The prologue vpon the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle BYcause that the memorye is the reteynynge nature humayne for his fragylyte is strongely mouable goodly hathe ben introducte that the reasons concludynge intendybly yâ— saynges and also auctorytes of sayntes and dyscrete men semblably hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge for to shewe to them that ben to come that whiche hathe be sayd and done before to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysteÌ„ man ¶ Now it is thus that is this present tyme the scryptures by the arte and ingenyous practyke of Pryntynge be multeplyed in suche a wyle that dyuers fayre and coÌ„modyous ensygnynges and ensamples ben had of whiche fewe folkes had the bokes and congnyssaunce nowe they ben put forth and vttred for so lytell a pryse that it can not be lyghtely lesse neuerthelesse bycause of the vnderstaÌ„dynge comune that is better contente for to reteyne the hystoryes and examples than other thynge dyuers hystoryes ben put in wrytynge And amonge the other hystoryes is one founde of longe tyme wryten the whiche is named the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and Arthur of Algarbe his loiall felowe the whiche for theyr vertues and to loue better honoure than to consente to euyll had grete aduersytees and meruaylous fortunes and aduentures the whiche by grete loyalte and ardaunt charyte and also fydelyte and promesse toke an ende solytarye ¶ Here begynneth the table of this present boke ¶ Tabula ¶ The fyrste chapytre speketh of the natyuyte of Olyuer of Castylle and of the dethe of his moder Capitulo j. ¶ How Olyuer was borne to be baptysed and the body of his mod borne to be buryed And how Embassodours were coÌ„mysed for to mary the kynge agayne Ca. ii ¶ How the maryage was treated betwene the quene of Algarbe Arthurs moder and the kynge of Castylle Olyuers fader Capitulo iij. ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle wedded the quene of Algarbe and ledde her in to Castylle with her sone Arthur that resembled Olyuer Capitulo iiij ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were put to lernynge and of the Iustes that were made by them Capitulo v. ¶ How the quene of Castylle began for to loue Olyuer dyshonestlye Capitulo vi ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym carnally and of the couerte answers of Olyuer to honoure Capitulo vij ¶ How Olyuer departed all trouble of the requestes of his stepmoder and how he prayed god for to reuoke her from her carnall desyre Capitulo viij ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer desyrynge hym to fulfyll her carnall desyre of Olyuers fayre denyenge Capitulo ix ¶ How Olyuer refused vtterly the quene his stepmoder of all her dyshonest loue And how she menaced hym to the dethe Capitulo x. ¶ How Olyuer abode all alone in his chambre where as he made dyuers complayntes and of the lettre that he wrote to his felowe and wherat he sholde knowe yf that he had ony thynge but good Capitulo xi ¶ How Olyuer departed all alone withont ouy company and came to a hauen of the see where as he founde a shyp in the whiche he entred with a knyght that he founde there of Englande Capitulo xij ¶ How Arthur of Algarbe came in to the chambre of his broder Olyuer that made grete dole for his departyng Capitulo xiij ¶ How the Kynge of Castylle came in to Oliuers chambre and of the grete dole that he demeaned whaÌ„ he fouÌ„de hym not Capitulo xiiij ¶ How the kynge sente after his sone and of his lamentacyous and of them yâ— the quene made whan she sawe that all doloure was comen by her cause Ca. xv ¶ Of the grete fortune that happened to Olyuer vpon the see and how he and the Englysshe knyght were preserued from drownynge Capitulo xvi ¶ How the knyght Olyuers felowe deyed xvij ¶ How Olyuer dyde burye the knyght and of the Iustes that were publysshed in Englande and he that sholde do best sholde haue the kyÌ„ges doughter to wyfe xviij ¶ How Olyuer was assayled of theues the whiche he slewe and of the whiche happened to hym vpon the waye towarde London Capitulo xix ¶ How a knyghte came and recomforted Olyuer and of the promesses that they had togyder Capitulo xx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the hermytage Capitulo xxi ¶ How Olyuer sawe dyuers knyghtes and other folke in grete estate and dyuersly clothed Capitulo xxij ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche clothynges that his knyghte had brought hym and how he armed hym and of the ryche pauylyon and beaute of the fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande Capitulo xxiij ¶ Of the grete meruaylles â—hat Olyuer dyde at the â—orneyment and how he dyde better thaÌ„ ony other xxiiij ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to the hermytage the seconde tyme without makynge hym for to be knoweÌ„ xxv ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde tyme to the torneyment and how he wanne the sygne of the defendauntes of the Iustes Capitulo xxvi ¶ How Olyuer dyde withdrawe hym in to the hermytage after that he had vaynquysshed the torneyment and of the dyspleasure of the kynge and his doughter by cause of the deed men Capitulo xxvij ¶ How Olyuer came in to yâ— torneymeÌ„t the thyrde daye and bare awaye the honoure aboue all by his grete prowesse and how the kyÌ„ge commysed .xx. knyghtes for to take hym to the ende yâ— he knewe what he was xxviij ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had commysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed a waye how he founde clothes fynaunces Ca. xxix ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunces seruantes and clothes and how he was ledde to the banquet and in to the courte with grete honoure of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx ¶ How Olyuer came in to the kynge of Englandes courte where as he was receyued with grete reuerence of the kynge and of all the other lordes and ladyes Ca. xxxi ¶ How in secrete the pryce was ordeyned for Olyuer by the Iuges commyssed and the counsayll of the kynge approued for to aduertyse Olyuer Capitulo xxxij ¶ How the kynge of EnglaÌ„de came towarde his doughter and demauÌ„ded her to whome her semed that yâ— pryce sholde be gyuen to and of her answers Ca. xxxiij ¶ How the pryce of the torneyment was brought to Olyuer by dyuers lordes and ladyes and what was the pryce Capitulo xxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kyng of Englande that he wolde reteyne hym of his courte and that he myghte be keruer afore his doughter Helayne the whiche was accorded to hym Capitulo xxxv ¶ How Olyuer was reteyned of the kynges courte and kerued afore his doughter made the othe accustomed Capitulo xxxvi ¶ How Olyuer was surprysed of the loue of Helayne cut his fynger in seruynge her
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
theyr inne they sayd to them Our honourable lady the quene of her grace and beâ—ygnyte hath accorded vnto your request not all of her owne voluntary wyll but at the instaunce oâ—hâ—r 〈◊〉 and Barons To whome it semeth good and vtyll for the prosperyâ—e of bothe partyes That ye 〈◊〉 whan it shall seme you good and 〈◊〉 your lorde that as 〈◊〉 as it shall please hym he may sende for her or come in his persone For they put 〈◊〉 to his noble 〈◊〉 Neuerthelesse seynge that bothâ— partyes were wydowes vnto theyr aduyse it were 〈…〉 that he came theâ—er for to wedde her And 〈◊〉 the spousâ—ylies sholde be doone without ony 〈◊〉 excesse of 〈◊〉 more than apperteyned to suche a feest And as for the surplus that he sholde do as it pleased hym ¶ How the Kynge of Castyll espeused the quene of Algarbe and ledde hâ—r in to Castyll with her yonge sone that resembled Olyuer Capitulo â—â—j _â—Raâ—yously the Embassadours thaÌ„ked yâ— queâ—e and her noble counsayll saynge that they wolde gladly tell theyr râ—sponce vnto theyr â—orde and kynge yâ— shall be well contente of this vnyte And then at theyr requcit they were ledde before the quene whome they thanked â—oke theyr 〈◊〉 â—ther full honourably and of all the other 〈◊〉 And after that they had taken theyr 〈◊〉 vpon the 〈◊〉 morowe they departed But ye may 〈…〉 departed the quene