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
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
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
a hors Whan Valentyne was remounted he wythdrewe hym out of the battayll for to take ayre and dranke ones and after retourned into the stoure more strouger than before And whan the Marshall of Ynde sawe that they had the worse the moost secretly that he might he made his men to withdrawe them into a lytell valeye for to stele awaye the better Ualentyne sawe it well and shewed it vnto duke Myllon That it was appoynted that Ualentyne and his men should go vpon the sayde Marshall without makyng any noyse and too it was done Ualentyne and his man went thederwarde and smote vpon the Yndyans in suche maner that at their first entring they broke their batayll Then Ualentyne espied the Marshall that thought for to haue saued himselfe and gaue him so great a stroke with his spere that he smote both horse and man to the earth and the christen men smote vpon him but he was soo well armed they slewe him not at the first brunte And than Ualentyne toke him and gaue him to kepe to foute knightes and the Yndians were discomfyted at that houre by Valentyne And it waas the first batayll that was discomfyted that daye There was many riche prisoners taken the whiche ValeÌ„tine sent in to Angory commauÌ„ding that they should be well kept Now Brandiffer Lucar knewe that they had the worse By mahoune saide Brandiffer I can not auyse howe we may resiste so I fere me sore that we must all dye here wherfore I am of the opinion that we holde vs content for this time and recourne in to our countreis and we maye retourne an other time with greater strengthe By mahoune said Lucar you saye truthe for we haue loste already the moost part of our men retourne we without abiding any lenger here For it is better to fle betymes than to abyde to longe and dye Thus was the couÌ„sail taken by them and made the standarde and the baner to be wounde vp and sayde vnto their men saue you you maye The paynims toke their flighte towarde the hauen of the sea And the christen men went after sleing and kylling without any remission for men that are in flyght are halfe discomfyted And there abode so many paynims vpon the fielde that there mounted with Brandiffer Lucat but a hondred at their recourning And after the discomfiture of the paynims and sarazyns the christen men entred in to their tentes where as they founde great rychesses and after they wente into Angory for to reste them for they were were and trauayled Upon the morowe they made the dead bodyes to be buryed ¶ Howe kyng Pepyn was deliuered in chaunge of the kyng of Yndies Marshall Cap. xcviii AFter that the christen men that had wonne the batrayll before Angorye had buried the dead bodyes Ualentyne mounted vp in to the palays and commaunded that the prysoners should be brought before hym Than was brought before hym the Marshall of the kyng of Ynde to whom he demauÌ„ded if he would beleue in Jhesu By mahoune sayde the Marshall I had leuer dye Than Myllon dangler demaunded him of what countrey he was Lordes sayde the paynim I am the Marshall of the kyng of Ynde that loueth me well Whan the duke Myllon vnderstode hin he drewe the noble vs lentyne asyde sayde vnto him Well haue we wrought sythe that we haue taken this paynim for by him we may haue the kyng Pepyn that the kyng of Ynde ledde awaye for ad werfe whan we were taken within Jerusalem Myllon sayd Ualentyne you saye trouth Then he demaunded the paynim if the kynge of Ynde helde not in his prysons a chrysten man of lytell stature By mahowne said the Marshall in the pryson of the kynge of Ynde is no christen man but in his courte there is a lytell one that rydeth with him and is not in pryson And he brought hym from Jerusalem whan the twelue peres was taken Marshall said Ualentine it is the same that we demaunde and if you maie do so muche that he be brought vnto me you shall be delyuered for him without raunsome for he is my page and hath serued me long tyme. Ha sayde the paynim I am agreed and was ryght ioyous of those tydynges So he wrote a lettre anone and sente it vnto the kynge of Ynde Whan the kynge of Ynde hadde sene the lettre he was muche ioyous for to yelde king Pepin for his marshal For he knewe not what man was kynge Pepyn he made hym be brought before hym and sayd vnto hym Good frende it behoueth you too departe hence for my marshall shall be delyuered for you the whiche I wold not leue for suche a hundreth as you Syr sayde kynge Pepyn of this I am content and if I haue serued you euyll please it you to pardone me Frende said the kyng to mahoune I commaunde the. ¶ How kyng Pepyn toke his leue of the fayre Clerymonde and howe he tolde Ualentyne tydynges where she was Capit. xcix THen Pepyn ranne vnto Clerymonde and sayde vnto her Lady take comforte vnto you for I am delyuered and I shall shortly sende you your loue Valentyne and I shall neuer cease tyll that you be delyuered Thanne he departed from the lady that fell in swowne for Joye Pepyn wente wyth the messenger arryued in Angorye wythin a shorte space Nowe it is not to be demauÌ„ded the great ioye that than was made Frenâ—shemen wente agaynst hym blowynge troâ—pets and clarons and made greate Joye Vncle sayd Valentyne in a good houre was he taken by whome you are delyuered for aboue all the gooddes of the worlde I desyred your body Neuewe sayd Pepyn take vnto you toâ— for I brynge you tydynges of the thynge in the worlde that you loue moost that is the fayre lady Clerymonde that you haue sought so longe nowe I haue founde her and she recommaundeth her vnto you Than he tolde hym howe she had ben taken and how she had gouerned her subtylly And whan Valentyne heard these tydynges he had so greate Joye that w t payne myght he speake Ha ladye sayde Ualentyne nowe oughte I to loue you wyth all my heart whan you haue kept you so well for my loue soo I promyse god that I shal neuer fayle you and I shall lese my lyfe but yf I delyuer you Than Valentyne delyuered the marshall of Ynde After he entred in to hys secrete chambre for to preue the tables of Pacolet and founde that all was true Whan Valentyne had sene all those thynges he toke paper and ynke and wrote them all in a byll for feare to lese the tables and sewed it in his doblet so it stode him in good stede after warde for to saue hys lyfe as you shall here ¶ Howe kynge Pepyn departed from Angory and retorned into Fraunce for to socoure hys wyfe Ca. C. NOwe at that saine tyme that I tell you of kynge Pepyn was in Angory for to fight with the paynims So there came a message vnto hym
made y e trewes for syxe monethes to be cryed He sente for his counsayll declared vnto them the maner how he had done with y e grene knyght So they aduysed and concluded amongest them y e the duke sholde sende messengers in euery countree there aboute for to serche and enquyre yf there were ony knyght that wold fyght with the grene knyght for the fayre lady Fezonne ¶ And after they sente out messengers vnto all the crysten realmes and gaue vnto them letters wherin was contayned the beaute of his doughter and the enterpryse of the grene knyghte ¶ And the duke sayd in his letters that he the whiche myght conquere the grene knyght sholde haue his doughter in maryage The letters were gyuen vnto twelue messengers that had the charge for to bere them vnto twelue crysten realmes and there to publysshe and manyfeste the forsayd tydynges ¶ How dyuers knyghtes came in to Acquytayne for to wynne the fayre lady Fezonne Capitulo xvii IN that same tyme durynge the trewes kyng Pepin was gone against his enemies towarde Lion acompanyed with thre score thousaÌ„de men He dyde so moche that he chaced and put to flyght a kynge named Lampatris the whiche kynge had a grete hoost This Lampatris was kynge of the Sâ—ynes of Hollande and Fryse And with this he helde the couÌ„tree of Monemarche in the whiche was a stronge cyte where as they with drowe them for fere of the kynge Pepyn And whan they were all entred in to the sayd cyre kynge Pepyn assyeged theym in suche maner that he famysshed them And he oppressed them so that they yelded them vnto his grace whan he had taken the cyte he made the paynyms to be crystened byleue in Jhesu cryste And gaue the cyte vnto the Marshal of Fraunce that was called Guy ¶ After all these thinges kynge Pepyn retorned in to Fraunce with all his hoost and a yued at Parys and hadde tydynges anone of the duke Sauary howe he had taken trewes with the grene knyght And whan he knewe y e maner how they were appoynted He said before al his barons laughynge who that wolde haue a faâ—â—â—lâ—ue it is tyme that he shewe hymselfe valyaunt for he that mayeconquere the grene knyght by dedes of armes he shall haue in maryage the fayre Fezoune doughter vnto the duke Sauary And yet he shall haue with her halfe his londes and possessyon and that it is true lo here y e lettres holde and rede y e contenue of the same Euery body behelde these letters gladly but there was none so hardy nor so valyaunt that durste vndertake the enter pryse saue Ualentine that sayd before them all vnto the kynge Pepyn â–ª Ryght dere syr yf it please your maieste for to gyue me leue and lycence for to preue my strengthe in Acquytayne against the grene knight I shal go gladly Syr gyue me leue to go oute of Fraunce for I haue grete desyre for to leue the countree And I shall ryde so moche that I shal neuer reste vnto the tyme that I haue founde my moder that bare me For it greueth me full sore that I haue ben so longe without knowynge what I am â–ª Ualentyne sayd the kynge care you not what you be For I am puyssaunte ynoughe for to gyue the goodes largely and mounte the in honoure and all them of my courte And I shall holde you also dere as yf you were of min owne bloode Syr sayd Ualentine for god pardon me for it hathe ben my wyll longe Whan kynge Pepyn sawe that Ualentyne was totally delybered for to go in to Acquitaine he gaue hym leue by this couenaunt that he sholde retorne vnto hym agayne also soone as he hadde foughten with y e grene knyght yf god gaue him lyfe and hele And valentyne promysed hym In departynge he toke leue for to go in to Acquitayne Than Eglantyne was more sorowfuller than euer she was before more replete with bytter teres She sente for valentyne that came vnto her anone And than she sayd vnto hym wepynge full tenderely I se well that of you I shall neuer haue loye nor consolacion and that you haue entencion for to leue the countrey of Fraunce Alas nowe pleased it God that it were myne honoure for to goo with you for euen soo God helpe me if euer I would haue other husbande but you But sythe that it is so that I cannot be maistet after my will and that my lyberall arbytre is kepte by other puyssaunce and that it is force that the body abyde behynde my harte and my wil shal be with you for euer without any other intencion saue of true loue and iust without villanye I shall loue you And to the ende that at your necessities ye maye sucoute your indigeÌ„ce when tyme is lo here the keye of my treasure that I presente vnto you take golde and siluer at your owne pleasure for there is ynough My lady sayde valentyne of gold and syluer I haue no kept but it greueth me full sore that I can not wyte what I am And knowe that of one thynge I am muche abasshed that is that I bere a crosse vpon my shouldeâ— the whiche is also yelowe as the fyne golde I can not tell from whence cometh to me suche a sygne wherfore I am purposed neuer for to reste vnto the time that I haue knowledge of my natiuitie I bydde you fare well my lady and wepe nâ— more for me For by the fayth of my body if God will that I be of a place come that is any thyng worth or of valoure of exâ—â—action for to haue you I shall neuer haue to spouse nor wyfe other than you And also my tyght deare Lady if I fynde that I am not worthy for to haue you vnto wyfe by lacke of hyghnes of lynnage I would not be your husbande in no maner of wyse for in the time to come the cursed and malicious men woulde saye where is all the brethren and sistren and cosynes of this vnhappye renegate that hathe abused the kyng Pepyn so much that he hath geuen him his doughter vnto wyfe and spouse And therfore I de syre â—aboue all chinges to witte of what estate I am of And at these wordes departed Ualentyne and left Eglantyne in her chambre wepyng full tenderly and then he began to consider that the loue of a womaÌ„ is a great thyng and marueylous For he sawe well that and if it pleased him Egiantine king Pepins doughter wold go with hym whether someuer he woulde but the witte and the reason that was in him domined so at euery reason that he would doo no vyllaynous thynge that myght tourne him to reproche and dyshonoure afterwarde And so he left Eglantyne and put hym on the waye And when it came to the departyng he was coÌ„uayed of diuers great lordes of the courte Wheâ—fore Haufray and Henty were right gladde and ioyous of their departynge because of their great enuyes that of long tyme
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
Clerymonde made her complaynte all alone of Ualentyne and howe he Justed for the entre of the castell and wanne it Ca. xxix WHen she had consydered by her self y e maitene and the fayre speche and hardynes of Ualentyne she was enbraced with his loue more thaÌ„ of ony other that euer she had sene and sayd Ueray God what maye be befor aboue al lyuynge he is worthy to be loued for he â—i pleasaunt streyght â–ª and of beaute corporall passing all other and yf the heed of brasse do after my wyll I shall neuer take other than hym whan the fayre clerymonde had sayd al these thynges and thought in her courage she sente for the Seneshall and tolde hym the tydynges of the knyght that wolde entre into y e castel By my god sayd the Seneshall he dothe procurea grete folye for he shall not entre without prouynge of his body agaynst myne And yf he be soo hardy for to take batayll agaynst me I shall shewe him clerely before al y t for to haue your loue he is comen to late Seneshall sayd the lady sythe that ye wyll not gyue him lycence for to entre in to the castell go and arme you anone for I let you wyte that you shal haue batayll of hym and I am in grete doubte that you shall repente you to late wherfore I counsayll you that ye put not youre body in this daunger Lady sayd the Seneshall that was tyghte proude leue in peas suche wordes for or euer y t he entre his body shall abye it At these wordes the Seneshall departed â–ª and wente to arme hym and after mouÌ„ted on horsbacke And whan he was mounted be yssued out of the gate with a grete spere in his hande well heded And the lady was at the wyudowe for to beholde the batayll of the two champyons Whan Ualentyne sawe the Seneshall come towarde hym with afyer se courage he couched his spere and smote his hors with the sporres Than they encountred the one the other so euen that bothe theyr speres flewe in peces After they toke newe speres incontynnente and met sotyersly togyder that bothe champyons and horses fell vnto the erthe but anone Ualentynes hors recouered that was fyetse and stronge without settynge his mayster on the grounde And whan the noble knyght valentyne was rysen vp he sayd vnto the Seneshall moche swetely â–ª Now ryse you vp and mounte vppon your hors allâ—aâ— your ease sor it tholde be lyâ—ell honoure vnto me yf I â—yde fyght with you thus The Seneshall was moche Joyous and pray see gretely the curtey sye of Ualentyne so he mounted on his hors and after toke a spere and came agaynst Ualentyne ryght impetuously But the noble valentine that at y t tyme coude playe well with a spere gaue hym so grete a stroke that he smote of his helme from his heed and made hors and man fall vnto the erthe And whan he sawe hym selfe smyten downe and in so greate daunger he sayd vnto Ualentyne Knyght I can not tel of wheÌ„s you are nor of what couÌ„tree but neuer the dayes of my lyfe founde I a knyght that was so valyauÌ„t as you I wyll yelde me vnto you and shallet you entre in to the castel at your owne pleasure the whiche is soo fayre and sumptuous on suche a condycyon that without my leue you shal not speke vnto the fayre Clerymonde by no manere By my faythe sayd valentyne you are full of grete folye to saye suche wordes for specyally for the loue of her haue I passed the see and am comen this waye and how well that I neuer sawe her yet am I enamoured on her more than on ony other lady And I let you wytte y t I shall neuer departe from hens tyll that I haue spoken with her and with y e heed of brasse at my pleasure Thus as Ualentyne and the Seneshall spake togyder the fayre Clerymonde that was at y e wyndowe meruaylled moche of the graciousnes of valentyne Alas sayd she vnto her maydens that were with her se how this Seneshall is folys she for to fyght with so valyaunt a knyght whiche myght haue slayne hym longe ago yf his gentylnes had not refrayned hym Daughters by the god almyghty I meruayle me moche what he may be that hathe so greate desyre for to entre in to my stronge and puyssaunt castell In ryght grete thought was the noble lady Clerymonde and sayd that she wolde haue ones that knyghte for her loue For euer the more that she sawe hym the more was her loue fured vpon hym â–ª Whan valentyn sawe the grete pryde of the Seneshal and his grete ouerweninge he smote his hors with the sporres and gaue hym so grete a stroke in the myddes of his body that he smote hym through the lyuer the longes and felled hym downe deed to the erthe wherof the gracious lady Clerymonde was ryght Joyous Than she coÌ„maunded the porters for to open the gates that Ualentyne sholde be brought vnto her in to her halle prepayred The porters dyde the commaundement of the lady Clerymonde and ledde towarde her the noble valentyne and Orson his broder And whan the excellente lady Clerymonde sawe Ualentyne she wente agaynst hym sayd to hym Knyght well be ye comen for I sawe neuer so valyaunt nor so hardy a knyght entre in to my castell well shewe you by your dedes that you are extraught oute of a gentyll bloode Lady sayde Ualentyne knowe that by my propre name I am called Ualentyne and am a poore aduenturer that of my generacyon and lygnage had neuer knowlege and yet I sawe neuer the fader by whome I was engendred nor the moder that bare me nor also dyde my felowe y t you se here for he was nourysshed in a forest lyke a wilde beest where as I conquered him with y e swerde moche valyauntly And knowe for a certaynte that he neuer spake noo more than you se him doo at this tyme Now haue I gone so moche for to haue knowledge of my frendes that I haue passed y e see for to come hether for the loue of your grete beaute ¶ How valentyne shewed the rynge vnto Clerymonde that her broder the grene knyght haddde gyuen him and how he spake vnto the head of brasse whiche tolde hym all his generacyon Capitulo xxx IN sayinge those wordes Ualentyne drew out the rynge that the grene knyghte hadde gyuen hym and in smylynge gaue it vnto the fayre Clerymonde the whiche incontynent knewe it well And thanne she sayde vnto Ualentine Knyghte fayre syr yf you hadde shewed me that rynge whan you arryued before my Gates wythoute abydynge onye Iustes or putting your bodye in daunger at that same houre you shoulde haue entred into my castell wythout contradiccion But you haue shewed the greate noblenes that is in you whan that by your hardynes you haue loued better to enter in to mi castel and come toward
