The Famous and Renowned HISTORY OF Valentine and Orson SONS to the Famous and Renowned Emperour of Constantinople Containing their Marvelous Adventures in Love and Arms Newly Printed and Abbreviated for the Benefit and â—â—â—â—â—ation of young Men and Maids whose Impatience will 〈◊〉 â—â—â—fer to read the larger Volume c. Printed by W. O. for C. Bates at the Sun and Bible in Pâ—â—â—◠〈…〉 pepin orson Valentin The History of Valentine aâ—â— Chap. I. How King Pepin gave his Sister Bellisant in 〈◊〉 to Alexander Emperour of Constantinople and how 〈◊〉 Priest made Love to her and the Misery that ensued ther◠〈◊〉 and of the Birth of Valentine and Orson IN former time reigned a potent and wise King in France whâ— had a fair and virtuous Sister having in her all the perfections of Nature this Lady was nam'd Bellisant the fame of her running thro many Countries at last fame spread it felf into the ears of Alexander Emperour of Constantinople who being striken in love with the fame of her beauty shipp d himself with his Train of Nobles for the Kingdom of France renowned at that time thro the World having a prosperous gale he soon landed and journy'd to the Court and shortly after his arrival he declares the cause King Pepin knowing this prepared great triumphs for the celebrating this noble contract great joy there was on every side being nobly entertained in great honour as befitted their estates as soon as the marriage-feast was done preparation was made for their departing to Constantinople 〈◊〉 not long after theâ— arrived and were received with 〈…〉 nor and 〈…〉 â—ou would think it now 〈…〉 two 〈…〉 tur◠〈…〉 an◠〈…〉 〈…〉 â—er to speak and presently banish'd her his Court and 〈…〉 â—ompanied only with one Man called Blandiman these 〈…〉 â—ight and day till they come to the Kingdom of France 〈…〉 â—entations began of fresh not daring to appear before 〈◊〉 â—her King Pepin being under this disgrace and being 〈◊〉 â—d near Paris she fell in travel and her Man rode for a 〈◊〉 but before he could return she was delivered of two â—â—â—â—s to her great joy but see what followeth a bear crossing the â—ood violently takes one of the Babes and bears it to her den the Empress lays the other down ond runs after the bear but all in vain at last being tired out she fainting to the ground in the mean time King Pepin being a hunting comes by where the Child lay and seeing it to be a pretty Babe sends it to his Courtâ— to be brought up nobly Blandiman being returned and finding the Empress in that condition recovers her but she fills the air with cries and lamentations and travesting on they were taken by Giant Ferrgaus and imprison'd where we 'll leave 'em and see what became of her two Sons Chap. II. How Valentine being brought up in King Pepin's Court increased daily in Strength and Vertues and how Orson became a Wild-man in the Wilderness among the Beasts 〈…〉 as before I rehearsed having sent the Child Va◠〈…〉 Paris to be brought up at long 〈…〉 â—n apt◠〈…〉 â—â—d◠〈…〉 â—wn 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 somuch that she gave it sock which nourishment caus'd thâ— Child to grow hairy rough like a beast and exceeding strong and he soon began to run up and down the woods fighting with and devouring other beasts and grew extreem â—â—rte insomuch that no Man durâ—â— approach near where this Wild-man was his renown spreading itself in a small time thro all the Kingdom of France that all the Country round about chased and hunted him he feared no weapons but snapped them asunder he wore no garments nor had any kind of speech In the mean time Valentine increased in knowledge and wisdom exceedingly and was greatly beloved of all the Court and now the Squire that had the charge of him presented him before the King whom the King placed with his own Daughter Eglantine which caused many murmurings against his greatness saying ' That at best he was but a Bastard In the mean time it chanc'd that there came into Orleans divers Imbassadors from the Pope demanding â—id against the Sarazens who had lately taken the City of Rome King Pepin understanding this prepares a great Army to make resistance against them Amongst the rest Valentine was made a Chief Commander when they were come to Rome King Pepin desir'd battle and fain would understand the state of the City and it was told him that the Admiral of the Sarazâ—ns had surprized the City and put â—ll without the sword The King lays close siege to the City and calls h s Barons and Officers of his Army desiring them to find out a Man to bear a letter to the Admiral which none did dâ—â—â—â— to undertake Valantine stepped before the King and said Mighty Soveraign If you be pleas'd I will carry the letteâ— and deliver the message and shall not fear to speak to the proud Pagan Admiral and to the whole Host of Pagans were their number twice as many as they be The King hearing this was exceeding joyful marvelling at his courage whereupon he drew a letter of defiance and gave