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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A07458	The most famous and renowned historie, of that woorthie and illustrous knight Meruine, sonne to that rare and excellent mirror of princely prowesse, Oger the Dane, and one of that royall bond of vnmatchable knighthoode, the twelue peeres of France Wherein is declared, his rare birth, and stranger bringing vp, with his most honorable conquest of Ierusalem, Babilon, and diuers other cities from the pagan infidels: with many other memorable accidents of wonderous consequence. By I.M. Gent.; Meurvin. English.	Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637, attributed name.	1612 (1612)	STC 17844; ESTC S112619	217,166	362

what businesse Baucamont should haue with him but taking the letter and breaking opne the seale he read the tenure thereof which instantly sent a displeasing sorrow to his heart because the King of Damas in prow● wordes commaunded his daughter the faire Berea in marriage But Mermont calling the messenger saide By Mahomet thy maister is much too saw●y and arrogant to commaund me to giue him my daughter the which notwithstanding her yong yeares I had doone but that in despite he hath sent so meane an embassade for hir Wherefore be wel ascertained he shall neuer possesse her though it c●st me a hundred thousand of my choisest subiects Is there any colourable shewe in thy maister to marry my daughter when he sendeth no greater a peere of his countrey then thy selfe to demaund her But what he hath done is but an index of the pride with which his heart is furnished say so to him for if thou so saist it not what besides else I haue said by Mahomet in despite or thy King I will make thy head poore in taking away thine ears two dulauditors Mighty King answered the messenger whose feare-shaken heart made all his body tremble be well assured I will deliuer all that you haue spoken or what else your maiestie shall please to commaund me Be gone then quoth the King and bid thy maister seeke him a wife in some other climate for Berea soareth higher then the sunne hath power to carry his eielight Thus parted the messenger on whom no rest either by night or day dared to aduenture till he came before Baucamont his Lord and Soueraigne to whom he saide By Apollo great King of Damas and my liege Lorde in vaine is thy care to entertaine loue when thou hast lost Berea whose eies onely create loue in briefe her must thou neuer enioy for so her father hath sworne nor I in despight of thée mine eares vnlesse I tell thée that so he hath sworne More would not Baucamont endure to heare but all inraged with fury swore by Mahomet Alcheron and the shrine of Meca hée would enioy Berea yea though shée were the sole paramor to Iupiter or garded with an Herculean army all which to performe hee instantly sent foorth summons to muster all his people and to commaund all his tributaries to serue him protesting with force of armes to finde that ioy which by force of words he could not enioy But only to desteny are the decrées of heauen knowen for he erred in his conceits sith into the world was borne a creature excellent enough to defend Berea I meane rarely accomplished Meruine the sonne of Oger supposed the sonne of Barbin who at that instant was growne mighty in body more in minde most in beauty Barbin who tendered him excéedingly shewed him the trade of marchandise and how to exchange for the greatest profite but the bent of his mind was contrary to that course for his minde wholly was addicted to ride horses tosse pikes plant battels and other feates of famous chiualrie to which a while we will leaue him and will speake of the king Mermont CHAP. V. 1 Mermont the king proclaimeth a great Iust for triall of his Knights 2 Meruiue doth great wonders WHen the King of Damas Embassadour was departed the mighty King Mermont not without cause fearing that Baucamont would make warre vpon him proclaimed a solemne tourneament to be held within the citie of Montment for triall of all his knights whi●her assembled an innumerable company of kings princes barons and knights all subiects vnto him amongest the rest came a wealthy Prince named Clarissa much more beholden to Fortune for his riches then to Nature for his valure for though he was not reputed a coward yet those which knew him knew he durst not fight This Clarissa lodged in the house of Barbin And when the first day of triumphes came which by decrée were to continue thrée dayes and a massie cuppe of golde proposed for a prize to the Uictor euery one armed himselfe and Clarissa also armed himselfe outwardly more rich then any though inwardly his heart was tattered with a trustlesse resolution When Meruine beheld him armed he humbly intreated the Pagan that hée might attend his person to the Tilt-yard Clarissa when he beheld through the reflexion of the yong mans beuty an vnmatchable splendor of concealed valure he exchanged his feare to hopefull audacitie and condescended to his intreaty des●ring the youth that if he sawe as doubtlesse he should any colde streames of fountaines engirdle his temple that he