[[MS description from Notes volume:
"i. Cotton Caligula A 9, British Museum (C); on vellum, 216 × 153 mm.;
192 folios in double columns of 32 to 34 lines, written by two scribes
in the first quarter of the thirteenth century. It is bound up with
another manuscript containing the Owl and the Nightingale and other
pieces.
"ii. Cotton Otho C 13, British Museum (O); injured in the fire of 1731;
on vellum; 145 folios in double columns of 38 lines; written in one
hand, of the third quarter of the thirteenth century.
".... Mistakes common to both versions have been derived from an
intermediate manuscript X."]]
(MS. Caligula)
(MS. Otho)
[[In the original text, line numbers were printed only on the MS.
Caligula pages. Numbers have been added to MS. Otho when needed
to identify linenotes.]]
Vnder þan comen tiðende{;} to vortiger þan kinge. [f. 81r²
[þ/] ouer sæ weoren icumen{;} swiðe selcuðe gumen.
Jnne þere Temese{;} to londe heo weore{n} icu{m}men.
þreo scipen gode{;} comen mid þan flode.
þreo hundred cnihten{;} Alse hit weoren kinges. 5
wið{}uten þan scipen mo{n}nen{;} þe weoren þer wið{}inne{n}.
þis weoren þa færeste men{;} þat auere her comen.
Ah heo weore hæðene{;} [þ/] wes hærm þa mare.
vnder þan com t[.y]dinge : to vortiger þan kinge. [f. 65v¹
þat ouer séé weren icome{;} swiþe selliche gomes.
þreo sipes gode{;} i{}come were mid þan flode
þar{}on þreo hundred cnihtes{;} alse hit were kempes.
þes weren þe faireste men þat euere come here.
ac hii weren heþene þat was har[m] þe more.
Uortiger heom sende to{;} And axede hu heo weoren idon.
[Gh]if heo grið sohten{;} [&] of his freond{}scipe rohte{n}. 10
heo wisliche and{}swerden{;} Swa heo wel cuðen.
[&] seiden [þ/] heo walden{;} speken wið þan kinge.
[&] Leofliche him heren{;} [&] hælden hine for hærre.
And swa heo gunnen wenden{;} fforð to þan kinge.
Þa wes Uortigerne þa ki{n}g{;} In Cantuarie{}buri. 15
þer he mid his hirede{;} Hæhliche spilede.
þer þas cnihtes come{n}{;} Bi{}fore{n} þan folc{}kinge.
Sone swa heo | hine imetten{;} fæire heo hine igrætten. [f. 81v¹
[&] seiden þat heo him wolden{;} hæren iþisse londe.
[gh]if he heom wolde{;} mid rihten at{}halden. 20
Þa and{}swerede vortig{er}{;} of elchen vuele he wes war.
An alle mine iliue{;} þe ich iluued habbe.
bi dæie no bi nihtes{;} ne sæh ich nauere ær swulche cnihtes.
for eouwer cume{n} ich æm bliðe{;}
[&] mid me [gh]e sculle{n} bilæfuen.
[&] eouwer wille ich wulle dri[gh]en{;} bi mine quicke liuen. 25
[Linenote:
25. _bimi ne_ MS.]
þeos comen to þan kinge and faire hine grette.
and seide þat hii wolde{;} him sarui in his lo{n}de
[gh]if vs þou wolle{;} mid rihte at{}holde.
þo answerede vortiger{;} þat of eche vuele he was war.
In al mine lifue{;} þat ich ileued habbe{;}
Bi dai no bi nihte{;} Ne seh ich soche cnihtes.
for [gh]ou ich ham bliþe{;} and mid me [gh]e solle bi{}lefue.
Ah of eou ich wulle iwiten{;} þurh soðen eouwer wurð{}scipen.
whæt cnihte{n} [gh]e seon{;} [&] whænnenen [gh]e icumen beon.
[&] whar [gh]e wullen beon treowe{;} alde [&] æc neowe.
þa answerede þe oðer{;} þat wes þe aldeste broðer.
lust me nu lauerd king{;} [&] ich þe wullen cuðen. 30
what cnihtes we beoð{;} [&] whanene we icumen seoð.
[Linenote:
27. _whæt_] _whahæt_ MS.]
Ac forst ich wolle wite{;} for [gh]oure mochele worsipe.
wat cnihtes | beo [gh]eo{;}
and wanene [gh]eo i{}comen beo. [f. 65v²
þo answerede þe oþer{;} þat was þe elder broþer.
++Ich hatte he{n}ges{;} hors is mi broðer.
we beoð of alemai{n}ne{;} aðelest alre londe.
of þat ilken ænde{;} þe angles is ihaten.
Beoð in ure londe{;} selcuðe tiðende. 35
vmbe fiftene [gh]er{;} þat folc hi[s] isomned.
Al ure iledene folc{;} [&] heore loten werpeð.
vppen þan þe hit fal[l]ed{;} he scal uaren of londe.
