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
not fynde hym in defaute saynge that he was not there as he hadde appoynted hym to abyde And in that estate he passed the two dayes And whan it came vnto yâ— daye that euery gentylman and lorde oughte for to be fynde hymself vpon the lystes and ye may ymagyne in what dolour was the poore Olyuer And yf that his herte was sory and dyspleasaunte no body ought to meruayll them for he stode afore the dore of the hermytage alwaye herkeâ—â—nge yf that his knyght came for there fell not a lefe but that he wende that he had comen he abode so longe that he was out of all esperaunce and hope And he stode in that estate sore musynge he herde grete noyse of ryders amonge the leues And then Olyuer thought that it was some grete gentylman that rode to the torneyment as the other lordes dyde And theÌ„ he kest his regarde that waye where he herde the noyse And aspyed to the nombre of fyftene gentylmen clothed in blacke saâ—seneâ— And the surplus of theyr habyllementes was of the same colour and they were mounted on blacke coursers and theyr coursers were trapped all in blacke veluet and eche of them hadde a spere in his hande that was couered with blacke veluet And then he sawe come after therin ten knyghtes â—abylyed in longe gownes of blacke veluet and furred with martres and â—edde after them a courser morell the whiche hadde â—uskynges of clothe of golde vp to the bely and he was enâ—yronneâ— with xv pages mounted vpon coursers of yâ— same colour and buskynges of the same colour And after them was 〈◊〉 score pages of the same lyueâ—ay reserued that it was clothe ¶ Of the grete Ioye that Olyuer had whan he sawe the fayre stedes and the ryche parementes that his knyght had brought to hym and how he armed hyÌ„ of the ryche paâ—ciyon of the fayre Helayne the kynges doughter of EnglaÌ„de of her beaute Ca. xxiij HIs folke clothed and habylyed as ye haue herde afore rode vnto the hermytage and then euery body â—oued and abode there all â—oye and salued Olyuer that was afore yâ— bare and he full gentylly rendred to them theyr salute And as he behelde that fayre company hyÌ„ thought that the knyght with the longest gowne was yâ— same knyght that spake vnto hym in the wood wherof he was ryght gladde and weÌ„te for to salue hym but as soone as the knyght apperceyued hym comynge he aâ—yghted of his horse and came agaynst hym and after he sayd to hym Olyuer good frende these meÌ„ that ye se here I haue brought them vnto you And bycause that we ben comen from ferre for to do you seruyce and honour I praye you that ye do so moche at his â—â—â—neyment that ye haue honour and that we lese not our payne Olyuer answered hym ryght curteysly My lorde and my frende ye do so moche for me that I can neuer rendre you the guerdon wherfore suche as I am ye may coÌ„maunde me for thâ—â—â—dy is yours and at this tyme I can not gyue you no better thynge I praye to god that he gyue me grace for to deserue it agaynst you and that he gyue me strengthe for to doo as well as I haue the volente These wordes fynysshed yâ— knyght sayd to hym that it was hye houre for to arme hym And therfore in a fayre grene place yâ— was afore yâ— hermytage there was a chayre brought wherin Olyuer set hym for to take his refeccyon and then after they armed hym dylygently In yâ— meane whyle that he armed hym the ladyes came in to the felde and brought with them yâ— fayre Helayne doughter of the kynge of Englande and ledde her in to the pauelyon that for her was ordeyned and it was hanged with tapysserye of clothe of golde ryght ryche and there was a chayre reysed vp on hye in the whiche chayre was .x. steppes or that they myght come to the syege aboue ouer the whiche was a canape of purple veluet charged full of grete perles oryentales and had in the myddes therof a Carbuncle that rendred so grete lumere yâ— it was meruayll for to beholde it In the syege aboue as I haue receyted to you was sette the excellent Helayne And vpon eche of the forsayd steppes satte two Iuges That is for to knowe a prynce and a pryncesse echone after his degree The other ladyes and damoyselles the whiche was there without nombre put theym in theyr places and scaffoldes that were for theÌ„ ordeyned and ensygned And in lyke wyse on the other syde was a grete company of noble and valyaunt knyghtes and lordes of this realme of Englande Ye may well thynke that it was grete tryumphe and grete solace for the men of armes for to beholde so fayre a companye aboute the noble and excellent Helayne and euery thynge so well ordeyned as that thynge was there for her sake the whiche was so rychely apparaylled that nonâ— can not reherse the lyght that the precyous stones rendred that were aboutâ— her the whiche embelysshed her excellent vysage Who that hadde sene her in that estate he wolde haue thought that she hadde ben a thyng of the other worlde for I thynke that at her nayssauÌ„ce and byrthe nature had put all her excellence and grace Yf that she was semely of body and excellent of vysage it was nothynge in comparyson towarde the gyftes of grace where with she was endowed for all excellence and bounte honoure huÌ„blenesse doulsure and swetnesse and all other vertues and good condycyons that in ony womaÌ„ of noble lygnage apperteyned florysshed