TORRENT OF PORTYNGALE.

Here bygynneth a good tale

Of Torrente of Portyngale.

(1)

God, that ys worthy and Bold,

Heuen⁾ and Erthe haue In hold,

Fyld, watyr, and wynde,

Yeve vse grace hevyn⁾ to wyne,

And brynge vs owt off Dedly synne 5

And In thy seruyse to Ende!

A stounde and ye woll̴ lyst be-Dene,

Ale dowghtty men⁾ þat Euyr hathe ben⁾,

Wher So that they lende,

I Schall̴ yow tell̴, ore I hense pase, 10

Off a knyght, þat Dowghtty wase,

In Rome ase clarkys ffynde.

(2)

In Portynggall̴, that Ryche londe,

An Erell̴ that wase wonande,

That curtese wase and wyght; 15

Sone aftyr he had a sone,

The feyerest þat on fot myght gon,

Tyrrant, men seyd, he hyght.

Be tyme he wase XVIII yer⁾ old,

Of deddes of armys he wase bold, 20

To felle bothe kyng and knyght;

And now commythe dethe appon a day

And takythe hys father⁾, ase I yow sey,

For God ys most of myght.

(3)

The kyng of Portynggall̴ wase fayne, 25

To-warde hym he takythe Torrayne,

That Dowghtty ys in⁾ dedde;

And ther he fesomnyd in⁾ hys hond

A good Eyrldom in⁾ that lond,

Bothe forest and fede. 30

The kyng hathe a dowghttyr whyte ase fame,

Dysonell wase her name,

Worthyest in wede.

When Torrent had of her⁾ a syght,

More he lovyd that swete wyght 35

Than⁾ all̴ ys fathyrys lede.

(4)

For love of thys lady Deyr⁾

In dede of armys far and nere

Aventorres gan he take

With heve tymbyr and ovyr-Ryde, 40

Ther myght no man⁾ hys dent a-bydde,

But to the Erthe he them strake.

Her father and other knyghttes mo

Had farly, how he Ryd soo,

And on a day to hyme spake, 45

He Seyd: ‘Torrent, howe may thys byne,

That thow Dyspisyst thes knyghttes kene

And ordurres non woll̴ take?’

(5)

Torrent sayd: ‘So mvt I the,

An other sayment woll̴ I see, 50

Ore I take ordor of knyght.’

Tho he sware be hevyn kyng,

Ther wase told hym a wondyr-thyng⁾

In hys chambyr to nyght:

‘For⁾ the love of my doughter dere 55

Thow makyst good far and nere

In⁾ Dedde of armys bryght;

And wyt thow wyll̴, so god me saue,

Thow schalt her⁾ wyne, yf thow her haue,

Be thow neuyr so wyght!’ 60

(6)

Torrent sayd: ‘Be Marry dere,

And I were off armyse clere,

Yowr Dowghttyr me leve were.’

The kyng seyd: ‘Yf yt be soo,

Ore VII yere be a-go, 65

More schall̴ we here:

Durst thow, for my dowghttyr sake,

A poynt of armys for to take

With-owt helpe of fere?’

Than seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped, 70

With anny man⁾ that syttythe on stede

Other far ore nere!’

(7)

Ther-of the kyng⁾ for tene wax wode:

‘Yf thow wylt make thy body good,

Be trew and hold thy contenance . . . . . . . 75

Tho seyd Torrant: ‘So god me sped ere!

And I wyst, in⁾ what sted they were,

Fore no man⁾ wold I chaunce.’

(8)

‘In to the Grekes see a mylle

Ther lyvythe a gyant in an yle, 80

Full̴ Euyll̴ thow dourst hyme stond.

My fayer⁾ forestes fellythe downe he

And Ryche castelles in⁾ that contre,

No ston lettythe he stond.’

(9)

Terrent sayd: ‘Be Marre bryght, 85

Yt ys gret sorrow that he hathe syght,

The devyll̴ of hell̴ hym blynd!’

The kyng sayd: ‘Par la-more de dewe,

Thow darryst full̴ evyll̴ with thy Ey hym sewe,

He wold fell̴ the with hys wynde.’ 90

‘Now, be my trowthe,’ seyd Torrent than⁾,

‘Ase I ame a jentylman⁾,

Yf I may hym fynd,

Won fot woll̴ I not fro hym pase,

Thow he be stronger⁾ than Samson⁾ wase, 95

Or anny man⁾ of hys kynd!’

(10)

Hys squyerys, they mornyd sare,

With-owt fere that he schold fare

To that gret iorney,

With the gyant heygh for to fyght. 100

Be-gon⁾-mese that gyant hyght,

That fynddes fere for aye.

To arme hyme Torrant gas,

Hys good stede with hym he tas,

With owt squyer⁾ that Day. 105

He takythe leve at lorddys hend,

And on hys wey gan he wynd,

For hym all̴ they pray.

(11)

Lytyll̴ wyst Desonell̴ that jente,

For whos love that he went 110

To fyght with that knave.

Now god, that Dyed appon a Rode,

Strengithe hym bothe bone and blod,

The fyld for to haue!

He that schall̴ wend soche a wey, 115

Yt were nede for hym to pray,

That Iesu hym schuld saue.

Yt ys in⁾ the boke of Rome,

Ther was no knyght of kyrstendome,

That jorney Durst crave. 120

(12)

VI days Rydythe he

By the cost of the feyer⁾ see,

To seke the gyant kene.

By the cost as he Rode,

In a forest longe and brode 125

And symly wase to sene,

Hey sperrys ther he fonde

And gret olyvys growonde

Coverd in⁾ levys grene.

Sone wase he ware, ase y yow say, 130

Vppon a movnteyn⁾ ther he laye

On slepe, ase I wene.

(13)

Torrent, on kne knelyd he

And be-sowght Jesu so fre,

That bowght hym with hys blod: 135

‘Lord, ase thow dyd ryght for Mary,

Let me never take velony

And gef me of thy fode!

Serttes, yf I hym slepyng⁾ slone,

Manfull̴ Ded were yt none 140

For my body, be the Rode.’

Tho Terrant blewe hys bugell̴ bold,

To loke that he a-wake wold,

And sythe ner⁾ hyme Rode.

(14)

So fast a-slepe he wase browght, 145

Hys hornys blast a-woke hyme nowght,

He swellyd ase dothe the see.

Torrent saw, he woll̴ not wake,

He Reynyd hys sted vnto a stake,

Ase a jentyll̴ man⁾ so fre. 150

So hy, he say, wase the movnteyne,

Ther myght no horse wynd hym⁾ a-geyn⁾

But yf he nowyd wold be;

Thowe the wey neuyr⁾ so wykkyd ware,

On hys wey gan he fare, 155

In⁾ gret perayll̴ went hee.

(15)

Torent went to that movnteyn⁾,

He put hys spere hyme a-geyne,

‘A-Ryse, fellow!’ gan he saye;

‘Who made the so bold here to dwell̴, 160

My lordes frethe thus to fell̴?

A-mendes the be-hovythe to pay.’

The gyant Rysythe, ase he had byn⁾ wod,

And Redyly by hyme stode,

Be-syd hyme on a lay, 165

And seyd: ‘Sertes, yf I leve,

Soche a wed I woll̴ the geff,

To meve the Euyr⁾ and ay.’

(16)

Thow the chyld were neuyr⁾ so yinge,

The fyndes spere sparrythe hyme no-thyng⁾ 170

In the holttes haree;

Who had fare and nere byne,

And neuer had of fytyng syn⁾,

He myght a lernyd thare.

The gyant, the fyrst stroke to hym he cast, 175

His good schyld all̴ to-brast,

In schevyres spred wase yare;

Tho covd he no bettur Red,

But stond styll̴, tyll̴ one were ded;

The gyant lefte hym thar. 180

(17)

Torrent vndyr hys spryt he sprent

And a-bowght the body he hyme hente,

As far as he myght last.

‘A! fellow, wylt thow so?’

