f. 7ra
HErkneþ to me boþe eld & õing·
for maries loue þat swete þing·
al hou a wer bigan·
Bitvene a trewe cristen king·
& an heþen heye lording
Of dames þe soudan·
Þe king of tars hadde a wiue·
Feirer miõt non ben o liue·
Þat ani wiõt telle can·
A douhter þai hadde hem bitven
Non feirer woman miõt ben·
As white as feþer of swan·
¶ Þe meiden was schast & bliþe of chere·
Wiþ rode red so blosme on brere
& eyõen stepe & gray
Wiþ lowe scholders & white swere·
Hir forto sen was gret preier·
Of princes proud & play·
Þe los of hir gan spring wide
In oþer londes bi ich a side·
So þe soudan herd it say·
Him þouõt his hert it brast ofiue·
Bot õif he miõt haue hir to wiue·
Þat was so feir a may·
¶ His messangers he gan calle·
& bad hem wiõtly wenden alle·
To hir fader þe king
& seyd he wald hou so it bifalle·
His douhter cloþe in riche palle·
& spouse hir wiþ his ring·
& õif he nold wiþ outen feyl·
He wald hir win in batayl·
Wiþ mani an heye lording·
Þe messangers forþ þai went·
To don þe soudans comandment·
Wiþ outen ani duelling·
¶ Þan þe king of tars þis vnder stode·
Almest for wretþe he wex ner wode·
& seyd þus in sawe·
f. 7rb
Bi him þat dyed on þe rode·
Ich wald arst spille min hert blode·
In batayl to ben y slawe·
Y nold hir õiue a sarazin·
For alle þe lond þat is mine·
Þe deuel him arst to drawe
Bot sche wil wiþ hir gode wille
He wedded to him hir selue to spille
Hir þouõtes nouõt y no knawe·
¶ Ac y schal wite ar þan õe pas
His douhter anon was brouõt in plas
& he axed hir bi liue·
Douhter þe soudan of damas·
Õernes forto se þi fas·
& wald þe haue to wiue·
Waldestow douhter for tresour
For sake ihesus our saueour·
Þat suffred woundes fiue·
Þe maiden answerd wiþ mild mod·
Bi forn hir fader þer sche stode
Nay lord so mot y þriue·
¶ Ihesu mi lord in trinite·
Lat me neuer þat day yse·
A tirant for to take·
O god & persones þre·
For marie loue þi moder fre·
Õif him arst tene & wrake
Þe king seyd douhter be stille
Þou schalt neuer be wedded him tille·
For no bost he can make·
Y schal him sende word oõein·
Þat alle his þouõtes ben in vein·
For þou hast him for sake·
¶ Riõt be þe self messangers·
Þat com fro þe soudan fers·
Þis wordes he him sent·
Þat sche leued nouõt on his maners
Sche nold nouõt leten hir preiers·
To god omnipotent·
He bad him tak anoþer thouõt·
For of his douhter no tit him nouõt·
For tresore no for rent·
Þe messangers herd him þus seyn·
Wiþ þat word þai turned oõain·
f. 7va
& to þe soudan þai went·
¶ As þe soudan sat at his des·
Yserued of þe first mes·
Þai com into þe halle·
Bi for þo princes prout in pres
Her tale to telle wiþ outen les·
On knes þai gun doun falle·
Þai seyd sir þe king of tars·
Of wicked wordes is nouõt scars
Heþen hounde he gan þe calle·
& ar he õiue his douhter þe tlle·
Þine hert blod he will spille·
& þine barouns alle·
¶ When þe soudan þis wordes herd·
Also a wilde bore he ferd·
His robe he rent adoun·
His here he rent of heued & berd·
He schuld venge him wiþ his swerd·
He swore bi seyn mahoun·
Þe table so heteliche he smot·
It fel into þe flore fot hot·
& loked as a lyon·
Al þat he rauõt he smot doun riõt
Seruaunt squier clerk & kniõt·
Boþe erl & baroun·
¶ Al þus þe soudan ferd ypliõt·
Al þat day & alle þat niõt·
Noman miõt him schast·
A morwe when it was liõt·
His messangers he sent ful riõt·
For his barouns wel fast·
Þat þai com to his parlement·
Forto heren his iugement·
Boþe lest & mast·
When þe parlement was pleyner·
Þo bi spac þe soudan fer·
& seyd to hem in hast·
¶ Lordinges he seyd what to red·
Me haþ ben don a gret misdede·
Of tars þe cristen king·
Y bede him boþe lond & lede·
For his douhter worþliche in wede·
To han wed her wiþ ring·
& he me sent word ogain
f. 7vb
In bateyl y schuld arst be sleyn·
& mani an heye lording·
& certes he schal be for sworn·
Wroþer hele þan was he born·
Bot y þer to it bring·
¶ & þer fore ich haue after õou sent·
& asembled here þis parlement·
To wite õour conseyle
& alle þai seyd wiþ gode entent·
Þai were at his comandment·
Certeyn wiþ outen feile·
Riõt bi þat day a fourtenniõt·
Þai schul ben alle redi diõt·
Wiþ helme hauberk of meile·
& whan þai were so at his hest·
Þe soudan made a riche fest·
For loue of his bateyle·
¶ Þe soudan gaderd a rout vnride·
Of sarraõins of michel pride·
Opon þe king to to wende·
Þe king of tars herd sey þat tide· ['sey' is subpuncted for deletion]
He gadred his ost bi ich aside·
Al þat he miõt of sende·
Þan bi gun wretþe to wake·
For þat mariage miõt nouõt take·
Of þat maiden hende·
Of bateyl þai gun sett a day·
Of seynt Eline þe þridde in may·
No lenger no wald þai lende· ["r" (of "lenger") squeezed in ?later]
