[Transcriber’s Note:
Line-initial þ was corrected to capital Þ on the assumption that
capitalization was editorial. Individual changes are noted at the
end of the e-text. Line-initial y was retained for consistency.]
_Cambr. Univ. MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2._
Alle beon he bliþe
Þat to my song lyþe,
A sang ihc schal ȝou singe
Of Murry þe kinge. 4
_Laud Misc. MS. 108_, fol. 219 _b_.
+++Alle ben he bliþe
Þat to me wile{n} liþe,
A song ich wille you si{n}ge
Of morye þe kinge. 4
_Harl. MS. 2253._
_The | corresponds to a sign used in the MS. to mark the divisions
between the lines._
[[See Transcriber’s Note about e-text format.]]
[Sidenote: [leaf 83]]
Her bygynneþ þe geste of kyng Horn.
¶ Alle heo ben blyþe
þat to my song ylyþe,
a song ychulle ou singe
of Allof þe gode kynge. 4
[Sidenote: King Murry and his queen, Godhild, have a son named Horn.]
King he was biweste
So longe so hit laste.
Godhild het his quen;
Faire ne miȝte non ben. 8
He hadde a sone þ{a}t het horn;
Fairer ne miste no{n} beo born,
Ne no rein vpon birine,
Ne su{n}ne vpon bischine. 12
King he was bi westen
Wel þat hise dayes lesten,
And godild hise gode quene;
Feyrer non micte bene. 8
Here sone hauede to name horn;
Feyrer child ne micte ben born.
Ne reyn ne micte upon reyne,
Ne no so{n}ne by schine. 12
kyng he wes by weste
þe whiles hit yleste,
ant godylt his gode quene;
no feyrore myhte bene. 8
ant huere sone hihte horn;
feyrore child ne myhte be born.
for reyn ne myhte by ryne
ne sonne myhte shyne. 12
[Sidenote: He is marvellously fair and fifteen years old.]
Fairer nis no{n} þane he was;
He was briȝt so þe glas.
He was whit so þe flur,
Rose red was his colur. 16
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
In none kinge riche
Nas no{n} his iliche. 20
Fayrer child þa{n}ne he was,
Brict so eu{er}e any glas,
Whit so any lili flour,
So rose red was hys colur. 16
He was fayr and eke bold
And of fiftene winter hold.
Was noma{n} him yliche
Bi none kinges riche. 20
feyrore child þen he was,
bryht so euer eny glas,
so whit so eny lylye flour,
so rose red wes his colour. 16
He wes feyr {ant} eke bold
ant of fyftene wynter old.
[Sidenote: [leaf 83, back]]
Nis non his yliche
in none kinges ryche. 20
[Headnote: _Saracens invade the land._]
[Sidenote: Horn has twelve companions.]
Twelf feren he hadde
Þ{a}t alle wiþ him ladde,
Alle riche ma{n}nes sones,
{And} alle hi were faire gomes, 24
Wiþ him for to pleie.
{And} mest he luuede tweie;
++Þat on him het haþulf child,
{And} þ{a}t oþ{er} ffikenild. 28
xij feren he hadde
Þat he mid him ladde,
And alle rich ki{n}ges sones,
And alle swiþe fayre gomes, 24
Mid hym forto pleye.
But mest he louede tueye;
Þat on was hoten ayol child,
And þat oþer fokenild. 28
tueye feren he hadde
þ{a}t he wiþ him ladde,
alle richemenne sones,
{ant} alle suyþe feyre gomes, 24
wyþ him forte pleye.
mest he louede tueye;
Þ{a}t on wes hoten Athulf chyld,
{ant} þ{a}t oþer Fykenyld. 28
[Sidenote: Athulf the best, and Fikenhild the worst.]
Aþulf was þe beste
{And} fikenylde þe werste.
Hit was vpon a som{er}es day,
Also ihc ȝou telle may, 32
Ayol was þe beste
And fokenild þe werste.
++Hit was sone som{er}es day,
Also ich nou telle{n} may, 32
Athulf wes þe beste
ant fykenyld þe werste.
Hyt was vpon a someres day,
also ich ou telle may, 32
[Sidenote: King Murry while riding, finds fifteen ships arrived on the
strand.]
Murri þe gode king
Rod on his pleing
Bi þe se side,
Ase he was woned ride. 36
Þat moye þe gode kinge
Rod on his pleyhinge
Bi þe se syde,
Þer he was woned to ryde. 36
Allof þe gode kyng
rod vpon ys pleyȝyng
bi þe see side,
þer he was woned to ryde. 36
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
He fo{n}d bi þe st{ro}nde,
Ariued o{n} his lo{n}de, 40
Schipes fiftene,
Wiþ sarazins kene.
With him ride{n} bote tvo;
Al to fewe ware þo.
He fond bi þe stronde,
Ariued on his londe, 40
Schipes xv,
Of sarazines kene.
wiþ him ne ryde bote tuo;
al to fewe hue were þo.
he fond by þe stronde,
aryued on is londe, 40
shipes fyftene,
of sarazynes kene.
He axede what isoȝte
Oþ{er} to londe broȝte. 44
++A Payn hit of herde
And hym wel sone answarede,
“Þi lo{n}d folk we schulle slon
And alle þ{a}t Crist luueþ vpon, 48
And þe selue riȝt anon;
Ne schaltu todai henne gon.”
He acsede wat he sowte
Oþer to londe broucte. 44
A peynym it yherde
And sone answerede,
“Þi lond folc we wile{n} slon
And al þat god leuet on; 48
And þe we solen sone anon;
Sald þou neuere henne gon.”
he askede whet hue sohten
oþer on is lond brohten. 44
a payen hit yherde
{ant} sone him onsuerede,
“þy lond folk we wolleþ slon
þ{a}t euer c{ri}st leueþ on; 48
{ant} þe we wolleþ ryht anon;
shalt þou neuer henne gon.”
[Headnote: _Saracens kill Horn’s father._]
[Sidenote: After a brave defence, the king and his two companions are
slain,]
Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede,
For þo he hauede nede, 52
{And} his gode kniȝtes two;
Al to fewe he hadde þo.
Swerd hi gu{n}ne g{ri}pe
{And} to gadere smite. 56
Hy smyten vnder schelde
Þat sume hit yfelde.
Þe king hadde al to fewe
Toȝenes so vele schrewe. 60
Þe king licte adoun of his stede,
For þo he hauede nede, 52
And hise gode knictes ij,
But ywis he{m} was ful wo.
Swerdes þe go{n}ne g{r}ipe
And to gydere smyte. 56
He foute{n} an ond{er} selde
Some of hem he felde.
He weren al to fewe
Ayen so fele srewe. 60
þe kyng lyhte of his stede,
for þo he heuede nede, 52
ant his gode feren tuo;
mid ywis huem wes ful wo.
swerd hy gonne g{ri}pe
{ant} to gedere smyte. 56
hy smyten under shelde,
þ{a}t hy somme yfelde.
¶ þe kyng hade to fewe
aȝeyn so monie schrewe. 60
[Sidenote: and the Saracens begin to waste the land.]
So fele miȝten yþe
Bringe hem þre to diþe.
¶ Þe pains come to londe
{And} neme hit in here honde. 64
Þ{a}t folc hi gu{n}ne quelle
{And} churchen for to felle.
Sone micte{n} atteþ[KH-1]
Bri{n}gen þre deþe.
Þe paynimes come{n} to londe
And nome{n} hyt al to honde. 64
Cherches he go{n}ne{n} felle,
And folc he go{n}ne quelle.
[Footnote KH-1: after þ a letter erased]
so fele myhten eþe
bringe þre to deþe.
þe payns come to londe
{ant} nomen hit an honde. 64
þe folk hy gonne quelle
{ant} sarazyns to felle.
Þer ne moste libbe
Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, 68
Bute hi here laȝe asoke
{And} to here toke.
Of alle wymmanne
Wurst was godhild þanne. 72
Þer ne micte libbe
Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, 68
Bote he here ley forsoken
And to here token.
Of alle wi{m}menne
Verst was godyld o{n}ne. 72
þer ne myhte libbe
þe fremede ne þe sibbe, 68
bote he is lawe forsoke
{ant} to huere toke.
of alle wymmanne
werst wes godyld þanne. 72
[Sidenote: Godhild grieves much,]
For Murri heo weop sore
{And} for horn ȝute more.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 76
For moy he wep sore
And for horn wel more.
Godild hauede so michel sore
Micte no wimma{n} habbe more. 76
for Allof hy wepeþ sore
{ant} for horn ȝet more.
Godild hade so muche sore
þ{a}t habbe myhte hue na more. 76
[Headnote: _Godhild takes refuge in a cave._]
[Sidenote: but retires alone to a cave, where she continues to observe
the Christian religion.]
He wenten vt of halle,
Fram hire Maidenes alle,
Vnder a roche of stone.
Þer heo liuede alone. 80
Þer heo s{er}uede gode,
Aȝenes þe paynes forbode.
Þe vente hout of halle,
Fram hire maydenes alle,
In to a roche of stone.
Þar he wonede allone. 80
Þer he seruede god,
Ayenes þe houndes forbod.
hue wente out of halle,
from hire maidnes alle,
vnder a roche of stone.
þer hue wonede al one. 80
þer hue seruede gode,
aȝeyn þe payenes forbode.
Þer he seruede c{ri}ste,
Þ{a}t no payn hit ne wiste. 84
Eu{e}re heo bad for horn child,
Þ{a}t Iesu c{ri}st him beo myld.
Horn was in paynes honde
Wiþ his feren of þe londe. 88
Muchel was his fairhede,
For ih{es}u c{ri}st hi{m} makede.
Þer he s{er}uede c{r}iste,
Þat paynimes ne wiste, 84
And eu{er}e bed for horn child,
Þat ih{es}u c{r}ist him were mild.
Horn was i{n} peynims honde,
Mid his feren of þe londe. 88
Miche was his fayrhede,
So ih{es}u him hauede made.
þer hue seruede c{ri}st,
þ{a}t þe payenes hit nust. 84
ant euer hue bad for horn child,
þ{a}t c{ri}st him wrþe myld.
¶ Horn wes in payenes hond,
mid is feren of þe lond. 88
muche wes þe feyrhade
þ{a}t ih{es}u c{ri}st him made.
[Headnote: _Saracens deliberate over Horn._]
[Sidenote: The pagans save Horn and his companions on account of Horn’s
fairness,]
Payns him wolde slen
Oþ{er} al quic flen. 92
Ȝef his fairnesse nere,
Þe children alle aslaȝe were.
Þa{n}ne spak on Admirad,
Of wordes he was bald, 96
Þo hundes wolde slon,
And some him wolde flon. 92
Ȝif hornes fayrede nere,
Þe child yslawe ware.
++Uan bi spek him amyraud,
Of wordes he was swiþe baud, 96
payenes him wolde slo
{ant} summe him wolde flo. 92
ȝyf hornes feyrnesse nere,
yslawe þis children were.
þo spec on Admyrold,
of wordes he wes swyþe bold, 96
“Horn, þu art wel kene,
{And} þ{a}t is wel isene;
Þu art gret {and} st{ro}ng,
fair {and} euene lo{n}g. 100
Þu schalt waxe more
Bi fulle seue ȝere.
“Horn, þou art swiþe scene,
And follyche swiþe kene;
Þou art fayr and eke strong,
Þou art eueneliche long. 100
Þou scald more wexe
In þis fif yere þe nexte.
