Part 8

So god me mote rede. Vs he deden lede In to salyley, Wit þe se to pleye. 200 Day igo and oþer Wit ute{n} seyl and roþer.

so c{ri}st me mote rede, ous hy duden lede [Sidenote: [leaf 84, back]] In to a galeye, wiþ þe see to pleye. 200 day is gon {ant} oper wiþ oute seyl {ant} roþer.

[Sidenote: and bids him do his will with them.]

Vre schip bigan to swymme To þis londes brymme. 204 Nu þu miȝt vs slen, {and} binde Vre honde bihynde. Bute ȝef hit beo þi wille, Helpe þ{a}t we ne spille.” 208 ¶ Þanne spak þe gode kyng, I wis he nas no Niþing,

And hure schip swemme gan, And he to londe it wan. 204 Nou men us binde Oure honde{n} us bi hinde{n}, And yf it be þi wille, Help us þat we ne spille.” 208 Þo bispac aylm{er} king, Was he neu{er}e nyþing,

vre ship flet forþ ylome, {ant} her to londe hit ys ycome. 204 Nou þou myht vs slen, {ant} bynde oure honde vs bihynde. ah ȝef hit is þi wille, help vs þ{a}t we ne spille.” 208 ¶ Þo spac þe gode kyng, he nes neuer nyþyng,

[Headnote: _Horn tells his name._]

[Sidenote: Aylmer asks Horn’s name,]

“Seie me, child, what is þi name? Ne schaltu haue bute game.” 212 Þe child him answerde, Sone so he hit herde, “Horn ihc am ihote, Icomen vt of þe bote, 216 Fram þe se side, Kyng, wel mote þe tide.”

“Sey me, child, wat is þi name, Ne schal þe tide bote game.” 212 Þat child him answerede, Sone so hit herde, “Hor hich am hote, Ycome out of þe bote, 216 Fram þe se syde, King, wel þe bityde.”

“sey, child, whet is þy name, shal þe tide bote game.” 212 þe child him onsuerede, so sone he hit yherde, “Horn ycham yhote, ycome out of þis bote, 216 from þe see side, kyng, wel þe bitide.”

[Sidenote: and learning it, puns upon it,]

Þanne hym spak þe gode king, “Wel bruc þu þin eueni{n}g. 220 Horn, þu go wel schulle Bi dales {and} bi hulle.

“++Hon child,” qwad þe king, “Wel brouke þou þi nami{n}g. 220 Horn him goth snille Bi dales an bi hulle;

“horn child,” quoþ þe kyng, “wel brouc þou þy nome ȝyng. 220 horn him goþ so stille bi dales {ant} by hulles.

[Sidenote: predicting that Horn’s fame shall spread like the sound of a horn.]

Horn, þu lude sune Bi dales {and} bi dune. 224 So schal þi name springe Fram kynge to kynge, {And} þi fairnesse Abute West{er}nesse, 228 Þe strengþe of þine honde Into Eurech londe.

And þoruuth eche toune Horn him shilleþ soune. 224 So shal þi name springe Fram kinge to kinge, And þi fayrnesse Þoru out westnesse, 228 And stregþe of þine honde Þoruouth eu{er}ich londe.

horn haþ loude soune þurh out vch a toune. 224 so shal þi nome sp{ri}nge from kynge to kynge, ant þi feirnesse aboute westnesse. 228 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: He then leads Horn home.]

Horn, þu art so swete Ne may ihc þe forlete.” 232 Hom rod Aylmar þe kyng, {And} horn mid him his fundyng {And} alle his ifere, Þ{a}t were him so dere. 236

Horn þu art so swete No schal yþe for lete.” 232 Hom rod him aylm{er} king, And wit horn þe sweting And alle hyse feren, Þat weren lef and dere. 236

horn þou art so suete, ne shal y þe forlete.” 232 Hom rod Aylmer þe kyng, {ant} horn wiþ him, his fundlyng, {ant} alle his yfere, þat him were so duere. 236

[Headnote: _Arrangements for education of the children._]

[Sidenote: The king entrusts Horn to Athelbrus, the steward, charging the latter to give Horn full instruction in hunting, fishing,]

¶ Þe kyng com in to halle Among his kniȝtes alle; Forþ he clupede aþelbrus, Þat was stiward of his hus. 240 “Stiwarde, tak nu here Mi fundlyng for to lere Of þine mest{er}e, Of wude {and} of riu{er}e, 244 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Þe king com in to halle Amo{n}g hise kinctes alle. He bad clepen aybrous, Þe heye stiward of his hous. 240 “Stiward, haue þou here Horn chil for to lere Of þine mestere, [_No gap in MS._ . . . .] Of wode and of felde 244 To riden wel wit shelde.