would s●eke with the fire of his infant vertue to drie vp those vndoing ouerflowes Meruine coragiously bade him take courage for there was no doubt of hard measure onely saide he it is conuenient that I haue a horse to runne after you by which I may sustaine you in the greatest danger sweete are thy words and reasonable answered Clarissa and forthwith commaunded and a horse was deliuered to Meruine on which hee mounted and attended Clarissa o● whome spurres were not spared till he came to the tilt-yard When the Lady virgin Berea who was enuironed with her mother and the other Ladies beheld the gallant yong Meruine enter into the listes her heart daunced in her cristall bosome as if not there but in him was her onely paradise Wo alas she loued him dearely who neglected her wholly and often whispered to her soule so Mahomet would I would Meruine to whom onely I am a prisoner whose beautie onely hath surprised mine affection were the sonne of some pagan potentate then would I follow him then would I be his handmaide then would I serue him then would I go with him but if hee would espouse me O my soule how happy were my loue in such a happy requitall other then himselfe no goddesse would wish for for pouerty with him is richer then the pallace of the greatest Emperor in Turkie Thus would the excellent Berea often dispute with her selfe imagining Meruine still the sonne of Barbin the marchant Anone the tourney beganne wher● staues flew in the aire like dust and dust like smoakie ●●aues threatned the element at length a pagan fierce and strong ranne with his launce in his rest against Clarissa to whom he gaue such an vnkind blow that had not yoong Meruine bin he had tumbled to the ground but the princely youthes vertue sustained him yet so heauy was the incounter that Clarissa as much or more scared than wounded returned to his lodging where being disarmed hee laied that heauie complaint on Fortune which iustly should haue bin intituled to his owne weakens Meruine seeing him disarmed his heart tickled and his blood fiered with an emulation of honour which set an insatiate longing on his thoughts to giue some blowes and to prooue his bodie wherefore hee fell vppon his knées to Clarissa and saide I beséech you faire prince for the honor of Mahomet bestow your armes vpon me to the end I may goe to the triumph and approoue

and when he hath liued till marriage hath made him father of a sonne of twelue yeares old then my will is that he returne into Fairia and hauing kissed me before all the Ladies of our land make me his especiall loue who neuer had nor will haue any till his returne When Meruinaes eares had receiued the musicke of Galianaes spéech she gaue her infinite thanks and caused king Artus king Orient and all the lady Fairies to doe the like only Gratiana excepted who stood sorrowfully dumbe for her blow receiued The childe as you haue heard was baptized and rebrought into the Chamber of his mother who notwithstanding the torment of her trauell yet thorow the loue of her faire infant she forgate thexcéeding passion of her more than great sorrow and when the Ladies came in they found her fast asléepe whom they being loth to awake from out her slumber they gently laid the childe in her bosome and so departed without any noise making onely the false Fairie Gratiana staid behind who had alonging desire to imbesell the infant Meruin of whom the other Fairies had no regard neither that she staid vnder any false intent but when al the Ladies were gone vnkind Gratiana took litle Meruine from his mothers breasts and holding him in her armes said Now doe I wish and I would I wore in the selfe same maner that at this present I am at the port of Luterne which standeth vpon the Sea and so soone as euer she had spoken instantly she and the infant were in the same place whence issued the neuer to be abated sorow of Morgue when she awakd and found not by her the best of her deare selfe I m●●ne her deare Meruin Whereupon she demanded of her attendants whether he had bin broght backe vnto her or no Yes Madam said one of them Madam Mer●ina his godmother laid him close by your selfe Alas said Morgue and where is he then become Then began the good Lady greatly to lament and to powre such vncontrolled oceans of teares from the heauenly windows of her eies that the roaring tempests of her languor was easily heard of Artus her brother Orient Orger and all the Fairie Ladies who incontinently rusht into her chamber the renowned Oger asking her what she ailed auowing that the greatest monarch in the world should not dare to do hir that wr●ng which his sword should not redeliuer and reuenge Then her attendants for dumbe sorrow kept her silent tolde him how Gratiana whom Meruina had striken in reuenge of her disgrace had stollen the childe and borne him to some vnhabitable climate Oger hearing this gaue displeasure leaue to tyrannize vpon his hart and by the gréedinesse of his passion robbed his loue the fairie Morgue of some of her lamentations for after consideration had recalled her reason and hope assured her that no power would vnworthily be against her she gaue a comma