Chap. I.

IN the time, by computation cal­led y ^e yéere of grace, which was Seauen Hundred, Fifty and Six yeares after our Sauiors sufferings: Charles the Great, more vulgarly kno­wen by the name of Charlemaine, a right royall, religious and warlike Prince, rai­ned as KING in Fraunce, and Emperour of Roome. Whose course of time was applyed to many high and heroycall enter­prises, wherein the fauour of heauen was euermore so [Page] assistant to him, as his owne heart & good hopes crow­ned him with the honour of many succesfull Victories: enabling all his endeauours with the ayd of diuers no­ble Princes and Barons, whose Chiualrie and right knightly perfourmances, entitled him to the conquest of Almaigne, Sclauonia, Spaine, Saxonie, and a great part of Affrike, in all which attempts it is not to be doubted, but both he and they had their handes full of busie im­ployments. But let it suffice, God was their guide, Religion the cause, Honour the obiect, and perpetuall Fame the reward, which both led him and his traine to these worthy attempts, and still brought them backe with the due to their valorous Enterprises: extending both his and their renowne to all parts of the world, and registring their names in the Kalender of neuer dy­ing memorie.

AFter that this righte noble Emperour Charle­maine had lost his deare Nephews Rowland and Oliuer, and diuers other Barons and Knightes in the vnfortunate and dolorous Battaile that was at Rownseuall, where was so great and lamentable a losse, as all the twelue Peeres of Fraunce were there slaine, except the good Duke Naimes of Bauier: On a day the Noble Emperour held open Court at his chéefe Citie of Paris, where were assembled many Dukes, Earles, and Barons, being the Sonnes, Nephewes, and kindred to the Noble Princes before slayn and dead in the foresaid Battaile, by the falshood and great trea­son doone and contriued by Duke Ganelon, the Noble Emperour being euer after in gréefe and heauinesse, by reason of the great annoyance and displeasure that hée had by his said losse, and also bicause he was growen verie féeble, through the great age that now was stollen vppon him. Thus when the King, Princes, & Barons [Page] were there assembled, the Emperour called his Lorde▪ before him, and seating himselfe in his royall Chaire of Estate, his Barons, Lordes and Knightes likewise placed in their seuerall degrees, hee called foorth Duke Naymes, and thus began.

Honourable old Naymes, and all you my Barons he­ther summoned by our royall commaundement, I shall not néede to tell yée, bycause it is to you all most appa­rant, howe longe I haue gouerned this Kingdome of Fraunce, and likewise swayed the imperiall Diadem of Roome: In all which time I haue found your duty and seruice so agréeable, as I cannot but thanke Heauen for so gracious good fortune. And now bycause I know cer­tainly, y ^t my life by course of nature cannot long endure, for this reason principally I haue caused you all to bée assembled here together, to declare to you my pleasure and will, wherein I require and heartily desire you, that yée will counsaile together and take aduice, which of you best may and will vndertake the Gouernance of my Realme, for I can no longer beare the trauaile and paine belonging to the ruling thereof, but will from hencefoorth liue the residue of mine age in peace and ser­uice of my Lord God: Wherefore as much as I may I desire you all to aduise me which of you all shalbe there­unto thought most able. Yée all know, that I haue two Sonnes, that is to say, Lewes who is too young, and Charlot whome I loue well, and he is of age suffi­cient to rule: but his manners and conditions are not méete to haue the gouernance of such two Noble States as the Realme of Fraunce, & the holy Empire of Roome, for yée know well in dayes past, by reason of his pride, my Realme was likely to haue béen destroyed, and I to haue had warre against you all, when by his rashnesse he slewe Baldwin, son to the good Duke Ogier the Dane, whereon so many mishaps ensued, that it will neuer be [Page] raced out of remembrance. Therefore so long as I liue I will not consent that he shall haue the gouernment, though he be rightful inheritor, & that after me he ought to haue the Signiorie: but instantly I entreat your noble opinions, what in this case I were best to doe.

Chap. II.

WHen Duke Naymes, and all the Ba­rons being assembled together in a pri­uate parte of the Pallaice, there they were somewhat long together: but at last they all concluded, that to Charlot the Kinges eldest Sonne appertayned the gouerning of the said Realmes. Then they retur­ned to the King, and shewed him the conclusion where­vpon they were agréed, of which the Emperour was right ioyfull. Then he called before him his Son, and shewed him many faire reasons before all his Barons, but therewith stepped foorth a fellon Traytour, who had too much secrecie with the Emperour, and likewise had the gouernance of Charlot the Kinges Sonne, who did nothing but by his direction: this Knight was cal­led Earle Amerie, and was Son to one of the Nephews of the Traytour Ganelon: In this manner then hee spake to the King. Right royall Emperour, whence proceeds it, that you are so forward in deliuerance of [Page] your Kingdome, to the weake gouerning of Charlot your Sonne? forbeare this hastinesse: and first for a proofe of his ablenesse in such a case, giue him a Land that ought to be yours, and as yet is not, and where you haue as yet neither fealtie nor seruice. This Land is in the possession of two proud Boyes, who these Seauen yeares passed would not serue you, nor since their Fa­ther Duke Seuin dyed, would doe you any obeysance: the eldest is named Huon, and the other Gerard, they kéepe Bourdeaux and all the Land of Aquitaine, & thinke great scorne to hold their Lands of you. But my Lord, if you will giue me men and authoritie, I will bringe them as Prisoners into your Pallace, where you may doe your will with them, and then the Land that they hold you may giue to Charlot your Sonne. Amerie (quoth the Emperour) I giue you great thankes that you haue aduertised me of this matter: I will that you take of your best fréends, and beside them you shall haue of mée thrée Thousand Knightes, well chosen and proo­ued men of warre, and I will that you bring to mée the two Sonnes of Duke Seuin, that is to say, Huon and Gerard who in their pride set nothing by mée.

When Duke Naymes (beeing there present,) heard the words of Amerie, and sawe how the Emperour con­sented to his desire he stept foorth boldly, and beholding Amerie stearnly, thus spake. My Soueraigne Lord, the ill is great, but the sinne farre greater, when men of no truth or certaintie are so highly listned vnto. As for Duke Seuin, is it not well knowne my Lord, what true and honorable seruice all his dayes he did you? and can you then bee so easilye woone to disenherite his Children? Consider good my Lord, that the reason why as yet they haue not tendered their dutie in your presence, is nothing else but their want of years for such allegiance, and their Mother likewise déerely respecting [Page] them, is loath to leaue their companie so young. And would your Highnes but be aduised by me, you should not so rashly depriue them of their Landes: but rather, as best becommeth a vertuous Prince, and in some re­gard of their Fathers good Seruice, first send twoo of your Knightes to the Duchesse, & let them in your name commaund her Sonnes personall appearance at your Court, in case of seruice and dutifull homage: which if she or they shall refuse to doe, then may you iustly pro­céede otherwise against them. But I dare (my Lord) engage mine honour, that send them shée will, & that onely a Mothers loue and care of her Children, hath béen the reason of their absence all this while.

Chap. III.

WHEN the Emperour Charles hadde heard Duke Naymes speake, he said: My Lord, I know for certainty y ^t Duke Seuin hath alwaies serued vs truely, and the reasons that you haue shewed are iust: Therefore I graunt that it shall bée as you haue aduised. My Lord, (quoth the Duke) I most humbly thanke your grace. Then incontinent the king sent for two knights, and gaue them in charge to go to Bourdeaux to doe his Messuage to the Duchesse, and to the Sonnes of Duke [...] the which they did & so departed from Paris, with­out resting past one night in a place, vntill they arriued at Bourdeaux, & then incontinent they went to the Pal­lace, whereas they found the Duchesse, who was as [Page] then but newly rysen from dinner: and when she was aduertised of their comming, shée came in hast to méete them, accompanied with Huon her Sonne who was by her, and Gerard came after with a Sparrow-hawke on his fist. When the Messengers saw the Duchesse & her two goodly Sonnes, they knéeled downe, and salu­ted both her, and her two Sonnes from King Charle­maine, saying: Ladie, to you we be sent from our Em­perour Charles, who by vs sendeth vnto you his saluta­tions of honour and amitie. When the Noble Ladie vnderstood that they were Messengers sent from y ^e great Emperour Charles, she arose and embraced them, and sayd, that they were right welcome vnto her. Ma­dame, (quoth they) our Emperour hath sent vs vnto you, and commaundeth you to send your twoo Sonnes to serue him in his Court, for there are verie few in his Realme, but they are come to his seruice, except your Sonnes. And Ladie, since you know right well, that the Landes you enioy appertaining to your Sonnes, is holden of the Emperour Charles, by reason of his royall prerogatiue in Fraunce, great maruaile is in many that you haue not sent them ere this time to doe him seruice, as other Dukes and Princes in like case haue done. In this respect he commaundeth you, both for your own good & conseruation of their Landes, that you send them vnto him: or if you doe not, know then for certaine, that he will take frō you those Lands you hould, & giue them to the Prince Charlot his Sonne: This is the summe of our Messuage, & wée attend your answeare.

Chap. IIII.

[Page] WHen the good Lady had well vnderstood the Messengers, she an­swered them gently in this maner. My Lordes and honourable Freendes, the reason why I haue not sent my Sons to the Court before this time, to serue my Lord the King as dutie required, was in regarde of their tender yeares, and some respect of loue to Duke Seuin their Fa­ther, and bycause I knew certainlye, that my rightfull Lord the Emperour Charlemaine loued alwayes Duke Seuin, I neuer feared that he would take displeasure with his Children, these thinges haue béene the princi­pall cause why I haue not sent them all this while to serue the King. Therefore let my entreats preuaile so much with you, as to be a meanes to the Emperour and al y ^e other Barons, to hold me and my Children excused in this case, for the fault is onelie mine, & not in them. Then Huon stept foorth before his mother and sayd, Madame if it had béene your pleasure, you might haue sent vs before this time: that is true (quoth Gerardine) for wee are ould ynough to haue our knighthood. The Ladie heheld her two Sonnes, and wéeping said to the Messengers: Sirs, you may returne to the King, how­beit you shall rest you this night in my house and to mo­rowe depart at your pleasure, and you shall recommend me and my Sonnes to the Kings good grace, and to the other Barons and Knightes, and among other salute Duke Naymes, who is néere kinsman to my Sonnes, and desire him for the loue of Duke Seuin, to stand a continuall fréend vnto them. Madame (quoth the Mes­sengers) haue you no doubt of that, for Duke Naymes is a noble Man and a true Knight, nor will he at any time be in place where any ill opinion shal passe against them. Then the Duchesse commaunded her Sonnes, [Page] that they should make y ^e Kings Messengers good chéere, and to bring them into their Chamber to rest them, the which they did, and were serued and feasted as apper­tained to their woorth. Then the next morning they re­turned to the Pallace, whereas they found the Duchesse and her two Sonnes, and they humbly saluted the La­die. When the Duchesse sawe them, she called Huon and Gerardin and said: My Sonnes, here in the pre­sence of these two Knightes, I say that at Easter you shall go to our Soueraigne Lord the Emperour Charle­maine, and when you bée in the Court, serue your So­ueraigne Lord well and truely as subiects ought to doe, bée diligent at all times to serue him faithfully, & kéepe companie with Noble men, such as you sée to be of good & vertuous condicions, be not in place where ill woords be spoken, or ill counsalie giuen, fly from the companie of them that loue not honour and troth, open not your eares to héere Lyers, or false Reporters, or Flatteres, haunt often the Church, and giue largly for Gods sake, be liberall and courteous, and giue to poore Knights, fly the companie of Ianglers, and all goodnesse shall follow thereby. I will there be giuen to each of these Knights a Courser and a rich Gowne, as it appertaineth to the Messengers of so noble an Emperour as Charlemaine is, and also each of them to haue a hundred Florents. Ma­dame, (quoth Huon) your pleasure shalbe accomplished: then the two Sonnes caused to be brought before the Pallace two goodly Horses, and presented them to the two Knights, and gaue each of them a rich Gowne, and a hundred Florents. Whereof the Messengers were ioyfull and thanked the Duchesse and her two Sonnes, & said that their courtesie should be remembred in time to come, howbeit they knew well it was done for the honour of the King: then they tooke leaue of the Duchesse and of her two Sonnes, and so departed, and road with­out [Page] let vntill they came to Paris, whereas they found the Emperour in his Pallace sitting among his Barons: the King perceiued them, and incontinent called them to his presence, & ere they had leasure to speake, the Kinge had them welcome home, and demanded of them if they had béen at Bourdeaux, and spoken with the Duchesse & the two Sonnes of Duke Seuin, & whether they would come and serue him in his Court or not? Dread Lord (quoth they) we haue béen at Bourdeaux, and done your message to the Duchesse, who right humbly receiued vs, and gaue vs gentle entertainment: when shée had heard vs speake, and knewe that wée were your Messengers, shée made vs the best chéere that shée could deuise, and sayd that the cause why shée had not sent her Sonnes to your Court before this time, was by reason of their young age, and shée humbly requireth your grace, to hold both her and her two Sonnes excused, and that at this next Easter shée will send them to your Court. As for her Sonnes, trust mée my Lord, they are two such louely Gentlemen, as wée tooke great delight in behol­ding them, especially Huon the eldest, he is so fayre and so well fourmed, that nature cannot amend him. Also my Lord, for the loue of you, shée hath giuen each of vs a goodly Horse, and a rich Gowne, and a hundred Flo­rents of gould. My Lord, the goodnesse, the valour, and the courtesie that is in the Duchesse, and in her Sonnes cannot be recounted: and on their behalfe are we to entreat your Maiestie, to retaine them alwayes in your fauour and good grace, and to pardon the fault of their long absence.

Chap. V.

WHen the Emperour had heard the Messengers speake, hée was right ioyfull and said: I haue alwayes heard say, y ^t a good Trée bringeth foorth good fruit, I speake it in the behalfe of Duke Seuin, who in his time was a va­liant & true Knight, and by that I sée that y ^e twoo Chil­dren resemble their good Father. I perceiue they haue receiued my Messengers right honourably, and with great reuerence haue giuen thē no meane gifts, which shalbe vnto them auailable in time to come, for they shall no sooner be come into my Court: but in despight of a­ny that shall speake against them, I will doe for them in such wise, that it shall bée an example to all other to doe well, for I will make them (for loue I bare to their Fa­ther, of my priuie Counsaile) and turning then to olde Duke Naymes, sayd: My Lord, alwayes your kindred haue béen good and true, and therfore I will, that Ame­rie bee banished from my Court, for hée nor euer any of his lineage, gaue as yet any good counsaile. My Lord, (quoth the Duke) I knew wel the long absence of Duke Seuins Sonnes, was for none other cause but by reason of their youth. When Earle Amerie heard the King speake, and sawe beside howe hée was offended against him, hée was sorrowfull, and so departed secretly from the Court, and sware that he would prouide for the two Sonnes of Duke Seuin such a traine, as should cost both their liues, and hazard the heauinesse and trouble of all Fraunce beside. So hee went to his lodging sorrowfull and in great displeasure, and then he imagined and stu­died [Page] on the matter, and how to bring about his Enter­prize, then he departed from his lodging, and went vn­to Charlot the Kinges Son, with whome he was right priuie, hée found him sitting on a rich bed, communing with a young Knight, then Amerie shewing a verie sad countenance, the teares in his eyes and trecherie in his heart, knéeling downe before Charlot, who had of him great pitie to sée him in that case: the Prince tooke him vp, and demaunded wherefore he made that sorrow, and whether any man had displeased him. My Lord, (quoth Amerie) my gréefe is not without great cause, for y ^e two Sonnes of Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux shall come to the Court, and (as I haue heard say) the King hath promi­sed that at their comming they shall bée made of his pri­uie councell, so that none other about the King but they, shall haue any honour or reckoning made of them. And assure your selfe my Lord, that if the State be thus ad­uaunced: they that now are greatest about his Maie­stie, shall then scarce haue a looke, or any countenance at all. So that within short while, the best partes in your Fathers Kingdome will they be Lords of, and you your selfe if you suffer this, will hold no grace or fauour with the Emperour. Therefore my Lord I require you to helpe me now in this businesse, for in time past, Duke Seuin their Father by great wrong and treason, tooke from me a strong Castle of mine owne, and I neuer dyd him displeasure, therefore you ought to ayd me in this serious matter, for I am of your linage, deriued of the Noble Quéene your Mother.

When Charlot had well vnderstood Earle Amerie, hée demaunded in what manner he might ayd him. Sir, (quoth he) I will shew you, I shall assemble the best of my linage, and you shall let me haue of yours thrée­score Knights well armed, and I shall lye in the way to méete with the two Boyes, and I shall lay the ambush­ment [Page] in a little wood, a league from Montleherry on the way to Orleance, by y ^e which way they must néeds come, & there we shall set on them and slay them, so that none shall dare to speake thereof, and if it be knowne after, who dare speake against you, or weare any healme in féeld against you? Sir (quoth Charlot) qualifie and ap­pease your sorow, for I shall neuer haue ioy in my heart vntill I be reuenged of those two Boyes, goe and make readie your men, and I shall prepare mine, and I will goe my selfe with you, the sooner to make an end of this businesse. When Amerie heard Charlot so liberally to of­fer himselfe to goe in his ayd: he thanked him, and em­braced his Leg, and Sicophant-like would haue kissed his Shooe, but Charlot would not suffer him: but tooke him vp, and said. Sir hast you, and now be diligent, that this businesse may come to a good end. Amerie de­parted from Charlot right ioyfull, and at the day appoin­ted he ceased not day, nor night, to assemble his men and his néerest fréends, and in the Euening before he came to Charlot, who was as then also readie with his men, and as secretly as they might they departed about the houre of midnight out of Paris all armed, and they stay­ed not vntill they came to the place appointed, to tarie the comming of the two Sonnes of Duke Seuin. Now I will leaue to speake of them, and returne to the twoo Sonnes of Duke Seuin, Huon, and Gerardin.

Chap. VI.

[Page] YOu haue heard here be­fore how y ^e Kings Messengers depar­ted frō Bourdeaux, then the two Sons made them readie to goe to the Court, richly apparelled, and well fournished of euerie thing néedfull, aswell of gold and siluer and other apparell of silke as to their state ap­pertained: then there assembled the Barons of y ^e Coun­trey, to whom they recommended their Lands and Sig­niories, and did choose out ten Knights and foure Coun­cellors to ride with them, to aid and to gouerne their bu­sinesse. Then they sent for the prouost of Gerone called Sir Guyre, to whom they recommended all the affaires of Iustice. Then when Huon and his Brother had cho­sen them that should goe in their companie: they tooke their leaue of the Duchesse their Mother, and of the Ba­rons of y ^e Countrey, who sore did wéepe bycause of their departure, for the which they had good occasion so to do, and more if they had knowne the haplesse aduenture, that afterward befell them on the way. Or had the good Duchesse but dreamed thereof: shee would neuer haue suffered them to departe from her, for after there fell such mischéefe, that it is a lamentable thing to recount it. Thus the twoo Brethren departed and kissed their Mother sore wéeping. Then they tooke their Horses and their companie, and in passing by the Stréets of the Towne, the people made great sorrow for their depar­ting, and sore wéeping, prayed to God to be their guide and conduct. The wéepings and lamentations were so extreame, that the twoo Brethren could not haue so firme courage: but that they gaue many a sore sigh at the departing out of the Towne, and when they had ridden a certaine space, and that their sorrow was somewhat appeased, then Huon called his Brother Gerard & sayd: [Page] Brother we go to the Court to serue the King, where­fore wee haue cause to be ioyfull: therefore let vs twoo sing a song to refresh vs. Brother (quoth Gerard) my heart is not very ioyfull, to sing or make any sport at all, for this night I dreamed a maruailous dreame, mée thought thrée Leopardes assayled mée, and drewe my heart out of my bodie: but me thought you esaped safe and sound, and returned backe. Wherefore deare Bro­ther, if so it be your pleasure, to withstand my dreame, which makes me dread our iourney to be dangerous: might I preuaile with you, we would ride backe againe to Bourdeaux to our Mother, who will bée ioyfull of our returne. Brother (quoth Huon) and God will, we shall not returne for feare of a dreame, it should be foreuer to our reproach and shame, I will not returne to Bourdeaux vntill I haue séene the King. Therefore swéet Brother dismay you not, but rather make good chéere, our Lord Iesus Christ shall guide and conduct vs in sauegard. Thus these two Brethren road night and day, so long vntill they perceiued before them y ^e Abbot of Cluny with a thirtie Horse in his companie, as he was going to the Kinges Court.

