geant he was so soroufull that of alle the eueÌ„ after he â—…notâ—… d For he had grete 〈…〉 strengthe in his grete hardynesse 〈◊〉 in hyr entrepryse ORete and meruayllous was the sorowe that the king of Esclauonie and hys men demened for the deth of the stronge Geant Corfus And on the contrarye the noble Quene Mirro alle they of the Cyte of oliferne demened grete ioye and made ryght joyous chiere for the noble victorye of the vaylliaunt Iason Than the noble quene Myrro accoÌ„payned of a grete nombre of ladies and of damoyselles of knyghtes aÌ„d sâ—nyers cam to the gate ayenst Iason esprysed with suche gladnes aÌ„d consolacionÌ„ that hit can not bespokeÌ„ And anon as the noble knight Iason espyed her he sprang doun of hys horse and made to her the reuerence and after presented to her the swerd of the geant Corfus aÌ„d sayd Madame â—o here is the swerd that your knightes hane so moche doubted here to fore beholde hit wel aÌ„d doo with alle your plaisir Than the noble fayre lady aÌ„swerd to jason Ryght exellent knyght thanked be the godd that by your hyhe eÌ„tre prise vaillanÌ„ce haue this day deliuerid the cyte all the peple of olyferne of a meruailloê° drede fere syn that the crymynuell Geant corfus is dede Alle the remenaunt as who saythÌ„ is as goodes as vaynquissijid and therfore come ye vnto our palays we shal â–ª doo visite your woundeâ— by our Surgyens which shall ordeyne right wel and diligently for your helthe ThenÌ„e was the noble jasoÌ„ brought vnto the palays with grete louiÌ„g preisinges of the ladyes damoiselles of the knightes and of the peple of the cyte of Olyferne The wedowes be wailed gretly because he was not erst comen for the losse of her husâ—ondes they that were maâ—ed reioysed and were glad of his coniyng They that were discoÌ„forted and desolate recoured their corage alle newe For in the vaillauÌ„ce and in the hyghe vertues of jasoÌ„ rested all their hope In his streÌ„gth they toke affianÌ„ce jn his witte they trusted In his vaylliauÌ„ce they weâ—e reconforted And in his goode fortune consolate Eertes hit semed to thei thenÌ„e that thei were delyuerid from the paynes of helle and brought into paradys ¶ What shal j more saye the fayr Mirro thoughre and dremed oft tymes of jasoÌ„ as of the knyght that she lonyd most of the worlde The preu Iason was thre dayes long in the palays wythout ony armes beryng And during these thre dayes the fayr Mirro wente ofte tymes vnto hym hoping that Iason shold haue requyred her of loue whithe he hadde gladly doonÌ„ but as cremetous and doubting the recountres of reffuse durstei no manere touche that materene make ony semblaunt to her ne to none other On the fourte daye than whan the nobles of Oliferne kne we that jasoÌ„ was hole of his hurtes and myght well bere armes they assembled cam vnto the Quene Mirro sayd to her Madame ye haue wel cause for to reioye your self yf a herte ifortunat after grief vpon grief may resourdre whan fortune wyll fauoure and ayde We and your couÌ„ceylle haue often tymes beholde and â—eeÌ„ the ryght hygh prowesse and discrete conduyte of your knyght Iason Certes hyt may wele be sayd that hys lyke was neuer founden hyt semetsyto vs. that fortune hath brought hym vnto your haÌ„des for to resuscyte and Reyse yow for to take vengaunce of the ouer grete euyllis and meschyeues that hath ben dooÌ„ to yow and your men duryng this warre And for many raysons we counceylle yow that ye ordeyne aÌ„d consiytute the sayde noble Iason capitayne of this Royaume and chief of your warre For we thiÌ„ke so moche noblesse vertu in hym that he shalle neuer haue reste in hys corage vnto the tyme that he haue chassed awaye youre mortell enemyes oute of yonr Royaume aÌ„d brought them to disconsiture â—Itâ—s to wete whether the noble quene Myrro was right joyous in her herte whan she herd so hygly recoÌ„mended him that she moâ—â—e louid aboue alle the men of the world hit is no meruaille thawh she so were debonayrly she accorded the requeste that the nobles her conceyll hadde made to her And forthwyth she sente for jason and in the presece of theÌ„ that had made the requeste as afore is sayd she constitued hiÌ„ Capitaine geuerall of all her royaume ThenÌ„e jason remercyed thaÌ„ked the noble Quene Myrro of the honour that she had donÌ„ to hiÌ„ â–ª also the nobles her couÌ„ceyll for theyr goode pourchare Inexcusing gretly him self of nonhabilite Sayng that he was not propice ne worthy of so hye charge honour to enterpryse But all they that there were pÌ„sent sayde That notwithstanding hys excusacions they wolde haue none other capyâ—â—yne but hym and that he sholde be it as ferre as he wolde not disobeye the noble quene Mirro They shewid hym so many demoÌ„strauÌ„ces that he enterprised and toke vpon hym the charge and that same oure the noble quene Myrro deliuerid vnto the noble damoiseau Iason all that was necessarie to hi. and ordeyned hys estate And whaÌ„ the noble preu Iason felte hiÌ„ in this honour so hygh sette in his astate he sente forth with to the king of esclauonye coÌ„manding him to departe he and all his ooste from theÌ„s And that anone he sholde voyde the royame of oliferne or ellis on the moruÌ„ betymes he sholde dispose him make him redy to be receyuid bi bataille WhaÌ„ the puissauÌ„t king of Esclauonye vnderstood that jason hadde so sende him his maÌ„demeÌ„t he had ryght grete meruaille hou wel he answerde to the heraulde that he hadd not enteÌ„cion for to dissoge him ne to reyse hys siege that he wolde erst haue at his ê¯maÌ„demeÌ„t the noble que ne mirro for to doo with her his wil le sente word agayn vnto the noble preujasoÌ„ that also dere as he had his lyf he shold kepe hiÌ„ that he came not in his presence and if he came in his haÌ„des he sholde doo him deye a miserable deth ¶ IncoÌ„tineÌ„t as the noble preu jason had vnderstaÌ„deÌ„ this aÌ„swere he dyde to publisshe in all the quarefours of the cyte That all they that were of age to bere armes shold be redy on the mornÌ„ erly for to goo wyth h for to envahye fyghte with theyr enemyes thê° passyd that â—dy â—â—to the night That iason thenÌ„e begaÌ„ to theÌ„ke on the grete honour charge that he had receiuid thenÌ„e whaÌ„ he was withdraweÌ„ in to his chambre continuyng his amourouse pâ—sees thoughtis He begaÌ„ to saye by him self in this maner Ha a mydere ladi hou haue ye doÌ„ to me this grete worship gyueÌ„ to me more good thenÌ„e appteyneth to myn astate aÌ„d hou shall hit be possible to noÌ„bre the excesse of bouÌ„te of clerenes of beaute with all other â—tues that beÌ„l you I ought not to meruaille
or not Thusâ— vatieng in this doubte she approched the loggyse syn retourned agayn and after cam agayn and fynably whan she sawe that jason was not in the waye she weÌ„tein requyred of the bourgoys that for her money she myght haue a chambre in that hous ThenÌ„e the bourgoys seeyng that the ladi was moche wele adres sid of gracious maner of speking otherwyse he logged her her damoiselle to her plaisir And dyde do put the two palfrayes in a siable by Iasons hors wiche anon began to nyhe assone as he sinellïd them â–ª for he knewe them for asmoche as they had benlong to gyder in olyferne so made they grete chere eche to other wherof the bourgeys had grete meruaile But thoughte nothing but well and gaf hem heye aÌ„d otes And after came to serue jason And found that his chambre was full of merchants and maronners that were comen with him on the see whiche presented him wyne and mete and gaf him grete yeftes of riche jewelles other strange thiÌ„ges In this ehambre was with jason a man of sixe score yere honeste of his persone and alway strong and habyle the whiche seeyng this presen tacion made to jason cam vnto the hoost and demaÌ„ded him who was this yongknight to whom men dydeso moche honour but the bourgeys and thauncient man axid one of the maronners of this matere And the maronner sayde that he was the beste the mooste vertuous and the moste vayllyaunt knight of the world and that they gaf to hiÌ„ these presentes for as moche as by his hye prowesse he hadde pÌ„serued them from the tyrannye and daunger of the king Dyomedes and of hys complices And so moche sayd the maronner of jaso that they iugged him with his mayntene semblaunce to be a noble knight vailliaunt AmoÌ„g these deuises the marchants â— maronners toke their leue of the preu IasoÌ„ offred theÌ„ to hys comÌ„andement after reiorned vnto their howses anon after that they were goon the bourgeys dyde do couere the table whiche was couerid of the yeftes and jason wolde that the knight shulde sitte first be cause of his aage aunciente for in that tyme men helde the auncient aaged men in moche grete reuereÌ„ce and honour But in this presenâ— tyme hit gothÌ„ all otherwyse the yong men presume to goo sitte aboue olde auÌ„cieâ— men mocke skorne them that beÌ„ come to grete