After dyuerse werkes made translated and achieued hauyng noo werke in hande I sittyng in my studye where as laye many dyuerse paunflettis and bookys happened that to my hande cam a lytyl booke in frenshe whiche late was translated oute of latyn by some noble clerke of frauÌ„ce whiche booke is named Eneydos made in latyn by that noble poete grete clerke vyrgyle whiche booke I sawe ouer and redde therin How after the generall destruccyon of the grete Troye Eneas departed berynge his olde fader anchises vpon his sholdres his lityl son yolus on his honde his wyfe wyth moche other people folowynge and how he shypped and departed wyth alle thystorye of his aduentures that he had er he cam to the achieuement of his conquest of ytalye as all a longe shall be shewed in this present boke In whiche booke I had grete playsyr by cause of the fayr and honest termes wordes in frenshe whyche I neuer sawe to fore lyke ne none so playsaunt ne so wel ordred whiche booke as me semed sholde be moche requysyte to noble men to see as wel for the eloquence as the historyes How wel that many honderd yerys passed was the sayd booke of eneydos wyth other werkes made and lerned dayly in scolis specyally in ytalye other places whiche historye the sayd vyrgyle made in metre And whan I had aduysed me in this sayd boke I delybered and concluded to translate it in to englysshe And forthwyth toke a penne ynke and wrote a leef or tweyne whyche I ouersawe agayn to corecte it And whaÌ„ I sawe the fayr straunge termes therin I doubted that it sholde not please some gentylmen whiche late blamed me sayeng that in my translacyons I had ouer curyous termes whiche coude not be vnderstande of comyn peple and desired mete vse olde and homely termes in my translacyons and fayn wolde I satysfye euery man and so to doo toke an olde boke and redde therin and certaynly the englysshe was so rude and brood that I coude not we le vnderstande it And also my lorde abbot of westmynster ded do shewe to me late certayn euydences wryton in olde englysshe for to reduce it in to our englysshe now vsid And certaynly it was wreton in suche wyse that it was more lyke to dutche than englysshe I coude not reduce ne brynge it to be vnderstonden And certaynly our langage now vsed varyeth ferre from that whiche was vsed and spoken whan I was borne For we englysshe men ben borne vnder the domynacyon of the mone whiche is neuer stedfaste but euer wauerynge wexynge one season and waneth dyscreaseth another season And that comyn englysshe that is spoken in one shyre varyeth from a nother In so moche that in my dayes happened that certayn marchauÌ„tes were in a shipÌ„ in tamyse for to haue sayled ouer the see into zelande and for lacke of wynde thei taryed atte forlond and wente to lande for to refreshe them And one of theym named sheffelde a mercer cam in to an how 's and axed for meâ—e and specyally he axyd after eggys And the goode wyf answerde that she coude speke no frenshe And the marchauÌ„t was angry for he also coude speke no frenshe but wolde haue hadde egges and she vnderstode hym not And thenne at laste a nother sayd that he wolde haue eyren then the good wyf sayd that she vnderstod hym wel Loo what sholde a man in thyse dayes now wryte egges or eyren certaynly it is harde to playse euery man bycause of dyuersite chauÌ„ge of langage For in these dayes euery man that is in ony reputacyon in his couÌ„tre wyll vtter his coÌ„mynycacyon and maters in suche maners termes that fewe men shall vnderstonde theym And som honest and grete clerkes haue ben wyth me and desired me to wryte the moste curyous termes that I coude fynde And thus bytwene playn rude curyous I stande abasshed but in my Iudgemente the comyn termes that be dayli vsed ben lyghter to be vnderstonde than the olde and auÌ„cyent englysshe And for as moche as this present booke is not for a rude vplondyssh man to laboure therin ne rede it but onely for a clerke a noble gentylman that feleth and vnderstondeth in faytes of armes in loue in noble chyualrye Therfor in a meane bytwene bothe I haue reduced translated this sayd booke in to our englysshe not ouer rude ne curyous but in suche termes as shall be vnderstanden by goddys grace accordynge to my copye And yf ony man wyll enter mete in redyng of hit and fyndeth suche termes that he can not vnderstande late hym goo rede and lerne vyrgyll or the pystles of ouyde and ther he shall see and vnderstonde lyghtly all Yf he haue a good redar enformer For this booke is not for euery rude dna vnconnynge man to see but to clerkys and very gentylmen that vnderstande gentylnes and scyence ¶ Thenne I praye alle theym that shall rede in this lytyl treatys to holde me for excused for the translatynge of hit For I knowleche my selfe ignorant of connynge to enpryse on me so hie and noble a werke But I praye mayster Iohn Skelton late created poete laureate in the vnyuersite of oxenforde to ouersee and correcte this sayd booke And taddresse and expowne where as shalle be founde faulte to theym that shall requyre it For hym I knowe for suffycyent to expowne and englysshe euery dyffyculte that is therin For he hath late translated the epystlys of Tulle and the boke of dyodorus syculus and diuerse other werkes oute of latyn in to englysshe not in rude and olde langage but in polysshed and ornate termes craftely as he that hath redde vyrgyle ouyde tullye and all the other noble poetes and oratours to me vnknowen And also he hath redde the ix muses and vnderstande theyr musicalle scyences and to whom of theym eche scyence is appropred I suppose he hath dronken of Elyâ—ons well Then I praye hym suche other to correcte adde or mynysshe where as he or they shall fynde faulte For I haue but folowed my copye in frenshe as nygh as me is possyble And yf ony worde be sayd therin well I am glad and yf otherwyse I submytte my sayd boke to theyr correctyon whiche boke I presente vnto the hye born my tocomynge naturell souerayn lord Arthur by the grace of god Prynce of Walys Duc of Cornewayll Erle of Chester fyrst bygoten sone and heyer vnto our most dradde naturall souerayn lorde most crysten kynge Henry the vij by the grace of god kynge of Englonde and of Fraunce lord of Irelonde byseching his noble grace to receyue it in thanke of me his moste humble subget seruauÌ„t And I shall praye vnto almyghty god for his prosperoê° encreasyng in vertue wysedom and humanyte that he may be egal wyth the most renoÌ„med of alle his noble progenytours ¶ And so to lyue in this present lyf that
kylled and slayne And the said eneas bare vpon his sholdres his fader Anchises the whiche thenne by olde age and lyuynge many yeres his bloode was weyen colde soo moche that he myghte not walke ne helpe him selfe by moeuynge And thus Anchises trussed vpon the sholdres of his sone eneas helde a coffre well rychely adourned wyth many precyous stones in facyon and manere of a shryne In the whiche were the goddes of Troye and grete and diuerce relykes whiche were the thynges In whiche the famylye of Troye the people and comynalte of Asie hadde fryed theyr socoures and thalegement of theyr anguysshous heuynesses ¶ And Eneas thus charged wyth his fader whome he bare wyth magnanymyte of courage as sayd is broughte his sone yolus by the ryght honde beynge of the age of xij yere soo fayr and so welle composed that it maye leefully be sayd that nature hadde doon her deuoyr and holpen to the procreacyon of suche a fygure for a patrone of mankynde ¶ What shall I saye more of Anchises and yolus lyke as sayd is ensiewed creusa his wyf vncuryously aourned Nothyng appertenaūt to thestate royall hir vysage mate by frequente sources of grete teeris And hir heyr whiche by manuel artyfyces hadde dyligently be enryched lete theym hangynge indyfferently and alle rufflyd on alle partyes Wythout ony hope of amendemente It sholde be an harde thynge to many one to putte in forgetynge her swete firste lyf and now her deploracyon It is a greuous thyng to me to passe ouer so lyghtly the lamentable circumstaūces of her sorowful heuynesses in soo fewe wordis Now here after we shall saye consequently that that comynalte and confusion of people alle bywepte noble vnnoble people men wymmen and children fleeynge ensiwed Eneas soo berynge his fader as sayd ys It were a thynge inhumayne to beholde theym wythoute pyte but yet more pyetous to telle it lyke as it was doon in dede This companye vnhappy yssued oute of a ryght goode and habundaūce place of all thynges concupyssible to thappetyte of theyr desire And so moche incertayne after this dolourous excyle in what regyon myghte happen the ende of theyr maleurouse and vnhappy destynees THis noble companye troian somtyme in reste and now vacabonde and fugytyf by the feeldes dardanike came and aryued in a porte of the see named simoyiz and there ryght pencyf entred into the see and by troblous reuolucyons of the vn̄des or wawes were broughte into the I le of Anchandron and passed thorugh the foreste of yde whiche is in the sayd coūtrey of troye And here we shall finysshe to speke of the sorowful and tedyous fleynge of the