not fynde hym in defaute saynge that he was not there as he hadde appoynted hym to abyde And in that estate he passed the two dayes And whan it came vnto yâ— daye that euery gentylman and lorde oughte for to be fynde hymself vpon the lystes and ye may ymagyne in what dolour was the poore Olyuer And yf that his herte was sory and dyspleasaunte no body ought to meruayll them for he stode afore the dore of the hermytage alwaye herkeâ—â—nge yf that his knyght came for there fell not a lefe but that he wende that he had comen he abode so longe that he was out of all esperaunce and hope And he stode in that estate sore musynge he herde grete noyse of ryders amonge the leues And then Olyuer thought that it was some grete gentylman that rode to the torneyment as the other lordes dyde And theÌ„ he kest his regarde that waye where he herde the noyse And aspyed to the nombre of fyftene gentylmen clothed in blacke saâ—seneâ— And the surplus of theyr habyllementes was of the same colour and they were mounted on blacke coursers and theyr coursers were trapped all in blacke veluet and eche of them hadde a spere in his hande that was couered with blacke veluet And then he sawe come after therin ten knyghtes â—abylyed in longe gownes of blacke veluet and furred with martres and â—edde after them a courser morell the whiche hadde â—uskynges of clothe of golde vp to the bely and he was enâ—yronneâ— with xv pages mounted vpon coursers of yâ— same colour and buskynges of the same colour And after them was 〈◊〉 score pages of the same lyueâ—ay reserued that it was clothe ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche parementes that his knyght had brought to hym and how he armed hyÌ„ of the ryche paâ—ciyon of the fayre Helayne the kynges doughter of EnglaÌ„de of her beaute Ca. xxiij HIs folke clothed and habylyed as ye haue herde afore rode vnto the hermytage and then euery body â—oued and abode there all â—oye and salued Olyuer that was afore yâ— bare and he full gentylly rendred to them theyr salute And as he behelde that fayre company hyÌ„ thought that the knyght with the longest gowne was yâ— same knyght that spake vnto hym in the wood wherof he was ryght gladde and weÌ„te for to salue hym but as soone as the knyght apperceyued hym comynge he aâ—yghted of his horse and came agaynst hym and after he sayd to hym Olyuer good frende these meÌ„ that ye se here I haue brought them vnto you And bycause that we ben comen from ferre for to do you seruyce and honour I praye you that ye do so moche at his â—â—â—neyment that ye haue honour and that we lese not our payne Olyuer answered hym ryght curteysly My lorde and my frende ye do so moche for me that I can neuer rendre you the guerdon wherfore suche as I am ye may coÌ„maunde me for thâ—â—â—dy is yours and at this tyme I can not gyue you no better thynge I praye to god that he gyue me grace for to deserue it agaynst you and that he gyue me strengthe for to doo as well as I haue the volente These wordes fynysshed yâ— knyght sayd to hym that it was hye houre for to arme hym And therfore in a fayre grene place yâ— was afore yâ— hermytage there was a chayre brought wherin Olyuer set hym for to take his refeccyon and then after they armed hym dylygently In yâ— meane whyle that he armed hym the ladyes came in to the felde and brought with them yâ— fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande and ledde her in to the pauelyon that for her was ordeyned and it was hanged with tapysserye of clothe of golde ryght ryche and there was a chayre reysed vp on hye in the whiche chayre was .x. steppes or that they myght come to the syege aboue ouer the whiche was a canape of purple veluet charged full of grete perles oryentales and had in the myddes therof a Carbuncle that rendred so grete lumere yâ— it was meruayll for to beholde it In the syege aboue as I haue receyted to you was sette the excellent Helayne And vpon eche of the forsayd steppes satte two Iuges That is for to knowe a prynce and a pryncesse echone after his degree The other ladyes and damoyselles the whiche was there without nombre put theym in theyr places and scaffoldes that were for theÌ„ ordeyned and ensygned And in lyke wyse on the other syde was a grete company of noble and valyaunt knyghtes and lordes of this realme of Englande Ye may well thynke that it was grete tryumphe and grete solace for the men of armes for to beholde so fayre a companye aboute the noble and excellent Helayne and euery thynge so well ordeyned as that thynge was there for her sake the whiche was so rychely apparaylled that nonâ— can not reherse the lyght that the precyous stones rendred that were aboutâ— her the whiche embelysshed her excellent vysage Who that hadde sene her in that estate he wolde haue thought that she hadde ben a thyng of the other worlde for I thynke that at her nayssauÌ„ce and byrthe nature had put all her excellence and grace Yf that she was semely of body and excellent of vysage it was nothynge in comparyson towarde the gyftes of grace where with she was endowed for all excellence and bounte honoure huÌ„blenesse doulsure and swetnesse and all other vertues and good condycyons that in ony womaÌ„ of noble lygnage apperteyned florysshed in her And therfore she sholde be ryght eurous in this wretched worlde that myght attayne vnto so hyghe a thynge as for to haue for his parte the floure and lyesse of this worlde And euen thus euery body put hymselfe in payne for to conquere her And there was not one but that hym semed that he wolde conquere her or elles deye in the payne ¶ Of the grete meruaylles that Olyuer dyde at the torneyment aboue them all Capitulo xxiii ANd then the ladyes were not soo sone in the scaffoldes but that the four hondred knyghtes were vpon the felde redy for to withstande all comers as ye haue herde before for the torneyment sholde last thre dayes The fyrst daye was ordeyned for to Iust. The seconde daye for to torneye not as they do nowe a dayes but with sharpe swerdes and not rebatred The thyrde day was for to fyght on fote and euery body myght haue an axe of armes and a swerde aboute hym And bycause that they were many knyghtes they had grete place they with out had knowlege that they of within were alredy at the lystes vpon the felde and all the ladyes redy for to beholde them whiche sholde do best euery knyght put hym in deuoyre for to Iuste the fyrste Neuerthelesse Olyuer was not the fyrste for there was many there afore hym As the kynges sone of Scotlande and dyuers
shyp stroke on grounde by so grete force that it claue in two pyeces and all were perysshed excepte Olyuer and syr Iohan Talbot Whiche seynge londe the whiche was not ferre of tooke some comforte For whan they sawe that theyr shyp was clouen and that all theyr felysshyp were perysshed they sayd that it was better that they put themself for to swymme for to saue theyr lyfe as longe as it myght be possyble And therfore eche of them in makynge the sygne of the crosse and recommaundynge them in the kepynge of our lorde leâ—te in to the see and began for to swymme trustynge for to saue themselfe the whiche was impossyble for them yf that our lorde had not extended his grace for they were swymmynge so longe that there was neyther of theÌ„ but that he lacked breth and were at the poynt to haue ben lost And also the water was so colde and soo aspre that yf they had suffred none other euyll it hadde ben in oughe for to haue deyed And in that estate they lenthed not ferre the one from the others and requyred our lorde with all theyr hertes of his mercy and grace and that he wolde haue pyte on them for they trusted neuer to haue escaped Neuerthelesse our lorde that euer purueyeth for his true seruauntes scute them socour for they were all abasshed whan that that sawe by theym a whyte herte the whiche Olyuer toke by the horâ—â—s and mounted on his backe Talbot the whiche was not ferre from hym gate vp behynde Olyuer And in yâ— estate the herte bare them to the lande and then he vanysshed awaye then eyther of them as well as they myght haue laudes and thankynges to god that of his infynyte grace had preserued them this done they enforced theÌ„ for to go vnto a lytell place the whiche was not ferre from the see syde This place was a gentylmans of the couÌ„tree and whan he sawe them in that plyte he had grete pyte on them And made them a good fyre and warmed chaffed them ryght well layde them in a softe bed And he dyde to them all the pleasure that he coude And whan that they were a lytell amended he demaunded theym how they were escaped And they recouÌ„ted to hym all yâ— daunger and peryll that they had ben in and how that god of his endlesse grace hadde saued them by myracle Wherof theyr hoost had grete meruayll Notwithstandynge he byleued them ryght well for he wyst well that there was nothynge impossyble to god wherby we may haue alwaye memorye herof to the ende that yf we fynde our self in ony daunger or peryll by fortune and also to the occasyon for to flee synne for whaÌ„ a synner gothe to commyt synne and remembreth the mercy and puyssaunce of god and deuoutely reclaymeth the ayde of our lord Then god permytteth and gyueth them suche comforte that they ben delyuered from all temptacyon as to the purpose of these two the whiche he preserued from the peryll of the see ¶ How the knyght that was Olyuers felowe deyed and of that the whiche happened after his dethe Capitulo xvij RYght as they deuysed Olyuer demaunded in what countree they were in And they tolde hym that it was Englande Wherof the knyght that was with Olyuer was moche reioysed notwithstandynge that he was sore syke And enquyred of his hoost yf he knewe not a knyghte that was called syr IohaÌ„ Talbot He answered that he had often herde speke of suche one but he neuer sawe hym but he saed that his pryncypall abydyng was in Caunterburye as they sayd all aboute and sayd that he was but twenty myle from thens Thenne the syke knyght sayd vnto hym blessyd be god that hathe brought vs he ther for I am that same syr Iohan Talbot that I spered after afore and my dwellynge is in the cyte of CauÌ„terburye And bycause that I knowe that without the mercye of god I am neuer lyke to releue of my maladye and also that I fele my dethe approcheth I beseche you that ye make me to be caryed to Caunterbury to the ende that I may make my testament ordynaunces as a good crysten man And ye shall be well recompensed Olyuer seynge this knyght soo greuously vexed with that maladye he was ryght pensyf and sorowfull as he yâ— whiche knewe not whether for to goo or resorte And then the gentyll Olyuer sayd vnto hym My lorde and my frende I am ryght dyspleasauÌ„t of your maladye bycause that I haue founde with you so good company I shall neuer habandon you yf that it please you tyll yâ— tyme that I haue sene as our lorde wyll expose your sykenes for as for my parte I thanke god that I am all guarysshed and in good poynt and redy â—or to mounte on horsbarke for to conueye you whether that ye please The knyght thanked hym full humbly and sayd that al his voleÌ„te was for to go there as he had specyfyed and that he requyred none other thynge and all was at the dyspence of his hoost and wolde take nothynge of them And then he was caryed in a hors bere to his place and Olyuer rode with hym but he lyued not longe after he was comen in to his place and his frendes made grete sorowe for hym but after his dethe they shewed hyÌ„ but lytel sygne of amyte bycause of moneye that he oughte te a burgeys of the cyte he was in the sentence of cursynge vnto the tyme that the burgeys were contended he had ben the space of seuen yere in that sentence as he the whiche had not wherof to paye but yf that he sholde haue solde ryght largely of his godes for to haue payed his dette withall and in suche estate he deyed wherfore the burgeys was not content but yf that he were payed that the knyght were put in holy grounde but his heyres seynge this concluded and loued better for to burye hym in the prophane and vnhalowed grounde thaÌ„ for to paye his derte as they the whiche loued not the soules oâ— theyr frendes so well as they dyde the goodes moundaynes ¶ How Olyuer made the knyght for to be buryed of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande the whiche was this that who that dyde best sholde haue the fayre Helayne in maryage that was the kynges doughter Capitulo xviij OLyuer seynge the grete falste and auaryce of the frendes of that deed body was no thynge well contente with them He dyde all the dylygence that he myght that he were buryed as wel towarde hym that he oughte the good to as to them that sholde paye it too the ende that the knyght the whiche he had knowen in his lyfe for a good and a vertuous man myght be buryed in holy grounde but it was impossyble for hym to fynde ony appoyntement for the knyghtes frendâ—s wolde not do nothynge And the burgeys sayd that he wolde do nothynge excepte that he were payed all
