possible to the helpe aÌ„d deliuere me from this mortal daunger WhaÌ„ appollo sawe the poure felaw in suche desolacioÌ„ the teeris fill dounÌ„ from his eyen for asmoche as the water boilled so aboute him he had grete pyte demaÌ„ded of him what eyled him so to crye wepe from wheÌ„s that water cam that so boilled aboute him axid syn where was zechius Alas aÌ„swerde the poure felawe which laboâ—rid lyuyng there to the deth in a dolour and payne inestimable Praye ye sire for zechius and for his felaws For I haue seeÌ„ alle one after an other dye in a mortell disâ—resse and so anguyssâ—ousâ—y that vnnethe that is creature lyuyng that coude veâ—ayly acompte and telle hit to yow THan appollo herde speke of the deth of zechius and his felaws he was so sorofull that he wist not what to doo but aÌ„swerde to the poure felaw and saide by grete admiracioÌ„ how maye that be fayr sire for j sawe right now zechius and all his felaws that were with hiÌ„ whaÌ„ they toke loÌ„de iÌ„ colchos in descendyng from the shippe alâ—s â—ere sire answerde the felawe hyt is well Reson that j recompte telle yon the trouth verite of the manere of this cruel auenture Certes sire hit is veray trouth that incontinent that zechius we other entrid into they le we apperceyuyd from ferre in a passing fayr medowe a lyuyng beste fedyng all offyn goolde And was as grete as an hors of the facoÌ„n fourme of a sheep or motoÌ„ ThenÌ„e we ê¯cluded to geder with one wyll that we wolde haue takeÌ„ hiÌ„ thenÌ„e we wente forth supposed to haue taken hit by force or other wise And for to so doo we marched thedward to oure euyll helthe for anonÌ„ after right sodaynly sprang out of a temple the most fair and the moost riche that I euer sawe a moche meruayllous dragonÌ„ and ferdfull with thre tonges casting fyre flambe wyth smoke out of his throte fortwith incontinent sprang also out of hooles in the erthe two moche horryble booles hauyng legges aÌ„d feet all of coper their hornes were grete and sharp theyr eyeÌ„ gretter more reed thaÌ„ boylliÌ„g coper or metal the whiche thre bestes so dredefull disgorged caste out fyre of their throtes venyn vpon vs in suche facoÌ„n that Zechius alle the other deyde there in suche paynÌ„ dolour that was neuer lyke therto recorded aÌ„d of vs xxx felaws ther is none escaped except my self whiche was laste ferthest behiÌ„de for whaÌ„ j apê‘ceyuyd themes chief so grete spntme to fâ—ight but I coude not so fast fsee but that the terrible dragonÌ„ cast vpoÌ„ me a gobet of the moste detestable infectioÌ„ that euer was the whicâ— doth me somoche paynÌ„ meschief aÌ„d holdeth me in suche a brennyng in alle my body that j muste nedes take bi dolonrouse deth the eÌ„de of this worlde wherfore j requyre you that ye goo no ner Colchos ¶ With this wordes the doloroê° maÌ„ finysshed his dayes in anguisthe aÌ„d payne and the sowle deê‘ted froÌ„ the bodi in the psece of appollo the whiche for this cause demened the grettest most terrible sorou that might be and with that roose the winde bi grete sodayne pyries that cam from the west whiche tormented the see and meuyd hit meruaillousâ—y and after this apperid in the ayer grete lightniÌ„ges of fire the which caÌ„ lauÌ„chiÌ„g bitwene the kiÌ„g appollo Ê’ethe phiê° the other beâ—g iÌ„ the ship ther was nonÌ„ of theÌ„ so assured but with the wiÌ„de the iÌ„petuouse lightnyng they were beteÌ„ doune vnto the botoÌ„ of the ship in suche wise they were sinetonÌ„ with the lightniÌ„g tournieÌ„s and with the orage of haylle stones that appollo hiÌ„ self knewe not a grete while if euer he sholde escape this dauÌ„ger or no For aboute heÌ„ they sawe no more thaÌ„ meÌ„ doo in a wiÌ„tres night at midnight whaÌ„ hit rayneth NotwithstaÌ„ding during this tempeste derkenes the good king appollo herde a voys sayd to him â— this manere not aloude But with a moderat voys in suche wyse as somme wel vnderstode hit Appollo the god Mars comÌ„andetâ— the that thou retourne incoutineÌ„t to thy cyte for zechius thy good freÌ„de is dede by his grete oultrage in this perillous I le his felaws iÌ„ like wise as it hatâ— beÌ„ late vs declared also all they that fro hens fortâ— put heâ— or descende in to this yle for to seche aneÌ„ture or other wyse shal neuer retorne agayn for asmoch as the goddes wil not that it be enhabïted vnto the tyme that a knight shaâ— desceÌ„de therin whicâ— shal coÌ„quere the noble moton or shepe of goolde by the meen of them that shall come of thy seed to whom thou shalt leue a bille wreton witâ— the hande of the god mars the whiche is now vnder thy hede teyneth froÌ„ point to poiÌ„t all the mysteries aÌ„d craft that he behouetâ— to obserue kepe for to obteyne come to thing of so hye recoÌ„meÌ„dacion that like therto hatâ— ben ne neuer shal be in the worlde vnto the ti me that the holy newe lawe shall come after that tyme long after the mistery of the fâ—ees of golde shall hyely be celebrerd halowed Wyth this the vois was still appollo on this that he had herde begaÌ„ to rise abasshid and esmayed of this werke And fouÌ„de vnder his hede the bille a fore said whiche he kepte â—oygneusâ—y aft he his felawship retorned vnto the cyte for the tyme the grete storme was incontinent gonÌ„ and dryuen away in the ayer vanisshed and thenÌ„e assone as he and his peple were arryued at the poort and out of the ship forthÌ„ with the weder begaÌ„ to chauÌ„ge and begaÌ„ to snowe to rayne to blowe make one so terrible a storme teÌ„peste that by force of the out ragyoê° orage the arke in the â–ª whiche appollo aÌ„d all his coÌ„paniâ— cam into that yle that they inhabited and also al the shippis aÌ„d other bootes that they had made meuyd theÌ„ to geder â— such wise that the cables and cordes that helde theÌ„ al to the porte al to brak aÌ„d the said vaissels ships were blowen vnto the perilloê° yle of colchos by so meruailous a furour that they were al to smyten in pieces brokeÌ„ in suche maner that the bordes of the bootes other pieces withoute noÌ„bre fâ—oted here there in the see thus bi this waye they were all lost and spent of the whiche aueÌ„ture all they that were thenÌ„ at the porte beholdiÌ„g were sore esbayed not without cause for neuer to fore was seeÌ„ so meruaillous a teÌ„peste thought wel that it wente not wel sayde one to that other that theyr goddes were angry witâ— them whaÌ„ suche tempest caÌ„ to theÌ„ ther to their grete domÌ„age and preiudice ¶ How the knight zethephius conspired ayenst Appollo
had made the reuereÌ„ce vnto the king his fader and to the other nobles he declared alle playnly in the halle that he had neuer comen to the chief of thys conqueste ne had ben the counceylle the ayde and adresse of Medea whiche was there preseÌ„t therfore said he j haue renoÌ„ced the loue of my lady Mirro and haue ê“mysed to this lady that she shal be my wyf and my felaw and thus I will espouse and wed her at the thirde day wherfore I pray alle noble men and other ladyes and damoiselles that eche persone do to her honour as it apperteyneth to do vnto a noble lady ¶ whan Peleus had vnderstandeÌ„ that the fayr Medea had ben cause that Iason was comen â–ª to the aboue of his enterpryse without dauÌ„ger of deth that withoute the ayde of her he had ben deuoured he chaÌ„ged colour becam alle dede aÌ„d as wel aduised saide nought therto but alwai for to holde jason in loue he sayde to hiÌ„ that he wolde take the charge for to make the fest aÌ„d furthermore he wold seÌ„de for to pray his parentis frendes for to be therat Among thise thinges the preu jason sente Theseus Mopsius vnto the poorte of deseire charched them expressely that they sholde go burie wyth alle solempnite aÌ„d reuerence the body of the noble quene Isiphile The twoo knightes went with good herte aÌ„d acquyted them of thys charge For tabregge the historie Cypriane hadde in garde the fayr medea vnto the daye that jason had sette for tespouse Castor polux Nestor with many ryche Dukes came thenÌ„e to pintaquo what shall I make long reher saille jason espoused the fayr medea after the lawe that tyme vsed in grece wyth moche grete honour reuerence As in any wyse to hym was possyble a dounÌ„ ¶ For he dide to her asmoch grete honour as lady might receyue The feste was noble and fayr and hit was full and plenteuously seruyd of alle thinges But of the metes and entremetes wyth how many course how many disshes at euery cours there were seruid I wille make no mencyon at this tyme. But thus moche wille I saye that Peleus Cypriane and her doughters made right grete poâ—pes And peleus ordeyned this feste suÌ„ptuous and costlewe of ryche metes and beuurages or driÌ„kes The daye passed and the feste in daunces carolles esâ—atements The euen cam and after the night that Iason medea laye to geder Alway thys feste endured xv dayes hole duryng this feste the noble aÌ„d ryche slees of golde was ordynantly hanged vp in the halle in the sighte of all the worlde and there myght come euery maÌ„ that wolde to beholde hit bi grete admyracioÌ„ And ther cam peple so ferre nigh in suche multitude that hit semed a veray ê‘cession for whyche cause Iason was meruayllously renommed in many a couÌ„tree for his hyghÌ„ vasselage for this so glorioê° conqueste AT th ende of .xv. dayes aÌ„d of the hye solempnite of these espousaylles as the noble prynces BaronÌ„s aÌ„d noble men were vpon the poynt for to retonre to theire conÌ„trees Iason and hercules assembled them and there recouÌ„ted to them the rudesse that the king LaomedonÌ„ hadde donÌ„ to Iason and to the knightes of thys coÌ„panye in reffusing to them fresshe water vytaylle for their money For the whiche cause they had ben in daunger paril of deth ThenÌ„e the princes and varonÌ„s of grece heering the grete doleance of jason and Hercules ê‘mised prestly and swore that they wolde auenge this deffaulte and â—muâ—ie They were aspre hoot and hasty iÌ„ vengeaÌ„ce And after these couenauÌ„tes thê° made they gaf charge to Argos to make aÌ„d sette vp an honderd shippes of warre for to bringe fyfty thousand menÌ„ to fore Troye or atte lest fourty thousaÌ„d Argos that was well connyng in that werke enterprysed the charge promysed that wyth in thre yere alle thyse shyppes shold be redy to helpe hem And whaÌ„ they hadde take a conclusion vpoÌ„ all thise thinges aÌ„d that they had made to Medea alle the honour and reuerence of the world by space of tyme they departed alle thens and euery man retourned into his couÌ„tre leuyng Iason and the fayr Medea in their reste ê‘Eleus wente vnto Elsebee bare dueyll and ranconâ— in hys courage more thenÌ„e nede was for somochÌ„ as he sawe jason so triuÌ„phe aÌ„d that he knewe not how he myghte make him to deye And Iason whiche entended to nothing sauing to make his plaisir lete hym yet gouerne hys Royaume and so acquitte him in the dette of mariage ayenst the fayr medea in suche faoÌ„n that she conceyued of hym a ryght fayr sone whyche at th ende of ix moÌ„thes was deliuerid and was named jason after hys fader The king Getes fader of medea cam thenÌ„e to Pintapuo wyth a priue meyne litill coÌ„panye as he that loued Medea like as the fader loueth the childe And whan he vnderstode knew the grete honour that the preu jasoÌ„ had donÌ„ to her he was coÌ„tent wyth him with his doughter And withoute exploiting of ony other thing he retorned into his couÌ„tre moche yoyoê° And hit was not long after these thinges thus befalleÌ„ that the olde maistresse of medea departed out of this worlde and deyde But whan it cam vnto the article of dethÌ„ she taught Medea a grete part of the arte of nygromancye of many other sciences where in she was exê‘te And also she taughÌ„t her among other sciences and art and crafte for to make olde peple to become yong of the aage of .xxxij. yere But the lyf and destynee for to deye myght not be lengthid vnto suche ê‘sones by the vertu of the scieÌ„ce ne other wyse for asmoche as it is predestinqcion naturell ¶ How Medea chauÌ„ged the king Eson in to yong aage And of the deth of Peleus After the deth of the maistresse of the fayr Medea Iason demaÌ„ded Medea whaâ—… thoughte best to ddo She answerâ—e to him that she had lost grete felauship and priuaulte by the deth of her maistresse To whom the noble preu jason ansuerde and saide that ther was nothiÌ„g so certain for euery creature as the deth And that the goddes wolde take her soule After many dayes medea toke hede that amoÌ„g alle other sciences she had one for to make olde peple to become yong and specially men And syn she behelde also that the good king Eson was passing auncient and old for whiche cause she considered that she my t gete a grete loos an hye renoÌ„â—ice if she renewed his aage wherfore she called on a daye her lord jason saide to him that by her scieÌ„ces she coude do somoche that his fader the good kiÌ„g EsoÌ„ sholde recouure newe youth in suche wyse as he sholde seme non older but .xxxij. yere olde WhaÌ„ jason vnderstode this that said 〈◊〉 he meruaillously abasshid aÌ„d not without cause
