dreme muche meruayilous which putâ—eth me in grete thought and fere The night whan I shold haue taken my rest I dremed that I was in a great and a meruailous water profounde in the which I should haue be drowned yf it had not bene a face that drew me out of the water And than me thought I sawe a Gryffon yssue out of a cloude the whiche with his nayles sharpe and longe tooke me and bare me soo farre that I wyste not where I was artyued Ha my loue said Ualentine take no thoughte sor your dreame for who that wolde byleue in dremes shoulde haue to much to suffre It is true sayd the fayre lady Clerymonde but I can not kepe my selfe therfro At these wordes the lady Ualeutine entred into a fayre arbour that was garnyshed w t al maner of floures and therin they were a grete while talkinge of their secreate loue Nowe it happened that the same day Ferragus the traytour arriued there and whan the lady knewe that he was comen she wente to warde hym for to welcom him And he sayd to her moche swetely My syster aboue all worldly creatures I hadde desyre for to se you Nowe tell me I praye you whiche is the knyght that shal wedde you fayre broder here may you sehyâ—n Than valentyne approched and salue the one the other with grete reuerence Knyghte sayd Ferragus ye be welcome in to these quarters for to wedde my syster Clerymonde For ryght soo as my broder the grene knyght the whiche hathe sente you hether after that he hadde ben conquered by you dyde taken the fayth of Ihesu christe euen so haue I my wyll and synguler desyre to receyue baptim and take youre byleue Syr sayd Ualentyne of your wyll be Iesus thaÌ„ked for he for your redemptyon suffred dethe and passyon without the whiche none can be saued Alas Ualentyne thought well that the traytoure Ferragus had sayd those wordes by greate deuocyon but vnder the shadowe of swete and fayre wordes he ymagyned mortall treason And whan the gyaunt Feragus had sayd so Ualentyne sayd to hym Syr it hathe ben tolde and recouÌ„ted vnto me that within your hous syth the space of twenty yere or there aboute you holde a christenwoman the whiche I desyre for to se with al my herte whiche is my moder and is named Bellyssante syster vnto the kynge Pepyn and wyfe vnto the Emperoure of Grece By mahoune sayd Ferragus you say trouthe but to the ende that you be the better enfourmed of her you shall come in to Portyngale and se the lady And whan you shall haue spoken to heryou maye knowe yf she be suche as you demaunde or not grameryce sayd Ualentyne than he lefte hym and sayd vnto his syster the fayre Clerymonde in maner of good perfyte loue My syster and inyne onelye esperaunce I desyre aboue all thynges your honoure and auauncemente and am ryght Ioyous that you haue founde so valyaunt a knyght to your husbande and spouse and for his greate valyauntnesse I wyll that you and he come with me into portyngale to the ende that with the greater tryumph you maye be maryed togyder ¶ Howe Ualentyne and Orson were betrayed by Ferragus and howe he put them in an obscure prisoÌ„ wher as they made pyteous complayntes Ca. xxxiii WHan Ferragus had spoken so to his sister Clerimonde he made his shippes and hys galees to be apparaylled and his men for to mount vppon the sea After he sent for Ualentine the which was ryght Ioyous for to goo into portyngale with his loue Clerymonde For he wend wel that the gyaunt Ferragus ledde them ouer for to do them honoure for he had promysed them that he wold be christened and al thei of his court wher by Ualentine was betrayed and his broder Orson For also soone as the cursed sarazyne was mounted vppon the sea and that he had Ualentine in his subgeccioÌ„ with in his shippe he thoughte that he shoulde neuer escape his handes wythout death but at the entre of the sea he made him fayre semblaunte and by false worddes and promyses he made them come with hym but whanne it came towarde midnighte that the two knyghtes were gone to reast them the traytour Ferragus made them to be taken secretely in theyr beddes and be bouÌ„den surely and made theyr eyen to be bended as man that were opeÌ„ly condempned to death by faute crymynell And whan the fayre Clerymonde sa we her louer Ualentine taken and bounden she made so greate sorowe that hee had a harde harte that wepte not Alas said she knight Ualentyne our Ioye and solace is soone torued into dolour and dystresse you haue boughte my loue to deare whan that for my sake you muste suffre death I wolde that I had neuer bene borne for your sake for in payne and in trauayll you haue conquered me and in doole and in sorowe I shall be taken from you to sore is the loue bought whan one muste suffre deathe for louynge trewlye wythoute to haue deserued it Alas alas nowe oughte I wel to syghe with my herte and tenderly wepe with myn eyen whan it behoueth that for my loue the moost valyaunt the moost hardy and the moost noble of the worlde be delyuered vnto shameful dethe haâ— Ferragus my fayre broder to euyll do you werke For of all the worlde you haue betrayed and deceyued the moost valyaunt knyght and yf it be soo that he muste suffre dethe for me I shall neuer the dayes of my lyfe haue Ioye at my herte but y e moost sonest that I may I shall procure my dethe by some waye And I do you to wytte that yf you put the two knyghtes to dethe ye shall haue ones a vyllaynous reproche and therfore let them alone For in purchasynge theyr dethe you can haue no prouffyte And yf you wyll put them to dethe make me be caste fyrste in to the see for I wolde not lyue to se suche two valyaunt knyghtes dye before me with out hauynge deserued it So moche was the lady Clerimonde smyten profoundly at herte with sorowe that at that same houre she wolde haue slayne herselfe or lepte in to the see yf she had not ben letted Than Ferragus her brober made her to be kepte by his barons and coÌ„maunded the kepers that they sholde not let her speke one worde to the prysoners and so abode Clerymonde in teres and pyteous syghes and Ualentyne Orson were bounde ryght faste by the sarazyns and paynyms They reclaymed god moche deuoutely praynge hym that he wolde delyuer them out of that daunger Alas sayd Ualentine nowe is fortune moche contrary to me and at my dede peruerse and dysloyall Now haue I all my lyfe in payne and trauayll vsed my youthe for to seke and fynde the place that I was extraughte oute of and the fader and moder that hathe broughte me into this worlde and now whan I am almoost at the ende of my doloure in conuertynge it into Joye
had remayned in them yet they ymagyned and aduised that they should make Ualentyne to be taken by the waye and orson that he ledde with him and make them dye and fynysshe their dayes shamefully to the ende that he myght be auenged of the thing that they desyred mostâ— in the worlde Howe Hawftay and Henry made to watche Ualentyne and Orson vpon the waye for to make them dye ¶ Cap. xviii AS UaleÌ„tyne Orson were departed from the courte of kyng Pepyn for too go in to Acquytayne enuy deceiuable and cursed treason entred more then before in to y e hartes and courages of the two false and cursed traytouts the kynges sonnes Haufray Henry in suche wise that for to come vnto their false enterpryse they spake vnto a cosyn germayn of theirs so muche abused him that it was aduised amongest them thâ—â— xxx men puyssaunt and strong shoulde watche theym and take good kepe vnto the chylde Ualentine and also Orson so that where someuer they founde them â–ª that they should be destroyed and put vnto death After this counsaill he made to assemble thirty men of the moste redoubted that he might finde And after he sent them armed and made them go in to a forest that was both great and large by the whiche Ualentyne and Orson shoulde passe God it was not longe after that valentyne and Orson that ranne on foote before hym more faster then a horse entred into the forest ThaÌ„ they were apperceyued of Grygar and his â—elowes that were in an enbulshement when Grygar sawe valentyne he yssued out against him with his orâ—wen sworde in his hande for to haue slayne valentyn and suche a strooke he gaue vnto the noble knyght valentyne that he cut his fleshe through his harneis and made the bloud to yssue out and after said vnto him Ualentine here must you dye for to longe haue you lyued When valentyne saw that he was wounded and assayled on euery syde with enemies he recommaunded him vnto God and vnto the glorious vyrgyn Mary and after saide vntoo them My lordes you haue sâ—oren my death and I see well nowe that with wronge and withoute cause here must I fynishe my dayes but and it please god to daiâ— I shall sell you my death so dere that you shall not retourne all together in hele agayne And then he drewe out his sworde and gaue the first so great a stroke vpoÌ„ the head that he cloue him to the teeth and so he dyed After he went towarde the other by so great fiersnes y t or euer he stynte he slewe foure or fiue And Orson sterte forche as halfe aftayde with his rough handes and â—ore and rent all them that he founde in his waye soo that with his sharpe nayles he pullee them in peces bote and strangâ—ed them with his teeth He threw them to the ground one vpon another and after passed ouer them in smiting them with his fete muche vylayâ—osly Ualentyne was on the other syde that helde his bloudy sworde in his handâ— defendyng hym so valiauÌ„tly that none durst approche nere the two noble brethren And when Grygar sawe that none durste approche nere them he was muche sorowfull and cryed vnto valentyne saying Ualentine yelde you to me for here it behoueth you to dye Then the chylde valentyne recommended hym vnto God besechyng him that he would kepe him from euill and sucoure him at his nede And after he went to warde Grygar and began batayll with him againe muche fyerlly Of Grygar and his men it is a pyteous thing to recounte for they had longe speeres wherwith they kepte Orson of and anone they had enclosed valentyne rounde aboute the whiche defended hym so valiauntly that the hardyest of them all durste not come within his reaâ—he for them that he hitte the throue neuer after But for all that in valentyne and Orson were great prowesses and valiauÌ„tnes corporal not for that by the great nombre of the other the which were thyrey strong and puyssaunt valentyne myght not â—esiste for they preased vpon hym soo sore that he myght not welde his sworde and then they toke hym and bounde hym strayghtly and rode away with hym also fast as they might when Orson sawe y t the which had newely slayne one of them he ranne after theÌ„ houlyng right hydeosly but nothyng auailed his pursuite for they rode awaye so faste that Orson hadde loste the syght of them anone and wyste not whether to goo Then Grygar commaunded them for to pursue Orson and that they should take hym quycke or dead but for nothyng go they after for he ranne so impeâ—ueusly thorowe the forest that the moste hardiest of theim durste not come in his syght so Orson escaped fro the traytours And they led valentyne to a castell that was in the forest whiche a these kept y t was cosyn to Grygar And the false tray tours bare al their butyâ—s together But y e king Pepin knew nothing therof for he wende verely that there had bene no better men in al Fraunce when Ualentyne was entred into the castell they toke him rudely led him into a tower obscure and darke and after put hym in a profunde dongeon When Ualentyne was closed in the sayd dongeon he began for to wepe right pyteously in praying and reclaymynge god and the virgyn Mary that they woulde geue hym grace for to escape from that place Alas sayd Ualentyne nowe am I come to the thynge that I moste doubted That is for to were into the handes of mine enemies and of them that desired my death from daye to daye longe agone Wherfore I beseche God deuoutly y t he will sucoure me in this great daunger Alas good king Pepyn neuer y e daies of my lyfe shal I se you nor of my death you shall knowe nothyng For in this pyt obscure and foule behoueth me to fynisshe my dayes Farewel Orson for thou hast suffreth death for my loue And if thou loued me with perfitâ— loue so did I the as muche and more than if thou had bene my propre brother Alas my swete mother that I haue so muche desyred for to se I shall neuer haue knowledge of you wherfore my poore hart sygheth myne eyen melteth in teeres aboue all the moste sorowfulness when it behoueth me to dye without knowing what I am but sith that it pleaseth God that I muste dye thus I thanke hym and committe my soule in his garde In this maner complayneth Ualentyne in the obscure pyt and his enemies is in the castell that amongest them holdeth pleâ—e what they shoulde do with him Than some of them sayde Lordes the moste expedient that is is to make Valentyne dye without ony other deliberacion Lordes sayd Grygar to that thyng I am not consenting but am of the oppynyon that we shal kepe Valentine in prison the whiche can not escape vs and that we go toward Haufray and Henry for â—o tell and recount vnto them this
hys men to be armed lyghtly and wyth forty thousande men yssued out of the cyte of Ynde Whan Brandyffer knewe that they came agaynst hym he made his men to arme them So it was not longe but that the bataylles assembled that was muche fyerse on eche sayde Ualentine was amongest the prese that on euery sayd smote and caste downe folkes so that none durste abyde afore hym His hardynes was so redoubted that 〈◊〉 knyght wolde approche nere hym he entred into the batayll holdynge hys good swerde so ferre that he came to the king of Ynde and gaue him so great a stroke that he smote hym of hys hors downe to the earthe so rudely that he had no streyngth nor force for to ryse vp Whan Pacolet sawe that he was downe he went anone with dyuers other and toke the kynge of Ynde yelded hym vnto Ualentyne the whyche ledde hym vnto the pauylyon of kynge Brandyffer And whan he knew the tydynges that Ualentyne had taken the kynge of Ynde he cryed vpon hys men sayenge Now to it lordes there is but to do well for to day we shall haue vyctorye vpon our enemyes Soo I swere my god mahowne that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I shal fayle the knyght Ualentyne neyther wyth body nor wyth goodes For these tydinges kynge Lucar and all his men toke great courage and put them in the batayll more fyerslye that before in suche maner that there abode mo than thyrtye thousande vpon the felde Whan the Marshall of Ynde knewe the losse that they had he made anone to blowe the retrette to wythdrawe them and assemble hys men whan Brandyffer and kyng Lucar sawe y t they wyth drewe them they pursued them so nere that at the entre of the cyte there dyed ten thousande Pacolet was moche Joyous for to se so many paynyms dye For he cared not on what syde the losse turned so that he Ualentyne myght escape out of theyr handes The batayll endured so longe that the nyght approched and Brandyffer and kynge Lucar returned into theyr tentes and pauylyons and badde that they should bryng them the kynge of Ynde the whyche was presented vnto theim anone Whan kyng Lucar sawe hym he sayd vnto hym all on hye Ha false toaytoure nowe is the tyme comen that thou shall rendre me acountes thou mayst be well sure that thou shall neuer escape me for I shall make the dye shamefully The kynge of Ynde vnderstode him well but he aunswered him neuer a worde but yet shal the tyme come that he shall be delyuered by Pacolet after his delyueraunce shall yelde vnto him the kynge Brandyffer to be in his subiection as you shall heare afterwarde ⧠Howe Ualentyne harde tydinges of his father and howe Pacolet delyuered the kyng of Ynde by his charme and delyuered hym Brandyffer at his owne wyll ⧠Capitulo lxxviii RYght so as king Lucar spake vnto the king of Ynde there ariued a messenger the which after the saluce made sayd vnto kyng Brandyffer Ryght dere syr I bryng you heuy tydynges â–ª knowe that kyng Pepyn hath taken your cytie of Angorye and hathe put all the men and women and chyldren vnto death that were in it with out hauing any pytie By mahoune sayde the kyng Brandiffer here is euill tydinges for it was the fayrest cytie of all my lande But sythe that it is happened soo that I haue in my subiection the kyng of Ynde I haue doope that I shall haue vengeaunce shortly on myne enemies after he sayde to kyng Lucar Fayre sonne it behoueth sâ—th that we haue the kyng of Ynde in our handeÌ„s that hath done vs so muche daÌ„mageÌ„ that to morow in the mornyng he be condampned vnto a vyllaâ—â—â—us death And after we shall go into Angorye against the Frenchemen that wasteth my lande shall take vâ—â—gâ—â—uÌ„ce For knowe that within the strong castell I haue in my pryson the Emperoure of Grece and the grene knyght that hath lefte outlawe â–ª the whiche shall neuer escape me but shall be hanged within fyftene dayes Ualentyne that was there presence vnderstode well the tydynges and was ryght Joyous to heare speake of his father so he made sygne vnto Pacolet y t the time should be shortly that he must playe with his crafâ—e After he sayd softely to himselfe I pray to God of paradise that he wyll kepe you from daunger for I shal neuer haue ioye tyll that I haue founde the meanes for to delyuer you out of pryson The kyng of Ynde behelde Ualentyne and sayde to himselfe softly Cursed be the houre that euer thou escaped fro my handes y t I made the not dye for than should I not haue bene in suche daunger as I am nowe in After these thinges done king Lucar made to come a hundred sarazyus all armed and sayd to them Felowes I geue you this false traytour king of Ynde so thinke for to kepe him well vpon the paine to lese your lyues And to moro we in the mornyng I shall make hym behanged and strangled when you geue me him agayne The paynyms toke anone the king of Ynde and put him in a pauylyon there they bound hym fast by the myddle vnto a poste and after they bendeth his eyen He myght well heare the playes solace â–ª and disportes but he had but sorowe and discomforte in his harte as he that neuer thought to escape the death ¶ Then Valentyne called Pacolet and sayd vnto hym Frende I thinke not that the kyng Brandyffer holdeth my father in his pryson for if I had knoweÌ„ it I would not haue put my body in so great aduentures for to serue hym as I haue done I haue bene true to himim all his workes but syth that it is so I will neuer serue him more but would fynde gladly the manâ—t how I might dammage him For I am litell beholden for to do him pleasuâ—e that hath kepte my father in soo great distresse in his darke pryson so longe Syr sayde Pacolet you haue good reason to bere him dammage if you wil I shal fynde well the meanes to delyuer the kyng of Ynde â–ª yet he shal lede Brandyffer with him And me thynketh that whan he shall haue him in Ynde he wil make him dye shamefully And by this meanes you shall be auenged on him So may your vncle king Pepyn holde Angorye surely By my fayth sayde Ualentyne suche a thynge would I well And I pray the hartely that thou do some thynge at this houre wherby I may helpe kyng Pepyn and delyuer my father the Emperoure of Grece When it came after souper the hundred sarazing that had the king of Ynde in keping made a great fyre before the pauilioÌ„ And Pacolet that slepte not at that houre entred into the pauilion as one that would watche with them So it was not long after that he caste a charme in suche maner by the arte of Nygromancye that he made them fall to the earth and slepe
knight out of y e prison of y e soudaÌ„ Moradin xliiii ¶ Howe Pacolet deyued the soudan Moredyn made hym mounte vpon his horse of wodde and broughte hym in to the cytie of Constantinoble wenyng to him that he had brought hym in to Portingale cap. xliiii ¶ How the soudan Moradyn was taken and bounde and after was hanged cap. xiv ¶ How the kyng Trompart came before Acquytayne for to succour the gyaunt Ferragus and brought with hym Adramayne the enchauntour by whome Pacolet was deceyued and betrayed fasly cap. xlvi ¶ How Adramayne and Pacolet playde before the barons and how Adramaine stole away Pacolettes vorse of wodde and the fayre Clerymonde cap. xlvii ¶ Howe the kynge of ynde made kynge Trompartes head to be smyten of because he had slayne his brother and howe he would haue had the fayre Clerymonde vnto his wyfe cap. xlviii ¶ Howe Pacolet in a maydens clothyng auenged hym on the false Adramayne cap. xlix ¶ Howe kyng Ferragus hoost was al discoâ—fited and put all to death how Ferragus was slayne afterward within Acquitayne cap. l. ¶ How Orson and the Duke of Acquitaine went in to Constantinoble with a great hoost â–ª for to succoure the Emperoure And howe Orson ledde the Empresse Bellyssant with hym cap. li. ¶ Howe the christen men for to haue vytaylesyssued out of Constantinoble And how Ualentyne the grene knyght were taken prysoners by the false Sarazyns paynyms cap. lii ¶ Howe by the succoure of the duke of Acquytayne all the paynyms and sarasyns were slayne before the cytie of Constantynoble cap liii ⧠How the Emperour receyued his sonne Orson with great ioye and his wyfe Bellyssant cap. liiii ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure of Grece for to retourne into Fraunce cap. lv ⧠How Haufray and Henry ymagyned great treasoâ— against Orson by the ayde and consenting of twayne of their neuewes cap. lvi ¶ Howe Garnyere entred into kynge Pepyns chambre for to accomply she his â—ursed enterpryse and howe he left the knyfe wythin the kynges bedstrawe cap. lvii ¶ How Garnyere accused Orson falsly of treason vnto kyng Pepyn and howe the knyfe was founde in the kynges bedde cap. lviii ¶ Howe Orson when they would haue iudged him put opposition and demaunded batail against his accusers the whiche was vttred hym by the twelue peres of Fraunce cap. lix ⧠How Orson slewe Florent in the fielde vanquy fshed Garnyere and how Hawfray cut of his head as he would haue confessed the treason cap. lx ⧠How Valentyne in sekyng the fayre Clerymonde aryued in Antyoche and howe he foughte with a marueyâ— lous dragon cap. lxi ⧠Howe the serpent toke of Ualentynes helme how Pacolet armed hym and brought hym another helme of the complaintes that the quene Rozemonde made for Ualentyne cap. lxii ⧠Howe Valentyne slewe the dragoÌ„ through the grace of God almyghty And howe the kyng of Antyoche receyued hym with great honoure cap. lxiii ¶ Howe Valentyne after that he had discomfyted the dragon made the kyng of Antyoche to be baptyzed and all they of his lande and of the quene Rozemonde that was enamoured on hym cap. lxiiii ¶ Howe the kyng of Antyoche was put vnto death for the renounsing of mahowne by Brandyffer his wyues father And howe the Emperoure of Grece the grene knyght were taken prysoners by Brandiffer before the cytie of Cretophe cap. lxv ¶ Howe the fayre Clerymonde after that the yeare was complete did counterfet the seke womant othe ende that the kyng of Ynde should not wedde her And of the king Lucar that would auenge the death of Tromparte his father agaynst the kyng of Ynde cap. lxvi ¶ Howe the kyng Lucar in the fayre and great cytye of Esclardye wedded and toke vnto wyfe the fayre and gracyous Rozemonde cap. lxvii ¶ Howe the noble knyght Valâ—tyne departed from Esclardy for to go in to the mighty puissauÌ„t cytie of indâ— the gree for to bere y e defiauÌ„ce of kyng Lucar cap. lxviii ¶ Howe Ualentyne didde his message to the kynge of Ynde from the kyng Lucar and oâ— the aunswere that was geuen hym cap. lxix ¶ How Ualentyne retourned in to the cytie of Esclarbye And of the aunswere that he hadde of the kynge of Ynde to bere to kyng Lucar cap. lxx ¶ How kyng Lucar with fyftene kynges wente and assyeged the kyng of Ynde cap. lxxi ¶ How the kyng of Ynde catyed awaye the fayre Rozemonde behynde hym and howe Valentyne rescowed her and brought her agayne cap. ixxii ¶ How Rozemonde founde the maner and the facyon to make her selfe be led vnto the kyng of Ynde the more the whiche she loued perfytely and how he ledde her in to his cytie of Ynde cap. lxxiii ¶ How kyng Lucar dyd so muche that kyng Brandiffer abode with him aud sent Ualentyne in to Angoryâ— agaynst kyng Pepyn cap lxxiiii ¶ How Pacolet by his charme and crafte made all the sarazyns to be put vnto death And howe kyng Murgalant was slayne cap. lxxv ¶ How the sarazyns were discomfyted and how kyng Pepyn toke the cytie of Angorye cap. ixxvi ¶ How Valentyne retorned into Ynde after the bataâ—â—â— bare with him y e body of king MurgaiaÌ„t cap. lxxvii ¶ Howe Valentyne herde tyâ—inges of his father how Pacolet deliuered the king of Ynde by his charme and deliuered him Brandiffer at his own will ca. lxxviii ¶ How kyng Lucar made all the hondred satazins to be drâ—wen at horses tayles And how Valentyne Pacolet departed out of his hoost sectetly for to goo vnto Angorye â–ª cap. lxxix ¶ Of the bysion of kyng Pepyn And howe he wente into the holy lande with the twelue peres cap. lxxx ¶ How kyng Papyn put hym vpon the wait in the habyte of a pylgrym with the twelue peres of Fraunce and howe the king Papin spake vnto Haufray Henry before all the lordes of his courte cap. lxxxi ¶ How Haufray and Henry betrayed the kyng Pepyn their father and the twelue peres of Fraunce ca. lxxxii ¶ How the Calyphe of Bendas aryued in the hoost of kyng Brandiffer and howe he gate trewes for a moneth duryng the whiche trewes he made the peace betwene the kyng of Ynde and kynge Lucar and Brandyffer cap. lxxxiii ¶ How Haufray for to accomplysshe his treason aryued before Lucar and Brandiffer and how he himself was deceiued by treason cap. lxxxiiii ¶ How kyng Brandiffer wrote a letter vnto his doughter Galazye and gaue it haufray for to bere vnto the strong castell cap. lxxxv ¶ How the fayre Galazye after that she knewe the falsnes and treason of Haufray she made him to be put in a darke pryson muche streghtly cap. lxxxvi ¶ Howe Ualentine and Pacolet ariued before the stroÌ„g castel and how Pacolet reysed vp the deuil for to know if he might take it cap. lxxxvii ¶ Howe kyng brandiffer and kyng Lucar toke kynge Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce within
