Chapter 11

++Perseuerancia hatte an hali mihte. Hie nis naht [f. 48v] to laten for ðan hie makeð ðanne man ðe godd `h´is. to sant [þ/] he þurwuneð on his godnesse. On ðare ealde la[gh]e hit was i[h]oten [þ/] alle dier. ðe me gode scolde offrin þat hie lokeden wel ðat ðe tail ware on auriche netene. Þat tocneð ðat ilke mann ðe gode ani seruise {130} offreð. þat he þar on þur[gh]wunie[.] on ðessere newe la[gh]e sade crist. _Qvi p{er}seuerauerit usq{ue} in finem hic saluus erit._ Se {ð}ur[gh] wuneð on his godnesse ðe he hafð agunnen he worð ibor[gh]en [&] naht elles for none gode þe he don hafð. hwat `hwat´ it is.

[Linenotes: 128. _ihoten_] _io_ corr. by erasure. || 129. Before _ðe_, _ðe_ erased. || 132. On margin {Ew}angelista in red. || 133. _ður[gh]_] _dur[gh]_ MS. || 134. _`hwat´_ on erasure.]

+Ratio dicit a{n}i{m}e :+ {135}

++Lieue `saule´, ðis little writt ic `habbe´ sare beswonken he it wat [þ/] wot alle þing for ðe to wissin. for ðe to warnin. [&] for ðe to helpen [&] for ðe to ber[gh]in. {[gh]}if ðu wilt wel hit understonden [&] liernin [&] fol[gh]in [&] [h]ealden wið{}uten alche twene þu miht mid godes felste ðe ber[gh]en [&] heuneriches merchþe mid þese halie mihtes sike`r´liche {140} iwinnen.

[Linenotes: 136. _habbe_ above _write_ deleted. || 137. _[þ/]_] _[þ/][a.]_ MS. || 138. _[gh]if_] _Gif_ MS. || 139. _alche_] _c_ corr. out of _l_.]

+N{un}c autor loq{ui}t{ur} final{ite}r.+

++Hvte we nu þ`a´nkin [&] herien ure hlauerde almihtin gode of ðese witte and of ðese wisdome. ðe we hier habbeð igadered of `h´ishorde. [&] of mani[gh]es [f. 49r] hali[gh]es mannes [gh]eswinkes þe michel {145} sw`u´nken for ðe luue of gode. [&] for us to wissin. Hit is riht ðat we heri[gh]en [&] þankin [&] bledscin fader [&] sune [&] hali gast on ða hali þri{n}nesse. se ðe is on soð godd in onnesse. se ðe l`i´ueð [&] rixeð aure ma a woreld. amen. Ðat ne for[gh]eit ðu naure. þat ðu godd ne heri[gh]e. [&] þanke of alle gode. Alswa swa we habbeð niede him to bidden be {150} dai[gh] [&] be nihte. [&] ofte [&] [gh]elome alswa hit is niede{;} him to heri[gh]en. Amen.

_Veni creator sp{iritu}s mentes tuor{um} uisita implet sup{er}na gr{aci}a que tu creasti p`e´ctora._

[Linenotes: 142. _þankin_] _a_ over _[e.]_. || 146. _swunken_] _u_ over _[i.]_. || 148. _liueð_] _i_ over _[e.]_. || 149. _for[gh]eit_] _i_ over erasure.]

[[142: error for 143]]

XIV. LA[Gh]AMON

THE BRUT

[[MS description from Notes volume:

"i. Cotton Caligula A 9, British Museum (C); on vellum, 216 × 153 mm.; 192 folios in double columns of 32 to 34 lines, written by two scribes in the first quarter of the thirteenth century. It is bound up with another manuscript containing the Owl and the Nightingale and other pieces.

"ii. Cotton Otho C 13, British Museum (O); injured in the fire of 1731; on vellum; 145 folios in double columns of 38 lines; written in one hand, of the third quarter of the thirteenth century.

".... Mistakes common to both versions have been derived from an intermediate manuscript X."]]

(MS. Caligula)

(MS. Otho)

[[In the original text, line numbers were printed only on the MS. Caligula pages. Numbers have been added to MS. Otho when needed to identify linenotes.]]