that whaÌ„ I had 〈◊〉 your message one of theÌ„ that seâ—â—ed vertuoê° discrete aÌ„swerde me that they were not comeÌ„ theder but only for vytaylle for to passe forth on theyr waye and that they were no robâ—eurs ne pirates of the see but whan the yong knight whiche was fayr curtois as a mayde had finisshid his purpose Another of them whiche had a meruailloê° aÌ„d cruell chiere better resembled Hercules by his vysage coÌ„tenanÌ„ce thenÌ„e ony other saide to me in a grete anger fiexte in this manere knowe thou knight that syn that LaomedonÌ„ thy mayster as vyllayn of herte banisshid from all nobiâ—sse hath reffused to Iason of Myrmidone vitaylles for hys money That in short tyme shal desceÌ„de into his countrees menÌ„ in the name of IasoÌ„ in so greâ—e noÌ„bre that all his royaume his cytees townes aÌ„d chastels shal be put to suche ruyne ê‘plexite and destruction that within fyfty yere after shal not be founde one stone vpon an other nor no cornÌ„ shal be sowen erâ—d vpoÌ„ the grouÌ„de And forth with they haue disaÌ„cred sone after they had sailled by force of winde rowyng of oores so ferre that j had lost the sight of them ¶ WhaÌ„ the king laomedonÌ„ had vnderstaÌ„de the reporte that his knight made to hi. he was so angry that he semed better frantyk or out of his witte thenÌ„e other wyse saide wel that if he had knoweÌ„ tofore what they had beÌ„ their entente he hadd heÌ„ all haue donÌ„dye myserably aÌ„d therwyth the messager deê‘ted laomedonÌ„ withdrew him into his chaÌ„bres sore troubled peÌ„fif for the menaces of the knightes of grece whomÌ„ he knew not but bi raporte of the knight whiche knightes beyng thenÌ„e well forth vpon the see were sore â—exed with grete wides blowing on all sydes with thoÌ„ders with raynes grete orages aÌ„d teÌ„pestes whiche roâ—ed so hugely aÌ„d terribly that the ayer was trobled the weder was so derk that the soÌ„ne shone not in iiij dayes during that the teÌ„peste seced not in which tune their vytailles faylled in suche wise that the knightes of grece had not to ete their ship was oste tymes in moche grete paryl for iÌ„ th eÌ„de a meruaillo is turbilloun of winde roose iÌ„ the see that blewe a way theyr sayle and alle to brake their mast that the cordes roopes were brokeÌ„â—to pieces but fortune helpe heÌ„ in this nede For notwithstaÌ„ding this grete aueÌ„ture the ship was â—duyted vnto a porte named LeÌ„nos where he hurtlyd agayn the grouÌ„de in suche a raÌ„donÌ„ force that hit was all to brokeÌ„ reÌ„te that they that werÌ„ with in werÌ„ iÌ„ grete dauÌ„ger had beÌ„ iÌ„ worse caaâ— thaÌ„ they were to fore if thei hadde not sette foot a laÌ„de This port was callid LeÌ„nos after the name of a moche puissaunt cyte whiche was rychely sette not ferre theÌ„s but incoÌ„tineÌ„t that the grekyssh knyghtes hadde taken lande seeing the grete daunger that they had beÌ„ inne sprang oute of the shippe whiche anone was fild full of water And whaÌ„ they sawe heÌ„ out of that mortauÌ„ parill and had well supposed for to haue beÌ„â— sauâ—â—e Sodainly cam oute of Lennos the riche cyte moo thenÌ„e fyfty thousand womenÌ„ armed garnisshed with pennonÌ„s aÌ„d recognysanÌ„ces whiche cam reÌ„gyng them in fayre ordenanÌ„ce a loÌ„g bi the cooste of the see fast by the porte and after they sente two of their women messagiers for to somene the grekyssh knyghtes for to reeÌ„tre into the see with out ony long 〈◊〉 But whaÌ„ Iason vnderstode the somacoÌ„n that the two damoiselles made he was sore abasshid and not withhÌ„ut cause for he apê‘ceyuyd tofore so many hedes armed that he knewe not the nombre syn confiderid how they had ben in grete daunger by the fortune of the see that vytailles failled them aÌ„d that worse was he sawe his ship all to brokeÌ„ which was on all sydes ful of water This notwithstanding by cause he ne wolde discorage ne abasshe his felawship more thenÌ„e they were he shewed well that he had goode corage and sayde to one of the two damoyselles in answering to her message Noble damoiselle I hane right wel vnderstandeÌ„ your somÌ„acion I pray you of your grace that it may plese yow to saye to me into what couÌ„tre fortune hath brought vs at this tyme and for what cause j am bâ—yow sommenid for to reeÌ„tre vnto the see Certes sire knight answerde the damoiselle The countre that ye be arryiled in ys not right grete but it is ryghâ—fertyle and comodious hiâ— is named Lennos after the name of this cyte here by Whiche is named after the same name And as to the Regarde of the rayson cause why this somÌ„acion is made thus to yow I will wel that ye knowe to th ende that ye holde yow te better content That hit happend now late that in this cyte of LeÌ„nos was a kinge named Thoas This king hadde grete warre agaynst the Argiens for to mayntene this warre he hadde with him alle the men yong and olde And lefte this cyte wihout men wherof the ladyes damoiselles other of the cyte were right euyl content aÌ„d seeyng that they were withonte men they assembled them to geder with the doughter of the king whiche is named Ysiphile and by meure deliberacoÌ„n sent to the king aÌ„d to their husboÌ„des that they sholde retourne into their cite vpoÌ„ whiche the king Toas aÌ„suerde that he had besieged his enemyes aÌ„d if his cyte sholde be loste he wolde not deê‘te from hys ooste vnto the ende of his warre ¶ Whan the ladyes and damoyselles of the Cyte hadde herd this answere they toke hit euyll in gree and yet they â—ent agayn vnto the king to these husboÌ„des that they shold come and retorne home vnto thir cite But that was for nought for they wolde no thing do after their desire And whaÌ„ the ladies sawe this they conspired agaynst the kyng theyr husbondes put to deth al the men children that were in the cyte after they detmined iuged that if theyr husbondes or faders parents freÌ„des cam again from the warre or other what someuer they were sholde be slayn the first night of their comiÌ„g assone as they shold be a slepe that neuer after they sholde suffre nomaÌ„ to entre in to their cite after this coÌ„clusion taken they crowned ysiphile quene vpoÌ„ them afterward whaÌ„ the king was retorned froÌ„ the warre with his peple the ladies and damoiselles of the cyte did with theyr faders husboÌ„des aÌ„d parents other in suche wyse as they had coÌ„cluded to fore in somoche that of al them that retorned froÌ„ this warre escaped none from this murdre pestilence but he was slayn aÌ„d murdrid reseruyd the king Thoas WhoÌ„ the quene ysiphile wolde iÌ„ no wise murdre but this notwithstaÌ„ding she deliuerid hiÌ„ iÌ„to the haÌ„des of the ladies whiche
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
aÌ„d notable that likeâ—was neuer seen in all that countre For the king the quene were so yoyous of this noble ayllâ—aunce as possible was for hem to be Thâ—re were daunces and carolles begoÌ„ne instruments of alle maneres and many facoÌ„ns sette a werk songes fayr dytees songen in the best wyse wyne and mete were plenteouâ—fy araied dressed for al theÌ„ that wold take And thus endured thys grete notable feste vnto the nyght that the king the quene jason crensa the Barons knightes ladyes damoyselles departed fro this gardyn with moche grete ioye for eche maÌ„ enforced him to make grete chere for the noble aliance of the preu Iason and of the fayr creusa but who that euer was yoyous or soroufull the youg lady was moche conforted and not without cause thinking on the hye vertues that where iÌ„ the persone of the vailliaunt prince jason Hou jason espoused the fair creusa the kinges doughter of corinthe aÌ„d of her deth by Medea THe RenoÌ„â—nee of thys wedding of jason aÌ„d of the fayr â—teusa was anonÌ„ sprad in alle the â—oâ— aume of Corinthe The king concluded that he wolde make a solemyne feste and sent the messagers into many diuerse countrees for to asseinble the Prices of the couÌ„ trees hys frendes and for to seke clothes of gold of silke and othre sumptuous riche thinges Alway for to ensiewâ— the veray and true narracion of our matere duryng the fyaÌ„sayl les and trouthpligthyng of jason aÌ„d of creusa medea that lefte not night ne day for to seke her hâ—â—bonde jasoÌ„ as said is â–ª She erred laboured in suche wyse as she came vnto the mâ—tes marches oscorinthe wel cocluded in her selfe that she wolde go vnto Corinthe And as she wente iÌ„ her waye she founde a moche fayre fontayne or welle where about satte were many labourers that at this spring refresshed theÌ„ whan they apperceyneâ— the ladi the two damoiselles come vnto the fontaine certes they were sore ameruailed to see iij so fayre womenÌ„ howe wel they axd hem whyther they weÌ„t whersore demaÌ„de ye saide medea for asmoche fayr dame answerde one of the labourers that he will goo vnto the cyte of corinthe if it plese you to go theder that our coÌ„panye may plaise yow we shall gladly hold yow coÌ„panye My freÌ„de aÌ„swerde medea knowe ye that our enteÌ„cionis for to go ito the cyte that ye speke of that right wel plesith vs your coÌ„panye Wyth that the noble lady damoiselles and tho labourers wente on her waye and so goyng one of them began to beholde the lytyl childe sone of Medea that one of the damoyselles bare in her armes and whaÌ„ he had a lytill beholde the child he sayd alle on hye in this manere Ceries j welde that iâ— plesid alle oure goddes that my lady creusa that to morow come iâ— monâ—thed might haue one so fair a sone by her lorde Fayr freÌ„de sayde thenÌ„e Medea What is that Creusa that ye now speke of what is she sayde the labourer And why knowe ye her not and haue lyued so long Certes she is doughter of the kyng of Corynthe whom shalle wedde to mornÌ„ the most fayr knight of all the worlde and the most vaylliaunt in renominee For hit is he that had conquerd I wote neuer what a shepe or a ram of golde that men saye is passyng noble ryche wherfore we alle goo to geder for to see what feste there shalle be And eche of vs bere theder of our goodes for to doo worship vnto the weddyng The custome at that time was such whaÌ„ that a kyng dide do marye his sone or doughter that alle the meÌ„ of the royanme were bounden eche by hym selfe for to make a presente of vytaylles And the marchaÌ„tes and bourgeyses of the cytes made to him an ayde of a certayn sommâ— of money e and of other goodes wherwith they were discharged Anone thenÌ„ as â—…a vnderstode this that the labourer spac of the knight that was so â—ayâ—and so vailliaunt that had conquerd the flees of golde she thought wel that it was her lorde jason that sholde so wedde on the morn the fair creusa wherfore she was sore troubled aÌ„d not withonte cause how well she aÌ„swerde not one word wherfore she thougghte not the lasse And in suche wise she exployted that she entrid into Corinthe by fayr day and made her to be coÌ„duyted vnto within the palays of the king into a grete â—d faire halle where as was 〈…〉 the grettest yoye of al 〈…〉 but ye must vnderstaÌ„de that 〈…〉 was comen in habyte dissimiled and disguised And incontineÌ„t as she was entrid into the halle she began to loke all about if she might see IasoÌ„ She loked so long that she aspied hi. but her senteth that he had an heuy chere and was soroufull thenÌ„e was medea sewre that hit was jasoÌ„ that shold wedde Creusa ThenÌ„e began her herte to melte in suche wise that ther deê‘ted from theÌ„s many grete plente of sighes many teerls deualed and fylle dounÌ„ from her eyen vpon her breste And thus doyng she thoughte aÌ„d agayn thoughte what was to doo for the beste And thenÌ„e she retorned vnto the two damoisel les seÌ„te one of them well disguised vnto Iason for to requyre him that he wolde come speke to a ladi that was there ThenÌ„e the noble preu jasoÌ„ nothing thinkyng on the fayr medea heering the requeste of the Damoyselle roose vp and weÌ„te wyth her aÌ„d she bronght him vnto Medea Whiche was wythdrawen a lytyll a parte holdyng hyr lytyll sone in her armes But incontynent as Iason apperceyued her there in that point he was meruaillously esmayed And after that Medea had made to hym the Reuerence in sale wyng hym by alle their goddes She said to him in this maner Alas my dere lord IasoÌ„ what haue ye entencyon to doo ys hit so that to mornÌ„ withoute lenger tarieng ye will take for your wyf Creusa whome ye haue promysed as I am certefyed And howe my only cordyall loue frende shalle I be sallaryed of suche payement in the recompensacion of the saluacion of your lyf of whyche none had ben yf it had not beÌ„ saued by my moyen as ye well knowe Is this the merite that ye rendre to me WhaÌ„ for your loue j haue abandonned the king my fader and alle hys royaume Is this the gwerdon that I haue awayted after that I haue reduysed by so grete laboure aÌ„d trauaylle my lorde your fader the kyng froÌ„ hys auncient aage vnto the yongthe of xxxij yere as ye wel knowe Ha a Iason right noble and vaillaÌ„t knight I suppose ye holde wel iÌ„ your remembrauÌ„ce alle that ye haue ê“mised to me for goddes sake forgete it not and put it not in oubliauÌ„ce And if hit be so that ye wyll take and haue ony other lady than me Certes I
