possible to the helpe aÌ„d deliuere me from this mortal daunger WhaÌ„ appollo sawe the poure felaw in suche desolacioÌ„ the teeris fill dounÌ„ from his eyen for asmoche as the water boilled so aboute him he had grete pyte demaÌ„ded of him what eyled him so to crye wepe from wheÌ„s that water cam that so boilled aboute him axid syn where was zechius Alas aÌ„swerde the poure felawe which laboâ—rid lyuyng there to the deth in a dolour and payne inestimable Praye ye sire for zechius and for his felaws For I haue seeÌ„ alle one after an other dye in a mortell disâ—resse and so anguyssâ—ousâ—y that vnnethe that is creature lyuyng that coude veâ—ayly acompte and telle hit to yow THan appollo herde speke of the deth of zechius and his felaws he was so sorofull that he wist not what to doo but aÌ„swerde to the poure felaw and saide by grete admiracioÌ„ how maye that be fayr sire for j sawe right now zechius and all his felaws that were with hiÌ„ whaÌ„ they toke loÌ„de iÌ„ colchos in descendyng from the shippe alâ—s â—ere sire answerde the felawe hyt is well Reson that j recompte telle yon the trouth verite of the manere of this cruel auenture Certes sire hit is veray trouth that incontinent that zechius we other entrid into they le we apperceyuyd from ferre in a passing fayr medowe a lyuyng beste fedyng all offyn goolde And was as grete as an hors of the facoÌ„n fourme of a sheep or motoÌ„ ThenÌ„e we ê¯cluded to geder with one wyll that we wolde haue takeÌ„ hiÌ„ thenÌ„e we wente forth supposed to haue taken hit by force or other wise And for to so doo we marched thedward to oure euyll helthe for anonÌ„ after right sodaynly sprang out of a temple the most fair and the moost riche that I euer sawe a moche meruayllous dragonÌ„ and ferdfull with thre tonges casting fyre flambe wyth smoke out of his throte fortwith incontinent sprang also out of hooles in the erthe two moche horryble booles hauyng legges aÌ„d feet all of coper their hornes were grete and sharp theyr eyeÌ„ gretter more reed thaÌ„ boylliÌ„g coper or metal the whiche thre bestes so dredefull disgorged caste out fyre of their throtes venyn vpon vs in suche facoÌ„n that Zechius alle the other deyde there in suche paynÌ„ dolour that was neuer lyke therto recorded aÌ„d of vs xxx felaws ther is none escaped except my self whiche was laste ferthest behiÌ„de for whaÌ„ j apê‘ceyuyd themes chief so grete spntme to fâ—ight but I coude not so fast fsee but that the terrible dragonÌ„ cast vpoÌ„ me a gobet of the moste detestable infectioÌ„ that euer was the whicâ— doth me somoche paynÌ„ meschief aÌ„d holdeth me in suche a brennyng in alle my body that j muste nedes take bi dolonrouse deth the eÌ„de of this worlde wherfore j requyre you that ye goo no ner Colchos ¶ With this wordes the doloroê° maÌ„ finysshed his dayes in anguisthe aÌ„d payne and the sowle deê‘ted froÌ„ the bodi in the psece of appollo the whiche for this cause demened the grettest most terrible sorou that might be and with that roose the winde bi grete sodayne pyries that cam from the west whiche tormented the see and meuyd hit meruaillousâ—y and after this apperid in the ayer grete lightniÌ„ges of fire the which caÌ„ lauÌ„chiÌ„g bitwene the kiÌ„g appollo Ê’ethe phiê° the other beâ—g iÌ„ the ship ther was nonÌ„ of theÌ„ so assured but with the wiÌ„de the iÌ„petuouse lightnyng they were beteÌ„ doune vnto the botoÌ„ of the ship in suche wise they were sinetonÌ„ with the lightniÌ„g tournieÌ„s and with the orage of haylle stones that appollo hiÌ„ self knewe not a grete while if euer he sholde escape this dauÌ„ger or no For aboute heÌ„ they sawe no more thaÌ„ meÌ„ doo in a wiÌ„tres night at midnight whaÌ„ hit rayneth NotwithstaÌ„ding during this tempeste derkenes the good king appollo herde a voys sayd to him â— this manere not aloude But with a moderat voys in suche wyse as somme wel vnderstode hit Appollo the god Mars comÌ„andetâ— the that thou retourne incoutineÌ„t to thy cyte for zechius thy good freÌ„de is dede by his grete oultrage in this perillous I le his felaws