the vtter ruine of paganisme or to die in defending our most sincere and holy religion Faire prince aunswered Loys I will doe thy message but I had much rather thou wouldest goe with me because this day the field is no field but a â—laughterhouse Not to be deified said Bertran will I forsake my brothers and so taking leaue Loys departed towards the citie and he againe to the battell raging vppe and downe till hée found his brethren who were most mightily oppressed till by his prâ—wesse he redéemed them which no sooner was doone but Barant the Cruell with Entrant the good sword of prince Meruine in his hand which the deuill Mutafier had deliuered him and with which in that moment he had slaine tenne noble christians came and opposed himselfe against Bertran who with his battel axe gaue him such a blowe on the helmet and with such powâ—r that slipping downe â—ut the horse necke in sunder bringing Barant ashamed to the earth who before neuer had felt a blowe of such puissaunce so that calling to Bertran he said I beséech thée christian tell me what thou art whose vertue I wonder at My name said Bertran was neuer hid for feare of any Pagan know then men call me Bertran of Denmarke when Barant heard this he knew he was his father where fore he commanded all his souldiers to retire from him because hée would with him trie fortune in single combate Which when his men had doone Barant said Prince Bertran you remember your imprisonment at Damascus your loue to Guyda my mother whom traiterously you forsooke and left with childe of me who am your sonne and you can not forget your vowes now shall all they nor your valor auaile to deliuer you from death vnlesse you doe fall downe and adore our great God Mahomet When Bertran had heard him and beeing inraged with so vile a motion he saide Thou art not my Sonne neyther will I euer acknowledge the begetting of so prophane a Deuill and with that lifting vp his axe hâ—e strooke him a maruellous great blowe which beganne the fearefull combat betwixt the father and the sonne in which was shewed the wonders of resolution whome in that fight wee will leaue and speake a little of the other christians who were all slaine saue thrée and twenty which yet suruiued though mightily wounded Guyon amongst the rest was deadly wounded by Barant yet indured as if he had béene immortall till the bloud falling into his eies depriued him of his sight yet notwithstanding he would not leaue fighting but strake here and there killing all that came neare him in the end he assailed his brother Florion with such a mercilesse blow that he feld him downe to the earth who in falling cried Ah brother Guyon thou hast slaine me whilest I regarded not thy fury woe and alas cried Guyon what haue I done swéete brother forgiue mée for the bloud of my woundes hath closed vp mine eyes and I did not nor could not behold thée my selfe am likewise wounded to the death and mine houres are shortning This he saide yet would not leaue fighting whilst he had breath to breathe a minute but sate firmely on his horse till there was left aliue but tenne Christians then came a pagan and ranne his launce thorow Florions body who said Now is my death certaine yet will I not die vnreuenged and with that strooke the Sarazin that he claue him to the girdle saying Thus dieth the sonne of Gautier himselfe by himselfe reuenged then fell â—e downe there being at that houre but sixe breathing christians whoâ—e names were these Guyon that had his 〈◊〉 wound vpon him and his sight forsaken Florion that likewise was at his last breathing the Count Dampmartin the 〈◊〉 Dardaine the Duke of Aniow and Bertran that then with his sonne Barant was combating the former fiue indured long but in the end they were all dispatched so that of twenty thousands there was left but only one and that was infortunate Bertran 3 Admirable was his and Barants combate all the arâ—â—y 〈◊〉 their resolutions and vowing amongst them selues neuer to part them till thoâ—e of them had left his life very variable was Fortune betwixt them the sonne now triumphing at the â—athers decaying and the father immediately smiling at the sons misfortune so long lasted this battell and so much vnnaturall was the conflict that the day ashamed forsooke the heauens then ranne the pagans and fetcht torches and made such fire works that the night was as bright as the sun-shine halfe of which they spent in dreadfull and doubtfull wars the sonne offring the father mercy if he would adore Mahomet the father proffering to the sonne forgiuenes if he would renounce blasphemous Mahomet but both of them being of contrary resolutions they 〈◊〉 afresh to their fearfull and fatall combate and Barant vowâ—d if he conquered his father that he would make himselfe monarch of all the wheâ—â— world As he was thus protesting Bertran gaue him a blowe on the head which brought both his knâ—es to the ground but starting vp sodainely againe he sent it backe with such a violent requitall as mightily vexed and inraged Bertran that thinking at one stroke to finish the conflict he gatherd al his strength together and stâ—oke him so that he brâ—kâ— his axe in péeces so that left without defence he closed with Barant whom by his strength he ouerthrew but the Pagans ranne in and pulled Bertran so that Barant goâ— vpon him anâ—â—aue him diuers mortall blowe Then Barant pulling on his helmet he saide Father now be wise for this is the laâ—â— moment in which your life is forfeited if you will not adore Mahomet and renounce that God which euer thou hast estéemed Traitor said Bertran and thou bastard son of a defiled curtezan thinkest thou death can make me deny my Sauiour thou art deceiued thou art deceiued When Barant saw his constancie he drew forth his dagger and stabbed his father foure times who cried thou onely great God of Isâ—ael and Sauiour of the world forgiue mine errors and receiue my soule into thy bosome with that Barant strucke him through the heart and so he departed this life Then stood vp Barant and saide to his army Behold Princes now ought you highly to esteeme me that haue slaine my mother and my father to the end I might make mighty your religion therefore take vp this dead body and beare it with me to kill the heart of old Gautier with consuming sorrow CHAP. XII 1 How Loys came to Maiance and reported the wofull estate of the Christians and the sorrow Gautier made for his sonnes 2 Singlayes sorrow and the message Barant sent to Charles together with the answer 3 How Barant slew one of the messengers THe yong prince Loys who in the battell had receiued many great wounds was now returned to Maiance and with a very heauy countenance the first report of misfortune came vnto the Kings pallace where he did finde the
this day by your valours to bée atchieued that done angel-like contend for your perpetuall happinesse and that crowne of immortall recommendations which the God of our forefathers will bestow on euery one that raiseth his trueth aboue these misbeleeuing infidels Behold then you champions of the highest howe like hunger-starued beastes they come rauening and hare alreadie before your faces deuoured your owne suppers wherefore reuenge that indignitie and maintaine the fréedome of your Religion These and manie other spéeches the Emperour Charles vsed to which the people answered with shoutinges and reioyeings Then might ye haue heard a world of trumpets sound double so manie drummes tabors and tamburins after which they marched against the Pagans who in like maner came ordered and aranged to the encounter king Mermont with Meruine being two of the formost leaders 2 When Guion of Denmarke who was the brother of Oger and father to Gualtier beheld Meruine he charged his launce and ranne against him whom Meruin with the same accomplement regreeted in the incounter the good old Guion brake his launce but without hazard to Meruine who on the contrarie part smote him with such furâ—e thaâ— he ouerthrew him dead to the ground without motion When Guiâ—ns band beheld that misfortune they al at once â—â—â—ailed Meruine seriously but his defence was gallant that he slew all whoÌ„ he touched Now ioyned the battel on euery side perillous strong greeuous against the christians and â—â—uel desperat against the pagans Mermont Gaudisse Brandis that day wondred for they were at the beginning of the mischiefe but aboue all was Meruine highly feared for death vpon his sword had taken an euerlasting lodging he as he posted brake their rankes asunder for not any Christian durst dare to assaile him On the other side Charles the great king of Fraunce duke Naymes and the twelue peeres did such admirable exploits by their chiualâ—ie that had it not béene for the inuincible prowesse of Meruine the Pagans had not stood one houre before them albeit they were thrée hundred thousand so expâ—rt and wise in warrelike actions was Charles All this while the battel encreased at last Charles incountered with Malegrape to whom with Ioyous his excellent sword he gaue such a blowe that he diuided him to the nauell and withall cried Courage Mountioy Saint Denis When Iuorin beheld Malegrape slaine he thrust himselfe against Charles but the emperor gaue him such entertainment as he fel dead to the earth backward after him another and another The duke Naymes imitated themperor as néere as might be who incountring Gaifier cut off one of his armes Gautier that had but newly séene the death of his father like a mad man did wonderfull actions neither was Moysant nor his son florion short of praise worthy commendations As for the good king Karaheu he was in the midst of the battel where he incountred king Mermont vnto whom he gaue such a blow that he killed his horse vnder him and he had then bin taken prisoner had he not cried Montment so lowde that Meruine heard him who thrusting his mare forward orethrew all betweene him and Mermont No sooner was he séene but all souldiours gaue him place so wel they knâ—w and were acquainted with him only king Karaheu stowtly withstood him and strake so mighty a blow on his target that in the middest he clâ—ue 〈◊〉 asunder Whereat Meruine was much grieued and in quâ—â—al gaue him such a blow with Entrant that he claue him to the iawes Thus was king Karaheu whose like hardly suruâ—ued flaine by Meruine who afterward was by a generall Counsell canonized a S. and called saint Karaheu Many miracles were done after the battell which I may not report but must returne to Meruine who still conquered where he came Amongest the rest he slew a kinseman of Charlemaines for which the emperour being displeased and seeking reuengement encountred a pagan whom he ouerthrew and had flaine but for the rescue of many soulâ—iours Terrible was the battell both of the one side and the other Notwithstanding that our Christians were few in number yet their spirits so oft redoubled that their hands were bathed in blood continually Gautier straue â—till to reuenge his fathers death Meruine to increase his conquest by hap he incountred with therie of Dampmartin throwing horse and man to th earth and taking him prisoner bound him with cords Then came the earle of Labrec to reuenge Dampmartin but the gentle Meruine soone vnhorsed him and tooke him prisoner 3 At which Mermont reioyced because he was the xv prisoner Meruine had taken so greatly were the â—hristians viscoraged by the prowesse of Meruine as they now began shamefully to flie for their safetie and saue twentie thousand that still were reâ—olued not a man would staie to sustaine battell Whereat Charlemaine sorrowed greatly saying their shames should not follow him but their owne confusions which done desperately he ran into the midst of the battell and D. Naimes after him effecting greater miracles than before Meruine rode triumphantly and in the end met with the Counte Villiers the earle of Flanders and the 〈◊〉 péeres amongst them began along fearfull and a doubtfull battell but in the end for all things are subiect to fortune they were euery one taken prisoners so as of the christian hoste remained no moe commanders but themperor Charles and duke Naimes who defended themselues gallantly against their enemies Meruine séeing Charlemaine he fell in loue with his vertues saying O Mahomet bow downe thine eies and behold 〈◊〉 inuincible christians and then moued with one enuious loue and alone leâ—t enuy should wrong so excellent perfection cried to the common souldiers vpon paine of death not to touch them which coÌ„mandement they obeyed for they durst not gaine-stand Then Meruine opposing himselfe against them with honorable spéeches the true badges oâ—perfect magnanimitie he said Princes yield your selues when Fortune can auaile to no more conquest and inrich me with your names bicause many pagans haue told me the armes you beare do belong to France and that one of you also is the emperour Thou saiest true said Charles and know my name for dread of any Sarazen was neuer changed Charles is my name Charles that ruleth Rome Fraunce and all Christendome and â—his is duke Naymes the nearest to me in counsell and affection therefore stand vpon thy guard and approch vs not for here wil we liue and here will we learâ— to die Who first presents himselfe to be our tutor shal neuer haue other priest surgeon or sepulchre At this speach a pagan king rusht to duke Naimes giuing him such a blow as he strake him to the ground but the duke quickly recouered his féete againe and mad with that amazement sent him backe such a requitall that the Pagan thereof died And then were the Emperour and the Duke assailed on euery side freshly who notwithstanding defended themselues valiantly insomuch that Meruine pitied them and stoode in