When Huon perceiued that companie, hee called his Brother Gerardin and said: Loe yonder I sée men of re­ligion holding the way to Paris, and you knowe well when wee departed from the Duchesse our mother▪ shée charged vs that we should alwaies company with good people, therefore it is good that we make hast to o­uertake them. Brother quoth Gerardin, your pleasure he fulfilled, so they rode so long that they ouertooke the Abbot who regarded on the right side, and sawe the two Brethren comming to ouertake him. Then hée steede still and saw Huon, who came riding on before, Huon saluted him humbly, and the Abbot in like manner to him, and demaunded whether he r [...]ad so hastily, & from [Page] whence he came, and what he was, and who was his Father. Sir (quoth Huon) since it is your pleasure to know, Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux was our Father, it is Seauen yeares since he departed this life. And Sir be­hold héere my Brother, who is younger then I, and we are going to noble King Charlemaines Court, to reléeue of him our Lands and Countrey, for he hath sent for vs by two noble Knights, and Sir we are in doubt of some trouble by y ^e way: when the good Abbot vnderstoode that they were Sonnes to Duke Seuin, he was right ioyfull, and in token of true amitie he embraced them one afte [...] another, and said: Deare fréends haue no doubt, for by the grace of Iesus Christ I shall conducte you safely to Paris, for Duke Seuin your Father was my Coozen Ger­maine, therefore I am bound to ayd you, and know for troth, that I am sworne of the great councell with King Charlemaine, and if there be any that will mooue or stirr [...] against you, I shall ayd you to my power, wherefore you may ride surely in my companie without any doubt. Sir (quoth Huon) I thanke you: thus they road tal­king with the Abbot their kinsman, and that night they came to Montleherry. Then the next daye they arose béetimes and heard Masse, and afterward tooke their Horses, and they were in all a fourescore Horses, & they road so long, vntil they came to a little wood-side, where­as Charlot and Earle Amerie lay closely ambushed, there they espyed Huon & Gerard riding before, whereof they were ioyfull. Then Amerie said to Charlot: Sir, now is the time come, to bee reuenged of the dammage that Duke Seuin did to mée, yonder I sée his twoo Sonnes comming, if they bée not incontinent slayne by vs, wée are not worthy to haue any Land or life: And Sir, by their death you shall be Lord of Bourdeaux, and of all the Duchy of Aquitaine.

Chap. VII.

WHen that Charlot vnder­stood Earle Amerie, he stretched him in his stirrops, and tooke a speare with a sharpe head, and yssued alone out of the woode: when Amerie sawe that Charlot went out of the wood alone, he drew a little out of the way, and sayd to his men: suffer Charlot alone, there néed none goe to ayd him. This said the false Traytour, bicause he desired no­thing else: but that one of the Sonnes of Duke Seuin might slay Charlot, and so himselfe detecting them of the murder, by this meanes he might compasse his damnable intent. Charlot came against these twoo Brethren, the Abbot of Clu­ny saw Charlot comming all armed, and saw in the wood a great number of armed men more, then hee stood still, and called Huon and Gerard, and said: Déere Nephewes, I per­ceiue in yonder wood a Knight all armed, and the wood full of horsemen, I cannot tell what they meane. Haue you done any wrong to any man? if you haue done, or hold any thing that is not your owne, step foorth and offer him reason, and promise to make amendes. Sir, (quoth Huon) I know no man liuing that I or my Brother haue done vnto him any displeasure, nor we know not that any creature doth hate vs. Then Huon said to his brother: Brother ride on before, and méete with yonder Knight, & demaund what is his plea­sure. Gerard road foorth & met with Charlot, and demaunded what his pleasure was to haue, or whether he was kéeper of that passage or not, and demaunded any tribute or not, if he [Page] did he was readie to pay it. Charlot answeared him fiercely and said: What art thou? Gerard answeared and sayd: Sir, I am of the Citie of Bourdeaux, and Son to Duke Se­uin, whome God pardon, and héere after commeth Huon mine elder Brother, and we are going to Paris to the Kings Court, to reléeue our Lands and our Fées, and to serue him, and if there be any that wil any thing with vs, let him come to Paris and we shall doe him reason. Hold thy tongue, (quoth Charlot) whether thou wilt or not I will haue reason for some wrongs done me by thy Father Duke Seuin, for he tooke thrée of my Castles from me, and I could neuer know the reason thereof. But now since thou art héere, I will be reuenged of the wrong that thy Father did to me, for as long as thou and thy Brother be aliue, I shall neuer haue ioy in my heart: therefore stand on thy ground, for before it bee night I shall make thy life depart from thy bodie. Sir, (quoth Gerard) haue pitie of me, you may sée I am but na­ked without armour. It shall bée greatly to your shame and reproach, if I be thus slaine by you, it neuer commeth of a gentle courage, or a Knight to assaile any person without armour or weapon: howbeit Sir I crie you mercie, well you sée that I haue neither Sword, Shéeld, nor Speare, to defend mée withall, you may sée yonder comming my elder Brother, who shall be readie to make you amends if any harme hath béen done vnto you. Peace, quoth Charlot) there is as now nothing so deare vnto me, as can mooue mée contrarie But that shamfully I shall put thée to death, be­ware of mée. Gerard who was but young, was in great feare, and called vpon our Lord God, and turned his Horse to come againe to his Brother. But Charlot who was in his desperate moode, [...]ouched his Speare, ran after Gerard, and strooke him on the side with such force, that the Speare ran through part of his bodie, and so bare him to the earth, weening he had béen slaine: howbeit the stroake was not mortall, although insooth verie dangerous, for he was so sore [...]urt, that he could not remooue for paine that he felt. The [Page] good Abbot of Cluny beheld Gerard in such sort borne to the ground, (ouercome with great gréefe) hée said vnto Huon: Ah Coozen, I sée yonder your Brother Gerard slaine, the fight whereof slayeth my poore heart. Alas Sir, (quoth Hu­on) for Gods sake councell me in this heauie case, what will the Duchesse our Mother say, when she knoweth that my Brother is slaine, who so louingly hath nourished vs both. Ah my deare Brother Gerard, nowe I sée well your dreame is too true. Alas that I had beléeued it, for if I had, this had not happened. Ah Sir, (quoth Huon) to the Abbot, I desire you to assist mée, for if I should likewise be slaine, yet I will goe and demaund of yonder Knight, for what occasi­on he hath slaine my Brother, nor I shall neuer returne vn­till I haue slaine him, or he mée. Ah faire Nephew, (quoth the Abbot,) beware what you doe, haue no trust to bée suc­coured by me, for you know well in this case, that I cannot ayd you, I am a Priest, and therefore may not bée where a­ny man is slaine. Sir, (quoth Huon) of such companie as yours is, we might well forbeare. Then Huon beheld hea­uily the Ten Knights that came with him from Bourdeaux, and said: Sirs, you that are come hether with mée, & haue béen nourished in my house: how say you, will you ayd mée to reuenge the death of my Brother, and to succour me a­gainst these false murderers that hath laine in waite & slaine my Brother Gerard? Sir, (quoth they) were we sure to dye in the quarell, yet we should ayd and succour you, there­fore goe forth and haue no doubt: and then they road forth with such small defence as they had. Then Huon spurred foorth his Horse with such fiercenesse, that he made the earth to tremble vnder him, and his Knights followed him with hardy courage, determining to doe valiantly. When the good Abbot saw his Nephew depart and his companie, hée had great pitie on him, and prayed our Lord God to defend them from death. And the Abbot with his companie fol­lowed softly after Huon to sée what end the matter shoulde came vnto. Huon road so long vntill he came whereas his [Page] Brother lay sore wounded. Then he cryed aloud: my right deare Brother, if there be any life in your bodie answere me and shew me how you féele your selfe? Brother (quoth Ge­rard) I am sore wounded, I cannot tell if I may scape aliue, thinke on your selfe, it is no losse of mée, fly you away, yon­der you may sée how the wood is full of armed men, and they [...] for nothing but to slay you as they haue done me.

Chap. VIII.

WHen Huon heard his Bro­ther, he was verie sorrowfull, & said: that he had rather dye then depart without re­uenging of him, and God wil I shall not de­part till I haue slayn him that hath brought you into this perill: then he spurred his Horse and follow­ed after Charlot, who was returning to the wood to his com­pany: but when Charlot perceiued how Huon followed him, he turned his Horse and beheld him fiercely. Then Huon cri­ed with a hye voyce, and said: Villaine, what art thou that hast slaine my Brother, where wert thou borne? Charlot answeared and sayd: I was borne in Almaine, and I am Sonne to Duke Thy [...]rey: Huon beléeued he had sayd troth, for Charlot had a disguised Shéeld, because he would not bée knowne. Ah, (quoth Huon) God giue thée shame for y ^e fact, why hast thou slaine my Brother? Then Charlot answered boldly and sayd, thy Father Duke Seuin tooke from me thrée Castles and would neuer doe my right: therefore I haue slayne thy Brother, and in likwise so shall I thée.

[Page]Then Huon in great rage said, false, vntrue Knight and murderer, before it be night I shall quittance this wrong vppon thine owne head. Then Charlot said, beware thée of me, for I defie thée. Huon who had no armour to defend him, tooke his Cloake of scarlet and wrapped it about his arme, and drew his Sword, and spurred his horse, & came against Charlot with his Sword in his hand, and Charlot on the other part came against him with his Speare in the rest, and strooke Huon about the right arme, so that the stroake passed through the doublenesse of his Cloake, and through his Gowne and Shert, and myst his flesh. Thus Huon e­scaped that stroake and thanked God thereof: then he lifted vp his sword with both his handes, and let the bridell of his horse go, and so with all his might & vertue, he stroke Char­lot on the healme in such wise, that the cirkle nor coft of stéele could not defend him: but that y ^e sword went into his brayn, and so he fell to the earth and neuer arose after: thus Char­lot was slayne miserably. Then the Traytour Amerie be­ing in the wood, perceiued well how Charlot was slayne, whereof he thanked God and said, Charlot is dead God bée thanked, for by that stroake I shall bring Fraunce into such a trouble, that I shall attaine to all my desires. Then Hu­on séeing Gharlot dead, returned to Gerard his Brother ly­ing still on the earth, brought him Charlots horse, and de­maunded if he might ryde or not. Brother, (quoth Gerard) I thinke yes, if my wounde were bounde fast I would as­say.

Then Huon alighted, and tooke a péece of his sheart, and therewith bound his brothers wound, & then Huons knights came vnto him, and holpe to set Gerard vpon his horse: but for the paine that he suffered he swounded twice, then when he came againe to himselfe, they set him vpon an amblinge Palfray, and a Knight behind him to sustaine him vp right. Then he sayd vnto Huon: Brother I desire you let vs de­part from hence, without going any further forward, rather let vs returne to Bourdeaux to the Duchesse our Mother, for [Page] I doubt if we goe any further, that some great ill shall come vnto vs: I promise you if we be perceiued by them that bée in the wood, and that they knowe that you haue slayne him that hurt me: I feare me they will slay vs all. Brother, (quoth Huon,) by the grace of God I shall not returne for feare of death, vntill I haue séene the King to appeach him of treason, when vnder his conduct and commandement we be thus betrayed, and watched by the way to murder vs. Brother, (quoth Gerard) as your pleasure is, so bée it. Then they road foorth the way to Paris faire and easily, bycause of Gerard who was sore hurt. Then the Knightes that were ambushed in the wood, said to sir Amerie: Sir, what shall we doe? sée Charlot is slaine and lyeth in the playne, and if we shall goe after them that hath done this déede, it shall bée ill done of vs if they escape away aliue. Then sir Amerie an­sweared and said: Let them goe, God curse them, let vs follow them a farre off, vntill they come to Paris, and let vs [...]arie with vs the bodie of Charlot, and bring it to the King, and there you shall see what I shall say, and if you will agrée to beare witnesse of that I shall say to the King, I will make you all so rich that yée shall neuer be poore after. They an­sweared, they would fulfill his pleasure, then they went out of the wood, and came there as Charlot lay dead, then they tooke him vp and layd him before Earle Amerie on his horse necke, and so road foorth: but mischéefe and mishap followe them, for as much as in them lay, they laboured to haue Hu­on iudged to death. Thus they road the hye way to Paris, and the Abbot of Cluny, who was ridden on before, looked be­hind him, and sawe the two Brethren comming after him, then he taried, and demaunded of Huon what aduenture hée had found. Sir, (quoth he) I haue slayne him that hath sore hurt my Brother, where he thought to haue slaine me, but thanked be God. I haue left him dead in the place. Faire Nephew (quoth the Abbot) I am sorrie thereof, but séeing it is done, if any hurt come thereby, and that you be accused before the King, I shall ayd you with all my power. Sir, [Page] (quoth Huon) of that I thanke you, then Huon looked behind him, and saw where Earle Amerie with all his power came faire & easily after him, therewith his heart trembled. Then he said vnto the Abbot: Sir, what shall I doe? yonder I sée them approach that desire my death, they bée the same that lay in the wood watching for vs. Faire Nephew (quoth the Abbot) haue no doubt, for they that come after vs come but a soft pace, they make no semblance to ouertake you, let vs ride on a good pace, we shal be anone at Paris, it is now but two miles thether. Then they road on, and rested not vntill they came to the Pallaice, and béeing there alighted, Huon went vp, holding his Brother by the one hand, and the Abbot by the other hand. There they saw the King sit­ting among his Barons, then Huon saluted Duke Naymes and all the other Barons and said: Health and faire hap to all these noble Lords, but shame and dishonour to my Lord the King, for there was neuer heard of a fowler trea­son, then the King hath practised against vs, séeing that by his Messengers & his Letters Patents he hath sent for vs to doe him seruice, the which commaundement we haue in all dutie obayed as to our Soueraigne Lord, but by false trea­son waight hath béen layd secretly for vs, and a close ambush to haue murdered vs by the way, first they assayled my bro­ther héere present, & by them he was brought into such dan­ger, that they left him for dead, and afterward they set vpon me to haue slayne mée, but by the ayd of our Lord Iesus Christ, and with my Sword I so defended me, that he that thought to haue slayne vs, I haue slayne him.

Chap. IX.

WHEN the King had heard Huon, he said: Knight beware, and thinke well what thou hast sayd héere before all my Barons, for neuer in all my life did I either act, or giue my consent to any trea­son. But by the faith that I owe vnto my maker, and by my beard, if it be so that thou canst not prooue this that thou layest to my charge: I shall cause both thée and thy Brother to dye an euill death. When Huon heard the King how hée tooke his words, he stept foorth and sayd: Great King, be­hold héere my Brother, who by thy meanes is sore hurt and in ieopardie of his life: And so did take off his Brothers Gowne and his Dublet to his shyrt, and he did open the great wound, so that the bloud ran out aboundantly, euen that it enforced Gerardin to fall in a swound before the King and his Barons, through the great anguishe that he felt: whereof the Emperour tooke such compassion, that he could not choose but much bemone him. And therefore immediat­ly sent for his Surgeons, causing thē to search his wounds, demaunding if they could saue his life or no, and when they had thorowly searched the wound, they said: Sir, by the help of God within this moneth he shalbe whole and sound. The King was glad of that answeare, and beholding Huon said: Since thou layest this déed to my charge, thou must thinke, that thou hast touched the royall reputation of a King, and that in such sort, as verie hardly may the condition of Ma­iestie [Page] endure it. But by my Countreys honour, and by the Crowne that I iustly beare vpon my head, if I may knowe who hath done this heynous offence: I shall doe both thy Brother and thée such right and iustice, as it shall remaine for a perpetuall memorie of due honour, and that your selues shall report, you haue no cause to complaine. My Lord, an­sweared Huon, I humbly thanke you, for through obaying your commaundement this mischéefe is fallen vnto vs. I cannot thinke nor know that any time of our life eyther I or my Brother did euer wrong or trespasse to any creature: but thus (by your Kingly pacience) the case happened. After we departed from Bourdeaux, wée found no aduenture, but when we came within a League of Montleherry, wee met with our Vnckle the Abbot of Cluny, and so fell in companie with him, to conduct vs to the Court, and so we road toge­ther vntill we came on this side Montleherry, then we sawe a little wood, and by the brightnesse of the Sonne we saw the healmes, and speares, and shéelds of them that were ambu­shed in the wood, and that one came out of the wood all armed his speare in his hand, and shéeld about his necke, and hée came a soft pace towards vs, then all we stood still, and sent my brother to the knight to know whether they were Spies or men to kéepe the passage, to the entent, that if they deman­ded any Tribute, they should haue right of vs, if they would haue any of vs. When my brother came néere to y ^e Knight, he demaunded what we were, and my brother said how we were the Children of the Duke of Bourdeaux, and were com­ming by your commaundement to your Court to reléeue our Lands and Fées of your grace: then the Knight sayd, how we were the same persons that he sought for, and sayd how that a Seauen yeares passed, Duke Seuin our Father had ta­ken from him thrée Castles, the which was neuer so: then my brother offered him, that if he would come to Paris before you and your Barons, he should haue right done to him if he had any wrong done to him. Then the Knighte answeared, that he would not doe soe, and therewith suddainly couched [Page] his speare, and stroake my brother as you sée, he béeing vn­armed, so that he fell to the earth, wéening he had béen slain, and then he road againe faire and easily toward the wood. When I saw my brother borne to the earth, I had such sor­row at my heart, that I could tarie no longer to be auenged, then I demaunded of mine Vnckle if he would ayd me, he [...] answeared and said no, bycause he was a Priest, so hee and all his Monkes departed and left me alone, then I tooke the Ten Knightes that came with me out of my Countrey, and so I road as fast as I could, to the entent that he should not escape that had so wounded my brother, and assoone as hee saw that I followed him, he returned against me, then I de­maunded of him what he was, he said, he appertained vnto Duke Terrey of Arden, then I demaunded why he had slayn my brother, he answeared and said, in likewise he would [...] serue me, and therewith he couched his speare, and stroake me on the side through my Gowne and Dublet, and hurt not my flesh, as it was the pleasure of God: then I wrapped my Mantle about mine arme, and drew out my Sword, and with both my hands as he passed by me, I gaue him such a stroake that I cloue his head néere to the téeth, and so he fell downe to the earth dead. I know not what he is, but what­soeuer he be, I haue slayne him, and if there be any that will demaund right in this cause, let him come into your royall Court before all your Péeres, and I shall doe him reason, if it be found that I haue done any wrong. When I had slayn him, I layd my Brother vpon the dead Knightes horse, and ouertooke the Abbot mine Vnckle. Then as I road and loo­ked behind me, I saw them that were ambushed in the wood come ryding after, & one Knight came before the rest, bring­ing vppon his horse the said dead Knighte, I know well if they bée not come, they will soone be héere. When Kinge Charlemaine vnderstood Huon, he had great maruaile what Knight it was that was slaine, and sayd vnto Huon, know for troth I shall doe you reason, for I know none so great in my Realme whosoeuer it be, but if I can prooue on him any [Page] point of treason, I shall cause him to dye an euill death, for the matter toucheth me right néere, séeing vnder mine assu­rance and by my commaundement you are come hether. Then the King commaunded that Gerard should be had to a goodly Chamber, and well looked vnto, the which was done.

Chap. X.

WHEN Huon of Bourdeaux and the Abbot of Cluny his Vnckle heard the good will of the King, and the offer that he made, they knéeled downe to haue kissed his foote, and thanked him of his courtesie, but the King tooke thē vp, then the Abbot sayd, My Lord, all that my Nephew Huon hath sayd is true, the King said, I beléeue you well, the Kinge did to them great honour, and feasted them in his Pallaice royally: but hée had great desire to know the troth of this case, and said: Hu­on, and you the Abbot of Cluny, know for certaintie, I haue a Sonne whome I loue entirely, if you haue slayne him in doing such a villainous deede as to breake my assurance, I doe pardon you, so that it be as you say. My Lord, (quoth Huon) for that I thanke your grace, and surely the truth is as I haue shewed you. Then the King sent for Charlot his Sonne, so he was searched for in his lodging, & newes were returned, how he was departed out of the Towne the night before, so the Messenger departed, and when th [...]y came into [Page] the stréete, they saw where Earle Amerie came ryding with Charlot dead on his horse necke, & they heard in the Stréetes Lords, Knights, Ladies, and Damsels making great cries, and pitious complaints for Charlot the Kings Son whom [...] they sawe dead. The Messengers were amazed at these ex­clamations, but at last they perceiued it was for the death of Charlot, then they returned to the Pallaice, But by reason of the outcries and pityous moane the people made, with of­ten repetition of Charlots name, (all which the Emperour leaning at a windowe confusedly heard) his heart waxed woondrous heauie, saying: Mée thinkes I heare such sor­row as hath not béen vsuall, and my Sonne Charlots name is tossed too and fro in this outcry, it maketh me feare that it is my Sonne whome Huon hath slain. Then calling Duke Naymes vnto him, requested him to goe foorth, and resolue him in this matter.

