which they sawe al the feat how sambor laye ofte times iÌ„ the bed wy t the quene wher of they were moche displaisaunt for they knew nothing jason but thought that he had ben somÌ„e vylayne And one of thyse thre had a broder named Brutorê° that soreloued the quene but he durste iÌ„ no wyse declare hit and whan this suster of brutorus apperceyued the conduyt of jason aÌ„d of Myrro knowing that her broder loued the quenc despyte and enuye grewe in her iÌ„ suche wise that she coude not kepehit secrete but callyd on a daye Brutorus and said to him that Sambor dyde him wroÌ„g of hys loue and certefyed to hiÌ„ how she had seen him lye by nyght with Mirro in her propre bedde ¶ Whan brutorus had vnderstaÌ„de thyse tidinges he was moche pensif ê¯ceyued a mortall hate ayenst jason and concluded in hym self that he wold murdre hym yf he mighte finde hym or retaine him at his auaÌ„tage howe well he durst not saye so ne make ony semblant and was right long in thys payne and alway machyning a right eÌ„venymoê° will And for somoche bare iÌ„ his stomasi the desir for to bringe the vaylliaunt knight to deth And on that other side the pren Iason that thoughte nothing but wel mayntenyd him ryght amerously wyth his lady the fayr myrro At last the winter passed and the new joly season begaÌ„ to come and thenÌ„e the noble pren Iason remembrid him that at the eÌ„tree of the nepte moneth of Marce the grekes wold go wyth a grete arinee to fore Troye where he had ê“mysed to be for tauenge him of the grete iniurie and oultrage that the king had donÌ„ to him his felawship and wy t this remembraunce he lay betwene tharmes of hys lady and began to sighe that hys lady herde it and she demanded him what him eyled ad sayd she wolde knowe Iason answerde that he was greued at hys herte FroÌ„ wheÌ„s cometh this greef or euyll sayd the lady Certes madame answerd jason I haue not other sorowe at my herte but that I haue grete necessite for to goo into my countree in tharmee of them of Grece for to take vengeance of a grete oultrage iniurie that the Troyans dide to me aÌ„d to many noble knightes of grece wherfore mi dere ladi whaÌ„ it is so that I must leue you j haue so moche anoye grief that I may no more haue but I haue promysed it and promys is dew My frende aÌ„swerde the noble lady acquyte yow of that ye haue promysed I wyll in no wyse retarde ne lette yow from youe worship ne we le and therfore ye shall ryde at your plaisir vnto your couÌ„tre but whaÌ„ye retorne agayn kepe you wel fro the arte enchante ments of Medea ThenÌ„e jason promysed to her that he so wolde do aÌ„d ê¯clude there the day of his deê‘ting And whaÌ„ Iason the quene myrro had cessed of speking of this mater the damoyselle that had declared the feet of her broder brutorus was awayting and aspyeng at the hole â–ª and vnderstode all that the lady and jason had deuysed sayde coÌ„cluded ThenÌ„e she aduertised her broder aÌ„d told to him all that she had vnderstoÌ„den the daye that he sholde deê‘te in to his countrey This brutorus was right yoyous whan he vnderstode these tidinges coÌ„cluded in him self that he wolde lye in a wayte of jasoÌ„ in a woode by a waye by wyche he must nedes passe thenÌ„ he called to heÌ„ xij gentilmen of his knowleche aÌ„d tolde them that sambor had trespassed to him that he wolde flee hym on suche a daye as he sholde departe vnto his countre For tabregge the mater whan the day was comeÌ„ the noble prince departed with moch be wayling of his lady went him self allone by that woode aÌ„d he had not long erred rydeÌ„ in the wood whaÌ„ Brutorus and his xij felaws without escrieÌ„g or sownyng of ony worde smote vpon him grete strookes mortalif he had not wel be armed at his deê‘ting as his auenture was he had be dede and amoÌ„g all other brutorus gaf him a meruailloê° stroke vpon the hede that whether he wolde or not be made him bowe on the lyfte syde WHan jason felte him so aduironned assailed of these traitres that they smote vpon him on all sydes he was all abasshid Neuerthelesse he sette hym at deffence and thehe he drewe oute hys good swerd wyth whiche he be fought his enemyes right vaylliauÌ„tly and as a noble knyght as he was But the place where Brutorus assaylled him ouer asprely was in holowe and strayt passage in suche wyse as Iason myghte not but with grete payne helpe hym self for the disloyal traitre and his caÌ„phces were on bothe sides sixe on that one syde sixe on that other syde mounted vpon hye territoires that henge ouer the holowe waye And casted stones vpon him in such wise that they flew murdred his hors vnder him and in feat they frusshed his helme made him a meruailloê° wounde in his hede ThenÌ„e whaÌ„ jason sawe his hors dede and that he felt the smarte of the sore in his hede he sette hiÌ„ a foote alle astonyed But brutorus his felawes assaylled hiÌ„ agaymaÌ„d caste on him stones glayues swerdes wherwy t they bruysed and wounded him in many places for the horions and strokes cam from aboue Neuertheles Iason as a vaylliaunt knyght marchyd owt ouer the passage dyde somoch that he cam into a right fayr lande ThenÌ„ Brutorus and his folke siewed him so ferre that they cam to fyght haÌ„d a hand And among alle other brutorus approched vnto his euyll aueÌ„ ture For jason smote him vpon the toppe of his helme bi such fierste that he clefte the helme and the heed vnto the. teeth that he fille dounÌ„ ded at his fete Thus as ye may vnderstande was the disloyall brutorê° miserably flaynÌ„ And thenÌ„e whan his companye apperceyued that he was put to vtteranÌ„ce they escryed al vpon jason aÌ„d assayled him on a new right anguisshouly in renewyng to hiÌ„ the dolour and grete payne of his woundes aÌ„d frousshures that they made to hym in the holowe waye as sayd is and so began the stoure aspre aÌ„d terryble How well that jason had more corage thenÌ„e puissaunce Alway he defended hym by right grete vigour in bathing his trenchauÌ„t swerde in suche wyse in the blood of these xij murdres that he put seuen of theÌ„ to deth wyth Brutorê° And after foughtlong with the remenanÌ„t and it fortuned him that in scarmusshing that he hurte the remenanÌ„t vnto the deth as he that escaped not nette but was hurte in so many places that bi theffusyon of blood that fyll froÌ„ hys hede his herte faylled him in th eÌ„de and fyll dounÌ„ among the dede men The foure laste that were lefte were but lytyl better thenÌ„ dede But what meruayle ¶ Whan the twoo murdriers had bornÌ„
possible to the helpe aÌ„d deliuere me from this mortal daunger WhaÌ„ appollo sawe the poure felaw in suche desolacioÌ„ the teeris fill dounÌ„ from his eyen for asmoche as the water boilled so aboute him he had grete pyte demaÌ„ded of him what eyled him so to crye wepe from wheÌ„s that water cam that so boilled aboute him axid syn where was zechius Alas aÌ„swerde the poure felawe which laboâ—rid lyuyng there to the deth in a dolour and payne inestimable Praye ye sire for zechius and for his felaws For I haue seeÌ„ alle one after an other dye in a mortell disâ—resse and so anguyssâ—ousâ—y that vnnethe that is creature lyuyng that coude veâ—ayly acompte and telle hit to yow THan appollo herde speke of the deth of zechius and his felaws he was so sorofull that he wist not what to doo but aÌ„swerde to the poure felaw and saide by grete admiracioÌ„ how maye that be fayr sire for j sawe right now zechius and all his felaws that were with hiÌ„ whaÌ„ they toke loÌ„de iÌ„ colchos in descendyng from the shippe alâ—s â—ere sire answerde the felawe hyt is well Reson that j recompte telle yon the trouth verite of the manere of this cruel auenture Certes sire hit is veray trouth that incontinent that zechius we other entrid into they le we apperceyuyd from ferre in a passing fayr medowe a lyuyng beste fedyng all offyn goolde And was as grete as an hors of the facoÌ„n fourme of a sheep or motoÌ„ ThenÌ„e we ê¯cluded to geder with one wyll that we wolde haue takeÌ„ hiÌ„ thenÌ„e we wente forth supposed to haue taken hit by force or other wise And for to so doo we marched thedward to oure euyll helthe for anonÌ„ after right sodaynly sprang out of a temple the most fair and the moost riche that I euer sawe a moche meruayllous dragonÌ„ and ferdfull with thre tonges casting fyre flambe wyth smoke out of his throte fortwith incontinent sprang also out of hooles in the erthe two moche horryble booles hauyng legges aÌ„d feet all of coper their hornes were grete and sharp theyr eyeÌ„ gretter more reed thaÌ„ boylliÌ„g coper or metal the whiche thre bestes so dredefull disgorged caste out fyre of their throtes venyn vpon vs in suche facoÌ„n that Zechius alle the other deyde there in suche paynÌ„ dolour that was neuer lyke therto recorded aÌ„d of vs xxx felaws ther is none escaped except my self whiche was laste ferthest behiÌ„de for whaÌ„ j apê‘ceyuyd themes chief so grete spntme to fâ—ight but I coude not so fast fsee but that the terrible dragonÌ„ cast vpoÌ„ me a gobet of the moste detestable infectioÌ„ that euer was the whicâ— doth me somoche paynÌ„ meschief aÌ„d holdeth me in suche a brennyng in alle my body that j muste nedes take bi dolonrouse deth the eÌ„de of this worlde wherfore j requyre you that ye goo no ner Colchos ¶ With this wordes the doloroê° maÌ„ finysshed his dayes in anguisthe aÌ„d payne and the sowle deê‘ted froÌ„ the bodi in the psece of appollo the whiche for this cause demened the grettest most terrible sorou that might be and with that roose the winde bi grete sodayne pyries that cam from the west whiche tormented the see and meuyd hit meruaillousâ—y and after this apperid in the ayer grete lightniÌ„ges of fire the which caÌ„ lauÌ„chiÌ„g bitwene the kiÌ„g appollo Ê’ethe phiê° the other beâ—g iÌ„ the ship ther was nonÌ„ of theÌ„ so assured but with the wiÌ„de the iÌ„petuouse lightnyng they were beteÌ„ doune vnto the botoÌ„ of the ship in suche wise they were sinetonÌ„ with the lightniÌ„g tournieÌ„s and with the orage of haylle stones that appollo hiÌ„ self knewe not a grete while if euer he sholde escape this dauÌ„ger or no For aboute heÌ„ they sawe no more thaÌ„ meÌ„ doo in a wiÌ„tres night at midnight whaÌ„ hit rayneth NotwithstaÌ„ding during this tempeste derkenes the good king appollo herde a voys sayd to him â— this manere not aloude But with a moderat voys in suche wyse as somme wel vnderstode hit Appollo the god Mars comÌ„andetâ— the that thou retourne incoutineÌ„t to thy cyte for zechius thy good freÌ„de is dede by his grete oultrage in this perillous I le his felaws iÌ„ like wise as it hatâ— beÌ„ late vs declared also all they that fro hens fortâ— put heâ— or descende in to this yle for to seche aneÌ„ture or other wyse shal neuer retorne agayn for asmoch as the goddes wil not that it be enhabïted vnto the tyme that a knight shaâ— desceÌ„de therin whicâ— shal coÌ„quere the noble moton or shepe of goolde by the meen of them that shall come of thy seed to whom thou shalt leue a bille wreton witâ— the hande of the god mars the whiche is now vnder thy hede teyneth froÌ„ point to poiÌ„t all the mysteries aÌ„d craft that he behouetâ— to obserue kepe for to obteyne come to thing of so hye recoÌ„meÌ„dacion that like therto hatâ— ben ne neuer shal be in the worlde vnto the ti me that the holy newe lawe shall come after that tyme long after the mistery of the fâ—ees of golde shall hyely be celebrerd halowed Wyth this the vois was still appollo on this that he had herde begaÌ„ to rise abasshid and esmayed of this werke And fouÌ„de vnder his hede the bille a fore said whiche he kepte â—oygneusâ—y aft he his felawship retorned vnto the cyte for the tyme the grete storme was incontinent gonÌ„ and dryuen away in the ayer vanisshed and thenÌ„e assone as he and his peple were arryued at the poort and out of the ship forthÌ„ with the weder begaÌ„ to chauÌ„ge and begaÌ„ to snowe to rayne to blowe make one so terrible a storme teÌ„peste that by force of the out ragyoê° orage the arke in the â–ª whiche appollo aÌ„d all his coÌ„paniâ— cam into that yle that they inhabited and also al the shippis aÌ„d other bootes that they had made meuyd theÌ„ to geder â— such wise that the cables and cordes that helde theÌ„ al to the porte al to brak aÌ„d the said vaissels ships were blowen vnto the perilloê° yle of colchos by so meruailous a furour that they were al to smyten in pieces brokeÌ„ in suche maner that the bordes of the bootes other pieces withoute noÌ„bre fâ—oted here there in the see thus bi this waye they were all lost and spent of the whiche aueÌ„ture all they that were thenÌ„ at the porte beholdiÌ„g were sore esbayed not without cause for neuer to fore was seeÌ„ so meruaillous a teÌ„peste thought wel that it wente not wel sayde one to that other that theyr goddes were angry witâ— them whaÌ„ suche tempest caÌ„ to theÌ„ ther to their grete domÌ„age and preiudice ¶ How the knight zethephius conspired ayenst Appollo
he had all maner of wilde bestes After he dide 〈…〉 a fayr gardyn of playsaâ—â—ce in whiche he founded a temple vnto the goddes venê° vnto whom he dide do make a riche ymage whiche was al of fyn golde And aboute the same were fifti menÌ„ as many women that desired required eche other of loue they were made with so ameroê° maners that al they that behelde them where lighlty aÌ„d sone mouyd to luxure Hit is not to be vnremeÌ„brid that amoÌ„g all these thiÌ„ges the sayde kiÌ„g Oethes had â— doughter by his wyf Ortis This dought grewe was named Medea becam passing beauteuous fayr yet he had an other doughtere by his wyf a sone the doughter was named Caliope the sone was named abserthiê° At the burthe of this Abserthius the quene ortis was so seek that she leyde her dounÌ„ in her mortal bedde and callyd to her her doughter Medea and deliuerid to her alle tho thinges that the king appollo had deliuerid to his doughter Phauoles touchyng the fayte of the conquest of the golden fâ—ese And also taught her many enchantements with this she gaf to her a Ryng of gold wherin was a sione of such vertu that hit sholde make them inuisible that bare hit and this donÌ„ she passed out of this worlde wher fore Oetes Medea caliopes demened meruayllous grete sorow and there j wil reste of this sorow shal recompte what was the ende of the king Appollo ¶ Howe the king appollo arryued at the porte of Starille and how he departed secretli fro the kiÌ„g Serath and arryued at they le of Colchos of his deth aÌ„d how the king Serath confessid Appollo to be a god WHaÌ„ the king Appollo was allone on the see as sayd is he abandonÌ„ed him vnto the fortune of the wyndes of the waters confyeng and trusting in the grace of the goddes And his fortune was suche that he arryued at the porte of Starille a cyte of the royaume of Pyre and there foÌ„de that the king Philitenus laye there passing seek and thenÌ„e wente to him after the reuereÌ„ces made recounted to hiÌ„ fro point to point alle that was befallen to him aÌ„d his peple how that he had fonde the yle that the goddes had ê“mysed to hiÌ„ how they had made the cite how they had made him kiÌ„g how zechiê° his felaws deyde iÌ„ the â—le of colchos how zethephius had conspired ayenst hiÌ„ how he had made his sone Pherix king and how he was departed theÌ„s allone The king philytenê° ã€ˆâ€¦ã€‰ meruaile of these thinges 〈…〉 grete chere to appollo after 〈◊〉 â–ª power but anon after he deyde after hiÌ„ succeded iÌ„ his royame a sone that he had which was named serath ThaÌ„ whaÌ„ appolloâ— sawâ— that Seratâ—y was obeyed kiÌ„g of pyrre he cam to hiÌ„ on adaye to take leue for to retorne into his countre but Serath wolde not that he sholde departe And requyred him instantly that he wolde vse the remenauÌ„t of hys lyf with him Appollo excused him and toke leue yet ones but in no wise serath wolde accorde therto and whan appollo sawe this felte that he might not loÌ„g lyue he departed theÌ„s on an euen so secretli that no man knewe til on the morn and thenÌ„e on the mornÌ„ they knewe it by the report of one of hys knightes whiche certified him that he hadde mette recountâ—id him in a place that he named Incontinent that the king Serath vnderstode these tidiÌ„ges he was sore trobled for he louid parfaitly appollo aÌ„d forthwith he toke his hors and in enteÌ„cion to bringe hiÌ„ agayn he rode after him acompanyed of ij goode knightes of hys court but he coude neuer ouertake him til that he was come â—to the yle of colchos where he founde him passing seek aÌ„d labouring in the extreme draughtes of deth The anoye of king Serath redoubled whaÌ„ he sawe fouÌ„de appollo â— this estate wept ThenÌ„e the kyng appollo defended him that he sholde go no ferther iÌ„to the yle of colchos for to conquere themotoÌ„ or shepe of golde syn recomÌ„anded hiÌ„ to the goddes aÌ„d that donÌ„ expired his lyf for whiche deth the kiÌ„g Serath his knightes were terribly fory aÌ„d concluded that they wolde bere the body into their countrey make for him a fayr and riche sepulture thaÌ„ they garnisshid the body with grete â—oisonÌ„ of candellis for to wake that nyght but thaÌ„ hit was aboute midnight that all the luminaire breÌ„de aboute the body of appollo alle weÌ„te out queuchid sod aynli thaÌ„ must the king Serath his knightes wake the remenauÌ„t of the nighte without ony light or clerenes wherof thei hadd grete meruâ—â—lle And on the mornÌ„ whaÌ„ the daâ—e apperid it happend that theâ—â—â—â—nde not the body of king appollo â—ut iÌ„ the place where they had leâ—â—it the daye to fore they founde an awter of cristall passing clere vpoÌ„ whiche was anymage of fyn golde so quykly made after the facoÌ„n of appollo that it semed ê“prely his ê‘sone Wherfore the king Serath seeyng this muracle knelyd doun on bothe his knees to the erthe to fâ—â—ehiÌ„ worshipped it And thaÌ„ he herde a voys that sayd to hym Serath seke not appollo but among the goddes he hath praid for the aÌ„d for al them that shall come to his sepulcre therfore knowe thou that thou shalt haue goode fortune and alle they that shall come hether by goode deuocion shall haue answere of thynges that they shal demaÌ„de here with the voys made sylence the king Serath confessyd thenÌ„e openly that without errour appollo was a god After these thynges he dide do make in the honour of hâ—a â—eÌ„ple en signefieng al that he had seen herd to ben trew fro thene sorth on the grekes were acusiomed to come to this temple fro fer countre to worshipe him and diligently demaÌ„de enquire of their destinees And among alle other Peleus weÌ„te theder as â—ayd is And thus endeth the historie of Appollo and his faytes And now j wyll retorne for to speke of the faytes and vaillaunces of the noble and preu Iason for that is our principall matere ¶ How the king Oeteâ— receyuid Iason into his his cyte And how Medealouyd Iason and brought him to the temple of Venus how the olde woman enchanted the bedde of Iason WHan Iason was departed from Lennos And that he had sacred his ship vnto the goddesse pallas to the goddesse of the see he sayled by many journees from one coost to an other that iÌ„ the ende Argos ruled so hys cours by the sonne that on a day he arryued in the yle that he had desired to fynde by a grete storme aÌ„d impetuouse fortune that by force were coÌ„strayned for to take the regorte or goulf where as the yle of colchos was by Hit was not long after that whan Argos had brought â–ª his ship in