the date that euer I had knowledge of the fyrste And then he smote her agayne so mightely that the good lady lost her speche and all the ladies and damoyselles wende that she hadde bene dead wherfore they made a crye so high that the barons and knightes of the courâ— harde it and ranne quickely in to the chambre Some toke vp the Empresse Bellysant and the other spake vnto the Emperoure after this maner of fourme Alas syr howe haue you your courage so cruell for to destroy and vndo so noble a lady as she is â–ª that is so wel beloued of euery body â–ª in whome was neuer sene vyllanye nor dishonoure For God syr be a lytel more moderate For with wrong without cause you vndertake this quarell against the good lady Speake no more said y e Emperoure I knowe I se and wote howâ— the thyng goeth And y t more is by god almyghty I am deliueâ—ed totally to put her vnto death And if ther be any of you that will saye the contrary I shall make you dye an euill death At those wordes spake a wyse baron â— said Redoubted syr auise you consider well what ye will do you know wel that the lady that you haue spoused is syster vnto the king of Fraunce named Pepyn the whiche is puyssaunt fyerse and of greate courage And you ought to beliue stedfastly that and ye doo outrage vnto his syster Bellyssant he is a man for to auenge hym by suche a facion that he may do great dammage in this countrey also well vpon men chyldren as on townes cyties And put your selfe in exile the which should be great dammage and pitie And on the other syde you se wel that y e lady is great with childe wherfore it is perill vnto you for to smyâ—e her or touche so rudely After these wordes y c lady kneled vpoÌ„ her knees before the Emperour and spake thus vnto him ryght piteously weping ¶ Alas my lorde haue pytt on me for I neuer thought vyllany against your persone if that ye will not haue pyte on me at the least haue coÌ„passion on the chylde that I bere in my wombe for I am great with chylde of your dede of y e which god gyue me grace to be deliuered Ioyously Alas syr I supplye you and requyre you that ye make me be put in to a toure there to be kept streightly vnto my childing And after that I am deliuered do with my body what soeuer you will Thus and in semblable maner the good lady complayned her wepyng and syghyng full profoundly with a sorowfull harte and they had theyr hartes ryght harde that could abstaine them from wepyng But the Emperoure that was deceiued by the false Archebysshop would haue no compassion on his wyfe but cruelly and fyersly answere vnto her False strompet dishordynate of as muche as thou art wyth chylde I ought lytle to reioyce me for I am so muche enformed of thy gouernemeÌ„t that I haue nothing and that dysloyally thou hast habandoned thy selfe vnto oâ— ther than me WhaÌ„ they sawe that the Emperour wolde not refrayne him nor appese his Iâ—e for nothinge by acomyn accorde they toke her and ledde her into a chambre And the most amyably that they might helde her with wordes in shewing vnto her her great faute and the sorowful lady was dysorned in her chambre that hadde her face disteyned wyth bloude The ladyes that were next her persone brought her fayre water to Wasâ—he her with all And at that houre entred into her chambre her squyer named Blandymayn And whan he sawe her in suche estate he wepte for pyte and sayde vnto her Ha madame I se wel that you are falsly betrayed I beseche god that cursed be the person that hathe purchased you thys euil For god my righâ— dere lady take a â—ytle comforte vnto you And yf you wyll byleue me I shall lede you into Fraunce agayne toward the king Pepyn your brother the whyche gaue me vn to you for to serue you in your necessities the whyche thynge I wold do after my puyssauÌ„ce Beleue my consayll and we shal retourne into Fraunce agayne For you may be sure that the Emperour shal make you dye shortly wyth great shame and dyshonoure Then answered the dolourous lady Ha Blandymayn my frende it shoulde be to me to shameful and dyshonest for to go in suche manet without other deliberacyon And it myght be beleued lightly that the Emperour had good cause and that I were culpable of the dede Wherfore I had â—euer die an euil death than for to recouer blame for a thynge that I am innocent of and accused with out cause After these thinges thus said the Emperour that was with the barons a lytell moderate and satisfied of his Ire he sente for his wyfe Bellyssant the whiche was brought before him quickely Whan he sawe her his harte trembled for sorowe for this that he dutst not put her to death because of her brother kiÌ„g Pepyn and his puissaunce With rude wordes he said to her False cursed woman by the is myne honoure vyturped Wherfore I sweare God that and it were not for thy brothers sake the valeaunt kyng Pepyn I should make the to be brent in a fyre but for his sake thy lyfe shall be prolonged at this present time Now I â—o the to wyt that from this houre I banisshe the expulse the from my countrey and Empire in coÌ„maunding the expresly that to morowe thou departe out of this cytie for if I se the any more thou shalt neuer haue respite till thou haue suffred death And yet I commaunde all them of my countrey that there be none so hardy of them to accoÌ„pany you or coÌ„uey saue allonely yoursquyer Blandymayne that you brought out of Fraunce with you Go where as you wil go at your aduenture for thou shalt neuer slepeby my side nor in my bedde Sone after that commaundement of the Emperour that was shorte and sâ—daine without soiourney or delacion the Empresse Bellyssant and her Squyer Blandymayn mounted on horsebacke and came in to the Lyâ—ie where as was shedde full many a tere bothe of lordes and ladies knightes and squyers with al y e commune people the which â—â—ted sorowed out of mesure for they made suche lamentacions that there was neuer sene nor hearde so piteous a thinge Euery body ran vnto the gate for to coÌ„maunde the good lady vnto God that by the false Archebisshop was so pyteously banyshed And at the yssue of the gate they made the pitefullest etie that euer was hearde Nowe goeth Blandymain that conduyeth the sorowefull lady Bellissant and hath taken the waye to go towarde the realme of Fraunce When the lady was out of the walles of the citie and that she sawe her selfe in the fieldes pyteously aâ—ourned like a woman shamed and dishonoured she wayled bitterly For she considered the lyguage the bloud ryall that she was yssued out of the right hygh
your syster Bellyssant hath to muche euil by the treason and false language of the cursed Acchebisshop for she is vanisshed from the Emperoure and chased out of the countrey And the Archebysshop made him beleue so many false wordes that if the lordes of his court had not bene the whiche fered your futoure he wold haue made her he btence in a fyre afore all the worlde Blandymayn said the kynge Pepyn the whiche was tryst and sorowfull Of as muche holde I the Emperoure more folysher because he made not my syster dye for by the God almighty if I had her hate at this present time I should neuer reste â—il that I hadde made her dye an euil death Nowe forwarde lordes saide kynge Pepyn for oure vyage is done Retorne we vnto Paris for I will go â—oteâ—der I knowe to muche tydinges of my sister w t out demaundinge or enquiryng any more At these wordes he torned the bridle of his horse for to retorne making great sorowe in his courage and beganne to saye vnto himselfe Ha veray God almighty sayd he howe often is man deceiued by woman Nowe am I come to the clene contrary of mine entencion for I purpensed to haue had once of my syster Bellyssant in my lyfe Ioye and pleasure And to haue had the Emperoure Alexander for my frende to succoure me in all my necessities And by her I am greatly diffamed and put vnto a great dishonour In that distresse and melancoly rode the king Pepyna great whyle so longe he â—ode so that he ariued at OrleauÌ„ce Then Blandimain that sawe wel and knewe well the courage of the king Pepyn durste declare no more vnto him of the lady Bâ—llyssant So he â—â—iourned towarde the tre where as he had left her but he founde her not wherfore he was angry and â—yght sorowefull He discended fastâ—ned his horse and began to serche her thorough the wodde And he didde so muche that he founde her lyeng vpon the earth the whiche had wepte so muche for her chylde that she might not speake but with great payne Blandimayn embraced her and set her on her fete and then â—â—â—de vnto her Alas who may haue brought you hether Hâ— Blandymayn said she euer encreaâ—â—â—h my doloure and dystresse Ie is true that whan you were departed there came a beer to me a bare awaye one of my chyldren And I put myselfe on y e waye after thinkyng to haue taken it from hym â–ª but I coude not retorne vnto the tree whereas I left mine other childe Lady sayd he I come from the fote of the tree but I haue founde no chyld yet haue I well loked on euery syde Whan the lady hearde Blandymayne she was more sorowfull than before and yet agayne she tell in a swone blandymayn toke her vp and wepte full hercely for the ladies sake He ledde her towarde the tree where as she had left the chylde but whan she founde it not she discharged so greate sighes and so pyteous that it semeâ— that the hert in her â—ely wolde depart in sunder Alas said she thereis not in the world a more discomforted lady chaâ— I am for from syde to side I am deuoyde of Ioye of pleasure of myrche and am replete wyth doloure and misery â–ª and of intollerable dystresse greued wyth all trybulacyons and amonge all desolates the moost â—esolate Alas Emperour you are the cause toauauncemy death wrongfully and without cause by â—uyl couÌ„sell haue depryued me from your company for on my soule neuer the dayes of my life dydde I faute wyth my body I haue nowe loste by you â–ª your â–ª propre chyldren legityme yssued out of bloud ryall by whâ—nâ— I trusted ones to be venged Come death vnto me for to finisshe my dolour for the death shall be more agreable vnto me than to liue in this martyre Whan Blandymaine sawe the lady so inwardly discomforted the best wyse that he might he comforted her wyth the woman and lead her into a litle village where as she was bayned kepte and cherisshed â—yll that she was well healed and in good poynt and that of her greate sorowes she was a litle appeased for there is no â—ole but that it is forgotten by processe ThaÌ„ blandimain beg aÌ„ for to tell and recyte vnto the lady howe he had encountred the kyng Pepyn her brother the whiche had demaunded him tidinges and how he was angry against her And sayde by God madame I haue greate feare that ye shall not be welcome to the kynge your brother For also soone as he knewe that the Emperoure had expulsed you from him he shewed the semblaunt that he was muche angry against you as he the whiche wil beleue lightly that the faute is in you Ha God sayde the lady Now is come vnto me the thing that I moste doubted at this houre maye I well saye that I from al sydes haue aduersities For I am expulsed froÌ„ my lord and husbande the Emperoure without ryght or reason Neuer shall I retourne vnto Paris but will go into a straunge countrey so farre that neuer man nor woman shall haue knowledge of my faute nor know where I am If my brother the king Pepyn helde me he would make me dye Now it is better for to sechewe his ire and â—uroure then for to abyde the death And Blandymayne sayde vnto her Lady wepe no more for ye be sure that I shall neuer leue you vnto the deathe am delivered to liue and dye with you and to kepe you company whether soeuer you will go Blandymayn sayd the lady let vs go at our aduenture and I thanke you hartely for your good wil for my truste is hole on you Thus is the lady Bellyssant Blandymayn on their waye muche pensyfe and sorowfull all charged with anguysshes Here will I leue for to seakpe of them â— will tell you of the Beer that bare awaye the chylde through the Wodde ¶ Of the beeâ— that bare awaye one of the children 〈◊〉 the â—mpresse Bellyssaâ—t Cap. vi THe Beet that had taken one of the chyldren of Bellyssant deâ—oured it noâ— but bare it in to his caueâ—ne that was profounde and obscure In the whiche was foure younge Beets stronge and â—uâ—ssaunt The Beer caste the chylde amonge hys wâ—â—lâ—es to be eaten but God that neuer forgeteth his â—rendâ—s shewed an euydent myracle For the younge Beeres dyâ—dâ— it no haâ—me but with theyr roughe â—awes strooked it soâ—telâ—e When the Beeâ— sawe that her lyâ—le whelâ—es would not deuoure it she was right amerous of the chylde so muche that she kepte â—t â—nd gaue it â—ouâ—e a hole yeaâ—â— The chylde was â—lâ— toughâ— because of the neueâ—â—taction of the beeâ— â–ª as a â—â—de beâ—st So he began to go in the â—odde aâ—â—â—â—â—ame great 〈◊〉 in a whâ—â—e aâ—d bâ—gan for to smyte the 〈…〉 castes of the forest in suche wyse that they all douted hym and â—ledde before him For he fereo nothyng in the worlde In suche estaâ—e was the
chylde ledyng a â—â—â—stes lyfe y e space of xv yeaâ—e He became 〈◊〉 great and stâ—â—â—g â–ª that none durste passe through the forest â—or hym â–ª for bothe men and beastâ—s he put vnto dâ—ath and â—aâ—e their 〈◊〉 alrâ—w as the othâ—â— beastes did â—â—d â—â—â—ed â—â—eaâ—◠〈◊〉 liâ—â— and not humayâ—e He was called Orson â—â—â—auâ—â— of the beere that had nouryshed hym and h◠〈◊〉 alâ—â— cougâ— as â— beeâ—e He dyd so muâ—he harmâ—â—n â—hâ—â—orâ—â— aâ—d was so â—ore redoubteâ— that there was 〈◊〉 â–ª weâ—e he neuer so â—aliauÌ„t aâ—d hardy but that he had gâ—eat fere to encountre the wylde maâ— The â—enowne â—prange so of hym that all they of the countrey â–ª â—boutâ—â—haâ—â—â— and hunted him with force and strength â–ª but nothynge auaylled all their deade for he fered neyther â—yâ—â—eâ— nor weapons but brake al 〈◊〉 peces No wâ—â— is in the forest â—â—dang the life of a wilde beast without weâ—inâ— of any cloth or any worde speaking And the motheâ— Bellyssaâ—t that thought that she has lost him â–ª goeth as a woman discomforted through the countrey at aâ—â—â—ture and Blandymayne conduyted heâ— â–ª comforteth her also well as he maâ—e The lady be â—ayled euer her two chyldren for she hath loste them and prayeth oftentymes vnto god with good harte and to the viâ—gyn Mary y t they woulde saue her two children Blandymayn aâ—d the lady Bellyssant passed by â—yâ—ers places and so muche 〈◊〉 â—eâ—â— by sâ—â— and bâ— laâ—de that they 〈…〉 d at a â—oâ—â—â— oâ—â—oâ—â—yngale vpon the whiche was â—â—â—stâ—â—l And in that same castell did remyyne â—â—â—â—nâ—t that was so great and so puyssaunt that there was no horse that myght susteyne him and he was called Ferragus IT happened that this Ferragus yssued out of the castell and came vnto the porte for to demaunde trybutâ— of the â—asseâ—s as he was accustomed to take of euery shyppe He entred into the shyppe whereas Bellyssant was that was â—eâ—lâ—â—â—sshed with dyuers marchaundises And also soone as he â—spiâ—d Bellyssant he â—oâ—â— her â—y the hande â—nd lâ—dde 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 castelâ— to wâ—â—â—e his wyâ—â— for he was maried vnto a lady ryght pleasauâ—t and fayre And Bâ—â—nâ—â—mâ—â—n went after the lady that the gyaunt leddâ— iâ— great honoure without doyng heâ— vyllaâ—yâ— in any facion eyther in thought or dede and presented her vnto his wyfe â–ª the whiche receiued her gladly and had great ioye of her comming for the gracious maynteine that she sawe in her The gyaunt commaunded his wyfe that Bellyssant should be sumptuously kept as her persone and Blandymayn heâ— squier in like wise She was receyued with great ioye in the castell â—or she was well endoctrined both in â—â—â—dicioâ—â— aâ—d in scyence and coulde speake amiable and gouerne 〈◊〉 hoâ—eâ—â—ly amonge lytell and great Aâ—d when she had re membraunce of her children she weptetenderly bothe with â—â—â—â—e and mynde â—ut the wyfe of the â—yaunt recomforced her euer Aâ—d of all that was in the castell she was euer nexte her persone For she â—oued her with â—o â—â—â—â—â—te loue that without her she might neither 〈◊〉 nor drinke she was longe tyme in the castell of Ferragus Here I will lâ—ue you to speake of her and 〈◊〉 â—eâ—â— you of the Emperoure and of the false Archebysshop â–ª ¶ Howe by the couÌ„sail of the Archebysshop there was newe customes raysed in the cytie of Constantinoble and howe the occason was knowen Cap. vii Alexander the Emperoure after that he 〈◊〉 â–ª â—xpâ—â—sed shamâ—fully his wyfe 〈…〉 kyng Pâ—â—yâ—s sâ—ster of Frauâ—â—â— and 〈…〉 â—ed her from his company he made diuers complayntes repented hym in his harte 〈◊〉 thâ—â—â—â—t 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—â—d of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eâ—te hym euer in 〈◊〉 â—olysshe oppinion and the Emperour beleued him And gaue hym so muche puyssaunce and aucthoritie aboue the other that that whych 〈◊〉 commaunded was done He gouerned so muche â— had so muche domynacâ—◠〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 alsâ—d vp 〈…〉 mes aud vsages in the 〈◊〉 of â—onstantynoâ—iâ— agaynst ryght and reason It happeâ—ed that there was a fayer in â—he â—itâ— the which was kepy the. xv day of Septembre And from diuers counetâ—es came the marchauntes to that fayeâ— Whan the day was comen that it should be kept the to wne was ful 〈…〉 marchauntes of euery countree The Emperour made the fayer to be kept as it was accustomed 〈…〉 the â—â—â—yng therof vnto the Archebysshoppe â—he whych made 〈…〉 e two hundred men for to accompany him and they departed from the cyte to kepe the faye◠〈◊〉 the same fayer was present y e marchaunt that I haue made meâ—cy on of to fore that is to wâ—t he the whyche founde Blandy mayn and the Archebiâ—hoppe 〈…〉 ynge the Archebysshoppe knewe hym well 〈…〉 ought but he made no semblaunt For he doubted to â—yâ—hâ— that his fallâ—od were not knoweÌ„ He wold haue â—â—t hym to death gladly but he had not the puyssauÌ„ce without to grete â—câ—auÌ„der This day â—he saiâ— matchauÌ„t that was wel garnisshed with clothes of golde â—â—ke â—oâ—â—e more theÌ„ any other wherfore whaÌ„ the fayer was 〈…〉 y â—hâ—d the Archebysshop sent â— sargeaunt to hym for to demaunde him the trybute than was accustomed â–ª for the â—â—â—ynge oâ— hys marchaundyse The sergeaunt 〈◊〉 〈…〉 him and sayd Syr marchauÌ„t â—ou must pay x. pence for euery pounde that you haue solde for soo 〈…〉 ordeyned â—o sayd the matchaunt that â—uâ—l may happen to hym that hathe reysed vp suche a custome that is the 〈◊〉 and dissoyall Archebisshoppe whome God curse for it is lonâ—◠〈◊〉 sythe he oughte to haue dyed a shamefull death Then 〈◊〉 the marchaunt had so reuyled the Archebysshop the sargeaunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his staffe and smote the marchaunt vpon the head that the bloud ranne downe When the marchaunt felt hym selfe smyten he drew his sworde and smote him so hard that he vette him do wne dead then arose a greâ—t noyse thorough the fayer and meuyng of people in suche maner that the other sergeauntes toke the marchaunt and ledde hym towarde the Archebysshop The Archebysshop would haue made him dye without delay but the marchaunt that was wise and well aâ—uised demaunded the lawe that is to saye that he would â—e heard in his reasons and defences and the iustice was fauourable and vttred it to hym Then the Archebysshop made him â—e ledde before the Emperoure for he had greate â—olente to make hym be sudged to death but in desiring the death of other he purchaseth his owne as ye shall heare The Archebisshop made to present the marchauÌ„t in the palays â–ª where as was the Emperour that com maunded the Iudge to put him in chayre And the Archebisshop made an aduocate rigorously prepose agaist the marchaunt in accusing him of the murdre that he had done and of the great â—uâ—urâ—es that he had sayde against the reuerence of the Archebysshop Whan the purpose was made against the marchaunt he kneled downe before the Emperour and said vnto him â—ight hyghe and excellent Priâ—â—e if it please you of your benygâ—e grace to