The veray trew history of the valiauÌ„t knight IasoÌ„ How he conqueryd or wan the golden fles by the Counsel of Medea and of many othre victoryouse and wondrefull actis and dedys that he dyde by his prowesse and cheualrye in his tyme. â—Or asmoche as late by the commauÌ„dement of the right hygh noble princesse my right redoubted lady margarete by the grace of god Duchesse of Bourgoyne BrabaÌ„t c I translated aboke out of frenssh in to englissh named recuyel of the histories of Troye in whiche is comprehended how Ladye was thries destroied â–ª And also the labours and historieâ— of 〈◊〉 Tytan Iubyter 〈◊〉 aâ—â—â— hercules other 〈…〉 but as to the histoâ—â—â— of 〈◊〉 towchyng the coÌ„queâ—â—e â—…e goldeÌ„â—â—â—se â—yn auctor hath 〈…〉 his boke but breueâ—â— aâ—â— thâ—â—ausâ—â—s 〈◊〉 asmoche as 〈…〉 aboke of the â—…che he pÌ„senâ—ed 〈◊〉 thâ—… â–ª Prynce in his 〈…〉 of Bourgoyne â—…ke shulde haâ—…ad sett the saiâ—…ke sor it conâ—cyâ—…torie of jaâ—on â—…or aâ—â—oche as this said â—…newe made aparte of alle thistorâ—â—â— os the sayd Iason the historie of hiâ— whiche that Dares 〈…〉 Guido de coâ—â—pnys wroâ—â—â—â—â— the begynnyng of their bokes touchyng the conqueste of the sayd golden fâ—ese by occasioÌ„ wherof grewe the cause of the seconde destruction of the sayd cite of troye is nott sett in the sayd boke of Recuyel of thistories of troye Therfore vnder the â—tectioÌ„ suffraunce of the most hyghe puissant and xpÌ„en kyng my most dradde naturel liege Lord Edward by the grace of god kyng of englond and of fraunce and lord of Irland I entende to traÌ„slate the sayd boke of thistories oâ— jason folo wyng myn auctor as nygh as j can or may not chaungyng the senteÌ„ce ne presumyng to adde ne mynusshe ony thing other wyse than myne auctor hath made in FreÌ„sshe And in somoche as the grettest fame aÌ„d renomme standeth resteth in the conquest of the fâ—ese of gold where of is founded an ordre of knightes Wherof oure sayd souerayne lord is one hath taken the profession therof howe well somÌ„e persones afferme and saye that the sayd ordre hath taken his origynal of the fâ—ese of Gedeon where in I will not dispute But well wote I that the noble due Philippe firste foundeur of this sayd ordre dyd doo maken a chaÌ„bre in the castell of hesdyn where in was craftyly and curiousâ—â— depeynted the conqueste of the golden fâ—ese by the sayd Iason In whiche chambre I haue ben seen the sayd historiâ— so depeynted iÌ„ remeÌ„branÌ„ce of medea of her connyng scieÌ„ce he had do make in the sayde chaÌ„bre by subtil engyn that whaÌ„ he wolde it shuld seme that it lichtend and after thondre snowe rayne And all within the sayde chambre as ofte tymes whan it shuld please hym which was al made for his singuler pleasir ThenÌ„e for the honour worship of our sayd most redoubted liege lorde whiche hath taken the sayde ordre I haue vnder the shadowe of his noble protection enterprised taccoÌ„plissh this sayd lytil boke not pÌ„sumyng to â—sente it vnto his highnesse for asmoch as j doubte not his good grace hath it in freÌ„sh which he wel vndstandeth but not displesing his most noble grace â—â—ntende by his liceÌ„ce congye by the supportacionÌ„ of our most redoubted liege lady most â—â—â—elleÌ„t princesse the Quene to presente this sayde bokâ—â— vnto the most fayr and â—y moâ—sâ— redoubted yoÌ„g lorde My lord priÌ„ce of Wales ourtocomyng sonerayne torde whom I praye god saue encrease in vertue bryng him vnto asmoche worship and goode renoÌ„ me as euer had ony of his noble ê“genytours to theÌ„ tent he may begynne to lerne rede englissh not for ony beaute of good Endyting of out englissh tonge that is therin but for the nouelte of the histories whiche ns I suppose hath not be had bifore the translatioÌ„ herof Moost humblie besekyng my sayd most drad souerayn naturel liege lorde the kyng and also the Quene to pardon me so presumyng And my sayd tocomyng sonerayne lord My lord the Prince to receyue it in gree thaÌ„ke of me his humble subgiett seruauÌ„te and to ê‘done me of this my simple and Rude translacion and aâ—â— other that luste to rede or hereâ—t to correcte where as they shalle fynde defaulte ¶ Here endeth the prologue of the translatour â–ª ¶ The prologue of thauctor THe galeye of myn engyn floting not loÌ„g syn iÌ„ the depnes of the sees of diuerce auÌ„cient histories iÌ„ suche wyse as I wold haue brought myn esperite vnto the porte or haueÌ„ of rest Sodaynly apperid by me a ship coÌ„duited by one maÌ„ only This manÌ„ anonÌ„ behelde my regarde contenanÌ„ce Which gaue me title and cause of thought and of abasshement for asmoch as I saw his visage trist heuy desolate wherof smytonÌ„ with coÌ„â— passion of his enuye greef Assone as he rceyuid that j so behelde him by grete desir He helde him still and sayde to me in this wise Man of rude eÌ„gyn what meruaillest thou Ancre thy galeye here take thy penÌ„â— for to write put in memorie my faites dedes The king jupyter of crete was myn olde bele fader and he engendrid Lacê° king of mirmidone This cacus engendred my fader Eson I am jason that conquerd the flees of golde iÌ„ the yle of colchos And that dayly laboure in sorowe roted in tristresse for the dishonÌ„eur that some persones hurte eÌ„pesshe my glorie jnposing to me not to haue holden my promys aneÌ„st medea wherof thou hast red the trouthÌ„ ThenÌ„e I pray the that thou do make aboke vnto them that dayly speke impugne my glorie maye knowe their indiscrete iugement And for taccoÌ„plisshe the same j haue chosen the to th ende that thou presente this present writing vnto the fader of writars of histories whiche yâ— vnto Philip fader louer of all rertues in his tyme Duc of bourgoyne and of Brabant cet The whiche hath ben in all his tyme enclyned and of grette affection to here and see red the auncient histories And to here tolde the faites of the worthy and noble somtyme flourisshing in vertues in vailyance and prude ce for his singnlier passe temps Thyse wordes accomplisshid rhe shippe Iason vanisshed away and j abode there pensyf But in th ende desiring to shewe the honour and declare the vertues of the sayde jason I ancred my galeye aÌ„d put in wrytyng hys faytes as here after shall be declared plainly a long so thaÌ„ I pÌ„seÌ„te my lytil book vnto the right hye and right redoubted Duc of bourgoyne not presuming myn ineloquence but psentyng myn right humble indigne seruice ¶ Thus â—â—deth myn auctor his prologe And how wel that hit is sayd afore this prologe that EsoÌ„ was sone to Lacê° Yet bochace saith in the genelagie of goddes that he was sone to Erictheus the xxx sone of jupyter As ye may see more playnly in
ê‘amours â—aynâ—g that he was a simple knight of the kinges court deffeÌ„ded hem expÌ„ssy that they sholde not make to hi honour ne reuereÌ„ce sauf only thonour of a felaw to a felaw anoÌ„ as he had aâ—utifed of that thei shold doo he put hi on the way so secretli that he cÌ„trid in to olyferne so exployted that he was brought to for the noble quene mirro whome he had neâ— secÌ„ to fore where he knelid douÌ„ on his knees right huÌ„bly to fore her howe wel as he was all rauisshed in thiÌ„kiÌ„g beholdiÌ„g her meruailloê° beaute for he had neuer seen to fore so fair a creature after the reuereÌ„ces there made he sayde tò her in this manere Noble aÌ„d right renoined princesse the king of Esclauonie my souerain puyssauÌ„t lorde recomÌ„andeth hym right huÌ„bly to your good grace noble memorie and for so moche as he hath vndstonde that ye be coÌ„teÌ„te to here his demaÌ„d that he offrith for the loue for the we le the honour aÌ„d ê“uffit of you of your roiame if hit plese you ye shal gyue me audicÌ„ce aÌ„d good expedicoÌ„n with these wordes the ladi ê¯maÌ„ded theÌ„kiÌ„g that he shold staÌ„d vp as she that wist not what he was syn drew a littl a ê‘t wherfore the kiÌ„g approuched ner her said right vtuouse â—ncesse ye knowe hou bi diucrce times your right huÌ„ble ser uaiit the kiÌ„g of esclauoÌ„te hath reâ—red you bi his baroÌ„s cÌ„hassadours that it shold plese you to be his wyf felaw alway in feet ye haue refused him for cause of which refuse as j am aduised he hath entrid into your royame assailid it by warre as ye maye ê‘ceyne yet alway to put him self iÌ„ deuoir he hath seÌ„t me to you for to reâ—re your desired gÌ„ce as he that hath more greter pite of you yourÌ„ couÌ„tre thenÌ„e ye haue your self as me semeth wherfore he reâ—reth you by me that at this tyme ye haue pite of your trewe louer of whoÌ„ the fortune is suche that certes he deyeth iÌ„ laÌ„guysshing after you ha a my ryght redoubted lady after the iugement of the menÌ„ ye ar the veray myrrour of al vertues of al bouÌ„te aÌ„d noblesse here thenÌ„e the voys of your seruauÌ„t speking bi my month and requiring your grace pite the most huble wise that to him is possible the poure a desolate kiÌ„g your right trewe we le willare may not be ino place withoute thenking on yow his ymaginacioÌ„â—pryseth nothing but your name beaute his stomack digesteth nothing but your triuÌ„phaÌ„t glory his prayers ne suffrages moÌ„te not vnto the goddes but in calling them to the augmeÌ„tacioÌ„ of your we le Alas haue ye pyte mercy on him on your peple on your royaulnte aÌ„d on me that am his secrete messager of loue Londe sceÌ„de ye in wylle for to be his lady and maistresse to th eÌ„de that he may atteine to the chief of his desirs also to th eÌ„de that your cyte your men may d welle iu pees reste In pronounsing these or semblable wordes the doloroê° king made many sighes and began to cauffe and lo swete in suche agonye as he had ben a prysoner preseÌ„ted to fore a juge for to reccyue SenteÌ„ce of grace or of deth The wyse and discrete mirro suffrid him tachiene all his ê“posicion And whan he had purposed alle that loue ensey gned hi for this tyme She was not so dispâ—urueyed of aduis ne of enteÌ„demeÌ„t but proÌ„ptly meurly she made to him this aÌ„swere ¶ Messagyer whaÌ„ j haue wel vnderstand yow j am all abasshid how my mortal enmye can or may reâ—re me of loue of my aliauÌ„ce whaÌ„ by his oulâ—age and and 〈…〉 is by grete wronge entrid in to my â—oy aume with armed hand pylled robbed my londe slayn my peple brente my contre yet more in faire hath besieged me iÌ„ my cyte of oliferne whaÌ„ j haue wel ouithought these sayde thinges I answere yow at this tyme for al that j shal rather suffre my self al my royaume to be destroyed than in ony maner shal condesceÌ„de to his requestes to his will Certes