“horn, þou art swyþe kene,
bryht of hewe {ant} shene;
þou art fayr {ant} eke strong
{ant} eke eueneliche long. 100
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Sidenote: at the same time with forebodings that if Horn lives, he will
take revenge.]
Ȝef þu mote to liue go,
{And} þine feren also, 104
Ȝef hit so bi falle,
Ȝe scholde slen vs alle.
Þaruore þu most to stere,
Þu {and} þine ifere. 108
To schupe schulle ȝe funde
{And} sinke to þe grunde.
Ȝif þu to liue mictest go,
An þine feren also, 104
Þat micte so bifalle
Þou suldes slen us alle.
Þe for þou scald to stron go
And þine feren also. 108
To schip ye schule{n} sto{u}nde
A sinke{n} to þe grunde.
ȝef þou to lyue mote go,
ant þyne feren also, 104
þat ymay byfalle
þ{a}t ȝe shule slen vs alle.
[Sidenote: [leaf 84]]
þare fore þou shalt to streme go,
þou ant þy feren also. 108
to shipe ȝe shule founde
{ant} sinke to þe grounde.
Þe se ȝou schal adrenche;
Ne schal hit us noȝt of þinche. 112
For if þu were aliue,
Wiþ swerd oþ{er} wiþ kniue
We scholden alle deie,
{And} þi fader deþ abeie.” 116
Þe se þe sal adrinke;
Ne sal hit us of þinke. 112
For yf þou come to liue,
With suerdes or with cniue
We sholde alle deye,
Þi fad{er}es det abeye.” 116
þe see þe shal adrenche;
ne shal hit vs of þenche. 112
for ȝef þou were alyue,
wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue
we shulden alle deȝe,
þy fader deþ to beye.” 116
[Headnote: _Horn is put to sea in a boat._]
[Sidenote: Grieving sorely, the children are put aboard the boat,]
++Þe children hi broȝte to st{ro}nde,
Wringinde here honde,
Into schupes borde
At þe furste worde. 120
Ofte hadde horn beo wo,
At neure wurs þan him was þo.
[_No gap in MS._ . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . .]
Þe childre yede to stronde,
Wringende here honde.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . .]
Ofte hauede horn child be wo,
Bute neu{er}e werse þa{n} þo.
Horns yede in to þe shipes bord
Sone at þe firste word, 124
And alle hise feren,
Þat ware him lef and dere.
þe children ede to þe stronde,
wryngynde huere honde,
ant in to shipes borde
at þe furste worde. 120
ofte hade horn be wo,
ah neuer wors þen hi{m} wes þo.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þe se bigan to flowe
{And} hornchild to rowe. 128
Þe se þ{a}t schup so faste drof,
Þe children dradde þer of.
Hi wenden to wisse
Of here lif to misse, 132
Þe se bigan to flowen
And horn faste to rowen. 128
And here schip swiþe drof;
Þe childre{n} adred þer of.
Þei wende{n} alle wel ywis
Of here lif haued ymis, 132
¶ þe see bygon to flowen
{ant} horn faste to rowen 128
ant þ{a}t ship wel suyþe drof,
{ant} horn wes adred þer of,
hue wenden mid ywisse
of huere lyue to misse. 132
[Sidenote: and the following morning see land.]
Al þe day {and} al þe niȝt,
Til hit sprang dai liȝt.
¶ Til horn saȝ on þe st{ro}nde
Men gon i{n} þe londe. 136
“Feren,” q{ua}þ he, “ȝo{n}ge,
Ihc telle ȝou tiþinge.
Al þe day and al þe nict,
Til him sprong þe day lyt.
Til horn bi þe stro{n}de
Seth me{n} gon alonde. 136
“Feren,” he seyde, “singe,
Y telle ȝou a tidinge.
al þe day {ant} al þe nyht,
o þ{a}t sprong þe day lyht,
Flotterede horn by þe stronde,
er he seye eny londe. 136
“feren,” quoþ horn þe ȝynge,
“y telle ou tydynge.
[Sidenote: Horn announces land to his companions.]
Ihc here foȝeles singe
{And} þ{a}t gras him springe. 140
Bliþe beo we on lyue,
Vre schup is on ryue.”
Of schup hi gu{n}ne funde
{And} setten fout to grunde. 144
Ych here foules singe
And so þe g{ra}s him sp{r}inge. 140
Bliþe be we o liue,
Houre schip hys come ryue.”
Of schip þe gon fonde
An sette fot on grunde. 144
Ich here foules singe,
{ant} se þe grases sp{ri}nge. 140
blyþe be ȝe alyue,
vr ship is come to ryue.”
of shipe hy gonne founde
{ant} sette fot to grounde. 144
[Headnote: _Horn’s farewell to the boat._]
[Sidenote: All disembark, and Horn bids the boat a touching farewell,
wishing it ‘_dayes gode_,’]
Bi þe se side
Hi lete{n} þ{a}t schup ride.
Þanne spak him child horn,
In suddene he was iborn, 148
“Schup, bi þe se flode,
Daies haue þu gode;
Bi þe se brinke
No wat{er} þe na drinke. 152
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Bi þe se side
Here schip bigan to glide.
Þa{n}ne spek þe chid horn,
In sodenne he was yborn, 148
“Go nou, schip, by flode,
And haue dawes gode.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Softe mote þou stirie,
No wat{er} þe derie.
by þe see syde
hure ship bigon to ryde.
þenne spec him child horn,
in sudenne he was yborn, 148
“nou, ship, by þe flode,
haue dayes gode,
by þe see brynke
no water þe adrynke. 152
softe mote þou sterye,
þ{a}t water þe ne derye.
[Sidenote: and charging it with messages to his mother and friends.]
Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne,
Gret þu wel of myne ke{n}ne; 156
Gret þu wel my moder,
Godhild, quen þe gode.
And seie þe paene kyng,
Iesucrist{e}s wiþering, 160
Þat ihc am hol {and} fer
On þis lond ariued her.
And seie þ{a}t hei schal fonde
Þe dent of myne honde.” 164
Wa{n}ne þou comes to sodenne,
Gret wel al mi kinne, 156
And grete wel þe gode
Quen godild, my mod{er}.
And sey þat heþene king,
Ih{es}u c{r}istes wiþerling, 160
Þat ichc lef and dere,
On londe am riued here.
And sei þat he shal fo{n}ge
Þe deth of mine honde.” 164
ȝef þou comest to sudenne,
g{re}t hem þ{a}t me kenne. 156
gret wel þe gode
quene godild, mi moder.
ant sey þene heþene kyng,
ih{es}u c{ri}stes wytherlyng, 160
þ{a}t ich hol {ant} fere,
in londe aryuede here.
ant say þ{a}t he shal fonde
þen deþ of myne honde.” 164
[Headnote: _King Aylmer welcomes the children._]
[Sidenote: The children set out from the shore and meet King Aylmer,]
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þe children ȝede to Tune
Bi dales {and} bi dune. 168
Hy metten wiþ almair king,
Crist ȝeue{n} him his blessing,
King of West{er}nesse,
Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse. 172
Þe schip biga{n} to flete
And horn child forto wepe.
Þe children yede to towne
Bi dales and bi downe. 168
++Metten he with aylm{er} king,
God him yeue god timing,
King of westnesse,
God him yeue blisse. 172
¶ Þe ship bigon to fleoten
{ant} horn child to weopen.
by dales {ant} by dounes
þe children eoden to tounes. 168
metten hue Eylmer, þe kyng,
c{ri}st him ȝeue god tymyng,
kyng of westnesse,
c[{ri}]st him myhte blesse. 172
[Sidenote: who greets them kindly and asks their history.]
He him spac to horn child
Wordes þat were Mild,
“Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes,
Þ{a}t her to londe beoþ icume, 176
Alle þrottene
Of bodie swiþe kene?
Bigod þ{a}t me makede,
A swihc fair verade 180
Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde
Bi westene londe.
Seie me wat ȝe seche.”
For he spek to horn child
Wordes wel swiþe mild,
“We{n}ne be ye, fayre grome,
Þat here to londe ben ycome, 176
Alle xiij
Of bodi swiþe schene?
Bi ih{es}u þat me made,
So fayre on ereþ clade, 180
Ne say neu{er}e stonde
In al westnesse londe.
Sey me wat ye seche.”
he spec to horn child
wordes suyþe myld,
“whenne be ȝe gomen,
þat bueþ her a londe ycomen, 176
alle þrettene
of bodye suyþe kene?
by god þat me made,
so feyr a felaurade 180
ne seh y neuer stonde
in westnesse Londe.
say me whet ȝe seche.”
Horn spak here speche, 184
He spak for he{m} alle,
Vor so hit moste biualle.
He was þe faireste
{And} of wit þe beste. 188
Horn spak here speche, 184
Hor spak for hem alle,
So hit moste by falle,
For þat he was fayrest
And of witte wisest. 188
horn spec huere speche. 184
¶ Horn spac for huem alle,
for so hit moste byfalle;
he wes þe wyseste
{ant} of wytte þe beste. 188
[Headnote: _Horn tells his history._]
[Sidenote: Horn tells the king about their adventures,]
¶ “We beoþ of Suddenne,
Icome of gode kenne,
Of Cristene blode
{And} kynges suþe gode. 192
Payns þer gu{n}ne ariue
{And} duden hem of lyue.
Hi sloȝen {and} to droȝe
Cristenemen inoȝe. 196
“We ben of sodenne,
ycome{n} of godeme{n}ne,
Of c{r}istene blode
And of swiþe gode. 192
Paynims þer were riued
And broucte{n} men of liue.
He slowe and to drowe
C{r}istene men hy nowe. 196
“we bueþ of sudenne,
ycome of gode kenne,
of c{ri}stene blode,
of cunne swyþe gode. 192
payenes þer connen aryue
{ant} c{ri}stine brohten of lyue,
slowen {ant} to drowe
c{ri}stinemen ynowe. 196
So crist me mote rede,
Vs he dude lede
In to a galeie,
Wiþ þe se to pleie. 200
Dai hit is igon {and} oþer
Wiþute sail {and} roþer.
So god me mote rede.
Vs he deden lede
In to salyley,
Wit þe se to pleye. 200
Day igo and oþer
Wit ute{n} seyl and roþer.
so c{ri}st me mote rede,
ous hy duden lede
[Sidenote: [leaf 84, back]]
In to a galeye,
wiþ þe see to pleye. 200
day is gon {ant} oper
wiþ oute seyl {ant} roþer.
[Sidenote: and bids him do his will with them.]
Vre schip bigan to swymme
To þis londes brymme. 204
Nu þu miȝt vs slen, {and} binde
Vre honde bihynde.
Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille,
Helpe þ{a}t we ne spille.” 208
¶ Þanne spak þe gode kyng,
I wis he nas no Niþing,
And hure schip swemme gan,
And he to londe it wan. 204
Nou men us binde
Oure honde{n} us bi hinde{n},
And yf it be þi wille,
Help us þat we ne spille.” 208
Þo bispac aylm{er} king,
Was he neu{er}e nyþing,
vre ship flet forþ ylome,
{ant} her to londe hit ys ycome. 204
Nou þou myht vs slen, {ant} bynde
oure honde vs bihynde.
ah ȝef hit is þi wille,
help vs þ{a}t we ne spille.” 208
¶ Þo spac þe gode kyng,
he nes neuer nyþyng,
[Headnote: _Horn tells his name._]
[Sidenote: Aylmer asks Horn’s name,]
“Seie me, child, what is þi name?