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
the grete prowesse that he hathe shewed towerde me I haue promysed him in guerdond and rewarde your gentyll body and that by lawe of mariage you shall be wedded vnto him Well oughte you for to ue hym whan he hathe loued your fader so moche that he hathe saued his lyfe ¶ To the oppynyon of the duke was coÌ„sentynge all the barons and noble knyghtes of the courte and sayd by a comyn accorde that the knyghte was well worthy to haue the fayre lady in mariage that hadde done so grete prowesse for her fadeâ—s sake But OrsoÌ„ that was in presence wolde not declare vppon that dead his oppynyon vntyll y e tyme that he had assayed the courage and the wyll of the fayre Fezonne euen so as he had enterprysed before and tolde his broder Ualentyne ¶ How Orson wolde assaye the wyl and loyalte of the fayre Fezonne or that he wedded her Capitulo xxxix ORson was wyse and subtyl or that he wedded the fayre Fezone for he wolde knowe assaye yf she were for to kepe her fayth sted faste and loyal for oftentymes he had herde saye that women were of suche a nature that for a lytell thynge they chaunged theyr thoughtes and promyses and broke theym falsly but how well that dyuers of them ben of suche nature for all y t the vyces of the shrewed ought not to be taken nor aleged for to corrumpe the loyalte of the good ones for amongest abuswe of thornes is oftentymes founde a florysshed rose And also amonge a grete sorte of euyl women maye well be founden one good one and happe be Euen so as Fezonne was the whiche Orson founde loyall for he sayd vnto the duke in this maner for to assaye her Syr for the honoure that you do me I am bounden for to thaÌ„ke you but to the regarde of your doughter I wolde well knowe her wyll for it apperteyneth her well to haue a man of more hygher estate than I. And therfore before that I take her I wyll speke to her for to knowe her wyll and courage For maryage done agaynst the wyll cometh not lyghtly vnto perfeccyon Knyghte sayd the duke of Acquytayne you haue good reason and I accorde it you Now go in to her chaumbre and speke with her to the ende that you be the better enfourmed of her case At these wordes he entred in to the chambre of the fayre Fezonne and sat hym downe besyde her And syth he toke her by the hande sayd vnto her muche swetely Lady the grete beaute of you hathe taken me so sore in loue that withoute you I can haue none alegemente Nowe thanked be god whan it hathe pleased hym to doo me suche grace that for wyfe you be gyuen me for I may well vaunte me that of al other I haue the fayrest loue And syth that it pleaseth the good duke your fader that you haue me for husbande ye oughte well by reason to be contente for I shall serue you and holde you parfyte loyalte durynge all the tyme of my lyfe Wherfore I praye you ryghte dere lady y e for to haue more remembraunce the one vpon the other ye wyll enbrace me and kysse me at this presente tyne and refuse not my louynge requeste I praye you For syth that for the tyme to come we muste be assembled you ought not to refuse me to do my wyll â–ª Knyght answered the lady that was wel taught for to demauÌ„be suche thynges you ought to refrayne you for you lese your payne I loue all knyghtes and men of good dedes in all goodnes and honoure but aboue al other I loue one and hym wil I loue and kepe faith and loyalte as I haue sworne vnto hym nor neuer for other wil I chauÌ„ge him nor forget him Lady said Orson it ought by reason to please you whan it pleaseth your father Syr sayde the mayden It is well reason that I obeye vnto my lorde my father but if it happen that he constrayne me vnto suche a thyng and that he would gyue me vnto other then hym that conquered the grene knyght I shall rather departe from hym without beryng any thyng with me saue my fayth By God lady sayd Orson I maâ—uâ—yll me muche how you be so sore â—n amoured on that knyght for you knowe that he is of a wylde nature and that he cannot speake nor saye one worde wherby he myght reioyce you and tell you his wil. Syr said the lady true loue learneth me to loue him naturally For it is said comoÌ„ly that the thing that pleased one is halfe solde Wherfore fre knight in me haue no more trust for neuer in my life wil I â—haâ—ge hym that I haue promysed my fayth to Orson was muche ioyous of the wysdome of Fezonne that gaue him such an aunswere not for that he made semblaune that he was ill contente and departed out of the chambre without takyng leue of her wente towarde the duke and sayde to hym Free duke knowe that I come from speakyng with your doughter but she hath geuen me for a â—ynall aunswere that neuer in her lyfe for no man that speaketh she wyl haue other vnto her husbaÌ„d than him that conquered the grene knight Knyght said the duke of her aunswere care you not for in her lyeth not to do her wyll be a lytell pacient and anoâ—e you of nothynge for to daye I shal speke with my Doughter more ferder on this mater Gramercye sayd Orson I am beholden vnto you Than Orson yssued out of the palays and went vnto the lodging of his brother Ualentyne to whome he tolde and recounted the answere that had bene gyuen hym by the fayre Fezonne Broder you haue wrought well and thys ought to suffise you for you may wel know the great loyalte and loue that she loueth you with But I wyl that you and I go toward the palays togider for also sone as the duke shal se me I am certayne that we shall be ryght well receyued Syr sayd Orson your wyl bee done Than Ualentyne arayed hym in precyous clothes and Orson toke the â—aceâ—an that he had fyrst whan he came into Acquitaine and so he went vnto the palais with the litel Pacolet that in al thynges folowed theim They entred in to the hal in the which the duke of Acquitaine was spekinge to his doughter before diuers barons and noble knyghtes ⧠Doughter saide the Duke of Acquitaine from whens cometh to you this courage that you wil not accomplysshe my wyll and take my mariage this noble knyght that I woulde gyue you in whome is so muche prowesse and renowne for by the valyantnes of hym I haue bene delyuered and my lyfe saued Alas father sayd the mayden wherfore speke you to me ther of for you knowe well that I haue gyuen my faith vn to him that deliuered you from the grene knight Now there is not a greter reproch to a liuinge creature than to fals his fayth and breke
the horse furiously But it is sayde coÌ„monly that it is euyll thinking to be mayster of the crafte that they can nothyng of Euen so dyd it to kynge Cromparte that wende well too haue played with Pacolettes horse but he torned the pynne so euill that he faylled of his waye more than two hondred myle ¶ And as he thought to haue aryued in his lande he arryued in Ynde the great a great place wher as market was kept that daye And seynge all the people he descended on the grouÌ„de with the fayre lady Clerymonde Of the whiche thyng they were muche ameruayled that sawe it And at that houre the lady Clerymonde knewe the horse For she myght not knowe him the nyght before for the great doloure that she was in Alas Pacolet sayde the noble lady nowe am falsly betrayed and you the fyrst of all robbed Alas now maye I well say fare well my loue Ualentyne aboue al the other moost curteys and amiable By my god mahoune sayd the kyng Crompart that wende well to haue ben in his countrey if euer you speke to me of that christen boye ryght shortly you shall se knowe with what loue I loue hym for with my cutting sworde I shall make your head to fle of your shoulders Now is Crompart well deceyued that thinketh to be in his countrey and that for the fayre Clerymonde hathe wylled too playe Nygromancy for he is arryued in the place where as it behoueth hym to fynyshe his dayes For after that he had bene sene of dyuers in the place some saide among them that it was the great god mahoune that in fleshe and bloude for to vysite his people was descended froÌ„ heauen The tydynges of this vysion came vnto the kyng of Ynde the whiche coÌ„maunded that they should be brought before hym Nowe in an euill houre ariued the kyng Crompart for also sone as the kyng of Ynde sawe hym he knewe hym ⧠Howe the kyng of Ynde made kyng Crompartes head to be smytten of because he had slayne his brother and howe he would haue hadde the fayre Clerymonde vnto his wyfe Capit. xlviii I Rompart sayd the kynge of Ynde ye be welcome for nowe is come the tyme that of the death of my brother I shal take vengeaunce to whiche by your fyerse courage you haue made warre by the space of seuen yeare and after at the last in tormente and marâ—it you haue made hym dye shamefully So wyll I shewe vnto my brother that in his lyfe I loued hym truely and that after his death I haue auenged him on his enemies Than the kyng of Ynde without any other delyberacion at that same houre made his head to be smyten of And after the Justice was done he made the fayre lady Clerymonde to be taken with the horse of wodde and for the beaute of the lady he made her to beledde in to his palays muche honourably and well serued and kept After he entred into his halle and made her to be brought before hym by them that were the moost nerest his persone when she was come before hym he behelde her gladly for her maners and countenaunce that of beaute corporal passed all the other and sayd vnto her much swetely Lady I can not tell what you are â–ª nor from whence you become but the prudence and beaute that is in you maketh me to be so taken with your loue that neuer the dayes of my lyfe I was so embraced with no womaÌ„s loue wherfore I am delivered for to take you vnto wyfe and spouse and make you quene and maystresse of all the lande of Ynde the greate Syr sayde the fayre Clerimonde that could answer ful wel You speke graciouslye and promyseth and presenteth me more goodes rycheâ—â—â—s than I am worthy for to haue but as to the regarde for to take you vnto husbande spouse for this presente houre yf it please you you shall pardon me for within this lytell whyle I haue made an othe and auowe before the ymage of God mahâ—une for certaine necessities that I haue founde my selfe in that from this daye come a tweluemoneth I shall take noo man vnto husbande nor spouse And therfore syr yf it please you let me holde and accomplysshe myne auowe vnto the yeare be fynyshed and when the terme shal be passed and accomplisshed that take me vnto wyfe and spouse and do with me your pleasure ¶ By mahoune sayd the kyng you says but well and sythe that you haue so aâ—cerprysed and vowed to oure God mahoune I am of accorde and contente to abide vnto the time that the ende of your auowe become So abode the noble lady in the palays of the kynge of Ynde the greate the whiche thought well to haue had his desyre of her or y e yerâ— had bene passed And coÌ„masiâ—ed that the fare Clerymonde shoulde be well kept and serued aboue all the other And make too delyner vnto her a fayre chambre that was muche richely aourned in the whiche the pleasaunt lady made to bere the horse of wodde and in the moost secretest place put hym vnder her wardeâ—ope whan the noble lady Clerymonde sawe the horse in bewaylyng Pacolet with her eyen she wept tenderly in praying God deuoutly that he would delyuer her out of that daunger Alas sayd the noble lady veray god al myghty in whome is myne onely beleue resplendysshe your grace vpon this poore woman or elles I am and shall remaynâ—a poore strayed woman separed from all my frendes and among the other the moost sorowful And in the handes of mine enemies it behoueth me to vse the remenaunt of my lyfe Alas true redemproure do by thy puissauÌ„ce so much afore y e ende of my daies y t I maye see with both myne eyen the pleasaunt Ualentyne to whome I am geuen For I loue better to bee dead and suffer greuous tormentes than to habandone my body to other than hym The lady is in Ynde the great the whiche is nyght and daye in syghes and in teares praying God deuoutly that he wold put her out of the daunger and yelde her safe sounde to the noble knyght Ualentyne to whiche she had geuen her fayth and her courage before any other man lyuyng Nowe wyll I leue to speake of her of the kyng of Ynde to folowe my mater I shall speke to you of Pacolet of y e sorowe y t was made for Clerymonde within Acquitain ⧠Howe Pacolet in a madens clothyng auenged him on the false Adramayne Cap. xlix AFter that the nyght was passed in the whyche Adramayne had betrayed pacolet and ledde away the fayre Clerymonde through the cyte of Acquytayne was made great lamentacyons for the losse of the lady for the gardes of the palays that myssed her made so great lamentacyons and soo great noyse in the mornynge that throughe out all the cyte was the tydynges And whan Pacolet knewe that he was departed he doubted hym of some treason Then he
sore assaylled by the chrysten men The batayll was piteous for the christens that daye and for the painims and sarazins cruell discomfiture for at that assaute was slaine fifty thousande sarazins and paynims There was the kinge Pepin that in giuinge courage vnto his men cried with a highe voyce monte toye saint Deâ—is Than there was a sarazin that with a highe voyce cried saienge vnto the Sowdan Ha six recule abacke and thinke for to saue oure liues For to nyghte we haue loste our two prisoners and also we haue sene comminge against vs a great armye My mahoune saide the Soudan I knowe well we are betraied but for all that haue good truste in our goddes and thinke we for to defende vs. Aâ— that houre the sarazins toke soo greate courage for to fight that bi force of annes thei constreined the cristen men for to go abacke againe but lytell auayled their pryde for there came smytyng vpon them the duke of Acquitayne Orson the which assayled them so asperly that without any remission they fynysshed their dayes soo that of all their hoost there escaped but. xxxiii And soo by the wyll of Jhesu christ and by the great prowesse of the valyaunt prynces the cursed sarazyns were dyscomfyted ⧠Howe the Emperour receiued his sone Orson with great ioye and his wyfe Bellyssant Cap. liiii ANd when the bacayll had taken an ende that the christen men were gathered together ogayne Ualentyne his brother Orson that knewe eche other came before the Emperoure in muche great reuerence Father sayd UaleÌ„tyne here may you se my brother Orson the whiche you neuer sawe by whome you haue bene sucoured in this iouruey When the Emperour embraced his son Orson pyteouysly wepyng and also did the kyng Pepyn Fayre sonne said the Emperoure will be you come for by you my ioye is doubled and my hope fortefyed Orson sayde the kyng Pepyn do you not remembre howe ye smote me downe of my horse in the wodde wheÌ„ I thased you Fayre vncle or this I ought well to be remembred on and of diuers other thyng is done by me But at this presed time we ought to thinke none other thynge but to thanke god of the victory that he hath geuen vs agaynst the enemies of the fayth for with all our puyssaunce we ought to study in our hattes how we myght auenge Jesu Christe For to heare those wordes all the company was greatly resoyled and praysed muche the wysoome of Orson Then assembled the Emperoure and kyng Pepyn Ualentyne and Orson and the grene knyght Blandymayn and Guydarde the marchaunte that had vanquysshed the false Archebysihop And in greate honoure and tryumphe wence for to se the tentes of the noble Empresse Bellyssant and of the fayre Fezonne the which in abiding the dyscomfyture of the sarazyns were in a fayre pauylion honestly accompanied and there they prayed deuoutly vnto God that it would please him to kepe the Emperoure and his men from the dannger of the paynyms whan the Empresse Bellyssant knewe that the batayle was wonne she sayd duty Fezonne My dough ter make good chere for you shal se the Emperour anone the whiche is Orsons father that hath takeÌ„ you vnto wyfe Mother sayd Fezonne god be thanked for to se suche a thynge I haue great desyre In sayenge these wordes the Emperour arryued before the pauylyon of the ladies and all hys companye And whan the ladies apperceyued hym they went out agaynst hym Than whan the Emperour apperceiued his Wyfe Bellyssant he lepte of his hors in wepynge and syghinge tenderly And wythout that he might speke ony worde he enbraced the lady the whyche set her vpon both her knees In that place assembled the Emperoure and the good lady that by the space of twenty yere and more hadde ben separate in sondre Now it is not to be demaunded yf for to fynd the one the other they were Ioyous and if that by profounde pyte they had theyr heartes touched oppressed so that by naturall loue they fell vnto the earth in arme togyther in a swowne And whan valentyne and Orson sawe the greate pyte of thir father and mother moche tenderly and pyteyusly they beganne for to wepe and harde besyde them they fel bothe in a swowne The kinge Pepyn and dyuers other barons knyghtes that behelde that thynge beganne moche tenderly lor to wepe And after that the Emperoure and hys wyfe Bellyssant had aswaged theyr dolours and that they were awakened out of theyr swowne y â— emperour sayd vnto his wife Alas my loue muche ought it to displease me at the heart the doloure and payne that your body hath suffred sith your exyle But and yf it please you I praye you pardon me for my great faute for with greate payne maye ony kepe them frome treason My lorde sayd the good lady of the trybulacion that I haue bene in haue you no thought For syth the houre that I sawe you of all my dolours I haue had aledgemente comforte But of one thyng I praye you that is that it wil please you to shewe me the good marchaunt by the whyche the treason hath ben knowen and the false archebysshop ouercomen My loue sayd the Emperoure here may you se hym for it is the good guydarde by the whiche the thynge hath ben knowen and your honoure saued Frende sayde the lady vnto the marchaunte well are you worthy to be byloued and holden dere amonge all the other for the great prouffyte that you haue done to the Emperoure of Grece and to the noble bloode of Fraunce Wherfore frome hens forwarde I reteyne you for my chamber layne with that I wyl that you haue for your payne a thousande marke of fyne golde Ladye sayd the marchaunt I thanke you and al my lyfe I shal serue you truely Than spake Ualentyne vnto his moder and sayd My lady mother please it you to speke to 〈…〉 nd tell me tydynges of my good loue Clerymonde â–ª 〈…〉 yre sone sayd the lady take comforte vnto you For 〈…〉 ymond hathe ben falsly stolen awaye in the cyte of Acquytayne and deliuered vnto kyng Tromparte that was comen for to socoure the paynyms before the cyte Whan Ualentine herde those wordes he beheld Pacolet thynkynge that by hym he had ben deceyued and by a dyspytefull courage wolde haue smytten hym wyth a glayue And than pacolet that knewe his furour keste hymselfe vpon his knees and sayd that for god he wold not be hangrye with hym For I my selfe haue ben hetrayed by a false enchauntour and me hors stolen but that notwithstandyng I haue cut of his head WheÌ„ Ualâ—tyne vnderstode y t he had lost the faire Clerimond by treason And that Pacolet and all the other were innocentes he caste out a â—rye so pyteous and soo greate that all they that behelde hym were constrayned for to wâ—pe At that houre both prynces barons and knyghtes toke their waye for to go in to CoÌ„stantynoble And the priestes