And to the grownd gan they goo, 185

Of the movnteyn⁾ bothe downe they past.

Ase the boke of Rome tellys,

They tornyd XXXII ellys,

In armys walloyng fast.

Yt tellythe in⁾ the boke of Rome, 190

Euyr⁾ ase the gyant a-boue come,

Hys guttes owt of hys body brast.

(18)

At the fot of the movnteyn⁾

Ther lay a gret Ragyd ston⁾, serteyn⁾,

Yt nyhed ys schuldyr bon⁾ 195

And also hys Ryght syd,

Ther to that gyant fell̴ that tyd,

Ase I herd in⁾ Rome . . .

(19)

Thorrow hyme, that mad man⁾,

Torrent sone a-bovyn⁾ wane 200

And fast he gan him quelle

With a knyffe feyer⁾ and bryght;

Torrent, with all̴ hys myght

Ther-with he gard hyme dwell̴.

(20)

Torent knelyd on hys kne, 205

To Iesu Cryst prayd he,

That hathe thys world to wyld:

‘Lord, lovyd, evyr lovyd thowe be,

The feyer⁾ fyld thow hast lent Me,’

—Vpp bothe hys handes he held— 210

‘All̴ onely with-owt any knaue

Of the fynd the maystry to haue,

Of hym to wyn the fyld.’

Now ys ther none other to say,

Of hyme he wane the fyld þat day; 215

I pray God hyme schyld.

(21)

Torrent went vppe a-geyne

To the movnt, ase I gan sayne,

The londes to se far and nere;

In the see a myle, hyme thoȝt, 220

An hold wase Rychyly wrowt,

In that lond wase not here perre.

The see wase Ebbyd, I yow sey,

Torrent thether toke the way,

Werry all̴ thow he were; 225

And ther he fownd Ryche wonys,

Towrres Endentyd with presyos stonys,

Schynyng ase crystall̴ clere.

(22)

Two gattys off yron⁾ ther he fond,

Ther in⁾ Torrent gan wonde, 230

A nyghtes Rest there in⁾ to ta;

And at the hale dore ther wase

A lyon⁾ & a lyonasse,

Ther men be-twene them twa

Fast Etyng⁾, ase ye may here; 235

Crystyñ man thow he were,

Hys browys wexe bla,

And wit yow will̴, lord god yt wote,

He durst goo no fote,

Lest they wold hyme sla. 240

(23)

Torrant stod and be-held,

And prayd to god, that ale may wyld,

To send hyme harborrow good.

Sone hard he within a whalle

The syghyng of a lady smalle, 245

Sche weppte, as sche were wod;

Sche mornyd sore and sayd: ‘Alas,

That Euyr⁾ kynges dowghttyr wase

Ouer-come of so jentyll̴ blod,

For now ame I holdyn⁾ here 250

In lond with a fyndes fere!’

Torrent hard, wher he stod.

(24)

‘Dere god,’ seyd Torrant than⁾,

‘Yff ther be anny crystyn⁾ man⁾

In thys hold of ston⁾, 255

That woll̴, for the love of god of myght,

Harbourrow a jentylman⁾ thys nyght,

For I ame but on⁾!’

‘Seynt Marry,’ seyd that lady clere,

‘What crystyn⁾ man⁾ axithe harburrow here?’ 260

Nere hym sche gothe a-non.

‘I wold harburrow the full̴ fayne,

But a gyant wyll̴ the slayne.’

To hym sche mad here mone.

(25)

‘Say me now, fayer⁾ lady, belyve, 265

Who owte of thys plase schall̴ me dryve,

Thes tourres, that are so bryght?’

Ther sche Seyd: ‘Be hevyn⁾ kyng⁾,

Here ys a gyant Dwellyng,

That meche ys of myght. 270

Be my trowthe, and he the see,

Were ther⁾ XX lyvys in⁾ the,

Thy dethe than wyll̴ he dyght.

Iesu cryst yef me grace

To hyd the in⁾ some preve plase 275

Owt of the fyndes syght! . . . . .

(26)

‘Euyr⁾ me thynkythe be thy tale,

The song of the burdes smale

On slepe hathe hyme browght.’

‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ore he be wakyn⁾, 280

I schall̴ the tell̴ soche a tokyn⁾,

Of hym thow haue no thowght!

But wolddes thow for thy gentry

Do the lyonnys downe lye,

That they nyee me nowght?’ 285

By the hande sche ganne hym ta

And led hyme in⁾ betwe them twa;

Ryght ase sche wold, they wrowght.

(27)

The lady wase neuyr⁾ so a-drad,

In to the hale sche hym lad, 290

That lemyred ase gold bryght;

Sche byrlyd whyt wyne and Rede:

‘Make vse myrre a-geyne owre Dedd,

I wot will̴, yt ys so dyght!’

‘Be my trowthe!’ seyd Torrent, 295

‘I wole be thy warrant,

He comythe not here thys nyght.

On soche a slepe he ys browght,

All̴ men of lyve wakythe hym nowght,

But onely godes myght.’ 300

(28)

Blythe then wase that lady jent,

For to on-harnes Torrent,

That dowghtty wase and bold;

‘For sothe,’ sche seyd, ‘I wot wher ys

The kynges sone Verdownys, 305

Fast put in hold

In a dongon⁾, that ys dym;

Fowyre good Erylles sonnys be with hyme

Ys fet in⁾ fere and fold.

The gyant wan theme in⁾ a tyde, 310

Ase they Rane be the watyr syd,

And put them in⁾ preson⁾ cold.

(29)

‘In an yron⁾ cage he hathe them done.’

Torrent went thether⁾ sone:

‘Are ye yet levand?’ 315

The kynges sone askyd than⁾,

Yf ther were anny crysten man⁾,

‘Wold bryng vse owt of bond?’

‘Lord,’ he seyd, ‘god all̴myght,

I had levyr on a Day to fyght, 320

Than all̴ my fathyrys lond.’

With an iryn⁾ mall̴ styff and strong⁾

He brake vpe an yron⁾ dore or longe,

And sone the keyes he fond.

(30)

Owt he toke thys chyldyryn⁾ fyve, 325

The feyrest that were on lyve,

I-hold in⁾ anny sted.

The lady wase full̴ gled,

Sche byrlyd whyt wyn⁾ and Redd,

And sethyn⁾ to soper sone they yed. 330

‘Lordes,’ he seyd, ‘syn yow are her⁾,

I Red yow make Ryght good cher⁾,

For now ys all̴ thy nede.’

Thus he covyrd owt of care.

God, that sofryd wonddes sare, 335

Grante vse well̴ to sped!

(31)

Lorddes, and ye wol lythe,

The chyldyr namys I woll̴ tell̴ blythe,

Here kyn, how they were me told;

The kynges sone, that dowghtty ys, 340

Wase clepyd Verdownys,

That dowghtty wase and bold,

And an Erylles son, that hyght Torren⁾,

A nother Iakys of Berweyne,

The forthe was Amyas bold. 345

The kynges dowghttyr of Gales lond,

Elyoner⁾, I vndyrstond,

That worthy wase in hold,

(32)

In to hys chambyr sche hyme led,

Ther gold and syluyr wase spred, 350

And asur⁾, that wase blo;

In yron ther he gan stond,

Body and armys al schynand,

In⁾ powynt to trusse and goo.

In to a stabyll̴ sche hym led, 355

Eche toke a full̴ feyer⁾ sted,

They were redy to goo;

And wote ye well̴ and vndyrstond,

Had the gyant be levand,

They had not partyd soo. 360

(33)

They woll̴ not to bed gange,

Tyll̴ on the morrow the Day spronge,

Thus a wey to ffare.

Torrant sperryd the gattys, i-wyse,

All̴ that he lyst he clepyd hys, 365

The keys and thyng he bare.

The lyons that was at the dore

Wase led to her⁾ mayster that wase befor⁾,

On hym thay fed them yare,

Vpp won of the horse, that wase ther⁾ levyd, 370

On hym thei trussyd the gyanttes heved.

