Brohars who had then lost a leg took his axe into both his hands saying Boy braggard and worse than a boyish braggard stand but before me and thou shalt sée this losse the gaine of my better courage for I shall neuer aspire my end or orethrow til I haue cut thée péece-meale into a thousand pieces Meruine smiling at this vâ—nt stooped to take him by the other foot thinking to traâ—le him into the midst of the field but improuidence guided his action for the traitour clasping him about his helmet drew him to him with such maine strength as he fellouer and ouer Great God of heauen haue mercy vpon him for if thy pitty be not his sauiour death must be his redéemer Brohars was mighty and strong and so was Meruine insomuch that betwéene them was â—hewed al the triumph and perfection of strength and agilitie But in the end Brohars through the riuer-like effusion of his blood was so excéedingly weakned that in a happy time and in despite of Fortunes worst Meruin arose taking from him his battle axe then houering ouer him like an vngorged eagle he said Traitor now behold the last date of thine affliction confesse therfore the treason thou hast done against the good lady Basina or by Mahomet thy own weapon immediatly shall diâ—orce thine accuâ—sed head from thy shoulders But he whom villanâ—e had taught nothing but villainous replies answerd Thou son of a diffamed â—urtesan coward recreant I was neuer traitor nor did treason euer lodge in my affinity As he was about to say more Meruine impaâ—â—ent to sée such audacious impieâ—ie with the axe gaue him such a blow on thother thigh thaâ— he cut it quite from his body leauing him as leglesse as he was gracelesse the paine whereof together with the laboring of his lifes departure made him belâ—ow out such lamentatioÌ„s that all the mountains and plaines were priuy to his miserable fortunes Then called he to Meruine and said Euâ—n now I find my soule contending for her deliuery wherfore if thou hast as much pitty in thy heart as force in thy hand deferâ—e alittle my iudgement and call Croisant and Basina to behold my departure Meruine forthwith called them who willingly came thither And being come Meruine said Brohars behold Croisant and the Lady are present say what thou hast to say vnto them Ah Croisant Croisant saide he euen for Mahomets sake that pardons all pardon me and haue mercy on my miserie thy wife the vertuous Basina is most loyall most true and most vndefiled not any betwéene the Poles more honorable T is true t is true I haue importuned her long more than a yeare but neuer could obtaine it T is trâ—e t is true I only for that haue hated her T is true that this 〈◊〉 was mine owne inuention I brought Brison to hâ—â—bed I suggested her disloyaltie and I alone deseruâ— this miserable infortune Then he called the lady to him and said Diuine Basina and excellent Lady for â—oues sake who created all things create me anew with thy pardon and from the white veile of thine innocency let my misdeed find a shadowing forgiuenes for I confesse with a â—â—â—ting soule my monstrous imparted treasons against tâ—ee and will maintaine whilest vanishing breath maintains power to maintaine any thing my selfe the most falsest traâ—tor that euer was recorded amongest the Pagans Neuer spakest thou more true than now answered Meruine therefore shalt thou indure the Law and I onely will be thine executioner and with that lifting vp the axe he strucke the Pagan betwéene the helmet and the coller with such forcible vigor that he compelled his head to flie from his shoulders So died the traitour by the hands of Meruine the sonnâ— of Oger in whom the excellencie of prowesse was onely excellent CHAP. IX 1 Of the honours done to Meruine for his victorie 2 How Minea brought him backe againe to Brandâ—s 3 His imprisonment and other aduentures AFter the death of Brohars whose death was as a festiual to the beholders chiefly to Minea and Basina who comming to Meruine did him great adoration and worship Croisant caused the body of the traitor to be drawne to a paire of gallowes where it was hanged â—or a spectacle of monstrous villanie But Meruine whose minde was still making loue to honor regardlesse of other accomplishments went to the goodly mare Mordant and hauing caught her as his prize and honors right he mounted vpon her backe spurred her ranne her leapt her and so thundred about the fields finding in her all the rarest perfections could possibly be wisht for in such an incomparable creature that his ioy reached beyond the bounds of extreamest pleasure in this sort made him giue praise to Mahomet Ah Mahomet qd he behold here a beast of inuincible puissance I honor thée for the gift and by her valure will exalt thy name in forren nations she is my harts wish I prize her morâ— then her weight of the finest gold Thus spake Meruine then rode on with the pagans who honored him as a demy-god â—uen to the gates of MoÌ„testeur where he was receiued with triumphant ioy solemnity After he was ascended the castle and had disarmed himselfe his wounds were found sleight and of small importance yet not withstanding there was an excellent Surgion appointed him whose skill in thrée dayes would haue cured much greater woundings After hee was â—ressed had giuen his mind a little recreation with ease hunger in that he had fasted all the day began to seize vpon his stomack so that he desired the Barons to make hast with his supper assuring them he had not felt so good an appetite before in his life time One of the barons told him all thinge were prepared for his repafâ— there wanted nothing but his presence TheÌ„ sate Meruine and the other marchants down who were serued with all pompous magnificence nothing wanting that wit wealth or wish could accomplish When they had supped they fell to discourse of diuers ocâ—urrents according to the time or humor of their opinions but Minea taking Croisant vnto her said Brother this princely yoÌ„g man hath done thée great honour and to my sister an eternall neuer to be requited fauour euen as much as her soules redemption True Madame replied he I acknowledge as much or more from his valure wherefore if he please to imploy me I am all onely at his seruice and from this day do I reckon my new natiuitiâ— binding my life to his dispose and glorying in nothing more then in that I am his subiect Brother sayd Minea thy spéeches are woorthy of thy vertues therefore now prepare thy people and goe with vs to Brandis for there haue we actions of hiâ— importaunce with the Earle thereof where you must be aidant and agent to performe vnto him the weight of our businesse Ladie quoth hée as willingly is mine agréement as your wish is redy and I am proud of sâ— happy
or trust in my counsel your Maiestie shal vndoubtedly send for him sith his presence is an assured conquest the gods alone haue sworne he shall commaund control victorie whose like for mightinesse of shape couragious resolution hath not bene seene in all our former ages The king to these words would returne no answer but as one desinoâ—s to forget his own desires talked of other matters to expel the thoughts of these proceedings 3 But Berea who made precious euery time with the precisenesse of her regarde now finding opportunitie a kinde agent to her hopes drew Iacob aside into a priuate corner greedy to know an end of that which in her could atteine to no end said vnto him Iacob by that excellent creator which created me thou hast maried my delight to a delight beyond delight in thy loues prayses of that delicat yong man whom we cal Meruin because I haue knowen him euen from the infancie of his infaÌ„cie to these riper yeres of youth that haue infraâ—chised him from the â—â—â—â—etnesse of schoole rudiments yet in all that time nor in my time haue I séene a creature more admirably compact or in whom valure and aduenture haue held more preheminence Beléeue mée and by my soules god Mahomet I protest it is a pitie deseruing more theÌ„ a pitiful regard that he wanteth lands and reuenues worthy to enricâ— him with honour but most of all grieuous that he is no gentleman in whom al the condicions of gentrie chalengeth such a wonderous prerogatiue Ha diuine lady sayd Iacob Meruine hath all whatsoeuer Nature or heauen can infuse into a mortal creature or man or woman can bestow of a blessed infant As for land it is as fruitelesse as tastlesse if labour giue it not a sweet relish velure is the mistris of his deuotion and hee is