vnto a thyng that I shall coÌ„maunde the. Ha sayde the marchauÌ„t that sawe himselfe betrayed Archebysshop I se and knowe well I am in your mercy that with me ye may do your pleasure Wherfore I pray you that ye wyl tell me what thyng it is that ye wyl I doo And I shall accomplysshe it so that it please you for to â—aue my lyfe Marchaunt sayd the archebysshop thys shalte thou do ¶ I wyl that before the Emperour and the kinge Pepyn thou testify openly that wyth wroÌ„g and agaynst ryght thou haste accused me falslye and by enuy And of this dede discharge me and shalt take the charge by suche a couenaunt that yf thou wylte do it I swere and promise the to saue the fro deathe and make thy peas towarde the Emperoure and the kynge Pepyn And more ouer I swere vnto the by the faythe of gentylnesse and by the ordre of preesthode to giue the a nece of myne in maryage the whiche is ryche fayre pleasauÌ„t Than mayst thou say that there was neuer none in thy lignage so happy nor so riche And therfore auyse the yf thou wyl do it after this maner and chesâ— whether thou wylte lyue or dye for thou mayst noâ— escape by none other way with thy lyfe Incontynent as the marchauÌ„t herde the Archebysshop speke so he was much sorowful not wythout a cause he reclaymed bothe god and our lady mekely to kepe him from death and saue his right And than he answered in thys mauer Syr Archebysshop your reason is good I am redy to accoplysshe it and obey you in affâ—enge me that you wyl kepe your promyse In me sayd the Archebysshop ye shal finde no faute Now in goddes name said the marchaunte go doe to to the Emperour and I shal dysaccuse you of the great iniury â–ª that I haue preposed agaynst you it is well sayd now ryse vp and you shall come with me At these wordes the marchauÌ„t rose vp â–ª and whan he was vp he recorden the treason that the Archebysshop had done him fayninge that he wolde haue confessed him as I haue made mencion here before wherefore he toke courage to him and thought to serue him with the same mese for it is said comnenly the treason wil euer returne to his maister againe ThaÌ„ he toke the Archebysshop in his armes with soo greate courage that anone he had throwen him vnder him than sayd to him Archebysshop you haue taught me to play this pagent wherfore thinke now to confesse you to me for ye shall haue none other confessour but me Yet thought the fals Archebysshop on diuers cauillacions wyth swete wordes wolde haue deceiued the marchaunt agayne But the marchauÌ„t neuer trusted him more nor gaue him noo more tyme nor space to rise vp but anone with great diligence put out bothe his eyen and gaue him so many strokes that he had no strengthe to defende hym And whan the marchaunte saw that he was domynatour and had the ouer haÌ„de he rose vp and let hym lye And called the kepers of the felde and sayd to them Lordes here may you se yf that I haue done my deuoyre against the Archebisshop and yf he be vaynquysshed you se that I put hym in suche estate that whan it semeth me good I maye slee hym or kyll hym Wherfore I praye you that it wyll please you to make the Emperour and the kynge Pepyn to come hether with their lordes for to here the coÌ„fession of the Archebysshop to here that with vniust quarrell he hath takeÌ„ batayle agaynst me Than went they to fetche to the fielde the Emperoure Alexander the kyng Pepyn the whiche came accompanied with many notable barons to the place where as the Archebysshop was sorowful and confounded And the Emperour demaundeth him the truthe of the matter And the false Archebisshop knowledged before them al the dede and tolde them all the maner howe that with wronge he had spokeÌ„ against the lady Bellyssant and without any cause had made her be put in exile by treâ—treâ—son and falshode Alas chynke how many pyteous teeâ—es there was shedde on all sydes and specially of the Emperoure for his cries and lamentacions were soo pyteous that all they that were about hym wepte bytterly and made great sorowe And if the Emperour demeaned great dole demaunde not if that the kyng Pepyn at that tyme was tryste and sorowful Alas it was not without a cause that they demeaned suche sorowe when they sawe and knewe that by to light beleuing and false treason they had lost the excelleâ— lady Bellyssant kyng Pepyns syster and wife vnto the Emperour And there was betwene the Emperoure Alexander and the kyng Pepyn Joye in dystresse by two parties conâ—oyned Joye to the kyng Pepyn that of his sister knew the loyalte Doloure and displeasaunce to the Emperoure that of the deade founde hymselfe culpable Because that then he knew that with wronge he had chaced her from hym And after all the lamentacions and the confession and treason of the Archebysshop harde The Emperâ—pre assembled his counsayll for to Judge what death the Archebysshop should die of and it was established that he should be boyled in â—yle all quicke so it was done After the which iudgement euery body withdrewe them vnto their demayne and dwellynge place And when the kyng Pepyn hadde withdrawen him into his lodgyng the Emperour doleÌ„t and sorowfull syghyng profoundly came towarde hym and kneled downe before hym and sayde all wepyng Alas syr I haue coÌ„mitted against you a cryme to detestable dishonest Nowe se I clearely my miserable fauâ—te and knoweth that by my folyshnes and light creaunce I am and haue ben cause to put your syster in exyle and to perdiccion of the whiche thynge I requyre you of pardon and before you I presente me as culpable abydyng your grace And in knowledgyng of my false villanye and for satisfaction and a mendes I yelde and put into your handes the Empyre of Grece that iustly and of good ryght appertayneth to me For I requyre â—o haue no more the name of an Emperoure nor of a kyng as longe as I shall lyue vpon the earth but wyl as a seruaunt in all thinges obeye you for I haue wel deserued it ¶ When the kyng Pepyn vnderstoode the good will and the great humilite of the Emperoure he toke him vp and pardoned him before at his lordes And after that their peace was made by a common accorde they delybeâ—ed betwene them for to sende messengers into euery countrey to serche the noble lady Bellyssant After the which thinges the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into Fraunce ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure and departed from CoÌ„stantinoble for to go into FrauÌ„ce And howe he went afterwarde to Rome agaynste the Sarasyns that had taken the cytie ¶ Capitulo x. HOwe kyng Pepyn departed from Constantynoble after the thinges aforesayd And so
the cytie of Jherusalem cap. lxxxviii ¶ Howe the kinge of Surie sent a messenger vnto the Patriarke of Jherusalem byddynge him brynge him king Pepin and the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce the whiche he dyd cap. lxxxix ⧠How the kyng of ynde the great ledde kynge Pepyn away for the parte of his prysoners but he knewe not that he was kyng of Fraunce ca. lxxxx ¶ How kynge Pepyn beynge wyth the kynge of Ynde had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde ca. lxxxxi ¶ How Brandyffer brought vnto the stronge castell the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce put them in prisoÌ„ ca. lxxxxii ☞ Howe Brandiffer after that he hadde assembled hys hoost mounted on the see and wente and beseged the cite of Angory ca. lxxxxiii ⧠How Brandiffer knew that Lucar Was in Angorye And sente vnto Valentyne for to make the appoyntement to bye hym agayne ca. lxxxxiiii ⧠Howe Valentyne demaunded the kynge of Fraunce for chaunge of kynge Lucar by the consente of the lordes and barons ca. lxxxxv ¶ How Myllondangler that was named the kynge of Fraunce for to saue kyng Pepyn was delyuered out of the prisoÌ„ of brandiffer in chauÌ„ge of kyngelucar lxxxxvi ☞ How valentyne and the duke Myllon yssued oute of Angory vpon the sarazyns and howe the sarazyns loste the batayll and were dyscomfyted ca. lxxxxvii ⧠How kyng Pepyn was delyuered in chaunge of the kyng of Yndes Marshall lxxxviii ⧠How kynge Pepyn toke his leue of the fayre Clerymonde and howe he tolde Valentyne tydynges where she was ca. lxxxxix ⧠How kynge Pepyn departed from Angorye and retorned into Fraunce for to so coure hys wyfe ca. C. ⧠How Valentyne wente into Ynde the great counterfet the physycyon for to sethe fayre Clerymonde and how he spake wyth her ca. Ci. ¶ Howe Ualentyne rode away with Clerymonde and how the kynge of Brytayne was yelded vnto kyng Pepyn by treason ca. Cii ⧠How Valentyne toke the stronge castell and deliuered his father the Emperoure of Grece and all the prysoners that were wyth hym â–ª ca. Ciii ¶ How the Seneshal went vnto Ualentynes shyppes how he was put vnto death with al his men ca. Ciiii ⧠How the emperour Orson and the Grene knyght â— abode in garnyson in the stronge castell And how Haufray and Henry made theyr fader to dye ca. Cv. ¶ How after the deathe of kynge Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler woulde haue made the lytle Charles to be crowned kynge of Fraunce ca. Cvi ✚ Howe the emperoure of Grece Orson and the grene knyght departed from the strong castel for to go socour Valentyne in Angorye ca. Cvii ⧠How the crysten men yssued out of the cyte of Angorye and of the ordenaunce and of theyr meruaylous batayles ca. Cviii ⧠How Ualentyne slewe his fader pyteosly in the battayle wythout knowing hym ca. Cix ☞ How millon dangler retorned into FrauÌ„ce And how Valentyne and Orson retorned in to grece ca. Cx. ☞ How Valentyne toke leue of the fayr clerymond for to go vnto Rome for to be shryuen of his synne ca. Cxi ¶ How Valentine in great dolour of his body perfourmed his penaunce for the sleyng of his fader ca. Lxii ⧠Howe the kynge Hugon made Clerymonde to be demaunded for wyfe and how he betrayed Orson and the grene knyght ca. Cxiii ✚ How Galeran dyd his message vnto Bellyssant and the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â— of the meruayllous compâ—ayâ—â—tes that Clerymonde made Ca. Cxiiii ⧠How Bellyssant and Clerymonde knew the treason and false enterpryse of kynge Hugon and how the prouoste smote of the head of Galeran Ca. Cxv. ⧠How Orson and the Grene knyght were delyuered out of the pryson of the kynge of Surye by the appoyn tement of the warre that they made after to kynge Hugon of Hongrye Ca. Cxvi ⧠How at the ende of seuen yere Ualentynge dyed with in his palays of Constaniynoble and howe he wrote a lettre that he was knowen by Ca. Cxvii ¶ Of the meruayllous by syon of Orson and how he be came an hermyte in a great wodde Ca. Cxviii ⧠Here endeth the table newly correcte truely set in order so that ye may fynde euery chapyter lyghtly as the nombre sheweth ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn wedded Berthe a lady of great renowne Capitulo Primo UErytably we fynde in the auncient cronicles that the noble and valiaunt kyng pepyn wedded and toke vnto wyfe Berthe of great renowne dyscrete and prudent whiche had and suffred in her tyme greate trybulations and aduersities by enuy For she was chaced and expulsed from the company and habytacion of the foresayde kynge her husbande by a false and a coursed olde woman replete with malyce The whiche old woman for the fyrst nyght founde maner and facion to put a doughter others in the place of the good Quene Berthe And she ledde and conduyted this treason for to vpholde her doughter with the kynge in the place of Berthe his spouse for they resenâ—bled muche The whiche kynge hadde twoo children by that mayden that is to wiâ—te Haufray and Henry the whiche in the tyme of their reigne greeued and wasted muche the countrey of Fraunce and were of fyerse courage and full of maltalent These twayne were cause to put the Quene Berthe in exile where as she suffred innumerable paynes and dolours And the foresayd lady was full long in exyle leading her lyfe in teares and lamentacions But afterwarde God of his inestimable grace deliuered the good lady from aduersitie for at the requeste and instaunce of dyuerse great lordes the lady was accorded vnto her husbande king Pepyn the whiche in great pyte and honour receyued her And with in a lyttell whyle after she was conceyued with a sone whiche was the ryght puyssaunt Charlemayne and afterwarde he was chased out of the realme by the for said Haufray and Henry as â—o is shewed more playnely in this present booke but nowe I will specifie vnto you y e playne matter of this present booke and specially of the dedes and gouernyng of the valeaunt Ualentine and of his brother Orson It is true that the noble kynge Pepyn had a syster named Bellyssant fayre plesaunte and â—ight gracious And in euery thyng well thought and endoctryned And the kynge Pepyn her brother loued her wyth perfyte loue And in so muche that it happened for the reowne that she had and bycause that bothe great and small loued her for her beaute and humylitie the kynge Alexander Emperour of Constantynoble was enbraced wyth her loue right ardantly So it was not longe after that he came into Fraunce for the same cause in right great estate accompanyed wyth diuers erles and barons the whyche were all in greate pompes and rychesses So shortly after his arryuayle he asseÌ„bled all hys great lordes and coÌ„maunded them to aray them in theyr best araye and that they should go vnto the kynge Pepyn for to knowe yf he wolde gyue him his excellent sister Bellyssane in maryage And so they wente
him as you shal here afterward And whan the king sawe that he myght not haue the wylde man he lefte him and wence on his vyage to Rome The bataylles were renged and the Oryflambe of Fraunce war gyuen to bere a valiaunt prynce that was named Myllon Dangler wyse and of right good conduyte There was Getuays and SampsoÌ„ his brother that were va lyaunt knighres and diuers other dukes erles and ba rons Nowe they haue ryden so muche that they are co men vnto Rome and haue demaunded batayll and the maner of the sarasins it was tolde them how an ad myrall had taken Rome put many men to death and destroyed And hadde vndone the churches and made temples for ydolles And there constrayned the Pope cardynalles archebisshoppes and bisshoppes to serue them after the guyse of their lawe cursed and dampna ble and when kyng Pepyn vnderstode these tydynges he was muche sorowfull for the distresse that the christen men werein He approched nere the citie of Rome and made to assemble his hoste and put his men of armes in arraye and ordeyned his battayles For his harte was entyerly set for to maynteyne the christen fayth â–ª the whiche I shall recyte vnto you here after folowyng ¶ Howe kyng Pepyn beseged Rome And howe Ualentyne Justed with the Admyrall and slewe hym by whose prudence the cytie was gotten agayne ¶ Capitulo xi AFter that the kynge Pepyn had assyeged y e cytee of Rome he called his baâ—ans knyghtes sayd to them in this wyse Lordes you knowe euydently that this mastyf Admyrall and enemye of our holy fayth hath put many valyaunt crysten men vnto dethe and vyllauyed the chyrche Romayne where as our lorde Jesu chryste was serued so deuoutly and honoured the whiche ought for to styre vs vnto compassyon and moderly pyte And therfore I am purposed by the helpe of Jhesu chryste my creatour in whom is my truste for to fyghte and expell the paynyms and sarazyns oute of the cyte of Rome and of all the countree aboute it wherfore aduise you whiche of you wyll bere a letter of dyffyenge vnto the for sayd Admyrall in my name For I wyll delyuer and gyue vnto hym a Journeye of batayll And wyll fyght with hym in exaltinge and susteynyng our fayth vnto the dethe Whan kynge Pepyn had spoken thus there was none that wolde presente them for to answer saue Ualentyne that stepte forth before the kynge and spake afore them all sayenge Syr yf it please you to gyue me lycence I shyl vndertake the message and shal speke afore all the panyms and theyr fyerse Admyrall in suche maner that with the helpe of god and of hys swete moder ye shall knowe that I haue done your message to your profyte myne honoure Of the good wyll and valyaunt courage of Ualentyne the kynge was ryght Joyous and all they of the courte meruaylled therat Than the kynge made a secretary to come whiche he made to wryte a letter of dyffyaunce and after gaue it to Ualentyne for to bere vnto the Admyrall panym ¶ And Ualentyne mounted on horsbacke and toke leue of the kynge and of them of the courte And than he put hym selfe on the waye in puttynge hym in the garde and kepinge of our lorde Jesu christe and came vnto Rome And it is not to be demaunded yf y t he was well loked on for he behaued hym so wel on horsbacke in armes that there was none that sawe hym but that they toke grete pleasure He wente towarde the palays where as y e Admyrall was in his halles tryumphauntly in grete pompes Ualentyne entâ—ed in came before the Admyrall and salued hym in this maner Jhesus that was borne of the vyrgyn Mary and that for vs all suffered dethe and passyoÌ„ saue from euyl encombrauÌ„ce the noble and puyssaunte kyng Pepyn And mahommet saue y e and socoure the redoubted Admyrall euen as I wolde whan