myght not flee no more behelde hym muche cruelly â–ª in castynge out at his mouche the horrible stynkyng venym and great smoke ⧠How Ualentine slew the dragon through the grace of God almyghty And howe the kyng of Antioche re ceyued hym with great honoure Cap. lxiii Syr sayd Pacolet lenne me your shelde and I shal go towarde the beast and auenture me Frende said Ualentine recorne in to the citie hele your woundes ¶ For if it please God the beast shall not be ouercome by none other but by me so I requyre God by hys grace that he will geue me the puyssaunce shortlye for to conquere her And that I may doo so muche that the kyng of Antioche and all the people incredule leue the lawe dampnable of mahowne take the lawe catholyke of Ihesu christe After that he hâ—d sayd these wordes he descended of the tree in makyng the sygne of the crosse and went to warde the serpente that ran against hym in castyng fyre and flambe muche dyspyâ—eouslye Ualentyne put the shelde before hym that the serpâ—nce doubted with the axe of stele smote her in suche wyse that he cut of her lefte thygh and felled it to the earthe The serpent cryed more hydeously than before and valentyne that was hardy to pursue his stroke came too her and thryste his axe so farforth within her throte y t at that houre he smote her downe dead in castyng oute suche a smoke that all they that behelde it were muche amaâ—ueyled And at the houre y t the serpente was dead fell downe within Antioche a great squated toure and the turretâ—es a bowe shot about it fell downe also The paynyms were abasshed of that greate auenture and sayde the one to the other that it was the soule of the de uyl that was passed that waie ¶ when the kyng was besyde hym he colled hym mâ—che swetely in saying vnto hym Free knyght of all the other moost valyaunt and hardy well hath your God shewed that he wyll loue you whan by your great prowesse you haue deliue red vs from the enemy that dommaged oure lande soo muche At these wordes they entred in to the cytie and mounted in to the palays ryall where as all the nyght and all the daye folowyng they made great feaste and there bothe paynyms and sarazyns for the victory of the serpente The kynge made Ualentyne to bee kepte ryght derely and heale his woundes lytell and greate â–ª and the quene Rozemonde bare hym greate honoure reuerence and had ryght great affection for to speake vnto hym for she was so enamoured on hym from the fyrst houre that she sawe hym that he hadde her harte entyerly And for the breunyng of her loue would purchace the death of the kyng of Antyoche her husbande as you shall heare afterwarde ¶ Howe Ualentyne after that he had dyscomfyted he dragon made the kyng of Antyoche to be baptyzed und all they of his lande and of the quene Roezmonde that was enamoured on hym ¶ Capitulo lxiiii WHen y â— good knight Ualentine had rested him a litel within the cytie of Antioche healed his waundes he went toward the kyng said to hym Sir you knâ—we that you haue promysed me to beleue in Jesu christe and your people also if it happened soo that I myght deliuer you from the serpente Nowe God hath geuen me the grace that I haue slayne hym and therefore syr kepe me your promyse for the myracle is great and euydent that my God had shewed before euery body for you knowe that by corporall strength I conquered her not but hath bene by the vertue of Jesu christe Free knyght sayd the kinge knowe that I wyll holde that whiche I haue promysed you and my wyl is to renounce mahoune and to beleue in Jhesu Christ. Than he made to crie throughe all his â—ond that lytle great shoulde beleue in Jesu chryst and leue the lawe of mahommet vpon paine of death Than was paynyms sarazyns baptised and coÌ„uerâ—er through the noble Ualâ—ntyne And also so one as the quene myghte she sente for UaleÌ„tyne into her secrete chambre the whiche went towarde her in contynent Lady sayd Ualentyne that was well taught you haue sente for me and I am comen towarde you as he that is redy and apparaylled for to accomplysshe your goodwyll Hâ— said the lady y e honoure the wysdome the strengthe the valyauÌ„tnes â—he beaute the hardines that is in you maketh your great noblenes to be praysed and honoured aboue al the lyuynge creatures and for the vertues that are in you tho lady that sholde be byloued of you myght well saye that of all the knyghtes she had the moste valyaunte the moost noble and â—he moost fayrest Now pleased it god that I myght do my wyll and that I were not subiâ—ete to no bodye for I take it vppon my soule that my hearte should neuer loue other than you yf it pleased you to do me so muche gâ—ace as to accepte my loue ¶ Lady sayd Uâ—lentyne of as muche I thanko you for you haue wedded a kynge muche valyaunte and hardy the whyche aboue al other you ought to loue and holde dere Knyght sayd the lady I haue loued hym longe tyme but sythe the daye that I sawe you my heaâ—â— departed not fâ—ome you â–ª whan Ualentyne apperceyued that the lady hadâ—e suche a courage the moost sweâ—est that he myght he excused hym towarde the â—uâ—ne of hys loue ¶ Ladye sayd Ualentyne yf the kynge knewe it he wolde neuer rest a daye tyll that he had put me vnto death now he is olde and aunâ—yenâ— and you are a â—ayre younge lady moâ—he Iâ—cunâ—e soo you muste abyde a lytell vnto the â—â—â—turne of my vyage that I haue enterprysed to go vnto the holy cyte of Jherusalem for to vysyte the â—â—pulâ—â—â— of ourâ— lorde Jhesu christ that was put vpon the tâ—e of the tâ—â—fse for vs. And at my retornyâ—ge yf it happen that the kyngâ— be deed than shall I accomplysshe all your wyll The Quâ—ne Rozemonde ansewred neuer a worde but was smytten aâ— the heart so proudely wyth the loue of valentyne that she was couetous of y e dethe of the king â–ª and of hys lyfe enemye as it happeneth oftentymes thaâ—â—y folysshe loue one man murdreth another and dyuers wyues purchaseth the deth of theyr husbandes for to acheue theyr wyll And therfore there is a greate daunger to loue a thynge so folysshly by the whyche so many euylles maye procede as the Quene Rozemonde dyd whyche for to haue valentyne at her pleasure the nyght whan the kynge should go to bedde and that the wyne was brought by aâ— the ladye toke the cuppe and put suche venym within it that who someuer dyd drinke of it shuld not escape death after in signe of loue she presented it vnto the kynge that was muche â—euoute â–ª and in makyng a â—xosse vpon the wyne he apâ—ercâ—yued the poyson By my fayth sayd the