Thus helpt hym god thar⁾.

(34)

But ore III wekes wer⁾ commyn⁾ to End,

To Portynggall̴ gan he wend,

Ther⁾ ase the kyng gan lend; 375

The porter⁾ sawe hym ther he stood,

He fled a wey, ase he were wod,

Flyngyng ase a fynd.

‘Syr kyng,’ he seyd, ‘be goddes dede,

Torrant bryngythe a devyll̴ ys hed, 380

Ther with he woll̴ yow present.’

Desonell̴ seyd: ‘Porter⁾, be styll̴!’ . . .

In hys walke ther ase he went.

(35)

The kyng to the gatys gan pase,

Gret lordes that ther wase, 385

Bothe knyghtes and squyerre,

Lordes wase full̴ sore a-dred

Fore the lyonys, þat he had,

They durst not come hyme ner⁾.

The kyng seyd: ‘I wyll̴ the kysse, 390

Durst I for⁾ thy bestes, Iwysse.’

Torrent dyd them ly ther⁾,

And kyssyd the kyng with joy and blyse;

And aftyr, other lordes of hys,

And aftyr, ladys clere. 395

(36)

Messengyres went the weye,

To the kyng of Provyns to sey,

Hys sone ys owt of hold:

‘Yyng Torrent of Portynggall̴

Hathe browght hym owt of balle 400

And slayne the jeyant bold.’

Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴ þat ther wer⁾,

All̴ they mad good cher

Her⁾ prynse fayne se wold.

The kyng seyd: ‘So mot I the, 405

I woll̴ geff the towynnys thre

For⁾ the talles thow hast me told.’

(37)

Than seyd they, that to Gales yede,

Yeftys to take were hem no ned,

Then Verdownys had they. 410

Ase they seyłyd on a tyde,

At Perrown⁾ on the see syd

. . . . . . . . . . .

The kyng of Provynse seyd: ‘So mot I the,

Yftles schall̴ they not be, 415

That dare I sothely sey.’

The kyng of Gales proferd hym feyer⁾:

‘Wed my dowghttyr and myn Eyer⁾,

When so euyr⁾ thow may! . . . . .

(38)

The kyng of Pervense seyd: ‘So mot I the, 420

Thys seson⁾ yeftles schall̴ thow not be,

Haue here my Ryng of gold,

My sword, that so wyll̴ ys wrowyt;

A better than⁾ yt know I nowght

With in⁾ crystyn⁾ mold; 425

Yt ys ase glemyrryng ase the glase,

Thorrow Velond wroght yt wase,

Bettyr ys non⁾ to hold.

I have syne sum tyme in⁾ lond,

Whoso had yt of myn⁾ hond, 430

Fawe they were I-told.’

(39)

Tho wase Torrent blythe and glad,

The good swerd ther he had,

The name wase Adolake.

A gret maynerey let he make ryght 435

That lest all̴ a fortnyght,

Who so will̴ hys met take.

Euyry man toke ys leve, ase I yow say,

Hom-ward to wend ther wey,

Euery man ys Rest to take. 440

Tyll̴ yt be-fell̴ vppon a day,

Ase they went be the wey,

The kyng to hys dowghttyr spake:

(40)

‘Ye schall̴ take hed of a jeentyll̴ man⁾,

A feyer⁾ poynt for⁾ yow he wane, 445

Desonell̴, at the last.’

‘Syr,’ sche seyd, ‘be hevyn kyng,

Tyll̴ ye me told, I knewe no thyng,

For who ys love yt wase.’

‘Desonell̴, so mvt I the, 450

Yt wase for the lowe of the,

That he trovylld so fast.

I warne yow, dowghttyr, be the Rode,

Yt ys for yow bothe good,

Ther to I Red yow trast.’ 455

(41)

Forthe sche browght a whyt sted,

As whyt as the flowyr in⁾ med,

Ys fytte blac ase slon.

‘Leman⁾, haue here thys fole,

That dethe ys dynt schalt þou not thole, 460

Whyll̴ thow settyste hyme appon⁾,

And yf thow had persewyd be

And hadyst ned fore to fle,

Fast for to gone.

The kyng of Nazareth sent hym me, 465

Torrent, I wet-saffe hym on the,

For better love may I none.’

(42)

Aftyr-ward vppon a tyd,

Ase the went be the watyres syd,

The kyng and yong Torrent, 470

The kyng wold fayne, that he ded wer⁾,

And he wyst, in⁾ what maner⁾,

How he schuld be schent;

A false lettyr mad the kyng

And dyd messengyres forthe yt bryng, 475

On the Rever⁾, ase they went,

To Torrent, that was trew ase styll̴,

Yf he love Desonell̴ wyll̴,

Get her a facon⁾ jent.

(43)

Torrent the letter be-gan⁾ to Red, 480

The kyng lestyned & nere yed,

Ase he yt nevyr ad sene.

‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘what may thys be,

Loo, lord, come ner⁾ and see,

A-bowght a facon⁾ schene? 485

I ne wot, so god me sped,

In what lond that they bred.’

The kyng answerd: ‘I wene,

In the forrest of Mavdeleyn⁾,

Ther be hawkes, ase I herd seyne, 490

That byn of lenage clen⁾.’

(44)

And than seyd the kyng on-trew:

‘Yf thow get hawkys of gret valew,

Bryng on of them to me!’

Torrent Seyd: ‘So god me saue, 495

Yf yt be-tyd, that I may haue,

At yowr wyll̴ they schal be.’

Hys squyere bode he thar⁾,

Aftyr hys armor⁾ for to far⁾,

In the fyld byddythe he. 500

They armyd hym in⁾ hys wed,

Tho he be-strod a noble sted,

And forthe than Rod hee.

(45)

Torrent toke the wey a-geyn⁾

In to the forest of Mawdleyn⁾, 505

In the wyld-some way;

Berys and apes there founde he,

And wylde bestys great plente,

And lyons where they lay.

In a wod that wase tyght, 510

Yt Drew nere-hand nyght

By dymmynge of the Day,

Harkyn, lordes, to them came wo,

He and hys squyer⁾ partyd in two,

Carfull̴ men then were they. 515

(46)

At the schedyng of a Rome

Eche partyd other frome,

For sothe, ase I vndyrstond.

Torrent toke a dulful wey

Downe in⁾ a depe valey 520

Be-syd a well̴ strong.

A lytyll̴ be fore mydnyght

Of a dragon he had syght,

That grysly wase to fond;

He had hym nowght to were, 525

But hys schyld and hys spere,

That wase in⁾ hys squyeres hond.

(47)

Torrent knelyd on hys kne,

To Iesu Cryst prayd he:

‘Lord, mykyll̴ of myght, 530

Syne I wase in⁾ meche care,

Let me nevuyr⁾ owt of thys world far⁾,

Tyll̴ I haue take order of knyght.

Ase I ame falsely hether⁾ sent,

Wyld-som weyes haue I went, 535

With fyndes for to fyght.

Now, Iesu, for thy holy name,

Ase I ame but man⁾ a-lone,

Than⁾ be my helpe to nyght!’

(48)

Ase Torrent Iesu gan⁾ pray, 540

He herd the dragon⁾, ther he lay

Vndyr-nethe a clow;

Of and on he wase stronge,

Hys tayle wase VII yerdes long,

That aftyr hyme he drowe; 545

Hys wyngges wase long and wyght,

To the chyld he toke a flyght

With an howge swowe;

Had he nether⁾ schyld ne spere,

But prayd to god, he schold hyme were, 550

For he wase in dred i-nowe.

(49)

On the tayle an hed ther⁾ wase,

That byrnyd Bryght as anny glase,

In fyer whan yt was dyght;

A-bowght the schyld he lappyd yt ther⁾, 555

Torrent the bowght a-sondyr schere

Thurrow the grace of god almyght.

As the boke of Rome tellys,

Of hys taylle he cut IIII elles

With hys swerd so bryght. 560

Than cryed the lothely thyng,

That all̴ the dall̴ be-gan to Ryng,

That hard the gyant wyght.