Then Duke Naymes departed, and incontinent hée en­countred Charlot borne dead betwéene foure Knightes vpon a Shéeld, when he sawe that, he was right sorrowfull, so that he could not speake one word, then the vnhappie Earl [...] Amerie went vp into the Hall, and came before the King and all his Barons, and there he layde downe Charlot. When Charles sawe his Sonne so slayne, the dolour and sorrow [...] that he made was vnspeakable, it was pitie to sée him, and Duke Naymes was as sorrowfull as any other seéing the pi­tyfull aduenture, and also the moane that the Lords made: then he came to the King and said. Good my Lord, comfort your selfe in this misaduenture, for by ouer-gréeuing at this ill hap, you can winne nothing, nor recouer your Childe a­gaine, you know right wel, that my Coozen Ogier the Dane slew my Sonne Bertrand, who bare your Messuage of defi­ance to y ^e king of Pauey, yet I did suffer it without any great sorrow making, bycause I knew well sorrow could not re­couer him againe. Naymes (quoth the king) I cannot for­get this, I haue great desire to know the cause of this déede. Then Duke Naymes sayd to Duke Amerie: Sir, know you [Page] who hath slayne Charlot, and for what cause? Then Earle Amerie stept foorth and said with a loud voyce; Great King Charlemaine, why demand you any further, when you haue him before you that hath slayne your Sonne? and that is Huon of Bourdeaux, who standeth héere in your presence. When the King heard what Earle Amerie had sayd, he loo­ked fiercely vpon Huon, and had strokē him with his Scep­ter, but for Duke Naymes, who blamed the King and sayd: Forbeare my Lord, what meane you to doe this day? to re­ceiue the Children of Duke Seuin into your Court, and hath promised to doe them right and reason, and n [...]w would slay them? so may all such as shall heare of the matter say, that you haue sent for them to no other end but to murder them, and that you sent your Sonne to lye in waight for them, to haue slayne them. By this may be discerned, that you for­get [...] Maiestie of a King, and expresse actions vnsée­ming Charlemaine: demaund of Earle Amerie the cause why he had foorth Charlot your Sonne, and why that he assailed the two Brethren. Huon being there in presence, was great­ly abashed at the Kings furie, receiuing him first so kindly, and now would kill him, he was in great feare, and as much as he might he drew backe from the King, and was greatly agreeued for that he had slayne the Kings Sonne not know­ing him. And blame him not to be much troubled in mind, when he sawe no man that appertained to him, to ayd him, or to maintaine his right, but onely the good Abbot of Cluny his Vnckle, who could giue him none other ayd but with his words: yet he tooke on him courage, and right humbly said to the King. My Lord, I require your grace touch me not, but know for troth, he that lyeth there dead before you, I slewe him in my defence, and not knowing that he was your Sonne Charlot, for if I had known him, I would in no wise haue touched him, and you may well know my Lord, if I had knowne that it had béene he, I would not haue come to you for rescue, I would rather haue fled away so farre that no man should haue heard any tydings of me: therefore for [Page] Gods sake I require you as heartily as I can, let mee haue right, I submit my bodie to abide the iudgment of your no­ble Péeres, & if it can be prooued that I slew Charlot know­ing him to be your Son, then my Lord, let me haue a sham­full death: then all the Peeres & Barons being there, said with a hye voyce, how he had spoken reasonably, and that if Earle Amerie would any thing say to the contrarie, it was time then to speake and to shewe it.

Chap. XI.

WHEN the King had heard Huon speake, he beheld Duke Naymes, and desired him to giue his aduice. My Lord, (quoth y ^e Duke) I can say none other thing vnto you but as I sayd before: demaunde Earle Amerie why he led forth your Sonne all armed, and kept the ambushment in the wood to set vpon the two Bre­thren, or else what was it that hee sought for there. Then Earle Amerie said: My Lord, I shall shew you the troth, and if I doe otherwise, let me dye a shamefull death. True it is, this night passed your Son sent for me, desiring me to ryde with him on hawking, and I desired him to abide vntill the morning, but he said that he would néeds go afore night, then I graunted to goe with him, so that he would ryde ar­med, for I doubted the men of Arden, to the entent that if we met with any of them, wee might be able to resist them, and so we did, thus we road out of this towne and came into a little wood, and there we cast off our Hawkes, and there [Page] we lost one of them, and therewith the same way came the Children of Duke Seuin, and there we saw Huon the eldest who is héere present, who had taken vp our Hauke, & your Sonne came in courteous maner vnto him, and desired him to render againe his Hauke, but the Traytour would not in no wise, then Gerard the yonger brother came to your Son, and they stroue so together that your Sonne stroke him, then Huon without any word speaking, lifted vp his sword and so villaynously slew your Sonne: then hée and his Bro­ther ranne away so fast, that we could not ouer-take them, whereof we were sory. Thus he knew well your Sonne, and he slewe him, and if he will say to the contrarie, heere is my Gage, which I present héere before you, and if hée be so hardy as to take it vp, I shall make him confesse ere it be night, that it is true that I haue said: and this I will prooue with my bodie against his.

Chap. XII.

AFter that Earle Amerie had ended his tale, the Abbot of Cluny stept forth and said to the King: My Lord, you neuer heard so false a tale before as this Traytor Amerie hath sayd, for I and foure more of my Monks being Priests here present, are readie to sweare and take our solempne oathes, that the saying of this Tray­tour is false, and therefore there ought no Gage to be laid in that cause, séeing there is true witnesse of the matter. Abbot (quoth the King) the witnesse is to be beléeued: Sir Amerie how say you thereto? My Lord, (quoth he) I would be loath [Page] to speake against the Abbot, but the troth is as I haue sayd, the Abbot may say as it please him: but if Huon be so hardie to deny this that I haue said before you, let him come into the field against me, and before it be night, I shall cause him to confesse it openly. When the Abbot heard this, he grew offended, and looking stearnly vpon Huon, sayd: Faire Nephew offer your gage, for the right is with thée, and if thou be vanquished in this quarell, if euer I returne into mine Abbey, there is no Saint in my Church, but I shall with a staffe beat and breake them al [...] to peeces, for if God will suffer such a wrong, I shall giue such str [...]akes vpon the shryne of Saint Peter, that I shall leaue neither gould nor precious stone whole together. Vnckle, (quoth Huon) & God will, I shall not let to take vp his gage, for I shall prooue that falsly and vntruly, Sir Amerie lyeth, as an euill and a false Traytour, and shall make him to confesse, that I neuer knew that he that I flew was the Kinges Sonne. Then the King said, that Huon must giue hostage. My Lord, (quoth Huon) you shall haue my Brother, I cannot deliuer you any that is so néere or deare to me as he is, for héere I haue ney­ther Coozen nor Kinsman that will lay in hostage for mée. Faire Nephew (quoth the Abbot) say not so, for I and my Monkes will be pledges for you, and if any thing should fall vnto you otherwise then well, which God forbid, then shame haue King Charlemaine, without hée hang vppon gallowes both me and all my Monkes. Go too Abbot (quoth the King) you say ill, for I would neuer doe that: then sayd the King to Amerie, bring in pledges for your part. The Traytour answeared: My Lord, héere be two of my Nephewes shall be pledges for me. I am content (quoth the King) vppon this condition, that if thou be vanquished or discomfited, I shall cause them to dye an euill death. Then the pledges sayd, that they would be no pledges vpon that condition, let other be pledges who would: but they said, if the king would take them on the loosing of their Lands, they were content, and the King graunted them.

Chap. XIII.

THus as ye haue heard, both parties deliuered pledges, then the King to be in the more suertie, put them both in a Tower vntill the day of the Battaile: then the feeld was ordained, for the King hadde sworne that his Sonne should not be buried, vntill he that were vanquished were hanged, if he were not slaine in the feeld. Then he commanded Duke Naymes to be ready with an hundred Knights to kéepe the féeld, and to sée that no trea­son should be done: for he said, he had rather loose the best Citie of his Realme. My Lord (quoth Duke Naymes) by the grace of God the matter shalbe so ordered for the suertie of both parties, that none shall haue wrong: the which thing was done so diligently, that euerie thing was ready, so both parties were brought into the Church of our Ladie in Paris, accompanied with their fréends, as such a case requireth: with Amerie was his next fréends, all issued of y ^e genealogie of Ganelon, and when they both had heard Masse, each tooke a draught of wine, and then they were richly armed & moun­ted vpon good Horses, and so tooke the way to the féeld, the Stages were filled, and the King and his Barons there pre­sent, abiding for the two Champions, who came one after another through the Stréets. First came Earle Amerie, and he road vntil he came into the féeld, and then he alighted and saluted the King and all his Barons. Then Huon came a­none after, accompanied with a goodly sort, there were lea­ning in the windowes Ladies and Damsels a great num­ber, all who prayed our Lord Iesus Christ to ayd and defend [Page] Huon from the Traytour Amerie. The people complained, and thought it vnpossible that Huon should resist against Earle Amerie, bycause Huon was so faire and young, but of the age of foure and twentie yeares. But as he was faire, so was he well made of bodie, no Knight more gallant and séemely, nor none more repleat with vertue: therefore hée was much bemoned both of men and women that sawe him passe by. And because Earle Amerie was a big boned man, a valiant and an expert Knight in armes, none stronger in all the Kinges Court, he was inward with the King & wel-beloued: euerie one greatly pityed that he was such a tray­tour, for a worse could not be found in any Realme, hée had great trust in his owne strength, and little regarded Huon of Bourdeaux, thinking hee should not long endure against him. But there is a common prouerbe, which hath beguiled many a man, it is sayd, that a small rayne abateth a great wind, for if our Lord Iesus Christ will saue Huon, the force and puissance of Earle Amerie shal doe Huon but little hurt, for the right excellent partes and great courage that was in Huon, defended him, as you shall heare hereafter.

Chap. XIIII.

THus Huon road vntill hee came into the féelde, where he saluted the King & all the Barons right humbly, then he approached to the relikes, and there made his solempne oathe in the presence of Duke Naymes of Bauier, who was kéeper of the féeld, affirming that when he slew Charlot, he knew him not to be the Kings Sonne, and that as he was true Knight, and loyall liege­man [Page] to the Emperour, whatsoeuer Earle Amerie had sayd was false and vntrue, and that he lyed like a false Traytor, and so kissed the Reliques. When Huon had thus taken his oath, Earle Amerie stept foorth all afraid, and swoore that Huons oath was false, and that surely he knew it was Char­lot when he slewe him, bycause he claymed his Hauke, the which Huon had taken vp, and that he would cause him to confesse ere it were night. When he had sworne, he thought to haue returned to his Horse, but stumbled so, that he had néere hand fallen to the earth. All that sawe it, tooke it for an ill sinne, and iudged in their minds, that the matter was likely to goe euill against Earle Amerie. When both these Champions had taken their oathes, and that Duke Naymes had caused the féeld to be auoided, hauing set the Kéepers of the féeld in due order as appertained thereto: then the twoo Champions leapt vpon their Horses, their Speares in their hands, & their shéelds about their necks, thē a cry was made, that none should be so hardie to mooue or to make any token vnto any of the partes vpon paine of death. After this crie made, the noble Emperor Charlemaine being full of yre and displeasure, caused againe to be proclaimed, that if it fortu­ned that the vanquisher should slay his enimie in the féelde, before he confesse the treason for the death of his Sonne: that then the vanquisher should loose all his Lands, and himselfe to bée banished out of the Realme of Fraunce, and out of the Empire of Roome, foreuer. After proclamation was ended, Duke Naymes and the other Barons & Péeres came to the King and saide: Alas my Lord, what will you doe? this that you haue proclaymed, is against all the Statutes of the noble Realme of Fraunce and Empire of Roome, for often times it happeneth, that one of the Champions is slaine, and haue no power to speake, shall therefore the conquerour bée so much iniuried? for the great renowne which so long time hath béen spread abroad of you, let it not now be wronged & blemished? let it not be sayd, that you who haue liued in so great dignity all the daies of your life, that now in your lat­ter [Page] dayes you should become weaker then a Childe: of the which words the King tooke small regard.

Chap. XV.

WHen King Charlemaine had heard Duke Naymes, hee swoore by Saint Denis of Fraunce, and by his crowne and beard, that it should be as he had said, nor otherwise he would not doe it. Then the noble Barons were sorrie and sore displeased, and they de­parted from the King and said: that by all likelyhood from thence forward Right should haue no place in his Court. Many noble Princes and Barons murmoured sore at the Proclamation that was made, & the two Champions drew apart and each of them fiercely regarded other. Then Earle Amerie spake aloud and said: thou Huon of Bourdeaux false trayterous Knight, this day I shall cause thée to confesse thy falsenesse, howbeit I haue great pitie of thée, in regard of thy youth, if therefore thou wilt confesse this murder that thou hast done, I shall desire King Charlemaine to haue compassi­on vpon thée. When Huon heard the Traytour so speake, for anger he blushed red and sayd: Ah thou false and most disloyall Knight, thy venomous words so full of bitternesse doe nothing at all abash me, for that good right that I am in shall ayd me by the helpe of our Lord Iesus Christ, and I shall so punish thy trespasse, that this day I shall make thée to confesse thy falsenesse, haue thereof no doubt. Therewith [...]ouched their Speares, and gaue such carrier to their horses, [Page] that it séemed the thunder had fallen from heauen, and with their sharp Speares they encountred in such wise, that their Speares brake to their hands, so that the shiuers flew vp high into the ayre and into the Kings Stage, and both their Horses fell to the earth, and the Knights sore astonied with their falling. Then verie boldly they reléeued themselues with their Swords in their handes, and so approached each to other, and fought each with other so long while, that Hu­ons Horse strangled sir Ameries Horse, who when he saw his horse slaine, stoutly stept to Huon for to haue slaine him: but Huon met him valiantly, and lifting vp his Sword, gaue the Earle such a stroake that he was astonied therewith, and staggred backe more then two paces and a halfe, hardly hol­ding himselfe from falling to the earth, so that all that saw [...] them, had maruaile of Huons vertue & force, séeing the great strength y ^t was in sir Amerie. Then when Earle Amerie felt himselfe in such perill, he began to despise the name of God, and of the glorious Virgin Marie: howbeit as well as hée might hée approached to Huon, and with his Sword gaue Huon such a stroake on the helmet, that all the flowers and precious stones there flew abroad in the féeld, and the cirkle of the helmet all to broken, and the stroake was so puissant that Huon was therewith sore astonied, and perforce was faine to fall on one of his knées to the earth, the other Legge but weakly supporting him. There was present in the féeld Lords and Knights, & one of the Abbot of Clunyes seruants, who when he saw the great stroake that Huon had receiued, he departed out of the féeld, and went into the church where­as he found his maister the Abbot at his prayers for the good spéed of Huon his Nephew, to whome the seruant said. Ah my Lord, pray heartily to our Lord Iesus Christ to succour your Nephew, for I saw him faine to knéele vpon one of his knées, in great doubt of death. Then the good Abbot with­out any answeare, lifted vp his hands toward Heauen de­uoutly, and weeping, prayed to God to ayd and defend the honour of his Nephew, and to maintaine his right. Thus [Page] Huon béeing in the féeld in great doubt of his life, féeling the sturdie strength of Earle Amerie: called with a good heart to our Lord Iesus Christ, requiring him to aide his right, the which he knew to be most true. When Earle Amerie sawe that Huon had receiued of him such a heauy stroake, he said: Huon I beléeue thou wilt not endure long, better it were that thou confesse the déede before I slay thée, for ere it bée night I shall cause thée to waue in the wind. Hold thy tonge thou false Traytour (quoth Huon) thine ilnesse shall not aid thée, for I shall bring thée to that point, that all thy fréends shall haue shame of thée. Then Huon aduaunced him and made semblance to haue striken Amerie on y ^e helmet, and A­merie lifted vp his Shéeld to haue receiued the stroake, but when Huon saw that, he turned his stroake to a reuerse, and stroake Amerie vnder the arme with his sharpe Sword, so that he stroake off his arme, the which fell downe in the féeld Shéeld and all.

When Earle Amerie sawe & felt that maruailous stroake, and that he had lost his left arme, and saw it lye in the féeld, hee was full of paine and sorrow, and aduised himselfe of a great treason, then he spake to Huon and saide: Ah Noble Knight haue pitie of me, for wrongfully and without cause I haue appeached thée of the death of Charlot the kings Son, for I know in troth you knew him not, but he is dead by my meanes, for I brought him into the wood to haue murde­red you and your Brother: I am readie to acknowledg this before the King and all his Barons, and to discharge you thereof: therefore I pray you kill me not, I yéeld me vnto you, take heere my Sword. Then Huon came vnto him, and put downe his arme to haue taken the Sword, but then the false Traytour Amerie with a reuerse stroake, strooke Huon vpon the arme, thinking to haue striken it off, but he fayled: howbeit he gaue him a great wound in the arme, so that the bloud ran downe. When Huon saw this horrible treason, he said: O thou vntrue and false Traytour, thine [...]esse can no longer saue thée, for thou shalt n [...]uer doe trea­son [Page] more: then Huon lifted vp his Sword, & gaue the Earle such a maruailous stroke betwéen the healme and the shoul­der, that he strooke off his head cleane from the bodie, so that the healme and head fel one way, and the body another way. Alas what hap was it to Huon, that he did not remember before he slew Amerie, the Proclamation that the Emperor had made before, for afterward Huon suffered so muche wrong and iniurie, as might mooue the verie hardest heart to compassionate his case, and as you shall more at large vn­derstand in the following discourse.

Chap. XVI.

WHen that Duke Naymes, who kept the féeld, saw how by Huon the Earle was slaine, he was right ioyfull, and came to Huon and demaunded how hée did. Sir, (quoth he) thanked be God I féele no dolour nor gréefe: then they brought him to the Pallaice to the King, who was departed out of the féeld. When he saw the Earle slaine, and was thereof right sorrowfull, then he demanded of Huon and of Duke Naymes, if they had heard Earle Amerie confesse the treason that hée had layde to Huon for the death of Charlot his Sonne. My Lord, (quoth the Duke) I thinke he did confesse it, but I heard it not, for Huon pressed so sore vpon him, that he had no leasure to doe it. Then Charlemaine sayd: Ah Earle A­merie, I know certainely thou didst neuer that treason, nor neuer thought it: wherefore thou art slaine wrongfully and [Page] without cause, for there was neuer a truer Knight thē thou wert, & I am sure if thou hadst done it, thou wouldest haue confessed it before me. Then the King sayd vnto Huon, I charg thée incontinent to auoid my Realme, out of the which I banish thée foreuer, nor shalt thou euer enioy one foote of Land in Bourdeaux nor in Aquitaine, & also I forbid thée that thou neuer be so hardy as to go to Bourdeaux, for by my ho­nour and crowne, if I may know that thou goest thether, I shall make thée to die an euill death, nor there is no man li­uing, though he be neuer so néere a fréend vnto me, but if he make any request for thée, I shall neuer loue him, nor he shall neuer after come in my sight. Then Huon said, Alas my Lord, what iustice is this? haue I done any more then knighthood bound me too? haue not you and your Barons séene him discomfited in playne Battaile, that hath brought you into all this trouble? vndoubtedly my Lord, if you doe to me as you say, God in heauen be my witnes, that neuer more wrong was done to any noble man. This is but bad remembrance of the good seruice that the noble Duke Seuin my Father hath done vnto you, for by this you shew great example to all your noble Barons and Knights, for them to be well aduised, how from henceforth they order themselues, and how to trust in you, when that by your owne obstinate opinion, founded vpon an euill ground, and against all Sta­tutes royall and imperiall, thus to execute your owne vn­reasonable will. Certainly if it were any other Prince be­side you, that should doe me this great wrong: ere I would consent so to be dealt withall, many a Castle and many a good towne should be destroyed and brought to ruine, & many poore men more impouerished and disenherited, and many a good Knight brought to death.