in her And therfore she sholde be ryght eurous in this wretched worlde that myght attayne vnto so hyghe a thynge as for to haue for his parte the floure and lyesse of this worlde And euen thus euery body put hymselfe in payne for to conquere her And there was not one but that hym semed that he wolde conquere her or elles deye in the payne ¶ Of the grete meruaylles that Olyuer dyde at the torneyment aboue them all Capitulo xxiii ANd then the ladyes were not soo sone in the scaffoldes but that the four hondred knyghtes were vpon the felde redy for to withstande all comers as ye haue herde before for the torneyment sholde last thre dayes The fyrst daye was ordeyned for to Iust. The seconde daye for to torneye not as they do nowe a dayes but with sharpe swerdes and not rebatred The thyrde day was for to fyght on fote and euery body myght haue an axe of armes and a swerde aboute hym And bycause that they were many knyghtes they had grete place they with out had knowlege that they of within were alredy at the lystes vpon the felde and all the ladyes redy for to beholde them whiche sholde do best euery knyght put hym in deuoyre for to Iuste the fyrste Neuerthelesse Olyuer was not the fyrste for there was many there afore hym As the kynges sone of Scotlande and dyuers
and how he was broughte in to the Kynges courte with grete reuerence of the knyghtes that had taken hym Capitulo xxx OLyuer that fouÌ„de hymselfe all alone in his chaÌ„bre sat hym downe for the .xx. knyghtes hadde taken leue of hym and were gone for to dysarme them to be at the feest seynge that he had tyme ynoughe begaÌ„ne for to tell his moneye and founde that there was .v. M. nobles wherfore he thanked god and the noble knyght that had had soo good remembraunce on hym Whyles that he put vp his golde in to his bougette entred in to the chambre fyue gentyll squyers clothed in whyte satyn .x. varlets clothed in whyte clothe whiche salued hym saynge My lorde your mayster stewarde hathe ben here this after none and hathe gyuen eche of vs a gowne and tolde vs that it was your lyueray and that ye shold reteyne vs in your seruyce and therfore we come towarde you to knowe and it be yâ—ur wyll for there is none of vs but that he hathe good mayster for some be the Erle of Flaundres men and the other the dukes of Somerset And thus eche of vs hath good maysters but they haue as many seruauntes as theym nede the. And for the valyauÌ„tnesse that we haue sene in you we become your seruauÌ„tes yf it be your pleasure Olyuer answered theÌ„ and sayd My frendes of your grace ye saye more good of me than I haue deserued Ans as I vnderstaÌ„de eche of you hathe a good mayster and better than I am but and it be your wyll I reteyne you all And to morowe syth that ye be men of knowlege I shall enquere of your estate and thenne to eche of you I shall gyue suche estate as to you apperteyneth One of yâ— seruauntes sayd to hym My lorde your mayster stewarde hathe ordeyned me your palfreynere therfore ye shall tell me yf it please you what I shall do with your horses For I haue fyue good coursers two lytell hobyes ryght fayre of whiche he badde me take good heede And bycause that it is ferre to the courte I thynke ye wyll not gâ— on fote therfore yf it please you ye shal tell me whiche of your horses ye wyll haue and what harneys I shall put vpon hym whether that of veluet crymosyn or that of beten golde yf that it please you that your four pages shall come towarde you Olyuer was moche abasshed and made the sygne of the crosse and sayd to hym My frende go in goddes name sadle one of the two lytell hobyes whiche thou louest best and put on hym the harnes of beten golde and make the pages come with two torches for to lyght me in to the courte And theÌ„ Olyuer commauÌ„ded for to vndo the fardell and so it was done And founde thre sortes of clotynge for hym of the same colours that he hadde worne durynge the torneyment that is to wyte blacke rede and whyte The hosen were of scarlet the gownes of veluet the doublettes of blacke damaske fygured and the hatte of blacke vpon the whiche was a ryght gentyll and ryche ouche of stones ryght curyously wrought there was in it an e an o togyder Wherfore he began for to kysse it and sayd alowe Fayre fader god yf that thou wylte extende soo moche thy grace on me that my fortune were suche that Olyuer Helayn myght come so nere togyder as these two lettres I sholde be moche beholden to thanke thy grete maieste In yâ— same wordes Olyuer clothed hym and founde that his clothynge were so well made for hym that there coude none amende them He was not so sone clothed but that his hors was redy abydynge hym at the dore and his foure pages And within shorte tyme after yâ— knyghtes that had brought hym theder came for to fetche hym and tolde hym that it was hyghe tyme to goo in to the courte They they mounted on horsbacke and the torches were lyghted that conduyted them in to yâ— courte ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte of the ryght noble kynge of Englande where as he was receyued of all yâ— lordes and lâ—dyes with grete Ioye Ca. xxxi WHaÌ„ Olyuer was afore the gate of yâ— palays he began for to smyte his hors with yâ— sporres yâ— whiche made lepes without noÌ„bre dyde all that his mayster wolde haue hyÌ„ do he