hâ—d sent them many 〈…〉 gyftes Of theyr waye and I â—urnâ—yes I can not 〈◊〉 you but they made suche dylâ—gence that they descended in the towne where as at that tyme the kynge remayned And as bryefly as they myght they wente towarde the kynge that allredy was aduertysed of theyr retornynge And after the reuerence done they recounted to hym how they had spedde and wroughte wherof the kynge was meruayllously Iocounde and at that tyme he was delyvered for to goo theder within a thre wekes or a moneth for to espouse the quene Aud in lykewyse as the kynge had deuysed so it was accomplysshed and departed from Castyll with a lytell coÌ„pany And then as he was vpon his waye he sente worde to the quene pronouncynge his comyÌ„ge The whiche receyued hym with grete melody And hastely the spousaylles were sumptuously made in suche a wyse as apperteyneth to a kyng and a quene The yonge Arthur with al his puyssaunce made good chere to the kynge his stepfader Also whan the kynge behelde hym hym thought that he sawe his sone Olyuer for to aege and bygnesse they resembled so moche that they coude not dyscusse the one from another wherof the barons that came with yâ— kynge was gretely abasshed Soo whan the weddynge was fynyshed and that the kynge had soiourned there a moneth or two he commysed in his stede a ryght noble knyght to be protectour of the realme of Algarbe And after those thynges done he departed ledde with hym his newe quene and Arthur her sone They rode so longe that they arryued in the cyte where as the kynge dyd moost remayne and were receyued with grete tryumphe and Ioye The kynge coÌ„maunded that Arthur sholde haue suche estate as his owne sone Olyuer had wherfore fro that daye forwarde they were nourysshed togyder and loued â—oo perfoundly togyder that it myght neâ—er be lost as ye shall here more euydently after ensuynge â—nd for a good cause why for they resembled so moche that oftentymes they toke one for another ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur were commysed to a noble knyght for to practyse them in feates of armes And oâ— the Iustes made by them and who wanne yâ— pryce Capitulo v. IT was so that Olyuer and Arthur began for to waxe grete Wherfore they were taken from the kepynge of the ladyes And gaue to them a ryght prudent and valyaunt knyght for to demonstre enduce them in feates of armes as it apperteyneth to kyÌ„ges sones He receyued the two noble chyldren that were bothe of one aege and of one beaute and instructed them in all good mâ—â—ers Thâ—n whan they began for to haue knowlege they loued togyder with so perfyte loue that hey made aâ—yaâ—nce togyder of fraternall coÌ„pany in promysynge 〈◊〉 for to fayle vnto the dethe departed them for consyderynge yâ— wyll of theyr lorde that kepte them bothe so rychely put in theyr vnderstondyng that it sholde be impossyble that euer theyr grete loue sholde fayle The kynge and the quene and all the barons of the countree seynge the two chyldren so perfyte felowes togydeâ— and loue â—o inwardly were gretely reioysed and thanked oure lorde therof with mylde hertes yf I name them perfyte with out ony defaute blame me not nor meruayll you not of it for certaynly of beaute bounte prudence and humylyte that ought to be in ony noble herte was in tho two noble men They may dysportes amonge the knyghtes and squyres and amonge ladyes and damoyselles as in dauncynge and dyuers other games they founde none that myght passe them as for dysportes that be vsed by noble men in tyme of peas as at tâ—nnys lepe sprynge wrastle cast the stone cast the barâ—e or ony other games none wolde compare with them two And bryeâ—â—y all thynge that they applyed them to became them well As vnto the regarde of Iustes and tourneymentes it was defended them by the kynge theyr fader bycause yâ— they were to tendre of aege as at that tyme. Notwithstandynge whan the kynge sawe that they were puyssaunt ynoughe for to welde armour at theyr â—ase he gaue them lycence for to do crye a Iustynge and a turneyment The whiche Olyuer and Arthur made for to be cryed that thre auenturous knyghtes sholde Iuâ—e agaynst all comers the whiche sholde fynde theÌ„ there the fyrste daye of the lusâ—y moneth of maye in complete harneys for to Iust agaynst theyr aduersaryes with sharpe speres and the sayd thre champyons sholde Iust .iij. dayes in thre colours that is to wete in blacke gray vyolet and theyr sheldes of the same hewe and them to fynde on the thyrde daye at the lystes There Iusted dyuers yonge knyghtes of the kynges courte And the Iustynge was more asperer of those yonge knyghtes thaâ— euer they had sene ony in that countree and by the reporte of the ladyes they dyde so knyghtly euerychone yâ— it was not possyble for to do better as them thought by theyr strokes But aboue all other Olyuer and Arthur his loyal felowe had the bruyte and loos The Iustynge endured longe it was meruayll to se the hydeous strokes that they delte for the Iustynge had not fynysshed so sone but that the nyght separed theym neuerthelesse the aduersary party abode tyll the torches were lyghte But the ladyes and damoyselles that of all the Iustynge tyme had ben there were wery and wolde departe wherfore the Iusters departed in lyke wyse and wente and dysarmed theym for to come to the banket or feest and whan that the banquet was fynysshed and done the daunces beganne And there came the kynge and the
valyaunt knyghtes of armes for to enquyre of the ladyes and damoyselles who that had best borne hyÌ„ as for that daye The ladyes whiche were all of one accorde agreement sayd that Olyuer and Arthur had suâ—mouÌ„ted all yâ— best doers of that Iourneye And bycause that Olyuer and Arthur were bothe of one party and that they coude fynde but lytell dyffereÌ„ce bytwene theym of knyghthode they knewe not the whiche they myght sustayne But in the ende they sayd that Arthur had done ryght valyauntly neuerthelesse they sayd that Olyuer had done best vnto theyr semynge And therfore it was concluded that the pryce sholde be gyuen vnto Olyuer as for the best of them of within And another noble knyght of the realme of Algarbe that came with the quene had the pryce of without whaÌ„ the pryce of the Iustes that hadde ben made was broughte before Olyuer by two fayre damoyselles he waxed all rede and was as ashamed at that present tyme sayd that 〈◊〉 was of theyr bounte for to gyue hym the pryce and not of his deserte neuerthelesse he receyued it and as it was of custome in guerdonnynge them be kyssed them And sone after they brought the wyne and spyces and thenne the daunces and the feest toke an ende as for that nyght ¶ How the quene of Castyll beganne to be amourous of her sone Olyuer of folysshe loue and dyshonest Capitulo vi THe two yonge meÌ„ after that the feest was fynysshed and the leue takeÌ„ they wente vnto theyr chambre Olyuer thynkynge that he wolde not be contente with that pryce And Arthur on the other syde sayd that he wolde do so moche yf he myght that another tyme he myghte gete the pryce but not for enuye of the honoure of his felowe But good courage and good wyll caused hym to haue those thoughtes On the other partye the kynge allredy entred in to his chambre for to go vnto his rest the quene also thought excessyuely on the feest that she had sene the daye tofore And in especyall on the two yonge knyghtes was all her thought Of the whiche the one of them was her owne sone the whiche ye may thynke dyd not dysplease her and sayd vnto herselfe Lady Mary what dure and aspre strokes I haue sene theÌ„ gyue and receyue to daye How gentylly it became the kynges sone Olyuer for to daunce and the clothynge that he ware certes that lady or damoysell sholde be well happy yâ— he wolde loue In these thoughtes she wente to bed and fell on slepe but that was not but that she thought in her slepe that she sawe hym daunce all aboute the chambre that had pleased her so moche the daye before So begaÌ„ the quene for to entre in to soo grete a foly that it neuer lefte her and that was grete pyte and dommage as ye shall here afterwarde The daye spronge and at the houre that they were accustomed for to ryse in the courte Olyuer and his felowe