wer in the felde After he sayd vnto Grigar go and arm you and thynke for to defend your quarel wel Ha syr sayd Grigar I haue serued you longe time withall my puissaunce haue enforced me for to obey you in al thinges as wel in batayl as wythoute but euyll rewarde you yelde me whan that you wyll make me fyght agaynst this wylde man that hathe neyther wytte nor reason Grygar sayd kyng Pepyn if you haue good right you ought not to be dysmayed of nothynge for I promyse you that you shal be wel armed and Orson shalbe put into the felde al naked and without armour You shall be on horsback and he shal be on fote without bering ony wepen wherby you shal haue no cause for recule a backe from defendyng of your ryghte I can not tell how it shal befal you but you shewe wel the seÌ„blaunt that there is somwhat to say in you do your deuoyre and defend your ryght for you shall haue none other thynge of me the cause is consumed and the conclusy on made and taken of my counsayll ¶ How Orson and Grigar fought togyder before kinge Pepyn and how Orson vaynquyshed him made him confesse the treason openly and after was hanged And how Valentine was delyuered Ca. xix AFter that Grygar had made dyuers excuss cyons and apposycyons that he sholde not fyght wyth Orson and that it was delybered by the counsail to fight â–ª the kinge commauÌ„â—ed to make the feld afore his palais And when he was ready Orson that was abidyng eâ—â—ered in for to abyde Grygar y t was armed by Haufray Henry the which armed him also well as they could And when he was armed he tooke his leue of them in saying Lordes I go dye for you Euill was the daye for me when I enterprysed suche a thyug Holde your peace sayd Henry and take no thought for I haue promysed you to make your peace to wathe my father the whiche I will holde so that and you be vanquished by Orson your body shall haue no harme And if that he would domage you in any maner there should rather dye an hundred thousande men then we should faile on out syde be euer secrete and knowledge neuer nothyng of the deede that is done nor of the enterpryse Grygar was armed and mounted on horsebacke and so he rode towarde the fielde that was ordeined before the palais And when the houre was come that they should fight the kyng came to the wyndowes for to beholde the batayle When al the court was assembled and the iudges ordayned for to iudge the bataill it was commaunded to both the parties that they shoulde do their deuoyre Than Grygar entred into the fielde with muche pryde mounted at auauntage wherfore it befell hym euill at the ende He sporred his horse and drewe towarde Orson saying Rybaude thou hast done me to great outrage whaÌ„ thou put out one of min eien through thy cruel nes but I shall shewe the that with wronge and without cause thou haste assayled me ¶ And when Orson sawe him come he vnderstode hym well and stratched forth his armes and she wed his nayles and his teeth grennyng full hugely Then Grygar couched his spere and ranne towarde Orson When Orson sawe the spere come he gaue a lepe backward And Grygar that had fayled of his stroke fixed his speere in the fielde Whan Orson sawe that he retourned to him and tooke the spere and when that Orson hadde the spere in his hande he gaue hym so great a stroke that he loste witte and vnderstaÌ„ding in such wyse that he wist not where he was When Grygar was smyten he sporred horse and fledde about the fielde and Orson ranne after makyng a grymly countenaunce and shewyng the kyng that he woulde yelde hym matte anone And when Grygar apperceyued the great daunger that he was in he sayde within himselfe A Haufray I muste dye for you I had well sayde it euyll is the thing begon and euill shal it finishe In this maner Grygar could not wouÌ„de Orson in no wyse And when Orson sawe this he â—ast the spere downe and after came against Grygar and so stâ—aitâ—he kept him that he caught his horse by the necke and he made him turne so ofteÌ„ about that he made him fall but when he felte his horse fal he would haue lept out of his sadle and at the lepe he lost his shelde for it fell down and Orson ranne to it and anone put it vpoÌ„ hym and went towarde the horse and mounted vpon hym and in makyng marueylous sygnes he roode after Grygar that fled about in the fielde To se the countenaunce of Orson euery body was abasshed And the kyng Pepyn amongest the other was muche pensyfe for this case and sayde before them all By God almiâ—hey lordes I marueyle me muche of this feate and I can tell what to thynke nor to what ende it wil come but whatsoeuer it be or what may happen it is myne opinion that there is treason ryght greate somwhere The kyng was pensyfe vpon this enterpryse And Orson that was mounted on horsebacke for to pursue Grygar descended of the horse and wente vnto him on fote and he gaue suche a stroke that he smote him