Bilæuen scul | len þa fiue{;} þa sexte scal forð liðe. [f. 81v²
ut of þan leode{;} to u[n]cuðe londe. 40
[Linenotes:
36. _his_] _h[-i]_ MS. || 38. _falled_] _faled_ MS.]
Ich hatte Hengest{;} Hors hatte min broþer.
we beoþ of Alemaine{;} of one riche londe.
of þan ilke hende þat Ænglis his ihote.
Beoþ in vre londe wonder þenges gonde.
bi eche fiftene [gh]er. þat folk his i{}somned.
And werpeþ þare hire lotes{;} fo[r] to londes seche.
v{p} wan þat lot falleþ{;} he mot neod wende. 38
[Linenote:
38. _vp_] _vt_ MS.]
Ne beo he na swa leof mon{;} uorð he scal liðen.
For þer is folc swiðe muchel{;} mære þene heo walden.
þa wif færeð mid childe{;} swa þe deor wilde.
Æueralche [gh]ere{;} heo bereð child þere{;}
[þ/] beoð an us feole{;} þat we færen scolden. 45
Ne mihte we bilæue{;} for liue ne for dæðe.
Ne for nauer nane þinge{;} for þan folc{}kinge.
Ne beo he noht so riche{;} he mot lond seche.
For{}þe wifues goþ þare mid childe{;} alse þe deor wilde.
bi euereche [gh]ere{;} hii goþ mid childe þere.
Þat lot on vs ful{;} þat we faren solde.
Ne moste we bi{}lefue{;} for life ne for deaþe.
þus we uerden þere{;} [&] for{}þi beoð nu here.
to sechen vnder lu{f}te{;} lond [&] godne lauerd.
Nu þu hæfuest iherd lauerd ki[n]g{;} Soð of us þurh alle þi[n]g. 50
Þa a{n}swarede vortiger{;} of alc an vfele he wes war.
Ich ileue þe cniht{;} [þ/] þu me sugge soð{}riht.
[&] wulche beoð æoure ileuen{;} [þ/] [gh]e on ileueð.
[&] eoure leofue godd{;} þe [gh]e to luted.
þa and{}swarede Hænges{;} cnihtene alre fæirest. 55
Nis in al þis kine{}lond{;} cniht swa muchel ne swa strong.
[Linenotes:
49. _luste_ MS. || 56. _muchel_ over erasure.]
þus hit fareþ þere{;} þar{}fore we beoþ nou here.
Nou þou hauest ihord louerd king{;} soþ of vs and no lesing.
þo saide vortiger þat was wis and swiþe war.
And woche beoþ [gh]oure biléue{;} þat [gh]eo an bi{}léfeþ.
We habbeð gode`s´ gode{;} þe we luuieð an ure mode.
þa we habbeð hope to{;} [&] heoreð heom mid mihte.
Þe an hæhte phebus{;} þe oðer Saturn{us}.
þe þridde hæhte wode{n}{;} [þ/] is an weoli godd. 60
þe feorðe hæh | [te] Jupit{er}{;}
of alle þi{n}ge he is whar. [f. 82r¹
þe fifte hæhte Mercuri{us}{;} þat {i}s þe hæhste ouer us.
þæ sæxte hæhte appollin{;} [þ/] is a godd wel idon.
[Linenotes:
58. _mid mid_ MS. || _is_] _us_ MS.]
We habbeþ godes gode{;} þe we louieð in mode.
þe on hatte phebus{;} þe oþer Saturnus
þe þri[d]de hatte Woden{;} þat was a mihti þing.
þe feorþe hatte Jubiter of alle þinges He his war. |
þe fifþe hatte Merchuri{us}{;}
þat his þe hehest ouer vs. [f. 66r¹
þe sixte hatte appolin{;} þat his a god of gret win.
[Linenote:
63. _þe_] _e_ partly destroyed.]
þe seoueðe hatte teruagant{;} an hæh godd in ure lon.
[Gh]et we habbeð anne læuedi{;} þe hæh is [&] mæhti. 65
heh heo is [&] hali{;} hired{}men heo luuieð for{}þi.
heo js ihate Frææ{;} wel heo heom dihteð.
Ah for alle ure goden deore{;} þa we scullen hæren.
[Linenotes:
64. _seoðueðe_ MS. || _dihteð_] _ð_ corr. out of _s_.]
þe soueþe hatte Teruagant{;} an heh god in vre lond.
[Gh]et we habbeþ an leafdi{;} þat heh his and mihti.
[gh]eo his i{}hote frea. heredmen hire louieþ.
To alle þeos godes we worsipe wercheþ.
And for hire loue{;} þeos da[gh]es we heom [gh]efue.
Mone we [gh]efue moneda[.y]. T[.y]dea we [gh]efue tisdei.
Woden hehde þa hæhste la[gh]e{;} an ure ælderne dæ[gh]en.
he heom wes leof{;} æfne al swa heore lif. 70
he wes heore walden{;} And heom wurðscipe duden.
þene feorðe dæi iþere wike{;} heo [gh]ifuen him to wurðscipe.