madame answerde the king me thinketh ye be not wel coÌ„ceyled ne â—sidere ye not that youre desdayne haue ben cause of the deth of fyfth thousand menÌ„ And how haue ye no regard that he is so noble and so puissauÌ„t a king that he loueth you with so parfait loue that all his desir is not but for to mowe come to your goode gÌ„ce In trouth it apperith by that that is sayd to you that he hath more gretter pyte of your noble persone of your men and of your desolate Royaume thenÌ„e ye haue your self And therfore madame theÌ„ke ye on these thiÌ„ges and beware that by your cruelte defaure your goode louer aÌ„d freÌ„de if hit plese you fall not in despayre I wote neuer what may eÌ„cline you her to but if it be that ye wil desire rather the general total destructionÌ„ of your royaume thenÌ„e other wyse And by all my goddes hit is grete outrage folye that meuith yow therto â—ertes messager aÌ„swerde the wise 〈…〉 vnto the â—â—â—auoÌ„ king â–ª the 〈◊〉 or wrastlyng of your wordes 〈◊〉 not stroÌ„g y nouh for to bete dounÌ„ ouercome the constanÌ„ce of my coÌ„tinenÌ„ce j loue my men peple naturelly And to this ende that alle the worlde knowe that I saye trouth also loÌ„g al 's the soule abideth in my body j shal neuer haue loue ne aliaÌ„ce vnto myn enmye speke nomore to me therof With this the king was all vainquisshid discoÌ„forted of socours was so terribly displaisid angry of aspre mortal angre that in a grete dispair waÌ„hope he saide to her O fell lady most rebell leste pietoê° that euer deê‘ted out of womaÌ„s bely syn that j must acquite me whaÌ„ I ê‘ceyue that your swete corage wole not accorde vnto me ne enteÌ„de vnto the coÌ„tinuel supplicacions of your so trewe louer I me deporte from hensforth for to speke ony more of this mater but j yow eÌ„sure as sone as the triews shall faille ye shal be guerdoned after yower fierste ¶ With these wordes the kiÌ„g of Sklauonye departed theÌ„s with a chiere peÌ„syf and retourned to his Ooste more desiring to come to his enteÌ„cion thaÌ„ euer he hadde beÌ„ to sore And the sayr mirro lytil setting by his menaces begaÌ„ to deuise with soÌ„me of her geÌ„til womeÌ„ in recouÌ„tiÌ„g to theÌ„ the prayers requestes that her mortall enemy had made to her ¶ What shal I saye yow more the triews faylled at tyme sette espired And whaÌ„ they were thê° faylled the king of sclauonie more thiÌ„king on the fayr mirro thaÌ„ was nede to him made his men to putte heÌ„ in armes many a daye â–ª hoping that they of Oliferne sholde come out aÌ„d make him skarmuches but he loste his payne for
lâ—â—yl of valeuâ— that j am ashamed and hountouse to lyue And wold that j were there where j shal be v. honderd yere here after wyth oute ony respyte Whan thauÌ„cient knight vnâ—stode that jason was in so moche bitter dispair he had pite of him sayde to him for a lityl to coÌ„forte him Certes gentil knight j knowe wel my self vnderstoÌ„de of this marchaÌ„dise that of your loue ye haue not eÌ„yoyed your first desire wil but j wolde fayn knowe yf ony manÌ„ hath doÌ„ you wroÌ„g of your lady or ellis if this maladie cometh ê“cedeth by the rigour of her Certes geÌ„tyl knight answerde jasâ— alle my meschief ê“cedeth of the grete rigour of my ladi bi the â—alour simplenes of me for j haue sernid that fayr lady in a moche daÌ„gerous warre that her mortall enemyes mâ—de to her not long syn â— the most diligâ—t wyse that j coude or might after whaÌ„she was at her aboue of her aduersaireâ— j haue requyred her of her grace that she wolde be my lady in loue but she hath not wylled to see in me so moche vertue ne somoche valour that she wolde accorde her to my request and thus I haue therfore my lyf in grete hate see none other remedie that but j falle in despaire Fayr sire ansuerde thauÌ„cieÌ„t knight haue not ye ofte tymes herd saye â–ª that one lost two recouerid yf hit be so that a womaÌ„ hath made of you refuse by your fayth shall ye therfore be suche a fooll as for to fall in despayr CoÌ„sidere ye not that ther be ynowh of other and yf ye haue not ynowh of one j shal make you to haue a dosayne ther is no grete derthe ne scarcete of womenÌ„ Certes â—f ye remembre you wel ye shal saye thaâ— they cracce out menÌ„es eyen therfore al this wel â—siderid yf your lady sette litil by you do the same to her seche another without loÌ„g taryyng Certes sir knight sayde jason whaÌ„ I haue wel marked and take hede of your wordes ye speke after your plaisir These ben thinges that may better be said than exployted Certayu sayde the auncient knight j telle to yow the secrete and the verray hystorie I wâ—l wel that euery man be amerous aÌ„dloue but that he haue twoo strenges on his â—owe And that noman put him so fersorth in lo ue but that he may withdrawe hi in tyme and in seasonÌ„ women one other proprely to speke â—en malycious in her werkes and thys procedeth that eche of them adresse other of sâ—che counceyâ—â— exhorte aÌ„d of fauour Men saye that the moost orguilloust aÌ„d proudest creature that is is the deuyll and next after hym 〈◊〉 the woman and next after is the foole that is ouerâ—uydaunt for pride cometh not but of â–ª folye aÌ„d somoche wenyng Somme women ther be that â—â—ste haue one ameroê° maÌ„ to whom they kepe hem treuly Other be many that be full of wordes and leâ—e their â—â—ris to alle the worlde Other loue to haue acye and tokenes â—d they make lyke signes also ferre as they may not speke to heÌ„ Other ther ben that ben more prayâ—â— and requyrid for to enyoye them â—o to haue theyr grace thaÌ„ the goddes ben for to haue their fayr paradys â–ª For tabregge and shortly conclude Certes gentyll knyghtâ— they be well happy that haue not to doo with them mony suche receptes aÌ„d they be foles that haue to do moche with hem for he that may pâ—sse fâ—oÌ„ them may do no better thaÌ„ to withdrawe hym fer from 'hem in fâ—eyng the places and alle the circumstanÌ„ces Syre answerde than Iason I â—uppose and thinke well that ye coude saye moche better yf ye voolde first as to the regarde for to haue ij streÌ„ges on his â—owe That is to vnderstaÌ„de two ladyes certes it is not possible that he that so doth may be â—sâ—â—â—t in his werkes ne in his thoughtes for no maÌ„ may wel serue ij maistres for that one corrumpeth that other ThenÌ„e it is so that yf a noble man for to auauÌ„ce him self in worship maye doo no better thenÌ„e for to chese an honourable ladâ— whiche he maye loue treuly secretly and so perfaytly that he sere aÌ„d drede to doâ— ony thing but that yt be honest in alle thingis â—d of â—ecomÌ„andacioÌ„â—or alle ladyes desire nothing but honour and hye â—enommce hyt is their propre vocacion and their naturell condycion thenÌ„e how shall he haue desirÌ„ of honour that is no trew louer for he that is double is to moche outrew and fals and if ony wele or honour happen to come to him it is agaynâ—â— reson ryght and good equyâ—e and if ther be ony suche certes they be not worthy to lyueâ— seen that the ladyes beÌ„ of â—o parfouÌ„de excelleÌ„â—â— that the leest of all is worthy to haue the best knight of alle the world And for that cause saye no more that â— take two cordes or strâ—ges on my â—owe For certaynly I had leuer to receyue and pâ—ssee the destrayt of deth WHan thauncieÌ„t knight had vnderstonde thaÌ„swer of â—ason he was moche abasshid sayde to him that he wolde neuer holde that waye ne purpose wherfore fayr syre sayde â—ason for asmoche sayde the knight that meÌ„ sholde mocque hi for j suppose wel to knowe that if right now ye sholde chese of two thingesone That is to weâ—e to receyne deth or ellis chese a new ladi that ye wold more sone the lady thaÌ„ the deth for good cause Certes ther ben pleÌ„te of amoreusis that susteine aÌ„d swere that for to sane thonour of their ladies thei wolde atteÌ„de take the deth But I suppose yf they sawe the deth come they wold nomore abide him thenÌ„e the quayle abydeth the sperhauke and for alâ—â— thyse raysonÌ„s aboue sayde I counceylle yow that ye leue this errours and opynyons and recoÌ„forte your self the best wyse ye can in your maladye â—or by myn aduyse I beleue not that youâ— payne be mortall and I haue not herde saye that evyr ony man amerous by maladye of loue lost hys lyfe But yf he went out of hys mynde _â—asoÌ„ with these wordes coude nomore replyâ—que for he apperceyued that he coude not make his mater goodner maintene it agaynst the olde knight and thuâ—ending their parlameÌ„t he sâ—epte vnto the tyme it was nygh daye And thenÌ„e Iason awoke begaÌ„ to make newe sighes inso moche that thauncient knyght herde it â—gayn hou well that he was a sâ—epe was sodaynly awaked And thenÌ„e whaÌ„ Iason knewe that he was awaked he salewed him and gaf hym goode morow and sayde to him Syre knigt because of your grete ageye haue seen moche thing in your tyme. â— demande you by your fayth if ye haue knowleche iÌ„ dremes wherâ—ore axe ye answerde the â—nyght For asmoche sayde Iason as j hane not cessed this night to dreme By my loyaulte â—ayr sire ansuerde the good old knyghte yf ye
gretly to be complayned as it shall be declared along here after in this present volume ¶ Howe the king LaomedonÌ„ of Troye wolde not suffre IasoÌ„ne his companye descende on the londe how the quene Ysiphyle receyued them IN this paas saith one historie that Argos the good aÌ„d subtill maronner made and ordeyâ—ed all thinges that failled vn to the noble ship wherÌ„ the noble knight was in vnder saylle And the winde blewe there in at their wylle hâ—â— was aboute x. of the clocke a fore none the fayr sonne shone clere spredde his rayes vpon the londe the weder was softe aÌ„d well disposed And at that tyme moche people were vpon the baÌ„kes of the see whiche â—ehelde froÌ„ ferre the noble shippe of the Grekes whyche aâ— sayd is caâ— that tyme the sayllâ— displayed and sette vpon a hyâ—e and saylled faste in hys cours vpon the see wherof they were so sore ameruaylled that they wiste not what thinge hit mighte be In so moche that somme of them were so sore aferd that thei fledde in to Troye And the other abood at the porte abydiÌ„g thaueÌ„ture They that fledde to wyte iÌ„ troye wente vnto the puissaunt king LaomedouÌ„ and saide to hi alle be wepâ—e and drowned iÌ„ teeris proredyng of grete feâ—â— and drede that they hadde apperceyuid from ferre iÌ„ the feera grete monstre lyfting hym selfe meruayllousâ—y swymming and â—eÌ„ nyng vpoÌ„ the water more swiftely thaÌ„ an horse coud renne on the â—â—â—inde or on the londe And affermed to the king LaomedonÌ„ by their faith that thys monstre without coÌ„parisoÌ„n was more to double feere than the monstre that hercules had slain by hys hye vaillyauÌ„ce Certes in this sayde countre to fore that tyme Hercules had slayn a monstre also grete as a wale as hit is playnly conteyned in thistorie of hercules WhaÌ„ the kiÌ„g LaomedonÌ„ had herde these tydinges reherced he was all abasshid ThenÌ„e he made one of his knightes to take an hors a â—swift as the winde and sâ—te him to thenadonÌ„ for to axe and enquyre of the trouth What thing hit myght be that the peple were so sore aferd of And in suche wyse exploited the knight that he caÌ„ to the porte of thenadonâ— there he fouÌ„de the preu jason his knightes of Grece but first he aspied argos that aÌ„kred his ship right nyghh to thenedonÌ„â—and wente not into the tounÌ„ for asmoche as it was no nede â—sideriÌ„g that they were nygh the cyte of Troye whiche was so grete iÌ„ magnificeÌ„ce that ther was no lyke in the remanauÌ„t of the worlde he enquyred first of the habitauÌ„ts and dwellars of the couÌ„tree yf they had seen ony suche monstre on the see ThenÌ„e the meÌ„ of the couÌ„tre answerde to the knight that they had seen no suche monstre vpon the see they that had brought suche tidinges to Troye were gretly abused to haue seen ony monstre that ther was none other thiÌ„g but aÌ„ shippe of grece saillyng on the see in the whiche by theyr aduyse were grete nombre of knightes of Grece Right well in poynt of armes and suche thinges as sholde be nedefull aÌ„d necessarie for theÌ„ to entre into bataille WHaÌ„ the knight of troye had vnderstaÌ„de al that said is he desceÌ„ded of his hors weÌ„te a foote vnto the