fayth yf euer thou sawe man that myght be compared to him certaynly alle vertues been in hym and sythe that fortune hath brought me to hys loue he is worthy to haue my loue and yet more than is in me aÌ„d haue I not reason and cause thenne to loue him whiche hath doon to me so grete good honour doubtyng noo peryl of his ê‘sone is it not well grete worshyp to my fader to haue for vaissal subget the beste knyght that is noo al the world For in all the world is noo knight that i wolde forsake parys fore ne one that hath dooÌ„ so moche for me And thus to speke of the feates of parys she coulde not stynte ThenÌ„e came two damoyselles knockyng at the chaÌ„bre dore sayeng VyeÌ„ne ye must come to my lady And ysabeau sprang oute sayeÌ„g that she sholde come anone And vienne seyng that she must nedes deê‘te fro thens sayd to ysabeau My suster syth we must deê‘te hens late vs take somme of these jewellys and we shal kepe them secretly tyl that paris becomen and we shall see what coÌ„tenauÌ„ce he shal make in him self WhenÌ„e they took the colyer and the whyte baner of vyenne aÌ„d other iewellys hydde theÌ„ vnder theyr clothes wente into the chaÌ„bre of messyre Iaques But vyenne desydered gretly to speke with paris thought loÌ„ge or he came home in the mene whyle messyre jaques recouuerd of his maladye bycam all hool wherof vyeÌ„ne had grete joye but she durst not shewe it ¶ How parys aÌ„d Edward retorned oute of braband After certayn tyme that Parys had be in Braband wy t hys felawe Edward he desyred strongely to see the fayr vyeÌ„ne For the loue of hyr destrayned hym moche stroÌ„geli Neuertheles he durst not telle it to his felowe to th eÌ„de that he shold take noo displaysir of his departyng And sone after the space of v. dayes parys receyued a letter that his fader was seek thenne he sayd to Edward Ryght dere brother and felawe plesith it you to wete that mi fader is fore seek and me semeth hit were good that we departed yf ye consente but I praye you that ye take noo displaysir in thys departyng for yf it play se good we shal sone retorne And edward seyng the iuste reason of parys and his good wylle sayd to him that he was wel coÌ„tent plesyd Wherfore incontyneÌ„te they departed oute of Braband and came into the cite of vyeÌ„ne of whos comyng messyr jaques had souerayn plaisir specially bycause he had herde that parys his sone had dooÌ„ valyauÌ„tli feates of armes Now it happed that whaÌ„ parys was arriued at home wy t his fader like as he was acustomed alle way to fore or he weÌ„te to his bedde he weÌ„te to make his oroisons prayers after he aduised if he lacked ony thinge foÌ„de that tho thiÌ„ges that he loued heste were takeÌ„ awaye wherof he was moch angri as half in despair in such wise that all the nyght he coude not slepe and whaÌ„ it cam in the mornyng he came to his mod sayd Moder how is it that ye haue not kepte my chaÌ„bre cloos and shytte For I lacke certayn thiÌ„ges whiche i wold not gladly lese haue for them grete dysplaysir To whom hir moder answerd My sone by my fayth there neuer entred therin persone but on a tyme whaÌ„ your fader was seek came my lady diane and hir doughter VyeÌ„ne and whaÌ„ they had vysited your fad they weÌ„te al aboute for to see this castel and thenÌ„e they entred in to your chaÌ„bre But I can not thynke that they took ony thing for they taryed not longe Sauf onely vyenne whiche taryed onely allonÌ„ sauf hyr damoisel bi cause she was euyll at ease at hyr hert wherfore mi dere sone parys i praye you to take noo displaysir And thenÌ„ parys sayd to hym self yf none other theef haue taken it sauf she i shal not be dyscouerd Neuertheles i wote neuer yf vyenne hath taken it awaye for ony thinge ¶ And after he arayed him self and cladde him moch nobly wente to do the reuerence to the Daulphin and to dame Dyane And after to vyenne their doughter aÌ„d the daulphyn receyued hym moche curtoisly the daulphyn demauÌ„ded him tydinges aÌ„d of many other thinges And whaÌ„ the fayr lady vienne sawe parys of the grete desyre that she had to see hym of the grete loue that she bare to him alle hyr chere was coloured like a fresshe rose in the monthe of maye and coude not be contente ne fylled to beholde hyr fayre loue frende parys And the more she behelde hym the more grewe entreaced hyr loue toward hym aÌ„d parys beyng tofore the daulphyn on hys knee moche humbly durst not loke on vyenne But in hys herte he had grete paine who had wel beholde hym had wel seen in his vysage hys thought And after that the daulphyn had demaunded him of that it plased him Parys took leue of the daulphyn aÌ„d of my lady diane of vyeÌ„ne theyr doughter retorned home to his faders hous ¶ How the fayre vyenne discouuerd hyr corage to parys _â—N the morne the bisshop came moche diligently brouâ—ir parys with hym And 〈…〉 parys withoute to make ony semâ—launte of loue aÌ„d parys rendred his salewes ageyn moche humbly thenÌ„ vienne withdrewe hyr fro the bysshop the other sayd to parys it is not longe sythe ye were goon in to braband that i accoÌ„panyed my lady my moder for to goo vysite your fader whiche thenÌ„e was seek we sawe behelde al the the castel vntyll we came to yowr oratorye and there I sawe certayn rewellys whiche moche well pleased me i toke them haue kepte them vntyl this present tyme. and I shall now rendre them to you ageyn and therfore I praye you that yf I haue doon ony displaisir or maad ony defaulte that ye wil pardoÌ„ne me For i ê“myse to you by my fayth