The veray trew history of the valiau[n]t knight Iaso[n] how he conquerd or wan the golden fles, by the counsel of Medea and of many othre victoryouse and wondrefull actis and dedys that he dyde by his prowesse and cheualrye in his tyme

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ANciently the kinges & Princes of hye felicite were attendaunt and awayed whan their seed shold brīge fortfj generacion: But whan so was that they myghte not come therto. what prosperite they had / Their lyf was trauersid in continuell bewayling and they visited tēples ād oracles vnto the cōsn̄macion of their dayes or vnto thenhaunsemēt of thyer o∣royson̄s / The noble kyng Eson of Myrmydone wherof is made mē∣cion in the {pro}logue. among all other thinges & worldly {pro}speritees was rightnobly regnyng. Certes he had his Royaulme mayntened in pees. He had in mariage a right fayr la∣dy / but they were lōg to geder with onte hauyng generacion / wherof their dayes were full of bewaylyn∣g and of lytyll plaisir in the goodes of fortune. But they were contynu∣elly in the tēples and oracles: And no thyng of their desire befelle vn∣to them vnto the tyme that the kīg begā to fall ••wexe old biaage. then̄e his wyf rceyued of his seed & mlte∣plied the generaciō humaī of a right fayr sone. At the burthe of this sone the noble quene deyd. & whā the kīg

moneth folowing they wold come & be at his wedding ¶ What shal I saye•…•… sayde that they wolde come / and som̄e sayd uay / And so the soupper passid. And jason was fested there right long and in espe∣ciall of the hyghe princes and prin∣cesses. And after congie and licēce takē and ottroied he retourned in∣to his coutrey And then̄e whan he cōsiderid that tyme wa•• for to goo to the wedding of Pyrithiō: by the gre & cō••ēting of his fader: he aray∣ed him sfelfe ād putte hym in poynt Right nobly. and then̄e he wente theder and his vncle Peleus with him. And they made suche dyligēce that they came in short tyme vnto the noble Cyte of Thessalonycque Whan the king Ixion̄ knewe the comyng af Iason & Pele{us} / he went agayn them and made meruaillous chere vnto peleus / but yet he made right moche more vnto Iasō for the good loos & hye renom̄e that he had gotē in thebes / And mad him to des∣cēde in his palays. ād after brought him vnto Hercules that was there with in a chābre. & re••red him that he wolde make & a doube hiknight sayng that it was tyme / and that his playsit was / that at the weddlg of his sone he shold sytte amōg the knightes. & that hit wel appteyned to him. The right worthy hercules herd gladly the king speke ād made there jasō knight with grete honour And jason full of right good wille opend hi•• mōth & sayde in this ma∣nere. Right noble worthy Chosen / and right wyse knight among alle other shyning in alle ••tue•• hit hath plesid vnto yow / for to calle me vn∣worthy and indigne to be of the hye and comeuded ordre of knightho∣de / Wherof I thanke you with alle myn herte / and this noble kynge al∣so from whom in partye thonour is comen to me / But among alle this wele & worship I praye yow that hit may plese you ••••ssigne me a pla∣ce where I may do the faytes Che∣uaulerous & knightly▪ vnto this en∣de that ye haue not enployed your tyme euyll so moche to honoure ād worshippe me / And that I may in the dayes of my yōgthe ensie we the hye & preysed ••tue•• of you that ar the veray ād sewre foūdemēt. vpō whiche my total espoyr ād hope res∣teth for to come vnto the werkes of recomēdaciō ¶ Certes fayr brod ••a∣son / ansuerd Hercules. hit is so now that I haue {pro}moted yow vnto the dignite of knighthode. I haue no cō∣mandemēt ouer yow / & if it be your desir to haūte armes and to occupie yow therin. Enquire of the warres of the world. and if it happē that ye putte yow ī armes / beware that ye in the youstes do to no man oppres∣sion / and be ye to all peple humble & curtoys. Nature hath begōne ī you a man garnisshid w••th vertues. the gooddes continue hit.

How the geant ypodaniē a weyhade & how jasō••ylide him

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Wrth these wordes pele{us} cam vpon hercules & jason And jason a••owed that he shold goo vnto the first warre that he shol¦de here speke of And thā one & other begā to deuise & speke of the prowe•• fes of hercules. ¶ What shal •• make you longe taryeng / this day passed And the morn cam: & this day Py ••ithon espoused the fayr y podame with moche grete honour: & made thē so grete chere that Eurich{us} the hed & captayn of the cētaures was drōkē: and in lyke wyse were their ••••••••ws These 〈◊〉〈◊〉 were an. c. men that alway helde hem ••armes for to kepe the cōtreye of Thessayl∣le. And they helde hem in one place whiche was named Molo••e / they were all grete and fourmed as gy∣ants ¶ Whā thā they were so drōkē as said is / And that the wyn had su••••••oū••ed hem in wordes and ••ē∣cions as is a Coustume in suche a caa•• / and braw••d amōg hē self. in so moche that Pyrith••ō with some other began to reuerse their ••••••es ād tables fighting with hem with pottes and platers right longe and by suche furour that hercules ne ja∣son

the ladyes might ne coude not sette ony remedie: & this batilles du∣red so lōge. that euric{us} & many other of the cētaures de{per}ted thēs / disposed for to doo & {con}mise a grete outrage as they dede. wherof they cā to late to repēte hē: for they wēte & armed thē hastely And a•••• th{us} armed retour∣ned vnto the weddyng. ād in this drōkenship they rauisshed the fayr Ipodaine oute f••ō alle the other La∣dyes & damoiselles. and Euric{us} bare her away vpō his sholdres

Than hercules & Iasō begā to rēne to take their armes & were sone redy for to departe And folowed aft the drōkardes that wēt relyng on alle sy¦des in the feldes. & so sore stewed thē that they ouertoke thē ī a grene fel∣de. & were nomore on their side but they two only / how be hit that ma∣ny siewed thē as well knightes as ladyes & getilwomen̄. but that was not ferre Whā the worthy hercules & the noble preu jasō had retayned these cētaures. they had eche of thē a bowe whiche they bēde. & syn they escried all the drōkē cētaures vnto the deth: & shotte on thē in suche fa∣cōn / that hercules araught one of thē named Srine{us} bitwene the eyen / & with his arowe nayled hī faste vn∣to a tre whiche stode by hynde him. & the noble Iasō smote another cen∣taure in the nekke with a trenchan̄t arowe: and smote hym doun̄ in the ••••••ce of one named Sueric{us} / which escried right ••uriously vpō hercules & jasō. And with this crye all the cē¦taures rengid hem agaynst the two knightes & marchid agaynst thē so troublid that they sone after reculed for jasō & hercules slewe thaȳ wyth thayre arowes & with theyre swer desfaught with thaȳ that they anon̄ wer̄ dyed with their blood Whā the cētaures sawe the swerdes of her∣cules & jasō so dyed ī their bloode: & also whā they {per}ceyuid their felaws deye so with sorow ••fore thē: feling also the lāguisshīg & ••••artif of their woūdes / som̄e there were that put hē to the flight. & the other deffēded thē with all their puyssaūce Than the noble jasō she wid his vailliāce meruayllousli for he araught nomā with a right strook but he bare him doū to the erthe: or made his sowle de{per}te fro the body: & they that abo∣de & sawe his swerd trēchaūt wexe rede of the bloode of their felawes were not right well assewred. Cer¦tes he defēded hī as one that doub∣ted nothing. & so dyde Hercules ••e blably What shal •• make you lō•• {pro}∣cesse. jasō slewe with his own̄e hād iiij. geāts of the sayde centaures na¦med Petre{us} / do illas / cillar{us} & Per∣tones & other moo which were not so grete: & the worthy hercules••••ewe & hewe doū moo thā tretty & somo∣che trauailled by the ayde of jason & other that he whā the place vpō thē & cā to his aboue. This euric{us} & his {con}∣plices lost the place & supposed to haue fledde / but jasō smo thā amōg thē 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suche ardaūt corage / ī discharging his swerde vpon the sholdre on the

right syde of euric{us}. that hit c••tted a two his herte / whiche fylled•••• dede at is feet / wherfore the other seeyng that wer̄ anō so discoraged. that they sparklid abrode / that the moste {per}te of thē suffrid & lete hē be slayn & he∣wē in pieces without makīg or she∣wing ony deffēce. & the other fledde sōme here & sōmethere Th{us} was the fayr Ipodaine deliured of these vilaī glotoūs & oultrageo{us} by the hye vail lyance of the two worthy knihgti•• jasō & hercules. Whome aft this no∣ble victorye they rēdrid & deliured vnto her parēts and fredes

Grete was the loos & preissīg mer∣uailloussy that jasō gate there with the noble hercules for his ••tue / cer∣tes Hercules brought her agayn to the palais with grete glorie / & all the world recom̄ended jasō reseruid pe∣leus which deyde for sorou for the grete worship that was made to hī ī his p̄sece Then̄e begā the ladies to reioie thē self & to chan̄ge their sorou ito gladnes The fayr jpodaine was aourned & arayed all newe. she slep∣te that nyght with her lordre The night passy•••••• peleus on the morn̄ callid jasō / & sayd that their long so∣iournyng displaisid hī. & that he wol de retorne vnto his cōtreye Whā ja∣son had vndstāde pele{us} / he āswerd to hī & sayd that he was redy to de∣{per}te at his goode plaisir Then̄e pele{us} mad for to sadle his hors. & •• the me∣ne while he ladd jasō for to take {con}gie & leue of the king y xion̄ of pirithyō of Y podaine. of hercules & of many other. •• after they retorned ito their logyse. but whā they supposed to ha∣ue takē & moūted on their horses / 〈◊〉〈◊〉. esquyers cā to jasō which p̄sented to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ij. right fayr & exellēt destriers or horses / that one frō the kīg yxio•••• & that oth frō jpodaine. certes jasō re∣ceyuid this present in gre••e gladnes. thāking many tyme the noble kīg & quene. & then̄e he me ••ted on that one of the same hor•••• offrid that o∣ther to his vncle pele{us}. but he wolde neuer accepte hit / & sayd that he was not digne ne worthy to receiue so no¦ble a p̄sēt: & whā he had th{us} sayd he smote his hors with spores & de{per}ted & jasō folowed aft. Certes pele{us} lyed not saȳg that he was not worthy to receyue so noble a p̄sēt as that was which jasō p̄sēted hī: For he was a traitre to jasō. which entēded to no∣thīg but for to do to hī plasir / o cursid blood. certes this pele{us} might not res te ne slepe he was so pensif / how he might brīg aboute to make jasō his {pro}pre neveu to deye & to this {pro}mouid hī ēuye & dis••oyal detractiō wherof he was full Ha a right miserable & right disnaturell ēuye hou maye the∣se noble mē & also other nourisshe the ī their hertes They that ēcline & gy∣ue thē vnto these traytro{us} meuīges. may in no maner haue rest daye ne night. thou liftest hē vp ito hye thou∣ghtes of glie. thou makesthē to moū∣te vnto the hiest toppe bi oultr̄ qdaū∣ce & sur••drie aboue kīg & ē{per}ours {pro}mising to hē largeli. but whā hit cometh for tacquite the {pro}messes thou castest

hem lowe doun & brekest their nec∣kes / ¶ Ha a {per}uerse murdrer / howe many men & also women haue ben slayn & ded by thy poysōs: it is now no nede for to bringe forth example of this tyme present for to approue thy couerd falsenes & how thou ab usest & deceyuest them that haue af∣fiance in the but for to cōtinue our mater with this hit suffiseth for to see thēde of our historie of this saide pele{us} which gaf him to somoch tra∣uaile for ••o ymagine & proiecte the deth of his nevewe jason which so moche affied & trusted in hym.

¶How jason went for to serue the quene Myrro. and how the king of Sklauonye was vaynquishid and chaced fro his siege

p Eleus and jason departed thā fro Thessalonyque in a more∣ning that one right triste & sorow∣full. And that other right Ioyous. & whan they were on the selde Iason as fresshe & lusty began to proue & essaye his hors / & peleus as sorow∣full & trayttre as he was / began to abasshe and hāge doun his heed: & syn sayde to hym self in his euyl co∣rage. Shal I neuer come to my de∣sir / what is this / how shal I do. cer∣tes I wote neuer. shal I murdre ja¦son / nay: & wherfore: for treuly for asmoch as I sholde be ensamed / for murdre cannot be hyd. not withstō∣ding he must be ded certainly. this is the cōclusion. or ellis I shal be put doun̄. & leue the honour•• royal / and shal come to mendicite and pouerte O what mortall payne shall j make him to deye / it is force: but who shal gyue him the morsel of deth. Hit must be thought on̄. if j require ano∣ther to doo this. parauēture he shall haue pite of jason for asmoch as he is in the grace of al the worlde and shal accuse me / if I do ordeyne ony poyson̄ & iason be put therby to deth they that haue made and mixte hit. shal not cōne kepe it secrete And al so that more is Iason shal wele ke∣pe him self from suche poyson̄: O what thoughtes haue I / I see none other moyen but that I must com / myse this caas with my propre hā des. Peleus conspiring in this facon not knowing how he might exploi∣te for to attayne to execute his dāp nable enuye: rode forth all this daye vnto the euen: whiche toke logg•••• in the hous of an aūcient lady whō she receyuyd with grete Ioye & ja∣son also. & they fonde her couering the table for to feste a strāge knight whiche she had loggyd for charyte

i Ncontinent then̄e as Pele{us} ād Iason where alighted from their hors / the aūcient lady made hem to wasshe & sitte at table. and the strā∣ge knight with them & seruid hem with suche mete as she had: and as they had taken their refectōn / jason axid the strange knight after diuer∣ce wordes. what he was & what he sought. In trouth noble gentilman

āsuerde the knight j am of the riche royaulme of Oliferne And litil ser∣uaunt vnto the quene of the contre that j haue named / & j certefye you that in remanaūt of all the worlde is no fayrer lady / & also ther is none more desolate & sorowfull / for the mighty kyng of Sklauonye wolde haue her to his wyf for her grete be∣aute: vnto whome she wil in no wy∣se accorde her self & for asmoche as she hath plainly refused hym / he is entrid into her royaulme in armes destroyng all to fore hym with fyre & swerde he is comē and hath besie∣gid her in her cyte of Oliferne / to fo∣re wich cyte and during the siege he hath had many fayr victories ay∣enst the aydāts & helpars of the que∣ne the which in liuering diuerce ba∣tailles vnto the Esklauons they haue loste and ben sore dimuinsshid of their forces & strenghte for they haue s••ayn of the knightes of the sai∣de lady a grete nōbre that tho fewe that yet lyue dare not nowyss••e out more for to make ony saulte or scar muche ayenst their ennemyes ¶ Wherfore the vaillyāt prīcesse wil∣li•…•… to deffende her self vnto the de•…•…th sent into diuerce places her messagers / and me amonge the other for tasseble for her souldyours and men lerned in the warre for to doo her ayde ayenst her ennemyes as wel for her money as for to hel∣pe to kepe thonour of ladyes. wher∣fore j pray yow yf ye knowe ony in this contre that hit may plese yow / to adresse me to them and ye shal do grete charite & to me grete curtosie

i N telling the knight this that sayd is he coude not kepe him self from weping / but wept tender∣ly. And whan iason had vndstōde & thought a litil of the necessite of the lady / {con}sidering also her grete be∣aute / he wepte for also pite & adressid his wordes vnto peleus and saide Dere vncle ye haue wel herd this goode knight speke / what semeth you. To whom pele{us} ansuerde / cer∣tes fayr neue we / Me thinketh in myn aduys that the king of Eskla∣uonye doth euyl & grete syn̄e for to warre and destroye the countre of one so fayr a••lady / & if j had nomore charge then̄e ye haue / without ma∣king long soiourn̄ or tarieng: j shold go vnto the socours of one so noble a lady / And I ensure & promyse v∣pon my trouth ansuerde iason then̄e that to morn as erly as I may shall mon̄te on horsback and in the com∣panye of this goode knight •• shal go vnto this lady. and shall do her all the seruice & plaisir that I shall can do & maye / for to begyn̄e & ensiewe the ordre of knighthode. wherefore I pray you that ye reco••••ande me vnto the good grace of my lorde my fader. and that ye of your goode gra¦ce wole ofte tymes praye vnto the goddes for me

w Han peleus had vnderstande the vowe of jasō / he was right

ioyous / for he was in thopinyō that he shold neuer retoorne fro this vy∣age / & that by thys moyen he shold be quyte of him with his worship & honour. Then̄e pele{us} {pro}mised to ja∣son that he sholde accōplisshe with goode hert al that he had requyred of him / & syn̄ recom̄ended him to the knight of oliferne / & then̄e it was ti∣me to wythdrawe them wherfore they wēte to reste vnto on the morn̄ & then̄ aroos & toke leue eche of other and thus wēte jason with the strā∣ge knigt vnto the noble cyte of Oli∣ferne / & peleus retorned vnto myr∣mydone prayng the goddes that ja∣son myght be smyten with thonder or thurgh persyd with v. C. speris / or to be buried in the see to thende that ther were neuer moo tydinges of him Suche or semblable were the prayers that the peruers pele{us} ma∣de for the total destruction of his gē∣til neue we Iason / the most adressid knight that euer was in myrmido∣ne. This notwithstāding the noble jason exployted alway his iourney & went so ferre he & the knight that he brought him and rendrid him in oliferne / & presented him vnto the quene for to serne her in her warre / This Quene was callyd Mirro / which is asmoch to saye as mirrour in beaute

Whan Iason sawe him to fore the quene: he behelde her with grete en∣tente enclining him self & making to her reuerēce And she seeing that he was moche fair & a yong gētilman̄ wel made in al his 〈…〉〈…〉 a chiere of a vaillero{us} 〈…〉〈…〉 him īto her wages as a souldyer / a•••• she that hadde grete nede to haue su∣che knigtes in grete nōbre. but thys was not only vpō his {per}sone but also vpō his hye maintene & behauīg iu∣ging in hī grete corage which was notlyk to ony noble mā that euyr she had seen / After the p̄sentaciō of jasō & that the fayr mirro had reteyned hī in her wages & souldies of her or∣denan̄ce. The knight that {con}duyted him brought hī fro the palays into the toun̄ & deliuerid for hī a good lo∣gys. The fayr Mirro hadde at that tyme triews with her ēnemyes for xv. dayes. Certes these triews ano∣ied moch to jasō for he demāded no∣thing but for to employe hī in all fai∣tes of armes to that ēde that he mi∣ght do plaisir vnto so fair a lady / the fayr mirro. which neuer was out of his mynde / for ye shal vndstāde that syn tyme that jasō had beholdē & sec̄ the grete beaute of the lady / she was wreton̄ biloue •• his hert so acertaīli that he coude neuer kepe hī fro thin∣kīg on her in alowīg & preysing. her yonghte / her {con}tena••ice: her wy••ie ••••d all her other vertues / wher with she was ēdowed & adourned & she had no more but xvj. yer of aage. also he brought to his mynde her fair & fres¦she colour: her ladly maytiene & her noble facōn & corpolēte / wherfore he was so esmeuid & esprised with loue that he wiste not what to thenke what thing was him befalle / ād in

〈…〉〈…〉 he was many a day. ••mong these thinges duringg the ••••ws: the king of sclauonye sente hys propre messager vnto the fair mirro for to requir̄ her that she shol∣de gyue audiēce to one of his knigh∣tes that he wolde sende vnto her / to whō he had gyue charge for to saye to her certayn secrete thīges: which audiēce she aggreed / & thā the sayde messager departed & reported to the king that the fayt mirro was stēte for to here his knight Of thise tidin∣gis the king of sclauonye had moche grete toy•• / & as he that somoch brēde in the loue of the quene mirro & wist not what thīg shold befall hi / wher fore he disguised hi self the best wise that to hi was possible. & bi the ••ouse of certai herbe she froted his visage & chāged▪ his colour. & syn toke. ••. of his knightes with hi whō he truste∣d to whō he declared hou he wolde goo vnto his lady {per}amours ••ayn••g that he was a simple knight of the kinges court & deffēded hem exp̄ssy that they sholde not make to hi hon∣our ne reuerēce. sauf only thonour of a felaw to a felaw / & anō as he had a••utifed of that thei shold doo he put hi on the way so secretli that he c̄trid in to olyferne & so exployted that he was brought to for the noble quene mirro whome he had ne•• sec̄ to fore where he knelid doū on his knees ri∣ght hūbly to fore her. & howe wel as he was all rauisshed in thīkīg & be∣holdīg her meruaillo{us} beaute. for he had neuer seen to fore so fair a crea∣ture / after the reuerēces there made he sayde tò her in this manere.

Noble ād right renoined princesse the king of Esclauonie my souerain & puyssaūt lorde recom̄andeth hym right hūbly to your good grace & no∣ble memorie: and for so moche as he hath vndstonde that ye be cōtēte to here his demād / & that he offrith for the loue / for the wele: the honour ād {pro}uffit of you & of your roiame. if hit plese you ye shal gyue me audic̄ce ād good expedicōn with these wordes the ladi {con}māded thēkīg that he shold stād vp as she that wist not what he was / & syn drew a littl a {per}t. wherfo∣re the kīg approuched ner her & said. right vtuouse ••ncesse / ye knowe hou bi diucrce times your right hūble ser uaiit the kīg of esclauōte hath re••red you bi his barōs & c̄hassadours that it shold plese you to be his wyf & fe∣law / & alway in feet ye haue refused him / & for cause of which refuse as j am aduised he hath entrid into your royame & assailid it by warre as ye maye {per}ceyne / yet alway to put him self ī deuoir he hath sēt me to you for to re••re your desired ḡce / as he that hath more greter pite of you. & your̄ coūtre then̄e ye haue your self as me semeth: wherfore he re••reth you by me that at this tyme ye haue pite of your trewe louer: of whō the fortu∣ne is suche that certes he deyeth ī lā∣guysshing after you / ha a my ryght redoubted lady after the iugement of the men̄ ye ar the veray myrrour of al vertues / of al boūte ād noblesse

here then̄e the voys of your seruaūt speking bi my month and requiring your grace & pite the most huble wi∣se that to him is possible / the poure a desolate kīg your right trewe we∣le willare / may not be ino place wi∣thoute thenking on yow his ymagi∣naciō ••pryseth nothing but your na∣me & beaute / his stomack digesteth nothing but your triūphāt glory. his prayers ne suffrages mōte not vnto the goddes but in calling them to the augmētaciō of your wele. Alas ha∣ue ye pyte & mercy on him. on your peple & on your royaulnte / ād on me that am his secrete messager of loue Londe scēde ye in wylle for to be his lady and maistresse to thēde that he may atteine to the chief of his desirs & also to thēde that your cyte & your men may d welle iu pees & reste

In pronounsing these or semblable wordes the doloro{us} king made ma∣ny sighes and began to cauffe and lo swete in suche agonye as he had ben a prysoner presēted to fore a ju∣ge for to reccyue Sentēce of grace or of deth The wyse and discrete mir∣ro suffrid him tachiene all his {pro}po∣sicion / And whan he had purposed alle that loue ensey gned hi for this tyme She was not so disp••urueyed of aduis ne of entēdemēt / but prōpt∣ly & meurly she made to him this ās∣were ¶ Messagyer whā j haue wel vnderstand yow / j am all abasshid how my mortal enmye can or may re••re me of loue of my aliaūce whā by his oul••age and and 〈…〉〈…〉 is by grete wronge entrid in to my ••oy aume with armed hand pylled & robbed my londe / slayn my peple / brente my contre. & yet more in fai∣re hath besieged me ī my cyte of oli∣ferne. & whā j haue wel ouithought these sayde thinges I answere yow at this tyme for al / that j shal rather suffre my self & al my royaume to be destroyed than in ony maner shal condescēde to his requestes & to his will. Certes madame answerde the king / me thinketh ye be not wel cō∣ceyled. ne ••sidere ye not that youre desdayne haue ben cause of the deth of fyfth thousand men̄ / And how haue ye no regard that he is so noble and so puissaūt a king. & that he lo∣ueth you with so parfait loue that all his desir is not but for to mowe come to your goode ḡce In trouth it apperith by that / that is sayd to you that he hath more gretter pyte of your noble persone of your men and of your desolate Royaume: then̄e ye haue your self And therfore mada∣me thēke ye on these thīges and be∣ware that by your cruelte & defaure your goode louer ād frēde if hit plese you / fall not in despayre. I wote ne∣uer what may ēcline you her to / but if it be that ye wil & desire rather the general & total destruction̄ of your royaume then̄e other wyse. And by all my goddes hit is grete outrage & folye that meuith yow therto.

••ertes messager āswerde the wise

〈…〉〈…〉 vnto the ••••••auō king▪ the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or wrastlyng of your wordes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not strōg y nouh for to bete doun̄ & ouercome the constan̄ce of my cō∣tinen̄ce / j loue my men & peple natu∣relly And to this ende that alle the worlde knowe that I saye trouth / also lōg als the soule abideth in my body / j shal neuer haue loue ne aliā∣ce vnto myn enmye / & speke nomo∣re to me therof / With this the king was all vainquisshid & discōforted of socours: & was so terribly displai∣sid & angry of aspre & mortal angre that in a grete dispair & wāhope he saide to her O fell lady & most rebell & leste pieto{us} that euer de{per}ted out of womās bely syn that j must acquite me whā I {per}ceyue that your swete corage wole not accorde vnto me / ne entēde vnto the cōtinuel supplica∣cions of your so trewe louer / I me deporte from hensforth for to speke ony more of this mater / but j yow ēsure as sone as the triews shall fail∣le: ye shalbe guerdoned after yower fierste ¶ With these wordes the kīg of Sklauonye departed thēs with a chiere pēsyf: and retourned to his Ooste more desiring to come to his entēcion. thā euer he hadde bē to so∣re. And the sayr mirro lytil setting by his menaces: begā to deuise with sōme of her gētil womē in recoūtīg to thē the prayers & requestes that her mortall enemy had made to her ¶ What shal I saye yow more / the triews faylled at tyme sette & espi∣red. And whā they were th{us} fayl∣led the king of sclauonie more thī∣king on the fayr mirro / thā was ne∣de to him: made his men to putte hē in armes many a daye▪ hoping that they of Oliferne sholde come out ād make him skarmuches but he loste his payne. for ther was not ī the cy∣te ony man that durste yssue out for to assayble thē. for asmoche as they had alway agaynst hē the worse. & thā whā he knewe that they of oli∣ferne were so cremeuse & rebouted & durst not come out / he chose ō a daye fyfty of his knightes. & sayde to thē. that for the loue of his lady he wold juste agayn thē all. one aft an other / & syn brought hē vnto a place {pro}pice for to juste in / which was right fair in the sighte for theym of the cite. & there begā thei to iuste making so mer¦ueyllo{us} abruyt that they of olyferne herde hit anō & ran vnto the vateil∣lemēt & lowpes of the walles. Iasō wēte for to see these ioustes with the other & anon as he sawe the maner of the Sklauonoys he had grtee so∣rou in him self: and by meruaillous corage he went to the palas to fore the fayr mirro / And after the reue∣rence made / he sayd to her. my right redoubted lady I can not haue mer∣uaille ynough of the grete ••southe & lachenes of your men / for j haue see your mortall ēnemyes deuise & iuste right nygh to your cite with a litil ••∣panye in suche wyse as oliferne we∣re dispourueyed in alle pointes of men̄ and of deffēce / Ha a madame what is this▪ Certes all they that

ben therin receyue grete blame: and therfore I praye yow for your ho∣nour & also myū that ye wil deliuers mex. of youre souldiers: & that it ple¦se you that I may {con}duite thē vpon your ennemyes / & if ye wolde so do j suppose that we shall make affraye to thē as grete as they had ony long syn. The fayr Myrro hering the re∣queste of Iason alowed moche hys goode will: And enquyred of hym the nombre of her ennemyes. and whan she was aduertised that ther wer̄ nomoo but fifty / she sēte for xij knighthes which were newli comē fro the cite of damask to whō she de∣clared the request of jasō / & axid of thē if they wolde aduēture hē with him. They behelde jasō & seeyng his mayntene & that he was the best a∣dressid knight that euery they had seen / & that his request departed fro a right noble corage They āswerde that they wolde acōpanye him vn∣to the deth. Then̄e the noble mayde heering what they sayde accorded to jasō to enterprise that he had re∣quired of her. Whā Iason {per}ceyuid that his request was accorded to hī He thāked the fayr lady with good herte / & after recom̄anded him vnto her noble prayers After that he re••∣red the xij. knightes that they shold spede thē to put hē in point {pro}mising thē goode auenture / This don they wente & armed thē / And moūteth̄ vpon their horses / & whā their hel∣mes & sheldes we•• laced. They dyde do•• open one of the gates of the cyte whiche they helde cōtinuelly closed for alle doubtes & aualed the drawe brigge. and they rood out in to the felde / & jously rood ayenst the eskla∣uons: whiche as saydis were jous∣ting agayn their king by solace

Whan the noble Mayde mirro ād the ladyes knewe that jason was on his waye. they monted vpō an hye tour, out of the whiche they mi∣ght plainly see ī the ooste of their en∣myes: & they taried not lōge. Whā the king of Sklauonie had {per}ceyuid jason & his fela wes whiche cam to him ward: wherfor̄ he lefte the ious ting & callid his knighthes. to whō he sayde Fayre lordes ye hane ma∣de vpō my body an esproue of Chy∣ualerye for the loue of my Lady. but now thenke ye for to gete honour & laude for the loue of me / and procue you myghtly vpō this lityl uōbre of knightes Olifernoys that come vpō vs / we bē foure agaynst one. wher∣fore we shal put hē to deth also light∣li as the lyō deuoureth the lābe with his teth & clawes ¶ With these wor¦des the noble jasō & his felawes as∣sewrid on their horses toke their sheldes whyche were fast bondē to their brestes brādisshed their speris and escryed their enemyes / whiche broched their horses with their spo¦res & receyuid thē & recoūtrid with the might of their speris & so asprely assayled thē that it semed that they sholde haue ••foūded thē to fore hem

〈◊〉〈◊〉 whan hit cam to the troncho∣••••••g of their speris. Iason that hest was horsid of alle the other recey∣uid the first strooke And with hys spere he was atteyned of the king of sclauonye by suche a myght / that he ••cid the shelde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the right side. & there he brake his spere. and Iason smote him on the somette of his shel∣de by suche a ••••••ht. that he made hym to reuers••••••s heed & made h•• to hurtle agan•• the cruper of his hor∣se by hinde so astoneyd that hie feet were lyfte vpward that the rayn of hys horse brack and fyll doun from his horse vnto the groūde / the whi∣che horse than Ran astraye into the felde. than passid forth Iason right Ioyous of his good aduēture. A•••• with another spere that he had ta∣ken of his esquye•• ••or to fulcome his empryse. cam and reco••••trid one of the beste knigh 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of sklauonye / to whom he gaffo desmcsurable a st••••∣ke in the middes of his shelde. that he percyd hit and the hauberk and haquetō in to the body in suche wy∣se that he fyll doun dede fro the hor∣se to the erthe. And than they sinote to gyder on bothe ptyes by the strēg∣the of their speres wele sharped with stele. And for the grete nombre of the sclauons that were there in Re∣garde of them that recoūtrid them Sōme lefte the stour and wente for to conforte their kin•• / which laye on the erthe alle asto••ed and as ded And the other entended for to fur∣misshe their enemyes Thus began the bataylle fiers aspre and Rego∣rōuse as welē with speris that sone were tronchonned as with good trenchaunt swerdes. & they of Da∣mask maynted them so hyely bi the example of noble Iason / that with iousting they vare doun. vj. of their enemyes / Of whome four were de∣de on the felde and the other ij. we∣re so hurte in th•• falling that they nughtneue ••••••pe hē self after

¶ Ye may wel vndstande that this stour began aspre and meruaillous The Esclauons sette their kyng on horsebak agayn as wel as they cou∣de vpon one of the horses of them•• that were dede. and then̄e all they sette hand on 〈◊〉〈◊〉 werdes / and ca∣me for to entre••e ••e with jason / ād them of this companye / smyling on them so dismesurably that jasō kne∣we anost that he shold be ssayn. if he defended h••••••t with all his power And then̄e concluded in his corage that er he left hys lyf he wold make his Renommee growe in Olyferne and in Esclauonye: or he wold deye in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 / with that he haū•••••• his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enchaunt swerve of ••••••∣le And di••hargid hit vpō the hei∣me of a Esclauosi by suche vtue that he clefte his heed vnto the ••̄rayū / that he f•••• doun̄dede fro his horse to the erthe. and in passing further he smote an other in the presence of his king / by suche force that he cutte of

a quartre of his shelde: and his lyfte atine with all / And whan the king apperceyuyd that Iason departed suche strokes he had doubte of hys persone / And that was no grete meruaille. then̄e as worthy & vayl∣liaūt as he was he escried jason to the deth. And syn cam to him with his trenchūt swerde enhaūsed / and smote hym so myghtily vpō the top∣pe of his helme: that he made the sparcklis flee oute. and his hede to enclyne lowe dousi: wherof he was notlityll astoned. but escryed hym sayng. Vaissale ye haue well she∣wid to me: how ye can recountre a mā with the spere. but I shal she we to yow the sharpnes of my swerde / & thou that I am beter knight then̄e ye: And if ye escape fro my handes without receyuyng of deth / I will well that ye saye to my Lady para∣mours the fayr Mirro / that her lo∣ue and frende of Sklauonye hath neyther force ne myght

¶ How the king of sclauonye was vaynquysshid by Iason in the felde by bataylle.

••Oche was Iason desplay∣saunt whan he had vnder∣stande the vauntises of hys mortalt ēnemy But whā he knewe that he was the king of sklauonye / he was well joyus for to knowe hi & thus saide to him by derisiō Ha / a right oultrageous fole Arte thou he that arte affoyled with the blanche feures for cause of my right redoub∣ted lady / Now see •• wel that in the is more of p̄sumpcion: than of vayl∣lyaūce: and of vauntise thā of fay∣te and truly more of folye than of wysedom For hit ys parfayte folye to the for to name the better knight than j am: Than late vs see who is the better. With these wordes they began agayn to smyte eche other ryght asprely / Certes Iason prouid hym self ryght fiersiy in gyuing to hys ēnemye many strokes terryble and poysaunt / And so many gaf hi in makyng reed hys swerd of the Esklanon king that the right male∣rouse king was constrayned to crye and to kalle his knightes vnto hys ayde and helpe / but ther cam so ma∣ny that Iason was enuironned ād assayled on alle sydes

Whan te noble jason felte hym self so aduironned on alle sydes by hys ennemyes / He was more recōfor∣ted than to fore / And begā to smy∣te wyth hys good swerde of steele on the ryght syde and on the lyfte syde by suche vertue and myghte: that the ladyes of the Cyte knewe him among alle other: and percey∣uyd that he skarmusshid with his swerde all dyed with newe blood now here / and now there: And after sawe hym cutte of heedes

••••••••es and legges and fystes And made armes at his wyll and more then̄e all the remenānt. And certes by his mayntene he semed better a thing of that other worlde then̄e an humayne persone. And fro this ty∣me forth on the fayr Myrro see••••g this that sayd is / toke jason sol her good ḡce / that vnto the deth she lo∣uyd him aboue all other knightes▪ as she that setted her loue totally in him: The noble Iason fought then̄e vailliaūtly agayn the Esklau••̄s. ād right lōg endured the bataylle And whan the xij. knightes of damask sawe the grete prowesse and dāge∣rous stour that was aboute their maistre They smote in among ••h••̄ that so assayled him And then̄e en∣forced him Iason for to make hym self to be of valour / truly by suche ar∣deur of corage that he slewe ther̄ t••̄ of the most hardyest knightes of all the hooste of his enemyes wherfore the king of Sklauonye seeyng hys mayntene & the valeur of jaso had suche fureur and drede. that he ha∣baundon̄ed the place & his knightes that then̄e all wery folowed hym. And then̄e the noble Iaso ••••••••wed the chaas ād chaced 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vnto the grete cost in suche {con}fusion & mo••al occision̄ that of the fyfty knightes that were at the begynning of the batayll ther escaped no moo but ten But tey were all slayn & detrēched or he wēl pieces And of the partye of jasō ther bleef no moo but tweyn̄ vpō the felde And of the remanasit all were hurte that one more āguis∣shously then̄e that other

¶ How ja¦son was joyously receyuid of the quene Mirro of Olyferne and hou ••they be waylled eche other

AFter this meruayllous ba∣taylle▪ and that the worthy jaso had rechaced his enemyes vnto nyghe bi the ooste as said is he taryd for two resons The first was for as moche as he ••owe his felaws wery & sore payned by their woundes / & the seconde was for as••noche as he sawe the Ooste ••••••ue for to come v∣pon them / & than as wyse ād discre∣te he withdrewe hi sayng that mo∣re to worth a good retrayte•• than a folisshe abydinge: and reētrid with grete honou•• & glorie into the cyte: wherof the fayr ••••yrro was as jo∣youse as she coude be / & cōtrayre to this was the king of sclauonye as sorouful & āgry for the grete doma∣ge that he had suffryd that day. E∣uery man ••••olyferne as sone Iason was reentr•••• sie wed him & mā wo∣men & childrē blessid him sayng one to another that they had neuer seen none lyk 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him in beaulte ne more vaillyaunt knight of his body: and than al the Cyte began to ••eyoye•••• whan the sayr myrro thought that Iason was vnarmed▪ she sente for him: & he cam gladly to her / for that was al his desir. than whā he was comen to fore her / he sale wed her / & she rendrid to him his sale we. & syn

demanded hym hou he felte him self & how he ferde. Certes madame ās werde jason to god begyue the thā∣king I ne fele on my body but all good disposicion: ād am ioyously re∣torned into your cyte and as to the regarde of your enemyes / by that I haue felt of thē me thīketh that they ought not fore to be dredde ne doub∣ted / and that in short tyme: ye shall haue of them good rayson. I haue this day made my swerd reed ī their bloode. wherof their kīg your mor∣tel enemye hath had grete dueyl ād soro we / And I haue yet goode wil that to morn̄ I shal redouble that. & yet that shalbe worse to him & to his if the goodd be in myn ayde & helpe

¶ Whilis that Iason spack thus to the noble lady as sayde is. she behel∣de hym now ād now by right grete ardaunt loue. ād coude not absteyne her self. for she was so surmounted with loue at this time that for to hy∣de her wil and to refroide & cole her alityl without more speking to ja∣son: that she left him with two da∣moiselles for to entretene & tarye hi and she withdrewe her ito her chā∣bre / where she begā to thinke on the grette vertues that were in Iason / That is to wete on his hye prowes∣se / on his fair chiere. on his laughyn∣g eyen: on his well made body. and on his gracyouse speking / And so moche she thought on hym that she must come agayn vnto the place where he was Then̄e she fonude in the halle of the palays plente of her frendes / and of the most noble of the cyte / and ther was newly artyued a messager of the king of damask. that certyfyed to her: that that eue∣nyng sholde come vnto her ayde. ij. thousand assyriēs / whiche the king his lord had sente to her in the con∣duyte of hys broder named Prusi{us} whiche was a right vaily āt knight in armes. Of these tydīges was the noble quene moche reconsorte 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ād commāded that they sholde ordey∣ne wel for hem to ete & drynke: and dide do couere the tables & receyued this Prusius ryght solempnly / but whan eche was sette at table / the fayr myrro ād Iason were in suche wyse seruid by the refection of loue: that they toke none hede of mete ne of drīke: The messager of loue that is to wete / doulce Regarde was cō∣tinuelly on the way / that on was shamefaste and changed colour. ād in lyke wyse dyde that other. Iason coude not conteyne hym self. & Mir∣ro perceyued wel ynow his mayn∣tenyng. ••ut myrro was moche sub∣tyll for she behelde him raysonably / & more dyde by wisedom than her herte desired: In these regardes ād in these semblances they passyd the soup{per}. ther was no lady ne damoisel le that ne employed her eyen for to beholde Iason for his grete beaute / what shal j saye more. aft the soup∣per hit was ordeyned: that on the

[illustration]

In these or semblable y∣maginaciōs the Escla∣uon kīg passid all this nyght vnto the morn erly: that Corf{us} a mer∣uaulious Geant born in Toscane cā vnto hym / and demanded hou he ferde / and how hit stode with hym / Certes corfus answeryd the king. For so moche as I dreme of my lo∣ues / And that they occupye me so sore / that they ssee me because I oc∣cupye hē so moche: & how wel that j fynde in her but reffuse & fierstee. & howe sayde corfus. thenke ye yet on her ye sayde the king. That muste nedes be. Must hy•• nedes sayd Cor∣fus. Ye certes ayd the king. Thā sayde corfus / ye be a fole and ryght euyll aduysed / For alle thinge con∣siderid he is not wyse that ēforceth̄ him to haue a wyf aboue his degree for as moche as ther bē of other plē∣te. Right well sayd the king / ye saye ryght wele: but knowe not ye that som̄e one is better and more worth than sōme fyue honderd. Certayuli my ladi is the oultrepasse of al other ladyes. ought j to leue her for her ref∣fuse / ye sayde the geant if ye do w••∣sely. by my lawe sayd the king 〈…〉〈…〉 shall neuer befall me for to dey•…•… the payne as her trewe seruaū•• / 〈…〉〈…〉 that I hope to come to thaboue of

myn enterpryse how that it be. ••••y∣re sayd Corfus. I reporte me vnto your symplesse But and ye will be∣leue me ye shall begyle her welle / Ye shall leue her for suche as she ys sayd the geant. and neuer whyles ye lyue lone neuer woman but for one ny••••••ye may euery day haue a new ther is non̄ so grete playsir as for to change ofte. Ha a corfus sayd then̄e the king / a treu louer vseth̄ ne∣uer suche termes as ye speke of / and whan a prince may come to the lo∣ue of a lady. fayr / trewe / discrete. ād a of good house. is not that ynough̄ for hym. yf he that cometh̄ to suche felicite and goth̄ to chaunge: certes he is worthy of reproche: Syre say∣de the Geant Corfus. ne knowe ye nomore then̄e ye saye and shewe: Certes ther is well another poynt / and what is that sayde the king / I shall saye yow sayde the geant Cor∣fus: Take ye the fayrest lady that li∣ueth̄ / and be as amourous ouer her as euer ye can or may / Anone as ye haue ēioyed her as lytill as hit may be / ye shalbe wery and full of her / she shall seme to yow foule? and yet more I shal saye yow that sone yet shall wisshe her brend And yf ye be as other men be ye shall leue her▪ ād take an other yf hit be in your puys∣••••unce

••A a Corfus saide then̄e the king if j shold beleue your counceyll. I sholde neuer do well / & as to the regarde of me j we∣ne that ie saie to me these thīge••▪ for to make me retorne into my coūtrey to thende that ye goo not to the felde agaynst them that yesterday shedde my bloode / by miloyaulte said theūe Corfus / Syre alle that I haue sayd procedeth nor for ony fere ne drede / that I haue of alle youre ennemyes But I counceylle yow to my trew power: for asmoche as me semeth̄ hit couenable for yowr helthe and prouffyte. And to thende that you∣re wenyng be founden vntre we with oute more delaye. I shalle sen∣de your messager vnto the noble que ne Myrro / for to signefye her / that for to mayntene the noble mestier of armes / I offre my self alloū ayenst viij. the beste knightes that ben in the Cyte of olyferne / for to fyghte in champe cloos as hit apperteyneth. in suche a caas

WHan the kinge of Skla••o∣nye had herd that āsuer of the geant. & perceyuid that he was angry: he helde his pees so long / that the geant wēte & armed him in hys tente / And syn put him on the way to ward the. cyte in the companye of a messager of the kin∣ges. whom he sente vnto the Quene Myrro ryght in suche wyse as a fo / re is sayd / and whan the messager had said that he had in change The noble quene callid the more parte of

her knightes and declared to them that the Geant had demāded / A no∣ne as they of olyferne had herd the contenue of this mandemēt. For as moche as Iason and plente of other knightes straūgiers that were the∣re gaf the honour for to speke first to them of the same contre for to saye their aduis of this werke They say / de alle on hyhe that this geant Cor∣fus was he that by his force & vayl∣laūce had put to deth the most part of the noblesse of olyferne. and that them semed hit shold be grete folye for to furmisshe the bataylle that he demanded. but of this answere we∣re alle the knightes straungers so a∣basshed that they concluded to be cōd••••ted by the knightes of olifer∣ne Reseruid the noble & preu jason the whiche as he that might not lē∣gher holde his noble corage to speke but sayde wyth so hyhe a voys that he was wele vnderstōde of all men in this manere

Hayr lordes displese yow not. if the vtue of my corage knowe not now the feblesse of my body / j knowe rig∣ght. wel that I am not grete ne mē∣brrd as a geant. neuertheles I will wel that hit be knowen that ther is no geāt that hath gretter hert then̄e I hane / And to this ende that it ap∣pere euydētly. & the noble lady whe∣re my herte & all my wele Resteth̄ / may alway here goode tydinges of me / j enterpryse for to fyghte ayenst the geant Corfus man for man̄ / ād j shall neuer reste vnto the time that I haue prou••d my self ayenst hym Then̄e the noble ladi the quene that tho was present hauing herd thē∣terprise of the noble jasō / was so vt∣terly smyten̄ with sorou. that her se∣med that she was smeten̄ with a spere a trauers the herte so moche she louyd jason / neuertheles she hel∣de goode contenan̄ce. asmoche as to her was passible / And incontinent as Iason hadde declared there hys corage / She sayde to him / Iasō fayr sire be ware what ye saye: & see that yongthe abuse yow not / For yf ye were you. xx. armed and in point for to fyghte knowe ye for trouth̄ that he sholde neuer leue but abyde yow thawh̄ ye had sworn̄ his deth •• Ertes dere lady sayde jason: kno∣we ye that yf yongth̄ abuse me / oul∣trequydaūce & presūpciō deceyueth the Geāt / For to sse a man̄ hou gre∣te or puyssaūt that he be / ther beho∣ueth but one stroke well sette. But whether hit be of yron̄ or of steell or of ony other thing j doubte not but hit shall come to poynt. Whan the noble Quene Mirro had vnderstā∣de this that Iason sayde / She wys∣te not what to āswere ¶ What shall I make yow long tale he dyde doo be sayd to the messager of the king of Esklauonie. that he wolde befig∣hte the Geant Corfus / And then̄e whan the noble Iason was armed wyth̄ hys armes / he mounted on

horseback & his spere on his thye. & so departed fr•• the cyte And adres∣sid hī toward the geāt which̄ was right subtyll in the fayt of armes & of the warre. he had all his harnois trussid & his hors sadlid & brydlyd

••ncōti••••t as the geāt {per}ceyuid that ••he va••lliant prince jason cam ridīg vnto him / he sterte vpon his hors & cam to ward him: & by grete felon∣nye sayd to hī. what sekest thou. to whom jason saide / Arte thou corf{us} / Ie answerd corfus. j am he trewly Than knowe thou that thou arte he that j seche / Thou sayd corfus. ye trewly sayde Iason / and what me∣uith̄ the so to doo said corfus / cōside∣rest thou not the strengeth & force of my body ād the furour of my swer∣de / and how I am cause of alle the desolaciō of olyferne: yf me good se∣meth̄ I shal sese the by the heede ād breke thi necke. as the necke of a che kē / Thou tellest me meruaylles said jason for to fere & abasshe the peple / but for alle that my corage chāgeth̄ not / our processe en dureth̄ to long. go thy way & feche thy spere. & than shewe what thou cāst doo: thou hast founde a mā for to furmisshe the / li∣tyl speking & well werkīg. The ge∣ant wyth̄ these wordes wēte for to fecche his spere And jasō couerd hī with̄ his shelde assewring him self ī hys sadell. And whan he had so don & sawe that the geant smote his hors with his sporis & cā agaist him: he roode to ward hī so corage∣ously. that hit semed more lyk thon∣der desceending from heuē thā ony other thing / and so smote the most fiersly that thei coude or mighte: ād their strokes were so peysaūt & heuy that the sengles of their sadles brake in so moche that the noble Iasō was born vnto the erthe / and the geant was reuersed with the sadle vnder the crupe of his hors / and of the pey∣santeur of the two grete strokes the raynes of his horse faylled / & hys two legges behynde in suche wyse as he tumblyd the hede vnder & the feet vpward at right grete meschief

Many knightes of Sklauonye and of Olyferne were gretly abass••id whan they apperceyued that jason hadde receyued of the Geant Corf{us} oon̄ so heuy & so grette a strook with out deth̄ or mayme / Iason and the Geant so born̄ to the erthe ād sette a fote. as sayd is Releuyd them self anon̄ in their stāding and marchid oone agaynst that other / Then̄e the strōg Geāt drewe his goode swerd out of his shethe. & escried jasō sayn∣g. Vaissale or felawe thou hast don̄ to me now the most grettest disho∣nour that euer h̄append or came to me. And therfore kepe thy self from my faytes the best wise thou maist. for if the arme with the good swerd faylle me not at thys tyme: j shal cō∣sounde

the in short tyme. And after I shall drynke thyn blood and ete thyn herte in despyte of the dueyl ād sorou that thou hast don̄ to myn her te. Ha a tyrant felonnous & oultre∣cuydan̄t āswerde the noble preu ja∣son / what euyll woldest thou doo / if hit helde at no man̄ / but at the. Cer∣tes hit happeth ofte tymes that su∣che menaces ben sayd of grete fere and drede And al is don̄ for to saue his lyf / But to the regard of the ād of al thy menaces j make no comp∣te net doubte the in no thing. And in that thou sayest / of drynking my blood▪ and etyng myn̄ hert I shall kepe the right well by the ayde and the helpe of the goddes for to falle in suche j••h••••anyte or furour / And j hope where I haue angred the in thyn herte▪that hit shall not be long to but that thow shalt be angrid in herte in body / and in sowle. Than that corfus the right cruell geāt had vnderstand the wordes of jason he lefte vp his heed ād chyn a•••• char∣gid with heer▪ lyke a Beer / and af∣ter enhaunced his trenchan̄t swer∣d: with a grete Corage right angry and smote Iason and gaf hym so terryble and poyssaunt stroke that he bare a way more than a grette quarter of his shelde / And whā the noble preu Iason felte him so smetō: of the Geant: he lefte vp his swerd a heyght wher with he araught his mortel ennemy / vpon the coppe of his helme in enployeng alle his mi∣ght / that the Geant was constray∣ned to enclyne his heed alle lowe. Wherof many had grete meruayle

As ye may vnderstonde the twoo Chāpyons began to entretaste eche other with their trenchaūt swerdes Alle way the geāt after that he had receyuid this peysaūt strook: he ha∣unced his hand with hys swerde▪ agayn and supposed to haue sinetō jason: But jason whiche was lyght & delyuere and wel auised ī his feet drewe him a part in suche wise that the stroke of•• the geāt fylle on the er∣the so depe. that if h̄e hadde araught hym playnly / he hadde confounded him: Than the preu Iason whiche had so voyded hym fro the strooke stept to the geant: And gaf hym su∣che a stroke vpon the ryght sholdre that he brake his hauberk: and ma∣de him a grete wounde Than jason withdrewe his swerde alle blody. And whan Corfus the stronge ge∣ant felte that jason had so hurte him Certaynly he wente he shold haue goon out of hys witte: for asmoche as he sawe the swerde of his aduer∣sarye▪ was dyed wyth his blood / & was moche angry. But jasō sette ly∣tyll ther by. Sauyng he begā a lytil to smyle and lawe / And yf he was glad so were they of Olyferne / that beheld the bataylle of the twoo chā∣pyons / But hit was notlong after

but their lawhynges changed into wepynges / For the geant as all des¦payred Ran vpon Iason so egrely / that he wist not how to saue hym / on that other syde he sawe hys shel∣de all ī pieces And with that he gaf hym a wounde vpon the lyfte syde that the blood ran doū fro the woū∣de largely: Right long fought the ij. right vayllyāt champions that one agaynst that othre in so moche that they detrēched & brak theyt sheldes by fyne force: hit was a good sight to see Iason the noble knight how he delyuerid agayn the geant Cor∣fus so meruayllo{us} bataille gyuing to hym so moche trauaylle in pour∣suyng him so besely that the Geant began to waxe wery in suffring so many strokes: and began strongly to swete. Than for to refress••e hym selfe / he muste nedes departe & leue to fyght and smyte Iason and to with̄drawe him a parte / Whan the worthy Iason apperceyuid the ma∣nyere of the Geant and that he sou∣ghte for to reste him. he had grete yoye: how wel he had as gladly res∣ted hī as his aduersayre had / whā he {con}siderid in him self: that he might reste him and ease him. and that he was not hurte but in one place / he▪ approched to the geant & sayd to hī / Ha / a ryght myserable tyraūt. Ap∣proche the toward me and late vs {per}forme & make an ende of thys ba∣taylle now begōne. I perceyue now right well that a bedde for to reste the on / sholde be to the more play si••: then̄e shold a bataille or a stout to be furmisshid. but I aduertise the that hit behoueth vs to come to thende of our entrepryse. And that ther is no remedye. and knowe that my cora∣ge hath̄ brought and conduyted my body vnto this point / But from hēs forth my body shall conduyte hit by the vtue of loue / bi whiche me thin∣keth̄ I fele my puissaunce redouble / whan that I remembre her. which aboue alle other ought to be beste be∣lo••id of me. As she that is verayly withouthe ony exception

Incontinēt that Corfus the crimy∣nell Geant hadde vnderstāde of the noble damoiseau jason that he was so amerous he began to saye to hym by grete malice: Certes right gentill knight / j {per}ceyue right wel that you∣re hert is prysone•••• the mercy of s••∣me lady: I requyre you in the name of her / and by the faith thai••e owe to her: that ye come and reste yow besyde me a lytill. And we shal de∣uyse vs to geder of oure auentures Ha / a right recreant and wery ••y∣baulde ansuerd theūe the noble da∣moiseau jos••. Thou sekest nothing more but for to reste the. And yf j ac∣corde to the thy requeste. hit is to mi p̄iudice for thou maist nomore. No∣twistāding in the name of my right hygle maistresse I am content to do n•• thou hast requyred: But be ware that thou reste not long: With these wordes the Geant Corfus and the

noble jason satte doun̄ vpō the gras∣se: And after they began to deuyse and the Geant corfus sayde to him Right gentyll knight as j vnderstā∣de ye ben amero{us}. Hit may well be sayde Iason / Of whom is hit sayd the Geant / of a laydy sayde Iason: What is she sayde the Geant. The most fayr of all fayr āswerde Iason Ye sayde the geant as to your sem∣blaunt The worlde i••geth her so ās∣werde Iason. Ha. a sir knight sayd the Geant. ye be a grete fole. for per∣euenture ye sawe neuer your lady: And ye saye and name her for the most fayre of alle other: ād yet that worse ys. ye holde her for youris / ād hyt is possible that she ys longyng to moo that an hōderd / Howe ma∣ny ben ther of thē that ben not dou∣ble: I louid not lōg syn a lady right fayr to myn aduyse. But she is fou∣le right terrybly. Men preyse and a∣lowe moche the fayr Mirro. But I trowe who behelde her well round aboute / ther shold befounden som what of Reprehencion: Ha a ryght disloyall traitre āswerd jasō / howe darsi thow by thy grette oultrege to thenke euyll vpon the flour of alle ladyes / whiche hadde so moche / of bounte / of beaulte / of wytte / And whiche is garnisshid of so many. hy∣he and noble vertues: and is a ve∣ray myrrour vnto alle other / wher∣fore by the fayth that I owe vnto loue er euer I ete or drīke thou shalt abye it / Stād vp lightli•••• thy feet and kepe the from me if thou thin∣ke good.