Þa þunre heo [gh]iuen þu{n}res dæi{;}
for{}þi þat heo heom helpen mæi.
Freon heore læfdi{;} heo [gh]iuen hire fridæi.
Saturnus heo [gh]iuen sætterdæi{;}
þene sunne heo [gh]iuen sonedæi. 75
Monen heo [gh]ifuen mone{}dæi{;} Tidea heo [gh]euen tis{}dæi.
[Linenote:
76. _Monenen heo [gh]ifuenen_ MS.]
Woden we [gh]efue wendesdei. Þane þonre we [gh]efue þorisdai.
Frea þane frida[.y]. Saturnus þane sateresdai.
þus seide hæ[n]gest{;} cnihten alre hendest.
Þa answerede vortig{er}{;} of ælchen vfel he wæs wær.
Cnihtes [gh]e beoð me leofue{;} ah þas tiðende me beoð laðe.
eouwer ileuen beoð vnwraste{;}
[Gh]e ne ileoueð noht an criste. | 80
Ah [gh]e ileoueð a þene wurse{;} þe godd seolf awariede. [f. 82r²
eoure godes ne beoð nohtes{;} In helle heo niðer liggeð.
[Linenotes:
80. _ileuen_ written over _ilauerd_ deleted. || _cristre_ MS.]
þus saide Hengest{;} cniht alre hendest.
þo answerede vortiger{;} of alle harme he was war.
Cnihtes [gh]eo beoþ me leofue{;}
ac [gh]oure bilefues me beoþ loþe.
Ah neoðeles ich wulle eou at{}hælde{;} An mine anwalde.
for norð Beoð þa Peohtes{;} swiðe ohte cnihtes.
þe ofte ledeð in mine londe{;} ferde swiðe stronge. 85
[&] ofte dod me muchele scome{;} [&] þerfore ich habbe grome.
[&] [gh]if [gh]e me wulleð wræken{;} [&] heore hæfden me bi[gh]eten.
Ich eou wullen [gh]euen lond{;} muchel seolueR [&] gold.
Þa andswerede hængest{;} cnihtene alre feirest.
[Gh]if hit wulle saturnus{;} al hit scal iwurðe þus. 90
[&] Woden ure lauerd{;} þe we on bi{}liueð.
[Linenote:
86. _me_] _e_ corr. out of _u_.]
Ac ich wolle ou at{}holde{;} in min anwolde.
For norþ beoþ þe peutes{;} swiþe ohte cnihtes.
þat ofte doþ me same{;} and þar{}vore ich habbe grame.
And [gh]ef [gh]e wolleþ me wreke{;} of [hire] wiþere dedes{;}
Ich [gh]ou wolle [gh]eue{;} [gh]eftes swiþe deore.
þo saide Hengest{;} al hit sal iworþe þus.
Hengest no{m} læue{;} [&] to scipen gon liðe.
þer wes moni cniht strong{;}
heo dro[gh]en heore scipe{n} uppe þe lo{n}d.
forð wenden dringches{;} to vortigerne þan kenge.
Biuoren wende hengest{;} [&] hors him alre hændest. 95
[Linenote:
93. _uppe_ on an erasure.]
Hengest nam lefue{;} and to sipe gan wende.
And al hire | godes{;} hii beore to londe. [f. 66r²
Seoððen þa alemainisce men{;} þa aðele weore{n} an deden.
[&] seoððen heo senden him to{;} heore sæxisce cnihtes wel idon.
hengestes cunnesmen{;} of his aldene cudðe.
heo comen in to halle{;} hændeliche alle.
Bett weoren iscrudde{;} [&] bed weoren iuædde. 100
hængest | swaine{;} þene vortigernes. þeines. [f. 82v¹
þa wes vortigernes hired{;} for hehne ihalden.
Bruttes weoren særi{;} for swulchere isihðe.
Nes hit nawiht longe{;} þat ne comen to þan kinge.
Cnihtes sunen uiue{;} þa i{}faren hafden biliue. 105
heo sæiden to þan kinge{;} neowe tiðe{n}den.
[Linenotes:
100. _Bett_ corr. out of _Bette_. || 102. _ihalden[d.][e.]_ MS.]
Forþ hii wende alle{;} to vortiger his halle.
Bed weren i{}scrud{;} and bet weren ived.
Hengestes sweines{;} þane vortiger his cnihtes. 101
Bruttes weren sori{;} for þan ilke sihte.
Nas noht longe{;} þat ne come t[.y]dinge.
[Linenote:
101. _swenise_ MS.]
nu forð{}rihtes{;} Icume{n} beoð þa peohtes.
þurh þi lond heo ærneð{;} [&] hær[gh]ieð [&] berneð.
[&] al þene norð ænde{;} iuald to þa{n} gru{n}de.
her{}of þu most ræden{;} oðer all we beoð dæden. 110
Þe king hine bi{}þohte{;} whæt he don mihte.
he sende to þan innen{;} after al his monnen
þer com hengest þer com hors{;} þer com m{a}ni mon ful oht.