conqueste Medea amoÌ„g all other was so ryghtioyous whaÌ„ she espyed the lyght and shyning of the flees of golde that her semed that she shold entre into a paradise terrestre And coÌ„manded that her ladies and damoiselles shold put on the fayr fronte in entencyoÌ„ to make feste soleinpne for the honour of this right excelleÌ„t victorie for to come to a ê¯clusion troÌ„pes tabours menestreles hornes saâ—fasinois aÌ„d busines began to blowe vp aÌ„d sowne melodyoussy after that tyme vsed The maroÌ„ner argos rowed in suche wyse that he brought Iason to the poorte hoole and sauf where he was fested of the king oetes of the worthy hercules of theseus aÌ„d generally of alle the grekes Hercules toke the riche flees whan jason was descended vpon the londe aÌ„d bare hit tofore the vaillyaunt knight jason whiche went first into the temple of the goddesse deane aÌ„d there thanked moche hyghely the god mars the goddes pallas and Deane After he made him to be disarmed And there he yelded agayn the armes of the god appollo syn made his oblacyon of one of the feet of the boles and of one of their hornes with one of the toÌ„ges of the dragonÌ„ and whan he had donÌ„ alle this solempnly he retorned to the palays where he was right honourably receyuid of medea aboue alle other of her ladyes and danioyselles whiche behelde Iason meruaillously aÌ„d in especiaâ— the noble and ryche flees of golde which hercules bare on hye tofore him CErtes ther is no man so eloquent ne so well canÌ„ endyte by wrytyng that coude descryue to you how grete playsir the eyeÌ„ of the noble vayllyauÌ„t preu jason and the eyen of the moche fayre medea toke on thenÌ„e whan they began to beholde eche other And alle the worlde there demened grete yoye and gladnes And whan the noble knyght Iason was goon vp in to the halle The vayllyannâ— knight Hercules sette the noble flees of golde vpon a cupberd moche rychely arayed And anone after the knightes of grece and many other knyghtes ladyes and Damoyselles beganÌ„ the daunces moche joyously and the feste was fayr and grete vnto the houre of the soupper that the tables were couuerd aÌ„d that the kyng oetes and the noble Preu Iason was sette and wyth them the noble and fayr lady medea Hercules Theseus and â–ª Mopsiê° At this table was the noble Iason and the fayre Medea sette one to fore that other But in no wyse they durst not speke one word how they made many secrete signes of loue that coude not beapperceiued but they entremarched wy â— theyr feet vnder the table whyles that jason reherced in groos the grete paryls where he hadde ben ynne wylhout shaking of ony mencion of ordenaunces maners and cerymonyes that he had holden OF thys meruayllous auenture were the king Oetes Hercules and the other batons knyghtes and noble menÌ„ that satte and seruid at this souper moch abasshed and gretly meruaylled how the noble preu jason was escaped of so grete aÌ„d meruaillous aueÌ„ture And hyely recommanded this enterpryse and vayliaunce Hercules and Theseus that a fore tyme had slayn many monstres confessed there that alle theyr fayttes passed wer nothing to the regard of the auenture that jason had enterprysed and brought to an ende ¶ What shall we make longe compte the souper passed and the houre caÌ„ that the king oetes Iason withdrewe hem into her chambres And thenÌ„e was jason conueyed into hys chaÌ„bre wy t many noble menÌ„one aÌ„d other theder was brought the noble riche fleesof gold but at this time they might not deuise ne plaie there as they had ben acustomed but sente heÌ„ into her chaÌ„bres mopsius wyth the other sayng that al that nyght he wolde wake in orisonÌ„s aÌ„d prayers vnto the goddes for asmoche as they had donÌ„ to hym so grete nyde coÌ„forte and honour in his werkes ANone â—â—â—â—e as the preu jasoÌ„ was left â—â—â—â—ys chambre as sayd is the maistresse of me dea cam opend thedore of the chaÌ„bre and demanded jason if he wold come vnto her doughter Iason answerde ye wy â— right good wille thenÌ„ he wente dounÌ„ into the chambre of his lady whiche had made redy a right fair baygne ThenÌ„e he sale wed her after saide to her in this maner My dere lady knowe ye that I haue had moche grete desire to see you secretli in your pryuaulte for to thaÌ„ke you of the right grete honour that by your cause is comeÌ„ to me and also of the mortal paril daunger that ye haue deliuerid me fro Wherfore I thaÌ„ke you right humbly of all thise benefetes â–ª and furthermoree I pÌ„sente you the body that ye haue preserued fro deth Redy to obeye alle youre comÌ„andements and playsirs Certes jason my dere loue aÌ„d frende answerde the fayr Medea If youre desire haue ben grete and suche as ye saye yet hath myne be more as j wene I haue done the beste that in me hath be possible and I haue ryght grete ioye and gladnes of the knowleche that ye haue Alle my corage is nothiÌ„g saue to plase you ye be right welcome and wyth grete worshyp retorned for yow and for me And make good chiere hardyli I haue ordeyned for you a baygne for to wasshe you from the bloode wherwyth ye haue beÌ„ enoynted therfore dispo ylle yow entre into this bath thenÌ„ we shall deuise at oure leyser of alle werkes ¶ Whan the preu jason had vnderstaÌ„de this that sayd is he dyde â–ª of his clothes ryght glad of this aduenture and syn entred into the baygne the fayr Medea in her coursett whiche had no sleues terued vp her smoâ— sleues and in thys poynt cam froted weesshed her frend jason And thenÌ„ whan the gentyl bacheler apê‘ ceyuid so gentil corps body of Medea her fair and roÌ„de tetes the whitenes of her flesshe and that he felte her handes meruayllously softe him semed that his herte hys body flewe He was so moche esprysed of an ardant desir of loue he begaÌ„ thenÌ„e tenbrase the lady by the body aÌ„d syn behelde her grete beaute and thus doyng he kysshed her many tymes And thenÌ„e whan he had ben well eased wasshed medea made him to lye in her bed heholdyng his meÌ„bres well formed shapen and made and hys colour fayr and quyk and coude not tourne her sight from him They were thus beholdyng auysing eche other wyth oute sayug ony word But atte last the noble preu jason toke the worde and sayde my dere lady ye knowe wel how j haue promysed to be your husbond also in lyke wyse ye haue promysed to be my wyf thenÌ„e may I saye I am youres ye ar mynÌ„ of vs two is but one thing thenÌ„e I requyre you so aâ— feâ—tuelly as I can or may and for all the plaisir that ye may do to me that ye wylle come
alle thise thinges considered and the grete daunger that myght ensiewe to vs that for me sholde be the bataill mortall bytwene you aÌ„d him in whiche withoute remedie he shold be slaynÌ„ or takeÌ„ by his hye vaylliauÌ„ce seen that vnto deâ—h he wold abandonne him selfe for to recouuere me and to th ende teschewe more grete paryll and dommage for him I haue taken his owen sone which is my broder aÌ„d haue coÌ„manded to put hiÌ„ in the state as ye see for to caste at this tyme abrode iÌ„ to the cours of the see here and there And to gyue empechement vnto the ship of my fader whych thenÌ„e shall tarye whaÌ„ he shalle see his sone absirthius thus dismeÌ„brid flotyng vpon the water for to garde and recuyelle the pieces as ye shall seen playnly anonÌ„ ¶ Wyth thachieuemeÌ„t of these deuises the kiÌ„g oetes approched in suche manere the shippe of the grekes that ther was no more distanÌ„ce but a stone caste ThenÌ„e the fayr medea and the olde woman fylled theyr haÌ„des with the membris of the noble child absirthius in shewyng them to the king oetes his menÌ„ For assone as the oolde quene sspyâ—d the king she escryed these wordes folowyng aÌ„d sayd thus Kyng in no wyse come no nere wenyng to recouure thy sone ne thy doughter As to the regarde of thy doughter thou losest thy time for she is maried vnto jasoÌ„ But atte lest we shall reÌ„dre to the thy sone slayn aÌ„d detreÌ„ched by pieces the whiche we caste into the see to th eÌ„de that thou maist haue thy lyf saued for but If he cansed the to haue occupacion for to recuyelle hys propre membres for to do burye theÌ„ as hit apperteyneth to the sone of a kiÌ„g knowe thou that thou sholdest haue the bataill ayeÌ„st the knightes of grece which ben of so hye vaylliaunces that ther ne is anymal monstre serpent ne tyranÌ„t but that they brynge to destrucâ—yon thenÌ„e hit ought to be bileuyd that the victorye of the bataill shold abyde wyth them aÌ„d certes thou sholdest receyue thy deth so alle thing well ouerseeÌ„ hit is better to the that thou retourne vnto the cite thenÌ„e tapproch more ner for to receyue thy deth aÌ„d wel oughtest thou to haue grete yoye for to see thy happy sone be ded and detrenched by pyâ—ces bi the which thy lyf is respyted for thou art not very ne naturell fader if thou take not hys membreâ— out of the see and if thou so doo thy lyfe shall be saued and all they of thy companye WIth these wordes the olde woman aÌ„d Medea caste in the see the membres of the yong childe absirthius and the kiÌ„g Oetes and hys peple heeryng and seeyng the grete inhumanite cruelte began to escrye ryght pyetoussy aÌ„d dolorousâ—i And were so sore vexed and trobled of thys meruailloê° aueÌ„ture that they wist not what to doo som ther were that begaÌ„ to wepe tenderli the other smote them self on the brestes som began to araye hem to goo to bataylle and escryed to deth the knightes of grece shoting on theÌ„ arowes other trait by grete corage for tanenge them but whan the king sawe that â— no wyse he myght recouure the deth of hys dere sone he made to cesse the escarumssij sayd to his cytezels certes fair siresj pray you to trauaile you nomore for to recouure medea shehath murdrid her ê“pre brod absirthiê° whiche was my sone he that â— time to come sholde haue beÌ„ your naturell lord certes j haue louid wy t all my herte her alle her lyfe that wy t her dissoyall will hath brouht to me one so dolorouse guerdonÌ„ or reward Ha a meda said the kiÌ„g all on hyghe j shal neuer sech ne desire to mete wy t the for cause of so cruell and disnaturell a dede that â–ª thou hast â— my sed to thy propre blode and therfore fayâ— lordes late her aÌ„d alle them that ben with her goo where the goddes will suffre hiÌ„ but knowe ye for certayn that yf j now had her at my liberte I sholde make her to deye a cruell deth howe wele that sholde sourdre therof to me a new sorowe wherfore hit is better that she goo that we enteÌ„de to reassemble the meÌ„bres of my sone whyche floteÌ„ as ye may see vpoÌ„ the wawes of the see to th ende that his flesshe be not pasture to the byrdes ¶ WhaÌ„ thenÌ„e the nobles bourgeyses of the cyte vnderstod their king alle they began to sech the membres of absirthius iudemenyng the moste grete sorow of the world aÌ„d thê° they disposed them to complaire the kyng nomore tassayle their ennemyes And whan they had fysshed the membres of the child they retoraÌ„d vnto the cyte by space of tyme right sorowfull disconforted for the deth of Absirthiê° and for asmoche as medea also was goonÌ„ with jason Medea was thenÌ„e well ioyous aÌ„d more assured thenÌ„ to fore whan she apperceyuid that her fader his meÌ„ taried for to fisshe the meÌ„bres of his sone Certes jason seyng this that sayd is wist not what to thinke aÌ„d Argos the goode maronner rowed alle way in withdrawing from the poorte aÌ„d the yle of Colchos as moche as he myght in so moche that in alytil while he had lost the sighte of the king Oetes of his galeyes aÌ„d that he cam into the hyhe see where the wind blewe aroose that anonÌ„ they desployed their sayle which they woÌ„deâ— vp an hyghe wherfore the shippe made good way wherof argos was moche yoyous and thenÌ„e he sayd that euery man myghte leye dounÌ„ his harnoys frely promysing them to be oute of all parilâ— for that time Iason at this tyme was ryght pensyf for the cruelte inhumanyte that he had seen this daye and spak not one worde and semed by coÌ„parisonÌ„ more triste thenÌ„e joyous not withoute cause Whan medea had vnderstande that Argos assewryd alle the companye for that tyme froÌ„ alle parils that they had ben in was thoo conforted gretly but she behelde her handes that yet were all foule of the blood of her brother Absuthius she wente wasshed hem aÌ„d made hem clene after she caÌ„ sette her dounÌ„ by Iason seyng that he was moche pensyf sayde to hiÌ„ by a gracious curtays manere My dere loue wheron thinke you Certes jason answerde not one worde And whan she sawe that she sayde to hiÌ„ agayn the same word My dere loue jason wheron thinke yow ThenÌ„ Iason answerde to her thus Lady syn that ye desire to knowe wheron I thinke knowe ye for trouth that yf it were not for the grete loue that I haue in yow and for that I haue promysed to wed yow and bryng yow into Grece I wolde not do it wherfore kepe from henssorward that ye do no suche thing as dere as ye will haue pees bytwene yow aÌ„d me Vpon thise wordes Medea excused her the
had made the reuereÌ„ce vnto the king his fader and to the other nobles he declared alle playnly in the halle that he had neuer comen to the chief of thys conqueste ne had ben the counceylle the ayde and adresse of Medea whiche was there preseÌ„t therfore said he j haue renoÌ„ced the loue of my lady Mirro and haue ê“mysed to this lady that she shal be my wyf and my felaw and thus I will espouse and wed her at the thirde day wherfore I pray alle noble men and other ladyes and damoiselles that eche persone do to her honour as it apperteyneth to do vnto a noble lady ¶ whan Peleus had vnderstandeÌ„ that the fayr Medea had ben cause that Iason was comen â–ª to the aboue of his enterpryse without dauÌ„ger of deth that withoute the ayde of her he had ben deuoured he chaÌ„ged colour becam alle dede aÌ„d as wel aduised saide nought therto but alwai for to holde jason in loue he sayde to hiÌ„ that he wolde take the charge for to make the fest aÌ„d furthermore he wold seÌ„de for to pray his parentis frendes for to be therat Among thise thinges the preu jason sente Theseus Mopsius vnto the poorte of deseire charched them expressely that they sholde go burie wyth alle solempnite aÌ„d reuerence the body of the noble quene Isiphile The twoo knightes went with good herte aÌ„d acquyted them of thys charge For tabregge the historie Cypriane hadde in garde the fayr medea vnto the daye that jason had sette for tespouse Castor polux Nestor with many ryche Dukes came thenÌ„e to pintaquo what shall I make long reher saille jason espoused the fayr medea after the lawe that tyme vsed in grece wyth moche grete honour reuerence As in any wyse to hym was possyble a dounÌ„ ¶ For he dide to her asmoch grete honour as lady might receyue The feste was noble and fayr and hit was full and plenteuously seruyd of alle thinges But of the metes and entremetes wyth how many course how many disshes at euery cours there were seruid I wille make no mencyon at this tyme. But thus moche wille I saye that Peleus Cypriane and her doughters made right grete poâ—pes And peleus ordeyned this feste suÌ„ptuous and costlewe of ryche metes and beuurages or driÌ„kes The daye passed and the feste in daunces carolles esâ—atements The euen cam and after the night that Iason medea laye to geder Alway thys feste endured xv dayes hole duryng this feste the noble aÌ„d ryche slees of golde was ordynantly hanged vp in the halle in the sighte of all the worlde and there myght come euery maÌ„ that wolde to beholde hit bi grete admyracioÌ„ And ther cam peple so ferre nigh in suche multitude that hit semed a veray ê‘cession for whyche cause Iason was meruayllously renommed in many a couÌ„tree for his hyghÌ„ vasselage for this so glorioê° conqueste AT th ende of .xv. dayes aÌ„d of the hye solempnite of these espousaylles as the noble prynces BaronÌ„s aÌ„d noble men were vpon the poynt for to retonre to theire conÌ„trees Iason and hercules assembled them and there recouÌ„ted to them the rudesse that the king LaomedonÌ„ hadde donÌ„ to Iason and to the knightes of thys coÌ„panye in reffusing to them fresshe water vytaylle for their money For the whiche cause they had