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
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
had remayned in them yet they ymagyned and aduised that they should make Ualentyne to be taken by the waye and orson that he ledde with him and make them dye and fynysshe their dayes shamefully to the ende that he myght be auenged of the thing that they desyred mostâ— in the worlde Howe Hawftay and Henry made to watche Ualentyne and Orson vpon the waye for to make them dye ¶ Cap. xviii AS UaleÌ„tyne Orson were departed from the courte of kyng Pepyn for too go in to Acquytayne enuy deceiuable and cursed treason entred more then before in to y e hartes and courages of the two false and cursed traytouts the kynges sonnes Haufray Henry in suche wise that for to come vnto their false enterpryse they spake vnto a cosyn germayn of theirs so muche abused him that it was aduised amongest them thâ—â— xxx men puyssaunt and strong shoulde watche theym and take good kepe vnto the chylde Ualentine and also Orson so that where someuer they founde them â–ª that they should be destroyed and put vnto death After this counsaill he made to assemble thirty men of the moste redoubted that he might finde And after he sent them armed and made them go in to a forest that was both great and large by the whiche Ualentyne and Orson shoulde passe God it was not longe after that valentyne and Orson that ranne on foote before hym more faster then a horse entred into the forest ThaÌ„ they were apperceyued of Grygar and his â—elowes that were in an enbulshement when Grygar sawe valentyne he yssued out against him with his orâ—wen sworde in his hande for to haue slayne valentyn and suche a strooke he gaue vnto the noble knyght valentyne that he cut his fleshe through his harneis and made the bloud to yssue out and after said vnto him Ualentine here must you dye for to longe haue you lyued When valentyne saw that he was wounded and assayled on euery syde with enemies he recommaunded him vnto God and vnto the glorious vyrgyn Mary and after saide vntoo them My lordes you haue sâ—oren my death and I see well nowe that with wronge and withoute cause here must I fynishe my dayes but and it please god to daiâ— I shall sell you my death so dere that you shall not retourne all together in hele agayne And then he drewe out his sworde and gaue the first so great a stroke vpoÌ„ the head that he cloue him to the teeth and so he dyed After he went towarde the other by so great fiersnes y t or euer he stynte he slewe foure or fiue And Orson sterte forche as halfe aftayde with his rough handes and â—ore and rent all them that he founde in his waye soo that with his sharpe nayles he pullee them in peces bote and strangâ—ed them with his teeth He threw them to the ground one vpon another and after passed ouer them in smiting them with his fete muche vylayâ—osly Ualentyne was on the other syde that helde his bloudy sworde in his handâ— defendyng hym so valiauÌ„tly that none durst approche nere the two noble brethren And when Grygar sawe that none durste approche nere them he was muche sorowfull and cryed vnto valentyne saying Ualentine yelde you to me for here it behoueth you to dye Then the chylde valentyne recommended hym vnto God besechyng him that he would kepe him from euill and sucoure him at his nede And after he went to warde Grygar and began batayll with him againe muche fyerlly Of Grygar and his men it is a pyteous thing to recounte for they had longe speeres wherwith they kepte Orson of and anone they had enclosed valentyne rounde aboute the whiche defended hym so valiauntly that the hardyest of them all durste not come within his reaâ—he for them that he hitte the throue neuer after But for all that in valentyne and Orson were great prowesses and valiauÌ„tnes corporal not for that by the great nombre of the other the which were thyrey strong and puyssaunt valentyne myght not â—esiste for they preased vpon hym soo sore that he myght not welde his sworde and then they toke hym and bounde hym strayghtly and rode away with hym also fast as they might when Orson sawe y t the which had newely slayne one of them he ranne after theÌ„ houlyng right hydeosly but nothyng auailed his pursuite for they rode awaye so faste that Orson hadde loste the syght of them anone and wyste not whether to goo Then Grygar commaunded them for to pursue Orson and that they should take hym quycke or dead but for nothyng go they after for he ranne so impeâ—ueusly thorowe the forest that the moste hardiest of theim durste not come in his syght so Orson escaped fro the traytours And they led valentyne to a castell that was in the forest whiche a these kept y t was cosyn to Grygar And the false tray tours bare al their butyâ—s together But y e king Pepin knew nothing therof for he wende verely that there had bene no better men in al Fraunce when Ualentyne was entred into the castell they toke him rudely led him into a tower obscure and darke and after put hym in a profunde dongeon When Ualentyne was closed in the sayd dongeon he began for to wepe right pyteously in praying and reclaymynge god and the virgyn Mary that they woulde geue hym grace for to escape from that place Alas sayd Ualentyne nowe am I come to the thynge that I moste doubted That is for to were into the handes of mine enemies and of them that desired my death from daye to daye longe agone Wherfore I beseche God deuoutly y t he will sucoure me in this great daunger Alas good king Pepyn neuer y e daies of my lyfe shal I se you nor of my death you shall knowe nothyng For in this pyt obscure and foule behoueth me to fynisshe my dayes Farewel Orson for thou hast suffreth death for my loue And if thou loued me with perfitâ— loue so did I the as muche and more than if thou had bene my propre brother Alas my swete mother that I haue so muche desyred for to se I shall neuer haue knowledge of you wherfore my poore hart sygheth myne eyen melteth in teeres aboue all the moste sorowfulness when it behoueth me to dye without knowing what I am but sith that it pleaseth God that I muste dye thus I thanke hym and committe my soule in his garde In this maner complayneth Ualentyne in the obscure pyt and his enemies is in the castell that amongest them holdeth pleâ—e what they shoulde do with him Than some of them sayde Lordes the moste expedient that is is to make Valentyne dye without ony other deliberacion Lordes sayd Grygar to that thyng I am not consenting but am of the oppynyon that we shal kepe Valentine in prison the whiche can not escape vs and that we go toward Haufray and Henry for â—o tell and recount vnto them this
