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The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, edited from numerous manuscripts by the Rev. Walter W. Skeat (2nd ed.) (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1899). 7 vols. Vol. 4.

Author: Geoffrey Chaucer
Editor: Walter W. Skeat

Part of: The Complete Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, 7 vols.

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APPENDIX TO GROUP A.

THE TALE OF GAMELYN.

LITHETH, and lesteneth · and herkeneth aright,
And ye schulle heere a talking · of a doughty knight;
Sire Iohan of Boundys · was his righte name,
He cowde of norture y-nough · and mochil of game.
Thre sones the knight hadde · that with his body he wan;5
The eldest was a moche schrewe · and sone he bigan.
His bretheren loved wel here fader · and of him were agast,
The eldest deserved his fadres curs · and had it at the last.
The goode knight his fader · livede so yore,
That deth was comen him to · and handled him ful sore.10
The goode knight cared sore · syk ther he lay,
How his children scholde · liven after his day.
He hadde ben wyde-wher · but non housbond he was,
Al the lond that he hadde · it was verrey purchas.
Fayn he wolde it were · dressed among hem alle,15
That ech of hem hadde his part · as it mighte falle.
Tho sente he in-to cuntre · after wyse knightes,
To helpe delen his londes · and dressen hem to-rightes.
He sente hem word by lettres · they schulden hye blyve,
If they wolde speke with him · whyl he was on lyve.20
Tho the knightes herden · syk that he lay,
Hadde they no reste · nother night ne day,
Til they comen to him · ther he lay stille
On his deth-bedde · to abyde goddes wille.
Than seyde the goode knight · syk ther he lay,25
‘Lordes, I you warne · for soth, withoute nay,
I may no lenger liven · heer in this stounde;
For thurgh goddes wille · deth draweth me to grounde.’
Ther nas non of hem alle · that herde him aright,
That they ne hadden reuthe · of that ilke knight,30
And seyde, ‘sir, for goddes love · ne dismay you nought;
God may do bote of bale · that is now y-wrought.’
Than spak the goode knight · syk ther he lay,
‘Boote of bale god may sende · I wot it is no nay;
But I byseke you, knightes · for the love of me,35
Goth and dresseth my lond · among my sones three.
And sires, for the love of god · deleth hem nat amis,
And forgetith nat Gamelyn · my yonge sone that is.
Taketh heed to that on · as wel as to that other;
Selde ye see ony eyr · helpen his brother.’40
Tho leete they the knight lyen · that was nought in hele,
And wenten in-to counsel · his londes for to dele;
For to delen hem alle · to oon, that was her thought,
And for Gamelyn was yongest · he schulde have nought.
Al the lond that ther was · they dalten it in two,45
And leeten Gamelyn the yonge · withoute londe go,
And ech of hem seyde · to other ful lowde,
His bretheren mighte yeve him lond · whan he good cowde.
Whan they hadde deled · the lond at here wille,
They comen ayein to the knight · ther he lay ful stille,50
And tolden him anon-right · how they hadden wrought;
And the knight ther he lay · lyked it right nought.
Than seyde the knight · ‘by seynt Martyn,
For al that ye have y-doon · yit is the lond myn;
For goddes love, neyhebours · stondeth alle stille,55
And I wil dele my lond · right after my wille.
Iohan, myn eldeste sone · schal have plowes fyve,
That was my fadres heritage · whyl he was on lyve;
And my middeleste sone · fyve plowes of lond,
That I halp for to gete · with my righte hond;60
And al myn other purchas · of londes and leedes,
That I biquethe Gamelyn · and alle my goode steedes.
And I biseke yow, goode men · that lawe conne of londe,
For Gamelynes love · that my queste stonde.’
Thus dalte the knight · his lond by his day,65
Right on his deth-bedde · syk ther he lay;
And sone aftirward · he lay stoon-stille,
And deyde whan tyme com · as it was Cristes wille.
And anon as he was deed · and under gras y-grave,
Sone the elder brother · gyled the yonge knave;70
He took into his hond · his lond and his leede,
And Gamelyn himselfe · to clothen and to feede.
He clothed him and fedde him · yvel and eek wrothe,
And leet his londes for-fare · and his houses bothe,
His parkes and his woodes · and dede nothing wel;75
And seththen he it aboughte · on his faire fel.
So longe was Gamelyn · in his brotheres halle,
For the strengest, of good wil · they doutiden him alle;
Ther was non ther-inne · nowther yong ne old,
That wolde wraththe Gamelyn · were he never so bold.80
Gamelyn stood on a day · in his brotheres yerde,
And bigan with his hond · to handlen his berde;
He thoughte on his londes · that layen unsawe,
And his faire okes · that down were y-drawe;
His parkes were y-broken · and his deer bireved;85
Of alle his goode steedes · noon was him bileved;
His howses were unhiled · and ful yvel dight;
Tho thoughte Gamelyn · it wente nought aright.
Afterward cam his brother · walkinge thare,
And seyde to Gamelyn · ‘is our mete yare?’90
Tho wraththed him Gamelyn · and swor by goddes book,
‘Thou schalt go bake thy-self · I wil nought be thy cook!’
‘How? brother Gamelyn · how answerest thou now?
Thou spake never such a word · as thou dost now.’
‘By my faith,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘now me thinketh neede,95
Of alle the harmes that I have · I tok never ar heede.
My parkes ben to-broken · and my deer bireved,
Of myn armure and my steedes · nought is me bileved;
Al that my fader me biquath · al goth to schame,
And therfor have thou goddes curs · brother by thy name!’100
Than bispak his brother · that rape was of rees,
‘Stond stille, gadeling · and hold right thy pees;
Thou schalt be fayn for to have · thy mete and thy wede;
What spekest thou, Gamelyn · of lond other of leede?’
Thanne seyde Gamelyn · the child that was ying,105
‘Cristes curs mot he have · that clepeth me gadeling!
I am no worse gadeling · ne no worse wight,
But born of a lady · and geten of a knight.’
Ne durste he nat to Gamelyn · ner a-foote go,
But clepide to him his men · and seyde to hem tho,110
‘Goth and beteth this boy · and reveth him his wit,
And lat him lerne another tyme · to answere me bet.’
Thanne seyde the child · yonge Gamelyn,
‘Cristes curs mot thou have · brother art thou myn!
And if I schal algate · be beten anon,115
Cristes curs mot thou have · but thou be that oon!’
And anon his brother · in that grete hete
Made his men to fette staves · Gamelyn to bete.
Whan that everich of hem · a staf hadde y-nome,
Gamelyn was war anon · tho he seigh hem come;120
Tho Gamelyn seigh hem come · he loked over-al,
And was war of a pestel · stood under a wal;
Gamelyn was light of foot · and thider gan he lepe,
And drof alle his brotheres men · right on an hepe.
He loked as a wilde lyoun · and leyde on good woon;125
Tho his brother say that · he bigan to goon;
He fley up in-til a loft · and schette the dore fast;
Thus Gamelyn with the pestel · made hem alle agast.
Some for Gamelynes love · and some for his eye,
Alle they drowe by halves · tho he gan to pleye.130
‘What! how now?’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘evel mot ye thee!
Wil ye biginne contek · and so sone flee?’
Gamelyn soughte his brother · whider he was flowe,
And saugh wher he loked · out at a windowe.