retorned in to Acquytayne and tolde the tydynges and the lettyng of the kynge Pepyn And whan the duke Sauary vnderstode that he might haue no socoure of y e kynge Pepyn he was moche sorowful For y e grene knyght made hym grete warre had assyeged hym to nere And you ought for to knowe that this same grene knyghte was broder vnto Ferragus the gyaunt that kepte the lady Bellyssant in his castell the whiche was Ualentines moder and the wylde Orsons as you haue herde declared before ¶ Now is y e duke Sauary within Acquitayne right pensyf and sorowfull for y e grene knyghte that made hym suche warre for his doughter He made to be cryed and commaunded that all they of his hoost sholde be in harneys as vnto suche a case apperteyned And that on the morowe in mornynge he wolde yssue out vpō y e grene knyght for to fyght with him Euery body put himselfe in poynt and dyde theyr dylygence for to arme them And whan the daye was clere the trompettes and clarons dyde so wne and than the men of armes on euery syde as well on horsbacke as on fote put hem vpon the waye to yssue oute of the cyte Grete haste had the duke Sauary to assayll the grene knyght But suche weneth to auaunce hymself that oftentymes do the his owne dōmage And so it happened vnto the duke as you shal here The duke Sauary yssued out of Acquytaine with a great company And whan he was vpon the feld he made to sown his trompettes and clarons as a valyaunt champyon for to assayll his enemyes and smote in amongest theym The sarazyns and painims that were in grete nombre did rynne vnto armes and than began a meruayllous and a fyerse batayll And the grene knyght sinote wyth his axe of armes myghtye strokes for at his fyrste entre he slewe two knyghtes Than the Duke Sauary drewe to ward hym and they assaylled ech other ryght fiersely for the good duke was much valyaunt But not for that ▪ he did to grete a foly when he enterprised to fight with the grene knyght for the predestynacyon of hym was suche that he shuld neuer be conquered nor vamquysshed but of a man that shoulde be a kynges sonne and that had neuer bene nourysshed of womanne nor souked theyr brestes So he thought that suche a man myght neuer be founden But such a child is vpon the earth that shal fyght wyth hym and vaynquyssh hym that is Orson the sauage as you shal here afterwarde The duke Sauary and the grene knight fought longe togyder But the good duke Sauary entred to ferre in for whan he wend to haue withdrawn him to his hoste he was enclosed wyth painyms and sarazyns that toke hym prysoner and led hym vnto the grene knighte the whiche was so ryght gladde of hym that he wolde not haue let him go for no treasure And the good duke Sauery reclaymed God and the virgin Marye in hys herte Whan the chrystan men knew that the duke was taken they retorned into Acquitayne heuy and sorowfull Than began the people for to make greate dole sorowe in the cytie of Acquytayne wepynge bytterlye for theyr good Duke that they loued so muche There was his thre sones Garyn ▪ Anseline ▪ and Garyn the yōgest that made grete dole for theyr fader But aboue al other the sorowe and lamentacions of Fezonne passed the which teared her here that was shining as the golde and wepte full bytterly with her pleasaunt eyen and sayd Alas in an euyl houre was I borne whan that so many noble knyghtes and vassalles must suffre so hydeous deathes and pyteous lamentacyons for me And yet there is a thyng in my hert that greueth m◠muche more that is for the good Duke my father that is in the handes of hys mortal ennemyes for my sake where as it behoueth hym for to fynyshe his dayes in sorowe and dystresse Alas my ryght dere fader to muche haue you loued me whan that my loue is sold you so derely that you must suffre death therfore Thus complained Fezonne full soore wepyng the which had the wil and courage to haue slayne her self but the ladies letted her And the grene knyght in hys pauyllyon that made the good duke to be brought before him sayde vnto hym ryght fyersly Now seest thou that thou art in my subgeccyon at this tyme and that I haue puysaunce for to saue the or spyll the. I shall tell the what thou shalte do gyue me thy doughter Fezonne vnto wife and in thys doynge thy lyfe shal be saued and I shal leade her into thy greane mountayne where as I shal make her to be rychely crowned Sarazin said the Duke I shal tel the my wyl Know that thou shalt neuer haue my Doughter if that thou make the not be Baptyzed and byleue in Jhesu Christ. Sauary sayd the greane knighte neuer speke vnto me of suche a thynge for neuer the dayes of my life wyl I byleue in thy god And yet I tel the more that and thou wil not beleue my counsall I shal make the dye and fynysshe thy dayes vyllaynouslye And yet I tel the that I shal make Acquitaine to be brente and to be putte to execucyon And all menne and womenne and chyldren lytle and great I shall make suffer deathe Paynym sayde the Duke Sauary god of his inestimable grace kepe me from thy furour and great cruelnesse for in hym is all my trust and in hym is onely my conforte For longe were they speakyng of this mater bothe the grene knyght and the Duke Sauary that in reclaymynge god syghed full tenderlye And the greane knyght beheld hym And whan he saw the great lamentacyons that hee made ▪ and the pyteous teares that hee wept he sayd vnto him Free duke leue thy wepyng for I am so esprysed with the loue of thy doughter and so ardauntly enbraced that for the loue of her I haue no talent nor courage for to put the vnto deth but am to tally delibered for to let the go vnder this condiciō that thou shalt finde me a knight wythin thys syxe monethes that by strength of armes maye wyn thy doughter agaynst me and thou do I shall retorne home into my countre agayne wythal myne host wythout was tynge or destroyinge of the lande And yf it happen so that I be not conquered ouer comen within y e sayd terame I shal haue thy Doughter vnto wyfe and leade her into my countre without makyng ony other warre And the Duke accorded thereto And than the trewes was cryed for the space of syxe monethes ¶ After that the crye was made the grene knyght gaue the duke sauary lycence for to go and made hym for to swere that he shuld hold the sayde couenaunt truely Thus the appoyntment was made bytwene theim twayne for euer And after came in to Acquytayne made it to be knowen and publysshed al aboute the forme of the appointemen And whan he had
dede and they shal geue vs couÌ„sayl vpon this mater To this counsail theâ— accorded al were delybered for to goo vnto Parys where as king Pepin soiurned at that present time Grigar after thys counsayl toke his way towarde Parys And Orson was within the wode pyteously ve wept that al that nyght had rested him at y e fote of a tre And as the day was light he put him on the waye thoughte within him selfe that he wold neuer reast tyll that he had done the kynge to wyte of that treason and how Valentine was taken and led awaye He toke the hys waye and ranne faster to Parys than a hors but grigar the traytour was soner there And as he was entred into the palays he went toward haufray henry recounted vnto hym how Ualentyne was taken and enprysoned wherof he was ryghte glad but it dyspleased hym much whan it was told hym that OrsoÌ„ was escaped Not withstondyng he recomforted hym in that that Orson coud not retorn vnto Paris again and more ouer of this that he coud not speke and y t he coude not recoâ—t the maner of the enterprise but their entencion was wel torned backward for Orson abod not longe whan he arryued at paris And at the same daye that he arryued the two traytours hadde taken counsayl betwene them that Grygar sholde retorne vppon the morowe vnto the castell for to put Valentyne to death without ony remyssyon In a good hour aryned Orson at that time the which also sone as he was in the palays he entred into the great hall wheras the good kynge Pepyn was the which at that same tyme was set at the table for to dyue accompanied with dyuers noble knyghtes and barons whan kyng Pepyn saw Orson he wende verely that Valentyne had ben recorned Orson went thorow the haile pyteously trying and beting his breast for the whiche thinge the kynge and al the other beheld him sore And whan Or son sawe the knightes set at table hee behelde theiâ— muche horriblye in makyng hydeous signes Than he aduised and knew Grigar amongst the other that heâ—â— his heed inclyned downe to warde the tabell for feare that he shuld be espyed ⧠whan Orson sawe him he ran thederwarde and gaue him soo greate a stroke that he smote one of his â—res away And after he smote him agayne vpon the vysage so mightely that he broke his teth and put out one of his eyen wherfore Grygar began for to crye so hye that all they in the hal apâ—â—â—ceyueo the noyse and debate And Orson retorned againe and gaue hym so sore a strooke that he felled hym and caste downe the table and al that was vponâ—â— wherat all the company meâ—ualled and were much stronglye troubled And Grigar had ben slayne therby orson the sauage yf â–ª a valyaunt prince had not taken him from hym and sayde al on hye Alas syr kynge se and consyder the pyteous case in which orson the sauage hathe put this good knight for god syr make that his life be taken from him for it is to peryllous a thing to kepe such a man Lordes sayd the king we must taste auisemente on this mater Make him come heather and we shal know what is his entencyon wherfor he did it and y e cause of his debate Orson was brought before the kynge Than the kinge demaunded him wherfore he had done so great outrage before his maiestie And Orson made him signe that he had slayne murdred Valentyne in the forest And after he went shewyng meruaylous sygnes that he wolde fyght wyth Grigar for that thynge by the lawe of champion make hym confesse his cursed enterpryse and dampnable treason After he toke his hode and kest it by great fyernes vnto Grigar in maner of wage dyffyaunce â–ª And whan kinge Pepyn sawe that he called his lordes and the other barons of the courte and sayd to them al on hie Lordes nowe haue you sene how this wilde man hath casten his gage of batayle before vs al vnto Grigar how he wyl fight with him Wherfore tell me all your oppinions vpoÌ„ this mater and what is for to be done in this case for muche I meruayle me in my hearte of this that Orson the sauage amongest al the knightes elles of my courte hathe â–ª smyten Grygar so furiouslye Lordes saye on your oppynyons for I doubte me to muche of some fal shede what part someuer it cometh on And as for my part wythout your counsayl or delyberacyon I shall be of the oppynyon that the bataile were iudged betwene them both Whan the kynge had spoken in thys maner the barons were of one accord and oppynyon that Grygar and Orson should fyghte for thys quarel Than the batayle was ordeyned And kynge Pepyn made Grygar to be brought before hym and sayd to him that behoueth him to fight with Orson Whan Grygar knew and vnderstode that it behoned him to fight with Orson he was ryght sorowfull and not wythout a cause for the time is come that the treason that hathe ben hydde so longe shalbe knowne manifestly before eueri body Grigar beheld Haufray withan vnstedfast semblaunce a frayde hearte â–ª than Henry called him and sayd â–ª Grygar haue no fere of nothynge for I promyse you and let you wytte that wee shall make your peas toward the king oure father in such wyse that your persone shal haue no domage nor vyllany in no maner of the worlde by this condycyon that you shal sweare neuer to confesse this dede what someuer come vnto you Alas sayde Grygar to euyll goth my cause for I se wel that I must suffre dethe for your sakes And whaÌ„ he had sayd this he weÌ„t toward the king saying Syr I requyre you of a gift that is y t of your grace I fyght not with the wilde man For syr you know wel ynough that it is not man against maÌ„ that a knyght may wynne honoure of and also he is no natural man but is vnreasonable and without onâ— spyce of mercye Grygar sayd the kynge there is none excusacyon for the battayl is iudged by the counsail of all the court treason condampneth you and right wil that it be so Of this answer was Grigar right pensiâ— dysconforted Than Haufray sayd vnto hym â–ª haue no doubte for yf you haue good ryght god shal healpe you and be your shelde and defence in this quarel And as for my part I shal make you to be armed wel and sufficiently as it apperteyneth vnto such a case And whan Orson vnderstode that he shuld fyght he made grete Joye Many grete signes made Orson vnto the kyng that Ualentine was deed and destroyed Of the whiche signes king Pepin meruayled sore Euer was Orson redy for to smyte Grygar the fals traytour but the king Pepin made him to be taken and to bee kepte in his presence in making him signes that he shoulde smyte hym no more vntyl the time that he
wer in the felde After he sayd vnto Grigar go and arm you and thynke for to defend your quarel wel Ha syr sayd Grigar I haue serued you longe time withall my puissaunce haue enforced me for to obey you in al thinges as wel in batayl as wythoute but euyll rewarde you yelde me whan that you wyll make me fyght agaynst this wylde man that hathe neyther wytte nor reason Grygar sayd kyng Pepyn if you haue good right you ought not to be dysmayed of nothynge for I promyse you that you shal be wel armed and Orson shalbe put into the felde al naked and without armour You shall be on horsback and he shal be on fote without bering ony wepen wherby you shal haue no cause for recule a backe from defendyng of your ryghte I can not tell how it shal befal you but you shewe wel the seÌ„blaunt that there is somwhat to say in you do your deuoyre and defend your ryght for you shall haue none other thynge of me the cause is consumed and the conclusy on made and taken of my counsayll ¶ How Orson and Grigar fought togyder before kinge Pepyn and how Orson vaynquyshed him made him confesse the treason openly and after was hanged And how Valentine was delyuered Ca. xix AFter that Grygar had made dyuers excuss cyons and apposycyons that he sholde not fyght wyth Orson and that it was delybered by the counsail to fight â–ª the kinge commauÌ„â—ed to make the feld afore his palais And when he was ready Orson that was abidyng eâ—â—ered in for to abyde Grygar y t was armed by Haufray Henry the which armed him also well as they could And when he was armed he tooke his leue of them in saying Lordes I go dye for you Euill was the daye for me when I enterprysed suche a thyug Holde your peace sayd Henry and take no thought for I haue promysed you to make your peace to wathe my father the whiche I will holde so that and you be vanquished by Orson your body shall haue no harme And if that he would domage you in any maner there should rather dye an hundred thousande men then we should faile on out syde be euer secrete and knowledge neuer nothyng of the deede that is done nor of the enterpryse Grygar was armed and mounted on horsebacke and so he rode towarde the fielde that was ordeined before the palais And when the houre was come that they should fight the kyng came to the wyndowes for to beholde the batayle When al the court was assembled and the iudges ordayned for to iudge the bataill it was commaunded to both the parties that they shoulde do their deuoyre Than Grygar entred into the fielde with muche pryde mounted at auauntage wherfore it befell hym euill at the ende He sporred his horse and drewe towarde Orson saying Rybaude thou hast done me to great outrage whaÌ„ thou put out one of min eien through thy cruel nes but I shall shewe the that with wronge and without cause thou haste assayled me ¶ And when Orson sawe him come he vnderstode hym well and stratched forth his armes and she wed his nayles and his teeth grennyng full hugely Then Grygar couched his spere and ranne towarde Orson When Orson sawe the spere come he gaue a lepe backward And Grygar that had fayled of his stroke fixed his speere in the fielde Whan Orson sawe that he retourned to him and tooke the spere and when that Orson hadde the spere in his hande he gaue hym so great a stroke that he loste witte and vnderstaÌ„ding in such wyse that he wist not where he was When Grygar was smyten he sporred horse and fledde about the fielde and Orson ranne after makyng a grymly countenaunce and shewyng the kyng that he woulde yelde hym matte anone And when Grygar apperceyued the great daunger that he was in he sayde within himselfe A Haufray I muste dye for you I had well sayde it euyll is the thing begon and euill shal it finishe In this maner Grygar could not wouÌ„de Orson in no wyse And when Orson sawe this he â—ast the spere downe and after came against Grygar and so stâ—aitâ—he kept him that he caught his horse by the necke and he made him turne so ofteÌ„ about that he made him fall but when he felte his horse fal he would haue lept out of his sadle and at the lepe he lost his shelde for it fell down and Orson ranne to it and anone put it vpoÌ„ hym and went towarde the horse and mounted vpon hym and in makyng marueylous sygnes he roode after Grygar that fled about in the fielde To se the countenaunce of Orson euery body was abasshed And the kyng Pepyn amongest the other was muche pensyfe for this case and sayde before them all By God almiâ—hey lordes I marueyle me muche of this feate and I can tell what to thynke nor to what ende it wil come but whatsoeuer it be or what may happen it is myne opinion that there is treason ryght greate somwhere The kyng was pensyfe vpon this enterpryse And Orson that was mounted on horsebacke for to pursue Grygar descended of the horse and wente vnto him on fote and he gaue suche a stroke that he smote him down to the grounde and after he lepte vpon him and tooke his sworde and his dagger from him after he gaue him so mighty a stroke that he smote of his arme and hys shoulder And then he gaue hym another marueylous stroke in the body so that he cut his reynes of his back in two And Grygar escryed soo hye that euerye body herde it in demaundyng a priest for to be confessed of his synnes and to haue absolucion of them And when the gardes of the fielde vndrstode hym a muche notable knyght that had the charge went to ward him and demaunded hym what he woulde and then Grygar sayd vnto hym Syr make the kyng Pepyn descende for I will before all the worlde tell and confesse the falsnes and treason of my case ¶ Then this thyng was sygnifyed to the kyng Pepyn all clearely what he had sayde ¶ How Grygar after that he was ouercome and vanquyshed by Orson confessed before the king â–ª Pepyn the treason that Haufray and Henry had done against the noble Ualentyne ¶ Cap. xx WHen Grygar sawe the kynge he cryed hym mercye And recounted vnto him howe that by the commaundement of Haufray and Henry he had taken Ualentyne put hym in pryson tyll lye be iudged to deathe Whan kynge Pepyn knew the trouth of the mater he commaunded to hang Grygar Sith he mouÌ„ ted on horsbacke for to go vnto the pryson that valen tyne was in whan Orson vnberstode that the kinge wold go he ranne before hym makyng grete chere to hym shewynge hym the waye And the kynge sayd often Lordes it is a great thyng of thys wyld man that loueth Valentine thus know that his manners styreth me much for to do hym some
good The kynge loued hym moche and wel he oughte to do so for he was his propre neuew but he knew it not Nor yet he shal not knowe it tyll that by Clerymonde syster vnto the gyaunre Ferragus it be shewed For that same Clerimonde had a castell wherin was a heed of brasse composed by Nygromancye that tolde her all the thynges that shuld happen her in the time to come and also the whyche was passed And yet this same heed was composed of suche arte that it shuld neuer finishe tyl that the moost hardyest knyght of the world entred into the castell for than it shold lease the speche and all the vertue Now there shal come one that shal make it finish And that shall be Ualentyne that the fayre ladye Cleremonde that take for the whiche he shal endure and suffre great peryls daungers as you shal here more playnly afterward So I wyl leaue to speake of thys mater and wyll retorne vnto kynge Pepyn that goth toward the forest for to saue Ualentyne and preserue him from death He hath done so muche that he is entred in to the forest and gothe folowynge Orson that ledde hym vnto the castell But whan they wer comeÌ„ vnto the castel the porters that knewe the kyng shytte the gates incontynent for so they were coÌ„maunded of them within the castell vpon payne of their liue Theâ—â— when the kyng sawe that he might not enter in to the castell but by force He commaunded his men that the place should be assayled So it was not long after that the dytches were fylled with wodde And after they ap proched nere the walles and entred in to the castell by force of armes When they were within the castell they toke all the traytours and bounde them streighly And after they went into the depe prysons where as UaleÌ„tyne was and toke him out and brought him vnto the kyng Pepyn When Ualentyne sawe the kyng he â—ettâ— him on his knees and thanked him for his payne that he had taken for to delyuer hym out of his aduersytie Then the barons toke hym makyng hym great ioye gladnes And tolde him the case how it went and how Orson hadde fought with Grygar for hym to the vtâ—taunce And when Ualentyne herde these tidynges he embrared Orson muche swetely he hym So ye nede not demaunde if the Joye was greate betwene them twayne After that this was done the kyng commauÌ„ded that the traytours should be lead into the wodde and there to be hanged and strangled on one tree with out any remission Then kyng Pepyn spake vnto valentyne and sayde Ualentyne my frende sythe that god hath geuen you the grace to be thus Joyously escaped from the handes of your enemies I counsayl you that you retourne agayne with me Syr sayde valentyne for goddes sake pardon me for I shall neuer retourne vnto the tyme that I knowe what I am and of what place extraught Wherfore I take hehe leue of you as he that woulde serue you to my power At these woordes they departed Here leue I to speake of the kynge and â—â—ll speake of Ualentine and Orson that is going into Acquitaine for to fyght with the grene knyghte that feareth no man for as I have tolde you before he shall neuer be vanquysshed but of a kynges sonne that neuer had souked womans breastes Thus goeth Ualentine and Orson together toward the countrey of Acquitayne All the worlde ran for to se Orson that was all naked and rough as a beer Euery body did laughe at him but he set not therby Then UaleÌ„tine made for to make him a â—aceraÌ„ of fyne stele which was of such a fasion that it had a hode that was fastened to it And when Orson had it on him he thought him much wilde and would haue put it of gladly but he feared Ualentyne muche for all that he coÌ„maunded him he did without contradiction When Orson was clothed in the â—â—ceran of stele he behelde himselfe strongly and kepte a proude countenaunce Now it happened that as they passed vpon their waye Ualentine espied a right faire squyer that passed therby the whiche wepte full tenderly When Ualentyne sawe that he sayd vnto him frend what ayled you for to wepe haue you founde any euil men or haue you feare of the wylde beastes tell me for I shall helpe you after my power Alas sayd the squier of all this I haue no doubte but knowe that the thyng that causeth me for to wepe is my maister that I haue lost the whiche was the moste courteous the moste amiable and the moste valiauÌ„t that was vpoÌ„ the earth Ualentyne sayde howe haue you lost him ¶ Syr said the squyer he went into Acquitayne for to fyght with the grene knight for to haue one of the fayrest ladyes in the worlde that is the pleasaunt lady Fezonne that hath her harte so gracious and noble but there shall neuer none haue her if the grene knyght be not ouercome in cleane batayle Nowe there is dyuers valyaunte knyghtes dead And when he hath conquered them he maketh them to be hanged on a tree that is in the place on the whiche tree is hanged dyuers knyghtes to the nombre of two thyrty He taketh no mercy of none he is so truell a â—elon Holy vyrgyn Mary sayd Ualentyne I thynke he is some deuell when he doeth suche thynges but and it please Ihesus I shall go in to Acquytayne and shall proue my body against hym for I haue hearde so muche speakyng of the fayre lady Fezoune that if I dye not shortly I shall know the truth Ha syr sayde the squyer for God goo not thether for yf you fyght with him you shall lese your payne and you are so fayre a knyght that I neuer sawe none such Lese not your lyfe for to fyght with that deuill for I haue sene hym put so many noble men vnto death that I haue great doubte of you if you fyght with hym Squyer sayde Ualentyne in to Acquytayne will I goo and of the grene knight I shall knowe the truthe if he haue euill cause agaynst hym wyll I fyght but if I may I wyll speake fyrst with the fayre lady Fezonne and doo after her counsayle And when Orson vnderstode him he made sygnes vnto Ualentyne that he longed for to fyght with the grene knyght and that he wold loue the fayre Fezonne When valentyne vnderstoode hym for great ioye he laughed Thus go the two brethren walkyng through the countrey for to go vnto Acquytayne So they haue ryden so muche that they are aryued besyde the tyrie Ualentine sawe it from farre for it stode onhye Then he called an olde man that passed by and demaunded him what 〈◊〉 it was that he sawe before hym Syr sayde the goodman it is Acquitayne Nowe tell me saybe valentyne where doth the grene knyght holde hym Syr sayde he besyde the cytie I thynke you go for to fyght with him Yea truly saide Ualentine A sir