to him who took his leave of the King and went to the City and came to the place where the Admiral lay and saluted him thus The Gods preserve the Noble and Puissant King Pepin my Dread Soveraign and Mahomet whom thou serveâ—â— save and defend thee Renowned Admiral When Valentine had thus said the Admiral roused himself in his chair and with a frown reply'd ' Messenger return and get thee out of my sight and say unto King Pepin I will him either to renounce his faith and believe in Mohomet or else let him look to receive no other sentence than death and get thee gone make no longer stay for my heart is inraged against thee But his high words nothing daunted our Warrior but he mildly said High and Mighty Admiral do not imagine that by pride and presumtion I come before you until you hear the cause thereof Then said the Admiral Say on Valentine reply'd I was accused before the King for a Coward and that since I come I would have run from Camp for which he vowed to smite off my head I hearing this sought rather to save my life man to lose both life and honour and therefore I gave out That I would come and desire you on the King's behalf to break two spears with you to try your valour and win my lost honour therefore I desire you would grant my request otherwise I dare not return The Admiral hearing this cunning tale said I swear by Mahomet thou shalt not be refused and to the end the French may see it I 'll ordain the just without the City Valentine fell down and kissed his hand desiring a Confessor telling him he was afraid he should be slain which he granted and presently sent him a Christian Priest when Valentine tells his plot how to surprize the City that when â—he
first that he encountered he cleft down to his teeth the next he cut asunder in the midst in the mean while Orson was not idle but with his rough paws tore their flesh from their bodies and bit them to pieces with his teeth and thus they continued fighting killing and wounding many but all in vain the number being so many and being tired with the press that came upon him he was taken and carried away do all that Orson could who follow'd 〈◊〉 to the Castle where they imprisoned him and then ran again to the Court of King Pepin and into the midst of the hall where the King and his Nobles were at dinner and run about the hall makeing strange lamentations and knocking his breast in a most hideous end fearful manner which did drive the King into a thousand fears at length Orson looking round the table espied the Traytor Grigar who hung his head in his bosom but Orson seeing him run furiously upon him and gave him such a grievious stroke that smote off one of his ears and laid him on his face and put out one of his eyes Grigar feeling his wounds began to cry out for help at last a valiant Prince releued him and brought Orson before the King desiring he might be put to death but Orson being before he the King made sighs â—oat Valentine was taken in the Forrest he and demanded the combat with Grigar which with the consent of King and Nobles was granted between whom was fought a cruel battle but at length through Orson's strength and the justness of his cause he overcame Grigar and he openly confessed the treason before King Pepin and they presently sent and reâ—eased Valentine to the great joy of the Court who admired the save that Orson bore to him Chap. IV. How Valentine and Orson travelled to Aquitain to the Relief of the Lady Fezon and how Orson overcame the Green Knight and how they came to the Castle of the Lady Clerimond whereby Orson recover'd his Speech VAlentine and Orson being returned with King Pepin into Orleance but being not minded to stay there they resolved to go to Aquitan to endeavour the delivery of the fair Lady Fezon the Duke's Daughter whose City was closely besieged by a Pagan Knight call'd the Green Knight and this Duke was to bring one to conquer this Green Knight or else he was to take his Daughter so they took their leave of King Pepin Valentine resolving not to return till he had found his Parents Being come to Aquitain People stock'd from all parts to behold the unmanly shape of Orson which caused Valentine to get him an iron-jacket when they came to the Duke's Palace he entertain'd them nobily and sent for the Green Knight to dine with him which he accepted only that he might have a sight of the beautiful Lady Fezon and he began to speak proud speeches and told them they should be hanged on a tree as many of their Fellows had been which Valentine hearing answer'd Proud Knight these taunts might have been buried within thy breast for I tell thee this day is come hither a Knight that shall hold thee tack thou hast vanquished many he it is shall vanquish thee Orson knew Valentine spoke of him and knowing this to be the Green Knight who had slain so many with a fierce countinance leapt from the table and taking him about the middle threw him with such violence against the wall that they thought his