¶ Þe soudan com wiþ his pouwer·
Wiþ briõt armour & brod baner·
Into þe feld to fiõt·
Wiþ sexti þousend sarraõins fer·
Þat alle þe feldes fer & ner·
Wiþ helmes lemed liõt·
Þe king of tars com wiþ his ost·
Wiþ gret pride & michel bost·
Wiþ mani an hardi kniõt·
& aiþer ost gan oþer a seyle·
Þer miõt men se a strong bateyle·
Þat grimli was of siõt·
¶ Þer hewe houndes on cristen men·
& feld hem doun bi niõen & ten·
So wilde þai were & wode·
f. 8ra
Þat men miõt sen alle þe fen·
Of cristen boþe fremd & ken·
Þe valays ren on blod·
Þe soudan & his folk þat stounde·
Hewe adoun wiþ grimli wounde·
Mani a frely fode·
Allas to wele sped mahoun·
Þe cristen men õede al adoun·
Was nouõt þat hem wiþ stode·
¶ Þe king of tars seye þat siõt·
For wretþe he was neye wode apliõt·
He hent in hond a spere·
& to þe soudan he rode ful riõt·
To grounde he gan him bere·
Þer he hadde þe soudan slawe·
Ac ten þousend of heþen lawe·
Saued him in þat were·
Þai sett him on a ful gode stede·
Þat was so gode at eueri nede·
Þat no man miõt him dere·
¶ & when he was opon his stede·
Him þouõt he brend so spark on glede·
For ire & for envie·
He fauõt so he wald wede·
Alle þat he hit he maked blede·
Help mahoun he gan crie·
Mani helme þer was of weued·
& mani bacinet to cleued·
& sadles fel emtye·
Mani swerd & mani scheld·
& mani kniõt lay in þe feld·
Of cristen compeynie·
Þe king of tars seye him so ride·
he fleye & durst nouõt abide·
Hom ward to his cite·
Þe sarraõins folwed in þat tide·
& slouõ adoun bi ich a side·
Þat cristen folk so fre·
Þritti þousend þer were y slawe·
Of kniõtes of cristen lawe
& þat was gret pite·
Amorwe for her boþer sake
Trewes þai gan bitven hem take
f. 8rb
A moneþ & dayes þre·
¶ On a day þe king sat in his halle·
& made grete diol wiþ alle·
For his folk were for lore·
His douhter com clad in palle·
Adoun on knes sche gan to falle·
& seyd wiþ sikeing sore·
Sir lete me be þe soudans wiif·
& rere namore cuntek no striif·
As haþ ben here bifore·
For me haþ mani man ben schent·
Cites nomen & tounes brent·
Allas þat ich was bore·
¶ Fader y wil serue at wille·
Þe soudan boþe loude & stille·
& leue on god almiõt·
Bot it so be he schal þe spille·
& alle þi lond take him tille·
Wiþ bateyle & wiþ fiõt·
Certes y nil no lenger dreye·
Þat cristen folk for medye·
It were a diolful siõt·
Þe king of tars answerd þo·
As man þat was in sorwe & wo·
Vnto þat bird briõt·
¶ Now douhter blisced mot þou be·
Of ihesu crist in trinite·
Þe time þat þou were bore·
For þou wilt saue þi moder & me·
Al þi preier graunt y þe·
Astow hast seyd bi fore·
Fder sche seyd wiþ outen duelling
For ihesus loue heuen king·
Õif it þi wille wore·
Do now swiþe þat y war þere·
Ar ani more sorwe a rere·
Þat õe be nouõt for lore·
¶ Þe king of tars wiþ gode entent·
Hastilich after his wiif he sent·
Þat leuedi þat was so hende
When sche was comen in present·
He seyd dame our douhter haþ ment·
To þe soudan to wende·
Do loke what rede is now at þe·
f. 8va
For now er here bot we þre·
To saue cristen kende·
Þe quene answerd wiþouten feile
Y no schal neuer þer to conseyle·
Our douhter forto schende·
¶ Þe maiden was ful of sorwe & wo·
Merci sche crid hir moder þo·
Wiþ a wel rewe ful steuen·
Moder it is nouõt long ago·
For me slawe kniõtes þro · were ["were" marked in margin for insertion in line]
Þritti þousende & seuen·
For þi y wil suffre no lenger þrawe· ["þi" inserted above]
Þat cristen folk be for me slawe·
Wiþ þe grace of god in heuen·
Þus þe maiden wiþ wordes stille·
Brouõt hem boþe in better wille·
Wiþ resoun riõt & euen·
¶ & when þai were þus at on
Messangers þai sent anon·
Vn to þat riche soudan·
To make his frende þat were his fon·
& for he schuld his men nouõt slon·
His douhter he graunt him þan·
Þe messangers nold no leng a bide·
To þe soudan þai went þat tide·
& þus þai tel him gan·
When þo letters weren y radde·
Þe soudan was boþe bliþe & glad·
& so was mani a man·
¶ So glad he was in al maners·
He cleped to him of his pers·
Doukes princes & kinges·
Into a chaumber þai went y fers·
To diõt vnto þe messangers·
Gode stones & riche ringes·
Bi conseyl of þe lordinges alle·
Þe soudan dede bring into þe halle·
Õiftes & riche þinges
& õaf to hem gret plente·
To þe messangers wiþ hert fre·
& þonked hem her tidinges·
¶ & seyd he was alle at his wille·
Ar liche & late loude & stille·
To help him at his nede·
f. 8vb
No more folk nold he spille
Þe messangers went þe king tille·
& told him of þat dede·
Þe king & þe quene also·
Boþen hem was wele & wo·
In rime also we rede·
Gret ioie þai hadde wiþ outen les·
For þat þe soudan wald haue pes·
On cristen felawe rede·
