Layamon, fl.1200. Brut (MS Cotton Caligula)
Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia Library
|
Table of Contents for this work | | All on-line databases | Etext Center Homepage |
Brut (MS Cotton Caligula), lines 8001-9000
Ah 3if þu weore swa wis mon; & swa witter a þoncke.
þat þv fræinedest me; of feole þine sor3en.
of þire mucle kare; þa þe is to cumene.
ich þe wolde suggen; of sor3e þine.
Þa quað Vortiger þe king; Leofue freond Merling.
sæie me of þan þinge; þe me to cumen sonden.
Bluðeliche quad Mærlin; baldere stefne.
ich þe wulle suggen; ah æuere hit wule ((þe)) reouwen.
King king bi-si3 þe; Sor3en þe bið 3eueðe;
of Costantines cunne; his bern þu aqualdest;
Þu lettest slæn Costanz. þe wes king a þis lond;
þu lettest þine Peohtes; hine ladliche biswiken.
þer-uore þu ibidest; alre baluwene mæst.
Seoððen þu tu3en uuenon þe; uncuðe leoden.
Saxes to londe; þer-uore þu wurðest to sconde.
Nu beoð of Brutaine; beornes ariued.
hit his Aurilien & Vther; nu þu ært þær-of war.
Heo cumeð to-mær3en fuliwis; i þis lond at Tottenæs.
ich do þe wel to witene; mid seouen hundred scipene.
& nu heo inne sæ; seilieð biliue.
-418-
Þu hauest heom muchel uuel idon; and nu þu most þat lað on-fon.
þu hauest a ba halue; bone þe þe þencheð.
þine ifan þe biuoren; & þine ifeond bæften.
Ah flih flih þinne wæi; & burh þine life.
& fleo þider þe þu fleo; heo þe wulleð after teon.
Ambrosie Aurilien; he hæue[ð] ærest þisne kinedo[m].
ah he þurh atterne drench; dæð scal iþolien.
& seoððen scal Vther Pendragon; habben þesne kinedom.
ah þi cun hine scal; mid attere aquellen.
ah ær he dæd þolie; he scæl dune makien.
Vther scal habben ænne sune; of Cornwaille he scal cumen.
þat beoð a wilde bar; iburst((l))ed mid stele.
Þe bar scal for-bærnen; hæh3e þa burh3es.
he scal alle þa swiken; swenien mid ei3e.
he scal al þi riche cun; mid witen aquellen.
he bið swiðe oht mon; & aðele an þonke.
heonenæ into Rome; rixleð þeos ilke.
scal he alle his feond; fallen to grunde.
Soð ich habbe þe isæid; ah nis þe na þe softre.
ah flih mid þine verde; þine iuon þe cumeð to herede.
Þa aswac worden; Merlin þe wise.
& þe king lette blawen; þreottene bemen.
& forð mid his ferde; feo[n]dliche swiðe.
Nes þer uorð-rihtes; bute uirst of ane nihte.
þat comen þa broðere; beien to-some.
to sæ-stronde ful iwis; at Dertene-muðe i Totenas.
Þis iherden Bruttes; & weoren bliðe ful iwis.
Heo dro3en ut of þan wuden; & of þan wulderne.
bi sixti & bi sixti; & bi seouen hundred.
bi þrit[ti] & bi þritti; & bi feole þusend.
Þa heo comen to-somne; ful sel hit heo þuhte.
Þa broðeren to þissen ærde; brohten vnimete verde.
& her comen heom bi-uoren; balde þas Bruttes.
vnimete uolc; al hit wræ[h] þa wolde.
þæ ær weoren 3eond wudes; wunderliche to-dreued.
þurh þene muchelne æie; and þurh þe muclen ærmðe.
& þurh þene mucle hærm; þa Hengest heom wrohte.
& hafde alle heore hæfd-((men)); mid cniuen amurðerd.
-420-
mid sæxen to-snæ[ðd]e; snelle þe þeines.
Bruttes heolden husting; mid he3e wis-dome.
heo nomen Aurilien; þene ældre bro[ð]er a-nan.
inne hæ3e hustinge; and heouen hine to kinge.
Þa weoren Bruttes; mid blisse auulled.
bliðe an mode; þæ ær weoren murne.
Comen þas tiðende; to Vortigerne þan kinge.
þat Aurilien wes icoren; and to kinge iheouen.
Þa wes Vortiger wa; & æft him wes wurse.
Vortiger uerde; ver to ane castle.
Genoire hæhte; hæh an ane munte.
Cloard hæhte þe munt; and Hærgin hahte þat lond.
on-væst Wæie; þe is a water hende.
Vortigernes men nomen; al þat heo neh comen.
heo nomen wepnen & mete; a moni are wise.
to þan castle heo brohten; swa muchel swa heo rohten.
þat heo inoh hafden; þeh hit lutel hulpe.
Aurilien & Vther; weoren of Vortigerne war.
whær he wes uppen Cloward; biclused in castlen.
Heo letten blawen bemen; bonnien heore uerde.
volc unimete; of moni ane londe.
ferden to Genoire; þær læi Vortigerne.
King. wes wið-uten; king wes wið-innen.
cnihtes þer fuhten; mid feond-liche ræsen.
æuerælc god mon; gurede hine seolfuen.
Þa heo ise3en; þat heo si3en næfden.
þa to wude wenden; wunder muche uerde.
Heo uelden þæne wude adun; & dro3en to þan castle.
& fulden al þæ dic; þe wes wunder ane deop.
F[u]r heo in sende; on æuer-ælche ende.
& cleopeden to Vortiger; Nu þu scalt þe warmen þer.
for þu slo3e Costanz; þe wes king of þis lond.
& seoððe Costantin his sune; Nu is Aurilie icumen.
& Vther his broðer; þa þe balu sendeð;
Þe wind wæht þat fur; þat hit wunderliche. born.
þe castel gon to bernen; bures þer s[w]ælden.
feollen þa hellen flo3en to grunde.
Ne mihten þer na cniht; a3eines þe fure makien fiht.
þat fur eode ouer-al; & barnde hus & barnde wal.
-422-
& þe king Vortigerne; þer-inne he gon to berne.
al hit for-swælde; þat þer-inne wunede.
Þus ændede þer; mid muchele ærme Vortiger.
Þa hafde al þat lond; Aurilie an his hond.
Þer wes þe aðele eorl; Aldolf ihaten.
he wes of Gloucestre; cnihten alre glæuest.
þær Aurilie i þan ærde; makede hine stiwærd.
Þa hæfde Aurilien; & Vther his bro[ð]er.
heore ifan auelde; & weoren þer-fore þe bliðere.
Þis iherden Hengest; cnihten alre strengest.
þa wes he auæred; feond-liche swi[ð]e.
He fusde his ferde; & flæh tou-ward Scotten.
& Aurilie þe king; æfter him uerde an hi3inge.
& Hengest þuhte þat he walde; mid al his mon-uerde.
3if me on-sohte him; fleon in-to Scotte.
þat he mihte mid wi3ele; þanene at-winden.
3if he ne mihte i þan londe; uor Aurilie at-sto[n]de.
Aurilie ferde uorð; & droh his folc riht norð.
mid alle his imihte; fulle seouen nihte.
Bruttes weoren balde; & rehten ouer walde.
þa hafde Aurilien; vnimete uerde.
he funde west lond; leoden of-slæ3ene.
chiriches fur-barnde; Bruttes for-swæled.
Þa sæide Aurilie þe king; Bruttene deorling.