poure meschaūte and myserable troians whiche hyder to hadde folowed Eneas Eneas by force of oores and of the wawes of the see arryued in the royalme and coūtrey of Trace lyke as the power of wynde after the dysposicyon of his destenye In to the said place hadde broughte hym In the whiche place of Trace Polydorus hadde be vylaynously slayn by Plasmator kynge of the same Regyon of Trace ¶ In this countrey of Trace Eneas whiche hadde grete tresours of the rychesse of Troye beganne to edyfye a cyte named Eneade takynge it of his name Neuertheles by cause that Eneas sawe the cyte by hym bygonne come not by the dyligence and operacyon of the werkemen to his perfeccyon And that the sayd operacyon and dyffycyle werke myghte not in so shorte space of tyme to come to suche auaunsemente and perfectyon wythoute the dyligence fauour and goode wylle of his goddys the whiche thaugh they hadde ben horryble and cruel and wythoute pyte to the troians to fore the confusion and vtter dystructyon of theyr noble and honorable cyte Neuerthelesse in this caas partyculer they shewde theym selfe fauourable ynough And entendynge to gyue comforte ayde and counseyl to thendemētes and engynes of the werkmen whiche the cyte Eneyde bylded and edifyed And therfor wolde and dysposed Eneas to halowe a daye prefyxed in makynge sacrifyces to his goddis after the solempnyte in suche a caas by the troians accustumed And he hym selfe as prynce and example of his people slewe a white bulle as crystall to fore the face of his goddys And of the bloode that yssued of the same wyth herte deuoute bysprange ryghte humbly and by grete loue and ardour of dylection the hostel vpon the whiche the goddis were sette ¶ How Eneas sacryfied to his goddis in the place where Polydorus had be slayn Capitulo iijo. NOw perauenture it happened that Eneas made the celebracyon of the sacrifyce to fore sayd in the selfe place where as Polydorus hadde be slayne and buryed in the sonde by the see syde By the inhumanyte and wyckednesse of Plasmator In whiche place there hadde be accumyled or heped of sonde a lytyl hylle or mountycle vpon whiche by the space of tyme aboute eyghte or ix yere were yssued oute of the erthe smalle busshes or lityll trees by humydite and hete depely enroted in the erthe and vpon the lytyl hylle growen on heyghte the whiche trees were named in frenshe murtyllers cornyllers And on the side of the hille was an hye plotte so nyghe that it shadowed by grete space the place where as was made the sayd sacryfyce Thoo trees apperceyued by Eneas came thider in entencyon to cutte and hewe doun some of the bowes and braunches for to apparaylle and make fayr the place of his sacrefyce Lyke as we englysshe men doo whan we halowe ony solempnyte in the tyme of somer In strowynge wyth herbes and settynge vp of grene trees and bowes in the chirches and chappellis for to refresshe the people there assembled by cause of the fest solempnyte there to be halowed ¶ How Eneas in makynge the forsayd sacrifyce hewe the troncke of a tree oute of the whiche yssued bloode And how Polidorus declared the sygnyficacyon and the maner of the sayd myracle and the wylle of the goddys Capm̄ iiij ENeas thenne by ardeur of grete deuocyon and for affection that he hadde humbly to halowe this festyuyte as sayd is toke an axe cuttynge on bothe sides And as I suppose it was after the facion of a glayue or guysarme wyth whiche he hewe and smote doun wyth grete myghte those trees for to arraye and make fayr the sayd aulter The whiche trees soo cutte and entamed by the sayd Eneas yssued oute in an habondaunte cours a sourge of blacke bloode droppynge doun to the erthe And on the same axe in manere of grete droppes of bloode by whiche shewynge Eneas was gretly abasshed and dredefull merueyllynge what thynge that myghte sygnyfye And for to haue knowleche of this myracle and of alle the faytte therof The sayd Eneas knelyd doun on bothe his knees bi grete humylyacyon of herte and deuoute affectyon his hondes Ioyned to fore the sayd aulter in makynge requeste vnto the troian goddys and to the goddys of the forestes that they by theyr diuyne and ineffable inspyracyon
leue to speke of Eneas And shalle retorne to speke of dydo And firste to shewe the dyfference of Iohn bochace and of vyrgyle to putte in bryef the falle of the sayd dydo recounted by bochace and after by the sayd virgyle ¶ Here bigynneth thistorye how dydo departed from the couÌ„trey ¶ ca. vjo. That other daye in passyng tyme I râ—dde the fall of noblys of whom IhonÌ„ bochace hath spoken in brief the adueÌ„tures of fortune harde dyuersly excecrable in all destructyue of theyr personis honoures goddes chyuauÌ„ches of whom the soÌ„me haue ben cause of ther harme euyl of the distruccoÌ„n of whiche some be yet and how be it that thei ben pourueyd moche more that it apperteyneth to theym seen theyr scyence prowesse vaillyaÌ„tyse or seruyce after the state their vocacoÌ„n in the whiche eche ought to holde be coÌ„tent like as saith thappostle wythout doyng grief or ony nuysauÌ„ce ne to bere doÌ„mage ne myssaye ony other this notwystoÌ„dyng alwaye they be in awayte delite themselfe to seche often tymes meanes for to grieue to saye wordes detractiues wherof foloweth the perdycoÌ„n of moche peple of them selfe in the ende whiche therin haue medeled ¶ And after certayne space I hadde been in beholdynge the peryllous aduentures and fortunes ryghte sorowfulle of many kynges prynces or knyghtes and many other I fonde the falle of dydo somtyme quene and fouÌ„â—resse of the noble cyte of cartage the whiche in redynge I was abasshed and had grete merueylle how bochace whiche is an auctour so gretly renoÌ„med hath transposed or atte leste dyuersifyed the falle and caas otherwyse than vyrgyle hath in his fourth booke of Eneydos In whiche he hath not rendred the reason or made ony decysion to approue better the his than that other And yf ony wolde excuse hym and saye that he hadde doon hit for better to kepe thonour of wymmen And wolde not treate ne saye thynge of theym dyshoneste but that myghte be to theyr auauÌ„cemente ¶ This reason hath noo place For he hath putte in many places other grete falles ouermoche infamous of some quenes and ladyes and hath not suffyced to hym to speke alle in generall but hath made expresse chapytres In blamynge the complexions of theym By the whiche partyculerly he sheweth the dyssolucyons and peruerse condycyons that ben in the sexe femynyne And for to shewe euydently vpon the sayd caas and falle the dyfference whiche is of vyrgyle and of bocace I haue enterprysed to shewe alle a longe the texte of vyrgyle The causes and occasions of the laste extynctyon and dolourous deth and despyte of the renoÌ„mee of dydo otherwyse callyd or named Elysse or Fenyce ¶ But fyrste and to fore for better and to vnderstande the mater I haue purposed to recyte here the caas and falle after the oppynyon of Iohn bocace whiche sayth as here after shall ensiewe and folowe YF In ony maner fayth oughte to be adiousted vnto the wrytynges and dyctes of olde and auncyente cronycles or historyers Or to theyr letters cronykes and historyes Vnneth maye men fynde ony of soogrete langage ¶ And dygne to yeue magnyfycence and somoche deuyne â— noÌ„mee as to the hye name of Fenyce wherof the rayson maye be this how be it that thauctour putte not precysely dedycte wythoute texte by cause that the Fenyces were the fyrst Inuentours of carecteris dyfferencyng that one fro that other â–ª of whiche were fourmed lettres for to write redyng in remembaruÌ„ce perpetual the thynges that they desireden to late be knowen to theyr frendis or otherwyse for the conseruacyon of theyr dedes fayttes scyences to th ende that they myghte reduyce in souuenauÌ„ce or remembrauÌ„ce by thynspection and lecture of theyr wrytyngys that whiche by lengthe of tyme debylyte of entendement sholde be wythdrawen Or otherwyse sholde haue be forgoten it and put in oublyauÌ„ce that the fenyces fonde to note wyth rede colour or ynke firste the sayd lettres of whiche our bokes ben gretely decorate socoured made fayr We wryte the grete and firste capytall lettres of our volumes bookes and chapytres wyth the taynture of reed coloure THe name thenne and royalme of Fenyce hath be moche hiely decored by merueyllous artes and myryfyke In ioyouse preysynge and laude wherof the clerenes and fame of his ouurages hath ben dyuulged shewed vnto the laste clymate of bondes habited wyth lygnage royalle ¶ Oute of the whiche Fenyce and prosapye auncyenne as it is to byleue by theyr wrytynges yssued a kynge named Belus After the dethe of whome one his sone named pygmaleon succeded hym And obteyned the royalme of the Fenyces ¶ He hadde also a doughter named Elysse whiche afterwarde was named dydo was maryed to one named Acerbe otherwyse called Sychee his vncle was preest of hercules honoured wel in the royame of thyre and the gretest of alle the couÌ„treye after the kyng of the same This gentylman was moche fayr to byholde yonge playsauÌ„t of grete reuerence ryght honorable emonge them of the couÌ„tre of grete audacyte and of