Laȝamon The Brut: Parallel Versions

MS. Caligula
MS. Otho

Each line of verse has been split at the caesura.

MS. Caligula

MS. Otho

Vnder þan comen tiðende;
to vortiger þan kinge.

þ̵ ouer sæ weoren icumen;
swiðe selcuðe gumen.

Jnne þere Temese;
to londe heo weoren icummen.

vnder þan com tẏdinge :
to vortiger þan kinge.

þat ouer séé weren icome;
swiþe selliche gomes.

þreo scipen gode;
comen mid þan flode.

þreo hundred cnihten;
Alse hit weoren kinges.

wið uten þan scipen monnen;
þe weoren þer wið innen.

þreo sipes gode;
i come were mid þan flode

þar on þreo hundred cnihtes;
alse hit were kempes.

þis weoren þa færeste men;
þat auere her comen.

Ah heo weore hæðene;
þ̵ wes hærm þa mare.

þes weren þe faireste men þat euere come here.

ac hii weren heþene þat was har[m] þe more.

Uortiger heom sende to;
And axede hu heo weoren idon.

Ȝif heo grið sohten;
⁊ of his freond scipe rohten.

heo wisliche and swerden;
Swa heo wel cuðen.

⁊ seiden þ̵ heo walden;
speken wið þan kinge.

⁊ Leofliche him heren;
⁊ hælden hine for hærre.

And swa heo gunnen wenden;
fforð to þan kinge.

Þa wes Uortigerne þa king;
In Cantuarie buri.

þer he mid his hirede;
Hæhliche spilede.

þer þas cnihtes comen;
Bi foren þan folc kinge.

Sone swa heo hine imetten;
fæire heo hine igrætten.

⁊ seiden þat heo him wolden;
hæren iþisse londe.

ȝif he heom wolde;
mid rihten at halden.

Þa and swerede vortiger;
of elchen vuele he wes war.

An alle mine iliue;
þe ich iluued habbe.

bi dæie no bi nihtes;
ne sæh ich nauere ær swulche cnihtes.

for eouwer cumen ich æm bliðe;
⁊ mid me ȝe scullen bilæfuen.

⁊ eouwer wille ich wulle driȝen;
bi mine quicke liuen.

þeos comen to þan kinge and faire hine grette.

and seide þat hii wolde;
him sarui in his londe

ȝif vs þou wolle;
mid rihte at holde.

þo answerede vortiger;
þat of eche vuele he was war.

In al mine lifue;
þat ich ileued habbe;

Bi dai no bi nihte;
Ne seh ich soche cnihtes.

for ȝou ich ham bliþe;
and mid me ȝe solle bi lefue.

Ah of eou ich wulle iwiten;
þurh soðen eouwer wurð scipen.

whæt cnihten ȝe seon;
⁊ whænnenen ȝe icumen beon.

⁊ whar ȝe wullen beon treowe;
alde ⁊ æc neowe.

Ac forst ich wolle wite;
for ȝoure mochele worsipe.

wat cnihtes beo ȝeo;
and wanene ȝeo i comen beo.

þa answerede þe oðer;
þat wes þe aldeste broðer.

lust me nu lauerd king;
⁊ ich þe wullen cuðen.

þo answerede þe oþer;
þat was þe elder broþer.

what cnihtes we beoð;
⁊ whanene we icumen seoð.

I

ch hatte henges;
hors is mi broðer.

we beoð of alemainne;
aðelest alre londe.

of þat ilken ænde;
þe angles is ihaten.

Beoð in ure londe;
selcuðe tiðende.

vmbe fiftene ȝer;
þat folc hi[s] isomned.

Al ure iledene folc;
⁊ heore loten werpeð.

vppen þan þe hit fal[l]ed;
he scal uaren of londe.

Bilæuen scul len þa fiue;
þa sexte scal forð liðe.

ut of þan leode;
to u[n]cuðe londe.

Ich hatte Hengest;
Hors hatte min broþer.

we beoþ of Alemaine;
of one riche londe.

of þan ilke hende
þat Ænglis his ihote.

Beoþ in vre londe
wonder þenges gonde.

bi eche fiftene ȝer.
þat folk his i somned.