ben in daunger paril of deth ThenÌ„e the princes and varonÌ„s of grece heering the grete doleance of jason and Hercules ê‘mised prestly and swore that they wolde auenge this deffaulte and â—muâ—ie They were aspre hoot and hasty iÌ„ vengeaÌ„ce And after these couenauÌ„tes thê° made they gaf charge to Argos to make aÌ„d sette vp an honderd shippes of warre for to bringe fyfty thousand menÌ„ to fore Troye or atte lest fourty thousaÌ„d Argos that was well connyng in that werke enterprysed the charge promysed that wyth in thre yere alle thyse shyppes shold be redy to helpe hem And whaÌ„ they hadde take a conclusion vpoÌ„ all thise thinges aÌ„d that they had made to Medea alle the honour and reuerence of the world by space of tyme they departed alle thens and euery man retourned into his couÌ„tre leuyng Iason and the fayr Medea in their reste ê‘Eleus wente vnto Elsebee bare dueyll and ranconâ— in hys courage more thenÌ„e nede was for somochÌ„ as he sawe jason so triuÌ„phe aÌ„d that he knewe not how he myghte make him to deye And Iason whiche entended to nothing sauing to make his plaisir lete hym yet gouerne hys Royaume and so acquitte him in the dette of mariage ayenst the fayr medea in suche faoÌ„n that she conceyued of hym a ryght fayr sone whyche at th ende of ix moÌ„thes was deliuerid and was named jason after hys fader The king Getes fader of medea cam thenÌ„e to Pintapuo wyth a priue meyne litill coÌ„panye as he that loued Medea like as the fader loueth the childe And whan he vnderstode knew the grete honour that the preu jasoÌ„ had donÌ„ to her he was coÌ„tent wyth him with his doughter And withoute exploiting of ony other thing he retorned into his couÌ„tre moche yoyoê° And hit was not long after these thinges thus befalleÌ„ that the olde maistresse of medea departed out of this worlde and deyde But whan it cam vnto the article of dethÌ„ she taught Medea a grete part of the arte of nygromancye of many other sciences where in she was exê‘te And also she taughÌ„t her among other sciences and art and crafte for to make olde peple to become yong of the aage of .xxxij. yere But the lyf and destynee for to deye myght not be lengthid vnto suche ê‘sones by the vertu of the scieÌ„ce ne other wyse for asmoche as it is predestinqcion naturell ¶ How Medea chauÌ„ged the king Eson in to yong aage And of the deth of Peleus After the deth of the maistresse of the fayr Medea Iason demaÌ„ded Medea whaâ—… thoughte best to ddo She answerâ—e to him that she had lost grete felauship and priuaulte by the deth of her maistresse To whom the noble preu jason ansuerde and saide that ther was nothiÌ„g so certain for euery creature as the deth And that the goddes wolde take her soule After many dayes medea toke hede that amoÌ„g alle other sciences she had one for to make olde peple to become yong and specially men And syn she behelde also that the good king Eson was passing auncient and old for whiche cause she considered that she my t gete a grete loos an hye renoÌ„â—ice if she renewed his aage wherfore she called on a daye her lord jason saide to him that by her scieÌ„ces she coude do somoche that his fader the good kiÌ„g EsoÌ„ sholde recouure newe youth in suche wyse as he sholde seme non older but .xxxij. yere olde WhaÌ„ jason vnderstode this that said 〈◊〉 he meruaillously abasshid aÌ„d not without cause
in the presence of his king by suche force that he cutte of a quartre of his shelde and his lyfte atine with all And whan the king apperceyuyd that Iason departed suche strokes he had doubte of hys persone And that was no grete meruaille thenÌ„e as worthy vaylliauÌ„t as he was he escried jason to the deth And syn cam to him with his trenchuÌ„t swerde enhauÌ„sed and smote hym so myghtily vpoÌ„ the toppe of his helme that he made the sparcklis flee oute and his hede to enclyne lowe dousi wherof he was notlityll astoned but escryed hym sayng Vaissale ye haue well shewid to me how ye can recountre a maÌ„ with the spere but I shal she we to yow the sharpnes of my swerde thou that I am beter knight thenÌ„e ye And if ye escape fro my handes without receyuyng of deth I will well that ye saye to my Lady paramours the fayr Mirro that her loue and frende of Sklauonye hath neyther force ne myght ¶ How the king of sclauonye was vaynquysshid by Iason in the felde by bataylle _â—Oche was Iason desplaysaunt whan he had vnderstande the vauntises of hys mortalt eÌ„nemy But whaÌ„ he knewe that he was the king of sklauonye he was well joyus for to knowe hi thus saide to him by derisioÌ„ Ha a right oultrageous fole Arte thou he that arte affoyled with the blanche feures for cause of my right redoubted lady Now see â— wel that in the is more of pÌ„sumpcion than of vayllyauÌ„ce and of vauntise thaÌ„ of fayte and truly more of folye than of wysedom For hit ys parfayte folye to the for to name the better knight than j am Than late vs see who is the better With these wordes they began agayn to smyte eche other ryght asprely Certes Iason prouid hym self ryght fiersiy in gyuing to hys eÌ„nemye many strokes terryble and poysaunt And so many gaf hi in makyng reed hys swerd of the Esklanon king that the right malerouse king was constrayned to crye and to kalle his knightes vnto hys ayde and helpe but ther cam so many that Iason was enuironned aÌ„d assayled on alle sydes Whan te noble jason felte hym self so aduironned on alle sydes by hys ennemyes He was more recoÌ„forted than to fore And begaÌ„ to smyte wyth hys good swerde of steele on the ryght syde and on the lyfte syde by suche vertue and myghte that the ladyes of the Cyte knewe him among alle other and perceyuyd that he skarmusshid with his swerde all dyed with newe blood now here and now there And after sawe hym cutte of heedes â—â—â—â—es and legges and fystes And made armes at his wyll and more thenÌ„e all the remenaÌ„nt And certes by his mayntene he semed better a thing of that other worlde thenÌ„e an humayne persone And fro this tyme forth on the fayr Myrro seeâ—â—g this that sayd is toke jason sol her good gÌ„ce that vnto the deth she louyd him aboue all other knightes â–ª as she that setted her loue totally in him The noble Iason fought thenÌ„e vailliauÌ„tly agayn the Esklauâ—Ì„s aÌ„d right loÌ„g endured the bataylle And whan the xij knightes of damask sawe the grete prowesse and daÌ„gerous stour that was aboute their maistre They smote in among â—hâ—Ì„ that so assayled him And thenÌ„e enforced him Iason for to make hym self to be of valour truly by suche ardeur of corage that he slewe therÌ„ tâ—Ì„ of the most hardyest knightes of all the hooste of his enemyes wherfore the king of Sklauonye seeyng hys mayntene the valeur of jaso had suche fureur and drede that he habaundonÌ„ed the place his knightes that thenÌ„e all wery folowed hym And thenÌ„e the noble Iaso â—â—â—â—wed the chaas aÌ„d chaced 〈◊〉 vnto the grete cost in suche ê¯fusion moâ—al occisionÌ„ that of the fyfty knightes that were at the begynning of the batayll ther escaped no moo but ten But tey were all slayn detreÌ„ched or he weÌ„l pieces And of the partye of jasoÌ„ ther bleef no moo but tweynÌ„ vpoÌ„ the felde And of the remanasit all were hurte that one more aÌ„guisshously thenÌ„e that other ¶ How jason was joyously receyuid of the quene Mirro of Olyferne and hou â—they be waylled eche other AFter this meruayllous bataylle â–ª and that the worthy jaso had rechaced his enemyes vnto nyghe bi the ooste as said is he taryd for two resons The first was for as moche as he â—owe his felaws wery sore payned by their woundes the seconde was for asâ—noche as he sawe the Ooste â—â—â—ue for to come vpon them than as wyse aÌ„d discrete he withdrewe hi sayng that more to worth a good retrayteâ— than a folisshe abydinge and reeÌ„trid with grete honouâ— glorie into the cyte wherof the fayr â—â—yrro was as joyouse as she coude be coÌ„trayre to this was the king of sclauonye as sorouful aÌ„gry for the grete domage that he had suffryd that day Euery man â—â—olyferne as sone Iason was reentrâ—â— sie wed him maÌ„ women childreÌ„ blessid him sayng one to another that they had neuer seen none lyk 〈◊〉 him in beaulte ne more vaillyaunt knight of his body and than al the Cyte began to â—eyoyeâ—â— whan the sayr myrro thought that Iason was vnarmed â–ª she sente for him he cam gladly to her for that was al his desir than whaÌ„ he was comen to fore her he sale wed her she rendrid to him his sale we syn demanded hym hou he felte him self how he ferde Certes madame aÌ„s werde jason to god begyue the thaÌ„king I ne fele on my body but all good disposicion aÌ„d am ioyously retorned into your cyte and as to the regarde of your enemyes by that I haue felt of theÌ„ me thiÌ„keth that they ought not fore to be dredde ne doubted and that in short tyme ye shall haue of them good rayson I haue this day made my swerd reed iÌ„ their bloode wherof their kiÌ„g your mortel enemye hath had grete dueyl aÌ„d soro we And I haue yet goode wil that to mornÌ„ I shal redouble that yet that shal be worse to him to his if the goodd be in myn ayde helpe ¶ Whilis that Iason spack thus to the noble lady as sayde is she behelde hym now aÌ„d now by right grete ardaunt loue aÌ„d coude not absteyne her self for she was so surmounted with loue at this time that for to hyde her wil and to refroide cole her alityl without more speking to jason that she left him with two damoiselles for to entretene tarye hi and she withdrewe her ito her chaÌ„bre where she begaÌ„ to thinke on the grette vertues that were in Iason That is to wete on his hye prowesse on his fair chiere on his laughyng eyen on his well made body and on his gracyouse speking And so moche she thought on hym that she must come agayn vnto the place where he was ThenÌ„e she fonude in the halle of the
palays plente of her frendes and of the most noble of the cyte and ther was newly artyued a messager of the king of damask that certyfyed to her that that euenyng sholde come vnto her ayde ij thousand assyrieÌ„s whiche the king his lord had sente to her in the conduyte of hys broder named Prusiê° whiche was a right vaily aÌ„t knight in armes Of these tydiÌ„ges was the noble quene moche reconsorte 〈◊〉 aÌ„d commaÌ„ded that they sholde ordeyne wel for hem to ete drynke and dide do couere the tables receyued this Prusius ryght solempnly but whan eche was sette at table the fayr myrro aÌ„d Iason were in suche wyse seruid by the refection of loue that they toke none hede of mete ne of driÌ„ke The messager of loue that is to wete doulce Regarde was coÌ„tinuelly on the way that on was shamefaste and changed colour aÌ„d in lyke wyse dyde that other Iason coude not conteyne hym self Mirro perceyued wel ynow his mayntenyng â—ut myrro was moche subtyll for she behelde him raysonably more dyde by wisedom than her herte desired In these regardes aÌ„d in these semblances they passyd the soupê‘ ther was no lady ne damoisel le that ne employed her eyen for to beholde Iason for his grete beaute what shal j saye more aft the soupper hit was ordeyned that on the In these or semblable ymaginacioÌ„s the Esclauon kiÌ„g passid all this nyght vnto the morn erly that Corfê° a meruaulious Geant born in Toscane caÌ„ vnto hym and demanded hou he ferde and how hit stode with hym Certes corfus answeryd the king For so moche as I dreme of my loues And that they occupye me so sore that they ssee me because I occupye heÌ„ so moche how wel that j fynde in her but reffuse fierstee howe sayde corfus thenke ye yet on her ye sayde the king That muste nedes be Must hyâ— nedes sayd Corfus Ye certes ayd the king ThaÌ„ sayde corfus ye be a fole and ryght euyll aduysed For alle thinge considerid he is not wyse that eÌ„forcethÌ„ him to haue a wyf aboue his degree for as moche as ther beÌ„ of other pleÌ„te Right well sayd the king ye saye ryght wele but knowe not ye that somÌ„e one is better and more worth than soÌ„me fyue honderd Certayuli my ladi is the oultrepasse of al other ladyes ought j to leue her for her reffuse ye sayde the geant if ye do wâ—sely by my lawe sayd the king 〈…〉 shall neuer befall me for to deyâ—… the payne as her trewe seruaū◠〈…〉 that I hope to come to thaboue of myn enterpryse how that it be â—â—yre sayd Corfus I reporte me vnto your symplesse But and ye will beleue me ye shall begyle her welle Ye shall leue her for suche as she ys sayd the geant and neuer whyles ye lyue lone neuer woman but for one nyâ—â—â—ye may euery day haue a new ther is nonÌ„ so grete playsir as for to change ofte Ha a corfus sayd thenÌ„e the king a treu louer vsethÌ„ neuer suche termes as ye speke of and whan a prince may come to the loue of a lady fayr trewe discrete aÌ„d a of good house is not that ynoughÌ„ for hym yf he that comethÌ„ to suche felicite and gothÌ„ to chaunge certes he is worthy of reproche Syre sayde the Geant Corfus ne knowe ye nomore thenÌ„e ye saye and shewe Certes ther is well another poynt and what is that sayde the king I shall saye yow sayde the geant Corfus Take ye the fayrest lady that liuethÌ„ and be as amourous ouer her as euer ye can or may Anone as ye haue eÌ„ioyed her as lytill as hit may be ye shal be wery and full of her she shall seme to yow foule and yet more I shal saye yow that sone yet shall wisshe her brend And yf ye be as other men be ye shall leue her â–ª aÌ„d take an other yf hit be in your puysâ—â—unce _â—A a Corfus saide thenÌ„e the king if j shold beleue your counceyll I sholde neuer do well as to the regarde of me j wene that ie saie to me these thiÌ„geâ— â–ª for to make me retorne into my couÌ„trey to th ende that ye goo not to the felde agaynst them that yesterday shedde my bloode by miloyaulte said theuÌ„e Corfus Syre alle that I haue sayd procedeth nor for ony fere ne drede that I haue of alle youre ennemyes But I counceylle yow to my trew power for asmoche as me semethÌ„ hit couenable for yowr helthe and prouffyte And to th ende that youre wenyng be founden vntre we with oute more delaye I shalle sende your messager vnto the noble que ne Myrro for to signefye her that for to mayntene the noble mestier of armes I offre my self allouÌ„ ayenst viij the beste knightes that ben in the Cyte of olyferne for to fyghte in champe cloos as hit apperteyneth in suche a caas WHan the kinge of Sklaâ—onye had herd that aÌ„suer of the geant perceyuid that he was angry he helde his pees so long that the geant weÌ„te armed him in hys tente And syn put him on the way to ward the. cyte in the companye of a messager of the kinges whom he sente vnto the Quene Myrro ryght in suche wyse as a fo re is sayd and whan the messager had said that he had in change The noble quene callid the more parte of her knightes and declared to them that the Geant had demaÌ„ded A none as they of olyferne had herd the contenue of this mandemeÌ„t For as moche as Iason and plente of other knightes strauÌ„giers that were there gaf the honour for to speke first to them of the same contre for to saye their aduis of this werke They say de alle on hyhe that this geant Corfus was he that by his force vayllauÌ„ce had put to deth the most part of the noblesse of olyferne and that them semed hit shold be grete folye for to furmisshe the bataylle that he demanded but of this answere were alle the knightes straungers so abasshed that they concluded to be coÌ„dâ—â—ted by the knightes of oliferne Reseruid the noble preu jason the whiche as he that might not leÌ„gher holde his noble corage to speke but sayde wyth so hyhe a voys that he was wele vnderstoÌ„de of all men in this manere Hayr lordes displese yow not if the vtue of my corage knowe not now the feblesse of my body j knowe rigght wel that I am not grete ne meÌ„brrd as a geant neuertheles I will wel that hit be knowen that ther is no geaÌ„t that hath gretter hert thenÌ„e I hane And to this ende that it appere euydeÌ„tly the noble lady where my herte all my wele RestethÌ„ may alway here goode tydinges of me j enterpryse for to fyghte ayenst the geant Corfus man for manÌ„ aÌ„d j shall neuer reste vnto the time that I haue prouâ—d my self ayenst hym ThenÌ„e the noble ladi
