the waye of mariage as I haue made mencion vnto you here before ⧠How Ualentyne in sekyng the fayre Clerymonde a tyued in Antioche and how he fought with a marueylous dragon ⧠Cap. lxi UAlentine that was mounted vpoÌ„ the sea for to seke the fayre Clerymonde his loue dyd so much by the grace of god that he arriued in the cytie of Antioche So when he was within Pacolet that spake their language toke lodges in a great and a riche house But the hoost of the house was right caâ—tellous for when thei were in their chambre he went and herkened them so he vnderstode by their language that they were christen men wherfore he went to the kyng of Antyoche and sayde Dere syr know that there is in my house foute christen men that are entred into your londe without payinge any trybute wherfore I am come to you for to aduertyse you therof Frende sayde the kyng thou haste done well Nowe goo sayde the kyng and fetche them vnto me Then departed dyuers offycers with the hoost for to go and fetche Ualentine the whiche thei brought w t his seruauntes before the kyng of Antioche And when Ualentine sawe the king he salued him highly saying ¶ Syr kynge mahoune in whome you beleue kepe you with suche power as he hath And that same God that dyed for vs on the crosse succout and helpe me in mine aduersyte Christian sayde the kyng thou shewest thy selfe well hardy when before my presence thou makest memorye of thy Jhesus that I neuer loued nor neuer shall So I let the Wyâ—e that of two thynges it behoueth the to chose one or els suffre death Kyng sayd Ualentyne saye on your wyll for I would do dyuers thinges or I suffre deathe notwithstandyng that I haue heard say that the christen men should be safe in youre realme for paying of theyr trybute By my fayth sayde the kyng the coÌ„trary is true For you are entred without my lycence wherfore yf you wyll escape death it be houeth you to renounce your God Jhesus and yf that you wyll not do it you must fyght with an horryble serpente that by the espace of seuen yeare hath bene before the cytie and deuouted so manye men that the nombre is in eâ—ymable and vnknowen aduyse you of the two thynges whych you wyll do for you can not saue your lyfe by none other waye and valentyne sayd to hym Whan I must do it by force the playe is euyll for me at departynge Not for that tell me yf it please you yf you haue sene the beest and of what fourme and stature she is of and what is her maners and facyons Chrystyen sayd the kyng of Antyoche I tell the that I haue sene the beest and wyte that she is muche hedyous and more gretter of body than a horse and she hathe also wynges ryght great and fethered lyke a Gryffon and hath the head of a serpent wyth a maruaylous loke the skyn couered wyth scales muche harde thycke as fysshe that swymme in the see And she hath also the fete of a lyon muche great and sharper than any kynfe of stele ¶ By my god sayd valentyne by this that you tel me the best is muche ferefull and horryble but not wythstandyng all her force and strengthe yf you wyll bylene in Jhesu chryst that for vs suffred death vpon the crosse and promyse me for to receyue baptym in suche case that I conquere the beest and put her vnto death I shall goo and assaye me agaynst her put my body in daunger wyth out ledynge any erthely creature wyth me by the grace of Jhesu christ Chrysten sayd the kyng I swere the by my lawe that yf thou mayst dystroye her I and all my men shall renounce mahoune and doo all thy pleasure but so muche dare I saye that thou shalt haue no puyssaunce therto for there wente neuer none thether yet y t escaped deuourynge ¶ Syr sayd valentyne lette me dele wyth her For I truste me so muche in the swete Jesus that he shall be my swerde and defence agaynst the false beest vpon suche a touenaunt that you shall holde me promesse Yes sayde the kyng thynke for to worke well for and thou mayste delyuer vs from the beast I swere to the by my God mahoune that we shall take thy lawe and lene our Well sayd Ualentyne I shall do my besy payne Then he demaunded the worke men of the cytie and made them make a shelde ryght subtylly composed And in that same shelde he made to fasten a great sorte of longe pryckes of fyne stele more sharped then nedles strong and surely put in and they were of a fote length And when the shelde was thus made valentyne put on his harneis and his helme also bokeled to his head after he toke his sworde and in the honoure of Jhesu christe kyssed the hylces many tymes And he toke his leue of his men and mounted on horsebacke for to go fyght with the beast yssued of the cytie Lytell and great mounted vpon the walles toures garettes for to beholde valentyne And when he was out of the cytie the portets shytte the gates after hym for they wende well for a truthe that he shoulde neuer haue retourned Nowe the beast is of suche a condycion that it behoueth them to deliuer to her euery daye for her pray a beast or a manne and if they fayled for to geue it her there dutst no body yssue out of the cytie And also sone as they had delyuered hym his praye oute of the cytie she retourned into her place and there kept her without doyng any harme to any body And therfore it was of custome through all the countrey there aboute that theues and murderers and all euyll folkes that by sentence and iudgemente were condempned to deth they were yelded and brought into the cytie of Antyoche for to be geuâ—h and delyuered vnto the cursed and vengeable beast to be deuoured as the custome of the said city was And with this there was certayne men that rode and wente vnto the portes and hauens of the sea for to gete and seke good christeÌ„ men and brought them vnto the forsayd rytie of Antyoche for to make them be deuouted of the serpente And when the serpent apperceyued Ualentyne commyng towarde hym he closed his wynges muche fyerlly in castyng out of his mouth by great haboundaunce smoke and fyre Ha God saide Valentyne helpe me and preserue me from entring in to that foule passage and gyue me strengthe and puyssaunce for too exalte and encrease youre lawe Then he descended of his hors and left his sharpe axe at his sadle bowe and went towarde the serpent that was muche proude also soone as he approched nere hym for to smyte him the serpent lyfte vp his pawe that was great and large and marueylously sharpe for to smyte Ualentyne but he cast his shelde before it in suche maner that the beast smote vpon the
him as you shal here afterward And whan the king sawe that he myght not haue the wylde man he lefte him and wence on his vyage to Rome The bataylles were renged and the Oryflambe of Fraunce war gyuen to bere a valiaunt prynce that was named Myllon Dangler wyse and of right good conduyte There was Getuays and SampsoÌ„ his brother that were va lyaunt knighres and diuers other dukes erles and ba rons Nowe they haue ryden so muche that they are co men vnto Rome and haue demaunded batayll and the maner of the sarasins it was tolde them how an ad myrall had taken Rome put many men to death and destroyed And hadde vndone the churches and made temples for ydolles And there constrayned the Pope cardynalles archebisshoppes and bisshoppes to serue them after the guyse of their lawe cursed and dampna ble and when kyng Pepyn vnderstode these tydynges he was muche sorowfull for the distresse that the christen men werein He approched nere the citie of Rome and made to assemble his hoste and put his men of armes in arraye and ordeyned his battayles For his harte was entyerly set for to maynteyne the christen fayth â–ª the whiche I shall recyte vnto you here after folowyng ¶ Howe kyng Pepyn beseged Rome And howe Ualentyne Justed with the Admyrall and slewe hym by whose prudence the cytie was gotten agayne ¶ Capitulo xi AFter that the kynge Pepyn had assyeged y e cytee of Rome he called his baâ—ans knyghtes sayd to them in this wyse Lordes you knowe euydently that this mastyf Admyrall and enemye of our holy fayth hath put many valyaunt crysten men vnto dethe and vyllauyed the chyrche Romayne where as our lorde Jesu chryste was serued so deuoutly and honoured the whiche ought for to styre vs vnto compassyon and moderly pyte And therfore I am purposed by the helpe of Jhesu chryste my creatour in whom is my truste for to fyghte and expell the paynyms and sarazyns oute of the cyte of Rome and of all the countree aboute it wherfore aduise you whiche of you wyll bere a letter of dyffyenge vnto the for sayd Admyrall in my name For I wyll delyuer and gyue vnto hym a Journeye of batayll And wyll fyght with hym in exaltinge and susteynyng our fayth vnto the dethe Whan kynge Pepyn had spoken thus there was none that wolde presente them for to answer saue Ualentyne that stepte forth before the kynge and spake afore them all sayenge Syr yf it please you to gyue me lycence I shyl vndertake the message and shal speke afore all the panyms and theyr fyerse Admyrall in suche maner that with the helpe of god and of hys swete moder ye shall knowe that I haue done your message to your profyte myne honoure Of the good wyll and valyaunt courage of Ualentyne the kynge was ryght Joyous and all they of the courte meruaylled therat Than the kynge made a secretary to come whiche he made to wryte a letter of dyffyaunce and after gaue it to Ualentyne for to bere vnto the Admyrall panym ¶ And Ualentyne mounted on horsbacke and toke leue of the kynge and of them of the courte And than he put hym selfe on the waye in puttynge hym in the garde and kepinge of our lorde Jesu christe and came vnto Rome And it is not to be demaunded yf y t he was well loked on for he behaued hym so wel on horsbacke in armes that there was none that sawe hym but that they toke grete pleasure He wente towarde the palays where as y e