though no period to her mourning and recomforted her only lord Oger with this or like oratorie Oger my loue said she that diuine power which hath sent vs Meruine will if it please him preserue our Meruine and when the winter daies of our extreame fortunes hath fully bound vp our hopes in forzen ribs of ice we shall againe regréet the chéerefull Aprill of our Summerioyes and gather new blossoms from our drowned plants Thus spake Morgue to the good Oger whom we will leaue and speake of the Fairie Gratiana who as you haue heard cari●ed away Meruine CHAP. II. 1 How the Fairie Gratiana repented her selfe for the carrying away of Meruine 2 how she found a hermit keeping three goats 3 how he shewed her the way to find the port of the sea GRatiana by her wish sodainely arriued in a wood neighbouring the port of Luterne but being in a place so desolately solitary tainted with remorse in her owne conscience heartily she repented herselfe aswell for hauing stollen the only hope of that age prince Meruine as also for hauing exiled her selfe from Fairia her natiue Countrey wherefore desirous to returne and holding the infant in hir armes she said Now do I wish and be my wish auailable for my woes sake would I were in Fairia in mine owne pallace so and in such maner that I neither doe nor shall need aske pardon for my misdéed Thus spake reuengefull Gratiana but the storie replieth that because she had reuenged her selfe by her vnlawfull stealth the God of the Christians grew offended with her and took from her both her power of wishes and wishing which when the Fairie perceiued she fell on her knées and said alas only merciful God I know I haue gréeuously offended against thée yet notwithstanding thy pity greater than thy power may pardon my misdéed which both repents and displeaseth me and then turnd she her speech to Meruine saying Ay me swéet childe that mine offence to thine infancie hath lost mée the delight of my life and yet shall the burden of more then my sorrow vnlesse 〈◊〉 gracious power preuent bee borne on thy tender shoulders woe is me what had I in my head when I conceiued this wickednesse against thée nothing but euill yet despight these eu●●s ought some good thing befall me in that I will nourish the childe so long as I shal be able with such ac●●es as God or fortune shall send me 2 Gratiana in this manner repenting her selfe rose vp and beganne to go to a valley beneath the wood with the infant in her armes and in her passage a long she perceiued a holy hermit who reposed himselfe in the same wood kéeping thrée goates in that forrest When the Fairie came nere him she saluted him and sayd Graue wise man for so thy white haires heralds of experience tell mée where I pray thée standeth the next town or village or where may I find any woman to giue sucke to this faire childe which is almost pined to death with extreme hunger whilest alas I haue nothing to giue it but my teares too vnsauorie a firrop for so princely a taste Hardly had she ended this last word but by the will of some almighty willer one of the thrée goates left the hermit and came to the Lady making not bestiall but rather diuine signes that she would suckle thinfant which the Fairy ouerioyd to behold thanked God and kissing the babe laid it on the ground and the goat placed hirselfe néere to the child that it might quietly suck for such was the wil of the Greatest When the hermit saw this myracle and saw diuine charitie much greater than Nature haue ruling in a si●ple goat grew much abashed asking the Fairie if she were a Christian. Father qd she I am a true Christian and then she began to discourse vnto him all the story of her euill how she had stolne Meruine and for that cause briefly to speake she told him from point to point all before written Whilest the hermit sate amazed and many times signed himselfe with the crosse in token

the next morning went aboord their ships and sallied with so fauorable a gust that in short space they aymed at the port of Luternia where they anchored their vessels and from thence marched to Montment The Historie saieth that this Iacob the marchant altogether frequented the court of king Meurmont who for sundry vertues he sawe shine in his honest simplicitie loued him exceedingly and tooke and intimate delight in his company Now is Iacob entred into his owne gates where his wife with all obseruances of true duety kindly entertained him and Tyrus the house of Barbin his father who séeing him vnaccompanied of any but his owne presence blusht as highly amazed and asked him Faire sonne where is Meruine thy brother that he is vnreturned with thée to make happy my desires Deare father replied Tyrus he is taken prisoner at Brandis which is a strong citie seated vpon the sea Prisoner said his father tell me quickely for what cause Sir said he with a fearefull trembling Meruine whom you call my brother is too fierce proude and of an ambitious aspiring spirite me hath he altogether neglected and bent his thoughts onely on impossible indeuours The cause of his imprisonment is for that he hath slaine seuen renowned knights at one instant with his sword And