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
ê‘amours â—aynâ—g that he was a simple knight of the kinges court deffeÌ„ded hem expÌ„ssy that they sholde not make to hi honour ne reuereÌ„ce sauf only thonour of a felaw to a felaw anoÌ„ as he had aâ—utifed of that thei shold doo he put hi on the way so secretli that he cÌ„trid in to olyferne so exployted that he was brought to for the noble quene mirro whome he had neâ— secÌ„ to fore where he knelid douÌ„ on his knees right huÌ„bly to fore her howe wel as he was all rauisshed in thiÌ„kiÌ„g beholdiÌ„g her meruailloê° beaute for he had neuer seen to fore so fair a creature after the reuereÌ„ces there made he sayde tò her in this manere Noble aÌ„d right renoined princesse the king of Esclauonie my souerain puyssauÌ„t lorde recomÌ„andeth hym right huÌ„bly to your good grace noble memorie and for so moche as he hath vndstonde that ye be coÌ„teÌ„te to here his demaÌ„d that he offrith for the loue for the we le the honour aÌ„d ê“uffit of you of your roiame if hit plese you ye shal gyue me audicÌ„ce aÌ„d good expedicoÌ„n with these wordes the ladi ê¯maÌ„ded theÌ„kiÌ„g that he shold staÌ„d vp as she that wist not what he was syn drew a littl a ê‘t wherfore the kiÌ„g approuched ner her said right vtuouse â—ncesse ye knowe hou bi diucrce times your right huÌ„ble ser uaiit the kiÌ„g of esclauoÌ„te hath reâ—red you bi his baroÌ„s cÌ„hassadours that it shold plese you to be his wyf felaw alway in feet ye haue refused him for cause of which refuse as j am aduised he hath entrid into your royame assailid it by warre as ye maye ê‘ceyne yet alway to put him self iÌ„ deuoir he hath seÌ„t me to you for to reâ—re your desired gÌ„ce as he that hath more greter pite of you yourÌ„ couÌ„tre thenÌ„e ye haue your self as me semeth wherfore he reâ—reth you by me that at this tyme ye haue pite of your trewe louer of whoÌ„ the fortune is suche that certes he deyeth iÌ„ laÌ„guysshing after you ha a my ryght redoubted lady after the iugement of the menÌ„ ye ar the veray myrrour of al vertues of al bouÌ„te aÌ„d noblesse here thenÌ„e the voys of your seruauÌ„t speking bi my month and requiring your grace pite the most huble wise that to him is possible the poure a desolate kiÌ„g your right trewe we le willare may not be ino place withoute thenking on yow his ymaginacioÌ„â—pryseth nothing but your name beaute his stomack digesteth nothing but your triuÌ„phaÌ„t glory his prayers ne suffrages moÌ„te not vnto the goddes but in calling them to the augmeÌ„tacioÌ„ of your we le Alas haue ye pyte mercy on him on your peple on your royaulnte aÌ„d on me that am his secrete messager of loue Londe sceÌ„de ye in wylle for to be his lady and maistresse to th eÌ„de that he may atteine to the chief of his desirs also to th eÌ„de that your cyte your men may d welle iu pees reste In pronounsing these or semblable wordes the doloroê° king made many sighes and began to cauffe and lo swete in suche agonye as he had ben a prysoner preseÌ„ted to fore a juge for to reccyue SenteÌ„ce of grace or of deth The wyse and discrete mirro suffrid him tachiene all his ê“posicion And whan he had purposed alle that loue ensey gned hi for this tyme She was not so dispâ—urueyed of aduis ne of enteÌ„demeÌ„t but proÌ„ptly meurly she made to him this aÌ„swere ¶ Messagyer whaÌ„ j haue wel vnderstand yow j am all abasshid how my mortal enmye can or may reâ—re me of loue of my aliauÌ„ce whaÌ„ by his oulâ—age and and 〈…〉 is by grete wronge entrid in to my â—oy aume with armed hand pylled robbed my londe slayn my peple brente my contre yet more in faire hath besieged me iÌ„ my cyte of oliferne whaÌ„ j haue wel ouithought these sayde thinges I answere yow at this tyme for al that j shal rather suffre my self al my royaume to be destroyed than in ony maner shal condesceÌ„de to his requestes to his will Certes madame answerde the king me thinketh ye be not wel coÌ„ceyled ne â—sidere ye not that youre desdayne haue ben cause of the deth of fyfth thousand menÌ„ And how haue ye no regard that he is so noble and so puissauÌ„t a king that he loueth you with so parfait loue that all his desir is not but for to mowe come to your goode gÌ„ce In trouth it apperith by that that is sayd to you that he hath more gretter pyte of your noble persone of your men and of your desolate Royaume thenÌ„e ye haue your self And therfore madame theÌ„ke ye on these thiÌ„ges and beware that by your cruelte defaure your goode louer aÌ„d freÌ„de if hit plese you fall not in despayre I wote neuer what may eÌ„cline you her to but if it be that ye wil desire rather the general total destructionÌ„ of your royaume thenÌ„e other wyse And by all my goddes hit is grete outrage folye that meuith yow therto â—ertes messager aÌ„swerde the wise 〈…〉 vnto the â—â—â—auoÌ„ king â–ª the 〈◊〉 or wrastlyng of your wordes 〈◊〉 not stroÌ„g y nouh for to bete dounÌ„ ouercome the constanÌ„ce of my coÌ„tinenÌ„ce j loue my men peple naturelly And to this ende that alle the worlde knowe that I saye trouth also loÌ„g al 's the soule abideth in my body j shal neuer haue loue ne aliaÌ„ce vnto myn enmye speke nomore to me therof With this the king was all vainquisshid discoÌ„forted of socours was so terribly displaisid angry of aspre mortal angre that in a grete dispair waÌ„hope he saide to her O fell lady most rebell leste pietoê° that euer deê‘ted out of womaÌ„s bely syn that j must acquite me whaÌ„ I ê‘ceyue that your swete corage wole not accorde vnto me ne enteÌ„de vnto the coÌ„tinuel supplicacions of your so trewe louer I me deporte from hensforth for to speke ony more of this mater but j yow eÌ„sure as sone as the triews shall faille ye shal be guerdoned after yower fierste ¶ With these wordes the kiÌ„g of Sklauonye departed theÌ„s with a chiere peÌ„syf and retourned to his Ooste more desiring to come to his enteÌ„cion thaÌ„ euer he hadde beÌ„ to sore And the sayr mirro lytil setting by his menaces begaÌ„ to deuise with soÌ„me of her geÌ„til womeÌ„ in recouÌ„tiÌ„g to theÌ„ the prayers requestes that her mortall enemy had made to her ¶ What shal I saye yow more the triews faylled at tyme sette espired And whaÌ„ they were thê° faylled the king of sclauonie more thiÌ„king on the fayr mirro thaÌ„ was nede to him made his men to putte heÌ„ in armes many a daye â–ª hoping that they of Oliferne sholde come out aÌ„d make him skarmuches but he loste his payne for
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