made fyre to sprynge out of the payment in suche haboundaunce that euery body loked out at the wyndowes to beholde hym in suche estate he came to the place where it was tyme to alyght And bycause yâ— he was so semely a knyght there was grete prece to be holde hym There was so huge a nombre of folke that with grete payne he myghte descende and passe forthe The tydynges came to the kynge and to the other pryÌ„ces that theder were comen how yâ— whyte knyght was comen and mounted vp the steyres and sayd that and his beaute were lost that in all the worlde it myghte not be recouered and in lyke wyse these tydynges were pronounced to the ladyes the whiche demaunded what maner a man he was and it was tolde them that he was a heed of werke that there was neuer sene a more fayrer knyght And durynge these wordes he entred in to yâ— halle where as all the lordes were and salued the kyÌ„ge The whiche by semblaunt made hym ryght grete chere and honour and so dyde all the other lordes the whiche sholdred one another for to se hym for his excellente be aute There was many that at his comynge wolde that he hadde ben a thousande myle thens and in especyall they that hadde done beste nexte hym dyde curse hym in theyr courage but his physnamye and maneres were so swete that he sholde haue ben ryghte cursed yâ— wolde haue done hym ony harme So as he was fested on euery syde the ryght fayr and good Helayne accompanyed with dyuers grete lordes and ladyes came in to the hall apparaylled aourned so rychely that her habyllementes were worthe a realme for there was neuer sene the pareylles or lyke Her beaute enlumyned the palays the whiche exceded all natures werke And thynke not that that Helayne for whome Troye receyued soo many aduersytes passed this But bycause that comparysons be heynous and noysous I holde my peas in retornynge to my purpose The fayre Helayne of Englande seynge the thought of her lorde and fader set her vpon her knees and made to hym reuerence and honoure as it apperteyned The kynge her fader toke her by the hande and made her for to aryse in saynge that she was ryght well come And thenne she was salued of all the other kâ—yghtes lordes vnto whome she rendred echone theyr salute after theyr qualyte as she coude do full well Thenne was Olyuer brought afore her the whiche knewe hym as sone as she sawe hym For he was easy for to knowe amongest them all Wherfore she behelde hym voluntarylye and it
many folke yâ— paraueÌ„ture wolde sooner haue thoughte euyll than good wherfore he deported hym ¶ After the kynges commauÌ„dement all thynges were ordeyned as he had deuysed And dyuers knyghtes and squyres were reteyneÌ„d of Arthurs housholde the whiche began for to gete vp and the kynge vysyted hym ryght often Also dyde the fayre Helayne that made no semblaunte of nothynge And soo moche passed on these thynges that Arthur was heled And whan it came yâ— he myghte walke aboute in the courte and haue acquayntaunce with the noble men that remayned therin euery body began for to loue hym bycause of the humblenes that he was replete with And the kynge hymself loued hym almoost as mochâ— as Olyuer his sone in lawe And whaÌ„ he sawe that he was in the grace of euery body he forgate not yâ— wronge that the kynge of Irlande hadde done to his felowe wherfore he demaunded hym on a daye yf that he hadde ony wyll for to auenge hym And Olyuer sayd naye and sayd that he had perdoÌ„ned hym And how quod Arthur haue ye so feble a courage that ye dare not auenge you on your enemye by the fayth that I owe to god it shall not abyde soo And then all euyll contente he came towarde the kynge tolde hym all alonge in what pryson Olyuer hadde ben in and prayed hym yâ— he wolde gyue hym men for to auenge Olyuer for he knewe well that Olyuer hadde no talente for to doo it Whan yâ— the kyng herde Arthur speke so he toke it more greuously at his herte than Arthur dydde wherfore he sayd to hym My fayre frende lette my sone haue his wyll for it may be that he hathe made some promesses afore that he yssued oute of pryson Ye be well the man for to auenge hym without ony more that he medle hym therof And then the kynge reysed vp a grete armye of yâ— whiche Arthur was the chyef Capytayne the whiche were not soo sone arryued in Irlande but that the Kynge theyr enemye the whiche had knowlege of theyr comynge gaue them batayll where as was slayne dyuers men vpon bothe sydes but fynally the Irysshmen were dyscomfyted and the kynge fledde was assyeged in one of his places that was not well garnysshed with vytaylles wherfore it myght not holde longe So whan he sawe yâ— he had noo more mete and that it was force for to yelde hym as a valyaunt man he sayd that he had leuer deye in the felde in auengynge his dethe with the cuttynge of his swerde on his enemyes than for to yelde 〈◊〉 theyr volente and prayed the lytell folke that he had for to do well and then armed them and made to open the gates of th fortresse in smytynge on theyr enemyes and slew many at the fyrste bronte but there was soo many men agaynst them that they coude not escape And fynably the kynge and all his men were slayne After his dethe all his realme yelded them and were contente for to haue suche a lorde as the kyng of Englande wolde assygne them ¶ How Arthur fell in a grete maladye