Ualentyne had spoken thus the Admyral rose vp and as fyerse proude sayd vnto hym Messenger Ualentyne retorne the to the ende that I se thee no more And tell vnto kynge Pepyn that of Jesus holdeth the lawe that he byleue on mahommet and that he renounce his byleue for euermore or knowe for a certaynte that Iam purposed for to put hym vnto dethe and to dystroye all his londes Nowe go thy waye messenger and make before me no more abydynge For to here thy worde my herte can not suffre Grete foly hast thou enterprysed whaÌ„ that so fyersly thou arte entred in to my palays for to declare suche a thynge before my hyghe maieste Now know for a certayne that yf I knewe that thou dyde it by pryde or presumpcyon and that thou haste enterprysed this thynge by mockery y u sholde neuer retourne vnto kynge Pepyn whan Ualentyne herde the fyerse wordes of the Admyrall he was moche ferefull and not with out a cause For he was full nere the death if that oure Lord had not preserued him he was so inspyred of god that he gaue hym an answere solytarye as well for the lyfe of the body as for â–ª the lyfe of the soule And as wyse and wel endoctrined to giue an answer spake in this maner wyse Alas ryght myghtye and hyt Emperoure do not thyncke in your ymaginacyon that by pryde or presumpcyon I am comen before your magnyfycence For syr whan you shall knowe the maner and the dede how I am comen you wyl be a meruaylled ¶ Tel vs howe thou art comen and all the dede for euen so mahommet helpe me but I shall take pleasure and conso lacyon to here the recite thine enterprise and multeply thy courage in all goodnes Than spake Ualentine sayd Syr Admyrall it is true and certayne that by fals and dysloyall enuye I haue bene accused to the kynge Pepyn and they haue told him that for the great fere and dredâ— that I had to go to warre I would haue retorned into FrauÌ„ce For the which cause the kyng Pepyn hath me in greate indignacion And one morowe he made me to be taken for to smyte of my heed whan I sawe my selfe in thys daunger for to length my lyfe I dyd auaunt me before them all of a great folye For I swore before them of the court that I shoulde come towarde you for to defye you and all your baâ—ons on kynge Pepyns behalfe And more ouer I dyd vaunte me that at my departyng I shuld demaunde you three strokes with a spere vpon your bodi that is so valiauÌ„t and so well renowmed for to wyn pryse and honoure wherfore I requyre you that ye accorde me this thynge for otherwyse I dare not retourne before the kynge Pepyn lest he make me dye Sone sayde the Admyral by mahommet the ryght puyssaunt you shall not be refused but at this same houre I vttre to you y e Justes And to the ende that y e frensshmen that hathe assyeged this cyte may se your
me or not in the estate that I haue sente hym worde Syr sayd valentyne in that haue you no truste for he setteth not astrawe by you nor yours He is fyers and proude and knowe yf you haue wyl for to goo thether yet hath he more gretter desyre for to receiue you and to the ende that you make no doubte that there is falsnes in my message I present vnto you thys letter the whiche he sendeth you by the whyche you may know hys courage and hys wyll The kyng Lucar rceyued it and made it to be redde before all the assystenctes on hyghe And than they founde that the thyng was true as valentyne had sayd And whan kyng Brandiffer vnderstode the answere of the kyng of ynde and that he knewe and apperceyued hys fyers courage he swore by ma hown and Appolyn that he would neuer returne in to hys countree tyll that quycke or dead he had conquered the kyng of ynde ¶ How kyng Lucar wyth fyftene kynges went and assyeged the kynge of ynde Ca. lxxi UPon the morowe he moÌ„unted vpon the see wyth two hundred thousand sarazyns As the quene Rozemonde vnderstode that they wente in to ynde she prayed her husbande so muche that she went wyth hym So they had good wynde and arryued there anone Than they dyscended and pyght theyr tentes in a pleasaunt felde afore ynde They of the cyte shytte the gates faste and the kyng mounted vpon a hyghe toure for to se hys enmyes So he aduised vpon the ryuer syde thre riche pauylyons hanged aboute wyth stremes tryumphauntly and for to haue knowledge whan they were he called a heraute of armes to hym and asked hym whose tentes they were Syr sayd he the fyrst is Brandyffers the seconde is Lucar your enemyes and the thyrde is Rozemondes wyth her ladyes Whan the kyng vnderstode that Rozemonde was there hys heart lepte in hys bely for Joye and toke hardynes vnto hym sayenge to hym selfe It is no tyme for to slepe who wyll haue a fayre lady must put hym in auenture body and goodes And he is not worthy for to haue a fayre lady that wyll not take payne for to conquere her For thys thynge he made to arme hys men and wyth a goeate puysaunce yssued out of the cyte vpoÌ„ his enemyes y e which wyth payne had space for to put them in ordynauÌ„ce and arme them For they thought not that the kyng of ynde wold haue assaylled them so soone but loue made hym to doo it the whych maketh many thynges to be enterprysed so daynly Than was the assaute muche great and the batayll ryght aspro on bothe sydes And whan the kyng of ynde sawe that Brandyffer was medled in the batayll for to set his men in ordenaunce and to conduyte them he left his company and in muche great diligence rode towarde the pauylion of the ladies And Rozemonde sawe him well come and by his armoures knewe him so she yssued out of the tente all alone without any company and went rennyng towarde hym ⧠Howe the kyng of ynde caryed away the fayre Rozemonde behynde him and how Ualentyne rescowed her and brought her agayne ⧠Capitulo lxxii SO as the kyng of ynde appecreyued her ardauÌ„t desyre he smote his horse with the sporres rode towarde the lady and without any soâ—ournyng seâ— her on his horse as she that was lyght and hadde good will to accomplishe the thyng And after that she was mounted she sayd vnto the kyng of Ynde My perfyte and secrete loue you are ryght well founden for you are he that I haue desyred so muche and that I haue abyden of long tyme. And howe well that syth the tyme that you demaunded me my father hathe maryed me notwithstandyng it hath bene against my will and against my courage for I neuer hated man so muche as I do the kyng Lucar that is my husbande but nowe may he well saye that he hath had all the pleasure of me that euer he shall haue And sythe that God hath geuen me the grace for to haue founde you I requyre to haue none other and nowe is myne amerous will accomplyshed entierly Lady sayde the kyng of this doubte you not for I shall neuer fayle you and here I swere to you that or it be thre dayes passed I shall make you quene of Ynde the grete and maistresse of all my tenementes In saying these wordes the kyng of Ynde rode for the leadyng awaye the pleasaunt lady Rozemonde Then the gardes and maydens of the pauylion in great haste ranne vnto the kyng Lucar and sayde too hym Syr there is euyll tydinges for too daye you haue loste too great a losse for the kyng of Ynde your enemy leadeth a waye the pleasaunt lady Rozemonde vpon his horse and presently hath stolen and taken her awaye Wherfore make your men folowe hym for to saue the ladies honoure Nowe holde your peace sayd the kyng Lucar and tell me no more therof for who that hath an euyll wyfe leseth her he ought to be lytell sorowful Thus aunswered the kyng Lucar that had a full sory harte not without a cause And after wente towarde kynge Brandyffer and sayd to hym in this maner Syr sayde he I ought to haue lytel Joye of your doughter whan she hath accorded her to folowe myne enemye for to leue me geue me a reprochable blame Fayre sone sayd Brandiffer be not euyll contente agaynst me for to day I shall auenge you on the traytour that had lede away my doughter Then the kyng Brandyffer smote hys horse with the sporres for too rydeafter hym with a great companye of men and among the other Ualentyne was there that would shewe his great promisse at that nede and sayde vnto Pacolet it is time for to play with thyne arte and shewe thy scyence Then Pacolet made such a charme that it was aduyse vnto the kyng of Ynde that there was before his horse a fyeld full of chycke wodde and busshes great ryuers So he had so great feare for to be taken that he made the lady for to descende for to flee the lightlier And when the quene was on the earth she wende for to haue found the meanes to haue saued her with the kynge but Ualentyne was nere that escryed vnto her Lady abyde for it behoueth you to come with me for of longe tyme you haue promysed me for to gâ—ue me your loue Ha Ualentyne I oughte lytell for to loue you holde you dere whan I requyred you of loue you refused me So it hath be welforce to seke and purchase another then you but syche that fortune hath bene so contrarious to me that I hane fayled of mine enterprise I yelde me vnto your mercy as your poore subiecte and seruaunte for â—uer if it be so that by your meanes I maye make my peace toward the kyng Lucar Lady sayde Ualentyne I shall doo my besy payne so well that you shall knowe that I haue serued
for he was solde and betrayed by the false Haufray ⧠Howe kyng Brandiffer and king Lucar toke king Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce within the cytie of Jerusalem Capit. lxxxviii NOwe is the kyng Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce came in to Jerusalem for to vysyte the holy sepulcre And for to do the more deuoutly y e holy vyages that are in y e lande of promission in the which our lorde Jhesus christe suffred death and passion they are aryued at a good patriarkes the whiche hadde the kepyng of the holy sepulcre And he gaue them guydes for to conduyte them vnto al the holy places in whiche were the indulgences and pardons They made a preest to synge masse afore them euery daye and in great deuocyon vysyted the holy places Nowe happened pyteous thynges for to recouÌ„te whyles that they were wyth in Jherusalem for Brandyffer the kynge af ynde and the kynge Lucar the whyche had ben aduertysed by the traytoure Haufray arryued in the cytie of Jherusalem puyssauntly accompanyed and wente vnto the towre of Dauyd towarde the kynge of Surye that helde the countree and there presented them And whan he sawe theÌ„ he was muche amerâ—â—â—yled of theyr commyng And after the salutacyon made demaunded theym Lordes what thynge dryueth you hether for I thinke that you are not comen hether wythout a great cause ThaÌ„ branyffer spake and sayd vnto hym Syr knowe that by a christen man we are aduertysed and enformed that with in this cyte is arryued the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce wyth the kynge pepyn Now they are the pryncypall enmyes of our lawe and they that of all the worlde maye greue vs moost And haue alredy taken the cyte of Angory and spylled a great quantyte of my lande my men put vnto death and my countre dystroyed And therfore we are comen hetherfor to take theym For whan we shall haue them we may do our wyll wythall Fraunce And of all chrystendome be lordes and maysters By mahowne sayd the kynge of Surye that helde the temple of salamon you speke ryght wysely of thys thynge I am muche contente Nowe be it done after your appetyte for we ought to be curyous for to take dystroye suche menne and for the loue of our goodes we ought to waâ—e vpon that dede Soo I shall tell you what we shall do for to accomplysshe this thinge I shall sende worde vnto the patriarke that and he haue any Frenche pylgryms that be bryng theim too me anone for I wyll sende some letters in to Fraunce ¶ Howe the kyng of Surye sent a messenger vnto the Patryatke of Jerusalen byddyng hym brynge hym kyng Pepyn the twelue peres of Fraunce the whiche he dydde ¶ Capit. lxxxix SO the messenger of the kyng of Surye went towarde the patryarke and sayde vnto him The kyng of Sury sendeth you worde that and you haue any Frenche pyigrâ—ms that you brynge them vnto hym Then he wente vnto theyr lodgynge where as he founde them redy to go vnto theyr souper for they had accomplysshe theyr pylgrymage and sayd vnto them Frendes you muste come presently vnto the kyng of Sury Alas sayd kyng Pepyn here is pyteous tydynges for I am certayne that he wyll put me vnto death yf he knowe me But I shall tell you what we shall doo We wyll make Henry our mayster I shall bere hys hatte and hys staffe By god syr sayd Henry that knewe well treason that shal I not do for here is Orson duke Myllon that are more worthyer to be it than I. Syr sayd the duke Myllon I shall do all that it shal please you Than they departed from theyr lodges to go towarde the Paynym that had sente for them The duke Myllon was honoured as kyng and Pepyn bare hys staffe and hys hat poorely clothed The good patriarke ledde them that thought none euyll and also soone as he hadde delyuered them he departed thens Come hether sayd the kynge of Surye I am well enfourmed of your case you are Frenshemen that come for to espye me and in your company is the kyng of Fraunce Syr sayd one of the twelue peres the kyng of Fraunce is not in this company â–ª peas sayd the kyng of Sury for by mahoune yf the kyng of frauÌ„ce shelve not hym selfe anone I shall make you all dye wythout remyssyon ¶ Kynge sayd anone the traytour Henry of me haue no doubte for it is not I. ThaÌ„ the duke Myllon apperceyued well that there was treason So he sayd all on hye Syr I am the kyng of Fraunce but there is one thynge that I wyll saye vnto you yf it please you to heare me We are coman vnto the holy sepulcre your lawe is suche that all chrysten men maye come and go surely vpon your londe wythout any hurte to the sayde pylgrymage in paying the trybute that is establysshed and dewe vnto you Now we haue al paid and accompiysshed after the ordenaunce of his countrey Whetfore me thynke you doo vs to great wronge if you disturbe vs for that cause By mahowne you may say what you will but there is neyther tyme nor season to you that maketh vs warre for to come hether to espye ourlande Than he called Brandiffer Lucar and said to them Lordes take these false christiaÌ„s spies and do with them your wyll for I put theim entyerly in to your handes to make theym dye of what death it shall please you At these wordes the pylgryms were taken and witholden by the painims So it is not to be demaunded if they fared foule with them for they had no more pytie of the noble lordes thaÌ„ of dogges They were streyghtly holdenand bound and after Brandyffer spake and sayd Lordes I will that these false men be ledde vnto the stronge castell and there be put in my depest pryson Syth we shall go in to Angorye and by force of armes wynne all the countrey After we shall go in to Fraunce and take the countrey put it lyghtly in our obeysaunce for there we shal neyther fynde king lorde nor baron that will saye vs the centrary And therfore you maye go eche of you in to your countrey til a certayne daye that we shal mete at Faleyze and there departe the prysoners after reason Lordes sayde the kyng of Ynde as to the regarde of the prysoners I demaunde none other thynge for my parte but that you wyll geue me the least so I shall make hym my dwerf And make hym ryde with me because that he is lytell and me thynke he is a man sure ynough And I shall doo hym good if he will renounce the lawe of Jhesus To this demaunde accorded all the other gaue kyng Pepyn to the kyng of Ynde that ledde hym in to Ynde with him and loued hym muche afterwarde notwithstandyng that he suffred many trybulacions ¶ How the kyng of Ynde the great ledde kyng Pepyn awaye for the parte of his prysoners but he knewe not
