Part 7

§ 9. VERSIFICATION.

The legend, like the romance of Floris and Blancheflur, is composed in short riming pairs. Each verse nominally has four metrical stresses. The rime may be either masculine or feminine. Frequently assonance takes the place of perfect rime; e.g. _weop_ : _fet_ 30 C, _gode_ : _fote_ 70 Add., _þolen_ : _y-boren_ 220 Add., etc.

KING HORN.

[Transcriber’s Note:

Line-initial þ was corrected to capital Þ on the assumption that capitalization was editorial. Individual changes are noted at the end of the e-text. Line-initial y was retained for consistency.]

_Cambr. Univ. MS. Gg. 4. 27. 2._

Alle beon he bliþe Þat to my song lyþe, A sang ihc schal ȝou singe Of Murry þe kinge. 4

_Laud Misc. MS. 108_, fol. 219 _b_.

+++Alle ben he bliþe Þat to me wile{n} liþe, A song ich wille you si{n}ge Of morye þe kinge. 4

_Harl. MS. 2253._

_The | corresponds to a sign used in the MS. to mark the divisions between the lines._

[[See Transcriber’s Note about e-text format.]]

[Sidenote: [leaf 83]] Her bygynneþ þe geste of kyng Horn.

¶ Alle heo ben blyþe þat to my song ylyþe, a song ychulle ou singe of Allof þe gode kynge. 4

[Sidenote: King Murry and his queen, Godhild, have a son named Horn.]

King he was biweste So longe so hit laste. Godhild het his quen; Faire ne miȝte non ben. 8 He hadde a sone þ{a}t het horn; Fairer ne miste no{n} beo born, Ne no rein vpon birine, Ne su{n}ne vpon bischine. 12

King he was bi westen Wel þat hise dayes lesten, And godild hise gode quene; Feyrer non micte bene. 8 Here sone hauede to name horn; Feyrer child ne micte ben born. Ne reyn ne micte upon reyne, Ne no so{n}ne by schine. 12

kyng he wes by weste þe whiles hit yleste, ant godylt his gode quene; no feyrore myhte bene. 8 ant huere sone hihte horn; feyrore child ne myhte be born. for reyn ne myhte by ryne ne sonne myhte shyne. 12

[Sidenote: He is marvellously fair and fifteen years old.]

Fairer nis no{n} þane he was; He was briȝt so þe glas. He was whit so þe flur, Rose red was his colur. 16 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] In none kinge riche Nas no{n} his iliche. 20

Fayrer child þa{n}ne he was, Brict so eu{er}e any glas, Whit so any lili flour, So rose red was hys colur. 16 He was fayr and eke bold And of fiftene winter hold. Was noma{n} him yliche Bi none kinges riche. 20

feyrore child þen he was, bryht so euer eny glas, so whit so eny lylye flour, so rose red wes his colour. 16 He wes feyr {ant} eke bold ant of fyftene wynter old. [Sidenote: [leaf 83, back]] Nis non his yliche in none kinges ryche. 20

[Headnote: _Saracens invade the land._]

[Sidenote: Horn has twelve companions.]

Twelf feren he hadde Þ{a}t alle wiþ him ladde, Alle riche ma{n}nes sones, {And} alle hi were faire gomes, 24 Wiþ him for to pleie. {And} mest he luuede tweie; ++Þat on him het haþulf child, {And} þ{a}t oþ{er} ffikenild. 28

xij feren he hadde Þat he mid him ladde, And alle rich ki{n}ges sones, And alle swiþe fayre gomes, 24 Mid hym forto pleye. But mest he louede tueye; Þat on was hoten ayol child, And þat oþer fokenild. 28

tueye feren he hadde þ{a}t he wiþ him ladde, alle richemenne sones, {ant} alle suyþe feyre gomes, 24 wyþ him forte pleye. mest he louede tueye; Þ{a}t on wes hoten Athulf chyld, {ant} þ{a}t oþer Fykenyld. 28

[Sidenote: Athulf the best, and Fikenhild the worst.]

Aþulf was þe beste {And} fikenylde þe werste. Hit was vpon a som{er}es day, Also ihc ȝou telle may, 32

Ayol was þe beste And fokenild þe werste. ++Hit was sone som{er}es day, Also ich nou telle{n} may, 32

Athulf wes þe beste ant fykenyld þe werste. Hyt was vpon a someres day, also ich ou telle may, 32

[Sidenote: King Murry while riding, finds fifteen ships arrived on the strand.]