iÌ„ like wise as it hatâ— beÌ„ late vs declared also all they that fro hens fortâ— put heâ— or descende in to this yle for to seche aneÌ„ture or other wyse shal neuer retorne agayn for asmoch as the goddes wil not that it be enhabïted vnto the tyme that a knight shaâ— desceÌ„de therin whicâ— shal coÌ„quere the noble moton or shepe of goolde by the meen of them that shall come of thy seed to whom thou shalt leue a bille wreton witâ— the hande of the god mars the whiche is now vnder thy hede teyneth froÌ„ point to poiÌ„t all the mysteries aÌ„d craft that he behouetâ— to obserue kepe for to obteyne come to thing of so hye recoÌ„meÌ„dacion that like therto hatâ— ben ne neuer shal be in the worlde vnto the ti me that the holy newe lawe shall come after that tyme long after the mistery of the fâ—ees of golde shall hyely be celebrerd halowed Wyth this the vois was still appollo on this that he had herde begaÌ„ to rise abasshid and esmayed of this werke And fouÌ„de vnder his hede the bille a fore said whiche he kepte â—oygneusâ—y aft he his felawship retorned vnto the cyte for the tyme the grete storme was incontinent gonÌ„ and dryuen away in the ayer vanisshed and thenÌ„e assone as he and his peple were arryued at the poort and out of the ship forthÌ„ with the weder begaÌ„ to chauÌ„ge and begaÌ„ to snowe to rayne to blowe make one so terrible a storme teÌ„peste that by force of the out ragyoê° orage the arke in the â–ª whiche appollo aÌ„d all his coÌ„paniâ— cam into that yle that they inhabited and also al the shippis aÌ„d other bootes that they had made meuyd theÌ„ to geder â— such wise that the cables and cordes that helde theÌ„ al to the porte al to brak aÌ„d the said vaissels ships were blowen vnto the perilloê° yle of colchos by so meruailous a furour that they were al to smyten in pieces brokeÌ„ in suche maner that the bordes of the bootes other pieces withoute noÌ„bre fâ—oted here there in the see thus bi this waye they were all lost and spent of the whiche aueÌ„ture all they that were thenÌ„ at the porte beholdiÌ„g were sore esbayed not without cause for neuer to fore was seeÌ„ so meruaillous a teÌ„peste thought wel that it wente not wel sayde one to that other that theyr goddes were angry witâ— them whaÌ„ suche tempest caÌ„ to theÌ„ ther to their grete domÌ„age and preiudice ¶ How the knight zethephius conspired ayenst Appollo
ther was not iÌ„ the cyte ony man that durste yssue out for to assayble theÌ„ for asmoche as they had alway agaynst heÌ„ the worse thaÌ„ whaÌ„ he knewe that they of oliferne were so cremeuse rebouted durst not come out he chose oÌ„ a daye fyfty of his knightes sayde to theÌ„ that for the loue of his lady he wold juste agayn theÌ„ all one aft an other syn brought heÌ„ vnto a place ê“pice for to juste in which was right fair in the sighte for theym of the cite there begaÌ„ thei to iuste making so merueylloê° abruyt that they of olyferne herde hit anoÌ„ ran vnto the vateillemeÌ„t lowpes of the walles IasoÌ„ weÌ„te for to see these ioustes with the other anon as he sawe the maner of the Sklauonoys he had grtee sorou in him self and by meruaillous corage he went to the palas to fore the fayr mirro And after the reuerence made he sayd to her my right redoubted lady I can not haue meruaille ynough of the grete â—southe lachenes of your men for j haue see your mortall eÌ„nemyes deuise iuste right nygh to your cite with a litil â—panye in suche wyse as oliferne were dispourueyed in alle pointes of menÌ„ and of deffeÌ„ce Ha a madame what is this â–ª Certes all they that ben therin receyue grete blame and therfore I praye yow for your honour also myuÌ„ that ye wil deliuers mex of youre souldiers that it plese you that I may ê¯duite theÌ„ vpon your ennemyes if ye wolde so do j suppose that we shall make affraye to theÌ„ as grete as they had ony long syn The fayr Myrro hering the requeste of Iason alowed moche hys goode will And enquyred of hym the nombre of her ennemyes and whan she was aduertised that ther werÌ„ nomoo but fifty she seÌ„te for xij knighthes