that i haue doon it for nooÌ„ euyll To whome parys answerd humbli with grete reuereÌ„ce sayd moch curtoysly madame by your courtosye ye came to vysite my fader of whiche visitacioÌ„ not onely my fader but alle our frendes haue receyued grete souerayn honour wherfore myn excelleÌ„t lady My fader my moder and I been alle youres alle that we haue also And yf by aduenture your ladyshyp had ony playsir to take of my jewelles I ensure yow by my fayth that myn hert hath therin moche greter playsir thaÌ„ hert of man may thinke and yet more sholde haue yf the sayd Iewellys were better the half thaÌ„ they be Soo thenÌ„e I praye you ryght hononrable damoisel that ye wil ê‘doÌ„ne me For not all onely these jewelles whiche been of lytel valewe but my fader my moder and I beeÌ„ all youres and alredy to obeye to your seruyce and knowe ye verayli
yow to and right wrothe i am that ye were not at that noble and ryall tournoyment that hath be holden in vyenne for the sake of all the ladies of thys loÌ„de wherfore dere sone i praye you to take hede to your self that ye lese not your goode renommee your worship ne the praysyng alsoo that ye haue getyn aÌ„d wounne afore time And that ye spende not your yongthe in ydelnesse And paris heering all this answerd noo thing to hys fader but abode stylle pensyfull thynking on the gret beaute of vyenne Now sayth thistorye that as ye haue herde aboue a grete stryf befyll among the knightes afore sayd for the loue of the iij. damoiselles a fore sayd For the erles sone of flaundres was gretely wrothe for this cause wy t the duc of breuuez had beten hurte sore ech other so that non might make the pees betwixte theym For eyther of them mayntened bare oute the beaute of his lady ¶ It happed thenÌ„e that fyue knightes hardi valyaunte came forth the whiche sayd that they were redy to fyght and for to proue by force of armes that florye the dukes donghter of normaÌ„dye was the fayrest damoisolle of all the worlde And incoÌ„tinent stert vp fyue other knightes that sayd mayntened that CoÌ„stauÌ„ce the kinges sister of Englod was the fayrest And fortwith otherâ— knightes rose vp that mayntened vphelde the beaute of vyenne aboue alle other wymmen iÌ„ the world iÌ„ somoche that this debate cam to the knowleche of the king of Fraunce whiche sayd that herof myght growe a grete trouble aÌ„d discorde among his baronÌ„s other lordes Soo sente he worde to them that they shold come toward him that he shold gyue suche a seÌ„teÌ„ce vpoÌ„ their stryf that they al shold be therof coÌ„tente the whiche message plesed theÌ„ well and came alle toward him assone as they might And whan they were come to fore the king they spoke of their stryf But anone the king ordeyned a ioustes for the loue of the sayd thre ladyes made his mauÌ„demeÌ„t that they al shold come wy t their armes aÌ„d hors for to iouste the viij day of septeÌ„bre in the Cyte of parijs they that shold do best in armes at the day they shold haue the prys th worship of the feste and the lady on whos beaute thei helde which shold be reputed holdeÌ„ for the fayrest damoisel of alle the world The kyng of Fraunce thenÌ„e sente worde to the fads of the forsayd thre ladyes prayeng them to come at the same feste that eyther of them shold brynge wy t hym a pÌ„sent of rychesse the whiche the presentes sholde be yeueÌ„ in the worship of their thre doughters to the best doer in armes in tokeÌ„ of victorye And thus the king of EngloÌ„d fyrst sent for hys syster CoÌ„staunce a fayre crowne of gold alle sette with perlys and precyous stones of grete valeur The duc of Normandye for loue of hys doughter Florye sente a right fayre garlond sette wy t diuers perlys pÌ„cious stones moche ryche of grete extimacion And the daulphyn for loue of his donghter vyeÌ„ne sente a moche ryche coler of gold all enuyronned wyth precyous stones of dyuers colours the whyche was worth a right grete tresour aÌ„d these thre Iewelles were delyuerid to the king of FrauÌ„ce The forsayd knygtes thenÌ„e made theÌ„ redy apparaylled all thiÌ„ges accordyng to the ioustes in riche araye came al to the cyte of parijs And wete ye well that in FrauÌ„ce was not seen afore that day so grete noblesse of baroÌ„s knightes as were there asseÌ„bled for there were the most hye princes aÌ„d barons of EngloÌ„d of Fraunce of NormaÌ„dye and eyther of them dyd sette all hys wytte and entendement to vpholde and bere oute that they had purposed and sayd and euery baron gaf his lyuery that they shold be knoweÌ„ eche fro other and the brnyt and renomme was that my lady ConstanÌ„ce shold haue thonour of that feste for thys that many a fayre and hardy knyght made them redy to mayntene the quarelle of hyr beaute but neuertheles eyther of these thre parties hoped to haue the worship of the feste parys that was in vyeÌ„ne the cite and that wel knewe the grete apparaylle of this feste toke counceylle of Edward his felawe Whether he shold goo to parijs or not And Edward counceylled hym to goo thyder so that he wente secretly sayde yf ye goo thyder secretly and yf god gyue you grace that ye gete the worship of the feste grete wele aÌ„d good shal come to you therby aÌ„d yf ye goo and be knowen the daulphyn the other lordes shall not preyse yow soo moche as they shold yf ye were vnknowen for cause that ye be not of so grete lygnage as they be an other is yf ye goo openly aÌ„d that my lady vienne happeth to haue thonour of the feste bi your prowesse she shal nought be sette by ê¯sidering