Murri þe gode king Rod on his pleing Bi þe se side, Ase he was woned ride. 36

Þat moye þe gode kinge Rod on his pleyhinge Bi þe se syde, Þer he was woned to ryde. 36

Allof þe gode kyng rod vpon ys pleyȝyng bi þe see side, þer he was woned to ryde. 36

[_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] He fo{n}d bi þe st{ro}nde, Ariued o{n} his lo{n}de, 40 Schipes fiftene, Wiþ sarazins kene.

With him ride{n} bote tvo; Al to fewe ware þo. He fond bi þe stronde, Ariued on his londe, 40 Schipes xv, Of sarazines kene.

wiþ him ne ryde bote tuo; al to fewe hue were þo. he fond by þe stronde, aryued on is londe, 40 shipes fyftene, of sarazynes kene.

He axede what isoȝte Oþ{er} to londe broȝte. 44 ++A Payn hit of herde And hym wel sone answarede, “Þi lo{n}d folk we schulle slon And alle þ{a}t Crist luueþ vpon, 48 And þe selue riȝt anon; Ne schaltu todai henne gon.”

He acsede wat he sowte Oþer to londe broucte. 44 A peynym it yherde And sone answerede, “Þi lond folc we wile{n} slon And al þat god leuet on; 48 And þe we solen sone anon; Sald þou neuere henne gon.”

he askede whet hue sohten oþer on is lond brohten. 44 a payen hit yherde {ant} sone him onsuerede, “þy lond folk we wolleþ slon þ{a}t euer c{ri}st leueþ on; 48 {ant} þe we wolleþ ryht anon; shalt þou neuer henne gon.”

[Headnote: _Saracens kill Horn’s father._]

[Sidenote: After a brave defence, the king and his two companions are slain,]

Þe kyng aliȝte of his stede, For þo he hauede nede, 52 {And} his gode kniȝtes two; Al to fewe he hadde þo. Swerd hi gu{n}ne g{ri}pe {And} to gadere smite. 56 Hy smyten vnder schelde Þat sume hit yfelde. Þe king hadde al to fewe Toȝenes so vele schrewe. 60

Þe king licte adoun of his stede, For þo he hauede nede, 52 And hise gode knictes ij, But ywis he{m} was ful wo. Swerdes þe go{n}ne g{r}ipe And to gydere smyte. 56 He foute{n} an ond{er} selde Some of hem he felde. He weren al to fewe Ayen so fele srewe. 60

þe kyng lyhte of his stede, for þo he heuede nede, 52 ant his gode feren tuo; mid ywis huem wes ful wo. swerd hy gonne g{ri}pe {ant} to gedere smyte. 56 hy smyten under shelde, þ{a}t hy somme yfelde. ¶ þe kyng hade to fewe aȝeyn so monie schrewe. 60

[Sidenote: and the Saracens begin to waste the land.]

So fele miȝten yþe Bringe hem þre to diþe. ¶ Þe pains come to londe {And} neme hit in here honde. 64 Þ{a}t folc hi gu{n}ne quelle {And} churchen for to felle.

Sone micte{n} atteþ[KH-1] Bri{n}gen þre deþe. Þe paynimes come{n} to londe And nome{n} hyt al to honde. 64 Cherches he go{n}ne{n} felle, And folc he go{n}ne quelle.

[Footnote KH-1: after þ a letter erased]

so fele myhten eþe bringe þre to deþe. þe payns come to londe {ant} nomen hit an honde. 64 þe folk hy gonne quelle {ant} sarazyns to felle.

Þer ne moste libbe Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, 68 Bute hi here laȝe asoke {And} to here toke. Of alle wymmanne Wurst was godhild þanne. 72

Þer ne micte libbe Þe fremde ne þe sibbe, 68 Bote he here ley forsoken And to here token. Of alle wi{m}menne Verst was godyld o{n}ne. 72

þer ne myhte libbe þe fremede ne þe sibbe, 68 bote he is lawe forsoke {ant} to huere toke. of alle wymmanne werst wes godyld þanne. 72

[Sidenote: Godhild grieves much,]

For Murri heo weop sore {And} for horn ȝute more. [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] 76

For moy he wep sore And for horn wel more. Godild hauede so michel sore Micte no wimma{n} habbe more. 76

for Allof hy wepeþ sore {ant} for horn ȝet more. Godild hade so muche sore þ{a}t habbe myhte hue na more. 76

[Headnote: _Godhild takes refuge in a cave._]

[Sidenote: but retires alone to a cave, where she continues to observe the Christian religion.]