Þe first day of Iulij tide·
þe soudan nold no leng abide·
To þe king of tars he sent·
Kniõtes fele & michel pride
& riche iewels is nouõt to hide
To õif to his present·
Þe messangers wiþ outen duelling
Com to tars bifor þe king·
To haue his douhter gent·
Þai welcomed hem wiþ glad chere
Of gret pite now may õe here·
To chaumber when þai went·
¶ Þai maden cri & michel wo·
For þai schuld her douhter for go·
& to þe soudan hir sende·
Þe maiden preyd hem boþe þo·
Þat þai schuld bi her conseyl do·
To sauen cristen kende·
For y wil suffre no lenger þrawe·
Þat cristen folk befor me slawe·
To halle þai gun wende·
& welcomed þo messangers·
Þat com fro þe soudan fers·
Wiþ wordes fre & hende·
¶ Þan seyd þe quen to hem þan·
Hou fareþ õour lord þe soudan·
Þat is so noble a kniõt·
Þe messangers answere gan·
He farþ as wele as ani man·
& is õour frende apliõt·
Þe quen seyd wiþ milde chere·
Wele better þei mi douhter were
Bi ihesu ful of miõt· ["i" (of "Bi") (later) inserted in space]
Mi douhter is nouõt to him to gode·
Y vouche saue on him mi blode
f. 9ra
Þei sche were ten so briõt·
¶ Þe messangers diõt hem swiþe·
Wiþ kniõtes fele & stedes stiþe·
& brouõt hir into chare
Þe king & þe quen were vn bliþe
Her sorwe couþe þai noman kiþe·
When þai seye hir forþ fare·
Into chaumber þai went þo·
When þai were to gider boþe to·
Þan wakened alle her care·
¶ Þe king was in sorwe bounde·
Þe quen swoned mani a stounde·
For her douhter dere·
¶ Kniõtes & leuedis þer hem founde·
& tok hem vp hole & sounde [entire line squeezed in--? and next line erased and rewritten?]
& confort hem in fere·
Þus þe quen & þe king·
Liued in sorwe & care morning·
Gret diol it was to here·
Her care was euer aliche newe·
Hem chaunged boþe hide & hewe·
For sorwe & rewelichere·
Nov late we ben alle her morning
& telle we of þat maiden õing
Þat to þe soudan is fare·
He com wiþ mani gret lording·
Forto welcome þat swete þing·
When sche was brouõt in chare·
He kist hir wel mani a siþe·
His ioie couþe he noman kiþe·
Oway was alle his care·
Into chaumber sche was ladde·
& richeliche sche was cladde
As heþþen wiman ware·
¶ Whan sche was cladde in riche palle·
Þe soudan dede his kniõtes calle·
& hadde þat maiden forþ fett·
& when sche com into þe halle·
Bi for þe heyõe lordinges alle·
To forn þe soudan þai hir sett·
Gret diol it was forto se
Þe bird þat was so briõt on ble·
To haue so foule a mett·
Þei þat sche made gret solas·
Þe sorwe þat at hir hert was·
f. 9rb
No miõt it no man lett·
¶ & whan it was comen to niõt
Þe leuedi þat was so feir & briõt·
To chaumber sche gan wende·
& þer in anon y õou pliõt
A riche bed þer was y diõt·
Vnto þat leuedi hende·
Þe leuedi was to bed y brouõt·
Þe soudan wild com þer in nouõt·
Noiþer for fo no frede
For noþing wold he neyõe þat may·
Til þat sche leued opon his lay·
Þat was of cristen kende
¶ Wel loþe war a cristen man·
To wedde an heþen woman·
Þat leued on fair lawe·
Als loþ was þat soudan·
To wed a cristen woman·
As y finde in mi sawe·
Þe soudan õede to led al prest
Kniõtes & leuedis õede to rest·
Þe pople hem gan wiþ drawe·
Þat miri wel sore sche wepe
Til þe day gan dawe·
¶ & als sche fel on slepe pore
Her þouõt þer stode hir bifore·
An hundred houndes blake·
& bark on hir lasse & more·
& on þer was þat greued hir sore·
Oway þat wald hir take·
& sche no durst him nouõt sinne·
For drede þat he wald hir bite·
Swiche maistri he gan to make
& as sche wald fram hem fle·
Sche seye þer stond deuelen þre·
& ich brent as a drake·
¶ So loþliche þai were al ywrouõt ["r" inserted above]
& ich in hond a gleme brouõt·
Sche was aferd ful sore·
On ihesu crist was alle hir þouõt·
Þerfore þe fendes derd hir nouõt·
Noiþer lesse no more
Fro þe fendes sche passed sounde·
f. 9va
& afterward þer com an hounde·
Wiþ browes brod & hore·
Almost he hadde hir drawen adoun·
Ac þurch ihesus cristes passioun·
Sche was ysaued pore·
¶ Õete hir þouõt wiþ outen lesing
Als sche lay in hir sweuening·
Þat selcouþe was to rede·
Þat blac hounde hir was folweing·
Þurch miõt of ihesu heuen king·
Spac to hir in manhede
In white cloþes als a kniõt·
& seyd to hir mi swete wiõt·
No þarf þe no þing drede·
Of teruagaunt no of mahoun·
Þi lord þat suffred passioun·
Schal help þe at þi nede·
¶ & when þe maiden was awaked
For drede of þat wel sore sche quaked
For loue of her sweuening·
On hir bed sche sat al naked·
To ihesu hir preier sche maked·
Al miõt ful heuen king
As wis as he hir dere bouõt
Of þat sweuening in slepe sche þouõt
Schuld turn to gode ending·
& when þe maiden risen was
Þe riche soudan of damas·
To his temple he gan hir bring·
