messenger and went vnto the palais where as he found the kyng of Ynde the quene Rozemonde syttyng besyde hym the which knewe Ualentyne right well so she sayde to the kyng Syr se you hym yonder it is the same that toke me from you the fyrste tyme that you would haue ledde me awaye Lady sayde the king of Ynde at this houre I shall auenge me for he shal neuer in his lyfe escape me That shall he sayde the lady for I knowe him of so muche that yet you maye haue good seruice of hym Then Ualentyne approched with a hardy haâ—te and salued the kyng and the quene right hyghely Syr sayde Ualentyne I am messenger vnto kynge Lucar that sendeth me too you And maundeth you by me that you sende hym his Lady Rozemonde agayne shortely that you tooke from hym that is here And if thou wyll do it he will pardon you the death of his father and shall make his armye to go out of your lande without any soiournyng but notwithstandyng that I am charged for to do you this message if you wil beleue me you shall neuer consent therto but shall kepe the lady that is so fayre and that loueth you soo well And knowe that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I shall bee in no place where as I shall suffer you to be blanted dishonoured for the loue of the lady And all the terme of my lyfe I shall serue you truely Knyght sayde the kyng of Ynde you speake as valiaunt your wordes pleaseth me muche But for a conclusion you shall saye vnto kyng Lucar that and he haue to do with wiues y t he seke other then my loue Rozemande for he shall neuer the dayes of his lyfe sleepe by her sydes nor haue pleasure of her body Knyght sayd the lady salue my father and tell hym that of this dede he is the cause for I had tolde himself that I would not be geuen vnto Lucar now my father hath done agaynst my wyll and I haue done agaynst his so tell vnto Lucar that he haue no more trust in me Lady sayd Valentyne I shall doo your message with good harte Thus he toke leue right ioyous to be escaped from the kyng of Ynde and retorned vnto kyng Lucar and tolde him his aunswere saying Syr purchace you another wyfe for Rozemonde is wedded vnto the kyng of Ynde that slepeth with her euery nyght and doech his pleasure When Lucar vudâ—â—â—tode those wordes he wrong his handes and pulled his heere saying Ha my loue for you it behoueth that Idye when I haue loste the moost fayrest the moost noble and the moost louing that is in the worlde Alas what hadde I done to you that hath purchased me soo great displeasure Fals kyng of Ynde I shal neuer loue the for thou hast slayne my father fasly and taken my wyfe by treason from me Then Brandiffer sayde vno him My fayre sonne I am ryght sory for your displeasure but at this tyme I can not amende it for it â—e houeth me to go in to my lande to chase away the Frenchemen as you haue heard the messenger saye or elles my lande shall be destroyed Syr sayde Lucar let vs assayle the cytie or you departe By mahoune sayd Brandyffer none assâ—ure can take it for it must be wonne by â—amyne wherfore abyde you here vnto my retourne ⧠Howe kyng Lucar dyd so muche that kyng Brandyffer abode with hym and seute Valentyne into Augorye agaynst kyng Pepyn Cap. lxxiiii WHen kyng Lucar vnderstode that kyng Brandyffer would leue hym he was tyght sorowfull and sayde to hym Syr it is true that you haue promysed me to auenge me on the kynge of Ynde that hathe done vs so great an iniurye ¶ That is true sayd BraÌ„dyffer but I am sory that I may not accomplyshe my promyse for the goyng to kepe my lande Nowe I shall tell you sayde kynge Lucar howe you maye do for to saue youre honour and mine I haue here a knyght named Valentyne aboue all other the moost valyaunt so you may geue hym youre men for I haue founde hym true in all thynges ¶ And moreouer you haue in this hoost your vncle Murgalant that of long tyme hathe folowed the warre and knoweth muche And me thinke that it sheld be good that these twayne made the â—iage and you abyde here To these wordes Brandiffer accorded and sent for them both saying to them Lordes you are chosen of vs twayne to goo into Angorye too reyse vp the syege that kyng Pepyn hath set So I pray you that you do so that my londe maye be defended and kepte And you fayre vncle thynke for to doo well and it shall be rendred you Fayre neuewe take no more thought for sythe that I leade with me the noble Ualentyne I make no doubte but that all shall be wel after these thynges deuysed and ordeyned there was geuen vnto Ualentyne and Murgalant a hondred thousande paynyms â–ª and also many abode in the hoost of kyng Lucar Ualentyne and Murgalant mounted vpoÌ„ the sea and rowed soo muche that they arryued at the hauen of Angory But a lytell whyle afore they arryued Ualentyne aduysed a toure couered with fyne laten so he damaunded the maryners what place it was Sir sayd they it is the stronge castell and wyte that it is a strong place and so subtylly composed at the entre that there can but one man passe at ones for and if twaine would passe at ones they should fall in to the sea that beteth against the walles And in that same castel king Brandiffer hath kept his doughter Galazye long time to the ende that she should not be stolen nor taken away of no body For in the worlde is not memorye of a fayrer than she but there is so muche that he wyll not geue her to no liuing creature When Ualentyne harde those wordes there toke hym a ryght great desyre for to go se the lady and sayde to hymselfe that he shoulde neuer be Joyous tyll that he had sene her Nowe are they aryued besyde Angorye and haue taken lande and sette forth their hoost in a short tyme. They sawe right well the tentes and pauilions of kynge Pepyn that were muche glystering and pleasaunt for to beholde Great dyligence made the christen men for to assayl the cytie But within was an admyrall named Bruhans the whiche yssued out euery day vpon king Pepin and did great prowesse with his men When Murgalant aduised the hoost of the christeÌ„ men that helde a great grouÌ„d he called Ualentyne and sayde to hym Knyght counsayll vs vpoÌ„ this feate for I se know that the christeÌ„ men are strong and a great nombre Murgalant sayde Ualentyne I shall tell you myne opynion I counsayll that you sende a messenger a none in to the cytie of Angorye to specyfye to our men that we are aryued that they fayle not to morowe in the mornyng to yssue oute vpon the christen men and assaile