which were newli comeÌ„ fro the cite of damask to whoÌ„ she declared the request of jasoÌ„ axid of theÌ„ if they wolde adueÌ„ture heÌ„ with him They behelde jasoÌ„ seeyng his mayntene that he was the best adressid knight that euery they had seen that his request departed fro a right noble corage They aÌ„swerde that they wolde acoÌ„panye him vnto the deth ThenÌ„e the noble mayde heering what they sayde accorded to jasoÌ„ to enterprise that he had required of her WhaÌ„ Iason ê‘ceyuid that his request was accorded to hiÌ„ He thaÌ„ked the fayr lady with good herte after recomÌ„anded him vnto her noble prayers After that he reâ—red the xij knightes that they shold spede theÌ„ to put heÌ„ in point ê“mising theÌ„ goode auenture This don they wente armed theÌ„ And mouÌ„tethÌ„ vpon their horses whaÌ„ their helmes sheldes weâ— laced They dyde doâ— open one of the gates of the cyte whiche they helde coÌ„tinuelly closed for alle doubtes aualed the drawe brigge and they rood out in to the felde jously rood ayenst the esklauons whiche as sayd is were jousting agayn their king by solace Whan the noble Mayde mirro aÌ„d the ladyes knewe that jason was on his waye they monted vpoÌ„ an hye tour out of the whiche they might plainly see iÌ„ the ooste of their enmyes they taried not loÌ„ge WhaÌ„ the king of Sklauonie had ê‘ceyuid jason his fela wes whiche cam to him ward wherforÌ„ he lefte the ious ting callid his knighthes to whoÌ„ he sayde Fayre lordes ye hane made vpoÌ„ my body an esproue of Chyualerye for the loue of my Lady but now thenke ye for to gete honour laude for the loue of me and procue you myghtly vpoÌ„ this lityl uoÌ„bre of knightes Olifernoys that come vpoÌ„ vs we beÌ„ foure agaynst one wherfore we shal put heÌ„ to deth also lightli as the lyoÌ„ deuoureth the laÌ„be with his teth clawes ¶ With these wordes the noble jasoÌ„ his felawes assewrid on their horses toke their sheldes whyche were fast bondeÌ„ to their brestes braÌ„disshed their speris and escryed their enemyes whiche broched their horses with their spores receyuid theÌ„ recouÌ„trid with the might of their speris so asprely assayled theÌ„ that it semed that they sholde haue â—fouÌ„ded theÌ„ to fore hem 〈◊〉 whan hit cam to the tronchoâ—â—â—g of their speris Iason that hest was horsid of alle the other receyuid the first strooke And with hys spere he was atteyned of the king of sclauonye by suche a myght that he â—cid the shelde 〈◊〉 the right side there he brake his spere and Iason smote him on the somette of his shelde by suche a â—â—â—ht that he made hym to reuersâ—â—â—s heed made hâ— to hurtle aganâ— the cruper of his horse by hinde so astoneyd that hie feet were lyfte vpward that the rayn of hys horse brack and fyll doun from his horse vnto the grouÌ„de the whiche horse than Ran astraye into the felde than passid forth Iason right Ioyous of his good adueÌ„ture Aâ—â— with another spere that he had taken of his esquyeâ—â—or to fulcome his empryse cam and recoâ—â—trid one of the beste knigh 〈◊〉 of sklauonye to whom he gaffo desmcsurable a stâ—â—ke in the middes of his shelde that he percyd hit and the hauberk and haquetoÌ„ in to the body in suche wyse that he fyll doun dede fro the horse to the erthe And than they sinote to gyder on bothe ptyes by the streÌ„gthe of their speres wele sharped with stele And for the grete nombre of the sclauons that were there in Regarde of them that recouÌ„trid them SoÌ„me lefte the stour and wente for to conforte their kinâ— which laye on the erthe alle astoâ—ed and as ded And the other entended for to furmisshe their enemyes Thus began the bataylle fiers aspre and RegoroÌ„use as weleÌ„ with speris that sone were tronchonned as with good trenchaunt swerdes they of Damask maynted them so hyely bi the example of noble Iason that with iousting they vare doun vj. of their enemyes Of whome four were dede on the felde and the other ij were so hurte in thâ— falling that they nughtneue â—â—â—pe heÌ„ self after ¶ Ye may wel vndstande that this stour began aspre and meruaillous The Esclauons sette