and mantellys and towellys WHan al was redy parys wente to the kepars of the pryson and sayd I thanke you many tymes of the playsyrs that ye haue doon to me I wyl now departe fro hens for to retorne to my lord the souldan but for your loue I wyl soupe wyth you thys nyght and praye yow that we may soupe to gyder they ansuerd that it wel pleased them for his loue Thenne Parys sente for the vytayll for the wyn and after it was come they souped to gyder And the kepars which had not been accustomed to drynke wyn dranke so moche that they alle were dronke Incontynent lâ—yed them doun to slepe slepte so faste that for noo thyng they coude not awake them whan parys sawe that he sayd to the freres that they shold vnfeter the doulphyn that they shold opene the yates of the pryson yf ony of the kepars awake I shal slee hym Thenne the freres began to vnfetere the doulphyn wyth grete drede prayeng god to be theyr ayde and helpe And whan the doulphyn was loos he cladde hym lyke a moure After Parys slewe alle the kepars one after another by cause yf they awoke they shold not come after them THys doon the doulphyn wyth parys and his varlet and the two freres camen to the porte and hastely entred in to the fuste which was al redy and wonde vp theyr saylle and by the helpe of god began so fast to saylle that wyth in fewe dayes they arryueden in a place that thenne was crysten and there the doulphyn wente a londe by cause he was moche greued and annoyed as wel of the see as for the harme that he had suffred in pryson and there borowed money and fro thens came in to cypres where was a kyng whyche had dwellyd in the courte of the kyng of fraunce The whiche as sone as he knewe that the doulphyn of vyennoys was come he went to mete hym and prayed hym that he wold come and lodge in hys paleys And the doulphyn wente thyder wherof the kyng had grete Ioye there he made hym grete chyere for many tymes they had seen eche other in the kynges court of Fraunce and after the kyng demaunded hym of his aduenture the doulphyn recounted it to hym al alonge and bycause of the comyng of the doulphyn he made moche grete feste and receyued hym moche hyely and made hym to soiourne there as longe as it playsed hym And whan the doulphyn had sojourned there at his playsyr he took leue of the kyng and of al hys courte thankyng hym moche of the grete playsyr that he had doon to hym The kyng seyng that the doulphyn wold departe he gaf to hym grete yeftes and dyd do arme two galleyes whyche accompanyed hym and brought hym vpon the see and had soo good wynde that in fewe dayes after they brought hym in to aygues mortes WHan the doulphyn was arryued the knyghtes of the doulphyne herde it anone and forthwyth maad them redy went to horsback mette wyth hym at aygues mortes there receyued hym in grete honour so came forth the ryÈt waye to vyenne and for Ioye of hys comyng al they of the cyte made a moche noble and meruayllous feste whyche endured wel fyftene dayes the playsyr Ioye was so grete emonge them by cause they had recouuerd theyr lord that noo man shold and coude haue thought it Parys in alle this wyse neuer chaunged hys vesture ne clothyng but contynuelly wente to masse and by the commaundement of the doulphyn the people dyd hym grete reuerence honour so moche that parys was ashamed therof and spake noo thynge but mouryske And he had a grete berde and made to noo persâ—ne of the world ony knowleche and after a whyle of tyme the doulphyn for taccomplysshe that he had promysed to parys by the frere dyd do say to parys and do demaunde yf he wold haue the seygnourye of hys londe and contree For he was al redy for taccomplysshe that whyche he had promysed And Parys made to hym ansuer that he shold kepe stylle hys londe Thenne the doulphyn dyd do demauÌ„de hym yf he wold haue hys doughter vyenne and parys made the frere to say ye for that pleased hym wel And thenne they wente to hyr ¶ Thenne whan they were tofore Vyenne the frere spake first Madame ye knowe wel that my lord your fader hath ben a grete whyle in pryson and yet shold haue been ne had haue been thys moure whyche hath saued hym puttyng hys persone in ryght grete peryl and daunger for the loue of my lord your fader And thus ye may wel knowe how moche he is holden to hym by cause herof your fader is subget to hym euer wherfore your fader prayeth you that vpon al the playsyr that ye wyl doo for hym that ye wyll take hym for your husbond And he shal pardonne all the desplaysyr that euer ye dyd to hym whan the frere had fynysshed his wordes vyenne ansuerd to hym sayeng The bysshop of saynt laurence knoweth wel that is here present that it is longe syth that yf I â—â—old haue be maryed I myght haue ben maryed wyth more honour vnto my fader than vnto this moure for the sone of the duc of borgoyne had espoused me yf I wold haue consented but god hath put me in suche a maladye that I may not longe lyue in this world euery day my maladye encreaceth so enpayreth me that I am half roten wherfor I praye you to say to my fader that he holde me excused for at thys tyme I wyl not be maryed Thenne they took theyr leue of vyenne recounted alle thys to the doulphyn TheÌ„ne the doulphyn sayd to the frere that he shold say it to the moure so the frere tolde it al to parys and thenne parys which was aferde to lese the loue of vyenne wente for to see hyr in the pryson with the frere the bysshop of saynt laurence Thenne whan Parys sawe vyenne in that dysposycyon he had moche grete sorowe grete merueylle and thenne he made the frere to salewe hyr in hys name and vyenne ansuerd vnto hys gretyng ryght curtoysly the frere sayd in the name of parys Madame ye knowe wel I haue delyuerd your fader oute of pryson wherof ye ought to haue synguler playsyr yet he shold haue been there yf I had not haue been and holpen hym oute he pardonneth you with good hert and good wylle alle the desplaysyrs that euer ye dyd ageynst hys playsyr And prayeth you that ye take me for your husbond and wyll that we haue the lordshyp of the doulphyne and therfor I praye you that neyther ye nor I lose not thys honour ¶ And yet more though thys were not ye ought not to dysobeye the commaundementes of your fader ¶ And thenne vyenne ansuerd to the frere
for to gete honour I now see you al chaunged syn ye took acqueyntaunce wyth thys bysshop for lothe I were to see you bycome a man of relygyon as I fere he wyl brynge you to and ryght wrothe I am that ye were not at that noble and ryal tournoyment that hath be holden in vyenne for the sake of alle the ladyes of thys londe wherfore dere sone I praye you to take hede to your self that ye lese not your good renommee your worshyp ne the praysyng also that ye gate afore tyme and that ye spende not your yongthe in yoâ—enesse And Parys heryng alle thys ansuerd noo thyng to hys fader but abode stylle pensyfâ—â—ll thynkyng on the beaute of vyeÌ„ne NOw sayth thystorye that as ye haue herde aboue a grete stryf befyl emong the knyghtes aforesayd for the loue of the thre damoyseâ—les afore sayd For the erles sone of Flaundres was gretely wrothe for thys cause wyth the Duc of brennes and had beten hurte sore eche other so that none myÈt make the pees betwyxte theym For eyther of hem mayntened bare oute the beaute of his lady ¶ It happed thenne that fyue knyghtes hardy and valyaunte came forth the whyche sayd that they were redy to fyght and for to proue by force of armes that Florye the dukes doughter of Normandye was the fayrest damoysel of alle the world And Incontynent stert vp fyue other knyghtes that said mayntened that couâ—taunce the kynges syster of englond was the fayrest And forthwyth other v knyghtes rose vp that mayntened and vphelde the beaute of vyenne aboue alle other wymmen in the world in so moche that thys debute cam to the knowleche of the kyng of Fraunce whiche sayd that herof myght growe a grete trouble and dyscorde emong his barons other lordes Soo sente he worde to them that they shold come toward hym and that he shold gyue suche a sentence vpon theyr stryf that they al shold be therof contente the whyche message pâ—â—sed them wel and came 〈◊〉 toward hym assone as they myght And whan they were come tofore the kyng they spake of theyr stryf But anone the kyng ordeyned a Ioustes for the louâ— of the sayd thre ladyes made his mâ—undement that they al shold coâ—e wyth theyr armes and hors for to Iouste the viij day of septembre in the cyte of parys and they that shold do best in armes at that day they shold haue the prys the worshyp of the feste and the lady on whos beaute they helde with shold be reputed and holden for the fayrest damoysel of alle the world The kyng of Fraunce thenne sente worde to the faders of the forsayd thre ladyes prayeng them to come atte same feste and that eyther of them shold brynge wyth hym a present of rychesse the which thre presentes shold be yeuen in the worshyp of their thre doughters to the best doer in armes in token of vyctorye And thus the kyng of englond fyrst sent for hys syster Constauâ—ce a fayre crowne of gold alle sette wyth perlys and precyous stones of grete value The duc of Normandye for loue of hys doughter Florye sente a ryght fayre garlond sette wyth dyuers perlys precyous stones moche ryche and of grete extymacyon And the daulphyn for loue of hys doughter vyenne