Karliun. þer wes muchel ric%che-dom;
þer wes muchel blisse; mid bisie þan kinge.
Þe king nom his sonde; and sende 3eond his londe.
hæhte cumen eorles; hehte cumen beornes.
hehte cumen kinges; and æc here-ðringes.
hehte cumen biscop%pes; hehte cumen cnihtes.
hahte alle þa freo-men; þa [e]uere weoren an londe.
bi heore life hehte heom beon; a White-sune-dæi at Kærleon.
Cnihtes gunnen riden; vnimete whiden.
riden touward Kairliun; of feole cunne londen.
To þan White-sunedæie; þer com þe king Angel.
king of Scotlonde; mid sceone his folke.
moni wes þe faire mon; þe fol3ede þan kingen.
Of Mureiue king Vrien; and his fæire sune Ywæin.
Stater king of Suð Wales; and Cadwaðlan king of Norð Wales.
Cador eorl of Cornwale. þa þe king luuede.
Moruið of Glouchæstre; Maurin of Winchastre.
Gurguint eorl of Herford; and Beof eorl of Oxeuord.
Gursal þe balde; from Baðe þer com ride.
Vrgent of Chastre; Ionatus of Dorchestre.
Ærnald of Salesburi; and Kinmarc of Cantuareburi.
Balien of Silechæstre; Wigein of Leirchæstre.
Argal eorl of Warwic; mid folk swiðe sellic.
Dunwale Apries sune; and Kegein. Elauðes sune.
Kineus þer wes Coittes sune; & Cradoc Catelles sune.
Ædlein Cledaukes sune; Grimarc Kinmarkes sune.
Run Margoitt & Netan Clofard; Kincar. and Aikan.

-636-

Kerin Neton. and Peredur. Madoc. Traher and Elidur;
Þis weoren Arðures; aðele eorles.
and þa haxte þeines ohte; of alle þissere þeode.
wið-uten þan beornen of Arðures borden.
þa na man ne mihte ikennen; ne al þat folc inemnen.
Þa weoren ærchebiscopes þreo; inne þissere þeode.
inne Lunden and in Eou%uerwic; and inne Karliun Sein[t] Dubric.
he wes swiðe hali mon; þurh alle þinge wel idon.
To Lundene læi þe ærchebiscop-stol; þe to Cantwareburi wes seo[ð]ðe idon.
seo[ð]ðe Engliscemen; þis lond heom iwunnen.
To tellen þat folc of Kairliun; ne mihte hit na mon idon.
Þer wes Gillomar þe king; Irisce monnen deorling.
Maluerus king of Islonde; Doldanet king. of Gutlonde.
Kin[g] Kailin of Frislonde; Æscil king of Denelonde.
Þer wes Loð þe kene; þe king wes bi Norðe.
and Gonwæis Orcaneie king; ut-la3en deor-ling.
Þider com þe wilde; þe eorl of Builuine.
Læ3er wes ihaten; and his leoden mid him.
of Flandres þe eorl Howeldin; of Chæ[r]tres þe eorl Cherin.
Þeos ferede mid him; al þat Frensce moncun.
twalf eorles swiðe ræihe þe rixleden ouer France.
Guitart eorl of Peiters; Kæi þe eorl of Angers.
Beduw((e))ar eorl of Normandie; þat lond hehte þa Neustrie.
of þe Mans com þe eorl Borel; of Brutaine þe eorl Howel;
Howel eorl wes freo mon; and faire weoren his iwede.
and al þat folc Frensce; bihongen weoren feire.
i-wepned wel alle; and hors ho hafden uatte.
Þer weoren bisides; fiftene biscopes.
Nes na cniht ne na swein; ne oht mon þat weore þein.
from þa porz of Spaine; to þan tune of Alemaine.
þat þider i-comen nere; 3if he iboden weore.
al for Arðures æie; aðeles cunnes.
Þa al þis hired wes icumen; ælc king mid his folke.
þer me mihte bihalde; þe þer bi-halues weore.

-638-

moni seolcu[ð]ne mon; þe isi3en wes to burh3en.
and feole cunne tiðende; mid Arðure þan kinge.
Þer wes moni sellic clað; þer wes moni cniht wrað.
þer weoren herber3e; hæh-liche awurðe.
þer þa innes weoren; mid strengðe biwunnen.
þer weoren on uelden; moni þusend telden.
þer com spic and water; and aten vnimete.
ne mai hit na mon suggen on his tale; of þan win and of þan ale.
þer com hey þer com gras; þer com al þat god was.
Þa al þis folc isomned was; at sele þan kingge.
þa com þe White-sune-dæi; alse Drihten hine sende.
þa comen þa biscopes alle; biuoren heore kinge.
and þa ærchebiscopes þreo; biuoren Arðure.
and þene kine-helm nome; þa him wes icunde.
and setten uppen his hafde; mid he3ere blisse.
swa heo hine gunnen lede; al mid Godes rede.
Seint Dubris eoden biuoren; he wes Criste icoren.
þe ærche-biscop of Lundene; eode an his riht honden.
and bi his luft side. þe [ilke] of Eouerwike
Fiftene biscopes biuoren; of feole londen icoren.
heo weoren bi-hangen alle; mid palle swiðe balde;
þe weoren alle ibrusted. mid barninge golde.
Þer feouwer kinges eoden; biuoren þan kaiseren.
heo we3e[den] on heore honde; feouwer sweord of golde
Þus hehte þa an; þe wes a swiðe duhti mon.
þat wes Cador þe king; Ar[ð]ures deorling.
þe oðer of Scotlonde; sweord he weide an honde.
& þe king of Norð Walles; & þe king of Suð Wales.
and þus heo gunnen leden; þe king to chirechen.
þeo biscopes gunnen singe. biuoren þan leod-kinge;
bemen þer bleowen; bellen þer ringeden.
cnihtes gunnen riden; wifmen forð gliden.
To iwissen hit is isaid; and soð hit is ifunden.
þat no isah no mon; nauer ær; mid eorðliche monne her.
half swa hahne ric%che-dom; a nauer nane hepen.
swa mid Arðure was aðeles cunnes.
Into chirchen bi-com; Arður þe riche mon.