••He noble and gentil knyght Ia∣son aroose with the wordes alle en∣flamed of ire and maltalent. And toke forth with his swerd that laye on the grasse alle blody / The Geant roose also / but hit was not lyghtly: For hys legges were Royde lyke a a voyager. that had alle the day to fore haue voyaged or goon a Iour∣ney / and than Iason cam and smo∣te him vpon hys lyfte arme and so employed all his puyssaūce that he departid the arme fro the body in••u∣che wyse that he fyll doun to the er∣the. Than the geant by right aspre distresse made a meruaillo{us} & ryght horrible crye. After this as one full of a terrible courage haunced his swerde swering by all•• hys goddes that he wolde auenge hym / but he wiste not hw he myght sewe Iason for so moche as he was light & deli∣uere ād abel wel knowing the tour of his strookes in suche wyse as he alwaye defended him vailliaūtly & distourned the strook of his sweid That hys enemye sought all waye ād coude neuer attayne to reche hī / And ī this wyse the bataille dured long in so moche that the sōne begā to deuale in to the weste / But the no blepreu Iason among many stroo∣kes enuertued hī self by suche vail∣liaunce in smiting vpon the Geant corfus with̄ his trenchan̄t swerde /

that he araught him on the hyest of his helme / iij. strokes one aft̄ an ot•• in oon place that at the thirde stroke he enfondrid & to frusshid his helme and the coyffe īto the heed. in suche wyse that of the grete āguisshe that the geant suffryd: that he fylle doun̄ a swoūne vpon••the sande seeyng all they of oliferne: And of that other part the Esklauons whiche were soroufull & abasshid

Incontinent as the worthy Iason hadde slayn ād smyton̄ doun̄ the ge∣ant to the erthe as sayd is. he dishel∣med him. but he foude that he was dede / wherfore he lefte him there ly∣eng. And in signe of victorie he sea∣sid his swerde. and after wēte vn∣to his hors. whom he founde pastu∣ring. But he had no leyser to sadle him because of many Esclauōs that he sawe meue for to come and rēne vpō him. Then̄e he seasid his hors by the brydel: & withoute sadle sterte vpon him: And for alle doubtes he withdrewe into the cyte as sone as was possible for him / Wherof the Esclauōs hadde right grete despyte / And than whan they apperceyuid that they gate nought in poursuyn∣g of jasō for they were alle a foote / they withdrewe h••to Corfus whō they foundeded: for whom they were gretly disconforted in so mo∣che that hē semed that alle her trus∣te and hoope was loste and goon. And among alle other whan the king knewe the mysauēture of hys geant / he was so soroufull that of al¦le the euē after he •…•…not•…•… d / For he had grete 〈…〉〈…〉 strengthe: in his grete hardynesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in hyr entrepryse

ORete and meruayllous was the sorowe that the king of Esclauonie and hys men demened for the deth of the stronge Geant Corfus. And on the contrarye the noble Quene Mirro & alle they of the Cyte of oli∣ferne demened grete ioye and ma∣de ryght joyous chiere for the noble victorye of the vaylliaunt Iason. Than the noble quene Myrro accō∣payned of a grete nombre of ladies and of damoyselles of knyghtes / ād s••nyers cam to the gate ayenst Ia∣son esprysed with suche gladnes ād consolacion̄ that hit can not bespokē And anon as the noble knight Ia∣son espyed her / he sprang doun of hys horse and made to her the reue∣rence. and after presented to her the swerd of the geant Corfus. ād sayd Madame ••o here is the swerd that your knightes hane so moche doub∣ted here to fore. beholde hit wel / ād doo with alle your plaisir / Than the noble & fayre lady āswerd to jason Ryght exellent knyght. thanked be the godd that by your hyhe ētre prise & vaillan̄ce haue this day deli∣uerid the cyte & all the peple of oly∣ferne of a meruaillo{us} drede & fere. & syn that the crymynuell Geant cor∣fus is dede Alle the remenaunt as who sayth̄ is as goodes as vayn∣quissijid.

and therfore come ye vn∣to our palays. & we shal▪ doo visite your wounde•• by our Surgyens. which shall ordeyne right wel and diligently for your helthe

Then̄e was the noble jasō brought vnto the palays with grete louīg & preisinges of the ladyes & damoisel∣les of the knightes and of the peple of the cyte of Olyferne. The wedo∣wes be wailed gretly because he was not erst comen for the losse of her hus••ondes they that were ma∣••ed reioysed and were glad of his coniyng. They that were discōfor∣ted and desolate recoured their co∣rage alle newe For in the vaillaū∣ce and in the hyghe vertues of jasō rested all their hope. In his strēgth they toke affian̄ce. jn his witte they trusted. In his vaylliaūce they we∣••e reconforted / And in his goode fortune consolate / Eertes hit semed to thei then̄e. that thei were delyue∣rid from the paynes of helle / and brought into paradys ¶ What shal j more saye the fayr Mirro though∣re and dremed oft tymes of jasō / as of the knyght that she lonyd most of the worlde. The preu Iason was thre dayes long in the palays wy∣thout ony armes beryng / And du∣ring these thre dayes the fayr Mir∣ro wente ofte tymes vnto hym. ho∣ping that Iason shold haue requy∣red her of loue / whithe he hadde gladly doon̄: but as cremetous and doubting the recountres of reffuse. durstei no manere touche that ma∣terene make ony semblaunt to her ne to none other

On the fourte daye than whan the nobles of Oliferne kne we that jasō was hole of his hurtes / and myght well bere armes / they assembled & cam vnto the Quene Mirro & sayd to her: Madame ye haue wel cause for to reioye your self / yf a herte ifor∣tunat after grief vpon grief may re∣sourdre whan fortune wyll fauou∣re and ayde. We and your coūceyl∣le haue often tymes beholde and ••eē the ryght hygh prowesse and discre∣te conduyte of your knyght Iason. Certes hyt may wele be sayd / that hys lyke was neuer founden. hyt se∣metsyto vs. that fortune hath brou∣ght hym vnto your hādes: for to re∣suscyte and Reyse yow. for to take vengaunce of the ouer grete euyllis and meschyeues that hath ben doō to yow and your men duryng this warre. And for many raysons we counceylle yow. that ye ordeyne ād consiytute the sayde noble Iason ca∣pitayne of this Royaume and chief of your warre For we thīke so mo∣che noblesse & vertu in hym: that he shalle neuer haue reste in hys cora∣ge vnto the tyme / that he haue chas∣sed awaye youre mortell enemyes oute of yonr Royaume / ād brought them to disconsiture

••It••s to wete / whether the noble quene Myrro was right joyous in her herte: whan she herd so hygly

recōmended him that she mo••••e lo∣uid aboue alle the men of the world hit is no meruaille thawh she so we¦re & debonayrly she accorded the re∣queste that the nobles & her conceyll hadde made to her. And forthwyth she sente for jason. and in the prese∣ce of thē that had made the reques∣te as afore is sayd. she constitued hī Capitaine geuerall of all her royau∣me. Then̄e jason remercyed & thā∣ked the noble Quene Myrro of the honour that she had don̄ to hī▪ & also the nobles & her coūceyll for theyr goode pourchare Inexcusing gretly him self of nonhabilite Sayng that he was not propice ne worthy of so hye charge & honour to enterpryse: But all they that there were p̄sent sayde / That notwithstanding hys excusacions. they wolde haue none other capy••••yne but hym / and that he sholde be it: as ferre as he wolde not disobeye the noble quene Mirro They shewid hym so many demō∣straūces that he enterprised and to∣ke vpon hym the charge / and that same oure the noble quene Myrro deliuerid vnto the noble damoiseau Iason all that was necessarie to hi. and ordeyned hys estate: And whā the noble preu Iason felte hī in this honour so hygh sette in his astate / he sente forth with to the king of escla∣uonye. cōmanding him to departe he and all his ooste from thēs. And that anone he sholde voyde the roy∣ame of oliferne: or ellis on the morū betymes he sholde dispose him & ma¦ke him redy to be receyuid bi bataille Whā the puissaūt king of Esclauo∣nye vnderstood that jason hadde so sende him his mādemēt. he had ry∣ght grete meruaille. hou wel he ans∣werde to the heraulde that he hadd not entēcion for to dissoge him ne to reyse hys siege / & that he wolde erst haue at his {con}mādemēt the noble que ne mirro / for to doo with her his wil le / & sente word agayn vnto the no∣ble preujasō. that also dere as he had his lyf he shold kepe hī that he came not in his presence. and if he came in his hādes: he sholde doo him deye a miserable deth

¶ Incōtinēt as the noble preu jason had vnderstādē this āswere. he dy∣de to publisshe in all the quarefours of the cyte / That all they that were of age to bere armes shold be redy on the morn̄ erly for to goo wyth h: for to envahye & fyghte with theyr enemyes / & th{us} passyd that ••dy ••••∣to the night / That iason then̄e begā to thēke on the grete honour & char∣ge that he had receiuid. & then̄e whā he was withdrawē in to his cham∣bre continuyng his amourouse p••∣sees & thoughtis He begā to saye by him self in this maner Ha a myde∣re ladi hou haue ye dō to me this gre¦te worship & gyuē to me more good then̄e appteyneth to myn astate. ād hou shall hit be possible to nōbre the excesse of boūte / of clerenes of beau∣te with all other ••tues that bēl you

I ought not to meruaille if youre ri∣ght excellēt beaute draweth to iour loue the corages of strāge prices / for ye be adressid in all bountees. the moost fayr creature and the moste discrete that god and Nature euer fourmed The right most {per}fayt that is ough where. hou shold it be then̄e but if ye were belouyd of alle folke: Certes ye are worthy that the ayer be replenisshid with callinges and of voyses cryeng after you and re∣quyreng youre grace & mercy / Ha aye that be so moche excellent and vertuous. That alle my thoughtes and ymaginaciōs ben torned. and gyuē to you that ar of so moche hye valour: Not wistanding j shall not absteyne me to loue youre noble {per}so∣ne. For j shalle the better prospere & be of the more value ¶ In suche or semblable wordes the preu jasō pas¦sid the moste {per}te of the night. & vnto morn erly. the daye apperid fair and cleer And ano•••• ••••ter in short time after the deth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 corfus. Ia∣son and the syrien ••••doubed them / and assemblid them of the cyte to fore the palays of the quene Mirro and than whā jason sawe & knewe that his people were sette ī ordenāce he wente vnto the fayr mirro & said to her •• this manere / Madame pra∣ye ye for your knight / the whiche a∣boue alle thīg desireth: that he mig∣ght doo that thīg. that might be to you right agreable: & prouffitable to you and your cyte. Certes right ex∣cellent and vaillan̄t knight answere the quene myrro / ye ar moche prey∣sed and hygly recom̄ended of my men̄ / And for so moche j praye you that in this iourneye ye haue goode corage for to defēde mi quarele whi∣che is goode & iuste / And as to the regarde of my selfe / I put myn Ar∣mee and my men vnder the cōduy / te of youre preudhōmye and your wy••••ō / Prayng vnto the goddes that they wille make youre fortune to shine clere. and tenhaūse my god∣de quarele

¶ How by the hye vailliaūce of ja∣son the king of sklauonye & his oos∣te were discōfited & him self stain to fore Oliferne:

[illustration]

Thus as the nobie que∣ne spack & admonestid the worthy knight ja∣son & his mē to do wel & fighte vayliantly in defending her iuste & good quarele / jason began to beholde her so ardātli that she was ashamed hou wel that she as wyse & discrete helde honeste manere. & than the noble jason after theleue and congye taken as well of her as of the ladyes and damoy∣selles departed frō the palays with grete bewailinges / and mounted on his hors: But there were many of the ladyes and damoiselles of the court / that began to bewepe hym / prayng vnto the goddes to gyue h•• good auenture / And they sayd on•• vnto an other that it sholde be grete dominage yf tohi•••• came one for∣tune other then̄e goode / & that they had neuer seen none so courtoys ne so gracyous / and that he was the veray sourdre and welle of nobles∣se. Anone then̄e as the noble preu ja∣son was on hors bak he sette his mē in ryght fayr ordonan̄ce / and after sette hem on the waye toward the felde And the peple by all the waye that he passed knelid doun to fore hym & prouoqued the goddes vnto his ayde and helpe. And then̄e whā he was comē ito the felde he assem∣bled

all his folke and putte hem in fayt ordonāce of batayle And then̄e wha•••• he had requyred thē instātly and amonested thē to doo well. he dide doo marche thē ayēst their ene∣myes which abode them a fote ren∣gid and right well ordeyned. At the meuyng Iason dide doo so wne trompettis. tabours. and cornessa∣tasins / buysines & other instrumēts so melodious••y that hit semed that they hadde goon̄ vnto a wedding or mariage or som̄me grete feste: And thus tryumphing of one hye wille medlyd with Ioye desiring to doo well: Reioysing them self singuler∣ly in the vayllian̄ce and goode con∣duyte of the right worthy and no∣ble knight Iason they approched in suche wise theyr mortell ennemyes that they began to couche their goo∣de speris and begynne the stonr And in that same tyme as the kīg of scla∣uonye helde his mē in araye a mer∣uayllous grete Rauen cam fleyng ouer his hede cryeng right horribly INcontinent as the king of Escla uonye herde suche a crye he begā to tremble for Ire & be in a grete ago∣nye / & loked after the rauen & sayde O ouer hard and trembling hope. This maketh me to entre ī to frene∣sye For this fowle is messager of the deth / or of right euyll auenture / and this is an euyll signe / for I fele my vaynes all voide of blood / Ha a midere lady what shall I nou doo Certes j shal neuer put me to repro∣che for to flee / I hadde leuer deye ād lete here my lyf / than euer shold be rehersed to yow of me ony dishones te tydynges / Certes alle they that were tho aboute him wer̄ fore aba∣sshid. & not withoute cause But ne∣uertheles they reconfor••ed thē self the best wyse they might. and anon was made thā on bothe ••••desamer∣uayllo{us} crye with which they mar∣ched that one ayēst that other And began by the archers ād arblasters the batayll so aspre that the Ayer was derked and obscurid with the quarels and arowes & stones that fle we so thikk / ād made with their Cryes a grete bruyt right meruayl∣lons.

THe vayllyaunt knight Ia∣son was in the formest frō∣te of his people holding his bo we in hys hād wher with he lete flee Arowes vpon his ennemyes largeli / But atte last the shotte lassed And whan Iaso sawe that▪ he s••e••¦te vpon his horse ād toke hys ••held and his spere Inescryeng Oliferne by th••e tymes. and smote hys hor•• w^t his sporis & thrested ••to the mid des of his enemyes so swiftly / that prusus ne the syriens coude not fo∣lowe him at the begynning Then̄e whan hit cam to breking of speris / The king of toscane ād the king of bongye knewe him anon̄: wherfore they ran̄ ayenst him / sayng that they wolde auenge the deth of the si••ōg geant corfus And bothe vaylliaū••y

him tronchonyg their speris vpon his shelde / withoute endomagyng his shelde / but hit is well to beleue that the noble pren jason failled not at this first cours: for he smote the king of bongye by suche radeur that he lefte hym oute of his arson̄s / and bare him there vnto the erthe: And so passid forth. and then̄e cam aga∣ynst him the king of Poulane / but that was to his euyl helthe / For ja∣sons spere trauersid his shelde hys hauberk & the body alle to breking his spere / And then̄e cam on vnto the bataylle Prusus accompanyed of his knyghtes That meruaillous∣ly mayntened them self in ensewing the faytes of jason / and thus began one and other to shewe them self with ryght grete effusion of blood on bothe partyes: But moche more of the•• of Esclauonye / then̄e of thē of Oliferne.

Incontinent that the noble Iason had broken hys spere / he gryped in his hād his good swerd that was clere and trenchaunt / And preten∣ding that mē shold speke of his fai∣tes and vailliaunces. he adressid hī on that parte where he sawe the ba∣nyer royall of Esclauonye. And sup¦posed to haue entrid there vpō his ennemyes▪ but they held hem thik∣ke to geder. and cast ād smote vpon Iason ryght asprely. And jason v∣pon them by suche vertue that he of∣foundred plente of their heedes. de∣trenched theyr sheldes and slewe grete nōbre of good knyghtes / For the vaylliaūt Prusus and his kni∣ghtes aborded than there in suyng Iason at euery strooke bathed hys swerd in the blood of hys enemyes And dide so grete fete of armes on alle sydes / that they that behelde hī: and his mayntene. callid him deth ād sayde / Certes the deth assaylleth vs hauyng the forme {con}habylemēt of a knight. Flee that wole hys fu∣reur and his trenchaunt swerd / for whom he arecheth shall neuer after see fayr daye.

Iason thus in thys whyle dyde Ar∣mes at hys wyll / For he beyng on horse made the sclauō knightes mar¦che a foot and many other with ou∣te nombre / one and other saide that his body was all of stele / And that he was noman mortall / but that he was a thing of that other worlde: For hit semed to hys aduersaries that they hadde no spere no swerde that myght entre in to hys body. ¶ What shall I saye vnto yow: he dy∣de so wel that bi vyue force with his trenchaūt swerde he brake the war∣des and araye of the Esclauons ād cam vnto the banere of the kinge es∣clauon where he was acompanyed with xxx. knightes that rengid thē for the garde of the baner But incō∣tinent whan they sawe the swerd of jason redy for to smyte on them. The moste asseured of them began

to tremble. Neuerthelesse they sette hem in araye and toke their sheldes haunced their swerdes / ād entryd frely and fast a foote / the preu jason swym̄yng in a newe corage bi gre∣te plai••ir ād appetite for to gete goo∣de loos & goode renom̄ee smote in a∣mong tho knightes that withstode him with al their puissaunce. And then̄e in this manere begā again the bataille and a meruaillous stour: in so moche that on alle sides men my∣ghte see knightes flee eche other / shel¦des to breke & fle •• pieces / hauber••s dismailled▪ he••mes broken / & blood spryng out of theyr woundes. and falle vpon the erthe

Certes the noble preu jason hadde there moche to doo & su••fre as well for to kepe his men in araye / as for to e••••aye and assaylle his enemyes For his shelde was smy••ē in many pieces: his armures were adomma∣ged ī many places / This notwith∣stāding he e••••ertued hym selfe de∣fending / wold neuer cess••. til he ca∣me vnto the banere of the king of Esclauonye / and to the knight that bare the banere he gaf a strook so dis¦mesurabli that he clefte his hede vn∣to the chyn̄. And fill doun̄ dede fro hys horse to the groūde: & the baner also in the presence of the k••ng of es∣clauonye: The whiche anone as he perceyued that stroke / withdrewe him a parte. and one of the knightes wente for to auan̄ce & releue the ba∣nere / but the noble preu Iason made of him as he dide of that other And after that he brac and all to ••ēte the banere in pieces at the hors feet. This don̄ he began to smyte on the right syde and on the lifte side. And then̄e the Esclanon•• loste corage ād vaillian̄ce / And on the {con}trarie they of olyferne seeyng the goode {con}duy∣te of their capitayne / begā to growe better ād better in suche valoir that as many ennemies as they met∣te / they slewe with their swerdes. And so in the ende hit happēd that as the noble Iason ran here ••d the∣••e▪ he recontred the king & slewe hī with one strooke that he gaf hym with his swerd / Than the esci••••ōs alle discōforted & despaired as they that hath no more esperance ne ho∣pe to obteyne the victorie escryed sayng. Late vs flee ād saue our self for alle ys loste. for the king is dede: ¶ With whiche crye they tourned their back. and put hem to flyght ••d dysaroye / how well that they were yet more than. v. ••. And than the vaylliaunt Capiteyn jason and alle his bataylle poursewed them cha / cyng ād s••eing them out of the roy∣aume of olyferne / This don the no∣ble Iason ād hys companye retour∣ned vnto the place where the escla∣uōs had holde their siege / & there thei founde richesses plente. & thā whan thei had de••ted theyr gayn & bu•••• as hit appteyneth vnto suche a caa••

to euery mā his part after his cōdy∣cion / The ryg••t vayllian̄t jason cō∣manded to trusse the tentes & paui∣lon̄s of his ennemyes. And than he and his companye retourned in to the cite as ••ayn••ueurs with moche grete glorie and triumphe.

The fayr Myrro cam than to me∣te with Iason garnisshed wyth a gracious maintene. And made to him the grettest hononr & reuerēce: that was to her possible / leding him vnto her palays / where he entrid with grete payne. for the peple was assēblid there on alle partes aboute hī in a meruaillo{us} nōbre for to see hī And cryed alle with an hyhe voys sayng. Nowe is retourned agayn victorio{us} our defēdour: our swerd. our helthe and alle our esperaunce: whiche hath only in him self more of vaisselage than is in all Esclauo∣nye / and ought to be honoured & re∣comanded aboue alle other. Certes the noble jasō was fested this night & recōmāded of suche and sembla∣ble loenges of thē of Oliferne / whi∣che made in the stretes daunses and esbatemens thanking their goddes And alwaye Iason was more ād more in the grace of the ladyes / For the best born̄ the most fayre the best accomplisshed & the most especy all fyred their loue in hī / Alle were ja∣louse of hī: But jason neuer thought on none of them / but onely / vpō the seulle ād oultrepassed beaute of the vertuouse Mirro: whiche alwaye was in hys memorie / And all they hadde wondre & meruaile of the be∣aute / graeiousete. witte & perfection of jasō. And for to abregge this sto∣rie the vailliaūt & oultrepreu Iason was in this glorie and triūphe vn∣to midnight which thā withdrewe hym: And whan he was withdra∣wen in hys chambre he reentred in to hys reuerye of loue as he hadd bē to fore acustomed. And sette alle in oublie and forgeting the poysan̄t & dangerous strokes that he had that day receyuid in the bataylle ayenst the Esklauōs. wherof his body was right sore. and concluded in him self that on the morn̄ he wolde declare his corage vnto the lady. But whā the daye was come and whan he cam to fore her. he felte hī self so sore surpsed with loue that he wiste not what to saye. And th{us} he drof forth longe ād many a day that he for ••••∣le his hardines of armes. his ••w••••e speche ne his strengthe coude not a∣uaylle in gyuing him hardiesse / for to discouere his corage vnto his la∣dy Wherfore on a night in his bedde began to blame him self / and sayde softely to him self in this manere

THat may prouffyten the {con}tinuell be way linges that I make for my lady. I am not a ferde whan I fynde me in a troublo{us} bataille of an hōderd thou∣sand men̄. but whā j suppose to spe∣ke to my lady / j tremble for feere ād

drede ād wote not what to saye / for to fore her I am as al tauiss••••••d. in lyke wyse as a poure and shāmefast man that suffreth to dye for honger rather then̄e for shame he dar begge his breed O what vergoigne proce∣deth of suche shamesasines. I speke to my self allone & I answere / Ofte tymes I am aduised that to morn̄ I shal do meruayles & so j {con}clude right wel / but whā it cometh for to be don̄ j haue no memorie ne remembraū∣of all my conclusiōs: Am j not then̄e wel simple: whan vnto te most fayr the moste sage. the most discrete: ād the most vertuo{us} of all other / I ha∣ue no hardynesse for to saye my desi∣re & will̄. how wel my herte iugeth that I am sowhat in her grace / but now cometh vpon me an other iu∣gemēt. & me semeth that she wil ne∣uer accorde to my requestes O right noble and nonparaille Mirro / she is without peer / as the rose amōg thor nes: Alas & what shal j do without you. j haue made a p̄sente to yow of my hert & my will. if I vnderstode that ye were born̄ in a constellacion cupesshing you of thinfluence of lo∣ue & that loue had no power tespro∣ue vpon you his vtues j wolde not enploye my time for to thēke on you but whā me semeth that so grete ha bondan̄ce of the••cesse of beaute na∣turel as youris is. it may not be but that it is entremedlid of loue of pite / & of merci. it must nedes be that your humble frēde be rauisshed in the cō∣templacōn of your glorionse value: desiring your goode grace wisshing your alian̄ce / & requiring the goddes and fortune that of yow & me they make oon howe ād one bed where we mighte ēbrase the soueraine play sirs of this worlde & pla••ly fynde a∣merouse felicite.

THe preu jasō with thise wordes fyll a ssepe: and after he awoke so a∣lumyned with the fyre of loue that hit was to him ipossible to take his rest but to tourne and walowe and trauaile in his bedde. And there as loue thus assayled him agayn / he de∣termined vtterly that he wolde ad∣uenture hi to speke to his ladi: what that euer happen therof / And so he dyde / for the same day he cam vnto her & sayde in this wyse / Madame j haue seruid you as well as to me is possible for two causes Principally that one for tha••quite of cheualerie. and that other not for to disserue the rychesses that ye haue vnder the po∣wer of fortune But allonly that sin∣guler thing that nature hath made yow lady of and vpon whiche for∣tune hath puyssaunce. Madame ye haue don to me plente of curtoysies / And offred grete yefies of monoye Wherof I thanke yow: how wel I holde thē but of litil exti••e. for coue∣tise of auarice haue not alumed me of their fire. j demande not the grete tresours that bē ī the abismes of the see▪ ner thē that bē enclosed ī the mō∣taignes: my desir testith ī ij. singuler

thinges: that one is for to conquere name in armes: whiche ought to be thappetite of the vocacion of all no∣ble hertes That other is to obeye vn to the com̄aūdements & plaisaūces of loue that bindeth. ād obligeth me to be youris: for to thenke on you. to attende & abide your beniuolence to doo thing that may playse your ey∣en & your herte

Alas my dere lady all good & hono∣ur cometh of yow: ād yf ye be all my deport ād fortune. And the goddes haue suffrid me▪ to haue doo thing digne of amerouse meri••e in your fa¦uour / put not ye your herte in disco∣gnysaūce. by the whiche your noble royaume is put ī pees Receyue hier to your man trew frende and louar your knight / and the ryght humble & obeissaunt herte. of whom the bo∣dy secheth with al your playsirs to obeye him that hath made al his tre∣sour of iour beaute. frō the oure that the goode fortūe brought me hether vnto your presence. I was ād haue ben in all poyntes redy to lyue & dye for you in your seruice. in which j to∣ke arestan̄ce / j submysed prestly my necke to bere the fardell of iour war re / ye knowe how I haue born̄ it. ha a my dere lady haue mercy on me. I supplye yon humbly for asmoche as neuer trewe louar requyred his la∣dy with more desire & affectōn in all honour & curtoisie.

The preu jason cessed then̄e his re∣queste in beholding the fayr myrro right amorously / the whiche herd hi with a glad will. but this not wistā∣ding she made no maner semblaunt. but for asmoche as to proue jf jason was asmoche affected in loue as in armes / she āswerde to hi as hir folo∣weth sayng / Certes fair sire jason j knowe that ye be he that haue dis∣charged my royaume of them that ete & destroyed the substan̄ce & whi∣che wolde by force haue ocupied & wasted hit / And so j will not saye but that he be ryght digne of grete merite. and that your thāke and re∣ward ought to be yolden vnto you: But vnto the regarde for to require me of loue / me semet••ye haue moch to ferre enterprised / ye knowe well ye ar none other but a knight / what might saye the kinges & hye princes of whō I haue late made refuse. jf I g••fe me to you. howe wel myn ente cionis not in no wyse to blame yow But vnto thēde that ye lose not iour tyme. I auise you to seche oughwer ellis your partie. & than do ye wysely and require yow to be content her with for j knowe no better remedye for your appaisemēt Alas my dere ladi āsuerde jasō. Remēbre you that my hert is suche that cā chiese by no way none other ladi in loue but you Certes that shal not be vnto the ty∣me that the fysshes flee in the ayer: And that the byrdes swym̄e in the water / My frende sayd the lady

vnto the regarde for tendēde to take a thing difficile. is no grete prudēce ye be meure ī your yong age a••tou∣ching Armes / But beware that ye put yow not in so parsounde an er∣rour that ye can not easely come ou∣te / Certes I loue yow more than ye wene. I am redy for to yelde you yowr merite for the grete goodnes that ye haue don to the cyte of olifer ne / I praye yow that ye require me no more from hens forth. and late this suffise yow / Ha a madame ās∣werde jason than. howe maye j ha∣ue suffisaunce whan I may not fin∣de grace to fore yowr noble vysage Of whiche ryght indigent and not satisfyed I remayne. ye daygne not to condescende to my prayers. hit is now your play sir that I falle in des∣pair. ••nt syn hit goth so and that ye will haue no compassion of a trewe knight that hath bē youris / and the deffendour & the hāde that hath ob∣teyned the peas for your royaume. and the propre arme that hath takē vengeaunce of your aūcient forfai∣teurs and enemyes. al dispaired j de∣parte prayng vnto the goddes that wille eulu••••ne yow. wyth pite and merci as thei knowe that is nedeful for yow & vnto all oure goddes I commande yow.

¶ How that jason after that he had required the quene mirro of loue de∣parted alle discōforted frō oliferne: & hou she wēte after him

[illustration]

WIth this conclusion the preu Iason all in a traunce & half rebuqued wente vnto the ladyes & damoiselles. And the fayr mirro & on woman whiche was se∣crete with her depted fro thens / but the quene entrid allone into her chā∣bre / thīking moche on jason. whiche at that tyme comen among the ladi∣es as said is with an herte sorouful & enuyrōned with displaisir. thāked thē gretly of the grete curtoisie that he had fonden in thē / & in this poyn∣te toke leue recom̄anding him self in their goode grace. After de{per}ted th•••• vnto his stable & commāded to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 le his hors. ād after that he sente see his armes & adoubed him / & forth∣with without ony more speche hou well it was nigh night: he rode sorth out of the cyte: & was so āgry & des∣plaisaūt that he wist neuer whither to become / & whan the ladyes sawe that jason de{per}ted frō the cite so allo∣ne & discōforted thinking on the v∣tues where in he was ēdowed they cōplayned him moche: ād saide one to an other that he had not his her∣te in ease. Many of them bewailed him ī suche wise that the grete teres fi•••• doun from their eyen / and amōg thē ther was one that kneu sōwhat of the secretes of the quene. & she ha∣uing seen Iason taking his hors all armed & departe out fro the cyte cā vnto myrto alle bewept as she was & sayde to her in this manere

Madame what eyleth your knight or sodayne chaūce may come to him to departe out of your cite armed & allone at this oure hane ye sente h••∣īto ony place hit semeth thathe hath his herte oppressid with aspre dueil and sorowe: Certes bele answerde the Quene / I wote not what hi ey∣leth. but j trowe right wel that he is not alle at his ayse: for in recōpēsing of the good seruices that he hath dō to me in this warre. he hath desired & required me of loue. & for asmoche as j haue not accorded to him his re∣queste. he is departed frō me all an∣gry / & more knowe not I. Madame than sayde the damoiselle. gaf ye to him no maner hope ne esperan̄ce at his departyng / Certes j gaf to hi no∣ne saide the lady. And how saide the damoiselle / ye haue said to me more than a. M. tymes to fore this tyme / that he was the only desir of yowr herte? j confesse that to yow said t•••• quene. for yet mi loue is sette on him merueyllonsly. ād bere alwey in my souenan̄ce his grete beaute & his we le doinges / Ha / a madame āswerde thā the damoiselle / why haue ye thā āsuerd hi so coldeli & refusingly: cer∣tes sayd the lady / j wote neuer why But that j was so abasshid & so cha∣uffed in my blood / whā j vndstode that he requyred me of loue that I wist not to āswere. & also ••i myn ad∣uise myn honour requireth that at this first requeste. I sholde holde me straūge & not tabōdon̄e my self. For they that at the firste re••••ste of theyr

louers agree to them▪ ought to be as∣hame••••▪ For as moche as the more parte of men haue no verite ne loy∣aulte as to the Regard of loue And also ther be many that cā non̄ other wyse doo / but serue ladyes & gentyll women with lyes ād deceytes My moder tolde me & bad me kepe this lesson whan she sente me first to sco∣le. if ī haue wel reteyned her doctri∣ne me thinketh I haue not don̄ mo∣che amys. for the thing that is gotē hy grete trauayle & long requestes is moche more worth ād better kept then̄e that is goten lyghtly: Certes that lady that of her loue is required can doo no better / then̄e to holde her strange & be moche requyred

•• Adamē answerde the damoisel∣le▪ I accorde moche to that ye saye to me▪ but ther is in all thinge manere hou wel that there be many mē that praye & requyre ladies of their loue asmoche as they maye mak••g lesin∣ges & false othes that can not be coū∣te•• but certes madame this noble & vaylliāt knyght jason is not in myn adnys no thing like as to the comp∣te of other. & after that j vnderstōde by your wordes ye haue sent hym from yow all hoūtose & shamed in so moche as j deme that he is goone in suche wise as he cam hether. For at his departing he came & toke leue of the ladyes / Wherfore I am in do∣ubte that ye shal neuer see him mo∣re. And is he goon as ye saye saide then̄e the lady / ye certes saide the da∣moisell / he is certaili goost / By what place & by whiche gate / That wote I not sayd the damoiselle / but j tro∣we better that he is retourned into his countre / then̄e to ony other place

WHā the noble quene Myrro vnderstood this that sayd is. and that she had a lytyll remembrid her self of the departing of her dere loue & frēde: she fyll doun̄ to the erthe as all thurgh smyten ād tronchoned with amerouse sorowe & dueil / she began then̄e to wrynge her hādes ād to smyte with her feet sayng not passing lowde. Alas. alas Fortune is to me hard. Alas and what haue j don̄ my selfe euyl auise∣d whan I was required of loue of the moste renomed knight of all the worlde: of the most vaillaunt in ar∣mes / of the fayrest that lyueth And that I haue not humelyed my self with his grete humylite / •• haue ma∣de refuse of my right grete wele & of my grettest ewre & happe. Certes I coude not kepe ī myn hous the good fortūe that the goddys of their secre te tresour of their ḡce had sēte to me & brought & plāted in my hādes. By my litil aduyse & entēdemēt I haue chaced out of olyferne hi that hath rescowed ād brought hit agayn fro mortal encombraūce by the hye va∣lyaūce of his {per}sone & the trauaile of his body with the p̄cio{us} prys of his blood. & then̄e what haue j do / Haa my herte what hast thou consented My mouth what haste thou voided

My tonge what hast thou {pro}••erred And myn entēdement where were thou: Where was thy force or thy puissaūce. or thy will▪ that desiring the loue & thalyan̄ce of hi that was abādōned to the which haddest thy mouthe closed for shame. & hast suf∣fred the corporall & bodily mouth to denye that thing▪ that thou ap{pro}∣uedest to seche aboue all otherthing O right poure shamefastnes / ye hoū¦touse shamefastnes / ī what ploye or in what p̄sse am j nowe by thy cau∣se / Certes j am ashamed that j haue refused thalyan̄ce of my frende & of my domicille But certes j shall amē∣de hit to my power / j shall goo after him so ferre til j shal fynde him And I shall haue no shame to putte me •• his mercy

Whā the yōg damoisell a{per}ceyued the grete displaisir where ī her mai∣stresse was / she shitte the chābre do∣re to thēde that no persone shulde co∣me vpon thē: & begōne there to we∣pe til nyght: & that a lady cā: ād say∣de the souppe was all redy Thā the quene dide do āswere her by the da∣moyselle / that she wolde not souppe for so moche as she felte her not wel disposed & also cōmāded that no {per}∣••one sholde come to her that night / Whiche āswere so made the quene & the damoiselle begā to make newe bewailinges & teeris & after began to be waile jason / and among all o∣ther thinges / The quene saide these wordes / yet maye ther worse aueu∣ture greue me more for after ā ouer moche dangerouse incōuenience she sendth to me the deth / Ha a late me sorowe. but what shal I mowe doo I wote neuer what to thenke. and what ought I to doo by your faith: seme ye good that I ought to goo after him. or that I sende ony faith∣full man fter him of my knowleche Certes I thinke if I sholde sende a messager after him that he wolde not come agayn / And if j wēte my self after hi. that sholde be to me the grettest dishonour of the worde. ma¦dame answerde than the damoisel∣le. ye ought to knowe your caas / ād of two wayes to take the beste: If ye haue intēcion that Iason be your husbonde / hit behoueth no lenger to soiourne. for ye muste goo or sende vnto him with alle diligēce / & for to saye to yon myn opinion: yf hit we∣re so happend to me as it is to you: j wolde sende none other messager / but my selfe. And knowe ye veryly that ye may haue no dishonour for to goo after him vnderstonden and well considerid the good and agre∣able seruices that he hath dō to you / and to your royaume For vnder the colour for to guerredone and re∣warde him / ye maye take occasiō to come into wordes & to gyue hym sō matere yet for to serue yow. Certes fayr donghter saide the quene. j wo∣te not what to thinke / what me is best to do. for if j goo after him and finde him / what shal j saye My dere

•…•…de the damoiselle: as j ha∣ue right now sayde ye shal presente to him the guerredō of the grete ho∣nour & good seruice that he hath dō to yon in iour necessite. this thīketh to me lityl substāce for to entre into speche of my principal cause sayde the guene / Certes madame āswerd theūe the damoiselle. whan ye shall come and be to fore the knight / loue shall teche you to speke / if ye will re∣corde the lessons ād epistles of loue by the space of tē yere. it shall but li∣tyl prouffite to your auācement / for ther lacketh nothing but thinspira∣cion of loue medlid with hardynes∣se & of humayne entēdemēt: spekīg with the mōth whiche is instrumēt of the dischargyng & discouering of hertes: Syn that it is so sayd the the fayr Myrro quene of oliferne. Alle thing considerid j had moche leuer to couere a lityll blame / then̄e that I shold in alle poyntes with oute euer to recouere again alle the hole desire and plaisir of iniherte & the cōsola∣cion of myn̄ eyē. then̄e j shall saye to you myn aduyse. that hit is nede ād necessite so to do. and that ye muste nowe goo vnto my women̄ ād saye to thē / that to morn̄ betymes j shall goo in pilgremage accompayned of you onely / and that they take hede & see well to alle thinges. And ye & I to fore the sonne rising shal enterpri∣se in the most secrete wyse that shall be possible oure ēqueste vpō the most noble and vaillian̄t knight / the most fayr / & the most adressed that his li∣uing / That is jason myn only frēde & we shall do so moche that he shall be foundē. This aduise semed right good vnto the damoiselle / the whi∣che with alle diligēce obeyed to the comaūdement of her maistresse: ād after these thīges aboute midnight. they made redy her thinges and on the mor•• erly to fore day. bothe they toke eche a good palfroye in habite vnknowen and rode forth on their waye: and suche was their auētu∣re that they cam for to bayte in the logging wher her frēde Iason had logged that nyght / And thā she be∣gan to demande of the hoost of thaf∣fayre dnd contenan̄ce of the knight & what chere he had made the euen to fore. and at his departing what way he had takē & holde. And the hooste answerde to the lady: that as to the regarde of his chere and thaf∣faire of the knight: he had nether etē ne dronkē in alle the euening / And a•• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the waye that he had holden / he▪ enseigned to the ladi / which was than moche pensif for Iason. that had not that euenīg takē no refec∣tion of mete ne of drinke

¶ How jason fougt wyth the king dyomedes in the shepe

[illustration]

THe noble qu•…•…mirro and her dam•…•…yed than not lōge 〈◊〉〈◊〉 batyng: for they toke their horses and rood as hastely as to hem was possible. & so roode iij. dayes long after jason. he∣ring in euery logyse where they des¦cended ••idinges of hi: but they cou∣de not ouertaken ne finde him. And on the fourth day suyng they cam vnto a parte of the see▪ where was shewid vnto them a ship / where in were marchāts of athenes / & was told to them that Iason was therin & that he wold go to athenes & fur∣thermore yf they wolde goo ther was yet a ship of other marchants that was on the poynt to departe: but then̄e the fayr mirro was in su∣che a point of displaisir whā she kne∣we that jasō was departed that she made grete sorowe. This notwith∣standing she was anon̄ conseylled what she wolde doo. & cōcluded syn that she hadde somoche traueyled that she wolde proue dame fortune & went after jason. with this cōclu∣sion all ful of aspre sighīges she wēt to the ship that sholde disancre for to go to Athenes ād aggreed with the marōner whiche was brought the∣der by force of tempest & winde and anon̄ they disancred & de{per}ted: and whan they sawe that it was calme

& flewe nōt. thei made redy their oo∣res & rowed by the force of their at∣mes: for at that tyme mē vsid not so many sailles as they do now not∣withstanding they exployted in su∣che maner that they cā into the hye see / where they rowed long tyme / in whiche tyme the quene Mirro becā seke vnto the deth. & fynably whan they had bencertaine space of tyme a interuaillous orage & grete winde caste hem here & there. in suche wise that fortune broughte hē to the por∣te of trace: inagre al the maronners for they were al nduertysed that it was perillo{us} to ariue there because of the kīg of that coūtre wiche was named dyomedes

The king dyomedes theūe was a tyraūt ryght inhumayne / and had of long tyme bē acoustu••nted to rob∣be all them that arriued in his roy∣aume were hit by see or by lande he was at that tyme soiourinng in his cyte named Bysance. The whiche was after ward callyd constātino∣ble & incontinēt that this ship was arryued at the porte of Bysarice. Di∣oinedes dide hastely doo arine hun. & brought with him xxx. of his ty∣rants ād in this inanee cā vnto the porte where were arriued the two ships of athenes. & assone as he mig∣ht be herd of the marōners he escry∣ed thē & sayde. vylayns meschants & vnhappy come vp on hye & come out of my shippes▪ for ye must logge in my pris••s / or ye shal haue as ma∣ny strok̄es as ye may suffre

Whan the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 jason had vnderstand the grete felōnye of the tiraunt / ād that he sawe that alle the marōners trēblid for drede ī suche wise. that thei dursie not sou∣ne a worde. he enhaunced his heed and answerde to dyomedes sayng Gloton miserable what demandest thou: be we not infortunat ynowh / as thou semesilate vs in peas. Dy∣omedes hering this answer was as āgry as he myght bee: wherfore he {con}māded his {con}plices that incontmēt they sholde auēge him of the iniurie that jason hath sayde to him in hys presence. than the complices whiche were right aspre & more redy to do euyl than otherwise / escryed Iason to the deth & descended from thens that they were til they cam to hys ship vpon the sande: and whan the preu jason s••••••e the manere of the∣se tyrauts: he recomforted him self the beste wyse he might ād his ma∣ronners whiche were so dysconfor∣ted that they had no power to put hem to deffence / he toke his shelde & held fast his goode swerde / and bad them to take their vastōs ād arniu∣res: & that they sholde deffende hem vaylliauntly and of goode corage / But in this sayng the glotōs appro∣ched Iason & sinote vpō hym with their swerdes ryght fierssy: Certes they enuayhed him on alle sydes by grette felonye / But they coude not well areche hī for as moche as ther

was betwene hē aboute a. vij. fote of watre / wherfore sont of the wēte for to fecche a brigge of tre right strō¦ge & propice: & wherin were nayles of yron̄ / on bothe sides: ād they dyde somoche as they fastned this brighe vnto the ship of Iason: And thene they that were wel asseurid thre of the most vayllian̄t of them moūted there vpō & myghte goo therō a frō∣te: But w••ā they supposed to haue smyten vpō the noble preu jaso. As vailliaūt ād ryght asseured knight as he was / he enuertued hym selfe vpō thē by suche cōduyte that with thre strokes of his good swerde that he gaf to them he made alle thre to tumble into the see / where they drā∣ke so moche that they neuer arose but lefte there their lyf

Whan the marōners of the shippe sawe that their lorde jason defende∣d him so vayliaūtly withh̄ the trē∣ching of his good swerd they toke corage / for they seasid their siaues / and arniures. And enterprysed the bataylle ayēst their ennemyes for to supporte ād helpe alytyl jason / how well they held hē gladli bi hynde as they that fledde the strokes to theyr power. Certes the noble Iasō kepte right vaylliaūtly the passage of the brigge ayēst the tyrāts & furnisshed hem wel vpon thentre of the plāke vpon which they wēt vp one after an other of whom many were hurt and s••ayn / There was the tyraunt Dyomedes the whiche entremedlid him to his power. to cōduyte his cō∣plices and there brayed as alyon / for somoche as his men myght not matche ne bete doū the vayliaūce of the knighte jason: The whiche allo∣ne resisted their fiersie ād puyssaū∣ce Notwithstāding for all his grete pride he ne dayned not to make ony assault but by the brigge / What shal ī saye yow / certes the bataille dured right lōg betwene jasō & the traciēs. ī so moche that the quene mirzo her∣de tydinges therof: And was told to her that ther was a knyght in the shippe of their {con}panye that made so many hye vaylliaūces vpō the tyrā∣tes of trace: that ther was neuer no∣ne seen lyke to him in prowesse

¶ whā the queue mirzo vndersto∣de these tydinges she thought incōti∣nēt that hit was Iason that fought so vaylliaūtly for to deffēde the two shippes / she had gladly auaūced her self for to haue see his grete vassela∣ge / but she was so right feble that in no wyse she might lifte vp her heed and in lyke wyse was her damoy∣selle And so long dured the terrible bataylle the ylle partye of the Tra∣ciens and of Iason / that the traciēs foūde nomore a lyue but xij. of. xxx that were come thedir And of the∣se. xij. seyng the deth of theyr fela∣wes. ther was none so hardy that dursie presente him to fore jason / ne cople with h•• Thā the king dyome∣desseyng this that said is: was so ā∣gry

that he myght no more be / Thā wening to do vayllyaunce & for to gyue corage to his cōplices: he wen∣te vp on the plāke & presented hym self so ferre that jason salued him / & welcom̄eth him with suche a stroke of his swerde•• vpon the hyest of his helme / that he smote him doiireuer∣sid vpon the brygge ād syn lyfte vp his arme with the swerde / but the paillards tyrāts as wery ād recre∣aunt fsed alle trembling and were so abasshid whā they sawe their ki∣g Dyoinedes so sodainly sinetōdoū. thā som̄e of his complices drewehi by the legges doun from the brigge in so moche that they toke frō hihys horn that was aboute his necke / & blewe & souned hit lowde for to ma¦ke assemble there the Cythe••eins of the cyte / the which hering the soun of the horn̄ assembled thē for to co∣me to the rescousse of their lord / but the tempest of the see cessed than ād the maronners casied the brigge in to the watre. And than whan they were disancred they departed with their shippes out fro the porte with att diligence. And began ryght joy∣ously to rowe thāking their goddes and the hye vaylliauces of the no∣ble knight jason that they were so es¦caped of the dangerous paryllys of the felon tyrauni / The whiche on that other syde had so grete despyte & sorowe: that he semed better amā out of his witte than other wyse / for he had not foūden to fore the knigh∣tes that hadde so moche prowesse & vailliaunce as he had foundē to in Iason

THe two shippis thā depar∣ted from trace as sayde is: and were four dayes long vpon. the see. And on the fyfthe day they arriued at Athenes / where ja¦son went alāde. and so dide the fair Mirro / the whice begā to waxe ho∣le of her maladye. At whiche descē∣te a londe Mirro espied where Ia∣son toke his loggīg: ād she folowed acompaynied of her damoiselle vn∣to the tyme that she sawe the loggi∣g / whiche was the hows of an no∣table burgeys: And thā was she in grete thoughtes & variacions for to knowe. whether she wolde logge in the same logging or not / Thus•• va∣tieng in this doubte she approched the loggyse / & syn retourned agayn and after cam agayn / and fynably whan she sawe that jason was not in the waye she wētein / & requyred of the bourgoys that for her money she myght haue a chambre in that hous. Then̄e the bourgoys seeyng that the ladi was moche wele adres sid of gracious maner of speking & otherwyse / he logged her & her da∣moiselle to her plaisir: And dyde do put the two palfrayes in a siable by Iasons hors / wiche anon began to nyhe assone as he sinellïd them▪ for he knewe them for asmoche as they had benlong to gyder in olyferne / & so made they grete chere eche to o∣ther

wherof the bourgeys had gre¦te meruaile But thoughte nothing but well and gaf hem heye ād otes And after came to serue jason And found that his chambre was full of merchants and maronners that were comen with him on the see / whiche presented him wyne and mete / and gaf him grete yeftes of ri∣che jewelles & other strange thīges / In this ehambre was with jason a man of sixe score yere honeste of his persone: and alway strong and ha∣byle: the whiche seeyng this presen tacion made to jason cam vnto the hoost and demāded him: who was this yongknight to whom men dy∣deso moche honour. but the bour∣geys and thauncient man axid o∣ne of the maronners of this matere And the maronner sayde / that he was the beste / the mooste vertuous and the moste vayllyaunt knight of the world: and that they gaf to hī these presentes / for as moche as by his hye prowesse he hadde p̄serued them from the tyrannye and daun∣ger of the king Dyomedes and of hys complices. And so moche sayd the maronner of jaso / that they iug∣ged him with his mayntene & sem∣blaunce to be a noble knight & vail∣liaunt. Amōg these deuises the mar∣chants •• maronners toke their leue of the preu Iasō & offred thē to hys com̄andement / & after reiorned vn∣to their howses: & anon after that they were goon. the bourgeys dyde do couere the table: whiche was co∣uerid of the yeftes. and jason wol∣de that the knight shulde sitte first be cause of his aage & aunciente / for in that tyme men helde the auncient & aaged men in moche grete reuerēce and honour

But in this presen•• tyme hit goth̄ all otherwyse. the yong men presu∣me to goo & sitte aboue olde & aūcie•• men. & mocke & skorne them that bē come to grete aage sayng / that they be feble of their mēbres of their en∣tendement and of nature. and ther by many children. that don their sa∣der to vnderstande that they be foo∣lis / wylling to haue in gouernaunce the poure olde mē / not poure but ry∣che. For hit is grete rychesse to amā whan that honorably may amasse and bringe hys dayes vnto the de∣gre of olde aage / ād yet ben ther chil¦dren that don worse / for they desire and wisshe their faders and mods ded / and serue hem with thinges cōtrarye to their helth & lyf. the whi¦che is gretest tresour that amā may haue as to wordly goodes. Ha a howe many ben ther of them in the∣se dayes I see al most non other: for the yōg peple may not here the doc∣tryne of the olde mē: and wene that they ben so wyse / that men nede not to shewe them ony wysedom: & also they ben vnkinde ād full of ingra∣titude▪ in so moche that yf they kne∣we ony thing wher with thei might dishonoure them they wolde do it: &

they resenible vnto the sone of noe whiche by derisiō shewed the secre∣te membres of his fader Alas what cursed & blinde yong the was that ••or to come again vnto our mater the noble jason sette him doun at the table by the aūcient knight▪ & after that the hooste & hostesse whiche of∣ten tyme exorted jasō to make good ••here. but jas••n might neyther ••tene drinke. for certes he dide nothīg but thinke▪ & spack not one worde but if he were demanded or araison̄ed. Afther souper whan the table was voyded Iason & thauncient knight were leyde in one chambre: where were two beddes: & whājaso was leyde he began to sighe in suche wise & of so inward sorow of his herte / that it semed that the so wle sholde departe frō the body / wherfore the thaū••••ent knight that was loggyd in that other bedde by: ••••ght not sle∣pe / •• thoughte right well in him self that ••ason was not at his ease. and whan he had long herkened his si∣ghes & herde that they encry••••d al∣way more & more. he myght no len∣ge•• tarye but he must speke / and sai∣de in this manere / Syr knight I ha∣ue grete marua••lle of you Wherfore saide jason: for asmoch sayde thaun∣cient knight. that your sighe•• & be∣wailinge••iuge to me that ye ar ī the bedde of deth / how well by a•• that I see •• comprise in you / hit semeth not by the sight o•• the eye that ye be seke for your colour is fress•• a•• roose in maye. is it not the••e grete merua••••e for to here you sighe / yes certayn / ha •• sit knight āswerde theūe jasō. if ye iuge the disposicōn o•• my body after the colour of my face ye be gre••ly a∣bused for j haue a seknes & maladye right secrete which shal first s••ee me e•• my face be stayned or discolou∣••••d I am al certayn; Sir saide thaū∣ciēt knight / ye holde a grete ram̄e of dispair: it is consiraynt sayde jason

Certes sireknight āswerd the olde knight. If ye will lyue what som e∣uer sekenes ye hane or maladye / ••ut you in my h••ndes & cure / and j ma∣ke me strōg for to hele & make yow hole. I trowe sir knight ansnerde ja∣son that hit is not in your cunnyng and power that to doo / ner in all th•• sub••lte of a••••e the men mortall ¶ Thā answerd the a••cient knight: be ye seke of the maladye of loue / wher of no man may remedye but youre lady ••a asire knight ••suerde Iasō tha▪ who hath tol•• you / me thi∣keth that ye oppsse me so sore that I muste {con}fesse to yow my caas: And so I declare to yow / that j am somo∣che smetē with the pes••ylēce of loue / that j may not lyue ne endn••e ne ••te ne drinke ne res••e nightne day / In good fayth answerde thauncient knight / ye dar not be aferd of deth syn that ye haue non other infirmi∣te. For the maladye that {pro}cedeth of loue is so graciouse / that ••it puttet•• noman to deth. Certes the sekenes

is of grete ensoigne and payne But hit is a maladie wherof mē recoure Syr saide thā jason. If j d••ye not of bodili deth. j shal dye of spirituel deth for hit is in no wise possible that ne∣uer in this worlde j shall haue plasir or solace / and than shall j not be de∣de. Alas I muste nedes / ye treuly of the most anguyss••yst deth that ••ny man may ēdure. Syre āswerde thā∣cient knight / ye tell me right grete meruailes. j tell you ••routh sayth ja∣son: ••or j am so infortunat in loue & so moche vnhappy and haue in my self so l••••yl of valeu••. that j am asha∣med and hountouse to lyue. And wold that j were there. where j shal be. v. honderd yere here after wyth oute ony respyte

Whan thaūcient knight vn••stode that jason was in so moche & bitter dispair: he had pite of him / & sayde to him for a lityl to cōforte him Cer∣tes gentil knight j knowe wel my self & vnderstōde of this marchādi∣se that of your loue ye haue not ēyo∣yed your first desire & wil / but j wol∣de fayn knowe yf ony man̄ hath dō you wrōg of your lady. or ellis if this maladie cometh & {pro}cedeth by the ri∣gour of her. Certes gētyl knight ans∣werde jas••. alle my meschief {pro}cedeth of the grete rigour of my ladi & bi the ••alour & simplenes of me. for j haue sernid that fayr lady in a moche dā∣gerous warre that her mortall ene∣myes m••de to her not long syn •• the most dilig••t wyse that j coude or mi∣ght / & after whāshe was at her abo∣ue of her aduersaire••. j haue requy∣red her of her grace that she wolde be my lady in loue / but she hath not wylled to see in me so moche vertue ne somoche valour that she wolde accorde her to my request. and thus I haue therfore my lyf in grete hate & see none other remedie that / but j falle in despaire

