of Clarissa the coward THe counsell of Eclamard Baucamont and all his Barons applauded as most excellent wherefore at that present was Morgant and Nigron roially dispatched for the embassade who in solemne maner entered into the citie and thence were conueied to the pallace where ascending a paire of stately staires they entered into the great chamber where they found the king Mermont accompanâ—â—â— with a number of woorthy Barons to whom Morgant first speaking gaue this salutation That Mahomet the eternaâ—l regent and possâ—ssor of the whole world who kéepeth from euill lendeth vnending dayes to the mightie Baucamont king of Damascus the same Mahomet confound his enemies whose weapons mainetaine warre against him Then he procéeded thus in his ambassage King Mermont the king my master salutes thée by vs and Saieth he wondereth whither thine ancient wisdom is fled that thou refusest to giue him thy faire chast daughter whose euery excellence the height of his royall dignities shall counterpoise therefore these are his latest summons either now send her by vs to make happy his desires or hereafter it will be too late to repent thy liues end ending thy glories if then now thou wilt stoup the ambition of thy will sending her with a frée consent the mariage without delay shall be solemnized and all his royall army shal depart without damage to thy countrey 2 When Mermont with an often exchanging cheeke had heard his deliuerie cholerike anger roused vp his lion spirits teaching his brow such frowns of displeasure that Morgant quaked to behold theÌ„ Then said Mermont take those insolent orators of disgrace cast them into some hideous â—â—â—â—â—couering â—ungeon for that is both my reply and resolution where in despight of Baucamont their woes shall consume their breathes At these wordes they were each one on euery side hauing nothing to say for themselues but praiers to Mahomet for their protection taken cast in most lothsome imprisonment where their day was blacknesse and the breath they â—rew the aire of their sighes before breathed 3 After this the king Mermont caused an alarme to be cried oâ—er all the city then calling Clarissa said vnto him let it not be troublesome to thée honorable Clarissa that this day I commit into thine inuincible protection mine ensigne the glory and badge of my dignitie sith to thy woorth the earth hath refused to beare an equall as the glory of thy cariage at our last triumph was a sufficientâ—witnes thy wisedom is the gouerner of my fame thy fortitude the hope of my redemption My earthes god answered Clarissa banish al doubtfull feare for I will support thy standard with such resolution as shal become the greatnesse of so royal a burden wo alas had but Mermont knoweÌ„ his extreme cowardise not the world could haue made him hazard his honour in so weake handes or his imagind reputation was but the stolne shadow of Meruines perfection Now Clarissa wâ—unded to death with his own glory had no succour to flie vnto but his chamberlaine that only was priuie to what passed betwâ—xt Meruin him who at â—hat instant lay exceedingly siâ—ke of a quaâ—tane feuer Wherefore comming to him Clarissa sayd either must thou now rise and sustaine my falling fortune or all the honor that I haue won by the euer conquering hands of inuiâ—câ—ble Merâ—ine will now vtterly be lost I confounded for the mâ—ghtie standard of king MermoÌ„t this day is deliuered to my protection and what a neuer dying sham it were thou knowst if it be not caried with redâ—ubted valiancie when inumerablâ— blowes eternizeth the helmes of deaths tragedians Sir sayd the chamberlain who euene then was piteously ague shaken were all the golden mines of the world proposed to me for recompense it were impossible to raise me because in my bodie wantes vital habilitie When Clarissa heard him he stroke him with so fierce a cowards blow that two of his téeth flew out of his mouth then departed out of the chamber in great choler and came to king Mermont whom he intreated with al the spéed he could to giue an alarme to the tentes of his enimies who as yet secure dreamt of no danger by that surprise doubted not but to attaine infinite renowne And these words were vttered with such a trembling spirite that king Mermont in that Index might haue read his cowardise if former resolue had not blinded suspect But he feared him not so that at his enâ—reatie he withall his Barons sallied from the towne being 10000 well ordered souldiers When as Baucamont beheld the comelinesse of their march he called all his barons together and sayd Behold lords in what warlike pompe king Mermont bringeth the paragon of beautie diuine Berea to be espoused to our greatnesse I charge therefore euery soule on alleageance and my loue that they be ready to receiue them with all the honour possible can be deuised Thus spake he whose thoughts were flowen beyond the Alpes farre from the purpose of Mermont for he came accoÌ„panied with the king of Calabria named Sallames and of his brother Marandus to whom he vsed contrary eloquence saying Ualiant and heroike commanders we are but a point to the great circle of our enemies a handfull to a boundlesse masse let vs kéepe together and making of our many but one true strength fight like a not to be sundred mountain that when the great hoste of our foes is conuicted we may with smal or no losse make an honorable râ—trait to Montment To these words the whole armie gaue a shoute of consent and withall spurring their horses gaue a gallant charge on the face of their enemies but Clarissa whose heart was then benumd witha cold palsy durst not carie the standard vpright least the viewe of that marke of honour should encline the ambitious minded mighty on s to assaile his faint hardines which al the armie of Montment to their grief perceiued so that Mermont with his fellowes in vnspeâ—ble furie thrust himselfe amoÌ„gst his enimies euen amongst their tents