if youre right excelleÌ„t beaute draweth to iour loue the corages of straÌ„ge prices for ye be adressid in all bountees the moost fayr creature and the moste discrete that god and Nature euer fourmed The right most ê‘fayt that is ough where hou shold it be thenÌ„e but if ye were belouyd of alle folke Certes ye are worthy that the ayer be replenisshid with callinges and of voyses cryeng after you and requyreng youre grace mercy Ha aye that be so moche excellent and vertuous That alle my thoughtes and ymaginacioÌ„s ben torned and gyueÌ„ to you that ar of so moche hye valour Not wistanding j shall not absteyne me to loue youre noble ê‘sone For j shalle the better prospere be of the more value ¶ In suche or semblable wordes the preu jasoÌ„ passid the moste ê‘te of the night vnto morn erly the daye apperid fair and cleer And anoâ—â—â—â—ter in short time after the deth of 〈◊〉 corfus Iason and the syrien â—â—doubed them and assemblid them of the cyte to fore the palays of the quene Mirro and than whaÌ„ jason sawe knewe that his people were sette iÌ„ ordenaÌ„ce he wente vnto the fayr mirro said to her â— this manere Madame praye ye for your knight the whiche aboue alle thiÌ„g desireth that he migght doo that thiÌ„g that might be to you right agreable prouffitable to you and your cyte Certes right excellent and vaillanÌ„t knight answere the quene myrro ye ar moche preysed and hygly recomÌ„ended of my menÌ„ And for so moche j praye you that in this iourneye ye haue goode corage for to defeÌ„de mi quarele whiche is goode iuste And as to the regarde of my selfe I put myn Armee and my men vnder the coÌ„duy te of youre preudhoÌ„mye and your wyâ—â—oÌ„ Prayng vnto the goddes that they wille make youre fortune to shine clere and tenhauÌ„se my godde quarele ¶ How by the hye vailliauÌ„ce of jason the king of sklauonye his ooste were discoÌ„fited him self stain to fore Oliferne Thus as the nobie quene spack admonestid the worthy knight jason his meÌ„ to do wel fighte vayliantly in defending her iuste good quarele jason began to beholde her so ardaÌ„tli that she was ashamed hou wel that she as wyse discrete helde honeste manere than the noble jason after theleue and congye taken as well of her as of the ladyes and damoyselles departed froÌ„ the palays with grete bewailinges and mounted on his hors But there were many of the ladyes and damoiselles of the court that began to bewepe hym prayng vnto the goddes to gyue hâ— good auenture And they sayd onâ— vnto an other that it sholde be grete dominage yf tohiâ—â— came one fortune other thenÌ„e goode that they had neuer seen none so courtoys ne so gracyous and that he was the veray sourdre and welle of noblesse Anone thenÌ„e as the noble preu jason was on hors bak he sette his meÌ„ in ryght fayr ordonanÌ„ce and after sette hem on the waye toward the felde And the peple by all the waye that he passed knelid doun to fore hym prouoqued the goddes vnto his ayde and helpe And thenÌ„e whaÌ„ he was comeÌ„ ito the felde he assembled all his folke and putte hem in fayt ordonaÌ„ce of batayle And thenÌ„e whaâ—â— he had requyred theÌ„ instaÌ„tly and amonested theÌ„ to doo well he dide doo marche theÌ„ ayeÌ„st their enemyes which abode them a fote rengid and right well ordeyned At the meuyng Iason dide doo so wne trompettis tabours and cornessatasins buysines other instrumeÌ„ts so melodiousâ—y that hit semed that they hadde goonÌ„ vnto a wedding or mariage or somÌ„me grete feste And thus tryumphing of one hye wille medlyd with Ioye desiring to doo well Reioysing them self singulerly in the vayllianÌ„ce and goode conduyte of the right worthy and noble knight Iason they approched in suche wise theyr mortell ennemyes that they began to couche their goode speris and begynne the stonr And in that same tyme as the kiÌ„g of sclauonye helde his meÌ„ in araye a meruayllous grete Rauen cam fleyng ouer his hede cryeng right horribly INcontinent as the king of Escla uonye herde suche a crye he begaÌ„ to tremble for Ire be in a grete agonye loked after the rauen sayde O ouer hard and trembling hope This maketh me to entre iÌ„ to frenesye For this fowle is messager of the deth or of right euyll auenture and this is an euyll signe for I fele my vaynes all voide of blood Ha a midere lady what shall I nou doo Certes j shal neuer put me to reproche for to flee I hadde leuer deye aÌ„d lete here my lyf than euer shold be rehersed to yow of me ony dishones te tydynges Certes alle they that were tho aboute him werÌ„ fore abasshid not withoute cause But neuertheles they reconforâ—ed theÌ„ self the best wyse they might and anon was made thaÌ„ on bothe â—â—desameruaylloê° crye with which they marched that one ayeÌ„st that other And began by the archers aÌ„d arblasters the batayll so aspre that the Ayer was derked and obscurid with the quarels and arowes stones that fle we so thikk aÌ„d made with their Cryes a grete bruyt right meruayllons THe vayllyaunt knight Iason was in the formest froÌ„te of his people holding his bo we in hys haÌ„d wher with he lete flee Arowes vpon his ennemyes largeli But atte last the shotte lassed And whan Iaso sawe that â–ª he sâ—eâ—te vpon his horse aÌ„d toke hys â—held and his spere Inescryeng Oliferne by thâ—e tymes and smote hys horâ— with his sporis thrested â—to the mid des of his enemyes so swiftly that prusus ne the syriens coude not folowe him at the begynning ThenÌ„e whan hit cam to breking of speris The king of toscane aÌ„d the king of bongye knewe him anonÌ„ wherfore they ranÌ„ ayenst him sayng that they wolde auenge the deth of the siâ—oÌ„g geant corfus And bothe vaylliauÌ„â—y him tronchonyg their speris vpon his shelde withoute endomagyng his shelde but hit is well to beleue that the noble pren jason failled not at this first cours for he smote the king of bongye by suche radeur that he lefte hym oute of his arsonÌ„s and bare him there vnto the erthe And so passid forth and thenÌ„e cam agaynst him the king of Poulane but that was to his euyl helthe For jasons spere trauersid his shelde hys hauberk the body alle to breking his spere And thenÌ„e cam on vnto the bataylle Prusus accompanyed of his knyghtes That meruaillously mayntened them self in ensewing the faytes of jason and thus began one and other to shewe them self with ryght grete effusion of blood on bothe partyes But moche more of theâ— of Esclauonye thenÌ„e of theÌ„ of Oliferne Incontinent that the noble Iason had broken hys spere he gryped in his haÌ„d his good swerd that was clere and trenchaunt And pretending that meÌ„ shold speke of