3if ich mot ibiden; þat ich a3æn ride.
& hit wulle Drihte; þe scop þes da3es lihte.
þat ich mote mid isunde; bi3ite mine ikunde.
chirchen ich wulle arære; & God ich wulle hæren.
ich wulle alche cnihte; 3euen his irihte.
& auer-ælche beorne; þan ælden and þan 3ungen;
ich wulle milden wurðen.
3if Godd me wule ivnnæ; min æðel to biwinnen.
To Hengeste comen tidende; of Aurilie þan kinge.
Þa spac Hengest; cnihten alre swikelest.
Hærcneð nu mi men; monscipe eou is 3iueðe.
her cumeð Aurilie; & Vther his broðer eke.
heo bringeð swiðe muchel folc; ah alle heo beoð fæie.
For vn-wis is þe king; swa beoð his cnihtes.
& a cnaue is his broðer; þe an alse þe oðer.
-424-
þer-fore ma3en Bruttes; beon muchele þe vnbaldur.
þenne þat hæfd is unwræst; þe hælp is þæ wurse.
& wel 3e hit ma3en imunen; þat ich wulle mæinen.
betere beoð ure fifti; þænne heore fif hundred.
þat heo feole siðen; i-fonded habbeoð.
seoððen heo an londe; fondeden leoden.
For cuð hit is wide; of ure wiðer-deden.
þat we beoð kempen; icud mid þan bezsten.
We scullen a3en heom stonden; & driuen heom of londen.
and walden þas riche; after ure i-wille.
Þus bælde Hængest; cnihten alre hændest.
balde his ferde; þer heo wes an felde.
ah oðer weies hi[t] was idiht; ær come seouen niht.
Forð comen þa tiðinde; to Aurilie þan kinge.
whær Hengest wunede; buuen are munede.
Aurilien hafde to iueren; þritti þusend rideren;
bal[d]ere Brutten; þe heore beot makeden.
& æc he hafde Walisce; wunder ane monie.
Þa lette he his cnihtes; dæies & nihtes.
æuere beon iwepned; alse heo to wi3e scolden.
for auere he care hafde; of heðene uolke.
Þa iherde Hengest; þat Aurilien wes on-uast.
nom he his ferde; & fusde him to-3aines.
Þa wes Aurilie wær; þat Hengest wolde cumen þær.
he uærde in ane velde; wel i-wepned under scelde.
nom he fo((rð))-rihtes; ten þusend. cnihtes.
þa weoren bezst iboren; & of his ferde coren.
& setten heom a þan felde; a-uoten under scelde.
Ten þusend Walisce; he to wude sende.
ten þusend Scottes; he sende bi-halues.
þe hæðene to imete; bi sti3en & bi straten.
him-seolf he nom his eorles; & his aðele kempes.
& his holdeste men; þa he hæfde an londe.
& makede his sceld-trume; swulc hit weoren an hær wude.
Fif þusend þer riden; þa sculden al þis folc biwiten.
Þa cleope((de)) Aldolf; eorl of Gloucestre.
3if hit me on Drihte; þe alle domes waldeð.
þat ich mote ibide; þat Hængest cume riden.
þa is a þissen londe; swa longe atstonde.
-426-
& biswac mine leofe freondes; mid longe his sæxes.
bisiden Amberesburi; mid ærmliche witen.
Ah 3if ich mihte of þan eorlen; þat aðel me bi-winnen.
þenne mihte ich suggen; soð quides mine.
þat me hafde Godd seolf; godes iunnen.
3if ich mine i-fan; fallen to grunde. anan.
& wræken mi deore cun; þat heo habbeoð ilæid adun.
Vn-neæðe wes þis spel; isæid to þan ende.
þa ise3en heo Hængest; halden ouer dune.
Mid vnimete ferden; feond-liche heo fusden.
to-somne heo comen; & feond-liche heo slo3en;
þer þa ræ3e men; to-gæderen heom ræsden.
helmes gunnen gullen; cnihtes þer feollen.
stel eode wið þan ban; balu þer wes riue.
urnen inne strete; stremes of blode.
fa3eden þa feldes; & þat gras falewede.
Þa iseh Hængest; þat his help trukede.
þa hald he fram fæhte; & bi-halues flæh.
& his folc after; fusde bi-liue.
Þa Cristine; liðen after; & heom on læiden.
& cleopeden Crist Godes sone; beon heom a fultume.
& þe heðene leoden; æc lude cleopeden.
Ure godd Teruagant; whi trukest þu us an hond.
Þa Hengest isæh; þa hæðene ibu3ene;
& þa Cristine men; cumen heom an-ufene.
þa fleh Henges þurh & þurh; þat he com to Kunigges-burh.
i þare burh he wende; burh to brukene.
& þe king Aurilien; after wende anan.
& clep((e))de to his leoden; ludere stæuene.
Ærneð æuere vorð & vorð; Hengest is ifaren norð.
& heo him after bu3en; þat heo to burh3e comen.
Þa isæh Hengest & his sune; al þa uerde heom after cumen.
þa sæide Hengest; cnihten alre wraðest.
Nulle ich na mare fleon; ah nu ich wulle fihten.
& mi sune Octa; & his wed-broðer Ebissa.
& al mi mon-uerde; sturieð eouwer wepnen.
& fare we heom to-3ænes; & makien feond-slæhtes.
& 3if we hom ne falleð; þænne beon we fæie.
ilæid on felde; & freonde bidælde.
Hengest bah a þene wald; & bilæfde al his teld.
-428-
& makede his sceld-trume; al of his hæðene gumen.
Þa com Aurilie þe king; & moni þusend mid him.
and bigunnen þer oðer fæht; þe wes feond-liche stærc.
þer wes moni græt dunt; idæld i þan compe.
þer weoren þa Cristine; wel neh ouer-cumene.
Þa comen þer uaren; fif þusend rideren.
þa Aurilie hafde; an horse to fihten.
heo smiten a þan hæðene; þat heo adun helden.
þer wes feht swiðe stor; eornest ful sturne.
I þan fæhte com þe eorl; Aldolf of Glouce[t]re.
& ifunde Hengest; cnihten for-cuððest.
whar he feond-liche faht; & þa Cristine feolde.
Aldolf his gode sweord adroh; & uppen Hengest sloh.
& Hengest warp þene sceld biuoren; & ælles weoren his lif forloren.
& Aldolf smat i þene sceld; þat he atwa to-scænde.
& Hengest him leop to; swulc hit a liun weore.
& smat an Aldolfes helm; þat he atwa to-feol.
Þa heowen heo mid sweorde; þa swipen weoren grimme.
fur flæh of stele; ofte & wel ilome.
Vnder are stunde; þa leop Aldolf to [grunde].
& isæh him Gorlois; þat wæs a kene gume ful iwis.
of Cornwale he wes eorl; he wes widene cuð.
Þa wes þæ beorn Aldolf; muchele þe balder.
& hæf hæh3e his sweord; & lette hit adun swippen.
& smat Hengest a þan hond; þat he forlette his brond.
[an] hi3inge hine igrap; mid grimme his læchen.
bi þere burne hode; þa wes an his hafde.
& mid muchelere strengðe; hine adun swipte.
and seoððe he hine up bræid; swulc he hine to-breken wolde.
& mid ærmen hine bisprædde; & forð hine lædde.
Nu wes Hengest inumen; þurh Aldolf þene æhte gume.
Þæ cleope[de] Aldolf; þene eorl of Gloucestre;
Hengest n[i]s þe noht swa murie; swa þe wes bi Ambresburie.
