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
for hym durynge his maladye wherof Olyuer had his heed dyuers tymes sore troubled ¶ It happened vpon a whytsontyde on the whiche daye he helde open courte And there was the moost parte of the lordes of Englande assembled euen so as he was at dyner and his doughter sette besyde hym came a messanger afore the table the whiche began for to saye That same god all puyssaunt that gouerneth all thynges gyue honoure and glorye good aduenture to the hyghe and puyssaunt prynces my souerayne lordes the seuen kynges of Irlande by whome I am sente hether and that he confounde the crowne of Englande the whiche is not worthy to be named Kynge Now herken tyraunt what I haue in charge for to saye to the by the kynges of Irlande They sende the worde by me and defyeth the of fyre and bloode and that they wyll depose the of thy realme as he that is not worthy for to holde it Some of them hathe ben comen to thy courte for to knowe more playnly thy gouernynge wheras they haue apperceyued thy grete crude lyte and tyrannye and howe that by thy synguler and dampnable wyll hathe accomplysshed thy tyrannye on colde bloode withouten ony cause reasonable wherfore thou arte cause of the effusyon of blode humayne and of the semblable crysten And therfore take heede to that whiche thou hast to do For I tell the that they ben alredy descended on thy grounde and shall do suche Iustyce on the as apperteyneth ¶ How Olyuer after that the messanger hadde fynysshed his wordes requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men of armes and that he wolde goo agaynst them the whiche was vttred vpoÌ„ hym with a good wyll Capitulo xl FYnysshed the wordes of the messanger the kynge enclyned his heed and sone after lyft it vp agayne and began to rolle his eyen to bende his browes in suche wyse that here sembled a man extracte oute of his mynde Whan the messenger sawe the kynge make suche chere he wolde with a good wyll haue ben in his moders bely There was none that answered for the courte at that tyme was to troubled that it was grete meruayll to beholde it for all they in the halle kepte scylence and sayd neuer a worde Whan the valyaunt Olyuer sawe all the companye so sore abasshed for so lytel a thynge as hym semed he sette hymselfe on his knees before the kynges persone and all ashamed beganne for to speke and sayd Ryght myghtye Emperour redouâ—ted syr I beseche you that your ryall mayeste be not dysmayed agaynste me yf that I auaunce me to speke soner than I oughte to do Syr ye haue herde the iniuryes that these caytyfs kynges of Irlande hathe unposed on you by the saynge of the herauldes And for bycause that I knowe you soo valyaunt and so puyssauÌ„t and with that that ye hadde leuer deye than it sholde abyde thus without vengynge you on your enemyes that alredy ben entred in to your realme wherfore I supplye me in all humylyte that vnto me yonge man notwithstandynge that I am not dygne and that I haue lytell sene vnto this present tyme that ye wyll do me that honoure for to gyue me a certayne nombre of men of armes suche as your good pleasure shal be and that ye shall fynde by the delyberacyon of your good counsayll for to go agaynste these vnhappy folke that withoute cause wyl vsurpe youe lordshyppe ¶ The kynge answered vnto Olyuer and sayd Olyuer I shall counsayll me on the request that ye make to me after dyner and after I shall make you to knowe my wyll And then he commaunded that the messaunger of the Kynges of Irlande sholde be sette to dyner And soo it was done WhaÌ„ the kynge was rysen from the table he assembled his counsayll And then was gyuen an answere to the messanger that he sholde saye to his maysters that they myght be well sure that the Kynge doubted theym but lytell and that he hadde good wyll for to kepe his herytage that yf they myghte wynneâ—â— that it sholde be theyres but by the pleasure of god it sholde not happen so and then they gaue some gyfte vnto the messanger And then the sayd messanger departed and retorned towarde the kynges of IrlaÌ„de that alredy were entred into the realme of Englande to whome he tolde the answere that he had receyued And then yâ— kynge of Englande accorded to Olyuer his request for the grete valyauntnesse yâ— he had sene hym do afore tymes And gaue to hym .x. thousande men of armes the whiche comen he toke leue of the kynge and the kynge gaue hym foure thousande nobles at his departynge the whiche Olyuer toke in good thanke But afore that he departed from the cyte he dystrybued it vnto the poore men of armes that had nede therof and more to and he dyde soo moche that they spake of nothynge