you vndertake a great foly for you shal neuer haue victory on him Mounte vpon this litle hyland be hold where as hangeth vpon a tree moo then forty that he hath put to death There is no more then fiftene dayes of respyte that the duke of Acquitayne shalbe constrained for to geue vnto him his doughter the fayrest of the worlde the whiche shall be great dommage Frend sayd Ualentine God shal helpe her Thus as valeÌ„tine spake vnto this man an auncient man came to warde him in the habyte of a pylgrym euill clothed the which had a great whyte bearde and was of the aege of four score yeare This man was Blandymayn the squyer of Bellyssant that ledde herinto the castell where as the gyaunt Ferragus was as it is made mencion of before Ualentine salued the pylgrym and demaunded hym from whence he came And he aunswered hym Syr I come from Constantinoble but I myght not entre in to the cytie for a paynim Soudan that hathe assyeged it I might not do there my message wherefore I retourne me Pylgrym sayd Ualentyne telme yf the grene knyght haue none ende No sayde the pilgrym I waâ—raunt you and I counsayl you that ye coueyte not to fyght with hym For and you were a hondred he would make you all dye To God I commaunde you for I muste departe Thâ— sayd Ualentyne tel vs whether you go Syr sayde Blandimayn I goo streyght to Parys for I muste doo a message to kynge Pepyn of Fraunce from a sister of his named Bellyssant that of long time was banyshed out of Constantynoble with wronge and without hauyng deserued it Nowe is the good lady in the house of a gyaunt that kept her ful swetely the whiche wyll go into Fraunce for to wyte if kyng Pepyn be consentyng For so well he knoweth the lady of good maners and condicions that he wyll fyght in a fyelde of batayle against the Emperoure of Grece that he hath falsly euilly expulsed her Frendâ— sayde Ualentyne to him I praye the in the name of God almyghty that thou retourne againe with vs into Acquytayne And when I shall haue foughten with the grene knyght if God my creature geue me victory against hym I shall retourne in to Fraunce with you And for the loue of kyng Pepyn I vndertake this battayle for I am more beholden vnto hym then vnto any man liuing It is he that hath bene my father and hath nourysshed me so well that I ought well to haue the courage and will for to doo his commaundement and pleasure Syr sayde Blandimain I will neuer consent vnto this For I will goo and do my message for the noble lady Bellyssant for she hath geueÌ„ me the charge and I will serue her truely God be with you both the whiche kepe you from all euill So Blandymayne departed and toke his waye towarde Parys And Ualentyne behelde him right strongly Alas it was not with out a cause He had good right if his harte drew to him for it was he that of longe time had saued and kept his mother but he knewe it not They tooke their waye And went so longe that they aryued besyde the cytie of Acquitayne Ualentyne behelde the cytie sore that was ryght pleasaunt to se. After valentyne espyed a fountayne and went theâ—her and alyght of his horse after he layde hym downe vnder a tre that was besyde it for to refreshe hym for he had greate heate he reposed hym a lytell and slepte and Orson kept him And whan he had reposed hym and was awakened he rose vp vpon his fete for to mount on horsback but there came and arryued ther a knight that was fyerse and proud and that for his grete pryde was called the proud knyght For he was so fyerse that neuer the dayes of his lyfe he had salued no man And yet he was of such a condicion that he that salued hym not shuld haue bataill against hym wher throughe he had made dyuers dye He came toward the fountayne and set fote on ground and Ualentyne behelde hym and sayd neuer a worde and than he aduysed Orson that beheld hym fiersly The proud knight had dyspyte in his hearte and approched neare Orson and gaue hym suche a stroke that he made the bloode yssue out of his mouth And whan Orson felt hym self smiten he toke the knight betwene his armes so rudely that he thre we hym downe vnder him sith he toke a knife that hanged at the knightes gyrdle and smote hym in to the body so that the bloode yssued oute by grete habundaunce And the knyghte that felde hym selfe wounded cryed right hye Than Valentyne approched and toke the knight out of Orsons handes said to him Fayre syr you haue wroÌ„g for to smite this pore man that can not speke a word Than sayd the proud knyghts vnto Valentyne Proude ryvaude wherefore dost thou not salue me The he drewe out a glaiue for to haue smiten hym and Valentyne drewe his swerde and gaue hym so grete a stroke that he smot him doun deed to the erthe And syth sayd to hym I shall â—â—arâ—e you to salue the folkes Whan the proude knyght was â—eed his men began for to flee to warde the eyte of Acquytayn and entred in ryghte sorowfull and tolde the tydynges that theyr maister was deede Of the which tydynges was moche angrye and dyspleasaunt the duke Sauary for he was his cosin Ualentyne herde the sorowe that the proude knightes men made that had ben put to de the besyde the fountayne So he mounted on horsbacke entred into the cyte And whan he was within he lodged him in the house of a much ryche burgeys but whan they wer lodged it was not long after but that the tidinges came vnto 〈◊〉 duke Sauari that they that had slayne hys cosyn were lodged in the cyte He commaunded that they shuld be brought vnto him whan he had commaunded it the messengers departed incontynent for to go fetche Valentyne and Orson the whiche came toward hym anone Than spake y e duke Sauary in this manner Frendes tell me what ye beâ— and yf you be knyghtes or no of what countre you be â— what prynce you serue Syr sayd ValeÌ„tine a knight I am â–ª and am seruaunte vnto the good kynge Pepyn that holdeth Fraunce Knyght sayd the duke you haue slayne my cosyn and put hym vnto death It is trewe sayde the noble knyghte Valentyne I saye not the contrary and yf that he hadde bene of my propre lignage I woulde haue done as muche for he was proude and fyerse of courage he dayned not speke to grete nor litel by his pryde he hathe smyten my felowe soo that he felled hym and whan I sawe that I drewe my swearde and slewe hym I am a straunger that are comen in to this cyte for to fyght with the grene knyght for tose the pleasant Lady Fezonne that is so muche renowne you haue made the waies that euery
his tethe he toke the grene knight by the midle and charged him vpoÌ„his necke as a lytell chyld And whan he hadde him vppon his necke he espyed a wall and caste the grene knyghte agaynst it so rudely that all they that were in the piâ—te wende that he hadde broken his necke For he remeued not And wan he had done so he sat him down againe amongest his felowes and in laughyng made theim signes that he would bere vpon his necke such thre as the grene knight Then began all the knightes of the halle for to laughe strongly said the one to the other Nowe is he come that shall discomfite and ouercome the grene knyght And Fezonne shall haue to greate a losse whan he can not speake For he is well worthy to haue honour amongest the valiauntmen When Fezonne had well beholden the maners and countenasiâ—e of Orson she was smiten to the harte with the darte of loue by the pleasure of God of the virgin Mary that yllumyned both their two hartes in suche a facion that she gaue vnto him al her courage and wil and she had euer her regarde fyxed vpon Orson and began for to loue hym so ardauntly that she forgate al the other for to haue him to her louer And it was not without a cause if she were so taken with his loue For he had taken the grene knight vp so valiauntly that at y t same houre he might haue slayne hym if he had woulde but howe well that he had puyssaunce ouer hym yet he would do him no harme For it is commonly sayde that a noble courage can not lye NotwithstaÌ„ding the grene knight reputed this dede for a great outrage And sayd all on hyghe before al the coÌ„pany ¶ Lordes this same wilde man hath deceyued and betrayed me for he came to me without saying any worde I promise and let you wyte that to morowe in the mornyng I shall be a man for hym And to the ende that all other take ensample by hym in dyspyte I shall make a gyâ—ette to be reysed vp aboue all the other that hath ben vanquyshed by me there shall I make hym to be henged and strangled ¶ How Orson waged batasâ— against the grene knight and howe Ualentyne fought with hym and myght not ouercome hym ¶ Cap. xxi ORson apperceyued well y t the grene knight was not well content with hym and that he menaced hym So he began for to momble a peace and makyng sygnes that vpon the morowe he woulde fyghte with hym and in token of wage the cast the grene knight his hod Then spake UaleÌ„tyne vnto the grene knight and said Syr beholde the gage that the wylde man casteth to you if you haue any power against hym thynke for to take it vp Than was the grene knyght so taken with pryde dispyte that he aunswered neuer a worde And the duke Sauary that was there present said vnto him Free knight there wyll be a strong batayll betwene the wylde man and you and I feare me sore that you shal haue muche a do with hym And if that you may do so much as to haue victory ouer him you may wel vaunt you that of all knightes you are the moste doughty valiaunt and that of none you ought to haue feare nor dreade And that it be true he hath shewed you before al that he is hardy of harte of courage By my god sayde the grene knyght to morowe shall you all se and know what his puissaunce is for neuer in this lyfe shall he retourne from the fielde till I make hym to be hanged aboue al the other At these wordes he yssued out of the castell and went vnto his rest in his pauilion And the other lordes and knyghtes remayned with the fayre la dy Fezonne the which made great ioye and solace and sayd the one to the other that the daye was come that the grene knyght should fynde his maister Great noyse was thorough the cytie of Orson the sauage euery body desyred for to se hym ye in suche maner y t so great nombre of folke came into the palais that for the prese that was there the duke commaunded that the gates should be shytte ¶ whaÌ„ Orson harde the noyse helâ—pt vp vpon a baye wyndowe for to beholde the people that were without Than the folkes apperceyued hym and shewed hym one to another in speakyng and deuysyng of him in diuers maners facions The nyght was come so that it was time to go to souper tho was euery body set and serued So when the duke was rysen from the table anone after came in playes and after euery body went into their chambres When Ualen tyne was in bedde he made sygnes to Orson that he should lye downe by hym but Orson set not therby for he layde hym downe platte to the earth as he was accustomed to do in the forest and so he passed the nyght when the daye was come Ualentyne and Orson went into the hall where as they founde the fayre lady Fezonne with the other knightes There they helde counsayll together for to fyght with the grene knight For y t same daye the duke had promysed hym to delyuer hym a champion to fyght with him So there spake among them a ryght noble knyght that was extraught out of a geÌ„tle bloud and said in this maner Lordes if it please you all I am purposed for to fyght first with the grene knight This requeste was aâ—oorded to him by the assistentes of all chyualty and the knyght went for to arme hym the whiche was called Galetam and was come out of the realme of Fraunce And when he was armâ—â— he came before the pleasaunt lady Fezonne and toke his leue of her ioyously with great reuerence and she that was garnyshed with all honour and good coÌ„dicions vttred hym leue in saiyng Fre knyght I pray to god of paradyse and to the blyssed and glorious virgyn Mary that they conduyte you and kepe you and preserue you from damage in suche maner and facion that with ioye and honoure ye may retourne vnto me agayne And he thanked her with all his harte and theÌ„ he toke leue of his felowes When he hadde taken leue of the fayre Fezonne he mounted on horsbacke went to warde the tente of the grene knighte Oâ— as ferro as he saw him he smote his hors with the sporres with a fyerse courage rannt to the knyght Galeram and so grete a stroke he gaue hym that he smote hym do wne to the grounde than he discended of his hors and toke his helm of his hed Wherfore Galeram that fered the death yelded him vnto the mercy of the grene knyghte but it profyted hym lytel For without ony pite he dispoyled him of his harneis hanged him on the height of the tre so as he hadde done the other before For the dethe of the same Galeram was greate bruyt throughe the
withdrawen hym into Constantinoble and so well he kepte the cytie that it myghte not be taken of the paynym Alwayes in his courage he bewaylled his wyfe Bellyssant and he bethought of the shame that he hadde delyuered her to without cause thought well within his sorowful harte that she was decessed out of this worlde for it was twenty yere past syth he harde any tydinges of her but anone he shall heresome by kyng Pepyn that toweth so much vpon y e sea that within two myle of Constantynoble he is arriued and descended And made his tentes and pauilions to be pyght vp in the fielde and made his foolke to be put in right faire ordinaunce Then was the cutrouts and tyders of the soudan Moradyn muche agast that in great diligence retourned towarde his pauilion and said to hym as men afrayed and full of fere Sir soudan be ryght certayne that to daye there is arriued vpoÌ„ this grounde mo then two hundred thousand Romaynes all armed for to put vs vnto confusion wherfore auyse you vpon this matter for the thyngis doubtfull and peryllous Holde your peace sayd the Soudan of them haue no drede for it is not possyble that out of the Empyre of Rome there be descended so many folke we be puyssaunt ynough for to abyde then in batayll renged For I haue hope that within short time I shall put in my subiection both Rome and Fraunce ¶ He coÌ„maunded the capitaines to put his hoost in point for to receyue them when the morowe was come the king made ready his hoost for to assayle the paynims fiersly Than kinge Pepyn sent a lettre secretely into the cyty to the Emperoure whythe specified to him his comming for to socourhym And that he shold make al his men be armed through the cite in al diligence and that they sholde yssue out vpon the painims and sarazyns for at that day they shuld be socoured by the Romaines and Frenshmen The Emperoure was much Joious of the comming of king Pepin and after the tenour of the letter made his hooste too be assembled and armed and after yssued oute of the cyte of Constantynoble for to go agaynst the paynyms and sarazyns that aboode batayll And also sone as they were in the felde they apperceyued the standardes and banners of the hooste of kynge Pepin that came thederwarde wyth so greate nombre of trumpettes and clarons making noisethat it was meruayll Well sawe the Painimes that there came against theÌ„ gret puyssauÌ„ce of men The Sowdan called two Sarasins of the most hardiest and commauÌ„ded them that they shuld goo secretelye and nombre the host of the christiens that came against them And that whan they shuld haue done so that they sholde retorne to hym again and tel him The two sarasins that was named Claryan and Uaudu mouÌ„ted on horsbacke and â—ode towarde the hooste of the noble kyng Pepin But they had not riden longe whan that the grene knighte espied them vpon a litell mountaine And incontinente as he had apperceiued them hee knewe well that they were sarazins Then he smote his hors with the sportes and al alone â—ode towarde them with his spere on his thighe like a hardy knight And whan the two sarazins saw him approch to them bicause that he was all alone they had shame for to flefor him and said by Mahoune it shalbe great shame to vs if this christian escape from vs twayne ¶ Howe the grene knyght Justed against two Sarazins and howe he slewe the one and the other fledde howe kyng Pepyn with his hoost was enclosed within Constantinoble Cap. xxvii WHen the two sarazing had said so their an against the grene knyght and he hit one of them so that he neuer arose the other fled sore wounded Well sawe kyng Pepyn that valiaunt dede Then he made to assayll the Soudan Moradyns hoost And there Myllon dangler slewe the kyng of Acquyle at one strooke and thre more or euer he rested And he dyd so great dedes of of armes that the soudan Moradin apperceiued him so he cried 〈◊〉 highe to his folke that they shoulde assaile Myllon Dangler that made so greate slaughter of sarazins At the commaundement of the Soudan Millon dangler was assayled on all sydes by the paynyms sarazyns And he was put in suche subiection that they cut of one of his horses thyes by the which he was constrayned to fall vnto the earth at that tyme had bene taken or slayne if the grene knight hadde not bene that maugte the sarazins put himselfe iÌ„ the prese and slewe smote down so many that he approched vnto Myllon dangler and gaue him a horse and mounted him vpon him At that houre did the grene knyght and Myllon dangler so great dedes of armes agaynste the paynyms that it should be to great a thyng to recounte it for all that founde themselfe before them neuer went out of that place Great was the battayll and endured long Kyng Pepyn and his men that daye made great slaughter of the paynims But not withstanding their hardynes they should haue lost the fyelde if the Emperoure of grece had not bene that with all his hoost valyauntly accompanied assayled the paynims on the other syde ryght hardely and put great nombre to death well knewe the kyng that the Emperoure didde greate deades of armes Then he toke force and courage assembled his men agayne â–ª and entred into the battayll more ardauntly then before thus the paynims were assayied on both sydes And as soone as the kyng sawe the Emperoure he sayde vnto hym ¶ Free prince now shewe your selfe valiaunt for to daye by me you shall haue tydynges of youre wyfe Bellyssant At these wordes the Emperoure was ioyous and double hys courage And cryed Constantynoble to his men in promysyng them great gyftes if they bate them valiaunt At these wordes he entted into the batayl with so marueilous a courage that he was to hardy that abode him And kyng Pepyn and the grene knight entred in on the other syde in smytyng vpon the paynyms so impetuously that wheresoeuer they passed they made a large waye thorough the prowesse of the grene knyght Wel wende the Soudan Moradyn to haue knowen hym that behelde his armes for he was of a hygh lynage because that he was brother vnto Ferragus But because that he knewe that the grene knyght was a paynim he would neuer haue thought that he had bene come on that syde Nowe was the paynyms and Saraszyns at that houre put in such necessite that they wende neuer to haue escaped death and toke the flyght And then the kyng of Sâ—â—auayne that had the soudans regarde accompanied with fifty thousand fighting men yssued out on the christen men in makyng soo greate a shoute that it semed that all should founde And when the Emperour and the kyng Pepyn knew oâ— their comyng they saweand considered that their men were trauayled and the men of the kyng of Sclâ—uonye
me than to seke onye other meanes Soone after that Ualentyne and the fayre Clerimonde had spoken thus togyder the tables were spredde and the Mayden sette And Ualentine was set before her that toke none other solace nor plesure saue alonely to behold her that was set before him Alas veray God sayd Ualentine in hys courage please it you to take my heart out of thys dolorous dystresse shortly which and for the loue of thys lady so profoundlye wounded at the harte that neuer the daies of my life I was in such melancoly Alas god she is so muche garnyshed wyth beaute and so full of grete bounte the eyen grene in laughynge stedfaste the foreheade cleare and polyshed and the face ruddye And all the other membres of her body by ryght measure naturally composed Now am I soo ardauntly taken wyth her loue that the death shuld be more agreable vnto me than for to fayll too perfourme and accomplysshe this thinge In thys manner complayned the noble knyght Ualentine for the loue of the excellent Clerymonde ¶ And she vppon the other syde in beholdyng hym loste bothe maners and countenaunce In this grete melancoly the moost honestly that they might kepe their countenaunces passed the knyght the lady the dynner And whan the tables were taken vp Clerymonde toke Ualentyne by the hande and sayde to hym Frende so moche haue you doone that you haue deserued for to entre into my secrete chambre where as you shall see the heade of brasse the whyche of your lygnage shall tell you good and certayne tydynges Nowe come your waye wyth me and brynge your felow with you for I haue a grete desyre to heare the answere that shall be gyuen you by the heade of brasse The noble knyght Ualentyne was muche Ioyous whan he hearde the amerous lady Clerimonde speke so They yssued out of the halle and wende towarde the chambre where as the heade of brasse was rychlye aourned And anone as they were at the doore for to haue entred in they found on the one syde a meruayllous ferefull and a stronge vyllayne ryghte greate and croked that bare a clubbe of yron vpon his necke the which was right heauye The which villaine semed to be rebell and full of great outrage And on the other syde of the dore was a lyon right great fierse proud These twayne were ordeyned at all ceasones for to defend and kepe that none should entre into the chambre wythoute the ladies leue and without fightinge wyth the vyllayn and the lyon And whan Ualentine apperceiued the villaâ— and the lion that dressed them against theym for to defende the dore He demaunded the fayre Clerymonde what suche thinges signified and woulde say Lordes sayd Clerymonde the set wayne that you se here are for to kepe the doore and there inaye none enter withoute fightynge wyth them â–ª wherby dyuers beno deade without passynge ony ferâ—er And to the regarde of the lyon he is of suche a nature that he wyl neuer doo a kings son harmnor dommage Lady sayd Ualentine I canne not tell what shall happen but at auenture I shal put me in the garde of God hauyng confydence to ouer come the lyon Than he aproched him to the proud beaste and by strength of armes enbraced him about the bodye but also soone as he smelled Ualentines cloothes and fleshe he let hym goo and was curteis and humble withoute doynge hym hurte or dommage And Orson was on the other syde that assaylled the vyllayn and or euer he myght lyfte vp his clubbe of yron he tooke hym by the mydle so rudely that he threwe hym agaynst the walle and than toke his clubbe from him and gaue him so great a stroke that he felled hym to the earth in suche facyon that yf it hadde not ben the fayre Clerymond he would haue slayne the villayne in the place And thus was the vyllayne vaynquysshed the LyoÌ„ by the two knyghtes After the gate was opened and they entred in to the chambre that wyth all rychesse mondayn was dressed For it was painted with fine golde and azure poudred with in with rubyes and saphyrs and manâ— other stones it was hanged wyth fyne clothe of golde set with dyamondes and grete pearles In the chambre was foure pyllers of Iasper meruaylous rich and w t subtyll werke edefyâ—â— of whych the fyrst twain were yelower thanne fine goulde The thirde more greanâ—â— than the grasse in May. The fourth more redder than a flam binge cole Betwene these pillers was an amery more richer than I can deuise or say in the whiche the head of brasse was that gaue answer to euery body set vpon a rich piller right sumptuously aoâ—râ—ed closed Ualentyne opened the amarye and behelde the heed in coniurynge it for to tell him the trouthe of his estate natyuyte Than spake the heed so hye and so clere that euery body herde it and sayd to hym Knyght of grete renowne I tel the that thou arte named valentine the inoost hardy and valyaunt that euer syth the worlde began entred here in arte that same to whome the fayre Clerymonde hathe ben gyuen and ought to be nor neuer shall she haue other than you Thou arte sone of the Emperoure of Grece and of the fayre Bellyssant syster vnto kynge Pepyn the whiche with wronge hath ben chased out of his Emâ—yre thy moder is in Portyngale in the castell of Ferragus y e whiche hathe kepte her by the space of .xx. yere the kynge Pepin is thin vncle and this felowe that thou ledest shith the is thy propre broder naturall You twayne was chylded of the gracyous Empresse Bellyssant in the forest of Orleaunce in grete pyte and dolorous dystresse And whan the empresse had put you vpon the erthe thy felowe was borne awaye from her by a beer and by her hathe ben nourysshed in the wodde without helpe or comforte of ony natural woman And thou was founde that same daye in the forest by kynge Pepin and borne awaye the whiche w t out hauynge ony knowledge of the hathe swetely nourysshed and brought the vp And also I the tell that thy broder that is hera presente shall neuer speke vnto the tyme that thou make a threde to be cut that he hath vnder his tongue And whan thou shalte haue made it to be cut he shal spâ—ke also playnly as ony body Now thike to do well as thou haste begonne and all good shall happen the for syth that thou arâ—e entred in to this chaÌ„bre my tyme is past than it stouped downe sodaynly neuer syth was there by it ony worde spoken Than Ualentyne that was rauysshed for Ioye came to Orson and in wepynge moche tenderly kyssed his mouthe And Orson on the other syde enbrased hym and called hym in castynge onte grete syghes anguysshous Alas sayd Clerymonde to Ualentine Free curteyse knyght I oughte to be ryghte Ioyous of your comynge for by you I am out of grete thought