þer þu þa sæxes dro3en; and Bruttes of-slo3en.
mid muchele swike-dome; þu mi cun slo3e.
Nu þu scalt læn leosen; & losie þine freonden.
mid reoliche witen; an worlde for-wurðen.
Hengest eode stille; ne isæh he help nenne.
-430-
Aldolf hine ladde; to his leod-kinge.
& grætte þene leod-king; mid leofliche worden.
Hail seo þu Aurilien; aðeles cunnes.
her ich bringe þe biuoren; þe wes þines cunnes bone.
Hengest þene heðene; þe hærm us hafueð iuræ[mm]ed.
Godd hit me iuðe; þat ich hine igripen habben.
Nu ich hine 3iue þe; uor monne leofuest ært þu me.
& [l]et þine hired-childeren; pleien mid þissen hunde.
scotien mid heore flan; & his cun scenden anan.
Þa andswarede þe king; quicliche steuene;
Edi seo þu Aldolf. eorlene aðelest.
þu ært me leof al swa mi lif; leoden þu scalt beon alder.
Þer me nom Hengest; and þer me bond Hengest.
þer wes þa Hengest; cnihten alre 3eomerest.
Þis feht wes ouer-cumen; & þa hæðene flu3en.
Þa iseh Octa; þat his fader wes ful wa.
& Ebissa his wed-broðer; bu3en heom to-gadere.
& flu3en in-to Eouuerwic; mid ærmðen ino3e.
& greiðeden walles; to-halden þa halles.
Summe þa hæðene; to þan wude iwenden.
þær þat ganninde folc; læiden heom to grunde.
Þa wes Aurilian þe king; iquemed wel þurh alle þing.
he wende in-to Cuninges-burh; mid his driht-folke.
& þankede Drihten; swulchere mihten.
Þreo dæies & þreo niht; þe king wunede þar-riht.
to lechinien þa wunden; of leofenen his cnihten.
& baðien on bur3e; heore wærie ban.
Þa þe þridde dæi com; & þat folc hafde imaked non.
þa lette þe king blawen; & beonnede his eorles.
þa heo comen to hustinge; to Aurilie þan kinge.
Þa heo to-gadere comen; þe king heom axede sone.
whæt heo him radde; þat his richemen weoren.
a wulchere witen; Hengest scolde for-wurðen.
& hu he mihte bezst wreoken; his leofueste freondes.
þe an-fest Amberes-buri; leien bi-buride.
Þa stod up Ældadus; & wið þene king he spac þus.
to-wardes Gode he was god; he wes an hali biscop.
Aldolf eorles broðer; nefde he nenne oðer.
-432-
Lauerd king lust nu me; what ic wullen tellen þe.
Ich wulle makien þene dom; hu he scal beon fordon.
for he is on leode; monnen us laðest.
& haue[ð] ure kun of-slæ3en; & idon of lif-dæ3en.
and he is an hæðene hund; helle he scal isechen.
þer he scal sinke; for his swike-dome.
Lauerd king hærcne me; wat ich þe wulle tællen.
A king wes in Ierusalem; Saul wes ihaten.
þe wes in hæðenesse; king of muchele mæhte.
Agag wes ihaten; Ierusalem he hatede.
he wes king of þe Amalæh; þe Wurse him wes ful nieh.
auere he hatede Ierusalem; mid hærmen þan mesten.
nolde he neouere heom 3iuen grið; ah auere he heom stod wið.
he heom barnde he heom sloh; he dude heom so((r))3en inoh.
Hit ilomp in ane time; þat þe sunne gon to scine.
þa sat Agag þe king; inne his hæh sættele.
meinde his fæie blod; & mune3ede hine to fusen.
He cleopede his cnihtes; anan uorð-rihtes.
Swiðe to eouwer steden; & forð we scullen riden.
we sculleð bærnen & slæn; al ibuten Ierusalem.
Forð wende þe king; & muche ferde mid him.
þat lond heo gunne þurh-ærnen; & þa tunes fur-bernen.
Þat ise3en þa men; þe wuneden inne Ierusalem.
& heo heom to-3eines; cnihtes & sweines.
& fuhten wið þene king; & mid fæhte hine ouer-comen.
& al his folc slo3en; & Agag heo king nomen.
& swa heo mid him comen; to Saul þan kinge.
Þa wes Saul þe king; bliðe þurh alle þing.
þe king axeden ræd; at his riche a-nan.
whæðer he mihte him bet don; oðer slæn oðer an-hon.
Þa leop up Samuel; a witi3e of Israel.
he wes swiðe hali mon; hæh touward Drihten.
nuste na mon i þan dæ3en; swa heh mon an Godes la3en.
Samuel nom Agag þene king; & lædde hine a þan cheping.
& lette hine swiðe sterke; to ane stake binde.
& nom mid his riht hond; ænne dure-wurðe brond.
& þus cleopede him on; Samuel þe gode mon.
Þu hattes Agag þe king; nu þu ært an ærming.
-434-
nu þu scalt fon þat læn; þat þu for-ferdest Ierusalem.
þat þu hauest þas hæ3e burh; swa swiðe for-worht.
& monienne godne mon islæ3en; & idon of lif-dæ3en.
swa ich ibide are; ne scalt þu nauer-mare.
Samuel þat sweord an-hof; & hærdeliche adun sloh.
& al to-swadde þene king; in Ierusalemus chepping.
& þa stucchen tarueden; wide 3eond þa straten.
þus tok Samuel on; and swa þu a3est Hengest don.
Þis iherde Aldolf; þe eorl of Glocetere.
touward Hengest he leop; swulc hit a liun weore.
and i-grap hine bi þan toppe; & hine æfter him halede.
& ladde hine þurh & þurh; & þurh-ut Cuninges-burh.
& wið-uten þere burh3e; he hine lette binden.
Aldolf his swored adroh; & Hengestes hafd of-sloh.
& þe king hine nom forð-rihtes; for he wes swa oht cniht.
& læide hine in eorðe; after heðene la3en.
& bad for þere sæule; þat ((hire)) neuere sæl neore.
& nu Aurilie þe king; lette beode husting.
& lætte blawen bemen; & bonnien his ferde.
folc þer wes sellic; & ferden riht to Euerwic.
& biclusden þer wið-innen; Octa mid his monnen.
þe king lette deluen ænne dich; al abuten Eouerwic.
þat ne mihte þer na man; neoðer ute no i[n] gan.
Þæt isæh Octa; þer-fore him wes wa.
& his hæðene folc; þe he hafde an bur3e.
heo nomen heom to ræde; what heo don mæhten.
& þus spac Octa; wið his iuere Ebissa.
No[u] ich habben me biþoht; wh[a]t ich don wulle.
Ich and mine cnihtes; scullen forð-rihtes.
in ure bare brechen; gan ut of bur3en.
ræmen a mine swore; ænne rake-te3e.
& cumen to þan kinge; his mildce biddinde.
Ælles we beoð alle dæde; buten we fulien þissen ræde.
Alle heo duden swa; swa heom radde Octa.
duden of claðes; kare-fulle cnihtes.
& eoden ut of burh3e; blaðe þeines.
tweiene & tweiene; twenti hundred.
-436-
þis bi-heold Aurilien; aðelest kingen.
seolcuð him þuhte; of þan nakede cnihten.
To-somne comen þa ferde; þat læi 3eond þan ærde.
i-se3en Octa cumen; þat wes Hengest sune.