their kyng on horsebak agayn as wel as they coude vpon one of the horses of themâ— that were dede and thenÌ„e all they sette hand on 〈◊〉 werdes and came for to entreâ—e â—e with jason aÌ„d them of this companye smyling on them so dismesurably that jasoÌ„ knewe anost that he shold be ssayn if he defended hâ—â—â—t with all his power And thenÌ„e concluded in his corage that er he left hys lyf he wold make his Renommee growe in Olyferne and in Esclauonye or he wold deye in the 〈◊〉 with that he hauÌ„â—â—â— his 〈◊〉 enchaunt swerve of â—â—â—le And diâ—hargid hit vpoÌ„ the heime of a Esclauosi by suche vtue that he clefte his heed vnto the â—Ì„rayuÌ„ that he fâ—â— dounÌ„dede fro his horse to the erthe and in passing further he smote an other
conqueste Medea amoÌ„g all other was so ryghtioyous whaÌ„ she espyed the lyght and shyning of the flees of golde that her semed that she shold entre into a paradise terrestre And coÌ„manded that her ladies and damoiselles shold put on the fayr fronte in entencyoÌ„ to make feste soleinpne for the honour of this right excelleÌ„t victorie for to come to a ê¯clusion troÌ„pes tabours menestreles hornes saâ—fasinois aÌ„d busines began to blowe vp aÌ„d sowne melodyoussy after that tyme vsed The maroÌ„ner argos rowed in suche wyse that he brought Iason to the poorte hoole and sauf where he was fested of the king oetes of the worthy hercules of theseus aÌ„d generally of alle the grekes Hercules toke the riche flees whan jason was descended vpon the londe aÌ„d bare hit tofore the vaillyaunt knight jason whiche went first into the temple of the goddesse deane aÌ„d there thanked moche hyghely the god mars the goddes pallas and Deane After he made him to be disarmed And there he yelded agayn the armes of the god appollo syn made his oblacyon of one of the feet of the boles and of one of their hornes with one of the toÌ„ges of the dragonÌ„ and whan he had donÌ„ alle this solempnly he retorned to the palays where he was right honourably receyuid of medea aboue alle other of her ladyes and danioyselles whiche behelde Iason meruaillously aÌ„d in especiaâ— the noble and ryche flees of golde which hercules bare on hye tofore him CErtes ther is no man so eloquent ne so well canÌ„ endyte by wrytyng that coude descryue to you how grete playsir the eyeÌ„ of the noble vayllyauÌ„t preu jason and the eyen of the moche fayre medea toke on thenÌ„e whan they began to beholde eche other And alle the worlde there demened grete yoye and gladnes And whan the noble knyght Iason was goon vp in to the halle The vayllyannâ— knight Hercules sette the noble flees of golde vpon a cupberd moche rychely arayed And anone after the knightes of grece and many other knyghtes ladyes and Damoyselles beganÌ„ the daunces moche joyously and the feste was fayr and grete vnto the houre of the soupper that the tables were couuerd aÌ„d that the kyng oetes and the noble Preu Iason was sette and wyth them the noble and fayr lady medea Hercules Theseus and â–ª Mopsiê° At this table was the noble Iason and the fayre Medea sette one to fore that other But in no wyse they durst not speke one word how they made many secrete signes of loue that coude not beapperceiued but they entremarched wy â— theyr feet vnder the table whyles that jason reherced in groos the grete paryls where he hadde ben ynne wylhout shaking of ony mencion of ordenaunces maners and cerymonyes that he had holden OF thys meruayllous auenture were the king Oetes Hercules and the other batons knyghtes and noble menÌ„ that satte and seruid at this souper moch abasshed and gretly meruaylled how the noble preu jason was escaped of so grete aÌ„d meruaillous aueÌ„ture And hyely recommanded this enterpryse and vayliaunce Hercules and Theseus that a fore tyme had slayn many monstres confessed there that alle theyr fayttes passed wer nothing to the regard of the auenture that jason had enterprysed and brought to an ende ¶ What shall we make longe compte the souper passed and the houre caÌ„ that the king oetes Iason withdrewe hem into her chambres