Version 1

Notes de lecture
80

Le texte de base est celui de ldition de Janet Cowen, Penguin Classics (2 vol.).

BOOK IV

CHAPTER 19. How Sir Marhaus, Sir Gawain, and Sir Uwain
met the damosels, and each of them took one
1
Now shall every each of us choose a damosel. I shall tell you, said Sir Uwain, I am the youngest and
most weakest of you both, therefore I will have the eldest damosel, for she hath seen much, and can best help me
when I have need, for I have most need of help of you both.
Now, said Sir Marhaus, I will have the damosel of thirty winter age, for she falleth best to me.
Well, said Sir Gawain, I thank you, for ye have left me the youngest and the fairest, and she is most
levest to me.
Then every damosel took her knight by the reins of his bridle, and brought him to the three
ways, and there was their oath made to meet at the fountain that day twelvemonth and they were
living, and so they kissed and departed, and each knight set his lady behind him. And Sir Uwain took
the way that lay west, and Sir Marhaus took the way that lay south, and Sir Gawain took the way that
lay north.
2
Now will we begin at Sir Gawain, that held that way till that he came unto a fair manor, where
dwelled an old knight and a good householder, and there Sir Gawain asked the knight if he knew any
adventures in that country.
I shall show you some to-morn, said the old knight, and that marvellous.
So, on the morn they rode into the forest of adventures to a laund, and thereby they found a
cross, and as they stood and hoved there came by them the fairest knight and the seemliest man that
ever they saw, making the greatest dole that ever man made. And then he was ware of Sir Gawain, and
saluted him, and prayed God to send him much worship.
As to that, said Sir Gawain, gramercy; also I pray to God that he send you honour and worship.
Ah, said the knight, I may lay that aside, for sorrow and shame cometh to me after worship.

Sire Morhaut, sire Gauvain et sire Yvain rencontrent trois demoiselles,

qui partent chacune de son ct en compagnie de lun deux
1
Procdons maintenant chacun au choix dune demoiselle. Je vous le dis sans hsiter, enchana sire
Yvain : tant le plus jeune et le plus faible par rapport vous deux, je tiens avoir la demoiselle la plus avance en
ge, car elle a une longue exprience et est la mieux place pour me venir en aide en cas de besoin, et en compa raison de vous deux, cest moi qui ai le plus besoin daide.
Pour ma part, dclara son tour sire Morhaut, je tiens avoir la demoiselle de trente printemps, car
cest elle qui me correspond le mieux.
Ma foi, conclut sire Gauvain, je vous remercie de mavoir laiss la plus jeune et la plus belle : cest elle
qui me convient le mieux.
Chaque demoiselle prit alors les rnes de la bride de son chevalier, quelle conduisit au croisement des trois routes ; l, tous trois jurrent de se retrouver la source dans un an, jour pour jour, sils
taient encore en vie, puis changrent le baiser de paix et se sparrent, chaque chevalier installant sa
dame derrire lui. Sire Yvain prit la route qui se trouvait louest, sire Morhaut prit la route qui se
trouvait au sud, et sire Gauvain prit la route qui se trouvait au nord.
2
Nous nous intresserons pour commencer sire Gauvain, qui suivit sa route jusqu ce quil parvienne un beau manoir, demeure dun vieux chevalier qui en tait propritaire ; sir Gauvain demanda
au chevalier sil tait au courant de lieux daventures dans la rgion.
Je vous en montrerai demain, lui rpondit le vieux chevalier, et de prodigieux, qui plus est.
Le lendemain matin, donc, ils entrrent cheval dans la fort daventures jusqu une lande,
trouvrent non loin un calvaire, et alors quils taient posts l dans lexpectative, vint passer le plus
beau chevalier et le plus distingu quils eussent jamais vu, et se lamentant comme jamais. Apercevant
sire Gauvain, il le salua, priant Dieu de le couvrir dhonneurs.
Pour vos bons vux, rpondit sire Gauvain, mille mercis, et de mon ct, je prie Dieu quil rpande sur
vous gloire et honneurs.
Hlas ! scria le chevalier, il nen est plus question pour moi, car chagrin et honte entrent chez moi
dans le sillage des honneurs.

1 every each1
Il faut bien voir que every remonte au compos vieil-anglais
fre g-hwil [ + e h + l], ~ l, ~ ehwil ; par consquent, dans every, le -y nal
est dj la trace dune forme ancienne de each : dans every each, le second terme est
redondant. Mais 1) comme toujours, les locuteurs avaient la pratique sans la comprhension correspondant cette pratique, et 2) le besoin sest fait sentir dune forme dinsistance, cf. tous autant quils sont .
Middle English Dictionary : ver (pron.) Also averelch, afri(ch; ever-elch, -ech; ever-ilk2, -ich, -il
(N & nEM); ever-ulch, -uch, -euch (mostly W); ever-lc, -alch (early).
1

Prcdentes occurrences : volets 16 (Winchester folio 14v : evry) 26 (W. f 21v : evry) 28 (W. f22v : evry chone) 45 (Caxton : everyche [9 occurrences en tout]). Cf. echone, ecchone each one.
2
Cf. lcossais King James, the fyfte of that ilke, le roi Jacques, cinquime du nom. En V, 12, volet 101, ldition de J.
Cowen (I, 191, ligne 22) porte And hen they of Milan heard that thilk city as on, ce qui est conforme au texte de Caxton
(& whan they of Melane herd that thylk c te was wo e); Winchester folio 94v porte Whan e overaygnes of Myllayne herde t e cite
was wonne : Malory nemploie pas thilk.