And werpeþ þare hire lotes;
fo[r] to londes seche.

vp wan þat lot falleþ;
he mot neod wende.

Ne beo he na swa leof mon;
uorð he scal liðen.

For þer is folc swiðe muchel;
mære þene heo walden.

Ne beo he noht so riche;
he mot lond seche.

þa wif færeð mid childe;
swa þe deor wilde.

Æueralche ȝere;
heo bereð child þere;

þ̵ beoð an us feole;
þat we færen scolden.

Ne mihte we bilæue;
for liue ne for dæðe.

Ne for nauer nane þinge;
for þan folc kinge.

For þe wifues goþ þare mid childe;
alse þe deor wilde.

bi euereche ȝere;
hii goþ mid childe þere.

Þat lot on vs ful;
þat we faren solde.

Ne moste we bi lefue;
for life ne for deaþe.

þus we uerden þere;
⁊ for þi beoð nu here.

to sechen vnder lufte;
lond ⁊ godne lauerd.

þus hit fareþ þere;
þar fore we beoþ nou here.

Nu þu hæfuest iherd lauerd ki[n]g;
Soð of us þurh alle þi[n]g.

Þa answarede vortiger;
of alc an vfele he wes war.

Ich ileue þe cniht;
þ̵ þu me sugge soð riht.

Nou þou hauest ihord louerd king;
soþ of vs and no lesing.

þo saide vortiger
þat was wis and swiþe war.

⁊ wulche beoð æoure ileuen;
þ̵ ȝe on ileueð.

⁊ eoure leofue godd;
þe ȝe to luted.

þa and swarede Hænges;
cnihtene alre fæirest.

Nis in al þis kine lond;
cniht swa muchel ne swa strong.

And woche beoþ ȝoure biléue;
þat ȝeo an bi léfeþ.

We habbeð gode`s´ gode;
þe we luuieð an ure mode.

þa we habbeð hope to;
⁊ heoreð heom mid mihte.

We habbeþ godes gode;
þe we louieð in mode.

Þe an hæhte phebus;
þe oðer Saturnus.

þe þridde hæhte woden;
þ̵ is an weoli godd.

þe feorðe hæh [te] Jupiter;
of alle þinge he is whar.

þe fifte hæhte Mercurius;
þat is þe hæhste ouer us.

þæ sæxte hæhte appollin;
þ̵ is a godd wel idon.

þe on hatte phebus;
þe oþer Saturnus

þe þri[d]de hatte Woden;
þat was a mihti þing.

þe feorþe hatte Jubiter
of alle þinges He his war.

þe fifþe hatte Merchurius;
þat his þe hehest ouer vs.

þe sixte hatte appolin;
þat his a god of gret win.

þe seoueðe hatte teruagant;
an hæh godd in ure lon.

Ȝet we habbeð anne læuedi;
þe hæh is ⁊ mæhti.

heh heo is ⁊ hali;
hired men heo luuieð for þi.

þe soueþe hatte Teruagant;
an heh god in vre lond.

Ȝet we habbeþ an leafdi;
þat heh his and mihti.

heo js ihate Frææ;
wel heo heom dihteð.

Ah for alle ure goden deore;
þa we scullen hæren.

ȝeo his i hote frea.
heredmen hire louieþ.

To alle þeos godes
we worsipe wercheþ.

And for hire loue;
þeos daȝes we heom ȝefue.

Mone we ȝefue monedaẏ.
Tẏdea we ȝefue tisdei.

Woden hehde þa hæhste laȝe;
an ure ælderne dæȝen.

he heom wes leof;
æfne al swa heore lif.

he wes heore walden;
And heom wurðscipe duden.

þene feorðe dæi iþere wike;
heo ȝifuen him to wurðscipe.

Þa þunre heo ȝiuen þunres dæi;
for þi þat heo heom helpen mæi.

Woden we ȝefue wendesdei.
Þane þonre we ȝefue þorisdai.

Freon heore læfdi;
heo ȝiuen hire fridæi.

Saturnus heo ȝiuen sætterdæi;
þene sunne heo ȝiuen sonedæi.