from thence Tirus discoursed to his father all the déeds of Meruine his promise to Minea to resuccor her sister his danger in Brandis her deliuering him by meane of hostage his going to Monte●●eur his combat with Brohars his backe returne to Brandis his deliuering Basina his being there surprised and lastly his deliuery after six yeares imprisonment with perpetuall banishment till when there was no expecting his returne When Barbin with a grieuing ioy had heard him recount all these famous exploits of Meruiue he askt Tyrus in all these dangers what aid or help he had done for Meruine and Tyrus tolde him not any at all Then the blood of anger started into the face of Barbin and he said to Tyrus False Pagan boy recreant to trus nobilitie whie didst thou faile him who would haue failed life for thy loues cause Where was thy sleepy sword that vnsheathing it thou didst not hazard to die in his rescue By Mahomet deare father said he I dare not fight my weapons are only the words of an honest marchant let Meruine on whom the goddesse of warre is inamoured fight for vs both whilst I in a peacefull climate winne honor by my traffike Thus disputed Tyrus with his father to whom Chiualry was nothing beholding but Barbin most sadly sorrowfull for the troubles of Meruine flung away with great furie making a solemne vow to Mahomet either spéedily to purchase his deliuery or in the pursuiteto spend his life and treasure CHAP X. 1 Iacobs report to king Meurmont of the acts of Meruine 2 Bereaes ioy 3 The priuate confe●ence betweene Berea and Iacob AFter Iacob was returned home and had by a little rest giuen ease to his sore trauelled limbs he demanded of his wife if not any from the court had made inquirie of his returne and h●s wife told him yes a squire whom as she imagined belonged to the beautifull princesse Berea therfore she persuaded him as a thing not vnnecessary forthwith to goe thither to take with him from her to th● princesse a most curiously wrought purse which of selfe purpose she had made for her Smal persuasion preuailed So Iacob tooke the purse and went to the Court where being entred within the hall he found the mighty king Meurmont who was glad to sée him most gratiously demaunding of his welfare to whom Iacob with humble reuerence answerd as became a loial subiect By Mahomet qd the king I feared greatly left Baucamont the proud king of Damas had met with thée who is now comming to besiege me with so innumerable an host of men as to our séeming they double the stars of heauen Credite me redoubted soueraigne said Iacob if it pleased Mahomet or your gratious starres were so fortunate that you had but to aide you xxx such knights euery way as excellent as Meruine the sonne of Barbin the marchant not Baucamonts power nor the worlds infinits were able to wrong you by sword or violence for why Meruine is euen Uictory itselfe as fortunate as couragious and both admirable that Wonder it selfe alone sits wondring at his actions his valure instru●teth valure his equal in euery vertue hath not issued from the wombe of a liuing mother insomuch that my thoughts rather bind me to adore him as a god then estéeme him as the son of Barbin my friend a marchant Berea from whose eies loue borrowed a light to illuminate al the lampes of heauen hearing Meruin thus highly eralted by the speech of Iacob found a ioy excéeding al ioy as much beyond compare as her beauty aboue equalitie triumphantly dominering through her royal veines inriching her heart with the treasure deliuered to hir parts wherefore like babes gréedy of sweete meates till they euen surfet with delight shee further demaunded of Iacob where hee had beheld Meruin in that warlike sort which made him estemd so rare a Martialist Diuine Lady qd Iacob by that religious faith I owe our great god Mahomet I haue séen him in so dangerous fight and in such vnspeakeable trouble that neuer knight hath indured or performed so mightie a warfare with such vnspeakeable vertue And there hée in selfe maner discoursed al the enploits done by Mernin as Tyrus before had reported to his father which not onely bred an amazement in the King but an inward intire loue insomuch that from the boundlesse humor of his affection he heartily wished he were his sonne And withal said incomparable Meruine might but thy valure ingirdle my fortunes excellently wouldest thou reuenge me of these ouerdaring Kings who come to assail● me but woe is me base is the desert of thy linage that should I hold thée as my supporter dishonour would attach me with indignitie yet I am assured should I send to thée Count Brandis he would not for a world deny his deliuery Thus reasoned the King in himselfe diuersly h●lde with the diuers arguments of feare and desire 2 But Berea in whome the extremitie of pleasure challenged an intrest of 〈◊〉 gaue ioy the possession of her heart and su●rendered al her spirits to the dispose of loue and her happie fortune Yet as a corrector of passion when hée he grew too great a Libertine she would sometimes sigh and chide her forgetfull conceits saying Care to purchase his returne ought to busie them from their delight then would she create a thousand thoghts how to bring him backe wohse absence diuorst her from her happy longings Whilest thus shée and the king were both musing she of his vertues hee how he became so vertuous Iacob who perceiued in them both a dumbe wishing saide to the king Trust me my soueraigne if either aff●āce may be had in my true intent

