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Herkneth to me bothe eld and ying, For Marie’s love, that swete thing,      Al hou a wer bigan Bituene a trewe Cristen king And an hethen heye lording,      Of Dames the soudan. The king of Tars hadde a wive, Feirer might non ben olive —      That ani wight telle can. A douhter thai hadde hem bituen, Non feirer woman might ben —      As white as fether of swan. The meiden was schast and blithe of chere With rode red so blosme on brere      And eyghen stepe and gray. With lowe scholders and white swere Hir for to sen was gret preier      Of princes proud and play. The los of hir gan spring wide In other londes bi ich a side,      So the soudan herd it say. Him thought his hert it brast ofive Bot yif he might have hir to wive      That was so feir a may. His messangers he gan calle And bad hem wightly wenden alle them      To hir fader the king, And seyd he wald hou so it bifalle His douhter clothe in riche palle      And spouse hir with his ring; And yif he nold, withouten feyl, He wald hir win in batayl      With mani an heye lording. The messangers forth thai went To dou the soudan’s comandment      Withouten ani duelling. Than the king of Tars this understode Almest for wrethe he wex ner wode      And seyd thus in sawe: “Bi Him that dyed on the rode, Ich wald arst spille min hert blode      In bateyl to ben yslawe. Y nold hir give a Sarazin For alle the lond that is mine.      The devel him arst to drawe, Bot sche wil with hir gode wille Be wedded to him, hirselve to spille.      Hir thoughtes nought Y no knawe, “Ac Y schal wite ar than ye pas.” His douhter anon was brought in plas      And he axed hir bilive. “Douhter, the soudan of Damas Yernes for to se thi fas      And wald thee have to wive. Waldestow, douhter, for tresour Forsake Jhesus our Saveour      That suffred woundes five?” The maiden answerd with mild mod Biforn hir fader ther sche stode      “Nay, lord, so mot Y thrive! “Jhesu mi Lord in Trinité Lat me never that day yse      A tirant for to take. O God and Persones Thre One For Marie love, Thi moder fre,      Gif him arst tene and wrake.” The king seyd, “Douhter, be stille. Thou schalt never be wedded him tille      For no bost he can make. Y schal him sende word ogein That alle his thoughtes ben in vein,      For thou hast him forsake.” Right be the self messangers That com fro the soudan fers      This wordes he him sent: That sche leved nought on his maners, Sche nold nought leten hir preiers      To God omnipotent. He bad him tak another thought, For of his douhter no tit him nought      For tresore no for rent. The messangers herd him thus seyn; With that word thai turned ogain      And to the soudan thai went. As the soudan sat at his des, Yserved of the first mes,      Thai com into the halle. Bifor tho princes prout in pres Her tale to telle withouten les      On knes thai gun doun falle. Thai seyd, “Sir, the king of Tars Of wicked wordes is nought scars.      ‘Hethen hounde’ he gan thee calle; And ar he give his douhter thee tille, Thine hert blod he will spille,      And thine barouns alle.” When the soudan this wordes herd Also a wilde bore he ferd.      His robe he rent adoun; His here he rent of heved and berd; He schuld venge him with his swerd,      He swore bi Seyn Mahoun. The table so hetelich he smot It fel in to the flore fot-hot      And loked as a lyoun. Al that he raught he smot doun right — Serjaunt, squier, clerk, and knight,      Bothe erl and baroun. Al thus the soudan ferd, yplight; Al that day and alle that night      No man might him schast. Amorwe when it was light, His messangers he sent ful right      For his barouns wel fast That thai com to his parlement Forto heren his jugement,      Bothe lest and mast. When the parlement was pleyner, Tho bispac the soudan fer      And seyd to hem in hast: “Lordings,” he seyd, “what to red. Me hath ben don a gret misdede      Of Tars the Cristen king! Y bede him bothe lond and lede For his douhter worthliche in wede      To han wed hir with ring, And he me sent word ogain In bateyl Y schuld arst be sleyn      And mani an heye lording! And certes he schal be forsworn. Wrotherhele than was he been      Bot Y therto it bring. “And therfore ich have after you sent And asembled herer this parlement      To wite your conseyle.” And alle thai seyd with gode entent Thai were at his comandment,      Certeyn withouten feile. Right bi that day a fourtennight Thai schul ben alle redi dight      With helme, hauberk of meile. And whan thai were so at his hest The soudan made a riche fest      For love of his bateyle. The soudan gaderd a rout unride Of Sarrazins of michel pride      Opon the king to wende. The king of Tars herd that tide; He gadred his ost bi ich a side,      Al that he might ofsende. Than bigan wretthe to wake For that mariage might nought take      Of that maiden hende. Of bateyl thai gun sett a day, Of Seynt Eline the thridde in May,      No lenger no wald thai lende. The soudan com with his pouwer With bright armour and brod baner,      Into the feld to fight With sexti thousend Sarrazins fer, That alle the feldes fer and ner      With helmes lemed light. The king of Tars com with his ost, With gret pride and michel bost,      With mani an hardi knight, And aither ost gan other aseyle. Ther might men se a strong bateyle      That grimli was of sight. Ther hewe houndes on Cristen men1 And feld hem doun bi nighen and ten;      So wilde thai were and wode That men might sen alle the fen Of Cristen both fremd and ken,      The valays ren on blod. The soudan and his folk that stounde Hewe adoun with grimli wounde      Mani a frely rode. Allas, to wele sped Mahoun! The Cristen men yede al adoun      Was nought that hem withstode. The king of Tars seye that sight; For wretthe he was neye wode, aplight.      He hent in hond a spere And to the soudan he rode ful right. With a stroke o michel might,      To grounde he gan him bere.2 Ther he hadde the soudan slawe Ac ten thousend of hethen lawe      Saved him in that were — Thai sett him on a ful gode stede That was so gode at everi nede      That no man might him dere. And when he was opon his stede, Him thought he brend so spark on glede3      For ire and for envie. He faught so he wald wede: Alle that he hit he maked blede.      “Help, Mahoun!” he gan crie. Mani helme ther was ofweved And mani bacinet tocleved      And sadles fel emtye; Mani swerd and mani scheld And mani knight lay in the feld      Of Cristen compeynie. The king of Tars seye him so ride He fleye and durst nought abide      Homward to his cité The Sarrazins folwed in that tide And slough adoun bi ich aside      That Cristen folk so fre. Thritti thousend ther were yslawe Of knightes of Cristen lawe      And that was gret pité. Amorwe for her bother sake Trewes thai gun bituen hem take      A moneth and dayes thre. On a day, the king sat in his halle And made grete diol with alle,      For his folk were forlore. His douhter com clad in palle Adoun on knes sche gan to falle      And seyd with sikeing sore, “Sir, lete me be the soudan’s wiif And rere na more cuntek no striif      As hath ben here bifore. For me hath mani man ben schent, Cités nomen and tounes brent;      Allas that ich was bore! “Fader, Y wil serve at wille The soudan, bothe loude and stille,      And leve on God almight, Bot it so be, he schal thee spille And alle thi lond take him tille      With bateyle and with fight. Certes Y nil no lenger dreye That Cristen folk for me dye —      It were a diolful sight!” The king of Tars answerd tho, As man that was in sorwe and wo,      Unto that bird bright: “Now douhter, blisced mot thou be Of Jhesu Crist in Trinité      The time that thou were bore. For thou wilt save thi moder and me, Al thi preier graunt Y thee,      Astow hast seyd bifore.” “Fader,” sche seyd withouten duelling, “For Jhesu’s love, Heven king,      Yif it thi wille wore, Do now swithe that Y war there4 Ar ani more sorwe arere      That ye be nought forlore.” The king of Tars with gode entent Hastilich after his wiif he sent,      That levedi that was so hende. When sche was comen in present He seyd, “Dame, our douhter hath ment      To the soudan to wende. Do loke what rede is now at thee, For now er here bot we thre      To save Cristen kende.” The quene answerd withouten feile “Y no schal never therto conseyle      Our douhter forto schende.” The maiden was ful of sorwe and wo. “Merci,” sche crid hir moder tho      With a wel reweful steven. “Moder, it is nought long ago For me were slawe knightes thro,      Thritti thousende and seven. Forthi Y wil suffre no lenger thrawe That Cristen folk be for me slawe,      With the grace of God in Heven.” Thus, the maiden with wordes stille Brought hem bothe in better wille      With resoun right and even. And when thai were thus at on, Messangers thai sent anon      Unto that riche soudan, To make his frende that were his fon; And for he schuld his men nought slou,      His douhter he graunt him than. The messangers nold no leng abide; To the soudan thai went that tide      And thus thai tel him gan. When tho letters weren yradde, The soudan was bothe blithe and glad,      And so was mani a man. So glad he was in al maners He cleped to him of his pers      Doukes, princes, and kinges. Into a chaumber thai went yfers To dight unto the messangers      Gode stones and riche ringes. Bi conseyl of the lordinges alle, The soudan dede bring into the halle      Giftes and riche thinges, And gaf to hem grete plenté, To the messangers, with hert fre      And thonked hem her tidinges. And seyd he was alle at his wille,5 Arliche and late, loude and stille,      To helpe him at his nede; No more folk nold he spille. The messangers went the king tille      And told him of that dede. The king and the quene also Bothen hem was wele and wo,      In rime also we rede. Gret joie thai hadde withouten les For that the soudan wald have pes      On Cristen felawerede. The first day of Julii tide, The soudan nold no leng abide;      To the king of Tars he sent Knightes fele and michel pride And riche jewels is nought to hide      To gif to his present. The messangers, withouten duelling, Com to Tars bifor the king      To have his douhter gent. Thai welcomed hem with glad chere — Of gret pité now may ye here —      To chaumber when thai went. Thai maden cri and michel wo For thai schuld her douhter forgo      And to the soudan hir sende. The maiden preyd hem bothe tho That thai schuld bi her conseyl do,      To saven Cristen kende. “For Y wil suffre no lenger thrawe That Cristen folk be for me slawe.”      To halle thai gun wende And welcomed tho messangers That com fro the soudan fers      With wordes fre and hende. Than seyd the quen to hem than, “Hou fareth your lord, the soudan,      That is so noble a knight?” The messangers answere gan “He farth as wele as ani man,      And is your frende aplight.” The quen seyd with milde chere, “Wele better thei mi douhter were,      Bi Jhesu ful of might. Mi douhter is noght to him to gode; Y vouchesave on him mi blode,      Thei sche were ten so bright.”6 The messangers dight hem swithe With knightes fele and stedes stithe      And brought hir into chare. The king and the quen were unblithe, Her sorwe couthe thai no man kithe      When thai seye hir forth fare. Into chaumber thai went tho When thai were togider bothe to      Than wakened alle her care. The king was in sorwe bounde; The quen swoned mani a stounde      For her douhter dere. Knightes and levedis ther hem founde And tok hem up hole and sounde,      And comfort hem in fere. Thus the quen and the king Lived in sorwe and care, morning;      Great diol it was to here. Her care was ever aliche newe, Hem chaunged bothe hide and hewe7      For sorwe and reweli chere. Nou late we ben alle her morning, And telle we of that maiden ying      That to the soudan is fare. He com with mani gret lording Forto welcome that swete thing      When sche was brought in chare. He kist hir wel mani a sithe; His joie couthe he no man kithe —      Oway was alle his care. Into chaumber sche was ladde, And richeliche sche was cladde      As hethen wiman ware. Whan sche was cladde in riche palle, The soudan dede his knightes calle      And badde that maiden forth fett. And when sche com into the halle, Bifor the heyghe lordinges alle,      Toforn the soudan thai hir sett. Gret diol it was forto se, The bird that was so bright on ble      To have so foule a mett. Thei that sche made gret solas The sorwe that at hir hert was      No might it noman lett. And whan it was comen to night, The levedi that was so feir and bright,      To chaumber sche gan wende. And therin anon Y you plight, A riche bed ther was ydight      Unto that levedi hende. The levedi was to bed ybrought; The soudan wild com therin nought      Noither for fo no frende — For nothing wold he neyghe that may Til that sche leved opon his lay,      That was of Cristen kende. Wel lothe war a Cristen man To wedde an hethen woman      That leved on fals lawe; Als loth was that soudan To wed a Cristen woman,      As Y finde in mi sawe. The soudan yede to bed al prest, Knightes and levedis yede to rest;      The pople hem gan withdrawe. That miri maiden litel slepe, Bot al night wel sore sche wepe      Til the day gan dawe. And als sche fel on slepe thore Her thought ther stode hir bifore      An hundred houndes blake, And bark on hir lasse and more. And on ther was that greved hir sore,      Oway that wald hir take. And sche no durst him nought smite For drede that he wald hir bite,      Swiche maistri he gan to make. And as sche