so as Olyuer complayned hym of his mysauenture there came a man to hym the whiche plucked hym by the slewe dyuers tymes saynge Olyuer of Castylle be nothyng abasshed bycause that I take you out of youre thought Olyuer lyfte vp his heed whan he herde his name pronounced and wyst not whether that he hadde dremed it or not and as all abasshed in makynge the sygne of the crosse sayd vnto hym I coniure the in the name of god that thou do me no harme and that thou tell me who gaue the knowlege of my name The man that semed bothe fayre and reuerent sayd My frende haue no doubte of me for I am a crysten man and byleueth as well in god as thou doost and meruayll the not yf that I knowe thy name for thou ought to knowe that the feldes hathe syght euery wood hathe sowne I knowe that thy dyspleasure hathe adnychylled thyn vnderstandyng for and thou had thought on thy fayte thou wolde not haue made thy complaynt so hye for I haue herde all that thou hast sayd and how thou hast wyll for to goo to the torneyment that shall be holden at London within this syxe dayes Also how thou hast ben dysmouÌ„ted and lost thy moneye I am beholden vnto you for some seruyce and pleasure that thy moost nerest frendes hathe done vnto me therfore I am he that wyll ayde the for to accomplysâ—he thy good and hyghe enterpryse in praynge our sauyour that he wyll gyue the grace well for to fyenysshe it and but yf it holde at the I shall furnysshe the of armour and of horses so well that it shall suffyce the But it shall be on suche a condycyon that thou shalt promyse me that of all that thou shalte wynne by occacyon of the torneyment halfe yf it be my pleasure to demaunde it and take it Olyuer seyng the offre that the knyght made hym sayd vnto hym as euyll auysed of afterclaps My frende yf the hour be suche that my fortune wyll consente that thou do to me this pleasure I promyse that vpon the parte that I trust to haue of paradyse that yf ony good come to me by occasyon of thy seruyce that yâ— shalte be perteyner of the Iust halfe or of the grettest parte yf it were his pleasure for to demaunde it At these wordes the knyght answered it suffyseth and prayed hym that he wolde remembre hym whan tyme wolde requyre it And after those wordes were fynysshed the noble knyght sayd vnto hym Myne owne specyall frende Olyuer meruayll the of nothynge of that that thou seest but kepe alwaye this lytell path that thou fyndest on the ryghte hande and thou shalt fynde an hermytage and there thou shall haue tydynges of me but I go theder but there I shâ—ll fetche the whan tyme is so they departed and Olyuer wente on his waye and prayed the knyght to remembre hym ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage and of the laÌ„gage that he had with the holy hermyte of whom he was confessed Capitulo xxi IN a lytell whyle Olyuer had loste the syght of his knyght and wyst not where he became for all that he forgate not to holde the waye that he had shewed hym and soo exployted hym that he came to the hermytage with â—ay but he fouÌ„de the dore shytte wherfore he knocked soo longe that yâ— good hermyte the whiche was in his orysons came and opened the dore and was all abasshed for he was not a customed to open the dore at that tyme a daye Whan Olyuer apperceyued the hermyte he salued hym and yâ— good maÌ„ rendred hym his salute In demaundynge hy what aueÌ„ture brought hym theder at that tyme a daye And Olyuer answered hym My fayre fader I praye you that I may be your geste and clerke for this nyght for I knowe none other place here aboute where as I myght go to And then the holy maÌ„ sayd vnto hym My frende the hous and the goodes that god hath gyueÌ„ me be at your commaundemeÌ„t Then Olyuer entred into the chapell and souped with the hermyte that gaue hym brede and water ynoughe in saynge to hym Syr ye be not vsed to suche vyâ—aylles but and ye had sayd Saynt Iulyans pater noster ye had founde better lodgynge notwithstandynge take it in pacyente for and I hadde better ye sholde haue better but beware that ye swere not In suche wordes or semblables was Olyuer occupyed the moost parte of the nyght And whan it was tyme they wente to rest but Olyuer slepte not so well nor so longe in the mornynge as yf he had layne on a fether bedde Whan the gentyil Olyuer apperceyued the daye he arose and ayded the hermyte for to saye masse the same masse dyde Olyuer here with grete deuocyoÌ„ and after that the masse was fynysshed he confessed hym to yâ— holy hermyte and amonge other thynges he recouÌ„ted vnto hym of the knyght that he hadde founde in the forest and how that he had called hym by his name The holy hermyte assayed hym saynge My fayre broder and frende ye saye that all yâ— salutacyons that he hathe made vnto you hathe ben in goddes name for and it had ben ony thynge elles but good he wolde not haue sente you hether in to this holy place notwithstaÌ„dynge that I am indygne Wherfore me semeth that ye can not do euyll for to gyue credence to it It is parauenture a knyghte of this countree that hathe vnderstande your case as he hathe tolde you by occasyon that ye spake soo hye And the best counsayll that I can gyue you is to remyt you in the holy garde of our saueour and requyre hym that he wyll defende you from all euyll and from all yllusyons of the euyll enemye ¶ How Olyuer of Castylle sawe come towarde hym dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete tryumphe and araye Capitulo xxij SO as ye haue herde soiourned Oliuer in the hermytage with the good holy man by the espace of thre dayes or four there was no more but two dayes vnto yâ— begynnynge of yâ— torneyment This hermytage was with in two myle of LoÌ„don And whan Olyuer wente for to dysporte hym without the wood he myght se the cyte all at full and the place where as the torneyment sholde be the whiche was all enclosed aboute and there he sawe them assaye theyr sadelles and theyr cousers and in lyke wyse theyr harneys wherin he toke no grete pleasure bycause he doubted that his knyght sholde forgete hym And bycause that the tyme was shorte he was in grete doubte and repented hym sore that he had byleued hyÌ„ so lyghtly And that also in the meane whyle that he had soiourned in the hermytage that he had not gone in to the cyte for to se her for whose loue so many noble men put themselfe in payne and Ieoperdye and of whome he had herde so moche good spokeÌ„ of but he durste not habandonne the hermytage lest that his knyght sholde
and how he was broughte in to the Kynges courte with grete reuerence of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx OLyuer that fouÌ„de hymselfe all alone in his chaÌ„bre sat hym downe for the .xx. knyghtes hadde taken leue of hym and were gone for to dysarme them to be at the feest seynge that he had tyme ynoughe begaÌ„ne for to tell his moneye and founde that there was .v. M. nobles wherfore he thanked god and the noble knyght that had had soo good remembraunce on hym Whyles that he put vp his golde in to his bougette entred in to the chambre fyue gentyll squyers clothed in whyte satyn .x. varlets clothed in whyte clothe whiche salued hym saynge My lorde your mayster stewarde hathe ben here this after none and hathe gyuen eche of vs a gowne and tolde vs that it was your lyueray and that ye shold reteyne vs in your seruyce and therfore we come towarde you to knowe and it be yâ—ur wyll for there is none of vs but that he hathe good mayster for some be the Erle of Flaundres men and the other the dukes of Somerset And thus eche of vs hath good maysters but they haue as many seruauntes as theym nede the. And for the valyauÌ„tnesse that we haue sene in you we become your seruauÌ„tes yf it be your pleasure Olyuer answered theÌ„ and sayd My frendes of your grace ye saye more good of me than I haue deserued Ans as I vnderstaÌ„de eche of you hathe a good mayster and better than I am but and it be your wyll I reteyne you all And to morowe syth that ye be men of knowlege I shall enquere of your estate and thenne to eche of you I shall gyue suche estate as to you apperteyneth One of yâ— seruauntes sayd to hym My lorde your mayster stewarde hathe ordeyned me your palfreynere therfore ye shall tell me yf it please you what I shall do with your horses For I haue fyue good coursers two lytell hobyes ryght fayre of whiche he badde me take good heede And bycause that it is ferre to the courte I thynke ye wyll not gâ— on fote therfore yf it please you ye shal tell me whiche of your horses ye wyll haue and what harneys I shall put vpon hym whether that of veluet crymosyn or that of beten golde yf that it please you that your four pages shall come towarde you Olyuer was moche abasshed and made the sygne of the crosse and sayd to hym My frende go in goddes name sadle one of the two lytell hobyes whiche thou louest best and put on hym the harnes of beten golde and make the pages come with two torches for to lyght me in to the courte And theÌ„ Olyuer commauÌ„ded for to vndo the fardell and so it was done And founde thre sortes of clotynge for hym of the same colours that he hadde worne durynge the torneyment that is to wyte blacke rede and whyte The hosen were of scarlet the gownes of veluet the doublettes of blacke damaske fygured and the hatte of blacke vpon the whiche was a ryght gentyll and ryche ouche of stones ryght curyously wrought there was in it an e an o togyder Wherfore he began for to kysse it and sayd alowe Fayre fader god yf that thou wylte extende soo moche thy grace on me that my fortune were suche that Olyuer Helayn myght come so nere togyder as these two lettres I sholde be moche beholden to thanke thy grete maieste In yâ— same wordes Olyuer clothed hym and founde that his clothynge were so well made for hym that there coude none amende them He was not so sone clothed