their felaws deye so with sorow â—fore theÌ„ feling also the laÌ„guisshiÌ„g â—â—artif of their wouÌ„des somÌ„e there were that put heÌ„ to the flight the other deffeÌ„ded theÌ„ with all their puyssauÌ„ce Than the noble jasoÌ„ she wid his vailliaÌ„ce meruayllousli for he araught nomaÌ„ with a right strook but he bare him douÌ„ to the erthe or made his sowle deê‘te fro the body they that abode sawe his swerd treÌ„chauÌ„t wexe rede of the bloode of their felawes were not right well assewred Certes he defeÌ„ded hiÌ„ as one that doubted nothing so dyde Hercules â—e blably What shal â— make you loÌ„â— ê“cesse jasoÌ„ slewe with his ownÌ„e haÌ„d iiij geaÌ„ts of the sayde centaures named Petreê° do illas cillarê° Pertones other moo which were not so grete the worthy herculesâ—â—ewe hewe douÌ„ moo thaÌ„ tretty somoche trauailled by the ayde of jason other that he whaÌ„ the place vpoÌ„ theÌ„ caÌ„ to his aboue This euricê° his ê¯plices lost the place supposed to haue fledde but jasoÌ„ smo thaÌ„ amoÌ„g theÌ„ 〈◊〉 suche ardauÌ„t corage iÌ„ discharging his swerde vpon the sholdre on the right syde of euricê° that hit câ—tted a two his herte whiche fylledâ—â— dede at is feet wherfore the other seeyng that werÌ„ anoÌ„ so discoraged that they sparklid abrode that the moste ê‘te of theÌ„ suffrid lete heÌ„ be slayn heweÌ„ in pieces without makiÌ„g or shewing ony deffeÌ„ce the other fledde soÌ„me here soÌ„methere Thê° was the fayr Ipodaine deliured of these vilaiÌ„ glotouÌ„s oultrageoê° by the hye vail lyance of the two worthy knihgtiâ— jasoÌ„ hercules Whome aft this noble victorye they reÌ„drid deliured vnto her pareÌ„ts and fredes Grete was the loos preissiÌ„g meruailloussy that jasoÌ„ gate there with the noble hercules for his â—tue certes Hercules brought her agayn to the palais with grete glorie all the world recomÌ„ended jasoÌ„ reseruid peleus which deyde for sorou for the grete worship that was made to hiÌ„ iÌ„ his pÌ„sece ThenÌ„e begaÌ„ the ladies to reioie theÌ„ self to chanÌ„ge their sorou ito gladnes The fayr jpodaine was aourned arayed all newe she slepte that nyght with her lordre The night passyâ—â—â— peleus on the mornÌ„ callid jasoÌ„ sayd that their long soiournyng displaisid hiÌ„ that he wol de retorne vnto his coÌ„treye WhaÌ„ jason had vndstaÌ„de peleê° he aÌ„swerd to hiÌ„ sayd that he was redy to deê‘te at his goode plaisir ThenÌ„e peleê° mad for to sadle his hors â— the mene while he ladd jasoÌ„ for to take ê¯gie leue of the king y xionÌ„ of pirithyoÌ„ of Y podaine of hercules of many other â— after they retorned ito their logyse but whaÌ„ they supposed to haue takeÌ„ mouÌ„ted on their horses 〈◊〉 esquyers caÌ„ to jasoÌ„ which pÌ„sented to 〈◊〉 ij right fayr exelleÌ„t destriers or horses that one froÌ„ the kiÌ„g yxioâ—â— that oth froÌ„ jpodaine certes jasoÌ„ receyuid this present in greâ—e gladnes thaÌ„king many tyme the noble kiÌ„g quene thenÌ„e he me â—ted on that one of the same horâ—â— offrid that other to his vncle peleê° but he wolde neuer accepte hit sayd that he was not digne ne worthy to receiue so noble a pÌ„seÌ„t whaÌ„ he had thê° sayd he smote his hors with spores deê‘ted jasoÌ„ folowed aft Certes peleê° lyed not sayÌ„g that he was not worthy to receyue so noble a pÌ„seÌ„t as that was which jasoÌ„ pÌ„seÌ„ted hiÌ„ For he was a traitre to jasoÌ„ which enteÌ„ded to nothiÌ„g but for to do to hiÌ„ plasir o cursid blood certes this peleê° might not res te ne slepe he was so pensif how he might briÌ„g aboute to make jasoÌ„ his ê“pre neveu to deye to this ê“mouid hiÌ„ eÌ„uye disâ—oyal detractioÌ„ wherof he was full Ha a right miserable right disnaturell eÌ„uye hou maye these noble meÌ„ also other nourisshe the iÌ„ their hertes They that eÌ„cline gyue theÌ„ vnto these traytroê° meuiÌ„ges may in no maner haue rest daye ne night thou liftest heÌ„ vp ito hye thoughtes of glie thou makestheÌ„ to mouÌ„te vnto the hiest toppe bi oultrÌ„ qdauÌ„ce surâ—drie aboue kiÌ„g eÌ„ê‘ours ê“mising to heÌ„ largeli but whaÌ„ hit cometh for tacquite the ê“messes thou castest hem lowe doun brekest their neckes ¶ Ha a ê‘uerse murdrer howe many men also women haue ben slayn ded by thy poysoÌ„s it is now no nede for to bringe forth example of this tyme present for to approue thy couerd falsenes how thou ab usest deceyuest them that haue affiance in the but for to coÌ„tinue our mater with this hit suffiseth for to see th eÌ„de of our historie of this saide peleê° which gaf him to somoch trauaile for â—o ymagine proiecte the deth of his nevewe jason which so moche affied trusted in hym ¶ How jason went for to serue the quene Myrro and how the king of Sklauonye was vaynquishid and chaced fro his siege p Eleus and jason departed thaÌ„ fro Thessalonyque in a morening that one right triste sorowfull And that other right Ioyous whan they were on the selde Iason as fresshe lusty began to proue