(50)

The gyant seyd: ‘I vndyrstond,

There ys sum crystyn⁾ man⁾ nere hond, 565

My dragon here I cry.

By hym, that schope bothe watyr⁾ and lond,

All̴ that I can se be-fore me stond,

Dere schall̴ they a-bye!

Me thynkythe, I here my dragon⁾ schowt, 570

I deme, ther be svme dowghtty man⁾ hym a-bowght,

I trow, to long I ly.

Yf I dwell̴ in my pyll̴ of ston⁾,

And my cheff-foster were gone,

A false mayster were I!’ 575

(51)

Be the gyant wase Redy dyght,

Torrent had slayne the dragon⁾ Ryght;

Thus gan god hyme scheld.

To the mownteyne he toke the wey

To Rest hyme, all̴ that day, 580

He had myster, to be kyld.

Tyll̴ the day be-gan to spryng,

Fowllys gan myrre to syng

Bothe in⁾ frethe and in feld.

Leve we now of Torrent thore 585

And speke we of thys squyer⁾ more:

Iesu hys sole fro hell̴ shyld!

T1. There is no f. 86 in the paging of the MS.

(52)

Hys squyer⁾ Rod all̴ nyght

In a wod, that wase full̴ tyght,

With meche care and gret fare, 590

For to seke hys lord Torrent,

That wyghtly wase frome hyme sent,

And he wyst nevyr⁾ whethyr ne whar⁾.

He Durst neuyr⁾ cry ne schuot,

For wyld bestes were hym a-bowght 595

In⁾ the holttes hare;

A lytyl whyll̴ be-fore the day

He toke in⁾ to a Ryde-wey

Hyme self to meche care.

(53)

Forthe he Rod, I vndyrstond, 600

Tyll̴ he an hey wey fond,

With-owtyn⁾ any Delite,

Also fast ase he myght fare,

Fore berrys and apys, þat ther ware,

Lest they wold hym byght. 605

The sone a-Rose and schone bryght,

Of a castyll̴ he had a syght,

That wase bothe feyer⁾ and whyte . . . .

(54)

The gyant him se, & ny yed,

And seyd: ‘Fellow, so god me sped, 610

Thow art welcom to me:

What dost thow here in my forest?’

‘Lord, to seke an hawkys nest,

Yff yt yowr wyl be.’

‘The be-hovythe to ley a wede.’ 615

To an oke he hym led:

Gret Ruthe yt wase to se.

In IIII quarteres he hym drowe,

And euery quarter vppon a bowe;

Lord, soche weys toke hee! 620

(55)

Ase Torrent in⁾ the movnteyn⁾ dyd ly,

Hym thowght, he hard a Reufull̴ cry;

Gret fere ther hyme thowght.

‘Seynt Marre,’ seyd the chyld so fre,

‘Wher euyr⁾ my jentyll̴ squyer⁾ myght be, 625

That I with me to wod browght?

On he dyd hys harnes a-geyne

And worthe on hys sted, serteyne,

And thetherward he sowght.

And wot yow wyll̴, I vndyrstond, 630

In fowre quartyres he hym fownd,

For other wyse wase yt nowght.

(56)

The gyant lenyd to a tre

And be-hyld Torrent so free,

For sothe, ase I yow seye. 635

Thys fend wase ferly to fyght,

Rochense, seythe the boke, he hyght,

Ther wase a dredfull̴ fraye.

To the chyld than⁾ gan he smyght:

‘A theff, yeld the asttyt, 640

As fast as thow may!’

‘What,’ seyd Torrent, ‘art thow wood?

God, that Dyed on the Rood,

Geff the evyll̴ happe thys day!’

(57)

He Rawght Torrent soche a Rowght, 645

Hys steddes brayne he smot owte,

So mykyll̴ he be-gan⁾.

Torrent tho a good sped

Ase fast a-bowte an eche yede;

Ase swefte ase he myght, he Ran. 650

He gathyred svm of hys gere,

Bothe hys schyld and hys spere;

Nere hym yod he than⁾.

Bacward than be a browȝ

Twenty fote he gard hyme goo, 655

Thus erthe on hym he wane.

(58)

Yt solasyd Torrant then⁾,

When he sawe hyme bacward ren

Downe be a movnteyn⁾ of Perowne,

Stomlyng thurrow frythe and fen⁾, 660

Tyll̴ he com to a depe glen,

Ther myght non hym stere.

Torrent wase glad and folowyd fast,

And hys spere on hyme he brast,

Good Adyloke yed hyme nere. 665

The fynd in⁾ the watyr stod,

He fawte a-geyn, ase he were wod,

All̴ þe day in⁾ fere.

(59)

Tho nere hond wase the day gone,

Torrent wase so werry than⁾ 670

That on hys kne he kneld:

‘Helpe, god, that all̴ may!

Desonell̴, haue good day!’

Fro hym he cest hys schyld.

Iesu wold not, he were slayne, 675

To hym he sent a schowyr⁾ of Rayne,

Torrent full̴ wyll̴ yt keld.

The fynd saw, he wase ny mate,

Owt of the watyr he toke the gate,

He thowght to wyne the fyld. 680

(60)

Thoo wase Torrent ffresse and good;

Nere the fynd sore he stod,

Cryst hym saue and see!

The fynd fawt with an yron⁾ staff,

The fyrst stroke, to hym he gaffe, 685

He brast hys schyld on thre.

Torrent vndyr hys staff Rane,

To the hart he baryd hym than⁾,

And lothely cry gane he.

To the grownd he fell̴ ase tyght, 690

And Torrent gan hys hed of-smyght,

And thus he wynnythe the gre.

(61)

Torrent knelyd on the grownd

And thankyd god þat ylke stownd,

That soche grace hyme send. 695

Thus II journeys in thys woo

With hys handes slow he gyantys too,

That meny a man⁾ hathe schent.

Torrent forthe frome hyme þan yod,

And met hyme XXIIII fotte, 700

Ther he lay on the bent.

Hedles he left hym there,

Howt of the fyld the hed he bare

And to the castell̴ he went.]

(62)

To thys castell̴ he gan far⁾; 705

Ther fond he armor⁾ and other⁾ gare,

A swerd, that wase bryght.

To the towre he toke the wey,

Ther the gyantes bed lay,

That Rychyly wase dyght. 710

At the beddes hed he fond

A swerd, worthe an Erllys lond,

That meche wase of myght.

On the pomell̴ yt wase wret,

Fro a prynce yt wase get, 715

Mownpolyardnus he hyght.

(63)

The sarten to sey with-owt lese,

A scheff-chambyr⁾ he hym ches,

Tyll̴ on the morrow day.

To the stabull̴ tho he yed, 720

There he fond a nobyll̴ sted,

Wase comely whyt and grey.

The gyanttes hed gan he take,

And the dragonnys wold he not forsake,

And went forthe on hys wey. 725

He left mor⁾ good in that sale

Than wase with in⁾ all̴ Portynggall̴,

Ther ase the gyant laye.

(64)

Tho he Rod bothe Day and nyght,

Tyll̴ he come to a castell̴ bryght, 730

Ther ys lord gan dwell̴.

The kyng ys gone to the gate,

Torrent on kne he fond ther at,

Schort tall̴ for to tell̴.

‘Haue thow thys in⁾ thyn⁾ hond: 735

No nother hawkys ther I fond

At Mawdlenys well̴.’

The kyng quod: ‘Ase so haue I blyse,

Torrent, I trow, sybbe ys

To the dewell̴ of hell̴! . . . . 740

(65)

‘Here be syd dwellythe won on lond,

Ther ys no knyght, hys dynt may stond,

So stronge he ys in dede!’

‘Syr⁾,’ he sayd, ‘fore sen Iame,

What ys the gyantes name, 745

So Euyr good me sped?’

‘Syr⁾,’ he seyd, ‘so mvt I the,

Slogus of Fuolles, thus hyte hee,

That wyt ys vndyr wede.’ . . . . . .