wald fram hem fle, Sche seye ther stond develen thre      And ich brent as a drake. So lothliche thai were al ywrought, And ich in hond a gleive brought,      Sche was aferd ful sore. On Jhesu Crist was alle hir thought; Therfore the fendes derd hir nought;      Noither lesse no more. Fro the fendes sche passed sounde, And afterward ther com an hounde      With browes brod and hore. Almost he hadde hir drawen adoun Ac thurth Jhesus Cristes passioun      Sche was ysaved thore. Yete hir thought withouten lesing Als sche lay in hir swevening      (That selcouthe was to rede) That blac hounde hir was folweing. Thurth might of Jhesu, Heven king,      Spac to hir in manhede In white clothes als a knight, And seyd to hir, “Mi swete wight,      No tharf thee nothing drede Of Ternagaunt no of Mahoun. Thi Lord that suffred passioun      Schal help thee at thi nede.” And when the maiden was awaked, For drede of that, wel sore sche quaked,      For love of her swevening. On hir bed sche sat al naked; To Jhesu hir preier sche maked,      Almightful Heven king. As wis as He hir dere bought Of that swevening in slepe sche thought      Schuld turn to gode ending. And when the maiden risen was The riche soudan of Damas      To his temple he gan hir bring. Than seyd the soudan to that may, “Thou most bileve opon mi lay      And knele now here adoun And forsake thi fals lay That thou hast leved on mani a day,      And anour Seyn Mahoun! And certes, bot thou wilt anon, Thi fader Y schal with wer slon      Bi Jovin and Plotoun! And bi Mahoun and Ternagant Ther schal no man ben his waraunt —      Empour no king with croun.” The maiden answerd with mild chere To the soudan as ye may here:      “Sir, Y nil thee nought greve. Teche me now and lat me here Hou Y schal make mi preiere      When ich on hem bileve. To Mahoun ichil me take And Jhesu Crist mi Lord forsake,      That made Adam and Eve, And seththen serve thee at wille Arliche and lat, loude and stille,      A morwe and an eve.” Than was the soudan glad and blithe, And thanked Mahoun mani sithe      That sche was so biknawe. His joie couthe he no man kithe; He bad hir gon and kis swithe      Alle thine godes on rawe. Sche kist Mahoun and Apolin, Astirot and Sir Jovin.      For drede of wordes awe, And while sche was in the temple Of Ternagant and Jubiter,      Sche lerd the hethen lawe. And thei sche al the lawes couthe And seyd hem openliche with hir mouthe,      Jhesu forgat sche nought. Wher that sche was, bi northe or southe, No minstral with harp no crouthe      No might chaunge hir thought. The soudan wende night and day That sche hadde leved opon his lay      Bot al he was bicought, For when sche was bi herselveon, To Jhesu sche made hir mon,      That alle this world hath wrought. The soudan dede cri that tide Overal bi ich a side      A turnament to take And duhti men on hors to ride, And dubbed hem in that tide      And knightes gan he make. The trumpes gun forto blowe; Knightes priked out o rouwe      On stedes white and blake. Ther might men se sone and swithe, Strong men her strengthe kithe      For that maiden sake. The Cristen maiden and the soudan In the castel leyen than      The turnament to bihold. And tho the turnament bigan, Ther was samned mani a man      Of Sarrazins stout and bold. To sen ther was a semly sight Of thritti thousend of helmes bright      (In gest as it is told). Thai leyden on as thai were wrothe With swerdes and with maces bothe      Knightes bothe yong and old. Wel mani helme ther was ofweved And mani bacinet tocleved      And knightes driven to grounde. Sum ther fel doun on her heved And sum in the diche lay todreved      And siked sore unsounde. The turnament last tho yplight Fram the morwe to the night      Of men of michel mounde; Amorwe the soudan wedded that may In the maner of his lay,      In gest as it is founde. Atte his bridale was noble fest, Riche, real, and onest —      Doukes, kinges with croun. For ther was melodi with the mest Of harp and fithel and of gest      To lordinges of renoun. Ther was geven to the menstrels Robes riche and mani juweles      Of erl and of baroun. The fest lasted fourtenight With mete and drink anough, aplight      Plenté and gret fousoun. That levedi, so feir and so fre, Was with hir lord bot monethes thre      Than he gat hir with childe. When it was geten, sche chaunged ble; The soudan himself that gan se —      Jolif he was and wilde. Ther while sche was with child, aplight, Sche bad to Jhesu ful of might      Fram schame He schulde hir schilde. Atte fourti woukes ende The levedi was deliverd o bende8      Thurth help of Mari milde. And when the child was ybore, Wel sori wimen were therfore,      For lim no hadde it non, Bot as a rond of flesche yschore In chaumber it lay hem bifore      Withouten blod and bon. For sorwe the levedi wald dye, For it hadde noither nose no eye      Bot lay ded as the ston. The soudan com to chaumber that tide And with his wiif he gan to chide      That wo was hir bigon. “O dame,” he seyd biforn, “Ogain mi godes thou art forsworn!      With right resoun Y preve The childe that is here of thee born Bothe lim and lith it is forlorn      Alle thurth thi fals bileve! Thou levest nought wele afine On Jubiter no on Apoline,      A morwe na an eve, No in Mahoun no in Ternagant. Therfore is lorn this litel faunt.      No wonder thei me greve!” The levedi answerd and seyd tho, Ther sche lay in care and wo,      “Leve sir, lat be that thought; The child was geten bitwen ous to. For thi bileve it farth so,      Bi Him that ous hath wrought! Take now this flesche and bere it anon Bifor thine godes everichon      That thou no lete it nought, And pray thine godes al yfere, Astow art hem leve and dere,      To live that it be brought. “And yif Mahoun and Jovin can Make it fourmed after a man      With liif and limes aright, Bi Jhesu Crist that this warld wan Y schal leve thee better than      That thai ar ful of might. And bot thai it to live bring Y nil leven on hem nothing      Noither bi day no night.” The soudan toke that flesche anon Into his temple he gan to gon      Ther his godes were dight. Biforn his goddes he gan it leyn And held up his honden tuein,      While men might go five mile.9 “A, mightful Mahoun,” he gan to seyn, “And Ternagaunt, of michel meyn,      In you was never no gile. Seyn Jubiter and Apolin, Astirot and Seyn Jovin,      Help now in this perile.” Oft he kneled and oft he ros And crid so long til he was hos      And al he tint his while. And when he hadde al ypreyd, And alle that ever he couthe he seyd,      The flesche lay stille as ston. Anon he stert up at a breyd, And in his hert he was atreyd,      For lim no hadde it non. He biheld on his godes alle And seye ther might no bot bifalle;      Wel wo was him bigon. “O Sir Mahoun,” he gan to grede, “Wil ye nought helpe me at this nede?      