aage sayng that they be feble of their meÌ„bres of their entendement and of nature and ther by many children that don their sader to vnderstande that they be foolis wylling to haue in gouernaunce the poure olde meÌ„ not poure but ryche For hit is grete rychesse to amaÌ„ whan that honorably may amasse and bringe hys dayes vnto the degre of olde aage aÌ„d yet ben ther children that don worse for they desire and wisshe their faders and mods ded and serue hem with thinges coÌ„trarye to their helth lyf the whiche is gretest tresour that amaÌ„ may haue as to wordly goodes Ha a howe many ben ther of them in these dayes I see al most non other for the yoÌ„g peple may not here the doctryne of the olde meÌ„ and wene that they ben so wyse that men nede not to shewe them ony wysedom also they ben vnkinde aÌ„d full of ingratitude â–ª in so moche that yf they knewe ony thing wher with thei might dishonoure them they wolde do it they resenible vnto the sone of noe whiche by derisioÌ„ shewed the secrete membres of his fader Alas what cursed blinde yong the was that â—or to come again vnto our mater the noble jason sette him doun at the table by the auÌ„cient knight â–ª after that the hooste hostesse whiche often tyme exorted jasoÌ„ to make good â—here but jasâ—n might neyther â—tene drinke for certes he dide nothiÌ„g but thinke â–ª spack not one worde but if he were demanded or araisonÌ„ed Afther souper whan the table was voyded Iason thauncient knight were leyde in one chambre where were two beddes whaÌ„jaso was leyde he began to sighe in suche wise of so inward sorow of his herte that it semed that the so wle sholde departe froÌ„ the body wherfore the thauÌ„â—â—ent knight that was loggyd in that other bedde by â—â—ght not slepe â— thoughte right well in him self that â—ason was not at his ease and whan he had long herkened his sighes herde that they encryâ—â—d alway more more he myght no lengeâ— tarye but he must speke and saide in this manere Syr knight I haue grete maruaâ—lle of you Wherfore saide jason for asmoch sayde thauncient knight that your sigheâ— bewailingeâ—iuge to me that ye ar iÌ„ the bedde of deth how well by aâ— that I see â— comprise in you hit semeth not by the sight oâ— the eye that ye be seke for your colour is fressâ— aâ— roose in maye is it not theâ—e grete meruaâ—â—e for to here you sighe yes certayn ha â— sit knight aÌ„swerde theuÌ„e jasoÌ„ if ye iuge the disposicoÌ„n oâ— my body after the colour of my face ye be greâ—ly abused for j haue a seknes maladye right secrete which shal first sâ—ee me eâ— my face be stayned or discolouâ—â—d I am al certayn Sir saide thauÌ„cieÌ„t knight ye holde a grete ramÌ„e of dispair it is consiraynt sayde jason Certes sireknight aÌ„swerd the olde knight If ye will lyue what som euer sekenes ye hane or maladye â—ut you in my hâ—ndes cure and j make me stroÌ„g for to hele make yow hole I trowe sir knight ansnerde jason that hit is not in your cunnyng and power that to doo ner in all thâ— subâ—lte of aâ—â—e the men mortall ¶ ThaÌ„ answerd the aâ—cient knight be ye seke of the maladye of loue wher of no man may remedye but youre lady â—a asire knight â—suerde IasoÌ„ tha â–ª who hath tolâ— you me thiketh that ye oppsse me so sore that I muste ê¯fesse to yow my caas And so I declare to yow that j am somoche smeteÌ„ with the pesâ—yleÌ„ce of loue that j may not lyue ne endnâ—e ne â—te ne drinke ne resâ—e nightne day In good fayth answerde thauncient knight ye dar not be aferd of deth syn that ye haue non other infirmite For the maladye that ê“cedeth of loue is so graciouse that â—it puttetâ— noman to deth Certes the sekenes is of grete ensoigne and payne But hit is a maladie wherof meÌ„ recoure Syr saide thaÌ„ jason If j dâ—ye not of bodili deth j shal dye of spirituel deth for hit is in no wise possible that neuer in this worlde j shall haue plasir or solace and than shall j not be dede Alas I muste nedes ye treuly of the most anguyssâ—yst deth that â—ny man may eÌ„dure Syre aÌ„swerde thaÌ„cient knight ye tell me right grete meruailes j tell you â—routh sayth jason â—or j am so infortunat in loue so moche vnhappy and haue in my self so
tabregge the matere the daye came that the noble preu jason sholde goo to the see on whiche daye the noble prince and his felawes toke leue of the noble Quene ysiphile of the ladyes aÌ„d damoiselles and thanked them largely of their goodes goode chiere that they had made to theÌ„ And thenÌ„e departed fro Lennos wente vnto the porte But whaÌ„ they sholde entre into the shippe the quene ysiphile presented vnto Iason the ydole of the goddeâ—se pallas many other ydoles of the goddes of the see and made him to putte them in hys shippe Sayng that none euylâ—e trouble mighte come to him in ony wyse â—s log as he kept helde hem in reuereÌ„ce WHan jason apê‘ceyued the grete largesse of the noble quene ysiphile the goode loue whet wyth she louid him he thaÌ„ked her moche huÌ„bly and syn went to the see made to winde vp the sayle And thus he and his companye departed froÌ„ lennos for to saille toward the yle of colchos of whom j willeue to speke for this present tyme. also of Iason of the Quene ysiphile the whiche whan she had bornÌ„her fruyt by the space of ix monethes hole she was deliuerid of a moche fayr sone For â—o recounte wel a long of the ryght fayr aÌ„d noble yle of colchos in deuising the manere howe hit was firste founâ—…y the god 〈…〉 so 〈◊〉 the countre was firste 〈◊〉 â—yted and 〈◊〉 what kinges hiâ— was gouerned whiche is a ryght difficile and harde thing to beleue for many persones that haue not estudied the auncient cronyâ—ues of whom many ben full hard and doubtable to be beleuyd for the strauÌ„ge meruayllogs werkes that ben founden in many histâ—ries and places ¶ How appollo was sent by the god Mars into the couÌ„trey where as was the ryche noble shepe or weder that bare the vliese of golde how he founded there a cyte _â—Or to gyue yow knowlege of the noble I le of Colâ—… shal deporte tayre for this present tyme to speke of the â—â—â—tes of Iason and wyll recompte telle in brief what â—…d first in colchos and by what manere facoÌ„n hiâ— was knoweÌ„ that the riche motoÌ„ or shepe with the flees of gold was there and also the two meruaillous terrible booles the grete â—poueÌ„table dragonÌ„ ThenÌ„e for to come vnto this historie I haue fouÌ„deÌ„ an olde auncien cronicle conteynyng that whâ—lomÌ„e was a kiÌ„g in athenes named jupyter but this was not that jupit that was sone of saturne that regned in Crete whâ—â— is a moche noble countre â—…g of Atheâ—…d 〈…〉 the first was naâ—…aâ—â—oâ—… that is aâ—â—oâ—he as â—…s in latynÌ„ whyche by the athenyens was callyd god of â—atayll for cause of many bataille â—…at he had in his tyme ayenst his â—â—â—ghbours of which he had â—…ay the victorie The secondâ— was apis which was king of argisâ—â— appollo that regned in archade was the thirde This appollo was a man of grete gouernement he introduysed the archadyens for to lyue honestly ¶ Certe he â—querd many royauines he had grete noÌ„bre of childrenÌ„ And fynably whan they were groweÌ„ to age he deliuerid to theÌ„ his landes to gouerne aÌ„d after that departed right secretly from archade and in the aslate of a medicine or a phisicien he wente in the most part of the prouices of the worlde he was thê° wandring ten yeres at th eÌ„de of teÌ„ yere he arryued at athenes And there founde that this broder Mars was newly dede and passed out of thys worlde and that ther was made to him a temple whiche endured after vnto the tyme of the conuersion of saynt denys He weÌ„te into the teÌ„ple with an herte replenisshid with teres knelid dounÌ„ to the erthe to fore the representacion of his broder the god mars requiring hi that he wolde she we to him that thiÌ„g that was best for him to do and that he wolde with all his myght ensiewe accoÌ„plisse his doctrine commaÌ„demeÌ„t â—nonÌ„ as appollo had finisshid his prayer a grete whirliÌ„g or tourbillon of winde cam sodainly flapped hi on the vysage wher with he was astonyed that he wist not what hit was aÌ„d beyng in this rauisshemeÌ„t him thought that the god mars saide to him appollo appollo thy prayers ben presented in the huen to the goddes Thou hast seen many meruailes of the worlde but that is nothiÌ„g in regard of one that thou shalt see it shal not mowe be seyn but by the. ThenÌ„e it pleseth vs that thou go into pyre for to make an arke vnto the semblaunce likenes of that arke that noe made som time for to saue him his famyllie froÌ„ the deluge flood after that we wil that thou do charge hit with as grete a noÌ„bre of pyrriens as hit may receyue aÌ„d that thou aÌ„d they put yow to the see therin and whan ye haue dounÌ„ so j shal bring yow in to the best yle the moste ryche the most fertyle of all the world whiche shal been habited by the pyrriens And thou