þe kyng com in to halle among his knyhtes alle. forþ he clepeþ Aþelbrus, his stiward, {ant} him seide þus, 240 “stiward, tac þou here my fundlyng, forto lere of þine mestere, of wode {ant} of ryuere, 244 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: playing the harp, and in serving with the cup.]

{And} tech him to harpe Wiþ his nayles scharpe, 248 Biuore me to kerue {And} of þe cupe serue. Þu tech him of alle þe liste Þat þu eure of wiste. 252

Tech him of þe harpe, Wit his nayles sharpe 248 Biforn me for to harpen, And of þe cuppe seruen, And of alle þe listes Þat þou on erþe vistes. 252

and toggen o þe harpe wiþ is nayles sharpe; 248 and tech him alle þe listes þ{a}t þou euer wystest, byfore me to keruen {ant} of my coupe to seruen. 252

In his feiren þou wise In to oþere s{er}uise. Horn þu vnderuonge {And} tech him of harpe {and} songe.” 256 ¶ Ailbrus gan lere Horn {and} his yfere.

His feren deuise Of oþer seruise. ++Horn child þou vnderfonge; Tech him of harpe and so{n}ge.” 256 And aylbrous gan leren Horn and hise feren.

ant his feren deuyse wiþ ous oþer seruise. horn child þou vnderstond, tech him of harpe {ant} of song.” 256 ¶ Aþelbrus gon leren, horn {ant} hyse feren.

[Headnote: _Rymenhild loves Horn._]

[Sidenote: Horn learns readily and becomes a general favourite.]

Horn in herte laȝte Al þat he him taȝte. 260 In þe curt {and} vte, {And} elles al abute, Luuede men horn child; {And} mest him louede Rymenhild, 264 Þe kynges oȝene dofter. He was mest in þoȝte.

Horn in h{er}te laucte Al þat men him taucte. 260 Wit hine þe curt and wit oute, And alle veie aboute, Men louede{n} alle horn child, And mest him louede rimenild, 264 Þe kinge owne dout{er}. He was eu{er}e in þoute.

horn mid herte lahte al þ{a}t mon him tahte. 260 wiþ inne court {ant} wiþ oute {ant} oueral aboute, Louede men horn child; {ant} most him louede rymenyld, 264 Þe kynges oune dohter, for he wes in hire þohte.

[Sidenote: Rymenhild falls passionately in love with him,]

Heo louede so horn child, Þat neȝ heo gan wexe wild; 268 For heo ne miȝte at borde Wiþ him speke no worde, Ne noȝt in þe halle Amo{n}g þe kniȝtes alle, 272 Ne nowhar in non oþ{er}e stede, Of folk heo hadde drede, Bi daie ne bi niȝte, Wiþ him speke ne miȝte. 276 Hire soreȝe ne hire pine Ne miȝte neure fine. In heorte heo hadde wo, {And} þus hire biþoȝte þo. 280

So hye louede horn child, Þat hye wex al wild. 268 Hye ne micte on borde Wit horn speken no worde, Noþer in þe halle Among þe kinctes alle, 272 Ne nower i{n} no stede, For for folc þer was so meche. Hire sorwe and hire pyne Nolde he neu{er}e fine. 276 Bi day ne bi nicte Wit him speke ne micte. In h{er}te hye haue kare and wo; Þus he hire bi þoucte þo. 280

hue louede hi{m} in hire mod, for he wes feir {ant} eke god. 268 {ant} þah hue ne dorste at bord mid hi{m} speke ner a word, ne in þe halle among þe knyhtes alle, 272 hyre sorewe ant hire pyne nolde neuer fyne bi daye ne by nyhte, for hue speke ne myhte 276 wiþ horn þ{a}t wes so feir {ant} fre, þo hue ne myhte wiþ him be. In herte hue hade care {ant} wo, {ant} þ{us} hue biþohte hire þo. 280

[Sidenote: and sends to Athelbrus.]

Heo sende hire sonde Aþelbrus to honde, Þ{a}t he come hire to, {And} also scholde horn do 284 Al in to bure, ffor heo ga{n} to lure. {And} þe sonde seide Þ{a}t sik lai þ{a}t maide, 288 {And} bad him come swiþe For heo nas noþing bliþe.