name magnyfyque ryght moche byloued of Elysse Thenne his wyf whiche thenne he loued also moche of fyne loue wythout fayntasie whiche sone after fayled by his deth anguysshous wherof thenÌ„e it happed after the Iugemente that to hym was fortunat that he was so brenewrous that he was emonge all other estemed to be most in Ioye gladnes consideryng the beaute and bounte of dydo his wyf And also of grete rychesses of whiche Acerbe otherwyse callyd Sychee was moche endowed hadde preemynence in ryght grete habundauÌ„ce BY the couetyse of whiche goodes rychesses pygmalyon brother of Elysse and kynge of the couÌ„trey was sore esprysed For whiche cause the deth was conspyred of the fayr Sychee the sayd pygmalyon thynkynge in hymselfe to doo slee hym And by this moyen he sholde attayne to th ende of his desire wyll insacyable and full of couetyse And soo to hym selfe he sholde alle vsurpe his grete Innumerable rychesses and lyke as he thought he dyd and dyd do slee Acerbe or Sychee Thenne dydo his swete amyable spouse wyf bare it moche inpacyentli and sorowfully in suche anguysshe of herte that she swowned syncopysed syghed And oute of her fayr swete eyen tendre flowed teeris assyduatly and contynuelly that they better semed two grete sourges wellynge vp grete affluence of teerys whiche ranne doun by hir fayr freshe vylage And thus the sayd dydo suffred grete payne for the grete and harde syghynges heuynesses by cause of the grete horriyle nephande detestable cryme perpetred and commysed in the persone of sychee her swete and late amyable husbonde longe tyme demeaned she suche clamours wythoute ony hope euer otherwyse to lyue And alwaye she considerynge the causes of the sayd cryme and the couetyse of her sayd brother pygmalyon And that many tymes by dremes and other admonestements was ofte tymes incyted
and couÌ„seylled to seche some place sure and secrete And thenne of thobeyssaunce of the sayd pygmalyon for the surete of hir persone she comened wyth the prynces of the same contrey specyally wyth the pryncipall whiche hadde be frendes of Sychee late hir husbonde and shewed to theym the causes by the whiche she hadde conceyued this grete hate ayenste her brother pygmalyon whom she drewe to her part and side and were content to doo alle that whiche by hir sholde be aduysed for to wythstande the cursed enterpryse of hir sayd broder whiche had concluded in him selfe and to fore thought Thenne sone after a wyke Elysse faynynge that she ne myghte no lenger duelle in the hous of Acerbe late her husbonde by cause that she was ouermoche moleste and greued by recordynge continuel in rememarbuÌ„ce pietous of the swete mayntene and semblauÌ„ce of the sayd Sychee her preteryte husbonde But she incyted frequented ofte the places in whiche she had firste seen her true frende and loue sichee And therfore wyth alle the hauoyr and other goodis of the sayd Acerbe that he posseded in his lyfe ryght gladly she welde dispose hir self to goo vnto the royame of fenyce the couÌ„trey of her nayssauÌ„ce and byrthe vnto pygmalion hir brother whiche whan he herde of it was moche Ioyous supposyâ—geÌ„ by that moyen to come to his insacyable and cursyd auaryce for to haue all the rychesses other grodes to fore sayd Forthwyth the sayd pygmalyon sente vnto his suster dydo a flote of shyppes well manned and garnysshed for to brynge wyth her the goodes and rychesses of the sayd royame of Thir in to fenyce vnto hym But dydo by other barate as she then hadde ordeyned and that alwaye thoughte to eschewe and gaynstonde the fraude of hir sayd broder toke and hydde priuely in a certeyn place of her shippe alle the grete tresours hauoyrs of hir sayd somtyme husbonde sichee And in the place where they were she sette many sackes full of brasse coper the whiche alle manyfestely or openly in the presence of alle hir people whiche supposed thenne that it hadde ben the tresour of her late husbonde And dyd it to betaken from thens and to carye and bere hit to the shippe at euyn wyth thoo people whiche to fore is made mencyon And the messagers of the sayd kynge pygmalyon whiche were comen to fetche hir mounted vpon the sayd shyppe for to goo in to fenyce And whan they were well on the waye oute of the lande in the hye see she coÌ„maunded to caste oute the sackes of brasse and coper where they in the ship hadde supposed that it hadde ben the tresours that she broughte wyth her And that doon she sayd to theym wepynge these incitatyf wordes Dere felawes and frendes of our nauye I doubte nothynge but that ye haue the wylle for taccomplysshe that whiche I commauÌ„de you whythoute to aske or wyll to knowe ony wyse this whiche ye haue doon But for to saye telle to you the cause whiche haue moeued me thus to doo I haue moche lieuer to haue loste alle the richesses of Acerbe late my frende husbond the whiche ye haue now drowned wythin the bely of the see than I sholde delyuer theym in to the handes of the ryght cruel kynge Pygmalyon my brother for the whiche rychesses to hane of me after that he hath taken the lyf awaye fro my swete and true husbonde he hath sente you hider for to brynge me to hym wyth his shippes And therfore thynke veryli that it bihoueth you presenly to doo and holde me companye or ells deye or flee from hym ye hane knowen ynoughe his grete and cursid auaryce And how he hath doo slee Acerbe or Syche my late husbonde for to haue of him his tresours wherfor I doubte not that now after the rychesses loste yf we goo to hym he shall be soo surprysed wyth angre and furyouse woodnes whan he shall see hym selfe soo deceyued put fro his entente that he shall moche sore tormente vs and at th ende put vs to dethe the whiche sith that he hath wythdrawen taken awaye hym whiche was alle my we le I shalle take it in gree gladly But I haue compassyon of you whiche in this caas haue no culpe ne blame of the grieuous paynes myserable tormentes of whiche he shall make you to haue by afflyctyon And therfore late vs treate by one acorde yf ye wylle flee from the couÌ„trey of my brother wyth me and eschewe his gret furour I shall abandoune my lyf wyth you my good cytezeyns whiche be here in dangeour of myserable deth And offre my selfe to brynge conducte you in to some other place of surete where as we shall lyue more at our ease in places of Ioyous dwellynge wythoute to haue more drede of hym ne of the grete doubte fere of his cruel tyrannye thus were moeued attyred by thexhortacyon of dydo her swete monicyons and pyetous prayers alle the maronners of one accorde wyth alle the other in the shippe How wel it was to theym moche harde a thynge to habandoune leue the swete couÌ„trey of theyr natiuyte Alle that notwythstaÌ„dyng they accorded greed to doo all hir wyll the prores or forship whiche lay toward the couÌ„tre of thir tourned anone towarde the royame of Cypre for to goo in to that countrey There fonde they the preste of Iubyter wyth his wyf and alle his meyne vaticynauÌ„te of prophecyeng thynges moche merueyllous in pronostycacyon righte happy of their fleeynge and voyage the whiche wyth his wyf and meynage wente anone wyth theym and not knowynge in to what countrey for to soiourne and passe forthe theyr yongthe in some place of peas and of surete for to abide Also to th ende that their name perysshe not wythoute remembrauÌ„ce for faulte of lygnee And a while they abode in the countree whiche were well pleased wyth theyr conuersacyon and maryages of theyr doughters to theym in eschewynge to falle in to olde age not socoured wyth chidren maynage whiche sholde yssue of theyr lygnage for tenhabyte the countrey and maintene theyr name and remembrauÌ„ce perpetuel And in conclusion they decended from their shippes to the lande and at the ryuage of the same they toke in dede lxx maydens and anone putte theym in to their shippes the whiche after the custome auncyen of the cypriens thider comen receyued for to wynne the duete of maryage wyth men of alle couÌ„treys and nacyons that thider came fro alle partyes And syth after made festes and sacryfices to venus the goddesse For after durynge their maryage to be obserued holden and kepte chaste alle the tyme of theyr lyf as yf they offred to the sayd venus theyr laste sacrifyces obsequyes for to goo oute fro hir subiectyon and to be from her exempte from thenne forthon ¶ How dydo arryued in Lybye a straunge countrey and boughte as moche londe or