sente a moche ryche coler of gold al enuyronned wyth precyous stones of dyuers colours the whiche was worth a ryght grete tresour And these thre Iewellys were delyuerd to the kynge of Fraunce The forsayd knyghtes thenne made them redy and apparaylled al thynges accordyng to the Ioustes in ryche araye came al to the cyte of Parys and wete ye wel that in Fraunce was not seen afore that day so grete noblesse of barons and knyghtes as were there assembled for there were the moost hye prynces barons of englond of Fraunce and of Normandye and eyther of them dyd sette al hys wytte and enâ—endement to vpholde and bere oute that they had purposed and sayd and euery baron gaf hys lyuerey that they shold be knowen eche fro other the bruyt renoÌ„me was that my lady constaunce shold haue thonour of that feste for thys that many a fayre and hardy knyght made them redy to mayntene the quarelle of hyr beaulte but neuertheles eyther of these thre partyes hoped to haue the worshyp of the feste parys that was in vyenne the cyte and that wel knewe the grete apparaylle of thys feste took counceyl of Edward hys felawe whether he shold goo to parys or not And Edward counceylled hym to goo thyder so that he wente secretly sayd yf ye goo thyder secretly and yf god gyue you grace that ye gete the worshyp of the feste grete wele good shal come to you therby and yf ye goo and be knowen the. daulphyn and the other lordes shal not preyse you soo moche as they shold yf ye were vnknowen for cause that ye be not of so grete lygnage as they be another is yf ye goo openlÌ„y and that my lady vyenne happeth to haue thonour of the feste by your prowesse she shal nought be sette by consyderyng the other grete lordes that shal be there procedyng your degree yf she gete the worshyp of the feste by a knyght vnknowen the loue and honour shal growe the more in hyr courage toward hym that thus hath doon for hyr sake wherfore I counceyl you to goo thyder in the moost secretest wyse that ye may for my truste is that ye shal gete grete worshyp there and but yf ye goo truste me I shal make my self redy to goo thyder for you For I wyl be lothe to sâ—e the beaulte of my lady vyeÌ„ne to be rebuked At these wordes graunted Parys to goo to the sayd Ioustes and whan he was redy haâ—â— al thynges accordyng to a noble knyght he departed in the secretest manere that he myght toward the cyte of parys whâ—re as the kyng of Fraunce maad grete prouysyon of alle maner metes and of al other thynges necessarye to suche a ryal feâ—te And in the myddes of the cyte of parys he ordeyned the place where the knyghtes shold Iouste and dyd doo make many fayre scaffoldes for the ladyes and damoyselles to be sette on for to be holde the Ioustyng Also he dyd do make thre baners ful fayre and ryche the fyrst baner was whyt and there was wryton vpon hit in letters of gold vyenne doughter to my lord godfroy of alenson daulphyn of vyennoys the second baner was rede and was wryton theron in letters of gold Constaunce the kynges syster of englond The thyrd baner was whyt and in letters of gold was wryton theron Florye doughter to the duc oâ— norâ—andye and these iij baners were pyght vp at the thre cornes of the felde and wete ye that so grete prees was there that the peple took theyr place vpon the scaffoldes ij dayes afore the feste for to see the
to hym possyble wyth ryghtâ— good hert thenne Parys sayd to hym knowe ye for cartayn that I haue wrath rancour to a man of thys toâ—â—ne for certayn desplaysyr that he hath doon to me wherfor I wyl slee hym and Incontynent as I haue slayne hym I wyl departe out of the royame of Fraunce wherfore I praye you that ye wyl goo to Aygues mortes that ye there make redy a galeye furnysshed of al thynges necessarye tyl that we be arryued there as we wold be And also I praye you that ye doo ordeyne fro hens to aygues mortes fro v myle to v myle alwaye good horses redy to th ende that we may surely refresshe vs yf it be nede also I wyl that ye do thys as secretly as ye may and loo here is money ynough for to furnysshe these sayd thynges George sayd I shal doo al thys gladly And Incontynent made hym redy whan he came to aygues mortes he hyred a galeye and establisshed al the passages and dyd wel al that parys had charged hym came ageyn and tolde to parys how he had pourueyed al that he had charged hym wherof parys was moche Ioyous anone parys wente and tolde to Vyenne that alle thynges that she had comaunded were doon And theÌ„ne they concluded that the nexte nyght folowyng that at a certeyn houre eche of them shold be redy theÌ„ne he took leue of hyr and wente home and bad George to take two hors out of hys stable and that he shold sadle them and abyde hym wythoute the cyte in a certayn place tyl he shold come Edward the felowe of Parys wyste noo thynge of alle thys wherof he was moche abusshed and meruayllously angry whan that he knewe it ¶ How parys ladde awaye vyenne and ysabeau by nyght WHan Parys was pourueyed of money and of al other thynges beyng to them necessarye he wente allone the secretest wyse that he myÈt and came to the place emprysed at the houre taken and he made a tokene whiche vyenne knewe And anone vyenne and ysabeau cladde them in mannes araye â—epen oute of the castel by a fauce porte and so came these two damoyselles to the place where as parys was allone whyche awayted vpon theyr comyng Incontynent they departed and went where as theyr horses were whom they took rode as faste as they myght and george rode alwaye tofore by cause to knowe wel the waye and whyles they thus rode aroos a storme wyth a grete rayne whyche endured tyl on the morne at nyght and thenne they arryued nygh vnto a lytel towne but they entrâ—d not by cause they wold not be knowen and wente lodged them in a lytel chyrche nygh vnto the toun where they fonde a chapelayn whiche receyued them gladly the best wyse he myght thenne whan the nyght came Parys and the chapelayn slepte in a lytel hous Ioynyng to the chyrche George and parys seruaunte slepten in the stable with the bestes And vyenne ysabeau slepten in the chyrche and in the mornyng erly they wente lyghtly to horsback rode tyl they came nyghe vnto a ryuer whyche was rysen hye by cause of the rayne that had fallen Thenne parys was moche angry by cause he sawe wel that it was moche peryllous sayd to George that he shold serche aduyse somme good place where they myght passe ouer george wythdrewe hym a lytel from them and chaas a place whiche thought hym good and took the ryuer wyth hys hors And whan he was in the myddes of the streme hys hors faylled hym that he was drowned and hys hors also ¶ Parys seyng that george was drowned was moche sore abasshed and durst make noo semblaunte by cause that fayre vyenne shold haue noo me lancolye And after Vyenne demaunded of Parys where george was bycomen and parys answerd to hyr that he had sent hym for to serche somme good passage and they wold torne in to the chyrche ageyn tyl George were comen And vyenne ansuerd to hym that it playsed to hyr wel soo to doo For she had grete doubte and fere for to passe the water ¶ And whan they were in the chyrche Parys was moche aferde to abyde longe in that place for he sawe that it was not sure wherfore he demaunded the chapelayn yf they myght in ony wyse passe that water And the chapelayn sayd not in thre dayes tyl the water were decreâ—ed and aualed ¶ And parys sayd to hym that he shold goo in to the towne to seche and see yf he myght fynde ony men that wold make a brydge soo that they myÈt passe And that he shold spare for no money For I shal paye to them as moche as they wyl haue the chapelayn sayd that he shold doo hys beste Thus dyd Parys noo thynge but thynke how they myght passe the ryuer Now leue we Parys and torne we to the doulphyn whych had lost his fayre doughter vyenne ¶ How the doulpyn dyd doo serche and seche vyenne by hys seruauntes ON the morne that vyeÌ„ne was loste departed fro the hous of hyr fader that the doulphyn knewe it he supposed to haue goon oute of hys wytte al the courte was troubled sente hastely men on horsback a fote by dyuers partyes the moost secretely that he myght prayed them that they shold brynge home to hym vyenne quyck or dede It happed by adueÌ„ture that one of his men a fote that was sente to seche Vyenne came in to the towne where as the chapelayn was comen to seche men to make the brydge The foteman demaunded euery man yf they had seen two damoyselles whyche were fledde fro the doulphyns courte TheÌ„ne the chapelayn said to hym that it was not longe syth suche tweyne departed wyth other men ¶ And the man supposed that the sayd chapelayn had sayd it in Iape or in mockyng And sayd that the Doulphyn was moche angry and had sworne that yf ony maÌ„ or woman knewe where they were and shewed it not that he shold make them to lose theyr hedes And whan the chapelayn herde these wordes he remembred hym of them that were hyd in hys hous And in grete drede sayd to hym that he shold tarye there a lytel that for the loue of my lord doulphyn he wold gladly seche for them and assone as he myght fynde tydynges of them he shold lete hym wyte And so departed fro thens and retorned home ageyn and tolde al thys to parys and what he had herde in the toune sayeng also that he doubted that it was for them of hys companye wherfore he sayd to hym ferthermore syr I praye you that ye departe from hens and suffre not that I lese my lyf but take ye the beste counceyl ye can For there ben fyfty men on horsback that seche you whan Parys herde hym say this it nedeth not to demaunde yf he were heuy and melancolyous and for the