(66)

Lytyll̴ and mykyll̴, lese and more, 750

Wondyr on the heddes thore,

That Torrent had browght whome.

The Lordes seyd ‘Be sen Myhell̴!

Syr kyng, but ye love hyme wyll̴,

To yow yt ys gret schame!’ 755

Torent ordeynyd prystes fyve,

To syng for hys squyerys lyve,

And menythe hym by name.

Therfor⁾ the lady whyt ase swane

To Torrant, here lord, sche went than⁾, 760

Here hert wase to hyme tane.

(67)

Lettyrres come ther withalle

To the kyng of Portynggall̴,

To ax hys dowghttyr Derre,

Fro the kyng of Eragon⁾, 765

To wed her⁾ to hys yongeest son⁾,

The lady, that ys so clere.

For Torrent schuld not her⁾ haue,

For hyme fyrst he here gafe,

To the messenger⁾, 770

And hys way fast ageyn dyd pase,

Whyle Torrent an huntyng wase,

Ther of schuld he not be were.

(68)

On a mornyng, ther ase he lay,

The kyng to the quene gan sey: 775

‘Madame, for cherryte,

Thow art oftyn⁾ hold wyse;

Now woll̴ ye tell̴ me yowr deuyce,

How I may governe me:

The Ryche kyng hathe to me sent, 780

For to aske my dowghttyr gente

That ys so feyer⁾ and fre.’

‘Syr,’ sche Seyd, ‘so god me saue,

I Red yow let Torent her haue,

For best worthy ys he.’ 785

(69)

He sayd: ‘Madame, were that feyer⁾,

To make an erlles sone myn Eyer⁾?

I will̴ not, by sen Iame!

There he hathe done maystres thre,

Yt ys hys swerd, yt ys not he, 790

For Hatheloke ys ys name.’

‘Lord, he myght full̴ wyll̴ sped,

A knyghtes dowghttyr wase hyme bed,

Ase whyt ase walles bane;

And yf ye warne hyme Desonell̴, 795

All that ther of here tell̴,

Ther of wyll̴ speke schame.’

(70)

‘Madam, vnto thys tyd

There lythe a gyant here be-syd,

That many a man⁾ hathe slayne. 800

I schall̴ hyght hym my dowghttyr⁾ dere,

To fyght with that fyndes fere,

Thus he holdythe hyme in⁾ trayne.

But I schall̴ make myn commnant so,

That there schall̴ non with hyme go, 805

Neyther squyer⁾ ne swayne.’

‘Syr⁾,’ sche seyd, ‘so mvt I the,

So sore be-stad hathe he be,

And wyll̴ commyn⁾ a-geyne!’

(71)

Tho the belles be-gan to Ryng, 810

Vpe Rose that Ryche kyng,

And the lady so fre,

And aftyr-ward they went to mase,

Ase the law of holy chyrge wase,

With notes and solemnyte. 815

Trompettys on the wall̴ gan blowe,

Knyghtes semlyd on a Rowe,

Gret joy wase to see.

Torrent a syd bord began⁾,

The squyeres nexte hym than, 820

That good knyghtes schuld be.

(72)

Ase they sat a-myddes the mete,

The kyng wold not foreget;

To Torrent the kyng gan sey,

He seyd: ‘Torrent, so god me saue, 825

Thow woldes fayne my dowghttyr haue

And hast lovyd her⁾ many a day.’

‘Ye, be trouthe,’ seyd Torrent than⁾,

‘And yf þat I were a Ryche man⁾,

Ryght gladly, par ma fay!’ 830

‘Yf thow durst for her sake

A poynt of armys vndyrtake,

Thow broke her⁾ well̴ fore ay!’

(73)

‘Ye,’ seyd Torrent, ‘ar I ga,

Sekyrnes ye schall̴ me ma 835

Of yowr dowghttyr hend,

And aftyrward my ryghtys,

Be-fore XXVII knyghtes.’ . . . . . .

And all̴ were Torrentes frende.

‘Now, good seris,’ gan Torrant sey, 840

‘Bere wittnes her of som Daye,

A-geyne yf god me send!’

(74)

Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the

Wyst I, where my jorney schold be,

Thether I wolde me dyght.’ 845

The kyng gaff hyme an answere:

‘In the lond of Calabur ther⁾

Wonnythe a gyant wyhte,

And he ys bothe strong and bold,

Slochys he hyght, I the told, 850

God send the that waye Ryght!’

Than quod Torrent: ‘Haue good day,

And, or I come a-geyn⁾, I schall̴ asay,

Whether the fynd can fyght.’

(75)

Tho wold he no lenger⁾ a-byde, 855

He toke ys wey for to Ryde

On a sted of gret valewe.

In to a chambyr⁾ he gas,

Hys leue of Desonell̴ he tas,

Sche wepte, all̴ men myght Rewe; 860

He seyd: ‘Lady, be styll̴!

I schall̴ come a-geyn the tyll̴,

Thurrow helpe of Marry trewe.’

Thus he worthe on a stede.

In hys wey Cryst hyme sped, 865

Fore he yt no thyng knewe!

(76)

He toke hym a Redy wey,

Thurrow Pervyns he toke the wey,

As hys Iorney fell̴.

Tyll̴ the castell̴ Be the See, 870

An hy stret heldythe hee,

Ther the kyng dyd dwelle.

To the porter he gan seye:

‘Wynd in⁾, fellow, I the pray,

And thy lord than tell̴, 875

Pray hym, on won nyght in⁾ hys sale

To harburrow Torrent of Portynggall̴,

Yf yt Bee ys will̴!’

T2. There are two folios 91 in the MS.

(77)

The porter⁾ Dyd hys commandment,

To the kynge he ys wente 880

And knelyd vppon⁾ ys kne:

‘God blyse þe, lord, In thy sale!

Torrent of Portynggale

Thus sendythe me to the;

He praythe yow, yf ye myght, 885

To harburrow hym thys won⁾ nyght,

Yf yowr will̴ yt bee.’

The kyng swere be hym, þat dyed on tre:

‘There ys no man⁾ in⁾ crystyante

More welcome to me!’ 890

(78)

The kyng a-Rose and to the gat yod,

Lordes and other⁾ knyghtes good,

That were glad of hys commyng.

In to the hale he hyme browght,

Ryche met spare they nowght, 895

Be-fore Torrent fore to bryng.

‘Syr,’ sayd the kyng, ‘I pray the,

Where be thy men off armys free,

That with the schuld leng?’

‘Syr, to a lord I mvst Ryde, 900

My squyer hongythe be my syde,

No man schall̴ with me wend.’

(79)

‘Syr,’ seyd the kyng, ‘I pray the,

Where schall̴ thy ded of armys bee,

Yf yt be thy wyll̴?’ 905

‘Syr,’ he seyd, ‘vttyrly,

At Calabur, sekyrly,

I ame all̴ Redy ther tyll̴

With a squyer, þat will̴ can Ryde;

Fast be the see Sydde 910

Schuld we pley owur fyle;

And wot ye wyll̴ and vndyrstond,

Ther schall̴ no knyght come nere hond

Fore dred of denttes yll̴.’

(80)

The kynge seyd: ‘Be goddes ore, 915

I Rede, þat þou come not thore,

Fore why, I wyll̴ the seye:

Meche folke of that contre

Come hether⁾ for⁾ sokor⁾ of me,

Bothe be nyght and day; 920

There ys a gyant of gret Renowne,

He dystrowythe bothe sete and towyn⁾

And all̴ þat euyr⁾ he may;

And ase the boke of Rome dothe tell̴,

He wase get of the dewell̴ of hell̴, 925

As hys moder on slepe lay.’

(81)

The kyng Seyd: ‘Be seynt Adryan⁾,

I Rede, a nother Jentyll̴ mane

Be there and haue the gre:

I haue a dowghttyr, þat ys me dere, 930

Thow schalt here wed to thy fere,

And, yf yt thy wyll be,

Two duchyes in londe

I wille geve here in⁾ hande.’

