that whaÌ„ I had 〈◊〉 your message one of theÌ„ that seâ—â—ed vertuoê° discrete aÌ„swerde me that they were not comeÌ„ theder but only for vytaylle for to passe forth on theyr waye and that they were no robâ—eurs ne pirates of the see but whan the yong knight whiche was fayr curtois as a mayde had finisshid his purpose Another of them whiche had a meruailloê° aÌ„d cruell chiere better resembled Hercules by his vysage coÌ„tenanÌ„ce thenÌ„e ony other saide to me in a grete anger fiexte in this manere knowe thou knight that syn that LaomedonÌ„ thy mayster as vyllayn of herte banisshid from all nobiâ—sse hath reffused to Iason of Myrmidone vitaylles for hys money That in short tyme shal desceÌ„de into his countrees menÌ„ in the name of IasoÌ„ in so greâ—e noÌ„bre that all his royaume his cytees townes aÌ„d chastels shal be put to suche ruyne ê‘plexite and destruction that within fyfty yere after shal not be founde one stone vpon an other nor no cornÌ„ shal be sowen erâ—d vpoÌ„ the grouÌ„de And forth with they haue disaÌ„cred sone after they had sailled by force of winde rowyng of oores so ferre that j had lost the sight of them ¶ WhaÌ„ the king laomedonÌ„ had vnderstaÌ„de the reporte that his knight made to hi. he was so angry that he semed better frantyk or out of his witte thenÌ„e other wyse saide wel that if he had knoweÌ„ tofore what they had beÌ„ their entente he hadd heÌ„ all haue donÌ„dye myserably aÌ„d therwyth the messager deê‘ted laomedonÌ„ withdrew him into his chaÌ„bres sore troubled peÌ„fif for the menaces of the knightes of grece whomÌ„ he knew not but bi raporte of the knight whiche knightes beyng thenÌ„e well forth vpon the see were sore â—exed with grete wides blowing on all sydes with thoÌ„ders with raynes grete orages aÌ„d teÌ„pestes whiche roâ—ed so hugely aÌ„d terribly that the ayer was trobled the weder was so derk that the soÌ„ne shone not in iiij dayes during that the teÌ„peste seced not in which tune their vytailles faylled in suche wise that the knightes of grece had not to ete their ship was oste tymes in moche grete paryl for iÌ„ th eÌ„de a meruaillo is turbilloun of winde roose iÌ„ the see that blewe a way theyr sayle and alle to brake their mast that the cordes roopes were brokeÌ„â—to pieces but fortune helpe heÌ„ in this nede For notwithstaÌ„ding this grete aueÌ„ture the ship was â—duyted vnto a porte named LeÌ„nos where he hurtlyd agayn the grouÌ„de in suche a raÌ„donÌ„ force that hit was all to brokeÌ„ reÌ„te that they that werÌ„ with in werÌ„ iÌ„ grete dauÌ„ger had beÌ„ iÌ„ worse caaâ— thaÌ„ they were to fore if thei hadde not sette foot a laÌ„de This port was callid LeÌ„nos after the name of a moche puissaunt cyte whiche was rychely sette not ferre theÌ„s but incoÌ„tineÌ„t that the grekyssh knyghtes hadde taken lande seeing the grete daunger that they had beÌ„ inne sprang oute of the shippe whiche anone was fild full of water And whaÌ„ they sawe heÌ„ out of that mortauÌ„ parill and had well supposed for to haue beÌ„â— sauâ—â—e Sodainly cam oute of Lennos the riche cyte moo thenÌ„e fyfty thousand womenÌ„ armed garnisshed with pennonÌ„s aÌ„d recognysanÌ„ces whiche cam reÌ„gyng them in fayre ordenanÌ„ce a loÌ„g bi the cooste of the see fast by the porte and after they sente two of their women messagiers for to somene the grekyssh knyghtes for to reeÌ„tre into the see with out ony long 〈◊〉 But whaÌ„ Iason vnderstode the somacoÌ„n that the two damoiselles made he was sore abasshid and not withhÌ„ut cause for he apê‘ceyuyd tofore so many hedes armed that he knewe not the nombre syn confiderid how they had ben in grete daunger by the fortune of the see that vytailles failled them aÌ„d that worse was he sawe his ship all to brokeÌ„ which was on all sydes ful of water This notwithstanding by cause he ne wolde discorage ne abasshe his felawship more thenÌ„e they were he shewed well that he had goode corage and sayde to one of the two damoyselles in answering to her message Noble damoiselle I hane right wel vnderstandeÌ„ your somÌ„acion I pray you of your grace that it may plese yow to saye to me into what couÌ„tre fortune hath brought vs at this tyme and for what cause j am bâ—yow sommenid for to reeÌ„tre vnto the see Certes sire knight answerde the damoiselle The countre that ye be arryiled in ys not right grete but it is ryghâ—fertyle and comodious hiâ— is named Lennos after the name of this cyte here by Whiche is named after the same name And as to the Regarde of the rayson cause why this somÌ„acion is made thus to yow I will wel that ye knowe to th ende that ye holde yow te better content That hit happend now late that in this cyte of LeÌ„nos was a kinge named Thoas This king hadde grete warre agaynst the Argiens for to mayntene this warre he hadde with him alle the men yong and olde And lefte this cyte wihout men wherof the ladyes damoiselles other of the cyte were right euyl content aÌ„d seeyng that they were withonte men they assembled them to geder with the doughter of the king whiche is named Ysiphile and by meure deliberacoÌ„n sent to the king aÌ„d to their husboÌ„des that they sholde retourne into their cite vpoÌ„ whiche the king Toas aÌ„suerde that he had besieged his enemyes aÌ„d if his cyte sholde be loste he wolde not deê‘te from hys ooste vnto the ende of his warre ¶ Whan the ladyes and damoyselles of the Cyte hadde herd this answere they toke hit euyll in gree and yet they â—ent agayn vnto the king to these husboÌ„des that they shold come and retorne home vnto thir cite But that was for nought for they wolde no thing do after their desire And whaÌ„ the ladies sawe this they conspired agaynst the kyng theyr husbondes put to deth al the men children that were in the cyte after they detmined iuged that if theyr husbondes or faders parents freÌ„des cam again from the warre or other what someuer they were sholde be slayn the first night of their comiÌ„g assone as they shold be a slepe that neuer after they sholde suffre nomaÌ„ to entre in to their cite after this coÌ„clusion taken they crowned ysiphile quene vpoÌ„ them afterward whaÌ„ the king was retorned froÌ„ the warre with his peple the ladies and damoiselles of the cyte did with theyr faders husboÌ„des aÌ„d parents other in suche wyse as they had coÌ„cluded to fore in somoche that of al them that retorned froÌ„ this warre escaped none from this murdre pestilence but he was slayn aÌ„d murdrid reseruyd the king Thoas WhoÌ„ the quene ysiphile wolde iÌ„ no wise murdre but this notwithstaÌ„ding she deliuerid hiÌ„ iÌ„to the haÌ„des of the ladies whiche
thei maynteâ—…lyf the space of iiij monethes 〈…〉 suche wise that ysiphile â—…ith childe waxe grete of a 〈…〉 sayr sone of whom she 〈…〉 by space of tyme during these foure monethis the ladies of â—â—â—â—â—laye laye with the knyghtes of Grece and many of theÌ„ were conceyued with their seed And in this wyse was the cyte repeopled of yong childereÌ„ masses ¶ what shal j make you long proces The dayes that haue no reste passe lightli maistre argos rendrid his shippe all repayred made and hercules cain agayn into LeÌ„nos Iason also wolde departe toward his journele asseblid one a daye his felawship layde to them My goode brethreÌ„ freÌ„des ye knowe well how we haue beÌ„ here and soyourned a moche long space of tyme and yet we haue nomore knowleche ne haue herd speke of the motonÌ„ of golde or goolden vliese nomore thenÌ„e we herde to fore we departed from our countree I wyll that ye knowe that I lyue here iÌ„ grete sorow in terrible grete moyanÌ„ce for I caÌ„ not take solace ne plaisir in ony thing that j see for asmoche as I am pricked by ê¯tynuell exhortacions procedyng of diuerce causes procnrlg the exped câ—entretienyng the ende of my laboureuse voyage to 〈◊〉 whiche bryng vs the goddes in short tyme to one helthe honour glorye wherfoâ—â— j praye you alle that euery â—…ke hiÌ„ redy for to remene depâ—…or I haue enteÌ„cion for to depaâ—… at th eÌ„de of iiij dayes without â—…ger abyding Hercules Theseâ—â— Mopsiê° all the other knighteâ— had grete joye whaÌ„ they herde the good disposicioÌ„ of jason they aÌ„suerde him that thei sholde be as sone redi as he thenÌ„e one other begaÌ„ to pourueye for theÌ„ vytailles of all suche thinges as were necessarie for theÌ„ The quene the other ladies knewe anone of the departemeÌ„t of jason wherfore they were moche displaysauÌ„t right desolate and sore anoyed theÌ„ to see the Grekysh knyghtes make their pÌ„paracions for to departe and that one coÌ„playned to that other sayng Certes these knightes of greece abaÌ„doÌ„ne vs gyue vs ouer we shal neuer haue joye ne solas The quene ysiphile amoÌ„g the other was most aÌ„guysshous of this departing aÌ„d caÌ„ to jason aÌ„d sayde to him Alas alas lord jasoÌ„ haue ye wel the corage for to withdrawe you froÌ„ me to gyue me ovyr to fore ye haue seeÌ„ the fruit of your noble ê‘soeÌ„ which is nourisshid in my bloode Ha a my soulace the plesir of myn eyeÌ„ may hit not be that the rightamerouse praier of the mod that shal be of yonr childe may holde you here yet iij. monethis hit is alytyl tyme of iij. monethes they shal be anonÌ„ exspired paste Alas jason alas my confort ê“longe ye aÌ„d tarie your departemeÌ„tat my request For j am she that so moche loueth you that j may no more Alas beholde with pite my wombe the chaÌ„bre maÌ„sionÌ„ of your blood in no wise j requyre you to departe so hastely ¶ I good fayth noble lady aÌ„swerde thenÌ„e jaso jf j myght abide with you lawfully j assure you that j wold so with good herte but j haue auowed ê“mised for to aueÌ„ture my self in the ê¯queste of the noble motoÌ„ or flees of golde I knowe not howe loÌ„g j shall lyue ner how long hit shal be er I come there hit is force and grete necessite for my singuler wele and perdurable honour that I employe my tyme entierly whilis I maye that I acquyte me dilygeÌ„tly to thacomplisshemeÌ„t of my sayd auowe ¶ With this answere the quene ysiphile had in her herte suche anoye that she begaÌ„ to wepe right ê“fouÌ„dly to sighe and after she begaÌ„ to saye softly Alas alas how may myneyeÌ„ see the departing of myn euydent yoye Alas alas I was bornÌ„ in an euylle constellcion whan I may not fynde a lytyll of goode fortune in thys worlde and alle consolacyone wythdrawe them from me all honour fseeth froÌ„ me al bouÌ„tees forsake me coÌ„trarye all sorow renÌ„eth vpoÌ„me All welthe is ayeÌ„sâ—me and all euyll cometh to fore me in my pÌ„seÌ„ce for certes yf ther sourde ony mi serie iÌ„ the ferthest place of the worlde that miserie deê‘teth froÌ„ that place for to come to me A what sorow Certes j am not goode ynowh ner of so moche vale we that ony maÌ„ shall doo ony thing at my requeste Certes madame aÌ„swerde jasoÌ„ me semeth that for no thing ye ought to demene ner make so meruailloê° sorowe for ye ar iÌ„ vale we moche more thenÌ„e j can exteme and as to the regarde of me if ther be ony thing licite honeste to me possible require ye hit I shal eÌ„ploye me iÌ„ suche wise that ye shal haue cause for to be coÌ„teÌ„te aÌ„d me semeth that ye ought to haue me excused in this caas seeÌ„ the vowe in whiche j am bouÌ„deÌ„ if j abode here j sholde not exployte but lose my tyme. Ha a my dere freÌ„de loue answerde the lady whaÌ„ shal I haue better cause for to coÌ„playne lameÌ„te thaÌ„ now jf anonÌ„ jhad lost alle my royaume if j sawe all my richesses cheuaÌ„che all that j coude fine cheuisshe perisshe in the abysmes depnes of the see all that sholde not be to me so heuy to bere at my herte ner so grete displaisir as shal be to me to see your departing for the see is so terrible aÌ„d the fortunes ê“speritees aduersites parils rise aÌ„d lourde on alle sydes wherfore j am not certayn whether euyr ye shall retorne agayn or no. And thenÌ„e ought not j to haue the visage banisshid fro alle â—solacoÌ„n and yoye ought not my herte to lye on the bedde of tribulacion vnder the couertour of right mortal distresse betwene the shetes of bewaylinges Alas alas thinke ye what this doth but whan I parceyue that ther is no remedie aÌ„d that youre honour had â—cluded your departing promising to go in your ê“misid voyage j shal bere hit as paciently as to me is possible forseen that ye shall promyse me faythfully if ye come to your aboue iÌ„ your enterpryse of Colchos that ye shalle come ageyn by this cyte for to telle me of youre tydinges THan the noble knight vnderstood that the ladi â—desceÌ„ded by suche ê¯dicioÌ„ to his departing he was right yoyous aÌ„d not without cause â—sideriÌ„g the danÌ„ger where he and all his felawship were in And thenÌ„e he ê“mised to her swore ryght solempnly to fore the repÌ„sentacion of the goddesse pallas whiche was there that he shold retourne vnto her assone as he sholde come to the aboue of his enterpryse and that yf the goddes wolde gyue hym so goode fortune that he myght a lyue and hole retourne ThenÌ„e the noble and fayr Quene ysiphile somme what reronforted and ha â–ª 〈◊〉 a grete hopeâ— the retournyng of jason cessed her selfe of her lameÌ„tacions ¶ For
conqueste Medea amoÌ„g all other was so ryghtioyous whaÌ„ she espyed the lyght and shyning of the flees of golde that her semed that she shold entre into a paradise terrestre And coÌ„manded that her ladies and damoiselles shold put on the fayr fronte in entencyoÌ„ to make feste soleinpne for the honour of this right excelleÌ„t victorie for to come to a ê¯clusion troÌ„pes tabours menestreles hornes saâ—fasinois aÌ„d busines began to blowe vp aÌ„d sowne melodyoussy after that tyme vsed The maroÌ„ner argos rowed in suche wyse that he brought Iason to the poorte hoole and sauf where he was fested of the king oetes of the worthy hercules of theseus aÌ„d generally of alle the grekes Hercules toke the riche flees whan jason was descended vpon the londe aÌ„d bare hit tofore the vaillyaunt knight jason whiche went first into the temple of the goddesse deane aÌ„d there thanked moche hyghely the god mars the goddes pallas and Deane After he made him to be disarmed And there he yelded agayn the armes of the god appollo syn made his oblacyon of one of the feet of the boles and of one of their hornes with one of the toÌ„ges of the dragonÌ„ and whan he had donÌ„ alle this solempnly he retorned to the palays where he was right honourably receyuid of medea aboue alle other of her ladyes and danioyselles whiche behelde Iason meruaillously aÌ„d in especiaâ— the noble and ryche flees of golde which hercules bare on hye tofore him CErtes ther is no man so eloquent ne so well canÌ„ endyte by wrytyng that coude descryue to you how grete playsir the eyeÌ„ of the noble vayllyauÌ„t preu jason and the eyen of the moche fayre medea toke on thenÌ„e whan they began to beholde eche other And alle the worlde there demened grete yoye and gladnes And whan the noble knyght Iason was goon vp in to the halle The vayllyannâ— knight Hercules sette the noble flees of golde vpon a cupberd moche rychely arayed And anone after the knightes of grece and many other knyghtes ladyes and Damoyselles beganÌ„ the daunces moche joyously and the feste was fayr and grete vnto the houre of the soupper that the tables were couuerd aÌ„d that the kyng oetes and the noble Preu Iason was sette and wyth them the noble and fayr lady medea Hercules Theseus and â–ª Mopsiê° At this table was the noble Iason and the fayre Medea sette one to fore that other But in no wyse they durst not speke one word how they made many secrete signes of loue that coude not beapperceiued but they entremarched wy â— theyr feet vnder the table whyles that jason reherced in groos the grete paryls where he hadde ben ynne wylhout shaking of ony mencion of ordenaunces maners and cerymonyes that he had holden OF thys meruayllous auenture were the king Oetes Hercules and the other batons knyghtes and noble menÌ„ that satte and seruid at this souper moch abasshed and gretly meruaylled how the noble preu jason was escaped of so grete aÌ„d meruaillous aueÌ„ture And hyely recommanded this enterpryse and vayliaunce Hercules and Theseus that a fore tyme had slayn many monstres confessed there that alle theyr fayttes passed wer nothing to the regard of the auenture that jason had enterprysed and brought to an ende ¶ What shall we make longe compte the souper passed and the houre caÌ„ that the king oetes Iason withdrewe hem into her chambres And thenÌ„e was jason conueyed into hys chaÌ„bre wy t many noble menÌ„one aÌ„d other theder was brought the noble riche fleesof gold but at this time they might not deuise ne plaie there as they had ben acustomed but sente heÌ„ into her chaÌ„bres mopsius wyth the other sayng that al that nyght he wolde wake in orisonÌ„s aÌ„d prayers vnto the goddes for asmoche as they had donÌ„ to hym so grete nyde coÌ„forte and honour in his werkes ANone â—â—â—â—e as the preu jasoÌ„ was left â—â—â—â—ys chambre as sayd is the maistresse of me dea cam opend thedore of the chaÌ„bre and demanded jason if he wold come vnto her doughter Iason answerde ye wy â— right good wille thenÌ„ he wente dounÌ„ into the chambre of his lady whiche had made redy a right fair baygne ThenÌ„e he sale wed her after saide to her in this maner My dere lady knowe ye that I haue had moche grete desire to see you secretli in your pryuaulte for to thaÌ„ke you of the right grete honour that by your cause is comeÌ„ to me and also of the mortal paril daunger that ye haue deliuerid me fro Wherfore I thaÌ„ke you right humbly of all thise benefetes â–ª and furthermoree I pÌ„sente you the body that ye haue preserued fro deth Redy to obeye alle youre comÌ„andements and playsirs Certes jason my dere loue aÌ„d frende answerde the fayr Medea If youre desire haue ben grete and suche as ye saye yet hath myne be more as j wene I haue done the beste that in me hath be possible and I haue ryght grete ioye and gladnes of the knowleche that ye haue Alle my corage is nothiÌ„g saue to plase you ye be right welcome and wyth grete worshyp retorned for yow and for me And make good chiere hardyli I haue ordeyned for you a baygne for to wasshe you from the bloode wherwyth ye haue beÌ„ enoynted therfore dispo ylle yow entre into this bath thenÌ„ we shall deuise at oure leyser of alle werkes ¶ Whan the preu jason had vnderstaÌ„de this that sayd is he dyde â–ª of his clothes ryght glad of this aduenture and syn entred into the baygne the fayr Medea in her coursett whiche had no sleues terued vp her smoâ— sleues and in thys poynt cam froted weesshed her frend jason And thenÌ„ whan the gentyl bacheler apê‘ ceyuid so gentil corps body of Medea her fair and roÌ„de tetes the whitenes of her flesshe and that he felte her handes meruayllously softe him semed that his herte hys body flewe He was so moche esprysed of an ardant desir of loue he begaÌ„ thenÌ„e tenbrase the lady by the body aÌ„d syn behelde her grete beaute and thus doyng he kysshed her many tymes And thenÌ„e whan he had ben well eased wasshed medea made him to lye in her bed heholdyng his meÌ„bres well formed shapen and made and hys colour fayr and quyk and coude not tourne her sight from him They were thus beholdyng auysing eche other wyth oute sayug ony word But atte last the noble preu jason toke the worde and sayde my dere lady ye knowe wel how j haue promysed to be your husbond also in lyke wyse ye haue promysed to be my wyf thenÌ„e may I saye I am youres ye ar mynÌ„ of vs two is but one thing thenÌ„e I requyre you so aâ— feâ—tuelly as I can or may and for all the plaisir that ye may do to me that ye wylle come