And when she was reuyued she sayde with feble voyce muche pyteously Alas my loue Ualentyne how you haue suffred for me many dolours and tribulacious and I for you â–ª beholde in what pouerte I haue byden without geuing my loue vnto any man Lady sayde Ualentyne one loueth gladly the thyng that is dere bought At these wordes UaleÌ„tine vnderstode that the trompettes and clarons blewe for to set the kyng at souper So he said vnto the faire lady Clerymonde my loue I goo in to the palays but after souper I shall retourne vnto you agayne for I haue made the kyng to vnderstande that I am a physician and a good surgian so the kynge hath sente for me for to come and hele you of your greuous maladye The lady sayd my ryght dere loue go in goddes name the whiche geue you grace to perfourme your enterpry se. Thus departed Ualentyne and wente into the palays And also sone as the kyng sawe hym be demaundeo hym Mayster maye you hele the lady yes said Ualentyne be ioyous for by the wyll of Mahoune you shal here her speake to morowe also wysely as euer she dyd The kynge was so â—oyous that he gaue hym a mauntel of beten golde set with precious stones after made hym be serued at the table lyke his persoue And after souper Ualentyne sayd vnto the kyng Syr it behoueth me to haue a good fyre all the nyght in the chambre of the pacyente and also defende that none shewe them be fore her for she was neuer soo seke as she shall be too nyght Mayster sayde the kyng all shall be done â–ª do but aske and you shall be serued Nowe goeth Ualentyne to warde the fayre ClerymoÌ„de with a great serge in his hande and put it in the chambre and made to make a great fyre in commaundyng euery body to auoyde saue his squyer Than Ualentyne shytte the doores and the wyndowes and sayde vnto Clerymonde My swete lady nowe maye you embrace meat your owne pleasute and than Ualentine espyed the horse of wodde and asked her if it was Pacolettes horse and she sayde yes Then Ualentyne was ryght ioyous therof Alas said she let vs go hence if it may be By God sayde Dalentyne I had well thought it ⧠How Ualentine rode a way with Clerymonde and how the kyng of Brytayne was yeldd vnto kyng Pepyn by treason Lâ—pit C. ii UAlentyne open 〈…〉 e at midnyght and mounted 〈…〉 great wyndowe where as the mone shone After he mounted vpon the horse and set the lady before him and his squier behynde hym and tourned the pynne and the horse wâ—t ouer the sea roches townes and castelles tyll that he was before Angory And there was not one that ourste saye a worde and euen there fayled the charme Ualentyne made the gates to be opened for it was day Great ioye was made through Angory for the comyng of Cicrymonde Ualentyne made her to be rychely clothed and on the moro we wet dâ—d her w t great solemphite whan the kyng of ynde knewe that he had loste the lady he despyâ—â—d his goddes saying Ha false enchauntour thou hast well deceyued me but I shal make the be hanged by the necke He inaâ—e Ualentyne to be pursued ynought but none could tell hym tydynges So wyll I tell you of kyng Pepyn that returned into Fraunce for to socoure hys wyfe and his londe agaynst the kynge of Brytâ—yne FOor bycause that the kyng of Brytayne herde saye that the kyngo Pepyn and the twelft peres had bene taken uâ— Iherualem he thought vetayly that they hadde ben all dead and sayde that he wolde be kynge of Fraunce and wedde Berthe So he made alyannce wyth the erle of Mount fort with the duke of Berry Wyth the duke of Denemours and wyth the erle of Armyngnae So he made to cry throughe all Brytayne that al that myght bere wepen should god wythhyln into Fraunce Whan the quene Berthe knewe of that tydynges she was muche sorowfull but she myght not remedy it soo she tooke her sonne That les and fledde vnto Lyon â–ª In that same tyme there was an Erle of Aniou true and of good fayth that for to socoure the quene Berthe made hys â—yâ—e and hys castelles to be well garnysshed wythe men and vyttaylles as gaynst the Brytons Whan the quene knewe hys good wyll she sent hym foure thousande horsmen to kepe the passage The kyng of Brytaync had the erle gyue hym passage into Fraunce and he answered that he wolde not So it was not longe that seuen Erles and thre dukes came before the cyte of Angyers and assyeged it And the Erle yssued not oute but kepte the câ—â—ie myghtely Now the kynge Pepyn made so greate dylygeuce that durynge that syege he arryued at Paâ—â—s and was receyued worshypfully of all the burgey ses and for his comyng made ryght great Ioye All the relyques were borne thorough the cytie in procession Whan the quene knewe that he was at Parys she wente vnto hym and sayde to hym all weyyng My dere lorde I besethe you to auenge me on the kyng of Brytayne Lady sayd the kyng take you no thoughte for by the plersute of God you shall be auenged Than he made to assemble his men and his hoost in great haste and sente for pyckardes henies brabansons and normans Great was the assemble of kyng Pepin against the king of Brytayne Nowe had the enemies tydinges of his coÌ„myng where of they were muche abasshed and doubted hym muche and not without a cause So all the alyes of kyng Arthur toke a counsaill together that they should take the for sayde Arthure and delyuer hym vnto kynge Pepyn for to make their peace the better and couer theâ—â— defautes and so they dyd For vpon a nyght they tooke him in his hoost in bedde and ledde him vnto kyng Pepyn the whiche made his head to be smyten of within Chatelet of Parys Wel thought the alyes y t the warre had bene ceased but king Pepyn toke from thâ—â—andes and possessions as it appeareth more plainly in the â—â—oâ—ycles vpon those thynges composed ⧠Now Ualentyne toke the strong castell and deliuered his father the Emperoure of trece and all the prysoners that were with hym Cap. C. iii. MUche was Ualentyne in greate thoughtâ— nyghte and daye how he might deliuer his father ¶ For he knew well that the castel myght not be taken by force of armes nor by enchauntement but it might wel be taken by treason So he aduysed a thyng that was much subtilly composed He put in twelue shyppes two thousande men armed and laded theim with all â—yche marchaundyse as perles precious stones and sylkes and mounted vpon the sea and as marchauntes ariued be fore the stronge castell and take lande Ualentyne clothed him in marchauntes wede and set a ryche crowne vpon his head and sayde vnto his men arme you all and take your glayues and hydâ— you pryuely within y e shyppes so that you be not
purchased his death at the laste and that of the quene Berthes fyrst of all And because that they myght not well poyson her they acquainted them with a damosel that was nyght and day with the quene and they gaue her such a gyfte that the false woman consented to the death of the quene that had done her so muche good so that with in fyftene dayes she dyed wherof the kyng Pepyn was so sorowefull that he abode in his bedde And the traytours dyd soo muche by poysons that he dyed for the whiche both lytell and great wepte and not withoute a cause The traytours shewed semblaunt to be sorowfull but they were ryght â—oyus and sayde Nowe maye we well do our pleasure with Fraunce for there is neyther dukes eâ—les nor barons that maye resyste agaynst vs. ¶ Howe after the death of kyng Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler would haue made the lytell Charles to be crowned kyng of Fraunce ¶ Capitulo C. vi AFter the death of the good kyng Pepyn the duke Mylion dangler that was valyaunt and wyse assembled the counsayll and wold haue made younge Charles to be crowned kyng But Haufray and Henry by gyftes and â—romesses corrumped the lordes and it was sayd that Charles was to young And because that the duke Myllon susteyned the coÌ„trary Haufray Henry made him to be taken put in pryson in Chatelet at Parys sythe helde Charles as a boye of y e kechyn It happened one daye that Haufray coÌ„maunded him to tourne a spiâ— but Charles that was displesaunt lyft vp the spyt and felled hym to the earth Henry stepte forthe for to haue smiten Charles but Charles that espied him gaue him on the eare so that the bloud yssued out wherfore Haufray â—ad his men take him Than came a knyghte named Dauyd of Elloys and toke Charles by the hande for othertymes he had endoctryned hym so he set hym on a horse and ledde him out of Parys whan the traytours knewe that Charles went his waye they made hym to be pursued but they that folowed woulde not fynde him and so retorned Than MylloÌ„ dangler sent the truth of it to his wyfe Charles syster when she had sene the letter she wepte for the loue of Charles â–ª so she swore Jhesus that they should abye it dere Than she made a letter to be wryten and sente it vnto Ualentine and to the twelue peres of Fraunce that were in Angorye When Ualentyne hadde redde it he began for to wepe and the lordes demaunded him wherfore he dyd wepe Alas my frendes there is a good cause why for kyng Pepyn is dead and the good quene Berthe also So Haufray and Henry haue chased the lytell Charles out of the countrey and put the duke Millon in pryson because that he susteyne him So the lady sendeth vs worde that we succoute her and I wote neuer how for you know wel that we abyde from day to day our mortall enemy Brandiffer By oure faithes sayde the barons we must fynde some maner for to succout hym well sayde the noble Ualentine or to morowe at night I shall yelde you the duke Myllon ¶ Of these wordes they began for to laughe Ualentyne departed wyth out makynge any more delayâ— wyth hys hors played so well that he was at Parys before mydnyght and was in Chatelet and by subtyll arte opened the gates And gaue leue to all the prysoners after he demaunded them where the dake Myllon was they shewed hym the chambre the whyche was opened anone The good duke that slepte wakened and sayd what are you that entre so rudely Nowe vp sayd Ualentyne and thynke for to take youre clothes for I am Ualentyne that am comen from Angory for to delyuer you The good duke mâ—s muche Ioyous and made hym redy anone So Ualentyne made hym mounte vpon the hors wyth hym and sayd to hym kepe you frome spekynge for we shall flee in the ayre Syth that we shal go so fast I pray you passe by the castell of Angler and there we shall se and comforte my wyfe a lyttell that for me and for her brother Charles is muche sorowfull They knocked at the gates and the watche answered that knewe theyr lord and tolde it vnto the ladye that ranne vnto the gate in a syngle gowne and kyssed and colled hym after she demaunded hym tydynges Ladye sayd he you knowe all but knowe that I go in to Angorye where as we abyde the batayll of the false paynyms â–ª and at my retorne I shall brynge wyth me the twelue peâ—es of Fraunce with a great puyssaunce for to confounde Haufray and Henry and socoure Charles Whan the lady vnderstode that they wolde make no leyger soiournynge â–ª she made meat to be brought and there they toke theyr repaste for they had greate luste to eate and drynke After they toke leue of the lady and were in Angorye vpon the morowe before all the barons wherof the lordes were muche abasshed and prayed Ualentine muche to learne them that arte but he refused theym Nowe it happened in those dayes that Brandyffer that was vpon the see arryued a myle from Angory And there he made his syege to be set accompanyed wyth fyftene kynges all hys subiectes They of the cyte that herde the tydinges went shytte the gates and drewe vp the brydges and after mounted vp on the walles for to beholde the paynyms that dressed vp great nombre of tentes and pauylyons The sarazyns were in theyr syege the space of a moneth wythout gyuynge assaute and wythout that any crysten meÌ„ yssaed out on them ¶ How the Emperoure of grece Orson and the grene knyght departed from the stronge castell for to goo socoure Ualentyne in Angorye Ca. Cvii THe Emperoure of Greâ—e that was in the stronge castel herd say that brandyffer with a great puyssaunce had besyeged Angory so he was moued in deuocion for to go help the Aysten men They toke counsayll togyther and accorded that a valyaunt knyght should kepe the stronge castell wyth two men After they departed for to go into Angory The Emperour of Grece Orson the grene knyght accompanyed wyth a thousand fightynge men entred into the see pulled vp the saylles but they had not gone but a lytle way whan they sawe a great flote of shyppes comynge towarde theym It was an Admyrall paynym that went for to socour the kyng Brandyffer wyth ten thousand men Well knew the chrysten men that they were of theyr enemyes son they put them in armes and renged them in baâ—â—yl on theyr shyppes syde The saraznus sawe well that they were crysten men wherfore they approched and smote vpon them fyersly And the cristen meÌ„ that reclaymed god and our lady defended them valyauntly Thaune was there a cruell batayll the Emperour of grece Or son and the grene knyght shewed theyr prowesses and cryed hyghly Jhesus sucoure vs. At these wordes the crysten men toke suche courages that the leâ—st at that houre
the date that euer I had knowledge of the fyrste And then he smote her agayne so mightely that the good lady lost her speche and all the ladies and damoyselles wende that she hadde bene dead wherfore they made a crye so high that the barons and knightes of the courâ— harde it and ranne quickely in to the chambre Some toke vp the Empresse Bellysant and the other spake vnto the Emperoure after this maner of fourme Alas syr howe haue you your courage so cruell for to destroy and vndo so noble a lady as she is â–ª that is so wel beloued of euery body â–ª in whome was neuer sene vyllanye nor dishonoure For God syr be a lytel more moderate For with wrong without cause you vndertake this quarell against the good lady Speake no more said y e Emperoure I knowe I se and wote howâ— the thyng goeth And y t more is by god almyghty I am deliueâ—ed totally to put her vnto death And if ther be any of you that will saye the contrary I shall make you dye an euill death At those wordes spake a wyse baron â— said Redoubted syr auise you consider well what ye will do you know wel that the lady that you haue spoused is syster vnto the king of Fraunce named Pepyn the whiche is puyssaunt fyerse and of greate courage And you ought to beliue stedfastly that and ye doo outrage vnto his syster Bellyssant he is a man for to auenge hym by suche a facion that he may do great dammage in this countrey also well vpon men chyldren as on townes cyties And put your selfe in exile the which should be great dammage and pitie And on the other syde you se wel that y e lady is great with childe wherfore it is perill vnto you for to smyâ—e her or touche so rudely After these wordes y c lady kneled vpoÌ„ her knees before the Emperour and spake thus vnto him ryght piteously weping ¶ Alas my lorde haue pytt on me for I neuer thought vyllany against your persone if that ye will not haue pyte on me at the least haue coÌ„passion on the chylde that I bere in my wombe for I am great with chylde of your dede of y e which god gyue me grace to be deliuered Ioyously Alas syr I supplye you and requyre you that ye make me be put in to a toure there to be kept streightly vnto my childing And after that I am deliuered do with my body what soeuer you will Thus and in semblable maner the good lady complayned her wepyng and syghyng full profoundly with a sorowfull harte and they had theyr hartes ryght harde that could abstaine them from wepyng But the Emperoure that was deceiued by the false Archebysshop would haue no compassion on his wyfe but cruelly and fyersly answere vnto her False strompet dishordynate of as muche as thou art wyth chylde I ought lytle to reioyce me for I am so muche enformed of thy gouernemeÌ„t that I haue nothing and that dysloyally thou hast habandoned thy selfe vnto oâ— ther than me WhaÌ„ they sawe that the Emperour wolde not refrayne him nor appese his Iâ—e for nothinge by acomyn accorde they toke her and ledde her into a chambre And the most amyably that they might helde her with wordes in shewing vnto her her great faute and the sorowful lady was dysorned in her chambre that hadde her face disteyned wyth bloude The ladyes that were next her persone brought her fayre water to Wasâ—he her with all And at that houre entred into her chambre her squyer named Blandymayn And whan he sawe her in suche estate he wepte for pyte and sayde vnto her Ha madame I se wel that you are falsly betrayed I beseche god that cursed be the person that hathe purchased you thys euil For god my righâ— dere lady take a â—ytle comforte vnto you And yf you wyll byleue me I shall lede you into Fraunce agayne toward the king Pepyn your brother the whyche gaue me vn to you for to serue you in your necessities the whyche thynge I wold do after my puyssauÌ„ce Beleue my consayll and we shal retourne into Fraunce agayne For you may be sure that the Emperour shal make you dye shortly wyth great shame and dyshonoure Then answered the dolourous lady Ha Blandymayn my frende it shoulde be to me to shameful and dyshonest for to go in suche manet without other deliberacyon And it myght be beleued lightly that the Emperour had good cause and that I were culpable of the dede Wherfore I had â—euer die an euil death than for to recouer blame for a thynge that I am innocent of and accused with out cause After these thinges thus said the Emperour that was with the barons a lytell moderate and satisfied of his Ire he sente for his wyfe Bellyssant the whiche was brought before him quickely Whan he sawe her his harte trembled for sorowe for this that he dutst not put her to death because of her brother kiÌ„g Pepyn and his puissaunce With rude wordes he said to her False cursed woman by the is myne honoure vyturped Wherfore I sweare God that and it were not for thy brothers sake the valeaunt kyng Pepyn I should make the to be brent in a fyre but for his sake thy lyfe shall be prolonged at this present time Now I â—o the to wyt that from this houre I banisshe the expulse the from my countrey and Empire in coÌ„maunding the expresly that to morowe thou departe out of this cytie for if I se the any more thou shalt neuer haue respite till thou haue suffred death And yet I commaunde all them of my countrey that there be none so hardy of them to accoÌ„pany you or coÌ„uey saue allonely yoursquyer Blandymayne that you brought out of Fraunce with you Go where as you wil go at your aduenture for thou shalt neuer slepeby my side nor in my bedde Sone after that commaundement of the Emperour that was shorte and sâ—daine without soiourney or delacion the Empresse Bellyssant and her Squyer Blandymayn mounted on horsebacke and came in to the Lyâ—ie where as was shedde full many a tere bothe of lordes and ladies knightes and squyers with al y e commune people the which â—â—ted sorowed out of mesure for they made suche lamentacions that there was neuer sene nor hearde so piteous a thinge Euery body ran vnto the gate for to coÌ„maunde the good lady vnto God that by the false Archebisshop was so pyteously banyshed And at the yssue of the gate they made the pitefullest etie that euer was hearde Nowe goeth Blandymain that conduyeth the sorowefull lady Bellissant and hath taken the waye to go towarde the realme of Fraunce When the lady was out of the walles of the citie and that she sawe her selfe in the fieldes pyteously aâ—ourned like a woman shamed and dishonoured she wayled bitterly For she considered the lyguage the bloud ryall that she was yssued out of the right hygh
