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
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
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
that he was kyng of Fraunce Cap. lxxxx SO the kyng of Ynde ledde with him the good kyng Pepyn but he knewe it not The valiauÌ„t xii beheld â–ª peres kyng Pepyn pyteously but noue durste hyd hym farewel for doubte of knowyng Thus goeth the kyng of Ynde and kyng Pepyn rydeth after hym that is not without sorowe Alas sayde he all alowe veray God helpe me and succour me for if you helpe me not of youre grace of all poore I am the moost sorowfull and vnhappy Alas Myllon dangler Iowe well to loue you whan for me you put your body in suche daunger Henry henry thou hast well shewed that thou loued me not whan at my nede thou failed me Wel owe euel come vnto the childe that at greate nede leueth his propre father My loue Berthe I shall neuer see you more alas Charles my lytell sonne God helpe the for I knowe for a truthe that the false traytours shall make the suffre payne ynough and thou arte yonge and lytell and maye not resyste agaynst them Thus complayned kyng Pepyn and wepte pyteously Nowe the kyng of Ynde hathe doone so muche that he is arryued within Ynde And when the lady Rozemonde knewe it she ranne against hym and in makyng great Ioye kyssed hym and after mounted vp in to the palays The lady behelde kynge Pepyn the whiche notwithstandyng that he was lytell he was well fourmed and made of his membres and or regarde ryght plesaunt so the lady demauÌ„ded the kyng of Ynde My loue tell me who hath geuen you this litel man â–ª for he semeth muche honest and gracious and it may be to se his semblaunce that he is extraught out of a hyghe place Lady sayde the kyng he hath bene geuen me for he was come with the kyng of Fraunce the twelue peres in to Jerusalem wherfore he hathe bene taken and if he wyll renounce his God Jhesus I shall do hym muche good Pepyn aunswered nothing whiche had wel another entencion So the houre was come that the kyng shoulde goo to souper â–ª Pepyn entred in to the kechyng and the kynge demaunded hym if he coulde any thynge of â—okeâ—ye and that he shoulde make hym the sauce for a pecocke that rosted And Pepyn dyd it so well that after warde the kynge woulde haue no meate nor sauce but of his dressing Wherof al the other of the kechyn ryall hadde great dispyte at him and vpon Pepyn hadde suche enuye that it happened one tyme that the kyng commaunded him for to make ready a pecocke so he went towarde the coke by the com maundement of the kynge And as he entred in to the kechyn bothe litell and great began for to mockâ— hym and some smote hym behynde and he as vertuous toke all in pacience After he wente towarde the fyre for to haue put the pecocke on the spytte And y e mayster coke that had great enuye on hym aporoched uere hym and caste a great brennyng cole in his lappe and brent him shrewedly And than Pepyn swore that he woulde auenge hym and came vnto the sarazyn and gaue hym so great a stroke betwene the foreheade and theâ—re that be smote him downe and after gaue him another stroke so great that he made his braynes to flee out When the varâ—ettes and scolyons sawe their mayster so outraged they assayled all Pepyn with slaues and knyues And he that was hardy and valyaunt reculed not abacke but swore Jhesu christe that he loued better to dye then to suffer iniurye of suche â—ascalles Soo he wente towarde a boye that woulde haue smyten hym with a pestel and gaue hym soo great a strooke that he felled hym downe dead to the earth The noise and the crye was so great that the kyng harde it Soo he badde anone that Pepyn should be taken and brought before hym And whan he was before hym he sayd vnto hym euyll boye How haste thou bene so hardy to 〈◊〉 my mayster coke within my palays Nowe tell me anone how the thing goeth or by my God mahoune thou shal dye Syr said kyng Pepyn I shall tell you the truthe It is true that I was in the kechin for to make redy a pecocke for your super as you commaunded me and