shalt vnderstaÌ„de that by this yle is a resorte of the see vnto an other litell I le where in is the noble motoÌ„or sheep with the fsiese of gold the whiche not loÌ„g syn was sente by the goddes Iuno to â—rixus and to his suster Helles bothe enchassed bitheir stepmod for to make theÌ„ passe the see which that now is named hellespoâ—t by cause that helles lete her falle into the see The noble aÌ„d riche motonÌ„ thenÌ„e or shepe of golde is the moost meruaillous beste that euer was iÌ„ the worlde hit must be ones conquerd but that shal be with grete parell well behoueth therto a meruailloê° craft mistere And for somoche thenÌ„e as thou shalt be iÌ„ the yle habitable iÌ„ the whiche j shal conduyte bring the beware kepe the also dere as thou hast thy lyf that thou goo not into the yle where the noble motonÌ„ of goolde is in For I haue therin ordeyend thre bestes the which â—t space of time shal cast fire flabe fumyer venyn out of their throtes wherof shal be destroyed al they that shal desceÌ„de in that yle excepte only one vnto a certayn terme with these wordes appollo cam agayn to him self thiÌ„kiÌ„g on the voys that he had herd after that he had made his oblacioÌ„s he deê‘ted out of the temple and also from athenes obeing to the wil of the god mars he trauayled in suche wyse by his iournees that he caÌ„ vnto the Royaume of pirre in the cyte of salathie that whilom had fouÌ„ded salathyel whiche was of the lignye of the hebrews ThenÌ„e appollo logged him in the how 's of a bourgoys named loth aÌ„d requyred himoche that he wolde bringe hym vnto the king of that couÌ„tre whiche was callid Phylitenê° ThenÌ„e loth accorded vnto the requeste of Appollo brought hym to fore phylitenê° aÌ„d thenÌ„e appollo made him the
thei maynteâ—…lyf the space of iiij monethes 〈…〉 suche wise that ysiphile â—…ith childe waxe grete of a 〈…〉 sayr sone of whom she 〈…〉 by space of tyme during these foure monethis the ladies of â—â—â—â—â—laye laye with the knyghtes of Grece and many of theÌ„ were conceyued with their seed And in this wyse was the cyte repeopled of yong childereÌ„ masses ¶ what shal j make you long proces The dayes that haue no reste passe lightli maistre argos rendrid his shippe all repayred made and hercules cain agayn into LeÌ„nos Iason also wolde departe toward his journele asseblid one a daye his felawship layde to them My goode brethreÌ„ freÌ„des ye knowe well how we haue beÌ„ here and soyourned a moche long space of tyme and yet we haue nomore knowleche ne haue herd speke of the motonÌ„ of golde or goolden vliese nomore thenÌ„e we herde to fore we departed from our countree I wyll that ye knowe that I lyue here iÌ„ grete sorow in terrible grete moyanÌ„ce for I caÌ„ not take solace ne plaisir in ony thing that j see for asmoche as I am pricked by ê¯tynuell exhortacions procedyng of diuerce causes procnrlg the exped câ—entretienyng the ende of my laboureuse voyage to 〈◊〉 whiche bryng vs the goddes in short tyme to one helthe honour glorye wherfoâ—â— j praye you alle that euery â—…ke hiÌ„ redy for to remene depâ—…or I haue enteÌ„cion for to depaâ—… at th eÌ„de of iiij dayes without â—…ger abyding Hercules Theseâ—â— Mopsiê° all the other knighteâ— had grete joye whaÌ„ they herde the good disposicioÌ„ of jason they aÌ„suerde him that thei sholde be as sone redi as he thenÌ„e one other begaÌ„ to pourueye for theÌ„ vytailles of all suche thinges as were necessarie for theÌ„ The quene the other ladies knewe anone of the departemeÌ„t of jason wherfore they were moche displaysauÌ„t right desolate and sore anoyed theÌ„ to see the Grekysh knyghtes make their pÌ„paracions for to departe and that one coÌ„playned to that other sayng Certes these knightes of greece abaÌ„doÌ„ne vs gyue vs ouer we shal neuer haue joye ne solas The quene ysiphile amoÌ„g the other was most aÌ„guysshous of this departing aÌ„d caÌ„ to jason aÌ„d sayde to him Alas alas lord jasoÌ„ haue ye wel the corage for to withdrawe you froÌ„ me to gyue me ovyr to fore ye haue seeÌ„ the fruit of your noble ê‘soeÌ„ which is nourisshid in my bloode Ha a my soulace the plesir of myn eyeÌ„ may hit not be that the rightamerouse praier of the mod that shal be of yonr childe may holde you here yet iij. monethis hit is alytyl tyme of iij. monethes they shal be anonÌ„ exspired paste Alas jason alas my confort ê“longe ye aÌ„d tarie your departemeÌ„tat my request For j am she that so moche loueth you that j may no more Alas beholde with pite my wombe the chaÌ„bre maÌ„sionÌ„ of your blood in no wise j requyre you to departe so hastely ¶ I good fayth noble lady aÌ„swerde thenÌ„e jaso jf j myght abide with you lawfully j assure you that j wold so with good herte but j haue auowed ê“mised for to aueÌ„ture my self in the ê¯queste of the noble motoÌ„ or flees of golde I knowe not howe loÌ„g j shall lyue ner how long hit shal be er I come there hit is force and grete necessite for my singuler wele and perdurable honour that I employe my tyme entierly whilis I maye that I acquyte me dilygeÌ„tly to thacomplisshemeÌ„t of my sayd auowe ¶ With this answere the quene ysiphile had in her herte suche anoye that she begaÌ„ to wepe right ê“fouÌ„dly to sighe and after she begaÌ„ to saye softly Alas alas how may myneyeÌ„ see the departing of myn euydent yoye Alas alas I was bornÌ„ in an euylle constellcion whan I may not fynde a lytyll of goode fortune in thys worlde and alle consolacyone wythdrawe them from me all honour fseeth froÌ„ me al bouÌ„tees forsake me coÌ„trarye all sorow renÌ„eth vpoÌ„me All welthe is ayeÌ„sâ—me and all euyll cometh to fore me in my pÌ„seÌ„ce for certes yf ther sourde ony mi serie iÌ„ the ferthest place of the worlde that miserie deê‘teth froÌ„ that place for to come to me A what sorow Certes j am not goode ynowh ner of so moche vale we that ony maÌ„ shall doo ony thing at my requeste Certes madame aÌ„swerde jasoÌ„ me semeth that for no thing ye ought to demene ner make so meruailloê° sorowe for ye ar iÌ„ vale we moche more thenÌ„e j can exteme and as to the regarde of me if ther be ony thing licite honeste to me possible require ye hit I shal eÌ„ploye me iÌ„ suche wise that ye shal haue cause for to be coÌ„teÌ„te aÌ„d me semeth that ye ought to haue me excused in this caas seeÌ„ the vowe in whiche j am bouÌ„deÌ„ if j abode here j sholde not exployte but lose my tyme. Ha a my dere freÌ„de loue answerde the lady whaÌ„ shal I haue better cause for to coÌ„playne lameÌ„te thaÌ„ now jf anonÌ„ jhad lost alle my royaume if j sawe all my richesses cheuaÌ„che all that j coude fine cheuisshe perisshe in the abysmes depnes of the see all that sholde not be to me so heuy to bere at my herte ner so grete displaisir as shal be to me to see your departing for the see is so terrible aÌ„d the fortunes ê“speritees aduersites parils rise aÌ„d lourde on alle sydes wherfore j am not certayn whether euyr ye shall retorne agayn or no. And thenÌ„e ought not j to haue the visage banisshid fro alle â—solacoÌ„n and yoye ought not my herte to lye on the bedde of tribulacion vnder the couertour of right mortal distresse betwene the shetes of bewaylinges Alas alas thinke ye what this doth but whan I parceyue that ther is no remedie aÌ„d that youre honour had â—cluded your departing promising to go in your ê“misid voyage j shal bere hit as paciently as to me is possible forseen that ye shall promyse me faythfully if ye come to your aboue iÌ„ your enterpryse of Colchos that ye shalle come ageyn by this cyte for to telle me of youre tydinges THan the noble knight vnderstood that the ladi â—desceÌ„ded by suche ê¯dicioÌ„ to his departing he was right yoyous aÌ„d not without cause â—sideriÌ„g the danÌ„ger where he and all his felawship were in And thenÌ„e he ê“mised to her swore ryght solempnly to fore the repÌ„sentacion of the goddesse pallas whiche was there that he shold retourne vnto her assone as he sholde come to the aboue of his enterpryse and that yf the goddes wolde gyue hym so goode fortune that he myght a lyue and hole retourne ThenÌ„e the noble and fayr Quene ysiphile somme what reronforted and ha â–ª 〈◊〉 a grete hopeâ— the retournyng of jason cessed her selfe of her lameÌ„tacions ¶ For