knightes of Grece To whome he demaÌ„ded what they sought had to doo in that countre Than jason answerd to the knight that grete necessite of vitaylle for â—o trauerse into ferre countrees caused theÌ„ for to take their poorte ther and nonÌ„ other thing IncoÌ„tineÌ„t whaÌ„ the knight hadde vnderstaÌ„de these tidiges he retourned and toke his hors and rood vnto the king his lord recouÌ„ted to him alle that he had exployted Than the king LaomedonÌ„ thus aduertised of the desceÌ„te of the knightes of Grece vnderstode that they were descended for to vytaille their shippes ymagined anonÌ„ that they were espyes which Hercules had sent theder for tespye the roiaume wherfore he renuoyed sent agayn the knight vnto the grekes aÌ„d comÌ„anded theÌ„ straytly that they dispose them with all diligeÌ„ce for to departe out of his lande and to go ellis where to seke vytailles yf they hadde nede And yf they departed not sodaynli disancred toke som other waye he sholde come with his puissaunce in Armes vpon them so myghtily that neuer after they sholde haue wylle for tespie royaume cite castell ne countree Than whan jason and his felawship had herd thexpresse and rude commauÌ„demeÌ„t of the Troyan king They were sore displesid and not withoute cause for asmoch as they muste nedes departe Than the noble jason for the better aÌ„swerd curtoyssy vnto the knight and shewed him that they were not comeÌ„ theder for to espye the royaulme ne the cytees castels ne couÌ„tre of the kiÌ„g LaomedoÌ„ ne of none other whaÌ„ herculs herde thanswere of jason whiche hi semed was to benygne coÌ„sidering howe LaomedonÌ„ hadde commaunded them he myght not holde hys pees but toke the wordes from Iason and sayde to the knight in this manerÌ„ knowe thou knight syn that LaomedonÌ„ as vyllayn of herte and banisshed from all noblesse hath refused to jason of Myrnndone vytaylles for his moneie that ther shal descende in short tyme at the partes of this countre men in the name of Iason and that in so grete nombre that all his roiaume his citees townes and castels shall be put in suche ruyne aÌ„d perplexite that in fyfty yere after shal not be founden a stone ner no cornÌ„ shall be erid â—e sowenÌ„ Fayr lordes thenÌ„e aÌ„swerde the knight of troye j am sory that ye at not better coÌ„teÌ„t with the king my lord and that he hath not receyued you other wyse in his countree And ye knowe wel that where curtoysie is shewid hit bleueth not vnrecompeÌ„sid ne Rygour in like wise but if hit be remembrid â–ª and for as moche as I am a mesfager j shal gladly make vnto king LaomedoÌ„ reporte of that j haue foundeÌ„ of yow aÌ„d with thise wordes the knight retourned vnto Troye THenÌ„e the preu IasoÌ„ demaÌ„ded Argos and sayde to hi that they muste disaÌ„cre aÌ„d departe fro thens but if they wolde abyde the cruelte and furour of the king LaomedonÌ„ of all his power ThenÌ„e the good patrone Argos aÌ„d his maronners disancred the noble shippe weÌ„t agayn to the see wherÌ„ sone after the winde began to ryse tempest horrible impetuose But â— the troyanÌ„ knight whiche was messager as sone as he was comeÌ„ to for his lord â— hadde made his reuereÌ„ce the kiÌ„g demanÌ„ded hym what was becomeÌ„ of the glontons of grece that were come and hadde desceÌ„ded on his lande for tespye his Royaulme and his citees The knight aÌ„suerde saide Syre j haue done to theÌ„ your message They beÌ„ a grete nombre of knightes resemble wel by their coÌ„tenanÌ„ce habyllemeÌ„s that they ben deê‘ted froÌ„ noble goode houses and knowe for certayn
that j mighte in ony maner be repreheÌ„ded or reproched Incontinent as medea vnderâ—tood the hye wyll of jason she was moch ioyod neuertheles she fayned to be dolente sorowfull and of fait she reâ—red Hercules that he wolde shewe to hi the grete paril that he wolde put him in but hercules ansuerde to her that he wolde rather couÌ„ceile jason to do it thenÌ„e to leue it For if jason fayled to furnisshe this emprise that he him self wold take it on hoÌ„de to brâ—ge hit to ende Neuertheles sai de thenÌ„e Medea if IasoÌ„ beleued my counceyll he sholde go no ferther aÌ„d I shal saye to him suche reson aparte And whan she sawe that they were so fer froÌ„ the other that they myght not vnderstonde what she sayde she sayde to him in this wyse In verite right noble knight â–ª hitâ—ehoueth that pitye of a woman â—ust 〈◊〉 eâ—cused by your gâ—tâ—nesse j haue pite of you and of your grete beaute â—d certes nature hath enclyned me ther to trustyng if I do ony thing for yow ye wil knowe it The houre is come that hit behoueth that I doo appere to youre eyen the secrete not only of my herte but also that same by the whiche ye shal obteyne come aboue to breÌ„ge to ende your meruaylloê° enterpryse to your grete glory honour recoÌ„meÌ„dacion by the helpe of the goddes And for asmoche as yf I declare to you by grete loue thiÌ„ges that beÌ„ hyghe grete yf ye will further knowe of them it is of necessite that ye swere to me to kepe it secrete aboue alle other thiÌ„ges of the worl de â–ª Madame aÌ„suerde thenÌ„e jason j am a poure trewe knightsent vnto the se moÌ„stres certes hit hath plesid you to do me more honour thenÌ„e euer it shal lye in my power to deserue neuertheles whan your pyetous herte wylle eÌ„clyne vnto my pouerte j swere to you by the names of all the goddes that men worshipe that if ye declare to me ony thing that as loÌ„g as j shal lyue it shal not deptâ— from my mouth By my lawe sir knyght ansuerde Medea I haue grete ê¯fidence in your noblesse wherfore I am resolewed for to discouuer to yow the secrete of the goddes after that lyeth on my herte which if it be notâ—â—g on yow it shal redouÌ„de to your grete honour prouffit Madame aÌ„suerde Iason it shal not holde on me if ye knowe ony thing propice to my whorship I me sâ—bmitte in all vnto your ryght noble grace Haa noble knight saide thenÌ„e medea I may no lenger faine myâ—eyen haue beholdeÌ„ your grete beaute ye ben aâ— the desir of myn herte where ther werketh loue so perfondly that j haue grete pyte of yow in suche wyse that if ye will promyse me to be my trew husbonde brenge me into your couÌ„tre after your vowe enterpryse brought to an ende I shall promyse yow also shewe howe ye shal mowe coÌ„quere the motonÌ„ or fâ—ees of gold without daunger of your body in suche wyse as ye shal retorne hole and sauf to your glorie and honoure To the whiche no mortall man may come but if it be bi a secrete manere comyng from the goddes The whyche not long syn was deliuerid to me by my moder wherfor I pray yow that ye wiâ—â—â—ue regarde to myn offre abadonÌ„ed â— also to your helthe Whan jason had vnderstande medea thus speke he began to frowne â— him self sighing wyth an heuy herte answerde Madame ye constrayne me to be beholdeÌ„ more to you thenÌ„ to ony creature lyuyng aÌ„d I can not conceyue from whens this ewr cometh whan I fele me thus fallen in your grace aÌ„d I wolde it plesid the goddes that I were digne worthy therto that I neuer had made vowe to lady in the worlde Certes fair sire sayde medea me â—emeth that your herthath atteyned the mercy of som lady haue ye ensured wedded her Madame answerde jasoÌ„ j certefye yow nay but I haue sette my loue in her so ê‘faitly thaâ—in no maner I may forgete her I haue ê“mised that j shal be heeris al my lyf ThenÌ„ saide Medea what som ever be ther of it is of necessite that ye leue put her in oubliaâ—ice that ye entende to complaire me â—f ye wille not receyue the deth for bâ—t if ye departe you fro your enterprise withoute myn ayde ther is no remedie And if I be cause of sauacioÌ„ of your lyf as to the regarde of me j wil enyoie you allone without ony other My dere lady aÌ„s werde thenÌ„ jason the poure abandoÌ„ned body is youris for to honoure serue you in al that in me shal be possible In good fayth fayr sire jason if ye wil gyue your self al â—ome I shall gyue my self to you in like wyse In verite jason answerde my ryght dere lady ye do to me right grete honour without deseruyng Certes sire jasoÌ„ aÌ„swerde the lady loue is cause of this we le and pyte hath coÌ„maÌ„ded me to do it the whiche cause me to renÌ„e iÌ„ so grete a shame as for to require you to be my lord but it semeth to pite that in fauour that j desire to saue youre lyf ye ought to excuse me Madame aÌ„suerde jason j shal neuer be so ewrous as to come jâ—stely vnto the goode gÌ„ce of one so noble lady as ye be wolde right well that hyt sholde mowe be but what shal become shal mowe saye she that â— haue gyueÌ„ my self to yf ye forsake her not on all ê‘tyes sayde thenÌ„ medea j may not helpe yow to do your coÌ„queste ne ssaue yo lyf therforÌ„ chese ye for j aÌ„ smyteÌ„ to the herte wy t your loue syn that â— must sayeal If I shold be cause of sauyng of your lyf thenÌ„ happend an other shold enyoye your ê‘sone it shold behoâ—e me to dye for sorow and therfore theÌ„ke ye what ye haue to do be ye aduised Wy t these wordes jason medea eÌ„trid into the gardyn of plaisaâ—ice in whiche was sette the temple of venê° ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ such wyse adâ—iâ—oÌ„ned sette about wy t fâ—oures wyth delicioê° werkes that hyt semed a veray paradyâ— terrestre Theâ—â—e hercules the other ladies daâ—â—oâ—selles approched vnto jason meden wherfore it behoued hem to leue â—esse their ê‘laine â— to behold the plaisaâ—ice that the delices of that place of fâ—oures al the facoÌ„ns of vignes trees hyly ê¯dâ—yted bi conpas ¶ Whan the greky ssâ—â— knightes had seeÌ„ â—â—cyued the beaute of this place they had therof grete meruaile were moch esbayed after they entred into the teÌ„ple aÌ„d there made their oroisoâ—â—s syn behelde the composition ordoÌ„naÌ„ces of the ymages that repÌ„sented the amorous peple al aboute the goddesse venê° and whaÌ„ they had loÌ„ge seeÌ„ beholdeÌ„ all meda toke leue of jasoÌ„ said that she wold abide a lityl while
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
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
hydoâ—se feates I renonÌ„ce yow in alle poyntes your companye and coÌ„mand you vnto the goddes After these wordes jason departed from the chaÌ„bre sore disconforted and without takyng leueof the king his faderne of other persone he departed allone vpon his hors fro the castell of Pintaquo ¶ Whan Medea had vnderstande that jason to whoÌ„ she had do so moche as her semed of honour other thinges renonÌ„ced her ê¯panye and that she apyceyued that he had taken his hors â–ª was allone departed oute of the castell She toke her yongest sone in her armes and twoo of damoiselles in her companye And in this wise went after jason thinking to repease him by fayre wordes â–ª but the preu jasoÌ„ was in ouer grete trouble and anger rode alle way forth to fore hym so long that he entrid into a forest And ê¯tinuelly had his veu aÌ„d sight to ward the erthe â–ª thinkng on the malefetes of Medea of her inhumanytes aÌ„d murdres And he weÌ„te so ferre in the woode that medea knew not where he becam how weâ—e she retorned not to Pintaquo but sought alway jason as long as the day endured And at nyght she â–ª her childe her two damoiselles laye vndre a tre for the better wyth sore bewayling The king Eson dide do burye thys night his broder peleus hys twoo doughters honourably â–ª and made a meruaâ—lloê¯ sorow for their deth but whan it cam at the euen that Medea ne jason his sone cam not to him as they were acustomed his sorow doublid in grete anguissâ—e and iÌ„ grete displaisir cessed not al the nyght to be in grete thought melancolye Whan the mornyng was comeÌ„ â–ª he sente out his men into the woode for to seche jason medea but they that so were sent coude woot finde theÌ„ ne here no tydinges of them And the preu jason wente alwaye forth also pensif as he myght be his auenture was suche that after many iourneyes many wayes aÌ„d champaynes trauersid as he that tode by day in the nyght restid lete hys hors bayte pasture in the feldes aÌ„d medo wes he arryued in the cyte of Corinthe â–ª where as waste king of that countre named Creante the which had thenÌ„e a fayre doughter named Creasa Iason went vnto thys creaÌ„te aÌ„d gaf him to knowlech what he was â–ª but