He bar an his honde; ænne rake-te3e. longe.
he com to þan kinge; & bi-uoren his hære-dringe.
he feol uppen uolde; þas kinges fæt isohte.
& þas word seide þa; Hengestes sune Octa.
Imilze mi lauerd king; þurh þene milde Godd.
for luue of God al-mihten; haue milce of mine cnihten.
for alle ure heðene-scipe; hæne is iwurðen.
la3en & ure leoden; for laðe we beoð Drihten.
for us is itruked an hond; Appollin & Teruagant.
Woden & Mercurius; Iubiter & Saturnus.
Venus & Didon; Frea & Mamilon.
& alle ure laue; nu us sunde laðe.
ah we wulleð ileuen; in leofen þine Drihten.
for al hit trukeð us an hond; þat we to temden.
We 3eorne[ð] þine are; nu and auere-mare.
3if þu me wult grið[i]en; and þu me wult fr[i]ðien.
we þe wulleð to teon; & þine holde men beon.
luuien þine leoden; & þine la3en halden.
3if þu þet [n]ulle; do þine iwille.
whaðer-swa þu wult don; þa us slan þa us an-hon.
& þe king wes mild-heorte; & heold hine stille.
he bi-heold a riht hond; he bi-heold a lift hond.
wulc of wiisen; ærest spæken wolden.
Alle heo weoren stille; & swi3eden mid stæuen
nes þer nan swa hæh mon; þat durste word sciren.
& æuere læie Octa; æt þes kinges foten swa.
alle his cnihtes; leien him biæften.
Þa spac Aldadus; þe gode biscop & seide þus.
Æuere hit wæs; & a hit bið; & 3et hit us bi-houeð.
þene we milze 3eorneð; þat we milze habben.
wurðe he is milze; þe wurðe-liche heo biddeð.
& þu seolf læuerd king; leoden þu ært ælder.
i-milze þu Octa; & his iueren al-swa.
3if heo wulleð Cristindom; mid gode lefuen vnder-fon.
for 3et hit mai ilimpen; i summere leoden.
-438-
þat heo ma3en Drihten; du3eðliche hærien.
Nu stont al þis kine-lond; a þire a3ere hond.
Bitec heom enne stude; þer he bið iqueme.
& nim of heom 3isles; swulche þu wult 3irnen.
& let heom wel halden; in irene benden.
finden þan 3islen mete & clað; finden al þat heom bið leof.
& þenne miht þu wel halden; þis mon-cun i þine londe.
& let heom tilien þat lond; & libben bi heore tilæhðe.
3if hit seoððen ilimppeð; sone þer-after.
þat heo trukieð an hond; treo((u))ðen to halden.
& wakieð mid wærke; & þe wiðer haldeð.
nu ich þe demen þene dom; whæt þu miht seoððen don.
Let riden heom to; ræh-liche swiðe.
& let heom alle for-don; spillen & æc an-hon.
Þis ich þe deme; Drihten hit ihere.
Þa andswarede þe king; quickere stefne.
Al swa ich wulle don; swa þu hauest idemed.
Þus spac þe kin((g))þa; Aris up Octa.
þu scalt swiðe wel don; vnder-uoh Cristindom.
Þer wes iuul3ed Octa; & his iueren al-swa.
and alle his cnihtes; i þan stude uorð-rihtes.
Heo nomen heore 3isles; & 3euen þan kinge.
þreo & fifti children; heo bitæhten þan kinge.
& þe king heom sende; bi-siden Scotlonde.
aðes heo sworen; swiken þat heo nalden.
Þe king bi-tahte [heom an] hond; sixti hidene lond
þer-on heo wuneden; wel feole wintren.
Þe kin((g)) wes inne Eouerwic; aðele him þuhte.
he nom his sonden; & sende 3eond his londe.
hæhte his biscopes; his boc-ilærede men.
eorles & þeines; cumen him to-3eines.
to Aurilie þan kinge; to muchele hustinge.
Hit i-wærð sone; þat heo gadere comen.
Þe king his folc grætte; mid fæire his worden;
he wilcumede eorles; he wilcumede beornes.
& þa biscopes & þa boc-ilærede men.
Ich eou wulle suggen; mid soðe worden.
whi ich eou æfter sende; & for wulche þingen.
-440-
Her ich a3euen ælche cnihten; is cunden & his rihten.
& æuerælche eorle; & æuerælche beorne.
þat he mæi biwinnen; bruken hit mid wunnen.
& ælche monnen bi his life; ich hate grið luuien.
Ich hæten eou wurchen; & bulden þa chirchen.
bellen leten ringen; Godes lof singen.
heren mid ure mihten; leofe ure Drihten.
ælche mon bi his mæhte; halden sibbe & sæhten.
læten tilien þat lond; nu hit is al a mire hond.
Þa þ[i]s dom wes isæid; alle heo leofden þisne ræd.
Þe king heom 3ef leoue; þenne to liðe.
ælc uærde heomward; swa heom bezst þuhte.
Seouen niht fulle; þe king læi þer stille.
& seoððen he gon liðe; in-to Lundenne.
to gladien þat burh-folc; þat ofte weoren bisie.
He letten stronge walles; he lette bulden halles.
& rihte al þa workes; þe ær weore to-b((r))okene.
& a3ef heom alle þa la3en; þe stoden bi heore ælderne dæ3en.
he makede þer reuen; þan uolke to reden.
& þenenen he gon wenden; riht to Winchæstre.
þer he lette wurc%chen; [halles & chirchen]
þer him þuhte swiðe muri; seoððen he uerde to Ambres-buri.
to þan leerstowe; of leofuen his freonden.
þa Hengest mid cniuen; þer aquald hæfuede.
He lette axien anan; men þat cuðen hæuwen stan.
& æc gode wurhten; þe mid æxe cuðe wurchen.
he þohte wurche þer a werc; wunder ane ueire.
þat a sculde ilasten; þa while men l[i]ueden.
Þa wes inne Kaerlium; a biscop þe hahte Tremoriun.
he wes swiðe wis mon; inne weorld-richen.
mid þan kinge he wes; ouenan þæ walde.
& þus Tremorien Godes dring; spæc þer wið þene king.
Lust nu me Aurilien; what ich þe wulle cuðen.
& ich þe wullen suggen; sælest alre ræden.
3if þu hine wult luuien; æft he þe likeð.
We habbeoð ænne wite3e; Mærlin is ihaten.
3if æi mon hine mihte ifinden. uppe þissere wælden.
& to þe ibringen; þurh æies cunnes þinge.
& þu his iwille; dri3en woldest;
-442-
he þe wolde runen. selest ræden.
hu þu mihtest; þis weorc; makien strong & sterk.
þet a mihte ilæsten; þa while men leoueden.
Þa andswarede þe king; þas wordes him weoren iqueme.
Leoue freond Tremoriun; al þis ich wulle don.
Þe king sende his sonde; 3eond al his kine-londe.
and bad æuerælcne mon; axien after Mærlin.
& 3if me hine mihten ifinden; bringen hine to þan kinge.
he him wolde 3ifuen lond; boðe seoluer & gold.
& a weorl-richen; dri3en his iwille.
Þa sonden gunnen riden; widen & siden.
summe heo uerden riht norð; & summe heo uerden suð forð.
summe heo uerden riht æst; & summe heo uerden riht west.
summe heo uerden a-nan; þat heo comen to Alæban.
þat is a wælle; inne Wælsce londe.
Þe walle he lufode; & ofte hine þer-inne. baðede.