muche he wenâ— by water and lande that he arryued in Fraunce and went vnto OrleauÌ„ce for to refreshe hym For gladly he was there because of the great foreâ—â—es that were about it wherfore he commaunded that for his welcome home â–ª they should holde table rounde and so it was done And when it came to the houre of the full dyner the squyer that had nourysshed Ualentyne tooke hym by the hande and presented hym before the kynge in saying to hym Syr â—o here the poore orphelyn that your maiestie founde in the forest of Orleaunce the whiche you gaue me for to nouryshe and kepe nowe haue â— nouryshed him vnto this present tyme notat mine expeÌ„ces but at yours Wherfore I beseche your excellent maieste that ye will haue remembraunce of him for he wyll become greate within a while and therfore it is time to thinke theton And when he had hearde the squiec speake he called the chylde Ualentyne and tooke him by the hande and he sawe him so wyse and well thought in maners and coÌ„ dicions that at the same houre he gaue hym all the cuppes pottes and goblettes and the other vessels y t at that time was made ready for to serue y e court And then the kyng sayd before them all in the court I wyll that Ualentyne be derely kept And for the great beau tie and honoure of his persone the kyng would that y e yong chylde Ualentine whiche was at that tyme but twelue yeare olde should be nourished with his dough ter Eglantine whiche was so fayre so wyse so well endoctrined that all the worlde spake good honoure of her The two children were nourished together and loued wel eche other with loue iust and loyal in suche wise that the one could not be mery without the other And principally Eglantyne y e kinges doughter seing and consydering the prudence of Ualentyne she was so esprysed with his loue in all honoure that without hym she might neyther haue solace nor recreacion Ualentyne became great and of faire stature in althinges well endoctrined He loued muche horse harneâ—s and founde hymselfe gladly at Justyng And there as he wente he bare awaye the pryte and the honour Than the kyng seyng his valyauntnesse and good wyll he gaue him horses and hatneis landes tentes a great possessyons And it was not longe after but that there was greate brute of hym in the courte wheraâ— many had great enuy diuers tymes and oftentymes sayd to hym in reproche that he was but a fundelynge and a poorechyld without knowyng any of his frendes that might ayde hym For the whyche wordes Ualentyne wepte full ofâ—e And whan the fayre Eglantyne sawe hym angred the wolde wepe full tenderly and with all her might comfort hym Ualentyne bate hym so meke and so gentyll in kinge Pepyns coutte that he was beloued of lordes ladyes knyghtes and squyers and euery body sayd good honour by hym And hys brother Orson is within the forest toughe couered with heer as a bere ledynge a wylde bestes life as it is madt mencion of before and as in this chapytre it shalbe declated vnto you For know that soone after that the kinge was at Orleaunce there came a messenger vnto him that was sent froÌ„ the pope The whyche demaunded helpe and socoure agaynst the paynyms enemyes of our holy fayth that had takeÌ„ the cyte of Rome WhaÌ„ kinge Pepyn vnderstode that the Satasâ—â—s was with in Rome he made all diligence to prepayre hys hoost Of the whych the chylde Ualentyne was made chefe and pryncypall gouernour Whan Eglantyne knewe that Ualentyne dyd goo she was muche sorowful as she that loued him best of any creature The fayre Eglantyne sent for him secretly to come and speke with her And whaÌ„ he was comeÌ„ she sayd vnto him sighing full tenderly Alas Ualentyne my loue now se I wel that I shal haue no more ioye and consolacion whan that ye wyll depart for to go vnto batayle Alas ye are wyne onely loue my comforte the refuge of my pleasaunce Now wold to God that I had neyther kynne nor frende in the worlde that wold lette me to do myâ— wyll For ryght so God help me I wolde neuer haue other in maryage but you â–ª and than shulde ye be kynge of Fraunce and I Quene A madame sayd valentyne Leue your imaginacion and haue not your herte soo ardaunt on me You knowe that I am a poore foundlyng that your rather hath nouryshed for goddes sake and am in no manner a man for to haue you nor the poorest damoysell that is with you thynke els where and do so that ye maye shew of what bloude ye becomen of And to god I commaund you the which haue you alwayes in his kepyng â–ª At these wordes departed Ualentyne and lefte the fayre Eglantyne dolence and sorowful for his departynge The king and his hooste were redy for to mount on horsback departed from Orleaunce to go to Rome Than the kyng Pepyn cal led his lordes and barons of his court said to them Lordes you knowe that al the worlde maketh mencyou of a wilde man the which is in this forest wherfore I haue great will and affecâ—ion to see him taken or I go any farther To these wordes