Ne schaltu haue bute game.” 212
Þe child him answerde,
Sone so he hit herde,
“Horn ihc am ihote,
Icomen vt of þe bote, 216
Fram þe se side,
Kyng, wel mote þe tide.”
“Sey me, child, wat is þi name,
Ne schal þe tide bote game.” 212
Þat child him answerede,
Sone so hit herde,
“Hor hich am hote,
Ycome out of þe bote, 216
Fram þe se syde,
King, wel þe bityde.”
“sey, child, whet is þy name,
shal þe tide bote game.” 212
þe child him onsuerede,
so sone he hit yherde,
“Horn ycham yhote,
ycome out of þis bote, 216
from þe see side,
kyng, wel þe bitide.”
[Sidenote: and learning it, puns upon it,]
Þanne hym spak þe gode king,
“Wel bruc þu þin eueni{n}g. 220
Horn, þu go wel schulle
Bi dales {and} bi hulle.
“++Hon child,” qwad þe king,
“Wel brouke þou þi nami{n}g. 220
Horn him goth snille
Bi dales an bi hulle;
“horn child,” quoþ þe kyng,
“wel brouc þou þy nome ȝyng. 220
horn him goþ so stille
bi dales {ant} by hulles.
[Sidenote: predicting that Horn’s fame shall spread like the sound of a
horn.]
Horn, þu lude sune
Bi dales {and} bi dune. 224
So schal þi name springe
Fram kynge to kynge,
{And} þi fairnesse
Abute West{er}nesse, 228
Þe strengþe of þine honde
Into Eurech londe.
And þoruuth eche toune
Horn him shilleþ soune. 224
So shal þi name springe
Fram kinge to kinge,
And þi fayrnesse
Þoru out westnesse, 228
And stregþe of þine honde
Þoruouth eu{er}ich londe.
horn haþ loude soune
þurh out vch a toune. 224
so shal þi nome sp{ri}nge
from kynge to kynge,
ant þi feirnesse
aboute westnesse. 228
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Sidenote: He then leads Horn home.]
Horn, þu art so swete
Ne may ihc þe forlete.” 232
Hom rod Aylmar þe kyng,
{And} horn mid him his fundyng
{And} alle his ifere,
Þ{a}t were him so dere. 236
Horn þu art so swete
No schal yþe for lete.” 232
Hom rod him aylm{er} king,
And wit horn þe sweting
And alle hyse feren,
Þat weren lef and dere. 236
horn þou art so suete,
ne shal y þe forlete.” 232
Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng,
{ant} horn wiþ him, his fundlyng,
{ant} alle his yfere,
þat him were so duere. 236
[Headnote: _Arrangements for education of the children._]
[Sidenote: The king entrusts Horn to Athelbrus, the steward, charging
the latter to give Horn full instruction in hunting, fishing,]
¶ Þe kyng com in to halle
Among his kniȝtes alle;
Forþ he clupede aþelbrus,
Þat was stiward of his hus. 240
“Stiwarde, tak nu here
Mi fundlyng for to lere
Of þine mest{er}e,
Of wude {and} of riu{er}e, 244
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þe king com in to halle
Amo{n}g hise kinctes alle.
He bad clepen aybrous,
Þe heye stiward of his hous. 240
“Stiward, haue þou here
Horn chil for to lere
Of þine mestere,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .]
Of wode and of felde 244
To riden wel wit shelde.
þe kyng com in to halle
among his knyhtes alle.
forþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus,
his stiward, {ant} him seide þus, 240
“stiward, tac þou here
my fundlyng, forto lere
of þine mestere,
of wode {ant} of ryuere, 244
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Sidenote: playing the harp, and in serving with the cup.]
{And} tech him to harpe
Wiþ his nayles scharpe, 248
Biuore me to kerue
{And} of þe cupe serue.
Þu tech him of alle þe liste
Þat þu eure of wiste. 252
Tech him of þe harpe,
Wit his nayles sharpe 248
Biforn me for to harpen,
And of þe cuppe seruen,
And of alle þe listes
Þat þou on erþe vistes. 252
and toggen o þe harpe
wiþ is nayles sharpe; 248
and tech him alle þe listes
þ{a}t þou euer wystest,
byfore me to keruen
{ant} of my coupe to seruen. 252
In his feiren þou wise
In to oþere s{er}uise.
Horn þu vnderuonge
{And} tech him of harpe {and} songe.” 256
¶ Ailbrus gan lere
Horn {and} his yfere.
His feren deuise
Of oþer seruise.
++Horn child þou vnderfonge;
Tech him of harpe and so{n}ge.” 256
And aylbrous gan leren
Horn and hise feren.
ant his feren deuyse
wiþ ous oþer seruise.
horn child þou vnderstond,
tech him of harpe {ant} of song.” 256
¶ Aþelbrus gon leren,
horn {ant} hyse feren.
[Headnote: _Rymenhild loves Horn._]
[Sidenote: Horn learns readily and becomes a general favourite.]
Horn in herte laȝte
Al þat he him taȝte. 260
In þe curt {and} vte,
{And} elles al abute,
Luuede men horn child;
{And} mest him louede Rymenhild, 264
Þe kynges oȝene dofter.
He was mest in þoȝte.
Horn in h{er}te laucte
Al þat men him taucte. 260
Wit hine þe curt and wit oute,
And alle veie aboute,
Men louede{n} alle horn child,
And mest him louede rimenild, 264
Þe kinge owne dout{er}.
He was eu{er}e in þoute.
horn mid herte lahte
al þ{a}t mon him tahte. 260
wiþ inne court {ant} wiþ oute
{ant} oueral aboute,
Louede men horn child;
{ant} most him louede rymenyld, 264
Þe kynges oune dohter,
for he wes in hire þohte.
[Sidenote: Rymenhild falls passionately in love with him,]
Heo louede so horn child,
Þat neȝ heo gan wexe wild; 268
For heo ne miȝte at borde
Wiþ him speke no worde,
Ne noȝt in þe halle
Amo{n}g þe kniȝtes alle, 272
Ne nowhar in non oþ{er}e stede,
Of folk heo hadde drede,
Bi daie ne bi niȝte,
Wiþ him speke ne miȝte. 276
Hire soreȝe ne hire pine
Ne miȝte neure fine.
In heorte heo hadde wo,
{And} þus hire biþoȝte þo. 280
So hye louede horn child,
Þat hye wex al wild. 268
Hye ne micte on borde
Wit horn speken no worde,
Noþer in þe halle
Among þe kinctes alle, 272
Ne nower i{n} no stede,
For for folc þer was so meche.
Hire sorwe and hire pyne
Nolde he neu{er}e fine. 276
Bi day ne bi nicte
Wit him speke ne micte.
In h{er}te hye haue kare and wo;
Þus he hire bi þoucte þo. 280
hue louede hi{m} in hire mod,
for he wes feir {ant} eke god. 268
{ant} þah hue ne dorste at bord
mid hi{m} speke ner a word,
ne in þe halle
among þe knyhtes alle, 272
hyre sorewe ant hire pyne
nolde neuer fyne
bi daye ne by nyhte,
for hue speke ne myhte 276
wiþ horn þ{a}t wes so feir {ant} fre,
þo hue ne myhte wiþ him be.
In herte hue hade care {ant} wo,
{ant} þ{us} hue biþohte hire þo. 280
[Sidenote: and sends to Athelbrus.]
Heo sende hire sonde
Aþelbrus to honde,
Þ{a}t he come hire to,
{And} also scholde horn do 284
Al in to bure,
ffor heo ga{n} to lure.
{And} þe sonde seide
Þ{a}t sik lai þ{a}t maide, 288
{And} bad him come swiþe
For heo nas noþing bliþe.
He sende hire sonde
Aylbrous to honde.
And be, he schold hire come{n} to,
And also scholde horn do 284
In to hire boure,
For hye gan to loure.
And ysonde seyde
Wel riche was þe mede, 288
And bed him come{n} swiþe,
For hye nas naut bliþ.
Hue sende hyre sonde
Athelbrus to honde,
[Sidenote: [leaf 85]]
þat he come hue to,
{ant} also shulde horn do 284
in to hire boure,
for hue bigon to loure.
{ant} þe sonde sayde
þ{a}t seek wes þe mayde, 288
{ant} bed him come suyþe,
for hue nis nout blyþe.
[Sidenote: Rymenhild bids Athelbrus bring Horn to her bower,]
Þe stuard was in herte wo,
For he nuste what to do. 292
Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte,
Gret wunder him þuȝte.
Abute horn þe ȝonge
To bure for to bringe, 296
Þe stiward was i{n} h{er}te wo,
He ne wiste wat he micte do. 292
Wat reymnyld wroute,
Mikel wond{er} him þoute.
Abote horn þe ȝenge
To boure for to bringe, 296
¶ Þe stiward wes in huerte wo,
for he nuste whet he shulde do. 292
what rymenild bysohte,
gret wonder him þohte,
aboute horn þe ȝinge
to boure forte bringe. 296
[Headnote: _Athelbrus brings Athulf to bower._]
[Sidenote: but he, fearing some evil consequence, takes Athulf instead.]
He þoȝte upon his mode
Hit nas for none gode.
He tok him anoþer,
Athulf, hornes broþer. 300
He þoucte on his mode
Hit nas for none gode.
He tok wit him anoþer,
Þat was hornes wed broþer. 300
he þohte on is mode
hit nes for none gode.
he tok wiþ him an oþer,
aþulf, hornes broþer. 300
¶ “Aþulf,” he sede, “riȝt anon
Þu schalt wiþ me to bure gon,
To speke wiþ Rymenhild stille
{And} witen hure wille. 304
In hornes ilike
Þu schalt hure biswike.
Sore ihc me ofdrede
He wolde horn misrede.” 308
“Ayol,” he seyde, “ryt anon
Þou shalt wit me to boure gon,
To speke wit reymyld stille
And witen al hire wille. 304
In hornes ylyche
Þou schalt hir{e} bi swike.
Wel sore y me of drede
Þat hye wile horn mis rede.” 308
“Athulf,” quoþ he, “ryht anon
þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon,
to speke wiþ rymenild stille,
to wyte hyre wille. 304
þou art hornes yliche,
þou shalt hire by suyke;
sore me adrede
þ{a}t hue wole horn mys rede.” 308
[Headnote: _Reception of Athulf._]
[Sidenote: Athelbrus and Athulf go to Rymenhild’s bower, and Rymenhild,
mistaking Athulf for Horn, embraces him]
Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede
{And} in to bure wiþ him ȝede.
Anon vpon Aþulf child
Rymenhild gan wexe wild. 312
He we{n}de þ{a}t horn hit were
Þ{a}t heo hauede þere.
Heo sette him on bedde,
Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde. 316
On hire armes tweie
Aþulf heo gan leie.
Aylbrous, and ayol hi{m} myde,
Boþe he to bour{e} ȝede.
Opon ayol childe
Reymyld was naut wilde. 312
Hye wende horn hit were
Þat hye hadde þere.
Hye sette him on bedde,
With ayol he gan wedde. 316
In hire armes tweye
Ayol he gan leye.
Athelbrus {ant} Athulf bo
to hire boure beþ ygo.
vpon Athulf childe
rymenild con waxe wilde. 312
hue wende horn it were
þ{a}t hue hade þere.
hue seten adoun stille
ant seyden hure wille. 316
In hire armes tueye
Athulf he con leye.