When Huon had thus spoken to the King, Duke Naymes stept foorth and sayd to the King: My Lord, what meane you to doe? you haue seene that Huon hath done no more then his dutie, hauing brought his enemy to confusion and slayn him, you may wel thinke that it was the worke of God, that such [Page] a Child should bring to shame and discomfite such a puissant Knight as was Earle Amerie. Therefore my Lord, if you doo as you haue said, neither I nor any other man shall euer trust you, but euerie one farre & néere that shall heare of this crueltie, will report that in the end of your daies you are be­come sencelesse, & more like a Tyrant then a wise Prince. Then Huon desired▪ all the Barons that were there present, that they would all require the King to haue more respect of him, séeing they were all bound so to doe, in that he was one of the Péeres of the Realme. Then al the Princes and Ba­rons (holding Huon by the hand) knéeled downe before the King, and Huon said: Séeing it is so my Lord, that your displeasure is such againste me as you haue expressed: Let your Barons and my selfe obtaine but this fauour at your handes, that I may be confined to my owne natiue Coun­trey for euer, there to lead a poore & priuate life, neuer to be admitted to your presence againe, & for this grace we shall all right humbly thanke you.

Chap. XVII.

WHEN the Emperor had heard Huon speake, he said incontinent: a­uoid out of my sight, for when I remem­ber my Sonne Charlot whome thou hast s [...]aine, I haue no part of mée but it trem­bleth for the displeasure I haue to thée, and I charge all my Barons héere present that they neuer speake to me more for thée. When Duke Naymes heard the King say so, he said vnto all the Barons: My Lords, you that he héere present, haue well heard the great vnreaso­nablenesse [Page] that y ^e King offers to one of our Péeres, y ^e which as yée know well it is against right and reason, and a thing not to be suffered. But bycause we know certainly the King is our Soueraigne Lord, we must suffer his pleasure: but from hencefoorth, since he will vse himselfe so, and do things against all reason and honour: I will neuer abide an houre longer with him, but will depart and neuer returne againe into the place, whereas such extremitie & vnreasonablenes is vsed: I will goe into my Countrey of Bauier, and let the King doe from hencefoorth as he list. Then all the Barons departed with the Duke from the King, without speaking any one word, and so left the King alone in his Pallaice.

When the King sawe the Duke depart & his other Lords, he was right sorrowfull and in great displeasure, and said to the young Knights that were left about him, howe that he ought in nature to take heauylie the death of his Sonne who was slaine so disloyally, and could not likewise but gréeue, to sée how his Barons had abandoned him and left him a­lone: therefore there is no remedie I sée well, but I must be forced somewhat to follow their wils, & therewith he wept pitiously, and incontinent went foorth and followed them, saying: Duke Naymes and all you my Barons I desire you to returne againe, for of force I must graunt your requests, although it be against that promise y ^t I made before. Then the Duke and all the rest returned to the Pallaice with the King, who sat downe on a bench of gould and his Barons about him. Then he sent for Huon, who knéeled downe be­fore the King, requiring him humbly of mercie and pitie, to whom the King said: Huon, séeing thou wouldest be at peace with me, it is requisit that thou performe whatsoeuer I en­ioyne thée. Else my Lord, (said Huon) God forbid, there is no man in the world owes you more obedience then I doe, or shall more gladly vndertake whatsoeuer your highnesse shall please to commaund me, dreadlesse of death or any dan­ger, be it to goe to Hell gates, to fight with the fiendes there as sometime did Hercules, if I may thereby be reconciled to [Page] your grace. Huon (quoth the King) I thinke to send thée in­to a worse place, for of fiftéene Messengers that I haue sent, there was neuer any returned againe: I shall shew thée whether thou shalt goe, séeing thou wilt that I shall haue mercie of thée. Thou must goe to the Citie of Babylon, to the Admirall Gaudise, and there doe as I shall appoint thée, but beware on paine of thy life that thou fayle not to doe it. When thou commest thether, mount vp into his Pallaice, and there tarrie vntill he be at his dinner, and when thou se­est him sit at the table, then thou to be armed with thy sword naked in thy hand, and the verie greatest Lord that thou sée­est sit at his Table, whether he be King or Admirall, thou shalt strike off his head: and after that, enquire for faire Es­cleremond Daughter to the Admirall, and kisse her there o­penly in his presence and before all other there present, for I giue thée to vnderstand she is the fairest mayd that is now liuing, this being done, thou shalt say to the Admirall Gau­dise, that I commaund him to send me, a thousand Haukes, a thousand Beares, and a thousand Waighters all chained, and a thousand young Varlets, and a thousand of the fairest maydens in his realme. And also thou to bring me thy hand­full of the heare of his beard, and foure of his greatest téeth. Alas my Lord, (quoth the Barons) wée sée well you desire greatly his death, when you charge him with such a Messu­age. That is true, (quoth the King) for without I haue his beard and his great téeth brought me hether vnfaynedly: Let him neuer returne into Fraunce, nor come into my pre­sence, for if he doe, he shalbe hanged and drawen. My Lord, (quoth Huon) haue you shewed me all your pleasure? Yea, (quoth the King) my will is as I haue said, if thou wilt haue peace with me. My Soueraigne Lord, (quoth Huon) by the grace of God I shall finish your messuage, the feare of death shall not let me to doe it. Huon (quoth the King) if God of his grace will suffer thée to returne againe into Fraunce, I charge thee be not so hardy to come vnto Bourdeaux ▪ nor to any part of thy Countrey vntill thou hast spoken with mée, [Page] if I finde thée dooing contrarie, I shall cause thée to die an ill death, and vpon this, I will thou layest vnto me good hosta­ges. My Lord, (quoth Huon) héere be Ten Knights, whom I shall leaue with you for suerty, to the entent that you shall be content with me: howbeit my Lord, I require your grac [...] to suffer the Knights that came with me from Bourdeaux to goe with me to the holy Sepulchre. I am content (quoth the King) that they go with thée thether or else-where. My Lord (quoth Huon) I thanke your grace. Then Huon made him readie to fournish his voyage.

Chap. XVIII.

AFter that King Charlemaine had giuen Huon the charge of his messuage: the King called before him Gerardine Bro­ther to Huon, and deliuered to him the go­uernance of all his Brothers Lands in his absence vntill his retourne. And thus whē Huon was readie, he came to the King and to the Barons, to take his leaue of them and the Abbot of Cluny, who said they would goe with him part of his way, so likewise did Twelue of the greatest Princes & Ladies accompanie him for twoo daies iourney: and when they came to the towne of Troy in Champaine, Duke Naymes tooke leaue of his Coozen Huon, and gaue him a Sommer charged with gould, and kissed him at their departing. Then Gerard his Brother tooke his leaue and also kissed him: but know for troth the kisse that he gaue him, was like to the kisse that Iudas gaue to his Maister, the which was dearely bought as héereafter yée shall heare. Thus Duke Naymes and Gerard departed & tooke their way to Paris, but the Abbot and Huon rested not [Page] vntill they came to the Abbie of Cluny, where they were re­ceiued with great ioy and well feasted. Then the next mor­ning Huon departed, and tooke leaue of his Vncle sore wée­ping, desiring him to recommend him vnto his Mother the Duchesse and to Gerard his Brother: the Abbot promised so to doe, and gaue Huon his Nephew a Mulet charged with money currant in Fraunce: thus he departed and tooke the way to Roome. Now leaue we to speake of Huon, and shew of Duke Naymes and Gerard, who returned to Paris, where Gerard required the King, that it would please him to receiue his homage for the Lands of Bourdeaux, to the entent that he might be aduaunced, and to be in the State of one of the Péeres of Fraunce, the which thing Duke Naymes would not consent nor agrée vnto, but said to the King: My Lord, you ought not to suffer that Huon should be disenherited, where­of Gerard was not content, but Duke Naymes set litle there­by, for he loued Huon entirely, so this homage was delayed. Then Gerard returned to Bourdeaux, where he was well re­ceiued: but when the Duchesse saw him & not Huon to re­turne, she was sorrowfull in her heart, and then she deman­ded of Gerard, why that Huon his brother was not returned with him? Then Gerard shewed her all the whole matter and aduenture, and of the departing of Huon, & of the man­ner of his voyage, whereof the Duchesse had such sorrowe, that she fell sicke, and so lay nine and Twenty daies, and on the Thirtieth daye she dyed, and rendred vp her Soule vnto God: whereof all the Countrey was sorrowfull. Gerard nobly buried her in the Church of Saint Seueryn by y ^e Duke her husband. Amon after married him to the Daughter of Duke Gilberd of Cecill, who was the greatest Traytour and moste cruell that might be heard of. And Gerard Amons Sonne in law learned his wayes, and followed his conditi­on, for he dealt so ill with the towne of Bourdeaux, and with the Countrey about, that pitie it was to heare the poore peo­ple, to wéepe for the losse of Duke Seuin and of the Duchesse, and prayed to God for the good returne of their Lord Huon: [Page] Nowe wee shall leaue to speake of them and returne vnto Huon.

Chap. XIX.

Here before you haue heard, how Huon departed from his Vncle y ^e Ab­bot of Cluny, and so longe hée road with his Knights, that he came to the City of Roome: where hee was lodged in a good Hostrey. Then Huon arose in the morning, accom­panied with Guichard whom he loued well, and with the o­ther Knights that came thether with him, and went to the Church of Saint Peter and heard Seruice, and when that Seruice was done, the Pope came out of his Oratorie: then Huon came vnto him and humbly saluted him, the Pope be­held him and demaunded what he was? Sir, (quoth he) my Father was Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux, who is deceased: then the Pope stept vnto him & embraced him, and sayd. Faire Nephew you are welcome, I pray you shew me how doth my Sister the Duchesse your Mother, and what aduenture hath brought you hether? Sir, (quoth he) I desire your ho­lynesse, that you will heare my confession a part, for I haue great néede thereof. Faire Nephewe (quoth the Pope) it pleaseth me right well to héere you: then the Pope tooke him by the hand, & went with him into his Oratorie, and there Huon shewed him all the aduenture that he had since he came from Bourdeaux, and of the voyage that Charlemaine had set [Page] him to doe, and what he had to say to the Admirall Gaudise: all which being declared and done, he required pardon and penaunce for his sinnes. The Pope said, he would assigne him no penaunce, for the Emperour Charles had done that alreadie, and which was so great, that no humane bodie could suffer it, nor durst vndertake to doe it. Then the Pope gaue him absolution of all his sinnes, and louingly led him into his Pallaice, where he was honourably receiued with great ioy.

After they had dyned and deuised together a great space, the Pope said vnto Huon: Faire Nephew the way that you must goe, is to goe to the Porte of Brandis, there shall you find my Brother Garyn of Saint Omers, who is your Vncle, to whome I shall write a Letter, to the entent that he shall haue knowledge of you, for I know well he will haue great ioy of you, he hath the kéeping of the Orientall Sea, he shal adresse you, and deliuer you Ship or Galley such as shall bée necessarie for you. Most holy Father, (quoth Huon) of this I thanke you. Well (quoth the Pope) this night you shall abide h [...]ere with me. Sir, (quoth he) I require you to let me depart, for greatly I desire to sée mine Vncle Garyn. When the Pope saw that he would néedes depart, he deliuered him his Letter, and sayd: Faire Nephew, salute from me my Brother Garyn your Vncle. Sir, (quoth he) I shall do your commaundement: then the Pope gaue to Huon great and rich presents, and to all them that were with him, and hée kissed his Nephew at his departing, Huon tooke leaue of thē all wéeping, and so departed, and entred into the Riuer of Tiber in a rich Shippe, the which the Pope had well garni­shed for him.

Thus hee had good winde, so that anone they arriued at Brandis, but whiles he was on the water, hee wept sore and pityously complayned, in that he was so departed out of his Countrey: then his men comforted him, and shewed many faire examples to comfort him. Sir, (quoth Guichard) leaue your sorrow, for gréefe and sadnesse cannot auaile you, you [Page] must put all to the mercie of our Lord God, who neuer for­getteth them that loue him: shew your selfe a man and no Child, to the entent that we that be with you may be reioy­ced, for the sorrow that we sée you in, doth sore trouble vs. Deare fréend (quoth Huon) since it is so, I shall follow your will: and thus they arriued at the Port of Brandis. Then they yssued out of their Shippe, and tooke out their Horses, and there they saw Garyn sitting before the Port, in a lodge (well and richly hanged) in a goodly Chaire. When Huon saw him sitting, he saluted him, thinking that he was Lord of that Countrey: then Garyn beheld Huon and began to wéepe, and said. Sir, it doth not appertaine vnto me, that you should doe me so great honour as you doe: for by that I sée in you, I am constrained to wéepe, bycause you resemble so much to a Prince of the Realme of Fraunce, called Duke Seuin, who was Lord of the Citie of Bourdeaux, the great loue that euer I bare vnto him, caused me to wéepe: there­fore I require you tell me, where you were borne, and who be your Parents and fréends? for Duke Seuin wedded my Sister the Duchesse Aclis. Sir, (quoth Huon) séeing you will néedes know what I am, I may well shew it vnto you, for that Duke was my Father, and the Duchesse Aclis is my Mother, we are two brethren, I am the eldest, & the youn­ger is still at Bourdeaux to kéepe our Land. When Garyn vnderstood that Huon was Sonne to Duke Seuin of Bourde­aux, the ioy that he had could not be expressed, then he embra­ced Huon all wéeping and said: Right deare Nephew, your comming is to me the greatest ioy in this world, so he knée­led downe and would haue kissed Huons féete: but Huon re­léeued him incontinent. The ioy that was betwéene them two was so great, that all that saw it had maruaile thereof. Then Garyn demaunded of Huon and said: Faire Nephew, what aduenture hath brought you into these parts? Then Huon shewed him from point to point all his businesse, and the cause why he was entred into that Enterprize.

When Garyn had heard all, he began to wéepe, and yet to [Page] comfort his Nephew, he said: Faire Huon, whereas lyeth great perils, there lyeth great honour, God ayd you to es­chew and to finish this great businesse, all is possible to God, and to man by meanes of his grace, a man ought neuer to b [...] abashed for worldly matters. Then Huon deliuered his Letters to his Vncle Garyn, who gladly receiued them, and read the contents thereof at large. Then he said, Faire Nephew, there néede none other recommendations but the sight of your presence, for it appeareth well by your counte­nance, that you be the same person that our holy Father ma­keth mention of, surely your comming séemeth to mée faire and good, and you be arriued at a good Port, for I promise you faithfully, I loue well my Wife and my Children: but the great loue that I haue vnto you for the loue of your Fa­ther Duke Seuin, and the Duchesse your Mother, who was mine owne deare Sister, I abandon all that I haue to serue you and kéepe you companie, both with my bodie and all that I haue. Knowe for truth, I haue thrée good Galleys & three great Shippes, well fournished of euerie thing for the warre, the which I shall lead with you, for as longe as life abideth in my bodie, I shall not abandon you: but I shall ayde you in all your Enterprizes. Faire Vncle, (quoth Huon) for the great courtesie that you offer mée, I can but thanke you: then Garyn tooke Huon by the hand, and led him into his Castle, whereas hée was richly receiued. Garyns Wife and foure of her Sonnes came vnto Huon, and he full courteously kissed the Ladie and her foure Children his Coo­zens, great ioy was made there in the Hall, and the Tables set for Supper. Then Garyn called his Wife and said, Ma­dame, this young Knight that you sée héere, is my Nephew and Coozen to your Children, who is come hether for refuge, to haue counsaile and ayd of me in a Voyage and Enterprise that he hath to doe, and by the grace of God, I shall go with him to ayd and to conduct him: wherefore I pray and com­maund, that you take in rule all my affaires and kéepe your Children. Sir, (quoth she) séeing it is your pleasure thus to [Page] doe, and that you will goe with him, your will let be fulfil­led: howbeit I had rather you abode then went, this shée spake sore wéeping.

The next day in the morning, Garyn (who had great will to serue and please his Nephew) ordained a great Shippe to be made readie well fournished with Bisket, Wines and flesh, and all other manner of victuals, and with munition of warre as it appertained, and put therein their horses and armour, gould and siluer, & other riches necessarie for them: then they tooke leaue of the Ladie, and so lest her sore wée­ping. Thus Garyn and Huon entred into their Ship and all their companie, there were Thirtéene Knightes and Twoo Varlets to serue them, for they would haue no greater num­ber.

Chap. XX.

WHen Huon and Garyn were entred into their Ship, they hoysed vp their Sailes, and sayled night and daye, so that at last they arriued safely at the Port of Iaffe, where they tooke landing and drew out their horses, and road foorth so the same day, that they came to Rames, and the next day to the Citie of Ierusalem: that night they rested, and the next day they did their Pil­grimage to the holy Sepulchre, and there deuoutly heard Seruice, and offered according to their deuotion. When Huon came before the holy Sepulchre, he kneeled downe vp­on his bare knées, and all wéeping made his prayers to our [Page] Lord God, requiring him to ayd and comfort him in his voy­age, so that he might returne againe into Fraunce, and to haue peace with King Charlemaine. And when they all had made their prayers and offered, Huon and Garyn went into a little Chapell vpon the mount of Caluerye, whereas nowe lyeth the bodies of Godfrey of Bullen, and Bauldwin his Bro­ther: there Huon called vnto him all those that came with him out of Fraunce, and said. Sirs, you that for the loue of mée, haue left your Fathers and Mothers, Wiues and Chil­dren, Lands and Signiories, for this courtesie that you haue shewed mee, I thanke you. Now you may returne into Fraunce againe, and humbly recommend mée to the Kinges good grace, and vnto all the other Barons: and when you come to Bourdeaux, do my dutie to the Duchesse my Mother, and to Gerard my Brother, and vnto the Lords of my Coun­trey. Then Guichard and all the other Knights answeared Huon, and said: Sir as yet we will not leaue you, neither for death nor life, vntill we haue brought you vnto the red Sea: why then (quoth Huon) for the great seruice and cur­tesie that you offer mee, I thanke you. Then Garyn called two of his seruants, and commaunded them to returne vnto his wife, and to desire her to be of good chéere, and that short­ly he would returne, the which thing they did, and returned and did their messuage.

When Huon vnderstood that his Vncle Garyn was dispo­sed to abide with him he sayd: Faire Vncle, you shall not néede to trauaile so much, I would councell you to returne vnto your Wife and Children. Sir, (quoth Garyn) & God will I shall not leaue you no day, vntill you returne your selfe. Vncle, (quoth Huon) I thanke you of your courtesie: then they went to their lodging and dyned, and after dinner tooke their horses, and so road by Hils and Dales, so that if I should recount all the aduentures that they found in their way, it should be too long a processe to shew it: but as the true Historie witnesseth, they suffered much paine and tra­uaile, for they passed such Deserts, whereas they found but [Page] small sustenance, whereof Huon was right sorrowfull, for the loue of them that were with him, and began to wéepe, and to remember his owne Countrey, saying: Alas noble King of Fraunce, great wrong and great sinne you haue done me, thus to driue me out of my Countrey, and to send mée into a strange Land, to the entent to shorten my dayes: I pray God to pardon you therefore, then Garyn and the other Knights comforted him, and said: Alas Sir, dismay you not for vs, God is puissant ynough to ayd vs, hée neuer fayleth them that loueth him.

Thus they road forth in the Desert so long, vntill at last they saw a little Cottage, before the which sat an old ancient man with a long white beard, and his heare hanging ouer his shoulders: when Huon perceiued him, he drew thether, and saluted the olde man in the name of God and of the bles­sed Virgin Marie: then the ancient man lifted vp his eyes and beheld Huon, and had great maruaile, for of a long sea­son before he had séene no man that spake of God, then he be­held Huon in the face, and began sore to wéepe, and stepping vnto Huon, tooke him by the Leg & kissed it more then twen­tie times. Fréend (quoth Huon) I desire you shew me why you make this sorrow? Sir, (quoth he) about thirtie yeares passed I came hether, and since that time I neuer sawe man beléeuing on the Christian faith, and now the regarding of [...]our visage, causeth me to remember a noble Prince that I haue séene in Fraunce, who was called Duke Seuin of Bour­deaux: therefore I require you shew me if euer you saw him, I pray you hide it not from me. Fréend (quoth Huon) I pray you shew me where you were borne, & of what lineage and Countrey you be of? Nay sir, (quoth he) that will I not doe, first you shal shew me what you be and where you were borne, and why you come hether? Fréend (quoth Huon) sée­ing it pleaseth you to know I shall shew you: then Huon and all his companye alighted, and tyed theyr Horses to Trées.