terryble dragons of whom she satte opende their throtes in disgorgyng fyre and venyn so moche aÌ„d so horrybly that alle they that were there deyde miserably and in grete torment reserued Iason Whiche myghte not receyue ony greef by no venyn by cause of the blood oft the bole medlyd wyth the asshes where wyth he had ben enoynted as it is sayd al a long in the chapitre makyng mencyon of the ê¯queste of the noble flees of golde THenÌ„e whan the noble preu Iason apperâ—â—â—â—ed the yoÌ„g childe so inhumaynly slayn And after sawe in hys presence dye myserably and in sorow hys lady Trensa â–ª the kinge the Quene his â—arouÌ„s knyghtes ladyes and damoyselles Squyers and other by the sortes and enchantements of Medea he was so ouer angry and wroth that he myght no more be wythout he had benowt of his mynde ThenÌ„ he aroos from the table all confuse and escryed vpon Meden sayng A sia ryght euyll enchaÌ„teresse replenisshed wyth alle euyll certes hit is ouer grete dommage that the erthe bereth and susteyneth yow ye haue wyth youre two haÌ„des murdrid youre owne sone and myn And syn by youre enchantementes fals and vnresonable ye haue maad to deye myscrably and with doloure so many hye prynces vayliaunt knightes ladyes and damoyselles and gentil esquyers here assembled for to doo me honour and companye the whyche dyd to yow neuer trespaas ne grief Haa what horryblecruelte is by yow commysed Certes ye haue not the corage of a woman humayne but of a best or serpent denourlg alle creatures or ellis of a cruel tyraÌ„te with onte pyte Ha a right ê‘uerse and felonÌ„ courage what hast thow done by thy grete oultrage or cruelte what ought j nowe to doo or where shall j become after that thys euil is befallen If thou were a man like as thou art a woman peruerse and myrrour or chief of alle euyll wythoute lenger tarieng I sholde take veÌ„geance of this this trespaasaÌ„d grief But for asmoche as thou arte a woman hit shall neuer happen that my hand enploye him vpon thy body Consideryng that a noble man that for ony anger or trespaas smyteth a woman or sette handes on her he lefeth his honour aÌ„d wyth goode cause ¶ Whan the lady had vnderstande the complaynte of her lorde Iazon She answerde him and sayd in this manere Certes my dere loue knowe ye for trouth that I had leuer see alle the worlde deye ThenÌ„e I knewe that ye shold haue habytacion with ony other womanÌ„ thenÌ„e wyth me ye knowe how I haue employed me for to preserue yow from dauÌ„ger of deth Where many a knyght hath lost his lyf to fore Also ye knowe what honour ye haue by mi feat goten perpetuelly and all thys haue I donÌ„ gladly to th entent that ye sholde be my husbonde and espouse all youre lyf duryng And now j apperceyne that ye will leue abandonne me for one other in alle estate lasse thenÌ„e I am CoÌ„sidere iÌ„ what parill ye may falle by your deffaulte see wel to that ye kepe the promesse that ye haue made to me Holde and kepe ye hit entierly or ellis Knowe for certayn that the veÌ„geanÌ„ce of the goddes shalle punysshe yow WhenÌ„e whan Iason had vnderstaÌ„de this that said is If he were tofore sore trobled yet he was now moche more withoute comparysonÌ„ aÌ„d in suche wyse that he coude not one word answere bnt departed out of the halle And medea with her four dragons went out also and went thourgh the cite of Corinthe infecting menÌ„ womenÌ„ and children alle a loÌ„g by the waye Her damoyselles folowed and wente after and alle the world fâ—edd froÌ„ her saue they whyche knewe well that it was not well for asmoche as she went so strangely Incontinent as the desolate Iason was out of the halle that he sawe medea departe he called som of theÌ„ that were escaped from this pestileÌ„ce and brought theÌ„ for to see the kiÌ„g his doughter Creuâ—a And plente of other that laye there dede amoÌ„g the tables vpon the benches and on the grounde Hit was moche pyetoê° thing to see and beholde for the moost part of them were swolleÌ„ by the venyn that they had receyued by the conduytes of her noses and of her mouthes and were as grete as varellis Then was there made in alle the cyte a meruayllous sorowe and dueill eche man began to wepe and cast owt moche pyetouse cryes in cracching their faces and tering their heer thus doyng one and other sought serched after their parents frendes that wyth grete payne they might knowe hem for they fouÌ„de heÌ„ so desfigured by the venyn that they were swolleÌ„ that vnnethe they might knowe hem aÌ„d whan they were draweÌ„ out eche a part they dide doo burye them ryght honourably after theyr estate And in lyke wyse the kinge the quene and the fayr Creusa her doughter were put in their sepulture apperteynyng to their estate Iason was present for to achieue and doo alle thinges and soyourned there vnto the tyme that the prayers cerimonyes were accoÌ„plisshed after the lawe custome of that time syn departed from Corinthe aÌ„d weÌ„te his wuye But he was so disconforted and sorowfull in corage that he myght nomore be Thus ryding now an one syde after on an other syde thinking on the meruayles aÌ„d aduentures that he had had and aboue alle other thinges on the grete inhumanites and crueltees that he had seen commysed by Medea by her enchantements and in an other manere he deliberid and concluded to ryde and erre so ferre that he myght fynde ony aduenture and recoÌ„forted him self the best wyse he coude after the mysaueÌ„ture that he had had ¶ How Iason Espoused the quene Myrro of Olyfernâ— and howe he was awayted in a wood assaylled by xij knyghtes of Oliferne as he was goyng to Troye and howe he put hem to deth THe vaylliauÌ„t aÌ„d noble priÌ„ce Iason deê‘ting after this as sayd is fro the cyte of corin the put hym on his waye and rood thurgh many countrees cytees ryght dolanÌ„t and aÌ„grye SomÌ„e time he bewaylled the fayre Medea and soÌ„tyme after sodaynly he remeÌ„bred her malefices her crueltes ouermoche inhunmyne and in ryding from one place to an other he was iÌ„ so grete perplexite aÌ„d sorowe that he might nomore but if he had deyde aÌ„d for this cause he had his entendemeÌ„t so trauailled that he wist not what to do In this maner trist and pensyf drawyng from one couÌ„trey to an other hit was told him on adaye that the king Tollus of elsebee that was his pareÌ„t and of his kynÌ„ sholde wedde for his wyfe the kinges doughter of Thessale named Anestor aÌ„d for som what to refresshe him self he coÌ„cluded that he wolde go to this wedding whyche sholde be soleÌ„pnel withoute taryeng for he thought well that ther sholde be kiÌ„ges Dukes priÌ„ces Quenes and nobleladyes in grete nombre The fair Mirro
this goulf or arme of the see that the sonne wente donÌ„ thenÌ„e as argos thoughte where he might best caste ancre make his shippe faste hit happend that he sawe tofore him the cite of Iacoynte on that one syde of the yle of Colchos ther spraÌ„g out sodayuly tourbillouÌ„s of fyre so terrible that of feer that he had iÌ„ beholding hit he begaÌ„ to crye WhaÌ„ Iason hercules and Theseus the other knightes of grece herd the maister thus crye they sprang vp cam to hym and the maister told theÌ„ the cause of his crye syn shewd to hem the cite the yle asseured hem how they were comeÌ„ to th ende of their vyage and of this mater they deuised so long that speking therof their ship caÌ„ to the porte into theâ—pre place where the arke of king Appollo was comen at that time whan they caÌ„ first into the londe ThenÌ„e the maister of the ship caste his ancres into the see ThenÌ„e Iason reÌ„drid louyng preysing vnto thÌ„e goddes so dyde hercules ThenÌ„e they seÌ„te Theseus vnto the king Oetes for to signefte to him their comyng for tenquere yf this was the countre that they sought Certes Theseus wente aÌ„d dide his message in suche wyse that the king Oetes preseÌ„ted to him his palais and sente vnto the noble Iason foure of his knightes that requyred him on the kinges behalue that he wolde take his herberow in his palays aÌ„d he was to him right welcome And whan jason hadde vnderstande the will of the king by the iiij knightes he ê“mysed theÌ„ that wyth a goode will he wolde come theder and thenÌ„e he entrid in to the cyte whiche was noble and fayr how well it was nyght at that tyme yet was the cyte as light as it had ben daye bi the clarte respleÌ„donr of torches cresettes other fyres that the kinge had do make in the cyte ryght notably acompanyed for to feste the grekes ¶ Ye may wel vnderstande that the ryght noble Iason entrid into thys cyte acompanyed of Hercules aÌ„d his felaws that werÌ„ right riche clad and habilled with clothÌ„ of goold of silke The strete by whiche they passed for to go to the palays was on two renges hye lowe peupled of ladyes of damoiselles of knightes bourgeys merchanÌ„s maydeÌ„s yoÌ„g peple beholdiÌ„g their coming ordenanÌ„ce And whan jason was comeÌ„ vnto thentree of the palays he fouÌ„de there the noble king Oetes whiche was sette in astate royall for to feste jason and his companye and receyuyd jason right honourably as chief of them alle and theâ—e wha he had welcomed them he toke hiÌ„â—y the hand ad leode him vnto his pa lays And anone as they wente vpoÌ„ the steyres for to goo vp jason loked into a windowe and beholdyng he espyed the fayr Medea among many ladyes to whoÌ„ he toke noâ— other hede as for this tyme but hit was not so on her part For she began to beholde him so affectâ—oâ—sâ—y for hys grete becauâ—e that he was more iÌ„ her gâ—e than â— can telle you For â—â—bregge the mater jason alle his â—paâ—ye passed forth bi this windowe where Medâ—a was cam into an halle where the tables were couerd And thaâ— whyâ—es they made redy the soâ— per. the kiâ—g Oetes began to demande the geÌ„til knight jason after many wordes he began to saye to him iÌ„ this maner ¶ IasoÌ„ fayr syre â— knowe for trouth that ye be sone of king Esoulyke as Theseê° your felaw hath sayd to me But I knowe not whyther ye enteÌ„de to goo ne what thing ye seche wherfore â— praye yow by maner of a passe tyme that ye wil a lytyl recoÌ„ pte to me of yoâ—â— astate enterprise if hit be possible that ye so doo may â— ony manere and I ê“myse you that if I may be propice in ony sacoÌ„n for the loue of your fader whoÌ„ I haue som tyme knowen I shal deliuere to you ayde coÌ„fort in all that â— me shall be possible Syre ansuerde thenÌ„e jason â— thaÌ„ke you huÌ„bli of the grete honour that ye presente to me aÌ„d syn it must nedeâ— be that ones ye must knowe the cause wherfor â— am descended into your countre I declare to you that â— haue enterp sed for to goo into the yle of Colchoâ— notwithstaÌ„ding the parils whiche beÌ„ moche to doubte not with oute cause with this I haue made aâ—owe that â— shall neuer retourne into grece vnto the tyme that I haue conquerid shalbrynge wyth me the sheep or â—â—ese of golde and if I may not make an ende of this enterprise Hercules my felawe shal aduenture him Werfore I requyre yow that of this enterprise ye wille counceylle me to your power Certes Iason said theâ—e the king ye haue made a lytyll vowe How sire sayd IasoÌ„ how so for asmoche aâ—sâ—erde the king as bi ony adueture or fortune ye eÌ„tre into this yâ—â— of colchos hit is not possible that ye euer retorne hether agaâ— for ther be in that yle two grete aÌ„d meruaillous bulles enuenyâ—â—ed comÌ„ysed to the kepyng of the motoÌ„ or fsees of golde wherof ye spak also ther is coÌ„mysed for the garde of the same the most terryble and the most crimynel dragoâ— that euer was spokeÌ„ of or seeÌ„ The which thre bestescast ê¯tinuelly â—ire â— fenyn out of their throtes whiche shal â—â—ee yoâ— without remedie in continâ—t that ye approche them the whiche thinges considerâ—d syn that ye haue demaÌ„ded me coÌ„ceyle also that eâ—yri noble man is bouÌ„deÌ„ to gyue couÌ„ceyle to theÌ„ that beÌ„ euylen formed conceyled I pray you couÌ„ceyle as my propre â—one that ye cesse of this your enterpryse for yf ye doo other wise al the golde of the worlde may not saue yow â–ª therefore theÌ„â—e wel that ye haue to do before ye put yow in suche a dannger I coâ—ceylle you as thaugh ye were myn owne sone or my broder germayn herewith they left their wordes The soupper was redy wyth these wordes the kiÌ„g satte at the table betwene jason Hercules sente after Medea aÌ„d Caliope whiche were sette to fore him this donÌ„ he commanded the other grekes to sytte at an other table where they were rychely seruid But whan hit cam for to ete the noble mayde medea eÌ„troubled at that tyme her mayntene and cast her regarde vpoÌ„ jasoÌ„ where she rested leÌ„ger thenÌ„e hyt apê‘teyned to her ê¯tenauÌ„ce for jason semed to her more fayr thaÌ„ he was at the first time he was so playsanÌ„t agreable that whaÌ„ she herde recoÌ„pte amoÌ„g other deuyses thinges that he was comeÌ„ for to ê¯quere the motoÌ„â—or â—â—ees of golde she iuged that this was the knight of grece which was destined for to conquere it saide in her self that she wolde helpe him to obteyne the same wyth that he wolde take her to his wyf such or â—â—blable were the thoughtes of the fayre
prayers and oroisonÌ„s in souffrages in thoughtes in jmaginacyons in desire in hope fynably in despair aÌ„d in deth anguisshoê° For whaÌ„ I haue apperceyued that thou canist not agayn to me in fourthy dayes after the daye of thy ê“mis All dispayred I haue compiled aÌ„d wreton this epistle wyh my handes and wyth thyn aÌ„d in alle suche wyse and facoÌ„n as she that myght no lenger abide thy comyng reforne j haue caste my self into the see prayng the goddes that they briÌ„ge me quyk or dede in to that place there thow art quyk or ded bi grete deffanlte of thy promesse to that eÌ„de that thou see what terible affectioÌ„ loue j haue hadde to thy perfone In redyng this epistle the preu jasoÌ„ wepte so pyetoussy that he might no more And as to the regarde of hercules Theseê° Mopsiê° they faylled not to be of the lyuery of Iason And whan Medea had red al the contenâ— of the pistle jason began to complayue thys so myserable lady that was dede by hys cause â–ª as she declared in her epistle And thenÌ„e whan he had coÌ„playned be wayled her long he excused him to fore them al le of the promesse that he had made to her for to retourne by the Cyte of Iennos Sayng that it was not his deffaute but that the god of wynde was coulâ—able And therof he toke witnes of Hercules Theseê° mopsius Argos the good â—atoÌ„ner of many other the whiche â—â—ew right well how he had purposed to haue gonÌ„ into leÌ„nos iÌ„ retorniÌ„g froÌ„ hiseÌ„terpryse froÌ„ Colchos for to see thys noble lady and how the tourbyllonÌ„s of winde had destourned heÌ„ ayeÌ„st his wil. But finably whaÌ„ medea apperceyued the manere of jason she begaÌ„ to demaÌ„de him what prouffited hiÌ„ his wepinges suche excusacioÌ„s syn saide to him Certes Inson me semeth that ye haue better the corage of a woman thenÌ„e of a man aÌ„d that is no nede to wepe ne so bewailc a lady that was so despaired but ryght welfor youre honour for the goodnes that she hath donÌ„ for you in â—passyon of noblesse ye shall do her to be adoubed for to bring her iÌ„to your countrey there ye shal do her richely and honourahly be put in sepulture as in suche a caas apperteyneth By the wordes remoÌ„strauÌ„ces of the fayr Medea the duiel sorou of her loue jason cessed a lytil a lâ—â—yll aÌ„d Medea with her maistresse whaÌ„ they sawe her time toke the body of the Qnene ysiphile and leyde it a ê‘te wyth the atours ryalle What shal I make long proces on the moruÌ„ IasoÌ„ commanded to disancre from thens And was syn sayling certayn iourneyes on the see but in th ende without makiÌ„g meÌ„cioÌ„ of ony aueÌ„ture dig ne of memorie Argos the good maistre sailed so ferre bigousfres bifsotes that at the. xx moneth after their deê‘ting of mirmidone he arriued at the poorte froÌ„ wheÌ„s he was deâ—ted for whos comyng the dwellars 〈…〉 inhabytants of that countre of grece were as yoyouse as they might be on that otherside jason alle they of his ship incontynent as they had espyed knoweÌ„ that is was the poorte that they weredeê‘ted fro began to singe al on in preysing thaÌ„king the goddes of that they were comen home aÌ„d had escaped so many daungiers parils to their worship prouffit wyth ryght grere triumphe of victorie At that time whan argos arriued in this poort the sterres apperid largely on the heuen the night was fayr aÌ„d the see paysible And therfore the knightes of grece abode iÌ„ the ship al night without goyng alonde on the mornÌ„ be tyme jason seÌ„te Theseê° for to signefie his comyng vnto Peleus Theseus wente fonde peleus in a cyte named Elsebee where was mery passed the time with his wyf whos name was Cyâ—ane supposed neuer to haue herde tydinges of jason whaÌ„ peleê° saw knew theseus he went ayenst him aÌ„d made to hym grete reuereÌ„ce and worship aÌ„d syn demanded him of alle tydinges ThenÌ„e theseus began to telle a parte of the tydinges of jasoÌ„ in especial recompted to him thauenture that he had donÌ„ in Colchos and how he had brought the ryche noble flees of golde aÌ„d that he was arriued at the poorte of seseyre aÌ„d that he had wyth him the flees whiche was the most fayr the moost noble Iewell that euer was seen after told him that he had conquerd in hyâ— voyage the grettest honoure that euer knight might gete also he tolde how he brought wyth him the doughter of the king of Colchos whiche was most wyse fayr â–ª and exellente whiche in alle qualitees after reson might be holden for the best accoÌ„plisshid lady of the worlde The noble knight Peleus hering thyse tidynges thê° told was so pressid at the hert that al the bloode chaunged â–ª by al the vaynes os his body how well he made semblant as he had beÌ„ meruaillousli yoyous for he sente vnto the king Eson for to she we to him these good tydynges aÌ„d syn assembled the nobles the bourgeys the merchants the ladyes damoiselles of the cyte aÌ„d brought them in fayr ordenanÌ„ce for to mete wyth Iason ¶ whan the comyng of jason was â—â—owen in the cyte in the countre â—â—he man began to make grete chere At comyug owt of the shippe IasoÌ„ and Hercules were the first that yssued out and after them cam mopsius an other knight of grece whiche bare to fore jason the ryche flees of golde in signe of triuÌ„phe of victorie The thre toÌ„ges of the meruaillous dragon the legges hornes of the two dredefull boles aÌ„d they led by the arme the noble lady Medea whiche was rychely arayed fayr as the fayr daye and after them folowed the other knightes and noble meÌ„ of grece IncoÌ„tineÌ„t as peleê° the geÌ„tyll men of his route sawe the noble flees that was so riche the grete beaute of Medea they were all ameruaylled they made to theÌ„ the reuerence first And wyth grete honoure and glorie brought jasoÌ„ to elsebee the cyte where they soiourned that night on the mornÌ„ they deê‘ted thens and wente to pintaquo where the king Eson soyourned at that tyme For asmoche as that place was sette in a good ayer and alle aboute had grete deduyt of chaas and honÌ„ting meraillously of venerie Pyntaquo was a fayr stroÌ„g castell standing vpon a grete Ryuere and brode which ranÌ„ swiftli round aboute the place and with this hit was enuiroÌ„ned with faire parfonÌ„de forestes of good londe erable and fayr medowes plente Certes the good king was moche reioyed and not with oute cause whan he apê‘ceiued and saw his noble sone jason aÌ„d the fayr medea his lady the ryche flees of gold the thre toÌ„ges of the meruailous dragonÌ„ the hornes aÌ„d legges of the two meruaillouse boles for to contente eche man whaÌ„ he