þer come{n} þa saxisce men{;} hengestes cunnes{}men.
[&] þa Alemainisce cnihtes{;} þe beoð gode to fihte. 115
þat þo forþ{}rihtes icomen were þe peutes.
Oueral þin lond hii erneþ{;} and sleaþ þin folk and bearneþ.
and alle þane norþ ende{;} hii falleþ to þan gru{n}de.
her{}of þou most reade{;} oþer alle we beoþ deade.
Þe king sende his sonde{;} to þeos cnihtes hinne.
þat hii swiþe sone to him seolue come.
þar com Hengest and his broþer{;} and manian oþer.
þis isæh þe king vortiger{;} bliðe wes he þa þer.
Þa peohtes duden heore iwune{;}
a þas hælf þere humbre. heo weoren icume.
[&] þe king VortigeR{;} of heore cume wes ful war.
To{}gadere heo comen{;} [&] feole þer of{}slo[gh]en.
þer wes feht swide strong{;} Comp swiðe sturne. 120
þat þe king vortiger{;} bliþe was þo þer.
Þe Peutes dude hire wone{;} a þis half vmbre hii were icome.
And þe king vortiger{;} of hire come was war.
To{}gadere hii comen{;} and manie þar of{}slo[gh]en.
Þe Peohtes weoren ofte{}iwuned{;} [f. 82v²
Vortige[r]ne to ou{er} | cumen.
[&] þa heo þohten a[l]swa{;} Ah hit ilomp an oðer þa.
for hit wes heom al hele{;} þat hængest wes þere.
[&] þa cnihtes stronge{;} þe comen of saxelo{n}de.
[&] þa ohte alemanisce{;} þe þider comen mid horse. 125
Swiðe monie peohtes{;} heo slo[gh]en iþan fehte.
feondliche heo fuhten{;} feollen þa fæie.
[Linenotes:
113. _muni_ MS. || 116. _þa þa_ MS.]
þe peutes weren ofte iwoned{;} vortiger to ouercome.
And þo iþohten al so{;} ac hit bi{}ful oþerweies þo.
for hii hadde mochel care{;} for Hengest was þare.
for swiþe manie peutes{;} hii slo[gh]en in þan fihte.
Þa þe non wes icumen{;} þa weoren Peohtes ouer{}cumen.
[&] swuðe heo awæi flo[gh]en{;} an ælche helue heo forð flu[gh]en.
[&] alle dai heo flu[gh]en{;} monie [&] vnnifo[gh]e. 130
Þe king vortigerne{;} wende to herberwe.
[&] æuere him weore{n} on{}uast{;} Hors [&] hængest.
Hængest wes þan kinge leof{;} [&] him lindesa[gh]e [gh]ef.
and he [gh]æf horse{;} madmes ino[gh]e.
[&] alle heore cnihtes{;} he swiðe wel dihte. 135
[&] hit gode stu{n}de{;} stod a þan ilke.
[Linenote:
133. _leof{;} [&] him linde_ over an erasure.]
þo þat non was icome{;} þo were Peutes ouer{}come.
And swiþe hii awey | flo[gh]e. on euereche side. [f. 66v¹
and vortiger þe king{;} wende a[gh]en to his hin.
and to hengest an his cnihtes he [gh]ef riche [gh]eftes.
Ne durste nauere peohtes{;} cumen i þan londes.
no ræueres no utla[gh]en{;} [þ/] heo neoren sone of{}slæ[gh]en.
[&] hængest swiðe fæire{;} herede þane king.
Þa ilo{m}p hit in ane time{;} [þ/] þe king wes swiðe bliðe. 140
An ane hæ[gh]e dæie{;} imong his du[gh]eðe monnen.
Hengest hine bi{}þohte{;} what he don mihte.
for he wolde wið þan ki{n}ge{;} holde{n} | runi{n}ge. [f. 83r¹
þan kinge he eode to{;} foren{;} [&] fæire hine gon greten.
Þe king sone up stod{;} [&] sætte hine bi him seoluen. 145
heo drunken heo dremden{;} blisse wes among heom.
[Linenotes:
137. _peohtestes_ MS. || _gon[d.][e.]_ MS. || 146. _heo[n.]
dremden_ MS.]
Ne dorste neuere peutes{;} come in þisse londe.
þat hii nere sone of{}sla[gh]e{;} and idon of lifda[gh]e.
and Hengest swiþe hendeliche{;} cwemde þan kinge.
Þo hit bi{}ful in on time{;} þat þe king was swiþe bliþe. 140
Hengest wolde wiþ þan kinge{;} holde rouni{n}g.
þane kinge he come bi{}vore and faire hine grette.
[Linenote:
140. After _þe_, _[r.]e[n.]_ MS.]
Þa queð hengest to þan kinge{;} lauerd hærcne tiðende.
[&] ich þe wulle ræcchen{;} deorne runen.
[gh]if þu mine lare{;} wel wult lusten.
[&] noht halden to wraððe{;} þat ich wel leare. 150
þe king answarede{;} swa henges hit wolde.