-640-

Dubriz þe arche-biscop; Drihten him wes ful god.
of Rome he wes legat; and of þan hirede prelat.
he song þa hali masse; biuoren þan leod-kinge.
Comen mid þere quene; wifmen wel idone.
þere richchere monne wif alle; þe wunede on londe.
and þere hehere monnen dohtere; þa quene hafden isohte.
al swa þa quene hafde ihate; bi hire fulle wite.
I þere chireche i þere s[u]ð halue; sat Arður þe king him-seolf.
bi pere norð side; Wenhæiuer þa quene.
Þer comen hire bi-foren; feouwer quenen i-coren.
ælc bar on luft honde; enne beh of rede gold.
& þreo snau-wh[i]te culueren; se[t]ten an heore sculderen.
þæt weoren þa feouwer quenen; þere cnihte wifen.
þa beren an heore heonden; þe feouwer sweordes of golde.
bi-uoren Arðure; aðelest kingen.
Moni mæide child. wes þere; mid mære þere quene.
þær wes moni pal hende; on faire þan uolke.
of monies cunnes londe; þer wes muchel onde.
for ælc wende to beon; betere þene oðer.
Feole cnihtes anan; comen to þere chirechen;
summe for guðinge; summe for þan kinge.
summe to bihalden; þa wifmen þat weoren balde.
Songes þer weoren murie; þa ilaste swiðe longe.
ich weone 3if hit weore; ilast seoue 3ere.
þa 3et heo weolden mare; þe þer-at weoren.
Þa þe masse wes isungen; of chircchen heo ðrunge.
þe king mid his folke; to his mete uerde.
mid mucle his du3eðe; drem wes on hirede.
Þa quene an oðer halue; hire hereberwe isohte.
heo hafde of wif-monne; wunder ane monien.
Þa þe king wes isete; mid his monnen to his mete.
to þan kinge com þæ biscop; Seind Dubriz þe wes swa god.
and nom of his hafde; his kine-hælm hæhne.
for þan mucle golde; þe king hine beren nalde.
& dude enne lasse crune; on þas kinges hafde.
and seoððen he gon do; a þere quene al swo.
Inne Troie þis wes la3e; bi heore ælderne da3e.

-642-

þa Bruttes of come; þe weoren wel idone.
alle þa wepmen; at heore mete seten.
sundi bi heom-seoluen; þat heom þuhte wel idon.
and al swa þa wifmen; heore i-wune hafden.
Þa þe king wes isete; mid alle his du3eðe. to his mete.
eorles and beornes; at borde þas kinges.
þe stiward com steppen; pe Kæy wes ihaten.
hæxt cniht on londe; vnder þan kinge.
of alle þan hæpe; of Arðures hirede.
Kay hehte him biuoren; moni hæh mon icoren.
þer weoren a þusen[d] cnihte((s)) bald; wunder wel i-talde.
þat þeineden þan kingen; & his here-ðringen.
ælc cniht hafde pal on; and mid golde bigon.
and alle heore uingeres; iriuen mid gold ringes.
Þas beorn þa sunde; from kuchene to þan kinge.
An oðer half wes Beduer; þas kinges hæ3e birle.
mid him weoren eorlene sunen; of aðele cunne iboren.
and þere heh3e cnihtene sunen; þa þider weoren icu[m]en.
seouen kingene sunen; þat mid him quehten.
Bedeuer a-uormest eode; mid guldene bolle.
after him a þusend; þrasten to hirede.
mid alle þas cunnes drenche; þe me cuðe on biðenche.
And þa quene an hire ende; wifmen swi[ð]e hende.
a þusend hire eode biuoren. riche men and wel icoren.
to þæinen þere quene; and þa[i] þat mid hire weoren.
Nes he næuere i-boren; of nane cnihte icoren.
i-læred no læwed; a nauere nare. leode.
þe cuðe him i-telle; an æies cunnes spelle.
of halue þan riche-dome; þe wes inne Kairliune.
of seoluere and of golde; and gode iweden.
of heh3e iborene monnen; þa inne hirede wuneden.
of horsen and of hafueken; of hunden to deoren.
and of riche iweden; þa a þan hirede weoren.
& of alle þan folke; þe wuneden þer on folde.
wes þisses londes folk; leodene hendest itald.
& al swa þa wimmen; wunliche on heowen.
and hah-lukest iscrudde; & alre bezst ito3ene.
For heo hafden on iqueðen alle; bi heore quike liue.

-644-

þat heo wolden of ane heowen; heore claðes habben.
Sum hafde whit sum hafden ræd; sum hafde god grene æc.
and alches cunnes fah clað; heom wes wunder ane lað.
& elche untuhtle; heo talden vn-wurðe.
Þa hafde Ænglene ard; þat alre bezste here-word.
and þis leodisce uolc æc; leofuest þan kinge.
Þa wifmen heh3e iborene; þa wuneden a þissen londe.
hafden iqueðen alle; on heore quides soðe.
þat nan lauerd taken nolde; inne þissere leode.
næuer nænne cniht; neore he noht swa wel idiht.
bute he icostned weoren; þrie inne compe.
& his oht-scipen icudde; & i-fonded hine seolue.
balde-liche he mitte þenne 3irnen him brude.
For þere ilke tuhtle; cnihtes weoren ohte.
þa wif-men wel idone; and þa betere biwitene.
þa weoren i Brutene; blissen ino3e;
Þa þe king i3eten hafde. and al his mon-weorede.
þa bu3en of burh3e; þeines swiðe balde.
alle þa kinges; and heore hereþringes;
alle þa biscopes; and alle þa clærckes.
alle þa eorles; and alle þa beornes.
alle þa þeines; alle þa sweines;
feire iscrudde; helde 3eond felde.
Summe heo gunnen ærnen; summe heo gunnen urnen.
summe heo gunnen lepen; summe heo gunnen sceoten.
summe heo wræstleden; and wiðer-gome makeden.
summe heo on uelde; pleouweden vnder scelde.
summe heo driuen balles; wide 3eond þa feldes.
Monianes kunnes gomen; þer heo gunnen driuen.
& wha-swa mihte iwinne; wurðsciþe of his gomene.
hine me ladde mid songe; at-foren þan leod-kinge.
and þe king for his gomene; 3æf him 3euen gode.
Alle þa quene; þe icumen weoren þere.
and alle þa lafdies; leoneden 3eond walles.
to bihalden þa du3eðen; and þat folc plæie.
Þis ilæste þreo dæ3es; swulc gomes & swulc plæ3es.
Þa a þan ueorðe dæie; þe king gon to spekene.
and a3æf his gode cnihten; al heore rihten.
he 3ef seoluer he 3æf gold; he 3ef hors he 3ef lond.
castles & claðes eke; his monnen he ique[m]de.