than your coke cast a hote cole vpon me and brent me shrewedly withoute any cause And therfore I slewe hym When the kynge knewe the truthe by the other he pardoned hym ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn beyng with the kyng of Ynde had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde Cap. xci HEre wyl I make you mencion of the fayre Clerimonde the whyche as you haue herde before was kept in the kyng of Yndes palays Now the kynge of Ynde had a custome y t he wolde sende her of the best meat that was on hys table So it happened that at a souper he called Popyn and gaue hym the meat that was before hym and sayd vnto hym Go in to the chambre where as is a wyndowne there you shall fynde a folysshe woman pyteously arayed bere her thys from me Pepyn toke the meat and bare it vnto the lady But whan he sawe her so poorely arayed he had great pyte sayd vnto her Loue Jhesus that suffered for vs death passyon helpe you Alas haue truste in hym and serue hym wyth good heart and yf you do so knowe for a certaynte that you shall haue aledgement of your doloure and therfore beleue stedfastly in hym receyue the holye sacrament of baptym Whan the lady vnderstode that he spake of god she approched nere hym and sayd Frende haue noo doubte of me But tell me yf thou be a christen man or yf you saye these wordes by gyle Lady sayd pepyn for a trouthe I am a chrysten man and am comen out of the realme of Fraunce ThaÌ„ the lady sayd al smylynge you ought well to knowe the good kyng Pepyn and his neuewe Ualentyne It is true sayd Pepyn and I knowe well hys brother Orson his father the Emperoure of Grece also whan the lady herde that she began for to wepe and said vnto him Alas frende may I haue truste in you Ye sayd Pepyn as muche as in your propre father of all that it shal please you for to say â–ª for neuer shall you be accused by me ¶ Frende sayd the lady knowe for a certaynte that I counterfee the foole and the seke woman but I am also wyse and hole as I was euer for I am a chrysten woman and had the fayre Ualentyne vnto loue and vnto hym I was gyuen for wyfe but by the false traytour kyng Trompart I was taken from hym Than the lady tolde hym all the maner of her estate and how she had ben stolen and wherfore she made her selfe syke Whan kyng pypyn herd the pyteous aduenture of the lady he began for to wepe muche tenderly After in consyderyng the fortunes and great aduentures that cometh vpon the creature in castynge out great teares he sayd softly to hymselfe Ha
chylde ledyng a â—â—â—stes lyfe y e space of xv yeaâ—e He became 〈◊〉 great and stâ—â—â—g â–ª that none durste passe through the forest â—or hym â–ª for bothe men and beastâ—s he put vnto dâ—ath and â—aâ—e their 〈◊〉 alrâ—w as the othâ—â— beastes did â—â—d â—â—â—ed â—â—eaâ—◠〈◊〉 liâ—â— and not humayâ—e He was called Orson â—â—â—auâ—â— of the beere that had nouryshed hym and h◠〈◊〉 alâ—â— cougâ— as â— beeâ—e He dyd so muâ—he harmâ—â—n â—hâ—â—orâ—â— aâ—d was so â—ore redoubteâ— that there was 〈◊〉 â–ª weâ—e he neuer so â—aliauÌ„t aâ—d hardy but that he had gâ—eat fere to encountre the wylde maâ— The â—enowne â—prange so of hym that all they of the countrey â–ª â—boutâ—â—haâ—â—â— and hunted him with force and strength â–ª but nothynge auaylled all their deade for he fered neyther â—yâ—â—eâ— nor weapons but brake al 〈◊〉 peces No wâ—â— is in the forest â—â—dang the life of a wilde beast without weâ—inâ— of any cloth or any worde speaking And the motheâ— Bellyssaâ—t that thought that she has lost him â–ª goeth as a woman discomforted through the countrey at aâ—â—â—ture and Blandymayne conduyted heâ— â–ª comforteth her also well as he maâ—e The lady be â—ayled euer her two chyldren for she hath loste them and prayeth oftentymes vnto god with good harte and to the viâ—gyn Mary y t they woulde saue her two children Blandymayn aâ—d the lady Bellyssant passed by â—yâ—ers places and so muche 〈◊〉 â—eâ—â— by sâ—â— and bâ— laâ—de that they 〈…〉 d at a â—oâ—â—â— oâ—â—oâ—â—yngale vpon the whiche was â—â—â—stâ—â—l And in that same