¶ Here begynneth thystorye of the noble ryght valyaunt worthy knyght Parys and of the fayr VyeÌ„ne the daulphyns doughter of vyennoys the whyche suffred many aduersytees bycause of theyr true loue or they coude enioye the effect therof of eche other IN the tyme of kynge Charles of Fraunce the yere of our lord Ihesu Cryst MCClxxj was in the londe of vyennoys a ryche baron daulphyn and lord of the lond that was named syr Godefroy of alaunson was of the kynges kynrede of fraunce the whiche daulphyn was ryÈt myghty and a grete lord bothe in hauoyr and in landes was a ryght wyse man in so moche that for his grete wysedom he was moche made of bothe of the kynge of fraunce of al the lordes barons of his courte soo that noo thynge was doon in the sayd royame but that he was called therto had to his wyf a moche fayre lady whiche cleped was dame dyane whyche was of so grete beaulte that she was wel worthy dygne to be named after that fayre sterre that men calle dyane that appyereth sheweth a lytel afore the day and also she was replenysshed of all noblenes gentylnes that a lady may or ought to haue The sayd daulphyn thenne and this noble lady dyane were vij yere to gyder wythoute yssue that moche they desyred to haue and prayed our lord bothe nyght day that they myght haue chyldren playsaunt and redy to hys deuyne seruyce and our lord thorugh hys benygnyte herde theyr prayer and after hys playsyr gaf vnto them the viij yere of theyr maryage a ryght fayr doughter for the whyche grete gladnes â— Ioye was made thorugh all the daulphyns londe and the chylde was baptysed with grete honour Ioye in token of grete loue they named hyr vyenne by cause the cyte where she was borne in was called vyenne and thys doughter was delyuerd vnto a noble lady for to be nourysshed wyth hyr the whyche lady was of the sayd cyte and had a lytel doughter of the age of vyenne the whyche was named ysabel so the fayre vyeÌ„ne was nourysshed wyth the same ysabel from hyr tender age vnto many yere after soo grete loue was bytwene them bothe that they called eche other systers the fayre vyenne grewe and encreaâ—ed euer in souerayn beawte gentylnesse so that the renomee of hyr excellent beawte flourysshed not onely thurgh al frauÌ„ce but also thurgh al the Royame of englond other contrees It happed after she was xv yere of age that she was desyred to maryage of many knyÈtes grete lordes at that tyme was in the daulphyns courte emonge many hys knyÈtes a noble maÌ„ of auncyent lygnage of fayr londes the whiche was wel byloued of the daulphyn of alle the lordes of the lande and was called syr Iames thys noble man had a moche fayr sone that had to name Parys hys fader made hym to be taught in al good custommes and whan he was xviij yere of age he was adressed to the dyscyplyne of armes demened hym self so nobly worthely in al maner dedes of chyualrye that wythin a shorte tyme after he was doubed knyght by the hande of the sayd lord daulphyn ¶ Noo fayte of knyghthode ne none aduenture of chyualrye happed after but that he founde hym self at it in soo moche that the renommee of hym ranne thurgh al the world men sayd he was one of the best knyÈtes that myght be founde in ony contree helde hym self ryght clene in armes and lyued chastly Ioyefully had euer aboute hym fowles hawkes and houndes for hys dysporte to alle maner of huntyng suffysaunt ynough for a duc or for an erle and thurgh hys prowesse and hardynes he was acqueynted knowen of many other grete lordes and emonge alle other he was gretely and louyngly acqueynted with a yonge knyght of the cyte of vyenne that hyght Edward and were bothe of one age and moche loued eche other and as two brethern of armes wente euer to gyder there as they knewe ony Ioustyng or appertyse of armes to be had for to gete honour ¶ And wete it wel that besyde theyr worthynes in armes they were good musycyens playeng vpon alle maner Instrumentes of musyke and coude synge veray wel but Parys passed in al ponytes his felowe Edward Notwythstondyng Edward was amerous al redy of a noble lady of the courte of braban but Parys as yet knewe nought of amorouste but not longe after Venus the goddes of loue fyred his thouÈt with the hert vnto a noble yong lady that is to wete the fayre vyenne the daulphyns doughter of vyennoys that was his lyege lord the more he growed toward his flouryng age the more he was esprysed brennyng of her loue for the grrte beaute that was in hyr But Parys thought euer in hys herte that this loue was not wel lykly ne cordable ¶ For he was not of so hyghe lygnage as the noble mayden vyenne was of therfore Parys kept hys loue secrete that none shold perceyue it sauf Edward his trusty felowe to whom he brake shewed his counceyl And the fayre vyenne perceyued not that parys was amerous of hyr nor parys also durst neyther shewe nor say nothynge to hyr of hyt but the more that he sawe hyr the more grewe the fyre of loue within hym self ¶ How Parys and Edward hys felowe played wyth dyuers InstrumeÌ„tes by nyght tofore the chambre of vyenne PArys thenne edward wyth one accorde dysposed them self for to gyue somme melodyous myrthe to the noble mayde vyenne and wyth theyr musycal Instrumentes as recourders they yede by nyght tyme to gyder toward that parte of the castel where as the fayre vyenne laye in hyr chambre and there they sange ful swetely and sowned melodyously theyr musycal Instrumentes and pypes and certeyn the melodye of their songes and the sowne of theyr