as to the persone of Parys sayeng I knowe well that ye haue delyuerd my fader oute of pryson Not wythstondyng my fader shal haue suche regarde ageynst you that ye shal lese noo thynge ¶ And I wote wel that ye be a man of grete lygnage are thorthy to haue a gretter lady than I am But the bysshop of seynt Laurence whyche is present knoweth wel that for the maladye that I am in I may not longe lyue theÌ„ne sayd the frere in his name this is by cause I am a moure that ye refuse me I promyse you that I shal become crysten but I thynke wel that yf ye knewe who that I am and what I haue lefte for to brynge your fader oute of pryson that ye wold preyse me more than ye doo knowe ye for certeyn that your fader shal be pariured for he hath promysed that ye shal be my wyf wherof ye shal haue blame therfore yf it playse you graunte ye hym hys wylle Thenne sayd vyenne lord I haue herd say moche good of you that ye be he that haue doon so moche for my fader but neuertheles in the maladye in the whyche I am none ought to counceyl me to take an husbond For my lyf may not longe endure and by cause that ye may knowe that I say trouth approche ye ner to me ye shal fele and smelle in what dysposycyon I am of my persone And thenne they approuched ner to hyr and vyenne had put two quarters of an henne vnder hyr two arme hooles and there yssued so grete stenche that the bysshop ne the frere myght not suffre it Neuertheles the â–ª stynche was to parys a good odour for he smellyd it not sayd I wote not what ye smelle for I fele none euyl sauour And they meruaylled strongely by cause he felte not the odour And the frere sayd in parys name For this odour shal I neuer leue you I assure you I shal neuer departe fro hens vntyl ye haue consented to that your fader wyl and vyenne answerd moche angrely sayd by the fayth that I owe to god I shal rather reÌ„ne wyth my hede ayenst the waâ—â—e that I shal make my brayn yssue oute of my mouth so shal ye be the occasyon of my dethe TheÌ„ne sayd the frere ye shal not so doo madame For I promyse you fro hens forth that I shal neuer speke more to you sythe that it is not your wylle ne plesyr but atte leste of one thyng I praye you that this nyght ye aduyse you and I shal retorne to morn for to haue of you an ansuer and ye shal take counceyll of your felowe and I praye to god that ye may be wel counceylled and alle these thynges sayd the frere in the name of parys to vyenne And after they took theyr leue of vyenne and sayd alle to the doulphyn wherof he was thenne moche dyspleased and bad the frere to telle it alle vnto Parys for to excuse hym and that he shold not leye the blame on hym ¶ And whan they were departed fro vyenne she sayd to ysabeau My fayr suster what semeth you of the wysedom of my fader that thynketh that I shold take thys moure to my husbond and haue refused the sone of the Duke of bourgoyne but god forbede that euer in my lyf I haue other lord than Parys to myn husbond whome I hope yet to haue ysabeau sayd Certes Madame I wote not what to say of your fader whyche wold gyue you to a moure in maryage I haue therof grete thought for he hath sayd that he shal retorne to morn to see you and hath sayd that ye shold remembre and aduyse you ¶ How Parys came to see vyenne in the pryson and how she knewe hym ANd on the morn betymes Parys cladde hym moche more rychely than he had be accustomed gyrde wyth a moche ryche swerde and came to the pryson with the frere and the frere sayd to hyr Madame we been retorned for to knowe your good answer and your entencyon And vyenne ansuerd lordes myn entencyon is that I shal neuer breke my promesse that I haue made For I haue auowed that I shal neuer take husbond ne goo oute of this pryson but dede sauf hym to whome I haue promysed and therfore retorne ye in good tyme ¶ Thenne sayd the frere by my fayth I wote not what to say for it is grete dommage that ye suffre so moche sorowe payne and syth it is thus your wylle that ye wyl none otherwyse do Neuertheles the moure prayeth you that it may playse you to do to hym so moche grace that syth ye wyl not take hym in maryage that ye wyl were thys rynge for the loue of hym Now thys rynge was the same rynge that vyenne gaf to parys whan he departed fro hyr in the how 's of the chappelayn and vyenne by cause they shold nomore come ageyn took the rynge whan she had receyued the rynge parys sayd to the frere I praye you that ye tarye a lytel wythoute For I wyl see what countenaunce she wyl make of the rynge and the frere sayd gladly Neuertheles he meruaylled moche and Incontynent the frere wente onte and vyenne began to beholde the rynge and whan parys sawe that vyenne byhelde the rynge so strongely he began to speke in hys playne tongue and sayd O moche noble lady why be ye so moche admeruayled of that rynge Thenne sayd vyenne Certes to my semyng I sawe neuer a fayrer ¶ Thenne sayd parys Therfore I praye you that ye take therin playsyr for the more that ye byholde it the more ye shal prayse it WHan Vyenne herde the moure thus speke theÌ„ne she was more admeruaylled than tofoâ—â— and was as a persone al abasshed and sayd Alas am I enchaunted what is thys that I see and here speke And in sayeng these wordes she wold haue fledde for fere oute of the pryson by cause she herde the moure so speke thenne sayd parys O moche noble lady vyenne meruaylle ye noo thynge ne haue ye noo doubte lo here is parys your true seruaunte and vyenne was theÌ„ne abasshed more than tofore Certes sayd she this may not be but by werke enchaunted parys sayd Noble lady hit is none enchaunted werke For I am your seruaunt parys whyche lefte you with ysabeau in suche a chyrche there ye gaf to me the dyamond whiche now I haue delyuerd to you and there ye promysed to me that ye wold neuer take husbond but me and be ye noo thynge admeruaylled of the berde ne of the vesture that I were for they take awaye the knowleche of me many other wordes sayd parys to vyenne by whyche she knewe clerely that he was parys and for the souerayn loue that she bare to hym for the grete Ioye that she had she began to wepe in hys armes and tembrace
was so grete that in al the world was none to hyr lyke that yf it pleased the Kyng I am redy for to furnysshe the Ioustes for hys loue ayenst the knyght yet another tyme and to Iuste tyl that geffroy shold be vaynquysshed that was wythoute ony gayn sayeng the heraulde retorned and tolde it to the kyng wherof the kyng was wel contente sayd that the knyght ought to be somme grete lord For he was of grete valoyr and puyssaunce and spake moche swetely and curtoysly And after Parys chaunged and took another hors whyche Edward hys felowe had made redy for hym retorned to the Iustes smote to gyder wyth soo grete myght that by veray force geffroy went to therthe vnder hys hors ryght euyl hurte THenne whan it came toward euen the Ioustes were so grete thycke and stronge that al the thre partyes as wel of one as of other were throwen doun to the erthe that there abode no moo of the partye of vyenne but parys allone and of the partye of normandye thre knyghtes stronge and puyssauÌ„t and they were Balaxo brother of the marquys of Saluces Iohan sone of the erle of Army nack and phelyp of bauyere of the partye of constaunce other thre stronge myghty that is to wete Iohan of braband laâ—er neuew of the duc of bourgeyn and Salamon dalanson brother of the counte de la marche and they sayd that the Iustes shold abyde tyl on the morne for they were moche wery and whan parys saw that they wold haue retorned he fewtred hys spere and there cam ayenst hym balaxo brother of the marquys of saluces And Parys at the fyrst stroke strake hym doun to the erthe vnder hys hors and in lyke wyse dyd to the other v and moche nobly valyauntly he wanne thonour of the Iustes and of the felde ¶ How the kyng commaunded that the thre baners wyth the in Iewellys shold be gyuen to Parys champyon of vyenne THe Ioustes fynysshed Parys wanne the beaute of hys lady the fayre vyenne and he was ledde to the scaffolde where as the kynge was the other grete lordes knyghtes there were delyuerd to hym the thre baners the thre Iewellys that were in them Parys shewed them thurgh all the felde in sygne that the sayd vyenne had goten thonour for to be the fayrest damoysell that was in alle the world by the same yonge knyght and whan Parys had the thre fayr baners and the thre ryche Iewellys he and Edward hys felowe departed out of the cyte of parys and oute of fraunce the moost secrete wyse that they myght retorned in to dalphyne Parys retorned in to the companye of the forsayd bysshop of Saynt Laurence as he had not been at the feste alwaye he demaunded tydynges of the Iustes that were made in fraunce and who had thonour of the Ioustes WHan the feste was made al the barons knyghtes that were there had 〈◊〉 desyre to knowe who was 〈◊〉 that so valyauntly so nobly 〈◊〉 wonne the Iourneye the honour of the Iustes for to doo to hym worshyp but they coude neuer knowe hym wherof they had grete dysplaysyr