castell did remyyne â—â—â—â—nâ—t that was so great and so puyssaunt that there was no horse that myght susteyne him and he was called Ferragus IT happened that this Ferragus yssued out of the castell and came vnto the porte for to demaunde trybutâ— of the â—asseâ—s as he was accustomed to take of euery shyppe He entred into the shyppe whereas Bellyssant was that was â—eâ—lâ—â—â—sshed with dyuers marchaundises And also soone as he â—spiâ—d Bellyssant he â—oâ—â— her â—y the hande â—nd lâ—dde 〈◊〉 into 〈◊〉 castelâ— to wâ—â—â—e his wyâ—â— for he was maried vnto a lady ryght pleasauâ—t and fayre And Bâ—â—nâ—â—mâ—â—n went after the lady that the gyaunt leddâ— iâ— great honoure without doyng heâ— vyllaâ—yâ— in any facion eyther in thought or dede and presented her vnto his wyfe â–ª the whiche receiued her gladly and had great ioye of her comming for the gracious maynteine that she sawe in her The gyaunt commaunded his wyfe that Bellyssant should be sumptuously kept as her persone and Blandymayn heâ— squier in like wise She was receyued with great ioye in the castell â—or she was well endoctrined both in â—â—â—dicioâ—â— aâ—d in scyence and coulde speake amiable and gouerne 〈◊〉 hoâ—eâ—â—ly amonge lytell and great Aâ—d when she had re membraunce of her children she weptetenderly bothe with â—â—â—â—e and mynde â—ut the wyfe of the â—yaunt recomforced her euer Aâ—d of all that was in the castell she was euer nexte her persone For she â—oued her with â—o â—â—â—â—â—te loue that without her she might neither 〈◊〉 nor drinke she was longe tyme in the castell of Ferragus Here I will lâ—ue you to speake of her and 〈◊〉 â—eâ—â— you of the Emperoure and of the false Archebysshop â–ª ¶ Howe by the couÌ„sail of the Archebysshop there was newe customes raysed in the cytie of Constantinoble and howe the occason was knowen Cap. vii Alexander the Emperoure after that he 〈◊〉 â–ª â—xpâ—â—sed shamâ—fully his wyfe 〈…〉 kyng Pâ—â—yâ—s sâ—ster of Frauâ—â—â— and 〈…〉 â—ed her from his company he made diuers complayntes repented hym in his harte 〈◊〉 thâ—â—â—â—t 〈…〉 〈…〉 â—â—â—â—â—d of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eâ—te hym euer in 〈◊〉 â—olysshe oppinion and the Emperour beleued him And gaue hym so muche puyssaunce and aucthoritie aboue the other that that whych 〈◊〉 commaunded was done He gouerned so muche â— had so muche domynacâ—◠〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 alsâ—d vp 〈…〉 mes aud vsages in the 〈◊〉 of â—onstantynoâ—iâ— agaynst ryght and reason It happeâ—ed that there was a fayer in â—he â—itâ— the which was kepy the. xv day of Septembre And from diuers counetâ—es came the marchauntes to that fayeâ— Whan the day was comen that it should be kept the to wne was ful 〈…〉 marchauntes of euery countree The Emperour made the fayer to be kept as it was accustomed 〈…〉 the â—â—â—yng therof vnto the Archebysshoppe â—he whych made 〈…〉 e two hundred men for to accompany him and they departed from the cyte to kepe the faye◠〈◊〉 the same fayer was present y e marchaunt that I haue made meâ—cy on of to fore that is to wâ—t he the whyche founde Blandy mayn and the Archebiâ—hoppe 〈…〉 ynge the Archebysshoppe knewe hym well 〈…〉 ought but he made no semblaunt For he doubted to â—yâ—hâ— that his fallâ—od were not knoweÌ„ He wold haue â—â—t hym to death gladly but he had not the puyssauÌ„ce without to grete â—câ—auÌ„der This day â—he saiâ— matchauÌ„t that was wel garnisshed with clothes of golde â—â—ke â—oâ—â—e more theÌ„ any other wherfore whaÌ„ the fayer was 〈…〉 y â—hâ—d the Archebysshop sent â— sargeaunt to hym for to demaunde him the trybute than was accustomed â–ª for the â—â—â—ynge oâ— hys marchaundyse The sergeaunt 〈◊〉 〈…〉 him and sayd Syr marchauÌ„t â—ou must pay x. pence for euery pounde that you haue solde for soo 〈…〉 ordeyned â—o sayd the matchaunt that â—uâ—l may happen to hym that hathe reysed vp suche a custome that is the 〈◊〉 and dissoyall Archebisshoppe whome God curse for it is lonâ—◠〈◊〉 sythe he oughte to haue dyed a shamefull death Then 〈◊〉 the marchaunt had so reuyled the