the other grete lordes that shal be there proceding your degree if she gete the worship of the feste by a knight vnknoweÌ„ the loue honour shal growe the more iÌ„ hyr courage toward hym that thus hath doon for hyr sake Wherfore I couÌ„ceyl you to goo thyder in the most secretest wyse that ye may For my truste is that ye shall gete grete worship there aÌ„d but yf ye goo truste me I shal make my self redy to god thyder for you For i wil be lothe to see the beaute of my lady vyeÌ„ne to be rebuked At these wordes grauÌ„ted parys to goo to the sayd ioustes whaÌ„ he was redy and had all thinges accordyng to a noble knight he deê‘ted iÌ„ the seccretest manner that he might toward the cyte of parijs where as the king of fraunce maad grete ê“uysion of all maner metes of all other thinges necessarie to suche a ryal feste in the myddes of the cyte of parijs he ordeyned the place where the knightes shold iouste aÌ„d dyd doo make many fayre scaffoldes for the ladyes damoiselles to be sette on for to beholde the youstyng Also he dyd do make thre baners ful fayre rych The first baner was whyt there was wrytoÌ„ vpoÌ„ hit in letters so gold VyeÌ„ne doughter to my lord god froy of aleÌ„son daulphyn of vyeÌ„noys The secoÌ„de baner was rede was writoÌ„ theron in letteres of gold Constaunce the kinges syster of englond The thyrd baner was whyt in letteres of gold was wryton theron Florye doughter to the duc of normandye these iij. baners were pyght vp at iij. cornes of the felde and wete ye that so grete prees was there that the peple took theyr place vpon the scaffoldes two dayes afore the feste for to see the grete peple and the fayr ordynaunce that there was WhaÌ„ it was so that the lordes were redy of alle thynges that were necessarye and were deê‘ted
sawe him goo with the bisshop of saint laureÌ„ce disposed him not to doo armes as he was woned wher for he sayd to him on a day My sone i had hoped to haue had in the grete ê¯solacioÌ„ but nou thou bryngest me into grete heuynesse displaisir whaÌ„ i see that thou wilt not departe from thys bisshop Wherfore I praye the that thou leue hiÌ„ do so that it may be to me playsaunt to the honneste Parys herde him wel but he gaf not a word to aÌ„swer The fader of paris seyng this weÌ„te to his secrete felawe Edward said to hiÌ„ I see well that the grete amytye loue that ye haue to my sone knowe ye for certai that I haue in my hert grete melancolye whaÌ„ i remeÌ„bre that parys hath had grete honour fame of chyualrye now i see that heâ—gooth al wy t this bisshop leteth his hawkes his honÌ„des hors to deye for hoÌ„gre Wherfore I praye you that ye will gyue me some couÌ„ceyl which am so meschauÌ„t that i deye for sorowe whaÌ„ he had sayd these wordes edward had pyte of hiÌ„ coÌ„forted hiÌ„ the besie wyse he conde departed fro him weÌ„te strayte to his felawe Parys sayd to hym I knowe wel that loue ê¯strayneth the so strongely that thou hast no power ouer thy self Wherfore thy lyf may not longe endure And also thy fader and thy frendes ben euyl coÌ„tente ayenst the. and i saye to the that for to be vertâ—oê° vayliauÌ„t it playseth moch to god for the loue of one woman thou doost moch desplaisir to thy fader And also for noo persone what someuer he or she be thow oughtest not to lese the we le renommee that thou hast of chyualerye It appyreth not in the. that thou hast ony vertue or courage Wherfore i praie the that thou wylt do some thing that it may be playsauÌ„t to thy fader which hath desyred prayed me that I shold soo say to the. Whan parys had herd al thys he aÌ„swerd sayd to hiÌ„ knowe wel that these thynges that thou hast sayd to me beeÌ„ vertuous hoÌ„nest but thei been to me grevous for to put me from the thoughtes in the whych I am coÌ„tynuelly Neuertheles i praye the that thou gyue me counceyl what is beste that i doo ThenÌ„ sayd edward if shold wel playse me yf it were thy playsir that we sholde goo into braband For it is vj. monethes passed that I haue not seen my lady there shall we do armes by whyche we may gete fame honour parys agreed therto sayeng that he was contente if it playsed hiÌ„ so to do and incontineÌ„t they made redy theyr harnoys and horses and alle thynges necessarye to them and or parys departed he put in his chaÌ„bre alle the thynges and pryses that he had wonne by cheualryes aÌ„d closed them fast in hys chambre deliuerd the keye to his moder and prayed hyr moche derly that she shold not open yf ne suffre that ony persone shold eÌ„tre therin And after they wente toward Braband Where as they dyd grete feates of Theualerie ioustes wherof they gate grete honoure and worshyp and were moche praysed of ladyes and damoyselles And parys made couÌ„tenaunce for to haue abyden in braband for the loue of edward but his herte drewe vnto the fayre vyenne whome he so moch loued in his herte secretly ¶ How Dyane and vyenne hyr doughter wenten to vysite the fader of Parys the whyche was seek ThenÌ„e sayd vyenne now we shall see yf we may fynde ony thinge that we may haue better knowleche of for myn herte sayth yes After that they had serched and vysyted alle the chambre they cam on a syde of the chambre where they fonde a lytel dore of whiche henge a lytel keye by a thÌ„ waÌ„ge and anone they opened the dore and entred therin And there was a lytel chambre whyche was xij foot longe aÌ„d was an oratorye Where as was the mageste of our Lord Ihesu cryst vpon a lytell aulter at eche corner was a caÌ„del styke of siluer aÌ„d thyder cam