-646-

þer wes moni bald Brut; biuoren Arðure.
Nu comen to þan kinge; neouwe tidinde.
Arður þe ba[l]de king; sat at ane borde.
biuoren him seten kinges; and feole here-ðringes.
biscopes and clærekes; and swiðe ohte cnihtes.
Þer comen in-to halle; spelles seol-cuðe.
þer comen twalf þeines ohte; mid palle bi-þehte.
hæ3e here-kempen; heh3e men on wepne.
ælc hafde on heonde; grætne ring of golde.
and mid æne bende of golde; ælc hafde his hæfd biuonge.
Æuer tweie and tweie; tuhte to-somne.
ælc mid his honde; heold his iuere.
and gliden ouer ulore; biuoren Arðure.
swa longe þat heo comen; bi-uoren Arðure. þan leod-kinge.
Heo grætten Arður anan; mid aðelen heore worden.
Hal seo þu Arður king; Bruttene deorling.
and hal seo þi du3eðe; and al þi driht-liche uolc.
We sunden twælf cnihtes; i-cumen her forð-rihtes.
riche and wel idone; we sundeð of Rome
Hider we sunden. icumene; from ure kaisere.
Luces is ihaten; þe waldoð Rome-leoden.
he hahte us hider wende; to Arðure þan kinge.
and þe hat græten; mid his grim worden.
& sæið þat he awundred is; wunder ane swiðe.
whar þu þat mod nime; a þisse middenerde.
þat þu derst of Rome; wið-suggen æi dome.
oðer hebben up þin e3en; a3ein ure ældren.
and wha hit þe durre ræden; þat þu swa reh ært. iwurðen.
þat þu þrattien darst; domes walden.
Luces þene kaisere. hexst of quicke monnen.
Þu haldest al þi kine-lond; a þire a3ere hond.
and nult noht þene kaisere; of londe ihere.
of þan ilke londe; þe Iulius hafde an honde.
þa inne iuurn da3æn; biwon hit mid fehten.
and þu hit hauest at-holde; a þire an-wolde.
mid balden þine cnihten; binimest us ure irihten.
Ah sæi us Arður sone; and word send to Rome.
we sculleð bere þin ærde; to Luces ure kaisere.
3if þu wult icnawen; þat he is king ouer þe.

-648-

and þu his mon bicumen wulle; and hine for lauerd icnawen.
and don riht þan kaisere; of Frolle þan kinge.
þat þu mid wo3e; at Paris a-slo3e.
& nu haldest al his lond; mid unrihte a þire hond.
3if þu i þissen twælf wiken; temest to þan rihten.
and þu wult of Rome; þolien æi dome.
þenne miht þu libben; imong þine leoden.
And 3if þu swa nult don; þu scalt wursen vnder-fon.
þe kaisere wule her cumen; swa king scal to his a3en.
king swiðe kene; and nimen þe mid strengðe.
ibunden þe lede; biuoren Rom-leoden.
þenne most þu þolien; þat þu ærst for-ho3edest.
Æfne þisse worden; Bruttes bu3en from borden.
þer wes Ar[ð]ures hird; hehliche awraððed.
and muchene að sworen; uppen mære ure Drihten.
þat alle heo dede weoren; þa þeos arunde beden;
mid horsen al to-dra3ene. dæð heo sculden þolie;
Þer heo bu3en to; Bruttes swiðe wraðe.
luken heom bi uaxe; and laiden heom to grunde.
þer weoren men Romanisce; reouliche ato3ene.
3if Arður ne leope to; swulc hit a liun weore.
and þas word seide; wisest alre Brutten.
Bilæueð bilaueð swiðe; þas cnihtes on liue.
ne sceollen heo on mine hirede; nenne harm þolien.
heo beoð hider iriden; ut of Rom-leoden.
swa heore lauerd heom hehte; Luces is ihaten.
Ælc mon mot liðen; þer his lauerd hine hateð gan.
nah na man demen; erendes-mon to dæðen.
bute he weoren swa ufele biwiten. þet he weore lauerd-swike.
Ah sitteð adun stille; cnihtes inne halle.
and ich me biræde wulle; of swulchere neode.
wulc word heo scullen a3en beren; to Luces þan kaiseren.
Þa seten adun alle; þa du3eðe on heore benche.
and þa luding alæid; biuoren þan leod-kinge.
Þa stod Arður him up; a[ð]elest kingen;
and he cleopede him to; seouen sune kinges.
eorles and beornes; & þa þe weoren baldest.
and alle þa wiseste men; þa wuneden a þen folke.

-650-

wenden in-to ane huse; þe wes biclused faste.
an ald stanene weorc; stiðe men hit wurhten.
þer men gunnen rune; his red-3euen wise.
wulc andswere he 3iuen wolde; Luces þan kaisere.
Þa ibo3en weoren alle; beornes to benche.
þa wes hit al stille; þat wuneden inne halle.
þer wes vnimete æie; mid mære þan kinge.
ne durste þer na man speken; leste þe king hit wolde awreken.
Þa stod þer up Cador; þe eorl swiðe riche ær.
and þas word sæide; bifore þan riche kinge.
Ich þonkie mine Drihte; þat scop þes dæies lihte.
þisses dæies ibiden; þa to hirede is ibo3en.
and þissere tidinge; þe icumen is to ure kinge.
þat we ne þuruen na mare aswunden liggen here.
For idelnesse is luðer; on ælchere þeode.
for idelnesse makeð mon; his mon-scipe leose.
ydel-nesse makeð cnihte; for-leosen his irihte.
idelnesse græiðeð; feole uuele craften.
idel-nesse makeð leosen; feole þusend monnen.
þurh eðeliche dede; lute men wel spedeð.
For 3are we habbeoð stille ileien; ure wurð-scipe is þa lasse.
ah nu ic þo[n]kie Drihtne; þæ scop þas da3es lihte.
þat Romanisce leoden sunden swa ræie.
& heore beot makieð to cumen ure burh3es.
ure king binden; and to Rome hine bringen.
Ah 3if hit is soð þat men saið; alse segges hit telleð.
þat Romanisce leoden; sunden swa ræ3e.
and sunden swa balde; and swa balu-fulle.
þat heo wulleð nu liðen; in-to ure londen.
we heom scullen 3arekien; 3eomere spelles.
heore ræh-scipe scal heom-seoluen; to reouþe iwurðen.
For nauere ne lufede ich longe; grið inne mine londe.
for þurh griðe we beoð ibunden; and wel neh al a-swunden.
Þat iherde Walwain; þe wes Ar[ð]ures mæi.
and wraððede hine wið Cador swi[ð]e; þa þas word kende.
and þus andswærede; Walwain þe sele.
Cador þu ært a riche mon; þine ræd%des ne beo[ð] noht idon.
for god is grið; and god is frið; þe freoliche þer haldeð wið.