which they cut hewed down in admirable maner killing their foes as they went in huge multitudes There was neuer a turke that MermoÌ„t met but he stroke him dead to the earth crying to al his host Lords and renowmed fellowes strike couragiously neither feare king prince nor peasant for this day haue I taken conquest my prisoner At these wordes a pleasant angry Turk went to Baucamont sayd Glory my soueraigne be to thy wedding day for Mermont hath brought his daughter on his sword and tendered her vnto the priest with such memorable blowes that if you sâ—â—ne acknowledge not satisfaction his paiment will impouerish you of all your attendants Baucamont hearing angry to heare this tooke his lance and swore by all the deitie of Mahomet to bée gloriously reuenged on Mermont and theâ— like a stormie whirlewind he ran into the hoste of Montment crying Damas Damas for the glory of Damas. Then began the â—ight to
force of fierie pointed looke Nor of the steele that strikes within my wound Nor of my thoughts by worser thoughts defacde Nor of the life I labour to confound But I complaine that being thus disgracde Fetterd feard fraÌ„tâ—ke charmd fierd shotthrogh slaine My death is such as I may not complaine On the last clause of this sonet the noble merchant Iacob entred her chamber whom so soon as Berea beheld she gaue some respite to her mones while a séeming ioy ouershadowed hir face and an inward resolution for many good parts she knew in him tooke hold on her heart giuing her assurance without feare to make him priuie to her long hid affection Wherefore after due reuerence done to her greatnes and a gratious welcome deliuerd from her silent looke she bade him sit downe by her and with a trembling voice the true herald of a vertuous meaning â—hus said vnto him Iacob let it not séeme strange to thée that hauing gone one step beyond wisedome I seek by danger to ouerrun feare and let me coniure thée by that power to whom in thy deuâ—tion thou hast giuen power ouer thy being to kéep secret in thine inward soule wbat my ouerburdned hart shall vnload vnto thée Iacob in whom wonder had raised a hie colour of amazment answered Lady by that inuiolate faith due to our great god Mahomet I promise to kéepe secret in the inclosure of my soule whatsoeuer you propound vnto me Know then qd she O chide me not wheÌ„ thou knowst what I blush to know at such time as I lay at Turgon with my mother nursed not farre from thence the beautifull Meruine on whom doating Nature had bestowed all her treasure went to schoole whither I much frequented to learne the knowledge of diuine philosophy but alas the knowledge I learned was the confounding of my vnderstanding for there euen there â—â—came I surprised with the beauties of Meruine and so intangled with the loue of his perfections that his thought is my torment and his absence my death so as if his returne be long my life will be short so much my loues martirdome wounds me with intolerable â—orrow yet I take Diana to my witnes that al my loue hath bin honorably chaste in such sort as became my vertue or my fathers daughter neither is he yet acquainted with my desire nor haue I to any but thy self bemoned my vnhappines or discouered my loue Wherefore I pray thée by the vehemeÌ„t passion of an vnfained louer make means for his return fith many yeares are past in my remembrance since his departure Lady said Iacob it is but x. months the last wéeke past since his departure Ten months answered the Lady Ay me euery day is a woâ—lds age in the computation of my mind so flow is the passage of my sorrowes wherefore by all the vertues of thy mindâ— the loue thou bearest to Meruine I coniure thée ioyne with me in some happy stratageme by which we may worke his returne to this country By Mahomet qd Iacob Lady I can not possibly inuent how Then haue I deuised the way replâ—ed Berea thus it is You shall to morrow morning come to my chamber to speak with me at what time I will haue written a letter in my fathers name to the counte Brandis hauing this night priuily taken his scale signe it therewith in such sort as you shall haue Mernine deliuâ—red you Then shall you take Barbin with you but by no means make him priuy to our complots but stifly maintaine it is the act of my father When you haue Meruin at such time as Baucamont who shortly wil beleager vs shal detaine his army bring him armed at all points into the field to ioyne with my father and doubt not of his intertaine whose succor wil be so gracious Iacob accorded to al she could inuent or desire so departed leauing the lady to herselfe to study on the inditing of a letter so weighty which at length she perfited to hir own contentment and then sealed it with the kings owne seale And in the morning Iacob came and receiued it protesting a diligenter regard in performance of such a royall affaire The lady gaue him infinite thanks with promise of an inspeakeable reward and then she deliuered him an C. duckats to defray his ordinarie charge and a curious wrought chaine of peaâ—le and gold which she charged him in hir loues name to present to Meruine and withall to let him vnderstand the interest he held in her loue All which with solemne oths he vowed honestly and zealously to performe Then Iacob tooke leaue of the Lady and came to the house of Barbin to whom he said My best friend Barbin make your selfe ready with all spéed to go with me from the K. to Brandis to fetch your son Meruine home againe Barbin to whom no sound could bring swéeter melody told him the newes was balme to his griefes So dispatching his busines and taking order for his home occasions they departed together in great hast whom on the seas sailing towards Brandis we will leaue and a while speake of king Baucamont and thother pagan princes who after the late storme found so prosprous a gale that he arriued at the port of Luternia a moneth after the departure of Iacob and Barbin Thence they marched with