parys for to make hys sacrefyce whan he aroos whan he weÌ„te to his bedde And there were the thre baners that the noble knyght parys had wonne in the cyte of Parys and the thre jewellys of the thre damoyselles afore sayde And in the same place was also the sheld of Crystal the garlond that VyeÌ„ne delyuerd to him whaÌ„ he wanne the prys at the ioustes in cyte of Vyenne And alle these he kepte secrete in that place And whaÌ„ vienne sawe these thinges she was sure that parys was he whomÌ„ she had so moche desired to knowe that so moche honour had doon to hyr and for the grete ioye that she had she sette hyr douÌ„ on the grouÌ„de there abode a grete whyle coude not speke a word aÌ„d after she spake to Isabeau and fayde My swete syster blessyd and preysed be our lord of this good yourney For me thiÌ„keth I shold neuer departe oute of thys chambre A alas I haue so loÌ„ge abyden to knowe who he was that so swetely played in his instrumeÌ„tes so nygh vnto me and now he is so ferre thenÌ„e ysabeau began to repreue hyr aÌ„d said to hyr Swete lady I praye you that ye say ne do ony thiÌ„g which might torne you to folye be ye ruled by wisedom reason For notwithstoÌ„dyng that parys haue so moche good and vertues yet ye ought to coÌ„syder that he is not egal to you in lygnage ne in estate For i knowe wel that many noble puyssauÌ„t lordes haue demauÌ„ded you in mariage loue you aÌ„d do grete tginges for you also thonour of parys whiche is your vayssal aÌ„d subget is not egall ue worthy vnto you ¶ ThenÌ„e vyeÌ„ne was moch angry on ysabeau began to say A veray god I am well discomforted by the. that thus agayn sayest me of hiÌ„ that I so longe haue desyred to knowe Alas I haue supposed that in nothing ye wold haue displaysed me aÌ„d in good fayth I sayde to the that this man I wil loue and demaunde and I ê“myse the in good faith that yf thon ony more gaynsaye me i shall flee my self and thenne thou shalt be cause of my deth For I wil not lese him that I haue so loÌ„ge loued But I say to the for trouth that if thou euer say to me suche wordes of my frende paris that thou shalt neuer after haue space to say them ageyn an other time for thou considerest wel his noble coÌ„dicyoÌ„s acustomes thou sholdest preyse hym better thaÌ„ thou doost knowest not thou wel that the kiÌ„g of frauÌ„ce wold that it had coste hym half hys toyaume that hys sone Lowys were as vayliauÌ„te as parys is And also there be many notable lordes that desyre to knowe his name and to haue hys amytye ThenÌ„e take hede and byholde by my
hit was no longe syth suche tweyne departed with other men And the maÌ„ supposed that the sayd chappelayn had sayd it in jape or in mockyng And sayd that the Daulphyn was moche angry and had sworne that yf ony man or woman knewe there they were and shewed it not that he shold make theÌ„ to lose theyr hedes whaÌ„ the chapelayn herde these wordes he remeÌ„bred him of theÌ„ that we rehyd in hys hous aÌ„d in grete drede sayde to hiÌ„ that he shold tarye there a lytel aÌ„d that for the loue of my lord daulphyn he wolde gladly seche for them and assone as he myght fynde tydynges of them he shold lete hym wyte And so deê‘ted fro thens and retorned home ageyn tolde all thys to parys what he had herde iÌ„ the toune sayeng also that he doubted that it was for them of hys coÌ„panye Wherfore he sayd to hiÌ„ ferthermore Syr I praye you that ye deê‘te from hens aÌ„d suffre not that I lese my lyf But take ye the beste counceyl ye can For there beÌ„ fyfty menÌ„ on horsebak that secheyon Whan paryherde hiÌ„ saye this it nedeth not to demauÌ„de yf he were heuy melaÌ„colyous aÌ„d for the grete sorowe that he had he chaunged al hys colour and he sayd to the chapelaiÌ„ I praye you that ye tarye a lytel and i shal make you an aÌ„swer And thenÌ„e parys went to vyeÌ„ne for to telle to hyr al this feat And whaÌ„ vyenne sawe him entre and so chaunged in hys colour sayd to parys what tydinges brynge ye which are so pale your colour chauÌ„ged i praye you hertely as I can that it playse you to telle me ThenÌ„e paris sayd to hyr The tydinges that I bringe ben euyll for yow forme For shortely shal be accomplisshed our aduenture therefore I wil slee my self f aÌ„d also he sayd complaynyng O god how my lyf is sorowful and heuy to haue brought this excellent lady as ye ar in such dauÌ„ger o good god why gaf thou not to me the deth to fore or that I fette hyr out of hyr faders hous O alas my fader and my moder what shal be falle of you whan the daulphiÌ„ shall knowe that I haue stolen from hym his doughter O my good felawe Edward why counceylled not i with the tofore or I had doon thys folye And after he retorned to vyenne sayeng and what shall falle of you my lady whan your fader shall see yow Certes I thynke that how cruel that he be whaÌ„ he shal see your noble persone his hert shall not suffre to do you ony harme O god almyghty do to me that grace that I onely may bere the payn of this fayt non other O ladi vnhappy was that day for you for me whan fyrst ye had acqueyntauÌ„ce of me And whaÌ„ paris had fynysshed hys complaynte he tolde to VyeÌ„ne al that the chapelayn had sayd to hym and forwyth as a ê‘sone despayred took his swerde wold haue ryuen yt thurgh hys body and vyenne as vertuouse valyaunte took to hyr hert aÌ„d took the swerde fro him aÌ„d comforted hym sayde O free knight my yoye my lyf misolace what will ye doo knowe ye not wel that who that sleeth him self wytyngly sleeth the sowle the body and yf ye