¶ Þan seyd þe soudan to þat may·
Þou most bileue opon mi lay·
& knele now here adoun·
& for sake þi fals lay·
Þat þou hast leued on mani a day·
& anour seyn mahoun
& certes bot þou wilt anon·
Þi fader y schal wiþ wer slon·
Bi iouin & plotoun·
& bi Mahoun & teruagant· ["i" inserted above]
Þer schal noman ben his waraunt
Emperour no king wiþ croun·
¶ Þe maiden answerd wiþ mild chere·
To þe soudan as õe may here·
Sir y nil þe nouõt greue·
f. 9vb
Teche me now & lat me here·
Hou y schal make mi preiere
When ich on hem bileue·
To mahoun ichil me take·
& ihesu crist mi lord for sake
Þat made adam & eue·
& seþþen serue þe at wille·
Arliche & lat loude & stille·
Amorwe & an eue
¶ Þan was þe soudan glad & bliþe
& þanked mahoun mani siþe·
Þat sche was sche so biknawe· [second "sche" subpuncted]
His ioie couþe he no man kiþe
He bad hir gon & kis swiþe·
Alle þine godes on rawe·
Sche kist mahoun & apolin·
Astirot & sir iouin·
For drede of wordes awe
& while sche was in þe temple·
Of teruagant & Iubiter
Sche lerd þe heþen lawe
¶ & þei sche al þe lawes couþe·
& seyd hem open liche wiþ hir mouþe
Ihesu for õat sche nouõt·
Wher þat sche was bi norþe or souþe·
No minstral wiþ harp no crouþe·
No miõt chaunge hir þouõt·
Þe soudan wende niõt & day·
Þat sche hadde leiõed opon his lay
Bot al he was bi couõt·
For when sche was bi hir selue on·
To ihesu sche made hir mon·
Þat alle þis world haþ wrouõt·
¶ Þe soudan dede cri þat tide·
Oueral bi ich aside
A turnament to take·
& duhti men on hors to ride·
& dubbed hem in þat tide·
& kniõtes gan he make
Þe trumpes gun for to blowe·
Kniõtes priked out o rouwe·
On stedes white & blake
Þer miõt men se sone & swiþe·
Strong men her strengþe kiþe
f. 10ra
For þat maiden sake·
¶ Þe cristen maiden & þe soudan·
In þe castel leyen þan
Þe turnament to bi hold·
& þo þe turnament bi gan·
Þer was samned mani a man·
Of sarraõins stout & bold·
To sen þer was a semly siõt·
Of þritti þousend of helmes briõt·
In gest as it is told
Þai leyden on as þai were wroþe·
Wiþ swerdes & wiþ maces boþe·
Kniõtes boþe õong & old·
¶ Wel mani helme þer was of weued
& mani bacinet to cleued·
& kniõtes driuen to grounde·
Sum þer fel doun on her heued·
& sum in þe diche lay todreued
& siked sore vn sounde
Þe turnament last þo y pliõt·
Fram þe morwe to þe niõt·
Of men of michel mounde
Amorwe þe soudan wedded þat may·
In þe maner of his lay·
In gest as it is founde
¶ Atte his bridale was noble fest·
Riche real & onest·
Doukes kinges wiþ croun
For þer was melodi wiþ þe mest·
Of harp & fiþel & of grest·
To lordinges of renoun·
Þer was õeuen to þe menstrels·
Robes riche & mani iuweles
Of erl & of baroun·
Þe fest lasted fourteniõt·
Wiþ mete & drink anouõ apliõt·
Plente & gret fouson·
¶ Þat leuedi so feir & so fre·
Was wiþ hir lord bot moneþes þre·
Þan he gat hir wiþ childe·
When it was geten sche chaunged ble·
Þe soudan himself þat gan se
Iolif he was & wilde
Þer while sche was wiþ child apliõt
f. 10rb
Sche bad to ihesu ful of miõt·
Fram schame he schuld hir schilde
Atte fourti woukes ende·
Þe leuedi was deliuerd o bende
Þurch help of mari milde·
¶ & when þe child was y bore·
Wel sori wimen were þer fore·
For lim no hadde it non·
Bot as a rond of flesche schore·
In chaumber it lay hem bifore·
Wiþ outen blod & bon·
For sorwe þe leuedi wald dye·
For it hadde noiþer nose no eye·
Bot lay ded as þe ston·
Þe soudan com to chaumber þat tide·
& wiþ his wiif he gan to chide·
Þat wo was hir bi gon·
¶ O dame he seyd bi forn·
Oõain mi godes þou art for sworn·
Wiþ riõt resoun y preue·
Þe childe þat is here of þe born·
Boþe lim & liþ it is forlorn·
Alle þurch þi fals bileue·
Þou leuest nouõt wele afine·
On iubiter no on apoline·
Amorwe na a neue
No in mahoun no in teruagant·
Þer fore is lorn þis litel faunt·
No wonder þei me greue·
¶ Þe leuedi answerd & seyd þo·
Þer sche lay in care & wo·
Leue sir lat be þat þouõt·
Þe child was õeten bitven ous to·
For þi bileue it farþ so·
Bi him þat ous haþ wrouõt·
Take now þis flesche & bere it anon·
Bifor þine godes euer ichon·
Þat þou no lete it nouõt·
& pray þine godes al y fere·
Astow art hem leue & dere·
To liue þat it be brouõt·
¶ & õif mahoun & Iouin can·
Make it fourmed after a man·
Wiþ liif & limes ariõt·
f. 10va
Bi ihesu crist þat þis warld wan·
Y schal leue þe better þan·
Þat þai ar ful of miõt·
& bot þai it to liue bring
Y nil leuen on hem no þing
Noiþer bi day no niõt·
¶ Þe soudan toke þat flesche anon·
Into his temple he gan to gon·
Þer his godes were diõt·
¶ Bi forn his godes he gan it leyn·
& had vp his honden tvein·
While men miõt go fiue mile·
A miõt ful mahoun he gan to seyin· [?"i" subpuncted?]