‘Gramarcy, syr,’ sayd he, 935

‘With my tonge so haue I wrowght,

To breke my day than will̴ I nowght,

Nedys me behovythe ther to bee.’

(82)

‘In goddes name,’ the kyng gane sayne,

‘Iesu send the will̴ a-geyne, 940

Lord so mekyll̴ of myghte!’

Menstrelles was them a-monge,

Trompettes, harpys, and myrre songe,

Delycyous nottis on hyght.

When tyme was, to bed they wente; 945

On the morrow Rose Torrente

And toke leve of kyng and knyght

And toke a Redy weyye,

Be a see syd as yt laye,

God send hym gattes Ryght! 950

(83)

A hye stret hathe he nome,

In to Calabur he ys come

With in⁾ to days ore III;

Soo come ther⁾ folkes hym a-geyne,

Fast folloyng with cart and wayne, 955

Fro-ward the sytte.

‘Dere god!’ seyd Torrent nowe,

‘Leve folkes, what Eyllythe yow,

Soo fast fore to flee?’

‘There ys a gyante here be-syde, 960

In ale thys covntre fare and wyde

No mane on lyve levythe hee.’

(84)

‘Dere god,’ sayd Torrant thane,

‘Where schall̴ I fynd that lothly man⁾?’

Ther they answerd hym anone: 965

‘In a castyll̴ be-syd the see,

Slongus, soo hyght hee,

Many a man had he slone.

We wot will̴ wher he doth ly:

Be-fore the cyte of Hungry; 970

He will̴ not thens gone,

Tyll̴ he haue the Ryche kyng⁾

To hys presone for to bryngg,

To be lord of hyme self a-lone.’

(85)

Tho wold he no lenger⁾ a-byd, 975

But to the sytte gan he Ryde,

As fast as he myght fare;

Here barys fell̴ and broke downe,

And the gattes of gret Renowne

Stondyng⁾ all̴ baree. 980

Men of armys stond hyme a-geyne,

Mo than fyfty had he slayne

With gryme wounddes and sare.

When Torrent of hym had a syght,

Thowe Desonell̴ be neuyr⁾ so bryght, 985

He will Reue hym hys chaffar⁾.

(86)

Torrent in⁾ the storrope stod

And prayd to god, þat dyed on Rode:

‘Lord, ase thow schalt ale wyld at wyle,

Gyff me grace to wyn the fyld, 990

That thys lothly fynd hym yeld

A-non to me tyll̴!

A man schall̴ But onnys Dyee,

I will̴ fyght, whill̴ I may Dryee.’

He mad cher⁾ nobyll̴. 995

When he had Iesu prayd of grace,

He wyscheyd hyme a battell̴ plase,

Ther as hym lyst welle.

(87)

Torrent hys spere a-say be-gane,

Bothe schyld and spere than⁾, 1000

That they were sekyr and good.

Aftyr þat, with in a throwe,

Hys good horne gane he blowe.

The gyant sawe, wher⁾ he stodde:

Slonges of Flonthus staryd than⁾; 1005

Quod Torrent: ‘Yf thow be a gentyll̴ man⁾

Or come of gentyll̴ blod,

Let thy beytyng and thy Ermyght be,

And come prove thy strenghe on me,

Therfor I sowght the, be the Rodde.’ 1010

(88)

The gyant sayd: ‘Be the Roode,

Dewell̴ of hell̴ send the fode,

Hether to seche me:

By the nose I schall̴ the wryng,

Thow berdles gadlyng⁾, 1015

That all̴ hell̴ schall̴ thow see!’

The wey than to hym he toke

And on hys bake he bare a croke,

Wase X fot long and thre;

And thow he neuer so gret war⁾, 1020

Torrent thowght not fare to fare,

Tyll̴ wone of them ded bee.

(89)

Thoo wold Torrent no lenger⁾ byd,

Tyll̴ the theff gan he Ryde,

Ase fast ase euyr⁾ he may. 1025

The theff had non ey but on⁾,

Soche sawe I neuer none,

Neyther⁾ be nyght nor be day.

Thurrow goddes helpe and sent Awsden⁾

The spere throw ye and herne gan ren. 1030

God send hym the Ryght wey;

Than the theff be-gane to Rore.

All̴ that in⁾ the sytte wore,

Ouyr⁾ the wallys they laye.

(90)

Thow the fyndes ey were owte, 1035

Fast he leyd hym a-bowte

All̴ þat somyrres nyght;

He set ys backe to an hyll̴,

That Torrent schuld not come hym tyll̴,

So meche þat theff covd of fyght. 1040

He bled so sore, I vndyrstond,

Hys croke fell̴ owt of hys hond,

Hys dethe to hyme ys dyght.

Torrent to hyme Rane with a spere,

Thurrow the body he gan hym bere, 1045

Thus helpe hym god of myght.

(91)

All̴ that in⁾ the sytte were,

Mad full̴ nobill̴ chere,

That thys fynd wase Dedde.

Forthe they Ran with stavys of tre, 1050

Torrent seyd: ‘So mvt I the,

Kepe hole hys hed!

Yf yt be broke, so god me sped,

Yt ys wyll̴ the worse to lede.’

They dyd ase he hem bede, 1055

Mo than thre hunderd on a throng

Yt ys solas Euyr⁾ a-mong

Whan that he was dede.

(92)

Than⁾ the kyng of Calaber ayen⁾ hym went,

Torrent be the hond he hent, 1060

To the hall̴ he gan⁾ hym lede

And comaundid squiers two,

Of hys harnes for to do

And cloth hym⁾ in another wede.

Waytes on the wall̴ gan blowe, 1065

Knyghtis assemled on a Rowe,

And sith to the deyse they yede;

‘Sir,’ quod the kyng, ‘of whens are ye?’

‘Of Portingale, sir,’ said he,

‘I com heder, to sech my dede.’ 1070

(93)

Full̴ curtesly the kyng gan say

To Torrent on the oþure day:

‘Wyll̴ ye wend with me

A litull̴ here be-side to passe,

There as the Geauntes dwelling was 1075

His maner now for to see?’

To the castell̴ gan⁾ they gone,

Richer saw they never none,

Better myght none be.

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴-myȝt⁾, 1080

For thou hym⁾ slew, þat it dight,

I vouche it saue on the,

(94)

‘I yeve yt the, sir, of my hond,

And there-to, an erledome of my lond,

For soth, ye shall̴ it haue; 1085

Omage thou shalte none nor ffyne,

But euer more to the and thyne,

Frely, so god me saue!’

Lordys, and ye liston wold,

What was clepud the riche hold: 1090

The castell̴ of Cardon⁾, by sawe.

Two days or thre dwellith he thare

And sith he takythe leve to ffare,

Both at knyght and knave.

(95)

By the kyng of Pervens he gan gane, 1095

That he had oute of preson i-tane

His son vppon a day.

Gentilmen were blith and ffayn⁾,

That he in helth was comyn⁾ agayn⁾,

That they myght with hym⁾ play. 1100

There of herd he, sertaynle,

That Desonell̴ wedid shold be

With an vncouth Ray.

And listonyth, lordis, of a chaunce,

Howe he lefte his countenaunce 1105

And takyth hym⁾ armes gay!

(96)

By-fore the kyng he fell̴ on kne:

‘Good lord,’ he said, ‘for charite,

Yeve me order of knyght!

I wott well̴, leryd are ye, 1110

My lordys doughter shall̴ wed be

To a man⁾ off myght.’

‘Sir,’ he said, ‘I trow, she mone

To the prynce off Aragon⁾,

By this day sevynnyght. 1115

Swith,’ he seith, ‘that this be done,

That thou be there and wyn⁾ thy shone,

Gete the armes bryght.’