Instrument was so playsaunt so swete that it passed al other melodye And whan the daulphyn and his wyf the fayre vyenne theyr doughter herde this swete and melodyous sowne as wel of maÌ„s wyces as of dyuers InstrumeÌ„tes they had grete Ioye and took grete playsyr at it had grete desyre to knowe what they were that so grete solace and Ioye made tofore theyr castel and for to wete knowe what they were the daulphyn assygned a day of a feste at the whyche he sente for alle maner mynstrellys in hys londe chargyng theym vpon grete payne that they shold come for to playe before hym and hys barons in hys castel of vyenne â—ohan they were al come they played and sange in theyr best wyse but â—mong them were not fouÌ„de tho mynstrelles that the lord daulphyn sought fore wherof he was sorouful desyred more to knowe what they were than he dyd afore And whan vyenne herde alle the mynstrellys of the bonde that sowned at the feste she sayd to
hym whiche was a fayre thynge to see ¶ And after sent hym to therle of flauÌ„ders whyche receyued hym wyth grete Ioye wyth grete honour fested hym two dayes and delyuerd to hym hys sone in his companye and sente hym to the doulphyn whan the doulphyn knewe theyr comyng he dyd do make redy to receyue hym and whan they were by a day Iourneye nygh vnto vyenne he rode oute wyth moche grete chyualrye receyued them with muche grete Ioye and playsyr eche made grete feste to other whyche were ouer longe to recounte Neuertheles tofore that the doulphyn came to the sone of she duc of bourgoyn hee hys wyf entred in to the chambre of vyenne to whome the doulphyn sayd Fayr doughter it was the play syr of god that I your moder were to gyder vij yere wythoute hauyng ony chylde and in the viij yere our lord comforted vs wyth you in whom we haue al our affectyon For we haue neyther sone ne doughter but onely you ne suppose neuer to haue so we truste that by you we haue one It is trewe â—hot so as god wyl and hath ordeyned we wyl assemble you to a moche honouble maryage the whiche to vs playseth moche for I ensure you the doughter of the Kynge of Fraunce hath moche desyred to haue hym that ye shal haue for god hath endowed hym with so moche good honour as hert of knyght may haue thus to the playsyr of god of the vyrgyn marye we haue made the maryage of the sone of the duke of bourgoyne of you wherfor we praye you that therto ye wyl gyue your good wylle playsyr and also that ye wyl haue the maryage agreable Thenne vyenne ansuerd to hyr fader Honourable fader lord I wote wel that thys that ye entende is for my wele prouffyt But not wythstondyng that I be in age for to marye that in thys maryage I shold receyue honour more than I am worthy Neuertheles I shal not yet be maryed for yf we haue not thys man yf it playse god we shal haue another as good or better And thynke ye not myn honourable lord that I say thys for ony excusacyon but it is sythen xv dayes that I haue be euyl dysposed of my persone the maladye that I haue causeth me to take noo playsyr for to be maryed For I haue auowed vnto god neuer to be maryed to thys man ne to none other as longe as I shal be in thys maladye ¶ Thenne thought the dolphyn that vyenne sayd it for shamefastnes Neuertheles he trauaylled hyr euery day wyth fayre wordes that she shold consente to thys maryage but it auaylled nothyng all that he dyd for the wylle of hir was more in parys than in ony man of the world THenne on the morne the sone of the duc of bourgoyne the sone of the erle of Flaunders entred in to the cyte of vyenne wherof the doulphyn had grete Ioye playsyr and thys feste endured wel fyftene dayes that they dyd no thynge but daunce synge and dyd other dyuers playsyrs and duryng thys feste the doulphyn sayd to the sone of the duke of bourgoyn to th ende that he shold thynke none euyl by cause he abode so longe or he myght espouse hys doughter ¶ Fayr sone I praye you byseche that ye take you to playsyr and Ioye And gryeue you noo thynge of thys longe abydyng here for certayn my doughter is so seke that vnnethe she may speke whyche doth to hyr grete desplaysyr and shame for fayn she wold be out of hyr chambre And thenne the sone of the duc of bourgoyn as he shat mente but good fayth byleued it lyghtly Neuertheles the doulphyn dyd nothyng nyÈt ne day but admonested hys doughter one tyme in fayr wordes and another tyme in menaces but in no wyse he coude make hys doughter to consente And comaunded that she shold nothyng haue but brede water and vyenne abode one day soo in thys manere and al thys dyd the doulphyn to th ende that she shold consente to the maryage and alwaye he dyd to hyr more harme payne vyenne was alwaye more harde and ferther fro hys desyre wherof the doulphyn had moche grete dysplaysyr and not wythoute cause seyng the Doulphyn that hys doughter was soo Indurate he thought that by somme good moyen he wold sende home ageyn the sone of the duc of bourgoyn for he doubted that yf he abode longe that this feat myght be dyscouerd and he gaf to hym fayr Iewellys and after sayd to hym Fayre sone I wyl that ye take noo desplaysyr in that I shal say to you Me semeth wel that at thys tyme this maryage may not goo forth of you and of my doughter for after that I see as me semethe the wylle of god is ferther than I wold at thys tyme For he wyl not that the maryage of you and of my doughter take now effecte wherfore I haue ryght grete desplaysyr in my hert onely for the loue of you Thenne the sone of the duc of