 2 Sir Uwain took the way that lay west Le narrateur tient prciser quelle direction
prend chaque couple ; aucun ne se dirige vers lest.
3 as they stood and hoved (dj en II, 19, volet 46 : and the stone hoved always above the
water in the marble stone hoving upon the water) cf. to hover /'hv/, /'hv/; MED :
h ven v. 1)) Also hove, hovi, houven, ho en
) hofe, hufe, he en. orms: sg. h veth, etc.
) fes, h fes; p. h) vede, etc.
) he ed; ppl. h ven.
[?OE *han; ?a new formation in ME based on hf(on, p. of OE hebban. imes indicate occasional
shortening of . .ppl. h ven may be h ven, ppl. of hven v.]
1. (a) To remain suspended in the air; of birds: hover; be poised high in the air, soar; of ags: oat
or utter in the air; (b) to lie protectingly over ones young); g. hover protectively (over sb. or
sth.); also, of birds: sit on or brood(eggs or young); (c) to oat; also, rise to the surface of the
water; of ships: lie at anchor.
(a) a1300(a1250) Bestiary (Arun 292) 53: He [the eagle] houe in e sunne.
c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108) 33/127: o heo [the star] cam ouer ulke place, heo houede are ane
stounde.
c1300 SLeg.Mich.(LdMisc 108) 605: It [mist]..gaderez are to one watur-cloude and houeth are
ane stounde.
c1330(?a1300) Arth. M. Auch) 1574: We seien..her aboue Ouer ous a sky houe.
c1350 Cmb.Ee.4.20.Nominale (Cmb Ee.4.20) 222: Et luy fole vngle en brandele; And the fol houyth
in the totur.
(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959) Deut.32.11: As an Egle for clepynge his briddys to e & opon hem
houynge [L super eos volitans], he spradde out his wyngys.
a1 98) * Trev. Barth. Add 27944) 149b/a: The kyte..is jbore vp aboue e eire i lit feeres
houe ere as it were vnmevable.
(1440) PParv.(Hrl 221) 251: Hovyn yn e eyre, as byrdys [KC: as bryddys, or skyis, or other lyke]:
Supervolo, supervolito.
c1450(c1353) Winner & W.(Add 31042) 143: A banere of blake..one e bent houes.
c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042) 215: They [hawks] houen appon heghte as it were heuen
angelles.
c1450(?a1400) Siege Milan (Add 31042) 1490: He sawe come houande ouer a felle Many a brade
Banere.
c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103) p.216: Behynde hys bak he seeth e cloudes houe.
c1450 Capgr. St.Kath.(Arun 396) 2.19: at dowe whiche vp-on cryst dede houe [rime: love,
above].
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 802/4: As sir Bors loke over hys hede he saw a swerde..hovynge
over hys hede. [XI, 6, volet 332]
a1475 Lydg. CB (Lngl 258) 224: She..Glad that she was at large..Saide vnto him howyng [vr.
houyng] aboue his hede.
c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14) 2.190: Euere houed e egle on hie on e skyes.
a1500(?a1450) GRom.(Add 9066) 370: The puttok come yeng and houyd ouer the henne and
hire briddes.
(b) (a1398) * Trev. Barth.(Add 27944) 302a/a: Sche [the bear]..biclippe e colde whelpes..and
conforte and liggen howuyng [Tol: lye howuynge] vpon hem as briddes doon.
a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson) 3.1427: O nyght, allas! why nyltow over us hove
[rime: Jove].
c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666) 966: He houed ouer a hyue, e hony forto kepe Fro
dranes.
c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14) 2.146: e hende egle..Hasteth him in heruest to houyn
his bryddis.