the tydinges They enâ—red into the â—yce and wente vnâ—o kinge Lucat muche discomforted and sayd vnto him Redoubted sâ—â— right euill gothe oure feâ—te for our good mayster the Marshall that you haue loued so muche hath ben presently slayne in a wodde by theues The kyng was ryght sorowfull therfore and wyth a great quantyâ—e of men yssued out of the cyte And whan they were wythout they sawe valentyne comynge and sayd to the kynge Syr se hym here that hath slayne and murdred your Marshall Than vâ—lentyne was taken and all they of hys company by the sarazyns and were straytely bounden in betynge and strykynge them by the comaundement of the kynge Nowe Roâ—emonde was in the same castel the whâ—ch knewe valentyne incontinent for the which thyng she was ryght sore taken at the heart and for the great loue that we loued hym she wente anone towarde the kynge and sayd to hym Alas syr kepe you well from makynge this valyaunt knyght dye that for your prysoner hath bene brought heâ—her for I swere promise you that of all the valiaunt courages he is the moost hardy he is the souerayne ought to bere away the excellence Syr it is the same knyght Ualentyne of the countrey of Fraunce that by his valyauÌ„tnes before the cytie of Antyoche slewe the horryble dragon keepe hym derely and retayne hym in your wages for in the worlde there is not so vyctorious a man yf you keepe hym and haue some great batall against your enemyes by hym you may haue vyctory Lady sayde the kynge dyuers tymes I haue heard speake of his great prowesse â–ª and I haue desyred muche to se him in my court Syth he called Ualentyne and sayd to him Knyght haue no feare for to dye for knowe that aboue all other I wyll loue you and holde you dere and all your men receyue vnto my wages but there is so muche that you muste do a message for me that is that you shall goo in to Yndy the great and saye vnto the kyng that I defye him that I am redy and apparayled with my puyssaunce for to go and auenge the death of my father the kyng Trompart the whiche he hath made to dye cruelly And tell hym that I somone hym to come towarde me within my palays before all the baronnye with y e corde about his necke redy and apparayled for to receiue suche death as by the assystentes of my courte ryall shall be Judged and condampned And if he wyll not come you shall tell hym that within short tyme I shall go and se hym and vysyte with so great a companye y t there shall not be left hym castell to wne nor cytie but y t I shall destroye theym And I shall neyther leue man woman nor chylde on lyue ¶ Syr sayd Ualentyne I shall do the message well and sufficiently soo that you shall be contente I knowe well sayde Valentyne that you wyll sende me in a daungerous place but I haue â—â—â—â—te in Jhesu chryste and in the blessed vyrgynmary the whyche haue kepte me from dyuers greate perylles to spede ryght well ¶ How the noble knyght Ualentyne departed from Esclardye for to go in to the myghty and puyssaunte cytie of Ynde the great for to bere the defyaunce of the kyng Lucar Ca. lxviii AS the quene Rozemónde sawe that Ualentyne was redy for to go in to ynde the more for to defye the kynge she entred into her chambre and by adamoysell she sente for Ualentyne secretly the whyche came gladly towarde her and salued her in great reuerence Knyght sayd the lady you are welcome for aboue all other I had great dâ—syre vnto you â–ª Lady sayd Ualentyne yf you had greate acyffecon for to se me so hadde I to se you Sith that I sawe you the thynge is well chaunged for I haue vnderstaÌ„den that your husband the kyng of Antyoche is dead syth my departynge and of late you are maryed vnto another Nowe ye myght well knowe that for the loue of you wythin Antyoche I was charged wyth dyshonoure in peryll and daunger to lose my lyfe It is true sayd the lady of that I knowledge my selfe gyltye for the great loue that I hadde vnto you made me to do that thynge but knowe that to day I shall recompâ—nce you of the faute that I dyd to you than For howe well that my father and my mother haue gyuen me vnto the kynge Lucar the whyche is pleasaunte and ryche aboue all other yet shal my heart neuer loue hym and not with out a cause for not wythstandynge hys rychesse great parentage knowe that of all the other he is the moost false traytoure And yet I tell you that sythe you haue ben in thys palays he is entred into so greate a I 〈…〉 usy that he may not endure it nor wyth good heart beholde you And to the ende that he maye be the more honestlye rydded of you he sendeth you into ynde trustynge that you shall neuer retorne for he hadde neuer tydynges of none yet that he hath sent thether for the kynge of ynâ—â— hath put them all to death But of hys entâ—ncyon by me he shall be deceyued and begyled for from that same daunger and great peryll I shall kepe you and saue you and I shall tell you by what manerof wyse Free knyghte knowe that it is not longe ago sythe that thys same kynge of ynde made me to be demaunded for wyfe â–ª And that it is true I loued hym muche more dereâ— then the kyng Lucar that is a traytour and of vgly facyon and dyspleasaunt for to beholde and in speking vngra cious lytell curtesy But with the will of my father that was vnto myne contrary I was refused vnto the kyng ynde and gyuen vnto the kyng Lucar Nowe it is true that the same kyng of ynde for acquayntaunce of loue sende me a ringe ryght ryche that which I haue derely kept with all my harte for the loue of hym and knowe that I neuer tolde it to no man lyuyng saue too you But for as muche as I haue sene the falsnes ma ladiccion of Lucar the whiche sendeth you in to ynde for to be delyuered of you I shall geue you comforte w t all my puyssaunce that shall kepe you from perill and shall acheue your message and retourne hether agayne as a hardy and a valyaunt knyght And howe wel that I wote and knowe for certayn that of my loue you haue no nede and that you are promised vnto another la dy more hyghe more fayrer and more excellenter then I am yet wyll I not forget the loue that my harte was taken with for you when I sawe you within the cytie of Antyoche as you conquered and vanquished the hor ryble dragon And for the thynges aboue sayd for to encrease your honoure I shall tell you what you shall do when you shall be afore the kyng of ynde arryued after the reuerence made and the salute geuen
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
forthe and spake vnto kyng Pepyn Also sone as king Pepin vnderstode theyr message he graunted them theyr request ryght Joyously whaÌ„ this was knowen euidently they made Joy on euery syde for the good alyaunce of the Emperoure Alexander and of kynge Pepyn and was receyued wyth all the tryumphe that might be The spousaylles was made in greate bobaunce and honoure It is not to be asked yf there was largesse on euerye syde of all maner of thynges The feest endured longe and than the Emperoure and hys men toke leue of kynge Pepyn hys brother in lawe for to goe vnto Constantynoble wyth hys Empresse Bellyssant The kynge made for to araye his men for to accompanye the Emperoure and hys noble syster Bellyssant And so they mounted all on horsebacke wyth a great sorte of Ladyes for to conuaye Bellyssant They the whyche abode behynde wepte tenderly for the departynge of the gracyous lady Bellyssant The kynge conuayed them diuers Jorneys tyll that they arryued at a porte of the sea where as the Emperour would mounte vpoÌ„ the sea And ther he toke leue of kyng Pepyn in rendryng hym mo thankes that I can recounte for the noble there that he had made hym But amonge all other thynges he thanked hym for his syster Bellassant the whiche he had gyuen hym to wyfe with so fre a wyll At these wordes kyng Pepyn embraced hym saying thus Fayre syr and ryght cordiall lorde and brother to the regarde of my puyssauÌ„ce I haue not receyued you in triumphe magnificence as I ought to haue done But so muche I knowe the graciousnes of you that of my lytle power ye holde yoâ— contente And to me appertayneth not the thankes and praysynges but to you when that you haue wylled for to decore me so muche and with your persone honoure that ye haue taken my syster to wyfe And knowe that from hence for warde I haue stedfast purpose that we shall be good frendes together And as for me I am he that with my puysaunce would put both body goodes in auenture for to serue you and socoure you in all places after my power And after kyng Pepyn wente towarde his syster Bellyssant and sayde vnto her Fayre syster thynke vpon the place that ye be extraught of and guyde you in suche maner that I and your frendes and all the bloude ryall may haue Ioye profyte and honoure of you You go into a straunge countrey fro your nacioÌ„ wherfore gouerne you by wyse Ladies and kepe you from beleuyng of euyll counsayll you are the creature in the worlde that I haue moost loued Wherfore if I hearde any tydynges fro you but good it woulde be the cause to abredge my lyfe The kynge gaue his syster Bellyssant full many notable ensygnementes And after he embraced her and kyssed her full swetely with wepynge eyen because of her departyng And the gracious lady whiche had a pyteous harte aunswered hym liteâ— or nought for with her plesaunt eyen she wepte and with her swete harte syghed so sore that it was vnpossible for her for to speake Then toke leue ladyes and daâ—moselles knyghtes and sqyers as well of Fraunce as of Constantynoble There was wept full many a tere and full many profounde syghes was casten out for the Lady Bellyssant â–ª The kyng Pepyn retourned in to Frauncae And the Emperoure mounted on the sea and had wynde at wyll And had the tyme so muche at his pleasure that within shorte tyme he and his men arryued at Constantynoble where as they were receyued with great tryumphe and honoure the whiche shoulde he to longe to recounte But it befell not longe after that the greate Ioye and tryumphe that was made to Bellyssant was chaunged in to teeres and lamentacions for the gracious â—â—oy Bellyssant that by treason and false accusacion was casten in exyle as ye shall heare more playnly ¶ Howe the Emperoure was betrayed by the Archebysshop of Constantynoble wherfore euyll came to hym as you shall heare Cap. ii IN the cytie of Conâ—â—antinoble was an Archebysshop the which the Emperour loued aboue all other And gaue him mo gyftes rychesses than any other and moost trusted him The Emperour made the said archebisshop gouernour of his house his principall coÌ„fessour and aboue all other the moost secrete wherefore he had a sorowfull heart afterwarde For the false byshop not thynking vpon the great honoure and worshyp that the Emperoure hadde done to hym was inbraced wyth love dysordynate for the cleâ—e beaute of the excellent lady Bellyssant the whyche was so amyable and vertuous He was so â—eruently taken in her loue that it happened one daye that he spyed her all alone in her chambre prepayred and so he wente to her and sat downe by her and began for to beholde her all smylynge wherof the Lady toke no kepe for the disloyall Archebysshop was so preuy famylier in the house that none in the world wolde haue thought that euer he had â—en so full of trechery and namely towarde the Emperour that loued hym so derelye Now there is not a worse enemy than he the which is famylyer in a house whan he casteâ—â— hym for to doo euyl as well shewed this false and cursed Archebysshop the whyche beyng â—yâ—â—ynge besyde the vertuous Lady opened his venymous mouthe so foule and abhomynable and spake vnto her in thys maner My ryght dere and souerayne lady I am your lytle seruaunt and chapelayne wherfore I beseche you that it wyll please you for to gyue audience vnto my wordes of a thynge the whyche I shall tell you for the whyche thynge I haue suffered great aduersyties and doloures by longe conty nuaunce Knowe my redoubted Lady that the beaute of your persone and the pleasaunt fygure formed and composed aboute natures operacyon hathe rauysshed my spiâ—â—â—es and enbraced me heart in suche wyse that nyghte and daye I thynke on none other thynge but on your highnes And that worse is leseth reste meate and brynke maners and countenaunce whan that I thynke vpon your fayre eyen and replendysshynge vysage so I requyre of God that be wyll geue you volente and courage for to receyue me for your symple louer And that I myght serue you and fulfill your delites and pleasures For if it be so that you refuse me for your louer there is nothynge more nerer me then to â—â—uo the dethe Alas lady you the whiche is renowmed in euery thyng swete and amyable curtaysy â—enynge and debonayre be not cause to dyminyshe my lyfe but gyue me holly your loue by suche a couenaunt that I shall be loyall in loue yea more than euer was any man And that more is be not afrayde nor haue no drede of God for to committe this synne and offence For I am the vycayre of God in earth wherfore I maye gyue you absolucioÌ„ and penaunce faâ—â—â—e and light At these deceiuable woordes diabolique full of treason and deâ—epcions the lady prudent wyse and eloquent aunswered deâ—â—rely and
softely Ha false and disloyall irreguler Archebysshop tempted ful of diabolique volente howe darest thou proâ—feâ— with thy mouth that ought to be sacred such vylainous wordes dishonest and abhominable against the maiestie imperiall of hym that hath enourysshed the so tenderly and eleuate in honoure more then to the appertayneth fro whence maye come to the and moue this maladiecion to be cause of my dampnacion the whiche shoulde instruct me in the faith in maÌ„ners and condicions euen so as the Emperoure thinketh and affieth hym in all Neuer please it God that the bloud of Fraunce froÌ„ the whiche I am extraught nor the maiestie of the puissauÌ„t Emperoure be shamed nor dishonaured by me in any â—ane O falfe cursed man beholde what thou woulde do that will dispoyle and vnclothe me of myne honour and put my body in vytupetable shame for euer my soule in the waye of dampnacion eternall Leue thy folyshe opinion for to suche an ende as to haue my loue thou mayest not aâ—tayne nor come to And if that thou speake any more come therof knowe for a certayntâ—â— that I shall shewe the Emperoure thereof And then maiest thou saye that of thy lyfe is nothyng go thy way hence and speake no more Of this aunswere was the Archebysshop to angry but he dutst not procede no further forth on that matter sythe that he myght not haue the loue of the lady And so all confused he retourned for he could not spye nor se by no maner that the Lady shewed to him any maner of sygne of loue that he might comfort him in He repented him greatly of his foolye when that he sawe that he was refused of the lady but he founde no remedy for to saue his honour saue by trea son â–ª for he thought well within himselfe that the Emperour knewe not by the Empresse the euyll will of his courage To sone began the foly and late he repented It happeneth oftentymes that the thinge the whiche a foole thynketh remayneth vndone ¶ Howe the Archebysshop gaynsayed of Bellyssant for to saue his honoure ymagined great treason Cap. iii. IN mynde and thought to profounde and enuâ—ous was the Archebisuâ—oppe doubâ—yng that the Emperoure would not make hym dye for the false treason that he had committed agaynst the maiestie of his soue â–ª raigne Wherfore he thought for to saue his honoure in the best wyse that he myght And he dyd so muche that for to couer his maâ—adiction and for to shew apparence of loyaltie and prudence in dissimulyng that with all his power he desired â—he weâ—th and honour of the Emperour the daye of the AscencioÌ„ of our Lorde he came towarde the Emperoure â–ª and drewe him apatte and sayde vnto him in this maner of wyse Right hie Emperoure it is true that I knowe the greate graces and benefites that ye haue done and geuen vnto me And knowe well that by you I am mounted and eleuate in honoure morethen vnto me apperâ—ayneth And yet of your grace ye haue made me indigne mayster and gouernour of all your house in puttynge youre truste and confidence more 〈◊〉 me then in any other of your courte wherfore I ought not to be in no place there as I shoulde heare your maiestie vsurped and dyffamed and your renowne adnychylled for euen soo god helpe me if that I hadde not rather submitte my selfe vnto death than for to see or heare before my presence languages or wordes that were not lycyte vnto your magnificence Wherfore geuen intelligence vnto my woordes and I shall declare vnto you a thynge the whiche toucheth greately your persone profyte and honoure Syrit is true and certayne that Bellyssant your wyfe syster vnto the kyng of FrauÌ„ce the which ye haue willed to prayse so muche and honoure that you haue taken her to spouse kepeth you not loyalte as she ought to do for 〈◊〉 louâ—th another than pâ—â— for very certaynte y t she is dissoyall vnto you But it is soo that I will not declare the name nor the persone of hym that doeth his volâ—ute with your wyfe for you knowe well that I am a priest sacred and may not desyre the death of nobody But neuer the lesse knewe for a certaynte that the truthe of this matter came to me in confession wherfore I ought not nor will recyte in no maner the name of hym that doeth you suche dishonoure purchase But and you wyll beleue me there is not a more vyler nor dishonester woman in all your courte then is your wyfe that you holde soo dere Wher by your body is in daunger and peryll â–ª for she purchaseth nyght and daye the maner to put you to death to the ende that she myght doohet wyll the better And therfore I am bounde to wyll your profite and keepe your honoure I adueâ—t se you and let you knowe that you take heâ—e and correcte her also well as you maye And the moste secretly y t you may with your honoure Orelles I holde your honoure loste and your persone dishonoured For it is to great shame among the princes that you thinke that you haue taken to wife the sister of the kynge of Fraunce for the floure of beaute of prudence and noblenesse and you haue an harlot the whiche is enuenymed with your lyfe desyreth youre death in procutynge it from daye to daye whereof I am ryght displeasaunt The whiche thynge loke that you remedy also well as you may for to saue your honoure When the Emperour vnderstode the wordes of the false traytour Archebisshoppe aske not if he were ryght sorowfull in his harte and angrye for he hadde loued her as his lyfe The Emperoure beliued lightly y e wordes of a false Archebysshop for he had his truste in hym more then in any man of the worlde The sone geuen credence made a greate inconuentence to sourbe There is no daunger so great to a prince as to geue credence lyghtly The Emperour aunswered nothing for he was so espyred with angre and wounded at the harte so profoundly that he lost maner and contenaun ce And went thorough the palais imperiall castynge out angulâ—â—yous syghes Then he houed styll a while but he myght not refrayne his Ire wherfore he entred in to the chambre of Bellyssant without speakyng any worde or makyng any semblaunt the whiche toke no kepe And without speaking any worde to lady or 〈◊〉 mosell cruelly and with a fyerse courage came and toke the fayre lady by the head pulled her by the heer so rudely that he threwe her against the earth and made her excellent face runne â—l on bloude Then beganne the lady to wepe and â—tye right pyteously and sayde Alas my ryght dere lorde what thing moueth you for to smyte me so outragiously â–ª For I dydde neuer thynge the dayes of my lyfe to you but all honoure loyal setâ—yâ—e with my body Ha hore sayd the Emperour I am to wel enfourmed of thy life that cursed be the houre