force of fierie pointed looke Nor of the steele that strikes within my wound Nor of my thoughts by worser thoughts defacde Nor of the life I labour to confound But I complaine that being thus disgracde Fetterd feard frāt●ke charmd fierd shotthrogh slaine My death is such as I may not complaine On the last clause of this sonet the noble merchant Iacob entred her chamber whom so soon as Berea beheld she gaue some respite to her mones while a séeming ioy ouershadowed hir face and an inward resolution for many good parts she knew in him tooke hold on her heart giuing her assurance without feare to make him priuie to her long hid affection Wherefore after due reuerence done to her greatnes and a gratious welcome deliuerd from her silent looke she bade him sit downe by her and with a trembling voice the true herald of a vertuous meaning ●hus said vnto him Iacob let it not séeme strange to thée that hauing gone one step beyond wisedome I seek by danger to ouerrun feare and let me coniure thée by that power to whom in thy deu●tion thou hast giuen power ouer thy being to kéep secret in thine inward soule wbat my ouerburdned hart shall vnload vnto thée Iacob in whom wonder had raised a hie colour of amazment answered Lady by that inuiolate faith due to our great god Mahomet I promise to kéepe secret in the inclosure of my soule whatsoeuer you propound vnto me Know then qd she O chide me not whē thou knowst what I blush to know at such time as I lay at Turgon with my mother nursed not farre from thence the beautifull Meruine on whom doating Nature had bestowed all her treasure went to schoole whither I much frequented to learne the knowledge of diuine philosophy but alas the knowledge I learned was the confounding of my vnderstanding for there euen there ●●came I surprised with the beauties of Meruine and so intangled with the loue of his perfections that his thought is my torment and his absence my death so as if his returne be long my life will be short so much my loues martirdome wounds me with intolerable ●orrow yet I take Diana to my witnes that al my loue hath bin honorably chaste in such sort as became my vertue or my fathers daughter neither is he yet acquainted with my desire nor haue I to any but thy self bemoned my vnhappines or discouered my loue Wherefore I pray thée by the vehemēt passion of an vnfained louer make means for his return fith many yeares are past in my remembrance since his departure Lady said Iacob it is but x. months the last wéeke past since his departure Ten months answered the Lady Ay me euery day is a wo●lds age in the computation of my mind so flow is the passage of my sorrowes wherefore by all the vertues of thy mind● the loue thou bearest to Meruine I coniure thée ioyne with me in some happy stratageme by which we may worke his returne to this country By Mahomet qd Iacob Lady I can not possibly inuent how Then haue I deuised the way repl●ed Berea thus it is You shall to morrow morning come to my chamber to speak with me at what time I will haue written a letter in my fathers name to the counte Brandis hauing this night priuily taken his scale signe it therewith in such sort as you shall haue Mernine deliu●red you Then shall you take Barbin with you but by no means make him priuy to our complots but stifly maintaine it is the act of my father When you haue Meruin at such time as Baucamont who shortly wil beleager vs shal detaine his army bring him armed at all points into the field to ioyne with my father and doubt not of his intertaine whose succor wil be so gracious Iacob accorded to al she could inuent or desire so departed leauing the lady to herselfe to study on the inditing of a letter so weighty which at length she perfited to hir own contentment and then sealed it with the kings owne seale And in the morning Iacob came and receiued it protesting a diligenter regard in performance of such a royall affaire The lady gaue him infinite thanks with promise of an inspeakeable reward and then she deliuered him an C. duckats to defray his ordinarie charge and a curious wrought chaine of pea●le and gold which she charged him in hir loues name to present to Meruine and withall to let him vnderstand the interest he held in her loue All which with solemne oths he vowed honestly and zealously to performe Then Iacob tooke leaue of the Lady and came to the house of Barbin to whom he said My best friend Barbin make your selfe ready with all spéed to go with me from the K. to Brandis to fetch your son Meruine home againe Barbin to whom no sound could bring swéeter melody told him the newes was balme to his griefes So dispatching his busines and taking order for his home occasions they departed together in great hast whom on the seas sailing towards Brandis we will leaue and a while speake of