bourgoyne seyng that at that tyme he myght doo noo thyng toke leue of the Doulphyn and retorned in to his contree by cause that Vyenne was not in helthe and promysed that assone as he myght knowe that she shold be hool he wold retorne for to accomplysshe the mariage lyke as the doulphyn had promysed to hym ¶ How the doulphyn dyd doo enprysonne vyeÌ„ne by cause that she wold not consente to the maryage to the sone of the duke of bourgoyne AFter certayn dayes that the sone of the Duke of bourgoyn was departed fro the cyte of vyenne the doulphyn for grete desplaysyr that he had dyd do come tofore hym the mayster Iayler of hys pryson and dyd doo make wythin hys paleys a lytel pryson derke and obscure and he dyd do put vyenne and ysabeau in to that pryson and commaunded that they shold haue nothyng to ete but brede and water and one damoysel in whome the dolphyn trusted shold brynge it to them And in thys manere vyenne ysabeau passyd theyr tyme in grete sorowe And thynke not that for thys pryson the hert of vyenne wold in ony wyse consente to the wylle of hyr fader but alway encreaced wyth hyr the wylle toward hir swete frende Parys and wyth swete wordes she comforted ysabeau sayeng My dere suster abasshe you not for thys derkenes for I haue confydence in god that ye shal haue yet moche welthe For my fayr suster It is a moche ryght ful thyng that for the good knyÈt parys whyche for me suffreth so moche payne that I suffre thys for hym and also I say to you that al the paynes of this world be nothyng greuous to me whan I thynke on hys swete vysage And in thys manere that one comforted that other in spekyng alle day of the valyaunte knyght Parys ¶ How the sone of the
for to gete honour I now see you al chaunged syn ye took acqueyntaunce wyth thys bysshop for lothe I were to see you bycome a man of relygyon as I fere he wyl brynge you to and ryght wrothe I am that ye were not at that noble and ryal tournoyment that hath be holden in vyenne for the sake of alle the ladyes of thys londe wherfore dere sone I praye you to take hede to your self that ye lese not your good renommee your worshyp ne the praysyng also that ye gate afore tyme and that ye spende not your yongthe in yoâ—enesse And Parys heryng alle thys ansuerd noo thyng to hys fader but abode stylle pensyfâ—â—ll thynkyng on the beaute of vyeÌ„ne NOw sayth thystorye that as ye haue herde aboue a grete stryf befyl emong the knyghtes aforesayd for the loue of the thre damoyseâ—les afore sayd For the erles sone of Flaundres was gretely wrothe for thys cause wyth the Duc of brennes and had beten hurte sore eche other so that none myÈt make the pees betwyxte theym For eyther of hem mayntened bare oute the beaute of his lady ¶ It happed thenne that fyue knyghtes hardy and valyaunte came forth the whyche sayd that they were redy to fyght and for to proue by force of armes that Florye the dukes doughter of Normandye was the fayrest damoysel of alle the world And Incontynent stert vp fyue other knyghtes that said mayntened that couâ—taunce the kynges syster of englond was the fayrest And forthwyth other v knyghtes rose vp that mayntened and vphelde the beaute of vyenne aboue alle other wymmen in the world in so moche that thys debute cam to the knowleche of the kyng of Fraunce whiche sayd that herof myght growe a grete trouble and dyscorde emong his barons other lordes Soo sente he worde to them that they shold come toward hym and that he shold gyue suche a sentence vpon theyr stryf that they al shold be therof contente the whyche message pâ—â—sed them wel and came 〈◊〉 toward hym assone as they myght And whan they were come tofore the kyng they spake of theyr stryf But anone the kyng ordeyned a Ioustes for the louâ— of the sayd thre ladyes made his mâ—undement that they al shold coâ—e wyth theyr armes and hors for to Iouste the viij day of septembre in the cyte of parys and they that shold do best in armes at that day they shold haue the prys the worshyp of the feste and the lady on whos beaute they helde with shold be reputed and holden for the fayrest damoysel of alle the world The kyng of Fraunce thenne sente worde to the faders of the forsayd thre ladyes prayeng them to come atte same feste and that eyther of them shold brynge wyth hym a present of rychesse the which thre presentes shold be yeuen in the worshyp of their thre doughters to the best doer in armes in token of vyctorye And thus the kyng of englond fyrst sent for hys syster Constauâ—ce a fayre crowne of gold alle sette wyth perlys and precyous stones of grete value The duc of Normandye for loue of hys doughter Florye sente a ryght fayre garlond sette wyth dyuers perlys precyous stones moche ryche and of grete extymacyon And the daulphyn for loue of hys doughter vyenne sente a moche ryche coler of gold al enuyronned wyth precyous stones of dyuers colours the whiche was worth a ryght grete tresour And these thre Iewellys were delyuerd to the kynge of Fraunce The forsayd knyghtes thenne made them redy and apparaylled al thynges accordyng to the Ioustes in ryche araye came al to the cyte of Parys and wete ye wel that in Fraunce was not seen afore that day so grete noblesse of barons and knyghtes as were there assembled for there were the moost hye prynces barons of englond of Fraunce and of Normandye and eyther of them dyd sette al hys wytte and enâ—endement to vpholde and bere oute that they had purposed and sayd and euery baron gaf hys lyuerey that they shold