The devel you brenne ichon!” He hent a staf with grete hete And stirt anon his godes to bete      And drough hem alle adoun, And leyd on til he gan to swete And gaf hem strokes gode and gret,      Both Jovine and Plotoun. And alder best he bete afin Jubiter and Apolin,      And brac hem arm and croun, And Ternagaunt that was her brother — He no lete never a lime with other      No of his god Mahoun. And when he hadde beten hem gode won Yete lay the flesche stille so ston,      An heye on his auter. He tok it in his hond anon And into chaumber he gan gon,      And seyd, “Lo, have it here. Ich have don al that Y can To make it fourmed after a man      With kneleing and preier, And for alle that ichave hem bisought Mine godes no may help me nought.      The devel hem sett afere!” And than answerd that gode wiman Wel hendeliche to that soudan:      “Leve sir, here mi speche. The best rede that Y can, Bi Jhesu Crist that made man,      Now ichil you teche. Now thou hast proved god thine, Yif me leve to asay mine      Whether is better leche. And, leve sir, prey thee this: Leve on Him that stronger is      For doute of more wreche.” The soudan answerd hir thore. In hert he was agreved sore,      To sen that selcouthe sight. “Now, dame, ichil do bi thi lore. Yif that Y may se bifore      Thi God is of swiche might With ani vertu that He can Make it fourmed after a man,      With liif and limes aright, Alle mi godes ichil forsake And to Jhesu thi Lord me take,      As icham gentil knight.” Wel blithe was the levedi than For that hir lord the riche soudan      Hadde graunted hir preier. For hope he schuld be Cristen man, Sche thonked Him that this world wan      And Mari His moder dere. Now ginneth here a miri pas Hou that child ycristned was      With limes al hole and fere, And hou the soudan of Damas Was cristned for that ich cas —      Now herken and ye may here. Than seyd the levedi in that stounde, “Thou hast in thi prisoun bounde      Mani a Cristen man. Do seche overalle bi loft and grounde; Yif ani Cristen prest be founde,      Bring him bifor me than And Y schal ar tomorwe at none Wite what Jhesu Crist can done      More than thine maumettes can.” Anon the prisouns weren ysought; Thai founden a prest and forth him brought      Bi hest of that soudan. He com bifore that levedi fre, And gret hir feir opon his kne,      And seyd with sikeing sore, “Madame, yblisced mot thou be Of Jhesu Crist in Trinité      That of Mari was bore.” The levedi seyd, “Artw a prest? Tel me sothe yif that tow best.      Canstow of Cristen lore?” “Madame,” seyd the prest anon, “In verbo Dei ich was on,      Tuenti winter gon and more. “Ac dame,” he seyd, “bi Seyn Jon, Ten winter song Y masse non      And that me liketh ille. For so long it is now gon Ichave ben in thi prisoun of ston      With wrong and gret unskille.” The levedi seyd, “Lat be thi fare. Thou schalt be brought out of thi care      And tow wilt held thee stille. For thurth thine help in this stounde, We schul make Cristen men of houndes —      God graunt it yif it be His wille.” Than seyd the soudan’s wiif, “Thou most do stille withouten striif      A wel gret priveté. Hali water thou most make, And this ich flesche thou take,      Al for the love of me, And cristen it withouten blame In the worthschipe of the Fader’s name      That sitt in Trinité. “For in Him is mine hope aplight, The Fader that is ful of might      Mi sorwe schal me slake. Yif it were cristned aright, It schuld have fourme to se bi sight      With lim and liif to wake.” That levedi comand anon Hir maidens out of chaumber gon      For dred of wraying sake. The prest no leng nold abide; A feir vessel he tok that tide      And hali water he gan make. At missomer tide that ded was don Thurth help of God that sitt in trone,      As Y you tel may. The prest toke the flesche anon And cleped it the name of Jon      In worthschip of the day. And when that it cristned was It hadde liif and lim and fas      And crid with gret deray, And hadde hide and flesche and fel And alle that ever therto bifel,      In gest as Y you say. Feirer child might non be bore — It no hadde never a lime forlore,      Wele schapen it was, withalle; The prest no lenge duelled thore And yede and teld the soudan fore      Ther he was in the halle. That levedi ther sche lay in bed That richeliche was bischred      With gold and purpel palle. The child sche take to hir blive And thonked our levedi with joies five      The feir grace ther was bifalle. And seyd, “Lord, ich pray Thee, Almighti God in Trinité,      So give me might and space That Y may that day yse Mi lord wald ycristned be,      The soudan of Damas.” Than cam the soudan that was blac, And sche schewed him the child and spac      With liif and limes and face. Sche seyd, “Mahoun no Apolin Is nought worth the brostle of a swin      Ogain mi Lordes grace!” The soudan seyd, “Leman min, Ywis icham glad afin      Of this child that Y se.” “Ya, sir, bi Seyn Martin Yif the halvendel wer thin      Wel glad might thou be.” “O dame,” he seyd, “how is that? Is it nought min that Y bigat?”      “No, sir,” than seyd sche, “Bot thou were cristned so it is — Thou no hast no part theron ywis,      Noither of the child ne of me. “And bot thou wilt Mahoun forsake And to Jhesu mi Lord thee take,      That tholed woundes five — Anon thou do thee Cristen make — Thou might be ferd for sorwe and wrake      While that thou art olive. And yif thou were a Cristen man Bothe weren thine,” sche seyd than,      “Thi childe and eke thi wive. When thou art dede, thou schalt wende Into blis withouten ende,      Thi joie may no man kithe.” The soudan seye wele bi sight That Jhesu was of more might      Than was his fals lawe. He seyd, “Dame, anon right Ichil forsake mi god aplight —      Thai schal be brent and drawe. Ac telle me now par charité, And for the love thou has to me,      What schal Y seyn in sawe? Now ichave forsaken mi lay. Tel me now what is your fay,      And ichil lere wel fawe.” Than seyd that levedi hende and fre, “Understond, sir, par charité,      On Jhesu Cristes lay: Hou He was and ever schal be O God and Persones Thre,      And light in Mari that may, And in hir bodi nam flesche and blod, And hou He bought ous on the rode,      Opon the Gode Friday; And hou His gost went to Helle Satanas pousté for to felle      And brought mankin oway. “The thridde day in the morning To live He ros withouten lesing      As He com of the rode, And gaf His frendes comforting And steye to Heven as mightful king      Bothe with flesche and blod. As it is founden in holy writ, On His Fader right hond He sitt,      And is wel mild of mode; As it is writen in the crede, He demeth bothe the quic and ded      The feble and eke the gode. “And al this warld schal