but that his hors was redy abydynge hym at the dore and his foure pages And within shorte tyme after yâ— knyghtes that had brought hym theder came for to fetche hym and tolde hym that it was hyghe tyme to goo in to the courte They they mounted on horsbacke and the torches were lyghted that conduyted them in to yâ— courte ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte of the ryght noble kynge of Englande where as he was receyued of all yâ— lordes and lâ—dyes with grete Ioye Ca. xxxi WHaÌ„ Olyuer was afore the gate of yâ— palays he began for to smyte his hors with yâ— sporres yâ— whiche made lepes without noÌ„bre dyde all that his mayster wolde haue hyÌ„ do he made fyre to sprynge out of the payment in suche haboundaunce that euery body loked out at the wyndowes to beholde hym in suche estate he came to the place where it was tyme to alyght And bycause yâ— he was so semely a knyght there was grete prece to be holde hym There was so huge a nombre of folke that with grete payne he myghte descende and passe forthe The tydynges came to the kynge and to the other pryÌ„ces that theder were comen how yâ— whyte knyght was comen and mounted vp the steyres and sayd that and his beaute were lost that in all the worlde it myghte not be recouered and in lyke wyse these tydynges were pronounced to the ladyes the whiche demaunded what maner a man he was and it was tolde them that he was a heed of werke that there was neuer sene a more fayrer knyght And durynge these wordes he entred in to yâ— halle where as all the lordes were and salued the kyÌ„ge The whiche by semblaunt made hym ryght grete chere and honour and so dyde all the other lordes the whiche sholdred one another for to se hym for his excellente be aute There was many that at his comynge wolde that he hadde ben a thousande myle thens and in especyall they that hadde done beste nexte hym dyde curse hym in theyr courage but his physnamye and maneres were so swete that he sholde haue ben ryghte cursed yâ— wolde haue done hym ony harme So as he was fested on euery syde the ryght fayr and good Helayne accompanyed with dyuers grete lordes and ladyes came in to the hall apparaylled aourned so rychely that her habyllementes were worthe a realme for there was neuer sene the pareylles or lyke Her beaute enlumyned the palays the whiche exceded all natures werke And thynke not that that Helayne for whome Troye receyued soo many aduersytes passed this But bycause that comparysons be heynous and noysous I holde my peas in retornynge to my purpose The fayre Helayne of Englande seynge the thought of her lorde and fader set her vpon her knees and made to hym reuerence and honoure as it apperteyned The kynge her fader toke her by the hande and made her for to aryse in saynge that she was ryght well come And thenne she was salued of all the other kâ—yghtes lordes vnto whome she rendred echone theyr salute after theyr qualyte as she coude do full well Thenne was Olyuer brought afore her the whiche knewe hym as sone as she sawe hym For he was easy for to knowe amongest them all Wherfore she behelde hym voluntarylye and it
was force to the knyghtes and squyres for to withdrawe them aparte for to make place to the ladâ—es and gentylwomen to the ende that they myght se hym the better at theyr cases And there was but fewe of them that were for to marye but that they thoughte within theymselfe and wolde that Olyuer had conquered them by force of armes as well as he hadde done yâ— fayre Helayne ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commysed and the counsayll of the kyÌ„ge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capi. xxxii ALytell whyle after these thynges dâ—uyseâ— the tables were spredde and incontynente as all thynge was redy yâ— trompettes blewe for water to wasshe theyr handes And then the kyÌ„ge and his doughter wasshed and all the other lordes in generall And the Kynge made to enquere of Olyuer of his kyÌ„ne and what he was and of what marches to the ende that yâ— honour were done to hym after his estate He answered to them that demaunded hym that he was a poore knyght of Spayne not of a hye place There was not one neyther the kyng nor the other but that men semed well by his physâ—amye that he was of a good house and that also without grete puyssaunce he coude not haue furnysshed the habyllementes that they had sene hym haue durynge the fâ—â—st Whan tyme was the kynge satte hym downe at the table and with hym all the grete lordes and ladyes reserued Helayne that was sette vp on hye in the myddes of a table that was eleuate to the ende that she myght be sene of all theym in the halle At the ryght syde were the prynces Iuges set at the same table and on the other syde were the .x. pryncesses at the same table Olyuer wolde not sytten downe at the kynges stable Notwithstandynge he was prayed so moche and commaunded that it was force for hym to obeye There was other tables without nombre where as the other knyghtes and ladyes were sette Who that wolde deuyse to you the seruyce and the mysteryes that was there it sholde be to longe to recouÌ„te it There was no mete that replenysshed theÌ„ so sone as to beholde the excellent Helayne she was the repose of the wery and the couragynge of the valyaunt And there was not one but that they thought that god hadde made her for to shewe his hyghe puyssauÌ„ce This feest dured so longe tyll that it was tyme to vnserue there was none of them all that thought other thynge saue to make good chere and also they were not requyred otherwyse The tables taken awaye graces gyueÌ„ to our lorde of his goodnes the daunces began and incontynent the .x. prynces and the .x. pryncesses withdrewe them a parte in to a lytel chambre for to knowe who had done best and they were in grete plete The one helde with the kynges sone of Scotlande and the other 〈◊〉 the erle of Flaundres the other with the good duke of Somerset But the moost parte helde with Olyuer In suche wyse that there was none of theym but that they gaue theyr voyce to Olyuer whan the kynge thought that they myght well haue done he habandonned the daunces and came towarde them demaunded theym what thynge that they had done One of theym kneled downe sayd Our souerayne lorde ye haue of your gode grace commysed vs for to saye frâ—ly the trouthe Also we haue made our othe that we shall not take regarde to the magnyfycence of the lygnagâ— nor lordshyppe And vs semeth that the best doer of all this assemble hathe ben Olyuer not for one daye alonely but for all the the dayes we sawe neuer knyght do suche dedes of armes as he hathe done therfore we aduertyse you therof for to do therwith your good pleasure The kynge answered and sayd My fayre cosyns and my good frendes and you my fayre ladyes here presente I here well ynoughe what ye haue sayd and knoweth that it sholde be agaynst reason to take yâ— pryce from hym yâ— hathe deseruyd it And truely who had axed me myn aduyseâ— wolde haue sayd the same that ye haue tolde me but foâ— all that ye ought to knowe that this is not a lytell thynâ— For he that wynneth the pryce wynneth my doughter and coÌ„sequently all my realme for to be kynge ouer yoâ— al after my decease And bycause that ye gyue the pryâ—â— to a straunger vnknowen of vs all I wolde vnder corâ—reccyon soo it that seme you good that he were aduertyseâ— of this thynge by one of you and how the pryce shall bâ— gyuen to hym And he the whiche shall aduertyse hym maye saye also to hym that I am delybered for to make vnto hym a request that is for to knowe that he were coÌ„tente for to abyde a yere in my courte afore that my fayre doughter Helayne be gyuen vnto hym for to knowâ— his mures and condycyons And also I shall promysâ— hym by the fayth that I owe to knyghthode that durynge that tyme I shall not mary her yf that he be a man worthy her that I knowe none other thyng thaÌ„ I do tyll this present tyme that whiche he hathe wonne shall not be taken from hym And also I shall put in doubte ryght grete lordes that beÌ„ here and yf that I gaue her to hym in theyr presence they myght coÌ„spyre some euyl agaynst his persâ—ne wherby ryght grete inconuenyentes myght come to hym and there is myn aduyse WhaÌ„ the kynge hadde fynysshed his wordes they withdrewe themselâ—e a parte And founde in counsayll that the kynge had sayd ryght well and sayd it sholde be wel done to knowe Olyuers wyll afore that the request were made on hyghe Bycause that it sholde be shame to the Kynge yf it were not vnto hym accorded Thus there is no thyÌ„ge but good and the kynge hathe no wronge to knowe afore the loue ¶ How the kynge of Englande came towarde his fayre doughter for to demaunde her to whome her semed that the pryce ought to be gyuen and of her answers Capitulo xxxiii ONe of the prynces was ordeyned to speke to Olyuer wherfore he came in to the hall where as the ladyes were and â—oke Olyuer aparte and sayd to hyÌ„ all that ye haue her â—e afore Olyuer had alwaye doubte of yâ— thynge by cause of the grete multytude of lordes that were there to whome hyÌ„ thought they wolde soner applye than to hym thought as well that yf he were not contente that it sholde be force to hym wherfore he answered to the prynce My lorde ye mocke with me for I haue not deserued the honour that ye do to me but and ye speke in sadnesse and that it please the kynge to make to me a request as I here you saye I tell you that it is no prayer but his commaundement to the whiche I wyll not dysobeye and sayd no more nor the lorde also but retorned towarde the kyÌ„ge and aduertysed hym
that was a valyaunt man tooke a grete spere in his hande and came towarde Olyuer Olyuer that sawe hym come pulled a spere frome hym that was nexte hym and smote his hors with the sporres and mette togyder so strongly that it was not in the horses puyssaunce to susteyne them wherfore bothe fell to the erthe but the kynge neuer arose after for Olyuer had perced his hauberke and smyten hym to the herte wherof it was grete dommage for he was a valyaunte man Then ye sholde haue sene Englysshmen and Irysmen renne to the socoure of theyr lordes and there was slayne moche people on bothe sydes Olyuer was on sote amongest his enemyes where as he smote on the ryghte hande and of the lefte hande and dyde suche dedes of armes that it was grete meruayll His cuttyÌ„ge swerde made his enemyes to flee afore hyÌ„ For all that maulgre them all he mounted on his hors and then beganne the batayll more fyers and more aspre than it hadde ben of all the daye afore And in that same bataylle Olyuer with his propre handes toke two of the moost grettest Kynges of Irlande And then after that Olyuer with grete payne perced the hoost and dyde soo moche that in despyte of all his enemyes he came vnto the chyef standarde of the Irysshmen the whiche by force of armes he smote downe to the grounde and with one stroke he smote of his heed that bare the standarde so he deyed Thenne ye sholde haue sene Irysshemen gretely abasshed whaÌ„ they sawe theyr chyfe standarde fall to yâ— erthe they toke grete payne for to rere it vp agayne but they coude not And fynably by yâ— valyauntnesse of Olyuer and the courage that he gaue his men the Irysshemen were dyscomfyted and so they fled The chase endured more than two myle and there was soo many slayne yâ— it was a pyteous syght for to beholde it and euery body saued hym that myght And than they