Admyrall was in his halles tryumphauntly in grete pompes Ualentyne entâ—ed in came before the Admyrall and salued hym in this maner Jhesus that was borne of the vyrgyn Mary and that for vs all suffered dethe and passyoÌ„ saue from euyl encombrauÌ„ce the noble and puyssaunte kyng Pepyn And mahommet saue y e and socoure the redoubted Admyrall euen as I wolde whan Ualentyne had spoken thus the Admyral rose vp and as fyerse proude sayd vnto hym Messenger Ualentyne retorne the to the ende that I se thee no more And tell vnto kynge Pepyn that of Jesus holdeth the lawe that he byleue on mahommet and that he renounce his byleue for euermore or knowe for a certaynte that Iam purposed for to put hym vnto dethe and to dystroye all his londes Nowe go thy waye messenger and make before me no more abydynge For to here thy worde my herte can not suffre Grete foly hast thou enterprysed whaÌ„ that so fyersly thou arte entred in to my palays for to declare suche a thynge before my hyghe maieste Now know for a certayne that yf I knewe that thou dyde it by pryde or presumpcyon and that thou haste enterprysed this thynge by mockery y u sholde neuer retourne vnto kynge Pepyn whan Ualentyne herde the fyerse wordes of the Admyrall he was moche ferefull and not with out a cause For he was full nere the death if that oure Lord had not preserued him he was so inspyred of god that he gaue hym an answere solytarye as well for the lyfe of the body as for â–ª the lyfe of the soule And as wyse and wel endoctrined to giue an answer spake in this maner wyse Alas ryght myghtye and hyt Emperoure do not thyncke in your ymaginacyon that by pryde or presumpcyon I am comen before your magnyfycence For syr whan you shall knowe the maner and the dede how I am comen you wyl be a meruaylled ¶ Tel vs howe thou art comen and all the dede for euen so mahommet helpe me but I shall take pleasure and conso lacyon to here the recite thine enterprise and multeply thy courage in all goodnes Than spake Ualentine sayd Syr Admyrall it is true and certayne that by fals and dysloyall enuye I haue bene accused to the kynge Pepyn and they haue told him that for the great fere and dredâ— that I had to go to warre I would haue retorned into FrauÌ„ce For the which cause the kyng Pepyn hath me in greate indignacion And one morowe he made me to be taken for to smyte of my heed whan I sawe my selfe in thys daunger for to length my lyfe I dyd auaunt me before them all of a great folye For I swore before them of the court that I shoulde come towarde you for to defye you and all your baâ—ons on kynge Pepyns behalfe And more ouer I dyd vaunte me that at my departyng I shuld demaunde you three strokes with a spere vpon your bodi that is so valiauÌ„t and so well renowmed for to wyn pryse and honoure wherfore I requyre you that ye accorde me this thynge for otherwyse I dare not retourne before the kynge Pepyn lest he make me dye Sone sayde the Admyral by mahommet the ryght puyssaunt you shall not be refused but at this same houre I vttre to you y e Justes And to the ende that y e frensshmen that hathe assyeged this cyte may se your
to fynde valentyne of the whyche I wyll speke to you That same knyght valentyne wyth an ardaunt desyre rode in the countre wyth Pacolet for to seke the fayre lady clerymonde the whyche wolde not habandone hym no day nowe they rode soo muche that they arryued in Esclaâ— â–ª dye whyche was the londe of kynge Tromparte y t had caryed awaye the fayre Clerymonde vpon the hors of wodde that was Pacolettes as sayd is They demaunded in that same cyte tydynges of kynge Trompart they recounted vnto them the maner how he was slayne before ynde the great And how hys sone Lucar woldâ— aueuge hys death vpon the kynge of ynde the greter and howe that for to accomplysiâ—e it he had assembled fyftene kynges â–ª wyth many knightes soudyâ—urs that wolde serue hym for money and go in the warre Than spake Pacolet that could well the language of the couÌ„tree and demaunded hys hoost moore playnly tydynges of the estate of that same kynge Lucar And hys hoost recounted vnto hym howe he had handfast and promysed and take vnto wyfe the doughter of BraÌ„dyffer that had bene wedded before to the kynge of Antyoche the whych had ben dyscomfyted by the sayd BraÌ„dyffer because that he dyd renounce the lawe of mahoune For to here suche tydynges Ualentyne was muche abasâ—hed And vpon the fortunes of the worlde he began strongly to thynke by hym selfe consyderynge the great inconuenyentes and debates that had befallen and contynually do from day to daye Whan he had studyed a lyttell vpon that thynge he sayd vnto his hoost Hoost tell me what is becomen of a lady ryght fayre y t kynge Tromparde brought wyth hym By mahoune sayd the hoost we haue hadde no tydynges therofhere Nowe tell me sayd Ualentyne where is kynge Lucar at this present tyme for I haue great courage for to go and take wages vnder hym bycause that my moneye is faylled and on the other syde I haue greate desyre for to folowe the warre Lorde sayd the hoost the kynge Lucar is in Esclardye there you shall fynde hym accompanyed wyth a hondred thousadd sarazyns For he abydeth Brandiffer that should brynge hys doughter into that same place for to wedde her to hym Whan Ualentyne vnderstode all these thynges that he tolde hym he hadde ryghte great truste for to here some tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde Than he departed from the cyte and roode to warde Esclardye faynynge for to haue great desyre to serue king Lucar but more greatly touched him the maner at the harte howe he myght haue the fayre Clerymonde vnto wyfe ⧠Howe the kyng Lucar in the fayre and great cytie of Esclardie wedded and toke vnto wife the fayre and gracious Rozemonde Capit. lxvii RYght so as the king Lucar highly and puyssauntly accompanied in great and sumptuous estate in the citie of Esclardy Blandiffer arriued that brought his doughter with hym And when kyng Lucar knewe the tydynges he yssued out of the cytie with a tryumphaunt companye agaynst hym For to se Rozemonde kyng Lucar was muche ioyous but of as muche as he â–ª was ioyous the Ladye was dyspleasaunt for of all the other she wolde his moost euyll and loued hym not but euer bewayled Ualentyne The lady was ledde in to the halle ryall conueyed with dyuers greate kynges And before the ymage of mahoune she was wedded vnto the kyng Lucar Nowe it nedeth not to demaunde of the feaste nor of the estates that was there nor of the riche giftes that was geuen ¶ Ualentyne toâ—de in the fieldes ardaunâ— for to come vnto his entencion It happened soo as he arryued at the entre of a wodde that was ryght grene and plesaunt he harde and vnderstoode the voyce of a pleasaunt lady ryght fayre and gracious the whiche â— sarazyn helde by force vnder a tree â–ª would haue done his pleasure And when Ualentyne vnderstoode it he sayd vnto Pacolet Frende ride we â—aste and make dilygence for I haue hear a woman in this wodde that cryed ryght hyghe and demeaneth great sorowe â–ª so we shall do great almesse for to succour her Syr sayd Pacolet leue the lady and medle not so muche of her feate â–ª for you woâ—e not what it is parauenâ—ure she doth it for a gyle and it may turne you soner vnto euil than good Pacolet sayde Ualeytyne â–ª you speake folyshely for the man is not noble that helpeth not the ladyes in their necessities and putteth his body in auenture for to saue their honoure â–ª Than he sporred his horse and entred in to the wodde so he apperceyued the lady that the sarazyn helde vnder him Syr sayd Ualentyne leue your enterpryse for if you wyll haue the lady at your wyll it behoueth you to proue your body agaynst mine you may wel knowe that she setteth not by your loue so it behoueth you to leue her or els to haue warre agaynst me By mahoune sayde the paynym I vtter you the warre at your own wil. But I tell y e hyghly and let the wyt that in an euyll houre art thou arriued here for to come and let me of my pleasure without hauyng anye occasyon At these wordes he left the lady and mounted vpoÌ„ his horse that was besyde hym tyed vnto a tree with his shelde couered hym and tooke his spere after they fetched their course but the noble and valiaunt knight valentyne came with so great a courage agaynste the paynym and sarazyn that he passed hym clene throughout halue a yerde so that he fel downe dead to the earth And when he had done soo he wente vnto the mayden and sayde vnto her Damoysell nowe are you auenged of your enemye at this presente houre soo I praye you that you wyll tell me howe and in what maner this coursed man hath brought you into this wodde Alas syr sayd she I shall tel you all the truthe Knowe that yesternight late he came into my fathers house for to lodge him and for to haue my body the better at his will and leade me at his pleasure this nighte he went into the chambre of my father and there slewe him and murdred hym falsly After he hath brought me hether by force for to deflore me of myne honoure vytuperablye from the whiche thyng by your valiauntnes prowes I am deliuered kept to daye and saued mine honour â—o maye you at this time doo and accomplysshe youre good pleasure for as a hardy champion in the daunger of your body you haue conquered me wonne the Damâ—ysell sayd the valyaunâ—e knyght Valentyne by me your gentyl body shal haue no dommage nor vylany Returne into your house and thinke to dwel and kepe well your honour Than Ualentine lefte the mayden and toke his way towarde Esclardye and the men of the sarazin came towerde their mayster but also soone as they founde him deed vpon the grasse without ony soâ—ouminge they smote theyr horses with the sportes for to go vnto Esclardye to tell