(97)

Sir Torrent ordenyth hym a sheld,

It was ryche in euery ffeld, 1120

Listonyth, what he bare:

On aȝure a squier off gold,

Richely bett on mold;

Listonyth, what he ware:

A dragon⁾ lying hym be-syde, 1125

His mouth grennyng full̴ wyde,

All̴ ffyghtyng as they were;

The creste, that on his hede shold stond,

Hit was all̴ gold shynand,

Thus previd he hym⁾ there. 1130

(98)

Lordys assembelid in sale,

Well̴ mo than I haue in tale,

Or ellis gret wonder were.

There herd he tell̴ ffor certan⁾,

That Desonell̴ wed shold be than⁾, 1135

That was hym selfe ffull̴ dere.

And whan⁾ he herd of that ffare,

Wors tydingis than were thare,

Might he none gladly here . . . . . . .

(99)

He wold not in passe, 1140

Till̴ at the myd mete was

The kyng and meny a knyght;

As they satt at theyre mete glade,

In at the hall̴ dur he rade

In armes ffeyre and bryght, 1145

With a squier, that is ffre;

Vp to the lady ryduth he,

That rychely was i-dight.

‘Lordys,’ he said, ‘among you all̴

I chalenge thre coursus in the hall̴, 1150

Or Delyuer her me with right!’

(100)

The kyng of Aragon⁾ sett her bye,

And he defendid her nobely:

‘I wyll̴ none delyuer the.’

His son said: ‘So muste I thryve, 1155

There shall̴ no man just for my wiffe;

But yf youre wyll̴ it be,

For her love did I never no dede,

I shall̴ to day, so god me spede:

Be-hold and ye shall̴ se.’ 1160

‘Alas!’ said Desonell̴ the dere,

‘Full̴ longe may I sitt here,

Or Torrent chalenge me.’

(101)

Trumpettes blew in the prese,

Lordys stond on the grese, 1165

Ladyes lay ouer and be-held.

The prynce and Torrent then

Eyther to other gan ren⁾,

Smertely in that ffeld;

Torrent sett on hym⁾ so sore, 1170

That hors and man down⁾ he bore,

And all̴ to-sheverd his sheld.

So they tombelid all̴ in ffere,

That afterward of VII yere

The prynce none armes myght weld. 1175

(102)

Torrent said: ‘So god me saue,

Other two coursus wyll̴ I haue,

Yf ye do me law of lond.’

Gret lordys stond styll̴,

They said nether good ne yll̴ 1180

For tynding of his hond.

The prynce of Aragon⁾ in they barr⁾

With litull̴ worshipp and sydes sare,

He had no fote on ffor to stond.

Thus thes lordys justid aye; 1185

Better they had to haue be away,

Suche comffort there he ffond.

(103)

He wold not in passe,

Till̴ they at myd mete was,

On the other day at none. 1190

His squiers habite he had,

Whan⁾ he to the deyse yad,

With oute couped shone,

And the hede on⁾ the bord he laid:

‘Lo, sir kyng, hold this,’ he said, 1195

‘Or ellis wroth we anon⁾!’

They sett still̴ at the bord,

None of hem spake one word,

But ryght that he had done.

(104)

Torrent at the syde bord stode: 1200

‘Lystonyth, lordynges, gentill̴ of blood,

For the love of god all̴-myght:

The kyng heyght me his doughter dere,

To ffyght with a ffendys ffere,

That wekyd was and wight, 1205

To wed her to my wyffe,

And halffe his kyngdome be his liffe,

And after his days all̴ his ryght.

Lokyth, lordys, you among, [1210]

Whether he do me ryght or wrong!’ 1210

Tho waried hym⁾ both kyng & knyght.

(105)

Tho said the kyng of Aragon, i-wys:

‘Torrent, I wiste no thing of thys,

A gret maister arte thou!’

The kyng sware be seynt Gryffen⁾: 1215

‘With a sword thou shalte her wynne,

Or thou haue her nowe:

For why, my son to her was wed,

Gret lordys to churche her led, [1220]

I take wittnes of all̴ you.’ 1220

‘Kyng Calamond, haue good day,

Thou shalt i-bye it, and I may,

To god I make avowe.’

(106)

The Emperoure of Rome ther was,

Be-twene thes kynges gan⁾ he passe 1225

And said: ‘Lordys, as sone,

This squier, that hath brought this hede,

The kyng had wend he had be dede,

And a-venturly gan⁾ he gone: [1230]

I rede you take a day of ryghtes, 1230

And do it vppon⁾ two knyghtes,

And let no man⁾ be slon⁾!’

Gret lordys, that were thare,

This talis lovid at that fare

And ordenyd that anon⁾. 1235

(107)

To the kyng the thoght com⁾ was,

To send vnto Sathanas

For a geaunt, that hight Cate,

For to make hym⁾ knyght to his hond [1240]

And sease hym⁾ in all̴ his lond; 1240

The messingere toke the gate.

Gret othes he sware hym than⁾,

That he shold ffyght but with one man⁾,

And purvey hym he bad

Iryn stavis two or thre, 1245

For to ffyght with Torent ffre,

Though he there of ne watt.

(108)

Than take counsell̴ kyng and knyght,

On lond that he shold not ffyght, [1250]

But ffar oute in the see, 1250

In an yle long and brad;

A gret payn⁾ there was made,

That holdyn⁾ shold it be.

Yf Cate slow Torent, that ffre ys,

Halfe Portyngale shold be his, 1255

To spend with dedys ffre;

And yf sir Torrent myght hym ouer-com⁾,

He shold haue halfe Aragon⁾,

Was better than suche thre. [1260]

(109)

The Gyaunt shipped in a while 1260

And sett hym⁾ oute in an yle,

That was grow both grene and gay.

Sir Torrent com⁾ prekand on a stede,

Richely armed in his wede;

‘Lordyngys,’ gan he say, 1265

‘It is semely ffor a knyght,

Vppon a stede ffor to ffyght.’

They said sone: ‘Nay,

He is so hevy, he can not ryde. [1270]

Torrent said: ‘Evill̴ mut he be-tyde, 1270

Falshode, woo worth it aye!’

(110)

‘Sir, takyth housell̴ and shrefte!’

To god he did his hondys lifte,

And thankid hym of his sond:

‘Iesu Cryste, I the praye, 1275

Send me myght and strengith this day

A-yen⁾ the ffend to stond!’

To the shipp sir Torent went,

With the grace, god had hym sent, [1280]

That was never ffayland; 1280

All̴ the lordys of that contre,

Frome Rome vnto the Grekys se,

Stode and be-held on lond.

(111)

Whan sir Torrent in to the Ile was brought,

The shipmen⁾ lenger wold tary nought, 1285

But hied hem sone ageyn⁾;

The Giaunt said: ‘So must I the,

Sir, thou art welcom to me,

Thy deth is not to layn⁾!’ [1290]

The ffirste stroke to hym he yaue, 1290

Oute of his hand flew his staff:

That thefe was full̴ fayn⁾.

Tho sir Torent went nere Cate, . . . . .

He thought, he wold hym⁾ haue slayn⁾.

(112)

The theff couth no better wonne, 1295

In to the see rennyth he sone,

As faste as he myght ffare.

Sir Torrent gaderid cobled stonys, [1300]

Good and handsom ffor the nonys,

That good and round ware; 1300

Meny of them to hym⁾ he caste,

He threw stonys on hym so faste,

That he was sad and sare.

To the ground he did hym fell̴,

Men⁾ myght here the fend yell̴ 1305

Halfe a myle and mare.

(113)

Sir Torent said, as he was wonne,

He thankid Iesu, Maryes son⁾, [1310]

That kyng, that sent hym myȝt⁾;

He said: ‘Lordys, for charite, 1310

A bote that ye send to me,

It is nere hand nyght!’

They Reysed a gale with a sayll̴,

The Geaunt to lond for to trayll̴,

All̴ men wonderid on that wight. 1315

Whan that they had so done,

They went to sir Torent full̴ sone

And shipped that comly knyght. [1320]

(114)

The emperoure of Rome was there,

The kynges of Pervens and of Calabere yare, 1320

And other two or thre.