When Huon was alighted, he sat downe by the old man [Page] and said. Fréend, since you will néedes know my businesse, I shall shew you: know for troth, I was borne in the Citie of Bourdeaux, and am Son to Duke Seuin, and Huon shew­ed him all his whole case and Enterprize, and of the death of Charlot, and how he discomfited Earle Amerie, and howe that Charlemaine hadde chaced him out of Fraunce, and of the Messuage that he was charged to say vnto the Admirall Gaudise, affirming all to be for certaintie. When the oulde man hadde well heard Huon, he began sore to wéepe. Sir, (quoth Huon) since it pleaseth you to know of my sorrowe, Duke Seuin my Father is dead seauen yeares past, my Mo­ther I trust be aliue, and a Brother of mine whome I haue left with her. And nowe sir séeing you haue heard of mine affaires, I require you giue me your counsaile and aduice, and also if it please you, to shew me what you be, and of what Countrey, and how you came into these parts? Sir, (quoth the old man) know for troth, I was borne in Geron­ [...]ill, & am brother to the good Prouost Guyer: & when I de­parted thence I was a young Knight, & haunted the Iustes and Tourneys, so that on a daie it fortuned at a Tourney that was made at Poytiers, I slew a Knight of a noble bloud, wherefore I was banished out of y ^e Realme of Fraunce. But my brother the Prouost made such a request to Duke Seuin your Father, that by his meanes my peace was made with the King, and my land saued, vpon condition that I should goe to the holy Sepulchre, to punish my bodie for the Knight that I flew, and to forgiue my faults. Thus I departed out of my countrey, and when I had done my voyage, I thought to haue returned, but as I departed out of the Citie of Ieru­salem, to take the way to Acres, passing by a wood betwéene Ierusalem and Naples, there came vpon me ten Sarazins, who tooke me and brought me to the Citie of Babilon, where­as I was in prison two yeares complet, whereas I suffered much pouertie and miserie: but our Lord God, who neuer fayleth them that serueth him, and haue in him full affiance, he sent me the grace, that by the meanes of a right noble La­die [Page] I was brought out of prison in a night, and so I fled in­to this Forrest, whereas I haue béene this thirtie yeares, & in all this space I neuer saw nor heard man beléeuing in Ie­sus Christ: thus I haue shewed you all mine affaires.

When Huon had heard the Knights tale, he had great ioy, and embraced him and saide, howe often times he had séene Guyre his Brother the Prouost wéepe for him, and when I departed from Bourdeaux, (quoth he) I deliuered vnto him all my Lands to gouerne: wherefore I require you shewe mée your name? Sir, (quoth he) I am called Gerames, and now I pray you shew me your name? Sir, (quoth he) I am na­med Huon, and my younger Brother is called Gerard. But sir, I pray you shew me how you haue so long liued héere, & what sustenance you haue had? Sir, (quoth Gerames) I haue eaten none other thing but rootes & fruites that I haue found in the wood: then Huon demaunded of him if he could speake the language Sarazin? Yes sir, quoth he) as well or better then any Sarazin in the Countrey, nor there is no way but that I know it.

When Huon had heard Gerames, then he demaunded fur­ther of him, if he could goe to Babilon? Yes sir, (quoth Ge­rames) I can goe thether by two wayes, the most surest way is hence about fortie dayes iourney, and the other is but fif­téene dayes iourney: but I councell you to take the longe way, for if you take the shorter way, you must passe thorow a wood about sixtéene Leagues of length, but the way is so full of the Fayryes and s [...]rang things, that such as passe that way are lost, for in that wood abideth a King of the Fayryes named Oberon, he is of height but of thrée foote, and crooked shouldered, but yet he hath an Angell-like visage, so that there is no mortal man that séeth him, but that taketh great pleasure to behold his face, and you shall no sooner be entred into that wood, if you go that way, but he wil find y ^e meanes to speake with you, and if you speake vnto him, you are lost for euer, & you shall euer find him before you, so that it shall be in manner impossible that you can scape from him, with­out [Page] speaking to him, for his words be so pleasant to heare, that there is no mortall man y ^t can well scape without spea­king vnto him. And if he sée that you will not speake a word vnto him: then he will be sore displeased with you, and be­fore you can get out of the wood, he will cause raine & wind, hayle and snowe, and will make maruelous tempests, with thunder and lightenings, so that it shall séeme vnto you that all the world should perish, and he will make to séeme before you a great running Riuer blacke and déepe: but you may passe it at your ease, and it shal not wet the feet of your horse, for all is but fantasie and enchauntments that the Dwarfe shall make, to the entent to haue you with him, and if you can kéepe your selfe without speaking vnto him, you may then well escape. But Sir to eschew all perils, I councell you to take the longer way, for I thinke you cannot escape from him: and then you be lost for euer.

When Huon had well heard Gerames, he had great mar­uaile, and he had great desire in himselfe to sée that Dwarfe King of the Fayryes, and the strang aduentures that were in that wood: then he said vnto Gerames, that for feare of a­ny death hée would not leaue to passe that way, séeinge hée might come to Babilon in fiftéene dayes, for in taking y ^e lon­ger way hée might perchaunce find more aduentures, and since he was aduertised, that with kéeping his tongue from speaking, he might abridge his iourney: he sayd, that sure­ly he would take that way whatsoeuer chaunce befell. Sir, (quoth Gerames) you shall doe your own pleasure, for which way soeuer you take, it shall not be without me, I shall bring you to Babilon to the Admirall Gaudise, I knowe him right well, and when you bée come thether, you shall see there a Damsell, (as I haue heard say) the most fairest creature in all Inde, and the onely and most swéetest, and most courte­ous that euer was borne, and it is shee that you séeke, for shee is Daughter to the Admirall Gaudise.

Chap. XXI.

WHen Huon had well heard Gerames, how he was minded to goe along with him: hée was thereof right ioyfull, and thanked him of his courtesy and seruice, and gaue him a goodly horse, whereon he moun­ted, and so road foorth together, so long that they came into the wood whereas King Oberon haunted most. Then Huon who was wearie of trauaile, and what for famine and for heate, the which he and his companie had endured two dayes without bread or meat, so that he was so féeble that he could ride no further, and then he began pi­tyously to wéepe, and complayned of the great wronge that Kinge Charlemaine had done vnto him, and then Garyn and Gerames comforted him, and had great pitie of him, and they knew well by the reason of his youth, hunger oppressed him more then it did to them of greater age. Then they alighted vnder a great Oake, to the entent to search for some fruit to eate, they glad thereof let their horses goe to pasture. When they were thus alighted, the Dwarfe of the Fayry Kinge Oberon came ryding by, and had on a Gowne so rich, that it were maruaile to recount the riches and fashion thereof, & it was so garnished with precious stones, that the clearnesse of them shined like the Sonne. Also he had a goodlie bow in his hand, so rich that it could not be estéemed, and his ar­rowes after the same sort, and they were of such a nature or qualitie, that any beast in the world that he would wish for, the arrowe would arrest him. Also he had about his necke [Page] a rich Horne hanging by two Laces of gold, the Horne was so rich and faire, that there was neuer séene any such, it was made by foure Ladies of y ^e Fayries in the Isle of Chafalone, one of them gaue to y ^e horne such a propertie, that whosoeuer heard the sound thereof, if he were in the greatest sickenesse in the world, he should incontinent be whole and sound: the Ladie that gaue this gift to the Horne, was named Glorian­da. The second Ladie was named Translyna, she gaue to this Horne another propertie, and that was, whosoeuer heard this Horne, if he were in the greatest famine of the worlde, he should be satisfied as well, as though he had eaten al that he woulde wishe for, and so likewise for drinke as well, as though he had droonke his fil of the best wine in al the world. The third Ladie named Margala gaue to this Horne yet a greater gift, and that was, whosoeuer heard this Horne, though he were neuer so poore or feeble by sicknesse, he should haue such ioy in his heart, that he should singe and daunce. The fourth Ladie named Lempatrix, gaue to this Horne such a gift, that whosoeuer heard it, if he were an hundred dayes iourneys of, he should come at the pleasure of him that blew it farre or néere.

Then King Oberon, who knew well, and had séene the four­téene Companions, he set his Horne to his mouth, and blew so melodious a blast, that the fourtéene Companions being vnder the Trée had so persit a ioy at their hearts, that they al rose vp and began to sing and daunce. Ah good Lord, (quoth Huon) what fortune is come vnto vs? me thinke we be in Paradise, right now I could not sustaine my selfe for lacke of meat and drinke, and nowe I féele my selfe neither hungrie nor thirstie, from whence may this come? Sir, (quoth Ge­rames) knowe for troth, this is done by the Dwarfe of the Fayrye, whome you shall soone see passe by you. But Sir, I require you on ieopardie of loosing of your life, that you speake to him no word, without you purpose to abide euer with him. Sir, (quoth Huon) haue no doubt of me, séeing I know the ieopardie. Therewith the Dwarfe began to [Page] crie aloude and saide: Yée fourtéene men that passe by my wood, God kéepe you all, and I desire you speake with mée, and I coniure you thereto by God almightie, and by the christendome that you haue receiued, and by all that God hath made: answeare mée.

Chap. XXII.

WHEN that Huon and his companie heard the Dwarfe speake, they mounted on their Horses, and road away as fast as they might, without speaking of any word, and the Dwarfe séeing how that they road away and would not speake, hée was sorrowfull and angrie. Then hée set one of his fingers on his Horne, out of the which yssued such a winde and tempest so horrible to heare, that it bare downe Trées, and therewith came such a raine and hayle, that it séemed that heauen and the earth had fought together, and that the world should haue ended, the beasts in the woods brayed and cryed, and the foules of the ayre fell down dead for y ^e feare that they were in, there was no creature but he would haue béen afrayd of that tem­pest. Then suddainly appeared before them a great Riuer, that ran swifter then the birds did flye, and the water was so blacke and so perilous, & made such a noyse, that it might be heard ten Leagues of. Alas (quoth Huon) I see well now we be all lost, wée shall héere be oppressed without God haue pitie of vs, I repent me that euer I entred into this wood, I had béen better to haue trauailed a whole yéere, then to haue come hether. Sir, (quoth Gerames) dismay you not, for all this is done by the Dwarfe of the Fayrye. Well, (quoth [Page] Huon) I thinke it best to alight from our horses, for I thinke we shall neuer escape from hence, but that we shalbe all op­pressed. Then Garyn and the other Companions had great maruaile, and were in great feare; Ah Gerames, (quoth Huon) you shewed mee well, that it was great perill to passe this wood, I repent mée nowe that I had not beléeued you.

Then they sawe on the other side of the Riuer a faire Ca­stell, enuyroned with fourtéene great Towers, and on eue­rie Tower a clocher of fine gould by séeming, the which they long regarded, and by that time they had gone a little by the Riuer side, they lost the sight of the Castle, it was cleane va­nished away: whereof Huon and his companie were sore a­bashed. Huon, (quoth Gerames) of all this that you sée dis­may you not, for all this is done by the crooked Dwarfe of the Fayrye, and all to beguile you, but he cannot gréeue you, so you speake no word: howbeit ere we depart from him, he will make vs all abashed, for anone he will come after vs like a mad man, bicause you will not speake vnto him: but sir I require you as in Gods name, be nothing afrayd, but ride foorth surely, and euer beware that you speake vnto him no word. Sir, (quoth Huon) haue no doubt thereof, for I had rather he were destroyed, then I should speake one word vnto him, then they road to passe the Riuer, and they founde there nothing to let them, and so road about fiue Leagues. Sir, (quoth Huon) wée may well thanke God that wee bée thus escaped this Dwarfe, who thought to haue deceiued vs, I was neuer in such feare during my life god confound him: thus they road deuising of the little Dwarfe, who had done them so much trouble.

Chap. XXIII.

WHen Gerames vnderstood the companie, howe they thought they were escaped from the Dwarfe, he began to smile, and said: Sirs, make no brag­ing that you be out of this danger, for I beléeue you shall soone sée him againe, and assoone as Gerames had spoke the same words, they sawe be­fore them a bridge the which they must passe, and they sawe the Dwarfe on the other part, Huon sawe him first and said, I sée that Diuell who hath done vs so much trouble. Oberon heard him and saide: Fréend thou doest me iniurie without cause, for I was neuer Diuell nor ill creature, I am as o­ther be, but I coniure thée by the diuine puissance, to speake vnto me. Then Gerames said: Sirs, for Gods sake let him alone, nor speake no word to him, for by his faire language he may deceiue vs all, as he hath done many other, it is pity that he hath liued so long. Then they road forth a good pace, and left the Dwarfe alone sore displeased, in that they would not speake to him: then he tooke his Horne and set it to his mouth and blew it. When Huon and his companie hearde it, they had no power to ride any further, but they began all to sing. Then Oberon the Dwarfe said, yonder company are fooles & proud, that for any salutation that I can giue them, they disdaine to answeare mée: but by the God that made me, before they es [...]ape me, the refusall of my words shalbe déere bought. Then he tooke againe his Horne, and strooke it thrée times on his bowe, and cryed out aloud & said: Yée my men, come and appeare before me. Then there came to [Page] him about foure hundred men of armes, and demaunded of Oberon what was his pleasure, & who had displeased him? Sirs, (quoth Oberon) I shall shew you: howbeit I am grée­ued to shewe it, héere in this woode there passed fourtéene Knights, who disdaine to speake vnto me: but to the entent that they shall not mocke me, they shall déerely buy the refu­sing of their answeare: Wherefore I will you goe after them, and slay them all, let none escape. Then one of his Knights said: Sir, for Gods sake haue pitie of them. Cer­tainly (quoth Oberon) mine honour saued, I cannot spare them, since they disdaine to speake vnto me. Sir, (quoth Glorianda) for Gods sake doe not as you say: but sir worke by my counsaile, and after doe as it pleaseth you. Sir, I counsaile you yet once againe goe after them, then if they do not speake, we shall slay them all: for surely Sir, if they sée you returne againe to them so shortly, they will be in great feare. Fréend (quoth Oberon) I shall do as you haue coun­sailed mee. Thus Huon and his company road forth a great pace, and Huon said: Sirs, we are now from the Dwarfe about fiue Leagues, I neuer sawe in my life so faire a crea­ture in the visage, I haue great maruaile how he can speake of almightie God, for I thinke he be a Deuill of hell, & since he speaketh of God, mée thinkes we ought to speake to him, for I thinke such a creature can haue no power to doe vs any euill, I thinke hee be not past the age of fiue yeares. Sir, (quoth Gerames) as little as he séemeth, and that you take him for a Child, he was borne fortie yeares before the nati­uitie of our Lord Iesus Christ. Surely (quoth Huon) I care not what age he be of, but if he come againe, ill hap come to me if I kéepe my words and speach from him, I pray you be not displeased.

And thus as they road deuising fiftéene dayes, suddainly Oberon appeared vnto them, and said: Sirs, are you not yet aduised to speake vnto mée? yet againe I am come to salute you in the name of the God that made and fourmed vs, and I coniure you by the puissance that he hath giuen me, that [Page] you speake to me, for I repute you for fooles, to thinke thus to passe thorow my wood, and disdaine to speake to mée. Ah Huon, I know thée well ynough, and whether thou wouldst goe, I know all thy déedes, howe thou slewest Charlot, and after discomfited Amerie, and I knowe the Messuage that Charlemaine hath charged thée to say to y ^e Admirall Gaudise ▪ the which thing is impossible to be done without mine ayd: [...]or without me thou shalt neuer accomplish this Enterprize. Speake to me, and I shall doe thée that courtesie, that I shall cause thée to atchiue thine Enterprize, the which is else im­possible without mée, and when thou hast atchiued thy Mes­suage, I shall bring thée againe into Fraunce in safegard. I know the cause that thou wilt not speake to mée, it is by rea­son of old Gerames who is there with thée: therefore Huon beware of thy selfe, go no further, for I know well it is thrée dayes passed since thou diddest eate any meate to profit thée, if thou wilt beléeue me, thou shalt haue ynough of such sus­tenance as thou wilt wish for: and assoone as thou hast dy­ned, I will giue thée leaue to depart, if it be thy pleasure, of this haue no doubt. Sir, (quoth Huon) you bee welcome. Ah (quoth Oberon) thy salutation shalbe well rewarded, knowe for truth, thou neuer diddest salutation so profitable for thy selfe, thou mayest thanke God, that he hath sent thée that grace.

Chap. XXIIII.

WHen Huon had well heard Oberon, he had great maruaile, and deman­ded if it were true that hee had saide? Yes truly (quoth Oberon) of that make no doubt. Sir, (quoth Huon) I haue great maruaile [Page] for what cause you haue alwayes pursued vs. Huon (quoth Oberon) know that I loue thée well, bicause of the truth that is in thée, and therfore naturally I loue thée, and if thou wilt knowe who I am, I shall shew thée. True it is, Iulius Cae­sar engendred me on the Ladie of the secret Isle, who was sometime well beloued of the faire Florimont, of Albania. But bicause that Florimont who as then was young, and he had a Mother who did so much, that she saw my Mother and Florimont together in a solitary place on the Sea side: when my Mother perceiued that she was espyed by Florimonts mo­ther, she departed and left Florimont her louer in great wée­ping and lamentations, and neuer saw him after. And then shee returned into her owne Countrey of the secret Isle, the which now is named Chafalone, whereas she married after, and had a Sonne who in his time after was King of Eg [...]pt, named Nactanabus, it was he as it is said that engendred A­lexander the great, who after caused him to die. Then after a Seauen yeares, Caesar passed by the Sea as he went vnto the place whereas he fought with Pompey, in his way hee passed by Chafalone, where my Mother fetched him, and hée fell in loue with her, bicause she shewed him that he should discomfite Pompey, as he did. Thus I haue shewed you who was my Father, at my birth there was many Princes and Barons of the Fayry, and many a noble Ladie that came to sée my Mother whiles she trauailed of mée, and amonge them there was one was not content, bicause shee was not sent for as well as the other, and when I was borne, shee gaue mee a gift, the which was, that when I should passe thrée yeares of age, I should grow no more, but thus as you sée mee nowe, and when she had thus done, and sawe that she had thus serued me by her words, she repented her selfe, and would recompence mee another way. Then shee gaue me another gift, and that was, that I should be the fairest creature that euer nature fourmed, as thou mayest s [...] mée now: & another Ladie of the Fayry named Transtyna, gaue me another gift, and that was, all that euer any man can [Page] know or thinke good or ill I should knowe it. The third La­die to doe more for me, and to please my Mother the better, she gaue me, that there is not so farre a Countrey, but that if I wil wish my selfe there, I shal be there incontinent with what number of men as I list, and moreouer if I will haue a Castle or a Pallaice at mine owne deuice, incontinent it shall be made, and assoone gone againe when I list, & what meat or wine that I would wish for, I should haue it incon­tinent, and also I am Kinge of Momur the which is about foure hundred Leagues from hence, and if I li [...]t incontinent I can be there. Know for troth that thou art arriued at a good Port, I know well thou hast great néede of meat, for this thrée dayes thou hast had but small sustenance, but I shall cause thée to haue ynough, I demaund of thée whether thou wilt haue meat and drinke héere in this meadow, or in a Pallaice, or in a Hall, commaund whereas thou wilt, and thou shalt haue it for thée and thy companie. Sir, (quoth Huon) I will follow your pleasure, and neuer doe nor thinke the contrarie. Huon (quoth he) as yet I haue not shewed all the gifts that were giuen me at my birth. The fourth La­die gaue me, that there is no bird, nor beast be they neuer so cruell, but if I will haue them, I may take them with my hande, and also I shall neuer beséeme elder then thou séeest me now, and when I shal depart out of this world, my place is appointed in Paradise, for I knowe that all things created in this mortall world, must néeds haue an end. Sir, (quoth Huon) such a gift ought to be well kept. Huon (quoth Obe­ron) well you were counsailed when you spake to me, you had neuer before so faire aduenture, shew me by thy faith, if thou wilt eate, and what meate thou wilt haue, and what wine thou wilt drinke? Sir, (quoth Huon) so that I had meate and drinke I care not what it were, so that I and my company were filled and rid from our famine. Then Obe­ron laughed at him and said: Sirs, all you sit down here in the meadowe, and haue no doubt but all that I will doe is done by the puissance of our Lord God: then Oberon began [Page] to wish, and saide vnto Huon and his companie: Sirs a­rise vp quickly, the which they did, then they looked before them, and sawe a faire and a rich Pallaice garnished with Chambers and Halles, hanged & bedded with rich cloathes of silke beaten with gold, and Tables ready set full of meat. When Huon and his company sawe the rich Pallaice before them, they had great maruaile, and Oberon tooke Huon by the hand, & with him mounted vp into the Pallaice: when they came there, they found seruants there readie, bringing vnto them Basons of gould garnished with precious stones, they gaue water to Huon, and he sat down at the Table, the which was furnished with all manner of meate and drinke that man could wish.