purchased his death at the laste and that of the quene Berthes fyrst of all And because that they myght not well poyson her they acquainted them with a damosel that was nyght and day with the quene and they gaue her such a gyfte that the false woman consented to the death of the quene that had done her so muche good so that with in fyftene dayes she dyed wherof the kyng Pepyn was so sorowefull that he abode in his bedde And the traytours dyd soo muche by poysons that he dyed for the whiche both lytell and great wepte and not withoute a cause The traytours shewed semblaunt to be sorowfull but they were ryght â—oyus and sayde Nowe maye we well do our pleasure with Fraunce for there is neyther dukes eâ—les nor barons that maye resyste agaynst vs. ¶ Howe after the death of kyng Pepyn the duke Myllon Dangler would haue made the lytell Charles to be crowned kyng of Fraunce ¶ Capitulo C. vi AFter the death of the good kyng Pepyn the duke Mylion dangler that was valyaunt and wyse assembled the counsayll and wold haue made younge Charles to be crowned kyng But Haufray and Henry by gyftes and â—romesses corrumped the lordes and it was sayd that Charles was to young And because that the duke Myllon susteyned the coÌ„trary Haufray Henry made him to be taken put in pryson in Chatelet at Parys sythe helde Charles as a boye of y e kechyn It happened one daye that Haufray coÌ„maunded him to tourne a spiâ— but Charles that was displesaunt lyft vp the spyt and felled hym to the earth Henry stepte forthe for to haue smiten Charles but Charles that espied him gaue him on the eare so that the bloud yssued out wherfore Haufray â—ad his men take him Than came a knyghte named Dauyd of Elloys and toke Charles by the hande for othertymes he had endoctryned hym so he set hym on a horse and ledde him out of Parys whan the traytours knewe that Charles went his waye they made hym to be pursued but they that folowed woulde not fynde him and so retorned Than MylloÌ„ dangler sent the truth of it to his wyfe Charles syster when she had sene the letter she wepte for the loue of Charles â–ª so she swore Jhesus that they should abye it dere Than she made a letter to be wryten and sente it vnto Ualentine and to the twelue peres of Fraunce that were in Angorye When Ualentyne hadde redde it he began for to wepe and the lordes demaunded him wherfore he dyd wepe Alas my frendes there is a good cause why for kyng Pepyn is dead and the good quene Berthe also So Haufray and Henry haue chased the lytell Charles out of the countrey and put the duke Millon in pryson because that he susteyne him So the lady sendeth vs worde that we succoute her and I wote neuer how for you know wel that we abyde from day to day our mortall enemy Brandiffer By oure faithes sayde the barons we must fynde some maner for to succout hym well sayde the noble Ualentine or to morowe at night I shall yelde you the duke Myllon ¶ Of these wordes they began for to laughe Ualentyne departed wyth out makynge any more delayâ— wyth hys hors played so well that he was at Parys before mydnyght and was in Chatelet and by subtyll arte opened the gates And gaue leue to all the prysoners after he demaunded them where the dake Myllon was they shewed hym the chambre the whyche was opened anone The good duke that slepte wakened and sayd what are you that entre so rudely Nowe vp sayd Ualentyne and thynke for to take youre clothes for I am Ualentyne that am comen from Angory for to delyuer you The good duke mâ—s muche Ioyous and made hym redy anone So Ualentyne made hym mounte vpon the hors wyth hym and sayd to hym kepe you frome spekynge for we shall flee in the ayre Syth that we shal go so fast I pray you passe by the castell of Angler and there we shall se and comforte my wyfe a lyttell that for me and for her brother Charles is muche sorowfull They knocked at the gates and the watche answered that knewe theyr lord and tolde it vnto the ladye that ranne vnto the gate in a syngle gowne and kyssed and colled hym after she demaunded hym tydynges Ladye sayd he you knowe all but knowe that I go in to Angorye where as we abyde the batayll of the false paynyms â–ª and at my retorne I shall brynge wyth me the twelue peâ—es of Fraunce with a great puyssaunce for to confounde Haufray and Henry and socoure Charles Whan the lady vnderstode that they wolde make no leyger soiournynge â–ª she made meat to be brought and there they toke theyr repaste for they had greate luste to eate and drynke After they toke leue of the lady and were in Angorye vpon the morowe before all the barons wherof the lordes were muche abasshed and prayed Ualentine muche to learne them that arte but he refused theym Nowe it happened in those dayes that Brandyffer that was vpon the see arryued a myle from Angory And there he made his syege to be set accompanyed wyth fyftene kynges all hys subiectes They of the cyte that herde the tydinges went shytte the gates and drewe vp the brydges and after mounted vp on the walles for to beholde the paynyms that dressed vp great nombre of tentes and pauylyons The sarazyns were in theyr syege the space of a moneth wythout gyuynge assaute and wythout that any crysten meÌ„ yssaed out on them ¶ How the Emperoure of grece Orson and the grene knyght departed from the stronge castell for to goo socoure Ualentyne in Angorye Ca. Cvii THe Emperoure of Greâ—e that was in the stronge castel herd say that brandyffer with a great puyssaunce had besyeged Angory so he was moued in deuocion for to go help the Aysten men They toke counsayll togyther and accorded that a valyaunt knyght should kepe the stronge castell wyth two men After they departed for to go into Angory The Emperour of Grece Orson the grene knyght accompanyed wyth a thousand fightynge men entred into the see pulled vp the saylles but they had not gone but a lytle way whan they sawe a great flote of shyppes comynge towarde theym It was an Admyrall paynym that went for to socour the kyng Brandyffer wyth ten thousand men Well knew the chrysten men that they were of theyr enemyes son they put them in armes and renged them in baâ—â—yl on theyr shyppes syde The saraznus sawe well that they were crysten men wherfore they approched and smote vpon them fyersly And the cristen meÌ„ that reclaymed god and our lady defended them valyauntly Thaune was there a cruell batayll the Emperour of grece Or son and the grene knyght shewed theyr prowesses and cryed hyghly Jhesus sucoure vs. At these wordes the crysten men toke suche courages that the leâ—st at that houre
passed folyshly in pleasures mondaynes and condampne me not but by thy holy mercy receyue my poore souls into thy blessed handes and defende me from the deuyll And in sayeng these wordes an aungell of heauen came and appeared vnto hym sayenge ⧠Ualentyne know for a certaynte that thou shalte departe oute of this worlde within this foure dayes for it is the wyll of our lorde Jesu chryst which sendeth me vnto the. Alas my lord god sayd Ualentyne â–ª I owe well for to thanke the whan by thy holy auÌ„gell thou doest me to wyte y e last ende of my dayes Than the holy man Ualentyne made signe that they should bryng him paper ynke and whan he had it Ualentyne wrote how he him selfe in the habyte of a pylgrym discouered the treasoÌ„ all the estate of hys lyfe After he putte in his name and folded the halfe of the rynge in it and helde it in hys hande And after these thinges Ualentyne made a prâ—este to come to whome he confessed his synnes deuoutelye and receyued the holye sacramentes and at the houre he dyed And forth wyth al the belles of the cyte beganne for to rynge for him where of the people was much abashed and amerueyled And the Emperour Orson and all the lordes and barons descended and dyd fynde the preest besyde the holy body Frende sayd the Emperoure Orson wherfore is it that they rynge so fast in y â— Cyty Syr sayd â–ª the preest I thynke that it is a myracle that God wyll shew for this holy man For euen so as he yelded vp the ghoost the belles began for to rynge on euery syde Whan Orson saw that the poore man was deade in that place â–ª he was muche pensife and ameruayled By my fayth sayd he I thinke that this same is a holy body and that God dothe myracles for hym Than he aduysed the letter that he held in hys hand and thought for to haue taken it â–ª but he myght not haue it in no maner of wyse So there came the fayre clerymonde and she assayed as the other dyd and hadde it For also soone as she touched it the hand opened â–ª and she toke the letter at her owne pleasure Soo it was opened anone and than Clerymonde saw and knew the halfe of the ryng wherefore she sayde Lordes we shall haue tydynges a none of my loue Ualentyne So there was a secretary that redde all the dedes of the holy man It is not to be demaunded the grete dolours and complayntes of Orson of Bellyssante and of Clerimonde for he hadde his herte to harde that wepte not than The fayre ClerimoÌ„de as halfe dead keste her selfe vpon the body in makynge suche complayntes that they wende she wolde haue dyed Alas sayde the ladye where maye I become whan I haue loste my lyfe and my comforte and myne onely hope Alas my loue Ualentyne what haue you thoughte whan you are come to dye so nere me in pouertye and in so great myserye wythout geuyng me ony knowledge of you Alas I haue sene you often in pouertye â–ª colde and trauayle wythout geuyng you any comforte â–ª Nowe am I aboue all the moost vnfortuned whan I might not know nor aduyse him that I ought to serue so longe in bytter trybulacyon â–ª as true and loyall spouse After she kyssed hys face and his handes by a meruyllous dystresse And after the great doole the holy body was borne to be buryed in the great church of Constantynoble â–ª wyth so greate a company that none myght passe