and of the dyspleasure that Olyuer had Capitulo lxv THese thyÌ„ges done Arthur and his company retorned in to Englande where as they were fested of the kynge of Olyuer and of all yâ— other lordes And the kynge gaue Arthur the realme of Irlande that he had â—onquered of newe And the Irysshemen were sent for the whiche came and dyde hym homage feate wherby Arthur was more puyssaunt thaÌ„ afore but this was not but that he demaunded often of Olyuer what thynge dydde meue hym yâ— he made hyÌ„ not to be knowen for then euery maÌ„ wolde haue made hym better chere and the kynge wolde haue ben ryght Ioyous for to haue maryed his doughter so hyghlye Notwithstandynge that it suffysed hyÌ„ Also he tolde hym how that after his departynge his fader had neuer Ioye and thought that angre hadde put hym to dethe wherfore Olyuer wepte ryght strongely for the dethe of his fader for hym semed yf that he were deed that it was for his sake prayed hym that he wolde not as ye tell what he was for it was yet tyme ynougâ—â— for to make them to be knowen and that whan that it sholde please them they myght do it Arthur that wolde all that his felowe wolde dydde not dysobeye hym in nothynge Also Olyuer made to bere more honour vnto hym than to hymselfe and pleased hym the moost that he myght Truely the two loyall felowes made so many nowe thynges that all they of the realme reioysed them Al theyr thoughtes was but for to make good chere and Ioyous that the whiche the one wolde the other wolde also and theyr two hertes were more agreynge thaÌ„ theyr semblaunce that was all one thynge Thus as ye here they passed the tyme in Ioy but forture that is moder of all â—rybnlacyon had enuye of the goodnes of these two loyall brederen and perfyte felowes for in a shorte tyme all theyr laughynges and Ioyes were chauÌ„ged in to wepynges and lamentacyons for Arthur was soo greuously syke that the physycyens iuged hym but deed but he was not so happy for to deye at euery tyme that he wysshed it His sekenes was without comparyson of all them that euer hadde ben sene for in a maner of wormes descended from his braynes the whiche ete all his face wherby he was so strongely dysfygured that there was neuer man more Out of his body yssued so grete a stynke that none myght approche hym saue Olyuer yâ— at euery thynge was aboute hym and wolde not departe fro hym He sente for all yâ— maystres surgyens on euery syde and prayed theym yf that they coude fynde ony remedy for his fayre broder that they sholde spare for nothynge And fynably none coude put no remedye to it And this sykenes heâ—de Arthur so longe that he was blyÌ„de Whan Olyuer sawe hym so blynde that he semed better deed than alyue he mayde ryght grete sorowe so moche that euery body hadde pyte on hym Often Olyuer sayd vnto Arthur my broder yf there be ony thyng that ye knowe that I may do for to helpe you spare it not for vpon my fayth I wolde be the poorest man in the worlde so that ye had your helthe ¶ Of the dreme and vysyon that Olyuer had by four 〈◊〉 in lykewyse it semed to Arthur that his helthe was in the power of Olyuer his felowe and yâ— he must do it for to hele hym Capitulo lxvj MY broder and faythfull felowe sayd Arthur ye doo me more good than I haue deserued wherfore I thanke you and pray you that ye wyll pray to god for to sende dethe to me for and it were his wyll I wolde fayne be out of this myserye ¶ It happened that Olyuer slepte vpon a nyghte and dremed that it was well possyble to fynde helthe for his felowe And Arthur dremed in lyke wyse that it was in Olyuers power
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
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
of his felowe Olyuer made vnto god eueÌ„ so as he had wryten in the lettre and all this to the ende that of them were memorye afterwarde for to knowe the puyssaunce of god and the meruayles that on them he wolde shewe as on his frendes good crysten men and â—or to gyue example vnto the other ¶ Almoche as it toucheth of the fortunes happened vnto Olyuer and Arthur as well on the see as on the laÌ„de it is but a thynge naturall and of semblable happeneth often by the dysposycyon of the weder but that whan yâ— they were presetued from deth that was yâ— wyll of god and thynges myraculous that were shewed on them ¶ To the regarde of the whyte knyght that appered so to Olyuer and gaue hym comforte and ayde in his nedes god had sente hym in rewardyÌ„ge hym in this worlde of yâ— grete goodnesse and werkes of myserycorde that he hadde accomplysshed in procurynge the absolucyon of that same knyght that was holden for accursed ¶ Where as it toucheth that Olyuer was taken by one of the kynges of Irlande and retayned prysoner and after delyuered out of pryson by Arthur god caused all this to the ende that the kynge of Irlande that vniustely and without cause was enemye of his herâ—â— and traytour for alredy by iust warre he had made to hym homage and to the kynge of Englande the whiche put hyÌ„ in his realme agayne abode not vnpunysshed in this same worlde of his euyll and traytourous wyll to the ende that all traytours take ensample by hym and kepe them from falsynge of theyr othe ¶ To the regarde that Arthur coude not be heled but yf he dranke of the blode of two Innocentes sone doughter god had done