Oberon sat at the tables end vpon a bench of Iuorie, rich­ly garnished with gould and precious stones, the which seat had such vertue giuen vnto it by the Fayrie, that whosoeuer by any subtil means would poyson him that should sit there­on: assoone as he should approach néere to the seat he should fall downe starke dead. King Oberon sat thereon richly ap­parelled, and Huon who sat néere vnto him began to eate a great pace, but Gerames had small appetite to eate, for he be­léeued that they should neuer depart thence: when Oberon sawe him he said, Gerames eate thy meat and drinke, for as­soone as thou hast eaten, thou shalt haue leaue to goe when thou list. When Gerames heard that, he was ioyfull, then he began to eate and drinke, for he knew well that Oberon would not doe against his assurance. All the companie did well eate and drinke, they were serued with all thinges that they could wish for. When Huon sawe how they were all satisfied and repleat, and had well dyned, he saide to Kinge Oberon. Sir, when it shall be your pleasure, I would you should giue vs leaue to depart. Huon, (quoth Oberon) I am right well content so to doe, but first I will shewe you my iewels: then he called Clariand a Knight of the Fayrey, and saide, Fréend goe and fetch to me my Cup, he did his com­maundement, and when Oberon had the Cup in his hand, [Page] he said vnto Huon, Sir, behold well, you sée that this Cup is nowe voyd and emptie: that is true Sir, (quoth Huon.) Then Oberon set the Cup on the Table, and saide vnto Hu­on: Sir, behold the great power that God hath giuen mée, & that in the Fayrie I may doe what is my pleasure: then hée made ouer the Cup the signe of a Crosse thrée times, and incontinent the Cup was full of wine, and then he said. Be­hold Sirs, you may well sée that this is done by the gace of God, yet I shall shewe you the great vertue that is in this Cup, for if all the men in the world were héere assembled to­gether, and that the Cup were in the handes of any man, be­ing out of deadly sinne, he might drinke thereof his fill: but whosoeuer offers his hand to take it, being in deadly sinne, the Cuppe doth loose his vertue, and if thou mayest drinke thereof, I offer to giue thée the Cup. Sir, (quoth Huon) I thanke you, but I am in doubt that I am not worthy, nor of valour to drinke thereof, nor to touch the Cup, I neuer heard of such dignitie as this Cup is of: but Sir, knowe for truth, I haue béen confessed of all my sinnes, and I am repentant and sorrowfull for that I haue done, and I doe pardon and forgiue all the men in the world, whatsoeuer iniurie hath béene done vnto me, and I knowe not that I haue done wronge to any creature, nor I hate no man: and so hée tooke the Cup in both his handes, and set it to his mouth, and droonke of the good wine that was therein at his plea­sure.

Chap. XXV.

WHen Oberon sawe that, hee was right glad, and came and embraced Hu­on, saying that he was a noble man, and I giue thée (quoth he) this Cup as it is, in the manner as I shall shewe, that in any wise for any thing for the dignitie of the Cup, be thou euer true and faithfull, for if thou wilt worke by my counsaile, I shall aide thée, and giue thée succour in all thine affaires: but assoone as thou makest any lye, the vertue of the Cup will be lost and loose his bountie, and beside that, thou shalt loose my loue and aide. Sir, (quoth Huon) I shall right well beware thereof, and nowe Sir I require you suf­fer vs to depart. Abide yet, (quoth he to Huon) yet I haue another iewell, the which I will giue thée, bicause I thinke there bee truth and noblenes in thée: I will giue thée a rich Horne of Iuorie, the which is full of great vertue, & which thou shalt beare with thée, it is of so great vertue, that if thou be neuer so farre from me, assoone as thou blowest y ^e Horne, I shall heare thée, and shalbe incontinent with thée, with a hundred thousand men at armes for to succour and ayd thée. But one thinge I commaund thée on the payne of loosing of my loue, and on ieopardie of thy life, that thou be not so har­dy to sound the Horne, without thou hast great néede there­of, for if thou doe otherwise, I vowe to God that created mée, I shall leaue thée in as great pouertie and miserie as e­uer man was, so that whosoeuer should sée thée in that case, [Page] should haue pitie of thée. Sir, (quoth Huon) I shall right well beware thereof, now I desire you let me depart. I am content, (quoth Oberon) and God be thy guide. Then Hu­on tooke leaue of the Kinge Oberon, and trussed vp all his baggage, and did put his Cup into his bosome, & the Horne about his necke: thus they all tooke their leaue of King Obe­ron, & all weeping embraced Huon, who had maruaile why he wept and said, Sir, why doe you wéepe? Fréend, (quoth Oberon) you may well know, you haue with you two things that I loue dearely, God ayd you, more I cannot speake to you.

Thus the fourtéene Knightes departed, and so they road foorth about fiftéene Leagues or more, then they sawe before them a great déepe Riuer, and they could finde no guide nor passage to passe ouer, and so they wist not what to doe, then suddainly they sawe passe by them a seruant of King Obe­ron, bearing a rod of gold in his hand, and so without spea­king of any word, he entred into the Riuer, and tooke his rod & stroke the water therewith thrée times, then inconti­nent y ^e water withdrew a both sides in such wise, that there was a path that thrée men might ride a froont, and that done he departed againe, without speaking of any word. Then Huon and his companie entred into the water, and so passed thorowe without any danger, and when they were past they looked behind them, and sawe the Riuer close againe, and ran after his old course. By my faith, (quoth Huon) I thinke we be enchaunted, I beléeue surely King Oberon hath done this, but séeing we be thus scaped out of perill, I trust from henceforth we shall haue no more doubt. Thus they roade foorth together singing, and oftentimes spake of the great maruailes that they had seene King Oberon doe, and as they road, Huon beheld on his right hand, and sawe a faire mea­dowe well garnished with hearbes and flowers, and in the middest thereof a faire cleare Fountaine: then Huon roade thether, and alighted, and let their Horses goe to pasture, then they spread a cloath on the gréene grasse, and set there­on [Page] such meate as Kinge Oberon had giuen them at their de­parting, and there they did eat, & drinke such drinke as they found in the Cup. By my faith (quoth Huon) it was a faire aduenture for vs when we met Oberon, and that I spake to him, he hath shewed me great tokens of loue, when he gaue me such a Cup, if I may returne into Fraunce in sauegard, I shall giue it to Charlemaine, who will make great ioy ther­with, and if he cannot drinke thereof, the Barons of Fraunce will haue great sport thereof. Then againe he repented him of his owne words, and said, I am a foole to thinke or to say thus, for as yet I cannot tell what end I shall come to, the Cup that I haue is better worth then two Cities, but as yet I cannot beléeue the vertue to be in the Horne as Oberon ha [...]h shewed, nor that he may héere it so farre off, but what­soeuer fortune fall, I will assay it if it hath such vertue or not. Alas Sir (quoth Gerames) beware what you doe, you knowe well when wée departed what charge he gaue you, certainly you and we both are lost if you trespas against his commaundement. Surely, (quoth Huon) whatsoeuer for­tune fall, I will assay it, and so tooke the Horne and set it to his mouth, and blewe it so loud that the wood rang: then Gerames and all the other began to sing and to make great ioy. Then Garyn said, Faire Nephewe blowe still, and so Huon blew still with such force, that Oberon who was in his wood about fiftéene Leagues of, heard him clearely, and said: Alas my fréends, I heare my fréend blowe, whome I loue best of all the world, alas what man is so hardy to doe him any ill, I wishe my selfe with him with a hundred thousand men at armes, incontinent he was nere to Huon with a hun­dred thousand men at armes. When Huon and his compa­nie heard the Hoast comming, and saw Oberon come ryding on before them, they were affraid, and it was no maruaile, séeing the commaundement that Oberon had giuen them be­fore. Then Huon saide, alas Sirs, I haue done ill, nowe I sée well we cannot escape, but that we are likely all to die, certainly (quoth Gerames) you haue well deserued it, houlde [Page] your peace, (quoth Huon) dismay you not, let me speake to him; therewith Oberon came to them and saide: Huon, what mea [...]eth this? where are they that will doe thée any ill? why hast thou broken my commaundement? Alas Sir, (quoth Huon) I shall shew you the truth, wée were sitting right now in this meadowe, and did eat of that you gaue vs, I beléeue I tooke too much drinke out of the Cup that you gaue me, the vertue of the which we well assayed: then I thought to trye also the vertue of the rich Horne, to the en­tent that if I shoulde haue any néede, that I might be sure thereof, now I know for troth, that all is true that you haue shewed me: wherefore Sir in the honour of God I require you to pardon my trespas, else sir, héere is my swoord, strike off my head at your pleasure, for [...] know well without your ayd I shall neuer come to atchieue mine enterprise. Huon quoth Oberon, the bountie and great troth that is in thée, cō ­streyneth me to giue thee pardon, but beware from hence­foorth, be not so hardy as to breake my commaundement. Sir quod Huon I thanke you: well quoth Oberon, I knowe surely that thou hast as yet much to suffer, for thou must passe by a citie named Tormont, wherein there is a Tyrant called Macayr, and yet he is thine owne Vncle, brother to thy father Duke Seuin: when he was in Fraunce he had thought to haue murdered king Charlemaine, but his treason was knowne, and he had béen slaine if thy Father Duke Seuin had not béen: so he was sent to y ^e holy Sepulchre, to do his penaunce for the ill that he had d [...]ne, and so afterward there he renounced the faith of our Lord God, and tooke vp­pon him the Paynims Law, the which he hath kept euer since so strongly, that if he heare any man speake of our lord god, he will pursue him to death, and looke what promise that hée maketh, he keepeth none, therefore I aduise thee trust not on him, for surely he will put thee to death if he may, & thou canst not escape if thou goest by that City: therefore I coun­saile thee take not that way if thou be wise. Sir, (quoth Huon) of your courtesie loue and good councell I thanke you, [Page] but whatsoeuer fortune fall to me, I will go to mine Vncle, and if he be such a one as you say, I shall make him to die an ill death, and if néede be I shall sound my Horne, and I am sure at my néede you will ayd me. Of that you may be sure (quoth Oberon,) but of one thing I forbid thée, be not so har­dy to sound thy Horne without thou bée hurt, for if thou doe the contrarie, I shall so martir thée, that thy bodie shall not endure it. Sir, (quoth Huon) bée assured your commaunde­ment I will not breake: then Huon tooke leaue of King Obe­ron, who was sorrie when Huon departed. Sir, (quoth Hu­on) I haue maruaile why you wéepe, I pray you shew mee the cause why you doe it? Huon (quoth Oberon) the great loue that I haue to thée, is that causeth me to doe it, for as yet hereafter thou shalt suffer so much ill and trauaile, that no humane tongue can tell it. Sir quoth Huon ye shew me many things not greatly to my profite: Sure quoth Oberon, and yet thou shalt suffer more than I haue spoken of, and al by thine owne folly.

Chap. XXVI.

AFter that Oberō had shew­ed Huon part of that should fall to him, and was departed, Huon and his company thē mounted on their horses, and so rode foorth so long, till they came to the cittie of Tor­mont. Gerames who had béen there before, when he saw the citie, he said to Huon: Alas sir, we be ill a­riued, behould here we be in the way to suffer much trouble. Sir quoth Huon, be not dismaide, for by the grace of god wée [Page] shall right well escape, for who that God will aide, no man can hurt. Then they entred into the Citie, as they came to the gate, they met a man with a bowe in his hand, who had beene a sporting without the Citie, Huon road formost and saluted him in the name of God, saying: Fréend what call you this Citie? The man stood still, and had maruaile what men they were that spake of God, he beheld them and said, Sirs, the God in whose name you haue saluted mée, kéepe and defende you from incombrance: howbeit, I desire you in as much as you loue your liues, speake softly that you bée not heard, for if the Lord of this Citie knowe that you bée christian men, he will slay you all, sirs you may trust me, for I am christened, but I dare not be knowne thereof, I haue such feare of the Duke. Fréend, (quoth Huon) I pray thée shew me who is Lord of this Citie, & what is his name? Sir, (quoth he) he is a false Tyrant, when he was christe­ned, he was named Macayr, but he hath renounced God, & he is so fierce and proud, that as nowe hee hateth nothing so much, as them that beléeue in Iesus Christ: but Sir, I pray you shewe me whether you will goe? Fréend, (quoth Huon) I would gladly goe to the red Sea, and from thence to Babi­lon, I would tarie this day in this Citie, for I and my com­panie are sore wearie. Sir, (quoth he) and if you will be­léeue me, you shall not enter into this Citie to lodge, for if the Duke knewe it, none could saue your liues, therefore if it be your pleasure, I shall lead you another way beside the Towne. Sir, (quoth Gerames) for Gods sake beléeue him that counsaileth you so truly. Know for troth, (quoth Huon) I will not doe thus, I sée well it is almost night, the Sun goeth lowe, therefore I will lodge this night héere in this Towne whatsoeuer befall, for a good Towne should neuer be forsaken. Sir, (quoth the strange man) séeing it is so, for the loue of God I shall bring you to a lodging, whereas you shalbe well and honestly lodged, in a good mans house that beléeueth in God, named Gonder, he is Prouost of the City, and well beloued with the Duke. Fréend, (quoth Huon) [Page] God reward thée, so this man went on thorow the Towne, vntill he came at the Prouosts house, whome they founde sitting at his gate. Huon that was a faire speaker, saluted him in the name of God, and the Prouost arose vp, & beheld Huon and his companie, and he had great maruaile what they were, séeing they saluted him in the name of God: then he said. Sirs you be welcome, but a Gods name I desire you speake softly that you be not heard, for if the Duke of this Citie knewe this you should vtterly bee loste: but if it please you to tary this night héere in my house, for the loue of God, all that I haue in my house shall be yours to doe there­with at your pleasure, I abandon all to you, & Sir, I thanke God I haue y ^t in my house, that if you abide héere this twoo yeare, you shall not néede to buy any thing without. Sir, (quoth Huon) of this faire proffer I thanke you, and so he and his companie alighted, and there were seruants ynough to take their Horses and to set them vp: then the Host tooke Huon and Gerames and the other, & brought them to Cham­bers to dresse them, then they came into the hall wheras they found the Tables set and couered, and so sat downe, & were richly serued with diuers meats. When they had done and were rysen, Huon called Gerames and said: Sir, goe in hast into the Towne and get a cryer, and cause to be cryed in eue­rie market place and stréete, that whosoeuer will come and sup at the Prouosts house, aswell noble, as vn [...]le men, women and children, rich and poore, and all manner of peo­ple of what estate or degrée soeuer they be: shall come mer­rily and fréely▪ and nothing pay neither for meat nor drinke, whereof they should haue as they wished, and also hée com­maunded Gerames, that all the meat that he could get in the Towne, he should buy it, and pay readie money for y ^e same. Sir, (quoth Gerames) your pleasure shall be done. Sir, (quoth the Host) you know well, all that is in my house, I haue abandoned vnto you: therefore sir you shall not néed to seeke for any thing further, take of my goods at your plea­sure. Sir, (quoth Huon) I thanke you, I haue monney [Page] ynough to fournish all that néede, and also Sir I haue a Cup of great vertue, for if all the people that be within this Citie were héere present, they should haue drinke ynough by rea­son of my Cup, the which was made in Fayry Land. When the Host heard Huon, he began to smile, & beléeued that those words had béene spoken but in iest. Then Huon, not well aduised, tooke the Horne of Iuorie from his necke, and tooke it to his Host to kéepe, saying: mine Hoste, I take you this to kéepe, for it is a precious thing, therefore kéepe it surely, that I may haue it againe when I demaund it. Sir, (quoth he) I shall surely kéepe it, and when it please you it shall bée readie: and so tooke the Horne and layd it vp in a Coffer. But after fell such an houre, that Huon would haue had it rather then all the goods in y ^e world, as you shall heare more hereafter.

Chap. XXVII.

THVS when Gerames had this commaundement of Huon, he went in­to the Citie, and made to be cryed in diuers places as he was commanded to do. When this crye was made, there was no Begger, Vacabound nor Ribauld, Iugler, Minstrell, old nor yong, but by great flockes they came all to the Prouosts house, in number more then foure hundred, and Gerames bought vp bread, meat, flesh and other victuals, all that he could finde in the Citie, and payed for it: thus the supper was dressed, and euerie man set at the Tables. Huon serued them with his Cup in his hand, and made euerie man to drinke of that [Page] he put out of his Cup into other pots, and yet euer the Cup was full. When the people had well eaten and dronken the good wines, and were well chased in their braines, some be­gan to sing, and some to sleepe at the Table, and some did beat their fysts vpon the boards, that it was maruaile to sée the life that they led: whereof Huon had great ioy. The same time the Dukes Steward came into the Towne, to buy his Maisters Supper: but he could neither find bread nor flesh, nor no other victuals, whereof he was sore displeased, and then he demaunded the cause, why he found no victuals as he was accustomed to doe? Sir, (quoth the Butchers and Bakers) in the house of Gonder the Prouost is lodged a yong man, who hath made to be cryed in all the City, that al beg­gers and ribaulds should come to Supper at his lodging, and he hath bought vp all the victuals that he could get in the Towne. Then the Paynim in great despight went to y ^e Pal­laice vnto the Duke, and said. Sir, I can get nothing in the Towne for your Supper, there is a young man lodged in the Prouosts house, that hath bought vp all the victuals, to giue a Supper to all the beggers, vacabounds and ribaulds that can be found in the Towne.

When the Duke vnderstood that, he was sore displeased, and swoore by Mahound, that he would go see that Supper: then he commaunded all his men to be readie in harnesse to goe with him, and as he was going out of his Pallaice, a Traytor who had stollen priuily out of the Prouosts house, whereas he had been at supper with other, said to the Duke: sir know for troth, there is in your Prouosts house a knight, who hath giuen a Supper to all people that would come the­ther, and so there is no begger, no ribauld nor other that would sup, but are come thether, and Sir, this Knight hath a Cup Letter worth then all this Citie, for if all the people betweene East and West should dye for lacke of drinke, they should haue all ynough, for as often as you will emptie the Cup, it will be full againe incontinent. When the Duke heard that, he had great maruaile, and saide, such a Cuppe [Page] were good for him, and swoore by Mahound that he would haue that Cup: let vs go thether, for my will is to haue that Cup, and all those Knights shall loose their horses and bag­gage, I will leaue them nothing.