but of his grete largesse wherfore he gate the loue of euery body And in yâ— maner departed after that he had taken leue of his may stresse the whiche commaunded hym vnto god And he spedde hym so well on his Iourneye that he came with in thre myle of his enemyes And whan it came to theyr knowlege they reysed vp theyr syege that they had layde aboute a stronge place and putte theym all vpon a playne in fayre ordenaunce redy to abyde bataylle Olyuer in lyke wyse prayed and requyred all his men for to do well in shewynge theym that they sholde haue more honoure without comparyson yf ony good aduenture happened them than yf the kynge were there in his persone and eche of them promysed to do his deuoyre And in that good wyll they approched so nere theyr enemyes that they myght se them clerely the whiche were foure agaynst one man But they were not men of suche chap for the moost parte were comune men and euyll armed at all poyntes ¶ How Olyuer after that he was departed from London in armes came afore a towne that was besyeged of the IrysshemeÌ„ and how he fought with them and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xlj RYght so as these two hoostes approched to gyder ye myght haue herde suche a noyse that it was hydeous to here and whan it came to the strokes gyuynge ye sholde haue sene sheldes câ—ouen and helmes hauberkes brokeÌ„ stedes and knyghtes smyten downe hedes and armes cut of and many one pulled downe that neuer rose after Olyuer wente thrughe the batayll maulgre all his enemyes and dyde suche dedes of armes that he made hym to be knowen within a lytell stounde of euery body wherfore they fledde afore hym and made hym waye For all that he hytte he smote downe none can not reherse vnto you the meruaylous strokes that he gaue for bothe his frendes and his enemyes were all abasshed to beholde them He escryed as hye as he myght yf the kynges of Irlande be here I shall make them crownes One of the kynges of Irlande
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
thy waye for it is impossyble to me for to be here in the presence of the people withoute that my sorowe shall be apperceyued Olyuer arose and toke his leue of the quene the whiche went in to a lytell chambre where as she demeaned her sorowe so meruaylously that it were impossyble for to â—ecounte and tell it Olyuer wente towarde the kynge salued hym Soo after that he had ben there a whyle he wente vnto his place and his felowe with hym whiche knewe full well that his broder made not soo good chere as he was accustomed for to doo and demaunded hym what meuyd hym that he was so sadde And whan he sawe that he wolde not tell hym he thought in hymselfe that he wolde not demaunde hym no more leste that he sholde be dyspleased with hym All that daye Olyuer a bode in this chambre and for to couer the better his dyspleasure he made his men for too vnderstande that he was not well at ease and that he was a lytell dysmayde For the whiche thyÌ„ge his felowe Arthur was ryght do lent and sorowfull but it was impossyble to hym for to amende it this notwithstandynge he wolde not departe from hym but after soâ—per Olyuer requyred hym yâ— he wolde go towarde the kynge and the ladyes for that nyght And that he wolde kepe hym without makynge ony mensyon of his sykenes and that at his comynge agayne he sholde fynde hyÌ„ a bedde So at the request of his broder he was contente for to goo and sayd to hym My good broder Olyuer it is your wyll that I shall go in to the courte and bycause that it shall be late or that I come agayne and that I myght happen awake you I hydde you good nyght And I pray god gyue you go â—e rest so that your sykenesse may to morowe be aledged And tolde hym that he wolde not lye with hym the nyght Then Olyuer embrased hym with the teres in his eyen and sayd to Arthur that he abode ouer longe Arthur apperceyued the teres in his eyen wherfore he was sore abasshed For he knewe hyÌ„ for suche a man that he dyscomforted hym not for a lytell thynge neuerthelesse he made no semblaunt but departed with grete lameÌ„tacy on Alas yf he had knowen wheron his felowe dyde thyÌ„ke his sorowe wolde haue doubled for he sawe hym not after vnto the tyme that they hadde bothe suffred many aduersytees as ye shall here more playnly afterwarde ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and lamentacyons and of the lettre that he wrote vnto his felowe Arthur and at what thynge he sholde haue knowlege yf he hadde ony euyll aduenture Capitulo xi AS Olyuer sawe that he was left alone and that his loyall felowe was gone he abode al pensyf and sadde And sayd vnto his chamberlayne that he wolde go vnto