Þa sæide hængest{;} cnihten alre fæirest.
lauerd ich habbe moni a dæi{;} þine monscipe ihæ[gh]ed.
[&] þin holde mon ibeo{n}{;} i richen þine hirede.
[&] in ælche fæhte{;} hæhst of þine cnihte{n}. 155
Þo saide hengest to þan kinge{;} louerd hercne t[.y]dinge.
And ich þe wolle telle{;} of deorne rouni{n}ges.
[gh]ef þou mine lore wel wolt i{}hure.
And noht holde to wraþþe{;} [gh]ef ich þe wel leore.
And þe king answerede{;} alse Hengest hit wolde.
[&] ich habbe ofte ihærd{;} hohfulle ronen.
Imong þine hired{}monnen{;} heo hatieð þe swiðe.
In to þan bare dæðe{;} [gh]if heo hit dursten cuðe.
Ofte heo stilleliche spækeð{;} [&] spilieð mid runen.
of twam [gh]u{n}ge monnen{;} þat feor wunieð hennen. 160
þe an hæhte VtheR{;} þe oðer ambrosie.
þe þridde hæhte Co[n]stance{;} þes wes king i þisse `lond´.
[&] he her wes of{}sla[gh]en{;} þurh swicfulle la[gh]en.
[Linenotes:
156. _ronenen_ MS. || _stilledliche_ MS.]
louerd ofte ich habbe ihord{;} among þine cnihtes.
þat hii þe hatieþ swiþe{;} into þare bare deathe.
Ofte hii stille spekeþ. of two [gh]onge cheldre{n}.
þe on hatte vther{;} þe oþer Aurelie.
þe þridde hehte Constance{;} þat þou dedest to deaþe.
Nu wulleð cume þa oðere{;} [&] wræken heore broðer.
Al forbær | nen þi lond{;} [&] slæn þine leoden. [f. 83r² 165
þe seoluen [&] þine du[gh]eðen; driuen ut of londe.
[&] þus suggeð þine men{;} þer heo somned sitteð.
for þa twene broðere{;} beoð `beyne´ kine{}borne.
Of androeinnes kunne{;} þas aðele bruttes.
[&] þus þine du[gh]eðe{;} stille þe fordemed. 170
[Linenote:
168. _beyne_ added in margin, _beoren_ deleted.]
Nou wolleþ come þe oþer{;} and wreken hire broþer.
Al for{}bearne þi lond{;} and slean þine leo | de. [f. 66v²
And þus seggeþ þine men{;} stille bi{}twine heom.
Ah ich þe wulle ræde{;} Of muchele þire neode.
[þ/] þu bi{}[gh]ite {cn}ihtes{;} þa gode beoð to fihte.
[&] bi{}tache me ænne castel{;} Oðer ane kineliche burh.
þat ich mai inne ligge{;} þa while þa ich libbe.
Ic am uor þe iuaid{;} þær{}fore ic wene beon dæd. 175
fare þer ic auer fare{;} næm ich næuere bute care.
Buten ich ligge faste{;} biclused inne castle.
[gh]if þu þis me wult don{;} Ich hit wulle mid luue a{}fon.
[&] ich wulle biliue{;} senden after mine wiue.
þat is a sexisc wimmon{;} of wisdome wel idon. 180
[&] after rouwe{n}ne{;} mire dohter; þe me is swiðe deore.
Þenne ich habbe mi wif{;} [&] mine wine{}maies.
[Linenote:
172. _cnihtes_] _mihtest_ MS.]
Ac ich þe wolle reade{;} of mochele þine neode.
þat þou bi[gh]ete cnihtes{;} þat gode beon to fihte.
And bi{}tak me one castel{;} þat ich mai on wonie.
For ich ham for þe i{}veiþed{;} þat ich wene beo dead.
þare ware ich euere vare{;} nam ich neuere boute care.
Bote ihc ligge faste{;} bi{}clused in on castle.
[Gh]ef þou þis woldes don{;} Mi wif solde come sone.
and mi dohter Rowenne{;} and moche of mine cunne.
[&] ich beo i þine londe{;} fulliche at{}stonde.
þa bet ich wullen hiren þe{;} [gh]if þu þis [gh]ettest me.
Þa answerede vortiger{;}
Of ælchen vuele he wes | war. [f. 83v¹ 185
Nim cnihtes biliue{;} [&] send æfter þine wiue.
[&] æfter þine children{;} þan [gh]u{n}gen [&] þan olden.
[&] æfter þine cunnen{;} [&] afeoh heom mid wunne.
þenne heo to þe cumeð{;} þu scat habben gærsume.
hæhliche heom to uede{n}{;} [&] wurðliche scruden. 190
Ah nulle ich castel na burh{;} nane þe bi{}techen.
for men me wolden scenden{;} I mine kine{}lond.
for [gh]e haldeð þa hæðene la[gh]e{;}
þat stod on eoure ælderen dæ[gh]e.
[&] we haldeð cristes la[gh]e{;} [&] wulleð auere an ure dæ[gh]e.