& teruagaunt of michel meyn·
In õou was neuer no gile·
Seyn Iubiter & apolin·
Astirot & seyn Iouin·
Help now in þis perile·
Oft he kneled & oft he ros·
& crid so long til he was hos·
& al he tint his while·
¶ & when he hadde al y preyd·
& alle þat euer he couþe he seyd·
Þe flesche bay stille as ston·
Anon he stirt vp at a breyd·
& in his hert he was atreyd·
For him no hadde it non·
He bi held on his godes alle·
& seye þer miõt no bot bi falle·
Wel wo was him bi gon·
O sir mahoun he gan to grede·
Wil õe nouõt helpe me at þis nede
Þe deuel õou brenne ichon·
He hent a staf wiþ gret hete
& stirt anon his godes to bete·
& drouõ hem alle adoun
& leyd on til he gan to swete·
& õaf hem strokes gode & gret·
Boþe Iouine & Plotoun·
& alderbest he bete afin
Iubiter & apolin·
& brac hem arm & croun·
& teruagaunt þat was her broþer·
He no lete neuer a lime wiþ oþer·
f. 10vb
No of his god mahoun
¶ & when he hadde beten hem gode won·
Õete lay þe flesche stille so ston·
An heye on his auter
He tok it in his hond anon·
& into chaumber he gan gon·
& seyd lo haue it here·
Ich haue don al þat y can·
To make it fourmed after a man·
Wiþ kneleing & preier·
& for alle þat ichaue hem bisouõt·
Mine godes no may help me nouõt·
Þe deuel hem sett afere·
¶ & þan answerd þat gode wiman·
Wel hendeliche to þat soudan·
Leue sir here mi speche·
Þe best rede þat y can·
Bi ihesu crist þat made man·
Now ichil õou teche·
Now þou hast proued god þine·
Õif me leue to asay mine·
Wheþer is better leche·
& leue sir prey þe þis·
Leue on him þat stronger is·
For doute of more wreche·
¶ Þe soudan answerd hir þore·
In hert he was agreued sore·
To sen þat selcouþe siõt·
Now dame ichil do bi þi lore·
Õif þat y may se bifore·
Þi god is of swiche miõt·
Wiþ ani vertu þat he can·
Make it fourmed after a man·
Wiþ liif & limes ariõt
Alle mi godes ichil for sake·
& to ihesu þi lord me take·
As icham gentil kniõt·
¶ Wel bliþe was þe leuedi þan·
For þat hir lord þe riche soudan·
Hadde graunted hir preier·
For hope he schuld be cristen man·
Sche þonked him þat þis world wan·
& mari his moder dere·
Now ginneþ here a miri pas·
f. 11ra
Hou þat child y cristend was·
Wiþ limes al hole & fere·
& hou þe soudan of damas·
Was cristned for þat ich cas·
Now herken & õe may here·
¶ Þan seyd þe leuedi in þat stounde·
Þou hast in þi pr isoun bounde·
Mani a cristen man·
Do seche ouer alle bi loft & grounde·
Õif ani cristen prest be founde·
Bring him bi for me þan·
& y schal ar to morwe at none·
Wite what ihesu crist can done·
More þan þine maumettes can·
Anon þe prisouns weren y souõt·
Þai founden a prest & forþ him brouõt
Bi hest of þat soudan·
¶ He com bi for þat leuedi fre·
& gret hir feir opon his kne·
& seyd wiþ sikeing sore·
Madame y blisced mot þou be·
Of ihesu crist in trinite·
Þat of mari was bore·
Þe leuedi artw a prest· seyd· ["seyd" inserted later in margin]
Tel me soþe õif þat tow best·
Canstow of cristen lore·
Madame seyd þe prest anon·
In verbo dei ich was on·
Tventi winter gon & more·
¶ Ac dame he seyd bi seyn Ion·
Ten winter song y masse non·
& þat me likeþ ille·
For so long it is now gon·
Ichaue ben in þi prisoun of ston· ["þi" subpuncted]
Wiþ wrong & gret vn stalle·
Þe leuedi seyd lat be þi fare·
Þou schalt be brouõt out of þi care·
& tow wilt held þe stille·
For þurch þine help in þis stounde·
We schul make cristen men of houndes·
God graunt it õif it be his wille·
¶ Þan seyd þe soudans wiif
Þou most do stille wiþ outen striif·
A wel gret priuete·
f. 11rb
Hali water þou most make·
& þis ich flesche þou take·
Al for þe loue of me·
& cristen it wiþ outen blame·
In þe worpschipe of þe faders name·
Þat sitt in trinite·
¶ For in him is mine hope apliõt·
Þe fader þat is ful of miõt·
Mi sorwe schal me slake·
Õif it were cristned a riõt·
It schuld haue four me to se bi siõt·
Wiþ kin & kif to wake·
Þat leuedi comand anon·
Hir maidens out of chaumber gon·
For drede of wraying sake·
Þe prest no leng nold a bide·
A feir vessel he tok þat tide·
& hali water he gan make·
¶ At missomer tide þat ded was don·
Þurch help of god þat sitt in trone·
As y õou tel may·
Þe prest toke flesche anon· þe ["þe" inserted later in margin]
& cleped it þe name of Ion·
In worþschip of þe day·
& when þat it cristned was·
It hadde liif & lim & fas·
& crid wiþ gret deray·
& hadde hide & flesche & fel·
& alle þat euer þer to bifel·
In gest as y õou say·
¶ Feirer child miõt non be bore·
It no hadde neuer a bone for lore·