excâ—llently valiant the heauen climbing conceit wherof doubtlesse will mount him on the highest steppe of honor If I may well say what in my conceit portendeth to a well meaning intent were I king of Hungaria Calabria Polonia and for a blessing of those hie dignities had but one sole daughter twise faiâ—er then the fairest euer Mahomet created I would giue her and it only to Meruin yea and imagin it a dowrie much too little for the vertue force and true magnamitie with which he is so gloriously adorned When the paragon of al perfections the most beutiful Berea heard theâ—e words first she blusht as afrayd lest his eyes had stâ—ept theâ—r sight in her inward desires and then driue away the blusht with a pale mantle of shamefast reioycing to heare him so admired exchanging white red so often in her counterance that the behâ—lders might wel grow inchanted with those coâ—lours and yet hâ—ld them neuer more excellent yet the most excellent when equally mâ—xt they bare like soueraigneâ—â—e in her angel-exâ—â—lling face After this contending superioritie of lookes she turned asâ—de whispered thus to her selfe Ha Merâ—â—â— Merâ—illc the many praises of thy renoune aâ—e the 〈…〉 my hart leauing no restraint to my desires but the palle of vertue yet thou knowest it not it is now more then sixe yéeres since first loue tooke flight from thine eies to harbour in my heart yet thou knowest it not onely haue my vowes aspired to heauen for thée yet thou kâ—ewest it not neither dare I alas for the basenesse of thy linage take away this ignorant mischiefe of my blisse Alas thou knowst it not Yet shuld I liue an exile fro my fathers countrey so a diuine vnion cald mariage had made vs one soule I had rather endure a tormenting euill with thy presence theÌ„ al the gorgeous aduancement heauen or mine own wishes could giue or desire with the greatest pagan emperour of the world Thus spake Berea the glory of Nature who when Iacob perceiued so passionat fearing leâ—â— the too great liberalitie of his words had offended in this maner began to excuse them Deare lady sayd he be not offended that the height of my praises haue attained no higher a subiect then Meruine who is higher in my thoughts then heauen in the eie of any man neither impute error to my speches fith by heauen I haue not lied in any thing neither spoken to flatter the priuate conceit of any peculiar nor the publique auditorie of so gracious an assembly but what I haue said euen the wings of euery wind will whistle Then gracious madam bowe not your countenance from me neither be displeased with my rude reportings Ha no quickly answered Berea who was willinger to increase volums then abridge a letter thy words moue me no amasement of dislike therefore I beséech thée faile not but come and speake with me in my chamber before thy departure from the court At this the lady and Iacob discouered themselues and Iacob went againe vnto the king who euen then was roially set at dinner and commanded Iacob to attend him the Queene Then began the king to discourse the hie malice of Baucamont of his warlike expedition towards Montment with all the occurrencs of that intended warfare as a troublesom theam whereof only his mind noted After diâ—â—â—r was ended and the king risen Iacob humbly took his leaue to depart yet ere he went he inquired the way to the yong princesse Bereas lodgings and thither he went but she poore loue-torne lady was laid on alitle couch couerd with rich tissue tormenting her heart with her thoughts and her thoughts with loue so excéedingly that the abundance of her sorow gaue lâ—berty to her tongue to vtter and in vttering to double her languor ay me qd she dearer then the dearest of my selfe to me O only absolute Meruine thy absence is my death and thy remembrance the continuall obsequies for my deceased happines yet is my death blameles sith I die for the most wise most beautifull most valiant and most accomplisht creature in the world whose renowne is spread through Galile and all the corners of th earth Ha Meruine Meruine when shal I behold the day of thy arriuall when shall I bathe my eies in thy eies whisper in thy eare and hang on thy bosome O excellent loue vnknowne to thée thou hast my loue my vertuous loue gouerne me then as thy captiue and dispose me as thy seruant At these wordes beating the pallace of her breast she turned and tossed as if the motion of her bodie could remoue her passion but it was impossible Then calling an eunuch to her commanding him to marry his voice to his lute she bade him sing some canzonet that might rather kil than increase passion the eunuch sung as followâ—â— I doe not now complaine of my disgrace Though neuer soule of greater griefes could bost Nor of the houre season time nor place Nor of my foile for any freedome lost Nor of my liues ioy by misfortune danted Nor of my wit with ouerweening strooke Nor of my sence with any sound inchanted Nor of the
2 of his great dangers in Brandis 3 how he behaued himselfe 4 how Minea deliuered him from death or imprisonment When Meruin the renowned issue of Oger had heard the Ladies discourse who had in féeling termes deliuerd the danger wherein her sister stood Hoâ—our that in his first creation was married to his soule could no longer he held within the limits of Obliuion but as t were chidden by vertue for his former silence brake from his hony-breathing tongue and swore to the Lady by Mahomet whâ—m he adored he would be the defender of her sister and make treason in the death of Brohars more than most vgly and then rowsing himselfe like a princely lion at the Suns approaching he eâ—â—lted his voice that all the company might vnderstand him Lady said Meruine for Mahomets loue who is our countries protectour cléere thy heauenly eyes that they may no more distaine thy diuine countenance for thou hast found out a champion which delighteth to subdue treason and will be prowd to publish to the world thy sisters not offending the feare of his fame which in others ingendreth feare with cowardise on me begetteth an inuincible courage so that I will either cleare hir reputation or end the kalends of my life in enterprising her deliuery When Minea heard him she imbraced him in hir armes and said diuine blossome of some excellent stocke thou from whom youth hath onely a glorious title since first I beheld thée I did adiudge thée of an incomparable courage blessed be therefore that blessed one which begot thée and blessed be the wombe which bore thée go on faire youth Iustice shal be thy warrant and Innocency thy protector When Tirus considered the promise of Meruine he grew sad and said Alas faire brother what wil you enterprise what wil you take in hand nothing but your owne ouerthrow and the losse of our fathers busines which against the houre cannot by you be performed Brother said Meruine doubt not but our fathers busines shall be effected and by Mahomet which astonisheth the world with thunder I will not for all the wealth in Montment I wil not forbeare to succor a distressed Lady the rather for the loue of thâ—s Lady to whom we are all beâ—â—lden At this they al beholding in him a constancie halfe angry to be contradicted left off further arguing till the next morning Minea throughs excéeding ioy that she had found a champion for her sister would not suffer her eies to close with sléepe all that night but rising early in the morning gathered together 200 Turkes to conduct Mernin to Montesteur who soone by day had awaked Iacob the rest saying my deare friends and consorts be not wearisome to your selues in attending my back-returne neither be displeased with what I vndertake but frolike and triumph for why I will discharge the charges of you all if by my want you be a little hinderd let pacience mittigate your anger and whatsoeuer I gaine I will willingly giue amongst you With that came Minea into the chamber to bid them good morrow to whom Meruine said Lady prouide me of good armes and an excellent horse and let want of coin be no decay to my fortune hold there is store disburse â—pare not When Tirus perceiued him his colour changed he grew pale saying what meane you brother so vnnecessarily to spend imploy our fathers money which he hath giuen vs to pay to the marchant to whom he oweth it Brother said Meruine regard not siluer and gold more then earth the loue wherof maketh the minds of men worse then the worst of earthinesse better loue I to be well armed and brauely monnted then here