þa cnihtes hine funde; þer he sat bi þan stronden.
Sone swa hine i[m]etten; fæire heo hine igrætten.
& þus him to forð-rihtes; sæiden þa tweien cnihtes.
Hail seo þu Mærlin; monnene wisest.
Bi us þe gon græten; þat is a god-ful king.
Aurilian ihaten; að[el]est alre kingen.
stont al þis muchele lond; in Aurilies kinges hond.
faire he þe bisecheð; þat þu him to bu3e.
& he þe wule 3iue lond; boðe seluer & gold.
3if þu an riche; ræde wulle þan kinge.
Mærlin andswerede þa; þæt cnihten wes ful wa.
Ne recche ich noht his londes; his seoluer no his goldes.
no his claðes no his hors; miseolf ich habbe inowe.
Þa sat he stille; longe ane stunde.
þas cnihtes weoren afæred; þat he f((l))eon wolde.
Þa hit alles up brac; hit wes god þat he spæc.
3if beoð tweiene cnihtes; icumen her-rihtes;
3urstendæi ær none; ich wuste þat 3e comen;
& 3if ich swa walde; ne mihte 3e me finden.
3e bringeð me gretinge; from Aurilie þan kinge.
Ich cneou his cnihtes; ær he come to londe.
-444-
& ich icneou þene oðer; Vther his broðer.
ic icneou beien; ær heo iboren weoren.
þæh ich nauer nouþer; mid e3en ne ise3e.
Ah walawa walawa; þat hit is idiht swa.
þat þe leodene king; leng ne mot l[i]uien.
Ah nu ich wulle fusen; & beon eouwer ifere.
to þan kinge ich faren wulle; & dri3en his iwille.
Forð ferde Mærlin; & þa cnihtes wið him.
swa longe þat heo comen; to þan leod-kinge.
Komen to þan kinge; wil-tidende.
næuer ær an his liue; nes þe king swa bliðe.
for næuere nanes monnes cume; þe him to come.
Þe king to his stede; & ut him gon ride.
& alle his cnihtes mid him; to wulcumen Mærlin.
Þe king hine imette; & fære hine igratte.
he hine iclupte; he hine custe.
he hine cuð-læhte;
Muchel wes þe murh3e; i þan mon-uerede;
al for Marlines cume. þe nes nanes monnes sune;
Wale þat an worlde; næs nan witie.
þat auere wuste here; whes sune he weore.
buten Drihten ane; þe wlæt al clane.
þe king læ[d]de to bure; Mærlin þe wes deore.
he hine fræinien gon; mid fæire his worden anan;
þat he dude him to vnder-stonde; of þan weorldes 3eongen.
& of al þan 3eren; þat to cumen weoren.
for hit weoren him swiðe iwil; þat he þerof wuste.
Mærlin andswerede þa; & to þan kinge seide swa.
O Aurilie þe king; þu fræinest me a sellic þing.
loke þat þu na mare; swulc þing ne iscire;
For mi gæst is bæl iwis; þa a mire breoste is.
and 3ef ich a-mong monnen; 3elp wolde makien.
mid glad-scipe mid gomene; mid god-fulle worden.
mi gast hine iwarðeð; & wirð stille.
& binimeð me min wit; & mine wise word for-dut.
þenne weore ich dumbe; of æuer-ælche dome.
Ah bilef swulche þinges; quæd Mærlin to þan kingen.
for whan-swa cumeð neode; to auer-æi þeode.
-446-
& mon me mid milde-scipe; wulle me bisechen.
& ich mid mine iwille; mote wunien stille.
þenne mæi ich suggen; hu hit seoððen scal iwurðen.
Ah ic((h þe)) wulle ræden; of nexte þire neoden.
& sugen þe her-riht; what þu hauest an heorten.
A ueld is bi Amberes-buri; þe is brad & swiðe muri.
þer wes mid cniuen; þi cun idon of liuen.
þer wes moni bald Brut; biswiken to þan deðe.
& þenchest þene stude; mid wurðcipe igraten.
mid sælcuðe wærcken; wurðien þa dæde.
þat þer scal stonden; to þere worlde longe.
Ah nauest þu neuere nenne mon; þe cunne awiht þe[r]-on.
þe cunne wærc makien; þe nauere nulle trukien.
Ah ic þe wulle ræden; to swulchere neode.
for ich what a wærc; mid wundere bi-stonde.
for þat weorc stondeð; inne Irlonde.
Hit is a swiðe sellic þing;
þat woerc is of stane; swulc ne beoð oðer nane.
swa wid swa is weorlde-riche; nis nan weorc his iliche.
þa stanes beo[ð] muchele; & mahten heo habbeoð.
þa men þe beoð un-hal; heo fareð to þan stane.
& heo wasceð þene stan; & þer-mide baðieð heore ban.
umbe lutle stu[n]de; heo wurðeð al isunde.
Ah þe stanes beoð muchele; & uni[m]ete græte.
for nis nauere na mon iboren; i nauere nare burh3e.
þe mihte mid strengðe; þa stanes þenne bringe.
Þa andswarede þe king; Mærlin þu sæist sællic þing.
þe nauere nan iboren mon; ne maie heom bring%gen þenne.
no mid nare strengðe; of þan stude lade.
hu mihte ich heom þenne; heom bringen þeonne.
Þa andswarede Mærlin; þan kinge þat spac wið him.
3use 3use lauerd king; hit wes 3are iqueðen.
þat betere is liste; þene ufel strenðe.
for mid liste me mai ihalden; þat strengðe ne mai iwalden.
Ah somne þine uerde; & far to þan ærde.
& þu mid þe lede; gode monne uerde.
& ich wulle mid þe; þi monscipe bið þe mære.
Ær þu a3æn wende; þine iwille þu scalt habben.
-448-
& þat weorc þu scalt bringen; mid þe to þissen londe.
& swa þu hit scalt leden; to þere lich-raste.
& wurðien þene stude; þer þine wines liggeð.
& þu seolf scalt þer-in; þine ban resten.
þenne þi lif endeð; þer þu scalt resten.
Þus seiden Mærlin; & seoððen he sæt stille.
al-se þeh he wolde; of worlden iwiten.
Þe king hine lette bringen; into ane fære bure.
& wunien þer-inne; æfter his iwille
Aurilie þe king; lette beoden husting.
of alle þan londe; þa stod an his honde.
he bad him ræde; to swulchere neode.
and heo him wel rædden; riche his beornes.
þat he dude þene ræd; þat Mærlin him hauede is[æd].
Ah heo nælden leden þene king; ut of þis londe.
ah heo curen heom to ældre; Vther þene gode.
& fif-tene þusend cnihten; fæire i-wepned.
baldere Brutten; þa þider sculde bu3en.
Þa þas ferde wes al 3aru; þa bigunnen heo to faren.
mid alle þan bezste scrip%pen; þæ bi þære sæ stoden.
& ferden swa longe; þat heo comen to Irlonde.
& þa hauene nomen; þæ cnihtes wel idone.
heo eoden uppen sæ-strond; & biheolden Irlonde.
Þa spæc Mærlin; & spilede mid worden;
I-seo 3e nu ohte men. þene muchelne hul;
þe hul swa swiðe hæh; þere weolcne he is ful neh.
þat is þat seolliche þing; hit hatte þere Eotinde Ring.
elches weorkes unniliche; hit com of Aufrike.
Slæð eower teldes; 3eond al þas feldes.