magnificence imperiall that she had bene put in And after thought on the miserable and dolorous fortune y t was tourned vpon her so sodainly she said Alas alas wherfore taâ—ieth death that he wil not come abredge my life and finishe my dolours and anguysshes Alas I was borne in an vnhappy houre for to suffer suche payne and for to fall from so hyghe estate vnto such pouerte for of al the vnhappines I am the moste vnhappiest Nowe is al my ioyes transmued in to distres my laughinges chaunged in to wepynges my songes conuerted into syghes In the stede of the cloth of golde that I was wonte for to weare I am as a womam publike full of iniuries and vitupere comitted aiourned And of precious stones of inestimable valour on all sydes I must the remnaunt of my myserable lyfe arouse my vesture with bitter teares y t shal make my lyfe my daies to fynyshe O you pastorellis of y c sieldes coÌ„sider my great dolours and wepe myne exite Nowe pleased it God and the vyrgin Mary that I were descended of as poore estate as the poorest of y e worlde at the least I should haue doloure to seâ— me in suche pouerte Alas wherfore â—yghteth me the sonne and wherfore doth the earth sustaine mâ— â–ª for I â—aue no â—ede that the daungerous fountayne of distresse oppresse me so sore For it is not in mine humayne puyssaunce to bewayle the profouÌ„de sorowe that my poore harte endureth O false enuye treason I ought well for to curse the with my harte for by the to day I am the moste sorowfullest creature liuing vpon the earth A my brother the kyng Pepyn what shall ye doo with this poore discomforted It were better for you that I had neuer bene borne of my mother or that from the wombe of my mother I had bene put vnder the earth In makyng this aspre complainte the lady abode in a swowne vpon the horsebacke and she was almoste fallen downe or that Blandymain might come vnto her then he dressed her vp and sayde vnto her Alas madame take vnto you some comforte and enter not so in dispayre haue stedfast truste in God for euen so as you are innocent he shal kepe you and defende you alwaies Then he espied a right fayre fountayne towarde the whiche he ledde the lady And also nete it as he might he set her downe for to repose her refreshe her Here I wyll leaue to speake of them and will speake of the Archebisshop that perseuered in his malice dampnable and dyabolyque ¶ Howe the Archebysshop put hym in the habyte of a knyght and mounted on horsebacke for to folowe the Empresse Bellyssant that was banisshed ¶ Capit. iiii WHen the Archebisshop sawe that the lady was departed he thought in himselfe that he wold go after her and that with her he woulde do his pleasure He lefte rochet and other vesture and as irreguler and appostate gyrde his swerde about hym and mounted vpon a swifte courser and folowed fost after for he had one of the beste coursers of all Constantynoble He tode so faste that within short tyme he had tyden a great waye And of all them that he mette â–ª he asked tydynges of the noble lady Bellyssant And they shewed vnto him the waye that she helde So longe rode the false traytour Archebysshoppe that he entred in to a myghty great forest and a longe he toke the hyghe waye and enforced hym to tyde apace He had not ryden longe whan he apperceiued the lady with Blandimayn the whiche were beside the fountaine whereas the lady was descended for to refresshe her and rest her for she was wery and heuy ful of sorowe and doloure so that she myght not susteyne her Whiles that Blandymayn coÌ„forted the sorowfull lady the Archebisshop drewe nere them and knowe the fayre Bellyssant but she knewe him not a ferre bycause that he was dysgysed but whan he approched she knewe him well ynoughe Alas sayd she Blandymayne Isâ— now come towarde vs the false Archebysshop that is cause of mine exyle Alas I am to sore aferde that he do me not some vyllany Lady sayd Blandymayn haue of hym neyther fere nor doubte For yf he come for to do you euyl or displeasure I shal put my body for to defende yours vnto the death At these wordes was arriued the archebisshop that light of his hors and salued the lady in the best maner that he might and sayd Ryght dere and honoured lady it so be that the Emperour hath dechared you yf you wyll accepte me for to be your loue and accomplysshe my desyre I shal do so muche towarde the Emperour that he shal put you in your fyrst estate and be exalted more hygher then euer you were wherfore auyse you for I do it for your great honour and prouffyte Ha sayd the lady dysloyall and cruel aduersary of all honoure imperiall I ought well to haue cause to loue the and holde the dere whaÌ„ that by thy false malyce thou haste made the Emperour vnderstande that I haue myserably borne me towarde hys maiesty and made me be detect from all honoure and prosperyte Thou hast put mein the way of extremite and misery and is the causer that I shall finishe my dates in dolorous distresse for there is not a more discomforted lady in the worlde then I am Lady leue suche woordes for by me ther caÌ„ nothing coÌ„ to you but good For I am puissaunt ynough for to chaunge your doloure and discomforte in to Joye solace more then euer you had In saying these wordes he enclyned hym towarde the lady and wende to haue kyssedher But Blandimayn sterte betwene them and gaue the Archebysshoppe so great a stroke that he folled hym vnto the earthe and braket wayne of his teeth The Archebysshoppe gate him vp drew his sworde quicklye And Blandimain toke a glayue that he had brought with him and assayled hym ryght asprely and the Archebysshoppe hym They fought so long that they were booth sore wounded and as they were thus fyghtyng there arryued on them a notable marchaunt that ascryed vnto them also ferre as he myghth se them saying Lordes lordes leue your debate and tell me from whence it procedeth and I shall tell you who hath ryght or wronge Syr sayd Blandimain let vs fynyshe our enterpryse Alas sayd the lady sucoure vs for here is the false priest that will take mine honoure from me by forte â–ª whiche is y e cursed Archebisshop that hathe separed me by creason from my lorde and husband the Emperour when the marchaunt vnderstode her he had great pity on her sayde to the Archebisshop Syr leue your enterpryse touche not the lady for and the Emperoure knowe of this dede he would make you dye an euill death before all the worlde Also soone as the Archebysshop vnderstode the marchaunt speake he left the batrayl quickly and began for toâ—â—e through the wodde He was ryght sorowfull
that he was knowen for he thought wel to haue had his pleasure of the lady But he enterprysed suche a thyng wherby his treason was knowen afterwarde and disclosed as it shalbe recounted to you afterwarde After the depatrynge of the Archebyshop the lady abode in the wodde beside the fountayne tryst and sorowful with Blandimayn that was wouÌ„ded The marchaunt that was abiden said Alas lady I se that by the Archebysshop ye are falslybetrayed and haue bâ— expulsed froÌ„ the Emperoure Now god giue me grate to liue so longe that I may accuse him of this misoeâ—e and to purchase hys death Lâ—ly to god I commaundâ— you the whyche giue you patience and comforte Soo the marchaunte toke hys leue and Blandymayne thaÌ„ked hym many times Than Blandimayne mounted the Lady vpon her horse and after mounted vpon hys owne and wente vnto a lodginge that was there beside where as thei abode by the space of eight daies for to hele Blandimayn Whaâ— he had rested him and that he might ride they put them vpon the waye towards Fraunce And the sorowfull ladye complayned her by the way and sayd Alas Blandimayn my frende what may my brother and all the lordes saye of my pyteous case whan they shal knowe that for a vylaynous dede I am so shamefully deieâ—â—e from the Emperoure and as a romen woman banisshed the Empyre of Constan tynoble Alas I am right certaine that my brother wyl beleue lightly that I am culpable of the dede and make me die shamefully for he is right fyerse of courage lady said Blandimayn be of good chere put your trust in god In spekyng thus Blandymayde that the ladye conduyted rode so muche that after that they had passed diuers countreis regions they ariued in Fraunce passed by Orleaunce for to go vnto Paris â–ª where as the kyng was accustomed to soiourney moste So they â–ª entred in to a great forest that is syxe myle from Orleaunce in the whiche happened pyteous thynges vnto the Empresse Bellyssant as I shall make mention hereafter ¶ How Bellyssant was deliuered of two fayre sones whiche were named Ualentyne and Orson and howe she loste them Capit. v. BEllyssant was ryding within the forest the which was with chylde as you haue heard reâ—â—â—ed before It happened that her bodye had determined and fulfilled her time that constrayned her for to desâ—ende of her horse and complayne her tenderly Blaudimain demauÌ„ded her what she aâ—led that she complayned her soo Alas Blandymayn sayde the lady lyght downe of thy horse helpe that I were layde vnder yonder great tree and thynke 〈◊〉 for to â—â—ke me some wife For the tyme is â—omâ— that I must nâ—des be deliuered without any lenger delaye Blandymayne descended quickely and laid her vpon a fayre grene place vnder a tree the which he did chose and marke for to knowe it the better And then he leâ—t on horsebacke rode also fast as he might for to seke some wyfe to helpe and sucoute the lady The noble lady Bellyssant abode there all alone with out any company saue God and the blessed vâ—gyn mary that did helpe her and succoured her in such maner that she was deliuered of twoo fayre sonnes in the forest But they were not so sone come vpon the carthe but that the good lady suffred muche payne and anguâ—she as you shall heare So as the lady was deliuered of the fruyte of her wombe and that she laye vnder the tree ther came vnto her a beer the which was maâ—â—eâ—lously great and horrible toke one of her children in his mouthe and wente his wayâ— into the thycke of the forest also faste as he myght Then was the gracious lady sorowfull not without a cause for the perdiction of her chylde and began for to crye with a feable vâ—yce muche pyteously And vpon bothe her fere handes she wente after the beer in the forest that was anone out of her syght Alas to lytle auayled her the pursuyte For she shal neuer se her chyld vnto the tyme that by myracle he be yelded vnto her agayne So loÌ„ge went the lady through the forest wepyng for her child and trauaylled her so fore to goo after that a stronge sicknes toke her in suche wise that she fel in a swounâ— vpon the colde earth as it had bene a dead woman I wyll leue here to speake of her and wyll tell you of the other childe that was left all alone ¶ It happenâ—d the same daye that the kynge Pepyn was departed out of Parys accoÌ„panyed wys diuers great lordes and barons for to go vnto Constantinoble to se his sister bellyssant And toke his way towarde Orleaunce â–ª and he rode so faste that he entred into the forest where as his syster â–ª Bellyssant was deliuered but he knew nothyng therof at that tyme. Now it is true as it was the pleasure of god that as the kynge Pepyn passed throughe the forest he espyed vnder the hye tree the other sonne of Bellyssant all alone that lay vpon the earth soo he rode that waye and sayd vnto hys barons Lordes by the god that created all thynges I haue founde here a muche fayre encountre se what a fayre chylde I haue founde here By Ihesus sayd the lordes syr kynge you say true Nowe sayd the kynge Pepyn I wyll that it be nourysshed at myne expenses also longe as god shall giue it lyfe And wil that to be kept ryght tenderly and nobly as if it were myne owne propre chylde For yâ— y t god sende hym lyfe untyll the tyme that he be a man I shal gyue hym great landes and tenementes for to liue vpon Then the kynge Pepyn called vnto hym one of hys squyers and gaue hym the charge of the child sainge to him Bere this child to Orleance make it baptyzed and seke him a good nouryce and make that he be nourysshed also well as is possible Good ryght had kyng Pepyn to loue the chylte for he was hys nenewâ— but he knowe it not The souyer toke the childe as kyng Pepyn hadde hym and bare it into OrleauÌ„ce And after made it to be baptised and gaue it his name For he made it to be named Ualentine for suche was the name of the sâ—â—er After he sought a nouryce and made the chylde to be well kept as he was commaunded The kynge â—oode in the forest alwaye holdynge his Iournaye â–ª for he had great desyre to be in the Cytie of constantinoble to se his syster Bellyssant that he loued so muche And euen so as he passed through the forest he recountred Blandymayn that led a wife with hym Blandymain knewe the kyng and anone lyghte of his horse and salwed him After the salute done the kyng sayde vnto him Blandymayn fayre syr tell vs tidinges of Constantinoble And amoÌ„g other thinges tell vs howe oure syster Bellyssant doth Dere syr said Blandymayn as to the regarde of tidinges with payne can I tel you any that is good For
hardynes I shall make the Justynge place to be made â–ª redy and ordeyned without the cyte Gramercy than sayd Ualentyne that fell downe for to kysse the fete of the Admyrall in token of humylyte and obeysaunce But it is sayd in a comyn prouerbe that they do the shoo often of whom of they wolde cut of the foote Ualentyne was renowmed in the courte of the Admyrall euer he requyred god that he wolde do hym soo moche that he myght knowe and wytte from when she was comen and who was his fader his moder And as he was in that grete thought y e admyrall sayd vnto hym Fayre sone me thynke you are ryght heuy and thoughfull It is true syr sayd Ualentyne and not without a cause For I haue to grete fere that I shall be slayne by you in the Justes Wherfore I praye you humbly that it wyll please you to make me haue a preest that maye gyue me absolucyon of my synnes Than the Admyrall coÌ„maunded that they shol de fetche hym a preest ¶ And whan he was comen he gaue hym vnto Ualentyne in sayenge to him Now haue confesse you of all your confessyons I wolde not gyue you a button Ualentyne toke y e preest and drewe hym asyde And whan they were togyder Ualentyne sayd vnto hym Alas syr you are a crysten preest and ought amongest all other to haue wyll and courage to kepe and defende our holy fayth wherfore herken and vnderstande that I shall tell you I praye you with all my herte for it is a thynge the whiche is ryght chargea ble It is true that I muste fyght todaye with the false Admyrall that is so grete an enmye to our fayth Now knowe I well that sarasyns and paynyms wyll yssue out of the cyte for to se y e Justynge that is determyned without the walles of the cyte Wherfore I shall tell you what in shall do you shall aduertyse the crysten men that is in the cyte that none of them yssue out but kepe them in harneys without ony noyse And whan y t paynyms shall be without the cyte they shal take y e gardes of the gates in suche maner that whan y e sarazins wolde entre in to the cyte that you shytte the gates agaynste them And bydde the crysten men sende kynge Pepyn worde of this fayte and that he kepe his men in armes to the ende that whan it shall be tyme that he come rennynge vpon the sarazyns and they of the cyte shall assayll them on the other syde And by this meane they shall be slayne and vaynquysshed to daye And whan Ualentyne had tolde this to the preest he confessed hym and after his confessyon the preest departed and wente his waye and coÌ„maunded him to god Than the Admyral made Ualentyne to be ledde in to his chaÌ„bre for to dyne and take his refeccyon And coÌ„maunded that he shold be also honourably seâ—â—yd as his persone Ualentyne was set at the table with dyuers other barons Moche coude he behaue him honestly before them all whan the dyuer was done the Admyrall called to hym a neuewe of his that was called Salatas And coÌ„ maunded hym for to arme Ualentyne also well as his propre