[Linenote:
192. _kine kine lond_ MS.]
Wan we þos beoþ in londe{;} folliche at{}stonde.
þe bet we wolleþ cweme þe{;} [gh]ef þou þis wolt granti me.
þo answerede vortiger{;} þat of ech vuele was war.
Nim cnihtes swiþe{;} and send after þine wifue.
And after þine childre{n}{;} þe [gh]ong and þe heoldre
And after þine cunne{;} and onderfang heom mid winne.
wane hii to þe comeþ{;} þou salt habbe garisome.
hehliche heom to fede{;} and worþliche to scrude.
Ac nelle ich Castel ne Borh{;} nanne þe bi{}take.
For men me wolde sende{;} in mine kinelonde.
[gh]ef | ich heþene men{;} londes bi{}toke. [f. 67r¹
Þa [gh]et spæc hængest{;} cnihten alre hendest. 195
lauerd ich wulle þin iwil{;} dri[gh]e{n} her [&] ouer{}al.
[&] don al mine dæde{;} æfter þine ræde.
Nu ic wulle biliue{;} sende afteR mine wiue.
[&] æfter mire dohter{;} þe me is swa deore.
[&] æfter ohte mo{n}nen{;} þa bezste of mine cunne. 200
[Linenote:
197. _don [d.]o[n.]_ MS.]
þe [gh]et spac hengest{;} cniht alre hendest.
louerd nou ich wolle{;} don al þine wille.
Nou ich wolle bliue{;} sende after mine wifue.
And þu [gh]if me swa muchel lond{;}
to stonden a mire a[gh]ere ho{n}d.
Swa wule anes bule hude{;} Ælches weies ouer{}spræden.
feor from ælche castle{;} amidden ane ualde.
þen{n}e ne mai þe atwite{;} þe hæne ne þe riche.
[þ/] þu æi hæhne | burh[gh]e{;}
hæðene monne habbe bi{}tæht. [f. 83v² 205
And þou [gh]ef me so mochel lond{;} to stonde on min owe hond.
Ase wole a Bole hude{;} in grene ouer{}sprede.
For fram eche Castle{;} a{}midde one felde.
þanne ne mai þe atwite{;} þe pore no þe riche.
þat þou eni heh Borh{;} heþene Man bi{}takest.
Þe king him i[gh]ette{;} swa hengest [gh]irnde.
Hengest nom læue{;} [&] forð he gon liðe.
[&] æfter his wiue sende sonde{;} to his a[gh]ene lo{n}de.
[&] he seolf wende [gh]eond þis lo{n}d{;}
to sechen ænne bræ[d]ne fæld.
þer he mihte wel spræde{;} On his feire hude. 210
He com æn enne ende{;} In enne fæire uelde.
he hafde ane hude{;} bi{}[gh]ite to his neode.
o ane wilde bule{;} þe wes wunder ane strong.
[Linenote:
207. _nom_ corr. out of _mom_.]
And þe ki{n}g him [gh]af{;} þat lutel þat he [gh]ornde.
Hengest nam lefue{;} and forþ he gan wende.
And after his wifue he sende sonde{;} to his owene londe.
And him seolf wende{;} oueral to bi{}holde.
ware he mihte wel sprede{;} his Bole hude.
He hæfden ænne wisne mon{;} þe wel cuðe a craften.
þe nom þas hude{;} [&] a bord leide. 215
and whætte his særes{;} alse he schæren wolde.
Of þere hude he kærf enne þwong{;} swiðe s{m}al [&] swiðe long.
Nes þe þwong noht swiðe bræd{;} buten swulc a twines þræd.
þa al islit wes þe þong{;} He wes wunder ane long.
[Linenote:
217. _swal_ MS.]
Hengest hadde one wisneman{;} þat wel couþe of crafte.
He nam þeos bole hude{;} and a borde laide.
þar of he makede ane þwang{;} swiþe smal and swiþe lang.
Nas þe þwang noht brod bote ase hit were a twined þred. 218
[Linenote:
218. _atwined_ MS.]
a{}buten he bilæde{;} muche del of londe. 220
He bigon to deluen{;} dic swiðe muchele.
þer{}uppe stenene wal{;} þe wes strong oueral.
ane burh he arerde{;} muchele [&] mare.
Þa þe burh we{s} al [gh]are{;} þa scop he hire nome.
he hæhte heo ful iwis{;} KaeR{}Carrai an Bruttisc. 225
[&] ænglis | ce cnihtes{;} heo Cleopeden þwong{}Chastre. [f. 84r¹
Nu and auere mare{;} þe nome sto[n]deð þere.
[&] for nan odere gome{;} næueden þæ burh þene nome.
[Linenote:
224. _wes_] _wel_ MS.]
A{}boute þar{}mid he leide{;} moche deal of londe.
He lette þo delue{;} on euerech halue.
þar vppe stonene wal{;} swiþe | strong oueral. [f. 67r²
ane castel he arerde{;} fair to bi{}holde.