-652-

and Godd sulf hit makede; þurh his Godd-cunde.
for grið makeð godne mon; gode workes wurchen.
for alle monnen bið þa bet; þat lond bið þa murgre.
Þa iherde Arður; þat flit of þissen eorlen.
and þus spac þe riche; wið ra3en his folke.
Sitte adun swiðe; mine cnihte alle.
and ælc bi his lifen; luste mine worden;
Al hit wes stille; þat wunede inne halle
Þa spak þe king balde; to riche his folke.
Mine eorles mine beornes; balde mine þeines.
mine duhti men; mine freond deoren;
þurh eou ich habbe biwunnen; vnder þere sunnen.
þat ich æm swiðe riche mon; reh wið mine feonden.
gold ich habbe and gærsume; gumenen ich æm ælder.
no biwan ich hit noht ane; ah dude we alle clæne.
To moni feohte ich habbe eou ilad. and æuere 3et weoren wel irad.
swa þat feole kine-londes; stondeð a mine honde.
3e beoð gode cnihtes; ohte men and wihte.
þat ich habbe iuonded; i wel feole londen.
Þa 3et him spac Arður; aðelest kingen.
Nu 3e habbeoð iherd; hæ3e mine þeines;
what Romanisce men; redeð heom bi-twenen.
and wulc word heo sendeð us here; into ure londe.
mid write & mid worde; wið grætere wræððe.
Nu we mote bi-ðenchen; hu we ure þeoden.
and ure muchele wurð-scipe; mid rihte ma3en bi-wite3en.
wið þis riche moncun; wið þas Rome-leoden.
and andsware heom senden; mid aðelen ure worden.
mid mucle wisdome; vre writ senden to Rome.
& i-witen at þan kæisere; for whan he us ofcunnen.
for whan he us mid þrætte; & mid hokere igræteð.
Swiðe sære me gromeð; & vni[m]ete me scomeð.
þat he at-wit us ure luren; þat we ifeorn habbeoð forloren.
Heo suggeð þat Iulius Cesar hit biwon. mid compe i fehten.
Mid strengðe and mid fehte; me deð feole vnrihte.
for Cesar i-sohte Bruttene; mid baldere strengðe;
no mihte Bruttes wið him; heore lond werien.
ah mid stre[n]ðe heo eoden an hond; and bitahten him al heore lond.

-654-

and þer-after sone; alle his men bicome.
Sum ure cun heo hadden i-sla3en; and sum mid horsen to-dra3en.
summe heo ladde ibunden; ut of þissen londen.
and þ[i]s lond biwunne; mid unrihte and mid sunnen.
& nu axeð mid icunde; gauel of þissen londe.
Al swa we ma3en don; 3ef we hit don wulleð.
þurh rihte icunde; of Beline kinge.
and of Brennen his broðer; þan duc of Burgunne.
Þeos weoren ure ældre; þa we beoð of icumene.
þeos bilæie Rome; and þa riche al bi-wunnen.
& biuoren Rome þere stronge; heore 3isles an-henge.
and seoððen heo nomen al þat lond; and setten hit an heore a3ere hond.
and þus we mid rihte ahten; Rome us biriden.
Nu ich wulle leten Belin; and Brenne bilæuen.
and speken of þan kaisere; Costantin þan stronge.
he wes Helene sune; al of Brutten icume.
he biwon Rome; and þa riche a-welde;
Lete we nu of Costantin; þe Rome iwon al to him.
and speken of Maximiæn; þat was a swiðe stro[n]g mon.
he wes king of Brutene; he biwon France.
Maximien þe stronge; Rome he nom an honde.
and Alemaine he biwon eke; mid wunder muchele strengðe.
and al from Romayne; into Normandie.
And þeos weoren mine ælderen mine aððele uore-genglen.
and ahten alle þa leoden; þa into Rome leien.
and þurh swuche dome; ich ahte to bi3eten Rome.
Heo 3irneð me an honde; gauel of mine londe.
al swa ic wille of Rome; 3if ich ræd habbe.
Ich wilnie a mine þonke; to walden al Rome.
and he wilneð me in Brutene; to binde swiðe uaste;
and slæn mine Bruttes; mid his balu-reses.
Ah 3if hit on mi Drihten; þe scop dæi3es and niht%ten.
he scal his balde ibeot; sære abuggen.
& his Rom-leoden; þer-fore scullen reosen.
and ic wulle ræh beon; þer he nu rixleð on.
Wunieð nu stille alle; ic wulle suggen mine iwille.
ne scal hit na man oðer i-don; ah hit scal stonden þer-on.

-656-

He wilneð al; and ich wilni al; þæt wit beiene a3æð.
habben hit nu and a3e; þe hit æð mæ3en iwinne.
for nu we scullen cunne. wham hit Godd unne.
Þus spac þe balde; þe Brutene hafde an onwalde.
þat wes Arður þe king; Bruttene deorling
Setten his kempen; and his quides lusten.
summe heo sæten stille; mucle ane stunde.
summe heo muche runen; ræhten heom bitweonen.
summe hit þuhte heom god; summe hit mengden heore mod.
Þa heo hafden longe; i-lustned þan kinge.
þa spac Howel þe hende; hah mon of Brutene.
and his quides ræhte. bi-uoren raien þan kinge.
Lauerd king hercne me; alse ich ær dude þe.
Þu hafest i-sæid word soðe; selehðe þe beoð 3ifðe.
Hit wes 3are iqueðen; þat we nu sculleð cuðen.
i þan iuurn 3ere; þat nu is ifunden here.
Sibeli hit sæide; hire quides weoren soðe.
and sette hit on bocke; uolke to bisne.
þat þreo k[ing]es sculden bu3en; ut of Brut-londe.
þa biwinnen sculden Rome; and al þa riche.
and alle þa londes; þe [þ]er-to liggeð.
Þe uorme wes Belin; þat wes a Brittisc king.
þe oðer wes Costantin; þe king wes on Brutene.
þu scalt beon þe þridde; þe Rome scal habben.
And 3if þu wult bi-ginnen; þu hit scalt biwinnen.
and ich wulle þer-to helpe. mid ha3ere strenðe;
ich wulle ouer sæ sende. to selen mine þeinen.
to balden mine Brutten. þa bet we scullen fusen.
Ich wulle haten alle; þa aðele of Bruttain%ne.
bi leomen and bi heore liue; 3eond alle mine londe.
þat heo beon 3arewe sone; mid þe uaren to Rome.
Mi lond ich wulle sette; to wedde for [s]eoluere.
and alle þe æhten of mine londe; for seoluere and for golde.
and swa we scullen uaren to Rome; & slan Luces þene kaisere.
& bi-tellen þine irihten. I þe lede ten þusend cnihtes.
Þus Howel spilede; hext of Brutaine.
Þa þe Howel iseid hafde; þat him sel þuhte.
þa spæc Angel þe king; Scotlondes deorling.
and stod uppen ane boncke; & beien his broðeren.