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
Fraunce He was praysed so of euery body y t by the consente of the people he was sacred by the pope Empeorure crowned Moche well he gouerned augmented the chyrche in his tyme. He dyde egall Justyce vnto euery body soo that all folkes sayd good of hym ¶ In this tyme was pope Clement the fourth of that name that consacred kynge Pepyn Emperoure ¶ How Haufray and Henry had enuye at Ualentyne bycause that the kynge loued hym so well Ca. xii AFter that the kynge Pepyn by the grace of god and by the strengthe of armes had chaced the infideles and enemyes of our fayth out of the partyes Romayns he came vnto Orleaunce and there he founde the quene Berthe hys wyfe that receyued hym wich all the Joye and tryumphe that myght be made with her lytell sone Charlemayne and her excellent doughter Eglantyne The whiche was ryght gladde and Joyous bicause that Ualentyne was comen agayne safe and sounde So she sotourned not longe but that shee sente for hym and he came with a good wyll Than whan the lady sa we hym she salued hym amyably saynge Ualentyne my loue ye be hertely welcome well ought you to be de rely kepte and honoured for it is sayd that aboue all other ye haue wonne vyctorye and triumphe vpon the paynyms that helde Rome in theyr subiectyon A madame sayd Ualentyne to god be the laudes and praiâ—â—â—ges euery body sayeth what they lyste And as for me I haue done nothynge that is worthy praise And more ouer the kynge your fader hathe done me soo moche good and honoure that in my lyfe I can not deserue to what seruyce someuer I do hym And in sayenge these wordes Haufray and henry esprysed with enuye dyde entre in to the chambre of Eglantyne And whan Haufray and Henry were entred they sayd vnto hym UaleÌ„tyne what come you here to do in the chambre of our syster that apperteyneth not to you to moche ye shewe yourselfe folysshe and hardy for to entre in to her chambre ryall for you are but a begyler and none can know what you are nor from whens ye becomen Wherfore beware that ye be not founden no more with her leste that euyll come to you Ualentyne sayd vnto Haufray of your syster haue no doubte for syth that I was borne I neuer thought towarde her thynge saue all good and honoure Yf that I be poore and that they knowe not what I am yet wolde I not do nor thynke thynge that sholde be agaynst the maiestery all And to the ende that you haue no doubte that your syster EglaÌ„tyne shall haue by me ony blame at this same houre I promyse you that I shall neuer enter in to her chambre agayne At these wordes departed Ualentine out of the chambre and Eglantyne abode wepyng al alone moche tenderly Ualentyne mouÌ„ted into the palays for to serue the kinge which was set al redy Ther was haufray and Henry and the duke Millon dangler that serued the kyng at table wyth Ualentyne And whan he was rysen he called Ualentyne and sayd heryng them all Lordes here is Ualentyne that hathe well and truely serued me and socoured in my necessitees to the ende that eche of you may knowe it and for the good seruices that he hathe done me in abydynge tyl better come I gyue hym the Erldom of Clermont in â—uâ—rgne Syr sayd UaleÌ„tine god yelde it you for ye do me more honoure and goodnes than I haue deserued To heare suche wordes were Haufraye and Henrye to sorowfull wherefore eche sayde to other Thys same foundelynge which god course is in the grace of the kyng so that yf we fynde not remedy he shall be unes cause of our gret dommage For the kynge hath no chyldren but vs and the lytell Charlemayne of whome we may do our wil after the death of our father but it is of certayntye that Ualentyne wyll supporte him and holde hym agaynste vs. Wherfore we must fynde the manner to put hym in the indignacion of the king and to purchase his deathe for otherwyse we can not auenge vs. And than maye we at oure owne pleasure gouernethe realme wythout contradyecyon Than spake Haufray and said Broder Henry I haue found the maner whereby the false boye shall be deceyued and betrayed I shall tel you howe we shall make the kyng oure fader to vnderstande that he hathe vyoled our syster and that we haue founde hym in naked bedde with her And whan y e kynge shall knowe this I am certayne that he wyl make hym dye shamefully It is wel sayd answered Henry let it be done as you haue sayd and so shall we be auâ—uged In this wyse abode they thynkynge and ymagynynge alway treason agaynst Ualentine for they coueyted his deth ryght sore And valentin serueth the kyng so debonayrly that the kynge aboue all other desyred him in his coÌ„pany For euery daye he maynteyâ—ed him from well to better in prayenge god that he wolde gyue hym know ledge of the place that he was extraught of And Orson his broder is in the forest whiche is so moche fered and redoubted that none durst approche nere the wodde for hym The complayntes came vnto y e kyng euery day from one all partes So it happened daye that a poore man came vnto the kynge all wounded and blody and sayd to hym Syr I complayne me to you of the wylde man For euen so as I and my wyfe passed throughe y e forest berynge breed wyne and other vytaylles y e wilde man came and toke al frome vs and ete it and more oner he toke my wyfe and dyde twyes his wyl with her Now tell me sayd the kynge whether arte thou soryer for thy vytaylles or for thy wyfe By my fayth syr sayd the good man of my wyfe I am moche more dyspleasaunt Thou hast ryght sayd the kyng Now go to my treasourer and sette prise on thy losse for it shal be reâ—ored thâ— After the kynge called his barons to take aduyse on Orson So they aduysed amonge them that the kynge sholde make erye al aboute that who myght take y e wylde man quycke or deed he sholde haue a. M. marke of fyne golde So the counsayl was holden and the crye publysshed And theder came many knyghtes of all estates for to take Orson and the pryse conquere Than the kynge Pepyn beynge in his palays wyth diuers great lordes and noble barons that of thys mater spake and made great admeracions among them selfe Amonge the whych lordes and barons Haufraye that was mortall enemye of Ualentine began for to saye thus Syrhere is Ualetyne that you haue nourysshed and put in great honoure whiche hathe required oure syster Eglantine of loue dysordinate and of great dishonoure And because that I am well informed of this case for to se what he can do and for to she we his valyauntnes let him go seke the wild man that is so dread and you shall gyue hym Eglantyne so
his tethe he toke the grene knight by the midle and charged him vpoÌ„his necke as a lytell chyld And whan he hadde him vppon his necke he espyed a wall and caste the grene knyghte agaynst it so rudely that all they that were in the piâ—te wende that he hadde broken his necke For he remeued not And wan he had done so he sat him down againe amongest his felowes and in laughyng made theim signes that he would bere vpon his necke such thre as the grene knight Then began all the knightes of the halle for to laughe strongly said the one to the other Nowe is he come that shall discomfite and ouercome the grene knyght And Fezonne shall haue to greate a losse whan he can not speake For he is well worthy to haue honour amongest the valiauntmen When Fezonne had well beholden the maners and countenasiâ—e of Orson she was smiten to the harte with the darte of loue by the pleasure of God of the virgin Mary that yllumyned both their two hartes in suche a facion that she gaue vnto him al her courage and wil and she had euer her regarde fyxed vpon Orson and began for to loue hym so ardauntly that she forgate al the other for to haue him to her louer And it was not without a cause if she were so taken with his loue For he had taken the grene knight vp so valiauntly that at y t same houre he might haue slayne hym if he had woulde but howe well that he had puyssaunce ouer hym yet he would do him no harme For it is commonly sayde that a noble courage can not lye NotwithstaÌ„ding the grene knight reputed this dede for a great outrage And sayd all on hyghe before al the coÌ„pany ¶ Lordes this same wilde man hath deceyued and betrayed me for he came to me without saying any worde I promise and let you wyte that to morowe in the mornyng I shall be a man for hym And to the ende that all other take ensample by hym in dyspyte I shall make a gyâ—ette to be reysed vp aboue all the other that hath ben vanquyshed by me there shall I make hym to be henged and strangled ¶ How Orson waged batasâ— against the grene knight and howe Ualentyne fought with hym and myght not ouercome hym ¶ Cap. xxi ORson apperceyued well y t the grene knight was not well content with hym and that he menaced hym So he began for to momble a peace and makyng sygnes that vpon the morowe he woulde fyghte with hym and in token of wage the cast the grene knight his hod Then spake UaleÌ„tyne vnto the grene knight and said Syr beholde the gage that the wylde man casteth to you if you haue any power against hym thynke for to take it vp Than was the grene knyght so taken with pryde dispyte that he aunswered neuer a worde And the duke Sauary that was there present said vnto him Free knight there wyll be a strong batayll betwene the wylde man and you and I feare me sore that you shal haue muche a do with hym And if that you may do so much as to haue victory ouer him you may wel vaunt you that of all knightes you are the moste doughty valiaunt and that of none you ought to haue feare nor dreade And that it be true he hath shewed you before al that he is hardy of harte of courage By my god sayde the grene knyght to morowe shall you all se and know what his puissaunce is for neuer in this lyfe shall he retourne from the fielde till I make hym to be hanged aboue al the other At these wordes he yssued out of the castell and went vnto his rest in his pauilion And the other lordes and knyghtes remayned with the fayre la dy Fezonne the which made great ioye and solace and sayd the one to the other that the daye was come that the grene knyght should fynde his maister Great noyse was thorough the cytie of Orson the sauage euery body desyred for to se hym ye in suche maner y t so great nombre of folke came into the palais that for the prese that was there the duke commaunded that the gates should be shytte ¶ whaÌ„ Orson harde the noyse helâ—pt vp vpon a baye wyndowe for to beholde the people that were without Than the folkes apperceyued hym and shewed hym one to another in speakyng and deuysyng of him in diuers maners facions The nyght was come so that it was time to go to souper tho was euery body set and serued So when the duke was rysen from the table anone after came in playes and after euery body went into their chambres When Ualen tyne was in bedde he made sygnes to Orson that he should lye downe by hym but Orson set not therby for he layde hym downe platte to the earth as he was accustomed to do in the forest and so he passed the nyght when the daye was come Ualentyne and Orson went into the hall where as they founde the fayre lady Fezonne with the other knightes There they helde counsayll together for to fyght with the grene knight For y t same daye the duke had promysed hym to delyuer hym a champion to fyght with him So there spake among them a ryght noble knyght that was extraught out of a geÌ„tle bloud and said in this maner Lordes if it please you all I am purposed for to fyght first with the grene knight This requeste was aâ—oorded to him by the assistentes of all chyualty and the knyght went for to arme hym the whiche was called Galetam and was come out of the realme of Fraunce And when he was armâ—â— he came before the pleasaunt lady Fezonne and toke his leue of her ioyously with great reuerence and she that was garnyshed with all honour and good coÌ„dicions vttred hym leue in saiyng Fre knyght I pray to god of paradyse and to the blyssed and glorious virgyn Mary that they conduyte you and kepe you and preserue you from damage in suche maner and facion that with ioye and honoure ye may retourne vnto me agayne And he thanked her with all his harte and theÌ„ he toke leue of his felowes When he hadde taken leue of the fayre Fezonne he mounted on horsbacke went to warde the tente of the grene knighte Oâ— as ferro as he saw him he smote his hors with the sporres with a fyerse courage rannt to the knyght Galeram and so grete a stroke he gaue hym that he smote hym do wne to the grounde than he discended of his hors and toke his helm of his hed Wherfore Galeram that fered the death yelded him vnto the mercy of the grene knyghte but it profyted hym lytel For without ony pite he dispoyled him of his harneis hanged him on the height of the tre so as he hadde done the other before For the dethe of the same Galeram was greate bruyt throughe the
out of your company And whan the knight 〈◊〉 leâ—tine vnderstode that the greane knight had a sister that was so faire by the will of God almighty and by the inclinacion of naturall loue he was smitten at the heart with her beaute right â—roauntlie So he madea vowe vnto God that he wold neuer rest til that he had sene the lady that was so gretely coÌ„mended And after these things the grene knight that was crowned king of the greene Mountaine and that helde grete Lordeshippes vnder him made to crie through his host that all Painims and Sarazins that were comen at his coÌ„ maundement for to serue him before Acquitaine sholde recorne againe into their Countrees without dommagynge of the duke Sauaries countre in ony manner So departed Paynims and sarazins makyng grete sorowe for the takynge of the grene knyghte And Ua lentyne and Orson tooke hym and ledde hym as prysoner towarde the cyty of Acquytayne Ye nede not to demaunde of the grete noyse and the grete solace and the grete Ioye that was made of lytell and greate in the cyte of Acquytayne And the duke Sauarye wyth all hys baronnage receyued them in grete tryumphe wythoute the cyte And whan the grene knight was before the noble duke of Acquitaine and all his baronage he said to them in this maner Lordes wel ought you to bere honoure and reuerence vnto this Knighte that hathe coÌ„quered me by force of armes And knowe certainly y t this man is a kynges sonne and a Quenes and he neuer souked no woman in his life for if it were not soo he shuld neuer haue had strength nor nuyssaunce for to haue vaynquysshed me for so it was sayde by the head of brasse that my sister Clerymonde hathe in her cham bre By my fayth sayd the duke of Acquitain wel may ye be byleued for he hath wel shewed againste you the grete prowesse and hardynes that is in hym And syth that it is so that I knowe the greate valyauntnes that is in hym I wil bere him honour and reuerence with all my puyssaunce In sayinge these worddes the duke of Acquitaine with all his court and the grene knighte that Orson ledde prysoner bene entred into the towne and mounted vp into the palays And whan they were within the duke maunded his doughter after said to her My doughter se here the grene knight the whiche for to conquere your body and haue your loue hath longe time kept the most part of my londe in his subgeccyon And how wel that he is not of our byleue yet fortune was too me contrarye and aboue my wyll maystresse in such manner that stronge and longe abyding too haue soucoure of some other badye hadde constrayned my hearâ—e to accorde vnto suche thynges but god y t is true Iudge hathe wylled remedye this dede in suche a maner that of myne enemye I am auenged and comen to the aboue by this same knyght that Ualentyne hath brought vnto you by the lycence of kynge Pepyn for to socour your body Now may you knowe that aboue all other he is hardy and valyaunt And I byleue that god hathe transmysed hym for to conquere you Wherfore my doughter myn onely hope in whome remayneth all my Ioye and comforte of my lyfe auyse and haue aspecte and consyderacyon vpon this case for it is my wyl that you sholde haue hym vnto husbande yf your consentynge and wyl were accordynge vnto myne for none ought to