‘Brother,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘com a litel ner,135
And I wil teche thee a play · atte bokeler.’
His brother him answerde · and swor by seynt Richer,
‘Whyl the pestel is in thin hond · I wil come no neer:
Brother, I wil make thy pees · I swere by Cristes ore;
Cast away the pestel · and wraththe thee no-more.’140
‘I mot neede,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘wraththe me at oones,
For thou wolde make thy men · to breke myne boones,
Ne hadde I had mayn · and might in myn armes,
To have y-put hem fro me · they wolde have do me harmes.’
‘Gamelyn,’ sayde his brother · ‘be thou nought wroth,145
For to seen thee have harm · it were me right loth;
I ne dide it nought, brother · but for a fonding,
For to loken if thou were strong · and art so ying.’
‘Com a-doun than to me · and graunte me my bone
Of thing I wil thee aske · and we schul saughte sone.’150
Doun than cam his brother · that fikil was and fel,
And was swithe sore · agast of the pestel.
He seyde, ‘brother Gamelyn · aske me thy boone,
And loke thou me blame · but I graunte sone.’
Thanne seyde Gamelyn · ‘brother, y-wis,155
And we schulle ben at oon · thou most me graunte this:
Al that my fader me biquath · whyl he was on lyve,
Thou most do me it have · yif we schul nat stryve.’
‘That schalt thou have, Gamelyn · I swere by Cristes ore!
Al that thy fader thee biquath · though thou woldest have more;160
Thy lond, that lyth laye · ful wel it schal be sowe,
And thyn howses reysed up · that ben leyd so lowe.’
Thus seyde the knight · to Gamelyn with mowthe,
And thoughte eek of falsnes · as he wel couthe.
The knight thoughte on tresoun · and Gamelyn on noon,165
And wente and kiste his brother · and, whan they were at oon,
Allas! yonge Gamelyn · nothing he ne wiste
With which a false tresoun · his brother him kiste!
Litheth, and lesteneth · and holdeth your tonge,
And ye schul heere talking · of Gamelyn the yonge.170
Ther was ther bisyden · cryed a wrastling,
And therfor ther was set up · a ram and a ring;
And Gamelyn was in good wil · to wende therto,
For to preven his might · what he cowthe do.
‘Brother,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘by seynt Richer,175
Thou most lene me to-night · a litel courser
That is freisch to the spore · on for to ryde;
I most on an erande · a litel her bisyde.’
‘By god!’ seyde his brother · ‘of steedes in my stalle
Go and chese thee the best · and spare non of alle180
Of steedes or of coursers · that stonden hem bisyde;
And tel me, goode brother · whider thou wolt ryde.’
‘Her bisyde, brother · is cryed a wrastling,
And therfor schal be set up · a ram and a ring;
Moche worschip it were · brother, to us alle,185
Might I the ram and the ring · bring home to this halle.’
A steede ther was sadeled · smertely and skeet;
Gamelyn did a paire spores · fast on his feet.
He sette his foot in the styrop · the steede he bistrood,
And toward the wrasteling · the yonge child rood.190
Tho Gamelyn the yonge · was ride out at the gat,
The false knight his brother · lokked it after that,
And bisoughte Iesu Crist · that is heven king,
He mighte breke his nekke · in that wrasteling.
As sone as Gamelyn com · ther the place was,195
He lighte doun of his steede · and stood on the gras,
And ther he herd a frankeleyn · wayloway singe,
And bigan bitterly · his hondes for to wringe.
‘Goode man,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘why makestow this fare?
Is ther no man that may · you helpe out of this care?’200
‘Allas!’ seyde this frankeleyn · ‘that ever was I bore!
For tweye stalworthe sones · I wene that I have lore;
A champioun is in the place · that hath y-wrought me sorwe,
For he hath slayn my two sones · but-if god hem borwe.
I wold yeve ten pound · by Iesu Crist! and more,205
With the nones I fand a man · to handelen him sore.’
‘Goode man,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘wilt thou wel doon,
Hold myn hors, whyl my man · draweth of my schoon,
And help my man to kepe · my clothes and my steede,
And I wil into place go · to loke if I may speede.’210
‘By god!’ sayde the frankeleyn · ‘anon it schal be doon;
I wil my-self be thy man · and drawen of thy schoon,
And wende thou into the place · Iesu Crist thee speede,
And drede not of thy clothes · nor of thy goode steede.’
Barfoot and ungert · Gamelyn in cam,215
Alle that weren in the place · heede of him they nam,
How he durste auntre him · of him to doon his might
That was so doughty champioun · in wrastling and in fight.
Up sterte the champioun · rapely and anoon,
Toward yonge Gamelyn · he bigan to goon,220
And sayde, ‘who is thy fader · and who is thy sire?
For sothe thou art a gret fool · that thou come hire!’
Gamelyn answerde · the champioun tho,
‘Thou knewe wel my fader · whyl he couthe go,
Whyles he was on lyve · by seint Martyn!225
Sir Iohan of Boundys was his name · and I Gamelyn.’
‘Felaw,’ seyde the champioun · ‘al-so mot I thryve,
I knew wel thy fader · whyl he was on lyve;
And thyself, Gamelyn · I wil that thou it heere,
Whyl thou were a yong boy · a moche schrewe thou were.’230
Than seyde Gamelyn · and swor by Cristes ore,
‘Now I am older woxe · thou schalt me finde a more!’
‘By god!’ sayde the champioun · ‘welcome mote thou be!
Come thou ones in myn hond · schalt thou never thee.’
It was wel withinne the night · and the moone schon,235
Whan Gamelyn and the champioun · togider gonne goon.
The champioun caste tornes · to Gamelyn that was prest,
And Gamelyn stood stille · and bad him doon his best.
Thanne seyde Gamelyn · to the champioun,
‘Thou art faste aboute · to bringe me adoun;240
Now I have y-proved · many tornes of thyne,
Thow most,’ he seyde, ‘proven · on or two of myne.’
Gamelyn to the champioun · yede smertely anon,
Of all the tornes that he cowthe · he schewed him but oon,
And caste him on the lefte syde · that three ribbes to-brak,245
And ther-to his oon arm · that yaf a gret crak.
Thanne seyde Gamelyn · smertely anoon,
‘Schal it be holde for a cast · or elles for noon?’
‘By god!’ seyde the champioun · ‘whether that it be,
He that cometh ones in thin hand · schal he never thee!’250
Than seyde the frankeleyn · that had his sones there,
‘Blessed be thou, Gamelyn · that ever thou bore were!’
The frankeleyn seyde to the champioun · of him stood him noon eye,
‘This is yonge Gamelyn · that taughte thee this pleye.’
Agein answered the champioun · that lyked nothing wel,255
‘He is a lither mayster · and his pley is right fel;
Sith I wrastled first · it is y-go ful yore,
But I was nevere in my lyf · handeled so sore.’
Gamelyn stood in the place · allone withoute serk,
And seyde, ‘if ther be eny mo · lat hem come to werk;260
The champioun that peyned him · to werke so sore,
It semeth by his continaunce · that he wil no-more.’
Gamelyn in the place · stood as stille as stoon,
For to abyde wrasteling · but ther com noon;
Ther was noon with Gamelyn · wolde wrastle more,265
For he handled the champioun · so wonderly sore.
Two gentil-men ther were · that yemede the place,
Comen to Gamelyn · (god yeve him goode grace!)
And sayde to him, ‘do on · thyn hosen and thy schoon,
For sothe at this tyme · this feire is y-doon.’270
And than seyde Gamelyn · ‘so mot I wel fare,
I have nought yet halven-del · sold up my ware.’
Tho seyde the champioun · ‘so brouke I my sweere,
He is a fool that ther-of byeth · thou sellest it so deere.’