c1475(c1399) Mum & S.(1) (Cmb Ll.4.14) 3.50: Anoer proud partriche..houeth e eyren..And
with hir corps keuereth hem.
(c) a1300(a1250) Bestiary (Arun 292) 409: So droui is te sees grund, ne mai he [the whale]
wunen er at stund, oc stire up & houe stille.
c1300 SLeg.Brendan (LdMisc 108) 373: To is grete schse..huy come, at houede ase it were a
lond.
c1300 SLeg.Brendan (LdMisc 108) 375: Louerd crist, at swch a best scholde houi so stille!
a1400 Pep.Gosp.(Pep 2498) 17/23: o were ere tueye schippes houende biside on e water.
c1425(a1420) Lydg. TB (Aug A.4) 3.5726: In water it [ebony] houeth eke alofte, And kyndely to e
grounde it goth, To swymme o loft..it is so loth.
1440) arv. Hrl 221) 167: Skomyn ale, or pottys, or oer lycoure that hovythe: Despumo,
exspumo.
(1440) PParv.(Hrl 221) 251: Hovyn yn watur, or oer lycoure: Supernato.
(1440) * Capgr. St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55) 256: A ereyn dropped oute..The chalis onkewred..waas; In
he fell and ere he gan to houe.
c1450 Wimbledon Serm.(Hat 57) 33/10: As in a tunne of wyn e dreggys duellyn by neyn, and e
clere wyn houy a boe.
c1450 Treat.Fish.(Yale 171) 163/20: Ye schall angle..yn oer places wher he [read: ye] may se any
fyche howvyng and fede a-bove.
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 92/4: Balynes swerde was put into a marbil stone..and hoved
allwayes above the watir. [II, 19, volet 46]
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 1240/14: Faste by the banke hoved a lytyll barge wyth many fayre
ladyes in hit. [XXI, 5, volet 495]
c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564) 123b/a: Streyne it oru a cloo.. gadere e fatte at houe
aboue.
. (a) To wait in readiness or expectation; lie in wait, lurk; wait around, hang about; ~ to heste,
?a ait someones) command; b) to remain, stay, linger; reside, ?encamp; of light: remain
shining; ?of sound: resound, linger in the air; of buildings: be situated, stand; ~ stille, stay where
one is; ~ on, dwell on (sth.) in thought; (c) to stop whatever one is doing; come to a standstill, halt;
remain stationary, stand still; ~ stille, ~ stilliche, remain motionless, come to a stop; also, keep
silent.
(a) c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11) 4468: Moroud..In an valeye houede, e endinge uor to
abyde.
c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch) 9187: Leodegan..Houed vnder e cites wal.
c1330(?c1300) Amis (Auch) 1201: e steward houed opon a stede Wi scheld & spere, bataile to
bede.
c1 0 Otuel Auch) 400: e king roulond..founde houinge er ate Otuel, armed and idit.
c1390(?c1350) Jos.Arim.(Vrn) 489: Now ei bouwe touward e bente er is oere houen.
(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3) 2.3006: This kniht..hoved and abod Embuisshed upon horse bak.
c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14) prol.84: ere houide [vr. houedyn] an hundrit in houuis of
silk.
c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581) 18.80: Bifor pilat & other peple in e place he [Longeus] houed.
a1425(c1333-52) Minot Poems (Glb E.9) 9/83: viij and xl galays..With grete noumber of smale
botes; All ai houed on e ode To stele sir Edward mens gode.
a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson) 5. : With certeyn folk he hoved hire tabide.
a1425-a1500(?c1350) Libeaus (Kaluza) 1093: ey hoved under a linde, To se e cours of e hinde,
Libeaus and his fere.
?1435(1432) Lydg. Hen.VI Entry (Jul B.2) 52: The Meire..Made hem hove in rengis tweyne.
c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn) 1260: He..Hufes thare with hale strenghe of haythen
kyngez.
c1440 ?a1400) Morte Arth. 1) Thrn) 1688: if o hufe all e daye, ou bees noghte delyuerede.
c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn) 2010: Oure..kynge appon the bente howes With his bataile

on brede and baners displayede.

c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn) 49/2: Alexander..houed in e myddes waye bi-twene e twa ostes.
a1450 Yk. l. Add 5290) 294/7 : Haste you in hye; ei houe at youre ates.
c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042) 770: A Mile with-owtten Attale there houede foure
kynges fre With speris in thaire hande.
c1450 ?a1400) Wars Alex. Ashm 44) 25 0: oure princes a-sembles..e men of Itaile..And ma at
houes [Dub: hewen] to our hest a hundreth & fti.
c1450(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9) 288: Kay held him full stille And in e holte houes.
c1450 Capgr. Rome (Bod 423) 32: When he cam in e hoost, he houed and taried til e kyng had
slept his slepe.
?c1450 Brut-1447 (Trin-C O.9.1) 489/12: ere they abode and hoved on horsbak vnto the Quenes
comyng.
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 164/9: On that other syde saw sir Gawayne ten knyghtes that hoved
and made hem redy with hir sheldis. [IV, 20, 81]
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)
485/10,11: He mette with two knyghtes hovyng undir the
oodsha . ayre kyghtes! [read: knyghtes], seyde sir Lamerok, hat do ye, hovynge here and
acchynge? [IX, 12, volet 207]
a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38) 1428: He..rode forthe there..And houedd on hys stede.
(b) a1300(a1250) Bestiary (Arun 292) 395: Ore sses..cumen houen in his [the hales] mu.
c1 00 SLeg. LdMisc 108) 269/298: Euere houede is clere lijt ouer hire faire and heie.
c1 00 SLeg.Virg.to Devil Hrl 2277) 54: is knit houede al [Corp-C: as] witles; he nuste hou he
sede.
c1 0 ?a1 00) Arth. M. Auch) 1299: er Merlin houed lou stille seie hou men loued
schon to selle.
c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch) 7146: Wawain..dede e best wi hem houe [rime: coue]..& al e
oer toforn hem go To Camalot.
c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33) 3269: In e nyemest stage anne schup he him selue to hove [rime:
above].
(a1387) Trev. Higd.(StJ-C H.1) 8.123: He..was i-dryve so at he come bytwene Aquilia and Venyse,
and ere he hovede and bleynt hider and ider.
(a1398) * Trev. Barth.(Add 27944) 270a/a: Houynge [L residens] in e myddel of e webbe, he
[the spider] feele sodeynliche a ye at is in e furest partye erof.
c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10) 927: e[r] is a cite herbisyde at Segor hit hatte, Here utter
on a rounde hil hit hovez hit one.
?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Gt Hist 740) 20316: ai tok it an for ar castelle, e night
aron to hofe and duelle.
?a1425(?a1350) Castleford Chron.(Gt Hist 740) 20520: Alle e clergie and religions In halikirk
ar ofes and wones.
c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595) 7665: He drow his sword and hoved stille And faut ith
Ector al his lle.
(1435) Misyn FL (Corp-O 236) 86/23: Qwhen..all waueryngis of mynde gos in-to stabylnes & now
nower it wauyrs ne houys [L non uctuat aut hesitat].
c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn) 377: I sall..Stryke hym styye fro his stede..For all a
steryn in stour at in his stale houys.
c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn) 312: With Kyng Arthoure duelle wee, at houyn es on hyll.
a1450 7 Sages(3) (Cmb Dd.1.17) 2825: Thorow the toun as he rode, A whyle he hovede and abode
Ryght a lytyl fram the toure Thare was the lady of honour.
c1450(?a1400) Roland & O.(Add 31042) 385: is while houede the Sarazene still And called to e
kynge.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44) 2890: Nay, houe [Dub: hofe] ou here..vn-to my hame-come.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44) 3260: On is maner made he man..ne ferme ne stable, Bot
houande here a hand-qwile.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44) 4902: is hame at houes on is hill..hat e hous of the son.
c1450 Capgr. St.Kath.(Arun 396) 2.915: Fy on tho hertis at euere on suche ingis houe [rime:
aboue, loue]!