-658-

þat was Lot and Vrien; tweie swiðe aðele men.
Þus Angel þe ki[n]g seide; to Arðure þan kene.
Læuerd Arður ich sugge þe; þurh soðe quides mine.
þat ilke þat Howel haf[eþ] ispeken; ne scal hit na man a-wreken.
ah we hit scullen ilæsten; bi ure quicke liuen.
And lauerd Arður þe hæh3e; lust me ane stunde.
c[l]eope þe to ræde; þine eorles riche.
and alle þa hæxte; þa beoð in þine hirede.
& bide heom þe suggen; mid soðen heore worden.
whæt heo þe wulleð fulste; þine iuan to for-donne.
Ich þe leden wulle; cnihtes of mire leode.
þreo þusend kempen; ohte alle i-corene.
ten þusend men auote; to uehte swiðe gode.
and fare we to Rome; and iwinnen þa riche.
Ful swiðe us mæi scomien; and ful swiðe us mai gromien.
þat heo sculle senden sonden; after gauele to ure londe.
Ah swa us helpe Drihte; þæ scop þas da3es lihte.
heo hit scullen abugge; mid heore bare liue.
For þenne we habbeoð Rome; and alle þa riche.
we scullen nimen þa londes; þa þer-to liggeð.
Peoile and Alemaine. Lumbardie & Brutaine.
France & Normandie; þa hit hæhte Neustrie.
and swa we sculleð meðegie; heore mod vnimete.
Þa þe king isaid hafde; þa andswarede alle.
Iniðered wurðe þe ilke mon; þe þer-to nule helpen.
mid ahten and mid wepnen; and mid alle his imihten.
Þa wes Arðures hired; sturneliche awraððed.
cnihtes an-burste weoren; þat alle heo gunnen biuien.
Þa Arður iherd hafde; his hired iberen.
þa cleopien agon; þe king wes abol3en.
Sitteð adun stille; cnihtes inne halle.
and ich eou wulle telle; what ich don wulle.
Mine writen ich wulle maken; þa wel beon idihte.
and sende þan kæisere; modes sor3e and muchel kare.
and ich wulle ful sone; faren into Rome.
Nulle ich þider na gauel bringe; ah þane kaiser ich wulle binden.
and seoððen ich wullen hine an-hon; and al þat lond ich wulle uordon.

-660-

and foruaren þa cnihtes alle; þe a3ein me stondeð i fehte.
Arður his writ nom an honden; mid wiðer-fulle worden.
and þan beornen hit bi-tahte; þæ þa ærnde hafde ibrohte.
and seoððe he lette heom scruden; mid ælchere pruden.
mid þan hæxte scrude; þa he hafde on bure.
and hehte heom faren sone; to Luces of Rome.
and he cumen after wolde; swa raðe swa he mihte.
Þas twælfe heore wai ferden; tou-ward heore londen.
mid seolure and mid golde;
cnihtes swa iscrudde. no þurh al swa wel idihte;
þus Arður heom dihte. al for heore worde.
Þas twalf cnihtes foren; þat heo to Rome comen.
heo gretten heore kaisere; heore kine-lauerd.
Hail seo þu Luces; þu art hæxt ouer us.
We ((w))oren at þan ra3e; at Ar[ð]ure þan kinge.
we habbeoð writen ibroht þe word swiðe grate.
Arður is þe kenneste mon; þat we æuere lokeden on.
and he is wunder riche; and his þeines beoð balde.
þer is æuer-ælc swein; swulc he cniht weore.
þer is æuer-ælc swein; swulc he weore riche þein.
þer beoð þa cnihtes; swulc hit weoren kinges.
mete þer is vnimete; & men swiðe balde.
and þa ueie3ereste wifmen; þa wunieð on liuen.
and him-seolf Arður þe balde; uæi3erest ouer alle.
Bi us he sende word þe; þat he wule to þisse londe.
na gauel he nule bringen; ah þe seoluen he wule binden.
and seoðð he wule þe an-hon; and þis lond al for-don.
and Alemaine Lunbardie; Burguine France. and Normandie;
Frolle he sloh ((is)) iua. swa he wulle us alle do.
and ahnien him ane; þa we a3en alle clane.
Her-to he wule leden kinges; eorles & here-þringes.
And her we habbeoð an honden; writen þat he sende.
þe þe quiddieð what he wule don; þenne he cumeð hider on.
Þa þæ ærnde wes iseid. þæ kaisere wes ful særi mon.
& astured weoren; Rom-weren alle. mid sterclichere wræððe;
Ofte heo eoden to ræde. ofte heo heolden rune;
ær heom mihte iwurðen. waht heo don wolde.

-662-

Noðeles a þan ende; enne ræd heo ifunden.
þat was þurh þa senaturs; þa þet sinað heolden.
þan kaisere heo radden; þat he write runen;
and sende his sonde; 3eond feole kinelonde.
and hehte heom cume sone; alle to Rome.
of euer-ælche londe; þe heom oht lufeden.
and alle þa wulleð mid fehte; bi3iten lond oðer ahte.
Folc þer com sone; to þere burh of Rome.
swa muchel swa þer neuere ærer; na mon no isumnede.
Heo seiden þat heo wolden; ouer Munt Giu iwenden.
and wið Arðure fehten; whar-swa heo hine ifunden.
and Arður slæn oðer an-hon; and his hired al for-don.
and ahnien þan kaisere Arðures riche.
Þe æreste king þe þer com; he wes swiðe kene. mon.
Epistrod king of Grece; Ethion duc of Boece.
per com mid mucle wi3e; Irtac king of Turckie.
Pandras king of Egipte; of Crete þe king Ipolitte.
of Syrie þe king Euander of Frigie þe duc Teucer.
of Babilone Mæptisas; of Spaine þe kaisere Meodras.
of Medie þe king Boccus; of Libie þe king Sexstorius.
of Bittunie Pollidices; of Iturie þe king Sexes.
Ofustesar king of Aufrike; nes þer na king his ilike.
mid him com moni Aufrican; of Ethiope he brohte þa bleomen.
Þa seolue Romleoden; liðen heom to-somne.
þat weoren at nexte; of Rome þa hexte.
Marces Lucas and Catel. Cocta Gaius & Metel.
þis weoren þa sixe; þe þat senaht al biwusten.
Þa þis folc isomned wes; of feole cunne londes.
þa sette þe kaisere; arimen al þæne here.
Þa weoren þer riht italde; to fihte swi[ð]e balde.
feouwer hundred þusende; cnihtes a þan hæpe.
mid wepnen. and mid horsen; swa bihoueð to cnihten.
Nes he neuere iboren; i nauere nane bur3e.
þat mihte þat folc tellen; þat þer eoden a-uoten.
Auormest heruestes dæie; uorð heo gunnen sturien.
auer riht þene wæi; þet touward Munt Giu lai.
Lete we nu ane while; þeos ferde bilæue.
and speke we of Arðure aðelest kinge.