gretly to be complayned as it shall be declared along here after in this present volume ¶ Howe the king LaomedonÌ„ of Troye wolde not suffre IasoÌ„ne his companye descende on the londe how the quene Ysiphyle receyued them IN this paas saith one historie that Argos the good aÌ„d subtill maronner made and ordeyâ—ed all thinges that failled vn to the noble ship wherÌ„ the noble knight was in vnder saylle And the winde blewe there in at their wylle hâ—â— was aboute x. of the clocke a fore none the fayr sonne shone clere spredde his rayes vpon the londe the weder was softe aÌ„d well disposed And at that tyme moche people were vpon the baÌ„kes of the see whiche â—ehelde froÌ„ ferre the noble shippe of the Grekes whyche aâ— sayd is caâ— that tyme the sayllâ— displayed and sette vpon a hyâ—e and saylled faste in hys cours vpon the see wherof they were so sore ameruaylled that they wiste not what thinge hit mighte be In so moche that somme of them were so sore aferd that thei fledde in to Troye And the other abood at the porte abydiÌ„g thaueÌ„ture They that fledde to wyte iÌ„ troye wente vnto the puissaunt king LaomedouÌ„ and saide to hi alle be wepâ—e and drowned iÌ„ teeris proredyng of grete feâ—â— and drede that they hadde apperceyuid from ferre iÌ„ the feera grete monstre lyfting hym selfe meruayllousâ—y swymming and â—eÌ„ nyng vpoÌ„ the water more swiftely thaÌ„ an horse coud renne on the â—â—â—inde or on the londe And affermed to the king LaomedonÌ„ by their faith that thys monstre without coÌ„parisoÌ„n was more to double feere than the monstre that hercules had slain by hys hye vaillyauÌ„ce Certes in this sayde countre to fore that tyme Hercules had slayn a monstre also grete as a wale as hit is playnly conteyned in thistorie of hercules WhaÌ„ the kiÌ„g LaomedonÌ„ had herde these tydinges reherced he was all abasshid ThenÌ„e he made one of his knightes to take an hors a â—swift as the winde and sâ—te him to thenadonÌ„ for to axe and enquyre of the trouth What thing hit myght be that the peple were so sore aferd of And in suche wyse exploited the knight that he caÌ„ to the porte of thenadonâ— there he fouÌ„de the preu jason his knightes of Grece but first he aspied argos that aÌ„kred his ship right nyghh to thenedonÌ„â—and wente not into the tounÌ„ for asmoche as it was no nede â—sideriÌ„g that they were nygh the cyte of Troye whiche was so grete iÌ„ magnificeÌ„ce that ther was no lyke in the remanauÌ„t of the worlde he enquyred first of the habitauÌ„ts and dwellars of the couÌ„tree yf they had seen ony suche monstre on the see ThenÌ„e the meÌ„ of the couÌ„tre answerde to the knight that they had seen no suche monstre vpon the see they that had brought suche tidinges to Troye were gretly abused to haue seen ony monstre that ther was none other thiÌ„g but aÌ„ shippe of grece saillyng on the see in the whiche by theyr aduyse were grete nombre of knightes of Grece Right well in poynt of armes and suche thinges as sholde be nedefull aÌ„d necessarie for theÌ„ to entre into bataille WHaÌ„ the knight of troye had vnderstaÌ„de al that said is he desceÌ„ded of his hors weÌ„te a foote vnto the knightes of Grece To whome he demaÌ„ded what they sought had to doo in that countre Than jason answerd to the knight that grete necessite of vitaylle for â—o trauerse into ferre countrees caused theÌ„ for to take their poorte ther and nonÌ„ other thing IncoÌ„tineÌ„t whaÌ„ the knight hadde vnderstaÌ„de these tidiges he retourned and toke his hors and rood vnto the king his lord recouÌ„ted to him alle that he had exployted Than the king LaomedonÌ„ thus aduertised of the desceÌ„te of the knightes of Grece vnderstode that they were descended for to vytaille their shippes ymagined anonÌ„ that they were espyes which Hercules had sent theder for tespye the roiaume wherfore he renuoyed sent agayn the knight vnto the grekes aÌ„d comÌ„anded theÌ„ straytly that they dispose them with all diligeÌ„ce for to departe out of his lande and to go ellis where to seke vytailles yf they hadde nede And yf they departed not sodaynli disancred toke som other waye he sholde come with his puissaunce in Armes vpon them so myghtily that neuer after they sholde haue wylle for tespie royaume cite castell ne countree Than whan jason and his felawship had herd thexpresse and rude commauÌ„demeÌ„t of the Troyan king They were sore displesid and not withoute cause for asmoch as they muste nedes departe Than the noble jason for the better aÌ„swerd curtoyssy vnto the knight and shewed him that they were not comeÌ„ theder for to espye the royaulme ne the cytees castels ne couÌ„tre of the kiÌ„g LaomedoÌ„ ne of none other whaÌ„ herculs herde thanswere of jason whiche hi semed was to benygne coÌ„sidering howe LaomedonÌ„ hadde commaunded them he myght not holde hys pees but toke the wordes from Iason and sayde to the knight in this manerÌ„ knowe thou knight syn that LaomedonÌ„ as vyllayn of herte and banisshed from all noblesse hath refused to jason of Myrnndone vytaylles for his moneie that ther shal descende in short tyme at the partes of this countre men in the name of Iason and that in so grete nombre that all his roiaume his citees townes and castels shall be put in suche ruyne aÌ„d perplexite that in fyfty yere after shal not be founden a stone ner no cornÌ„ shall be erid â—e sowenÌ„ Fayr lordes thenÌ„e aÌ„swerde the knight of troye j am sory that ye at not better coÌ„teÌ„t with the king my lord and that he hath not receyued you other wyse in his countree And ye knowe wel that where curtoysie is shewid hit bleueth not vnrecompeÌ„sid ne Rygour in like wise but if hit be remembrid â–ª and for as moche as I am a mesfager j shal gladly make vnto king LaomedoÌ„ reporte of that j haue foundeÌ„ of yow aÌ„d with thise wordes the knight retourned vnto Troye THenÌ„e the preu IasoÌ„ demaÌ„ded Argos and sayde to hi that they muste disaÌ„cre aÌ„d departe fro thens but if they wolde abyde the cruelte and furour of the king LaomedonÌ„ of all his power ThenÌ„e the good patrone Argos aÌ„d his maronners disancred the noble shippe weÌ„t agayn to the see wherÌ„ sone after the winde began to ryse tempest horrible impetuose But â— the troyanÌ„ knight whiche was messager as sone as he was comeÌ„ to for his lord â— hadde made his reuereÌ„ce the kiÌ„g demanÌ„ded hym what was becomeÌ„ of the glontons of grece that were come and hadde desceÌ„ded on his lande for tespye his Royaulme and his citees The knight aÌ„suerde saide Syre j haue done to theÌ„ your message They beÌ„ a grete nombre of knightes resemble wel by their coÌ„tenanÌ„ce habyllemeÌ„s that they ben deê‘ted froÌ„ noble goode houses and knowe for certayn