constrayne a body to take one in mariage agaynst theyr wyll ¶ My redoubted lorde sayd the noble mayden that was ryght wel endoctryned puruayed of answer You knowe that you are my fader I am your doughter it is no reason and ryght that I that am after god nature subgecte vnto you doo ony thynge after my wyll but am redy and preste for to do all your pleasure and yf I wolde do other wyse I sholde not shewe that I were your naturall doughter for you knowe wel that you haue promysed for to gyue me in maryage vnto hym that by force of armes myghte conquere the grene knyght Now is he comen by whome the thynge is accomplysshed thorowe oute And the whiche hathe accomplysshed perfourmed the tenour of your crye and denouncynge that you haue made and publysshed thorugh euery crysten regâ—on soo it is well reason that I take hym and that vnto hym I be gyuen And yf in ony wyse I wolde not take hym I wolde cause your entencyon to be aduychyled whiche for euer sholde be reproche vnto me Doughter sayd the duke of Acquytayne ye haue spoked 〈◊〉 the hyghlye and your answer pleaseth me ryght well and all them that be he represente to my demynge Now muste it be knowen of the knyght yf y t he wyll take you vnto wyfe spouse and yf he be contente I shal gyue him with the maria ge of you half Acquytayne There was presente valeÌ„tyne that by sygnes demauÌ„ded Orson his wyl and intente And he made hym sygne that he wolde neuer haue other than the Fayre Fezonne thus were these two partyes of accorde of the whiche thynge they that knewe it were ryght Ioyous The duke Sauary made to come a bysshoppe for to handfeste Orson and the faire lady Fezonne and to make them promesse that the one sholde take the other for loyal spouse the terme of theyr lyâ—es At that presente tyme there was none other thige made hytwene them vnto the daye of the spousaylles And it nedeth not to aske yf the Ioye and myrthe was grete thorughe the cyte of Acquytaine bothe of litell and grete and the grete nombre of dysportes and playes that there was made for the rehersynge wolde be to longe But how well that Orson had sworne and made promyse to take the fayre FezoÌ„ne yet shall he not wedde her nor neuer lye by hersydes tyll y e by the wyll of god he shall speke good language And that Ualentyne had conquered the fayre Clerymonds of the whiche thynges I wyll make mencyon here after as well as I maye ¶ How on the nyght that Orson was made sure to the fayre Fezonne the aungell of god appered vnto valentyne And of the commaundement that he gaue hym Capitulo xxiiii AFter that Orson hadde handfeste the fayre Fezonne on that same daye was made grete solace thorughe all the countree aboute for all the lordes of the longe were gladde of that assemble In ioye and solace passed that daye tyll the nyght came that it was tyme to go to reste The duke of Acquytayne dyde withdrawe hym in to his chambre for to rest hym And euery body wente in to theyr chambres as they were ordeyned Ualentyne and Orson wente in to a fayre chambre that was apparaylled of them wente to reste in o ryche bedde bothe Orson and he for that nyght And whan it came towarde mydnyght by the wyll of god almyghty a auÌ„gell appered vnto Ualentyne and sayd to hym Ualentyne knowe
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
and melancolye in the whiche by the space of ten yere I haue passed my tyme languysshynge in doloure abydynge hym y t I oughte to be gyuen to Now you are he I se it clerely for by no ne other the heede of brasse sholde lese the speche And syth that it is thus that by your comynge it hathe loste the speche I gyue me and habandone me vnto you as to my parfyte loue and to hym that by ryghte and reason I ought to be vttred and gyuen And from hensforthe I promyse you and swere to you with herthe body and godes that I shal serue you loyally after my lytell puyssaunce encheue your good pleasure Lady sayd Ualentyne of your good wyll I thanke you hertely it is well ryght and reason that I loue you aboue all the thynges of the worlde and holde dere for frome before Acquytayne you were gyuen me by the grene knyght your broder the whiche by the helpe of me of my broder Orson was conquered and vaynquysshed whan it shall be your pleasure for to take the lawe and the bileue that the grene knyght hathe taken I am contente for to wedde you That is for to wyte the lawe of Ihesu chryste withoute the whiche none can haue the Ioye eternall Syr sayd the mayden suche thynge wyll I do gladly For with all my courage I am redy and apparaylled to fulfyll your mynde obeye to your commauÌ„dementes more than to ony other lyuynge On that same daye was demeaned grete Ioye thorughe al the castell for they knewe well by the heede of brasse that it was he that sholde haue the fayre Clerymonde Soo grete was the renowne of the knyght Ualentyn that al they of the countree aboute made grete Ioye but the grete Ioye of Ualentine the fayre Clerymonde was soone torned in to sorowe dystresse by the false treason of her broder Ferragus â–ª as it shal be declared vnto you here afterwarde ¶ How by an enchauntour named Pacolet the giaunt Ferragus had tydynges of his syster and of Ualentyne And of the answer that he gaue Pacolet Ca. xxxi IN the castell of pleasaunce of the fayre lady Clerymonde was a dwerfe that she had nourysshed from his chyldhode sette vnto the scole That same dwerfe was called Pacolet He was full of grece wytte and vnderstondynge the whiche at the scole of tollette had lerned so muche of the arte of Nygromancye that aboue all other he was perfyte in suche manere that by enchauntemente he had made and composed a lytell hors of wodde and in the heed there was artyfycyelly a pynne that was in suche wyse set that euery tyme that he mounted vpon the horse for to goo somwhere he torned the pynne towarde the place that he wolde go to and anone he fouÌ„de him in the place without harme or daunger for the hors was of suche facyon that he wente thorughe the ayre more faster than ony byrde coude flee That same Pacolet that had ben nourysshed in the castell of Clerymonde all the daye he be helde and consydered the maners and facyons of y e noble Ualentyn Than he thoughte that he wolde go in to Portyngale recount vnto hym the enterpryse of Ualentyne and the manere of his comynge He wente vnto his hors of wodde moâ—ted vpon hym after he torned the pynne towarde Portyngale and incontynent the hors of wodde mounted in to the ayre so moche he wente that that same nyghte he arryued in Portyngale and to the kynge Ferragus tolde the tydinges whan Ferragus vnderstode the speche of Pacolet the enchauntoure he was moche angrye and sorowfull at his herte agaynste Ualentyne y e noble knyghte that sholde haue his syster Clerymonde and also agaynst her bicause she had gyuen her herte her loue to a chrysten knyght for y e whiche he was sory And swore by his grete god that he wolde take vengeaunce on him but before Pacolet he shewed not his furoure nor the wyll of his courage for y e man that thynketh treason holdeth alwayes his mouthe secrete for to come the better vnto his entencyon Ryght so dyde Ferragus that sayd vnto Pacolet the enchauntour Frende retourne vnto my syster Clerymonde and saye vnto y e knyght that shall haue her in maryage y t I am ryght gladde of his comynge and that I shall se hym ryght shortely accompanyed with my baronage to be at his weddynge Syr sayd Pacolet I shall do gladly youre message and than he mouÌ„ted on his hors was there in an instaunt And whan he was before Clerymonde he sayd vnto her Madame I come from Portyngale and haue sene your broder Ferragus the whiche is ryghte Ioyous of the noble Ualentyne that shal be your husbande and knowe that with in shorte tyme he wyll se you in greate tryumphe to make your maryage Ha Pacolet sayd the lady I woâ—e neuer what shall happen but I fere me gretely that my broder thynke not some treason for I knowe well that he wyll neuer loue noo knyght of Fraunce nor man that holdeth the lawe of Ihesu chryste And on y â— other syde I am ryght dysple asaunt that I knewe not of thy goynge for thou sholde haue enquyred after a chysten woman that of longe time hathe ben abydinge with my broder Ferragus wyfe in his castell ¶ How Pocolet retorned in to Portyngale for to seke Bellyssant Ualentynes moder and howe he sawe her in Ferragus castell Capitulo xxxii LAdy sayd Pacolet I shal besone retorned a gayne â— to morowe before myddaye I shall brynge you tydynges By god sayd UaleÌ„tyne that maye you not do without the arte of the enemye Ualentyne sayd ClerymoÌ„delet hym werke and do his crafte for he is so well faughte that he wyll go more than a thousande myle on a daye whan Ualentyne knewe that Pacolet coude suche and arte he meruaylled moche Than he called Orson and cut and toke awaye the threde that was vnder his tongue And after y e it was out he began for to speke veray ryght and pleasauÌ„tly and that same houre recounted vnto them all his lyfe that he haddeledde in the forest So they were herkenynge hym the moost parte of the nyght And on the moro we Pacolet found hym self in the halle before Ualentine and sayd to hym Syr I come from Portyngale where as I haue seene your moder that is in good heâ—le Frende sayd Ualentine thou arte welcome for it is the thinge that I desyre mooste to here good tidinges of her and se her Loue said Clerymonde take comforte to you if my brother comme not hecher we shal go into Portyngale and se her there Ladye sayde Pacolet knowe for a certainte that your brother wyll be here shortiye for so he dyd promyse me Alas sayd the pleasaunce Ladye Clerymonde I am to sore a ferde in my hearte that my brother Ferragus do not some thinge whereby our ioyous enterpryse maye be tourned in to harde discomfort for I haue drenied a
that of my dere moder y e I haue desyred so muche I hoped to haue had tydynges shortly and certayne knowledge and in thynkynge to haue ben assured to perfour me myn enterpryse but in y e places dysloyall I am vnhappely comen and fallen into the handes of myn enemyes that of my lyfe are enuyous and desyreth my dethe Alas my fayre broder Orson well is our thoughte and our entencyon in a shorte time chaunged and reuer â–ª sed for we shall neuer se frendes nor kynnesmen In this wyse complayned Ualentine Orson in lykewyse and the sarazyns demeaned grete Ioye and so moche they rowed vpon the see that they arryued in Portyngale at the castell of Ferragus And also soone as y e empresse Bellyssant herde saye that Ferragus had broughte with hym two christen men prisoners she lepte oute of her chambre for to go se them Whan she sawe valen tyne and Orson the whiche she knewe not she demaunded them Chyldren of what countree be you in what londe were you borne Lady sayd valentyne we be of y e countre of Fraunce and borne besyde Parys Also sone as Ferragus sawe the Empresse BellyssaÌ„t that spake vnto the chyldren he sayd vnto her fyersly lady leue me this language for I shall make them dye in my prison with grete sorowe but yf they byleue in mahoune He called the gayler and coÌ„maunded hym to put y e two prysoners in the moost depest pryson and y e moost derkeste that they sholde haue none other meet nor drynke but brede and water There was y e cursed sarazins that with grete staues and with theyr â—ystes smote vppon the two chyldren without hauynge ony pyte more than of dogges and in a dongeon full of fylthe and â—râ—ure caste them and lete them downe Whan they were in pryson they sette them on theyr knees cryâ—ge god mercy and in praynge him that he wolde forgyue theÌ„ theyr synnes for they neuer wende to haue comen oute of that place And after that Ferragus hadde thus enprysoned Ualeâ—tyne and Orson he mounted vp into his palais and made to be brought before hym the fayre Clerymonde that wepte so pyteously that with y e teres that yssued out of her eyen all her face was be wepte My syster said Ferragus leue your wepinge chauÌ„ge your courage for by mahowne my god you haue to longe byleued y e hed of brasse whan that you wyll wed and take in maryage a straunger and oute of our byleue To whome haue you your herte varyable and wyll of a woman whan you wyll loue him y t hathe shewed himselfe mortal enemye of your broder the grene knyghte well appertayneth you to haue a man more worthy and of more hygher lygnage And yf you wyl bileue me and do after my wyll I shall gyue you to husbaÌ„de the puyssaunt kinge Tromparte â–ª by the whiche you maye be at all seasons of hyghelyfe and rychely honoured And therfore forgete the two chrysten FreÌ„shmen and haue no more truste on them for I shal make them dye and be hanged by the necke Broder said Clerymonde it behoueth me to obeye vnto your commaundement for one muste forâ—ere and passe lyghtly of the thige that they maye not haue the force constrayneth ryght hath no vertue for necessyte maketh oftentymes a man â—ell good chene After these wordes fynysshed Ferragus dyde departe and the quene his wyfe entred into the hall the whiche in grete honoure and reuerence hath receyued the fayre Clerimonde in sayinge to her My Syster you be ryght welcome hether for I hadde ryght greate desyre for to se you Lady sayd Clerimonde I thancke you a hondred tymes but knowe that I am ryghte sorowful and dyspleasaunt of two christen knights the whiche my broder Ferragus vnder the vmbre of surenes and loyalte hathe made to passe the sea and after hathe put them into an obscare prysone vyle and abhomynable and in grete dispite hathe sworne their dethe yf they forsake not theyr lawe and byleue Alasse my dere syster it is true that I shoulde haue had one of the knightes in mariages the which among al the liuing menne is the mooste fayrest the mooste valyaunt and the moost hardy and that by force of armes hathe conquered my loue wherfore lady I beseche you counsayl me for I haue grete nede and also that you shewe me the christen woman the whych you haue kepte so longe in this castell Fayre syster said the quene here may you se her Than spake Bellyssant and sayd Ladye what is your wil speke on hardely for I haue grete desire for to here you speke Alas lady I bring you tidings that wyll make you gladde and after sorowful and dysplesaunt Know for a certainte that of your estate and of your lyfe I knowe the veray treuth for pebe sister vnto king Pepin and wyfe vnto the Emperour of grece the which with wronge and againste righte hathe banysshed you out of his Empyre and soone after you were deliuered of two fayre sonnes in a forest wherof the one was taken away from you by a wild bere and the other was lost you can not tell how Now is your chyldren yet on lyue and I knowe the place whereas you may fynde theym At these wordes the quene Bellyssant fel vnto the earth in a swowne for ioye and pyte that she hadde and Clerymonde toke her vp muche swetely betwene her armes And when she was rysen vp the demaunded the mayden howe she myght know suche thinges Then Cleremonde recounted vnto her the â—â—aâ—e and the maner how Ferragus her brother by false and cursed treason had put them in pryson And when the Empresse Bellissant vnderstode that her two chyldren was in pryson demauÌ„de not if she made great sorowe for she began to wepe so pyteously that Ferragus wyfe entred into the hall and demaunded wherefore she made so great sorowe and the fayre lady Clerymonde toldâ— her from poynte to poynte the cause and â—eason â–ª nâ—we sayde the wyfe of Ferragus appease you and make not of this thynge no semblaunt for if the kyng Ferragus knewe it paâ—auenture the king should rather eâ—payre then amende ⧠How Pacolet coÌ„forted the two ladies Cap. xxxiiiâ— Ryght so as the thre ladies spake of this ma ter Pacolet entred in to the chambre that was come on his horse of wodde And wheÌ„ Clerymonde sawe hym she sayde vnto him pyteously wepyng Alas Pacolet what haue I doone vnto the that thou seperate me from all my ioye and betraye me for thou myght haue aduertised me of the euill wyll of my brother Ferragus well tolde me my harte that I should haue sorow by the when thou went so soone into Portyngale without my lycence for to beare hym tydynges Lady sayd Pacolet be not so angry againste me for by the God of whome I beleue I knewe not the treason of your brother Ferragus but sythe that he hath wylled for to worke treason I promyse you by my lawe that I