king Baucamont and thother pagan princes who after the late storme found so prosprous a gale that he arriued at the port of Luternia a moneth after the departure of Iacob and Barbin Thence they marched with conquest to Montment which city they be●ieged with two hundred thousand Turks After they were lodged and intrenched Baucamont caled a councel of his chiefest barons and consulted among them what was to be done and whether it were best to assault it at their first approach I or no. To which opinion of assaulting Eclamard dissented saying Rather would I hold the first decrée agréed of amongst vs which is to send ●j of your approued knights to Mermont to shew wherefore we came hither and what cause hath s●wen this séed of warfare among vs requesting hi● daughter the beautifull Berea which if he will send to you to be ioined in the holy bands of mariage that then we wil return to our countries otherwise indure the vttermost worst of warres afflictions and this hold I the safest course in our procéedings because if here we lengthen out time with a long and lingring warfare Gualtier the dane now raigning in Babylon and Guion of Denmarke both brothers to the euer renowmed Oger who at this instant beare such eternall hate to pagans may in our absence exile our peace from our owne countries Againe which is of greatest auaile against vs one of great knowledge reuealed to me that the mighty emperor king Charles of France meaneth this season to visite them and to adore the holy sepulchre of their god Wherefore the spéedier we make our returne the stronger our owne peace and safetie of our countries for the absence of kings are the deaths of nations CHAP. XI 1 Of the dispatch of Bauc●monts two knights to Mermont 2 Mermont in despight of Baucamont imprisoneth them 3 Of the assault 4 and death

the allarum to lighten in the eares of ech army a resolued pagan named Turquant was the first that charged whō Bertran separating himselfe incountred with such violence that his lance making way through both his sides caried him to the ground his first and last mother at this the battel●es ioyned like the outrageous méeting of many confused waters where the Christians bare themselues most valiantly and in the first shocke ouerthrew a thousand Pagans dead to the ground Bertran who as yet had not broken his launce méeting with M●rbrom 〈◊〉 him to the heart and brake his launce with the incounter Then drew he his sword with which he excellently knew wh●n to aide when to def●nd and when to assaile and with it did wonders Guion his brother strake Acquilant but not he of Lucerne but an other whom at the first blowe he diuided to the girdle and then c●ied Forward in the name of ●od you christi●n nations the day is o●●s Thus said Guion whilest Thyerie who held his sword in both his han●s was with his brother Florion in the middest of the army making an admirable slaughter Now ●eganne the ●●ttell to be strong and fearefull in which the Pagans died innumerably and the christians increased so highly in their resolutions that the Saraze●s began from a little recoyling to betake themselues to a maine flight in which Baucamont●as ●as slaine by Bertran and Mermont taken pris●ner and with him diuers o●hers of the greatest estimation who were carried to the tents to accompany Esclamart that had runne the way of dishonour before them ●ut now beholde the exchange of immortall fortune our thrice renowned christians in whom Conquest seemed to be prowd because shée liued and who r●turned victors from euery battell shall vnluckily bee vanquished and ouerthrowne by the hand of their néearest cohsine most absolute Meruine You haue heard before how Meruine staied behind with twenty thousand according to the commandement of Mermont to whom as soone as a Pagan had declared the mightie o●erthrowe that was befallen them with a smiling anger he said ●he King and his Princes imagined to subdue the christians without Mernine in despight of Meruine but it is happened otherwise and themselues are forsaken for forsaking Meruine Well now shal they know my power and the woorth o● my seruice for before the euening shall call foorth the Moo●e to appeare in the great Starre-chamber I wil reuenge them on their enemies and restore their liberty This saide he broached his renowmed beast and with his army gaue a hote charge on the christians who when they beheld Meruine though not discoraged yet were they wo●derously amazed and not without good cause for his men were fresh and Meruine the best knight that in the worlde then liued and they both ouerto●de and weary Which when Bertran sawe hée saide Courage immortal spirites and be not dismayed to beholde these Pagans as I beare faith to my Sauiour they are no more to be este●med then the withered grasse in a medo● or the stalkes of corne in the hand of a shearer By my life saide Huon I thinke those we haue slaine haue purchased a new resu●rection Not so saide Guion beholde how they lie in heepes one vpon an other After this talke they prepared themselues and incountred their enemies whome they assailed with vnspeakeable resolution but to too little profit for their