Monen heo ȝifuen mone dæi;
Tidea heo ȝeuen tis dæi.

Frea þane fridaẏ.
Saturnus þane sateresdai.

þus seide hæ[n]gest;
cnihten alre hendest.

Þa answerede vortiger;
of ælchen vfel he wæs wær.

Cnihtes ȝe beoð me leofue;
ah þas tiðende me beoð laðe.

eouwer ileuen beoð vnwraste;
Ȝe ne ileoueð noht an criste.

Ah ȝe ileoueð a þene wurse;
þe godd seolf awariede.

eoure godes ne beoð nohtes;
In helle heo niðer liggeð.

þus saide Hengest;
cniht alre hendest.

þo answerede vortiger;
of alle harme he was war.

Cnihtes ȝeo beoþ me leofue;
ac ȝoure bilefues me beoþ loþe.

Ah neoðeles ich wulle eou at hælde;
An mine anwalde.

for norð Beoð þa Peohtes;
swiðe ohte cnihtes.

þe ofte ledeð in mine londe;
ferde swiðe stronge.

Ac ich wolle ou at holde;
in min anwolde.

For norþ beoþ þe peutes;
swiþe ohte cnihtes.

⁊ ofte dod me muchele scome;
⁊ þerfore ich habbe grome.

⁊ ȝif ȝe me wulleð wræken;
⁊ heore hæfden me biȝeten.

Ich eou wullen ȝeuen lond;
muchel seolueR ⁊ gold.

Þa andswerede hængest;
cnihtene alre feirest.

Ȝif hit wulle saturnus;
al hit scal iwurðe þus.

⁊ Woden ure lauerd;
þe we on bi liueð.

þat ofte doþ me same;
and þar vore ich habbe grame.

And ȝef ȝe wolleþ me wreke;
of [hire] wiþere dedes;

Ich ȝou wolle ȝeue;
ȝeftes swiþe deore.

þo saide Hengest;
al hit sal iworþe þus.

Hengest nom læue;
⁊ to scipen gon liðe.

þer wes moni cniht strong;
heo droȝen heore scipen uppe þe lond.

forð wenden dringches;
to vortigerne þan kenge.

Biuoren wende hengest;
⁊ hors him alre hændest.

Hengest nam lefue;
and to sipe gan wende.

And al hire godes;
hii beore to londe.

Seoððen þa alemainisce men;
þa aðele weoren an deden.

⁊ seoððen heo senden him to;
heore sæxisce cnihtes wel idon.

hengestes cunnesmen;
of his aldene cudðe.

heo comen in to halle;
hændeliche alle.

Bett weoren iscrudde;
⁊ bed weoren iuædde.

hængest swaine;
þene vortigernes. þeines.

þa wes vortigernes hired;
for hehne ihalden.

Forþ hii wende alle;
to vortiger his halle.

Bed weren i scrud;
and bet weren ived.

Hengestes sweines;
þane vortiger his cnihtes.

Bruttes weoren særi;
for swulchere isihðe.

Nes hit nawiht longe;
þat ne comen to þan kinge.

Cnihtes sunen uiue;
þa i faren hafden biliue.

heo sæiden to þan kinge;
neowe tiðenden.

Bruttes weren sori;
for þan ilke sihte.

Nas noht longe;
þat ne come tẏdinge.

nu forð rihtes;
Icumen beoð þa peohtes.

þurh þi lond heo ærneð;
⁊ hærȝieð ⁊ berneð.

⁊ al þene norð ænde;
iuald to þan grunde.

her of þu most ræden;
oðer all we beoð dæden.

þat þo forþ rihtes
icomen were þe peutes.

Oueral þin lond hii erneþ;
and sleaþ þin folk and bearneþ.

and alle þane norþ ende;
hii falleþ to þan grunde.

her of þou most reade;
oþer alle we beoþ deade.

Þe king hine bi þohte;
whæt he don mihte.

he sende to þan innen;
after al his monnen.

Þe king sende his sonde;
to þeos cnihtes hinne.

þat hii swiþe sone
to him seolue come.

þer com hengest þer com hors;
þer com mani mon ful oht.

þer comen þa saxisce men;
hengestes cunnes men.