be knowen eche fro other the bruyt renoÌ„me was that my lady constaunce shold haue thonour of that feste for thys that many a fayre and hardy knyght made them redy to mayntene the quarelle of hyr beaulte but neuertheles eyther of these thre partyes hoped to haue the worshyp of the feste parys that was in vyenne the cyte and that wel knewe the grete apparaylle of thys feste took counceyl of Edward hys felawe whether he shold goo to parys or not And Edward counceylled hym to goo thyder so that he wente secretly sayd yf ye goo thyder secretly and yf god gyue you grace that ye gete the worshyp of the feste grete wele good shal come to you therby and yf ye goo and be knowen the. daulphyn and the other lordes shal not preyse you soo moche as they shold yf ye were vnknowen for cause that ye be not of so grete lygnage as they be another is yf ye goo openlÌ„y and that my lady vyenne happeth to haue thonour of the feste by your prowesse she shal nought be sette by consyderyng the other grete lordes that shal be there procedyng your degree yf she gete the worshyp of the feste by a knyght vnknowen the loue and honour shal growe the more in hyr courage toward hym that thus hath doon for hyr sake wherfore I counceyl you to goo thyder in the moost secretest wyse that ye may for my truste is that ye shal gete grete worshyp there and but yf ye goo truste me I shal make my self redy to goo thyder for you For I wyl be lothe to sâ—e the beaulte of my lady vyeÌ„ne to be rebuked At these wordes graunted Parys to goo to the sayd Ioustes and whan he was redy haâ—â— al thynges accordyng to a noble knyght he departed in the secretest manere that he myght toward the cyte of parys whâ—re as the kyng of Fraunce maad grete prouysyon of alle maner metes and of al other thynges necessarye to suche a ryal feâ—te And in the myddes of the cyte of parys he ordeyned the place where the knyghtes shold Iouste and dyd doo make many fayre scaffoldes for the ladyes and damoyselles to be sette on for to be holde the Ioustyng Also he dyd do make thre baners ful fayre and ryche the fyrst baner was whyt and there was wryton vpon hit in letters of gold vyenne doughter to my lord godfroy of alenson daulphyn of vyennoys the second baner was rede and was wryton theron in letters of gold Constaunce the kynges syster of englond The thyrd baner was whyt and in letters of gold was wryton theron Florye doughter to the duc oâ— norâ—andye and these iij baners were pyght vp at the thre cornes of the felde and wete ye that so grete prees was there that the peple took theyr place vpon the scaffoldes ij dayes afore the feste for to see the
is it that ye haue not kepte my chaÌ„bre cloos and shytte For I lacke certayn thynges whyche I wold not gladly lese and haue for them grete dysplaysir To whom hys moder ansuerd My sone by my fayth there neuer entred therin persone but on a tyme whan your fader was seek came my lady dyane and hyr doughter vyenne and whan they had vysyted your fader they wente al aboute for to see thys castel and thenne they entred in to your chamber But I can not thynke that they took ony thyng for they taryed not longe sauf onely vyenne whyche taryed onely allone sauf hyr damoysel by cause she was euyl at ease at hyr hert wherfore my sone I praye you to take noo dysplaysyr And thenne Parys sayd to hym self yf none other theef haue taken it sauf she I shal not be dyscouerd Neuertheles I wote neuer yf Vyenne hath taken it awaye for ony thynge ¶ And after he arayed hym self and cladde hym moche nobly wente to do the reuerence to the daulphyn and to dame Dyane And after to Vyenne theyr doughter And the dolphyn receyued hym moche curtoysly ¶ And the daulphyn demaunded hym tydynges and of many other thynges ¶ And whan the fayre lady Vyenne sawe parys of the grete desyre that she had to see hym and of the grete loue that she bare to hym alle hyr châ—re was coloured lyke a fresshe rose in the monthe of Maye and coude not be contente ne fylled to beholde hyr fayre loue and frende Parys And the more she byhelde hym the more grewe and encreaced hyr loue toward hym ¶ And Parys beyng tofore the dolphyn on his knee moche humbly durst not boke on Vyenne But in hys herte he had grete payne And who had wel by holden hym had wel seen in his vysage hys thought And after that the dolphyn had demaunded hym of that it plased hym Parys took leue of the dolphyn and of my lady dyane of vyenne theyr doughter retorned home to hys faders hous AFter a fewe dayes Vyenne in suche wyse as loue destrayned hyr said to hyr damoysel ysabeau my suster knowe ye for trouth that me semeth that parys is moche pensyf and I byleue that it is for hys thynges whyche he fyndeth not in his oratorye me semeth it is â—este that we lete hym haue knowleche that we haue them Isabeau ansuerd it were wel doon soo but that it be doon honestly and secretely Thenne sayd vyenne I shal aduyse the manere After certeyn dayes vyenne sayd to hyr moder Madame I lete you wete that I am a lytel charged in my conscyence I wold fayn confesse me to somme good persone And it is tolde me that the bysshop of saynt laurence is a moche honest man deuoute wherfore madame I praye you to sende for hym that I myght speke wyth hym And my lady dyane seyng the good wylle of hyr doughter sente for to fetche the bysshop And vyenne confessyd hyr to hym moche deuoutely spekyng alwaye of our lord of hys commaundementes after that she was confessyd she prayed the bysshop that he wold