a1500(?c1400) Triam.(Cmb Ff.2.38) 1328: The toon rode hym vntill; The tother houedd on an
hylle A lytull there besyde.
a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1) 37/461: Now long shall thou hufe, lay in thy lyne there.
(c) c1300 SLeg.(LdMisc 108) 266/191: are heo houede stilleliche as ei heo were with-oute
bree.
c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11) 3582: o he com to somersete & e saxons ysey, He houede
& spac wi is men es wordes.
c1 0 ?c1 00) Amis Auch) 127 : at knit gan houe [vr. stode] stille so ston herd o ordes
euerichon.
c1330 Otuel (Auch) 466: Roulond was hende..& houede oppon his stede stille; To smiten made he
semblant non, Er otuwel was risen & gon.
c1330 Otuel (Auch) 484: He smot to roulond wi good wille, at ouede oppon his stede stille.
c1390 NHom.Narrat.(Vrn) 274/22: His knaue was weory..and bad his Mayster houe stille.
c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10) 2168: enne he houed & wyth-hylde his hors at at tyde.
c1440(?a1400) Perceval (Thrn) 1447: Sir Wawayne..houyde styll and habade, His concell to ta.
c1440-a1500 Eglam.(Schleich) 1202: Sir, why hovys ou sa stille Amange thir knyghtis kene?
a1450(c1410) Lovel. Grail (Corp-C 80) 53.216: Whanne he was Comen to that plas, there hovede
he, and Abod A ful gret spas.
a1450 Rich.(Cai 175/96:Weber) 3927: Kyng Richard hovyd and beheeld And devysyd hys hoost in
the feeld.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 2847: ai..halit into hauyn & houyt full stille.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 3531: Ye hastely shall here, and ye houe stille.
?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309) 825: In at place whare ai hewed, A meruaile hider to is proued.
a1500(a1450) Gener.(2) (Trin-C O.5.2) 4028: Vppon the way we hovyd and a-boode.
?a1500 a1475) Wrights CW Lamb 06) 624: or to here the fo lys syng, They hovyd stylle and
bode.
3. To move onward, proceed, go; ride.
c1325 Middelerd for mon (Hrl 2253) 20: at liue on likyng out of lay, his hap he de ful harde
on hete aenz he ho e henne.
(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3) 3.1307: Thanne hove out of mi Sonne, And let it schyne into mi Tonne.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 4525: o shene out of shippe shake into botes, Houit to e
bonke.
c1450(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9) 172: e Kinge..To make his howundus hardi, Houut on a stede.
c1450(?c1425) Avow.Arth.(Tay 9) 411: is at houes by my side, In wedde i wold hur lay.
(1467-8) Statutes Ireland 3 448: Les ditz Robert Seint laurence..& aultres..one lour bateux come
pirates assauterount & rent fuer lez ditz Brittons ouerauntes, videlicet hovyng iesqes al Ile de
lambay oue la dit Nief.
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 481/31: A stronge myghty horse stood passyng nyghe hym..and a
man hovyng and rydynge by hym, ledynge an horse lode with spearys. [IX, 10, volet 205]
a1500(a1400) Ipom.(1) (Chet 8009) 2557: Wyth you wold I fare..ne this maydon were That
houythe by my syde!

Insparable de
hven v.) Also heve, heiven, heoven, hefe n, heif e, hef fe, he en hebbe n, error) habben.
orms: sg. hveth, etc. he & hf; p. h f, h ve, hoef, hoif hf, hve, hf, heaf, heof
hf e, hve hved e, hvet, heivet, hfed, hfde; pl. h ven, h fen hven, hfven, heoven,
h ven hveden; ppl. i)hven, iheoven hvfe i)h ve n, hih ve, h fen hved, fed, h ed,
hvied & (late) hived.
[OE hebban; sg. 3 (A) hefe, (WS) -hef; p. h f, h fon; ppl. A) -hefen, (WS) -hafen.]