Arthur arose and made them redy in the same wyse that they were accustomed and in that estate they wente in to the kynges court Whan the quene sawe them she made them better semblaunce better chere than she shas wonte to doo and called the kynges sone aboute the necke and badde them good morowe And sayd alowe bytwene her tethe Olyuer my frende I thynke that god hath made you for to be loked on in this worlde Olyuer herde it well and meruaylled hyÌ„ moche wherfore she sayd it for he wysâ— not whether she sayd it for good or for euyll neuerthelesse he put it in oubly and thought no more vpon it ¶ How the quene gaue Olyuer for to vnderstande that she loued hym and that she desyred for to synne with hym And how olyuer answered her couertly and all to honoure Capitulo vij BY space of tyme this passed ouer neuertheles Olyuer was not ashamed to be amonge ladyes damoyselles and was neuer wery of Iustynge and turneynge or other feates of armes that apperteyned to ony noble prynce And whan that he knewe of ony greate assemble he wolde not haue fayled but that he wolde haue ben thereâ— whether that he had ben ferre or nere and therfore euery body had grete Ioye of hym and sayd it was a grete reioysynge to the kynge of Castyll the whiche was alredy ferre altred in aege for to se his only sone heyre so replenysshed in all vertuous operacyons but fortune the whiche is maystresse of all aduersyte sorowes aduychylled his coÌ„solacyon separed froÌ„ hym his electe welfare by the quene his wyfe The whiche be holdynge the gyfte of grace that nature had gyuen hym so fayre a chylde she was soo taken with his loue that it is meruayll to recounte it for whan she was by herselfe in ony secrete place alone as in her bedde or elles where she sayd full often Ha a Olyuer ryght fayre creature yâ— treasoure of my thoughtes Iowe well for to curse thy resplendysshynge beaute for I am constrayned for thy excellence to do the thynge that neuer quene dyde for I must habandon the loue of my lorde and husbande for thyne And yf that thou haue not compassyon vpon me the surplus of my dayes shal be in anguyssh and dolour In this wyse the quene complayned so longe that Olyuer and his felowe came for to se her Whome she receyued with Ioyous semblaunt And whan ony persone axed her wherfore she shewed more sygne of amyte to olyuer than she dyde to Arthur her owne sone she sayd that she dyde it for to please the kynge yâ— better with all She toke Olyuer by the hande and made hym by force for to sytte downe besyde her And began for to deuyse with hym of dyuers maters and amonge other deuyses she demauÌ„ded hym by the fayth of his body yf that he were not amorous of some fayre lady And he sayd naye And then she sayd vnto hym Olyuer my loue I can not bylâ—ue that the whiche ye haue spoken And therfore I requyre you that ye tell me the trouthe in what place she remayneth that is so eurous for to be your louer Madame answered Olyuer in good fayth she hathe none a bydynge For there is so many excellent ladyes in this realme that I can not tell the whiche I may loue And also I doubte to be refused Wherfore madame I know well that ye do but mocke with me for she sholde be but a lytell happy for to haue my loue For I am not a man that as yet hathe done ony thynge wherof I oughte to enquyre ony lady of loue And therfore vnto this houre I haue not done so moche nor wonne wherfore I oughte to be contente The quene herynge the answer of yâ— yonge knyght was sore abasshed For the more that she deuysed with hym the more she founde hym constaunt and ferme in his purpose and alwaye she contynued in her folye in so moche that Olyuer apperceyued a parte of her
wyll and desyre Wherfore he helde his peas and spake not so moche as he had done before And she seynge that she spake no more sayd vnto hym My frende yf ony grete maystresse requyred you of loue wolde ye refuse her certes madame sayd he I am not soo happy nor no woman so folysh for to requyre me of loue and therfore there is none answer ¶ How Olyuer departed sore troubled of the requestes that his stepmoder had made to hym And how the he prayed to our lorde for to reuoke her from her folysâ—â— and corrupte volente Capitulo viij OLyuer that was not well pleased for to be in suche deuyses with his fayre moder made to his felowe a sygne that he sholde calle hym the whiche dyde so and sayd My broder the houre passeth that we sholde go there as ye wote of and therfore I put you in remembrauÌ„ce Olyuer answered that it was true And then he toke his leue of the quene the whiche dydde strayne his fyngres togyder at the departynge Olyuer was thaÌ„ ryght dyspleasauÌ„t bycause that he knewe her in suche estate but he durst make â—o semblauÌ„t vnto his felowe for drede and fere that he wolde haue ben to dysplesaunt So as they were out of the quenes chambre the quene drew herselfe aparte in to a lytell garderobe and lete herselfe fall vpoÌ„ a bedde and sayd vnto her selfe My loue ye be not soo folysshe but that ye knowe thaffayre in the whiche I am oppressyd and certaynly it shall not be lefte thus for to morowe ye shall haue knowlege of all my sorowe and dysease And also Olyuer vpon that other syde was in grete thought as well as yâ— quene his stepmoder was for whan he was in his lodgys he wente in to his chambre all alone where as he dyde saye knelynge My blessyd creatour thou hast formed me vnto thy semblaunce and hast gyuen me indygne more beaute than I am worthy for to haue the whiche shall because of my destruccyon yf that thou by thy grace put not 〈◊〉 Wherfore I praye the that thou wouchesauf for to kepe the honour of my fader and me and that I be not occasyon of the euyll wyll wherin I se her at this present tyme for I wyll not accorde therto for to deye And therfore I requyre you with humble herte that it wyll please yâ— for to take her out of that dampnable opynyon and that thou reduce an brynge her into suche estate and wyll that as a good and loyall spouse she may kepe her towarde her husbande ¶ How the quene yet agayne declared her courage to Olyuer the whiche was that she wolde that he sholde do her dysordynate wyll and the fayre answers that Olyuer gaue her Capitulo ix ON the morowe after that Olyuer was comeÌ„ in to his faders courte aboute the houre of dyner he durste not leue his olde custome the whiche was for to go and vysyte the quene and also to the ende that none sholde apperceyue his affayre In contynent as he had salued her he withdrewe hym in to the thyckest prees of the ladyes bycause that he wolde not be alone with the quene his stepmoder but that auaylled hym but lytell For the quene without ony shame wente and fetched hyÌ„ agayne and toke hym by the hande saynge that she wolde speke with hyÌ„ And by forse whether he wolde or not she made hym for to sytte downe by her And satte thynkyÌ„ge and musynge a grete whyle and sayd neuer a worde WhaÌ„ the quene sawe that he sayd neuer a worde she was halfe ashamed and chaunged coloure and sayd to hym My loue haue ye no remembraunce of the deuyses that we had togyder Truely madame sayd Olyuer My memorye is so small that I haue reteyned but lytell or nought Ha my swete herte sayd the quene I suppose yâ— your vnderstondynge is not so dull to forgete in so shorte space that the whiche is sayd vnto you But I apperceyue by your langage that ye knowe my mynde better than I can recorde it to you Madame I wote not what ye wolde saye Certaynly sayd she my loue to yâ— ende that ye knowe it I tell you that I wyl be yours And therfore I gyue me vnto you all holly It is not of newe that ye be lorde ouer me and of my wyll But fere shame hathe caused me to kepe it close by loÌ„ge space of tyme. Neuerthelesse all doubtes put abacke I put you in memorye that I am not of your kyÌ„red so nere but hat ye may do all your pleasure with me as ye wolde do to your lady and loue and I also of you in lyke wyse wher thrugh we may haue incoÌ„preable Ioy and solace togyder And yf that my fortune be so vnhappy that my request be not vttred I shall occyse myselfe And therfore my loue in you lyeth my lyfe and my deth whan Olyuer vnderstode this he was more abasshed than euer he was before and sayd vnto her