bedde and yâ— he sholde make euery body to auoyde for that nyght And badde his chamberlayne that he sholde make prouysyon of paper and ynke So whan euery body was departed and that there was no moo lefte with in the chambre but his chamberlayne he made hym redy and wente to bedde And then he badde his chamberlayne that he sholde go his waye for that nyght for there is one that wyll lye with me the whiche wyll not be knowen The chamberlayne dyde his lordes commaundement and departed and shytte the dore after hym And whan that Olyuer saw that euery body was auoyded there is no herte may thynke nor expresse the innumerable lamentacyoÌ„s that he made And fyrste of all the grete goodes and honour that in that countree he had receyued And after for the ryght bytter dolour that for his sake were lykly for to come as well vnto the kynge his fader as vnto his felowe and in generall al them of the kyÌ„ges courte where as he was so derely byloued This notwithstandynge he concluded in hymselfe that he wolde departe habandonnynge londes possessyons and honours saynge that the worldly honours were nothynge in comparyson of the spyrytuelles yâ— whiche hathe neuer ende and sayd that he oughte not for to kepe his carcas so deyntely that was ordeyned in this worlde for to be wormes mete as his honour and his soule the whiche sholde be tormented in helle yf that he wold byleue the dampnable opynyon of his fayre moder He thought in hymselfe that it were better for hym for to departe be tymes than ouer late for he had no more trust nor confydens in the quene seynge and consyderynge yâ— wordes that she had sayd vnto hym Then he toke the paper and the ynke and began for to wryte a lettre the whiche adressyd vnto his felowe In the whiche after yâ— gretynges and salutacyons made as amyably as ony myght be made he put in yâ— lettre that for certayne causes he was departed from the courte in praynge hym ryghte debonayrly that he wolde pardon hym of that that he had not aduertysed hym of his departyng for certayÌ„ly it had ben impossyble vnto hym for to haue departed in his presence And this notwithstandynge yf that he were ferre from his syghte yet he sholde not be longed from his herte for in what couÌ„tre or in what place that euer he were he wolde holde hym for his good broder frende and that neuer on his syde he wolde forgete hyÌ„ Afterwarde he prayed hym that he wolde make his recommendacyons ryght humbly vnto his fader the kynge and the quene and vnto all theym the whiche sholde demaunde after hym And then he wrote aboue My broder bycause that I wote neuer whaÌ„ I shall se you agayne I leue with you this lytell glasse the whiche is ful of clere water as ye may see and I praye you that ye loke euery daye ones vpon it for my loue for yf I haue ony euyll aduenture that water that is in the glasse shall become all blacke and that shall sygnyfye that I am 〈◊〉 some euyll aduenture or empesshement And then my loyall broder and faythfull felowe I beseche you that for the grete loue and amyte that we haue â—ad togyder that yf so happen that ye wyll departe from the courte of my fader and neuer rest tyll that ye here some tydynges of me My broder and true felowe in youâ—s all my hope and trust aboue all them in the worlde Of her thyÌ„ge my broder I wote not what to wryte to you but that ye may be sure that I shall deye yours I praye to oure lorde Ihesu cryst that he gyue you asmoche good and grace as my herte desyreth Amen ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone without ony company and came to a hauen of the see where as he fouÌ„de a shyp all redy for to departe in the whiche he put hymselfe with an Englysshe knyght that he founde there Capitulo xij ANd whan the lettres were made Olyuer made hym redy and whan he was redy bothe booted and sporred and his swerde by
Alas my broder I knowe you for suche one yâ— ye be not departed withoute grete occasyon and to my symple wytte I dyde you neuer tryspassâ—â—nâ—â— deserued agaynst you but yf that your pleasure hadde ben that I myght haue knowen somewhat of your dyspleasure yf that â—t be possyble to me for to knowe it sholde deye in the payne but that ye were reuenged at your owne wyll Ryght noble kynges sone the prouysyon sente froÌ„ heuen for the salute of this couÌ„tree what shall your fader and my moder saye And in sayng this he swowned And who that hadde sene hym wolde better haue Iuged hym deed than quycke ¶ How the kynge of Castyll Olyuers fader came in to the chambre and of the grete sorowe that he made whan he founde hym not Capitulo xiiii ALl the noble men of the courte that abode at Olyuers chambre dore seyng that they had no