down to the grounde and after he lepte vpon him and tooke his sworde and his dagger from him after he gaue him so mighty a stroke that he smote of his arme and hys shoulder And then he gaue hym another marueylous stroke in the body so that he cut his reynes of his back in two And Grygar escryed soo hye that euerye body herde it in demaundyng a priest for to be confessed of his synnes and to haue absolucion of them And when the gardes of the fielde vndrstode hym a muche notable knyght that had the charge went to ward him and demaunded hym what he woulde and then Grygar sayd vnto hym Syr make the kyng Pepyn descende for I will before all the worlde tell and confesse the falsnes and treason of my case ¶ Then this thyng was sygnifyed to the kyng Pepyn all clearely what he had sayde ¶ How Grygar after that he was ouercome and vanquyshed by Orson confessed before the king â–ª Pepyn the treason that Haufray and Henry had done against the noble Ualentyne ¶ Cap. xx WHen Grygar sawe the kynge he cryed hym mercye And recounted vnto him howe that by the commaundement of Haufray and Henry he had taken Ualentyne put hym in pryson tyll lye be iudged to deathe Whan kynge Pepyn knew the trouth of the mater he commaunded to hang Grygar Sith he mouÌ„ ted on horsbacke for to go vnto the pryson that valen tyne was in whan Orson vnberstode that the kinge wold go he ranne before hym makyng grete chere to hym shewynge hym the waye And the kynge sayd often Lordes it is a great thyng of thys wyld man that loueth Valentine thus know that his manners styreth me much for to do hym some
the horse furiously But it is sayde coÌ„monly that it is euyll thinking to be mayster of the crafte that they can nothyng of Euen so dyd it to kynge Cromparte that wende well too haue played with Pacolettes horse but he torned the pynne so euill that he faylled of his waye more than two hondred myle ¶ And as he thought to haue aryued in his lande he arryued in Ynde the great a great place wher as market was kept that daye And seynge all the people he descended on the grouÌ„de with the fayre lady Clerymonde Of the whiche thyng they were muche ameruayled that sawe it And at that houre the lady Clerymonde knewe the horse For she myght not knowe him the nyght before for the great doloure that she was in Alas Pacolet sayde the noble lady nowe am falsly betrayed and you the fyrst of all robbed Alas now maye I well say fare well my loue Ualentyne aboue al the other moost curteys and amiable By my god mahoune sayd the kyng Crompart that wende well to haue ben in his countrey if euer you speke to me of that christen boye ryght shortly you shall se knowe with what loue I loue hym for with my cutting sworde I shall make your head to fle of your shoulders Now is Crompart well deceyued that thinketh to be in his countrey and that for the fayre Clerymonde hathe wylled too playe Nygromancy for he is arryued in the place where as it behoueth hym to fynyshe his dayes For after that he had bene sene of dyuers in the place some saide among them that it was the great god mahoune that in fleshe and bloude for to vysite his people was descended froÌ„ heauen The tydynges of this vysion came vnto the kyng of Ynde the whiche coÌ„maunded that they should be brought before hym Nowe in an euill houre ariued the kyng Crompart for also sone as the kyng of Ynde sawe hym he knewe hym ⧠Howe the kyng of Ynde made kyng Crompartes head to be smytten of because he had slayne his brother and howe he would haue hadde the fayre Clerymonde vnto his wyfe Capit. xlviii I Rompart sayd the kynge of Ynde ye be welcome for nowe is come the tyme that of the death of my brother I shal take vengeaunce to whiche by your fyerse courage you haue made warre by the space of seuen yeare and after at the last in tormente and marâ—it you haue made hym dye shamefully So wyll I shewe vnto my brother that in his lyfe I loued hym truely and that after his death I haue auenged him on his enemies Than the kyng of Ynde without any other delyberacion at that same houre made his head to be smyten of And after the Justice was done he made the fayre lady Clerymonde to be taken with the horse of wodde and for the beaute of the lady he made her to beledde in to his palays muche honourably and well serued and kept After he entred into his halle and made her to be brought before hym by them that were the moost nerest his persone when she was come before hym he behelde her gladly for her maners and countenaunce that of beaute corporal passed all the other and sayd vnto her much swetely Lady I can not tell what you are â–ª nor from whence you become but the prudence and beaute that is in you maketh me to be so taken with your loue that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I was so embraced with no womaÌ„s loue wherfore I am delivered for to take you vnto wyfe and spouse and make you quene and maystresse of all the lande of Ynde the greate Syr sayde the fayre Clerimonde that could answer ful wel You speke graciouslye and promyseth and presenteth me more goodes rycheâ—â—â—s than I am worthy for to haue but as to the regarde for to take you vnto husbande spouse for this presente houre yf it please you you shall pardon me for within this lytell whyle I haue made an othe and auowe before the ymage of God mahâ—une for certaine necessities that I haue founde my selfe in that from this daye come a tweluemoneth I shall take noo man vnto husbande nor spouse And therfore syr yf it please you let me holde and accomplysshe myne auowe vnto the yeare be fynyshed and when the terme shal be passed and accomplisshed that take me vnto wyfe and spouse and do with me your pleasure ¶ By mahoune