was comeÌ„ theder with other princesses because that the king Tollus was her nyghe cousyn But incontyneÌ„t as the kinges aÌ„d princes knew Iason they welcomed him on alle sydes moche honourably Alway the quene Mirro made no semblanÌ„t to knowe him for whaÌ„ Iason had beÌ„ fested of one other that he approched the quene Myrro whiche was thoo pensyf drew her a part behinde the other ladyes escryed hiÌ„ with an opeÌ„ voys whiche was wel herd sayng thus â—a a right euyll knight withdraw you jncoÌ„tyneÌ„t from me haue ye forgeten that ye long syn promised me in athenes that ye sholde be my husbonde And yet ye haue doo nothiÌ„g therto â–ª but haue espoused an other lady as it hath beÌ„ recoÌ„pted certefied to me O dysâ—oyall and vntrewe false lyer where as ye haue not holdeÌ„ ne fayth ne trouth Approch thou in no wyse vnto me departe owt of my presence And be neuer fouÌ„deÌ„ in my waye But notwithstoÌ„ding that the quene had achieued this reprouchable answere yet he sayd to her in this manere My dere lady I am somoche malewrous vuhappy that I am not digne to be founden to fore your noble preseÌ„ce I knowe playnly that I haue made faute And I can not thinke how my courage is thus corruÌ„ped yll couÌ„ceylled for syn I toke leue laste tyme of you whan j parted I remeÌ„bre right well that in my voyage to Colchos I had yow alway in continuell remembraunce wreton within my herte hopyng aâ— my retornyng to haue taken you to my wyf vnto the tyme that on a cursid night j was sodaynli esprysed wy t the loue of Medea which afore had requyred me to be her husbonde alway I refused â–ª her requeste by verâ—yn departed from Corinthe aÌ„d weÌ„te his waye But he was so disconforted and sorowfull in corage that he myght nomore be Thus ryding now an one syde after on an other syde thinking on the meruayles aÌ„d aduentures that he had had and aboue alle other thinges on the grete inhuuianites and crueltees that he had seen commysed by Medea by her enchantements and in an other manere he deliberid and concluded to ryde and erre so ferre that he myght fynde ony aduenture and recoÌ„forted him self the best wyse he coude after the mysaueÌ„ture that he had had ¶ How Iason Espâ—used the quene Myrro of Olyfernâ— â—nd howe he was awayted in a wood assaylled by xij knyghtes of Oliferne as he was goyng to Troye and howe he put hem to deth THe vaylliauÌ„t aÌ„d noble price Iason deê‘ting after this as sayd is fro the cyte of corinthe put hym on his waye and rood thurgh many countrees cytees ryght dolasit and aÌ„grye SomÌ„e time he bewaylled the fayre Medea and soÌ„tyme after sodaynly he remeÌ„bred her malefices her crueltes ouermoche inhunâ—â—yne and in ryding from one place to another he was I so grete perpleyite aÌ„d soro we that he might nomore but if he had deyde aÌ„d for this cause he had his entendemeÌ„t so trauailled that he wist not what to do In this maner trist and pensyf drawyng from one couÌ„trey to another hit was told him on a daye that the king Tollus of elsebee that was his pareÌ„t and of his kynÌ„ sholde wedde for his wyfe the kinges doughter of Thessalenamed Anestor aÌ„d for som what to refresshe him self he coÌ„cluded that he wolde go to this wedding whyche sholde be soleÌ„pnel withoute taryeng for he thought well that ther sholde be kiÌ„ges Dukes prices Quenes and noble ladyes in grete nombre The fair Mirro was comeÌ„ theder with other princesses because that the king Tollus was her nyghe cousyn But incontyneÌ„t as the kinges aÌ„d princes knew Iason they welcomed him on alle sydes moche honourably Alway the quene Mirro made no semblanÌ„t to knowe him for whaÌ„ Iason had beÌ„ fested of one other that he approched the quene Myrro whiche was thoo pensyf drew her a part behinde the other ladyes escryed hi with an opeÌ„ voys whiche was wel herd sayng thus â—a a right euyll knight withdraw you jncoÌ„tyneÌ„t from me haue ye forgeten that ye long syn promised me in athenes that ye sholde be my husbonde And yet ye haue doo nothiÌ„g therto but haue espoused an other lady as it hath bé recoÌ„pted certefied to me O dyssoyall and vntre we false lyer where as ye haue not holdeÌ„ ne fayth ne trouth Approch thou in no wyse vnto medeparte owt of my presence And be neuer fouÌ„deÌ„ in my waye But notwithstoÌ„ding that the quene had achieued this reprouchable answere yet he sayd to her in this manere My dere lady I am somoche male wrous vnhappy that I am not digne to be founden to fore your noble preâ—eÌ„ce I knowe playnly that I haue made faute And I can not thinke how my courage is thus corruÌ„ped yll couÌ„ceylled for syn I toke leue laste tyme of you whan j parted I remeÌ„bre right well that in my voyage to Colchos I had yow alway in continuell remembraunce wreton within my herte hopyng at my retornyng to haue taken you to my wyf vnto the tyme that on a cursid night j was sodaynli esprysed wy t the loue of Medea which afore had requyred me to be her husbonde alway I refused her requeste by vernie of the souenauÌ„ce mynde that I had of you NotwitstoÌ„ding that she made to me promesse to make me coÌ„quere the noble ryche motoÌ„n with the flese of gold where neuer knight wente to fore to coÌ„quere but if helefte and loste there his lyff I knowe well that whaÌ„ she made me thye ê“messe all that daye I chauÌ„ged neuer my purpose ne corage But assone as I was leyd in my bedd an euill â—oleÌ„te or wil surprised me which was suche in alle poyntes that j lefte your loue and â—cluded that I wolde make of medea my lady paramours as j dyde and for this cause she gafe to me the introduction and the maner to conquere the noble and ryche moton of whome I haue brought the noble flees on this syde the see And also I haue broughte with me in to Myrmidone Meden no more thinking on yow ner on that that was concluded betwene vs thenÌ„e j hadde neuer seen yow But ye shall knowe what ys happeÌ„d syn I haue take her to my wyff She hath by her cursed enchanteméts reprochable made myn oncle Peleê° deye dolorously And also she is cause of the deth of his twoo doughters whiche is ouerfowle'a vylaynoê° caas foraladi â—ertes madame sayd yet jason for these enormites knowe that I haue left repudyed her in all abandoÌ„ned witdrawe me from her aÌ„d bi an inestymable displaysir am deê‘ted from the countree Myn aduenture hath ben of suche condycyon that I haue ben in the cyte of Corinthe but Medea was alle way in my thoughte and mynde ThenÌ„e seeyng that j coude in no wyse forgete her wold faynÌ„ haue
The veray trew history of the valiauÌ„t knight IasoÌ„ How he conqueryd or wan the golden fles by the Counsel of Medea and of many othre victoryouse and wondrefull actis and dedys that he dyde by his prowesse and cheualrye in his tyme. â—Or asmoche as late by the commauÌ„dement of the right hygh noble princesse my right redoubted lady margarete by the grace of god Duchesse of Bourgoyne BrabaÌ„t c I translated aboke out of frenssh in to englissh named recuyel of the histories of Troye in whiche is comprehended how Ladye was thries destroied â–ª And also the labours and historieâ— of 〈◊〉 Tytan Iubyter 〈◊〉 aâ—â—â— hercules other 〈…〉 but as to the histoâ—â—â— of 〈◊〉 towchyng the coÌ„queâ—â—e â—…e goldeÌ„â—â—â—se â—yn auctor hath 〈…〉 his boke but breueâ—â— aâ—â— thâ—â—ausâ—â—s 〈◊〉 asmoche as 〈…〉 aboke of the â—…che he pÌ„senâ—ed 〈◊〉 thâ—… â–ª Prynce in his 〈…〉 of Bourgoyne â—…ke shulde haâ—…ad sett the saiâ—…ke sor it conâ—cyâ—…torie of jaâ—on â—…or aâ—â—oche as this said â—…newe made aparte of alle thistorâ—â—â— os the sayd Iason the historie of hiâ— whiche that Dares 〈…〉 Guido de coâ—â—pnys wroâ—â—â—â—â— the begynnyng of their bokes touchyng the conqueste of the sayd golden fâ—ese by occasioÌ„ wherof grewe the cause of the seconde destruction of the sayd cite of troye is nott sett in the sayd boke of Recuyel of thistories of troye Therfore vnder the â—tectioÌ„ suffraunce of the most hyghe puissant and xpÌ„en kyng my most dradde naturel liege Lord Edward by the grace of god kyng of englond and of fraunce and lord of Irland I entende to traÌ„slate the sayd boke of thistories oâ— jason folo wyng myn auctor as nygh as j can or may not chaungyng the senteÌ„ce ne presumyng to adde ne mynusshe ony thing other wyse than myne auctor hath made in FreÌ„sshe And in somoche as the grettest fame aÌ„d renomme standeth resteth in the conquest of the fâ—ese of gold where of is founded an ordre of knightes Wherof oure sayd souerayne lord is one hath taken the profession therof howe well somÌ„e persones afferme and saye that the sayd ordre hath taken his origynal of the fâ—ese of Gedeon where in I will not dispute But well wote I that the noble due Philippe firste foundeur of this sayd ordre dyd doo maken a chaÌ„bre in the castell of hesdyn where in was craftyly and curiousâ—â— depeynted the conqueste of the golden fâ—ese by the sayd Iason In whiche chambre I haue ben seen the sayd historiâ— so depeynted iÌ„ remeÌ„branÌ„ce of medea of her connyng scieÌ„ce he had do make in the sayde chaÌ„bre by subtil engyn that whaÌ„ he wolde it shuld seme that it lichtend and after thondre snowe rayne And all within the sayde chambre as ofte tymes whan it shuld please hym which was al made for his singuler pleasir ThenÌ„e for the honour worship of our sayd most redoubted liege lorde whiche hath taken the sayde ordre I haue vnder the shadowe of his noble protection enterprised taccoÌ„plissh this sayd lytil boke not pÌ„sumyng to â—sente it vnto his highnesse for asmoch as j doubte not his good grace hath it in freÌ„sh which he wel vndstandeth but not displesing his most noble grace â—â—ntende by his liceÌ„ce congye by the supportacionÌ„ of our most redoubted liege lady most â—â—â—elleÌ„t princesse the Quene to presente this sayde bokâ—â— vnto the most fayr and â—y moâ—sâ— redoubted yoÌ„g lorde My lord priÌ„ce of Wales ourtocomyng sonerayne torde whom I praye god saue encrease in vertue bryng him vnto asmoche worship and goode renoÌ„ me as euer had ony of his noble ê“genytours to theÌ„ tent he may begynne to lerne rede englissh not for ony beaute of good Endyting of out englissh tonge that is therin but for the nouelte of the histories whiche ns I suppose hath not be had bifore the translatioÌ„ herof Moost humblie besekyng my sayd most drad souerayn naturel liege lorde the kyng and also the Quene to pardon me so presumyng And my sayd tocomyng sonerayne lord My lord the Prince to receyue it in gree thaÌ„ke of me his humble subgiett seruauÌ„te and to ê‘done me of this my simple and Rude translacion and aâ—â— other that luste to rede or hereâ—t to correcte where as they shalle fynde defaulte ¶ Here endeth the prologue of the translatour â–ª ¶ The prologue of thauctor THe galeye of myn engyn floting not loÌ„g syn iÌ„ the depnes of the sees of diuerce auÌ„cient histories iÌ„ suche wyse as I wold haue brought myn esperite vnto the porte or haueÌ„ of rest Sodaynly apperid by me a ship coÌ„duited by one maÌ„ only This manÌ„ anonÌ„ behelde my regarde contenanÌ„ce Which gaue me title and cause of thought and of abasshement for asmoch as I saw his visage trist heuy desolate wherof smytonÌ„ with coÌ„â— passion of his enuye greef Assone as he rceyuid that j so behelde him by grete desir He helde him still and sayde to me in this wise Man of rude eÌ„gyn what meruaillest thou Ancre thy galeye here take thy penÌ„â— for to write put in memorie my faites dedes The king jupyter of crete was myn olde bele fader and he engendrid Lacê° king of mirmidone This cacus engendred my fader Eson I am jason that conquerd the flees of golde iÌ„ the yle of colchos And that dayly laboure in sorowe roted in tristresse for the dishonÌ„eur that some persones hurte eÌ„pesshe my glorie jnposing to me not to haue holden my promys aneÌ„st medea wherof thou hast red the trouthÌ„ ThenÌ„e I pray the that thou do make aboke vnto them that dayly speke impugne my glorie maye knowe their indiscrete iugement And for taccoÌ„plisshe the same j haue chosen the to th ende that thou presente this present writing vnto the fader of writars of histories whiche yâ— vnto Philip fader louer of all rertues in his tyme Duc of bourgoyne and of Brabant cet The whiche hath ben in all his tyme enclyned and of grette affection to here and see red the auncient histories And to here tolde the faites of the worthy and noble somtyme flourisshing in vertues in vailyance and prude ce for his singnlier passe temps Thyse wordes accomplisshid rhe shippe Iason vanisshed away and j abode there pensyf But in th ende desiring to shewe the honour and declare the vertues of the sayde jason I ancred my galeye aÌ„d put in wrytyng hys faytes as here after shall be declared plainly a long so thaÌ„ I pÌ„seÌ„te my lytil book vnto the right hye and right redoubted Duc of bourgoyne not presuming myn ineloquence but psentyng myn right humble indigne seruice ¶ Thus â—â—deth myn auctor his prologe And how wel that hit is sayd afore this prologe that EsoÌ„ was sone to Lacê° Yet bochace saith in the genelagie of goddes that he was sone to Erictheus the xxx sone of jupyter As ye may see more playnly in
in the presence of his king by suche force that he cutte of a quartre of his shelde and his lyfte atine with all And whan the king apperceyuyd that Iason departed suche strokes he had doubte of hys persone And that was no grete meruaille thenÌ„e as worthy vaylliauÌ„t as he was he escried jason to the deth And syn cam to him with his trenchuÌ„t swerde enhauÌ„sed and smote hym so myghtily vpoÌ„ the toppe of his helme that he made the sparcklis flee oute and his hede to enclyne lowe dousi wherof he was notlityll astoned but escryed hym sayng Vaissale ye haue well shewid to me how ye can recountre a maÌ„ with the spere but I shal she we to yow the sharpnes of my swerde thou that I am beter knight thenÌ„e ye And if ye escape fro my handes without receyuyng of deth I will well that ye saye to my Lady paramours the fayr Mirro that her loue and frende of Sklauonye hath neyther force ne myght ¶ How the king of sclauonye was vaynquysshid by Iason in the felde by bataylle _â—Oche was Iason desplaysaunt whan he had vnderstande the vauntises of hys mortalt eÌ„nemy But whaÌ„ he knewe that he was the king of sklauonye he was well joyus for to knowe hi thus saide to him by derisioÌ„ Ha a right oultrageous fole Arte thou he that arte affoyled with the blanche feures for cause of my right redoubted lady Now see â— wel that in the is more of pÌ„sumpcion than of vayllyauÌ„ce and of vauntise thaÌ„ of fayte and truly more of folye than of wysedom For hit ys parfayte folye to the for to name the better knight than j am Than late vs see who is the better With these wordes they began agayn to smyte eche other ryght asprely Certes Iason prouid hym self ryght fiersiy in gyuing to hys eÌ„nemye many strokes terryble and poysaunt And so many gaf hi in makyng reed hys swerd of the Esklanon king that the right malerouse king was constrayned to crye and to kalle his knightes vnto hys ayde and helpe but ther cam so many that Iason was enuironned aÌ„d assayled on alle sydes Whan te noble jason felte hym self so aduironned on alle sydes by hys ennemyes He was more recoÌ„forted than to fore And begaÌ„ to smyte wyth hys good swerde of steele on the ryght syde and on the lyfte syde by suche vertue and myghte that the ladyes of the Cyte knewe him among alle other and perceyuyd that he skarmusshid with his swerde all dyed with newe blood now here and now there And after sawe hym cutte of heedes â—â—â—â—es and legges and fystes And made armes at his wyll and more thenÌ„e all the remenaÌ„nt And certes by his mayntene he semed better a thing of that other worlde thenÌ„e an humayne persone And fro this tyme forth on the fayr Myrro seeâ—â—g this that sayd is toke jason sol her good gÌ„ce that vnto the deth she louyd him aboue all other knightes â–ª as she that setted her loue totally in him The noble Iason fought thenÌ„e vailliauÌ„tly agayn the Esklauâ—Ì„s aÌ„d right loÌ„g endured the bataylle And whan the xij knightes of damask sawe the grete prowesse and daÌ„gerous stour that was aboute their maistre They smote in among â—hâ—Ì„ that so assayled him And thenÌ„e enforced him Iason for to make hym self to be of valour truly by suche ardeur of corage that he slewe therÌ„ tâ—Ì„ of the most hardyest knightes of all the hooste of his enemyes wherfore the king of Sklauonye seeyng hys mayntene the valeur of jaso had suche fureur and drede that he habaundonÌ„ed the place his knightes that thenÌ„e all wery folowed hym And thenÌ„e the noble Iaso â—â—â—â—wed the chaas aÌ„d chaced 〈◊〉 vnto the grete cost in suche ê¯fusion moâ—al occisionÌ„ that of the fyfty knightes that were at the begynning of the batayll ther escaped no moo but ten But tey were all slayn detreÌ„ched or he weÌ„l pieces And of the partye of jasoÌ„ ther bleef no moo but tweynÌ„ vpoÌ„ the felde And of the remanasit all were hurte that one more aÌ„guisshously thenÌ„e that other ¶ How jason was joyously receyuid of the quene Mirro of Olyferne and hou â—they be waylled eche other AFter this meruayllous bataylle â–ª and that the worthy jaso had rechaced his enemyes vnto nyghe bi the ooste as said is he taryd for two resons The first was for as moche as he â—owe his felaws wery sore payned by their woundes the seconde was for asâ—noche as he sawe the Ooste â—â—â—ue for to come vpon them than as wyse aÌ„d discrete he withdrewe hi sayng that more to worth a good retrayteâ— than a folisshe abydinge and reeÌ„trid with grete honouâ— glorie into the cyte wherof the fayr â—â—yrro was as joyouse as she coude be coÌ„trayre to this was the king of sclauonye as sorouful aÌ„gry for the grete domage that he had suffryd that day Euery man â—â—olyferne as sone Iason was reentrâ—â— sie wed him maÌ„ women childreÌ„ blessid him sayng one to another that they had neuer seen none lyk 〈◊〉 him in beaulte ne more vaillyaunt knight of his body and than al the Cyte began to â—eyoyeâ—â— whan the sayr myrro thought that Iason was vnarmed â–ª she sente for him he cam gladly to her for that was al his desir than whaÌ„ he was comen to fore her he sale wed her she rendrid to him his sale we syn demanded hym hou he felte him self how he ferde Certes madame aÌ„s werde jason to god begyue the thaÌ„king I ne fele on my body but all good disposicion aÌ„d am ioyously retorned into your cyte and as to the regarde of your enemyes by that I haue felt of theÌ„ me thiÌ„keth that they ought not fore to be dredde ne doubted and that in short tyme ye shall haue of them good rayson I haue this day made my swerd reed iÌ„ their bloode wherof their kiÌ„g your mortel enemye hath had grete dueyl aÌ„d soro we And I haue yet goode wil that to mornÌ„ I shal redouble that yet that shal be worse to him to his if the goodd be in myn ayde helpe ¶ Whilis that Iason spack thus to the noble lady as sayde is she behelde hym now aÌ„d now by right grete ardaunt loue aÌ„d coude not absteyne her self for she was so surmounted with loue at this time that for to hyde her wil and to refroide cole her alityl without more speking to jason that she left him with two damoiselles for to entretene tarye hi and she withdrewe her ito her chaÌ„bre where she begaÌ„ to thinke on the grette vertues that were in Iason That is to wete on his hye prowesse on his fair chiere on his laughyng eyen on his well made body and on his gracyouse speking And so moche she thought on hym that she must come agayn vnto the place where he was ThenÌ„e she fonude in the halle of the
certes j shall ameÌ„de hit to my power j shall goo after him so ferre til j shal fynde him And I shall haue no shame to putte me â— his mercy WhaÌ„ the yoÌ„g damoisell aê‘ceyued the grete displaisir where iÌ„ her maistresse was she shitte the chaÌ„bre dore to th eÌ„de that no persone shulde come vpon theÌ„ begoÌ„ne there to wepe til nyght that a lady caÌ„ aÌ„d sayde the souppe was all redy ThaÌ„ the quene dide do aÌ„swere her by the damoyselle that she wolde not souppe for so moche as she felte her not wel disposed also coÌ„maÌ„ded that no ê‘â—one sholde come to her that night Whiche aÌ„swere so made the quene the damoiselle begaÌ„ to make newe bewailinges teeris after began to be waile jason and among all other thinges The quene saide these wordes yet maye ther worse aueuture greue me more for after aÌ„ ouer moche dangerouse incoÌ„uenience she sendth to me the deth Ha a late me sorowe but what shal I mowe doo I wote neuer what to thenke and what ought I to doo by your faith seme ye good that I ought to goo after him or that I sende ony faithfull man fter him of my knowleche Certes I thinke if I sholde sende a messager after him that he wolde not come agayn And if j weÌ„te my self after hi. that sholde be to me the grettest dishonour of the worde madame answerde than the damoiselle ye ought to knowe your caas aÌ„d of two wayes to take the beste If ye haue inteÌ„cion that Iason be your husbonde hit behoueth no lenger to soiourne for ye muste goo or sende vnto him with alle diligeÌ„ce for to saye to yon myn opinion yf hit were so happend to me as it is to you j wolde sende none other messager but my selfe And knowe ye veryly that ye may haue no dishonour for to goo after him vnderstonden and well considerid the good and agreable seruices that he hath doÌ„ to you and to your royaume For vnder the colour for to guerredone and rewarde him ye maye take occasioÌ„ to come into wordes to gyue hym soÌ„ matere yet for to serue yow Certes fayr donghter saide the quene j wote not what to thinke what me is best to do for if j goo after him and finde him what shal j saye My dere â—…de the damoiselle as j haue right now sayde ye shal presente to him the guerredoÌ„ of the grete honour good seruice that he hath doÌ„ to yon in iour necessite this thiÌ„keth to me lityl substaÌ„ce for to entre into speche of my principal cause sayde the guene Certes madame aÌ„swerd theuÌ„e the damoiselle whan ye shall come and be to fore the knight loue shall teche you to speke if ye will recorde the lessons aÌ„d epistles of loue by the space of teÌ„ yere it shall but lityl prouffite to your auaÌ„cement for ther lacketh nothing but thinspiracion of loue medlid with hardynesse of humayne enteÌ„demeÌ„t spekiÌ„g with the moÌ„th whiche is instrumeÌ„t of the dischargyng discouering of hertes Syn that it is so sayd the the fayr Myrro quene of oliferne Alle thing considerid j had moche leuer to couere a lityll blame thenÌ„e that I shold in alle poyntes with oute euer to recouere again alle the hole desire and plaisir of iniherte the coÌ„solacion of mynÌ„ eyeÌ„ thenÌ„e j shall saye to you myn aduyse that hit is nede aÌ„d necessite so to do and that ye muste nowe goo vnto my womenÌ„ aÌ„d saye to theÌ„ that to mornÌ„ betymes j shall goo in pilgremage accompayned of you onely and that they take hede see well to alle thinges And ye I to fore the sonne rising shal enterprise in the most secrete wyse that shall be possible oure eÌ„queste vpoÌ„ the most noble and vaillianÌ„t knight the most fayr the most adressed that his liuing That is jason myn only freÌ„de we shall do so moche that he shall be foundeÌ„ This aduise semed right good vnto the damoiselle the whiche with alle diligeÌ„ce obeyed to the comauÌ„dement of her maistresse aÌ„d after these thiÌ„ges aboute midnight they made redy her thinges and on the morâ— erly to fore day bothe they toke eche a good palfroye in habite vnknowen and rode forth on their waye and suche was their aueÌ„ture that they cam for to bayte in the logging wher her freÌ„de Iason had logged that nyght And thaÌ„ she began to demande of the hoost of thaffayre dnd contenanÌ„ce of the knight what chere he had made the euen to fore and at his departing what way he had takeÌ„ holde And the hooste answerde to the lady that as to the regarde of his chere and thaffaire of the knight he had nether eteÌ„ ne dronkeÌ„ in alle the euening And a◠〈◊〉 the waye that he had holden he â–ª enseigned to the ladi which was than moche pensif for Iason that had not that eueniÌ„g takeÌ„ no refection of mete ne of drinke ¶ How jason fougt wyth the king dyomedes in the shepe THe noble quâ—…mirro and her damâ—…yed than not loÌ„ge 〈◊〉 batyng for they toke their horses and rood as hastely as to hem was possible so roode iij. dayes long after jason hering in euery logyse where they descended â—idinges of hi but they coude not ouertaken ne finde him And on the fourth day suyng they cam vnto a parte of the see â–ª where was shewid vnto them a ship where in were marchaÌ„ts of athenes was told to them that Iason was therin that he wold go to athenes furthermore yf they wolde goo ther was yet a ship of other marchants that was on the poynt to departe but thenÌ„e the fayr mirro was in suche a point of displaisir whaÌ„ she knewe that jasoÌ„ was departed that she made grete sorowe This notwithstanding she was anonÌ„ conseylled what she wolde doo coÌ„cluded syn that she hadde somoche traueyled that she wolde proue dame fortune went after jason with this coÌ„clusion all ful of aspre sighiÌ„ges she weÌ„t to the ship that sholde disancre for to go to Athenes aÌ„d aggreed with the maroÌ„ner whiche was brought theder by force of tempest winde and anonÌ„ they disancred deê‘ted and whan they sawe that it was calme flewe noÌ„t thei made redy their oores rowed by the force of their atmes for at that tyme meÌ„ vsid not so many sailles as they do now notwithstanding they exployted in suche maner that they caÌ„ into the hye see where they rowed long tyme in whiche tyme the quene Mirro becaÌ„ seke vnto the deth fynably whan they had bencertaine space of tyme a interuaillous orage grete winde caste hem here there in suche wise that fortune broughte heÌ„ to the porte of trace inagre al the maronners for they were al nduertysed that it was perilloê° to ariue there because of the kiÌ„g of that couÌ„tre wiche was named dyomedes The king dyomedes theuÌ„e was a tyrauÌ„t