Tho sayde the frankeleyn · that was in moche care,275
‘Felaw,’ he seyde · ‘why lakkest thou his ware?
By seynt Iame in Galys . that many man hath sought,
Yet it is to good cheep · that thou hast y-bought.’
Tho that wardeynes were · of that wrasteling
Come and broughte Gamelyn · the ram and the ring,280
And seyden, ‘have, Gamelyn · the ring and the ram,
For the beste wrasteler · that ever here cam.’
Thus wan Gamelyn · the ram and the ring,
And wente with moche Ioye · home in the morning.
His brother seih wher he cam · with the grete rowte,285
And bad schitte the gate · and holde him withoute.
The porter of his lord · was ful sore agast,
And sterte anon to the gate · and lokked it fast.
Now litheth, and lesteneth · bothe yonge and olde,
And ye schul heere gamen · of Gamelyn the bolde.290
Gamelyn come ther-to · for to have comen in,
And thanne was it y-schet · faste with a pin;
Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘porter, undo the yat,
For many good mannes sone · stondeth ther-at.’
Than answerd the porter · and swor by goddes berde,295
‘Thow ne schalt, Gamelyn · come into this yerde.’
‘Thow lixt,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘so browke I my chin!’
He smot the wiket with his foot · and brak awey the pin.
The porter seyh tho · it might no better be,
He sette foot on erthe · and bigan to flee.300
‘By my faith,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘that travail is y-lore,
For I am of foot as light as thou · though thou haddest swore.’
Gamelyn overtook the porter · and his teene wrak,
And gerte him in the nekke · that the bon to-brak,
And took him by that oon arm · and threw him in a welle,305
Seven fadmen it was deep · as I have herd telle.
Whan Gamelyn the yonge · thus hadde pleyd his play,
Alle that in the yerde were · drewen hem away;
They dredden him ful sore · for werkes that he wroughte,
And for the faire company · that he thider broughte.310
Gamelyn yede to the gate · and leet it up wyde;
He leet in alle maner men · that gon in wolde or ryde,
And seyde, ‘ye be welcome · withouten eny greeve,
For we wiln be maistres heer · and aske no man leve.
Yestirday I lefte’ · seyde yonge Gamelyn,315
‘In my brother seller · fyve tonne of wyn;
I wil not that this compaignye · parten a-twinne,
And ye wil doon after me · whyl eny sope is thrinne,
And if my brother grucche · or make foul cheere,
Other for spense of mete or drink · that we spenden heere,320
I am oure catour · and bere oure aller purs,
He schal have for his grucching · seint Maries curs.
My brother is a niggoun · I swer by Cristes ore,
And we wil spende largely · that he hath spared yore;
And who that maketh grucching · that we here dwelle,325
He schal to the porter · into the draw-welle.’
Seven dayes and seven night · Gamelyn held his feste,
With moche mirth and solas · that was ther, and no cheste;
In a little toret · his brother lay y-steke,
And sey hem wasten his good · but durste he not speke.330
Erly on a morning · on the eighte day,
The gestes come to Gamelyn · and wolde gon here way.
‘Lordes,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘wil ye so hye?
Al the wyn is not yet dronke · so brouke I myn ye.’
Gamelyn in his herte · was he ful wo.335
Whan his gestes took her leve · from him for to go;
He wolde they had lenger abide · and they seyde ‘nay,’
But bitaughte Gamelyn · god, and good day.
Thus made Gamelyn his feest · and broughte it wel to ende,
And after his gestes · toke leve to wende.340
Litheth, and lesteneth · and holdeth youre tonge,
And ye schul heere gamen · of Gamelyn the yonge;
Herkeneth, lordinges · and lesteneth aright,
Whan alle gestes were goon · how Gamelyn was dight.
Al the whyl that Gamelyn · heeld his mangerye,345
His brother thoughte on him be wreke · with his treccherye.
Tho Gamelyns gestes · were riden and y-goon,
Gamelyn stood allone · frendes had he noon;
Tho after ful soone · withinne a litel stounde,
Gamelyn was y-taken · and ful harde y-bounde.350
Forth com the false knight · out of the soleer,
To Gamelyn his brother · he yede ful neer,
And sayde to Gamelyn · ‘who made thee so bold
For to stroye my stoor · of myn houshold?’
‘Brother,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘wraththe thee right nought,355
For it is many day y-gon · siththen it was bought;
For, brother, thou hast y-had · by seynt Richer,
Of fiftene plowes of lond · this sixtene yer,
And of alle the beestes · thou hast forth bred,
That my fader me biquath · on his deth-bed;360
Of al this sixtene yeer · I yeve thee the prow,
For the mete and the drink · that we have spended now.’
Thanne seyde the false knight · (evel mot he thee!)
‘Herkne, brother Gamelyn · what I wol yeve thee;
For of my body, brother · heir geten have I noon,365
I wil make thee myn heir · I swere by seint Iohan.’
‘Par ma foy!’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘and if it so be,
And thou thenke as thou seyst · god yelde it thee!’
Nothing wiste Gamelyn · of his brotheres gyle;
Therfore he him bigyled · in a litel whyle.370
‘Gamelyn,’ seyde he · ‘o thing I thee telle;
Tho thou threwe my porter · in the draw-welle,
I swor in that wraththe · and in that grete moot,
That thou schuldest be bounde · bothe hand and foot;
Therfore I thee biseche · brother Gamelyn,375
Lat me nought be forsworen · brother art thou myn;
Lat me binde thee now · bothe hand and feet,
For to holde myn avow · as I thee biheet.’
‘Brother,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘al-so mot I thee!
Thou schalt not be forsworen · for the love of me.’380
Tho made they Gamelyn to sitte · mighte he nat stonde,
Til they hadde him bounde · bothe foot and honde.
The false knight his brother · of Gamelyn was agast,
And sente aftir feteres · to feteren him fast.
His brother made lesinges · on him ther he stood,385
And tolde hem that comen in · that Gamelyn was wood.
Gamelyn stood to a post · bounden in the halle,
Tho that comen in ther · lokede on him alle.
Ever stood Gamelyn · even upright;
But mete ne drink had he non · neither day ne night.390
Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘brother, by myn hals,
Now I have aspyed · thou art a party fals;
Had I wist that tresoun · that thou haddest y-founde,
I wolde have yeve thee strokes · or I had be bounde!’
Gamelyn stood bounden · stille as eny stoon;395
Two dayes and two nightes · mete had he noon.
Thanne seyde Gamelyn · that stood y-bounde stronge,
‘Adam spenser · me thinkth I faste to longe;
Adam spenser · now I byseche thee,
For the mochel love · my fader loved thee,400
If thou may come to the keyes · lese me out of bond,
And I wil parte with thee · of my free lond.’
Thanne seyde Adam · that was the spencer,
‘I have served thy brother · this sixtene yeer,
If I leete thee goon · out of his bour,405
He wolde say afterward · I were a traytour.’
‘Adam,’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘so brouke I myn hals!
Thou schalt finde my brother · atte laste fals;
Therfor, brother Adam · louse me out of bond,
And I wil parte with thee · of my free lond.’410
‘Up swich a forward’ · seyde Adam, ‘y-wis,
I wil do therto · al that in me is.’
‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘al-so mot I thee,
I wol holde thee covenant · and thou wil me.’
Anon as Adames lord · to bedde was y-goon,415