consented the lords and barons of his courte The chace was ordeyned they entred in to the wodde They toke dyuers wylde â—eestes but for to finde Orson euery body was a ferâ— saue Ualentine that was his brother but he wiste nothinge the which desired to fight with him So long they wente throughe the wodde that the Kinge Pepin arriued before the pitte obscure tenebrous wher as Orson healde him And whan he sawe the Kynge he issued out sodaynly and ranne agaynste hym so he toke him in his nayles the whyche were right greate and cast him to the erth ryght boystously And the kinge that wende to haue dyed cryed tight high for socour so there came to him a valyaunt knight whan he saw the wylde man that woulde haue straungled the kyng he drewe his swerâ—e for to haue ronue vpon hym But whan Orson sawe the naked swerd finmbing he left the kynge and ranne to the knyghte and tooke hym in hys armes and held hym so hard that he threw doune both hors and man Than the hors gate vp that was sore afrayde and ranne thorow the forest And Orson held the knight the which with his â—â—arp nailes stran gled hym and pyteouslye pulled him in pyeces whan the kynge came to his men that wet therby he recoun ced to them the greate daunger that he had ben in â–ª and the piteous deth of the knighte of the whych tidinges they wet much aâ—alhed Than they put them togideâ— and went towarde the caue of Orson for to take hym and sâ—e him They found the knyght but they saw not Orson for it pleased not god that he shulde be conque red saue of his broder Ualentiue the which conquered
dreme muche meruayilous which putâ—eth me in grete thought and fere The night whan I shold haue taken my rest I dremed that I was in a great and a meruailous water profounde in the which I should haue be drowned yf it had not bene a face that drew me out of the water And than me thought I sawe a Gryffon yssue out of a cloude the whiche with his nayles sharpe and longe tooke me and bare me soo farre that I wyste not where I was artyued Ha my loue said Ualentine take no thoughte sor your dreame for who that wolde byleue in dremes shoulde haue to much to suffre It is true sayd the fayre lady Clerymonde but I can not kepe my selfe therfro At these wordes the lady Ualeutine entred into a fayre arbour that was garnyshed w t al maner of floures and therin they were a grete while talkinge of their secreate loue Nowe it happened that the same day Ferragus the traytour arriued there and whan the lady knewe that he was comen she wente to warde hym for to welcom him And he sayd to her moche swetely My syster aboue all worldly creatures I hadde desyre for to se you Nowe tell me I praye you whiche is the knyght that shal wedde you fayre broder here may you sehyâ—n Than valentyne approched and salue the one the other with grete reuerence Knyghte sayd Ferragus ye be welcome in to these quarters for to wedde my syster Clerymonde For ryght soo as my broder the grene knyght the whiche hathe sente you hether after that he hadde ben conquered by you dyde taken the fayth of Ihesu christe euen so haue I my wyll and synguler desyre to receyue baptim and take youre byleue Syr sayd Ualentyne of your wyll be Iesus thaÌ„ked for he for your redemptyon suffred dethe and passyon without the whiche none can be saued Alas Ualentyne thought well that the traytoure Ferragus had sayd those wordes by greate deuocyon but vnder the shadowe of swete and fayre wordes he ymagyned mortall treason And whan the gyaunt Feragus had sayd so Ualentyne sayd to hym Syr it hathe ben tolde and recouÌ„ted vnto me that within your hous syth the space of twenty yere or there aboute you holde a christenwoman the whiche I desyre for to se with al my herte whiche is my moder and is named Bellyssante syster vnto the kynge Pepyn and wyfe vnto the Emperoure of Grece By mahoune sayd Ferragus you say trouthe but to the ende that you be the better enfourmed of her you shall come in to Portyngale and se the lady And whan you shall haue spoken to heryou maye knowe yf she be suche as you demaunde or not grameryce sayd Ualentyne than he lefte hym and sayd vnto his syster the fayre Clerymonde in maner of good perfyte loue My syster and inyne onelye esperaunce I desyre aboue all thynges your honoure and auauncemente and am ryght Ioyous that you haue founde so valyaunt a knyght to your husbande and spouse and for his greate valyauntnesse I wyll that you and he come with me into portyngale to the ende that with the greater tryumph you maye be maryed togyder ¶ Howe Ualentyne and Orson were betrayed by Ferragus and howe he put them in an obscure prisoÌ„ wher as they made pyteous complayntes Ca. xxxiii WHan Ferragus had spoken so to his sister Clerimonde he made his shippes and hys galees to be apparaylled and his men for to mount vppon the sea After he sent for Ualentine the which was ryght Ioyous for to goo into portyngale with his loue Clerymonde For he wend wel that the gyaunt Ferragus ledde them ouer for to do them honoure for he had promysed them that he wold be christened and al thei of his court wher by Ualentine was betrayed and his broder Orson For also soone as the cursed sarazyne was mounted vppon the sea and that he had Ualentine in his subgeccioÌ„ with in his shippe he thoughte that he shoulde neuer escape his handes wythout death but at the entre of the sea he made him fayre semblaunte and by false worddes and promyses he made them come with hym but whanne it came towarde midnighte that the two knyghtes were gone to reast them the traytour Ferragus made them to be taken secretely in theyr beddes and be bouÌ„den surely and made theyr eyen to be bended as man that were opeÌ„ly condempned