sayd the kyng you says but well and sythe that you haue so aâ—cerprysed and vowed to oure God mahoune I am of accorde and contente to abide vnto the time that the ende of your auowe become So abode the noble lady in the palays of the kynge of Ynde the greate the whiche thought well to haue had his desyre of her or y e yerâ— had bene passed And coÌ„masiâ—ed that the fare Clerymonde shoulde be well kept and serued aboue all the other And make too delyner vnto her a fayre chambre that was muche richely aourned in the whiche the pleasaunt lady made to bere the horse of wodde and in the moost secretest place put hym vnder her wardeâ—ope whan the noble lady Clerymonde sawe the horse in bewaylyng Pacolet with her eyen she wept tenderly in praying God deuoutly that he would delyuer her out of that daunger Alas sayd the noble lady veray god al myghty in whome is myne onely beleue resplendysshe your grace vpon this poore woman or elles I am and shall remaynâ—a poore strayed woman separed from all my frendes and among the other the moost sorowful And in the handes of mine enemies it behoueth me to vse the remenaunt of my lyfe Alas true redemproure do by thy puissauÌ„ce so much afore y e ende of my daies y t I maye see with both myne eyen the pleasaunt Ualentyne to whome I am geuen For I loue better to bee dead and suffer greuous tormentes than to habandone my body to other than hym The lady is in Ynde the great the whiche is nyght and daye in syghes and in teares praying God deuoutly that he wold put her out of the daunger and yelde her safe sounde to the noble knyght Ualentyne to whiche she had geuen her fayth and her courage before any other man lyuyng Nowe wyll I leue to speake of her of the kyng of Ynde to folowe my mater I shall speke to you of Pacolet of y e sorowe y t was made for Clerymonde within Acquitain ⧠Howe Pacolet in a madens clothyng auenged him on the false Adramayne Cap. xlix AFter that the nyght was passed in the whyche Adramayne had betrayed pacolet and ledde away the fayre Clerymonde through the cyte of Acquytayne was made great lamentacyons for the losse of the lady for the gardes of the palays that myssed her made so great lamentacyons and soo great noyse in the mornynge that throughe out all the cyte was the tydynges And whan Pacolet knewe that he was departed he doubted hym of some treason Then he
from the fayre Rozemonde wherof you shall be ryght Joyous and contente with me ¶ Messenger sayde the kyng I lette the for to wyte that in despyte of kyng Lucar that is so fyerse and proude I was delybered for to haue put you vnto deathe but for the loue of the lady that you haue spoken to me of you shall haue no hurte nor vyllanye no more then my propre bodye if it be soo that you can shewe me some token or sygne from her Syr sayde Valentyne that shall I do well and shall tel you my message in suche manere that I shall not lye one worde for to dye for it It is true certayne that I belonge vnto kyng Lucar the whiche hath sente me to warde you and by me sendeth you worde that for recribuâ—ion and vengeaunce of the death of his father king Tromparte you go and yelde you in his palays of Esclardye all naked with a rope abouâ—e youre necke as an vntrue these and traytour and open murderer And in this estate he wyll that you come before his tyal maâ—estie and all baronage of his courte and as a man cul pable yelde you to suffre suche deathe as shal be geuen and Judged by his counsaill And if that you be not coÌ„tente with suche thynge and wyll refuse me as a messenger therto cominised and sent by him I defie you let you were that within shorte tyme he will come and waste your lande Suche is his eâ—tenâ—ion and hath vowed and sworne vnto god Jupin â—ahoune that in all your lande shall notabyde cytie towne nor castell boroughe nor vyllage but that they shall be all set on fyre and destroyed men womeÌ„ and children shall be put vnto death so that you shall knowe ryght well that in an euyll houre you put the kyng Tromparte to death the whiche was his propre father naturall Messenger saide the kyng of Ynde I haue ryght well vnderstande and herde you and knowe that I set litell store by the menares of the king Lucar nor by his proude diffiauÌ„ce for it is sayd comonly that suche menaceth that haue great drede And for to geue an aunswere vpon this mater I shall make a letter to bee made that you shall bere to hym and in the leâ—ter shall be conteyned how I hauebene desyed by him To the regardâ— of you messenger your message is accomplysshed And also I shall maunde him what good wil I haue for to receiue him and al his puissaunce also often as he will destroye my lande But as for the surplus of thyne enterprise that is of the fayre Rozemonde declare me all 〈◊〉 whiche she maundeth me For amonge the other thynges I haue an ardaunt desyre to here tydinges from her Syr sayd the knyght Ualentyne vpon the feate of the lady I salue you from her as her perfiâ—e and secrete loue And she sendeth you worde that she is maried of late vnto the kyng Lucar but knowe that it is agaynst her will and agaynst her courage For she neuer loued the kyng Lucar nor neuer wyll And the free lady that hath so beauteous a body is so smyten to the harte with your loue that she wyl neuer haue other than you yf it be so that you wyl receyue her for lady For to come vnto the ende of thys enterpryse she hath tolde me that she wyl come hether in the company of Kynge Lucar her husbande whan he departeth from Esclardye for to come hether in armes agaynst you And by thys meanes you maye soone fynde the maner for to haue the fayre lady Rozemonde and led her awaye at your owne wyll and pleasure By mahowue