Archebysshop the sargeaunt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his staffe and smote the marchaunt vpon the head that the bloud ranne downe When the marchaunt felt hym selfe smyten he drew his sworde and smote him so hard that he vette him do wne dead then arose a greâ—t noyse thorough the fayer and meuyng of people in suche maner that the other sergeauntes toke the marchaunt and ledde hym towarde the Archebysshop The Archebysshop would haue made him dye without delay but the marchaunt that was wise and well aâ—uised demaunded the lawe that is to saye that he would â—e heard in his reasons and defences and the iustice was fauourable and vttred it to hym Then the Archebysshop made him â—e ledde before the Emperoure for he had greate â—olente to make hym be sudged to death but in desiring the death of other he purchaseth his owne as ye shall heare The Archebisshop made to present the marchauÌ„t in the palays â–ª where as was the Emperour that com maunded the Iudge to put him in chayre And the Archebisshop made an aduocate rigorously prepose agaist the marchaunt in accusing him of the murdre that he had done and of the great â—uâ—urâ—es that he had sayde against the reuerence of the Archebysshop Whan the purpose was made against the marchaunt he kneled downe before the Emperour and said vnto him â—ight hyghe and excellent Priâ—â—e if it please you of your benygâ—e grace to
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
and clerkes in greate deuocion wente in a generall procession in the â–ª whiche they made to goo wyues and children against the valiaunt princes that had destroyed the paynyms in syngyng hymnes and laudes vnto God tyll that they came vnto the greate churche of saynt Sophye accompanyeng them and for great ioye and pytie wept tenderly And after that they had made their prayers in the saide churche and geuen thankes vnto God the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn enâ—râ—â— into the Palays the whiche demeaned so great Ioye the syxe dayes they kept table rouâ—de Soo it nedeth not to be demaunded of it there was great triumphe and noble seruyce â–ª for euery body was Ibcunde made great there and feaste for the gracious vy◠〈…〉 that God had geuen them agaynst their enemies 〈…〉 After certayne dayes dyuers prynces and barons 〈…〉 leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into their countreys of whome I thynke not to make you any more mencion saue alonely of kyng Pepyn ⧠Howe the kyng Pepyn toke leue of the Emperour of Grece for to retourne in to Fraunce Cap. lv AFter the destruction of the enemyes of the christen fayth the whiche for to demynyshe the faith destroye the christen men had besyeged Constantynoble the kynge Pepyn toke leue of the Emperoure for to retourne into Fraunce â–ª When Orson sawe that the kyng dyd retourne he said vnto him Syr I haue great desyre to go with you into Fraunce and to passe and vse my dayes in your seruyce without euer for to chaunge you for to serue any other ¶ Orson sayd kyng Pepyn of that I am contente And sythe that you haue so good courage for to serue me loyally know that I shal leade you into Fraunce and aboue al for to gouerne my realme I shal make you my conestable And if it happened that by the wyll of God my litell sone Charles finished his dayes duryng my tyme I shall make you kyng of Fraunce Syr sayd Orson I thanke you a thousand tymes for syth that it is your wyll for to receye mee into youre seruyce I wil lede wyth me my wyfe Fezoune vnto you be euer true and loyall and with my sharpe swear â—e defende your good ryght So they departed fro Constantynoble with muche great chiualry For the departynge of kynge Pepyn the Emperoure the Empresse Bellyssant wept bytterly and also dydde all the other as well lytell as grete Orson kyssed his broder Valentine in recoÌ„maundynge hym vnto God and wepynge bytter teres O this moder Bellissant he might not take leue for the great sorow that he hadde to leue her saue alonely that he enbraced her and kyssed her swetely After the leue taken