duke of Dampmartin Naymes and the rest of his nobilitie to councill in which consultation duke Naymes perswaded all peaceable conditions laying before their eyes the profites of their concord and the ruine of christendome by their fatall warrefare withall telling the empeâ—or that the most of his owne barons were descended from Gautiers pedigrée and in nature would aid him before he should miscarry Charles grew inraged at his words and swore by the God of paradise to put all those to a shameful death that offered to stirre their feete before two moneths were expired or aided him not to lay waste that fatall countrey Thus spake Charlemaine but the good Duke Naymes left not his perswasions till there was a truce taken for ij yeares during which time sprung a new warrefare that wounded all christendome by Barant surnamed the Cruell whom Bertran begot of Guyda now 5. yeares old and by the pagans that crossed the seas came into Christendome of which Barant made a piteous slaughter house in that none was able to indure his force as you shall heare hereafter In the mean space we wil to our former occurrents CHAP. IX 1 Of the great battell which was betweene the Emperour and Gautier in which Charlemaine was taken prisoner 2 How Loys the sonne of Charles came with a great power against Maiance to reuenge his father THe two yeares expired for which the truce was afore taken betwixt the good emperour Charles and Gautier by the meanes of traiâ—erous conspiraâ—ors which were about the Emperour new séeds of discontentment were sowne and he commaunded all his barons to attend him to Maiance of which Gautier was aduertised who desired all his friends to be héedefull of their euills Now departed the emperor from Paris vowing neuer to returne into France if he brought not Gautier and his sons to their funerall and soone arriued within two leagues of Maiance Which when Gautier by his espialles vnderstoode he mustred his friends and marched to méete his enemies whose power was diuided into tenne bataâ—llions and when hee was commen within sight of them after spéeches of incouragement brauely they charged ech other and came to handy blowes Crueltie Terror comming from hell to learne more misery than had bin seene in former ages great was the resolution of Charles that day who slew tenne in a breathing moment none escaping whom his sword blessed Gautier on the other side was not behind for true magnanimitie neither Bertran or any of his brethren who like mad man made hauocke of all with whom they incountered anone Bertran met with the emperour and with a batle aâ—e which he bare he stroke him such a blow on his helmet that he feld him from his horse and that with such heauy vertue that for all the gold of the earth he was not able to rise to regaine libertie but force perforce was taken prisoner which the Duke of Britaine séeing he cried Courage great king and thou shalt soone be redéemed with that hée and all the floures of France assailed Bertran who so brauely defended himselfe that in that conflict hée flew the Duke of Britaine Many times was the Emperour remounted and vnmounted so infinitie couragious were the foure brethren Gautier their father in an other part of the field made many horses maisterlesse and many maisters senslesse so fortunate was his sword and so lucky his resolution this battell continued exceeding long christians against christians selfe law against selfe law and colours against colours The King of England who came in the ayde of Denmarke that day did wonderous deedes of Knighthoode But king Charlemaine franticke of see his losse ranged heere and there till hée mette with Thyerrie the sonne of Gautier whome with Ioyous his good sword he sâ—ue at the fiâ—st incounter Bertran lion-like affrighted the amazed flockes of the French men before him onelie to finde Charles and no other whome so soone as euer hée encountered hée felled from his horse with a blowe and there presently had slaine him if his father who was alwayes exceeding wise had not withheld him saying it was a sin most capitall to slay the brauest champion in the world or touch the blood of the holy annoynted Wherefore taking him prisoner with a strong gard they conueied him to Maiance The Frenchmen no sooner saw their king surprized but they beâ—ooke themselues to flight At which Gautier reioyced and disdained to pursue them but foorthwith went to Maiance where he made processions and triumphs for his victorie and the taking of the famous Emperour Charlemaine to whom being before him he saide Sacred and high estéemed king of France immortall are the wrongs which I haue indurâ—d by you and iustly hath the King of Kings inflicted this deserued shame on your dishonour both for these iniust actions and for exiling without cause the iewels of thy kingdome from their naâ—iue coutries Know therefore thou shalt neuer escape from this thraldome till thou hast made me a sufficient restitution and wepâ— thy wrongs from thy soules bitternesse By my Crowne sayd Charles I will neuer doe it and if thou dost not deliuer mée thou act vniust because thou art sworne my liege man and subiect As thus they were arguing an esquier entred into the hall his eies blubbred with wéeping who turning himselfe to Gautier tolde him of the death of Thierrie which Bertran no soner heard but heauing vp his battell axe he thought and had â—â—aine King Charles buâ— his father catching him in his armes withheld him saying fie sonne fie why séekest thou to kill the good Emperour or to sâ—aine thine honour by killing in colde blood Thy brothers death was the chance of war and his graue is honourable where thus to kill the Emperour were ignominious and slaughterous Yet this I doe protest I will imprison him during his life if better perswasion counsell me not to the contrary This being said king Charles was inclosed in a strong tower and with him foure and twentie other prisoners Which done Gautier caused Thierry to be solemnely interred and all the rest that were slaine with him in the battaile the whilest Duke Naymes and those that escaped by flight repaired home to their owne countries 2 The Duke Naymes as soone as he entred into Paris reported to Loys the Sonne of Charlemaine the imprisonment of his Father who from the torment of his angrie spirite protested to dye or reuenge his Fathers dishonorable indignitie To which ende he dispatcht his Commaunds through all the Citties of France and mustered an Army to the number of an hundred and fifty thousand resolued Souldiers with which he departed from Paris and came to Déepe where he tooke shipping and made for Denmarke Where we will leaue him and speake a little of Barant surnamed the Cruell who by this time was growen so mightie that not any Horse had abilitie to sustaine him and yet the tyrannie of his mind did exceed the monstrousnes of his bodie for he caused his owne Mother
and when he hath liued till marriage hath made him father of a sonne of twelue yeares old then my will is that he returne into Fairia and hauing kissed me before all the Ladies of our land make me his especiall loue who neuer had nor will haue any till his returne When Meruinaes eares had receiued the musicke of Galianaes spéech she gaue her infinite thanks and caused king Artus king Orient and all the lady Fairies to doe the like only Gratiana excepted who stood sorrowfully dumbe for her blow receiued The childe as you haue heard was baptized and rebrought into the Chamber of his mother who notwithstanding the torment of her trauell yet thorow the loue of her faire infant she forgate thexcéeding passion of her more than great sorrow and when the Ladies came in they found her fast asléepe whom they being loth to awake from out her slumber they gently laid the childe in her bosome and so departed without any noise making onely the false Fairie Gratiana staid behind who had alonging desire to imbesell the infant Meruin of whom the other Fairies had no regard neither that she staid vnder any false intent but when al the Ladies were gone vnkind Gratiana took litle Meruine from his mothers breasts and holding him in her armes said Now doe I wish and I would I wore in the selfe same maner that at this present I am at the port of Luterne which standeth vpon the Sea and so soone as euer she had spoken instantly she and the infant were in the same place whence issued the neuer to be abated sorow of Morgue when she awakd and found not by her the best of her deare selfe I mâ—â—ne her deare Meruin Whereupon she demanded of her attendants whether he had bin broght backe vnto her or no Yes Madam said one of them Madam Merâ—ina his godmother laid him close by your selfe Alas said Morgue and where is he then become Then began the good Lady greatly to lament and to powre such vncontrolled oceans of teares from the heauenly windows of her eies that the roaring tempests of her languor was easily heard of Artus her brother Orient Orger and all the Fairie Ladies who incontinently rusht into her chamber the renowned Oger asking her what she ailed auowing that the greatest monarch in the world should not dare to do hir that wrâ—ng which his sword should not redeliuer and reuenge Then her attendants for dumbe sorrow kept her silent tolde him how Gratiana whom Meruina had striken in reuenge of her disgrace had stollen the childe and borne him to some vnhabitable climate Oger hearing this gaue displeasure leaue to tyrannize vpon his hart and by the gréedinesse of his passion robbed his loue the fairie Morgue of some of her lamentations for after consideration had recalled her reason and hope assured her that no power would vnworthily be against her she gaue a comma though no period to her mourning and recomforted her only lord Oger with this or like oratorie Oger my loue said she that diuine power which hath sent vs Meruine will if it please him preserue our Meruine and when the winter daies of our extreame fortunes hath fully bound vp our hopes in forzen ribs of ice we shall againe regréet the chéerefull Aprill of our Summerioyes and gather new blossoms from our drowned plants Thus spake Morgue to the good Oger whom we will leaue and speake of the Fairie Gratiana who as you haue heard cariâ—ed away Meruine CHAP. II. 1 How the Fairie Gratiana repented her selfe for the carrying away of Meruine 2 how she found a hermit keeping three goats 3 how he shewed her the way to find the port of the sea GRatiana by her wish sodainely arriued in a wood neighbouring the port of Luterne but being in a place so desolately solitary tainted with remorse in her owne conscience heartily she repented herselfe aswell for hauing stollen the only hope of that age prince Meruine as also for hauing exiled her selfe from Fairia her natiue Countrey wherefore desirous to returne and holding the infant in hir armes she said Now do I wish and be my wish auailable for my woes sake would I were in Fairia in mine owne pallace so and in such maner that I neither doe nor shall need aske pardon for my misdéed Thus spake reuengefull Gratiana but the storie replieth that because she had reuenged her selfe by her vnlawfull stealth the God of the Christians grew offended with her and took from her both her power of wishes and wishing which when the Fairie perceiued she fell on her knées and said alas only merciful God I know I haue gréeuously offended against thée yet notwithstanding thy pity greater than thy power may pardon my misdéed which both repents and displeaseth me and then turnd she her speech to Meruine saying Ay me swéet childe that mine offence to thine infancie hath