Vnder þan comen tiðende{;} to vortiger þan kinge. [f. 81r² [þ/] ouer sæ weoren icumen{;} swiðe selcuðe gumen. Jnne þere Temese{;} to londe heo weore{n} icu{m}men. þreo scipen gode{;} comen mid þan flode. þreo hundred cnihten{;} Alse hit weoren kinges. 5 wið{}uten þan scipen mo{n}nen{;} þe weoren þer wið{}inne{n}. þis weoren þa færeste men{;} þat auere her comen. Ah heo weore hæðene{;} [þ/] wes hærm þa mare.

vnder þan com t[.y]dinge : to vortiger þan kinge. [f. 65v¹ þat ouer séé weren icome{;} swiþe selliche gomes. þreo sipes gode{;} i{}come were mid þan flode þar{}on þreo hundred cnihtes{;} alse hit were kempes. þes weren þe faireste men þat euere come here. ac hii weren heþene þat was har[m] þe more.

Uortiger heom sende to{;} And axede hu heo weoren idon. [Gh]if heo grið sohten{;} [&] of his freond{}scipe rohte{n}. 10 heo wisliche and{}swerden{;} Swa heo wel cuðen. [&] seiden [þ/] heo walden{;} speken wið þan kinge. [&] Leofliche him heren{;} [&] hælden hine for hærre. And swa heo gunnen wenden{;} fforð to þan kinge. Þa wes Uortigerne þa ki{n}g{;} In Cantuarie{}buri. 15 þer he mid his hirede{;} Hæhliche spilede. þer þas cnihtes come{n}{;} Bi{}fore{n} þan folc{}kinge. Sone swa heo | hine imetten{;} fæire heo hine igrætten. [f. 81v¹ [&] seiden þat heo him wolden{;} hæren iþisse londe. [gh]if he heom wolde{;} mid rihten at{}halden. 20 Þa and{}swerede vortig{er}{;} of elchen vuele he wes war. An alle mine iliue{;} þe ich iluued habbe. bi dæie no bi nihtes{;} ne sæh ich nauere ær swulche cnihtes. for eouwer cume{n} ich æm bliðe{;} [&] mid me [gh]e sculle{n} bilæfuen. [&] eouwer wille ich wulle dri[gh]en{;} bi mine quicke liuen. 25

[Linenote: 25. _bimi ne_ MS.]

þeos comen to þan kinge and faire hine grette. and seide þat hii wolde{;} him sarui in his lo{n}de [gh]if vs þou wolle{;} mid rihte at{}holde. þo answerede vortiger{;} þat of eche vuele he was war. In al mine lifue{;} þat ich ileued habbe{;} Bi dai no bi nihte{;} Ne seh ich soche cnihtes. for [gh]ou ich ham bliþe{;} and mid me [gh]e solle bi{}lefue.

Ah of eou ich wulle iwiten{;} þurh soðen eouwer wurð{}scipen. whæt cnihte{n} [gh]e seon{;} [&] whænnenen [gh]e icumen beon. [&] whar [gh]e wullen beon treowe{;} alde [&] æc neowe. þa answerede þe oðer{;} þat wes þe aldeste broðer. lust me nu lauerd king{;} [&] ich þe wullen cuðen. 30 what cnihtes we beoð{;} [&] whanene we icumen seoð.

[Linenote: 27. _whæt_] _whahæt_ MS.]

Ac forst ich wolle wite{;} for [gh]oure mochele worsipe. wat cnihtes | beo [gh]eo{;} and wanene [gh]eo i{}comen beo. [f. 65v² þo answerede þe oþer{;} þat was þe elder broþer.

++Ich hatte he{n}ges{;} hors is mi broðer. we beoð of alemai{n}ne{;} aðelest alre londe. of þat ilken ænde{;} þe angles is ihaten. Beoð in ure londe{;} selcuðe tiðende. 35 vmbe fiftene [gh]er{;} þat folc hi[s] isomned. Al ure iledene folc{;} [&] heore loten werpeð. vppen þan þe hit fal[l]ed{;} he scal uaren of londe. Bilæuen scul | len þa fiue{;} þa sexte scal forð liðe. [f. 81v² ut of þan leode{;} to u[n]cuðe londe. 40

[Linenotes: 36. _his_] _h[-i]_ MS. || 38. _falled_] _faled_ MS.]