And thenÌ„e was jason conueyed into hys chaÌ„bre wy t many noble menÌ„one aÌ„d other theder was brought the noble riche fleesof gold but at this time they might not deuise ne plaie there as they had ben acustomed but sente heÌ„ into her chaÌ„bres mopsius wyth the other sayng that al that nyght he wolde wake in orisonÌ„s aÌ„d prayers vnto the goddes for asmoche as they had donÌ„ to hym so grete nyde coÌ„forte and honour in his werkes ANone â—â—â—â—e as the preu jasoÌ„ was left â—â—â—â—ys chambre as sayd is the maistresse of me dea cam opend thedore of the chaÌ„bre and demanded jason if he wold come vnto her doughter Iason answerde ye wy â— right good wille thenÌ„ he wente dounÌ„ into the chambre of his lady whiche had made redy a right fair baygne ThenÌ„e he sale wed her after saide to her in this maner My dere lady knowe ye that I haue had moche grete desire to see you secretli in your pryuaulte for to thaÌ„ke you of the right grete honour that by your cause is comeÌ„ to me and also of the mortal paril daunger that ye haue deliuerid me fro Wherfore I thaÌ„ke you right humbly of all thise benefetes â–ª and furthermoree I pÌ„sente you the body that ye haue preserued fro deth Redy to obeye alle youre comÌ„andements and playsirs Certes jason my dere loue aÌ„d frende answerde the fayr Medea If youre desire haue ben grete and suche as ye saye yet hath myne be more as j wene I haue done the beste that in me hath be possible and I haue ryght grete ioye and gladnes of the knowleche that ye haue Alle my corage is nothiÌ„g saue to plase you ye be right welcome and wyth grete worshyp retorned for yow and for me And make good chiere hardyli I haue ordeyned for you a baygne for to wasshe you from the bloode wherwyth ye haue beÌ„ enoynted therfore dispo ylle yow entre into this bath thenÌ„ we shall deuise at oure leyser of alle werkes ¶ Whan the preu jason had vnderstaÌ„de this that sayd is he dyde â–ª of his clothes ryght glad of this aduenture and syn entred into the baygne the fayr Medea in her coursett whiche had no sleues terued vp her smoâ— sleues and in thys poynt cam froted weesshed her frend jason And thenÌ„ whan the gentyl bacheler apê‘ ceyuid so gentil corps body of Medea her fair and roÌ„de tetes the whitenes of her flesshe and that he felte her handes meruayllously softe him semed that his herte hys body flewe He was so moche esprysed of an ardant desir of loue he begaÌ„ thenÌ„e tenbrase the lady by the body aÌ„d syn behelde her grete beaute and thus doyng he kysshed her many tymes And thenÌ„e whan he had ben well eased wasshed medea made him to lye in her bed heholdyng his meÌ„bres well formed shapen and made and hys colour fayr and quyk and coude not tourne her sight from him They were thus beholdyng auysing eche other wyth oute sayug ony word But atte last the noble preu jason toke the worde and sayde my dere lady ye knowe wel how j haue promysed to be your husbond also in lyke wyse ye haue promysed to be my wyf thenÌ„e may I saye I am youres ye ar mynÌ„ of vs two is but one thing thenÌ„e I requyre you so aâ— feâ—tuelly as I can or may and for all the plaisir that ye may do to me that ye wylle come
had made the reuereÌ„ce vnto the king his fader and to the other nobles he declared alle playnly in the halle that he had neuer comen to the chief of thys conqueste ne had ben the counceylle the ayde and adresse of Medea whiche was there preseÌ„t therfore said he j haue renoÌ„ced the loue of my lady Mirro and haue ê“mysed to this lady that she shal be my wyf and my felaw and thus I will espouse and wed her at the thirde day wherfore I pray alle noble men and other ladyes and damoiselles that eche persone do to her honour as it apperteyneth to do vnto a noble lady ¶ whan Peleus had vnderstandeÌ„ that the fayr Medea had ben cause that Iason was comen â–ª to the aboue of his enterpryse without dauÌ„ger of deth that withoute the ayde of her he had ben deuoured he chaÌ„ged colour becam alle dede aÌ„d as wel aduised saide nought therto but alwai for to holde jason in loue he sayde