He wenten vt of halle, Fram hire Maidenes alle, Vnder a roche of stone. Þer heo liuede alone. 80 Þer heo s{er}uede gode, Aȝenes þe paynes forbode.

Þe vente hout of halle, Fram hire maydenes alle, In to a roche of stone. Þar he wonede allone. 80 Þer he seruede god, Ayenes þe houndes forbod.

hue wente out of halle, from hire maidnes alle, vnder a roche of stone. þer hue wonede al one. 80 þer hue seruede gode, aȝeyn þe payenes forbode.

Þer he seruede c{ri}ste, Þ{a}t no payn hit ne wiste. 84 Eu{e}re heo bad for horn child, Þ{a}t Iesu c{ri}st him beo myld. Horn was in paynes honde Wiþ his feren of þe londe. 88 Muchel was his fairhede, For ih{es}u c{ri}st hi{m} makede.

Þer he s{er}uede c{r}iste, Þat paynimes ne wiste, 84 And eu{er}e bed for horn child, Þat ih{es}u c{r}ist him were mild. Horn was i{n} peynims honde, Mid his feren of þe londe. 88 Miche was his fayrhede, So ih{es}u him hauede made.

þer hue seruede c{ri}st, þ{a}t þe payenes hit nust. 84 ant euer hue bad for horn child, þ{a}t c{ri}st him wrþe myld. ¶ Horn wes in payenes hond, mid is feren of þe lond. 88 muche wes þe feyrhade þ{a}t ih{es}u c{ri}st him made.

[Headnote: _Saracens deliberate over Horn._]

[Sidenote: The pagans save Horn and his companions on account of Horn’s fairness,]

Payns him wolde slen Oþ{er} al quic flen. 92 Ȝef his fairnesse nere, Þe children alle aslaȝe were. Þa{n}ne spak on Admirad, Of wordes he was bald, 96

Þo hundes wolde slon, And some him wolde flon. 92 Ȝif hornes fayrede nere, Þe child yslawe ware. ++Uan bi spek him amyraud, Of wordes he was swiþe baud, 96

payenes him wolde slo {ant} summe him wolde flo. 92 ȝyf hornes feyrnesse nere, yslawe þis children were. þo spec on Admyrold, of wordes he wes swyþe bold, 96

“Horn, þu art wel kene, {And} þ{a}t is wel isene; Þu art gret {and} st{ro}ng, fair {and} euene lo{n}g. 100 Þu schalt waxe more Bi fulle seue ȝere.

“Horn, þou art swiþe scene, And follyche swiþe kene; Þou art fayr and eke strong, Þou art eueneliche long. 100 Þou scald more wexe In þis fif yere þe nexte.

“horn, þou art swyþe kene, bryht of hewe {ant} shene; þou art fayr {ant} eke strong {ant} eke eueneliche long. 100 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: at the same time with forebodings that if Horn lives, he will take revenge.]

Ȝef þu mote to liue go, {And} þine feren also, 104 Ȝef hit so bi falle, Ȝe scholde slen vs alle. Þaruore þu most to stere, Þu {and} þine ifere. 108 To schupe schulle ȝe funde {And} sinke to þe grunde.

Ȝif þu to liue mictest go, An þine feren also, 104 Þat micte so bifalle Þou suldes slen us alle. Þe for þou scald to stron go And þine feren also. 108 To schip ye schule{n} sto{u}nde A sinke{n} to þe grunde.

ȝef þou to lyue mote go, ant þyne feren also, 104 þat ymay byfalle þ{a}t ȝe shule slen vs alle. [Sidenote: [leaf 84]] þare fore þou shalt to streme go, þou ant þy feren also. 108 to shipe ȝe shule founde {ant} sinke to þe grounde.