his sone Ualentyne speke so for the greate â—ishonoure of his dolorous mother he began for to wepe right piteously said with piteous wordes vnto his sonne walentine Alas my deare sonne I knowe clerely that thou art my sonne legytime that with good right thou wilt fight for thy mother the whiche by a false an euill reporte and light beleue â–ª I haue put and sent thy mother in exile â–ª but as for to vndertake too fight for her deade in a field it is no nede For the false â— coursed Archebisshop that had accused her hath bene foughten with and shamefully vanquyshed and put vnto villaynous deathe by a valiaunt marchaunt the which in the presenâ—t oâ— the kyng Pepyn thyne vncle and of me and before all the congregacion of diuers princes barons knyghtes hath â—olde and confessed how with wrong euyll cause by enuye and dyabolyke temptacion he had accused the good lady towarde me When I vnderstode his confession I was wounded so bitterly at the hart that of my dolour it should be to great a thyng to recounte And syth that same tyme I haue sent diuers messengers into dyuers countreys and regyons in trustyng to haue had of my wyfe some cerâ—ayne â—ydynges but I myght not do so muche as to haue some knowledge of her And therfore my childe and myne only hope if thou knowe any thyng of thy mother hyde it not from me for aboue all my desyres I haue a syngulâ—â— desyre for to here some â—ydinges Syr sayd valentyne for to speke of my mother knowe for all certayne that yestemyght about mydnyght I sawe her and spake to her within acquytaine tolde him y t Pacoleâ— brought him so sone of the whiche thynge the Emperoure his father was muche ameruayled For the comyng of valentine was made great ioye through all the cytie of Constancynoble And soo muche was the emperoure Alexander reioysed that he coÌ„maunded to rynge all the bâ—lles of the cytye And when the paynyens and sarazyns heard the great ioye that they of the cytye made they ranue vnto armes and in great dylygence were armed ◠〈◊〉 poynt And when they were all ready armed the soudan â—oradyn accompanied with xxx kynges stronge puyssaunt made to assayle the cytie of Constantinoble the whiche was so full of people that manye horses were dead for hongre And also dyuers men and women and lytell chyloren from day to day by faute of natural substauÌ„ce fynâ—â—â—ed their daies piteously in the stretes And when the noble Dalentine aduised and knew the great multytude of paynims and sarazins and the necessite of the cytie of Constantynoble he spake before all the lordes and captaynes saying in this maner Lordâ—s knyghtes you knowe and se that within this cytie you are in great necessitie of vitayles and yet you maye recouer none but by your valiauntnes vpon your enemies Wherfore I am of the opinion that there should yssâ—e out a certayne nombre of men for too conquere some vitaylles And I al the first am ready and apparaylled to conduyâ—e with my litell power and as well as I maye all them of the cytie that wyll yssut out with me To that couÌ„sayll was consentyng all the capitaines of the armye So there issued out of the cytie with the valiaunt knyght Ualentyne xx thousande men of armes and there yssued out also a great multitude of small people that for the indygence and the greate necessite that they were in folowed hym gladly When they were out of the gates they ran vpon the sarazins so fiersly so valiauntly that within a short space they toke and wonne thre hondred charyottes with vytaylles but as they led them towarde the citie of Constantynoble the soudan that for this losse was sorowefull with a great company of sarazyns and painims put himselfe betwene them and the cytie of Constantinoble for to recouer the vytaylles agayne that they had lost And when the kyng Pepyn sawe that they had stopped the passage he smote his horse with the sporres and set his spete in the reste and dyd so valiaunt that he smote dead vnto the earthe the proude Maragon the whichâ— was kyng of LapharnaÌ„ Then he drew out his sworde and smote Arcillon that was tyght strong and paussaunt â–ª in suche wyse that he smote hym out of his sadle vnto the earth And when valentine the grene knight sawe the great deades of armes that kyng Pepyn dyd they entred in to the batayll and without ceasyng they dyd so muche by force of armes that before the Soudan they heweâ— downe the chefe standarde of the false paynims and sarazyns And when the standarde was downe Ualentyne passed forth agaynst the false soudan and gaue hym so great a stroke with his speâ—e that he sâ—ote him of the Olyphaunt that he was mounted on muche rudely and valiauntly ¶ At that houre was done so many feates of armes by Ualentyne and the grene knyght that Moraldos was dead and the admyrall taken by the grene knight And valentine maugre all the painâ—â—â—s and sarazins did cast vnto the grounde foure kynges sarazyns â–ª smote of bothe the armes of the Admyrall of Ombrye But the two good knightes that same daye for to wynne honoure and fame were to ardaunt and entred to ferre wythin the hoste of the painims and sarasins for whan they thought to hau retorned they wer enclosed with Painims and taken and after bounde straytly as prysoners and led before the Soudan the whyche also soone as he sawe theym he swore his grete God mahoun that thei shuld neuer retorne vnto the christen men agayn but should make a gyâ—et to be reysed vp before the cyte of Constantynoble and make them be hanged so hye that al their frendes myght se them Thus was Ualentine and the greue knight in grece fere of their liues thynckynge neuer to escape from theyr cursed handes And the christeÌ„ meÌ„ did retorne maugre painims sarazins for ther was with theym vytaylles in grete haboundance so that al the people of the cyte weeâ— refreshed and comforted But or they arryued with in the cyte they had a pyteous recountre of paynyms and Sarazyns and ledde a pyteous recountre and strong batayl so that the christen men wend neuer to haue retorned into the cytie of Constantynoble Than they of the cyte that sawe wel the necessite of their men made to cry throughe the cyte that vpon payne of deathe all manner of men prestes clerkes Chanons monkes Freers and womeÌ„ shuld bere the crosse before them in the honour of the passion of our Lord Ihesu Christ and yssue oute againste the painims Than was the nombre so gret of the people that yssued out of the cytie of Constantynoble that the estimacâ—on was forty thousaÌ„d And whan the painims and sarazins saw the great noÌ„bre of people that came out against theÌ„ they reculed a backe in to their â—enâ—s â—et the christen men bere a way the vitailles But or
the paynims was in their tentes the batayll was to great that foure thousande christen men were slayne whiche was a pyteous thyng to them of the cytie Ryght sorowful and displeasaunt was the Emperour of Grece for many noble barons and knyghtes that he had losse â—n the batayll but aboue al the other he was sorowful in his harte and bitterly displeasaunt for his valyauÌ„t sonne valentine and the grene knight that had done so great dedes of armes and in lyke wyse was the kyng Pepyn of Fraunce Those twaine made great dole and lamentacioÌ„ casting out great cryes and syghes for the chylde Ualentyne that they had lost so soone But the lytel Pacolet recomforted theim muche saying Lordes leue your wepyng and discomforte for of Ualentyne you shall be ioyous and of hym haue good tydynges sooner then you wenefore Frende sayde he God here the and geue the suche puyssaunce for an thou maye do so muche as to bryng hym vnto me and delyuer hym from the handes of thâ— soudaâ— that hathe sworen his death thou maist say surely that aboue the other â— shal mounte the in honoure and rychesse Syr said Pacolet put your trust in me for shortly you shall knowe with what loue I loue you and your sonne valentine Then Pacolet toke his horse of wodde and without any mo wordes departed for to go in to the sondans hoost And the soudan is in his pauylâ—on that for to iudge Ualentyne and the grene knyght had assembled all the greate lordes of his hoost But his enterpryse was all turned contrary as it shall be shewed you more playnly here afterwarde ¶ Howe the enchauntoure Pacolet delyuered Valentyne and the grene knyght out of the pryson of the soudan Moradyâ— Ca. xliiii WHan the Soudan Moradin was wythdrawn in to his pauiloÌ„ he made to be brought before him the child ValeÌ„tine the grene knight in the presâ—ce of all the most greatest barons and knights of his court and sayd in thys maner Lordes at this hour you may well se and knowe the twayne of the worlde that doth moost â—â—spleasure and outrage vnto the kynge Ferragus And amonge the other thynges this knyght hath lefte out law and made hym to be christened to here vs the more domage wherfore me thyncketh it were well none to sende them vnto kynge Ferragus for I wotâ—e wel that he wil take vengeaunce on them and that he shal make them dye a shameful death as thei haue wel deserued Syr sayd the sarazyns and paynims that of theyr deathes had great enuy It is no nede to soâ—ouru so muche but make forkes to be reyse◠〈◊〉 in the felde for to hange the two false caitifes on tomorow in the umornyug that hathe borne vs so great dommage and harme Lordes sayde the soudan â—oradyn your counsayll is fayre and good and soo wyll I vse it for by the god mahowne I sweare you and promyse you that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall make theym to be hanged so hye that all they of the cyte of Constantinoble may se them and take ensample at theyr death After these wordes sayde as the Soudan entred into hys â—ent for to go to souper the litel Pacolet found himself before hym the which salued him by mahoune highly Pacolet sayd the paynym thou arte welcom Now tel me lyghtly howe doth the feate of the kynge Ferragus that aboue all the other is my parfyte frende Sir said Pacolet he fareth right well and aboue al recoÌ„maundeth him vnto you and by me â—e sendeth you tydynges good that are muche secrete the whiche I shal tel you yf it please you to here me Frâ—ede sayd the souden ryghte voluntaryly with good herte I wyll here youre message Than he drewe him apaâ—â—e for to tel hym his secrete And Pacolet sayd to him all softly Syr wyâ—e that I come from Portyngale and am sente hether by my redoubted lady the wyfe of Ferragus the whiche wyth all her heart recoÌ„maundeth her vnto you moche more hardely than I can recounte and that it be true I do you to wyte that aboue all the men of the worlde she loueth you best for she is so esprised and takeÌ„ with your loue that she maye neyther slepe nor reaste in noo place Nowe it is true that she the which in all trusteth her in me hath sente me towarde you and sendeth you worde by me expressely vpon the loue that maye be bytwene two true louers that without soiourning or deferrynge you come and se her For the kyng Ferragus is at this presente tyme gone towarde Acquytayne so maye you at your owne pleasure and wyll of the pleasaunt lady that aboue al the other shineth in beaute do your pleasure wyl And therfore syr come your waye with me for vpon my hors I shal coâ—duyâ— you so well and in suche manner that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall set you in Portyngale before the noble and fair lady by the pleasure of my God mahoun Ha Pacolet sayd the soudan Moradyn thou gynest me at my heart more greater Ioye and comfort than ony other person dydde euer before this For aboue all the wemen of the worlde I am and haue bene longe tyme of the wyfe of kynge ferragus enamoured but so much there is that neuer no day I myghte fynde my selfe before her in no maner that I myght accomplysshe my wyll or cell my secrete but at thys tyme I shall accomplysh the desire of my heart that so muche and so louge I haue abyden For I promyse the that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall goo wyth the and accomply me my well and my desyre It that houre that I recount vnto you the soudan Moradyn satte hym down at the table and made the enchauntoure Pacolet too bee serued also honestlye as he myght for he was so ryght â–ª Ioyous of the â—â—oinges that the enchauntour Pacolet had broughte hym that the heart lept in hys bely for Ioy and made grete cheare And Pacolet that sa we wel that the Sowdan was in greate ioy sayde all softelye to hym selfe I am feasted and kept wel at ease but or that it be to morow at nyght such gyueth me of hys bread to eate that shall curse the tyme that euer I was boorne Now Ualentine and the grene knyght was in the tente and pauilyon of the soudan Moradin that were wel and straytly bounden well knewe they Pacolet whereof they were ryghte Ioyous in their courages in sayinge and thynking in their hertes that for their deliueraunce he was comen theder but they made no semblaunt And Pacolet in she wynge grete chere and fayre semblaunt vnto the soudan Moradin in beholdynge the prisoners said all on heyght Syr how be you so curteis for to kepe y e grene knight in your prisons withoute makinge him dye for aboue all liuinge men he hath borne dommage vnto his brother Ferragus And for to greue him y t mohe hathe renounced Mahounde and founde the wayes and manere to take frome him his
syster Clerymonde for to geue her vnto a christen knyght Wherfore me semeth you are to symple whan him and all the other of his sorte and company you make not dye without hauinge on â—hem ony mercy or pyte Frende said the soudan Moradin it is well my wyll and intencyon for I am entyerly delybered to make them be hanged by the neckes tomorowe in the morning Pacolet was so wise and soo well taught that vntyl the hour to slâ—pâ—he kept the soudan with sportes and playes And whan the houre was comen that they shold go to reaste the soudan commaunded that the prysoners shuld be kepâ—â—o welâ—nd so straytly that vpon the pain of their liues they myght yelde hym acountes And so he wythdrew him into hys chambre and left Ualentyne the grene knight in keping of a great sorte of sarazyns and paynyms that aboue all thinges were couetous of theyr deathes ¶ Howe pacolet deceyued the soudan Moradin made hym mounte vpon his hors of wodde and broughte hym in to the cyte of Constantynoble wenynge to hym that he had brought hym into portyngale Ca. xliiii NOwe the houre was comen that euery body was withdrawn saue pacolet that made all the watche sleape Than he came vnto valentyne and the grene knight and vn bound them and led them out of the hooste so that none knew of it Than whan it came towardes the dawnynge of the day he entred into the tente of the soudan and escryed vnto hym on hye sayinge Ha sit to euyll gothe oure feate and euyl shewe you that you loue the wyfe of Ferragus whan you make no more dyligence to accomplyshe hee wyll Whan the soudan herde Pacolet crye so he wakened sodaynly and sayde vnto Pacolet Frende by Mahoune almyghtye thou haste done well to haue wakened me for thou hast taken me oute of a greate payne for I dremed a meruaylous dreme And in dreminge me thoughte that a Crowe dydde beare me farre awaye in the ayre and in flyenge in the ayre there came vnto me a greate byrd that with his bil stroke me so sore that the bloude ranne out in great haboundaunce so I wote neuer what thys wyll saye and am in drede that the kynge Ferragus knoweth this de de Syr sayde Pacolet you haue a slouthfull courage whan for a dreme you wyl leue the Ioyous enterprise of her that desyreth you so muche by mahoune said he thou sayst trouthe Than he called her chamberlain to make hym redy and after sayd to him Frende be secreâ—e if myne vncle Bruyant demaunde for me tel hym that I am gone to sporte me a lytel with pacolet Syr sayd he it shal be done Than pacolet made the soudan to mounce vp behynde hym and torned the pynne and the horse rose vp in the ayre so impetuously that also sone they were in the cyte of Constantinoble in the Emperours palais And whan the soudaÌ„ moradin saw that pacolet was abiden he saide vnto him frende muste we lodge here Ye said pacolet haue no fere nor doubt of nothinge for we are wiâ—l in portyngale in the ryche palays of the puyssaunt and myghty kynge Ferragus By mahoune in whome I beleue sayd the soudan Moradyn I am muche ameruayled howe the deuyll hathe borne the so soone Now hye you sayd Pacolet and entre in to this halle and I wyll go in to the chambre of the pleasaunt lady the wyfe of Ferragus and as this same houre I shall make the chambre to be opened too you and to lye wyth her Frende sayde the Soudan of great ioye thou makest me to laughe No we go in the name of Mahoune the whiche conduyte the. ¶ Howe the soudan Moradyn was taken and bounde and after was hanged Cap. xlv PAcolet the enchauntour lefte â–ª the soudan Moradyn within the halle the whiche was well loocked on euerye syde so that he myght not yssue oute Then he wente towarde the chambre of the Emperoure and gaue so great a stroke against the dore that the chamberlayne harde is and cryed on hyghe in demaunding what are you that at this houre in the chambre imperyal cometh smiting and makyng suche noyse Frende sayd Pacolet doubte you not of nothing for I am Pacolet that is come froÌ„ the hoost of the soudan Moradyn where as I haue deliuered UaleÌ„tyne the grene knight froÌ„ the handes of the sarazins y t had iuged condaÌ„â—ned theÌ„ to death And more ouer say vnto the emperour y e I haue brought w t me in to this palays the soudan Moradyn the whiche beleueth stedfastly to be in Portingale Nowe he must be takeÌ„ without any so iourning flayne al quicke for he hath well deserued it when the chamberlayn vnderstode the tidinges he went toward the Emperoure the kyng Pepyn the which for to se the soudaÌ„ with a great nombre of knyghtes armed them And the Soudan was in the hal that cryed hydeously sayinge Ha false traytoure Pacolet mahoune curse the. For I haue well hard the vnderstand the speke thou haste betrayed me by thy false deceit cursedly shamefully but by y e fayth that I holde yet shall I make the repent it Than he drewe oute hys swearde and as a madde than that were out of hys wytte began for to renne about the halle in smytynge the walles and the stoones soo rudely that he made the fyre to sprynge out of the marbyl stones â–ª And so as he fought alone in the halle the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn with torches and tresettes came toward hym well accompanyed And when he apperceiued theÌ„ he pat hymselfe in defence muche outragyously and slewe a squyer before kyng Pepyn that woulde haue taken hym and the kyng that was right displeasaunt auaunced hym and gaue hym so great a stroke that he felled hym vnto the earth Then he was taken a bound muche streyghtly by that it was daylight Ualentyne and the greue knyght entred in to the palays whiche was come from the hoost of the soudan and when thei founde hym thers they were muche ioyous Then the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn made great ioye for the delyuecaunce of UaleÌ„tine and also of the grene knight for he was muche praysed and loued The Emperour thanked muche Pacolet for the delynetaunce of hys sonne valentyne and the kyng Pepyn said vnto him Pacolet fayre syr thou must shewe one gambaude with thy horse Syr sayde Pacolet mounte vp be hynde 〈◊〉 and I shall brynge you without testynge into helle trende sayde the kyng Pepyn God kepe me tâ—â—me it Then sayd Pacolet â–ª lordes make diligence to put this false Soudan to death for if euer he escape you thinke that euyll shall happen therby At that houre was assembled within the palays dyners great lordes for to se the soudan by the counsaill deliberacion of whome he was iudged condempned to be haÌ„ged on the great â—oure of the palays to the ende that hemyght be seene of the paynims and so it was don And when
the paynyms sawe the soudan hanged there they were fore amarueiled how he was brought in to the citie BruyaÌ„t tolde them howe he had bene deceyned by Pacolet Then was there great sorowe through al the hoost for the death of the 〈◊〉 for he was a valiaunt man a great persecutour of christen people And after y t they had made great cryes and grete lamentacious they assembled theyr counsayl and those for their soudaÌ„ Bru yant that was the vucle of Moradyn That daye was sorowful paiuims and sarasins and the christen men within the cyte made great Joy and solace for the dothe of the soudan and also for the vytaylles that they hadde recouered and wanne And than after all these thyngs thus doue Pacolet coke leue of the Emperour and of al his court for to retourne in to Acquytain towarde the fayre Clerimonde as he had promysed her Than Ualentyne came to him and said Frend Pacolet syth that you go in to Acquitaine salue me swetely my moder the Empresse Bellyssant and my loue clerimonde and my fayre brother Orson and the good duke of Acquitaine with all the other harons and knyghtes and geue this letter vnto my â–ª Lady my moder by the which she may know clerely the tidings from heÌ„ce Syr sayd pacolet I shal do your message gladlye than he take his hors and bare him in to a greate windowe of marbill and after lepte vpon his backe and tourned the pâ—â—ne and the horse rose vp in the aire as tempest The Emperoure and the kinge pepin were at the windowes that beheld him strongly By god saide the kinge pepin for all the gold of the world I woulde not be there Nowe goth parolet by soo greate diligence that vpon the moro we in the morninge he arriued in Acquitaine and found there the good duke that kept the cite and also the Empresse Bellissant Orson and the faire Clerimond the which he salued on Ualentines behalue muche honourably as it appertayned to them Frende sayde Orson how fareth the feate of my father Syr sayd pacolet he fareth ryght well but for to know rydynges here is a letter that I brynge vnto my Ladye Bellyssant from your brother Ualentine The Lady toke the letter with grete Joye and called a secretarye for to rede it Lady sayd the secretarye that behelde the lettre Knowe that the valyaunt knyght your sonne UaleÌ„tine sendeth you worde by this letter that the myghtye Emperour the which woulde se you gladlye salueth you humbly wyth all his harte the whiche from the tyme of your departynge in payne and in trauayll longe tyme hath made you to be sought And sendeth you word that sone after that he had expulsed you he had cleare knowledge of your loyalte and of the false treason and enter pryse of the false Acchebysshyp the whyche hathe bene foughten with by a marchaunt and put in such subgeccyon that before hys death before all the worlde he confessed hys false treason For the whyche thynge the Emperoure your husbande desyreth from daye too daye for to se you and tyll he haue you agayne he wyll neuer â—ee gladde at hys hearte And knowe that also soone as hee shall be rydded of the false sarazyns he will come nether to you with the grene knyghte that your sonne Orson dyd conquere before this citie Thus your noble sonne Ualentine sendeth you word by the tenour of this lettre whan the lady heard those tidinges for greate Joye she fell in a swowne And Orson toke her vp betwene hys armes muche swetely My childe saide the Empresse I ought well to thanke God and to be Joious whan the Emperoure of Grece hathe certaine tidinges that I am innocente and cleane of the dissamynge and cryme abhomynable that by false treason had bene conspired agaynst me Now God gyue me the grace for to fynde my selfe before the Emperoure shortly for yf I myght se hym ones in my lyfe I wolde desyre no more of God nor for to lyue lenger in this worlde whan he hathe done me suche grace that to myne honoure and to all the bloud of Fraunce he hath shewed the treason of the false irreguler Archebysshope the whiche hathe knowledged hys greate malyce and trecherye ¶ How the kynge Trömpart came before Acquitaine for to socoure the gyaunt Ferragus and brought with hym Adramayne the enchauntoure by whome Pacolet was deceyued and betrayed falsly Ca â–ª xlvi ON that same daye that Pacolette arryued within Acquytayne the kynge Trompart came in to the hoost of Ferragus with grete puyssaunce of men of armes too socoure hym agaynst the christen men and in gret honoure receyued hym the kynge Ferragus whyche for hys comyng made great feast through al his hoste Free kynge sayd the giaunt Ferragus of your coming I oughte to be Joyous for I haue esperaunce that by you I shall be auenged on them that haue deceiued my syster the fayre Clerymonde Now I know well that she is within Acquytaine for she hathe bensene wher fore I prayse littell my puyssaunce if I maye not haue her agayne And yf that it be so that by your puyssaunce and healpe she may be conquered from this hour I gyue you her to wyfe Ferragus sayd the king Tromparte of thys doubte you nothyng for I haue brought with me Adramayne the enchauntour the which shal soone haue deceyued Pacolet for he knoweth more of the arte of Nygromancye than all the liuynge creatures By mahoune sayd Ferragus I am ryghte glad of his comynge and yf he maye do so much as to yeld me Pacolet I shall make him of al the most ryche and puyssaunt Syr sayd Adramayne haue trust in me for I shall serue you so well that shortly you shal know it Than deparded Adramayne and made redy his chat me for to playe wyth his crafte and syth went towarde Acquytayne And to the ende that he myght enterin to it more surely he made hym to be laden with vytall so he dyd so muche by his engyn that he came befoore the gates and asked entre for to selle his vytayls He coude speke well to them of the cytye wherefore they opened hym the gates and he entred in for to sel his bytaylles Then after he had solde theÌ„ he wente vnto the palays where as he founde Pacolet that knewe hym well for he had sene him other tymes Adramayne sayd Pacolet you be welcome Nowe tel me if it please you from what place you come and what thynge dryueth you hether at this houre Pacolet sayde Adrymayn you knowe well that I haue serued long tyme kyng Tromparte So it happened the other daye that by one of his courte I was smyten outraged muche vyllaynously because that I would not learne him shewe hym the secretes of my craft and when I sawe my selfe smyten I had dyspyte in my harte and with a knyfe I slewe hym when I had done that dede for feare of deathe I yssued out of the cource And thus expulsed from the seruyce of