lost mée the delight of my life and yet shall the burden of more then my sorrow vnlesse 〈◊〉 gracious power preuent bee borne on thy tender shoulders woe is me what had I in my head when I conceiued this wickednesse against thée nothing but euill yet despight these euâ—â—s ought some good thing befall me in that I will nourish the childe so long as I shal be able with such acâ—â—es as God or fortune shall send me 2 Gratiana in this manner repenting her selfe rose vp and beganne to go to a valley beneath the wood with the infant in her armes and in her passage a long she perceiued a holy hermit who reposed himselfe in the same wood kéeping thrée goates in that forrest When the Fairie came nere him she saluted him and sayd Graue wise man for so thy white haires heralds of experience tell mée where I pray thée standeth the next town or village or where may I find any woman to giue sucke to this faire childe which is almost pined to death with extreme hunger whilest alas I haue nothing to giue it but my teares too vnsauorie a firrop for so princely a taste Hardly had she ended this last word but by the will of some almighty willer one of the thrée goates left the hermit and came to the Lady making not bestiall but rather diuine signes that she would suckle thinfant which the Fairy ouerioyd to behold thanked God and kissing the babe laid it on the ground and the goat placed hirselfe néere to the child that it might quietly suck for such was the wil of the Greatest When the hermit saw this myracle and saw diuine charitie much greater than Nature haue ruling in a siâ—ple goat grew much abashed asking the Fairie if she were a Christian. Father qd she I am a true Christian and then she began to discourse vnto him all the story of her euill how she had stolne Meruine and for that cause briefly to speake she told him from point to point all before written Whilest the hermit sate amazed and many times signed himselfe with the crosse in token
of wonder than sayd he vnto her Faire loue know that I am a baptised ChristiaÌ„ liuing in this forest yet are all the inhabitants of this climat none other but pagans aâ—d Infidels which neither loue nor adore the name of Christ Iâ—sus and therfore to thend you may be circumspect in your affaires know that if you confesse your selfe a Christian you and this Fairie childe shall die the death 3 Therefore be wisely warie and I will shewe thée the way which leadeth to the port Luterne where ariue many marchants of forren lands and to the end that this faire creature which you name Meruine shall sustaine no want I will giue you the goate which hath offered it selfe vnto him for such is the will of him that willeth all goodnesse After this spéech the hermit named Crespin which all his time had bene holy and holy Crespin intituled hauing shewed her the port tooke leaue and Gratiana addressed her selfe to her way commending to God her and her intention So parted they the Fairy carying the child and the goat attending both at length she came vnto the port where she perceiued a small barke that with hoâ—sed sailes was euen then in departing whereupon she cried Lordes for Mahomet and his temple Mecas sake stay and let we passe with you When the master vnderstood her and that she spake of Mahomet for they were Painims he replied Haste thée then loue and if thou haste we will stay a little for thée At these words the Fairie added such wings to her féet that immediatly she entred into the ship and with her entrance the ship departed plowing so spéedily through the furrows of the salt waues that in short space Gratiana perceiued a verie faire cittiâ— Gentlemen sayd she to the Pagans I perceiue yonder below a very strong citie I pray you tell me what towne it is whether it be Christian or Paynim When the iealous Pagans heard the demaund of the Fairie ladie they mistrusted in themselues that she was a Christian wherefore one of them fiercely aunswered her Ladie art thou a Christian or one of our law Reuerend sir sayd she I was neuer Christian but am a Pagan Then one who was of Montment by calling a marchant amazedly viewed and often reuiewed Meruine whom the oftener he beheld the oftener he saw his beauties redouble Whereupon inamored of the infants perfection he came to the ladie and asked her if she would sell her child In good faith quoth the Fairie no for it is the sonne of my sister for whose loue so farre as I am able if Mahomet giue me leaue I will carefully nourish it Madam sayd this marchant whose names was Barbin from what countrey is your iourney deriued Sir sayd shée from Antioch where infinite misfortune hath chanced to my kindred who haue béene traiterously slaine by a false Christian on whom I beséech Mahomet raine an eternall curse for he hath despoiled mée of all my goods and left me no comfort but this sillie infant my nephew whom by the diuine ayd of Mahound I nourish that hée may be my glorie in my decaying and ruined age CHAP. III. 1. The Fairie Gratiana accorded to the desire of Barbin 2. Barbin carried her to Montment vnto his house 3. How he made his wife beleeue that Meruine was his sonne BArbin the Pagan finding the Fairy would by no meanes sell the princely Meruine yet inly beholding the necessitie wherein she stood sayd vnto her What age deare lady hath this childe aspired vnto By Mahomet answered she it hath not fully accomplished three dayes Trust me sayd the Painim if you will goe with me vnto Montment you shall be so well intreated as your degrée requireth and your childe nourished aecording to the excellencies of his beauty onely to one thing you must accord which though it carrie falshood in the forehead yet shall it keepe danger from your heart and that is to affirme this childe is mine for which report I will raine shewers of golde and siluer into your bosome guard yourperson and fortunes safer then the waking dragons the Hesperian Cytrons To these wordes Gratiana inclined her eares whilest her thoughts to her thoughts thus whispered Since it pleaseth the God of heauen and that destinie is my director euen as I haue stollen this most excellent infant for which I know I haue grieuously sinned lost my freedome and am vtterly banisht from those dignities I inioyed as being a Fairie so will I now doe my greatest endeuour for this princely orphant And for I know nothing in me to reobteine my losses I will what he will more bequeathiâ—g our fortunes into the hands of God then according to the desire of this Pagan and then exalting her wordes which before were silent she said Faire sir from whom I behold a diuine affection issuing vnto my forsaken nephew tell me are you married or no Madam I am sayd hée and haue bene this fourtie yéeres and more so haue I also one faire sonne not far from hence whose name is Tirus Sir quoth she since it pleaseth you to offer vs the good wée can desire we will euer obey you and go where you shall please to dispose vs. In such discourses as this they consumed the night till the next morning who had no sooner saluted the Sun but they arriued on the shoare impouerishing the shippe to make the land more wealthie 2 Barbin and Gratiana bearing the little Meruine in her armes marched together and the goate followed them the which whensoeuer the childe cried was readie with her dugge to appease his wéeping And as they went Barbin sayd vnto her Excéedingly am I delighted with the beautie of this infant therefore deare ladie forget not to affirme as you haue promised Of that she bade him take no care for her care should be that no fault should issue form her but carefulnesse He highly commended her answere and then further sayd Ladie diuers discourses haue I had with you and yet haue I not demanded the name of this childe let it not then be offensiue that I now importune it Sir quoth she he is called Meruin and so shall you name him in your owne house when you come to your wife but woe is mée a mightie suspition throbbeth in mine heart lest your wife should imagine you haue begot this childe of mée and so by that meanes turne an vndeserued wrong vpon my life Lady said he abandon that suspition and be dreadlesse of such euill for my wife by nature is so simple that in an hundred yeares she would not be mistresse of such an imagination trust me she is noue of those diuellish creatures who ouerlooke the fortunes of their husbands but only wise in that she wants the depth of such in-searching wisedome In this sort clipping Times wings with the tediousnesse of talke they entered into the faire City of Montment in whose streetes Barbin stayed not till he came to his owne house where he found his wife who ouer-ioyed
they put spurres to their coursers and cowching their launces ranne with such terrour that the ground trembled at the chidings of their horses hoofes and when they ioyned in the shocke the Pagan shiuered his launce close to his gantlet yet no more stirred the princely Meruine then the gentelest breath of aire the strongest pyramide in Egipt But Meruines incounter bore death in his launces point for he stroke his staffe more than a foot and a halfe thorow the Pagans body and pursued it with such vigor that he bore him headlong downe dead vnto the ground then stopping his horse triumphantly he said in himselfe euen as he thus is ouerthrowne ouerthrew I all the knights which ranne for the golden cup which Clarissaes imagined valour enioyeth What reason now can deny me knighthood None but will and that will is vniust Marchandise farewell henceforth will I traffike nothing but honour 2 Thus said young Meruine growne prowd of this late ouerthrow but when the Pagans and the friends of the Pagan which was slaine saw him pay Natures last debt vnto neuer satisfied death they all at once with one mad furie assailed Meruine which though it nothing appalled yet at last it bred amaze in his senses till then vnacquainted with tumultuous outrage but when his vertue was awaked he saide Sith I am assaulted the defence I make offorce must be lawfull and when he drâ—w his sword with which hée gaue such a blowe to the brother of the slaine Pagan that he claus his skull to his téeth God of our forefathers great Mahomet said Meruine beholde an excellent sword if I can but maintaine strength to his edge the world shall cronicle me for a famous marchant But the extremitie of the assault put Meruine from further spéech for the whole company assailed him but being as wise as hee was valiant he defended himselfe with vnspeakable verâ—ue and that in such sort that hée slewe more then a third part of them Yet his foes Hydra-like increasing by killing had mightily indangered him if the other marchaunts and the two hundred Pagans which Minea had assembled to conduct him to Montesteur beholding his instant perill had not taken an othe to die in his suâ—â—or But the Count Brandis knowing this might arise to some grieuous accident descendâ—d from his pallace with fiue hundred horsemen and comming to the place where the fight was cried out to Meruine and the rest By Mahomet my god he that suâ—ceaseth not but stâ—iketh another blowe shall die the death At these wordes they all retired but Meruine in the instant of the spéech layed â—ixe dead at his foot 3 Wherefore the Counte tooke a solemne vow he should dearely make vaunt of that dayes chiualrie But Minea ranne and caught Meruine by the arme crying alas deare sonne this enuious day in blood hath drowned all the hope of our good fortune forbeare forbeare for Gods sake doe forbeare for either must weé flie or die for our misdâ—ing Then went Minea towardes the Counte and falling on her knées before him sayd For Mahomets sake for Mecas honour and thine owne reputation most excellent Prince take pittie vpon me and my poore innocent sister who through treason shall faultlesse consume in fire if within this three daies she be not deliuered by this happy nowe made vnhappie young man When the Earle saw the constancie of her teares which issued from the true fountaine of griefe he accorded to her desire with this condition that wheresoeuer Meruine should goe he should yet be his prisoner and that she should deliuer him sufficient hostage for his returne whereupon Minea deliuered to the Earle all the euidences bondes and titles whatsoeuer belonged to her or her inheritance all which he detained till her backe returne to Brandis And thus was Meruins peace agreed who mightily grieued that he should be troubled or fought with for but onely making proofe of his bodie CHAP. VIII 1. How Minea Meruine Iacob Tyrus and the other Marchants with the two hundred Pagans departed from Brandis to deliuer Basina at Montesteur 2 and of the batell