[Sidenote: and declares her love.]
“Horn,” q{ua}þ heo, “wel longe
Ihc habbe þe luued st{r}onge. 320
Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte
On myn hond her riȝte,
Me to spuse holde,
{And} ihc þe lord to wolde.” 324
¶ Aþulf sede on hire ire,
So stille so hit were,
“Horn,” hye seyde, “so longe
Ich habbe yloued þe stronge. 320
Þou schalt me treuþe plyȝte
In mine honde wel ryhcte,
Me to spouse welde,
And ich þe louerd to helde.” 324
And seyde in hire here,
So stille so it were,
“horn,” quoþ he, “wel longe
y haue loued þe stronge; 320
þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte
in myn hond wiþ ryhte,
me to spouse welde,
{ant} ich þe louerd to helde.” 324
so stille so hit were
athulf seyde in hire eere,
[Sidenote: Athulf discloses his identity, and bids her desist.]
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
“Þi tale nu þu lynne,
For horn nis noȝt her in{n}e.
“Ne te þou more speche,
Su{m} ma{n} þe wile bi keche. 328
Þi tale bi gyn to lynne,
For horn nis nouth heri{n}ne.
“ne tel þou no more speche,
may, y þe by seche. 328
þi tale gyn þou lynne,
for horn nis nout her ynne.
[Sidenote: Athulf declares himself in every way inferior to Horn, and
his unwillingness to deceive.]
Ne beo we noȝt iliche,
Horn is fairer {and} riche, 332
Fairer bi one ribbe
Þane eni Man þ{a}t libbe.
Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde,
Oþ{er} elles wher he wolde, 336
Oþer henne a þuse{n}d Mile,
Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile.”
¶ Rymenhild hire biwente,
{And} Aþelbrus fule heo schente. 340
Horn his fayr and riche,
Be we naut yliche, 332
Fayror hond{er} ribbe
Þan onyman þat libbe.
Þei horn were hond{er} molde
Oþer elles qwere e wolde, 336
Hanne ou{er} a þousond mile,
Ne schulde ich him bigile.”
Reymyld hire bi wende,
Þe stiward sone he schende. 340
ne be we nout yliche,
for horn is fayr {ant} ryche, 332
fayrore by one ribbe
þen ani mon þat libbe.
þah horn were vnder molde,
{ant} oþer elle wher he sholde, 336
hennes a þousent milen,
y nulle him bigilen.”
¶ rymenild hire by wente,
ant Athelbrus þus heo shende, 340
[Headnote: _Rymenhild rages at Athelbrus._]
[Sidenote: Rymenhild storms at Athelbrus, and drives him from the
bower.]
“He{n}nes þu go, þu fule þeof,
Ne wurstu me neure more leof
Went vt of my bur,
Wiþ muchel mesauenteur. 344
Schame mote þu fonge
{And} on hiȝe rode anhonge.
Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn,
Nis he noȝt so vnorn. 348
Hor[n] is fairer þane beo he,
Wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie.”
“Aylbrous, þu foule þef,
Ne worstu me neu{er}e lef.
Wend out of mi bour{e},
Wyt muchel mesaue{n}ture. 344
Heuele ded mote þou fonge
And on heuele rode on honge.
Spak ich nou with horn,
His he nowt me biforn. 348
He his fayror of liue;
Wend out he{n}ne bilyue.”
“Aþelbrus, þou foule þef,
ne worþest þou me neuer lef.
went out of my boure,
shame þe mote by shoure, 344
ant euel hap to vnderfonge
{ant} euele rode on to honge.
Ne speke y nout wiþ horne,
nis he nout so vnorne. 348
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Headnote: _Athelbrus promises to bring Horn._]
¶ Aþelbrus in a stunde
Fel anon to grunde. 352
“Lefdi, Min oȝe,
Liþe me a litel þroȝe.
Þo aylbrous a stounde
On kneus fel to grunde. 352
“A, leuedy, min howe,
Lyþe a litel þrowe.
¶ Þo Athelbrus astounde
fel aknen to grounde. 352
“ha, leuedy, myn owe,
me lyþe a lutel þrowe,
[Sidenote: Athelbrus explains his fears,]
Lust whi ihc wonde
Bringe þe horn to honde. 356
For horn is fair {and} riche,
Nis no whar his iliche.
Aylmar, þe gode kyng,
Dude him on mi lokyng. 360
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .]
To bringe þe horn to honde. 356
Horn hys fayr and riche,
His no man hys liche,
And aylm{er}, þe gode king,
Dede him in Mi loking. 360
ant list were fore ych wonde
to bringen horn to honde. 356
for horn is fayr {ant} riche,
nis non his ylyche.
Aylmer þe gode kyng
dude him me in lokyng. 360
Ȝef horn were her abute,
Sore y me dute
Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie
Bitwex ȝou selue tweie. 364
Þa{n}ne scholde wiþuten oþe
Þe kyng maken vs wroþe.
Ȝyf horn þe were aboute,
Wel sore ich me doute
Þat ye schulde{n} pleye
Bitwen hou one tweye. 364
Þan scholde wit oute{n} oþe
Þe king hus maken wroþe.
Ȝif horn þe were aboute,
sore ich myhte doute
wiþ him þou woldest pleye
bituene ou seluen tueye. 364
þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe
þe kyng vs make wroþe.
[Sidenote: but asks Rymenhild’s forgiveness, and promises to bring Horn
in all events.]
Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene,
Lefdi, my quene, 368
And horn ihc schal þe fecche,
Wham so hit recche.”
For ȝyf me þi tene,
My leuedi and my quene, 368
And horn ich wolle feche,
Wam so hit eu{er}e reche.”
[Sidenote: [leaf 85, back]]
Ah, forȝef me þi teone,
my leuedy Ant my quene. 368
Horn y shal þe fecche,
wham so hit yrecche.”
[Sidenote: Rymenhild is glad, and bids him bring Horn as a squire.]
¶ Rymenhild, ȝef he cuþe,
Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe. 372
Heo makede hire wel bliþe
Wel was hire þ{a}t siþe.
Reymyld, ȝyf hye cowþe,
Gan leyhe wyt hire mouþe. 372
Hye lowe and makede blyþe
Wel was hire swiþe.
rymenild, ȝef heo couþe,
con lyþe wiþ hyre mouþe. 372
heo loh {ant} made hire blyþe,
for wel wes hyre olyue.
“Go nu,” q{ua}þ heo, “sone,
{And} send him aft{er} none 376
Whane þe kyng arise,
On a squieres wise.
To wude for to pleie.
Nis no{n} þ{a}t him biwreie; 380
He schal wiþ me bileue
Til hit beo nir eue,
To hauen of him mi wille.
Aft{er} ne recchecche what me telle.” 384
“Go,” hye seyde, “sone,
And bring him aft{er} none, 376
In a sq{u}ieres wise,
Wan þe king aryse.
He wende forþ to horne;
Ne wolde sche him werne. 380
“He schal mid me bi leue
Til hyt be ner heue.
Had ich of hym my wille,
Ne reche y wat men telle.” 384
“go þon,” quoþ heo, “sone,
{ant} send him after none, 376
a skuyeres wyse,
when þe king aryse.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 380
he shal myd me bileue
þ{a}t hit be ner eue.
haue ich of hi{m} mi wille,
ne recchi whet men telle.” 384
[Headnote: _Athelbrus invites Horn to Rymenhild._]
[Sidenote: Athelbrus finds Horn in hall, serving the king.]
¶ Aylbrus wende hire fro;
Horn in halle fond he þo,
Bifore þe kyng on benche,
Wyn for to schenche. 388
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Aylbrous fram boure wende,
Horn i{n} halle he fonde,
Bi forn þe king abenche,
Red win to schenche, 388
And aft{er} mete stale,
Boþe win and ale.
¶ Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle;
horn he fond in halle,
bifore þe kyng o benche,
wyn forte shenche. 388
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Sidenote: He bids him go to Rymenhild’s bower, at the same time urging
him to be discreet.]
“Horn,” q{ua}þ he, “so hende,
To bure nu þu wende, 392
Aft{er} mete stille,
Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle.
Wordes suþe bolde
In herte þu hem holde. 396
“Horn,” he seyde, “so hende,
To bour{e} þo most wende, 392
Aft{er} mete stille, _wit_
With reymild to dwelle.
Wordes swiþe bolde
In h{er}te gon þu holde. 396
“Horn,” quoþ he, “þou hende,
to boure gyn þou wende, 392
to speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝynge,
dohter oure kynge,
wordes suyþe bolde;
þin horte gyn þou holde. 396
Horn, beo me wel trewe;
Ne schal hit þe neure rewe.”
Horn in herte leide
Al þ{a}t he him seide. 400
He ȝeode in wel riȝte
To Rymenhild þe briȝte.
Hor, be me wel trewe;
Ne schal it þe nouth rewe.”
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 400
++Horn him we{n}de forþricte
To reymyld þe brycte.
Horn, be þou me trewe,
shal þe nout arewe.”
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 400
He eode forþ to ryhte
to rymenild þe bryhte.
[Headnote: _Rymenhild’s reception of Horn._]
[Sidenote: Horn greets Rymenhild with fair words.]
On knes he him sette,
And sweteliche hure grette. 404
Of his feire siȝte
Al þe bur gan liȝte.
He spac faire speche;
Ne dorte him noman teche. 408
Hon kneus he him sette
And rimyld fayre grette. 404
Of þat fayre wihcte
Al þe halle gan licte.
He spak fayre speche;
Ne þar him no ma teche. 408
a knewes he him sette
{ant} suetliche hire grette. 404
of is fayre syhte
al þ{a}t bour gan lyhte.
he spac faire is speche;
ne durþ non him teche. 408
“Wel þu sitte {and} softe,
Rymenhild þe briȝte,
Wiþ þine Maidenes sixe
Þ{a}t þe sitteþ nixte. 412
Kinges stuard vre
Sende me in to bure.
Wiþ þe speke ihc scholde;
Seie me what þu woldest. 416
Seie, {and} ich schal here,
What þi wille were.”
“Wel þou sitte and softe,
Reymyld, kinges dout{er},
With þine maydnes syxe
Þat sittet þe nexte. 412
Þe kinges stiward and hour{e}
Sente me to boure.
With þe hy speke schulde;
Sey me wat þou wolde. 416
Sey, and ich schal here,
Wat þi wille were.”
“wel þ{o}u sitte {ant} soþte,
rymenild, kinges dohter,
ant þy maydnes here
þat sitteþ þyne yfere. 412
Kynges styward oure
sende me to boure,
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 416
forte y here, leuedy myn,
whet be wille þyn.”
[Headnote: _Conversation between Horn and Rymenhild._]
[Sidenote: She takes Horn by the hand and embraces him.]
¶ Rymenhild vp gan stonde
{And} tok him bi þe honde. 420
Heo sette him on pelle,
Of wyn to drinke his fulle.
Heo makede him faire chere
{And} tok him abute þe swere. 424
Ofte heo him custe,
So wel so hire luste.
Reymild up gan sto{n}de
And tok him bi þe honde. 420
Sette he him on palle;
Wyn hye dide fulle,
Makede fayre chere,
And tok him bi þe swere. 424
Often hye him kiste,
So wel hire luste.
rymenild vp gon stonde
{ant} tok him by þe honde.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
heo made feyre chere
{ant} tok him bi þe suere. 424
ofte heo him custe,
so wel hyre luste.