⁊ þa Alemainisce cnihtes;
þe beoð gode to fihte.

þar com Hengest and his broþer;
and manian oþer.

þis isæh þe king vortiger;
bliðe wes he þa þer.

Þa peohtes duden heore iwune;
a þas hælf þere humbre. heo weoren icume.

þat þe king vortiger;
bliþe was þo þer.

Þe Peutes dude hire wone;
a þis half vmbre hii were icome.

⁊ þe king VortigeR;
of heore cume wes ful war.

To gadere heo comen;
⁊ feole þer of sloȝen.

þer wes feht swide strong;
Comp swiðe sturne.

And þe king vortiger;
of hire come was war.

To gadere hii comen;
and manie þar of sloȝen.

Þe Peohtes weoren ofte iwuned;
Vortige[r]ne to ouer cumen.

⁊ þa heo þohten a[l]swa;
Ah hit ilomp an oðer þa.

for hit wes heom al hele;
þat hængest wes þere.

⁊ þa cnihtes stronge;
þe comen of saxelonde.

⁊ þa ohte alemanisce;
þe þider comen mid horse.

þe peutes weren ofte iwoned;
vortiger to ouercome.

And þo iþohten al so;
ac hit bi ful oþerweies þo.

for hii hadde mochel care;
for Hengest was þare.

Swiðe monie peohtes;
heo sloȝen iþan fehte.

feondliche heo fuhten;
feollen þa fæie.

for swiþe manie peutes;
hii sloȝen in þan fihte.

Þa þe non wes icumen;
þa weoren Peohtes ouer cumen.

⁊ swuðe heo awæi floȝen;
an ælche helue heo forð fluȝen.

⁊ alle dai heo fluȝen;
monie ⁊ vnnifoȝe.

þo þat non was icome;
þo were Peutes ouer come.

And swiþe hii awey floȝe.
on euereche side.

Þe king vortigerne;
wende to herberwe.

⁊ æuere him weoren on uast;
Hors ⁊ hængest.

and vortiger þe king;
wende aȝen to his hin.

Hængest wes þan kinge leof;
⁊ him lindesaȝe ȝef.

and he ȝæf horse;
madmes inoȝe.

⁊ alle heore cnihtes;
he swiðe wel dihte.

⁊ hit gode stunde;
stod a þan ilke.

and to hengest an his cnihtes
he ȝef riche ȝeftes.

Ne durste nauere peohtes;
cumen i þan londes.

no ræueres no utlaȝen;
þ̵ heo neoren sone of slæȝen.

⁊ hængest swiðe fæire;
herede þane king.

Þa ilomp hit in ane time;
þ̵ þe king wes swiðe bliðe.

An ane hæȝe dæie;
imong his duȝeðe monnen.

Ne dorste neuere peutes;
come in þisse londe.

þat hii nere sone of slaȝe;
and idon of lifdaȝe.

and Hengest swiþe hendeliche;
cwemde þan kinge.

Þo hit bi ful in on time;
þat þe king was swiþe bliþe.

Hengest hine bi þohte;
what he don mihte.

for he wolde wið þan kinge;
holden runinge.

þan kinge he eode to; foren;
⁊ fæire hine gon greten.

Þe king sone up stod;
⁊ sætte hine bi him seoluen.

heo drunken heo dremden;
blisse wes among heom.

Hengest wolde wiþ þan kinge;
holde rouning.

þane kinge he come bi vore
and faire hine grette.

Þa queð hengest to þan kinge;
lauerd hærcne tiðende.

⁊ ich þe wulle ræcchen;
deorne runen.

ȝif þu mine lare;
wel wult lusten.

⁊ noht halden to wraððe;
þat ich wel leare.

þe king answarede;
swa henges hit wolde.

Þa sæide hængest;
cnihten alre fæirest.

lauerd ich habbe moni a dæi;
þine monscipe ihæȝed.

⁊ þin holde mon ibeon;
i richen þine hirede.

⁊ in ælche fæhte;
hæhst of þine cnihten.

Þo saide hengest to þan kinge;
louerd hercne tẏdinge.

And ich þe wolle telle;
of deorne rouninges.