-664-

þa þe he bisoht hafde; his þeines sele.
and ælc wes ham iuare; þer he lond hafde.
And raðe a-3æin comen; cnihtes to hireden.
mid wepnen wel idihten; þurh allen heore mihte.
of Scotlond of Irlond; of Gutlond of Islond.
of Noreine of Denene; of Orcaneie of Maneie.
of þan ilke londen; beoð an hundred þusende.
iwepnede þeines ohte; on heore londes wise.
Neoren hit noht cnihtes; no þes wæies idihte.
ah hit weoren men þa kenlukeste; þa æi mon ikende;
mid mucle wiaxen; mid longe saxen.
Of Normandie of Angou; of Brutaine of Peitou.
of Flandres of Bulunne; of Loherne of Luueine.
comen an hundred þusende; to þas kinges. hirede.
cnihtes mid þan bezsten; þurh-costned mid wepnen.
Þer comen þa twalf iueren; þa France sculden heren.
twelf þusend cnihtes; heo brohten forð-rihtes.
and of þissen londe Arður nom an honde.
fifti þusend cnihtes kene; and ohte men to fihte.
Howel of Brutaine; cnihtes mid þan bezste.
ten þusend la[d]de; of his leod-folke.
Of ganninde monnen; þa heo forð wenden.
þurh nane cunnes spelle; ne cuðe heom na mon telle.
Arður þa hehte; aðelest kinge.
to ane isette time; þat folc isomnien
bi heore bare lifen. at Barbe-fleote;
& þer he wolde gædere. sele his þede.
Þis lond he bi-tahte; ane sel-cuðe cnihte.
he wes Walwain%nes broðer; næs þer nan oðer.
Moddred wes ihaten; forcuðest monnen.
treouðe nefde he nane; to nauer nane monne.
he wes Arðures mæi; of aðelen his cunne.
ah cniht he wes wunder god. & he hafde swiðe muchel mod.
Arðures suster sune; to þere quene wes his iwune.
þat wæs ufele idon; his æme he dude swike-do[m].
Ah al hit wes stille; in hirede and in halle.
for na man hit ne wende. þat hit sculde iwurðe.

-666-

ah men to soðe i-wenden; for Walwain wes his broðer.
þe alre treoweste gume; þe tuhte to þan hirede.
þurh ((Wal))wain. wes Modræd; monnen þa leouere.
and Arður þe kene; ful wel him iquemde.
He nom al his kinelond; & sette hit Moddræd an hond.
and Wenhauer his quene wurðlukest wiuen.
þa þe in þissere leode; wunede; an londe.
Arður bi-tahte; al þat he ahte.
Moddrade and þere quene; þat heom was ique[m]e.
Þat was ufele idon; þat heo iboren weoren.
þis lond heo for-radden; mid ræuðen uniuo3en.
and a þan ænden heom-seoluen; þe Wurse gon i-scenden.
þat heo þer for-leoseden; lif and heore saulen.
and æuer seoððe laðen; in auer-ælche londe.
þat nauer na man nalde; sel bede beoden for heore saule.
for þan swike-dome; þat he dude Ar[ð]ure his æme.
Al þat Arður ahte; he Moddrede bitahte.
lond and his leoden; & leofen his quene.
and seððen he nom his ferde; of folken swiðe hende.
and ferde ful sone; touward Suð-hamtune.
Þer comen seilien sone; 3eond þa sæ wide.
scipes uniuo3e; to þas kinges folke.
þe king þat folc beide; 3eond þa scipen longe.
bi þusend & bi þusend; to þan scipen þrasten.
þe uader weop a þene sune; suster a þene broðer.
moder a þa dohter; þa þa du3eðe sturede.
Weder stod on wille; wind wex an honde;
ankeres heo up dro3en; drem wes on uolken.
Wunden in-to widen sæ; þeines wunder bliðe.
scipen þer forð þrungen; gleo-men þer sungen.
seiles þer tuhten; rapes þer rehtten.
wederen alre selest; and þa sæ sweuede.
For þere soft-nesse; Ar[ð]ur gon to slæpen.
Alse þe king slepte; a sweuen him ((i))mette.
feorlic wes þat sweouen. þene king hit auerde;
þa þe king him awoc; swiðe he wes idræcched.
and granen agon; ludere stefenen.
Næs þer nan swa þriste; cniht under Criste.

-668-

þat durste þene king fræine; of his fare-coste.
ær þe king him-seolf speke; and spilede wið his beornen þere.
and þus Ar[ð]ur him seide; þa he awoc of slæpe.
Lauerd Drihten Crist; domes waldende.
midelarde mund; monnen froure.
þurh þine að-mode wil; walden ænglen.
let þu mi sweuen; to selþen iturnen.
Þa spac Angel þe king. Scottene deorling.
Lauer[d] sæi us þi sweuen; sele3ehðe us beo 3eueðe.
Bluðeliche quað þe king; to blisse hit iwurðe.
Þer ich lai a sweuete; agan ich forto slepe.
me þuhte þat in þere weolcne; com an wunderlic deor.
æst in þan leofte; ladlic an sehte.
wið leite mid storme. sturn-liche wende.
nis in nare leode; nan swa lad-lic beore.
Þa com þer westene; winden mid þan weolcnen.
a berninge drake; ((burh))[3es he] ((suel))[de]
mid his feure he lihte. al þis lond-riche;
me þuhte a mire sih3eðe. þat þa sæ gon to berne;
of leite & of fure. þa þe drake ferede;
Þes drake and beore. beien to-somne.
radliche sone; to-gadere heo come;
heo smiten heom to-gaderen; mid feondliche ræsen.
[f]lo3en of heore hæ3ene; swulc fur-burondes.
Ofte wes þe drake buuen; and eft seoððen bineoþen.
neoðeles a þan ænde; he3en he gon wende.
and he flah dun-rihte; mid feond-liche ræsen.
and þene beore he ismat. þat he to þere eorðe iwhat.
and he þer þene beore of-sloh; and hine lim-mele to-droh.
Þa þat feht wes ido; þe drake a3en wende.
Þis sweuen me imette; þer ich lai and slapte.
Biscopes þis iherden; & boc-ilærede men.
þis iheorden eorles; þis iherden beornes.
ælc bi his witte; wisdom sæiden.
þis sweuen aræhten;
Ne durste þer na cniht; to ufele ræcchen na wiht.
leoste he sculden leosen; his leomen þat weoren him deore.