came by nyghte and by dare to theyr shyppes and in grete hast they entred in to theyr shyppes and sayled in to Irlande where as they tolde theyr pyteous dyscomfyture that gaue grete dyscomforte vnto all theym of that countree Olyuer made to sowne the retreyte to the ende that none wente ferder forthe wherfore euery body retorned And whan it came to repasse by the waye where as the batayll was done and sawe the grete effusyoÌ„ of blode there was none of them but that theyr hertes abhorred And Olyuer hymselfe had the teres in his eyen and sayd My blessyd creatour I praye the that by thy grete mercye thou wylte pardon me the effusyon of blode of these crysten men Neuerthelesse take that Olyuer sayd these wordes yet he was ryght Ioyous and gladde of the vyctorye and gaue louynges and thankynges to almyghty god with a good herte In that maner they came vnto the towne that hadde ben assyeged afore of the Irysshemen where as they were receyued with grete tryumphe and Ioy and with processyon of all the chyrches and all the belles were rongen at his entrynge And they gaue Olyuer grete gyftes the whiche he gaue vnto his men and in lykewyse of all the butyn that he had wonne he wolde haue nothynge After he sente for the capytaynes of his armye and whan they were comen he sayd to them fayre lordes ye knowe the vyctorye that god of his grace hathe gyuen to vs agaynst oure enemyes And therfore it sholde be good to sygnefye these tydynges to the Kynge our soueraylle lorde Wherfore I praye you that the dede bodyes maye be nombred to the ende that we maye wryte to hym the more certaynlye It was tolde hym yâ— the kynge sholde haue shortlye tydynges for it sholde be to longe to abyde the tellynge of them But as it semed them they myght not fayle to wryte .xx. M. of theyr enemyes deed without puttynge other nombre and fewe of theyr men ¶ How Olyuer sente worde to the Kynge of Englande of theyr vyctorye And of the enterpryse that Olyuer made to go into Irlande Capitulo xlii ANd whaÌ„ the lettres were made by Olyuer and by the lordes they were gyuen vnto a messaunger and badde hym make all dylygence that he coude the whiche he dyde and whan he was comen to London he presented them to the kynge and whan the kynge hadde redde them alowe ye may well thynke that he was ryght Ioyous and gladde And therfore he made theym for to be redde on hyghe and whan it came to the knowlege of them of the courte there was none but that he thanked god And the Kynge commaunded that these tydynges sholde be publysshed all aboute And after mounted on horsbacke and dyuers other lordes in his companye and so came to the cathedrall chyrche of Poules in the whiche he gaue louynges and praysynges to oure lorde and to the valyaunte Olyuer ¶ I retorne here to Olyuer the whiche assembled al the gretest of his armye demaunded them yf they had ony talent to doo a good thynge And they answered ye that it sholde not holde at them Then Olyuer sayd my lordes frendes and felowes god hathe gyuen vs so fayre aueÌ„ture that we can neuer thanbe hyÌ„ ynoughe Therfore me semeth seynge oure good begynnynge yf that it stycke not at you we maye do yet some good thynge For ye ought for to knowe that there was neuer men more abasshed than our enemyes were whan they knewe the veryte how it wente that one of theyr kynges was slayne and the other twayne taken and with this all theyr men of warre slayne in whome they affyed them And thus theÌ„ as me semeth seynge yâ— we be not ferre from theyr marches yf that we put vs in to theyr countree hastely afore that theyr grete anguysshe and sorowe were passed and without gyuynge them leyser to thynke on theyr affayres we sholde fynde them so vnpurueyde that in them sholde be lytell resystence and there is myne aduyce vndâ—r correccyoÌ„ for as me semeth yf that we myght conquere this countree ye sholde be worthy to haue grete louynge and recoÌ„mendacyon and shall be dynge neuer to be put out of memorye amonst the noble valyannt men Those capytaynes herynge the wordes of Olyuer preysed hym moche in theyr hertes and well semed theym that that whiche he had sayd proceded of a hyghe and noble courage therfore all of one accorde without loÌ„ge counsayl sayde vnto hym Olyuer we ben departed for to serue the Kynge agaynst his enemyes and the after and therfore we telle you that where someuer ye wyll go we shall folowe you as they that wyll lyue and deye with you and neuer too fayle you ¶ Olyuer seynge the affeccyon of those noble men towarde hym and the good wyll that they hadde to do the kynge seruyce thaÌ„ked them in offrynge vnto them bothe body and goodes How Olyuer entred in to Irlande and assyeged a kyÌ„ge the whiche was socoured of foure other kynges that the sayd
the same AmeÌ„ ¶ Of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castyll and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo i. BYcause that I desyre the hye and notable faytes of ryght noble and ryght valyaunt men of honour and prowesse for to brynge them in to memorye and recommendacyon and also to the ende that all noble and vertuous hertes may be moued and styred for to do well in lykewyse as our predecessours hath done afore vs and in especyall they of the whiche this present hystorye treateth of ¶ I fynde wryten that after the dethe of the ryghte noble and valyaunt lorde and prynce Carlemayne the grete Emperour and Kynge of Fraunce after that he hadde subduâ—d brought vnder his obeyssaunce in to our holy crysteÌ„ fayth the Spanyerdes ¶ There was a kynge in Castyll yâ— whiche was a ryght puyssaunt prynce that was moche beloued of all his subgectes that at that tyme was depryued of the ryght heurous felycyte that is in maryage whiche is to haue lygnage and generacyon for the whiche cause all his subgectes were gretely at my sease for they desyred no thynge soo moche as to se an heyre of his body that myght be successour of the realme after yâ— decease of this good kynge His wyfe the whiche was the doughter of the kynge of Galyce that was a fayre lady and a vertuous amonge her prayers and orysons that she maâ—e so our lorde forgate not to requyre hym by his debonaâ—e clemense that he wolde sende her a chylde to the ende that the countree abode not with out an heryâ—ouâ— Our lorde Ihesu cryst herynge the request that this good quene made to hym forgaâ—e her no◠〈◊〉 in shâ—â—te tyme after she conceyued and whan terme was come she was delyuered of a fayre sone of the whiche the kynge and all his subgectes were gretely reioysce but theyr Ioye was soone turned to sorow for the quenchad trauaylled so sore yâ— she lyued not two houres after the byrth of her sone the whiche was grete dyspleasure to the kynge that loued her so moche And certaynly he had good cause neuerthelesse he was not lefte alone makynge that sorowe for all his subgectes bare hym company ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and how his moder was borne to be buryed And how the Embassadours were transmysed in to Alâ—arbe for to mary the kynge agayne Capitulo ii AFter the coÌ„playntes innumerable of the kynge and of his subgectes yâ— quene was layd on bere and for to gyue comforte they ordeyned that the chylde sholde be borne to be baptysed with the corps of the quene And soo it was done in grete lamentacyons and the chylde was named Olyuer and after that yâ— seruyce was fynysshed the kynge retorned in to his palays in the which palays he demeaned his sorowe by longe space of tyme and he toke no comforte but in his ryght amyable sone Olyuer And in kyssynge hym oftentymes he sayd vnto hym Alas my dere sone thy natyuyte hathe torned me to grete Ioye and also vnto grete trystesse and dolour but in all humylyte I beseche our lorde that he haue mercy on thy moders soulâ— And that he gyue the grace that thou mayst be suche one as my herte doth requyre In suche wordes and semblables he complayned hym often vpoÌ„ his felowe and spouse that he hadde soo feruently loued The noble men of his courte and also other of the realme were ryght dolaunt bycause that as them semed the kynge was becomen all desolate and not soo famylyer with them as he had ben accustomed afore the dethe of the quene wherfore they sayd that the kynges lamentynge endured ouer longe wherfore it is expedyent to vs for to take aduyse in what maner we may cause hym for to cesse it for he must put it out of his memorye for he is yet yonge lusty ynough for to haue ê“geny chyldren there is nothynge yâ— may cause hym so sone for to â—esse his sorowe and make hym Iocounde as to mary hym vnto some yonge lady â—where as he maye take his pleasure and delyte in al gladnesse These wordes were not sayd alonly in this absence but also in his presence for they that were moost couersaunt with his persone declared it often vnto hym and exhorted hym for to be maryed yf that they myght fynde one that were acceptable for the dygnyte At that tyme the kyng of Algarbe was deed and his wyfe was abyden wydowe the whiche was one of the moost excellentest ladyes at that tyme of the worlde the whiche had a sone by her ryghtfull lorde and husbande that was named Arthur the which was a meruaylous fayre chylde and Olyuer he were bothe of one aege The kynge of Castyll had ben aduertysed of the beaute of the quene of Algarbe wherfore he sente his Ambassatours for to haue her to his quene yâ— whiche Embassatours whan they were comen theder were receyued with grete tryumphe and honoure in so moche that shortly after she was accorded to them by the lordes of the realme as ye shall here Whan they were brought in the presence of the quene and her counsayll they declared the cause of theyr comynge yâ— whiche was gladly herde bothe of her kynnesmen and the other barons and after that the Embassatours hadde rehersed that the whiche they had in commaundement by theyr lorde and kynge they with drewe them in to theyr lodges with whome wente many knyghtes and squyres for to conueye them ¶ How the maryage was treated bytwene the kyng of Castyll Olyuers fader and the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder Capitulo iii. AS the quene sawe her accompanyed 〈◊〉 moost parte of her frendes And them that she moost trusted in sayd Lordes ye knowe the cause wherfore the kynge of Caâ—â—yll hathe seÌ„te his Embassadours hether wherfore I prarye you for 〈…〉 in this mater for I am she that by our good counsayll wyll be agreable to do that the whiche ye shall determyne These worâ—s fynysshed she toke 〈◊〉 and wente in to her chambre and leue them alone with that mater And fyâ—â—â—ly they were all of ouâ— accorde that the maryage sholde be made And retorned towarde the 〈◊〉 sâ—ynge that as them thought there was but 〈◊〉 prynces of more auctoryte than the kynge of Castyâ—l was wherfore she myght not be lyghtly better bestowed And in effecte they shewed her the yonge aege that she was yet in and also thâ— tendre aege of her sone Wherfore they counsaylled her that she sholde accepte the request of the Kynge of Castyll The quene answered my frendes I haue tolde you yet dothe that your good counsayll and 〈◊〉 â—s well my wyll And therfore make the responce and answere to the Embassadours on 〈◊〉 suche as â—e shall thynke moost expedyent 〈◊〉 I shall 〈…〉 And then they thanked her and 〈…〉 fyue or syxe of the moost notablest 〈◊〉 whiche were chosen for to gyue the answere 〈…〉 of yâ— kynge of Castyll And whaâ— that they were comâ—n to