lâ—â—yl of valeuâ— that j am ashamed and hountouse to lyue And wold that j were there where j shal be v. honderd yere here after wyth oute ony respyte Whan thauÌ„cient knight vnâ—stode that jason was in so moche bitter dispair he had pite of him sayde to him for a lityl to coÌ„forte him Certes gentil knight j knowe wel my self vnderstoÌ„de of this marchaÌ„dise that of your loue ye haue not eÌ„yoyed your first desire wil but j wolde fayn knowe yf ony manÌ„ hath doÌ„ you wroÌ„g of your lady or ellis if this maladie cometh ê“cedeth by the rigour of her Certes geÌ„tyl knight answerde jasâ— alle my meschief ê“cedeth of the grete rigour of my ladi bi the â—alour simplenes of me for j haue sernid that fayr lady in a moche daÌ„gerous warre that her mortall enemyes mâ—de to her not long syn â— the most diligâ—t wyse that j coude or might after whaÌ„she was at her aboue of her aduersaireâ— j haue requyred her of her grace that she wolde be my lady in loue but she hath not wylled to see in me so moche vertue ne somoche valour that she wolde accorde her to my request and thus I haue therfore my lyf in grete hate see none other remedie that but j falle in despaire Fayr sire ansuerde thauÌ„cieÌ„t knight haue not ye ofte tymes herd saye â–ª that one lost two recouerid yf hit be so that a womaÌ„ hath made of you refuse by your fayth shall ye therfore be suche a fooll as for to fall in despayr CoÌ„sidere ye not that ther be ynowh of other and yf ye haue not ynowh of one j shal make you to haue a dosayne ther is no grete derthe ne scarcete of womenÌ„ Certes â—f ye remembre you wel ye shal saye thaâ— they cracce out menÌ„es eyen therfore al this wel â—siderid yf your lady sette litil by you do the same to her seche another without loÌ„g taryyng Certes sir knight sayde jason whaÌ„ I haue wel marked and take hede of your wordes ye speke after your plaisir These ben thinges that may better be said than exployted Certayu sayde the auncient knight j telle to yow the secrete and the verray hystorie I wâ—l wel that euery man be amerous aÌ„dloue but that he haue twoo strenges on his â—owe And that noman put him so fersorth in lo ue but that he may withdrawe hi in tyme and in seasonÌ„ women one other proprely to speke â—en malycious in her werkes and thys procedeth that eche of them adresse other of sâ—che counceyâ—â— exhorte aÌ„d of fauour Men saye that the moost orguilloust aÌ„d proudest creature that is is the deuyll and next after hym 〈◊〉 the woman and next after is the foole that is ouerâ—uydaunt for pride cometh not but of â–ª folye aÌ„d somoche wenyng Somme women ther be that â—â—ste haue one ameroê° maÌ„ to whom they kepe hem treuly Other be many that be full of wordes and leâ—e their â—â—ris to alle the worlde Other loue to haue acye and tokenes â—d they make lyke signes also ferre as they may not speke to heÌ„ Other ther ben that ben more prayâ—â— and requyrid for to enyoye them â—o to haue theyr grace thaÌ„ the goddes ben for to haue their fayr paradys â–ª For tabregge and shortly conclude Certes gentyll knyghtâ— they be well happy that haue not to doo with them mony suche receptes aÌ„d they be foles that haue to do moche with hem for he that may pâ—sse fâ—oÌ„ them may do no better thaÌ„ to withdrawe hym fer from 'hem in fâ—eyng the places and alle the circumstanÌ„ces Syre answerde than Iason I â—uppose and thinke well that ye coude saye moche better yf ye voolde first as to the regarde for to haue ij streÌ„ges on his â—owe That is to vnderstaÌ„de two ladyes certes it is not possible that he that so doth may be â—sâ—â—â—t in his werkes ne in his thoughtes for no maÌ„ may wel serue ij maistres for that one corrumpeth that other ThenÌ„e it is so that yf a noble man for to auauÌ„ce him self in worship maye doo no better thenÌ„e for to chese an honourable ladâ— whiche he maye loue treuly secretly and so perfaytly that he sere aÌ„d drede to doâ— ony thing but that yt be honest in alle thingis â—d of â—ecomÌ„andacioÌ„â—or alle ladyes desire nothing but honour and hye â—enommce hyt is their propre vocacion and their naturell condycion thenÌ„e how shall he haue desirÌ„ of honour that is no trew louer for he that is double is to moche outrew and fals and if ony wele or honour happen to come to him it is agaynâ—â— reson ryght and good equyâ—e and if ther be ony suche certes they be not worthy to lyueâ— seen that the ladyes beÌ„ of â—o parfouÌ„de excelleÌ„â—â— that the leest of all is worthy to haue the best knight of alle the world And for that cause saye no more that â— take two cordes or strâ—ges on my â—owe For certaynly I had leuer to receyue and pâ—ssee the destrayt of deth WHan thauncieÌ„t knight had vnderstonde thaÌ„swer of â—ason he was moche abasshid sayde to him that he wolde neuer holde that waye ne purpose wherfore fayr syre sayde â—ason for asmoche sayde the knight that meÌ„ sholde mocque hi for j suppose wel to knowe that if right now ye sholde chese of two thingesone That is to weâ—e to receyne deth or ellis chese a new ladi that ye wold more sone the lady thaÌ„ the deth for good cause Certes ther ben pleÌ„te of amoreusis that susteine aÌ„d swere that for to sane thonour of their ladies thei wolde atteÌ„de take the deth But I suppose yf they sawe the deth come they wold nomore abide him thenÌ„e the quayle abydeth the sperhauke and for alâ—â— thyse raysonÌ„s aboue sayde I counceylle yow that ye leue this errours and opynyons and recoÌ„forte your self the best wyse ye can in your maladye â—or by myn aduyse I beleue not that youâ— payne be mortall and I haue not herde saye that evyr ony man amerous by maladye of loue lost hys lyfe But yf he went out of hys mynde _â—asoÌ„ with these wordes coude nomore replyâ—que for he apperceyued that he coude not make his mater goodner maintene it agaynst the olde knight and thuâ—ending their parlameÌ„t he sâ—epte vnto the tyme it was nygh daye And thenÌ„e Iason awoke begaÌ„ to make newe sighes inso moche that thauncient knyght herde it â—gayn hou well that he was a sâ—epe was sodaynly awaked And thenÌ„e whaÌ„ Iason knewe that he was awaked he salewed him and gaf hym goode morow and sayde to him Syre knigt because of your grete ageye haue seen moche thing in your tyme. â— demande you by your fayth if ye haue knowleche iÌ„ dremes wherâ—ore axe ye answerde the â—nyght For asmoche sayde Iason as j hane not cessed this night to dreme By my loyaulte â—ayr sire ansuerde the good old knyghte yf ye
belonged ThenÌ„e the seruauÌ„t aÌ„suerde that they apperteyned to two damoyselles that were loggid there with inne Truly freÌ„de saide jnsoÌ„ what damoyselles that euer they be The two horses belonge to my lady best belouyd whan the good auÌ„cieÌ„t knighte vnderstood Iason he saide to hun Iason remeÌ„bre ye of your dreme j take hit on my life that your lady is in this hous or ellis the damoiselles ben here sor her the whiche shal saye to you goode tidynges Withoute ony other question or answere jason departed incoÌ„tment from the slable and wete vnto the hostesse â— whan he had boden to her goode morowe he saide to her Fayr hostesse knowe ye the two da moyselles that belongged here in Certes sir knight answerde the hostesse I knowe hem none other wise but as me semeth that they ben geÌ„til womeÌ„ comeÌ„ of a good how 's Is hit possible that I maye see hem saide Iason j wote neuer saide thostes se but j first demande theÌ„ Fayr hostesse saide than Iason j requyre you that j may see theÌ„ And that ye wille go saye that here ys a knight their seriminÌ„t that hath grete desire to speke with them The goode hostesie for to do playsit vnto jason wente vnto the two damoyselles and sayd to theÌ„ My fayr may stresses iÌ„ come to you in the name and at the request of a gentyll knyght he sayng your seruaunt the whiche requyreth you that of your grace hit wolde plese yow that he myght speke with yow And aduise yow what hit shal plese yow that I answere to hym But incontinent that the Quene Myrro had herd her hostesse speke of the requeste of the knight Certes the colour began to chaunge meruailloussy and her thought that all her body wasesprised with fyre But this no withstaÌ„ding she held her contenaunce the beste wyse she myghte And howe wel that she doubted of the comyng of the pren Iason and that she was thaÌ„ in a trauÌ„ce what she shold saye to her yet answerd and sayd fayr daine who is that knight that hath sente yow hether Certes sayde the hostesse I sawe him neuer to fore that I wote of But to my semiÌ„g he is the most gentil the most well made of body and also most curtois that ony man may or can fynde or speke of Danie sayde thenÌ„e the fayr Mirro syn that he is so vtuous so well accomplisshed ns ye saye do hi to come hether With these wordes the good hostesse dide do jason come vnto the chambre And thenÌ„e assone as he cam in he behelde the noble Quene whiche was tyght shamefaste and hauing the herte shytte and rauisshid made vnto her the reuereÌ„ce salewed her And the fayr mirro welcomed salewed hun agayn moche curtoissy This doÌ„ they entrid into deuises and thenÌ„e after certayn wordes Iason sayde to the quene in this maner â—ertes my dere lady j had not knowen that ye had beÌ„ in this hostelrye ne had â—beÌ„ your two palfroies Whiche j haue this morenyng founde in the stable by my hors and yet whaÌ„ I had seen and knoweÌ„ them j had not supposed that ye had beÌ„ in this how 's how wel whan j vnderstode that the two passroyes belonged to you Oamoiselles wenyng that here had ben two of your damoiselles I am comen for to here tydinges of you Certes sire knight j doubte not the contrarye and in lyke wise j had not supposed ner thought to haue founden yow nowe here I declare to you that j am departed secretly for to goo a pilgremage where I haue prâ—mysed long syn accompanyed oâ—â—â— wyth this danioy selle j auo wâ—â— so to goo iÌ„ the moste streÌ„gthe of the warre and j haue grete meâ—â—nylle for to see you now here For without doubte j hadde supposed that ye hadde ben this oure in olyferne at your reste â—adame answerde Iason I haue none hope that euer ye shal see me more in â—â—â—â—erne Certes jason fayr sireâ—◠〈◊〉 aÌ„d moche fwift in your werkes I haue good wille aÌ„d grete desire for to rewarde coÌ„tente you of the good agreable seruices that ye to fore this tyme haue donn to me during my warre in persecuting and deliuering of my morbell ennemyes and yfye resoume not to Olyferns I may not ner can not doo rewâ—â—de and conteÌ„te yow Ha a my dere lady answerde than jason As j sayde you that other day iÌ„ your yalays I haue not seruid you in suche wise as j haue coude best doo for menoye or other meuable goddes but I haue employed my self only for to gefe your loue your godde gÌ„ce I haue paternall richesses largely and therfore j saye to yow so moche that yf so be that ye graunte not me your loue ye may not contente me And knowe ye certaynly that after this daye ye shall neuer see me For as your tre we louer and humble seruaunt quamnguer donned I shal goo withdrawe me ito som deserte be wayling and weping that part after yow And vnto my deth j wole doo non other wyse wherfore I yow supplie with alle my herte that pyte may entre into your noble cora ge in suche wyse that on me your poure suppliauÌ„t ye haue pyte and mercy and ellis of me ye shal neuer see good Whan the noble lady had vnderstand that sayd ys She answerde to the preu jaso in this manere Certes sir knight ther is no herte of lady so hard but by the vertu of youre requestes musie nedes be softed aÌ„d molefied ye haue sernid mehyely well in all tronth loyaulte In alle vailliauÌ„ce diligeÌ„ce â— ê¯fesse knowleche hyt ye requyre me as I vnder stande that I sholde be your wâ—f aÌ„d felaw a more gretter thing ye may not demanÌ„de me ne that more me toncheth Neuertheles whaÌ„ j apperceyue your grete and good valoir to th eÌ„de that ye haue no cause for to falle in despair j am conteÌ„t for to accorde my selfe vnto your prayers requestes for seen alway that ye shall goo into your countrey And there ye shall asseÌ„ble youre moost next parents and freÌ„des which ye shal briÌ„ge into my cyte that in their presence ye shal wedde and spowse me solempâ—ly The noble and vayllauÌ„t knight jason thanked the fayr myrro of this goode answere and promysed to her to doo and accomplisshe treuly alle that she hadde desired that is to wete that he sholde goo into myrinidone for tassemble his freÌ„des alyes and that he sholde retourne into oliferne to marye and wedde her in their presence â–ª But whaÌ„ the damoyselle that was comen with the quene for to holde her companye herde suche or seniblable promesses made bi her maistresse which was so wel comen to the point of her desir she was replenysshed with â—solacion yoye forthwith she cam betwene the. ij louers aÌ„d sayd to theÌ„â— that she called alle the goddes to witnes aÌ„d thaÌ„ked theÌ„ for this aliauÌ„ce
put him in a boot allone aÌ„d sente him to the see in exyliug aÌ„d banisshing him out of his royaume Whan this damoisell as messagere had recompted vnto the noble jasoÌ„ this that said is That other messager toke the worde fro her saide Lordes aÌ„d knightes my felaw hath said tolde you now the reson and cause wherfore ye may not be receyued iÌ„to this cite therefore er gretter meschief befalle come to yow withdrawe you vnto the see for if ye tarye here long the ladyes wille assayle you asperly and shal deliuere to you a meruailloê° batayll Iason ansuerde sayde by all my goddes fayr lady our ship is all to brokeÌ„ aÌ„d for frusshid as ye may see is ful of watre And on that other syde we perisshe for huÌ„ger if we be not shortly socourid for hit is two dayes past syn we ete ony morsell mete therfore if it must nedes be no remedie we had leuer to deye by glayues aÌ„d warre thenÌ„e by famyne how well by your gÌ„ce ye shal retorne vnto the Quene ladyes â— recoÌ„pte to theÌ„ oure estate and necessite And that we all to geder pray them and requyre instantly if ther be in hem ony vertu or noblesse that they wil now shewe hit hauyng pyte on vs. for the fortune of the see that hath trauaylled vs by many dayes in such wise that we supposed to haue perisshid from our to our hath brought vs hether as ye may see agaynst the wille of our maroÌ„ners and of vs ¶ With this request the two damoiselles messagieres retourned in to their cyte vnto their quene ysiphile other ladies to whom they recoÌ„pted froÌ„ word the word the aÌ„swer that Iason had rendrid what he requyred ThenÌ„e the quene hauyng herde the answer of the .ij. messagieres she axid enquyred what peple these knyghtes of grece were of what ê¯dicioÌ„ facoÌ„n of what noÌ„bre they were Certes madame aÌ„s werd that one of the ij damoiselles j saw neuer iÌ„ my dayes more goodly menÌ„ ne better spokeÌ„ and j suppose ther wer neuer seeÌ„ so wel faryng meÌ„ grete vpright so wel in point of habillemeÌ„ts so wel taught so curtays in all maners it is to be supposed that they beÌ„ the choyse piked out of al the humayn peple aÌ„d ther may wel ben of theÌ„ the noÌ„bre of an C. all of one facoÌ„n of lyk clothing ThenÌ„e the quene hering the messagiere that so hyely recomÌ„ended the state of these knightes of grece thinking also of their request begaÌ„ to haue pite of their mysaueÌ„ture of their myseases that they haue had on the see by teÌ„peste forthÌ„ wyth she sente for to fecche foure of theÌ„ for to come speke with her wâ—oÌ„ she wold examine ¶ WhaÌ„ the honderd knightes vnderstode these tidynges they aduised amoÌ„g heÌ„ all whiche foure of theÌ„ they might best sende vnto the quene Ysiphile and â—cluded in one that they wolde sende jason Hercules theseê° an other knight named Castor right fayr whyche cam to fore the quene grete nombre of her damoiselles And they were not loÌ„g comeÌ„ but that the quene aÌ„d her damoyselles were terrybly â—â—rifed of the loue of these four knightes For there was nether Quene ne damoiselle but desirid withÌ„ all their herte their companye for the singuler especiall beaute of eche of theÌ„ Certes ysiphile at thinstaunt that her twoo noble eyeÌ„ had beholdeÌ„ the grete beaute of jasoÌ„ she was becomeÌ„ so moche amerous as was possible as of the most fayr the most gracious aÌ„d the moste couoytable of the iiij Tha she spack to heÌ„ demaÌ„ded theÌ„ in general what they soughte in her royaume wheÌ„s they caÌ„ and whyther they wolde goo of what countree they were ThenÌ„e the noble Iason thinking of the demaÌ„des of the quene coÌ„sidering the grete dauÌ„ger where they were in and the necessite of famyne hunger that surmouÌ„ted he as capiteyn chief of the vyage aÌ„suerde huÌ„bly sayng in this manere Madame plese hit yow to knowe that we ben the noÌ„bre of an honderd knightes all gentill menÌ„ of one companye of one couÌ„tre we beÌ„ departed in one shippe But we haue had vpon the see so many infortunes by tempeste of wiÌ„des of orages that hathÌ„ holden vs so long in grete doubte to be perisshid that vytailles beÌ„ faylled vs two dayes passid for to make short we goo to seche vitailles for to helpe our necessite syn hit plesithÌ„ you to knowe froÌ„ what couÌ„tre we beÌ„ parted whither we atteÌ„de to goo I declare to you that we come from Grece aÌ„d oure entente is to salle so ferre til we fiude an ysse of the see where is a moche ryclâ— moton or shepebering his flese all of fyn golde the whichâ— neuer knight yet had the poweâ—â—â— hardineâ— for to â—quere ne approche neÌ„yther only for to beholde see For many meruaillous and terrible bestes haue it iÌ„ keping Among the which â— haue vnderstande ther is a right cruell dragoÌ„ how wel I haue allowed ê“mised for tauenture my selfe for to coÌ„quere hiter I euer retorne agayn into my countre or I shall deye in the poursuite therof as many knightes haue donÌ„here to fore wherof is pyte ¶ Wherfore right hye and noble la dy I requyre you huÌ„bly that ye will haue mercy pyte on me aÌ„d of mynÌ„ infortunate felawes deyng for distresse of honger and famyne that we maye haue vytailles four our siluer and moneye and also grace aÌ„d leue for to remyse make oure shippe agayn whiche is broken reÌ„te in takyng londe vpoÌ„ your seignourye and lordshipe WhaÌ„ the noble jason had made his remounstrauÌ„ce vnto the quene ysiphile as sayde is she withdrew her â— ê‘te with her damoiselles demaÌ„ded of theÌ„ what was best to doo with thise noble menÌ„ They were as of oppynion that it sholde be a grete synne aÌ„d mesfeet for to late theÌ„ there deye for famyne honger And at th eÌ„de they â—cludeÌ„d that they sholde be receyued into theyr Cyte notwihstaÌ„ding their ordenanÌ„ces statutes bi them to fore made in so moche that theâ— Quene ysiphile retorned vnto jason saide to hi that for the honoure of noblesse the ladyes woldreceyue him aÌ„d his felawes in like wyse ThenÌ„e the noble jason thanked the quene of this grace right curtoissy dide do sende for his felawes that they sholde come into the cite which iÌ„coÌ„tineÌ„t as thei knew that they sholde haue vytaylles were passing yoyous semed to them propreli that god was desceÌ„ded amoÌ„ge theÌ„ ThaÌ„ they cam to fore the ladyes whoÌ„ thei sale wed ryght reuerently aÌ„d anon as the quene sawe this noble coÌ„panye to fore her in all humilite she deliuerid to an honderd of her ladies the honderd knightes of grece to eche of them one of their owne as for the best as her semed she reteyned