knight shal come So it semeth me ryghte and iuste equitie that throughe at your lande one ought to go in surete in the hye way And whan the duke Sauary herd Ualentine speke so he sayd vnto him Knight wel haste thou answered yf my cosin be deed it is by his Pride and fyerse courage of his death I am sorowfull but there is no remedye wherefore I pardone the that deede and I wyll be pardoned But for the surplus of your enterpryse of the grene knight you shal come into my palays and shall se the lady for whom you are comeÌ„ into these quarters And with her you shal find xiiii knights of straunge countrees newlye comen that for the loue of her will right againste the grene knight Go theder salue my doughter as the custom is For so it is ordeined that al knightes that cometh hether for the loue of her before that they do ony batayl with the grene knight they present them to her And in signe of loue they take a ringe of goulde of her Sir saide Ualentine I am readye to do as the ordinaunce biddeth And of the other syde I am your litle seruaunt as he that wold obey vnto all your good commaundementes after my puyssaunce Than the duke Sauarye mounted into the castell and Ualentine and orson accompanyed him much honourably They entred into the halle whereas the knights wer that accompanyed the fayre Fezonne And whan valentine sawe her he went toward her in grete reuerence and salued her sayinge before them al. Ladye of whome the bruyte and renowne of beaute corporell is spredde so ferre aboute God saue you and defende you from all Vyllanye and euyl reproche and preserue you from the grene knight that is not worthi for to touch your excellent body My right dere honourable lady please it you for to wyte that Pepyn the ryght puissasâ—e kyng of Fraunce hath sent vs towarde you and here I make you a present of the moste valyaunte and hardy man that is vpon the earthe Lady beholde hym for he doubteth no man yet he hath no feare of no glayue be it neuer so sharpe If he coulde speake well in all the worlde might not be founde his make Wherfore you may be sure and beleue stedfastly that the grene knyght may not resist against him for he shal yelde him matte and ouercome also soone as he shall fyght with hym Syr sayde the puâ—el vnto the puyssaunt kyng of FrauÌ„ce I yelde a hundred thousande thankes and to you that hath taken so muche payne for me But tell me I praye you wherfore you clothe not this valyaunt man no better that you haue brought to me For he is marueylusly well made of his membres and well formed streight and hardy of countenaunce I beleue that he were bayned in a hoote house his flesshe woulde be whyte and softe Lady sayd Ualentyne he neuer ware no gowne tyll the other daye that I made hym this â—aceran that is vpon him for to se his countenaunce for it is the first gowne that euer he ware And knowe that also naked as he was borne he came vnto parys when he was borne and his flesshe is so harde that he feareth nother wynde nor colde Alwayes in speakynge these wordes the excellent Fezonne behelde stronly Orson so as it was goddes pleasure she was euâ—â—noured on Orson and stryken at the harte more ardauntly then euer she was before of any other howe well that he was not pycked nor gorgyously clothed as dyuers other were for all that it is sayde commonly that there is no foule loues whan the hartes geueth them therto Then when Ualentyne had spoken so to the mayden he sayde yet agayne vnto her Lady as touchyng me I shall tell you my case knowe that for the loue of you I am come into this countrey for to conquere you valyauntly by force of armes And yet I haue made an othe that I shal neuer retourne into Fraunce vnto the time that I haue foughte and proued my body agaynst the grene knyght ¶ For knowe that for the loue of you I wyll suffer death or yelde you the grene knyghte ouercome in to your handes Alas syr sayde the fayre Fezonne for me haue not the courage to put your lyfe in suche auâ—ture For who that loueth another better then hymselfe in a thynge that his lyfe hanged on such loue is me thynke is not â—â—isâ—e but by sordynate Alas to many noble and valiaunt knyghtes haue bene stayne for me wherfore it is a great dammage that I haue lyued thus longe Lady sayd valentyne of this you shall pardon me for thus I haue promysed it Knyght said Fezonne well maye it take you Than drewe she out two rynges of golde and gaue valentyne one Orson the other after they sat them downe at the table with the other fortene knyghtes where as ryght nobly the duke Sauary made them to be serued But amongest al theÌ„ that were at the table Fezonne had her regarde moste vpon Orson And Orson beheld her by a desyre of loue embraced and inspyred with an ardaunt and gracious apppetyte Nowe it happened that as y e knightes were syttyng at the table the grene knyght came smytyng at the gate for to se the fayre Fezonne that he loued soo muche For the duke Sauaray and he had made suche a contracte together that he might come once a daye and se her at his pleasure And then when he was entred he cryed all on hygh saying Valyaunt duke of Acquitain haue you a champyon y t wil fyghte wyth my body for the fayre lady Fezonne Ye sayd the Duke yet haue I syxtene within my halle that for to she we theyr prow esse agaynst euery body and you bene comen from dyuers realmes into this countre Now said the grene knyght make that I maye se them and that I entre in to the hal for to se the faire lady FezoÌ„ne Enter in said the duke for you haue lycence The greene knyghte entred into the halle and behealde all the knyghtes that were there And whan he had beholden them he sayd to them thus Lordes ete and drynke and make good the re for to moro we shall be youre laste daye And knowe that I shall make you all to bee hanged on the hygheste of all my tree Than Valentyne that herd him was euyl contente and answered hym Knyghte of that same vaunt you might haue hold your tongue For to dayis comen a knyght that shal fyght with you more asprely than euer dyd onye heare before you haue delyuered many vnto deathe but he is commen that shall vaynequisshe you in a felde by force of armes ¶ Now OrsoÌ„ vnderstode that they spake of him and knewe that the grene knight was he by whom the Justes were begon nen that it was he by whome so mani noble knights had suffred dethe So he beheld hym fyetsly and after lept from the table and in whettinge
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
magnificence imperiall that she had bene put in And after thought on the miserable and dolorous fortune y t was tourned vpon her so sodainly she said Alas alas wherfore taâ—ieth death that he wil not come abredge my life and finishe my dolours and anguysshes Alas I was borne in an vnhappy houre for to suffer suche payne and for to fall from so hyghe estate vnto such pouerte for of al the vnhappines I am the moste vnhappiest Nowe is al my ioyes transmued in to distres my laughinges chaunged in to wepynges my songes conuerted into syghes In the stede of the cloth of golde that I was wonte for to weare I am as a womam publike full of iniuries and vitupere comitted aiourned And of precious stones of inestimable valour on all sydes I must the remnaunt of my myserable lyfe arouse my vesture with bitter teares y t shal make my lyfe my daies to fynyshe O you pastorellis of y c sieldes coÌ„sider my great dolours and wepe myne exite Nowe pleased it God and the vyrgin Mary that I were descended of as poore estate as the poorest of y e worlde at the least I should haue doloure to seâ— me in suche pouerte Alas wherfore â—yghteth me the sonne and wherfore doth the earth sustaine mâ— â–ª for I â—aue no â—ede that the daungerous fountayne of distresse oppresse me so sore For it is not in mine humayne puyssaunce to bewayle the profouÌ„de sorowe that my poore harte endureth O false enuye treason I ought well for to curse the with my harte for by the to day I am the moste sorowfullest creature liuing vpon the earth A my brother the kyng Pepyn what shall ye doo with this poore