Fayr sire ansuerde thaūciēt knight haue not ye ofte tymes herd saye▪ that one lost & two recouerid / yf hit be so that a womā hath made of you refuse / by your fayth shall ye therfo∣re be suche a fooll as for to fall in des∣payr. Cōsidere ye not that ther be y∣nowh of other: and yf ye haue not y∣nowh of one. j shal make you to ha∣ue a dosayne: ther is no grete derthe ne scarcete of women̄ / Certes ••f ye remembre you wel. ye shal saye tha•• they cracce out men̄es eyen: & ther∣fore al this wel ••siderid yf your lady sette litil by you / do the same to her & seche another without lōg taryyng. Certes sir knight sayde jason / whā I haue wel marked and take hede of your wordes. ye speke after your plaisir / These ben thinges that may better be said than exployted. Cer∣tayu sayde the auncient knight j tel∣le to yow the secrete and the verray hystorie: I w••l wel that euery man be amerous ādloue / but that he ha∣ue twoo strenges on his ••owe And that noman put him so fersorth in lo ue / but that he may withdrawe hi

in tyme and in season̄. women one & other proprely to speke ••en malyci∣ous in her werkes. and thys proce∣deth that eche of them adresse other of s••che councey•••• exhorte ād of fa∣uour. Men saye: that the moost or∣guilloust ād proudest creature that is. is the deuyll / and next after hym 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the woman / and next after is the foole that is ouer••uydaunt. for pri∣de cometh not but of▪ folye ād somo∣che wenyng. Somme women ther be that ••••ste haue one amero{us} mā / to whom they kepe hem treuly. O∣ther be many that be full of wordes and le••e their ••••ris to alle the worl∣de. Other loue to haue acye and to∣kenes ••d they make lyke signes al∣so ferre as they may not speke to hē: Other ther ben that ben more pray∣•••• and requyrid for to enyoye them ••o to haue theyr grace. thā the god∣des ben for to haue their fayr para∣dys▪ For tabregge and shortly con∣clude: Certes gentyll knyght•• they be well happy that haue not to doo with them mony suche receptes / ād they be foles that haue to do moche with hem / for he that may p••sse f••ō them / may do no better thā to with∣drawe hym fer from'hem in f••eyng the places / and alle the circumstan̄∣ces: Syre answerde than Iason I ••uppose and thinke well that ye cou∣de saye moche better yf ye voolde / first as to the regarde for to haue. ij. strēges on his ••owe / That is to vn∣derstāde: two ladyes. certes it is not possible that he that so doth. may be ••s••••••t in his werkes ne in his thou∣ghtes / for no mā may wel serue. ij. maistres. for that one corrumpeth that other / Then̄e it is so / that yf a noble man for to auaūce him self in worship maye doo no better then̄e for to chese an honourable lad•• whi∣che he maye loue treuly secretly and so perfaytly that he sere ād drede to do•• ony thing but that yt be honest in alle thingis ••d of ••ecom̄andaciō ••or alle ladyes desire nothing but honour and hye ••enommce hyt is their propre vocacion and their na∣turell condycion. then̄e how shall he haue desir̄ of honour that is no trew louer / for he that is double is to mo∣che outrew and fals. and if ony we∣le or honour happen to come to him / it is agayn•••• reson / ryght / and good equy••e: and if ther be ony suche. cer∣tes they be not worthy to lyue•• seen that the ladyes bē of ••o parfoūde ex∣cellē••••. that the leest of all is worthy to haue the best knight of alle the world. And for that cause saye no more: that •• take two cordes or str••∣ges on my ••owe: For certaynly I had leuer to receyue and p••ssee the destrayt of deth

WHan thaunciēt knight had vnderstonde thāswer of ••a∣son / he was moche abasshid & sayde to him: that he wolde neuer holde that waye ne purpose. wher∣fore fayr syre sayde ••ason. for asmo∣che sayde the knight that mē sholde

mocque hi / for j suppose wel to kno∣we that if right now ye sholde chese of two thingesone / That is to we••e to receyne deth / or ellis chese a new ladi. that ye wold more sone the lady thā the deth. & for good cause Certes ther ben plēte of amoreusis that sus∣teine ād swere / that for to sane tho∣nour of their ladies. thei wolde attē∣de & take the deth / But I suppose yf they sawe the deth come they wold nomore abide him then̄e the quayle abydeth the sperhauke / and for al•••• thyse rayson̄s aboue sayde I coun∣ceylle yow that ye leue this errours and opynyons. and recōforte your self the best wyse ye can in your ma∣ladye ••or by myn aduyse I beleue not that you•• payne be mortall: and I haue not herde saye that evyr ony man amerous by maladye of loue lost hys lyfe: But yf he went out of hys mynde:

••asō with these wordes cou∣de nomore reply••que for he apperceyued that he coude not make his mater goodner main∣tene it agaynst the olde knight / and thu••ending their parlamēt / he s••ep∣te vnto the tyme it was nygh daye. And then̄e Iason awoke & begā to make newe sighes inso moche / that thauncient knyght herde it ••gayn. hou well that he was a s••epe & was sodaynly awaked And then̄e whā Iason knewe that he was awaked he salewed him and gaf hym goode morow and sayde to him / Syre kni∣gt because of your grete ageye haue seen moche thing in your tyme. •• de∣mande you by your fayth if ye haue knowleche ī dremes / wher••ore axe ye answerde the ••nyght. For asmo∣che sayde Iason. as j hane not cessed this night to dreme. By my loyaulte ••ayr sire ansuerde the good old kny∣ghte / yf ye haue dremed ony thing that haue nede of exposition or ony interpretacion: there is no man •• gre∣ce that shal better answere therto: then̄e myself: and therfore without ony doubte. Telle me playnly yowr dreme. and I shall expow••e to you the substance. Certes sire knight sai∣de jason / j had a meruaillous dreme this nyght. which ī maner of a pas∣se temps j shall declare to you / for as moche as ye ar con̄yng in the sciē∣ce of thexposiciō therof / which dre∣me or vysion was thy••: Me thou▪ ghte that j sawe. ij. swannes / which were right fair ī a medo we. of whō that one was a male: ād that other a female: The male cam vnto the female & made semblaunt for to ha∣ue acompanyed with her. the fema∣le sette nought ther by. but withdre∣we her aback / And whan the mal•• sawe that / he entrid vnto a ••yuer that was by: and passid ouer / and cā & a lye with me here ī this bedde / and hit was notlong after / but me thoughte that the female passed the ••yuer in lyke wyse / and cam vnto the chambre dore and made many pyetous cryes after her nature that

the male might not here for he was aslepe / And so hadde I moche grete pyte for the sorowfulllchere that she made in so moche that j awoke / and nomore I sawe / wherfore I wote neuer what to thinke

Whan the auncient knyght hadde wel vnderstande alonge the dreme of the preu Iason he sayde to hym in this manere: Syr knight what wo∣le ye saye yf that noble lady for whō ye suffre so moche sorow be as mo∣che or more amerous of yow as ye be of her. And by this loue she be co∣men in to this house after yow / Ha a sir knyght answerde jason / I haue no charge of that stroke / for my lady is so noble and so endowed of so hy∣ghe beaute that she setteth nought bi ony mā in the worlde / A••e way fair sir sayde thaūcient knight your dre∣me signifieth by thise two swannes Of whom wolde make the bataylle or thenterpryse that desyreth cōpa∣nye of the female that ye haue wil∣led to be husbonde to your lady. The whiche wolde not here you. and ne∣uertheles whan she hath knowen that / ye entred on the see. she entred after in semblable wyse. and is comé after you īto this propre hous / whe∣re by auenture she is in moche grete payne for the loue of yow: In thys facōn maye I prenosticque & dyuy∣ne this werk after the natur̄ of your dreme

••ason with these wordes began to sighe ryght ardan̄tly ād sayde. what is this: and fro whens cometh to me this fantasie that may more gre∣ue me then̄e helpe / I knowe well that it is a grete abuse to me for to thinke and haue a renouelement of payne and of sorow O what payne is to a tre we louar infortunat for to be in cōtynuel martire. Ha a my de∣re lady why haue ye not the eyen so cleer for to beholde with in my herte and knowe in what martyrdom I am / In what sorow. and in what anguysshe. Certes madame youre eyen basilique haue hurte me vnto the deth O what distresse O what guerdon̄ for good seruice: I fynde me in the handes of right harde deth But yet for to passe the sonner my sorowe. j shall praye the goddes that j may be eurews after my grete vn∣happines. Then̄e the sage and aū∣cient knight Mopsius hering the no¦ble preu Iason thus sorowfully cō∣playne him selfe and lamenting: in fauour of noblesse was gretly enyo∣yed in corage. and for somoche he sayde to him ī this maner. For god∣des sake sir knyght leue and goo ou∣te of this fantasye. for to moche to muse in infortune is nothing prouf∣fytable A man̄ with grete trauayl∣le and labour bringeth his dayes to an ende hauing his lyfe trauersid in many contrarie thinges. Ther is no man so ewrous & happy that hath alle waye his wyll Certes te thyme muste be taken as hit cometh. is hit

hard or softe The herte of a mā shol de not abasshe •• no thing Me semeth̄ we haue spoke ynowh̄ of loue. spra∣ye yow that frō hens forth we may entte ito an other purpose / And that ye wolde telle to me your name and the place of your buyrth / & the name of your hows and dwelling place Veritably sir knight answerde Iaso than: If ther be ony man that may redresse and gyue confort to a deso∣late hert aud disconforted ye be he most propice aboue alle other: I ha∣ue founden so moch goodnes in you that yf ye wole telle me your name with out ony faute / I sal telle yow myn also / Fair sire answerde thaū-ciēt knight / your desire is to me agre∣able: in suche wise that I shal recōp∣re to you my lyf and alle myn asiate more than ony man that I haue seē this. vj. score yere / Knowe ye than that my name is Mopsi{us} The god nppollo was my fader / j am king of Sylice. I haue conquerd the coutre Pamphile. I haue had twoo sones And whan they were come to mā∣nes age / I haue made them posses∣sours of my landes / & syn I am de{per}∣ted in suche estate as ye me now see j haue bē in the worlde. vi. score ye∣re / during whiche tyme I haue seen & haue lerdned plēte of good & stran̄∣ge werkes. prayng you and require that ye shewe to no {per}sone myn estate ne cōdiciōs by no facōn of the worl∣de / and whā so is that ye speke to me that ye name ne calle me none other name but Mopsius opēly ne collect∣ly: and for diuerce cause / Mopsi{us} ās∣werde than the noble Iason / syn it so plesith you to be named & called. j {pro}∣mise you vpon my honour that in so moch as toucheth that ye haue said. hit shal beholdē secrete in myn herte also fast & suche manere as ye had closed it in the moost harde roche of the worlde / & to the regarde to saye to you how j am named knowe ye for certayn that I am callid Iason / & am borne of the prouynce of thes∣saile sone of the gentyl king Eson of Mirmidone that yet liueth as j sup∣pose. but he is moche auncieū. With these wordes Mopsius for to make Iason for to forgete his melancoly∣es. he began to demande him of the nature of the royaume of myr••••do∣ne & of the countrees aboute. ad af∣ter demanded hym of the birthe of his aage and of his auentures / and after this he enquired of him many other thīgs vnto the tyme that they began to ryse & make hem redy. but what thing that jason sayde or her∣kenyd. he had alway his thought on his lady and sighed ofte tymes out of mesure.

Whā the two noble kinghtes we∣re rysen and clad in poynt. jasō wē∣te strayt in to the stable to hys horse. whom̄ he louyd well: but incōtinēt whan he had ben there alytil & that he had {per}ceyuid the. ij. palfroyes of the lady & of the damoiselle / hisem••d that he had seen them to fore tyn••

Then̄e he callid the seruaunt of the stable & demāded of hym to whom tho two horses belonged Then̄e the seruaūt āsuerde that they appertey∣ned to two damoyselles that were loggid there with inne: Truly frē∣de saide jnsō what damoyselles that euer they be: The two horses belon∣ge to my lady best belouyd / & whan the good aūciēt knighte vnderstood Iason he saide to hun. Iason remē∣bre ye of your dreme j take hit on my life that your lady is in this hous / or ellis the damoiselles ben here sor her the whiche shal saye to you goode ti∣dynges. Withoute ony other questi∣on or answere jason departed incō∣tment from the slable / and wete vn∣to the hostesse. •• whan he had boden to her goode morowe he saide to her Fayr hostesse / knowe ye the two da moyselles that belongged here in. Certes sir knight answerde the hos∣tesse I knowe hem none other wise but as me semeth that they ben gētil womē & comē of a good hows / Is hit possible that I maye see hem sai∣de Iason j wote neuer saide thostes / se but j first demande thē. Fayr hos∣tesse saide than Iason j requyre you that j may see thē / And that ye wil∣le go saye that here ys a knight their serimⁱn̄t that hath grete desire to spe∣ke with them

The goode hostesie for to do playsit vnto jason. wente vnto the two da∣moyselles and sayd to thē My fayr may stresses ī come to you in the na∣me and at the request of a gentyll knyght he sayng your seruaunt. the whiche requyreth you / that of your grace hit wolde plese yow that he myght speke with yow / And adui∣se yow what hit shal plese yow that I answere to hym. But incontinent that the Quene Myrro had herd her hostesse speke of the requeste of the knight. Certes the colour began to chaunge meruailloussy / and her thought that all her body wasespri∣sed with fyre / But this no withstā∣ding she held her contenaunce the beste wyse she myghte / And howe wel that she doubted of the comyn∣g of the pren Iason / and that she was thā in a traūce what she shold saye to her / yet answerd and sayd. fayr daine: who is that knight that hath sente yow hether / Certes sayde the hostesse / I sawe him neuer to fo∣re that I wote of / But to my semīg he is the most gentil & the most well made of body and also most curtois that ony man may or can fynde or speke of / Danie sayde then̄e the fayr Mirro / syn that he is so vtuous & so well accomplisshed ns ye saye: do hi to come hether. With these wordes the good hostesse dide do jason come vnto the chambre / And then̄e asso∣ne as he cam in. he behelde the noble Quene whiche was tyght shame∣faste / and hauing the herte shytte and rauisshid made vnto her the re∣uerēce

& salewed her And the fayr mirro welcomed & salewed hun a∣gayn moche curtoissy / This dō they entrid into deuises: and then̄e after certayn wordes Iason sayde to the quene in this maner

••ertes my dere lady j had not kno∣wen that ye had bē in this hostelrye ne had••bē your two palfroies Whi∣che j haue this morenyng founde in the stable by my hors. and yet whā I had seen and knowē them j had not supposed that ye had bē in this hows / how wel whan j vnderstode that the two passroyes belonged to you Oamoiselles / wenyng that he∣re had ben two of your damoiselles I am comen for to here tydinges of you: Certes sire knight j doubte not the contrarye / and in lyke wise j had not supposed ner thought to haue founden yow nowe here: & I decla∣re to you that j am departed secret∣ly for to goo a pilgremage: where I haue pr••mysed long syn accompa∣nyed o•••••• wyth this danioy selle. & j auo w•••• so to goo ī the moste strē∣gthe of the warre: and j haue grete me••••nylle for to see you now here. For without doubte j hadde suppo∣sed that ye hadde ben this oure in o∣lyferne at your reste

••adame answerde Iason I haue none hope that euer ye shal see me more in ••••••••erne / Certes jason fayr sire•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ād moche fwift in your werkes / I haue good wille ād grete desire for to rewarde & cōtente you of the good & agreable seruices that ye to fore this tyme haue donn to me during my warre in persecu∣ting and deliuering of my morbell ennemyes / and yfye resoume not to Olyferns / I may not ner can not doo rew••••de and contēte yow / Ha a my dere lady answerde than jason As j sayde you that other day ī your yalays: I haue not seruid you in su∣che wise as j haue coude best doo / for menoye or other meuable goddes. but I haue employed my self only for to gefe your loue & your godde ḡ∣ce: I haue paternall richesses large∣ly / and therfore j saye to yow so mo∣che / that yf so be that ye graunte not me your loue: ye may not contente me. And knowe ye certaynly that after this daye ye shall neuer see me For as your tre we louer and hum∣ble seruaunt {quam}nguer donned. I shal goo withdrawe me ito som deserte. be wayling and weping that part after yow. And vnto my deth j wo∣le doo non other wyse. wherfore I yow supplie with alle my herte that pyte may entre into your noble cora ge: in suche wyse that on me your poure suppliaūt / ye haue pyte and mercy / and ellis of me ye shal neuer see good.

Whan the noble lady had vnder∣stand that sayd ys / She answerde to the preu jaso in this manere. Cer∣tes sir knight ther is no herte of lady so hard / but by the vertu of youre requestes musie nedes be softed ād

molefied / ye haue sernid mehyely & well in all tronth & loyaulte / In alle vailliaūce & diligēce: •• {con}fesse know∣leche hyt ye requyre me as I vnder stande that I sholde be your w••f ād felaw / a more gretter thing ye may not deman̄de me. ne that more me toncheth. Neuertheles whā j apper∣ceyue your grete and good valoir. to thēde that ye haue no cause for to fal¦le in despair j am contēt for to accor∣de my selfe vnto your prayers & re∣questes. for seen alway that ye shall goo into your countrey: And there ye shall assēble youre moost next pa∣rents and frēdes. which ye shal brī∣ge into my cyte that in their presen∣ce ye shal wedde and spowse me so∣lemp••ly.

The noble and vayllaūt knight ja∣son thanked the fayr myrro of this goode answere. and promysed to her to doo and accomplisshe treuly alle that she hadde desired. that is to wete that he sholde goo into myrini∣done for tassemble his frēdes & aly∣es and that he sholde retourne into oliferne to marye and wedde her in their presence▪ But whā the damoy∣selle that was comen with the que∣ne for to holde her companye / herde suche or seniblable promesses made bi her maistresse / which was so wel comen to the point of her desir: she was replenysshed with ••solacion & yoye / & forthwith she cam betwene the. ij. louers ād sayd to thē•• that she called alle the goddes to witnes ād thāked thē for this aliaūce. Certes than sayde the fayr Myrro. ••yn that ye haue don so moche / I wolde wel that we hadde leyzer and place for to make good chere to geder / but as me semeth hit may not nowe goodli be don / for in no wyse j wold not bē beknowē: but hit behoueth for myn honour & whorship. that Iason de∣parte from hens incōtinēt with ou∣te lenger tarieng / to thēde that none speke of vs but al wele: ād we shall goo secretli to the poort for to gete vs som̄e good maronner. which shall bringe vs vnto our secrete pylgre∣mage

Ia••o the noble prince hering the fa∣yr mirro so ordeyne and conclude of theyr sodayn departing begā to ma∣ke simple chere / for he was ••ore abas¦shid & soroufull in suche wise to loue his lady / whome he sawe endowe∣d wyth so hye ••tues. Certes he had entencōn to haue tolde to the quene a parte of his sorowe & bewailīges / that he had made for her sake: But she wolde in no wise here hym: but smyling she toke her leue in somoch that jason ēbraced & kissed her ones or twyes. finably he departed from thens {pro}mitting her that in short ty∣me he sholde retorne vnto her agayn & assone as he was departed & goū his waye the fayr. Mirro & the Da∣moyselle dide do sadle their horses / & rode to the porte where they toke their shipping & wente to the see

¶ For tabregge our historie witho∣ut

〈◊〉〈◊〉 auē••ire that ought to be re∣membrid their marōner exploited ī suche wys•• with helpe of the good winde that he had. that in short ty∣me he deliuerid the quene Mirro ād her damoiselle ī olyferne: where they taried after Iason right long and in right grete anoye and displaisi•• as it shalbe sayde alōg & declared here af∣ter / But now j shal reste to speke of the▪ fayr Myrro ād of her faytes for this present time / & shal recompte of the cōduyte of jason: whiche de••ied fro the presence of hys lady as sayde▪ js: & retorned with all diligēce vnto mopsi{us} the goode olde knight ryght yoyous / & sayde to him: what was happēd of his dreme evyry thīg. ād that he had herde of his lady goode tydinges: how wel he declared not to him that he had spokē to her ī her propre {per}sone. But he made him vn∣derstonde that ij. of her damoyselles had promysed to him and sworn̄ that yf he wolde go into oliferne ac∣compayned of his kinnesmen and frendes that they sholde do somo∣che anenst his lady that she shold es∣pouse and wedde him and that she sholde crowne him king of her con̄∣trey / And for so moche sayd Iason that I haue taken affiance in the {pro}∣messe of these two damoiselles▪ j shal goo into my contrey for tassēble my frendes and kinnesmen in the moost goodly and hasty wyse j shal mowe and I shal not cesse vnto the tyme I shall come to the aboue of my loue wherin I haue goode hoope

How peleus broder of king Eso of myrmidone & oncle of Iason wente vnto the temple of Appollo. & how he hadde answere that the firste mā that he mette wyth an hose on that one foot & none on that other sholde empesshe hī of the royaume of myr•• midone whiche he had ••npposid to haue enioyed

[illustration]

THus as jasō reherceth the∣se tidinges vnto the good & aunciēt knight mopst{us} / the sone of the kīg of that cite named the seus cam vnto them there. Whiche was aduertised by the marchātes: that jason had sauid by his vaylli∣aūce: and deliuerid from the furour and tyrannye of the perurrse king dyoinedes / And from as ferre as he hadde espyed jason he knewe hym. For he had seen him to fore at the weddyng▪ of perytheon. And then̄e he saluwed hym with grete chere: The preu jason rendryd agayn joyous••y his salewyng vnto teseus. And whan they hadde eche other welcomed theseus brought jason & Mopsius for the loue of Iason vn∣to the kyng his fader / whiche was named Egeus. & whā the saide kīg sawe jason / he dide hē moche grete honour & worship for his hye renō∣me. and fested hym in diuerce ma∣ners. and Iason desired nothing sauf to retorne vnto hys countrey: and thanked him of the worship that he had doū to him and of hys right goode chere. and ••yn toke leue of the king. of Theseus. ād of mop∣sius. the whiche knowing that he was right noble ād right vayllaūt knight sayde to him. that they wol∣de goo with him. and holde him co∣panye

vnto his countreye. wherof the noble preu jason desired thē that they shold abyde and not goo with him / for he wolde not goo the ryght waye / But this was for nought: for they sayd playnly that they wolde holde their {pro}messe And Iason wist not what to saie. but accorded to thē that they sholde goo to gyder vnto Myrmidone

Iason then̄e Theseus and Mopsi{us} departed from Athenes att thre: ād dide so moche by lande & by watre / withoute ony auēture digne of me∣morie / that they cam vnto the Cyte of Myrmidone where was yet ly∣uing the noble king Eson. Pele{us} ca∣me then̄e ayēst the noble preu jason: and welcomed him with his body but not with his herte. makīg grete signe to be right yoyous of his retor∣nyng. And brought him vnto his fa∣der the olde kyng / which was gret∣ly conforted of the comyng of hys dere sone Iason. And whā the no∣ble preu jason had made the reuerēce vnto the king his fader. the king demāded him of his tydinges / and where he had ben & what he hadde don̄. Iason without taking on him ony vayn glorye of ony hye and gre∣te werke that he hadde don̄ & brou∣ght to ende. ansuerde to him by gre∣te humilite sayng. Dere sir I come now strayt frō the seruyse of the no∣ble quene Mirro / whyche is lady of the noble cyte of olyferne: & the most sage / the most fayre. and the moost discre••e that is in the remenaunt of att the world / and at suche time as j arryued in her court / she was in a mereayllous tribulacyō by the right puissaūt king of Esklauonye / whi∣che made her warre of fyre and of blood. for somoche n••she wold in no wyse cōsente to take him to her hus∣bond. But syn my comyng to that parte and that I hadde charge as heed and as conduytour of her men j enterprysed to susteyne the quare∣le of the noble lady / And in thre ba∣tailles where I was accompanyed of her peple. the goddes haue gyuen vs victorie vpon the Esclauons. in suche maner that the kyng him sel∣ue ād the most parte of his men̄ ha∣ue ben slayn and smyten in pieces And amonge alle other ther was in the hoost of the saide king of Escla∣uonye / a meruaillous and puissaūt man / a geant named Corfus: The whiche hadde put to deth many a goodknight of olyferne. With whō I faughte body agaynst body. not bi my strengthe that was in me. but bi desire to gete the worship and ho∣nour. aud to doo that thing that myght bringe me in to the grace of that noble lady. whom j putte to vt∣trance by the vertue of the grete be∣aute. of her. and to her apperteyneth the right worship and honour And syn that ī haue sayde to yow so mo∣che / and that hit is reason that ye knowe alle: I declare to you that I

come now to yow in entēcion̄. that my kennes men & frendes be assem∣bled for to holde me cōpanye to goo and wedde her so hye and so noble a lady / the whiche is contēte to be my wyf / forseen that I sholde e••pouse & wed her hononrably asit appertey∣neth to the doughter of a king. For by thise condycions ben the {pro}messes made and accorded.

The noble ād auncient king Eson heering thise tydynges had moche more joye at his herte then̄e he had a fore and sayde. Certes my dere so∣ne I am ryght yoyous of thy wele and worship▪ of thy prouffit and of thyn auaūcemēt. I thinke well that fortune hath ben socourable to the noble lady / to whō thou hast ben ser∣uaunt. but with right grete payne maye I beleue that thou allone hast vay••••uyssh••d the geant. and if it be so j thāke the goddes / but late it passe forth. & if thou hast goten the grace of her so fair & so noble ladi j haue no grete meruaile there of: for loue •• su∣che a caas beholdeth no {per}sone And neuer the lesse to thende that thou knowe howe j desire aboue all thin∣g of the worlde to see multiplicaciō in thy seed. j shall araye thens to the sone of a king is lawfull & ap{per}tey∣nyng: and j shall sende the so well ī point of abillemēs of warre & of no∣ble men̄ accōpayned / that by raison she ought haue suffisaūce Then̄e the preu jason thāked the king his fad of this goode answere: And at that tyme they spak no more of the mate∣re / but entended to feste Mopsi{us} and These{us}. whom they prayd to tarie. and accompanye jasō vnto the daye of hys wedding and the two goode knigtes {pro}mysed that they sholde so doo: and so they were gretly fested of the king and of his nobles / and al∣so of Pele{us} whiche dide it agayn his hert making a fained chere

Among many deuyses Mopsi{us} & Theseus recompted of jason thau••∣ture that he had ī Trace against the tyraunt king Dyomedes and lyke∣ned Iason for his vayliaūce & habi∣lite vnto his felaw Hercules / whi∣che was the most strong man and best assewred that was vnder the clowdes: And because ••f his highe preysinges and recom̄endaciōs the bruyt of preu jason augmētid and encresid from day to day: And hit is not to be vnremēbrid that thēuie of the vntrewe peleus grewe so ter∣ribly that he by no facōn myghte ne cōude haue no reste daye ne night. in so moche that in the comyng agayn of noble jasō he was aduertised that in the yle of delphos the god appollo gaf āswers of thinges that were to come and of all destinees: wherfore he wēte him self into that yle ād en∣trid into the tēple anoyed meruail∣lously ād pēsif. & whā he had made his oris•••• bi grete deuociō & {con}sequēt∣ly his demād for to knowe whether euer he shold eniyoe the royaume of mirmidone. The deuil whiche was

in the ydole that herde him / āsuerde to hi that the royame sholde be takē frō him by the hand of a mā that he shold mete hauīg non̄ hose ner shoo / ō that one foot Pele{us} herīg this har∣de answer was meruaillously abas∣shed. & departed frō thēs so passing soroufull. that he semed better a mā nourisshed in al his lyf in sorow or {con}dēpned to cruel deth thā ony other wise: as hit shal be declared here af∣ter a long

As then̄e Pele{us} was ī this retour∣ning vnto Mirmidone alway con∣spiring the deth of the right noble j a so. & ymaginyng how he might re∣siste his miserable & folissh destine / a good olde knight mette hym on the waye. This knight begā to beholde hī in his playn vysage and the salu∣tacion of thē bothe gyuen & rendred And knowing that he was moche pēsif & full of melācolies / he deuised to him of many thīges & meruayles of the worlde And amōg all other deuises he said to hī. that in a yle stā∣ding vpō the este see / was a moch ri∣che & noble moton̄ or shepe hauyng his flees alle of fyn golde. the which was not possible to be cōquerd And that many vailaūt knightes had lost there their lyf These deuises takē an ende. the two knightes de{per}ted eche from other: and then̄e peleus reen∣tryng into hys melācolyes thinkin∣g moche on the āswere that he had receyued of the god Appollo. and cōcluded in hym self that if hit hap∣pend that he mete Iason barfoot on that one fote: he sholde finde the ma∣neres yf he myght to sende him into the yle: wherof the knight had told him / that the ryche motō or flees of gold was: to thēde that he myghte be there deuoured ād neuer retour∣ne agayn What shal j saye more / the {per}uerse & vntrewe pele{us} passid forth on his waye in suche {con}spiracions a∣yen••t jason / and cam so ferre that he fon̄de his neuewe Iason in a medo∣we by myrmidone

Certes the noble jason and These{us} were then̄e in a medowe with ma∣ny noble bachelers of the countree: passing her tyme in makīg plēte of diuerce esbatemēts & playes in strē∣gthe of body. as wrastlyng / lepīg: rennyng / castīg the barre or stone or drawing the bowe. & whā jason sa∣we his vncle pele{us} come / he wente to hī sor to welcome hī. ād was vn∣hosed & vnshoed on his ryght foot. ād made to him the reuerēce: And then̄e pele{us}: whiche was in doubte of hī ap{per}ceyued anone his fote ba∣re: howe well he saide not a worde / but shewed a right grete signe of lo∣ue vnto his neuewe jason. whiche thought nothing of the malice & fe∣lon corage of his vncle whiche was garnisshid of ypocresye / of traison & of all euyll And syn passed forth sa∣yng to him self / that jasō sholde put him out of the royaume But yf he founde som remedye. ād that briefly▪

As ye may vnderstande peleus re∣tourned right sorofull & dolan̄t & ri∣ght desirous for to destroye and do to deth his neuew jason: he frowned in this wyse and bote on this lippe a grete while: after he be thought him & {con}cluded in him self that he wolde do ordeyne & make a riche dyner: to which he wolde do calle alle the no∣bles of the royaume and of the coū∣trees by and adiacent / Sayng that he wolde shewe vnto his neuew ja∣son all that he had herd recompted of the noble moton̄ or sheep of gold. to thēde that he sholde enterprise for to goo to conquere hit. And whan he had made this deliberaciō in hys courage / he sent for to praye & to so∣mone the most part of the nobles of the Royaume ād the countrees by / Whiche cam gladly vnto this feste: & assemblee at the daye to them sig∣nified. Certes thys Peleus dyde do garnisshe this dyner with al vy ādes and noble metes delicious ād with beaurages and drinkes sumptuous composed with spices. But whā al was redy the moste hye baron̄s we∣re sette at the firste tables And amō∣g alle other nobles: ther was the no¦ble Hercules / and then̄e after satte euery man after his astate / and thus after they began on alle {per}ties to ma∣ke grete chiere / and spack of many thinges▪ and inespeciall of the hyhe vayllian̄ces of the preu & noble Her∣cules. and of the monstres and cru∣ell bestes that he had destroyed ād put to deth by hys vaylliaunce and hardiesse. And thus passed the dy∣ner in suche or semblable deuises vn∣to the ende that peleu•• cam to fore jason. and sayde to him in the presē∣ce of many Kynges Barons & kni∣ghtes in this manere.

Iason my dere lord and neuewe ye ar the man of the worlde that I loue best next after the kīg Esō my broder iour fader / knowe ye that I haue in mi herte grete ioye for to ha∣ue herd the preysinges and Recom∣mendacions of the vailliaūt knight Hercules. whom I see here present For the terrible bestes / for the mon∣stres / and for the grete and stronge Geants / of whom he had deliuerid the world of. by his vaisselage: But whā I beholde youre grete puissaū∣ce corporall / ād that next after her / cules ye be one of the moost strēgest membrid / best asseurid aud one of most vaylliauntest knightes that ly / ueth. hit gretely displesith me in my hert that fortune hath not gyue pla / ce wher your puissaunce and va∣loir may be shewid. and that your bruit & renōmee is not so grete as I desire / I wolde hit had coste me the most part of the goodes the goddes hane sent me in thys worlde / & that ye were comen to your aboue of an enterpryse and cōqueste that j kno / we in a place. the whyche sholde be moche honourable and recomman∣ded for you & for your linage Certes fayr vncle answerde jason. I than /

ke you gretly of your good wille to∣ward me. j knowe right wel that of ten tymes ye haue hyely coūceylled me to myn honour and worship / ā•• therfore yf ye know ony auēture or ēterprise to be poursiewed ād brou∣ght to the ende where ī j▪ myght em∣ploye my tyme. j requyre you that I shal do as moche as ī me shal be pos∣sible to do to come ••o myn aboue of honour and worship to me and of our house.

Certes fayr sire Iason answerde the dissoyall and vntrewe peleus / I take a grete plaisir to see your goode wille / whiche {pro}cedeth of an noble co¦rage: and for so moche as I knowe that ye are a knight of hye enterpri∣se / knowe ye that in the parties oriē∣tall is an yle enclosed round aboute with the see: In the whiche ther is so noble and riche sheep or motō of suche nature / that in stede of f••ese of w••lle. he is ēdowed with a f••ese all of fyn golde. But he is kept with cer∣tayne bestes so cruell & so fiers / that ther hath ben no man so hardy or so well assewryd vnto this present ti∣me that durst approche the noble moton̄ or sheep of goolde: yf then̄e ther be in you so moche valour and pro wesse / that ye myght cōquere the ryche f••••es or this shepe. me thīketh your renominee sholde growe gret∣ly in honour and worshyp Whiche is the thing aboue alle other that e∣uery noble hert desireth: & in trouth me ought desire no thing somoche. for honour is the principall tresour aboue alle other and the souerayn recommendacion that ony gētil mā may gete and ought more to be de∣sired then̄e ony worldly thing: To this āswerde Iason. by all oure god∣des fayr vncle I am moche beholdē to you in many maneres For j kno∣we and am certayn verayly / that honour ought to be preferrid ād put to fore alle worldly thinges / and to thende that men may see the grette affection and desire to gete worship is so nyhe my•• herte / and that the couetous desire of glorie ād honour be not ī me reputed faynedly / I ma∣ke here a s••lempne auowe vnto the goddes & {pro}mise here in the presence of alle the nobles that ben here assē∣blid. that j shall neuer cesse to labou∣re to seche the ryche sheep or fsese of golde vnto the tyme that I shal ha∣ue founden it / and that I shall d••o the vtterist of my power for to con∣quere hit / what som euer daūger or parill fall or happē to me in the {con}••••st ¶ Whan Pele{us} had herde this a••••∣we he was moche joyous: & him se∣med that the werke went wel forth in so moche that him thought & sup∣posed by thys me••e for to come to the aboue of his desir. Certes the no∣ble & preu Hercules & These{us} prei∣sid moche jasō of his enterprise And forthwith ī fayte they vowed ī ly∣ke wyse that yf jason achieuid not his ēterprise that they shold put hē

in deuoir for to bringe hit to an ende & during this dyner they spack long & deuised moche of the maner of the vowe of jason & aboue alle other pe leus was so glad and yoyo{us} that he prolonged and helde grete solempne feste eyghte dayes long / and aduer∣tised the king eson of the right noble enterprise of his sone Iason. alway eson notwithstandin̄g thenterpris / was daūgerous & mortal. yet was sie wel contēt that his sone sholde a∣chieue hys auowe: ¶ For tabregge the mater peleus sēt for many wer∣kemen for to make a ship / & among alle other there was one named Ar∣gos the whiche ordeyned to hi one so fayr & so subtille a werke that ne∣uer was seen suche / and was calud Argyne because of argos

Certes this Argos was a passing wise man and vtuous. and me••pe∣cial he was the most lerned & ex{per}te marōner that was in that time ī all grece. And whā this ship was ma¦de he aduertised peleus & jason also whiche was as glad & joyo{us} as he might be. for al that euyr was neces¦sarie for him he fonde it redy and the ship arayd and redy for to departe. Theūe Iason toke leue of the king his fader & of his vncle pele{us}. And so dyde the noble Hercules Theseus & Mopsi{us} & other vnto the nōbre of an honderd knightes of grece / whi∣che wolde accompanye jason in this voyage / and this licēce & cōgie takē with alle diligence they entred in to the ship the hole. C. knightes / & whā the goode patrone argos had disan∣cred from the porte where the ship had ben made / whiche porte was named Seferre: he dide somoche di∣ligence that he broughte this noble companye vpon the hye see / where argos sayled with hem many day∣es alway sailing toward the eest af∣ter the sight of the sterres & of the sō∣ne: and so long he conduy••ed hem in this point that vytailles begā to fail∣le them / & were ••strained by force to goo a lāde at the firste porte of fri∣gye named Thenadon̄: whiche stā∣deth nygh vnto troye the gran̄de. of whom Laomedon̄ was king. whi∣che vsed grete rudesse vnto jason & to the knightes of his companye. & thys euyl fyll vpon him afterward & vpon his subgettes / He was not gretly to be complayned as it shall be declared along here after in this present volume

¶ Howe the king Laomedon̄ of Troye wolde not suffre Iasōne his companye descende on the londe / & how the quene Ysiphyle receyued them

[illustration]

IN this paas saith one histo∣rie that Argos the good ād subtill maronner made and ordey••ed all thinges that failled vn to the noble ship wher̄ the noble kni∣ght was in vnder saylle. And the winde blewe there in at their wylle. h•••• was aboute x. of the clocke a fo∣re none / the fayr sonne shone clere & spredde his rayes vpon the londe / & the weder was softe ād well dispo∣sed. And at that tyme moche people were vpon the bākes of the see whi∣che ••ehelde frō ferre the noble ship∣pe of the Grekes. whyche a•• sayd is ca•• that tyme the sayll•• displayed and sette vpon a hy••e: and saylled faste in hys cours vpon the see whe∣rof they were so sore ameruaylled / that they wiste not what thinge hit mighte be: In so moche that somme of them were so sore aferd / that thei fledde in to Troye. And the other abood at the porte abydīg thauētu¦re. They that fledde to wyte ī troye wente vnto the puissaunt king La∣omedoū / and saide to hi alle be wep∣••e and drowned ī teeris proredyn∣g of grete fe•••• and drede / that they hadde apperceyuid from ferre ī the feera grete monstre lyfting hym sel∣fe meruayllous••y swymming and ••ē nyng vpō the water more swif∣tely: thā an horse coud renne on the

•••• ••inde or on the londe. And affer∣med to the king Laomedon̄ by their faith that thys monstre without cō∣parisōn was more to double & feere than the monstre that hercules had slain by hys hye vaillyaūce. Certes in this sayde countre to fore that ty∣me Hercules had slayn a monstre also grete as a wale / as hit is playn∣ly conteyned in thistorie of hercules Whā the kīg Laomedon̄ had her∣de these tydinges reherced: he was all abasshid / Then̄e he made one of his knightes to take an hors a ••swi∣ft as the winde: and s••te him to the∣nadon̄ for to axe and enquyre of the trouth. What thing hit myght be that the peple were so sore aferd of. And in suche wyse exploited the knight that he cā to the porte of the∣nadon••& there he foūde the preu ja∣son & his knightes of Grece. but first he aspied argos that ākred his ship right nyghh to thenedon̄••and wente not into the toun̄ for asmoche as it was no nede / ••siderīg that they we∣re nygh the cyte of Troye / whiche was so grete ī magnificēce that ther was no lyke in the remanaūt of the worlde / he enquyred first of the ha∣bitaūts and dwellars of the coūtree yf they had seen ony suche monstre on the see: Then̄e the mē of the coū∣tre answerde to the knight. that they had seen no suche monstre vpon the see / & they that had brought suche tidinges to Troye were gretly abu∣sed to haue seen ony monstre / & that ther was none other thīg but ā ship∣pe of grece saillyng on the see in the whiche by theyr aduyse were grete nombre of knightes of Grece Right well in poynt of armes. and suche thinges as sholde be nedefull ād ne∣cessarie for thē to entre into bataille

WHā the knight of troye had vnderstāde al that said is he descēded of his hors & wēte a foote vnto the knightes of Grece: To whome he demāded what they sought & had to doo in that countre Than jason answerd to the knight that grete necessite of vitaylle for ••o trauerse into ferre countrees caused thē for to take their poorte ther and non̄ other thing. Incōtinēt whā the knight hadde vnderstāde these tidi∣ges he retourned and toke his hors and rood vnto the king his lord & recoūted to him alle that he had ex∣ployted. Than the king Laomedon̄ thus aduertised of the descēte of the knightes of Grece & vnderstode that they were descended for to vytaille their shippes / ymagined anon̄. that they were espyes: which Hercules had sent theder for tespye the roiau∣me. wherfore he renuoyed & sent a∣gayn the knight vnto the grekes ād com̄anded thē straytly. that they dis¦pose them with all diligēce for to de∣parte out of his lande. and to go el∣lis where to seke vytailles yf they hadde nede: And yf they departed not sodaynli & disancred & toke som

other waye / he sholde come with his puissaunce in Armes vpon them so myghtily that neuer after they shol∣de haue wylle for tespie royaume ci∣te castell ne countree

Than whan jason and his felaw∣ship had herd thexpresse and rude commaūdemēt of the Troyan king They were sore displesid and not withoute cause. for asmoch as they muste nedes departe / Than the no∣ble jason for the better: āswerd cur∣toyssy vnto the knight / and shewed him that they were not comē theder for to espye the royaulme ne the cy∣tees / castels ne coūtre of the kīg Lao∣medō ne of none other. whā herculs herde thanswere of jason whiche hi semed was to benygne cōsidering howe Laomedon̄ hadde commaun∣ded them. he myght not holde hys pees but toke the wordes from Ia∣son and sayde to the knight in this maner̄. knowe thou knight syn that Laomedon̄ as vyllayn of herte and banisshed from all noblesse hath re∣fused to jason of Myrnndone vy∣taylles for his moneie / that ther shal descende in short tyme at the partes of this countre men in the name of Iason: and that in so grete nombre that all his roiaume. his citees. tow∣nes and castels shall be put in suche ruyne ād perplexite that in fyfty ye∣re after shal not be founden a stone ner no corn̄ shall be erid ••e sowen̄: Fayr lordes then̄e āswerde the kni∣ght of troye. j am sory that ye at not better cōtēt with the king my lord and that he hath not receyued you other wyse in his countree / And ye knowe wel. that where curtoysie is shewid hit bleueth not vnrecompē∣sid. ne Rygour in like wise but if hit be remembrid▪ and for as moche as I am a mesfager. j shal gladly make vnto king Laomedō reporte of that j haue foundē of yow / ād with thise wordes the knight retourned vnto Troye

THen̄e the preu Iasō demā∣ded Argos / and sayde to hi that they muste disācre ād departe fro thens but if they wolde abyde the cruelte and furour of the king Laomedon̄ & of all his power Then̄e the good patrone Argos ād his maronners disancred the noble shippe: & wēt agayn to the see. wher̄ sone after the winde began to ryse & tempest horrible & impetuose: But •• the troyan̄ knight whiche was mes¦sager as sone as he was comē to for his lord •• hadde made his reuerēce the kīg deman̄ded hym what was becomē of the glontons of grece that were come and hadde descēded on his lande for tespye his Royaulme / and his citees / The knight āsuerde & saide. Syre j haue done to thē your message. They bē a grete nombre of knightes. & resemble wel by their cō∣tenan̄ce & habyllemēs that they ben de{per}ted frō noble & goode houses and knowe for certayn that whā I had

〈◊〉〈◊〉 your message / one of thē that se∣••••ed vertuo{us} & discrete āswerde me that they were not comē theder but only for vytaylle / & for to passe forth on theyr waye / and that they were no rob••eurs ne pirates of the see / but whan the yong knight whiche was fayr & curtois as a mayde had finis∣shid his purpose / Another of them / whiche had a meruaillo{us} ād cruell chiere. & better resembled Hercules by his vysage & cōtenan̄ce then̄e o∣ny other: saide to me in a grete anger & fiexte in this manere. knowe thou knight that syn that Laomedon̄ thy mayster as vyllayn of herte & banis∣shid from all nobi••sse hath reffused to Iason of Myrmidone vitaylles for hys money: That in short tyme shal descēde into his countrees men̄ in the name of Iasō & in so gre••e nō∣bre / that all his royaume his cytees townes ād chastels shalbe put to su∣che ruyne {per}plexite and destruction that within fyfty yere after. shal not be founde one stone vpon an other / nor no corn̄ shalbe sowen & er••d v∣pō the groūde. And forth with they haue disācred & sone after they had sailled by force of winde: & rowyng of oores so ferre that j had lost the si∣ght of them ¶ Whā the king laome∣don̄ had vnderstāde the reporte that his knight made to hi. he was so an∣gry. that he semed better frantyk or out of his witte then̄e other wyse & saide wel that if he had knowē tofo∣re what they had bē & their entente / he hadd hē all haue don̄dye mysera∣bly: ād therwyth the messager de{per}∣ted & laomedon̄ withdrew him into his chābres sore troubled & pēfif for the menaces of the knightes of gre∣ce. whom̄ he knew not but bi rapor∣te of the knight: whiche knightes beyng then̄e well forth vpon the see / were sore ••exed with grete wi∣des blowing on all sydes / with thō∣ders / with raynes / & grete orages ād tēpestes / whiche ro••ed so hugely ād terribly that the ayer was trobled & the weder was so derk. that the sōne shone not in. iiij. dayes during that the tēpeste seced not / in which tune their vytailles faylled in suche wise that the knightes of grece had not to ete / & their ship was oste tymes in moche grete paryl: for ī thēde a mer∣uaillo: is turbilloun of winde roose ī the see that blewe a way theyr sayle and alle to brake their mast / that the cordes & roopes were brokē ••to pie∣ces / but fortune helpe hē in this nede For notwithstāding this grete auē∣ture the ship was ••duyted vnto a porte named Lēnos where he hur∣tlyd agayn the groūde in suche a rā∣don̄ & force that hit was all to brokē & rēte that they that wer̄ w^t in wer̄ ī grete daūger. & had bē ī worse ca∣a•• thā they were to fore / if thei had∣de not sette foot a lāde

This port was callid Lēnos after the name of a moche puissaunt cyte whiche was rychely sette not ferre thēs but incōtinēt that the grekyssh

knyghtes hadde taken lande seeing the grete daunger that they had bē inne sprang oute of the shippe: whi∣che anone was fild full of water / And whā they sawe hē out of that mortaū parill and had well suppo∣sed / for to haue bē •• sau••••e: Sodain∣ly cam oute of Lennos the riche cyte moo then̄e fyfty thousand women̄ / armed garnisshed with pennon̄s ād recognysan̄ces whiche cam rēgyng them in fayre ordenan̄ce a lōg bi the cooste of the see. fast by the porte. and after they sente two of their women messagiers for to somene the grekys∣sh knyghtes for to reētre into the see with out ony long 〈◊〉〈◊〉 / But whā Iason vnderstode the somacōn that the two damoiselles made / he was sore abasshid and not withh̄ut cau∣se / for he ap{per}ceyuyd tofore so many hedes armed that he knewe not the nombre. & syn confiderid how they had ben in grete daunger by the for∣tune of the see / & that vytailles fail∣led them: ād that worse was he sa∣we his ship all to brokē / which was on all sydes ful of water: This not∣withstanding by cause he ne wolde discorage ne abasshe his felawship more then̄e they were. he shewed well that he had goode corage / and sayde to one of the two damoyselles in answering to her message

Noble damoiselle I hane right wel vnderstandē your som̄acion I pray you of your grace that it may plese yow to saye to me. into what coūtre fortune hath brought vs at this ty∣me. and for what cause j am b••yow sommenid for to reētre vnto the see Certes sire knight answerde the da∣moiselle / The countre that ye be ar∣ryiled in ys not right grete. but it is rygh••fertyle and comodious / & hi•• is named Lennos after the name of this cyte here by. Whiche is named after the same name: And as to the Regarde of the rayson & cause. why this som̄acion is made thus to yow I will wel that ye knowe to thende that ye holde yow te better content / That hit happend now late that in this cyte of Lēnos was a kinge na∣med Thoas. This king hadde gre∣te warre agaynst the Argiens / & for to mayntene this warre. he hadde with him alle the men yong and ol∣de. And lefte this cyte wihout men wherof the ladyes damoiselles & o∣ther of the cyte were right euyl con∣tent. ād seeyng that they were wi∣thonte men / they assembled them to geder with the doughter of the king whiche is named Ysiphile / and by meure deliberacōn sent to the king ād to their husbōdes / that they shol∣de retourne into their cite. vpō whi∣che the king Toas āsuerde / that he had besieged his enemyes ād if his cyte sholde be loste he wolde not de{per}∣te from hys ooste vnto the ende of his warre

¶ Whan the ladyes and damoysel∣les of the Cyte hadde herd this ans∣were / they toke hit euyll in gree. and

yet they ••ent agayn vnto the king & to these husbōdes that they shold co∣me and retorne home vnto thir cite But that was for nought: for they wolde no thing do after their desire / And whā the ladies sawe this they conspired agaynst the kyng & theyr husbondes. & put to deth al the men children that were in the cyte: after they detmined & iuged that if theyr husbondes or faders. parents & frē∣des cam again from the warre or o∣ther what someuer they were sholde be slayn the first night of their comīg assone as they shold be a slepe / & that neuer after they sholde suffre nomā to entre in to their cite / after this cō∣clusion taken they crowned ysiphile quene vpō them. & afterward whā the king was retorned frō the war∣re with his peple. the ladies and da∣moiselles of the cyte did with theyr faders husbōdes ād parents & other in suche wyse as they had cōcluded to fore. in somoche that of al them that retorned frō this warre esca∣ped none from this murdre & pesti∣lence but he was slayn ād murdrid. reseruyd the king Thoas / Whō the quene ysiphile wolde ī no wise mur∣dre / but this notwithstāding she de∣liuerid hī īto the hādes of the ladies whiche put him in a boot allone. ād sente him to the see in exyliug ād ba∣nisshing him out of his royaume.

Whan this damoisell as message∣re had recompted vnto the noble ja∣sō this that said is. That other mes∣sager toke the worde fro her & saide Lordes ād knightes my felaw hath said & tolde you now the reson and cause: wherfore ye may not be recey∣ued īto this cite / & therefore er gret∣ter meschief befalle & come to yow: withdrawe you vnto the see / for if ye tarye here long. the ladyes wille as∣sayle you asperly / and shal deliuere to you a meruaillo{us} batayll / Iason ansuerde & sayde / by all my goddes fayr lady / our ship is all to brokē ād for frusshid as ye may see & is ful of watre / And on that other syde we perisshe for hūger if we be not short∣ly socourid: for hit is two dayes past syn we ete ony morsell mete / & ther∣fore if it must nedes be & no remedie we had leuer to deye by glayues ād warre / then̄e by famyne: how well by your ḡce ye shal retorne vnto the Quene & ladyes: •• recōpte to thē ou∣re estate and necessite And that we all to geder pray them and requyre instantly if ther be in hem ony vertu or noblesse that they wil now shewe hit hauyng pyte on vs. for the for∣tune of the see that hath trauaylled vs by many dayes in such wise that we supposed to haue perisshid from our to our hath brought vs hether / as ye may see agaynst the wille of our marōners and of vs

¶ With this request the two damoi∣selles messagieres retourned in to their cyte vnto their quene ysiphile & other ladies to whom they recōp∣ted frō word the word the āswer

that Iason had rendrid & what he requyred Then̄e the quene hauyn∣g herde the answer of the .ij. messa∣gieres. she axid & enquyred what peple these knyghtes of grece were / & of what {con}diciō & facōn / & of what nōbre they were. Certes madame ās werd that one of the ij. damoiselles j saw neuer ī my dayes more good∣ly men̄ ne better spokē: and j suppose ther wer neuer seē so wel faryng mē & grete & vpright / so wel in point of habillemēts so wel taught & so cur∣tays in all maners. & it is to be sup∣posed that they bē the choyse & piked out of al the humayn peple: ād ther may wel ben of thē the nōbre of an C. all of one facōn & of lyk clothing. Then̄e the quene hering the messa∣giere that so hyely recom̄ended the state of these knightes of grece: thin∣king also of their request. begā to ha∣ue pite of their mysauēture & of their myseases that they haue had on the see by tēpeste. & forth̄ wyth she sente for to fecche foure of thē for to come & speke with her. w••ō she wold exa∣mine ¶ Whā the honderd knightes vnderstode these tidynges: they ad∣uised amōg hē all whiche foure of thē they might best sende vnto the quene Ysiphile / and ••cluded in one that they wolde sende jason Hercu∣les these{us} / & an other knight named Castor right fayr / whyche cam to fore the quene & grete nombre of her damoiselles / And they were not lōg comē but that the quene ād her da∣moyselles were terrybly ••••rifed of the loue of these four knightes. For there was nether Quene ne damoi∣selle but desirid with̄ all their herte their companye for the singuler & es∣peciall beaute of eche of thē. Certes ysiphile at thinstaunt that her twoo noble eyē had beholdē the grete be∣aute of jasō / she was becomē so mo∣che amerous as was possible as of the most fayr / the most gracious ād the moste couoytable of the iiij. Tha she spack to hē & demāded thē in ge∣neral. what they soughte in her roy∣aume. & whēs they cā and whyther they wolde goo / & of what countree they were. Then̄e the noble Iason thinking of the demādes of the que∣ne cōsidering the grete daūger whe∣re they were in. and the necessite of famyne & hunger that surmoūted / he as capiteyn & chief of the vyage / āsuerde hūbly sayng in this manere Madame plese hit yow to knowe that we ben the nōbre of an honderd knightes all gentill men̄ of one com∣panye & of one coūtre. we bē depar∣ted in one shippe But we haue had vpon the see so many infortunes by tempeste of wīdes & of orages that hath̄ holden vs so long in grete dou∣bte to be perisshid: that vytailles bē faylled vs two dayes passid / & for to make short we goo to seche vitail∣les for to helpe our necessite / & syn hit plesith̄ you to knowe frō what coū∣tre we bē parted & whither we at∣tēde to goo / I declare to you that we

come from Grece. ād oure entente is to salle so ferre til we fiude an ysse of the see: where & is a moche rycl•• mo∣ton or shepebering his flese all of fyn golde: the which•• neuer knight yet had the powe•••••• hardine•• for to ••∣quere ne approche / nēyther only for to beholde & see For many meruail∣lous and terrible bestes haue it ī ke∣ping: Among the which •• haue vn∣derstande ther is a right cruell dragō how wel I haue allowed & {pro}mised for tauenture my selfe for to cōquere hiter I euer retorne agayn into my countre: or I shall deye in the pour∣suite therof as many knightes haue don̄here to fore / wherof is pyte.

¶ Wherfore right hye and noble la / dy I requyre you hūbly. that ye will haue mercy & pyte on me ād of myn̄ infortunate felawes / deyng for dis∣tresse of honger and famyne / & that we maye haue vytailles four our sil∣uer and moneye. and also grace ād leue for to remyse & make oure ship∣pe / agayn whiche is broken & rēte in takyng londe vpō your seignourye / and lordshipe

Whā the noble jason had made his remounstraūce vnto the quene ysi∣phile as sayde is. she withdrew her •• {per}te with her damoiselles. & demā∣ded of thē what was best to doo with thise noble men̄ They were as of op∣pynion that it sholde be a grete synne ād mesfeet for to late thē there deye for famyne & honger / And at thēde they ••cludēd that they sholde be re∣ceyued into theyr Cyte / notwihstā∣ding their ordenan̄ces & statutes bi them to fore made: in so moche that the•• Quene ysiphile retorned vnto ja∣son / & saide to hi / that for the honou∣re of noblesse: the ladyes woldrecey∣ue him ād his felawes in like wyse Then̄e the noble jason thanked the quene of this grace right curtoissy / & dide do sende for his felawes / that they sholde come into the cite. which īcōtinēt as thei knew that they shol∣de haue vytaylles were passing yo∣yous & semed to them propreli that god was descēded amōge thē / Thā they cam to fore the ladyes whō thei sale wed ryght reuerently / ād anon as the quene sawe this noble cōpa∣nye to fore her in all humilite she de∣liuerid to an honderd of her ladies the honderd knightes of grece / to e∣che of them one of their owne as for the best as her semed / & she reteyned jason for her part / In so moche the grekes entred into the cyte with the ladyes / & with oute other difficulte / they brought thē into theyr houses / eche departed frō other. where eche lady fested her knight with good vi∣andes & metes after their power ād with good herte: making to them a chiere in such wise •• facōn that ma∣ny of the knightes foūde hē so plain∣ly in the grace of their ladyes. in as∣moch as they mighte that they we∣re serued with the termes of loue / & more I saye not at thys tyme pre∣sent.