Adam took the keyes, and leet · Gamelyn out anoon;
He unlokked Gamelyn · bothe handes and feet,
In hope of avauncement · that he him biheet.
Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘thanked be goddes sonde!
Now I am loosed · bothe foot and honde;420
Had I now eten · and dronken aright,
Ther is noon in this hous · schulde binde me this night.’
Adam took Gamelyn · as stille as ony stoon,
And ladde him in-to spence · rapely and anon,
And sette him to soper · right in a privee stede,425
He bad him do gladly · and Gamelyn so dede.
Anon as Gamelyn hadde · eten wel and fyn,
And therto y-dronke wel · of the rede wyn,
‘Adam,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘what is now thy reed?
Wher I go to my brother · and girde of his heed?’430
‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘it schal not be so.
I can teche thee a reed · that is worth the two.
I wot wel for sothe · that this is no nay,
We schul have a mangery · right on Soneday;
Abbotes and priours · many heer schal be,435
And other men of holy chirche · as I telle thee;
Thow schalt stonde up by the post · as thou were hond-fast,
And I schal leve hem unloke · awey thou may hem cast.
Whan that they have eten · and wasschen here hondes,
Thou schalt biseke hem alle · to bring thee out of bondes;440
And if they wille borwe thee · that were good game,
Then were thou out of prisoun · and I out of blame;
And if everich of hem · say unto us ‘nay,’
I schal do an other · I swere by this day!
Thou schalt have a good staf · and I wil have another,445
And Cristes curs have that oon · that faileth that other!’
‘Ye, for gode!’ sayde Gamelyn · ‘I say it for me,
If I fayle on my syde · yvel mot I thee!
If we schul algate · assoile hem of here sinne,
Warne me, brother Adam · whan I schal biginne.’450
‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘by seynte Charite,
I wil warne thee biforn · whan that it schal be;
Whan I twinke on thee · loke for to goon,
And cast awey the feteres · and com to me anoon.’
‘Adam,’ seide Gamelyn · ‘blessed be thy bones!455
That is a good counseil · yeven for the nones;
If they werne me thanne · to bringe me out of bendes,
I wol sette goode strokes · right on here lendes.’
Tho the Sonday was y-come · and folk to the feste,
Faire they were welcomed · both leste and meste;460
And ever atte halle-dore · as they comen in,
They caste their eye · on yonge Gamelyn.
The false knight his brother · ful of trechery,
Alle the gestes that ther were · atte mangery,
Of Gamelyn his brother · he tolde hem with mouthe465
Al the harm and the schame · that he telle couthe.
Tho they were served · of messes two or three,
Than seyde Gamelyn · ‘how serve ye me?
It is nought wel served · by god that al made!
That I sitte fasting · and other men make glade.’470
The false knight his brother · ther that he stood,
Tolde alle his gestes · that Gamelyn was wood;
And Gamelyn stood stille · and answerde nought,
But Adames wordes · he held in his thought.
Tho Gamelyn gan speke · dolfully with-alle475
To the grete lordes · that saten in the halle:
‘Lordes,’ he seyde · ‘for Cristes passioun,
Helpeth bringe Gamelyn · out of prisoun.’
Than seyde an abbot · sorwe on his cheeke!
‘He schal have Cristes curs · and seynte Maries eeke,480
That thee out of prisoun · beggeth other borwe,
But ever worthe hem wel · that doth thee moche sorwe.’
After that abbot · than spak another,
‘I wold thin heed were of · though thou were my brother!
Alle that thee borwe · foule mot hem falle!’485
Thus they seyden alle · that weren in the halle.
Than seyde a priour · yvel mot he thryve!
‘It is moche scathe, boy · that thou art on lyve.’
‘Ow!’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘so brouke I my bon!
Now I have aspyed · that freendes have I non.490
Cursed mot he worthe · bothe fleisch and blood,
That ever do priour · or abbot ony good!’
Adam the spencer · took up the cloth,
And loked on Gamelyn · and say that he was wroth;
Adam on the pantrye · litel he thoughte,495
But two goode staves · to halle-dore he broughte,
Adam loked on Gamelyn · and he was war anoon,
And caste awey the feteres · and he bigan to goon:
Tho he com to Adam · he took that oo staf,
And bigan to worche · and goode strokes yaf.500
Gamelyn cam in-to the halle · and the spencer bothe,
And loked hem aboute · as they had be wrothe;
Gamelyn sprengeth holy-water · with an oken spire,
That some that stoode upright · fellen in the fire.
There was no lewed man · that in the halle stood,505
That wolde do Gamelyn · eny thing but good,
But stood bisyden · and leet hem bothe werche,
For they hadde no rewthe · of men of holy cherche;
Abbot or priour · monk or chanoun,
That Gamelyn overtok · anon they yeeden doun.510
Ther was non of hem alle · that with his staf mette,
That he ne made him overthrowe · and quitte him his dette.
‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘for seynte Charite,
Pay large liverey · for the love of me,
And I wil kepe the dore · so ever here I masse!515
Er they ben assoyled · there shal noon passe.’
‘Dowt thee nought,’ seyde Gamelyn · ‘whyl we ben in-feere,
Kep thou wel the dore · and I wol werche heere;
Stere thee, good Adam · and lat ther noon flee,
And we schul telle largely · how many that ther be.’520
‘Gamelyn,’ seyde Adam · ‘do hem but good;
They ben men of holy chirche · draw of hem no blood,
Save wel the croune · and do hem non harmes,
But brek bothe her legges · and siththen here armes.’
Thus Gamelyn and Adam · wroughte right fast,525
And pleyden with the monkes · and made hem agast.
Thider they come ryding · Iolily with swaynes,
And hom ayen they were y-lad · in cartes and in waynes.
Tho they hadden al y-don · than seyde a gray frere,
‘Allas! sire abbot · what dide we now heere?530
Tho that we comen hider · it was a cold reed,
Us hadde ben better at home · with water and with breed.’
Whyl Gamelyn made ordres · of monkes and frere,
Ever stood his brother · and made foul chere;
Gamelyn up with his staf · that he wel knew,535
And gerte him in the nekke · that he overthrew;
A litel above the girdel · the rigge-bon to-barst;
And sette him in the feteres · ther he sat arst.
‘Sitte ther, brother’ · sayde Gamelyn,
‘For to colen thy blood · as I dide myn.’540
As swithe as they hadde · y-wroken hem on here foon,
They askeden watir · and wisschen anoon,
What some for here love · and some for here awe,
Alle the servants served hem · of the beste lawe.
The scherreve was thennes · but a fyve myle,545
And al was y-told him · in a litel whyle,
How Gamelyn and Adam · had doon a sory rees,
Bounden and y-wounded men · ayein the kinges pees;
Tho bigan sone · stryf for to wake,
And the scherref was aboute · Gamelyn for to take.550
Now lytheth and lesteneth · so god yif you good fyn!
And ye schul heere good game · of yonge Gamelyn.
Four and twenty yonge men · that heelden hem ful bolde,
Come to the schirref · and seyde that they wolde
Gamelyn and Adam · fetten, by her fay;555
The scherref yaf hem leve · soth as I you say;
They hyeden faste · wold they nought bilinne,
Til they come to the gate · ther Gamelyn was inne.
They knokked on the gate · the porter was ny,
And loked out at an hol · as man that was sly.560
The porter hadde biholde · hem a litel whyle,
He loved wel Gamelyn · and was adrad of gyle,
And leet the wicket stonden · y-steke ful stille,
end of vol. iv.

PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS, OXFORD BY VIVIAN RIDLER PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY

[678. ]E. hise.

[680. ]But] Cm. Hl. And. Hl. ne; rest omit.

[789. ]E. taak; Ln. tak; Cp. Pt. take; Hl. Hn. taketh.

[691. ]E. Ne; Hn. Nof; rest Ne of.

[692. ]Cm. peyntede; rest peynted.

[697. ]Cm. Hl. and of; rest om. of.

[698. ]E. Hn. Ln. Hl. contrarius.

[699. ]E. wysdam.

[705. ]Over is reysed E. has i. in Virgine.

[709. ]E. Thanne.

[717. ]Hn. Cm. Cp. Pt. Ln. Hl. omit.

E. om. that Iesu; which occurs in MS. Bibl. Reg. 17. D. xv. and in Dd.

[718. ]Hn. Cm. Cp. Pt. Ln. Hl. omit.

[719. ]Hn. Cm. Cp. Pt. Ln. Hl. omit.

[720. ]Hn. Cm. Cp. Pt. Ln. Hl. omit.

[721. ]E. hise.

[722. ]Cm. hem; rest it (badly).

[723. ]E. hise.

Pt. Ln. whiche; rest which (badly). E. eyen

[727. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. penaunce; E. Hn. sorwe; Cm. Hl. care.

[728. ]E. hadde.

[733. ]E. Hn. Phasifpha; Cm. Phasippa; rest Phasipha.

[735. ]E. speke; Hn. Cm. Cp. Hl. spek.

[737. ]E. Hn. Cp. Pt. Ln. Clitermystra; Cm. Clitemysta; Hl. Clydemystra.

[750. ]E. vpon; rest on.

[757. ]E. Thanne. E. Hn. how that oon. Cm. Latymyus; rest Latumyus.

[758. ]E. Hn. Hl. vnto; rest to.

[764. ]E. Ln. it shal; Pt. shal he; rest shal it.

[767. ]E. lecchour.

[768. ]Cm. Whils; Hl. Whil; rest Whan; see 770.

[786. ]E. loeue; rest wene; but read wenen.

[792. ]E. Cp. fest; rest fist.

[795. ]E. Hn. Cp. fest; rest fist.

[812. ]E. Hn. Cp. Pt. vs; Cm. Ln. Hl. oure.

[815. ]E. Hn. Pt. om. 2nd of.

[820. ]E. to; Cm. for; Hl. in; rest the (before terme).

[822. ]Hl. neuer had.

[1991. ]E. Cm lat. E. storuen.

[1993. ]E. crueel.

[1996. ]Hn. Hl. maked; Cm. makede.

[1998. ]Cm. Hl. but only; rest only but.

[2002. ]All visite; perhaps read visiten.

[2007. ]she] E. he.

[2008. ]hir] E. him.

[2011. ]E. preyneth; Hn. prayneth; Hl. pruneth.

[2018. ]Hn. Cm. ladyes; rest lady.

[2024. ]E. Hn. Cm. Cp. honeste.

[2028. ]E. Hn. Cm. Cp. honeste.

[2032. ]Cm. Hl. romauns; Ln. romans.

[2039. ]Cp. Hl. fayerie; rest fairye.

[2046. ]E. baar. Hl. smal; rest om.

[2053. ]E. Hn. murye.

[2059. ]E. synge; rest stinge.

[2061. ]venim] Cp. Pt. Ln. poyson.

[2063. ]E. stidefastnesse.

[2067. ]Hl. yen; Cm. Iyen; rest eyen.

[2074. ]E. swich; rest som (sum).

[2080. ]Cp. Ln. Soule; Pt. Sool; rest Soul.

[2089. ]E. Nyn; rest Ne in.

[2091. ]E. hond (but hand in l. 2103).

[2093. ]E. benyngnely.

[2108. ]E. Ln. Thogh thou; Hl. If thou; rest Thou.

[2109. ]Cm. Ln. also; rest as.

[2110. ]All As to be.

[2111. ]Ln. yene; rest eyen.

[2117. ]Pt. Ln. warme; rest warm. Perhaps read emprented hath.

[2118. ]Pt. smal; rest smale.

[2133. ]Cm. befel, wyl; rest bifille, wille; see note.

[2134. ]Cm. befel, wyl; rest bifille, wille; see note.

[2139. ]E. turtle.

[2140. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. alle (al); rest om.

[2146. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. in (for of).

[2147. ]E. som; rest our (oure).

[2151. ]Ln beforne; rest biforn; read biforen.

[2163. ]E. Hn. Cm. Hl. to dyen; Cp. Pt. Ln. om. to.

[2170. ]E. Hn. shal; Pt. Cm. Hl. shul.

[2177. ]E. though.

[2179. ]E. Pt. om. that.

[2181. ]E. though.

[2186. ]E. Benyngnely.

[2194. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. With (for By).

[2205. ]Cm. Cp. Pt. Ln. can (for han).

[2208. ]E. Hl. coughen; Hn. coghen; Cm. coghe.

[2215. ]E. hadde toold.

[2217. ]Pt. pirry; Hn. purye; rest pyrie (pirie, pyry).

[2218. ]Hn murye; Cp. myry; Hl. mirye; Cm. Pt. Ln. merie (mery).

[2220. ]E. Hn. Cm. Hl. put hath before of gold; Cp. Pt. Ln. doun hath his stremes sent. E. Hn. Hl. ysent; rest sent.

[2227. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. the; rest om. Cp. Hl. fayerye; rest fairye.

[2230. ]Cm. ony; E. Hl. a (for any). Cp. Pt. Ln. have Which that he rauysshed out of Proserpyna (!).

[2232. ]Hl. story; rest stories.

[2233. ]E. And; rest How. E. grisely. E. Hn. Cm. sette; rest fette.

[2234. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. om. thanne.

[2237. ]E. seye.

[2239. ]E. tresons.

[2240. ]I supply stories. Pt. Ln. telle; rest tellen.

[2242. ]E. Hn. Cm. Hl. wys and; Cp. Pt. Ln. om. both wys and and.

[2247. ]E. foond.

[2248. ]E. foond.

[2262. ]E. Thanne.

[2264. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. Hl. and wol (for wol).

[2272. ]Pt. Hl. yen; rest eyen (eyȝen).

[2273. ]Cp. Pt. Ln. so (for wommen).

[2274. ]E. visage it (for chyde, by mistake).

[2278. ]E. Foond; fooles.

[2279. ]E. foond.

[2284. ]E. Hn. Cm. Hl. eek maken; rest om. eek.

[2287. ]E. foond.

[2290. ]Hn. Cp. Pt. Ln. but neither he ne she (for that . . . Trinitee).

[2291. ]So all.

[2298. ]E. lecchour.

[2300. ]E. Hn. Cm. Hl. om. that.

[2301. ]E. Cm. om. him.

[2303. ]E. Hn. Cm. Hl. sette right noght.

[2316. ]Cp. Hl. fayerye; rest fairye (fayre).

[2322. ]E. Hn. Cm. murier.

[2325. ]Hl. agaynes; rest agayns.

[2327. ]Pt. Ln. Hl. On (for An).

[2355. ]Pt. Ln. Hl. his sight ageyn (and miss ll. 2356, 2357, by confusion with agayn in 2357).

[2367. ]E. Hn. Cm. stoore; Pt. stoor; Cp. Ln. Hl. stoure.

[2372. ]Ln. Hl. yen; rest eyen (eyȝen).

[2378. ]Ln. Hl. yen; rest eyen (eyȝen).

[2380. ]E. Pt. Ln. Hl. om. al.

[2394. ]E. hadde.

[2395. ]E. hadde.

[2397. ]Cm. Pt. om. his.

[2405. ]Cp. Pt. Hl. I-stabled; Ln. stablid.

[2416. ]E. om. to.

[2418. ]Hn. Hl. add Amen.

Colophon.So E. Hn.; Hl. Here endith the marchauntes tale.

[1452. ]E. Honured

[1453. ]Cm. Cp. Hl. queen; rest queene (quene).

[1455. ]These two lines are in E. and edd. only. E. Bilyea (edd. Bilia; see note).

[1456. ]These two lines are in E. and edd. only. E. Bilyea (edd. Bilia; see note).

[1457. ]E. pleyne; rest pleyned.

[1463. ]E. I was; rest was I.

[1467. ]E. Hl. chiere.

[1475. ]Hl. on; E. Hn. Cm. vp on.

[1481. ]E. om. of.

[1483. ]Hn. tel; rest telle; see l: 1591.

[1493. ]Found in E. only.

[1494. ]Found in E. only.

[1495. ]Found in E. only.

[1496. ]Found in E. only.

[1497. ]Found in E. only.

[1498. ]Found in E. only.

