Fifteenth Century Prose and Verse Part 33

And thus we fell at accord, and he full gently got of his father the said book and delivered it to me, by which I have corrected my book, as hereafter, all along by the aid of Almighty G.o.d, shall follow; whom I humbly beseech to give me grace and aid to achieve and accomplish to his laud, honour, and glory; and that all ye that shall in this book read or hear, will of your charity among your deeds of mercy remember the soul of the said Geoffrey Chaucer, first author and maker of this book. And also that all we that shall see and read therein may so take and understand the good and virtuous tales, that it may so profit unto the health of our souls that after this short and transitory life we may come to everlasting life in Heaven. Amen.

BY WILLIAM CAXTON.

_Malory's King Arthur_. (1485).

Prologue.

After that I had accomplished and finished divers histories, as well of contemplation as of other historical and worldly acts of great conquerors and princes, and also certain books of ensamples and doctrine, many n.o.ble and divers gentlemen of this realm of England came and demanded me many and oft times wherefore that I have not done made and printed the n.o.ble history of the Saint Graal, and of the most renowned Christian King, first and chief of the three best Christian and worthy, Arthur, which ought most to be remembered among us Englishmen before all other Christian Kings. For it is notoyrly known through the universal world that there be nine worthy and the best that ever were; that is to wit three Paynims, three Jews, and three Christian men. As for the Paynims, they were to-fore the Incarnation of Christ, which were named--the first, Hector of Troy, of whom the history is come both in ballad and in prose--the second, Alexander the Great; and the third, Julius Caesar, Emperor of Rome, of whom the histories be well known and had. And as for the three Jews, which also were before the Incarnation of our Lord of whom the first was Duke Joshua, which brought the children of Israel into the land of behest; the second, David, King of Jerusalem; and the third Judas Maccabaeus; of these three the Bible rehea.r.s.eth all their n.o.ble histories and acts. And since the said Incarnation have been three n.o.ble Christian men, installed and admitted through the universal world into the number of the nine best and worthy, of whom was first the n.o.ble Arthur, whose n.o.ble acts I purpose to write in this present book here following. The second was Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, of whom the history is had in many places both in French and English; and the third and last was G.o.dfrey of Boulogne, of whose acts and life I made a book unto the excellent prince and king of n.o.ble memory, King Edward the Fourth. The said n.o.ble gentlemen instantly required me to print the history of the said n.o.ble king and conqueror, King Arthur, and of his knights, with the history of the Saint Graal, and of the death and ending of the said Arthur, affirming that I ought rather to print his acts and n.o.ble feats than of G.o.dfrey of Boulogne or any of the other eight, considering that he was a man born within this realm, and king and emperor of the same; and that there be in French divers and many n.o.ble volumes of his acts, and also of his knights. To whom I answered that divers men hold opinion that there was no such Arthur, and that all such books as be made of him be but feigned and fables, because that some chronicles make of him no mention, ne remember him nothing, ne of his knights; whereto they answered, and one in special said, that in him that should say or think that there was never such a king called Arthur, might well be aretted great folly and blindness; for he said that there were many evidences of the contrary. First ye may see his sepulchre in the monastery of Glas...o...b..ry; and also in 'Polychronicon,' in the fifth book, the sixth chapter, and in the seventh book, the twenty-third chapter, where his body was buried, and after found and translated into the said monastery.

Ye shall see also in the history of Boccaccio, in his book 'De casu principum,' part of his n.o.ble acts and also of his fall. Also Galfridus in his British book recounteth his life, and in divers places of England many remembrances be yet of him, and shall remain perpetually, and also of his knights. First in the Abbey of Westminster at Saint Edward's shrine remaineth the print of his seal in red wax closed in beryl, in which is written 'Patricius Arthurus, Britanniae Galliae Germaniae Daciae Imperator.' Item, in the castle of Dover ye may see Gawain's skull and Caradoc's mantle; at Winchester the round table; in other places Lancelot's sword, and many other things. Then all these things considered, there can no man reasonably gainsay but here was a king of this land named Arthur; for in all places, Christian and heathen, he is reputed and taken for one of the nine worthy, and the first of the three Christian men. And also he is more spoken of beyond the sea; more books made of his n.o.ble acts than there be in England, as well in Dutch, Italian, Spanish, and Greek as in French; and yet of record remain in witness of him in Wales in the town of Camelot the great stones and marvellous works of iron lying under the ground, and royal vaults, which divers now living hath seen. Wherefore it is a marvel why he is no more renowned in his own country, save only it accordeth to the word of G.o.d, which saith that no man is accepted for a prophet in his own country.