conquest to Montment which city they beâ—ieged with two hundred thousand Turks After they were lodged and intrenched Baucamont caled a councel of his chiefest barons and consulted among them what was to be done and whether it were best to assault it at their first approach I or no. To which opinion of assaulting Eclamard dissented saying Rather would I hold the first decrée agréed of amongst vs which is to send â—j of your approued knights to Mermont to shew wherefore we came hither and what cause hath sâ—wen this séed of warfare among vs requesting hiâ— daughter the beautifull Berea which if he will send to you to be ioined in the holy bands of mariage that then we wil return to our countries otherwise indure the vttermost worst of warres afflictions and this hold I the safest course in our procéedings because if here we lengthen out time with a long and lingring warfare Gualtier the dane now raigning in Babylon and Guion of Denmarke both brothers to the euer renowmed Oger who at this instant beare such eternall hate to pagans may in our absence exile our peace from our owne countries Againe which is of greatest auaile against vs one of great knowledge reuealed to me that the mighty emperor king Charles of France meaneth this season to visite them and to adore the holy sepulchre of their god Wherefore the spéedier we make our returne the stronger our owne peace and safetie of our countries for the absence of kings are the deaths of nations CHAP. XI 1 Of the dispatch of Baucâ—monts two knights to Mermont 2 Mermont in despight of Baucamont imprisoneth them 3 Of the assault 4 and death
renue his age and to shew himselfe in his lustiest youth doubling the deaths and wounds of the both sides pursuing pagans Anone Baucamont being maunted on his steed Marcheuall which sometimes belongd to the euer renowned duke Oger the father of Meruine he peceiued where Mermont rode triumphing in the conquest of his sword whom he pursued with a valiant emulation till Mermont beholding him turned to encounter him and sayd Now Baucamont receiue from my sword the loue salute of Berea whom before thou shalt enioy this earth the commoÌ„ receptacle of the dead shal be mine instant haâ—itation Then with their wounding héeles spurring their horses they encountred either other so furiously that both flew from their horses to the ground 4 Assoone as Clarissa beheld the king his master ouerthrowen as if his coward heart had a sympâ—thie of euery mans afflictions he betooke himselfe to flight but far had not the wings his woe borne him but a pagan who all the day had obserued his faint hartednes came upon him and gaue him such a blow with his sword that he fell soone dead from his horse yéelding to a shamefull life a sodaine death But al this while Mermont Baucamont assailed ech other with such kingly magnificence that al the army stood in an amaze to behold them In the end Mermont by the helpe of many handes was remounted after which he assailed Baucamont with inestimable cruelty yet he by the miraculous aide of his powers which were infinite defended himselfe despight of spight got on the backe of Marchâ—ual Then began the battel as if til then it had not begun during which lamentable effusion the king Sallames perceiuing Eclamard who had flaine a countlesse number of his host came running against him gaue him such a well wishing blowe that if the pagan had not spéedily turnd he had neuer turnd more than the last turne which turneth to life eternall notwithstanding the blowe was sent from so willing a spirit of anger that glancing downe it disseuerd his hand from his arme which when Eclamard felt he spurred his horse and betooke his flight to his tent whilest the whole armie which then were sadly discomforted aduised him to returne and inclose Mermont which Sallames vnderstanding foorthwith gaue counsell to retrait lest that a sodaine inclosure should defeit their gotten happinesse which they did most honorably retiring pace by pace to the towne their faces still fixt on their enemies but in this retraite Mermont lost much because Baucamont folowed excéeding close yet neuerthelesse the other side lost much more who returned to their tents discontented because vnreuenged Now was Mermont brought to his pallace where his Quéene and daughter roially receiued him demaunding both his health and successe in battell which he reported in doubtfull maner saying both sides had lost yet assuring them that Baucamont should neuer liue to enioy Berea to which words Berea gaue humble thanks with princely reuerence Then demanded Berea what was become of Clarissa to whom the king sayd If thou louest me daughter name not the base traitor whose cowardise would neuer giue him leaue to strike one blowe either with sword or lance till he was slayne by the hands of a common souldier Many other discourses the king and his barons held til supper being serued they sate downe which no sooner finished but Berea went to the chamber of Clarissas chamberlain to whom shée reported his masters death Lady sayd he griene not for his destinie for why his merite was of al men least deseruing he altogether vnméete either for skirmish or battell And there he discoursed vnto her all his stolne glory how the prize he had before wonne was not his but the prowesse of young Meruine and that he himselfe had bene many times armed in his name And lastly of the vngentlemanly blow he gaue him because he refused to weare his armour beare the standard of Mermon in that last battell CHAP XII 1 The arriual of Iacob and Barbin at Brandis 2 The presenting of the letter to the Counte 3 Meruine is deliuered to them 4 Mineae perswaded Croisant to accompany Meruine which he did with 400. horsemen WHen all the worlds beauteous eie beautifull Berea vnderstood that Clarissa had got the honour of the Ioust and the prized cup not by himselfe but by the diuine valiant hand of her best beloued Meruine modestly her heart