to death by faute crymynell And whan the fayre Clerymonde sa we her louer Ualentine taken and bounden she made so greate sorowe that hee had a harde harte that wepte not Alas said she knight Ualentyne our Ioye and solace is soone torued into dolour and dystresse you haue boughte my loue to deare whan that for my sake you muste suffre death I wolde that I had neuer bene borne for your sake for in payne and in trauayll you haue conquered me and in doole and in sorowe I shall be taken from you to sore is the loue bought whan one muste suffre deathe for louynge trewlye wythoute to haue deserued it Alas alas nowe oughte I wel to syghe with my herte and tenderly wepe with myn eyen whan it behoueth that for my loue the moost valyaunt the moost hardy and the moost noble of the worlde be delyuered vnto shameful dethe haâ— Ferragus my fayre broder to euyll do you werke For of all the worlde you haue betrayed and deceyued the moost valyaunt knyght and yf it be soo that he muste suffre dethe for me I shall neuer the dayes of my lyfe haue Ioye at my herte but y e moost sonest that I may I shall procure my dethe by some waye And I do you to wytte that yf you put the two knyghtes to dethe ye shall haue ones a vyllaynous reproche and therfore let them alone For in purchasynge theyr dethe you can haue no prouffyte And yf you wyll put them to dethe make me be caste fyrste in to the see for I wolde not lyue to se suche two valyaunt knyghtes dye before me with out hauynge deserued it So moche was the lady Clerimonde smyten profoundly at herte with sorowe that at that same houre she wolde haue slayne herselfe or lepte in to the see yf she had not ben letted Than Ferragus her brober made her to be kepte by his barons and coÌ„maunded the kepers that they sholde not let her speke one worde to the prysoners and so abode Clerymonde in teres and pyteous syghes and Ualentyne Orson were bounde ryght faste by the sarazyns and paynyms They reclaymed god moche deuoutely praynge hym that he wolde delyuer them out of that daunger Alas sayd Ualentine nowe is fortune moche contrary to me and at my dede peruerse and dysloyall Now haue I all my lyfe in payne and trauayll vsed my youthe for to seke and fynde the place that I was extraughte oute of and the fader and moder that hathe broughte me into this worlde and now whan I am almoost at the ende of my doloure in conuertynge it into Joye
shall finde a remedy and auenge you tyght shortly And here I sweare vnto you that I shall serue Ualentyne and you truely also long as I lyue Frende sayd Bellyssant if thou mayest do so muche as delyuer my two chyldren out of pryson I shall neuer fayle the whyles that I lyue Lady sayde Pacolet be ioyous and take comforte vnto you â–ª for or that it be longe I shall worke soo craftely and soo subtylly with myne arte that of my persone you shall bee ryght well content and pleased ¶ How Pacolet by his arte deliuered Ualentyne and Orson out of kynge Ferragus pryson and conduyted them oute of his countrey with their mother and the fayre Clerymonde Cap. xxxv By the enchauntour Pacolet the fayre Clery monde and the Empresse Bellyssant were recomforted of their great sorow and made great dyligence whyles that the kyng Ferragus and his barons daunced and made great chere and when they had trauayled sore they went to bedde and slepte Pacolet slepte not but was ryght dylygent about his gere for to playe his crafte with And then he came to a great towre whereof the gates were of tyne stele great and thycke and surely locked But also soone as he had casten his sorte the gates opened and the lockes broke then he entred vntyll he came to the doore of the pryson that the thyldren were in and also soone as he touched the dore it opeded and brake as the other gate dydde When the two chyldren that were in the darke pytharde the dore open with ioyned handes deuoutly they kneled downe to the earth and cryed god mercye for they wende well that the Gyaunt Ferragus hadde sent for them to make them dye Ualentyne began for to wepe tenderly and Orson sayde to hym Take in you comforte and pacience for it behoueth vs to die and finishe our daies I se it clerely but syth that it is soo that I se none other remedy I thynke for too venge me or I dye on hym that setteth fyrst handes on me Than Orson toke vp a great barre that laye beside hym And when Pacolet aduysed theim he sayde vnto them thus Lordes for me haue no doubte for I am come hether for your delyueraunce Come lyghtly after me for or the daye be cleare I shall shew you the mother that bare you Ualentyne was muche ioyous when he harde Pacoler speake soo but Orson that behelde hym fyersly â–ª would not truste therein ¶ And when Pacolet sawe Orson beholde hym so fyersly he withdrewe hym abacke for great feare that he had but Ualentyne recoÌ„forâ—eâ— him muche â—wetâ—ly and assured hym of his brother Orson Then Pacolet ledde theym and conduyted them vnto the chambre whereas the sorowfull ladyes were wepyng The dores were locked but he could ouen them well After they entred in to the house where as Pacolet threwe so his charme that he made al them of the place to slepe so strongly that they knew nothing of their comyng And when they were entred in to the chambre where as the twoo sorowefull ladies was they went to warde their mother that myght not speake one worde but fel vnto the earth in a swowne and the fayre Clerymonde sayde vnto Ualentyne pyteouslye Alas knyght it is your in other that for the loue of you is fallen in a swowne Then valentyne embraced her and toke her vp and Orson colled her betwene his armes in saying to her Swete mother alas speake vnto me and then kissed her whiche