alonge that whiche was his duete Olyuer seyng that there wolde be none other thynge enquyred what the some of the deth dyd drawe to And founde that it drewe to a .lx. pounde not withstandynge that durynge his vyage he had spente a good parte of his M. nobles that he had but lefte alytell more than halfe yet he was delybered for to content the burgeysland payed hym And also he made the seruyce of the knyght ryght honourably for whiche cause he was moche praysed of euery body and to the contrary the frendes of the deed bodye was moche blamed as it was ryght Olyuer the whiche had but a lytell money lefte soiourned a lytell space of tyme in Caunterburye where as he herde tytynges that the kynge of Englande at the instaunce of his subgectes had made a crye of a torneyment that sholde laste thre dayes And theder myght come all noble men And he that sholde doo best by the saynge of the prynces and pryncesses the whiche was commysed therto sholde haue his onely doughter in maryage yf that she had wyll vnto hym The whiche doughter at that present tyme was holden for the moost fayrest lady that was in all the monarchye of the worlde And the Kynge her fader wolde not mary her to noo grete prynce bycause he wolde not haue her lenthed fro hym For he loued her so feruently that he coude make no good chere yâ— daye that he sawe her not Also he dyd thynke that for the welfare of the countree it was more necessarye for to gyue her to a hardy and a valyaunt man thought that he were poore than to a grete lorde that had not those vertues And also as touchynge noblesse and râ—â—chesse she had ynoughe for theÌ„ bothe and for that cause he had made crye the torâ—eymeÌ„t that the moost valyauntest of the feest sholde haue his ryght beauteuous and fayre doughter in maryage And that after his decesse his kyngdome myght falle in to the handes of the valyaunt knyght and lorde for to kepe and defende it from all them that wolde greue it There were foure hoÌ„dred knyghtes commysed of within for to resyste agaynst all comers And it was .xi. monethes syth that the feest had beÌ„ publysshed thrughe all the realmes crysten This not withstandynge vntyll that tyme Olyuer had herde no tydynges therof and there was no more but .xv. dayes to the corneyment wherfore Olyuer had grete dyspleasure bycause that hym thoughte that he myght not come theder sone ynoughe also bycause that he had but lytell moneye for to go theder withall Neuerthelesse he made hymredy for to be there in the best wyse that he myght yf that our lorde sente hym not some empesshement that he coude not go And fro that houre he beganne for to fele the sparcles of loue sayd to hymselfe that he sholde be well eurous yf that after his grete aduersyte and euylles he myght attayne vnto so hye a thyÌ„ge as for to haue her in maryage of whome he herde speke soo moche good thrughe the vnyuersall worlde ¶ How Olyuer was assaylled by theues and slewe theym and of that whiche happened hym vpon his waye towarde London Capitulo xix OLyuer hauynge ryght grete desyre wyll for to be with the other at the tornaymente aforesayd consyderynge that the terme was shorte payed and contended his hoost and after departed frome the cyte of Caunterbury all alone withouten ony company towarde the cyte of London Where as the grete and solempne feest sholde be holden And therfore dyuers grete lordes were comen theder all redy And there came so many that all the lodgynges and ynnes were full Soo as Olyuer exployted hym so on his Iourneye that he was a good dele auaunged as he the whiche thought that he sholde neuer come theder tyme ynoughe for to se her for whose loue he toke that Iourneye and so he passed on his way in suche thoughtes and in those thoughtes he came into a lytell busshy wodde somwhat out of his hye waye he had not longe gone therin whan he mette .xv. theues the whiche were armed in complete harnays and cryed to hym saynge that he was but deed and he was enuyronned with them or euer he loked vp and lefte his pen sees of loue And whan he sawe that he coude not escape without medlynge he sette his hande to his swerde and smote one of them vpoÌ„ the heed so asprely that he claue hym to the tethe and soo fell downe deed And than he smote on the ryght hande and on the lefte hande so impyteously that he cutte armes and hedes in a suche wyse that the hardyest of them durst not abyde hym a buffet for he had sette his backe agaynst a thycke hedge so that his enemyes myght not endommage hym behynde And for to make it shorte he dyde so moche by the helpe of god that he slewe .xi. of them and the remenauÌ„t fledsoâ—e wounded Whan Olyuer sawe that he was delyuered of them he thanked god of that vyctorye and alyghted of his hors and tayde hym to a tree and then he began for to bynde some of his woundes in the beste wyse that he myght but they were not mortall wherof he gaue thankyÌ„ges to god And so as he toke kepe to his wouÌ„des his hors brake loose for he had not tayed hym fast And so wente awaye with his casket of moneye the whiche was at the arson of the sadell and was gone all redy a good waye or euer Olyuer apperceyued hym Neuerthelesse whan that the apperceyued hym he begaÌ„ne for to renne after hym as well as he myghte and Olyuer ranne so longe and so fast that he was alâ—moost bretheles And in that estate the hors came rennynge bofore the place where one of the theues was hydde that had escaped from Olyuer And whan the sayd thefe saw the horse he knewe hym well ynoughe and ranne after hym toke hym and incontynente mounted vpon his backe and rode his waye with casket and all Whan Olyuer apperceyued hym he knewe well ynoughe yâ— he had lost his horse and his casket with moneye wherfore ye may well thynke that he was ryght dysplesaunt for he founde hymselfe without moneye and also in a straunge couÌ„tree where as he hadde no knowledge and whan he saw that all was lost he sayd to hymselfe O good swete lorde Ihesu cryst I requyre yâ— comforte this poore vnhappy catyf for all myn esperaunce and hope is onely in the for I se well that fortune is contrary to me and that yf it procede not of thyn infynyte grace myne enterpryse can neuer be encheued wherfore good lorde I put me totally in to thy grace and mercy In praynge the good lorde Ihesu cryst that thou dystinge it after thyn owne wyll for lyghtly I can not haue worse than I haue had hetherto wherof I thanke the. ¶ How a knyght came for to comforte Olyuer and of yâ— promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx RYght
of his herte and neuer after departed that done she made Olyuer to aryse the whiche thanked her After the daunces were begonne agayne and endured a grete space of tyme and after came the wyne and spyces and whā euery body had dronke and that it was oure for to go to bedde the grete prynces lordes toke leue of the kynge and of the fayre Helayne for to retorne on the morowe in to theyr countrees and thanked the kynge of the grete chere and honour that he had done to them in his courte The kynge prayed hym that they wolde yet abyde a daye or twayne But they wolde not abyde but badde hym adew And whan it came that the kynges sone of Scotlande toke his leue of the fayre Helayne he sayd to her alowe as in reprochynge y◠he was ryght Ioyous that she was soo well assygned Helayne that was not folysshe vnderstode well that all that he hadde sayd proceded of enuye wherfore she helde her styll and sayd nothynge but toke leue of hym of all the other the whiche wente in to theyr lodgynges on the morowe departed The kynge Maquemor of Irlande and another that was his neyghbour for ony prayer that the kynge dyde make wolde not come to y◠feest but all euyll contente were departed without takynge leue for the dyspleasure that they had of the dethe of the kynge of Irlande theyr frende and that the kynge had made therof so lytell accounte And affermed promysed the one to the other that yf it were possyble for them whan they were comen in to theyr countree that the kynge of Englande sholde repente hym to late ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the Kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter and made his othe Capitulo xxxvi OLyuer badde good nyght to the kynge and to his fayre doughter Helayne and consequentlye to all the other And he was conueyed to his lodges by dyuers gentylmen of the kynges courte that all redy had grete volente for to be acquaynted with hȳ Olyuer comen in to his lodges made theym for to drynke and then he thanked them for y◠trauayll y◠they had taken for hym sayd to them My lordes I wyll be from hensforth your seruaunt broder and felowe And yf there be ony thynge that I may do for you there is none of you but that ye shall fynde me redy at nede Then they all departed saue one gentyll squyre the whiche Olyuer reteyned with hym for to lye with hym also to the ende that he sholde haue the more acquayntaunce with the lordes of the courte The nyght passed and the daye came And whā it was tyme. Olyuer arose and clothed hym in newe robes that he had made make all the nyght And was led to the courte by his squyre and foūde the kynge y◠was alredy at the masse the whiche fynysshed the kynge cōmaunded that Olyuer sholde be ledde towarde his fyrst knyght chamberlayne the whiche he had ordeyned for to speke to hym Whā Olyuer was comen y◠fyrst chamberlayne sayd to hym Olyuer my frende the kyng hath ordeyned me for to receyue your othe and that I gyue to you retynue of .xx. horses And yf it be your pleasure for to serue my lady his doughter as ye haue requyred as well ye may do it as yf ye were of lesse estate Olyuer thanked the kynge and made his othe And as he y◠whiche thoughte neuer tyme ynoughe for to se her that had gyuen hym that gracyous kysse requyred that for that daye he myght kerue afore her and so he was ledde into her chambre where as Helayns table was spredde the whiche made no longe taryenge but came Whan Olyuer sawe her he gaue her good morowe And she rendred hym his salute ryghte curteysly and behelde hym gladly And then she sat her downe at the table Where as Olyuer began for to kerue afore her And in castynge vp her eyen demaunded hym yf that it was his wyl for to kerue afore her Olyuer answered madame it is my pleasure for to do you all the seruyce that I can so that it torne you not to dyspleasure Olyuer my frende sayd she nay but I thanke you how well y◠I had wolde that ye had deported you of this offyce but syth that it is youre wyll it is well myne So Olyuer kerued afore his fayr maystres all alonge the dyner but it was not withoute foyson of regardes and lokes Whan the table was vp he was a lytell whyle with the ladyes and then he wente towarde the kynge to whome they had tolde that Olyuer dyde serue at his doughters dyner sayd that he was the gentyllest seruaunt that euer they had sene ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne and cutte his fyngre in seruynge her Ca. xxxvii THese thynges dyde passe and Olyuer was a grete whyle in the courte so well beloued that all that knewe hȳ sayd good of hym The kȳge hymselfe coude not prayse hym ynoughe sayd often that Olyuer was bothe fayre good saynge that he and his doughter were wel serued The fayre Helayne in lyke wyse seynge the graces and beautees that god and nature had endowed that yonge knyght with dyde prayse hym strongly in her herte but she made no semblaunt for doubte of some folke For ye knowe well ynoughe that they say oftener the euyll than the good for all that whā they demaunded her she sayd that she sawe nothynge in hȳ but all good and that he was a ryght gracyous knyght in suche estate he had put hym in the grace of all them that knewe hym And in lyke wyse at y◠begynnynge had ben cōspyred dyuers enuyes agaynst his persone but by the grete wysdome doulcenesse that remayned in hym he had subdued ouercome his euyl wyllers in suche wyse that euery body loued hym Also none can not recorde to you y◠newe thynges that were begonne enterprysed and acheued by hȳ as well Iustynge as other dyspertes and playes Ye haue well herde how Olyuer had receyued a kysse of his excellent maystresse and I haue also tolde you that he kepte it so well that he lost it not whan he wolde for loue in a shorte space had defaced his Ioye and lyesse with that helde hym so streyte in his bondes that he coude not ete nor drynke slepe nor rest in bedde and he was not at his ease nor peas the houre that he hadde lost the syght of his lady and maystresse And was not in no place but that hym thought that he sawe the representacyō of his excellente lady afore his eyen In suche estate he was a space of tyme and in suche wyse he aduychylled hym that he became in suche estate that he cared no more of noo good dede Thystorye sayth that on a tyme as he kerued afore his maystres at the table as he that was not mayster ouer hymselfe began to beholde her and in beholdynge her he made many syghes of