1. (a) To raise (an object, a body, the hands, etc.) upright or to a higher position; lift up, hoist; ~ on
rode, crucify; (b) ~ up, to lift up (sb. or sth.); [cp. up ~]; (c) to raise (sb., the soul) to heaven, place
in heaven; ~ up; (d) to raise (sb., oneself) upon a horse, mount; ~ up; ~ adoun, lift (sb.) down.
(a) c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 1914: He..igrap hine bi on gurdle & him grimliche heaf
[Otho: heof].
c1275 ?a1200) Lay. Brut Clg A.9) 16509: Aldolf..hf [Otho: hefde] hhe his s eord lette hit
adun swippen.
c1275 ?a1200) Lay. Brut Clg A.9) 17 96: e mote..scuuen and hebben mid here strene treon
grte & longe.
c1275 ?a1200) Lay. Brut Clg A.9) 17442: Winne as stanes alle..for nu e maen heom habben
[Otho: hebbe] swulche veerene balles.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 28019: Me imette at mon me hof uppen are halle.
a1225(?a1200) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52) 35: [Adam] hef his honde hit [the apple] to nimen.
a1225(?a1200) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52) 109: e sunne was efed into heuene and te mone stod
on hire stede.
c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34) 8/17: e lauerd e e Gius for-demden..& heuen on rode.
c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 65/10: Seint Andrew mahte olien et te hearde rode heue
[Nero: hef] him toward heouene.
c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11) 389: He adde an strong ax..So strong & gret at an oer hit
ssolde hebbe unnee.
c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch) 6880: An aundiren he kept in his honden o, Hetelich it haf.
c1 80 irumb. 1) Ashm ) 004: With at heuede he an he ys brand.
c1 90 Susan. Vrn) 262: en Susan..Heef hir hondus on hi, bi-held heo to heuene.
(a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3) 5.381: Thogh he heve his hed on hyh, The fruit is evere aliche nyh.
c1400 ?c1 80) Cleanness ero A.10) 41 : e arc hoven atz on hye yth hurlande gotez.
?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson) 5.m.5.18: Only the lynage of man heveth heyest
his heie heved.
c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595) 16681: Ther were..Helmes holed, & heuedis houen [rime:
clouen].
c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn) 4156: The riche kynge..Hewys hys handys one heghte.
a1450 Erliche in e morwenyng (Cai 175/96) p.314: At complyn re Maryes hoo hym and layde
hym in a ston.
a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290) 427/43: an heuyd ei hym highly on hight for to hang.
c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042) 288: Elde..encrampeschet myn hondes, at I ne may hefe
am to my hede.
a1500(?a1400) Morte Arth.(2) (Hrl 2252) 404: He myght not heve his hede vp-Right.
c1500(?a1437) ?Jas.I KQ (SeldArch B.24) st.1: In Aquary, Citherea the clere..Through Capricorn
heved hir hornis bright.
(b) ?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 14676: Abraham..ho e swerd upp wi hiss hannd.
?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 16705: Moyss Hof upp e neddre i wesste.
?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 17028: O att tatt te mannes stren..shollde Ben hofenn upp o rodetre.
a1225(?a1200) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52) 111: He..heuede sien up at heued.
c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34) 42/11: Heoue hire on heh up swa et ha hongi to mede of
hire hokeres.
c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34) 46/16: Heo bigon on hire cneon for te cneolin adun, & blie
wi eos bone ber on heh iheuen up honden towart heouene.
c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 20/19: I[n] e measse hwen e preost heue [Nero: hef] up
godes licome segge is vers.
c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 150/5: To unwreast mid alle ha is e mei wi to heouen [Nero:
hebben] up hire reo ngres ouercomen hire fa.
c1250 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39) 194: Hef up i fot alutel at ine myn necke stonde.

c1300 SLeg.11000 Virg.(LdMisc 108) 166: Huy wenden forth to ulke stude..And heuen [Hrl:
heuede] up e rouwes lid.
(c1300) Havelok (LdMisc 108) 2750: His swerd he hof up heye.
a1325(?c1300) NPass.(Cmb Gg.1.1) 1929: Witht force he hauetz houen vp e ston.
c1330(?c1300) Bevis (Auch) 95/1903: e geaunt vp is clobbe haf And smot to Beues wi is staf.
c1 0 ?c1 00) Guy 1) Auch) 4 91: His s erd anon vp he hef [vr. heef]; Morgadour doun rit he
clef.
c1 80 irumb. 1) Ashm ) 40: e duk hef vp an he his hond.
(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959) Josh.8.19: Whenne he hadde houyn opp e swerd.
(a1387) Trev. Higd.(StJ-C H.1) 7.203: Whanne e lettre was i-rad, at principal feend have up
boe hondes to hevene.
c1390 Body & S.(5) (Vrn) p.74: e bodi er hit lay on bere..e hed haf [vr. heued] vp and e swire.
(c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert) I.858: An hound, whan he comth by the roser..thogh he
may nat pisse, yet wole he heue vp his leg and make a contenaunce to pisse.
a1400 Cursor (Trin-C R.3.8) 10479: She heef [Ld: hafe; Vsp: lift] hir hondes vp to e sky.
c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn) 1156: ay hafe vp hys hawberke.
a1450 Hrl.Cook.Bk.(1) (Hrl 279) 53: Take a dressoure knyf, & put vndernee e Salt in e panne,
hef it vppe so fayre at e cofyn ith e Eyroun breke not.
a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3) 2559: ey..heuyn vp e stone & leyden hit a-syde.
c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30) 111: She fered me with manasses and he up hire ax to me.
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 149/28: She hevyd up the swerde to smyte. [IV, 13, volet 74]
(a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C) 174/31: They hove up their fadir on his feete. [IV, 25, volet 86 ; mais
Caxton na pas on his feet]
a1475 Ga ain CC Brog 2.1) 56: The tabullus er havfe vpe an hyt.
a1500(a1415) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4) 45/36: He was naylet hond and fote to e crosse, and soo
heuen vp at e body paysude downe to hys fete.
a1500(a1415) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4) 81/30: He knelyd don and hef vp his hondys to God.
a1500(a1415) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4) 207/7: Then hevyn ey vp hor hondys to God and
thonkyd hym.
a1500(a1415) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4) 219/23: Then Laurence hevyd vp his hondys and prayde
to God.
(c) ?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 11865: He wile hemm hefenn upp Inn heofennrichess blisse.
a1225(?a1200) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52) 111: Ure helende..was is dai heued on hegh.
a1225(?a1200) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52) 167: Vre lafdi Seinte Marie..is dai was houen in to
heuene.
c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel) 2462: e oer [miracle] wes et te engles lihten of heuene &
heuen hire on heh up.
c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34) 14/31: He wule..arudde mi sawle ut of ine honden & heouen
hire into heouene.
c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn) 4091: We sall be hewede vnto heuen, or we be halfe colde.
a1500 ?a1400) SLChrist Hrl 909) 9249: e shul not leue he [Christ] houen was as was Ennoc &
Heli here.
a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1) 366/401: My dere son..hens is hevyd to his awne hold.
d) ?a1 00 Jacob J. Bod 652) 166: More en he axede for Iosep he af, seen on his stede
wel feire he him haf.
c1300 SLeg.Inf.Chr.(LdMisc 108) 104: Josep..of at best at heo sat on Softeliche haf hire a-doun.
a1375 WPal.(KC 13) 348: emperour..comande e couherde..to heue vp at hende child bi-hinde
him on his stede.
a1400(?c1300) Amis (Eg 2862) 1201: Heuid [Auch: e steward houed opon a stede].
1b.
a) To raise ones eyes); ~ (up) eien, look up; (b) to make (the hair) bristle; (c) to make (bread, etc.)
rise; (d) of a plant: to grow.