come ageyn on the morne for she fonde grete comforte in his wordes that she wold telle hym somme thynges in grete secrete And on the morne the bysshop came ageyn to vyenne vyeÌ„ne sayd to hym thus My ghoostly fader somme thynges haue been taken away in a place the whiche longen to parys sone of messyre Iaques And the persone that hath them hath therof conscyence And therfore I praye you as moche as I may that by your benygnyte ye say to hym that yf he may he come to morne hyther wyâ—h you the bysshop whyche aduysed hym noo thyng of thentencyon and thought of vyeÌ„ne said that he shold brynge hym wythoute faute ¶ How vyenne dyscouuerd hyr courage to Parys ON the morne the bysshop came moche dylygently brought parys wyth hym And vyenne salewed parys wythoute to make ony semblaunte of loue and parys rendred hys salewes â— ageyn moche humbly And thenne Vyenne wythdrewe hyr fro the bysshop and the other and said to parys It is not longe sythe ye were goon in to braband and that I accompanyed my lady my moder for to goo vysyte your fader whyche thenne was seek we sawe and byhelde al the castel vntyl we came to your oratorye there I sawe certayn Iewellys whyche moche wel pleased me and I took them haue kepte them vntyl thys present tyme And I shal now rendre them to you ageyn therfor I praye you that yf I haue doon ony dysplaysyr or maad ony defaulte that ye wyl pardonne me for I promyse to you by my fayth that I haue doon it for none euyl To whome parys answerd humbly and wyth grete reuerence sayd moche curtoysly Madame by your curtosye ye came to vysyte my fader of whyche vysytacyon not onely my fader but allÌ„e our frendes haue receyued grete souerayn honour wherfore myn excellent lady my fader my moder and I been alle youres and alle that we haue also And yf by aduenture your ladyshyp had ony playsyr to take of my Iewellys I ensure you by my fayth that myn hert hath therin moche gretter playsyr thaÌ„ hert of man may thynke and yet more shold haue yf the sayd Iewellys were better the half than they be Soo thenne I praye you ryght honourable damoysel that ye wyl pardoÌ„ne me For not al onely these Iewelles whyche been of lytel valewe but my fader my moder and I been al youres and al redy to obeye to your seruyce and knowe ye verayly that it is not longe sythen that the sayd Iewels were by a frensshe knyght gyuen to me THenne sayd Vyenne ye nede not to say to me fro whens these Iewels ben comen For I knowe them as wel as ye And vyenne sayd I meruaâ—â—le me gretely how ye so longe haue hydde your loue fro me I praye you as moche as I may and by the fayth that ye haue toward me that ye say to me the trouthe of that whyche I shal demaunde you for moche I desyre it to knowe ¶ Thenne sayd Parys ryght honourable damoysel ye ought not to praye me where ye haue power to commaunde me For alle that your ladyshyp shal plese to demaunde me I shal say to you the trouth wyth good hert good wylle Thenne sayd vyenne I wyl fyrst that ye say the trouthe that yf ye were he that in suche a yere cam euery nyght syngyng and sownyng Instrumentes so swetely tofore my chambre After I wyl that ye telle me yf ye waÌ„ne the Iustes that were made the fyrst day of may in this cyte And yf ye bare awaye the shelde of crystal and the chapeâ—let whyche I haue seen in your oratorye After I wyl that ye say to me yf ye wanne the Iustes the xviij day of septembre whyche were made in the cyte of parys where as were so
sayd parys to his fader the prayer that I praye requyre you is that it playse you to say to the dolphyn that he gyue to me hys doughter to wyf and in maryage And I humbly byseche you that herein ye wyl not faylle me messire Iaques heryng hys sone thus speke almoost he was fro hym self for the grete folye that he sayd to hym he sayd in repreuyng hym that he neuer shold speke more of that fayte for he wold not deye for hys doughter and that he shold demaunde of hym somme other thynge for it were grete folye to speke to hym of suche a thynge And parys sayd worshypful fader as moche peryllous is it to me as to you therfor I am not abasshed thugh ye reffused to doo it But loue enforceth and constreyneth me so strongely that I am half confused and am as wel contente that he do it not as to doo it but that ye do your deuoyr onely and so longe parys prayed hys fader that be promysed hym to doo it ¶ How messire Iaques demauÌ„ded of the doulphyn hys doughter vyenne in maryage for hys sone Parys THenne went messire Iaques to the dolphyn all chaunged of colour and sayd to hym My ryght redoubted and souerayn lord a certeyn requeste is made to me whyche I must say vnto you the whiche me semeth is of passyng lytel reason and therfore it must be at your mercy and in caas ye fynde therin dysplaysyr that ye pardonne me and to take noo regarde to my grete folye The doulphyn trustyng in the grete wysedom of messire Iaques grauÌ„ted hym to say what someuer he wold Thenne sayd messire Iaques Myn hye and souerayn lord Parys my sone hath prayed me so moche that I shold requyre of you vyenne your doughter to be hys wyf the whiche thynge is not onely to say but also to thynke grete presumpsyon and grete folye but the loue of my sone constrayneth me soo strongely that by force I must say it to you And sodeynly the doulphyn was moeued in grete felonnye and wold not suffre hym to ende hys wordes but repreued hym moche hardly sayeng vylayne vassal that thou arte how kepest thou my worshyp by god I shal wel chastyse you