it and gyueÌ„ it to vnderstande by reuelacyon for to preue yâ— loyalte and true loue of these two felowes as we rede of Abraham that was contente for to make sacrefyce of his soue Ysaac vnto god in lyke wyse Olyuer was soner coÌ„tente to hele his felowe by sleynge of his chyldren than for to se hym deye and it maye be that his chyldren were deed and after reuyued or elles that god couered the murdre and semed to Olyuer that they were deed soo as it semed to the Iewes that Moyses had hornes yet had he none ¶ And asmoche as it toucheth that Olyuer was conteÌ„te for to slee his wyfe the quene for to kepe his promesse vnto the whyte knyght Syr Iohan Talbot to whome he hadde promysed the halfe of his wynnynge at the torneyment he was so grounded and resolued in loyalte yâ— of his promyse he coude not nor durst not excuse hym As we haue of kynge Herode yâ— loued of saynt IohaÌ„ baptyst but yet he wolde kepe his promyse to his doughter and make hym to be byheded than to fayle and breke yâ— fayth of his othe ¶ And bycause that to god is nothynge impossyble he hathe done for oure doctryne dyuers myracles that ben worthy of memorye perpetuall as yâ— hystorye specyfyeth here afore made to the praysynge of god and of his gloryous moder and to the honour of the noble meÌ„ and to the felycyte of all loyall true louers to the example of pacyentes to the hope of the cheualrous and to the ferrylyte and occupacyon of the tyme salutarye Amen ¶ Here endeth the hystorye of Olyuer of Castylle and of the fayre Helayne doughter vnto the kynge of Englande Inprynted at London in Flete strete at the sygne of the sonne by Wynkyn de Worde The yere of oure lorde M. CCCCC and .xviij. W C Wynkyn de Worde
Capitulo xxxvij ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe syke and how Helayne was syke for hym also and how by her faders leue she wente and vysyted hym Capitulo xxxviij ¶ How Olyuer after yâ— the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came in to the courte and of the messenger of the kynge of Irlonde that came and desyed the kynge of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix ¶ How Olyuer requyred the kynge of Englande for to gyue hym men to go agaynst them so he had Ca. xl ¶ How Olyuer after yâ— he was departed in armes from London came afore a towne that the Irysshmem had â—esyeged and vaynquysshed them Capitulo xli ¶ How Olyuer sente the kynge of Englande lettres yâ— his enemyes were dyscomfyted and torned in to flyghte and of his enterpryse â—aken Capitulo xlij ¶ How Olyuer entred into Irlonde and assyeged a kyÌ„ge the whiche was socoured of foure kyÌ„ges the whiche he dyscomfyted Capitulo xliij ¶ How the castell and towne where as was assyeged a kynge of Irlonde dyde yelde them Capitulo xliiij ¶ How Olyuer after dyders thynges sente to denounce his comynge to the kynge of Englande and of the honoure that was done to hym Capitulo xlv ¶ How Olyuer came in to the courte accompanyed of seuen kyÌ„ges prysoners of the whiche he made a present to the kynge of Englande Capitulo xlvi ¶ How the kynge of Englande gaue his doughter Helayne to Olyuer in gueâ—don of the seruyces that he had done to hym Capitulo xlvij ¶ How the Kynge made Olyuer for to aryse that was on his knees and of theyr gracyous wordes and how Olyuer handfest the fayre Helayne Capitulo xlviij ¶ How Olyuer wedded the fayre Helayne and of the solempâ—yte that was made Capitulo xlix ¶ How Olyuer was vertuous in appesynge noyses debates and how his wyfe was with chylde of a sayre sone Capitulo L. ¶ How Olyuer wente on huntynge and of the vysyon of his wyfe yâ— whiche she tolde vnto her husbaÌ„de Ca. li. ¶ How the sone of the kynge of Irlonde of whome Olyuer had slayne his fader at the torneyment founde Olyuer all alone from his men and toke hym prysoner and of the grete dole that was made for hym Capitulo li◠¶ How Arthur of Algarbe was regent of Castylle and of the enterpryse that he made for to fynde his felowe olyuer Capitulo liij ¶ How Arthur departed and put hym on the waye for to fynde his felowe Olyuer of his aduentures liiij ¶ How Arthur slewe a meruaylous beest in the forest lv ¶ How Arthur beynge sore hurte lyenge in the wood â—ppered to hym an auncyent knyghte that heled hym tolde vnto hym the place where as his felowe was prysoner Capitulo lvi ¶ How Arthur by the coÌ„maundement of the knyghte wente to London to the kynge of Englande and of the Ioye that they made to hym thynkynge that it had ben Olyuer Capitulo lvij ¶ How Arthur came and vysyted Helayne that wende that he had ben Olyuer her husbande and of the solempnyte that was made Capitulo lviij ¶ How Arthur laye with Olyuers wyfe without vylaynous touchynge and how he departed for to fynde his felowe Olyuer Capitulo lix ¶ How Arthur toke the kynge that helde Olyuer in pryson and made hym delyuer hym clene Capitulo lx ¶ How Olyuer and Arthur departed from Irlonde how Olyuer by Ire kest hym of his hors by cause that he had layne with his wyfe Capitulo lxi ¶ How Olyuer demeaned grete dole for the dyspleasure that he had done to his felowe Arthur Capitulo lxij ¶ How Olyuer departed from London and came to the place where as he hadde lefte his felowe and how he cryed hym mercye Capitulo lxiij ¶ How Arthur after that he was heled by the lycence of the kynge of