IN continēt whan the quene ysiphile sawe that she had jason in her ••aillye. she was somoche joyous as she might be / she hadde sette alle her entēte to beholde the grete beaute of the noble prince. and aboue all other she desired to haue his acqueyntaūce / & in the be∣holdyng & aduysing hym she made so many gracious signes & tokenes of loue. during many dayes & often tymes. But the noble Iason whyche had his corage sette in other place toke none hede: how be it she myght no lenger dure without she sholde be ded somoch was she esprysed with his loue: ād yet she durst not speke o∣ne word: and whan jason had so∣iourned there a certayn space & nombre of dayes. he ordeyned vnto hys patron̄moneye that his shippe mig∣ht be sette inpoint. & ordeyned men that sholde helpe him / Then̄e Argos sette hand vnto the werk bi ryght grete diligēce: & dide so moch that in short terme the shippe was all redy / for to helpe hē. But incōtinēt as the quene jsiphile was therof aduertised she dyde do breke it by night by ony of her damoiselles. & she spack with argos the goode patrone ād dide so∣moche with him that he assembled alle the knightes of grece / ād ī their p̄sence sayde to jasō. the shippe mygt not be made agayn for to de{per}te thēs in vin̄. monethes hole / wherof ma∣ny of the grekes were meruayllous∣ly joyous.

Whā Hercules which had a mo∣che noble courage vnderstode these tydinges: he sayd vnto jasō / syn that it is so that they sholde not departe out of that countre / he wolde goo see the countre aboute •• coūceylled Ia∣son that he shold abyde in the cite for to kepe to geder his felawes / & jason accorded therto with goode / wille. Then̄e the right vaylliaūt hercules wēte forth on his waye. all recōfor∣ted tabide alle auentures. And hit happend him that he cā vnto a pla∣ce of a king named Furi{us}. whome he deliuerid frō the arpies / & encha∣ced thē vnto the Ryuer of sturpha∣le in suche wise as it is conteyned in the historie of the faytes of hercules jason which abode in the cyte of Lē∣nos as said is: entend gladly vnto the dubbing ād making of his ship∣pe. And Isiphile on that other syde alwaye in her amerouse semblants and regardes / Mopsius was the most part of the tyme with Iasō ād deuised often times of the grete be∣aute of the noble quene myrro: and as he was one a daye sette at dyner with jason & Isiphile: he parceyued of the gracyouse atrayns regardes that she gaf fte times vnto the pren jason / & apperceyued right wel that she hadde sette and gyuē to hym alle her loue: and thus passed he the me∣le with oute ony word or semblaūt making. But after the dyner he cal∣lid Iason. And sayde thus to hym▪ That he wold goo walke wyth

him vnto his shippe and so de{per}ted out of the halle they two a••••ōne. ād then̄e whan they were in the felde / mopsi{us} sayd to jason / Certes sire I wolde fayn axe you a demande if it were yonr playsir / Fayr sire sayde then̄e Iason / Late not for ony thing but declare your corage & desir / than mopsi{us} demāded him: if he were o∣ny thing amerous of the quene ysi∣phile. Iason sware to mopsi{us} that he was not amerous of her: Certes sir saide Mopsi{us} I am all certayn that Ysiphile is terribly amerous of you And therfore j aduertise you to thē∣de that ye finde the menes for to spe∣ke to her a {per}te. for yf ye may attyne therto yt shold be to you a right fayr passe temps for a space / and we alle sholde fare the better

By alle my goddes answerd then̄e the preu jason. er I wolde vse ony dissoyalte ayenst my lady the fayr Myrro: I hadde leuer be condem••∣ned to bringe to ende and adchieue as many perillous auentures. as e∣uer the worthy hercules achieued er euer j sholde retorne agayn to gre∣ce ¶ The nobles of this time presen∣te ben not so disposed to ensie we the termes of the right renomed prince jason as it is to fore declared & ther∣fore I counceyll not the ladyes that they gyue no more affiaūce than y∣nowh doubting that by som wey they be not abused / Thus as the ij. gētil knightes spak of the fayr myr∣to & of ysiphile: they cam where as argos the maister patrone sollicited the werk and making of the shippe: and so passid the tyme alytil in spe∣kīg of diuerce purposes / And after that they retorned vnto theire log∣gys: & the noble quene ysiphile was enamoured ī suche wyse on the no∣ble preu. jaso: that she thought on no∣ne other thing / but for to plese hym vnto her power And he neuer de{per}∣ted from thēs but that she helde him cōpaignye. or ellis she was alwaye at a windowe for to loke whyther he wente

¶ Whā then̄e she apperceyued that Iason retorned vnto his loggyng at this time / She wente againsi hi & toke him by the hande and lade hi into one of her chambres. where she shewd hym grete partye of her ry∣chesses and tresours / And after she sayde to him in this manere. Ryght noble and vailliant knight alle thise rychesses bē alle onely at your com∣mandement. and also my body with all: wherof I make now to yow the ghifte and presēt / And further∣more. j haue no thing of valeur / but that ye shall haue at your abandon̄ / & will to thende that I may deserue honourably your ḡce: Then̄e whā the preu jason had vnderstand this that sayde is. he ansuerde to the lady sayng / My dere lady I thanke you right humbly of your curtoy••••e And I declare vnto you that in n•• facōn I haue deseruyd the hye honour that ye presente to me: Ha / ha gen∣till

knight saide then̄e the lady. hit is well in your power for to deserue all if it be your plaisir / In goode trouth madame āsuerde then̄e jason / if ther be ony seruice or plaisire that I may do vnto yow. cōmāde ye it and j shal accōplesshe hit frely and with goode herte How fayr site saide she then̄e / wil ye accōplissh my {con}mādemēt. cer∣tes madame sayde he j shal not faile in no point if hit be to me possible. ād therfore declarelye to me your goode plaisir & desire. ād after that ye shall parceyue howe I shall enploye my self therto. The quene Ysiphile he∣ring the curtoys answere that jasō answerd: was so moche joyous ād glad that she myghte ner coude be more: and saide to him. Certes fayr sire youre courtoys & humble wor∣des haue put me ī suche daūger that in no wyse I may no lēger hyde frō yow a requeste / that weyeth more heuier on my herte / th̄ā a mylne sto∣ne shold vpō my heed. ād that lōg afore this tyme ye sholde haue kno∣wen / ne••had ben dame Esperaunce which hadde nourisshed ād enter∣tiened to hyde my saith ād courage which at this oure j shall shewe vn∣to your noble {per}sone / and knowe ye for trouth that I haue perceyued that ye be of a moche noble and aū∣cient hows: aboue this that ye exce∣de and passe alle men in beaute ād in vailliaūce / if your semblauntlye not And then̄e that I haue put in my souenaūce all thise thinges I haue had right grete desir for to haue yo∣ur loue and aliāce: For whiche thi∣ges hit is necessarie that I pray you that hit shall plese you to be my hus∣bonde: and I shall be your wyf and espowse: and thus ye shall be king and lorde of this thy royaume / My right dere lady āswerd then̄e the no∣ble preu jason. ye haue don to me a playsir so grete in gyuīg to me your godes largely in eting & drinking & in lyke wyse to my companye ād fe∣lawes: that I may neuer deserue it as wel for suche goode as for the lo∣ue of the ladyes to whom I wole o∣beye with al my myght & power in al their commandements And kno∣we ye noble princesse. that ther is no seruyce ne plaisir but that j am con∣tent to do for yow / sauf only this re∣queste / for I may not wel goodly ac∣corde hit vnto yow my worship sa∣ued & kept / for asmoch as late j haue {pro}mised vnto a noble lady and of a good place for to take her bi maria∣ge / wherfore I requyre yow that ye wille holde me for excused. Ha a ja∣son my dere frende for one {pro}messe ne more ne lasse what wille ye make: men saye communely That ferre is from the eye / is ferre from the herte

Whā the noble jason sawe that the ladye oppressid him in such manere that wyth grete pay ne he wist not how to answere / notwithstāding he said to her Certes my dere lady j kn∣owleche that the herte of a noble mā

ought to desire nothyng so moch as honour with oute reproche Trouth hit is that I am bounden by {pro}messe The whiche if I acquyte not / I am at all dayes dishonoured: I had le∣uer be dede or cōdempned to perpe∣tuell exill / and thynke not madame that I reffuse your aliaunce for ony desdayne / for in good fayth j sholde holde me ryght ewrous ād wel for tunat if I had to wyf one so fayr a lady. so noble and so riche as ye ar. Noble knight āswerd then̄e the la∣dy. ye knowe ryght well / how ye ād all your companye had ben dede for honger & of distresse. jf j had not re∣cuyellid you in this cyte & fedde you ād for somoch j praye you yet ones that ye accorde my requeste / & with oute ony re{pro}che me thinketh bi ma∣ny raysons that ye ar bounden gret∣ly so to doo: I am dryuē for to requy∣re you in this facōn: and I ymagyne that the goddes haue sente yow vn∣to this cyte for two causes prīcipal∣y / The first is to thēde that ye shol∣de be socoured in this cyte / ye & alle youre companye in tharticle of the jeo{per}die of youre deth where ye were in. And the secōde: that ye sholde in∣habite this cite to thēde that hit shol∣de not be diserte: For this cite is en∣habited with women̄ withoute kī∣g & haue non̄ other pastour but me whiche am their chief / And for so inoche j somene & praye you that ye socoure this cyte as she hath socou∣red you / ād that ye entēde to repeu∣ple all of your seed & in verray fro∣uth ye so doing shall accomplisshe a vertuous werke & of gretter merite than to maintene a simple promesse made vnto a lady or damoiselle / hou wel ofte times they ben made light∣ly & with ryght lyest occasiō they bē enfrainte & broken̄

Madame āsuerde then̄e jason. j cō∣fesse right well that ye and the ladi∣es of your cyte haue socoured in our rightgrete necessite / me & my felaw∣ship with vytall. ād in recōpensing wherof ther is nothing to vs possi∣ble but that all we will enploye vs therto is hit in repeupling this cyte or other wise / but to the regarde of my selfe / j may not cōduyte my selfe therto. But if j sholde doo directly a∣gayn myn othe: ye ought to knowe / that myn honour gooth & toucheth ner myn̄ herte thā ony other thing / ād for so moche knowe ye that vn∣der the couerture of thys gracious courtosye I haue not entēeion to cō∣mise one so grete ā euyll / which shol∣de be to me and to myne thinge ouer moche reprochable / Incontinent as ysiphile vnderstode thys answer of Iason: and that she apperceyuyd that he was ferme ī his purpose / for to abide trewe vnto hisladi. she spac nomore to hym of this matere / but toke leue of hym and departed. and Iason in lyke wyse wythdrewe him into hys chambre. And ysiphi∣le abode in her chambre sore esprised with loue / and on that other syde she

was so angry that she might no cō∣uerte jason. that non̄cā telle ne wry∣te. But whā the {pro}fonde derkenes of the nyght was come / she lēyde her doun in her bedde gretely esprised of āger & right pēsiue / for ī her stomak was a grete bataylle betwene her herte & shame: her corage was than admonested that she sholde goo & lye with jason. but shame sayde nay ād withstode it: wherfore the bataylle was grete ād dured lōg / but in thē∣de therte vayn••sshid all. For sha∣me was putte aback in suche wyse / that the fayr Ysiphile aroos frō her bedde & wente & leyde her doū by ja∣son whiche than ssepte. And whan she was a bedde she begā to tremble for asmoche as shāme folowed her. & so trēbliug she enbrased jason / & a∣woke him sayng in this maner. my verray frēde & loue jason / your con∣tinēce & the ••stāce of loue haue {con}māded me to come to yow / howe well hit is to me amoche grete shame ād vylonye. but sythe that ye haue not willed to be my husbōde & spouse: at the leste ye shall be my loue & frēde & take ye no desdayne of the loue of a poure folisshe gentil woman

¶ whā the noble knight jason herde the fayr ysiphyle speke & felte her by hym all naked: he was sore abassiji∣d. Certes her flesshe was right ten∣dre ād swete: alway she approched to him & he to her. for he was a mā / & then̄e whā he was awaked he sai∣de to he•• in good trouth madame I am right sorowfull ād angry that j may not be yonr husbonde / ye she we well howe that aboue alle other ye haue me in iour grace A ha & that I now •…•…re free ād without {pro}messe vpō my fayth / j shold be your hnsbō∣de & obeye yow 〈…〉〈…〉 power. ād with •…•…hey enbrnced e∣c•…•…sshed to gyder And more 〈…〉〈…〉 j not but that thei ma∣ynte•…•…lyf the space of iiij. mo∣nethes 〈…〉〈…〉 suche wise that y∣siphile •…•…ith childe & waxe gre¦te of a 〈…〉〈…〉 sayr sone / of whom she 〈…〉〈…〉 by space of tyme / & during these foure monethis the la∣dies of ••••••••••laye laye with the knygh∣tes of Grece. and many of thē were conceyued with their seed And in this wyse was the cyte repeopled of yong childerē masses ¶ what shal j make you long proces. The dayes that haue no reste passe lightli. mai∣stre argos rendrid his shippe all re∣payred & made. and hercules cain agayn into Lēnos: Iason also wolde departe toward his journele / & asse∣blid one a daye his felawship & lay∣de to them My goode brethrē & frē∣des ye knowe well how we haue bē here and soyourned a moche long space of tyme and yet we haue no∣more knowleche ne haue herd spe∣ke of the moton̄ of golde or goolden vliese nomore. then̄e we herde to fo∣re we departed from our countree / I wyll that ye knowe that I lyue here ī grete sorow & in terrible grete

moyan̄ce / for I cā not take solace ne plaisir in ony thing that j see / for as∣moche as I am pricked by {con}tynuell exhortacions procedyng of diuerce causes & procnrlg the exped c••en∣tretienyng the ende of my laboureu∣se voyage to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 whiche bryng vs the goddes in short tyme to one hel∣the honour & glorye. wherfo•••• j pra∣ye you alle that euery •…•…ke hī redy for to remene & dep•…•…or I haue entēcion for to depa•…•… at thē∣de of iiij. dayes without •…•…ger aby∣ding Hercules These•••• & Mop∣si{us} & all the other knighte•• had gre∣te joye whā they herde the good dis∣posiciō of jason. & they āsuerde him. that thei sholde be as sone redi as he & then̄e one & other begā to pourueye for thē vytailles: & of all suche thin∣ges as were necessarie for thē The quene & the other ladies knewe ano∣ne of the departemēt of jason: wher∣fore they were moche displaysaūt & right desolate / and sore anoyed thē to see the Grekysh knyghtes make their p̄paracions for to departe / and that one cōplayned to that other sa∣yng / Certes these knightes of greece abādōne vs & gyue vs ouer / we shal neuer haue joye ne solas The quene ysiphile amōg the other was most āguysshous of this departing / ād cā to jason ād sayde to him. Alas / alas lord jasō. haue ye wel the corage for to withdrawe you frō me & to gyue me ovyr to fore ye haue seē the fruit of your noble {per}soē / which is nouris∣shid in my bloode / Ha a my soulace the plesir of myn eyē / may hit not be that the rightamerouse praier of the mod that shal be of yonr childe may holde you here yet. iij. monethis. hit is alytyl tyme of. iij. monethes. they shalbe anon̄ exspired & paste. Alas jason: alas my confort {pro}longe ye ād tarie your departemētat my request For j am she that so moche loueth you that j may no more Alas behol∣de with pite my wombe / the chābre & māsion̄ of your blood: & in no wi∣se j requyre you to departe so hastely ¶ I good fayth noble lady āswerde then̄e jaso jf j myght abide with you lawfully / j assure you that j wold so with good herte / but j haue auowe∣d & {pro}mised for to auēture my self in the {con}queste of the noble motō or fle∣es of golde / I knowe not howe lōg j shall lyue ner how long hit shalbe er I come there / hit is force and grete necessite for my singuler wele and perdurable honour that I employe my tyme entierly whilis I maye & that I acquyte me dilygētly to tha∣complisshemēt of my sayd auowe ¶ With this answere the quene ysi∣phile had in her herte suche anoye: that she begā to wepe & right {pro}foūd∣ly to sighe / and after she begā to saye softly / Alas alas how may myneyē see the departing of myn euydent yoye / Alas. alas I was born̄ in an euylle constellcion: whan I may not fynde a lytyll of goode fortune in thys worlde / and alle consolacy∣one

wythdrawe them from me. all honour fseeth frō me al boūtees for∣sake me & cōtrarye all sorow ren̄eth vpōme. All welthe is ayēs••me. and all euyll cometh to fore me. in my p̄∣sēce / for certes yf ther sourde ony mi serie ī the ferthest place of the worl∣de. that miserie de{per}teth frō that pla∣ce for to come to me. A what sorow Certes j am not goode ynowh ner of so moche vale we that ony mā shall doo ony thing at my requeste

Certes madame āswerde jasō / me semeth that for no thing ye ought to demene ner make so meruaillo{us} so∣rowe / for ye ar ī vale we moche mo∣re then̄e j can exteme / and as to the regarde of me if ther be ony thing li∣cite & honeste to me possible: require ye hit & I shal ēploye me ī suche wi∣se that ye shal haue cause for to be cō∣tēte / ād me semeth that ye ought to haue me excused in this caas seē the vowe in whiche j am boūdē & if j a∣bode here j sholde not exployte but lose my tyme. Ha a my dere frēde & loue answerde the lady / whā shal I haue better cause for to cōplayne & lamēte thā now / jf anon̄ jhad lost al∣le my royaume. & if j sawe all my ri∣chesses & cheuāche & all that j coude fine & cheuisshe perisshe in the abys∣mes & depnes of the see: all that shol∣de not be to me so heuy to bere at my herte ner so grete displaisir as shalbe to me to see your departing. for the see is so terrible / ād the fortunes. {pro}s∣peritees / aduersites: & parils rise ād lourde on alle sydes wherfore j am not certayn whether euyr ye shall retorne agayn or no. And then̄e ou∣ght not j to haue the visage banisshid fro alle ••solacōn and yoye: & ought not my herte to lye on the bedde of tribulacion vnder the couertour of right mortal distresse & betwene the shetes of bewaylinges / Alas / alas. thinke ye what this doth / but whan I parceyue that ther is no remedie / ād that youre honour had ••cluded your departing promising to go in your {pro}misid voyage. j shal bere hit as paciently as to me is possible. for∣seen that ye shall promyse me fayth∣fully if ye come to your aboue ī your enterpryse of Colchos. that ye shalle come ageyn by this cyte for to telle me of youre tydinges

THan the noble knight vn∣derstood that the ladi ••des∣cēded by suche {con}diciō to his departing he was right yoyous ād not without cause: ••siderīg the dan̄∣ger where he and all his felawship were in: And then̄e he {pro}mised to her & swore ryght solempnly to fore the rep̄sentacion of the goddesse pallas / whiche was there that he shold re∣tourne vnto her assone as he sholde come to the aboue of his enterpryse and that yf the goddes wolde gyue hym so goode fortune / that he myg∣ht a lyue and hole retourne. Then̄e the noble and fayr Quene ysiphile somme what reronforted and ha▪

〈◊〉〈◊〉 a grete hope•• the retournyng of jason cessed her selfe of her lamē∣tacions ¶ For tabregge the matere the daye came that the noble preu ja¦son sholde goo to the see: on whiche daye the noble prince and his fela∣wes toke leue of the noble Quene y∣siphile / of the ladyes ād damoiselles and thanked them largely of their goodes & goode chiere that they had made to thē / And then̄e departed fro Lennos & wente vnto the porte But whā they sholde entre into the shippe. the quene ysiphile presented vnto Iason the ydole of the godde••∣se pallas & many other ydoles of the goddes of the see. and made him to putte them in hys shippe / Sayng that none euyl••e trouble mighte co∣me to him in ony wyse ••s log as he kept & helde hem in reuerēce

WHan jason ap{per}ceyued the gre∣te largesse of the noble quene ysiphi∣le / & the goode loue whet wyth she louid him. he thāked her moche hū∣bly: and syn went to the see & made to winde vp the sayle. And thus he and his companye departed frō lennos / for to saille toward the yle of colchos / of whom j willeue to speke for this present tyme. & also of Iason & of the Quene ysiphile / the whiche whan she had born̄her fruyt by the space of. ix. monethes hole / she was deliuerid of a moche fayr sone For ••o recounte wel a long of the ryght fayr ād noble yle of colchos in deui∣sing the manere howe hit was firste foun•…•…y the god 〈…〉〈…〉 so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the countre was firste 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••yted. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 what kinges hi•• was gouerned whiche is a ryght diffici∣le and harde thing to beleue for ma∣ny persones that haue not estudied the auncient crony••ues / of whom many ben full hard and doubtable to be beleuyd for the straūge & mer∣uayllogs werkes that ben founden in many hist••ries and places.

¶ How appollo was sent by the god Mars into the coūtrey where as was the ryche & noble shepe or weder that bare the vliese of golde & how he founded there a cyte

[illustration]

••Or to gyue yow knowlege of the noble Ile of Col•…•… shal deporte & tayre for this present tyme to speke of the ••••••tes of Iason / and wyll recompte & telle in brief what •…•…d first in col∣chos / and by what manere & facōn hi•• was knowē that the riche motō or shepe with the flees of gold was there and also the two meruaillous & terrible booles & the grete ••pouē∣table dragon̄ Then̄e for to come vn∣to this historie I haue foūdē an olde auncien cronicle conteynyng / that wh••lom̄e was a kīg in athenes na∣med jupyter / but this was not that jupit that was sone of saturne that regned in Crete. wh•••• is a mo∣che noble countre

•…•…g of Athe∣•…•…d 〈…〉〈…〉 / the first was na∣•…•…a••••o•…•… / that is a••••o••he as •…•…s in latyn̄: whyche by the athe∣nyens was callyd god of ••atayll. for cause of many bataille •…•…at he had in his tyme ayenst his ••••••ghbours / of which he had •…•…ay the victorie The second•• was apis which was king of argis•••• appollo that regned in archade was the thirde This ap∣pollo was a man of grete gouerne∣ment / he introduysed the archady∣ens for to lyue honestly

¶ Certe he ••querd many royauines

he had grete nōbre of children̄ / And fynably whan they were growē to age. he deliuerid to thē his landes to gouerne. ād after that departed ri∣ght secretly from archade. and in the aslate of a medicine or a phisicien he wente in the most part of the proui∣ces of the worlde / he was th{us} wan∣dring ten yeres. & at thēde of tē yere he arryued at athenes / And there founde that this broder Mars was newly dede and passed out of thys worlde. and that ther was made to him a temple / whiche endured after vnto the tyme of the conuersion of saynt denys. He wēte into the tēple with an herte replenisshid with te∣res / & knelid doun̄ to the erthe to fore the representacion of his broder the god mars: requiring hi that he wol∣de she we to him that thīg that was best for him to do / and that he wolde with all his myght ensiewe & accō∣plisse his doctrine & commādemēt.

••non̄ as appollo had finisshid his prayer. a grete whirlīg or tourbillon of winde cam sodainly & flapped hi on the vysage wher with he was a∣stonyed that he wist not what hit was / ād beyng in this rauisshemēt him thought that the god mars sai∣de to him. appollo appollo: thy pray∣ers ben presented in the huen to the goddes / Thou hast seen many mer∣uailes of the worlde. but that is no∣thīg in regard of one that thou shalt see / & it shal not mowe be seyn but by the. Then̄e it pleseth vs that thou go into pyre for to make an arke vnto the semblaunce & likenes of that ar∣ke that noe made som time for to sa∣ue him & his famyllie frō the deluge: & flood: after that we wil that thou do charge hit with as grete a nōbre of pyrriens as hit may receyue / ād that thou ād they put yow to the see therin / and whan ye haue doun̄ so. j shal bring yow in to the best yle the moste ryche & the most fertyle of all the world: whiche shal been habited by the pyrriens: And thou shalt vn∣derstāde that by this yle / is a resorte of the see vnto an other litell jle whe∣re in is the noble motōor sheep / with the fsiese of gold. the whiche not lōg syn was sente by the goddes Iuno. to ••rixus / and to his suster Helles / bothe enchassed bitheir stepmod for to make thē passe the see. which that now is named hellespo••t: by cause that helles lete her falle into the see. The noble ād riche moton̄ then̄e or shepe of golde is the moost meruail∣lous beste / that euer was ī the worl∣de. & hit must be ones conquerd but that shalbe with grete parell & well behoueth therto a meruaillo{us} craft & mistere: And for somoche then̄e as thou shalt be ī the yle habitable ī the whiche j shal conduyte & bring the beware & kepe the also dere as thou hast thy lyf: that thou goo not into the yle. where the noble moton̄ of goolde is in: For I haue therin or∣deyend

thre bestes. the which ••t spa∣ce of time shal cast fire flabe fumyer & venyn out of their throtes wherof shalbe destroyed al they that shal des∣cēde in that yle. excepte only one vn∣to a certayn terme. with these wor∣des appollo cam agayn to him self & thīkīg on the voys that he had herd after that he had made his oblaciōs. he de{per}ted out of the temple and also from athenes. & obeing to the wil of the god mars he trauayled in suche wyse by his iournees that he cā vn∣to the Royaume of pirre / in the cyte of salathie / that whilom had foūded salathyel: whiche was of the lignye of the hebrews / Then̄e appollo log∣ged him in the hows of a bourgoys named loth / ād requyred himoche that he wolde bringe hym vnto the king of that coūtre / whiche was cal∣lid Phyliten{us}: Then̄e loth accorded vnto the requeste of Appollo / & bro∣ught hym to fore phyliten{us}. ād then̄e appollo made him the reuerēce. and syn sayde vnto the king in this ma∣nere.

¶ Ryght excellent sire I am comen vnto you not only by my poure vo∣••ente and auctorite. but come in tac∣complisshing the {con}mādemēt of the god mars / god of batailles. the whi∣che hath chosē me for to led•• certain nombre of they peple into the best y∣le of the worlde: and for thaccōplis∣she the sain̄ he hath ••māded the that thou do make for me an arke in such wyse as I shall deuyse / And after that thou deliuere to me. iij. honderd of thy men̄ / with their wyues & chil∣drē / the which shal entre īto the arke with me. & then̄e whā al this shalbe don̄. the god mars by his ḡce shal bri∣gevs vnto the yle for said. first tēha∣bite & peuple the saide yle. and aboue that for to shewe vnto men̄ meruail∣lous werkes that bē there: & to thēde that thou ne thīke that j be ony decei∣uor or abuser j oblige me to dye my∣serably in caas that j be foūde in ony faute {pro}ceding fro my partie.

Whā the king phyliten{us} had herde appollo & that he had beholdeu that he was of hononrable maitiene / he d••e we him apart & cōiured hī that he sholde declare what he was & of what lyf / but incontinent whan the king cōiured hī he begā a lytil to we∣xe ashamed not withstonding he af∣fermed to hī that he was king of archade & sone of jupyter first king of Athenes & broder vnto god mars And. after he declared how he had left his royaume / & how he had wā∣dred in the worlde: & how the god Mars was in the tēple ād apperid to him: & somoche saide to hym. that the king juged him to be most wyse & most discrete man̄ of the worlde. & after accorded to hī al that he had de∣māded ī the fauour of the god mars For tabregge the mater appollo di∣de do make the arke in such wise as hi semed best at the expēsis of the kīg And▪ incōtinēt whā hit was al ma∣de redy & the king dide do put there

i••. iij. C. men of his Royaume ••d as many womē with two knightes of his lignage. of whom that one was named ʒe••hi{us} & that other ʒethephi∣us / & made hē {pro}mise that they shold holde the yle / where appollo sholde bringe them to / of his royame in so∣uerainte / and whan the piriene had putte in the arke their necessites for their vytailles & that they had takē leue of the king & his lordes. appollo shette the arke fasito. & then̄e sodaily rose & was lift a tempeste so terrible & so grete / that the cordes ād cables that helde the arke vnto the londe brak. & then̄e it happēd that the ar∣ke was with an impetuous wawe trāsported into the depnes of the see

The king Appollo and all the Py∣riens seeyng so ••npetuouse tē peste & tormente supposed that the arke ād all they that were therin: shulde ha∣ue periss••ed wherfore they begā to crye ād demene the gretteste sorow of the worlde & began to make grete be waylinges & murmure vpon Ap∣pollo but yet that worse is / the tem∣peste continued more and more ī su∣che wise that it semed that incōtinēt al the world shold haue fynysshed. Then̄e the king philitenus and his men beyng arenged vpon the syde / of the poorte▪ supposing neuer more to haue seen none of them beyng in the arke retourned into their houses be waylīg them ād weping bitter∣ly. This tempeste dured thred dayes hool. during which tyme the king Appollo conforted his men̄ the bes∣te wyse he myghte / & promysed thē that with oute faute they sholde be deliuerid from this paritt And so hit happend thē to be. for on the fourth daye after their departing from py∣re the tēpeste cessed. at the sonne ri∣sing And the noble arcke was caste in a meruayllous. Regorte of the see beyng by twene two ••les: of which that one was grete and that other losse

¶ Incontinēt that the kyng appollo felte that the tempest of the see c••ssed litil & a litil: and after apperceyuid that the arke was a grounde faste. and the winde lefte his stronge blo∣wing: and on that other side the wa∣wes were in reste. he went vp into the hyest of the arke and opend a windowe for to be holde ād see whe∣re they were. and then̄e he appercey∣uid first the ayer well attempryd & the sonne shynyng fayre and cleer. after he caste his sight dounward. & then̄e he sawe the twoo noble jles. wherof the moreyle was next vnto the arke / which semed to hiso fayr ād so delicious that he knewe plainly that it was the propreyle that was ••••ysed to him / And that other yle beyng next that / was that yle that the habitacion was defended to him for the grete meruailles that there sholde falle And then̄e he was so glad joyous ād reconforted / that he begā to synge an hye thākinges & lo∣uinges

vnto the god mars / & incon∣tinent whan he had so don̄ he began to ka••le ••pō the two knightes ʒechi{us} & zethephi{us} And also his oste loth to whom he saide that they ought ren∣dre and yelde graces ād thākinges vnto the god of butailles. And that they arryued into the lande of {pro}••••is sion. Anone as these two noble kni∣ghtes zechy{us} and ʒethephi{us} and the other mē & womē vnderstoodd the∣se tydīges they rose vpō her feet / ma∣de clene theyr vysages and clensid their eyen of their teeris & wepīges loked vp an hygh & requyred Ap∣pollo that he wolde opene the dores & widowes of the arke to thēde that they myght see that lāde of {pro}missyō Appollo the noble king heerlg this requeste and considering the right gretedisplaisir in whiche they hadde ben / and the right hye gladnesse that they hadde rec••••ured / opened all the entrees of the arke and lete goo ou∣te tho Pyryens she wyng to thē the ferme lande that they hadde foundē Whiche they foūde so noble. so dilec∣table and so fertile in all goodes that them iemed that they were in a ve∣ray paradys / For the londe was ri∣ght fertile / the pastures. & the herbes swete ••melling / the trees charged with fruyt / the wodes & hye forestes full of wylde bestes & veneson̄ / whā Appollo had visited this noble lan∣de and had wel comprised & ••side∣rid the circuite & the places of the sa∣me. he foūded in a forest an a water in the name of god Mars. and dide to hi sacrifice / And in the same pla∣ce the amozon̄es founded after a ••••∣ple vnto the goddesse deane. In whi∣che jason & Medea sawe eche other first and acqueynted thē as if shal∣be sayd here after & declared more a long in his place

After the foundacion of this awter whan the sacrefice was don̄. Appol∣lo dyde do calle the. ij. knightes zechius ād zethephi{us} & also loth with the peple that he hadde brought / and de∣māded them what they wolde doo & what was their entencion / And then̄e they āsuerde as with one vois Certes our entencion & will is to a∣byde here & ly••e & dye: we desire ne∣uer to departe: for this shal be the se∣pulture of alle vs & of our eyres vn∣to thende of the worlde / the honye that here habon̄deth shalbe our me∣te: & we shal laboure ād cultyue the erthe with goode vygnes▪ we shalt enhabite with peple the lowe mon∣taignes & the territoires: and thus we shal lyue in hye felicite if it be yo∣ur plaisir / If it be my plaisir āsuerde Appollo / if it had not be only for to haue distribued this so noble a londe knowe ye for certayn that ī had not abandon̄ed my self to the tempestes & parils of the see. ne to the grete ora∣ges & tourbillouns of the impetuose windes. hit plesets▪ me right wele that this noble countre be your habi¦taciō. but syn your entēciō is suche. it

•••• aboue all thinges necessarie gretly for your wele ād recom̄endaciō. that ye rēdre & do your payne to edeffye a cyte / ād that ye close hit with wal∣l••s tours and yates to thēde that no∣ne may come renne vpon you pylle / robbe ne trauaille yow in other ma∣ner / and after hit behoueth for to cō∣••ynny que to geder by goode policie in suche facōn that the hardy & puis∣saunt of body ād corage / habille thē with armes for to resiste thē terpry∣ses of your enemyes if ony come for to greue yo w The sage & wyse men shal enduce & teche the rude peple ād harde of ētentemēt: The poure shal be holden & boundē the laboure eche man after his degre & callyng / And the most subtill shal deuise thinge {pro}∣pices for yow as toures har••ois ād other habyllement seruyng to kepe you in tyme of doubte. ād with this they shal ordeyne solempne edyfices & houses for the cyte •• the place ther∣to most propice & couenable

¶ Whan the pyriens had vnderstā∣de Appollo / alle they ansuerde frely / that they wolde accōplisshe to theyr power: alle that he wolde connceyle them. ād that he sholde be thir fader and they his childreen̄: Then̄e they chose a place couenable to bilde their cyte / and taryed not long after but that they began to vylde and house a lōg by the see side / in suche wyse that by space of tyme they founded & bil∣ded a ryght noble cyte and closed it with walles dichis & yates / Appollo named this cyte Iacoynte. The py∣riens edified in the myddes therof a moche sumptuous palays. And on that other syde Zechius & ʒethephi∣us & loth made also many houses ād bi space of time their generaciō mul∣tiplied gretly & meruaillously. Whe∣rof Appollo thanked the god mars & dide to him sacrefice. This don: he assembled on a daye alle the peple & saide to hem in this maner to fore hē alle.

PEple of god Mars whan I ••si∣dere the wele & the valoure of your habitacion: ye bē moche holdē to the goddes: wherfore I praye you from hens forward that ye serue hi with goode herte: And after that I praye you that ye norisshe pees ād cōcorde to geder. And that ye kepe you from all dyuysion & rācour / & I praye you to vanisshe from your corages pride hate couetise glouton̄ye & al other vi∣ces. & consequently I coūceyle yow. that at this tyme ye cōstitute vpon you iuges the two vertuo{us} knightes zechius and zethephi{us}. and that ye to thē obeye soueraynly: ād if ye doo these thīges. certaily all goodes shall haboūde •• you: & if ye doo not jdecla∣re to you for trouth that ī short time in this cyte shall not abide bord ner hows stādlg ner one stone vpō an o∣ther / appollo had not so sone finisshid thise wordes but that all they there stōdlg opēd her mouthes & cryed w•• an hye voys sayng / Truly appollo thou art the god of sapiēce / as long

••s we lyue we will haue none other juge but the ād to the we shall sub∣mytte vs & all our affayres / and de∣siting thyn holy sacrefices / maners and honest doctrines to ensiewe to our powers / we wyll that thou be our pastour or herdman̄ / & we shall be thy sheep

¶ Whan Appoll•• had vnderstāde this that sayde is he āswerde to hem ād saide. Certes fayr lordes hyt ap∣perteyneth not to me to receyue the grete honour that ye alle offre & pre∣sente to me / ye knowe how that ze∣chius and zethephius ben in youre nacion And I am here allone and a strauger: hit is among you euydent and notoyre / that ye shall not take ī pacience my correction as ye sholde doo of zechyus and zethephi{us} / And for sonioche I praye yow that with so grete charge & burthē yeleye not on my back. for hit is none nede: and for to saye the verite zechius ād ze∣thephy{us} bē two wyse knightes well attempred and {pro}pice to excersite those dignytes / And therfore ye ou∣ght to receyue them / for certes ye bē holden so to doo. ād theste your we∣le shall folowe & be euydent / & ye so doyng pees and loue shalle be roted in yow. ād ther shall be no man that shalle be so hardy to conspyre ony ru∣mour Rācour Rebellion: ne machi∣ne ony trouble in no maner of the worlde / and sayng thise wordes all the peple begā te murmure And ʒe∣chius and his fela we ••ethephi{us} he∣rīg this parlemēt to geder with loth. ād som̄e other principals then there that herde / ••siderid the people wol∣de in no wyse breke their oppimō: cō∣cluded to make an answere such as foloweth. whiche loth pronounced and•• saide in this manere.

Appollo in no wyse putte no doub∣te in this werke for so moch as thou art among vs of vnknowen gene∣ration. Thy sapience and wysedom is more playsaunce to the peple. that the naissaūce or birthe of zechi{us} & of zethephi{us}. Thou art the right myr∣tour of our doctrine. the patrone of our polycie. the right oustyll that po∣lisshith and enl••mineth vs & our ru∣de ingenyes. Certes the two good knightes zechius & ʒetephius thāke the of the ryght grete honour that thou dost them And they beyng ad∣ioyned with the peple will. that th∣ou haue vpō vs and the Cyte sone∣rayn seignourie / and therfore wille thou nomore seche weyes so cōtre∣peysed: but enploye thy corage after the taste of our desires / for hit is or∣deyned & concluded that thou shalt be our king And for to supporte the shalbe com̄ysed ʒechius & zethephi{us} thy lieutenaūts / the whyche by thy introduction shall haue charge and thought vndre the of the com̄yn be∣sines & smale thinges. of which they shall haue the knowleche for to de∣termine. ¶ Incontinent as loth had finisshyd hys proposycyon: at

thinstaūce of alle the peple: Appollo accorded in alle thinges vnto theyr with▪ And then̄e for••twith two of the most grettest of the peple toke hī vpon their sholdres ād▪ cryyng / vy∣ne le roy appollo. whiche is asmoch to saye as lyue the kīg appollo: they bare him vnto the palays / and there they sette him in the trone of iustice: And zechi{us} & zethephiu•• were set∣te in an other siege more lower

¶ What shal I make you long pro∣cesse. the one and other made ther to the king Appollo homage. And for to entretiene his as••ate / were ordey∣ned certayn nombre of peple: And after this was ordeyned that ther sholde be forgid moneye in the cyte. For the king Appollo enseigned the place in the yle where he had a right good myne of golde: whan alle these thinges were thus ordeyned & con∣cluded▪ the peple withdrewe hē E∣uery man into his place thankīg the goddes that Appollo had agreed & accorded that thīg that they somo∣che desired / that was that he sholde abide there their kīg for to holde thē in pees▪ resō & iustice. Then̄e appol∣lo as there souerayn abode & dwellid in the palays accompanyed of the. ij knightes zechy{us} & zethephius and many other that he withhelde ī hys seruice / & from that daye forward appollo gouerned ād conduysed the peple so wisely and discretly that by the space of xij. yere. he was merua∣••llou••••y belou••d of alle his subgettis and also of the countrees by: whiche had knowleche of him /

¶ How the god mars sent to the king Appollo the maner how the moton̄ or shepe of gold myght and ought be conquerd

[illustration]

THe historie that moche is auncient Reherceth that at the ende of these xij. yeres / A terrible & grete meruaile apperid gretly in the lytil yle that was there by: For ther was seē in many nigh∣tes certayn oxen or bulles of fyre so grete. that they enflammed alle the region of the ayer: And then̄e that zechius and zetephius and the pe∣ople apperceyuyd all plainly thys meruaylles / they cam on a nyght to the king Appollo and she wid him how the lytil yle was in a terryble f••awme. And syn f••••de▪ to him that they wolde knowe what hi•• mighte be: and that they supposed that the∣re were men comen theder by som̄e auēture / Then̄e Appollo answered to them in this maner. Certes fayr lordes j haue tolde yow to fore this tyme / that in this yle the god Mars and the god of nature shall doo ma∣ke appere the most grete & the most terrible meruayle of the worlde. ād yet I telle & saye to yow. that ther is non̄ other thinge•• but the meruayles of the goddes / and therfore be ye cō∣tent and in pees / ād thinke no more therof / and that ye kepe yow in o••y wyse of the worlde that ye goo not theder: for ••smoche as hit is straitly defende•• / som̄e there were that we∣re content with this answere. and

so she not And among other zechi{us} sayde a hye & clerely that he beleuyd hit not / ād that on the morn̄ he wol∣de passe ouer in that yle for to kno∣we the trouth with so grete a cōpa∣nye that if there were ony straūgers he wold putte hem to deth or in his mercy by armes

The king Appollo vnderstode not this answere of zechius / Wherfore he lete him speke what he wolde: ād then̄e zechius drewe him aparte frō thens right secretly accōpanyed of xxx. men: whiche were all of one o∣pynyon: and cōcluded among thē that on the morn̄ erly they sholde co∣me to the porte. ād they sholde go to this yle & deceyue the king Appollo / This yle was of the facōn of a byr∣de that men calle in that countre col∣cu: This night passed ouer. and on the morn̄ in the krekyng of the daye zechyus and his xxx. felaws all ar∣med and wel in poynt wente to the zee. and began to rowe toward the yle of colchos. but hit abode not lōg after that the king Appollo which was acustomed to ryse by tymes. cā to a widowe of his palais & beheld toward the see. And apperceyned anone at the Ryue or see side many women & children. ād also sawe the shippe that zechius and his felaw∣ship ledde toward colchos / wherfo∣re he wist not what to thīke ner saye and callid loth and his seruauntes that were beholding vpō the watre Of whome he demāded curtoysly what they were that they behelde •• the shippe. ād wheder they entēded so hastely. and at whos cōmaunde∣ment / Then̄e they answerde that it was zechyus and xxx. men armed and well in poynt in his felawship. and that they had entencion for to goo īto the yle of colchos for to kno∣we the trouthe / wherof proceded the grete ••lam̄es fumyers and va∣pours that they had seen.

¶ Whā the king Appollo vndersto∣de these tydinges he lifte his eyen on hye & escryed ād sayde. O god crea∣tour of alle creatures what folye / & then̄e smote his breste with his fiste in signe of grete āgour / after he sen∣te for to seke zethephi{us} and som ma∣ronners / & whā zethephi{us} was co∣me appollo sayde to hym Halas my dere broder if euer ye vil see zechius haste yow / see him there in a shyp & xxx. yonge men with hym: they bē in entencyon for to descende in Col∣chos as these womē haue certified me. And vrayli yf they go ouer fer∣re / they shalle take harme / for they shall neuer retorne. and therfore la∣te vs take a shippe in alle haste and late vs rowe after them for to retay∣ne thē if hit be to vs possible for to lette and tourne them from this fo∣lisshe ēterprise: or ellis j suppose that shortly a grete meschief shal falle on them: ye in such wyse that they all shall lose their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 / In sayng these wordes the kīg Appollo: zethephi{us} the goode hnyght / loth and their pe∣ple

entred into the shippe / that the marōners had made redy & towed with alle the haste they myght after zechius and his felaws for to haue retaynde them / but all was for nou∣ght / For they coude not so••ore haste them that they coude come so nygh: that they myght speke to them And from ferre they sawe them entre in∣to the peryllous yle. ye er they were halfe waye thederward

When̄e whan appollo apperceyuid the grete daunger / where zechius & his felawes had▪ putte hem in ayēst his will and leue / he was so angry that he demened the most meraail∣loust sorowe of the worlde / hor he lo∣uid parfaytly zechius: and in lyke wise zethephi{us} & many other Yet al way he cessed not to go forth ād ro∣we til he cam nyghe the yle vpon a bowe shotte / ād in beholding he ap∣perceyuid many bouffes of flambe & of a thyk fumyere or smoke sprīge into the ayer After this was not lōg after whan he herde many pyetous cryes: one and other ryght ferdfull. and finably he apperceyuid one of the felawship of zechius renne oute of this Ile as a man al despayred. The whiche cryeng right horribly put hī self īto the see vp to the necke ¶ Incontinēt whan appollo apper∣ceyued & vnderstood thise thinges: & among all other he behelde hym that was thu•• come & had put him in the see / Certes he was sore abas∣shid. but for to knowe alle the ••••••••n∣ges. be made to rowe ••er him / & fo••∣de that the water where he was in. boylled by grete hete al aboute hy•• body. The poure felawe incontinent that he knowe the kīg appollo. begā passing pi••tous••y to escrye vpō▪ him weping ād sayng. Ha a syre appollo if hit be possible to the / helpe ād deli∣uere me from this mortal daunger: Whā appollo sawe the poure felaw in suche desolaciō the teeris fill doun̄ from his eyen. & for asmoche as the water boilled so aboute him he had grete pyte / & demāded of him what eyled him so to crye & wepe. & from whēs that water cam that so boilled aboute him: & axid syn where was zechius / Alas āswerde the poure fe∣lawe which labo••rid lyuyng there to the deth in a dolour and payne in∣estimable: Praye ye sire for zechius and for his felaws. For I haue seē alle one after an other dye in a mor∣tell dis••resse. and so anguyss••ous••y. that vnnethe that is creature lyuyn∣g that coude ve••ayly acompte and telle hit to yow

THan appollo herde speke of the deth of zechius and his felaws. he was so sorofull / that he wist not what to doo / but ās∣werde to the poure felaw and saide by grete admiraciō. how maye that be fayr sire. for j sawe right now ze∣chius and all his felaws that were with hī whā they toke lōde ī colchos in descendyng from the shippe. al••s

••ere sire answerde the felawe / hyt is well Reson that j recompte & telle yon the trouth & verite of the mane∣re of this cruel auenture. Certes sire hit is veray trouth that incontinent that zechius & we other entrid into theyle. we apperceyuyd from ferre in a passing fayr medowe a lyuyng beste fedyng all offyn goolde: And was as grete as an hors of the facōn & fourme of a sheep or motō: Then̄e we {con}cluded to geder with one wyll that we wolde haue takē hī. & then̄e we wente forth & supposed to haue taken hit by force or other wise And for to so doo we marched thedward to oure euyll helthe / for anon̄ after & right sodaynly sprang out of a tem∣ple the most fair and the moost riche that I euer sawe: a moche meruayl∣lous dragon̄ and ferdfull with thre tonges casting fyre & flambe wyth smoke out of his throte. & fortwith incontinent sprang also out of hoo∣les in the erthe two moche horryble booles hauyng legges ād feet all of coper / their hornes were grete and sharp. theyr eyē gretter & more reed thā boyllīg coper or metal: the whi∣che thre bestes so dredefull disgorged & caste out fyre of their throtes & ve∣nyn vpon vs in suche facōn. that Ze∣chius & alle the other deyde there in suche payn̄ & dolour that was neuer lyke therto recorded / ād of vs xxx. felaws ther is none escaped except my self: whiche was laste & ferthest behīde. for whā j ap{per}ceyuyd themes chief so grete spntme to f••ight / but I coude not so fast fsee: but that the terrible dragon̄ cast vpō me a gobet of the moste detestable infectiō / that euer was. the whic•• doth me somo∣che payn̄ & meschief: ād holdeth me in suche a brennyng in alle my body / that j muste nedes take bi dolonrou∣se deth the ēde of this worlde / wher∣fore j requyre you that ye goo no ner Colchos.

¶ With this wordes the doloro{us} mā finysshed his dayes in anguisthe ād payne / and the sowle de{per}ted frō the bodi in the psece of appollo: the whi∣che for this cause demened the gret∣test & most terrible sorou that might be. and with that roose the winde bi grete sodayne pyries that cam from the west / whiche tormented the see and meuyd hit meruaillous••y / and after this apperid in the ayer grete lightnīges of fire: the which cā laū∣chīg bitwene the kīg appollo & ʒethe phi{us} & the other be••g ī the ship. & ther was non̄ of thē so assured but with the wīde. & the īpetuouse lightnyng they were betē doune vnto the botō of the ship: & in suche wise they were sineton̄ with the lightnīg & tourniēs and with the orage of haylle stones: that appollo hī self knewe not a gre∣te while if euer he sholde escape this daūger or no For aboute hē they sa∣we no more / thā mē doo in a wītres night at midnight whā hit rayneth Notwithstāding during this tem∣peste & derkenes the good king ap∣pollo

herde a voys sayd to him •• this manere not aloude: But with a mo∣derat voys in suche wyse as somme wel vnderstode hit.

Appollo the god Mars com̄andet•• the that thou retourne incoutinēt to thy cyte: for zechius thy good frēde is dede by his grete oultrage in this perillous yle / & his felaws ī like wi∣se as it hat•• bē late vs declared / also all they that fro hens fort•• put he•• or descende in to this yle / for to seche anēture or other wyse shal neuer re∣torne agayn: for asmoch as the god∣des wil not that it be enhabïted vn∣to the tyme / that a knight sha•• descē∣de therin whic•• shal cōquere the no∣ble moton or shepe of goolde by the meen of them that shall come of thy seed. to whom thou shalt leue a bille wreton wit•• the hande of the god mars. the whiche is now vnder thy hede. & teyneth frō point to poīt all the mysteries ād craft that he beho∣uet•• to obserue & kepe for to obteyne & come to thing of so hye recōmēda∣cion that like therto hat•• ben ne ne∣uer shalbe in the worlde vnto the ti / me that the holy & newe lawe shall come: & after that tyme long after / the mistery of the f••ees of golde shall hyely be celebrerd & halowed

Wyth this the vois was still / & ap∣pollo on this that he had herde begā to rise abasshid and esmayed of this werke / And foūde vnder his hede the bille a fore said whiche he kepte ••oygneus••y & aft he & his felawship retorned vnto the cyte. for the tyme & the grete storme was incontinent gon̄ and dryuen away in the ayer & vanisshed, and then̄e assone as he and his peple were arryued at the poort and out of the ship / forth̄ with the weder begā to chaūge and begā to snowe. to rayne. to blowe & make one so terrible a storme & tēpeste / that by force of the out ragyo{us} orage / the arke in the▪ whiche appollo ād all his cōpani•• cam into that yle that they inhabited: and also al the shippis ād other bootes that they had made / meuyd thē to geder •• such wise that the cables and cordes that helde thē al to the porte al to brak. ād the said vaissels & ships were blowen vnto the perillo{us} yle of colchos by so mer∣uailous a furour that they were al to smyten in pieces & brokē in suche maner that the bordes of the bootes & other pieces withoute nōbre f••oted here & there in the see: & thus bi this waye. they were all lost and spent / of the whiche auēture all they that were then̄ at the porte beholdīg we∣re sore esbayed & not without cause for neuer to fore was seē so meruail∣lous a tēpeste / & thought wel that it wente not wel: & sayde one to that o∣ther: that theyr goddes were angry wit•• them whā suche tempest cā to thē ther to their grete dom̄age and preiudice

¶ How the knight zethephius con∣spired ayenst Appollo the king. ād how they had bataille to geder

[illustration]

AFter thys euyl auētu∣re the king Appollo ād they that were with hī retorned vnto the pa∣lays enclynyng theyr heedes a doun̄ & shew••g that anoye had enterprysed thē whan they we∣re come to the palays all they bewa∣ylid zechius. & dur••g this sorow / the wyf of zechius named Mena cam thether for to here tydynges of her husbonde. & hit was sayd to her that he was left dede in the yle of colchos wherfore she demened so meruayl∣lous sorow: that she fylle to the erthe al in a spasme & a swoū••e / and after cam to her self. & then̄e she rent of her a tyre and drew her heer out of her hede by moche aspre anger & sorowe: in suche a facōn that forth with she was delyuerid of a chylde / whiche she had conceyuid of her lor∣de and husbonde / the whyche deyde assone as it was born̄. for it had not his fulle tyme. for the deth of which childe the anger & sorow was moch the more. Appollo then̄e wenyng to conforte her / dyde alle that he coude. but ye halpe not ner profyted no thīg & made her to be brought in to hys hous for the better to make her we∣pinges & lamentacions. at her wyll And ther was none that myght cō∣forte her / The womē / the kīg & frē∣des

of them that were dede with ze∣chius semblably made grete sorow / during whiche sorowe. Appollo▪ vi∣sited oftetymes Mena. ād founde that she had cōtynuelly the teeris in her eyen / hou wel she was a moche fayr lady: By haunting from day to daye / appollo knewe the grete and good loue that she had to her husbō / de / & that in no maner might forgete him: began to wexe amerous of the lady ī so moche that he required her to be his wyf: and she agreed and acorded therto ī suche wise that the one espoused that other / and engen∣dryd on her a doughter. the whiche was borne in goode terme. and was named fanoles.