and there to consume vertue by exchanging marchandise Thus spake the honorable minded Meâ—uine whom from his infancie nature taught to resemble the famous Duke his father Excellently excellent young man said Minea keepe thy treasure for in mine owne coffers do I harbor such store as shall maintaine thee an hundred knights to be thine attendants as for armes and horse be carelesse they long since haue bene readily proâ—ided for the princely Earle of Brandis to whoÌ„ my husband whom he exceedingly loued during his life was chamberlaine hath giuen me the couragious horse Morbon on him shalt thou mount a seat worthy the worthiest knight the world containeth Then would Iacob Tyrus and the other marchants needs mount on horsebacke to conduct Meruine on his way but he desiring a little respit said before I depart I will approue my armes my horse my body against someother knight because on my life relies not my selfe but anothers fortune Friend said a Pagan that had followed those which had brought his horse and armour arme your selfe for I will arme my selfe and charge you yoâ— honour me said he then Meruine buckled his gorget cast on his curats lockt his pouldrons put on his caske and armed him selfe at all points then demanded he a sword which was deliuered him but he refused it for being much too light wherupon Minea went into her chamber fâ—oÌ„ which she brought a sword bigge strong and massie this sword sometimes had bene the sword of King Brandifer a Pagan whom the renoumed knight Valentine Nephew to king Pepin slew before Angoria Minea presented this sword to Meruine who drew it and beholding the beautious brightnesse said O excellent engine worthy an inuincible spirit adde to me as much fortune as I will lend thee force and both of vs will in the tongues of men be immortall Now false traytor Brohars be as wise in defending thy selfe as thou art wilful in offending others else shall thy life wast with thy slander for Meruine is armed as himselfe desireth At that without the aide of his stirrope he mounted on the backe of Morbon and demaunded a launce which so soone as he had receiued he put him with a princely maiestie forward passing a swift strong and round caâ—iere with such dexterâ—tie and nimblenesse as bred wonder and commendation in al the beholders chiefely in the Earle of Brandis that beholding him from his pallace said to his Barons behold a noble and victorioâ—s warriour worthie to be adorned with a kings diadâ—me his hand is an ornament for a lance and his pâ—rson a receptacle for all vertues with that came the Pagan who went to arme himselfe and cried to Meruine friend will you â—eaue those measures and proportioned iumps which your horse in his comming séems proud of and try the goodnes of your arme by a sturdy incounter It is my desirâ— and nothing else replied Meruine so they retired backe the one from the other to take their course with more violence The Story saieth this incounter was on a goodly gréene plaine before the Earles pallace who as before I said stood to behold them with him his wife and a gallant young Prince his sonne and heire apparant When Meruine and the other were seuerd more than the length of a good cariere
first perceiuing them cried to his companions this day is better then a Sabboth to my desires for I discouer a ship laden with christian gallants if it be rich be yours the profit of their wealth vouchsafe me no bootie but prowesse and honor to my sword which is al I desire to deserue And at these words a courageous fire of valiant fury inuironed his heart Now if the zealous minded christians when they beheld the pagans were ouerrun wieh a doubtfull feare of their successe wonder not for they were but thirtieâ— and those il appointed both for armour and munition so that if the eie of heauen behold them not with a pitying aspect their liues and honours are all in ieopardy by the valiancy of Meruin Cosin Gallien said Drohes behold how these pagans draw néere to assault vs if Iehouah looke not from heauen heâ—e shal our liues pay their last forfâ—t Feare not cosine replied Gallien for by that faith I owe to thâ—lmightie so long as I can hold my battel ax in my hand so long wil I maintain my liberty and doubt not but to send thousands of them to hell Ha coâ—ine against the foes of religion we ought to be eternaly valiaÌ„t yet if God in his great booke of destinie haue set downe our tragedies in this coÌ„flict let vs receiue with ioyfulnes what we cannot repel with vnwillingnes Yet I protest to you by the greatest protestation of a christian soule that before I be taken I le infranchise so many paganâ— soules from their cursed bodies that the crâ—mosin curâ—ents of their blood shall vouchsafe my hands a perpetuall couerture While Gallien was speaking this Meruine and his companions being already prepard for the battel boorded Gallien to whom Meruine haâ—led demanded whence and what they were whose white crosâ—es were said he the signes of christianity which he had vowed to root from the face of all nations Scarcely was his last wordended but the pagan mariners assaulted the christians whom Meruine the rest with their swords in their fists violently seconded making almost the beginning and ending one moment There might the eie of man behold a lamentable spectacle for of xxx Christian soules in a trice were xxvj breathlesse only iiij suruiuing which were Gallien Drohes and ij others which breathed scarse a breath before their breaths vanished but Drohes turning aloft his stéelehewing sword which the counte of Meulant had giuen him when he fought against Sodonas slew an infinit number of the valiantest Sarazens but Gallien caried himselfe so couragiously that he neuer stroke blow with his axe but he disseuered the life from the body When Croisant sawe the prowesse of Gallien he cried vnto his people that they should not for a world kil him bicause he would present him as a great estimate to king Mermont but that word of lifes safety cost him more by much than he desired to tender for Gallien smote so thicke with his axe that the Pagans in aboundance tumbled into the sea Gallien still crying S. George and me and withall crying Thou holy Lamb of Iuda comfort thy people All this while the valiant acts of Meruine the son of Oger did were wonders beyond wonder and more than words haue power to deliuer yet what he did he ill did sith it was to exalt Mahomet shew himselfe an inuincible pagan yet ought he not be hated for his misbeliefe but curse with immortall malediction that false fairy Gratiana who stealing him told not the trueth of his birth and being Gallien and Drohes made great resistance against the Pagans but the highest valure is profitlesse against an higher resolution Wherefore cosin Drohes said Gallien let me kisse thee and bid thée farewell for here shal our bodies vnsundered sunder their acquaintance but our soule I hope imbrace in the highest pallace of heauen Well dost thou know O that we had such cause to know how Ganelon the traitor by his treason deliuered vnto the king Marcillius my father Oliuer and the famous Orlando who died at Ronceualli O Oliuer my father thou scourge of Sâ—razens turne back into heauen Thus spake the wise Gallien whom Meruine beholding with the eies of perfite anger and séeing that none of his people durst approach him cried retire thou valurelesse amated nation whose earthy spirits are consumd with the fire of this christian to me belongs the conflict to me the repâ—tation Approaching to Gallien he said Traitor all thy defences are but mists that vanish from thy safety great hath bin thy conquest greater thy fault for such conquest and greatest now shall be thy ouerthrow Yet for thy valure sake I will contradict my iudgement yield and thy life is saued Were it not for charitie said Gallien I should hate thy soule but thy body be assured I detest yet my selfe much more should I haue but halfe a thought of submission neuer was there pagan borne to whom I will be obedient and at that word he strucke a pagan that approched him with such furie that he fell dead before Mernin Merâ—in beholding this true magnanimity had not euen at that instant wrath thrust pittie from her soueraignty he had both saued and loued him but being blinded with emulation he rusht vpon Gallien and strucke him vpon the head that he claue him euen vnto the girdle Wo alas Gallien the sonne of Oliuer as memorable for his vertues as famous for his victories is now