sayd that the knyght was of grete wysedom by cause he wold not be knowen And after this the barons knyghtes took leue of the kyng and retorned in to theyr londes al dyscomforted by cause they had not goten the honour of the feste and yet were they more angry by cause they knewe not to whome the honour was gyuen of the feste ne of the Iustes The kyng of Fraunce whyche moche loued the dolphyn made to hym grete feste moche grete honour And the kyng delyuerd to hym the crowne that the quene had gyuen for to gyue to hyr that shold haue the honour of the Ioustes to th ende that he shold gyue it vnto hys doughter vyenne in sygne token that she was the moost fayr damoysel of the world whan al thys was doon the dolphyn and the fader of parys retorned in to dolphyne in moche grete honour and greâ—e Ioye whan vyenne knewe that hyr fader came she came and mette hym as she was accustomed Thenne whan the dolphyn sawe hyr he kyssed hyr sette on her hede the crowne whyche the kynge had gyuen hym and tolde to hyr how she had goton the honour for to be the moost fayrest damoysell of the world and loo here is the fayr crowne that the quene of fraunce sendeth to you in token that ye haue goten the honour Not wythstondyng fayr doughter that ye haue had many contrarye therto but ye haue had a good deffendour ryÈt stronge and hath wel quyted hym in your nede For of eche partye were abyden thre knyghtes moche stronge and pâ—yssaunte and on your partye was left but one knyght onely whyche vaynquysshed al the other wythout ony token and is departed alle secretly that no man knewe hym ne the kyng of fraunce hath no knowleche of hym but he hath borne awaye wyth hym the thre baners the iij Iewellys that were in them also the prys thonour of the feste wherfore swete fayr doughter ye wote neuer to whom to gyue thankynges of so moche honour as hath be doon for you but I praye to god of heuen to the glorious vyrgyn marye that it playse hym to gyue to hym good honour Ioye excellence in alle his feates vyctorye lyke as he is chyef hede of al honour and of al chyualrye in thys world For I neuer sawe ne herde of knyght that so gracyously and so curtoysly bare hym in his armes in his chyualryes And whan vyeÌ„ne herde spâ—ke of these tydynges sawe the grete honour prys that she had goten and al was comen by this noble knyght she sayd to ysabeau hyr damoysel My suster sayd I not to you wel but late that I was byloued by the moost noble and valyaunt knyght of fraunce and by my fayth my swete suster this is he that so swetely songe that wanne the Iustes in this cyte bare with hym the shelde of crystal my garlonde and went his waye so that noo man myght knowe hym aduyse you wel fayr suster what hanour is comen to me by his prowesse by his bounte I may wel be sory dolant whan I may not knowe who he is myn herte is moche heuy myn entendâ—ment that I neuer can fynde the moyen to see knowe hym and yet she sayd Certes my swete suster ysabeau I byleue that my dayes be shorte that I shall deye of somme cruel fals deth for the grete desplaysyr that I haue contynuelly in my herte for I can none other thynge doo but wepe waylle alwaye to contynue in sorouful lyf heuy but none apperceyued it but onely hyr damoysel ysabeau THe fader of parys whyche had ben with the
dolphyn in that feste had not seen there hys sone Parys wherof he had grete sorowe in his herte for he had seen that he was accustomed to be in al noble Iustes but thenne he sawe hym goo with the bysshop of saynt Laurence and dysposed hym not to doo armes as he was woned wherfor he sayd to hym on a day My sone I had hoped to haue had in the grete consolacyoâ— but now thou byngest me in to grete heuynesse and dysplaysyr whan I see that thou wylt not departe from thys bysshop wherfor I praye the that thou leue hym doo soo that it may be to me playsaunt and to the honneste Parys herde hym wel but he gaf not a word to ansuer The fader of Parys seyng thys went to his secrete felowe Edward and sayd to hym I see wel that the grete amytye loue that ye haue to my sone and knowe ye for certayn that I haue in my hert grete melancolye whan I remembre that Parys hath had grete honour fame of chyualrye and now I see that he gooth al wyth thys bysshop and leteth hys hawkes his houndes and hors to deye for hongre wherfore I praye you that ye wyl gyue me somme counceyl whyche am soo meschaunt that I deye for sorowe And whan he had sayd these wordes Edward had pyte of hym comforted hym the beste wyâ—e he coude and departed fro hym and wente strayte to hys felowe Parys and sayd to hym I knowe wel that loue constrayneth the so strongely that thou hast noo power ouer thy self wherfore thy lyf may not longe endure And also thy fader and thy frendes ben euyl contente ayenst the and I say to the that for to be vertuous and valyaunt it playseth moche to god And for the loue of one woman thou doost moche desplaysyr to thy fader And also for noo persone what someuer he or she be thou oughtest not to lese the we le renomee that thou hast of chyualrye It appyereth not in the that thou hast ouy vertue or courage wherfore I praye the that thou wylt do somme thyng that it may be playsaunt to thy fader whych hath desyred prayed me that I shold soo say to the whan parys had herde al this he ansuerd to edward and sayd to hym I knowe wel that these thynges that thou hast sayd to me been vertuous honnest but they been to me greuous for to put me from the thoughtes in whyche I am contynuelly Neuertheles I praye the that thou gyue me counceyl what is beste that I doo Thenne sayd edward it shold wel playse me yf it were thy playsyr that we shold goo in to braband For it is vj monethes passed that I haue not seen my lady there shall we do armes by which we may gete fame and honour paris agreed therto sayeng that he was contente yf it playsed hym so to do Incontynent they made redy theyr harnoys horses and alle thynges necessarye to them or Parys departed he put in hys chambre al the thynges pryses that he had woÌ„ne by chyualryes closed them fast in his chaÌ„bre delyuerd the keye to his moder prayed hir moche derly that she shold not open it ne suffre that ony persone shold entre therin And after they wente toward Braband where as they dyd grete feates of chyualrye Ioustes wherof they gate grete honoure and worshyp and were moche praysed of ladyes and damoysellys And parys made countenaunce for to haue abyden in braband for the loue of edward but hys herte drewe vnto the fayre Vyenne whome he so moche loued in hys herte secretely ¶ How Dyane and vyenne hyr doughter wenten to vysyte the fader of Parys the whyche was seek NOw it happened that duryng thys tyme that Parys and Edward duel leden in Braband the fader of Parys fyl in to a sekenesse of foures or accesse And the cause came of the thought that he had of â—ys sone Parys And he beyng seek the doulphyn wente on a day to see hym and demaunded the cause of hys maladye and comforted hym the best wyse that he coude and after retorned home and sayd to hys wyf that it were wel doon that she shold goo see and vysyte messyre Iaques whyche was seke And forthwyth Incontynent my lady dyane hyr doughter Vyenne and ysabeau hyr damoysel wyth a grete companye wente to the castel of Syr Iaques and salewed hym moche nobly as it wel apperteyned the best wyse that they myght ¶ And whan they were in the chambre where messyre Iaques was and laye Dame dyane demaunded hym of his sekenesse And messire Iaques sayd that al hys dysâ—ase came for hys sone Parys by cause he loste so hys tyme and that he went alway wyth the bysshop of Saynt laurence wherof I fere me that he shal become a man of relygyon I haue no moo chyldren but hym I wote not what I shall doo wyth the goodes that god hath gyuen to me And my lady dyane comforted hym and sayd that hys sone was moche wel byloued of the doulphyn that he had moche grete amytye of many grete lordes barons knyghtes also she sayd that emong al thynges he shold ordeyne for hys helthe after all thys the moder of parys prayed hyr that it myght playse hyr to come see the castel and she ansuerd that she moche desyred it Thenne the moder of parys shewed hir al the castel ledde hir in to an halle al ful of armes and abylemens of warre for to fyght in batayll After she ladde hyr in to anothrr halle where as were many hawkes faulcens and many other fowles of chace And after in to many other halles chambres rychely arayed whyche were ouer longe to reherce And after the moder of Parys shewed vnto hyr the chambre of Parys where that he slepte wherin were many abylments whyche shold wel suffyse the chambre of a grete prynce And in the sayd chambre were two grete standardes couerd after the guyse of Fraunce That one was ful of cloâ—he of gold and sylke and that other of harnoys and of many other thynges Thenne sayd Vyenne to yâ—abeau by my fayth fayr syster I haue noo grete meruaylle of thâ—s yonge knyght Parys though of hym be maad grete mâ—ncyon For thordynaunce of thyse thynges shewe wel that he is of grete valure And in byholdyng of these thynges she sawe a couerture of an hors alle whyte And hyr semed that it was the same that the knyght bâ—re that wanne the prys of the Ioustes that was made in the cyte of Vyenne and that had the shelde of crystal the garlond whych she tolde to ysabeau And ysabeau ansuerd to hyr neuer thynke ye soo For all day been made semalable couertures and tokenes whyte wherof ye may wel be deceyued Vyenne enforced alle waye hyr self to tâ—ke better hede and of the grete Ioye that she had she sayd to hyr moder Madame I