Amonge all other thīges zethephi{us} began to haue envye vpon the king appollo. for asmoch as his glorie en∣cresid dayli more and more: Thys miserable enuye encresid in his co∣rage / & him semed that if of appollo & of mena cam a sone / that sone shol∣de succede to the royaume after Ap∣pollo / for which cause he employed him self with al his power to {con}plai∣re & plese a{per}tye of the cytezeyns. ād whan he felte him in their grace: he assembled hē on a daye in his hous and sayde to thē in this maner My brethren and goode frēdes ye kno∣we well that I am of your lignage / and that all my lyf j haue cōuersed louyngly among you / ād in like wi∣se myn aūcetres wyth youres haue had alway entier aliaunce. thys considerid my herte iuget•• that ye owe me goode will and desire myn encrees and honour And for somo∣che as yow power is ryght grete in this cyte. I pray•• and requyre yow if hit so happe that appollo go fro ly∣fe to deth that ye will haue my sone for recōmāded and that he may be king after hī as ye knowe wel that he••s therto worthy

The frendes of zethephius hering these wordes. alle accorded with goode herte to do for hī all that they mighte / Then̄e zethephi{us} promised to them many grete thinges in cans they wolde make Feris his sone kī∣d. ād promised so moche good that they {con}spired the deth of the king ap∣pollo / And in dede they made coue∣naunt that they sholde s••ee hī if they foūde him at their auātage

After this coniuroyson̄ then̄e that these miserable & {per}uers traitres we∣re withdrawen in to their howses / They cōmened with their neygh∣bours of the deth of the king appollo & {pro}mised thē grete nōbre of money if they might come ād obteyne their entēt: som ther were coueto{us} desirīg their singuler prouffit accorded vn∣to this sediciō / but also som ther were that ī no wise wold {con}sēte therto / but alowed the grete preudho••••ie & wi∣sedō of Appollo. & shewed well that they▪ had hī better ī ḡce▪ thā zethe••i{us}. Thus amōg thē begā to meue & ry∣se many rācours discordes & debats & this rumour roos ī so hye t••es & so

plainly / that zethephius & his cōpli∣ces counertiy murdred many of thē that wolde not accorde vnto theyr tray son̄ / and somoch multiplied the∣se oultragious syūes: that whā som of the wel willars of the king appol∣lo sawe their felawesmurdrid / they drew to the king appollo & tolde to him the machinacōn of zethephyus & the oultragyons syn̄es that his fe∣lawes dide: & requyred him moche that he wolde take hede & entende to their fayte / and to finde suche reine∣die to kepe his lyf wele. & honour ād the proufryt of the co••yn wele

The king Appollo was meruayl∣lonssy troubled & had grete sorow ī his corage whā he was aduerrised of these harde tydinges / how wel he ••duysed him right wysely: for with alle diligēce he dide take enformacio of these thinges. & founde that they had saide to him the verite & trouth & that zethephius seduysed the peple ayenst him by tyrannye al euydente & that cōtynuelly he had in his house an. C. men̄ of euyl lyf. the whiche cō∣mysed al the euyll they coude thinke vpon them / that they founde not of their vēde: the grete trouble & displai sir of king Appollo doubled then̄e: whan he knewe for trouth that it was trewe that he was aduertised of Notwithstāding he endured the malice of zethephius & his comply∣ces acertayn space. but whan he ap∣perceyued their conduyte / and that fro day to day they apayred more then̄e amended / he sente to z••••ephi{us} that he sholde do iu••••••ce of hys ser∣uauntes ād suche as were culpable of the deth the whyche tyrannysed in the cyte. & if he wolde not / he wol∣de seche remedie him self

Whan zethephyus vnderstode the message of the king Appollo. he ans∣werde to him wit a moūth ful of fe∣lōnye. that he was wyse ynough for to correcte his seruauntes: and that he wolde not do but at his plaisir / & thā the messager cā & reported this āswer to the king appollo. the whi∣che he herde. Appollo deliberid in hi selfe that he wolde suffre alytil for to see hou his enemyes wold maynte∣ne hem / during whiche tyme he be∣helde him welassurid in his palais. bu••▪hit was notlōg after but zc••he∣phyus & his folk cōmysed more oul∣trages ād cruelte thene they dyde to fore. in somoche that al the peple ro∣os & meuid on a daye / And there were somme that cam vnder appol∣lo. and the other wente to the tray∣tres: the whiche assemblid in thys maner by grete pryde that surmon̄∣ted on thē and sente to appollo that he sholde prestly departe out of the palays and goo his waye out of the cyte. or ellis they wolde wele that he knewe that they were his mortell enemyes. Anone as appollo had re∣ceyued this mādement he vndersto∣od well that the thinge was in e∣uyll terme if he put not payn̄ to sub∣due & put vnder thyse traytres bi ar∣tned

wherfore he callid the peple thē that were of his partye and sayd to the / Fayr sirs ye knowe well ynow: ye haue me constitued kyng aboue you / how wel methīketh zethephi{us} wolde take from me this dignyte / & of fayte he is declared myn enemy / what is to be do•• her to: They ans∣werd / Thou arte our kyng: other king than the we wyll not haue du∣ring our lyf / ād for so moche as eue∣ry king is boundē to kepe & deffende his peple / And semblably ben all pe∣ple bounden to expose body & goodes for their king Hit semeth vs expe∣dient that without lenger, taryēg we ought to goo & assayle thynenemye &. oures. to thende to punysshe him▪ & his complices

Whan Appollo had vnderstonde this that sayde is. he accorded to the same lyghtly / ād putte him anone to armes. And so dyde alle they of hys partye. & assone as they were alle in ••••olt. they wēte on the waye towar∣d the market place / & therecomē the king synt one of his knightes vnto Zethephius to signyfye to him that he sholde come to appollo for to amē∣de hys meffaytes of which he & hys complices were charged with. then̄e zethephius answerde that he wolde go vnto his enemye but that shalbe said with strength of men of armes: so puyssaunt & strōg. that hit had bē better for him that he had neuer set∣te foot in thys coūtre. and saye to hi hardily: that if he be well coūceylled that he & his wele willare be not ••••∣den to fore my strēgthe. but that the•• goo so ferre that of them we here ne∣uer after tydīges Assone as the kni∣ght had vnderstande this that sayd is heretorned vnto hislorde and re∣coūted to him what he had exploi∣ted. And zethephi{us} withoute lēger taryeng marched forth acōpanyed of his cōplices all armed to the pla∣ce where he supposed to fide appol∣lo / as he that was aduertised of thē∣terpryse of the king / and went so fer forth that they foūde their aduersai∣res: the whiche were so esmeuyd v∣pon them / that incontynēt that they had espyed eche other / they escryed them to the deth. & ran vpon eche o∣ther armed one with an basenet en the hede / an other armed the body. one bering a clubbe. an other aswer∣de euyl fourbousshed. ād without o∣ther parlemēt holding they began a bataylle vpon the market felonno{us} & hgrd meruaillousty. jn casting ter∣rible cryes. one an other as it had bē thondre comē doun̄ frō henē. & with this alle the womē & lytil children of the cyte cā rennyng & cryed weping so ryght anguisshoussy that hit was grete pyte to sec hem make their be∣wailinges & sorowe.

Thus as ye may vnderstāde begā the bataille of the Cytezeyns the one ayenst that other / &. in the comyng to gyder they smote eche other cruelly / wythout hauing regarde sauf only to ssee eche other but the kīg appollo

•••••• theris & loth put hem forth amōg their enemies so ferrelin gyuing pe∣saunt strokes ād terrible on the right syde & on the lyft side by suche vertu that the place was anon̄ dyed and weet with the blood of the malefac tours. and they dyde so knyghtly ād cheualeroussy / & in especial Appollo. that ther was no tray tre but that he tremblid to fore hē. And euery mā began to make place to the noble kīg The••e zethephi{us} had suche sorow. that he cam and put him tofore the berde of the knight Fletheris and of loth. and he had with him x. of▪ hys best fightars: and suche was theyr auēture. that with one stroke the gē∣til knight fle theris sinote donn zethe phius to the erthe among the dede bodyes and toke him / And in thys hete appollo and loth fought so sore with the other ānd so eygrely that they sle we the moste parte. And hit was not lōg after that the traitours knewe that their capitayne was so∣re hurte & takē. wherfore they tour∣ned their back & putte thē in fsyght. in alle partyes along by the ••yue of the cyte / & so sparklid a brode

¶ How the king appollo gaf to his doughter the bille & manere for to cō∣quere the ••noton̄ or sheep of gold / whiche cam after to medea:

WHan the gentil king appol∣lo sawe that his mortal ene∣my was holdē & that his cō∣plices put them to fiyght / incontinēt cessed the bataylle / and retourned to his palays with grete glorie. and eche man cryed Helthe be gyuen to the king appollo / Many of the prin∣cipall of the peple cam then̄e to fore the kīg & wold there haue ssaynthe vntre we zetpephi{us} / But zethephi{us} requyred them hūbli mercy & cōfes∣sid his grete faute / and ther with cā there his wyf that knelid to the er∣the tofore the nobles & the peple: ād requyred them of grace for her hus∣bond so humbly that the king had pytie of her / & saued zethephius lyf. But that same daye he accused alle them that had com̄ysed the grete e∣uyll: of whom the king Appollo dy∣de doo justice / And after this gaf to Fletheris the offyce of zethephi{us}. & frō this day forthward the cite was nourisshid in pees the space of many yeres to the louyng and preysing of Appollo.

¶ Zethephius dismyssed of hys of∣fyce as sayd is: attemprid his cora∣ge and gouerned hym so wel and discretly / that he recouurid the loue ād good grace of the king / ye in su∣che wyse that by the meue of Mena / the king appollo gaf in mariage his doughter Phauoles: vnto the sone of Zethephius whiche was named Pherys / This Pheris was a wyse yong man: prudent / discrete / attem∣pryd and moche lou••d the goddes: alle vertues & good justice: whā they

〈…〉〈…〉 com••••rsed with him a certayn 〈…〉〈…〉 considerid two thinges / the preudo••iye & wysedō of pheris was that one. And that other was that he wolde retorne in to grece. he cōsti∣tued in this royaume pheris king. & the peple confermed hym: And hit was not long after that Menade{per}∣ted fro the lyf bideth. wherof appol∣lo made meruaillous sorowe: And then̄e whan he had long wepte the deth of his wyf: ād felte his ende to approche / he called on an euyn hys doughter phauoles and sayd to her My dere donghter I take leue of the For I must secretly departe frō this countre / and allone retorne into gre∣ce where j was born̄. how well first er j departe I late the Quene of this yle. wherof I haue in myn hert gre∣te ioye. And for as mocheas I kno∣we thy witte thy discresion and thy vtues / j shall deliuere to the. the byl∣le that the god Mars hath wreton̄ ••teynyng all the manere how oon shall do for to cōquere the noble mo∣ton̄ or sheep of gold in the yle of col∣chos. and for to destroye alle the ter∣rible bestes that ben in the same yle. And I com̄ande that to no man ly∣uyng ne to no creature of the worlde thou shewe hit not / But yf hit be in thende of thy lyfe vnto a doughther that shall come of the: vnto whome thou shall make her swere that sem∣blably she shall not she we hitto no{per}∣sone sauf only to her doughter And so from doughter to doughter. Hyt plesen•• the god Mars / that this bil∣le be kepte vpon payne of deth vnto the tyme that oute of grece shall co∣me a knyghte into thys palays that shall be worthy to see it / And shalle conquere the noble moton̄or shepe of gold

Wyth these wordes the king deli∣uerid the bille to his dere doughter: the whiche conteyned in substance the termes rhat folowe / Yf thou lo∣ue thy lyf & wilt aduenture they self. for to conquere the moton̄ orshepe of gold / hit is of pur necessite that thou haue the habytes that appollo was clad with all at the oure that this bille was deliuerid to him / after hit behoueth that thou haue his armu∣res and that thou were his gowne aboue them / ād of the other clothes thou make sacrefice vnto the god Mars. & put ther with a bole whe∣rof thou shalt kepe the blood: After this thou shalt take the powldre of the sacrefice. & putte hit in thre par∣ties / that is to wete one with the blo∣d of the bole. and this myxtion̄ ha∣ue suche vertue / that yf thy body be anoynted ther wyth the fyre. ne the venyn̄ of the dragon̄ and of the two meruayllo{us} booles that kepe the mo∣ton̄ may not noye the / Vnto the re∣garde of the seconde {per}te of this poul∣der thou shalt medle hit with glue. & with this glue thou shalt enoynte the mosels of thise two meruayllo{us} boo∣les. to whō thou mayst then̄e seurely approche notwithstāding that they

cast fyre ayēst the dismesurably / but whan their mosels ben englued thei may then̄e caste nomore fyre ne ve∣nyn / Then̄e thou shalt go to the dra∣gon̄ / whom thou muste s••ee bythy strengthe and bi thy hardynesse: ad then̄e whan thou shall haue slain hi thou shalt retorne to the two booles and hyde their eyen. And thou shalt yoke hem & make hē to tourne fou∣re rood of londe: the whiche thou sh∣lt sowe wyth the teth of the dragon̄ / that the••e is ded And after thou sh∣alt make them to harowe hyt / And the••e sodeynly shall growe of thys erthe many Geants armed / which shall arise ayensi the. And whan hit shall comen to s••••ytyng. caste vpon them the therde parte of the pouldre And anone they shalle fighte to gy∣der. and eche of them shall s••ee that other. and then̄e whan thou shalt haue do•• alle this that sayde is. thāe thou mayst take the noble moto•• or shepe of golde and conquere hyt. ād then̄ thou shalt flee hym / & wyth the body reserued the vliese of golde thou shalt make sacrefice to the god mars knelyng and humylieng thy self ••o fore him thou shalt saye thisoroyso•• that foloweth.

Mars my god that by the sufsraū∣ce of the God of nature hast puissaū∣ce for to chaūge the nature of bestes And that by thy propre vertue con∣duytest all batailles ād bringest thē to thy playsire. I thanke the wyth alle my herte of that thou hast made me to doo: And praye the humbly that thou receyue my sacrefice ī gree And that thou wilt {con}duyte me with myn honour ād bringe me vnto my countre. And thus whan thou hast fynisshid thy prayer. thou mayst re∣tourne with glorye into thy countre and be seased wyth the noble f••yese of gold.

MY dere doughter sayd then̄e appollo lo here the wryting that I haue spoken of / And after that lo here myn habytes that be requysyte for to obteyue the con∣quest of the shepe of golde / and myn armures ben in the temple of god Mars: and there shall abyde vnto the tyme that this noble {con}queste shal be do••. And therfore kepe thē well / and soyngneus••y that no daūger co∣me to yow. and that I charge the bi the commandement of the goddes. And I praye yow for alle the plai∣sir that ye may doo to me that no {per}∣sone be aduertised of my departing: Then̄e Phanoles promysed and sware to her fader that she shold doo to her power alle that he had requy∣red her and charged her with. and then̄ they toke leue eche of other we∣pyng ryght tenderly. and syn wente Phanoles wyth the kyng Pherix: For hyt was nyght: and the goode auncient king appollo abode in hys chambre vnto on the morne erly. ād then̄ he departed secretly al allo∣ne

& entrid into a litil boot al propice which he had do make thāe he recō∣māded him in the garde & keping of the goddes / And then̄e a wide smo∣te on the ship that brought him vpō the depe see / & ye shall vnderstande / that the same day the kyng Pherix was wel adnertised / that his fader in lawe was goon̄ & de{per}ted he begā to demene & make a meruaillo{us} so∣row: & so dyde all the peple: but whā they sawe that they coude not haue him agayn ner recouure him They commanded him to the garde of the god mars / Then̄e the king Pherix began to haue the gouuernaunce of the royaume / & conduysed it in such wyse that in short tyme he gate the loue of all the peple & of the nobles of the royaume

The king pherix then̄e after the de∣partyng of the olde kīg Appollo had of his wyf phauoles a doughter na∣med Ortis: This donghter cam to age & was maried vnto a noble mā of grece named Oetes / the which bi fortune of the see was brought into this coūtre / in the tyme that the kīg Pherix was ī his olde & aūciēt day∣es: the ladyes of Sychye cam then̄e into this marche▪ & wel supposed to haue goten & taken this cyte of Ia∣conyte by assault. But the inhabitā∣tes of the cite bare hē so strōgly that this multitude of women were con∣strayned to cesse of their enterpryse / wherof they had grete sorow & as∣••ieged the cyte And durīg their sie∣ge they made the temple of the god∣desse deane / of whom is spokē to fo∣re. this tēple ie lyke to an otherthat they made in Ephese

During their siege Oethes whiche was strong ād cheualrous ād mo∣che vayllyant in armes / and of gre∣te conduyte scarmusshed wyth hem many tymes to his houour / and did so moche / that whan he ladyes had {per}fourmed their temple / & that they considered that the cite was impre∣nable by assault / & also that the cyte∣zeyns cam not oute agaynst them in bataille. wherfore they lost theyr ty∣me: they reysed their siege ād retor∣ned vnto the yle of colchos but they so aduentured thē retourned neuer agayn. after the departing of this as∣semble of ladies / the 〈…〉〈…〉 Pherix gaf his doughter to Oetes: ād made thē to wedde that one to that other •• the temple of dyane whiche was mer∣uayllo{us} riche: Then̄e anon̄ after phe¦rix & phanoles deyde / ād oetes was the thirde king of this yle by the assē∣te of al the peple: This kyng Oetes founde a myne of golde. Wherof he dyde do mak vaissell & other vtēsil∣les necessarie & propice vnto his ho∣usholde / this was the moste ryche kyng of al the worlde in that tyme / he dyde do make an ydole al of fyn golde representing the god Mars. ād another representing the goddes deane the whiche were in a wode e∣d••ffied of golde / wherin he had all maner of wilde bestes: After he dide

〈…〉〈…〉 a fayr gardyn of playsa••••ce. in whiche he founded a temple vn∣to the goddes ven{us} / vnto whom he dide do make a riche ymage: whiche was al of fyn golde And aboute the same were fifti men̄ & as many wo∣men that desired & required eche o∣ther of loue / & they were made with so amero{us} maners. that al they that behelde them / where lighlty ād sone mouyd to luxure / Hit is not to be vnremēbrid that amōg all these thī∣ges, the sayde kīg Oethes had •• do∣ughter by his wyf Ortis / This do∣ught grewe & was named Medea & becam passing beauteuous & fayr yet he had an other doughtere by his wyf & a sone / the doughter was named Caliope / & the sone was na∣med abserthi{us}. At the burthe of this Abserthius / the quene ortis was so seek that she leyde her doun̄ in her mortal bedde / and callyd to her / her doughter Medea: and deliuerid to her alle tho thinges that the king ap∣pollo had deliuerid to his doughter Phauoles touchyng the fayte of the conquest of the golden f••ese And al∣so taught her many enchantements: & with this she gaf to her a Ryng of gold: wherin was a sione of such vertu / that hit sholde make them in∣uisible that bare hit: and this don̄ / she passed out of this worlde / wher fore Oetes Medea & caliopes deme∣ned meruayllous grete sorow / and there j wil reste of this sorow & shal recompte what was the ende of the king Appollo.

¶ Howe the king appollo arryued at the porte of Starille / and how he departed secretli fro the kīg Serath and arryued at theyle of Colchos / & of his deth: ād how the king Se∣rath confessid Appollo to be a god.

WHā the king Appollo was allone on the see as sayd is: he abandon̄ed him vnto the fortune of the wyndes & of the wa∣ters / confyeng and trusting in the grace of the goddes. And his fortu∣ne was suche / that he arryued at the porte of Starille a cyte of the royau∣me of Pyre. and there fōde that the king Philitenus laye there passing seek. and then̄e wente to him / & after the reuerēces made. recounted to hī fro point to point alle that was be∣fallen to him ād his peple / how that he had fonde the yle that the goddes had {pro}mysed to hī / & how they had made the cite / & how they had made him kīg / & how zechi{us} & his felaws deyde ī the ••le of colchos / how zethe∣phius had conspired ayenst hī. how he had made his sone Pherix king. and how he was departed thēs al∣lone / The king philyten{us} 〈…〉〈…〉 meruaile of these thinges 〈…〉〈…〉 grete chere to appollo after 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ pow∣er. but anon after he deyde & after hī succeded ī his royame a sone that he had which was named serath. Thā whā appollo•• saw•• that Serat••y was obeyed kīg of pyrre. he cam to hī on

adaye to take leue for to retorne into his countre? but Serath wolde not that he sholde departe And requyred him instantly that he wolde vse the remenaūt of hys lyf with him. Ap∣pollo excused him and toke leue yet ones: but in no wise serath wolde ac¦corde therto: and whan appollo sa∣we this & felte that he might not lōg lyue / he departed thēs on an euen so secretli that no man knewe til on the morn. and then̄e on the morn̄ they knewe it by the report of one of hys knightes / whiche certified him that he hadde mette & recount••id him in a place that he named

Incontinent that the king Serath vnderstode these tidīges: he was so∣re trobled. for he louid parfaitly ap∣pollo. ād forthwith he toke his hors and in entēcion to bringe hī agayn / he rode after him acompanyed of. ij goode knightes of hys court / but he coude neuer ouertake him til that he was come ••to the yle of colchos whe¦re he founde him passing seek ād la∣bouring in the extreme draughtes of deth / The anoye of king Serath redoubled whā he sawe & foūde ap∣pollo •• this estate & wept. Then̄e the kyng appollo defended him that he sholde go no ferther īto the yle of col∣chos for to conquere themotō or she∣pe of golde / & syn recom̄anded hī to the goddes. ād that don̄ expired his lyf / for whiche deth the kīg Serath & his knightes were terribly fory / ād concluded that they wolde bere the body into their countrey: & make for him a fayr and riche sepulture. & thā they garnisshid the body with grete ••oison̄ of candellis for to wake that nyght / but thā hit was aboute mid∣night / & that all the luminaire brēde aboute the body of appollo: alle wēte out & queuchid sod aynli / & thā must the king Serath & his knightes wa∣ke the remenaūt of the nighte with∣out ony light or clerenes wherof thei hadd grete meru••••lle / And on the morn̄ whā the da••e apperid it hap∣pend that the•• ••••••nde not the body of king appollo: ••ut ī the place whe∣re they had le••••it the daye to fore. they founde an awter of cristall pas∣sing clere. vpō whiche was anyma∣ge of fyn golde so quykly made after the facōn of appollo. that it semed {pro}∣prely his {per}sone. Wherfore the king Serath seeyng this muracle. knelyd doun on bothe his knees to the erthe to f••••ehī & worshipped it. And thā he herde a voys that sayd to hym. Serath seke not appollo but among the goddes: he hath praid for the ād for al them that shall come to his se∣pulcre. & therfore knowe thou that thou shalt haue goode fortune / and alle they that shall come hether by goode deuocion shall haue answere of thynges that they shal demāde / & here with the voys made sylence: & the king Serath confessyd then̄e openly that without errour. appollo was a god. After these thynges he

dide do make in the honour of h••a ••ē∣ple en signefieng al that he had seen & herd to ben trew. & fro thene sorth on the grekes were acusiomed to co∣me to this temple fro fer countre to worshipe him and diligently demā∣de & enquire of their destinees / And among alle other Peleus wēte the∣der as ••ayd is And thus endeth the historie of Appollo and his faytes And now j wyll retorne for to spe∣ke of the faytes and vaillaunces of the noble and preu Iason / for that is our principall matere.

¶ How the king Oete•• receyuid Iason into his his cyte. And how Medealouyd Iason / and brought him to the temple of Venus / & how the olde woman enchanted the bed∣de of Iason

[illustration]

WHan Iason was departed from Lennos. And that he had sacred his ship vnto the goddesse pallas: & to the goddesse of the see. he sayled by many journees from one coost to an other. that ī the ende Argos ruled so hys cours by the sonne / that on a day he arryued in the yle that he had desired to fyn∣de by a grete storme ād impetuouse fortune that by force were cōstray∣ned for to take the regorte or goulf / where as the yle of colchos was by Hit was not long after that whan Argos had brought▪ his ship in this goulf or arme of the see / that the son∣ne wente don̄. & then̄e as argos tho∣ughte where he might best caste an∣cre / & make his shippe faste / hit hap∣pend that he sawe tofore him the ci∣te of Iacoynte. & on that one syde of the yle of Colchos / ther sprāg out so∣dayuly tourbilloūs of fyre so terrible that of feer that he had ī beholding hit he begā to crye. Whā Iason her∣cules and Theseus & the other kni∣ghtes of grece herd the maister thus crye. they sprang vp & cam to hym / and the maister told thē the cause of his crye. & syn shewd to hem the cite & the yle / & asseured hem how they were comē to thende of their vyage and of this mater they deuised so long that speking therof their ship cā to the porte into the••pre place whe∣re the arke of king Appollo was co∣men at that time whan they cā first into the londe. Then̄e the maister of the ship caste his ancres into the see / Then̄e Iason rēdrid louyng & prey∣sing vnto th̄e goddes / & so dyde her∣cules. Then̄e they sēte Theseus vn∣to the king Oetes for to signefte to him their comyng / & for tenquere yf this was the countre that they sou∣ght. Certes Theseus wente ād dide his message in suche wyse / that the king Oetes presēted to him his pa∣lais / and sente vnto the noble Iason foure of his knightes that requyred him on the kinges behalue that he wolde take his herberow in his pa∣lays / ād he was to him right welco∣me: And whan jason hadde vnder∣stande the will of the king by the iiij. knightes: he {pro}mysed thē that wyth a goode will he wolde come theder / and then̄e he entrid in to the cyte / whiche was noble and fayr. & how well it was nyght at that tyme / yet was the cyte as light as it had ben daye bi the clarte & resplēdonr of tor∣ches. cresettes & other fyres / that the kinge had do make in the cyte ryght notably acompanyed for to feste the grekes

¶ Ye may wel vnderstande that the ryght noble Iason entrid into thys cyte / acompanyed of Hercules ād his felaws that wer̄ right riche cla∣d and habilled with cloth̄ of goold & of silke / The strete by whiche they passed for to go to the palays was on two renges hye: & lowe peupled of ladyes. of damoiselles: of knightes bourgeys. merchan̄s: maydēs & yōg

peple beholdīg their coming & orde∣nan̄ce. And whan jason was comē vnto thentree of the palays. he foū∣de there the noble king Oetes. whi∣che was sette in astate royall for to feste jason and his companye / and receyuyd jason right honourably as chief of them alle. and the••e wha he had welcomed them. he toke hī ••y the hand ad leode him vnto his pa lays And anone as they wente vpō the steyres for to goo vp jason loked into a windowe. and beholdyng he espyed the fayr Medea among ma∣ny ladyes / to whō he toke no•• other hede as for this tyme: but hit was not so on her part: For she began to beholde him so affect••o••s••y for hys grete becau••e. that he was more ī her g••e than •• can telle you. For ••••breg∣ge the mater jason & alle his ••pa••ye passed forth bi this windowe whe∣re Med••a was. & cam into an halle where the tables were couerd And tha•• why••es they made redy the so•• per. the ki••g Oetes began to deman∣de the gētil knight jason & after ma∣ny wordes he began to saye to him ī this maner

¶ Iasō fayr syre •• knowe for trouth that ye be sone of king Esoulyke as These{us} your felaw hath sayd to me But I knowe not whyther ye entē∣de to goo / ne what thing ye seche / wherfore •• praye yow by maner of a passe tyme that ye wil a lytyl recō / pte to me of yo•••• astate & enterprise / if hit be possible that ye so doo may •• ony manere / and I {pro}myse you that if I may be propice in ony sacōn for the loue of your fader / whō I haue som tyme knowen I shal deliuere to you ayde cōfort in all that •• me shall be possible: Syre ansuerde then̄e ja∣son •• thāke you hūbli of the grete ho∣nour that ye presente to me: ād syn it must nede•• be that ones ye must kn∣owe the cause wherfor •• am descen∣ded into your countre / I declare to you that •• haue enterpsed for to goo into the yle of Colcho•• notwithstā∣ding the parils whiche bē moche to doubte & not with oute cause / & with this I haue made a••owe that •• shall neuer retourne into grece / vnto the tyme that I haue conquerid & shal∣brynge wyth me the sheep or ••••ese of golde. and if I may not make an ende of this enterprise Hercules my felawe shal aduenture him. Werfo∣re I requyre yow that of this enter∣prise ye wille counceylle me to your power. Certes Iason said the••e the king ye haue made a lytyll vowe. How sire sayd Iasō how so / for as∣moche a••s••erde the king as bi ony adueture or fortune ye ētre into this y•••• of colchos. hit is not possible that ye euer retorne hether aga•• / for ther be in that yle two grete ād meruail∣lous bulles enueny••••ed com̄ysed to the kepyng of the motō or fsees of golde / wherof ye spak: also ther is cō∣mysed for the garde of the same the most terryble and the most crimynel drago•• that euer was spokē of or seē

The which thre bestescast {con}tinuelly ••ire •• fenyn out of their throtes / whi¦che shal ••••ee yo•• without remedie in / contin••t that ye approche them: the whiche thinges consider••d syn that ye haue demāded me cōceyle. & also that e••yri noble man is boūdē to gy∣ue coūceyle to thē that bē euylen for∣med & conceyled: I pray you / & coū∣ceyle as my propre ••one that ye cesse of this your enterpryse. for yf ye doo other wise al the golde of the worlde may not saue yow▪ & therefore thē••e wel that ye haue to do before ye put yow in suche a dannger I co••ceylle you as thaugh ye were myn owne sone or my broder germayn. & here∣with they left their wordes

The soupper was redy. wyth these wordes the kīg satte at the table be∣twene jason & Hercules / & sente af∣ter Medea ād Caliope: whiche we∣re sette to fore him / this don̄ he com∣manded the other grekes to sytte at an other table where they were ry∣chely seruid. But whan hit cam for to ete the noble mayde medea ētrou∣bled at that tyme her mayntene / and cast her regarde vpō jasō: where she rested lēger then̄e hyt ap{per}teyned to her {con}tenaūce. for jason semed to her more fayr thā he was at the first ti∣me. & he was so playsan̄t & agreable that whā she herde recōpte amōg o∣ther deuyses & thinges that he was comē for to {con}quere the motō••or ••••ees of golde / she iuged that this was the knight of grece which was destined for to conquere it. & saide in her self. that she wolde helpe him to obteyne the same: wyth that he wolde take her to his wyf: such or ••••blable were the thoughtes of the fayre medea at souper She behelde ofte times jason whā she sawe her time. & it anoyed her moche that she myght not speke to hī pryuely. What shal •• saye more for whā the king & the grekes had right wel take her refectiō the tables were take vp / & after the grekes we∣re brought into diuers chābres. & a∣mong all other Iason was loged ni∣gh by the fayre medea / for ther was nomore betwene but a lytil aleye frō her chābre / to his bi whiche jasō wēt afterward ofte tymes vnto medea. ¶ Whan then̄e jason was withdra∣wē into his chābre. ād that he was allone with mopsi{us} / he begā to deui∣se with him & sayd•• Mopsi{us} fayr si∣re. what saye ye of myn ēterpryse of Colchos: By my lawe sire sayd mo∣psi{us}. I see no way ne knowe none o∣ther thing but matere of dolour ād sorowe: for euery mā of this ho{us} iu∣geth you ded if ye go in this perillo{us} yle of colchos. where ther bē so drede ful & terrible bestes as it hath bē said to you. Notwithstādīg āsuerde jasō / it behoueth that •• ac••te myn auowe Certes sire said mopsi{us} hit is nowe no nede for to go ony further if it ple∣se you & be wel ••ceiled ye ought to be cōtēt without goyng ony ferther. for as it is sayd cōmnnly. hit is better to leue folye: then̄e to mayntene folye: Ha a fayre sire Mopsius fayde Ia∣son: If •• do not my power to par••or∣••••e

that I haue {pro}mised & auowed I sholde vse al my lyf after in re∣proche Certes yet had ī leuer finisshe my dayes honourably / And kno∣we ye verily that syn I am come thus ferre abydyng the grace of the goddes I shal parsorme myn enter∣pryse & shal abide the auenture. Sy∣re sayd Mopsius ye shal do that ye good seme. but ye vnderstande not well your caas: for knowe ye that it is a certayn that peleus your vncle hath sent you hether cautelously for to enterprise & achieue this au••ture: to thende that he might obteyne yo∣ur Royaume / & therfore ye may re∣torne from hens in to grece without more further enterpryse. ye shall ge∣te therby no reproehe▪ but ye shalbe holdē for myse: for he is discrete that can fse from hys mysanēture & kepe him from dom̄age

¶ In verite Mopsius fayr sire ans∣werde theēe jason / I ne may not ad∣iouste fayth to al that ye haue to me now said. And for so moch knowe ye for certayn that for part•• of deth. or daunger that may befall ād come to me / I shal not de{per}te me but that I shal furnissh myn auowe. & therfor if it so happe•• that I dye in this pe∣rillous yle / I requyre you to recōmā∣de me vnto the good ḡce of the fayr Mirro. Whā Mopsins had vnder∣stand that sayd is: he began sore to wepe / And jason leyde him doun̄ in his bedde / ād syn̄chaūged purpoos ād began to deuyse of the good chie∣re that the kīg Oetes & Medea had made to him In recōmanding abo∣ue all other thinges the grete beaute and the fair contenaūce of Meden. And in continuyng this purpos he fyll a ssepe

The fayr Medea was at this tyme at the dore of the chambre of Iason / & herde alle▪ the deuyses of Iason & of mopsi{us}. as she that was esprysed of the loue of the gentyll prince of gre∣ce. that in no wyse she might vayn∣quisshe her corage / And also lōg as their deuises dured. so long stode she at the dore herkenyng / And whan they cessed theyr purpoos she retor∣ned into her chābre. where was but one auncient lady her gardyen̄e or maystresse which was tho a ssepe. & then̄e the noble mayde Medea wē∣te and leyde her in her bedde full of thoughtes & imaginaciōs. that whā she wolde haue slepte she coude not. For asmoch as so many thoughtes & ymaginacions assaylled her on all parties by suche facōn. that she tour∣ned her often in yelding many asy∣ghe / ād then̄e by forse of a meruayl∣lous enbrasing of loue she began to saye softly to her self Alas myn eyen ī what labour haue ye putte me. cer∣tes ye be the cause & none other that I am not she that was wonte to be. For ye haue enuoluped myn hert. with an ardant fyre of amero{us} desi∣re. Ha a what shall be falle / or what shall j mowe doo beyng in this pai∣ne ād sorowe. Certes I can saye no

more but of verray necessite. j yelde me all in the subiection of loue in his seruitude shal j be subgette hit is for∣ce. and werfore for asmoch as j am smyten̄ to the herte wyth the grete beaute of Iason the bruyt of alle the worlde: and to my iugemēt the glo∣rie of grece / O meruaillo{us} dart whe∣re with I fele me smyten̄ to the her∣te. Certes myn eyen ye ben the cause which displeseth me. And for what resō / for asmoche as ye be coulpable of this folye. how be it / hit is no folie Hit is: j beleue hit not: hit must be be∣leuid: for hyt is grete folye to desire thing that can be goten̄. j knowe ve∣rayli that Iason is so more enamou∣red of a lady in his coūtrey / And fur¦thermore his courage is garnisshid of agrete & meruaillo{us} {con}staūce Then̄ may it be sayd that I maye not en∣ioye him. & by cōsequēt I maye {con}clu∣de that myn eyē haue ēclined & sub∣mised me vnto an ouer grete folye

Ha a myn eyen̄ why replye not ye to this argumēt / see not ye that j doo no thing but thinke: for the gētil ād noble Iason thēketh nomore on me. then̄e on her that he neuer sawe Ha a in what jeopardye stāde I in. For I may not requyre jason of loue / for that shold redoūde in me grete bla∣me: & I sholde go agayn the honour of loue And then̄ muste hit nedes be that I bleue in alle my folye / & also I muste doubte hit for two resōs The first is. for I shold be deffamed vn∣to the ende of the worlde If hit hap∣pend me to requyre thys knyght of loue And the seconde reson is alle e∣uydent / For Iason withoute cōtra∣dictyon goth into the yle of Colchos. there where he shalbe anon̄ deuow∣red of the terrible bestes Ha a what sorowe and dommage shall that be if suche a prince sholde perisshe by su∣che manere / for he is the chosē of all nature / the choyse of nobles / and the flour of worship. j haue herde his re∣sons. he had leuer dye honourably ī accōplisshīg his auowe then̄ to retor∣ne with reste to grece: ha a what no∣ble & exellēt corage / o how happy & ewro{us} shold j be & nygh to grete feli∣cite jf j might be callid bi hī vnto his loue / that might he do ye as me thin∣keth / & how: for to tech & lerne hi the jndustrie & admynistre to hī the ma∣ner for to {con}q̄re the noble fles of golde I haue alle thinges {pro}pices for to bri∣ge this cōquest to an ende / jf I wyste that he wolde take me to his wyfe j sholde deliuere them to him with the better will & gre of myn herte / what shall j doo / Alas j wote neuer / & ••f I dide him this auaūcemēt / & after set∣te nought by me for the loue of hys first lady in amours To whō he re∣cōmāded hī bi mopsi{us} as j right nou herde. certes j sholde dye for sorow / & shall j late hī auēture to furnissh hys auowe / & then̄ deth shal folowe. alas nay. for if he deide there: my deth we¦re me right nygh: for asmoch then̄ as I loue hi bett̄ then̄ my lyf. & my hert

••••••eth that this is he for whom the goddes haue establisshid thys mer∣uaillous auenture in the yle of Col∣chos / And furthermore me semeth that if I do for him so grete a thing / as for to saue his lyf. ād that by my moyen he shal come to aboue of hys enterpryse honourably: that for the merite & rewarde of my benefice / he shal be content ād ioyous to take me to hys wyf

MEdea the noble lady with this {con}∣clusion fyll a slepe / & passid the night til the day cā / & the king rose vp mo∣re erly then̄e he was wōte to doo for to come to Iason. wenyng to lette & breke his enterprise. hou wel he wē∣te vnto him whan he knewe that he was rysen: And founde Hercules with him. They entresalewed eche other. After they began to deuyse of the yle of Colchos. and the king re∣herced of them that had ben in col∣chos▪ and hou they had ben slayn & devowred. ād after this coūceylled Hercules & jason that they sholde in no wyse go theder / but what remon∣strance he shewed hem / jasō abood in his purpoos for to take thaduētu∣re / and to put his body in Ieopardie among the thre terrible & crymynell bestes / & cōcluded that he wolde de∣{per}te thederward with in foure day∣es folowing / Whan the goode king apperceyuyd that ther was none o∣ther remedye. but that jasō was ve∣rily deliberyd & concluded taccom∣plisshe his auowe vpō the right mer∣uaillous auēture of Colchos. he de∣ported hi selfe for spekīg more ther∣of. and coūceylled jason that for to passe his tyme he sholde goo to the tē ple of the goddesse Deane / which the ladyes of Sychye had newly foun / ded in a forest called Edee. Iason thāked him moche of his good coū / seyl & sayde that he wolde go theder with goode herte. & thāe he disposed him to go theder and sente for all the grekes of his companie: & toke with him the representacion of the noble goddesse pallas: whiche was in hys ship: aftre this he sette forth his kni∣ghtes on the way / & him self / bering the sayde representacion went after with them. Hercules & these{us} wēt besyde the preu Iason. & had to fore hem trompettes / claryons tabours / & other instruments that made so io∣ious anoise & bruyt / that they of the Cyte had meruayle / & som ther we∣re that folowed them For amōg all other Medea & her suster & other la∣dyes and damoyselles vnto the nō∣bre of iij. C. folowed & hasted hem so sore. that they were at the temple to fore the grekes

¶ Whan jason was come to this tē∣ple medea cam & mette with him by the incytacyon & admonesshemēt of loue / and entresalewed eche other curtoissy / and ther were many of the grekes that behelde medea in makīg their prayers. Alway jason that th∣ought on nothing but on his deuoci∣ons eutrid into the temple: and sette

the rep̄sentaciō of the goddes pallas: by & nygh the goddes deane / & whā he had so don he caste hi self doū on bothe his knees to fore the awter. & there was so lōg in prayers & oroisōs that the fayr medea was sore greuid ād anoyed. for she desired sore to spe∣ke with him / & was ī al determined for to saue to him his lyf in p̄seruyng him frō the fire & venyn that the. iij. meruaillo{us} bestes caste & rendrid

At the last jasō arose from his prai∣ers: ād came to the ladyes / to whom he made reuerēce and principally to medea: the whiche aroos ayenst hi / whom the ladyes and damoy felles behelde moche entētif••. after she to∣ke him by the hand & ledde him and shewid him al the places of the tem∣ple / and among al other she shewid him there the rep̄sentaciō of the god mars wenyng for to speke to him of certayn thinges / the whiche she desi∣red sore to know the trouth But her∣cules and theseus & other of the gre∣kes ladyes and damoiselles folowed so nygh that she wist not••ou thacō∣plisshe her entēciō / how wel that she lad him lōg. & whā she sawe that she might not haue her entent there: she sayd to hercules that she wold brīg thē into the temple of Venus. Then̄e the preu jason ād Hercules thāked the noble lady of her courtosye: & de∣parted from the temple of deane for to go to the temple of Venus. but in goyng mede•• began to sighe as she that hadde therte ••flam̄ed of a mer∣uaillouse ardeur and bren̄yng. then̄e whā she coude not hyde that 〈…〉〈…〉 her hert / bi force she entemed •• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to opene her mater ī this wy•…•… Certes right noble knight j 〈◊〉〈◊〉 moche your grete beaute / wherfore inada••ne ansuerd Iason / for asmoch sayde she as I haue vnderstāde that non̄ may breke ne torne you fro thē∣terprise that ye haue taken but that ye wyl auēture yow in the {con}quest of the flces or shepe of golde / whiche is a thing impossible to ony man liuing & knowe ye for certayn that if ye go theder: ye shal neuer retorne / & for as moche as ye be comen of so noble ex∣traction of ryal lygnage: & that it is so that euery lyke loueth his sembla∣ble / by this veray ād naturel resou I complayne you aboue alle other / me thinketh that ye be meruaillonssy a∣bused. for to so will lose your lyf. cer∣tes I hane not herd of a gretter sim∣plenes. for naturelly euyri creature fleeth the deth and desireth to lyue / it hath wel ben declared & aduertised to you of the parils that bē in this a∣uēture & that for to bringe to effect / ye shal lose your lyf: & yet alway ye wole not byleue coūceyll / Certes ja∣son it is euyll don̄ / & ye doo agaynst nature whā ye be cause of your deth whiche euery man ought to flee so∣ueraynly ¶ Whā jason had vnder∣stande this that sayd is. he āswerde to the noble lady in thys maner. Ha a fayr madame j haue right wel vn∣dstande your wordes & resōs which

••••n good & holsos••e / but ye compte not that evyri noble bodi ought so••••er chese the deth: the••••e to do or consēte thing that sholde be ayenst theyr ho∣nour. hit is wel trouth / that in the p̄∣sence of the grettest princes of grece. I haue auo wed to bringe to ende this ēterpse: how wel that it be mer∣uaillous and doubteuse: shal j then̄e go ayenst my word. Certes ther ne is waye ne moyen none but that I must nedes furnisshe this aduēture. or ellis that I be poynted wyth the finger of reproch & cowardyse / & as a ryght recreat knyghte / By alle my goddes I had leuer tabyde this auē ture. then̄e fortune sholde predestine me to do thing that j mighte in ony maner be reprehēded or reproched. Incontinent as medea vnder••tood the hye wyll of jason. she was moch ioyod / neuertheles she fayned to be dolente & sorowfull: and of fait she re••red Hercules. that he wolde she∣we to hi the grete paril that he wolde put him in. but hercules ansuerde to her that he wolde rather coūceile ja∣son to do it then̄e to leue it / For if ja∣son fayled to furnisshe this emprise that he him self wold take it on hōde to br••ge hit to ende / Neuertheles sai / de then̄e Medea if Iasō beleued my counceyll he sholde go no ferther. ād I shal saye to him suche reson aparte And whan she sawe that they were so fer frō the other / that they myght not vnderstonde what she sayde. she sayde to him in this wyse / In verite right noble knight▪ hit••ehoueth that pitye of a woman ••ust 〈◊〉〈◊〉 e••cused by your g••t••nesse / j haue pite of you and of your grete beaute. ••d certes nature hath enclyned me ther to. & trustyng if I do ony thing for yow ye wil knowe it The houre is come that hit behoueth that I doo appere to youre eyen the secrete not only of my herte: but also that same by the whiche ye shal obteyne & come abo∣ue to brēge to ende your meruayllo{us} enterpryse to your grete glory & ho∣nour & recōmēdacion by the helpe of the goddes. And for asmoche as yf I declare to you by grete loue thīges that bē hyghe & grete / yf ye will fur∣ther knowe of them it is of necessite / that ye swere to me to kepe it secrete aboue alle other thīges of the worl / de ▪

Madame āsuerde then̄e jason / j am a poure & trewe knightsent vnto the se mōstres. certes hit hath plesid you to do me more honour then̄e euer it shal lye in my power to deserue: ne∣uertheles whan your pyetous herte wylle ēclyne vnto my pouerte j swe∣re to you by the names of all the god¦des that men worshipe / that if ye de∣clare to me ony thing that as lōg as j shal lyue. it shal not dept•• from my mouth. By my lawe sir knyght ans∣uerde Medea / I haue grete {con}fidence in your noblesse / wherfore I am re∣solewed for to discouuer to yow the secrete of the goddes / & after that ly∣eth on my herte which if it be not••••g

on yow / it shal redoūde to your grete honour & prouffit. Madame āsuer∣de Iason. it shal not holde on me / & if ye knowe ony thing propice to my whorship I me s••bmitte in all vnto your ryght noble grace / Haa noble knight saide then̄e medea. I may no lenger faine. my••eyen haue beholdē your grete beaute. ye ben a•• the desir of myn herte. where ther werketh lo¦ue so perfondly that j haue grete py∣te of yow: & in suche wyse that if ye will promyse me to be my trew hus∣bonde / & brenge me into your coūtre after your vowe & enterpryse brou∣ght to an ende. I shall promyse yow & also shewe howe ye shal mowe cō∣quere the moton̄ or f••ees of gold wi∣thout daunger of your body & in su∣che wyse as ye shal retorne hole and sauf to your glorie and honoure / To the whiche no mortall man may co∣me but if it be bi a secrete manere / co∣myng from the goddes / The why∣che not long syn was deliuerid to me by my moder. wherfor I pray yow that ye wi•• ••••ue regarde to myn of∣fre abadon̄ed. •• also to your helthe

Whan jason had vnderstande me∣dea thus speke / he began to frowne •• him self & sighing wyth an heuy her∣te answerde / Madame ye constray∣ne me to be beholdē more to you then̄ to ony creature lyuyng: ād I can not conceyue from whens this ewr co∣meth: whan I fele me thus fallen in your grace: ād I wolde it plesid the goddes that I were digne & worthy therto: & that I neuer had made vo∣we to lady in the worlde Certes fair sire sayde medea / me ••emeth that yo∣ur herthath atteyned the mercy of som lady. haue ye ensured & wedded her / Madame answerde jasō: j certe∣fye yow nay / but I haue sette my lo∣ue in her so {per}faitly / tha••in no maner I may forgete her. & I haue {pro}mised that j shal be heeris al my lyf / Then̄ saide / Medea. what som ever be ther of / it is of necessite that ye leue & put her in oublia••ice. & that ye entende to complaire me ••f ye wille not receyue the deth: for b••t if ye departe you fro your enterprise / withoute myn ayde ther is no remedie / And if I be cau∣se of sauaciō of your lyf / as to the re∣garde of me / j wil enyoie you allone without ony other. My dere lady ās werde then̄ jason the poure abandō∣ned body is youris. for to honoure & serue you in al that in me shal be pos∣sible. In good fayth fayr sire jason: if ye wil gyue your self al ••ome. I shall gyue my self to you in like wyse

In verite jason answerde my ryght dere lady ye do to me right grete ho∣nour without deseruyng / Certes si∣re jasō āswerde the lady / loue is cau∣se of this wele and pyte hath cōmā∣ded me to do it. the whiche cause me to ren̄e ī so grete a shame as for to re∣quire you to be my lord / but it semeth to pite that in fauour that j desire to saue youre lyf / ye ought to excuse me Madame āsuerde jason j shal neuer be so ewrous as to come j••stely vn∣to

the goode ḡce of one so noble lady / as ye be. & wolde right well that hyt sholde mowe be. but what shal beco∣me & shal mowe saye she that •• haue gyuē my self to: yf ye forsake her not: on all {per}tyes sayde then̄ medea j may not helpe yow to do your cōqueste ne ssaue yo lyf / & therfor̄ chese ye / for j ā smytē to the herte wy^t your loue syn that •• must sayeal. If I shold be cau∣se of sauyng of your lyf / & then̄ hap∣pend an other shold enyoye your {per}∣sone. it shold beho••e me to dye for so∣row / and therfore thēke ye what ye haue to do & be ye aduised. Wy^t these wordes jason & medea ētrid into the gardyn of plaisa••ice: in whiche was sette the temple of ven{us} 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such wy∣se ad••i••ōned & sette about wy^t f••ou∣res & wyth delicio{us} werkes that hyt semed a veray parady•• terrestre.

The••••e hercules & the other ladies & da••••o••selles approched vnto jason & meden. wherfore it behoued hem to leue & ••esse their {per}laine ••: & to behold the plaisa••ice & that the delices of th∣at place of f••oures / & al the facōns of vignes & trees hyly {con}d••yted bi con∣pas. ¶ Whan the greky ss•••• knightes had seē & ••••cyued the beaute of this place. they had therof grete meruai∣le & were moch esbayed & after they entred into the tēple, ād there made their oroiso••••s & syn behelde the com∣position & ordōnāces of the ymages that rep̄sented the amorous peple al aboute the goddesse ven{us} / and whā they had lōge seē & beholdē all. meda toke leue of jasō & said that she wold abide a lityl while: & then̄e jason de{per}∣ted fro the temple & retorned wyth the grekes vnto the palays / & the fa∣yr medea abode in the temple moch pensif & in grete ••ayne •• somoch that after the departing of the grekes she knelid doun hūbli tofore the rep̄sen∣tacion of ven{us}. & said in this maner Ryght soueraine goddesse of louers whiche holdest alle the faytes of na∣ture in thy domynacion & seignourie I yelde me vnto thy good mercy. ha a & where may •• be come for to haue goode coūceylle. j haue requyred the noble knight jason of loue or atte lest j haue reueled & shewid to him the se¦crete of myn herte ād of my thought & with that I haue offryd to saye to him ād declare the secrete of the god∣des: haue I don̄ euyl / I wote neuer. but atte lest I ap{per}ceyue clerely that I haue my self to him abandonned & gy••en. Haa what shame is this. ye verayli and more if he daigneth not to here me: but if I may do somoche that he accord vnto my will / this sh∣albe to me the most gretest glorie that may come to ony woman of a noble ho{us}: ha a hygh goddes coūceylle me enseigne & tech me put your helpe to this werk to your ••cell. it is now ti∣me or neuer After this oriso••i abode there the fair medea as al rauisshed & was so lōg ther til the ladi thather had in garde cā to her & said that she taried and made her praiers to long and that hit was tyme to retorne to the palays Then̄e aroos medea frō her contemplacyon alle esprysed of

loue. as her visage shewid it plainly & reforned hom ward. And whā she was comen to the palais. she founde that the king abode her for to goo to dyner but she gaf the king to vnder∣stonde that she was not wel dispesed and so the king sette him at the table with jason. the noble hercules / & the∣seus and Caliope the seconde dough∣ter: & Medea went vnto her chābre & many ladyes ād damoiselles folo∣wed her. how wel she made hem all de{per}te ād go out of the chambre / & re∣teyned non̄ with her reseruid the la∣dy that had the conduyte and char∣ge of her: the whiche was ryght sore abass••id of the maintene of Medea Wherfore incontinent as al the wo∣men were withdrawen she cam to her & sayde thus. My dere doughter I haue grete meruaille from whens thys maladye is comen to yow. In goode faith āswerde medea fair mo∣der / it nedeth nothing to you to mer∣uayle. For ther is no creature what that ever they be. but that they must be subge•• to receyue the maladies & ske••es whān they come & whā the godd & fortune will send thē / Your reson̄ is good sayde then̄ the lady / but whan the maladyes ben comē. it be∣houeth to seche remedie assone as is possible / & therfore telle ye to me yo∣ur necessite / & where the seke••es hol∣deth & greueth you / and j shal aduer∣tise the medicine or phisicien that he shal pourueye for remedie / A ha fair moder said Medea. Late me in pee•• It must nedes be that ye telle me ••s∣werde the lady It is auenture saide medea. Wherfore said the lady. For asmoche as myn infirmite is ouer se¦crete & for somoch I dar not discoue∣re it. A ha my dete lady sayd then̄. I suppose that hit ben amourettis that thus trauaylle yow. ād / I am in do∣ubte that the••••eaute & the noble ver∣tues of jason ben cause berof / for j see you all in other maners then̄ ye we∣re wont to be / and if it be so: telle hit to me hardyly / for ye be the creature aboue alle other of the world that I loue best: I haue vnto this tyme / the best wyse I coud gouerned ādnou∣risshid you: & for so moch me semeth that ye sholde hyde no thīg from me ād if ye be ony thing smyten wy^t the dart of loue. discouere it vnto me: th∣at shalbe vnto your herte grete alege∣ment / for euery {per}sone amorous pas∣seth his payne & grief lightly. whan she findeth / to whō she may opē her¦te and deuise clerely. My fayr moder sayde then̄e medea / I see well that it behoueth that ye knowt alle myn af fayre. Certes verily I amourouse of jason / & somoche that I sholde jeo{per}∣de my lyf for him / and in dede I ha∣ue requyred hym that he take me to hys wyf. & j shall deliuere to him the industrie and teche him hou he shall winne the ••sces of golde. & also adaū∣te the ferdful bestes of the yle of Col∣chos ¶ Whā the lady had vnderstād this that sayde is. she began to wepe tenderly sayng. Ha a dere doughter

what haue ye don̄. I am all dishono∣ured by you / whā ye go prayng the strāge knightes of loue. Haa what outrage Certes they shal moc•• you. and if it be knowen ye shal neuer be honoured ne called: as ye tofore ha∣ue bē / Knowe ye fair moder āswer∣de then̄ medea / that I haue not don̄: so yll as ye wene. ād if I haue requi∣red the noble knyght jason of loue / hit shal reputed to me vertu ād not shame ne dishonour / for pyte hath ••∣strayned me so to do / for asmoch as hit is in me to saue his lyf / & to make hī retorne with glorie and victorye of his enterpryse. & for so moch kno∣we ye that then̄e whan j haue seē so fair & so wel adressid knight that his lyke shal not be seen in a. M. yere. I haue had pyte of hym. ād aboue this loue hath made me enterprise that I haue requyred hym cōsidered ma∣ny thīges. & that he wolde neuer ha∣ue required me / and j haue made to hym a promesse which I wil holde & entretiene / if he wil ensure me that I shal be hys wyf. for j haue here wyt∣hin by wryting the maner how the goddes will that the moton̄ or shepe of golde shalbe conquerd: wherfore I requyre and praye yow: that ye councele me and helpe that by your con̄yng & conduyte I might gete ād draw him to my loue / & that ye wol∣de do somoch for the loue of me / that he haue no souenaūce of ony other la dy in the worlde / saue only on me: for it is force that it so be or ellis he be dede & perisshed in the yle of colchos where he hath auowed to go & fini∣sshe thende of the right perillo{us} auē∣ture of the moton̄ or flees of goolde: And finably that in be wailing and be wepyng his deth j be homycide of him and of my self.

Then̄e the lady seeyng medea to be in this point behelde & sawe how she was of a meruaillous & grete corage and yet she thought that ther might come harme of if the maide accom∣plisshid not partye of her desire: and syn brought to her remēbran̄ce / that she might bringe jason to {con}quere the moton̄ or flees of golde: ād whan she hadde put al thise thīges in a balan̄∣ce and fiched in her engyn she began to reconforte medea: and in dede {pro}∣mised her that she sholde so doo / that without other moyen she shold enio∣ye the loue of jason. & it was not lōg after but that she wente to the bedde of jason▪ & there made certayn coniu∣rison̄s & carectes. for she was all ex∣pert in alle maners of enchantemēs & of sorceries / and whā she had th{us} don̄ she camagayn to medea. & saide to her that she sholde nomore doubte of ony thing: for from after the time that jason be leyd & couched in hys bedde he sholde neuer loue other wo∣man but her▪ and so it be felle. for as∣sone as Iason was leyd in his bedde at the euen / alle hys corage & entēde∣ment were ranysshed in thinkīg on the grete beaute of Medea in suche facōn as he might in no wise slepe

MOpsius hadde a custome to speke euery nyght with jason / And then̄e jasō wolde speke of the beaute of the noble quene myrto / and ofte tymes he spak so moche of her that he was wery / And then̄e whan this mopsi∣us sawe that in thys night he made no mencion of hys lady / he was alle abasshid & saide to him. Verayly ja∣son I apperceyue well that your es∣perite is trauailled with newe fāta∣sies. I haue seen that ye haue passed the most part of the nyght for tailo∣we & preyse the beaute of your lady in loue the fair Mirro: & yet ye spake of her the night precedēt▪ But in this nyght the rewle faylleth / Certes ās∣werde jason yt is expedient that she be put with the synnes in oubliance: For as for mirro I recche neuer th∣augh I neuer seene mere wyth her / But saye to me frely. what semeth yow of Medea / Is she not the passe∣rowte of alle the ladies of the world Is not she the tryumphe of al beau∣te. Is ther ony mā in the worlde th∣at coude or myght better wisshe for his recreacion. Answer to me: Sy••e sayde Mopsius I me accorde ryght wel to that ye saye touching the ca∣as of medea But vnto the regarde of the fayt Myrro that so moche haue be recommanded in your corage / I may not bylene that ye haue put her in oubliāce By my lawe my fair frē∣de sayd then̄e jason. Who is fer fro the eye. fro the herte reculeth / Mirro is clere as gold / but medea flaumeth & shyneth as the precionse stone And if I might finde my selfe in her gra∣ce / I sholde loue her souueraynly: •• ha sayde Mopsi{us} / I held you for the most loyal & most {con}stant knight. that euyr gaf him to serue loue. & now I apperceyue that ye be variable as o∣ther be. Be ye not remembrid of ysi∣phile whom̄ ye wolde neuer will to loue / and that ye sayde If myrro ne had ben ye wolde haue espoused her I am esbaied of yow more then̄e of ony man / Certes mopsi{us} ansuerde ja son jf ye wil do to me ony plaisir. spe∣ke to me nomore of Myrro ne of ysi∣phile. but of the fair medea speke lōg ynow & largely. For this is she that I wylle kepe in my cōceyte and her that I shal serue vnto the deth / and who that speketh to me of other shal be myn enemye.