essaye his hors peleus as sorowfull trayttre as he was began to abasshe and haÌ„ge doun his heed syn sayde to hym self in his euyl corage Shal I neuer come to my desir what is this how shal I do certes I wote neuer shal I murdre jason nay wherfore for treuly for asmoch as I sholde be ensamed for murdre cannot be hyd not withstoÌ„ding he must be ded certainly this is the coÌ„clusion or ellis I shal be put dounÌ„ leue the honourâ— royal and shal come to mendicite and pouerte O what mortall payne shall j make him to deye it is force but who shal gyue him the morsel of deth Hit must be thought onÌ„ if j require another to doo this paraueÌ„ture he shall haue pite of jason for asmoch as he is in the grace of al the worlde and shal accuse me if I do ordeyne ony poysonÌ„ iason be put therby to deth they that haue made and mixte hit shal not coÌ„ne kepe it secrete And al so that more is Iason shal wele kepe him self from suche poysonÌ„ O what thoughtes haue I I see none other moyen but that I must com myse this caas with my propre haÌ„ des Peleus conspiring in this facon not knowing how he might exploite for to attayne to execute his daÌ„p nable enuye rode forth all this daye vnto the euen whiche toke loggâ—â— in the hous of an auÌ„cient lady whoÌ„ she receyuyd with grete Ioye jason also they fonde her couering the table for to feste a straÌ„ge knight whiche she had loggyd for charyte i Ncontinent thenÌ„e as Peleê° aÌ„d Iason where alighted from their hors the auÌ„cient lady made hem to wasshe sitte at table and the straÌ„ge knight with them seruid hem with
that hath obteyned the peas for your royaume and the propre arme that hath takeÌ„ vengeaunce of your auÌ„cient forfaiteurs and enemyes al dispaired j departe prayng vnto the goddes that wille euluâ—â—ne yow wyth pite and merci as thei knowe that is nedeful for yow vnto all oure goddes I commande yow ¶ How that jason after that he had required the quene mirro of loue departed alle discoÌ„forted froÌ„ oliferne hou she weÌ„te after him WIth this conclusion the preu Iason all in a traunce half rebuqued wente vnto the ladyes damoiselles And the fayr mirro on woman whiche was secrete with her depted fro thens but the quene entrid allone into her chaÌ„bre thiÌ„king moche on jason whiche at that tyme comen among the ladies as said is with an herte sorouful enuyroÌ„ned with displaisir thaÌ„ked theÌ„ gretly of the grete curtoisie that he had fonden in theÌ„ in this poynte toke leue recomÌ„anding him self in their goode grace After deê‘ted thâ—â— vnto his stable commaÌ„ded to 〈◊〉 le his hors aÌ„d after that he sente see his armes adoubed him forthwith without ony more speche hou well it was nigh night he rode sorth out of the cyte was so aÌ„gry desplaisauÌ„t that he wist neuer whither to become whan the ladyes sawe that jason deê‘ted froÌ„ the cite so allone discoÌ„forted thinking on the vtues where in he was eÌ„dowed they coÌ„playned him moche aÌ„d saide one to an other that he had not his herte in ease Many of them bewailed him iÌ„ suche wise that the grete teres fiâ—â— doun from their eyen and amoÌ„g theÌ„ ther was one that kneu soÌ„what of the secretes of the quene she hauing seen Iason taking his hors all armed departe out fro the cyte caÌ„ vnto myrto alle bewept as she was sayde to her in this manere Madame what eyleth your knight or sodayne chauÌ„ce may come to him to departe out of your cite armed allone at this oure hane ye sente hâ—iÌ„to ony place hit semeth thathe hath his herte oppressid with aspre dueil and sorowe Certes bele answerde the Quene I wote not what hi eyleth but j trowe right wel that he is not alle at his ayse for in recoÌ„peÌ„sing of the good seruices that he hath doÌ„ to me in this warre he hath desired required me of loue for asmoche as j haue not accorded to him his requeste he is departed froÌ„ me all angry more knowe not I. Madame than sayde the damoiselle gaf ye to him no maner hope ne esperanÌ„ce at his departyng Certes j gaf to hi none saide the lady And how saide the damoiselle ye haue said to me more than a. M. tymes to fore this tyme that he was the only desir of yowr herte j confesse that to yow said tâ—â— quene for yet mi loue is sette on him merueyllonsly aÌ„d bere alwey in my souenanÌ„ce his grete beaute his we le doinges Ha a madame aÌ„swerde thaÌ„ the damoiselle why haue ye thaÌ„ aÌ„suerd hi so coldeli refusingly certes sayd the lady j wote neuer why But that j was so abasshid so chauffed in my blood whaÌ„ j vndstode that he requyred me of loue that I wist not to aÌ„swere also â—i myn aduise myn honour requireth that at this first requeste I sholde holde me strauÌ„ge not taboÌ„donÌ„e my self For they that at the firste reâ—â—ste of theyr louers agree to them â–ª ought to be ashameâ—â— â–ª For as moche as the more parte of men haue no verite ne loyaulte as to the Regard of loue And also ther be many that caÌ„ nonÌ„ other wyse doo but serue ladyes gentyll women with lyes aÌ„d deceytes My moder tolde me bad me kepe this lesson whan she sente me first to scole if iÌ„ haue wel reteyned her doctrine me thinketh I haue not donÌ„ moche amys for the thing that is goteÌ„ hy grete trauayle long requestes is moche more worth aÌ„d better kept thenÌ„e that is goten lyghtly Certes that lady that of her loue is required can doo no better thenÌ„e to holde her strange be moche requyred â— AdameÌ„ answerde the damoiselle â–ª I accorde moche to that ye saye to me â–ª but ther is in all thinge manere hou wel that there be many meÌ„ that praye requyre ladies of their loue asmoche as they maye makâ—g lesinges false othes that can not be couÌ„teâ— but certes madame this noble vaylliaÌ„t knyght jason is not in myn adnys no thing like as to