deye I assure yow I shal deye also soo shal ye be cause of my deth as well as of your owne O parys where is your wysedom and your prowesse Now whan ye shold haue mooste strengthe moost vertuous courage ye be aferde O my knight this is noo newe thinge that the ê‘sones that lyueÌ„ in this world haue tribulacioÌ„s of what someuer lygnage they be Certes his is it not the courage of one so vaylyaunte knight as ye be For now whome that ye ought to comforte she must now comforthe you aÌ„d therefore my fayr brother and frende I praye you as moche as ye may that incontynente ye departe fro hens that ye goo your waye yf ye do not so I shal slee my self wyth your swerde For your departyng is as greuoê° to me as myn shal be to yow but it byhouseth to eschewe of two euyls the werse And also ye ought to considere ony thyng that notwythstoÌ„dyng the grete faulte and trespaas that I haue made to my fader yet therfore he shal not put me to deth considered the grete loue that he hath alway had toward me And if ye were taken I wote well that ye and I shold bothe deye and yet I haue good hope that myn entencyon shal come vnto a goode ende For be ye sure though he neuer pardoÌ„ne me I shal neuer haue other husbond but you aÌ„d that I promyse you by my fayth But allewaye of ony thing I praye yow that for none other lady ye forgete me And whan ye shall be in other countreye wryte vnto me of your aduenture And to th ende that ye the better remembre me loo here is a rynge of gold with a dyamoÌ„de the whyche I praye you that ye will kepe for the loue of me ¶ How the gentyll knyght Parys departed from the fayr Vyenne aÌ„d lefte hyr in the chyrche AFter moche other langage parys kyssed vyenne wyth grete syghes and thoughtes she ê¯forted him the best wise as she might in prayeng our lord isu crist that in short time she might see hym lyke as hyr herte desyred moost of ony thinge that was in the world aÌ„d thenÌ„ paris departed fro vyeÌ„ne with grete sorowe and heuynesse took hys waye wy t his seruauÌ„te til he came to the riuer where they coude not to fore passe aÌ„d as despayred doubted noo thinge but entred therin aÌ„d the water was soo aualed that they passed withoute ony peryl And they rode two dayes withoute ony mete for they durst not passe thourgh ony toun and they passed til they came to ayguesmortes and there he founde the galeye that george had hyred which anone he took solonge sayled aÌ„d rowed tyl that they arryued a Gene Parys made meruailloê° countenaunces in the Galeye that alle they that were therin had supposed that he had be a fool for alle way he was pensyf ymagynatyf vnnethe wold speke ne say a word ThenÌ„ whaÌ„ he was at Gene. he hyred him alodgyng lyued there in grete heuynesse aÌ„d sorowe Now leue we to speke of Parys aÌ„d retorne we to vienne whych abode iÌ„ the chapelayns hous ¶ How vyenne was founde in the chyrche by a fotemaâ— and how she was brought ageyn to hyr fader WHan paris was deê‘ted fro vyenne she abode allone wy t ysabeau makyng the gretest sorowe of the worlde that it was a grete pyte to beholde lyke as she had as leef to deye as to lyue aÌ„d whaÌ„ she was wel wery of wepiÌ„g that it was force that she must retourne to the mercy of hyr fader the doulphin she appeased hyr self anonÌ„ the chapelayn went for to seche
his goodes and thinges I sholde be moche ioyoê° aÌ„d the dolphin for the plaisir of his doughter sayd to hyr that it wel playsed to him incoÌ„tiueÌ„t the dolphiÌ„ dyd do delyuer messyre iaques out of prysoÌ„ and dyd do retorne to hiÌ„ al his goodes and thinges that had be takeÌ„ froÌ„ him Wherof messyre Iaques had grete playsit for if he had abydeÌ„ leÌ„ger i prison he had be dede for huÌ„ger for there was none that coÌ„forted hiÌ„ but edward which ê¯forted hiÌ„ the best wyse he myght gaf to hym dayly that whyche was necessarye for hys lyf whan vyeÌ„ne knewe that messire iaques was oute of prisoÌ„ she was moche ioyeful had grete plaisir neuertheles al the ê¯solacyoÌ„ of vyeÌ„ne was whaÌ„ she might speke wy t edward of hyr loue parys thus she passed hir time in ryght grete payne heuynes the beste wyse she myght ¶ How Parys sente a letter to hys felawe Edward NOw late vs leue to speke of this mater aÌ„d retorned we vnto parys which abode in the cyte of Gene moche heuy whiles this mariage was in trayry Parys dwelled in Gene out of all joyes and playsauÌ„ces worldy all for the loue that he had to the fayr vyenne whome he had somoche at his hert And abode alle way in his lodgyng allone by came so deuoute so huÌ„ble toward god that it was grete meruaylle and also for the good couÌ„tenauÌ„ces that he made he was moche wel beloued of alle the nobles the peple of the cyte and they helde hym for a noble man sayd he must nedes be the sone of a grete lorde aÌ„d parys beyng in this maner had grete desyre to haue tydinges of vyenne and what was hyr aduenture And anone ordeyned two letters that one to hys fader and that other to his felawe Edward Of whiche the letter to hys fader sayd in this maner Ryght dere and honourable sit aÌ„d fader playse yf you to wete that i am moche sorowful aÌ„d heuy of my cruel aduentur and also I endure grete heuynes sorowe aÌ„d affâ—ictyon doubtyng that forme ye haue suffred grete payne tribulacyoÌ„ i late you were that I am at Genes and dwelle in a lodgyng allone deposed fro all joyes and consolacyons mondayne For myn enteÌ„dement is to serue god and our ladi fro hens forth and purpose that ye shal see me nomore for i wil