that I fynde of the deth of the sayd dydo I shall reherce here after now in a nother maner whiche is to be presupposed was moeued of the grete hate euil wyll that Iune the goddesse coÌ„ceyued ayenst parys his freÌ„dis parents alyes and by cause of ouer sodayn iugemeÌ„t that he made whan he gaaf thapple to venê° as the moste fayrest of theym all to him holden moost dere bycause of whiche bate whan eneas sone of venus nygh kynnesman of paris wold departe from troye after the siege of the same for to goo into the coÌ„quest of the prouynce of ytaly to hym ê“mysed by the goddis at request of his moder Iuno the ryght noble goddesse wyllynge tempesshe and lette his gooynge dyd doo calle and assemble yolus and Neptunus goddis of the wyndes and of the see prayenge exhortynge theym moche swetely that it myghte playse eche of theym to putte theym in payne doo theyr deuoyr to empesshe the goynge of the sayd enterpryse and makynge to breke and destroye alle the nauye in plongynge vnder the water and parellys ayenst the roches for hastely to drowne and destroye alle the hooste of Enee the sone of venus whiche enforced hym to make werre in the goode royalme of ytalye whiche was in his desire pryncypally aboue alle other In whiche thynge soo doynge she wolde rewarde theym wyth suche guerdons as apperteyneth to grete and hie goddys to be stypended and shall doo honoure to theyr frendes and treate theyr lygnage and veray alyes and socoure theym wyth alle hir myghte whiche that the goddys hadde graunted to hir right gladly And they made theyr preperacyon eueryche in his regyon for to warre vpon Eneas ¶ How Iuno for tempesshe thooste of Eneas whiche wolde haue goon in to ytalye prayd the goddys of wyndes that eueryche by hym selfe sholde make concussyon and tormente in the ayer Capitulo xo. ENeas thenne sailynge bi the see was recountred by yolus whiche smote wythin the saylles grete assaultes effortes bataylles in many maners And made to come the foure windes to gyder one ayenst another wyth all theyr sequele Of whom was surprysed all the nauye and terryble troubled ¶ There myghte ye see sayles rente Cordes and ropes broken And crampons of yron wrythen a sondre and plucked oute the shyppes vassaylles lyfte vppe highe in the ayer and after pluÌ„ged in the see in suche wyse that neuer was seen suche a merueylle On that other syde cam vpon theym Neptunus wyth all his vorages wawes alle full of scume as a wulfe enraged brayeng in the botome of the see his grete gulle or throte wyde opene redy to swolowe to deuoure alle thooste cryenge brayenge vnder the shippes temppestes horrible of the woode see oute of whome yssued in to thayer on hie a clowde and after decended impetuously vpon the flote whiche semed somtyme alle to be drowned couerde wyth water And anone after they were lyfte vp on hie wyth the wawes whiche sodaynly braken departe that alle the nauye descended nyghe to the bottom of the see whiche were anone recuyelled by other wawes remysed in a momente vp on highe and separed transported in to dyuerse places And in dyuerse wyses were tormented wythoute hope of socours Longe tyme dured this troublous tormente whiche caused grete fere drede vnto the couÌ„treys nygh neyghbours also ferre of This assemblee the whiche after grete losse perdicyon as well of Anchises fader of Eneas as other dyuerse and also fortunes whiche longe be to recyte passed The nauye arryued almoste alle to broken vpon the coste of the see of lybye nygh the sayd place of Cartage whiche Elysse dyd doo edyfie by grete and subtyll moyens of the whiche I passe ouer And in descendynge and comynge a lande in to that countrey was reculed and receyued by dydo And opteyned her grace for to soiourne for to refresshe alle his people and his nauie ¶ In whiche doynge he toke grete acqueyntaunce and ofte repayred vnto the palays and wyth the ladyes byhaued him soo queyntli swete and curtoys plesaunte and amyable fayr and wel byspoken merueyllous hardy in fayttes a grete enterpryser loued of alle men preysed of his people he was moche noble and a ryght fayr persone by cause wherof dydo toke grete playsir in his conuersacyon and deuysed wyth hym moche gladely wherof folowed that she was greuously hurte wyth the darte of loue And the wounde nourysshed by longe tyme enbraced wyth the swete assemble inuyncible in hyr stomacke considerynge the grete vertues of whiche his persone was decorate his noblenes honour of the peple of Troye his grete beaulte swete langage whiche she eÌ„prynted in her remembrauÌ„ce that her membres refuseden the swete reste of slepe And kepte this thoughte in her selfe by ryght longe tyme in suche a wyse that in a mornynge after that the lyghte of the daye rebouted putte a backe the shadowe of the nyghte aboute the lampe and the sonne rysen for to shyne on the erthe ¶ How dydo couÌ„seyllid wyth hir suster anne CapmÌ„ xj THis lady bythoughte herselfe and purposed to dyscoure and manyfeste her faytte vnto one hir suster whiche was named in that tyme Anne sayenge to hir in this manere Anne my suster and frende I am in ryght gret thoughte strongely troubled and incyted by dremes admonested whiche excyte my courage tenquire the maners lygnage of this man thus valyauÌ„t strong puyssauÌ„t whiche deliteth hym strongly to speke in deuysing the hie fayttes of armes perillys dauÌ„gerous whiche he sayth to haue passed ne weli hither comyn to soiourne in our couÌ„treys I am so persuaded of grete admonestments that all my enteÌ„dement is obfusked endullyd and rauysshed I byleue certaynly that the man of whome I speke to you ys nyghe kynne and parent of the goddis or that verytable by one comyn asseÌ„tmente they haue assembled theym selfe to destyne his birthe in delyuerynge and gyuyng to hym allone alle the highe vertuouse yeftes whiche nature hath of custume partyculerly to yeue to dyuerse creatures and maye be supposed that she hathe produced hym in excellent dygnyte for to make one fayer chief werke to thexemplayre of alle other For they whiche ben borne of basse parentage ben ouer moche ferdeful conuerte in theyr fayttes and drede theym fleynge and kepe theym oute of the palayces courtes of grete lordes And yf it happen theym to entre anone they retourne or hide theym in corners vnder the tapytes or byhinde the grete fote of the yaâ—e for to yssue and goo oute first wythoute makyng ony bruyt or medlynge ne seche nothyng but thyssue for to flee yf there were ony medlee ne neuer by theym was there ony valyanÌ„ce proued as it is sayd But god forbede that it may be sayd of Eneas that fortune vaynquyssheur of grete bataylles comynge to the chief of alle enterpryses to haue reproche
the meanes to make Eneas to abyde deuysynge vnto hym â–ª that he oughte to doo soo Seynge and considerynge the wynter that is alle dystempred the grete orages the sygne of Oryon that rendreth the watres to be proude and cruelle Also the shippes that ben alle crased of the grete tornementes that haue hurte theym here byfore saylyng in the see The influences of the heuens so spytefull dyuerse contradyction moeuable one apposite ayenst another causynge dyuersite perturbatyffe in the lowe elementes whiche myghte be cause of his destruction yf he vndertoke ony vyage atte this tyme passinge the see from one lande to a nother By these raysons and other that by the desirous affectyon of thy wylle shalle be vnto the aduysed and shewed to the perfectyon of thys thynge thou shalte mowe peruerte the oppynyon of Eneas for to seiourne in this countrey that byfore was alle determyned for to goo The whiche thynges and other persuasions seruynge to the mater whiche enflamed the corage of Elysse esprysed with brennyng loue towarde Enee gaue a stedfast hope to her sorowfull thoughte leuynge by dyspense abstractyue her first vowes of chastyte promysed ¶ How Eneas aftre grete fortunys of the see arryued in cartage And How dydo for his swete behauoure and fayre spekynge was esprised of his loue Capitulo xiij BOthe togidre of one assente went the two sassustres fore named to the synagoges and temples where bifore the aulters thei offred sacrifices with grete supplycacyons and prayers and slewe sheep weders for to doo sacrefyces destynated vnto the noble goddesse Ceres to Appolyn and to Bachus and specyally vnto Iuno the goddesse of wedlocke whiche is lady mastresse and wardeyne of the connexes or bondes aminicules to whome they offred in pacifique Immolacion a white cowe by twix the hornes of the whiche Dydo by grete deuocyon shedde the fyole fulle of the holi libacion makynge the consecracion ouer the sacryfyce there dedied and doon in diuerse wise by solemnyte merueyllouse aftre the custome that was vsed at that tyme Dydo wyth her suster Aune went In to the temples and symulacres knelynge before the awters makynge requestes and prayers and aftre loked In to the entraylles Interiores of the bestes there slayne For to fuldo the sacryfyce In delyuerynge and sechynge aftre the moeuynge of them the comynge of the future maryage But what ouerserche nedeth more to be enquered wherof thys folysshe thoughte cometh to the woman thus a tysed wyth the swete flamme of loue esprised in to the mary and synewes whiche inseparably goeth thrughe the bones as depe as the. veray hertys roote To goo sekyng wythyn the symulacres the consentynge of lyght whyche is alredy determyned for to be acomplysshed Thys lady hathe norysshed pryuely in her thoughte the wounde of ambycyouse desyre whyche is so procured that she can not hyde it noo lenger She is graffed and myserably sette wauynge and tournynge here and there wythin her cyte embrassed and take wyth loue insacyable in contynuelle thoughte As a personne furyouse lyke as an hynde that is rought to the herte wyth an arowe goeth rennynge by the forestes and mountaynes Thynkyng vpon her sore