neck had been broke at this action they began to laugh and said to one another Now is the Knight come that shall overcome the Green Knight Orson made signs that he would fight him the next day for the love of the Lady Fezon morning being come Valentine armed him with his own arms and so he departed to combat and made signs that he would bring the Knight with him dead or alive It was not long e're Orson came to the tent of the Green Knight and smote the top with his spear in defiance he taking this in disdain swore by Mahomet he would abate his pride e're the sun went down and then couching his spear in his rest he enter'd the field against Orson and encountred with such force that both Men and horses fell to the ground but lightly recovering their feet drew their swords and laid at each other fiercely the Green Knight parted Orson's shield and wounded him on the shoulder he finding his blood run down was far more fierce than before and at last with his sword took the Giant such a pat on his head that he cut away a piece and wounded him in the arm but he had a medicine that if he but touched the wound with it it healed Orson perceiving this threw away his arms and run furiously upon him and cast him to the earth and held him under him which made the Knight yield to his mercy yet Orson would have taken away his life had not Valentine rescued him The Green Knight inplored pardon for his former actions and obtâ—ined it and was carried into Aquitain and there was baptized He declared to Valentine he that overcame him could be no less then the Son of a King or Emperour and must be one that never suck'd any Woman and that it should be further prov'd by his Sister Clerimond who had a brazen-head that could resolve all questions that â—he asked it To return to the Lady Fezon who was in 〈…〉 Orson being his by conquest desir'd to be marry'd 〈…〉 not consent to till he should obtain his speech and 〈…〉 â—ents Valentine remembring the Green Knight's 〈…〉 resolv'd to go see the brozen-head being already in love 〈◊〉 the Lady Clerimond by the commendations he heard of her beauty He declar'd this to the Green Knight who presently gave him his ring as a token that he might be admitted into the Castle which was impossible to be conquer'd The Duke hearing they would depart made Orson swear to marry his Daughter at his return Valentine and Orson the day following set forward on their journy and the Green Knight went to serve King Pepin In the mean time Blandiman the Servant of the sorrowful Lady Bâ—lisant had escaped out of Ferragus's Castle and travelled to the Court of France where he declar'd the sorrowful estate of his Lady and cause of her sorrows and of the birth of the Children in the forrest in every particular which the King hearing and taking an account of the time and place found it to fall on that day he took up Valentine and so they concluded that them two were her Children to the great joy of all the Couer King Pepin could not alone hear this great news but he must presently set sail for Constantinople to declare it there to the exceeding comfort of all that heard it In the mean time Valentine and Orson arrives at the Castle of the Lady Clerimond and he made a proffer to enter but was deny'd entrance until he had leave of the Lady as
fair weather begins to appear now he 's in hopes to bring his wishes to a good end and close up all his travels with a quiet life he is resolved to leave Angory and in habit of a Pilgrim travel to the King of India's Court and there make known that he can cure mad and lunatick People and all other diseases In the next Chapter you 'll see how this device succeeded to his purpose Chap. VIII How Valentine in Pilgrim's Habit carried away the Lady Clerimond from the Indian Court and how he took the strong Castle where the Emperour and the Green Knight were Prisoners and how Valentine unfortunately and unknow slew his own Father and other Acts which endeth this Story VAlentine being arrived at the City where the King of Indian kept his Court like a Physician takes up his lodging at an Inn in the Town His Host began to enquire of him what he was Valentine told him he was a Physician that could cure all manner of diseases and therefore desir'd him to set his Man go into the City and post up some Bills that he might make known his are whereby to get somewhat to defray his charges which his Host consented to The Man having done as he was appointed some of the Courtiers chanced to espy the Bills and reading in sâ— that the Man could cure Madness declares it to the King presently Valentine was sent for and the King call'd him aside and declar'd to him that he had in his Court a Lady that was lunatick whom if he would cure he should have a bountiful reward Valentine attending on the King's tale told him he would endeavour the reâ—oring the Lady to her senses Therefore great Soveraign cause a Fire to be made in her Chamber and I 'll be with her to night and use my Skill The