the compte of other after that j vnderstoÌ„de by your wordes ye haue sent hym from yow all houÌ„tose shamed in so moche as j deme that he is goone in suche wise as he cam hether For at his departing he came toke leue of the ladyes Wherfore I am in doubte that ye shal neuer see him more And is he goon as ye saye saide thenÌ„e the lady ye certes saide the damoisell he is certaili goost By what place by whiche gate That wote I not sayd the damoiselle but j trowe better that he is retourned into his countre thenÌ„e to ony other place WHaÌ„ the noble quene Myrro vnderstood this that sayd is and that she had a lytyll remembrid her self of the departing of her dere loue freÌ„de she fyll dounÌ„ to the erthe as all thurgh smyten aÌ„d tronchoned with amerouse sorowe dueil she began thenÌ„e to wrynge her haÌ„des aÌ„d to smyte with her feet sayng not passing lowde Alas alas Fortune is to me hard Alas and what haue j donÌ„ my selfe euyl auised whan I was required of loue of the moste renomed knight of all the worlde of the most vaillaunt in armes of the fayrest that lyueth And that I haue not humelyed my self with his grete humylite â— haue made refuse of my right grete wele of my grettest ewre happe Certes I coude not kepe iÌ„ myn hous the good fortuÌ„e that the goddys of their secre te tresour of their gÌ„ce had seÌ„te to me brought plaÌ„ted in my haÌ„des By my litil aduyse enteÌ„demeÌ„t I haue chaced out of olyferne hi that hath rescowed aÌ„d brought hit agayn fro mortal encombrauÌ„ce by the hye valyauÌ„ce of his ê‘sone the trauaile of his body with the pÌ„cioê° prys of his blood thenÌ„e what haue j do Haa my herte what hast thou consented My mouth what haste thou voided My tonge what hast thou ê“â—erred And myn enteÌ„dement where were thou Where was thy force or thy puissauÌ„ce or thy will â–ª that desiring the loue thalyanÌ„ce of hi that was abaÌ„doÌ„ned to the which haddest thy mouthe closed for shame hast suffred the corporall bodily mouth to denye that thing â–ª that thou apê“uedest to seche aboue all otherthing O right poure shamefastnes ye houÌ„touse shamefastnes iÌ„ what ploye or in what pÌ„sse am j nowe by thy cause Certes j am ashamed that j haue refused thalyanÌ„ce of my frende of my domicille But
heed cam ryght fiersly and recouÌ„tred jasoÌ„ wy t alle his pesaunteur and might in suche a facoÌ„n that jasoÌ„ was beteÌ„ dounÌ„ to the grounde And the dragonÌ„ passed ouer him But thenÌ„e the preu jason toke his swerd and roof into the pauÌ„che of the dragonÌ„ vp to the crosse smote hiÌ„ to the herte the dragoÌ„ feling that he was smyteÌ„ to the deth began to reÌ„ne with the swerde of jason in hys body wenyng to hyde hiÌ„ selfe in his cauerne But his lyf deê‘ted out of the body euen as he shold haue entrid into the teÌ„ple And there he ouerthrewe alle to stracched aÌ„d fowlid of his blood and of his humeurs fulle of venyn jn suche wyse as hit semed that hit had ben a sourse or a sprynge rennyng oute of hys body leÌ„ger thenÌ„ a grete houre IncontineÌ„t that jason was releued that he apê‘ceyued the dragonÌ„ reuersed and dede at thenthre of the temple wyth an herte recomforted he weÌ„te theder drew out his swerde of his body putte hiÌ„ agyn in his shethe or skabarde thenÌ„e he wente seased the boles by the hornes and yoked them iÌ„ a plowe that ther was by and made them to ere foure mesures of londe enclosing their eyenÌ„ And thenÌ„e whan he had so donÌ„ he retourned to the dragonÌ„ aÌ„d esrachd oute of hys hede xij teth after that he sowed them in the erthe that he plowed that donÌ„ he dide the boles do harowe hit And thenÌ„e the boles fyll dounÌ„ to the erthe loste the spyryte of lyf and owt of the londe that jasoÌ„ had so wenÌ„ with the teth of the dragonÌ„ grewe and sprang vp in an instant xij geaÌ„ts of a terryble maintene the which were al armed after the maner of that tyme And assone as they were comen out of the erthe drewe their swerdes without delayng cam supposed to haue smyteÌ„ vpon jason but Iason toke the cendres or asshes pure that he had kept of hys sacrefice cast it into the ayer thenÌ„ sodainly to same xij geaÌ„ts assailed that one that other by suche asprete aÌ„d sharpenesse that in a litill while eche slew other wherof jason was ryghtyoyous reÌ„drid thaÌ„kinges louynges to the goddes Whan these xij geants had slayn eche other as I haue reherced vnto you Iason drewe owt his swerd whiche was yet alle blody and cam to the ryche motoÌ„ or shepe whom he founde in the right noble medewe toke him by the hornes aÌ„d brought him into the temple to fore the awter of the god Mars And there he slew hym wyth moche grete payne and syn flew him and toke the flees that â—â—â—d the wolle all of fyn golde seyd 〈◊〉 a parte And the body he dispieced by membres and bare it vp on an awter which stode without the teÌ„ple put therto largely strawe drye wode whaÌ„ he had donÌ„ this he toke fyre at a lampe brennyng to fore the representacioÌ„ of god mars And syn knelid doun on hys knees on the erthe by deuocioÌ„ to fore the ydole sayng the oroisonÌ„ to fore wretoÌ„ After the contenu wherof he thanked the god Mars aÌ„d recommaÌ„ded him moch into his grace After this he put fyre into the sacrefice whiche anone was consumed tourned in to cendres or asshes This done he putte hiÌ„self to prayer after he toke the three tonges of the meruayllous terryble dragonÌ„ two of the feet of the boles which were of metal of laton and two of their hornes which were of yronÌ„ and enuolupped and wrapped it alle in the flees of golde whiche he charged leyde it on his sholdres And afterward he retorned vnto the ryuage of the see where his maister maroÌ„ner named Argos whiche had guided his boot ouer the braas or arme of the