departe goo thurgh the world to seche holy pplgrimages if bi adueÌ„ture I shal deye tofore that ye shal see me i praye you that it may playse yow to ê‘donne me and to gyue to me your benedictyon Also dere sit aÌ„d fader I praye you supplie that my dere brother aÌ„d felowe Edward ye wil take in my name aÌ„d place that he be recommaunded as your sone instede of me as wel in your heritage as in other thinges and the grace of the holy ghoost be with you RecoÌ„maunde me to my moder c. ¶ And the letter of Edwaerd sayd thus DEre and specyal brother and singuler freÌ„de Edward the peril of parys and of his aduenture is poursyewed of all euyll and cruell fortune I commauÌ„de me to you as moch as I may say or thynk Neuertheles lyke as we haue beÌ„ acustomed to write letters of loue of cheualrie Now I must wryte letters anguysshous of sorowe and of euyl fortune for alas i am vnhappy all allone in a strange countree exyled fro alle joyes and fro alle plaisir and out of al worldly plaisaunce thinking nyght and day on the bele vyenne the which i thinke that for me hath suffred mortall sorowe aÌ„d I say to you that if i knewe that for me she suffred payne aÌ„d sorowe i shold be in despayr for i am worthy for to be punysshed cruelly for that fayre and none other Wherfore I praye god and all his sayntes that she may be kepte from all euill gyue hyr grace to prospere in al good and honour lyke as she is worthy myn herte desyreth ¶ Aly dere brother and felawe the most dere thinges that I loue in this world is fyrst the fayr swete vyeÌ„ne and next you to whoÌ„ i praye you if it may be in ony wise that ye wyll saye hyr in my name how that i am lyuing iÌ„ Genes passyng my lyf moche heuy aÌ„d sorouful forth absence of hyr noble persone for the cruel and euyll fortune that hath pourfie wed me and also say ye to hyr that i crye hyr mercy that it may plaise hyr to pardonne me If by me she haue ony displaysir and god knoweth myn entencyon in what tribulacion i lyue And syth that it hath not playsed to our lord that we accomplysshe not our desyre and wille we ought to bere it paciently And also ye shal saye to hyr that I praye and supplye her as moche I may that she yet take no husbonde vnto the time that she shal see th ende of our aduenture aÌ„d after this I praye you dere brother of the consolacion of my fader and my moder and that ye be to them as a sone For seyng the loue that alwaye we haue had togyder I haue wrysoÌ„ to my fader that iÌ„ the stede of me he take you for his sone and that after his lyf he will leue to you hys herytage for so moche brother felawe i praye byseche you that ye be to theym humble obeissaunt the better ê‘te shal be youres aÌ„d if by aduenture ye wryte to me ony lette late the letter be kepte in my faders hous the holy ghoost haue you in his kepyng and he delyuerd this letter to a courtour whiche wythin fewe dayes was at vyeÌ„ne secretly delyuerd his letters to Edward the good knight Whan edward had receyued these letters aÌ„d knewe that paris was a lyue he had right a grete ioye as ony maÌ„ coude thiÌ„ke or byleue Neuertheles he helde the coutrout secretly in his how 's to th ende that the doulphin shold not knowe therof aÌ„d whan he had herde the letters he went to the hous of messyre Iaques the fader of the noble parys sayd to him Messyre iaques I bringe to you this letter and whan messyre iaques had redde the letter he coude not be saciat of redyng he took so grete playsir therin After that he had redde it at his playsir he prayed Edward to wryte to hiÌ„ an answer wel at large of alle that was byfallen syth his departyng this doon edward departed fro him wente vnto beale vienne whome he fonde moche heuy soroufull for hyr loue and frende parys And Edward sayd honourable lady how is it that ye be thus heuy vyenne sayd to hiÌ„ alas fayr broder Edward I haue good reason aÌ„d cause to be heuy For myn hert abydeth thinking day aÌ„d nyght on my good knight parys and I knowe not whether he be a lyue or dede of which thinge i moche desyre to
it plaise you grauÌ„te ye him his wille ThenÌ„e sayd vyenne lord haue herd say moch good of your that ye be he that haue doon somoche for my fader but neuertheles in the maladye in the which I am none ought to couÌ„ceyl me to take an husbond for my lyf may not loÌ„ge endure by cause that ye may knowe that I say trouht approce ye ner to me ye shal fele and smelle in what disposicioÌ„ i am of my ê‘sone thenÌ„e they approuced ner to hyr vyeÌ„ne had put ij quarters of an heÌ„ne vnder hyr two arme hooles there yssued so grete steÌ„che that the bisshop ne the frere might not suffre it Neuertheles the slynche was to parys a good odour for he smelled it not and sayde I wote not what ye smelle for I fele none euyl sauour aÌ„d they meruaylled stroÌ„gely bycause he felte not the odour the frere sayde in parys name For this odour shall I neuer leue you i assure you i shal neuer deê‘te fro heÌ„s vntyl ye haue coÌ„sented to that your fader wyll vyeÌ„ne aÌ„swerd moche aÌ„grely saide by the fayth that i owe to god i shal rather reÌ„ne wy t my hede ayeÌ„st the wall that shal make my braiÌ„ yssue oute of my mouth so shal ye be the occasion of my my deth ThenÌ„ sayd the frere ye shal not so doo madame For i promyse you fro heÌ„s forth that i shal neuer speke more to you sythe that it is not your wylle ne playsir but atte leste of one thing i praye yow that this night ye aduyse you i shall retorne to morn for to haue of you an aÌ„swer ye shal take