persone And dyd charge his sayd neue we that he sholde delyuer vnto Ualentyne y e best hors y t myght befounde in all his courte And whan y e Admyrall had spoken so to his newe he entred in to the halle prepared and there he was armed by paynyms experte in armes And Salatas toke valentyne and ledde hym in to afayre halle and than he made to be brought before him muche harneis and with the beste that hee coulde fynde he made valentyne bee armed as the Admyrall his vncle had commaunded him And whan he was armed he lepte vpon a myghtye steade and the Admyrall yssued out of his place mounted and in armes ryghte triumphantly Than they rode bothe two toward the chefe gate of Rome For on that side Kinge Pepyn had layde the siege And whan they were in the fielde valen tine toke his shielde and hanged it about his necke in the whiche was a harte ongled and dented wyth sable in a felde of sâ—luer and beside that harte was a tree the whiche armes did signifye that he was founde in the forest And Kinge Pepim hadde geuen him those same armes Then came the Frenshmenne vpon the renges wherof valentine was right Joyous The cry was so greate through the cite of Rome that al the Paâ—â—â—nes issued out for to se the Justes And the christenmen that were within the city armed them also secretly as they might and toke al the gardes of the gates â–ª in such wyse that none might entre in And Kyng Pepyn aduertised of this case â–ª kept all hys mennâ— in armes for to socoure the noble valentyne at his neade Soo the houre was comen that the Justes should begynne and than they fetched theyr coâ—rs and couched theyr speres and ranne the one agaynst the other so impetuously y t their speres all to sheuered Than they retorned for the secoÌ„de spere And Ualentyne fierle and hardy ran agaynste the Admyrall and smote him by such a maner that the spere perced hys body throughout and than the admyrall fel downe deed in the felde makyng a greate crye whan the paynyms sawe theyr Admyrall deed and dyscomfyte they ranne vpon Ualentyne for to haue put hym to dethe But valentyne with a hardy courage smote his hors with the sporres and with his swerde of armes he dyd so grete dedys of armes that he passed the paynyms and slewe and wounded manye Than came kynge Pepyn and his hoost and entred in to the batayll the whiche was so asprely assayled of the sarasyns that he was smyten downe to the grounde But valentyne came theder the whiche socoured him so that he horsed hym agayne And whan he was mounted he sayd vnto valentyne Chylde you haue saued my lyfe but and it please god it shall be rewarded the. At that tyme rose a grete crye on bothe partyes and y e batayll was so fyerse and stronge that the paynyms were constrayned to recule abacke The crysten men that were in the cyte yssued out vpon them the whiche had planted the standardes and baners of kynge Pepyn vpon the walles wherof the paynyms were sore abasshed meruaylled They were assayled also well of y e kynges hoost as of them of y t cyte so that shamefully and myserably they fynysshed theyr dayes In that batayll remayned deed vpon the felde ten thousande paynyms and all throughe y e enterpryse and valyauntnes of valentyn the whiche bare hym so rygorously that day the he slewe foure horses vnder hym And thus throughe his prowesse y e cyte was wonne agayn For the whiche there was made grete Joye myrth throughe all crystendom pryncypally in y e cyte of rome in those partyes nere it euery body cryed mountioye to the kyng Pepyn of
hors and a byde for with me thou shalte haue batayll Than Orson the wylde man lefte the hors of Ualentine and lifte vp his eyen and loked vp in to the tree And whan he sawe Ualentine he made hym sygnes with his handes and heed the he would pull him in peces And then valentine made the sygne of the crosse in recoÌ„maunding him vnto god and after drewe out his sworde and lepte downe besyde Orson When Orson sawe the sworde that valentyn woulde haue smytâ—eâ— hym with he drewe hym backe and kept him from the stroke And then he came to valentyne and with cleane strengthe threwe hym to the earthe vnder hym wherof valentyne was sore abashed and discomforced for he wende well to haue dyed and fynyshed his dayes in that place For he felte Orson the sauage so stroÌ„g that he had neuer hope for to escape fro hym Ha very God sayde he haue pytie on me and suffre not that I fynyshe here my dayes thus pyteously by this wylde man Diuers times valeÌ„tyne wende for to haue turned Orson vnder hym but he ne might When valentyne sa we that by strengthe of bodye he myght not wynne hym he drewe out a sharpe poynted knyfe and smote Orson in to the ryght syde in suche wyse that the bloude yssued out by great haboundauÌ„ce Then Orson â—â—erâ—â— vp when heselte himselfe wounded And for the dolour that he felte as all in a â—age he gaue suche a crye that all the wodde so wâ—ed therof After he came againe vnto the noble valentine and so fiersly he assayled hym with his sharpe nayles that he caste hym yet downe agayne And there they fought so longe together that it were to muche for to recount al the maner As they fought thus without cesyng Orson tooke his shelde fro about his necke And when that he had taken it from hym he behelde it tyght strongly because of the beautie of the colours that he was not accustomed for to se and then he cast it strongly against the earth and incontinent retourned vnto valentyne and with his nayles and his teeth pressed hym so harde y t he broke both harneys and haubergon And smote him so tudely with his nailes that he made the bloud sproÌ„g out on all sydes And when Ualentyne felte hymselfe so sore wounded he was tyght sorowfull and pensife began for to reclayme our sord with both his harte and courage Alas said he veray god almighty in y e is mine only hope and truste mine onely refuge and comforte wherfore I praye the humbly that thou wilt haue pytte on me And euen so as by thy worthy grace thou kepte and saued Banyâ—lamong the lyons so kepe me from this wylde man And when Ualentine had made his prayer vnto god he went towarde Orson with his sworde for to haue smyten him but Orson lepte a back and went to alyttell tree the whiche tree he bowed and bracke it and made therof an horryble staffe and after came vnto Ualentyne and gaue hym suche a strooke y t he made hym for to fall vpon one knee Ualentyne as hardy rose vp quickely and so began betwene them a ryght fyerse batayll And the two brethren had ardauÌ„e desyres for to destroye eche other but they knewe not y t they were brethren nor the cause of their fortune Orson was so cruel so strong y t he would haue staine Ualentyne dyuers tymes if it had not bene for his sworde that he doubted aboue all thinges because of y e knyfe that he had smyten him with So muche and so longe they fought together by dyuers maners that they were both wery and strongly trauayled Then Ualentyne behelde Orson and began for to saye vnto hym Alas wylde man wherfore doest thou not yelde the vnto me thou lyuest here in this woddelyke a beaste and hathe no knowledge of God nor of his blyssed mother saynt Mary nor of his holy fayth for the whiche thy soule is in great daunger Come on thy way with me then shalt thou do wysely I shall make the be baptized and shall teache the the holy fayth And shall geue the flesh and fylthe bread and wyne ynough for to eate and clothes and all maner of thinges that appertayneth vnto a mannes body and shalt vse thy lyfe honestly as euery naturall body should doo When Orson vnderstode Ualentyne speke he apperceyued well by his sygnes y t he would him good And Ualentyne spake vnto hym of God and of ourlady and then after the course of nature that can not lye Orson fell downe vpon both his knees stretcheth forth his handes towarde his brother Ualentyne in makyng hym signe that he woulde forgeue hym and that he woulde obeye vnto hym in al maner of thynges for the tyme to come And he shewed vnto him by sygnes that neuer the dayes of his life he should fayle him neyther with body nor goodes It is not for to be demaunded if that Ualentyne was glad when he sawe that the wilde man was conquered by hym and put in subiection and made greate ioye and not without a cause For he had coÌ„quered more honour by his prowisse then any knight that was in his time for there was none that durste vndertake it were he neuer so bolde nor hardy He toke Orson by the hande shewed him by sygnes that he should go afore hym tyll they were out of the wodde and so he dyd and anone they were out of the wodde Then Ualentyne toke one of his gyrthes and for doubte that he shoulde doo hym no harme nor none other he bounde his handes taste vnto his body And when that he had bounde hym fast he mounted on horsebacke and ledde him with hym as a beast tyed without that euer this same Orson didde hym any harme or made hym an euyl semblaunt that was a thyng myraculous ¶ Howe Ualentyne after that he had conquered Orson departed from the forest for to returne to OrleauÌ„ce towarde the kyng Pepyn that was there Cap. xiiii UAlentine hath done so muche with goddes helpe that he hath ouercome and conquered the wylde Orson He mounted on horsbacke for to go to Orleaunce and he did so muche that he entred into a great vyllage but also sone as the men of the vyllage sawe the wylde man they ranne into their houses and for great fere shytte their dores so that none myght entre Ualentyne cryed vnto them byddyng them haue no dreade and that they shoulde open their gates for he woulde haue lodging but for any thyng that he could say they woulde not open their doores Then he esâ—ryed them sayng by god almighty if you geue me no lodgyng for to paise the night and take my rest knowe that I shal vnbynde the wylde man and let him goo and than I am certaine he will fynde me lodging to my pleasure Often required Ualentyne that he myght haue some lodgyng but euery body had so great feare of the wilde man that they durst not
wer in the felde After he sayd vnto Grigar go and arm you and thynke for to defend your quarel wel Ha syr sayd Grigar I haue serued you longe time withall my puissaunce haue enforced me for to obey you in al thinges as wel in batayl as wythoute but euyll rewarde you yelde me whan that you wyll make me fyght agaynst this wylde man that hathe neyther wytte nor reason Grygar sayd kyng Pepyn if you haue good right you ought not to be dysmayed of nothynge for I promyse you that you shal be wel armed and Orson shalbe put into the felde al naked and without armour You shall be on horsback and he shal be on fote without bering ony wepen wherby you shal haue no cause for recule a backe from defendyng of your ryghte I can not tell how it shal befal you but you shewe wel the seÌ„blaunt that there is somwhat to say in you do your deuoyre and defend your ryght for you shall haue none other thynge of me the cause is consumed and the conclusy on made and taken of my counsayll ¶ How Orson and Grigar fought togyder before kinge Pepyn and how Orson vaynquyshed him made him confesse the treason openly and after was hanged And how Valentine was delyuered Ca. xix AFter that Grygar had made dyuers excuss cyons and apposycyons that he sholde not fyght wyth Orson and that it was delybered by the counsail to fight â–ª the kinge commauÌ„â—ed to make the feld afore his palais And when he was ready Orson that was abidyng eâ—â—ered in for to abyde Grygar y t was armed by Haufray Henry the which armed him also well as they could And when he was armed he tooke his leue of them in saying Lordes I go dye for you Euill was the daye for me when I enterprysed suche a thyug Holde your peace sayd Henry and take no thought for I haue promysed you to make your peace to wathe my father the whiche I will holde so that and you be vanquished by Orson your body shall haue no harme And if that he would domage you in any maner there should rather dye an hundred thousande men then we should faile on out syde be euer secrete and knowledge neuer nothyng of the deede that is done nor of the enterpryse Grygar was armed and mounted on horsebacke and so he rode towarde the fielde that was ordeined before the palais And when the houre was come that they should fight the kyng came to the wyndowes for to beholde the batayle When al the court was assembled and the iudges ordayned for to iudge the bataill it was commaunded to both the parties that they shoulde do their deuoyre Than Grygar entred into the fielde with muche pryde mounted at auauntage wherfore it befell hym euill at the ende He sporred his horse and drewe towarde Orson saying Rybaude thou hast done me to great outrage whaÌ„ thou put out one of min eien through thy cruel nes but I shall shewe the that with wronge and without cause thou haste assayled me ¶ And when Orson sawe him come he vnderstode hym well and stratched forth his armes and she wed his nayles and his teeth grennyng full hugely Then Grygar couched his spere and ranne towarde Orson When Orson sawe the spere come he gaue a lepe backward And Grygar that had fayled of his stroke fixed his speere in the fielde Whan Orson sawe that he retourned to him and tooke the spere and when that Orson hadde the spere in his hande he gaue hym so great a stroke that he loste witte and vnderstaÌ„ding in such wyse that he wist not where he was When Grygar was smyten he sporred horse and fledde about the fielde and Orson ranne after makyng a grymly countenaunce and shewyng the kyng that he woulde yelde hym matte anone And when Grygar apperceyued the great daunger that he was in he sayde within himselfe A Haufray I muste dye for you I had well sayde it euyll is the thing begon and euill shal it finishe In this maner Grygar could not wouÌ„de Orson in no wyse And when Orson sawe this he â—ast the spere downe and after came against Grygar and so stâ—aitâ—he kept him that he caught his horse by the necke and he made him turne so ofteÌ„ about that he made him fall but when he felte his horse fal he would haue lept out of his sadle and at the lepe he lost his shelde for it fell down and Orson ranne to it and anone put it vpoÌ„ hym and went towarde the horse and mounted vpon hym and in makyng marueylous sygnes he roode after Grygar that fled about in the fielde To se the countenaunce of Orson euery body was abasshed And the kyng Pepyn amongest the other was muche pensyfe for this case and sayde before them all By God almiâ—hey lordes I marueyle me muche of this feate and I can tell what to thynke nor to what ende it wil come but whatsoeuer it be or what may happen it is myne opinion that there is treason ryght greate somwhere The kyng was pensyfe vpon this enterpryse And Orson that was mounted on horsebacke for to pursue Grygar descended of the horse and wente vnto him on fote and he gaue suche a stroke that he smote him down to the grounde and after he lepte vpon him and tooke his sworde and his dagger from him after he gaue him so mighty a stroke that he smote of his arme and hys shoulder And then he gaue hym another marueylous stroke in the body so that he cut his reynes of his back in two And Grygar escryed soo hye that euerye body herde it in demaundyng a priest for to be confessed of his synnes and to haue absolucion of them And when the gardes of the fielde vndrstode hym a muche notable knyght that had the charge went to ward him and demaunded hym what he woulde and then Grygar sayd vnto hym Syr make the kyng Pepyn descende for I will before all the worlde tell and confesse the falsnes and treason of my case ¶ Then this thyng was sygnifyed to the kyng Pepyn all clearely what he had sayde ¶ How Grygar after that he was ouercome and vanquyshed by Orson confessed before the king â–ª Pepyn the treason that Haufray and Henry had done against the noble Ualentyne ¶ Cap. xx WHen Grygar sawe the kynge he cryed hym mercye And recounted vnto him howe that by the commaundement of Haufray and Henry he had taken Ualentyne put hym in pryson tyll lye be iudged to deathe Whan kynge Pepyn knew the trouth of the mater he commaunded to hang Grygar Sith he mouÌ„ ted on horsbacke for to go vnto the pryson that valen tyne was in whan Orson vnberstode that the kinge wold go he ranne before hym makyng grete chere to hym shewynge hym the waye And the kynge sayd often Lordes it is a great thyng of thys wyld man that loueth Valentine thus know that his manners styreth me much for to do hym some