[1500. ]E. Hn. Cm. amorus.

[1503. ]E. bown; rest boun.

[1515. ]E. Hn. Cm. hadde

[1527. ]E. Hn. seyeth.

[1534. ]Hn. serement; Hl. seurement.

[1556. ]E. om. two.

[1580. ]E. Hn. Cp. a-begged; Ln. abigged; Hl. a begge; Cm. Pt. a beggere.

[1581. ]Cm. Cp. Hl. seurte; Pt. swerte; E. Hn. seuretee.

[1583. ]E. Thanne.

[1596. ]E. Hn. Hadde.

[1602. ]E. Hn. Hl. hadde herd; rest herde (herd).

[1606. ]E. Hn. This; rest This is.

[1613. ]E. releesse.

[1614. ]Cp. Hl. crope; Ln. crepe. Cm. om. the.

[1616. ]E. Cm. Cp. taken.

[1621. ]E. Hn. Cp. Ln. ins. thanne before wolde.

Colophon.From E.; Hn. Here endeth, &c.; Pt. Thus endeth the Frankleyn his tale.

[1397. ]E. as that doon; Cm. as don; rest as doon thise.

[1404. ]E. Cp. heuye; rest hevy.

[1407. ]E. omits O.

[1414. ]E. blondreth.

[1421. ]E. Cm. no thyng wynne; Hl. nought wynne (upon); rest nat wynne a myte.

[1427. ]Cm. What that ȝe; rest What that the (badly).

[1434. ]E. fader first was; rest omit first.

[1441. ]Cm. Cp. Hl. heed; rest heede, hede.

[1447. ]E. Cm. of the secretes; Cp. Pt. of secrees; Hl. of secretz; Ln. of secretees.

[1455. ]Lichf. Ln. magnesia; rest magnasia.

[1458. ]Lichf. Ln. magnesia; rest magnasia.

[1461. ]E. roote; rest roche, rooche, roches.

[1462. ]Cm. that it; rest omit that.

[1467. ]E. lief; Lichf. Cp. Pt. Hl. leef; Cm. lef.

[1472. ]Hl. syn; Lichf. Cm. syn that; E. sith that; Cp. Pt. sithens that; rest sith that, sithens that.

[1475. ]E. vs; the rest as.

[1477. ]E. werken; Cm. werkyn; Hl. werke; rest worche.

[1479. ]E. Cm. omit his.

Colophon.So in E. Cm.; Hl. has—Here endeth the chanouns yeman his tale.

[]N.B.—Hl. = Harleian MS no 7334 (taken as the foundation of the text); Harl. = Harleian MS. no. 1758; Cp. = MS. Corp. Chr. Coll. Oxford; Ln. = Lansdowne MS. no. 851; Pt = Petworth MS.; Rl. = MS. Royal 18 c. ii; Sl. = MS. Sloane, no. 1685. Note that Cp. and Ln. are next in value to Hl., and often agree with it as against the rest.

[1. ]Cp. lesteneth; Sl Ln. listeneth; Hl. lestneth. Cp. herkeneth; Rl Sl. herkenyth; Hl. herkneth.

[2. ]Cp. schulle; Ln. schullen; Hl. schul. Hl. a talkyng; rest om.

[3. ]Hl. right; rest om.; read righte.

[4. ]Hl. ynough; rest om.

[5. ]Cp hadde; Rl. Sl. Pt Ln. had; Hl. om.

[14. ]Cp. Rl. hadde; Hl. had (and in l. 16).

[15. ]Cp. Ln. wolde; Hl. wold. Hl. amonges; rest among; see l. 36.

[16. ]Hl. might.

[17. ]Cp. Sl. Rl. Pt Ln. sente; Hl. sent. So in l. 19, where the MSS. wrongly have sent.

[21. ]Hl. ther; rest that.

[27. ]Hl. Cp. lengere; Ln. longer; rest lenger.

[29. ]Sl. Cp. Ln. herde; Hl. herd.

[30. ]Harl. Pt. ne; rest om.

[36. ]Hl. thre.

[37. ]Hl. And sires; rest om. sires

[44. ]Hl. schuld; Cp. scholde.

[46. ]Pt. londe; Ln. lande; rest lond.

[48. ]Hl. might; read mighte.

[50. ]Hl. come aȝein; rest omit aȝein, and read comen, camen, commen.

[51. ]Hl. anon right; rest anon, anoon.

[56. ]Hl. Pt om. right.

[59. ]Hl. fyf; rest fyue; see l. 57.

[60. ]Read righte; MSS. right.

[61. ]Ln. and of ledes.

[64. ]Cp. bequeste.

[66. ]Hl. bed; Cp bedde; see l. 24.

[69. ]Hl. And anon; rest om. And.

[71. ]Hl. as his (for and his).

[73. ]Hl. fed; rest fedde.

[76. ]Cp. aboughte; Ln. abouhte; rest abought, abowght.

[79. ]Rl. Sl. old, bold; rest olde, bolde.

[80. ]Rl. Sl. old, bold; rest olde, bolde.

[83. ]Ln. þouhte; rest om. the final e; see l 88.

[85. ]Hl. byreeued; rest om. by-.

[103. ]Rl. Sl. Pt. Harl. om. for.

[109. ]Hl durst; Cp. durste; Ln. dorste.

[112. ]Cp. lere; Hl. Ln. leren, rest lerne.

[119. ]Hl a staf had; rest hadde (had) a staf.

[120. ]Hl. anon; rest om.

[121. ]Hl. seyh.

[123. ]Hl of foot; rest om.

[124. ]Hl. Ln. on; rest sone on.

[128. ]Hl. the; rest his.

[129. ]Hl. eyȝe, pleyȝe; rest eye, pleye.

[130. ]Hl. eyȝe, pleyȝe; rest eye, pleye.

[131. ]Hl. how; rest om.

[133. ]MSS. omit final e in soughte.

[137. ]Hl. Rycher.

[138. ]Hl. Whil.

[140 &c. ]Hl. the.

[146 &c. ]Hl. the.

[150 &c. ]Hl. the.

[143. ]Cp. hadde. I had, Hl. had I hadde.

[144. ]Hl. he; rest thei.

[148. ]Harl Ln. if; Pt. wher; rest or.

[150. ]Hl Cp. Ln. Of; Harl. Of oo; Rl. Of a; Sl. Of o; Pt. Of oon.

[151. ]Ln. fel, pestel; rest felle, pestelle.

[152. ]Ln. fel, pestel; rest felle, pestelle.

[154. ]Hl. I; rest I it.

[157. ]Hl. whil.

[161. ]Hl. Cp. laye; Rl. leie; Sl leye; Pt Ln. ley

[164. ]Cp. þoughte; rest om. final e. Hl eek, rest om. Hl. Cp. Ln. of; rest on

[165. ]For knight, Hl. wrongly has king. MSS omit e in thoughte.

[166. ]Pt Harl. wente, rest went. Hl. kist; rest kissed; see l. 168

[169. ]Rl. lysteneth; Cp. lesteneth; Pt listeneth; Hl. lestneth

[171. ]Hl. wrastlyng; Cp. wrasteling; Rl. wrastelynge; Pt. wrastelinge.

[172. ]Hl. sette (wrongly); see l 184.

[173. ]Hl. good wil; Ln. wil; rest wille.

[177. ]Hl. Pt. spore; rest spores.

[178. ]Hl. byside; so in 183

[179. ]Hl. seyd; rest have final e.

[180. ]Hl. the the.

[181. ]For coursers, Hl. wrongly has course.

[183. ]Pt. wrasteling; Ln. warsteling; rest wrastlyng, wrastlynge.

[184. ]Hl. vp; rest om.

[189. ]Hl. set; Ln. sete; rest sette. Hl. om. 1st the.