this goulf or arme of the see that the sonne wente donÌ„ thenÌ„e as argos thoughte where he might best caste ancre make his shippe faste hit happend that he sawe tofore him the cite of Iacoynte on that one syde of the yle of Colchos ther spraÌ„g out sodayuly tourbillouÌ„s of fyre so terrible that of feer that he had iÌ„ beholding hit he begaÌ„ to crye WhaÌ„ Iason hercules and Theseus the other knightes of grece herd the maister thus crye they sprang vp cam to hym and the maister told theÌ„ the cause of his crye syn shewd to hem the cite the yle asseured hem how they were comeÌ„ to th ende of their vyage and of this mater they deuised so long that speking therof their ship caÌ„ to the porte into theâ—pre place where the arke of king Appollo was comen at that time whan they caÌ„ first into the londe ThenÌ„e the maister of the ship caste his ancres into the see ThenÌ„e Iason reÌ„drid louyng preysing vnto thÌ„e goddes so dyde hercules ThenÌ„e they seÌ„te Theseus vnto the king Oetes for to signefte to him their comyng for tenquere yf this was the countre that they sought Certes Theseus wente aÌ„d dide his message in suche wyse that the king Oetes preseÌ„ted to him his palais and sente vnto the noble Iason foure of his knightes that requyred him on the kinges behalue that he wolde take his herberow in his palays aÌ„d he was to him right welcome And whan jason hadde vnderstande the will of the king by the iiij knightes he ê“mysed theÌ„ that wyth a goode will he wolde come theder and thenÌ„e he entrid in to the cyte whiche was noble and fayr how well it was nyght at that tyme yet was the cyte as light as it had ben daye bi the clarte respleÌ„donr of torches cresettes other fyres that the kinge had do make in the cyte ryght notably acompanyed for to feste the grekes ¶ Ye may wel vnderstande that the ryght noble Iason entrid into thys cyte acompanyed of Hercules aÌ„d his felaws that werÌ„ right riche clad and habilled with clothÌ„ of goold of silke The strete by whiche they passed for to go to the palays was on two renges hye lowe peupled of ladyes of damoiselles of knightes bourgeys merchanÌ„s maydeÌ„s yoÌ„g peple beholdiÌ„g their coming ordenanÌ„ce And whan jason was comeÌ„ vnto thentree of the palays he fouÌ„de there the noble king Oetes whiche was sette in astate royall for to feste jason and his companye and receyuyd jason right honourably as chief of them alle and theâ—e wha he had welcomed them he toke hiÌ„â—y the hand ad leode him vnto his pa lays And anone as they wente vpoÌ„ the steyres for to goo vp jason loked into a windowe and beholdyng he espyed the fayr Medea among many ladyes to whoÌ„ he toke noâ— other hede as for this tyme but hit was not so on her part For she began to beholde him so affectâ—oâ—sâ—y for hys grete becauâ—e that he was more iÌ„ her gâ—e than â— can telle you For â—â—bregge the mater jason alle his â—paâ—ye passed forth bi this windowe where Medâ—a was cam into an halle where the tables were couerd And thaâ— whyâ—es they made redy the soâ— per. the kiâ—g Oetes began to demande the geÌ„til knight jason after many wordes he began to saye to him iÌ„ this maner ¶ IasoÌ„ fayr syre â— knowe for trouth that ye be sone of king Esoulyke as Theseê° your felaw hath sayd to me But I knowe not whyther ye enteÌ„de to goo ne what thing ye seche wherfore â— praye yow by maner of a passe tyme that ye wil a lytyl recoÌ„ pte to me of yoâ—â— astate enterprise if hit be possible that ye so doo may â— ony manere and I ê“myse you that if I may be propice in ony sacoÌ„n for the loue of your fader whoÌ„ I haue som tyme knowen I shal deliuere to you ayde coÌ„fort in all that â— me shall be possible Syre ansuerde thenÌ„e jason â— thaÌ„ke you huÌ„bli of the grete honour that ye presente to me aÌ„d syn it must nedeâ— be that ones ye must knowe the cause wherfor â— am descended into your countre I declare to you that â— haue enterp sed for to goo into the yle of Colchoâ— notwithstaÌ„ding the parils whiche beÌ„ moche to doubte not with oute cause with this I haue made aâ—owe that â— shall neuer retourne into grece vnto the tyme that I haue conquerid shalbrynge wyth me the sheep or â—â—ese of golde and if I may not make an ende of this enterprise Hercules my felawe shal aduenture him Werfore I requyre yow that of this enterprise ye wille counceylle me to your power Certes Iason said theâ—e the king ye haue made a lytyll vowe How sire sayd IasoÌ„ how so for asmoche aâ—sâ—erde the king as bi ony adueture or fortune ye eÌ„tre into this yâ—â— of colchos hit is not possible that ye euer retorne hether agaâ— for ther be in that yle two grete aÌ„d meruaillous bulles enuenyâ—â—ed comÌ„ysed to the kepyng of the motoÌ„ or fsees of golde wherof ye spak also ther is coÌ„mysed for the garde of the same the most terryble and the most crimynel dragoâ— that euer was spokeÌ„ of or seeÌ„ The which thre bestescast ê¯tinuelly â—ire â— fenyn out of their throtes whiche shal â—â—ee yoâ— without remedie in continâ—t that ye approche them the whiche thinges considerâ—d syn that ye haue demaÌ„ded me coÌ„ceyle also that eâ—yri noble man is bouÌ„deÌ„ to gyue couÌ„ceyle to theÌ„ that beÌ„ euylen formed conceyled I pray you couÌ„ceyle as my propre â—one that ye cesse of this your enterpryse for yf ye doo other wise al the golde of the worlde may not saue yow â–ª therefore theÌ„â—e wel that ye haue to do before ye put yow in suche a dannger I coâ—ceylle you as thaugh ye were myn owne sone or my broder germayn herewith they left their wordes The soupper was redy wyth these wordes the kiÌ„g satte at the table betwene jason Hercules sente after Medea aÌ„d Caliope whiche were sette to fore him this donÌ„ he commanded the other grekes to sytte at an other table where they were rychely seruid But whan hit cam for to ete the noble mayde medea eÌ„troubled at that tyme her mayntene and cast her regarde vpoÌ„ jasoÌ„ where she rested leÌ„ger thenÌ„e hyt apê‘teyned to her ê¯tenauÌ„ce for jason semed to her more fayr thaÌ„ he was at the first time he was so playsanÌ„t agreable that whaÌ„ she herde recoÌ„pte amoÌ„g other deuyses thinges that he was comeÌ„ for to ê¯quere the motoÌ„â—or â—â—ees of golde she iuged that this was the knight of grece which was destined for to conquere it saide in her self that she wolde helpe him to obteyne the same wyth that he wolde take her to his wyf such or â—â—blable were the thoughtes of the fayre
thenÌ„e jason deê‘ted fro the temple retorned wyth the grekes vnto the palays the fayr medea abode in the temple moch pensif in grete â—ayne â— somoch that after the departing of the grekes she knelid doun huÌ„bli tofore the repÌ„sentacion of venê° said in this maner Ryght soueraine goddesse of louers whiche holdest alle the faytes of nature in thy domynacion seignourie I yelde me vnto thy good mercy ha a where may â— be come for to haue goode couÌ„ceylle j haue requyred the noble knight jason of loue or atte lest j haue reueled shewid to him the secrete of myn herte aÌ„d of my thought with that I haue offryd to saye to him aÌ„d declare the secrete of the goddes haue I donÌ„ euyl I wote neuer but atte lest I apê‘ceyue clerely that I haue my self to him abandonned gyâ—en Haa what shame is this ye verayli and more if he daigneth not to here me but if I may do somoche that he accord vnto my will this shal be to me the most gretest glorie that may come to ony woman of a noble hoê° ha a hygh goddes couÌ„ceylle me enseigne tech me put your helpe to this werk to your â—cell it is now time or neuer After this orisoâ—i abode there the fair medea as al rauisshed was so loÌ„g ther til the ladi thather had in garde caÌ„ to her said that she taried and made her praiers to long and that hit was tyme to retorne to the palays ThenÌ„e aroos medea froÌ„ her contemplacyon alle esprysed of loue as her visage shewid it plainly reforned hom ward And whaÌ„ she was comen to the palais she founde that the king abode her for to goo to dyner but she gaf the king to vnderstonde that she was not wel dispesed and so the king sette him at the table with jason the noble hercules theseus and Caliope the seconde doughter Medea went vnto her chaÌ„bre many ladyes aÌ„d damoiselles folowed her how wel she made hem all deê‘te aÌ„d go out of the chambre reteyned nonÌ„ with her reseruid the lady that had the conduyte and charge of her the whiche was ryght sore abassâ—id of the maintene of Medea Wherfore incontinent as al the women were withdrawen she cam to her sayde thus My dere doughter I haue grete meruaille from whens thys maladye is comen to yow In goode faith aÌ„swerde medea fair moder it nedeth nothing to you to meruayle For ther is no creature what that ever they be but that they must be subgeâ— to receyue the maladies skeâ—es whaÌ„n they come whaÌ„ the godd fortune will send theÌ„ Your resonÌ„ is good sayde thenÌ„ the lady but whan the maladyes ben comeÌ„ it behoueth to seche remedie assone as is possible therfore telle ye to me your necessite where the sekeâ—es holdeth greueth you and j shal aduertise the medicine or phisicien that he shal pourueye for remedie A ha fair moder said Medea Late me in peeâ— It must nedes be that ye telle me â—swerde the lady It is auenture saide medea Wherfore said the lady For asmoche as myn infirmite is ouer secrete for somoch I dar not discouere it A ha my dete lady sayd thenÌ„ I suppose that hit ben amourettis that thus trauaylle yow aÌ„d I am in doubte that theâ—â—eaute the noble vertues of jason ben cause berof