(a) c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 24781: He awundred is..at u derst of Rome wi-suggen
i dome, oer hebben up in een aein ure ldren.
c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 136/12: is an we mahe don, heouen [Nero: hebben] ehnen up
to e mildfule lauerd.
a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344) 456: oure eyen hebbe an hey and aboute o at e seo.
a1 82) WBible 1) Bod 959) Gen.1 .10: Loth, his eyen heued up, seeyz all e regyon about of
Iordane.
a1 82) WBible 1) Bod 959) Gen.24.6 : Whenn he hadde houen up the eyen, he sa chamels
comyng aferre.
(c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert) I.986: The Publican that wolde nat heuen vp hise eyen
to heuene.
a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7) 120.1: I houe mine eghen in hilles, to se Whethen sal come helpe to
me.
a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson) 5.1159: Heve up thyn eyen, man! Maistow nat se?
b) c1400 ?c1 90) Ga ain ero A.10) 1587: e ylde atz ar of e ye ith eppen in
honde, Hef hyly e here, so hetterly he fnast.
(c) (a1398) * Trev. Barth.(Add 27944) 226b/a: Sour dowe..ha vertu to heue past and bred.
(d) a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3) 8035: Right hei in grund ai [the three wands] war noght
houen [Gt: houyn], Bot als ai thre stod on a stouen.
(?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2) 10.75: Farrage in restyf lond..Is doon..And out of molde er colde
eek must hit heuen [L conualescat].
1c.
(a) To lift (a child from the baptismal font), stand sponsor to (a child) at the font; (b) to baptize
(sb.); ~ of, raise (sb.) from (the baptismal water); (c) to present (oneself) for conrmation.
(a) c1250 *St.Marg.(2) (Trin-C B.14.39) 86: Cristine wiman ic am iheuen of e fonston.
c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376) 18/479: Her ich segge..at hi [parents] ne hebbe hare
oe child.
c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376) 66/186 : yf ou hebbest so a child..y yf..Drae
eke e godesybred.
a1400 c1 0 ) Mannyng HS Hrl 1701) 1685: yf a man haue houe [vr. houyn] a chylde, God hyt
euer forbede..at at chylde shulde any haue Of hys godfadrys, maydyn or knaue.
a1400 c1 0 ) Mannyng HS Hrl 1701) 9571: e at heve chyldryn al day, loke e be stedfast yn
oure Lay.
c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171) 114/15: Eldelwolde come to e Kyng, & praede him to heue a sone
of his at e fountston.
a1425(a1400) PConsc.(Glb E.9 & Hrl 4196) 3126: When he was hoven at funtstane And his
crestendome ar had tane.
?a1425(a1400) Brut-1377 (Corp-C 174) 316/27: Richard the second..King Richard of Amorican
heved at e funtston, after whom he was cleped Richard.
a1450(a1400) Athelston (Cai 175/96) 678: For to asoyle e as clene As ou were houen o e
fount-ston.
a1500(?c1450) Merlin (Cmb Ff.3.11) 124: Kynge ban..made his compere a godsone of hys, that he
hadden houe fro the fontstone.
(b) ?a1300(a1250) Harrow.H.(Dgb 86) 214: Louerd crist, ich am iohan at e heuede of [Auch:
hof in] e im iordan.
a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3) 11114: Ion..efterward hof [Gt: hoif] iesu crist.
a1400 Cursor (Frf 14) 168: Seynt Ioan..ihesus hoef [Vsp: baptist] in ume Iordan.