sayd the kynge of Ynde these tydynges pleaseth me ryght well and am muche Joyous yf the thyng be suche as you haue made relacyon of Syr sayd Ualentine if the thynge be true or fals I cannot saye but for â—etayne sygnes and tokens verytable here is the rynge that was gyuen vnto her by you the whyche she sendeth you And not withstandyng that women be of ryght light courage and abyde lyttell in one purpose yet me thynketh well that she aboue all other desyreth your loue that her enterpryse is not fayned Frende sayd the kynge of Ynde that knewe the rynge of thy comynge I am ryght Joyous Now go eat and drynke take thy repaste and the meane whyle I shall make a letter to be wryten that you shal bere vnto king Lucar for the answeâ—â— of your dyfyaunce Ualentyne by the commaundemente of the kynge of Ynde was at that houre hyghly feested of diuers knyghtes that kept hym companye He demaunded dyuers secretely for the fayre lady Clerymonde in â—nquyrynge yf theyr were any tydynges of any christen woman that were in y â— countree And it was answered hym naye soo he helde hym contente Now the kyng of Ynde came anone and gaue hym the lettre And Ualentyne receyued it in takynge leue of hym He knewe not y t hys loue was there the whiche lady lyued ryght poorely in the cytie for the loue of hym in praying God deuoutly that it woulde please hym to delyuer her out of that place and to send her tydinges shortly of her loue Ualentyne Nowe approcheth the tyme that she shall fynde hym but the noble knight Ualentyne shall fyrst suffre endure much pyteous aduentures the whiche shal be recounted vnto you here afterwarde ⧠How Ualentyne retourned into the cytie of Esclar dye And of the aunswere that he hadde of the kynge of Ynde to bere to kyng Lutar Cap. lxx GReate Joye and great solace made the free knyghte Ualentyne for too departe out of ynde and to be out of the haÌ„des of the felloÌ„ kyng of ynde that had slayne so many messengers He mounted on horsbacke anon arryued at the hauen where as the mariners abode him the whyche were muche abasshed of hys comynge and thought betwene them selfe that he had not done hys message Lordes sayd Ualentyne returne we into Esclardy for I haue accomplysshed myn enterpryse wherof I ought well to thanke god By my fâ—â—th sayd one of the maryners we are muche ameruaylled for neuer the dayes of our lyues we sawe none returne agayne Frende sayde Ualentyne who that god wyl helpe none can hurte them At these wordes Ualentyne mounted vpon the see and they rowed so muche that anone they aryued at Esclardye Ualentyne made no soiournyng but also soone as he was dyscended of hys hors he mouÌ„ted vp into the palays and founde there the kynge Lucar accompanyed of kyng Brandyffer and of fourtene stronge and puyssaunt kynges that were all comen in to Esclardy for to so coure the kynge Lucar agaynst the kynge of ynde Of the returnynge of Ualentyne they were muche al 〈…〉 hed amonge the other the traytour kynge Lucar for wende that he should neuer haue returned agayne He made Ualentyne to come before all the barons and sayd to hym Frende tell me tydynges and saye vnto me yf the kynge of ynde wyll come vnto
them fyersly And we shall assayll them vpon this syde towarde the sea so me thinketh y t they can not escape vs by no maner of wise By my god sayd Murgalante you haue well aduysed Nowe we muste fynde a messunger for to accomplysshe thys thynge Syr sayd Pacolet y t was subtyl seke none other messanger than me for I can speke all languages frende sayd Murgalant thou spekest as valyant Now go thy way mahowne conduyte the. Pacolet departed that was muche Ioyous for to do that message a sayd to hym self Murgalant you sende me to do your message but by the god almyghty I shall doo it in suche maner that or to morowe at nyghte you shal knowe wyth what charme Pacolet can playe Thus he went wyth out any hors towarde the cyâ—e of Angory whaÌ„ the cristen men sawe hym come so they thought well that he was a spye soo they came agaynst hym hastely and demaunded hym sayenge Galant whether go you thus it semeth by your maners that you are a spye Lordes sayd Pacrlet you say trouthe but I am not a spye for to bere you doÌ„mage Now lede me anone in to the hoost of kynge Pepyn and make me to speke wyth my lorde Orson and I shall tell hem a thynge wherof he shall be muche abasshed Than the crysten meÌ„ toke thelytie Pacolet and leddehy into warde Orson the whyche was ryght Ioyous for to se hym and made hym great chere frende sayd Orson howe doth my brother Ualentyne Than Pacolet tolde hym all the aduentures that was happened them syth they had sene the one the other and tolde hym of the serpent y t Ualentyne had slayne before Antyoche And of the greate payne and trouayll that he had or euer he myght ouer come the serpente and also how he might here no tydynge of the same Clerymonde And syth tolde hym and declared vnto hym howe that they were aryued there for to fyght agaynst them Syr sayd Pacolet it is true that we are aryued here besyde a hondred thousande paynims of whome Valentyne and Murgalant are conductours And are come hetherfor to chace you out of this countrey by the commaundement of kyng Lucar kyng Brandiffer but and you will beleue me there shall not one of them retourne agayne Frende sayde Orson for God haue regarde therto for and you will do it neuer the dayes of your lyfe gate you so muche honoure and shall acquyre merite to warde God Syr sayde Pacolet here me speake a lytell if it please you ⧠How Pacolet by his charme and crafte made al the sarazyns to be put vnto death And howe kyng Murgalant was slayne Cap. lxxv SYr sayd Pacolet to Orson I am and shall be all my lyfe subtecte