Then he went foorth with thirtie Knights, and rested not vntill he came to the Prouosts house, and founde the gates open. When the Prouost perceiued him, he came to Huon and saide: Alas Sir you haue done ill, héere is come the Duke in great displeasure, if God haue not pitie of you, I cannot sée how you can escape without death. Sir, (quoth Huon) dismay you not, for I shall speake so faire, that he shall be content: then Huon with a merrie chéere came to the Duke, and said: Sir, you be welcome. Beware, (quoth the Duke) come not néere me, for no christian man may come into my Citie without my Licence, wherefore I will thou knowest, that you shall all loose your heads, and all that you brought hether. Sir, (quoth Huon) when you haue slaine vs, you shall win thereby but little, and it were great wrong for you so to doe. I shall tell thée, (quoth the Duke) why I will so do, it is bycause you be christian men, therefore thou shalt be the first, shewe me on thy faith, why hast thou assembled all this companie héere to Supper? Sir, (quoth Huon) I haue done it bicause I am going to the red Sea, and bicause these poore men will pray to God for me, that I may safely returne: Sir this is the cause that I haue made them to sup with me. Well, (quoth the Duke) great folly hast thou spoken, for thou shalt neuer sée faire day, you shall all loose your heads. Sir, (quoth Huon) leaue all this, I pray you and your comapanie sit downe, and eate and drinke at your pleasure, and I shall serue you as well as I can, and then Sir if I haue done any wrong, I will make you amends in such wise that you shall be content: for if you doe me any hurt, it shall be to you but a small conquest. Sir, me thinks if you will do nobly, you should somewhat forbeare vs, for as I haue heard say, you were once christened. Then the Duke said vnto Huon, thou hast sayd well, I am content to [Page] sup, for as yet I haue not supped. Then the Duke com­maunded euerie man to be disarmed, and to sit downe at the Table, the which they did, and Huon and Gerames serued them, and they were well serued at that supper: then Huon tooke his Cup and came to the Duke and said. Sir, sée you not héere this Cup, the which is voyd and emptie? I sée well (quoth the Duke) there is nothing therein. Then Huon made the signe of the crosse ouer the Cup, and incontinent it was full of wine, he tooke the Cuppe to the Duke, who had great maruaile thereof, and assoone as the Cuppe was in his handes, it was voyd againe. What, (quoth the Duke) thou hast enchaunted mee? Sir, (quoth Huon) I am none Enchaunter, but it is for the sin that you be in, set it down, for you are not worthy to hold it, you were borne in an euill houre. How art thou so hardy (quoth the Duke) to speake thus vnto me? I repute thee for a proud foole, thou knowest well it lyeth in my power to destroy thée, there is no man dare say the contrarie, yet I pray thée tell me thy name, and where thou wert borne? and whether thou goest? and of what kinne thou art? Sir, (quoth Huon) for any thinge that may fal vnto me, I wil not hide my name nor kindred: therefore Sir, know for troth, I was borne at Bourdeaux vp­on Gerone, and am Sonne to Duke Seuin, who is dead sea­uen yeares passed. When the Duke heard how Huon was his Nephew, he saide: The Sonne of my Brother? Ne­phew, why hast thou taken in this Citie any other lodging but mine? shewe mée whether thou wilt goe? Sir, (quoth Huon) I am going to Babilon to the Admirall Gaudise, to doe to him a Messuage from King Charlemaine of Fraunce, by­cause I slewe his Sonne there: so he shewed his Vncle all his aduenture, and how the king had taken away his Land, nor should he haue it againe, vntill he had done his Messu­age to the Admirall. Faire Nephew, (quoth the Duke) in like wise I was banished the Realme of Fraunce, and since I haue denyed the faith of Iesus Christ, and since I married héere in this Countrey a great Ladie, by whome I haue [Page] great Lands to gouerne, whereof I am Lord: Nephew, I will that you shall goe and lodge with me in my Castle, and to morrow you shall haue of my Barons to conduct you vn­till you come vnto Babilon. Sir, (quoth Huon) I thanke you, since it is your pleasure, I will goe with you to your Pallaice. Then Gerames priuily sayd vnto him, Sir, if you goe thether, you may perhaps repent your selfe: so it may well be, (quoth Gonder the Prouost.) Then Huon comman­ded to trusse vp all their geare, and to make readie their hor­ses, and tooke with him his Cup, but he left still his Horne with the Prouost. Thus Huon went with his Vncle vnto his Castle, and lay there all night: the next morning Huon came vnto his Vncle to take his leaue. Faire Nephew, (quoth the Duke) I require you to tarie vntill my Barons come, that shall conduct you in your iourney. Sir, (quoth Huon) séeing it pleaseth you, I am content to abide, and so they sat them downe to dinner.

Chap. XXVIII.

WHen this Traytour Duke sawe his Nephewe sit at the Table, hee called to him a Knight borne in Fraunce called Geffrey, who came out of Fraunce with the Duke, and had in like manner denyed the law of Christ, and he was se­cret with the Duke, then the Duke priuily sayde vnto him. Fréend, go and arme an Hundred or Six score Paynims, and cause them to come hether, let them slay my Nephew, and all that are come with him, for if one escape, you shall loose my fauour. Sir, (quoth Geffrey) your will shalbe done, [Page] then Geffrey went into a Chamber, whereas there was two Hundred Armours hanging, when he came thether, he said within himselfe. Alas good Lord, this villaine Traytour would slay the Sonne of his Brother, who when I was in Fraunce did me once a great courtesie, for I had béene dead & slaine if Duke Seuin his Father had not succoured me: it is reason for that he did then to mée, to render againe some re­ward vnto his Sonne, God confound mee if he hath any ill for me, but I shall rather cause the false Duke to buy deare­ly the treason that he would doe vnto his Nephewe. The same season there was in the Castle about Seauen-score Prisoners all French-men, who were taken vpon the Sea, and the Duke kept them in prison, to the intent to put them to death, he was so cruell against all christian men: but God who neuer forgetteth his seruants, sucoured them. This Geffrey went to the Prison, and said to the prisoners: Sirs if you will saue your liues, come out and follow me. Then the prisoners incontinent yssued out of the Prison, and fol­lowed Geffrey, & he brought them into the Chamber where­as all the harnesse hanged, and caused them all to be armed, and said: Sirs, if you haue courage and will to issue hence, it is time now you shew your vertue. Sir, (quoth they) to dye in the quarrell we shall doe your commaundement, to come out of bondage into fréedome. When Geffrey hearde them, he was right ioyfull, and sayd: Sirs, know surely, that there is héere in this Pallaice at dinner y ^e Son of Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux, and he is Nephewe to the Duke Lord of this house, who was once christened, and hath denyed the faith of our Lord God, and he hath commaunded me to cause Seauen-score Paynims to be armed, to come and to slay his Nephewe and all his company. Thus when they were all armed, and Swords by their sides, they followed Geffrey to the Pallaice: and when they entred, Huon sayd to the Duke his Vncle. Sir, these men in harnesse that enter into this hall, be they such as ye haue commaunded to come hether to conduct me in my iourney? No Huon quoth the Duke: it is [Page] otherwise then thou thinkest, thinke surely to die there is no remedie: thou shalt neuer sée faire day more. Then he said: Sirs step forth, looke that no christian man escape you, but let them all be slaine.

Chap. XXIX.

WHen Huon sawe the malice of his Vncle and his false treason: he was sore abashed, and arose vp suddainly, and put his helmet on his head, and tooke his Sword in his hand. Then Geffrey came in, and cryed Saint Denis you noble French-men, take héede that no Paynim escape aliue, but slay them all with sorrow. The French-men drew out their Swords, and fought with the Paynims on all parts, so that within a short time they were all slaine. And when the Duke sawe howe they were no Paynims that slewe his men, hée was in great feare of his life, and so fled away into a secret Cham­ber. When Huon perceiued that they were French-men that had thus succoured him: he pursued the Duke with his Sword in his hand, all bloudy with the bloud of the Paynims that he had slaine, and when the trayterous Duke saw that his Nephewe so followed him, hee fledde from Chamber to Chamber, vntill hee came to a windowe opening vppon the Garden side, and so leapt out thereat and ran away: where­of Huon and Geffrey and the other French-men were right sorrowfull. Then they closed the gates, and lifted vp the bridges, to the entent that they should not be taken within, then they came into the Hall, whereas one tooke acquain­tance [Page] of another, whereof they had great ioy. But if God had not succoured them, their ioy had béen turned to sorrow, for the Duke who was escaped, when he came into y ^e towne, he made a crye, that as many as were able to beare armour, should come vnto him, so that he and all that he could make, came with him before the Pallaice, being more then Tenne Thousand persons, and they all sware the death of the chri­stian men within the Pallaice. When the Duke saw that hée had such a number, he was ioyfull, and then he comman­ded his Engins to be raised vp, and Ladders on euerie part, and there with Pikes and Mattockes they brake downe a corner Tower, and the christian men within defended them selues valiantly. But their defence had little auailed them, if our Lord God had not mightily succoured them. When Huon knewe the danger that they were in, hée was sore dis­pleased, and sayd: Ah good Lord, I ought to be sore agréeued, when I see that wée be thus kept in by mine Vncle, I feare me we shall neuer sée more dayes. Then Gerames said: Sir, for the loue of God blowe nowe your Horne. Alas (quoth Huon) it is not in my power to doe it, for the Prouost Gon­der hath it in kéeping. Ah Huon, (quoth Gerames) in an ill houre we were acquainted with you, for nowe by your fol­ly and pride, we are in the way of distruction. Thus as they were deuising, Gonder the Prouost came to the Duke, and said: Sir, I haue great maruaile that you will thus de­stroy your owne Pallaice, great folly you doe therein, ra­ther I would councell you to leaue this assault, and let there be a peace made betwéene you and your Nephew, vpon con­dition to let him and his company go safely away. Prouost (quoth the Duke) I pray [...] goe and doe the best that thou canst, I will do as thou doest counsaile me. Then the Pro­uost came to the Pallaice, and sayd to Huon: Sir, for Gods sake speake to mée. What art thou quoth Huon? I am your Host the Prouost, and I require you in as much as you loue your liues, kéepe well this Pallaice. Sir, (quoth Huon) for your good counsaile I thanke you, and I desire you for the [Page] loue that you beare me, and in that you would help to saue my life, as to deliuer me againe the Horne of Iuorie that I tooke you to kéepe, for without that I cannot escape death. Sir, (quoth the Prouost) it is not farre from me, and so tooke it out of his bosome, and deliuered it vnto Huon in at a windowe vpon the Garden side.

Chap. XXX.

WHen Huon saw that he was possessed of his Horne of Iuorie, hee was ioyfull, the which was no maruaile, for it was the only suertie of his life. Then hée set it to his mouth, and began to blowe it: then Gerames said. Ah Sir, you should ne­uer bee so lighte to discouer your secrets, for if this Prouost had béene vntrue, he might haue discouered all you secrets to the Duke, whereby you had béene lost and dead, therefore neuer discouer your secrets more: and also Sir I require you as yet blowe not your Horne, for you bee not as yet hurt, King Oberon commaunded you so at his departing. Why (quoth Huon) will you then that I tarrye vntill I be slaine? surely I will blowe it without any longer tarying, and so he blewe it so sore that the bloud came out of his mouth, so that all that were in the Pallaice began to singe and to daunce, and the Duke and al such as were at the séege about the Pal­laice, could not rest but fell to singe and to daunce. Kinge Oberon, who as then was in his citie of Momur, saide on high: Ah I heare my fréend Huons Horne blowe, where­by I knowe well he hath some businesse in hand, wherefore [Page] I wishe my selfe there as the Horne was blowne, with an Hundred Thousand men well armed. He had made no soo­ner his wish, but he was in the Citie of Tormont, whereas he and his men slewe downe the Paynims, that it was mar­uaile to sée the bloud run downe the Stréetes like a Riuer. King Oberon made it to be cryed, that as many as would re­ceiue Baptisme, their liues should be saued, so that thereby there were many that were christened. Then King Oberon came to the Pallaice, when Huon sawe him, hee went and thanked him of his succour at that time of néede. Fréend, (quoth Oberon) as longe as you beléeue and doe my com­maundements, I shall neuer fayle to succour you in all your affaires.

Thus all that were in the Towne and would not beléeue in God, were slaine. Then the Duke was taken & brought to the Pallaice vnto Huon, when he sawe his Vncle taken, he was ioyfull, and then the Duke sayd: Faire Nephewe, I require you haue pitie of me. Ah vntrue Traytour, (quoth Huon) thou shalt neuer depart hence aliue, I shall neuer respite thy death; then with his sword he strooke off his Vn­cles head, then he made his bodie to be hanged ouer y ^e wals of the Towne, that his ilnesse might alwayes be had in me­morie, and to be an example to all other: thus that Coun­trey was deliuered from that Traytour.

Chap. XXXI.

[Page] YEE haue all heard howe King Oberon came & succoured Huon, and when all was done, then he said vnto Hu­on. My deare Fréend, I will take my leaue of thée, for I shall neuer sée thée again, vntill thou hast suffered as much paine and ill, and pouerty and disease, that it will be hard to declare it, and all through thine owne folly. When Huon heard that, being affrayd, he said: Sir, mee thinkes you saye great wronge, for in all things to my power I will obserue your commaundement. Fréend, (quoth Oberon) séeing thou wilt doe so, remember then thy promise, and I charge thée vpon paine of thy life, & loosing for euer my loue: that thou be not so hardy, as to take the way to the Tower of Dunother, the which is a maruay­lous great Tower standing on the Sea-side. Iulius Caesar caused it to be made, and therein I was longe time nouri­shed, thou neuer sawest so faire a Tower, nor better garni­shed with Chambers and glasse windowes, and within hanged with rich Tapestrie. At the Entrie of the gate there are two men of brasse, each of them holding in their handes a [...]layle of yron, wherewith without cease day and night they beat by such a measure, that when the one striketh with his [...]layle, the other is lifted vp readie to strike, and they smite so suddainly, that a swallow flying cannot passe by vnslayn. And within this Tower there is a Gyant named Angolofer, he tooke from mée the Tower and a stronge Armour of suche vertue, that whosoeuer hath it on his bodie, cannot be hurt nor wearie, nor he cannot be drowned in no water, nor bur­ned with fire. Therefore Huon, (my fréend) I charge thee go not that way, as much as thou fearest my displeasure, for against that Gyant thou canst make no resistance. Sir, (quoth Huon) know for troth, the day that I departed out of Fraunce, I tooke vpon me, that any aduenture that might be heard of, though it were neuer so perilous, that I would ne­uer [Page] eschew it for any feare of death: and therefore Sir I ha [...] rather die then to forsake to fight with y ^t Gyant, there is n [...] man shall let me, & Sir I promise you ere I returne againe, to conquer your sayde stronge Armour, it shall doe me good seruice héereafter, it is a thinge not to bée forsaken, and if I néede of your ayd, I shall blowe my Horne & you will come and succour me. Huon (quoth Oberon) by the Lord that sa­ued me, if thou breakest the Horne in the blowing, thou shalt haue no succour nor ayd of me. Sir, (quoth Huon) you may doe your pleasure, and I shall doe mine.

Then Oberon departed without more speaking, & Huon aboad in the Citie, the which he gaue to Geffrey and to the Prouost his Host, & all the Land that his Vncle held. Then he made him readie, and tooke gould and siluer plentie, and tooke his leaue of Geffrey and of his Host and of all other, & so he and his companie departed, and so road ouer Hils and Dals, night and day a certaine space without finding of any aduenture worthy to be had in memorie. At last he came néere to the Sea-side, whereas the Tower of the Gyaunt was, when Huon saw it, he sayd vnto his companie. Sirs, yonder I sée a Tower, the which was forbidden me by O­beron, but as God help me, before it be night I will sée what is within it, whatsoeuer come thereof. Then Gerames be­held the Tower, and began to sorow, and said: Ah Huon, he is a foole that agréeth to the counsaile of a Child, Sir, for Gods sake beware that you breake not the commandement of King Oberon, for if you doe, great ill is like to come vnto you. Sir, (quoth Huon) if all the men nowe liuing shoulde forbid mee to goe thether, I would not obay them, for you knowe well, I departed out of Fraunce for none other thing, but to search the strangest aduentures, and I demaund no­thing else but to find aduentures, therefore speake no more to the contrarie, for ere I sléepe I will fight with the Gyant, for though he be more harder then yron, yet I shall slay him, or he mée: and you Gerames & all the other, abyde you héere in this meadowe vntill I returne againe. Sir, (quoth Ge­rames) [Page] in wéeping, it sore displeaseth me that it will bee no better: therefore I recommende you vnto the sauegard of God.

Thus Huon departed and left his companie heauily com­playning. Huon armed himselfe, and so tooke his way, and kissed all his men one after another, and tooke with him his Horne and Cup, so all alone on foot he went foorth, & rested not vntill he came to the gate of the castle of Dunother, there he saw the twoo men of Brasse, that without ceasing beate with their [...]layles, he beheld them well, and thought it was in a manner impossible to enter without death. Then he be­gan to consider hereon with himselfe, how King Oberon had shewed him the troth, and thought without the aide of the grace of God, it were impossible to enter, whereuppon he beheld all about, if there were any other place to enter, at last he saw neere to a piller of marble, a Bason of gould fast tyed with a chaine, then he approached neere thereto, and drew out his sword, wherwith he strake thrée great stroaks on the Bason, so that the sound thereof might well be heard into the Castle. Within the Tower there was a Damsell called Sibilla, when she heard the Bason sound, she had great maruaile thereat, then she went to a window, and looked out and saw that Huon would enter, whereuppon she went backe againe and said, ah good Lord, what knight is yonder without that would enter? if the Gyant awake, anone he will be slaine, for if there were a Thowsand Knights toge­ther, they should all soone be destroyed: surely I haue great desire to know what he is, and where he was borne, for as me séemeth he should be of Fraunce, to know the troth I wil goe to the window againe, to sée if I may haue of him any knowledge. Then shée went out of her chamber, and went to a window néere to the gate, and looked out and saw Huon all armed abiding at the gate, then she beheld the blazure of his shield, wherein was portrayed thrée crosses of gould, whereby she knew well he was of Fraunce. Alas quod shée, I am but lost if the Gyant know that I haue béene héere, [Page] then she returned againe in hast, and went to the Chamber dore whereas the Gyant lay and slept, and she perceiued hée was yet a sléepe, for he rowted that it was maruaile to héere. Then she returned againe quickly to the gate, and opened a wicket, out of the which there yssued such a wind, that if caused the two men with their flayles to stand still in rest, when shée had opened the wicket, hastily shée returned into her Chamber, and when Huon sawe the little wicket open, he aduaunced himselfe & entred, for the two men with their flayles were in rest, then hée went further thinking to finde them that had opened the wicket: but hée was sore abashed when he could finde no creature, there were so many Cham­bers, that he wist not whether to goe to finde that he sought for. Thus he searched all about, and at last hée sawe about a Pillar fourtéene men lye dead, whereof hée had great mar­uaile, and said, that he would returne backe againe, then he went out of the Hall and came to the gate, wéening to haue found it open: but it was closed by it selfe, and the men a­gaine did beat with their flayles. Alas, (quoth Huon) nowe I sée well I cannot escape from hence, then he returned into the Castle, and hearkened about, and as he went searching carefully, he heard the voice of a Damsell pitiously wéeping. He came there as she was, and humbly saluted her, and said: Faire Damsell, I cannot tell if you can vnderstand my lan­guage or not, knowe of you I would, wherefore you make this great sorrowe? Sir, (quoth she) I wéepe because I haue of you great pitie, for if the Gyant heare within (who is yet a sléepe) hap to awake, you are but dead & lost. Faire Ladie, (quoth Huon) I pray you shew me what you be, and where you were borne? Sir, (quoth shée) I am Daughter to Guinemer, who in his time was Earle of Saint Omers, & am Néece to Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux.

When Huon heard that, right humbly he kissed her, and saide. Madame, knowe for troth, that you are my néere Kinsewoman, for I am Sonne to Duke Seuin: I pray you shew me what aduenture hath brought you into this Castle. [Page] Sir, (quoth she) my Father had deuotion to sée the holy Se­pulchre, and he loued me so well, that he would not leaue me behind him, and as we were on the Sea néere to the Citie of Escalone in Surry, there arose a great tempest vpon the Sea, that the winde brought vs néere vnto this Castle, and the Gyant being in his Tower, saw vs in great danger of drow­ning, & that we were driuen into this Port, he came downe out of his Pallaice, and slewe my Father, and all them that were with him except my selfe, and so brought me into this Tower, whereas I haue béen these Seauen yeares in great distresse and miserie. And nowe Coozen, I pray you what aduenture hath brought you hether into this strang Coun­trey? Coozen, (quoth he) séeing you will knowe of my ad­uentures, I shal shew you the troth, King Charlemaine hath sent mee in messuage to the Admirall Gaudise in Babilon, I beare him a Messuage by mouth and by Letters, and as my way lay, I am come by this Tower, and I demaunded of a Paynim who was within this Tower, and he answeared me and sayd, howe héere should bée a great and an horrible Gy­ant, who hath done much euill to them that haue passed this way. And I thought to passe this way, to fight with him and destroy him, and to deliuer the Countrey of him, and I haue left my companie héere by in a Valley to tarie for me. Deare Coozen, (quoth she) I haue great maruaile that you would take on you such a folly, for if ye were Fiue hundred men together well armed, yée durst not all abide him if hée were armed with his armour, for none can endure against him, therefore Cosin I counsell you to returne backe againe ere he doe awake, and I shall open you the wicket, so that you shall passe out without any danger.

Chap. XXXII.