fought betweeâ—e Meruine and Brohars and the enent WHen Minea had appeased the tumult shee departed from Brandis and with her Meruine and the other marchants with them the band of two hundred Pagans and the second day after they arriued at Montesteur where they found Croisant madde-manlike tormented with griefe in his soule for the supposed monstrous indignitie which the treason of Brohars had rooted in his head against his constant and loyall wife Basina When Minea saw him shee went to meet him and he encountering her first gaue her this salutation Faire sister Minea quoth hee thy sister hath falsely betrayed the honour of my bedde and giuen an immortale scandall to my name the deed is euident and apparantly true the rather in this that none can finde a knight who will vndertake battaile against Brohars to defend the iustneâ—se of her cause Wherefore if I liue till to morrow and beholde the Sunne blesse the earth with his countenance I will see her burned according to the execution of our law Brother Croisant replied she fortune I hope hath aloâ—ted her starres of much better influence and for her innocencie I haue brought one who shall defend it against Brohars and his treasonâ— whome I hope to see at his hanging as publike aconuertite as â—e is now a monstrous false accuser At these wordes Meruine whose countenance did both apprehend and discharge a princely king of maiestie stood foorth and sayd vnto Croisant By the faith I owe vnto Mahomet and mine homage to distressed ladies I will voluntarily and with an assurance of vndoubted guiltinesse enter battaile against that false traitour who vnder my sword shall either publikely 〈◊〉 his villanie or die for priuate concealing so worthie to be knowen an indignitie Sâ—arse had hee finished these wordes but Brohars came thronging into the presse exclaiming against all men that none dâ—rst incounter him and withall sayde Brother Croisant euen the world and babes nor yet borne into the world will condemne thee for a wittolde and a wilfull â—uckold sith thus long thou deâ—errest the burning of that odious strumpet thy wife whose implacable sinne nâ—ne dare to make seeme vnfaultie When Meruine heard Brohars he scratcht his head and with a grizlie looke wherein vertue shewed her selfe more then impatient he sayd False bastard son of a most detestable whore whose hatefull speeches augment the abomination of thy treason by Mahomet this day I will sée thee hanged for thy wrongfull accuse and vniust slaunder of the vertuous Basina Brohars more then wounded with Meruines fierie pointed speeches grew madde with wrath and drawing his sword stâ—â—cke at Meruine But vertue euer awake to defend honour taught him how to ward the blowe and with his fist well armed with a gauntlet he returned Brohars such a buffet that he made the â—lood gush from his eares and nostrels saying Traitour beholde the
honour and my sword instantly either thou or I will be entertained into deâ—ths mansion Drohes hearing the thunder yet the swéet thunder of Meruins speach albeit it made but a dolefull melody in his eares yet entring into many souldierlike considerations both of after aduenture and present danger guided by the grace of God and his good Angell he accepted a will to accept those conditions saying to himselfe By that celestial virgin who bare the fruit of life it is better to be in prison and prolong life with some hope then presently die and the soule vnsatisfied Then raising his voice aloft Noble pagan qd he to Meruine on these conditions that neither my life be violated nor I vrged to deny my religion I yeeld my selfe Christian qd Meruin I assure it thée then Drohes deliuerd vp his sword and Meruine receiued it At the instant of this aduenture there stood by a pagan who boiled to shew himselfe a notable varlet and séeing Drohes without armes he smote him ouer the face saying Uillaine thy death is sworne With that Meruine turned back in whom rage by desert challenged an interest bicause both his faith and honour was profaned saying to the Pagan Thou son of a common vnsatisfied whore proue why thou smotest this Christian who is yielded my prisoner and to whom by warranty my reputation is ingaged with that Meruine lifted vp Drohes sword being naked in his hand and stroke the Pagan that he claue him to the teeth then amplifying his protestation said By Mahomet if there be any man of what estate soeuer that impeacheth my promise or doth my word wrong to any christian this hand and this sword shall minister reuenge for all my déeds shal be iust and religious O immortall creator said Drohes to himselfe how well worthy is this Pagan to rule a monarchie I haue not séene a creature more wise gracious nor more valiant O thou that disposest all things dispose and conuert his thoughts to christianity so shal he be well worthy of all honours otherwise my thoughts are prophets presaging an vnspeakeable losse to ensue by his chiualrie These praises whispered Drohes of Meruine being but the first sacrifices of a greater loue which ensued Now came Barbin to Meruine saying My beloued sonne too strong a a witnes is this blow of thy heauy displeasure I pray thée of loue giue not to thy followers matter of indignation as you haue done to him you haue slaine Father qd Meruine dissimulation is a branch of cowardise I will be plaine and iust if the greatest monarch vnder heauen wrong me my sword shall right me Yea but said Barbin feare is fellow with tyrannie souldiers must be preserued with affabilitie By Mahomet answered he againe I will be feared throughout the world who so is not feared is not truly beloued of whatsoeuer is gotten by the conquest of these christians I desire nothing part it amongst you saue onely this prisoner wherefore let none doe him villanie for it is mine indignitie This sayd al the pagans trembled till with a chéerefull countenance he gaue new life to their terror such effects of wonder was in his beholding Now all troubles being appeased the pagans diuided the bootie amongst them and Meruine withdrawing himselfe into his cabin onely made himselfe rich with heaping to himselfe infinite wishes to behold and enioy the most admirable Berea and in these cogitations he sayled with such prosperous successe that in few dayes they arriued at the port Luternia where they landed two leagues from the host of king Baucamont who as you haue heard had besiedged Mermont within Montment with two hundred thousand men and had so continued fiue moneths from the time that Barbin and Iacob departed in quest for the only valiant Meruine whom they brought with 300. fighting men 400. they had at their departure from Brandis but in the conflict at sea they lost 100. Now as they marched it was told Meruin that the next morning should a great battell be fought betwéene the kings wherefore Meruine sayd vnto Iacob I pray you let vs adde wings to our féete that we may flie to the beginning of the battel for in it shal Berea behold me either honoured or intombed Thus and in these discourses they shortned the tiresome way passing by a little cottage and thence entred into a small village but there they found nothing to eate for Baucamont had destroied al. Thus will I leaue to speake of Meruine and will returne to Mermont and his fortunes in the next dayes mighty battell CHAP. XIIII 1 Of the great battell before Montment 2 Mermâ—nt taken prisoner 3 Meruines arriuall and recouerie of Mermont 4 Meruines exploites in the battell 5 His second deliuery of Mermont other accidents AS sonne as the sun had put on the dayes golden armour Mermout arose and commanded proclamation through the towne that euery one armed should mount on horsback for that day he would giue battell to Baucamont and when all the host was assembled he ordered his battalions according to the customs of the most ancient Romanes which done he gaue his standard to be caried by a notable pagan the sonne of his sister named Tufer who had in his regiment 20000. hâ—rsemen The second batalion was commaunded by a most fierce Sarazen called Arufait who also had 20000. Murgaffier his brother conducted the third the fourth was led by the high Admirall a man both proud and valiant and the fift the king himselfe commanded euery regiment being 20000. froÌ„ rank to ranke Mermont the king in great maiesty pased admonishing his people with excellent persuasions saying Lords and my fellows in this high worke of fortitude behold now the prize of the most excellent resolution make her the aime of your thoughts and winne her by your almighty actions right is your assistant and Mahomet your guide the thing you defend is your inheritaÌ„ce the man offending is Baucamont a stâ—aÌ„ger an vsurper and worst of all a tyrant be then valiant and spare none sith his malice spareth not to roote out you and your families Many other arguments of incouragement he vsed and then issued out of the towne in a well ordered march and pace for pace in as orderly equipage approched their enemies who staied for them ranged and ordered in most formall proportion When Baucamont beheld the power of Mermont so well deraind and deuided he went from ranke to ranke cheared his men with these spéeches My Lordes and Barons for the honour of your names euer till now eternized lap vp in obliuion the remembrance of your wiues and children and saue honor alone kéepe nothing secret our enemies are but few in number it is impossible for them to hold long if euery one do his indeuour O â—e then wondered at for valure for the easier to attaine the greater dishonor not attaining Sir replied the chiefe commanders of his armie be resolued that this day we wil either win Berea or al be
arriued in the place where Marcheuall lay slaine which when he sawe and knowing him both by â—is largenes and beauty he immediately imagined Drohes had there written the last end of his lifes Legend so that not able to suppresse sorrowe growne in his breast Giant-like almightie he cried out alas alas art thou gone my loue art thou dead my champion be my life cursed and heere vanish the praise of my knighthood if I tyrant-like reuenge not this infinite vnhappinesse This said like vnto a peale of thuâ—der or to a stormy tempest in the middest of Winter he ranne amongest the Pagans euen from one side of the field vnto the other and where he espied the greatest number thither flew his greatest furie the whiâ—h he dispersed so like vnto a forsaken flocke that being at their wittes end they knew not which way to turne them In the highest of this â—urmoile Meruine espied Bertran to be dismounted from his horse who being on foote maintained a more then knightly combaâ—e against Gryffoy and an hundred other Pagans to whom aloofe he hallowed this encouraâ—â—â—â—â— Beauty of thy fathers house this day shall be thâ—â—e hâ—â—â—rs festiuall Take â—ourage take courage faire Prince for the Pagans flie distâ—aught and vanquished These cordiall spéeches so liuely vttered inspired Bertran with such new spirites that bearing himselfe against a Pagan he stroke horse and man dead to the ground without word speaking The next to him he likewise dismounted and arresting his horse leapt into the saddle effecting wonders in the pagans destructions who like kids from the wolfe ranue fearefull at the sight of Meruine seeking by running the staine of Honour to saue that which should maintaine honor Meruine like himselfe passed from rancke to rancke and neuer staied till he met with king Bandus to whom he gaue a blow that he cleft his shield to his fist and made it fall to the ground which the king fearefull to recouer death being a greater feare betooke himselfe to flight also Princely Meruine passed along to find out Gorbant the onely excellent amongst his enemies vowing vpon him to lay the burthen of his wrath And as he was searching he incountred Thierry the sonne of Bouchier vnto whom he said Faire yong knight knowst thou if neare hereabout be that famous pagan who this day had beene our vengeance and halfe destruction O if thou canst shew him me and make me happy Follow me said Thierrie and then they went together making Death their seruant smoothe their way to the place where Gorbant was who had that day béene the ruine of the Christians No sooner was Meruines eies fastned vpon him but boyling with rage he thruâ—â— forward to strike him but the Pagan turning himselfe from the blow like the falling of a mountaine it fell vpon the gentle knight Thierrie whose ouer hastie valour bare him twixt them with such and so great infortunacie that it ouerthrew the man yea and claue the horse into two pieces which to Meruine was no small griefe who grew madde to