creante assone as he hadd knowlech of hym dide hiÌ„ moche grete honour for the loos goode renoÌ„mee that he had goten by his ryght hye valiauÌ„ce in many a royame aÌ„d countre In cormthe theâ—e Iason dweld and abode a certam space of tyme Lteusa that was a right fayr lady â–ª beheld ofte tymes Iason And desired wy t goode wille to be accoÌ„panyed wyth him â–ª but jason was so empesshid wy t sorow of melaÌ„colye â–ª that he might take none hede of hit And furthermore he was so charmed that in no wyse he might loue none except medea Whan the king creante apperceyued the maintene of Iason and that he made no joye by ê¯tinuaunce of time â–ª he caÌ„ to him on a daye â—iured hi that he shold telle hiÌ„the cause of his anoye grief And how well that jason excused him alle way the king oppressid him more more dide somoche by fayr wordes Iason confessid to him the auentures that were befalleÌ„ betwene him medea â–ª aÌ„d sayd to him also how he was departed fro his countrey more for to withdrawe him fro Medea to forgete her thenÌ„ for ony other cause â–ª but he coude not finde the manere ne me ne for to come to his aboue The king Creante whyche was a wise prince knowing the caas of jason by thys that he gaf him knowleche wolde be his cordyall frende for be counceylled him that assone as he myght he sholde take wedd a new wyf saying that the loue new acqueyntanÌ„ce of a new wyf shold make â–ª him lyghtly to lose and forgete the thoughtes Imaginacyons of loue and the plaisits that he hath had in the firste WhaÌ„ jason had vnderstaÌ„de that the king counceilled him wisely that he saide to him the secrete of the caas he thanked him moche and sayde that he wolde marie him if he coude finde a wyf after his estate And therwith he toke leue of the king and wythdrew him into his logys it was not long after that he ne retorned vnto the palays of the king for to see the ladyes among all other de began to beholde the fair Creusa And approched to her weniÌ„g to requyre her of loue but whaÌ„ it cam to the openyng of hys mouth certes the souuenauÌ„ce of medea cam to fore him that toke awaye all hys enteÌ„demeÌ„ts in al poyntes Whan jasoÌ„ saw this that sayd is â–ª he arose vp froÌ„ theÌ„s entrâ—oÌ„ into a gardyn where he fonde him self so melancoliod troubled in his courage that he knewe not what he might do best ThenÌ„ it happend that the kyng anone after came into this gardyne for to reclayme a sperhawke of his â–ª but he foÌ„ de jason sett vnder the tree Then he wente to him for to resone wy him â–ª and jason arose incontineÌ„t as he sawe hym come and thenÌ„e the kyng aâ—ed him how hit was how he felte him Certes syre answerde thenÌ„ Iason me semeth that I am alwaye in one poynt â–ª after sayde to hym in this wyse Sire j remeÌ„bre well how ye haue couÌ„ceylled me for to absteyne me to thinke on Medea the whiche is contynuelli in myn enteÌ„demeÌ„t for to take to wyf som newe Lady Wherfore I requyre yow aÌ„d praye wyth all my hert that ye wyll gyue to me creusa youre doughter to spouse and felawe ye so doyng shal do to me the grettest honour playsâ— that may come to me For yf it be other wyse I am the most euyl fortuned knight that is in the remenauÌ„t of the world Incontinent as the geÌ„tyll king had vnderstondeÌ„ the requeste of Iason as a prince ryght yoyous answerde to hym aÌ„d sayde Certes jason ye do to me and to al our how 's grete honour whan ye requyre for your felawe and wyff my dere doughter I gyue to yow my doughter And she is well destyneed and comen in to thys worlde for you Certes sire I â—â—corde youre requeste and gyue her to yow With these wordes the kiÌ„g â—â—nte for the guene â–ª his doughter â–ª and for the baronÌ„s and knightes of hys court The â–ª ladies aÌ„d damoiselles as well of his palais as of his cyte were sente fore â–ª and in the presence of alle theÌ„ that there were he made Iason aÌ„d his doughter to promise that they sholde wedde and espouse eche other within a certayn termeâ—that was tho said aÌ„d after these thinges by thauis of his baronÌ„s knightes aÌ„d the ladies the day of their espousaylles was ordeyned and dyd do make ther a feste so fayr
had leuer now to lose my lyf then to lyue ony lenger sse my me deth be ê‘donned vnto yow _â—ame answerde thenÌ„e Iason what as to the regard of the weddyng nowe begonÌ„e if it plese the goddes they shal be ê‘faited fulfyld as it is ordeyned not with stonding ony promesse that hath beÌ„ made bytwene yow and me WhaÌ„ medea herde this aÌ„swer she fyll doâ—â— to the erthe all a swouÌ„ne or in traunce sayng A ha myn only souerayn wele thenÌ„e shal ye be pariured Certes dame answerde Iason Saue your honour I haue acquytte vnto you all that I haue promysed vnto you For j haue brought you iÌ„to my countre aÌ„d solempnly haue espoused you syn I haue be trew in mariage vnto the deth of myn vncle peleê° where as ye well know hathÌ„ ben coÌ„mised by yow a grete defaulte Not withstoÌ„dyng this that is past j enteÌ„de not that by me ye sholde be sclaundrid But knowe ye that j had mochÌ„ leuer lyue in honour and ensiewe the termes and werkes of noblesse thenÌ„ for to holde me leÌ„ger in your companye I telle yow these thinges for so moche as yf I helde me leÌ„ger by you And of you ne were done good iustice hit mighte be sayd that I sholde be culpable of one so cruelle a murdre wherof is ensiewed the deth of two so fayre noble madyens pâ—celles doughters of Peleus And for thys cause other cruelles by yow coÌ„mysed I shall holde that I haue sayd And so I may doo and ought to doo lawfully in keping myn honour aÌ„d the termes commandemeÌ„ts of oure lawe ¶ Whan the fayr medea had vnderstanden alle the wylle coÌ„clusion of the noble preu Iason If she hadd beÌ„ to fore sorowfull and ouer aÌ„gry yet was she thenÌ„e moche more For she began to wepe wyth thise wordes to sighe fro her herte so ê‘fondly that hit semed that ther deê‘ted from her two fayr eyeÌ„ two ruysseauls or two spriÌ„ges of a fontaine This notwithstanding after many sighes froÌ„ the herte so ê‘fondly she replycqued vnto thaÌ„swer of jason and saide Ha a sir knight I know well now that hit is destyne that I owe to be the moste infortunat lady of the worlde If I haue â—sented or â—â—uÌ„ceylled the deth of the desloy all peleus hit hath ben for the grete loue trewe herte that I haue had for tauenge you of thys that he by his fals couÌ„ceyll sente you into Colchos to make the coÌ„quest vpoÌ„ the fâ—ees of gold knowyng that hit was a thiÌ„g impossible euer to retorne wythÌ„oute to be deuoured aÌ„d ded if hit hadde not be my pourneyance and whan I haue donÌ„ alle thise thinges wyth goode entencion for to gete your gâ—ace ye wille now leue and repudie me in alle poyntes wherfore I may well saye that vnder the firmament is no more infortunat creature iÌ„ alle trybulacyoÌ„ thenÌ„ I am Ha a my dere loue and freÌ„de Iason shalle j haue none other salaire ne other gwerdon for alle my merites â—ertes dame answerde thenÌ„ jason ye haue moche more thenÌ„e ye haue deseruid for suche trespaas such rewarde for the couuerture of the trespaas by yow done caÌ„ not excuse you do the best ye can or may your children also withÌ„drawe yow wy t your children into som countree so shall ye do wisely also your proffyâ— My dere lorde sayde thenÌ„e medea syn sâ—t is your plaisir that it so be hit muste nedes be that it plese me And so be it alway that youre plaisirs beÌ„ sulfillid yet at the lest for to reioye me a litil ye shal do to me somoche gce that of your curtoysye I may be loggid here within vnto to morow to th eÌ„de that I may see the solempnite of the wedding aÌ„d if ye wille thus accorde to me I promette yow that to mornÌ„ at dyner for the loue of yow I shall make appere vysibli one of the grete meruailles that euer was seen at wedding of a kynges doughtere or of a prince ¶ Whan Iason had vnderstaÌ„de the request of the ladi not thinking that she pretended but vnto all well and goode and also for to be quytt of her accorded her request and was deliueryd to her a ryght fayr chambre within the palais And whaÌ„ the lady was in this chambre she sent her two damoyselles for to be logged in the towne So hit happend whaÌ„ she was there allone she began to studye in many of her sciences and whan it cam aboute midnyghtshe dyde her to be transported into the ayer she broughte in to her chambre wy t her plente of werkes ryght secrete wher of she composed foure grete horrible dragons Whome she knetted to gyder by their tailles and maad as hit hadd ben a chayne And thenÌ„e this done she passed in this poiÌ„t that night so sore passioned with Ialousye of loue that her semed that her herte and all her body were all esprised with fyre and fiaÌ„be So hit happend on the mornÌ„ whan jason had espoused the fayr creusa aÌ„d that he was sette at diner with her wy t the king fader of the lady and with the knightes ladies damoiselles of the countreye ThenÌ„e medea deê‘ted froÌ„ her chambre sittyng in the myddes of the fowre dragons holdyng her yongest sone alle naked in her haÌ„des And in this poynt she made her to be brought to fore the table where as the noble preu jason was _â—Ertes hit is wel lightli to beleue that the king the noble preu Iason and also alle they that were there were gretly esmayed and ferd whan they apperceyued Medea in suche araye entre into the halle sytting bytwene foure dragoÌ„s so terryble to beholde by semblauÌ„t aÌ„d som there were that fledde And somÌ„e abode to see thauenture seeyng that she helde betwenÌ„ her haÌ„des her yong chyld But whan medea sawe that she was to fore jason She escryed him in this maner Iason Iason thou knowest that I am thy wyf thou leuest me for an other wenest thy self not to haue mesprised to me I haue saued thy lyfe and thou doste to me grete wrong and ouermoche grete blame And thys procedeth fro the of alle desloyalte â–ª of all mauastie wherof thou art chief and heed And suche wilt thow be aÌ„d abyde but I shalle kepe the froÌ„ it yf myn coÌ„ning faylle not For certaynly I promyse the that thy newe wyf Creusa and the king her fader and al they that beÌ„ here within shall lose theyr lyfe Reserued thy self and by consequent thy propre sone that j holde in my propre armes shal be the first that shal begynne the feste ¶ Whan the desolate lady had sayd these wordes she holdyng heÌ„r yoÌ„ge childe which was moche tendre toke him by the twoo legges and by the force of heâ— armes Rente him in twoo pâ—eces in that poynt cast hi in the piater to fore Iason and creusa And with that the foure