Þe se ȝou schal adrenche; Ne schal hit us noȝt of þinche. 112 For if þu were aliue, Wiþ swerd oþ{er} wiþ kniue We scholden alle deie, {And} þi fader deþ abeie.” 116

Þe se þe sal adrinke; Ne sal hit us of þinke. 112 For yf þou come to liue, With suerdes or with cniue We sholde alle deye, Þi fad{er}es det abeye.” 116

þe see þe shal adrenche; ne shal hit vs of þenche. 112 for ȝef þou were alyue, wiþ suerd oþer wiþ knyue we shulden alle deȝe, þy fader deþ to beye.” 116

[Headnote: _Horn is put to sea in a boat._]

[Sidenote: Grieving sorely, the children are put aboard the boat,]

++Þe children hi broȝte to st{ro}nde, Wringinde here honde, Into schupes borde At þe furste worde. 120 Ofte hadde horn beo wo, At neure wurs þan him was þo. [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Þe childre yede to stronde, Wringende here honde. [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Ofte hauede horn child be wo, Bute neu{er}e werse þa{n} þo. Horns yede in to þe shipes bord Sone at þe firste word, 124 And alle hise feren, Þat ware him lef and dere.

þe children ede to þe stronde, wryngynde huere honde, ant in to shipes borde at þe furste worde. 120 ofte hade horn be wo, ah neuer wors þen hi{m} wes þo. [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Þe se bigan to flowe {And} hornchild to rowe. 128 Þe se þ{a}t schup so faste drof, Þe children dradde þer of. Hi wenden to wisse Of here lif to misse, 132

Þe se bigan to flowen And horn faste to rowen. 128 And here schip swiþe drof; Þe childre{n} adred þer of. Þei wende{n} alle wel ywis Of here lif haued ymis, 132

¶ þe see bygon to flowen {ant} horn faste to rowen 128 ant þ{a}t ship wel suyþe drof, {ant} horn wes adred þer of, hue wenden mid ywisse of huere lyue to misse. 132

[Sidenote: and the following morning see land.]

Al þe day {and} al þe niȝt, Til hit sprang dai liȝt. ¶ Til horn saȝ on þe st{ro}nde Men gon i{n} þe londe. 136 “Feren,” q{ua}þ he, “ȝo{n}ge, Ihc telle ȝou tiþinge.

Al þe day and al þe nict, Til him sprong þe day lyt. Til horn bi þe stro{n}de Seth me{n} gon alonde. 136 “Feren,” he seyde, “singe, Y telle ȝou a tidinge.

al þe day {ant} al þe nyht, o þ{a}t sprong þe day lyht, Flotterede horn by þe stronde, er he seye eny londe. 136 “feren,” quoþ horn þe ȝynge, “y telle ou tydynge.

[Sidenote: Horn announces land to his companions.]

Ihc here foȝeles singe {And} þ{a}t gras him springe. 140 Bliþe beo we on lyue, Vre schup is on ryue.” Of schup hi gu{n}ne funde {And} setten fout to grunde. 144

Ych here foules singe And so þe g{ra}s him sp{r}inge. 140 Bliþe be we o liue, Houre schip hys come ryue.” Of schip þe gon fonde An sette fot on grunde. 144

Ich here foules singe, {ant} se þe grases sp{ri}nge. 140 blyþe be ȝe alyue, vr ship is come to ryue.” of shipe hy gonne founde {ant} sette fot to grounde. 144

[Headnote: _Horn’s farewell to the boat._]

[Sidenote: All disembark, and Horn bids the boat a touching farewell, wishing it ‘_dayes gode_,’]

Bi þe se side Hi lete{n} þ{a}t schup ride. Þanne spak him child horn, In suddene he was iborn, 148 “Schup, bi þe se flode, Daies haue þu gode; Bi þe se brinke No wat{er} þe na drinke. 152 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Bi þe se side Here schip bigan to glide. Þa{n}ne spek þe chid horn, In sodenne he was yborn, 148 “Go nou, schip, by flode, And haue dawes gode. [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Softe mote þou stirie, No wat{er} þe derie.

by þe see syde hure ship bigon to ryde. þenne spec him child horn, in sudenne he was yborn, 148 “nou, ship, by þe flode, haue dayes gode, by þe see brynke no water þe adrynke. 152 softe mote þou sterye, þ{a}t water þe ne derye.

[Sidenote: and charging it with messages to his mother and friends.]