Whan Mopsius had vnderstāde the wille of Iason he spack nomore / but slepte. & jason abode al pensyf on the fairelady Medea / And medea that herkenyd / as she had don the night to fore wēte into her chābre a∣non̄ as the {per}le••ēt of the ij. knightes was don: & cā to her moder all recō∣forted & saide to her. & recounted all that she had herd / & syn leide her ī her bed ymagynyng how she might fi∣de her self a part to speke wy^t jason. & cōcluded ī her self that she wolde go on pylgremage vnto the temple of the goddesse deane. sayng if that jasō louid her a•• he had said he wold not de{per}te for nothing but come after her

••••is conclusion was not taken wi∣thoute habundaunce of syghes. The nyght drewe ouer and the daye begā to shewe. & the fair medea aroos. ād made the noyse renne that she was hool. & that for the recouurāce of her helthe. she wolde goo thāke the god∣desse deane in her temple /

After this she atired & arayed her in the fayrest wyse she coude or my∣ghte / and in proces she put her ō the waye rightnobly accompanyed of ladyes & damoiselles / Wherof jason was ryght yoyous whan he knewe hit / and desired the waye assone as he myght / Certes he folowed Me∣dea vnder the couersure of wille to go by good deuocion to the temple. O fayr couerture the humaine peple liuīg at this daye holde the same ter∣me in many places / & goo to the tem¦ples and chirches or in the holy pla∣ces ordo••ned to god by denocyō for tefface. and put away theyr sinnes And yet neuertheles they commyse ther their synnes and for to come to the loue of one & other / they go more to the masse for to beholde and loke eche vpon other. & for to make theyr tours ād signes then̄e for ony deuo∣cion. O hygh deuocion / o ryght dāp∣ned ypocresie: men cominyse synnes where they ought to be in deuocion. and doo vertuouse werkes / they be∣gyle lyghtly ynow the worlde to her charge and dampnacyon. But cer∣tes god in no wyse maye be abused

FOr then̄e to retourne to our mater / jason thus comen to the temple where as medea was / firste of alle he made semblaūt for to adoure and worshipe the god∣des & sette him doun on his knee to fore the awter of the goddesse pallas ād Deane. but for this tyme he ney∣ther made prayer ne oroison̄. but th∣ought what maners he myght best holde ayenst Medea. And of what purpoos he myghte make to her his entre. And whan he had long aui∣sed him: he aroos ād toke his waye vnto medea / whiche cam ayēst him But then̄ whā she sawe that he dre∣we him toward her / and that they had entersalewed and that Iason had made the reuerence vnto the o∣ther ladyes: Medea entrid subtylly / in deuises with hi And in deuising of one and other she drew him a ly∣til a part ayenst the awter of Dyane whom they began to beholde. & then̄ jasō making maner as he had spo∣ken of the goddesse Dyane. & of riche woode that here and there aduiron∣ned yt he sayde to her in this maner Madame lo here your poure knight I yelde me vnto your mercy. and am redy taccōplisshe alle youre good cō∣mandemēts. and praye yow if •• sai∣de yesterday ony thing that was to your display sir / that hit wolde plaise you to {per}donne me / & if ye may helpe & ayde me to brīge to a good ēde my vowe & enterprise & socoure me in that grete werk I swere and prinse

to yow in callyng to wytnes of myn oth the hygh goddesse Dyane & pal∣las. that if it please you to be my de∣re felaw and frēde / I shal be youres alle my lyf ād shal bringe yow with me into Grece wythouthe makyng ony fawte

Iason answerd then̄e Medea I de∣clared to you yesterdaye my caas all priuely / and how I hadde grete py∣tie of you. •• knowe also that the god∣des haue had pyte on you / and will not consente that ye sholde fynisshe youre dayes in Colchos / & that they haue inspired yow to submitte yow to my wille. for other wyse hyt were not possible but that ye sholde be the∣re ded & lost. therfore for to go forth and make short / for we may not lōg holde parlement after youre ordenā∣ce and couenaūt I shall accorde me to••••e your wyf. in all such maner as I promysed to yow yesterday: And yet I promyse you that of your auo∣we & enterpryse ye shall come aboue to your honour and prouffit / ye to morn̄er the euen be derk and obscu∣re / then̄e it is expediēt that ye lye al∣lone this nyght in your chambre: to thende that I maye the better speke to you and at more leyzer: ād to in∣troduce you more secretly into suche thingis as shal behoue you to holde / & speke nomore to me of this matere at this present tyme▪ that none ap{per}∣ceyue of our ēterpryse or of our loue. Wyth this the noble lady began to shewe to the noble preu jasō / the gre∣te rychesse of this representacyon of the goddesse deane / & Iason alowed hyghly the kīg oetes that so wel had don it to be ediffied / with thise wor∣des Medea toke leue of Iason ād of the other knightes of grece / whyche taryed a lytill there. and after retor∣ned vnto the cyte / and after she de∣parted from thens And there was Iason complayned and be wailled of all the peple: Sayng one to an o∣ther that yt was ryght grete dom∣mage of one so gentill a knyght and so wel adressid that wolde goo and doo destroye him self in al poyntes in the mortall aduenture of Colchos. They spak and said moche thing o∣ne ād other: And in especyal the no∣ble Kyng Oetes. the whiche cam to jason as he departed out of the tem∣ple of the goddes deane: & moch dis∣coūceyled hī thenterprise of colchos and that for nothing he shold descē∣de affermyng to hi that he sholde lo∣se his lyf if he entred▪ ād that he that had sente him theder. dyd hit for to make him dye cautelous••y

IAson heering the counceyll that the king Oetes gaf h•• for his weel: thinking how a knyght lyueth in grete reprouche whan▪ he goth ayenst his auowe ād promesse. And {con}sidering the cōclu∣sion & {pro}messe that he had made wy^• medea: abode ferme ād stable in his firste purpoos / sayng vnto the king Oetes that for deth ne for ony other

〈…〉〈…〉 that might come to him he wol¦de not deporte him but brēgen to an ende and in dede xcluded that on the morn̄ without ony lenger tariēg he wolde make an ēde therof. wherfo∣re the king Oetesdemened moche grete sorow. & in like wise did all the knightes of grece / reseruid Hercules & Theseus / & so passid that day spe∣kyng of this meruaillous werk / vn∣to the euē that euery mā withdrew him vnto his place / & the valliaunt knight jason toke leue of euery man for to withdraw him I to his chābre & gas Mopsi{us} to vnderstāde. that he wolde passe that night in orison̄••. ād all deuocion & cōtēplacion / & that he he wolde haue no man̄ with hym at at that time. wherof diuerse had gre∣te meruaille / for asmoche as he had not be acoustomed so to do / and so in sayde that men sholde not suffre him to take so mortal an enterprise. from whene he sholde neuer retorne: Cōsidering the hyghe ād recom̄anded vines where with he was ēdowed

¶ How the promesses betwene ja∣son & Medea were rateffied / And how medea deliuerld to him all the mestier & crafte that he ought to ha∣ue to conquere the noble moton̄: or flees of golde: & how he gate hit

[illustration]

••T▪ the poynt then̄e whā the sterres rēdrid their clerenes & clarte. and that the mone begā ••••••••mine the night. jason with∣drew him into his chābre / & Medea 〈…〉〈…〉 not: she espyed & seeyng that he •…•…thdrawen al allone as she •…•…ged him: she opēde the do∣•…•…steyre by whiche descended 〈…〉〈…〉 from the chambre of jason īto heerls And callid doun jason whi∣che was right pēsyf. And whan ja∣sō sawe the dore opene. & medea that callid him / he wēte vnto her moche ioyously and salewed her / ād after approched to her for to haue kiste & enbrached her. but Medeasaide to him that he sholde cesse. & takyng hi by the hāde brought hī into her chā∣bre where they satte vpō a moche ri∣che tapyte. The maistresse of medea cam then̄e bytwene thē / & whan she was comen Medea begā to speke & saye. Iason my lorde & my frende / ye knowe well the promesses that ben bytwene yow & me / I will wel that in the presence of my goode moder that here is / that we make recogny∣cion and ratefye them to thende that they be hole & permanent. and after that we shal entende to your cōquest And then̄e jason & medea swore ād crean̄ced that they sholde take eche other by mariage. & there made solē∣pne {pro}messes. Wherof Medea was rightyoyouse / & so also was her ma∣istresse Then̄e Medeaopēde a coffre whiche she had made redy / where out she drewe a sherte: with the bille conteyning thordonnaūces whiche were requisyte & {pro}pice for to goo in∣to the yle of Colchos to make the cō∣quest of the flees of golde

¶ Whan Medea had drawen out the lettre. She dyde it to be redde to her frende Iason: and after she saide to him in this manere. Iason my de∣re frende for to retorne hooll & with youre worship frō the jle of Colchos frō whens neuer man̄ retorned. hit ys of necessite that to fore alle other thinges ye accomplisshe alle tho thi∣ges that ben conteyned in this wry∣tyng Whyche the god Mars sent to the king appollo. And for so moch first to fore alle other thyng ye shall goo vnto the tēple of the goddesse di∣ne at thye houre / And then̄e ye shall adresse you vnto the preest: to whom ye sha•••• ••yue fyfty besaūtes for you∣re of•…•…. & demande of hym a bole of w•…•… ye shal make sacrefice vn∣to the 〈…〉〈…〉 Mars. wyth thys sherte / which•• ••he •…•…ollo was clad wha•• this writyng was deliuerid to him / ād ye must putte in your bo∣xe the bloode of this bole wyth part of the asshen of your sacrefice / and with this blood & asshenye shal en∣oynte ther̄ all youre body / & this shal preserue you from fyre ād venyn of the right meruaillous bestes. After of the residue of these asshes ye shall dele them in ij. partyes. wherof that one part ye shall kepe clene ād pure: and ye shall medle that other wyth

glew in a boxe whyche I shall gyue you: ād this glewe shall serue for to dompte the two horrible boles / thys don̄. ye shal take the armes of the kīg appollo. whiche ben on that one syde of the awter of the god mars / and ye shall adoube yow with them. and then̄e whan ye haue accomplisshed all thise thīges / ye shal retorne hether agayn to me / & I shal furnisshe yow of the residue of that shalbe behoue∣full to bringe your cōqueste to an en∣de: Certes the preu Iaso was mo∣ch esineuruaylled then̄e whan he vn∣derstod the hygh mysteres that him behoued to make for to come aboue of his {con}queste. & whan he had herd thensignements of medea / he than∣ked her often tymes. and then̄e to∣ke the bylle / the sherte. the boxe with glewe / and that whiche was neces∣sarie to him. And syn de{per}ted from thens secretly. and wente him into the forest where as was the temple of the goddesse deane. āddyde so mo∣che that he cam to the tēple wher̄ he founde the preest slepyng: wherfore he a waked hī / Then̄e the preest de∣manded him what he was & what he soughte. Syre answerde then̄e ja∣son: I am a knight that come hether for to sacrefie vnto the god Mars. I praye vow that ye wolde deliuere me incontinent a bole with the fire and I shal gyue you for myn offrīg fyfty besan̄ts: Whan the preest had vnderstāde jason / that he promysed so good an offide he rose vp hasteli. & in like wise don̄ all the preestes & cu∣rates at this day whan they fele ād vnderstande that ther shall one a goode offrande come to theyr sin∣guler prouffit anon̄ put theyr hand to the cause. Then̄e whā thys mais∣ter prest was risen he cam to fore ja∣son and dide him grete reuerence / ād after saide to hym that diligently he shold be seruid of al that he deman∣ded. as he dide: for he p̄pared & ma∣de redy the fire / & bole which he bro∣ught into the temple. Then̄e the no∣ble Iasō mad his oroison̄ vnto god mars. ād vnto god appollo / He to∣ke after this the bole & made his sa∣crefice & put the shert therto. & whā al was torned into asshes he distri∣bued it into thre partyes / one part with the blood of the bole / which he reteyned & enointed hys body wyth al by the preest / The second partye / he medled with the glewe that was in the boxe. ād the thirde part he put∣te in a lytyl sack of sylk whiche he re∣seruid & kept clene

These thinges don̄ ād accōplisshed as sayd is. jason knelid doun & ma∣de his prayers the seconde tyme: ād whan he had made all his deuocy∣ons / he delyuerid to the preest fyfty besan̄tes. that he had promysed to him: & with that he presented & gaf him a ryche mantel of cloth of golde which he brought with him / & ma∣de the preest to a adoube him wyth the armes of god appollo. whyche was there: promysing him to bryn∣ge

them agayn: ād whan the preest had armed jason at alle pointes / ja∣son recōmanded hī vnto god mars & Appollo. & to the goddesses dyane / pallas & venus & syn toke leue of the preest & dyde somoche that he retor∣ned secretly into his chambre / by the whiche he descended into the cham¦bre of Medea whom he fonde slepīg Whan Iason sawe Medea in thys point: & also sawe her maistres asle∣pe; he was terrybly esprysed wyth loue / & chauffid in somoche that the bloode began to boylle in hys body. & his herte began to desire so sorein su∣che facōn / that he approched to me∣dea and kyssed her mouth: but with the kysshing she awoke: & had mo∣che grete ioye then̄ whan she had seē and espied hym so armed with the armes of the king appollo: Then̄ ja∣son made the reuerence to Medea & after said to her in this maner / Ma∣dame I haue don alle ••hatye haue enseigned nie also nyghe as I myg∣hte. ād am enoynted with the bloo∣de of the bole / of whom ī haue made sacrefice to the goddes: ād lo here the glew medlid with a {per}t of the asshes. commande me now that shal plese yow what I shall doo. & spede yow for it is nyghe daye / My frende ans∣werde medea welcome be the daye. & anon̄ wyth the ayde of the goddes ye shal gete the grettest glorie that e∣uer knyght lyuing gate / ād knowe ye in the recommēdacion of you ād grete preysing hit shal be spoken of / vnto the ende of the worlde

¶ Wyth thise wordes she toke a ve∣stiment whiche was ryche and gaf it to him sayng: My fayr loue ye be pourueyed of all that is behouefull for you so that ye haue this vestimēt vpon your armes. see that ye werke frely & corageeusly with this that ye haue. ye must be pourueyed wy^• har∣dinesse & valiaūce / kepe wel your bil∣le. & be diligent to do and accōplisshe al that it contieneth. and by the plai∣sir of the goddes▪ j shall haue you he∣re at euene with more gretter ••sola∣cion / Then̄e jason clad hym aboue his harnoys wyth the propre vesti∣ment that appollo was cladd at the houre whan he receyuid the bylle a fore said With that the day apperid fayr & clere. wherfore jasō toke leue of medea. whiche was al rauysshed with loue / At leue takīg they kyssed eche other many tymes / Fynably medea conueyed jason vnto his chā∣bre dore: and their began there amo∣tonse baisier•• & kisshinges vnto the tyme that it was force that Medea must withdrawe her. & then̄e she re∣commanded jason in the gard of the goddes. & shette fast the dore. jt was not long after that Mopsius & her∣cules cam & knokked at the chābre dore of Iason / ād with thē the good knight Theseus & many other all of grece / whiche salewed jason & gafe him the good morow. but whā they espyed that he was tho armed and

•••• poynte; they were moche esbayed and wold haue axed of him who had so armed him & adowbed. But the kīg octes & other of his knightes cam also to him & salewed jason ād the king seeyng jason in point / toke the wordes & saide: A ha sire knight what wille ye doo / ye seke your des∣tructiō / whā so erly ye begyn̄ to put∣te you forth: I counceylle yow that ye deporte yow of this enterpryse / & I declare you ellis homycide of your self: For he is of him self homicide: that knoweth hys deth in a place ād volūtaryly he put him self therin Si∣re king āswerde then̄e jason: I con∣fesse that ye con̄ceyle me wysely / but neuertheles in hope for to liue j haue well entencion̄ to achieue myn ēter∣pryse without lenger delaye / j than∣ke yow of the grete honour that ye haue made me vnto this tyme / Mo∣psius toke the worde & sayde /

Certes jasō fayr sire I haue this ni∣ght had a meruayllous vysion: the whiche conforteth me in youre vic∣torie / For me semeth in my first dre∣me. that j sawe a sperhauke the whi¦che sechyng his praye putte him self among many other terrible byrdes / & of strange nature / the whiche in a lytyll while he had all ouercome / ād put to deth. & so j compare tho same byrdes terrible & of strange nature: vnto the two boles ād to the serpēt beyng in the yle of colchos: whyche euery nyght caste fyre & fumyer / ād as touching the sperhauke I vnder∣stande you that seching hys 〈…〉〈…〉 that i•• to saye youre aduenture on this daye / by the ayd of the goddes▪ ye shalle be made vaynqueure of the horrible monstres & possessour of ry∣ghte gloriouse renommee

¶ Whan jason hadde vnderstonden this that sayd is. He āswerd to mo∣psi{us} sayng. Certes fair sire the god∣des shall doo their wyll of me And if hit be their good plaisir / your visi∣on shall be holdē for certayn a {pro}phe∣cye / And with that he adressid hys wordes to hercules ād said. My lo∣yall broder and wel belouid felawe Make goode chere & praye for me. I haue no maner donbtance that I ne shalle soupe at euen with you / ād that I shall affranchyse you of your vowe semblable to myn̄. With thise wordes many begā to wepe / Then̄ the noble preu jason toke leue of one ād other. & syn requyred to the king that he myghte goo vnto the ladyes & damoyselles. The king dyde do as¦semble them / & whan they were co∣men into the halle: he brought jason whiche made to them the reuerence and princypally to Medea and ca∣liope. and syn recommāded him vn∣to their prayers / and whan he had don̄ this by space of time. he put him vnto the waye vnto the Ryuage of the see / where his mayster marōner was / that abode and awayted vpō him in a lityl bote that he had made redy the daye to fore: Into the whi∣che

he entr••d ••nd in recommāding him self to alle the worlde / he depar∣ted from the poorte for to descēde in¦to the yle of Colchos

This morenyng was fair & clere. ād clene from alle clowdes. And the sō∣ne casted his clere rayes and bemes vpon the erthe / The ladyes and da∣moiselles mounted & wente vpō the hyghe stages of the palays / And the bourgeyses and merchāts with the commun people of the cyte ran̄ som to the creueaul•• and batillemēts of the walles. and other to the ryuage of the see for to beholde the auenture of the noble knight of grece. Iasō th∣at ioyously wente with Argos hys maister maronner that broughte hī into a right good entree of the mer∣uaillous yle adressid him ād sette fo∣te a grounde vpon the grauell And toke his glewe and his asshes & en∣trid into the yle by grete desire and hardynesse / And he had not ferre goon̄ whan he espyed the ryche mo∣ton̄ or shepe of gold / whiche was so resplēdisan̄t that it reyoyced alle the yle. After he espyed the twoo boles lepyng out of their holes. so grete / so dredefull / so right fiers and hydouse that only for to loke on them it was ynough for to lose witte and vnder∣standing / & whā he had well behol∣den thē. He knelyd doun̄ on the erth ayenst the eest where he sawe a tem∣ple al of gold of the gretnes of. xvj. foot in eyght squares foūded on viij. smale pylers, thretty foot of heyght. in the myddes where of was an m••∣ter vpon whiche was an ymage re∣presenting the god Mars

Then̄e there Iason worshypped the god Mars / and there was in cō∣templacyon vnto the tyme he sawe the cruelle ād terrible dragon̄ spring out of the tēple For he was grete as an hors. And was thretty foot lōg the whiche incontinent assone as he was owt of the temple he began to reyse his neck. sette vp his eeris: s••r∣acche him self. Opende his throte ād cast out brennyng flawme ād smo∣ke by a meruaillous voyding why∣che de{per}tad out of hys stomak Then̄ saw Iason al these. iij. bestes wyth whom he muste haue to doo. he to∣ke and behelde his bylle for to know what he had to do: he founde that fi∣rst he must adaunte the twoo boles / wherfore he aroos from his cōtem∣placion and made redy the boxe wy^t glew / After he marched promptly / in grete hardynes toward the▪twoo boles whiche behelde him right fier∣sly and asprely with her eyē spark∣kyng and brennīg as fyre grekyssh And they began to desgorge fyre & flambe owt of their throtes ayēst the knight so desmesurably that alle the Regyon of the ayer and alle the coū∣tre semed brenne wyth wylde and grekysshe fyre. But thys notwyth∣standing they myght neuer trauai∣le ne doo harme vnto the noble preu Iason: But he by grete hardynesse

••••proched by the fyre the flambe & vonyn that they casted / and dide so moche that enoynted the mosels of bothe two. and caste into their thro∣thee the glewe that was myxed ād medlid wy^t asshes which he brought with him as sayd is: But assone as thyse boles felte the glewe & cendres to gyder medlid. certes they closed their trothes and mosels in such wi∣se as thei might neuer open̄e after ne caste more fire / wherof the noble kn∣ight was so joyo{us} as he might be se∣eyng the xperiment to be of so hyghe recommendacion. Then̄ he thought on Medea and saide wel in him self that she had deliuerid to hī a good & veray socours and for certayn he had lost his lyf in this aduenture ne had she haue ben.

After this consideraciō incontinent as the noble preu jason apperceyuid that thyse two meruaillo{us} boles we∣re ouercomen & adaunted / then̄e he behelde the contenu of his bylle. & fō∣de that then̄e hym behoued anon to go fyghte ayenst the meruaillo{us} dra∣gon̄ and terrible withoute compari∣son̄ / Then̄e he drew out hys goode swerde of the shet he ād wente vnto the temple where the dragon̄ helde him. anon̄ as the monstre had apper∣ceyued jason / he eufelon̄ed hym self / & by grete Ire opend his throte rig∣ght terrible in gretnes out of whom sprang thre thonges castyng fyre flambe ād venyn in suche wise that the goode knight had al hys body ad∣uiron̄ed ther with: hou wel that the fyre ne the venyn had no power v∣pon him. but passed by jason like as hit had be the clerenes of the sonne & he cam & gaf the monstre so grete a stroke with his swerde bytwene the two eyē that he made his heed hur∣tle ayenst the croupe right sore & du∣rely And whā the dragon̄ felte this strook / he releuyd him self & syn opē∣de agayn his throte & disgorged vpō jasō a fumee so thikke of venyn that the noble knight sawe nothing abo∣ute him. but this not withstandyng he haunced his swerde & discharged hit vpon the dragon̄ / where he thou∣ght his hede was: & smote so wel the monstre that he cutte of his thre tō∣ges euen bi the mosel as nigh as thei might be: wherof the serpent felte so meruaillouse payne & dolour that he began to frote & rubbe his hede And tourned on that one syde so sodainly that with his taille he smote the va∣illaunt knight on the bak that he fil∣le doun on the sande

¶ Whā jasō felte him so smytē doun̄ to the erthe he was so fore astonyed that he wist not what was befalle hym. aud wyth this he hadde grete shame He releued him ād stode vp anon̄. but at his releuyng the fumee of the dragon̄ was vanisshed / and in seeyng aboute him he appercey∣ueyd the thre tonges of the serpent / which he had smyten of / & syn he be∣helde the dragon̄ whiche froted hys

mosell an herbe. and then̄e he ran v∣pon hym agayn̄ & smote in the myd∣des of the tayll: in exploytīg the mo∣ste {per}t of al his strēgthe & also his trē∣chan̄t swerde in such manere. that he cutte of a piece which was seuē foot long Then̄e the dragō by grete payn̄ that he felt haunced his heed & cam ryght fiersly and recoūtred jasō wy^t alle his pesaunteur and might / in su∣che a facōn that jasō was betē doun̄ to the grounde And the dragon̄ pas∣sed ouer him / But then̄e the preu ja∣son toke his swerd and roof into the paūche of the dragon̄ vp to the cros∣se & smote hī to the herte / & the dragō feling that he was smytē to the deth began to rēne with the swerde of ja∣son in hys body wenyng to hyde hī selfe in his cauerne. But his lyf de{per}∣ted out of the body euen as he shold haue entrid into the tēple And there he ouerthrewe alle to stracched ād fowlid of his blood and of his hu∣meurs fulle of venyn / jn suche wyse as hit semed that hit had ben a sour∣se or a sprynge rennyng oute of hys body lēger then̄ a grete houre

Incontinēt that jason was releued & that he ap{per}ceyued the dragon̄ re∣uersed and dede at thenthre of the temple / wyth an herte recomforted he wēte theder & drew out his swer∣de of his body: & putte hī agyn in his shethe or skabarde. & then̄e he wente & seased the boles by the hornes / and yoked them ī a plowe that ther was by: and made them to ere foure me∣sures of londe. enclosing their eyen̄: And then̄e whan he had so don̄ / he retourned to the dragon̄ ād esrachd oute of hys hede. xij. teth / after that he sowed them in the erthe that he plowed: & that don̄ he dide the boles do harowe hit / And then̄e the boles fyll doun̄ to the erthe & loste the spy∣ryte of lyf / and owt of the londe that jasō had so wen̄ with the teth of the dragon̄ grewe and sprang vp in an instant xij. geāts of a terryble main∣tene / the which were al armed after the maner of that tyme And assone as they were comen out of the erthe drewe their swerdes & without de∣layng cam & supposed to haue smytē vpon jason. but Iason toke the cen∣dres or asshes pure that he had kept of hys sacrefice / & cast it into the ay∣er. & then̄ sodainly to same xij. geāts assailed that one that other by suche asprete ād sharpenesse that in a litill while eche slew other. wherof jason was ryghtyoyous & rēdrid thākin∣ges & louynges to the goddes

Whan these. xij: geants had slayn eche other as I haue reherced vnto you Iason drewe owt his swerd / whiche was yet alle blody. and cam to the ryche motō or shepe whom he founde in the right noble medewe: & toke him by the hornes ād brought him into the temple to fore the aw∣ter of the god Mars / And there he slew hym wyth moche grete payne and syn flew him and toke the flees

that ••••••d the wolle all of fyn golde & seyd 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a parte / And the body he dis¦pieced by membres: and bare it vp on an awter which stode without the tēple. & put therto largely strawe & drye wode / & whā he had don̄ this he toke fyre at a lampe brennyng to fore the representaciō of god mars / And syn knelid doun on hys knees on the erthe by deuociō to fore the y∣dole sayng the oroison̄ to fore wretō After the contenu. wherof he than∣ked the god Mars. ād recommāded him moch into his grace / After this he put fyre into the sacrefice whiche anone was consumed & tourned in to cendres or asshes / This done he putte hīself to prayer: & after he toke the three tonges of the meruayllous & terryble dragon̄. two of the feet of the boles which were of metal of la∣ton and two of their hornes / which were of yron̄. and enuolupped and wrapped it alle in the flees of golde whiche he charged & leyde it on his sholdres / And afterward he retor∣ned vnto the ryuage of the see whe∣re his maister marōner named Ar∣gos whiche had guided his boot o∣uer the braas or arme of the see. as fayd ys hadd abyden ther in moche grete double.

Argos the good shipman̄ was sore abasshid of that / that jason was so long there: er he retorned to hym ād thought for tabyde no lenger. for he had seen the fyre ād the fumee gre∣te & thikke lyft vp into ayer And al∣so he had seen many euyll apparau∣ces voyses. and right strange bruyts. for whiche causes he supposed that his maister jason had ben deuoured of the terrible bestes / And began to wepe ād bewaile him right tenderli. but incontinent whan he espyed the vailliaunt knyght Iason with the flees of gold on his neck: his teres & wepinges cessed / For sorow crain∣te and doubte departed frō his her / te. and alle yoye aduirouned him in suche maner. that smyling he kneli∣d doun̄ on his knee to fore him & said Syre knight myrrour of alle vailli∣aunce and of alle enterprise. ye be ri∣ght well tourned. Ha a what cōso∣lacion & gladnes shal be in Myrmi∣done and with my lord your fader. Men haue murmured vpō peleus your vncle and euery mā saide that he had sēte you hether for to be qui∣te of you / thinking that ye sholde ne∣uer haue retorned but to that I can apperceyue. he desireth aboue alle o∣ther thing your glorie and honour. Certes argos fair sire answerd then̄ sason. Fortune hath so moche ayde & holpē me. that▪ I am retorned ho∣ole of body and of membres fro the most terrible daungerous & mortall parill that euer shall befalle and co∣me vpon the erthe during the worl¦de wherof I yelde louinges & than∣kinges vnto the goo Mars princi∣pally / but now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vs thinke to re∣torne vnto our felawes: For hit is more then̄e tyme to ete

¶ With these w••••des the good ship∣man began to ro we wyth afrāk co∣rage. And the grekes that were stā∣dyng vpon the ryuage of the see. be∣gan then̄e a grete stryf / For somme saide that Iason was reentred in to ••he barque / & that they had seen the resplendisshour of the noble flees of golde. which was with grete payne ••••••••le▪ for asmoche as from this ri∣uage vnto the yle of colchos was. iiij good••••nyles: and the other sayd that jason was long agon̄ dede & that he sholde neuer be seē. But thus as eche man was susteyning his argument sherwy^t was the boote seen̄ approc∣hyng moche radely the ryuage: and was aboute amyle nygh to the por∣the. Iason toke his flees & lyfte it vp alytyl in the ayer. ye as hyghe as he mighte / ād helde hit so hye / that they that were at the ryuage and on the walles of the cyte beheld hyt ād ap∣perceyued hit and shewed hyt one to an other by grete admyracion ād wondre.

Many therwere that demened gre∣te ioye. and thanked the goddes wy^• good herte whan they had {per}ceyued the noble and the ryche flees. wher∣of the preu jasō made the mustre fro ferte / and som ranne for to gadre of the grene herbes and verdure for to caste along on the waye / where as jasō sholde passe for to goo to the pa∣lays / sayng to euery man that they were certayn of his retournyng / ād that alle honour ought to be mad to him for one so noble & gloriouse con∣queste / Medea amōg all other was so ryghtioyous whā she espyed the lyght and shyning of the flees of gol∣de that her semed that she shold en∣tre into a paradise terrestre. And cō∣manded that her ladies and damoi∣selles shold put on the fayr fronte in entencyō to make feste soleinpne for the honour of this right excellēt vic∣torie / & for to come to a {con}clusion: trō∣pes / tabours menestreles / hornes sa∣••fasinois ād busines began to blowe vp ād sowne melodyoussy after that tyme vsed / The marōner argos ro∣wed in suche wyse that he brought Iason to the poorte hoole and sauf / where he was fested of the king oe∣tes: of the worthy hercules & of the∣seus / ād generally of alle the grekes Hercules toke the riche flees whan jason was descended vpon the lon∣de / ād bare hit tofore the vaillyaunt knight jason whiche went first into the temple of the goddesse deane. ād there thanked moche hyghely the god mars. & the goddes pallas and Deane. After he made him to be dis∣armed. And there he yelded agayn the armes of the god appollo: & syn made his oblacyon of one of the feet of the boles / and of one of their hor∣nes with one of the tōges of the dra∣gon̄ / and whan he had don̄ alle this solempnly / he retorned to the palays where he was right honourably re∣ceyuid of medea aboue alle other & of her ladyes and danioyselles / whi∣che

behelde Iason meruaillously. ād in especia•• the noble and ryche flees of golde. which hercules bare on hye tofore him.

CErtes ther is no man so elo∣quent / ne so well can̄ endyte by wrytyng that coude des∣cryue to you: how grete playsir the eyē of the noble & vayllyaūt preu ja∣son / and the eyen of the moche fayre medea toke on then̄e / whan they be∣gan to beholde eche other. And alle the worlde there demened grete yo∣ye and gladnes. And whan the no∣ble knyght Iason was goon vp in to the halle: The vayllyann•• knight Hercules sette the noble flees of gol∣de vpon a cupberd moche rychely arayed. And anone after the knigh∣tes of grece and many other knygh∣tes ladyes and Damoyselles began̄ the daunces moche joyously. and the feste was fayr and grete vnto the houre of the soupper / that the tables were couuerd. ād that the kyng oe∣tes and the noble Preu Iason was sette / and wyth them the noble and fayr lady medea. Hercules Theseus and▪ Mopsi{us}. At this table was the noble Iason and the fayre Medea sette one to fore that other. But in no wyse they durst not speke one word how they made many secrete signes of loue that coude not beapperceiue∣d. but they entremarched wy^• theyr feet vnder the table / whyles that ja∣son reherced in groos the grete pa∣ryls. where he hadde ben ynne. wyl∣hout shaking of ony mencion of or∣denaunces maners and cerymony∣es that he had holden.

OF thys meruayllous auen∣ture were the king Oetes Hercules and the other ba∣tons knyghtes and noble men̄ that satte and seruid at this souper moch abasshed and gretly meruaylled / & how the noble preu jason was esca∣ped of so grete ād meruaillous auē∣ture And hyely recommanded this enterpryse and vayliaunce / Hercu∣les and Theseus that a fore tyme had slayn many monstres confessed there that alle theyr fayttes passed wer nothing to the regard of the a∣uenture that jason had enterprysed and brought to an ende.

¶ What shall we make longe comp∣te: the souper passed / and the houre cā that the king oetes & Iason with∣drewe hem into her chambres And then̄e was jason conueyed into hys chābre wy^t many noble men̄one ād other / & theder was brought the no∣ble & riche fleesof gold. but at this ti∣me they might not deuise ne plaie th∣ere as they had ben acustomed / but sente hē into her chābres & mopsius wyth the other / sayng that al that nyght he wolde wake in orison̄s ād prayers vnto the goddes. for asmo∣che as they had don̄ to hym so grete nyde cōforte and honour in his wer∣kes

ANone ••••••••e as the preu jasō. was left ••••••••ys chambre as sayd is. the maistresse of me dea cam & opend thedore of the chā∣bre. and demanded jason if he wold come vnto her doughter / Iason ans∣werde ye wy^• right good wille. then̄ he wente doun̄ into the chambre of his lady whiche had made redy a ri∣ght fair baygne. Then̄e he sale wed her. & after saide to her in this maner My dere lady knowe ye that I haue had moche grete desire to see you se∣cretli & in your pryuaulte. for to thā∣ke you of the right grete honour that by your cause is comē to me. and al∣so of the mortal paril & daunger that ye haue deliuerid me fro. Wherfore I thāke you right humbly of all thi∣se benefetes▪ and furthermoree I p̄∣sente you the body that ye haue pre∣serued fro deth / Redy to obeye alle youre com̄andements and playsirs Certes jason my dere loue ād frende answerde the fayr Medea. If youre desire haue ben grete and suche as ye saye yet hath myne be more as j we∣ne / I haue done the beste that in me hath be possible. and I haue ryght grete ioye and gladnes of the know∣leche that ye haue Alle my corage is nothīg saue to plase you. ye be right welcome and wyth grete worshyp retorned for yow and for me: And make good chiere hardyli I haue or∣deyned for you a baygne for to was∣she you from the bloode / wherwyth ye haue bē enoynted / & therfore dis∣po ylle yow / & entre into this bath. & then̄ we shall deuise at oure leyser of alle werkes /

¶ Whan the preu jason had vnder∣stāde this that sayd is: he dyde▪ of his clothes ryght glad of this aduentu∣re / and syn entred into the baygne. & the fayr Medea in her coursett whi∣che had no sleues terued vp her smo•• sleues and in thys poynt cam & fro∣ted & weesshed her frend jason / And then̄ whan the gentyl bacheler ap{per}-!!ceyuid so gentil corps & body of Me∣dea. her fair and rōde tetes the whi∣tenes of her flesshe / and that he felte her handes meruayllously softe / him semed that his herte & hys body fle∣we: He was so moche esprysed of an ardant desir of loue. he begā then̄e tenbrase the lady by the body. ād syn behelde her grete beaute / and thus doyng he kysshed her many tymes And then̄e whan he had ben well eased & wasshed. medea made him to lye in her bed heholdyng his mē∣bres well formed shapen and made and hys colour fayr and quyk. and coude not tourne her sight from him They were thus beholdyng & auy∣sing eche other wyth oute sayug o∣ny word But atte last the noble preu jason toke the worde and sayde. my dere lady / ye knowe wel how j haue promysed to be your husbond: & also in lyke wyse ye haue promysed to be my wyf / then̄e may I saye I am yo∣ures & ye ar myn̄. & of vs two is but one thing / then̄e I requyre you so a••

fe••tuelly as I can or may / and for all the plaisir that ye may do to me: that ye wylle come and lye by my hete in your bed. A ha jason answerde then̄ inedea. for goddes sake saue myn ho∣nour. Madaine āswerde jaso / Ther is no man in the world that shal ke∣pe it more then̄e j shal / j am your ho∣usbonde. & yf ye come and lye in your bed by me. ye doo nothīg but hono∣ur / My dere frēde sayde medea. ther is no plaisir but that I shall gladly do to yow / but for this night ye shal ha∣ue pacyence of your requeste / and I praye yow / that to morn̄ be tyme ye desire of my fadere the king that he wolde gyue me to yon in mariage: & then̄e do ye your deuoir: & if he be cō∣tent we shal make our wedding ād spousailles here within honourably. and if he will not I somone you he∣re to morn̄ at nyght at houre acusto∣med / ād knowe ye for certayn that I shal do alle that ye wille commāde me to do as reson is: For I am voū∣den therto by vertue of the {pro}messes made bytwene yow and me / And allewaye I recommāde to you myn honour.

¶ Whan Iason hadde vnderstande the goode wille of medea. he sayd in his corage that she had wysely ans∣werd / and that he was content for tobeye to her requeste. What shall I saye more / the night drew ouer in su¦che termes as sayd is: how wel Ia∣son laye there til it was day And on the morn̄ whā he was rysen & sawe his tyme. he made his requeste vnto the noble king Oetes that he wold gyue his doughter Medea to him in mariage. but he founde the king Oe∣tes triste & moche pensif and al other wyse then̄e he was acustomed to be and made him an āswere in this ma¦ner. Iason yebere with yow oute of my dominacyon the most ryche tre∣sour that is ī alle the worlde: whiche greuith me gretly / & yf I hade kno∣wen that I now knowe. ye had not comen in tyme therto. ād now ye de∣māde me my doughter medea whi∣ch is most con̄yng and the most dere thing that I haue. Suffise you wy^• that ye haue And neuer speke to me more therof. also dere as ye haue yo∣ur lyfe With these or semblable wor∣des / the king Oetes wente on oo {per}t And the noble jason wente on an o∣ther syde moche abasshed of the fie∣rs ād herd answere of the hing Oe∣tes. Hercules Theseus and Mop∣siuscam then̄e vnto Iason / whyche told hem howe he had bē wyth the king Oetes / and how he had requi∣red to haue to hys wyf hys dough∣ter Medea. and howe the kyng oe∣tes hadde answerd him fiersly. But whan they had vnderstanden alle thys / they concluded among them that they wolde de{per}te from thēs on the morn̄ / After this don̄ they wēt & toke leue of the king & thāked hym of the grete honour that hit had ple∣sid hym to do to Iason. And after

they went & visited their ship / and passid this day with litill plaisir. for the king Oetes made hem no chere This notwithstand whā the night was come Iason wēte vnto the fa∣yr Medea & told to her how he ma∣de his requeste to the king Oetes her fader. And how he had āswerd to the regarde of their mariage: & how he was de{per}ted frō him. wherof the fayr Medea was meruaylloussy so∣roufull and sore troubled thinking on many thinges. But whā she had wel bethought her considering her cas & her affaire / she made right go∣ode chere to jason as she that aban∣don̄ed her alle vnto his plaisir / and so it is to be supposed that this night they leye to geder / & more saye I not for this p̄sent as towching their fai∣tes of loue /

In this nyght the fayr Medea toke alle the moste richest jeweles & bag∣ges portatif that the king oetes her fader had. And she putte and trus∣sed them in a fardell / and whan hit came alitill to fore daye she made ja∣son to ryse / whyche was anon̄ redy / And then̄e whan she was alle redy she toke with her alle the rychesses: & also her yong broder absirthi{us} of the aage of xvj. monethes. whome she toke secretly in a chambre from the nouryce. and made her maistresse to cutte hys throte pryuely for certayn causes / whiche shall here after be de∣clared: After this the fayr medea & her maistresse cladd hem ād disgul∣sed them in mānes habyte. and by the noble preu jason they were brou∣ght vnto the shippe: And assone as jason had deliuerid thē in garde vn∣to maister maronner Argos: he re∣tourned into his chambre til it was day abyding his felawship Hercu∣les Theseus Mopsius and many other knightes that cam with hym / at the blowing of an hor••ād with that he toke his flees of goolde / and sayde to them that he wolde departe from thens wyth alle dylygence for certayn causes. and wythout more sayng at thys tyme he toke his wa∣ye to thende that the other knightes of grece sholde folowe / And wente so ferre that he ētrid ī to this ship. so well at apoynt that alle his men en∣trid with him: And then̄e the marō¦ners disancred and began to rowe by force of oores for asinoche as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 blewe not. and the winde helped hē not by cause hit was calme: and th{us} in this poynt they putte them on the waye vnto the sonne rysing / And at that propre houre whā they we∣re not withdrawen past a myle frō the poorte: hyt happend by aduētu∣re that Argos the mayster marōner began to loke toward the poorte ād he sawe that on alle sydes hit was fulle of peple After this he sawe anō and apperceyueyd that fowre lityll shippes at facōn of Balingers orga∣leyes subtyll departed to gydre from the poorte / from whens that they

they came Wherof the good patro∣ne Argoshadde moch grete merua∣ille / And he wiste not what to then∣ke / he was so encombred / For he▪ hadde well seen that / whan the no∣ble Preu Iason and hys companye entrid into his shippe: that the king hys baron̄s ne the ladyes had not conueyed hym / He had grete mer∣uaille / but he sayd not one worde

¶ How the kyng Oetes fader of Medea aduertised of the departing of Iason and hys doughter Medea folowed. And how Medea caste her broder Absirthyus by pieces in∣to the see doubting her fader the kīg Oetes / And howe the noble Quene ysiphyle fylle doun from an hyghe montayn̄ into the see.

[illustration]

WHo that demandeth of thise foure litill galeyes snbtill for what cause they moued fro the port. And what people were in∣ne: the historie answerth / that theyr entencyō was to come after the kni∣ghtes of grece And the king Oetes was in one of them accompanyed of foure honderd men / whiche were alle bourgeyses of the toun̄ that he had made to be armed▪ For asmo∣che as he was acertayned that hys doughter medea was goon̄ with ja∣son / and I shalle telle you / This kīg Oetes as said is. had ben sorowful & anoyed alle the daye precedent fō∣de him self so full of melancolye that he coude not slepe ne reste / Alleway after many thoughtes and precogi∣taciōs he concluded in hym self that he wolde goo and conueye Iason at his departyng to thys ende. that he comen into Grece sholde preyse him ād saye. that he hadde made hī good chere. For to brīge to an ēde this cō∣clusion. he aroos and wyllyng to ētre fro chambre to chambre til he cam to jason / he entrid in to the chambre of the nourice of his sone absirthius▪ whom he fond not wyth his nouri∣ce that slepte / wherof he was sore a∣basshid & awaked the nourire. and after demanded her. wher was hys dere sone absirthius / And then̄e the nourire begā to loke aboute her / but that was for nought for she fonde h•• not / wherfore all effrayed she sprāg out of her bedde / and began to seche him diligētly alle aboutes / & the kīg Oetes entred in to the chambre o•• Medea / and ther he fonde ne {per}sone ne his doughter ne her that had go∣uerned her long time

¶ Whan the king Oetes fond not his doughter Medea. he was so an∣gry that his blood changed / ād wi∣thouthe spekyng ony worde / he wē∣te vp in to the chābre where the no∣ble Iason was logged. but he fonde neyther jason ne Medea ne {per}sone to whom he might speke. & for so mo∣che he departed sodainly and wente vnto the poorte where he fond many of his citezeins that shewed him the ship / where the grekes were in. whi∣che was at that time from the poor∣te more then̄ a quater of a myle / then̄ the kyng weping terderly demāded them if they had seen hys doughter medea and they answerde nay. Ha a fayr sirs sayd then̄ the king: The traictres of grece haue wyhtdrawē her wy^t wordes traiterously in somo∣che as they haue deceyued her & bro∣ught her into their ship: ād yet that more is haue so euyll coūceylled her that she hath born̄ with her my sone absirthius / O euyl doughter / o the e∣uil fortuned child / Certes medea thy grete disloyaulte {con}strayneth me that wyth force of peple j wil goo incōti∣net fecche the for to wete who hath meuyd the thus to doo: & wy^t this I shal take vengean̄ce of the desloyall knight jason wiche to his power rē∣dreth to me euyl for good.

¶ Whā the king had sayd thus he retorned into his palays cryēg that euery man sholde arme him: & then̄e alle the peple pourueyed them of sta∣ue •• & armures / & syn demāded whe∣rof proceded the cause of thys alar∣om̄e. the whiche anon̄ was all com∣mune. Then̄e they put them on the •• waye for to go vnto the king: whi∣che cam and yssued ont of hys pa∣lays armed. and in poynt for ten∣tre into bataill. Then̄e he wente vn∣to the poorte & chese out four hōderd of the beste in po••t for to put in to the sayd four galeyes / and finably whā he had do•• alle thys he meuyd fro the poorte as sayd is / and wyth all haste made his galeyes to be rowed after the knightes of Grece: in suche wyse as the maister maronner ap{per}∣ceyued that tho galeyes cam swifte∣ly after thē for to fecch agayn the fa∣yr medea. & called jason that japed & played wyth medea: presēt his fe∣lawe hercules: & she wid to him the four galeyes armed / wherein was the king Oetes and his men wel in poynt whyche approced faste. For the galeyes were light: & jason seyn∣g his encombrance approche. called Hercules whyche knewe nothyng herof and demanded him counceyll Then̄e Hercules ansuerde to hym that he knewe none other remedie / but that euery man shold putte him to armes and be redy tabyde the ba∣tayll yf hit were nede: and auowed vnto the goddes that yf the king o∣etes made ony enterpryse vpon thē / that he wolde putte to deth as many as he mygh•• arethe.

With thise wordes & wyth oute lē∣ger ••aryeng the noble knight hercu∣les and jason putte them in armes / and in lyke wise dyde their felawes Then̄e Medea and her maistresse sprang vpon the planck of the shyp. for to beholde the kyng and his ga∣leyes. And anon̄ after Iason & her∣cules alle ī armes cam vp on hye by Medea and eche wyth a swerde in his fyste / And Medea began to trē∣ble for fere. whā she had espyed her fader to approche so nyghe / at thēde the king Oetes poursie wed so sore the shippe of the noble preu jason by force of oores. that er. they were out of the goulf or braas of the see. that there was nomore distance fro on to an other but two bowe shote. Then̄ the fayr Medea / seyng that is was time to brynge to ende that she had begon̄e to fore / sayde to her maistres in wepyng tenderly. My good mod wher is my lytyll broder absirthius / gyue him to me. Then̄ the euyll ool∣de woman opend her lappe and vn∣wonde the body of the childe / whom she had smytē into pieces. Medea to∣ke the heede & lyste it an hygh / wher∣of Hercules jason & other seyng this had grete horrour of this cruelte. ād weresore abasshed. neuertheles whā the preu Iason apperceyued this he wold knowe fro when•• came thys

creature so dede: And sayde to Me∣dea in thys manere. My dere loue what haue ye in your thought. and what will ye don with this so male∣rous and pyteus childe

My dere loue answerde then̄e Me∣dea: Thexperience of my werke en∣seigneth to yow the thought of my herte. Madame answerde then̄e the noble preu jason: what is this child that I see here thus detrenched and smyten in pieces. certes he is in an e∣uyll houre born̄. that thus myserabli hath finysshed hys dayes / My dere loue answerde then̄e the fayr medea This is absirthius my yong broder Knowe ye that he is not malerouse. but is ewrous and happy: for thys daye / he shall be cause of the sauacion of the lyf of his fader. and of his men̄ & then̄e he is moche ewrous and in a goode oure born̄: whā he in hys tē∣dre yongth maye because of the hel∣the of so moche peple ād specyally of his fader naturel: Certes medea said then̄e jason I see none other facōn ne moyen but that ye be of all poyntes dishonoured whā ye haue cōmysed so ryght pyetousa caas. as for to ha∣ue m••rdryd your {pro}pre broder inno∣cent of all thinges / A hawhat horri∣ble cruelte / My dere loue answerde then̄e medea: ne troble you other wi∣se then̄e by resō For if it be your plai∣sir ye shal here what I shall saye. ād after of the caas I make yow iuge. ye know how I am by you brought from the how•• of my fader ayēst his wyll / I haue cōsiderid what my de∣partyngis. and further more I haue thoughte & haue had regarde vnto the grete ād meruaillous courage of my fader. and al thing ouer thought and considerid that I coude not wit∣hdraw me fer but he shold be aduer∣tised / for he hath of custome that eue¦ry morenyng er he goo doun̄ he wil see his sone ād me also: I haue jma∣gyned that anon̄ as he fyndeth not me ner his sone: that withonte fau∣te he wil come after me in armes ly∣ke as ye see he doth / and thus whan I haue alle thise thinges considered and the grete daunger that myght ensiewe to vs that for me sholde be the bataill mortall bytwene you ād him in whiche withoute remedie he shold be slayn̄ or takē by his hye va∣ylliaūce seen that vnto de••h he wold abandonne him selfe for to recouue∣re me. and to thende teschewe more grete paryll and dommage for him I haue taken his owen sone / which is my broder. ād haue cōmanded to put hī in the state as ye see for to cas∣te at this tyme abrode ī to the cours of the see here and there And to gy∣ue empechement vnto the ship of my fader / whych then̄e shall tarye whā he shalle see his sone absirthius thus dismēbrid flotyng vpon the water. for to garde and recuyelle the pieces as ye shall seen playnly anon̄.

¶ Wyth thachieuemēt of these deui∣ses the kīg oetes approched in suche manere the shippe of the grekes that

ther was no more distan̄ce but a sto∣ne caste / Then̄e the fayr medea and the olde woman fylled theyr hādes with the membris of the noble child absirthius / in shewyng them to the king oetes & his men̄ / For assone as the oolde quene sspy••d the king she escryed these wordes folowyng ād sayd thus / Kyng in no wyse come no nere wenyng to recouure thy so∣ne ne thy doughter. As to the regar∣de of thy doughter / thou losest thy ti∣me. for she is maried vnto jasō. But atte lest we shall rēdre to the thy so∣ne slayn ād detrēched by pieces. the whiche we caste into the see to thēde that thou maist haue thy lyf saue∣d: for but If he cansed the to haue occupacion for to recuyelle hys pro∣pre membres for to do burye thē as hit apperteyneth to the sone of a kīg knowe thou that thou sholdest haue the bataill ayēst the knightes of gre∣ce which ben of so hye vaylliaunces that ther ne is anymal monstre ser∣pent ne tyran̄t but that they brynge to destruc••yon: then̄e hit ought to be bileuyd that the victorye of the ba∣taill shold abyde wyth them. ād cer∣tes thou sholdest receyue thy deth. so alle thing well ouerseē hit is better to the that thou retourne vnto the ci∣te then̄e tapproch more ner for to re∣ceyue thy deth. ād wel oughtest thou to haue grete yoye for to see thy hap∣py sone be ded and detrenched by py••ces / bi the which thy lyf is respy∣ted / for thou art not very ne naturell fader. if thou take not hys membre•• out of the see / and if thou so doo thy lyfe shall be saued and all they of thy companye.

WIth these wordes the olde woman ād Medea caste in the see the membres of the yong childe absirthius / and the kīg Oetes and hys peple heeryng and seeyng the grete inhumanite & cru∣elte began to escrye ryght pyetoussy: ād dolorous••i. And were so sore vex∣ed and trobled of thys meruaillo{us} auēture: that they wist not what to doo / som ther were that begā to we∣pe tenderli. the other smote them self on the brestes / & som began to araye hem to goo to bataylle / and escryed to deth the knightes of grece shoting on thē arowes & other trait by grete corage for tanenge them / but whan the king sawe that •• no wyse he my∣ght recouure the deth of hys dere so∣ne: he made to cesse the escarumssij & sayd to his cytezels / certes fair siresj pray you to trauaile you nomore for to recouure medea: shehath murdrid her {pro}pre brod absirthi{us} whiche was my sone / & he that •• time to come shol¦de haue bē your naturell lord / certes j haue louid wy^t all my herte her al∣le her lyfe that wy^t her dissoyall will hath brouht to me one so dolorouse guerdon̄ or reward Ha a meda said the kīg all on hyghe j shal neuer sech ne desire to mete wy^t the for cause of so cruell and disnaturell a dede that▪

thou hast •• my sed to thy propre blo∣de. and therfore fay•• lordes late her ād alle them that ben with her goo where the goddes will suffre hī: but knowe ye for certayn that yf j now had her at my liberte I sholde make her to deye a cruell: deth: howe wele that sholde sourdre therof to me a new sorowe / wherfore hit is better that she goo: & that we entēde to reas¦semble the mēbres of my sone why∣che flotē as ye may see vpō the wa∣wes of the see / to thende that his fle∣sshe be not pasture to the byrdes

¶ Whā then̄e the nobles & bourgey∣ses of the cyte vnderstod their king alle they began to sech the membres of absirthius iudemenyng the mo∣ste grete sorow of the world: ād th{us} they disposed them to complaire the kyng & nomore tassayle their enne∣myes. And whan they had fysshed the membres of the child they retor∣ād vnto the cyte by space of tyme ri∣ght sorowfull & disconforted for the deth of Absirthi{us}: and for asmoche as medea also was goon̄ with jason Medea was then̄e well ioyous ād more assured then̄ to fore: whan she apperceyuid that her fader & his mē taried for to fisshe the mēbres of his sone / Certes jason seyng this that sayd is / wist not what to thinke. ād Argos the goode maronner rowed alle way in withdrawing from the poorte ād the yle of Colchos as mo∣che as he myght in so moche that in alytil while he had lost the sighte of the king Oetes & of his galeyes. ād that he cam into the hyhe see: where the wind blewe & aroose that anon̄ they desployed their sayle which th∣ey wōde•• vp an hyghe / wherfore the shippe made good way. wherof ar∣gos was moche yoyous / and then̄e he sayd that euery man myghte leye doun̄ his harnoys frely promysing them to be oute of all paril•• for that time. Iason at this tyme was ryght pensyf for the cruelte & inhumanyte that he had seen this daye and spak not one worde / and semed by cōpa∣rison̄ more triste then̄e joyous. & not withoute cause: Whan medea had vnderstande that Argos assewryd alle the companye for that tyme frō alle parils that they had ben in. was thoo conforted gretly / but she behel∣de her handes that yet were all fou∣le of the blood of her brother Absu∣thius: she wente & wasshed hem ād made hem clene. & after she cā & set∣te her doun̄ by Iason. & seyng that he was moche pensyf / sayde to hī by a gracious & curtays manere / My dere loue wheron thinke you Certes jason answerde not one worde And whan she sawe that / she sayde to hī: agayn the same word: My dere lo∣ue jason wheron thinke yow. Then̄ Iason answerde to her thus. Lady syn that ye desire to knowe wheron I thinke. knowe ye for trouth that yf it were not for the grete loue that I haue in yow and for that I haue promysed to wed yow and bryng

yow into Grece. I wolde not do it / wherfore kepe from henssorward that ye do no suche thing as dere as ye will haue pees bytwene yow ād me / Vpon thise wordes Medea ex∣cused her the fairest wyse she coude ād was to her possible Sayng that alle this that she had don was of ve∣ray good wille in somoche as she so doyng supposed that to haue vsed cruelte ne humanyte ne of hayne or hate precedent. ād that in the nyght tofore the goddesse Deane had she∣wed & made reuelacyon to her that king / Octes must nedes dey or absir∣thius his sone for him And by suche wordes in colourīg her caas she tra∣ueyled so sore that she foūde her self in the godod grace of jason.