-670-

Forð heo gunnen liðen; an eouste bilife.
wind heom stod on wille; selest alre wedere.
heo hæfden al þat heom wes neod; to londen heo comen at Barbe-fleot.
To Barbe-fleot at Costentin; þer com muchel moncun in.
of alle þan londe; þa Arður hafde an honde.
Swa sone swa heo mihten; ut of scipe heom rehten.
þe king his folc hehte; herberwe isechen.
an badien þe king wolde; þat his folc come;
Nes he þere buten ane niht; þa com him to an hende cniht.
he talde tidinge Arðure þan kinge.
he seide þat þer wes icumen; a scaðe liðe.
of westward Spaine; wel [d]reori feond
and inne Brutaine. bisi wes to harme;
bi þere sæ-side. þet lond he weste wide;
nu hit hatte Munt Seint Michel; þat lond ewelde. iwidel.
Lauerd king queð þe cniht; to soðe ich þe cuðe her-riht.
he hafueð inome þine ma3e; mid hahliche strenðe.
he3e wimmon i-boren; Howeles dohter icoren.
Eleine wes ihaten; aðelest maidenen.
To þan munte he heo uerede; aðelest maidene;
nu fulle feowertene niht; þe feond heo hafueð ihalden þer-riht.
nute we on liue; þeh he heo nabbe to wife.
Alle he makeð him to mete; þa men þa he i-gripeð.
ruðeren hors & þa scep; gæt and þa swin eke.
al þis lond he wule for-fare; buten þu afeollen ure kare.
lond and þas leode; a þe is ure neode.
3et þe cniht seide; to þan uolc-kinge.
I-sihst þu lauerd þe munt; and þene wude muchele.
þer wuneð þe scaðe inne þa scendeð þas leode.
We habbeð wið him iuohten; wel feole siðen.
bi sæ & bi londe; þes leoden he amærde.
ure scipen he aseingde; þat folc he al adrente.
þeo þat feuhten a þan londe; þeo he adun leide.
we habbeoð idriuen þat swa longe; þat we hine læteð ane.
faren heu swa he wule; after iwille him;
þis lond-cnihtes ne durren; wið him mare na fehten.
Arður þis iherde; aðelest alre kinge.

-672-

he cleopede him to. þene eorl Kæi; þe wes his stiward and his mæi.
Beduer eke; to him he cleopede. he wes þes kinges birle.
He hæhte heom forð-riht; beon al war to midder-niht.
mid alle heore wepne; to wenden wið þan kinge.
þat na mon under Criste; of heore uare nuste.
buten Arður þe king; and þa tweien cnihtes mid him.
and heore sweines sixe ohte men and wihte.
and þe cniht þe radde; hit þan king. heom ladde.
To þere mid-nihte; þa men weoren aslepe.
Arður forð him wende; aðelest alre kinge.
Bi-foren rad heore lo[n]d-cniht; þat hit was dæiliht;
heo lihten of heore steden; and rihten heore i-weden.
Þa ise3en heo nawiht feorren; a muchel fur smokien.
uppen ane hulle; mid sæ-ulode bi-uallen.
and an-oðer hul þer wes swiðe heh; þæ sæ hine bifledde. ful neh.
þer-uuen-on heo ise3en a fur; þat wes muchel and swiðe stor.
Þæ cnihtes þa tweoneden; to whaþere heo faren mihten.
þet þe eotend war neore; of þeos kinges fore.
Þa nom him to rede; Arður þe ræ3e.
þat heo sculden somed faren; aneosten þan ane furen.
and 3if hine þer funden; a-quellen hine to deðen.
Forð þe king wende; þat he com aneuste.
noht he þer ne funde. bute a muchel fur þer berninde.
Arður eode abute; & his cnihtes bi his siden.
na whit heo ne funden; quikes uppen wolden.
buten þat fur muchele; and ban vnimete.
bi atlinge heom þuhte; þritti uoðere.
Arður þa nuste. nenne red godne
& bi-gon him to spekene. to Beduer his eorle.
Beduer far biliue; a-dun of þissen hulle.
and wend þe ouer þat water deope; mid allen þine iwede;
and mid wisdome; wend to þan fure.
and bi-halues þe iga; and bi-hald 3eorne.
3if þu miht a-finden; oht of þan feonden.
And 3if þu hine miht of-3iten; on ai3es cunnes wisen.
wend adun stille; þat cume to þan watere.
& seien me þer sone; what þu i-se3en habbe.
and 3if hit ilimpeð swa; þat þu liðen to þan fure.

-674-

& þe feond þe of-3ite; and þu to fuse.
hafe mine godne horn; þe al mid golde is ibon.
and blawe hine mid maine; swa mon scal for neode.
and fus þe to þan feonde; and bigin to fihten.
& we þe scullen fusen to; swa we hit swiðest ma3en don.
And 3if þu hine i-findest; aneouste þan fure;
and þu al un-a3eten a3ein miht iwende.
þenne for-beode ich þe; bi þine bare life.
þat þu nauere wið þene scucke; feht no biginne.
Beduer iherde; what his lauerd him seide.
his wepnen he on him dude; and forð him iwende.
and up a-stæh þene munt; þe is uni-mete.
He bar an his honde; ænne gære swiðe stronge.
ænne sceld an his rugge; i-rust al mid golde.
hælm an his hafde; hehne of stele.
his bodi wes bifeong; mid fæire are burne.
he hafde bi his side; enne brond al of stele.
and forð he gon steppen; stið imainede eorl.
þat he com fusen; an neouste þan furen.
and he under ane treo; gon him at-stonden.
Þa iherde he wepen; wunder ane swiðen.
wepen and weinen; and wanliche iberen.
Þa þe cniht wende; þat hit þe eotend weoren.
and he an-bursten agon; swulc weore a wilde bar.
and for3æt sone; þat his lauerd him sæide.
His sceld he bræid on breoste; his spere he igrap faste.
and an neoste gon fuse; touward þan fure.
he wende to finden; þene feond sturne.
þat he fehten mihte; and fondien hine seolue.
Þa fond he þer ane quene; quecchen mid hafde.
heor-lockede wif; weop for hire wei-sið.
wanede hire siðes; þat heo wæs on liues
þat set bi þan fure; mid reolichen ibere.
& sæt & bi-heold æuere; ænne burinæsse.
and hire 3eddes sæide; 3eomere stefne.
Wale Eleine; wale deore maide.