[Sidenote: Rymenhild tells Horn of her love for him, and bids him plight
her his troth.]
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
“Wel come, horn,” hye seyde,
“So fayr so god þe makede. 428
An heue and amorwe
For þe ich habbe sorwe.
Haue ich none reste;
Slepe me ne liste. 432
Leste me þis sorwe,
Lyue hy nawt to morwe.
Horn, þou schalt wel swiþe
My longe sorwe liþe; 436
“Wel come, horn,” þus sayde
rymenild, þ{a}t mayde, 428
“an euen {ant} a morewe
for þe ich habbe sorewe,
þ{a}t y haue no reste,
ne slepe me ne lyste. 432
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Horn, þou shalt wel swyþe
mi longe serewe lyþe; 436
“Horn,” heo sede, “wiþute strif
Þu schalt haue me to þi wif.
Horn, haue of me rewþe,
{And} plist me þi trewþe.” 440
¶ Horn þo him biþoȝte
What he speke miȝte.
Þou schalt, wit ute{n} st{r}iue,
Habben me to wiue.
Horn, haue on me rewþe,
And plyct þou me þi trewþe.” 440
Horn child him bi þoute
Wat he speke myȝte.
þou shalt wyþ-oute st{ri}ue
habbe me to wyue.
horn, haue of me reuþe,
{ant} plyht me þi treuþe.” 440
¶ horn þo him byþohte
whet he speken ohte.
[Sidenote: Horn urges his low birth and foundling state in objection.]
“Crist,” q{ua}þ he, “þe wisse,
{And} ȝiue þe heuene blisse 444
Of þine husebonde,
Wher he beo i{n} lo{n}de;
Ihc am ibore to lowe
Such wi{m}man to knowe. 448
“God,” qwad horn, “þe wisse,
And ȝyue þe ioye and blisse 444
Of þine hosebonde,
Whare he be in londe.
Ich am hy bor{n} to lowe
Such a wyf to owe. 448
“c{ri}st,” quoþ horn, “þe wisse,
{ant} ȝeue þe heuene blisse 444
of þine hosebonde,
who he be a londe.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 448
Ihc am icome of þralle,
{And} fu{n}dli{n}g bifalle.
Ne feolle hit þe of cu{n}de
To spuse beo me bunde. 452
Hit nere no fair wedding
Bitwexe a þral {and} a king.”
¶ Þo gan Rymenhild mis lyke,
{And} sore gan to sike. 456
Ich am bor{n} þralle,
And fundlynge am bi falle.
Ich am nawt of kende
Þe to spouse welde. 452
Hit were no fayr wedding
Bituene a þral and þe king.”
Reymyld ga{n} to mys lyke,
And sore forto syke. 456
ich am ybore þral,
þy fader fundlyng wiþ-al.
of kunde me ne felde
þe to spouse welde. 452
Hit nere no fair weddyng
bituene a þral {ant} þe kyng.”
þo gon rymenild mis lyken,
{ant} sore[KH-2] bigon to syken. 456
[Footnote KH-2: _to syken_ crossed out after _sore_.]
[Headnote: _Horn asks Rymenhild’s assistance._]
[Sidenote: Rymenhild swoons when she hears Horn’s reply.]
Armes heo gan buȝe;
Adun he feol iswoȝe.
¶ Horn in herte was ful wo,
{And} tok hire on his armes two. 460
He gan hire for to kesse,
Wel ofte mid ywisse.
Armes hye na{m} boþe,
And doune he fel yswowe.
Hor hire ofte wende,
And in hys armes trende. 460
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
armes bigon vnbowe,
{ant} doun heo fel y swowe.
Horn hire vp hente
{ant} in is armes trente. 460
he gon hire to cusse,
{ant} feyre forte wisse.
[Sidenote: Horn caresses her, and promises that if she will help him to
become dubbed knight, he will do her will.]
“Le{m}man,” he sede, “dere,
Þin herte nu þu stere. 464
Help me to kniȝte,
Bi al þine miȝte
To my lord þe ki{n}g,
Þ{a}t he me ȝiue dubbi{n}g. 468
“Le{m}ma{n},” qwat he, “dere,
Þin h{er}te gyn þou to stere, 464
And hep þou me to knicte,
Oppe þine myȝte
To my louerd þe kinge,
Þat he me ȝyue dobbinge. 468
“rymenild,” quoþ he, “duere,
help me þ{a}t ych were 464
[Sidenote: [leaf 86]]
Ydobbed to be knyhte,
suete, bi al þi myhte
to mi louerd þe kyng,
þ{a}t he me ȝeue dobbyng. 468
Þa{n}ne is mi þralhod
Iwe{n}t i{n} to kniȝthod,
{And} i schal wexe more,
{And} do, le{m}ma{n}, þi lore.” 472
¶ Rymenhild, þ{a}t swete þing,
Wakede of hire swoȝning.
And þa{n}ne hys my þralhede
yterned in knyt hede,
And þe{n}ne hy schal wite more,
And don aft{er} þi lore.” 472
Þo reymyl þe ȝenge
Com of hire swohinge,
þenne is my þralhede
al wend in to knyhthede.
y shal waxe more
{ant} do, rymenild, þi lore.” 472
Þo rymenild þe ȝynge
a-ros of hire swowenynge.
[Headnote: _Rymenhild instructs Horn what to do._]
[Sidenote: Rymenhild promises Horn that he shall be made knight within a
fortnight,]
“Horn,” q{ua}þ heo, “vel sone
Þ{a}t schal beon idone. 476
Þu schalt beo dubbed kniȝt
Are come seue niȝt.
Haue her þis cuppe,
{And} þis Ring þer vppe, 480
To Aylbrus {and} stuard,
{And} se he holde foreward.
And seyde, “horn, wel ricte,
Þou art so fayr and briycte, 476
Þou schalt worþe to knyte,
hyt comeȝ sone nyȝte.
Nym þou here þis coppe,
And þis ryng þer oppe, 480
And beryt hour{e} styward,
And bid helde foreward.
“Nou, horn, to soþe,
y leue þe by þyn oþe, 476
þou shalt be maked knyht
er þen þis fourteniht.
ber þou her þes coppe,
{ant} þes ringes þer vppe, 480
to Athelbrus þe styward,
{ant} say him he holde foreward.
[Sidenote: and tells him to bid Athelbrus fall on his knees before the
king, in his behalf.]
Seie ich him biseche,
Wiþ loueliche speche, 484
Þ{a}t he adu{n} falle
Bifore þe ki{n}g i{n} halle,
{And} bidde þe king ariȝte
Dubbe þe to kniȝte. 488
Wiþ seluer {and} wiþ golde
Hit wurþ him wel iȝolde.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 484
Bid hym for þe falle
To kinges fot i{n} halle,
Þat he dubbe þe to knicte
Wyt hys swerde so bricte. 488
Wyt siluer and wit golde
Hyt worþ him wel hyȝolde.
Sey ich him biseche,
wiþ loueliche speche, 484
þ{a}t he for þe falle
to þe kynges fet in halle,
þ{a}t he wiþ is worde
þe knyhty wiþ sworde. 488
wiþ seluer {ant} wiþ golde
hit worþ him wel yȝolde.
[Sidenote: Horn seeks out Athelbrus and tells his errand.]
Crist him lene spede
Þin ere{n}de to bede.” 492
++Horn, god lene þe wel spede
Þi h{er}dne forto bede.” 492
nou c{ri}st him lene spede
þin erndyng do bede.” 492
¶ Horn tok his leue,
For hit was neȝ eue.
Aþelbr{us} he soȝte
{And} ȝaf him þ{a}t he broȝte, 496
{And} tolde hi{m} ful ȝare
Hu he hadde ifare,
{And} sede hi{m} his nede,
{And} bihet him his mede. 500
Horn tok hys leue,
For it was ney eue.
Aylbrous he sowte
And tok him þat he browte. 496
He talede to him þere
hou he hauede hy fare.
He telde him of his nede,
And bi het him his mede. 500
¶ Horn tok is leue,
for hit wes neh eue.
Athelbrus he sohte
{ant} tok him þ{a}t he brohte, 496
ant tolde him þare
hou he hede yfare.
he seide him is nede,
{ant} him bihet is mede. 500
[Headnote: _The King promises to knight Horn._]
[Sidenote: Athelbrus goes before the king in hall,]
¶ Aþelbrus also swiþe
We{n}te to halle bliue.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 504
“Kyng,” he sede, “þu leste
A tale mid þe beste.
Þu schalt bere c{ru}ne
Tomoreȝe i{n} þis tune. 508
Aylbrous wel bliþe
To halle he ȝede wel swiþe,
And sette him on kneuling,
And grette wel þe king. 504
“Syre,” he seyde, “wiltu luste
Ane tale wit þe beste?
Þou schalt bere corune
In þis hulke toune. 508
Athelbrus so blyþe
eode in to halle swyþe,
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 504
ant seide, “kyng, nou leste
o tale mid þe beste.
þou shalt bere coroune
to marewe in þis toune. 508
[Sidenote: and urges him to knight Horn at the feast the following day.]
Tomoreȝe is þi feste;
Þ{er} bihoueþ geste.
Hit nere noȝt for loren
For to kniȝti child horn 512
Þine armes for to welde;
God kniȝt he schal ȝelde.”
To morwe worþe þi festes;
Me by houed gestes.
Ich þe wolde rede ate lest
Þat þou horn knict makedest. 512
Þi armes to him welde;
God knict he schal be{n} helde.”
to marewe is þi feste;
þe bihoueþ geste.
Ich þe rede mid al my myht
þ{a}t þou make horn knyht. 512
þin armes do him welde;
god knyht he shal þe ȝelde.”
[Sidenote: The king accedes to the request, and promises that Horn and
his twelve companions shall be knighted.]
¶ Þe ki{n}g sede sone,
“Þ{a}t is wel idone. 516
Horn me wel iq{ue}meþ;
God kniȝt hi{m} bisemeþ.
He schal haue mi dubbing
{And} aft{er}ward mi derling. 520
Þe king seyde sone,
“Þat hys wel to done. 516
Horn me wole ben queme,
To be knict him by seme.
He schal habbe my dubbing
And be my nowne derling. 520
þe kyng seide wel sone,
“hit is wel to done. 516
Horn me wel quemeþ;
knyht him wel bysemeþ.
He shal haue mi dobbyng
{ant} be myn oþer derlyng. 520
{And} alle his feren twelf
He schal kniȝten him self.
Alle he schal hem kniȝte
Bifore me þis niȝte.” 524
And his feren xij
Ich schal dobbe My selue.
Alle ich hem schal knicte
Bi for me to fyte.” 524
{ant} hise feren tuelue
he shal dobbe him selue.
alle y shal hem knyhte
byfore me to fyhte.” 524
[Headnote: _Horn is dubbed Knight._]
[Sidenote: On the morrow, Horn with his twelve companions presents
himself before king Aylmer,]
Til þe liȝt of day sprang
Ailmar hi{m} þuȝte la{n}g.
Þe day bigan to spri{n}ge,
Horn co{m} biuore þe ki{n}ge, 528
Mid his twelf yfere;
Sume hi were luþ{er}e.
Amorwe her þe dey sp{r}onge
++Aylm{er} king þoute wel lo{n}ge.
Þe day by gan to spri{n}ge,
Horn cam bi forn þe kinge. 528
Wit swerde horn he girde
Rit hond{er} hys h{er}te.
al þ{a}t þe lyhte day sprong
aylmere þohte long.