King called one of his Sâ—rvants to guide Valentine to the Lady's chamber where he left him The Lady Clerimnod beholding him began to throw things at him Valentine seeing her said Alack my dear Lady you have bought me as dear as I have you but now I hope to return to my Father's Court with you Clerimond eying him began to look strangely which caused Valentine to say Dear Love I am thy Valentine and for thee have suffered more torments that can be imagined for the Love of thee have I travelled night and day When the Lady heard her true Love's Voyce the instantly fell into a sound but being recover'd she burst forth into these speeches Ah my dear Love and lovely Valentine how many dangers have we passed thro' I for the love of thee and thou for me And now my dear Love behold the extremity I have cast my self into into what baseness I have cast my self for thee but Love dearly bought they say is the sweetest After their kind salutations were past she shewed him Paâ—olâ—t's horse which rejoyced his heart Valentine then set Clerimond thereon and turning the Pin they suddenly arrived in the City of Angory to the unspeakable joy of the Inhabitance The next day they were married in as great solemnity as so short a warning could afford after dinner were exercised many pastimes which lastedt ill n ght which caused these two incomâ—â—â—able Lovers to prepare for bed where we 'll leave them unto those sweet embraces enjoyed by Luvers Valentine remained a month in Angory with his beloved Lady and then thinking of his Father's Imprisonment he resolved to endeavour his release by a cunning Plot he will like a Marchant put forth ships well mann'd and richly laden and go to this Castle and proffer to sell 'em to the Lady Galazy with this resolution he put to Sea and in a short time arrives at the Castle where he armed his Men privately putting their Cloaths over their armour So Valentine went out of his ship Marchant like and coming to the gate the Porter ask'd him what he brought he cold him he had store of Iewels aboard and he desir'd to know whether the Lady of the Castle would make choice of any of them the Porter went and inform'd his Lady who sent the Governour with some Souldiers to view them being come into the shâ—ps the Christians as Valentine had before commanded slew them then Valentine caused them to put on the Turks apparel and to set forward to the Castle carrying with them many Iewels the Porter thinking them to be the Men of the Castle let them pass in where they slew all the Infidels and broke open the doors till they came to the Lady Galazy's chamber and demanding the keys of the prison she delivered them wherewith they opened the Prison released the Emperour the Green Knight and the Peers of France As soon as this enterprize was finish'd Valentine sailed to Angory and left his Father the Emperour and the others to take their rest The Emperour soon after hearing the City of Angor was begut with brand-ster's Hoast resolved to leave the Castle and to ship himself and ten thousand Men and being at Sea they engaged with a Fleet that was going to aid Brandiffer and soon overcome them The Emperour commanded his Men to put on the Pagans armour that they might safely land which stratagem prov'd fatal as you shall hear and just as they arrived Orson attended with one hundred valiant Knights came into the Port also to the great joy of the Emperour Now the Christians in Angory for want of provisions resolved to give the Pagans battle and so were devided into ten Bands led by ten valiant Captains whose courage and conduct added valour to all the others The Pagans knowing their design put themselves into fifteen bands standing in battle-array the Christians issuing suddenly out of the City presently put all in confusion resolving to die or conquer great courage was shewed on both sides Valentine slew a Pagan Commander at the first onset and meeting the Indian King unhorsed him and had he not been rescued by his Followers he had lost his life by Valentine's keen sword and if fresh Succours had not come the Pagans had been put to flight which renew'd the fight so that the air was darkned with the smoke and nothing was heard but cries and confusion of voices but on a sudden news came that a great Fleet of Sarazens were arrived at the Port and just landing Valentine hearing this made great hast to the Port with a select Party to strengthen the Guard there but little need was there of it for these were Christians commanded by the Emperour his Father joyned by his Son Orson and his Knights Valentine being ignorant who they were charged them furiously and the first that he engaged he run quite thro' the body which unfortunately was the Emperour Orson seeing his Father slain began to weep and knowing Valentine by his armour said to him Alas Brother Valentine here 's small conquest in this for you have slain your Father Valentine hearing this broke out in such a grievous lamentation that it grieved