loue that proceded from his herte Then the fayre Helayne apperceyued that he thought strongely vpon her and she had no thyÌ„ge kerued afore her for to ete For Olyuer had gyueÌ„ her none wherfore she sayd by dyuers tymes Olyuer my frende I wolde ete gladly yf ye gaue me wherof Olyuer that thought on other thynges herde her not at yâ— fyrst tyme. And whan his vnderstandynge was comen agayn all ashamed he began for to serue and as he that had no thought on that whiche he dyde cut his fyngre â—ll moost of Wherfore he departed from thens incontynent and gaue another to serue Helayne apperceyuynge these thyÌ„ges knewe apperceyued clerely yâ— thought of Olyuer wherof she was nothynge gladde whan she sawe hym in suche poynt for her loue ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe in his bedde soore syke and how that Helayne was syke also for hym of theyr complayntes and how Helayne gate leue of her fader go to vysyte Olyuer Capitulo xxxviii OLyuer comeÌ„ in to his lodgys entred all alone in to his chambre and layde hym downe vpon his bedde in complaynynge hym so pyteously that it was grete pyte for to here He cursed the god of loue that had wounded hym so profoundly with his hambynge darte and bounde hym in his bandes soo vyolently wherfore he sawe appertely that he must nedes deye for he abode none allegeaunce nor mercye of his anguysshous maladye Ha kynge of EnglaÌ„de sayd Olyuer yf thy worde had ben verytable as a kynges ought to be I had not fallen in this extremyte that I am nowe in Thus as ye haue herde demeaned Olyuer his sorowe by longe space of tyme and contynued so in that he was greuously sycke and layde hym downe in his naked bedde Wherof the Kynge and all they of the courte were ryghte dyspleasaunt And the kynge vysyted hym ryght famylyerly and made hym to be sumptuously kepte and taken heede to of his physycyons But aboue all them that were dolaunt the noble Helayne passed notwithstaÌ„dynge she made no semblaunt outwarde And on a tyme as yâ— physycyens came to her as it is theyr custome for to vysyte prynces and prencesses she demaunded them how Olyuer dyde and yf that he amended not They answered naye and sayd that they had grete doubte of his lyfe Whan Helayne herde these tydynges she was so dolent that she myght scarsely susteyne herselfe TheÌ„ she with drewe her in to her garderobe and gaue them to vnderstande that she was sycke therfore she layde her downe on her bedde made her to be couered for to couer the better her dole And whan the ladyes were voyded she began to saye with a softe voyce O god almyghtye creatour of heuen and erthe the whiche after thy pleasure dysposeth all erthely thynges And thou ryght doulce quene of heuen lady of the worlde and empresse of helle also truely as thou bare .ix. monthes in thy blessyd flankes the veray sone of god thyn espouse and that conceyued hym a vyrgyn and delyuered hym a vyrgyn and yâ— arte aduocate and refuge of all desolate creatures I beseche the that thou wylte counsayll me vnhappy and vnfortuned woman O gloryous vyrgyn Marye wherfore hathe thy blessyd sone gyuen me soo moche beaute for to be cause of the dethe of the moost fayrest and moost valyauntest knyght that euer was sene the whiche am in dygne of this grace Wherfore I beseche the that thou kepe this gentyll knyght the whiche hathe not my soone me in no maner of the worlde wherby I sholde put hym in this ryght daungerous peryll and that thou dysdeyne not for to tell me myn honour saued how that I myght gyue hym allegeaunce of his maladye Whyles that she complayned so to god and to our lady a lyghte sompne toke her wherthrughe she was constrayned to slepe In her slepe her semed that our lady spake to her and sayd Helayne my sone I haue herde thy request The knyght for whome thou hast prayed is sycke to the dethe And bycause that thou arte cause of his maladye thou must be cause also of his guarysshyÌ„ge and helthe go towarde thy fader and demaunde hym lycence for to â—o se hym whan thou shalte be there put hym in memorye that the yeres ende approcheth nere that thou shalte haue so good mynde on hym that it shall suffyse hym Helayne a waked ryght Ioyous of her vysyoÌ„ and in thankynge god and our lady arose and wente towarde her fader the whiche gaue her leue to go vysyte Olyuer and so she wente theder with a lytell company And whan she was entred in to the chambre she approched towarde the bedde where as Olyuer was that alredye had lost his knowlege and with the teres in her eyen named hym her frende in demaundynge hym how he dyde Olyuer knewe the voyce of his mayâ—â—â—esse and lyfte vp his eyen in makynge a lytell syghe anguysshous for other thynge coude he not answere Helayne apperceyued that he had but lytell knowlege wherfore she approched more nerer and sayd with a lowe voyce Alas my frende what lacke ye wyll ye leue me a wydowe do ye not knowe yâ— the ende of the twelue monthe approcheth By my trouth my frende your maladye doth greue me so sore that ye can not byleue it wherfore I pray you that ye wyll thynke for to guarysshe you and yf there be ony thynge that I can do for you tell it me And eueÌ„ so god helpe me myn honoure salued I knowe no maÌ„ for whome I wolde do more than for you ¶ How Olyuer after that the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came to the courte and of the messenger of the Kynges of Irlande sente to the Kynge of Englande for to defye hym of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix AS Olyuer herde yâ— swete voyce of his maystres that recomforted hym so swetely he forced hym for to speke and with grete payne thanked her and with payne myght he absteyne hym from saynge that she was cause of his dethe and as she that loued hym sayd to hym Fayre syr thynke for to waxe hole and come to the courte For vpon my fayth ye shall be ryght welcome Then she toke leue of hym and retorned and it was neuer a daye after but that she shente for to knowe how he dyde and with that she sente hym ryght largely of her wynes and dyde so moche that within shorte tyme he was strouÌ„ge ynoughe for to promayne hym aboute his chambre as he that had had a good physycyen in his maladye And it was not longe after that he wente in to the courte and whan he felte hymselfe that he was entyerly hole he serued his maystres as he had done before The whiche made hym greter chere than she was accustomed to do In suche wyse yâ— Olyuer was more beauteuous than euer he had beÌ„ afore Helayne that apperceyued that Olyuer was out of daunger put hym in remembraunce of the regrettes and complayntes that she had made
Olyuer dyscomfyted Capitulo xliij BY this maner was concluded the vyage in to Irlande and toke in the towne as many pauelyons and teÌ„tes as they myghte gete and all thynge that was necessarye for theyr vyage and departed from thens and toke with them a thousande men on horsbacke and as many on fote without theyr nombre And also they toke with them as moche artyllerye other habyllementes of warre as that they myght well haue without dysgarnysshynge of the towne and it was tolde them afore theyr departynge by them that had charge for to bury the deed folke yâ— they had founde deed of theyr enemyes .xxiiij. M. and of theyr meÌ„ .xij. C. wherfore theyr frendes were ryght dyspleasaunt And they assembled shyppes and entred into yâ— see and dyde so moche that in shorte tyme they were oute of the realme of Englande and entred in to Irlande where as they began for to do moche harme and fouÌ„de but fewe places that resysted agaynst them for they be not so stronge as these of this regyon They that were taken by force had no mercy but that they slewe them all They that dyde yelde them to theym afore that they besyeged them were taken to mercye And with this they fered so sore theyr enemyes that the moost parte of them yelded them or they came to them Then the kynges of yâ— countree that were escaped fro the batayll were soo sore abasshed that they coude not put no consayll to they re affayres for theyr folke were yet full of sorowe bycause of the dolorous fortune that hadde happened theym Wherfore they habandonned all in the wyll of god and alonely fortefyed the places where as they wolde retray them but this was not but that they gaue often assaultes and scarmoshes to the Englyshmen ryght subtyllye gouerned on theyr syde wherthrughe there was many men slayne on bothe partyes And in suche wyse by successyon of tyme that the moost parte yelded them to theÌ„ And the ryche themself helped for to warre agaynst theyr lordes In that estate they wente and assyeged a place where as one of the kynges of Irlande was that hadde ben newe crowned And was his sone that Olyuer dyd slee at the torneyment The whiche they assaylled ryght quyckely and boystously and there was done on the one syde and on the other grete dedes of armes For they that were within the castell defended them vygorously soo that they receyued that daye but lytell dommage The kyÌ„ge Maquemor was aduertysed of these thynges and how the fyege was afore the place of his cousyn Wherfore he was ryght dyspleasaunt And swore by his crowne that it sholde not abyde se. He assembled as moche folke as he myght And then he the thyrde kynge came for to aryse the syege Olyuer was aduertysed of all these thyÌ„ges wherfore he put hymselfe on the felde for to abyde them And lefte a partye of his folke for to kepe the syege He put his folke in ordynauÌ„ce and abode his enemees all redy for to fyght the whiche aâ—ode not longe or yâ— they came And whan they sawe that Olyuer was alredy on the felde they knewe well that they coude not escape without medlynge And then they put theyr folke in ryght fayre ordenaunce and began for to shote gonnes and Olyuer and his folke remeuyd not but abode theÌ„ with ferme fote and with one crye receyued them at the poyntes of theyr swerdes speres And there was slayn at