that ye shal neuer thynke suche thynges and comaunded hym that Incontynent he shold departe thens and that neuer bene hys sone shold come in hys syght wherfore messire Iaques departed thens moche rebuked holdyng doun hys heed and retorned in to hys hous tolde to hys sone Parys al that had be sayd and doon bytwene hym the Doulphyn wherof Parys thanked moche hys fader THe doulphyn wente in grete thouÈt thurgh the paleys hauyng grete Indygnacyon and alle angry in soo moche that none durst speke to hym ne come in his waye and he beyng thus in thys manere he sente for his doughter vyeÌ„ne made hyr to come to hym and sayd to hyr we haue had wordes of grete dysplaysyr Thys vyllayne messyre Iaques hath sayd to vs that we shold gyue you to wyf and in maryage to hys sone Parys Aduyse you what wysedom it were by god or that I shold do it I wold rather make you a nonne or a menchon it shal not be longe to but that ye shal be hyely maryed so that ye shal holde you condeâ—â—e here I swere to you that yf it were not for the grete seruyces that he hath doon to me Incontynent I shold do smyte of hys hede whan vyenne sawe hyr fader in so grete angre ayenst messyre Iaques hys sone she sente for to seche Edward for to come speke to hyr whan Edward was come Vyenne sayd to hym Edward it is soo that my fader is moche angry ayenst messire Iaques ayenst parys wherof I haue grete dysplaysyr haue grete doubte that my fader wyl do somme harme to Parys therfore I wyl that ye say to hym that he kepe hym self in the moost secretest wyse that he may and I shal also see the manere yf I may appease his felonnye and angre Thenne edward Incontynent took leue of vyenne went sayd to paris all that vyenne had sayd to hym sayd fayr brother me semeth that it were good that ye departed oute of this contrey for to absente you for a space of tyme For it may be that to the doulphyn shal longe endure hys angre as I vnderstonde by that whyche vyenne hath sayd to me Thenne ansuerd Parys sythe that ye haue counceylled me soo I shal so do not wythstondyng that it shal be to me a sorouful an heuy departyng but er I departe I shal take leue of Vyenne though I shold deye THenne Parys dyd soo moche that he spake vnto vyenne on a derke nyght at a lowe wyndowe where as they myght wel say what they wold I am certeyn sayd vyenne that my fader hath wylle to hurte you wherof I lyue in grete melancolye For in al the world is no thynge that I loue so moche as you yf by aduenture ye deye I wyl not lyue Thenne sayd parys hâ—nourable lady it semeth me beste that I departe fro hens a certeyn tyme tyl my lord your fader be more peased hath passed hys euyll wylle how be it that it shal be to me a moche sorouful thynge to wythdrawe me fro you For my lyf shal be moche heuy Neuertheles I shal acâ—omplysshe your wylle in alle that ye shall commaunde me what someuer come therof And vyeÌ„ne seyng the good wylle of parys after many wordes she sayd to hym Parys my frende I knowe well the grete loue that ye bere to me sythe it so is I swere to you by my fayth that ye shal neuer departe fro thys cyte wythoute that I goo wyth you For it is my wylle wherfore assone as ye may make you redy of al thynges necessarye and fynde ye the manere that we may escape oute of the royame of fraunce and that we may goo in to somme other lordshyppe where as we may lyue Ioyously and surely Neuertheles tofore or we departe from hens I wyl that â—e promyse two thynges The fyrst is that ye touche not my body vnto the tyme that we be lawfully maryed The second is that ysabeau parte in al the goodes that we shal haue and other thynge wyl I not as for thys present tyme but that onely our departyng may be shortely and I shal pourueye somme Iewels money for our necessyte and al thys Parys promysed to hyr and eche departed fro other for tadresse suche thynges as to them shold be necessarye WHan Parys was departed fro vyenne he wente to a man named george and sayd to hym George my frende alwaye I haue trusted in you and haue alwaye loued you wherfore I praye you now that to thys that I shal say you ye faylle me not for I promyse you ye shal not lese therby and George promysed to hym to doo al that shal be
and mantellys and towellys WHan al was redy parys wente to the kepars of the pryson and sayd I thanke you many tymes of the playsyrs that ye haue doon to me I wyl now departe fro hens for to retorne to my lord the souldan but for your loue I wyl soupe wyth you thys nyght and praye yow that we may soupe to gyder they ansuerd that it wel pleased them for his loue Thenne Parys sente for the vytayll for the wyn and after it was come they souped to gyder And the kepars which had not been accustomed to drynke wyn dranke so moche that they alle were dronke Incontynent lâ—yed them doun to slepe slepte so faste that for noo thyng they coude not awake them whan parys sawe that he sayd to the freres that they shold vnfeter the doulphyn that they shold opene the yates of the pryson yf ony of the kepars awake I shal slee hym Thenne the freres began to vnfetere the doulphyn wyth grete drede prayeng god to be theyr ayde and helpe And whan the doulphyn was loos he cladde hym lyke a moure After Parys slewe alle the kepars one after another by cause yf they awoke they shold not come after them THys doon the doulphyn wyth parys and his varlet and the two freres camen to the porte and hastely entred in to the fuste which was al redy and wonde vp theyr saylle and by the helpe of god