todrive, And man arise fram ded to live,      Right dome to understond. And than schal Jhesu, withouten strive, Schewe His blodi woundes five      That He for ous gan fond. And than schal He withouten mis Deme ich man after he is,      Erl, baroun, and bond. Leve heron,” sche seyd than, “And do thee make a Cristen man      For no thing thou no wond.” Than seyd the soudan, “Dame, be stille. Y schal be cristned thurth Godes wille      Ar than the thridde day. Loth me were mi soule to spille. Preye now the prest, he com ous tille      And teche me Cristen lay As priveliche as it may be. That no man wite bot we thre      Als forth as ye may. And ani it wist heye or lowe, Thou schalt be brent and Y todrawe      And we forsoke our fay.” Anon the prest answerd than Hendeliche to that soudan      “Sir, icham redi here With alle the pouwer that Y can For to make thee Cristen man      And Godes lay to lere.” His hond opon his brest he leyd, “In verbo Dei,” he swore and seyd,      “Unto you bothe yfere, Wel trewe and trusti schal Y be With alle that ever falleth to me      To help with mi pouwere.” Amorwe, when the prest gan wake, A wel feir fessel he gan take      With water clere and cold, And halwed it for the soudan sake And his preier he gan make      To Jhesu that Judas sold And to Marie, His moder dere, Tho that the soudan cristned were,      That was so stout and bold, He schuld gif him might and space Thurth his vertu and his grace      His cristendom wele to hold. And when it was light of day The riche soudan ther he lay      Up bigan to arise. To the prest he went his way And halp him alle that he may      That fel to his servise. And when the prest hadde tho Dight redi that fel therto      In al maner wise, The soudan with gode wille anon Dede off his clothes everichon      To reseyve his baptize. The Cristen prest hight Cleophas; He cleped the soudan of Damas      After his owhen name. His hide that blac and lothely was Al white bicom thurth Godes gras      And clere withouten blame. And when the soudan seye that sight, Than leved he wele on God almight;      His care went to game. And when the prest hadde alle yseyd And haly water on him leyd,      To chaumber thai went ysame. When he com ther the levedi lay, “Lo, dame,” he gan to say,      “Certeyne, thi God is trewe.” The levedi thonked God that day; For joie sche wepe with eyghen gray,      Unnethe hir lord sche knewe. Than wist sche wele in hir thought That on Mahoun leved he nought      For chaunged was his hewe. For that hir lord was cristned so, Oway was went al hir wo —      Hir joie gan wax al newe. “Mi lord,” sche seyd with hert fre, “Sende now this prest in priveté      To mi fader the king, And pray him for the love of me That he com swithe hider to thee      With alle that he may bring. And when mi fader is to thee come, Do cristen thi lond alle and some,      Bothe eld and ying. And he that wil be cristned nought, Loke to the deth that he be brought,      Withouten ani duelleing.” The soudan tok the prest bi hond And bad him wende and nought no wond      To the king of Tars ful gare, And do him al to understond Hou Jhesu Crist thurth His sond      Hath brought hem out of care, And bid him bring with him his ost Priveliche withouten bost —      For nothing he no spare. And Cleophas, with gode entent, To do the soudan’s comandment      To Tars he gan fare. And when the prest, Sir Cleophas, Com to the court thurth Godes grace      Withouten ani duelling, He teld the king alle that cas: Hou the child ded born was,      A misforschapen thing, And thurth the preier of his wiif Hou God hadde sent it leme and liif      In water ate cristening, And hou that hethen soudan Was bicome a Cristen man      Thurth the might of Heven king. He radde the letter that he brought,10 And in the letter he fond ywrought —      In gest as Y you say — Hou that the soudan him bisought To com to him and lat it nought      Opon a certeyne day, And bring with him alle his ost To take his lond bi everich cost,      And serche in his cuntray; Who that wold nought cristned be, He schuld be honged opon a tre      Withouten ani delay. Blither might no man ben. He cleped his barouns and the quen      And told hem thus in sawe Hou the soudan stout and kene Was cristned withouten wene      And leved on Cristes lawe, “And therfore he hath don sent me bi sond He wil do cristen alle his lond      Yif that he might wel fawe, And he that wil nought take cristening, No be he never so heye lording,      He schal hong and drawe. “And therfore Y pray you now right, Erl, baroun, douk, and knight,      Do alle your folk bide With helme on heved and brini bright That ye ben alle redi dight      To help me at this nede.” Thai sent over al bi ich a side For mani Cristen men that tide      That duhti were of dede. The king him dight for to wende With sexti thousende knightes hende      That was a feir ferred. The king com withouten lett The selve day that him was sett      To the soudan wel gare. And when thai were togider mett, A miri greteing ther was gret      With lordinges lasse and mare. Ther was rewthe forto sen Hou the levedi fel on knen      Biforn hir fader thare; Ther was joie and mirthe also To here hem speken of wele and wo      Her aventours als thai were. The soudan dede his barouns calle And seththen anon his knightes alle      And after alle his meyné, And when thai come into the halle, He seyd, “Hou so it bifalle,      Ye mot ycristned be. Miselven, ich have Mahoun forsake And Cristendom ich have ytake,      And certes so mot ye. And hye that wil nought so anon Thai schul be heveded erverichon      Bi Him that dyed on tre.” When he hadde thus ytold Mani Sarrazin stout and bold      That in his court were, Mani seyd that thai wold, And mani seyd that thai nold      Be cristned in non maner. Tho that Mahoun wald forsake, Cristen men he lete hem make      And were him lef and dere; And he that dede nought bi his rede Anon he dede strike off his hed      Right fast bi the swere. The soudan had in prisoun dight Ten thousend Cristen men, yplight,      Of mani uncouthe thede. He dede hem liver anon right And tho that were strong and wight,      He gaf hem armour and stede; And tho he seye that might nought so, He gaf hem mete and drink therto      And alle that hem was nede. Ther might men se with that soudan Mani blithe Cristen man,      In gest as so we rede. When he hadde don thus that tide, Over al his lond bi ich aside      The word wel wide sprong. Five hethen kinges that tide And mani hethen douke unride      With pople gret and strong Thai sent aboute ner and fer Opon that soudan for to wer,      And seyd for that wrong, Bi Mahoun and Ternagaunt, Ther schuld nought ben his warant11      Bot ben drawe and hong. Tho fif kinges of prout parayle Dight hem redi to that bateyle;      