the quene that tho was present hauing herd theÌ„terprise of the noble jasoÌ„ was so vtterly smytenÌ„ with sorou that her semed that she was smetenÌ„ with a spere a trauers the herte so moche she louyd jason neuertheles she helde goode contenanÌ„ce asmoche as to her was passible And incontinent as Iason hadde declared there hys corage She sayde to him IasoÌ„ fayr sire be ware what ye saye see that yongthe abuse yow not For yf ye were you xx armed and in point for to fyghte knowe ye for trouthÌ„ that he sholde neuer leue but abyde yow thawhÌ„ ye had swornÌ„ his deth â— Ertes dere lady sayde jason knowe ye that yf yongthÌ„ abuse me oultrequydauÌ„ce presuÌ„pcioÌ„ deceyueth the GeaÌ„t For to sse a manÌ„ hou grete or puyssauÌ„t that he be ther behoueth but one stroke well sette But whether hit be of yronÌ„ or of steell or of ony other thing j doubte not but hit shall come to poynt Whan the noble Quene Mirro had vnderstaÌ„de this that Iason sayde She wyste not what to aÌ„swere ¶ What shall I make yow long tale he dyde doo be sayd to the messager of the king of Esklauonie that he wolde befighte the Geant Corfus And thenÌ„e whan the noble Iason was armed wythÌ„ hys armes he mounted on horseback his spere on his thye so departed frâ— the cyte And adressid hiÌ„ toward the geaÌ„t whichÌ„ was right subtyll in the fayt of armes of the warre he had all his harnois trussid his hors sadlid brydlyd â—ncoÌ„tiâ—â—t as the geaÌ„t ê‘ceyuid that â—he vaâ—lliant prince jason cam ridiÌ„g vnto him he sterte vpon his hors cam to ward him by grete felonnye sayd to hiÌ„ what sekest thou to whom jason saide Arte thou corfê° Ie answerd corfus j am he trewly Than knowe thou that thou arte he that j seche Thou sayd corfus ye trewly sayde Iason and what meuithÌ„ the so to doo said corfus coÌ„siderest thou not the strengeth force of my body aÌ„d the furour of my swerde and how I am cause of alle the desolacioÌ„ of olyferne yf me good semethÌ„ I shal sese the by the heede aÌ„d breke thi necke as the necke of a che keÌ„ Thou tellest me meruaylles said jason for to fere abasshe the peple but for alle that my corage chaÌ„gethÌ„ not our processe en durethÌ„ to long go thy way feche thy spere than shewe what thou caÌ„st doo thou hast founde a maÌ„ for to furmisshe the lityl speking well werkiÌ„g The geant wythÌ„ these wordes weÌ„te for to fecche his spere And jasoÌ„ couerd hiÌ„ withÌ„ his shelde assewring him self iÌ„ hys sadell And whan he had so don sawe that the geant smote his hors with his sporis caÌ„ agaist him he roode to ward hiÌ„ so corageously that hit semed more lyk thonder desceending from heueÌ„ thaÌ„ ony other thing and so smote the most fiersly that thei coude or mighte aÌ„d their strokes were so peysauÌ„t heuy that the sengles of their sadles brake in so moche that the noble IasoÌ„ was born vnto the erthe and the geant was reuersed with the sadle vnder the crupe of his hors and of the peysanteur of the two grete strokes the raynes of his horse faylled hys two legges behynde in suche wyse as he tumblyd the hede vnder the feet vpward at right grete meschief Many knightes of Sklauonye and of Olyferne were gretly abassâ—id whan they apperceyued that jason hadde receyued of the Geant Corfê° oonÌ„ so heuy so grette a strook with out dethÌ„ or mayme Iason and the Geant so bornÌ„ to the erthe aÌ„d sette a fote as sayd is Releuyd them self anonÌ„ in their staÌ„ding and marchid oone agaynst that other ThenÌ„e the stroÌ„g GeaÌ„t drewe his goode swerd out of his shethe escried jasoÌ„ sayng Vaissale or felawe thou hast donÌ„ to me now the most grettest dishonour that euer hÌ„append or came to me And therfore kepe thy self from my faytes the best wise thou maist for if the arme with the good swerd faylle me not at thys tyme j shal coÌ„sounde the in short tyme. And after I shall drynke thyn blood and ete thyn herte in despyte of the dueyl aÌ„d sorou that thou hast donÌ„ to myn her te Ha a tyrant felonnous oultrecuydanÌ„t aÌ„swerde the noble preu jason what euyll woldest thou doo if hit helde at no manÌ„ but at the. Certes hit happeth ofte tymes that suche menaces ben sayd of grete fere and drede And al is donÌ„ for to saue his lyf But to the regard of the aÌ„d of al thy menaces j make no compte net doubte the in no thing And in that thou sayest of drynking my blood â–ª and etyng mynÌ„ hert I shall kepe the right well by the ayde and the helpe of the goddes for to falle in suche jâ—hâ—â—anyte or furour And j hope where I haue angred the in thyn herte â–ª that hit shall not be long to but that thow shalt be angrid in herte in body and in sowle Than that corfus the right cruell geaÌ„t had vnderstand the wordes of jason he lefte vp his heed aÌ„d chyn aâ—â— chargid with heer â–ª lyke a Beer and after enhaunced his trenchanÌ„t swerd with a grete Corage right angry and smote Iason and gaf hym so terryble and poyssaunt stroke that he bare a way more than a grette quarter of his shelde And whaÌ„ the noble preu Iason felte him so smetoÌ„ of the Geant he lefte vp his swerd a heyght wher with he araught his mortel ennemy vpon the coppe of his helme in enployeng alle his might that the Geant was constrayned to enclyne his heed alle lowe Wherof many had grete meruayle As ye may vnderstonde the twoo ChaÌ„pyons began to entretaste eche other with their trenchauÌ„t swerdes Alle way the geaÌ„t after that he had receyuid this peysauÌ„t strook he haunced his hand with hys swerde â–ª agayn and supposed to haue sinetoÌ„ jason But jason whiche was lyght delyuere and wel auised iÌ„ his feet drewe him a part in suche wise that the stroke ofâ— the geaÌ„t fylle on the erthe so depe that if hÌ„e hadde araught hym playnly he hadde confounded him Than the preu Iason whiche had so voyded hym fro the strooke stept to the geant And gaf hym suche a stroke vpon the ryght sholdre that he brake his hauberk and made him a grete wounde Than jason withdrewe his swerde alle blody And whan Corfus the stronge geant felte that jason had so hurte him Certaynly he wente he shold haue goon out of hys witte for asmoche as he sawe the swerde of his aduersarye â–ª was dyed wyth his blood was moche angry But jasoÌ„ sette lytyll ther by Sauyng he begaÌ„ a lytil to smyle and lawe And yf he was glad so were they of Olyferne that beheld the bataylle of the twoo chaÌ„pyons But hit was notlong after but their lawhynges changed into wepynges For the geant as all despayred Ran vpon Iason so egrely that
geant he was so soroufull that of alle the eueÌ„ after he â—…notâ—… d For he had grete 〈…〉 strengthe in his grete hardynesse 〈◊〉 in hyr entrepryse ORete and meruayllous was the sorowe that the king of Esclauonie and hys men demened for the deth of the stronge Geant Corfus And on the contrarye the noble Quene Mirro alle they of the Cyte of oliferne demened grete ioye and made ryght joyous chiere for the noble victorye of the vaylliaunt Iason Than the noble quene Myrro accoÌ„payned of a grete nombre of ladies and of damoyselles of knyghtes aÌ„d sâ—nyers cam to the gate ayenst Iason esprysed with suche gladnes aÌ„d consolacionÌ„ that hit can not bespokeÌ„ And anon as the noble knight Iason espyed her he sprang doun of hys horse and made to her the reuerence and after presented to her the swerd of the geant Corfus aÌ„d sayd Madame â—o here is the swerd that your knightes hane so moche doubted here to fore beholde hit wel aÌ„d doo with alle your plaisir Than the noble fayre lady aÌ„swerd to jason Ryght exellent knyght thanked be the godd that by your hyhe eÌ„tre prise vaillanÌ„ce haue this day deliuerid the cyte all the peple of olyferne of a meruailloê° drede fere syn that the crymynuell Geant corfus is dede Alle the remenaunt as who saythÌ„ is as goodes as vaynquissijid and therfore come ye vnto our palays we shal â–ª doo visite your woundeâ— by our Surgyens which shall ordeyne right wel and diligently for your helthe ThenÌ„e was the noble jasoÌ„ brought vnto the palays with grete louiÌ„g preisinges of the ladyes damoiselles of the knightes and of the peple of the cyte of Olyferne The wedowes be wailed gretly because he was not erst comen for the losse of her husâ—ondes they that were maâ—ed reioysed and were glad of his coniyng They that were discoÌ„forted and desolate recoured their corage alle newe For in the vaillauÌ„ce and in the hyghe vertues of jasoÌ„ rested all their hope In his streÌ„gth they toke affianÌ„ce jn his witte they trusted In his vaylliauÌ„ce they weâ—e reconforted And in his goode fortune consolate Eertes hit semed to thei thenÌ„e that thei were delyuerid from the paynes of helle and brought into paradys ¶ What shal j more saye the fayr Mirro thoughre and dremed oft tymes of jasoÌ„ as of the knyght that she lonyd most of the worlde The preu Iason was thre dayes long in the palays wythout ony armes beryng And during these thre dayes the fayr Mirro wente ofte tymes vnto hym hoping that Iason shold haue requyred her of loue whithe he hadde gladly doonÌ„ but as cremetous and doubting the recountres of reffuse durstei no manere touche that materene make ony semblaunt to her ne to none other On the fourte daye than whan the nobles of Oliferne kne we that jasoÌ„ was hole of his hurtes and myght well bere armes they assembled cam vnto the Quene Mirro sayd to her Madame ye haue wel cause for to reioye your self yf a herte ifortunat after grief vpon grief may resourdre whan fortune wyll fauoure and ayde We and your couÌ„ceylle haue often tymes beholde and â—eeÌ„ the ryght hygh prowesse and discrete conduyte of your knyght Iason Certes hyt may wele be sayd that hys lyke was neuer founden hyt semetsyto vs. that fortune hath brought hym vnto your haÌ„des for to resuscyte and Reyse yow for to take vengaunce of the ouer grete euyllis and meschyeues that hath ben dooÌ„ to yow and your men duryng this warre And for many raysons we counceylle yow that ye ordeyne aÌ„d consiytute the sayde noble Iason capitayne of this Royaume and chief of your warre For we thiÌ„ke so moche noblesse vertu in hym that he shalle neuer haue reste in hys corage vnto the tyme that he haue chassed awaye youre mortell enemyes oute of yonr Royaume aÌ„d brought them to disconsiture â—Itâ—s to wete whether the noble quene Myrro was right joyous in her herte whan she herd so hygly recoÌ„mended him that she moâ—â—e louid aboue alle the men of the world hit is no meruaille thawh she so were debonayrly she accorded the requeste that the nobles her conceyll hadde made to her And forthwyth she sente for jason and in the presece of theÌ„ that had made the requeste as afore is sayd she constitued hiÌ„ Capitaine geuerall of all her royaume ThenÌ„e jason remercyed thaÌ„ked the noble Quene Myrro of the honour that she had donÌ„ to hiÌ„ â–ª also the nobles her couÌ„ceyll for theyr goode pourchare Inexcusing gretly him self of nonhabilite Sayng that he was not propice ne worthy of so hye charge honour to enterpryse But all they that there were pÌ„sent sayde That notwithstanding hys excusacions they wolde haue none other capyâ—â—yne but hym and that he sholde be it as ferre as he wolde not disobeye the noble quene Mirro They shewid hym so many demoÌ„strauÌ„ces that he enterprised and toke vpon hym the charge and that same oure the noble quene Myrro deliuerid vnto the noble damoiseau Iason all that was necessarie to hi. and ordeyned hys estate And whaÌ„ the noble preu Iason felte hiÌ„ in this honour so hygh sette in his astate he sente forth with to the king of esclauonye coÌ„manding him to departe he and all his ooste from theÌ„s And that anone he sholde voyde the royame of oliferne or ellis on the moruÌ„ betymes he sholde dispose him make him redy to be receyuid bi bataille WhaÌ„ the puissauÌ„t king of Esclauonye vnderstood that jason hadde so sende him his maÌ„demeÌ„t he had ryght grete meruaille hou wel he answerde to the heraulde that he hadd not enteÌ„cion for to dissoge him ne to reyse hys siege that he wolde erst haue at his ê¯maÌ„demeÌ„t the noble que ne mirro for to doo with her his wil le sente word agayn vnto the noble preujasoÌ„ that also dere as he had his lyf he shold kepe hiÌ„ that he came not in his presence and if he came in his haÌ„des he sholde doo him deye a miserable deth ¶ IncoÌ„tineÌ„t as the noble preu jason had vnderstaÌ„deÌ„ this aÌ„swere he dyde to publisshe in all the quarefours of the cyte That all they that were of age to bere armes shold be redy on the mornÌ„ erly for to goo wyth h for to envahye fyghte with theyr enemyes thê° passyd that â—dy â—â—to the night That iason thenÌ„e begaÌ„ to theÌ„ke on the grete honour charge that he had receiuid thenÌ„e whaÌ„ he was withdraweÌ„ in to his chambre continuyng his amourouse pâ—sees thoughtis He begaÌ„ to saye by him self in this maner Ha a mydere ladi hou haue ye doÌ„ to me this grete worship gyueÌ„ to me more good thenÌ„e appteyneth to myn astate aÌ„d hou shall hit be possible to noÌ„bre the excesse of bouÌ„te of clerenes of beaute with all other â—tues that beÌ„l you I ought not to meruaille
certes j shall ameÌ„de hit to my power j shall goo after him so ferre til j shal fynde him And I shall haue no shame to putte me â— his mercy WhaÌ„ the yoÌ„g damoisell aê‘ceyued the grete displaisir where iÌ„ her maistresse was she shitte the chaÌ„bre dore to th eÌ„de that no persone shulde come vpon theÌ„ begoÌ„ne there to wepe til nyght that a lady caÌ„ aÌ„d sayde the souppe was all redy ThaÌ„ the quene dide do aÌ„swere her by the damoyselle that she wolde not souppe for so moche as she felte her not wel disposed also coÌ„maÌ„ded that no ê‘â—one sholde come to her that night Whiche aÌ„swere so made the quene the damoiselle begaÌ„ to make newe bewailinges teeris after began to be waile jason and among all other thinges The quene saide these wordes yet maye ther worse aueuture greue me more for after aÌ„ ouer moche dangerouse incoÌ„uenience she sendth to me the deth Ha a late me sorowe but what shal I mowe doo I wote neuer what to thenke and what ought I to doo by your faith seme ye good that I ought to goo after him or that I sende ony faithfull man fter him of my knowleche Certes I thinke if I sholde sende a messager after him that he wolde not come agayn And if j weÌ„te my self after hi. that sholde be to me the grettest dishonour of the worde madame answerde than the damoiselle ye ought to knowe your caas aÌ„d of two wayes to take the beste If ye haue inteÌ„cion that Iason be your husbonde hit behoueth no lenger to soiourne for ye muste goo or sende vnto him with alle diligeÌ„ce for to saye to yon myn opinion yf hit were so happend to me as it is to you j wolde sende none other messager but my selfe And knowe ye veryly that ye may haue no dishonour for to goo after him vnderstonden and well considerid the good and agreable seruices that he hath doÌ„ to you and to your royaume For vnder the colour for to guerredone and rewarde him ye maye take occasioÌ„ to come into wordes to gyue hym soÌ„ matere yet for to serue yow Certes fayr donghter saide the quene j wote not what to thinke what me is best to do for if j goo after him and finde him what shal j saye My dere â—…de the damoiselle as j haue right now sayde ye shal presente to him the guerredoÌ„ of the grete honour good seruice that he hath doÌ„ to yon in iour necessite this thiÌ„keth to me lityl substaÌ„ce for to entre into speche of my principal cause sayde the guene Certes madame aÌ„swerd theuÌ„e the damoiselle whan ye shall come and be to fore the knight loue shall teche you to speke if ye will recorde the lessons aÌ„d epistles of loue by the space of teÌ„ yere it shall but lityl prouffite to your auaÌ„cement for ther lacketh nothing but thinspiracion of loue medlid with hardynesse of humayne enteÌ„demeÌ„t spekiÌ„g with the moÌ„th whiche is instrumeÌ„t of the dischargyng discouering of hertes Syn that it is so sayd the the fayr Myrro quene of oliferne Alle thing considerid j had moche leuer to couere a lityll blame thenÌ„e that I shold in alle poyntes with oute euer to recouere again alle the hole desire and plaisir of iniherte the coÌ„solacion of mynÌ„ eyeÌ„ thenÌ„e j shall saye to you myn aduyse that hit is nede aÌ„d necessite so to do and that ye muste nowe goo vnto my womenÌ„ aÌ„d saye to theÌ„ that to mornÌ„ betymes j shall goo in pilgremage accompayned of you onely and that they take hede see well to alle thinges And ye I to fore the sonne rising shal enterprise in the most secrete wyse that shall be possible oure eÌ„queste vpoÌ„ the most noble and vaillianÌ„t knight the most fayr the most adressed that his liuing That is jason myn only freÌ„de we shall do so moche that he shall be foundeÌ„ This aduise semed right good vnto the damoiselle the whiche with alle diligeÌ„ce obeyed to the comauÌ„dement of her maistresse aÌ„d after these thiÌ„ges aboute midnight they made redy her thinges and on the morâ— erly to fore day bothe they toke eche a good palfroye in habite vnknowen and rode forth on their waye and suche was their aueÌ„ture that they cam for to bayte in the logging wher her freÌ„de Iason had logged that nyght And thaÌ„ she began to demande of the hoost of thaffayre dnd contenanÌ„ce of the knight what chere he had made the euen to fore and at his departing what way he had takeÌ„ holde And the hooste answerde to the lady that as to the regarde of his chere and thaffaire of the knight he had nether eteÌ„ ne dronkeÌ„ in alle the euening And a◠〈◊〉 the waye that he had holden he â–ª enseigned to the ladi which was than moche pensif for Iason that had not that eueniÌ„g takeÌ„ no refection of mete ne of drinke ¶ How jason fougt wyth the king dyomedes in the shepe THe noble quâ—…mirro and her damâ—…yed than not loÌ„ge 〈◊〉 batyng for they toke their horses and rood as hastely as to hem was possible so roode iij. dayes long after jason hering in euery logyse where they descended â—idinges of hi but they coude not ouertaken ne finde him And on the fourth day suyng they cam vnto a parte of the see â–ª where was shewid vnto them a ship where in were marchaÌ„ts of athenes was told to them that Iason was therin that he wold go to athenes furthermore yf they wolde goo ther was yet a ship of other marchants that was on the poynt to departe but thenÌ„e the fayr mirro was in suche a point of displaisir whaÌ„ she knewe that jasoÌ„ was departed that she made grete sorowe This notwithstanding she was anonÌ„ conseylled what she wolde doo coÌ„cluded syn that she hadde somoche traueyled that she wolde proue dame fortune went after jason with this coÌ„clusion all ful of aspre sighiÌ„ges she weÌ„t to the ship that sholde disancre for to go to Athenes aÌ„d aggreed with the maroÌ„ner whiche was brought theder by force of tempest winde and anonÌ„ they disancred deê‘ted and whan they sawe that it was calme flewe noÌ„t thei made redy their oores rowed by the force of their atmes for at that tyme meÌ„ vsid not so many sailles as they do now notwithstanding they exployted in suche maner that they caÌ„ into the hye see where they rowed long tyme in whiche tyme the quene Mirro becaÌ„ seke vnto the deth fynably whan they had bencertaine space of tyme a interuaillous orage grete winde caste hem here there in suche wise that fortune broughte heÌ„ to the porte of trace inagre al the maronners for they were al nduertysed that it was perilloê° to ariue there because of the kiÌ„g of that couÌ„tre wiche was named dyomedes The king dyomedes theuÌ„e was a tyrauÌ„t