Her we scullen ræsten; to þreom dæ3en uirsten.
i þan feorðe dæi3e; we scullen heonne fusen.
touward þan hulle; þer is ure iwille.
Ah we scullen us ær baðien; & bonnien ure beornes.
græiðien ure wepnen; for wel heo us bi-houeð.
Þus hit bi-læfde; & þer læie þa ferde.
Þeo ahte Irlond; a king þat wes swiðe strong.
he hæhte Gillomaurus; gomenen he wes lauerd.
him comen þa tiðende; þat Brutes weoren an londe.
he lette beoden ferde; 3eond alle Irlondes ærde.
-450-
& he gon þretien swiðe; þat al he wolde heom to-driue.
þa þat word him com to; þat Brutes wolden þer don.
& comen to þan anes; to fæchen þa stanes.
þa þe king Gillomar; makede muc%chel hoker & scarn.
& seide þat heo weoren; sotten iueren.
þat ouer sæ brade; þider weoren iliðene.
to sechen þer stanes; ase in heore londe neoren nane.
and swor a Seint Brænden; Ne scullen heo læden ænne stan.
ah for þan stanen heo scullen ibiden; alre baluwenen mæst.
heore blod 3eoten; ut of heore buken.
& swa me scal heom tachen; stanes to sæchen.
& seoððen ich wulle bu3en; in-to Brut-londe.
& suggen þan king Aurilie; þat mine stanes ich wullen werien.
& buten þe king beon stille; & don mine iwille.
ich wulle in his londe; mid fæhte at-[ston]den.
maken him weste paðes; & wildernes monie.
widewen i-no3e; heore weres scullen de3e.
Þus þe vnwise king; pla3ede mid worden.
ah al an oðer hit iwærð; oðer he iwende.
3aru wes hes ferde; & forð heo gon fusen.
swa longe þat heo comen; þer læien Brutes on.
To-gaderen heo comen; & hærd-liche on-slo3en.
& fuhten feond-liche; feollen þa fæie.
Þa Irisce weoren bare; & Bruttes iburnede.
þa Irisce fullen; & wri3en al þa feldes.
& þe king Gillomar; gon him to fleonne þar,
& flæh forð-rihtes; mid twenti of his cnihtes.
in-to ænne muchele wude; wurðscipen biræiued.
wes his Irisce uolc; mid stele iualled.
Þus wes þe king iscænd; & þus he endede his 3elp.
& þus to wude ferde; & lette his folc fællen.
Þa Bruttes biheolden; þa dede 3eond þan vælden.
seouen þusend þer leien; liues bidæled.
Bruttes 3eond þan uælden; ferden to heore telden.
& heore gode wepnen; wurðliche biho3eden.
& þer heo gunnen ræsten; al-se Merlin heom radde.
I þan feorðe dæie; þa gunnen heo fusen.
& ferden to þan hulle; iwæpned wel alle.
-452-
þer stod þat seolkuð werc; muchel & swiðe sterc.
Cnihtes eoden up-ward; cnihtes eoden dun-ward.
cnihtes eoden abuten; & 3eorne biheolden.
ise3en þer on londe; sellic werc stonden.
þer weoren a þusend cnihtes; mid wepnen wel idihten.
and alle þa [o]ðer to iwiten; biwusten wel heore scipen.
Þa spæc Merlin; & spileden mid þan cnihten.
Cnihtes 3e beoð stronge; þas stanes beoð græte. & longe
3e mote neh gon; & neodliche heom fon on.
3e mote uaste heom wriðen; mid strongen sæil-rapen.
scuuen & hebben; mid hæ3ere strenðe.
treon græte & longe; þat beon swiðe stronge.
& gað to ane stane; 3e alle glæne.
and cumeð mid stre[n]gðe; 3if 3e hine ma3en sturien.
Wel wuste Merlin; hu hit sculde iwurðen.
Þa cnihtes to-stepen; mid muchelere strengðe.
heo swunken ful swiðe; ah næfden heo sy3e.
þat heo auer æine stan; sturien mahten.
Merlin biheold Vther; þe was þe kinges broðer.
& þas word sæide; Merlin þe wite3e.
Vther tih þe a3an; & bonne þine cnihtes.
& stondeð al abuten; & 3eorne bi-haldeð.
& beoð alle stille; þat na man þer ne sturie.
ær ich sugge eou nu anan; hu we scullen fon on.
Vther droh hine abac; & bonnede his cnihtes.
þat ne bilafden þer nane; aneoweste þan stane.
al swa feor swa a mon; mihte werpen ænne stan.
& Mærlin eode abuten; & 3eornen gon bihalden.
þrie he eode abuten. wið-innen; & wið-uten.
& sturede his tunge; al-se he bede sunge.
þus Merlin dude þer; þat cleopede he Vðær.
Vther com swiðe; & alle þine cnihtes mid þe.
& winneð þas stanes alle; ne scullen 3e læuen nænne.
for nu 3e ma3en heom h[e]bben; swulche veðerene balles.
& swa 3e sculleð heom mid ræde; to ure scipen lede.
Þeos stanes heo ladden; swa Merlin heom radde.
& duden heom in heore scipen; & seileden uorð to iwiten.
& swa heo gunnen wenden; in-to þissen londe.
& ladden heom in ann velde; þe is wunder ane brad.
-454-
he is brad & swiðe muri; on-uæst Ambres-burie.
þer Hengest biswæc; Bruttes mid sæxen.
Mærlin heom gon ræren; alse heo stoden ærer.
swa næuer nan o[ð]er mon; þene craft ne cuðe don.
ne næuer ær þer bi-foren; nes na mon swa wis iboren.
þat cuðe þet weorc rihten; & þa stanes dihten.
þat tidende; com to þan kinge. i þan norð ende;
of Merlines fore. & of Vthæres his broðer;
þat heo weoren mid isunde; i-cumen to þissen londe.
& þat þat worc wes al idiht; & iset up-riht.
Þe king wes an breoste; wunder ane bliðe.
& lette beode hustinge; swa mid swa wes al his lond.
þat al his folc swa swiðe muri; come to Amberes-buri.
al his drihtliche uolc; to White-sune-dæie.
Þider com Aurilie þe king; & al his folc mid him.
a Whiten-sunen-dæie; he þer wærf makede.
al-se ich þe wulle telle; a þisse boc-spelle.
Weoren a þan walde; teldes itælded.
in þan brade uelde; ni3e þusend teldes.
Al þan Whitensunendæi; þe king a þan uelde læi.
hæt hal3ien þe stude þe hæhte Stanhenge.
Þreo dæies fulle; wunede þe king stille.
i þan þridde dæie; he3e wurðede his du3eðe.
he makede tweie biscopes; wunder ane gode.
Seint Dubriz; to Kaerliun; to Eouuerwic. Seint Samson.
beien heo iwurðen hali; & mid Gode ha3e.
I þan feorðe dæie; du3eðen to-dælden.
and swa ane stunde; hit stod a þan ilken.
Þa 3et þer wes a luðer gume; Passent Vortigernes sune.
wes þe ilke Passent; in-to Wælisc londe iwent.
and þer a þen ilke da3en; wes bicumen ut-la3e.
-456-
Ah ne durste he noht longe wunien þer; for Aurilie & for Vther.
ah he bi3et scipen gode; & ferde bi sæ-flode.
in-to Alemaine he uerde; mid fif hundred monnen.
& þer he biwon muchel uolc; & makeden scip-ferde.
& for swa longe; þat he com to þisse londe.
in-to þere Humbre; þer he hærmes worhte.