in this wyse Madame where as ye say that ye loue me I thanke you hertly and as for that that ye name you my louer it can not be no gretter than it is as for my parte for as vnto my moder and maystresse there is no seruyce but that I wyll do it at your commaundemeÌ„t as I am bounde for to do I can not thynke that ye be so chyldysshe that ye wolde loue me otherwyse than a good moder sholde and ought to loue her chylde For I holde my selfe for suche one that I had leuer deye than for to do ony thynge that were contrary to the honour of the kynge my fader And yf that I dyde otherwyse the houre of my byrth ought well to be cursed ¶ How Olyuer refused all the requestes of his fayre stepmoder And how she menased hym vnto the dethe Capitulo x. THe quene ryght furyously and Irefully brake his wordes in sayng Olyuer cursed be thy beaute whan yâ— thou arte so eleuate in pryde to refuse suche a quene as I am but fro hens forth the name of a frende yâ— was gyuen to the by me and that hathe ben fyxed in the profouÌ„denesse of my secrete thoughtes and also the reioycynge of my herte by thy grete outragyous cruelte shall be torned in to grete amerenes For I shall name the my mortall enemye as one that is a destroyer and sleer of ladyes For thou arte a murderer of me and shall be cause of my deth and that ryght shortly But it shall not be with out the. For in all the maners and facyons that can be vnto me possyble I shall abredge thy lyfe For me thynketh that it is reason syth that I must dye for the and the thou arte cause of my dethe that thou be parteyner of my dolour and anguysshe notwithstandynge I praye to our lorde that he pardoÌ„ne the the innumerable euyll les that by the are lykly for to befall And then she sayd vnto hym Aryse of my quysshen and go
for to kepe the felde from all debates and noyses The meane whyle the maysters stewardes and controllers were in the palays makynge all thynge redy for the banket and feest that sholde be at nyght the whiche sholde be without comparyson of al that euer hadde beÌ„ sene in this realme The houre approched that they sholde fynde them in the felde And the foure hondred knyghtes of within with the two thousande came in to the felde wherof some of them hadde leuer haue beÌ„ commysed to make redy yâ— feest for the example that the rede knyght had gyuen them the daye afore the whiche all redy dyd arme hym was comen vpon his hors clothed in whyte and all his folke in the same sute in the same manere that they came the daye afore saue that they had ben clothed in rede and soo came in to the felde on horsbacke put hemselfe besyde the kynges sone of Scotlande and all the other alyght in lyke wyse And then whan all were assembled the kynge badde two knyghtes for to goo loke how many they were of without Then they wente downe and tolde the Lordes the kynges wyll and commaundement Then they toke a gyrdell and made them for to passe vnderneth and founde that they of without were well foure hondred And a knyght by the commauÌ„dement of the kynge sayd that euery body sholde vngyrde his swerde and sayd that the axe suffysed and after that the batayll was begonne the Kynge sente men for to departe them and badde that none were so hardy for to smyte on the heed with the trenchauÌ„t after yâ— tyme aduertysed them that the pryce sholde be gyuen at nyght to hym that hathe deserued it And thenne it was tolde them that they myght begynne whan it sholde seme theÌ„ good Then they begaÌ„ne for to smyte in suche wyse that it was a goodly syght to beholde them It was a semely syght for to beholde howe Olyuer demeaned hym with his axe for he smote so puyssauntly that he made hym awaye large ynoughe Whan they approched nere the one smote vpon the other so impetyously that it was meruayll they myght stande Olyuer dremed not for he gaue so pesaunt strokes that hym that he hytte a ryght he made hym to kysse the grounde and he dyde soo moche that there durst not abyde afore hym soo with force of smyâ—ynge his axe that was grete and longe dyde breke And whan he sawe that he approched hym to a knyght and pulled his axe out of his handes by suche a myght and by suche a chyualrous puyssaunce vertue and also manere that whether he wolde or not he made hym kysse the grounde Twayne of the kynges of Irlande had grete enuye at Olyuer bycause they sawe the pryce coude not escape hym therfore by grete dyspleasure they assaylled Olyuer the whiche defended hym so valyauntly that he cloue one of them to the tethe The kyÌ„ge seynge that it myght not endure without grete debate sayd that it suffysed And so they departed whether they wolde or not ¶ How Olyuer was taken by the knyghtes that the kynge had coÌ„mysed and how his seruauntes vanysshed awaye and after how he founde foyson of moneye and vestymentes Capitulo xxix ANd then the kynge and the ladyes retorned in to the cyte euery body withdrewe theÌ„ in to theyr habytacyons so the deed kyÌ„ges body was borne in to London by his men where as his body was enseuelyd and put in a hors lyttere couered with blacke and in that estate in grete lamentacyons was ledde in to his realme Olyuer was yet in the felde where as he cryed after his hors but none answered hyÌ„ nor he coude espye none of them that came with hym wherof he had grete meruayl and was so dyspleasaunt that he wyst not what to do not with standynge his armour he put hym selfe on the waye towarde the hermytage all ashamed saynge that he sawe well his euyll auâ—nture and that in all fortune was to hym contrarye And therfore he delybered in hym selfe for to habandonne the good that myght come to hym by occasyon of the torneyment and not for to make hym to be knowen to ony persone lyuynge Euen so as he wente thynkynge on his euyll aduenture the .xx. knyghtes that by the kynge were commysed and ordeyned for to haue regarde on hym soughte hym on euery syde and dyde soo moche that they apperceyued hyÌ„ goynge alone Then they smote theyr horses with the sportes and dyd so moche that they ouertoke hym and sayd to hym GeÌ„tyll knyght lette it not torne you to dyspleasure yf that weâ— do that the whiche was coÌ„maunded vs by the kynge for he hathe coÌ„maunded vs for to witholde you yâ— whiche requyreth you that it wyll please you for to be this nyght at the daunces and at the banquet and therfore by hym we laye handes on you It was force to Olyuer to obeye the commaundement of the kynge And therfore all ashamed he retorned to London with the forsayd knyghtes But durynge the waye it was not withoute plesauÌ„t thoughtes for whan he bethoughte hym of the grete pompes and ryche habyllementes that he had durynge the other dayes and now he founde hym alone with out ony knowlege and that it was force for hym to be at the banket and feest with the other without gowne or other clothynge saue in his harneys but yf he fouÌ„de some that wolde lenne hym a gowne he was in soo grete dyspleasauÌ„ce that he wolde haue ben a M. myle thens yf it hadde ben possyble for hym In that estate they rode tyll they came to London and dyslodged one of the xx knyghtes for to lodge hym and demaunded hym in what place they wolde fynde his seruauntes for to sende for them The poore Olyuer all ashamed sayd Certaynlye I can not tell you where to fynde theym but for this nyghte I shall be mayster and varlet As they were in these deuyses the hostesse came to Olyuers persone and sayd to hym alowe My lorde it is not longe ago syth one of your seruauntes was here and gaue me this lytell fardell tellynge me that your clothes were in it and hathe layde the bogette vnder your beddes heed For all your seruauntes ben gone and ye shall fynde theÌ„ nomore And tolde me that the knyght that ye wote of recommaundeth hym to you and putteth you in memorye of the promyse that ye made to hym the whiche prayth you that ye wyll haue it in remembraunce Olyuer heryÌ„ge his hostesse was more abasshed than euer he had ben and feynynge that he knewe well ynoughe what it wolde meane wente fyrst to his beddes heed and founde the bogette that his hostesse hadde tolde hym of and founde the keye in the locke and tasted it and felte wel ynough that it was heuy and vndyde it and in lokynge in to it he apperceyued that it was nothynge but golde good nobles of Englande ¶ How Olyuer founde grete fynaunceâ— seruauntes and clothynges