for j see you all in other maners thenÌ„ ye were wont to be and if it be so telle hit to me hardyly for ye be the creature aboue alle other of the world that I loue best I haue vnto this tyme the best wyse I coud gouerned aÌ„dnourisshid you for so moch me semeth that ye sholde hyde no thiÌ„g from me aÌ„d if ye be ony thing smyten wy t the dart of loue discouere it vnto me that shal be vnto your herte grete alegement for euery ê‘sone amorous passeth his payne grief lightly whan she findeth to whoÌ„ she may opeÌ„ herte and deuise clerely My fayr moder sayde thenÌ„e medea I see well that it behoueth that ye kno wt alle myn af fayre Certes verily I amourouse of jason somoche that I sholde jeoê‘de my lyf for him and in dede I haue requyred hym that he take me to hys wyf j shall deliuere to him the industrie and teche him hou he shall winne the â—sces of golde also adauÌ„te the ferdful bestes of the yle of Colchos ¶ WhaÌ„ the lady had vnderstaÌ„d this that sayde is she began to wepe tenderly sayng Ha a dere doughter what haue ye donÌ„ I am all dishonoured by you whaÌ„ ye go prayng the straÌ„ge knightes of loue Haa what outrage Certes they shal mocâ— you and if it be knowen ye shal neuer be honoured ne called as ye tofore haue beÌ„ Knowe ye fair moder aÌ„swerde thenÌ„ medea that I haue not donÌ„ so yll as ye wene aÌ„d if I haue required the noble knyght jason of loue hit shal reputed to me vertu aÌ„d not shame ne dishonour for pyte hath â—strayned me so to do for asmoch as hit is in me to saue his lyf to make hiÌ„ retorne with glorie and victorye of his enterpryse for so moch knowe ye that thenÌ„e whan j haue seeÌ„ so fair so wel adressid knight that his lyke shal not be seen in a. M. yere I haue had pyte of hym aÌ„d aboue this loue hath made me enterprise that I haue requyred hym coÌ„sidered many thiÌ„ges that he wolde neuer haue required me and j haue made to hym a promesse which I wil holde entretiene if he wil ensure me that I shal be hys wyf for j haue here wythin by wryting the maner how the goddes will that the motonÌ„ or shepe of golde shal be conquerd wherfore I requyre and praye yow that ye councele me and helpe that by your conÌ„yng conduyte I might gete aÌ„d draw him to my loue that ye wolde do somoch for the loue of me that he haue no souenauÌ„ce of ony other la dy in the worlde saue only on me for it is force that it so be or ellis he be dede perisshed in the yle of colchos where he hath auowed to go finisshe th ende of the right perilloê° aueÌ„ture of the motonÌ„ or flees of goolde And finably that in be wailing and be wepyng his deth j be homycide of him and of my self ThenÌ„e the lady seeyng medea to be in this point behelde sawe how she was of a meruaillous grete corage and yet she thought that ther might come harme of if the maide accomplisshid not partye of her desire and syn brought to her remeÌ„branÌ„ce that she might bringe jason to ê¯quere the motonÌ„ or flees of golde aÌ„d whan she hadde put al thise thiÌ„ges in a balanÌ„ce and fiched in her engyn she began to reconforte medea and in dede ê“mised her that she sholde so doo that without other moyen she shold enioye the
and lye by my hete in your bed A ha jason answerde thenÌ„ inedea for goddes sake saue myn honour Madaine aÌ„swerde jaso Ther is no man in the world that shal kepe it more thenÌ„e j shal j am your housbonde yf ye come and lye in your bed by me ye doo nothiÌ„g but honour My dere freÌ„de sayde medea ther is no plaisir but that I shall gladly do to yow but for this night ye shal haue pacyence of your requeste and I praye yow that to mornÌ„ be tyme ye desire of my fadere the king that he wolde gyue me to yon in mariage thenÌ„e do ye your deuoir if he be coÌ„tent we shal make our wedding aÌ„d spousailles here within honourably and if he will not I somone you here to mornÌ„ at nyght at houre acustomed aÌ„d knowe ye for certayn that I shal do alle that ye wille commaÌ„de me to do as reson is For I am vouÌ„den therto by vertue of the ê“messes made bytwene yow and me And allewaye I recommaÌ„de to you myn honour ¶ Whan Iason hadde vnderstande the goode wille of medea he sayd in his corage that she had wysely answerd and that he was content for tobeye to her requeste What shall I saye more the night drew ouer in suche termes as sayd is how wel Iason laye there til it was day And on the mornÌ„ whaÌ„ he was rysen sawe his tyme. he made his requeste vnto the noble king Oetes that he wold gyue his doughter Medea to him in mariage but he founde the king Oetes triste moche pensif and al other wyse thenÌ„e he was acustomed to be and made him an aÌ„swere in this maner Iason yebere with yow oute of my dominacyon the most ryche tresour that is iÌ„ alle the worlde whiche greuith me gretly yf I hade knowen that I now knowe ye had not comen in tyme therto aÌ„d now ye demaÌ„de me my doughter medea which is most conÌ„yng and the most dere thing that I haue Suffise you wy â— that ye haue And neuer speke to me more therof also dere as ye haue your lyfe With these or semblable wordes the king Oetes wente on oo ê‘t And the noble jason wente on an other syde moche abasshed of the fiers aÌ„d herd answere of the hing Oetes Hercules Theseus and Mopsiuscam thenÌ„e vnto Iason whyche told hem howe he had beÌ„ wyth the king Oetes and how he had required to haue to hys wyf hys doughter Medea and howe the kyng oetes hadde answerd him fiersly But whan they had vnderstanden alle thys they concluded among them that they wolde deê‘te from theÌ„s on the mornÌ„ After this donÌ„ they weÌ„t toke leue of the king thaÌ„ked hym of the grete honour that hit had plesid hym to do to Iason And after they went visited their ship and passid this day with litill plaisir for the king Oetes made hem no chere This notwithstand whaÌ„ the night was come Iason weÌ„te vnto the fayr Medea told to her how he made his requeste to the king Oetes her fader And how he had aÌ„swerd to the regarde of their mariage how he was deê‘ted froÌ„ him wherof the fayr Medea was meruaylloussy soroufull and sore troubled thinking on many thinges But whaÌ„ she had wel bethought her considering her cas her affaire she made right goode chere to jason as she that abandonÌ„ed her alle vnto his plaisir and so it is to be supposed that this night they leye to geder more saye I not for this pÌ„sent as towching their faites of loue In this nyght the fayr Medea toke alle the moste richest jeweles bagges portatif that the king oetes her fader had And she putte and trussed them in a fardell and whan hit came alitill to fore daye she made jason to ryse whyche was anonÌ„ redy And thenÌ„e whan she was alle redy she toke with her alle the rychesses also her yong broder absirthiê° of the aage of xvj monethes whome she toke secretly in a chambre from the nouryce and made her maistresse to cutte hys throte pryuely for certayn causes whiche shall here after be declared After this the fayr medea her maistresse cladd hem aÌ„d disgulsed them in maÌ„nes habyte and by the noble preu jason they were brought vnto the shippe And assone as jason had deliuerid theÌ„ in garde vnto maister maronner Argos he retourned into his chambre til it was day abyding his felawship Hercules Theseus Mopsius and many other knightes that cam with hym at the blowing of an horâ—aÌ„d with that he toke his flees of goolde and sayde to them that he wolde departe from thens wyth alle dylygence for certayn causes and wythout more sayng at thys tyme he toke his waye to th ende that the other knightes of grece sholde folowe And wente so ferre that he eÌ„trid iÌ„ to this ship so well at apoynt that alle his men entrid with him And thenÌ„e the maroÌ„ners disancred and began to rowe by force of oores for asinoche as 〈◊〉 blewe not and the winde helped heÌ„ not by cause hit was calme and thê° in this poynt they putte them on the waye vnto the sonne rysing And at that propre houre whaÌ„ they were not withdrawen past a myle froÌ„ the poorte hyt happend by adueÌ„ture that Argos the mayster maroÌ„ner began to loke toward the poorte aÌ„d he sawe that on alle sydes hit was fulle of peple After this he sawe anoÌ„ and apperceyueyd that fowre lityll shippes at facoÌ„n of Balingers orgaleyes subtyll departed to gydre from the poorte from whens that they they came Wherof the good patrone Argoshadde moch grete meruaille And he wiste not what to thenke he was so encombred For he â–ª hadde well seen that whan the noble Preu Iason and hys companye entrid into his shippe that the king hys baronÌ„s ne the ladyes had not conueyed hym He had grete meruaille but he sayd not one worde ¶ How the kyng Oetes fader of Medea aduertised of the departing of Iason and hys doughter Medea folowed And how Medea caste her broder Absirthyus by pieces into the see doubting her fader the kiÌ„g Oetes And howe the noble Quene ysiphyle fylle doun from an hyghe montaynÌ„ into the see WHo that demandeth of thise foure litill galeyes snbtill for what cause they moued fro the port And what people were inne the historie answerth that theyr entencyoÌ„ was to come after the knightes of grece And the king Oetes was in one of them accompanyed of foure honderd men whiche were alle bourgeyses of the tounÌ„ that he had made to be armed â–ª For asmoche as he was acertayned that hys doughter medea was goonÌ„ with jason and I shalle telle you This kiÌ„g Oetes as said is had ben sorowful anoyed alle the daye precedent foÌ„de him self so full of melancolye that he coude not slepe ne reste Alleway after many thoughtes and precogitacioÌ„s he concluded in hym self that he wolde goo