Then all these things aforesaid alleged, I could not well deny but that there was such a n.o.ble king named Arthur, and reputed one of the nine worthy, and first and chief of the Christian men; and many n.o.ble volumes be made of him and of his n.o.ble knights in French, which I have seen and read beyond the sea, which be not had in our maternal tongue, but in Welsh be many, and also in French, and some in English, but nowhere nigh all. Wherefore such as have lately been drawn out briefly into English, I have, after the simple cunning that G.o.d hath sent to me, under the favour and correction of all n.o.ble lords and gentlemen, emprised to imprint a book of the n.o.ble histories of the said King Arthur and of certain of his knights, after a copy unto me delivered, which copy Sir Thomas Mallory did take out of certain books of French and reduced it into English. And I according to my copy have down set it in print, to the intent that n.o.ble men may see and learn the n.o.ble acts of chivalry, the gentle and virtuous deeds that some knights used in those days, by which they came to honour, and how they that were vicious were punished and oft put to shame and rebuke; humbly beseeching all n.o.ble lords and ladies and all other estates, of what estate or degree they be of, that shall see and read in this said book and work, that they take the good and honest acts in their remembrance and to follow the same, wherein they shall find many joyous and pleasant histories and n.o.ble and renowned acts of humanity, gentleness, and chivalry. For herein may be seen n.o.ble chivalry, courtesy, humanity, friendliness, hardyhood, love, friends.h.i.+p, cowardice, murder, hate, virtue, and sin. Do after the good and leave the evil, and it shall bring you to good fame and renown. And for to pa.s.s the time this book shall be pleasant to read in; but for to give faith and believe that all is true that is contained herein, ye be at your liberty. But all is written for our doctrine, and for to beware that we fall not to vice ne sin, but to exercise and follow virtue, by which we may come and attain to good fame and renown in this life, and after this short and transitory life to come unto everlasting bliss in heaven; the which He grant us that reigneth in Heaven, the Blessed Trinity. Amen.

Then to proceed forth in this said book which I direct unto all n.o.ble princes, lords and ladies, gentlemen or gentlewomen, that desire to read or hear read of the n.o.ble and joyous history of the great conqueror and excellent king, King Arthur, sometime King of this n.o.ble realm then called Britain, I, William Caxton, simple person, present this book following, which I have emprised to imprint. And treateth of the n.o.ble acts, feats of arms, of chivalry, prowess, hardihood, humanity, love, courtesy, and very gentleness, with many wonderful histories and adventures. And for to understand briefly the contents of this volume, I have divided it into 21 books, and every book chaptered, as hereafter shall by G.o.d's grace follow. The first book shall treat how Uther Pendragon begat the n.o.ble conqueror, King Arthur, and containeth 28 chapters. The second book treateth of Balyn the n.o.ble knight, and containeth 19 chapters. The third book treateth of the marriage of King Arthur to Queen Guinevere, with other matters, and containeth 15 chapters. The fourth book how Merlin was a.s.sotted, and of war made to King Arthur, and containeth 29 chapters. The fifth book treateth of the conquest of Lucius the emperor, and containeth 12 chapters. The sixth book treateth of Sir Lancelot and Sir Lionel, and marvellous adventures, and containeth 18 chapters. The seventh book treateth of a n.o.ble knight called Sir Gareth, and named by Sir Kay 'Beaumains,' and containeth 36 chapters. The eighth book treateth of the birth of Sir Tristram the n.o.ble knight, and of his acts, and containeth 41 chapters. The ninth book treateth of a knight named by Sir Kay, 'Le cote mal taille,' and also of Sir Tristram, and containeth 44 chapters. The tenth book treateth of Sir Tristram, and other marvellous adventures, and containeth 83 chapters. The eleventh book treateth of Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad, and containeth 14 chapters. The twelfth book treateth of Sir Lancelot and his madness, and containeth 14 chapters. The thirteenth book treateth how Galahad came first to King Arthur's court, and the quest how the Sangreal was begun, and containeth 20 chapters. The fourteenth book treateth of the quest of the Sangreal, and containeth 10 chapters. The fifteenth book treateth of Sir Lancelot, and containeth 6 chapters. The sixteenth book treateth of Sir Boris and Sir Lionel his brother, and containeth 17 chapters. The seventeenth book treateth of the Sangreal, and containeth 23 chapters. The eighteenth book treateth of Sir Lancelot and the Queen, and containeth 25 chapters. The nineteenth book treateth of Queen Guinevere, and Lancelot, and containeth 13 chapters. The twentieth book treateth of the piteous death of Arthur, and containeth 22 chapters. The twenty-first book treateth of his last departing, and how Sir Lancelot came to revenge his death, and containeth 13 chapters. The sum is 21 books, which contain the sum of five hundred and seven chapters, as more plainly shall follow hereafter.