grete sorowe that he had he chaunged al his colour And he sayd to the chapelayn I praye you that ye tarye a lytel I shal make you an ansuer thenne Parys went to vyenne for to telle to hir al thys feat And whan vyenne sawe hym entre and so chaunged in hys colour sayd to paris what tydynges brynge ye whyche are so pale and your colour chaunged I praye you as hertely as I can that it playse you to telle me Thenne Parys sayd to hyr The tydynges that I brynge ben euyl for you and for me For shortly shal be accomplisshed our aduenture and therfore â— I wyl slee my self and also he said complaynyng O god how my lyf is sorowful and heuy to haue brought thys excellent lady as ye ar in suche daunger O good god why gaf thou not to me the deth tofore or that I fette hir out of hyr faders hous O alas my fader and my moder what shal be falle of you whan the doulphyn shal knowe that I haue stolen from hym hys doughter ¶ O my good felowe Edward why counceylled not I wyth the tofore or I had doon thys folye And after he retorned to vyeÌ„ne sayeng and what shal falle of you my lady whan your fader shal see you Certes I thynke that how cruel that he be whan he shal see your noble persone his hert shal not suffre to do you ony harme O god almyghty do to me that grace that I onely may bere the payn of this fayt none other O lady vnhappy was that day for you and for me whan fyrst ye had acqueyntaunce of me And whan Parys had fynysshed hys complaynte he tolde to Vyenne al that the chapelayn had sayd to hym And forthwyth as a persone despayred took hys swerde and wold haue ryuen it thurgh hys body And Vyenne as vertuouse and valyaunte took to hyr hert and took the swerde fro hym and comforted hym and sayd ¶ O free knyght my Ioye my lyf and my solace what wyl ye doo knowe ye not wel that who that sleeth hym self wytyngly sleeth the soule and the body and yf ye deye I assure you I shal deye also and so shal ye be cause of my deth as wel as of your owne O Parys where is your wysedom and your prowesse Now whan ye shold haue moste strengthe moost vertuous courage ye be aferde O my knyght thys is noo newe thynge that the persones that lyuen in thys world haue trybulacyons of what someuer lygnage they be Certes thys is not the courage of one so valyaunte knyght as ye be For now whome that ye ought to comforte she must now comforte you And therfor my fayr brother and frende I praye you as moche as ye may that Incontynente ye departe fro hens and that ye goo your waye and yf ye do not so I shal slee my self wyth your swerde For your departyng is as greuons to me as myn shal be to you but it by houeth to eschewe of two euyls the werse And also ye ought to consydere one thyng that not wythstondyng the grete faulte and trespaas that I haue made to my fader yet therfore he shal not put me to deth consydered the grete loue that he hath aâ—way had toward me and yf ye were taken I wote wel that ye and I shold bothe deye And yet I haue good hope that myn entencyon shal come vnto a good ende For be ye sure though he neuer pardonne me I shal neuer haue other husbond but you and that I promyse you by my fayth But alle waye of one thyng I praye you that for none other lady ye forgete not me And whan ye shal be in another contreye wryte vnto me of your aduenture And to th ende that ye the better remembre me loo here is a rynge of gold wyth a dyamonde the which I praye you that ye wyl kepe for the loue of me ¶ How Parys departed from Vyenne and lefte hyr in the chyrche AFter moche other langage paris kyssed vyeÌ„ne wyth grete syghes and thoughtes and she comforted hym the best wyse she myght in prayeng our lord Ihesu Cryste that in short tyme she myght see hym lyke as hyr herte desyred moost of ony thynge that was in the world And thenne Parys departed fro Vyenne wyth grete sorowe and heuynesse And took his waye wyth hys seruaunte tyl he came to the ryuer whâ—re they coude not tofore haue passed and as despayred doubted noo thynge but entred theâ—m and the water was soo aualed that they passed wythoute ony peryl And they rode two dayes wythoute ony mete for they durst not passe thurgh ony toun And they passed tyl they came to aygues mortes And there he founde the galeye that george had hyred whyche anone he took and so longe saylled and rowed tyl that they arryued at Gene Parys made meruayllous countenaunces in the galeye that alle they that were therin had supposed he had be a fool for allewaye he was peâ—syf and ymagynatyf and vnnethe wold speke ne say a word ¶ Thenne whan he was at gene he hyred hym a lodgyng lyued there in grete heuynesse sorowe Now leue we to speke of Parys and retorne we to vyenne whyche abode in the chapelayns hous ¶ How vyenne was founde in the chyrche by a foteman and how she was brought ageyn to hyr fader WHan Parys was departed fro vyenne she abode allone wyth ysabeau makyng the grettest sorowe of the world that it was a grete pyte to byholde lyke as she had as leef to deye as to lyue And whan she was wel wery of wepyng and that it was force that she must retorne to the mercy of hyr fader the doulphyn she appeased hyr self And anone the chapelayn went for to seche the foteman and brought hym in to the â—hyrche And whan Vyenne sawe hym she knewe hym wel For she had oftymes seen hym in hyr faders how 's And thys man sayd to hyr alle hys charge that many knyghtes were oute for to seche hyr And Vyenne sayd to hym goo telle them that thou hast founden me here brynge them hyther Thenne the man wente fonde the knyghtes that thenne were comen in to the towne and tolde to them how he had fouÌ„den hyr that they shold come with hym he wold brynge them to the place where she was whan the knyÈtes herde these tydynges anon eche made grete haste tyl they cam to hyr theÌ„ne whaÌ„ they were tofore vyenne they salewed hyr and sayd to hyr that the doulphyn had doo seche hyr in dyuers contreyes and after they comforted hyr and sayd that she shold not be aferde of hyr fader for he wold doo to hyr noo desplaysyr for be shal haue so grete Ioye whan he shall see you that he shal pardonne you and appease hys yre ¶ And than Incontynent they wente to horsbacke and brought forth the chapelayn wyth hyr to th ende that he shold
excuse hyr tofore hyr fader and tolde how she was pure and clene of hyr body NOw sayth â—hystory that whan Vyenne was comen tofore hyr fader the doulphyn he made toward hyr heuy and euyll â—here But not wythstondyng Vyenne kneled doun on bothe hyr knees to the erthe sayeng and in wepyng Redoubted fader I see wel and knowe in my self that I haue mesprysed and faylled toward you wherof I haue grete desplaysyr Neuertheles folysshe loue hath enforced me to loue hym whyche is wel worthy to be byloued of the moost grettest lady of the Royame of fraunce allewaye seen the noblenes that is in hym For I wene that in alle the world is none to hym lyke ne pareylle ¶ And also I thynke that I am not the first that haue trespaced by semblable reasons wherfore redoubted fader I am in your mercy and take of me vengeaunce suche as shal playse you and to me chastysement and example to other Neuerthâ—les I wyl wel that ye knowe and that I â—swere by my soule that I am as pure and clene of my body as I was â–ª that day that I departed fro hens And loo here is the chapelayn whyche can say to you the trouthe And thenne the chapelayn tolde how she came wyth in men of whom that one was a moche fayre knyght yonge curtoys the whyche I byleue is drowned in passyng a ryuer And they were in myn hous and the two damoyselles slept to gyder in the chyrche and the knyght slepte wyth me And the other two slepte in the stable with the horses Thenne whan the doulphyn herde these tydynges he had ryÈt grete playsyr of which he made noo semblaunte and gaf to the chapelayn moche money gâ—â—te yeftes and bad hym retorne ¶ After the doulphyn took vyenne by the hande in repreuyng hyr moche gretely and lad hyr in to hyr moders chambre wyth ysabeau for hir moder was seke of the grete sorowe that she had for hyr doughter and there the moder blamed them bothe two And ysabeau sayd that vyenne was as pure and clene of hyr body as she was the day that she departed Alas sayd the doulphyn thou hast put vs in the moost grettest shame of the world And I promyse that alle they that haue consented therto shal be wel punysshed â—nd in especyal that euyl traytre Parys whych is cause of al thys fayte and yf euer I may haue hym I shal make dogges deuoure hym and also bothe ye tweyne shal suffre therfore grete penytence Thenne sayd vyenne wepyng I see wel and knowe that ye haue entenâ—ion to do to me moche gryef and harm and I see wel that my lyf shal not longe endure Therfore I swere to you in good fayth that there is noo man in the world that I so moche loue as I doo hym whom ye so menace and thretene For in hym I haue my thought courage wythoute euer to faylle hym and yf ye shortly gyue to me my penaunce so moche shortly shal be my deth And yf ye suffre me to endure it longe so moche more shal I bere it and my soule shal be the more sure to fore almyghty