loked aboute the chambre and sa we anone that his hors was loste soo he wronge his handes and drewe his heere in cryenge hyghely A fals Adramayne by the I am deceyued For falsly thou hast stolen my hors and my lady Clerymonde hathe borne away vpon hym Well ought I to hate my lyfe whan by the I am thus betrayed and vnpuruayed of the thin ge that I moost loued Now death come vnto me for to take me out of thys worlde for I haue no more hope to haue comforte nor consolacyon So pensyfe and sorowfull was Pacolet for the fayre Clerymonde that yf it had not ben Orson that came towarde hym he wolde haue slayne hymselfe wyth a knyfe On euery syde of the palays was herde pyteous cryes and wofull complayntes Bellyssaunt the Empresse wepte and cryed sore And the fayre Fezonne made suche dole that she rent her ryche clothes for the loue of Clerymonde that was stolen awaye so falsly And all they of the cyte made innumerable complayntes be waylynges And amonge all the other it was a pyteous thynge to here the complaynt and lamentacyon of the good Duke of Acquytayne And whan pacolet sawe the great sorowe that eâ—ry body made he sayd vnto them Lordes I swere vnto god that hath fourme all the world that I shal neuer haue Ioye of my lyfe nor comforte vnto the tyme that I haue taken vengeaunce of the traytoure Adramayne by the whyche we are betrayed and deceyued At these wordes he departed heuy and sorowfull and put of hys gowne and toke the habyte of a woman in clothynge him ryght gentylly as a younge mayden And in that estate departed out of of the cyte of Acquytayne and went in to the hoost of the kynge Ferragus And also soone as he was in the hoost of the paynyms there came out towarde hym that prayed hym muche of loue bycause hym thought he was soo fayre a mayden For Pacolet had wasshed hys face wyth a water ryght subtyl made by hys charme in suche maner that all they that beheld hym sayd amongest theym that they had neuer sene a more fayrer woman nor a more gracyous Of dyuers paynyms and sarazyns he was beholden and requyred but euer he excused hym and sayd My lordes pardone me for at thys tyme I am promysed and haue made couenaunt wyth the enchauntour Adramayne the which hathe reteyned me Mayden sayd the other go on your waye And so Pacolet toke the way to go vnto the enchauntour Adramayne that was in the tente And whan Adramayne sawe hym he was so enchaunted that Pacolet semed hym the moost fayrest woman that euer god created And he was so muche enamoured on hym that for to slepe wyth hym that nyght he reteyned hym and Pacolet accorded therto ryght gladly and sayd to hym My lorde knowe that I haue bene requyred of manye but aboue all the other me thynke you are worthyest to be seruyd Doughter sayd Adramayne doubte you of nothynge but make good chere for I haue a good wyl for to serue you and do you good tyght largely Than Adramayn coÌ„maunded one of his seruauntes that he shoulde kepe the mayde and that she shoulde be serued at souper with all maner of meates wyne at her plea saunce Nowe is the enchauntout Pacolet in the tente of Adramayn well and honestly serued And Adramayn is in the hoost of kyng Ferragus seruyng Frende said Pacolet to the varlet of Adramayne where is the kyng Trompart that is so puyssaunt and well renowmed By mahoune sayd he my lady I thynke he is retourned in to his countrey and leadeth with hym the fayre lady Clerymonde vpon a horse of wodde that my mayster hathe geuen him When Pacolet harde those tidinges demaunde not if he was sorowful but he made no semblaunt Than entred Adramayne in to the tente and presented wyne and spyces vnto Pacolet after sayde to hym My doughter it is tyme to go to reste se here y e bedde that you and I shall slepe in and do our pleasures Lorde sayde Pacolet your wyll be done And then Adramayne the enchauntour vnclothed hym entred in to the bedde thynking that the mayden would come and lye with hym But also soone as he was in the bedde Pacolet enchaunted him in suche wyse and made hym slepe so strongly that for any thynge that myghte be done vnto the morowe in the mornynge he myghte not a wake And when he hadde made hym slepe so he made all there aboute to slepe Than he put of his womans clothyng and put vpon hym the rychest clothes of Adramayne after he toke a sworde that hanged in y e â—hambre and smote of Adramaynes head and bare it with hym When he had done so he wente vnto Fertagus pâ—uâ—â—ion the whiche was wel kept with sarazins and so well he coulde playe with his arte that he made all fall vnto the earth slepe Then he entred into the tence whereas Ferragus slepte the whiche he enchauÌ„ â–ª teth so muche that he made hym lepe out of his bedde clothe him Then Pacolet toke his gyrdle and tied it aboute his necke in suche wyse that as a beaste he ledde hym and made renne after hym vnto the gates of the cytie of Acquytayne when Pacolet was at the gares of Acquytayne he founde the duke Sauary accompanied with dyuers lordes and barons that hadde muche desyre to knowe of that enterpryse And also soone as they sawe Pacolet they sayd vnto hym Frende where is Clerymonde that you bryng not her agayne Lordes sayd Pacolet haue a litel pacience for at the first stroke with an axe the tree is not smyten downe Knowe that of Adramaine I am auenged forse here his head and yet I haue done soo muche by myne arte that I haue brought Ferragus with me the whiche all in slepynge I haue made renne after me through the fyeldes By my fayth sayd Orson well haue you wrought Lordes sayd Pacolet yet haue I done more maystrye for in al the hoost of kynge Ferragus there is neyther paynym nor sarazyn but that they slepe vnder the trees muche strongly And therfore if you will haue victory vpon them at this houre you maye confounde theym eueryâ—honâ— My lordes sayd Orson Pacolet telleth vs good tydynges and me thinketh it were good to yssue out of the cytie and tenne vpon the paynyms that are on slepe Thus was the counsayll ordeyned and the thynge delybered Then they made Ferragus to be put in a darke pryson vnto their retournyng ¶ Howe kyng Ferragus hoost was all dyscomfited put all to death and how Ferragus was slayne afterward within Acquytayne Capit. l. THen fiftene or sixtene thousand men yssued out of the cytie of Acquitaine and they entred so pryuely into the hoost of the sarazyns that or the sunne was vp they had vanquyshed them put theÌ„ al to death At that houre was so great slaughter of paynyms that all the earth was couered with their bodies After the batayll they
wente in to their tentes and toke all their rychesses and Iewelles They retorned in to acquitayne with right great â—oye So when the duke was in his palays with all his barons he made to be brought before hym the gyaunte Ferragus Than the kyng Ferragus that was awakened was so sorowfull that with the cryes he semed madde Tho sayde the duke of Acquytayne to him Tho dyspayre auayleth you nothynge But you wyll be baptyzed and take the lawe of Ihesu christe I shall saue your lyfe and make you be honoured in my palays By mahoune sayde Ferragus yet hadde I rather be dead and then he was beheaded incontynent ¶ After all these thynges Orson woulde take leue of the duke of acquytayne for to go in to Constantynoble to succoure his father and the king Pepyn his vncle that were besyeged by the false sarazyns and tolde the duke all his entencion ¶ How Orson and the duke of Acquytayne went in to Constantynoble with a great hoost for to succoure the Emperoure And howe Orson ledde the Empresse Bellyssant with hym Capit. li. ORson sayd the duke you speake reasonably and syth that you are delybered for to do soâ— I wyll goo in your companye and mounte vpon the see with force and strength of men of armes for to go and socoure your father The Emperoure of Grece and your â—â—â—te the kyng Pepyn Muche Ioyous was Orson and thanken â–ª the duke a thousand tymes Soo it was not longe after that the duke assembled hys men And after that he had gyuen the cyte to kepe to a noble knyght they entred vpon the see for to accompany Orson â–ª the whyche ledde wyth hem hys mother hys wyfe Fezonne They were much well garnysshed wyth men and vyttaylles and rowed so muche vpon the Grekysshe seâ— that in shorte space they sawe the cyte of Constantynoble wherof they were ryght Ioyous and amonge the other the lady Bellissant began for to wepe muche pyteouslye in makynge lamentacyons whan she thought on her husbande and on her fortune Mother sayd Orson take comforte vnto you for yf it please god you shal se him shortly that you desyre soo muche and of the treason by the whyche you were accused you shall haue tydynges to your honoure but I am pensyshow we shall entre in to Constanstynoble Syr sayd Pacolet of thys haue no doubte for I shall shortely fynde the maner howe we shal entre into the cyte For I wyll go in to the cyte and tell theym of your comynge Frende sayd Orson of that I praye you And declare vnto Ualentine the pyteous fortune of Clerymonde By my fayth sayd Pacolet of that you shall pardon me for to sone cometh he that bryngeth euil tydynges After these wordes pacolet went into the sarazyns hoost for to delyuer Ualentine the grene knight but of the prysons of the soudan that hadde bene taken that daye by the sarazyns afore Constantinoble as you shall here afterwarde ¶ Howe the christen men for to haue vytayles yssued out of Constantynoble And howe Ualentyne and the grene knyght were taken prysoners by the false sarazyns and paynyms Capit. xxxiii KYng Pepyn and the Emperoure of Grece that were besyeged within Constantinoble by the false enemyes of our fayth and that knewe nothyng of the commyng of the duke of Acquytayne that came for to succour hym were in great indygence and necessyte For them peroure and the kyng Pepyn with dyuerse vallaunte and noble knyghtes were within the cytye of Constantinoble in ryght great scarcenes of vytaylles and they might get none in no maner of waies but w t the sworde vpon their enemies Then Ualentyne knewe their great necessite for the whiche thyng he that was full of hardynes accompanied with the grene knyght and twenty thousande fyghtyng men for to conquere some vytaylles yssued out of Constantinoble and of the vytaylles of the sarazins and paynims thei charged two hondred charyottes and slewe and put vnto death all them that kepte the vytaylles But as they retourned to ward the cyâ—le thynking to lede away the vytaylles there came agaynst theÌ„ the soudan on one syde and the kyng of Arabye and the kyng Afficion on the other syde There was ryght great destructioÌ„ of the paynims and muche pyteous slaughter of the christen men Of the prowesse and valiauntnes of the noble Valentyne it is not to be spoken of for at that assauâ—e he slew the kyng Pramagan with the knight Clarian and diuers other of whome the names be vnknowen And the grene knyght with one stroke smote of the arme of the kyng of Moryenne with the shelde and before hym he slewe his brother Abyllâ—n with ten other knyghtes ryght stronge But not with standyng their strenghte hardynes they were euylly sucoured and had euyll aduenture wherof it was great pytie for of their mortal enemies they were taken prisoners and sedde vnto the cursed soudan the whiche for their takyng made ryght greatioye and feaste And for to iudge them vnto death he made to asseÌ„ble xv kinges paynims And y e christeÌ„ men y t retorned in to y e cyte fleyng told euery body that they were deed in the batayl How was Ualentine the grene knyght in the pauilion of the soudan straytly vounden and rygorously detayned wherfore Ualentyne wepte sayenge Alas fayre Clerymonde I shal neuer se you wherof I haue my hert tryst and sorowful By longe tyme you haue a hyden me and in payne and trauayll of my body I haue sought you longe tyme as she that by the wyl of god was elect for to be my spouse and wyfe And whan the tyme was comen y t of 〈◊〉 euylles I sholde haue had alledgement and of my dolours recomforte and consolacyou I am of all pleasure vn wrapped and separed from my friendes and am in the handes of myne enemies Farewel my fader noble emperour of Grece for in me you shal haue no more a chylde Fare well the noble Bellyssant my mother for you had neuer for me but a lytle pleasure nor comforte and you shal neuer haue more but sorow and distresse Fare well my valyaunt broder Orson that hath loued me with so good hert For we hadde purposed to haue passed and fynysshed our dayes with our fader moder and no we by a case vnfortunate it is sodainly reuersed whan the grene knyghte sawe that Ualentyne complayned him in be waylynge his frends he said vnto hym Syr for god forgete fader moder frendes and kynnesmen and make we prayes vnto God that he wyl haue mercy on vs and receyue our soules into his paradise Take we our leue of this life and in worthe the dethe for to susteyne the fayth haue we trust in God that for vs wold suffer death How was y â— soudan set in a chayre prepayred in great pryde rythly clothed the which sayd Lordes I haue made an othe vnto god mahowne that these two crysten knyghtes the why che at this present
haue two nenewes that are the sonnes of our eldest syster that is for to wyte Florente and Garniere the whiche are muche hardye and fyerse And me thinketh that by them twayne a treason should be sone conspyred and made soner then by vs for they knewe well for a truthe that the kyng loued them not and that he would geue soner credeÌ„ce vnto other then them On the other part the one is botyller of the kyng and the other is vssher of the chambre that he slepeth in And by the meanes of theym twayne we may entre in to the chambre of king Pepyn oure father and slee hym in his bedde and euery body wyll saye that it hath bene Orson for aboue al the other he is the chiefe garde of his body and trusteth moost in hym And by this meane the sayd Orson shall be condampned to death and the realme shall be holly in our handes for our brother Charles is not yet puyssaunt ynough for to gouerne vs. Haufray sayd Henry you haue ryght well deuysed â–ª but for to accomplysshe this thyng it is expedient to make great dylygence in this wyse ymagyned the two false traytours the deth of the noble and puyssaunte kyng Pepyn the whyche was their naturall father And in soo euyl an hour he had engendred them that for the sauynge of theyr soules they cared ful lyttell They sente for ther two cursed traytours that is for to wyte Florent and Garnyere the whiche were right valyaunt hardy And whan they were comeÌ„ before them Haufray toke the wordes and sayd in this maner Lordes vnderstonde our enteÌ„â—yon for we are delivered my brother and I for to do a thynge that we may haue all prouffyte by shal reyse you and mouÌ„te you in honoure more than euer you were the whiche thinge I desyre because that you are my propre neuewes and of my propre bloode and owe more to desyre your good thaÌ„ any other daÌ„ for to come to an ende I wyl tel you myne enteÌ„cyoÌ„ You know that the kyng Pepyn how well that he is our father neuer loued vs in his life with good hert Euer with his puyssaunce he hath reysed vp the straungers and exalted them in honoure and in all offices and dignyties more than vs wherfore all these thynges consydered my brother Henry and I that are youres vncle legyty mes wyll and consent and are delybered for to make kyng Pepyn dye And after his death we fohâ—e shal gouerne holde his londe at our owne wyll But it be houed that the thinge be accomplysshed by one of you twayne And me thinketh that you Garnyete are the most proprest for to vndertake this thyng for you haue a couenable offyce for to do it more than ony other seynge that you are mayster vssher and pryncipall garde of the kyng is chambre And maye knowe bothe nyghte and daye who entreth in to the sayd chambre for the whiche thynge you maye hyde you in some secrete place and when the kyng shall be in his bedde on slepe you shall slee hym without makyng any noyse And on the moro we in the morning when the tidinges shal be that the kyng is dead the charge and the blame shall be gyuen vnto Orson because that euery nyght he slepeth and resteth moost nerest his body and so he shall be iudged and condempned vnto death And after these thynges we shall take the lyfe sone from the lytel Charles And by this meane the realme shall abyde vnto vs for to departe it after our pleasures Uncle sayde Garnyere of this feate doubte you nothynge for kynge Pepyn your father shall lese his lyfe Now was the treason ordeyned agaynst kyng Pepyn that thought none yll by the two cursed children that had no pite to make their father dye In an euill houre is the chylde borne that would purchase suche a death agaynst his father And in an euill houre was euer engendred Haufray Henry when by them treason was done many countreys marred By theym was their neuewe Garnyete full of so euill will that sone after that the treason was made he espyed a nyght as the kyng souped and tooke a sharpe poynted knyfe subtylly entred in to the chambre tyall and behynde the hangyng he hydde hym soo secretely that he myght not be apperceyued of no body And when the houre was come that the kyng shoulde go vnto reste by the gardes and chaberlaynes he was brought vnto bedde as the custome was The king entred into the bedde the whiche recommaunded him vnto God muche deuoutly and all yssued out of the chambre saue Orson that deuysed with the kynge to slepyng time And when Orson sawe that the king would slepe without makyng any more noyse he left hym and the nerest hym that he myght he layde hym downe vpon a couche bedde ¶ Howe Garnyere entred in to kyng Pepyns chambre for to accomplysshe his cursed enterpryse and how he left the knyfe within the kynges bedstrawe ⧠Capitulo lvii WHen it came to watdemydnyght the traytoure Garniereyssued out of this place and in bering the knyfe in his hande he went vnto the bedde of king Pepyn for to acheue his enterpryse but when he was besyde hym and that helyfte by his arme for too haue put hym to death hym thoughte that the kyng woulde haue wakened wherfore so great feare toke hym that he let hymselfe slyde downe by the bedde syde where as he was a great whyle and durste not remeue hym After he woulde haue sinytten secondly but so great fere toke hym as he woulde haue smyten hym that all hys body fayled and began for too tremble in suche wyse that he myght not acheue his enterpryse and put the knyfe within the bedde After he tetourned in to hys place all tremblyng for to hyde hym in abydynge the day so strongly afrayd that he would haue bene a thou sand myle beyond the sea And Orson was in his bedde that of that dede doubted nothing and dreamed a mar ueilous dreame For it semeth him in sleping that they would haue taken awaye the honoure of his wyfe Feronue And that besyde her was two theues that conspyred treason agaynst him After hym thought that be syde a ponde he sawe two great herons that foughte with a hawke and with all their puyssaunce enforced them for to slee hym But the hawke defended hym so valiauntly that he trauayled the two herons in suche wyse that they had bene both dead if it hadde not bene a great multytude of lytell byrdes that descended vpon y e hawke and would haue slayne hym anone if there had not come an Egle that succoured hym In this dreame Orsou awakened that of this dreame was much amat ueyled and began for too saye Ha veray God kepe me from treason and comforce my brother Ualentyne in suche maner that of y e noble lady Clerymonde he may haue certayne tydinges At that houre the daye appeted and Orson yssued softly out of the chambre