or not Thusâ— vatieng in this doubte she approched the loggyse syn retourned agayn and after cam agayn and fynably whan she sawe that jason was not in the waye she weÌ„tein requyred of the bourgoys that for her money she myght haue a chambre in that hous ThenÌ„e the bourgoys seeyng that the ladi was moche wele adres sid of gracious maner of speking otherwyse he logged her her damoiselle to her plaisir And dyde do put the two palfrayes in a siable by Iasons hors wiche anon began to nyhe assone as he sinellïd them â–ª for he knewe them for asmoche as they had benlong to gyder in olyferne so made they grete chere eche to other wherof the bourgeys had grete meruaile But thoughte nothing but well and gaf hem heye aÌ„d otes And after came to serue jason And found that his chambre was full of merchants and maronners that were comen with him on the see whiche presented him wyne and mete and gaf him grete yeftes of riche jewelles other strange thiÌ„ges In this ehambre was with jason a man of sixe score yere honeste of his persone and alway strong and habyle the whiche seeyng this presen tacion made to jason cam vnto the hoost and demaÌ„ded him who was this yongknight to whom men dydeso moche honour but the bourgeys and thauncient man axid one of the maronners of this matere And the maronner sayde that he was the beste the mooste vertuous and the moste vayllyaunt knight of the world and that they gaf to hiÌ„ these presentes for as moche as by his hye prowesse he hadde pÌ„serued them from the tyrannye and daunger of the king Dyomedes and of hys complices And so moche sayd the maronner of jaso that they iugged him with his mayntene semblaunce to be a noble knight vailliaunt AmoÌ„g these deuises the marchants â— maronners toke their leue of the preu IasoÌ„ offred theÌ„ to hys comÌ„andement after reiorned vnto their howses anon after that they were goon the bourgeys dyde do couere the table whiche was couerid of the yeftes and jason wolde that the knight shulde sitte first be cause of his aage aunciente for in that tyme men helde the auncient aaged men in moche grete reuereÌ„ce and honour But in this presenâ— tyme hit gothÌ„ all otherwyse the yong men presume to goo sitte aboue olde auÌ„cieâ— men mocke skorne them that beÌ„ come to grete aage sayng that they be feble of their meÌ„bres of their entendement and of nature and ther by many children that don their sader to vnderstande that they be foolis wylling to haue in gouernaunce the poure olde meÌ„ not poure but ryche For hit is grete rychesse to amaÌ„ whan that honorably may amasse and bringe hys dayes vnto the degre of olde aage aÌ„d yet ben ther children that don worse for they desire and wisshe their faders and mods ded and serue hem with thinges coÌ„trarye to their helth lyf the whiche is gretest tresour that amaÌ„ may haue as to wordly goodes Ha a howe many ben ther of them in these dayes I see al most non other for the yoÌ„g peple may not here the doctryne of the olde meÌ„ and wene that they ben so wyse that men nede not to shewe them ony wysedom also they ben vnkinde aÌ„d full of ingratitude â–ª in so moche that yf they knewe ony thing wher with thei might dishonoure them they wolde do it they resenible vnto the sone of noe whiche by derisioÌ„ shewed the secrete membres of his fader Alas what cursed blinde yong the was that â—or to come again vnto our mater the noble jason sette him doun at the table by the auÌ„cient knight â–ª after that the hooste hostesse whiche often tyme exorted jasoÌ„ to make good â—here but jasâ—n might neyther â—tene drinke for certes he dide nothiÌ„g but thinke â–ª spack not one worde but if he were demanded or araisonÌ„ed Afther souper whan the table was voyded Iason thauncient knight were leyde in one chambre where were two beddes whaÌ„jaso was leyde he began to sighe in suche wise of so inward sorow of his herte that it semed that the so wle sholde departe froÌ„ the body wherfore the thauÌ„â—â—ent knight that was loggyd in that other bedde by â—â—ght not slepe â— thoughte right well in him self that â—ason was not at his ease and whan he had long herkened his sighes herde that they encryâ—â—d alway more more he myght no lengeâ— tarye but he must speke and saide in this manere Syr knight I haue grete maruaâ—lle of you Wherfore saide jason for asmoch sayde thauncient knight that your sigheâ— bewailingeâ—iuge to me that ye ar iÌ„ the bedde of deth how well by aâ— that I see â— comprise in you hit semeth not by the sight oâ— the eye that ye be seke for your colour is fressâ— aâ— roose in maye is it not theâ—e grete meruaâ—â—e for to here you sighe yes certayn ha â— sit knight aÌ„swerde theuÌ„e jasoÌ„ if ye iuge the disposicoÌ„n oâ— my body after the colour of my face ye be greâ—ly abused for j haue a seknes maladye right secrete which shal first sâ—ee me eâ— my face be stayned or discolouâ—â—d I am al certayn Sir saide thauÌ„cieÌ„t knight ye holde a grete ramÌ„e of dispair it is consiraynt sayde jason Certes sireknight aÌ„swerd the olde knight If ye will lyue what som euer sekenes ye hane or maladye â—ut you in my hâ—ndes cure and j make me stroÌ„g for to hele make yow hole I trowe sir knight ansnerde jason that hit is not in your cunnyng and power that to doo ner in all thâ— subâ—lte of aâ—â—e the men mortall ¶ ThaÌ„ answerd the aâ—cient knight be ye seke of the maladye of loue wher of no man may remedye but youre lady â—a asire knight â—suerde IasoÌ„ tha â–ª who hath tolâ— you me thiketh that ye oppsse me so sore that I muste ê¯fesse to yow my caas And so I declare to yow that j am somoche smeteÌ„ with the pesâ—yleÌ„ce of loue that j may not lyue ne endnâ—e ne â—te ne drinke ne resâ—e nightne day In good fayth answerde thauncient knight ye dar not be aferd of deth syn that ye haue non other infirmite For the maladye that ê“cedeth of loue is so graciouse that â—it puttetâ— noman to deth Certes the sekenes is of grete ensoigne and payne But hit is a maladie wherof meÌ„ recoure Syr saide thaÌ„ jason If j dâ—ye not of bodili deth j shal dye of spirituel deth for hit is in no wise possible that neuer in this worlde j shall haue plasir or solace and than shall j not be dede Alas I muste nedes ye treuly of the most anguyssâ—yst deth that â—ny man may eÌ„dure Syre aÌ„swerde thaÌ„cient knight ye tell me right grete meruailes j tell you â—routh sayth jason â—or j am so infortunat in loue so moche vnhappy and haue in my self so
haue dremed ony thing that haue nede of exposition or ony interpretacion there is no man â— grece that shal better answere therto thenÌ„e myself and therfore without ony doubte Telle me playnly yowr dreme and I shall expowâ—e to you the substance Certes sire knight saide jason j had a meruaillous dreme this nyght which iÌ„ maner of a passe temps j shall declare to you for as moche as ye ar conÌ„yng in the scieÌ„ce of thexposicioÌ„ therof which dreme or vysion was thyâ— Me thou â–ª ghte that j sawe ij swannes which were right fair iÌ„ a medo we of whoÌ„ that one was a male aÌ„d that other a female The male cam vnto the female made semblaunt for to haue acompanyed with her the female sette nought ther by but withdrewe her aback And whan the malâ— sawe that he entrid vnto a â—yuer that was by and passid ouer and caÌ„ a lye with me here iÌ„ this bedde and hit was notlong after but me thoughte that the female passed the â—yuer in lyke wyse and cam vnto the chambre dore and made many pyetous cryes after her nature that the male might not here for he was aslepe And so hadde I moche grete pyte for the sorowfulllchere that she made in so moche that j awoke and nomore I sawe wherfore I wote neuer what to thinke Whan the auncient knyght hadde wel vnderstande alonge the dreme of the preu Iason he sayde to hym in this manere Syr knight what wole ye saye yf that noble lady for whoÌ„ ye suffre so moche sorow be as moche or more amerous of yow as ye be of her And by this loue she be comen in to this house after yow Ha a sir knyght answerde jason I haue no charge of that stroke for my lady is so noble and so endowed of so hyghe beaute that she setteth nought bi ony maÌ„ in the worlde Aâ—e way fair sir sayde thauÌ„cient knight your dreme signifieth by thise two swannes Of whom wolde make the bataylle or thenterpryse that desyreth coÌ„panye of the female that ye haue willed to be husbonde to your lady The whiche wolde not here you and neuertheles whan she hath knowen that ye entred on the see she entred after in semblable wyse and is comé after you iÌ„to this propre hous where by auenture she is in moche grete payne for the loue of yow In thys facoÌ„n maye I prenosticque dyuyne this werk after the naturÌ„ of your dreme â—ason with these wordes began to sighe ryght ardanÌ„tly aÌ„d sayde what is this and fro whens cometh to me this fantasie that may more greue me thenÌ„e helpe I knowe well that it is a grete abuse to me for to thinke and haue a renouelement of payne and of sorow O what payne is to a tre we louar infortunat for to be in coÌ„tynuel martire Ha a my dere lady why haue ye not the eyen so cleer for to beholde with in my herte and knowe in what martyrdom I am In what sorow and in what anguysshe Certes madame youre eyen basilique haue hurte me vnto the deth O what distresse O what guerdonÌ„ for good seruice I fynde me in the handes of right harde deth But yet for to passe the sonner my sorowe j shall praye the goddes that j may be eurews after my grete vnhappines ThenÌ„e the sage and auÌ„cient knight Mopsius hering the noble preu Iason thus sorowfully coÌ„playne him selfe and lamenting in fauour of noblesse was gretly enyoyed in corage and for somoche he sayde to him iÌ„ this maner For goddes sake sir knyght leue and goo oute of this fantasye for to moche to muse in infortune is nothing prouffytable A manÌ„ with grete trauaylle and labour bringeth his dayes to an ende hauing his lyfe trauersid in many contrarie thinges Ther is no man so ewrous happy that hath alle waye his wyll Certes te thyme muste be taken as hit cometh is hit hard or softe The herte of a maÌ„ shol de not abasshe â— no thing Me semethÌ„ we haue spoke ynowhÌ„ of loue spraye yow that froÌ„ hens forth we may entte ito an other purpose And that ye wolde telle to me your name and the place of your buyrth the name of your how 's and dwelling place Veritably sir knight answerde Iaso than If ther be ony man that may redresse and gyue confort to a desolate hert aud disconforted ye be he most propice aboue alle other I haue founden so moch goodnes in you that yf ye wole telle me your name with out ony faute I sal telle yow myn also Fair sire answerde thauÌ„-cieÌ„t knight your desire is to me agreable in suche wise that I shal recoÌ„pre to you my lyf and alle myn asiate more than ony man that I haue seeÌ„ this vj. score yere Knowe ye than that my name is Mopsiê° The god nppollo was my fader j am king of Sylice I haue conquerd the coutre Pamphile I haue had twoo sones And whan they were come to maÌ„nes age I haue made them possessours of my landes syn I am deê‘ted in suche estate as ye me now see j haue beÌ„ in the worlde vi score yere during whiche tyme I haue seen haue lerdned pleÌ„te of good stranÌ„ge werkes prayng you and require that ye shewe to no ê‘sone myn estate ne coÌ„dicioÌ„s by no facoÌ„n of the worlde and whaÌ„ so is that ye speke to me that ye name ne calle me none other name but Mopsius opeÌ„ly ne collectly and for diuerce cause Mopsiê° aÌ„swerde than the noble Iason syn it so plesith you to be named called j ê“mise you vpon my honour that in so moch as toucheth that ye haue said hit shal beholdeÌ„ secrete in myn herte also fast suche manere as ye had closed it in the moost harde roche of the worlde to the regarde to saye to you how j am named knowe ye for certayn that I am callid Iason am borne of the prouynce of thessaile sone of the gentyl king Eson of Mirmidone that yet liueth as j suppose but he is moche auncieuÌ„ With these wordes Mopsius for to make Iason for to forgete his melancolyes he began to demande him of the nature of the royaume of myrâ—â—done of the countrees aboute ad after demanded hym of the birthe of his aage and of his auentures and after this he enquired of him many other thiÌ„gs vnto the tyme that they began to ryse make hem redy but what thing that jason sayde or herkenyd he had alway his thought on his lady and sighed ofte tymes out of mesure WhaÌ„ the two noble kinghtes were rysen and clad in poynt jasoÌ„ weÌ„te strayt in to the stable to hys horse whomÌ„ he louyd well but incoÌ„tineÌ„t whan he had ben there alytil that he had ê‘ceyuid the. ij palfroyes of the lady of the damoiselle hisemâ—d that he had seen them to fore tynâ— ThenÌ„e he callid the seruaunt of the stable demaÌ„ded of hym to whom tho two horses
whom j putte to vttrance by the vertue of the grete beaute of her and to her apperteyneth the right worship and honour And syn that iÌ„ haue sayde to yow so moche and that hit is reason that ye knowe alle I declare to you that I come now to yow in enteÌ„cionÌ„ that my kennes men frendes be assembled for to holde me coÌ„panye to goo and wedde her so hye and so noble a lady the whiche is conteÌ„te to be my wyf forseen that I sholde eâ—pouse wed her hononrably asit apperteyneth to the doughter of a king For by thise condycions ben the ê“messes made and accorded The noble aÌ„d auncient king Eson heering thise tydynges had moche more joye at his herte thenÌ„e he had a fore and sayde Certes my dere sone I am ryght yoyous of thy wele and worship â–ª of thy prouffit and of thyn auauÌ„cemeÌ„t I thinke well that fortune hath ben socourable to the noble lady to whoÌ„ thou hast ben seruaunt but with right grete payne maye I beleue that thou allone hast vayâ—â—uysshâ—d the geant and if it be so j thaÌ„ke the goddes but late it passe forth if thou hast goten the grace of her so fair so noble ladi j haue no grete meruaile there of for loue â— suche a caas beholdeth no ê‘sone And neuer the lesse to th ende that thou knowe howe j desire aboue all thing of the worlde to see multiplicacioÌ„ in thy seed j shall araye thens to the sone of a king is lawfull apê‘teynyng and j shall sende the so well iÌ„ point of abillemeÌ„s of warre of noble menÌ„ accoÌ„payned that by raison she ought haue suffisauÌ„ce ThenÌ„e the preu jason thaÌ„ked the king his fad of this goode answere And at that tyme they spak no more of the matere but entended to feste Mopsiê° and Theseê° whom they prayd to tarie and accompanye jasoÌ„ vnto the daye of hys wedding and the two goode knigtes ê“mysed that they sholde so doo and so they were gretly fested of the king and of his nobles and also of Peleê° whiche dide it agayn his hert making a fained chere Among many deuyses Mopsiê° Theseus recompted of jason thauâ—ture that he had iÌ„ Trace against the tyraunt king Dyomedes and lykened Iason for his vayliauÌ„ce habilite vnto his felaw Hercules whiche was the most strong man and best assewred that was vnder the clowdes And because â—f his highe preysinges and recomÌ„endacioÌ„s the bruyt of preu jason augmeÌ„tid and encresid from day to day And hit is not to be vnremeÌ„brid that theÌ„uie of the vntrewe peleus grewe so terribly that he by no facoÌ„n myghte ne coÌ„ude haue no reste daye ne night in so moche that in the comyng agayn of noble jasoÌ„ he was aduertised that in the yle of delphos the god appollo gaf aÌ„swers of thinges that were to come and of all destinees wherfore he weÌ„te him self into that yle aÌ„d entrid into the teÌ„ple anoyed meruaillously aÌ„d peÌ„sif whaÌ„ he had made his orisâ—â— bi grete deuocioÌ„ ê¯sequeÌ„tly his demaÌ„d for to knowe whether euer he shold eniyoe the royaume of mirmidone The deuil whiche was in the ydole that herde him aÌ„suerde to hi that the royame sholde be takeÌ„ froÌ„ him by the hand of a maÌ„ that he shold mete hauiÌ„g nonÌ„ hose ner shoo oÌ„ that one foot Peleê° heriÌ„g this harde answer was meruaillously abasshed departed froÌ„ theÌ„s so passing soroufull that he semed better a maÌ„ nourisshed in al his lyf in sorow or ê¯deÌ„pned to cruel deth thaÌ„ ony other wise as hit shal be declared here after a long As thenÌ„e Peleê° was iÌ„ this retourning vnto Mirmidone alway conspiring the deth of the right noble j a so ymaginyng how he might resiste his miserable folissh destine a good olde knight mette hym on the waye This knight begaÌ„ to beholde hiÌ„ in his playn vysage and the salutacion of theÌ„ bothe gyuen rendred And knowing that he was moche peÌ„sif full of melaÌ„colies he deuised to him of many thiÌ„ges meruayles of the worlde And amoÌ„g all other deuises he said to hiÌ„ that in a yle staÌ„ding vpoÌ„ the este see was a moch riche noble motonÌ„ or shepe hauyng his flees alle of fyn golde the which was not possible to be coÌ„querd And that many vailauÌ„t knightes had lost there their lyf These deuises takeÌ„ an ende the two knightes deê‘ted eche from other and thenÌ„e peleus reentryng into hys melaÌ„colyes thinking moche on the aÌ„swere that he had receyued of the god Appollo and coÌ„cluded in hym self that if hit happend that he mete Iason barfoot on that one fote he sholde finde the maneres yf he myght to sende him into the yle wherof the knight had told him that the ryche motoÌ„ or flees of gold was to th eÌ„de that he myghte be there deuoured aÌ„d neuer retourne agayn What shal j saye more the ê‘uerse vntrewe peleê° passid forth on his waye in suche ê¯spiracions ayenâ—t jason and cam so ferre that he fonÌ„de his neuewe Iason in a medowe by myrmidone Certes the noble jason and Theseê° were thenÌ„e in a medowe with many noble bachelers of the countree passing her tyme in makiÌ„g pleÌ„te of diuerce esbatemeÌ„ts playes in streÌ„gthe of body as wrastlyng lepiÌ„g rennyng castiÌ„g the barre or stone or drawing the bowe whaÌ„ jason sawe his vncle peleê° come he wente to hiÌ„ sor to welcome hiÌ„ aÌ„d was vnhosed vnshoed on his ryght foot aÌ„d made to him the reuereÌ„ce And thenÌ„e peleê° whiche was in doubte of hiÌ„ apê‘ceyued anone his fote bare howe well he saide not a worde but shewed a right grete signe of loue vnto his neuewe jason whiche thought nothing of the malice felon corage of his vncle whiche was garnisshid of ypocresye of traison of all euyll And syn passed forth sayng to him self that jasoÌ„ sholde put him out of the royaume But yf he founde som remedye aÌ„d that briefly â–ª As ye may vnderstande peleus retourned right sorofull dolanÌ„t right desirous for to destroye and do to deth his neuew jason he frowned in this wyse and bote on this lippe a grete while after he be thought him ê¯cluded in him self that he wolde do ordeyne make a riche dyner to which he wolde do calle alle the nobles of the royaume and of the couÌ„trees by and adiacent Sayng that he wolde shewe vnto his neuew jason all that he had herd recompted of the noble motonÌ„ or sheep of gold to th eÌ„de that he sholde enterprise for to goo to conquere hit And whan he had made this deliberacioÌ„ in hys courage he sent for to praye to somone the most part of the nobles of the Royaume aÌ„d the countrees by Whiche cam gladly vnto this feste assemblee at the daye to them signified Certes thys Peleus dyde do garnisshe this dyner with al vy aÌ„des and noble metes delicious aÌ„d with beaurages and drinkes sumptuous composed with spices But whaÌ„ al
