Medieval Romance
Octavian
13th century, Old French: 14th century Middle English versions at Cambridge University Library, Lincoln Cathedral Library, British Library.
'Sirs,' said Clement, 'I will exchange some shining new gold florins for this child!'
The outlaws came to a clearing, set the child down and began to play with it. The chief of the outlaws said: 'It is a great shame for strong men to kill a child. I suggest that we do it no harm but take it to the seashore and see if we can sell it. It seems to be quite a noble baby and we might be able to exchange it for quite a lot of gold and silver.'
Two outlaws readied themselves and made their way to the Aegean Sea. The baby was so handsome that no man could look upon it and not cry with joy. A Paris merchant approached them; his name was Clement the Villain.
'Sirs,' he said, 'If you like I will exchange some shining new gold florins for this child!'
They told him they were asking forty pounds for the little boy.
'Then he will remain with you for quite a long while,' observed Clement, shrewdly. So they settled for twenty pounds and gave the child to Clement. Clement the Villain purchased a pannier to carry the baby in, and a nurse as well, to feed the infant. Then he made his way into France. He headed for Paris as quickly as he could and when he arrived at his hall he was received with great joy. His wife was delighted to see him and asked all his news and how he had come across the child.
'I found him in the Holy Land and could not abandon him, in all truth,' he lied.
His wife seemed pleased. He sall be myn awen childe.
– He shall be my own child,' she said, and kissed the infant many times.
Story fragment recounted from: Hudson, Harriet, 1996, second edition 2006. Four Middle English Romances, Kalamazoo, Michigan: Western Michigan University for TEAMS. Medieval Institute Publications. The Middle English text of OCTAVIAN from Lincoln Cathedral Library MS 91, the Thornton Manuscript, with missing lines supplied from Cambridge University Library MS Ff 2.38.