his oth And if it hapen that I be constrayned to suche a thynge by you you shall be the cause to put my soule in daunger whych shall be a reproche to you before God and the world And as the duke of Acquitaine spake so to his Doughter he sawe Ualentine and Orson comminge whych he receyued in grete honour and enbraced them And whan Orson had salued the duke he wend to ward the fayre Fezonne that for grete â—oy began for to smyle Alas sayde she you be hertely welcome for your longe abydinge hathe greued me sore And yf you had not commen my father wold haue maryed me vnto an other knight than you that for to haue me hath taken much great payne and much wel he resembleth you of nose and mouthe My loue sith that I was here I haue learned to speke and am the same y t praâ—ed you of loue to day in your chambre Than was the lady so Joious that I canne not recount it and Orson entred into a chambre and chamged that habite and put on right precious robes that he had made the litle Pacolet bringe with him and after entred into the hall And whan the Duke aduysed him he went and enbraced him swetelâ— and said to him Faire sonne pardon me of that I wold haue geuen my doughter to another than you for I wende well that you wolde neuer haue retorned Sit saide Orson with good hert I pardon you Than the Duke demaunded them how they had done sith theyr departinge And orson recounted before them all the fortune and auenture that they had ben in and how thei wer sonnes to the Emperoure of Constantinoble named Alexander and of kynge Pepins sister named Bellessant the whyche they had founden in Portyngale Whan the duke of Acquitaine vnderstode that the two valyaunte knightes were of so hye a bloude extraught he had so greate Joye at his heart y t tel it I can not Than he said knyghtes you be wo thy for to haue grete honoure and reuerence whan of al the cristiens you are the noblest extraught and dyscended But of one thing I am sorowfull and dyspleasaunte that is of your fader the Emperoure of Grece and of your vncle the kynge Pepin that are assyeged in Constatinoble by the painims and sarazyns and theyr warre hath endured so long that if god helpe them not shortly with socoure they muste yealde theim vnto theyr enmies whiche is a thinge muche pyteous whan Ualentine hearde that his fader and hys vncle were in daunger he made such dole that none might appease hym and complained more his vncle Kinge Pepin than his fader Than Pacolet said vnto hym Sir leaue this sorowe for yf you wyll byleue me I shal set you or to morow at nyght with in Constanty noble by God sayd Ualentine he is folyshe that byleueth the or the deuyl must bere thâ— â–ª Syr sayd Pacolet yf you wyll mounte vpon my hors and do that whiche I shall tell you we shall be in Grece or the day fayl Pacolet sayde Ualentine I accord me vnto thy sayinges for I desire nothynge soo muche as to see my father that I neuer sawe At that houre the knyght Ualentine was delivered for to departe on the â—noro we to go vnto Constantynoble and for the loue of his departynge the duke of Acquytayne made fyrst Orson to be wedded vnto his doughter Fezonne And made theyr weddynge so richely that there had ben neuer none such sene in that citye They made so grete noyse with trompettes and claryons that the painims heard it in theyr pauilions The duke of Acquitaine made Bellissant and Clarymono to be brought in his palais with grete honoure Than was there a spye that sawe al this and went and tolde 〈◊〉 to Ferragus how he had sene them wich the traitour Pacolet By mahoune sayd the gyaunt Ferragus I ought well to be dâ—lent of the traycour Pacolet that hath so falsly deceyued me and led away my syster Clerymonde that I loued so muche with the christians But I swere my god Mahoune that within short space I shal take vengeaunce on him and on al his other complices and helpers for I shall make them all dye an euill death ¶ How the gyaunt Ferragus for to haue sucoure sent for the kyng Tromparte and the enchauntour Adramayne ¶ Cap. xâ— FErragus the false Sarazyn was muche angrye and ful of Ire whan he sa we that of his syster Clerymonde and the two knyghtes he myght not take vengeaunce Then he called a heraude and toke hym a letter that he had made to be wrytten by the whiche letter he sente worde toâ— kynge Tromparte that in continent and without delaye also soone as he hadde sene the letter that he would come towarde hym well accompanied and with a greate puyssaunce of men of armes as well as he myght And yf so were that he would geue hym sucoure he should geue hym to wyfe his syster clerymonde And with this he â—â—aunded hym that he shoulde bryng the enchauntour Adramayne with hym that had learned so wel the â—â—tâ— of tollecre that for to playe with Nygromancy he 〈◊〉 passed mayster thus were the letters made and geueâ— to the messenger the whiche put hym vpon the waye for to do his message So will I leaue to speake of the gyaunt Ferragus and shal speake of valentyne that is within Acquitayne where as he taketh leue of lordes and of ladies and of the fayre Clerymonde the whiche for his departyng was muche sorowfull and demaunded hym Loue when will you wedde me holde me loyal couenaunt for in you is al my truste Lady said valentyne haue no doubte of me â–ª for I shal be true to you and I swere to you and promyse you that also sone as it shall please God almighty that I returne from Constantinoble without soâ—ouâ—nyng or delacion I shall wedde you Then he sayd to the duke of Acquitayne â— to his brother Orson Lordes I shall leue you my loue Clerymonde to kepe as to my pryncypall frendes that I trust my moost in In praying you that also soone as it maâ—â—e possible to you that you make to be ministâ—ed vnto her the sacrament of baptisme and chaunge not her name for none other for it is my will that she â—ere that name Ualentyne sayde the duke of Acquytayne take no thought for her for also derely shall the fayre Clerymonde be kept as my propre doughter Feâ—onne Then valentine toke leue of the duke of Acquytayne that for his departing had his harte sorowfull syth he embraced the fayre Clerymonde and in takynge leue of her he kissed her swetely but the noble lady was so sorowfull that she myght speke neuer a worde Ualentine lefte her and began to wepe And Orson tooke leue of hym the whiche sayde vnto him ryght swetely Brother I praye to Iesu christ that he kepe you saue you â–ª and among all other thinges I beseche you humbly that you wil recommaunde me
kyng TroÌ„part I am come towarde you for the truste that I thynke to fynde in you And from henceforth I will abyde with you as loyall and true felowe if it please you that it be so Adramayne sayde Pacolet I am contente make good cheare and caâ—e not for noothynge Than Pacolet made hym to be serued and honestly receyued as his felowe â–ª that of his coming was ioyous And in makynge chere together Adramayne sawe the fayre Clerymonde passe through the halle so he demaunded Pacolet what lady that was that was so fayre and gracious Frende sayde Pacolet it is the faire Clerymond sister vnto king Ferragus the which muste be ryght hyghly maryed vnto a much tyche and valyaunt knyght At that houre arryued Orson before the two felowes and sayde vnto them Lordes playe a lytell betwene you both of your craft and scyence for to reioyce all the company ¶ How Adramayne and Pacolet played before the barons how Adramayne stole a way Pacolettes horse of wodde and the fayre Clerymonde Cap. xlvii THan Adramayne lift vp a cup a aboue a piller in such wise y t it semet vnto as them y t were there present y t thorowe y t place ran a great ryuer an horryble in that same ryuer them thoughte they sawe all maner of fysshes hothe lytell great And wheÌ„ they of the palays sawe the waâ—eâ— so great they begaÌ„ al for to lift vp their gownes to crye strongly as they that had fere to be drowned And Pacolet that behelde the enchauntement began for to sing and made a charme so subtyl in his songe that it semed vnto all them of the place that throughe the ryuer ran a great herte that caste and hurled to the earthe al that he founde before hym Then them thought y t they sawe hunters folowe hym wyth many greyhoundes and brachettes Then there was dyuers of the company that lepte for the and wolde haue taken the harte but Pakolet made the hart to lepe incontinent By my fayth sayd Orson you haue played ryght well and you can vse ryghte well your arte At these wordes rose vp the two enchauntours and Pacolet that thought but all well led Adramayne into hys chambre for to slepe repose hym that nyght wherof he was ryght sorowfull and angry afterwarde for whan it came towarde mydnyght Adramayne kest a charme throughe all the palays that bothe lytle and great slepte so strongly that for cryenge nor brayenge they myght not waken vnto the morowe that the sunne was vp and made Pacolet to slepe also well as the other After he went towarde the hors that he hadde sene in the chambre but he had made no semblaunte And whan he had the hors he wente in to the chambre of Clerymonde and by hys subtyll arte in slepynge he made her to ryse and clothe her and sette her on the hors wyth hym and came vnto a wyndowe and torned the pynne for he knewe well the guyse and dyd soo muche that wythout soiournynge he arryued in the pauylyon of kyng Trompart w t the fayre Clerymonde Then Adramayne cryed Syr kynge Trompart slepe not but ryse vp incontynent for heare maye you see the pleasaunt lady Clerymonde the whyche I haue stolen within acquytayne And I haue done so muche wroughte so subtylly that I haue stolen Pacolettes hors Adramayne sayd kynge Trompart at this houre I know that thou arte a true frende and that aboue all other I am be holden vnto the. Is it not the doughter of the great kynge Justamon that is syster vnto kynge Ferragus Yes sayd Adramayne I haue ryght subtylly stolen her awaye and betrayed Pacolet the enchauntoure for of his hors he shall neuer haue the gouernynge Adramayne sayd the kynge Trompate can thou playe also well as he yes sayd Adramayne I learned it longe ago Then he shewed hym the maner and the facyon to forne the pynne and to gouerne the hors And whan kyng Trompart had sene the subtylte he thought within hym selfe that he wolde lede the fayre lady Clerymonde in to hys countre vpon the hors of wodde â–ª and there take her vnto wyfe Then he enbraced the fayre Clerymonde that slepte yet for the charme of Adramayne and wyth hym sette her surely vpon the hors of wodde And Adramayne behelde hym and sayd to hym My lorde yf you fayle for to play with the hors you put your self in great daunger and peryll and the lady also No sayd Trompart of that haue no doubte and then he turned the pyn ryght in hys course and went through a cloude so ferre that he went more than two hundred myle before daye And at that houre awakened the fayre lady Clerimond that was so dolent sorowfull for to se herselfe in that estate that she fell in swowne wherof the kyng Trompart was muche abasshed and afrayd at his hert for he wende that she hadde ben dead â–ª He torned the pyn and stopped the hors in a fayre grene felde besyde a fountayne that was ryght fayre and clere And whan he hadde discended the lady vpon the grasse he toke of the water and cast it in her face to make her â—â—â—yue agayne and the lady for the coldnes of the water began for to remoue a lytell and open her eyen and began for to make so pyteous cryes and lamentacious that the kyng Trompart wende verely that at that houre her hatte woulde haue brosten wherfore great sorowe toke hym And he founde no maner how he myght succoure her saue by a shepeharde that was there besyde them of whiche he demaunded some bread And the shepeherde gaue hym a quarter of a lofe which he brought vnto the fayre Clerymonde and put of it in her mouthe The mayden ete a lytell and with the fountaine she wasshed her throâ—e And when her harte was a litell come agayne and her speche strengthed she began for to wepe in sayinge Alas vnhappy aboue all dolorous what is happened me no we haue I loste all my solace my Joye vy vnhappy fortune and cursed treason Alas my loue UaleÌ„tine nowe haue I lost you â–ª of god be he cursed that hath departed vs. When the kynge Tromparte hearde the great lamentacions that the fayre Clerymonde made for her loue Ualentyne he sayd vnto her muche rudely Lady leue suche wordes and of the christen boye neuer speake more before me or by my God mahoune I shall take thy lyfe from thy body It is more ryght and reason that I wedde you and that you be geuen me that haue my realme vnder my dominacion and lordshyp than for to take that same vnhappy knaue that hathe neyther lande nor lordshyp In saying these woordes he enclyned him towarde the lady and would haue kissed her but the noble lady that of his loue was lytel curyous gaue him vpon the mouthe with her â—iste so that the bloude came out for the whiche the kynge Tromparte was muche angry set her on
loked aboute the chambre and sa we anone that his hors was loste soo he wronge his handes and drewe his heere in cryenge hyghely A fals Adramayne by the I am deceyued For falsly thou hast stolen my hors and my lady Clerymonde hathe borne away vpon hym Well ought I to hate my lyfe whan by the I am thus betrayed and vnpuruayed of the thin ge that I moost loued Now death come vnto me for to take me out of thys worlde for I haue no more hope to haue comforte nor consolacyon So pensyfe and sorowfull was Pacolet for the fayre Clerymonde that yf it had not ben Orson that came towarde hym he wolde haue slayne hymselfe wyth a knyfe On euery syde of the palays was herde pyteous cryes and wofull complayntes Bellyssaunt the Empresse wepte and cryed sore And the fayre Fezonne made suche dole that she rent her ryche clothes for the loue of Clerymonde that was stolen awaye so falsly And all they of the cyte made innumerable complayntes be waylynges And amonge all the other it was a pyteous thynge to here the complaynt and lamentacyon of the good Duke of Acquytayne And whan pacolet sawe the great sorowe that eâ—ry body made he sayd vnto them Lordes I swere vnto god that hath fourme all the world that I shal neuer haue Ioye of my lyfe nor comforte vnto the tyme that I haue taken vengeaunce of the traytoure Adramayne by the whyche we are betrayed and deceyued At these wordes he departed heuy and sorowfull and put of hys gowne and toke the habyte of a woman in clothynge him ryght gentylly as a younge mayden And in that estate departed out of of the cyte of Acquytayne and went in to the hoost of the kynge Ferragus And also soone as he was in the hoost of the paynyms there came out towarde hym that prayed hym muche of loue bycause hym thought he was soo fayre a mayden For Pacolet had wasshed hys face wyth a water ryght subtyl made by hys charme in suche maner that all they that beheld hym sayd amongest theym that they had neuer sene a more fayrer woman nor a more gracyous Of dyuers paynyms and sarazyns he was beholden and requyred but euer he excused hym and sayd My lordes pardone me for at thys tyme I am promysed and haue made couenaunt wyth the enchauntour Adramayne the which hathe reteyned me Mayden sayd the other go on your waye And so Pacolet toke the way to go vnto the enchauntour Adramayne that was in the tente And whan Adramayne sawe hym he was so enchaunted that Pacolet semed hym the moost fayrest woman that euer god created And he was so muche enamoured on hym that for to slepe wyth hym that nyght he reteyned hym and Pacolet accorded therto ryght gladly and sayd to hym My lorde knowe that I haue bene requyred of manye but aboue all the other me thynke you are worthyest to be seruyd Doughter sayd Adramayne doubte you of nothynge but make good chere for I haue a good wyl for to serue you and do you good tyght largely Than Adramayn coÌ„maunded one of his seruauntes that he shoulde kepe the mayde and that she shoulde be serued at souper with all maner of meates wyne at her plea saunce Nowe is the enchauntout Pacolet in the tente of Adramayn well and honestly serued And Adramayn is in the hoost of kyng Ferragus seruyng Frende said Pacolet to the varlet of Adramayne where is the kyng Trompart that is so puyssaunt and well renowmed By mahoune sayd he my lady I thynke he is retourned in to his countrey and leadeth with hym the fayre lady Clerymonde vpon a horse of wodde that my mayster hathe geuen him When Pacolet harde those tidinges demaunde not if he was sorowful but he made no semblaunt Than entred Adramayne in to the tente and presented wyne and spyces vnto Pacolet after sayde to hym My doughter it is tyme to go to reste se here y e bedde that you and I shall slepe in and do our pleasures Lorde sayde Pacolet your wyll be done And then Adramayne the enchauntour vnclothed hym entred in to the bedde thynking that the mayden would come and lye with hym But also soone as he was in the bedde Pacolet enchaunted him in suche wyse and made hym slepe so strongly that for any thynge that myghte be done vnto the morowe in the mornynge he myghte not a wake And when he hadde made hym slepe so he made all there aboute to slepe Than he put of his womans clothyng and put vpon hym the rychest clothes of Adramayne after he toke a sworde that hanged in y e â—hambre and smote of Adramaynes head and bare it with hym When he had done so he wente vnto Fertagus pâ—uâ—â—ion the whiche was wel kept with sarazins and so well he coulde playe with his arte that he made all fall vnto the earth slepe Then he entred into the tence whereas Ferragus slepte the whiche he enchauÌ„ â–ª teth so muche that he made hym lepe out of his bedde clothe him Then Pacolet toke his gyrdle and tied it aboute his necke in suche wyse that as a beaste he ledde hym and made renne after hym vnto the gates of the cytie of Acquytayne when Pacolet was at the gares of Acquytayne he founde the duke Sauary accompanied with dyuers lordes and barons that hadde muche desyre to knowe of that enterpryse And also soone as they sawe Pacolet they sayd vnto hym Frende where is Clerymonde that you bryng not her agayne Lordes sayd Pacolet haue a litel pacience for at the first stroke with an axe the tree is not smyten downe Knowe that of Adramaine I am auenged forse here his head and yet I haue done soo muche by myne arte that I haue brought Ferragus with me the whiche all in slepynge I haue made renne after me through the fyeldes By my fayth sayd Orson well haue you wrought Lordes sayd Pacolet yet haue I done more maystrye for in al the hoost of kynge Ferragus there is neyther paynym nor sarazyn but that they slepe vnder the trees muche strongly And therfore if you will haue victory vpon them at this houre you maye confounde theym eueryâ—honâ— My lordes sayd Orson Pacolet telleth vs good tydynges and me thinketh it were good to yssue out of the cytie and tenne vpon the paynyms that are on slepe Thus was the counsayll ordeyned and the thynge delybered Then they made Ferragus to be put in a darke pryson vnto their retournyng ¶ Howe kyng Ferragus hoost was all dyscomfited put all to death and how Ferragus was slayne afterward within Acquytayne Capit. l. THen fiftene or sixtene thousand men yssued out of the cytie of Acquitaine and they entred so pryuely into the hoost of the sarazyns that or the sunne was vp they had vanquyshed them put theÌ„ al to death At that houre was so great slaughter of paynyms that all the earth was couered with their bodies After the batayll they