reuenge his owne mâ—â—â—â—ing but Gorbant by that witnesse knowing his pitâ—ilesse omnipotencie and séeing his army â—â—ie from him on euery side thrust his spurs against the sides of Monthaut and in a moment was fled from the presence of Meruine who all alone stoode wondring at his flight and his own mischances The pagan made his flight towardes Damascus his burning heart desirous to haue possession of the beautifull Guyda in whom he had placed all his affection whom hee finding after many embraces he mounted her on his horâ—e and bare her to his ships Guyda not râ—pelling much his inforcements because as then she was offended with Bertran both because he had most vnkindly left her and was also one of the sonnes that had slaine her father and the rest of her royall kinred Thus fled king Gorbant who met with Bandus Gryffoy Grisoner and with ten thousand Pagans all which to saue their liues were fled to the seaside vnto whom Gorbant cried Away princes away for he that is tardy in flight shall be first and swiftest in his death At this speach feare lent wings to their héels and they al imbarking theÌ„selues gaue their safeties to the mercy of the sea Those which remained behind the Christians pâ—t to the sword When the chase was finished our Christian Princes went towardes Damascus to assault it but the Citizens issuing from the portes brought the keyes and with submission deliuered them to their mercies so that Meruine Gautier and the rest of the Christians entred who by means of that battell were not aboue 200. After they had reposed themselues a while Gautier called vnto him his foure sonnes and said Princes know you to whom the offerings of your honour is due or who it is that from the dayes of your vnhappinesse hath restored you beholde it is this princely and heroike Meruine thâ— sonne of your renowmed vnckle duke Oger and then he discoursed at large to them the wonders of his prowesse the taking of Charles the ouerthrow of the twelue peeres and al their imprisonments To be short he ran through all the chronicle of Meruines heroicall actions and how Charles discontentedly was returned into France for the hate of Huon Huon hearing that word as rackt with his owne infortune he said O God when shal the houre come to bind me in perfit peace with that famous emperor Huon hauing thus said he Gautier the foure brethren did honor to Meruine who returned them praise for praise thanks for thanks vowing to aide them against their enemies Thus was the ioy vnspeakeable among the Christians making houres like minutes vanish by theyr pleasures Next morning Meruine caused all the citizens of Damascus to be christned and whose refused to be put to the sword This done he caused all the countrey adioyning to come in and be baptized whereto all the nobles accorded These things finished Meruine called Florion and said Cosin for thy beauties sake I giue thée this cittie of Damascus and the whole realme about it accept it kindly as I giue it willingly and then he made all the nobles and citizens sweare homage and fealtie to his Crowne and for a gard to his person left him those 200. Christians which the sword had preserued mustering for himselfe out of the citie and country two thousand that hardly before had born armes 2 After that nights repast in the citie Meruine Gautier and the other princes departed from Damascus and marched to a village two leagues from Babilon where remained Mermont Gaudisse who by many intelligences knew al the famous déeds of Meruin and how he was then come to besiege them of which they stood in feare called a counsell together where they disputed what way was best for their safeties Princes said Mermont our arguments must be briefe and out resolutions spéedy for otherwise we shall lose our inheritances with our disputations and our liues by flouthfulnes for well we know Meruine is
Gautier who read it which conteineth this that followeth ⧠To the Princes of Christendome health KNow excellent Lordes from me vncomfortable Ladie that in vaine we expect the returne of most absolute Meruine whom hencefoorth I feare againe you shall neuer see the griefe whereof is burdenous to my weary soule And further be aduertised that it behoueth you to stand vpon your best guard for that foorthwith you shall be infinitely assailed by an hundred thousand Pagans conducted by Mermont and Butor of Tabarie who solemnely haue sworne your death on their religious Alcheron looke then to your selues and loue her that in dangered her life to do you seruices Minea of Brandis VVHen Gautier had read the contentâ— of this letter than at that instant he was nere more vehemently perplâ—xed tearing his garments and making despaire and wrath one intire bodie but better to be resolued hee asked the messenger if certainely those tiâ—ings of miserie were true or no. Yes my good Lord replied he and the mightie host is euen now at Brandis Then arose Iacob and saide Princesse I am a witnesse of the incomparable loue the Lady Minea bare to exquisite Meruine wherefore I knowe shee writes nothing but truthes fearefulnesse The beganne euery one to sorrowe for Meruin but farre aboue all and beyond conceit were Mathaburnas lamentations who wringing her handes breaking the golden threades of her celestiall haire and the sacred vestures that shrouded the paradise of her features shée cried O sorrow immortall sorrow what shall I demaund miserie or death both are too little True God in whom my faith so lately is grounded giue counsaile to my woes for my heart is lost O more my life nay most my spirite nay aboue all that the most swéete most wise and most louely creature â—f the world Harke heauens what I vow before you if his loue faile my loue shall haue ending for but him not any shall harbour in my conceites if he die I die if hée liue he shall finde me such as he left me Thus tormented she her selfe but alas such are her hard starres that before she sée him she shal be compelled to die or denie her religion which indeede she did yet it was but womans faintnesse as heereafter shall be at large declared FINIS MERVINE The second part of That most famous worthie and auncient Mother of all Histories the exquisite Historie of Prince Meruine the son of Oger the Dane who conquered Ierusalem Babylon and diuerse other Citties from the Pagans with many memorable accidents of wondrous consequence Qui sera sera AT LONDON Printed by Ralph Blower and Valentine Sims 1612. The Printer to the Reader IT is a common custom among Writers and Translaters in a well penned prologue iust like an old Song whose burthen goes to I beseech ye beare with vs to sollicite their Readers for so much fauour as to vse good words and haue patience to omit defects censure mildely so forth Now I acquainted with none of these vaines for excuse and indeede thinking them all in vaine in the Translators absence I keepe the forme of an Epistle though follow not the fashion onely intreate those that delight in Sories to looke on the delights in Meruine Which if they vouchsafe for my profit I will venture more for their pleasures The Table of the second Part. HOw Mermont Butor and the Pagans imagining to enter vnawares within Montment were inclosed by the Christians 2 Of their discomfiture and the great battell wherein Bertran did wonders Chap. 1. Gautier the Dane with 20000. followed Butor and Mermont to Minor 2 of the skirmishes and taking of Nubia Turquants death 3 Bertrans policie of suprizing of Minor Chap. 2. Bertran passed all the gates and Drohes with him also 2 of the prowesses they shewed against the pagans 3 how they were taken prisoners and put to the keeping of the faire Singlay Chap. 3. Gautier raysed his Siege from Minor and came to Nubia where hee repayred his Armie 2 how from thence hee came to Luternia where hee found Iocob who discoursed the fortunes of Montment 3 how Gautier went before Montment and tooke it againe by meanes of Iacob Chap. 4. Of the gallant life that Bertran aâ—d Drohes led in Minor 2 of the Tourney which was ppoclaimed for the loue of Singlay 3 of the priuate wonders Bertran did Chap. 5. Marant accused his sister Singlay 2 how Bertran made the pagans beleeue he would renounce Christianitie 3 how he vndertooke to combate against Marant Chap. 6. Bertran and Drohes vnder the pretence of paganisme brought fortie thousand pagans before Montment 2 how the most part of them were there confounded and put to the swâ—rd chap. 7 An Ambassadour came to Gautier who brought him word that the Emperour Charlemaine had destroyed all his country of Denmarke 2 how Drohes went to deliâ—er Meruin and how Gautier arriued at Maiance chap. 8 Of the great battel which was betweâ—ene the Emperour and Gautier in which Charlemaine was taken priosner 2 how Loys the sonne of Charles came with a great power against Maiance to reuenge his father chap. 9. Barant surnamed the Cruell departed from Montment with three hundred thousand Souldiers and passed the Seas towards Maiance 2 how Charles and Gautier made a peace and ioyned against the Pagans chap. 10 Bertran and his brethren Loys and the other Christians issued vpon the pagans 2 the deaths of all the famous christians except Loys 3 of the battell betweene Barant the Cruell and Bertran of Denmarke chap. 11. Loys came to Maiance and reported the woful estate of the Christians and the sorrowe Gautier made for his sonnes 2 Singlayes sorrowe and message Barant sent to Charles together with the answere 3 how Barantâ—lew â—lew one of the messengers chap. 12. The Christians gaue battell to the pagans in which turmoile the good King Gautier was â—laine and his hoste ouerthrowne 2 Charlemaine is forced to retire and issues out the second time 3 The taking of Loys and Duke Naymes prisoâ—ers chap. 13 Drohes and Adain trauailed so long in vnfrequented places till they found out the true meanes for Meruines deliuerie 2 how Drohes combated with a Griffon for his loue Adain châ—p 14 Drohes spake to Robaster touching the deliuery of Meruin 2 of Malabeon of Luron Robasters father that gaue counselâ— in the action chap. 15 Robaster deceiued king Butor 2 how Meruine was deliuered out of prison and went to the pallace where he â—iue Butor his queene and diuers other pagans 3 and of the great battell he maintained chap. 16 Meruine Robaster and Drohes arriued in a wood amongst robbers 2 of the dangers they were in 3 how Malabeon ayded them 4 how they â—lew the theeues chap. 17 Meruine and Droheâ— went to Brandis and conuerted the Countrey 2 how they came before Montment where in the Battaile Drohes was taken and brought into the Citie 3 how Mathaburna before the pagans menaced him chap. 18 The city of Montment was taken by
sawe them who led his brother Guyon bound in honours dishonourable fetters which when his eyes affirmed as true witnesses led by a vertuous â—unacie he â—lew in among them and strake him that held his brother such a blow that hee claue him to the breast after him another and another til Guyon was at libertie then giuing him an excellent sword the present of delight they two brothers beganne a strong battel against fiftie Pagans Guyon in reuenge of his wrong cloathing his sword in the heart blood of the Pagans By this time came posting by them the Seneschall of Iabary whom as Bertran was about to incounter he saide to preuent him Bâ—y deâ—ist and let me passe by thée for I will adiourne thine ill fortune till I haue slaine him who hath killed my brother and then if thy life be weary I will end thy breathing Pagan saide Bertran thou and thine intents are so farre asunder that I must needes talke with you before your passe so goodly a iourey and then turning aloft his sword hee assailed the Seneschall with such delicate vertue that in an instant he sent him to sléepe with his great great great grandfathers father then arresting his horse he gaue him to his brother Guyon who mounted thereon in the battell did most maruelious actions crying Honour for heauen and Denmarke which wordes gaue life to their souldiers and reuiued the halfe dying wounded so that he Pagans vnable to resist any longer betooke themselues to flight and were vtterly discomfited which when Butor beheld and comparing his huge hoste with their slender traine he called Mermont and said My lord of Montment I see it is impossible by fortitude to regaine your city so highly are the Christians inraged and so miserable the chaunces of our euill fortunes It is true it is very true answered Mermont the Sunne-shine of our glorie is wained therefore let vs fliâ— till Time preferre better aduentures This being spoken they betooke themselues to flight towards the sea coast which their