þe day bigon to sp{ri}nge;
horn com byfore þe kynge, 528
wiþ his tuelf fere;
alle þer ywere.
[Sidenote: and the king sets him on a red steed and dubs him knight.]
Horn he dubbede to kniȝte
Wiþ swerd {and} spures briȝte. 532
He sette him on a stede whit;
Þernas no kniȝt hym ilik.
He smot him alitel wiȝt
{And} bed him beon a god kniȝt. 536
He sette him on stede
Red so any glede, 532
And sette on his fotes
Boþe spores and botes,
And smot alitel with,
And bed him ben god knict. 536
Horn knyht made he
wiþ ful gret solempnite, 532
Sette him on a stede
red so eny glede,
Smot him a lute wiht,
{ant} bed him buen a god knyht. 536
[Sidenote: Athulf falls on his knees, and asks that Horn may dub him and
the other companions.]
¶ Aþulf fel a knes þar
Biuore þe ki{n}g Aylmar.
“King,” he sede, “so kene,
G{ra}nte me a bene. 540
Nu is kniȝ[t] sire horn
Þ{a}t i{n} sudde{n}ne was iboren.
Ayol fel on knes þere
By forn þe king aylm{er}e,
And seyde, “king so kene,
Graunte me my bene. 540
Þou hast knicted sire horn
Þat i{n} sodenne was hy born.
Athulf vel a kne þer
{ant} þonkede kyng Aylmer.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 540
¶ “Nou is knyht sire horn
þ{a}t in Sudenne wes yborn.
Lord he is of lo{n}de,
Ou{er} us þ{a}t bi hi{m} stonde. 544
Þin armes he haþ {and} scheld,
To fiȝte wiþ vpon þe feld.
Let him vs alle kniȝte,
For þ{a}t is vre riȝte.” 548
Louerd he hys in londe,
Of vs þat bi him sto{n}de, 544
Mid spere and wit scelde
To fyte{n} in þe felde.
Let him os alle knicte,
So hyt hys hise ricte.” 548
Lord he is of londe
{ant} of vs þat by him stonde. 544
þin armes he haueþ {ant} þy sheld,
forte fyhte in þe feld.
Let him vs alle knyhte,
so hit is his ryhte.” 548
Aylmer seide ful ywis,
“nou do þ{a}t þi wille ys.”
[Sidenote: Horn knights his twelve companions.]
¶ Aylmar sede sone ywis,
“Do nu þat þi wille is.”
Horn adun liȝte
{And} makede he{m} alle kniȝtes. 552
M{ur}ie was þe feste,
Al of faire gestes.
Þo seyde þe king wel sone wis,
“Do horn as hys wil hys.”
Horn adown ga{n} lycte
And makede hem to knicte. 552
Comen were þe gestes,
Amorwe was þe feste.
Horn adoun con lyhte
{ant} made hem alle to knyhte, 552
[Sidenote: [leaf 86, back]]
for muchel wes þe geste
{ant} more wes þe feste.
[Headnote: _Rymenhild reminds Horn of his promise._]
[Sidenote: Rymenhild becomes impatient and sends for Horn.]
Ac Rymenhild nas noȝt þer,
{And} þ{a}t hire þuȝte seue ȝer. 556
Aft{er} horn heo sente,
{And} he to bure we{n}te.
Reymyld was nowt þere,
Hire þoute seue yere. 556
Aft{er} horn hye sende;
Hor to bour{e} wende.
þ{a}t rymenild nes nout þere
hire þohte seue ȝere. 556
efter horn hue sende;
horn in to boure wende.
[Sidenote: He takes Athulf as companion.]
Nolde he noȝt go one;
Aþulf was his mone. 560
Rymenhild on flore stod,
Hornes come hire þuȝte god,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
He na{m} his felawe i{n} hys honde,
And fonde Reymyld i{n} bour{e} sto{n}de.
He nolde gon is one;
Athulf wes hys ymone. 560
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Sidenote: Rymenhild bids Horn fulfil his share of the compact by
marrying her.]
And sede, “Welcome, sire horn,
And Aþulf, kniȝt þe biforn. 564
Kniȝt, nu is þi time
For to sitte bi me.
Do nu þat þu er of spake,
To þi wif þume take. 568
Ef þu art trewe of dedes,
Do nu ase þu sedes.
Nu þu hast wille þine,
Vnbind me of my pine.” 572
“Welcome art þou, sire horn,
And ayol chil þe bi forn. 564
Knict, nou it his tyme
Þat þo sitte by me.
Yf þou be trewe of dedes,
Do þat þou arr{e} seydes. 568
Do nou þat we speke,
To wif þou schalt me take.”
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 572
¶ rymenild welcomeþ sire horn,
{ant} aþulf knyht hi{m} biforn. 564
“knyht, nou is tyme
forto sitte byme.
do nou þ{a}t we spake;
to þi wyf þou me take. 568
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Nou þou hast wille þyne,
vnbynd me of þis pyne.” 572
[Headnote: _Horn proposes first to prove his Knighthood._]
[Sidenote: Horn replies that it is the custom for a knight to fight for
his leman with some other knight,]
¶ “Rymenhild,” quaþ he, “beo stille;
Ihc wulle don al þi wille.
Also hit mot bitide,
Mid sp{er}e ischal furst ride, 576
{And} mi kniȝthod proue,
Ar ihc þe ginne to woȝe.
“Reymyld,” qwat horn, “be stille;
Hy schal don al þi wille.
Hat first hyt mote by tyde
Mid spere þat ich ride, 576
Mi knicthede for to p{ro}ue,
Herst, here ich þe wowe.
“rymenild, nou be stille,
ichulle don al þy wille.
ah her hit so bitide,
mid spere ichulle ryde 576
ant my knyhthod proue,
er þen ich þe wowe.
We beþ kniȝtes ȝo{n}ge,
Of o dai al isp{ru}nge, 580
And of vre mest{er}e
So is þe man{er}e,
Wiþ sume oþere kniȝte
Wel for his lemman fiȝte, 584
Or he eni wif take;
For þi me stondeþ þe more rape.
We beþ kinctes yonge,
Alto day hy spronge; 580
Of þe mestere
Hyt hys þe man{er}e,
Wyt som oþer knicte
For hys lema{n} to fycte, 584
Her ich eny wif take.
Þer fore ne haue ich þe forsake.
we bueþ nou knyhtes ȝonge,
alle to day yspronge, 580
ant of þe mestere
hit is þe manere,
wiþ sum oþer knyhte
for his lemmon to fyþte, 584
er ne he eny wyf take
oþer wyþ wymmon forewart make.
[Sidenote: and promises that after he has accomplished an act of
prowess, he will make her his wife.]
Today, so crist me blesse,
Ihc wulle do pruesse 588
For þi luue in þe felde,
Mid spere {and} mid schelde.
If ihc come te lyue,
Ihc schal þe take to wyue.” 592
¶ “Kniȝt,” quaþ heo, “trewe,
Ihc wene ihc mai þe leue.
To day, so god me blisse,
Ich sal do pruesce, 588
For þe lef wyt schelde,
In mideward þe felde.
And hy come to liue
Ich take þe wiue.” 592
“Knict,” qwat reymyl, þe trewe,
“Yich wene ich may þe leue.
to day, so c{ri}st me blesse,
y shal do pruesse, 588
for þi loue mid shelde
amiddewart þe felde.
ȝef ich come to lyue
ychul þe take to wyue.” 592
“knyht, y may yleue þe,
why aut þou trewe be.
[Headnote: _Rymenhild gives Horn a Ring._]
[Sidenote: Rymenhild gives Horn a ring, which she bids him wear for her
love,]
Tak nu her þis gold ring,
God him is þe dubbing. 596
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þer is vpon þe ringe
Ig{ra}ue, ‘Rymenhild þe ȝonge.’ 600
Þer nis no{n} bet{er}e anonder su{n}ne,
Þ{a}t eni man of telle cu{n}ne.
For my luue þu hit were,
{And} on þi fing{er} þu him bere. 604
Haue nou here þis gold ring,
He his god to þi dobbing. 596
Ne hys none swilk vnder so{n}ne,
Þat man may offe konne.
Hy g{ra}ue hys on þe Ringe,
‘Rymyld þi lef þe yenge’; 600
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
¶ Haue her þis goldring;
hit is ful god to þi dobbyng. 596
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
yg{ra}ued is on þe rynge,
‘rymenild þy luef þe ȝynge.’ 600
nis non betere vnder sonne
þ{a}t enymon of conne.
For mi loue þou hit were,
{ant} on þy fynger þou hit bere. 604
[Sidenote: and which will protect him if he will look on it and think of
her.]
Þe stones beoþ of suche g{ra}ce,
Þ{a}t þu ne schalt in none place
Of none du{n}tes beon ofdrad,
Ne on bataille beon amad, 608
Ef þu loke þ{er}an
{And} þe{n}ke vpo{n} þi le{m}man.
¶ And sire Aþulf, þi broþer,
He schal haue anoþer. 612
Þe ston him hys of swiche g{ra}ce,
Þat þou ne schal i{n} none place
Of none do{n}te fayle,
Þer þou bigi{n}nes batayle. 608
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
And sire ayol, þi broþer,
He sal haue anoþer. 612
þe ston haueþ suche g{ra}ce,
ne shalt þou in none place
deþ vnderfonge,
ne buen yslaye wiþ wronge, 608
ȝef þou lokest þeran
{ant} þenchest o þi lemman.
ant sire aþulf, þi broþer,
he shal han en oþer. 612
[Sidenote: She then mournfully prays for Christ’s blessing on Horn’s
undertaking.]
Horn, ihc þe biseche
Wiþ loueliche speche,
Crist ȝeue god erndinge,
Þe aȝen to bringe.” 616
¶ Þe kniȝt hire gan kesse,
{And} heo hi{m} to blesse.
Horn, god hy þe bi teche,
Wit morninde speche.
God þe ȝyeue god endynge,
An hol þe aȝen bringe.” 616
Þe knict hyre gan to kusse,
And reymyld him blisse.
Horn, c{ri}st y þe byteche,
mid mourninde speche.
c{ri}st þe ȝeue god endyng,
{ant} sound aȝeyn þe brynge.” 616
þe knyht hire gan to cusse,
{ant} rymenild him to blesse.
[Sidenote: Horn takes leave, arms himself, mounts his black steed, and
sets out in search of adventure.]
Leue at hire he nam
{And} i{n} to halle cam. 620
Þe kniȝtes ȝeden to table,
{And} horne ȝede to stable.
Þar he tok his gode fole,
Also blak so eny cole. 624
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Leue at hire he nom,
And in to halle com. 620
Þe knictes ȝyede to table,
And horn i{n} to stable.
He tok forþ his gode fole,
So blac so eny cole. 624
In armes he him schredde,
And hys fole he fedde.
leue at hyre he nom,
{ant} in to halle he com. 620
knyhtes eode to table,
{ant} horn eode to stable,
þer he toc his gode fole,
blac so euer eny cole. 624
wiþ armes he him sredde,
ant is fole he fedde.
Þe fole schok þe brunie,
Þ{a}t al þe curt gan denie. 628
Þe fole bigan to springe,
{And} horn murie to singe.
Horn rod in a while
More þan a myle. 632
Hys fole schok hys brenye,
Þat al þe court gan denye. 628
Hys fole gan forþ sp{r}inge,
And horn merie to synge.