through the stretes And it was not longe after but that the body was canonysed and put in shrine Soo God shewed wel that he was wel worthy for to be called saynt for the daye that he dyed all speke men were healed of theyr maladyes that vysyted his tombe So it was not longe after the death of Ualentyne that Clerymonde dyd make her anonne and syth the story sayth that she was abbesse of an abbaye that was fouÌ„ded in the worshyp and honour of sayâ—â—te Ualentyne Thus departed out of thys worlde the holy body glorious And Orson abode Emperour seuen yere the whych he gouerned well and wysely and no more And in that same tyme he had a chylde of Galazye named Morant that same Morante in hys tyme posseded the realme of Angory ¶ Of the merueylous vysion of Orson how hebeâ—a me an heremyte in a great wodde ca. Cxvâ—i MIthin seuen yere Galazyedyed for whom the Emperour Orson made great sorow And after the deeth of her he ete but brede and rotes and small froytes that he founde in the wodde where as he dyd remayne So it happened hym one nyght in vysyon that hym semed that he sawe all the gates of heuen open and sawe the Joyes of the saued the syeges of the sayntes crowned in glorye and the aungelles that songe melodyously before the sauyour of the world After he sawe betwene two hyghe roches in the botom of an obscure valeye the gulfre of helle where as was the dampned Some in a brennynge fyre the other in boylynge caudrous the other hanged by theyr tongues the other assaylled and enuyronned wyth serpentes and generally he sawe all the paynes of helle whiche is horrible and ferefull for to recounte After the whyche vysyon he wakened all afrayed and ameruaylled of the thynges that he had sene And in wepyng pyteously came vnto the grene knyght and sayd to hym Frende I knowe that the worlde is of lytell valoure and of shorte durynge and that all is but vayne glorye of the pompes of this worlde displeasaunt vnto god and to the salute of the soule lytle profytable For the whyche thynge I praye you that you wyll take kepe vpon my chyldren and enfourme them so in dedes and condycyons that they maye gouerne the Empyre of grece to the pleasure of god and the worlde for I leue you the charge as vnto hym that aboue all the men of the world I trust mooste And knowe that the remnaunte of my lyfe I wyll lede solytaryly and habandone the worlde And at this same houre I renouÌ„ce all worldly honoure and take my leue yf you Whan the grene knyght heard these wrodes he beganne for to wepe tenderly and Orson recomforted hym and sayd Alas wepe no more for me but praye vnto god that he giue me strengthe and puyssaunce for to accomplysshe my wyll After Orson departed in defendynge the grene knyghte to tell it anye body So he wente into a greate wodde where as he lyued holyly after his deathe god shewed for him many myracles and was a saynt canonyzed And the grene knyght gouerned the chyldren so that they finisshed their dayes gloriouslye and wente vnto the blysse that neuer shall haue ende to the which he bryng vs all that suffered deathe for vs on the crosse Amen ¶ Thus endeth the hystorye of the two valyaunte brethren Ualentine and Orson soÌ„nes vnto the Emperour of Grece ¶ Imprynted At London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the Rose Garland by me Wyllyam Copland for John Walley
knight out of y e prison of y e soudaÌ„ Moradin xliiii ¶ Howe Pacolet deyued the soudan Moredyn made hym mounte vpon his horse of wodde and broughte hym in to the cytie of Constantinoble wenyng to him that he had brought hym in to Portingale cap. xliiii ¶ How the soudan Moradyn was taken and bounde and after was hanged cap. xiv ¶ How the kyng Trompart came before Acquytayne for to succour the gyaunt Ferragus and brought with hym Adramayne the enchauntour by whome Pacolet was deceyued and betrayed fasly cap. xlvi ¶ How Adramayne and Pacolet playde before the barons and how Adramaine stole away Pacolettes vorse of wodde and the fayre Clerymonde cap. xlvii ¶ Howe the kynge of ynde made kynge Trompartes head to be smyten of because he had slayne his brother and howe he would haue had the fayre Clerymonde vnto his wyfe cap. xlviii ¶ Howe Pacolet in a maydens clothyng auenged hym on the false Adramayne cap. xlix ¶ Howe kyng Ferragus hoost was al discoâ—fited and put all to death how Ferragus was slayne afterward within Acquitayne cap. l. ¶ How Orson and the Duke of Acquitaine went in to Constantinoble with a great hoost â–ª for to succoure the Emperoure And howe Orson ledde the Empresse Bellyssant with hym cap. li. ¶ Howe the christen men for to haue vytaylesyssued out of Constantinoble And how Ualentyne the grene knyght were taken prysoners by the false Sarazyns paynyms cap. lii ¶ Howe by the succoure of the duke of Acquytayne all the paynyms and sarasyns were slayne before the cytie of Constantynoble cap liii ⧠How the Emperour receyued his sonne Orson with great ioye and his wyfe Bellyssant cap. liiii ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure of Grece for to retourne into Fraunce cap. lv ⧠How Haufray and Henry ymagyned great treasoâ— against Orson by the ayde and consenting of twayne of their neuewes cap. lvi ¶ Howe Garnyere entred into kynge Pepyns chambre for to accomply she his â—ursed enterpryse and howe he left the knyfe wythin the kynges bedstrawe cap. lvii ¶ How Garnyere accused Orson falsly of treason vnto kyng Pepyn and howe the knyfe was founde in the kynges bedde cap. lviii ¶ Howe Orson when they would haue iudged him put opposition and demaunded batail against his accusers the whiche was vttred hym by the twelue peres of Fraunce cap. lix ⧠How Orson slewe Florent in the fielde vanquy fshed Garnyere and how Hawfray cut of his head as he would haue confessed the treason cap. lx ⧠How Valentyne in sekyng the fayre Clerymonde aryued in Antyoche and howe he foughte with a marueyâ— lous dragon cap. lxi ⧠Howe the serpent toke of Ualentynes helme how Pacolet armed hym and brought hym another helme of the complaintes that the quene Rozemonde made for Ualentyne cap. lxii ⧠Howe Valentyne slewe the dragoÌ„ through the grace of God almyghty And howe the kyng of Antyoche receyued hym with great honoure cap. lxiii ¶ Howe Valentyne after that he had discomfyted the dragon made the kyng of Antyoche to be baptyzed and all they of his lande and of the quene Rozemonde that was enamoured on hym cap. lxiiii ¶ Howe the kyng of Antyoche was put vnto death for the renounsing of mahowne by Brandyffer his wyues father And howe the Emperoure of Grece the grene knyght were taken prysoners by Brandiffer before the cytie of Cretophe cap. lxv ¶ Howe the fayre Clerymonde after that the yeare was complete did counterfet the seke womant othe ende that the kyng of Ynde should not wedde her And of the king Lucar that would auenge the death of Tromparte his father agaynst the kyng of Ynde cap. lxvi ¶ Howe the kyng Lucar in the fayre and great cytye of Esclardye wedded and toke vnto wyfe the fayre and gracyous Rozemonde cap. lxvii ¶ Howe the noble knyght Valâ—tyne departed from Esclardy for to go in to the mighty puissauÌ„t cytie of indâ— the gree for to bere y e defiauÌ„ce of kyng Lucar cap. lxviii ¶ Howe Ualentyne didde his message to the kynge of Ynde from the kyng Lucar and oâ— the aunswere that was geuen hym cap. lxix ¶ How Ualentyne retourned in to the cytie of Esclarbye And of the aunswere that he hadde of the kynge of Ynde to bere to kyng Lucar cap. lxx ¶ How kyng Lucar with fyftene kynges wente and assyeged the kyng of Ynde cap. lxxi ¶ How the kyng of Ynde catyed awaye the fayre Rozemonde behynde hym and howe Valentyne rescowed her and brought her agayne cap. ixxii ¶ How Rozemonde founde the maner and the facyon to make her selfe be led vnto the kyng of Ynde the more the whiche she loued perfytely and how he ledde her in to his cytie of Ynde cap. lxxiii ¶ How kyng Lucar dyd so muche that kyng Brandiffer abode with him aud sent Ualentyne in to Angoryâ— agaynst kyng Pepyn cap lxxiiii ¶ How Pacolet by his charme and crafte made all the sarazyns to be put vnto death And howe kyng Murgalant was slayne cap. lxxv ¶ How the sarazyns were discomfyted and how kyng Pepyn toke the cytie of Angorye cap. ixxvi ¶ How Valentyne retorned into Ynde after the bataâ—â—â— bare with him y e body of king MurgaiaÌ„t cap. lxxvii ¶ Howe Valentyne herde tyâ—inges of his father how Pacolet deliuered the king of Ynde by his charme and deliuered him Brandiffer at his own will ca. lxxviii ¶ How kyng Lucar made all the hondred satazins to be drâ—wen at horses tayles And how Valentyne Pacolet departed out of his hoost sectetly for to goo vnto Angorye â–ª cap. lxxix ¶ Of the bysion of kyng Pepyn And howe he wente into the holy lande with the twelue peres cap. lxxx ¶ How kyng Papyn put hym vpon the wait in the habyte of a pylgrym with the twelue peres of Fraunce and howe the king Papin spake vnto Haufray Henry before all the lordes of his courte cap. lxxxi ¶ How Haufray and Henry betrayed the kyng Pepyn their father and the twelue peres of Fraunce ca. lxxxii ¶ How the Calyphe of Bendas aryued in the hoost of kyng Brandiffer and howe he gate trewes for a moneth duryng the whiche trewes he made the peace betwene the kyng of Ynde and kynge Lucar and Brandyffer cap. lxxxiii ¶ How Haufray for to accomplysshe his treason aryued before Lucar and Brandiffer and how he himself was deceiued by treason cap. lxxxiiii ¶ How kyng Brandiffer wrote a letter vnto his doughter Galazye and gaue it haufray for to bere vnto the strong castell cap. lxxxv ¶ How the fayre Galazye after that she knewe the falsnes and treason of Haufray she made him to be put in a darke pryson muche streghtly cap. lxxxvi ¶ Howe Ualentine and Pacolet ariued before the stroÌ„g castel and how Pacolet reysed vp the deuil for to know if he might take it cap. lxxxvii ¶ Howe kyng brandiffer and kyng Lucar toke kynge Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce within