[191. ]Hl. ride; rest riden, reden. Hl Ln. at the; Cp Pt. atte; rest at. All gate (wrongly); and thate (for that) in next line.

[192. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[194. ]Pt. wrestelinge; rest wrastlyng, wrastlinge, wrestlinge.

[197. ]Hl. syng, wryng.

[198. ]Hl. syng, wryng.

[206. ]Cp. handelen; Hl. handil.

[211. ]Hl. anon; rest om.

[213. ]Hl. Cp. Ln. the place; rest om. the. Hl. the.

[217. ]Hl. Pt. durst; rest durste, dorste.

[218. ]All but Hl. ins. a bef. champioun.

[219. ]Hl. raply and; rest rapely (omitting and).

[222. ]Rl. Harl. Sl. here.

[224. ]Hl. whil, Whiles.

[225. ]Hl. whil, Whiles.

[227. ]Hl. al; rest om.

[232. ]Hl. fynd; rest fynde, finde.

[234. ]Hl. the.

[236. ]Hl. gon to; Cp Ln. gonne; rest gon.

[242. ]Hl. tuo.

[243. ]Hl. Ln. smartly; Rl. Pt. smertely; see l. 187.

[245. ]All kast or kest. All left, lift; read lefte. Hl. thre

[247. ]Hl. smertly; see l. 243.

[249. ]Hl. seyd; rest have final e.

[250. ]Hl. Ln. comes; rest cometh; read it as comth.

[260. ]Hl. seyd; rest have final e.

[253. ]Hl. seyd; rest have final e.

[254. ]Hl. the.

[255. ]Hl. welle.

[256. ]Hl a lither; Cp. oure alther; rest alther. For fel, all have felle or felle.

[258. ]Hl. Cp. Ln. my; rest in my. Rl Pt. Ln. handeled; Hl. Sl. Cp. handled.

[260. ]Hl. eny; rest om.

Hl. seyd; rest have final e.

[267. ]ther were that] Pt that; rest om.

[273. ]Hl. brouk; Cp. Ln. brouke; Pt. broke.

[274. ]Hl beyeth; rest byeth, bieth.

[279. ]Pt. wrasteling; Ln. warstelinge; Rl. wrastlinge; rest wrastlyng.

[282. ]Cp. beste; Hl. Ln. best; rest om. ll. 281, 282.

[287. ]Hl. ful; rest om.

[288. ]Rl. Harl. sterte; rest stert.

[289. ]Hl. lestneth; Pt. l.stneþ; rest lesteneth, listenythe, listeneth, lysteneyth. Pt. Ln. ȝonge; rest yong, ȝong.

[293. ]All yate, gate, and in the next line ther-ate.

[295. ]Hl. berd.

[300. ]and] Hl. Cp. he.

[304. ]Hl. Cp. gert; rest girt.

[306. ]Hl. Cp. fadmen; Pt. fadme; Rl. Sl. fadame; Ln. faþem; Harl fadome.

[312. ]Hl. maner men; rest om. Hl has 2nd in, rest om. Hl. Rl Pt. wold, Cp. Ln. wolde.

[317. ]Hl. that; rest om

[318. ]Hl. while. Hl thrynne; Cp thrinne, Sl. Pt þer-inne; Ln þere-inne.

[323. ]Hl. nyggoun; Rl. Sl. nygon; Pt. nigon; Cp. Ln. negon.

[328. ]Hl. myrth and; rest om. Hl that was; rest om. that (as being understood).

[330. ]Hl Cp durst; rest dorst.

[334. ]Hl. y-dronke; rest omit y- Pt. Ln brouke; Rl browke; Hl. brouk

[335. ]Hl. he, rest om.

[337. ]Hl wold Hl lenger abide; rest dwelled lenger.

[339. ]Pt feest, Hl. fest. MSS. brought, broght.

[340. ]Hl. gestys; see l 336. Hl. took, Ln. had take; Cp. toke; Sl to (sic); rest toke

[341. ]Hl. lestneth; Pt. listen; rest lesteneth, listenyth.

[343. ]Hl. herkneth; rest Herkeneth, Herkenyth, Harkeneth.

[346. ]MSS. thought.

[350. ]Hl. I-take; rest taken. Cp Ln. harde; rest hard.

[351. ]Cp Rl Ln. false; rest fals. Hl. selleer; Cp. sellere; Ln. selere; rest solere (rightly; cf. toret in l. 329).

[360. ]Pt. dethes; rest deth; see l. 24.

[363. ]Rl. Sl. Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[365. ]Hl. Cp. Ln. geten heir (heer, here); rest heir (heire, here) geten.

[367. ]Hl. sayd; rest have final e.

[376. ]Hl. forsworn; but see l. 380.

[381. ]Hl. might; read mighte; rest vary.

[382. ]Sl. Ln. hadde; Cp. hadden; rest had, hadd.

[383. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[384. ]Cp. sente; Sl. sende; rest sent.

[386. ]Hl. Rl. told; Ln. tolden; rest tolde.

[388. ]Hl. ther; rest om. Cp. lokeden; rest loked; read lokede.

[394. ]Hl. the; rest om.

[400. ]All the (for thee).

[405. ]All the (for thee).

[407. ]Hl brouk; Cp. Pt. Ln. brouke.

[414. ]Hl. Sl. hold; rest holde, halde. After w[Editor: illegible letter]l Cp. ins. lose, and Harl. helpe.

[417. ]Hl. hand; Cp. handes; rest hondes.

[424. ]Hl. Cp. rapely and; rest om and.

[430. ]Hl. Wher; Ln. Where; Cp. For; rest Or.

[432. ]All the (for thee).

[434. ]Ln. sonondaye; Hl. and rest sonday; read sonnenday or soneday.

[437. ]Pt. Ln. Harl. bound fast; rest hond-fast (rightly).

[438. ]All but Hl. ins that bef. awey.

[439. ]Hl. waisschen; rest wasschen, wasshen.

[443. ]Hl. vnto; rest to.

[450. ]Hl. I; rest we.

[453. ]Ln. twynke; Hl. Cp. twynk; rest wynke, winke, wynk.

[456. ]Hl. ȝeuyng; Cp. yeuyng; rest yeuen, ȝeuen, or ȝiuen.

[457. ]Hl. thanne; rest om.

[460. ]Hl. lest; Cp. leste.

[461. ]This is Zupitza’s emendation; MSS. as they atte halle dore comen in.

[463. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[464. ]Hl. wer; rest were.

[467. ]or] Hl. other.

[471. ]Ln false; rest fals.

[478. ]All but Hl. ins to bef. bringe.

[486. ]Hl. seyde; Pt. Ln Harl seiden. Hl were; Cp. Ln. weren.

[488. ]All but Hl. ins. sorwe and bef. scathe.

[489. ]Hl brouk; rest brouke, browke, broke.

[495. ]MSS thought, brought; against grammar.

[496. ]MSS thought, brought; against grammar.

[498. ]Ln keste; rest cast.

[504. ]Ln. fellen; rest felle, fell.

[505. ]Hl. lewede; Pt. Ln. lewe; rest lewed, lewid.

[507. ]Hl. besyde; Rl. by-siden; Sl. bisiden; Cp. besyden.

[512. ]Pt. Ln. ne; rest om. Hl. him; rest hem (twice). Sl. Cp. quitte; Hl. quyt.

[516. ]Hl. schan; rest shal, schal

[520. ]Hl. Cp. Ln. om. that.

[531. ]Hl. om. we.

[532. ]Hl. Pt. Ln. omit second with.

[536. ]Cp. gerte, rest gert, girt, gerd.

[540. ]Hl. colyn; Cp. coole; Ln. coly; rest colen.