tydynges of Arthur that was entred in to the chambre made it for to be knowen to the kynge theyr fader and the fyrste chamberlaâ—â—â— of Olyuer sayd vnto hym My souerayne lorde your sone Olyuer was yesterdaye a lytell dyseased made to auoyde all the gromes of his chambre and abode all alone And yet at this houre all the grome of his chambre was without the dore the whiche be not as yet entred And as touchynge my parte I haue knocked at the chambre dore but there was no body that answered me Also my lorde Arthur his broder not longe ago is entred but we haue had noo more tydynges of hym than afore And therfore I put you in memorye of these thynges for to do therwith your good pleasure Then the kynge sayd yâ— he wolde go theder in his persone for to knowe what it myght sygnefye And came vnto the chambre dore yâ— whiche was locked but he made it to be opened and entred in to the chambre with lytell company And inconâ—ynent as he sawe not his sone Olyuer vpon his bedde he doubted well that there was some what yâ— wolde not please hym to moche And as he loked here there he 〈◊〉 Arthur that was â—yenge vpon y◠〈…〉 thaÌ„ alyue and as yet he was 〈…〉 And whan the kynge appercâ—â—◠〈◊〉 he sayd vnto hym My freÌ„de I trow that thou knowest somewhat that I knowe not and in saynge that he approched more nerer to hym and sawe that he 〈◊〉 not Then he layde hande on hym and felte that there was some lyfe in hym and therfore he made to put wyne brede in his nose and dyde so moche that he came to hymselfe And whan that he myghte speke he 〈◊〉 for thy parte take this dyssolute creature And 〈◊〉 those wordes the 〈◊〉 felâ—e oute of his 〈…〉 whiche was redde 〈◊〉 the kynge in grete 〈◊〉 and wepynge of the reder And whan the kynge knewe the departynge of his valyauÌ„t sone Olyuer yâ— he loued so derely It was not possyble to hym for to here all that the lettre conteyned for whan that he entred in to the mater where as it spake of the departyng of his sone as hye as he stode he lete hymself fall downe to the erthe It was grete pyte to haue ben in the chambre for they wyst not to whome they myght attende eyther to the fader or to the broder or to the seruauntes for all yâ— whan he myght speke he aâ—â—ryed and sayd O ryght myserable kynge wherfore dothe not god sende to the the dethe truely nothynge sholde be to me 〈…〉 the dethe nor nothynge so dyspleasaunt as to 〈…〉 my chylde thou made thy moder to dye and 〈…〉 of thy faders also that loueth the so tenderly 〈◊〉 whiche seynge thy ryghte fayre yong he 〈…〉 ¶ How the Kynge sente after his sone Olyuer of 〈…〉 and of them of the 〈◊〉 whan she 〈…〉 xv IN suche wordes so semblables ledde the ryght â—olent kynge and the quene the grettest sorow that myght be And there was nothyÌ„ge myght comforte them Neuertheles a lytell whyle after the kynge wente saynge Alas my frendes 〈…〉 this poore and desolute kynge and fader the whiche hathe lost all his Ioye that is his sone 〈…〉 I beseche you euerychoâ—e to put you on the waye for to here some tytynges of hym or yf that it be possyble for to fynde hym for whome I haue so moche dolour and anguysshe Then the moost parte of theym departed at the commaundement of the kynge and put them vpon the waye and for to make shorte processe they were in soo many places and countrees that it is meruayl to recounte it And neuerthelesse they herde no tydynges that were ony thynge pleasauÌ„t in that behalfe And therfore they retorned towarde the kynge vnto whome they tolde all that they had founde And whan he knewe that his losse was vncurable he layde hym downe in his bedde all melancolyous They that behelde hyÌ„ thought yâ— he wolde neuer haue rysen from theÌ„s the quene seynge the grete maladye of the kynge and al so knowynge that all these euylles proceded from her yâ— grete furour and angre of the nyght afore was chaunged in to pyte sorowe and dyspleasure saynge thus O vnhappy and cursed woman thou arte cause of the exyle and losse of the moost fayrest the moost gentyll the moost wyse and the moost knyghtely that euer was in Castylle thy desteny ought well to be cursed and who that knewe thy case they ought to punysshe the ryght bitterly Alas my ryght fayre loue Olyuer and my ryght dere herte for to be drawen with horses and for to suffre martyrdome it is impossyble for me to amende the dyspleasure and iniurye that by me hathe ben spoken vnto you as she that was not maystresse of herfelfe but was subgecte by my fragylyte to wrathe not knowynge thy grete bounte and loyalte and bycause that thy losse is vncouerable and that it procedeth from me and of my cause neuer shall I haue Ioye And as infortuned I shall vse yâ— surplus of my lyfe