Ich hatte Hengest{;} Hors hatte min broþer. we beoþ of Alemaine{;} of one riche londe. of þan ilke hende þat Ænglis his ihote. Beoþ in vre londe wonder þenges gonde. bi eche fiftene [gh]er. þat folk his i{}somned. And werpeþ þare hire lotes{;} fo[r] to londes seche. v{p} wan þat lot falleþ{;} he mot neod wende. 38

[Linenote: 38. _vp_] _vt_ MS.]

Ne beo he na swa leof mon{;} uorð he scal liðen. For þer is folc swiðe muchel{;} mære þene heo walden. þa wif færeð mid childe{;} swa þe deor wilde. Æueralche [gh]ere{;} heo bereð child þere{;} [þ/] beoð an us feole{;} þat we færen scolden. 45 Ne mihte we bilæue{;} for liue ne for dæðe. Ne for nauer nane þinge{;} for þan folc{}kinge.

Ne beo he noht so riche{;} he mot lond seche. For{}þe wifues goþ þare mid childe{;} alse þe deor wilde. bi euereche [gh]ere{;} hii goþ mid childe þere. Þat lot on vs ful{;} þat we faren solde. Ne moste we bi{}lefue{;} for life ne for deaþe.

þus we uerden þere{;} [&] for{}þi beoð nu here. to sechen vnder lu{f}te{;} lond [&] godne lauerd. Nu þu hæfuest iherd lauerd ki[n]g{;} Soð of us þurh alle þi[n]g. 50 Þa a{n}swarede vortiger{;} of alc an vfele he wes war. Ich ileue þe cniht{;} [þ/] þu me sugge soð{}riht. [&] wulche beoð æoure ileuen{;} [þ/] [gh]e on ileueð. [&] eoure leofue godd{;} þe [gh]e to luted. þa and{}swarede Hænges{;} cnihtene alre fæirest. 55 Nis in al þis kine{}lond{;} cniht swa muchel ne swa strong.

[Linenotes: 49. _luste_ MS. || 56. _muchel_ over erasure.]

þus hit fareþ þere{;} þar{}fore we beoþ nou here. Nou þou hauest ihord louerd king{;} soþ of vs and no lesing. þo saide vortiger þat was wis and swiþe war. And woche beoþ [gh]oure biléue{;} þat [gh]eo an bi{}léfeþ.

We habbeð gode`s´ gode{;} þe we luuieð an ure mode. þa we habbeð hope to{;} [&] heoreð heom mid mihte. Þe an hæhte phebus{;} þe oðer Saturn{us}. þe þridde hæhte wode{n}{;} [þ/] is an weoli godd. 60 þe feorðe hæh | [te] Jupit{er}{;} of alle þi{n}ge he is whar. [f. 82r¹ þe fifte hæhte Mercuri{us}{;} þat {i}s þe hæhste ouer us. þæ sæxte hæhte appollin{;} [þ/] is a godd wel idon.

[Linenotes: 58. _mid mid_ MS. || _is_] _us_ MS.]

We habbeþ godes gode{;} þe we louieð in mode. þe on hatte phebus{;} þe oþer Saturnus þe þri[d]de hatte Woden{;} þat was a mihti þing. þe feorþe hatte Jubiter of alle þinges He his war. | þe fifþe hatte Merchuri{us}{;} þat his þe hehest ouer vs. [f. 66r¹ þe sixte hatte appolin{;} þat his a god of gret win.

[Linenote: 63. _þe_] _e_ partly destroyed.]

þe seoueðe hatte teruagant{;} an hæh godd in ure lon. [Gh]et we habbeð anne læuedi{;} þe hæh is [&] mæhti. 65 heh heo is [&] hali{;} hired{}men heo luuieð for{}þi. heo js ihate Frææ{;} wel heo heom dihteð. Ah for alle ure goden deore{;} þa we scullen hæren.

[Linenotes: 64. _seoðueðe_ MS. || _dihteð_] _ð_ corr. out of _s_.]