slaine forgiue him great Ioue that slew him and yet it was a wound that wounded all christendome 2 Now is Drohes alone and yet not alone for séeing Gallien dead he was consorted with infinite perplexities and as t were armed with their inuisible tumults he sware that before he died he would reuenge his death then flew he amongst the proudest Sarazins sending infinites to attend him whom he loued but alas their courses were contrary for Gallien ascending they descended So like a carelesse mad man only discréetly wise in the waies of prowesses did Drohes behaue himselfe that leauing his own he boorded the ship where the Pagans were inhaused and there defended and offended with such vnspeakable corage that not any but started backe and refused to assaile him Iesus said Drohes that madest the crosse glorious by thy passion shall I O must I die here and thus vnreuenged with that word he leapt into a litle boate that was behind at the stâ—rn of the ship and swore by holy Mary that who so entred there he would be his deaths man for sithence he was alone he would sell his owne his fellowes liues at the rate of a bloody tribute Then came Meruin all amazed saying Christian for pure loue only of thy vertue if thou wilt yield and trust mine honorable reputation by Mahomet and him thou callest thy redéemer thou shalt haue no harme only the title of my prisoner and for the renowne of thy valiancie shalt goe whither fortune shall conduct mée this do and so do otherwise by Alcaron my
for the king my soueraigne and for a ful point to his speach he gaue him a blowe crosse the beuer as he fell downe mortally wounded Meruine tooke his horse and theron mounted king Mermont whose ioy none can speake of but those that haue tasted his affliction Now began a maruelous battell wherein all did very well yet euery one couetous to do more pleasant and louely it was to behold Drohes who thinking euery pagan he mette the murderer of Gallien sent thousands to hell that had not seen Gallien but aboue all Meruine surpassed who neuer lifted vp his hand but death followed the falling At these two Mermont wondred swearing within himselfe the one was Mahomet the other Apollo and that they were come the one to shew deity thother to attaine a greater conquest than the death of Pithon In fine he said both were his assistants bicause his quarrell was lawfull In such sort did Meruine and Drohes behaue themselues that of 3000 that caried away Mermont not one escaped but either slaine or sore wounded A Sarazen beholding this fight séeing two thus triumphant oâ—er so many thousands smote his horse with his spurs and came running to Baucamont crying King of Damascus retire for euen Mahomet and Iehouah are come to fight against thée Mermont is recouerd and thy men discomfited two for two millions are much too mightie retire then retire for saue death thou canst haue no companion Night-rauen quoth Baucamont care for thine owne soule I scorne thy prophesies yet tell me from whom or from what part are those people arriued Instantly said he you shall sée them ascending from yonder valley flie flie for death is in their foreheads Traitor said Baucamont turn thée and bring me to them Not for the wealth of the world answerd he againe for by Iupiter I had rather mountaines should fall vpon me then the wrath of those inraged people should by aduenture find me and in this saying he stroke his horse andâ— flew ouer the field feare giuing him wings and flight bearing him beyond the compasse of eies prospect No sooner was he gone but Baucamont perceiued the approach of Meruine Then mustred he his people together saying Neuer till now houered the crowne of Glorie ouer vs win 〈◊〉 and weare it for sée he that commands it coms vnto vs to present it and with that he smote Marcheuall and charged Meruine Meruine on thother side gaue Mordant the reine to incounter with Baucamont their carier was like the méeting of two tempests from two seuerall corners of the earth but Meruine hit Baucamont such a blow that he fel from his courser to the ground neither had he euer raised his head from the earths pillow had not a band of 4000 come in to his rescue Betwixt him and them a singular to an infinit plurall began a fierce doubtful and vndying combate Iacob this while the good merchant valiantly behaued himselfe so also did Croisant and Barbin whose swordes bare liueries of their Lords wages yet when I thinke on Meruine and Drohes the déeds of the others were but as margent notes to their hâ—ge volums there might one sée coÌ„fusion in her royalty heads without hands hands without bodies legs without féet thighs like feet moouing there you might see stones broken with bodies burden yea burdened bodies by stones broken all things horrible yet nothing but honorable there lay pagan slain on pagan misbeliefe on vnbelieuing while Drohes smiled to sée selfe religion selfe discipline and law confound one another and bâ—ganne to pride himselfe that that day his déeds should be eternized But at this time what Meruin did is impossible to describe because they ascended higher than mortall capacity He incountered Africant and slue him so did he thadmirall whom horse and man he bare down to the ground What shal I say more al force was no force when his force gainestood it as Hares from drunâ—s Lambs from lions Fawnes from tygers so flew the pagans before him What he did what his power sought to do was all this while beheld both by Berea and her mother who stood next her and from the tickling spirit of her heart said to her daughter Faire soule seest thou not yonder pagan whose armes are like sunne shine and his deeds better then the sunnes beauty in his helm he wears two gloues a swimming swan in a bower of roses on my soule he is not mortall for his deeds are celestiall his prowesse is heroicall and his cariage like the god of warrefare Berea heaâ—ing her mothers speaches it seemed the Roses in Meruines headpiece were fled thence to her cheeks for she prettily blushed and thought of her loue Meruine and as she looked downe toward him her thoughts the truest heralds of a â—oâ—ing conceit told her it was he alone that so gallantly behaued himselfe to the wonder of all men O how with that imagination loue gaue new fire to his old flame and surprised her with delicate thinkings then grew shee dumbe with admiring sighing because she was dumbe blushing to heare her selfe sigh then grew pale lest hir dumbnes sighing and blushing should of other than her own eies be perceiued After this war of maiden lookes had taken alittle truce with her intentions thus to her heart her heart whisperd Thou God of my forefathers how excellent hast thou made my loue death being most fierce fearing is become his vassaile attend him death but touch him not As she was imagining more her mother turned about and perceiuing her distraught in countenance challenging the distemperature of lookes asked what she ailed and desired nothing to be hidden from her Madame said she I felt a torment of such vehemencie take hold on me as no creature can imagine Mahomet defend my father for I feare some euil Thus dissembled she with her mother Meruine being the loadstarre by which all her lodgings were guided All this while fell destruction from the sword of Meruine vpon the pagans who like larkes vnder the wings of a hobby sought holes in the earth to hide them Drohes pursued his footesteppes and the nearest of any imitated his vertues Now was Baucamont remounted once more and passing thorow his ranks gaue them new incoragement reuiling the new come strangers and disabling their actions though his wounds bare bléeding witnes of their worths 5 When he had done he charged afresh vpon Mermont and that with such impregnable violence as he ouerthrew him horse and man to the ground but with nimble agilitie he soone recouered his féete and drawing his sword brandished it for his defence All that shew of magnanimity had but little auailed to his profit if Meruin had not againe by chance come to his rescue who cried aloud Mermont my king deferre thy fortune but a moment and I le yield succor to thy life and then rushing amongst the thickest he strake Gyrion on the head cleauing him to the waste After him the next and the next sparing none that was within