onely wythoute to conceyue ne comprehende the wele of her abydynge Aftre wyth Eneas goeth thys lady deuysynge thrughe the towne to shewe hym the grete rychesses that she hath broughte from the partyes of Thyre asketh hym hys aduyse of the edyfyces of Cartage cheryssheth and enterteyneth hym to her power in alle thynges that she thynketh to be playsaunt and agreable vnto hym and atte last she yet spekynge her speche deffaylleth alle sodeynly and can not kepe purpos ne countenaunce as a persone transported from her vndrestandynge and ouertake wyth ouer grete loue inestymable Of it that other parte she doeth make grete appareylles for to feeste Eneas ryghte highely in dyuersitees of metes entermedled wyth some Ioyous dysportes playsaunte and in syghte aggreable After she taketh a delectacyon in his talkynge playsaunte requyrynge hym that for her loue he wylle recounte some grete fayttes or other aduentures that he hath seen in hys tyme in the werre of Troye And taketh her Ioye and consolacyon in his swete wordes and drawynge that atysen and enterteyne her in a contynualle thoughte towarde hym Soo that after theyr departynge from eche other that tyme the mone obscure comynge in his ordre supprymeth the lyghte of the sonne and the sterres launchynge theyr bryghte sparkeles excyte the appetyâ—e of slepe The lady that alone entreth to her chaumbre tryste and pencyfulle leuynge her bedde reste syttynge vpon tapysserye werke or other parte alle solitarye and desolate as a thynge habandouned Desirynge the presence of Eneas by Imagynacyon impraynted wyth in the fauntasme of her entendemente Her semeth that she seeth hym there presente heringe after his wordes playsaunte And deuysynge wyth hym and there she passeth ouer a parte of the nyghte in suche medytacyons and contynuell thoughtes ¶ And emonge she taketh in her lappe Ascanyus the sone of Eneas otherwyse callyd Yolus and holdeth hym bytwyxe her armes byholdeth kysseth and colleth hym Considerynge the beaultye and grete delectacyon of the fadre In whiche she is rauysshed by the representynge of his sone And no thynge there ys soo gretely greuable but that it is alle ynoughe facylle vnto her to be experymented for the entreteynynge of her loue wherinne she myghte be deceyued for the grete serche that she doeth wythoute ceasse for to eschew alle thynges that in this caas myghte be nocible and contrarye to her ANd for by cause of the whiche forsayd occupacyon or contynuelle thoughte wherinne she is Inexplycable occupyed as transported and rauysshed Alle the werkes and doynges of Dydo are taryed and lefte in the astate of Inperfection The wâ—rkes of the grete yates toures and othre edyfyces that were begonne for the perfectyon of Cartage be lefte wythout eny more werkyng alle Imperfyt the excercyse of armes is dyscontynued the noble men wexe robuste and rude wythoute excersice of fayttes of werre The brydges poortes and passages ben lefte wythoute warde And the deffences ben voyde add emptye wythoute entreteynynge redy to receyue the enmyes wythoute ony contradyctyon Alle werkes ceassen and appyeren interrupte for defaulte of conductours The stones of the walles that are bygonne whiche appyeren alle awry sette croked bowed and counterfette by cause thei be not fully made and polisshed Shewynge theyr teeth to threte and byte in to the other stonys redy to be masonned whiche oughte to haue be contynued and Ioyned to perfourme the enterprise thus lefte as alle to cutte and perysshed The grasse groweth faste and roteth on theyr heddes theyr teeth ben spredde wyth mosse all to tourne rusty and fulle of lothlinesse The grete edyfyces are lefte vncouered in dyuerse places And shortely alle falleth in to ruyne by cause of her grete furoure ¶ But Iuno the noble goddesse wedded wyff and spouse of Iubyter seeynge that the goode renomme of Elysse myghte
shippe ther shall be some of the oost after that he shall haue refused me that shal be content to take me but sorowfull caytyue lost who bringeth that in to this folye to thinke that this might be art thou madde or out of thi mynde hast thou lost thi knowlege knowest thou not that the troieÌ„ne folke is alle yssued desceÌ„ded of the forsworne laomedon this laomedon was the first fader that dyde enhabyte the grete troie and brought there a grete nombre of peple that made right faire edifices also multyplied wthin alitell tyme in grete quantite well grete in nombre for the good polycie that they kept also for the fertylyte of the grouÌ„de of that couÌ„treye And by cause that laomedon was all ynoughe occupyed for to make the palayces other edyfices intrinsique of the cyte that hym thought ouer moche diffycile to loÌ„ge a thinge to make the walles closed rouÌ„de aboute the towne he made acoÌ„posicion with phebus neptunê° that ben goddis grete and myghty by the whiche he promysed theym and conuenauÌ„ted by his othe to gyue theym a tonne full of golde yf they were playsed to make the walles rouÌ„de aboute the cyte of troye The whiche goddes hauynge confydence in trustynge his sayd promysse dyde close hit wyth ryght fayre his and grete walles And thus doon they somoned hym for to paye them that whiche he had promysed theym wherof he wolde neuer doo ne paye ony thynge And for this cause they submytted hym to suffre bere susteyne perpetuelly for euer more the detestable hate and reproche of a man forsworne ¶ Of the vysion that Eneas hadde for to departe towarde ytalye Capitulum xxvi THis lady whan she dyde remembre the forsweryng of laomedon of whom the troians are descended made grete doubte to folowe theym and stryuyng wyth in her tryst thoughte to herself sayd in this manere Alas myserable sorowfull what may I doo now oughte I to leue all the fenyces theym that I haue wythdrawen from thyr for to goo wyth the troians or that by puyssauÌ„ce bi my haÌ„de strongly armed I shold geo to destroye their nauye brynge theym to perdycyon wythout fawte I wote not what to saye and me semeth to harde a thyng for to habandouÌ„e my good subgettes whiche by well subtyl meanes grete difâ—â—culte I haue brought out of thyr and out of the lande of fenyce to expose bryng theym now sone in dauÌ„gers of the see to the harde peryll of batayll namly ayenste theym of Troye whom they haue no quarelle Verely whan I me aduy seit is better that I deye as I haue welle deserued And that my sorowe poure myserable be sone fynysshed by swerde O what hast thou doon my swete suster germayne of my teeres emense wepynges thou hast ben the first cause of the grete furoure where I am now in thou hast charged vpon my sholdres all the grete euylles that I bere supporte thou haste absorbed me reclosed in the grete see of amarytude thou haste fouÌ„de me well pesible but thou hast betaken me for to werre ayenst myn owne peas thou hast broughte me from solysitude remysed into resolysitude thou hast taken rest fro me hast brought me in to ryght grete turbacoÌ„n thou hast abolysshed my frauÌ„chise for to entre in to grete seruytude thou hast dyuerted my honour in to dishonest infamye thou hast conuerted my cyte in feâ—re drede perdurable thou hast all puerted my wyttes reduced in to madnesse forsenerie thou haste deliuerde me my traytour peruerse enmye vnder hope of loue benyuolence what eyleth me tryst poure weri full of teeâ—ys O fortune euyll fortuned why haste thou not permytted me suffred that wythout forfayte or ony cryme I myght haue vsed the residue of my dolauÌ„t lyf chastly alone wythoute companye of man as the bestes in the forestes doo lye as it apiereth full of ten all alone by theym selfe Yf thus I had mayntened myselfe I sholde neuer haue come ne falle in the sorowes displaysures coÌ„playntes clamours where I am now in all doled of grete furour forsened more than euer was woman of moder borne vnto this tyme presente but I beleue veritable that it is for to take vengeauÌ„ce of the feyth of the grete othe that I had first promysed to my husbonde sicheus whiche I haue violated falsly broken wylfully wherof I am â—alle in grete tormente replenysshed with langour mortall Alas what harde destynacye happed to me that daye that I was so ferre doled from my wytte so madde to habandouÌ„e my selfe to a man alone For whom I haue loâ—te all in a soÌ„me at one daye at one owre in somoche that I abyde all alone wythout coÌ„panye habandouÌ„ed fro all comfort thus made this fenyce her rewthes her sighynges in suche a sorowe so dolant termes that she fowndred all in teeris duringe the whiche aftre that alle the nauye of eneas was takled well nyghe redy for to departe ther appiered to eneas that nyght that he entred his shippe was leyde a slepe a certayne god in the propre fygure that mercure appiered to hym first for to admonneste him of his departynge in suche manere of semblauÌ„ce of voyce of coloure of heeris of golde as well proporcyned of meÌ„bres fayre facion of yongthe of fayre beaulte that sayde to him in this manere O eneas the sone of a goddesse how art thou so moche forsened to take rest of slepe in this grete dauÌ„ger wher thou art now ynne knowest thou not the fortunes perillous adueÌ„tures that enuyronne that on all sydes seest not thou the tyme couenable for to saylle the swete wyndes propice why coÌ„sumest thy self slepynge without exploityng that in thy vyage thou knowest not what the fayre dydo prepareth for the whiche is tourned in turbacyon thynkyng in herself what frawde or decepcyon or som grete myschef for to doo to the a greuauÌ„ce why feerest thou not lest she doo that to destruction sith that she wyl brynge herself to the dethe thynke theÌ„ne what euylles what harde adueÌ„tures what displaisirs what grete decepcioÌ„s iniuries she ymagyneth ayenst the but more ther is yf thou departe not with all diligence thou shalt soone see the see alle couered wtth vesselles of werre with grete strengthe coÌ„mynge ayenst the with torches lyght And cressettes esprysed of fyre brennyg for to brule and brenne thy nauye And wythout respyte ne remedye thou shal be dystroyed yf thou be fouÌ„de whan the prynge of the day shal be comen Aryse vp quykly without taryenge and abyde here noo lenger For awoman is founde euermore subtylle in alle her dedes As sayth the fable A grete daunger is thenne to the for whom she is thus endulled and fallen in dysperacyon to abyde in hyr iurisdyccyon nor to reside in her contree And to th ende that thou be not