Wel stout and strong thai were. Hou the soudan gan hem aseyle And what thai hete withouten feile,      Now herken and ye may here. King Canadok and King Lesias, King Carmel and King Clamadas,      And King Memarok her fere. Opon the soudan with wer thai went, His men thai slough, his tounes brent      With strengthe and gret pouwer. The king of Tars and the soudan, Day of bateyle thai gun tan      Ogein tho kinges five. Ac ever ogein a Cristen man, Ten hethen houndes wer than      Of Sarrazins stout and stithe. Now herkneth to me bothe old and ying Hou the soudan and the king      Amonges hem gun drive, And hou the Sarrazins that day Opped hevedles for her pay —      Now listen and ye may lithe. The Cristen soudan that tide Toke a spere and gan to ride      To Canadok that was kene. And Canadok with gret pride, With a spere gan him abide      To wite and nought atwene. So hard thai driven togider there That her launces bothe yfere      Brosten hem bituene. The soudan drough his fauchoun gode The kinges heved with alle the hode      He strok off quite and clene. King Lesias of Tabarie To the soudan he gan heye,      For Canadok his felawe. With a spere that was trusti He rode to the soudan wel an hey      And thought him have yslawe. The king of Tars bituen hem rod And Lesias strok he abod      (As Y finde in mi sawe) And smot him so on the scheld That top seyl in the feld;      He made him overthrawe. He lepe on hors and gan to ride And slough adoun bi ich aside      That he bifor him founde. Wham that Lesias hit in that tide, Were he douk or prince o pride,      He gaf him dedly wounde. The king of Tars com with a spere And thurth his sides he gan it bere      That ded he fel to grounde. Than sett the Sarrazins up a cri “A, Mahoun, ful of meistri,      Help ous in this stounde!” When King Carmel herd that, him was wo; To fight anon he was ful thro.      A spere an hond he hent. He priked his stede and dede him go. He thought the king of Tars to slo      Er he thennes went. He smot the king of Tars that tide Thurth his hauberk a wounde wide      That neighe he hadde him schent. The king out of his sadel fel; The blod out of his wounde gan wel      That mani man hem biment. For sorwe the soudan wald wede; When he seighe his woundes blede,12      He rode to him with mayn. He and the Cristen ferred Brought the king of Tars his stede      And sett him up ogayn. And when he was on hors braught Alle that ever he araught      He clef him to the brayn. King Carmel tho to him went And gaf him swiche another dent      That ner he hadde him sleyn. And when the soudan that yseighe Al wode he wex for wrethe neye —      He rode to King Carmele. He smot him on the helme an heighe That thurth the breyn it fleighe      That no leche might him hele. King Clamadas com rideing than With a glaive to the soudan,      And thought with him to dele, And smot him oboven the scheld That neighe he feld him in the feld      Among tho houndes fele. The king of Tars in that stounde Hadde spite of that hethen hounde      That was so stout and beld. He swore, “Bi Him that tholed wounde The dogge schal adoun to grounde      That fightes thus in feld.” He rode to him anon right And smot to him a strok of might —      Atuo he clef his scheld And thurth his hert the swerd gan glide; The blod ran out bi ich a side      And so he him aqueld. Than was King Memaroc in gret peyn, For his four felawes were sleyn      And in the feld todreved. He priked his stede opon the pleyn And fleye oway with might and mayn      For dred to hide his heved. The soudan seyghe him oway ride; He priked after him in that tide,      For no thing he it bileved, And smot him so above the scheld That helme and heved fleyghe in the feld      Ful wightlike off it weved. When the Sarrazins seyghen alle That Memarok was to grounde yfalle      And namore up arise, “Allas, Mahoun!” thai gan to calle, “Whi latestow Cristen hewe ous smale?13      Wicke is thi servise!” Thai fleyghe for dred alle yfere And dreynt hem in o river      So sore hem gan agrise. The bateyle last swithe long Til it were time of evensong      Er thai might win the prise. The Sarrazins flowe bi ich aside; The Cristen folk after gan ride,      And schadde hem breyn and blod. Ther was non that might him hide That he nas sleyn in that tide      With fight ogeyn hem stode. And tho that yold hem to the pes, The soudan swore withouten les      Bi Him that dyed on rode, He that nold nought forsake his lay, He schuld forlesse that ich day      The bal up in the hode. Thritti thousende ther were take Of Sarrains bothe blo and blac      And don in his prisoun. And he that wald his lay forsake, Cristen men he lete him make      With gret devocioun. And thai that wald be cristned nought, Into a stede thai weren ybrought      A mile withouten the toun And Cristen men withouten wene Striken off her hevedes al bidene. Thus the ladi with hire lore Broughte hire frendes out of sore      Thorw Jhesu Cristes grace. Al the while that thei weore thare The joye that was among hem yare      No mon may telle the space. Whon thei weore out of world iwent Bifore God Omnipotent      Hem was diht a place. Now Jhesu that is ful of miht Graunt us alle in Hevene liht      To seo Thi swete face. AMEN.

Listen; old and young; (see note); (t-note) person; (see note)      how; war Between; (t-note) high      Damascus (see note); sultan wife; (see note) Fairer; alive; (t-note)      man daughter; (t-note) No fairer; (see note)      as [the] feather chaste; happy in appearance complexion as red as; briar      eyes shining lovely shoulders (see note); neck see; entreaty      playful; (t-note) fame; began [to]; (see note) on every side      sultan [would] burst into five [pieces]; (see note) But if (Unless); marry      maiden all go swiftly      father said howsoever it came about fine cloth      spouse (wed) if he would not; fail would; battle       powerful (t-note)      delay When wrath he waxed (grew); mad; (see note); (t-note)      speech rood (cross) I would rather; my      slain I would not; Saracen; (see note) land      sooner; get; (see note) Unless; through; (see note) destroy      [Of] her; nothing; know But; know before [that] place      asked her right away; (t-note) Damascus Yearns; see; face      would Would you      (see note) mood where      prosper see      tyrant noble      Give; first suffering; injury to him      Regardless of any boast again are      refused; (see note) by the same fierce      These words (This message) believed; in his religious practices abandon       (t-note) he is not obliged; (see note)      rent; (see note)       on his dais course (mess, meal)       valiant in battle; (see note) Their; falsehood      they fell down sparing; (see note)      (see note) before; to you; (t-note) (t-note)       these; (see