see as fayd ys hadd abyden ther in moche grete double Argos the good shipmanÌ„ was sore abasshid of that that jason was so long there er he retorned to hym aÌ„d thought for tabyde no lenger for he had seen the fyre aÌ„d the fumee grete thikke lyft vp into ayer And also he had seen many euyll apparauces voyses and right strange bruyts for whiche causes he supposed that his maister jason had ben deuoured of the terrible bestes And began to wepe aÌ„d bewaile him right tenderli but incontinent whan he espyed the vailliaunt knyght Iason with the flees of gold on his neck his teres wepinges cessed For sorow crainte and doubte departed froÌ„ his her te and alle yoye aduirouned him in suche maner that smyling he knelid dounÌ„ on his knee to fore him said Syre knight myrrour of alle vailliaunce and of alle enterprise ye be right well tourned Ha a what coÌ„solacion gladnes shal be in Myrmidone and with my lord your fader Men haue murmured vpoÌ„ peleus your vncle and euery maÌ„ saide that he had seÌ„te you hether for to be quite of you thinking that ye sholde neuer haue retorned but to that I can apperceyue he desireth aboue alle other thing your glorie and honour Certes argos fair sire answerd thenÌ„ sason Fortune hath so moche ayde holpeÌ„ me that â–ª I am retorned hoole of body and of membres fro the most terrible daungerous mortall parill that euer shall befalle and come vpon the erthe during the worlde wherof I yelde louinges thankinges vnto the goo Mars principally but now 〈◊〉 vs thinke to retorne vnto our felawes For hit is more thenÌ„e tyme to ete ¶ With these wâ—â—des the good shipman began to ro we wyth afraÌ„k corage And the grekes that were staÌ„dyng vpon the ryuage of the see began thenÌ„e a grete stryf For somme saide that Iason was reentred in to â—he barque that they had seen the resplendisshour of the noble flees of golde which was with grete payne â—â—â—â—le â–ª for asmoche as from this riuage vnto the yle of colchos was iiij goodâ—â—nyles and the other sayd that jason was long agonÌ„ dede that he sholde neuer be seeÌ„ But thus as eche man was susteyning his argument sherwy t was the boote seenÌ„ approchyng moche radely the ryuage and was aboute amyle nygh to the porthe Iason toke his flees lyfte it vp alytyl in the ayer ye as hyghe as he mighte aÌ„d helde hit so hye that they that were at the ryuage and on the walles of the cyte beheld hyt aÌ„d apperceyued hit and shewed hyt one to an other by grete admyracion aÌ„d wondre Many therwere that demened grete ioye and thanked the goddes wy â— good herte whan they had ê‘ceyued the noble and the ryche flees wherof the preu jasoÌ„ made the mustre fro ferte and som ranne for to gadre of the grene herbes and verdure for to caste along on the waye where as jasoÌ„ sholde passe for to goo to the palays sayng to euery man that they were certayn of his retournyng aÌ„d that alle honour ought to be mad to him for one so noble gloriouse
alle thise thinges considered and the grete daunger that myght ensiewe to vs that for me sholde be the bataill mortall bytwene you aÌ„d him in whiche withoute remedie he shold be slaynÌ„ or takeÌ„ by his hye vaylliauÌ„ce seen that vnto deâ—h he wold abandonne him selfe for to recouuere me and to th ende teschewe more grete paryll and dommage for him I haue taken his owen sone which is my broder aÌ„d haue coÌ„manded to put hiÌ„ in the state as ye see for to caste at this tyme abrode iÌ„ to the cours of the see here and there And to gyue empechement vnto the ship of my fader whych thenÌ„e shall tarye whaÌ„ he shalle see his sone absirthius thus dismeÌ„brid flotyng vpon the water for to garde and recuyelle the pieces as ye shall seen playnly anonÌ„ ¶ Wyth thachieuemeÌ„t of these deuises the kiÌ„g oetes approched in suche manere the shippe of the grekes that ther was no more distanÌ„ce but a stone caste ThenÌ„e the fayr medea and the olde woman fylled theyr haÌ„des with the membris of the noble child absirthius in shewyng them to the king oetes his menÌ„ For assone as the oolde quene sspyâ—d the king she escryed these wordes folowyng aÌ„d sayd thus Kyng in no wyse come no nere wenyng to recouure thy sone ne thy doughter As to the regarde of thy doughter thou losest thy time for she is maried vnto jasoÌ„ But atte lest we shall reÌ„dre to the thy sone slayn aÌ„d detreÌ„ched by pieces the whiche we caste into the see to th eÌ„de that thou maist haue thy lyf saued for but If he cansed the to haue occupacion for to recuyelle hys propre membres for to do burye theÌ„ as hit apperteyneth to the sone of a kiÌ„g knowe thou that thou sholdest haue the bataill ayeÌ„st the knightes of grece which ben of so hye vaylliaunces that ther ne is anymal monstre serpent ne tyranÌ„t but that they brynge to destrucâ—yon thenÌ„e hit ought to be bileuyd that the victorye of the bataill shold abyde wyth them aÌ„d certes thou sholdest receyue thy deth so alle thing well ouerseeÌ„ hit is better to the that thou retourne vnto the cite thenÌ„e tapproch more ner for to receyue thy deth aÌ„d wel oughtest thou to haue grete yoye for to see thy happy sone be ded and detrenched by pyâ—ces bi the which thy lyf is respyted for thou art not very ne naturell fader if thou take not hys membreâ— out of the see and if thou so doo thy lyfe shall be saued and all they of thy companye WIth these wordes the olde woman aÌ„d Medea caste in the see the membres of the yong childe absirthius and the kiÌ„g Oetes and hys peple heeryng and seeyng the grete inhumanite cruelte began to escrye ryght pyetoussy aÌ„d dolorousâ—i And were so sore vexed and trobled of thys meruailloê° aueÌ„ture that they wist not what to doo som ther were that begaÌ„ to wepe tenderli the other smote them