þe soueþe hatte Teruagant{;} an heh god in vre lond. [Gh]et we habbeþ an leafdi{;} þat heh his and mihti. [gh]eo his i{}hote frea. heredmen hire louieþ. To alle þeos godes we worsipe wercheþ. And for hire loue{;} þeos da[gh]es we heom [gh]efue. Mone we [gh]efue moneda[.y]. T[.y]dea we [gh]efue tisdei.

Woden hehde þa hæhste la[gh]e{;} an ure ælderne dæ[gh]en. he heom wes leof{;} æfne al swa heore lif. 70 he wes heore walden{;} And heom wurðscipe duden. þene feorðe dæi iþere wike{;} heo [gh]ifuen him to wurðscipe. Þa þunre heo [gh]iuen þu{n}res dæi{;} for{}þi þat heo heom helpen mæi. Freon heore læfdi{;} heo [gh]iuen hire fridæi. Saturnus heo [gh]iuen sætterdæi{;} þene sunne heo [gh]iuen sonedæi. 75 Monen heo [gh]ifuen mone{}dæi{;} Tidea heo [gh]euen tis{}dæi.

[Linenote: 76. _Monenen heo [gh]ifuenen_ MS.]

Woden we [gh]efue wendesdei. Þane þonre we [gh]efue þorisdai. Frea þane frida[.y]. Saturnus þane sateresdai.

þus seide hæ[n]gest{;} cnihten alre hendest. Þa answerede vortig{er}{;} of ælchen vfel he wæs wær. Cnihtes [gh]e beoð me leofue{;} ah þas tiðende me beoð laðe. eouwer ileuen beoð vnwraste{;} [Gh]e ne ileoueð noht an criste. | 80 Ah [gh]e ileoueð a þene wurse{;} þe godd seolf awariede. [f. 82r² eoure godes ne beoð nohtes{;} In helle heo niðer liggeð.

[Linenotes: 80. _ileuen_ written over _ilauerd_ deleted. || _cristre_ MS.]

þus saide Hengest{;} cniht alre hendest. þo answerede vortiger{;} of alle harme he was war. Cnihtes [gh]eo beoþ me leofue{;} ac [gh]oure bilefues me beoþ loþe.

Ah neoðeles ich wulle eou at{}hælde{;} An mine anwalde. for norð Beoð þa Peohtes{;} swiðe ohte cnihtes. þe ofte ledeð in mine londe{;} ferde swiðe stronge. 85 [&] ofte dod me muchele scome{;} [&] þerfore ich habbe grome. [&] [gh]if [gh]e me wulleð wræken{;} [&] heore hæfden me bi[gh]eten. Ich eou wullen [gh]euen lond{;} muchel seolueR [&] gold. Þa andswerede hængest{;} cnihtene alre feirest. [Gh]if hit wulle saturnus{;} al hit scal iwurðe þus. 90 [&] Woden ure lauerd{;} þe we on bi{}liueð.

[Linenote: 86. _me_] _e_ corr. out of _u_.]

Ac ich wolle ou at{}holde{;} in min anwolde. For norþ beoþ þe peutes{;} swiþe ohte cnihtes. þat ofte doþ me same{;} and þar{}vore ich habbe grame. And [gh]ef [gh]e wolleþ me wreke{;} of [hire] wiþere dedes{;} Ich [gh]ou wolle [gh]eue{;} [gh]eftes swiþe deore. þo saide Hengest{;} al hit sal iworþe þus.

Hengest no{m} læue{;} [&] to scipen gon liðe. þer wes moni cniht strong{;} heo dro[gh]en heore scipe{n} uppe þe lo{n}d. forð wenden dringches{;} to vortigerne þan kenge. Biuoren wende hengest{;} [&] hors him alre hændest. 95

[Linenote: 93. _uppe_ on an erasure.]

Hengest nam lefue{;} and to sipe gan wende. And al hire | godes{;} hii beore to londe. [f. 66r²

Seoððen þa alemainisce men{;} þa aðele weore{n} an deden. [&] seoððen heo senden him to{;} heore sæxisce cnihtes wel idon. hengestes cunnesmen{;} of his aldene cudðe. heo comen in to halle{;} hændeliche alle. Bett weoren iscrudde{;} [&] bed weoren iuædde. 100 hængest | swaine{;} þene vortigernes. þeines. [f. 82v¹ þa wes vortigernes hired{;} for hehne ihalden. Bruttes weoren særi{;} for swulchere isihðe. Nes hit nawiht longe{;} þat ne comen to þan kinge. Cnihtes sunen uiue{;} þa i{}faren hafden biliue. 105 heo sæiden to þan kinge{;} neowe tiðe{n}den.