Ȝef þu cume to Suddenne, Gret þu wel of myne ke{n}ne; 156 Gret þu wel my moder, Godhild, quen þe gode. And seie þe paene kyng, Iesucrist{e}s wiþering, 160 Þat ihc am hol {and} fer On þis lond ariued her. And seie þ{a}t hei schal fonde Þe dent of myne honde.” 164

Wa{n}ne þou comes to sodenne, Gret wel al mi kinne, 156 And grete wel þe gode Quen godild, my mod{er}. And sey þat heþene king, Ih{es}u c{r}istes wiþerling, 160 Þat ichc lef and dere, On londe am riued here. And sei þat he shal fo{n}ge Þe deth of mine honde.” 164

ȝef þou comest to sudenne, g{re}t hem þ{a}t me kenne. 156 gret wel þe gode quene godild, mi moder. ant sey þene heþene kyng, ih{es}u c{ri}stes wytherlyng, 160 þ{a}t ich hol {ant} fere, in londe aryuede here. ant say þ{a}t he shal fonde þen deþ of myne honde.” 164

[Headnote: _King Aylmer welcomes the children._]

[Sidenote: The children set out from the shore and meet King Aylmer,]

[_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] Þe children ȝede to Tune Bi dales {and} bi dune. 168 Hy metten wiþ almair king, Crist ȝeue{n} him his blessing, King of West{er}nesse, Crist ȝiue him Muchel blisse. 172

Þe schip biga{n} to flete And horn child forto wepe. Þe children yede to towne Bi dales and bi downe. 168 ++Metten he with aylm{er} king, God him yeue god timing, King of westnesse, God him yeue blisse. 172

¶ Þe ship bigon to fleoten {ant} horn child to weopen. by dales {ant} by dounes þe children eoden to tounes. 168 metten hue Eylmer, þe kyng, c{ri}st him ȝeue god tymyng, kyng of westnesse, c[{ri}]st him myhte blesse. 172

[Sidenote: who greets them kindly and asks their history.]

He him spac to horn child Wordes þat were Mild, “Whannes beo ȝe, faire gumes, Þ{a}t her to londe beoþ icume, 176 Alle þrottene Of bodie swiþe kene? Bigod þ{a}t me makede, A swihc fair verade 180 Ne sauȝ ihc in none stunde Bi westene londe. Seie me wat ȝe seche.”

For he spek to horn child Wordes wel swiþe mild, “We{n}ne be ye, fayre grome, Þat here to londe ben ycome, 176 Alle xiij Of bodi swiþe schene? Bi ih{es}u þat me made, So fayre on ereþ clade, 180 Ne say neu{er}e stonde In al westnesse londe. Sey me wat ye seche.”

he spec to horn child wordes suyþe myld, “whenne be ȝe gomen, þat bueþ her a londe ycomen, 176 alle þrettene of bodye suyþe kene? by god þat me made, so feyr a felaurade 180 ne seh y neuer stonde in westnesse Londe. say me whet ȝe seche.”

Horn spak here speche, 184 He spak for he{m} alle, Vor so hit moste biualle. He was þe faireste {And} of wit þe beste. 188

Horn spak here speche, 184 Hor spak for hem alle, So hit moste by falle, For þat he was fayrest And of witte wisest. 188

horn spec huere speche. 184 ¶ Horn spac for huem alle, for so hit moste byfalle; he wes þe wyseste {ant} of wytte þe beste. 188

[Headnote: _Horn tells his history._]

[Sidenote: Horn tells the king about their adventures,]

¶ “We beoþ of Suddenne, Icome of gode kenne, Of Cristene blode {And} kynges suþe gode. 192 Payns þer gu{n}ne ariue {And} duden hem of lyue. Hi sloȝen {and} to droȝe Cristenemen inoȝe. 196

“We ben of sodenne, ycome{n} of godeme{n}ne, Of c{r}istene blode And of swiþe gode. 192 Paynims þer were riued And broucte{n} men of liue. He slowe and to drowe C{r}istene men hy nowe. 196

“we bueþ of sudenne, ycome of gode kenne, of c{ri}stene blode, of cunne swyþe gode. 192 payenes þer connen aryue {ant} c{ri}stine brohten of lyue, slowen {ant} to drowe c{ri}stinemen ynowe. 196

So crist me mote rede, Vs he dude lede In to a galeie, Wiþ þe se to pleie. 200 Dai hit is igon {and} oþer Wiþute sail {and} roþer.