to your brother Ualentyne and you But and euer I dyd you seruyce that pleased you I shall do one now Nowe herken how It behoueth first that you kepe you vpon your garde and that this nyght you make youre men to be armed and put in point And to the ende that none thynke that Ualentyne hath wrought the creason I shall make hym to abyde in his tente and shal make a great nombre of Satazyns to goo vnto the watche and when this shal be thus done I shall caste my charme in suche maner that they shall all sleepe soo hadde that you maye passe them and enter in to the hoost surely in puttyng theym vnto death without any mercye By God sayde Orson you speake ryght well and subtylly and shewe well that you haue a good wil and deuocion for to susteyne and defende oure lawe At these wordes Orson ledde hym towarde kyng Pepyn for to recounte hym the enterpryse Ioyous and well content was kyng Pepyn to heare suche a thynge and made Pacolet to be ryght hyghly fested Pacolet eate and dronke and after toke leue and wente in to the cytie of Angorye to acheue his message too the ende that none toke hede of his dede and tolde to kyng Murgalant certayne sygnes He entred in to the cytye and wente in to the palays where as he founde the admyrall bruhans and salued hym hyghly in great reuerence After he did his message as he had in charge and commaundement by Murgalant Syr sayd Pacolet know that of Brandyffers parte we are arryued a hondred thousand paynyms So kynge Murgalant sendeth you worde that hath charge of all the paynyms that to morowe be tymes you make your men for to be armed and that you assayle the christen men on the syde of the cytie of Angorye and Murgalant shall assayll theim on the other syde so that they shall not escape Joyous was the admyrall Bruhans to here suche tydynges but he knew not how it should happen him Then Pacolet toke leue of hym in great reuerence and retourned vnto Murgalant the whiche he salued from the Admall Bruhans in the maner as appertained Frende said Murgalant you are worthy for to be praised when you can do your message so well After Pacolet went to warde Ualentyne and sayd to hym secretly Your brother Orson and your vncle the kyng Pepyn salueth you to whome I haue lette wyte the enterpryse of your comyng to the ende that thei be not taken vnwate for it shold be great pytie and dammage Frende sayd Ualentyne thou hast wrought tyght well Nowe Pacolet tolde hym not the dede of his enterpryse for he knew well that neuer the dayes of his lyfe he would do nor consence to creason The nyght approched and behoued the watche to be set and the gardes of the hoost to be chosen establysshed wel would Ualentyne haue had the charge of the watche but Pacolet that knew well how the thing would go founde the meanes for to let hym and made hym for to abyde in the tenâ—en And when the nyght was come and the watche set Pacolet entred amoÌ„g the paynyms and caste his charme in such maner that he made them all fall vnto the earth on slepe soo strongly that the lyuynge creatures myghte not awake them Nowe the good kyng Pepyn slepte not nor his army for when it came toward midnight hee entred into the hoost with thre score thousand fighting men and the noble Orson and amonge the tentes and pauylions sette the fyre on euery syde and all the paynyms put vnto death without sparyng lytle or great They entted so ferre within the hoost or the paynyms a wakened that they came to the tente of Murgalant that slepte in his bedde and he was so surprysed that as he lepte out of his bedde he was smyten thorough the body with a darte and so fel downe dead to the earthe ⧠Howe the Satazyns were discomfyted and howe kyng Pepyn toke the cytie of Angorye ⧠Capitulo lxxvi AT the houre of this assaute Pacolet came vnto Ualentyne and toke hym by the hand saying My lorde thinke for to saue you for it goeth to euyll with vs knowe that the christen men are passed the watche and are entred into our hoost and
passed folyshly in pleasures mondaynes and condampne me not but by thy holy mercy receyue my poore souls into thy blessed handes and defende me from the deuyll And in sayeng these wordes an aungell of heauen came and appeared vnto hym sayenge ⧠Ualentyne know for a certaynte that thou shalte departe oute of this worlde within this foure dayes for it is the wyll of our lorde Jesu chryst which sendeth me vnto the. Alas my lord god sayd Ualentyne â–ª I owe well for to thanke the whan by thy holy auÌ„gell thou doest me to wyte y e last ende of my dayes Than the holy man Ualentyne made signe that they should bryng him paper ynke and whan he had it Ualentyne wrote how he him selfe in the habyte of a pylgrym discouered the treasoÌ„ all the estate of hys lyfe After he putte in his name and folded the halfe of the rynge in it and helde it in hys hande And after these thinges Ualentyne made a prâ—este to come to whome he confessed his synnes deuoutelye and receyued the holye sacramentes and at the houre he dyed And forth wyth al the belles of the cyte beganne for to rynge for him where of the people was much abashed and amerueyled And the Emperour Orson and all the lordes and barons descended and dyd fynde the preest besyde the holy body Frende sayd the Emperoure Orson wherfore is it that they rynge so fast in y â— Cyty Syr sayd â–ª the preest I thynke that it is a myracle that God wyll shew for this holy man For euen so as he yelded vp the ghoost the belles began for to rynge on euery syde Whan Orson saw that the poore man was deade in that place â–ª he was muche pensife and ameruayled By my fayth sayd he I thinke that this same is a holy body and that God dothe myracles for hym Than he aduysed the