He sende hire sonde Aylbrous to honde. And be, he schold hire come{n} to, And also scholde horn do 284 In to hire boure, For hye gan to loure. And ysonde seyde Wel riche was þe mede, 288 And bed him come{n} swiþe, For hye nas naut bliþ.

Hue sende hyre sonde Athelbrus to honde, [Sidenote: [leaf 85]] þat he come hue to, {ant} also shulde horn do 284 in to hire boure, for hue bigon to loure. {ant} þe sonde sayde þ{a}t seek wes þe mayde, 288 {ant} bed him come suyþe, for hue nis nout blyþe.

[Sidenote: Rymenhild bids Athelbrus bring Horn to her bower,]

Þe stuard was in herte wo, For he nuste what to do. 292 Wat Rymenhild hure þoȝte, Gret wunder him þuȝte. Abute horn þe ȝonge To bure for to bringe, 296

Þe stiward was i{n} h{er}te wo, He ne wiste wat he micte do. 292 Wat reymnyld wroute, Mikel wond{er} him þoute. Abote horn þe ȝenge To boure for to bringe, 296

¶ Þe stiward wes in huerte wo, for he nuste whet he shulde do. 292 what rymenild bysohte, gret wonder him þohte, aboute horn þe ȝinge to boure forte bringe. 296

[Headnote: _Athelbrus brings Athulf to bower._]

[Sidenote: but he, fearing some evil consequence, takes Athulf instead.]

He þoȝte upon his mode Hit nas for none gode. He tok him anoþer, Athulf, hornes broþer. 300

He þoucte on his mode Hit nas for none gode. He tok wit him anoþer, Þat was hornes wed broþer. 300

he þohte on is mode hit nes for none gode. he tok wiþ him an oþer, aþulf, hornes broþer. 300

¶ “Aþulf,” he sede, “riȝt anon Þu schalt wiþ me to bure gon, To speke wiþ Rymenhild stille {And} witen hure wille. 304 In hornes ilike Þu schalt hure biswike. Sore ihc me ofdrede He wolde horn misrede.” 308

“Ayol,” he seyde, “ryt anon Þou shalt wit me to boure gon, To speke wit reymyld stille And witen al hire wille. 304 In hornes ylyche Þou schalt hir{e} bi swike. Wel sore y me of drede Þat hye wile horn mis rede.” 308

“Athulf,” quoþ he, “ryht anon þou shalt wiþ me to boure gon, to speke wiþ rymenild stille, to wyte hyre wille. 304 þou art hornes yliche, þou shalt hire by suyke; sore me adrede þ{a}t hue wole horn mys rede.” 308

[Headnote: _Reception of Athulf._]

[Sidenote: Athelbrus and Athulf go to Rymenhild’s bower, and Rymenhild, mistaking Athulf for Horn, embraces him]

Aþelbrus gan Aþulf lede {And} in to bure wiþ him ȝede. Anon vpon Aþulf child Rymenhild gan wexe wild. 312 He we{n}de þ{a}t horn hit were Þ{a}t heo hauede þere. Heo sette him on bedde, Wiþ Aþulf child he wedde. 316 On hire armes tweie Aþulf heo gan leie.

Aylbrous, and ayol hi{m} myde, Boþe he to bour{e} ȝede. Opon ayol childe Reymyld was naut wilde. 312 Hye wende horn hit were Þat hye hadde þere. Hye sette him on bedde, With ayol he gan wedde. 316 In hire armes tweye Ayol he gan leye.

Athelbrus {ant} Athulf bo to hire boure beþ ygo. vpon Athulf childe rymenild con waxe wilde. 312 hue wende horn it were þ{a}t hue hade þere. hue seten adoun stille ant seyden hure wille. 316 In hire armes tueye Athulf he con leye.

[Sidenote: and declares her love.]

“Horn,” q{ua}þ heo, “wel longe Ihc habbe þe luued st{r}onge. 320 Þu schalt þi trewþe pliȝte On myn hond her riȝte, Me to spuse holde, {And} ihc þe lord to wolde.” 324 ¶ Aþulf sede on hire ire, So stille so hit were,

“Horn,” hye seyde, “so longe Ich habbe yloued þe stronge. 320 Þou schalt me treuþe plyȝte In mine honde wel ryhcte, Me to spouse welde, And ich þe louerd to helde.” 324 And seyde in hire here, So stille so it were,

“horn,” quoþ he, “wel longe y haue loued þe stronge; 320 þou shalt þy treuþe plyhte in myn hond wiþ ryhte, me to spouse welde, {ant} ich þe louerd to helde.” 324 so stille so hit were athulf seyde in hire eere,

[Sidenote: Athulf discloses his identity, and bids her desist.]