tabregge the matere the daye came that the noble preu jason sholde goo to the see on whiche daye the noble prince and his felawes toke leue of the noble Quene ysiphile of the ladyes aÌ„d damoiselles and thanked them largely of their goodes goode chiere that they had made to theÌ„ And thenÌ„e departed fro Lennos wente vnto the porte But whaÌ„ they sholde entre into the shippe the quene ysiphile presented vnto Iason the ydole of the goddeâ—se pallas many other ydoles of the goddes of the see and made him to putte them in hys shippe Sayng that none euylâ—e trouble mighte come to him in ony wyse â—s log as he kept helde hem in reuereÌ„ce WHan jason apê‘ceyued the grete largesse of the noble quene ysiphile the goode loue whet wyth she louid him he thaÌ„ked her moche huÌ„bly and syn went to the see made to winde vp the sayle And thus he and his companye departed froÌ„ lennos for to saille toward the yle of colchos of whom j willeue to speke for this present tyme. also of Iason of the Quene ysiphile the whiche whan she had bornÌ„her fruyt by the space of ix monethes hole she was deliuerid of a moche fayr sone For â—o recounte wel a long of the ryght fayr aÌ„d noble yle of colchos in deuising the manere howe hit was firste founâ—…y the god 〈…〉 so 〈◊〉 the countre was firste 〈◊〉 â—yted and 〈◊〉 what kinges hiâ— was gouerned whiche is a ryght difficile and harde thing to beleue for many persones that haue not estudied the auncient cronyâ—ues of whom many ben full hard and doubtable to be beleuyd for the strauÌ„ge meruayllogs werkes that ben founden in many histâ—ries and places ¶ How appollo was sent by the god Mars into the couÌ„trey where as was the ryche noble shepe or weder that bare the vliese of golde how he founded there a cyte _â—Or to gyue yow knowlege of the noble I le of Colâ—… shal deporte tayre for this present tyme to speke of the â—â—â—tes of Iason and wyll recompte telle in brief what â—…d first in colchos and by what manere facoÌ„n hiâ— was knoweÌ„ that the riche motoÌ„ or shepe with the flees of gold was there and also the two meruaillous terrible booles the grete â—poueÌ„table dragonÌ„ ThenÌ„e for to come vnto this historie I haue fouÌ„deÌ„ an olde auncien cronicle conteynyng that whâ—lomÌ„e was a kiÌ„g in athenes named jupyter but this was not that jupit that was sone of saturne that regned in Crete whâ—â— is a moche noble countre â—…g of Atheâ—…d 〈…〉 the first was naâ—…aâ—â—oâ—… that is aâ—â—oâ—he as â—…s in latynÌ„ whyche by the athenyens was callyd god of â—atayll for cause of many bataille â—…at he had in his tyme ayenst his â—â—â—ghbours of which he had â—…ay the victorie The secondâ— was apis which was king of argisâ—â— appollo that regned in archade was the thirde This appollo was a man of grete gouernement he introduysed the archadyens for to lyue honestly ¶ Certe he â—querd many royauines he had grete noÌ„bre of childrenÌ„ And fynably whan they were groweÌ„ to age he deliuerid to theÌ„ his landes to gouerne aÌ„d after that departed right secretly from archade and in the aslate of a medicine or a phisicien he wente in the most part of the prouices of the worlde he was thê° wandring ten yeres at th eÌ„de of teÌ„ yere he arryued at athenes And there founde that this broder Mars was newly dede and passed out of thys worlde and that ther was made to him a temple whiche endured after vnto the tyme of the conuersion of saynt denys He weÌ„te into the teÌ„ple with an herte replenisshid with teres knelid dounÌ„ to the erthe to fore the representacion of his broder the god mars requiring hi that he wolde she we to him that thiÌ„g that was best for him to do and that he wolde with all his myght ensiewe accoÌ„plisse his doctrine commaÌ„demeÌ„t â—nonÌ„ as appollo had finisshid his prayer a grete whirliÌ„g or tourbillon of winde cam sodainly flapped hi on the vysage wher with he was astonyed that he wist not what hit was aÌ„d beyng in this rauisshemeÌ„t him thought that the god mars saide to him appollo appollo thy prayers ben presented in the huen to the goddes Thou hast seen many meruailes of the worlde but that is nothiÌ„g in regard of one that thou shalt see it shal not mowe be seyn but by the. ThenÌ„e it pleseth vs that thou go into pyre for to make an arke vnto the semblaunce likenes of that arke that noe made som time for to saue him his famyllie froÌ„ the deluge flood after that we wil that thou do charge hit with as grete a noÌ„bre of pyrriens as hit may receyue aÌ„d that thou aÌ„d they put yow to the see therin and whan ye haue dounÌ„ so j shal bring yow in to the best yle the moste ryche the most fertyle of all the world whiche shal been habited by the pyrriens And thou shalt vnderstaÌ„de that by this yle is a resorte of the see vnto an other litell I le where in is the noble motoÌ„or sheep with the fsiese of gold the whiche not loÌ„g syn was sente by the goddes Iuno to â—rixus and to his suster Helles bothe enchassed bitheir stepmod for to make theÌ„ passe the see which that now is named hellespoâ—t by cause that helles lete her falle into the see The noble aÌ„d riche motonÌ„ thenÌ„e or shepe of golde is the moost meruaillous beste that euer was iÌ„ the worlde hit must be ones conquerd but that shal be with grete parell well behoueth therto a meruailloê° craft mistere And for somoche thenÌ„e as thou shalt be iÌ„ the yle habitable iÌ„ the whiche j shal conduyte bring the beware kepe the also dere as thou hast thy lyf that thou goo not into the yle where the noble motonÌ„ of goolde is in For I haue therin ordeyend thre bestes the which â—t space of time shal cast fire flabe fumyer venyn out of their throtes wherof shal be destroyed al they that shal desceÌ„de in that yle excepte only one vnto a certayn terme with these wordes appollo cam agayn to him self thiÌ„kiÌ„g on the voys that he had herd after that he had made his oblacioÌ„s he deê‘ted out of the temple and also from athenes obeing to the wil of the god mars he trauayled in suche wyse by his iournees that he caÌ„ vnto the Royaume of pirre in the cyte of salathie that whilom had fouÌ„ded salathyel whiche was of the lignye of the hebrews ThenÌ„e appollo logged him in the how 's of a bourgoys named loth aÌ„d requyred himoche that he wolde bringe hym vnto the king of that couÌ„tre whiche was callid Phylitenê° ThenÌ„e loth accorded vnto the requeste of Appollo brought hym to fore phylitenê° aÌ„d thenÌ„e appollo made him the
possible to the helpe aÌ„d deliuere me from this mortal daunger WhaÌ„ appollo sawe the poure felaw in suche desolacioÌ„ the teeris fill dounÌ„ from his eyen for asmoche as the water boilled so aboute him he had grete pyte demaÌ„ded of him what eyled him so to crye wepe from wheÌ„s that water cam that so boilled aboute him axid syn where was zechius Alas aÌ„swerde the poure felawe which laboâ—rid lyuyng there to the deth in a dolour and payne inestimable Praye ye sire for zechius and for his felaws For I haue seeÌ„ alle one after an other dye in a mortell disâ—resse and so anguyssâ—ousâ—y that vnnethe that is creature lyuyng that coude veâ—ayly acompte and telle hit to yow THan appollo herde speke of the deth of zechius and his felaws he was so sorofull that he wist not what to doo but aÌ„swerde to the poure felaw and saide by grete admiracioÌ„ how maye that be fayr sire for j sawe right now zechius and all his felaws that were with hiÌ„ whaÌ„ they toke loÌ„de iÌ„ colchos in descendyng from the shippe alâ—s â—ere sire answerde the felawe hyt is well Reson that j recompte telle yon the trouth verite of the manere of this cruel auenture Certes sire hit is veray trouth that incontinent that zechius we other entrid into they le we apperceyuyd from ferre in a passing fayr medowe a lyuyng beste fedyng all offyn goolde And was as grete as an hors of the facoÌ„n fourme of a sheep or motoÌ„ ThenÌ„e we ê¯cluded to geder with one wyll that we wolde haue takeÌ„ hiÌ„ thenÌ„e we wente forth supposed to haue taken hit by force or other wise And for to so doo we marched thedward to oure euyll helthe for anonÌ„ after right sodaynly sprang out of a temple the most fair and the moost riche that I euer sawe a moche meruayllous dragonÌ„ and ferdfull with thre tonges casting fyre flambe wyth smoke out of his throte fortwith incontinent sprang also out of hooles in the erthe two moche horryble booles hauyng legges aÌ„d feet all of coper their hornes were grete and sharp theyr eyeÌ„ gretter more reed thaÌ„ boylliÌ„g coper or metal the whiche thre bestes so dredefull disgorged caste out fyre of their throtes venyn vpon vs in suche facoÌ„n that Zechius alle the other deyde there in suche paynÌ„ dolour that was neuer lyke therto recorded aÌ„d of vs xxx felaws ther is none escaped except my self whiche was laste ferthest behiÌ„de for whaÌ„ j apê‘ceyuyd themes chief so grete spntme to fâ—ight but I coude not so fast fsee but that the terrible dragonÌ„ cast vpoÌ„ me a gobet of the moste detestable infectioÌ„ that euer was the whicâ— doth me somoche paynÌ„ meschief aÌ„d holdeth me in suche a brennyng in alle my body that j muste nedes take bi dolonrouse deth the eÌ„de of this worlde wherfore j requyre you that ye goo no ner Colchos ¶ With this wordes the doloroê° maÌ„ finysshed his dayes in anguisthe aÌ„d payne and the sowle deê‘ted froÌ„ the bodi in the psece of appollo the whiche for this cause demened the grettest most terrible sorou that might be and with that roose the winde bi grete sodayne pyries that cam from the west whiche tormented the see and meuyd hit meruaillousâ—y and after this apperid in the ayer grete lightniÌ„ges of fire the which caÌ„ lauÌ„chiÌ„g bitwene the kiÌ„g appollo Ê’ethe phiê° the other beâ—g iÌ„ the ship ther was nonÌ„ of theÌ„ so assured but with the wiÌ„de the iÌ„petuouse lightnyng they were beteÌ„ doune vnto the botoÌ„ of the ship in suche wise they were sinetonÌ„ with the lightniÌ„g tournieÌ„s and with the orage of haylle stones that appollo hiÌ„ self knewe not a grete while if euer he sholde escape this dauÌ„ger or no For aboute heÌ„ they sawe no more thaÌ„ meÌ„ doo in a wiÌ„tres night at midnight whaÌ„ hit rayneth NotwithstaÌ„ding during this tempeste derkenes the good king appollo herde a voys sayd to him â— this manere not aloude But with a moderat voys in suche wyse as somme wel vnderstode hit Appollo the god Mars comÌ„andetâ— the that thou retourne incoutineÌ„t to thy cyte for zechius thy good freÌ„de is dede by his grete oultrage in this perillous I le his felaws iÌ„ like wise as it hatâ— beÌ„ late vs declared also all they that fro hens fortâ— put heâ— or descende in to this yle for to seche aneÌ„ture or other wyse shal neuer retorne agayn for asmoch as the goddes wil not that it be enhabïted vnto the tyme that a knight shaâ— desceÌ„de therin whicâ— shal coÌ„quere the noble moton or shepe of goolde by the meen of them that shall come of thy seed to whom thou shalt leue a bille wreton witâ— the hande of the god mars the whiche is now vnder thy hede teyneth froÌ„ point to poiÌ„t all the mysteries aÌ„d craft that he behouetâ— to obserue kepe for to obteyne come to thing of so hye recoÌ„meÌ„dacion that like therto hatâ— ben ne neuer shal be in the worlde vnto the ti me that the holy newe lawe shall come after that tyme long after the mistery of the fâ—ees of golde shall hyely be celebrerd halowed Wyth this the vois was still appollo on this that he had herde begaÌ„ to rise abasshid and esmayed of this werke And fouÌ„de vnder his hede the bille a fore said whiche he kepte â—oygneusâ—y aft he his felawship retorned vnto the cyte for the tyme the grete storme was incontinent gonÌ„ and dryuen away in the ayer vanisshed and thenÌ„e assone as he and his peple were arryued at the poort and out of the ship forthÌ„ with the weder begaÌ„ to chauÌ„ge and begaÌ„ to snowe to rayne to blowe make one so terrible a storme teÌ„peste that by force of the out ragyoê° orage the arke in the â–ª whiche appollo aÌ„d all his coÌ„paniâ— cam into that yle that they inhabited and also al the shippis aÌ„d other bootes that they had made meuyd theÌ„ to geder â— such wise that the cables and cordes that helde theÌ„ al to the porte al to brak aÌ„d the said vaissels ships were blowen vnto the perilloê° yle of colchos by so meruailous a furour that they were al to smyten in pieces brokeÌ„ in suche maner that the bordes of the bootes other pieces withoute noÌ„bre fâ—oted here there in the see thus bi this waye they were all lost and spent of the whiche aueÌ„ture all they that were thenÌ„ at the porte beholdiÌ„g were sore esbayed not without cause for neuer to fore was seeÌ„ so meruaillous a teÌ„peste thought wel that it wente not wel sayde one to that other that theyr goddes were angry witâ— them whaÌ„ suche tempest caÌ„ to theÌ„ ther to their grete domÌ„age and preiudice ¶ How the knight zethephius conspired ayenst Appollo
medea at souper She behelde ofte times jason whaÌ„ she sawe her time it anoyed her moche that she myght not speke to hiÌ„ pryuely What shal â— saye more for whaÌ„ the king the grekes had right wel take her refectioÌ„ the tables were take vp after the grekes were brought into diuers chaÌ„bres among all other Iason was loged nigh by the fayre medea for ther was nomore betwene but a lytil aleye froÌ„ her chaÌ„bre to his bi whiche jasoÌ„ weÌ„t afterward ofte tymes vnto medea ¶ Whan thenÌ„e jason was withdraweÌ„ into his chaÌ„bre aÌ„d that he was allone with mopsiê° he begaÌ„ to deuise with him saydâ— Mopsiê° fayr sire what saye ye of myn eÌ„terpryse of Colchos By my lawe sire sayd mopsiê° I see no way ne knowe none other thing but matere of dolour aÌ„d sorowe for euery maÌ„ of this hoê° iugeth you ded if ye go in this perilloê° yle of colchos where ther beÌ„ so drede ful terrible bestes as it hath beÌ„ said to you NotwithstaÌ„diÌ„g aÌ„suerde jasoÌ„ it behoueth that â— acâ—te myn auowe Certes sire said mopsiê° hit is nowe no nede for to go ony further if it plese you be wel â—ceiled ye ought to be coÌ„teÌ„t without goyng ony ferther for as it is sayd coÌ„mnnly hit is better to leue folye thenÌ„e to mayntene folye Ha a fayre sire Mopsius fayde Iason If â— do not my power to parâ—orâ—â—e that I haue ê“mised auowed I sholde vse al my lyf after in reproche Certes yet had iÌ„ leuer finisshe my dayes honourably And knowe ye verily that syn I am come thus ferre abydyng the grace of the goddes I shal parsorme myn enterpryse shal abide the auenture Syre sayd Mopsius ye shal do that ye good seme but ye vnderstande not well your caas for knowe ye that it is a certayn that peleus your vncle hath sent you hether cautelously for to enterprise achieue this auâ—ture to th ende that he might obteyne your Royaume therfore ye may retorne from hens in to grece without more further enterpryse ye shall gete therby no reproehe â–ª but ye shal be holdeÌ„ for myse for he is discrete that can fse from hys mysaneÌ„ture kepe him from domÌ„age ¶ In verite Mopsius fayr sire answerde theeÌ„e jason I ne may not adiouste fayth to al that ye haue to me now said And for so moch knowe ye for certayn that for partâ— of deth or daunger that may befall aÌ„d come to me I shal not deê‘te me but that I shal furnissh myn auowe therfor if it so happeâ— that I dye in this perillous I le I requyre you to recoÌ„maÌ„de me vnto the good gÌ„ce of the fayr Mirro WhaÌ„ Mopsins had vnderstand that sayd is he began sore to wepe And jason leyde him dounÌ„ in his bedde aÌ„d synÌ„chauÌ„ged purpoos aÌ„d began to deuyse of the good chiere that the kiÌ„g Oetes Medea had made to him In recoÌ„manding aboue all other thinges the grete beaute and the fair contenauÌ„ce of Meden And in continuyng this purpos he fyll a ssepe The fayr Medea was at this tyme at the dore of the chambre of Iason herde alle â–ª the deuyses of Iason of mopsiê° as she that was esprysed of the loue of the gentyll prince of grece that in no wyse she might vaynquisshe her corage And also loÌ„g as their deuises dured so long stode she at the dore herkenyng And whan they cessed theyr purpoos she retorned into her chaÌ„bre where was but one auncient lady her gardyenÌ„e or maystresse which was tho a ssepe thenÌ„e the noble mayde Medea weÌ„te and leyde her in her bedde full of thoughtes imaginacioÌ„s that whaÌ„ she wolde haue slepte she coude not For asmoch as so many thoughtes ymaginacions assaylled her on all parties by suche facoÌ„n that she tourned her often in yelding many asyghe aÌ„d thenÌ„e by forse of a meruayllous enbrasing of loue she began to saye softly to her self Alas myn eyen iÌ„ what labour haue ye putte me certes ye be the cause none other that I am not she that was wonte to be For ye haue enuoluped myn hert with an ardant fyre of ameroê° desire Ha a what shall be falle or what shall j mowe doo beyng in this paine aÌ„d sorowe Certes I can saye no more but of verray necessite j yelde me all in the subiection of loue in his seruitude shal j be subgette hit is force and werfore for asmoch as j am smytenÌ„ to the herte wyth the grete beaute of Iason the bruyt of alle the worlde and to my iugemeÌ„t the glorie of grece O meruailloê° dart where with I fele me smytenÌ„ to the herte Certes myn eyen ye ben the cause which displeseth me And for what resoÌ„ for asmoche as ye be coulpable of this folye how be it hit is no folie Hit is j beleue hit not hit must be beleuid for hyt is grete folye to desire thing that can be gotenÌ„ j knowe verayli that Iason is so more enamoured of a lady in his couÌ„trey And furthermore his courage is garnisshid of agrete meruailloê° ê¯stauÌ„ce ThenÌ„ may it be sayd that I maye not enioye him by coÌ„sequeÌ„t I maye ê¯clude that myn eyeÌ„ haue eÌ„clined submised me vnto an ouer grete folye Ha a myn eyenÌ„ why replye not ye to this argumeÌ„t see not ye that j doo no thing but thinke for the geÌ„til aÌ„d noble Iason theÌ„keth nomore on me thenÌ„e on her that he neuer sawe Ha a in what jeopardye staÌ„de I in For I may not requyre jason of loue for that shold redouÌ„de in me grete blame I sholde go agayn the honour of loue And thenÌ„ muste hit nedes be that I bleue in alle my folye also I muste doubte hit for two resoÌ„s The first is for I shold be deffamed vnto the ende of the worlde If hit happend me to requyre thys knyght of loue And the seconde reson is alle euydent For Iason withoute coÌ„tradictyon goth into the yle of Colchos there where he shal be anonÌ„ deuowred of the terrible bestes Ha a what sorowe and dommage shall that be if suche a prince sholde perisshe by suche manere for he is the choseÌ„ of all nature the choyse of nobles and the flour of worship j haue herde his resons he had leuer dye honourably iÌ„ accoÌ„plisshiÌ„g his auowe thenÌ„ to retorne with reste to grece ha a what noble exelleÌ„t corage o how happy ewroê° shold j be nygh to grete felicite jf j might be callid bi hiÌ„ vnto his loue that might he do ye as me thinketh how for to tech lerne hi the jndustrie admynistre to hiÌ„ the maner for to ê¯qÌ„re the noble fles of golde I haue alle thinges ê“pices for to brige this coÌ„quest to an ende jf I wyste that he wolde take me to his wyfe j sholde deliuere them to him with the better will gre of myn herte what shall j doo Alas j wote neuer