the date that euer I had knowledge of the fyrste And then he smote her agayne so mightely that the good lady lost her speche and all the ladies and damoyselles wende that she hadde bene dead wherfore they made a crye so high that the barons and knightes of the courâ— harde it and ranne quickely in to the chambre Some toke vp the Empresse Bellysant and the other spake vnto the Emperoure after this maner of fourme Alas syr howe haue you your courage so cruell for to destroy and vndo so noble a lady as she is â–ª that is so wel beloued of euery body â–ª in whome was neuer sene vyllanye nor dishonoure For God syr be a lytel more moderate For with wrong without cause you vndertake this quarell against the good lady Speake no more said y e Emperoure I knowe I se and wote howâ— the thyng goeth And y t more is by god almyghty I am deliueâ—ed totally to put her vnto death And if ther be any of you that will saye the contrary I shall make you dye an euill death At those wordes spake a wyse baron â— said Redoubted syr auise you consider well what ye will do you know wel that the lady that you haue spoused is syster vnto the king of Fraunce named Pepyn the whiche is puyssaunt fyerse and of greate courage And you ought to beliue stedfastly that and ye doo outrage vnto his syster Bellyssant he is a man for to auenge hym by suche a facion that he may do great dammage in this countrey also well vpon men chyldren as on townes cyties And put your selfe in exile the which should be great dammage and pitie And on the other syde you se wel that y e lady is great with childe wherfore it is perill vnto you for to smyâ—e her or touche so rudely After these wordes y c lady kneled vpoÌ„ her knees before the Emperour and spake thus vnto him ryght piteously weping ¶ Alas my lorde haue pytt on me for I neuer thought vyllany against your persone if that ye will not haue pyte on me at the least haue coÌ„passion on the chylde that I bere in my wombe for I am great with chylde of your dede of y e which god gyue me grace to be deliuered Ioyously Alas syr I supplye you and requyre you that ye make me be put in to a toure there to be kept streightly vnto my childing And after that I am deliuered do with my body what soeuer you will Thus and in semblable maner the good lady complayned her wepyng and syghyng full profoundly with a sorowfull harte and they had theyr hartes ryght harde that could abstaine them from wepyng But the Emperoure that was deceiued by the false Archebysshop would haue no compassion on his wyfe but cruelly and fyersly answere vnto her False strompet dishordynate of as muche as thou art wyth chylde I ought lytle to reioyce me for I am so muche enformed of thy gouernemeÌ„t that I haue nothing and that dysloyally thou hast habandoned thy selfe vnto oâ— ther than me WhaÌ„ they sawe that the Emperour wolde not refrayne him nor appese his Iâ—e for nothinge by acomyn accorde they toke her and ledde her into a chambre And the most amyably that they might helde her with wordes in shewing vnto her her great faute and the sorowful lady was dysorned in her chambre that hadde her face disteyned wyth bloude The ladyes that were next her persone brought her fayre water to Wasâ—he her with all And at that houre entred into her chambre her squyer named Blandymayn And whan he sawe her in suche estate he wepte for pyte and sayde vnto her Ha madame I se wel that you are falsly betrayed I beseche god that cursed be the person that hathe purchased you thys euil For god my righâ— dere lady take a â—ytle comforte vnto you And yf you wyll byleue me I shall lede you into Fraunce agayne toward the king Pepyn your brother the whyche gaue me vn to you for to serue you in your necessities the whyche thynge I wold do after my puyssauÌ„ce Beleue my consayll and we shal retourne into Fraunce agayne For you may be sure that the Emperour shal make you dye shortly wyth great shame and dyshonoure Then answered the dolourous lady Ha Blandymayn my frende it shoulde be to me to shameful and dyshonest for to go in suche manet without other deliberacyon And it myght be beleued lightly that the Emperour had good cause and that I were culpable of the dede Wherfore I had â—euer die an euil death than for to recouer blame for a thynge that I am innocent of and accused with out cause After these thinges thus said the Emperour that was with the barons a lytell moderate and satisfied of his Ire he sente for his wyfe Bellyssant the whiche was brought before him quickely Whan he sawe her his harte trembled for sorowe for this that he dutst not put her to death because of her brother kiÌ„g Pepyn and his puissaunce With rude wordes he said to her False cursed woman by the is myne honoure vyturped Wherfore I sweare God that and it were not for thy brothers sake the valeaunt kyng Pepyn I should make the to be brent in a fyre but for his sake thy lyfe shall be prolonged at this present time Now I â—o the to wyt that from this houre I banisshe the expulse the from my countrey and Empire in coÌ„maunding the expresly that to morowe thou departe out of this cytie for if I se the any more thou shalt neuer haue respite till thou haue suffred death And yet I commaunde all them of my countrey that there be none so hardy of them to accoÌ„pany you or coÌ„uey saue allonely yoursquyer Blandymayne that you brought out of Fraunce with you Go where as you wil go at your aduenture for thou shalt neuer slepeby my side nor in my bedde Sone after that commaundement of the Emperour that was shorte and sâ—daine without soiourney or delacion the Empresse Bellyssant and her Squyer Blandymayn mounted on horsebacke and came in to the Lyâ—ie where as was shedde full many a tere bothe of lordes and ladies knightes and squyers with al y e commune people the which â—â—ted sorowed out of mesure for they made suche lamentacions that there was neuer sene nor hearde so piteous a thinge Euery body ran vnto the gate for to coÌ„maunde the good lady vnto God that by the false Archebisshop was so pyteously banyshed And at the yssue of the gate they made the pitefullest etie that euer was hearde Nowe goeth Blandymain that conduyeth the sorowefull lady Bellissant and hath taken the waye to go towarde the realme of Fraunce When the lady was out of the walles of the citie and that she sawe her selfe in the fieldes pyteously aâ—ourned like a woman shamed and dishonoured she wayled bitterly For she considered the lyguage the bloud ryall that she was yssued out of the right hygh
armed and their blasons hanged at their neckes their horses wer brought to them and they mounted on theÌ„ to go to the field Then the Emperour commaunded the knyghtes and sargeauntes that they should conuey the Archebisshop of the place and that they should take good kepâ— vnto him and this he charged them on their lyues to the ende that he might not flee for he was subtill and caucelous The marchaunt â–ª was mounted upon his horse wel armed in all places a strong sword â—â—rdeâ— about him so he â—odâ— towarde the fielde and entred the firste therin After him came so greate a multitude of folke out of Constantinoble that they could not be noÌ„bred And it was not long after but that the Archebysshop entred into the fielde strongly accompanied â–ª For he was muche ryche of a noble nacion There was y e kinge Pepin that behelde the marchaunt gladly and with good harte saying My frende God geue the grace to haue victory against the false man For by y e faith of my body if that the Archebisshop be vanquished to daye by the and that I maye knowe the crâ—uthe of my syster Bellyssant I shall rewarde the so highly that in all my courte thou shalt be the greatest Syr sayde the marchaunt I thanâ—e you And knowe you for certainte that or it be nyght I shal make hym confesse the trea son by the leaue of God so he geue the grace to whom I commaunde the â–ª and 〈◊〉 â—e 〈◊〉 form the kynge there 〈…〉 a heraute and mâ—de theim sweare both as it is the custome â–ª and after they made to auoyde y â— field cleâ—â—e of all the people that stoode within and lefte the two champions therin Nowe be they vpon the renges and they that had the charge of the fielde brought them their speres the whiche they tooke and smote their horses with y e spores and came together also faste as they myght rynne hyttyng eche other so merueylously that they broke their speres to their haÌ„des and passed forth to â—etche their course And when they were at the ende of the fielde they retourned the one vpon the other in contynent with their swordes in their handes ioyned them together fyersly in geuyng eche other so peysaunt strokes that they smote into y e fielde greate quarters of their sheldes When the Archebisshop sawe that the marchaunt assailed him so asprely he thought that he would beate of vnto night For suche was the lawâ— in those dayes that if one man appâ—led another and defied hym in battayll it was behouefull to hym for to vaynquysshe him before the sone settyng or he should be hanged wherfore the Archebysshop thought to kepe himselfe stedfast And the marchaunt that knewe well the custome did enforce hym the more to doo feates of armes againste the Archebysshop that folowed hym nere And so muche the marchaunt appressed him with strokes that with one stroke that he gaue him he smote of one of his eares and a great pece of the haubergon that was of fine stele And y e stroke was so impetious that the marchauntes sworde fell from him when the false Archebysshop sawe that the marchauÌ„t was with out weapon he smote his horse with a foyne in suche wise