ȝef þou mine lore
wel wolt i hure.

And noht holde to wraþþe;
ȝef ich þe wel leore.

And þe king answerede;
alse Hengest hit wolde.

⁊ ich habbe ofte ihærd;
hohfulle ronen.

Imong þine hired monnen;
heo hatieð þe swiðe.

In to þan bare dæðe;
ȝif heo hit dursten cuðe.

louerd ofte ich habbe ihord;
among þine cnihtes.

þat hii þe hatieþ swiþe;
into þare bare deathe.

Ofte heo stilleliche spækeð;
⁊ spilieð mid runen.

of twam ȝunge monnen;
þat feor wunieð hennen.

Ofte hii stille spekeþ.
of two ȝonge cheldren.

þe an hæhte VtheR;
þe oðer ambrosie.

þe on hatte vther;
þe oþer Aurelie.

þe þridde hæhte Co[n]stance;
þes wes king i þisse `lond´.

⁊ he her wes of slaȝen;
þurh swicfulle laȝen.

þe þridde hehte Constance;
þat þou dedest to deaþe.

Nu wulleð cume þa oðere;
⁊ wræken heore broðer.

Al forbær nen þi lond;
⁊ slæn þine leoden.

þe seoluen ⁊ þine duȝeðen;
driuen ut of londe.

Nou wolleþ come þe oþer;
and wreken hire broþer.

Al for bearne þi lond;
and slean þine leo de.

⁊ þus suggeð þine men;
þer heo somned sitteð.

for þa twene broðere;
beoð `beyne´ kine borne.

Of androeinnes kunne;
þas aðele bruttes.

⁊ þus þine duȝeðe;
stille þe fordemed.

And þus seggeþ þine men;
stille bi twine heom.

Ah ich þe wulle ræde;
Of muchele þire neode.

þ̵ þu bi ȝite cnihtes;
þa gode beoð to fihte.

⁊ bi tache me ænne castel;
Oðer ane kineliche burh.

þat ich mai inne ligge;
þa while þa ich libbe.

Ac ich þe wolle reade;
of mochele þine neode.

þat þou biȝete cnihtes;
þat gode beon to fihte.

And bi tak me one castel;
þat ich mai on wonie.

Ic am uor þe iuaid;
þær fore ic wene beon dæd.

fare þer ic auer fare;
næm ich næuere bute care.

Buten ich ligge faste;
biclused inne castle.

ȝif þu þis me wult don;
Ich hit wulle mid luue a fon.

⁊ ich wulle biliue;
senden after mine wiue.

þat is a sexisc wimmon;
of wisdome wel idon.

For ich ham for þe i veiþed;
þat ich wene beo dead.

þare ware ich euere vare;
nam ich neuere boute care.

Bote ihc ligge faste;
bi clused in on castle.

Ȝef þou þis woldes don;
Mi wif solde come sone.

⁊ after rouwenne; mire dohter;
þe me is swiðe deore.

Þenne ich habbe mi wif;
⁊ mine wine maies.

and mi dohter Rowenne;
and moche of mine cunne.

⁊ ich beo i þine londe;
fulliche at stonde.

þa bet ich wullen hiren þe;
ȝif þu þis ȝettest me.

Þa answerede vortiger;
Of ælchen vuele he wes war.

Nim cnihtes biliue;
⁊ send æfter þine wiue.

⁊ æfter þine children;
þan ȝungen ⁊ þan olden.

⁊ æfter þine cunnen;
⁊ afeoh heom mid wunne.

þenne heo to þe cumeð;
þu scat habben gærsume.

hæhliche heom to ueden;
⁊ wurðliche scruden.

Ah nulle ich castel na burh;
nane þe bi techen.

for men me wolden scenden;
I mine kine lond.

for ȝe haldeð þa hæðene laȝe;
þat stod on eoure ælderen dæȝe.

⁊ we haldeð cristes laȝe;
⁊ wulleð auere an ure dæȝe.

Wan we þos beoþ in londe;
folliche at stonde.

þe bet we wolleþ cweme þe;
ȝef þou þis wolt granti me.

þo answerede vortiger;
þat of ech vuele was war.