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
guerdon of all these thynges I broke one of his legges Now it is happened after all these thynges that he hath had a meruaylous sykenes not foure houres ago And so as I desyred some thynge yâ— myght hele hym It happened me to haue a vysyon and was tolde to me that who that wolde gyue hym a drynke of the blode of two Innocentes sone and doughter medled togyder that he sholde haue helthe So it is happened for to gete hyÌ„ helth that with this swerde I haue slayne my propre chyldreÌ„ and byheded them for to rendre to hym his helthe the whiche he hathe wherfore I gyue thankynges vnto our sauyour And after that I sawe hym heled I thought for to haue departed from this realme But yet I came in to her chambre for to se my chyldren that I had slayne the whiche by the wyll of our lorde that hathe extended his grace and pyteous mercy on me poore synner hath founde them alyue and playnge the one with the other Wherfore faders and moders that hathe chyldren thynke in what doloure I was in whaÌ„ I put them to dethe And what Ioye that I haue herde whan I se theÌ„ reuyued Then he toke his two chyldreÌ„ and afore all the people shewed them alyue lapped in the clothe that was all bebledde of theyr blode Wherfore all they that were the represent were mouyd with inwardly pyte that with wepynges and lameÌ„tacyons they made a grete bruyte The kynge wepte for grete Ioye and pyte The poore Helayne that sawe her chyldreÌ„ so myghte not supporte herselfe but fell in a swowne And whan she was comente herselfe she came to her chyldren in shewynge to theÌ„ moderly loue she coude not be fulfylled with kyssynge and pyteous remuneracyon Bryefely it was a pyteous thynge for to be in that chyrche for some wepte for Ioye and the other for pyte And whan the sorowe was a lytell aswaged the kynge al wepynge came and enbraced Olyuer saynge ¶ Noble kynge blessyd be our lorde whan he hathe gyuen me the puyssauÌ„ce for to mary my doughter so nobly as to a kynge that is extracte of so noble a lygnage Ye recouÌ„te vnto vs yâ— moost meruaylous tale that euer was herde in ony countree And ye maye well ymagyne that they that shall here it after vs shall saye thus for for euermore the compaynye of you and of your broder as loÌ„ge as the worlde shall endure ought to be recounted for the not semblable that euer was herde or that shall be ¶ How Olyuer sente Arthur in to Castyll for to notyfye his comynge And how the kynge of Englande accompanyed Olyuer in to Castylle Capitulo lxxi THe myracle was publysshed thrughe the real me of Englande And after all these thynges they beganne for to make Ioyous feestes in welcomynge the kyÌ„ge of Castylle that was than knowen And euery body sayd that the kynge was happy for to haue maryed his doughter soo And sayd that it was meruayll that he had kepte hym 〈◊〉 longe close The kynge of Englande sente for the lordes and ladyes of his countree And helde one of the gretest feestes that euer he had made Olyuer prayed theym all that they wolde accompanye hym in to Castylle to be at his coronacyon And they accorded hym all and the kynge hymselfe sayd that he wolde go with hym and Olyuer thanked hym And after prayed the kynge of Algarbe his felowe that he wolde do soo moche as to goo in to Castylle for to denounce his comynge Arthur sayd that he wolde do it gladly He departed from Englande well accompanyed and dyde soo moche that they arryued in Castylle where as he tolde the comynge of the kynge of his wyfe the kynge of Englandes doughter Whan yâ— tydynges were denounced that he was comeÌ„ and that Olyuer came after euery body thanked god and apparaylled them for to receyue hym in the moost honourablest wyse that they myghte They of the realme assembled them and by counsayll ordeyned for to make feest â–ª from the fyrste towne of the realme where as he sholde entre vnto the laste that he sholde passe by And all at yâ— expence of the realme Whan Olyuer thought that his felowe myght be well in Castyll he made that the kyÌ„ge was contente to departe And departed from London the fayrest and the moost noble companye and the best in poynt that euer was sene vpon a daye Helayne was accompanyed of ladyes and damoyselles in suche wyse that it was grete pleasure for to beholde theym of theyr Iourneys I can not deuyse to you but they dydde soo moche that they arryued in Spayne where as they were feested of all the grete lordes that they passed by And whan they approched nere Castylle Arthur and all the grete lordes came agaynst them And welcomed theym ryght gracyouslye and Ioyously in thankynge god of theyr comynge Then they made reuerence to theyr lorde to theyr newe quene also The whiche semed them the fayrest lady that euer they had sene Also they salued the kynge of Englande in offrynge them to his seruyce And whan they were entred in to the fyrst towne of the realme the stretes were hanged pagentes vpon scaffoldes and there was soo many other playes that they wyst not yâ— whiche they myght beholde The ladyes were in the wyndowes soo rychely clothed that it was meruayll And whan it came that they entred in to the prynces place all that they had sene afore was nothynge to that yâ— whiche they sawe there They were so wel seruyd at souper that it was mâ—ruayle And fynablye in all the townes that they passed by they founde newe thynges and alwaye better and better From the begynnynge of the realme all the companye were at the good Olyuers expences In that estate they came vnto the cyte of Vaudolytys where as they founde the olde quene of Castyll Olyuers stepmoder Arthurs owne moder the whiche at the request of her sone Arthur was comeÌ„ oute of the realme and countree of Algarbe for to saye vnto the fayre Helayne that was newe quene that she was welcome and to Olyuer semblably Also in that same Cyte was the moost ryalte as in the pryncypall cyte ¶ And whan it came that they were descended at the palays yâ— quene Arthurs moder came agaynst them strongely accompanyed with â—adyes and damoyselles welcomed the newe quene also yâ— kynge of Englande her fader And on yâ— morowe Olyuer was crowned he layne also And at the dyner the kynge of Englande the kynge of Castyâ—â—â— the kynge of Algarbe the two other quenes were set at one table all .v. were crowned ¶ Here it deuyseth how the kynge and yâ— other lordes and ladyes dyde departe And how yâ— whyte knyght appered to Olyuer and oppressed hyÌ„ for to holde his promesse whiche was for to gyue hym yâ— halfe of his wynnynge bycause of the torneyment Ca. lxxij AFter these thynges and that the kynge of Englande hadde ben there by the space of two
wepte and Helayne wepte haboundauntly saynge Chylde ryall wherfore haue I borne the whan that I must be consentyng of thy pâ—rdyccyon O ryght noble realmes of Englande and of Castylle to daye ye shall lese your kynge and lorde After this the knyght wolde haue halfe of the fayre Helayne the which thynge Olyuer coude not vnderstande how it myght be but yf that he sholde slee her wherfore he coÌ„mytted the dede to the knyght And then the knyght answered vnto hym that he was noo murderer of ladyes and alsoo yâ— it was no reason that he sholde paye hym with his hande for he knewe well that he must paye hym hymselâ—e yâ— the whiche he had promysed hym and then sayd yf that thou hye the not it shall mysthynke vs bothe Whan Olyuer sawe that he myght haue none other thynge he came towarde his wyfe set hym on his knees in praynge her that she wolde pardon hym her dethe The good helayne sayd that she wolde pardon hym with good herte and then she embrased hym in saynge Ryght noble kynge the dyfference is grete of the Ioyous acquayntaunce that we had fyrste togyder at the tyme that ye were called Olyuer Hathe ryghte dolourous departyÌ„ge that todaye shall be made of vs two After that she hadde sayd these wordes she made her orysons to god and to the virgyn Mary in cryenge mercy to god for all her synnes that he wolde put her soule in the glorye of paradyse that yf her lorde had done ony synne for