-676-

wale þat ich þe uedde; þat ich þe uostredde.
wale þat þæ wald-scaðe; here þe haueð þus for-uare.
wale þat ich wes iboren; mine leomen he haueð to-broken.
Þa bi-sæh þat wif abuten; whar þe eotend come bu3en.
bi-seh a þene eorl Beduer; þa icumen wes þer.
Þa sæide þat wif here; þer heo sæt bi fure.
Whæt ært þu fære whit; eært þu angel eært cnih[t].
beoð þine feðer-heomen; ihaneked mid golden.
3if þu ært of heuene; þu miht isund faren heonene.
and 3if þu ært eorðlic cniht; ærm þu iwurðest forð-riht.
For nu anan cumeð þe scaðe; þe alle þine leomen wule to-dra3en.
þeh þu weore stel al; he þe awalt iwildel.
He uerde to Brutaine; to að[el]est alre bolde;
to Howeles castle; hæh mon inne Brutene.
þa 3aten alle he to-brac; and binnen he gon wende.
He nom þare halle wah; and helden hine to grunde.
þæs bures dure he warp adun; þat heo to-barst a uiuen.
he funde i þan buren; fæirest alre bruden.
Eleinen wes ihaten; aðelest kunnen.
Howeles dohter; hæh mon of Brutene.
Arðures ma3e; of swiðe he3e cunne.
Ich wes hire uoster-moder; and feire heo uostredde.
Þer þe eotend unc ifeng; forð mid him-seoluen.
fiftene mile;
into þisse wilde wude. hider to þissen ilke stude;
þus he us diste; to-dæi a seouen nihte.
Sone swa he hider com; swa he þat maide inom.
he wolde mon-radene; habben wið þan maidene.
Ælde næfde heo na mare; buten fihtene 3ere.
ne mihte þat maiden; his mone i-þolien.
anan swa he lai hire mide; hire lif heo losede sone.
& her he heo bi-burede; burden alre hendest.
Eleine min a3en uoster; Howelles dohter.
Þa [h]e hafde þis idon; swa me seoluen inom.
a uolden he me laiden; and lai mid me seoluen.
nu hafeð he mine ban alle; lad-liche a-brokene.
mine leomen al to-leðed. mi lif me is a-laðed.
Nu ich habbe þe itald; hu we beoð her ihæd.
flih nu swiðe; lest he þe ifinde.
for 3if he cumeð a-bol3en; mid his balu-ræsen.

-678-

nes he neuere iboren; þe ma3en stonden þe biuoren.
Efne þissen worden; þa þat wif seide.
Beduer heo gon hirten; mid hende-liche worden.
Leofe moder ich æm mon; and cniht æm wel idon.
and ich þe wule suggen; þurh soðe mine worden.
næs nan kempen i-boren; of nauer nare burden.
þat mon ne mæi mid strenðe; stupen hine to grunde.
& hire þe ane alde wifmon; swiðe lutle beoð þine mæhten.
Ah hafuen nu swiðe godne dæi; and ich wulle faren minne wæi.
Adun him ferde Beduer; to his du3eðe-kinge.
and talde him hu he hafde kare; and hu he hafde al ifare.
and what þat wif alde; of þan maidene him talde.
and hu þe eotend ælche dæi; bi þan alde wiue lai.
Þer heo heom bi-twenen; heolden heore runen.
hu heo mihten taken on; þat þe scucke weore fordon.
Þeo while com þe eoten[de] faren; and fusden to hi[s] fure.
he bar uppen his rugge; burðene grete.
þat weore twælf swine; iteied to-somne;
mid wiðen swiðe grete, y-wriðen al to-gadere;
Adun he warp þa dede swin; & him-seolf sæt þer-bi.
his fur he beten a-gon; & muchele treowen læiden on.
þa six swin he to-droh; & euere he to þan wiue loh.
& sone umbe while; he lai bi þan wife.
ah he nuste noht þan tidende; þat comen to his wife-þinge.
He droh ut his gleden; his flæsce he gon breden;
and þa six swin he gon æten alle; ær he arise of selde.
al biwaled on axen; wanliche weoren þa sonden.
and seoððen he gon ræmien; and raxlede swiðe.
& adun lai bi þan fure; & his leomen strahte.
Lete we nu þene eotend bi-lafuen; and atlien to þan kinge.
Arður at þan watere; his wapnen ((nom)) an honde.
& þe eorl Beduer; god cnih[t] wis and war.
and þe þridde wes Kæi; þes kinges stiward & his mæi.
Ouer þan watere heo comen; iwepned mid þan bezsten.
& sti3en up þan hulle; mid allen heore maine.
þat heo comen fusen; a-neuste þan furen.

-680-

þer þe eotende lai and slæp; & þa quene sæt and weop.
Arður hine teh bi-siden his iferen.
for-bad heom bi heore leomen; & bi heore bare liuen.
þat nan neoren swa kene; þat heom neh comen.
buten he ise3en; þat hit ned weoren;
Beduer at-stod him þere; and Kæi his iuere.
Arður gon stepe vorð; stið-imoded kempe.
þat he com to þan ulette; þer þe feond lai and slæpte.
Æuere wes Arður; ærhðe bideled.
þet wes sutel þer-on; sellic þah hit þunche.
for Arður mihte þere; þene eotende al to-hæuwe.
slan þene scucke; þer he lai & slapte.
Þa nolde Arður on slepen; na wiht hine areppen.
leste he an uferre da3e; up-bræid iherde.
Þa cleopede Arður anan; aðelest kingen.
Aris aris feond-scaðe; to þine fæie-siðe.
nu wit scullen delen; þene dæd of mire ma3en.
Ær þe king hæfde; þæs ful isæide.
þe eotend up a-sturte; & igrap his mucle clubbe.
and wende mid þan dunten; Arður al to-driuen.