this angry discharge Gratiana depaâ—ted with dying sorrow from the presence of Meruine and as the history reporteth fled to a wast and vnfrequented wildernesse which bordereth vpon Damatam where the remâ—ined and where we wil leaue her till som better occurrent reuoke her and we will proceede with renowmed Meruine who espoused Berea on whom he begate Orient the father of Helias that begate Idain that bore Godfrey of Bullen as it is written in the holy Legend of the same Godfrey ⸪ CHAP. XXIX 1 How Drohes instructed Meruine in religion 2 How Meruine deliuerd Charlemaine and the twelue peers 3 How Berea was baptized with the rest of the cittie and was named Mathaburna other accidents IMmortally valiant Meruine when as you haue heard he was assured of his genealogy which bred in him no little comfort and the rather because he was a Christian and the sonne of so famous a champion yet he not a little grieued that by him the Christians were surprised and brought to so streight a doore of misfortune wherefore his sorrow strangely increased which Berea seeing she grew troubled seeking albeit in vaine many wayes to recomfort him which seeing they auailed not she went to Drohes and discoursed all that had chaunced a liuely cordiall that inspird with an inexpressable gladnes so as without any tarriance he went with hir to the aâ—bour where Meruine lay prostrate on the ground beating himselfe with extreame languor Drohes beholding the furie of his passion though at first amazed yet ran to him with true zeale oâ— euer-liuing intimacie thus kindely chid him Ha qd he thou glorie of mankind and flower of chiualrie whither is the virtue of thy resolution fled that thâ—u lendst conquest to a weeping passion What wilt thou in teares drowne thy body consume thy soule Arise arise thou excellentest of all creatures and with a liuely faith in the liuing God of Abraham aske pardon for thy sinnes and the lambe of peace that redéemed the world wil wipe out thy trangressions sith vnder the face of heauen there is not so boundlesse an offender as God in his mercy is an almightie parâ—â—ner When Meruine had heard Drohes he rose vp kissing his hand sayd thou balm of mine afflictions health to my sicke soule O pardon mée I beséech thée the vnlucky slaughter which on the sea I coÌ„mitted where I slew Galien thy déere companion the famous sonne of renowmed Oliuer the other christiaÌ„s otherwise I wil sauefist that hand which sauefisted them in duty I should haue adored Thrice deare frieÌ„d replied Drohes my inward soule hath forgiuen thée and then Drohes sate downe and expounded to him many places of holy scripture instructed him in all the points of christian religion he declared how our sauiour had a diuine resideÌ„ce in the sacred womb of the virgin Mary and how from thence hee was deliuered shee being both a mother and a mayd Then how at the age of three and thirtie yeâ—res he suffered death and passion to deliuet mankind from the gates of hell and destruction and the third day arising from the graue mounted into the doores of the highest heauen from whence hee sent downe the holy spirite to inspire and recomfort his apostles To be briefe there was no point appertaining to saluation which Drohes did not explane with most heauenly eloquence Berea that sate by as soone as she had heard discouered the misteries comforts of our religion with a constant and maiesticall modestie rose vp and sayd beare witnesse princes that here I renounce Mahomet Tauergant and their Alcheron and desire to be baptized and imbraced for a perfite thristian At this they all clapt their hands for ioy kissed the skirts of her clothing in token of reuerence 2 Then sayd Meruine who through Drohes instructions was both resolued and comforted let vs waste no more time but go and deliuer Charles the emperor Forthwith they went and comming into the castle they found all our Barons heauy and sadde but the emperor recomforting them with kingly resolutions Meruine no sooner came in his sight but falling vpon his knées he said Royall king of Fraunce and all you right noble knights of Christendom pardon me I beseech you both mine errour and mine offences to you I will be a liege man and a subiect to these a neuer failing friend in the hardest aduentures whom in signe of euer liuing amitie I desire to kisse Then arose he vp and kissed both the emperor and the rest and after he declared how hee was a Christian borne and the sonne of Oger the Duke of Denmarke Many other discourses they had and infinite reioycings crying the sonne of Oger is become a Christian woe to the Pagans and their false god Mahomet Then issued Charles and the rest out of the Castle protesting solemnely the sacke of paganisme By my redeemer said Charles I will not rest till I see the Sarazens tremble vnder Ioyous my good sword As I am prowd of my birth and progenie said Meruine there is not liuing a pagan how redoubâ—ed soeuer but if he refuse baptisme he shall also refuse his life and being This said they went into a chamber and armed themselues Meruine caused a cornet to be winded at the soâ—nd whereof the 4000. Pagans Meruine had brought with him assembled themselues in the base court of the pallace vnto whom Meruine made this briefe speach Fellow souldiers admire not my speach but be reaâ—y in your resolues My will is that euery one of you be baptized become a christian and he that refuseth to die the death chuse either eternall life or destruction The wonder was not little that these words cast amongst them yet what through fâ—are of his prowesse and terror to behold the christians at euerie point armed they agreed to obey him both in the course of life and religion Meruine commended them and forth with gaue them charge to range through the citie and to put all to the sword that refused to receiue baptisme The christian peeres of France were their fore-leaders that spared neither man woman nor child that would â—ot be baptized so that in lesse than in an houres space all Montment was wholy conuerted These things ended Charles called Meruine vnto him and asked if he would accept at his hands the honor of knighthood My lord qd he it is the onely thing to which my thoughts haue a longing then kneeling downe Charles drew Ioyous his sword and laying it on his shoulder bade him rise vp the most renowmed knight vnder the firmament only be thou stedfast in thy faith and raise high thy god and religion Thou earthly god of Europe said Meruine in the maiesty of heauen and before thy royall presence I make a vow there shall not a pagan moue his foote vpon the earth if he renounce not Mahomet and put his trust in the liuing God And what he vowed he effected for his conquests against the pagans doubled his ouerthrowes
the botomlesse riuer Orbe making his current ouer the roufe of the wofull mansion into this if once the vassall come there is no redemption nor hath any creature power of deliueraÌ„ce for so Merlin inchanted it who bound the diuelish Mutafier beyond the power of all other coniuration till such time that by bloudy vow and execrable protestation he sware euer to beat his hest and commandement not daring to wrong body or soule without his authoritie And then was Mutafier inlarged and euer after made frée from that dungeon Into this place shall this Meruine be conueyed neither will I rest till I sée it fullie brought to passe and finished After all reuels were enâ—ed torches wer brought to coÌ„uey the princes to their lodgings so euery one seuerally departed and Meruine was brought into a most sumptuous chamber where after he was laid and had lockt vp his eieâ—lids with a swéete slumber thirtie Sarazens entred his lodging and armed not so much with courage as the sleep death-like sprinkled vpon him at once assailed him and bound him hand and foot and blindfolded his eies At which Meruin awaking was mightily amazed but not knowing any remedie was patient forcibly Then began the vassals of shame to remile him saying Traytour thou shalt curse the time that euer thou renouÌ„ced Mahomet or bathed thy sword in the blood of a pagan for hence springs thy ruine and their delieuerie Then came Butor who caused him to bee cast into the fore-mentioned Dungeon where he was chained by the handes and féete and receiued his iudgemeÌ„t that he should neuer be frée from that calamitie till â—e renounced the eternall God of the Christians 〈◊〉 which he made answere Taritours and no kings my God will I neuer forsake for affliction neither shal my life indure to thinke wearisome these torments which I indâ—re for my Sauiour whose loue I will not leaue for all the worlds triumphs my soule being deare for these deare