?c1400 Cursor Arms 57) 1791 : o I [John] heef [Gt: haf; Ld: haue] at sackeles of plit, I sa e
vp-on his licam lit In shap of doufe e holy goost.
?c1400 Cursor (Arms 57) 17962: So holy as he shal be noon; Hofen shal he be in um iurdon.
(c) c1350(a1333) Shoreham Poems (Add 17376) 17/470: Hym selue no man hebbe schel To e
bischoppynge.
2. a) To exalt sb., oneself, ones heart, thought, etc.) spiritually; ~ up; (b) to rouse (sb., the heart)
to pride or arrogance; ~ up; (c) to agitate (sb.) with vexation; also, be agitated or vexed; ~ to, be
vexed or angered at (sb.); (d) ~ up herte, to pluck up ones) courage, uplift ones) spirits; e) of
the heart: to be uplifted.
(a)
c1225(?c1200) HMaid.(Bod 34) 24/368: u..art..wraht to godes ilicnesse..for i et tu
schuldest in heorte heouen iderwart.
c1225(?c1200) St.Juliana (Bod 34) 17/184: Ah hit [torture] ne hearme me nawt, ah helpe &
heue up, & make mine murhes monifalde in heouene.
c1225(?c1200) St.Kath.(1) (Einenkel) 181: Heo..stod stille ane hwile, & hef hire heorte up to e
hehe healent.
c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 82/18: Ha schal sitten ane..& swa heouen [Nero: hebben] hire
seolf buuen hire seoluen.
c1230 Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 58/2: e urue e na t deluen dune ardes, ah heouen uppart e
heorte.
c1 90 Treat.Mass Vrn) 548: Hef vp or hertes in to heuen.
a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7) 24.1: To e, lauerd, mi saule houe [L levavi] I.
?a1425(c1380) Chaucer Bo.(Benson-Robinson) 5.m.4.38,40: Somtyme it hevyth up the heved (that
is to seyn, that it hevyth up the entencioun to ryght heye thinges).
a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290) 91/401: Hefe vppe youre hartis ay to Mahownde.
c1450 LFMass Bk.(Nwnh 900.4) 11: Hew vp thyn herte wyt gode entente..To god thu pray on is
manere.
?c1450 St.Cuth.(Eg 3309) 6464: He was fra e erde reuyd and in thoght to heuyn heuyd.
(1461) Collect.Anglo-Premonst.in RHS ser.3.10 45: Faydr..in your equite & rightewessness,
heyvesse me up & qwikken me.
?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8) 76/130: Lord, myn herte is not heuyed on lofte.
a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1) 265/235: I pray you pepyll..heyfe vp youre hartys on
hight!
(b) c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 145/7: Heorte to-bollen & ihouen ase hul ne edhalt na
wete of grace.
c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10) 1711: Bot ou, Baltazar..ay hatz hofen y hert agaynes e
hye Dryt[y]n.
c1400 Bible SNT(1) (Selw 108 L.1) 1 Tim.3.6: Lest he be hofen up into pruyde & falle in-to e dom
of e defel.
a1425(a1400) Paul.Epist.(Corp-C 32) 2 Cor.12.7: Lest e magnytude of reuelacioun heue vp me,
er is gyfen to me a prycke of my esch, e aungel sathan.
a1475 Rev.St.Bridget (Gar 145) 87/14: So at neer u be meved to ire for reprefe, ne hyued to
pride for praysyng.
(c) c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 8962: Hit heuet hym hogely of at hard chaunce.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 12815: Thus heuet at hynd to hir hede lord.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 13515: Pirrus heivet in hert for his hede graunser.
(d) c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A Clg A.11) 9 6: ou, e stal arde knites..oure herten hebbe
vp, oure stronge mite.
a1450 Yk. l. Add 5290) 295/97: My lorde, fro e here what we saie, Itt will hee vppe youre
hertis.
c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388) 4603: Hefe vp your hertis; hast you to saile.

a1500(a1415) Mirk Fest.(GoughETop 4) 65/11: Heue vp yn hert and make mery.

(e) c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10) 120: en e rst cors come with crakkyng of trumpes..
at mony hert ful hie hef at her to ches.
3. (a) To elevate or advance (sb. in rank, oce, or prosperity); exalt (oneself); ~ (up) to king, invest
(sb.) with kingship, make (sb.) king; (b) to exalt (the body, true faith); (c) to extol (sb. or sth.); (d) ~
up, to set up (laws), institute; raise (an army), levy; of heat: increase.
(a) ?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 2649: Aterr att ho ass hehedd
Allwldennd Godess moderr.

hofenn upp urrh Godd, to ben

?c1200 Orm. Jun 1) 8 70: Mann sede himm a att Arrchela Wass ho fenn upp to kinge.
?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 10881: Crist..wollde shwenn..att whase shall i Crisstenndom Beon hofenn
upp & hadedd Till bisscopp orr till unnderrpreost..att himm birr beon fullwaxenn mann.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 6768: He his kinehelm on-feng, & sette him on his broer hfd,
& hf hine to kinge.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 9025: fter him heo senden & heouen [Otho: houen] hine to
kinge.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 13736: Vortiger..wes ihoue to kinge.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 16163: Aurilien wes icoren, and to kinge iheouen.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 23195: Heo nomm Riculfe..and hefuen hine to kinge.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 28771: Seoen wes Conan ihouen [Otho: i-houe] her to kinge.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 30127: Kinges heo weoren ihouene & kinges isworene.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 31936: [They] houen [Otho: houe] hine to kingen.
c1 00 ?c1225) Horn Cmb Gg.4.27) 1267: Horn is mi name; u me to knite houe.
c1300 Lay. Brut (Otho C.13) 23264: Woweyn..hihoue was to kinge.
a1400 NVPsalter (Vsp D.7) 12.3: To when sal mi fa houen ouer me be?
c1400 ?c1 80) Cleanness ero A.10) 206: e fyrste felonye e falce fende rot Whyl he atz
hye in e heven hoven upon lofte.
c1400 ?c1 80) earl ero A.10) 47 : yself in heuen ouer hy ou heue.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44) 1864: Oft e hauenlest here is houen [vr. heuen] to e
sternes.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44) 3290: an liftis oure lord him on-loft..& heues him to welthis
So hee at, [etc.].
(b) a1225(?a1200) Trin.Hom.(Trin-C B.14.52) 213: He..hee his lichame and hene his soule.
c1225(?c1200) St.Marg.(1) (Bod 34) 24/31: Keiser of kinges, drihtin undeadlich, u haldest &
heuest up treowe bileaue.
(c) c1230(?a1200) Ancr.(Corp-C 402) 46/18: ef he sei wel, oer de wel, [the atterer] heue
hit to hehe up wi ouerherunge.
?c1475 * Trev. Nicod.(Sal 39) 140b: Heue [vr. worshipee] e lorde crist, goddus son.
(d) ?c1200 Orm.(Jun 1) 16840: e..hofenn urrh hemm sellfenn upp..Settnessess.
c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10) 477: en hef vp e hete & heterly brenned.
c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44) 3014: Ser Dary..Heuyd [vr. Hefyd] vp a huge ost.
4. To raise a shout, ones voice); raise (words) in praise; heave (a sigh); ~ up.
c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 11280: Scottes huuen up muchelne rm.
(a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959) Gen.21.16: She..heuyde vp [WB(2): reiside] here voyce & wept.
c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10) 314: As man to God wordez schulde heue [rime: leue, weue].
?a1500 Wake man (LdMisc 733) p.245: In my bed liyng on cristis day, half slepyng, Sighhis
wondrous hevyng, A voice I hard thus spekyng.