to slee her that he wolde pardon hym And whan she had ended her prayers and sayd her orysons she came towarde her lorde and husbande and kyssed hym with the teres descendynge from her eyen and sayd that she was redy for to abyde the dethe Wherfore she toke leue of hym and of her two chyldren and sette her vpon her knees with her haÌ„des ioyned towarde heuen in recommaundynge her vnto god As she that abode but the stroke of dethe Whan the kynge sawe her in that estate as a man halfe oute of â—is wytte approched and in lyftynge vp his swerde wolde haue â—louen her in two pyâ—ces ¶ How the knyght had pyte on Olyuer hauynge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And then he made hym to be knowen hym and tolde hyÌ„ what he was Capitulo lxxiiij WHan yâ— knyght sawe this pyteous aduenture he lete not yâ— swerde auale a downe for he withelde his arme sayd abyde kynge that I maye speke to you to you quene here me speke Then the began for to say demaunde the kynge yf that he had no remembrâ—unce of a knyght that was named syr Iohan Talbot the whiche was deed in his company in the sentence of cursynge And yf that he remembred hym not how that he payed the dette to the purgeys and made hym to be buryed The kynge answered ye And I tell the sayd the knyghte that I am that same knyghte and that same that serued the at the torneyment of Englande and bycause that thou hast done me pleasure I rendre to the all thy moneye and all hooly thy fynaunce that thou haste gyuen me And in lykewyse I rendre to the thy sone and quyte the in lyke wyse the halfe of thy wyfe that whiche I haue done hathe ben for to assaye the and thy frauÌ„chyle To the surplus I shall tell the wherfore at the fyrste daye of the torneyment I clothed yâ— in blacke that was sygnefyaunce of yâ— obscurâ—te that I was in The secoÌ„de daye that was in rede sygnefyed my paynes in purgatorye The last daye in whyte sygnefyed my saluacyon for so as yâ— whyte is vyrgyn for it was neuer soylled by steynynge wherby it is pure and clene In lyke wyse I am so at this presente tyme for by the and by the cause I am aledged of all my doloure and now I go in to the holy glorye of paradyse to se yâ— presence of my creatoure that is the reioysynge of the saued wherfore I take leue of the for there as I go thou mayst not come yet but be thou sure that I shall praye for the. Then he vanysshed awaye and in theyr presence he mounted in to heuen gloryously in castynge the beames of his clerenes vpon the wyndowe that the kynge and the quene lened vpon The whiche in a lytell whyle was oute of theyr syghte ¶ Then they fette them vpon theyr knees in rendrynge graces to theyr creatour and after that they had made theyâ—â—rysoâ—s in thaÌ„kynge god they began for to make the one to the other ryght pyteous acquayntaunce soo moche and by suche maner as yf the quene had ben arysen from dethe at that sâ—ame houre The kyng of Castyll that neuer had receyued one goodnes but that he hadde receyued ten euylles agaynst it lyued in Ioye with his ryght welbeloued wyfe and had neuer dyspleasure after that â—aue all Ioyes vnto the houre of his dethe Helayne was strongely seke for the fere that she had hadde dâ—rynge the whiche maladye Arthur came in to Castyll for to se Olyuer to whome Olyuer made ryghte grete chere and sone after that Helayne gate vp the whiche was cause of more gretter Ioye and all Ioye myrthe was in the realme of Castylle there was no spekynge of nothynge saue to make good chere The sone and yâ— doughter of the kynge were alredy grete in so moche that yâ— doughter was redy for to be maryed Wherfore the kynge sayd vpoÌ„ a daye to the kynge of Algarbe my broder I haue but one felowe in all the worlde and that is you For ye may wel auaunte you that ye be parsonere of the goodes that god hathe gyuen me And therfore as vnto my broder I wyll tell vnto you myn aduyse Fynably ye be to mary as yet hathe no wyfe wherfore I am gretely ameruaylled that ye haue abydeÌ„ soo longe I haue two chyldren a sone and a doughter and by my fayth yf that I thoughte that ye were contente for to mary you I wolde gyue you my doughter in maryage and therto reloke and my doughter dothe please you yf that ye thynke that she is for you I gyue her to you Or yf that it semeth you better elles where take it Ye maye saye he repryuely your wyll for yâ— loue that I haue to you maketh me for to saye thus to you ¶ How Olyuer of Castylle gaue his doughter in maryage to his felowe Arthur of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and of Helayne his wyfe Ca. lxxv ANd whan that Arthur Kynge of Algarbe herde the kynge of Castylle speke so humbly he thanked hym in saynge yâ— he dyde to hym more honoure than apperteyned to hyÌ„ and syth that it was his pleasure for to gyue hyÌ„ his doâ—ghter that he sholde be ryght vngracyous for to refuse her Whan the kynge of Castylle vnderstode that his felowe hadde grete wyll for to atteyne to this maryage he sente incontynent after all the noble meÌ„
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
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
kynges of Irlonde and many other prynces and grete lordes the whiche were so manerly clothed that it was tryumphe for beholde them There was but fewe speres broken afore Olyuers comynge And whan he was amonge the prece he smote his hors with the sporres and made his hors to torne soo gentylly that euery body loked vpon hym And in especyall it pleased the ladyes moche his fyrst entrynge in sayng that the blacke knyght was best in poynt and the fayrest armed of all the place and after began the Iustes and euery body put hym in payne for to do well The knyght that was Olyuers gouernour sayd vnto hym my frende beholde vpon this scaffolde the fayre lady that ye shall conquere yf that it holde not at you take good courage and thynke for to doo well And then he toke a spere and gaue it to Olyuer yâ— whiche toke of it no regarde for he had fyxed his syghte vpon the excellent Helayne And soo he hadde his spere in the rest a grete whyle without ony mouynge from one place as he that that thought nothyÌ„ge on it And so as the knyght behelde hym in that estate he sayd vnto hym Olyuer he slepe And thenne Olyuer as a persone that is awaked out of his slepe smote his hors with the sporres without auysynge where he wente and the fyrste thynge that he recountred with his spere that was ionge and stronge meruaylously was a post that helde vp a scaffolde and vpon that scaffolde was moche people and he smote it downe and all them that were vpon it Then there was grete laughter of them that sawe it sayd that it was a meruayllous stroke The ladyes excused hym saynge that he had not clere syghte or that his hors was not at his wyll Olyuer was ledde backe to his felowes sore ashamed and they gaue hyÌ„ a newe spere The fyrst that he encountred with was one of the kynges of Irlande named Maquemor yâ— whiche was smyten downe horse and all Then ye sholde haue herde the heraudes crye see the aueÌ„turous knyght armed in blacke that with one onely stroke hathe smyten downe a C. persones with the seconde stroke a kynge ye shal se hyÌ„ do meruaylles of armes to daye Olyuer herd the se wordes wherfore he put hymselfe in payne for to doo well And there was none that myght abyde hym a stroke with a spere Neuerthelesse euery body put hymself in deuoyre as wel within as without but aboue all Olyuer bare yâ— pryce the whiche dyde not dysplease yâ— fayre Helayne that sayd to herselfe that and he were as knyghtly vnarmed as he was armed that he myght be the floure of all them in the place ¶ How Olyuer retorned in to yâ— hermyte the second tyme without makynge hym to be knowen and how he was abylled in newe garmentes Capitulo xxv IN lyke wyse as ye haue herde endured the Iustes vnto the nyght separed them And thenne the kynge and his doughter Helayne retorned in to the cyte And then the Iusters departed for that nyght And the moost parte of the knyghtes of the torneyment in dysarmynge theym deuysed of the blacke knyght saynge that they had grete voleÌ„te for to se hym dysarmed for to knowe yf he were as semely a knyght on fote as he was on horsbacke yf yâ— his gowne