letter that he held in hys hand and thought for to haue taken it â–ª but he myght not haue it in no maner of wyse So there came the fayre clerymonde and she assayed as the other dyd and hadde it For also soone as she touched it the hand opened â–ª and she toke the letter at her owne pleasure Soo it was opened anone and than Clerymonde saw and knew the halfe of the ryng wherefore she sayde Lordes we shall haue tydynges a none of my loue Ualentyne So there was a secretary that redde all the dedes of the holy man It is not to be demaunded the grete dolours and complayntes of Orson of Bellyssante and of Clerimonde for he hadde his herte to harde that wepte not than The fayre ClerimoÌ„de as halfe dead keste her selfe vpon the body in makynge suche complayntes that they wende she wolde haue dyed Alas sayde the ladye where maye I become whan I haue loste my lyfe and my comforte and myne onely hope Alas my loue Ualentyne what haue you thoughte whan you are come to dye so nere me in pouertye and in so great myserye wythout geuyng me ony knowledge of you Alas I haue sene you often in pouertye â–ª colde and trauayle wythout geuyng you any comforte â–ª Nowe am I aboue all the moost vnfortuned whan I might not know nor aduyse him that I ought to serue so longe in bytter trybulacyon â–ª as true and loyall spouse After she kyssed hys face and his handes by a meruyllous dystresse And after the great doole the holy body was borne to be buryed in the great church of Constantynoble â–ª wyth so greate a company that none myght passe through the stretes And it was not longe after but that the body was canonysed and put in shrine Soo God shewed wel that he was wel worthy for to be called saynt for the daye that he dyed all speke men were healed of theyr maladyes that vysyted his tombe So it was not longe after the death of Ualentyne that Clerymonde dyd make her anonne and syth the story sayth that she was abbesse of an abbaye that was fouÌ„ded in the worshyp and honour of sayâ—â—te Ualentyne Thus departed out of thys worlde the holy body glorious And Orson abode Emperour seuen yere the whych he gouerned well and wysely and no more And in that same tyme he had a chylde of Galazye named Morant that same Morante in hys tyme posseded the realme of Angory ¶ Of the merueylous vysion of Orson how hebeâ—a me an heremyte in a great wodde ca. Cxvâ—i MIthin seuen yere Galazyedyed for whom the Emperour Orson made great sorow And after the deeth of her he ete but brede and rotes and small froytes that he founde in the wodde where as he dyd remayne So it happened hym one nyght in vysyon that hym semed that he sawe all the gates of heuen open and sawe the Joyes of the saued the syeges of the sayntes crowned in glorye and the aungelles that songe melodyously before the sauyour of the world After he sawe betwene two hyghe roches in the botom of an obscure valeye the gulfre of helle where as was the dampned Some in a brennynge fyre the other in boylynge caudrous the other hanged by theyr tongues the other assaylled and enuyronned wyth serpentes and generally he sawe all the paynes of helle whiche is horrible and ferefull for to recounte After the whyche vysyon he wakened all afrayed and ameruaylled of the thynges that he had sene And in wepyng pyteously came vnto the grene knyght and sayd to hym Frende I knowe that the worlde is of lytell valoure and of shorte durynge and that all is but vayne glorye of the pompes of this worlde displeasaunt vnto god and to the salute of the soule lytle profytable For the whyche thynge I praye you that you wyll take kepe vpon my chyldren and enfourme them so in dedes and condycyons that they maye gouerne the Empyre of grece to the pleasure of god and the worlde for I leue you the charge as vnto hym that aboue all the men of the world I trust mooste And knowe that the remnaunte of my lyfe I wyll lede solytaryly and habandone the worlde And at this same houre I renouÌ„ce all worldly honoure and take my leue yf you Whan the grene knyght heard these wrodes he beganne for to wepe tenderly and Orson recomforted hym and sayd Alas wepe no more for me but praye vnto god that he giue me strengthe and puyssaunce for to accomplysshe my wyll After Orson departed in defendynge the grene knyghte to tell it anye body So he wente into a greate wodde where as he lyued holyly after his deathe god shewed for him many myracles and was a saynt canonyzed And the grene knyght gouerned the chyldren so that they finisshed their dayes gloriouslye and wente vnto the blysse that neuer shall haue ende to the which he bryng vs all that suffered deathe for vs on the crosse Amen ¶ Thus endeth the hystorye of the two valyaunte brethren Ualentine and Orson soÌ„nes vnto the Emperour of Grece ¶ Imprynted At London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the Rose Garland by me Wyllyam Copland for John Walley