the king aÌ„d how they had bataille to geder AFter thys euyl aueÌ„ture the king Appollo aÌ„d they that were with hiÌ„ retorned vnto the palays enclynyng theyr heedes a dounÌ„ shewâ—g that anoye had enterprysed theÌ„ whan they were come to the palays all they bewaylid zechius durâ—g this sorow the wyf of zechius named Mena cam thether for to here tydynges of her husbonde hit was sayd to her that he was left dede in the yle of colchos wherfore she demened so meruayllous sorow that she fylle to the erthe al in a spasme a swouÌ„â—e and after cam to her self thenÌ„e she rent of her a tyre and drew her heer out of her hede by moche aspre anger sorowe in suche a facoÌ„n that forth with she was delyuerid of a chylde whiche she had conceyuid of her lorde and husbonde the whyche deyde assone as it was bornÌ„ for it had not his fulle tyme. for the deth of which childe the anger sorow was moch the more Appollo thenÌ„e wenyng to conforte her dyde alle that he coude but ye halpe not ner profyted no thiÌ„g made her to be brought in to hys hous for the better to make her wepinges lamentacions at her wyll And ther was none that myght coÌ„forte her The womeÌ„ the kiÌ„g freÌ„des of them that were dede with zechius semblably made grete sorow during whiche sorowe Appollo â–ª visited oftetymes Mena. aÌ„d founde that she had coÌ„tynuelly the teeris in her eyen hou wel she was a moche fayr lady By haunting from day to daye appollo knewe the grete and good loue that she had to her husboÌ„ de that in no maner might forgete him began to wexe amerous of the lady iÌ„ so moche that he required her to be his wyf and she agreed and acorded therto iÌ„ suche wise that the one espoused that other and engendryd on her a doughter the whiche was borne in goode terme and was named fanoles Amonge all other thiÌ„ges zethephiê° began to haue envye vpon the king appollo for asmoch as his glorie encresid dayli more and more Thys miserable enuye encresid in his corage him semed that if of appollo of mena cam a sone that sone sholde succede to the royaume after Appollo for which cause he employed him self with al his power to ê¯plaire plese aê‘tye of the cytezeyns aÌ„d whan he felte him in their grace he assembled heÌ„ on a daye in his hous and sayde to theÌ„ in this maner My brethren and goode freÌ„des ye knowe well that I am of your lignage and that all my lyf j haue coÌ„uersed louyngly among you aÌ„d in like wise myn auÌ„cetres wyth youres haue had alway entier aliaunce thys considerid my herte iugetâ— that ye owe me goode will and desire myn encrees and honour And for somoche as yow power is ryght grete in this cyte I prayâ— and requyre yow if hit so happe that appollo go fro lyfe to deth that ye will haue my sone for recoÌ„maÌ„ded and that he may be king after hiÌ„ as ye knowe wel that heâ—s therto worthy The frendes of zethephius hering these wordes alle accorded with goode herte to do for hiÌ„ all that they mighte ThenÌ„e zethephiê° promised to them many grete thinges in cans they wolde make Feris his sone kiÌ„d aÌ„d promised so moche good that they ê¯spired the deth of the king appollo And in dede they made couenaunt that they sholde sâ—ee hiÌ„ if they fouÌ„de him at their auaÌ„tage After this coniuroysonÌ„ thenÌ„e that these miserable ê‘uers traitres were withdrawen in to their howses They coÌ„mened with their neyghbours of the deth of the king appollo ê“mised theÌ„ grete noÌ„bre of money if they might come aÌ„d obteyne their enteÌ„t som ther were couetoê° desiriÌ„g their singuler prouffit accorded vnto this sedicioÌ„ but also som ther were that iÌ„ no wise wold ê¯seÌ„te therto but alowed the grete preudhoâ—â—ie wisedoÌ„ of Appollo shewed well that they â–ª had hiÌ„ better iÌ„ gÌ„ce â–ª thaÌ„ zetheâ—iê° Thus amoÌ„g theÌ„ begaÌ„ to meue ryse many raÌ„cours discordes debats this rumour roos iÌ„ so hye tâ—es so plainly that zethephius his coÌ„plices counertiy murdred many of theÌ„ that wolde not accorde vnto theyr tray sonÌ„ and somoch multiplied these oultragious syuÌ„es that whaÌ„ som of the wel willars of the king appollo sawe their felawesmurdrid they drew to the king appollo tolde to him the machinacoÌ„n of zethephyus the oultragyons synÌ„es that his felawes dide requyred him moche that he wolde take hede entende to their fayte and to finde suche reinedie to kepe his lyf wele honour aÌ„d the proufryt of the coâ—yn wele The king Appollo was meruayllonssy troubled had grete sorow iÌ„ his corage whaÌ„ he was aduerrised of these harde tydinges how wel he â—duysed him right wysely for with alle diligeÌ„ce he dide take enformacio of these thinges founde that they had saide to him the verite trouth that zethephius seduysed the peple ayenst him by tyrannye al euydente that coÌ„tynuelly he had in his house an C. menÌ„ of euyl lyf the whiche coÌ„mysed al the euyll they coude thinke vpon them that they founde not of their veÌ„de the grete trouble displai sir of king Appollo doubled thenÌ„e whan he knewe for trouth that it was trewe that he was aduertised of NotwithstaÌ„ding he endured the malice of zethephius his complyces acertayn space but whan he apperceyued their conduyte and that fro day to day they apayred more thenÌ„e amended he sente to zâ—â—ephiê° that he sholde do iuâ—â—â—ce of hys seruauntes aÌ„d suche as were culpable of the deth the whyche tyrannysed in the cyte if he wolde not he wolde seche remedie him self Whan zethephyus vnderstode the message of the king Appollo he answerde to him wit a mouÌ„th ful of feloÌ„nye that he was wyse ynough for to correcte his seruauntes and that he wolde not do but at his plaisir thaÌ„ the messager caÌ„ reported this aÌ„swer to the king appollo the whiche he herde Appollo deliberid in hi selfe that he wolde suffre alytil for to see hou his enemyes wold mayntene hem during whiche tyme he behelde him welassurid in his palais buâ— â–ª hit was notloÌ„g after but zcâ—hephyus his folk coÌ„mysed more oultrages aÌ„d cruelte thene they dyde to fore in somoche that al the peple roos meuid on a daye And there were somme that cam vnder appollo and the other wente to the traytres the whiche assemblid in thys maner by grete pryde that surmonÌ„ted on theÌ„ and sente to appollo that he sholde prestly departe out of the palays and goo his waye out of the cyte or ellis they wolde wele that he knewe that they were his mortell enemyes Anone as appollo had receyued this maÌ„dement he vnderstood well that the thinge was in euyll terme if he put not paynÌ„ to subdue put vnder thyse traytres bi artned wherfore he callid the
â—f I dide him this auauÌ„cemeÌ„t after sette nought by me for the loue of hys first lady in amours To whoÌ„ he recoÌ„maÌ„ded hiÌ„ bi mopsiê° as j right nou herde certes j sholde dye for sorow shall j late hiÌ„ aueÌ„ture to furnissh hys auowe thenÌ„ deth shal folowe alas nay for if he deide there my deth were me right nygh for asmoch thenÌ„ as I loue hi bettÌ„ thenÌ„ my lyf my hert â—â—â—eth that this is he for whom the goddes haue establisshid thys meruaillous auenture in the yle of Colchos And furthermore me semeth that if I do for him so grete a thing as for to saue his lyf aÌ„d that by my moyen he shal come to aboue of hys enterpryse honourably that for the merite rewarde of my benefice he shal be content aÌ„d ioyous to take me to hys wyf MEdea the noble lady with this ê¯clusion fyll a slepe passid the night til the day caÌ„ the king rose vp more erly thenÌ„e he was woÌ„te to doo for to come to Iason wenyng to lette breke his enterprise hou wel he weÌ„te vnto him whan he knewe that he was rysen And founde Hercules with him They entresalewed eche other After they began to deuyse of the yle of Colchos and the king reherced of them that had ben in colchos â–ª and hou they had ben slayn devowred aÌ„d after this couÌ„ceylled Hercules jason that they sholde in no wyse go theder but what remonstrance he shewed hem jasoÌ„ abood in his purpoos for to take thadueÌ„ture and to put his body in Ieopardie among the thre terrible crymynell bestes coÌ„cluded that he wolde deê‘te thederward with in foure dayes folowing Whan the goode king apperceyuyd that ther was none other remedye but that jasoÌ„ was verily deliberyd concluded taccomplisshe his auowe vpoÌ„ the right meruaillous aueÌ„ture of Colchos he deported hi selfe for spekiÌ„g more therof and couÌ„ceylled jason that for to passe his tyme he sholde goo to the teÌ„ ple of the goddesse Deane which the ladyes of Sychye had newly foun ded in a forest called Edee Iason thaÌ„ked him moche of his good couÌ„ seyl sayde that he wolde go theder with goode herte thaÌ„e he disposed him to go theder and sente for all the grekes of his companie toke with him the representacion of the noble goddesse pallas whiche was in hys ship aftre this he sette forth his knightes on the way him self bering the sayde representacion went after with them Hercules theseê° weÌ„t besyde the preu Iason had to fore hem trompettes claryons tabours other instruments that made so ioious anoise bruyt that they of the Cyte had meruayle som ther were that folowed them For amoÌ„g all other Medea her suster other ladyes and damoyselles vnto the noÌ„bre of iij. C. folowed hasted hem so sore that they were at the temple to fore the grekes ¶ Whan jason was come to this teÌ„ple medea cam mette with him by the incytacyon admonesshemeÌ„t of loue and entresalewed eche other curtoissy and ther were many of the grekes that behelde medea in makiÌ„g their prayers Alway jason that thought on nothing but on his deuocions eutrid into the temple and sette the repÌ„sentacioÌ„ of the goddes pallas by nygh the goddes deane whaÌ„ he had so don he caste hi self douÌ„ on bothe his knees to fore the awter there was so loÌ„g in prayers oroisoÌ„s that the fayr medea was sore greuid aÌ„d anoyed for she desired sore to speke with him was iÌ„ al determined for to saue to him his lyf in pÌ„seruyng him froÌ„ the fire venyn that the. iij. meruailloê° bestes caste rendrid At the last jasoÌ„ arose from his praiers aÌ„d came to the ladyes to whom he made reuereÌ„ce and principally to medea the whiche aroos ayenst hi whom the ladyes and damoy felles behelde moche enteÌ„tifâ— after she toke him by the hand ledde him and shewid him al the places of the temple and among al other she shewid him there the repÌ„sentacioÌ„ of the god mars wenyng for to speke to him of certayn thinges the whiche she desired sore to know the trouth But hercules and theseus other of the grekes ladyes and damoiselles folowed so nygh that she wist notâ—ou thacoÌ„plisshe her enteÌ„cioÌ„ how wel that she lad him loÌ„g whaÌ„ she sawe that she might not haue her entent there she sayd to hercules that she wold briÌ„g theÌ„ into the temple of Venus ThenÌ„e the preu jason aÌ„d Hercules thaÌ„ked the noble lady of her courtosye departed from the temple of deane for to go to the temple of Venus but in goyng medeâ— began to sighe as she that hadde therte â—flamÌ„ed of a meruaillouse ardeur and brenÌ„yng thenÌ„e whaÌ„ she coude not hyde that 〈…〉 her hert bi force she entemed ◠〈◊〉 to opene her mater iÌ„ this wyâ—… Certes right noble knight j 〈◊〉 moche your grete beaute wherfore inadaâ—ne ansuerd Iason for asmoch sayde she as I haue vnderstaÌ„de that nonÌ„ may breke ne torne you fro theÌ„terprise that ye haue taken but that ye wyl aueÌ„ture yow in the ê¯quest of the flces or shepe of golde whiche is a thing impossible to ony man liuing knowe ye for certayn that if ye go theder ye shal neuer retorne for as moche as ye be comen of so noble extraction of ryal lygnage that it is so that euery lyke loueth his semblable by this veray aÌ„d naturel resou I complayne you aboue alle other me thinketh that ye be meruaillonssy abused for to so will lose your lyf certes I hane not herd of a gretter simplenes for naturelly euyri creature fleeth the deth and desireth to lyue it hath wel ben declared aduertised to you of the parils that beÌ„ in this aueÌ„ture that for to bringe to effect ye shal lose your lyf yet alway ye wole not byleue couÌ„ceyll Certes jason it is euyll donÌ„ ye doo agaynst nature whaÌ„ ye be cause of your deth whiche euery man ought to flee soueraynly ¶ WhaÌ„ jason had vnderstande this that sayd is he aÌ„swerde to the noble lady in thys maner Ha a fayr madame j haue right wel vndstande your wordes resoÌ„s which â—â—n good holsosâ—e but ye compte not that evyri noble bodi ought soâ—â—er chese the deth theâ—â—e to do or conseÌ„te thing that sholde be ayenst theyr honour hit is wel trouth that in the pÌ„sence of the grettest princes of grece I haue auo wed to bringe to ende this eÌ„terpse how wel that it be meruaillous and doubteuse shal j thenÌ„e go ayenst my word Certes ther ne is waye ne moyen none but that I must nedes furnisshe this adueÌ„ture or ellis that I be poynted wyth the finger of reproch cowardyse as a ryght recreat knyghte By alle my goddes I had leuer tabyde this aueÌ„ ture thenÌ„e fortune sholde predestine me to do thing
thenÌ„e jason deê‘ted fro the temple retorned wyth the grekes vnto the palays the fayr medea abode in the temple moch pensif in grete â—ayne â— somoch that after the departing of the grekes she knelid doun huÌ„bli tofore the repÌ„sentacion of venê° said in this maner Ryght soueraine goddesse of louers whiche holdest alle the faytes of nature in thy domynacion seignourie I yelde me vnto thy good mercy ha a where may â— be come for to haue goode couÌ„ceylle j haue requyred the noble knight jason of loue or atte lest j haue reueled shewid to him the secrete of myn herte aÌ„d of my thought with that I haue offryd to saye to him aÌ„d declare the secrete of the goddes haue I donÌ„ euyl I wote neuer but atte lest I apê‘ceyue clerely that I haue my self to him abandonned gyâ—en Haa what shame is this ye verayli and more if he daigneth not to here me but if I may do somoche that he accord vnto my will this shal be to me the most gretest glorie that may come to ony woman of a noble hoê° ha a hygh goddes couÌ„ceylle me enseigne tech me put your helpe to this werk to your â—cell it is now time or neuer After this orisoâ—i abode there the fair medea as al rauisshed was so loÌ„g ther til the ladi thather had in garde caÌ„ to her said that she taried and made her praiers to long and that hit was tyme to retorne to the palays ThenÌ„e aroos medea froÌ„ her contemplacyon alle esprysed of loue as her visage shewid it plainly reforned hom ward And whaÌ„ she was comen to the palais she founde that the king abode her for to goo to dyner but she gaf the king to vnderstonde that she was not wel dispesed and so the king sette him at the table with jason the noble hercules theseus and Caliope the seconde doughter Medea went vnto her chaÌ„bre many ladyes aÌ„d damoiselles folowed her how wel she made hem all deê‘te aÌ„d go out of the chambre reteyned nonÌ„ with her reseruid the lady that had the conduyte and charge of her the whiche was ryght sore abassâ—id of the maintene of Medea Wherfore incontinent as al the women were withdrawen she cam to her sayde thus My dere doughter I haue grete meruaille from whens thys maladye is comen to yow In goode faith aÌ„swerde medea fair moder it nedeth nothing to you to meruayle For ther is no creature what that ever they be but that they must be subgeâ— to receyue the maladies skeâ—es whaÌ„n they come whaÌ„ the godd fortune will send theÌ„ Your resonÌ„ is good sayde thenÌ„ the lady but whan the maladyes ben comeÌ„ it behoueth to seche remedie assone as is possible therfore telle ye to me your necessite where the sekeâ—es holdeth greueth you and j shal aduertise the medicine or phisicien that he shal pourueye for remedie A ha fair moder said Medea Late me in peeâ— It must nedes be that ye telle me â—swerde the lady It is auenture saide medea Wherfore said the lady For asmoche as myn infirmite is ouer secrete for somoch I dar not discouere it A ha my dete lady sayd thenÌ„ I suppose that hit ben amourettis that thus trauaylle yow aÌ„d I am