capred in her bosome and shee vnable to containe her thoughts departed to her chamber where first throwing her selfe vpon her bed and then taking a well speaking lute she apparelled her voice to the sounding strings and sung in this maner Eyes with your teares blind if you bee Why haue those teares such eyes to see Poore eyes if your teares can mooue My teares eyes then must moane my loue Then eyes since you haue lost your sight Weepe still and teares shall lend you light Till both dissolue and both want night No no cleare eyes you are not blind But in your teares discerne my mind Teares is the language which you speake Which my heart counting it must breake Then cease ill tongue to tâ—ll my wrongs My sighes shall get them better tongs To tell what heauen to loue belongs After she had sung this as if the lute doubled her imaginations she threw it from her with erected hands beteared eyes she sayd Thou onely honour to beautie exellent Meruine be gratious to my thrall and retorte my miserie you gentle windes quickly and with easie murmure conuey my passions into his eares whereas yet neuer entred my lamentations be spéedie honourable Iacob and assure the honor of my affections else shall my deâ—ires be my death and loue my burial thus lamented she in whom woe was louely because adorned with her loue but Meruin altogether skillesse of her complaint led in Brandis a most pleasant and delectable life for why the Countesse thereof did loue him with a most perfit and sincere loue so likewise did Minea whose careful intimacie so regarded him that it was more laborsome for him to wish then to attaine the end of his wish but the absolutely vertuous Meruine neuer had vnchast thought nor euer accompanied woman but Berea whom he married and begate of her Orient the father of the seauen signes as is written in the holy historiâ— of Godfrey of Bullein But I will leaue them and returne to Iacob and Barbin who arâ—iuing at Brandis and comâ—ing to the house of Minea were solemnely receiued of her and all her attendants Then Barbin inquired of the health of Meruine and was assured by her that he was excellently well for that she had supped with him the last night Then he told her that his occasions importuned him to goe to the earles court to deliuer him a letter for the reâ—ease of Meruine The musike of this newes entred harshly into hereares for that she wisht nothing lesse then the departure of Meruine yet she couered it vnder a
for the king my soueraigne and for a ful point to his speach he gaue him a blowe crosse the beuer as he fell downe mortally wounded Meruine tooke his horse and theron mounted king Mermont whose ioy none can speake of but those that haue tasted his affliction Now began a maruelous battell wherein all did very well yet euery one couetous to do more pleasant and louely it was to behold Drohes who thinking euery pagan he mette the murderer of Gallien sent thousands to hell that had not seen Gallien but aboue all Meruine surpassed who neuer lifted vp his hand but death followed the falling At these two Mermont wondred swearing within himselfe the one was Mahomet the other Apollo and that they were come the one to shew deity thother to attaine a greater conquest than the death of Pithon In fine he said both were his assistants bicause his quarrell was lawfull In such sort did Meruine and Drohes behaue themselues that of 3000 that caried away Mermont not one escaped but either slaine or sore wounded A Sarazen beholding this fight séeing two thus triumphant oâ—er so many thousands smote his horse with his spurs and came running to Baucamont crying King of Damascus retire for euen Mahomet and Iehouah are come to fight against thée Mermont is recouerd and thy men discomfited two for two millions are much too mightie retire then retire for saue death thou canst haue no companion Night-rauen quoth Baucamont care for thine owne soule I scorne thy prophesies yet tell me from whom or from what part are those people arriued Instantly said he you shall sée them ascending from yonder valley flie flie for death is in their foreheads Traitor said Baucamont turn thée and bring me to them Not for the wealth of the world answerd he againe for by Iupiter I had rather mountaines should fall vpon me then the wrath of those inraged people should by aduenture find me and in this saying he stroke his horse andâ— flew ouer the field feare giuing him wings and flight bearing him beyond the compasse of eies prospect No sooner was he gone but Baucamont perceiued the approach of Meruine Then mustred he his people together saying Neuer till now houered the crowne of Glorie ouer vs win 〈◊〉 and weare it for sée he that commands it coms vnto vs to present it and with that he smote Marcheuall and charged Meruine Meruine on thother side gaue Mordant the reine to incounter with Baucamont their carier was like the méeting of two tempests from two seuerall corners of the earth but Meruine hit Baucamont such a blow that he fel from his courser to the ground neither had he euer raised his head from the earths pillow had not a band of 4000 come in to his rescue Betwixt him and them a singular to an infinit plurall began a fierce doubtful and vndying combate Iacob this while the good merchant valiantly behaued himselfe so also did Croisant and Barbin whose swordes bare liueries of their Lords wages yet when I thinke on Meruine and Drohes the déeds of the others were but as margent notes to their hâ—ge volums there might one sée coÌ„fusion in her royalty heads without hands hands without bodies legs without féet thighs like feet moouing there you might see stones broken with bodies burden yea burdened bodies by stones broken all things horrible yet nothing but honorable there lay pagan slain on pagan misbeliefe on vnbelieuing while Drohes smiled to sée selfe religion selfe discipline and law confound one another and bâ—ganne to pride himselfe that that day his