self on the brestes som began to araye hem to goo to bataylle and escryed to deth the knightes of grece shoting on theÌ„ arowes other trait by grete corage for tanenge them but whan the king sawe that â— no wyse he myght recouure the deth of hys dere sone he made to cesse the escarumssij sayd to his cytezels certes fair siresj pray you to trauaile you nomore for to recouure medea shehath murdrid her ê“pre brod absirthiê° whiche was my sone he that â— time to come sholde haue beÌ„ your naturell lord certes j haue louid wy t all my herte her alle her lyfe that wy t her dissoyall will hath brouht to me one so dolorouse guerdonÌ„ or reward Ha a meda said the kiÌ„g all on hyghe j shal neuer sech ne desire to mete wy t the for cause of so cruell and disnaturell a dede that â–ª thou hast â— my sed to thy propre blode and therfore fayâ— lordes late her aÌ„d alle them that ben with her goo where the goddes will suffre hiÌ„ but knowe ye for certayn that yf j now had her at my liberte I sholde make her to deye a cruell deth howe wele that sholde sourdre therof to me a new sorowe wherfore hit is better that she goo that we enteÌ„de to reassemble the meÌ„bres of my sone whyche floteÌ„ as ye may see vpoÌ„ the wawes of the see to th ende that his flesshe be not pasture to the byrdes ¶ WhaÌ„ thenÌ„e the nobles bourgeyses of the cyte vnderstod their king alle they began to sech the membres of absirthius iudemenyng the moste grete sorow of the world aÌ„d thê° they disposed them to complaire the kyng nomore tassayle their ennemyes And whan they had fysshed the membres of the child they retoraÌ„d vnto the cyte by space of tyme right sorowfull disconforted for the deth of Absirthiê° and for asmoche as medea also was goonÌ„ with jason Medea was thenÌ„e well ioyous aÌ„d more assured thenÌ„ to fore whan she apperceyuid that her fader his meÌ„ taried for to fisshe the meÌ„bres of his sone Certes jason seyng this that sayd is wist not what to thinke aÌ„d Argos the goode maronner rowed alle way in withdrawing from the poorte aÌ„d the yle of Colchos as moche as he myght in so moche that in alytil while he had lost the sighte of the king Oetes of his galeyes aÌ„d that he cam into the hyhe see where the wind blewe aroose that anonÌ„ they desployed their sayle which they woÌ„deâ— vp an hyghe wherfore the shippe made good way wherof argos was moche yoyous and thenÌ„e he sayd that euery man myghte leye dounÌ„ his harnoys frely promysing them to be oute of all parilâ— for that time Iason at this tyme was ryght pensyf for the cruelte inhumanyte that he had seen this daye and spak not one worde and semed by coÌ„parisonÌ„ more triste thenÌ„e joyous not withoute cause Whan medea had vnderstande that Argos assewryd alle the companye for that tyme froÌ„ alle parils that they had ben in was thoo conforted gretly but she behelde her handes that yet were all foule of the blood of her brother Absuthius she wente wasshed hem aÌ„d made hem clene after she caÌ„ sette her dounÌ„ by Iason seyng that he was moche pensyf sayde to hiÌ„ by a gracious curtays manere My dere loue wheron thinke you Certes jason answerde not one worde And whan she sawe that she sayde to hiÌ„ agayn the same word My dere loue jason wheron thinke yow ThenÌ„ Iason answerde to her thus Lady syn that ye desire to knowe wheron I thinke knowe ye for trouth that yf it were not for the grete loue that I haue in yow and for that I haue promysed to wed yow and bryng yow into Grece I wolde not do it wherfore kepe from henssorward that ye do no suche thing as dere as ye will haue pees bytwene yow aÌ„d me Vpon thise wordes Medea excused her the
goddes shall doo me be presented tofore him thenÌ„e by thys myne epistle he shal knowe of what excellent loue corage I haue loued hym Many ladyes and damoyselles were in the companye of ysiphile theuÌ„e whan she hadde 〈…〉 wayled her dere loue jason And also the ê¯clusioÌ„ as she that was desperate sholde lepe springe into the see Alle they begaÌ„ to demene grete sorow meruaillously and not withoute cause Somme there were that were jnly sorowful that they coude not speke o worde Other were there drowned in teeris that enforced hem to reconforte her and for to lette aÌ„d distourne her fro this dampnable wyll but that was for nought â–ª for they loste her payne for asmoche as ysiphile wrote herepisile whiche she wrapped iÌ„ a cered cloth and syn sewed hit vnto her roke of cloth of goold whiche she clad her with and whan she had so doo she toke her crowne and sette hit on her hede fermely and after toke her sceptre And thenÌ„ whaÌ„ she had donÌ„ alle this she cam to her sone and kissed him many times recoÌ„manded him vnto the ladyes damoiselles And laste whan she had taken leue of alle the womenÌ„ she deê‘ted froÌ„ leÌ„nos the Cite wepyng tenderly toke wyth her one of her damoyselles by whoÌ„ where knowen afterward alle her bewailinges lamentacions and alle her maners that she held to fore she caste her self into the see THan she was comen nygh vnto the see she approched vnto an hye roche to whoÌ„ the see touched beneth a ferre lowe dounÌ„ she began to beholde a lowe aÌ„d se the see And after she stracched her self on the erthe in beholding the heuen and the see and sayde Veray god lord of the see of windes of tourbillons and of fortunes of raynes and of teÌ„pestes ye brought into this countree and into thys place the tyght parfayt knight in beaute in vayllyaunce and in alle vertues Iason and after ye sente him in to the yle of Colchos and consequently ye haue she wid me from ferre his ship and â—yn ye haue drowned hym or atleste lad hym into another couÌ„tre And whan it iâ— so that I may by no waye haue none other thyng of hym I yow requyre