in doubte that theâ—â—eaute the noble vertues of jason ben cause berof for j see you all in other maners thenÌ„ ye were wont to be and if it be so telle hit to me hardyly for ye be the creature aboue alle other of the world that I loue best I haue vnto this tyme the best wyse I coud gouerned aÌ„dnourisshid you for so moch me semeth that ye sholde hyde no thiÌ„g from me aÌ„d if ye be ony thing smyten wy t the dart of loue discouere it vnto me that shal be vnto your herte grete alegement for euery ê‘sone amorous passeth his payne grief lightly whan she findeth to whoÌ„ she may opeÌ„ herte and deuise clerely My fayr moder sayde thenÌ„e medea I see well that it behoueth that ye kno wt alle myn af fayre Certes verily I amourouse of jason somoche that I sholde jeoê‘de my lyf for him and in dede I haue requyred hym that he take me to hys wyf j shall deliuere to him the industrie and teche him hou he shall winne the â—sces of golde also adauÌ„te the ferdful bestes of the yle of Colchos ¶ WhaÌ„ the lady had vnderstaÌ„d this that sayde is she began to wepe tenderly sayng Ha a dere doughter what haue ye donÌ„ I am all dishonoured by you whaÌ„ ye go prayng the straÌ„ge knightes of loue Haa what outrage Certes they shal mocâ— you and if it be knowen ye shal neuer be honoured ne called as ye tofore haue beÌ„ Knowe ye fair moder aÌ„swerde thenÌ„ medea that I haue not donÌ„ so yll as ye wene aÌ„d if I haue required the noble knyght jason of loue hit shal reputed to me vertu aÌ„d not shame ne dishonour for pyte hath â—strayned me so to do for asmoch as hit is in me to saue his lyf to make hiÌ„ retorne with glorie and victorye of his enterpryse for so moch knowe ye that thenÌ„e whan j haue seeÌ„ so fair so wel adressid knight that his lyke shal not be seen in a. M. yere I haue had pyte of hym aÌ„d aboue this loue hath made me enterprise that I haue requyred hym coÌ„sidered many thiÌ„ges that he wolde neuer haue required me and j haue made to hym a promesse which I wil holde entretiene if he wil ensure me that I shal be hys wyf for j haue here wythin by wryting the maner how the goddes will that the motonÌ„ or shepe of golde shal be conquerd wherfore I requyre and praye yow that ye councele me and helpe that by your conÌ„yng conduyte I might gete aÌ„d draw him to my loue that ye wolde do somoch for the loue of me that he haue no souenauÌ„ce of ony other la dy in the worlde saue only on me for it is force that it so be or ellis he be dede perisshed in the yle of colchos where he hath auowed to go finisshe th ende of the right perilloê° aueÌ„ture of the motonÌ„ or flees of goolde And finably that in be wailing and be wepyng his deth j be homycide of him and of my self ThenÌ„e the lady seeyng medea to be in this point behelde sawe how she was of a meruaillous grete corage and yet she thought that ther might come harme of if the maide accomplisshid not partye of her desire and syn brought to her remeÌ„branÌ„ce that she might bringe jason to ê¯quere the motonÌ„ or flees of golde aÌ„d whan she hadde put al thise thiÌ„ges in a balanÌ„ce and fiched in her engyn she began to reconforte medea and in dede ê“mised her that she sholde so doo that without other moyen she shold enioye the
that ye sholde fynisshe youre dayes in Colchos that they haue inspired yow to submitte yow to my wille for other wyse hyt were not possible but that ye sholde be there ded lost therfore for to go forth and make short for we may not loÌ„g holde parlement after youre ordenaÌ„ce and couenauÌ„t I shall accorde me toâ—â—e your wyf in all such maner as I promysed to yow yesterday And yet I promyse you that of your auowe enterpryse ye shall come aboue to your honour and prouffit ye to mornÌ„er the euen be derk and obscure thenÌ„e it is expedieÌ„t that ye lye allone this nyght in your chambre to th ende that I maye the better speke to you and at more leyzer aÌ„d to introduce you more secretly into suche thingis as shal behoue you to holde speke nomore to me of this matere at this present tyme â–ª that none apê‘ceyue of our eÌ„terpryse or of our loue Wyth this the noble lady began to shewe to the noble preu jasoÌ„ the grete rychesse of this representacyon of the goddesse deane Iason alowed hyghly the kiÌ„g oetes that so wel had don it to be ediffied with thise wordes Medea toke leue of Iason aÌ„d of the other knightes of grece whyche taryed a lytill there and after retorned vnto the cyte and after she departed from thens And there was Iason complayned and be wailled of all the peple Sayng one to an other that yt was ryght grete dommage of one so gentill a knyght and so wel adressid that wolde goo and doo destroye him self in al poyntes in the mortall aduenture of Colchos They spak and said moche thing one aÌ„d other And in especyal the noble Kyng Oetes the whiche cam to jason as he departed out of the temple of the goddes deane moch discouÌ„ceyled hiÌ„ thenterprise of colchos and that for nothing he shold desceÌ„de affermyng to hi that he sholde lose his lyf if he entred â–ª aÌ„d that he that had sente him theder dyd hit for to make him dye cautelousâ—y IAson heering the counceyll that the king Oetes gaf hâ— for his wee l thinking how a knyght lyueth in grete reprouche whan â–ª he goth ayenst his auowe aÌ„d promesse And ê¯sidering the coÌ„clusion ê“messe that he had made wy â— medea abode ferme aÌ„d stable in his firste purpoos sayng vnto the king Oetes that for deth ne for ony other 〈…〉 that might come to him he wolde not deporte him but breÌ„gen to an ende and in dede xcluded that on the mornÌ„ without ony lenger tarieÌ„g he wolde make an eÌ„de therof wherfore the king Oetesdemened moche grete sorow in like wise did all the knightes of grece reseruid Hercules Theseus so passid that day spekyng of this meruaillous werk vnto the eueÌ„ that euery maÌ„ withdrew him vnto his place the valliaunt knight jason toke leue of euery man for to withdraw him I to his chaÌ„bre gas Mopsiê° to vnderstaÌ„de that he wolde passe that night in orisonÌ„â— aÌ„d all deuocion coÌ„teÌ„placion that he he wolde haue no manÌ„ with hym at at that time wherof diuerse had grete meruaille for asmoche as he had not be acoustomed so to do and so in sayde that men sholde not suffre him to take so mortal an enterprise from whene he sholde neuer retorne CoÌ„sidering the hyghe aÌ„d recomÌ„anded vines where with he was eÌ„dowed ¶ How the promesses betwene jason Medea were rateffied And how medea deliuerld to him all the mestier crafte that he ought to haue to conquere the noble motonÌ„ or flees of golde how he gate hit _â—T â–ª the poynt thenÌ„e whaÌ„ the sterres reÌ„drid their clerenes clarte and that the mone begaÌ„â—â—â—â—mine the night jason withdrew him into his chaÌ„bre Medea 〈…〉 not she espyed seeyng that he â—…thdrawen al allone as she â—…ged him she opeÌ„de the doâ—…steyre by whiche descended 〈…〉 from the chambre of jason iÌ„to heerls And callid doun jason whiche was right peÌ„syf And whan jasoÌ„ sawe the dore opene medea that callid him he weÌ„te vnto her moche ioyously and salewed her aÌ„d after approched to her for to haue kiste enbrached her but Medeasaide to him that he sholde cesse takyng hi by the haÌ„de brought hiÌ„ into her chaÌ„bre where they satte vpoÌ„ a moche riche tapyte The maistresse of medea cam thenÌ„e bytwene theÌ„ whan she was comen Medea begaÌ„ to speke saye Iason my lorde my frende ye knowe well the promesses that ben bytwene yow me I will wel that in the presence of my goode moder that here is that we make recognycion and ratefye them to th ende that they be hole permanent and after that we shal entende to your coÌ„quest And thenÌ„e jason medea swore aÌ„d creanÌ„ced that they sholde take eche other by mariage there made soleÌ„pne ê“messes Wherof Medea was rightyoyouse so also was her maistresse ThenÌ„e MedeaopeÌ„de a coffre whiche she had made redy where out she drewe a sherte with the bille conteyning thordonnauÌ„ces whiche were requisyte ê“pice for to goo into the yle of Colchos to make the coÌ„quest of the flees of golde ¶ Whan Medea had drawen out the lettre She dyde it to be redde to her frende Iason and after she saide to him in this manere Iason my dere frende for to retorne hooll with youre worship froÌ„ the I le of Colchos froÌ„ whens neuer manÌ„ retorned hit ys of necessite that to fore alle other thinges ye accomplisshe alle tho thiges that ben conteyned in this wrytyng Whyche the god Mars sent to the king appollo And for so moch first to fore alle other thyng ye shall goo vnto the teÌ„ple of the goddesse dine at thye houre And thenÌ„e ye shall adresse you vnto the preest to whom ye shaâ—â—â—yue fyfty besauÌ„tes for youre ofâ—… demande of hym a bole of wâ—… ye shal make sacrefice vnto the 〈…〉 Mars wyth thys sherte whichâ—â—he â—…ollo was clad whaâ— this writyng was deliuerid to him aÌ„d ye must putte in your boxe the bloode of this bole wyth part of the asshen of your sacrefice and with this blood asshenye shal enoynte therÌ„ all youre body this shal preserue you from fyre aÌ„d venyn of the right meruaillous bestes After of the residue of these asshes ye shall dele them in ij partyes wherof that one part ye shall kepe clene aÌ„d pure and ye shall medle that other wyth glew in a boxe whyche I shall gyue you aÌ„d this glewe shall serue for to dompte the two horrible boles thys donÌ„ ye shal take the armes of the kiÌ„g appollo whiche ben on that one syde of the awter of the god mars and ye shall adoube yow with them and thenÌ„e whan ye haue accomplisshed all thise thiÌ„ges ye shal retorne hether agayn to me I shal furnisshe yow of the residue of that shal be behouefull to bringe your coÌ„queste to an ende Certes the preu Iaso was moch esineuruaylled
thenÌ„e whan he vnderstod the hygh mysteres that him behoued to make for to come aboue of his ê¯queste whan he had herd thensignements of medea he thanked her often tymes and thenÌ„e toke the bylle the sherte the boxe with glewe and that whiche was necessarie to him And syn deê‘ted from thens secretly and wente him into the forest where as was the temple of the goddesse deane aÌ„ddyde so moche that he cam to the teÌ„ple wherÌ„ he founde the preest slepyng wherfore he a waked hiÌ„ ThenÌ„e the preest demanded him what he was what he soughte Syre answerde thenÌ„e jason I am a knight that come hether for to sacrefie vnto the god Mars I praye vow that ye wolde deliuere me incontinent a bole with the fire and I shal gyue you for myn offriÌ„g fyfty besanÌ„ts Whan the preest had vnderstaÌ„de jason that he promysed so good an offide he rose vp hasteli in like wise donÌ„ all the preestes curates at this day whan they fele aÌ„d vnderstande that ther shall one a goode offrande come to theyr singuler prouffit anonÌ„ put theyr hand to the cause ThenÌ„e whaÌ„ thys maister prest was risen he cam to fore jason and dide him grete reuerence aÌ„d after saide to hym that diligently he shold be seruid of al that he demanded as he dide for he pÌ„pared made redy the fire bole which he brought into the temple ThenÌ„e the noble IasoÌ„ mad his oroisonÌ„ vnto god mars aÌ„d vnto god appollo He toke after this the bole made his sacrefice put the shert therto whaÌ„ al was torned into asshes he distribued it into thre partyes one part with the blood of the bole which he reteyned enointed hys body wyth al by the preest The second partye he medled with the glewe that was in the boxe aÌ„d the thirde part he putte in a lytyl sack of sylk whiche he reseruid kept clene These thinges donÌ„ aÌ„d accoÌ„plisshed as sayd is jason knelid doun made his prayers the seconde tyme aÌ„d whan he had made all his deuocyons he delyuerid to the preest fyfty besanÌ„tes that he had promysed to him with that he presented gaf him a ryche mantel of cloth of golde which he brought with him made the preest to a adoube him wyth the armes of god appollo whyche was there promysing him to brynge them agayn aÌ„d whan the preest had armed jason at alle pointes jason recoÌ„manded hiÌ„ vnto god mars Appollo to the goddesses dyane pallas venus syn toke leue of the preest dyde somoche that he retorned secretly into his chambre by the whiche he descended into the chambre of Medea whom he fonde slepiÌ„g Whan Iason sawe Medea in thys point also sawe her maistres aslepe he was terrybly esprysed wyth loue chauffid in somoche that the bloode began to boylle in hys body his herte began to desire so sorein suche facoÌ„n that he approched to medea and kyssed her mouth but with the kysshing she awoke had moche grete ioye thenÌ„ whan she had seeÌ„ and espied hym so armed with the armes of the king appollo ThenÌ„ jason made the reuerence to Medea after said to her in this maner Madame I haue don alle â—hatye haue enseigned nie also nyghe as I myghte aÌ„d am enoynted with the bloode of the bole of whom iÌ„ haue made sacrefice to the goddes aÌ„d lo here the glew medlid with a ê‘t of the asshes commande me now that shal plese yow what I shall doo spede yow for it is nyghe daye My frende answerde medea welcome be the daye anonÌ„ wyth the ayde of the goddes ye shal gete the grettest glorie that euer knyght lyuing gate aÌ„d knowe ye in the recommeÌ„dacion of you aÌ„d grete preysing hit shal be spoken of vnto the ende of the worlde ¶ Wyth thise wordes she toke a vestiment whiche was ryche and gaf it to him sayng My fayr loue ye be pourueyed of all that is behouefull for you so that ye haue this vestimeÌ„t vpon your armes see that ye werke frely corageeusly with this that ye haue ye must be pourueyed wy â— hardinesse valiauÌ„ce kepe wel your bille be diligent to do and accoÌ„plisshe al that it contieneth and by the plaisir of the goddes â–ª j shall haue you here at euene with more gretter â—solacion ThenÌ„e jason clad hym aboue his harnoys wyth the propre vestiment that appollo was cladd at the houre whan he receyuid the bylle a fore said With that the day apperid fayr clere wherfore jasoÌ„ toke leue of medea whiche was al rauysshed with loue At leue takiÌ„g they kyssed eche other many tymes Fynably medea conueyed jason vnto his chaÌ„bre dore and their began there amotonse baisierâ— kisshinges vnto the tyme that it was force that Medea must withdrawe her thenÌ„e she recommanded jason in the gard of the goddes shette fast the dore jt was not long after that Mopsius hercules cam knokked at the chaÌ„bre dore of Iason aÌ„d with theÌ„ the good knight Theseus many other all of grece whiche salewed jason gafe him the good morow but whaÌ„ they espyed that he was tho armed and â—â— poynte they were moche esbayed and wold haue axed of him who had so armed him adowbed But the kiÌ„g octes other of his knightes cam also to him salewed jason aÌ„d the king seeyng jason in point toke the wordes saide A ha sire knight what wille ye doo ye seke your destructioÌ„ whaÌ„ so erly ye begynÌ„ to putte you forth I counceylle yow that ye deporte yow of this enterpryse I declare you ellis homycide of your self For he is of him self homicide that knoweth hys deth in a place aÌ„d voluÌ„taryly he put him self therin Sire king aÌ„swerde thenÌ„e jason I confesse that ye conÌ„ceyle me wysely but neuertheles in hope for to liue j haue well entencionÌ„ to achieue myn eÌ„terpryse without lenger delaye j thanke yow of the grete honour that ye haue made me vnto this tyme Mopsius toke the worde sayde Certes jasoÌ„ fayr sire I haue this night had a meruayllous vysion the whiche conforteth me in youre victorie For me semeth in my first dreme that j sawe a sperhauke the whiche sechyng his praye putte him self among many other terrible byrdes of strange nature the whiche in a lytyll while he had all ouercome aÌ„d put to deth so j compare tho same byrdes terrible of strange nature vnto the two boles aÌ„d to the serpeÌ„t beyng in the yle of colchos whyche euery nyght caste fyre fumyer aÌ„d as touching the sperhauke I vnderstande you that seching hys 〈…〉 that iâ— to saye youre aduenture on this daye by the ayd of the goddes â–ª ye shalle be made vaynqueure of the horrible monstres possessour of ryghte gloriouse renommee ¶ Whan jason hadde vnderstonden this that sayd is He aÌ„swerd to mopsiê° sayng Certes fair sire the goddes shall doo