discomforted It were better for you that I had neuer bene borne of my mother or that from the wombe of my mother I had bene put vnder the earth In makyng this aspre complainte the lady abode in a swowne vpon the horsebacke and she was almoste fallen downe or that Blandymain might come vnto her then he dressed her vp and sayde vnto her Alas madame take vnto you some comforte and enter not so in dispayre haue stedfast truste in God for euen so as you are innocent he shal kepe you and defende you alwaies Then he espied a right fayre fountayne towarde the whiche he ledde the lady And also nete it as he might he set her downe for to repose her refreshe her Here I wyll leaue to speake of them and will speake of the Archebisshop that perseuered in his malice dampnable and dyabolyque ¶ Howe the Archebysshop put hym in the habyte of a knyght and mounted on horsebacke for to folowe the Empresse Bellyssant that was banisshed ¶ Capit. iiii WHen the Archebisshop sawe that the lady was departed he thought in himselfe that he wold go after her and that with her he woulde do his pleasure He lefte rochet and other vesture and as irreguler and appostate gyrde his swerde about hym and mounted vpon a swifte courser and folowed fost after for he had one of the beste coursers of all Constantynoble He tode so faste that within short tyme he had tyden a great waye And of all them that he mette â–ª he asked tydynges of the noble lady Bellyssant And they shewed vnto him the waye that she helde So longe rode the false traytour Archebysshoppe that he entred in to a myghty great forest and a longe he toke the hyghe waye and enforced hym to tyde apace He had not ryden longe whan he apperceiued the lady with Blandimayn the whiche were beside the fountaine whereas the lady was descended for to refresshe her and rest her for she was wery and heuy ful of sorowe and doloure so that she myght not susteyne her Whiles that Blandymayn coÌ„forted the sorowfull lady the Archebisshop drewe nere them and knowe the fayre Bellyssant but she knewe him not a ferre bycause that he was dysgysed but whan he approched she knewe him well ynoughe Alas sayd she Blandymayne Isâ— now come towarde vs the false Archebysshop that is cause of mine exyle Alas I am to sore aferde that he do me not some vyllany Lady sayd Blandymayn haue of hym neyther fere nor doubte For yf he come for to do you euyl or displeasure I shal put my body for to defende yours vnto the death At these wordes was arriued the archebisshop that light of his hors and salued the lady in the best maner that he might and sayd Ryght dere and honoured lady it so be that the Emperour hath dechared you yf you wyll accepte me for to be your loue and accomplysshe my desyre I shal do so muche towarde the Emperour that he shal put you in your fyrst estate and be exalted more hygher then euer you were wherfore auyse you for I do it for your great honour and prouffyte Ha sayd the lady dysloyall and cruel aduersary of all honoure imperiall I ought well to haue cause to loue the and holde the dere whaÌ„ that by thy false malyce thou haste made the Emperour vnderstande that I haue myserably borne me towarde hys maiesty and made me be detect from all honoure and prosperyte Thou hast put mein the way of extremite and misery and is the causer that I shall finishe my dates in dolorous distresse for there is not a more discomforted lady in the worlde then I am Lady leue suche woordes for by me ther caÌ„ nothing coÌ„ to you but good For I am puissaunt ynough for to chaunge your doloure and discomforte in to Joye solace more then euer you had In saying these wordes he enclyned hym towarde the lady and wende to haue kyssedher But Blandimayn sterte betwene them and gaue the Archebysshoppe so great a stroke that he folled hym vnto the earthe and braket wayne of his teeth The Archebysshoppe gate him vp drew his sworde quicklye And Blandimain toke a glayue that he had brought with him and assayled hym ryght asprely and the Archebysshoppe hym They fought so long that they were booth sore wounded and as they were thus fyghtyng there arryued on them a notable marchaunt that ascryed vnto them also ferre as he myghth se them saying Lordes lordes leue your debate and tell me from whence it procedeth and I shall tell you who hath ryght or wronge Syr sayd Blandimain let vs fynyshe our enterpryse Alas sayd the lady sucoure vs for here is the false priest that will take mine honoure from me by forte â–ª whiche is y e cursed Archebisshop that hathe separed me by creason from my lorde and husband the Emperour when the marchaunt vnderstode her he had great pity on her sayde to the Archebisshop Syr leue your enterpryse touche not the lady for and the Emperoure knowe of this dede he would make you dye an euill death before all the worlde Also soone as the Archebysshop vnderstode the marchaunt speake he left the batrayl quickly and began for toâ—â—e through the wodde He was ryght sorowfull
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
freshe wherfore it was delivered amonges them not to abyde them And after the counsayll taken they made too sowne trompettes and clarons for to withdrawe theÌ„ in to Constantinoble When the Soudan sawe that the christen men were entred he made too assyege the cytie ryght nece And there was soo great nombre of paynyms about the cytie vpon euery syde that the emperoure and the kyng â–ª Pepyn myght not yssue out of it ¶ Thus they abode long tyme in the subiection of their enemies that kepte them streyghte in desiring of their death â–ª and purchasyng the dostruccion of the christen faith So I shall leue you to speake of this matter and will tell you of valentine and Orson that for the loue of Cleremonde bene entred in to the sea as ye haue heard before ¶ Howe Ualentyne and Orson arryued at the strong castell where as the fayre Clerymonde was and how by the head of brasse they had knowledge of their generacion and howe Ualentyne iusted with the Seneshal of the castell for the entre and slewe hym Cap. xxviii AFter that valentine and Orson hadde long tyme abyden vpon the hye Sea they aduysed an yle in the whiche was a castell right stronge and puyssaunte and full of greate beautie that same Castell was all couered with laten right clere and shynynge and for the greate beaute of it Ualentine thought wel within him selfe y t it was that there as the greane knyghte had sente hym to for to fynde his syster Clerymonde He wente anone thederwarde and dyscended at one of the portes of the Ile And whan he was dyscended he enquyred and demaunded who ought that castell that was so faire and so ryche And it was answered hym that the castel was in the kepynge of tho fayre Clerymonde syster vnto the gyaunte Ferragus and that by a ryche sarazyn it was edâ—fyed the which Sarazyn amonge all the other excellent thynges that are in that castell made to make and compose a chambre ryghte fayre and ryche of the whyche chambre the rychesses shall be declared to you afterwarde And more ouer it was sayde vnto Ualentyne that within that same chambre there was a moche rych Pyller and excellente vppon the whiche was a heade of brasse that of olde antiquite had bene composed muche subtyllye by Nygromancye of a Face the whyche head was of suche nature that it gaue answer of al thynges that was asked it And whan Ualentine vnderstoode