couÌ„ceyl of your felowe i praye to god that ye may be wel couÌ„ceylled alle these thinges sayd the frere i the name of parys to vyeÌ„ne after they took theyr leue of vyeÌ„ne sayd alle to the doulphin wherof he was thenÌ„ moch displeased bad the frere to telle it all vnto parys for to excuse hiÌ„ that he shold not leye the blame on him And whan they were deê‘ted fro vyeÌ„ne she sayd to ysabeau My sayr suster what semeth you of the wisedom of my fader that thinketh that I shold take this moure to my husboÌ„d haue refused the sone of the duke of bourgoynÌ„ but god forbede that euer in my lyf i haue other lord thaÌ„ paris to myn husbond whome I hope yet to haue ysabeau sayd Tertes madame I wote not what to say of your fader which wold gyue you to a moure in mariage I haue therof grete thought for he hath sayd that he shal retorne to mornÌ„ to see you and hath sayd that ye shold remeÌ„bre and aduyse you How parys came to see vyeÌ„ne in the pryson how she knewe him ANd on the mornÌ„ betymes parys cladde hym moche more rychely than to fore gyrde with a moche ryche swerde came to the pryson with the frere and the frere sayd to hyr Madame we been retorned for to knowe your god aÌ„swer and your enteÌ„cyon And vyenne answerd lordes myn entencyoÌ„ is that I shal neuer breke my promesse that I haue made For I haue avowed that I shal neuer take husbond ne goo owte of this pryson but dede sauf him to whome I haue ê“mysed aÌ„d therfore retorne ye in good tyme ThenÌ„e sayd the frere by my fayth I wote not what to say for hit is grete dommage that ye suffre so moche sorowe payne aÌ„d syth it is thus your wylle that ye wyl none other wise doo Neuertheles the moure prayeth you to do to him so moche grace that syth ye wyl not take him in mariage that ye wyll bere thys rynge for the loue of hiÌ„ Now thys rynge was the same rynge that vyeÌ„ne gaf to parys whan he deê‘ted fro hyr in the how 's of the chapelayn and vyeÌ„ne bycause they shold no more come ageiÌ„ took the rynge whan she had receyued the rynge parys sayd to the frere I praye you that ye tarye a lytel wythoute For I wyl see what couÌ„tenauÌ„ces she wyl make of the rynge the frere sayd gladli Neuertheles he meruaylled moche and incoÌ„tinent the frere wente oute vyeÌ„ne began to beholde the rynge whan parys sawe that vyeÌ„ne byhelde the rynge so stroÌ„gely he began to speke in his playne tongue aÌ„d sayd O moche noble lady why be ye soo moch meruaylled of that rynge ThenÌ„e sayd vyeÌ„ne Certrs to my semyng I sawe neuer a fayrer ThenÌ„e sayd parys therfore I praye you that ye take therin pleisir for the more that ye byholde it the more ye shal prayse it ¶ WhaÌ„ vyeÌ„ne herd these moure thê° speke theâ— she was more admerueylled thaÌ„ tofore was as a persone al abasshed sayd Alas am i enchauÌ„ted what is this that I see aÌ„d here speke in sayeÌ„g these word she wolde haue fledde for fere oute of the prisoÌ„ bycause the herd the moure so speke ThenÌ„e sayd parys o moch noble ladi vyeÌ„ne meruaile ye noo thinge ne haue ye noo doubte lo here is parys your trâ—â—we seruauÌ„te vyeÌ„ne was thenÌ„ abasshed more thaÌ„ tofore certes sayd she this may not be but bi werke enchauÌ„ced parys sayd noble lady hit is nonÌ„ enhauÌ„ted werke for i am your seruauÌ„t parys whych lefte you wy t ysabeau in such a chyrche there ye gaf to me the dyamoÌ„d whiche now i haue delâ—â—erd to you there ye ê“mysed to me ye wold neuer take husbond but me aÌ„d be ye no thynge admeruaylled of the berde ne of the vesture that i bere for they take awaye the knowleche of me many other wordes sayd parys to vyenne bi whiche she knewe clerely that he was parys for the souerayn loue that she bare to hiÌ„ for the grete ioye that she had she began to wepe in his armes teÌ„brace kysshe him moch swetely aÌ„d there they coÌ„forted eche other wyth swete wordes she abode loÌ„ge time VyeÌ„ne coude not ynough kysse hym embrace hiÌ„ also parys demauÌ„ded of hyr adueÌ„ture she tolde him all And of all this ysabeau had nothiÌ„g herde of For she was faste a slepe bycause she had watched all the night byfore and for the grete ioye swetenes that parys vyeÌ„ne demeaned bytwene theÌ„ she awoke whan she sawe vyeÌ„ne beyng eÌ„braced wy t the moure she sayd Madame wat is that ye do haue ye loste your witte that so embrace this moure hath he enchauÌ„ted you that ye suffre him so famylier with you aÌ„d is this the fayth that ye kepe to parys for whoÌ„ ye haue suffred so moch paine sorowe vyeÌ„ne sayd Swete sustere say ye noo suche wordes but come take your ê‘te of the solace that i haue for also wel haue ye fouÌ„deÌ„ good adueÌ„ture as i haue see ye not here my swete parys whoÌ„ so moch we haue desyred ThenÌ„e isabeau approched