that he smote out one of his eyen And the horse that felte himself hurte ranne and lepte so in the uÌ„â—lde that he cast the marchaunt downe and fortune was so peruers to him that his fote stacke faste in the styrope And the horse that would not reste trayled him so impecuouslyâ— that all they of the congregation were heuy and sorowfull and said to themselfe that they had no more trust in the marchaunt And when the king saw him in suche distresse and perill he began for to wepe muche piteously in saying to hymselfe Alas alas marchaunt now se I wel euidently that thy dayes bene finyshed for this worlde Alas nowe maye I know manifestly and for certaine that my sister is culpable of y e deade that she had bene charged with And that God will shewe euydently to all that with good ryght the Emperoure hath expulsed her from hym If she hadde bene buried also soone as she had bene christened I had bene well happy and borne in a good houre for by her is the noble bloude of Fraunce put to a greate shame And euen so God helpe me if that I helde her nowe I shoulde make her die a villainous death Many profounde syghes made the good king Pepin And the Archebisshop with all his puissauÌ„ce might not make his horse approche the marchaunt the whiche semed wel to be a thing miraculous Now the marchauÌ„t was so trailed through the fielde that his horse foundred and fell down And when yeâ— horse was down y e marchaunt rose vp that was valiaunt and hardy And when the Archebisshop perceiued the marchaunt that was rysen he came renning to him and gaue him two or thre strokes that the marchaunt was all astonyed therwith So he withdrewe him backe a liâ—ie for to take his brethe and after he auaunced him subtylly and with a fyerse courage he smote the Archebysshop in suche maner that his swerde fell out of his hand And wounded him soo throughe his harneis that the bloode ran vnto the erth The Archebysshop put his hert and his force for to be auenged broched his horse to renne on the marchauÌ„t But he was subtill and drewe a great poynted knyfe and cast it agaynst the Archebysshoppes hors smote him in the body so rudely that the horse begaÌ„ for to lepe and flynge wherfore the Archebisshop was in to great daunger to fall down And with the leping of the hors he loste his shelde And the marchaunte caste it out of the felde to the ende that he should not helpe him selfe no more wythall And whan he had done so he wente and smote his hors in the bely wyth his swerde so that the Archebysshop and the hors fell vnto the earth the whiche rose vp in contynent but the marchauÌ„t was diligente and gaue him so great a stroke that he smote him downe platte to the erath and than he lepte vpon him pulled of his helme to haue smytten of his head Whan the Archebysshop sawe hym in this daunger he was full of treason and sayd to the marchaunt Alas frende I beseche the that thou wylte haue pyte on me and gyue me tyme and space for to confesse me to the ende that my soule be not in daunger for to the I plde me as vanquysshed and culpable Whan the marchauÌ„t herd the Archebysshop speke so he was curteys and debonayre and trusted the fayre wordes of the Archebysshop and let hym ryse WhaÌ„ the fals preest was vpon hys fete he hadde neyther wyl nor desyre to confesse hym but toke the marchaunt anone in his armes and threw hym downe and lepte vpon hym suyenge by great Ire Marchaunt thou shalte neuer escape my handes wythout vylaynous death yf that thou accord not
the horse furiously But it is sayde coÌ„monly that it is euyll thinking to be mayster of the crafte that they can nothyng of Euen so dyd it to kynge Cromparte that wende well too haue played with Pacolettes horse but he torned the pynne so euill that he faylled of his waye more than two hondred myle ¶ And as he thought to haue aryued in his lande he arryued in Ynde the great a great place wher as market was kept that daye And seynge all the people he descended on the grouÌ„de with the fayre lady Clerymonde Of the whiche thyng they were muche ameruayled that sawe it And at that houre the lady Clerymonde knewe the horse For she myght not knowe him the nyght before for the great doloure that she was in Alas Pacolet sayde the noble lady nowe am falsly betrayed and you the fyrst of all robbed Alas now maye I well say fare well my loue Ualentyne aboue al the other moost curteys and amiable By my god mahoune sayd the kyng Crompart that wende well to haue ben in his countrey if euer you speke to me of that christen boye ryght shortly you shall se knowe with what loue I loue hym for with my cutting sworde I shall make your head to fle of your shoulders Now is Crompart well deceyued that thinketh to be in his countrey and that for the fayre Clerymonde hathe wylled too playe Nygromancy for he is arryued in the place where as it behoueth hym to fynyshe his dayes For after that he had bene sene of dyuers in the place some saide among them that it was the great god mahoune that in fleshe and bloude for to vysite his people was descended froÌ„ heauen The tydynges of this vysion came vnto the kyng of Ynde the whiche coÌ„maunded that they should be brought before hym Nowe in an euill houre ariued the kyng Crompart for also sone as the kyng of Ynde sawe hym he knewe hym ⧠Howe the kyng of Ynde made kyng Crompartes head to be smytten of because he had slayne his brother and howe he would haue hadde the fayre Clerymonde vnto his wyfe Capit. xlviii I Rompart sayd the kynge of Ynde ye be welcome for nowe is come the tyme that of the death of my brother I shal take vengeaunce to whiche by your fyerse courage you haue made warre by the space of seuen yeare and after at the last in tormente and marâ—it you haue made hym dye shamefully So wyll I shewe vnto my brother that in his lyfe I loued hym truely and that after his death I haue auenged him on his enemies Than the kyng of Ynde without any other delyberacion at that same houre made his head to be smyten of And after the Justice was done he made the fayre lady Clerymonde to be taken with the horse of wodde and for the beaute of the lady he made her to beledde in to his palays muche honourably and well serued and kept After he entred into his halle and made her to be brought before hym by them that were the moost nerest his persone when she was come before hym he behelde her gladly for her maners and countenaunce that of beaute corporal passed all the other and sayd vnto her much swetely Lady I can not tell what you are â–ª nor from whence you become but the prudence and beaute that is in you maketh me to be so taken with your loue that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I was so embraced with no womaÌ„s loue wherfore I am delivered for to take you vnto wyfe and spouse and make you quene and maystresse of all the lande of Ynde the greate Syr sayde the fayre Clerimonde that could answer ful wel You speke graciouslye and promyseth and presenteth me more goodes rycheâ—â—â—s than I am worthy for to haue but as to the regarde for to take you vnto husbande spouse for this presente houre yf it please you you shall pardon me for within this lytell whyle I haue made an othe and auowe before the ymage of God mahâ—une for certaine necessities that I haue founde my selfe in that from this daye come a tweluemoneth I shall take noo man vnto husbande nor spouse And therfore syr yf it please you let me holde and accomplysshe myne auowe vnto the yeare be fynyshed and when the terme shal be passed and accomplisshed that take me vnto wyfe and spouse and do with me your pleasure ¶ By mahoune sayd the kyng you says but well and sythe that you haue so aâ—cerprysed and vowed to oure God mahoune I am of accorde and contente to abide vnto the time that the ende of your auowe become So abode the noble lady in the palays of the kynge of Ynde the greate the whiche thought well to haue had his desyre of her or y e yerâ— had bene passed And coÌ„masiâ—ed that the fare Clerymonde shoulde be well kept and serued aboue all the other And make too delyner vnto her a fayre chambre that was muche richely aourned in the whiche the pleasaunt lady made to bere the horse of wodde and in the moost secretest place put hym vnder her wardeâ—ope whan the noble lady Clerymonde sawe the horse in bewaylyng Pacolet with her eyen she wept tenderly in praying God deuoutly that he would delyuer her out of that daunger Alas sayd the noble lady veray god al myghty in whome is myne onely beleue resplendysshe your grace vpon this poore woman or elles I am and shall remaynâ—a poore strayed woman separed from all my frendes and among the other the moost sorowful And in the handes of mine enemies it behoueth me to vse the remenaunt of my lyfe Alas true redemproure do by thy puissauÌ„ce so much afore y e ende of my daies y t I maye see with both myne eyen the pleasaunt Ualentyne to whome I am geuen For I loue better to bee dead and suffer greuous tormentes than to habandone my body to other than hym The lady is in Ynde the great the whiche is nyght and daye in syghes and in teares praying God deuoutly that he wold put her out of the daunger and yelde her safe sounde to the noble knyght Ualentyne to whiche she had geuen her fayth and her courage before any other man lyuyng Nowe wyll I leue to speake of her of the kyng of Ynde to folowe my mater I shall speke to you of Pacolet of y e sorowe y t was made for Clerymonde within Acquitain ⧠Howe Pacolet in a madens clothyng auenged him on the false Adramayne Cap. xlix AFter that the nyght was passed in the whyche Adramayne had betrayed pacolet and ledde away the fayre Clerymonde through the cyte of Acquytayne was made great lamentacyons for the losse of the lady for the gardes of the palays that myssed her made so great lamentacyons and soo great noyse in the mornynge that throughe out all the cyte was the tydynges And whan Pacolet knewe that he was departed he doubted hym of some treason Then he