myght not flee no more behelde hym muche cruelly â–ª in castynge out at his mouche the horrible stynkyng venym and great smoke ⧠How Ualentine slew the dragon through the grace of God almyghty And howe the kyng of Antioche re ceyued hym with great honoure Cap. lxiii Syr sayd Pacolet lenne me your shelde and I shal go towarde the beast and auenture me Frende said Ualentine recorne in to the citie hele your woundes ¶ For if it please God the beast shall not be ouercome by none other but by me so I requyre God by hys grace that he will geue me the puyssaunce shortlye for to conquere her And that I may doo so muche that the kyng of Antioche and all the people incredule leue the lawe dampnable of mahowne take the lawe catholyke of Ihesu christe After that he hâ—d sayd these wordes he descended of the tree in makyng the sygne of the crosse and went to warde the serpente that ran against hym in castyng fyre and flambe muche dyspyâ—eouslye Ualentyne put the shelde before hym that the serpâ—nce doubted with the axe of stele smote her in suche wyse that he cut of her lefte thygh and felled it to the earthe The serpent cryed more hydeously than before and valentyne that was hardy to pursue his stroke came too her and thryste his axe so farforth within her throte y t at that houre he smote her downe dead in castyng oute suche a smoke that all they that behelde it were muche amaâ—ueyled And at the houre y t the serpente was dead fell downe within Antioche a great squated toure and the turretâ—es a bowe shot about it fell downe also The paynyms were abasshed of that greate auenture and sayde the one to the other that it was the soule of the de uyl that was passed that waie ¶ when the kyng was besyde hym he colled hym mâ—che swetely in saying vnto hym Free knyght of all the other moost valyaunt and hardy well hath your God shewed that he wyll loue you whan by your great prowesse you haue deliue red vs from the enemy that dommaged oure lande soo muche At these wordes they entred in to the cytie and mounted in to the palays ryall where as all the nyght and all the daye folowyng they made great feaste and there bothe paynyms and sarazyns for the victory of the serpente The kynge made Ualentyne to bee kepte ryght derely and heale his woundes lytell and greate â–ª and the quene Rozemonde bare hym greate honoure reuerence and had ryght great affection for to speake vnto hym for she was so enamoured on hym from the fyrst houre that she sawe hym that he hadde her harte entyerly And for the breunyng of her loue would purchace the death of the kyng of Antyoche her husbande as you shall heare afterwarde ¶ Howe Ualentyne after that he had dyscomfyted he dragon made the kyng of Antyoche to be baptyzed und all they of his lande and of the quene Roezmonde that was enamoured on hym ¶ Capitulo lxiiii WHen y â— good knight Ualentine had rested him a litel within the cytie of Antioche healed his waundes he went toward the kyng said to hym Sir you knâ—we that you haue promysed me to beleue in Jesu christe and your people also if it happened soo that I myght deliuer you from the serpente Nowe God hath geuen me the grace that I haue slayne hym and therefore syr kepe me your promyse for the myracle is great and euydent that my God had shewed before euery body for you knowe that by corporall strength I conquered her not but hath bene by the vertue of Jesu christe Free knyght sayd the kinge knowe that I wyll holde that whiche I haue promysed you and my wyl is to renounce mahoune and to beleue in Jhesu Christ. Than he made to crie throughe all his â—ond that lytle great shoulde beleue in Jesu chryst and leue the lawe of mahommet vpon paine of death Than was paynyms sarazyns baptised and coÌ„uerâ—er through the noble Ualâ—ntyne And also so one as the quene myghte she sente for UaleÌ„tyne into her secrete chambre the whiche went towarde her in contynent Lady sayd Ualentyne that was well taught you haue sente for me and I am comen towarde you as he that is redy and apparaylled for to accomplysshe your goodwyll Hâ— said the lady y e honoure the wysdome the strengthe the valyauÌ„tnes â—he beaute the hardines that is in you maketh your great noblenes to be praysed and honoured aboue al the lyuynge creatures and for the vertues that are in you tho lady that sholde be byloued of you myght well saye that of all the knyghtes she had the moste valyaunte the moost noble and â—he moost fayrest Now pleased it god that I myght do my wyll and that I were not subiâ—ete to no bodye for I take it vppon my soule that my hearte should neuer loue other than you yf it pleased you to do me so muche gâ—ace as to accepte my loue ¶ Lady sayd Uâ—lentyne of as muche I thanko you for you haue wedded a kynge muche valyaunte and hardy the whyche aboue al other you ought to loue and holde dere Knyght sayd the lady I haue loued hym longe tyme but sythe the daye that I sawe you my heaâ—â— departed not fâ—ome you â–ª whan Ualentyne apperceyued that the lady hadâ—e suche a courage the moost sweâ—est that he myght he excused hym towarde the â—uâ—ne of hys loue ¶ Ladye sayd Ualentyne yf the kynge knewe it he wolde neuer rest a daye tyll that he had put me vnto death now he is olde and aunâ—yenâ— and you are a â—ayre younge lady moâ—he Iâ—cunâ—e soo you muste abyde a lytell vnto the â—â—â—turne of my vyage that I haue enterprysed to go vnto the holy cyte of Jherusalem for to vysyte the â—â—pulâ—â—â— of ourâ— lorde Jhesu christ that was put vpon the tâ—e of the tâ—â—fse for vs. And at my retornyâ—ge yf it happen that the kyngâ— be deed than shall I accomplysshe all your wyll The Quâ—ne Rozemonde ansewred neuer a worde but was smytten aâ— the heart so proudely wyth the loue of valentyne that she was couetous of y e dethe of the king â–ª and of hys lyfe enemye as it happeneth oftentymes thaâ—â—y folysshe loue one man murdreth another and dyuers wyues purchaseth the deth of theyr husbandes for to acheue theyr wyll And therfore there is a greate daunger to loue a thynge so folysshly by the whyche so many euylles maye procede as the Quene Rozemonde dyd whyche for to haue valentyne at her pleasure the nyght whan the kynge should go to bedde and that the wyne was brought by aâ— the ladye toke the cuppe and put suche venym within it that who someuer dyd drinke of it shuld not escape death after in signe of loue she presented it vnto the kynge that was muche â—euoute â–ª and in makyng a â—xosse vpon the wyne he apâ—ercâ—yued the poyson By my fayth sayd the
to fynde valentyne of the whyche I wyll speke to you That same knyght valentyne wyth an ardaunt desyre rode in the countre wyth Pacolet for to seke the fayre lady clerymonde the whyche wolde not habandone hym no day nowe they rode soo muche that they arryued in Esclaâ— â–ª dye whyche was the londe of kynge Tromparte y t had caryed awaye the fayre Clerymonde vpon the hors of wodde that was Pacolettes as sayd is They demaunded in that same cyte tydynges of kynge Trompart they recounted vnto them the maner how he was slayne before ynde the great And how hys sone Lucar woldâ— aueuge hys death vpon the kynge of ynde the greter and howe that for to accomplysiâ—e it he had assembled fyftene kynges â–ª wyth many knightes soudyâ—urs that wolde serue hym for money and go in the warre Than spake Pacolet that could well the language of the couÌ„tree and demaunded hys hoost moore playnly tydynges of the estate of that same kynge Lucar And hys hoost recounted vnto hym howe he had handfast and promysed and take vnto wyfe the doughter of BraÌ„dyffer that had bene wedded before to the kynge of Antyoche the whych had ben dyscomfyted by the sayd BraÌ„dyffer because that he dyd renounce the lawe of mahoune For to here suche tydynges Ualentyne was muche abasâ—hed And vpon the fortunes of the worlde he began strongly to thynke by hym selfe consyderynge the great inconuenyentes and debates that had befallen and contynually do from day to daye Whan he had studyed a lyttell vpon that thynge he sayd vnto his hoost Hoost tell me what is becomen of a lady ryght fayre y t kynge Tromparde brought wyth hym By mahoune sayd the hoost we haue hadde no tydynges therofhere Nowe tell me sayd Ualentyne where is kynge Lucar at this present tyme for I haue great courage for to go and take wages vnder hym bycause that my moneye is faylled and on the other syde I haue greate desyre for to folowe the warre Lorde sayd the hoost the kynge Lucar is in Esclardye there you shall fynde hym accompanyed wyth a hondred thousadd sarazyns For he abydeth Brandiffer that should brynge hys doughter into that same place for to wedde her to hym Whan Ualentyne vnderstode all these thynges that he tolde hym he hadde ryghte great truste for to here some tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde Than he departed from the cyte and roode to warde Esclardye faynynge for to haue great desyre to serue king Lucar but more greatly touched him the maner at the harte howe he myght haue the fayre Clerymonde vnto wyfe ⧠Howe the kyng Lucar in the fayre and great cytie of Esclardie wedded and toke vnto wife the fayre and gracious Rozemonde Capit. lxvii RYght so as the king Lucar highly and puyssauntly accompanied in great and sumptuous estate in the citie of Esclardy Blandiffer arriued that brought his doughter with hym And when kyng Lucar knewe the tydynges he yssued out of the cytie with a tryumphaunt companye agaynst hym For to se Rozemonde kyng Lucar was muche ioyous but of as muche as he â–ª was ioyous the Ladye was dyspleasaunt for of all the other she wolde his moost euyll and loued hym not but euer bewayled Ualentyne The lady was ledde in to the halle ryall conueyed with dyuers greate kynges And before the ymage of mahoune she was wedded vnto the kyng Lucar Nowe it nedeth not to demaunde of the feaste nor of the estates that was there nor of the riche giftes that was geuen ¶ Ualentyne toâ—de in the fieldes ardaunâ— for to come vnto his entencion It happened soo as he arryued at the entre of a wodde that was ryght grene and plesaunt he harde and vnderstoode the voyce of a pleasaunt lady ryght fayre and gracious the whiche â— sarazyn helde by force vnder a tree â–ª would haue done his pleasure And when Ualentyne vnderstoode it he sayd vnto Pacolet Frende ride we â—aste and make dilygence for I haue hear a woman in this wodde that cryed ryght hyghe and demeaneth great sorowe â–ª so we shall do great almesse for to succour her Syr sayd Pacolet leue the lady and medle not so muche of her feate â–ª for you woâ—e not what it is parauenâ—ure she doth it for a gyle and it may turne you soner vnto euil than good Pacolet sayde Ualeytyne â–ª you speake folyshely for the man is not noble that helpeth not the ladyes in their necessities and putteth his body in auenture for to saue their honoure â–ª Than he sporred his horse and entred in to the wodde so he apperceyued the lady that the sarazyn helde vnder him Syr sayd Ualentyne leue your enterpryse for if you wyll haue the lady at your wyll it behoueth you to proue your body agaynst mine you may wel knowe that she setteth not by your loue so it behoueth you to leue her or els to haue warre agaynst me By mahoune sayde the paynym I vtter you the warre at your own wil. But I tell y e hyghly and let the wyt that in an euyll houre art thou arriued here for to come and let me of my pleasure without hauyng anye occasyon At these wordes he left the lady and mounted vpoÌ„ his horse that was besyde hym tyed vnto a tree with his shelde couered hym and tooke his spere after they fetched their course but the noble and valiaunt knight valentyne came with so great a courage agaynste the paynym and sarazyn that he passed hym clene throughout halue a yerde so that he fel downe dead to the earth And when he had done soo he wente vnto the mayden and sayde vnto her Damoysell nowe are you auenged of your enemye at this presente houre soo I praye you that you wyll tell me howe and in what maner this coursed man hath brought you into this wodde Alas syr sayd she I shall tel you all the truthe Knowe that yesternight late he came into my fathers house for to lodge him and for to haue my body the better at his will and leade me at his pleasure this nighte he went into the chambre of my father and there slewe him and murdred hym falsly After he hath brought me hether by force for to deflore me of myne honoure vytuperablye from the whiche thyng by your valiauntnes prowes I am deliuered kept to daye and saued mine honour â—o maye you at this time doo and accomplysshe youre good pleasure for as a hardy champion in the daunger of your body you haue conquered me wonne the Damâ—ysell sayd the valyaunâ—e knyght Valentyne by me your gentyl body shal haue no dommage nor vylany Returne into your house and thinke to dwel and kepe well your honour Than Ualentine lefte the mayden and toke his way towarde Esclardye and the men of the sarazin came towerde their mayster but also soone as they founde him deed vpon the grasse without ony soâ—ouminge they smote theyr horses with the sportes for to go vnto Esclardye to tell
the tydinges They enâ—red into the â—yce and wente vnâ—o kinge Lucat muche discomforted and sayd vnto him Redoubted sâ—â— right euill gothe oure feâ—te for our good mayster the Marshall that you haue loued so muche hath ben presently slayne in a wodde by theues The kyng was ryght sorowfull therfore and wyth a great quantyâ—e of men yssued out of the cyte And whan they were wythout they sawe valentyne comynge and sayd to the kynge Syr se hym here that hath slayne and murdred your Marshall Than vâ—lentyne was taken and all they of hys company by the sarazyns and were straytely bounden in betynge and strykynge them by the comaundement of the kynge Nowe Roâ—emonde was in the same castel the whâ—ch knewe valentyne incontinent for the which thyng she was ryght sore taken at the heart and for the great loue that we loued hym she wente anone towarde the kynge and sayd to hym Alas syr kepe you well from makynge this valyaunt knyght dye that for your prysoner hath bene brought heâ—her for I swere promise you that of all the valiaunt courages he is the moost hardy he is the souerayne ought to bere away the excellence Syr it is the same knyght Ualentyne of the countrey of Fraunce that by his valyauÌ„tnes before the cytie of Antyoche slewe the horryble dragon keepe hym derely and retayne hym in your wages for in the worlde there is not so vyctorious a man yf you keepe hym and haue some great batall against your enemyes by hym you may haue vyctory Lady sayde the kynge dyuers tymes I haue heard speake of his great prowesse â–ª and I haue desyred muche to se him in my court Syth he called Ualentyne and sayd to him Knyght haue no feare for to dye for knowe that aboue all other I wyll loue you and holde you dere and all your men receyue vnto my wages but there is so muche that you muste do a message for me that is that you shall goo in to Yndy the great and saye vnto the kyng that I defye him that I am redy and apparayled with my puyssaunce for to go and auenge the death of my father the kyng Trompart the whiche he hath made to dye cruelly And tell hym that I somone hym to come towarde me within my palays before all the baronnye with y e corde about his necke redy and apparayled for to receiue suche death as by the assystentes of my courte ryall shall be Judged and condampned And if he wyll not come you shall tell hym that within short tyme I shall go and se hym and vysyte with so great a companye y t there shall not be left hym castell to wne nor cytie but y t I shall destroye theym And I shall neyther leue man woman nor chylde on lyue ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne I shall do the message well and sufficiently soo that you shall be contente I knowe well sayde Valentyne that you wyll sende me in a daungerous place but I haue â—â—â—â—te in Jhesu chryste and in the blessed vyrgynmary the whyche haue kepte me from dyuers greate perylles to spede ryght well ¶ How the noble knyght Ualentyne departed from Esclardye for to go in to the myghty and puyssaunte cytie of Ynde the great for to bere the defyaunce of the kyng Lucar Ca. lxviii AS the quene Rozemónde sawe that Ualentyne was redy for to go in to ynde the more for to defye the kynge she entred into her chambre and by adamoysell she sente for Ualentyne secretly the whyche came gladly towarde her and salued her in great reuerence Knyght sayd the lady you are welcome for aboue all other I had great dâ—syre vnto you â–ª Lady sayd Ualentyne yf you had greate acyffecon for to se me so hadde I to se you Sith that I sawe you the thynge is well chaunged for I haue vnderstaÌ„den that your husband the kyng of Antyoche is dead syth my departynge and of late you are maryed vnto another Nowe ye myght well knowe that for the loue of you wythin Antyoche I was charged wyth dyshonoure in peryll and daunger to lose my lyfe It is true sayd the lady of that I knowledge my selfe gyltye for the great loue that I hadde vnto you made me to do that thynge but knowe that to day I shall recompâ—nce you of the faute that I dyd to you than For howe well that my father and my mother haue gyuen me vnto the kynge Lucar the whyche is pleasaunte and ryche aboue all other yet shal my heart neuer loue hym and not with out a cause for not wythstandynge hys rychesse great parentage knowe that of all the other he is the moost false traytoure And yet I tell you that sythe you haue ben in thys palays he is entred into so greate a I 〈…〉 usy that he may not endure it nor wyth good heart beholde you And to the ende that he maye be the more honestlye rydded of you he sendeth you into ynde trustynge that you shall neuer retorne for he hadde neuer tydynges of none yet that he hath sent thether for the kynge of ynâ—â— hath put them all to death But of hys entâ—ncyon by me he shall be deceyued and begyled for from that same daunger and great peryll I shall kepe you and saue you and I shall tell you by what manerof wyse Free knyghte knowe that it is not longe ago sythe that thys same kynge of ynde made me to be demaunded for wyfe â–ª And that it is true I loued hym muche more dereâ— then the kyng Lucar that is a traytour and of vgly facyon and dyspleasaunt for to beholde and in speking vngra cious lytell curtesy But with the will of my father that was vnto myne contrary I was refused vnto the kyng ynde and gyuen vnto the kyng Lucar Nowe it is true that the same kyng of ynde for acquayntaunce of loue sende me a ringe ryght ryche that which I haue derely kept with all my harte for the loue of hym and knowe that I neuer tolde it to no man lyuyng saue too you But for as muche as I haue sene the falsnes ma ladiccion of Lucar the whiche sendeth you in to ynde for to be delyuered of you I shall geue you comforte w t all my puyssaunce that shall kepe you from perill and shall acheue your message and retourne hether agayne as a hardy and a valyaunt knyght And howe wel that I wote and knowe for certayn that of my loue you haue no nede and that you are promised vnto another la dy more hyghe more fayrer and more excellenter then I am yet wyll I not forget the loue that my harte was taken with for you when I sawe you within the cytie of Antyoche as you conquered and vanquished the hor ryble dragon And for the thynges aboue sayd for to encrease your honoure I shall tell you what you shall do when you shall be afore the kyng of ynde arryued after the reuerence made and the salute geuen
from the fayre Rozemonde wherof you shall be ryght Joyous and contente with me ¶ Messenger sayde the kyng I lette the for to wyte that in despyte of kyng Lucar that is so fyerse and proude I was delybered for to haue put you vnto deathe but for the loue of the lady that you haue spoken to me of you shall haue no hurte nor vyllanye no more then my propre bodye if it be soo that you can shewe me some token or sygne from her Syr sayde Valentyne that shall I do well and shall tel you my message in suche manere that I shall not lye one worde for to dye for it It is true certayne that I belonge vnto kyng Lucar the whiche hath sente me to warde you and by me sendeth you worde that for recribuâ—ion and vengeaunce of the death of his father king Tromparte you go and yelde you in his palays of Esclardye all naked with a rope abouâ—e youre necke as an vntrue these and traytour and open murderer And in this estate he wyll that you come before his tyal maâ—estie and all baronage of his courte and as a man cul pable yelde you to suffre suche deathe as shal be geuen and Judged by his counsaill And if that you be not coÌ„tente with suche thynge and wyll refuse me as a messenger therto cominised and sent by him I defie you let you were that within shorte tyme he will come and waste your lande Suche is his eâ—tenâ—ion and hath vowed and sworne vnto god Jupin â—ahoune that in all your lande shall notabyde cytie towne nor castell boroughe nor vyllage but that they shall be all set on fyre and destroyed men womeÌ„ and children shall be put vnto death so that you shall knowe ryght well that in an euyll houre you put the kyng Tromparte to death the whiche was his propre father naturall Messenger saide the kyng of Ynde I haue ryght well vnderstande and herde you and knowe that I set litell store by the menares of the king Lucar nor by his proude diffiauÌ„ce for it is sayd comonly that suche menaceth that haue great drede And for to geue an aunswere vpon this mater I shall make a letter to bee made that you shall bere to hym and in the leâ—ter shall be conteyned how I hauebene desyed by him To the regardâ— of you messenger your message is accomplysshed And also I shall maunde him what good wil I haue for to receiue him and al his puissaunce also often as he will destroye my lande But as for the surplus of thyne enterprise that is of the fayre Rozemonde declare me all 〈◊〉 whiche she maundeth me For amonge the other thynges I haue an ardaunt desyre to here tydinges from her Syr sayd the knyght Ualentyne vpon the feate of the lady I salue you from her as her perfiâ—e and secrete loue And she sendeth you worde that she is maried of late vnto the kyng Lucar but knowe that it is agaynst her will and agaynst her courage For she neuer loued the kyng Lucar nor neuer wyll And the free lady that hath so beauteous a body is so smyten to the harte with your loue that she wyl neuer haue other than you yf it be so that you wyl receyue her for lady For to come vnto the ende of thys enterpryse she hath tolde me that she wyl come hether in the company of Kynge Lucar her husbande whan he departeth from Esclardye for to come hether in armes agaynst you And by thys meanes you maye soone fynde the maner for to haue the fayre lady Rozemonde and led her awaye at your owne wyll and pleasure By mahowue sayd the kynge of Ynde these tydynges pleaseth me ryght well and am muche Joyous yf the thyng be suche as you haue made relacyon of Syr sayd Ualentine if the thynge be true or fals I cannot saye but for â—etayne sygnes and tokens verytable here is the rynge that was gyuen vnto her by you the whyche she sendeth you And not withstandyng that women be of ryght light courage and abyde lyttell in one purpose yet me thynketh well that she aboue all other desyreth your loue that her enterpryse is not fayned Frende sayd the kynge of Ynde that knewe the rynge of thy comynge I am ryght Joyous Now go eat and drynke take thy repaste and the meane whyle I shall make a letter to be wryten that you shal bere vnto king Lucar for the answeâ—â— of your dyfyaunce Ualentyne by the commaundemente of the kynge of Ynde was at that houre hyghly feested of diuers knyghtes that kept hym companye He demaunded dyuers secretely for the fayre lady Clerymonde in â—nquyrynge yf theyr were any tydynges of any christen woman that were in y â— countree And it was answered hym naye soo he helde hym contente Now the kyng of Ynde came anone and gaue hym the lettre And Ualentyne receyued it in takynge leue of hym He knewe not y t hys loue was there the whiche lady lyued ryght poorely in the cytie for the loue of hym in praying God deuoutly that it woulde please hym to delyuer her out of that place and to send her tydinges shortly of her loue Ualentyne Nowe approcheth the tyme that she shall fynde hym but the noble knight Ualentyne shall fyrst suffre endure much pyteous aduentures the whiche shal be recounted vnto you here afterwarde ⧠How Ualentyne retourned into the cytie of Esclar dye And of the aunswere that he hadde of the kynge of Ynde to bere to kyng Lutar Cap. lxx GReate Joye and great solace made the free knyghte Ualentyne for too departe out of ynde and to be out of the haÌ„des of the felloÌ„ kyng of ynde that had slayne so many messengers He mounted on horsbacke anon arryued at the hauen where as the mariners abode him the whyche were muche abasshed of hys comynge and thought betwene them selfe that he had not done hys message Lordes sayd Ualentyne returne we into Esclardy for I haue accomplysshed myn enterpryse wherof I ought well to thanke god By my fâ—â—th sayd one of the maryners we are muche ameruaylled for neuer the dayes of our lyues we sawe none returne agayne Frende sayde Ualentyne who that god wyl helpe none can hurte them At these wordes Ualentyne mounted vpon the see and they rowed so muche that anone they aryued at Esclardye Ualentyne made no soiournyng but also soone as he was dyscended of hys hors he mouÌ„ted vp into the palays and founde there the kynge Lucar accompanyed of kyng Brandyffer and of fourtene stronge and puyssaunt kynges that were all comen in to Esclardy for to so coure the kynge Lucar agaynst the kynge of ynde Of the returnynge of Ualentyne they were muche al 〈…〉 hed amonge the other the traytour kynge Lucar for wende that he should neuer haue returned agayne He made Ualentyne to come before all the barons and sayd to hym Frende tell me tydynges and saye vnto me yf the kynge of ynde wyll come vnto