_Eneydos_ (1490).

Prologue.

After divers work made, translated, and achieved, having no work in hand, I sitting in my study whereas lay many divers pamphlets and books, happened that to my hand came a little book in French, which lately was translated out of Latin by some n.o.ble clerk of France, which book is named _Aeneidos_, made in Latin by that n.o.ble poet and great clerk, Virgil. Which book I saw over, and read therein how, after the general destruction of the great Troy, Aeneas departed, bearing his old father Anchises upon his shoulders, his little son Iulus on his hand, his wife with much other people following, and how he s.h.i.+pped and departed, with all the history of his adventures that he had ere he came to the achievement of his conquest of Italy, as all along shall be shewed in his present book. In which book I had great pleasure because of the fair and honest terms and words in French; which I never saw before like, ne none so pleasant ne so well ordered; which book as seemed to me should be much requisite to n.o.ble men to see, as well for the eloquence as the histories. How well that many hundred years past was the said book of _Aeneidos_, with other works, made and learned daily in schools, especially in Italy and other places; which history the said Virgil made in metre. And when I had advised me in this said book, I delibered and concluded to translate it into English; and forthwith took a pen and ink and wrote a leaf or twain, which I oversaw again to correct it. And when I saw the fair and strange terms therein, I doubted that it should not please some gentlemen which late blamed me, saying that in my translations I had over curious terms, which could not be understood of common people, and desired me to use old and homely terms in my translations. And fain would I satisfy every man, and so to do took an old book and read therein, and certainly the English was so rude and broad that I could not well understood it. And also my Lord Abbot of Westminster did do show to me lately certain evidences written in old English, for to reduce it into our English now used. And certainly it was written in such wise that it was more like to Dutch than English, I could not reduce ne bring it to be understood. And certainly our language now used varieth far from that which was used and spoken when I was born. For we Englishmen be born under the domination of the moon, which is never steadfast but ever wavering, waxing one season and waneth and decreaseth another season. And that common English that is spoken in one s.h.i.+re varieth from another, insomuch that in my days happened that certain merchants were in a s.h.i.+p in Thames for to have sailed over the sea into Zealand, and for lack of wind they tarried at Foreland, and went to land for to refresh them. And one of them named Sheffield, a mercer, came into a house and asked for meat, and especially he asked after eggs; and the goodwife answered that she could speak no French, and the merchant was angry, for he also could speak no French, but would have had eggs, and she understood him not. And then at last another said, that he would have "eyren"; then the goodwife said that she understood him well. Lo, what should a man in these days now write, eggs or eyren? Certainly it is hard to please every man because of diversity and change of language. For in these days every man that is in any reputation in his country will utter his communication and matters in such manners and terms that few men shall understand them. And some honest and great clerks have been with me and desired me to write the most curious terms that I could find; and thus between plain, rude and curious I stand abashed. But in my judgment the common terms that be daily used be lighter to be understood than the old and ancient English.

And forasmuch as this present book is not for a rude uplandish man to labour therein ne read it, but only for a clerk and a n.o.ble gentleman that feeleth and understandeth in feats of arms, in love and in n.o.ble chivalry. Therefore in a mean between both I have reduced and translated this said book into our English, not over-rude ne curious; but in such terms as shall be understood, by G.o.d's grace, according to my copy. And if any man will intermit in reading of it, and findeth such terms that he cannot understand, let him go read and learn Virgil or the pistles of Ovid, and there he shall see and understand lightly all, if he have a good reader and informer. For this book is not for every rude and uncunning man to see, but to clerks and very gentlemen that understand gentleness and science. Then I pray all them that shall read in this little treatise to hold me for excused for the translating of it, for I acknowledge myself ignorant of cunning to emprise on me so high and n.o.ble a work. But I pray Master John Skelton, late created poet laureate in the University of Oxenford, to oversee and correct this said book, and to address and expound, wherever shall be found fault, to them that shall require it.

For him I know for sufficient to expound and English every difficulty that is therein; for he hath lately translated the Epistles of Tully, and the book of Diodorus Siculus, and divers other works out of Latin into English, not in rude and old language, but in polished and ornate terms craftily, as he that hath read Virgil, Ovid, Tully, and all the other n.o.ble poets and orators to me unknown. And also he hath read the nine Muses, and understands their musical sciences, and to whom of them each science is appropred. I suppose he hath drunken of Helicon's well.