broches that were sharpe and dyd her selfe great hurte in castyng out a hydeous crye and drawyng hymselfe abacke And Ualentyne pursued her y t had a hardy courage but when the beast sawe hym approche she rose streight vp vpon her hinder free and w t her fore fete wende for to haue beten downe Valentyne vnder her the whiche was couered with the shelde and for the doubte of the shelde she withdrewe her abacke ¶ By mahowne and termagaut sayd the kyng of An â—â—â—che that was within his palays vpon a greate and a hie toure se yonder a knight that is muche valiaunt and hardy the whiche ought wel to be praysed and honoured And vpon the other syde was the quene that hadde to name Rozemonde that for the loue of Ualentyne and his hardynes was profoundly smyten to the harte with an ardaunt desyre of loue ⧠Howe the serpente toke of Ualentynes helme and howe Pacolet armed hym and brought hym another helme and of the complayntes that the Quene Rozemonde made for Ualentyne Cap. lxii THe batayll was ryght tyers without the cytie betwene Ualentyne and the serpente for if it had not ben y â— prycked sheld y â— the beast doubted he would haue casten Ualentyne vnto the earth muche quickely but he helde his shelde with the which he could well helpe hym selfe And in the other hande he helde his sworde wherewith he gaue the serpente a marueylous stroke vnder the eare but the stroke was soo harde that he brake his sworde Ueray God sayde Ualentine helpe me and succoure me agaynst this fende that is so hortyble and fyerse Ualentyne was in great daunger when his sworde was broken for the beast began for to chaufe her and smote UaleÌ„tine in suche maner with one of her pawes that she all to rente his harneis with her nayles Then Ualentyne drewe out a sharpe glayue and haste it soo euen at the beaste that it entted halfe a fote in to her throte but she set not therby Ualentyne seyng that ranne vnto his horse and tooke the axe that hanged at his sadle bowe and retourned vnto the beast in makyng the sygne of the crosse before hym and demaundyng comforte of God so he approched nere the beaste that watched hym strongly and with his cuttyng axe smote her vpon the tayle so rudely that he cut the skynne vnto the bone and made the bloude to yssue out by the great stremes The sarazyns and paynims were muche abasshed that were vpon the walles of the great prowesse of Ualentyne And the quene Rozemonde that behelde hym muche gladly sayde vnto herselfe all alone Ha knyght fayre syr mahoune helde the and bryng the agayne with Joye for by mahoune in whome I beleue of all the knyghtes that euer I sawe my harte is moost taken with thy loue Thus sayd the quene Rozemonde that loued hym ardauntly And Valentyne fyghteth with the dragon that caste her heuy tayle oftentymes at hym and trauayled hym so sore that she had all mo ost smyten him downe but he helde his axe surely with the whiche he coulde well playe he gaue the serpent suche a stroke that he cut of a quarter of her tayle and then she made so great a crie that al the cytie sowned therof after she flewe ouer Valentins head and pulled of his helme and smote hym too the grouÌ„de but by his diligence he rose vp quickely sorow full and displeasaunt that his head was bare He began for to reclayme God and the virgyn Marye in bewayllyng oftentymes the tayre Clerymonde When they of the cytie sawe that he had lost his helme they thought well that he should neuer escape By my God saide the Kyng nowe may we well say that the christen knyght shall neuer come hether agayne Than was Pacolet muche sorowfull pyteously began for to wepe for the loue of Valentyne Halas said he make the gates to be opened to me and delyuer me a harneys for I wil this daye lyue and dye with my maister and also make me to be deliuered a helme for I will bere it hym for to couer his head Pacolet was armed anone and a helme geuen him and also the gates opened He recoÌ„mauÌ„ded hym vnto God and went rennyng vnto the fielde Ualentyne sawe hym come well but he knewe hym not Pacolet cryed vnto hym saying syr I am your seruauÌ„â— that by long tyme hath serued you and that for to succoure your body agaynste the false enemy am come hether Alas frende sayde valentyne here it behaueth me for to dye for of all my fortunes and aduentures I haue to day the moost daungerous for God salue my father and my mother with my brother Orson that I haue loued so derely and the fayre Clerymonde also if euer thou mayst se her And for Goddes sake my frende go thy waye hence come no more agayne For when you shold dye with me I should haue neuer more pfite Euen so as Pacolet approached to UaleÌ„tine for to giuâ— hym hys helme the serpente apperceyued well that he bare not the shelde as he other dyd the came to Pacolet and toke hym by the lyfte legge and pulled hym vnder hym gyuynge hym so greate a stroke wyth hys sharpe pawe that he wounded him through hys harneys much rudely And there wolde haue slayne hym yf it had not bene Ualentyne that wyth hys axe smote her so muche that he smote of her nose and putte out one of her eyen The serpente cryed and brayed lyke a madde beest he opened hys wynges and arose vp in the ayre and flewe vp vnto a highe roche Than Ualentine came vnto his helme for to haue put it vpon hys head but as he thoughte for to haue taken it he sawe the beest comynge soo he toke hys shelde for to couer hys head and the dragon returned agayne vnto the roâ—he Than Pacolet put the helme vpon Ualentynes head ¶ Syr sayd Pacolet I am ryght sore wounded on my body wherfore I must returne into the cyte for to hele my wounde for I haue loste so muche bloode that my heart faylleth me Thus they toke leue but also soone as the serpente sawe hym a good way of she opened her greare wynges and flewe to warde hym And Pacolet that apperceyued her commynge returned anone vnto hys maâ—ster â–ª the dragon went and assaylled Ualentyne and in fleyng ouer hym wende for to haue catâ—hed hym by the head But Ualentyne threwe hys axe so well in poynt that he cut of one of her Wynges for the whyche the beest cast ouâ— so horryble a cry that all they that herde â—t were sore abasshed Sorâ—wful was the serpent whan â—â—e had lost her wynge for she myght not thaâ— flee Ualentyne smote of the other wynge also â— the batayl was so great beâ—â—encâ—â— that Ualentyne mygh not tourne hym about the beast nor lyft vp his axe he was so wery and soo trauaylled He did so muche that he mounted vpon a tree for to rest hym And the beast that
not for that we muste fynde the meanes to go in to Jerusalem and too maynteyne this man so may we haue Iyghtly the kyng Pepyn the twelue peres of Fraunce ¶ Howe kynge Brandiffer wrote a letter vnto his doughter Galazye and gaue it haufray for to here vnto the strong castell Capit. lxxxv AT these wordes he called Haufray and said to hym Fayre syr I am ryght glad of your comyng nowe vnderstande what you shal do you shall go towarde my doughter and here her this letter from me and there you shall passe the tyme tyll that we haue more euydent tydynges of your dede Syr sayd Haufray it is ryght well aduysed soo he toke the lettre of the kynge and put hym on the way wyth a hundred sarazyns that Brandyffer had gyuen hym to conduyte him And they mounted on the see and drewe vp the sayll and rowed soo well that wythin shorte tyme they sawe the stronge castel where as Galazye was in that aboue all castelles was fayre stronge and pleasaunt for to beholde they aryued at the hauen and toke lande nere the castell Whan they were dyscended they put them vpon the waye for to go vnto the castel And also soone as they were before the gates â–ª the porter cryed to them on hyghe sayenge Lordes you shall not entre more ferther for here â—ay none entre w t out certayne sygnes Porter sayd Hauâ—tay say vnto the lady that we shall tell her so good sygnes that she shall knowe vs anone The porter mounted vp in to the castell and founde the lady at table and the Seneshal that serued her Lady sayd the porter yondâ—r wythout is I can not tell what men and wyl entre here in me thinke they be of your fathers Seneshall sayd the lady goo anone for I haue greate desyre to here tydynges of my father The Senesh all dyscended and also soone as he knewe that they came from Brandyffer he bounde vp the lyons and opened the gate and Haufray entred in that wende well that it had ben for hys honour and profyte but it hadde ben better for hym that he hadde kept the land of Angory as kyng Pepyn bad hym For with his treason he founde hym selfe betrayed as it was reason for a thynge euyll begon can not haue a good ende ⧠Howe the fayre Galazye after that she knewe the falsnes and treason of Haufray she made hym to bee put in a darke pryson muche strayghtly ⧠Capitulo lxxxvi AS Haufray was entred into the castell he wente and presented hym an one before the fayre Galyzie But whan he sawe her great beaute and her ruddy chekes in fygures coloured her gentyll body streyght and compassed her eyen amyable and laughyng the nose streyght and the mouthe lytell the brestes whiâ—e as snowe the armes small and the handes whyte fyngers long his harte was so embraced with her loue that he loste the speche and all countenaunce And anone after that he had taken hys refeccyon he salued the lady and sayd to her My sayd souerayne aboue all the other mahoune the whyche made the fyrmamentegyue you grace and strengthe to perfourme al your noble desyres Knowe ryght honoured lady that for the great renowne that I haue herde of your excellent beaute I haue left the coutree that I am of and for your loue haue passed the sea Nowe I haue spoken to the puyssaunt kynge Brandiffer your father to whome I haue tolde suche tydynges that he and all payennye shall be the better And for to haue the more certaynte therof loo here a lettre that he sendeth you by me The lady toke the lettre that coude rede full well And whan she had aduysed the lettre she behelde Haufray muche hardely and after sayd to hym hyghly Uassayll I haue sene your lettre the which sayeth that you that are chrysten men haue solde to them of our lawe the twelue peres of Fraunce and that more is your father the kynge Pepyn soo my father sendeth me word that I do my wyll wyth you and because that I knowe that aboue all other you are the moost traytoure and that there is in you neyther fayth nor trouth nor gentylnesse whanne you wyll betraye your father well ought other to haue lytle truste in you So I swere to you by the lawe that I holde that I shall haue no pyte nor mercy on you For who that purchaseth treason and is comforted in hys treason they are wors than he After these wordes for to saue her othe she made hym be put in a darke pryson Alas lady sayd Haufray here is a pyteous maryage for me Syr sayd Galazye for wyfe you shall wedde my pryson for you shall neuer haue me ¶ Now it is true that in that same pryson wherin Haufray was put wyth the Emperour of Grece and the grene knyght and hearde that they put a prysoner in to them ThaÌ„ the Emperour sayd what are you Alas sayd Haufray care you not what I am I am the vnhappy Haufray bastarde of kynge Pepyn of all dolorous the moost euyll fortuned Ha sayd the Emperour and I am the Emperour of Grece I pray you tell me how my soÌ„nes do and kyng Pepyn wyth all the lordes of Fraunce Syr sayd Haufray they are dyscended in thys countree and haue wonne the realme of Angorye Thus deuysed the prysoners So I wyll leue you to speke of this mater and wyl tell you of Galentyne and Pacolet ¶ Howe Ualentyne and Pacolet arryued before the stronge castell and howe Pacolet reysed vp the deuyll for to knowe yf he myght take it Ca. lxxxvii UAlentyne and Pacolet rowed soo muche on the see that they ariued at the stronge castell Ueray god sayd Ualentyne how this place is stronge I beleue that it is vnpossyble for to wynne it by force Syr sayde Pacolet I shall tel you anone Than he wente a syde and began a charme of Nygromancye and incontynent there came a deuyl vnto hym that sayd Leue this enterpryse for y u lesest thy payne this castell can neuer be taken wyth enchauntement nor assaute for it is made of suche mater that it can neuer be taken but by treason At these wordes the deuyl vanysshed awaye And there rose vp soo great a smoke aboute the castell that Ualentyne sawe not Pacolet of the whyche thinge he was muche abasshed After that the smoke was passed Pacolet came vnto Ualentyne and sayd vnto hym I praye you that we departe hens for we be here to longe for this castel may not be taken but by treason Than they mounted on the see and aryued at Angory anone So Ualentyne mouÌ„ted vp into the palays demaunded tydynges of kinge Pepyn And they tolde hym that he was gone vnto Jerusalem on pylgrymage Whan Ualentyne herde those tydynges he sayd god be theyr spede I wyl abyde hym vnto his returne for to lede hym vnto the stronge castel to helpe me to get my father out of pryson Alas he abode hym for nought
that he was kyng of Fraunce Cap. lxxxx SO the kyng of Ynde ledde with him the good kyng Pepyn but he knewe it not The valiauÌ„t xii beheld â–ª peres kyng Pepyn pyteously but noue durste hyd hym farewel for doubte of knowyng Thus goeth the kyng of Ynde and kyng Pepyn rydeth after hym that is not without sorowe Alas sayde he all alowe veray God helpe me and succour me for if you helpe me not of youre grace of all poore I am the moost sorowfull and vnhappy Alas Myllon dangler Iowe well to loue you whan for me you put your body in suche daunger Henry henry thou hast well shewed that thou loued me not whan at my nede thou failed me Wel owe euel come vnto the childe that at greate nede leueth his propre father My loue Berthe I shall neuer see you more alas Charles my lytell sonne God helpe the for I knowe for a truthe that the false traytours shall make the suffre payne ynough and thou arte yonge and lytell and maye not resyste agaynst them Thus complayned kyng Pepyn and wepte pyteously Nowe the kyng of Ynde hathe doone so muche that he is arryued within Ynde And when the lady Rozemonde knewe it she ranne against hym and in makyng great Ioye kyssed hym and after mounted vp in to the palays The lady behelde kynge Pepyn the whiche notwithstandyng that he was lytell he was well fourmed and made of his membres and or regarde ryght plesaunt so the lady demauÌ„ded the kyng of Ynde My loue tell me who hath geuen you this litel man â–ª for he semeth muche honest and gracious and it may be to se his semblaunce that he is extraught out of a hyghe place Lady sayde the kyng he hath bene geuen me for he was come with the kyng of Fraunce the twelue peres in to Jerusalem wherfore he hathe bene taken and if he wyll renounce his God Jhesus I shall do hym muche good Pepyn aunswered nothing whiche had wel another entencion So the houre was come that the kyng shoulde goo to souper â–ª Pepyn entred in to the kechyng and the kynge demaunded hym if he coulde any thynge of â—okeâ—ye and that he shoulde make hym the sauce for a pecocke that rosted And Pepyn dyd it so well that after warde the kynge woulde haue no meate nor sauce but of his dressing Wherof al the other of the kechyn ryall hadde great dispyte at him and vpon Pepyn hadde suche enuye that it happened one tyme that the kyng commaunded him for to make ready a pecocke so he went towarde the coke by the com maundement of the kynge And as he entred in to the kechyn bothe litell and great began for to mockâ— hym and some smote hym behynde and he as vertuous toke all in pacience After he wente towarde the fyre for to haue put the pecocke on the spytte And y e mayster coke that had great enuye on hym aporoched uere hym and caste a great brennyng cole in his lappe and brent him shrewedly And than Pepyn swore that he woulde auenge hym and came vnto the sarazyn and gaue hym so great a stroke betwene the foreheade and theâ—re that be smote him downe and after gaue him another stroke so great that he made his braynes to flee out When the varâ—ettes and scolyons sawe their mayster so outraged they assayled all Pepyn with slaues and knyues And he that was hardy and valyaunt reculed not abacke but swore Jhesu christe that he loued better to dye then to suffer iniurye of suche â—ascalles Soo he wente towarde a boye that woulde haue smyten hym with a pestel and gaue hym soo great a strooke that he felled hym downe dead to the earth The noise and the crye was so great that the kyng harde it Soo he badde anone that Pepyn should be taken and brought before hym And whan he was before hym he sayd vnto hym euyll boye How haste thou bene so hardy to 〈◊〉 my mayster coke within my palays Nowe tell me anone how the thing goeth or by my God mahoune thou shal dye Syr said kyng Pepyn I shall tell you the truthe It is true that I was in the kechin for to make redy a pecocke for your super as you commaunded me and than your coke cast a hote cole vpon me and brent me shrewedly withoute any cause And therfore I slewe hym When the kynge knewe the truthe by the other he pardoned hym ¶ Howe the kyng Pepyn beyng with the kyng of Ynde had knowledge of the fayre Clerymonde Cap. xci HEre wyl I make you mencion of the fayre Clerimonde the whyche as you haue herde before was kept in the kyng of Yndes palays Now the kynge of Ynde had a custome y t he wolde sende her of the best meat that was on hys table So it happened that at a souper he called Popyn and gaue hym the meat that was before hym and sayd vnto hym Go in to the chambre where as is a wyndowne there you shall fynde a folysshe woman pyteously arayed bere her thys from me Pepyn toke the meat and bare it vnto the lady But whan he sawe her so poorely arayed he had great pyte sayd vnto her Loue Jhesus that suffered for vs death passyon helpe you Alas haue truste in hym and serue hym wyth good heart and yf you do so knowe for a certaynte that you shall haue aledgement of your doloure and therfore beleue stedfastly in hym receyue the holye sacrament of baptym Whan the lady vnderstode that he spake of god she approched nere hym and sayd Frende haue noo doubte of me But tell me yf thou be a christen man or yf you saye these wordes by gyle Lady sayd pepyn for a trouthe I am a chrysten man and am comen out of the realme of Fraunce ThaÌ„ the lady sayd al smylynge you ought well to knowe the good kyng Pepyn and his neuewe Ualentyne It is true sayd Pepyn and I knowe well hys brother Orson his father the Emperoure of Grece also whan the lady herde that she began for to wepe and said vnto him Alas frende may I haue truste in you Ye sayd Pepyn as muche as in your propre father of all that it shal please you for to say â–ª for neuer shall you be accused by me ¶ Frende sayd the lady knowe for a certaynte that I counterfee the foole and the seke woman but I am also wyse and hole as I was euer for I am a chrysten woman and had the fayre Ualentyne vnto loue and vnto hym I was gyuen for wyfe but by the false traytour kyng Trompart I was taken from hym Than the lady tolde hym all the maner of her estate and how she had ben stolen and wherfore she made her selfe syke Whan kyng pypyn herd the pyteous aduenture of the lady he began for to wepe muche tenderly After in consyderyng the fortunes and great aduentures that cometh vpon the creature in castynge out great teares he sayd softly to hymselfe Ha