the king aÌ„d how they had bataille to geder AFter thys euyl aueÌ„ture the king Appollo aÌ„d they that were with hiÌ„ retorned vnto the palays enclynyng theyr heedes a dounÌ„ shewâ—g that anoye had enterprysed theÌ„ whan they were come to the palays all they bewaylid zechius durâ—g this sorow the wyf of zechius named Mena cam thether for to here tydynges of her husbonde hit was sayd to her that he was left dede in the yle of colchos wherfore she demened so meruayllous sorow that she fylle to the erthe al in a spasme a swouÌ„â—e and after cam to her self thenÌ„e she rent of her a tyre and drew her heer out of her hede by moche aspre anger sorowe in suche a facoÌ„n that forth with she was delyuerid of a chylde whiche she had conceyuid of her lorde and husbonde the whyche deyde assone as it was bornÌ„ for it had not his fulle tyme. for the deth of which childe the anger sorow was moch the more Appollo thenÌ„e wenyng to conforte her dyde alle that he coude but ye halpe not ner profyted no thiÌ„g made her to be brought in to hys hous for the better to make her wepinges lamentacions at her wyll And ther was none that myght coÌ„forte her The womeÌ„ the kiÌ„g freÌ„des of them that were dede with zechius semblably made grete sorow during whiche sorowe Appollo â–ª visited oftetymes Mena. aÌ„d founde that she had coÌ„tynuelly the teeris in her eyen hou wel she was a moche fayr lady By haunting from day to daye appollo knewe the grete and good loue that she had to her husboÌ„ de that in no maner might forgete him began to wexe amerous of the lady iÌ„ so moche that he required her to be his wyf and she agreed and acorded therto iÌ„ suche wise that the one espoused that other and engendryd on her a doughter the whiche was borne in goode terme and was named fanoles Amonge all other thiÌ„ges zethephiê° began to haue envye vpon the king appollo for asmoch as his glorie encresid dayli more and more Thys miserable enuye encresid in his corage him semed that if of appollo of mena cam a sone that sone sholde succede to the royaume after Appollo for which cause he employed him self with al his power to ê¯plaire plese aê‘tye of the cytezeyns aÌ„d whan he felte him in their grace he assembled heÌ„ on a daye in his hous and sayde to theÌ„ in this maner My brethren and goode freÌ„des ye knowe well that I am of your lignage and that all my lyf j haue coÌ„uersed louyngly among you aÌ„d in like wise myn auÌ„cetres wyth youres haue had alway entier aliaunce thys considerid my herte iugetâ— that ye owe me goode will and desire myn encrees and honour And for somoche as yow power is ryght grete in this cyte I prayâ— and requyre yow if hit so happe that appollo go fro lyfe to deth that ye will haue my sone for recoÌ„maÌ„ded and that he may be king after hiÌ„ as ye knowe wel that heâ—s therto worthy The frendes of zethephius hering these wordes alle accorded with goode herte to do for hiÌ„ all that they mighte ThenÌ„e zethephiê° promised to them many grete thinges in cans they wolde make Feris his sone kiÌ„d aÌ„d promised so moche good that they ê¯spired the deth of the king appollo And in dede they made couenaunt that they sholde sâ—ee hiÌ„ if they fouÌ„de him at their auaÌ„tage After this coniuroysonÌ„ thenÌ„e that these miserable ê‘uers traitres were withdrawen in to their howses They coÌ„mened with their neyghbours of the deth of the king appollo ê“mised theÌ„ grete noÌ„bre of money if they might come aÌ„d obteyne their enteÌ„t som ther were couetoê° desiriÌ„g their singuler prouffit accorded vnto this sedicioÌ„ but also som ther were that iÌ„ no wise wold ê¯seÌ„te therto but alowed the grete preudhoâ—â—ie wisedoÌ„ of Appollo shewed well that they â–ª had hiÌ„ better iÌ„ gÌ„ce â–ª thaÌ„ zetheâ—iê° Thus amoÌ„g theÌ„ begaÌ„ to meue ryse many raÌ„cours discordes debats this rumour roos iÌ„ so hye tâ—es so plainly that zethephius his coÌ„plices counertiy murdred many of theÌ„ that wolde not accorde vnto theyr tray sonÌ„ and somoch multiplied these oultragious syuÌ„es that whaÌ„ som of the wel willars of the king appollo sawe their felawesmurdrid they drew to the king appollo tolde to him the machinacoÌ„n of zethephyus the oultragyons synÌ„es that his felawes dide requyred him moche that he wolde take hede entende to their fayte and to finde suche reinedie to kepe his lyf wele honour aÌ„d the proufryt of the coâ—yn wele The king Appollo was meruayllonssy troubled had grete sorow iÌ„ his corage whaÌ„ he was aduerrised of these harde tydinges how wel he â—duysed him right wysely for with alle diligeÌ„ce he dide take enformacio of these thinges founde that they had saide to him the verite trouth that zethephius seduysed the peple ayenst him by tyrannye al euydente that coÌ„tynuelly he had in his house an C. menÌ„ of euyl lyf the whiche coÌ„mysed al the euyll they coude thinke vpon them that they founde not of their veÌ„de the grete trouble displai sir of king Appollo doubled thenÌ„e whan he knewe for trouth that it was trewe that he was aduertised of NotwithstaÌ„ding he endured the malice of zethephius his complyces acertayn space but whan he apperceyued their conduyte and that fro day to day they apayred more thenÌ„e amended he sente to zâ—â—ephiê° that he sholde do iuâ—â—â—ce of hys seruauntes aÌ„d suche as were culpable of the deth the whyche tyrannysed in the cyte if he wolde not he wolde seche remedie him self Whan zethephyus vnderstode the message of the king Appollo he answerde to him wit a mouÌ„th ful of feloÌ„nye that he was wyse ynough for to correcte his seruauntes and that he wolde not do but at his plaisir thaÌ„ the messager caÌ„ reported this aÌ„swer to the king appollo the whiche he herde Appollo deliberid in hi selfe that he wolde suffre alytil for to see hou his enemyes wold mayntene hem during whiche tyme he behelde him welassurid in his palais buâ— â–ª hit was notloÌ„g after but zcâ—hephyus his folk coÌ„mysed more oultrages aÌ„d cruelte thene they dyde to fore in somoche that al the peple roos meuid on a daye And there were somme that cam vnder appollo and the other wente to the traytres the whiche assemblid in thys maner by grete pryde that surmonÌ„ted on theÌ„ and sente to appollo that he sholde prestly departe out of the palays and goo his waye out of the cyte or ellis they wolde wele that he knewe that they were his mortell enemyes Anone as appollo had receyued this maÌ„dement he vnderstood well that the thinge was in euyll terme if he put not paynÌ„ to subdue put vnder thyse traytres bi artned wherfore he callid the