[Linenotes: 100. _Bett_ corr. out of _Bette_. || 102. _ihalden[d.][e.]_ MS.]

Forþ hii wende alle{;} to vortiger his halle. Bed weren i{}scrud{;} and bet weren ived. Hengestes sweines{;} þane vortiger his cnihtes. 101 Bruttes weren sori{;} for þan ilke sihte. Nas noht longe{;} þat ne come t[.y]dinge.

[Linenote: 101. _swenise_ MS.]

nu forð{}rihtes{;} Icume{n} beoð þa peohtes. þurh þi lond heo ærneð{;} [&] hær[gh]ieð [&] berneð. [&] al þene norð ænde{;} iuald to þa{n} gru{n}de. her{}of þu most ræden{;} oðer all we beoð dæden. 110 Þe king hine bi{}þohte{;} whæt he don mihte. he sende to þan innen{;} after al his monnen þer com hengest þer com hors{;} þer com m{a}ni mon ful oht. þer come{n} þa saxisce men{;} hengestes cunnes{}men. [&] þa Alemainisce cnihtes{;} þe beoð gode to fihte. 115

þat þo forþ{}rihtes icomen were þe peutes. Oueral þin lond hii erneþ{;} and sleaþ þin folk and bearneþ. and alle þane norþ ende{;} hii falleþ to þan gru{n}de. her{}of þou most reade{;} oþer alle we beoþ deade. Þe king sende his sonde{;} to þeos cnihtes hinne. þat hii swiþe sone to him seolue come. þar com Hengest and his broþer{;} and manian oþer.

þis isæh þe king vortiger{;} bliðe wes he þa þer. Þa peohtes duden heore iwune{;} a þas hælf þere humbre. heo weoren icume. [&] þe king VortigeR{;} of heore cume wes ful war. To{}gadere heo comen{;} [&] feole þer of{}slo[gh]en. þer wes feht swide strong{;} Comp swiðe sturne. 120

þat þe king vortiger{;} bliþe was þo þer. Þe Peutes dude hire wone{;} a þis half vmbre hii were icome. And þe king vortiger{;} of hire come was war. To{}gadere hii comen{;} and manie þar of{}slo[gh]en.

Þe Peohtes weoren ofte{}iwuned{;} [f. 82v² Vortige[r]ne to ou{er} | cumen. [&] þa heo þohten a[l]swa{;} Ah hit ilomp an oðer þa. for hit wes heom al hele{;} þat hængest wes þere. [&] þa cnihtes stronge{;} þe comen of saxelo{n}de. [&] þa ohte alemanisce{;} þe þider comen mid horse. 125 Swiðe monie peohtes{;} heo slo[gh]en iþan fehte. feondliche heo fuhten{;} feollen þa fæie.

[Linenotes: 113. _muni_ MS. || 116. _þa þa_ MS.]

þe peutes weren ofte iwoned{;} vortiger to ouercome. And þo iþohten al so{;} ac hit bi{}ful oþerweies þo. for hii hadde mochel care{;} for Hengest was þare. for swiþe manie peutes{;} hii slo[gh]en in þan fihte.

Þa þe non wes icumen{;} þa weoren Peohtes ouer{}cumen. [&] swuðe heo awæi flo[gh]en{;} an ælche helue heo forð flu[gh]en. [&] alle dai heo flu[gh]en{;} monie [&] vnnifo[gh]e. 130 Þe king vortigerne{;} wende to herberwe. [&] æuere him weore{n} on{}uast{;} Hors [&] hængest. Hængest wes þan kinge leof{;} [&] him lindesa[gh]e [gh]ef. and he [gh]æf horse{;} madmes ino[gh]e. [&] alle heore cnihtes{;} he swiðe wel dihte. 135 [&] hit gode stu{n}de{;} stod a þan ilke.

[Linenote: 133. _leof{;} [&] him linde_ over an erasure.]