And when she was reuyued she sayde with feble voyce muche pyteously Alas my loue Ualentyne how you haue suffred for me many dolours and tribulacious and I for you â–ª beholde in what pouerte I haue byden without geuing my loue vnto any man Lady sayde Ualentyne one loueth gladly the thyng that is dere bought At these wordes UaleÌ„tine vnderstode that the trompettes and clarons blewe for to set the kyng at souper So he said vnto the faire lady Clerymonde my loue I goo in to the palays but after souper I shall retourne vnto you agayne for I haue made the kyng to vnderstande that I am a physician and a good surgian so the kynge hath sente for me for to come and hele you of your greuous maladye The lady sayd my ryght dere loue go in goddes name the whiche geue you grace to perfourme your enterpry se. Thus departed Ualentyne and wente into the palays And also sone as the kyng sawe hym be demaundeo hym Mayster maye you hele the lady yes said Ualentyne be ioyous for by the wyll of Mahoune you shal here her speake to morowe also wysely as euer she dyd The kynge was so â—oyous that he gaue hym a mauntel of beten golde set with precious stones after made hym be serued at the table lyke his persoue And after souper Ualentyne sayd vnto the kyng Syr it behoueth me to haue a good fyre all the nyght in the chambre of the pacyente and also defende that none shewe them be fore her for she was neuer soo seke as she shall be too nyght Mayster sayde the kyng all shall be done â–ª do but aske and you shall be serued Nowe goeth Ualentyne to warde the fayre ClerymoÌ„de with a great serge in his hande and put it in the chambre and made to make a great fyre in commaundyng euery body to auoyde saue his squyer Than Ualentyne shytte the doores and the wyndowes and sayde vnto Clerymonde My swete lady nowe maye you embrace meat your owne pleasute and than Ualentine espyed the horse of wodde and asked her if it was Pacolettes horse and she sayde yes Then Ualentyne was ryght ioyous therof Alas said she let vs go hence if it may be By God sayde Dalentyne I had well thought it ⧠How Ualentine rode a way with Clerymonde and how the kyng of Brytayne was yeldd vnto kyng Pepyn by treason Lâ—pit C. ii UAlentyne open 〈…〉 e at midnyght and mounted 〈…〉 great wyndowe where as the mone shone After he mounted vpon the horse and set the lady before him and his squier behynde hym and tourned the pynne and the horse wâ—t ouer the sea roches townes and castelles tyll that he was before Angory And there was not one that ourste saye a worde and euen there fayled the charme Ualentyne made the gates to be opened for it was day Great ioye was made through Angory for the comyng of Cicrymonde Ualentyne made her to be rychely clothed and on the moro we wet dâ—d her w t great solemphite whan the kyng of ynde knewe that he had loste the lady he despyâ—â—d his goddes saying Ha false enchauntour thou hast well deceyued me but I shal make the be hanged by the necke He inaâ—e Ualentyne to be pursued ynought but none could tell hym tydynges So wyll I tell you of kyng Pepyn that returned into Fraunce for to socoure hys wyfe and his londe agaynst the kynge of Brytâ—yne FOor bycause that the kyng of Brytayne herde saye that the kyngo Pepyn and the twelft peres had bene taken uâ— Iherualem he thought vetayly that they hadde ben all dead and sayde that he wolde be kynge of Fraunce and wedde Berthe So he made alyannce wyth the erle of Mount fort with the duke of Berry Wyth the duke of Denemours and wyth the erle of Armyngnae So he made to cry throughe all Brytayne that al that myght bere wepen should god wythhyln into Fraunce Whan the quene Berthe knewe of that tydynges she was muche sorowfull but she myght not remedy it soo she tooke her sonne That les and fledde vnto Lyon â–ª In that same tyme there was an Erle of Aniou true and of good fayth that for to socoure the quene Berthe made hys â—yâ—e and hys castelles to be well garnysshed wythe men and vyttaylles as gaynst the Brytons Whan the quene knewe hys good wyll she sent hym foure thousande horsmen to kepe the passage The kyng of Brytaync had the erle gyue hym passage into Fraunce and he answered that he wolde not So it was not longe that seuen Erles and thre dukes came before the cyte of Angyers and assyeged it And the Erle yssued not oute but kepte the câ—â—ie myghtely Now the kynge Pepyn made so greate dylygeuce that durynge that syege he arryued at Paâ—â—s and was receyued worshypfully of all the burgey ses and for his comyng made ryght great Ioye All the relyques were borne thorough the cytie in procession Whan the quene knewe that he was at Parys she wente vnto hym and sayde to hym all weyyng My dere lorde I besethe you to auenge me on the kyng of Brytayne Lady sayd the kyng take you no thoughte for by the plersute of God you shall be auenged Than he made to assemble his men and his hoost in great haste and sente for pyckardes henies brabansons and normans Great was the assemble of kyng Pepin against the king of Brytayne Nowe had the enemies tydinges of his coÌ„myng where of they were muche abasshed and doubted hym muche and not without a cause So all the alyes of kyng Arthur toke a counsaill together that they should take the for sayde Arthure and delyuer hym vnto kynge Pepyn for to make their peace the better and couer theâ—â— defautes and so they dyd For vpon a nyght they tooke him in his hoost in bedde and ledde him vnto kyng Pepyn the whiche made his head to be smyten of within Chatelet of Parys Wel thought the alyes y t the warre had bene ceased but king Pepyn toke from thâ—â—andes and possessions as it appeareth more plainly in the â—â—oâ—ycles vpon those thynges composed ⧠Now Ualentyne toke the strong castell and deliuered his father the Emperoure of trece and all the prysoners that were with hym Cap. C. iii. MUche was Ualentyne in greate thoughtâ— nyghte and daye how he might deliuer his father ¶ For he knew well that the castel myght not be taken by force of armes nor by enchauntement but it might wel be taken by treason So he aduysed a thyng that was much subtilly composed He put in twelue shyppes two thousande men armed and laded theim with all â—yche marchaundyse as perles precious stones and sylkes and mounted vpon the sea and as marchauntes ariued be fore the stronge castell and take lande Ualentyne clothed him in marchauntes wede and set a ryche crowne vpon his head and sayde vnto his men arme you all and take your glayues and hydâ— you pryuely within y e shyppes so that you be not
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
And that for his death she take no discomfort but pray god for his soule And wyte that he sendeth not the halfe rynge as he had promysed for as he was in bedde it was stolen from hym And whan thys lettre was made thus Hugon made another lettre for to couer hys treason from the grene knyghte and Orson togyther sayenge Ryght wel beloued syster we haue done you ynoughe to wyte of your true spouse and our good brother Salentyne for the whyche thynge we twayne consyderyng the great beaute that is in you and for to accomplysâ—â—e the desyre of the dead on whome Jhesu haue mercye and to encrease your honoure we wyl that you take the puyssaunt kyng Hugon vnto husband as you wyl auoyde our dyspleasure And for the more veryâ—y cacyon we haue sâ—aled these letters wyth our propre seales Also wyte that we can not come yet vnto you for bytwene the chrysten men and the sarazyns is a daye of batayll sette the whiche we abyde for to susteyâ—e the â—aythe of Jesu chryste whyche haue you in his kepynge Whan the letters of the treason were made by kynge Hugon he closed them well and sealed them with theyr propre seales and after gaue them vnto hys propre neuewe Galeran and sayd vnto hym that it behoued hym to go in to constantynoble for to presente those letters to Bellyssant and to the fayre Clerymande And whan you shall haue done so I shall come after as he that knoweth not there of for to requyre Clerymonde and I â—ouâ—te me not but that she shall be gâ—uen me Uncle sayd Galeran I shall do the message well for I knowe well your case Thau he toke the letters and put hym selfe vpon the waye towarde Constantynoble ¶ How Galeran dyd hys message vnto Bellyssant and the fayre Clerymonde of the meruayllous complayntes that Clerymonde made Ca. Cxiiii NOwe Galeran dyd so muche that he arryued in Constantynoble at the houre of dynor and salued the ladyes from the Emperour Orson and the grene knyght and after he gaue theym the letters Messenger sayd Bellyssant what doth my sonne Ladye sayd Galeran I lefte hym in Jherusalem safe and sounde soo you may knowe by this letters more certayuly of hys dedes The ladyes commaunded that the messenger should be feested Now it was of custome that whan they wolde dyne or soupe they made Ualentyne to be brought into the Halle for to nourysshe hym the better and because that he knew that he eate but leuinges they gaue hym â—o good that he wold vse no more thereof but often toke that which they cast vnto the dogges and than they cast the dogges largely He herde well the ridinges of the messengers so he thought what he shold do The ladies rose vp from the tables whan graces was said Bellyssant made a secret aye to come that redde the letters and tolde them the tenoure of them both And valentyne herde it well the which was in the halle but he made no semblaunt So it is not to be demaunded the great sorowes and lamentacions of the ladies y t was made for Ualentyne that they maunded was deed for they knew the seales of the good knyghtes The fayre Clerimonde rente her clothes a pulled her heere saying Poore woman aboue all other moost colorous wherfore cometh not the death and take the. Alas Ualentyne wherfore am I not gone with you for to ese your body Broder greue knight and you Emperour Orson you haue to harde courages that wyll marye me so soone Alas how ought she euer to take a husband that of the valyauntes hathe loste his excellente of good the beste of worthy the moste hardy the rose of honour the floure of chyualry of noble the myrroure y e example of curteyse of trouth the patron of wyse the chosen False dethe what hast thou thought whan by y t I am oute of all humayne Joye â–ª neuer in my lyfe I require to haue myrthe but alwayes in languysshynge be wayle hym y t of al y e humaynes is worthy honour I shal neuer in my life haue other husband but in continuall sorowes shall vse my dayes Well sawe Valentyne the great doloure that Clerymonde bare for hym wherof he hadde great pâ—te but for doubte of knowyng he bare it in his heart ¶ And whan Bellyssant sawe that Clerymonde disâ—omforted her soo she sayd vnto her My doughter take to you paâ—yenâ—e you knowe that he was my sonne so I ought to be sorowfull at the heart but whan I consider that there is no remedye it is better praye for hys soule than wepe so muche so thinke on that which your brother and the Emperour Orson maundeth you Alas sayd Clerymonde wherof speke you to me what maryage maye they make of her that trusteth neuer to haue Joye Lady for god speake no more therof for I wyl neuer haue no husbande Doughter sayd Bellyssant you are euyll auysed for syth that so hyghe a man as kynge Hugon wyll haue you you shall be neuer the more praysed And I tell you well that there maye suche one come ye that I shall mary me At these wordes the fayre Clerimonde entred in to her chambre sore wepynge And Valentyne is vnder the stayres that thinketh in hys heart from whens suche treason may come So it happened at the ende of foure dayes that kynge Hugon arryued in Constantynoble and was receyued in grett honoure but the fayre clerymonde made hym no semblauÌ„t of loue My lady sayd he you haue wel heard how your sonne is dead wherof I am sory So it is accorded that I shall haue Clerymonde vnto wyfe Syr sayd Clerymonde I haue no wyl to wedde you nor none other Ualentyne heard all this treason So the thynge was soo moche pleded that we accorded at the laste to haue the kyng Hugon wherof he was muche Joyous but it dured not longe ¶ How Bellyssant and Clerimonde knew the treason and false enterpryse of kyng Hugon and how the prduost smote of the head of Galeran Ca. Cxv. UAlentyne had greate pite on his loue y t they were about to betraye so he entred into a chapel of our lady where as he was accustomed for to pray to God and kneled downe before the ymage of the vyrgyn Marye sayd â–ª Blessed vyrgyn Marye â–ª I beseche the praye thy dere sonne to defend my loue clerymond from this treason that is made agaynst her And or he had ended his prayer an asigell sayd vnto him Ualentyne God hathe herde thy prayer go out of the cyte and take the habytes of a pylgrym that thou shalt fynde there and after retourne in to thy palais and recounte before all the coÌ„ pany y e treason suche as thou knowest it for thou shalt not be knowen Uetay God sayde Valentyne I thanke you Than he departed and founde the pylgrym and toke his habytes after he retorned in to the palays where as the ladyes were and the traytout Hugon that spake dyuers fayned
passed folyshly in pleasures mondaynes and condampne me not but by thy holy mercy receyue my poore souls into thy blessed handes and defende me from the deuyll And in sayeng these wordes an aungell of heauen came and appeared vnto hym sayenge ⧠Ualentyne know for a certaynte that thou shalte departe oute of this worlde within this foure dayes for it is the wyll of our lorde Jesu chryst which sendeth me vnto the. Alas my lord god sayd Ualentyne â–ª I owe well for to thanke the whan by thy holy auÌ„gell thou doest me to wyte y e last ende of my dayes Than the holy man Ualentyne made signe that they should bryng him paper ynke and whan he had it Ualentyne wrote how he him selfe in the habyte of a pylgrym discouered the treasoÌ„ all the estate of hys lyfe After he putte in his name and folded the halfe of the rynge in it and helde it in hys hande And after these thinges Ualentyne made a prâ—este to come to whome he confessed his synnes deuoutelye and receyued the holye sacramentes and at the houre he dyed And forth wyth al the belles of the cyte beganne for to rynge for him where of the people was much abashed and amerueyled And the Emperour Orson and all the lordes and barons descended and dyd fynde the preest besyde the holy body Frende sayd the Emperoure Orson wherfore is it that they rynge so fast in y â— Cyty Syr sayd â–ª the preest I thynke that it is a myracle that God wyll shew for this holy man For euen so as he yelded vp the ghoost the belles began for to rynge on euery syde Whan Orson saw that the poore man was deade in that place â–ª he was muche pensife and ameruayled By my fayth sayd he I thinke that this same is a holy body and that God dothe myracles for hym Than he aduysed the letter that he held in hys hand and thought for to haue taken it â–ª but he myght not haue it in no maner of wyse So there came the fayre clerymonde and she assayed as the other dyd and hadde it For also soone as she touched it the hand opened â–ª and she toke the letter at her owne pleasure Soo it was opened anone and than Clerymonde saw and knew the halfe of the ryng wherefore she sayde Lordes we shall haue tydynges a none of my loue Ualentyne So there was a secretary that redde all the dedes of the holy man It is not to be demaunded the grete dolours and complayntes of Orson of Bellyssante and of Clerimonde for he hadde his herte to harde that wepte not than The fayre ClerimoÌ„de as halfe dead keste her selfe vpon the body in makynge suche complayntes that they wende she wolde haue dyed Alas sayde the ladye where maye I become whan I haue loste my lyfe and my comforte and myne onely hope Alas my loue Ualentyne what haue you thoughte whan you are come to dye so nere me in pouertye and in so great myserye wythout geuyng me ony knowledge of you Alas I haue sene you often in pouertye â–ª colde and trauayle wythout geuyng you any comforte â–ª Nowe am I aboue all the moost vnfortuned whan I might not know nor aduyse him that I ought to serue so longe in bytter trybulacyon â–ª as true and loyall spouse After she kyssed hys face and his handes by a meruyllous dystresse And after the great doole the holy body was borne to be buryed in the great church of Constantynoble â–ª wyth so greate a company that none myght passe through the stretes And it was not longe after but that the body was canonysed and put in shrine Soo God shewed wel that he was wel worthy for to be called saynt for the daye that he dyed all speke men were healed of theyr maladyes that vysyted his tombe So it was not longe after the death of Ualentyne that Clerymonde dyd make her anonne and syth the story sayth that she was abbesse of an abbaye that was fouÌ„ded in the worshyp and honour of sayâ—â—te Ualentyne Thus departed out of thys worlde the holy body glorious And Orson abode Emperour seuen yere the whych he gouerned well and wysely and no more And in that same tyme he had a chylde of Galazye named Morant that same Morante in hys tyme posseded the realme of Angory ¶ Of the merueylous vysion of Orson how hebeâ—a me an heremyte in a great wodde ca. Cxvâ—i MIthin seuen yere Galazyedyed for whom the Emperour Orson made great sorow And after the deeth of her he ete but brede and rotes and small froytes that he founde in the wodde where as he dyd remayne So it happened hym one nyght in vysyon that hym semed that he sawe all the gates of heuen open and sawe the Joyes of the saued the syeges of the sayntes crowned in glorye and the aungelles that songe melodyously before the sauyour of the world After he sawe betwene two hyghe roches in the botom of an obscure valeye the gulfre of helle where as was the dampned Some in a brennynge fyre the other in boylynge caudrous the other hanged by theyr tongues the other assaylled and enuyronned wyth serpentes and generally he sawe all the paynes of helle whiche is horrible and ferefull for to recounte After the whyche vysyon he wakened all afrayed and ameruaylled of the thynges that he had sene And in wepyng pyteously came vnto the grene knyght and sayd to hym Frende I knowe that the worlde is of lytell valoure and of shorte durynge and that all is but vayne glorye of the pompes of this worlde displeasaunt vnto god and to the salute of the soule lytle profytable For the whyche thynge I praye you that you wyll take kepe vpon my chyldren and enfourme them so in dedes and condycyons that they maye gouerne the Empyre of grece to the pleasure of god and the worlde for I leue you the charge as vnto hym that aboue all the men of the world I trust mooste And knowe that the remnaunte of my lyfe I wyll lede solytaryly and habandone the worlde And at this same houre I renouÌ„ce all worldly honoure and take my leue yf you Whan the grene knyght heard these wrodes he beganne for to wepe tenderly and Orson recomforted hym and sayd Alas wepe no more for me but praye vnto god that he giue me strengthe and puyssaunce for to accomplysshe my wyll After Orson departed in defendynge the grene knyghte to tell it anye body So he wente into a greate wodde where as he lyued holyly after his deathe god shewed for him many myracles and was a saynt canonyzed And the grene knyght gouerned the chyldren so that they finisshed their dayes gloriouslye and wente vnto the blysse that neuer shall haue ende to the which he bryng vs all that suffered deathe for vs on the crosse Amen ¶ Thus endeth the hystorye of the two valyaunte brethren Ualentine and Orson soÌ„nes vnto the Emperour of Grece ¶ Imprynted At London in Fletestrete at the sygne of the Rose Garland by me Wyllyam Copland for John Walley