god knowe ye for certayn that for hym and hys loue I am redy to deye TheÌ„ne the doulphyn yssued out of the chambre in grete Indygnacyon and commaunded that the fader of Parys shold be put in an euyl pryson And that al hys goodes shold be taken fro hym And also that vyenne ysabeau shold be enclosed in a chambre and that wel lytell mete shold be gyuen to them and moche he menaced and thretened them and thus they abode a longe tyme in that chambre and contynuelly Vyenne dremed of Parys ¶ And whan she myght haue ony space to speke to Edward felowe of Parys she requyred hym that he shold serche yf he myght haue ony tydynges of parys and that he shold lete hyr knowe therof ¶ In thys maner vyenne passed hyr tyme in grete sorowe in grete thought alle waye desyryng for to here somme tydynges of that noble knyght Parys WHan Vyenne had ben a grete tyme in thys manere The doulphyn bythought hym that thenne hys doughter Vyenne had been wel chastysed ¶ And thennne the Doulphyn fader of Vyenne ordeyned that she came oute of pryson And theÌ„ne he purposed to gyue to hyr an husbond and sette hyr in hyr fyrst estate wherof alle the courte was moche Ioyous and in especyal Edward felowe of Parys ¶ And after certayn tyme the doulphyn wrote to the Erle of Flaunders that he wold doo marye hys doughter vyeÌ„ne wherupon he requyred hym that he wold gyue to hym counceyll in thys mater For it was vnto hym chargeable And duryng the tyme that vyenne was oute of pryson hyr herte was neuer in reste but euer she was heuy and sorouful for hyr swete and faythful frende parys whome she myght not see and knewe not whether he were dede or a lyue And whan the doulphyn sawe hyr so heuy On a day he sayd to hyr My swete doughter wherfore be ye so sorouful gyue your self to playfyr For as to me I remembre nomore the thynges passed And there is noo thynge in the world that ye demaunde me but I shal doo it for you And thenne vyeÌ„ne whyche had not forgeten Parys sayd to hym Honourable fader yf I were sure of the thynges passed that they were forgoten by you I shold be more sure than I am but I byleue fermely that ye haue them yet in your remembraunce For ye holde alwaye messyre Iaques in pryson the fader of Parys whyche is not culpable of ony parte of thys dede ne cause And yf ye wold do to me soo moche grace that ye wold pardonne hym and rendre to hym al hys goodes thynges I shold be moche Ioyous And the doulphyn for the playsyr of hys doughter sayd to hyr that it wel playsed to hym and Incontynt the doulphyn dyd do delyuer messyre Iaques out of pryson and dyd do retorne to hym al hys goodes and thynges that had be taken from hym wherof messyre Iaques had grete playsyr for yf he had abyden lengâ—r in pryson he had be dede for hungre for there was none that comforted hym but edward whiche comforted hym the best wyse he myght gaf to hym dayly that whyche was necessarye for hys lyf whan vyenne knewe that messyre Iaques was oute of pryson she was moche Ioyeful and had grete playsyr Neuertheles al the consolacyon of vyenne was whan she myght speke wyth edward of hyr loue Parys And thus she passed hyr tyme in ryght grete payne and heuynesse the beste wyse she myght WHan the Erle of flaunders had redde the letters of the doulphyn vnderstood that he wold marye his doughter vyeÌ„ne whych was of the age ef xv yere he trayted that she shold haue of two barons that one that is to wete the sone of the kyng of englond or the sone of the duke
therin ¶ After that he had redde it at his playsyr he prayed Edward to wryte to hym an ansuer wel at large of alle that was byfallen syth hys departyng thys doon edward departed fro hym wente vnto beale vyenne whome he fonde moche heuy and sorouful for hir loue and frende parys and Edward sayd honourable lady how is it that ye be thus heuy and vyenne sayd to hym alas fayr broder Edward I haue good reason and cause to be heuy For myn herte abydeth thynkyng day nyght on my good knyght Parys and I knowe not whether he be alyue or dede of whyche thynge I moche desyre to knowe For yf he be deed I am cause therof And certes yf he be dede I may not lyue after hym yf our lord wold doo soo moche grace that he be a lyue fayn wold I knowe in what londe he is to th ende that I myÈt sende to hym a lytel money soo that he haue noo necessyte for hys persone And edward sayd to hyr Madame what wyll ye gyue me yf I telle te you good tydynges and sure of hym ¶ Thenne sayd Vyenne by my fayth there is noo thyng that I haue in thys world whyche I may gyue wyth myn honour but that I shal gyue it to you Thenne sayd Edward loo here is a letter whyche he hath sente to me and whan vyenne sawe the letter she opened it and redde it al allonge whan she had redde it she had soo grete Ioye that hyr semed god had appyered to hyr and the Ioye that she had in hyr hert shewed wel in hyr vysage For sythe that she departed fro parys she had not so good vysage ne chere as she had theÌ„ne whan the solace had ynough endured Edward sayd to hyr Madame gyue to me ageyn my letter that I may make to hym an ansuer And Vyenne sayd it pleseth me moche that ye make to Parys my swete frende an ansuer but surely the letter shal remayne wyth me Thenne he sayd Madame haue ye not promysed to gyue to me that thyng that I shal demaunde you yes sayd she Thenne edward sayd I desyre ne wyll haue none other thynge but that ye gyue to me my letter for assone shal I gyue to you my lyf but and yf ye wyl demaunde ony other thynge I wyl wel TheÌ„ne sayd Edward I am contente that the letter abyde wyth you after he ordeyned another letter to Parys which sayd in this manere ¶ How Edwardâ— sente ansuer of his letter to Parys whyche abode in the cyte of genes RYght dere brother frende and felowe parys your fader and your moder grete you wel the whiche haue suffred for you moche dysease payne and desplaysyr and in especyal your fader whiche hath longe been in pryson alle hys goodes were taken fro hym and also I certefye you that by the grace of god and at the request and prayer of Vyenne the doulphyn hath pardonned hym alle hys euyl wylle and delyuerd hym oute of pryson restored to hym alle hys goodes ageyn And plese it you to wete fayre brother that vyenne hath had so moche Ioye and so grete playsyr whan she had knowleche that ye were a lyue that it is wonder to byleue For al hyr consolacyon was for to haue tydynges of you she recommaundeth hyr to you as moche as she may hath moche grete desyre to see you also prayeth you not to wythdrawe you fro hyr ne fro that contreye â—ut that ye wryte ofte to hyr of your estate And she sendeth to you an eschaunge of thre thousand floryns of whiche she wyl that ye take your playsyr Ioye for al hyr hope is in you Also ye shal vnderstonde that she hath be kepte in pryson a certayn tyme but thanked be god she is now oute Also I haue shewed to hyr your letter whyche she reteyneth and after that she had redde it I myght neuer haue it ageyn but she sayd that she had leuer to lese al that she had than the said letter ye shal knowe that the doulphyn treateth a maryage for hyr the which is the sone of the duc of bourgoyn he hopeth fro day to day that it shal be accomplysshed Neuertheles I truste soo moche in vyenne seyng that whiche she hath sayd to me that she wyl neuer haue other husbond but you wherfore lyue ye forth Ioyously in hope Dere brother I thanke you as I can or may for the presentacyon that ye haue doon for me your soule be wyth god to whome I praye that he kepe you in hys holy warde protectyon cÌ„ whan thys letter was wryten he delyuerd it to the courrour whyche made hasty Iourneyes so that he arryued at genes where as the good knyÈt Parys dwelled and abode WHan the noble paris had redde the letter knewe that vyenne had been in pryson almoost for sorowe he was oute of his wytte cursyng his euyl fortune after he cursed the day that he was borne moche dyscomforted hym self also he cursed the doulphyn sayeng O cruel fader and vnconnyng how may your hert suffre to put in pryson hyr that is soo noble a creature whyche is ful of al vertues that is the fayre vyenne whyche is noo thynge cause of thys fayte For I my self onely haue doon it ought to bere allone the penaunce alas wherfore dyd not god to me so moche grace that I had be taken in stede of hyr O fayre vyenne what haue I doo for you whyche haue suffred soo moche payne for me Thus he made a grete whyle hys sorowe in wepyng strongely After Parys sawe that the fayr vyenne was retorned in to hyr fyrst estate wherof he was moche Ioyous whan he had receyued the eschaunge that vyenne had sente hym he hyred a moche fayr hous cladde hym honestly rychely took acqueyntaunce amytye wyth the grettest beste of the cyte in so moche they dyd hym moche good and honour thus duellyd parys a grete whyle alway remembryng in hys hert the loue of vyenne for alleway hys loue encreaced And euery moneth they wrote letters eche to other of whyche here is made noo mencyon for it shold be ouer longe to reherce torne we here in to flaunders for the fayte of the maryage of the excellent vyenne NOw sayth thystorye that whan therle of Flaunders had accorded the maryage with the duc of bourgoyn he made redy hys sone and apparaylled hym of companye and of horses and lete it be knowen to the doulphyn that he shold make redy al thynge necessarye that he shold hastely sende to hym his sone whan the doulphyn herde these tydynges that he whome he so moche desyred shold come he was moche Ioyous and Incontynent dyd doo make redy many grete meruayllous festes duryng the same dyd doo make redy hys sone the duc of bourgoyne horses and peple for to accompanye