Then I pray him and such others to correct, add, or minish whereas he or they shall find fault; for I have but followed my copy in French as nigh as to me is possible. And if any word be said therein well, I am glad; and if otherwise, I submit my said book to their correction. Which book I present unto the high born, my to-coming natural and sovereign lord Arthur, by the grace of G.o.d Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester, first-begotten son and heir unto our most dread natural and sovereign lord and most Christian King, Henry the VII., by the grace of G.o.d King of England and of France, and lord of Ireland; beseeching his n.o.ble Grace to receive it in thank of me his most humble subject and servant. And I shall pray unto Almighty G.o.d for his prosperous increasing in virtue, wisedom, and humanity, that he may be equal with the most renowned of all his n.o.ble progenitors; and so to live in this present life that after this transitory life he and we all may come to everlasting life in Heaven. Amen.

_A Miracle Play of the Nativity._

[The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, from the Coventry Corpus Christi Plays.]

_A Miracle Play of the Nativity._

[The Pageant of the Shearmen and Tailors, from the Coventry Corpus Christi Plays.]

=Written before 1500.=

ISAYE. The Sovereign that seeth every secret, He save you all and make you perfect and strong, And give us grace with His mercy for to meet!

For now in great misery mankind is bound; The serpent hath given us so mortal a wound That no creature is able us for to release Till the right Unction of Judah doth cease.

Then shall much mirth and joy increase, And the right root in Israel spring, That shall bring forth the grain of holiness; And out of danger He shall us bring Into that region where He is King Which above all other far doth abound, And that cruel Satan he shall confound.

Wherefore I come here upon this ground To comfort every creature of birth; For I, Isaye the prophet, hath found Many sweet matters whereof we may make mirth On this same wise; For, though that Adam he deemed to death With all his childer, as Abel and Seth, Yet Ecce virgo concipiet,-- Lo where a remedy shall rise.

Behold, a maid shall conceive a child And get us more grace than ever men had, And her maidenhood nothing defiled.

She is deputed to bear the Son, Almighty G.o.d.

Lo! sovereignties, now may you be glad.

For of this maiden all we may be fain; For Adam, that now lies in sorrows full sad, Her glorious birth shall redeem him again From bondage and thrall.

Now be merry every mon, For this deed briefly in Israel shall be done, And before the Father in throne, That shall glad us all.

More of this matter fain would I move, But longer time I have not here for to dwell.

That Lord that is merciful his mercy so in us may prove For to save our souls from the darkness of h.e.l.l; And to His bliss He us bring As He is Both Lord and King And shall be everlasting In secula seculorum, Amen.

[_Exit_ ISAIAH; _enter_ GABRIEL _to_ MARY.]

GABRIEL. Hail, Mary, full of grace!

Our Lord G.o.d is with thee; Above all women that ever was, Lady, blessed mote thou be!

MARY. Almighty Father and King of bliss, From all disease thou save me now!

For inwardly my spirits troubled is, That I am amazed and know not how.

GABRIEL. Dread thee nothing, maiden, of this; From heaven above hither am I sent Of emba.s.sage from that King of bliss Unto thee, Lady and Virgin reverent!

Saluting thee here as most excellent, Whose virtue above all other doth abound.

Wherefore in thee grace shall be found; For thou shalt conceive upon this ground The Second Person of G.o.d in throne; He will be born of thee alone; Without sin thou shalt him see.

Thy grace and thy goodness will never be gone, But ever to live in virginity.

MARY. I marvel sore how that may be.

Man's company knew I never yet, Nor never to do, cast I me, While that our Lord sendeth me my wit.

GABRIEL. The Holy Ghost in thee shall light, And shadow thy soul so with virtue From the Father that is on height.

These words, turtle, they be full true.

This child that of thee shall be born Is the Second Person in Trinity; He shall save that was forlorn, And the fiend's power destroy shall He.

These words, Lady, full true they been, And further, Lady, here in thine own lineage Behold Elizabeth, thy cousin clean, The which was barren and past all age,

And now with child she hath been Six months and more, as shall be seen; Wherefore, discomfort thee not, Mary!

For to G.o.d impossible nothing may be.

MARY. Now, and it be that Lord's will Of my body to be born and for to be, His high pleasures for to fulfil As his own handmaid I submit me.

GABRIEL. Now blessed be the time set That thou wast born in thy degree!

For now is the knot surely knit, And G.o.d conceived in Trinity.

Now farewell, Lady of mightes most!

Unto the G.o.dhead I thee beteach.

MARY. That Lord thee guide in every coast, And lowly He lead me and be my leech!

_Here the angel departeth, and Joseph cometh in and saith:_

JOSEPH. Mary, my wife so dear, How do ye, dame, and what cheer Is with you this tide?