Englande passed in to Irlonde and had vengeaunce of the kynge that helde Olyuer his felowe in pryson Capitulo lxiiij ¶ How Arthur layde hym downe of a grete sykenesse of the grete dyspleasure that Olyuer hadde Ca. lxv ¶ Of the dreme vysyon that Olyuer had foure nyghtes togyder in lykewyse it semed to Arthur that his helthe was in the power of his felowe Olyuer and that whiche ought to be done for to he le hyÌ„ Capitulo lxvi ¶ How Olyuer for to reÌ„dre helthe to his felowe Arthur slewe his two chyldren for to haue theyr blode and gyue it hym to drynke Capitulo lxvij ¶ How Olyuer in a basyn of syluer brought the blode of his two chyldren to his felowe Arthur and made hym for to drynke it wherfore he was all heled Ca. lxviij ¶ Of the grete myracle the god shewed to Olyuer of Castyll for his loyalte in reuyuynge his two chyldren that he had slayne Capitulo lxix ¶ How Olyuer afore the kynge of Englande and the other barons of the realme and euen afore his wyfe tolde his aduentures and meruaylous fortunes Ca. lxx ¶ How Olyuer sente his felowe Arthur in to Castyl for to denounce his comynge and how the kynge of EnglaÌ„de accompanyed Olyuer and his fayre doughter Helayne in to Castylle Capitulo lxxi ¶ How the whyte knyght appered to Olyuer oppressed hym for to kepe his promesse that was to gyue hym the halfe of that the whiche he had wonne at the torneymente Capitulo lxxij ¶ How Olyuer and his wyfe demeaned grete dole bycause that the whyte knyght toke one of theyr chyldren for his halfe and the whiche it was and of other mysteryes Capitulo lxxiij ¶ How the knyght had pyte of Olyuer hauyÌ„ge knowlege of his loyalte and quyted hym all And how he made hym knowen to hym Capitulo lxxiiij ¶ How Olyuer gaue his doughter in maryage to Arthur kynge of Algarbe and of the dethe of Olyuer and Helayne his wyfe Capitulo ixxv. ¶ How Henry of Castylle Olyuers sone was prysoner and deyed in turkye The last chapytre And after is the epylogacyon of all the boke ¶ Finis tabule ¶ The presentacyon and introyte of this present booke TO the ryght holy and ryght well eâ—rous louynge and magnyfycence of oure saueoure Ihesu cryst and of his ryght doulce and gloryous modâ—r saynt Marye the whiche ben the mocyons of all good operacyons with out the whiche none can be begonne nor ended I Henry Watson apprentyse of London trustynge in the grace of god hathe enterprysed for to translate this present hystorye out of Frensshe in to Englysshe oure moders tonge at the coÌ„maundement of my worshypfull mayster Wynkyn de worde not hauynge regarde for to laye it in another or in more dyffused termes thaÌ„ the frensshe doth specyfye for in doynge so I myght lyghtly haue fayled Wherfore I requyre all them that shall rede it or that hereth it redde for to holde for excused my lytell and obscure vnderstandynge In praynge our lorde that he gyue me grace for to fynysshe it by suche maner that it may be pleasaunt and agreable and profytable vnto the reders and vnto the herers of
loue that proceded from his herte Then the fayre Helayne apperceyued that he thought strongely vpon her and she had no thyÌ„ge kerued afore her for to ete For Olyuer had gyueÌ„ her none wherfore she sayd by dyuers tymes Olyuer my frende I wolde ete gladly yf ye gaue me wherof Olyuer that thought on other thynges herde her not at yâ— fyrst tyme. And whan his vnderstandynge was comen agayn all ashamed he began for to serue and as he that had no thought on that whiche he dyde cut his fyngre â—ll moost of Wherfore he departed from thens incontynent and gaue another to serue Helayne apperceyuynge these thyÌ„ges knewe apperceyued clerely yâ— thought of Olyuer wherof she was nothynge gladde whan she sawe hym in suche poynt for her loue ¶ How Olyuer layde hym downe in his bedde soore syke and how that Helayne was syke also for hym of theyr complayntes and how Helayne gate leue of her fader go to vysyte Olyuer Capitulo xxxviii OLyuer comeÌ„ in to his lodgys entred all alone in to his chambre and layde hym downe vpon his bedde in complaynynge hym so pyteously that it was grete pyte for to here He cursed the god of loue that had wounded hym so profoundly with his hambynge darte and bounde hym in his bandes soo vyolently wherfore he sawe appertely that he must nedes deye for he abode none allegeaunce nor mercye of his anguysshous maladye Ha kynge of EnglaÌ„de sayd Olyuer yf thy worde had ben verytable as a kynges ought to be I had not fallen in this extremyte that I am nowe in Thus as ye haue herde demeaned Olyuer his sorowe by longe space of tyme and contynued so in that he was greuously sycke and layde hym downe in his naked bedde Wherof the Kynge and all they of the courte were ryghte dyspleasaunt And the kynge vysyted hym ryght famylyerly and made hym to be sumptuously kepte and taken heede to of his physycyons But aboue all them that were dolaunt the noble Helayne passed notwithstaÌ„dynge she made no semblaunt outwarde And on a tyme as yâ— physycyens came to her as it is theyr custome for to vysyte prynces and prencesses she demaunded them how Olyuer dyde and yf that he amended not They answered naye and sayd that they had grete doubte of his lyfe Whan Helayne herde these tydynges she was so dolent that she myght scarsely susteyne herselfe TheÌ„ she with drewe her in to her