Wele schapen it was wiþ alle·
Þe prest no lenge duelled pore·
& õede & teld þe soudan fore·
Þer he was in þe halle·
Þat leuedi þer sche lay in bed·
Þat richeliche was bi schred·
Wiþ gold & purpel palle·
Þe child sche toke to hir bliue·
& þonked our leuedi ioies fiue·
Þe feir grace þer was bi falle·
¶ & seyd lord ich pray þe·
Almiõti god in trinite·
f. 11va
So õiue me miõt & space·
Þat y may þat day y se·
Mi lord wald y cristned be·
Þe soudan of damas·
Þan cam þe soudan þat was blac·
& sche wed him þe child & spac·
Wiþ liif & limes & face·
Sche seyd mahoun no apolin·
Is nouõt worþ þe brostle of a swin·
Oõain mi lordes grace·
¶ Þe soudan seyd leman min·
Ywis icham glad afin·
Of þis child þat y se·
Õa sir bi seyn martin·
Õif þe haluendel wer þin·
Wel glad miõt þou be·
O dame he seyd hou is þat·
Is it nouõt min þat y bi õat·
No sir þan seyd sche·
Bot þou were cristned so it is·
Þou no hast no part þer on y wis·
Noiþer of þe child ne of me·
¶ & bot þou wilt mahoun for sake·
& to ihesu mi lord þe take·
Þat þoled woundes fiue·
Anon þou do þe cristen make·
Þou miõt be ferd for sorwe & wrake·
While þat þou art oliue
& õif þou were a cristen man·
Boþe were þine sche seyd þan·
Þi childe & eke þi wiue·
When þou art dede þou schalt wende·
Into blis wiþ outen ende·
Þi ioie may noman kiþe·
¶ Þe soudan seye wele bi siõt·
Þat Ihesu was of more miõt·
Þan was his fals lawe
He seyd dame anon riõt·
Ichil for sake mi god apliõt·
Þai schal be brent & drawe·
Ac telle me now par charite·
& for þe loue þou has to me·
What schal y seyn in sawe
Now ichaue for saken mi lay
f. 11vb
Tel me now what is õour fay·
& ichil lere wel fawe·
¶ Þan seyd þat leuedi hende & fre·
Vnderstond sir par charite·
On ihesu cristes lay·
Hou he was & euer schal be·
O god & persounes þre·
& liõt in mari þat may·
& in hir bodi nam flesche & bld·
& hou he bouõt ous on þe rode·
Opon þe gode friday·
& hou his gost went to helle
Satanas pouste for to felle·
& brouõt man kin oway·
¶ Þe þridde day in þe morning·
To liue he ros wiþ outen lesing·
As he com of þe rode·
& õaf his frendes com forting·
& steye to heuen as miõtful king·
Boþe wiþ flesche & blod·
As it is founden in holi writ·
On his fader riõt hond he sitt·
& is wel mild of mode·
As it is writen in þe crede·
He demeþ boþe þe quic & ded·
Þe feble & eke þe gode·
¶ & al þis warld schal to driue
& man arise fram ded to liue·
Riõt dome to vnder stond
Þan schal ihesu wiþ outen striue·
Sche we his blodi woundes fiue·
Þat he for ous gan fond·
& þan schal he wiþ outen mis·
Deme ich man after he is·
Erl baroun & bond·
Leue her on sche seyd þan·
& do þe make a cristen man·
For no þing þou no wond·
¶ Þan seyd þe soudan dame be stille·
Y schal be cristned þurch godes wille·
Ar þan þe þridde day·
Loþ me were mi soule to spille·
Preye now þe prest he com ous tille
& teche me cristen lay·
as priueliche as it
f. 12ra
As priueliche as it may be·
Þat noman wite bot we þre·
Als forþ as õe may
& ani it wist heye or lowe·
Þou schalt be brent & y to drawe·
& we for soke our fay·
¶ Anon þe prest answerd þan·
Hendeliche to þat soudan·
Sir icham redi here·
Wiþ alle þe pouwer þat y can·
Forto make þe cristen man·
& godes lay to lere
His hond opon his brest he leyd·
In verbo dei he swore & seyd·
Vnto õou boþe y fere·
Wel trewe & trusti schal y be·
Wiþ alle þat euer falleþ to me·
To hem wiþ mi pouwere·
¶ Amorwe when þe prest gan wake·
A wel feir fessel he gan take·
Wiþ water clere & cold·
& halwed it for þe soudan sake·
& his preier he gan to make·
To ihesu þat Iudas sold·
& to marie his moder dere·
Þo þat þe soudan cristned were·
Þat was so stout & bold·
He schuld õif him miõt & space·
Þurch his vertu & his grace·
His cristen dom wele to hold·
¶ & when it was liõt of day·
Þe riche soudan þer he lay·
Vp bigan to arise·
To þe prest he went his way·
& halp him alle þat he may·
Þat fel to his seruise·
& when þe prest hadde þo·
Diõt redi þat fel þer to·
In al maner wise·
Þe soudan wiþ gode wille anon·
Dede of his cloþes euerichon·
To reseyue his baptize
¶ Þe cristen prest hiõt cleophas·
He cleped þe soudan of damas·
f. 12rb
After his owhen name·
His hide þat blac & loþely was·
Al white bi com þurch godes gras·
& clere wiþ outen blame·
& when þe soudan seye þat siõt·
Þan leued he wele on god al miõt·
His care went to game·
& when þe prest hadde alle y seyd·
& haly water on him leyd·
To chaumber þai went y same·
¶ When he com þer þe leuedi lay·