that j mighte in ony maner be repreheÌ„ded or reproched Incontinent as medea vnderâ—tood the hye wyll of jason she was moch ioyod neuertheles she fayned to be dolente sorowfull and of fait she reâ—red Hercules that he wolde shewe to hi the grete paril that he wolde put him in but hercules ansuerde to her that he wolde rather couÌ„ceile jason to do it thenÌ„e to leue it For if jason fayled to furnisshe this emprise that he him self wold take it on hoÌ„de to brâ—ge hit to ende Neuertheles sai de thenÌ„e Medea if IasoÌ„ beleued my counceyll he sholde go no ferther aÌ„d I shal saye to him suche reson aparte And whan she sawe that they were so fer froÌ„ the other that they myght not vnderstonde what she sayde she sayde to him in this wyse In verite right noble knight â–ª hitâ—ehoueth that pitye of a woman â—ust 〈◊〉 eâ—cused by your gâ—tâ—nesse j haue pite of you and of your grete beaute â—d certes nature hath enclyned me ther to trustyng if I do ony thing for yow ye wil knowe it The houre is come that hit behoueth that I doo appere to youre eyen the secrete not only of my herte but also that same by the whiche ye shal obteyne come aboue to breÌ„ge to ende your meruaylloê° enterpryse to your grete glory honour recoÌ„meÌ„dacion by the helpe of the goddes And for asmoche as yf I declare to you by grete loue thiÌ„ges that beÌ„ hyghe grete yf ye will further knowe of them it is of necessite that ye swere to me to kepe it secrete aboue alle other thiÌ„ges of the worl de â–ª Madame aÌ„suerde thenÌ„e jason j am a poure trewe knightsent vnto the se moÌ„stres certes hit hath plesid you to do me more honour thenÌ„e euer it shal lye in my power to deserue neuertheles whan your pyetous herte wylle eÌ„clyne vnto my pouerte j swere to you by the names of all the goddes that men worshipe that if ye declare to me ony thing that as loÌ„g as j shal lyue it shal not deptâ— from my mouth By my lawe sir knyght ansuerde Medea I haue grete ê¯fidence in your noblesse wherfore I am resolewed for to discouuer to yow the secrete of the goddes after that lyeth on my herte which if it be notâ—â—g on yow it shal redouÌ„de to your grete honour prouffit Madame aÌ„suerde Iason it shal not holde on me if ye knowe ony thing propice to my whorship I me sâ—bmitte in all vnto your ryght noble grace Haa noble knight saide thenÌ„e medea I may no lenger faine myâ—eyen haue beholdeÌ„ your grete beaute ye ben aâ— the desir of myn herte where ther werketh loue so perfondly that j haue grete pyte of yow in suche wyse that if ye will promyse me to be my trew husbonde brenge me into your couÌ„tre after your vowe enterpryse brought to an ende I shall promyse yow also shewe howe ye shal mowe coÌ„quere the motonÌ„ or fâ—ees of gold without daunger of your body in suche wyse as ye shal retorne hole and sauf to your glorie and honoure To the whiche no mortall man may come but if it be bi a secrete manere comyng from the goddes The whyche not long syn was deliuerid to me by my moder wherfor I pray yow that ye wiâ—â—â—ue regarde to myn offre abadonÌ„ed â— also to your helthe Whan jason had vnderstande medea thus speke he began to frowne â— him self sighing wyth an heuy herte answerde Madame ye constrayne me to be beholdeÌ„ more to you thenÌ„ to ony creature lyuyng aÌ„d I can not conceyue from whens this ewr cometh whan I fele me thus fallen in your grace aÌ„d I wolde it plesid the goddes that I were digne worthy therto that I neuer had made vowe to lady in the worlde Certes fair sire sayde medea me â—emeth that your herthath atteyned the mercy of som lady haue ye ensured wedded her Madame answerde jasoÌ„ j certefye yow nay but I haue sette my loue in her so ê‘faitly thaâ—in no maner I may forgete her I haue ê“mised that j shal be heeris al my lyf ThenÌ„ saide Medea what som ever be ther of it is of necessite that ye leue put her in oubliaâ—ice that ye entende to complaire me â—f ye wille not receyue the deth for bâ—t if ye departe you fro your enterprise withoute myn ayde ther is no remedie And if I be cause of sauacioÌ„ of your lyf as to the regarde of me j wil enyoie you allone without ony other My dere lady aÌ„s werde thenÌ„ jason the poure abandoÌ„ned body is youris for to honoure serue you in al that in me shal be possible In good fayth fayr sire jason if ye wil gyue your self al â—ome I shall gyue my self to you in like wyse In verite jason answerde my ryght dere lady ye do to me right grete honour without deseruyng Certes sire jasoÌ„ aÌ„swerde the lady loue is cause of this we le and pyte hath coÌ„maÌ„ded me to do it the whiche cause me to renÌ„e iÌ„ so grete a shame as for to require you to be my lord but it semeth to pite that in fauour that j desire to saue youre lyf ye ought to excuse me Madame aÌ„suerde jason j shal neuer be so ewrous as to come jâ—stely vnto the goode gÌ„ce of one so noble lady as ye be wolde right well that hyt sholde mowe be but what shal become shal mowe saye she that â— haue gyueÌ„ my self to yf ye forsake her not on all ê‘tyes sayde thenÌ„ medea j may not helpe yow to do your coÌ„queste ne ssaue yo lyf therforÌ„ chese ye for j aÌ„ smyteÌ„ to the herte wy t your loue syn that â— must sayeal If I shold be cause of sauyng of your lyf thenÌ„ happend an other shold enyoye your ê‘sone it shold behoâ—e me to dye for sorow and therfore theÌ„ke ye what ye haue to do be ye aduised Wy t these wordes jason medea eÌ„trid into the gardyn of plaisaâ—ice in whiche was sette the temple of venê° ã€ˆâ—Šã€‰ such wyse adâ—iâ—oÌ„ned sette about wy t fâ—oures wyth delicioê° werkes that hyt semed a veray paradyâ— terrestre Theâ—â—e hercules the other ladies daâ—â—oâ—selles approched vnto jason meden wherfore it behoued hem to leue â—esse their ê‘laine â— to behold the plaisaâ—ice that the delices of that place of fâ—oures al the facoÌ„ns of vignes trees hyly ê¯dâ—yted bi conpas ¶ Whan the greky ssâ—â— knightes had seeÌ„ â—â—cyued the beaute of this place they had therof grete meruaile were moch esbayed after they entred into the teÌ„ple aÌ„d there made their oroisoâ—â—s syn behelde the composition ordoÌ„naÌ„ces of the ymages that repÌ„sented the amorous peple al aboute the goddesse venê° and whaÌ„ they had loÌ„ge seeÌ„ beholdeÌ„ all meda toke leue of jasoÌ„ said that she wold abide a lityl while
thenÌ„e jason deê‘ted fro the temple retorned wyth the grekes vnto the palays the fayr medea abode in the temple moch pensif in grete â—ayne â— somoch that after the departing of the grekes she knelid doun huÌ„bli tofore the repÌ„sentacion of venê° said in this maner Ryght soueraine goddesse of louers whiche holdest alle the faytes of nature in thy domynacion seignourie I yelde me vnto thy good mercy ha a where may â— be come for to haue goode couÌ„ceylle j haue requyred the noble knight jason of loue or atte lest j haue reueled shewid to him the secrete of myn herte aÌ„d of my thought with that I haue offryd to saye to him aÌ„d declare the secrete of the goddes haue I donÌ„ euyl I wote neuer but atte lest I apê‘ceyue clerely that I haue my self to him abandonned gyâ—en Haa what shame is this ye verayli and more if he daigneth not to here me but if I may do somoche that he accord vnto my will this shal be to me the most gretest glorie that may come to ony woman of a noble hoê° ha a hygh goddes couÌ„ceylle me enseigne tech me put your helpe to this werk to your â—cell it is now time or neuer After this orisoâ—i abode there the fair medea as al rauisshed was so loÌ„g ther til the ladi thather had in garde caÌ„ to her said that she taried and made her praiers to long and that hit was tyme to retorne to the palays ThenÌ„e aroos medea froÌ„ her contemplacyon alle esprysed of loue as her visage shewid it plainly reforned hom ward And whaÌ„ she was comen to the palais she founde that the king abode her for to goo to dyner but she gaf the king to vnderstonde that she was not wel dispesed and so the king sette him at the table with jason the noble hercules theseus and Caliope the seconde doughter Medea went vnto her chaÌ„bre many ladyes aÌ„d damoiselles folowed her how wel she made hem all deê‘te aÌ„d go out of the chambre reteyned nonÌ„ with her reseruid the lady that had the conduyte and charge of her the whiche was ryght sore abassâ—id of the maintene of Medea Wherfore incontinent as al the women were withdrawen she cam to her sayde thus My dere doughter I haue grete meruaille from whens thys maladye is comen to yow In goode faith aÌ„swerde medea fair moder it nedeth nothing to you to meruayle For ther is no creature what that ever they be but that they must be subgeâ— to receyue the maladies skeâ—es whaÌ„n they come whaÌ„ the godd fortune will send theÌ„ Your resonÌ„ is good sayde thenÌ„ the lady but whan the maladyes ben comeÌ„ it behoueth to seche remedie assone as is possible therfore telle ye to me your necessite where the sekeâ—es holdeth greueth you and j shal aduertise the medicine or phisicien that he shal pourueye for remedie A ha fair moder said Medea Late me in peeâ— It must nedes be that ye telle me â—swerde the lady It is auenture saide medea Wherfore said the lady For asmoche as myn infirmite is ouer secrete for somoch I dar not discouere it A ha my dete lady sayd thenÌ„ I suppose that hit ben amourettis that thus trauaylle yow aÌ„d I am in doubte that theâ—â—eaute the noble vertues of jason ben cause berof for j see you all in other maners thenÌ„ ye were wont to be and if it be so telle hit to me hardyly for ye be the creature aboue alle other of the world that I loue best I haue vnto this tyme the best wyse I coud gouerned aÌ„dnourisshid you for so moch me semeth that ye sholde hyde no thiÌ„g from me aÌ„d if ye be ony thing smyten wy t the dart of loue discouere it vnto me that shal be vnto your herte grete alegement for euery ê‘sone amorous passeth his payne grief lightly whan she findeth to whoÌ„ she may opeÌ„ herte and deuise clerely My fayr moder sayde thenÌ„e medea I see well that it behoueth that ye kno wt alle myn af fayre Certes verily I amourouse of jason somoche that I sholde jeoê‘de my lyf for him and in dede I haue requyred hym that he take me to hys wyf j shall deliuere to him the industrie and teche him hou he shall winne the â—sces of golde also adauÌ„te the ferdful bestes of the yle of Colchos ¶ WhaÌ„ the lady had vnderstaÌ„d this that sayde is she began to wepe tenderly sayng Ha a dere doughter what haue ye donÌ„ I am all dishonoured by you whaÌ„ ye go prayng the straÌ„ge knightes of loue Haa what outrage Certes they shal mocâ— you and if it be knowen ye shal neuer be honoured ne called as ye tofore haue beÌ„ Knowe ye fair moder aÌ„swerde thenÌ„ medea that I haue not donÌ„ so yll as ye wene aÌ„d if I haue required the noble knyght jason of loue hit shal reputed to me vertu aÌ„d not shame ne dishonour for pyte hath â—strayned me so to do for asmoch as hit is in me to saue his lyf to make hiÌ„ retorne with glorie and victorye of his enterpryse for so moch knowe ye that thenÌ„e whan j haue seeÌ„ so fair so wel adressid knight that his lyke shal not be seen in a. M. yere I haue had pyte of hym aÌ„d aboue this loue hath made me enterprise that I haue requyred hym coÌ„sidered many thiÌ„ges that he wolde neuer haue required me and j haue made to hym a promesse which I wil holde entretiene if he wil ensure me that I shal be hys wyf for j haue here wythin by wryting the maner how the goddes will that the motonÌ„ or shepe of golde shal be conquerd wherfore I requyre and praye yow that ye councele me and helpe that by your conÌ„yng conduyte I might gete aÌ„d draw him to my loue that ye wolde do somoch for the loue of me that he haue no souenauÌ„ce of ony other la dy in the worlde saue only on me for it is force that it so be or ellis he be dede perisshed in the yle of colchos where he hath auowed to go finisshe th ende of the right perilloê° aueÌ„ture of the motonÌ„ or flees of goolde And finably that in be wailing and be wepyng his deth j be homycide of him and of my self ThenÌ„e the lady seeyng medea to be in this point behelde sawe how she was of a meruaillous grete corage and yet she thought that ther might come harme of if the maide accomplisshid not partye of her desire and syn brought to her remeÌ„branÌ„ce that she might bringe jason to ê¯quere the motonÌ„ or flees of golde aÌ„d whan she hadde put al thise thiÌ„ges in a balanÌ„ce and fiched in her engyn she began to reconforte medea and in dede ê“mised her that she sholde so doo that without other moyen she shold enioye the
heed cam ryght fiersly and recouÌ„tred jasoÌ„ wy t alle his pesaunteur and might in suche a facoÌ„n that jasoÌ„ was beteÌ„ dounÌ„ to the grounde And the dragonÌ„ passed ouer him But thenÌ„e the preu jason toke his swerd and roof into the pauÌ„che of the dragonÌ„ vp to the crosse smote hiÌ„ to the herte the dragoÌ„ feling that he was smyteÌ„ to the deth began to reÌ„ne with the swerde of jason in hys body wenyng to hyde hiÌ„ selfe in his cauerne But his lyf deê‘ted out of the body euen as he shold haue entrid into the teÌ„ple And there he ouerthrewe alle to stracched aÌ„d fowlid of his blood and of his humeurs fulle of venyn jn suche wyse as hit semed that hit had ben a sourse or a sprynge rennyng oute of hys body leÌ„ger thenÌ„ a grete houre IncontineÌ„t that jason was releued that he apê‘ceyued the dragonÌ„ reuersed and dede at thenthre of the temple wyth an herte recomforted he weÌ„te theder drew out his swerde of his body putte hiÌ„ agyn in his shethe or skabarde thenÌ„e he wente seased the boles by the hornes and yoked them iÌ„ a plowe that ther was by and made them to ere foure mesures of londe enclosing their eyenÌ„ And thenÌ„e whan he had so donÌ„ he retourned to the dragonÌ„ aÌ„d esrachd oute of hys hede xij teth after that he sowed them in the erthe that he plowed that donÌ„ he dide the boles do harowe hit And thenÌ„e the boles fyll dounÌ„ to the erthe loste the spyryte of lyf and owt of the londe that jasoÌ„ had so wenÌ„ with the teth of the dragonÌ„ grewe and sprang vp in an instant xij geaÌ„ts of a terryble maintene the which were al armed after the maner of that tyme And assone as they were comen out of the erthe drewe their swerdes without delayng cam supposed to haue smyteÌ„ vpon jason but Iason toke the cendres or asshes pure that he had kept of hys sacrefice cast it into the ayer thenÌ„ sodainly to same xij geaÌ„ts assailed that one that other by suche asprete aÌ„d sharpenesse that in a litill while eche slew other wherof jason was ryghtyoyous reÌ„drid thaÌ„kinges louynges to the goddes Whan these xij geants had slayn eche other as I haue reherced vnto you Iason drewe owt his swerd whiche was yet alle blody and cam to the ryche motoÌ„ or shepe whom he founde in the right noble medewe toke him by the hornes aÌ„d brought him into the temple to fore the awter of the god Mars And there he slew hym wyth moche grete payne and syn flew him and toke the flees that â—â—â—d the wolle all of fyn golde seyd 〈◊〉 a parte And the body he dispieced by membres and bare it vp on an awter which stode without the teÌ„ple put therto largely strawe drye wode whaÌ„ he had donÌ„ this he toke fyre at a lampe brennyng to fore the representacioÌ„ of god mars And syn knelid doun on hys knees on the erthe by deuocioÌ„ to fore the ydole sayng the oroisonÌ„ to fore wretoÌ„ After the contenu wherof he thanked the god Mars aÌ„d recommaÌ„ded him moch into his grace After this he put fyre into the sacrefice whiche anone was consumed tourned in to cendres or asshes This done he putte hiÌ„self to prayer after he toke the three tonges of the meruayllous terryble dragonÌ„ two of the feet of the boles which were of metal of laton and two of their hornes which were of yronÌ„ and enuolupped and wrapped it alle in the flees of golde whiche he charged leyde it on his sholdres And afterward he retorned vnto the ryuage of the see where his maister maroÌ„ner named Argos whiche had guided his boot ouer the braas or arme of the see as fayd ys hadd abyden ther in moche grete double Argos the good shipmanÌ„ was sore abasshid of that that jason was so long there er he retorned to hym aÌ„d thought for tabyde no lenger for he had seen the fyre aÌ„d the fumee grete thikke lyft vp into ayer And also he had seen many euyll apparauces voyses and right strange bruyts for whiche causes he supposed that his maister jason had ben deuoured of the terrible bestes And began to wepe aÌ„d bewaile him right tenderli but incontinent whan he espyed the vailliaunt knyght Iason with the flees of gold on his neck his teres wepinges cessed For sorow crainte and doubte departed froÌ„ his her te and alle yoye aduirouned him in suche maner that smyling he knelid dounÌ„ on his knee to fore him said Syre knight myrrour of alle vailliaunce and of alle enterprise ye be right well tourned Ha a what coÌ„solacion gladnes shal be in Myrmidone and with my lord your fader Men haue murmured vpoÌ„ peleus your vncle and euery maÌ„ saide that he had seÌ„te you hether for to be quite of you thinking that ye sholde neuer haue retorned but to that I can apperceyue he desireth aboue alle other thing your glorie and honour Certes argos fair sire answerd thenÌ„ sason Fortune hath so moche ayde holpeÌ„ me that â–ª I am retorned hoole of body and of membres fro the most terrible daungerous mortall parill that euer shall befalle and come vpon the erthe during the worlde wherof I yelde louinges thankinges vnto the goo Mars principally but now 〈◊〉 vs thinke to retorne vnto our felawes For hit is more thenÌ„e tyme to ete ¶ With these wâ—â—des the good shipman began to ro we wyth afraÌ„k corage And the grekes that were staÌ„dyng vpon the ryuage of the see began thenÌ„e a grete stryf For somme saide that Iason was reentred in to â—he barque that they had seen the resplendisshour of the noble flees of golde which was with grete payne â—â—â—â—le â–ª for asmoche as from this riuage vnto the yle of colchos was iiij goodâ—â—nyles and the other sayd that jason was long agonÌ„ dede that he sholde neuer be seeÌ„ But thus as eche man was susteyning his argument sherwy t was the boote seenÌ„ approchyng moche radely the ryuage and was aboute amyle nygh to the porthe Iason toke his flees lyfte it vp alytyl in the ayer ye as hyghe as he mighte aÌ„d helde hit so hye that they that were at the ryuage and on the walles of the cyte beheld hyt aÌ„d apperceyued hit and shewed hyt one to an other by grete admyracion aÌ„d wondre Many therwere that demened grete ioye and thanked the goddes wy â— good herte whan they had ê‘ceyued the noble and the ryche flees wherof the preu jasoÌ„ made the mustre fro ferte and som ranne for to gadre of the grene herbes and verdure for to caste along on the waye where as jasoÌ„ sholde passe for to goo to the palays sayng to euery man that they were certayn of his retournyng aÌ„d that alle honour ought to be mad to him for one so noble gloriouse
goddes shall doo me be presented tofore him thenÌ„e by thys myne epistle he shal knowe of what excellent loue corage I haue loued hym Many ladyes and damoyselles were in the companye of ysiphile theuÌ„e whan she hadde 〈…〉 wayled her dere loue jason And also the ê¯clusioÌ„ as she that was desperate sholde lepe springe into the see Alle they begaÌ„ to demene grete sorow meruaillously and not withoute cause Somme there were that were jnly sorowful that they coude not speke o worde Other were there drowned in teeris that enforced hem to reconforte her and for to lette aÌ„d distourne her fro this dampnable wyll but that was for nought â–ª for they loste her payne for asmoche as ysiphile wrote herepisile whiche she wrapped iÌ„ a cered cloth and syn sewed hit vnto her roke of cloth of goold whiche she clad her with and whan she had so doo she toke her crowne and sette hit on her hede fermely and after toke her sceptre And thenÌ„ whaÌ„ she had donÌ„ alle this she cam to her sone and kissed him many times recoÌ„manded him vnto the ladyes damoiselles And laste whan she had taken leue of alle the womenÌ„ she deê‘ted froÌ„ leÌ„nos the Cite wepyng tenderly toke wyth her one of her damoyselles by whoÌ„ where knowen afterward alle her bewailinges lamentacions and alle her maners that she held to fore she caste her self into the see THan she was comen nygh vnto the see she approched vnto an hye roche to whoÌ„ the see touched beneth a ferre lowe dounÌ„ she began to beholde a lowe aÌ„d se the see And after she stracched her self on the erthe in beholding the heuen and the see and sayde Veray god lord of the see of windes of tourbillons and of fortunes of raynes and of teÌ„pestes ye brought into this countree and into thys place the tyght parfayt knight in beaute in vayllyaunce and in alle vertues Iason and after ye sente him in to the yle of Colchos and consequently ye haue she wid me from ferre his ship and â—yn ye haue drowned hym or atleste lad hym into another couÌ„tre And whan it iâ— so that I may by no waye haue none other thyng of hym I yow requyre that ye wille make my sepulture by him if he haue made the passage out of this worlde and if he be on lyue that ye will conduite me into his presence for hit must nedes be and other thing j demande not of yow And whan the desolate quene Isiphile had sayd thise wordes she retorned her vnto the Cyte and sayd in thys maner al on hyghe and clere voys ADyeu my dere childe adyeu Lennos the noble cite adieu ladyes and damoiselles aÌ„d syn she retorned her vnto the see aÌ„d cryeng Iason Iason She spraÌ„g fro the sommet or toppe of the roche into the hyghe see And there drowned her self in sorow wherof was grete pyte But her fortune was such that on that same daye the see bare the body vnto the shippe of the noble preu jasoÌ„ abydyng yet inthe see in a rood where they were ancred for to reste ther that nyght At this oure whan the poure ysiphyle was caste ayenst the shippe Hercules and jason weÌ„te vppe on highe for to take the ayer ThenÌ„e they perceyued the desolate body so rychely arayed that the cloth of gold shone by the disgorgemeÌ„ts of the