[543. ]Rl. Sl. Pt. Harl. insert her (here) before awe; Hl. Cp. Ln. omit.

[545. ]Hl. a; rest om.

[550. ]I supply was; the two Cambridge MSS. have come; which the rest omit; see ll. 240, 785.

[551. ]Hl. lestneth; Cp. lesteneth. Hl. goode.

[555. ]Rl. Sl. Pt. Harl. by her (here) fay; Cp. be way; Hl. Ln. away.

[563. ]Hl. y-steke; rest om.

[573. ]Cp. Ln. Harl. wente; rest went.

[576. ]Cp. schulle; Hl. schul. Hl. na (for nat); rest not, nouht.

[588. ]Hl. den; Pt. fenne; rest fen.

[589. ]Cp. Ln. wente; rest went.

[594. ]Hl. fle; rest to fle (flee).

[602. ]Hl. comth; rest cometh.

[603. ]So Hl; rest sayde to

[606. ]Hl vs; rest om.

[608. ]Hl. tuo; rest om.

[609. ]Hl. coursers; but see l. 617

[611. ]Hl. adoun; rest doun.

[614. ]Hl. sent; Cp. Sl. sente.

[615. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[618. ]Cp. likede; Ln. loked; rest liked.

[621. ]Hl. for; rest om.

[625. ]Hl. And; rest om.

[627. ]Hl. loked.

Hl. the; rest om.

[640. ]Cp. Pt Harl. sende; rest send. Hl. non but; rest om.

[642. ]Hl. loked.

[643. ]Hl. ȝe; rest om.

[652. ]Hl Cp. They; Rl. Thei; Sl Ln. Though.

[654. ]Hl alle; rest om.

[655. ]Hl sayd; rest add e. Hl vnto; rest to

[663. ]Hl. heende; Cp. kynde; rest hende.

[664. ]Hl. an (for 1st and).

[665. ]Hl. seyd, Ln seid; rest add e

[666. ]Hl. auntre; rest auenture me Hl. Cp. Ln. to the dore; rest om.

[673. ]Hl for; rest om.

[674. ]Hl. with; rest om.

[679. ]Hl. ther; rest om. Hl. adoun; rest doun.

[681. ]Hl. sete and; rest om.

[682. ]Hl seyd; rest add e. Hl. Pt Ln. that oon . . . other; rest on to an other.

[688. ]Hl. tho, rest om

[689. ]Hl. I-made; Cp. Sl maad; rest made.

[690. ]Hl. tho, rest om

[694. ]Cp. Maad; rest Made (badly). Cp. Ln here; rest her

[697. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[699. ]Rl Sl. glad, rest glade, gladde

[700. ]Sl. Cp maad, rest made, maade

[703. ]Hl. how; rest om.

[704. ]So Hl Cp. Ln.; rest and alle his.

[712. ]Hl. om 2nd I.

[713. ]Hl. hem; rest om. Harl boþe housbonde; rest myn housbondes.

[715. ]Hl. came; see l 717.

[718. ]Rl Sl. Cp. putte; rest put.

[719. ]Hl. alle; rest om

[722. ]Hl me; rest do me.

[723. ]Cp. thoughte the false; rest thought the fals.

[724. ]MSS. most, the e being elided.

[725. ]Rl. Sl. Cp. laste, faste; rest last, fast.

[726. ]Rl. Sl. Cp. laste, faste; rest last, fast.

[728. ]Hl. Cp. heende; rest hende.

[729. ]Hl. ther; rest om.

[730. ]Hl. Cp. told; rest tolde.

[734. ]Hl. anon right; Ln. ful sone; rest right sone.

[737. ]Rl. Cp. beste; rest best.

[739. ]Pt Ln. false; rest fals

[741. ]Hl anon; rest om.

[744. ]Hl Cp. maympris. Hl Sl Ln. graunt; rest graunte. Hl. him; Cp. Ln. to; rest om.

[747. ]Hl. forthward; rest forward.

[749. ]Hl if; rest om.

[754. ]Hl. Cp. dwelleden; Ln. dwelden; rest dwellide, dwellid, dwelled.

[755. ]Hl. Cp. heende; Rl. hynde; rest hende.

[761. ]MSS. sitte, except Hl. sitt in l 766. Here sitte is subj.; but in l. 766 sit=sitteth.

[765. ]Hl. hold; Rl. hold me; rest holde me.

Hl. witt, sitt.

[766. ]MSS. sitte, except Hl. sitt in l 766. Here sitte is subj.; but in l. 766 sit=sitteth.

Hl. witt, sitt.

[769. ]Hl lestneth; Cp. lesteneth; Rl. Pt. listeneth.

[770. ]Rl. Sl Cp hadde; rest had. Hl Pt. al; rest om.

[771. ]Hl. aȝein; rest om.

[773. ]Hl. Cp Ln. ȝonge; rest [Editor: illegible letter]ong.

[774. ]Hl mery; rest om.

[775. ]Hl. talked; Rl. Pt. talkeden; Sl. talkiden.

[779. ]Sl. Cp. Ln. hadde; Rl. hade; rest had.

[782. ]MSS might; the e being elided.

[784. ]Cp. false; rest fals.

[789. ]Hl. thought, see l. 791.

[794. ]Hl. sitt.

[800. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[804. ]Hl. his; rest om.

[805. ]MSS. sette, spette (wrongly).

[806. ]MSS. sette, spette (wrongly).

[807. ]Cp. wente; rest went.

[808. ]Hl gret; rest grete.

[811. ]Hl. felaws; rest felawes, felowes.

[816. ]Ln. brouht it; Hl. om. it; rest it broughte; but read broughte him.

[818. ]Rl. Sl. Pt. mote; Ln. mot; Hl. Cp most.

[819. ]Cp. reed; Hl red; rest rede.

[822. ]Hl. Pt lat; rest late.

[826. ]for to in MS. Camb. Mm. 2. 5; rest om. for.

[828. ]Hl. on; rest om

[829. ]Rl. bade; rest bad.

[837. ]Hl. beende; Cp. Pt. Ln. bende.

[838. ]Hl. Cp heende; rest hende.

[843. ]Hl. om. the. Hl. Iugges; rest Iugge, Iuge.

[845. ]Cp Thanne; rest Than.

[850. ]I supply a-two.

[851. ]Hl. arm; rest armes.

[854. ]Rl. Harl. ferd; Pt feerd; Hl. Cp. fered; Ln. ferde.

[855. ]MSS. sete.

[857. ]stede] Hl. Rl. Cp. sete (wrongly).

[859. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[861. ]Cp. hadde; Rl. hade; Hl. had (2nd time).

Hl. rest, quest; see ll 871, 872.

[862. ]Hl. rest, quest; see ll 871, 872.

[864. ]Hl. Cp. Ln he; Rl. Pt. him; Harl. (1758) hym.

[866. ]Cp. feteren; Hl. fetere.

[872. ]Hl. om. good.

[877. ]Hl. tarie; rest om.

[878. ]Rl. Pt. Harl. quest; rest queste.

[879. ]Cp. beþ, rest bothe, both.

[880. ]Hl. om. the before ropes. Hl Rl. Cp. wynd; rest wynde, winde.

[883. ]Cp. Ln. false; rest fals.

[884. ]Cp hadde, Ln. hade; rest had.

[885. ]Hl. Pt nek; rest necke, nekke.

[886. ]Rl. Cp. hadde, rest had.

[888. ]Hl. They; rest om Hl. freendes. Hl. euen to; Rl. Harl and passeden to; Pt and passed to, Cp and passed with; Ln. and pesed with.

[892. ]Hl. al; rest om.

[896. ]Cp. Pt quitte; Hl. quyt.

[902. ]Ln bringe, rest bryng, bring.

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