the declarâ—cyon of the Castell he was ryghte Ioyous in his heart for he thought wel that it was the place y t the grene knyghte had tolde hym that he shoulde fynde hys syster in that was so gretely commended aboue all other of lytel and grete for her great beaute He demauÌ„ded no ferder for the for that presente time but put hym vppon the waye wyth Orson for to goo into that same castel and so muche they haue gone that they are comen before the gate for to entre in but they did fynde x. knyghtes stronge and hardye there that dyd keepe the gate nyght and daye And whan they sawe Ualentyne and Orson that wolde haue entred in they sayd to theym Lordes with drawe you abacke for within this castell entreth no body be he neuer of so hyghe a lygnage without the leue and lycence of a mayden to whome y â— garde appertayneth the whiche aboue all them of y e world is garnysshed with beaute Frende sayd Ualentyne go towarde the mayden and demauÌ„de her yf it be her pleasure to gyue me entre in to her castel Than the porter mounted vpon hye entred in to the chambre where as the fayre Clerymonde was After he set his knee on the grounde and sayd to her Lady before the gate of your castell in two men that wolde entre and they seme men of ryght fyers courage and full of grete pryde and it semeth by theyr maners that they are men of euyll courare dede and contrary to oure lawe Nowe tell your wyl and answere to the gardes of the gate y t hathe sente me towarde you yf it please you that they shall entre or not Frende sayd the mayden dyscende adowne and I wyll goo vnto a wyndome for to wytte what men they be and make the gates for to be kepte well for I wyll speke to them â–ª The porter wente downe and sayd to his felowes that the gate sholde be well kepte tyl that the lady were at the wyndowe so â—o gyue them theyr answere Than Clerymonde that was well taught lened vpoÌ„ a quysshynge of golde aâ—â— wyndowe and sayd vnto Ualentyne What are you that by so grete hardynes wyll entre in to my casâ—ol withoute demaundynge lycence Lady sayd Ualentyne that spake hardyly I am a knyght that passeth my waye So I wolde gladly speke vnto the heed of brasse yf it pleased you â–ª that gyueth answer vnto euery body Knyght sayd the lady so maye ye not speke therto â–ª but yf y t you brynge mee certayne sygnes from one of my bretheren that is from the kynge â–ª Ferragus â–ª or from the grene knight that of Tartarye hathe the lordshyp and â—oâ—ynaci on And yf that you brynge me from onye of them bothe tokenne or certificacion I shal lette you entre into the castel at your owne pleasure and wyll And know that by none other manner ye maye entre into this castel saue alonely by one point that I shal tel you that is that you take leue of the Seneshall of thys place the which I shal gyue you by suche a condicion that before or you entre you shall Just with him fiue or syxe strokes wyth a spere Wherefore auyse you whether you loue better to goo fetche me certayne sygnes of one of my brederen or doo as I haue tolde you Ladye sayde Ualentyne make doo come your Seneshal for I haue leauer fyght agaynste hym and wynne and deserue to entre into your castell than I goo by prayers requestes and flaterynges Thus spake Ualentine vnto the fayre Clerimond that had hys courage so valyaunt and hardy not withstondyng that he brought from the Grene Knyght certain signes by the ring of golde that he loued better for too Iuste for to proue his bodye than for to shewe the rynge the which he should present vnto the fayre Clerimonde And whan the Lady sawe the wyll and hardye courage wherwith he was repleate from that same houre shee was espyred and taken wyth hys loue ryght ardauntly at the hart Thanne in contynente she mounted in too the chambre where as the head of brasse was and sayd vnto it what is that knight that hath so greâ—e courage for to enter in to thys castell Lady sayd the head Of the knyght nor of hys estate shall you kâ—ow nothynge vntyll the tyme that you haue brought hym before me for that answer was the fayre Clerymond for the loue of Ualentyne in grete thoughte ¶ How as Ualentyne was before the castell speakynge to the gardes
me than to seke onye other meanes Soone after that Ualentyne and the fayre Clerimonde had spoken thus togyder the tables were spredde and the Mayden sette And Ualentine was set before her that toke none other solace nor plesure saue alonely to behold her that was set before him Alas veray God sayd Ualentine in hys courage please it you to take my heart out of thys dolorous dystresse shortly which and for the loue of thys lady so profoundlye wounded at the harte that neuer the daies of my life I was in such melancoly Alas god she is so muche garnyshed wyth beaute and so full of grete bounte the eyen grene in laughynge stedfaste the foreheade cleare and polyshed and the face ruddye And all the other membres of her body by ryght measure naturally composed Now am I soo ardauntly taken wyth her loue that the death shuld be more agreable vnto me than for to fayll too perfourme and accomplysshe this thinge In thys manner complayned the noble knyght Ualentine for the loue of the excellent Clerymonde ¶ And she vppon the other syde in beholdyng hym loste bothe maners and countenaunce In this grete melancoly the moost honestly that they might kepe their countenaunces passed the knyght the lady the dynner And whan the tables were taken vp Clerymonde toke Ualentyne by the hande and sayde to hym Frende so moche haue you doone that you haue deserued for to entre into my secrete chambre where as you shall see the heade of brasse the whyche of your lygnage shall tell you good and certayne tydynges Nowe come your waye wyth me and brynge your felow with you for I haue a grete desyre to heare the answere that shall be gyuen you by the heade of brasse The noble knyght Ualentyne was muche Ioyous whan he hearde the amerous lady Clerimonde speke so They yssued out of the halle and wende towarde the chambre where as the heade of brasse was rychlye aourned And anone as they were at the doore for to haue entred in they found on the one syde a meruayllous ferefull and a stronge vyllayne ryghte greate and croked that bare a clubbe of yron vpon his necke the which was right heauye The which villaine semed to be rebell and full of great outrage And on the other syde of the dore was a lyon right great fierse proud These twayne were ordeyned at all ceasones for to defend and kepe that none should entre into the chambre wythoute the ladies leue and without fightinge wyth the vyllayn and the lyon And whan Ualentine apperceiued the villaâ— and the lion that dressed them against theym for to defende the dore He demaunded the fayre Clerymonde what suche thinges signified and woulde say Lordes sayd Clerymonde the set wayne that you se here are for to kepe the doore and there inaye none enter withoute fightynge wyth them â–ª wherby dyuers beno deade without passynge ony ferâ—er And to the regarde of the lyon he is of suche a nature that he wyl neuer doo a kings son harmnor dommage Lady sayd Ualentine I canne not tell what shall happen but at auenture I shal put me in the garde of God hauyng confydence to ouer come the lyon Than he aproched him to the proud beaste and by strength of armes enbraced him about the bodye but also soone as he smelled Ualentines