myght speake neuer a worde and they were all â—hre so profoundly smyten to the â—arce w t pyte that they fel vnto y e earth in a swowne and lay there a great whyle For their pyte Clerymond wept full bytterly And when the lady Bellyssant and the chyldren were rysen their mother sayd vnto them al weping Alas my childreÌ„ for your sakes I haue suffred and enduted more greater payne anguy she then euer poore woman suffred And of all my lamentacions you were the cause but sythe that God of his diuine grace and puyssaunre hath saued you in suche maner y t once in my lyfe I may se you betwene myne armes of all my colours I am recomforted But tel me and declare me howe and by what manner sythe the tyme that I chylded you you haue bene noutysshed and gouerned in what countrey and with what meÌ„ you haue ben retayned for I haue ryght great desire to know y e truthe Then Ualentyne beholdyng his mother â—ygh pyteously tolde and recounted vnto her the truthe of their deades and gouernyng and howe they were founde in the â—orest in declaryng her the fortunes and perpllous aduentures that they had ben in al the tyme of theyr lyues vnto that present houre ¶ And whan Ualentine had finisshed his wordes the Empresse BellissaÌ„t that knewe clerely that they were her propre children was with a naturall loue so asperly taken that with greter haboundaunce of teres than before â—he wolde haue fallen in swowne Than Pacolet that was in the chaÌ„bre sayd vnto her in this maner Lady leue this wepynge and thynke for to departe from this place for it is tyme that we go out of Portyngale yf you wyll be delyuered out of the subgeccion of kinge Fetragus Alasse sayd Clerymonde my loue Ualentyne wel ought you to remembre the othe and promise that you haue made me Hold your couenaÌ„t and take me vnto wyfe as you haue promysed me Lady sayd Valentyne of my loyalte haue noo doubte for that whiche I haue promysed you with good hart I wyl â–ª truely kepe but for this presente tyme the naturall loue of my moder toucheth me more at the hart that I haue soughte so longe than all the other pleasures of the world Not for that my loue doubte you not for I truste neuer nor haue un volente to haue other than you to wyfe and spouse UpoÌ„ these wordes came Orson said vnto Pacolet that he shold go and open Ferragus chambre doore and that wyth his handes he wolde â—le hym Orson sayd Pacolet com with me for I shal open it at your own plesure Lordes sayd Clerymonde leue that enterpryse for â–ª I wylâ— neuer consent vnto his death And I let you wit if you sâ—e him you shal lese the loue of my broder the grene knight the which may healpe you in diuers thinges By my fayth sayde Ualentine you saye the â—eraâ—e trouthe and you haue spoken more wisâ—lyer than we haue don for of the dethe of your broder you ought not to be culpable Iâ— that houre they departed out of the cyte and Pacolet wente before that opened them the gates So they folowed hym tyll that they came too a porte of the see and there entred into a galee that Pacolecte hadde made redy for them They had wynde at wyland saylled so longe that they arryued at Clerymondes castell whereas they toke lande for to refreshe them ¶ How Valentine and Orson concluded for to depart out of the castel for fere
broches that were sharpe and dyd her selfe great hurte in castyng out a hydeous crye and drawyng hymselfe abacke And Ualentyne pursued her y t had a hardy courage but when the beast sawe hym approche she rose streight vp vpon her hinder free and w t her fore fete wende for to haue beten downe Valentyne vnder her the whiche was couered with the shelde and for the doubte of the shelde she withdrewe her abacke ¶ By mahowne and termagaut sayd the kyng of An â—â—â—che that was within his palays vpon a greate and a hie toure se yonder a knight that is muche valiaunt and hardy the whiche ought wel to be praysed and honoured And vpon the other syde was the quene that hadde to name Rozemonde that for the loue of Ualentyne and his hardynes was profoundly smyten to the harte with an ardaunt desyre of loue ⧠Howe the serpente toke of Ualentynes helme and howe Pacolet armed hym and brought hym another helme and of the complayntes that the Quene Rozemonde made for Ualentyne Cap. lxii THe batayll was ryght tyers without the cytie betwene Ualentyne and the serpente for if it had not ben y â— prycked sheld y â— the beast doubted he would haue casten Ualentyne vnto the earth muche quickely but he helde his shelde with the which he could well helpe hym selfe And in the other hande he helde his sworde wherewith he gaue the serpente a marueylous stroke vnder the eare but the stroke was soo harde that he brake his sworde Ueray God sayde Ualentine helpe me and succoure me agaynst this fende that is so hortyble and fyerse Ualentyne was in great daunger when his sworde was broken for the beast began for to chaufe her and smote UaleÌ„tine in suche maner with one of her pawes that she all to rente his harneis with her nayles Then Ualentyne drewe out a sharpe glayue and haste it soo euen at the beaste that it entted halfe a fote in to her throte but she set not therby Ualentyne seyng that ranne vnto his horse and tooke the axe that hanged at his sadle bowe and retourned vnto the beast in makyng the sygne of the crosse before hym and demaundyng comforte of God so he approched nere the beaste that watched hym strongly and with his cuttyng axe smote her vpon the tayle so rudely that he cut the skynne vnto the bone and made the bloude to yssue out by the great stremes The sarazyns and paynims were muche abasshed that were vpon the walles of the great prowesse of Ualentyne And the quene Rozemonde that