Duryng thys voyage whan they had bē certain dayes on the see. mo∣psius cam on a time to Iason & theū brought to his remembran̄ce hou he had {pro}mysed to ysips••le to retourne by the cyte of Lennos / vpon whiche jason answerde that he sayd trouth and that he wolde holde his {pro}messe So he spak to hercules to Theseus and to the maister argos. which we∣re glad hoping to make good chere in that cyte: But whan medea kne∣we that jason had {pro}mysed & wold god theder: for to see the quene jsiphi∣le as hi behoued / she & her maistres∣se ordeyned their sortes ād their en∣chantements in a secrete place whi∣che were of such vertue. that whan Argos wende to take his waye by an arm̄ of the see which gooth sirait to lennos: his gouernaile brak ī mo∣re then̄e a thousand pieces. and bi a winde moche subtill the ship was in continent torned ād brought all in tho pposite to theniencion of the no∣ble knight & his companye / wherfo∣re alle they that were in the shyppe / were ryght soroufull reseruid Me∣dea and her olde maystresse: whych were at their ease

The quene Ysiphile was vpō a hy∣ghe roche beyng vpon the see syde: not ferre from Lennos at the poynt whan the noble preu Iason passed forth by as sayd is: And she acusto∣med dayly to holde her and awayte ther right sore desiring to see Iason. on whom was all her thoughte ād desir. and somoche loued hym that she be wayled him frō the morn̄ vn∣to the euen vpon this roche and sind ofte times thise propre wordes that folowe: Ha a Neptunus god of the see & of the windes. where is my de∣re loue jason. Bring him agayn to me / Rendre hym agayn to her that daye ād nyght wepeth and lygheth after hym ded or alyue I will haue hym. and Ipraye yow that ye will sende me this grace and ewer leuer this day then̄e to morn̄. Thus then̄e as she was alle discōforted one daye among alle other she loked into the see toward the cest. and saw frō fer∣re the ship moche desired that sayled by a grete radour & a fulle saill whe∣re jason was in Certes she knew it

anone as well by the gretenes as by the baners and enseignes that were displayed wyth the winde / Wherof she had so grete gladnesse that she be∣gā to make the best chere of the worl¦de / But as she was thus rauysshed in grete ioye / ād that her semed that jason cā seuerly vnto her. Wyth that the olde maistresse and the fayr me∣dea putte their sorceries to werke ād theire ēchātemēts: wherof thauē tu∣re of the shippe sorted as sayd is / for she tourned al sodainly at that other coste▪ wherof the poure jsiphile was all abasshed & sore esmayed. In ste∣de to make yoye she was constray∣ned to wepe grete teeres / and in ste∣de of syngyng / she was enforced to complayne / What shall I saye more as sodaynli as the ship torned / so so∣daynly chaūged the maner of ysiphi le / she abode there & passed that night & dyde do make fyres & light of ma∣ny fagotys: for to redresse Iason ād Argos to her ward / thynkyng that wythout faute jas•• wolde come vn∣to her / and she abode in this place by the space of vj. wekes: weping / wa∣king and {con}tynuelly bewayling ja∣son: whom she loued more then̄e her propre herte

¶ Wan the sixe wekes were past ād that the fayr jsiphyle ap{per}ceyued th∣at she sholde haue no tydinges of her loue Iason. for thenchantemētes of medea & of her maistresse made that that the shyppe of Iason mighte not approche the yle of Lennos / The ry∣ght discōforted Isiphile seeyng that sayd is / as vpon the poynt as full of despayr. she departed•• from the roche where she had ben long abydyng: and in a meruaillous opynyō she re∣torned to lennos / And then̄e mhan she was entred into her chambre she made her sone to the brought to her / whom she kyssed many tymes for the loue of Iason. and after began to thinke & contrepeyse in her mynde ī diuerce maners / and then̄e whā she had long thought by grete habōdā∣ce of melancolye: she sayde in behol∣ding her child & crossing her armes with a sighe comyng from the borō of her hert. Alas my dere sone: alas that thou cāst not▪ speke for to demā∣de me tydinges of thy fader: whyche is the moost fayre knight: the moost vertuous / & the most vaylliaunt in armes that the godd euer fourmed If thou coudest speke & demande me of him I might wele answere to the / but how. alas I wote neuer for at al auēture he daygneth not to come. & at auenture whā he weneth to co∣me as that other daie. me semed whā j knewe his shippe / whō the wind & tempest cōstrained to retorne ād to sayle all at thopposite / in she¦wīg me his bak: & in trauersing the wawes & flothes of the see so ••petuous•• that j thīke better that he isperisshed then̄ not: For in fourty dayes that j haue syn soyourned on the roche / j ne cou∣de neuer see him again: wherof j am right displaisant in my herte

My dere sone then̄e where is now nature whiche sholde enseigne the to wepe. & me more then̄e the: after the losse of one so desired prince / ought j more desire to lyue. What may it a∣uaylle me to lyue: Certes if I sholde lyue / my lyf sholde be from hēs forth full of cōtynuell bewaylinges of do∣lours / of wepinges / and of sighes / o what sorow: I wote nomore to saie I haue somoche loued jason that {per}∣durably I am constrayned to wepe after him / how be it alle way the cre∣atures ne desire to lyue but for to en∣ioye the worldly plaisan̄ces: & then̄e whan alle mondayn pleysir faylleth what ought j desire: js this a lyf. cer∣tes nay And what then̄ / hyt is a lyf that lyueth deyeng: and a deth. that lyueth in languisshinge: O meruail∣lous and right terrible desire / j shall deye verayly in thys yourneye Hit is concluded: For what som̄e euer shall or may come therof. j shall sprī∣ge in to the hye see: To thende that if the noble preu jason be there buryed that j may be wyth him in sepulture And to thende also / that if he be not dedy that the see that broughte hym hether a lyue may bringe me to him a lyue or dede. but first er I commyse this meruaillous & dolorous caas I shal compyle an epistle whiche shal∣be sewed vnto my vestimēts or clo∣thes / To this entencion. that if jason lyue yet j haue an hope that the god∣des shall doo me be presented tofore him. & then̄e by thys myne epistle he shal knowe of what excellent loue & corage I haue loued hym

Many ladyes and damoyselles we∣re in the companye of ysiphile theūe whan she hadde 〈…〉〈…〉 wayled her dere loue jason: And also the {con}clusiō as she that was desperate sholde lepe & springe into the see. Alle they begā to demene grete sorow meruaillous∣ly and not withoute cause. Somme there were that were jnly sorowful that they coude not speke o worde. Other were there drowned in teeris that enforced hem to reconforte her and for to lette ād distourne her fro this dampnable wyll / but that was for nought▪ for they loste her payne. for asmoche as ysiphile wrote here∣pisile / whiche she wrapped ī a cered cloth and syn sewed hit vnto her ro∣ke of cloth of goold whiche she clad her with. and whan she had so doo she toke her crowne and sette hit on her hede fermely. and after toke her sceptre / And then̄ whā she had don̄ alle this. she cam to her sone and kis∣sed him many times & recōmanded him vnto the ladyes & damoiselles / And laste whan she had taken leue of alle the women̄ she de{per}ted frō lē∣nos the Cite wepyng tenderly. & to∣ke wyth her one of her damoyselles: by whō where knowen afterward alle her bewailinges / lamentacions and alle her maners that she held to fore she caste her self into the see

THan she was comen nygh vnto the see: she approched vnto an hye roche / to whō the see touched beneth a ferre lowe doun̄: she began to beholde a lowe ād se the see / And after she stracched her self on the erthe in beholding the heuen and the see. and sayde. Veray god lord. of the see / of windes. of to∣urbillons and of fortunes. of raynes and of tēpestes / ye brought into this countree. and into thys place the ty∣ght parfayt knight: in beaute / in va∣yllyaunce: and in alle vertues Ia∣son / and after ye sente him in to the yle of Colchos / and consequently ye haue: she wid me from ferre his ship and ••yn ye haue drowned hym / or atleste lad hym into another coūtre And whan it i•• so / that I may by no waye haue none other thyng of hym / I yow requyre that ye wille make my sepulture by him / if he ha∣ue made the passage out of this wo∣rlde. and if he be on lyue that ye will conduite me into his presence: for hit must nedes be / and other thing j de∣mande not of yow: And whan the desolate quene Isiphile had sayd thi∣se wordes she retorned her vnto the Cyte: and sayd in thys maner al on hyghe and clere voys

ADyeu my dere childe. adyeu Lennos the noble cite: adieu ladyes and damoiselles / ād syn she retorned her vnto the see. ād cryeng Iason Iason. She sprāg fro the sommet or toppe of the roche into the hyghe see / And there drowned her self in sorow. wherof was grete pyte But her fortune was such that on that same daye the see bare the bo¦dy vnto the shippe of the noble preu jasō abydyng yet inthe see in a rood where they were ancred for to reste ther that nyght: At this oure whan the poure ysiphyle was caste ayenst the shippe / Hercules and jason wē∣te vppe on highe for to take the ayer Then̄e they perceyued the desolate body so rychely arayed that the clo∣th of gold shone by the disgorgemēts of the watre: anon as they had seen this they called argos their mayster maronner ād shewed to him. anoū argos callid som of his solke & made them to fisshe and drawe out of the see / and to bring into the ship that poure creature so rychely habylled wyth Royall atours▪ and whā she was drawen on hyghe. alle they in the shippe wēte vp. for to see the bo∣dy of this noble lady: And Medea faylled not to come wyth the other for to be holde this pyte. Certes the dede lady hadde her vysage swollen and pale that none in the ship knew her / But at the comyng and for the presence of the olde woman. she v••∣yed bloode by the conduyte of her mouth / as hit hadd ben a lytyll ren∣nyng water departing from a fon∣tayne or a spring. wherof alle they had grete meruaille.

¶ whan Argos the goode marōner sawe the meruaille he stouped doun̄ for to put vpon her roobe a clothe for to kepe it from the fowlyng of the blood that departed frō her mouth. And as he put the cloth aboute her nek he apperceyued the cered cloth that kepte the water from the pistle that she had compiled. wherfore for to know what it was / he distached or rypte it of & deliuerid hit to jason Then̄ the knight receyued the cloth & opende hit & founde the episile. ād disployed it ād as he red it and vn∣derstode the contenu of the same his bloode began to chaunge & he waxe rede as a rose. and after becā pale & dede as asshes / and syn begā to we∣pe & to demene a sorowe moche ay∣gre and sharp / Certes the fayre me∣dea Hercules These{us} and the other knightes of gerce were sore abas••••••d so were argos & the marōners / whā they apperceyued that jason deme∣ned so grete adueil & sorow. Then̄e it was demanded from whens this sorow cam: & what tidinges he foū∣de & had by the contenu of the lettre but it was for nought For he might not speke ner āswere his herte was so closed & strained wy^t anguissh ād sorow / notwihstādyng whā he had redd it and seen the cōten•• of the pis∣tle He deliuerid it to medea: ād the cōteynyng therof was thys that fo∣loweth

Iason Iason the chosen of grece in prowesse / in beaute / and in vertues where art thow / And whan shalle thou holde thy promesse vnto her / that alwaye hath her eyen planted on the see after the: desiring to see a∣gayn the body bytamorouse desires: and by moo bewaylynges than the heuen conteyneth sterres. A ha my dere loue. hast thou put in no recchi∣g ner no challoy•• the promesse that thou me madest at that tyme whan thou wentest to Colchos. knowest not thou well that euery man of no∣ble name or vocacion is holden and bounden to paye and holde hys pro∣messe / vpon payne of reproche. thou hast promised to me. the daye of thy promesse is passed. Thou acauytest the not. O so greuous a shame & lar∣ge reproch. ye if. thou haue not lauful ••x••n••acyon. Syn the daye of thy {pro}∣messe exspired / I neuer entrid into ho{us} for to take plaisir ne to couer me to be drie: I haue not leyd on bed to take my reste. I haue not seten a ta∣ble for to ete / Ne j haue not ben in p̄∣toire for to iuge the causes of my wo men̄ / but I haue the space of xl. day∣es awayted vpon a roche where I was whan thou entredest into my royaume / And that famyne ••strai∣ned the to take londe: There haue I holde me daye ād nyght / in the rayn̄ in the winde. in the colde of the mo∣ne and in the heete of the sonne: In fastinges / in prayers and oroison̄s. in souffrages. in thoughtes: in jma∣ginacyons / in desire / in hope / & fyna∣bly

in despair ād in deth anguissho{us} For whā I haue apperceyued that thou canist not agayn to me. in four∣thy dayes after the daye of thy {pro}mis All dispayred I haue compiled ād wreton this epistle wyh my handes and wyth thyn. ād in alle suche wyse and facōn as she that myght no len∣ger abide thy comyng & reforne / j ha∣ue caste my self into the see prayng the goddes. that they brīge me quyk or dede in to that place there thow art quyk or ded. bi grete deffanlte of thy promesse / & to that ēde that thou see what terible affectiō & loue j ha∣ue hadde to thy perfone.

In redyng this epistle. the preu jasō wepte so pyetoussy that he might no more: And as to the regarde of her∣cules These{us} & Mopsi{us} they faylled not to be of the lyuery of Iason. And whan Medea had red al the conte∣n•• of the pistle. jason began to com∣playue thys so myserable lady that was dede by hys cause▪ as she decla∣red in her epistle. And then̄e whan he had cōplayned & be wayled her long: he excused him to fore them al le of the promesse that he had made to her for to retourne by the Cyte of Iennos. Sayng that it was not his deffaute / but that the god of wynde was coul••able. And therof he toke witnes of Hercules These{us} & mop∣sius / Argos the good ••atōner & of many other / the whiche ••••ew right well how he had purposed to haue gon̄ into lēnos ī retornīg frō hisēter∣pryse frō Colchos for to see thys no∣ble lady and how the tourbyllon̄s of winde had destourned hē ayēst his wil. But finably whā medea apper∣ceyued the manere of jason. she begā to demāde him. what prouffited hī his wepinges & suche excusaciōs: & syn saide to him. Certes Inson me se∣meth that ye haue better the corage of a woman then̄e of a man. ād that is no nede to wepe ne so bewailc a la∣dy that was so despaired: but ryght welfor youre honour & for the good∣nes that she hath don̄ for you & in ••∣passyon of noblesse: ye shall do her to be adoubed for to bring her īto your countrey / & there ye shal do her riche∣ly and honourahly be put in sepultu∣re. as in suche a caas apperteyneth

By the wordes & remōstraūces of the fayr Medea: the duiel & sorou of her loue jason cessed a lytil & a l••••yll ād Medea with her maistresse whā they sawe her time toke the body of the Qnene ysiphile and leyde it a {per}te wyth the atours ryalle. What shal I make long proces on the morū. Iasō commanded to disancre from thens And was syn sayling certayn iour∣neyes on the see / but in thende with∣out makīg mēciō of ony auēture dig ne of memorie / Argos the good mai∣stre sailed so ferre bigousfres & bifso∣tes that at the. xx. moneth after th∣eir de{per}ting of mirmidone he arriued at the poorte frō whēs he was de••∣ted / for whos comyng the dwellars

〈…〉〈…〉 inhabytants of that countre of grece were as yoyouse as they mig∣ht be / & on that otherside jason & alle they of his ship incontynent as they had espyed & knowē that is was the poorte that they werede{per}ted fro / be∣gan to singe al on in preysing & thā∣king the goddes of that. they were comen home ād had escaped so ma∣ny daungiers & parils to their wor∣ship & prouffit wyth ryght grere tri∣umphe of victorie

At that time whan argos arriued in this poort / the sterres apperid lar∣gely on the heuen / the night was fa∣yr ād the see paysible / And therfore the knightes of grece abode ī the ship al night without goyng alonde. & on the morn̄ be tyme jason sēte These{us} for to signefie his comyng vnto Pe∣leus / Theseus wente & fonde peleus in a cyte named Elsebee: where was mery & passed the time with his wyf whos name was Cy••ane. & suppo∣sed neuer to haue herde tydinges of jason & whā pele{us} saw & knew the∣seus he went ayenst him ād made to hym grete reuerēce and worship / ād syn demanded him of alle tydinges: Then̄e theseus began to telle a par∣te of the tydinges of jasō & in especial recompted to him thauenture that he had don̄ in Colchos: and how he had brought the ryche & noble flees of golde: ād that he was arriued at the poorte of seseyre / ād that he had wyth him the flees whiche was the most fayr & the moost noble Iewell / that euer was seen. & after told him that he had conquerd in hy•• voya∣ge the grettest honoure that euer kn∣ight might gete. & also he tolde how he brought wyth him the doughter of the king of Colchos. whiche was most wyse fayr▪ and exellente / whi∣che in alle qualitees after reson mig∣ht be holden for the best accōplisshid lady of the worlde: The noble knig∣ht Peleus hering thyse tidynges th{us} told: was so pressid at the hert / that al the bloode chaunged▪ by al the vay∣nes os his body. how well he made semblant as he had bē meruaillous∣li yoyous. for he sente vnto the king Eson for to she we to him these good tydynges: ād syn assembled the no∣bles the bourgeys / the merchants. the ladyes & damoiselles of the cyte: ād brought them in fayr ordenan̄ce for to mete wyth Iason

¶ whan the comyng of jason was ••••owen in the cyte & in the countre ••••he man began to make grete chere At comyug owt of the shippe Iasō and Hercules were the first that ys∣sued out. and after them cam mop∣sius & an other knight of grece. whi∣che bare to fore jason the ryche flees of golde in signe of triūphe & of vic∣torie. The thre tōges of the meruail∣lous dragon / the legges & hornes of the two dredefull boles / ād they led by the arme the noble lady Medea. whiche was rychely arayed & fayr as the fayr daye / and after them fo∣lowed the other knightes and noble

mē of grece / Incōtinēt as pele{us} & the gētyll men of his route sawe the no∣ble flees that was so riche. & the gre∣te beaute of Medea. they were all a∣meruaylled: they made to thē the re∣uerence first And wyth grete hono∣ure and glorie brought jasō to elsebee the cyte. where they soiourned that night. & on the morn̄ they de{per}ted th∣ens and wente to pintaquo. where the king Eson soyourned at that ty∣me. For asmoche as that place was sette in a good ayer. and alle aboute had grete deduyt of chaas and hon̄∣ting meraillously of venerie

Pyntaquo was a fayr strōg castell standing vpon a grete Ryuere and brode which ran̄ swiftli round abo∣ute the place: and with this hit was enuirōned with faire & parfon̄de fo∣restes. of good londe erable and fayr medowes plente. Certes the good king was moche reioyed / and not with oute cause whan he ap{per}ceiued and saw his noble sone jason ād the fayr medea his lady / the ryche flees of gold. the thre tōges of the meruai∣lous dragon̄: & the hornes ād legges of the two meruaillouse boles. for to contente eche man / whā he had ma∣de the reuerēce vnto the king his fa∣der and to the other nobles. he decla∣red alle playnly in the halle: that he had neuer comen to the chief of thys conqueste / ne had ben the counceylle the ayde and adresse of Medea whi∣che was there presēt / & therfore said he: j haue renōced the loue of my la∣dy Mirro: and haue {pro}mysed to this lady that she shalbe my wyf and my felaw: and thus I will espouse and wed her at the thirde day / wherfore I pray alle noble men and other la∣dyes and damoiselles. that eche per∣sone do to her honour as it appertey∣neth to do vnto a noble lady

¶ whan Peleus had vnderstandē that the fayr Medea had ben cause that Iason was comen▪ to the aboue of his enterpryse without daūger of deth / & that withoute the ayde of her he had ben deuoured / he chāged co∣lour & becam alle dede. ād as wel ad∣uised saide nought therto / but alwai for to holde jason in loue he sayde to hī / that he wolde take the charge for to make the fest / ād furthermore he wold sēde for to pray his parentis & frendes for to be therat: Among thi∣se thinges the preu jason sente The∣seus & Mopsius vnto the poorte of deseire & charched them expressely. that they sholde go & burie wyth alle solempnite ād reuerence the body of the noble quene Isiphile. The twoo knightes went with good herte / ād acquyted them of thys charge / For tabregge the historie Cypriane had∣de in garde the fayr medea vnto the daye that jason had sette for tespou∣se. Castor polux & Nestor with ma∣ny ryche Dukes came then̄e to pin∣taquo: what shall I make long re∣her saille jason espoused the fayr me∣dea after the lawe that tyme vsed

in grece wyth moche grete honour & reuerence. As in any wyse to hym was possyble a doun̄. ¶ For he di∣de to her asmoch grete honour as la∣dy might receyue The feste was no∣ble and fayr. and hit was full and plenteuously seruyd of alle thinges / But of the metes and entremetes & wyth how many course & how ma∣ny disshes at euery cours there were seruid. I wille make no mencyon at this tyme. But thus moche wille I saye that Peleus Cypriane and her doughters made right grete po••pes And peleus ordeyned this feste sūp∣tuous and costlewe of ryche metes. and beuurages or drīkes The daye passed and the feste in daunces. ca∣rolles & es••atements / The euen cam and after the night that Iason & me∣dea laye to geder: Alway thys feste endured. xv. dayes hole: & duryng this feste / the noble ād ryche slees of golde was ordynantly hanged vp in the halle in the sighte of all the worl∣de / and there myght come euery mā that wolde to beholde hit bi grete ad∣myraciō / And ther cam peple so fer∣re & nigh in suche multitude that hit semed a veray {per}cession. for whyche cause Iason was meruayllously re∣nommed in many a coūtree / for his hygh̄ vasselage & for this so glorio{us} conqueste

AT thende of .xv. dayes / ād of the hye solempnite of the∣se espousaylles as the noble prynces Baron̄s ād noble men we∣re vpon the poynt for to retonre to theire con̄trees. Iason and hercules assembled them and there recoūted to them the rudesse that the king La∣omedon̄ hadde don̄ to Iason / and to the knightes of thys cōpanye / in ref∣fusing to them fresshe water & vy∣taylle for their money For the whi∣che cause they had ben in daunger & paril of deth. Then̄e the princes and varon̄s of grece heering the grete do∣leance of jason and Hercules: {per}mi∣sed prestly and swore that they wol∣de auenge this deffaulte and ••mu••ie They were aspre. hoot and hasty ī vengeāce And after these couenaūtes th{us} made. they gaf charge to Ar∣gos to make ād sette vp an honderd shippes of warre / for to bringe fyfty thousand men̄ to fore Troye: or atte lest fourty thousād / Argos that was well connyng in that werke enter∣prysed the charge. & promysed that wyth in thre yere alle thyse shyppes shold be redy to helpe hem And whā they hadde take a conclusion vpō all thise thinges. ād that they had ma∣de to Medea alle the honour and / re∣uerence of the world: by space of ty∣me they departed alle thens. and e∣uery man retourned into his coūtre leuyng Iason and the fayr Medea in their reste

{per}Eleus wente vnto Elsebee & ba∣re dueyll and rancon•• in hys coura∣ge more then̄e nede was / for somoch̄

as he sawe jason so triūphe / ād that he knewe not how he myghte make him to deye. And Iason whiche en∣tended to nothing sauing to make his plaisir. lete hym yet gouerne hys Royaume. and so acquitte him in the dette of mariage ayenst the fayr me∣dea in suche faōn / that she conceyued of hym a ryght fayr sone. whyche at thende of ix. mōthes was deliuerid and was named jason after hys fa∣der / The king Getes fader of medea cam then̄e to Pintapuo wyth a pri∣ue meyne & litill cōpanye. as he that loued Medea like as the fader loueth the childe: And whan he vndersto∣de & knew the grete honour that the preu jasō had don̄ to her / he was cō∣tent wyth him & with his doughter And withoute exploiting of ony o∣ther thing he retorned into his coū∣tre moche yoyo{us}: And hit was not long after these thinges thus befallē that the olde maistresse of medea de∣parted out of this worlde and dey∣de. But whan it cam vnto the arti∣cle of deth̄ / she taught Medea a gre∣te part of the arte of nygromancye & of many other sciences where in she was ex{per}te And also she taugh̄t her among other sciences and art and crafte for to make olde peple to beco∣me yong of the aage of .xxxij. yere. But the lyf and destynee for to deye myght not be lengthid vnto suche {per}∣sones by the vertu of the sciēce ne o∣ther wyse: for asmoche as it is pre∣destinqcion naturell

¶ How Medea chaūged the king Eson in to yong aage. And of the deth of Peleus

[illustration]

After the deth of the maistres∣se of the fayr Medea / Iason demāded Medea. wha•…•… thoughte best to ddo. She answer••e to him: that she had lost grete felau∣ship and priuaulte by the deth of her maistresse To whom the noble preu jason ansuerde and saide / that ther was nothīg so certain for euery cre∣ature as the deth And that the god∣des wolde take her soule. After ma∣ny dayes medea toke hede that amō∣g alle other sciences she had one for to make olde peple to become yong and specially men. And syn she be∣helde also that the good king Eson was passing auncient and old / for whiche cause she considered that she my^t gete a grete loos & an hye renō∣••ice. if she renewed his aage / wher∣fore she called on a daye her lord ja∣son & saide to him that by her sciēces she coude do somoche that his fader the good kīg Esō sholde recouure ne∣we youth in suche wyse as he sholde seme non older but .xxxij. yere olde: Whā jason vnderstode this that said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he meruaillously abasshid ād not without cause / but howe well that hym semed a thing ipossible wher∣to he gaf no fayth yet he ansuerde & sayde to her Certes fayr lady I kno∣saide

to her. Certes fayr lady I kno∣we for trouth that ye are right wyse and wel eyperimēted in plēte of hye sciences / ye can moche more then̄ all other ladyes ād damoiselles / but yet this semeth a moche & a grete thyng to do so as ye saye to me / & I wold it plesed the goddes now that your sci¦ence might stracch̄ into so hye a ma∣tere for somoche as that sholde be to me a ryght grete wele. For I wolde that my fader myght lyue so lōge th∣at he shold put me in my sepulture: wythout abregyng or shortyng of my tyme: ye knowe well that euery man desireth to lyue

By alle my goddes sire āswerde the lady ye shall well knowe that for no thing I will abuse ne deceyue yow / But I declare yow for trouth. that for to lenghte the lyfe of your fadere the king lenger then̄e the goddes ād nature hath ordeyned by lymitacyō of tyme: as touching that I will not touche / for my scyence may not fur∣nisshe that. But as to the regarde for to reduce his yōgth̄ in suche wise as he shal seme to yow and all other in the aage of xxxij. yere / I will make me strong so to do if it be youre play∣sir and his / Madame āswerde then̄ jason I am asfor my self more then̄e content / and pray yow therof with̄ all my herte / But we muste go vnto the king my fader and declare to hī alle the fayte for to here his oppynyō Wyth these wordes jason brought the fayr Medea vnto the king Esō hys fader. And declared to him the good wille that medea had toward him Sayng that if he wold consen¦te therto and ay de hym self that she sholde make him yong agayn & bri∣g hi frō his olde age vnto the aage of xxxij. yere / But as to the regard of the lengthing of youre lyf other wise then̄e god ād nature hath ordeyned as to that she will nothing touche

Whan the noble & aunciēt king E∣son had vnderstond this that sayd is he beyng sette vpon a couche. ād res∣ting his heed vpon his arme which was whyte & balled. he sayd vnto medea: My fayre doughter ye haue ben cause as I vnderstande that ja∣son my sone is comen to his honoure and prouffit ād to his aboue of hys enterpryse / and that wyth̄out youre councele / moyen and ayde he hadd ben dede & deuoured by the dredeful & horryble bestes that kept the noble and ryche moton̄ or shepe of golde in the yle of Colchos. & as ye haue kept & saued his lyf in his yōg ange flou∣risshing in vertues and valent. wyll ye also saue myn̄ in my last dayes. for certes after the cours of nature I am at the brinke of my pytte or sepultu∣re. and thus liyng a long time in the vmbre or shadowe of deth̄ / I had le∣uer to be and dwelle in the worlde then̄ to part out therof: for ther is no thing that j desire somoche / whan it shalbe to you possible as for to retor∣ne me into the prosperite of yongthe

& therfor my fayr doughter. yf hit be in you or in your sciēce to do this that ye haue put in termes by your moe∣uing and after by your worde. j shol∣de be gretly holdē vnto yow. and yf it plese you to take the crowne of my royaume. I shal gyue hit vnto yow: without claymyng it euyr aft. My dere fader answerde medea. it is wel knowē that ye ar an hye prince gar∣nisshed with good renōme / of noble conuersacion digne to bere the crow∣ne / wherfore as reson is your digni∣te shal abyde with you alle your lyff and in fauour of youre seignoureuse gētilnesse / ye yet er: ix. daies bē past j shal renewe you as sayd is vnto the age of xxxij. yere: & j shal not labou∣re on no•• other mater vnto the time that j am come to the aboue of myn enterpryse / whic•• is no lytyl thing

Wythout mak••g of ony delaye the fayr Medea toke leue of her lord ja∣son for viij. dayes hole: & then̄ she de∣parted fro the palays. and wēte the most secretly that she coude all allone vnto a grete woode. and whan the nyght was comen / ād that the mone shone bright & clere / she knelid do••n thries on her knees / studyeng at ech̄ tyme her science / syn lyft vp her visa∣ge vnto the heuē & made this oroisō that foloweth̄ Mone reposing ī the myddes of the sterres that shynest & confermest the charmes. and ye the goddes of montaignes of the valey∣es / of woodes: of desertes: of the fon∣taynes. of sees / of herbes / and of tre∣es. beye in my begynnyug / and gy∣ue me aide in my werke for the salu∣te & helthe of kynge Eson. whan she had said this she made certain signes aboute her: ād after she maad sōme secrete inuocacyons. and then̄e she was lifte vp into the ayer and born̄ into alle the Regyons of the world / Where she gadred and toke many herbes of diuerce facōns and condi∣cions. & many precious stones: and was thus in poynt labouring by the space of viij. dayes: And on the ix. daye she was restablisshid in the sa∣me woode ād in the propre place frō whēs she was lyfte vp into the ayer And there she fonde her self tofore a moche ryche temple that was t••ere dedyed vnto the goddesse / Hebe ād to the goddesse Hekates

¶ Hit was on the poynt of the daye erly whan Medea fōde her self tofo∣re the temple / And then̄ medea abo∣de ther alle rauisshed vnto the son̄ne rysing. & then̄e she entrid into the tē∣ple & made sacrefice vnto the goddes hebe and hekates: Hebe was called goddesse of yōgthe & hekates of char∣merye. Whan she had don̄. thus she yssued oute of the temple. and dyde make a pytte in the erthe. and in this pitte whiche was depe she sacrefied a black shepe vnto the goddes of hel∣le: of whom she helde and kepte the

blood and medlyd it wyth the her∣bes. And after that she was garnis∣shid of all that was nedefull for her retorned vnto the olde auncient kīg Eson. and dyde do make for hym a fayr bayne / wherī she put these her∣bes / & mylke and hony. and whā she had prepared & made redy alle that was for him necessarie In the presē∣ce of Iason she pnt the king into the baygne where the herbes begon̄e to smell right swete / and euer more ād more gaf good odour / And anon̄ af¦ter that he was therin. and that she had rubbed and froted hym wyth̄ the herbes / he fyll a slepe by her arte. & whan he was a slepe she made hī alytyll wounde: where oute she dre∣we his olde bloode / and lefte him in this poynte by the space of. vij. hou∣res. after this she awoke him ād ma∣de him to yssue out of the baygne all naked hole and so••d of alle his mē∣bres as he hadd ben in the aage of two an thretty yere

¶ Whan the preu Iason & the kyng his fader hym self sawe thexperiēce of thys crast ād mistere / Certes they had grete meruayll and not wyth∣out cause / for this was a werck that neuer was seen ne happend to fore. And somoch̄ preysed the wytte. the connyng: & the vertues of the fayre medea: that they yuged her to be in∣spired of the goddes / Then̄e the no∣ble king Eson / whan he fonde hym¦self in this estate he sente for the bes∣te tailours ād makers of garnemēts And dide do make for his body alle newe habillements after the facōn: that the yonge men ware at that ti∣me. after this he went and put him to the chaas or hūting ād to deduyt of fawcōns and haukes / to make es∣batements festes: daunces ād tour∣noyes / ioustes and other plaies / and for to shorte our mater / he so condui∣sed hī self as a man made alle newe Hit was not long ofter that Peleus and alle the nobles of the countree & other were aduertised herof. Wher fore grete nōbre of peple cam to pin∣taquo only for to see the kyng E••on that was strongly enclyned to singe daunce and to do al yoyouse thinges And yet that more is he sawe glad∣ly the fayre damoyselles: and for to make short he held hī selfe as a ••ōg Prince that hadde no regarde sa•••• only to make good chere and to pas¦se the time yoyously

{per} Eleus / hys wyf Cypriane. & hys doughters cam vnto the king ī the renouellyte of this noble respyrem••t Medea laye with Iason and cōcey∣ued of him a right fayr sone of whō she was deliuerid in good tyme. ād anone after the burth of this seconde sone / Cypryane cam on a daye to the fayr medea & required moc•• instāt∣ly that of her grace she wold make yong agayn Peleus. whiche began

strongly to wexe ād olde. Certes the fayr medea was right yoyous whā she saw her so required / and thīking in her self that she wold be auenged of the disloyal peleus the whiche en∣tended to haue made jason be ded▪ She accorded to her this reqneste & toke daye for to do hit: And whā the daye was comen Medea comman∣ded to Cypriane that she shold ma∣ke redy a moche noble baygne After she sente for to fecche peleus whyc•• was moche yoyous / for so moc•• as he supposed to become yong agayn lyke as he had ben tofore. and then̄e whan all was redy. pele{us} dispoylled him of his clothes & entred in to the baygne. Medea made hym to slepe there / And whan he was a slepe she toke to his two doughteres to eche a swerde well trenchaunt in her han∣des / and made hem to make on the body of peleus their fader moo then̄e fyfty woūdes mortall. Sayng that they must nedes do so: & then̄e whan peleus was a doubed and hurt: ād that of his lyf was no remedie. Me∣dea awoke him ād sayd in this ma∣ner: Ha a right vnhappy traittre / thou sendest late jason into Colchos▪ wenyng for to haue made him deye there without ony respyte: wherfo∣re thow hast deseruid the deth that shall be now this our inhumayn ād by the hādes of thy {per}pre doughters. & therwyth Medea departed from the chambre. And pele{us} thus myse∣rably finisshed his lyf & his dayes

¶ Whā Cypr••ane & his two dough∣tes were aduertised of thise tydīges they escryed moche sorowfully. aud in wepyng grete teeris in grete an∣guysshe drew out of the meruaillous baygne the poure body of peleus. ād leyde hit a long vpon a table. but Ci: pr••ane had the herte so strayte shet∣te that she might not speke / and not wythoute cause. For assone as she hadde peleus vpon the table. she fyll doun̄ reuerssed all a swoumne / and then̄e the doughters considering the grete meschief that was befall to thē toke the two swerdes yet alle blood with which they hadde put their fa∣der to deth / & smote thē self to the hert in suche wyse that they fill doun̄ ded & despaired vpō the bodi of their so∣roufull moder / whiche then̄ reui••ed out of her swoūme. A ha right pye∣tou•• and dolorous caas: Cypryane com•• agayn to her self & seyng in her p̄sence this meschief & redoublement of sorow / coude holde non̄ other ma∣yntene sauf for to crye wyth alle her puissa••ce also hye & ferdfulli that the king Eson ād his sone beyng ••ot fer fro••thens in a toure by the chambre: were gretly affraid with thys crye. And in especial whan they behelde first the body of peleus put vpon the table al enuironned with woundes. Secondly whā they sawe & ap{per}cei∣ued the ij. yong damoiselles dough∣ters of pele{us} hauyng stiked in their bodies vnto theire hertes the swerd where wy^t they were slayn. & third∣ly

seyng cypryane lyyng vpō the pa∣uiment: her hert faylling cracching her face & drawyng her here by gre∣te asprete of sorowe.

The king Eson & his sone jason se∣eyng thys that sayd is cam then̄e vnto the lady: & ī approchyng rele∣ued her and leyde her on a bed that was there. Then̄e Iason began to doubte of Medea for asmoche as of∣te tymes she had requyred him that he wolde put to deth peleus because he had sent hī into the yle of colchos Whan thy had brought the lady on the bed. Eson the noble king & his so ne jason began to reconforte her the best wyse that they myght. and we∣pyng tenderly they demanded her who had commysed this dolorous murdre: Then̄e the lady answerde wit•• moche grete payne that medea was culpable: & reherced to hem all the maner how she had made pele{us} to deye by the handes of his two do∣ughters▪ & how they seyng the sha∣meful feet commysed by them were desperate & slewe hem self ī grete so∣row / & tellyng this her hert faylled / The king entended to her: & Iason departed thēs & wēt to medea whi∣che was in her chambre and saide to her: a hadame wherto were yeevyr born̄ into this worlde / the merites of your benefetes ben grete ād digne of glorie: but your {per}uers demerites bē somoche horryble & fow••••. that they stayne al your vertues. My dere lor∣de sayde then̄e Medea Ne knowxe not how▪ peleus sente yow into Col∣chos bi his enhortement for somoch̄ as he supposed that ye never sh̄olde haue retorned / & also ye had ben de∣de without remedie / ne had ben that ye escaped the daunger by my coun∣ceyle as it is wel knowē / Thise thī∣ges considerid & seen that he had no cause to purchase to yow suche a da∣unger for ye neuer deseruid it. wher∣fore j haue many tymes desired you to take punycion̄ vpon the desloyall peleus. to whiche ye wold neuer en∣tende: for it happend that Pele{us} had a will for to be reduyte in to yong a∣age / as the king your fad is by myn introduccyō & stile but his two dou∣ghters haue put hym to deth. wher∣of ye ought to be ryght yoyus / Cer∣tes dame āswerde jason ye saye that pleseth̄ yow. but ye haue doo so now 〈◊〉〈◊〉 also other tymes that ye shall ••∣uere be holden in reproche. & therfo∣re that now & other tymes ye haue commysed & don̄ to be cōmysed ma∣ny enorme īhumayne & hydo••se fe∣ates: I renon̄ce yow in alle poyntes: & your companye / and cōmand you vnto the goddes. After these wordes jason departed from the chābre sore disconforted / and without takyng leueof the king his faderne of other persone he departed allone vpon his hors fro the castell of Pintaquo

¶ Whan Medea had vnderstande that jason to whō she had do so mo∣che as her semed of honour & other thinges: renon̄ced her {con}panye. and

that she apyceyued that he had ta∣ken his hors▪ & was allone departed oute of the castell / She toke her yon∣gest sone in her armes and twoo of damoiselles in her companye And in this wise went after jason thinking to repease him by fayre wordes▪ but the preu jasō was in ouer grete trou∣ble and anger rode alle way forth to fore hym so long that he entrid into a forest. And {con}tinuelly had his veu ād sight to ward the erthe▪ thinkng on the malefetes of Medea / & of her inhumanytes ād murdres. And he wēte so ferre in the woode that me∣dea knew not where he becam how we••e she retorned not to Pintaquo / but sought alway jason as long as the day endured. And at nyght. she▪ her childe. & her two damoiselles la∣ye vndre a tre for the better wyth so∣re bewayling

The king Eson dide do burye thys night his broder peleus & hys twoo doughters honourably▪ and made a merua••llo{con} sorow for their deth / but whan it cam at the euen & that Me∣dea ne jason his sone cam not to him as they were acustomed / his sorow doublid in grete anguiss••e and ī gre∣te displaisir / & cessed not al the nyght to be in grete thought & melancolye: Whan the mornyng was comē▪ he sente out his men into the woode for to seche jason & medea / but they that so were sent coude woot finde thē ne here no tydinges of them: And the preu jason wente alwaye forth also pensif as he myght be / & his auentu∣re was suche that after many iour∣neyes & many wayes ād champay∣nes trauersid as he that tode by day & in the nyght restid & lete hys hors bayte & pasture in the feldes ād me∣do wes / he arryued in the cyte of Co∣rinthe▪ where as waste king of that countre named Creante: the which had then̄e a fayre doughter named Creasa / Iason went vnto thys creā∣te ād gaf him to knowlech what he was▪ but creante assone as he hadd knowlech of hym dide hī moche gre∣te honour for the loos & goode renō∣mee that he had goten by his ryght hye valiaūce in many a royame ād countre

In cormthe the••e Iason dweld and abode a certam space of tyme Lteu∣sa that was a right fayr lady▪ beheld ofte tymes Iason. And desired wy^t goode wille to be accōpanyed wyth him▪ but jason was so empesshid wy^t sorow & of melācolye▪ that he might take none hede of hit. And further∣more he was so charmed that in no wyse he might loue none except me∣dea. Whan the king creante apper∣ceyued the maintene of Iason / and that he made no joye by {con}tinuaunce of time▪ he cā to him on a daye & ••iu∣red hi that he shold telle hīthe cause of his anoye & grief And how well that jason excused him: alle way the king oppressid him more & more / & dide somoche by fayr wordes Iason confessid to him the auentures that

were befallē betwene him & medea▪ ād sayd to him also how he was de∣parted fro his countrey / more for to withdrawe him fro Medea & to for∣gete her then̄ for ony other cause▪ but he coude not finde the manere ne me ne for to come to his aboue

The king Creante whyche was a wise prince knowing the caas of ja∣son by thys that he gaf him knowle∣che wolde be his cordyall frende: for be counceylled him that assone as he myght he sholde take & wedd a new wyf. saying that the loue & new ac∣queyntan̄ce of a new wyf shold ma∣ke▪ him lyghtly to lose and forgete the thoughtes & Imaginacyons of loue and the plaisits that he hath had in the firste. Whā jason had vnderstā∣de that the king counceilled him wi∣sely. & that he saide to him the secrete of the caas he thanked him moche / and sayde that he wolde marie him if he coude finde a wyf after his esta∣te. And therwith he toke leue of the king and wythdrew him into his lo∣gys / & it was not long after that he ne retorned vnto the palays of the king for to see the ladyes / & among all other de began to beholde the fair Creusa. And approched to her we∣nīg to requyre her of loue / but whā it cam to the openyng of hys mouth: certes the souuenaūce of medea cam to fore him that toke awaye all hys entēdemēts in al poyntes Whan ja∣sō saw this that sayd is▪ he arose vp frō thēs & entr••ō into a gardyn whe∣re he fonde him self so melancoliod & troubled in his courage that he kne∣we not what he might do best Then̄ it happend that the kyng anone af∣ter came into this gardyne for to re∣clayme a sperhawke of his▪ but he fō de jason sett vnder the tree. Then he wente to him for to resone wy him▪ and jason arose incontinēt as he sa∣we hym come / and then̄e the kyng a••ed him how hit was / & how he felte him / Certes syre answerde then̄ Iason / me semeth that I am alwaye in one poynt▪ & after sayde to hym in this wyse: Sire j remēbre well how ye haue coūceylled me for to abstey∣ne me to thinke on Medea: the whi∣che is contynuelli in myn entēdemēt for to take to wyf som newe Lady / Wherfore I requyre yow ād praye wyth all my hert that ye wyll gyue to me creusa youre doughter to spou∣se and felawe / & ye so doyng shal do to me the grettest honour & plays•• that may come to me / For yf it be o∣ther wyse I am the most euyl fortu∣ned knight that is in the remenaūt of the world

Incontinent as the gētyll king had vnderstondē the requeste of Iason / as a prince ryght yoyous answerde to hym ād sayde Certes jason ye do to me and to al our hows grete ho∣nour whan ye requyre for your fe∣lawe and wyff my dere doughter / I gyue to yow my doughter / And she is well destyneed and comen in to thys worlde for you Certes sire I

••••corde youre requeste and gyue her to yow: With these wordes the kīg ••••nte for the guene▪ his doughter▪ and for the baron̄s and knightes of hys court The▪ ladies ād damoiselles as well of his palais as of his cyte we∣re sente fore▪ and in the presence of alle thē that there were he made Ia∣son ād his doughter to promise that they sholde wedde and espouse eche other: within a certayn terme••that was tho said / ād after these thinges by thauis of his baron̄s knightes ād the ladies the day of their espousayl∣les was ordeyned and dyd do ma∣ke ther a feste so fayr ād notable. that like••was neuer seen in all that coun∣tre / For the king & the quene were so yoyous of this noble ayll••aunce / as possible was for hem to be: Th••∣re were daunces and carolles begō∣ne instruments of alle maneres and many facōns sette a werk / songes & fayr dytees songen in the best wyse. wyne and mete were plenteou••fy a∣raied & dressed for al thē that wold take. And thus endured thys grete & notable feste vnto the nyght / that the king / the quene / jason / crensa the Barons / knightes ladyes & damoy∣selles departed fro this gardyn with moche grete ioye: for eche mā enfor∣ced him to make grete chere for the noble aliance of the preu Iason and of the fayr creusa / but who that euer was yoyous or soroufull the youg lady was moche conforted and not without cause thinking on the hye vertues that where ī the persone of the vailliaunt prince jason

Hou jason espoused the fair creusa the kinges doughter of corinthe: ād of her deth by Medea

[illustration]

THe Renō••nee of thys wed∣ding of jason ād of the fayr ••teusa was anon̄ sprad in alle the ••o•• aume of Corinthe / The king concluded that he wolde make a solemyne feste / and sent the messa∣gers into many & diuerse countrees. for to asseinble the Prices of the coū / trees hys frendes and for to seke clo∣thes of gold of silke and othre sump∣tuous & riche thinges Alway for to ensiew•• the veray and true narraci∣on of our matere / duryng the fyāsayl les and trouthpligthyng of jason ād of creusa / medea that lefte not night ne day for to seke her h••••bonde jasō. as said is▪ She erred & laboured in suche wyse as she came vnto the m••∣tes & marches oscorinthe: & wel co∣cluded in her selfe that she wolde go vnto Corinthe. And as she wente ī her waye she founde a moche fayre fontayne or welle where about satte & were many labourers that at this spring refresshed thē / whan they ap∣perceyne•• the ladi & the two damoi∣selles come vnto the fontaine certes they were sore ameruailed to see. iij so fayre women̄ / howe wel they ax∣d hem whyther they wēt / wherso∣re demāde ye saide medea. for asmo∣che fayr dame answerde one of the

labourers that he will goo vnto the cyte of corinthe. & if it plese you to go theder & that our cōpanye may plai∣se yow: we shall gladly hold yow cōpanye: My frēde āswerde medea. knowe ye that our entēcionis for to go ito the cyte that ye speke of / & that right wel plesith vs your cōpanye Wyth that the noble lady damoisel∣les and tho labourers wente on her waye. and so goyng one of them be∣gan to beholde the lytyl childe sone of Medea / that one of the damoyselles bare in her armes / and whā he had a lytill beholde the child he sayd alle on hye in this manere / Ceries j wel∣de that i•• plesid alle oure goddes that my lady creusa that to morow come i••. mon••thed might haue one so fair a sone by her lorde: Fayr frēde sayde then̄e Medea / What is that Creusa that ye now speke of / what is she sa∣yde the labourer / And why knowe ye her not and haue lyued so long. Certes she is doughter of the kyng of Corynthe whom shalle wedde to morn̄ the most fayr knight of all the worlde: and the most vaylliaunt in renominee / For hit is he that had conquerd I wote neuer what a she∣pe or a ram of golde that men saye is passyng noble & ryche. wherfore we alle goo to geder for to see what feste there shalle be. And eche of vs bere theder of our goodes for to doo wor∣ship vnto the weddyng / The custo∣me at that time was such whā that a kyng dide do marye his sone or do∣ughter / that alle the mē of the royan∣me were bounden eche by hym selfe for to make a presente of vytaylles: And the marchātes and bourgey∣ses of the cytes made to him an ayde of a certayn somm•• of money e and of other goodes wherwith they we∣re discharged

Anone then̄ as •…•…a vnderstode this that the labourer spac of the kn∣ight that was so ••ay••and so vailli∣aunt & that had conquerd the flees of golde. she thought wel that it was her lorde jason that sholde so wedde on the morn the fair creusa: wherfo∣re she was sore troubled. ād not wi∣thonte cause / how well she āswerde not one word. wherfore she thoug∣ghte not the lasse: And in suche wi∣se she exployted that she entrid into Corinthe by fayr day. and made her to be cōduyted vnto within the pa∣lays of the king into a grete ••d fai∣re halle. where as was 〈…〉〈…〉 & the grettest yoye of al 〈…〉〈…〉 / but ye must vnderstāde that 〈…〉〈…〉 was comen in habyte dissimiled and dis∣guised. And incontinēt as she was entrid into the halle / she began to lo∣ke all about if she might see Iasō She loked so long that she aspied hi. but her senteth that he had an heuy che∣re and was soroufull / then̄e was medea sewre that hit was jasō that shold wedde Creusa: Then̄e began her herte to melte in suche wise that ther de{per}ted from thēs many & grete plente of sighes. & many teerls deua∣led

and fylle doun̄ from her eyen v∣pon her breste And thus doyng she thoughte ād agayn thoughte what was to doo for the beste. And then̄e she retorned vnto the two damoisel les / & sēte one of them well disguised vnto Iason for to requyre him that he wolde come & speke to a ladi that was there.

Then̄e the noble preu jasō no∣thing thinkyng on the fayr medea heering the requeste of the Damoyselle roose vp and wē∣te wyth her / ād she bronght him vn∣to Medea / Whiche was wythdra∣wen a lytyll a parte holdyng hyr ly∣tyll sone in her armes / But inconty∣nent as Iason apperceyued her the∣re in that point he was meruaillous∣ly esmayed. And after that Medea had made to hym the Reuerence in sale wyng hym by alle their goddes / She said to him in this maner / Alas my dere lord Iasō. what haue ye en∣tencyon to doo: ys hit so that to morn̄ withoute lenger tarieng ye will ta∣ke for your wyf Creusa whome ye haue promysed as I am certefyed: And howe my only cordyall loue & frende shalle I be sallaryed of suche payement in the recompensacion of the saluacion of your lyf. of whyche none had ben: yf it had not bē saued by my moyen as ye well knowe: Is this the merite that ye rendre to me / Whā for your loue j haue abandon∣ned the king my fader and alle hys royaume / Is this the gwerdon that I haue awayted after that I haue reduysed by so grete laboure ād tra∣uaylle my lorde your fader the kyng frō hys auncient aage vnto the yon∣gthe of xxxij. yere as ye wel knowe Ha a Iason right noble and vaillāt knight / I suppose ye holde wel ī your remembraūce alle that ye haue {pro}mi∣sed to me: for goddes sake forgete it not and put it not in oubliaūce And if hit be so that ye wyll take and ha∣ue ony other lady than me / Certes I had leuer now to lose my lyf then to lyue ony lenger: sse my: me deth be {per}∣donned vnto yow /

••ame answerde then̄e Iason. what as to the regard of the weddyng nowe begon̄e / if it plese the goddes. they shal be {per}faited & fulfyld as it is ordeyned not with stonding ony promesse that hath bē made bytwene yow and me / Whā medea herde this āswer she fyll do•••• to the erthe all a swoūne or in traun∣ce sayng. A ha myn only & souerayn wele then̄e shal ye be pariured. Cer∣tes dame answerde Iason. Saue your honour / I haue acquytte vnto you / all that I haue promysed vnto you. For j haue brought you īto my countre ād solempnly haue espoused you: & syn I haue be trew in maria∣ge vnto the deth of myn vncle pele{us}. where as ye well know hath̄ ben cō∣mised by yow a grete defaulte Not withstōdyng this that is past j entē∣de not that by me ye sholde be sclaun∣drid: But knowe ye that j had moch̄

leuer lyue in honour and ensiewe the termes and werkes of noblesse then̄ for to holde me lēger in your compa∣nye. I telle yow these thinges for so moche as yf I helde me lēger by you And of you ne were done good ius∣tice / hit mighte be sayd that I sholde be culpable of one so cruelle a murdre wherof is ensiewed the deth of two so fayre & noble madyens & p••celles doughters of Peleus. And for thys cause & other cruelles by yow cōmy∣sed: I shall holde that I haue sayd / And so I may doo and ought to doo lawfully in keping myn honour ād the termes & commandemēts of ou∣re lawe.

¶ Whan the fayr medea had vnder∣standen alle the wylle & cōclusion of the noble preu Iason: If she hadd bē to fore sorowfull and ouer āgry. yet was she then̄e moche more / For she began to wepe wyth thise wordes & to sighe fro her herte so {per}fondly that hit semed that ther de{per}ted from her two fayr eyē two ruysseauls or two sprīges of a fontaine This notwith∣standing after many sighes frō the herte so {per}fondly she replycqued vnto thāswer of jason and saide / Ha a sir knight I know well now that hit is destyne that I owe to be the moste infortunat lady of the worlde / If I haue ••sented or ••••ūceylled the deth of the desloy all peleus. hit hath ben for the grete loue & trewe herte that I haue had for tauenge you of thys that he by his fals coūceyll sente you into Colchos to make the cōquest v∣pō the f••ees of gold. knowyng that hit was a thīg impossible euer to re∣torne wyth̄oute to be deuoured ād ded if hit hadde not be my pourney∣ance. and whan I haue don̄ alle thi∣se thinges wyth goode entencion / & for to gete your g••ace / ye wille now leue and repudie me in alle poyntes / wherfore I may well saye: that vn∣der the firmament is no more infor∣tunat creature ī alle trybulacyō then̄ I am / Ha a my dere loue and frēde Iason shalle j haue none other salai∣re ne other gwerdon for alle my me∣rites:

••ertes dame answerde then̄ jason / ye haue moche more then̄e ye haue deseruid for suche trespaas / such re∣warde. for the couuerture of the tres¦paas by yow done cā not excuse you do the best ye can or may & your chil∣dren also. with̄drawe yow wy^t your children into som countree / & so shall ye do wisely & also your proffy•• / My dere lorde sayde then̄e medea. syn s••t is your plaisir that it so be / hit muste nedes be that it plese me / And so be it alway that youre plaisirs bē sulfil∣lid: yet at the lest for to reioye me a li∣til: ye shal do to me somoche gce that of your curtoysye I may be loggid here within vnto to morow to thē∣de that I may see the solempnite of the wedding. ād if ye wille thus ac∣corde to me / I promette yow that to morn̄ at dyner for the loue of yow I shall make appere vysibli one of the

grete meruailles that euer was seen at wedding of a kynges doughtere / or of a prince.