cloothes and fleshe he let hym goo and was curteis and humble withoute doynge hym hurte or dommage And Orson was on the other syde that assaylled the vyllayn and or euer he myght lyfte vp his clubbe of yron he tooke hym by the mydle so rudely that he threwe hym agaynst the walle and than toke his clubbe from him and gaue him so great a stroke that he felled hym to the earth in suche facyon that yf it hadde not ben the fayre Clerymond he would haue slayne the villayne in the place And thus was the vyllayne vaynquysshed the LyoÌ„ by the two knyghtes After the gate was opened and they entred in to the chambre that wyth all rychesse mondayn was dressed For it was painted with fine golde and azure poudred with in with rubyes and saphyrs and manâ— other stones it was hanged wyth fyne clothe of golde set with dyamondes and grete pearles In the chambre was foure pyllers of Iasper meruaylous rich and w t subtyll werke edefyâ—â— of whych the fyrst twain were yelower thanne fine goulde The thirde more greanâ—â— than the grasse in May. The fourth more redder than a flam binge cole Betwene these pillers was an amery more richer than I can deuise or say in the whiche the head of brasse was that gaue answer to euery body set vpon a rich piller right sumptuously aoâ—râ—ed closed Ualentyne opened the amarye and behelde the heed in coniurynge it for to tell him the trouthe of his estate natyuyte Than spake the heed so hye and so clere that euery body herde it and sayd to hym Knyght of grete renowne I tel the that thou arte named valentine the inoost hardy and valyaunt that euer syth the worlde began entred here in arte that same to whome the fayre Clerymonde hathe ben gyuen and ought to be nor neuer shall she haue other than you Thou arte sone of the Emperoure of Grece and of the fayre Bellyssant syster vnto kynge Pepyn the whiche with wronge hath ben chased out of his Emâ—yre thy moder is in Portyngale in the castell of Ferragus y e whiche hathe kepte her by the space of .xx. yere the kynge Pepin is thin vncle and this felowe that thou ledest shith the is thy propre broder naturall You twayne was chylded of the gracyous Empresse Bellyssant in the forest of Orleaunce in grete pyte and dolorous dystresse And whan the empresse had put you vpon the erthe thy felowe was borne awaye from her by a beer and by her hathe ben nourysshed in the wodde without helpe or comforte of ony natural woman And thou was founde that same daye in the forest by kynge Pepin and borne awaye the whiche w t out hauynge ony knowledge of the hathe swetely nourysshed and brought the vp And also I the tell that thy broder that is hera presente shall neuer speke vnto the tyme that thou make a threde to be cut that he hath vnder his tongue And whan thou shalte haue made it to be cut he shal spâ—ke also playnly as ony body Now thike to do well as thou haste begonne and all good shall happen the for syth that thou arâ—e entred in to this chaÌ„bre my tyme is past than it stouped downe sodaynly neuer syth was there by it ony worde spoken Than Ualentyne that was rauysshed for Ioye came to Orson and in wepynge moche tenderly kyssed his mouthe And Orson on the other syde enbrased hym and called hym in castynge onte grete syghes anguysshous Alas sayd Clerymonde to Ualentine Free curteyse knyght I oughte to be ryghte Ioyous of your comynge for by you I am out of grete thought
the paynims was in their tentes the batayll was to great that foure thousande christen men were slayne whiche was a pyteous thyng to them of the cytie Ryght sorowful and displeasaunt was the Emperour of Grece for many noble barons and knyghtes that he had losse â—n the batayll but aboue al the other he was sorowful in his harte and bitterly displeasaunt for his valyauÌ„t sonne valentine and the grene knight that had done so great dedes of armes and in lyke wyse was the kyng Pepyn of Fraunce Those twaine made great dole and lamentacioÌ„ casting out great cryes and syghes for the chylde Ualentyne that they had lost so soone But the lytel Pacolet recomforted theim muche saying Lordes leue your wepyng and discomforte for of Ualentyne you shall be ioyous and of hym haue good tydynges sooner then you wenefore Frende sayde he God here the and geue the suche puyssaunce for an thou maye do so muche as to bryng hym vnto me and delyuer hym from the handes of thâ— soudaâ— that hathe sworen his death thou maist say surely that aboue the other â— shal mounte the in honoure and rychesse Syr said Pacolet put your trust in me for shortly you shall knowe with what loue I loue you and your sonne valentine Then Pacolet toke his horse of wodde and without any mo wordes departed for to go in to the sondans hoost And the soudan is in his pauylâ—on that for to iudge Ualentyne and the grene knyght had assembled all the greate lordes of his hoost But his enterpryse was all turned contrary as it shall be shewed you more playnly here afterwarde ¶ Howe the enchauntoure Pacolet delyuered Valentyne and the grene knyght out of the pryson of the soudan Moradyâ— Ca. xliiii WHan the Soudan Moradin was wythdrawn in to his pauiloÌ„ he made to be brought before him the child ValeÌ„tine the grene knight in the presâ—ce of all the most greatest barons and knights of his court and sayd in thys maner Lordes at this hour you may well se and knowe the twayne of the worlde that doth moost â—â—spleasure and outrage vnto the kynge Ferragus And amonge the other thynges this knyght hath lefte out law and made hym to be christened to here vs the more domage wherfore me thyncketh it were well none to sende them vnto kynge Ferragus for I wotâ—e wel that he wil take vengeaunce on them and that he shal make them dye a shameful death as thei haue wel deserued Syr sayd the sarazyns and paynims that of theyr deathes had great enuy It is no nede to soâ—ouru so muche but make forkes to be reyse◠〈◊〉 in the felde for to hange the two false caitifes on tomorow in the umornyug that hathe borne vs so great dommage and harme Lordes sayde the soudan â—oradyn your counsayll is fayre and good and soo wyll I vse it for by the god mahowne I sweare you and promyse you that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall make theym to be hanged so hye that all they of the cyte of Constantinoble may se them and take ensample at theyr death After these wordes sayde as the Soudan entred into hys â—ent for to go to souper the litel Pacolet found himself before hym the which salued him by mahoune highly Pacolet sayd the paynym thou arte welcom Now tel me lyghtly howe doth the feate of the kynge Ferragus that aboue all the other is my parfyte frende Sir said Pacolet he fareth right well and aboue al recoÌ„maundeth him vnto you and by me â—e sendeth you tydynges good that are muche secrete the whiche I shal tel you yf it please you to here me Frâ—ede sayd the souden ryghte voluntaryly with good herte I wyll here youre message Than he drewe him apaâ—â—e for to tel hym his secrete And Pacolet sayd to him all softly Syr wyâ—e that I come from Portyngale and am sente hether by my redoubted lady the wyfe of Ferragus the whiche wyth all her heart recoÌ„maundeth her vnto you moche more hardely than I can recounte and that it be true I do you to wyte that aboue all the men of the worlde she loueth you best for she is so esprised and takeÌ„ with your loue that