them fyersly And we shall assayll them vpon this syde towarde the sea so me thinketh y t they can not escape vs by no maner of wise By my god sayd Murgalante you haue well aduysed Nowe we muste fynde a messunger for to accomplysshe thys thynge Syr sayd Pacolet y t was subtyl seke none other messanger than me for I can speke all languages frende sayd Murgalant thou spekest as valyant Now go thy way mahowne conduyte the. Pacolet departed that was muche Ioyous for to do that message a sayd to hym self Murgalant you sende me to do your message but by the god almyghty I shall doo it in suche maner that or to morowe at nyghte you shal knowe wyth what charme Pacolet can playe Thus he went wyth out any hors towarde the cyâ—e of Angory whaÌ„ the cristen men sawe hym come so they thought well that he was a spye soo they came agaynst hym hastely and demaunded hym sayenge Galant whether go you thus it semeth by your maners that you are a spye Lordes sayd Pacrlet you say trouthe but I am not a spye for to bere you doÌ„mage Now lede me anone in to the hoost of kynge Pepyn and make me to speke wyth my lorde Orson and I shall tell hem a thynge wherof he shall be muche abasshed Than the crysten meÌ„ toke thelytie Pacolet and leddehy into warde Orson the whyche was ryght Ioyous for to se hym and made hym great chere frende sayd Orson howe doth my brother Ualentyne Than Pacolet tolde hym all the aduentures that was happened them syth they had sene the one the other and tolde hym of the serpent y t Ualentyne had slayne before Antyoche And of the greate payne and trouayll that he had or euer he myght ouer come the serpente and also how he might here no tydynge of the same Clerymonde And syth tolde hym and declared vnto hym howe that they were aryued there for to fyght agaynst them Syr sayd Pacolet it is true that we are aryued here besyde a hondred thousande paynims of whome Valentyne and Murgalant are conductours And are come hetherfor to chace you out of this countrey by the commaundement of kyng Lucar kyng Brandiffer but and you will beleue me there shall not one of them retourne agayne Frende sayde Orson for God haue regarde therto for and you will do it neuer the dayes of your lyfe gate you so muche honoure and shall acquyre merite to warde God Syr sayde Pacolet here me speake a lytell if it please you ⧠How Pacolet by his charme and crafte made al the sarazyns to be put vnto death And howe kyng Murgalant was slayne Cap. lxxv SYr sayd Pacolet to Orson I am and shall be all my lyfe subtecte to your brother Ualentyne and you But and euer I dyd you seruyce that pleased you I shall do one now Nowe herken how It behoueth first that you kepe you vpon your garde and that this nyght you make youre men to be armed and put in point And to the ende that none thynke that Ualentyne hath wrought the creason I shall make hym to abyde in his tente and shal make a great nombre of Satazyns to goo vnto the watche and when this shal be thus done I shall caste my charme in suche maner that they shall all sleepe soo hadde that you maye passe them and enter in to the hoost surely in puttyng theym vnto death without any mercye By God sayde Orson you speake ryght well and subtylly and shewe well that you haue a good wil and deuocion for to susteyne and defende oure lawe At these wordes Orson ledde hym towarde kyng Pepyn for to recounte hym the enterpryse Ioyous and well content was kyng Pepyn to heare suche a thynge and made Pacolet to be ryght hyghly fested Pacolet eate and dronke and after toke leue and wente in to the cytie of Angorye to acheue his message too the ende that none toke hede of his dede and tolde to kyng Murgalant certayne sygnes He entred in to the cytye and wente in to the palays where as he founde the admyrall bruhans and salued hym hyghly in great reuerence After he did his message as he had in charge and commaundement by Murgalant Syr sayd Pacolet know that of Brandyffers parte we are arryued a hondred thousand paynyms So kynge Murgalant sendeth you worde that hath charge of all the paynyms that to morowe be tymes you make your men for to be armed and that you assayle the christen men on the syde of the cytie of Angorye and Murgalant shall assayll theim on the other syde so that they shall not escape Joyous was the admyrall Bruhans to here suche tydynges but he knew not how it should happen him Then Pacolet toke leue of hym in great reuerence and retourned vnto Murgalant the whiche he salued from the Admall Bruhans in the maner as appertained Frende said Murgalant you are worthy for to be praised when you can do your message so well After Pacolet went to warde Ualentyne and sayd to hym secretly Your brother Orson and your vncle the kyng Pepyn salueth you to whome I haue lette wyte the enterpryse of your comyng to the ende that thei be not taken vnwate for it shold be great pytie and dammage Frende sayd Ualentyne thou hast wrought tyght well Nowe Pacolet tolde hym not the dede of his enterpryse for he knew well that neuer the dayes of his lyfe he would do nor consence to creason The nyght approched and behoued the watche to be set and the gardes of the hoost to be chosen establysshed wel would Ualentyne haue had the charge of the watche but Pacolet that knew well how the thing would go founde the meanes for to let hym and made hym for to abyde in the tenâ—en And when the nyght was come and the watche set Pacolet entred amoÌ„g the paynyms and caste his charme in such maner that he made them all fall vnto the earth on slepe soo strongly that the lyuynge creatures myghte not awake them Nowe the good kyng Pepyn slepte not nor his army for when it came toward midnight hee entred into the hoost with thre score thousand fighting men and the noble Orson and amonge the tentes and pauylions sette the fyre on euery syde and all the paynyms put vnto death without sparyng lytle or great They entted so ferre within the hoost or the paynyms a wakened that they came to the tente of Murgalant that slepte in his bedde and he was so surprysed that as he lepte out of his bedde he was smyten thorough the body with a darte and so fel downe dead to the earthe ⧠Howe the Satazyns were discomfyted and howe kyng Pepyn toke the cytie of Angorye ⧠Capitulo lxxvi AT the houre of this assaute Pacolet came vnto Ualentyne and toke hym by the hand saying My lorde thinke for to saue you for it goeth to euyll with vs knowe that the christen men are passed the watche and are entred into our hoost and
haue also enuyroned out folkes on all sydes and putteth all vnto fyre and bloude wherfore thynke we for to escape ¶ Alas Pacolet said Ualentyne I know wel that thou hast wrought here and hathe enchaunted the paynyms soo I wote neuer what to do for to saue myne honour For at my departyng from Brandyffer I promysed him and swore vnto hym that I shoule retourne to him againe if I might escape with my lyfe nowe am I sure that he wyl make me dye if he haue tydinges of this thynge Syr sayde Pacolet of that haue you no doubte for you shall neuer haue euill nor displeasure in no place where as I shall be but shall delyuer you and if kyng Brandyffer hadde Judged you vnto death and had the corde aboute your necke standing vpon the â—â—dâ—re ready for to be hanged yet knowe I the maner for too delyuer you and saue your lyfe ¶ By my sayth sayd Valentyne suche a varlet ought for to be derely loued Thus were the paynyms by the arte of Pacolet dyscomfyted and put vnto death ¶ Upon the morowe the admyral Bruhans yssued out of Angorye with a great multytude of paynyms for to renne vpon king Pepyn and his hoost the whiche knâ—we nothyng of the mysauenture Within a shorte space the two parties were assembled Tho be gan the batayl ryght fyersly muche great was the nbyse and pyteous for to beare There was speres and dartes broken many champions smyten vnto the earth wyth swerdes and glayues of stele many hameys broken and bembres cut horses renne thorowe the felde many maners and standardes dyscourted and smytten to the grounde And whan the Admyrall bruhans sawe that the chrysten men fared so wyth hys men as all out of hys wytte he put hymselfe in the prese ¶ He couched his spere and ranne agaynst a knyght of Brâ—e in suche maner that he persed hym throughe out and smote him downe dead to the earth After he drewe out hys swerde and smote another knyght that was called Gyrarde of parys soo myghrelye that he slewe hym in that place Than he came to avalyaunt knyght named Roberte of Norinandye that greued hys men muche soo he gaue hym so great a stroke wyth hys swerd that he cut of his lefte legge The Admyrall fought so valyauntly that or euer he rested he made ten chrysten knyghtes to dye of his handes Now the kynge Pepyn apperceyued hym well and sawe that he made great slaughter of the crysten men Than the valyaunt kynge toke a great spere in his hande smote the hors wyth hys sporres and came agaâ—nst the Admyrall wyth so greate a myght that the spere went throughe hys lyuer and his longes and he smote hym downe dead so softly that he spake neuer a worde nor remeued neuer a membre And whan the paynyms sawe that the Admyrall was dead it is not to be demaunded yf they were sorowfull and had no hardynes for to holde the felde for they wythdrewe theym in to Angorye and mounted vpon the walles for to defende the cyte Than the christen men were diligent and folowed them nere but they of the cyte defended theym so valyauntly as wel wyth stones as wyth sâ—otte that they ledde the christen men to euyl Than the captaines made the dytches to be filled w t fagottes logges by that means wan the gates the barres And at y â— â—oure the assaute was ryght great â—ied many men as well on the one syde as oâ— the other But notwithstanding the defence of y e painims it profyted them but litell for at y â— same assaute the tytie was taken al the sarazins put vnto death without any mercy Then the christen men entred in y â— founde there much great richesse and it was on a fryday Kyng Pepyn made his tentes for to be brought in to the cytie Here will I leue to speake of kyng Pepyn and shall tell you of Ualentyne ⧠How Ualentyne retourned in to ynde after y â— batail and bare whim the body of king MurgalaÌ„t Ca. lxxvii AFter that the cyte of Angory was taken by the chrysten men the paynyms dead as wel wythout as within Ualentyne that founde the body of kinge Murgalant dead vpon the felde called Pacolet sayd to him Frende I wyl y t we bere this body with vs so may kyng Brandyffer sooner beleue that we were in batayll togyther Syr sayd pacolet you saye well it shall be honour to you Than Ualentyne made the body to be taken and put in a cofre muche honourably and couered it wyth blacke After they went vnto the porte where as theyr shyppes lay and mounted vpon thesee But of a hundred thousand paynyms that were comen out there returned not ten thousande and all throughe the subtyle of Pacolet Now they are vpon thesee spreding theyr saylles and rowynge so muche that they arryued streyght at the hauen where as Brandyffer and Lucar had set theyr hoost They toke londe and dyscended the body and charged it vpon two horses and in makynge pyteous chere bare it vnto the pauylyon of kyng Brandyffer the whyche played at the chesse wyth kynge Lucar accompanyed of fyftene kynges that behelde the play and also soone as he sawe Ualentine he sayd vnto hym Knyght well be you comen now tel me of the batayll how it gothe yf you haue slayne all the chrysten men and taken the kynge Pepyn and hys neuewe Orson Alas syr sayd Ualentyne it gothe well otherwyse for we haue loste the felde and all your men is slayne for the kyng Faryn that had the charge of the watche lette hys men slepe so the christen men passed forthe and put the fyre in the pauylyons in sleynge bothe lytle and great wythout any remyssyon And whan I sawe that the thynge wente so euyll I wakened also many men as I myght for to saue theÌ„ And in thys batayll is dead your vncle kynge Murgalant of whome I haue made the body to be brought to the end that it may be buryed as it appertayneth And yf you wyll not beleue me you maye demaunde the other that be here howe the thynge wente ¶ Syr sayd the other he telleth you trouthe Than arose the kyng Brandyffer and as all in a rage hurled the chesse vnto the erthe and was so sorowful y t wyth payne he myght speke a worde Ha Ualentyne I knowe well that thou haste made my men to dye By god sayd valentyne it is euyll spoken for I was neuer in my lyfe suche as you saye And yf ony wyll maynteyne it I wyl fyght wyth him for it in a felde By mahoune sayd kynge Lucar of him it nedeth not to doubte for and he hadde wylled for to haue done treason he wolde not haue returned to you agayne ThaÌ„ brandyffer was styll and made the body of hys vncle to be honourablye buryed And anone they of the cyte knewe the tydynges wherof they were muche Joyous Than the kynge of Ynde made
from hys wyfe Berthe the which after his salute said vnto him Syr vnderstande the rydynges that I brynge vnto you fro my ryght dere lady Berthe quene of Fraunce Knowe that all they of those quarters beleue stedfastly that you and al the twelue peres be dead bycause that they had tydinges that you were taken wythin Jerasalem of the paynyms So it is true that Arthur kynge of Brytayne trustyng in your death â–ª and that the tydynges was true is entred into your lande wyth a greate puyssaunce of men of armes and wyll be kynge of Fraunce by force and wedde the quene Berthe agaynst her wyll Nowe I am comen hether for to tell you the tydynges wherfore thynke vpon this feate for the case toucheth you to muche And at thys houre the warre is so great in frauÌ„ce that wallyam of Mountglyue hath made Geryn to be slayne And also the kyng of Brytayne hathe vndertaken to â—ut my lorde Charles your sonne in exyle So rowfull was kyng Pepyn to here suche wordes made to assemble hys barons for to holde counsayl So they accorded that he should go and defende his propre countree the whyche he dyd and toke hys lâ—ue of Ualentyne that sayd vnto hym Frayre vncle it behoueth me to abyde here for to put all my strengthe to delyuer my father and my brother and the twelue peres of FrauÌ„ce Ualentyne sayd Kyng Pepyn you speke wysely and yf it please God that I haue vyctorye of myne enemyes I shall sende you helpe and socoure agaynst the fals paynyms in suche wyse that you may delyuer your father lyghtly The kynge Pepyn mounted vpon the Sea with syxe thousande fyghtyng men ⧠Howe Ualentyne went in to Ynde the great and counterfet the physycion for to se the fayre Clerymonde and howe he spake with her Capit. C. i. UAlentyne that by the king Pepyn had herde tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde put her not oute of mynde but departed from Angorye accompanied onely of a squyer and dyd clothe hym in the habyte of a physicion He mounted vpon the sea with marchauÌ„tes that wente in to Ynde And they rowed soo muche that they artyued in Ynde But or Ualentine entred in to the cytie he made to make a physicians gowne â–ª and after made a futred hoode and as a great dortour entred in to the citie and lodged him in a ryche yâ—ne Also soone as the hoost sawe hym he demaunded him of what crafte he was of Hoost sayd Ualentyne I am a medecyn can hele all maner of sycknesses The hoost beleued hym his squyer serued well as the clerke of a doctour ¶ In this wyse was Ualentyne thre daies and then he said Myne hoost do me a pleasure if it please you that is y t you fynde me a man to go about the cytie and crye my â—cyence that and there bee any seke men that I vaunte me for to hele theim For I haue nede to wynne for too paye you the expences that I haue made here in but not for that you haue doubte of me I shall geue you a gage By mahoune sayd the hoost a gage will I take gladly for it is euyll trusting in straungers Than valentyne gaue hym a fyne mantell furted and sayde too hym â–ª Holde hoost and of me haue no doubte and make the varlet come to me that I spabe to you fore ¶ The hoost brought hym one that had neyther shone gowne nor bonet and was almoost naked Ualentyne for the loue of God clothed him all newe and sayd to him My frende go thorough the cytye and crye hyghly there is come a mederyne that can hele all maladyes and also they that haue loste their wytte be it man or woman I shall make theÌ„ haue their vnderstanding againe Than departed the varlet that was right ioyous to be clothed and cryed all the daye thorough the cytie as Ualentyne had bydden hym Now the tidinges came vnto y e king of Ynde of that mayster And because that he vaunted to hele mad foles for the loue of Clerymonde the kynge of Ynde sent for hym not wythstandyng that there was alredy crepylles blynde lame and croked before hys lodgynge but he left them all for to go to the kynge of Ynde for he knewe well the ende where as hys heart drewe to He salued the kynge of Ynde by the great god Jupyter And the kynge sayd to hym mayster you be welcome into my courte you shall dyne than I shall tell you wherfore I sent for you The kynge set hym at the and table made Ualentyne to be serued rychely and than after dynner he sayd vnto hym Mayster I haue a lady in thys palays that is garnysshed wyth beaute aboue all other So it is true that whan I had her fyrst wolde haue taken her vnto wyfe but she made me to vnderstande that she had made auowe vnto mahowne that she should take no man vnto husband tyl a yere be passed nowe I haue her the terme that she asked but at the ende of the yeare there toke her a pyteous maladye so that no body durst fynde them before her She whiste leth and cryeth pyteously one tyme she lagheth and another tyme she wepeth so that in her dede there is none ordynaunce for the whyche my heart is sorowfull for and she were whole I wolde take her vnto wyfe for my wyfe Rozemonde is dead And therfore and you can helpe her I shall gyue you more than you wyll demaunde Ualentyne sayd I shall doo it well but the malady is euyll for to heale syth that she hath had it so longe I muste be in her chambre all nyght for to se her condycyons Mayster sayd the kynge one shall brynge you thether but kepe you from her that she byte you not Than one that scrued her ledde valentyne to her and whan he was at the wyndow he sayd vnto hym Beholde there and playe with your crafte the deuill shall make you well hele her Go thy way saide Ualentyne and let me alone Then the sarazyn wente his waye and Ualentine behelde her piteously Alas veray God sayd he how you haue bought me dere and I you By god my swete loue I shall neuer retourne in to Fraunce tyll I haue you with me or I shall lese my lyfe The lady behelde him muche ferefully and didde caste at him all that she founde in the chambre of the whiche Ualentyne was muche amarueyleâ— Alas my God sayd he is it fayned or a thing true of the euyl that I se you suffre Dere loue alas withoute doynge any more be a lytell still and here my speche ¶ I am your loue UaleÌ„tine for whom you haue suffred so muche payne Do you not thynke no more of the head of brasse that gaue you to me and of my brother Orson that had the stryng cut and howe you were stolen from me by the enchauÌ„â—out Adramain in the cytie of Acquitaine whan the lady hearde those wordes for pure loye she swowned
purchased his death at the laste and that of the quene Berthes fyrst of all And because that they myght not well poyson her they acquainted them with a damosel that was nyght and day with the quene and they gaue her such a gyfte that the false woman consented to the death of the quene that had done her so muche good so that with in fyftene dayes she dyed wherof the kyng Pepyn was so sorowefull that he abode in his bedde And the traytours dyd soo muche by poysons that he dyed for the whiche both lytell and great wepte and not withoute a cause The traytours shewed semblaunt to be sorowfull but they were ryght â—oyus and sayde Nowe maye we well do our pleasure with Fraunce for there is neyther dukes eâ—les nor barons that maye resyste agaynst vs. ¶ Howe after the death of kyng Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler would haue made the lytell Charles to be crowned kyng of Fraunce ¶ Capitulo C. vi AFter the death of the good kyng Pepyn the duke Mylion dangler that was valyaunt and wyse assembled the counsayll and wold haue made younge Charles to be crowned kyng But Haufray and Henry by gyftes and â—romesses corrumped the lordes and it was sayd that Charles was to young And because that the duke Myllon susteyned the coÌ„trary Haufray Henry made him to be taken put in pryson in Chatelet at Parys sythe helde Charles as a boye of y e kechyn It happened one daye that Haufray coÌ„maunded him to tourne a spiâ— but Charles that was displesaunt lyft vp the spyt and felled hym to the earth Henry stepte forthe for to haue smiten Charles but Charles that espied him gaue him on the eare so that the bloud yssued out wherfore Haufray â—ad his men take him Than came a knyghte named Dauyd of Elloys and toke Charles by the hande for othertymes he had endoctryned hym so he set hym on a horse and ledde him out of Parys whan the traytours knewe that Charles went his waye they made hym to be pursued but they that folowed woulde not fynde him and so retorned Than MylloÌ„ dangler sent the truth of it to his wyfe Charles syster when she had sene the letter she wepte for the loue of Charles â–ª so she swore Jhesus that they should abye it dere Than she made a letter to be wryten and sente it vnto Ualentine and to the twelue peres of Fraunce that were in Angorye When Ualentyne hadde redde it he began for to wepe and the lordes demaunded him wherfore he dyd wepe Alas my frendes there is a good cause why for kyng Pepyn is dead and the good quene Berthe also So Haufray and Henry haue chased the lytell Charles out of the countrey and put the duke Millon in pryson because that he susteyne him So the lady sendeth vs worde that we succoute her and I wote neuer how for you know wel that we abyde from day to day our mortall enemy Brandiffer By oure faithes sayde the barons we must fynde some maner for to succout hym well sayde the noble Ualentine or to morowe at night I shall yelde you the duke Myllon ¶ Of these wordes they began for to laughe Ualentyne departed wyth out makynge any more delayâ— wyth hys hors played so well that he was at Parys before mydnyght and was in Chatelet and by subtyll arte opened the gates And gaue leue to all the prysoners after he demaunded them where the dake Myllon was they shewed hym the chambre the whyche was opened anone The good duke that slepte wakened and sayd what are you that entre so rudely Nowe vp sayd Ualentyne and thynke for to take youre clothes for I am Ualentyne that am comen from Angory for to delyuer you The good duke mâ—s muche Ioyous and made hym redy anone So Ualentyne made hym mounte vpon the hors wyth hym and sayd to hym kepe you frome spekynge for we shall flee in the ayre Syth that we shal go so fast I pray you passe by the castell of Angler and there we shall se and comforte my wyfe a lyttell that for me and for her brother Charles is muche sorowfull They knocked at the gates and the watche answered that knewe theyr lord and tolde it vnto the ladye that ranne vnto the gate in a syngle gowne and kyssed and colled hym after she demaunded hym tydynges Ladye sayd he you knowe all but knowe that I go in to Angorye where as we abyde the batayll of the false paynyms â–ª and at my retorne I shall brynge wyth me the twelue peâ—es of Fraunce with a great puyssaunce for to confounde Haufray and Henry and socoure Charles Whan the lady vnderstode that they wolde make no leyger soiournynge â–ª she made meat to be brought and there they toke theyr repaste for they had greate luste to eate and drynke After they toke leue of the lady and were in Angorye vpon the morowe before all the barons wherof the lordes were muche abasshed and prayed Ualentine muche to learne them that arte but he refused theym Nowe it happened in those dayes that Brandyffer that was vpon the see arryued a myle from Angory And there he made his syege to be set accompanyed wyth fyftene kynges all hys subiectes They of the cyte that herde the tydinges went shytte the gates and drewe vp the brydges and after mounted vp on the walles for to beholde the paynyms that dressed vp great nombre of tentes and pauylyons The sarazyns were in theyr syege the space of a moneth wythout gyuynge assaute and wythout that any crysten meÌ„ yssaed out on them ¶ How the Emperoure of grece Orson and the grene knyght departed from the stronge castell for to goo socoure Ualentyne in Angorye Ca. Cvii THe Emperoure of Greâ—e that was in the stronge castel herd say that brandyffer with a great puyssaunce had besyeged Angory so he was moued in deuocion for to go help the Aysten men They toke counsayll togyther and accorded that a valyaunt knyght should kepe the stronge castell wyth two men After they departed for to go into Angory The Emperour of Grece Orson the grene knyght accompanyed wyth a thousand fightynge men entred into the see pulled vp the saylles but they had not gone but a lytle way whan they sawe a great flote of shyppes comynge towarde theym It was an Admyrall paynym that went for to socour the kyng Brandyffer wyth ten thousand men Well knew the chrysten men that they were of theyr enemyes son they put them in armes and renged them in baâ—â—yl on theyr shyppes syde The saraznus sawe well that they were crysten men wherfore they approched and smote vpon them fyersly And the cristen meÌ„ that reclaymed god and our lady defended them valyauntly Thaune was there a cruell batayll the Emperour of grece Or son and the grene knyght shewed theyr prowesses and cryed hyghly Jhesus sucoure vs. At these wordes the crysten men toke suche courages that the leâ—st at that houre