behelde hym muche gladly sayde vnto herselfe all alone Ha knyght fayre syr mahoune helde the and bryng the agayne with Joye for by mahoune in whome I beleue of all the knyghtes that euer I sawe my harte is moost taken with thy loue Thus sayd the quene Rozemonde that loued hym ardauntly And Valentyne fyghteth with the dragon that caste her heuy tayle oftentymes at hym and trauayled hym so sore that she had all mo ost smyten him downe but he helde his axe surely with the whiche he coulde well playe he gaue the serpent suche a stroke that he cut of a quarter of her tayle and then she made so great a crie that al the cytie sowned therof after she flewe ouer Valentins head and pulled of his helme and smote hym too the grouÌ„de but by his diligence he rose vp quickely sorow full and displeasaunt that his head was bare He began for to reclayme God and the virgyn Marye in bewayllyng oftentymes the tayre Clerymonde When they of the cytie sawe that he had lost his helme they thought well that he should neuer escape By my God saide the Kyng nowe may we well say that the christen knyght shall neuer come hether agayne Than was Pacolet muche sorowfull pyteously began for to wepe for the loue of Valentyne Halas said he make the gates to be opened to me and delyuer me a harneys for I wil this daye lyue and dye with my maister and also make me to be deliuered a helme for I will bere it hym for to couer his head Pacolet was armed anone and a helme geuen him and also the gates opened He recoÌ„mauÌ„ded hym vnto God and went rennyng vnto the fielde Ualentyne sawe hym come well but he knewe hym not Pacolet cryed vnto hym saying syr I am your seruauÌ„â— that by long tyme hath serued you and that for to succoure your body agaynste the false enemy am come hether Alas frende sayde valentyne here it behaueth me for to dye for of all my fortunes and aduentures I haue to day the moost daungerous for God salue my father and my mother with my brother Orson that I haue loued so derely and the fayre Clerymonde also if euer thou mayst se her And for Goddes sake my frende go thy waye hence come no more agayne For when you shold dye with me I should haue neuer more pfite Euen so as Pacolet approached to UaleÌ„tine for to giuâ— hym hys helme the serpente apperceyued well that he bare not the shelde as he other dyd the came to Pacolet and toke hym by the lyfte legge and pulled hym vnder hym gyuynge hym so greate a stroke wyth hys sharpe pawe that he wounded him through hys harneys much rudely And there wolde haue slayne hym yf it had not bene Ualentyne that wyth hys axe smote her so muche that he smote of her nose and putte out one of her eyen The serpente cryed and brayed lyke a madde beest he opened hys wynges and arose vp in the ayre and flewe vp vnto a highe roche Than Ualentine came vnto his helme for to haue put it vpon hys head but as he thoughte for to haue taken it he sawe the beest comynge soo he toke hys shelde for to couer hys head and the dragon returned agayne vnto the roâ—he Than Pacolet put the helme vpon Ualentynes head ¶ Syr sayd Pacolet I am ryght sore wounded on my body wherfore I must returne into the cyte for to hele my wounde for I haue loste so muche bloode that my heart faylleth me Thus they toke leue but also soone as the serpente sawe hym a good way of she opened her greare wynges and flewe to warde hym And Pacolet that apperceyued her commynge returned anone vnto hys maâ—ster â–ª the dragon went and assaylled Ualentyne and in fleyng ouer hym wende for to haue catâ—hed hym by the head But Ualentyne threwe hys axe so well in poynt that he cut of one of her Wynges for the whyche the beest cast ouâ— so horryble a cry that all they that herde â—t were sore abasshed Sorâ—wful was the serpent whan â—â—e had lost her wynge for she myght not thaâ— flee Ualentyne smote of the other wynge also â— the batayl was so great beâ—â—encâ—â— that Ualentyne mygh not tourne hym about the beast nor lyft vp his axe he was so wery and soo trauaylled He did so muche that he mounted vpon a tree for to rest hym And the beast that
myght not flee no more behelde hym muche cruelly â–ª in castynge out at his mouche the horrible stynkyng venym and great smoke ⧠How Ualentine slew the dragon through the grace of God almyghty And howe the kyng of Antioche re ceyued hym with great honoure Cap. lxiii Syr sayd Pacolet lenne me your shelde and I shal go towarde the beast and auenture me Frende said Ualentine recorne in to the citie hele your woundes ¶ For if it please God the beast shall not be ouercome by none other but by me so I requyre God by hys grace that he will geue me the puyssaunce shortlye for to conquere her And that I may doo so muche that the kyng of Antioche and all the people incredule leue the lawe dampnable of mahowne take the lawe catholyke of Ihesu christe After that he hâ—d sayd these wordes he descended of the tree in makyng the sygne of the crosse and went to warde the serpente that ran against hym in castyng fyre and flambe muche dyspyâ—eouslye Ualentyne put the shelde before hym that the serpâ—nce doubted with the axe of stele smote her in suche wyse that he cut of her lefte thygh and felled it to the earthe The serpent cryed more hydeously than before and valentyne that was hardy to pursue his stroke came too her and thryste his axe so farforth within her throte y t at that houre he smote her downe dead in castyng oute suche a smoke that all they that behelde it were muche amaâ—ueyled And at the houre y t the serpente was dead fell downe within Antioche a great squated toure and the turretâ—es a bowe shot about it fell downe also The paynyms were abasshed of that greate auenture and sayde