watre anon as they had seen this they called argos their mayster maronner aÌ„d shewed to him anouÌ„ argos callid som of his solke made them to fisshe and drawe out of the see and to bring into the ship that poure creature so rychely habylled wyth Royall atours â–ª and whaÌ„ she was drawen on hyghe alle they in the shippe weÌ„te vp for to see the body of this noble lady And Medea faylled not to come wyth the other for to be holde this pyte Certes the dede lady hadde her vysage swollen and pale that none in the ship knew her But at the comyng and for the presence of the olde woman she vâ—yed bloode by the conduyte of her mouth as hit hadd ben a lytyll rennyng water departing from a fontayne or a spring wherof alle they had grete meruaille ¶ whan Argos the goode maroÌ„ner sawe the meruaille he stouped dounÌ„ for to put vpon her roobe a clothe for to kepe it from the fowlyng of the blood that departed froÌ„ her mouth And as he put the cloth aboute her nek he apperceyued the cered cloth that kepte the water from the pistle that she had compiled wherfore for to know what it was he distached or rypte it of deliuerid hit to jason ThenÌ„ the knight receyued the cloth opende hit founde the episile aÌ„d disployed it aÌ„d as he red it and vnderstode the contenu of the same his bloode began to chaunge he waxe rede as a rose and after becaÌ„ pale dede as asshes and syn begaÌ„ to wepe to demene a sorowe moche aygre and sharp Certes the fayre medea Hercules Theseê° and the other knightes of gerce were sore abasâ—â—â—d so were argos the maroÌ„ners whaÌ„ they apperceyued that jason demened so grete adueil sorow ThenÌ„e it was demanded from whens this sorow cam what tidinges he fouÌ„de had by the contenu of the lettre but it was for nought For he might not speke ner aÌ„swere his herte was so closed strained wy t anguissh aÌ„d sorow notwihstaÌ„dyng whaÌ„ he had redd it and seen the coÌ„tenâ— of the pistle He deliuerid it to medea aÌ„d the coÌ„teynyng therof was thys that foloweth Iason Iason the chosen of grece in prowesse in beaute and in vertues where art thow And whan shalle thou holde thy promesse vnto her that alwaye hath her eyen planted on the see after the desiring to see agayn the body bytamorouse desires and by moo bewaylynges than the heuen conteyneth sterres A ha my dere loue hast thou put in no recchig ner no challoyâ— the promesse that thou me madest at that tyme whan thou wentest to Colchos knowest not thou well that euery man of noble name or vocacion is holden and bounden to paye and holde hys promesse vpon payne of reproche thou hast promised to me the daye of thy promesse is passed Thou acauytest the not O so greuous a shame large reproch ye if thou haue not lauful â—xâ—nâ—acyon Syn the daye of thy ê“messe exspired I neuer entrid into hoê° for to take plaisir ne to couer me to be drie I haue not leyd on bed to take my reste I haue not seten a table for to ete Ne j haue not ben in pÌ„toire for to iuge the causes of my wo menÌ„ but I haue the space of xl dayes awayted vpon a roche where I was whan thou entredest into my royaume And that famyne â—strained the to take londe There haue I holde me daye aÌ„d nyght in the raynÌ„ in the winde in the colde of the mone and in the heete of the sonne In fastinges in
had made the reuereÌ„ce vnto the king his fader and to the other nobles he declared alle playnly in the halle that he had neuer comen to the chief of thys conqueste ne had ben the counceylle the ayde and adresse of Medea whiche was there preseÌ„t therfore said he j haue renoÌ„ced the loue of my lady Mirro and haue ê“mysed to this lady that she shal be my wyf and my felaw and thus I will espouse and wed her at the thirde day wherfore I pray alle noble men and other ladyes and damoiselles that eche persone do to her honour as it apperteyneth to do vnto a noble lady ¶ whan Peleus had vnderstandeÌ„ that the fayr Medea had ben cause that Iason was comen â–ª to the aboue of his enterpryse without dauÌ„ger of deth that withoute the ayde of her he had ben deuoured he chaÌ„ged colour becam alle dede aÌ„d as wel aduised saide nought therto but alwai for to holde jason in loue he sayde to hiÌ„ that he wolde take the charge for to make the fest aÌ„d furthermore he wold seÌ„de for to pray his parentis frendes for to be therat Among thise thinges the preu jason sente Theseus Mopsius vnto the poorte of deseire charched them expressely that they sholde go burie wyth alle solempnite aÌ„d reuerence the body of the noble quene Isiphile The twoo knightes went with good herte aÌ„d acquyted them of thys charge For tabregge the historie Cypriane hadde in garde the fayr medea vnto the daye that jason had sette for tespouse Castor polux Nestor with many ryche Dukes came thenÌ„e to pintaquo what shall I make long reher saille jason espoused the fayr medea after the lawe that tyme vsed in grece wyth moche grete honour reuerence As in any wyse to hym was possyble a dounÌ„ ¶ For he dide to her asmoch grete honour as lady might receyue The feste was noble and fayr and hit was full and plenteuously seruyd of alle thinges But of the metes and entremetes wyth how many course how many disshes at euery cours there were seruid I wille make no mencyon at this tyme. But thus moche wille I saye that Peleus Cypriane and her doughters made right grete poâ—pes And peleus ordeyned this feste suÌ„ptuous and costlewe of ryche metes and beuurages or driÌ„kes The daye passed and the feste in daunces carolles esâ—atements The euen cam and after the night that Iason medea laye to geder Alway thys feste endured xv dayes hole duryng this feste the noble aÌ„d ryche slees of golde was ordynantly hanged vp in the halle in the sighte of all the worlde and there myght come euery maÌ„ that wolde to beholde hit bi grete admyracioÌ„ And ther cam peple so ferre nigh in suche multitude that hit semed a veray ê‘cession for whyche cause Iason was meruayllously renommed in many a couÌ„tree for his hyghÌ„ vasselage for this so glorioê° conqueste AT th ende of .xv. dayes aÌ„d of the hye solempnite of these espousaylles as the noble prynces BaronÌ„s aÌ„d noble men were vpon the poynt for to retonre to theire conÌ„trees Iason and hercules assembled them and there recouÌ„ted to them the rudesse that the king LaomedonÌ„ hadde donÌ„ to Iason and to the knightes of thys coÌ„panye in reffusing to them fresshe water vytaylle for their money For the whiche cause they had ben in daunger paril of deth ThenÌ„e the princes and varonÌ„s of grece heering the grete doleance of jason and Hercules ê‘mised prestly and swore that they wolde auenge this deffaulte and â—muâ—ie They were aspre hoot and hasty iÌ„ vengeaÌ„ce And after these couenauÌ„tes thê° made they gaf charge to Argos to make aÌ„d sette vp an honderd shippes of warre for to bringe fyfty thousand menÌ„ to fore Troye or atte lest fourty thousaÌ„d Argos that was well connyng in that werke enterprysed the charge promysed that wyth in thre yere alle thyse shyppes shold be redy to helpe hem And whaÌ„ they hadde take a conclusion vpoÌ„ all thise thinges aÌ„d that they had made to Medea alle the honour and reuerence of the world by space of tyme they departed alle thens and euery man retourned into his couÌ„tre leuyng Iason and the fayr Medea in their reste ê‘Eleus wente vnto Elsebee bare dueyll and ranconâ— in hys courage more thenÌ„e nede was for somochÌ„ as he sawe jason so triuÌ„phe aÌ„d that he knewe not how he myghte make him to deye And Iason whiche entended to nothing sauing to make his plaisir lete hym yet gouerne hys Royaume and so acquitte him in the dette of mariage ayenst the fayr medea in suche faoÌ„n that she conceyued of hym a ryght fayr sone whyche at th ende of ix moÌ„thes was deliuerid and was named jason after hys fader The king Getes fader of medea cam thenÌ„e to Pintapuo wyth a priue meyne litill coÌ„panye as he that loued Medea like as the fader loueth the childe And whan he vnderstode knew the grete honour that the preu jasoÌ„ had donÌ„ to her he was coÌ„tent wyth him with his doughter And withoute exploiting of ony other thing he retorned into his couÌ„tre moche yoyoê° And hit was not long after these thinges thus befalleÌ„ that the olde maistresse of medea departed out of this worlde and deyde But whan it cam vnto the article of dethÌ„ she taught Medea a grete part of the arte of nygromancye of many other sciences where in she was exê‘te And also she taughÌ„t her among other sciences and art and crafte for to make olde peple to become yong of the aage of .xxxij. yere But the lyf and destynee for to deye myght not be lengthid vnto suche ê‘sones by the vertu of the scieÌ„ce ne other wyse for asmoche as it is predestinqcion naturell ¶ How Medea chauÌ„ged the king Eson in to yong aage And of the deth of Peleus After the deth of the maistresse of the fayr Medea Iason demaÌ„ded Medea whaâ—… thoughte best to ddo She answerâ—e to him that she had lost grete felauship and priuaulte by the deth of her maistresse To whom the noble preu jason ansuerde and saide that ther was nothiÌ„g so certain for euery creature as the deth And that the goddes wolde take her soule After many dayes medea toke hede that amoÌ„g alle other sciences she had one for to make olde peple to become yong and specially men And syn she behelde also that the good king Eson was passing auncient and old for whiche cause she considered that she my t gete a grete loos an hye renoÌ„â—ice if she renewed his aage wherfore she called on a daye her lord jason saide to him that by her scieÌ„ces she coude do somoche that his fader the good kiÌ„g EsoÌ„ sholde recouure newe youth in suche wyse as he sholde seme non older but .xxxij. yere olde WhaÌ„ jason vnderstode this that said 〈◊〉 he meruaillously abasshid aÌ„d not without cause
thexperieÌ„ce of thys crast aÌ„d mistere Certes they had grete meruayll and not wythout cause for this was a werck that neuer was seen ne happend to fore And somochÌ„ preysed the wytte the connyng the vertues of the fayre medea that they yuged her to be inspired of the goddes ThenÌ„e the noble king Eson whan he fonde hymself in this estate he sente for the beste tailours aÌ„d makers of garnemeÌ„ts And dide do make for his body alle newe habillements after the facoÌ„n that the yonge men ware at that time after this he went and put him to the chaas or huÌ„ting aÌ„d to deduyt of fawcoÌ„ns and haukes to make esbatements festes daunces aÌ„d tournoyes ioustes and other plaies and for to shorte our mater he so conduised hiÌ„ self as a man made alle newe Hit was not long ofter that Peleus and alle the nobles of the countree other were aduertised herof Wher fore grete noÌ„bre of peple cam to pintaquo only for to see the kyng Eâ—on that was strongly enclyned to singe daunce and to do al yoyouse thinges And yet that more is he sawe gladly the fayre damoyselles and for to make short he held hiÌ„ selfe as a â—oÌ„g Prince that hadde no regarde saâ—â— only to make good chere and to passe the time yoyously ê‘ Eleus hys wyf Cypriane hys doughters cam vnto the king iÌ„ the renouellyte of this noble respyremâ—t Medea laye with Iason and coÌ„ceyued of him a right fayr sone of whoÌ„ she was deliuerid in good tyme. aÌ„d anone after the burth of this seconde sone Cypryane cam on a daye to the fayr medea required mocâ— instaÌ„tly that of her grace she wold make yong agayn Peleus whiche began strongly to wexe aÌ„d olde Certes the fayr medea was right yoyous whaÌ„ she saw her so required and thiÌ„king in her self that she wold be auenged of the disloyal peleus the whiche entended to haue made jason be ded â–ª She accorded to her this reqneste toke daye for to do hit And whaÌ„ the daye was comen Medea commanded to Cypriane that she shold make redy a moche noble baygne After she sente for to fecche peleus whycâ— was moche yoyous for so mocâ— as he supposed to become yong agayn lyke as he had ben tofore and thenÌ„e whan all was redy peleê° dispoylled him of his clothes entred in to the baygne Medea made hym to slepe there And whan he was a slepe she toke to his two doughteres to eche a swerde well trenchaunt in her handes and made hem to make on the body of peleus their fader moo thenÌ„e fyfty wouÌ„des mortall Sayng that they must nedes do so thenÌ„e whan peleus was a doubed and hurt aÌ„d that of his lyf was no remedie Medea awoke him aÌ„d sayd in this maner Ha a right vnhappy traittre thou sendest late jason into Colchos â–ª wenyng for to haue made him deye there without ony respyte wherfore thow hast deseruid the deth that shall be now this our inhumayn aÌ„d by the haÌ„des of thy ê‘pre doughters therwyth Medea departed from the chambre And peleê° thus myserably finisshed his lyf his dayes ¶ WhaÌ„ Cyprâ—ane his two doughtes were aduertised of thise tydiÌ„ges they escryed moche sorowfully aud in wepyng grete teeris in grete anguysshe drew out of the meruaillous baygne the poure body of peleus aÌ„d leyde hit a long vpon a table but Ci prâ—ane had the herte so strayte shette that she might not speke and not wythoute cause For assone as she hadde peleus vpon the table she fyll dounÌ„ reuerssed all a swoumne and thenÌ„e the doughters considering the grete meschief that was befall to theÌ„ toke the two swerdes yet alle blood with which they hadde put their fader to deth smote theÌ„ self to the hert in suche wyse that they fill dounÌ„ ded despaired vpoÌ„ the bodi of their soroufull moder whiche thenÌ„ reuiâ—ed out of her swouÌ„me A ha right pyetouâ— and dolorous caas Cypryane comâ— agayn to her self seyng in her pÌ„sence this meschief redoublement of sorow coude holde nonÌ„ other mayntene sauf for to crye wyth alle her puissaâ—ce also hye ferdfulli that the king Eson aÌ„d his sone beyng â—ot fer froâ—thens in a toure by the chambre were gretly affraid with thys crye And in especial whan they behelde first the body of peleus put vpon the table al enuironned with woundes Secondly whaÌ„ they sawe apê‘ceiued the ij yong damoiselles doughters of peleê° hauyng stiked in their bodies vnto theire hertes the swerd where wy t they were slayn thirdly seyng cypryane lyyng vpoÌ„ the pauiment her hert faylling cracching her face drawyng her here by grete asprete of sorowe The king Eson his sone jason seeyng thys that sayd is cam thenÌ„e vnto the lady iÌ„ approchyng releued her and leyde her on a bed that was there ThenÌ„e Iason began to doubte of Medea for asmoche as ofte tymes she had requyred him that he wolde put to deth peleus because he had sent hiÌ„ into the yle of colchos Whan thy had brought the lady on the bed Eson the noble king his so ne jason began to reconforte her the best wyse that they myght and wepyng tenderly they demanded her who had commysed this dolorous murdre ThenÌ„e the lady answerde witâ— moche grete payne that medea was culpable reherced to hem all the maner how she had made peleê° to deye by the handes of his two doughters â–ª how they seyng the shameful feet commysed by them were desperate slewe hem self iÌ„ grete sorow tellyng this her hert faylled The king entended to her Iason departed theÌ„s weÌ„t to medea whiche was in her chambre and saide to her a hadame wherto were yeevyr bornÌ„ into this worlde the merites of your benefetes ben grete aÌ„d digne of glorie but your ê‘uers demerites beÌ„ somoche horryble fowâ—â— that they stayne al your vertues My dere lorde sayde thenÌ„e Medea Ne knowxe not how â–ª peleus sente yow into Colchos bi his enhortement for somochÌ„ as he supposed that ye never shÌ„olde haue retorned also ye had ben dede without remedie ne had ben that ye escaped the daunger by my counceyle as it is wel knoweÌ„ Thise thiÌ„ges considerid seen that he had no cause to purchase to yow suche a daunger for ye neuer deseruid it wherfore j haue many tymes desired you to take punycionÌ„ vpon the desloyall peleus to whiche ye wold neuer entende for it happend that Peleê° had a will for to be reduyte in to yong aage as the king your fad is by myn introduccyoÌ„ stile but his two doughters haue put hym to deth wherof ye ought to be ryght yoyus Certes dame aÌ„swerde jason ye saye that plesethÌ„ yow but ye haue doo so now 〈◊〉 also other tymes that ye shall â—uere be holden in reproche therfore that now other tymes ye haue commysed donÌ„ to be coÌ„mysed many enorme iÌ„humayne
aÌ„d notable that likeâ—was neuer seen in all that countre For the king the quene were so yoyous of this noble ayllâ—aunce as possible was for hem to be Thâ—re were daunces and carolles begoÌ„ne instruments of alle maneres and many facoÌ„ns sette a werk songes fayr dytees songen in the best wyse wyne and mete were plenteouâ—fy araied dressed for al theÌ„ that wold take And thus endured thys grete notable feste vnto the nyght that the king the quene jason crensa the Barons knightes ladyes damoyselles departed fro this gardyn with moche grete ioye for eche maÌ„ enforced him to make grete chere for the noble aliance of the preu Iason and of the fayr creusa but who that euer was yoyous or soroufull the youg lady was moche conforted and not without cause thinking on the hye vertues that where iÌ„ the persone of the vailliaunt prince jason Hou jason espoused the fair creusa the kinges doughter of corinthe aÌ„d of her deth by Medea THe RenoÌ„â—nee of thys wedding of jason aÌ„d of the fayr â—teusa was anonÌ„ sprad in alle the â—oâ— aume of Corinthe The king concluded that he wolde make a solemyne feste and sent the messagers into many diuerse countrees for to asseinble the Prices of the couÌ„ trees hys frendes and for to seke clothes of gold of silke and othre sumptuous riche thinges Alway for to ensiewâ— the veray and true narracion of our matere duryng the fyaÌ„sayl les and trouthpligthyng of jason aÌ„d of creusa medea that lefte not night ne day for to seke her hâ—â—bonde jasoÌ„ as said is â–ª She erred laboured in suche wyse as she came vnto the mâ—tes marches oscorinthe wel cocluded in her selfe that she wolde go vnto Corinthe And as she wente iÌ„ her waye she founde a moche fayre fontayne or welle where about satte were many labourers that at this spring refresshed theÌ„ whan they apperceyneâ— the ladi the two damoiselles come vnto the fontaine certes they were sore ameruailed to see iij so fayre womenÌ„ howe wel they axd hem whyther they weÌ„t whersore demaÌ„de ye saide medea for asmoche fayr dame answerde one of the labourers that he will goo vnto the cyte of corinthe if it plese you to go theder that our coÌ„panye may plaise yow we shall gladly hold yow coÌ„panye My freÌ„de aÌ„swerde medea knowe ye that our enteÌ„cionis for to go ito the cyte that ye speke of that right wel plesith vs your coÌ„panye Wyth that the noble lady damoiselles and tho labourers wente on her waye and so goyng one of them began to beholde the lytyl childe sone of Medea that one of the damoyselles bare in her armes and whaÌ„ he had a lytill beholde the child he sayd alle on hye in this manere Ceries j welde that iâ— plesid alle oure goddes that my lady creusa that to morow come iâ— monâ—thed might haue one so fair a sone by her lorde Fayr freÌ„de sayde thenÌ„e Medea What is that Creusa that ye now speke of what is she sayde the labourer And why knowe ye her not and haue lyued so long Certes she is doughter of the kyng of Corynthe whom shalle wedde to mornÌ„ the most fayr knight of all the worlde and the most vaylliaunt in renominee For hit is he that had conquerd I wote neuer what a shepe or a ram of golde that men saye is passyng noble ryche wherfore we alle goo to geder for to see what feste there shalle be And eche of vs bere theder of our goodes for to doo worship vnto the weddyng The custome at that time was such whaÌ„ that a kyng dide do marye his sone or doughter that alle the meÌ„ of the royanme were bounden eche by hym selfe for to make a presente of vytaylles And the marchaÌ„tes and bourgeyses of the cytes made to him an ayde of a certayn sommâ— of money e and of other goodes wherwith they were discharged Anone thenÌ„ as â—…a vnderstode this that the labourer spac of the knight that was so â—ayâ—and so vailliaunt that had conquerd the flees of golde she thought wel that it was her lorde jason that sholde so wedde on the morn the fair creusa wherfore she was sore troubled aÌ„d not withonte cause how well she aÌ„swerde not one word wherfore she thougghte not the lasse And in suche wise she exployted that she entrid into Corinthe by fayr day and made her to be coÌ„duyted vnto within the palays of the king into a grete â—d faire halle where as was 〈…〉 the grettest yoye of al 〈…〉 but ye must vnderstaÌ„de that 〈…〉 was comen in habyte dissimiled and disguised And incontineÌ„t as she was entrid into the halle she began to loke all about if she might see IasoÌ„ She loked so long that she aspied hi. but her senteth that he had an heuy chere and was soroufull thenÌ„e was medea sewre that hit was jasoÌ„ that shold wedde Creusa ThenÌ„e began her herte to melte in suche wise that ther deê‘ted from theÌ„s many grete plente of sighes many teerls deualed and fylle dounÌ„ from her eyen vpon her breste And thus doyng she thoughte aÌ„d agayn thoughte what was to doo for the beste And thenÌ„e she retorned vnto the two damoisel les seÌ„te one of them well disguised vnto Iason for to requyre him that he wolde come speke to a ladi that was there ThenÌ„e the noble preu jasoÌ„ nothing thinkyng on the fayr medea heering the requeste of the Damoyselle roose vp and weÌ„te wyth her aÌ„d she bronght him vnto Medea Whiche was wythdrawen a lytyll a parte holdyng hyr lytyll sone in her armes But incontynent as Iason apperceyued her there in that point he was meruaillously esmayed And after that Medea had made to hym the Reuerence in sale wyng hym by alle their goddes She said to him in this maner Alas my dere lord IasoÌ„ what haue ye entencyon to doo ys hit so that to mornÌ„ withoute lenger tarieng ye will take for your wyf Creusa whome ye haue promysed as I am certefyed And howe my only cordyall loue frende shalle I be sallaryed of suche payement in the recompensacion of the saluacion of your lyf of whyche none had ben yf it had not beÌ„ saued by my moyen as ye well knowe Is this the merite that ye rendre to me WhaÌ„ for your loue j haue abandonned the king my fader and alle hys royaume Is this the gwerdon that I haue awayted after that I haue reduysed by so grete laboure aÌ„d trauaylle my lorde your fader the kyng froÌ„ hys auncient aage vnto the yongthe of xxxij yere as ye wel knowe Ha a Iason right noble and vaillaÌ„t knight I suppose ye holde wel iÌ„ your remembrauÌ„ce alle that ye haue ê“mised to me for goddes sake forgete it not and put it not in oubliauÌ„ce And if hit be so that ye wyll take and haue ony other lady than me Certes I