that ye wille make my sepulture by him if he haue made the passage out of this worlde and if he be on lyue that ye will conduite me into his presence for hit must nedes be and other thing j demande not of yow And whan the desolate quene Isiphile had sayd thise wordes she retorned her vnto the Cyte and sayd in thys maner al on hyghe and clere voys ADyeu my dere childe adyeu Lennos the noble cite adieu ladyes and damoiselles aÌ„d syn she retorned her vnto the see aÌ„d cryeng Iason Iason She spraÌ„g fro the sommet or toppe of the roche into the hyghe see And there drowned her self in sorow wherof was grete pyte But her fortune was such that on that same daye the see bare the body vnto the shippe of the noble preu jasoÌ„ abydyng yet inthe see in a rood where they were ancred for to reste ther that nyght At this oure whan the poure ysiphyle was caste ayenst the shippe Hercules and jason weÌ„te vppe on highe for to take the ayer ThenÌ„e they perceyued the desolate body so rychely arayed that the cloth of gold shone by the disgorgemeÌ„ts of the watre anon as they had seen this they called argos their mayster maronner aÌ„d shewed to him anouÌ„ argos callid som of his solke made them to fisshe and drawe out of the see and to bring into the ship that poure creature so rychely habylled wyth Royall atours â–ª and whaÌ„ she was drawen on hyghe alle they in the shippe weÌ„te vp for to see the body of this noble lady And Medea faylled not to come wyth the other for to be holde this pyte Certes the dede lady hadde her vysage swollen and pale that none in the ship knew her But at the comyng and for the presence of the olde woman she vâ—yed bloode by the conduyte of her mouth as hit hadd ben a lytyll rennyng water departing from a fontayne or a spring wherof alle they had grete meruaille ¶ whan Argos the goode maroÌ„ner sawe the meruaille he stouped dounÌ„ for to put vpon her roobe a clothe for to kepe it from the fowlyng of the blood that departed froÌ„ her mouth And as he put the cloth aboute her nek he apperceyued the cered cloth that kepte the water from the pistle that she had compiled wherfore for to know what it was he distached or rypte it of deliuerid hit to jason ThenÌ„ the knight receyued the cloth opende hit founde the episile aÌ„d disployed it aÌ„d as he red it and vnderstode the contenu of the same his bloode began to chaunge he waxe rede as a rose and after becaÌ„ pale dede as asshes and syn begaÌ„ to wepe to demene a sorowe moche aygre and sharp Certes the fayre medea Hercules Theseê° and the other knightes of gerce were sore abasâ—â—â—d so were argos the maroÌ„ners whaÌ„ they apperceyued that jason demened so grete adueil sorow ThenÌ„e it was demanded from whens this sorow cam what tidinges he fouÌ„de had by the contenu of the lettre but it was for nought For he might not speke ner aÌ„swere his herte was so closed strained wy t anguissh aÌ„d sorow notwihstaÌ„dyng whaÌ„ he had redd it and seen the coÌ„tenâ— of the pistle He deliuerid it to medea aÌ„d the coÌ„teynyng therof was thys that foloweth Iason Iason the chosen of grece in prowesse in beaute and in vertues where art thow And whan shalle thou holde thy promesse vnto her that alwaye hath her eyen planted on the see after the desiring to see agayn the body bytamorouse desires and by moo bewaylynges than the heuen conteyneth sterres A ha my dere loue hast thou put in no recchig ner no challoyâ— the promesse that thou me madest at that tyme whan thou wentest to Colchos knowest not thou well that euery man of noble name or vocacion is holden and bounden to paye and holde hys promesse vpon payne of reproche thou hast promised to me the daye of thy promesse is passed Thou acauytest the not O so greuous a shame large reproch ye if thou haue not lauful â—xâ—nâ—acyon Syn the daye of thy ê“messe exspired I neuer entrid into hoê° for to take plaisir ne to couer me to be drie I haue not leyd on bed to take my reste I haue not seten a table for to ete Ne j haue not ben in pÌ„toire for to iuge the causes of my wo menÌ„ but I haue the space of xl dayes awayted vpon a roche where I was whan thou entredest into my royaume And that famyne â—strained the to take londe There haue I holde me daye aÌ„d nyght in the raynÌ„ in the winde in the colde of the mone and in the heete of the sonne In fastinges in
that he sholde ne touche theire lyues ne meuable goodes what somÌ„e euer they were ¶ WhaÌ„ the noble kyng Eson of mirmydone vnderstode that his sone jasoÌ„ was so deê‘ted he was right soroâ—… feat 〈…〉 that thei 〈…〉 made to cesse 〈…〉 him for tentre 〈…〉 te of olyferne hit 〈…〉 whaÌ„ they of the cyte 〈…〉 theyr cyte aÌ„d in the 〈…〉 their kyng gaf hym 〈…〉 his heed and made 〈…〉 feaulte by this 〈…〉 king Eson kyng of olyferâ—◠〈…〉 myrmydone After these 〈…〉 ne accomplisshed He sente mâ—… knightes after hys sone Iason for 〈…〉 seche finde him but they lost theyr tyme For they retorned vnto their lorde withoute reporting tydynges of him For Iason went ryding fro couÌ„tre to couÌ„tre by many yourneyes where he had pleÌ„te of meruayllouâ— adueÌ„tures which were to loÌ„g to reherce of whoÌ„ th eÌ„de was suche whaÌ„ he had loÌ„g tyme erred trauailed iÌ„ the worlde he was in grete desire to come see the king his sad aÌ„d crye hiÌ„ mercy for asmoch as he had disobeyed his ê¯mauÌ„demâ—nt mespryfed ayenst him wherof he was right sore repeÌ„tanÌ„t UpoÌ„ this ê¯clusioÌ„ the noble preu jasoÌ„ putte hiÌ„ on the waye so ferre that he cam in to Thessaylle But that more is fortune made him eÌ„tre in to the grete woode where as Medea hadd long ben soyourned 〈…〉 And 〈…〉 in his waye â—…oun Anone as 〈…〉 eche other forth 〈…〉 eche other Wyth 〈…〉 began strongly to wepe â—…elyd doun on bothe her