the fyrst recountre dyuers meÌ„ on bothe partyes Full many ladyes lost theyr lordes and many chyldren were faderles and full many maydens lost theyr louers there Olyuer cutte of hedes and armes in suche maner that neuer maÌ„ dyde more dedes of armes than he dyde Not withstandynge the Irysshmen solde theyr lyues ryghte derely as men replenysshed with prowesse for as them semed and they lost that batayll that in lyke wyse they sholde lese theyr countree wherfore theyr courage doubled and dyde as well as they myght In that estate dured the batayll almoost vnto theyr nyght but in the ende the Irysshemen were dyscomfyted as they that myghte not endure the â—adde strokes of the Englysshemen ¶ The pursuyte dured not longe bycause of the nyghte The Kynge Maquemor and two other kynges were taken wherof Olyuer was ryght gladde for he had alredy fyue and so there was no moo lefte but two wherof there abode one enclosed in yâ— place where the syege was whan the nyght was comen Olyuer in his tente made the Kynges prysoners to be seruyd ryght honourably And on yâ— morowe he made to crye that euery body sholde put hym in payne for to do his deuoyre to take the place Then ye sholde haue sene many a valyaunt knyght and squyre and meÌ„ of armes go to the assaulte but they of within defended them soo valyauÌ„tly that it was grete meruayll And the kyÌ„ge sayd that he hadde leuer deye than for to yelde hym in to the handes of his enemyes and to hym that hadde slayne his fader ¶ How the castell and place where as one of the Kynges of Irlande was in was taken Capitulo xliiij EUen so as ye haue herde endured the syege by longe space of tyme afore yâ— castell Durynge the whiche tyme Olyuer made often the kynge of Englande to knowe of his demeanynge And sente hym often worde that he sholde haue noo doubte of them for they had nothynge but good The artellerye that was there endommaged strongely the castell and so moche that a grete parte of the walle was smyten downe and then it was assaylled at that syde Olyuer was in that assaulte and bare hym so valyauntly that he was the fyrste that entred in wherfore al his men folowed hym And at that tyme was the castell wonne and the kynge taken But afore that he was taken he dyde grete dedes of armes and all the other were slayne Olyuer departed from thens and lefte good garnyson there He put hym on the waye for to goo conquere the realme of the sone of hym that he hadde slayne in the fyrst batayll But that same kynge abode not his comyng but came agaynst Olyuer without ony armoure at all berynge in his hande a braunche of Olyue in yâ— sygne of peas And whan he sawe Olyuer he sayd to hyÌ„ O ryght valyaunt conquerour afore whome nothynge can endure by the furoure of thy swerde thou haste subdued seuen kyngdomes and hast the kynges prysoners wherfore I knowe that my persone alonely can not resyste agaynste thy persone and puyssaunce Therfore I come and yelde me at thy wyll and do offre me and my realme for to serue the. Olyuer thanked hym and tooke hym by the hande sayd that he sholde soupe with hym that nyght Then Olyuer commaunded that the teÌ„tes sholde be pyght in a fayre grene felde that was no ferre from theÌ„ by the whiche dyuers ryuers and fountaynes passed by wherfore the place was more delectable Olyuer coÌ„maunded that the kynges that had beÌ„
prysoners of longe tyme the whiche were abyden in a stronge for tresse not ferre from theÌ„ sholde be brought to hym and made to saye to his cooke that he sholde make redy the souper in yâ— best maner that he coude for he wolde feest the seuen kynges in his pauylyon And whaÌ„ the houre of souper approched he made them to sytte downe at a table and souped rychely After souper Olyuer made auoydaunce and sayd vnto the seuen kynges howe that they were prysoners not to come of them but at the plesure and wyll of the kynge of EnglaÌ„de that they hadde so vylaynously offended and made grete doubte that he wolde punysshed them greuously as it apperteyned tolde them that they sholde be ledde to hym on the next morowe and that they sholde thynke on that that they wolde doo for to amende the offence that hadde ben done by them ¶ How Olyuer after dyuers thynges sente for to denounce his comyng to the kynge of Englande and of the honour that was done to hym Capitulo xlv SOne after dyuers wordes came the spyces the wyne after they wente vnto bedde vnto the morowe that euery body by the coÌ„mauÌ„dement of the capytayns made theÌ„ redy to departe and soo euery thynge packed trussed they retorned towarde London And than Olyuer called vnto hym a ryght valyaunt knyght and one of the capytaynes Englysshe to whome he prayed moche curtaysly that he wolde goo towarde the kynge denounce to hym theyr comynge and that he coude tell hym the thynges better than ony coude wryte theym The knyght in accomplysshynge the wyll of Olyuer put hyÌ„ selfe on the waye he dyde so moche that within a lytell space he arryued at London and salued the kynge and made the recoÌ„maundacyons ryght humbly frome Olyuer and all his felowes and than he began to tell hym how they were on the waye to retorne and that the seuen kyngedomes of Irlande were conquered and put in the obeyssaunce of his septre And that Olyuer brought hym the seuen kynges prysoners for to doo with them his good pleasure And began to deuyse hym of the valyaunce that he had sene Olyuer do and that with payne it was credyble that the whiche he hadde sene Olyuer accomplysshe And sayd syre after god and his holy moder gyue thankynges vnto the ryght valyaunt knyght Olyuer for by his ryght arme ye haue obtayned vyctory of all your enemyes And certaynly I thynke that neuer god gaue to no man so moche goodnesse as he hath gyueÌ„ to this same The kynge herynge those Ioyous tydynges was so replenysshed with Ioye that he was a longe space or that he myght speke Neuerthelesse sone after he enbraced the knyght and sayd My frende ye be ryght welcome I thanke god the armes and the swerde of the ryghte gentyll knyght of the Ioyous tydynges that ye brynge me And after commaunded hym for to tell it on hyghe So he began for to recounte it more lenger than he hadde done to the kynges persone And alwaye pray synge and louynge Olyuer saynge that it was a thynge of the other worlde and not for to byleue to theym that had not sene it These tydynges were sone spredde aboute in the ladyes chambres and came to the ceres of the fayre Helayne that was moche Ioyous of that whiche she herde and her thought that and he hadde ben kynge and she quene that all the worlde sholde haue beÌ„ the better Wherfore her courage blamed stroÌ„gly her fader bycause that he kepte from so gentyll a knyght that yâ— whiche was due to hym The kynge enquyred and demaunded the daye of his comynge and made to ordeyne a ryghte grete feest at theyr comynge He commaunded all the grete lordes and prynces of his realme for to be there And whan it came that Olyuer approched nere the Cyte all the prynces weÌ„te agaynst hym and there was none of them but that they dyde hym honoure and reuerence The kynge hadde ordeyned that he sholde be ledde in grete tryumphe thorughe the cyte And therfore the streteâ— were hanged and the fyres alyghted and the belles rougen on all sydes ¶ Also the processyons on all sydes wente agaynste hym to the gate of the cyte And whan 〈◊〉 apperceyued the processyons he alyghted of his 〈◊〉 and consequently all the grete lordes that dydde hym that honoure And in that estate they came vnto the cathedrall chyrche of Poules where as they gaue thanâ— kynges and louynges to almyghty god and to our lady And then they mounted on horsbacke and then Olyuer sente the seuen kynges prysoners in to the places that we reordeyned for them And he all armed wènte towarde the kynge the whiche he salued ryght humbly WhaÌ„ the kynge apperceyued hym he wente agaynst hym and began for to kysse hym colle hym saynge my ryght swete frende blessyd be the fader that engendred the and the moder that bare the. And thanked be my blessyd lorde that euer gaue the wyll for to come in to this countre the whiche at this presente tyme is so gretely honoured and redoubted by thy swerde I praye to god that he gyue me space for to deserue it to you warde Olyuer answered to hym Syr thanke our lorde and after the valyaunt men that ye gaue to me and not me for take that I haue done the best that I can yet I haue not deserued the honoure that ye do to me The kynge answered that he was aduertysed of euery thynge and commaunded hym to go and dysarme hym And whan the houre of souper sholde approche that he sholde retorne that he sholde brynge with hym the seuen kynges for he wolde soupe with them in his palays Olyuer wente towarde his maystres to whome the kynge hadde commaunded that all the honoure that she coude make hym that she sholde do it And therfore whan she sawe Olyuer come to warde her she wente agaynste hym and toke hym by the hande and kyssed hym in saynge that he was ryght welcome and that she was glad of his welfare but bycause that the souper tyme approched that he sholde â—etche the kynges prysoners he abode not longe there but toke leue and wente in to his lodgynge ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte accompanyed of the seuen kynges prysonets of whiche he made a present to the kynge of Englande Capitulo xlvj WHan yâ— Olyuer was dysarmed and habylled of newe clothes he came ryght well accoÌ„panyed of noble meÌ„ oâ— the kynges courte that had grete desyre for to please hym in to the lodgys of the seueÌ„ kynges the whiche he salued and sayd to them that the Kynge his lorde wolde speke with them and soupe with them they sayd that they wolde go gladlye and mounted on horsbacke and Olyuer also with them that conduyted them And whaÌ„ they entred in to the courte dyuers lordes and prynces of Englande came agaynst them that dyde lede them to warde the kynge the whiche whan he lawe them in