þo þat non was icome{;} þo were Peutes ouer{}come. And swiþe hii awey | flo[gh]e. on euereche side. [f. 66v¹ and vortiger þe king{;} wende a[gh]en to his hin. and to hengest an his cnihtes he [gh]ef riche [gh]eftes.

Ne durste nauere peohtes{;} cumen i þan londes. no ræueres no utla[gh]en{;} [þ/] heo neoren sone of{}slæ[gh]en. [&] hængest swiðe fæire{;} herede þane king. Þa ilo{m}p hit in ane time{;} [þ/] þe king wes swiðe bliðe. 140 An ane hæ[gh]e dæie{;} imong his du[gh]eðe monnen. Hengest hine bi{}þohte{;} what he don mihte. for he wolde wið þan ki{n}ge{;} holde{n} | runi{n}ge. [f. 83r¹ þan kinge he eode to{;} foren{;} [&] fæire hine gon greten. Þe king sone up stod{;} [&] sætte hine bi him seoluen. 145 heo drunken heo dremden{;} blisse wes among heom.

[Linenotes: 137. _peohtestes_ MS. || _gon[d.][e.]_ MS. || 146. _heo[n.] dremden_ MS.]

Ne dorste neuere peutes{;} come in þisse londe. þat hii nere sone of{}sla[gh]e{;} and idon of lifda[gh]e. and Hengest swiþe hendeliche{;} cwemde þan kinge. Þo hit bi{}ful in on time{;} þat þe king was swiþe bliþe. 140 Hengest wolde wiþ þan kinge{;} holde rouni{n}g. þane kinge he come bi{}vore and faire hine grette.

[Linenote: 140. After _þe_, _[r.]e[n.]_ MS.]

Þa queð hengest to þan kinge{;} lauerd hærcne tiðende. [&] ich þe wulle ræcchen{;} deorne runen. [gh]if þu mine lare{;} wel wult lusten. [&] noht halden to wraððe{;} þat ich wel leare. 150 þe king answarede{;} swa henges hit wolde. Þa sæide hængest{;} cnihten alre fæirest. lauerd ich habbe moni a dæi{;} þine monscipe ihæ[gh]ed. [&] þin holde mon ibeo{n}{;} i richen þine hirede. [&] in ælche fæhte{;} hæhst of þine cnihte{n}. 155

Þo saide hengest to þan kinge{;} louerd hercne t[.y]dinge. And ich þe wolle telle{;} of deorne rouni{n}ges. [gh]ef þou mine lore wel wolt i{}hure. And noht holde to wraþþe{;} [gh]ef ich þe wel leore. And þe king answerede{;} alse Hengest hit wolde.

[&] ich habbe ofte ihærd{;} hohfulle ronen. Imong þine hired{}monnen{;} heo hatieð þe swiðe. In to þan bare dæðe{;} [gh]if heo hit dursten cuðe. Ofte heo stilleliche spækeð{;} [&] spilieð mid runen. of twam [gh]u{n}ge monnen{;} þat feor wunieð hennen. 160 þe an hæhte VtheR{;} þe oðer ambrosie. þe þridde hæhte Co[n]stance{;} þes wes king i þisse `lond´. [&] he her wes of{}sla[gh]en{;} þurh swicfulle la[gh]en.

[Linenotes: 156. _ronenen_ MS. || _stilledliche_ MS.]

louerd ofte ich habbe ihord{;} among þine cnihtes. þat hii þe hatieþ swiþe{;} into þare bare deathe. Ofte hii stille spekeþ. of two [gh]onge cheldre{n}. þe on hatte vther{;} þe oþer Aurelie. þe þridde hehte Constance{;} þat þou dedest to deaþe.

Nu wulleð cume þa oðere{;} [&] wræken heore broðer. Al forbær | nen þi lond{;} [&] slæn þine leoden. [f. 83r² 165 þe seoluen [&] þine du[gh]eðen; driuen ut of londe. [&] þus suggeð þine men{;} þer heo somned sitteð. for þa twene broðere{;} beoð `beyne´ kine{}borne. Of androeinnes kunne{;} þas aðele bruttes. [&] þus þine du[gh]eðe{;} stille þe fordemed. 170

[Linenote: 168. _beyne_ added in margin, _beoren_ deleted.]