became hym as well as harneys And there was many at the banket the whiche wolde not haue be there yf they had not thought to haue fouâ—â—e hym therefor no pryse sholde not be gyuen vnto the last daye And whan it came to the daunces and that Olyuer was not there euery body meruaylled so eche dyde the best that he coude Olyuer was in the hermytage by the couÌ„sayll of his knyght the whiche was departed from hym and he had tolde hym that without doubte he wolde retorne vnto hym in the mornynge betymes wherfore Olyuer thanked hym and abode in the hermytage that nyght in thankynge our lorde of his good auenture The good hermyte made hym Ioyefull chere to his power but he made not soo good chere as they dyde at London The noble Helayne was set in the halle in the same wyse that she was sette at the Iustes to the ende that euery body myght beholde her After that the daunces were ended they brought spyees And after the fayre Helayne was conueyed to her chambre with foyson of ladyes and so the feest ended for that daye Nowe ye oughte to vnderstande that euery persone made hym yâ— best at case that he myght for that nyght for to be vpon the morowe more fressher than Olyuer Soo the nyght passed and the daye came wherfore euery body put hâ—m in deuoyre for to fynde all that them belonged for the seconde Iourney And whan that it was tyme for to departe Olyuer apperceyued a grete company of folke all habylyed in rede in the same estate that they were clothed the daye afore saue yâ— it was rede whan they approched Olyuer he wente and salued his knyght that was clothed in a longe geâ—owne of cramosyn and behynde hyÌ„ was Olyuers hors and the pages of the daye afore were clothed in satyn cremosyn The courser on the whiche Olyuer sholde ryde was a bayarde And the horse was hosed in clothe of golde â—yght ryche ¶ How Olyuer came the seconde daye to the turneyment and how he smote downe the standarde of theyÌ„ of within Capitulo xxvi ANd then Olyuer came to the torneymente and was the fyrst that entred in to the felde of them of without but ye may well thyuke that it was not without grete beholdynge of the ladyes and in lyke wyse of theym of within ye may well thynke that Olyuer thus accompanyed as ye haue herde was beholden of kynges and quenes lordes and ladyes and of all them that were there presente and he the whiche knewe it the beste wyse yâ— he myght made hym lyghtest for to be armed for to gyue grete stâ—okes And bycause that he wolde not trauayle the hors vpon the whiche he ought for to werke as he haddenedâ— therof He mounted vpon a lytell hors that was ryght well accustomed for to make some pleasaunt thynge before the ladyes and therfore he faylled not at that tyme wherfore the sayd Olyuer was beholden of euery body and sayd the one to the other beholde what a semely knyght he is for by symylytude of his body he ought well for to encheue a hye enterpryse se how honestly and knyghtly he rydeth for he remeueth noo moore for all that his horse can do than yf he were not vpoÌ„ his backe Amonge these deuyses the kynges sone of Scotlande came ryght rychely clothed and strongly accompanyed with valyaunt knyghtes that wolde torneye that daye with hym and also the moost parte for the garde of his persone After came the kyng Maquen or and two other kyngâ—s of Irlonde of whome I knowe not the names And after came the duke of Buroon and the Erle of Flaundres And then came
holdynge the basyn in his handes came in to yâ— chambre of his felowe and made to auoyde all them that were there and then after he toke a lytell pot â—ull of the blode that was yet all hote and gaue it to his felowe Arthur for to drynke that knewe nothynge what it was And the hystorye maketh mencyon that as sone as he had tasted of it all the vermyne of his heed fell of And with this he keste oute all the vapours of his body in suche wyse that he felte hymselfe of all poyntes heled saue the flesshe that was eten of his vysage was not so sone comen agayne But Olyuer by thre or foure tymes wasshed it and gaue hym the surplus for to dryÌ„ke so moche that he had agayne his syght and his helthe And whan Arthur felte hymselfe heled he kneled downe for the kysse the feete of his felowe And Olyuer that was gladde of the guaryson and helth of his felowe sayd to hym My frende gyue thankynges to god and after to my chyldren the whiche I haue slayne for thy helthe And to the ende that thou byleue it the better to there yâ— basyn that is yet all blody of theyr blode Arthur heryÌ„ge and seynge this meruayll hadde so grete abhomynacyon and was soo meuyd at his herte that with payne it can be specyfyed and sayd to hym ¶ Ha ha Olyuer how may there rest so grete cruelte and tyrannye in a maÌ„nes herte as in thyn that hathe slayne thy two chyldren for me that am a straunge man and nothyng of thy kynne Truely I wolde be deed so that it hadde not happened so to the. Olyuer sayd to hym my frende I was theyr fader and seynge that I haue put them to dethe thou arte nothyÌ„ge culpable for it was not at thy request wherfore holde the contente But my ryght loyall felowe there is another thynge for it is nedefull that the departyÌ„ge of vs twayne be made Wherfore I recommende my wyfe vnto the and praye the that thou wylte comforte helpe her For I knowe well that she shall haue grete nede of helpe whan she shall knowe that the whiche is happened All the golde of the worlde sholde not kepe me yf the kynge knewe it Wherfore it is force for me for to departe and go in to suche a place where neuer tydynges shall be herde of me and where as I maye serue god al yâ— remenaunt of my lyfe for to purge my vyces synnes whyles that Olyuer spake to his felowe the lady that had the kepynge of the two chyldren had beÌ„ at Helayne and complayned her strongely of that that she knewe not in what estate the chyldren were and excused her saynge that and there came ony euyll to them that it was by the sayd Olyuer ¶ Of the grete myracle that god dyde to Olyuer for his loyalte in reysyng his two chyldren to lyfe that he hadde slayne Capitulo lxix OLyuer thought that it sholde be a thyÌ„ge in humayne for to se his two chyldren by heded wherfore he wente in to the chambre where as they were for to haue put them in a place where neuer tydynges sholde haue ben herde of them And this wolde he do afore his departynge WhaÌ„ he had lyfte vp to the couerlet he opened the wyndowe that was shytte for to se them more playnly and then he came towarde his chyldren with yâ— teres in his eyen and in castynge his regarde on them he apperceyued that they hadde lyfe and played bothe togyder ¶ Whan Olyuer sawe this myracle for pure Ioye he fell in a swowne to the erthe And whaÌ„ he was arysen he enbraced and kyssed them a M. tymes and theÌ„ne he sayd ¶ O innumerable puyssaunce of god that no man can comprehende I rendre vnto the praysynges thankes of the goodnes that thou hast done to me poore synner in shewynge thy grete pyte and mercye He toke his two chyldren in his armes and lapped them in a clothe all blody And the fyrste that he encountred was his felowe Arthur to whome he sayd Broder reioyse the goo and se the kynge and do so moche that he folowe me to the chyrche that I go to In lyke wyse my wyfe and all them of the courte that ye may fynde Then Olyuer passed forthâ— all alone thrughe the stretes and he dydde soo moche that he came to the cathedrall chyrche of Poules where as he commaunded that all the belles sholde be rongen to the ende that all manere of folke sholde come theder He mounted on hye for to be herde of euery body And then he began for to saye whan he sawe that the kynge was comen and that the chyrche was full of folke Ryght puyssaunt kynge of Englande thou hast maryed thy doughter to a man vnknowen for ye knowe that I neuer reherced to you of my lygnage notwithstandyng thynke that my condycyons be not so hye and soo vertuous as they ought to be and that apperteynethe to my lygnage the whiche is ryall for I am sone of a kynge and of a quene and at this presente tyme kynge of Castyll But neuer syfh the decesse of my fader and that the realme is fallen to me I haue not beÌ„ there But my wyll is nowe for to getheder and