in praynge our lorde that he wyll kepe thy ryght fayre yongth from all encomberaunce Who that wolde tell the complayntes of them of the countree it wolde be to longe to tell it and therfore I holde my peas and reforneth to Olyuer ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer on the see And how he and the Englysshe knyghte were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi WE haue suffycyently herde spokeÌ„ here afore of the departynge that Olyuer made that was sone and heyre of the kynge of Castyll And how be put hym vpoÌ„ the see where as he was two moÌ„thes or there aboute It be fell vpon a nyght that a tempest and meruaylous orage toke them wherfore it was force to the shypmen for to habandonne theyr shyppe at the pleasure of god vnto whome they recommaunded them full often as they that abode but his mercye In that estate they were the space thre dayes in ryght grete torment And the tempest was so hydeous and terryble that vpon the thyrde daye theyr
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
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
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
maye se hym that hathe put me in soo grete doloure ¶ Come now dethe whan that thou wylte for I shall abyde the Ioyously syth that I knowe that my souerayne lorde is comen it can not greue me The fayre and good Helayne hadde grete talent for to see hym that she wende hadde ben her husbande but Arthur was in grete thought how he myght demeane hym towarde yâ— wyse of his felowe For all that whan his botes were of he wente towarde Helayne for to knowe how she dyde And whan she sawe hym she was a grete whyle or that she myght speke But whan that she myghte speke she sayd that she dydde well syth that she sawe hym in good helthe The oure of souper came and therfore Arthur toke leue of her and prayed her that she wolde make gode chere and that she wolde thynke for to make her hole The ladyes and damoyselles of the cyte of London were somoued to souper there was made a meruaylous Ioye but yet it sholde haue beÌ„ more gretter yf it hadde not ben for Helaynes maladye And it was defended by the kynge that none sholde werke of viij dayes but eche â—nenst hym made the feest as grete as they myght Arthur by the counsayll of the medecyns was excused for to lye with Helayne bycause of her maladye wherof he was Ioyous without makynge ony semblaunt but with in shorte space she gate vp and founde guaryson helth And so moche that within a lytell tyme the physycyens gaue hym leue for to lye with her soo as he dydde And whan he was in bedde with her he remeuyd not oute of his place but the fayre Helayne dyde not so for she that of longe tyme had not had the embrasynge of her lorde begaÌ„ for to approche but Arthur drewe backe and sayd to her my loue withdrawe you in to your place agayne for I haue made auowe that neuer by embracynge nor otherwyse I shall touche your body tyll that I haue payed a pylgrymage that I haue promysed vnto saynt Iames wherfore I praye you that ye be contente and after I shall come to you agayne for as sone as I may I wyll paye it and after by the grace of god we shal make good chere Helayne herynge Arthurs wordes dyde his coÌ„maundement In saynge to hym that it was well reason for to holde that whiche he haâ— promysed to god and to Saynt Iames. Then she began for to deuyse a ferre with hym in demaundynge hym where as he had ben Arthur badde her that she sholde not speke to hym for she myght not knowe it wherfore Helayne deported her at that tyme. ¶ How Arthur vnder the vmbre for to goo to Sayne Iames departed for to fynde his felowe Olyuer of the whyte knyght that ledde hym nere where as he was Capitulo lix IN suche estate was Arthur well the space of a mone he in the kynge of Englandes courte the whiche made hym as good chere and honoure as he wolde haue done to Olyuer thynkynge that it hadde ben he and also dyde Helayne all the other And whan he sawe that Helayne had ouercomen her maladye and that there was no more daunger he came towarde the kynge and sayd to hym that he dyde owe a vyage to Saynt Iames and that he muste nedes do it withouten ony companye wherfore he prayed hym that he wolde be contente that he myght go alone and that he wolde retorne agayne as shortely as he myghte The kynge asked hym yf that he was wery of his wyfe alredy and he answered nay After he toke his leue of the kynge for to departe and on the morowethe kynge prayed hym that he wolde not tary and also that he sholde take some company with hym but Arthur wolde not do nothynge and so departed all aloue after that he had taken his leue of the fayre Helayne and