hym whiche was a fayre thynge to see ¶ And after sent hym to therle of flauÌ„ders whyche receyued hym wyth grete Ioye wyth grete honour fested hym two dayes and delyuerd to hym hys sone in his companye and sente hym to the doulphyn whan the doulphyn knewe theyr comyng he dyd do make redy to receyue hym and whan they were by a day Iourneye nygh vnto vyenne he rode oute wyth moche grete chyualrye receyued them with muche grete Ioye and playsyr eche made grete feste to other whyche were ouer longe to recounte Neuertheles tofore that the doulphyn came to the sone of she duc of bourgoyn hee hys wyf entred in to the chambre of vyenne to whome the doulphyn sayd Fayr doughter it was the play syr of god that I your moder were to gyder vij yere wythoute hauyng ony chylde and in the viij yere our lord comforted vs wyth you in whom we haue al our affectyon For we haue neyther sone ne doughter but onely you ne suppose neuer to haue so we truste that by you we haue one It is trewe â—hot so as god wyl and hath ordeyned we wyl assemble you to a moche honouble maryage the whiche to vs playseth moche for I ensure you the doughter of the Kynge of Fraunce hath moche desyred to haue hym that ye shal haue for god hath endowed hym with so moche good honour as hert of knyght may haue thus to the playsyr of god of the vyrgyn marye we haue made the maryage of the sone of the duke of bourgoyne of you wherfor we praye you that therto ye wyl gyue your good wylle playsyr and also that ye wyl haue the maryage agreable Thenne vyenne ansuerd to hyr fader Honourable fader lord I wote wel that thys that ye entende is for my wele prouffyt But not wythstondyng that I be in age for to marye that in thys maryage I shold receyue honour more than I am worthy Neuertheles I shal not yet be maryed for yf we haue not thys man yf it playse god we shal haue another as good or better And thynke ye not myn honourable lord that I say thys for ony excusacyon but it is sythen xv dayes that I haue be euyl dysposed of my persone the maladye that I haue causeth me to take noo playsyr for to be maryed For I haue auowed vnto god neuer to be maryed to thys man ne to none other as longe as I shal be in thys maladye ¶ Thenne thought the dolphyn that vyenne sayd it for shamefastnes Neuertheles he trauaylled hyr euery day wyth fayre wordes that she shold consente to thys maryage but it auaylled nothyng all that he dyd for the wylle of hir was more in parys than in ony man of the world THenne on the morne the sone of the duc of bourgoyne the sone of the erle of Flaunders entred in to the cyte of vyenne wherof the doulphyn had grete Ioye playsyr and thys feste endured wel fyftene dayes that they dyd no thynge but daunce synge and dyd other dyuers playsyrs and duryng thys feste the doulphyn sayd to the sone of the duke of bourgoyn to th ende that he shold thynke none euyl by cause he abode so longe or he myght espouse hys doughter ¶ Fayr sone I praye you byseche that ye take you to playsyr and Ioye And gryeue you noo thynge of thys longe abydyng here for certayn my doughter is so seke that vnnethe she may speke whyche doth to hyr grete desplaysyr and shame for fayn she wold be out of hyr chambre And thenne the sone of the duc of bourgoyn as he shat mente but good fayth byleued it lyghtly Neuertheles the doulphyn dyd nothyng nyÈt ne day but admonested hys doughter one tyme in fayr wordes and another tyme in menaces but in no wyse he coude make hys doughter to consente And comaunded that she shold nothyng haue but brede water and vyenne abode one day soo in thys manere and al thys dyd the doulphyn to th ende that she shold consente to the maryage and alwaye he dyd to hyr more harme payne vyenne was alwaye more harde and ferther fro hys desyre wherof the doulphyn had moche grete dysplaysyr and not wythoute cause seyng the Doulphyn that hys doughter was soo Indurate he thought that by somme good moyen he wold sende home ageyn the sone of the duc of bourgoyn for he doubted that yf he abode longe that this feat myght be dyscouerd and he gaf to hym fayr Iewellys and after sayd to hym Fayre sone I wyl that ye take noo desplaysyr in that I shal say to you Me semeth wel that at thys tyme this maryage may not goo forth of you and of my doughter for after that I see as me semethe the wylle of god is ferther than I wold at thys tyme For he wyl not that the maryage of you and of my doughter take now effecte wherfore I haue ryght grete desplaysyr in my hert onely for the loue of you Thenne the sone of the duc of bourgoyne seyng that at that tyme he myght doo noo thyng toke leue of the Doulphyn and retorned in to his contree by cause that Vyenne was not in helthe and promysed that assone as he myght knowe that she shold be hool he wold retorne for to accomplysshe the mariage lyke as the doulphyn had promysed to hym ¶ How the doulphyn dyd doo enprysonne vyeÌ„ne by cause that she wold not consente to the maryage to the sone of the duke of bourgoyne AFter certayn dayes that the sone of the Duke of bourgoyn was departed fro the cyte of vyenne the doulphyn for grete desplaysyr that he had dyd do come tofore hym the mayster Iayler of hys pryson and dyd doo make wythin hys paleys a lytel pryson derke and obscure and he dyd do put vyenne and ysabeau in to that pryson and commaunded that they shold haue nothyng to ete but brede and water and one damoysel in whome the dolphyn trusted shold brynge it to them And in thys manere vyenne ysabeau passyd theyr tyme in grete sorowe And thynke not that for thys pryson the hert of vyenne wold in ony wyse consente to the wylle of hyr fader but alway encreaced wyth hyr the wylle toward hir swete frende Parys and wyth swete wordes she comforted ysabeau sayeng My dere suster abasshe you not for thys derkenes for I haue confydence in god that ye shal haue yet moche welthe For my fayr suster It is a moche ryght ful thyng that for the good knyÈt parys whyche for me suffreth so moche payne that I suffre thys for hym and also I say to you that al the paynes of this world be nothyng greuous to me whan I thynke on hys swete vysage And in thys manere that one comforted that other in spekyng alle day of the valyaunte knyght Parys ¶ How the sone of the
duc of bourgoyn departed fro hys contreye for to come see the fayre lady Vyenne WHan the sone of the duc of bourgoyne had abyden longe tyme in hys contree On a day he had grete thought of vyenne that was for the grete beaute of hyr and it dysplesed hym moche that at hys beyng there he had not seen hyr and so concluded to goo see hyr and it was not longe after that he cam to the dolphyn and the doulphyn receyued hym moche gladly and with grete honour Thenne prayed he the dolphyn that it myght plese hym to shewe to hym vyenne also seke as she was For in the world was nothyng that he soo moche desyred to see as hyr And the doulphyn seyng the wylle desyre of hym wold noo lenger hyde hys courage but sayd to hym My fayr sone by the fayth that I owe to god I haue had grete desyre that thys maryage shold be made but my doughter for thys present tyme wyl take noo husbond ne be maryed wherfore I haue grete desplaysyr and that for the loue of you to th ende that ye knowe that it holdeth not on me I swere to you that sythe ye departed fro thys toun I haue doon hyr to be kepte in a pryson derke and obscure and hath eten nothyng but brede and water onely and haue sworn that she shal not goo oute of pryson tyl she shal consente to haue you in maryage And thus I praye you that ye take noo desplaysyr yf at thys tyme ye see hyr not for ye may not faylle to haue grete maryage in caas that this faylle you and thenne he ansuerd honourable syr I praye you moche hertely syth that it is so that er I retorne I may speke to hyr and I shal praye hyr as moche as I shal mowe and shal see yf by ony manere I may conuerte hyr fro hyr wylle thenne sayd the doulphyn he was contente Thenne he sente to his doughter clothyng and vestymentes for to clothe hyr and also mete for to ete For in two monethes she had eten but brede and water wherof she was moche feble and that shewed wel in her vysage thus he dyd by cause she shold consente to the maryage And thenne it was concluded that the sone of the duc of bourgoyn shold come see hyr speke with hyr and thenne whan Vyenne sawe thys and had reâ—â—yued all knewe that the sone of the duc of bourgoyn 〈…〉 speke wyth hyr she 〈…〉 hir damoysel fayr 〈…〉 how my fader moder weâ—â— by these vestymentes thys 〈◊〉 that I shold ete to deceyue me and put me fro my purpoos but god for bede that I shold do so thenne she took the henne sayd to hyr that brought it syth it playseth to the sone of the duke to come speke to me say ye to hym that he may not come these iij dayes whan he cometh that he brynge with hym the bysshop of Saynt laurens She that had brought to hyr the henne sayd alle thys vnto the doulphyn and to dame â—yâ—ne hir moder ¶ Thenne vyenne took the two quarters of the henne and put them vnder hyr arme hooles and helde