and conueye Iason at his departyng to thys ende that he comen into Grece sholde preyse him aÌ„d saye that he hadde made hiÌ„ good chere For to briÌ„ge to an eÌ„de this coÌ„clusion he aroos and wyllyng to eÌ„tre fro chambre to chambre til he cam to jason he entrid in to the chambre of the nourice of his sone absirthius â–ª whom he fond not wyth his nourice that slepte wherof he was sore abasshid awaked the nourire and after demanded her wher was hys dere sone absirthius And thenÌ„e the nourire begaÌ„ to loke aboute her but that was for nought for she fonde hâ— not wherfore all effrayed she spraÌ„g out of her bedde and began to seche him diligeÌ„tly alle aboutes the kiÌ„g Oetes entred in to the chambre oâ— Medea and ther he fonde ne ê‘sone ne his doughter ne her that had gouerned her long time ¶ Whan the king Oetes fond not his doughter Medea he was so angry that his blood changed aÌ„d withouthe spekyng ony worde he weÌ„te vp in to the chaÌ„bre where the noble Iason was logged but he fonde neyther jason ne Medea ne ê‘sone to whom he might speke for so moche he departed sodainly and wente vnto the poorte where he fond many of his citezeins that shewed him the ship where the grekes were in whiche was at that time from the poorte more thenÌ„ a quater of a myle thenÌ„ the kyng weping terderly demaÌ„ded them if they had seen hys doughter medea and they answerde nay Ha a fayr sirs sayd thenÌ„ the king The traictres of grece haue wyhtdraweÌ„ her wy t wordes traiterously in somoche as they haue deceyued her brought her into their ship aÌ„d yet that more is haue so euyll couÌ„ceylled her that she hath bornÌ„ with her my sone absirthius O euyl doughter o the euil fortuned child Certes medea thy grete disloyaulte ê¯strayneth me that wyth force of peple j wil goo incoÌ„tinet fecche the for to wete who hath meuyd the thus to doo wy t this I shal take vengeanÌ„ce of the desloyall knight jason wiche to his power reÌ„dreth to me euyl for good ¶ WhaÌ„ the king had sayd thus he retorned into his palays cryeÌ„g that euery man sholde arme him thenÌ„e alle the peple pourueyed them of staue â— armures syn demaÌ„ded wherof proceded the cause of thys alaromÌ„e the whiche anonÌ„ was all commune ThenÌ„e they put them on the â— waye for to go vnto the king whiche cam and yssued on t of hys palays armed and in poynt for tentre into bataill ThenÌ„e he wente vnto the poorte chese out four hoÌ„derd of the beste in poâ—t for to put in to the sayd four galeyes and finably whaÌ„ he had doâ— alle thys he meuyd fro the poorte as sayd is and wyth all haste made his galeyes to be rowed after the knightes of Grece in suche wyse as the maister maronner apê‘ceyued that tho galeyes cam swiftely after theÌ„ for to fecch agayn the fayr medea called jason that japed played wyth medea preseÌ„t his felawe hercules she wid to him the four galeyes armed wherein was the king Oetes and his men wel in poynt whyche approced faste For the galeyes were light jason seyng his encombrance approche called Hercules whyche knewe nothyng herof and demanded him counceyll ThenÌ„e Hercules ansuerde to hym that he knewe none other remedie but that euery man shold putte him to armes and be redy tabyde the batayll yf hit were nede and auowed vnto the goddes that yf the king oetes made ony enterpryse vpon theÌ„ that he wolde putte to deth as many as he myghâ— arethe With thise wordes wyth oute leÌ„ger â—aryeng the noble knight hercules and jason putte them in armes and in lyke wise dyde their felawes ThenÌ„e Medea and her maistresse sprang vpon the planck of the shyp for to beholde the kyng and his galeyes And anonÌ„ after Iason hercules alle iÌ„ armes cam vp on hye by Medea and eche wyth a swerde in his fyste And Medea began to treÌ„ble for fere whaÌ„ she had espyed her fader to approche so nyghe at th eÌ„de the king Oetes poursie wed so sore the shippe of the noble preu jason by force of oores that er they were out of the goulf or braas of the see that there was nomore distance fro on to an other but two bowe shote ThenÌ„ the fayr Medea seyng that is was time to brynge to ende that she had begonÌ„e to fore sayde to her maistres in wepyng tenderly My good mod wher is my lytyll broder absirthius gyue him to me ThenÌ„ the euyll oolde woman opend her lappe and vnwonde the body of the childe whom she had smyteÌ„ into pieces Medea toke the heede lyste it an hygh wherof Hercules jason other seyng this had grete horrour of this cruelte aÌ„d weresore abasshed neuertheles whaÌ„ the preu Iason apperceyued this he wold knowe fro whenâ— came thys creature so dede And sayde to Medea in thys manere My dere loue what haue ye in your thought and what will ye don with this so malerous and pyteus childe My dere loue answerde thenÌ„e Medea Thexperience of my werke enseigneth to yow the thought of my herte Madame answerde thenÌ„e the noble preu jason what is this child that I see here thus detrenched and smyten in pieces certes he is in an euyll houre bornÌ„ that thus myserabli hath finysshed hys dayes My dere loue answerde thenÌ„e the fayr medea This is absirthius my yong broder Knowe ye that he is not malerouse but is ewrous and happy for thys daye he shall be cause of the sauacion of the lyf of his fader and of his menÌ„ thenÌ„e he is moche ewrous and in a goode oure bornÌ„ whaÌ„ he in hys teÌ„dre yongth maye because of the helthe of so moche peple aÌ„d specyally of his fader naturel Certes medea said thenÌ„e jason I see none other facoÌ„n ne moyen but that ye be of all poyntes dishonoured whaÌ„ ye haue coÌ„mysed so ryght pyetousa caas as for to haue mâ—rdryd your ê“pre broder innocent of all thinges A hawhat horrible cruelte My dere loue answerde thenÌ„e medea ne troble you other wise thenÌ„e by resoÌ„ For if it be your plaisir ye shal here what I shall saye aÌ„d after of the caas I make yow iuge ye know how I am by you brought from the howâ— of my fader ayeÌ„st his wyll I haue coÌ„siderid what my departyngis and further more I haue thoughte haue had regarde vnto the grete aÌ„d meruaillous courage of my fader and al thing ouer thought and considerid that I coude not withdraw me fer but he shold be aduertised for he hath of custome that euery morenyng er he goo dounÌ„ he wil see his sone aÌ„d me also I haue jmagyned that anonÌ„ as he fyndeth not me ner his sone that withonte faute he wil come after me in armes lyke as ye see he doth and thus whan I haue
alle thise thinges considered and the grete daunger that myght ensiewe to vs that for me sholde be the bataill mortall bytwene you aÌ„d him in whiche withoute remedie he shold be slaynÌ„ or takeÌ„ by his hye vaylliauÌ„ce seen that vnto deâ—h he wold abandonne him selfe for to recouuere me and to th ende teschewe more grete paryll and dommage for him I haue taken his owen sone which is my broder aÌ„d haue coÌ„manded to put hiÌ„ in the state as ye see for to caste at this tyme abrode iÌ„ to the cours of the see here and there And to gyue empechement vnto the ship of my fader whych thenÌ„e shall tarye whaÌ„ he shalle see his sone absirthius thus dismeÌ„brid flotyng vpon the water for to garde and recuyelle the pieces as ye shall seen playnly anonÌ„ ¶ Wyth thachieuemeÌ„t of these deuises the kiÌ„g oetes approched in suche manere the shippe of the grekes that ther was no more distanÌ„ce but a stone caste ThenÌ„e the fayr medea and the olde woman fylled theyr haÌ„des with the membris of the noble child absirthius in shewyng them to the king oetes his menÌ„ For assone as the oolde quene sspyâ—d the king she escryed these wordes folowyng aÌ„d sayd thus Kyng in no wyse come no nere wenyng to recouure thy sone ne thy doughter As to the regarde of thy doughter thou losest thy time for she is maried vnto jasoÌ„ But atte lest we shall reÌ„dre to the thy sone slayn aÌ„d detreÌ„ched by pieces the whiche we caste into the see to th eÌ„de that thou maist haue thy lyf saued for but If he cansed the to haue occupacion for to recuyelle hys propre membres for to do burye theÌ„ as hit apperteyneth to the sone of a kiÌ„g knowe thou that thou sholdest haue the bataill ayeÌ„st the knightes