make me to be crowned kyÌ„ge and my wyfe quene Wherfore I beseche you noble kynge that ye wyll accompany me and youre daughter theder for it is reason that I retorne better accoÌ„panyed than I came forthe Notwithstandynge that I had taken leue of the ryghte puyssaunce Kynge of Algarbe my faythfull felowe that is there I lefte hym a lettre by the whiche I prayed hym that yf he sawe the water of a glasse that I had lefte hym chaunge his coloure that he sholde put hym in quest after me for I sholde than haue nede of helpe He forgate it not for he loked so moche that he sawe it chaunge and it was at the houre that I was taken in Irlande Whan he apperceyued it he that is a kynge redoubted and regente of Castyll in abydynge of my retorne hathe habandonned landes and possessyons and all other thynges for my loue and all alone without ony company put hym on the waye and made auowe to god that he sholde neuer rest tyll that he hadde herde tydynges of me ¶ How Olyuer afore the kynge of Englande and the other barons of the realme tolde his adâ—entures and meruaylous fortunes Capitulo lxx AFter Olyuer began for to recouÌ„te all the aduentures of Arthur as well of them of the forest as of yâ— other and how that he hadde foughten with the kynge of Irlande four of his knyghtes that helde hym in pryson dyde so moche by force of armes that he dyde vaynquysshe hym and slewe his men And after sayd in this maner contyne wynge by conclusyon By the moyen of my broder loyall felowe Arthur I am delyuered from the place where as I sholde neuer haue yssued out And in
of his countree And whan they were all assembled he made yâ— spousaylles of Arthur and his doughter so grete and so plenteous of all goodes that it coude be noo more And this feest endured a longe tyme. In the whiche whyle tydynges came in to Castylle that the kyng of Chyppres was assyeged of the infydeles and requyred the kynge of castylle of helpe and socoure and also all the other crysten prynces Whan this tydynges came to the knowlege of the yonge prynce the kynges sone he made a requeste to his fader that he wolde gyue hyÌ„ leue and ayde for to goo to the whiche he accorded and gaue hym a grete armye but he retorned neuer after agayne as treateth more at longe the cronycles of Castylle For after that he hadde delyuered the realme of Chyppres of theyr enemyes he wente in to Turky where as he conquered dyuers realmes that he made for to be Crystenned And yf that he had not deyed yonge he had ben a man for to haue conquered the moost parte of the worlde The kynge of Algarbe ledde his wyfe in to his countree And thre yere after his departynge a ryght greuous maladye toke yâ— Kynge of Castylle by the wyll of oure lorde that of these thynges dysposeth at his pleasure and was so syke that Helayne his wyfe as she that abode not but his dethe sente for the kynge of Algarbe the whiche was not so sone arryued but that the kynge of Castyll passed oute of this worlde in grete wepynges and lamentacyons of all his subgectes and frendes and generally of his meÌ„ and all them that knewe hym And whan the tydynges were pronouÌ„ced to Helayne maulgre all them that kâ—â—te her she came to se her lorde that was deed whan she was entred in to the chambre and that she approched the body she escryed on hye A ryght puyssaunt kynge how I se thy fayre face pale by the dethe anguysshous and thy furyous armes affebled and in saynge this she lete her selfe fall vpon the body and she arose neuer after for of doloure her herte dyde breke and deyed Wherby the doloure was redoubled ¶ The poore kynge of Algarbe demeaned so grete dole that it was pyte for to se. And made innumerable lamcÌ„tacyons so moche that it sholde be to longe to recounte it In lyke wyse the quene of Algar became for to see her fader her moder that were deed she made so grete dole that with grete payn she myght be comforted Bothe the deed bodyes were buryed in one tombe the whiche was ryght pyteous to beholde ¶ How Olyuers sone deyed in turky how Arthur was kynge of Englande and of Castylle Ca. lxxvii SOne after that the grete dole had beÌ„ in Castylle Olyuers sone that atte yâ— tyme was theyr kyÌ„ge was enprysonned by some â—â—rasyns in yâ— marches of Turky but that was not but that aâ—ore his prysonynge he had beÌ„ crowned of thre realmes that he had conquered and by cause that there was no moo apperteynynge heyres in castyll than yâ— quene of Algarbe Arthurs wyfe they made her quene and crowned her husbande kynge of the countree in doynge to hym fayth and homage ¶ Alytell whyle after came tydynges to the kynge of Castylle and of Algarbe that the Kynge of Englande grandfader of his wyfe was decessed And that the Duke of Glocestre that was cousyn germayne to the Kynge of Englande had made hym to be crowned kynge of the realme Wherfore he sente in to Englande for to knowe and it were by the consente of the noble men of the countree And for to knowe yf that he sholde not be receyued for kynge as reason wolde It was answered to hym nayâ— wherfore he assembled a grete coÌ„pany of folke and with grete puyssaunce came and descended in Englande and dyde so moche by force of armes after dyuers grete bataylles that he that sayd hym kynge was taken and put in pryson where as he neuer yssued oute after After he made hym to be crowned kynge as reason wolde and yâ— Englysshemen receyued hym for theyr lorde and soo he was kynge of Englande of Castylle and of Algarbe also he was kynge of one of the realmes of Irlande The surplus of his dayes he lyued in grete prosperyte and encreasynge of all goodes He had thre chyldreÌ„ of his wyfe two sones and one doughter that after his decesse they helde his lordshyppes The eldest was kynge of Englande and of Irlande and the other kynge of Castylle and his doughter was maryed to the kynge of Portyngale and he had with her the realme of Algarbe that yet apperteyneth to hym The two sones gouerned well wysely theyr realmes And were redoubted and full dere holden of theyr subgectes and neyghbours After the dethe of the Kynge theyr fader and of the quene theyr moder The surplus of theyr dayes they lyued holyly in seruynge god and the gloryous vyrgyn Marye Then they passed out of this worlde ryght gloryously god for his holy grace haue mercy on theyr soules And gyâ—e gode lyfe and longe and encreasynge of all goodnes vnto all them that this hystorye shall rede or here redde and that wryteth it or maketh it to be wryten and also to all them that shall se it AmeÌ„ ¶ The epylogacyon of the booke The last Ca. ARystotle the phylosophre sayth that the thyÌ„ges yâ— be separed be vnderstoâ—den knoweÌ„ more dystynctely for yâ— whiche cause the table hathe ben made and put in the begynnyÌ„ge of this presente boke for to vnderstaÌ„de it yâ— better And bycause that it sholde seme to dyuers yâ— some passyues of thystorye by symplytude of impossylyte ought not to be byleued for a trouthe for the meruayll yâ— is sayd To the declaracyon of the passages of thystorye by maner of epylogacyon this laste chapytre is câ—mprysed And to the regarde of Olyuer and Arthur that were so lyke the dyffyculte is not to grete for whan yâ— two chyldren be of one aege and of one felte complexcâ—on hauyng some symylytude of vysage corsage facylly one may be taken for another namely bycauâ—e they be nourysshed togyder spekynge all one langage clothed in seÌ„blable clothes instructe vnder one mayster holdynge and kepynge all one maner of doynge and countenaunce all this rogyder and dyuers other thynges make the them be sayd semblable ¶ To the regarde of the quene that was esprysed of the loue of Olyuer it was but fragylyte naturall of women that foloweth sensualyte agaynst honoure ¶ Touchynge yâ— water of the glasse that ought to â—roubâ—e at Olyuers daunger by this ye must not vnderstande that it was water elementall in his nature but bycause that Olyuer was all vertuous that his vnder standynge was all gyuen to good and to loue god perseuerynge in good and vertuous operacyoÌ„s and fleynge all vyces and synnes god permysed that Arthur had knowlege of yâ— aduersytees happened to Olyuer his felowe by the chaungynge of the water of the sayd glassâ— by the prayer