whan he felt himself wouÌ„ded he descended to the earth habandoned his horse After he came agaynst Orson and smote his horse in suche maner that he cut of one of his legges and felled hym vnto the earthe But Orson was dyligent and strong for when he felt the horse fall he auoyded the styropes and lept vpon the earthe And syth came vnto Garnyere and toke hym betwene his armes so mightely that he toke his shelde from him and threwe him to the earth but as he would haue gyueÌ„ hym a â—oyne in the belly Florente sported his horse for to surour his brother and gaue Orson so great a stroke vpon the helme that he made hym for too rele Orson ran vnto hym that had dispyte and smote hym with so great a courage that he ouerthrewe the horse dead too the earth and toke of Florentes helme from his head of the whiche he was sore abasihed and founde none other remedy saue for to flee and renne about the fielde in coueryng his head with his shelde And Orson ran after hym with a fyerse courage that for to se hym flee had great pleasure Ha Florent sayd Garnyere wherfore flee you so much retourne you agayne and thinke for to defende you for if you haue good courage to day he shall be vanquyshed At these wordes the two traytours assayled the valiaunt Orson muche asperly and with their trenchyng swordes gaue hym so many strokes that through his harneys the strokes entred and made the bloud to yssue out by greate haboundaunce Then Orson that felte hymselfe wounded reclaymed God and the virgyn Mary muche deuoutely and gaue Florent so great a stroke that he smote of his arme w t the sword During this batail Fezone was in a church in prayinge god deuoutly that it wolde please hym for to kepe her good loue Orson defende hym in gyuyng him victorye agaynst hys enemyes The people was moche abasshed of y e great dedes of armes that Orson dyde Dolente and sorowful was Florent whaÌ„ he had loste his arme and not for that he left not for to assayl Orson wyth all his puyssaunce ¶ And whan Orson sawe him come he made semblaunte for to smyte Garnyere and after drewe his stroke agayne sodaynly and smote FloreÌ„t in suche maner that he smote him downe deed to the erthe after he sayd vnto Garnyere Traytoure thou muste go after or elles knowledge before euery body y e treasoÌ„ that you haue braced ¶ Orson said Garnyere it shal go other wyse for if you haue slayne my brother to day I shal take vengeauÌ„ce ¶ Haufray sayd Henry our feate goeth euyll for Orson hath alredy slayne and vndone our neuewe Florent you shall se anone y t he wyll vaynquysshe Garnyere make him confesse the treason by the whiche we shall be for euer dyshonoured and in daunger of deathe yf we fynde not maner for to fle escape Brother sayd Haufray that was full of treason I shal tel you what we shal do Also so one as we shall se that Garnyere is ouercomen or that he confesse the treason we shall entre into the felde and in signe for to maynteine Orson we shal cut of our neuewes head And so the treason may neuer be knowen By God sayd Henry none can say nor deuyse better Thus thought the two cursed dysloyall traytours newe treasons for to hyde the olde And the two champions are within the felde y t assaylleth eche other moche asprely Garnyere sayd Orson you se wel that you maye not defende you agaynste me And therfore thynke for to yelde you confesse your cursed treason and I promyse you for to saue your lyfe and make your peas towarde kynge Pepyn and shall sende you vnto the Emperoure of Grece my father that for the loue of me shall reteyne you of hys courte and gyue you great wages Boye sayd Garnyere thy promyse serueth me of nothynge for syth that I haue lost one of myne eres I shall neuer be praysed nor honoured in no place So Had I rather dye valyauntly agaynste the or conquere thy body delyuered the vnto shamefull death than for to defylemyne honoure By my fayth sayd Orson right gladly I accordeth you And syth that you haue enuy for to dye you shall haue founde in me a good mayster Thynke for to defende you for here is your laste daye At these wordes he went towarde Garnyere and wyth strengthe of armes throwe hym vnder hym and pulled hys helme from hys head And Haufray whyche sawe that there was no more remedye cryed right hye Orson slee him not for we knowe right well y t wyth great wronge he hath accused you so we wyll do the Justyce as to the traytour apperteyneth we wyl neuer let hym lyue nor holde hym of our parentage He entred into the felde and sayd vnto Garnyere Fayre mayster confesse your dede and the maner of the treason and we shall do so muche to the kynge that of your fautes ye shal haue pardon Lordes sayde the traytour Garnyere I haue done the treason and put the knyfe in the kinges bed In sayenge these wordes Haufray that was subtyll and cautelous drewe hys swerde to the end that he shuld speke no ferther forthe of that thynge he slewe hym in the same place and after sayd ⧠Lordes nowe let thys traytour be taken and hanged on the galowes for he hath well deserued it Then he sayde vnto Orson Losyn I am tyght Joyous of the vyctory that you haue had for God hath wel shewed that you are true and loyal And for al that Garnyer was my neue we yet shal I neuer clayme hym for my bloud syth he hath wylled to medle with treason Anoue came thether the fayre lady Fezonne that colled and kyssed Orson ryght swetely And than kyng Pepyn demaunde hym Fayre neue we haue you any daungerous wound vpon your body Uncle sayd Orson no thanked be God I haue vanquyshed the two traytours Haufray as a good man hath made Garnyere confesse the treason and takeÌ„ his lyfe from him Ha fayre neuewe beleue it not to lightly for what semblauÌ„t that euer he make you he is partysypyng of the treason but for this present tyme I wyll holde my peace The king and the barons retourned in to the cytie of Parys and made great ioye for the victory that Orson had wonne and the honoure And Haufray and Henry that same day said muche good of him with their mouthes and with their hartes desyred his death But anone after came the tyme that their cursed treason was knowen and that they were punished for their euylles as they had wel deserued So I shal leue to speake of this mater and will tell you of the knyght Ualentyne that rode through the countrey right sorowful for his loue the fayre Llery monde the which was in Jnde the more where the kyng made her to be kept for to wedde her and toke her vnto wyfe by
On a mornynge Hugon called the fayre Clerymonde sayde to her in fayre language Lady knowe that I am kyng of Hongrye holde vnder me diuers â–ª greace lordes but of one thyng I am euill that is that I haue no wyfe and anâ— to mary for the whiche thyng I am come to ward you For I haue vnderstande that the knyghte Ualentyne wil neuer retourne wherfore I require you y t you haue me for your husbande so shal you be crowned quene of Hongrye and be greately honoured for aboue all other you are she that my harte desyreth so aâ—dauntlye Syr sayn the lady of the good and the honour that you present me I thanke you humbly but for to aunswere you well seke you another wyfe for my loue Ualentine lyueth yet soo I am delybreed for too abyde hym seuen yere And whan that it should be so that I would take a husbande it behoued not to speke vnto me but to the Emperoure Orson and to my brother the grene knight for without their counsayll I will neuer conâ—ente therto for any thyng that maye be sayde vnto me ¶ Lady sayd Hugon you speake right honestly your answere pleaseth me Than he came towarde Orson demaunded hym if he hadde any tydynges oâ— Ualentyne Free kyng sayde the Emperoure Orson that of hym had no doubte â–ª I knowe none other thyng saue that â—y a â—â—eter that he lefte me with his wyfe the which telleth that he is gone in exyle for to wepe his synnes ◠〈◊〉 vpoÌ„ hym he bereth halfe of the ring that he wedded his wife wyth and the other he hathe lefte her â–ª and charged her to beleue nothinge of hym but if she sawe the other halfe of the ryng Syr sayd Hugon that noted well the sewordes â–ª god be his spede for he is a knight to be moche praysed Nowe I wyll tell you one thynge that I haue in my courage I am delyuered for to go vnto The rusalem sor to vysyte the holy sepulcre so I wold gladly that you wolde bere me company Syr sayde Orson I am contente and we wyll go into Angorye and take the grene knyght with vs that is kyng therof It pleaseth me well sayd kyng Hugon lette vs go where you wyll Than Orson toke leue of the fayre Galazye â–ª and of his moder and mounted vpon thesee and came into Angory where as they were receyued much honourably â–ª and in greate ioye They made greate chere and after all thre wente into Jherusalem and toke vp theyr lodging for to reste them And vpon the morowe they wente toward the good patriarke that songe masse be fore them and made them be guyded throughe the cyte for to vyâ—â—â—e the holy sepulcre and other holy places in grete deuocion They gate the pardons and dyde theyr pylgrimage deuoutly saue the kinge Hugon that bare the treason in hys hearte by the whiche he made the noble prynces be taken and enprysoned that trusted in hym For right so as they visited the holy places y t traitour kyng Hugon stole oute of theyr company and yede vnto the kynge of Surye that was the kynge of Jâ—dâ—s broder that was slayne before Angorye Hugon salued hym by mahowne sayd vnto him Kynge vnderstondome and I shall tell you a thynge for your prouffyte Knowe syr that there is newly aryued here two knightes that you ought to hate aboue al other for they haue slayne kynge Brandyffer kynge