began so fast to saylle that wyth in fewe dayes they arryueden in a place that thenne was crysten and there the doulphyn wente a londe by cause he was moche greued and annoyed as wel of the see as for the harme that he had suffred in pryson and there borowed money and fro thens came in to cypres where was a kyng whyche had dwellyd in the courte of the kyng of fraunce The whiche as sone as he knewe that the doulphyn of vyennoys was come he went to mete hym and prayed hym that he wold come and lodge in hys paleys And the doulphyn wente thyder wherof the kyng had grete Ioye there he made hym grete chyere for many tymes they had seen eche other in the kynges court of Fraunce and after the kyng demaunded hym of his aduenture the doulphyn recounted it to hym al alonge and bycause of the comyng of the doulphyn he made moche grete feste and receyued hym moche hyely and made hym to soiourne there as longe as it playsed hym And whan the doulphyn had sojourned there at his playsyr he took leue of the kyng and of al hys courte thankyng hym moche of the grete playsyr that he had doon to hym The kyng seyng that the doulphyn wold departe he gaf to hym grete yeftes and dyd do arme two galleyes whyche accompanyed hym and brought hym vpon the see and had soo good wynde that in fewe dayes after they brought hym in to aygues mortes WHan the doulphyn was arryued the knyghtes of the doulphyne herde it anone and forthwyth maad them redy went to horsback mette wyth hym at aygues mortes there receyued hym in grete honour so came forth the ryÈt waye to vyenne and for Ioye of hys comyng al they of the cyte made a moche noble and meruayllous feste whyche endured wel fyftene dayes the playsyr Ioye was so grete emonge them by cause they had recouuerd theyr lord that noo man shold and coude haue thought it Parys in alle this wyse neuer chaunged hys vesture ne clothyng but contynuelly wente to masse and by the commaundement of the doulphyn the people dyd hym grete reuerence honour so moche that parys was ashamed therof and spake noo thynge but mouryske And he had a grete berde and made to noo persâ—ne of the world ony knowleche and after a whyle of tyme the doulphyn for taccomplysshe that he had promysed to parys by the frere dyd do say to parys and do demaunde yf he wold haue the seygnourye of hys londe and contree For he was al redy for taccomplysshe that whyche he had promysed And Parys made to hym ansuer that he shold kepe stylle hys londe Thenne the doulphyn dyd do demauÌ„de hym yf he wold haue hys doughter vyenne and parys made the frere to say ye for that pleased hym wel And thenne they wente to hyr ¶ Thenne whan they were tofore Vyenne the frere spake first Madame ye knowe wel that my lord your fader hath ben a grete whyle in pryson and yet shold haue been ne had haue been thys moure whyche hath saued hym puttyng hys persone in ryght grete peryl and daunger for the loue of my lord your fader And thus ye may wel knowe how moche he is holden to hym by cause herof your fader is subget to hym euer wherfore your fader prayeth you that vpon al the playsyr that ye wyl doo for hym that ye wyll take hym for your husbond And he shal pardonne all the desplaysyr that euer ye dyd to hym whan the frere had fynysshed his wordes vyenne ansuerd to hym sayeng The bysshop of saynt laurence knoweth wel that is here present that it is longe syth that yf I â—â—old haue be maryed I myght haue ben maryed wyth more honour vnto my fader than vnto this moure for the sone of the duc of borgoyne had espoused me yf I wold haue consented but god hath put me in suche a maladye that I may not longe lyue in this world euery day my maladye encreaceth so enpayreth me that I am half roten wherfor I praye you to say to my fader that he holde me excused for at thys tyme I wyl not be maryed Thenne they took theyr leue of vyenne recounted alle thys to the doulphyn TheÌ„ne the doulphyn sayd to the frere that he shold say it to the moure so the frere tolde it al to parys and thenne parys which was aferde to lese the loue of vyenne wente for to see hyr in the pryson with the frere the bysshop of saynt laurence Thenne whan Parys sawe vyenne in that dysposycyon he had moche grete sorowe grete merueylle and thenne he made the frere to salewe hyr in hys name and vyenne ansuerd vnto hys gretyng ryght curtoysly the frere sayd in the name of parys Madame ye knowe wel I haue delyuerd your fader oute of pryson wherof ye ought to haue synguler playsyr yet he shold haue been there yf I had not haue been and holpen hym oute he pardonneth you with good hert and good wylle alle the desplaysyrs that euer ye dyd ageynst hys playsyr And prayeth you that ye take me for your husbond and wyll that we haue the lordshyp of the doulphyne and therfor I praye you that neyther ye nor I lose not thys honour ¶ And yet more though thys were not ye ought not to dysobeye the commaundementes of your fader ¶ And thenne vyenne ansuerd to the frere