to hiÌ„ that he wolde take the charge for to make the fest aÌ„d furthermore he wold seÌ„de for to pray his parentis frendes for to be therat Among thise thinges the preu jason sente Theseus Mopsius vnto the poorte of deseire charched them expressely that they sholde go burie wyth alle solempnite aÌ„d reuerence the body of the noble quene Isiphile The twoo knightes went with good herte aÌ„d acquyted them of thys charge For tabregge the historie Cypriane hadde in garde the fayr medea vnto the daye that jason had sette for tespouse Castor polux Nestor with many ryche Dukes came thenÌ„e to pintaquo what shall I make long reher saille jason espoused the fayr medea after the lawe that tyme vsed in grece wyth moche grete honour reuerence As in any wyse to hym was possyble a dounÌ„ ¶ For he dide to her asmoch grete honour as lady might receyue The feste was noble and fayr and hit was full and plenteuously seruyd of alle thinges But of the metes and entremetes wyth how many course how many disshes at euery cours there were seruid I wille make no mencyon at this tyme. But thus moche wille I saye that Peleus Cypriane and her doughters made right grete poâ—pes And peleus ordeyned this feste suÌ„ptuous and costlewe of ryche metes and beuurages or driÌ„kes The daye passed and the feste in daunces carolles esâ—atements The euen cam and after the night that Iason medea laye to geder Alway thys feste endured xv dayes hole duryng this feste the noble aÌ„d ryche slees of golde was ordynantly hanged vp in the halle in the sighte of all the worlde and there myght come euery maÌ„ that wolde to beholde hit bi grete admyracioÌ„ And ther cam peple so ferre nigh in suche multitude that hit semed a veray ê‘cession for whyche cause Iason was meruayllously renommed in many a couÌ„tree for his hyghÌ„ vasselage for this so glorioê° conqueste AT th ende of .xv. dayes aÌ„d of the hye solempnite of these espousaylles as the noble prynces BaronÌ„s aÌ„d noble men were vpon the poynt for to retonre to theire conÌ„trees Iason and hercules assembled them and there recouÌ„ted to them the rudesse that the king LaomedonÌ„ hadde donÌ„ to Iason and to the knightes of thys coÌ„panye in reffusing to them fresshe water vytaylle for their money For the whiche cause they had ben in daunger paril of deth ThenÌ„e the princes and varonÌ„s of grece heering the grete doleance of jason and Hercules ê‘mised prestly and swore that they wolde auenge this deffaulte and â—muâ—ie They were aspre hoot and hasty iÌ„ vengeaÌ„ce And after these couenauÌ„tes thê° made they gaf charge to Argos to make aÌ„d sette vp an honderd shippes of warre for to bringe fyfty thousand menÌ„ to fore Troye or atte lest fourty thousaÌ„d Argos that was well connyng in that werke enterprysed the charge promysed that wyth in thre yere alle thyse shyppes shold be redy to helpe hem And whaÌ„ they hadde take a conclusion vpoÌ„ all thise thinges aÌ„d that they had made to Medea alle the honour and reuerence of the world by space of tyme they departed alle thens and euery man retourned into his couÌ„tre leuyng Iason and the fayr Medea in their reste ê‘Eleus wente vnto Elsebee bare dueyll and ranconâ— in hys courage more thenÌ„e nede was for somochÌ„ as he sawe jason so triuÌ„phe aÌ„d that he knewe not how he myghte make him to deye And Iason whiche entended to nothing sauing to make his plaisir lete hym yet gouerne hys Royaume and so acquitte him in the dette of mariage ayenst the fayr medea in suche faoÌ„n that she conceyued of hym a ryght fayr sone whyche at th ende of ix moÌ„thes was deliuerid and was named jason after hys fader The king Getes fader of medea cam thenÌ„e to Pintapuo wyth a priue meyne litill coÌ„panye as he that loued Medea like as the fader loueth the childe And whan he vnderstode knew the grete honour that the preu jasoÌ„ had donÌ„ to her he was coÌ„tent wyth him with his doughter And withoute exploiting of ony other thing he retorned into his couÌ„tre moche yoyoê° And hit was not long after these thinges thus befalleÌ„ that the olde maistresse