of grece which ben of so hye vaylliaunces that ther ne is anymal monstre serpent ne tyranÌ„t but that they brynge to destrucâ—yon thenÌ„e hit ought to be bileuyd that the victorye of the bataill shold abyde wyth them aÌ„d certes thou sholdest receyue thy deth so alle thing well ouerseeÌ„ hit is better to the that thou retourne vnto the cite thenÌ„e tapproch more ner for to receyue thy deth aÌ„d wel oughtest thou to haue grete yoye for to see thy happy sone be ded and detrenched by pyâ—ces bi the which thy lyf is respyted for thou art not very ne naturell fader if thou take not hys membreâ— out of the see and if thou so doo thy lyfe shall be saued and all they of thy companye WIth these wordes the olde woman aÌ„d Medea caste in the see the membres of the yong childe absirthius and the kiÌ„g Oetes and hys peple heeryng and seeyng the grete inhumanite cruelte began to escrye ryght pyetoussy aÌ„d dolorousâ—i And were so sore vexed and trobled of thys meruailloê° aueÌ„ture that they wist not what to doo som ther were that begaÌ„ to wepe tenderli the other smote them self on the brestes som began to araye hem to goo to bataylle and escryed to deth the knightes of grece shoting on theÌ„ arowes other trait by grete corage for tanenge them but whan the king sawe that â— no wyse he myght recouure the deth of hys dere sone he made to cesse the escarumssij sayd to his cytezels certes fair siresj pray you to trauaile you nomore for to recouure medea shehath murdrid her ê“pre brod absirthiê° whiche was my sone he that â— time to come sholde haue beÌ„ your naturell lord certes j haue louid wy t all my herte her alle her lyfe that wy t her dissoyall will hath brouht to me one so dolorouse guerdonÌ„ or reward Ha a meda said the kiÌ„g all on hyghe j shal neuer sech ne desire to mete wy t the for cause of so cruell and disnaturell a dede that â–ª thou hast â— my sed to thy propre blode and therfore fayâ— lordes late her aÌ„d alle them that ben with her goo where the goddes will suffre hiÌ„ but knowe ye for certayn that yf j now had her at my liberte I sholde make her to deye a cruell deth howe wele that sholde sourdre therof to me a new sorowe wherfore hit is better that she goo that we enteÌ„de to reassemble the meÌ„bres of my sone whyche floteÌ„ as ye may see vpoÌ„ the wawes of the see to th ende that his flesshe be not pasture to the byrdes ¶ WhaÌ„ thenÌ„e the nobles bourgeyses of the cyte vnderstod their king alle they began to sech the membres of absirthius iudemenyng the moste grete sorow of the world aÌ„d thê° they disposed them to complaire the kyng nomore tassayle their ennemyes And whan they had fysshed the membres of the child they retoraÌ„d vnto the cyte by space of tyme right sorowfull disconforted for the deth of Absirthiê° and for asmoche as medea also was goonÌ„ with jason Medea was thenÌ„e well ioyous aÌ„d more assured thenÌ„ to fore whan she apperceyuid that her fader his meÌ„ taried for to fisshe the meÌ„bres of his sone Certes jason seyng this that sayd is wist not what to thinke aÌ„d Argos the goode maronner rowed alle way in withdrawing from the poorte aÌ„d the yle of Colchos as moche as he myght in so moche that in alytil while he had lost the sighte of the king Oetes of his galeyes aÌ„d that he cam into the hyhe see where the wind blewe aroose that anonÌ„ they desployed their sayle which they woÌ„deâ— vp an hyghe wherfore the shippe made good way wherof argos was moche yoyous and thenÌ„e he sayd that euery man myghte leye dounÌ„ his harnoys frely promysing them to be oute of all parilâ— for that time Iason at this tyme was ryght pensyf for the cruelte inhumanyte that he had seen this daye and spak not one worde and semed by coÌ„parisonÌ„ more triste thenÌ„e joyous not withoute cause Whan medea had vnderstande that Argos assewryd alle the companye for that tyme froÌ„ alle parils that they had ben in was thoo conforted gretly but she behelde her handes that yet were all foule of the blood of her brother Absuthius she wente wasshed hem aÌ„d made hem clene after she caÌ„ sette her dounÌ„ by Iason seyng that he was moche pensyf sayde to hiÌ„ by a gracious curtays manere My dere loue wheron thinke you Certes jason answerde not one worde And whan she sawe that she sayde to hiÌ„ agayn the same word My dere loue jason wheron thinke yow ThenÌ„ Iason answerde to her thus Lady syn that ye desire to knowe wheron I thinke knowe ye for trouth that yf it were not for the grete loue that I haue in yow and for that I haue promysed to wed yow and bryng yow into Grece I wolde not do it wherfore kepe from henssorward that ye do no suche thing as dere as ye will haue pees bytwene yow aÌ„d me Vpon thise wordes Medea excused her the
thexperieÌ„ce of thys crast aÌ„d mistere Certes they had grete meruayll and not wythout cause for this was a werck that neuer was seen ne happend to fore And somochÌ„ preysed the wytte the connyng the vertues of the fayre medea that they yuged her to be inspired of the goddes ThenÌ„e the noble king Eson whan he fonde hymself in this estate he sente for the beste tailours aÌ„d makers of garnemeÌ„ts And dide do make for his body alle newe habillements after the facoÌ„n that the yonge men ware at that time after this he went and put him to the chaas or huÌ„ting aÌ„d to deduyt of fawcoÌ„ns and haukes to make esbatements festes daunces aÌ„d tournoyes ioustes and other plaies and for to shorte our mater he so conduised hiÌ„ self as a man made alle newe Hit was not long ofter that Peleus and alle the nobles of the countree other were aduertised herof Wher fore grete noÌ„bre of peple cam to pintaquo only for to see the kyng Eâ—on that was strongly enclyned to singe daunce and to do al yoyouse thinges And yet that more is he sawe gladly the fayre damoyselles and for to make short he held hiÌ„ selfe as a â—oÌ„g Prince that hadde no regarde saâ—â— only to make good chere and to passe the time yoyously ê‘ Eleus hys wyf Cypriane hys doughters cam vnto the king iÌ„ the renouellyte of this noble respyremâ—t Medea laye with Iason and coÌ„ceyued of him a right fayr sone of whoÌ„ she was deliuerid in good tyme. aÌ„d anone after the burth of this seconde sone Cypryane cam on a daye to the fayr medea required mocâ— instaÌ„tly that of her grace she wold make yong agayn Peleus whiche began strongly to wexe aÌ„d olde Certes the fayr medea was right yoyous whaÌ„ she saw her so required and thiÌ„king in her self that she wold be auenged of the disloyal peleus the whiche entended to haue made jason be ded â–ª She accorded to her this reqneste toke daye for to do hit And whaÌ„ the daye was comen Medea commanded to Cypriane that she shold make redy a moche noble baygne After she sente for to fecche peleus whycâ— was moche yoyous for so mocâ— as he supposed to become yong agayn lyke as he had ben tofore and thenÌ„e whan all was redy peleê° dispoylled him of his clothes entred in to the baygne Medea made hym to slepe there And whan he was a slepe she toke to his two doughteres to eche a swerde well trenchaunt in her handes and made hem to make on the body of peleus their fader moo thenÌ„e fyfty wouÌ„des mortall Sayng that they must nedes do so thenÌ„e whan peleus was a doubed and hurt aÌ„d that of his lyf was no remedie Medea awoke him aÌ„d sayd in this maner Ha a right vnhappy traittre thou sendest late jason into Colchos â–ª wenyng for to haue made him deye there without ony respyte wherfore thow hast deseruid the deth that shall be now this our inhumayn aÌ„d by the haÌ„des of thy ê‘pre doughters therwyth Medea departed from the chambre And peleê° thus myserably finisshed his lyf his dayes ¶ WhaÌ„ Cyprâ—ane his two doughtes were aduertised of thise tydiÌ„ges they escryed moche sorowfully aud in wepyng grete teeris in grete anguysshe drew out of the meruaillous baygne the poure body of peleus aÌ„d leyde hit a long vpon a table but Ci prâ—ane had the herte so strayte shette that she might not speke and not wythoute cause For assone as she hadde peleus vpon the table she fyll dounÌ„ reuerssed all a swoumne and thenÌ„e the doughters considering the grete meschief that was befall to theÌ„ toke the two swerdes yet alle blood with which they hadde put their fader to deth smote theÌ„ self to the hert in suche wyse that they fill dounÌ„ ded despaired vpoÌ„ the bodi of their soroufull moder whiche thenÌ„ reuiâ—ed out of her swouÌ„me A ha right pyetouâ— and dolorous caas Cypryane comâ— agayn to her self seyng in her pÌ„sence this meschief redoublement of sorow coude holde nonÌ„ other mayntene sauf for to crye wyth alle her puissaâ—ce also hye ferdfulli that the king Eson aÌ„d his sone beyng â—ot fer froâ—thens in a toure by the chambre were gretly affraid with thys crye And in especial whan they behelde first the body of peleus put vpon the table al enuironned with woundes