Nim cnihtes swiþe;
and send after þine wifue.

And after þine children;
þe ȝong and þe heoldre

And after þine cunne;
and onderfang heom mid winne.

wane hii to þe comeþ;
þou salt habbe garisome.

hehliche heom to fede;
and worþliche to scrude.

Ac nelle ich Castel ne Borh;
nanne þe bi take.

For men me wolde sende;
in mine kinelonde.

ȝef ich heþene men;
londes bi toke.

Þa ȝet spæc hængest;
cnihten alre hendest.

þe ȝet spac hengest;
cniht alre hendest.

lauerd ich wulle þin iwil;
driȝen her ⁊ ouer al.

⁊ don al mine dæde;
æfter þine ræde.

louerd nou ich wolle;
don al þine wille.

Nu ic wulle biliue;
sende afteR mine wiue.

⁊ æfter mire dohter;
þe me is swa deore.

⁊ æfter ohte monnen;
þa bezste of mine cunne.

Nou ich wolle bliue;
sende after mine wifue.

And þu ȝif me swa muchel lond;
to stonden a mire aȝere hond.

Swa wule anes bule hude;
Ælches weies ouer spræden.

feor from ælche castle;
amidden ane ualde.

þenne ne mai þe atwite;
þe hæne ne þe riche.

þ̵ þu æi hæhne burhȝe;
hæðene monne habbe bi tæht.

Þe king him iȝette;
swa hengest ȝirnde.

Hengest nom læue;
⁊ forð he gon liðe.

⁊ æfter his wiue sende sonde;
to his aȝene londe.

⁊ he seolf wende ȝeond þis lond;
to sechen ænne bræ[d]ne fæld.

þer he mihte wel spræde;
On his feire hude.

He com æn enne ende;
In enne fæire uelde.

he hafde ane hude;
bi ȝite to his neode.

o ane wilde bule;
þe wes wunder ane strong.

And þou ȝef me so mochel lond;
to stonde on min owe hond.

Ase wole a Bole hude;
in grene ouer sprede.

For fram eche Castle;
a midde one felde.

þanne ne mai þe atwite;
þe pore no þe riche.

þat þou eni heh Borh;
heþene Man bi takest.

And þe king him ȝaf;
þat lutel þat he ȝornde.

Hengest nam lefue;
and forþ he gan wende.

And after his wifue he sende sonde;
to his owene londe.

And him seolf wende;
oueral to bi holde.

ware he mihte wel sprede;
his Bole hude.

He hæfden ænne wisne mon;
þe wel cuðe a craften.

þe nom þas hude;
⁊ a bord leide.

and whætte his særes;
alse he schæren wolde.

Hengest hadde one wisneman;
þat wel couþe of crafte.

He nam þeos bole hude;
and a borde laide.

Of þere hude he kærf enne þwong;
swiðe smal ⁊ swiðe long.

Nes þe þwong noht swiðe bræd;
buten swulc a twines þræd.

þa al islit wes þe þong;
He wes wunder ane long.

þar of he makede ane þwang;
swiþe smal and swiþe lang.

Nas þe þwang noht brod
bote ase hit were a twined þred.

a buten he bilæde;
muche del of londe.

He bigon to deluen;
dic swiðe muchele.

þer uppe stenene wal;
þe wes strong oueral.

ane burh he arerde;
muchele ⁊ mare.

Þa þe burh wes al ȝare;
þa scop he hire nome.

he hæhte heo ful iwis;
KaeR Carrai an Bruttisc.

⁊ ænglis ce cnihtes;
heo Cleopeden þwong Chastre.

Nu and auere mare;
þe nome sto[n]deð þere.

⁊ for nan odere gome;
næueden þæ burh þene nome.

A boute þar mid he leide;
moche deal of londe.

He lette þo delue;
on euerech halue.

þar vppe stonene wal;
swiþe strong oueral.

ane castel he arerde;
fair to bi holde.

þo þe Borh was al ȝarue;
þo sette he hire name.

he hehte hire foliwis;
Caẏr Karri in Bruttesse.

and Englisse cnihtes;
Þwangchestre.