of medea departed out of this worlde and deyde But whan it cam vnto the article of dethÌ„ she taught Medea a grete part of the arte of nygromancye of many other sciences where in she was exê‘te And also she taughÌ„t her among other sciences and art and crafte for to make olde peple to become yong of the aage of .xxxij. yere But the lyf and destynee for to deye myght not be lengthid vnto suche ê‘sones by the vertu of the scieÌ„ce ne other wyse for asmoche as it is predestinqcion naturell ¶ How Medea chauÌ„ged the king Eson in to yong aage And of the deth of Peleus After the deth of the maistresse of the fayr Medea Iason demaÌ„ded Medea whaâ—… thoughte best to ddo She answerâ—e to him that she had lost grete felauship and priuaulte by the deth of her maistresse To whom the noble preu jason ansuerde and saide that ther was nothiÌ„g so certain for euery creature as the deth And that the goddes wolde take her soule After many dayes medea toke hede that amoÌ„g alle other sciences she had one for to make olde peple to become yong and specially men And syn she behelde also that the good king Eson was passing auncient and old for whiche cause she considered that she my t gete a grete loos an hye renoÌ„â—ice if she renewed his aage wherfore she called on a daye her lord jason saide to him that by her scieÌ„ces she coude do somoche that his fader the good kiÌ„g EsoÌ„ sholde recouure newe youth in suche wyse as he sholde seme non older but .xxxij. yere olde WhaÌ„ jason vnderstode this that said 〈◊〉 he meruaillously abasshid aÌ„d not without cause
to ground the preu jason they wende that he had ben dede aÌ„d satt doun by for to reste them and after softe and fayr they witdrewe hem into the cyte as they that wyth moche grete payne might vnnethe sous teyne heÌ„ self but for to go vnto their howses they muste passe to fore the palays The quene then espied them from ferre and apperceyued anon that they were al bespreynt wy t bloode wherof she was moch esmayed She dydedoo hem to be called syn demanded them from whens they cam Alas my dere lady sayde one of them We come from an euyll yournee for SaÌ„bor and viij of our next kyn and frendes ben lyyng dede in the wode wy t brutorê° which brought vs theder for to lye in a wayte for to flee Sambor the which as he hath said to vs hathdon to hiÌ„ displaysit but sambor hath put vs alle to deth reseruid vs foure whyche beÌ„ so pytously hurt that but jf the goddes inparte to vs of their grace we ben in grete daunger of oure lyues In sayng thise wordes two of these foure knightes deyde ther sodaynly Wherof the noble quene was so sore abasshid that her herte faylled fill dounÌ„ in swouÌ„ne that she was bornÌ„ into her chaÌ„bre by her damoyselles the twoo malerous knyghtes were bornÌ„ for to be buried after the custome of the couÌ„tre WhaÌ„ the lady was alytyl comeÌ„ to her self bi thesforce of the grete sorou that she had iÌ„ her herte she escryed passing hye aÌ„d sayde Iason Alas my loue jason and my lorde But frowhens sourdeth one so grete maleurte or myshappe that ye haue thê° beÌ„ slaynÌ„ iÌ„ the wood The ter rible cruelteof theÌ„uenimed so horri â—le bestes of Colchos had no power to greue thy persone Ne the sodayne parils of the see ne also the grete â–ª hardines of the Esclauons Ha a the right euyll Brutorê° ye haue slayn him he hath slayn you Alas what grete losse muste j suffre this daye j am bornÌ„ in an vnhappy oure whan hit muste bee that I haue nourisshiâ— the murdrere that traytoursâ—y hath put to deth the noble knight jason which is my lord and husbond Hannoble worthy of alle worthi the wailiaâ—â— of alle vayllianÌ„â— aÌ„d he in whoÌ„ alle vertues habounden the goddes haue mercy of thy sowle aÌ„d yf thou be not ouer dede that they wyll hold the so long alyue that I might yet oneâ— speke wyth the. And I shal be moche the more coÌ„forted that j shall dere more eysâ—ly And thenÌ„e I desire no lenger no lyne in this worlde after the. ¶ Whan the ladyes and damoiselles there beyng had herd vnderstoÌ„deÌ„ of the quene by her lameÌ„ tacions