garderobe and gaue them to vnderstande that she was sycke therfore she layde her downe on her bedde made her to be couered for to couer the better her dole And whan the ladyes were voyded she began to saye with a softe voyce O god almyghtye creatour of heuen and erthe the whiche after thy pleasure dysposeth all erthely thynges And thou ryght doulce quene of heuen lady of the worlde and empresse of helle also truely as thou bare .ix. monthes in thy blessyd flankes the veray sone of god thyn espouse and that conceyued hym a vyrgyn and delyuered hym a vyrgyn and yâ— arte aduocate and refuge of all desolate creatures I beseche the that thou wylte counsayll me vnhappy and vnfortuned woman O gloryous vyrgyn Marye wherfore hathe thy blessyd sone gyuen me soo moche beaute for to be cause of the dethe of the moost fayrest and moost valyauntest knyght that euer was sene the whiche am in dygne of this grace Wherfore I beseche the that thou kepe this gentyll knyght the whiche hathe not my soone me in no maner of the worlde wherby I sholde put hym in this ryght daungerous peryll and that thou dysdeyne not for to tell me myn honour saued how that I myght gyue hym allegeaunce of his maladye Whyles that she complayned so to god and to our lady a lyghte sompne toke her wherthrughe she was constrayned to slepe In her slepe her semed that our lady spake to her and sayd Helayne my sone I haue herde thy request The knyght for whome thou hast prayed is sycke to the dethe And bycause that thou arte cause of his maladye thou must be cause also of his guarysshyÌ„ge and helthe go towarde thy fader and demaunde hym lycence for to â—o se hym whan thou shalte be there put hym in memorye that the yeres ende approcheth nere that thou shalte haue so good mynde on hym that it shall suffyse hym Helayne a waked ryght Ioyous of her vysyoÌ„ and in thankynge god and our lady arose and wente towarde her fader the whiche gaue her leue to go vysyte Olyuer and so she wente theder with a lytell company And whan she was entred in to the chambre she approched towarde the bedde where as Olyuer was that alredye had lost his knowlege and with the teres in her eyen named hym her frende in demaundynge hym how he dyde Olyuer knewe the voyce of his mayâ—â—â—esse and lyfte vp his eyen in makynge a lytell syghe anguysshous for other thynge coude he not answere Helayne apperceyued that he had but lytell knowlege wherfore she approched more nerer and sayd with a lowe voyce Alas my frende what lacke ye wyll ye leue me a wydowe do ye not knowe yâ— the ende of the twelue monthe approcheth By my trouth my frende your maladye doth greue me so sore that ye can not byleue it wherfore I pray you that ye wyll thynke for to guarysshe you and yf there be ony thynge that I can do for you tell it me And eueÌ„ so god helpe me myn honoure salued I knowe no maÌ„ for whome I wolde do more than for you ¶ How Olyuer after that the fayre Helayne had vysyted hym came to the courte and of the messenger of the Kynges of Irlande sente to the Kynge of Englande for to defye hym of fyre and blode Capitulo xxxix AS Olyuer herde yâ— swete voyce of his maystres that recomforted hym so swetely he forced hym for to speke and with grete payne thanked her and with payne myght he absteyne hym from saynge that she was cause of his dethe and as she that loued hym sayd to hym Fayre syr thynke for to waxe hole and come to the courte For vpon my fayth ye shall be ryght welcome Then she toke leue of hym and retorned and it was neuer a daye after but that she shente for to knowe how he dyde and with that she sente hym ryght largely of her wynes and dyde so moche that within shorte tyme he was strouÌ„ge ynoughe for to promayne hym aboute his chambre as he that had had a good physycyen in his maladye And it was not longe after that he wente in to the courte and whan he felte hymselfe that he was entyerly hole he serued his maystres as he had done before The whiche made hym greter chere than she was accustomed to do In suche wyse yâ— Olyuer was more beauteuous than euer he had beÌ„ afore Helayne that apperceyued that Olyuer was out of daunger put hym in remembraunce of the regrettes and complayntes that she had made
derest holden of all the other For he was one of the best and valyauntest knyghtes that euer was Neuerthelesse he was not kynge of Englande for he deyed yonge wherof it was grete dommage ¶ A lōge tyme dyde passe and so moche that the fayre Helayne was with chylde agayne the whiche was delyuered of a fayre doughter y◠whiche was ryght solempnelye baptysed and she was named Clarysse The fayre Helayne and Olyuer were so assotted and doted on theyr chyldrē that it was a grete meruayll and I am not abasshed For they ought well to be so The moder hadde them alwaye bytwene her armes and myght not forgo the syght of them It was the passe tyme of Olyuer for the realme of Englande was in peas and wyst not wherin to occupye hym saue to goo on huntynge and haukynge and for to make good chere ¶ How Olyuer wente on huntynge of the vysyon of his wyfe the whiche she tolde vnto hȳ Capi. lj OLyuer passed his tyme Ioyously soo as ye haue herde ¶ It happened that the hunters made hym to knowe that the grettest wylde bore that euer was sene was in the forest fyue myle thens Olyuer that loued well hūtynge