hydoâ—se feates I renonÌ„ce yow in alle poyntes your companye and coÌ„mand you vnto the goddes After these wordes jason departed from the chaÌ„bre sore disconforted and without takyng leueof the king his faderne of other persone he departed allone vpon his hors fro the castell of Pintaquo ¶ Whan Medea had vnderstande that jason to whoÌ„ she had do so moche as her semed of honour other thinges renonÌ„ced her ê¯panye and that she apyceyued that he had taken his hors â–ª was allone departed oute of the castell She toke her yongest sone in her armes and twoo of damoiselles in her companye And in this wise went after jason thinking to repease him by fayre wordes â–ª but the preu jasoÌ„ was in ouer grete trouble and anger rode alle way forth to fore hym so long that he entrid into a forest And ê¯tinuelly had his veu aÌ„d sight to ward the erthe â–ª thinkng on the malefetes of Medea of her inhumanytes aÌ„d murdres And he weÌ„te so ferre in the woode that medea knew not where he becam how weâ—e she retorned not to Pintaquo but sought alway jason as long as the day endured And at nyght she â–ª her childe her two damoiselles laye vndre a tre for the better wyth sore bewayling The king Eson dide do burye thys night his broder peleus hys twoo doughters honourably â–ª and made a meruaâ—lloê¯ sorow for their deth but whan it cam at the euen that Medea ne jason his sone cam not to him as they were acustomed his sorow doublid in grete anguissâ—e and iÌ„ grete displaisir cessed not al the nyght to be in grete thought melancolye Whan the mornyng was comeÌ„ â–ª he sente out his men into the woode for to seche jason medea but they that so were sent coude woot finde theÌ„ ne here no tydinges of them And the preu jason wente alwaye forth also pensif as he myght be his auenture was suche that after many iourneyes many wayes aÌ„d champaynes trauersid as he that tode by day in the nyght restid lete hys hors bayte pasture in the feldes aÌ„d medo wes he arryued in the cyte of Corinthe â–ª where as waste king of that countre named Creante the which had thenÌ„e a fayre doughter named Creasa Iason went vnto thys creaÌ„te aÌ„d gaf him to knowlech what he was â–ª but creante assone as he hadd knowlech of hym dide hiÌ„ moche grete honour for the loos goode renoÌ„mee that he had goten by his ryght hye valiauÌ„ce in many a royame aÌ„d countre In cormthe theâ—e Iason dweld and abode a certam space of tyme Lteusa that was a right fayr lady â–ª beheld ofte tymes Iason And desired wy t goode wille to be accoÌ„panyed wyth him â–ª but jason was so empesshid wy t sorow of melaÌ„colye â–ª that he might take none hede of hit And furthermore he was so charmed that in no wyse he might loue none except medea Whan the king creante apperceyued the maintene of Iason and that he made no joye by ê¯tinuaunce of time â–ª he caÌ„ to him on a daye â—iured hi that he shold telle hiÌ„the cause of his anoye grief And how well that jason excused him alle way the king oppressid him more more dide somoche by fayr wordes Iason confessid to him the auentures that were befalleÌ„ betwene him medea â–ª aÌ„d sayd to him also how he was departed fro his countrey more for to withdrawe him fro Medea to forgete her thenÌ„ for ony other cause â–ª but he coude not finde the manere ne me ne for to come to his aboue The king Creante whyche was a wise prince knowing the caas of jason by thys that he gaf him knowleche wolde be his cordyall frende for be counceylled him that assone as he myght he sholde take wedd a new wyf saying that the loue new acqueyntanÌ„ce of a new wyf shold make â–ª him lyghtly to lose and forgete the thoughtes Imaginacyons of loue and the plaisits that he hath had in the firste WhaÌ„ jason had vnderstaÌ„de that the king counceilled him wisely that he saide to him the secrete of the caas he thanked him moche and sayde that he wolde marie him if he coude finde a wyf after his estate And therwith he toke leue of the king and wythdrew him into his logys it was not long after that he ne retorned vnto the palays of the king for to see the ladyes among all other de began to beholde the fair Creusa And approched to her weniÌ„g to requyre her of loue but whaÌ„ it cam to the openyng of hys mouth certes the souuenauÌ„ce of medea cam to fore him that toke awaye all hys enteÌ„demeÌ„ts in al poyntes Whan jasoÌ„ saw this that sayd is â–ª he arose vp froÌ„ theÌ„s entrâ—oÌ„ into a gardyn where he fonde him self so melancoliod troubled in his courage that he knewe not what he might do best ThenÌ„ it happend that the kyng anone after came into this gardyne for to reclayme a sperhawke of his â–ª but he foÌ„ de jason sett vnder the tree Then he wente to him for to resone wy him â–ª and jason arose incontineÌ„t as he sawe hym come and thenÌ„e the kyng aâ—ed him how hit was how he felte him Certes syre answerde thenÌ„ Iason me semeth that I am alwaye in one poynt â–ª after sayde to hym in this wyse Sire j remeÌ„bre well how ye haue couÌ„ceylled me for to absteyne me to thinke on Medea the whiche is contynuelli in myn enteÌ„demeÌ„t for to take to wyf som newe Lady Wherfore I requyre yow aÌ„d praye wyth all my hert that ye wyll gyue to me creusa youre doughter to spouse and felawe ye so doyng shal do to me the grettest honour playsâ— that may come to me For yf it be other wyse I am the most euyl fortuned knight that is in the remenauÌ„t of the world Incontinent as the geÌ„tyll king had vnderstondeÌ„ the requeste of Iason as a prince ryght yoyous answerde to hym aÌ„d sayde Certes jason ye do to me and to al our how 's grete honour whan ye requyre for your felawe and wyff my dere doughter I gyue to yow my doughter And she is well destyneed and comen in to thys worlde for you Certes sire I â—â—corde youre requeste and gyue her to yow With these wordes the kiÌ„g â—â—nte for the guene â–ª his doughter â–ª and for the baronÌ„s and knightes of hys court The â–ª ladies aÌ„d damoiselles as well of his palais as of his cyte were sente fore â–ª and in the presence of alle theÌ„ that there were he made Iason aÌ„d his doughter to promise that they sholde wedde and espouse eche other within a certayn termeâ—that was tho said aÌ„d after these thinges by thauis of his baronÌ„s knightes aÌ„d the ladies the day of their espousaylles was ordeyned and dyd do make ther a feste so fayr
had leuer now to lose my lyf then to lyue ony lenger sse my me deth be ê‘donned vnto yow _â—ame answerde thenÌ„e Iason what as to the regard of the weddyng nowe begonÌ„e if it plese the goddes they shal be ê‘faited fulfyld as it is ordeyned not with stonding ony promesse that hath beÌ„ made bytwene yow and me WhaÌ„ medea herde this aÌ„swer she fyll doâ—â— to the erthe all a swouÌ„ne or in traunce sayng A ha myn only souerayn wele thenÌ„e shal ye be pariured Certes dame answerde Iason Saue your honour I haue acquytte vnto you all that I haue promysed vnto you For j haue brought you iÌ„to my countre aÌ„d solempnly haue espoused you syn I haue be trew in mariage vnto the deth of myn vncle peleê° where as ye well know hathÌ„ ben coÌ„mised by yow a grete defaulte Not withstoÌ„dyng this that is past j enteÌ„de not that by me ye sholde be sclaundrid But knowe ye that j had mochÌ„ leuer lyue in honour and ensiewe the termes and werkes of noblesse thenÌ„ for to holde me leÌ„ger in your companye I telle yow these thinges for so moche as yf I helde me leÌ„ger by you And of you ne were done good iustice hit mighte be sayd that I sholde be culpable of one so cruelle a murdre wherof is ensiewed the deth of two so fayre noble madyens pâ—celles doughters of Peleus And for thys cause other cruelles by yow coÌ„mysed I shall holde that I haue sayd And so I may doo and ought to doo lawfully in keping myn honour aÌ„d the termes commandemeÌ„ts of oure lawe ¶ Whan the fayr medea had vnderstanden alle the wylle coÌ„clusion of the noble preu Iason If she hadd beÌ„ to fore sorowfull and ouer aÌ„gry yet was she thenÌ„e moche more For she began to wepe wyth thise wordes to sighe fro her herte so ê‘fondly that hit semed that ther deê‘ted from her two fayr eyeÌ„ two ruysseauls or two spriÌ„ges of a fontaine This notwithstanding after many sighes froÌ„ the herte so ê‘fondly she replycqued vnto thaÌ„swer of jason and saide Ha a sir knight I know well now that hit is destyne that I owe to be the moste infortunat lady of the worlde If I haue â—sented or â—â—uÌ„ceylled the deth of the desloy all peleus hit hath ben for the grete loue trewe herte that I haue had for tauenge you of thys that he by his fals couÌ„ceyll sente you into Colchos to make the coÌ„quest vpoÌ„ the fâ—ees of gold knowyng that hit was a thiÌ„g impossible euer to retorne wythÌ„oute to be deuoured aÌ„d ded if hit hadde not be my pourneyance and whan I haue donÌ„ alle thise thinges wyth goode entencion for to gete your gâ—ace ye wille now leue and repudie me in alle poyntes wherfore I may well saye that vnder the firmament is no more infortunat creature iÌ„ alle trybulacyoÌ„ thenÌ„ I am Ha a my dere loue and freÌ„de Iason shalle j haue none other salaire ne other gwerdon for alle my merites â—ertes dame answerde thenÌ„ jason ye haue moche more thenÌ„e ye haue deseruid for suche trespaas such rewarde for the couuerture of the trespaas by yow done caÌ„ not excuse you do the best ye can or may your children also withÌ„drawe yow wy t your children into som countree so shall ye do wisely also your proffyâ— My dere lorde sayde thenÌ„e medea syn sâ—t is your plaisir that it so be hit muste nedes be that it plese me And so be it alway that youre plaisirs beÌ„ sulfillid yet at the lest for to reioye me a litil ye shal do to me somoche gce that of your curtoysye I may be loggid here within vnto to morow to th eÌ„de that I may see the solempnite of the wedding aÌ„d if ye wille thus accorde to me I promette yow that to mornÌ„ at dyner for the loue of yow I shall make appere vysibli one of the grete meruailles that euer was seen at wedding of a kynges doughtere or of a prince ¶ Whan Iason had vnderstaÌ„de the request of the ladi not thinking that she pretended but vnto all well and goode and also for to be quytt of her accorded her request and was deliueryd to her a ryght fayr chambre within the palais And whaÌ„ the lady was in this chambre she sent her two damoyselles for to be logged in the towne So hit happend whaÌ„ she was there allone she began to studye in many of her sciences and whan it cam aboute midnyghtshe dyde her to be transported into the ayer she broughte in to her chambre wy t her plente of werkes ryght secrete wher of she composed foure grete horrible dragons Whome she knetted to gyder by their tailles and maad as hit hadd ben a chayne And thenÌ„e this done she passed in this poiÌ„t that night so sore passioned with Ialousye of loue that her semed that her herte and all her body were all esprised with fyre and fiaÌ„be So hit happend on the mornÌ„ whan jason had espoused the fayr creusa aÌ„d that he was sette at diner with her wy t the king fader of the lady and with the knightes ladies damoiselles of the countreye ThenÌ„e medea deê‘ted froÌ„ her chambre sittyng in the myddes of the fowre dragons holdyng her yongest sone alle naked in her haÌ„des And in this poynt she made her to be brought to fore the table where as the noble preu jason was _â—Ertes hit is wel lightli to beleue that the king the noble preu Iason and also alle they that were there were gretly esmayed and ferd whan they apperceyued Medea in suche araye entre into the halle sytting bytwene foure dragoÌ„s so terryble to beholde by semblauÌ„t aÌ„d som there were that fledde And somÌ„e abode to see thauenture seeyng that she helde betwenÌ„ her haÌ„des her yong chyld But whan medea sawe that she was to fore jason She escryed him in this maner Iason Iason thou knowest that I am thy wyf thou leuest me for an other wenest thy self not to haue mesprised to me I haue saued thy lyfe and thou doste to me grete wrong and ouermoche grete blame And thys procedeth fro the of alle desloyalte â–ª of all mauastie wherof thou art chief and heed And suche wilt thow be aÌ„d abyde but I shalle kepe the froÌ„ it yf myn coÌ„ning faylle not For certaynly I promyse the that thy newe wyf Creusa and the king her fader and al they that beÌ„ here within shall lose theyr lyfe Reserued thy self and by consequent thy propre sone that j holde in my propre armes shal be the first that shal begynne the feste ¶ Whan the desolate lady had sayd these wordes she holdyng heÌ„r yoÌ„ge childe which was moche tendre toke him by the twoo legges and by the force of heâ— armes Rente him in twoo pâ—eces in that poynt cast hi in the piater to fore Iason and creusa And with that the foure
to ground the preu jason they wende that he had ben dede aÌ„d satt doun by for to reste them and after softe and fayr they witdrewe hem into the cyte as they that wyth moche grete payne might vnnethe sous teyne heÌ„ self but for to go vnto their howses they muste passe to fore the palays The quene then espied them from ferre and apperceyued anon that they were al bespreynt wy t bloode wherof she was moch esmayed She dydedoo hem to be called syn demanded them from whens they cam Alas my dere lady sayde one of them We come from an euyll yournee for SaÌ„bor and viij of our next kyn and frendes ben lyyng dede in the wode wy t brutorê° which brought vs theder for to lye in a wayte for to flee Sambor the which as he hath said to vs hathdon to hiÌ„ displaysit but sambor hath put vs alle to deth reseruid vs foure whyche beÌ„ so pytously hurt that but jf the goddes inparte to vs of their grace we ben in grete daunger of oure lyues In sayng thise wordes two of these foure knightes deyde ther sodaynly Wherof the noble quene was so sore abasshid that her herte faylled fill dounÌ„ in swouÌ„ne that she was bornÌ„ into her chaÌ„bre by her damoyselles the twoo malerous knyghtes were bornÌ„ for to be buried after the custome of the couÌ„tre WhaÌ„ the lady was alytyl comeÌ„ to her self bi thesforce of the grete sorou that she had iÌ„ her herte she escryed passing hye aÌ„d sayde Iason Alas my loue jason and my lorde But frowhens sourdeth one so grete maleurte or myshappe that ye haue thê° beÌ„ slaynÌ„ iÌ„ the wood The ter rible cruelteof theÌ„uenimed so horri â—le bestes of Colchos had no power to greue thy persone Ne the sodayne parils of the see ne also the grete â–ª hardines of the Esclauons Ha a the right euyll Brutorê° ye haue slayn him he hath slayn you Alas what grete losse muste j suffre this daye j am bornÌ„ in an vnhappy oure whan hit muste bee that I haue nourisshiâ— the murdrere that traytoursâ—y hath put to deth the noble knight jason which is my lord and husbond Hannoble worthy of alle worthi the wailiaâ—â— of alle vayllianÌ„â— aÌ„d he in whoÌ„ alle vertues habounden the goddes haue mercy of thy sowle aÌ„d yf thou be not ouer dede that they wyll hold the so long alyue that I might yet oneâ— speke wyth the. And I shal be moche the more coÌ„forted that j shall dere more eysâ—ly And thenÌ„e I desire no lenger no lyne in this worlde after the. ¶ Whan the ladyes and damoiselles there beyng had herd vnderstoÌ„deÌ„ of the quene by her lameÌ„ tacions that he that was named Sambor was Iason that somoche was recoÌ„manded in vaylliauÌ„ces and in vertues meruailed strongly for asmoche as he serued as a yeman and at last coÌ„forted the lady the fairest wise they myght And thenÌ„e she declared all openly that Sambor was jasoÌ„ the noble knighte aÌ„d none other but he had wedded her aÌ„d furthermore she declared for what cause jasoÌ„ had chaunged his name why he mayntened him as a yemanÌ„ orseruauÌ„t After this declaracion lamentacions made she dide doo asseble all the nobles of the cytes as well men as women and thus she sente soleÌ„pnly for to fecche the body of the vailliaunt prince And commanded that brutorê° his felawes shold be quarterd aÌ„d honged on the galo wes as traitours and they that were coÌ„mysed to theâ—secusion of the justice accomplisshed hyely their charge and commyssyon and the coÌ„panye that hadd charge for to fecche the body of jason weÌ„t vnto the place wherÌ„ the diâ—soyal murdre was commysed â–ª But whaÌ„ they were there comen they founde that jaâ—on was not yet dede but he satt vp lened vnto one of the traitres Thus this noble companye seyng that he was yet alyue â–ª made to him right grete chere aÌ„d callyd him by his name Sayng that the quene Mirro aÌ„d they alle were so right â—is plaisanÌ„t of hys incoÌ„uenyeÌ„t that they mighte nomore be aÌ„d withoute loÌ„g soyournyng there they leyd the noble vailliaunt knight jason vpoÌ„ a shelde whiche they fonÌ„de there lyeÌ„g vpon therthe and bare him vnto the cyte And the noble Quene cam agaynst him for she had ben aduertysed by her menÌ„ that he was not yet dede how well she wept moche tenderly ¶ Whan the fayr Myrro was comeÌ„ nygh vnto her lord aÌ„d that she apperceyued that he was so frusshyd brussijid with stones staues certes her hert faylled they that bare jason resrid vnto that she was comen agayn to her self And thenÌ„e she ne Iason might not speke Iason for the anguisshe that he suffrid aÌ„d she for the grete displaysir that she had at her herte But it was not long after that IasoÌ„ was bornÌ„ vnto the chaÌ„bre of his espouse and felawe where the beste Cirurgyens of the cyte caÌ„ that anonÌ„ visited serched his woundes â–ª fonde him in suche termes that they vndertoke to rendre hi hole and sound of alle his hurtes and woundes in short tyme wherof the quene was all recoÌ„forted they faylled not of theyr promys for they so wrought aboute him by suche facoÌ„n that in the space of sixe moÌ„thes they deliuerid him hole and out of daunger of alle his hurtes and woundes Duryng whyche time ofsixe monthes that the noble preu Iason kepte his chambre assone as he might speke and haue entendement he began to be waylle the losse of his tyme for asmoch as he might not be at the destruction of the king IaomedonÌ„ and of the Troyans Wherfore he hadde moche grete displaysir at his herte For he hadde not beÌ„ acustomed gladly to kepe the chambres matted ne stre wed with herbes aÌ„d floures ne the beddes encurtyned the halles hanged wyth ryche tapesseryes Ne the places magnificque ne sumptuouse as by his feates appereâ—j but he might not amende hit For the noble quene recomforted him alwaye aÌ„d moche requyred hi that he sholde take no melancolye for no thing and that he ne sholde entende saue only to his garisshing and heeling and as for the warre of troye he myghte in no wyse be there ¶ How the king Eson of mirmydo ne asseged his sone jason in the cyte of Olyferne And how Medea spak to Iason how she slewe his oldest sone named Iason _â—â— ye may vnderstaÌ„de by thin conuenyent afore sayd the pren Iason was distourned for tacompanye hercules aÌ„d the cheualerye of Grece that sholde goo leye siege tofore the puyssauÌ„t cite of Troye wherfore the king Eson and hercules were right sorouful and abode xv dayes leÌ„ger thenÌ„e the terme that they had sett for to go to the sec whaÌ„ the xv dayes were past and apperceyued that they had no tydinges of the comyng of jason they departed fro the poorte where they had taried And saylled so ferre that they arryâ—… to fore Troye