hir fayr cote of dyuerse fygures For to vnbynde the rotes of the spyrite vytalle from the membrees of hir body Whiche were thenne in grete opposicyon and debate one ayenste another By cause that the humydyte radycalle and other complexcyons in proporcyon conuenable coenclyued togyder Dyde receyue the gooste soo that it coude not goo there from by hit selfe wythoute ayde of other Also that hir deth naturalle oughte not to hauen comen yet of longe tyme But by accydente and hardâ— fortune whiche is gladdely euyll and dyuerse to theym that she byholdeth awrye was broughte in to suche dysperacyon not for noo crymynalle cause not for noon other thynge wherof she oughtâ— to suffre dethe nor to endure ony peyne or sufferaunce that she slewe her self And thenne after that arose proserpyne wyffe and spouse to Pluto the ryghte grete god infernalle whiche holdeth vnder her domynacyon the persones that be Inueterate of euyll dayes And they that ben in grete sorowes to whom she admynystred alle the deturpacyons and the hardenesse of olde age as to some while that they be slepynge she setteth white herres on the grounde of their hedes Some she maketh scabbed and full of ytche the feete to be grete and swollen And thenne the gowte or the poplesie the stytches or the paralesye The debylyte or feblenes and of the eyen appayreth the sighte and replenysseth theym alle wyth teeres and the lyddes of the eyen wyth fylthe soo that whan they ryse in the mornynge they muste be wasshed wyth wyne or wyth some other lauatorye And to other she maketh theyr memorye to wexe feble and conuerteth it in to ygnoraunce She taketh from them the puyssaunce that they hadde fyrste and hath awaye fro theym furtyuely by proces of tyme all theyr strengthes one after another by cause noon shalle be aware of her for doubte that she be not deceyued And after she maketh theym croked and boweth theyr bodyes hangynge theyr hedes to the grounde warde alle full of care and as counâ—refete aswell the men as the wymmen to the whiche for to bere to theym a dyffame taketh theyr fayr colour awaye and maketh theym as pale as asshes To other she gyueth rednes wyth a highe coloure ouer excessyue and dyshonneste and the yelowe here 's of theyr heddes she maketh theym to boke lyke rousset or lyke the coloure of an olde bere She after shorteth theyr retentyue brethe and molyfyeth in theym alle theyr bloode And noon otherwyse it ys to be supposed but that she doeth in lyke wyse of alle the remenaunte For she goeth ledynge alle in equall proporcyon and maketh theym dystrybucyon by the temples and in the face of grete ryueles and fromples that putte oute the beaulte of the playsaunte vysage that she sheweth all wyth cordage aswelle in the nek as aboute the temples We haue therof many exemples Nomore therof we wylle now speke It is so lothely to here Also well harde it is to me to telle therof that I haue sayde afore but to th ende that eny gaynsaynge sholde be Imputed ayenst me to haue obmyssed for to dyscute som of the condycyons and euyll operacyons of the cursed proserpyne that is more sore pryckynge than the thorne I haue sette thees here for to vnderstande the other better that men shalle mowe take In lyke conformyte as it is recyted aboue ¶ Of the beaulte of dydo ¶ Capitulum xxix THis proserpyne of whome I speke how be it that of alle her werkes and subtylle artyfyces wherof she is wonte to vse had not in noo wyse wrought for dydo nor hade not yet enprynted in her persone eny sygne of olde age nor other thynge wherby she shulde directely haue pretended vpon her eny ryght Alwayes she wolde force her self to haue for her part the soule of Elysse sayenge that she hadâ—e slayn herself by dysperacion as for cause of furye and of rage whiche is a thinge Inhumayne dependynge of the operacyons and wodnesses of helle that she herself hathe enprynted in her persone Wherunto she hathe subdued and submytted herself Wherfore by reson she oughte to abyde vnder her as we see by example famyler whan som body hathe submytted hymself by oblygacion to the iurisdicyon of some Iuge the saide iuge is capable for to haue the knowlege therof how be it that to fore the oblygacyon was made the persone was exempt of his Iurisdicyon And aftre thees raysons and othre that were to longe to be recouÌ„ted proserpyne sayde that elysse ought to abyde with her as she that had submyted her self to her lawes and Iurysdyctions But the fayre Iris that departed from heuene by the commaundement of the goddesse Iuno descendynge by the clowdes with her gylte feders at the oposyte of the sonne ornated wyth a thousaunde colours Came and sette her self vpon the hede of Dydo And for an aunswere to the adlegacyons of Proserpyne sayde to her thees thynges Thys is of rayson wryton whan eny persone noble is in debate betwene two partyes that the mooste parent heyre of the lynage and that commeth of lawefulle yssue shal be proserred afore that other partye and shalle bere the name awaye wyth hym namely whan he is of the fyrste yssue And also that he hath the gretter parte in the herytage and hath doon many aquysycions amendynges and reparacyons ¶ Now it is soo that the goddesse Iuno whos ryghte for to deffende and kepe I am sent hither hathe produced in her beynge in this possessyons that is to wyte Elysse wherof we vnderstande betwix vs two And hathe made her to be borne hathe brought her to the worlde and hathe alymented and noryshed her from the owre of hyr birthe vnto this tyme present And hathe gyuen vnto her soo many fayre yestes of nature As is beaulte corporelle yongthe well made of her membres eche in his qualyte and ryght egall in proporcyon without eny dyfformyte the hede well sette by mesure vpon the nek fayre herys and long yelowe tresses hangyng betwene two sholders to the heles of her her forehed brod and highe ynoughe the browes traytice and broun and the lydes of the eyen acordyng to the same the eyen grene open by mesure lawghynge and of swete loke afayre well compassed visage ouer the forhede all ynoughe coloured A meane noose not to grete nor to lytell wythout ouer grete openynge A lytell mouthe with roddy lyppes And atte the chickes two lytell pittes one Inlykewyse at the chynne The tethe whyte smalle and well Ioyned togyder A rounde chynne that was not ouer longe A whyte coloure with a byrght hew there with alle some what tendynge to the rede the necke longe ynoughe by goode mesure bygge ynoughe towarde the lowest part and traytyse on the backe syde the throte quycke and without spotte or macule longe armes and smalle the sholders and the backe flat the brestes well sette with a grete space betwix bothe the pappes that be rounde and sette of a heyght smalle