kynge lady you haue faylled but I promyse to god that hath fourmed all the worlde that suche drynke as you haue brewed I shall make you drynke at thys houre or you shall tel me the reason wherfore you haue enterprysed suche a thynge Alas syr sayd the lady that kneled downe vpon her knâ—es I requyre you of pardon knowe that valentyne for to haue my loue hath made me to enterprise thys thing By god lady sayd the kynge I byleue you well but by my cepter ryall syth that you haue done thys thyng by euyll counsell I pardon you That nyghte the kynge slepte wyth Rozemonde the which in kyssyng and collynge hym all the nyght sayd vnto hym Syr I requyre you that you wyl put valentyne vnto death that thus wolde haue betrayed me Doubte you not sayd y e kinge for I haue wel thought it Whan the quene herde that she was muche sorowfull and dyd so muche that nyght that she spake to a secrete mayden and sent her vnto valentyne for to tel hym her wyll and the courage that y e kynge had agaynst him for her dede And whan valentine herde the tydynges that he was accused â—f y â— thyng that he was innocent of he blyssed hym dyuers tymes sayenge Swete lady what is it of the courage of women nowe muste I for the loue of the Quene departe from hence lyke a traytour yf I wyll not dy sooner her honour before euery body yet loue I better to departe out of this couÌ„tre leue all than her dy shonoure should be knowen by me ¶ At that houre he made hys men to make them redy and before the daye made to open the gates So incoÌ„tynent he yssued out of the cyte and rode so muche that he arryued at a porte of the see and founde there a marchauntes shyp that wolde passe ouer the see He entred in to it and put hym amonge the other in prayenge god deuoutly that he wolde sende hym some tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde eyther by water or by londe ¶ vpon the morowe be tymes whan the kynge of Antyoche was rysen vp he entred into hys palays and myde hys barons to be assembled and knyghtes and sayd vnto them in thys maner Lordes I am muche dyspleasaunt in my heart whan by the man that I moost trusted in of al the world and that I helde the derest I fynde me betrayed deceyued that is the fals Ualentyne the whych by hys molyce and dysordynate wyll hathe requyred the quene my wyfe of dyshonoure And hathe put her in courage for to poyson me vyllaynously and make me dye Wherfore I pray you to counsayll me in this matter and what Justyce I shal do on hym and also what death I shall make hym dye Syâ— sayd amuche wise baron y t was there for to condempne hym in his absence it is noo reason nor true Justyce Nor there is no maner of man be he neuer soo euyll nor â—yâ—ydus but that he oughte to be herde in hys reasons who that wolde do good true Justyce to euery boby Then the kyng of Antyoche commaunded that valentyne shold be brought before him Then his hoost came in to the palays the whiche tolde hym that valentyne was departed before the breakyng of the daye from his house wherof the kyng was ryght sorowfull and made his men to be armed for too putsue hym but of asmuche they lost their payne for he was mounted vpoÌ„ the sea as you haue hearde ⧠Howe the kynge of Antyoche was put vnto death for the renouncynge of mahowne by Brandyffer his wyues father And howe the Emperoure of Grece the Grece knyght were taken prysoners by Brandyffer before the cycie of Cretophe ⧠Capitulo lxv SOne after that the kyng of Anticche was coÌ„ uerted too the holy faythe the father of his wyfe Rozemonde a paynym that was called Brandyffer and amonge the other princes of turkye the moost experte in watre and was also tyght hardye So he had great dispite of the kyng that had left their lawe And sent him worde that he should sende hym his doughter Rozemonde Ot the whiche thynge the kyng of Antioche gaynesayed hym vtterly And for that same refuse Brandyster that was lorde of falyzee with a hondred thousande paynyms came and assyeged the kynge of Antioche within his cytie And he dyd so muche by his armes that within foure monethes the cytie was delyuered vnto hym by a false traytout and there was the king taken of his enemies the whiche made hym to be put vnto death in the myddes of the cytie because that he would not renounce the faythe of Thesu christ after he sent his doughter Rozemonde into his countrey and of the realme of Antyoche made hymselfe too be crowned kynge After these thynges done he put hymselfe vpon the sea for to retorne into his realme but by orage and tempest he descended in the laÌ„de of Grece beside a tytie named Cretophe the which was a great a large citie Now it happened that for certayne thinges the Emperour of Grece was newely atryued there and fortune was so peruers that he whiche knewe nothyng of the commyng of the paynyms yssued out of the cytie accompanied of the grene knyght and dyuers other lordes strong and valyaunt for to take their disporde but in an cuill houre yssued they without garde and watche for by the men of bran dyffer that no body knewe of the emperoure the grene knyght were taken and all they of their company were taken and discomfyted And at that same houre the pay nyms ronne vnto the gates of Cretophe where as they loste theyr payne for the cytie was strong and gatny shed with suche men that it behoued them to returne sodaynly agayne Angrye and sorowfull were they of Cretophe for the losse of the Emperoure and the grene knyght for the whiche they made a letter and sente it by a heraude to the Empresse Bellyssant in maundyng her tydynges of the taking of the Emperour and demaundyng succour agaynst their enemies to the end that the paynyms should not lede the Emperoure in to their countrey ¶ Sorowfull was the lady for the takyng of her husbande and wept without ceasyng She sent for her captaynes and made to assemble men of armes throughe all the Empyre of Grece in great dylygence And on the other syde she sent heraudes to warde the realme of Fraunce for to haue succoure of her brother kyng Pepyn and of her sonne Orson comfort in her aduetsite Within a shorte time yssued out of the cytie of Constantinoble a great hoost of them of the countrey of Grece for to go vnto Cretophe to succoure y e emperoure agaynst Brandiffer But that same Brandiffer that was subtyll and malicious had put tyders in the countrey aboute by the whiche he knewe the enterpryse of the Grekes And for seare of their puyssaunce to lese his prysoners with all his hoost entred in to y e sea and they rowed