the one to the other that it was the soule of the de uyl that was passed that waie ¶ when the kyng was besyde hym he colled hym mâ—che swetely in saying vnto hym Free knyght of all the other moost valyaunt and hardy well hath your God shewed that he wyll loue you whan by your great prowesse you haue deliue red vs from the enemy that dommaged oure lande soo muche At these wordes they entred in to the cytie and mounted in to the palays ryall where as all the nyght and all the daye folowyng they made great feaste and there bothe paynyms and sarazyns for the victory of the serpente The kynge made Ualentyne to bee kepte ryght derely and heale his woundes lytell and greate â–ª and the quene Rozemonde bare hym greate honoure reuerence and had ryght great affection for to speake vnto hym for she was so enamoured on hym from the fyrst houre that she sawe hym that he hadde her harte entyerly And for the breunyng of her loue would purchace the death of the kyng of Antyoche her husbande as you shall heare afterwarde ¶ Howe Ualentyne after that he had dyscomfyted he dragon made the kyng of Antyoche to be baptyzed und all they of his lande and of the quene Roezmonde that was enamoured on hym ¶ Capitulo lxiiii WHen y â— good knight Ualentine had rested him a litel within the cytie of Antioche healed his waundes he went toward the kyng said to hym Sir you knâ—we that you haue promysed me to beleue in Jesu christe and your people also if it happened soo that I myght deliuer you from the serpente Nowe God hath geuen me the grace that I haue slayne hym and therefore syr kepe me your promyse for the myracle is great and euydent that my God had shewed before euery body for you knowe that by corporall strength I conquered her not but hath bene by the vertue of Jesu christe Free knyght sayd the kinge knowe that I wyll holde that whiche I haue promysed you and my wyl is to renounce mahoune and to beleue in Jhesu Christ. Than he made to crie throughe all his â—ond that lytle great shoulde beleue in Jesu chryst and leue the lawe of mahommet vpon paine of death Than was paynyms sarazyns baptised and coÌ„uerâ—er through the noble Ualâ—ntyne And also so one as the quene myghte she sente for UaleÌ„tyne into her secrete chambre the whiche went towarde her in contynent Lady sayd Ualentyne that was well taught you haue sente for me and I am comen towarde you as he that is redy and apparaylled for to accomplysshe your goodwyll Hâ— said the lady y e honoure the wysdome the strengthe the valyauÌ„tnes â—he beaute the hardines that is in you maketh your great noblenes to be praysed and honoured aboue al the lyuynge creatures and for the vertues that are in you tho lady that sholde be byloued of you myght well saye that of all the knyghtes she had the moste valyaunte the moost noble and â—he moost fayrest Now pleased it god that I myght do my wyll and that I were not subiâ—ete to no bodye for I take it vppon my soule that my hearte should neuer loue other than you yf it pleased you to do me so muche gâ—ace as to accepte my loue ¶ Lady sayd Uâ—lentyne of as muche I thanko you for you haue wedded a kynge muche valyaunte and hardy the whyche aboue al other you ought to loue and holde dere Knyght sayd the lady I haue loued hym longe tyme but sythe the daye that I sawe you my heaâ—â— departed not fâ—ome you â–ª whan Ualentyne apperceyued that the lady hadâ—e suche a courage the moost sweâ—est that he myght he excused hym towarde the â—uâ—ne of hys loue ¶ Ladye sayd Ualentyne yf the kynge knewe it he wolde neuer rest a daye tyll that he had put me vnto death now he is olde and aunâ—yenâ— and you are a â—ayre younge lady moâ—he Iâ—cunâ—e soo you muste abyde a lytell vnto the â—â—â—turne of my vyage that I haue enterprysed to go vnto the holy cyte of Jherusalem for to vysyte the â—â—pulâ—â—â— of ourâ— lorde Jhesu christ that was put vpon the tâ—e of the tâ—â—fse for vs. And at my retornyâ—ge yf it happen that the kyngâ— be deed than shall I accomplysshe all your wyll The Quâ—ne Rozemonde ansewred neuer a worde but was smytten aâ— the heart so proudely wyth the loue of valentyne that she was couetous of y e dethe of the king â–ª and of hys lyfe enemye as it happeneth oftentymes thaâ—â—y folysshe loue one man murdreth another and dyuers wyues purchaseth the deth of theyr husbandes for to acheue theyr wyll And therfore there is a greate daunger to loue a thynge so folysshly by the whyche so many euylles maye procede as the Quene Rozemonde dyd whyche for to haue valentyne at her pleasure the nyght whan the kynge should go to bedde and that the wyne was brought by aâ— the ladye toke the cuppe and put suche venym within it that who someuer dyd drinke of it shuld not escape death after in signe of loue she presented it vnto the kynge that was muche â—euoute â–ª and in makyng a â—xosse vpon the wyne he apâ—ercâ—yued the poyson By my fayth sayd the