oppressions At this Butor departed leauing Meruine accompanied with none but sorrowe onely with whome hée consorâ—ed the space of fiue yeeres in extreame miserie Now was the gift giuen by Gratiana at his birth fully accomplished and hee pent in that prison where teares were pittilesse though incessant after many bemonings he made his prayers vnto God besought him to haue mercy on his afâ—â—ictions Then came the deuill Mautafier and transforming himselfe into many likenesses tempted him wieh damnable protestations promising if he would renounce his baptisme to redeeme him from his wofulnesse But his faith resolued was euer immoueable so that Mautafierâ—eeing â—eeing his perseuerance left to expostulate with more temptation Heere we will leaue to speake more of him or his wretchednes and discourse a little of Morgua his mother of Meruina his godmother Galiana that princeliest Fairies that gouerned in Faeria whose griefe abounded for the imprisonment of Meruine inueying most mightily against Gratiana whose gift made him subiect to this infortune After many complaints Morgua sayd to the other ladies Princesses you vnderstand the wretchednes of my sonnes case euen for vertues sake consent to sweeten some hoâ—re of his bitternesse with delight which I haue deuised We three will take ech of vs an instrument of musicke and go into his dungeon the cloister of carefulnes euery day an houre at such time as Mautafier shal be absent and with some chanson of delicacie minister ioy among his sorrowes concealing our selues from his eies onely inriching his eares with melodie To this the Ladies gaue a frée consent so that doing accordingly they entred vnseene into the prison At whose approch a most strange light spred through the dungen in so ample maner as it there had bin an hundred torches burning At which diuine action Meruine was woonderfully amazed Amazed only to sée that he saw â—othing Iustantly after the light the Fairies began to play heauenly notes the moouing aire of celestiall musicke that it was impossible for sorrow to abiâ—e where such sacred tunes were recorded and he in whom languor pâ—otested to haue tenuâ—e of fee-simple prooued the â—lea â—alse and that at all he had in him no interest Afteâ— they had thus plaied and Meruine had shakt handes with extreâ—â—â—â—e they returned to their owne habitation not â—ayling 〈◊〉 day thâ—s inuisâ—bly to visite him to the high amazment of his sences 2 But againe to returne to the traiterous king Mermont Iâ— chaunced that he came to king Butor and in most earnest maner inâ—reated him to muster vp his people and with the greatest power he had to march with him to Montment for that there lay Gautier of Denmarke his foure sonnes and almost all the floure of Christendome in expectance of Meruine whom vnawares they might ouerâ—hrâ—w and bring â—o finall destruction â—o this Butor agreed for ill by ill is easily tempted and forthwith coÌ„maunded Commissions to be sent abroad for the gathering togither of his power When there was assembled to the number of an 100000 he armed them aâ—d departed from Minor trauelling so restlesly both by land and by sea that in twentie dayes he came to Brandis and by the will of God the authoâ—â— of happie fortune the two false meaning kinges lodged in the house of Minea where they held a solempne and tedious councell howe they might enter Montment and in despight of Meruine put to sword Gautier and the rest of the Christians All which disputations came to the eares of Mynea who drawing aside the Lord Chamberlaine of king Mermonts houshold in humble-maner intreated of his lordshippe to know where or what was become of the most famousâ— Meruine Madam sayd the noble man he is inclosed in a place from whence hee shall neuer finde deliuerance And then as if he were with child of those troubles he discoursed all the estate of infortunate Meruine both the reuocaâ—ion of his first religion his true parents and kingly pedegrée his conquests and vnluckie betraying and withall how the most principall of his aliance were gathered together at Montment expecting the espousals betweene him and Berea and how the king his maister and Butor meant to prenent them with a sudden and vnlookt for slaughter 3 When Minea not without sighes had heard him comment of these actions shee smiled least her lookes should be blabbes of her intentions and then taking leaue departed from him and went to her chamber where immediately she indited a letter that conteined what her eares had receiued and deliuering it to a most trustie messenger gaue him especiall charge to beare it to Montment vnto Barbin the marchant All which the messenger effected not ceasing till hée came vnto the kings pallace in Montment where finding Barbin hee sayd Reuerent sir to you I am sent from the vertuous Ladie Minea that so intirely loueth Meruine and from her present these lines to your iudgement When Mathaburna heard him name Meruin she started and inquired what tidings To whom Barbin made no replie but deliuered the letter to
Gautier who read it which conteineth this that followeth ⧠To the Princes of Christendome health KNow excellent Lordes from me vncomfortable Ladie that in vaine we expect the returne of most absolute Meruine whom hencefoorth I feare againe you shall neuer see the griefe whereof is burdenous to my weary soule And further be aduertised that it behoueth you to stand vpon your best guard for that foorthwith you shall be infinitely assailed by an hundred thousand Pagans conducted by Mermont and Butor of Tabarie who solemnely haue sworne your death on their religious Alcheron looke then to your selues and loue her that in dangered her life to do you seruices Minea of Brandis VVHen Gautier had read the contentâ— of this letter than at that instant he was nere more vehemently perplâ—xed tearing his garments and making despaire and wrath one intire bodie but better to be resolued hee asked the messenger if certainely those tiâ—ings of miserie were true or no. Yes my good Lord replied he and the mightie host is euen now at Brandis Then arose Iacob and saide Princesse I am a witnesse of the incomparable loue the Lady Minea bare to exquisite Meruine wherefore I knowe shee writes nothing but truthes fearefulnesse The beganne euery one to sorrowe for Meruin but farre aboue all and beyond conceit were Mathaburnas lamentations who wringing her handes breaking the golden threades of her celestiall haire and the sacred vestures that shrouded the paradise of her features shée cried O sorrow immortall sorrow what shall I demaund miserie or death both are too little True God in whom my faith so lately is grounded giue counsaile to my woes for my heart is lost O more my life nay most my spirite nay aboue all that the most swéete most wise and most louely creature â—f the world Harke heauens what I vow before you if his loue faile my loue shall haue ending for but him not any shall harbour in my conceites if he die I die if hée liue he shall finde me such as he left me Thus tormented she her selfe but alas such are her hard starres that before she sée him she shal be compelled to die or denie her religion which indeede she did yet it was but womans faintnesse as heereafter shall be at large declared FINIS MERVINE The second part of That most famous worthie and auncient Mother of all Histories the exquisite Historie of Prince Meruine the son of Oger the Dane who conquered Ierusalem Babylon and diuerse other Citties from the Pagans with many memorable accidents of wondrous consequence Qui sera sera AT LONDON Printed by Ralph Blower and Valentine Sims 1612. The Printer to the Reader IT is a common custom among Writers and Translaters in a well penned prologue iust like an old Song whose burthen goes to I beseech ye beare with vs to sollicite their Readers for so much fauour as to vse good words and haue patience to omit defects censure mildely so forth Now I acquainted with none of these vaines for excuse and indeede thinking them all in vaine in the Translators absence I keepe the forme of an Epistle though follow not the fashion onely intreate those that delight in Sories to looke on the delights in Meruine Which if they vouchsafe for my profit I will venture more for their pleasures The Table of the second Part. HOw Mermont Butor and the Pagans imagining to enter vnawares within Montment were inclosed by the Christians 2 Of their discomfiture and the great battell wherein Bertran did wonders