army beholding like distraught men flew here and there and euery where to saue their liues whilest Bertran his brothers Gautier and Huon follow the chase putting to the sword all that were ouertaken so that of an hundred thousand that were at the beginning of the flight there escaped but foure hundred who with the kings entred into theyr shippes and betooke themselues to the Sea railing and cursing the great courages of the Chrisâ—ians who after the chase ended returned to the place of battell where it was admirable to beholde the slaine multitudes who lay one vpon another swimming in theyr owne bloodes whose current was mighty like to a flowing riuer amongest the Pagans was found vnspeakeable riches which gathered together the Conquerors returned victoriously and triumphantly into Montment hauing lost of their owne army but only ten thousand they were royally receiued of Mathaburna who all that day had prayed for the rare successe of their good fortune because shee feared it the Pagans had preuailed either her life or happy dayes should vndoubtedly haue quailed Gautier by certaine prisoners he had taken vnderstoode all the manner of Meruines imprisonment in Minor whither Butor and Mermont were fled wherefore he protested before God and his holy saints to follow them to which end he sent proclamations round about the realme of Montment to sommon all the princes thereof in his aide and the rescue of the most worthy Meruine whose loue was so infinite in those parts that presently there was numbred twenty thousand absolute approued knights knowne most valiantly couragious which with exceeding ioy Gautier with himselfe imbarked taking also with him diuers Pagan prisoners to conduct him the way to that receptacle of horror that Academie of misfortune damnable Minor CHAP. II. 1 How Gautier the Dane with twenty thousand followed Butor and Mermont to Minor 2 Of the skirmishes and taking of Nubia and Turquants death 3 Bertrans policie for surprizing of Minor GAutâ—er the Dane his foure sonnes Huon of Burdeaux Drohes and with them twenty thousand redoubted men at armes being aboord their ships hoysed vp sailes and knitting all their harts in one thought protested in the sight of God to pursue Butor so incessantly that if he tooke but a breathing rest in any place they would ouertake him and bid him new battell so on they sailed til they came by a goodly citie called Nubia whose gouernor was king Turquant who at that instant had left the towne to conduct and conuey Butor on his way to whom he was alied by a knot of affinity Mermont and the other pagans being passed by a wéeke before 2 When Gautier vnderstood whose towne it was and vnto whom it appertained hee immediately landed his men and vowed to assaile it the which hee did taking it with small or no losse to himselfe but infinit to his enemy for he put man woman and child to the sword that refused to be baptized Which done he drew out of the new baptized a regiment of the best reputed and left behind a garrison of his owne souldiers to fortifie and kéepe the Citie and then departed on his way towards Minor in which expedition he was so spâ—edy that he attained a wood but six leagues from thence where as his army was reposing they might beholde the king of Nubia returning from the conduct of Butor and with him fiue hundred souldiours whom when he saw they swore vnlesse they were Christians they should neuer escape them Which a citizen of Nubia hearing saide My Lord it is Turquant our late king that euen now is returning homeward from Minor At thatâ— word Gautier set his men in order to charge him Whilst Turquant surueying them fetcht a dâ—epe sigh and said Princes this day I feare we shall espouse our euill fortunes for I see men prepared to giue vs battell yet are their nations and colours vnknowne to vs yet what or whosoeuer they are wee must and will be our defenders These words were spoken so faintly that his armie like men halfe dying cried for a truâ—e saying they were but réedes and vnable to indure the stormes of so great an army But as they were in speaking Gautier set vpon them and flew the most part the rest flying about the fields here and there for succour which they found no where the sight whereof was so irkesome to king Turquant that in a mad rage he strake a Christian euen in the presence of Bertran such a mighty blow that he fell dead at his feete Which when the vertuous prince beheld he assailed the pagan so couragiously that with the first blow he diuided the vnion betwixt his head and shoulders then forthwith were the poore remnant of the pagans taken prisoners who for their liues safetie promised to receiue their soules safetie I mean bâ—ptisme Then demaunded Gautier where they had left king Butor and Mermont and they tolde him in Minor preparing an inuincible army to returne withall to Montment By the
soule and the death of Claretta named both he and his Sonnes fell into a great agonie of discontentment vowing to God and their soules a déep reuengement for that monstrous murder and so forthwith marched towards Montment But Iacob staying behinde assembled together foure hundred Christians whom he conducted after Gautier with such hast that he ouertooke him before he had fully got sight of Montment which instantly they had entred without resistance had not a certayne Pagan espied them who running into the citie gaue king Gorbant warning of tâ—eir approach He vpon the first notice mustered all his barons together and issued out to méete the Christians who then were within a league of the towne walls 3 The Pagans being ordered in battell said amongst themselues Alas alas these Christians are come to theyr funeralles for sith Meruine is dead it is impossible for them euer againe to see a day of conquest They were to the number of an hundred thousand and thus quartered Griffoy bare the ensigne of Mahomet and had thirtie thousand King Bandus had other thirty thousand and Griffoner with a regiment to second him Gorbant with the rest went before The Christians had ordered themselues though not so huge yet full as strongly and thus Gautier after incouragements to his sonnes put spurres to his horse and gaue the first charge on the Pagans and the first he incountred he bare dead to the ground the second he cut off by the head after him an other and an other and desiâ—â—ing til x. fel by his sword before him At this began a clamorous noise greater than thunder from heauen and the battell was mightily confused Gorbant if his armes had béene excellently imployed his vertue in valure had inherited alittle better than excellent By letting his déed passe we will speake of Iacob who folowing Gautier with foure hundred Christians and séeing the fearefulnesse and hugenesse of the battell said vnto his souldiers Gentlemen this day it behooueth vs to be most circumspect what we take in hand you do sée the rare mightines of the battell and the equalitie of puissance let vs then aduise our selues what way is best for our generall profit which in my conceipt is this Whilest the two armies are thus equally busied we will assault the towne now vtterly vndefended and making our entrance therein put man woman and child to the sword that will not fall downe and adore the name of Christ Iesus To this with clamours they all agréed and forthwith entred the Towne which was left vngarded and beganne to put to â—he sword all with whom they incountred But the fearefull people soone rendred to mercie and accepted a second baptisme The Iacob went to the castle of Turgon with his followers where he found Guyda and Barrant her litle sonne surnamed the Cruell and Berea to whom Iacob said Madame great and infinite are the mischiefes that hang houering ouer thy head if so soone thou hast forgotten prince Meruine and renounced the Christian true lawe of saluation Ha Iacob said Mathaburna with a wéeping face chide me not for in my heart I adore nothing but that true God of my saluation what else I haue done this life which onely I loue but for his loue hath with carefulnesse drawne me hereto You make me prowd qd Iacob with these words know then I haue taken with these my followers both the towne and this castle wherefore I will leaue two hundred to gard you and with the rest returne to the great battell This said he tooke his leaue and after safe order taken for the Towne and Castle he returned to the tumult where he shewed himselfe to be a most resolued and courageous gentleman whose resolution when Gautier sawe he commended excéedingly with promise of great honors My Lord saide Iacob my beginning hath béene better than my procéeding for I haue taken both the citty and Turgon Wherefore if you doubt your successe you may make your retraite therein for it is your owne assured When Gautier heard this he daunced for ioy and in that place created him knight kissing his chéeke and praying for his endlesse good fortunes Iacob so prowd with these honours that the first pagan that he met he sent dead to the ground and then rushing into the heart of the army made wondrous destructions which king Gorbant beholding inraged he ranne against him and gaue him such a blow that he felled him to the earth by means whereof the good Iacob was taken prisoner and now came the battell to the extreamest hazard for the Pagans being an hundred thousand and the Christians but twelue thousand the greater number prenailed wherefore Gautier commaunded a retrait to be sounded and so retired into the citie at the sight whereof Gorbant tore his haire and was madly inraged not leauing to assault the towne on each side but in vaine for in his despight it was strongly maintained When as armes and fury was laid at rest Gautier went to the pallace where reposing himselfe he made inquirie for Iacob but not any could tell of him or his fortune Good God said he shall we loose that good knight is it possible that vertue should so soone vanish and with that hee shed teares for affection This while Guyon went to Guyda and taking her by the hand said Faire Lady how comes your fortune to hale you into this coast and whose is this infant you beare with you Ah Guyon said she it is my son but I pray you how doth your brother Bertran O he was mightily false to me at Damascus when leauing me along he estéemed more his sword than mine honour for hatefull reuenge whereof I instantly married king Gorbant his greatest enemy Thus she discoursed her aduentures to Guyon whilest her husband and Griffoy without the city stoode tearing their haires for their losses After some consultations held they sent for Iacob and tolde him that if he would go to Montment and persuade Gautier to send him forth of the city his wife and yong son he would deliuer all the christian prisoners that were that day taken Iacob glad of these words for he mightily feared death said willingly I will performe thy desire so I may haue sufficient pledge for the trueth of thy promise Then Gorbant called Bandus Griffoy and Grifoner and sent them for hostages of his word so they came into Montment and finding Gautier in the pallace Iacob deliuered the message oâ— Gorbant which was most welcome to Gautier who deliuered to Iacob Guyda and Barant and detaind the pledges for his returne who comming to Gorbant with a comely reuerence deliuered them to their lord who on thother part deliuâ—red vnto him all the Christians that were prisoners whom he brought triumphantly into the citie and enfranchised the hostages who solemynely swore by Mahomet neuer to raise their tents till they had once againe made themselues commaunders of the Cittie but their dowes were witnesses against them for Gautier night and day so souldier-like