and lye by my hete in your bed A ha jason answerde thenÌ„ inedea for goddes sake saue myn honour Madaine aÌ„swerde jaso Ther is no man in the world that shal kepe it more thenÌ„e j shal j am your housbonde yf ye come and lye in your bed by me ye doo nothiÌ„g but honour My dere freÌ„de sayde medea ther is no plaisir but that I shall gladly do to yow but for this night ye shal haue pacyence of your requeste and I praye yow that to mornÌ„ be tyme ye desire of my fadere the king that he wolde gyue me to yon in mariage thenÌ„e do ye your deuoir if he be coÌ„tent we shal make our wedding aÌ„d spousailles here within honourably and if he will not I somone you here to mornÌ„ at nyght at houre acustomed aÌ„d knowe ye for certayn that I shal do alle that ye wille commaÌ„de me to do as reson is For I am vouÌ„den therto by vertue of the ê“messes made bytwene yow and me And allewaye I recommaÌ„de to you myn honour ¶ Whan Iason hadde vnderstande the goode wille of medea he sayd in his corage that she had wysely answerd and that he was content for tobeye to her requeste What shall I saye more the night drew ouer in suche termes as sayd is how wel Iason laye there til it was day And on the mornÌ„ whaÌ„ he was rysen sawe his tyme. he made his requeste vnto the noble king Oetes that he wold gyue his doughter Medea to him in mariage but he founde the king Oetes triste moche pensif and al other wyse thenÌ„e he was acustomed to be and made him an aÌ„swere in this maner Iason yebere with yow oute of my dominacyon the most ryche tresour that is iÌ„ alle the worlde whiche greuith me gretly yf I hade knowen that I now knowe ye had not comen in tyme therto aÌ„d now ye demaÌ„de me my doughter medea which is most conÌ„yng and the most dere thing that I haue Suffise you wy â— that ye haue And neuer speke to me more therof also dere as ye haue your lyfe With these or semblable wordes the king Oetes wente on oo ê‘t And the noble jason wente on an other syde moche abasshed of the fiers aÌ„d herd answere of the hing Oetes Hercules Theseus and Mopsiuscam thenÌ„e vnto Iason whyche told hem howe he had beÌ„ wyth the king Oetes and how he had required to haue to hys wyf hys doughter Medea and howe the kyng oetes hadde answerd him fiersly But whan they had vnderstanden alle thys they concluded among them that they wolde deê‘te from theÌ„s on the mornÌ„ After this donÌ„ they weÌ„t toke leue of the king thaÌ„ked hym of the grete honour that hit had plesid hym to do to Iason And after they went visited their ship and passid this day with litill plaisir for the king Oetes made hem no chere This notwithstand whaÌ„ the night was come Iason weÌ„te vnto the fayr Medea told to her how he made his requeste to the king Oetes her fader And how he had aÌ„swerd to the regarde of their mariage how he was deê‘ted froÌ„ him wherof the fayr Medea was meruaylloussy soroufull and sore troubled thinking on many thinges But whaÌ„ she had wel bethought her considering her cas her affaire she made right goode chere to jason as she that abandonÌ„ed her alle vnto his plaisir and so it is to be supposed that this night they leye to geder more saye I not for this pÌ„sent as towching their faites of loue In this nyght the fayr Medea toke alle the moste richest jeweles bagges portatif that the king oetes her fader had And she putte and trussed them in a fardell and whan hit came alitill to fore daye she made jason to ryse whyche was anonÌ„ redy And thenÌ„e whan she was alle redy she toke with her alle the rychesses also her yong broder absirthiê° of the aage of xvj monethes whome she toke secretly in a chambre from the nouryce and made her maistresse to cutte hys throte pryuely for certayn causes whiche shall here after be declared After this the fayr medea her maistresse cladd hem aÌ„d disgulsed them in maÌ„nes habyte and by the noble preu jason they were brought vnto the shippe And assone as jason had deliuerid theÌ„ in garde vnto maister maronner Argos he retourned into his chambre til it was day abyding his felawship Hercules Theseus Mopsius and many other knightes that cam with hym at the blowing of an horâ—aÌ„d with that he toke his flees of goolde and sayde to them that he wolde departe from thens wyth alle dylygence for certayn causes and wythout more sayng at thys tyme he toke his waye to th ende that the other knightes of grece sholde folowe And wente so ferre that he eÌ„trid iÌ„ to this ship so well at apoynt that alle his men entrid with him And thenÌ„e the maroÌ„ners disancred and began to rowe by force of oores for asinoche as 〈◊〉 blewe not and the winde helped heÌ„ not by cause hit was calme and thê° in this poynt they putte them on the waye vnto the sonne rysing And at that propre houre whaÌ„ they were not withdrawen past a myle froÌ„ the poorte hyt happend by adueÌ„ture that Argos the mayster maroÌ„ner began to loke toward the poorte aÌ„d he sawe that on alle sydes hit was fulle of peple After this he sawe anoÌ„ and apperceyueyd that fowre lityll shippes at facoÌ„n of Balingers orgaleyes subtyll departed to gydre from the poorte from whens that they they came Wherof the good patrone Argoshadde moch grete meruaille And he wiste not what to thenke he was so encombred For he â–ª hadde well seen that whan the noble Preu Iason and hys companye entrid into his shippe that the king hys baronÌ„s ne the ladyes had not conueyed hym He had grete meruaille but he sayd not one worde ¶ How the kyng Oetes fader of Medea aduertised of the departing of Iason and hys doughter Medea folowed And how Medea caste her broder Absirthyus by pieces into the see doubting her fader the kiÌ„g Oetes And howe the noble Quene ysiphyle fylle doun from an hyghe montaynÌ„ into the see WHo that demandeth of thise foure litill galeyes snbtill for what cause they moued fro the port And what people were inne the historie answerth that theyr entencyoÌ„ was to come after the knightes of grece And the king Oetes was in one of them accompanyed of foure honderd men whiche were alle bourgeyses of the tounÌ„ that he had made to be armed â–ª For asmoche as he was acertayned that hys doughter medea was goonÌ„ with jason and I shalle telle you This kiÌ„g Oetes as said is had ben sorowful anoyed alle the daye precedent foÌ„de him self so full of melancolye that he coude not slepe ne reste Alleway after many thoughtes and precogitacioÌ„s he concluded in hym self that he wolde goo