alle Ytalye ¶ I haue broughte this cyte to memorye by cause that many haue harde speke of Dedalus that fleded there for fere of the kynge Mynos of Crete that wolde slee hym ¶ I shalle telle you the cause why and shalle leue awhybe to speke of Eneas The wyffe of kynge Mynos of Crete was named Pasyfa that was a grete lady and a fayr aboue alle other ladyes of the royame Dedalus dwelled that tyme in Crete and was a wyse man called and a goode man of werre The quene Pasyfa was wyth chylde by kynge Mynos and whan her tyme was comen she was delyuered of a creature that was halfe a man and halfe a bulle whiche was called Mynothaurus and was norysshed by the commaundemente of the kynge that wende hit hadde be his sone And became soo terryble that the kynge was counseylled for to shytte hym vp som where in a stronge holde And for this cause was dedalus sente for to the kyng Mynos by whos requeste coÌ„maunâ—ment this dedalus deuysed made a house of merueyllouse composicyon where were as many walles as were there chambres that were in grete nombre and euery chambre was walled and closed rounde aboute and yet myghte one goo from one to a nother And yf some body had be shette therin he coude neuer fynde the firste entree therof for to come oute ayen For an hondred dores were there and whosomeuer wente in after he was ones paste the firste dore he myghte neuer come oute ayen and wyst not where he was Wythin this place was Mynotaurus broughte They of Athenes muste sende eueri yere for a trybute to the kynge Mynos of Crete as to theyr souerayne lorde seuen men and seuen wymen vndre the age of xxv yeres And whan this foureten persones were come to Crete the kyng made theym to be putte wythin the forsayd house wyth his monstre that deuoured theym full soone Egeus was at that tyme kynge of Athenes whiche was sore an angred in his herte of suche a seruage And by cause he myghte not amende hit he wente and soughte after an aunswere to the temple of Mynerue for to knowe what he sholde doo of this thynge ¶ The goddesse Mynerue gaaffe hym answere that he sholde sende his sone Theseus in to thraldome to the kynge of Crete This Theseus was a fayr knyghte preu valyaunt and hardy And sayd to his fader that he sholde goo there Syth that the goddes were soo playsed he thenne made hym redy and toke his waye And whan he toke hys leue of his fader he commaunded to hym that he sholde bere whyte saylles in his shyppe yf he happed to retourne sauffe wythoute pereille In sygne of vyctorye And theseus sayd he sholde doo soo yf the goddes wolde beynge hym ayenne alyue kynge Mynos hadde a doughter that was called Adryane whiche whan she sawe Theseus that was so fayre and so amyable and that was come for to be in thraldome vnder her fader she hadde pyte of hym and for hys honneste behauoure Began to be taken with his loue And vnto hym vpon a daye she sayde that yf he wolde brynge her in to his countreye with hym She shulde soone delyuere hym from the handes of her fader Mynos Theseus made this couenaunt with her and promysede her for to kepe it truly and well The lady went anone to Dedalus and requyred and asked hym how she mygtht delyuere Theseus Dedalus tolde her that theseus shulde medle pyche and towe bothe togyder and that he shulde bere the same with hym And whan he shulde come afore the monstre he shulde cast it before hym whiche anoon sholde come for to ete it But he shulde neuer conne chewe it so moche that he sholde not swalowe hit nor haue it out of hys mouthe And whyles that the monstre were thus besy and sore occupyed theseus myght slee hym lyghtly And whan he shalle come to the fyrst dore of the house he must take wyth hym a botom of threde and the ende of hit he shalle make fast to the fyrste dore and so goo forthe wyndynge of this botom of threde tyl he be come to his aboue of hys entrepryse And by the threde that he shalle wynde vp to gyder he shalle mowe retourne lyghtly to the fyrst dore where he went ynne Thus dyde Theseus by the counseylle of the lady and slewe the monstre and came ayen oute of the place full soone And anone after he toke Adryane wyth hym and secretely entred in to his shyppe and made as goode waye as the wyndes wolde wythoute the knowleche of Mynos the kynge Theseus was soo gladde of this good te aduenture that was happed to hym that he forgate for to doo as his fader hadde commauÌ„ded hym atte his departyng from Athenes that yf he scaped he sholde sette vppe white sailes and yf he were perisshed his men sholde come home ayen berynge blacke saylles and thus he sholde be in certayne of his lyffe or of his deth ¶ How kyng Egeus lete falle hym selfe in to the see for the deth of his sone Theseus Capitulum xxxijo. WHan Egeus sawe the shippe of his sone comyng ayen wyth the blacke saylle spred abrode lyke as whaÌ„ he departed from hym he wende verely that he hadde be ded And for grete sorowe that he hadde dyd caste hymself oute of the wyndowes of his castell in to the see and loste his lyf in this wyse And whan kynge Mynos wyst that Theseus was escaped by dedalus he put hym in pryson and his sone wyth hym But Dedalus made wynges and fastened theym to his armes and to his sones armes of federes of pytche and of wex connyngly made and floughe oute at the wyndowes fro the prison where they were But sycarus the sone of dedalus floughe alle to highe wherby the wax wexed hoote beganne to melte and the feders to falle of wherfore he felle doun in to the see and was drowned but his fader floughe soo longe â–ª as Salamon telleth that he came in to the isle of Sardayne and after went he to Thebes And alle thus eschaped dedalus oute of the pryson of Mynos kynge of Crete Now shalle I leue to speke of this mater and shalle telle of Eneas and of his werkes ¶ How Eneas arryued in Ytalye CapituluÌ„ xxxiij WHan Eeneas and his folke were arryued in the saide yle of Enlyola they landed anone And eneas went to a forest where was a ryche temple that dedalus had founded there In to this temple went Eneas and there he wolde reste hym self awhyle There dwelled the goddesse Cryspyne whiche shulde haue brought eneas in to helle for to see the sowle of Anchises his fadre and the sowles of alle his meynee that were decessed but this mater I leue for it is fayned and not to be byleuyd who that will knowe how eneas wente to helle late hym rede virgyle claudyan or the pistelles of Ouyde there he shall fynde more than
trouthe For whiche cause I leue it and wryte not of it Whan Eneas had taken his reste there awhile he and his folke departed from thens And went so moche that they came in ytalye in a grete forest where the ryuer of the tonyre renneth and falleth there in to the see thenne coÌ„manuded eneas his maryners that they shulde sette hym alonâ—e there and alle his folke and they dyde somoche that they came and entred wthin the hauene for they sawe the countrey fayre and delectable and the forest grete and full of bestes Of this lande was lorde kynge latynus that had noon heyre but afayre doughter that was named lauyne The kynge latyne her fader was of grete age and many one had requyred his doughter to be theire spouse And amonge other a bacheler of ytalie shulde haue had her whiche was called turnus that was moche preu and hardy but kynge latyne wolde not gyue her to hym though the pucelle was in age able to be maryed to a prynce of a lande ¶ Here It is shewed how many kynges had ben In ytalye afore that eneas came ther fyrst ¶ Capitulum xxxiiij Afore that Eneas was come in to ytalye there had be seuen kynges that successyuely hadde kepte the londe The firste was Lanus whiche dyde enhabyte there firste peopled the contree and after hym Saturnus but this was not the fader of Iupyter of whom the auctours speken After saturnus was Pyrrus kynge of thys londe after hym came Famus and after hym his sone Latynus that thenne was a lyue and kepte the royame There reygne lasted a hondred fyfty yeres afore that Eneas wedded Lauyne by whom he had the royame And after theym regned eneas in ytalye and they that yssued of hym foure hundred and seuen yeres vnto romulus tyme and thenne seuen kynges reygned there after hym that is to whyte Pympeyns Iulyus us hostylius Marcus ancus Pryscus tarquynus Suluyus Tullyus Lucyus thyse kynges reygned two hundred xlo. yeres vnto Brutus that fyrste was made consulle of the londe And fro brutus theym that after hym reygned vnto Iulyus cesare that was the fyrste emperour was v. hondred iiij yeres ¶ Now wyll I telle of eneas of his folke that assone as that they were come a londe they sette hemselfe atte dyner made trenchers of brede for to putte theyr mete vpon For they had nother dysshes ne trenchers and atte laste they hadde soo lytell brede that they ete alle theyr trenchers and all that was lefte And whan ascanyus sawe this he began to lawgh And soone whan eneas vndrestode it he wyste well that he was come in to the contre that the goddes had promysed to hym For his fader hadde tolde hym in a vysion that where he sholde happe to ete the releef or brokelyngrs of his borde there sholde be his dwellynge place Eneas hadde this thyng sore faste in his mynde And whan he sawe that this was soo fallen he was right gladde in his corage and sayd to his folke that he wyste well for certayne that they were in the royame that the goddes hadde promysed vnto theym and that theyr traueyll sholde be fynysshed there Thenne they made grete Ioye togyder and broughtte oute theyr goddes from the shyppes that they hadde broughte wyth theym oute of Troye and to theym they made sacryfices and their orysons prayers that they wolde helpe theym Thenne demaunded Eeneas of som folke that he met by the waye who kepte the contrey and who was lorde therof And they tolde hym the kynge Latyne that was sore auncyente and hadde no children but a doughter and that dwelled not ferre from thens that is to wyte atte Lawrence ¶ How Eneas bygan to buylde his fortresse vpon the Tonyre Capitulum xxxv NOw shalle I telle you why this cyte was called Laurence for she was fyrste named Lamyna kynge Latynus hadde a brother that was called Lauynus that sounded the same cyte and sayd that after his name she sholde be called lamyna and whan he was ded the cyte apparteyned to kynge