she maye neyther slepe nor reaste in noo place Nowe it is true that she the which in all trusteth her in me hath sente me towarde you and sendeth you worde by me expressely vpon the loue that maye be bytwene two true louers that without soiourning or deferrynge you come and se her For the kyng Ferragus is at this presente tyme gone towarde Acquytayne so maye you at your owne pleasure and wyll of the pleasaunt lady that aboue al the other shineth in beaute do your pleasure wyl And therfore syr come your waye with me for vpon my hors I shal coâ—duyâ— you so well and in suche manner that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall set you in Portyngale before the noble and fair lady by the pleasure of my God mahoun Ha Pacolet sayd the soudan Moradyn thou gynest me at my heart more greater Ioye and comfort than ony other person dydde euer before this For aboue all the wemen of the worlde I am and haue bene longe tyme of the wyfe of kynge ferragus enamoured but so much there is that neuer no day I myghte fynde my selfe before her in no maner that I myght accomplysshe my wyll or cell my secrete but at thys tyme I shall accomplysh the desire of my heart that so muche and so louge I haue abyden For I promyse the that tomorowe in the mornynge I shall goo wyth the and accomply me my well and my desyre It that houre that I recount vnto you the soudan Moradyn satte hym down at the table and made the enchauntoure Pacolet too bee serued also honestlye as he myght for he was so ryght â–ª Ioyous of the â—â—oinges that the enchauntour Pacolet had broughte hym that the heart lept in hys bely for Ioy and made grete cheare And Pacolet that sa we wel that the Sowdan was in greate ioy sayde all softelye to hym selfe I am feasted and kept wel at ease but or that it be to morow at nyght such gyueth me of hys bread to eate that shall curse the tyme that euer I was boorne Now Ualentine and the grene knyght was in the tente and pauilyon of the soudan Moradin that were wel and straytly bounden well knewe they Pacolet whereof they were ryghte Ioyous in their courages in sayinge and thynking in their hertes that for their deliueraunce he was comen theder but they made no semblaunt And Pacolet in she wynge grete chere and fayre semblaunt vnto the soudan Moradin in beholdynge the prisoners said all on heyght Syr how be you so curteis for to kepe y e grene knight in your prisons withoute makinge him dye for aboue all liuinge men he hath borne dommage vnto his brother Ferragus And for to greue him y t mohe hathe renounced Mahounde and founde the wayes and manere to take frome him his
whan he felt himself wouÌ„ded he descended to the earth habandoned his horse After he came agaynst Orson and smote his horse in suche maner that he cut of one of his legges and felled hym vnto the earthe But Orson was dyligent and strong for when he felt the horse fall he auoyded the styropes and lept vpon the earthe And syth came vnto Garnyere and toke hym betwene his armes so mightely that he toke his shelde from him and threwe him to the earth but as he would haue gyueÌ„ hym a â—oyne in the belly Florente sported his horse for to surour his brother and gaue Orson so great a stroke vpon the helme that he made hym for too rele Orson ran vnto hym that had dispyte and smote hym with so great a courage that he ouerthrewe the horse dead too the earth and toke of Florentes helme from his head of the whiche he was sore abasihed and founde none other remedy saue for to flee and renne about the fielde in coueryng his head with his shelde And Orson ran after hym with a fyerse courage that for to se hym flee had great pleasure Ha Florent sayd Garnyere wherfore flee you so much retourne you agayne and thinke for to defende you for if you haue good courage to day he shall be vanquyshed At these wordes the two traytours assayled the valiaunt Orson muche asperly and with their trenchyng swordes gaue hym so many strokes that through his harneys the strokes entred and made the bloud to yssue out by greate haboundaunce Then Orson that felte hymselfe wounded reclaymed God and the virgyn Mary muche deuoutely and gaue Florent so great a stroke that he smote of his arme w t the sword During this batail Fezone was in a church in prayinge god deuoutly that it wolde please hym for to kepe her good loue Orson defende hym in gyuyng him victorye agaynst hys enemyes The people was moche abasshed of y e great dedes of armes that Orson dyde Dolente and sorowful was Florent whaÌ„ he had loste his arme and not for that he left not for to assayl Orson wyth all his puyssaunce ¶ And whan Orson sawe him come he made semblaunte for to smyte Garnyere and after drewe his stroke agayne sodaynly and smote FloreÌ„t in suche maner that he smote him downe deed to the erthe after he sayd vnto Garnyere Traytoure thou muste go after or elles knowledge before euery body y e treasoÌ„ that you haue braced ¶ Orson said Garnyere it shal go other wyse for if you haue slayne my brother to day I shal take vengeauÌ„ce ¶ Haufray sayd Henry our feate goeth euyll for Orson hath alredy slayne and vndone our neuewe Florent you shall se anone y t he wyll vaynquysshe Garnyere make him confesse the treason by the whiche we shall be for euer dyshonoured and in daunger of deathe yf we fynde not maner for to fle escape Brother sayd Haufray that was full of treason I shal tel you what we shal do Also so one as we shall se that Garnyere is ouercomen or that he confesse the treason we shall entre into the felde and in signe for to maynteine Orson we shal cut of our neuewes head And so the treason may neuer be knowen By God sayd Henry none can say nor deuyse better Thus thought the two cursed dysloyall traytours newe treasons for to hyde the olde And the two champions are within the felde y t assaylleth eche other moche asprely Garnyere sayd Orson you se wel that you maye not defende you agaynste me And therfore thynke for to yelde you confesse your cursed treason and I promyse you for to saue your lyfe and make your peas towarde kynge Pepyn and shall sende you vnto the Emperoure of Grece my father that for the loue of me shall reteyne you of hys courte and gyue you great wages Boye sayd Garnyere thy promyse serueth me of nothynge for syth that I haue lost one of myne eres I shall neuer be praysed nor honoured in no place So Had I rather dye valyauntly agaynste the or conquere thy body delyuered the vnto shamefull death than for to defylemyne honoure By my fayth sayd Orson right gladly I accordeth you And syth that you haue enuy for to dye you shall haue founde in me a good mayster Thynke for to defende you for here is your laste daye At these wordes he went towarde Garnyere and wyth strengthe of armes throwe hym vnder hym and pulled hys helme from hys head And Haufray whyche sawe that there was no more remedye cryed right hye Orson slee him not for we knowe right well y t wyth great wronge he hath accused you so we wyll do the Justyce as to the traytour apperteyneth we wyl neuer let hym lyue nor holde hym of our parentage He entred into the felde and sayd vnto Garnyere Fayre mayster confesse your dede and the maner of the treason and we shall do so muche to the kynge that of your fautes ye shal haue pardon Lordes sayde the traytour Garnyere I haue done the treason and put the knyfe in the kinges bed In