déeds should be eternized But at this time what Meruin did is impossible to describe because they ascended higher than mortall capacity He incountered Africant and slue him so did he thadmirall whom horse and man he bare down to the ground What shal I say more al force was no force when his force gainestood it as Hares from drunâ—s Lambs from lions Fawnes from tygers so flew the pagans before him What he did what his power sought to do was all this while beheld both by Berea and her mother who stood next her and from the tickling spirit of her heart said to her daughter Faire soule seest thou not yonder pagan whose armes are like sunne shine and his deeds better then the sunnes beauty in his helm he wears two gloues a swimming swan in a bower of roses on my soule he is not mortall for his deeds are celestiall his prowesse is heroicall and his cariage like the god of warrefare Berea heaâ—ing her mothers speaches it seemed the Roses in Meruines headpiece were fled thence to her cheeks for she prettily blushed and thought of her loue Meruine and as she looked downe toward him her thoughts the truest heralds of a â—oâ—ing conceit told her it was he alone that so gallantly behaued himselfe to the wonder of all men O how with that imagination loue gaue new fire to his old flame and surprised her with delicate thinkings then grew shee dumbe with admiring sighing because she was dumbe blushing to heare her selfe sigh then grew pale lest hir dumbnes sighing and blushing should of other than her own eies be perceiued After this war of maiden lookes had taken alittle truce with her intentions thus to her heart her heart whisperd Thou God of my forefathers how excellent hast thou made my loue death being most fierce fearing is become his vassaile attend him death but touch him not As she was imagining more her mother turned about and perceiuing her distraught in countenance challenging the distemperature of lookes asked what she ailed and desired nothing to be hidden from her Madame said she I felt a torment of such vehemencie take hold on me as no creature can imagine Mahomet defend my father for I feare some euil Thus dissembled she with her mother Meruine being the loadstarre by which all her lodgings were guided All this while fell destruction from the sword of Meruine vpon the pagans who like larkes vnder the wings of a hobby sought holes in the earth to hide them Drohes pursued his footesteppes and the nearest of any imitated his vertues Now was Baucamont remounted once more and passing thorow his ranks gaue them new incoragement reuiling the new come strangers and disabling their actions though his wounds bare bléeding witnes of their worths 5 When he had done he charged afresh vpon Mermont and that with such impregnable violence as he ouerthrew him horse and man to the ground but with nimble agilitie he soone recouered his féete and drawing his sword brandished it for his defence All that shew of magnanimity had but little auailed to his profit if Meruin had not againe by chance come to his rescue who cried aloud Mermont my king deferre thy fortune but a moment and I le yield succor to thy life and then rushing amongst the thickest he strake Gyrion on the head cleauing him to the waste After him the next and the next sparing none that was within
duke of Dampmartin Naymes and the rest of his nobilitie to councill in which consultation duke Naymes perswaded all peaceable conditions laying before their eyes the profites of their concord and the ruine of christendome by their fatall warrefare withall telling the empeâ—or that the most of his owne barons were descended from Gautiers pedigrée and in nature would aid him before he should miscarry Charles grew inraged at his words and swore by the God of paradise to put all those to a shameful death that offered to stirre their feete before two moneths were expired or aided him not to lay waste that fatall countrey Thus spake Charlemaine but the good Duke Naymes left not his perswasions till there was a truce taken for ij yeares during which time sprung a new warrefare that wounded all christendome by Barant surnamed the Cruell whom Bertran begot of Guyda now 5. yeares old and by the pagans that crossed the seas came into Christendome of which Barant made a piteous slaughter house in that none was able to indure his force as you shall heare hereafter In the mean space we wil to our former occurrents CHAP. IX 1 Of the great battell which was betweene the Emperour and Gautier in which Charlemaine was taken prisoner 2 How Loys the sonne of Charles came with a great power against Maiance to reuenge his father THe two yeares expired for which the truce was afore taken betwixt the good emperour Charles and Gautier by the meanes of traiâ—erous conspiraâ—ors which were about the Emperour new séeds of discontentment were sowne and he commaunded all his barons to attend him to Maiance of which Gautier was aduertised who desired all his friends to be héedefull of their euills Now departed the emperor from Paris vowing neuer to returne into France if he brought not Gautier and his sons to their funerall and soone arriued within two leagues of Maiance Which when Gautier by his espialles vnderstoode he mustred his friends and marched to méete his enemies whose power was diuided into tenne bataâ—llions and when hee was commen within sight of them after spéeches of incouragement brauely they charged ech other and came to handy blowes Crueltie Terror comming from hell to learne more misery than had bin seene in former ages great was the resolution of Charles that day who slew tenne in a breathing moment none escaping whom his sword blessed Gautier on the other side was not behind for true magnanimitie neither Bertran or any of his brethren who like mad man made hauocke of all with whom they incountered anone Bertran met with the emperour and with a batle aâ—e which he bare he stroke him such a blow on his