and conueye Iason at his departyng to thys ende that he comen into Grece sholde preyse him aÌ„d saye that he hadde made hiÌ„ good chere For to briÌ„ge to an eÌ„de this coÌ„clusion he aroos and wyllyng to eÌ„tre fro chambre to chambre til he cam to jason he entrid in to the chambre of the nourice of his sone absirthius â–ª whom he fond not wyth his nourice that slepte wherof he was sore abasshid awaked the nourire and after demanded her wher was hys dere sone absirthius And thenÌ„e the nourire begaÌ„ to loke aboute her but that was for nought for she fonde hâ— not wherfore all effrayed she spraÌ„g out of her bedde and began to seche him diligeÌ„tly alle aboutes the kiÌ„g Oetes entred in to the chambre oâ— Medea and ther he fonde ne ê‘sone ne his doughter ne her that had gouerned her long time ¶ Whan the king Oetes fond not his doughter Medea he was so angry that his blood changed aÌ„d withouthe spekyng ony worde he weÌ„te vp in to the chaÌ„bre where the noble Iason was logged but he fonde neyther jason ne Medea ne ê‘sone to whom he might speke for so moche he departed sodainly and wente vnto the poorte where he fond many of his citezeins that shewed him the ship where the grekes were in whiche was at that time from the poorte more thenÌ„ a quater of a myle thenÌ„ the kyng weping terderly demaÌ„ded them if they had seen hys doughter medea and they answerde nay Ha a fayr sirs sayd thenÌ„ the king The traictres of grece haue wyhtdraweÌ„ her wy t wordes traiterously in somoche as they haue deceyued her brought her into their ship aÌ„d yet that more is haue so euyll couÌ„ceylled her that she hath bornÌ„ with her my sone absirthius O euyl doughter o the euil fortuned child Certes medea thy grete disloyaulte ê¯strayneth me that wyth force of peple j wil goo incoÌ„tinet fecche the for to wete who hath meuyd the thus to doo wy t this I shal take vengeanÌ„ce of the desloyall knight jason wiche to his power reÌ„dreth to me euyl for good ¶ WhaÌ„ the king had sayd thus he retorned into his palays cryeÌ„g that euery man sholde arme him thenÌ„e alle the peple pourueyed them of staue â— armures syn demaÌ„ded wherof proceded the cause of thys alaromÌ„e the whiche anonÌ„ was all commune ThenÌ„e they put them on the â— waye for to go vnto the king whiche cam and yssued on t of hys palays armed and in poynt for tentre into bataill ThenÌ„e he wente vnto the poorte chese out four hoÌ„derd of the beste in poâ—t for to put in to the sayd four galeyes and finably whaÌ„ he had doâ— alle thys he meuyd fro the poorte as sayd is and wyth all haste made his galeyes to be rowed after the knightes of Grece in suche wyse as the maister maronner apê‘ceyued that tho galeyes cam swiftely after theÌ„ for to fecch agayn the fayr medea called jason that japed played wyth medea preseÌ„t his felawe hercules she wid to him the four galeyes armed wherein was the king Oetes and his men wel in poynt whyche approced faste For the galeyes were light jason seyng his encombrance approche called Hercules whyche knewe nothyng herof and demanded him counceyll ThenÌ„e Hercules ansuerde to hym that he knewe none other remedie but that euery man shold putte him to armes and be redy tabyde the batayll yf hit were nede and auowed vnto the goddes that yf the king oetes made ony enterpryse vpon theÌ„ that he wolde putte to deth as many as he myghâ— arethe With thise wordes wyth oute leÌ„ger â—aryeng the noble knight hercules and jason putte them in armes and in lyke wise dyde their felawes ThenÌ„e Medea and her maistresse sprang vpon the planck of the shyp for to beholde the kyng and his galeyes And anonÌ„ after Iason hercules alle iÌ„ armes cam vp on hye by Medea and eche wyth a swerde in his fyste And Medea began to treÌ„ble for fere whaÌ„ she had espyed her fader to approche so nyghe at th eÌ„de the king Oetes poursie wed so sore the shippe of the noble preu jason by force of oores that er they were out of the goulf or braas of the see that there was nomore distance fro on to an other but two bowe shote ThenÌ„ the fayr Medea seyng that is was time to brynge to ende that she had begonÌ„e to fore sayde to her maistres in wepyng tenderly My good mod wher is my lytyll broder absirthius gyue him to me ThenÌ„ the euyll oolde woman opend her lappe and vnwonde the body of the childe whom she had smyteÌ„ into pieces Medea toke the heede lyste it an hygh wherof Hercules jason other seyng this had grete horrour of this cruelte aÌ„d weresore abasshed neuertheles whaÌ„ the preu Iason apperceyued this he wold knowe fro whenâ— came thys creature so dede And sayde to Medea in thys manere My dere loue what haue ye in your thought and what will ye don with this so malerous and pyteus childe My dere loue answerde thenÌ„e Medea Thexperience of my werke enseigneth to yow the thought of my herte Madame answerde thenÌ„e the noble preu jason what is this child that I see here thus detrenched and smyten in pieces certes he is in an euyll houre bornÌ„ that thus myserabli hath finysshed hys dayes My dere loue answerde thenÌ„e the fayr medea This is absirthius my yong broder Knowe ye that he is not malerouse but is ewrous and happy for thys daye he shall be cause of the sauacion of the lyf of his fader and of his menÌ„ thenÌ„e he is moche ewrous and in a goode oure bornÌ„ whaÌ„ he in hys teÌ„dre yongth maye because of the helthe of so moche peple aÌ„d specyally of his fader naturel Certes medea said thenÌ„e jason I see none other facoÌ„n ne moyen but that ye be of all poyntes dishonoured whaÌ„ ye haue coÌ„mysed so ryght pyetousa caas as for to haue mâ—rdryd your ê“pre broder innocent of all thinges A hawhat horrible cruelte My dere loue answerde thenÌ„e medea ne troble you other wise thenÌ„e by resoÌ„ For if it be your plaisir ye shal here what I shall saye aÌ„d after of the caas I make yow iuge ye know how I am by you brought from the howâ— of my fader ayeÌ„st his wyll I haue coÌ„siderid what my departyngis and further more I haue thoughte haue had regarde vnto the grete aÌ„d meruaillous courage of my fader and al thing ouer thought and considerid that I coude not withdraw me fer but he shold be aduertised for he hath of custome that euery morenyng er he goo dounÌ„ he wil see his sone aÌ„d me also I haue jmagyned that anonÌ„ as he fyndeth not me ner his sone that withonte faute he wil come after me in armes lyke as ye see he doth and thus whan I haue