sayenge these wordes Haufray that was subtyll and cautelous drewe hys swerde to the end that he shuld speke no ferther forthe of that thynge he slewe hym in the same place and after sayd ⧠Lordes nowe let thys traytour be taken and hanged on the galowes for he hath well deserued it Then he sayde vnto Orson Losyn I am tyght Joyous of the vyctory that you haue had for God hath wel shewed that you are true and loyal And for al that Garnyer was my neue we yet shal I neuer clayme hym for my bloud syth he hath wylled to medle with treason Anoue came thether the fayre lady Fezonne that colled and kyssed Orson ryght swetely And than kyng Pepyn demaunde hym Fayre neue we haue you any daungerous wound vpon your body Uncle sayd Orson no thanked be God I haue vanquyshed the two traytours Haufray as a good man hath made Garnyere confesse the treason and takeÌ„ his lyfe from him Ha fayre neuewe beleue it not to lightly for what semblauÌ„t that euer he make you he is partysypyng of the treason but for this present tyme I wyll holde my peace The king and the barons retourned in to the cytie of Parys and made great ioye for the victory that Orson had wonne and the honoure And Haufray and Henry that same day said muche good of him with their mouthes and with their hartes desyred his death But anone after came the tyme that their cursed treason was knowen and that they were punished for their euylles as they had wel deserued So I shal leue to speake of this mater and will tell you of the knyght Ualentyne that rode through the countrey right sorowful for his loue the fayre Llery monde the which was in Jnde the more where the kyng made her to be kept for to wedde her and toke her vnto wyfe by
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
from the fayre Rozemonde wherof you shall be ryght Joyous and contente with me ¶ Messenger sayde the kyng I lette the for to wyte that in despyte of kyng Lucar that is so fyerse and proude I was delybered for to haue put you vnto deathe but for the loue of the lady that you haue spoken to me of you shall haue no hurte nor vyllanye no more then my propre bodye if it be soo that you can shewe me some token or sygne from her Syr sayde Valentyne that shall I do well and shall tel you my message in suche manere that I shall not lye one worde for to dye for it It is true certayne that I belonge vnto kyng Lucar the whiche hath sente me to warde you and by me sendeth you worde that for recribuâ—ion and vengeaunce of the death of his father king Tromparte you go and yelde you in his palays of Esclardye all naked with a rope abouâ—e youre necke as an vntrue these and traytour and open murderer And in this estate he wyll that you come before his tyal maâ—estie and all baronage of his courte and as a man cul pable yelde you to suffre suche deathe as shal be geuen and Judged by his counsaill And if that you be not coÌ„tente with suche thynge and wyll refuse me as a messenger therto cominised and sent by him I defie you let you were that within shorte tyme he will come and waste your lande Suche is his eâ—tenâ—ion and hath vowed and sworne vnto god Jupin â—ahoune that in all your lande shall notabyde cytie towne nor castell boroughe nor vyllage but that they shall be all set on fyre and destroyed men womeÌ„ and children shall be put vnto death so that you shall knowe ryght well that in an euyll houre you put the kyng Tromparte to death the whiche was his propre father naturall Messenger saide the kyng of Ynde I haue ryght well vnderstande and herde you and knowe that I set litell store by the menares of the king Lucar nor by his proude diffiauÌ„ce for it is sayd comonly that suche menaceth that haue great drede And for to geue an aunswere vpon this mater I shall make a letter to bee made that you shall bere to hym and in the leâ—ter shall be conteyned how I hauebene desyed by him To the regardâ— of you messenger your message is accomplysshed And also I shall maunde him what good wil I haue for to receiue him and al his puissaunce also often as he will destroye my lande But as for the surplus of thyne enterprise that is of the fayre Rozemonde declare me all 〈◊〉 whiche she maundeth me For amonge the other thynges I haue an ardaunt desyre to here tydinges from her Syr sayd the knyght Ualentyne vpon the feate of the lady I salue you from her as her perfiâ—e and secrete loue And she sendeth you worde that she is maried of late vnto the kyng Lucar but knowe that it is agaynst her will and agaynst her courage For she neuer loued the kyng Lucar nor neuer wyll And the free lady that hath so beauteous a body is so smyten to the harte with your loue that she wyl neuer haue other than you yf it be so that you wyl receyue her for lady For to come vnto the ende of thys enterpryse she hath tolde me that she wyl come hether in the company of Kynge Lucar her husbande whan he departeth from Esclardye for to come hether in armes agaynst you And by thys meanes you maye soone fynde the maner for to haue the fayre lady Rozemonde and led her awaye at your owne wyll and pleasure By mahowue sayd the kynge of Ynde these tydynges pleaseth me ryght well and am muche Joyous yf the thyng be suche as you haue made relacyon of Syr sayd Ualentine if the thynge be true or fals I cannot saye but for â—etayne sygnes and tokens verytable here is the rynge that was gyuen vnto her by you the whyche she sendeth you And not withstandyng that women be of ryght light courage and abyde lyttell in one purpose yet me thynketh well that she aboue all other desyreth your loue that her enterpryse is not fayned Frende sayd the kynge of Ynde that knewe the rynge of thy comynge I am ryght Joyous Now go eat and drynke take thy repaste and the meane whyle I shall make a letter to be wryten that you shal bere vnto king Lucar for the answeâ—â— of your dyfyaunce Ualentyne by the commaundemente of the kynge of Ynde was at that houre hyghly feested of diuers knyghtes that kept hym companye He demaunded dyuers secretely for the fayre lady Clerymonde in â—nquyrynge yf theyr were any tydynges of any christen woman that were in y â— countree And it was answered hym naye soo he helde hym contente Now the kyng of Ynde came anone and gaue hym the lettre And Ualentyne receyued it in takynge leue of hym He knewe not y t hys loue was there the whiche lady lyued ryght poorely in the cytie for the loue of hym in praying God deuoutly that it woulde please hym to delyuer her out of that place and to send her tydinges shortly of her loue Ualentyne Nowe approcheth the tyme that she shall fynde hym but the noble knight Ualentyne shall fyrst suffre endure much pyteous aduentures the whiche shal be recounted vnto you here afterwarde ⧠How Ualentyne retourned into the cytie of Esclar dye And of the aunswere that he hadde of the kynge of Ynde to bere to kyng Lutar Cap. lxx GReate Joye and great solace made the free knyghte Ualentyne for too departe out of ynde and to be out of the haÌ„des of the felloÌ„ kyng of ynde that had slayne so many messengers He mounted on horsbacke anon arryued at the hauen where as the mariners abode him the whyche were muche abasshed of hys comynge and thought betwene them selfe that he had not done hys message Lordes sayd Ualentyne returne we into Esclardy for I haue accomplysshed myn enterpryse wherof I ought well to thanke god By my fâ—â—th sayd one of the maryners we are muche ameruaylled for neuer the dayes of our lyues we sawe none returne agayne Frende sayde Ualentyne who that god wyl helpe none can hurte them At these wordes Ualentyne mounted vpon the see and they rowed so muche that anone they aryued at Esclardye Ualentyne made no soiournyng but also soone as he was dyscended of hys hors he mouÌ„ted vp into the palays and founde there the kynge Lucar accompanyed of kyng Brandyffer and of fourtene stronge and puyssaunt kynges that were all comen in to Esclardy for to so coure the kynge Lucar agaynst the kynge of ynde Of the returnynge of Ualentyne they were muche al 〈…〉 hed amonge the other the traytour kynge Lucar for wende that he should neuer haue returned agayne He made Ualentyne to come before all the barons and sayd to hym Frende tell me tydynges and saye vnto me yf the kynge of ynde wyll come vnto