and kysse hym moche swetely and there they comforted eche other wyth swete wordes so abode longe tyme vyeÌ„ne coude not ynough kysse hym enbrace hym and also parys demaunded of hyr of hyr aduenture she tolde hym alle And of alle thys ysabeau had nothyng herde of for she was faste a slepe by cause she had watched alle the nyght byfore and for the grete Ioye and swetenes that parys vyeÌ„ne demeaned bytwene them she awoke and whan she sawe vyenne beyng enbraced with the moure she sayd Madame what is thys that ye do haue ye loste your wytte that so enbrace this moure hath he enchaunted you that ye suffre hym soo famylyer wyth you and is this the fayth that ye kepe to parys for whom ye haue suffred so moche payne sorowe and vyenne sayd Swete suster say ye noo suche wordes but come take your parte of the solace that I haue for also wel haue ye founden good aduenture as I haue See ye not here my swete parys whome so moche we haue desyred Thenne ysabeau approched ner to hym byhelde hym wel and sawe that it was parys and she wente kyssed hym demened so moche grete Ioye bytwene them thre that there is noo persone in the world that myght say ne thynke it but so abode a grete whyle in thys soulas and Ioye tyl atte laste parys spack Swete vyenne it byhoueth that we goo hens tofore my lord the dolphyn your fader For now fro hens forth it is necessarye that he knowe alle our fayte Neuertheles I praye you to say nothyng tyl I desyre you and al thre came oute of the pryson and sonde the frere whyche meruaylled gretely and alle they to gydre wente to the doulphyn whyche had souerayn playsyr whan he saw them And neuertheles he was moche abusshed how his doughter was so come and thenne parys sayd to the frere Say ye to the doulphyn that I haue conuerted hys doughter to hys wylle and to myn that it playse hym that she be my wyf the frere sayd soo Thenne the doulphyn sayd to hys doughter wyl ye take thys man for your husbond whyche hath delyuerd me oute of pryson in grete peryl of hys persone Thenne demaunded vyenne of Parys yf he wold that she shold speke and parys sayd ye And thenne Vyenne sayd to the doulphyn My fader I am redy to do your commaundement and hys and praye you to pardonne me to gyue to me your benedyctyon and whan she sayd thus hyr fader pardonned hyr and gaf to hyr hys blessyng kyssed hyr Thenne sayd vyenne loo here is my good frende Parys whome I haue so moche desyred and for whome I haue suffred so moche payne sorowe and fader thys is he that so swetely songe and floyted and that wanne the Ioustes in thys cyte and bare with hym the shelde of crystal and my garlonde also thys is he that wanne the Ioustes in the cyte of paris and wan there the thre baners wyth the iij Iewellys and went awaye with them wythoute knowyng of ony man And also he hath delyuerd you out of pryson puttyng hys lyf in Ieopardye for you and whan the doulphyn vnderstood al thys he was meruayllously glad and Ioyous After al thys parys went to his fader whan he sawe hym and knewe that he was hys sone parys whome he had so longe desyred to see he enbraced hym kyssed hym for the Ioye that he had he coude not speke a word and after alle the other lordes knyghtes ranne for tembrace kysse hym and after this Ioye Parys fader sayd to the doulphyn ¶ My lord playse it you that I may borowe my sone home to my hous for to see his moder and hys felowe Edward ¶ Thenne sayd the doulphyn it playseth me ryght wel onely for thys day For to morn I wyl that the maryage of hym my doughter be made solempnysed here And thenne messyre Iaques wente with hys sone vnto hys hous And whan he was there verayly his fader his moder and hys felowe Edward wyst not where they were for Ioye and playsyr that they had and that was noo wonder for they had no moo chyldren but hym and he shold wedde the doughter of their lord and also Parys was in that tyme become a valyaunte knyght and ful of al beaulte and for many reasons it was no meruayll though they had in hym grete Ioye and playsyr Edward demaunded of hym of hys aduenture many other thynges And he recounted and tolde hym alle ¶ How Parys espoused and wedded vyenne and of the feste that was there made THenne on the morn the dolphyn gaf his doughter in maryage to parys And the feste was moche noble and sumptuous For moche peple were comen thyder for to see the feste and it endured fyftene dayes And the playsyr and solace whyche was doon for the loue of Parys and of vyenne was soo grete that vnnethe it may be byleued whyche parys and Vyenne lyued to gyder a grete whyle in ryght grete consolacyon and playsyr but after thaccomplysshement of the maryage the fader and moder of parys lyueden not longe after in thys world and Parys had by Vyenne hys wyf thre chyldren that is to wete two sones one dâ—ughter And the doulphyn ordeyned for them moche noble matrymonye And parys after the deth of hys fader and his moder wold that Edward hys dere felowe shold be herytyer of al the goodes that hys fader lefte and gaf to hym ysabeau to hys wyf whyche lyued to gyder longe tyme in grete loue and concorde And sone after the doulphyn hys wyf deyeden And thenne was Parys doulyhyn and had the possessyon of al the seygnourye the whyche lyued wyth vyenne in thys world fourty yere and ledde a good and holy lyf in so moche that after thentendement of somme men they be sayntes in heuen they deyed bothe in one yere And semblably Edward and ysabeau deyed bothe tweyne in one yere Therfore late vs praye vnto our lord that we may doo suche werkes in this world that in suche wyse we may accompanye them in the perdurable glorye of heuen Amen ¶ Thus endeth thystorye of the noble and valyaunt knyght parys and the fayr vyenne doughter of the doulphyn of Vyennoys translated out of frensshe in to englysshe by Wylliam Caxton at westmestre fynysshed the last day of August the yere of our lord MCCCClxxxv and enprynted the xix day of decembre the same yere and the fyrst yere of the regne of kyng Harry the seuenth ¶ Explicit ê‘ Caxton