Lo dame he gan to say·
Certeyne þi god is trewe·
Þe leuedi þonked god þat day·
For ioie sche wepe wiþ eyõen gray·
Vnneþe hir lord sche knewe·
Þan wist sche wele in hir þouõt·
Þat on mahoun leued he nouõt·
For chaunged was his hewe·
For þat hir lord was cristned so·
Oway was went al hir wo·
Hir ioie gan war al newe·
¶ Mi lord sche seyd wiþ hert fre
Sende now þis prest in priuete·
To mi fader þe king
& pray him for þe loue of me·
Þat he com swiþe hider to þe·
Wiþ alle þat he may bring·
& when mi fader is to þe come·
Do cristen þi lond alle & some·
Boþe eld & õing·
& he þat wil be cristned nouõt·
Loke to þe deþ þat he be brouõt·
Wiþ outen ani duelleing·
¶ Þe soudan tok þe prest bi hond·
& bad him wende & nouõt no wond·
To þe king of tars ful õare·
& do him al to vnder stond·
Hou ihesu crist þurch his sond·
Haþ brouõt hem out of care·
& bid him bring wiþ him his ost·
Priueliche wiþ outen bost
For no þing he no spare·
& cleophas wiþ gode entent·
f. 12va
To do þe soudans comandment·
To tras he gan fare·
¶ & when þe prest sir cleophas·
Com to þe court þurch godes grace
Wiþ outen ani duelling·
He teld þe king alle þat þat cas·
Hou þe child ded born was·
A mis for schapen þing
& þurch þe preier of his wiif·
Hou god hadde sent it leme & liif·
In water ate cristening·
& hou þat heþen soudan·
Was bi come a cristen man·
Þurch þe miõt of heuen king·
¶ He radde þe letter þat he brouõt·
& in þe letter he fond y wrouõt·
In gest as y õou say·
Hou þat þe soudan him bi souõt·
To com to him & lat it nouõt·
Opon a certeyne day·
& bring wiþ him alle his ost·
To take his lond bi euerich cost·
& serche in his cuntray·
Who þat wold nouõt cristned be·
He schuld be honged opon a tre·
Wiþ outen ani delay·
¶ Bliþer miõt no man ben·
He cleped his barouns & þe quen·
& told hem þus in sawe·
Hou þe soudan stout & kene·
Was cristned wiþ outen wene·
& leued on cristes lawe·
& þer fore he haþ don sent me bi sond·
He wil do cristen alle his lond·
Õif þat he miõt wel fawe·
& he þat wil nouõt take cristening·
No be he neuer so heye lording·
He schal hong & drawe·
¶ & þer fore y pray õou now riõt·
Erl baroun douk & kniõt·
Do alle õour bede· folk· ["folk" added later in margin]
Wiþ helme on heued & brini briõt·
Þat õe ben alle redi diõt·
To help me at þis nede·
f.. 12vb
Þai sent ouer al bi ich a side·
For mani cristen men þat tide·
Þat duhti were of dede·
Þe king him diõt for to wende
Wiþ sexti þousende kniõtes hende·
Þat was a feir ferred
¶ Þe king com wiþ outen lett·
Þe selue day þat him was sett·
To þe soudan wel õare·
& when þai were togider mett·
A miri greteing þer was gret·
Wiþ lordinges lasse & mare·
Þer was rewþe forto sen·
Hou þe leued i fel on knen·
Biforn hir fader þare·
Þer was ioie & mirþe also·
To here hem speken of wele & wo·
Her auentours als þai were·
¶ Þe soudan dede his barouns calle·
& seþþen anon his kniõtes alle
& after alle his meyne·
& when þai come into þe halle·
He seyd hou so it bi falle·
Õe mot y cristned be·
Mi seluen ich haue y take·
& certes so mot õe·
& hye þat wil nouõt so anon·
Þai schul be heueded eruerichon·
Bi him þat dyed on tre·
¶ When he hadde þus y told·
Mani sarraõin stout & bold·
Þat in his court were·
Mani seyd þat þai wold·
& mani seyd þat þai nold·
Be cristned in non maner·
Þo þat mahoun wald for sake·
Cristen men he lete hem make·
& were him lef & dere·
& he þat dede nouõt bi his rede·
Anon he dede strike of his hed·
Riõt fast bi þe swere·
¶ Þe soudan had In prisoun diõt
Ten þousend cristen men y pliõt
f. 13ra
Of mani vn couþe þede·
He dede hem liuer a non riõt·
& þo þat were strong & wiõt·
He õaf hem armour & stede·
& þo he seye þat miõt nouõt so·
He õaf hem mete & drink þer to·
& alle þat hem was nede·
Þer miõt men se wiþ þat soudan·
Mani bliþe cristen man·
In gest as so we rede
¶ When he hadde don þus þat tide·
Ouer al his lond bi ich a side·
Þe word wel wide sprong·
Fiue heþen kinges þat tide·
& mani heþen douke vn ride·
Wiþ pople gret & strong·
Þai sent a boute ner & fer·
Opon þat soudan forto wer·
& seyd for þat wrong·
Bi mahoun & teruagaunt·
Þer schuld nouõt ben his warant·
Bot ben drawe & hong·
¶ Þo fif kinges of prout parayle·
Diõt hem redi to þat bateyle·
Wel stout & strong þai were·
Hou þe soudan gan hem aseyle·
& what þai hete wiþouten feile·
Now herken & õe may here·
King canadok & king lesias·
King carmel & king clamadas·
& king memarok her fere·
Opon þe soudan wiþ wer þai went·