good The kynge loued hym moche and wel he oughte to do so for he was his propre neuew but he knew it not Nor yet he shal not knowe it tyll that by Clerymonde syster vnto the gyaunre Ferragus it be shewed For that same Clerimonde had a castell wherin was a heed of brasse composed by Nygromancye that tolde her all the thynges that shuld happen her in the time to come and also the whyche was passed And yet this same heed was composed of suche arte that it shuld neuer finishe tyl that the moost hardyest knyght of the world entred into the castell for than it shold lease the speche and all the vertue Now there shal come one that shal make it finish And that shall be Ualentyne that the fayre ladye Cleremonde that take for the whiche he shal endure and suffre great peryls daungers as you shal here more playnly afterward So I wyl leaue to speake of thys mater and wyll retorne vnto kynge Pepyn that goth toward the forest for to saue Ualentyne and preserue him from death He hath done so muche that he is entred in to the forest and gothe folowynge Orson that ledde hym vnto the castell But whan they wer comeÌ„ vnto the castel the porters that knewe the kyng shytte the gates incontynent for so they were coÌ„maunded of them within the castell vpon payne of their liue Theâ—â— when the kyng sawe that he might not enter in to the castell but by force He commaunded his men that the place should be assayled So it was not long after that the dytches were fylled with wodde And after they ap proched nere the walles and entred in to the castell by force of armes When they were within the castell they toke all the traytours and bounde them streighly And after they went into the depe prysons where as UaleÌ„tyne was and toke him out and brought him vnto the kyng Pepyn When Ualentyne sawe the kyng he â—ettâ— him on his knees and thanked him for his payne that he had taken for to delyuer hym out of his aduersytie Then the barons toke hym makyng hym great ioye gladnes And tolde him the case how it went and how Orson hadde fought with Grygar for hym to the vtâ—taunce And when Ualentyne herde these tidynges he embrared Orson muche swetely he hym So ye nede not demaunde if the Joye was greate betwene them twayne After that this was done the kyng commauÌ„ded that the traytours should be lead into the wodde and there to be hanged and strangled on one tree with out any remission Then kyng Pepyn spake vnto valentyne and sayde Ualentyne my frende sythe that god hath geuen you the grace to be thus Joyously escaped from the handes of your enemies I counsayl you that you retourne agayne with me Syr sayde valentyne for goddes sake pardon me for I shall neuer retourne vnto the tyme that I knowe what I am and of what place extraught Wherfore I take hehe leue of you as he that woulde serue you to my power At these woordes they departed Here leue I to speake of the kynge and â—â—ll speake of Ualentine and Orson that is going into Acquitaine for to fyght with the grene knyghte that feareth no man for as I have tolde you before he shall neuer be vanquysshed but of a kynges sonne that neuer had souked womans breastes Thus goeth Ualentine and Orson together toward the countrey of Acquitayne All the worlde ran for to se Orson that was all naked and rough as a beer Euery body did laughe at him but he set not therby Then UaleÌ„tine made for to make him a â—aceraÌ„ of fyne stele which was of such a fasion that it had a hode that was fastened to it And when Orson had it on him he thought him much wilde and would haue put it of gladly but he feared Ualentyne muche for all that he coÌ„maunded him he did without contradiction When Orson was clothed in the â—â—ceran of stele he behelde himselfe strongly and kepte a proude countenaunce Now it happened that as they passed vpon their waye Ualentine espied a right faire squyer that passed therby the whiche wepte full tenderly When Ualentyne sawe that he sayd vnto him frend what ayled you for to wepe haue you founde any euil men or haue you feare of the wylde beastes tell me for I shall helpe you after my power Alas sayd the squier of all this I haue no doubte but knowe that the thyng that causeth me for to wepe is my maister that I haue lost the whiche was the moste courteous the moste amiable and the moste valiauÌ„t that was vpoÌ„ the earth Ualentyne sayde howe haue you lost him ¶ Syr said the squyer he went into Acquitayne for to fyght with the grene knight for to haue one of the fayrest ladyes in the worlde that is the pleasaunt lady Fezonne that hath her harte so gracious and noble but there shall neuer none haue her if the grene knyght be not ouercome in cleane batayle Nowe there is dyuers valyaunte knyghtes dead And when he hath conquered them he maketh them to be hanged on a tree that is in the place on the whiche tree is hanged dyuers knyghtes to the nombre of two thyrty He taketh no mercy of none he is so truell a â—elon Holy vyrgyn Mary sayd Ualentyne I thynke he is some deuell when he doeth suche thynges but and it please Ihesus I shall go in to Acquytayne and shall proue my body against hym for I haue hearde so muche speakyng of the fayre lady Fezoune that if I dye not shortly I shall know the truth Ha syr sayde the squyer for God goo not thether for yf you fyght with him you shall lese your payne and you are so fayre a knyght that I neuer sawe none such Lese not your lyfe for to fyght with that deuill for I haue sene hym put so many noble men vnto death that I haue great doubte of you if you fyght with hym Squyer sayde Ualentyne in to Acquytayne will I goo and of the grene knight I shall knowe the truthe if he haue euill cause agaynst hym wyll I fyght but if I may I wyll speake fyrst with the fayre lady Fezonne and doo after her counsayle And when Orson vnderstode him he made sygnes vnto Ualentyne that he longed for to fyght with the grene knyght and that he wold loue the fayre Fezonne When valentyne vnderstoode hym for great ioye he laughed Thus go the two brethren walkyng through the countrey for to go vnto Acquytayne So they haue ryden so muche that they are aryued besyde the tyrie Ualentine sawe it from farre for it stode onhye Then he called an olde man that passed by and demaunded him what 〈◊〉 it was that he sawe before hym Syr sayde the goodman it is Acquitayne Nowe tell me saybe valentyne where doth the grene knyght holde hym Syr sayde he besyde the cytie I thynke you go for to fyght with him Yea truly saide Ualentine A sir
Orson that same Ualentine fought wit me the space of a hole day and we dyd so many feates of armes bytwene vs twayne that the nyght constray ned vs to leue and depart as wery and trauaylled And whan it came on thee moro we that thee battayle sholde haue begonne agayne bytwene vs twayne his felowe Orson armed with his propreharneis entred in to the felde for to fight with me wening to me that it had ben Ualentine And whan that same OrsoÌ„ was entred into the fielde muche fierslye he made me sygne of dyffyaunce Than I lepte out agaynst hym but littell auailed my strengthe for I abode not longe or that I was vainquished by hym And he woulde haue taken my lyfe from me yf Ualentyne had not come rennynge vnto vs whyche made meswere to receiue bap â—ym and byleue in Ihesu Christ and to submit my life entirely vnto your commaundement and ordenaunce And therfore in acquitinge my faythe and promyse by the knyghte Ualentine I am comen to yealde me vnto you as to hym that may do with me your plesure and to whom after God apperteyneth to approch my dethe or to prolong my lyfe Not for that my redoubted lord I yelde me before your maiestye ryal in demaundynge and trustynge to haue grace for the honoure of that same god that I haue taken the byleue of for know that I am crystened and byleue in Ihesu Christe and frome hens forthe wyl obserue it wyth true mind And whan I was baptysed at the holy font stoone in the honoure of your hygh and puy ssaunte name I was called Pepyn and Pepyn I am called â–ª whan the kynge vnderstode the wordes of the grene knyght he answered him swetely before all the barons and knyghtes sayenge Welcome be you vnto vs. for of youre comynge we be tyghte Ioyous more than of onye other thynge Make good chere for the loue of hym that sente you to vs for I assure you of your lyfe And yet I tell you before all that within short tyme I shal gyue you in my realme grete londes possessyons if that it plese you to abyde in my seruice But tell vs where the two knyghtes is that hathe conquered you Syr said the grene knyghte I lefte them in the cyte of Acquytayne with the duke Sauary the whiche holdeth them more deater then all the other of hys court By the tidinges of Blandimayn and by the grene knighte kinge Pepin hadde tidinges of his sister and of his two neue wes â–ª the which she chileded in the foreste of Orleaunce Wherefore he promised God that he shuld go into grece for to tell themperoure this tidinges and for to make his sister to bee sought in such maner that she myght be found in some place for aboue all creatures hee desyred ryghte ardantly to se his sister Bellissant that was sogracious â–ª when he bethought hym on the great iniury that had bene doue vnto her he wepte ful bitterly with both his â—yen and was ryght sorowfull at his harte ¶ How the good kyng Pepyn departed out of FrauÌ„ce for to go to waâ—de the Emperoure of Grece to beare him tidinges of his sister Bellâ—ssaÌ„t And how afore his retorning he made warre to the Soudan that had besyeged Constantinoble Cap. xxvi IN that same tyme that kyng Pepyn had rydynges of his syster Bellyssant he made redy his hoost without delay and departed froÌ„ Parys for to go to Constantinoble towarde the Emperoure of Grece for to beare hym tydynges of his syster Bellyssant as you haue heard The kynge made suche diligence that within short time he arriued at Rome There he was receyued of the Pope with great honoure for of the christeÌ„ fayth he was the chief defendoure He dyned that daye with the pope in his palays apostolyke the which tolde him tydinges of the Soudan that had besyeged the cytie of Constantynoble And thus as they spake and deuysed of that matter there arryued a knyght of Grece the whiche after that he had salued the pope and the kynge and all the assistaâ—ntes in muche great reuerence he sayd to him Holy father that arte god in earth know that the sarazins with great puissaunce and strengthe of armes haue assieged and put in subiection the lande and countrey of Constaâ—tinoble So the Emperoure of Grece sendeth you worde by me that for to kepe the christen fayth soo as you ought to do ye sende hym sucoure thether or els you shalbe cause to let the countrey be lost the christeÌ„ fayth to diminishe for without your helpe and sucour at this nede there is no remedy when the pope vnderstoode these tydynges he was muche displeasaunt but the kyng Pepyn that was there present comforted him greately sayenge to hym Holy father take in you coutage and comforte for if you wyl geue me your folkes Romayne â—utyll a nombre sufficient I shal conduite them and leade them towarde Constantinoble wyth myne hoost and I shall do so muche by the helpe of god for the sustenâ—â—cyon of the Christen faythe that the Soudane and hys armye I shall put too vytuperable confusyon for of none other thing I haue not so gret desyre as to susâ—ein the christen faithe againste the paynims whan the pope heard the kyng Pepyn speke so and knewe his courage he thanked him with all his hert and sayd to him Fre king right thristen of god be thou blyssed for of al other kynges thou arte the most puyssaunt in wordde and dede and syth that you wyll vndertake such a thinge I shall make so greate nombre of Romayns come hether for to accompany you y t you maye surely arryue in grece against the infydeles and enemyes of the fayth The pope in that same time of al the londe Romayne assembled so great a nombre of folke that it was meruayll made to ctye the croysee that is to knowe that all that wolde go in that batayll in the honoure of the passyon of Jhesu christ and were a crosse takynge of the pope his blessinge shuld haue pardon of al their sinnes In the cyte of Rome w t in a lyttell tyme assembled greate multitude of people for to go ouer the see with the king Pepin And the pope at their departing gaue them his blessinge and absolucion of al their sinnes Thus the king Pepin toke leue of the pope and of the cardinalles in recommaundinge him vnto the Praiers of holy chyrche And wyth thirty thousande Romaines beside his owne hooste he mounted vpon the sea And so muche the time was agreable vnto him that with in fewe daies he came and ariued at Constantinoble And there he sawe that the soudan Moradyn hadde besyeged it on al sydes And this soudan had brought with him xx knigs the whithe for to distroy christen dome with two hundred thou sande paynyms had passed the sea And so muche was this soudan fered and redoubted for his puyssaune y t the Emperoure of Grece with dyuers other christians accompanied hadde
that of my dere moder y e I haue desyred so muche I hoped to haue had tydynges shortly and certayne knowledge and in thynkynge to haue ben assured to perfour me myn enterpryse but in y e places dysloyall I am vnhappely comen and fallen into the handes of myn enemyes that of my lyfe are enuyous and desyreth my dethe Alas my fayre broder Orson well is our thoughte and our entencyon in a shorte time chaunged and reuer â–ª sed for we shall neuer se frendes nor kynnesmen In this wyse complayned Ualentine Orson in lykewyse and the sarazyns demeaned grete Ioye and so moche they rowed vpon the see that they arryued in Portyngale at the castell of Ferragus And also soone as y e empresse Bellyssant herde saye that Ferragus had broughte with hym two christen men prisoners she lepte oute of her chambre for to go se them Whan she sawe valen tyne and Orson the whiche she knewe not she demaunded them Chyldren of what countree be you in what londe were you borne Lady sayd valentyne we be of y e countre of Fraunce and borne besyde Parys Also sone as Ferragus sawe the Empresse BellyssaÌ„t that spake vnto the chyldren he sayd vnto her fyersly lady leue me this language for I shall make them dye in my prison with grete sorowe but yf they byleue in mahoune He called the gayler and coÌ„maunded hym to put y e two prysoners in the moost depest pryson and y e moost derkeste that they sholde haue none other meet nor drynke but brede and water There was y e cursed sarazins that with grete staues and with theyr â—ystes smote vppon the two chyldren without hauynge ony pyte more than of dogges and in a dongeon full of fylthe and â—râ—ure caste them and lete them downe Whan they were in pryson they sette them on theyr knees cryâ—ge god mercy and in praynge him that he wolde forgyue theÌ„ theyr synnes for they neuer wende to haue comen oute of that place And after that Ferragus hadde thus enprysoned Ualeâ—tyne and Orson he mounted vp into his palais and made to be brought before hym the fayre Clerymonde that wepte so pyteously that with y e teres that yssued out of her eyen all her face was be wepte My syster said Ferragus leue your wepinge chauÌ„ge your courage for by mahowne my god you haue to longe byleued y e hed of brasse whan that you wyll wed and take in maryage a straunger and oute of our byleue To whome haue you your herte varyable and wyll of a woman whan you wyll loue him y t hathe shewed himselfe mortal enemye of your broder the grene knyghte well appertayneth you to haue a man more worthy and of more hygher lygnage And yf you wyl bileue me and do after my wyll I shall gyue you to husbaÌ„de the puyssaunt kinge Tromparte â–ª by the whiche you maye be at all seasons of hyghelyfe and rychely honoured And therfore forgete the two chrysten FreÌ„shmen and haue no more truste on them for I shal make them dye and be hanged by the necke Broder said Clerymonde it behoueth me to obeye vnto your commaundement for one muste forâ—ere and passe lyghtly of the thige that they maye not haue the force constrayneth ryght hath no vertue for necessyte maketh oftentymes a man â—ell good chene After these wordes fynysshed Ferragus dyde departe and the quene his wyfe entred into the hall the whiche in grete honoure and reuerence hath receyued the fayre Clerimonde in sayinge to her My Syster you be ryght welcome hether for I hadde ryght greate desyre for to se you Lady sayd Clerimonde I thancke you a hondred tymes but knowe that I am ryghte sorowful and dyspleasaunt of two christen knights the whiche my broder Ferragus vnder the vmbre of surenes and loyalte hathe made to passe the sea and after hathe put them into an obscare prysone vyle and abhomynable and in grete dispite hathe sworne their dethe yf they forsake not theyr lawe and byleue Alasse my dere syster it is true that I shoulde haue had one of the knightes in mariages the which among al the liuing menne is the mooste fayrest the mooste valyaunt and the moost hardy and that by force of armes hathe conquered my loue wherfore lady I beseche you counsayl me for I haue grete nede and also that you shewe me the christen woman the whych you haue kepte so longe in this castell Fayre syster said the quene here may you se her Than spake Bellyssant and sayd Ladye what is your wil speke on hardely for I haue grete desire for to here you speke Alas lady I bring you tidings that wyll make you gladde and after sorowful and dysplesaunt Know for a certainte that of your estate and of your lyfe I knowe the veray treuth for pebe sister vnto king Pepin and wyfe vnto the Emperour of grece the which with wronge and againste righte hathe banysshed you out of his Empyre and soone after you were deliuered of two fayre sonnes in a forest wherof the one was taken away from you by a wild bere and the other was lost you can not tell how Now is your chyldren yet on lyue and I knowe the place whereas you may fynde theym At these wordes the quene Bellyssant fel vnto the earth in a swowne for ioye and pyte that she hadde and Clerymonde toke her vp muche swetely betwene her armes And when she was rysen vp the demaunded the mayden howe she myght know suche thinges Then Cleremonde recounted vnto her the â—â—aâ—e and the maner how Ferragus her brother by false and cursed treason had put them in pryson And when the Empresse Bellissant vnderstode that her two chyldren was in pryson demauÌ„de not if she made great sorowe for she began to wepe so pyteously that Ferragus wyfe entred into the hall and demaunded wherefore she made so great sorowe and the fayre lady Clerymonde toldâ— her from poynte to poynte the cause and â—eason â–ª nâ—we sayde the wyfe of Ferragus appease you and make not of this thynge no semblaunt for if the kyng Ferragus knewe it paâ—auenture the king should rather eâ—payre then amende ⧠How Pacolet coÌ„forted the two ladies Cap. xxxiiiâ— Ryght so as the thre ladies spake of this ma ter Pacolet entred in to the chambre that was come on his horse of wodde And wheÌ„ Clerymonde sawe hym she sayde vnto him pyteously wepyng Alas Pacolet what haue I doone vnto the that thou seperate me from all my ioye and betraye me for thou myght haue aduertised me of the euill wyll of my brother Ferragus well tolde me my harte that I should haue sorow by the when thou went so soone into Portyngale without my lycence for to beare hym tydynges Lady sayd Pacolet be not so angry againste me for by the God of whome I beleue I knewe not the treason of your brother Ferragus but sythe that he hath wylled for to worke treason I promyse you by my lawe that I