that he that was named Sambor was Iason that somoche was recoÌ„manded in vaylliauÌ„ces and in vertues meruailed strongly for asmoche as he serued as a yeman and at last coÌ„forted the lady the fairest wise they myght And thenÌ„e she declared all openly that Sambor was jasoÌ„ the noble knighte aÌ„d none other but he had wedded her aÌ„d furthermore she declared for what cause jasoÌ„ had chaunged his name why he mayntened him as a yemanÌ„ orseruauÌ„t After this declaracion lamentacions made she dide doo asseble all the nobles of the cytes as well men as women and thus she sente soleÌ„pnly for to fecche the body of the vailliaunt prince And commanded that brutorê° his felawes shold be quarterd aÌ„d honged on the galo wes as traitours and they that were coÌ„mysed to theâ—secusion of the justice accomplisshed hyely their charge and commyssyon and the coÌ„panye that hadd charge for to fecche the body of jason weÌ„t vnto the place wherÌ„ the diâ—soyal murdre was commysed â–ª But whaÌ„ they were there comen they founde that jaâ—on was not yet dede but he satt vp lened vnto one of the traitres Thus this noble companye seyng that he was yet alyue â–ª made to him right grete chere aÌ„d callyd him by his name Sayng that the quene Mirro aÌ„d they alle were so right â—is plaisanÌ„t of hys incoÌ„uenyeÌ„t that they mighte nomore be aÌ„d withoute loÌ„g soyournyng there they leyd the noble vailliaunt knight jason vpoÌ„ a shelde whiche they fonÌ„de there lyeÌ„g vpon therthe and bare him vnto the cyte And the noble Quene cam agaynst him for she had ben aduertysed by her menÌ„ that he was not yet dede how well she wept moche tenderly ¶ Whan the fayr Myrro was comeÌ„ nygh vnto her lord aÌ„d that she apperceyued that he was so frusshyd brussijid with stones staues certes her hert faylled they that bare jason resrid vnto that she was comen agayn to her self And thenÌ„e she ne Iason might not speke Iason for the anguisshe that he suffrid aÌ„d she for the grete displaysir that she had at her herte But it was not long after that IasoÌ„ was bornÌ„ vnto the chaÌ„bre of his espouse and felawe where the beste Cirurgyens of the cyte caÌ„ that anonÌ„ visited serched his woundes â–ª fonde him in suche termes that they vndertoke to rendre hi hole and sound of alle his hurtes and woundes in short tyme wherof the quene was all recoÌ„forted they faylled not of theyr promys for they so wrought aboute him by suche facoÌ„n that in the space of sixe moÌ„thes they deliuerid him hole and out of daunger of alle his hurtes and woundes Duryng whyche time ofsixe monthes that the noble preu Iason kepte his chambre assone as he might speke and haue entendement he began to be waylle the losse of his tyme for asmoch as he might not be at the destruction of the king IaomedonÌ„ and of the Troyans Wherfore he hadde moche grete displaysir at his herte For he hadde not beÌ„ acustomed gladly to kepe the chambres matted ne stre wed with herbes aÌ„d floures ne the beddes encurtyned the halles hanged wyth ryche tapesseryes Ne the places magnificque ne sumptuouse as by his feates appereâ—j but he might not amende hit For the noble quene recomforted him alwaye aÌ„d moche requyred hi that he sholde take no melancolye for no thing and that he ne sholde entende saue only to his garisshing and heeling and as for the warre of troye he myghte in no wyse be there ¶ How the king Eson of mirmydo ne asseged his sone jason in the cyte of Olyferne And how Medea spak to Iason how she slewe his oldest sone named Iason _â—â— ye may vnderstaÌ„de by thin conuenyent afore sayd the pren Iason was distourned for tacompanye hercules aÌ„d the cheualerye of Grece that sholde goo leye siege tofore the puyssauÌ„t cite of Troye wherfore the king Eson and hercules were right sorouful and abode xv dayes leÌ„ger thenÌ„e the terme that they had sett for to go to the sec whaÌ„ the xv dayes were past and apperceyued that they had no tydinges of the comyng of jason they departed fro the poorte where they had taried And saylled so ferre that they arryâ—… to fore Troye