was ryght Ioyous and sayd that he wolde go ryght gladly wherfore on an after none he departed from the cyte lodged hym in a vyllage by y◠forest where the wylde bore was in That nyght his wyfe dremed a meruaylous dreme for her thought that she was on huntynge with her lorde and that she sawe a Tygre meruaylously grete that with his teeth and his nayles deuoured Olyuer and bare hym awaye she wyste not where Of his vysyon all trymblynge the fayre Helayne awaked and coude not slepe after that And on the morowe she sente worde to her lorde requyred hym that he wolde not hunte as for that daye for and he dyde her herte Iuged her that he sholde haue some hurte Olyuer herynge the message of his wyfe dyde no thynge but laughe for hym semed y◠dremes were but fantasyes wherfore he sente worde to his wyfe that she sholde make gode chere that he wolde brynge her some venyson then he mounted on horsbacke and wente to y◠forest and vncoupled the houndes and began for to hunte Thē Olyuer put hym in to the forest and folowed the houndes wherfore he dyde folye For yf he had byleued the counsayll of his wyfe it had not happened to hym as it dyde For so as he folowed the houndes as nere as he myghte the wylde bore came that was on fote and trauersed afore hym Olyuer that was welhorsed smote hym with the sporres and ranne after And he dyde so moche that he had lost all his men within a lytell whyle Alas yf he had knowen of the euyll aduenture he wolde not haue putte hym so soone in the forest but as he that toke no hede rode on alwaye without kepynge ony waye so as his euyll aduenture ledde hym O kynge of Englande truely of a longe tyme thou shalte not se thy fayre sone Olyuer nor thou ryght fayre Helayne of a longe tyme thou shalt not se thy lorde and husbande ¶ How the Kynges sone of Irlande of whiche Olyuer had slayne his fader at the torneyment founde Olyuer all alone frō his mē toke hym prysoner and of the grete sorowe that was made for hym Capitulo lij AFore that Olyuer apperceyued that no body dyde folowe hym he was ferre from his folke And whan he founde hymselfe alone he blewe his horne but none answered hym Wherfore he put hym on the waye in an vnhappy houre For the more that he wente forwarde the ferder he was from them Thus as he wente so the wylde bore that was ferre from hym came amōgest a company of men that passed thorughe the forest the whiche wente to London And the chyef was one of the kynges of Irlande that same that Olyuer had slayne the fader of at the torneymente As he sawe the wylde bore with suche houndes as he had he folowed and ranne soo moche in the forest that they recoūtred Olyuer whiche was all alone Then Olyuer auaunced hym and salued the kynge but the kynge dysdayned to speke to hym And he escryed to his men saynge here is the murderer that hathe slayne my fader Wherfore I do pray you that ye wyll take hȳ alyue for I can not auenge me better than at this tyme. And whan Olyuer herde these wordes he sethande to his swerde and defended hym ryght valyauntly But in the ende whether he wolde or not he was taken And the kynge made a hode all close to be put on his heed to the ende that he sholde not be knowen and in that estate he made hym to be ledde to a porte of y◠see where as he was put in a shyp and ledde in to a fortresse of Irlande that was that same kynges In the whiche Olyuer was put in pryson full of vermyne and had brede and water ones a daye Abydynge the retornynge of the kynge that sholde do Iustyce on hym at his pleasure And to the ende that his treason were not knowen he retorned not but wente to London towarde the kynge his souerayne lorde y◠whiche he founde gretely dyscomforted for he had herde no tydynges of Olyuer the whiche was soughte on all sydes O what pyteous and innumerable lamentacyons was made whan y◠trouthe was knowen that he coude not be founden Certaynlye neuer so grete dolours was not demeaned in no coūtre The good kynge sayd Ha ryght noble realme thou hast wel lost the floure of thy crowne and the moost parte of thyn armoure Alas my ryght swete sone thou was he y◠trauaylled whan I reposed me he by whome I was redoubted and he by whome I was obeyed and he by whome I lyued in rest and in surete ¶ These regrettes were nothynge in comparyson to the pyteous lamentacyons that his doughter made She myght neyther ete nor drynke but had layde her on a bedde as she had bendeed in suche wyse that all they that sawe her had grete pyte on her And whan she myght speke she escryed saynge My blessyd creat our wherfore dydde thou euer gyue me hym that in his departynge dothe eue me in so grete doloure and dystresse vpon the erthe certes yf it were thy blessyd pleasure I wolde be in his company then she complanyed her vnto the blessyd vyrgyn Marye in saynge Ryght swete vyrgyn mary moder of god what may I haue done to the that thou hast separed me fro the syght of my ryght amyable lorde and husbande that so derely loued me With suche or semblable wordes the ryght fayre Helayne meuyd all theym aboute her that they coude not comforte her ¶ I shall leue her to speke of the kynge ef Englande and his doughter all theym of his realme demeanynge theyr sorowe And shal speke of them of the realme of Castylle and of Arthu◠Kynge of Algarbe and Regente of Castylle ¶ How Arthur Kynge