[_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] “Þi tale nu þu lynne, For horn nis noȝt her in{n}e.

“Ne te þou more speche, Su{m} ma{n} þe wile bi keche. 328 Þi tale bi gyn to lynne, For horn nis nouth heri{n}ne.

“ne tel þou no more speche, may, y þe by seche. 328 þi tale gyn þou lynne, for horn nis nout her ynne.

[Sidenote: Athulf declares himself in every way inferior to Horn, and his unwillingness to deceive.]

Ne beo we noȝt iliche, Horn is fairer {and} riche, 332 Fairer bi one ribbe Þane eni Man þ{a}t libbe. Þeȝ horn were vnder Molde, Oþ{er} elles wher he wolde, 336 Oþer henne a þuse{n}d Mile, Ihc nolde him ne þe bigile.” ¶ Rymenhild hire biwente, {And} Aþelbrus fule heo schente. 340

Horn his fayr and riche, Be we naut yliche, 332 Fayror hond{er} ribbe Þan onyman þat libbe. Þei horn were hond{er} molde Oþer elles qwere e wolde, 336 Hanne ou{er} a þousond mile, Ne schulde ich him bigile.” Reymyld hire bi wende, Þe stiward sone he schende. 340

ne be we nout yliche, for horn is fayr {ant} ryche, 332 fayrore by one ribbe þen ani mon þat libbe. þah horn were vnder molde, {ant} oþer elle wher he sholde, 336 hennes a þousent milen, y nulle him bigilen.” ¶ rymenild hire by wente, ant Athelbrus þus heo shende, 340

[Headnote: _Rymenhild rages at Athelbrus._]

[Sidenote: Rymenhild storms at Athelbrus, and drives him from the bower.]

“He{n}nes þu go, þu fule þeof, Ne wurstu me neure more leof Went vt of my bur, Wiþ muchel mesauenteur. 344 Schame mote þu fonge {And} on hiȝe rode anhonge. Ne spek ihc noȝt wiþ horn, Nis he noȝt so vnorn. 348 Hor[n] is fairer þane beo he, Wiþ muchel schame mote þu deie.”

“Aylbrous, þu foule þef, Ne worstu me neu{er}e lef. Wend out of mi bour{e}, Wyt muchel mesaue{n}ture. 344 Heuele ded mote þou fonge And on heuele rode on honge. Spak ich nou with horn, His he nowt me biforn. 348 He his fayror of liue; Wend out he{n}ne bilyue.”

“Aþelbrus, þou foule þef, ne worþest þou me neuer lef. went out of my boure, shame þe mote by shoure, 344 ant euel hap to vnderfonge {ant} euele rode on to honge. Ne speke y nout wiþ horne, nis he nout so vnorne. 348 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[Headnote: _Athelbrus promises to bring Horn._]

¶ Aþelbrus in a stunde Fel anon to grunde. 352 “Lefdi, Min oȝe, Liþe me a litel þroȝe.

Þo aylbrous a stounde On kneus fel to grunde. 352 “A, leuedy, min howe, Lyþe a litel þrowe.

¶ Þo Athelbrus astounde fel aknen to grounde. 352 “ha, leuedy, myn owe, me lyþe a lutel þrowe,

[Sidenote: Athelbrus explains his fears,]

Lust whi ihc wonde Bringe þe horn to honde. 356 For horn is fair {and} riche, Nis no whar his iliche. Aylmar, þe gode kyng, Dude him on mi lokyng. 360

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .] To bringe þe horn to honde. 356 Horn hys fayr and riche, His no man hys liche, And aylm{er}, þe gode king, Dede him in Mi loking. 360

ant list were fore ych wonde to bringen horn to honde. 356 for horn is fayr {ant} riche, nis non his ylyche. Aylmer þe gode kyng dude him me in lokyng. 360

Ȝef horn were her abute, Sore y me dute Wiþ him ȝe wolden pleie Bitwex ȝou selue tweie. 364 Þa{n}ne scholde wiþuten oþe Þe kyng maken vs wroþe.