terryble dragons of whom she satte opende their throtes in disgorgyng fyre and venyn so moche aÌ„d so horrybly that alle they that were there deyde miserably and in grete torment reserued Iason Whiche myghte not receyue ony greef by no venyn by cause of the blood oft the bole medlyd wyth the asshes where wyth he had ben enoynted as it is sayd al a long in the chapitre makyng mencyon of the ê¯queste of the noble flees of golde THenÌ„e whan the noble preu Iason apperâ—â—â—â—ed the yoÌ„g childe so inhumaynly slayn And after sawe in hys presence dye myserably and in sorow hys lady Trensa â–ª the kinge the Quene his â—arouÌ„s knyghtes ladyes and damoyselles Squyers and other by the sortes and enchantements of Medea he was so ouer angry and wroth that he myght no more be wythout he had benowt of his mynde ThenÌ„ he aroos from the table all confuse and escryed vpon Meden sayng A sia ryght euyll enchaÌ„teresse replenisshed wyth alle euyll certes hit is ouer grete dommage that the erthe bereth and susteyneth yow ye haue wyth youre two haÌ„des murdrid youre owne sone and myn And syn by youre enchantementes fals and vnresonable ye haue maad to deye myscrably and with doloure so many hye prynces vayliaunt knightes ladyes and damoyselles and gentil esquyers here assembled for to doo me honour and companye the whyche dyd to yow neuer trespaas ne grief Haa what horryblecruelte is by yow commysed Certes ye haue not the corage of a woman humayne but of a best or serpent denourlg alle creatures or ellis of a cruel tyraÌ„te with onte pyte Ha a right ê‘uerse and felonÌ„ courage what hast thow done by thy grete oultrage or cruelte what ought j nowe to doo or where shall j become after that thys euil is befallen If thou were a man like as thou art a woman peruerse and myrrour or chief of alle euyll wythoute lenger tarieng I sholde take veÌ„geance of this this trespaasaÌ„d grief But for asmoche as thou arte a woman hit shall neuer happen that my hand enploye him vpon thy body Consideryng that a noble man that for ony anger or trespaas smyteth a woman or sette handes on her he lefeth his honour aÌ„d wyth goode cause ¶ Whan the lady had vnderstande the complaynte of her lorde Iazon She answerde him and sayd in this manere Certes my dere loue knowe ye for trouth that I had leuer see alle the worlde deye ThenÌ„e I knewe that ye shold haue habytacion with ony other womanÌ„ thenÌ„e wyth me ye knowe how I haue employed me for to preserue yow from dauÌ„ger of deth Where many a knyght hath lost his lyf to fore Also ye knowe what honour ye haue by mi feat goten perpetuelly and all thys haue I donÌ„ gladly to th entent that ye sholde be my husbonde and espouse all youre lyf duryng And now j apperceyne that ye will leue abandonne me for one other in alle estate lasse thenÌ„e I am CoÌ„sidere iÌ„ what parill ye may falle by your deffaulte see wel to that ye kepe the promesse that ye haue made to me Holde and kepe ye hit entierly or ellis Knowe for certayn that the veÌ„geanÌ„ce of the goddes shalle punysshe yow WhenÌ„e whan Iason had vnderstaÌ„de this that said is If he were tofore sore trobled yet he was now moche more withoute comparysonÌ„ aÌ„d in suche wyse that he coude not one word answere bnt departed out of the halle And medea with her four dragons went out also and went thourgh the cite of Corinthe infecting menÌ„ womenÌ„ and children alle a loÌ„g by the waye Her damoyselles folowed and wente after and alle the world fâ—edd froÌ„ her saue they whyche knewe well that it was not well for asmoche as she went so strangely Incontinent as the desolate Iason was out of the halle that he sawe medea departe he called som of theÌ„ that were escaped from this pestileÌ„ce and brought theÌ„ for to see the kiÌ„g his doughter Creuâ—a And plente of other that laye there dede amoÌ„g the tables vpon the benches and on the grounde Hit was moche pyetoê° thing to see and beholde for the moost part of them were swolleÌ„ by the venyn that they had receyued by the conduytes of her noses and of her mouthes and were as grete as varellis Then was there made in alle the cyte a meruayllous sorowe and dueill eche man began to wepe and cast owt moche pyetouse cryes in cracching their faces and tering their heer thus doyng one and other sought serched after their parents frendes that wyth grete payne they might knowe hem for they fouÌ„de heÌ„ so desfigured by the venyn that they were swolleÌ„ that vnnethe they might knowe hem aÌ„d whan they were draweÌ„ out eche a part they dide doo burye them ryght honourably after theyr estate And in lyke wyse the kinge the quene and the fayr Creusa her doughter were put in their sepulture apperteynyng to their estate Iason was present for to achieue and doo alle thinges and soyourned there vnto the tyme that the prayers cerimonyes were accoÌ„plisshed after the lawe custome of that time syn departed from Corinthe aÌ„d weÌ„te his wuye But he was so disconforted and sorowfull in corage that he myght nomore be Thus ryding now an one syde after on an other syde thinking on the meruayles aÌ„d aduentures that he had had and aboue alle other thinges on the grete inhumanites and crueltees that he had seen commysed by Medea by her enchantements and in an other manere he deliberid and concluded to ryde and erre so ferre that he myght fynde ony aduenture and recoÌ„forted him self the best wyse he coude after the mysaueÌ„ture that he had had ¶ How Iason Espoused the quene Myrro of Olyfernâ— and howe he was awayted in a wood assaylled by xij knyghtes of Oliferne as he was goyng to Troye and howe he put hem to deth THe vaylliauÌ„t aÌ„d noble priÌ„ce Iason deê‘ting after this as sayd is fro the cyte of corin the put hym on his waye and rood thurgh many countrees cytees ryght dolanÌ„t and aÌ„grye SomÌ„e time he bewaylled the fayre Medea and soÌ„tyme after sodaynly he remeÌ„bred her malefices her crueltes ouermoche inhunmyne and in ryding from one place to an other he was iÌ„ so grete perplexite aÌ„d sorowe that he might nomore but if he had deyde aÌ„d for this cause he had his entendemeÌ„t so trauailled that he wist not what to do In this maner trist and pensyf drawyng from one couÌ„trey to an other hit was told him on adaye that the king Tollus of elsebee that was his pareÌ„t and of his kynÌ„ sholde wedde for his wyfe the kinges doughter of Thessale named Anestor aÌ„d for som what to refresshe him self he coÌ„cluded that he wolde go to this wedding whyche sholde be soleÌ„pnel withoute taryeng for he thought well that ther sholde be kiÌ„ges Dukes priÌ„ces Quenes and nobleladyes in grete nombre The fair Mirro
was comeÌ„ theder with other princesses because that the king Tollus was her nyghe cousyn But incontyneÌ„t as the kinges aÌ„d princes knew Iason they welcomed him on alle sydes moche honourably Alway the quene Mirro made no semblanÌ„t to knowe him for whaÌ„ Iason had beÌ„ fested of one other that he approched the quene Myrro whiche was thoo pensyf drew her a part behinde the other ladyes escryed hiÌ„ with an opeÌ„ voys whiche was wel herd sayng thus â—a a right euyll knight withdraw you jncoÌ„tyneÌ„t from me haue ye forgeten that ye long syn promised me in athenes that ye sholde be my husbonde And yet ye haue doo nothiÌ„g therto â–ª but haue espoused an other lady as it hath beÌ„ recoÌ„pted certefied to me O dysâ—oyall and vntrewe false lyer where as ye haue not holdeÌ„ ne fayth ne trouth Approch thou in no wyse vnto me departe owt of my presence And be neuer fouÌ„deÌ„ in my waye But notwithstoÌ„ding that the quene had achieued this reprouchable answere yet he sayd to her in this manere My dere lady I am somoche malewrous vuhappy that I am not digne to be founden to fore your noble preseÌ„ce I knowe playnly that I haue made faute And I can not thinke how my courage is thus corruÌ„ped yll couÌ„ceylled for syn I toke leue laste tyme of you whan j parted I remeÌ„bre right well that in my voyage to Colchos I had yow alway in continuell remembraunce wreton within my herte hopyng aâ— my retornyng to haue taken you to my wyf vnto the tyme that on a cursid night j was sodaynli esprysed wy t the loue of Medea which afore had requyred me to be her husbonde alway I refused â–ª her requeste by verâ—yn departed from Corinthe aÌ„d weÌ„te his waye But he was so disconforted and sorowfull in corage that he myght nomore be Thus ryding now an one syde after on an other syde thinking on the meruayles aÌ„d aduentures that he had had and aboue alle other thinges on the grete inhuuianites and crueltees that he had seen commysed by Medea by her enchantements and in an other manere he deliberid and concluded to ryde and erre so ferre that he myght fynde ony aduenture and recoÌ„forted him self the best wyse he coude after the mysaueÌ„ture that he had had ¶ How Iason Espâ—used the quene Myrro of Olyfernâ— â—nd howe he was awayted in a wood assaylled by xij knyghtes of Oliferne as he was goyng to Troye and howe he put hem to deth THe vaylliauÌ„t aÌ„d noble price Iason deê‘ting after this as sayd is fro the cyte of corinthe put hym on his waye and rood thurgh many countrees cytees ryght dolasit and aÌ„grye SomÌ„e time he bewaylled the fayre Medea and soÌ„tyme after sodaynly he remeÌ„bred her malefices her crueltes ouermoche inhunâ—â—yne and in ryding from one place to another he was I so grete perpleyite aÌ„d soro we that he might nomore but if he had deyde aÌ„d for this cause he had his entendemeÌ„t so trauailled that he wist not what to do In this maner trist and pensyf drawyng from one couÌ„trey to another hit was told him on a daye that the king Tollus of elsebee that was his pareÌ„t and of his kynÌ„ sholde wedde for his wyfe the kinges doughter of Thessalenamed Anestor aÌ„d for som what to refresshe him self he coÌ„cluded that he wolde go to this wedding whyche sholde be soleÌ„pnel withoute taryeng for he thought well that ther sholde be kiÌ„ges Dukes prices Quenes and noble ladyes in grete nombre The fair Mirro was comeÌ„ theder with other princesses because that the king Tollus was her nyghe cousyn But incontyneÌ„t as the kinges aÌ„d princes knew Iason they welcomed him on alle sydes moche honourably Alway the quene Mirro made no semblanÌ„t to knowe him for whaÌ„ Iason had beÌ„ fested of one other that he approched the quene Myrro whiche was thoo pensyf drew her a part behinde the other ladyes escryed hi with an opeÌ„ voys whiche was wel herd sayng thus â—a a right euyll knight withdraw you jncoÌ„tyneÌ„t from me haue ye forgeten that ye long syn promised me in athenes that ye sholde be my husbonde And yet ye haue doo nothiÌ„g therto but haue espoused an other lady as it hath bé recoÌ„pted certefied to me O dyssoyall and vntre we false lyer where as ye haue not holdeÌ„ ne fayth ne trouth Approch thou in no wyse vnto medeparte owt of my presence And be neuer fouÌ„deÌ„ in my waye But notwithstoÌ„ding that the quene had achieued this reprouchable answere yet he sayd to her in this manere My dere lady I am somoche male wrous vnhappy that I am not digne to be founden to fore your noble preâ—eÌ„ce I knowe playnly that I haue made faute And I can not thinke how my courage is thus corruÌ„ped yll couÌ„ceylled for syn I toke leue laste tyme of you whan j parted I remeÌ„bre right well that in my voyage to Colchos I had yow alway in continuell remembraunce wreton within my herte hopyng at my retornyng to haue taken you to my wyf vnto the tyme that on a cursid night j was sodaynli esprysed wy t the loue of Medea which afore had requyred me to be her husbonde alway I refused her requeste by vernie of the souenauÌ„ce mynde that I had of you NotwitstoÌ„ding that she made to me promesse to make me coÌ„quere the noble ryche motoÌ„n with the flese of gold where neuer knight wente to fore to coÌ„quere but if helefte and loste there his lyff I knowe well that whaÌ„ she made me thye ê“messe all that daye I chauÌ„ged neuer my purpose ne corage But assone as I was leyd in my bedd an euill â—oleÌ„te or wil surprised me which was suche in alle poyntes that j lefte your loue and â—cluded that I wolde make of medea my lady paramours as j dyde and for this cause she gafe to me the introduction and the maner to conquere the noble and ryche moton of whome I haue brought the noble flees on this syde the see And also I haue broughte with me in to Myrmidone Meden no more thinking on yow ner on that that was concluded betwene vs thenÌ„e j hadde neuer seen yow But ye shall knowe what ys happeÌ„d syn I haue take her to my wyff She hath by her cursed enchanteméts reprochable made myn oncle Peleê° deye dolorously And also she is cause of the deth of his twoo doughters whiche is ouerfowle'a vylaynoê° caas foraladi â—ertes madame sayd yet jason for these enormites knowe that I haue left repudyed her in all abandoÌ„ned witdrawe me from her aÌ„d bi an inestymable displaysir am deê‘ted from the countree Myn aduenture hath ben of suche condycyon that I haue ben in the cyte of Corinthe but Medea was alle way in my thoughte and mynde ThenÌ„e seeyng that j coude in no wyse forgete her wold faynÌ„ haue
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