Lucar and the puyssaunt kynge of Ynde your brother Whan Rabastre vnderstode that hys brother was dead he wepte much and after sayd vnto Hugon Syr can you yelde me the two knyghtes Yes sayd the traytour Hugon so y t you wyll giue me theyr seales af golde Syr sayd the kyng of Surye I should be to ingrate yf I refused you soo lytell a thynge you shall haue the seales and other thynges ynoughe yf you may delyuer me the two knyghtes Yes sayd Hugon and herken now Sende your messengers in to the house of the patryarke for he can tel you where they are Than the kynge of Sury dyd so and sent viii hundred men armed to the good patryarke the whyche shewed them the lodgys at the kynges coÌ„maundement The paynyms went thyther anone and founde Orson and the grene knyght at dynner â–ª the whyche they tooke and bounde straytely and in betynge theym ledde them towarde the kynge Alas sayd Orson we are betrayed for ryght so as kynge Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce were ones solde vnto the sarazyns in thys cyte so are we nowe Whan the kynge of Sury sawe them he sayd vnto them False enemyes of oure lawe I am ryght Joyous that I holde you now tel me your names for I wyll knowe theym and for a cause Syr sayde Orson I am called Orson and thys is the Grene knyght By mahowne sayd the kynge I haue hearde muche speke of you and you haue a felowe named valentyne the whiche if I helde he shoulde neuer escape my handes on lyue Than he made them to be dyspoyled and tooke theyr Seales frome theym the whyche he gaue afterwarde to kynge Hugon So Orson the grene knyght were put in a depe dongeon with bread and water longe They thought that the kyng Hugon had bâ— slayne of the sarazyns Alas they knew nothing how the mater did go for the traytoure Hugon was in the cytye y t called vnto him a disloyall traytoure named Galeran whiche had serued him longe for suche mayster suche seruaunt â–ª Galeran sayd Hugon I haue found y e maner wherby I shall come vnto the ende of myn entencion And because that you are my neuewe and haue serued me longâ— be secrete and I shall rewarde you soo well that you shal be content Vncle sayd Galeran haue no doubte of me for I know where you pretende that is to haue the fayre clerimonde vnto wyfe ¶ It is true sayde kynge Hugon it nedeth not to hyde it frome you We must make a letter subtylly in the name of Orson for I haue his propre seale wyth the whiche it shall be sâ—aleâ— And it behoueth that the letter be made thus ¶ Orson by the grace of god Emperour of grece vnto you my ryght redoubted and souerayne ladye and Moder vnto you my loue Galazye and vnto my syster y e fayr â–ª Clerymonde all humble salutation recommendacyon due Know that there is happened vs piteous tydynges and displeasaunt in this couâ—trye the whyche I wryte vnto you in this present letter so I require Jhesus that he gyue you pacyence â–ª My ladyes knowe for certayne that I haue founde my brothe â–ª Valentine in Jherusalem in his deathe bedde so God gaue me suche grace that I spake with hym or he dyed And at his 〈◊〉 he charged me to sende you tydynges to solue y e fayre Clerymonde from hym To whome he maundeth that for all the loue that euer she loued hym wyth that also soone as she may she take some prynce to husband
And that for his death she take no discomfort but pray god for his soule And wyte that he sendeth not the halfe rynge as he had promysed for as he was in bedde it was stolen from hym And whan thys lettre was made thus Hugon made another lettre for to couer hys treason from the grene knyghte and Orson togyther sayenge Ryght wel beloued syster we haue done you ynoughe to wyte of your true spouse and our good brother Salentyne for the whyche thynge we twayne consyderyng the great beaute that is in you and for to accomplysâ—â—e the desyre of the dead on whome Jhesu haue mercye and to encrease your honoure we wyl that you take the puyssaunt kyng Hugon vnto husband as you wyl auoyde our dyspleasure And for the more veryâ—y cacyon we haue sâ—aled these letters wyth our propre seales Also wyte that we can not come yet vnto you for bytwene the chrysten men and the sarazyns is a daye of batayll sette the whiche we abyde for to susteyâ—e the â—aythe of Jesu chryste whyche haue you in his kepynge Whan the letters of the treason were made by kynge Hugon he closed them well and sealed them with theyr propre seales and after gaue them vnto hys propre neuewe Galeran and sayd vnto hym that it behoued hym to go in to constantynoble for to presente those letters to Bellyssant and to the fayre Clerymande And whan you shall haue done so I shall come after as he that knoweth not there of for to requyre Clerymonde and I â—ouâ—te me not but that she shall be gâ—uen me Uncle sayd Galeran I shall do the message well for I knowe well your case Thau he toke the letters and put hym selfe vpon the waye towarde Constantynoble ¶ How Galeran dyd hys message vnto Bellyssant and the fayre Clerymonde of the meruayllous complayntes that Clerymonde made Ca. Cxiiii NOwe Galeran dyd so muche that he arryued in Constantynoble at the houre of dynor and salued the ladyes from the Emperour Orson and the grene knyght and after he gaue theym the letters Messenger sayd Bellyssant what doth my sonne Ladye sayd Galeran I lefte hym in Jherusalem safe and sounde soo you may knowe by this letters more certayuly of hys dedes The ladyes commaunded that the messenger should be feested Now it was of custome that whan they wolde dyne or soupe they made Ualentyne to be brought into the Halle for to nourysshe hym the better and because that he knew that he eate but leuinges they gaue hym â—o good that he wold vse no more thereof but often toke that which they cast vnto the dogges and than they cast the dogges largely He herde well the ridinges of the messengers so he thought what he shold do The ladies rose vp from the tables whan graces was said Bellyssant made a secret aye to come that redde the letters and tolde them the tenoure of them both And valentyne herde it well the which was in the halle but he made no semblaunt So it is not to be demaunded the great sorowes and lamentacions of the ladies y t was made for Ualentyne that they maunded was deed for they knew the seales of the good knyghtes The fayre Clerimonde rente her clothes a pulled her heere saying Poore woman aboue all other moost colorous wherfore cometh not the death and take the. Alas Ualentyne wherfore am I not gone with you for to ese your body Broder greue knight and you Emperour Orson you haue to harde courages that wyll marye me so soone Alas how ought she euer to take a husband that of the valyauntes hathe loste his excellente of good the beste of worthy the moste hardy the rose of honour the floure of chyualry of noble the myrroure y e example of curteyse of trouth the patron of wyse the chosen False dethe what hast thou thought whan by y t I am oute of all humayne Joye â–ª neuer in my lyfe I require to haue myrthe but alwayes in languysshynge be wayle hym y t of al y e humaynes is worthy honour I shal neuer in my life haue other husband but in continuall sorowes shall vse my dayes Well sawe Valentyne the great doloure that Clerymonde bare for hym wherof he hadde great pâ—te but for doubte of knowyng he bare it in his heart ¶ And whan Bellyssant sawe that Clerymonde disâ—omforted her soo she sayd vnto her My doughter take to you paâ—yenâ—e you knowe that he was my sonne so I ought to be sorowfull at the heart but whan I consider that there is no remedye it is better praye for hys soule than wepe so muche so thinke on that which your brother and the Emperour Orson maundeth you Alas sayd Clerymonde wherof speke you to me what maryage maye they make of her that trusteth neuer to haue Joye Lady for god speake no more therof for I wyl neuer haue no husbande Doughter sayd Bellyssant you are euyll auysed for syth that so hyghe a man as kynge Hugon wyll haue you you shall be neuer the more praysed And I tell you well that there maye suche one come ye that I shall mary me At these wordes the fayre Clerimonde entred in to her chambre sore wepynge And Valentyne is vnder the stayres that thinketh in hys heart from whens suche treason may come So it happened at the ende of foure dayes that kynge Hugon arryued in Constantynoble and was receyued in grett honoure but the fayre clerymonde made hym no semblauÌ„t of loue My lady sayd he you haue wel heard how your sonne is dead wherof I am sory So it is accorded that I shall haue Clerymonde vnto wyfe Syr sayd Clerymonde I haue no wyl to wedde you nor none other Ualentyne heard all this treason So the thynge was soo moche pleded that we accorded at the laste to haue the kyng Hugon wherof he was muche Joyous but it dured not longe ¶ How Bellyssant and Clerimonde knew the treason and false enterpryse of kyng Hugon and how the prduost smote of the head of Galeran Ca. Cxv. UAlentyne had greate pite on his loue y t they were about to betraye so he entred into a chapel of our lady where as he was accustomed for to pray to God and kneled downe before the ymage of the vyrgyn Marye sayd â–ª Blessed vyrgyn Marye â–ª I beseche the praye thy dere sonne to defend my loue clerymond from this treason that is made agaynst her And or he had ended his prayer an asigell sayd vnto him Ualentyne God hathe herde thy prayer go out of the cyte and take the habytes of a pylgrym that thou shalt fynde there and after retourne in to thy palais and recounte before all the coÌ„ pany y e treason suche as thou knowest it for thou shalt not be knowen Uetay God sayde Valentyne I thanke you Than he departed and founde the pylgrym and toke his habytes after he retorned in to the palays where as the ladyes were and the traytout Hugon that spake dyuers fayned