Ah ne durste he noht longe; i þan ænde at-stonde.
Þe kin[g] ferde þider-ward; & Passent fleh aweiward.
æfter sæ swa longe; þat he com to Irlonde.
Sone he þer funde; þene king of þan londe.
his heorte wes swiðe sær; he grette þene king Gillomar.
Hail seo þu Gillomar; gumene ælder;
ich æm to þe icume; ich wes Vortigernes sune.
mi fader wes Brutlondes king; he luuede þe þurh alle þing.
& 3if þu woldest to-3ere; beon þider min iuare.
swa wit sculden ispæcken; & minne fader wel wreken.
& wel wreken þi folc; þat Vther her qualde.
& þi sel-cuðe wærc; þat heo heonne dro3en.
& æc ich iherde suggen; þer ic ferde inne sæ.
þat þe king Aurilien; seoc is iwurðen.
& lið inne Winchæstre; a bedde ful faste.
Þu miht ileue me inoh; for þis is witerliche soð.
Passent & Gillomar; makeden heore for-ward þar.
aðes heo sworen; monie & unifoh3e.
þat heo wolden al þis lond; sætten on hæore tweire hond.
þe aðes weoren isworene; ah æft heo weoren for-lorene.
Þe king gadere[de] ferde; wide 3eond his ærde.
to þere sæ beoð iwende; Gillomar & Passen.
in-to þan scipen eoden; & forð heom letten gliden.
Forð heo wenden biliue; þat heo comen to Meniue.
þat wes a þan time; tun swiðe hende.
þat mon nu iwitterli; clepeð Seint Deouwi.
Þer heo nomen hauene; mid he3ere blisse.
Scipen eoden a þat strond; cnihtes eoden. a þat lond.
Þa sæide Passent touward Gillomar he went.
Seie me king Gillomar; nu we beoð icumen her.
Nu ich sette þe an hond; halfendæl þis kinelon[d].
for is of Winchastre icume; to me anes cnihtes sune.
& sæið me swulne ræd; þat Aurilie wule beon dæd.
þat ufel is under his ribben; þat ne mæi he noh[t] libben.
Her wit scullen wel wreken; unker wine-mæies.
biwinnen his wunseles; swa us bið alre selest.
To þan kinge com þat word; in-to Winchæstre.
þat Passent & Gillomar; weoren mid ferde icumen hær.
-458-
Þe king cleopede Vther; þe wes his leoue broðer.
Vther be[d] uerde; 3eond al þissen ærde.
& far to ure feonden; and drif heom of ærde.
oðer þu heom fusen; oðer þu heom feolle.
Ich wolde faren æc. 3if ich neore swa seoc.
ah 3if ich mai beon feore; ich þe cumen after sone.
Al dude Uðer; swa þe king him sæide þer.
& Passen at Seint Deowi; sor3en iworhte þer-bi.
and þe king Gillomar; muchel sor3e he dude þær.
Brutlond heo þurh-arnden; hær3ede & barden.
& Vther i þissen ærde; sumnede his ferde.
& hit wes longe uirst. ær he mihte fusen a-riht.
& Passent West Walisc lond; set an his a3ere hond.
Hit wes an ane dæie; his du3eðe weoren bliðe.
þer com faren Appas; feondes hine væ[re]den))
To Passent he quað þus; Cum hidere to us.
Ich þe wulle telle; of ane wil-spalle.
Ich was at Winchæstre; at þine wiðer-iwinnen.
þer lið þe king seoc; & sorh-ful an heo((r))ten.
What scal beon mi mede; 3if ic þider ride.
& ich þe swa iqueme; þat ich hine aque((le));
þa andswarede Passen; and toward Appase went.
Ich bi-hate þe todæi; an hundred pund. for ic mæi.
3if þu me iquemest; þat þu hine aquelle.
Treoðen he plihten; þesne swike-dom to dihten.
Appas eode to bure; & þesne balu mæinde.
he wes an hæðene gume; ut of Sax-londe i-cume.
Muneckes claðes he nom an; he scar his crune ufenen.
he nom him tweien iueren; & forð he gon fusen.
& wende anan rihte; in-to Winchæstre.
swulc hit weore an hali mon; þe hæðene deouel;
He wende to þan burh3ate; þer þe king on bure lai.
& gratte þene dure-ward; Godes grætinge.
& bad hine an hi3inge; gan in to þan kinge.
& suggen him to soðe; þat Vther his broðer.
hæfde him þider i-send; seolne læche.
þene bezste læche; þe wunede an æi londe.
þe auer-ælcne sucne mon; of ufele bringen con.
-460-
Þus læh þe laðe mon; leodene kinge.
for Uther wes ifaren; forð mid his ferde.
no nauer Vther hine ne isæh; ne þider hine i-sende.
& þe king wende þat hit weore soð; & ilefde him inoh.
Wha wolde wene; þat he swike weore.
for an his bare liche; he weorede ane burne.
þer-ufenen he hæfde; ane lad-liche here.
& seoð[ð]en ane cule; of ane blake claðe.
iblæcched he hæfede his licame; swulc ismitte of cole.
He cneolede to þan king%ge; his spæche wes ful milde.
Hail seo þu Aurilien; aðelest alre kingen.
Hider me sende Vther; þe is þin a3en broðer.
& ich al for Godes luue; æm to þe her icume.
for ich þe wulle helen; & al hal makien.
for Cristes leofe Godes sune; ne ræche ich nane garsume.
no mede of londe; no of seoluere no of golde.
ah ælche seocken ich hit do; for luue of mine Drihtene.
Þis iherde þe king; hit wes him swiðe iqueme.
ah whar is æuere æi mon; a þisse middel-ærde.
þe þis wolde wenen; þat he swiken weore.
He nom his glæs-fat anan; & þe king mæh þer-on.
Anne while after þan; þat glæs-fat an honden nom.
& sceoweden hit forð-riht%tes; biforen þas kinges cnihtes.
& þus sæide anan Appas þe haðene mon;
3if 3e me wulleð ileuen; ær to-marwen eue.
þes king scal beon al hal; ihaled an his willen.
Þa weoren bliðe; alle þa weoren i bure.
Appas eoden in ænne bur; & þat balu mæinde.
& dude þer-to atter; þa scamoie((ne)) hatte.
& com ut forð-rihtes; imong þa burh-cnihtes.
& þan kinge he gon dæle; muchel canele.
& gingiuere & licoriz; he hom lefliche 3ef.
alle heo nomen þat lac; & he heom alle bi-swac.
Þeos swike feol a cneowe; at-foren þan leod-kinge.
& þus saide him to; Lauerd nu þu scalt a-fon.
of þissen drinchen ane dæle; þat scal beon þin hale.
& þe king up drong; & þer þat atter he dronc.
Anan swa he hafde idrunke; þe leche hine adun læide.
Þus seide Appas; to þan bur-cnihtes.
-462-
Wreoð nu wel þene king; þat he ligge a swæting.
for ich sugge eou þurh alle þing; al hal beoð aure king.
& ich wulle to mine inne; and speken wið mine monnen.
& to þere mid-nihte; ich cume forð-rihtes.
mid oðer lache-crafte; þa sculleð beon him liðe.
Forð wende þe swike; þe king læi on sweuete.
Appas to his inne; & spec wið his monnen.
mid stilleliche rune; bistal of þan tune.
To þere mid-nihte; þa sende þa burh-cnihtes.
sixe of heore monne; to Appases inne.
heo wenden hine to finden; and longi hine to þan kinge.