helmet that he feld him from his horse and that with such heauy vertue that for all the gold of the earth he was not able to rise to regaine libertie but force perforce was taken prisoner which the Duke of Britaine séeing he cried Courage great king and thou shalt soone be redéemed with that hée and all the floures of France assailed Bertran who so brauely defended himselfe that in that conflict hée flew the Duke of Britaine Many times was the Emperour remounted and vnmounted so infinitie couragious were the foure brethren Gautier their father in an other part of the field made many horses maisterlesse and many maisters senslesse so fortunate was his sword and so lucky his resolution this battell continued exceeding long christians against christians selfe law against selfe law and colours against colours The King of England who came in the ayde of Denmarke that day did wonderous deedes of Knighthoode But king Charlemaine franticke of see his losse ranged heere and there till hée mette with Thyerrie the sonne of Gautier whome with Ioyous his good sword he sâ—ue at the fiâ—st incounter Bertran lion-like affrighted the amazed flockes of the French men before him onelie to finde Charles and no other whome so soone as euer hée encountered hée felled from his horse with a blowe and there presently had slaine him if his father who was alwayes exceeding wise had not withheld him saying it was a sin most capitall to slay the brauest champion in the world or touch the blood of the holy annoynted Wherefore taking him prisoner with a strong gard they conueied him to Maiance The Frenchmen no sooner saw their king surprized but they beâ—ooke themselues to flight At which Gautier reioyced and disdained to pursue them but foorthwith went to Maiance where he made processions and triumphs for his victorie and the taking of the famous Emperour Charlemaine to whom being before him he saide Sacred and high estéemed king of France immortall are the wrongs which I haue indurâ—d by you and iustly hath the King of Kings inflicted this deserued shame on your dishonour both for these iniust actions and for exiling without cause the iewels of thy kingdome from their naâ—iue coutries Know therefore thou shalt neuer escape from this thraldome till thou hast made me a sufficient restitution and wepâ— thy wrongs from thy soules bitternesse By my Crowne sayd Charles I will neuer doe it and if thou dost not deliuer mée thou act vniust because thou art sworne my liege man and subiect As thus they were arguing an esquier entred into the hall his eies blubbred with wéeping who turning himselfe to Gautier tolde him of the death of Thierrie which Bertran no soner heard but heauing vp his battell axe he thought and had â—â—aine King Charles buâ— his father catching him in his armes withheld him saying fie sonne fie why séekest thou to kill the good Emperour or to sâ—aine thine honour by killing in colde blood Thy brothers death was the chance of war and his graue is honourable where thus to kill the Emperour were ignominious and slaughterous Yet this I doe protest I will imprison him during his life if better perswasion counsell me not to the contrary This being said king Charles was inclosed in a strong tower and with him foure and twentie other prisoners Which done Gautier caused Thierry to be solemnely interred and all the rest that were slaine with him in the battaile the whilest Duke Naymes and those that escaped by flight repaired home to their owne countries 2 The Duke Naymes as soone as he entred into Paris reported to Loys the Sonne of Charlemaine the imprisonment of his Father who from the torment of his angrie spirite protested to dye or reuenge his Fathers dishonorable indignitie To which ende he dispatcht his Commaunds through all the Citties of France and mustered an Army to the number of an hundred and fifty thousand resolued Souldiers with which he departed from Paris and came to Déepe where he tooke shipping and made for Denmarke Where we will leaue him and speake a little of Barant surnamed the Cruell who by this time was growen so mightie that not any Horse had abilitie to sustaine him and yet the tyrannie of his mind did exceed the monstrousnes of his bodie for he caused his owne Mother
the vtter ruine of paganisme or to die in defending our most sincere and holy religion Faire prince aunswered Loys I will doe thy message but I had much rather thou wouldest goe with me because this day the field is no field but a â—laughterhouse Not to be deified said Bertran will I forsake my brothers and so taking leaue Loys departed towards the citie and he againe to the battell raging vppe and downe till hée found his brethren who were most mightily oppressed till by his prâ—wesse he redéemed them which no sooner was doone but Barant the Cruell with Entrant the good sword of prince Meruine in his hand which the deuill Mutafier had deliuered him and with which in that moment he had slaine tenne noble christians came and opposed himselfe against Bertran who with his battel axe gaue him such a blowe on the helmet and with such powâ—r that slipping downe â—ut the horse necke in sunder bringing Barant ashamed to the earth who before neuer had felt a blowe of such puissaunce so that calling to Bertran he said I beséech thée christian tell me what thou art whose vertue I wonder at My name said Bertran was neuer hid for feare of any Pagan know then men call me Bertran of Denmarke when Barant heard this he knew he was his father where fore he commanded all his souldiers to retire from him because hée would with him trie fortune in single combate Which when his men had doone Barant said Prince Bertran you remember your imprisonment at Damascus your loue to Guyda my mother whom traiterously you forsooke and left with childe of me who am your sonne and you can not forget your vowes now shall all they nor your valor auaile to deliuer you from death vnlesse you doe