Nou wolleþ come þe oþer{;} and wreken hire broþer. Al for{}bearne þi lond{;} and slean þine leo | de. [f. 66v² And þus seggeþ þine men{;} stille bi{}twine heom.

Ah ich þe wulle ræde{;} Of muchele þire neode. [þ/] þu bi{}[gh]ite {cn}ihtes{;} þa gode beoð to fihte. [&] bi{}tache me ænne castel{;} Oðer ane kineliche burh. þat ich mai inne ligge{;} þa while þa ich libbe. Ic am uor þe iuaid{;} þær{}fore ic wene beon dæd. 175 fare þer ic auer fare{;} næm ich næuere bute care. Buten ich ligge faste{;} biclused inne castle. [gh]if þu þis me wult don{;} Ich hit wulle mid luue a{}fon. [&] ich wulle biliue{;} senden after mine wiue. þat is a sexisc wimmon{;} of wisdome wel idon. 180 [&] after rouwe{n}ne{;} mire dohter; þe me is swiðe deore. Þenne ich habbe mi wif{;} [&] mine wine{}maies.

[Linenote: 172. _cnihtes_] _mihtest_ MS.]

Ac ich þe wolle reade{;} of mochele þine neode. þat þou bi[gh]ete cnihtes{;} þat gode beon to fihte. And bi{}tak me one castel{;} þat ich mai on wonie. For ich ham for þe i{}veiþed{;} þat ich wene beo dead. þare ware ich euere vare{;} nam ich neuere boute care. Bote ihc ligge faste{;} bi{}clused in on castle. [Gh]ef þou þis woldes don{;} Mi wif solde come sone. and mi dohter Rowenne{;} and moche of mine cunne.

[&] ich beo i þine londe{;} fulliche at{}stonde. þa bet ich wullen hiren þe{;} [gh]if þu þis [gh]ettest me. Þa answerede vortiger{;} Of ælchen vuele he wes | war. [f. 83v¹ 185 Nim cnihtes biliue{;} [&] send æfter þine wiue. [&] æfter þine children{;} þan [gh]u{n}gen [&] þan olden. [&] æfter þine cunnen{;} [&] afeoh heom mid wunne. þenne heo to þe cumeð{;} þu scat habben gærsume. hæhliche heom to uede{n}{;} [&] wurðliche scruden. 190 Ah nulle ich castel na burh{;} nane þe bi{}techen. for men me wolden scenden{;} I mine kine{}lond. for [gh]e haldeð þa hæðene la[gh]e{;} þat stod on eoure ælderen dæ[gh]e. [&] we haldeð cristes la[gh]e{;} [&] wulleð auere an ure dæ[gh]e.

[Linenote: 192. _kine kine lond_ MS.]

Wan we þos beoþ in londe{;} folliche at{}stonde. þe bet we wolleþ cweme þe{;} [gh]ef þou þis wolt granti me. þo answerede vortiger{;} þat of ech vuele was war. Nim cnihtes swiþe{;} and send after þine wifue. And after þine childre{n}{;} þe [gh]ong and þe heoldre And after þine cunne{;} and onderfang heom mid winne. wane hii to þe comeþ{;} þou salt habbe garisome. hehliche heom to fede{;} and worþliche to scrude. Ac nelle ich Castel ne Borh{;} nanne þe bi{}take. For men me wolde sende{;} in mine kinelonde. [gh]ef | ich heþene men{;} londes bi{}toke. [f. 67r¹

Þa [gh]et spæc hængest{;} cnihten alre hendest. 195 lauerd ich wulle þin iwil{;} dri[gh]e{n} her [&] ouer{}al. [&] don al mine dæde{;} æfter þine ræde. Nu ic wulle biliue{;} sende afteR mine wiue. [&] æfter mire dohter{;} þe me is swa deore. [&] æfter ohte mo{n}nen{;} þa bezste of mine cunne. 200

[Linenote: 197. _don [d.]o[n.]_ MS.]

þe [gh]et spac hengest{;} cniht alre hendest. louerd nou ich wolle{;} don al þine wille. Nou ich wolle bliue{;} sende after mine wifue.