Chap. 1. Gautier the Dane with 20000. followed Butor and Mermont to Minor 2 of the skirmishes and taking of Nubia Turquants death 3 Bertrans policie of suprizing of Minor Chap. 2. Bertran passed all the gates and Drohes with him also 2 of the prowesses they shewed against the pagans 3 how they were taken prisoners and put to the keeping of the faire Singlay Chap. 3. Gautier raysed his Siege from Minor and came to Nubia where hee repayred his Armie 2 how from thence hee came to Luternia where hee found Iocob who discoursed the fortunes of Montment 3 how Gautier went before Montment and tooke it againe by meanes of Iacob Chap. 4. Of the gallant life that Bertran aâ—d Drohes led in Minor 2 of the Tourney which was ppoclaimed for the loue of Singlay 3 of the priuate wonders Bertran did Chap. 5. Marant accused his sister Singlay 2 how Bertran made the pagans beleeue he would renounce Christianitie 3 how he vndertooke to combate against Marant Chap. 6. Bertran and Drohes vnder the pretence of paganisme brought fortie thousand pagans before Montment 2 how the most part of them were there confounded and put to the swâ—rd chap. 7 An Ambassadour came to Gautier who brought him word that the Emperour Charlemaine had destroyed all his country of Denmarke 2 how Drohes went to deliâ—er Meruin and how Gautier arriued at Maiance chap. 8 Of the great battel which was betweâ—ene the Emperour and Gautier in which Charlemaine was taken priosner 2 how Loys the sonne of Charles came with a great power against Maiance to reuenge his father chap. 9. Barant surnamed the Cruell departed from Montment with three hundred thousand Souldiers and passed the Seas towards Maiance 2 how Charles and Gautier made a peace and ioyned against the Pagans chap. 10 Bertran and his brethren Loys and the other Christians issued vpon the pagans 2 the deaths of all the famous christians except Loys 3 of the battell betweene Barant the Cruell and Bertran of Denmarke chap. 11. Loys came to Maiance and reported the woful estate of the Christians and the sorrowe Gautier made for his sonnes 2 Singlayes sorrowe and message Barant sent to Charles together with the answere 3 how Barantâ—lew â—lew one of the messengers chap. 12. The Christians gaue battell to the pagans in which turmoile the good King Gautier was â—laine and his hoste ouerthrowne 2 Charlemaine is forced to retire and issues out the second time 3 The taking of Loys and Duke Naymes prisoâ—ers chap. 13 Drohes and Adain trauailed so long in vnfrequented places till they found out the true meanes for Meruines deliuerie 2 how Drohes combated with a Griffon for his loue Adain châ—p 14 Drohes spake to Robaster touching the deliuery of Meruin 2 of Malabeon of Luron Robasters father that gaue counselâ— in the action chap. 15 Robaster deceiued king Butor 2 how Meruine was deliuered out of prison and went to the pallace where he â—iue Butor his queene and diuers other pagans 3 and of the great battell he maintained chap. 16 Meruine Robaster and Drohes arriued in a wood amongst robbers 2 of the dangers they were in 3 how Malabeon ayded them 4 how they â—lew the theeues chap. 17 Meruine and Droheâ— went to Brandis and conuerted the Countrey 2 how they came before Montment where in the Battaile Drohes was taken and brought into the Citie 3 how Mathaburna before the pagans menaced him chap. 18 The city of Montment was taken by
health of my soule said Bertran I le blocke vp that way and if I liue feast my selfe in his pallace at Minor Alas swéete sonne said Gautier how shall wee possibly be so happy when the entrance of our passage is but fiue foote broad and that most daungerous Deare father answered the Prince estéeme not fearefull descriptions for I haue inuented how and which way to make both our selues commanders of the towne and princes of their destructions and thus it is 3 I will arme myselfe in the armour of this dead king and mounted on his horse spread out his now infortunate colours and with such like company as he was attended with I le march towards the towne into which I know I shall enter easily because they will imagine me to be the king of Nubia which I will no sooner haue effected but I will gard the gates with such carefull resolution that famoused so that in all the haste it was put in practise and fiue hundred Christians of the best respect were armed both your Highnes and your army shal haue easie passage This stratagem was much commended and his wisedome with the Pagans armours amongst whom was Gautier Huon and Drohes When they were come within thrée leagues of Minor Gautier left the grose summe of his armie and with the fiue hundred marched till they were passed through the first port of the cittie which was gouerned by Aroufle who taking Bertran that marched on the head of the troope for the king of Nubia saide My Lord will your Maiestie returne againe And Bertran answered he would for he went but only to speake with the King Butor his kinsman promising him at his returne a gift should for euer make him rich the pagan gaue him humble thanks with doglike reuerence and so let him paâ—se And when his army was gone by he turned to Aroufle and drawing his sword said Traitour this is my treasurie and here comâ—s the reward I promised and with that 〈◊〉 stâ—ucke him with such vertue that well might haue cleft a rocke of Maâ—ble but to the pagan it 〈◊〉 no hurt at all because he was cloathed in the hide of a serpent which sometimes was the armour of inuincible Robaster who now liued a Hermit in the woods there adioyning where he continued euer since he forsooke the faire Guerin of Montglaiâ—e at such time as most famous Charlemaine came before Viennâ—a which by faire Guerins meanes he conquered for hate whereof Robaster would haue slaine him but that Guerin guarded him from mischiefe for griefe whereof he was so inraged against her that he swore neuer hereafter to doe her seruice and so led by discontentment came into those woods and there building an hermitage liued and was fostered by his father Malabeon casting away his serpents skinne â—s intending neuer more to be seene in battell yet he misconceiued for he must be the ayder of prince Meruine as you haue heard before when shal be the will of the heauens But letting these digressions passe we will returne to Bertran who after the first blowe she pagan tooke a bar of yron and with it gaue him such a requitall that he made him reele and almost fal from his heâ—se had not Drohes vpheld him to the no little staine of Bertrans remembrance who calling againe his strengths together gaue the Sarazin such a blow that he bowed one of his knées to the ground in submission yet his body vnwounded could no way be tainted Drohes beholding this charged the pagan and brake his lance but did not hurt him Huon did asmuch but as little preuailed to their wonder and his greater pride Bertran at this amazed dismounted himselfe and closed with the pagan whome by cleane strength he threw downe to the ground backeward then alighted Drohes and lifting vp the head of the serpent with his sword made a passage through his body by which his soul fled downward to eternal darknes CHAP. III. How Bertran passed all the gates and Drohes with him also 2 Of the prowesses they shewed against the Pagans 3 How they were taken prisoners and put to the keeping of the faire Singlay When the pagan Aroufle was slaine a charitable déede for Christendome Bertran threw him into the riuer Orbe and then marched on the narrow way till hee came to the second porte which he likewise passed killing the garde thereof and throwing them into the riuer but when Gautier saw with considerate eyes the straitenesse and daunger of those passages he perswaded the Princes to retire saying Honour lost his honour by daring beyond the conceite of power those waies in which none hardly coulde goe but indangered were tell tales of their destructions therefore whileâ—t time was wished them to vse the time of their deliuerance My gratious father saide Bertran I beséech you bee not so suspitioâ—s for if my selfe alone and but tenne with me passe of my life the Towne shall be surprized It is too great a masterie saide the king therefore be councelled and returne For shame my gratious father said he let vs not hauing gone thus farre returne scared with imagination the cittie will take mée for the King of Nubia and that â—hadowe will defend vs. At this both Drohes and the rest cried Forward young prince this day we