Secondly whaÌ„ they sawe apê‘ceiued the ij yong damoiselles doughters of peleê° hauyng stiked in their bodies vnto theire hertes the swerd where wy t they were slayn thirdly seyng cypryane lyyng vpoÌ„ the pauiment her hert faylling cracching her face drawyng her here by grete asprete of sorowe The king Eson his sone jason seeyng thys that sayd is cam thenÌ„e vnto the lady iÌ„ approchyng releued her and leyde her on a bed that was there ThenÌ„e Iason began to doubte of Medea for asmoche as ofte tymes she had requyred him that he wolde put to deth peleus because he had sent hiÌ„ into the yle of colchos Whan thy had brought the lady on the bed Eson the noble king his so ne jason began to reconforte her the best wyse that they myght and wepyng tenderly they demanded her who had commysed this dolorous murdre ThenÌ„e the lady answerde witâ— moche grete payne that medea was culpable reherced to hem all the maner how she had made peleê° to deye by the handes of his two doughters â–ª how they seyng the shameful feet commysed by them were desperate slewe hem self iÌ„ grete sorow tellyng this her hert faylled The king entended to her Iason departed theÌ„s weÌ„t to medea whiche was in her chambre and saide to her a hadame wherto were yeevyr bornÌ„ into this worlde the merites of your benefetes ben grete aÌ„d digne of glorie but your ê‘uers demerites beÌ„ somoche horryble fowâ—â— that they stayne al your vertues My dere lorde sayde thenÌ„e Medea Ne knowxe not how â–ª peleus sente yow into Colchos bi his enhortement for somochÌ„ as he supposed that ye never shÌ„olde haue retorned also ye had ben dede without remedie ne had ben that ye escaped the daunger by my counceyle as it is wel knoweÌ„ Thise thiÌ„ges considerid seen that he had no cause to purchase to yow suche a daunger for ye neuer deseruid it wherfore j haue many tymes desired you to take punycionÌ„ vpon the desloyall peleus to whiche ye wold neuer entende for it happend that Peleê° had a will for to be reduyte in to yong aage as the king your fad is by myn introduccyoÌ„ stile but his two doughters haue put hym to deth wherof ye ought to be ryght yoyus Certes dame aÌ„swerde jason ye saye that plesethÌ„ yow but ye haue doo so now 〈◊〉 also other tymes that ye shall â—uere be holden in reproche therfore that now other tymes ye haue commysed donÌ„ to be coÌ„mysed many enorme iÌ„humayne
with so grete noÌ„â—… of people that notwithstanding the resistence of laomedonÌ„ of alle the cyte countre aboute they besieged it and so long abode and dyde meruaillous assaultes that they toke hit and destrored it in the fourme manere as is well declared in the historie of the xij laboures of the noble preu Hercules And whaÌ„ they had brought this enterpryse to attende eche of them departed from thens retorned into his countre ¶ In the nouelte thenÌ„ that the noble king Eson of Myrinydone was retorned fro the conquest of Troye sore trobled for his sone jasoÌ„ that was failled to haue beÌ„ at this hye houour Medea that was not yet comeÌ„ agayne into Myrmydone after that she was departed the same day that she had made to deye the desâ—oyal peleê° as sayd is Retorned thenÌ„e vnto the king Eson all destayned discoloured yclad wy â— clothes all to reÌ„te aÌ„d lapped ThenÌ„e she sette her doun on bothe her knees to fore the king EzoÌ„ after sayde to hi in this maner Sire lo here Medea most poure aÌ„d the most infortunat lady that ever was or shal be Thou knowest and maist not denye that j ne am the ê“pre wyf of thy sone jason whome j made not long syn retourne gloriously fro the mortall paril where his vncle peleê° had sente him to by his malice This not withstonding incoÌ„tyneÌ„t in feat he hath abandoÌ„ned me syn the daye that j was consenting to the deth of the disâ—oyall peleê° I dide hyt for to take vengeanÌ„ce of this that he sente him traitrously vnder the shadowe of the conqueste of the ryche moton wyth the flees of golde whiche was a thing impossyble to ony creature humaine withoute myn adressemeÌ„t and wel supposed he that he neuer sholde haue retourned but haue auaunced his deth and he wolde excuse him vnder the colour of this deth the which allewaye I dyde for hys loue â–ª and for tauenge him SYre sayde yet the lady ye knowe that the daye that peleê° deyde youre sone departed from hens moche hastely howe I weÌ„te after hit was so oure aduenture that I foâ—de hym on a daye in the cite of Corithe where he hadde fianÌ„ced the kinges doughter And there I spak long wy â— hiÌ„ And among many remonstraâ—ces I required hym right instantly that he wolde be trewe according to hyâ— promys that he had made in acquityng his faith But I laboured in vayn for he wolde in no wise enteÌ„de therto and whan j apê‘ceyued that I coude haue none other thing of hi I made by the vertue of somÌ„e enchaÌ„thements deye sodainly the espouse whom he had supposed to haue enioyed And with her deyde her fader and by consequeÌ„t all they that were in the hall sette at dyner reseruid jason whom in no maner j wolde touche after j deê‘ted from â—â—eÌ„s haue goon at the aueÌ„ture of the goddes not thinking that ever I shold retorne vnto you thus hath fortune be tâ— me of such coÌ„dicyoÌ„ that she hath sith .ij. monthes brought me into the cyte of oliferne ther I haue fouÌ„den seen Iason with the quene Mirro â–ª it hath ben certefied to me that he hath espoused her wherof j haue at my herte suche dolour aÌ„d sorou that for nothing I might ner coude speke with hym but yet am deê‘ted from theÌ„s am come vnto yow for to requyre reffuge that in the sauour of ladies it may plese yow to haue pyte of me so desolate a lady and that in recoignoissauÌ„ce of the merite that I mighte haue deseruid in reduâ—… your auncient aage in the beyng â—â— xxxij yere that ye of your sone IasoÌ„ wil do me ryght without Rygour ¶ Whan the king Eson of myrmydone hadde vnderstaÌ„de the doleance and the râ—queste of Medea aÌ„d that he sawe her iÌ„ so poure estate of habillements that she semed all an other womaÌ„ For she was so discoloured lene euylarayed Certes he had grete pyte of her TheuÌ„e he began to recoÌ„forte her thinking on the good seruices that she had douÌ„ vnto his sone wherof all his wele renommee was comen And in like wyse of the grete plaisir that she had douÌ„ to sum also how she hath habaÌ„doÌ„ned the kiÌ„g her fader her countre vpon the pmysse of his sone AmoÌ„g other wordes in recoÌ„forting her he sayd promysed her that he shold punysshe jason of that so grete offeÌ„ce and also he hadde takeÌ„ him iÌ„ desdayne for somoche as he had failled at the besynes destruâ—ioÌ„ of Troye where the cheualerve of grece had goten grete honour â–ª certes he loued medea meruailousâ—y and anon he dide do clothe her new ryght honourabli tamynistre to her all that was nedeful necessarie for her And whaÌ„ he had so doo he sente into oliferne vnto Iason aÌ„d commanded him that incontineÌ„t he sholde come vnto his court but jaÊ’oÌ„ excused hi to the messager the moost curtoysâ—y that he myght for cause of his woundes that he had receyued in the woode not long syn assayd is in feat he answerde that at that pÌ„sent he myght go ner yet ryde on an hors IncoÌ„tineÌ„t as the king Eson had vnderstonde thanswere of his sone jasoÌ„ he toke it euyl in gree aÌ„d sware that he wolde go vnto him but that sholde be in armes ThenÌ„ he sente into all partyes for his frendes and alyes sayd to thaim she we how he wolde punisshe IasoÌ„ for the lauesshenes of his body that by good cause for because of his luxurie he had failled at the coÌ„quest of Troye vnder this couerture he asseÌ„bled vnto the nombre of ten M. grekes whom he brought to fore olyferne the cite somoche dydeby see by lande â–ª that with oute aueÌ„ture digne of memorie he caÌ„ on the chaÌ„panye where the kyng of Esclauonye aÌ„d his ooste to fore had holdeÌ„ their siege to their vnhelthe as hit is sayd fo fore iÌ„ his place Alway ineden was comeÌ„ in tharinee of the king Eson as she that hath in hi all her affyauÌ„ce aÌ„d her socourse as half garisshed or easid WhaÌ„ the king Eson foÌ„de him self to fore olyferne He dide do sette his teÌ„tes pauyllouÌ„s sente vnto his sone jason that he sholde comeÌ„ vnto hi. for to receyue the punycioÌ„ of this disobey sauÌ„ce certes jasoÌ„ was sore abasshid aÌ„d not without cause whan he had vnderstaÌ„d that his fader seÌ„te for hiÌ„ to come to hiÌ„ vpoÌ„ this ê¯dicioÌ„ And thenÌ„ whaÌ„ he apê‘ceiued that his fad had besieged the cite wy â— armed haÌ„d â—he was at that tyme all helid of his woundes frossures aÌ„d seeyng that sayd is him semed that the king hys fader was angry with him aÌ„d that he was comen theder al replenisshid with grete â–ª furour NotwithstandiÌ„g that iÌ„ no maner he supposed to haue deseruid hit And coÌ„sidering all thise thinges and also by the counceylle of his frendes for to answer the