putte her oute of mi memorie I toke wedded the kynges doughter of that cyte But in trouth medea arryued in the cyte eueÌ„ tofore I wedded she dyd somoch that she spack to me after many remoÌ„strances many sighes be waillges seeyng that she mighte not torne me ne haue other thing she requyred me that she might be logged within the palays I agreed it not thynkyng that she wolde do ony euyl whan it caÌ„ that we were at dyner the day of weddyng for tauenge her self f of that I toke an other wyf that she by the vertue of her sortes and enchaÌ„tements made tappere at the dyner among alle the noblesse her self sytting vpon the taylles enterlaced aÌ„d knyt of foure horyble dragons castyng fyre and venyn oute of theyr throtes And helde in her haÌ„des her yongesiâ—sone that I hadde engeÌ„dred of her aÌ„d toke hym by the two legges and tare and â—eÌ„te hym in two pieces whom she caste into the plater of my wyf aÌ„d me And after tho same dragons began to caste fyre aÌ„d venym owt of her throtes in suche wyse that she made toldye the kyng the quene and hys doughter sytting at the table and consequently al theÌ„ that were in the halle how well yet I mighte not deporte me but that I thinke on her inestimnble beaute aÌ„d yet I doo alle the dylsgence and paine for to absteyne me wherof j haue grete meruayle for this cause j am entred into â—euerye that if yt were not that I doubted shame suppose I shold be diffamed Certes I doubte that I sholde be constrayned to take her agayne The noble quene myrro heering jason that thus recompted to her hys adueutures ymagyned lightly that Medea hadde ensorted and be wicched him She toke a ryng and deliuerid to hym sayng Certes sir knight I am in doubte that medea hath be wycched you with her sortes aÌ„d enchantements For ryght now ye sayde that she is enchanteresse and therfore putte this ring on your finger And j assure you that if she hath made ony sortes or enchantemeÌ„ts on you they shal lose alle her puissaunce by the vertue of a pÌ„ciouse stone that is closed within the golde With these wordes the preu jason receyued of the lady this ryng aÌ„d put bit on hys on his fynger and thenÌ„e forth with he forgate modea hadd souenanÌ„ce of no ladi sauf only of the fair mirro wherfore he lost his noyoê° maintenein suche wyse that he recouerd all new chere contenanÌ„ce in somoche as he began thenÌ„e to beholde the noble lady wyth a yoyoê° chere saide Madame j thaÌ„ke you of your riÌ„g For certaynli syn it hath ben on my fynger I haue foundeÌ„ and felte my self eslonged alleged of all my sorowes me semeth that I loue none other ladi but you therfore j require you right humbly if in ony maner I haue trespaced or nusprysed ayeÌ„st you that ye wille ê‘donne me And that it plese you that our compromise long syn made may no wsorte good effecte â—Ertes sire knight answerde thenÌ„ the noble lady I haue here tofore somoche louid you that none infortune may in ony wyse make me to coÌ„ceyue hate vnto you and therfor see what is your enteÌ„cyon My dere lady answerde jason My desir enteÌ„ cyon is nothing but to come to that j may be your husbonde if it be to me possible as I haue sym long ê“mysed But hit is of necessite for to conduite this werck secretly to th eÌ„de that me dea be not aduertised theâ—of For yf she knew that ye were myn espouse she sholde not cesse day ne nyght vnto the tyme that she had made yow to deye Certes sir knyght answerde the lady We shal doo right wel if the defaute be not in yow and shall telle you how ye shall come with me after this weddingis ye shall putte you in guise of aâ—uauÌ„tin diffiguring your self asmoche as is in you possyble ye shal serue as me abuauÌ„t but whaÌ„ we shal be iÌ„ oliferne ye may haue me secretli to your wyf thê° medea shal nothing know ne nonÌ„ other persone of you of me And wyl she or not the strong enchantresse that so long hath holden you in her sortes in danngeres of her artes from hens forth we shall eÌ„yoye the loues of vs eche other ThenÌ„e the noble preu Iason was content for to conduyte him self in this maner in alle suche wyse as the quene Myrro had ordeyned wherof he was right yoyous ¶ For tabregge the mater duriÌ„g thise weddinges Iason aÌ„d Myrro ofte tymes spack to gyder of their amorettes aÌ„d jasoÌ„ receyued there many fayr preisinges whiche were to loÌ„g to reherce In th ende the weddynges finisshid one and other toke leue and weÌ„te home into their countrees and so it ought not to be forgeten that jason wente to Olyferne wy t the fayr mirro in habite disguised as a yeman or a seruaunt named him self SaÌ„bor WhaÌ„ thenÌ„e the louer the lady had so exployted that they were in oliferne the lady logged her louer in a litil chambre not ferre from her and gaf him thoffice for to be her huyssher helde thenÌ„e with her persone but one damoiselle that knewe the most part of her secretes howe wel she was acustomed alway to haue in her chaÌ„bre four damoiselles the ordenauÌ„ces and conclusyoÌ„s made the same day whan they were comen whan the nyght was comeÌ„ euery maÌ„ withdrawen in his place for to reste The quene whom desyre had long chaced sent secretly to fecche the preste of theire lawe and sambor also And with litil noise and bruyt she maried sambor and after sente the preest away and to th ende that he sholde be secrete she gafe hiÌ„ a purse full of gold She held her spouse in her chambre And thenÌ„ whaÌ„ the preste was goonÌ„ and that they were bothe to gyder they began in good ernest the deduyte that is vsed in the amerouse lyff And right yoyously they conforted eche other and demened this amerouse lyf all the long winter and so ye ought to bileue that on the day the preu jason seruid in hys offyce and in the night he eÌ„tremeted wyth this so moche gracioas lyf of loue as iÌ„ suche chaas apperteyned wy t his lady that louid him meruaillously The vertuous prince jason maytenyng him thus in facoÌ„n was not so subtill ne so well aduised that he coude kepe him from the eyeÌ„ of theÌ„ that seruid within forth The quene her self coude not absteyne her but tofore the seruauntes aÌ„d damoiselles she made to hiÌ„ oftymes ouermoch amerous semblaÌ„ts contenaÌ„ces in lyke wise made jason to her so many apperceyuid hit And bi especial the thre damoiselles which she had put out of her chaÌ„bre They espyed iÌ„ suche maner thys ameroê° coÌ„panye by a lityl hole that they had made in the chaÌ„bre of the lady bi
with so grete noÌ„â—… of people that notwithstanding the resistence of laomedonÌ„ of alle the cyte countre aboute they besieged it and so long abode and dyde meruaillous assaultes that they toke hit and destrored it in the fourme manere as is well declared in the historie of the xij laboures of the noble preu Hercules And whaÌ„ they had brought this enterpryse to attende eche of them departed from thens retorned into his countre ¶ In the nouelte thenÌ„ that the noble king Eson of Myrinydone was retorned fro the conquest of Troye sore trobled for his sone jasoÌ„ that was failled to haue beÌ„ at this hye houour Medea that was not yet comeÌ„ agayne into Myrmydone after that she was departed the same day that she had made to deye the desâ—oyal peleê° as sayd is Retorned thenÌ„e vnto the king Eson all destayned discoloured yclad wy â— clothes all to reÌ„te aÌ„d lapped ThenÌ„e she sette her doun on bothe her knees to fore the king EzoÌ„ after sayde to hi in this maner Sire lo here Medea most poure aÌ„d the most infortunat lady that ever was or shal be Thou knowest and maist not denye that j ne am the ê“pre wyf of thy sone jason whome j made not long syn retourne gloriously fro the mortall paril where his vncle peleê° had sente him to by his malice This not withstonding incoÌ„tyneÌ„t in feat he hath abandoÌ„ned me syn the daye that j was consenting to the deth of the disâ—oyall peleê° I dide hyt for to take vengeanÌ„ce of this that he sente him traitrously vnder the shadowe of the conqueste of the ryche moton wyth the flees of golde whiche was a thing impossyble to ony creature humaine withoute myn adressemeÌ„t and wel supposed he that he neuer sholde haue retourned but haue auaunced his deth and he wolde excuse him vnder the colour of this deth the which allewaye I dyde for hys loue â–ª and for tauenge him SYre sayde yet the lady ye knowe that the daye that peleê° deyde youre sone departed from hens moche hastely howe I weÌ„te after hit was so oure aduenture that I foâ—de hym on a daye in the cite of Corithe where he hadde fianÌ„ced the kinges doughter And there I spak long wy â— hiÌ„ And among many remonstraâ—ces I required hym right instantly that he wolde be trewe according to hyâ— promys that he had made in acquityng his faith But I laboured in vayn for he wolde in no wise enteÌ„de therto and whan j apê‘ceyued that I coude haue none other thing of hi I made by the vertue of somÌ„e enchaÌ„thements deye sodainly the espouse whom he had supposed to haue enioyed And with her deyde her fader and by consequeÌ„t all they that were in the hall sette at dyner reseruid jason whom in no maner j wolde touche after j deê‘ted from â—â—eÌ„s haue goon at the aueÌ„ture of the goddes not thinking that ever I shold retorne vnto you thus hath fortune be tâ— me of such coÌ„dicyoÌ„ that she hath sith .ij. monthes brought me into the cyte of oliferne ther I haue fouÌ„den seen Iason with the quene Mirro â–ª it hath ben certefied to me that he hath espoused her wherof j haue at my herte suche dolour aÌ„d sorou that for nothing I might ner coude speke with hym but yet am deê‘ted from theÌ„s am come vnto yow for to requyre reffuge that in the sauour of ladies it may plese yow to haue pyte of me so desolate a lady and that in recoignoissauÌ„ce of the merite that I mighte haue deseruid in reduâ—… your auncient aage in the beyng â—â— xxxij yere that ye of your sone IasoÌ„ wil do me ryght without Rygour ¶ Whan the king Eson of myrmydone hadde vnderstaÌ„de the doleance and the râ—queste of Medea aÌ„d that he sawe her iÌ„ so poure estate of habillements that she semed all an other womaÌ„ For she was so discoloured lene euylarayed Certes he had grete pyte of her TheuÌ„e he began to recoÌ„forte her thinking on the good seruices that she had douÌ„ vnto his sone wherof all his wele renommee was comen And in like wyse of the grete plaisir that she had douÌ„ to sum also how she hath habaÌ„doÌ„ned the kiÌ„g her fader her countre vpon the pmysse of his sone AmoÌ„g other wordes in recoÌ„forting her he sayd promysed her that he shold punysshe jason of that so grete offeÌ„ce and also he hadde takeÌ„ him iÌ„ desdayne for somoche as he had failled at the besynes destruâ—ioÌ„ of Troye where the cheualerve of grece had goten grete honour â–ª certes he loued medea meruailousâ—y and anon he dide do clothe her new ryght honourabli tamynistre to her all that was nedeful necessarie for her And whaÌ„ he had so doo he sente into oliferne vnto Iason aÌ„d commanded him that incontineÌ„t he sholde come vnto his court but jaÊ’oÌ„ excused hi to the messager the moost curtoysâ—y that he myght for cause of his woundes that he had receyued in the woode not long syn assayd is in feat he answerde that at that pÌ„sent he myght go ner yet ryde on an hors IncoÌ„tineÌ„t as the king Eson had vnderstonde thanswere of his sone jasoÌ„ he toke it euyl in gree aÌ„d sware that he wolde go vnto him but that sholde be in armes ThenÌ„ he sente into all partyes for his frendes and alyes sayd to thaim she we how he wolde punisshe IasoÌ„ for the lauesshenes of his body that by good cause for because of his luxurie he had failled at the coÌ„quest of Troye vnder this couerture he asseÌ„bled vnto the nombre of ten M. grekes whom he brought to fore olyferne the cite somoche dydeby see by lande â–ª that with oute aueÌ„ture digne of memorie he caÌ„ on the chaÌ„panye where the kyng of Esclauonye aÌ„d his ooste to fore had holdeÌ„ their siege to their vnhelthe as hit is sayd fo fore iÌ„ his place Alway ineden was comeÌ„ in tharinee of the king Eson as she that hath in hi all her affyauÌ„ce aÌ„d her socourse as half garisshed or easid WhaÌ„ the king Eson foÌ„de him self to fore olyferne He dide do sette his teÌ„tes pauyllouÌ„s sente vnto his sone jason that he sholde comeÌ„ vnto hi. for to receyue the punycioÌ„ of this disobey sauÌ„ce certes jasoÌ„ was sore abasshid aÌ„d not without cause whan he had vnderstaÌ„d that his fader seÌ„te for hiÌ„ to come to hiÌ„ vpoÌ„ this ê¯dicioÌ„ And thenÌ„ whaÌ„ he apê‘ceiued that his fad had besieged the cite wy â— armed haÌ„d â—he was at that tyme all helid of his woundes frossures aÌ„d seeyng that sayd is him semed that the king hys fader was angry with him aÌ„d that he was comen theder al replenisshid with grete â–ª furour NotwithstandiÌ„g that iÌ„ no maner he supposed to haue deseruid hit And coÌ„sidering all thise thinges and also by the counceylle of his frendes for to answer the
messager of his fader he callyd hym aÌ„d sayde to him in this maner Syr messager I haue vnderstand thought for taÌ„swere vpoÌ„ that my fader hath sente me by you on that other syde I see how he is here comen with puissaunce in armes Thise thinges considered I wote not what is hys entencoÌ„n ne wylle Wherfore j am not for this present counseiled to put me in his handes how well that I am alwai bouÌ„deÌ„ bi al right holdeÌ„ to serue him obeye his coÌ„maÌ„demeÌ„ts aÌ„d that oute of furour he shal not fynde me other disposed The messager hering the discret answer that Iason gaf him he acertayned hi therof wold abyde in hostage that if jasoÌ„ wolde take agayn medea as by vertu of his fayth he was holden by the promesses that they had made one to that other that he sholde finde his traittye peas with the king his fader ThenÌ„e jason answerde to the messager that if the kiÌ„g his fader were comeÌ„ theder therfore in suche ordenanÌ„ce vpoÌ„ that enteÌ„cion he abused him gretly that Medea by her enchaÌ„temeÌ„ts shold neuer deceyuehi more duryng her lyf whaÌ„ the messager had vnderstaÌ„d the wille answere of jason he toke leue of him deê‘ted from the palays retorned vnto the kiÌ„g his lorde whiche abood hi at foot of his teÌ„te told to hi to medea all this that he had exployted with hys sone jason The king the lady Medea heering hys volente wille that he was not a man to be meuid torned from his corage had a meruayllous sorowe â–ª ThenÌ„e the king Eson sware that he ne hys siege shold neuer deê‘te from thens for cold ne for heete for froste ne snowe for rayne ne for teÌ„peste that might comen vpon him vnto the tyme that he had subiuged the cyte of Olyferne with that medea whan she had herd thise wordes she toke leue of the kiÌ„g retorned its her teÌ„te theÌ„ she begaÌ„ to studye in her eÌ„chaÌ„temeÌ„ts sortes where in she waâ— moche lerned in such wise exployted that in a moment she made her to be born within oliferne dyde her to be sette in the ppre halle where jasoÌ„ aÌ„d â–ª mirro the quene were at a windowe spekâ—g to gydre of theire werkes in especial of theÌ„terprise that the kiÌ„ge soÌ„ made vpoÌ„ theÌ„ of which they haâ— grete meruaile so they wyst not what to thinke sauyng that hit were nede for tenteÌ„de to forteâ—ye the muraillelwalles of the cyte the tours yates to garnisse with stones wy t shotte to deffeÌ„de their streÌ„gth wy t all their power But jasoÌ„ mirro had the gretest meruaile of the worlde not wy t oute cause whaÌ„ so sodaynli they saw Medea ther appere in their preseÌ„ce ThenÌ„e medea opeÌ„d this that she had in wylle to saye declare playnli and sayde in this maner â—aâ— Alas sir Iason haue ye not entencioÌ„ tame de your lyf which is moche reprochable tofore the goddes aÌ„d the worlde cursed be the oure aÌ„d theday that j saued waraÌ„ted you fro the deth whaÌ„ for my reward aÌ„d gwerdoâ— I muste suffre somoch in so many maners as I doo aÌ„d that in that tyme and iÌ„ place ye knowe not her to whoÌ„ ye be so gretly bouÌ„deÌ„ and holdeÌ„ Dame aÌ„swerde thenÌ„e jasoÌ„ shal your sortes ne enchaÌ„tementes neuer cesse I can not thinke howe ye haue the hardinessâ— to comÌ„ to fore myn eyenÌ„ seen that iÌ„ my pÌ„seÌ„ce ye haue murdred one of my sones how aÌ„swerd thenÌ„e medea Am I alady bornÌ„ in so vnhappy an oure so iÌ„ fortunat that in no maner I dare be foundeÌ„ to fore myn espouse husbond hym that holdeth hye lyfe of ony other but by me A jasoÌ„ sayd yet the lady the grete goodnes that I haue donÌ„ for yow tofore thys tune is lytyll remeÌ„bryd and knowen by yow whiche I did all of good herte and if I haue sâ—aynÌ„ your chyld ye be only culpable for ye do to me so many displaisirs anoyanÌ„ce that I can not thinke how the herte of ony lady so desolate as I am may so long endure Certes dame answerde thenÌ„ Iason I holde no thing that â— haue don to you despleisiâ— ne anoye in no wise y e haue â—mysed made many enorme and ryght euyl caas For whiche I may lawfully repudie and abaÌ„doÌ„ne you in all poyntes how wel that for the loue of me ye haue douÌ„ that I ne maintene not and of that other side speke nomore to me lo here the noble lady that I had â—mysâ—d to fore that I arryued in your countrey and during the tyme that I haue ben wyth you ye with me ye put me bi your enchauÌ„â—emeÌ„ts in suche poynt that I had al forgeteÌ„ her thought on none other but on you whether ye were fer or nyghe in thys astate was I a loÌ„g space of tyme til that the goddes haue resemblid this lady me by your grete defaute The whichâ— haue now espoused this is my lady j am her lorde husboÌ„de as long as the sowle shal abyde iÌ„ my body j shal be beers â–ª shal not withdrawe me from herâ—ner shal toke other then her for nothing that may befall me otherwise ye shal not finde it therfore abyde no lenger here for yf yedide it shulde be alle tymeloste for more to poursie we this enqueste Medea wy t thys conclusion made her to be bornÌ„ from thens also sodaynly as she was comen And in that same nâ—ght she was delyueryd aÌ„d rendryd at pintaquo in the chambre where her lytyll sone Iason was nourysshed â–ª aÌ„d there she beyng fulle of a Ryght tiers and demanded 〈…〉 had seen him aÌ„d ther 〈…〉 answerde for certaÌ„yn that at the oure of mydnight jasoÌ„ was yssued out allone by that gate more he knew not WhaÌ„ the nobles of olyferne knewe thise tydiÌ„ges they were sore trobled not without cause for thei behelde that they had no lord ne lady And that therfore ones they muste submyse them vnto the king Eson and toke heeir counceyll to gyder aÌ„d concluded to yeld them aÌ„d the tounÌ„ sauâ— their lyues their goddes ThenÌ„ they chese twayn of the moost noble knightes of the cyte aÌ„d moste propice to the erande And sent hem vnto the noble king Eson that made with alle dyligeÌ„ce his thinges redy for tassaile the Cyte in many places And whan they were comen to fore hym salutacyon made they told hiÌ„ fyrst that the quene her lady was dede aÌ„d putt in sepulture Secondly they said to hym that Iason was goonÌ„ out of the cyte wyste not into what place Thyrdly that the cyte was withoute lorde fynably they sayde to hym that fortune was suche for theÌ„ that they of the Cite demanded but pees that they were content to constitute hym king vpon them by condicion