They yaue sir Torent, that he wan,

Both the Erth and the woman⁾,

And said, well̴ worthy was he.

Sir Torent had in Aragon⁾ 1325

The riche Cite of Cargon⁾

And all̴ that riche contre;

Archbeshoppes, as the law fell̴, [1330]

Departid the prynce and Dissonell̴

With gret solempnite. 1330

(115)

For sir Torent the fend did fall̴,

Gret lordys honoured hym⁾ all̴

And for a doughty knyght hym⁾ tase;

The kyng said: ‘I vnderstond,

Thou hast fought ffor my doughter & my lond, 1335

And well̴ wonne her thou hase.’

He gaue to saint Nycholas de Barr⁾

A grett Erldome and a simarr⁾ [1340]

That abbey of hym tas

For Iesus love, moch of myght, 1340

That hym helpith day & nyght,

Whan⁾ he to the battell̴ gas.

(116)

Lordys than⁾ at the laste,

Echone on theyre way paste,

And euery man⁾ to his. 1345

The quene of Portingale was ffayn⁾,

That sir Torent was com agayn⁾

And thankyd god of this. [1350]

Than said the kyng: ‘I vnderstond,

Thou hast fought for my doughter & my lond, 1350

And art my ward, i-wys,

And I wyll̴ not ageyn⁾ the say;

But abyde halfe yere and a day,

And broke her well̴ with blis!’

(117)

Torent said: ‘So muste I the, 1355

Sith it wyll̴ no better be,

I cord with that assent!’

After mete, as I you tell̴, [1360]

To speke with mayden⁾ Desonell̴,

To her chamber he went. 1360

The damysell̴ so moche of pride

Set hym on⁾ her bed-syde,

And said: ‘Welcom⁾, verament!’

Such gestenyng he a-right,

That there he dwellid all̴ nyȝt⁾ 1365

With that lady gent.

(118)

Sir Torent dwellid thare

Twelffe wekys and mare, [1370]

Till̴ letters com hym till̴

Fro the kyng of Norway; 1370

For Iesus love he did hym praye,

Yf it were his wyll̴,

He shold com as a doughty knyght,

With a Geaunt for to ffyght,

That wyll̴ his londys spyll̴; 1375

He wold hym yeve his doughter dere

And halfe Norway ffar and nere,

Both be hold and be hyll̴. [1380]

(119)

Sir Torent said: ‘So god me saue,

I-nough to lyve vppon I haue, 1380

I wyll̴ desire no more;

But it be, for Iesu is sake

A poynt of armes for to take,

That hath helpid me be-ffore.

I yeve the here oute of my hond 1385

To thy doughter all̴ my lond,

Yf that I end thore.’

And whan⁾ he toke his way to passe, [1390]

Mo than ffyfty with hym was,

That fals to hym⁾ wore. 1390

(120)

Syr Torent to the lady went,

Full̴ curtesly and gent: . . . . .

‘Desonell̴, haue good day!

I muste now on my jurnay,

A kyngis lond for to fend. 1395

Thes gold rynges I shall̴ yeve the,

Kepe them well̴, my lady ffre,

Yf god a child vs send!’ [1400]

She toke the ryngis with moche care,

Thries in sownyng fell̴ she thare, 1400

Whan she saw, that he wold wend.

(121)

Shipp and takyll̴ they dight,

Stede and armour ffor to ffyght

To the bote they bare.

Gentilmen⁾, that were hend, 1405

Toke her leve at theyre frend,

With hym ffor to fare.

Kyng Colomond, is not to layn⁾, [1410]

He wold, that he cam nevure agayn⁾;

There fore god yeff hym⁾ care! 1410

So within the ffyfty dayes

He Come in to the lond of Norways,

Hard Contre ffound he thare.

(122)

Thus sir Torrent, for soth, is fare,

A noble wynd droffe hym⁾ thare, 1415

Was blowyng oute of the weste.

Of the Coste of Norway they had a sight . . . [1419]

Of sayling they were all̴ preste.

So ffeyre a wynd had the knyght,

A litull̴ be-ffore the mydnyght 1420

He Rode be a foreste.

The shipmen said: ‘We be shent;

Here dwellith a geaunt, verament,

On his lond are we kest!’

(123)

The maistershipmon⁾ said: ‘Nowe 1425

I Rede, we take down⁾ sayle & Rowe,

While we haue this tyde. [1430]

Sir,’ he said, ‘be god all̴myght,

The giant lieth euery nyght

On⁾ the mowntayn⁾ here be-syde; 1430

My lord the kyng wyll̴ not ffyght,

Till̴ he of you haue a sight,

On you ys all̴ his pryde!’

Sir Torrent said: ‘Here my hond!

Sith we be ryven on this lond, 1435

To nyght wyll̴ I ryde.’

(124)

Sir Torent armyd hym⁾ anon [1440]

And his knyghtes euerychone

With sheld and spere in hond.

The shipmen⁾ said: ‘As mut I thryve, 1440

I Rede, that euery man⁾ other shryve,

Or that we go to the lond.’

Sir Torent said: ‘As god me spede,

We will̴ firste se that ffede,

My lord was never failand! 1445

Gentilmen, make chere good,

For Iesu love, that died on Rood, [1450]

He will̴ be oure waraunt!’

(125)

In a forest can⁾ they passe,

Of Brasill̴, saith the boke, it was, 1450

With bowes brod and wyde.

Lyons and berys there they ffand

And wyld bestes aboute goand,

Reysing on euery side.

Thes men⁾ of armes, with trayn⁾ 1455

To the shipp they flew agayn⁾

In to the see at that tyde; [1460]

Fast from land row they be-gan⁾,

A-bove they left that gentilman⁾,

With wyld beestis to haue kyde. 1460

(126)

The shipmen⁾ of the same lond

Ryved vp, I vnderstond,

In another lond off hold.

To the chamber they toke the way,

There the kyng hym⁾ selfe lay, 1465

And fals talis hym⁾ told . . . . . .

For he wold not the geaunt abyde, [1470]

For all̴ this contrey feyre and wyde,

Thouȝ he yeff it hym wold.

(127)

‘Sir kyng, ye haue youre selfe 1470

Erlis doughty be ten⁾ or twelfe,

Better know I none:

Send youre messingeris ffar and wyde,

For to ffell̴ the geauntes pride,

That youre doughter hath tane.’ 1475

‘I had lever to haue that knyght;

With hym⁾ is grace of god all̴myȝt⁾,

To be here at his bane.’ [1480]

Full̴ litull̴ wist that riche kyng

Of sir Torrentes ryding 1480

In the forest all̴ alone.

(128)

Thorouȝ helpe of god that with hym was,

Fro the wyld bestis gan⁾ he passe

To an hye hyll̴.

A litull̴ while be-fore the day 1485

He herd in a valey

A dynnyng and a yell̴. [1490]

Theder than⁾ riduth he,

To loke, what thing it myȝt be,

What adventure thare be-fell̴. 1490

It were two dragons stiff and strong,

Vppon⁾ theyre lay they sat and song,

Be-side a depe well̴.

(129)

Sir Torent said thanne

To god, that made man⁾ 1495

And died uppon⁾ a tree:

‘Lord, as thou mayst all̴ weld, [1500]

Yeve me grace, to wyn⁾ the feld

Of thes ffendys onfre!’

Whan he had his prayers made, 1500

Pertely to hem⁾ he Rade

And one thorouȝ oute bare he.

Thus sped the knyght at his comyng

Thorough the helpe of hevyn⁾ kyng:

Lord, lovid muste thou be! 1505

(130)

The other dragon wold not flee, . . . . .

But showith all̴ his myght; [1510]

He smote ffire, that lothely thing,

As it were the lightnyng,

Vppon⁾ that comly knyght. 1510

There fore sir Torent wold not lett,

But on⁾ the dragon) fast⁾ he bett

And over-come that foule wight.

Tho anon the day sprong,

Fowles Rose, mery they song, 1515

The sonne a-Rose on hyȝt.