will be thy followers and then they passed to the last gate at which Bertran knocked desiring entrance saying it was shame by day to kéepe their Cittie thus restrained and for his owne part ere his Cittie of Nubia should be feared he would hazard tenne thousand daungers When the Porter heard Bertran he went vp vnto a lowpe-hole and seeing the christians so well ordered saide to himselfe there shall no more enâ—er but the king of Nubia himselfe till I haue aduertised King Butor my lord and maister and then descending hée opened the Portall desiring Bertran to enter who saide Uillaine why dost thou not open thy gates for my traine to followe mée Noble king of Nubia saide the Porter be not displeased for my déede is my Kings commaundement which broken my life is forfaited neither may I suffer any to passe be he of his nearest linage but if it please your Maiestie I will aduertise his Highnesse and bring you answere Doe saide Bertran and tell his Mightinesse I am returned to discourse of some priuate things I forgate at our departure at this the porter closed the gates and went to the pallace where he found Mermont Gontor and Butor his soueraigne to whome he declared the backe returne of the King of Nubia and his traine and his desire of entrance Of my soule said Butor he hath incountred with Gautier amd is thus chasâ—d backe againe go let him enter but first sommon all my men at armes to be in readines to preuent pals destiny and 〈◊〉 but one besides himselfe onely haue passage in At this away 〈◊〉 the porâ—er told Bertran the Kings decrée neuertheles â—ffeâ—ing him to passe hauing before appoynted certaine souldiers aloft to
soule and the death of Claretta named both he and his Sonnes fell into a great agonie of discontentment vowing to God and their soules a déep reuengement for that monstrous murder and so forthwith marched towards Montment But Iacob staying behinde assembled together foure hundred Christians whom he conducted after Gautier with such hast that he ouertooke him before he had fully got sight of Montment which instantly they had entred without resistance had not a certayne Pagan espied them who running into the citie gaue king Gorbant warning of tâ—eir approach He vpon the first notice mustered all his barons together and issued out to méete the Christians who then were within a league of the towne walls 3 The Pagans being ordered in battell said amongst themselues Alas alas these Christians are come to theyr funeralles for sith Meruine is dead it is impossible for them euer againe to see a day of conquest They were to the number of an hundred thousand and thus quartered Griffoy bare the ensigne of Mahomet and had thirtie thousand King Bandus had other thirty thousand and Griffoner with a regiment to second him Gorbant with the rest went before The Christians had ordered themselues though not so huge yet full as strongly and thus Gautier after incouragements to his sonnes put spurres to his horse and gaue the first charge on the Pagans and the first he incountred he bare dead to the ground the second he cut off by the head after him an other and an other and desiâ—â—ing til x. fel by his sword before him At this began a clamorous noise greater than thunder from heauen and the battell was mightily confused Gorbant if his armes had béene excellently imployed his vertue in valure had inherited alittle better than excellent By letting his déed passe we will speake of Iacob who folowing Gautier with foure hundred Christians and séeing the fearefulnesse and hugenesse of the battell said vnto his souldiers Gentlemen this day it behooueth vs to be most circumspect what we take in hand you do sée the rare mightines of the battell and the equalitie of puissance let vs then aduise our selues what way is best for our generall profit which in my conceipt is this Whilest the two armies are thus equally busied we will assault the towne now vtterly vndefended and making our entrance therein put man woman and child to the sword that will not fall downe and adore the name of Christ Iesus To this with clamours they all agréed and forthwith entred the Towne which was left vngarded and beganne to put to â—he sword all with whom they incountred But the fearefull people soone rendred to mercie and accepted a second baptisme The Iacob went to the castle of Turgon with his followers where he found Guyda and Barrant her litle sonne surnamed the Cruell and Berea to whom Iacob said Madame great and infinite are the mischiefes that hang houering ouer thy head if so soone thou hast forgotten prince Meruine and renounced the Christian true lawe of saluation Ha Iacob said Mathaburna with a wéeping face chide me not for in my heart I adore nothing but that true God of my saluation what else I haue done this life which onely I loue but for his loue hath with carefulnesse drawne me hereto You make me prowd qd Iacob with these words know then I haue taken with these my followers both the towne and this castle wherefore I will leaue two hundred to gard you and with the rest returne to the great battell This said he tooke his leaue and after safe order taken for the Towne and Castle he returned to the tumult where he shewed himselfe to be a most resolued and courageous gentleman whose resolution when Gautier sawe he commended excéedingly with promise of great honors My Lord saide Iacob my beginning hath béene better than my procéeding for I haue taken both the citty and Turgon Wherefore if you doubt your successe you may make your retraite therein for it is your owne assured When Gautier heard this he daunced for ioy and in that place created him knight kissing his chéeke and praying for his endlesse good fortunes Iacob so prowd with these honours that the first pagan that he met he sent dead to the ground and then rushing into the heart of the army made wondrous destructions which king Gorbant beholding inraged he ranne against him and gaue him such a blow that he felled him to the earth by means whereof the good Iacob was taken prisoner and now came the battell to the extreamest hazard for the Pagans being an hundred thousand and the Christians but twelue thousand the greater number prenailed wherefore Gautier commaunded a retrait to be sounded and so retired into the citie at the sight whereof Gorbant tore his haire and was madly inraged not leauing to assault the towne on each side but in vaine for in his despight it was strongly maintained When as armes and fury was laid at rest Gautier went to the pallace where reposing himselfe he made inquirie for Iacob but not any could tell of him or his fortune Good God said he shall we loose that good knight is it possible that vertue should so soone vanish and with that hee shed teares for affection This while Guyon went to Guyda and taking her by the hand said Faire Lady how comes your fortune to hale you into this coast and whose is this infant you beare with you Ah Guyon said she it is my son but I pray you how doth your brother Bertran O he was mightily false to me at Damascus when leauing me along he estéemed more his sword than mine honour for hatefull reuenge whereof I instantly married king Gorbant his greatest enemy Thus she discoursed her aduentures to Guyon whilest her husband and Griffoy without the city stoode tearing their haires for their losses After some consultations held they sent for Iacob and tolde him that if he would go to Montment and persuade Gautier to send him forth of the city his wife and yong son he would deliuer all the christian prisoners that were that day taken Iacob glad of these words for he mightily feared death said willingly I will performe thy desire so I may haue sufficient pledge for the trueth of thy promise Then Gorbant called Bandus Griffoy and Grifoner and sent them for hostages of his word so they came into Montment and finding Gautier in the pallace Iacob deliuered the message oâ— Gorbant which was most welcome to Gautier who deliuered to Iacob Guyda and Barant and detaind the pledges for his returne who comming to Gorbant with a comely reuerence deliuered them to their lord who on thother part deliuâ—red vnto him all the Christians that were prisoners whom he brought triumphantly into the citie and enfranchised the hostages who solemynely swore by Mahomet neuer to raise their tents till they had once againe made themselues commaunders of the Cittie but their dowes were witnesses against them for Gautier night and day so souldier-like