his chambre he remeuyd not from his place yâ— other bowyÌ„ge theyr knees lowe ynoughe And whan they approched nere the kynge the kynge toke of his hatte and in marchynge thre or foure paas agaynst them sayd that they were ryght welcome And whan he had salued theÌ„ all he began for to deuyse with them of dyuers thyngâ—s pleasaunt withoute makynge ony mencyon of warre And so longe they were in these deuyses that the houre of souper was comen and the water blowen The Kynge of Englande had ordeyned that thre tables sholde be sette in the halle One more eleuate and hygher thaÌ„ the other And at that table the kynge satte hym downe and commaunded Olyuer for to sytte with hym the whiche durst not dysobeye the kynges commaundement And therfore all ashamed he satte hyÌ„ downe and there was no moo After he commaunded that the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette The mayster coÌ„troller that knewe well ynoughe what he sholde do made them for to sytte at the seconde table and all the other prynces the which were without nombre satte at the thyrde table and were ryght sumptuously seruyd ¶ How the kynge of Englande gaue his fayre doughter vnto Olyuer in guerdon and rewarde of the hye seruyces that he had done to hym Capitulo xlvij RYght as they hadde souped and that the tables were taken vp graces rendred vnto god the kynge coÌ„maunded for to go fetche his fayre dougter Helayne to the ende that the dauÌ„ces were begonneÌ„ And the noble valyaunt knyght Olyuer wente for to fetche his goodly and excelleut maystres And whan that she was comen and that she had salued her fader she salued after the seuen kynges euen so as she coude full well do it and the other lordes ensewynge Then were the daunces begon the whiche the kynge behelde gladly And in beholdyÌ„ge Olyuer dauÌ„ce he thought in hym selfe how it sholde be possyble for to rendre to hym the guerdon of his seruyce And thoughte soo moche that a more gretter thynge he myghte not gyue hym than his doughter that afore he had woÌ„ne by force of armes but bycause that he hadde taken her from hym paraueÌ„ture he wolde haue dysdayne for to take her agayne wherfore he concluded for to speke to hym after the dauÌ„ces in the presence of all them that were there or that wolde be there And euen soo as he had thought it he dyde it And whan all was faylled and that his doughter was comen for to gyue hym good nyghte He made to be sayd to her that whan she sholde be in her chaÌ„bre that she sholde not hye her vnto bedde The whiche dyde euen so After he called Olyuer in the presence of the kynges of Irlande and of the other prynces and lordes that were there Olyuer my frende I begyn for to haue knowlege of my caas and how that of longe tyme I haue with holdeÌ„ that whiche ought to be yours that is my doughter That the whiche dyde moue me therto was bycause that I knewe not so playnly your estate as I do nowe But truely and Helayne were quene of all the worlde I wolde thynke her wel bestowed onyou as to the moost valyauntest knyght of the worlde Thus I then knowynge all these thynges shall gyue to you the moost derest thynge that I haue yâ— is my doughter yf it please you for to take her to your wyfe Wherby after my deth ye may be kynge of Englande the whiche wolde be ryght happy to haue suche a lorde TheÌ„ fynysshed the kyng his wordes Whan Olyuer sawe that the kynge had fynysshed his wordes he sette hym on bothe his knees and began to saye these wordes Ryght honourable lorde truely there is no seruyce but of a kynge for I may wel auaunte me that with lytell deseruynge I haue the gretest guerdon that euer hadde man wherof I gyue louynges to god and to you graces and thankes nor neuer poore man as I am hadde the hondrethe parte of the honour that ye do to me I praye to god that he gyue me grace to deserue it vnto your hyghnesse For by you my name shall be chaunged and they that shall here speke of this mater shall name me the seruaunte hyghly guerdonned ¶ How the kynge made Olyuer for to aryse that was on his knees and of the gracyous wordes that he sayd to his daughter and how Olyuer handfest her Capitulo xlviij THen the kynge commaunded Olyuer for to aryse and sente for his doughter And whan she was comen he toke her by the hande and leddeher to hym and sayd My frende se here my doughter that I gyue you to your wyfe in acquytynge my promesse Olyuer thanked hym ryghte humblye The poore Helayne that of al this knewe nothynge was more abasshed than euer she had ben afore and began for to chaunge coloure wherby her beaute was nor mynysshed Whan the kyng sawe her in that estate he sayd to her My ryght dere doughter I haue all troubled you as semeth me whaÌ„ I haue gyueÌ„ you to a man without knowynge your wyll But by the helpe of god he shall do nothynge to you but that ye may well suffre and endure as I deme Then Olyuer began for to laughe at the wordes that the kynge had sayd Wherfore Helayne was more ashamed than she had ben afore The archebysshop that was in the halle dyde handfeste them Then began for to speke by the kynges commaundement an auâ—cyent knyght the whiche adressyd his wordes vnto the kynges of Irlande and sayd to them that the kynge his souerayne lorde for the loue of the solemp nyte that sholde be on the morowe and also for the loue of Olyuer he was contente to rendre to them theyr realmes quyte theyr raunsons and sende them agayne in to theyr countrees without ony dommage by suche moyen that eche of them sholde do hym homage and holde of hym theyr landes With this that as often as yâ— kynges good pleasure sholde be for to sende for theÌ„ in warre or in peas that they sholde come and serue hyÌ„ And fro thens forth to holde hym for theyr souerayne lorde They knowynge that of two euylles it is the beste to eschewe the worste accorded to the kynges request dyd homage vnto the kynge of Englande ¶ And after these thynges and that they had daunced ones aboute for the espousayles euery body wente to bedde but Olyuer slepte not that nyght but watched al that nyght as he yâ— wolde with a good wyll haue ben a daye elder thanked god of his goodnes For hym semyd that he was lyfte out of his euyll adueÌ„ture and so passed the nyght And whan the daye was comen and that it was tyme for hym to aryse the kynge that knewe well ynoughe that Olyuer coude not haue his gownes made so soone sente hym thre or foure gownes of clothe of golde beten And whaÌ„ Olyuer was apparaylled all the prynces and lordes came and fetched hym and fyue kynges of
monethes he demaunded Olyuer yf that he wolde not retorne in to Englande and he answered hym naye And sayd that he was more at his ease in his realme that had beÌ„ so longe without a kynge than for to retorne in to Englande Then the kynge concluded to departe and Olyuer conueyed hym out of his realme And whan it came that they sholde take leue the kynge of Englande sayd to hym My sone and my frende Olyuer I recoÌ„maunde vnto you my doughter your wyfe and I pray you yf that I haue nede that ye wyll forgete not me And Olyuer sayd to hyÌ„naye and that as often and as many tymes as he sholde haue to do with hym that he sholde fynde hym redy And so they toke leue and the kynge of Englande wente towarde Englande the kynge of Castylle retorned in to his couÌ„tree where as he founde his broder Arthur kynge of Algarbe yâ— whiche wolde retorne in to his couÌ„tree and ledde agayne his moder that tooke leue of the kynge without makynge ony mencyon of ony thynge yâ— had happened afore And whan he founde hymselfe alone and was delyuered of all straunge men he vysyted his realme and made his ordynaunces soo fayre and so good that euery body was contente He with helde dyuers lordes of the realme of Castylle of his courte with some of Englande that were abyden with hym And as he had ben there a whyle he was knoweÌ„ of all the noble men that loued hym as theyr lyfe They were all reioysed of the two fayre chyldren that they had the whiche dyde encrâ—ase in aege in condycyons and in beaute that it was meruayll And whan it came to the knowlege of them of the countree of the fayre myracle that had happened all the worlde was abasshed how he had had the courage for to â—lee them for they knewe wel as to there garde of the myracle that the puyssauÌ„ce of god is so grete that none can comprehended it Thus as ye here the kynge of Castylle lyued in Ioye with his fayre and good spouâ—e resours of all his sykenesses and adueÌ„tures and aledgynge of all his dolours Euery body loued and dreded hym so moche that neuer kynge of Castylle was soo obeyed of his subgectes It happened on a somer daâ—e aboute foure a cloke that the daye was fayre and clere and as the kynge of Castylle slepte with his wyfe a thyÌ„ge came and knocked at the chambre dore soo meruayllous strokes that it hadde almoost broken the dore The kynge awaked and demauÌ„ded what it was That same thynge answered open the dore thou shalte se or elles I shall breke it Whan the kynge herde hym speke soo he put on his sherte and toke his naked swerde in his hande and came and opened the dore It was not soo soone open but that he knewe that it was his knyght that at his nede had alwaye socoured and seruyd hym And yet he was clothed in the whyte gowne that he hadde at the houre that he departed fro hym Whan the kynge sawe hym he toke hym in his armes and sayd My frende ye be welcome And he answered welcome or yll come yet am I comen and not for to tell you ony thynge that is pleasauÌ„t The kynge sayd that he coude saye nothynge that sholde dysplease hym for he had good remeÌ„braunce of the promesse that he had made to hym and was redy for to holde it ¶ Here it maketh mencyon of the sayd whyte knyght And of the grete dolour that Olyuer and his wyfe demeaned for theyr chyldren of whiche the whyte knyghte toke the sone for his parte and of other mysteryes of the quene Capitulo lxxiiij THey entred bothe in to yâ— chambre where as they founde Helayne a bedde that was all a basshed whaÌ„ she sawe the knyght clothed in whyte entre in to the chambre ¶ The kynge badde her aryse soo as she dydde and whan Oly. she was redy the knyght prayed the kynge that he wolde kepe his promesse and that he wolde kepe his fayth The kynge Olyuer hadde then all the thynges redy and apparaylled For it was of longe tyme purueyed in abydynge the whyte knyght and had departed all these thyÌ„ges 〈◊〉 wayne and began for to saye vnto the knyghte in this maner My frende I shall begynne at the Iewel les of my wyfe without the clothynge that hathe ben estymed a mylyon of golde lo there the keye take the whiche that ye wyll for all his departed in halfe my treasoure in lyke wyse ye shall chese the whiche halfe that ye wyll After the mouable goodes of my hous that I am serued with I thynke that ye haue but lytell to do with them saue the vessell And that vpon his fayth he hadde departed in two all that he hadde wonne and moore to for the moost parte of his treasour proceded of the realme of Castylle and that and he had euer ony thynge of that of Englande he sholde be lorde of the Iust halfe as he hadde promysed hym The knyght sayd that he was not contente and sayd to hym ¶ Kynge ye leye to me of that whiche ye saye for ye do not departe it so to me as ye haue promysed Haue ye not woÌ„ne wyfe and chyldren The kynge sayd ye Then sayd the knyghte I oughte to haue parte ¶ Whan the kynge vnderstode hym he set hym on his knees prayed hym with Ioyned handes that he wolde leue hym his chyldren and that he wolde gyue hym the halfe of his realme and with that yâ— resydue of his treasoure In lyke wyse the poore Helyayne in grete humylite with the teres in her eyen prayed hym yâ— he wolde haue pyte on her and on her burdeÌ„ and that he were contente for to take that the whiche her husbande dyde ossre hym by suche moyeÌ„ yâ— the chyldren sholde abyde to them The knyght sayd to hym Dame I wyll do nothynge for you nor for none other And yf that ye wyll not do it it is well in my power for to make you recompence it full derely Then the kynge commaunded the moder for to fetche her chyldreÌ„ the whiche she dyde and founde them a bedde and made them tâ—aryâ— and clothed them and then broughte them Whan the kynge sawe them he demaunded the knyght yf that he wolde be contente for his realme his treasoure for to rendre to hym his chyldren yf prayer myght haue ony place The knyght sayd naye Now sayd yâ— kynge syth that it gothe thus chese whiche that ye loue best The knyght layd that he wolde haue the sone bycause that he knewe that he loued hym best The kynge all wepyÌ„ge toke his sone by the handâ— and gaue hym to the knyght saynge My sone and my chylde I recommaunde the in to the garde of our lorde the pleasure of thy yongthe hathe lytell endured me Who that than had sene the poore Helayne take leue of her chylde he sholde haue had a harde herte yf that he had not