â—…ete humylite tofore jason 〈…〉 cryeng hiÌ„ mercy Their 〈…〉 had pyte on her releued â—…er vp by the handes syn deâ—…ded her yf she had ony thing to 〈◊〉 or drinke sayyng that he had hoÌ„ger that he hadd not that day eten ne dronken ThenÌ„e medea made him sitte vpon the erthe for to rest hym a lytyl and syâ—weÌ„te fette him of the notes akehornes aÌ„d rootes other smale fruytes that she hadd gadred in the woode saide to hym that he shold make good â—here with such as hâ—founde And that syth a certayn tyme that she had ben there she had eten none other wyse mete Whan Iason whiche was a moch vertuous prince had vnderstoÌ„de the lady aÌ„d knewe her grete pouerte he began to remeÌ„bre of the iÌ„numerable goode dedes that she had douÌ„ for hiÌ„ tofore and how she had for hys loue â–ª abandonned her fader and her nacion for to goo with hiÌ„ And also that 〈◊〉 was of anoble hous as doughter â—…ke her by the hand 〈…〉 he ê‘donned her of aâ— thiÌ„g that she had trespaced or mesprysed ayenst him aÌ„d in feat sayd that his plaâ—sit was that she shuld be his wyf agayn as she had ben tofore Certes medea incoÌ„tinent as she vnderstood the good wyll of her lord she was more yoyous in her corage thenÌ„ if he had gyuen to her the besâ—e he most noble royaume of the world thenÌ„ she sware to him auowed that she shold neuer medle more with sortes ne enchantemeÌ„ts ne none other maleâ—ices ne of ony thiÌ„g 〈◊〉 first he sholde haue the cognoissaunce knowleche in suche wyse she conduysed her self ayenst Iason that in that tyme they recoÌ„cilled heÌ„ self to gyder aÌ„d wente bothe on their waye so ferre erred by their iourneyes that they cam vnto the court of the king Eson of Myrmydone that was newly comen in hys royaulâ—e TheuÌ„ the noble kyng Eson knowyng theyr reconsilyacyon contented him self wy t hys sone Iason in pardonnyng hym alse olde Rancour aud maletalents And hyt was not long after that the noble kyng Eson resygned in the handes of hys sone Iason the noble Royaume of Myrmydone for the moche and grete loue that he had vnto the fayr meden as he well shewde For incontynent that he knewe that she was arriued in hys palays he receyued her the most yoyousâ—y and honourably that was in hym possyble to doo thus the preu Iason medea regned gouerned their royame hyelilong time duriÌ„g the whiche they lyued to gyder iÌ„ grete loue coÌ„corde and had many fayr childreÌ„ to gyder that regned after hem of whomÌ„ j haue fouÌ„deÌ„ none historie or sentence therfore j shall fynisshe thys historie in this wise prayng my fore sayd ryght redoubted yong lorde all them that shall rede the contenu of this present volume or here it red that it may plese theÌ„ of their grace to excuse me for somoche as my lytyl and rude engyn hath not couÌ„e touche ne coÌ„pryse the mater c here endeth myn auctor his book ANd how be it that myn Auctor writeth that he hath fouÌ„de nomore of thistorie of jason yet haue I fouÌ„deÌ„ red iÌ„ the boke that bocace made of the genelagye of godaes in hys xiij booke that whaÌ„ so was that jason medea were reconciled agayn to geder after that she fled froÌ„ egeon that he went with her into colchos again And whan he was comen theder he founde the olde king oetes fad vnto medea banÌ„issed exiled out of his royame whom he restored sette hiÌ„ by his hye vailliaunce puissaunce in his kyngdoÌ„ agayn and after weÌ„t ito asie where he had victorie iÌ„ many batailles And made so many coÌ„questes wyth grete magnificence in so moch that he was honoured and worshipped for a god were made edifiod diuerce teÌ„ples in his name Whiche after weÌ„re destroyed by the comÌ„andemeÌ„t ef king AlexaÌ„d of mâ—cedone who ê‘ auâ—ture had enuye of his glorie also he saithÌ„ that thoaÌ„t â—uneê° wheâ— hiâ— sones whoÌ„ he beÌ„gate on Isiphile as he went to colchos ward as stachiê° saithÌ„ whiche were bornÌ„ at ones for asmochÌ„ as it was not the custome in leÌ„nosto fede norysse themeÌ„ childreÌ„ they were seÌ„t in to another countrey for to be nourisshed wherfore the moder was put out of her royaume takeÌ„ wy t pirates theues after sold vnto Ligurgys king of nemee after whan the sayde sones waxe men they weÌ„t wy t king Adrastê° vnto the hataile of thebes as they weÌ„t in the wode of nemee they herd of the sayd kiÌ„g adrastus reherse her burth aÌ„d the caas of her moder by whichÌ„ rehersaill they knew that she was their mod iÌ„ kiÌ„g Lygurgis court they foÌ„de her wâ—â—â—e opheltes his sone was fouÌ„de dede in the gardyn what time the lady that had charge of hiÌ„ weÌ„t wy t the grekes to shew hiÌ„ the waiÌ„ as iÌ„ the sieghe of thebes it is more playnly shewd â–ª but what caÌ„ afterward of the. ij sones it is incertayn this saithÌ„ bochace in the xiij boke of the geneolagie of goddes And he saith he had another sone whos name was philemelê° more haue I not red of the noble jasoÌ„ but this haue I fonÌ„den more thenÌ„e myn auctor rehercethÌ„ in his boke therfore j make here aneÌ„de of this storie of jasoÌ„ whoÌ„ diuerce meuÌ„blame beâ—… use that he left repudied med medâ—… â—…sent boke ye may see the euâ—…es whi he so dyd Prayng â—…yd lord prince taccepte take â—…gree of me his indigne seruiteur â—…hom I beseche god almyghty to 〈◊〉 encrece in vertu now in hys tendre yoÌ„gthe that he may come vnto his ê‘fait eage to hys honour and worship that his renoÌ„me maye ê‘petuelly be remeÌ„bryd amoÌ„g the moost worthy And after this pÌ„sent life euerlasting lyfe in heuen who graÌ„t hiÌ„ vs that boughte vs withÌ„ his bloode blesshid IhuÌ„s Amen â–ª ¶ Here endyth Thystorie of the noble vailliauÌ„t knight Iason prentyd by me Gerard Leeu in the towne of Andewarpe In the yere of oure lord M. CCCC fowre skore and twelve fynysshed the secunde day of Iuyne