them there so longe that they stonken moche strongely ¶ And whan it came to the thyrd day the bysshop of Saynt Laurence and the sone of the Duke of Bourgoyne camen for to see vyenne and or they entred they opened a treylle whyche gaf lyght in to the pryson ¶ Thenne whan the sone of the duc sawe Vyenne in the pryson he sayd to hir by grete pyte that he had Noble vyenne how wyl ye deye thus for hungre soo folyly by your owne defaulte ¶ And knowe ye not wel that your fader hath gyuen you to me to haue to my wyf wherfore I lyue in grete payne and in moche grete sorowe for the duresse of your courage wherof ye doo ryght grete synne And doubte ye not that god punyssheth you for thynobedyence that ye doo to your fader and to your moder wherfore I praye you fayre Vyenne to telle to me for what cause ye wyl not haue me in maryage to your husbond Doubte ye that whan ye shall be wyth me that ye may not serue god as wel as ye now do that suffre thys payne I promyse you by my fayth that ye shal haue playsaunces and lybertees in al the maners that ye shal conne demaunde Thenne I praye you that ye wyl not here deye so dolorously and yf ye wyl not doo it for the loue of me yet at the leste do it for the loue of your fader and of your moder whyche lyue for you in grete sorowe and in grete heuynesse wherfore ye ought to haue pyte on them WHan Vyenne had herde these wordes she was quasi abasshed and sayd syr sauyng your honour I am maryed how be it ye knowe hym not whome I haue in myn hert And also I knowe and graunte ryght wel that ye be worthy to haue one moche gretter and more hye a lady than I am and I laâ—e you wete that for hym that I desyre I shold suffre more payne than I fele And therfore I praye you that fro hens forth ye speke to me no more of thys mater And also I am so euyl dysposed in my persone that yf it endure in me my lyf shal not be longe and yf it were honeste I shold shewe it you and than shold ye see how it stondeth wyth me Neuertheles approche ye ner to me ye shall the better byleue me And the sone of the duke of bourgoyne the bysshop of saynt laurence approuched vnto vyenne fro whom yssued soo grete a stenche that vnnethe they myght suffre and endure it whiche sauour came fro vnder hyr arme holes of the two quarters of the henne whiche were roten And whan vyenne sawe that they had felte ynough of the stenche she sayd to them lordes ye may now knowe ynough in what aduenture I am dysposed Thenne they took leue hauyng grete compassyon on hyr And they sayd to the dolphyn that vyenne was theÌ„ne half roten and that she stanke and demed in them self that she myght not lyue longe qnd that it shold be grete damage of hyr deth for the souerayn beaute that was in hyr And Incontynent the sone of the duc of bourgoyn took hys leue of the doulphyn and retorned in to hys contrey and recounted to hys fader the lyf of vyenne wherof alle they that herde hym had grete pyte in theyr herte WHan the doulphyn sawe that the maryage was broken by the deffaulte of his doughter VyeÌ„ne he sware that she shold neuer departe fro thens but yf she wold consente to hys wylle And so she abode longe tyme in that pryson where she had grete thought and sorowe for hyr swete and trewe frende parys hyr desyre was on noo thyng but for to here tydynges of parys hyr loue But in the estate
and kysse hym moche swetely and there they comforted eche other wyth swete wordes so abode longe tyme vyeÌ„ne coude not ynough kysse hym enbrace hym and also parys demaunded of hyr of hyr aduenture she tolde hym alle And of alle thys ysabeau had nothyng herde of for she was faste a slepe by cause she had watched alle the nyght byfore and for the grete Ioye and swetenes that parys vyeÌ„ne demeaned bytwene them she awoke and whan she sawe vyenne beyng enbraced with the moure she sayd Madame what is thys that ye do haue ye loste your wytte that so enbrace this moure hath he enchaunted you that ye suffre hym soo famylyer wyth you and is this the fayth that ye kepe to parys for whom ye haue suffred so moche payne sorowe and vyenne sayd Swete suster say ye noo suche wordes but come take your parte of the solace that I haue for also wel haue ye founden good aduenture as I haue See ye not here my swete parys whome so moche we haue desyred Thenne ysabeau approched ner to hym byhelde hym wel and sawe that it was parys and she wente kyssed hym demened so moche grete Ioye bytwene them thre that there is noo persone in the world that myght say ne thynke it but so abode a grete whyle in thys soulas and Ioye tyl atte laste parys spack Swete vyenne it byhoueth that we goo hens tofore my lord the dolphyn your fader For now fro hens forth it is necessarye that he knowe alle our fayte Neuertheles I praye you to say nothyng tyl I desyre you and al thre came oute of the pryson and sonde the frere whyche meruaylled gretely and alle they to gydre wente to the doulphyn whyche had souerayn playsyr whan he saw them And neuertheles he was moche abusshed how his doughter was so come and thenne parys sayd to the frere Say ye to the doulphyn that I haue conuerted hys doughter to hys wylle and to myn that it playse hym that she be my wyf the frere sayd soo Thenne the doulphyn sayd to hys doughter wyl ye take thys man for your husbond whyche hath delyuerd me oute of pryson in grete peryl of hys persone Thenne demaunded vyenne of Parys yf he wold that she shold speke and parys sayd ye And thenne Vyenne sayd to the doulphyn My fader I am redy to do your commaundement and hys and praye you to pardonne me to gyue to me your benedyctyon and whan she sayd thus hyr fader pardonned hyr and gaf to hyr hys blessyng kyssed hyr Thenne sayd vyenne loo here is my good frende Parys whome I haue so moche desyred and for whome I haue suffred so moche payne sorowe and fader thys is he that so swetely songe and floyted and that wanne the Ioustes in thys cyte and bare with hym the shelde of crystal and my garlonde also thys is he that wanne the Ioustes in the cyte of paris and wan there the thre baners wyth the iij Iewellys and went awaye with them wythoute knowyng of ony man And also he hath delyuerd you out of pryson puttyng hys lyf in Ieopardye for you and whan the doulphyn vnderstood al thys he was meruayllously glad and Ioyous After al thys parys went to his fader whan he sawe hym and knewe that he was hys sone parys whome he had so longe desyred to see he enbraced hym kyssed hym for the Ioye that he had he coude not speke a word and after alle the other lordes knyghtes ranne for tembrace kysse hym and after this Ioye Parys fader sayd to the doulphyn ¶ My lord playse it you that I may borowe my sone home to my hous for to see his moder and hys felowe Edward ¶ Thenne sayd the doulphyn it playseth me ryght wel onely for thys day For to morn I wyl that the maryage of hym my doughter be made solempnysed here And thenne messyre Iaques wente with hys sone vnto hys hous And whan he was there verayly his fader his moder and hys felowe Edward wyst not where they were for Ioye and playsyr that they had and that was noo wonder for they had no moo chyldren but hym and he shold wedde the doughter of their lord and also Parys was in that tyme become a valyaunte knyght and ful of al beaulte and for many reasons it was no meruayll though they had in hym grete Ioye and playsyr Edward demaunded of hym of hys aduenture many other thynges And he recounted and tolde hym alle ¶ How Parys espoused and wedded vyenne and of the feste that was there made THenne on the morn the dolphyn gaf his doughter in maryage to parys And the feste was moche noble and sumptuous For moche peple were comen thyder for to see the feste and it endured fyftene dayes And the playsyr and solace whyche was doon for the loue of Parys and of vyenne was soo grete that vnnethe it may be byleued whyche parys and Vyenne lyued to gyder a grete whyle in ryght grete consolacyon and playsyr but after thaccomplysshement of the maryage the fader and moder of parys lyueden not longe after in thys world and Parys had by Vyenne hys wyf thre chyldren that is to wete two sones one dâ—ughter And the doulphyn ordeyned for them moche noble matrymonye And parys after the deth of hys fader and his moder wold that Edward hys dere felowe shold be herytyer of al the goodes that hys fader lefte and gaf to hym ysabeau to hys wyf whyche lyued to gyder longe tyme in grete loue and concorde And sone after the doulphyn hys wyf deyeden And thenne was Parys doulyhyn and had the possessyon of al the seygnourye the whyche lyued wyth vyenne in thys world fourty yere and ledde a good and holy lyf in so moche that after thentendement of somme men they be sayntes in heuen they deyed bothe in one yere And semblably Edward and ysabeau deyed bothe tweyne in one yere Therfore late vs praye vnto our lord that we may doo suche werkes in this world that in suche wyse we may accompanye them in the perdurable glorye of heuen Amen ¶ Thus endeth thystorye of the noble and valyaunt knyght parys and the fayr vyenne doughter of the doulphyn of Vyennoys translated out of frensshe in to englysshe by Wylliam Caxton at westmestre fynysshed the last day of August the yere of our lord MCCCClxxxv and enprynted the xix day of decembre the same yere and the fyrst yere of the regne of kyng Harry the seuenth ¶ Explicit ê‘ Caxton