shall finde a remedy and auenge you tyght shortly And here I sweare vnto you that I shall serue Ualentyne and you truely also long as I lyue Frende sayd Bellyssant if thou mayest do so muche as delyuer my two chyldren out of pryson I shall neuer fayle the whyles that I lyue Lady sayde Pacolet be ioyous and take comforte vnto you â–ª for or that it be longe I shall worke soo craftely and soo subtylly with myne arte that of my persone you shall bee ryght well content and pleased ¶ How Pacolet by his arte deliuered Ualentyne and Orson out of kynge Ferragus pryson and conduyted them oute of his countrey with their mother and the fayre Clerymonde Cap. xxxv By the enchauntour Pacolet the fayre Clery monde and the Empresse Bellyssant were recomforted of their great sorow and made great dyligence whyles that the kyng Ferragus and his barons daunced and made great chere and when they had trauayled sore they went to bedde and slepte Pacolet slepte not but was ryght dylygent about his gere for to playe his crafte with And then he came to a great towre whereof the gates were of tyne stele great and thycke and surely locked But also soone as he had casten his sorte the gates opened and the lockes broke then he entred vntyll he came to the doore of the pryson that the thyldren were in and also soone as he touched the dore it opeded and brake as the other gate dydde When the two chyldren that were in the darke pytharde the dore open with ioyned handes deuoutly they kneled downe to the earth and cryed god mercye for they wende well that the Gyaunt Ferragus hadde sent for them to make them dye Ualentyne began for to wepe tenderly and Orson sayde to hym Take in you comforte and pacience for it behoueth vs to die and finishe our daies I se it clerely but syth that it is soo that I se none other remedy I thynke for too venge me or I dye on hym that setteth fyrst handes on me Than Orson toke vp a great barre that laye beside hym And when Pacolet aduysed theim he sayde vnto them thus Lordes for me haue no doubte for I am come hether for your delyueraunce Come lyghtly after me for or the daye be cleare I shall shew you the mother that bare you Ualentyne was muche ioyous when he harde Pacoler speake soo but Orson that behelde hym fyersly â–ª would not truste therein ¶ And when Pacolet sawe Orson beholde hym so fyersly he withdrewe hym abacke for great feare that he had but Ualentyne recoÌ„forâ—eâ— him muche â—wetâ—ly and assured hym of his brother Orson Then Pacolet ledde theym and conduyted them vnto the chambre whereas the sorowfull ladyes were wepyng The dores were locked but he could ouen them well After they entred in to the house where as Pacolet threwe so his charme that he made al them of the place to slepe so strongly that they knew nothing of their comyng And when they were entred in to the chambre where as the twoo sorowefull ladies was they went to warde their mother that myght not speake one worde but fel vnto the earth in a swowne and the fayre Clerymonde sayde vnto Ualentyne pyteouslye Alas knyght it is your in other that for the loue of you is fallen in a swowne Then valentyne embraced her and toke her vp and Orson colled her betwene his armes in saying to her Swete mother alas speake vnto me and then kissed her whiche myght speake neuer a worde and they were all â—hre so profoundly smyten to the â—arce w t pyte that they fel vnto y e earth in a swowne and lay there a great whyle For their pyte Clerymond wept full bytterly And when the lady Bellyssant and the chyldren were rysen their mother sayd vnto them al weping Alas my childreÌ„ for your sakes I haue suffred and enduted more greater payne anguy she then euer poore woman suffred And of all my lamentacions you were the cause but sythe that God of his diuine grace and puyssaunre hath saued you in suche maner y t once in my lyfe I may se you betwene myne armes of all my colours I am recomforted But tel me and declare me howe and by what manner sythe the tyme that I chylded you you haue bene noutysshed and gouerned in what countrey and with what meÌ„ you haue ben retayned for I haue ryght great desire to know y e truthe Then Ualentyne beholdyng his mother â—ygh pyteously tolde and recounted vnto her the truthe of their deades and gouernyng and howe they were founde in the â—orest in declaryng her the fortunes and perpllous aduentures that they had ben in al the tyme of theyr lyues vnto that present houre ¶ And whan Ualentine had finisshed his wordes the Empresse BellissaÌ„t that knewe clerely that they were her propre children was with a naturall loue so asperly taken that with greter haboundaunce of teres than before â—he wolde haue fallen in swowne Than Pacolet that was in the chaÌ„bre sayd vnto her in this maner Lady leue this wepynge and thynke for to departe from this place for it is tyme that we go out of Portyngale yf you wyll be delyuered out of the subgeccion of kinge Fetragus Alasse sayd Clerymonde my loue Ualentyne wel ought you to remembre the othe and promise that you haue made me Hold your couenaÌ„t and take me vnto wyfe as you haue promysed me Lady sayd Valentyne of my loyalte haue noo doubte for that whiche I haue promysed you with good hart I wyl â–ª truely kepe but for this presente tyme the naturall loue of my moder toucheth me more at the hart that I haue soughte so longe than all the other pleasures of the world Not for that my loue doubte you not for I truste neuer nor haue un volente to haue other than you to wyfe and spouse UpoÌ„ these wordes came Orson said vnto Pacolet that he shold go and open Ferragus chambre doore and that wyth his handes he wolde â—le hym Orson sayd Pacolet com with me for I shal open it at your own plesure Lordes sayd Clerymonde leue that enterpryse for â–ª I wylâ— neuer consent vnto his death And I let you wit if you sâ—e him you shal lese the loue of my broder the grene knight the which may healpe you in diuers thinges By my fayth sayde Ualentine you saye the â—eraâ—e trouthe and you haue spoken more wisâ—lyer than we haue don for of the dethe of your broder you ought not to be culpable Iâ— that houre they departed out of the cyte and Pacolet wente before that opened them the gates So they folowed hym tyll that they came too a porte of the see and there entred into a galee that Pacolecte hadde made redy for them They had wynde at wyland saylled so longe that they arryued at Clerymondes castell whereas they toke lande for to refreshe them ¶ How Valentine and Orson concluded for to depart out of the castel for fere
of Ferragus and how they and the Ladies sayled into Acquitaine Ca. xxxvi ALso soone as they hadde taken londe they wente vnto the strongè Castell but Ualentyne that euer hadde feare of Ferragus soiourned not longe there but retourned vnto the port and badde the Maryners too stuffe theyr galee with vytaylles and artyllerye and that they shold be redy to depart whan he called vpon them And than he retorned vnto the castel without makyng onye semblauÌ„t After he sayd vnto hys moder Bellissant and to the lady Clerimonde that he woulde goo into Grece towarde Constantinoble for to se his father Themperoure Alexander that wyth wronge and agaynst ryghte had expulsed hys mother from him To his wylobeyed the ladies also Orson and Pacolet Than they mounted on the sea for too perfourme their vyage The daye was cleare and the houre approched that the Gayler of kynge Ferragus was accustomed for to go se hys prysoners He wente toward the greate toure and bare bread and water with him for to gyue them to eate Whan he was at the gates of the prysone that were all open he saw wel that the prysoners were gone Than he retorned hastely toward kynge Ferragus and sayde to hym in great feare Syr I aske you mercy for thys nyght I haue lost the two christen knyghtes prisoners that you had gyuen me to kepe In saying these wordes there aryued an other messenger that sayd all on hye before all the assistentes Puyssaunt king Ferragus to greate a mischefe is hapned tonight in this place for you haue lost the christen woman that you haue kepte so longe and holden so dere And that wors is she leadeth wyth her your fayre syster Clerymonde that you loued soo Whan Ferragus vnderstode these tidynges as all enraged he began for to crye and rente his cloothes furyously and in great Ire made his men to arme them and yssue out of the gates Than he toke a clubbe that was great and heauy and before theym all yssued oute of the gates without a hors for he was soo great and so heuy that with payne myght he fynde ony hors that woulde beare him He had a great head and black hear styffe as wylde hogges brâ—stâ—lles and hys armes greate and boned and the shoulders large of legges and of bodye he bare the stature of thyrten fore of length Whan he was oute of the towne he called hys men for to accompanye hym and put hym on the waye for to fynde theym that ledde awaye his syster and hee demaunded tydynges of all them that he mette by the waye but none coude not tell hym nothynge for Pacolet coude play so well wyth hys arte whan he wolde that where someuer hee passed he made his folkes to slepe And whan Ferraâ—us sawe that he might haue no tidinges he swore mahoune that he would assiege Clerimondâ—s Castell for he wend wel to haue founde them there Than he made suche dylygence that on the morowe he was at the stronge castel but there he founde them not for they were departed or he came Whan he vnderstoode that they were departed fro that place he swore by al hys goddes that he wolde â—â—nde Clerymonde and al her company or christendome should haue much to suffre ¶ How the kyng Ferragus for to haue vengeaunce on Ualentyne and on hys sâ—ster Clerimonde made assemble hys hoost â–ª and howe he dyscended in Acquytayne Capitulo xxxvii WHan Ferragus the gyaunte sawe that he might not find Ualentine and Orson the whych had taken hys syster and their moder from him and ledde out of hys londe he swore and promysed hys gods that he wolde take vengeaunce on the christen men ¶ And for thys cause he sent throughe all hys realme that all they that were holden to do hym obeâ—saunce without soiour nynge or delaye should come vnto hym and appeare before hym for to mounte vpon the sea and goo agaynste the christen men for to take vengeaunce vpon UaleÌ„tine The crye was made aâ—â—â—e thrughe al the londe of Fer ragus and by his heraudes messengers were assembled grete multytude of men of armes whiche made a huge hoost They mounted vpon y e see and set the failles in the wynde that was right good to them And as they were mounted vpon the see the kynge Ferragus coÌ„maunded the marryners y t they sholde drawe towarde the cyte of Acquytayne for he thought wel to finde in that place them that he was departed for And so the patrons dyde and they exployted so moche that they aryued in the countre of Acquytayne ¶ Ualentyne and Orson that were vpon the see as you haue herde entred in to the cyte of Acquytayne â–ª and without makynge oâ— ny mencyon of they estate vnto ony persone as straunge men lodged them with a burgeys and Ualentyne wolde haue gone gladly in to the duke Sauaryes palays but Orson that aduysed hym of a grete subtylyte sayd vnto his broder Ualentyne in this maner of wyse Broder I haue aduysed me in thynkynge by my selfe that the nature and wyll of women is varyable and lightely chauÌ„ged and for this cause I am delibered that no mencyon shall be made of our comynge vnto the tyme that I maye knowe by some euydente sygne of the fayre Fezonne that reclamed me soo muche her dere louer yf she haue chaunged her courage Broder sayd valentyne it shall be but well done and yf you can do it it shall be subtylly wrought Than Orson clothed him in the habyte of a knyght that sought auentures and toke the lytell Pacolet for his squyer Than he wente towarde the palays and entred in to the halle of the duke of Acquytayne by the lycence of the gardes Whan he was before hym he salued hym and made hym reuerence suche as appertayned vnto hym for to dó suche a thinge he was wyse and well lerned And whan he had salued him the duke behelde hym moche and well hym thought he was Orson but bycause he spake he knewe him not and studyed no more but sayd to hym knyght tell me what bryngeth you hether Free duke sayd Orson I am a knyght aduenturous that gladly wolde fide maner to auenture me for to do good and loyall seruyce with my body knyght sayd the duke you be grete and fayre and me thynketh you sholde be valyauÌ„te and hardy in armes And therfore yf you wyll serue me I shall gyue you suche wages that you shall be contente and you may do so muche to my wyl and pleasure that or you departe from me I shal make you the rychest of your kynne Gramercy sayd Orson I shall deserue it an shall do so moche that you maye knowe the layaâ—te of me and my poore puyssaunce Knyght sayd the duke I reteyne you of my courte and for the grete trust that I haue in your seruyce a hondred pounde Parysii or ye serue me ony ferder I shall make to delyuer you Soo moche was Orson wyse and well taught in maners