note) As; behaved; (see note)      tore apart hair; from head and beard avenge himself      (see note) violently he struck immediately      [he] appeared to be touched Servant; (see note)       behaved, indeed      control The next day (On the morrow)       To      Both the least and the most (greatest) complete Then announced; fierce      them advise; (t-note) [To] me has; offense      By offered; people esteemed; (see note)       sooner       certainly; proven wrong [To] misfortune; born; (see note); (t-note)      [will] bring it (calamity) to him (see note) here      know      fail fortnight; (t-note) prepared    chain mail; (see note); (t-note) command feast      army gathered a gigantic company; (see note) Saracens; great      Against; go; (t-note) news; (t-note) host (army) on every side      summon wrath; (t-note) take [place]      pleasant (gentle; well bred); (see note) Helen; (see note)      desire; delay power (i.e., military force) (see note)       sixty; fierce [So] that; fields far and near      shone host great (many)       either army; assail see      grim; to behold felled (cut); nine      mad bloody mess (see note) stranger and kin      ran with moment      noble foray; (see note); (t-note) victory hastened suffered defeat      [There] were none who them (the heathen) saw wrath; nearly mad, assuredly      grasped of great might; (t-note)       would have; slain But; faith      peril      harm      spite as if he would go mad bleed       struck off helmets cut in half      saddles fell empty       saw; (see note); (t-note) [That] he fled; dared; linger       followed; time cut down on each side      noble thirty       both their sakes [A] truce; between      month One day sadness      lost royal cloth; (see note) down      sighing piteous wife; (see note) raise; violence nor strife       killed taken; towns      I was born willingly; (see note) under all circumstances; (see note)      [still] believe in Since otherwise; kill take for himself      battle Certainly I will no longer endure      doleful (sad) then sorrow      beautiful woman blessed must      born Because; (see note) prayers (entreaties) grant      As you without delay; (t-note)      were arise Before;      lost (forlorn) good Quickly      lady who; gracious intends       Look; advice are; (see note)      people (see note) I shall never thus advise      put to shame (see note) then      piteous voice slain; excellent; (t-note)       Therefore; no more; (see note)       calm; (see note) disposition     true and impartial; (see note) in agreement; (t-note)      powerful foes slay       would no longer delay hour      began those; read; (t-note) happy       in every respect called to himself; peers; (see note)       together prepare for             gave; great plenty generous heart      [for] their news Early; (see note)       would not to      action Both of them were glad and sad; (see note)      poem (rhyme) as; (see note) lie peace      company arrived; (t-note) would no longer wait       Many knights; great      as his gift your; (t-note)      noble (gentle) appearance (cheer) (see note)       They made; much their daughter lose       then act according to her advice (counsel)       a space of time      began to wind (go) those fierce; (t-note)      noble and courteous How fares; (see note)       did answer; (t-note)      in truth humble countenance through       promise (vouchsafe)       prepared themselves quickly; (see note) strong (powerful) horses      [a] chariot unhappy Their; could; reveal; (see note); (t-note)      saw her come forth; (t-note) then two      awoke; their concern in sorrow bound swooned; time      their ladies took; (t-note)      company mourning      sadness (dole); hear Their; perpetually (see note)      pitiful mood Now let us leave all their mourning; (t-note) young; (see note)      has gone To       time could; describe      Away led richly; dressed; (see note)      women were; (t-note)      bade; fetch high      Before; placed her sadness; to see woman; radiant of complexion; (see note)      mate Although; [appeared to] enjoy herself; (see note)      prevent lady      went promise prepared      gracious (see note) would      foe nor; (t-note) approach; maid believed; law      [She] that loath were; (t-note)      believed in      source (story) went; immediately went       beautiful But      began [to] dawn as; there; (see note) It seemed to her      black at her all together one      would dared not; strike      So threateningly; began to behave from saw; three devils      each burned like a dragon loathly (ugly); shaped; (t-note) spear; (see note)      very afraid fiends harmed      Not at all      hoary But through; (t-note)      there it seemed to her; lying swoon      strange; tell Through; (see note); (t-note)      manly demeanor (see note) lady (person)      You need not dread anything; (see note) (see note); (t-note)       (see note) very forcefully; shook      dream made      Almighty certainly; dearly redeemed; (see note)      good      (see note) maiden law (religion); (see note)       believed in      worship Saint unless war slay      Jove; Pluto (see note) (t-note) be his defender      (t-note) demeanor; (see note)      offend; (see note)       I will commit myself       afterward Early      By morning and on evening times; (see note)      converted; (see note); (t-note) could he to no man convey go; quickly       (see note)      (see note) (t-note) (t-note)      learned though; knew; (see note)       by musical instrument (see note)       thought believed; law      deceived prayer      Who proclaim at that time; (see note) (i.e., everywhere)       powerful       (see note) pricked (spurred) in a row       immediately and quickly their; demonstrate       stayed       when; (see note) assembled       see; pleasant thirty      tale mad       struck off helmets split apart       their heads scattered      sighed sorely wounded then indeed morning      prowess On the next day; maiden (see note)       Rich, regal, and seemly      crown; (t-note) to the highest degree songs (tales); (see note); (t-note)      For      From fortnight (two weeks) food; in truth      abundance noble      Then appearance; (see note)      Joyful; beside himself       At forty weeks’ (see note)      Through; (t-note) (see note)      limb round (lump); cut with a sharp instrument       wished to die       time      had begun [with] her Against; (see note)      prove limb; joint      through; (t-note) thoroughly nor      [Neither] in the morning nor in the evening Neither; nor; (t-note) child      they (i.e., the gods) make me sorry There      Honorable; (see note) begotten; us; (t-note) fares; (see note)       gods every one      So that you spare nothing together As you are to them beloved and dear      life (see