¶ Whan Iason had vnderstāde the request of the ladi. not thinking that she pretended but vnto all well and goode. and also for to be quytt of her accorded her request: and was deli∣ueryd to her a ryght fayr chambre / within the palais / And whā the la∣dy was in this chambre. she sent her two damoyselles for to be logged in the towne. So hit happend whā she was there allone she began to studye in many of her sciences. and whan it cam aboute midnyghtshe dyde her to be transported into the ayer. & she broughte in to her chambre wy^t her plente of werkes ryght secrete. wher of she composed foure grete & horri∣ble dragons / Whome she knetted to gyder by their tailles: and maad as hit hadd ben a chayne: And then̄e this done she passed in this poīt that night / so sore passioned with Ialou∣sye of loue that her semed that her herte and all her body were all espri∣sed with fyre and fiābe / So hit hap∣pend on the morn̄ whan jason had espoused the fayr creusa ād that he was sette at diner with her & wy^t the king fader of the lady and with the knightes ladies & damoiselles of the countreye / Then̄e medea de{per}ted frō her chambre sittyng in the myddes of the fowre dragons holdyng her yongest sone alle naked in her hādes And in this poynt she made her to be brought to fore the table / where as the noble preu jason was

••Ertes hit is wel lightli to be∣leue that the king & the no∣ble preu Iason. and also alle they that were there / were gretly es∣mayed and ferd whan they apper∣ceyued Medea in suche araye entre into the halle sytting bytwene foure dragōs so terryble to beholde by sem∣blaūt / ād som there were that fledde And som̄e abode to see thauenture / seeyng that she helde betwen̄ her hā∣des her yong chyld. But whan me∣dea sawe that she was to fore jason. She escryed him in this maner Ia∣son Iason. thou knowest that I am thy wyf: thou leuest me for an other & wenest thy self not to haue mespri∣sed to me / I haue saued thy lyfe. and thou doste to me grete wrong and ouermoche grete blame / And thys procedeth fro the of alle desloyalte▪ & of all mauastie: wherof thou art ch∣ief and heed. And suche wilt thow be ād abyde. but I shalle kepe the frō it yf myn cōning faylle not For cer∣taynly I promyse the that thy newe wyf Creusa and the king her fader. and al they that bē here within shall lose theyr lyfe: Reserued thy self. and by consequent thy propre sone that j holde in my propre armes shal be the first that shal begynne the feste

¶ Whan the desolate lady had sayd

these wordes she holdyng hēr yōge childe which was moche tendre / to∣ke him by the twoo legges / and by the force of he•• armes Rente him in twoo p••eces / & in that poynt cast hi in the piater to fore Iason and creu∣sa. And with that the foure terryble dragons of whom she satte opende their throtes in disgorgyng fyre and venyn. so moche ād so horrybly that alle they that were there deyde mise∣rably and in grete torment reserued Iason / Whiche myghte not receyue ony greef by no venyn by cause of the blood oft the bole / medlyd wyth the asshes. where wyth he had ben enoynted: as it is sayd al a long in the chapitre makyng mencyon of the {con}queste of the noble flees of golde

THen̄e whan the noble preu Iason apper••••••••ed the yōg childe so inhumaynly slayn And after sawe in hys presence dye myserably / and in sorow hys lady Trensa▪the kinge. the Quene his ••a∣roūs / knyghtes / ladyes / and damoy∣selles / Squyers and other by the sor∣tes and enchantements of Medea / he was so ouer angry and wroth / that he myght no more be. wythout he had benowt of his mynde / Then̄ he aroos from the table all confuse. and escryed vpon Meden sayng: A sia ryght euyll enchāteresse reple∣nisshed wyth alle euyll. certes hit is ouer grete dommage / that the erthe bereth and susteyneth yow: ye ha∣ue wyth youre two hādes murdrid youre owne sone and myn. And syn by youre enchantementes fals and vnresonable ye haue maad to deye myscrably and with doloure so ma∣ny hye prynces. vayliaunt knightes ladyes and damoyselles and gentil esquyers here assembled for to doo me honour and companye: the why∣che dyd to yow neuer trespaas ne grief. Haa what horryblecruelte is by yow commysed. Certes ye haue not the corage of a woman humay∣ne / but of a best or serpent denourlg alle creatures or ellis of a cruel tyrā∣te with onte pyte. Ha a right {per}uerse and felon̄ courage. what hast thow done by thy grete oultrage or cruelte what ought j nowe to doo or whe∣re shall j become after that thys euil is befallen. If thou were a man like as thou art a woman peruerse and myrrour or chief of alle euyll. wyth∣oute lenger tarieng I sholde take vē∣geance of this this trespaasād grief But for asmoche as thou arte a wo∣man. hit shall neuer happen that my hand enploye him vpon thy body / Consideryng that a noble man that for ony anger or trespaas smyteth a woman or sette handes on her / he le∣feth his honour ād wyth goode cau∣se.

¶ Whan the lady had vnderstande the complaynte of her lorde Iazon. She answerde him and sayd in this

manere. Certes my dere loue knowe ye for trouth: that I had leuer see al∣le the worlde deye Then̄e I knewe that ye shold haue habytacion with ony other woman̄ then̄e wyth me / ye knowe how I haue employed me for to preserue yow from daūger of deth. Where many a knyght hath lost his lyf to fore / Also ye knowe what honour ye haue by mi feat go∣ten perpetuelly: and all thys haue I don̄ gladly to thentent that ye sholde be my husbonde and espouse all you∣re lyf duryng And now j appercey∣ne that ye will leue & abandonne me for one other in alle estate lasse then̄e I am. Cōsidere ī what parill ye may falle by your deffaulte: see wel to th∣at ye kepe the promesse that ye haue made to me / Holde and kepe ye hit entierly or ellis Knowe for certayn that the vēgean̄ce of the goddes sh∣alle punysshe yow

When̄e whan Iason had vnderstā∣de this that said is. If he were tofo∣re sore trobled: yet he was now mo∣che more. withoute comparyson̄ ād in suche wyse that he coude not one word answere bnt departed out of the halle / And medea with her four dragons went out also. and went th∣ourgh the cite of Corinthe infecting men̄ women̄ and children alle a lōg by the waye / Her damoyselles folo∣wed and wente after / and alle the world f••edd frō her saue they. why∣che knewe well that it was not well for asmoche as she went so strangely Incontinent as the desolate Iason was out of the halle. & that he sawe medea departe / he called som of thē that were escaped from this pestilē∣ce, and brought thē for to see the kīg his doughter Creu••a / And plente of other that laye there dede amōg the tables vpon the benches and on the grounde. Hit was moche pyeto{us} th∣ing to see and beholde / for the moost part of them were swollē by the ve∣nyn. that they had receyued by the conduytes of her noses / and of her mouthes / and were as grete as va∣rellis. Then was there made in alle the cyte a meruayllous sorowe and dueill. eche man began to wepe and cast owt moche pyetouse cryes in cr∣acching their faces / and tering their heer: & thus doyng. one and other so∣ught & serched after their parents & frendes: that wyth grete payne they might knowe hem / for they foūde hē so desfigured by the venyn that they were swollē that vnnethe they mig∣ht knowe hem / ād whan they were drawē out eche a part. they dide doo burye them ryght honourably after theyr estate. And in lyke wyse the kinge. the quene / and the fayr Creu∣sa her doughter were put in their se∣pulture apperteynyng to their esta∣te: Iason was present for to achieue and doo alle thinges / and soyourned there vnto the tyme that the prayers & cerimonyes were accōplisshed af∣ter the lawe & custome of that time: &

syn departed from Corinthe ād wē∣te his wuye. But he was so discon∣forted and sorowfull in corage that he myght nomore be / Thus ryding now an one syde & after on an other syde thinking on the meruayles ād aduentures that he had had. and aboue alle other thinges on the grete inhumanites and crueltees that he had seen commysed by Medea by her enchantements. and in an other manere he deliberid and concluded to ryde and erre so ferre / that he my∣ght fynde ony aduenture. and recō∣forted him self the best wyse he cou∣de after the mysauēture that he had had.

¶ How Iason Espoused the quene Myrro of Olyfern•• and howe he was awayted in a wood & assayl∣led by xij. knyghtes of Oliferne / as he was goyng to Troye: and howe he put hem to deth

[illustration]

THe vaylliaūt ād noble prī∣ce Iason de{per}ting after this as sayd is fro the cyte of co∣rin the put hym on his waye and ro∣od thurgh many countrees & cytees ryght dolan̄t and āgrye / Som̄e time he bewaylled the fayre Medea / and sōtyme after sodaynly he remēbred her malefices & her crueltes ouermo∣che inhunmyne / and in ryding from one place to an other / he was ī so gre∣te perplexite ād sorowe that he mi∣ght nomore. but if he had deyde. ād for this cause he had his entendemēt so trauailled that he wist not what to do. In this maner trist and pensyf drawyng from one coūtrey to an o∣ther hit was told him on adaye that the king Tollus of elsebee that was his parēt and of his kyn̄ sholde wed∣de for his wyfe the kinges doughter of Thessale named Anestor / ād for som what to refresshe him self he cō∣cluded that he wolde go to this wed∣ding / whyche sholde be solēpnel wi∣thoute taryeng / for he thought well that ther sholde be kīges Dukes prī∣ces Quenes and nobleladyes in gre∣te nombre: The fair Mirro was co∣mē theder / with other princesses be∣cause that the king Tollus was her nyghe cousyn But incontynēt as the kinges ād princes knew Iason / they welcomed him on alle sydes moche honourably: Alway the quene Mir∣ro made no semblan̄t to knowe him: for whā Iason had bē fested of one & other: & that he approched the que∣ne Myrro whiche was thoo pensyf drew her a part behinde the other la∣dyes & escryed hī with an opē voys whiche was wel herd sayng thus /

••a a right euyll knight withdraw you jncōtynēt from me / haue ye for∣geten that ye long syn promised me in athenes that ye sholde be my hus∣bonde. And yet ye haue doo nothīg therto▪ but haue espoused an other lady as it hath bē recōpted & certefi∣ed to me / O dys••oyall and vntrewe false lyer. where as ye haue not hol∣dē ne fayth ne trouth. Approch thou in no wyse vnto me departe owt of my presence: And be neuer foūdē in my waye But notwithstōding that the quene had achieued this reprou∣chable answere / yet he sayd to her in this manere / My dere lady I am so∣moche malewrous & vuhappy that I am not digne to be founden to fore your noble presēce. I knowe playnly that I haue made faute / And I can not thinke how my courage is thus corrūped & yll coūceylled / for syn I toke leue laste tyme of you & whan j parted I remēbre right well that in my voyage to Colchos I had yow alway in continuell remembraunce. wreton within my herte hopyng a•• my retornyng to haue taken you to my wyf. vnto the tyme that on a cur∣sid night j was sodaynli esprysed wy^t the loue of Medea: which afore had requyred me to be her husbonde. al∣way I refused▪ her requeste. by ver∣••yn

departed from Corinthe ād wē∣te his waye. But he was so discon∣forted and sorowfull in corage that he myght nomore be / Thus ryding now an one syde & after on an other syde thinking on the meruayles ād aduentures that he had had. and aboue alle other thinges on the grete inhuuianites and crueltees that he had seen commysed by Medea by her enchantements. and in an other manere he deliberid and concluded to ryde and erre so ferre / that he my∣ght fynde ony aduenture. and recō∣forted him self the best wyse he cou∣de after the mysauēture that he had had.

¶ How Iason Esp••used the quene Myrro of Olyfern•• ••nd howe he was awayted in a wood & assayl∣led by xij. knyghtes of Oliferne / as he was goyng to Troye: and howe he put hem to deth

[illustration]

THe vaylliaūt ād noble pri∣ce Iason de{per}ting after this as sayd is fro the cyte of co∣rinthe put hym on his waye and ro∣od thurgh many countrees & cytees ryght dolasit and āgrye / Som̄e time he bewaylled the fayre Medea / and sōtyme after sodaynly he remēbred her malefices & her crueltes ouermo∣che inhun••••yne / and in ryding from one place to another / he was I so gre∣te perpleyite ād soro we that he mi∣ght nomore. but if he had deyde. ād for this cause he had his entendemēt so trauailled that he wist not what to do. In this maner trist and pensyf drawyng from one coūtrey to ano∣ther hit was told him on a daye that the king Tollus of elsebee that was his parēt and of his kyn̄ sholde wed∣de for his wyfe the kinges doughter of Thessalenamed Anestor / ād for som what to refresshe him self he cō∣cluded that he wolde go to this wed∣ding / whyche sholde be solēpnel wi∣thoute taryeng / for he thought well that ther sholde be kīges Dukes pri∣ces Quenes and noble ladyes in gre∣te nombre: The fair Mirro was co∣mē theder / with other princesses be∣cause that the king Tollus was her nyghe cousyn But incontynēt as the kinges ād princes knew Iason / they welcomed him on alle sydes moche honourably: Alway the quene Mir∣ro made no semblan̄t to knowe him: for whā Iason had bē fested of one & other. & that he approched the que∣ne Myrro whiche was thoo pensyf drew her a part behinde the other la∣dyes & escryed hi with an opē voys whiche was wel herd sayng thus /

••a a right euyll knight withdraw you jncōtynēt from me / haue ye for∣geten that ye long syn promised me in athenes that ye sholde be my hus∣bonde. And yet ye haue doo nothīg therto but haue espoused an other lady as it hath bé recōpted & certefi∣ed to me / O dyssoyall and vntre we false lyer. where as ye haue not hol∣dē ne fayth ne trouth. Approch thou in no wyse vnto medeparte owt of my presence: And be neuer foūdē in my waye But notwithstōding that the quene had achieued this reprou∣chable answere / yet he sayd to her in this manere / My dere lady I am so∣moche male wrous & vnhappy that I am not digne to be founden to fore your noble pre••ēce. I knowe playnly that I haue made faute / And I can not thinke how my courage is thus corrūped & yll coūceylled / for syn I toke leue laste tyme of you & whan j parted I remēbre right well that in my voyage to Colchos I had yow alway in continuell remembraunce. wreton within my herte hopyng at my retornyng to haue taken you to my wyf. vnto the tyme that on a cur∣sid night j was sodaynli esprysed wy^t the loue of Medea: which afore had requyred me to be her husbonde. al∣way I refused her requeste. by ver∣nie

of the souenaūce & mynde that I had of you. Notwitstōding that she made to me promesse to make me cō∣quere the noble & ryche motōn with the flese of gold. where neuer knight wente to fore to cōquere but if helef∣te and loste there his lyff. I knowe well that whā she made me thye {pro}∣messe all that daye I chaūged neuer my purpose ne corage. But assone as I was leyd in my bedd an euill ••o∣lēte or wil surprised me which was suche in alle poyntes that j lefte your loue and ••cluded that I wolde ma∣ke of medea my lady paramours as j dyde: and for this cause she gafe to me the introduction and the maner to conquere the noble and ryche mo∣ton: of whome I haue brought the noble flees on this syde the see / And also I haue broughte with me in to Myrmidone Meden no more thin∣king on yow ner on that / that was concluded betwene vs then̄e j had∣de neuer seen yow. But ye shall kno∣we what ys happēd syn / I haue ta∣ke her to my wyff. She hath by her cursed enchanteméts & reprochable made myn oncle Pele{us} deye doloro∣usly And also she is cause of the deth of his twoo doughters: whiche is o∣uerfowle'a vylayno{us} caas foraladi

••ertes madame sayd yet jason for these enormites knowe that I haue left & repudyed her: & in all abandō∣ned & witdrawe me from her ād bi an inestymable. displaysir am de{per}ted from the countree / Myn aduenture hath ben of suche condycyon that I haue ben in the cyte of Corinthe. but Medea was alle way in my thoug∣hte and mynde / Then̄e seeyng that j coude in no wyse forgete her & wol∣d fayn̄ haue putte her oute of mi me∣morie / I toke & wedded the kynges doughter of that cyte / But in trouth medea arryued in the cyte euē tofo∣re I wedded: & she dyd somoch that she spack to me. & after many remō∣strances many sighes & be waillges seeyng that she mighte not torne me ne haue other thing / she requyred me that she might be logged within the palays / I agreed it not thynkyng that she wolde do ony euyl / & whan it cā that we were at dyner the day of weddyng for tauenge her selff of that I toke an other wyf. that she by the vertue of her sortes and enchā∣tements made tappere at the dyner. among alle the noblesse / her self syt∣ting vpon the taylles enterlaced / ād knyt of foure horyble dragons cas∣tyng fyre and venyn oute of theyr throtes / And helde in her hādes her yongesi••sone: that I hadde engēdred of her. ād toke hym by the two leg∣ges and tare and ••ēte hym in two pieces / whom she caste into the pla∣ter of my wyf ād me / And after tho same dragons began to caste fyre ād venym owt of her throtes: in suche wyse that she made toldye the kyng the quene and hys doughter sytting at the table. and consequently al thē

that were in the halle. how well yet I mighte not deporte me: but that I thinke on her inestimnble beaute / ād yet I doo alle the dylsgence and pai∣ne for to absteyne me. wherof j haue grete meruayle. & for this cause j am entred into ••euerye / that if yt were not that I doubted shame & suppose I shold be diffamed. Certes I dou∣bte that I sholde be constrayned to take her agayne

The noble quene myrro heering ja∣son that thus recompted to her hys adueutures: ymagyned lightly that Medea hadde ensorted and be wic∣ched him / She toke a ryng and de∣liuerid to hym sayng Certes sir kni∣ght I am in doubte that medea hath be wycched you with her sortes ād enchantements / For ryght now ye sayde that she is enchanteresse. and therfore putte this ring on your fin∣ger. And j assure you that if she hath made ony sortes or enchantemēts on you they shal lose alle her puissaunce by the vertue of a p̄ciouse stone that is closed within the golde With the∣se wordes the preu jason receyued of the lady this ryng / ād put bit on hys on his fynger: and then̄e forth with he forgate modea. & hadd souenan̄∣ce of no ladi sauf only of the fair mir∣ro / wherfore he lost his noyo{us} main∣tenein suche wyse that he recouerd all new chere & contenan̄ce in somo∣che as he began then̄e to beholde the noble lady wyth a yoyo{us} chere & sai∣de. Madame j thāke you of your rīg For certaynli syn it hath ben on my fynger / I haue foundē and felte my self eslonged & alleged of all my so∣rowes & me semeth that I loue none other ladi but you: & therfore j requi∣re you right humbly if in ony maner I haue trespaced or nusprysed ayēst you: that ye wille {per}donne me / And that it plese you: that our compromi∣se long syn made may no wsorte go∣od effecte.

••Ertes sire knight answerde then̄ the noble lady: I haue here tofore so∣moche louid you: that none infortu∣ne may in ony wyse make me to cō∣ceyue hate vnto you: and therfor see what is your entēcyon. My dere la∣dy answerde jason / My desir & entē. cyon is nothing. but to come to that j may be your husbonde. if it be to me possible. as I haue sym long {pro}mysed But hit is of necessite for to conduite this werck secretly. to thēde that me dea be not aduertised the••of For yf she knew that ye were myn espouse she sholde not cesse day ne nyght vn∣to the tyme that she had made yow to deye. Certes sir knyght answerde the lady We shal doo right wel if the defaute be not in yow. and shall telle you how / ye shall come with me af∣ter this weddingis: & ye shall putte you in guise of a••uaūtin diffiguring your self asmoche as is in you possy∣ble. & ye shal serue as me abuaūt but whā we shal be ī oliferne / ye may ha¦ue me secretli to your wyf: & th{us} me∣dea shal nothing know ne non̄ other

persone of you & of me And wyl she or not the strong enchantresse that so long hath holden you in her sortes & in danngeres of her artes. from hens forth we shall ēyoye the loues of vs eche other. Then̄e the noble preu Ia¦son was content for to conduyte him self in this maner in alle suche wyse as the quene Myrro had ordeyned wherof he was right yoyous ¶ For tabregge the mater durīg thise wed∣dinges Iason ād Myrro ofte tymes spack to gyder of their amorettes ād jasō receyued there many fayr prei∣singes whiche were to lōg to reherce In thende the weddynges finisshid & one and other toke leue and wēte home into their countrees / and so it ought not to be forgeten that jason wente to Olyferne wy^t the fayr mir∣ro in habite disguised as a yeman or a seruaunt & named him self Sābor

Whā then̄e the louer & the lady had so exployted that they were in olifer∣ne. the lady logged her louer in a litil chambre not ferre from her. and gaf him thoffice for to be her huyssher: & helde then̄e with her persone but one damoiselle that knewe the most part of her secretes / howe wel she was a∣customed alway to haue in her chā∣bre four damoiselles / the ordenaūces and conclusyōs made the same day whan they were comen. whan the nyght was comē: & euery mā with∣drawen in his place for to reste The quene whom desyre had long cha∣ced / sent secretly to fecche the preste of theire lawe. and sambor also. And with litil noise and bruyt she maried sambor / and after sente the preest a∣way. and to thende that he sholde be secrete she gafe hī a purse full of gold She held her spouse in her chambre And then̄ whā the preste was goon̄ and that they were bothe to gyder: they began in good ernest the deduy∣te that is vsed in the amerouse lyff: And right yoyously they conforted eche other. and demened this ame∣rouse lyf all the long winter. and so ye ought to bileue that on the day the preu jason seruid in hys offyce / and in the night he ētremeted wyth this so moche gracioas lyf of loue as ī su∣che chaas apperteyned wy^t his lady that louid him meruaillously.

The vertuous prince jason mayte∣nyng him thus in facōn was not so subtill ne so well aduised that he cou∣de kepe him from the eyē of thē that seruid within forth / The quene her self coude not absteyne her / but tofo∣re the seruauntes ād damoiselles she made to hī oftymes ouermoch ame∣rous semblāts & contenāces. & in ly∣ke wise made jason to her. & so many apperceyuid hit / And bi especial the thre damoiselles which she had put out of her chābre: They espyed ī su∣che maner thys amero{us} cōpanye by a lityl hole that they had made in the chābre of the lady bi which they sa∣we al the feat / how sambor laye ofte times ī the bed wy^t the quene. wher

of they were moche displaisaunt / for they knew nothing jason / but thou∣ght that he had ben som̄e vylayne / And one of thyse thre had a broder named Brutor{us} that soreloued the quene / but he durste ī no wyse decla∣re hit: and whan this suster of bruto∣rus apperceyued the conduyt of ja∣son ād of Myrro knowing that her broder loued the quenc: despyte and enuye grewe in her ī suche wise that she coude not kepehit secrete. but cal∣lyd on a daye Brutorus and said to him that Sambor dyde him wrōg of hys loue / and certefyed to hī how she had seen him lye by nyght with Mirro in her propre bedde.

¶ Whan brutorus had vnderstāde thyse tidinges he was moche pensif / & {con}ceyued a mortall hate ayenst ja∣son. and concluded in hym self that he wold murdre hym / yf he mighte finde hym or retaine him at his auā∣tage / howe well he durst not saye so ne make ony semblant and was ri∣ght long in thys payne: and alway machyning a right ēvenymo{us} will And for somoche bare ī his stomasi the desir for to bringe the vaylliaunt knight to deth And on that other si∣de the pren Iason that thoughte no∣thing but wel mayntenyd him ry∣ght amerously wyth his lady the fa∣yr myrro / At last the winter passed and the new joly season begā to co∣me / and then̄e the noble pren Iason remembrid him that at the ētree of the nepte moneth of Marce the gre∣kes wold go wyth a grete arinee to fore Troye / where he had {pro}mysed to be for tauenge him of the grete in∣iurie and oultrage that the king had don̄ to him & his felawship. and wy^t this remembraunce he lay betwene tharmes of hys lady / and began to sighe that hys lady herde it. and she demanded him what him eyled ad sayd she wolde knowe / Iason ans∣werde that he was greued at hys herte. Frō whēs cometh this greef or euyll sayd the lady / Certes mada∣me answerd jason. I haue not other sorowe at my herte / but that I haue grete necessite for to goo into my co∣untree in tharmee of them of Grece / for to take vengeance of a grete oul∣trage & iniurie that the Troyans di∣de to me ād to many noble knightes of grece / wherfore mi dere ladi whā it is so that I must leue you / j haue so moche anoye & grief / that I may no more haue / but I haue promysed it. and promys is dew. My frende ās∣werde the noble lady / acquyte yow of that ye haue promysed. I wyll in no wyse retarde ne lette yow from youe worship ne wele / and therfore ye shall ryde at your plaisir vnto yo∣ur coūtre / but whāye retorne agayn kepe you wel fro the arte & enchante ments of Medea / Then̄e jason pro∣mysed to her that he so wolde do / ād {con}clude there the day of his de{per}ting And whā Iason & the quene myr∣ro had cessed of speking of this ma∣ter the damoyselle that had declared

the feet of her broder brutorus was awayting and aspyeng at the hole▪ and vnderstode all that the lady and jason had deuysed / sayde & cōcluded Then̄e she aduertised her broder ād told to him all that she had vnderstō∣den & the daye that he sholde de{per}te in to his countrey This brutorus was right yoyous whan he vnderstode these tidinges / & cōcluded in him self that he wolde lye in a wayte of jasō: in a woode by a waye by wyche he must nedes passe. then̄ he called to hē xij. gentilmen of his knowleche / ād tolde them that sambor had trespas∣sed to him. & that he wolde flee hym on suche a daye as he sholde departe vnto his countre. For tabregge the mater whan the day was comē the noble prince departed with moch be wayling of his lady. & went him self allone by that woode. ād he had not long erred & rydē in the wood whā Brutorus and his xij. felaws with∣out escriēg or sownyng of ony wor∣de smote vpon him grete strookes & mortalif he had not wel be armed at his de{per}ting as his auenture was he had be dede. and amōg all other brutorus gaf him a meruaillo{us} stro∣ke vpon the hede. that whether he wolde or not be made him bowe on the lyfte syde

WHan jason felte him so aduiron∣ned & assailed of these traitres & that they smote vpon him on all sydes he was all abasshid: Neuerthelesse he sette hym at deffence / and thehe he drewe oute hys good swerd. wyth whiche he be fought his enemyes ri∣ght vaylliaūtly and as a noble kny∣ght as he was. But the place where Brutorus assaylled him ouer aspre∣ly / was in holowe and strayt passa∣ge. in suche wyse as Iason myghte not but with grete payne helpe hym self. for the disloyal traitre and his cā∣phces were on bothe sides / sixe on th∣at one syde & sixe on that other syde / mounted vpon hye territoires that henge ouer the holowe waye: And casted stones vpon him. in such wi∣se that they flew & murdred his hors vnder him / and in feat they frusshed his helme / & made him a meruaillo{us} wounde in his hede / Then̄e whā ja∣son sawe his hors dede / and that he felt the smarte of the sore in his hede he sette hī a foote alle astonyed: But brutorus & his felawes assaylled hī agaymād caste on him stones. glay∣ues & swerdes / wherwy^t they bruy∣sed and wounded him in many pla∣ces. for the horions and strokes cam from aboue / Neuertheles Iason as a vaylliaunt knyght marchyd owt ouer the passage & dyde somoch that he cam into a right fayr lande Then̄ Brutorus and his folke siewed him so ferre. that they cam to fyght hād a hand: And among alle other bru∣torus approched vnto his euyll auē ture. For jason smote him vpon the toppe of his helme bi such fierste that he clefte the helme and the heed vn∣to the. teeth that he fille doun̄ ded at

his fete

Thus as ye may vnderstande was the disloyall brutor{us} miserably flayn̄ And then̄e whan his companye ap∣perceyued that he was put to vtte∣ran̄ce they escryed al vpon jason ād assayled him on a new right anguis∣shouly in renewyng to hī the dolour and grete payne of his woundes ād frousshures that they made to hym. in the holowe waye as sayd is. and so began the stoure aspre ād terryble How well that jason had more co∣rage then̄e puissaunce Alway he de∣fended hym by right grete vigour in bathing his trenchaūt swerde in su∣che wyse in the blood of these xij. murdres that he put seuen of thē to deth wyth Brutor{us}: And after fou∣ghtlong with the remenan̄t / and it fortuned him that in scarmusshing that he hurte the remenan̄t vnto the deth / as he that escaped not nette but was hurte in so many places that bi theffusyon of blood that fyll frō hys hede. his herte faylled him in thēde / and fyll doun̄ among the dede men The foure laste that were lefte were but lytyl better then̄ dede. But what meruayle

¶ Whan the twoo murdriers had born̄ to ground the preu jason / they wende that he had ben dede / ād satt doun by for to reste them. and after softe and fayr they witdrewe hem: into the cyte. as they that wyth mo∣che grete payne might vnnethe sous teyne hē self. but for to go vnto their howses: they muste passe to fore the palays. The quene then espied them from ferre / and apperceyued anon that they were al bespreynt wy^t blo∣ode. wherof she was moch esmayed She dydedoo hem to be called & syn demanded them from whens they cam / Alas my dere lady sayde one of them. We come from an euyll your∣nee: for Sābor and viij. of our next kyn and frendes ben lyyng dede in the wode wy^t brutor{us}: which broug∣ht vs theder for to lye in a wayte for to flee Sambor: the which as he hath said to vs / hathdon to hī displaysit / but sambor hath put vs alle to deth / reseruid vs foure / whyche bē so py∣tously hurt / that but jf the goddes in∣parte to vs of their grace. we ben in grete daunger of oure lyues

In sayng thise wordes / two of these foure knightes deyde ther sodaynly Wherof the noble quene was so sore abasshid that her herte faylled & fill doun̄ in swoūne / that she was born̄ into her chābre by her damoyselles & the twoo malerous knyghtes were born̄ for to be buried after the custo∣me of the coūtre / Whā the lady was alytyl comē to her self / bi thesforce of the grete sorou that she had ī her her∣te. she escryed passing hye ād sayde. Iason / Alas my loue jason and my lorde But frowhens sourdeth one so grete maleurte or myshappe: that ye haue th{us} bē slayn̄ ī the wood The ter rible cruelteof thēuenimed & so horri

••le bestes of Colchos had no power to greue thy persone. Ne the sodayne parils of the see / ne also the grete▪ har∣dines of the Esclauons / Ha a the ri∣ght euyll Brutor{us} ye haue slayn him & he hath slayn you. Alas what gre∣te losse muste j suffre this daye / j am born̄ in an vnhappy oure: whan hit muste bee that I haue nourisshi•• the murdrere that traytours••y hath put to deth the noble knight jason which is my lord and husbond / Hanno∣ble & worthy of alle worthi / the wai∣lia•••• of alle vayllian̄••. ād he in whō alle vertues habounden. the goddes haue mercy of thy sowle / ād yf thou be not ouer dede. that they wyll hold the so long alyue that I might yet one•• speke wyth the. And I shal be moche the more cōforted that j shall dere more eys••ly And then̄e I desi∣re no lenger no lyne in this worlde af¦ter the.

¶ Whan the ladyes and damoiselles there beyng had herd & vnderstōdē of the quene by her lamē tacions that he that was named Sambor was Iason / that somoche was recōman∣ded in vaylliaūces and in vertues meruailed strongly for asmoche as he serued as a yeman. and at last cō∣forted the lady the fairest wise they myght And then̄e she declared all o∣penly that Sambor was jasō the no∣ble knighte ād none other but he had wedded her / ād furthermore she de∣clared for what cause jasō had cha∣unged his name: & why he maynte∣ned him as a yeman̄ orseruaūt. Af¦ter this declaracion & lamentacions made / she dide doo asseble all the no∣bles of the cytes / as well men as wo∣men. and thus she sente solēpnly for to fecche the body of the vailliaunt prince. And commanded that bru∣tor{us} & his felawes shold be quarterd ād honged on the galo wes as trai∣tours. and they that were cōmysed to the••secusion of the justice accom∣plisshed hyely their charge and com∣myssyon / and the cōpanye that hadd charge for to fecche the body of jason wēt vnto the place wher̄ the di••soyal murdre was commysed▪ But whā they were there comen. they founde that ja••on was not yet dede / but he satt vp & lened vnto one of the trai∣tres. Thus this noble companye se∣yng that he was yet alyue▪ made to him right grete chere ād callyd him by his name / Sayng that the quene Mirro ād they alle were so right ••is plaisan̄t of hys incōuenyēt that they mighte nomore be / ād withoute lōg soyournyng there: they leyd the no∣ble & vailliaunt knight jason vpō a shelde whiche / they fon̄de there lyēg vpon therthe / and bare him vnto the cyte. And the noble Quene cam agaynst him. for she had ben aduer∣tysed by her men̄ that he was not yet dede: how well she wept moche tenderly

¶ Whan the fayr Myrro was comē nygh vnto her lord. ād that she ap∣perceyued that he was so frusshyd

& brussijid with stones & staues. cer∣tes her hert faylled: & they that ba∣re jason resrid vnto that she was co∣men agayn to her self And then̄e she ne Iason might not speke / Iason for the anguisshe that he suffrid / ād she for the grete displaysir that she had / at her herte / But it was not long af¦ter that Iasō was born̄ vnto the chā∣bre of his espouse and felawe: whe∣re the beste Cirurgyens of the cyte cā that anon̄ visited & serched his wo∣undes▪ & fonde him in suche termes / that they vndertoke to rendre hi ho∣le and sound of alle his hurtes and woundes in short tyme / wherof the quene was all recōforted: they fayl∣led not of theyr promys / for they so wrought aboute him by suche facōn that in the space of sixe mōthes they deliuerid him hole and out of daun∣ger of alle his hurtes and woundes Duryng whyche time ofsixe mon∣thes that the noble preu Iason kepte his chambre / assone as he might spe∣ke and haue entendement he began to be waylle the losse of his tyme for asmoch as he might not be at the des∣truction of the king Iaomedon̄ and of the Troyans: Wherfore he hadde moche grete displaysir at his herte / For he hadde not bē acustomed gl∣adly to kepe: the chambres matted ne stre wed with herbes ād floures ne the beddes encurtyned. the halles hanged wyth ryche tapesseryes Ne the places magnificque ne sumptuo∣use as by his feates appere••j / but he might not amende hit For the noble quene recomforted him alwaye: ād moche requyred hi that he sholde ta∣ke no melancolye for no thing / and that he ne sholde entende saue only to his garisshing and heeling and as for the warre of troye he myghte in no wyse be there

¶ How the king Eson of mirmydo ne asseged his sone jason in the cyte of Olyferne / And how Medea spak to Iason / & how she slewe his oldest sone named Iason.

[illustration]

_•••• ye may vnderstāde by thin conuenyent afore sayd the pren Iason was distourned for tacompanye hercules ād the che∣ualerye of Grece that sholde goo leye siege tofore the puyssaūt cite of Tro∣ye: wherfore the king Eson and her¦cules were right sorouful and abode xv. dayes lēger then̄e the terme that they had sett for to go to the sec: whā the / xv. dayes were past and apper∣ceyued that they had no tydinges of the comyng of jason / they departed fro the poorte where they had taried And saylled so ferre that they arry∣•…•… to fore Troye / with so grete nō∣•…•… of people that notwithstanding the resistence of laomedon̄ of alle the cyte & countre aboute / they besieged it / and so long abode and dyde mer∣uaillous assaultes / that they toke hit and destrored it in the fourme & ma¦nere as is well declared in the histo∣rie of the xij. laboures of the noble & preu Hercules: And whā they had brought this enterpryse to attende e∣che of them departed from thens / & retorned into his countre

¶ In the nouelte then̄ that the noble king Eson of Myrinydone was re∣torned fro the conquest of Troye so∣re trobled for his sone jasō that was failled to haue bē at this hye houour Medea that was not yet comē aga∣yne

into Myrmydone after that she was departed the same day that she had made to deye the des••oyal pele{us}. as sayd is Retorned then̄e vnto the king Eson all destayned & discolou∣red: yclad wy^• clothes all to rēte ād lapped / Then̄e she sette her doun on bothe her knees to fore the king Ezō & after sayde to hi in this maner. Si∣re lo here Medea most poure ād the most infortunat lady that ever was / or shalbe / Thou knowest and maist not denye that j ne am the {pro}pre wyf of thy sone jason. whome j made not long syn retourne gloriously fro the mortall paril where his vncle pele{us} had sente him to by his malice This not withstonding incōtynēt & in feat he hath abandōned me syn the daye that j was consenting to the deth of the dis••oyall pele{us}. & I dide hyt for to take vengean̄ce of this that he sente him traitrously vnder the shadowe of the conqueste of the ryche moton / wyth the flees of golde whiche was a thing impossyble to ony creature / humaine withoute myn adressemēt and wel supposed he that he neuer sholde haue retourned but haue aua∣unced his deth. and he wolde excu∣se him vnder the colour of this deth. the which allewaye I dyde for hys loue▪ and for tauenge him

SYre sayde yet the lady. ye knowe that the daye that pele{us} deyde: youre sone departed from hens moche has∣tely: & howe I wēte after. & hit was so oure aduenture that I fo••de hym on a daye in the cite of Corithe: whe∣re he hadde fian̄ced the kinges doug∣hter. And there I spak long wy^• hī. And among many remonstra••ces I required hym right instantly that he wolde be trewe according to hy•• promys / that he had made in acqui∣tyng his faith: But I laboured in vayn. for he wolde in no wise entēde therto / and whan j ap{per}ceyued that I coude haue none other thing of hi I made by the vertue of som̄e enchā∣thements deye sodainly the espouse / whom he had supposed to haue en∣ioyed And with her deyde her fader and by consequēt all they that were in the hall sette at dyner / reseruid ja∣son whom in no maner j wolde tou∣che / & after j de{per}ted from ••••ēs & ha∣ue goon at the auēture of the goddes not thinking that ever I shold retor∣ne vnto you: thus hath fortune be t•• me of such cōdicyō that she hath sith .ij. monthes brought me into the cy∣te of oliferne: & ther I haue foūden & seen Iason with the quene Mirro▪ & it hath ben certefied to me that he hath espoused her / wherof j haue at my herte suche dolour ād sorou: that for nothing I might ner coude speke with hym / but yet am de{per}ted from thēs & am come vnto yow: for to re∣quyre reffuge that in the sauour of ladies it may plese yow to haue pyte of me so desolate a lady / and that in recoignoissaūce of the merite that I mighte haue deseruid in redu•…•… your auncient aage in the beyng ••••

xxxij. yere: that ye of your sone Iasō wil do me ryght without Rygour.

¶ Whan the king Eson of myrmy∣done hadde vnderstāde the doleance and the r••queste of Medea. ād that he sawe her ī so poure estate of habil∣lements that she semed all an other womā For she was so discoloured lene / & euylarayed. Certes he had grete pyte of her: Theūe he began to recōforte her & thinking on the good seruices that she had doū vnto his so∣ne wherof all his wele & renommee was comen And in like wyse of the grete plaisir that she had doū to sum also how she hath habādōned the kīg her fader & her countre vpon the p∣mysse of his sone. Amōg other wor∣des in recōforting her he sayd & pro∣mysed her that he shold punysshe ja¦son of that so grete offēce. and also he hadde takē him ī desdayne for somo∣che as he had / failled at the besynes & destru••iō of Troye where the che∣ualerve of grece had goten grete ho∣nour▪ certes he loued medea meruai∣lous••y and anon he dide do clothe her new ryght honourabli: & tamynistre to her all that was nedeful & necessa∣rie for her: And whā he had so doo / he sente into oliferne vnto Iason ād commanded him that incontinēt he sholde come vnto his court / but jaʒō excused hi to the messager the moost curtoys••y that he myght for cause of his woundes that he had receyued in the woode not long syn assayd is / & in feat he answerde that at that p̄∣sent he myght go ner yet ryde on an hors

Incōtinēt as the king Eson had vn∣derstonde thanswere of his sone jasō. he toke it euyl in gree / ād sware that he wolde go vnto him. but that shol∣de be in armes Then̄ he sente into all partyes for his frendes and alyes / & sayd to thaim & she we how he wol∣de punisshe Iasō for the lauesshenes of his body. & that by good cause. for because of his luxurie he had failled at the cōquest of Troye / & vnder this couerture he assēbled vnto the nom∣bre of ten. M. grekes. whom he bro∣ught to fore olyferne the cite / & somo∣che dydeby see & by lande▪ that with oute auēture digne of memorie he cā on the chāpanye. where the kyng of Esclauonye ād his ooste to fore had holdē their siege to their vnhelthe as hit is sayd fo fore ī his place / Alway ineden was comē in tharinee of the king Eson as she that hath in hi all her affyaūce ād her socourse / as half garisshed or easid

Whā the king Eson fōde him self to fore olyferne / He dide do sette his tē∣tes & pauylloūs / & sente vnto his so∣ne jason that he sholde comē vnto hi. for to receyue the punyciō of this dis∣obey saūce. certes jasō was sore abas∣shid ād not without cause. whan he had vnderstād that his fader sēte for hī to come to hī vpō this {con}diciō And then̄ whā he ap{per}ceiued that his fad had besieged the cite wy^• armed hād ••he was at that tyme all helid of his

woundes & frossures: ād seeyng that sayd is / him semed that the king hys fader was angry with him ād that he was comen theder al replenisshid with grete▪furour. Notwithstandīg that ī no maner he supposed to haue deseruid hit: And cōsidering all thi∣se thinges / and also by the counceylle of his frendes / for to answer the mes¦sager of his fader. he callyd hym ād sayde to him in this maner. Syr mes¦sager I haue vnderstand & thought for tāswere vpō that my fader hath sente me by you: on that other syde I see how he is here comen with puis∣saunce in armes Thise thinges con∣sidered I wote not what is hys en∣tencōn ne wylle. Wherfore j am not for this present counseiled to put me in his handes / how well that I am alwai boūdē bi al right & holdē to ser∣ue him & obeye his cōmādemēts / ād that oute of furour / he shal not fynde me other disposed

The messager hering the discret ans¦wer that Iason gaf him. he acertay∣ned hi & therof wold abyde in hosta∣ge. that if jasō wolde take agayn me∣dea as by vertu of his fayth he was holden: & by the promesses that they had made one to that other that he sholde finde his traittye & peas with the king his fader Then̄e jason ans∣werde to the messager that if the kīg his fader were comē theder therfore in suche ordenan̄ce & vpō that entēci∣on. he abused him gretly / & that Me∣dea by her enchātemēts shold neuer deceyuehi more duryng her lyf. whā the messager had vnderstād the wil∣le & answere of jason / he toke leue of him & de{per}ted from the palays / & re∣torned vnto the kīg his lorde. whi∣che abood hi at foot of his tēte & told to hi & to medea all this that he had exployted with hys sone jason. The king & the lady Medea heering hys volente & wille: & that he was not a man to be meuid & torned from his corage had a meruayllous sorowe▪ Then̄e the king Eson sware that he ne hys siege shold neuer de{per}te from thens for cold ne for heete for froste. ne snowe. for rayne ne for tēpeste th∣at might comen vpon him vnto the tyme that he had subiuged the cyte of Olyferne / with that medea whan she had herd thise wordes. she toke leue of the kīg & retorned its her tēte & thē she begā to studye in her ēchāte∣mēts & sortes / where in she wa•• mo∣che lerned. & in such wise exployted that in a moment she made her to be born within oliferne & dyde her to be sette in the ppre halle where jasō ād▪ mirro the quene were at a windowe spek••g to gydre of theire werkes & in especial of thēterprise that the kīge sō made vpō thē of which they ha•• gre∣te meruaile. & so they wyst not what to, thinke sauyng that hit were nede for tentēde to forte••ye the muraillel∣walles of the cyte / the tours & yates to garnisse with stones & wy^t shotte. & to deffēde their strēgth wy^t all their power / But jasō & mirro had the gre∣test

meruaile of the worlde. & not wy^t oute cause: whā so sodaynli they saw Medea ther appere in their presēce / Then̄e medea opēd this that she had in wylle to saye & declare playnli and sayde in this maner

••a•• Alas sir Iason haue ye not en∣tenciō tame de your lyf. which is mo∣che reprochable tofore the goddes ād the worlde: & cursed be the oure ād theday that j saued & warāted you fro the deth. whā for my reward ād gwerdo•• I muste suffre somoch & in so many maners as I doo / ād that in that tyme and ī place ye knowe not her to whō ye be so gretly boūdē and holdē / Dame āswerde then̄e jasō shal your sortes ne enchātementes neuer cesse / I can not thinke howe ye haue the hardiness•• to com̄ to fore myn ey∣en̄ seen that ī my p̄sēce ye haue mur∣dred one of my sones. & how āswerd then̄e medea. Am I alady born̄ in so vnhappy an oure & so ī fortunat that in no maner I dare be foundē to fore myn espouse & husbond / & hym that holdeth hye lyfe of ony other but by me. A jasō sayd yet the lady. the gre∣te goodnes that I haue don̄ for yow tofore thys tune is lytyll remēbryd and knowen by yow / whiche I did all of good herte. and if I haue s••ayn̄ your chyld. ye be only culpable: for ye do to me so many displaisirs & anoy∣an̄ce / that I can not thinke how the herte of ony lady so desolate as I am may so long endure

Certes dame answerde then̄ Iason I holde no, thing that •• haue don to you despleisi•• ne anoye in no wise y e haue ••mysed & made many enorme and ryght euyl caas / For whiche I may lawfully repudie and abādōne you in all poyntes. how wel that for the loue of me ye haue doū that I ne maintene not. and of that other side speke nomore to me. lo here the noble lady that I had ••mys••d to fore that I arryued in your countrey: and du∣ring the tyme that I haue ben wyth you & ye with me. ye put me bi your enchaū••emēts in suche poynt that I had al forgetē her & thought on none other but on you / whether ye were fer or nyghe: & in thys astate was I a lōg space of tyme & til that the god∣des haue resemblid this lady & me by your grete defaute The which•• ha∣ue now espoused. this is my lady & j am her lorde & husbōde / & as long as the sowle shal abyde ī my body. j shal be beers▪ & shal not withdrawe me from her••ner shal toke other then her for nothing that may befall me / & o∣therwise ye shal not finde it: & therfo∣re abyde no lenger here. for yf yedide it shulde be alle tymeloste for more to poursie we this enqueste Medea wy^t thys conclusion made her to be born̄ from thens also sodaynly as she was comen And in that same n••ght she was delyueryd ād rendryd at pin∣taquo in the chambre where her ly∣tyll sone Iason was nourysshed▪ ād there she beyng fulle of a Ryght

tiers: and demanded 〈…〉〈…〉 had seen him. ād ther 〈…〉〈…〉 answerde for certāyn that at the ou∣re of mydnight jasō was yssued out allone by that gate / & more he knew not / Whā the nobles of olyferne kne∣we thise tydīges they were sore tro∣bled & not without cause / for thei be∣helde that they had no lord ne lady. And that therfore ones they muste submyse them vnto the king Eson. and toke heeir counceyll to gyder ād concluded to yeld them ād the toun̄ sau•• their lyues & their goddes Then̄ they chese twayn of the moost noble knightes of the cyte ād moste propi∣ce to the erande / And sent hem vnto the noble king Eson: that made with alle dyligēce his thinges redy for tas∣saile the Cyte in many places: And whan they were comen to fore hym & salutacyon made. they told hī fyrst that the quene her lady was dede ād putt in sepulture. Secondly they said to hym that Iason was goon̄ out of the cyte. & wyste not into what place Thyrdly that the cyte was withou∣te lorde. & fynably they sayde to hym. that fortune was suche for thē / that they of the Cite demanded but pees & that they were content to constitu∣te hym king vpon them by condici∣on that he sholde ne touche theire ly∣ues ne meuable goodes what som̄e euer they were

¶ Whā the noble kyng Eson of mir∣mydone vnderstode that his sone ja∣sō was so de{per}ted. he was right soro∣•…•… feat 〈…〉〈…〉 that thei 〈…〉〈…〉 made to cesse 〈…〉〈…〉 him for tentre 〈…〉〈…〉 te of olyferne. & hit 〈…〉〈…〉 whā they of the cyte 〈…〉〈…〉 theyr cyte: ād in the 〈…〉〈…〉 their kyng & gaf hym 〈…〉〈…〉 his heed. and made 〈…〉〈…〉 & feaulte: & by this 〈…〉〈…〉 king Eson kyng of olyfer•••• 〈…〉〈…〉 myrmydone: After these 〈…〉〈…〉 ne & accomplisshed He sente m•…•… knightes after hys sone Iason for 〈…〉〈…〉 seche & finde him / but they lost theyr tyme / For they retorned vnto their lorde withoute reporting tydynges of him / For Iason went ryding fro coūtre to coūtre by many yourneyes where he had plēte of meruayllou•• aduētures / which were to lōg to re∣herce: of whō thēde was suche whā he had lōg tyme erred & trauailed ī the worlde he was in grete desire to come & see the king his sad ād crye hī mercy. for asmoch as he had disobe∣yed his {con}maūdem••nt & mespryfed ayenst him / wherof he was right so∣re repētan̄t Upō this {con}clusiō the no∣ble preu jasō putte hī on the waye so ferre that he cam in to Thessaylle. But that more is. fortune made him ētre in to the grete woode. where as Medea hadd long ben & soyourned

〈…〉〈…〉 / And 〈…〉〈…〉 in his waye •…•…oun. Anone as 〈…〉〈…〉 eche other forth 〈…〉〈…〉 eche other: Wyth 〈…〉〈…〉 began strongly to wepe / •…•…elyd doun on bothe her •…•…ete humylite tofore jason 〈…〉〈…〉 & cryeng hī mercy Their 〈…〉〈…〉 had pyte on her & releued •…•…er vp by the handes. & syn de∣•…•…ded her yf she had ony thing to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or drinke / sayyng that he had hō∣ger. & that he hadd not that day eten ne dronken Then̄e medea made him sitte vpon the erthe for to rest hym a lytyl and sy••wēte & fette him of the notes akehornes / ād rootes. & other smale fruytes that she hadd gadred in the woode. & saide to hym that he shold make good ••here with such as h••founde / And that syth a certayn tyme that she had ben there: she had eten none other wyse mete

Whan Iason whiche was a moch vertuous prince had vnderstōde the lady ād knewe her grete pouerte he began to remēbre: of the īnumerable goode dedes. that she had doū for hī tofore and how she had for hys loue▪ abandonned her fader and her naci∣on for to goo with hī. And also that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was of anoble hous as doughter •…•…ke her by the hand & 〈…〉〈…〉 he {per}donned her of a•• thīg that she had trespaced or mesprysed ayenst him: ād in feat sayd that his pla••sit was that she shuld be his wyf agayn as she had ben tofore / Certes medea incōtinent as she vnderstood the good wyll of her lord. she was more yoyous in her corage then̄ if he had gyuen to her the bes••e & he most noble royaume of the world / & then̄ she sware to him & auowed that she shold neuer medle more with sortes ne enchantemēts ne none other ma∣le••ices ne of ony thīg 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first he shol¦de haue the cognoissaunce & know∣leche: & in suche wyse she conduysed her self ayenst Iason that in that ty∣me they recōcilled hē self to gyder: ād wente bothe on their waye. & so fer∣re erred by their iourneyes that they cam vnto the court of the king Eson of Myrmydone that was newly co∣men in hys royaul••e / Theū the no∣ble kyng Eson knowyng theyr re∣consilyacyon contented him self wy^t hys sone Iason / in pardonnyng hym alse olde Rancour aud maletalents. And hyt was not long after that the noble kyng Eson resygned in the handes of hys sone Iason the noble Royaume of Myrmydone / for the moche and grete loue that he had vnto the fayr meden as he well she∣wde. For incontynent that he kne∣we that she was arriued in hys pa∣lays. he receyued her the most yoyo∣us••y and honourably that was in

hym possyble to doo: & thus the preu Iason & medea regned & gouerned their royame hyelilong time / durīg the whiche they lyued to gyder ī gre∣te loue & cōcorde / and had many fa∣yr childrē to gyder that regned after hem: of whom̄ j haue foūdē none his¦torie or sentence. & therfore j shall fy∣nisshe thys historie in this wise / pra∣yng my fore sayd ryght redoubted yong lorde & all them that shall rede the contenu of this present volume. or here it red that it may plese thē of their grace to excuse me for somoche as my lytyl and rude engyn hath not coūe touche ne cōpryse the mater. &c & here endeth myn auctor his book ANd how be it that myn Auctor writeth that he hath foūde nomore of thistorie of jason / yet haue I foūdē & red ī the boke that bocace made of the genelagye of godaes in hys. xiij. booke / that whā so was that jason & medea were reconciled agayn to ge∣der after that she fled frō egeon that he went with her into colchos again And whan he was comen theder / he founde the olde king oetes fad vn∣to medea ban̄issed & exiled out of his royame. whom he restored & sette hī by his hye vailliaunce & puissaunce in his kyngdō agayn. and after wēt ito asie / where he had victorie ī ma∣ny batailles. And made so many cō∣questes wyth grete magnificence in so moch that he was honoured and worshipped for a god & were made & edifiod diuerce tēples in his name. Whiche after wēre destroyed by the com̄andemēt ef king Alexād of m••∣cedone: who {per} au••ture had enuye of his glorie. & also he saith̄ that thoāt & ••une{us} whe•• hi•• sones / whō he bēga∣te on Isiphile as he went to colchos ward as stachi{us} saith̄. whiche were born̄ at ones: & for asmoch̄ as it was not the custome in lēnosto fede & no∣rysse themē childrē. they were sēt in to another countrey for to be nouris∣shed / wherfore the moder was put out of her royaume: & takē wy^t pira∣tes & theues. & after sold vnto Ligur∣gys king of nemee / & after whan the sayde sones waxe men they wēt wy^t king Adrast{us} vnto the hataile of the∣bes / & as they wēt in the wode of ne∣mee they herd of the sayd kīg adras∣tus reherse her burth ād the caas of her moder. by which̄ rehersaill they knew that she was their mod. & ī kīg Lygurgis court they fōde her / w••••••e opheltes his sone was foūde dede in the gardyn. what time the lady that had charge of hī wēt wy^t the grekes to shew hī the waī as ī the sieghe of thebes it is more playnly shewd▪ but what cā afterward of the. ij. sones it is incertayn this saith̄ bochace in the xiij. boke of the geneolagie of goddes And he saith he had another sone / whos name was philemel{us}. & more haue I not red of the noble jasō / but this haue I fon̄den more then̄e myn auctor reherceth̄ in his boke.

& ther∣fore j make here anēde of this storie of jasō / whō diuerce meūblame be•…•… use that he left & repudied med med•…•…

•…•…sent boke ye may see the eu•…•…es / whi he so dyd.

Prayng •…•…yd lord prince taccepte & take •…•…gree of me his indigne seruiteur •…•…hom I beseche god almyghty to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 encrece in vertu now in hys tendre yōgthe. that he may come vn∣to his {per}fait eage to hys honour and worship that his renōme maye {per}pe∣tuelly be remēbryd amōg the moost worthy / And after this p̄sent life e∣uerlasting lyfe in heuen who grāt hī & vs that boughte vs with̄ his blo∣ode blesshid Ihūs Amen ▪