latyne that made it more stronge than it was a fore and was alwayes called Lamyna tyll that it happed that a laurell tree grewe there vpon a hyghe toure wythin the cyte â–ª And therof it fortuned that kynge latyne dyde calle this towne Laurence whiche he loued ryght moche For it was the chief cite of alle his royame whan eneas vnderstode that the cyte where the kynge of the londe dwellynge was soo nyghe and that this cyte was soo noble and soo well peopled he was ryght gladde therof And after he loked abowte hym where a place was moste strong and there he broughte alle his ooste and rounde aboute this place he dyd make diches barreys for to defende hemselfe if nede were And for certeyne wythin a lityll space of tyme they made the place so stronge that thei doubted no body that coude hurte theym nor take theym vnbeware ¶ How Eneas sente his messagers towarde kynge Latyne Capitulum xxxvij WHan Eneas had begonne his fortresse he called to hym a hondred of the wysest men that were in his ooste for to sende theym towarde kyng Latynus in his cyte of Laurence for to requyre hym of peas of alyaunce and that he was not arryued in his londe for to doo to hym nor to the contrey ony doÌ„mage but besoughte hym that he wolde not lette hym of that he had enterprysed to make a castell vpon his grouÌ„de that was begoÌ„ne For he made this for to rest hym and his folke and for to dwelle wythin his royame by the commauÌ„demente of the goddes wythoute to doo hym ony hurte nor greuaunce The messagers wente soo longe wyth theyr ryche presente that they bare from Eneas to kyng Latynus and wyth garlandes vpon theyr hedes made of olyue tree and also in theyr handes brauÌ„ches of the same that peas and loue sygnyfieth that they came to the cyte of Laurence where they fonde alityll wythoute the towne a grete feest of yonge men that proued and assayed theyr streyngthes in dyuerse wyses Thenne entred the troians wythin the yates of the towne and one of the Iouencellys that thus dyde sporte hym selfe there wente a pase afore theym and cam shewed to kyng latyne how that a companye of noble men and to his semyng of ryght hygh astate were entred wythin his cyte for to come speke wyth hym that they semed well to be riche pesable folke for they bare brauÌ„ches of olyue tre in their handes the kyng coÌ„mauÌ„ded anone whan he knewe of it that they sholde be broughte vnto hym And so it was doon The messagers come before the kynge Latyne to whom they made reuerence prudently and hym dyde salue in they re lordes byhalue The kynge that satte highe in his throne withyn hys halle where as were purtrayed fulle rychely alle the kynges of his lynage connyngly made how they hadde kept
loked behynde hym and sawe not his felawe nor Erialus were wherof he was ryght sore angri And sore sighynge he began to saye O swete felawe where haue I lost the. where myght I seke the And whan he hade said this he retourned ayen bak that waye that he came And he had not gon longe that he herde the noyse of the horses about erialus that his enmyes had taken alredy and aslong as he myght he had deffended him self but alle that he coude doo auaylled him not visus went so longe rennynge tyl that he sawe his enmyes about his felawes whiche they helde Thenne he wist not what to doo nor how he myght delyuere hym from theyr handes And whan he had aduysed hym ynoughe he loked vpon a dart that he helde in his hande and threwe it with alle his strengthe and smotte a knyght betwene two sholders therwith alle so that the yron went thrughe the body of hym whiche felle doune ded to the groūnde frome hys horse Hys felawes that sawe thys loked alle aboute theym and had grete merueylle and wyste not fro whens that myghte come And whiles that they merueylled theym selfe of suche a fortune that was come thus sodaynly to theym Vysus casted ayen a nother darte and smote a nother of theym in the breste and soo slewe hym and fell doun ded afore his felawes that were ther of sore abasshed ¶ How Bolcus slewe eryalus how Vysus his felawe slewe Bolcus Of the deth of the sayd Vysus how the hedes of the sayd two felawes eryalus vysus were brought vpon two speres afore the fortres of Eneas Cap. xlvj THenne beganne bolcus the conestable to be alle forcened wyth grete rage for to knowe fro whom these strokes cam in a grete anger sayd to eryalus who euer hath doon the same the peynes therof shall abyde vpō the with y◠swerde all naked in his fust cam nygh hym wold slee hym whan vysus sawe this he coude no lenger suffre it by cause that he wolde not see hys felawe to be slayn but he began to crye late hym be in peas take me putte me to dethe For he hath forfayte nothyng While that vysus spake thise wordes bolcus smote eryalus wyth his swerde thorugh the body of hym wythoute moo wordes kylled hym And whan vysus sawe the same he ranne ayenste theym alle and adressed hym towarde bolcus wyth his swerde in his fuste and so nyghe he approched hym that whan he dyd ascrye vpon his men that they sholde take hym vysus smote hym wyth his goode swerde thrugh the mouthe that he made hit to come oute at the necke of hym soo that he slewe hym and fylle doun ded afore hym and all his folke His knyghtes that sawe hym thus slayne ranne alle vpon vysus oute of alle sides soo that they gaaffe to hym his deth wounde and neuertheles he defended hym selfe vygoryously as longe that he myghte stande But his enmyes charged hym soo often wyth grete strokes of their swerdes wel sharpe cuttynge that he spred hym selfe vpon his felawe Eryalus and soo fynysshed there his lyff Thenne toke the ytalyens their armures and that they bare and the body of theyr lorde Bolcus amd departe wyth grete heuynesse and wente to the lodges of Turnus ooste And whan they cam they sawe there theym that made grete sorowe grete cryes for theym that were slayn wythin the tentes Whan thenne the daye was come Turnus cōmaunded that alle the ooste sholde be armed And that euery prynce sholde ordeyne his folke for to assaylle the castell And they dyd soo by grete wrathe And thenne turnus made the hedes of eryalus and Vysus to be smytten of from theyr bodyes and sette vpon two speres and broughte theym afore the castell wyth a grete noyse grete callynge for to fere and abasshe the troians therwyth that were wythin wyth Ascanyus the sone of eneas Whan they of the castell sawe theym they were full sory sore tryste and anone they ordeyned theyr folke putte theym in araye for to defende the place And thenne they of the ooste blew vp their trompettes for to gyue a sharpe sawte And taried not but dyde hie theim for to fylle the dyches and for to dresse vp the ladders ayenste the walles And they that were there vpon the walles brake theyr sheldes and theyr pauesses And the hardy knyghtes troians that had lerned for to defende casted vpon theym grete logges wyth sharpe yron atte the ende and gret stones They that cam firste to assawte the place myght not suffre no lenger the strengthe of the troians that were vpō the walles of theyr fortresse For they brake theyr sheldys helmes and theire līmes all to burst they re bodyes whan Mesancus sawe this he made fyre to be cast to theym and Mesapus made the diches to be filled vp the ladders to be sette vpward ayenst the walles ¶ How the assawte was grete atte the gate of the castel ¶ Capitulum xlvij BEfore the gate of the castell was a grete toure and knyghtes were within that deffended it they that were without assailled strongly by grete rudesse and all they that were within deffended theymself ryght well vigorousli but they of the oost made so grete force ayenst them that they dyde sette the toure on afire and whan they of with in sawe the toure that brenned alle in aflame they were aferde to be brente there ynne so that they most nedes habandoūne it And thēne they wolde haue yssued out aienst them of the oost but the toure fille soone doun And thus alle they that were within were ded fauf two of hem Elenor and Elecor And whan elenor sawe hymself amonge his enmyes he ranne vpon theym with his swerde in his hande as he that wolde not escape nor saue his lyffe But elecor that was ryght swyfte lyght fled toward the castel for his waraūt ¶ How Eneas came ayen from palence with moche folke for to socoure his sone his folke ayenst turnus ¶ Capitulum xlviij MAny were there slayne of one part of the other but the assawte was lefte for the nyght that came thenne vpon toke awaye fro theym the light of the daye The troyens kept well theire walles For they knewe well that on the morowe they sholde be assaylled agayn Eeasn thenne that was goon for to seke helpe and socours and had with hym alle the barons and namely the kynge Carton abode not longe after this But that he came wyth .xxx. shyppes well laden wyth men of armes whiche approched soo moche that they came to the socours of theym that awayted sore after theym And that hadde grete nede of helpe whan Turnus vnderstode thyse tidynges he wente agaynste theym wythoute taryenge Alle the sayd shippes entred wythin the hauen excepte the shippe of kynge Carton that was to grete Turnus peyned hymselfe