of daunger whatsoeuer This being saide Gautier left the citie hauing in his army but onely tenne thousand souldiers which was all his remainder and made so great haste that they entred the Pagan campe to the dismay of their aduersaries Gautier with his sword naked entred into Gorbants tent and came close to the table where Bertran sate who when he beheld his fathers armes ouerthrew the table and catching a battle axe in his hand which was there he strucke king Gorbant such a blow betwixt the necke and the shoulders that he diuided his head from his body At which fight all the pagans were amazed but Griffoner of Damascus cried Bertran this day by treason will be our destruction and then taking Barant and his sister he fled away with twenty attendants whom we will leaue to their flight and returne to the battell which begunne in Gorbants tent and so generally through all the campe in which scarce a Pagan or Sarazen suruiued mighty was the resolution of Bertran and glorious to behold his valure whom none durst incounter and from whom none escaped Mermont who before time had lost his hand séeing this vnmoueable miserie cried Woe and alas we are all betraied ha louely Singlay thou and this Adain are mistresses of our sorrow Now by the heauenly virgin quoth Singlay thou hast but thine owne deseruing for by treason thou betrayedst vertue and than thy selfe there is not a greater traitour remember it is now twelue yeares since thou diddest mocke Christianitie to which I am conuerted and most falsly betrayedst the most exquisite Meruine vnto a tormenting hell that hath no ending record that mischiefe and confesse what thou deseruest As she was thus speaking Bertran rushed in vpon Mermont and saide Uillaine now shall thy life render me account for the losse of the worldes paâ—agon excellent Meruine and then with his ax he claue him to the shoulders Griffoy this space accompanied with many Pagans fled to the sea for safety whilest the Christians ranging in their tents put all to the sword that remained In briefe in this battell was slaine aboue an hundred thousand Pagans but thrée and twenty christians and they of no other estéeme than priuate souldiers the christians also took v. hundred prisoners so that of all the heathen army scaped but foure thousand which fled away with Guida that sorrowed most exâ—remely for the death of Gorbant her lord and husband and had no contentment but the escape of her yong sonne who sware in his infancie by Mahomet that the time should come he would be reuenged of Bertran both for this and his mothers antient abuses which indéed came to passe for he liued to be both the death of his father and all his famous vnckles But let that passe til fitter opportunity of discourse now it fell out that after this discomâ—â—ture the Christians did returne to the Pagans pauillions where they found infinitie riches which were so equally diuided that the poorest souldier got the title of a rich Merchant After this they went into the city and made great feasts and triumphs then in royall maner was Singlay Adain and all the other prisoners baptized and Gautier tooke an oath to pursue his enemies euen to the walles of Damascus but he failed as you shall sée in the next chapter CHAP. VIII 1 How an Ambassadour came to Gautier who brought him word that the Emperour Charlemaine had destroyed all his country of Denmarke 2 How Drohes went to deliuer Meruine and how Gautier arriued at Maiance IN the first part of this history yée may remember how discontentedly Charlemaine departed from Meruine and Gautier for the hate of Huon of Burdeaux whom Gautier then amongst his sons maintained and how he vowed in despight of Gautier to make all Maiance and Denmarke lâ—ment that euer they knew him Which indéed he did so mighty was the malice then raigning in him Wherefore the noble men of that country dispatcheâ— an ambassadour vnto Gautier to giue hâ—m to vnderstand of their troubles who arriuing at Montment and comming into the pallace where he found his king he â—ell vpon his knées and aâ—ter â—uch holy reuerence as belongd to his estate said My sacred and emperiall soueraigne know that the nobilitie of Maiance by me salute thy Highnesse and giue thee to vnderstand that the great Charles of France in despight hath ruined thy countrey and banished from thy court all by royall counâ—rymen wherefore by me they intreate your Maiestie with spéede to returne and stanch the wounds yet freshly bléeding else hereafter it will be too late and thou vtterly dispossessed of a kingdome When Gautier had heard this message he rowzed himselfe and with a frowning gesture repâ—ied As I breathe I will not sleep out this iniurie but come with such an hoste as shal make Charles dearely repent it and then he caused proclamation to be made through all the citie that euery souldier on paine of death should in the morning be ready to be imbarked for Maiance which was performed then he called Iacob giuing vnto him the gouernement of the city and sad Mathaburn a leauing a sufficient garrison and taking an oath for his trust and â—ealtie 2 To be briefe euery one in the morning was ready to depart but only Drohes who refused and said to Gautier that he had vowd neuer to manage other action or embrace one quiet thought till he had found the meane for Meruins deliuerie Which when his loue Adain heard she said she also in that would be his companion But he gainestoode her saying the paine would be too mighty But she would not be refused though he iudged truely for she was slaine by Griffoy as you shall heare in the story Gautier séeing their resolues gaue them leaue so departing from them imbarked himselfe to whom the winde was so prosperous that he arriued in safety neare to Maiance where he found Dion of Nantuell his neare kinsman who though he had laine long sicke most ioyfully receiued both him and his sonnes declaring what euill Charles had done since his comming all which Bertran vowed or to mend or to reuenge Then sommoned they all their friends and kinred to their ayde amounting to the number of twentie thousand all of the line of Oger which with those that Gautier had brought made the army thirty thousand and better then duke Dardain aduised them to send ambassadors to Charlemaine to request restitution for the wrongs before passed which if he refused theÌ„ to pursue them with reuenge euen vnto the Loure in Paris To this aduise they accorded yet Bertran would not leaue but marched day and night til he came within the sight of the French army executing as he went all whom he found traiterous or false to their country intending to raise the siege which Charlemaine held before the castle of Nantuell but a traitour of Maiance vnderstanding it went before and aduertised the Emperour which as soone as he vnderstoode he called the
Emperour Charles his father who looking on his sad lookes asked what was become of the christian aâ—my for said he thy lookes are heauy and vncomfortable T is true my lord said he and that would hold me longer but falling to the ground he swowned at which Charles cried out with amazement whereby Gautier and his nobles came foorth who recouered Loys and laid him on a bed who calling his father and the rest about him declared al what had passed in the battell during the time he tarried and how the whole army of twenty thousand were slaine by the pagans O peace yong prince said Gautier kill mée not with thy wordes flatter my death a little and say not that all my sonnes are 〈◊〉 My Lord said Loys doubt not but they are al slainâ— or before I left them we were all inclosed round about so as it was impossible for any to escape onely my selfe had fortune which fortune I begd from Bertrans sword who with very much danger to himselfe hewed my way before me 2 Gautier hearing this tore his garments rent his haire and â—ringing his hands made such piteous and lamentable lamentation that the aire resounded with his outcries and all that sawe him became partâ—ers of his heauinesse Yet a great degrée aboue the dgrée of his perfitâ— woe ascended the immortall afflictions of the most excellent Singlay Bertrans vnhappy wife whose teares are impossible to be described and to whose woe none can finde an equall epytheton O heauens said shee O time O hard hearted prouidence wherein haue I offended that to my life is adiudged an endlesse torment Speake speake you adamantine destinies why haue you robbed the world of her renowne and me of my glorie O that I had time enough to raile on you or that by railing the time of your powers might be expired Ah miserable wretch that I am left all 〈◊〉 and desolate who now shall sustaine mine anguish or pitie my mournings Alas none but Death come then gentle Death I meane not the slow footed death which attend the footesteps of nature but the grim Death sodayne death the page to vntoward mischiefe come thou and bée my comfort thou which hast â—houghts wings come quickly and be not â—ardy or thus in despight will I pull thee into my bosome and with that taking a knife which hung at her girdle she had stabbed her selfe to the heart but that a squier of Bertrans standing by did holde her chiding her desperâ—â—e thoughts and perswading a more temperate resolution shée séeing her will broken swowned and reswowned so that by the helpe of the Ladies she was conueyed into her chamber where she reposed Generally ran this sorrowe ouer all Maiance and euery one wept the losse of the princes During these dayes of mourning the porters that guarâ—ed the gates 〈◊〉 the cittie grew amazed for on a sodaine they sawe a numberlesse hoste of Pagans begirt the towne round about and pitch their pauillions in the face of the Citie the newes whereof they foorthwith carried to the sad king which hardly was deliuered but word was brought there were two Turkes royally mounted who craued accesse to deliuer a message from their mightie Lord Barant the Cruel they had entrance granted and were brought to the pallace before Charlemaine Gautier Naymes and the twelue Péeres of France where after some proude reuerence one of the Turkes thus spake To thée King Charles of Fraunce my Lord and Maister prince Barant the Cruell sendeth this message If thou like a votarie bare footed thy handes bound and acorde about thy necke accompanied with Gautier in like manner come and fall downe before him submitting your selues to his mercie and renounce the God whom you worship that then your peace shall continue otherwise he voweth neuer to depart from this country till hee haue made it more waste than Gruntland or the frozen mountaines in Scythia Pagan answered Charles when hee had heard the message if thy Lord doe that I shall be sorie but tell him from me that to morrowe I will giue him battell and feare not but before night to make him runne headlong into the Sea for his safetie This is all and this deliuer 3 At this the pagans departed and came to their Lord Barant who seeing them asked if Charles would accomplish his pleasure No aunswered one of them but voweth to morrow to giue you battel and in the greatest scornâ— that may be esteemeth your Highnesse threatning as for the lawe of Mahomet hee saide it was damned and hee esteemed it â—aser than the basest earth he trodon Uillains said Barant heardst thou him reuile our religion and diddest not kill him By Mahomet thou shalt pay for thy cowardise and at that worde hee strake him dead to the ground with his punyarde The other Ambassadour seeing this ranne amongest the Pagans and hidde himselfe swearing if hee escaped now neuer againe to goe on any messages of Barants Now by this time began the day to put on the nights apparell and they went to their restes till the next morning at what time they arose and armed themselues to receiue battell Charlemaine on the other side was as mightily troubled who by the sound of trumpet gathered his army together and marching out of the towne hee diuided his hoste into fiue battallions euerie one containing at least twentie thousand Knightes and vpwardes CHAP. XIII 1 How the Christians gaue battell to the Pagans in which turmoile the good King Gautier was slaine and his hoste ouerthrowne 2 Charlemaine is forced to retire and issues out the second time 3 The taking of Loys and Duke Naymes prisoners WHen Charlemaine was commen vnto the place of battel aduised by the duke of Naimes hée sent tenne thousand of his souldiers backe to defend the cittie for feare of some secret stratagem and then sounding all his trumpets and making a fearefull noyse they gaue a braue charge on their enemies crying Saint Denis and our right this day and in that first onset they â—iue of the pagans almost an hundred thousand but they so infinitely abounded that the christians beganne to stand amazed at their numbers But Gautier who looked for nothing but for reuenge for his sonnes deaths stayed not at any thing but méeting with a king whose name was Bruant strooke him dead to the earth after him an other and another and then out drawing his faire bright Sworde his launce beeing broken hee â—utte off King Danemons head and then rushing depserately into the prease hée put to death all that encountred him This while was the good king Charles amongst the pagans where he killed king Feragu and diuers others of famous estimation but in the end he was inclosed round on euery side where he defended himselfe miraculously yet notwithstanding if it had not béene for the Duke Naymes and diuers other gallants of France their king perforce had béene either slaine or taken who séeing their succors â—reuiued new spirites and fought like a god