5. (a) To lift and convey (sth.); transfer (persons); ~ out, cast out (sin); (b) to shift (from one place)
to another; (c) ~ with stones, to cast or hurl stones.
(a) (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959) Gen.48.17: Ioseph..seeing at his fader hadde putt e rit hond
vpon e heued of Eraim, greuously toke, And e honde of e fader taken, enforside to heuen fro
e heued of Eraym & to beer ouer vpon e heued of Manasse.
(a1387) Trev. Higd.(StJ-C H.1) 2.153: ey [emings] were i-houe ennes and i-putte to Hauerforde.
(a1387) Trev. Higd.(StJ-C H.1) 7.455: Greet townes were y-meoved and y-hove fer out of oon
place into anoer.
(c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert) A.550: Ther was no dore that he nolde heue of harre,
Or breke it at a rennyng with his heed.
(a1398) * Trev. Barth.(Add 27944) 330b/a: Amphora ha at name of ansis, handel, by e whiche
y-houe hider and ider, and holde of whete oer wyne re modius of ytalie.
a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290) 275/134: I comaunde e to come nere, for I will kare to my couche, Haue
in thy handes hendely and heue me fro hyne.
c1450(?a1400) Parl.3 Ages (Add 31042) 92: e fete of the fourche I feste thurgh the sydis, And
heuede alle in-to ane hole and hidde it with ferne.
c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30) 192: J heve out sinne also that he be not logged in thilke castel.
(b) c1275(?a1200) Lay. Brut (Clg A.9) 27490: a hf [Otho: heaf] at ht of an studen er heo
r fuhten.
(c) a1325(c1280) SLeg.Pass.(Pep 2344) 241: e eor-tylyers is hinen nome, and some in pyne
stronge Hi bete, and some slowe, and wi stones heuede erto.
6. (a) To make an eort to raise or lift something, heave; under ~, q.v.; (b) to strive, labor.
a) c1 00 Lay. Brut Otho C.1 ) 17 96: o spac Merlyn and saide to e cnihtes, is ston beo
longe and e beo men stronge; suue and hebbe mid al oure strenge.
c1380 Firumb.(1) (Ashm 33) 1248: e prisoun dore an wend heo ner, & putte hure staf an vnder,
As sche wolde e dore to-breke, sche gan o hebbe & pynge.
c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622) 5880: Houen, shouen, and drowen alle, And..Breken ere e
wal adoun.
c1400 ?c1 80) atience ero A.10) 219: Haeles..Hef hale vpon hyt to helpen hym seluen.
(c1422) Hoccl. JWife (Dur-U Cosin V.3.9) 912: The wynd ful sore in the sail bleew & haf [rime:
claf, staf].
(b) a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson) 2.1289: But theron was to heven and to doone.
c1475 St.Anne(2) (Trin-C R.3.21) 82: Well ys hym that endewed ys with the, Whyche came downe
clerely for verrey loue, For worldly ioy neyther to heve ne shoue.

Heven : gotique hafjan (pass hf), allemand heben (hob), nerlandais heen (hief), vieuxnorrois hefja (hf) ; cf. latin cp (cp), grec ancien /kapt.
4 and prayed God to send him much worship eet du style indirect ; sire Pellas se sert,
ladresse de Gauvain, dune des formules de salutation greetings) ritualise: God send
you worship! (cf. God send you joy/ good luck/happiness/speed!); les vux ou prires sont
parfois moins charitables, voir la conclusion du conte de The Wife of Bath :
and jhesu crist us sende
Housbondes meeke, yonge, and fressh abedde,
And grace t overb de hem that we wedde;
And eek I praye jhesu shorte hir lyves

That wol nat be governed by hir wyves;

And olde and angry nygardes of dispence,
God sende hem soone verray pestilence!
Veuille Jsus-Christ nous envoyer
Des maris doux, jeunes et dispos au lit,
Et la grce de survivre ceux que nous pousons ;
Je prie aussi Jsus dcourter la vie de ceux
Qui refusent que ce soit la femme qui commande ;
Quant aux vieux pince-maille grincheux,
Puisse Dieu leur expdier sans tarder une peste digne de ce nom !