kynge lady you haue faylled but I promyse to god that hath fourmed all the worlde that suche drynke as you haue brewed I shall make you drynke at thys houre or you shall tel me the reason wherfore you haue enterprysed suche a thynge Alas syr sayd the lady that kneled downe vpon her knâ—es I requyre you of pardon knowe that valentyne for to haue my loue hath made me to enterprise thys thing By god lady sayd the kynge I byleue you well but by my cepter ryall syth that you haue done thys thyng by euyll counsell I pardon you That nyghte the kynge slepte wyth Rozemonde the which in kyssyng and collynge hym all the nyght sayd vnto hym Syr I requyre you that you wyl put valentyne vnto death that thus wolde haue betrayed me Doubte you not sayd y e kinge for I haue wel thought it Whan the quene herde that she was muche sorowfull and dyd so muche that nyght that she spake to a secrete mayden and sent her vnto valentyne for to tel hym her wyll and the courage that y e kynge had agaynst him for her dede And whan valentine herde the tydynges that he was accused â—f y â— thyng that he was innocent of he blyssed hym dyuers tymes sayenge Swete lady what is it of the courage of women nowe muste I for the loue of the Quene departe from hence lyke a traytour yf I wyll not dy sooner her honour before euery body yet loue I better to departe out of this couÌ„tre leue all than her dy shonoure should be knowen by me ¶ At that houre he made hys men to make them redy and before the daye made to open the gates So incoÌ„tynent he yssued out of the cyte and rode so muche that he arryued at a porte of the see and founde there a marchauntes shyp that wolde passe ouer the see He entred in to it and put hym amonge the other in prayenge god deuoutly that he wolde sende hym some tydynges of the fayre Clerymonde eyther by water or by londe ¶ vpon the morowe be tymes whan the kynge of Antyoche was rysen vp he entred into hys palays and myde hys barons to be assembled and knyghtes and sayd vnto them in thys maner Lordes I am muche dyspleasaunt in my heart whan by the man that I moost trusted in of al the world and that I helde the derest I fynde me betrayed deceyued that is the fals Ualentyne the whych by hys molyce and dysordynate wyll hathe requyred the quene my wyfe of dyshonoure And hathe put her in courage for to poyson me vyllaynously and make me dye Wherfore I pray you to counsayll me in this matter and what Justyce I shal do on hym and also what death I shall make hym dye Syâ— sayd amuche wise baron y t was there for to condempne hym in his absence it is noo reason nor true Justyce Nor there is no maner of man be he neuer soo euyll nor â—yâ—ydus but that he oughte to be herde in hys reasons who that wolde do good true Justyce to euery boby Then the kyng of Antyoche commaunded that valentyne shold be brought before him Then his hoost came in to the palays the whiche tolde hym that valentyne was departed before the breakyng of the daye from his house wherof the kyng was ryght sorowfull and made his men to be armed for too putsue hym but of asmuche they lost their payne for he was mounted vpoÌ„ the sea as you haue hearde ⧠Howe the kynge of Antyoche was put vnto death for the renouncynge of mahowne by Brandyffer his wyues father And howe the Emperoure of Grece the Grece knyght were taken prysoners by Brandyffer before the cycie of Cretophe ⧠Capitulo lxv SOne after that the kyng of Anticche was coÌ„ uerted too the holy faythe the father of his wyfe Rozemonde a paynym that was called Brandyffer and amonge the other princes of turkye the moost experte in watre and was also tyght hardye So he had great dispite of the kyng that had left their lawe And sent him worde that he should sende hym his doughter Rozemonde Ot the whiche thynge the kyng of Antioche gaynesayed hym vtterly And for that same refuse Brandyster that was lorde of falyzee with a hondred thousande paynyms came and assyeged the kynge of Antioche within his cytie And he dyd so muche by his armes that within foure monethes the cytie was delyuered vnto hym by a false traytout and there was the king taken of his enemies the whiche made hym to be put vnto death in the myddes of the cytie because that he would not renounce the faythe of Thesu christ after he sent his doughter Rozemonde into his countrey and of the realme of Antyoche made hymselfe too be crowned kynge After these thynges done he put hymselfe vpon the sea for to retorne into his realme but by orage and tempest he descended in the laÌ„de of Grece beside a tytie named Cretophe the which was a great a large citie Now it happened that for certayne thinges the Emperour of Grece was newely atryued there and fortune was so peruers that he whiche knewe nothyng of the commyng of the paynyms yssued out of the cytie accompanied of the grene knyght and dyuers other lordes strong and valyaunt for to take their disporde but in an cuill houre yssued they without garde and watche for by the men of bran dyffer that no body knewe of the emperoure the grene knyght were taken and all they of their company were taken and discomfyted And at that same houre the pay nyms ronne vnto the gates of Cretophe where as they loste theyr payne for the cytie was strong and gatny shed with suche men that it behoued them to returne sodaynly agayne Angrye and sorowfull were they of Cretophe for the losse of the Emperoure and the grene knyght for the whiche they made a letter and sente it by a heraude to the Empresse Bellyssant in maundyng her tydynges of the taking of the Emperour and demaundyng succour agaynst their enemies to the end that the paynyms should not lede the Emperoure in to their countrey ¶ Sorowfull was the lady for the takyng of her husbande and wept without ceasyng She sent for her captaynes and made to assemble men of armes throughe all the Empyre of Grece in great dylygence And on the other syde she sent heraudes to warde the realme of Fraunce for to haue succoure of her brother kyng Pepyn and of her sonne Orson comfort in her aduetsite Within a shorte time yssued out of the cytie of Constantinoble a great hoost of them of the countrey of Grece for to go vnto Cretophe to succoure y e emperoure agaynst Brandiffer But that same Brandiffer that was subtyll and malicious had put tyders in the countrey aboute by the whiche he knewe the enterpryse of the Grekes And for seare of their puyssaunce to lese his prysoners with all his hoost entred in to y e sea and they rowed