fall downe and adore our great God Mahomet When Bertran had heard him and beeing inraged with so vile a motion he saide Thou art not my Sonne neyther will I euer acknowledge the begetting of so prophane a Deuill and with that lifting vp his axe hâ—e strooke him a maruellous great blowe which beganne the fearefull combat betwixt the father and the sonne in which was shewed the wonders of resolution whome in that fight wee will leaue and speake a little of the other christians who were all slaine saue thrée and twenty which yet suruiued though mightily wounded Guyon amongst the rest was deadly wounded by Barant yet indured as if he had béene immortall till the bloud falling into his eies depriued him of his sight yet notwithstanding he would not leaue fighting but strake here and there killing all that came neare him in the end he assailed his brother Florion with such a mercilesse blow that he feld him downe to the earth who in falling cried Ah brother Guyon thou hast slaine me whilest I regarded not thy fury woe and alas cried Guyon what haue I done swéete brother forgiue mée for the bloud of my woundes hath closed vp mine eyes and I did not nor could not behold thée my selfe am likewise wounded to the death and mine houres are shortning This he saide yet would not leaue fighting whilst he had breath to breathe a minute but sate firmely on his horse till there was left aliue but tenne Christians then came a pagan and ranne his launce thorow Florions body who said Now is my death certaine yet will I not die vnreuenged and with that strooke the Sarazin that he claue him to the girdle saying Thus dieth the sonne of Gautier himselfe by himselfe reuenged then fell â—e downe there being at that houre but sixe breathing christians whoâ—e names were these Guyon that had his 〈◊〉 wound vpon him and his sight forsaken Florion that likewise was at his last breathing the Count Dampmartin the 〈◊〉 Dardaine the Duke of Aniow and Bertran that then with his sonne Barant was combating the former fiue indured long but in the end they were all dispatched so that of twenty thousands there was left but only one and that was infortunate Bertran 3 Admirable was his and Barants combate all the arâ—â—y 〈◊〉 their resolutions and vowing amongst them selues neuer to part them till thoâ—e of them had left his life very variable was Fortune betwixt them the sonne now triumphing at the â—athers decaying and the father immediately smiling at the sons misfortune so long lasted this battell and so much vnnaturall was the conflict that the day ashamed forsooke the heauens then ranne the pagans and fetcht torches and made such fire works that the night was as bright as the sun-shine halfe of which they spent in dreadfull and doubtfull wars the sonne offring the father mercy if he would adore Mahomet the father proffering to the sonne forgiuenes if he would renounce blasphemous Mahomet but both of them being of contrary resolutions they 〈◊〉 afresh to their fearfull and fatall combate and Barant vowâ—d if he conquered his father that he would make himselfe monarch of all the wheâ—â— world As he was thus protesting Bertran gaue him a blowe on the head which brought both his knâ—es to the ground but starting vp sodainely againe he sent it backe with such a violent requitall as mightily vexed and inraged Bertran that thinking at one stroke to finish the conflict he gatherd al his strength together and stâ—oke him so that he brâ—kâ— his axe in péeces so that left without defence he closed with Barant whom by his strength he ouerthrew but the Pagans ranne in and pulled Bertran so that Barant goâ— vpon him anâ—â—aue him diuers mortall blowe Then Barant pulling on his helmet he saide Father now be wise for this is the laâ—â— moment in which your life is forfeited if you will not adore Mahomet and renounce that God which euer thou hast estéemed Traitor said Bertran and thou bastard son of a defiled curtezan thinkest thou death can make me deny my Sauiour thou art deceiued thou art deceiued When Barant saw his constancie he drew forth his dagger and stabbed his father foure times who cried thou onely great God of Isâ—ael and Sauiour of the world forgiue mine errors and receiue my soule into thy bosome with that Barant strucke him through the heart and so he departed this life Then stood vp Barant and saide to his army Behold Princes now ought you highly to esteeme me that haue slaine my mother and my father to the end I might make mighty your religion therefore take vp this dead body and beare it with me to kill the heart of old Gautier with consuming sorrow CHAP. XII 1 How Loys came to Maiance and reported the wofull estate of the Christians and the sorrow Gautier made for his sonnes 2 Singlayes sorrow and the message Barant sent to Charles together with the answer 3 How Barant slew one of the messengers THe yong prince Loys who in the battell had receiued many great wounds was now returned to Maiance and with a very heauy countenance the first report of misfortune came vnto the Kings pallace where he did finde the
