And every knight in Arthurs court 160 A morsel had to taste. The boy brought forth a horne, All golden was the rim : Said he, "No cuckolde ever can Set mouth unto the brim. "No cuckold can this little horne. Lift fairly to his head; But or on this, or that side, He shall the liquor shed." Some shed it on their shoulder, Thus he that was a cuckold, Was known of every man: But Cradock lifted easily, And wan the golden can. Thus boar's head, horn and mantle, Were this fair couple's meed: And all such constant lovers, God send them well to speed. Then down in rage came Guenever, 165 170 "All frolick light and wanton She hath her carriage borne: And given thee for a kingly crown To wear a cuckold's horne." **The Rev. Evan Evans, editor of the Specimens of Welsh Poetry, 4to., affirmed that the story of the "Boy and the Mantle," is taken from what is related in some of the old Welsh MSS., of Tegan Earfron, one of King Arthur's mistresses. She is said to have possessed a mantle that would not fit any immodest or incontinent woman; this (which the old writers say, was reckoned among the curiosities of Britain) is frequently alluded to by the old Welsh Bards. CARLEILE, SO often mentioned in the Ballads of King Arthur, the editor once thought might probably be a corruption of CAER-LEON, an ancient British city on the river Uske, in Monmouthshire, which was one of the places of King Arthur's chief residence; but he is now convinced that it is no other than Carlisle, in Cumberland; the old English Minstrels, being most of them Northern men, naturally represented the Hero of Romance as residing in the North: and many of the places mentioned in the Old Ballads are still 180 to be found there; as Tearne- Wadling, &c. 175 Near Penrith is still seen a large circle, surrounded by a mound of earth, which retains the name of Arthur's Round Table. XIX. The Ancient Fragment of the Marriage of Sir Gawaine. And when he came to Merry Carlile THE Second Poem in the Third Series, And there came to him his Cozen Sr Gawaine* This Ballad had most unfortunately suffered by having half of every leaf in this part of the MS. torn away; and, as about nine stanzas generally occur in the half-page now remaining, it is concluded that the other half contained nearly the same number of stanzas. KINGE Arthur liues in merry Carleile and seemely is to see and there he hath wth him Queene Genev yt bride so bright of blee And there he hath wth him Queene Genever yt bride soe bright in bower & all his barons about him stoode yt were both stiffe and stowre The K. kept a royall Christmasse of mirth & great honor . . when .. [About Nine Stanzas wanting.] And bring me word what thing it is ye a woman most desire this shalbe thy ransome Arthur he sayes for Ile haue noe other hier K. Arthur then held vp his hand according thene as was the law he tooke his leaue of the baron there and homword can he draw O peace o peace thou gentle Gawaine for if thou knew my sighing soe deepe Ffor when I came to tearne wadling And he asked me wether I wold fight To fight wth him I saw noe cause Therfor this is my ransome Gawaine I must come againe as I am sworne And I must bring him word what thing it is [About Nine Stanzas wanting.] Then King Arthur drest him for to ryde in one soe rich array towards the foresaid Tearne wadling yt he might keepe his day And as he rode over a more Sic. betwixt an oke and a greene hollen she was cladd in red scarlett Then there as shold have stood her mouth then there was sett her eye the other was in her forhead fast the way that she might see Her nose was crooked & turnd outward her mouth stood foule a wry a worse formed lady thee shee was neuerman saw wth his eye To halch vpon him k. Arthur this lady was full faine but k. Arthur had forgott his lesson What knight art thou the lady sayd for I haue halched yo" courteouslye yett I may happen S knight shee said to ease thee of thy paine Giue thou ease me lady he said or helpe me any thing thou shalt haue gentle Gawaine my cozen & marry him with a ring Why if I helpe thee not thou noble k. Arthur of thy owne hearts desiringe of gentle Gawaine . . . . [About Nine Stanzas wanting.] And when he came to the tearne wadling the baron there cold he srinde* wth a great weapon on his backe standinge stiffe & stronge And then bespoke him noble Arthur & bade him hold his hands & give me leave to speake my mind in defence of all my land the said as I came over a More I see a lady where shee sate betweene an oke & a green hollen shee was clad in red scarlette And she says a woman will haue her will & this is all her cheef desire doe me right as thou art a baron of sekill this is thy ransome & all thy hyer He sayes an early vengeance light on her she walkes on yonder more it was my sister that told thee this she is a misshapen hore But heer Ile make mine avow to god to do her an euill turne for an euer I may thate fowle theefe get in a fyer I will her burne [About Nine Stanzas wanting.] THE SECOND PART. SIR Lancelott & st Steven bold they rode with them that day and the formost of the company there rode the steward Kay Soe did S Banier & Sr Bore Sr Garrett wth them so gay soe did Sr Tristeram yt gentle k to the forrest fresh & gay And when he came to the greene forrest vnderneath a greene holly tree their sate that lady in red scarlet And then he tooke k. Arthurs letters in his yt vnseemly was to see Peace coz. Kay then said Sr Gawaine amend thee of thy life for there is a knight amongst us all yt must marry her to his wife What wedd her to wiffe then said Sr Kay in the diuells name anon gett me a wiffe where ere I may for I had rather be slaine Then soome tooke vp their hawkes in hast & some tooke vp their hounds & some sware they wold not marry her for Citty nor for towne And then be spake him noble k. Arthur & sware there by this day for a litle foule sight & misliking [About Nine Stanzas wanting.] Then shee said choose thee gentle Gawaine truth as I doe say wether thou wilt haue me in this liknesse in the night or else in the day And then bespake him Gentle Gawaine To haue thee fowle in the night What when Lords goe wth ther seires* shee said both to the Ale and wine alas then I must hyde my selfe I must not goe withinne And then bespake him gentle gawaine said Lady thats but a skill And because thou art my owne lady thou shalt haue all thy will My father was an old knight & yett it chanced soe y' brought me to this woe Shee witched me being a faire young Lady to the greene forrest to dwell & there I must walke in womans liknesse most like a feeind of hell She witched my brother to a Carlist B.... that looked soe foule & that was wont Come kisse her Brother Kay then said S Ga waine & amend the of thy liffe I sweare this is the same lady Sr Kay kissed that lady bright Well Coz. Gawaine says S Kay thy chance is fallen arright for thou hast gotten one of the fairest maids I euer saw wth my sight It is my fortune said Sr Gawaine for my Vnckle Arthurs sake I am glad as grasse wold be of raine S Gawaine tooke the lady by the one arme K. Arthur welcomed them there all Then she said blesed be thou gentle Gawaine most seemly to be seene this day yt I thee see for as thou see me att this time from hencforth I wilbe * Sic in MS. pro feires, i. e. Mates. K. Arthur beheld that lady faire |