His men þai slouõ his tounes brent·
Wiþ strengþe & gret pouwer·
¶ Þe king of tars & þe soudan·
Day of bateyle þai gun tan·
Oõain þo kinges fiue·
Ac euer oõein a cristen man·
Ten heþen houndes wer þan·
Of sarraõins stout & stiþe·
Now herkneþ to me boþe old & õing
Hou þe soudan & þe king·
Amonges hem gun drriue·
& hou þe sarraõins þat day·
f. 13rb
Opped heuedles for her pay·
Now listen & õe may liþe·
¶ Þe cristen soudan þat tide·
Tok a spere & gan to ride·
To canadok þat was kene·
& canadok wiþ gret pride·
Wiþ a spere gan him abide·
To wite & nouõt at wene·
So hard þan driuen to gider þere·
Þat her launces boþe y fere·
Brosten hem bi tvene·
Þe soudan drouõ his fauchoun gode·
Þe kinges heued wiþ alle þe hode·
He strok of quite & clene·
¶ King lesias of tabarie·
To þe soudan he gan heye·
For cana dok his felawe·
Wiþ a spere þat was trusti·
He rode to þe soudan wel an hey
& þouõt him haue y slawe·
Þe king of tars bi tven hem rod·
& lessias strok he abod·
As y finde in mi sawe
& smot him so on þe scheld·
Þat top seyl in þe feld·
He made him ouer þrawe·
¶ He lepe on hors & gan to ride·
& slouõ adoun bi ich a side·
Þat he bi for him founde·
Wham þat lesias hit in þat tide
Were he douk or prince o pride·
He õaf him dedly wounde
Þe king of tars com wiþ a spere·
& þurch his sides he gan it bere
Þat ded he fel to grounde·
Þan sett þe sarraõins vp a cri·
A mahoun ful of meistri·
Help ous in þis stounde
¶ When king carmel herd þat him was wo·
A spere an hond he hent·
He priked his stede & dede him go·
He þouõt þe king tars to slo·
Er he þennes went·
He smot þe king of tars þat tide
f. 13va
Þurch his hauberk a wounde wide·
Þat neiõe he hadde him schent·
Þe king out of his sadel fel·
Þe blod out of his wounde gan wel
Þat mani man him bi ment·
¶ For sorwe þe soudan wald wede·
When he seiõe his woundes blede
He rode to him wiþ mayn·
He and þe cristen ferred
Brouõt þe king of tars his stede·
& sett him vp o gayn·
& when he was on hors brauõt
Alle þat euer he arauõt·
He clef him to þe brayn·
King carmel þo to him went·
& õaf him swiche anoþer dent·
Þat ner he hadde him sleyn·
¶ & when þe soudan þat y seiõe·
Al wode he wex for wreþe neye
He rode to king carmele·
He smot him on þe helme on heiõe
Þat þurch ?? þe breyn it fleiõe· ["??" marks an erasure of ?"þe"]
Þat no leche miõt him hele·
King clamadas com rideing þan·
Wiþ a glaiue to þe soudan·
& þouõt wiþ him to dele·
& smot him o bouen þe scheld·
Þat neiõe he feld him in þe feld·
Among þo houndes fele
¶ Þe king of tars in þat stounde·
Hadde spite of þat heþen hounde·
Þat was so stout & bold·
He swore in him þat þoled wounde
Þe dogge schal a doun to grounde·
Þat fiõtes þus in feld·
He rode to him anon riõt·
& smot to him a strok of miõt·
Atvo he clef his scheld
& þurch his hert þe swerd gan glide·
Þe blod ran out bi ich a side·
& so he him a queld·
¶ Þan was king memaroc in gret peyn·
For his four felawes were sleyn·
& in þe feld to dreued·
f. 13vb
He priked his stede opon þe pleyn·
& fleye o way wiþ miõt & mayn·
For dred to hide his heued·
Þe soudan seyõe him o way ride·
He priked after him in þat tide·
For n0 þing he it bi leued·
& smot him so aboue þe scheld·
Þat helme & heued fleyõe in þe feld· ["fleyõe" subpuncted]
Ful wiõtlike of it weued·
¶ When þe sarraõins seyõen alle·
Þat memarok was to grounde y falle
& namore vp arise·
Allas mahoun þai gan to calle·
Whi latestow cristen hewe ous smale
Wicke is þi seruise·
Þai fleyõe for dred alle y fere·
& dreynt hem in o riuer
So sore hem gan agrise·
Þe bateyle last swiþe long·
Til it were time of euen song·
Er þai miõt win þe prise·
¶ Þe sarraõins flowe bi ich aside·
Þe cristen folk after gan ride·
& schadde hem breyn & blod·
Þer was non þat miõt him hide·
Þat he nas sleyn in þat tide·
Wiþ fiõt oõeyn hem stode·
& þo þat õold hem to þe pes·
Þe soudan swore wiþ outen les
Bi him þat dyed on rode·
He þat nold nouõt for sake his lay·
He schuld for lesse þat ich day·
Þe bal vp in þe hode·
Þritti þousende þer wer take·
Of sarrains boþe blo & blac·
& don in his prisoun·
& he þat wald his lay for sake·
Cristen men he lete him make· ["he" inserted above]
Wiþ gret de vocioun·
& þai þat wald be cristned nouõt·
In to a stede þai werren y brouõt
A mile wiþ outen þe toun·
& cristen men wiþ outen wene
Striken of her heuedes al bidene·
[The text breaks off at this point (i.e., at the end of the folio's verso, so that the manuscript does not contain the text's conclusion.]