of lytle and grete the kyng mounted vpon the see with his compani And the Emperoure and them of his courte retorned in to the cyte of Constantynoble wepinge haboundauntly But with y e departinge of king Pepin more than â—ny other the child Ualentine was displeasaunte And for the loue of clerimonde the whiche he had loste he said vnto the Emperoure of Grece wepinge piteously Dere and redouted fader please it you pardon me yf I take leue of you for I shall neuer in my lyfe haue Ioye nor rest tyll that I knowe certaine tidinges where my loue is become For in daunger of my body I haue conquered and won her for the whiche I oughte well for too desyre her and bewayle her Whan the Empresse his mother vnderstode that her chylde wolde go her way she fel in a swown Mother sayde Valentine leaue your wepinge for vnto the deathe I wyll seeke her that I loue so muche And if it happen that I cannot fynde her neuer the dayes of my lyfe shall I haue Joye but shall desire the death for to abredge my dayes and my dolorous dyscomfortes Than he called Pacolet and sayd to hym Frend if it please the to serue me in this necessytie come wyth me thou shall neuer haue worse than I. Sir saide Pacolet as for that it shall not stycke for I am ready and apparaylled for to go with you and folowe you â–ª in euery place and do your good pleasure thus was Pacolet delibered for to go with Valentine ¶ And Ualentine was so taken with the loue of the fair lady Clerimond that he lefte father and Mother and withoute soiourninge he made him ready and so departed out of Constantinoble with thre seruauntes alonelye for to finde her that hys heart was so sorâ—wful fore Of the sorow of the Emperoure and of the Empresse Bellissant it caÌ„not be recounted For they were in suche paine that w t oute spekinge ony worde they entred in to theyr chambre piteously discomforted And Ualentyne that hadde his courage constauÌ„t for to acheue his enterprise mouÌ„ted on horsbacke for to go toward the hauen and ther entred into a ship and his company ⧠Nowe I shall leue to speke of him and wil speke of king Pepin that whiche arriued in Paris and was receiued honourably For out of euery churche issued processyons prestes and clerkes and men of euerye estate wente a greate waye oute of the citye againste him And amonge the other ther was the quene Berthe the whiche kissed hym moche sweteli Charles his litel sonne that was wise wel taught salued his fader y e which tooke him in his Armes and kissed him and after entred in to the palays with grete honoure muche richlye accompanyed And for the loue of his cominge there was made a grete feâ—st and diuers grete offices was gyuen that daye but aboue all the other the valiauÌ„t knyght Orson was mounted in honoure so muche and in suche maner that all that the which he wolde saye and coÌ„maunde it was done and holden He was so prudent and so wyse that by him was all the courte gouerned the male factours punysshed and the good eleuate in honoure ⧠How Haufray and Henry ymagined great treason against Orson by the ayde and consentynge of twayne of their neuewes Ca. lvi THere was none that had to doo wyth the kinge that sought other meane thaÌ„ Orson for the whiche thinge Haufray and Henrye that I haue made mencyon of to fore hadde soo greate enuye agaynst the good Orson soo greate that they ymagyned mortall treason against him with all their puyssaunce And sayd the one to the other it was to great a reproche vnto them and to greaous whan y t Orson was eleuate more in honoure then thei By god sayd Haufray vnto his brother Henry well ought we to praise our puyssaunce litell whan we can not take vengeaunce of Orson for if he reygne long we shall se the time that by him we shalbe casten out of the realme of Fraunce brother sayd Henry you haue sayd truthe Now we be but two brethren germaynes and now to comforte the one the other and helpe agaynst our enemies but vpoÌ„ this mater I can not tel what to thinke Henry sayd Haufray vnderstande my reason we
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