promysed heâ— that he sholde retorne ryght shortly He dyde soo moche that he arryued in the forest where as he had fouÌ„den the whyte knyght Neuertheles he durst not entre for fere of the wylde beestes and therfore he abode the trouthe of his knyght there And he was there soo longe that he apperceyued hyÌ„ comynge Then Arthur salued hym and he rendred to hym his salute TheÌ„ne he made hym to mounte vp behynde hym and sayd to hym My frende Arthur hast thou good wyll for to haue agayne thy felow darest thou put the in auenture for to recouer hym Truely layd Arthur there fs nothynge but that I wolde do it for to recouer hym Now I shall tell yâ— sayd yâ— knyght thou arte armed at all pyeces wherfore thou ought to be the more hardyer I aduertyse the that the kynge that holdeth Olyuer in pryson is a good myle froÌ„ his place with a lytell company There is from hens theder .xxxiij. myle and there is but thre knyghtes with hyÌ„ all a fote but and I thought that thou durst fyght with them all foure for to gete agayne thy frende I sholde lede the theder in a lytell space Arthur thanked hym and prayed hym that he wolde do so The knyghte smote yâ— hors with the sportes and he had not so sone done it but that in a moment he was there as the kynge was TheÌ„ he shewed hym to Arthur and sayd Arthur descende adowne for yonder is thyn enemye and yf that thou recouer Olyuer tell hym that the knyghte clothed in whyte dothe salue hym the whiche dyde brynge the heder ¶ How Arthur toke the kynge that helde his felowe in pryson and how that he delyuered hym Ca. lx INcontynent Arthur alyght and toke leue of yâ— knyght the whiche vanysshed sone awaye Arthur dyde so moche that he approched to the kynge And incontynent he escryed hym to the dethe and then he sette hande to his swerde gaue one of his knyghtes suche a stroke that he cloue hyÌ„ to the tethe The seconde he smote of his harme and his sholder The thyrde he kest downe deed The kynge had but a shorte dager wherwith he defended hym valyauÌ„tlye but in the ende he fledde and Arthur folowed hym gaue hyÌ„ so grete a stroke with the platte of his swerde that he smote hym downe astonyed then he sayd to hyÌ„ A fals traytour kynge thou canst not denye but that yâ— hast the kynge in thy pryson wherfore enforce the for to rendre hym to me or elles I make auowe to god I shal smyte of thy heed The kyÌ„ge cryed hym mercy and sayd O noble knyght saue my lyfe and I shall rendre hym to the agayne Arthur promysed hyÌ„ that he wolde saue his lyfe so that he wolde sende hym to hym incontynente that he wolde promyse hym to lette them go safe ¶ The kynge promysed hym that he wolde do so And then he departed all mate and dyscomfyted and he dyde so moche that he came in to his castell And incontynent as he was there he commaunded that Olyuer sholde be drawen out Whan
many folke yâ— paraueÌ„ture wolde sooner haue thoughte euyll than good wherfore he deported hym ¶ After the kynges commauÌ„dement all thynges were ordeyned as he had deuysed And dyuers knyghtes and squyres were reteyneÌ„d of Arthurs housholde the whiche began for to gete vp and the kynge vysyted hym ryght often Also dyde the fayre Helayne that made no semblaunte of nothynge And soo moche passed on these thynges that Arthur was heled And whan it came yâ— he myghte walke aboute in the courte and haue acquayntaunce with the noble men that remayned therin euery body began for to loue hym bycause of the humblenes that he was replete with And the kynge hymself loued hym almoost as mochâ— as Olyuer his sone in lawe And whaÌ„ he sawe that he was in the grace of euery body he forgate not yâ— wronge that the kynge of Irlande hadde done to his felowe wherfore he demaunded hym on a daye yf that he hadde ony wyll for to auenge hym And Olyuer sayd naye and sayd that he had perdoÌ„ned hym And how quod Arthur haue ye so feble a courage that ye dare not auenge you on your enemye by the fayth that I owe to god it shall not abyde soo And then all euyll contente he came towarde the kynge tolde hym all alonge in what pryson Olyuer hadde ben in and prayed hym yâ— he wolde gyue hym men for to auenge Olyuer for he knewe well that Olyuer hadde no talente for to doo it Whan yâ— the kyng herde Arthur speke so he toke it more greuously at his herte than Arthur dydde wherfore he sayd to hym My fayre frende lette my sone haue his wyll for it may be that he hathe made some promesses afore that he yssued oute of pryson Ye be well the man for to auenge hym without ony more that he medle hym therof And then the kynge reysed vp a grete armye of yâ— whiche Arthur was the chyef Capytayne the whiche were not soo sone arryued in