He rod one wile
Wel more þan a mile. 632
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 628
þe fole bigon to springe
{ant} horn murie to synge.
Horn rod one whyle
wel more þen a myle. 632
[Headnote: _Horn meets some Saracen invaders._]
[Sidenote: He finds at the seashore a ship filled with Saracens, and
asks their purpose.]
He fond o schup stonde
Wiþ heþene honde.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 636
He axede what hi soȝte,
Oþ{er} to londe broȝte.
¶ An hu{n}d him gan bihelde
Þ{a}t spac wordes belde, 640
“Þis lond we wulleȝ wynne,
{And} sle þ{a}t þ{er} is inne.”
He sey a schip rowe,
Mid wat alby flowe,
Of out londisse ma{n}ne,
Of sarazine kenne. 636
Hem askede qwat he hadde,
Oþer to londe ladde.
A geant him gan by holde,
And spek wordes bolde. 640
“Þis lond we wile winne,
And slen al þat þer ben hi{n}ne.”
he seh a shyp at grounde,
wiþ heþene hounde.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 636
He askede wet hue hadden,
oþer to londe ladden.
an hound him gan biholde,
{ant} spek wordes bolde. 640
“þis land we wolleþ wynne,
{ant} sle þ{a}t þer bueþ inne.”
[Sidenote: Horn slays the Saracen leader, and then, after]
Horn gan his swerd g{ri}pe
{And} on his arme wype. 644
Þe sarazins he smatte,
Þat his blod hatte.
At eureche dunte
Þe heued of wente. 648
Þo gu{n}ne þe hu{n}des gone,
Abute horn al one.
Horn gan hys swerd gripe,
And on his arm hyt wipe. 644
Þe sarazin so he smot,
Þat al hys blod was hot.
At þe furste dunte
Hys heued of gan wente. 648
Þo go{n}ne{n} þo hundes gon
Aȝenes horn alon.
Horn gan is swerd g{ri}pe,
ant on is arm hit wype. 644
þe sarazy{n} he hitte so,
þ{a}t is hed fel to ys to.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
þo gonne þe houndes gone
aȝeynes horn ys one.
[Headnote: _Horn bears the leader’s head before the king._]
[Sidenote: looking on his ring, slays a hundred more.]
He lokede on þe ringe,
{And} þoȝte on rimenilde. 652
He sloȝ þer on haste
On hundred bi þe laste.
Ne miȝte noman telle
Þ{a}t folc þ{a}t he gan quelle. 656
Of alle þ{a}t were aliue
Ne miȝte þer non þriue.
He lokede on his gode ringe,
And þoute on reymild þe yenge. 652
He slow þer on haste
An hundred at þe leste.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 656
Of þat þe were aryue,
Fewe he leued on liue.
[Sidenote: [leaf 87]]
He Lokede on is rynge,
ant þohte o rymenyld þe ȝynge. 652
he sloh þer of þe beste
an houndred at þe leste.
ne mihte no mon telle
alle þ{a}t he gon quelle. 656
of þ{a}t þer were o ryue
he lafte lut o lyue.
[Sidenote: Horn fixes the leader’s head on the point of his sword, and
bears it before the king.]
Horn tok þe maist{er}es heued,
Þ{a}t he hadde him bireued, 660
And sette hit on his swerde,
Anouen at þan orde.
He verde hom in to halle,
Among þe kniȝtes alle. 664
Þe meyst{er} kinges heued
He haddit him by reued. 660
He settit on hys swerde,
Anoven on þe horde,
Til he com to halle,
Among þe knictes alle. 664
¶ Horn tok þe maister heued,
þat he hi{m} hade byreued, 660
ant sette on is suerde,
abouen o þen orde.
he ferde hom to halle,
among þe knyhtes alle, 664
[Headnote: _Horn relates his adventure._]
[Sidenote: Horn relates his adventure.]
“Kyng,” he sede, “wel þu sitte,
And alle þine kniȝtes mitte.
To day, after mi dubbing,
So irod on mi pleing, 668
I fond o schup Rowe,
Þo hit gan to flowe,
Al wiþ sarazines kyn,
And none londisse Men. 672
To dai, for to pine
Þe {and} alle þine.
He seyde, “king, wel mote þou sitte,
An þine knictes mitte.
Þer y rod on my pleying,
Sone haft{er} my dobbing, 668
Y say a schip rowe
Mid wat{er}e al by flowe,
Of none londische me{n}ne,
Bote sarazines ke{n}ne, 672
To deye, for to pyne
Þe and alle þine.
“Kyng,” quoþ he, “wel þou sitte,
{ant} þine knyhtes mitte.
to day ich rod o my pleyyng,
after my dobbyng, 668
y fond a ship rowen,
in þe sound byflowen,
Mid vnlondisshe menne,
of sarazynes kenne, 672
to deþe forte pyne
þe {ant} alle þyne.
Hi gonne me assaille.
Mi swerd me nolde faille; 676
I smot he{m} alle to grunde,
Oþer ȝaf he{m} diþes wunde.
Þ{a}t heued iþe bri{n}ge
Of þe maist{er} ki{n}ge. 680
Nu is þi wile iȝolde,
King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest.”
He go{n}ne{n} me asaylen.
My swerd me ne wolde fayle; 676
Ich broute he{m} alto grunde
In one lite stounde.
Þe heued ich þe bringe
Of þe meyst{er} kinge. 680
Nou ich haue þe yolde,
Þat þu me knicte{n} wolde.”
hy gonne me asayly.
swerd me nolde fayly; 676
y smot hem alle to grounde
in a lutel stounde.
þe heued ich þe bringe
of þe maister kynge. 680
nou haue ich þe ȝolde
þat þou me knyhten woldest.”
[Sidenote: King Aylmar goes hunting.]
++A Moreȝe þo þe day gan sp{ri}nge,
Þe king him rod an hu{n}tinge. 684
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
At hom lefte ffikenhild,
Þat was þe wurste moder child. 688
Heo ferde in to bure,
To sen aue{n}t{ur}e.
++Þe day bi gan to sp{r}inge,
Þe king rod on hunti{n}gg{e}. 684
To wode he gan wende,
For to lacchen þe heynde.
Wyt hym rod fokenild,
Þat alþe werste mod{er} child. 688
And horn we{n}te in to boure,
To sen auenture.
þe day bigon to sp{ri}nge,
þe kyng rod on hontynge 684
to þe wode wyde,
ant Fykenyld bi is syde,
þat fals wes ant vntrewe,
whose him wel yknewe. 688
¶ Horn ne þohte nout him on,
ant to boure wes ygon.
[Sidenote: Horn proceeds to Rymenhild’s bower, and finds her weeping.]
Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte
Also he were of witte. 692
Heo sat on þe sunne,
Wiþ tieres al biru{n}ne.
Horn sede, “lef þinore,
Wi wepestu so sore?” 696
He fond Reymild sitte{n}de,
Sore wepende, 692
Whit so eny sonne,
Wit teres albi ronne.
He seyde, “le{m}man, þin ore,
Wy wepes þou so sore?” 696
he fond rymenild sittynde
{ant} wel sore wepynde, 692
so whyt so þe sonne,
mid terres al byronne.
Horn seide, “luef, þyn ore,
why wepest þou so sore?” 696
[Headnote: _Rymenhild tells Horn her Dream._]
[Sidenote: She tells him her dream, how a great fish broke her net.]
Heo sede, “noȝt ine wepe;
Bute ase ilay aslepe,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
To þe se my net icaste,
{And} hit nolde noȝt ilaste.
Hye seyde, “ich nawt ne wepe,
Bote ich schal her ich slepe.
Me þoute in my metynge,
Þat ich rod on fischinge. 700
To se my net ich keste;
Ne Mict ich nowt lache.
Hue seide, “ich nout ne wepe,
ah y shal er y slepe.
me þohte o my metyng,
þat ich rod ofysshyng. 700
to see my net ycaste,
ant wel fer hit laste.
A gret fiss at þe furste,
Mi net he gan to berste. 704
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Ihc wene þ{a}t ihc schal leose
Þe fiss þat ihc wolde cheose.” 708
A gret fys ate furste
Mi net he makede berste. 704
Þe fys me so by laucte,
Þat ich nawt ne kaucte.
Ich wene ich schal forlese
Þe fys þat ich wolde chese.” 708
a gret fyssħ at þe ferste
my net made berste. 704
þ{a}t fyssħ me so bycahte,
þ{a}t y nout ne lahte.
y wene y shal forleose
þe fyssħ þ{a}t y wolde cheose.” 708
[Sidenote: Horn comforts her.]
¶ “Crist,” q{ua}þ horn, “{and} seint steuene,
Turne þine sweuene.
Ne schal iþe biswike,
Ne do þ{a}t þe mislike. 712
“God and seynte steuene,”
Qwad horn, “terne þi sweuene.
Ne shal ich neu{er}e swike,
Ne do þat þe mis like. 712
¶ “C{ri}st {ant} seinte steuene,”
quoþ horn, “areche þy sweuene.
no shal y þe byswyke,
ne do þat þe mis lyke. 712
[Sidenote: Horn plights his troth to Rymenhild, but both weep and
forebode evil from the dream.]
I schal me make þinowe,
To holden {and} to knowe,
For eurech oþ{er}e wiȝte;
{And} þarto mi treuþe iþe pliȝte.” 716
Muchel was þe ruþe
Þ{a}t was at þare truþe,
For Rymenhild weop ille,
{And} horn let þe tires stille. 720
Ich nime þe to my nowe,
To habben and to howe,
For euerich wyȝte;
Þarto my treuwþe ich plicte.” 716
Miche was þat rewþe
Þat was at here trewþe.
Reymyld wel stille,
And horn let teres spille. 720
ich take þe myn owe,
to holde {ant} eke to knowe,
for eueruch oþer wyhte;
þerto my trouþe y plyhte.” 716
wel muche was þe reuþe
þ{a}t wes at þilke treuþe.
rymenild wep wel ylle,
ant horn let terres stille. 720
“Le{m}ma{n},” q{ua}þ he, “dere,
Þu schalt more ihere.
Þi sweuen schal wende,
Oþer sum Man schal vs schende. 724
Þe fiss þ{a}t brak þe lyne,
Ywis he doþ us pine.
Þ{a}t schal don vs tene
{And} wurþ wel sone isene.” 728
He seyde, “le{m}ma{n} dere,
Þou schalt more here.
Þy sweuene ich schal schende. 724
[_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . .]
Þe fis þat brac þi seyne,
Hy wis hyt was som ble[y]ne
Þat schal us do som tene;
Hy wis hyt worþ hy sene.” 728
“Lemmon,” quoþ he, “dere,
þou shalt more yhere.
þy sweuen shal wende;
summon vs wole shende. 724
þat fyssħ þ{a}t brac þy net,
ywis it is sumwet
þ{a}t wol vs do sum teone;
ywys hit worþ ysene.” 728
[Headnote: _Fykenhild calumniates Horn._]
[Sidenote: Fykenhild tells the king that Horn is plotting to kill him
and to marry Rymenhild.]
¶ Aylmar rod bi sture,
{And} horn lai i{n} bure.
Fykenhild hadde enuye
{And} sede þes folye:-- 732
“Aylmar, ihc þe warne,
Horn þe wule berne.
Ihc herde whar he sede,
{And} his swerd forþ leide, 736
To bringe þe of lyue,
And take Rymenhild to wyue.