messager of his fader he callyd hym aÌ„d sayde to him in this maner Syr messager I haue vnderstand thought for taÌ„swere vpoÌ„ that my fader hath sente me by you on that other syde I see how he is here comen with puissaunce in armes Thise thinges considered I wote not what is hys entencoÌ„n ne wylle Wherfore j am not for this present counseiled to put me in his handes how well that I am alwai bouÌ„deÌ„ bi al right holdeÌ„ to serue him obeye his coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„ts aÌ„d that oute of furour he shal not fynde me other disposed The messager hering the discret answer that Iason gaf him he acertayned hi therof wold abyde in hostage that if jasoÌ„ wolde take agayn medea as by vertu of his fayth he was holden by the promesses that they had made one to that other that he sholde finde his traittye peas with the king his fader ThenÌ„e jason answerde to the messager that if the kiÌ„g his fader were comeÌ„ theder therfore in suche ordenanÌ„ce vpoÌ„ that enteÌ„cion he abused him gretly that Medea by her enchaÌ„temeÌ„ts shold neuer deceyuehi more duryng her lyf whaÌ„ the messager had vnderstaÌ„d the wille answere of jason he toke leue of him deê‘ted from the palays retorned vnto the kiÌ„g his lorde whiche abood hi at foot of his teÌ„te told to hi to medea all this that he had exployted with hys sone jason The king the lady Medea heering hys volente wille that he was not a man to be meuid torned from his corage had a meruayllous sorowe â–ª ThenÌ„e the king Eson sware that he ne hys siege shold neuer deê‘te from thens for cold ne for heete for froste ne snowe for rayne ne for teÌ„peste that might comen vpon him vnto the tyme that he had subiuged the cyte of Olyferne with that medea whan she had herd thise wordes she toke leue of the kiÌ„g retorned its her teÌ„te theÌ„ she begaÌ„ to studye in her eÌ„chaÌ„temeÌ„ts sortes where in she waâ— moche lerned in such wise exployted that in a moment she made her to be born within oliferne dyde her to be sette in the ppre halle where jasoÌ„ aÌ„d â–ª mirro the quene were at a windowe spekâ—g to gydre of theire werkes in especial of theÌ„terprise that the kiÌ„ge soÌ„ made vpoÌ„ theÌ„ of which they haâ— grete meruaile so they wyst not what to thinke sauyng that hit were nede for tenteÌ„de to forteâ—ye the muraillelwalles of the cyte the tours yates to garnisse with stones wy t shotte to deffeÌ„de their streÌ„gth wy t all their power But jasoÌ„ mirro had the gretest meruaile of the worlde not wy t oute cause whaÌ„ so sodaynli they saw Medea ther appere in their preseÌ„ce ThenÌ„e medea opeÌ„d this that she had in wylle to saye declare playnli and sayde in this maner â—aâ— Alas sir Iason haue ye not entencioÌ„ tame de your lyf which is moche reprochable tofore the goddes aÌ„d the worlde cursed be the oure aÌ„d theday that j saued waraÌ„ted you fro the deth whaÌ„ for my reward aÌ„d gwerdoâ— I muste suffre somoch in so many maners as I doo aÌ„d that in that tyme and iÌ„ place ye knowe not her to whoÌ„ ye be so gretly bouÌ„deÌ„ and holdeÌ„ Dame aÌ„swerde thenÌ„e jasoÌ„ shal your sortes ne enchaÌ„tementes neuer cesse I can not thinke howe ye haue the hardinessâ— to comÌ„ to fore myn eyenÌ„ seen that iÌ„ my pÌ„seÌ„ce ye haue murdred one of my sones how aÌ„swerd thenÌ„e medea Am I alady bornÌ„ in so vnhappy an oure so iÌ„ fortunat that in no maner I dare be foundeÌ„ to fore myn espouse husbond hym that holdeth hye lyfe of ony other but by me A jasoÌ„ sayd yet the lady the grete goodnes that I haue donÌ„ for yow tofore thys tune is lytyll remeÌ„bryd and knowen by yow whiche I did all of good herte and if I haue sâ—aynÌ„ your chyld ye be only culpable for ye do to me so many displaisirs anoyanÌ„ce that I can not thinke how the herte of ony lady so desolate as I am may so long endure Certes dame answerde thenÌ„ Iason I holde no thing that â— haue don to you despleisiâ— ne anoye in no wise y e haue â—mysed made many enorme and ryght euyl caas For whiche I may lawfully repudie and abaÌ„doÌ„ne you in all poyntes how wel that for the loue of me ye haue douÌ„ that I ne maintene not and of that other side speke nomore to me lo here the noble lady that I had â—mysâ—d to fore that I arryued in your countrey and during the tyme that I haue ben wyth you ye with me ye put me bi your enchauÌ„â—emeÌ„ts in suche poynt that I had al forgeteÌ„ her thought on none other but on you whether ye were fer or nyghe in thys astate was I a loÌ„g space of tyme til that the goddes haue resemblid this lady me by your grete defaute The whichâ— haue now espoused this is my lady j am her lorde husboÌ„de as long as the sowle shal abyde iÌ„ my body j shal be beers â–ª shal not withdrawe me from herâ—ner shal toke other then her for nothing that may befall me otherwise ye shal not finde it therfore abyde no lenger here for yf yedide it shulde be alle tymeloste for more to poursie we this enqueste Medea wy t thys conclusion made her to be bornÌ„ from thens also sodaynly as she was comen And in that same nâ—ght she was delyueryd aÌ„d rendryd at pintaquo in the chambre where her lytyll sone Iason was nourysshed â–ª aÌ„d there she beyng fulle of a Ryght tiers and demanded 〈…〉 had seen him aÌ„d ther 〈…〉 answerde for certaÌ„yn that at the oure of mydnight jasoÌ„ was yssued out allone by that gate more he knew not WhaÌ„ the nobles of olyferne knewe thise tydiÌ„ges they were sore trobled not without cause for thei behelde that they had no lord ne lady And that therfore ones they muste submyse them vnto the king Eson and toke heeir counceyll to gyder aÌ„d concluded to yeld them aÌ„d the tounÌ„ sauâ— their lyues their goddes ThenÌ„ they chese twayn of the moost noble knightes of the cyte aÌ„d moste propice to the erande And sent hem vnto the noble king Eson that made with alle dyligeÌ„ce his thinges redy for tassaile the Cyte in many places And whan they were comen to fore hym salutacyon made they told hiÌ„ fyrst that the quene her lady was dede aÌ„d putt in sepulture Secondly they said to hym that Iason was goonÌ„ out of the cyte wyste not into what place Thyrdly that the cyte was withoute lorde fynably they sayde to hym that fortune was suche for theÌ„ that they of the Cite demanded but pees that they were content to constitute hym king vpon them by condicion
prayers and oroisonÌ„s in souffrages in thoughtes in jmaginacyons in desire in hope fynably in despair aÌ„d in deth anguisshoê° For whaÌ„ I haue apperceyued that thou canist not agayn to me in fourthy dayes after the daye of thy ê“mis All dispayred I haue compiled aÌ„d wreton this epistle wyh my handes and wyth thyn aÌ„d in alle suche wyse and facoÌ„n as she that myght no lenger abide thy comyng reforne j haue caste my self into the see prayng the goddes that they briÌ„ge me quyk or dede in to that place there thow art quyk or ded bi grete deffanlte of thy promesse to that eÌ„de that thou see what terible affectioÌ„ loue j haue hadde to thy perfone In redyng this epistle the preu jasoÌ„ wepte so pyetoussy that he might no more And as to the regarde of hercules Theseê° Mopsiê° they faylled not to be of the lyuery of Iason And whan Medea had red al the contenâ— of the pistle jason began to complayue thys so myserable lady that was dede by hys cause â–ª as she declared in her epistle And thenÌ„e whan he had coÌ„playned be wayled her long he excused him to fore them al le of the promesse that he had made to her for to retourne by the Cyte of Iennos Sayng that it was not his deffaute but that the god of wynde was coulâ—able And therof he toke witnes of Hercules Theseê° mopsius Argos the good â—atoÌ„ner of many other the whiche â—â—ew right well how he had purposed to haue gonÌ„ into leÌ„nos iÌ„ retorniÌ„g froÌ„ hiseÌ„terpryse froÌ„ Colchos for to see thys noble lady and how the tourbyllonÌ„s of winde had destourned heÌ„ ayeÌ„st his wil. But finably whaÌ„ medea apperceyued the manere of jason she begaÌ„ to demaÌ„de him what prouffited hiÌ„ his wepinges suche excusacioÌ„s syn saide to him Certes Inson me semeth that ye haue better the corage of a woman thenÌ„e of a man aÌ„d that is no nede to wepe ne so bewailc a lady that was so despaired but ryght welfor youre honour for the goodnes that she hath donÌ„ for you in â—passyon of noblesse ye shall do her to be adoubed for to bring her iÌ„to your countrey there ye shal do her richely and honourahly be put in sepulture as in suche a caas apperteyneth By the wordes remoÌ„strauÌ„ces of the fayr Medea the duiel sorou of her loue jason cessed a lytil a lâ—â—yll aÌ„d Medea with her maistresse whaÌ„ they sawe her time toke the body of the Qnene ysiphile and leyde it a ê‘te wyth the atours ryalle What shal I make long proces on the moruÌ„ IasoÌ„ commanded to disancre from thens And was syn sayling certayn iourneyes on the see but in th ende without makiÌ„g meÌ„cioÌ„ of ony aueÌ„ture dig ne of memorie Argos the good maistre sailed so ferre bigousfres bifsotes that at the. xx moneth after their deê‘ting of mirmidone he arriued at the poorte froÌ„ wheÌ„s he was deâ—ted for whos comyng the dwellars 〈…〉 inhabytants of that countre of grece were as yoyouse as they might be on that otherside jason alle they of his ship incontynent as they had espyed knoweÌ„ that is was the poorte that they weredeê‘ted fro began to singe al on in preysing thaÌ„king the goddes of that they were comen home aÌ„d had escaped so many daungiers parils to their worship prouffit wyth ryght grere triumphe of victorie At that time whan argos arriued in this poort the sterres apperid largely on the heuen the night was fayr aÌ„d the see paysible And therfore the knightes of grece abode iÌ„ the ship al night without goyng alonde on the mornÌ„ be tyme jason seÌ„te Theseê° for to signefie his comyng vnto Peleus Theseus wente fonde peleus in a cyte named Elsebee where was mery passed the time with his wyf whos name was Cyâ—ane supposed neuer to haue herde tydinges of jason whaÌ„ peleê° saw knew theseus he went ayenst him aÌ„d made to hym grete reuereÌ„ce and worship aÌ„d syn demanded him of alle tydinges ThenÌ„e theseus began to telle a parte of the tydinges of jasoÌ„ in especial recompted to him thauenture that he had donÌ„ in Colchos and how he had brought the ryche noble flees of golde aÌ„d that he was arriued at the poorte of seseyre aÌ„d that he had wyth him the flees whiche was the most fayr the moost noble Iewell that euer was seen after told him that he had conquerd in hyâ— voyage the grettest honoure that euer knight might gete also he tolde how he brought wyth him the doughter of the king of Colchos whiche was most wyse fayr â–ª and exellente whiche in alle qualitees after reson might be holden for the best accoÌ„plisshid lady of the worlde The noble knight Peleus hering thyse tidynges thê° told was so pressid at the hert that al the bloode chaunged â–ª by al the vaynes os his body how well he made semblant as he had beÌ„ meruaillousli yoyous for he sente vnto the king Eson for to she we to him these good tydynges aÌ„d syn assembled the nobles the bourgeys the merchants the ladyes damoiselles of the cyte aÌ„d brought them in fayr ordenanÌ„ce for to mete wyth Iason ¶ whan the comyng of jason was â—â—owen in the cyte in the countre â—â—he man began to make grete chere At comyug owt of the shippe IasoÌ„ and Hercules were the first that yssued out and after them cam mopsius an other knight of grece whiche bare to fore jason the ryche flees of golde in signe of triuÌ„phe of victorie The thre toÌ„ges of the meruaillous dragon the legges hornes of the two dredefull boles aÌ„d they led by the arme the noble lady Medea whiche was rychely arayed fayr as the fayr daye and after them folowed the other knightes and noble meÌ„ of grece IncoÌ„tineÌ„t as peleê° the geÌ„tyll men of his route sawe the noble flees that was so riche the grete beaute of Medea they were all ameruaylled they made to theÌ„ the reuerence first And wyth grete honoure and glorie brought jasoÌ„ to elsebee the cyte where they soiourned that night on the mornÌ„ they deê‘ted thens and wente to pintaquo where the king Eson soyourned at that tyme For asmoche as that place was sette in a good ayer and alle aboute had grete deduyt of chaas and honÌ„ting meraillously of venerie Pyntaquo was a fayr stroÌ„g castell standing vpon a grete Ryuere and brode which ranÌ„ swiftli round aboute the place and with this hit was enuiroÌ„ned with faire parfonÌ„de forestes of good londe erable and fayr medowes plente Certes the good king was moche reioyed and not with oute cause whan he apê‘ceiued and saw his noble sone jason aÌ„d the fayr medea his lady the ryche flees of gold the thre toÌ„ges of the meruailous dragonÌ„ the hornes aÌ„d legges of the two meruaillouse boles for to contente eche man whaÌ„ he