Irlande but that the Kynge theyr enemye the whiche had knowlege of theyr comynge gaue them batayll where as was slayne dyuers men vpon bothe sydes but fynally the Irysshmen were dyscomfyted and the kynge fledde was assyeged in one of his places that was not well garnysshed with vytaylles wherfore it myght not holde longe So whan he sawe yâ— he had noo more mete and that it was force for to yelde hym as a valyaunt man he sayd that he had leuer deye in the felde in auengynge his dethe with the cuttynge of his swerde on his enemyes than for to yelde 〈◊〉 theyr volente and prayed the lytell folke that he had for to do well and then armed them and made to open the gates of th fortresse in smytynge on theyr enemyes and slew many at the fyrste bronte but there was soo many men agaynst them that they coude not escape And fynably the kynge and all his men were slayne After his dethe all his realme yelded them and were contente for to haue suche a lorde as the kyng of Englande wolde assygne them ¶ How Arthur fell in a grete maladye and of the dyspleasure that Olyuer had Capitulo lxv THese thyÌ„ges done Arthur and his company retorned in to Englande where as they were fested of the kynge of Olyuer and of all yâ— other lordes And the kynge gaue Arthur the realme of Irlande that he had â—onquered of newe And the Irysshemen were sent for the whiche came and dyde hym homage feate wherby Arthur was more puyssaunt thaÌ„ afore but this was not but that he demaunded often of Olyuer what thynge dydde meue hym yâ— he made hyÌ„ not to be knowen for then euery maÌ„ wolde haue made hym better chere and the kynge wolde haue ben ryght Ioyous for to haue maryed his doughter so hyghlye Notwithstandynge that it suffysed hyÌ„ Also he tolde hym how that after his departynge his fader had neuer Ioye and thought that angre hadde put hym to dethe wherfore Olyuer wepte ryght strongely for the dethe of his fader for hym semed yf that he were deed that it was for his sake prayed hym that he wolde not as ye tell what he was for it was yet tyme ynougâ—â— for to make them to be knowen and that whan that it sholde please them they myght do it Arthur that wolde all that his felowe wolde dydde not dysobeye hym in nothynge Also Olyuer made to bere more honour vnto hym than to hymselfe and pleased hym the moost that he myght Truely the two loyall felowes made so many nowe thynges that all they of the realme reioysed them Al theyr thoughtes was but for to make good chere and Ioyous that the whiche the one wolde the other wolde also and theyr two hertes were more agreynge thaÌ„ theyr semblaunce that was all one thynge Thus as ye here they passed the tyme in Ioy but forture that is moder of all â—rybnlacyon had enuye of the goodnes of these two loyall brederen and perfyte felowes for in a shorte tyme all theyr laughynges and Ioyes were chauÌ„ged in to wepynges and lamentacyons for Arthur was soo greuously syke that the physycyens iuged hym but deed but he was not so happy for to deye at euery tyme that he wysshed it His sekenes was without comparyson of all them that euer hadde ben sene for in a maner of wormes descended from his braynes the whiche ete all his face wherby he was so strongely dysfygured that there was neuer man more Out of his body yssued so grete a stynke that none myght approche hym saue Olyuer yâ— at euery thynge was aboute hym and wolde not departe fro hym He sente for all yâ— maystres surgyens on euery syde and prayed theym yf that they coude fynde ony remedy for his fayre broder that they sholde spare for nothynge And fynably none coude put no remedye to it And this sykenes heâ—de Arthur so longe that he was blyÌ„de Whan Olyuer sawe hym so blynde that he semed better deed than alyue he mayde ryght grete sorowe so moche that euery body hadde pyte on hym Often Olyuer sayd vnto Arthur my broder yf there be ony thyng that ye knowe that I may do for to helpe you spare it not for vpon my fayth I wolde be the poorest man in the worlde so that ye had your helthe ¶ Of the dreme and vysyon that Olyuer had by four 〈◊〉 in lykewyse it semed to Arthur that his helthe was in the power of Olyuer his felowe and yâ— he must do it for to hele hym Capitulo lxvj MY broder and faythfull felowe sayd Arthur ye doo me more good than I haue deserued wherfore I thanke you and pray you that ye wyll pray to god for to sende dethe to me for and it were his wyll I wolde fayne be out of this myserye ¶ It happened that Olyuer slepte vpon a nyghte and dremed that it was well possyble to fynde helthe for his felowe And Arthur dremed in lyke wyse that it was in Olyuers power
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