fro the kynge Lucar that sendeth you to warde hym without longe abydyng greate him from meas my loue and secrete frende and saye vnto him that how be it that my father gaue me vnto kyng Lucar yet haue I not put his loue out of mynde but haue stedfast purpose and good wyll that once in my lyfe I shall drawe me towarde hym and of me he may do his wyll and good pleasure And tell hym also that I shall fynde the meanes to go with the kyng Lucar when he ledeth his hoost into ynde and then maye he haue me yf he haue any prowesse in him and leade me a way And to the ende that the king of ynde thynke not that your woordes is fayned you shall bere him this rynge Lady sayd Ualentyne of the good wyll that you haue for to succoure me and giue aledgemente I thanke you humbly and haue you noo doubte of the remnaunte for I shall do youre message so well by the grace of God to the kyng of ynde that in shorte space you shall haue tydynges At these wordes Ualentyne toke leue of the lady Rozemonde and went towarde kyng Lucar that for too conduyte hym gaue him ten maryners the whiche passed him ouer a great arme of the sea that is betwene Esclardye and ynde also they mounted vpon the sea and had wynde agreable so good that they departed from Esclardye at none and vpon the moro we they arryued at a porte that is but two myle from the cytie of ynde the great In that same place descended Ualentyne drewe his horse out of the shyppe after he mounted vpon him and said vnto the maryners Lordes abyde me here til that I come agayne and my message be accomplysshed for if it please God I shal not make long soiournyng or I retourne agayne By mahoune sayde a maryner to the other all alowe you shall neuer retourne but if the deuyll bryng you for of fyfty messengers that the kyng of Esclardy hath sent thether there is not one retourned agayne Ualentyne harde him ryght well but he made no semblaunt but he sayd vnto himselfe suche speaketh of the affayres that can not tel howe they go So he toke his waye and it was not longe but that he arryued within ynde for he was nere the gate And when he was pas sed a brydge he wende for to haue bene within the cytie but or euer that he entred it behoued him for to passe fiue gates whereof he was muche amarueylled And by himselfe he began for to consyder the fortification of that same place iudgyng by estymacion in his vnderstandyng that the same cytie was the moost strongest place that euer he hadde sene And when he was in the market place he sawe a great toure muche hye and faire vpon the which stode a crosse so Valentyne marueyled muche what it myght sygnifie for he knewe well y t the paynims vsed not suche sygne nor suffred none In that place the noble Ualentyne founde a Sarazyn too whome he demaunded the cause and the reason wherfore that crosse stode vpon that hye toure Frende sayde the sarazyn knowe that the same toure that you se yonder is named the toure of saynt Thomas is the tour that he was stoned and put to death in Nowe it is true that the christen men in the honour of the same that thei name to be a saint in this same place did fouÌ„d a church by the licence of the king in the whiche churche is a patriarke and a hondred christen men that in the maner of their lawe synge their seruyce euery day and celebre masse And in this wyse they are suffred to doo suche thynges for they paye great trybute euery yeare vnto the kynge of ynde ¶ When Valentyne vnderstode that in that toure there was mynister and habytacion of christen men he descended of his horse for to go in to it and saye his prayers So Ualentyne demaunded after the Patryarke the whiche came too hym incontynente and demaunded hym of whence he was and on whom he beleue Syr sayd Ualentyne I beleue in Iesu christ Alas syr said the patriarke how haue you taken y â— hardynes for to come hether for and the kyng of ynde had knowledge of you he would make you dye shamefully Father sayde Ualentine of that haue you no doubt for I bryng him suche tydinges and sygnes that he wyll not doo nor thynke me no harme but of one thynge I praye you that is that you declare vnto me how and in what maner you abyde in this place and be founded Certes sayd the patriarke we are fouÌ„ded in the honour of god of the holy saint Thomas the martyr of whom the body is in this churche And there may no christen men come hether but if thei be pilgrims but such folke may come surely â–ª because that the offrynges and oblacions that they gyue are the kynges And more ouer it behoueth eche of vs to paye a great trybute And then Ualentyne demaunded and required to se the holy body glorious and it was shewed him in great reuerence and solempnite ¶ Ualentyne kneled downe vpon his knees and made his prayers muche deuoutly vnto god vnto the holy maâ—tir saint Thomas after y e whiche thyng done he mounted on horse backe and wente towarde the palays in the whiche the kyng of ynde kept resydence for to accomplyshe his message in takynge leue of the good patryarke and demaunded hym if he had heard any tydinges of a christen woman that was come thether of late By my fayth sayde the patriarke I haue hearde no tydinges of none Then Ualentyne departed and enquyred no more for without makynge any noyse he would fynde some maner to heare tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde Nowe it was not longe after that the noble Ualentyne descended and came before the gate of the Palays and dyd his message in the maner that you shall here recounâ—ed ¶ Howe Ualentyne dyd his message to the kynge of Ynde from the kyng Lucar and of the aunswere that was geuen hym Capit. lxix AFter that the noble Ualentyne was aryued before that palays of the kyng of Ynde and that he was descended of his horse with a hardy harte and without any fere he wentâ— towarde the kynge the whiche was in a hall muche ryche hanged and apparaylled â–ª accompanyed with thre kynges strong and â—uyssaunt and also of diuers knightes and barons And euen so as valentyne entred in to the hallâ— the king of Ynde behelde him muche fyersly he thought well that he was of kyng Lucars and sayde to hym all on hyghe By mahowne the deuyll hath well made you for to come hether so sone arte thou not seruaunt of the kynge of Ynde hyde it not from me ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne the truthe shall not be hydde for me And wyte from hym I brynge you tydynges wherof you shall be ryght angry at the hart And on the other syde I brynge you certayne sygnes
the grete prowesse that he hathe shewed towerde me I haue promysed him in guerdond and rewarde your gentyll body and that by lawe of mariage you shall be wedded vnto him Well oughte you for to ue hym whan he hathe loued your fader so moche that he hathe saued his lyfe ¶ To the oppynyon of the duke was coÌ„sentynge all the barons and noble knyghtes of the courte and sayd by a comyn accorde that the knyghte was well worthy to haue the fayre lady in mariage that hadde done so grete prowesse for her fadeâ—s sake But OrsoÌ„ that was in presence wolde not declare vppon that dead his oppynyon vntyll y e tyme that he had assayed the courage and the wyll of the fayre Fezonne euen so as he had enterprysed before and tolde his broder Ualentyne ¶ How Orson wolde assaye the wyl and loyalte of the fayre Fezonne or that he wedded her Capitulo xxxix ORson was wyse and subtyl or that he wedded the fayre Fezone for he wolde knowe assaye yf she were for to kepe her fayth sted faste and loyal for oftentymes he had herde saye that women were of suche a nature that for a lytell thynge they chaunged theyr thoughtes and promyses and broke theym falsly but how well that dyuers of them ben of suche nature for all y t the vyces of the shrewed ought not to be taken nor aleged for to corrumpe the loyalte of the good ones for amongest abuswe of thornes is oftentymes founde a florysshed rose And also amonge a grete sorte of euyl women maye well be founden one good one and happe be Euen so as Fezonne was the whiche Orson founde loyall for he sayd vnto the duke in this maner for to assaye her Syr for the honoure that you do me I am bounden for to thaÌ„ke you but to the regarde of your doughter I wolde well knowe her wyll for it apperteyneth her well to haue a man of more hygher estate than I. And therfore before that I take her I wyll speke to her for to knowe her wyll and courage For maryage done agaynst the wyll cometh not lyghtly vnto perfeccyon Knyghte sayd the duke of Acquytayne you haue good reason and I accorde it you Now go in to her chaumbre and speke with her to the ende that you be the better enfourmed of her case At these wordes he entred in to the chambre of the fayre Fezonne and sat hym downe besyde her And syth he toke her by the hande sayd vnto her muche swetely Lady the grete beaute of you hathe taken me so sore in loue that withoute you I can haue none alegemente Nowe thanked be god whan it hathe pleased hym to doo me suche grace that for wyfe you be gyuen me for I may well vaunte me that of al other I haue the fayrest loue And syth that it pleaseth the good duke your fader that you haue me for husbande ye oughte well by reason to be contente for I shall serue you and holde you parfyte loyalte durynge all the tyme of my lyfe Wherfore I praye you ryghte dere lady y e for to haue more remembraunce the one vpon the other ye wyll enbrace me and kysse me at this presente tyne and refuse not my louynge requeste I praye you For syth that for the tyme to come we muste be assembled you ought not to refuse me to do my wyll â–ª Knyght answered the lady that was wel taught for to demauÌ„be suche thynges you ought to refrayne you for you lese your payne I loue all knyghtes and men of good dedes in all goodnes and honoure but aboue al other I loue one and hym wil I loue and kepe faith and loyalte as I haue sworne vnto hym nor neuer for other wil I chauÌ„ge him nor forget him Lady said Orson it ought by reason to please you whan it pleaseth your father Syr sayde the mayden It is well reason that I obeye vnto my lorde my father but if it happen that he constrayne me vnto suche a thyng and that he would gyue me vnto other then hym that conquered the grene knyght I shall rather departe from hym without beryng any thyng with me saue my fayth By God lady sayd Orson I maâ—uâ—yll me muche how you be so sore â—n amoured on that knyght for you knowe that he is of a wylde nature and that he cannot speake nor saye one worde wherby he myght reioyce you and tell you his wil. Syr said the lady true loue learneth me to loue him naturally For it is said comoÌ„ly that the thing that pleased one is halfe solde Wherfore fre knight in me haue no more trust for neuer in my life wil I â—haâ—ge hym that I haue promysed my fayth to Orson was muche ioyous of the wysdome of Fezonne that gaue him such an aunswere not for that he made semblaune that he was ill contente and departed out of the chambre without takyng leue of her wente towarde the duke and sayde to hym Free duke knowe that I come from speakyng with your doughter but she hath geuen me for a â—ynall aunswere that neuer in her lyfe for no man that speaketh she wyl haue other vnto her husbaÌ„d than him that conquered the grene knight Knyght said the duke of her aunswere care you not for in her lyeth not to do her wyll be a lytell pacient and anoâ—e you of nothynge for to daye I shal speke with my Doughter more ferder on this mater Gramercye sayd Orson I am beholden vnto you Than Orson yssued out of the palays and went vnto the lodging of his brother Ualentyne to whome he tolde and recounted the answere that had bene gyuen hym by the fayre Fezonne Broder you haue wrought well and thys ought to suffise you for you may wel know the great loyalte and loue that she loueth you with But I wyl that you and I go toward the palays togider for also sone as the duke shal se me I am certayne that we shall be ryght well receyued Syr sayd Orson your wyl bee done Than Ualentyne arayed hym in precyous clothes and Orson toke the â—aceâ—an that he had fyrst whan he came into Acquitaine and so he went vnto the palais with the litel Pacolet that in al thynges folowed theim They entred in to the hal in the which the duke of Acquitaine was spekinge to his doughter before diuers barons and noble knyghtes ⧠Doughter saide the Duke of Acquitaine from whens cometh to you this courage that you wil not accomplysshe my wyll and take my mariage this noble knyght that I woulde gyue you in whome is so muche prowesse and renowne for by the valyantnes of hym I haue bene delyuered and my lyfe saued Alas father sayd the mayden wherfore speke you to me ther of for you knowe well that I haue gyuen my faith vn to him that deliuered you from the grene knight Now there is not a greter reproch to a liuinge creature than to fals his fayth and breke
his oth And if it hapen that I be constrayned to suche a thynge by you you shall be the cause to put my soule in daunger whych shall be a reproche to you before God and the world And as the duke of Acquitaine spake so to his Doughter he sawe Ualentine and Orson comminge whych he receyued in grete honour and enbraced them And whan Orson had salued the duke he wend to ward the fayre Fezonne that for grete â—oy began for to smyle Alas sayde she you be hertely welcome for your longe abydinge hathe greued me sore And yf you had not commen my father wold haue maryed me vnto an other knight than you that for to haue me hath taken much great payne and much wel he resembleth you of nose and mouthe My loue sith that I was here I haue learned to speke and am the same y t praâ—ed you of loue to day in your chambre Than was the lady so Joious that I canne not recount it and Orson entred into a chambre and chamged that habite and put on right precious robes that he had made the litle Pacolet bringe with him and after entred into the hall And whan the Duke aduysed him he went and enbraced him swetelâ— and said to him Faire sonne pardon me of that I wold haue geuen my doughter to another than you for I wende well that you wolde neuer haue retorned Sit saide Orson with good hert I pardon you Than the Duke demaunded them how they had done sith theyr departinge And orson recounted before them all the fortune and auenture that they had ben in and how thei wer sonnes to the Emperoure of Constantinoble named Alexander and of kynge Pepins sister named Bellessant the whyche they had founden in Portyngale Whan the duke of Acquitaine vnderstode that the two valyaunte knightes were of so hye a bloude extraught he had so greate Joye at his heart y t tel it I can not Than he said knyghtes you be wo thy for to haue grete honoure and reuerence whan of al the cristiens you are the noblest extraught and dyscended But of one thing I am sorowfull and dyspleasaunte that is of your fader the Emperoure of Grece and of your vncle the kynge Pepin that are assyeged in Constatinoble by the painims and sarazyns and theyr warre hath endured so long that if god helpe them not shortly with socoure they muste yealde theim vnto theyr enmies whiche is a thinge muche pyteous whan Ualentine hearde that his fader and hys vncle were in daunger he made such dole that none might appease hym and complained more his vncle Kinge Pepin than his fader Than Pacolet said vnto hym Sir leaue this sorowe for yf you wyll byleue me I shal set you or to morow at nyght with in Constanty noble by God sayd Ualentine he is folyshe that byleueth the or the deuyl must bere thâ— â–ª Syr sayd Pacolet yf you wyll mounte vpon my hors and do that whiche I shall tell you we shall be in Grece or the day fayl Pacolet sayde Ualentine I accord me vnto thy sayinges for I desire nothynge soo muche as to see my father that I neuer sawe At that houre the knyght Ualentine was delivered for to departe on the â—noro we to go vnto Constantynoble and for the loue of his departynge the duke of Acquytayne made fyrst Orson to be wedded vnto his doughter Fezonne And made theyr weddynge so richely that there had ben neuer none such sene in that citye They made so grete noyse with trompettes and claryons that the painims heard it in theyr pauilions The duke of Acquitaine made Bellissant and Clarymono to be brought in his palais with grete honoure Than was there a spye that sawe al this and went and tolde 〈◊〉 to Ferragus how he had sene them wich the traitour Pacolet By mahoune sayd the gyaunt Ferragus I ought well to be dâ—lent of the traycour Pacolet that hath so falsly deceyued me and led away my syster Clerymonde that I loued so muche with the christians But I swere my god Mahoune that within short space I shal take vengeaunce on him and on al his other complices and helpers for I shall make them all dye an euill death ¶ How the gyaunt Ferragus for to haue sucoure sent for the kyng Tromparte and the enchauntour Adramayne ¶ Cap. xâ— FErragus the false Sarazyn was muche angrye and ful of Ire whan he sa we that of his syster Clerymonde and the two knyghtes he myght not take vengeaunce Then he called a heraude and toke hym a letter that he had made to be wrytten by the whiche letter he sente worde toâ— kynge Tromparte that in continent and without delaye also soone as he hadde sene the letter that he would come towarde hym well accompanied and with a greate puyssaunce of men of armes as well as he myght And yf so were that he would geue hym sucoure he should geue hym to wyfe his syster clerymonde And with this he â—â—aunded hym that he shoulde bryng the enchauntour Adramayne with hym that had learned so wel the â—â—tâ— of tollecre that for to playe with Nygromancy he 〈◊〉 passed mayster thus were the letters made and geueâ— to the messenger the whiche put hym vpon the waye for to do his message So will I leaue to speake of the gyaunt Ferragus and shal speake of valentyne that is within Acquitayne where as he taketh leue of lordes and of ladies and of the fayre Clerymonde the whiche for his departyng was muche sorowfull and demaunded hym Loue when will you wedde me holde me loyal couenaunt for in you is al my truste Lady said valentyne haue no doubte of me â–ª for I shal be true to you and I swere to you and promyse you that also sone as it shall please God almighty that I returne from Constantinoble without soâ—ouâ—nyng or delacion I shall wedde you Then he sayd to the duke of Acquitayne â— to his brother Orson Lordes I shall leue you my loue Clerymonde to kepe as to my pryncypall frendes that I trust my moost in In praying you that also soone as it maâ—â—e possible to you that you make to be ministâ—ed vnto her the sacrament of baptisme and chaunge not her name for none other for it is my will that she â—ere that name Ualentyne sayde the duke of Acquytayne take no thought for her for also derely shall the fayre Clerymonde be kept as my propre doughter Feâ—onne Then valentine toke leue of the duke of Acquytayne that for his departing had his harte sorowfull syth he embraced the fayre Clerymonde and in takynge leue of her he kissed her swetely but the noble lady was so sorowfull that she myght speke neuer a worde Ualentine lefte her and began to wepe And Orson tooke leue of hym the whiche sayde vnto him ryght swetely Brother I praye to Iesu christ that he kepe you saue you â–ª and among all other thinges I beseche you humbly that you wil recommaunde me