wearinesse had so much weakened them that the Pagans slewe them most p●teously and Meruine so victoriously tr●●mphed where he went that not any escaped with life on wh●me the weight of his arme descended He slew Reignier Guyons young knight and after him another and another and al whosoeuer was within the reach of his ●urie Our barons were astonished to behold his resolution and yet more great incombrances immediately fell vpon them for why the citizens issued againe and the rather at the ●●reaty of Guyda w●o besought them to ayde her to tak● him aliue who had slaine her father to whome Pimon declared that Bertran was he that slew him in the great battell whome Guyda mightily desired and inwardly loued imagining her selfe happy if shee might but behold him The Pagans assured her her wish and so sallied out vpon the christians on whom Meruin had raigned lamentable misfortunes ● Now were the gallants of christendome inclosed on euery side they of the citie behinde them and Meruine before them who alone was the planet of their destruction for why no force was proofe against his magnanimitie When Florion sawe that he alone held in his hand their destinies he prest vnto him and gaue him such a blow thwart the helme that he closed his eyes from the day light But Meruine recouering himselfe payed him backe so heauy a requitall that hée strake the infant from his horse to the ground backeward who was no sooner downe but Sarazens eagerly le●pt vpon him to whome Meruine saide Kill him not souldiours on your liues for he that wounds him woundeth my soule also Thus was one of the foure brethren taken for whome was made piteous lamentations There was at this instant left of the Christians but ten thousand who with one voyce cryed on God to be their ayder and Bertran sayd follow mée my hearts one God one honour and one graue and then like a tempest of thunder he cast himselfe into the bosome of his enemies confounding and killing all betwéene him and the goale of Honour Meruine this while chased the Christians to the gates of desolation at the which Guion grew madde thorough anger and setting himselfe against Meruin gaue him such a blowe that he made him bowe his head to the creast of the great mare Mordant But Meruine vnaccustomed to haue any such manner of regréetings stroke Thyerrie who then had thrust himselfe betwéene them so mighti● a blowe that hée ●ell to the earth and was instantly taken prisoner by the common souldiours After that Meruine had thus ouerthrowne Thyerrie there came a Pagan vnto him and tolde him there wer● two Christians yet suruiuing whom it was impossible to take without great effusion for on whomsoeuer their hands fall death followeth And then hee brought Meruine where he found Bertran and Huon of Burdeaux who hauing ioyned backe to backe shewed such discipline in armes as might well haue remained a myracle to all ages When Meruine viewed their couragious resolutions he grew inamoured with their vertues yet for all that with Entrant his good sword he strake so manfully at Bertran that albeit he neuer bended but to heauen yet now he was forced to bow one of his knées to the earth Then leauing him he charged Huon who seeing the blow by recoiling backward escaped the violence but the Pagans came swarming so fast behinde him that he was able no longer to defend himselfe against Meruine Now were all the noble christians taken except Guion who alone with fiue hundred did defend himselfe and they were all that sur●ued Like a wilde Bore against a

his soule forsooke her vn●allowed mansion and in that same moment both it and his body were miraculously borne thence into hell to the ●earefull terror of all the beholders who concluded him to be execrable and damned This finished Butor came and embraced Bertran gaue him Singlay to wife doing him all the honor possible Mermont did as much and all the other Pagan princes making a festiuall for his conuersion in religion Great banquets were made and Bertran was set at the Table next to the king who vaunted that now there was not a kingdome in christendome which hee would not conquer Then kissing his daughter he blessed the time of her generation saying Now she should be the Empresse of the world for her husband with twenty thousand gallants he would giue him should presently goe conquer France She was prowd to heare those speaches yet neither in shew nor in words would expresse it but protested that if it had not bin Mahomets commaundement she neuer would haue married Then was Caliph the Flamine called for who incontinently married them according to the old prophane customes of Mahomet CHAP. VII 1 How Bertran and Drohes vnder the pretence of Paganisme brought fortie thousand Pagans before Montment 2 How the most part of them were there confounded and put to the sword THus vnder the veile of infidelitie Bertran and Drohes abused the Pagans who verely imagined that they had renounced Christ Iesus but it fell out farre otherwise as you shall vnderstand When Bertran had espoused Singlay doubt not of the Royall solempnities which continued for the space of eight dayes at the end whereof Butor deliuered