Ȝyf horn þe were aboute, Wel sore ich me doute Þat ye schulde{n} pleye Bitwen hou one tweye. 364 Þan scholde wit oute{n} oþe Þe king hus maken wroþe.

Ȝif horn þe were aboute, sore ich myhte doute wiþ him þou woldest pleye bituene ou seluen tueye. 364 þenne shulde wiþ outen oþe þe kyng vs make wroþe.

[Sidenote: but asks Rymenhild’s forgiveness, and promises to bring Horn in all events.]

Rymenhild, forȝef me þi tene, Lefdi, my quene, 368 And horn ihc schal þe fecche, Wham so hit recche.”

For ȝyf me þi tene, My leuedi and my quene, 368 And horn ich wolle feche, Wam so hit eu{er}e reche.”

[Sidenote: [leaf 85, back]] Ah, forȝef me þi teone, my leuedy Ant my quene. 368 Horn y shal þe fecche, wham so hit yrecche.”

[Sidenote: Rymenhild is glad, and bids him bring Horn as a squire.]

¶ Rymenhild, ȝef he cuþe, Gan lynne wiþ hire Muþe. 372 Heo makede hire wel bliþe Wel was hire þ{a}t siþe.

Reymyld, ȝyf hye cowþe, Gan leyhe wyt hire mouþe. 372 Hye lowe and makede blyþe Wel was hire swiþe.

rymenild, ȝef heo couþe, con lyþe wiþ hyre mouþe. 372 heo loh {ant} made hire blyþe, for wel wes hyre olyue.

“Go nu,” q{ua}þ heo, “sone, {And} send him aft{er} none 376 Whane þe kyng arise, On a squieres wise. To wude for to pleie. Nis no{n} þ{a}t him biwreie; 380 He schal wiþ me bileue Til hit beo nir eue, To hauen of him mi wille. Aft{er} ne recchecche what me telle.” 384

“Go,” hye seyde, “sone, And bring him aft{er} none, 376 In a sq{u}ieres wise, Wan þe king aryse. He wende forþ to horne; Ne wolde sche him werne. 380 “He schal mid me bi leue Til hyt be ner heue. Had ich of hym my wille, Ne reche y wat men telle.” 384

“go þon,” quoþ heo, “sone, {ant} send him after none, 376 a skuyeres wyse, when þe king aryse. [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . .] 380 he shal myd me bileue þ{a}t hit be ner eue. haue ich of hi{m} mi wille, ne recchi whet men telle.” 384

[Headnote: _Athelbrus invites Horn to Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: Athelbrus finds Horn in hall, serving the king.]

¶ Aylbrus wende hire fro; Horn in halle fond he þo, Bifore þe kyng on benche, Wyn for to schenche. 388 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .]

Aylbrous fram boure wende, Horn i{n} halle he fonde, Bi forn þe king abenche, Red win to schenche, 388 And aft{er} mete stale, Boþe win and ale.

¶ Athelbrus goþ wiþ alle; horn he fond in halle, bifore þe kyng o benche, wyn forte shenche. 388 [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: He bids him go to Rymenhild’s bower, at the same time urging him to be discreet.]

“Horn,” q{ua}þ he, “so hende, To bure nu þu wende, 392 Aft{er} mete stille, Wiþ Rymenhild to duelle. Wordes suþe bolde In herte þu hem holde. 396

“Horn,” he seyde, “so hende, To bour{e} þo most wende, 392 Aft{er} mete stille, _wit_ With reymild to dwelle. Wordes swiþe bolde In h{er}te gon þu holde. 396

“Horn,” quoþ he, “þou hende, to boure gyn þou wende, 392 to speke wiþ rymenild þe ȝynge, dohter oure kynge, wordes suyþe bolde; þin horte gyn þou holde. 396

Horn, beo me wel trewe; Ne schal hit þe neure rewe.” Horn in herte leide Al þ{a}t he him seide. 400 He ȝeode in wel riȝte To Rymenhild þe briȝte.

Hor, be me wel trewe; Ne schal it þe nouth rewe.” [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . . . .] 400 ++Horn him we{n}de forþricte To reymyld þe brycte.

Horn, be þou me trewe, shal þe nout arewe.” [_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . . . .] 400 He eode forþ to ryhte to rymenild þe bryhte.

[Headnote: _Rymenhild’s reception of Horn._]

[Sidenote: Horn greets Rymenhild with fair words.]