his head from his body so that Loys was forced to fall and that so vnfortunately that the horse falling vpon him he was not able to rise againe for the worlds riches wich was worse than death to Charles when he beheld it whose fortune was like his sonnes mischiefe for at the next blowe he cutte off the head of his horse but the emperour in a trice recouered his féete againe but withall was sore wounded in one of his thighes and that so mortally that hee was forced to withdraw from the prease which to duke Naymes was worse than poyson who followed their footesteppes in miserie being stricken from his horse and intollerably wounded to Dion the like euill chaunced whose horse flaine himselfe was taken prisoner and with him thother three whose wounds left no force to rule their weapons To be briefe they were all imprisoned in Barants tents who triumphed at his owne glorie which he thought worthy a godhead but within foure dayes after newes was brought to him of Meruines army which was then within tenne leagues of his camoe CHAP. XXI 1 How Meruine incountred Baham the son of Belmarine with ten thousand pagans that were forraging who were all conquerd except threâ— 2 How Baham renounced â—ahomet 3 How the three that escaped reported the action vnto Barant who slew one of them for bringing such euill newes MEruine saith the historie trauelled with so earnest desire not taking rest that he came within ten leagues of the hoast of Barant the Cruell at what time an espiall came to him and gaue him intelligence of an army of Pagans to the number of ten thousand that marched not farre off towards Barants campe bearing thither aboundant store of all manner of prouision which he no sooner did heare but he told Drohes that it behooued them to be partners of their banquet whereupon he marched to a wood by which of necessity they must passe and when they were come within a cariere thereof Meruine gaue them a braue charge the sodainnesse whereof amazed Baham but being inforced by extreamitie he incouraged his followers and requited the onset The battell was hot for alitle space but the intolerable blowes of Meruine too too much for any man to beare put the poore Pagans to their wittes ends who séeking to flie mischiefe found themselues so inclosed with mischiefe that they were inforced to intertaine him as their best vnwelcommed companion yet amongest all thrée escaped who with the wings of feare were carried beyond feare yet feare being stil in their bosomes the rest were put to the sword onely Baham suâ—â—iued to whom Prince Meruine offered many fauours if hee would renounce his false god which he vtterly refused then Meruine with his sword stroke him and felled him to the ground and â—â—ue his horse vnder him Then flocked the Christians about him and had slaine him if Meruin had not beene his redeemer 2 When Meruine had saued Baham from the mulâ—itude of swordes hee offered him againe mercy if hee would renounce Mahomet Baham seeing his fooâ—e in the doore of death and all hope fled from his knowledge kneeled downe to Meruin and saide wonder of knighthood I yeeld to thee and giue my sword which is mine honour to thy disposing vowing henceforth to renounce Mahomet and al false gods in witnesse whereof my desire is to be baptized Meruine reioyced at these words and tooke him to fauor 3 By this time the three that escaped from the christians swords had so hasted that they were now come to the Pagan hoste where they found Barant the Cruel threatening Charles with death if he would not renounce his God and fall downe before Mahomet to the which the good emperor gaue but a little or a carelesse attention When they were approched they fel on their knées one of them saying Neuer to be conquered prince and god of nations know wee bring thée heauie and vnspleasant news for Baham of belmarin and his 10000 Followers whome thou hadst sent foorth to forage about the Country were incountred with a heroicall Christian accompanied with an army of redoubted Chiualiers by whom he and his Armie are all â—laine and discomfited therefore aduise your Highnesse what to doo for not anie man is able to withstand that Christian who is vndoubtedly a diuell sent from the depth of hell and no earthly creature When Barant heard this speech he rouzd himselfe and full of more than lunaticke angâ—r with his fist he strake the messenger dead to the ground for being the authour of such bad reportings from whence rose this Prouerbe He is euill come that euill brings The other two seeing their Companion dead fledde from his presence and concealed themselues Gribouart his Counsailour had chid him for his rashnesse and with sweete words layde a â—léepe his anger then were they sent for againe and Barant askt if it were true their fellow had sworne and they swore by holy Mahomet it was Then grew Barants wrath so great that he could not speake of a long time in the end when his words had libertie after manie outragious cursings hee commaunded the messengers to bee imprisoned vowing if the news fell out contrarie to make their deaths a liuing example Then hee caused an hundred thousand to arme themselues and marched foorth to trie if it were iust or no King Belmarine did conduct them vowing to reuenge with the death of manie thousand Christians his Sonnes misfortune After their departure Charlemaine and his fellowe Prisoners fell to argue of this occurrent wondring what Christians they should bee that should vndertake this wonderfull enterprise As I liue said Naymes I cannot gesse who it should bee onely this last night I dreamt that the famous Duke Oger was risen againe and come to deliuer vs. Then said Charlemaine thus doo I prophecie God hath deliuered Meruine the Sonne of that mightie one and it is onely hee that must be our ransome Thus talkt they as they were in prison of Meruine who marched on so fast that now he was come within the sight of an hundred thousand that passed on in a most tumultuous disorder CHAP. XXII 1 How Barants hundred thousand were ouerthrowne by Meruine 2 How Barant then came with all his hoast exeept three hundred and marched against the Christians WHen Meruine had taken a perfect view of the Pagan army comming towards him he diuided his hoast into thrée battalions and rode from ranke to ranke giuing such incouragement that like the méeting of long absent Friends so was warre welcome into their bosomes This while the Pagans like mad men came running one here one there and another in another place in such disorder that ioyning with the Christians they were slaine like gnats or new borne infants The crie of them was so horrible that it was heard to the campe where Barant lay who instantly caused euery man to be in a readinesse but sware not to leaue his tents till hee had newes of the Conquest but there remained
him most extreamely yet his strength gaue him some remedy Whereas the historie reportes if there had beene an hundred besides himselfe the Orke had force to haue strangled them all But the strength of Meruine equalled him euery way Charles seeing this turmoile wept exceedingly and said to Naymes What shall we doe sith the damned Orke holdes king Meruine in subiection As they were thus in talking Passant seeing his Lord in daunger he went to this Orke and tooke hold of his disarmed head in such sort that in despight of his will hee made him let King Meruine goe who instantly rising tooke his sworde which lay on the ground Passant with his teeth tooke hold of his eare and Meruine gaue him two such blowes that he let his battle axe fall then doubling his blowe he cut off his other two heades at whose death Mutafier came in such a tempest that all Paris trembled Then seeing his sonne dead he would haue taken vengeance but of the horse he could not because he was a Fairie and of the maâ—ster he durst not because he had heard diuine prayers before the combate otherwise he had done some notable mischiefe but preuented he could do nothing but tooke his sonne and all his accompliments into hell with him yet know for a suretie that at his departure he made such a wonderfull storme that for the space of a quarter of an houre the darkest midnight had a fairer countenance CHAP. XXIX 1 How Meruine tooke leaue of Charles and departed 2 How he went to Ierusalem and thence was conueyed into Fairia THus did the false Orke that monstrous sonne of the diuell come to his end beeing slaine in the thirâ—â—eth moneth of his age being so inuincible that he brought all Fraunce almost desolate and so likewise had doone al christendom if God had not raised Meruine to be his destroyer And the storie saith that if Meruine hadde béene brought vp with womans milke hee could neuer haue conquered the monster Now by this time came Charles and the other christians who with great honour and solemnitie woulde haue brought him to the cittie but he refused telling the emperour he must first pay his vowes to the sepulchre of his Saâ—iour intreating Charles for his sake to ayde his sonne Orient when any extremitie should assaile him Which when Charles heard he sorrowed excéedingly 2 Thus parted Meruine whome Charles would no longer holde and came to Roan where his army attended him whome hée sent to Lilfort and bade them charge Mathaburna his Queene â—o looke carefully to his sonne Orient for that hee would goe to Ierusalem Thus â—â—parted they and he stayed still in Roan til the wound in his knee was cured then he betooke himselfe to the sea which hauing ouerpassed he rode till he came to a forrest where the night so sodainly ouertooke him that he knew not where to lodge Now it fell out that Mutafier to reuengâ— his sonnes death made in this wood an Abbacie and himselfe like a Nunne When Meruine espied the house hee spurred his horse towards it but by no meanes coulde hee make him goe but euermore hée did recoile backe then came Mutafier in the habite of a Nunne and saluted him then Meruine desired her to take his horse and bring him to the house than which the Deuill desired nothing more So soone as Meruine was within the hall hée found a table spread and store of cakes but Meruine woulde neither eate nor drinke but Mutafier at last inchanted him that he forgate God and fell to both eating and drinking Which when Mutafier perceiued hée vowed at midnight to carry him to hell then he demaunded of Meruine if hâ—e would go to his rest to which he consenting brought him into a most sumptuous chamber where when he was laide to repose before the night was halfe spent hee imagined that the chamber the Abbey the bed and all about him was on fier wherefore incontinently hee arose and armed himselfe and came into the court where hee found Mutafier in the likenesse of Passant who then was gone into Fairia vpon whome as soone as he was mounted the Deuill flew away like thunder or tempest bare him by woods riuers and mountaines euen to hell where hee found his trauell doubled for by the commaundement of God the diuel was compelled to beare him backe againe wherefore he carried him into India where were many serpents and cruell beasts and therefore discharging himselfe of his bâ—rthen he tolde Meruine how he was his mortall Enemie the spirite Mutafier that had the keeping of him at Minor and there so manie yeares formented him with hideous noyse telling him that he intended to haue borne him quicke into Hell and that now hee would be reuenged for the fatall death of his deare beloued sonne Orke Which Meruine hearing he drew his sword and defended himselfe therewith in such sort that if the malicious flend Mutafier had béene mortall he had slaine him an hundred times which séene Meruine with the signe of the Crosse blessed himselfe at which the diuell like a tempest flew away and left Meruine who falling on his knées asked pardon of his Creator then he beheld his horse Passant to whom he went but in that the diuell had deceiued him hee was strict in trusting wherefore vsing some blessings and coniuration Passant fell vpon his knées and then hee mounted vpon him and neuer staied till he came to Ierusalem where he adored the holy sepulchre and visited all the shrines of the Saints remaining there the space of two moneths at the end whereof he went into Spaine to an Abbey that was founded by duke Lyon where he was confessed and absolued and then Gratiana sent the king Orient and diuerse renowned Fairies who imbraced Meruine and brought him into the Fairie land where he liued out his time with the beautifull Gratiana ¶ Thus endeth the historie of the famous and euer renowned Meruin which was first composed in rithme and after translated into French prose from whence it is thus reduced ¶ Finis