knowe for if he be deed I am cause therof and certes yf he be dede i may not lyue after hym if our lord wold doo so moche grace that he be a lyue fayn wold I knowe in what londe he is to th eÌ„de that i myght seÌ„de to him a lytel money so that he haue noo necessyre for his persone And Edward sayd to hyr Madame what wyl ye gyue me if i telle to you good tydinges sure of him ThenÌ„e sayd vyenne by my fayth there is no thing that i haue in this world whiche I may gyue wyth myn honour but that I shal gyue it to you ThenÌ„e sayd edward loo here is a letter whiche he hath seÌ„te to me whaÌ„ vyeÌ„ne sawe the letter she opened it redde it al alloÌ„ge whan she had redde it she had soo grete ioye that hyr semed god had appyered to hyr the ioye yâ— she had in hir hert she wed wel in hir vysage For sythe that she departed fro parys she had not so good vysage ne chere as she had thenÌ„ whaÌ„ the solace had ynough eÌ„dured edward said to hyr Aladame gyue to me ageyn my letter that I may make to hiÌ„ an answer And Vyeune sayd It pleseth me moche that ye make to paris my swete freÌ„de an answer but surely the letter shal remaine wy t me theÌ„ne he sayd madame haue ye not promyse to gyue to me that thing that I shal demaunde you yes sayd she ThenÌ„e edward sayd I desyre ne wille haue none other thinge but that ye gyue to me my letter syr assone shal i gyue to you my lyf but and yf ye wil demaunde ony other thinge I wyll wel ThenÌ„e sayd Edward I am coÌ„tente that the letter abyde with yow after he ordeyned an other letter to Parys which sayd in his manere ¶ How Edward sente answer of his letter to parys which abode iÌ„ the cyte of Genes RYght dere brother freÌ„de and felawe parys your fader aÌ„d your moder grete you well the whiche haue suffered for you moch dysease payne and displaysit and in especyal your fader which hath loÌ„ge been in pryson and alle his goodes were taken fro him and also I certefye you that by the grace of god and at the request and prayer of vyenne the dolphin hath ê“doÌ„ned him all hys euyl wille deliuerd hiÌ„ oute of prisoÌ„ aÌ„d restored to him all his goodes ageyn And plese it you to wete fayre brother that vyeÌ„ne hath had so moche ioye plaisir whaÌ„ she had knowleche that ye were a lyue that hit is woÌ„der to byleue For al hyr ê¯solacioÌ„ was to haue tydinges of you aÌ„d she recommauÌ„deth hyr to you as moche as she may hath moche grete desire to see you also prayed you not to wythdrawe you fro hyr ne fro that coÌ„treye but that ye wryte ofte to hyr of your estate and sendeth to you an eschauÌ„ge of thre thousand fsoryns of whiche she wyll that ye take your playsit and yoye for al hyr hope is in you Also ye shal vnderstaÌ„de that she hath be kepte in pryson a certayn tyme But thanked be god she is now oute Also i haue shewed to hyr your letter whiche she receyueth aÌ„d after that she had redde it I myght neuer haue it ageyn But she sayd that she had leuer to lese al that she had than the sayd lettere ye shal knowe that the doulphin treateth a maryage for hyr the whiche is the sone of the duc of bourgoyn he hopeth fro day to day that it shal be accoÌ„plysshed Neuertheles I truste soo moche in vyeÌ„ne seyng that whyche she hath sayd to me that she will neuer haue other husbond but yow wherfore lyue ye forth joyously in hope Dere brother i thaÌ„ke you as i can or may for the representacioÌ„ that ye haue doon for me your sowle be with god to whome i praye that he kepe you iÌ„ his holi warde and protectyon c WhaÌ„ this letter was wryteÌ„ he delyuered it to the courour which made hasty journeyes so that he arriued at genes where as the god knight paris dwelled aÌ„d abode ¶ WhaÌ„ the noble parys had redde the letter knewe that vyeÌ„ne had beeÌ„ in pryson almoost for sorow he was oute of his witte cursyng his euyll fortune aÌ„d after he cursed the day that he was borne aÌ„d moche discomforted him self also he cursed the daulphyn sayng O euel fader aÌ„d vnconnyng how may your hert suffre to put in pryson hyr that is so noble a creature which is ful of all vertues that is the fayr vyenne which is noo thinge cause of this fayte For I my self onely haue doon it ought to bere allone the penaunce alas and wherfore dyde not god to me so moche grace that I had be takeÌ„ in stede of hyr O fayre vyeÌ„ne what haue i doo for you which haue suffred so moche payne for me Thus he made a grete whyle his sorwe i wepyng strongely After parys sawe that the fayr vyeÌ„ne was retorned in to hyr first estate wherof he was moch joyyous whaÌ„ he had receyued these eschauÌ„ge that vyeÌ„ne hath sente him he hyred a moch fayr hous cladde hiÌ„ honestly tycheli took acqueyntaunce amytye wy t the grettest and beste of the cyte in so moch they dyde hiÌ„ moche good honour thê° dwelled paris a grete while alway remeÌ„bryng in his hert the loue of vyeÌ„ne for alleway his loue eÌ„creaced euery moneth thei wrothe letters ech to other of which here is made noo meÌ„cyoÌ„ for it shold be ouer loÌ„ge to reherce torne we here in to flauÌ„dres for the fayte of the mariage of the excellent vyeÌ„ne ¶ How the dukes sone of bourgoigne cam to haue vyenne in mariage THy storye sayth now that whan therle of Flaunders had accorded the maryage with the duc of bourgoygne he made redy his sone and apparaylled hiÌ„ of companye of horses lete it be knoweÌ„ to the daulphin that he shold make redy al thinge necessarye and that he shold hastely sende to him his sone WhaÌ„ the daulphiÌ„ herde these tidynges that he whome he somoche desired sholde come he was moche joyous incoÌ„tineÌ„t dyd doo make redy many grete meruayllous festes and duryng the same dyd doo make redy his sone the duc of bourgoygne horses and peple for to accoÌ„panye hiÌ„ whiche was a fayre thinge to see ¶ And after sent him to therle of flauÌ„ders which receyued him with grete joye with grete honour fested hym two dayes aÌ„d delyuerd to him his sone in his coÌ„panye sente hym to the daulphin whan the doulphiÌ„ knewe their comyng he dyd do make redy to receyue him aÌ„d whaÌ„ they were by a day journeye nyghe vnto vyeÌ„ne he rode oute wyth moch grete chyualrye receyued them with moche grete ioye playsir and eche made grete feste to other which were ouer loÌ„ge to recouÌ„te Neuertheles tofore that the daulphyn