alle thise thinges considered and the grete daunger that myght ensiewe to vs that for me sholde be the bataill mortall bytwene you aÌ„d him in whiche withoute remedie he shold be slaynÌ„ or takeÌ„ by his hye vaylliauÌ„ce seen that vnto deâ—h he wold abandonne him selfe for to recouuere me and to th ende teschewe more grete paryll and dommage for him I haue taken his owen sone which is my broder aÌ„d haue coÌ„manded to put hiÌ„ in the state as ye see for to caste at this tyme abrode iÌ„ to the cours of the see here and there And to gyue empechement vnto the ship of my fader whych thenÌ„e shall tarye whaÌ„ he shalle see his sone absirthius thus dismeÌ„brid flotyng vpon the water for to garde and recuyelle the pieces as ye shall seen playnly anonÌ„ ¶ Wyth thachieuemeÌ„t of these deuises the kiÌ„g oetes approched in suche manere the shippe of the grekes that ther was no more distanÌ„ce but a stone caste ThenÌ„e the fayr medea and the olde woman fylled theyr haÌ„des with the membris of the noble child absirthius in shewyng them to the king oetes his menÌ„ For assone as the oolde quene sspyâ—d the king she escryed these wordes folowyng aÌ„d sayd thus Kyng in no wyse come no nere wenyng to recouure thy sone ne thy doughter As to the regarde of thy doughter thou losest thy time for she is maried vnto jasoÌ„ But atte lest we shall reÌ„dre to the thy sone slayn aÌ„d detreÌ„ched by pieces the whiche we caste into the see to th eÌ„de that thou maist haue thy lyf saued for but If he cansed the to haue occupacion for to recuyelle hys propre membres for to do burye theÌ„ as hit apperteyneth to the sone of a kiÌ„g knowe thou that thou sholdest haue the bataill ayeÌ„st the knightes of grece which ben of so hye vaylliaunces that ther ne is anymal monstre serpent ne tyranÌ„t but that they brynge to destrucâ—yon thenÌ„e hit ought to be bileuyd that the victorye of the bataill shold abyde wyth them aÌ„d certes thou sholdest receyue thy deth so alle thing well ouerseeÌ„ hit is better to the that thou retourne vnto the cite thenÌ„e tapproch more ner for to receyue thy deth aÌ„d wel oughtest thou to haue grete yoye for to see thy happy sone be ded and detrenched by pyâ—ces bi the which thy lyf is respyted for thou art not very ne naturell fader if thou take not hys membreâ— out of the see and if thou so doo thy lyfe shall be saued and all they of thy companye WIth these wordes the olde woman aÌ„d Medea caste in the see the membres of the yong childe absirthius and the kiÌ„g Oetes and hys peple heeryng and seeyng the grete inhumanite cruelte began to escrye ryght pyetoussy aÌ„d dolorousâ—i And were so sore vexed and trobled of thys meruailloê° aueÌ„ture that they wist not what to doo som ther were that begaÌ„ to wepe tenderli the other smote them self on the brestes som began to araye hem to goo to bataylle and escryed to deth the knightes of grece shoting on theÌ„ arowes other trait by grete corage for tanenge them but whan the king sawe that â— no wyse he myght recouure the deth of hys dere sone he made to cesse the escarumssij sayd to his cytezels certes fair siresj pray you to trauaile you nomore for to recouure medea shehath murdrid her ê“pre brod absirthiê° whiche was my sone he that â— time to come sholde haue beÌ„ your naturell lord certes j haue louid wy t all my herte her alle her lyfe that wy t her dissoyall will hath brouht to me one so dolorouse guerdonÌ„ or reward Ha a meda said the kiÌ„g all on hyghe j shal neuer sech ne desire to mete wy t the for cause of so cruell and disnaturell a dede that â–ª thou hast â— my sed to thy propre blode and therfore fayâ— lordes late her aÌ„d alle them that ben with her goo where the goddes will suffre hiÌ„ but knowe ye for certayn that yf j now had her at my liberte I sholde make her to deye a cruell deth howe wele that sholde sourdre therof to me a new sorowe wherfore hit is better that she goo that we enteÌ„de to reassemble the meÌ„bres of my sone whyche floteÌ„ as ye may see vpoÌ„ the wawes of the see to th ende that his flesshe be not pasture to the byrdes ¶ WhaÌ„ thenÌ„e the nobles bourgeyses of the cyte vnderstod their king alle they began to sech the membres of absirthius iudemenyng the moste grete sorow of the world aÌ„d thê° they disposed them to complaire the kyng nomore tassayle their ennemyes And whan they had fysshed the membres of the child they retoraÌ„d vnto the cyte by space of tyme right sorowfull disconforted for the deth of Absirthiê° and for asmoche as medea also was goonÌ„ with jason Medea was thenÌ„e well ioyous aÌ„d more assured thenÌ„ to fore whan she apperceyuid that her fader his meÌ„ taried for to fisshe the meÌ„bres of his sone Certes jason seyng this that sayd is wist not what to thinke aÌ„d Argos the goode maronner rowed alle way in withdrawing from the poorte aÌ„d the yle of Colchos as moche as he myght in so moche that in alytil while he had lost the sighte of the king Oetes of his galeyes aÌ„d that he cam into the hyhe see where the wind blewe aroose that anonÌ„ they desployed their sayle which they woÌ„deâ— vp an hyghe wherfore the shippe made good way wherof argos was moche yoyous and thenÌ„e he sayd that euery man myghte leye dounÌ„ his harnoys frely promysing them to be oute of all parilâ— for that time Iason at this tyme was ryght pensyf for the cruelte inhumanyte that he had seen this daye and spak not one worde and semed by coÌ„parisonÌ„ more triste thenÌ„e joyous not withoute cause Whan medea had vnderstande that Argos assewryd alle the companye for that tyme froÌ„ alle parils that they had ben in was thoo conforted gretly but she behelde her handes that yet were all foule of the blood of her brother Absuthius she wente wasshed hem aÌ„d made hem clene after she caÌ„ sette her dounÌ„ by Iason seyng that he was moche pensyf sayde to hiÌ„ by a gracious curtays manere My dere loue wheron thinke you Certes jason answerde not one worde And whan she sawe that she sayde to hiÌ„ agayn the same word My dere loue jason wheron thinke yow ThenÌ„ Iason answerde to her thus Lady syn that ye desire to knowe wheron I thinke knowe ye for trouth that yf it were not for the grete loue that I haue in yow and for that I haue promysed to wed yow and bryng yow into Grece I wolde not do it wherfore kepe from henssorward that ye do no suche thing as dere as ye will haue pees bytwene yow aÌ„d me Vpon thise wordes Medea excused her the