to him fortie thousand resolued men at armes and desired him with all expedition to goe aide the mightie king Gorbant who had for thrée yeares laied siege against Montment but could not preuaile To this he willingly condiscended swearing withall that he and Drohes also would exalt Mahomet where yet neuer any God was adored but my Lord quoth he I humbly beseech you before I goe let me sée the prisoner Meruine and on my life I will also conuert him againe to our true religion My sonne quoth Butor desire it not for it is altogether impossible because it I doe graunt it is my death in that I ●aue promised so much to the diuell Mutafier who daily administreth vnto him and effecteth what is fit for his being Then said Bertran I will no more desire it so mustering vp his men he departed from Minor Singlay Adain Drohes and Mermont going with him hoping of that which was without hope I meane to regaine his cittie So continuall was their march that now they are come to Brandis where they rested themselues that night in which Drohes asked Bertran what course they should take to destroy those dogges those vnbelieuing infidelels Instantly said Bertran I know not but we will priuatly giue my father notice and hee shall come to our succour When Adain heard them who was néece to king Gorbāt she said Princes write your Letters and vpon my soule I will safely deliuer them and in this maner Know that king Gorbant is mine vnckle and I euer haue bin right deare in his sighs to whom I will declare that I am sent in priuat to vnderstand the state of the christians in Montment and how that you are comming by sea to succor him I know he will beléeue me and without contradiction let me passe carelesse of any thing Then more I will perswade him to march forth to meete and receiue you which done I will passe into Montment deliuer your letters to your father and make my returne with all speede backe againe They all highly commended the stratagem and dispatched her away onely with one Attendant who was a Pagan All whatsoeuer she promised she performed and abused Gorbant with false ioy went vnto Gautier deliuered the letters and was royally receiued Then did Gautier goe with his thrée sonnes to counsaile and thus concluded That they would send to Gorbant and faigne to deliuer vp the towne on condition that they might haue leaue quietly to passe into Fraunce making him belieue their pouerty was so great they could no longer indure warres furie which when he vnderstandes he will fall to his regardlesse humor Then shall Bertran and Drohes cause great Feasts and Banquets to be made during whose Cupp●● and Triumphs we will with all our powers issue forth and if fortune fauour vs make an end of our bad fortunes This agreed vpon they deliuered it to Adain who taking her leaue departed In the meane sapce Gautier dispatcht other letters to Gorbant who had then with all the royall triumph could bee inuented receiued Bertran Drohes and the other Pagans At which feast Guyda tooke her sonne Barant aside and saide Deare sonnes wilt thou not accuse me and I will tell thée a secret which saue to thy selfe shall neuer be knowne to any creature liuing By Mahomet Mother said the youth I will not Then know said she that this famous prince Bertran whose sunne-light staineth all the gallants about him he euen he and not Gorbaut is thy father he begot thée of me at Damascus long ere I sawe king Gorbant and for leauing me in that estate I tooke displeasure and wedded as thou séest Madame said Barant he is a villaine and hath done most damnably but if he belieue not in Mahomet our God ere long time I will be his murderer because he shall not scandall me with the name of a bastard Turning these speaches Adain came and saluted King Gorbant after her Gautiers Ambassadour who presented his Lords letters Which when Gorbant had read he cried Pagans reioyce for before two dayes be compassed we will be commaunders of the citie Gautier offers to deliuer it so he may safely returne into France but it is not our pleasure for neither he nor any of his adhe●ents shall escape vnpunished Thus did king Gorbant boast who little knew the news that Adain brought who priuately deliuered a letter vnto Bertran from his father which when he had read he shewd it to Drohes then they two agreed to arme themselues vnder their dublets which they did and then went into king Gorbants tent desiring that for the happines of the news there might be a festiual proclaimed and solempne banquets and Iubilies made through all the campe with proclamation that for that day no man on paine of death should put on an armour or weare a sword but consecrate all his deeds with mirth to Mahomet Gorbant though this motion conuenient and forthwith sent his edicts and proclamations abroad which were fulfilled 2 Gautier the holy Dane all this while was within Montment preparing his hoast in a readinesse onely staying the returne of an espiall whom hee had sent to bring him word when the Pagans were set at dinner Long it was not but he came and ●ad him in the name of God issue forth for the Pagans were all set and triumphing carelesse of all manner