Nou and euere more;
þe name stondeþ þ[are].

a þet come densce men;
and driuen ut þa bruttes.

forte þat Dence men
driuen vt þe cnihtes.

þene þridde nome heo þer sætte;
⁊ lane castel hine hæhten.

⁊ for swulche gomen;
þæ tun hafde þas þreo nomen.

þane þridde name þar sette;
and leane Castel hine cleopede.

Vnder þan com liðen hider;
hengestes wif mid hire scipen.

heo hæfde to iueren;
fiftene hundred ridern.

mid hire comen to iwiten;
muchele æhtene scipen.

þer comen inne;
muchel of hengestes cunne.

vnder þan com liþe hider;
Hengestes wif mid hire sipes.

ȝeo hadde to ivere;
fiftene hundred Rideres.

⁊ Rouwen his dohter;
þe him we`s´ swide deore.

Hit wes umbe while;
þ̵ com þe ilke time.

þ̵ iȝarked wes þa burh;
mid þan alre bezste.

Hengest com to þan kinge;
⁊ bad him gistninge.

⁊ seide þ̵ he hafde an in;
Iȝarked to ȝeines him.

⁊ bad þat he come þer to;
⁊ he scolde beon fæire under fon.

And Rowen his dohter;
þat was him swiþe deore.

Hit was bi on wile;
þat com þe ilke time.

þat `i´ȝarked was þe borh;
mid þan alre beste.

And Hengest wende to þan kinge;
and bad hine to gẏstninge.

And seide þat he hadde on In;
hi makede to ȝenes him.

⁊ þe king him ȝette;
swa hengest hit wolde.

Hit com to þan time;
þ̵ þe king gon forð liðe.

Mið þan deoreste monnen;
of alle his duȝeðe.

And þe king him grantede;
alse Hengest wolde.

forð he gon buȝen;
þ̵ he to burh com.

he bi heold þene wal;
up and dun ouer al.

al him wel likede;
þ̵ he on lokede.

He wende in to halle;
⁊ his heleðes mid him alle.

Bemen heo bleowen;
gomen men gunnen cleopien.

Forþ hii gonne wende;
þat hii come to þan ende.

þe king bi heold þane wal;
vp and dun oueral.

Al him wel likede;
þat he on lokede.

He wende in to halle;
and his cnihtes mid him alle.

Bord heo hetten breden;
cnihtes setten þer to.

heo æten heo drunken;
dræm wes iburhȝen.

þa þe duȝeðe hafde iȝeten;
þa wes heom þa bet iloten.

Bordes hii lette sprede;
cnihtes þar to sete.

hii eoten hii drongken;
blisse was a mang heom.

Hængest eode in to þan inne;
þer wunede Rouwenne.

he heo lette scruden;
mid vnime`te´ prude.

al þ̵ scrud þe heo hafde on;
heo weoren swiðe wel ibon.

heo weoren mid þan bezste;
ibrusted mid golde.

Hengest wende to þe inne;
þar Rowenne was hinne.

he hire lette scrude;
mid onimete prude.

heo bar an hire honde;
Ane guldene bolle.

I uulled mid wine;
þe wes wunder ane god.

hæȝe iborenne men;
heo lædden to hallen.

biuoren þan kinge;
fæirest alre þinge.

Reowen sæt acneowe;
⁊ Cleopede to þan kinge.

⁊ þus ærest sæide;
In ænglene londe.

lauerd king wæs hæil;
for þine kime ich æm uæin.

Þe king þis ihærde;
⁊ nuste what heo seide.

Ȝeo bar in hire hond;
ane goldene bolle.

Hi fulled mid w[i]ne;
ne mihte non be rich[ere].

Hehȝe ibore men;
hire ladde in to halle.

bi vore þan kinge;
fairest alle þing.

Rowenne sat a cnouwe;
and seide to þan kinge.

þus erest ȝeo spac;
in Englene lond.

Louerd king wassaẏl;
for * þine comes me beoþ hail.

Þe king hit ihorde;
and nuste wat ȝeo saide.

þe king vortigerne;
fræinede his cnihtes sone.

what weoren þat speche;
þe þ̵ maide spilede.