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
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
but howe well that hym semed a thing ipossible wherto he gaf no fayth yet he ansuerde sayde to her Certes fayr lady I knosaide to her Certes fayr lady I knowe for trouth that ye are right wyse and wel eyperimeÌ„ted in pleÌ„te of hye sciences ye can moche more thenÌ„ all other ladyes aÌ„d damoiselles but yet this semeth a moche a grete thyng to do so as ye saye to me I wold it plesed the goddes now that your science might stracchÌ„ into so hye a matere for somoche as that sholde be to me a ryght grete wele For I wolde that my fader myght lyue so loÌ„ge that he shold put me in my sepulture wythout abregyng or shortyng of my tyme ye knowe well that euery man desireth to lyue By alle my goddes sire aÌ„swerde the lady ye shall well knowe that for no thing I will abuse ne deceyue yow But I declare yow for trouth that for to lenghte the lyfe of your fadere the king lenger thenÌ„e the goddes aÌ„d nature hath ordeyned by lymitacyoÌ„ of tyme as touching that I will not touche for my scyence may not furnisshe that But as to the regarde for to reduce his yoÌ„gthÌ„ in suche wise as he shal seme to yow and all other in the aage of xxxij yere I will make me strong so to do if it be youre playsir and his Madame aÌ„swerde thenÌ„ jason I am asfor my self more thenÌ„e content and pray yow therof withÌ„ all my herte But we muste go vnto the king my fader and declare to hiÌ„ alle the fayte for to here his oppynyoÌ„ Wyth these wordes jason brought the fayr Medea vnto the king EsoÌ„ hys fader And declared to him the good wille that medea had toward him Sayng that if he wold consente therto and ay de hym self that she sholde make him yong agayn brig hi froÌ„ his olde age vnto the aage of xxxij yere But as to the regard of the lengthing of youre lyf other wise thenÌ„e god aÌ„d nature hath ordeyned as to that she will nothing touche Whan the noble auncieÌ„t king Eson had vnderstond this that sayd is he beyng sette vpon a couche aÌ„d resting his heed vpon his arme which was whyte balled he sayd vnto medea My fayre doughter ye haue ben cause as I vnderstande that jason my sone is comen to his honoure and prouffit aÌ„d to his aboue of hys enterpryse and that wythÌ„out youre councele moyen and ayde he hadd ben dede deuoured by the dredeful horryble bestes that kept the noble and ryche motonÌ„ or shepe of golde in the yle of Colchos as ye haue kept saued his lyf in his yoÌ„g ange flourisshing in vertues and valent wyll ye also saue mynÌ„ in my last dayes for certes after the cours of nature I am at the brinke of my pytte or sepulture and thus liyng a long time in the vmbre or shadowe of dethÌ„ I had leuer to be and dwelle in the worlde thenÌ„ to part out therof for ther is no thing that j desire somoche whan it shal be to you possible as for to retorne me into the prosperite of yongthe therfor my fayr doughter yf hit be in you or in your scieÌ„ce to do this that ye haue put in termes by your moeuing and after by your worde j sholde be gretly holdeÌ„ vnto yow and yf it plese you to take the crowne of my royaume I shal gyue hit vnto yow without claymyng it euyr aft My dere fader answerde medea it is wel knoweÌ„ that ye ar an hye prince garnisshed with good renoÌ„me of noble conuersacion digne to bere the crowne wherfore as reson is your dignite shal abyde with you alle your lyff and in fauour of youre seignoureuse geÌ„tilnesse ye yet er ix daies beÌ„ past j shal renewe you as sayd is vnto the age of xxxij yere j shal not laboure on noâ— other mater vnto the time that j am come to the aboue of myn enterpryse whicâ— is no lytyl thing Wythout makâ—g of ony delaye the fayr Medea toke leue of her lord jason for viij dayes hole thenÌ„ she departed fro the palays and weÌ„te the most secretly that she coude all allone vnto a grete woode and whan the nyght was comen aÌ„d that the mone shone bright clere she knelid doâ—n thries on her knees studyeng at echÌ„ tyme her science syn lyft vp her visage vnto the heueÌ„ made this oroisoÌ„ that folowethÌ„ Mone reposing iÌ„ the myddes of the sterres that shynest confermest the charmes and ye the goddes of montaignes of the valeyes of woodes of desertes of the fontaynes of sees of herbes and of trees beye in my begynnyug and gyue me aide in my werke for the salute helthe of kynge Eson whan she had said this she made certain signes aboute her aÌ„d after she maad soÌ„me secrete inuocacyons and thenÌ„e she was lifte vp into the ayer and bornÌ„ into alle the Regyons of the world Where she gadred and toke many herbes of diuerce facoÌ„ns and condicions many precious stones and was thus in poynt labouring by the space of viij dayes And on the ix daye she was restablisshid in the same woode aÌ„d in the propre place froÌ„ wheÌ„s she was lyfte vp into the ayer And there she fonde her self tofore a moche ryche temple that was tâ—ere dedyed vnto the goddesse Hebe aÌ„d to the goddesse Hekates ¶ Hit was on the poynt of the daye erly whan Medea foÌ„de her self tofore the temple And thenÌ„ medea abode ther alle rauisshed vnto the sonÌ„ne rysing thenÌ„e she entrid into the teÌ„ple made sacrefice vnto the goddes hebe and hekates Hebe was called goddesse of yoÌ„gthe hekates of charmerye Whan she had donÌ„ thus she yssued oute of the temple and dyde make a pytte in the erthe and in this pitte whiche was depe she sacrefied a black shepe vnto the goddes of helle of whom she helde and kepte the blood and medlyd it wyth the herbes And after that she was garnisshid of all that was nedefull for her retorned vnto the olde auncient kiÌ„g Eson and dyde do make for hym a fayr bayne wheriÌ„ she put these herbes mylke and hony and whaÌ„ she had prepared made redy alle that was for him necessarie In the preseÌ„ce of Iason she pnt the king into the baygne where the herbes begonÌ„e to smell right swete and euer more aÌ„d more gaf good odour And anonÌ„ after that he was therin and that she had rubbed and froted hym wythÌ„ the herbes he fyll a slepe by her arte whan he was a slepe she made hiÌ„ alytyll wounde where oute she drewe his olde bloode and lefte him in this poynte by the space of vij houres after this she awoke him aÌ„d made him to yssue out of the baygne all naked hole and soâ—d of alle his meÌ„bres as he hadd ben in the aage of two an thretty yere ¶ Whan the preu Iason the kyng his fader hym self sawe