Þe king rod bi his toure,
And horn was in þe boure.
Fykenyld hadde envie,
An seyde hise folye:-- 732
“Aylm{er}e, king, ich wole warne,
Horn chil þe wile berne.
Ich herde qware he seyde,
And his swerd leyde, 736
To bringe þe of liue,
And take rimenyld to wiue.
¶ Aylmer rod by stoure,
ant horn wes yne boure.
Fykenild hade enuye
{ant} seyde þeose folye:-- 732
“Aylmer, ich þe werne,
horn þe wole forberne.
Ich herde wher he seyde,
ant his suerd he leyde, 736
to brynge þe of lyue
ant take rymenyld to wyue.
He liþ in bure,
Vnder cou{er}ture, 740
By Ryme{n}hild, þi doȝt{er};
{And} so he doþ wel ofte.
And þider þu go al riȝt;
Þer þu him finde miȝt. 744
Nou he hys in boure,
Al hond{er} cou{er}ture, 740
By reymyld, þi dout{er};
And so he hys wel oft{er}.
Ich rede þat þu wende;
Þer þu myct him schende. 744
[Sidenote: [leaf 87, back]]
He Lyht nou in Boure,
vnder couertoure, 740
by rymenyld, þy dohter;
ant so he doþ wel ofte.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þu do him vt of londe,
Oþ{er} he doþ þe schonde.”
¶ Aylmar aȝen gan turne,
Wel Modi {and} wel Murne. 748
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Do him out of þi londe,
Her do more schonde.”
Aylm{er} king him gan torne,
Vel mody and wel Mourne. 748
To bour{e} he gan ȝerne,
Durst hym noma{n} werne.
do him out of londe,
er he do more shonde.”
¶ Aylmer gan hom turne,
wel mody {ant} wel sturne. 748
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
[Headnote: _King Aylmar banishes Horn._]
[Sidenote: Aylmar finds Horn in Rymenhild’s embrace, and bids him leave
the land at once.]
He fond horn in arme,
On Ryme{n}hilde barme. 752
“Awei vt,” he sede, “fule þeof,
Ne wurstu me neuremore leof.
Wend vt of my bure,
Wiþ muchel messauent{ur}e. 756
He fond horn wit arme,
In rimenyldes barme. 752
“He{n}ne out,” qwad aylm{er} king,
“Henne, þou foule wendling,
Out of boure flore,
Fram Reymyld, þi hore. 756
he fond horn vnder arme,
in rymenyldes barme. 752
“go out,” quoþ aylmer, þe kyng,
“Horn, þou foule fundlyng.
forþ out of boures flore,
for rymenild, þin hore. 756
Wel sone bute þu flitte,
Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte.
Wend ut of my londe,
Oþ{er} þu schalt haue schonde.” 760
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Sone bote þe flecte,
Wit swerd hy wole þe hette.
Hout of londe sone,
Here hauest þou nowt to done.” 760
Horn cam i{n} to stable,
Wel modi for þe fable.
wend out of londe sone; 759
her nast þou nout to done. 760
wel sone bote þou flette, 757
myd suert y shal þe sette.” 758
Horn eode to stable,
wel modi for þat fable.
[Transcriber’s Note:
Here and in next section, lines rearranged by editor.]
[Sidenote: Horn saddles his horse, arms himself, and then visits
Rymenhild.]
¶ Horn sadelede his stede,
{And} his armes he gan sprede. 764
His brunie he gan lace,
So he scholde, in to place.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
His swerd he gan fonge;
Nabod he noȝt to longe.
He sette sadel on stede,
With armes he hym gan schrede. 764
Hys brenye he gan lace,
So he scholde, i{n} to place.
Þo hyt þer to gan ten,
Ne durst hi{m} noma{n} sen. 768
Swerd he gan fonge;
Ne stod he nowt to lo{n}ge,
he sette sadel on stede,
wiþ armes he gon him shrede.
his brunie he con lace,
so he shulde, in to place. 766
his suerd he gon fonge; 769
ne stod he nout to longe. 770
to is suerd he gon teon; 767
ne durste non wel him seon. 768
[Headnote: _Horn takes leave of Rymenhild._]
[Sidenote: He tells her that her dream has come true,]
He ȝede forþ bliue
To Ryme{n}hild his wyue. 772
He sede, “le{m}man, derling,
Nu hauestu þi sweuening.
Þe fiss þ{a}t þi net rente,
Fram þe he me sente. 776
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
And ȝyede forþ ricte
To reymyld þe bricte. 772
He seyde, “leman, de{r}ling,
Now hauestu þi meting.
Þe fys þi net to rente,
Fram þe he me sente. 776
Þe king gynneþ wiht me st{r}iue;
Awey he wole me driue.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
He seide, “lemmon, derlyng,
nou þou hauest þy sweuenyng.
þe fyssħ þ{a}t þyn net rende,
from þe me he sende. 776
þe kyng wiþ me gynneþ st{ri}ue;
a wey he wole me dryue.
[Sidenote: that he is going to an unknown country for seven years.]
Rymenhild, haue wel godne day,
No leng abiden ine may. 780
In to vncuþe londe,
Wel more for to fonde.
I schal wune þere
Fulle seue ȝere. 784
Reymyld, haue god day,
For nov ich founde awey, 780
In to onekuþ londe,
Wel more forto fonde.
Ich schal wony þere
Fulle seve ȝere. 784
þare fore haue nou godneday;
nou y mot fonnde {ant} fare away 780
In to vncouþe londe,
wel more forte fonde.
y shal wonie þere
fulle seue ȝere. 784
[Sidenote: He bids her not to await him longer than seven years.]
At seue ȝeres ende,
Ȝef ine come ne sende,
Tak þe husebo{n}de,
ffor me þu ne wo{n}de. 788
In armes þu me fonge,
{And} kes me wel longe.”
Ate vij ȝeres hende,
Bot ȝyf hy come oþer sende,
Tac þou hosebonde,
For me þat þou wonde. 788
I armes þou me fonge,
An kusse swiþe longe.”
at þe seueȝeres ende,
ȝyf y ne come ne sende,
tac þou hosebonde,
for me þ{a}t þou no wonde. 788
In armes þou me fonge,
ant cus me swyþe longe.”
[Sidenote: Rymenhild faints.]
He custe him wel a stunde,
{And} Rymenhild feol to grunde. 792
Horn tok his leue;
Ne miȝte he no le{n}g bileue.
He tok Aþulf, his fere,
Al abute þe swere, 796
He kusten one stunde,
And reymyld fel to gru{n}de. 792
Horn tok his leue,
For hyt was ney heue.
He nam ayol, trewe fere,
Al aboute þe swete, 796
hy custen hem a stounde,
{ant} rymenyld fel to grounde. 792
¶ Horn toc his leue;
he myhte nout byleue.
He toc Aþulf, is fere,
aboute þe swere, 796
[Sidenote: Horn entrusts his ‘new love’ to Athulf.]
{And} sede, “kniȝt so trewe,
Kep wel mi luue newe.
Þu neure me ne forsoke,
Rymenhild þu kep and loke.” 800
His stede he gan bist{ri}de,
{And} forþ he ga{n} ride.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 804
And seyt, “knict so trewe,
Kep Mi leue wiue.
So þou me neu{er}e forsoke,
Reymyl kep and loke.” 800
++Horn gan stede by stride,
And forþ he gan ride.
Ayol wep wit heye,
And alle þat hym seye. 804
ant seide, “knyht so trewe,
kep wel loue newe.
þou neuer ne forsoke
rymenild to kepe ant loke.” 800
his stede he bigan stryde,
ant forþ he con hym ryde.
Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen,
ant alle þat hit yseyȝen. 804
[Headnote: _Horn sets sail from West[er]nesse._]
[Sidenote: He sets sail.]
To þe hauene he ferde,
{And} a god schup he hurede,
Þ{a}t hi{m} scholde lo{n}de
In westene lo{n}de. 808
¶ Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe,
{And} al þ{a}t hi{m} isiȝe.
Horn chil forþ hym ferde;
A god schip he him herde,
Þat hym scholde wisse
Out of westnisse. 808
Þe whyȝt him gan sto{n}de,
And drof tyl hirelonde.
Horn forþ him ferde;
a god ship he him herde,
Þat him shulde passe
out of westnesse. 808
Þe wynd bigon to stonde,
ant drof hem vp o londe.
[Sidenote: Horn reaches land.]
To lo{n}d he hi{m} sette,
{And} fot o{n} stirop sette. 812
To londe he gan flette,
And out of schip him sette. 812
to londe þat hy fletten;
fot out of ship hy setten. 812
[Headnote: _Horn is received by Harild and Berild._]
[Sidenote: He meets two princes, Harild and Berild.]
He fo{n}d bi þe weie,
Kynges sones tweie;
Þ{a}t on hi{m} het harild,
{And} þ{a}t oþ{er} berild. 816
Berild gan him preie
Þ{a}t he scholde him seie
What his name were,
{And} what he wolde þere. 820
He mette by þe weye,
Kingges sones tweye;
Þat on was hoten ayld,
And þat oþer byrild. 816
Byrild him gan preye
Þat he scholde seye
Wat hys name were,
And qwat he wolde þere. 820
he fond bi þe weye,
kynges sones tueye;
Þ{a}t on wes hoten Aþyld,
ant þ{a}t oþer beryld. 816
beryld hym con preye
þat he shulde seye
what he wolde þere,
ant what ys nome were. 820
[Sidenote: He gives his name as Cutberd (Godmod),]
“Cutberd,” he sede, “ihc hote,
Icome{n} vt of þe bote,
Wel feor fram biweste,
To seche mine beste.” 824
Berild gan him nier ride,
{And} tok him bi þe bridel.
“Wel beo þu, kniȝt, ifounde;
Wiþ me þu lef a stunde. 828
“Cuberd,” he seyde, “ich hote,
Come{n} fram þe bote,
Fer fram bi weste,
To chesen mine beste.” 824
Byryld him gan ryde,
And tok hym by þe b{r}idel.
“Wel be þou, knict, her{e} founde;
Whyt me bileuest a stounde. 828
¶ “Godmod,” he seid, “ich hote,
ycomen out of þis bote,
wel fer from by weste,
to seche myne beste.” 824
beryld con ner him ryde,
ant toc hi{m} bi þe bridel.
“wel be þou, knyht, yfounde;
wiþ me þou lef a stounde. 828
[Sidenote: and is conducted by the princes before the king.]
Also mote i st{er}ue,
Þe ki{n}g þu schalt s{er}ue.
Ne saȝ i neure my lyue
So fair kniȝt aryue.” 832
Cutb{er}d heo ladde in to halle,
{And} he a kne gan falle.
So ich ne mote st{er}ue,
Þe kyng þou schal s{er}ue.
Ne sey ich neu{er}e on lyue
So fayr knyt aryue.” 832
Cub{er}t he ledde to halle,
And adoun gan falle.
also ich mote sterue,
þe kyng þou shalt serue.
ne seh y neuer a lyue
so feir knyht her aryue.” 832
godmod he ladde to halle,
ant he adoun gan falle,
[Sidenote: Cutberd greets the king.]
He sette him a knewelyng,
And grette wel þe gode kyng. 836
He sette hym on knewlyng,
And grette wel þe gode king. 836
[Sidenote: [leaf 88]]
Ant sette him a knelyng,
ant grette þene gode kyng. 836
[Sidenote: Berild asks that he be taken into the king’s service.]