Þa andswere de Keredic;
a cniht swiðe sellic.

he wes þe bezste latimer;
þat ær com her.

lust me nu lauerd king;
⁊ ich þe wulle cuðen.

whæt seið Rouwenne;
fæirest wimmonnen.

Hit beoð tiðende;
Inne sæxe londe.

whær swa æi duȝeðe;
gladieð of drenche;

þe king vortigerne;
haxede his cnihte`s´.

wat were þe speche;
þat þe maide speke.

Þo answerede; Keþereh;
cniht mid þe wisest.

he was þe beste latimer;
þat euere wone[de] her.

Lust nou mi louerd king;
and ich þe wolle cuðen.

wat seiþ Rowenne;
fairest of al wommanne.

Hit his þe wone;
Ine sax londe.

þat freond sæiðe to freonde;
Mid fæire loten hende.

leofue freond wæs hail;
þe oðer sæið drinc hail.

þe ilke þat halt þene nap;
he hine drinkeð up.

oder uul me þideR fareð;
⁊ bi techeð his iueren.

þenne þat uul beoð icumen;
þenne cusseoð heo þreoien.

þat freond saiþ to his freond;
wane he sal [dri]nge.

leofue freond wassail;
þe oþer saiþ dringhail.

þe ilke þat halt þane nap;
þane dringe dringþ vp.

And aȝ[ein]es me hine fulþ;
and takeþ his ivere.

þis beoð sele laȝen;
Inne saxe londe.

⁊ Inne alemaine;
heo beoð ihalden aðele.

Þis beoþ þe lawes;
ine sax londe.

Þis iherde uortiger;
of alchen uuele he wes war.

⁊ seide hit an bruttisc;
ne cuðe he nan ænglisc.

maiden Rouwenne;
drinc bluðeliche þenne.

Þat maide dronc up þat win;
⁊ lette don oðer þer in.

⁊ bi tæhten þan kinge;
⁊ þrien hine custe.

⁊ þurh þa ilke leoden;
þa laȝen comen to þissen londe.

wæs hail ⁊ drinc hæil.
moni mon þer of is fain;

Rouwenne þe hende;
sat bi þan kinge.

þe king heo ȝeorne biheold;
heo was him an heorte leof.

ofte he heo custe;
ofte he heo clupte.

Al his mod ⁊ his main;
halde to þan mæidene.

þis ihorde vortiger;
of eche vuele he was war.

And saide hit on Bruttesse;
ne couþe he noht on Œnglisse.

Maẏde Rowenne;
dring bloþeliche þanne.

Þat maide drong vt þat win;
and lette don oþer þar in.

And bi tahte þan kinge;
and he hit vp swipte.

And þorh þisne ilke game;
þe lawe come to londe.

wassaẏl and dring haẏl;
þat mani men lofuieþ.

Þe faire Rowenne;
sat bi þan kinge.

þe king hire ȝeorne bi heold;
ȝeo was him leof on heorte.

Ofte he hire custe;
and ofte he hire clupte.

Þe wurse wes þer ful neh;
þe in ælche gomene iS ful ræh.

þe wurse ne dude næuere god;
he mæingde þas kinge`s´ mod.

he murnede ful swiðe;
to habben þat mæiden to wiue.

Þat wes swide ladlic þing;
þat þe cristine king.

luuede þat haðene maide;
leoden to hærme.

þ̵ maiden wes þan kinge leof;
æfne alse his aȝene lif.

Þe worse was þare wel neh;
þat to soche game his wel sleh.

þe worse þat neuere ne doþ god;
he meẏnde þare þes kinges mod

þe king mornede swiþe;
for habbe hire to wifue.

þat was swiþe loþlich þing;
þat þe cristene king.

louede þat Maide heaþene;
folk to harme.

he bad hengest his dring;
ȝiuen him þat maide child.

Hengest funde an his ræd;
to don þ̵ þe king him bed.

he ȝef him Rouwenne;
wimmon swiðe hende.

To Hengest bad þe king;
þat he þat maide ȝefue him.

Hengest funde on his Reade;
don þat þe king him beade.

He ȝef him Rowenne;
womman swiþe hende.