hydoâ—se feates I renonÌ„ce yow in alle poyntes your companye and coÌ„mand you vnto the goddes After these wordes jason departed from the chaÌ„bre sore disconforted and without takyng leueof the king his faderne of other persone he departed allone vpon his hors fro the castell of Pintaquo ¶ Whan Medea had vnderstande that jason to whoÌ„ she had do so moche as her semed of honour other thinges renonÌ„ced her ê¯panye and that she apyceyued that he had taken his hors â–ª was allone departed oute of the castell She toke her yongest sone in her armes and twoo of damoiselles in her companye And in this wise went after jason thinking to repease him by fayre wordes â–ª but the preu jasoÌ„ was in ouer grete trouble and anger rode alle way forth to fore hym so long that he entrid into a forest And ê¯tinuelly had his veu aÌ„d sight to ward the erthe â–ª thinkng on the malefetes of Medea of her inhumanytes aÌ„d murdres And he weÌ„te so ferre in the woode that medea knew not where he becam how weâ—e she retorned not to Pintaquo but sought alway jason as long as the day endured And at nyght she â–ª her childe her two damoiselles laye vndre a tre for the better wyth sore bewayling The king Eson dide do burye thys night his broder peleus hys twoo doughters honourably â–ª and made a meruaâ—lloê¯ sorow for their deth but whan it cam at the euen that Medea ne jason his sone cam not to him as they were acustomed his sorow doublid in grete anguissâ—e and iÌ„ grete displaisir cessed not al the nyght to be in grete thought melancolye Whan the mornyng was comeÌ„ â–ª he sente out his men into the woode for to seche jason medea but they that so were sent coude woot finde theÌ„ ne here no tydinges of them And the preu jason wente alwaye forth also pensif as he myght be his auenture was suche that after many iourneyes many wayes aÌ„d champaynes trauersid as he that tode by day in the nyght restid lete hys hors bayte pasture in the feldes aÌ„d medo wes he arryued in the cyte of Corinthe â–ª where as waste king of that countre named Creante the which had thenÌ„e a fayre doughter named Creasa Iason went vnto thys creaÌ„te aÌ„d gaf him to knowlech what he was â–ª but creante assone as he hadd knowlech of hym dide hiÌ„ moche grete honour for the loos goode renoÌ„mee that he had goten by his ryght hye valiauÌ„ce in many a royame aÌ„d countre In cormthe theâ—e Iason dweld and abode a certam space of tyme Lteusa that was a right fayr lady â–ª beheld ofte tymes Iason And desired wy t goode wille to be accoÌ„panyed wyth him â–ª but jason was so empesshid wy t sorow of melaÌ„colye â–ª that he might take none hede of hit And furthermore he was so charmed that in no wyse he might loue none except medea Whan the king creante apperceyued the maintene of Iason and that he made no joye by ê¯tinuaunce of time â–ª he caÌ„ to him on a daye â—iured hi that he shold telle hiÌ„the cause of his anoye grief And how well that jason excused him alle way the king oppressid him more more dide somoche by fayr wordes Iason confessid to him the auentures that were befalleÌ„ betwene him medea â–ª aÌ„d sayd to him also how he was departed fro his countrey more for to withdrawe him fro Medea to forgete her thenÌ„ for ony other cause â–ª but he coude not finde the manere ne me ne for to come to his aboue The king Creante whyche was a wise prince knowing the caas of jason by thys that he gaf him knowleche wolde be his cordyall frende for be counceylled him that assone as he myght he sholde take wedd a new wyf saying that the loue new acqueyntanÌ„ce of a new wyf shold make â–ª him lyghtly to lose and forgete the thoughtes Imaginacyons of loue and the plaisits that he hath had in the firste WhaÌ„ jason had vnderstaÌ„de that the king counceilled him wisely that he saide to him the secrete of the caas he thanked him moche and sayde that he wolde marie him if he coude finde a wyf after his estate And therwith he toke leue of the king and wythdrew him into his logys it was not long after that he ne retorned vnto the palays of the king for to see the ladyes among all other de began to beholde the fair Creusa And approched to her weniÌ„g to requyre her of loue but whaÌ„ it cam to the openyng of hys mouth certes the souuenauÌ„ce of medea cam to fore him that toke awaye all hys enteÌ„demeÌ„ts in al poyntes Whan jasoÌ„ saw this that sayd is â–ª he arose vp froÌ„ theÌ„s entrâ—oÌ„ into a gardyn where he fonde him self so melancoliod troubled in his courage that he knewe not what he might do best ThenÌ„ it happend that the kyng anone after came into this gardyne for to reclayme a sperhawke of his â–ª but he foÌ„ de jason sett vnder the tree Then he wente to him for to resone wy him â–ª and jason arose incontineÌ„t as he sawe hym come and thenÌ„e the kyng aâ—ed him how hit was how he felte him Certes syre answerde thenÌ„ Iason me semeth that I am alwaye in one poynt â–ª after sayde to hym in this wyse Sire j remeÌ„bre well how ye haue couÌ„ceylled me for to absteyne me to thinke on Medea the whiche is contynuelli in myn enteÌ„demeÌ„t for to take to wyf som newe Lady Wherfore I requyre yow aÌ„d praye wyth all my hert that ye wyll gyue to me creusa youre doughter to spouse and felawe ye so doyng shal do to me the grettest honour playsâ— that may come to me For yf it be other wyse I am the most euyl fortuned knight that is in the remenauÌ„t of the world Incontinent as the geÌ„tyll king had vnderstondeÌ„ the requeste of Iason as a prince ryght yoyous answerde to hym aÌ„d sayde Certes jason ye do to me and to al our how 's grete honour whan ye requyre for your felawe and wyff my dere doughter I gyue to yow my doughter And she is well destyneed and comen in to thys worlde for you Certes sire I â—â—corde youre requeste and gyue her to yow With these wordes the kiÌ„g â—â—nte for the guene â–ª his doughter â–ª and for the baronÌ„s and knightes of hys court The â–ª ladies aÌ„d damoiselles as well of his palais as of his cyte were sente fore â–ª and in the presence of alle theÌ„ that there were he made Iason aÌ„d his doughter to promise that they sholde wedde and espouse eche other within a certayn termeâ—that was tho said aÌ„d after these thinges by thauis of his baronÌ„s knightes aÌ„d the ladies the day of their espousaylles was ordeyned and dyd do make ther a feste so fayr
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
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