þa wes he iflo3en; & feondes hine uæreden.
Þa men a3ein comen; þer þe king wunede.
& cudden i þan bure; of Appases fore.
Þa mihte me iseon; sor3en ino3e beon.
cnihtes feollen a-dun; & 3irnden heore dæðes.
Þer wes muchel waning; heortne graning.
þer wes moni reolic spel; þer wes gumene i3el.
Heo leopen to þan bedde; & þene king hedden.
þa 3et he lai on sweouete; & on muchele swate.
Þæ cnihtes mid weope; þene king awehten.
& heo him to cleopeden; mid mildere steuene.
Lauerd hu mid þe; hu beoð þine beo[r]ste.
For nu is ure læche ifaren buten laue.
iliðen ut of hirede; for hæne us bilæued.
Þe king heom 3[a]f andsware; Al ic æm to-swollen.
& þer nis nan o[ð]er ræd; nu nan ich wurðe dæd.
& ich bidde forð-rihtes; 3e beoð mine cnihtes.
þat 3e græten Vther; þe is min a3e broðer.
& biddeð hine halden; mi lond an on-walde.
Godd seolf þurh alle þing; lete hine beon god king.
& hateð hine beon kene; & æiwær riht deme.
wærc%che uolke for fæder; hænen to frouere.
þenne maie he halde; lond an on-walde.
& nu to-dai þenne ich beo dæd; nimeð alle anne ræd.
& leteð me i-lenge; riht to Stanhenge.
þer lið muchel of mine cunne; þurh Sæxen a-qualde.
& of-sende[ð] biscopes; and boc-ilarede men.
-464-
mi gold and mi seoluer; dele[ð] for mire saule.
& leggeð me an æst ænde; inne Stan-henge.
Næs þer nan oðer ræd; þer iwar[ð] þe king dæd.
& al swa his men duden; swa þe king demde.
Inne Wæ((le))s ((wes)) Vther; and her-of næs naðing war.
neuere þurh nare liste; her-of naþing nuste.
naðeles he hafede mid him; þene wite3e Merlin.
A3eineden þere uerde; þe icumen wes to ærde.
Vther lai inne Wales; in anne wilderne.
& fundede to uarene wið Passent to fehten.
Þa a þan auen-time; þe mone gon to scine.
wel neh al swa brihte; swa þe sunne-lihte.
Þa iseh3en heo feorre; ænne sel-cuðe sterre.
he wes brad he wes muchel; he wes unimete.
of him comen leomen; igast-liche scinen.
þe steorre is ihate; a Latin comete.
Com of þan steore; a leome swiðe sturne.
at þeos leomen ende; wes a drake hende.
of þes draken muðe; leomen comen inoh3e.
Ah tweien þer weoren muchele; þere oðere vnimete.
þe an droh touward France; þe oðer touward Irlonde.
Þe leome þe toward France droh; he wes briht vnifoh.
to Mu[n]t Giu wæs ise3en; þa seolcuðe takne.
þe leome þa strehte west-riht; a seouen bæmen wes idiht.
Þis isah Vðer; ah nas he noht her-of war.
sær him wes an heorte; & seolliche a-uæred.
swa wes al þat muchele folc; þat wes in þere uerde.
Vðer cleopede Merlin; & bad hine cume to him.
& þus seide him to; mid swiðe softe worden.
Mæ[r]lin Merlin; leoue freond; fonde þi-seoluen.
& sæie us of þan tacne; þe we i-sæ3en habbeoð.
for nat ich on worlde riche; to whan hit scal i-wurðen.
buten þu us raden; a3æn we moten riden.
Mærlin sæt him stille; longe ane stunde.
swulc he mid sweuene; swunke ful swiðe.
Heo seiden þe hit ise3en; mid heore a3en æ3en.
þat ofte he hine wende; swulc hit a wurem weore.
Late he gon awakien; þa gon he to quakien.
-466-
& þas word seide; Merlin þa wite3e.
Wæilawæi wæilawæi; a þissere worlde-riche.
muchel is þa sor3e; þe isi3en is to londe.
Whær ært þu Vther; Siten me biuoren her.
& ich þe wulle suggen; of sor3en ino3en.
Dæd is Aurilie; kingene aðelest.
swa is þe oðer; Costanz þi broðer.
þe Uortigerne biswac; mid his swike-dome.
Nu haueð Vortigernes cun; Aurilien aquald.
nu þu ært al ane; of aðele þine cunne.
Ah ne hope þu to ræde; of heom þat liggeð dede.
ah þenc of þe seoluen; seolðen þe beoð 3iueþe.
for selde he aswint; þe to him-seolue þencheð.
þv scalt wurðen god king; & gumenene lauerd.
& þu to þere mid-nihte; wepne þine cnihtes.
þat we i þan mor3en-liht; mæ3en come forð-riht.
forn at Meneue; þer þu sca[l]t fihten.
ær þu þenne wende; sclæht þu scalt makien.
þu scalt beien slæ þer; Passent and Gillomar.
& monie þusend of þan gumen; þat beoð mid heom hider icumen.
Þat taken of þan steorre; þe we isa3en swa feorre.
soð hit is Uðer leof; þat tacnede þines broðer dæd.
Biuoren þa steorre wes þæ drake; elc%ches wurmes vnimake.
þat taken wes ((a)) þire half; þat weore þu Uðer þi-seolf.
þu scalt habben þis lond; & þin æie beon muchel & strong.
Swulche toknen beoð un-cuðe; of þas draken muðe.
eoden tweien leomen; wunder ane lihte.
Þe an strehte feor soð; ut ouer France.
þat is an æi3es-ful sune; þat of þine licame scal cume.
þe scal moni kine-lond; mid compe biwinne.
& an ende he scal rede; moniane þeode.
Þe oðer leome þe strahte west; wunder ane lihte.
þat bið a dohter; þa þe bið swiðe deore.
Þe leome gon striden; a ueire seoue strengen.
þat beo[ð] seouen uæire sunen; þe of þine dohter sculleð cumen.
þe scullen moni kine-lond; bi3iten to heore a3ere hond.
heo sculleð beon wel stronge; a water & a londe.
Nu þu hauest of me ihærde; þe wule halpen.
swiðe uorð-rihtes; far to þine fihte.
-468-
& Merlin gon to slume; swulc he wolde slæpen.
Vp aras Vðer; nu he ((wes)) wis & war.
& hæhte his cnihtes; to horse forð-rihtes.
& hæhte heom biliue; faren to Meneue.
& alle heore fare græiðen; alle heo scullen fehten.
I þan flokke biforen; he hafde cnihtes wel icoren.
seouen þusend cnihte; ohte men & wihte.
Hafde he amidde; cnihtes wel bihedde.
oðer seoue þusend; selere þeinen.
Hæ hede bæfte; ohtere cnihten.
ahtene þusen; ohtere kempen.
& of ganninde uolke; swa feole þusend.
þat a nane spelle. ne mihte heom na mon tellen.
Forð heo wenden biliue; þat heo comen to Meneue.
Þer isah Gillomar; whar him com Vther.
& hæhde his cnihtes; to wepne forð-rihtes.
& heo to biliue; & gripen heore cniues.
& of mid here breches; seolcuðe weoren heore leches.
& igripen an heore hond heore. speren longe.
hengen an heore æxle; mucle wi-æxe.
Þa sæide Gillomar þe king; a swiðe seol-lic þing.
-470-
Her cumeð Vðer; Aurilies bro[ð]er.