þo þe Borh was al [gh]arue{;} þo sette he hire name.
he hehte hire foliwis{;} Ca[.y]r{}Karri in Bruttesse.
and Englisse cnihtes{;} Þwangchestre.
Nou and euere more{;} þe name stondeþ þ[are].
a þet come densce men{;} and driuen ut þa bruttes.
þene þridde nome heo þer sætte{;}
[&] lane{}castel hine hæhten. 230
[&] for swulche gomen{;} þæ tun hafde þas þreo nomen.
Vnder þan com liðen hider{;} hengestes wif mid hire scipen.
heo hæfde to iueren{;} fiftene hu{n}d{r}ed ridern.
mid hire come{n} to iwiten{;} muchele æhtene scipen.
þer comen inne{;} muchel of hengestes cunne. 235
[Linenote:
233. _h[-u]d'ed_ MS.]
forte þat Dence men driuen vt þe cnihtes.
þane þridde name þar sette{;} and leane Castel hine cleopede.
vnder þan com liþe hider{;} Hengestes wif mid hire sipes.
[gh]eo hadde to ivere{;} fiftene hundred Rideres.
[&] Rouwe{n} his dohter{;} þe him we`s´ swide deore.
Hit wes umbe{}while{;} [þ/] com þe ilke time.
[þ/] i[gh]arked wes þa burh{;} mid þan alre bezste.
He{n}gest com to þan kinge{;} [&] bad him gistninge.
[&] seide [þ/] he hafde an in{;} I[gh]arked to{}[gh]eines him. 240
[&] bad þat he come þer{}to{;}
[&] he scolde beon fæire under{}fon.
And Rowen his dohter{;} þat was him swiþe deore.
Hit was bi on wile{;} þat com þe ilke time.
þat `i´[gh]arked was þe borh{;} mid þan alre beste.
And Hengest wende to þan kinge{;}
and bad hine to g[.y]stni{n}ge.
And seide þat he hadde on In{;} hi{}makede to{}[gh]enes him.
[&] þe king him [gh]ette{;} swa hengest hit wolde.
Hit com to þan time{;} [þ/] þe king gon forð liðe.
Mið þan deoreste monnen{;} of alle his du[gh]eðe.
forð he gon bu[gh]en{;} | [þ/] he to burh com. [f. 84r² 245
he bi{}heold þene wal{;} up and dun ouer{}al.
al him wel likede{;} [þ/] he o{n} lokede.
He wende in to halle{;} [&] his heleðes mid him alle.
Bemen heo bleowen{;} gome{n} men gunnen cleopien.
And þe king him grantede{;} alse Hengest wolde.
Forþ hii gonne wende{;} þat hii come to þan ende.
þe king bi{}heold þane wal{;} vp and dun oueral.
Al him wel likede{;} þat he on lokede.
He wende in to halle{;} and his cnihtes mid him alle.
Bord heo hetten breden{;} cnihtes setten þer to. 250
heo æten heo drunken{;} dræm wes iburh[gh]en.
þa þe du[gh]eðe hafde i[gh]eten{;} þa wes heom þa bet iloten.
Hængest eode in to þan inne{;} þer wunede Rouwenne.
he heo lette scruden{;} mid vnime`te´ prude.
al [þ/] scrud þe heo hafde on{;} heo weoren {s}wiðe wel ibon. 255
heo weoren mid þan bezste{;} ibrusted mid golde.
[Linenote:
255. _swiðe_] _iwiðe_ MS.]
Bordes hii lette sprede{;} cnihtes þar to sete.
hii eoten | hii drongken{;} blisse was a{}mang heom. [f. 67v¹
Hengest we{n}de to þe in{n}e{;} þar Rowenne was hinne.
he hire lette scrude{;} mid onimete prude.
heo bar an hir{e} honde{;} Ane guldene bolle.
I{}uulled mid wine{;} þe wes wunder ane god.
hæ[gh]e ibore{n}ne men{;} heo lædden to hallen.
biuoren þan kinge{;} f{æi}rest alre þinge. 260
Reowen sæt acneowe{;} [&] Cleopede to þan kinge.
[&] þus ærest sæide{;} In ænglene londe.
lauerd king wæs hæil{;} for þine kime ich æm uæin.
Þe king þis ihærde{;} [&] nuste what heo seide.
[Linenote:
260. _farrest_ MS.]
[Gh]eo bar in hire hond{;} ane goldene bolle.
Hi{}fulled mid w[i]ne{;} ne mihte non be rich[ere].
Heh[gh]e ibore me{n}{;} hire ladde in to halle.
bi{}vore þan kinge{;} fairest alle þing.
Rowenne sat a cnouwe{;} and seide to þa{n} kinge.
þus erest [gh]eo spac{;} in Englene lond.
Louerd king wassa[.y]l{;} for * þine comes me beoþ hail.
Þe ki{n}g hit ihorde{;} and nuste wat [gh]eo saide.
[Linenote:
258. _wine: richere_] MS. defective here.]
þe king vortigerne{;} fræinede his cnihtes sone. 265
what weoren þat speche{;} þe [þ/] maide spilede.