On a mornynge Hugon called the fayre Clerymonde sayde to her in fayre language Lady knowe that I am kyng of Hongrye holde vnder me diuers â–ª greace lordes but of one thyng I am euill that is that I haue no wyfe and anâ— to mary for the whiche thyng I am come to ward you For I haue vnderstande that the knyghte Ualentyne wil neuer retourne wherfore I require you y t you haue me for your husbande so shal you be crowned quene of Hongrye and be greately honoured for aboue all other you are she that my harte desyreth so aâ—dauntlye Syr sayn the lady of the good and the honour that you present me I thanke you humbly but for to aunswere you well seke you another wyfe for my loue Ualentine lyueth yet soo I am delybreed for too abyde hym seuen yere And whan that it should be so that I would take a husbande it behoued not to speke vnto me but to the Emperoure Orson and to my brother the grene knight for without their counsayll I will neuer conâ—ente therto for any thyng that maye be sayde vnto me ¶ Lady sayd Hugon you speake right honestly your answere pleaseth me Than he came towarde Orson demaunded hym if he hadde any tydynges oâ— Ualentyne Free kyng sayde the Emperoure Orson that of hym had no doubte â–ª I knowe none other thyng saue that â—y a â—â—eter that he lefte me with his wyfe the which telleth that he is gone in exyle for to wepe his synnes ◠〈◊〉 vpoÌ„ hym he bereth halfe of the ring that he wedded his wife wyth and the other he hathe lefte her â–ª and charged her to beleue nothinge of hym but if she sawe the other halfe of the ryng Syr sayd Hugon that noted well the sewordes â–ª god be his spede for he is a knight to be moche praysed Nowe I wyll tell you one thynge that I haue in my courage I am delyuered for to go vnto The rusalem sor to vysyte the holy sepulcre so I wold gladly that you wolde bere me company Syr sayde Orson I am contente and we wyll go into Angorye and take the grene knyght with vs that is kyng therof It pleaseth me well sayd kyng Hugon lette vs go where you wyll Than Orson toke leue of the fayre Galazye â–ª and of his moder and mounted vpon thesee and came into Angory where as they were receyued much honourably â–ª and in greate ioye They made greate chere and after all thre wente into Jherusalem and toke vp theyr lodging for to reste them And vpon the morowe they wente toward the good patriarke that songe masse be fore them and made them be guyded throughe the cyte for to vyâ—â—â—e the holy sepulcre and other holy places in grete deuocion They gate the pardons and dyde theyr pylgrimage deuoutly saue the kinge Hugon that bare the treason in hys hearte by the whiche he made the noble prynces be taken and enprysoned that trusted in hym For right so as they visited the holy places y t traitour kyng Hugon stole oute of theyr company and yede vnto the kynge of Surye that was the kynge of Jâ—dâ—s broder that was slayne before Angorye Hugon salued hym by mahowne sayd vnto him Kynge vnderstondome and I shall tell you a thynge for your prouffyte Knowe syr that there is newly aryued here two knightes that you ought to hate aboue al other for they haue slayne kynge Brandyffer kynge Lucar and the puyssaunt kynge of Ynde your brother Whan Rabastre vnderstode that hys brother was dead he wepte much and after sayd vnto Hugon Syr can you yelde me the two knyghtes Yes sayd the traytour Hugon so y t you wyll giue me theyr seales af golde Syr sayd the kyng of Surye I should be to ingrate yf I refused you soo lytell a thynge you shall haue the seales and other thynges ynoughe yf you may delyuer me the two knyghtes Yes sayd Hugon and herken now Sende your messengers in to the house of the patryarke for he can tel you where they are Than the kynge of Sury dyd so and sent viii hundred men armed to the good patryarke the whyche shewed them the lodgys at the kynges coÌ„maundement The paynyms went thyther anone and founde Orson and the grene knyght at dynner â–ª the whyche they tooke and bounde straytely and in betynge theym ledde them towarde the kynge Alas sayd Orson we are betrayed for ryght so as kynge Pepyn and the twelue peres of Fraunce were ones solde vnto the sarazyns in thys cyte so are we nowe Whan the kynge of Sury sawe them he sayd vnto them False enemyes of oure lawe I am ryght Joyous that I holde you now tel me your names for I wyll knowe theym and for a cause Syr sayde Orson I am called Orson and thys is the Grene knyght By mahowne sayd the kynge I haue hearde muche speke of you and you haue a felowe named valentyne the whiche if I helde he shoulde neuer escape my handes on lyue Than he made them to be dyspoyled and tooke theyr Seales frome theym the whyche he gaue afterwarde to kynge Hugon So Orson the grene knyght were put in a depe dongeon with bread and water longe They thought that the kyng Hugon had bâ— slayne of the sarazyns Alas they knew nothing how the mater did go for the traytoure Hugon was in the cytye y t called vnto him a disloyall traytoure named Galeran whiche had serued him longe for suche mayster suche seruaunt â–ª Galeran sayd Hugon I haue found y e maner wherby I shall come vnto the ende of myn entencion And because that you are my neuewe and haue serued me longâ— be secrete and I shall rewarde you soo well that you shal be content Vncle sayd Galeran haue no doubte of me for I know where you pretende that is to haue the fayre clerimonde vnto wyfe ¶ It is true sayde kynge Hugon it nedeth not to hyde it frome you We must make a letter subtylly in the name of Orson for I haue his propre seale wyth the whiche it shall be sâ—aleâ— And it behoueth that the letter be made thus ¶ Orson by the grace of god Emperour of grece vnto you my ryght redoubted and souerayne ladye and Moder vnto you my loue Galazye and vnto my syster y e fayr â–ª Clerymonde all humble salutation recommendacyon due Know that there is happened vs piteous tydynges and displeasaunt in this couâ—trye the whyche I wryte vnto you in this present letter so I require Jhesus that he gyue you pacyence â–ª My ladyes knowe for certayne that I haue founde my brothe â–ª Valentine in Jherusalem in his deathe bedde so God gaue me suche grace that I spake with hym or he dyed And at his 〈◊〉 he charged me to sende you tydynges to solue y e fayre Clerymonde from hym To whome he maundeth that for all the loue that euer she loued hym wyth that also soone as she may she take some prynce to husband
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