note)      proper (see note)       unless; life            prepared two      (see note) Oh; (t-note) might; (t-note)      (see note) Saint Astarte (Venus); (see note)      disaster; (see note) rose hoarse      wasted his time could       suddenly (in a moment); (see note) troubled      limb looked upon saw; no help come      very deeply grieved was he cry out      burn each one [of] you lifted; vehemence; (t-note) started      pulled them gave them       best of all; thoroughly      broke their; (t-note) left; limb      Nor very well      On high; altar began to go      (see note) like       I have      them; afire woman  courteously Beloved; hear; (see note); (see note) advice; know      I shall teach you your gods; (see note) Give; test      physician dear Believe      fear; affliction there (then)      see; strange act according to your teaching; (see note) If      such virtue            As I am [a]; (see note) pleased; lady then             merry interlude How      capable (healthy)  very reason      listen (hearken) occasion       seek (i.e., high and low)       before; noon Know for a fact that      idols; (see note) Soon      command greeted      sighing blessed must       Are you; (t-note) truly if you are      Do you know By the word of God; one      Twenty winters ago But; Saint; (see note) sang      I didn’t like it has now been I have been; (t-note)      very unjustly Cease your excuses      If you will be quiet; (see note) moment; (see note); (t-note) heathens       (see note) quietly      mystery; (t-note) Holy very       baptize honor (worship)       indeed       properly      to stir [into life] commanded go      the sin of betrayal no longer would; (see note)      made midsummer; deed; (see note) (t-note)       took; (t-note) hailed it [by]; (see note)      worship (honor) (see note) life; limb; face      cried; great commotion skin (see note) to this happened      story had never; lost      moreover longer stayed there But went forth (see note)      Where covered over      (see note) took; quickly; (t-note) (see note); (t-note)            So [to] would       (see note) spoke; (t-note)      (see note) [Neither] Mohammed nor Apollo bristle; pig; (see note)      Against (Compared to) Sweetheart Indeed; thoroughly       Saint; (see note) half             Unless; as it (the child) is have no; (see note)      nor unless      suffered (t-note) afraid; injury      alive were; (t-note)      also dead; go      know saw       gods; (see note)      burned for the love of God (t-note)      What shall I say law (religion) faith (religion)      eagerly      law; (see note)      alit; maiden became; (t-note) redeemed; rood (cross)       spirit; (see note) To vanquish Satan’s power      mankind away lying      off the cross ascended       Father’s      mild of disposition (see note) judges; living      [morally] weak; also world; scatter (see note)      judgment; receive strife Show      experienced error Judge each man according to his deeds      bondsman; (see note) Believe in this become      delay through      Before I would be loath; destroy; (t-note) to us      (see note) secretly (privately) knows (witness); (see note)      So far as If; knew drawn       Graciously       know      law to learn his (i.e., the sultan’s) breast By the word of God      together       The next day vessel       sanctified; sultan’s       Then       (i.e., Christ should give the sultan) Through; (t-note)      Christian faith; (see note) mighty; [from] where help then Prepared [everything] that appertained to this Took baptism; (t-note) was called; (see note) named own loathly; (see note) through; grace; (t-note) saw believed turned into mirth pronounced (said) together where eyes; (see note) (see note) knew changed began [to] increase anew; (see note) secret swiftly here christen (baptize) (t-note) delay by [the] hand go without hesitation through; message; (see note), (t-note) host Secretly began to travel; (t-note) through; (t-note) delay told; case; (t-note) dead (t-note) limbs at Through; (t-note) (see note) written delay host (army) every (see note) Happier called saying without a doubt sent; messenger baptize eagerly Be he never so high (important) a lord shall [be] hung and drawn; (see note) duke; (see note) bid; (t-note) head; coat of mail; (see note) completely ready on every side doughty depart sixty; skillful; (t-note) fair company delay very same promptly were together merry; greeted lesser and greater pity lady; knees; (see note) Their adventures as did; (see note) retainers However must be baptized; (see note) Myself, I I have taken Christianity Must they; not [do] so; (see note) beheaded; (t-note) (i.e., the cross) Saracens would not no way would caused them to be made beloved not; advice head neck cast indeed unknown people did deliver them; (see note) valiant gave; steeds those; saw that they needed see happy (see note) time each many a savage heathen commander army great near; far make war (t-note) Those five; of valiant appearance Prepared themselves; battle began to assail them are named; fail listen; hear (see note) their companions war slew; towns [they] burned began to set those; (t-note) But; against proud and powerful (see note); (t-note) began [to] drive; (t-note) Hopped headless; their reward hear; (see note) time; (see note) Against; bold did await him punish without delay together; (t-note) Burst between them drew; falchion (curved sword) head struck; completely (see note) began to hurry On behalf of (i.e., to avenge) quickly withstood; (t-note) tale sailed into the field (see note) fall down leapt each side Whom duke or prince in pride through; (t-note) dead raised power moment; (t-note) he was sorrowful eager; (t-note) carried spurred; made slay; (t-note) Before he went from there time Through; hauberk armor; (t-note) almost; slain bemoaned sorrow; would go mad retainers; (see note) company reached cleaved through such nearly saw mad; grew; anger nearly on high (i.e., his sword) flew; (t-note) physician; heal (see note) engage nearly those many hounds; (see note) strong hatred for courageous suffered at once In two; clove through; (t-note) killed (see note) scattered spurred fled head saw rode; time head flew; (t-note) vigorously; severed saw Wicked; (see note) flew; all together drowned themselves in a river; (see note) So greatly afraid of them were they so evening song Before; victory fled from each side shed their hide himself; (t-note) he was not; (t-note) [Who] with arms against them yielded themselves rood (cross) religion (law) forfeit; very head (see note) Thirty; (t-note) dark and black; (t-note) done (placed) would them be made; (t-note) (see note) place; (t-note) outside of doubt heads all completely wisdom; (see note); (t-note) sorrow prepared (provided) gone [For] them; prepared