Þa andswere | de Keredic{;} a cniht swiðe sellic. [f. 84v¹
he wes þe bezste latimer{;} þat ær com her.
lust me nu lauerd king{;} [&] ich þe wulle cuðen.
whæt seið Rouwenne{;} fæirest wimmonnen. 270
Hit beoð tiðende{;} Inne sæxe{}londe.
whær swa æi du[gh]eðe{;} gladieð of drenche{;}
[Linenote:
272. _glad[e.]ieð_ MS.]
þe king vortigerne{;} haxede his cnihte`s´.
wat were þe speche{;} þat þe maide speke.
Þo answerede{;} Keþereh{;} cniht mid þe wisest.
he was þe beste latimer{;} þat euere wone[de] her. 268
Lust nou mi louerd king{;} and ich þe wolle cuðen.
wat seiþ Rowenne{;} fairest of al wommanne.
Hit his þe wone{;} Ine sax{}londe.
[Linenote:
268. _wone_ MS.]
þat freond sæiðe to freonde{;} Mid fæire loten hende.
leofue freond wæs hail{;} þe oðer sæið drinc hail.
þe ilke þat halt þene nap{;} he hine drinkeð up. 275
oder uul me þideR fareð{;} [&] bi{}techeð his iuere{n}.
þenne þat uul beoð icumen{;} þenne cusseoð heo þreoien.
þis beoð sele la[gh]en{;} Inne saxe{}londe.
[&] Inne alemaine{;} heo beoð ihalden aðele.
[Linenotes:
273. _sæiðe_] _ð_ corr. out of _d_. || 276. _bi{}thecheð_ MS.]
þat freond saiþ to his freond{;} wane he sal [dri]nge.
leofue freond wassail{;} þe oþer saiþ dringhail.
þe ilke þat halt þane nap{;} þane dringe dringþ vp. 275
And a[gh][ein]es me hine fulþ{;} and takeþ his ivere.
Þis beoþ þe | lawes{;} ine sax{}londe. [f. 67v²
[Linenotes:
273. _dringe_]; 276 _a[gh]eines_] MS. defective here.]
Þis iherde uortiger{;} of alche{n} uuele he wes war. 280
[&] seide hit an bruttisc{;} ne cuðe he nan ænglisc.
maiden Rouwenne{;} drinc bluðeliche þenne.
Þat maide dronc up þat win{;} [&] lette don oðer þer{}in.
[&] bi{}tæhten þan kinge{;} [&] þrien hine custe.
[&] þurh þa ilke leode{n}{;}
þa la[gh]en comen to þissen londe. 285
wæs{}hail [&] drinc{}hæil. moni mon þer{}of is fain{;}
Rouwenne þe hende{;} sat bi þan kinge.
þe king heo [gh]eorne biheold{;} heo was him an heorte leof.
ofte he heo custe{;} ofte he heo clupte.
Al his mod [&] his main{;} halde to þan mæidene. 290
[Linenote:
280. _alchel_ MS.]
þis ihorde vortiger{;} of eche vuele he was war.
And saide hit on Bruttesse{;} ne couþe he noht on [OE]nglisse.
Ma[.y]de Rowenne{;} dring bloþeliche þanne.
Þat maide drong vt þat win{;} and lette don oþer þar{}in.
And bi{}tahte þan kinge{;} and he hit vp swipte.
And þorh þisne ilke game{;} þe lawe come to londe.
wassa[.y]l and dring{}ha[.y]l{;} þat mani me{n} lofuieþ.
Þe faire Rowenne{;} sat bi þan kinge.
þe king hire [gh]eorne bi{}heold{;}
[gh]eo was him leof on heorte.
Ofte he hire custe{;} and ofte he hire clupte.
Þe wurse wes þer | ful neh{;}
þe in ælche gomene iS ful ræh. [f. 84v²
þe wurse ne dude næuere god{;} he mæingde þas kinge`s´ mod.
he murnede ful swiðe{;} to habben þat mæide{n} to wiue.
Þat wes swide ladlic þing{;} þat þe cristine king.
luuede þat haðene maide{;} leoden to hærme. 295
[þ/] maiden wes þan kinge leof{;} æfne alse his a[gh]ene lif.
Þe worse was þare wel neh{;} þat to soche game his wel sleh.
þe worse þat neuere ne doþ god{;}
he me[.y]nde þare þes kinges mod
þe king mornede swiþe{;} for habbe hire to wifue.
þat was swiþe loþlich þing{;} þat þe cristene king.
louede þat Maide heaþene{;} folk to harme.
he bad hengest his dring{;} [gh]iuen him þat maide child.
He{n}gest funde an his ræd{;} to don [þ/] þe king him bed.
he [gh]ef him Rouwenne{;} wimmon swiðe hende.
To Hengest bad þe king{;} þat he þat maide [gh]efue him.
Hengest funde on his Reade{;} don þat þe king him beade.
He [gh]ef him Rowenne{;} womman swiþe hende.