Part 10

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.