his head from his body so that Loys was forced to fall and that so vnfortunately that the horse falling vpon him he was not able to rise againe for the worlds riches wich was worse than death to Charles when he beheld it whose fortune was like his sonnes mischiefe for at the next blowe he cutte off the head of his horse but the emperour in a trice recouered his féete againe but withall was sore wounded in one of his thighes and that so mortally that hee was forced to withdraw from the prease which to duke Naymes was worse than poyson who followed their footesteppes in miserie being stricken from his horse and intollerably wounded to Dion the like euill chaunced whose horse flaine himselfe was taken prisoner and with him thother three whose wounds left no force to rule their weapons To be briefe they were all imprisoned in Barants tents who triumphed at his owne glorie which he thought worthy a godhead but within foure dayes after newes was brought to him of Meruines army which was then within tenne leagues of his camoe CHAP. XXI 1 How Meruine incountred Baham the son of Belmarine with ten thousand pagans that were forraging who were all conquerd except threâ— 2 How Baham renounced â—ahomet 3 How the three that escaped reported the action vnto Barant who slew one of them for bringing such euill newes MEruine saith the historie trauelled with so earnest desire not taking rest that he came within ten leagues of the hoast of Barant the Cruell at what time an espiall came to him and gaue him intelligence of an army of Pagans to the number of ten thousand that marched not farre off towards Barants campe bearing thither aboundant store of all manner of prouision which he no sooner did heare but he told Drohes that it behooued them to be partners of their banquet whereupon he marched to a wood by which of necessity they must passe and when they were come within a cariere thereof Meruine gaue them a braue charge the sodainnesse whereof amazed Baham but being inforced by extreamitie he incouraged his followers and requited the onset The battell was hot for alitle space but the intolerable blowes of Meruine too too much for any man to beare put the poore Pagans to their wittes ends who séeking to flie mischiefe found themselues so inclosed with mischiefe that they were inforced to intertaine him as their best vnwelcommed companion yet amongest all thrée escaped who with the wings of feare were carried beyond feare yet feare being stil in their bosomes the rest were put to the sword onely Baham suâ—â—iued to whom Prince Meruine offered many fauours if hee would renounce his false god which he vtterly refused then Meruine with his sword stroke him and felled him to the ground and â—â—ue his horse vnder him Then flocked the Christians about him and had slaine him if Meruin had not beene his redeemer 2 When Meruine had saued Baham from the mulâ—itude of swordes hee offered him againe mercy if hee would renounce Mahomet Baham seeing his fooâ—e in the doore of death and all hope fled from his knowledge kneeled downe to Meruin and saide wonder of knighthood I yeeld to thee and giue my sword which is mine honour to thy disposing vowing henceforth to renounce Mahomet and al false gods in witnesse whereof my desire is to be baptized Meruine reioyced at these words and tooke him to fauor 3 By this time the three that escaped from the christians swords had so hasted that they were now come to the Pagan hoste where they found Barant the Cruel threatening Charles with death if he would not renounce his God and fall downe before Mahomet to the which the good emperor gaue but a little or a carelesse attention When they were approched they fel on their knées one of them saying Neuer to be conquered prince and god of nations know wee bring thée heauie and vnspleasant news for Baham of belmarin and his 10000 Followers whome thou hadst sent foorth to forage about the Country were incountred with a heroicall Christian accompanied with an army of redoubted Chiualiers by whom he and his Armie are all â—laine and discomfited therefore aduise your Highnesse what to doo for not anie man is able to withstand that Christian who is vndoubtedly a diuell sent from the depth of hell and no earthly creature When Barant heard this speech he rouzd himselfe and full of more than lunaticke angâ—r with his fist he strake the messenger dead to the ground for being the authour of such bad reportings from whence rose this Prouerbe He is euill come that euill brings The other two seeing their Companion dead fledde from his presence and concealed themselues Gribouart his Counsailour had chid him for his rashnesse and with sweete words layde a â—léepe his anger then were they sent for againe and Barant askt if it were true their fellow had sworne and they swore by holy Mahomet it was Then grew Barants wrath so great that he could not speake of a long time in the end when his words had libertie after manie outragious cursings hee commaunded the messengers to bee imprisoned vowing if the news fell out contrarie to make their deaths a liuing example Then hee caused an hundred thousand to arme themselues and marched foorth to trie if it were iust or no King Belmarine did conduct them vowing to reuenge with the death of manie thousand Christians his Sonnes misfortune After their departure Charlemaine and his fellowe Prisoners fell to argue of this occurrent wondring what Christians they should bee that should vndertake this wonderfull enterprise As I liue said Naymes I cannot gesse who it should bee onely this last night I dreamt that the famous Duke Oger was risen againe and come to deliuer vs. Then said Charlemaine thus doo I prophecie God hath deliuered Meruine the Sonne of that mightie one and it is onely hee that must be our ransome Thus talkt they as they were in prison of Meruine who marched on so fast that now he was come within the sight of an hundred thousand that passed on in a most tumultuous disorder CHAP. XXII 1 How Barants hundred thousand were ouerthrowne by Meruine 2 How Barant then came with all his hoast exeept three hundred and marched against the Christians WHen Meruine had taken a perfect view of the Pagan army comming towards him he diuided his hoast into thrée battalions and rode from ranke to ranke giuing such incouragement that like the méeting of long absent Friends so was warre welcome into their bosomes This while the Pagans like mad men came running one here one there and another in another place in such disorder that ioyning with the Christians they were slaine like gnats or new borne infants The crie of them was so horrible that it was heard to the campe where Barant lay who instantly caused euery man to be in a readinesse but sware not to leaue his tents till hee had newes of the Conquest but there remained