WHen Huon had well vnder­stood the Damsell, he said, Cosen know for troth, ere I depart hence, I will sée what man he is, it shall neuer be said (to my re­proch) in the court of any Prince, that for feare of any miscreant I should be of so faint a courage, that I durst not abide him, certainly I had rather die than such a fault should come to me. Ah Cosen quoth shée, then I sée well both you and I are destroyed, but séeing it is thus, I shall shew you the chamber whereas he sléepeth, and when yée haue séene him, yet then yée may returne. First goe into this chamber that you sée héere before you, wherein yée shall find bread and wine and other victuals, and in the next you shall find clothes of silke, and many rich iewels, then in the third chamber yée shall find the foure Gods of the Paynims, they be all of fine massie gould, & in the fourth yée shall find y ^e Gyant lying a sléepe on a rich bed: then sir if ye were of my mind, I would counsell you to strike of his head sléeping, for if he awake, you cannot escape without death. Ladie quoth Huon, and god will, it shall neuer be said to my disgrace, that I should strike any man without his knowledge. Then Huon departed from the Ladie, his sword being in his hand and his helmet on his head, and his shield about his necke, and so entred into the first chamber, and then into the second and third, wheras he saw the foure Gods: when he had well regarded them, he gaue each of thē a stroake with his sword, and then he entred into the chamber whereas the Gyant lay [Page] sléeping, Huon noted him aduisedly, and the bed that he lay on, the which was so rich, that the valew thereof could not be prized, the curtaines, couerings, and pillowes were of such riches, that it was great beautie to behould them. Also the chamber was hanged with rich clothes, & the floare couered with carpets, whē Huon had well regarded all this, and well considered of the Gyant, who was xvij. foote of length, and his body fournished thereafter and all his other members, but a more fowler & hideous creature was neuer séene, with a great head, great eares, and a camelled nose & eyes burning like a candle. Ah good Lord (quoth Huon) I would King Charlemaine were héere to sée vs twoo fight, for I am sure then ere he departed, my peace should be made with him. Lord god, I humbly require thée to be my succour against this enemy, for if it be not thy good pleasure, against him I can no while endure. Then Huon fiercely aduanced foorth, and made the signe of the Crosse, casting in his mind what he might doe, for he thought if he slew him sléeping, it should be a great reproch to him, and it would be said that he had slaine a man dead, whereupon he said to himselfe: shame haue I if I touch him ere I haue defied him, then Huon cryed out aloud and said: Arise thou heathen hound, or else I shall strike off thy head. When the Gyant heard Huon speake, he awaked fiercely, and beheld Huon, and rose vp so quickly, that in rising he brake the bedsted that he lay vpon, then he said to Huon. Frend, they that sent thée hether, loued thée but little, nor doubted not me. And when Huon heard the Gyant speake french, he had great maruaile and said, I am come hether to see thee, and it may be so, that I haue done it vnaduisedly. Then the Gyant said, thou sayest troth, for if I were armed as thou art, Fiue hundred men such as thou art could not endure me, but y ^t they should all die, but thou seest I am naked, without sword or weapon, yet for all that I doubt thée not. Then Huon thought in himselfe, that it would be a great shame to him, to assaile a man without ar­mour or weapon, wherefore he said: Goe and arme thée, or [Page] incontinent I shall slay thée. Fréend quoth the Gyant, this that thou sayest, procéedeth of a good courage & of courtesie. Then he armed him, and tooke in his hand a great fawchin, and Huon was withdrawne into the Pallaice abiding for the Gyant, who tarried not long but came to Huon, & said: where art thou, behould me héere ready to destroy thée, with­out thou make good defence? yet I desire thee tell me what thou art, to thintent that I may (when I haue slaine thée) tell how I haue slaine such a one, that by his folly came to assaile me in myne owne Pallaice. Great pride it was in thée, that thou wouldest not strike me ere I was armed, but whosoeuer thou art, thou séemest sonne to a noble man: I pray thée shew mee whether thou wouldest goe, and what mooued thée to come hether, to thintent that I might know the troth of thine enterprize, that when I haue slaine thee; I may make my vaunt to my men, that I haue slaine such a man, that thought scorne and disdaine to strike me ere I was armed. Paynim quoth Huon, thou art in a great folly, when thou so rashly reputest me for dead: But seing thou wouldst know the troth, I am a poore knight, from whome king Charlemaine hath taken my Lands, and banished me out of the Realme of Fraunce, and hath sent me for to doe a messuage to the Admirall Gaudise at Babilon, and my name is Huon, Sonne to Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux. Now I haue shewed all the troth of mine enterprize, and now I pray thée tell me where thou wert borne, and who engendred thée, to thintent that when I haue slaine thée, I may make mine a­uaunt in king Charles Court, and before all my frends: that I haue slaine such a maruaylous great Gyant as thou art. Then y ^e Giant said, if thou slay me, thou maiest well make thy vaunt, that thou hast slaine Angolofer the Gyant, who hath xvij. brethren, of whome I am the yongest. Also thou maiest say, that vnto the drie trée and to the red sea, there is no man but is tributarie to me. I haue chaced the Admirall Gaudise, to whome thou saiest thou goest, & haue taken from him by puissance diuers of his Cities, and he doth me yéerely [Page] seruage, by the tender of a Ring of gould, to buy his heade withall. Also I tooke from Oberon the Fayrie King, this pu­issant Towre, who for all his enchaunting & Fayries could not resist me, and also I tooke from him a rich Armour, thou neuer heardst of such another, for it hath such vertue, that whosoeuer can put it on, can neuer be wearie nor discōfited. But there is in it, another especiall vertue, for he that must weare that armour, must be without spot of deadly sinne, & also his mother must be without carnall copulation with any man, except with her owne husband, I beléeue there cannot be found any man that may weare this Armour. Al­so it is of such vertue, that whosoeuer hath it on his bodye, cannot be grieued neither with fire nor water. By Mahoūd I haue prooued it, and because I haue found such courtesie in thee, that thou gauest me leaue to arme me: I will giue thee leaue to assay if thou canst put on that Armour, in re­gard I know, that neither thou, nor any knight else can be able to doe it. Then the Gyant went to his coffer, and tooke out the Armour, and came to Huon and said: See, heere is the good armour, I giue thee leaue to assay to put it on thy body. Then Huon tooke the Armour and went back a little, and put off his owne armour, and tooke that belonging to y ^e Gyant, and incontinent did it on his bodie, then hastily he put on his helmet, and tooke his shéeld & sword in his hand, and deuoutly thanked our Lord God of this great grace. Then the Gyant said, by Mahound, I had little thought thou hadst been such a man, that Armour becommeth thee exceeding well, nowe I haue quit the courtesie that thou shewedst mee, therefore I pray thee put off the Armour, and deliuer it me againe. Not so sir by your leaue, answeared Huon, this Armour is meeter for me, than such a Helhound as thou art, therefore know for troth, I will not render it againe for xiiij. of the best Cities between this and Parys. Friend quoth the Gyant, seing thou wilt not render me a­gaine the Armour, I am content to let thee depart hence without any hurt or damage, and also I will giue thée my [Page] Ring of gould, the which the Admirall Gaudise gaue me, for I know well it will stand thee in good stead, if thou thinkest to fournish thy messuage, for when thou comest to the gate of his Pallaice, and sayst how thou art a messenger sent frō kyng Charles, thou shalt find foure gates, and at euery gate foure Porters, so that at the first gate, if it be knowen thou be a frenchman: one of thy hands shalbe cut of, and at the second gate thy other hand, and at the third gate one of thy féet, and at the fourth the other foote, and then shalt thou bee brought before the Admirall, and there thy head striken off. And therfore to escape these perils, & furnish thy messuage, and to thintent that thou maiest surely retourne, giue me a­gaine my Armour and I shall giue the my ring of gold, the which when thou but shewest it, thou shalt be receiued with great honor at euery gate, and then thou maist go & retourne surelye into the Pallaice at thy pleasure, and no man to let thee, for if thou hadst slaine Fiue hundred men, there shalbe none so hardy as to touch thée, nor to doe thee any yll if thou hast this Ring about thée, for when I haue nede of men or mony, I cannot lacke if I send this ring for a token, therfore I pray thee let me haue againe my Armour.

Chap. XXXIII.

WHen Huon vnderstoode the Paynim, he said. Ah thou fell and false decei­uer, know for troth, if all the Preachers be­twéen the east & west preached to me a whole yeare, and that thou wouldest giue me all that thou hast, and thy Ring therewith: I would not ren­der [Page] againe the good Armour that is now on my bodie, first I slay thée, & then, as for thy Ring that thou praisest so much: I will likewise haue it whether thou wilt or not. When the Gyant had well heard Huon, and saw that in no wise he could get againe his Armour: he was then sorowfull, and because he saw how Huon reprooued him, therewith he was so sore displeased, that his eyes séemed like twoo burning candels, then he yet demaunded of Huon, if he would doe none otherwise. No truly quoth Huon, though thou be great and strong, I haue no feare of thée, seing I haue on this good Armour: therefore in the name of god and of his diuine pu­issance I defie thée. And I thée quoth the Gyant, for all the Armour thou canst not endure against me. Then the Gyant approched to Huon, and lift vp his fawchin thinking to haue striken him, but he fayled, for the stroke glent, and the faw­chin light vpon a piller, and entred into it more then twoo foot, then Huon (who was quicke and light) behoulding the maruaylous stroke, quickly stept foorth with his good sword in his hand, and seing how the Gyant had his fawchin stic­king fast in the piller, he strake the Gyant on both y ^e armes néere to his hands in such wise, that he strake off both his hands, so that they with the fawchin fell downe to the earth. When the Gyant felt himselfe so sore hurt, with paine ther­of he gaue a maruaylous crie, so horrible, as though all the Towre had fallen to the earth: whereat the Damsell Sibylla being in her chamber, was sore abashed, she went out of her chamber and found a staffe by the way, she tooke it vp in her hands, and came to the Pallaice whereas she heard the cry, and met the Gyant flying away to saue himselfe, but the Damsell well aduised, when she saw that he fled, she cast the staffe betwéene his legges, so that thereby he fell to the earth, and Huon who came after him with his sword in his hand, he hasted him, & gaue the Gyant many a great stroke, and the Gyant cryed out so high, that it was very terrible to heare him. Then Huon lift vp his sword, and gaue him such a stroake in the necke, that his head flew to the earth, then [Page] Huon wiped his sword, and put it vp into the sheath, and he came to the head thinking to haue taken it vp, and to haue set it on the height of the Towre, but the head was so great and heauy, that he could not remooue it nor tourne the bodie, then he smiled and said. Ah good Lord, I thanke thée of thy grace, that thou hast giuen me the puissance to slay such a creature, would to god that this body and head were nowe in the Pallaice of Parys, before Charlemaine Kinge of Fraunce, so that he knewe that I haue slaine him. Then Huon went to a window and looked out, and saw where his company were, than said he to them on hie. Sirs come vp hether, ye may doe it surely, for this Pallaice is woonne, & the Gyant slaine. When Gerames, Garyn, & the other heard that, they were ioyfull and thanked our lord god, then they came to the gate, and Sybilla the Damsell went & opened the wicket, whereby the enchantment fayled, then they entred & followed the Damsell, who brought them into the Pallaice to Huon, and when they saw him, they all wept for ioy, and embraced and kissed him, and demanded if he had any hurt. Sirs quoth Huon, I thanke god I féele no hurt, and then he brought them where as the Gyant lay dead, when they saw him, they had maruaile how he could be slaine by Huon, they were affraid to sée him lye dead. Then Gerames demanded of Huon, what was the Damsell that was there, and Huon shewed how she was his coozen, and shewed thē all the ma­ner how she came thether: whereof they had great ioy and embraced her, then they all vnarmed themselues, and went to supper, and eate and dranke at their pleasure, but their ioy endured not long, as yée shall heare héereafter.

Chap. XXXIIII.

YE haue heard here before, how Huon conquered the Giant, the which was great ioy to all his companie, then the next day Huon called them all together, and said. Sirs, yée knowe well the enterprize that I haue taken on me to doe, touching the Admyrall Gaudise ▪ therefore it is conuenient, that as shortly as I can, to doe my messuage that I am charged by king Charles to doe to the Admirall Gaudise: wherefore I desire you all, to kéepe good and true companie with this no­ble Damsell, & also I require you to tarrie héere xv. daies, and then if I retourne not, goe you all into Fraunce, and take this noble Damsell with you, and salute from me king Charlemaine and all the Péeres of Fraunce, and shew them the hard aduentures that I haue had, and how I am gone to perfourme his messuage. When his companie vnder­stood that he would depart, they were sorowfull and saide. Sir, yée desire vs to tarrie héere xv. daies, know for troth, wée shall tarrie héere for you an whole yéere. Sirs quoth he I thanke you, then he made him readie to depart, and ar­med him, and tooke his Cuppe and Horne, and also the Gy­ants Ring, the which he did put about his arme, and then he kist his Coosen and all the others, and they all made great lamentation for his departing. Then they went vp into the Pallaice, & looked out at the windowes after Huon as long as they might sée him: Huon went foorth till he came to the [Page] sea-side, the which was not farre from the Castle, and there was a little Hauen, whereas alwaies was wont to lye some manner of ship or vessell to passe ouer the Sea. And when Huon came thether, though nowe at this instant there was none at all, finding no meanes for passage, he said. Ah good Lord, what shall I doe, that I can finde heere no boate or vessell to passe in? alas in an ill houre I slew Charlot, wher­by I am thus still in danger, howbeit I did it in mine owne defence: great wrong therefore king Charles hath done, to banish me out of mine owne Countrey. These and the like complaints made Huon there being alone, and began sore to lament, but sodainly on his right hand he saw a great beast come swimming towards him, like a Beare, Huon beheld him, and made on himselfe a signe of the Crosse, and drew out his swoord to defend himselfe, as thinking the Beast would haue assailed him: but he did not, but went a little off from Huon, & shooke himselfe in such wise, that his skinne fell off, and then he was as faire a man and as well fourmed as could be séene. Then Huon had great feare and maruaile, when he saw that this Beast was become a man, yet he ap­proached neere to him, and demaunded what he was, and whether he were an humane creature, or els an ill spirite that was come thether to tempt him, and said, right nowe thow didst swimme in the sea, & trauersed the great waues in guise of a maruailous beast: I charge thee in the name of God thou do me no hurt, but shew me what thou art, for I beleeue thou art of king Oberons company: Huon quoth he, dismay thou not, I know thée right well, thou art Sonne to Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux, Royall king Oberon hath sent me to thee: once it happened me to breake his commaundment, wherfore he hath condemned me to be this xxx. yéeres like a beast in the Sea. Frend quoth Huon, by the Lord that four­med me, I will trust thée till I be past the red sea. Huon quoth Mallaborn, know for troth, I am sent hether for no other cause, but to beare thee whether thou wilt, therefore make thee readie, and recommend thy selfe to the sauegard [Page] of our Lord Iesus Christ, and than let me alone. Than Mallaborn entred againe into the Beasts skinne, and said to Huon. Sir mount vpon my backe.

Chap. XXXV.

WHen Huon sawe the Beaste enter againe into his skinne, and that hee taried for him, he made the signe of y ^e crosse, and prayed god to saue and conduct him, & so leapt vpon him, & the Beast entred into y ^e Sea, and swamme as fast as though a bird had slowen, so that within a short space he trauersed the great Ryuer of Nyle, the which cometh from Paradise, and which is a dangerous Riuer, for the multitude of Serpents and Crocodilles that be therein: howbeit, there were none that did him any trouble. Then when they came to land, Huon was ioyfull, and Mallaborn said: Right déerely shall I aby the time that thou wert borne, or that euer I knew thée, for the intent to doe thée pleasure, I shall endure yet x. yeares like a Beast in the Sea, and xxx. yeares I haue béen so already, so that my time is in all xl. yéeres. I haue great pitie of thée, for there is no man borne of a woman, that knoweth the ill and pouertie that shall fall héereafter to thée, and I shall suffer much for y ^e loue that I haue to thée: how­beit, I shall take it in patience. Yonder thou maiest sée the citie whether thou wouldest goe, moreouer, thou knowest what hath been commaunded thée, & what thou hast to doe, and yet whatsoeuer fall, breake not the commaundement of king Oberon, and alwaies be true & say the troth, for assoone [Page] as thou makest any lye, thou shalt loose the loue of king Obe­ron: thus God be with thée, for I may no longer tarrie. So he went againe into the Sea, and Huon tarried there a­lone, recommending himselfe to our lord god, and so tooke the way to the Citie, and there entred in without let of any man. So soone as he was entred, he met a M. Paynims go­ing a hawking, another M. coming homeward, and a M. horses led to be new shod, & a M. coming frō shooing, than he saw a M. men playing at the Chesse, & another M. that had played and béen mated, & another M. talking & deuising with Damsels, and another M. comming from drinking of the Admirals wine, and another M. going thether. When Huon all armed had gone a great space in the Citie, he had great maruaile of that he had seene, and that he had met such multitude of people. And he studied thereon so much, that he forgat the Gyants Ryng on his arme, and the men that he met had great maruaile of him to sée him goe all armed a foote, and yet he went still forward. Alas poore vnhappie Huon, that could not remember the Gyants Ring about his arme, for lacke of remembrance thereof, he suffered after so much trouble, that there is no humane tongue can tell it, as yée shall heare hereafter. At last he came into a great place before the first gate of the Pallaice, whereas there stoode a great Vine trée set vpon bricke pillers of diuers colours, vn­der the which the Admirall Gaudise one day in the wéeke would come thether, and vsed to giue audience to all Su­ters. When Huon had regarded all this, he came to the first gate of the Pallaice, & there he cryed to the Porter & said. Friend, I pray you open the gate, and the Porter said, with a good will, if thou be a Sarazin thou shalt enter. Then Huon (as vnaduised, and forgetting himselfe, and not once thinking on king Oberons commaundement, or of the Gy­ants Ring about his arme, the which if hee had shewed foorth, hee shoulde not haue néeded to haue made any lye) when hee had heard the Paynim demaund whether he were a Sarazin or no: he said yes, than the Porter said, than may [Page] you surely enter. So Huon passed the first bridge and gate, and when he came to the second, he remembred himselfe how he had broken king Oberons commaundement, wherewith he was so sorowfull at his hart, that he wist not what to do, and sware thē that he would neuer lye more. Then he tooke the Ring in his hand, and came to the second gate, and said to the Porter: Thou villaine, he that died on the crosse, cō ­found thee, open this gate, for I must enter. When the Por­ter heard him speake so fiercely, he said, who is it, that the first Porter was so hardy to suffer to enter in at y ^e first gate? I shall shew thee quoth Huon, séest not thou this Ring, the which is a token that I may passe and goe whereas me list. When the Porter heard him and saw the Ring, he knew it well, and said: Sir, ye be welcome, how fareth the Lord y ^e ye come from? Huon, who would not lye, passed the bridge and gaue no answere, and so came to the third gate: where the Porter came to him, and Huon shewed him the Ring, then the Porter let downe the bridge, and opened the gate, and with great reuerence saluted Huon, and suffered him to passe. When Huon was thus passed the thrée bridges, then he remembred how he had made a lye at the first bridge, and said to himselfe. Alas, what shall become of me, seeing I haue so lightly broken my promise to him that hath done so much for me? alas, I forgot the Ring that was about mine arme, how be it, I trust that Oberon will not be displeased for it, seeing I did it not wilfully, but that I forgat it: I trust he will take no more regard to this déede, then he did when I blew y ^e Horne without any cause, thus Huon passed the thrée gates of the Pallaice.

Chap. XXXVI.

WHen Huon saw that he had passed the thrée gates, he went on to the fourth gate, with the Ring in his hand, for he met with no man, but that still did him honour when they saw the Ring: then he said to y ^e fourth Porter, thou villaine Por­ter, I charge thée foorthwith open the gate. When the Por­ter heard him he had great maruaile, & said, what art thou that art armed, and speakest so fiercesly to me? lay away thine armour, and then shew me what thou art & whether thou wilt goe, for armed as thou art it is not possible for to enter, shew me by thy faith how thou hast passed the thrée o­ther bridges. Than Huon said, hould thy peace Paynim, I am a Messenger sent frō noble king Charlemaine, and whe­ther thou wilt or not I will passe this way and goe to the Pallaice to the Admirall Gaudise: there is neyther thou nor any other shall lett me, behould this token that I shew thée. The Paynim knew it anon, and let downe the bridge, and opened the gate, and knéeled downe and kissed and embra­braced his leg, desiring pardon of him in that he had caused him to tarrie so long: Paynim quoth Huon, good day mayest thou haue. Sir quoth the Porter, ye may goe to the Admi­rall, who will make you good chéere and great honour, for there is nothing that yée can desire, but it shalbe graunted vnto you, yea and if it be his only Daughter, for loue of the Lord from whome yée bring this Ring for a token: and sir, I require you how doth the Lord Angolofer ▪ commeth hee [Page] hether or not? Porter quoth Huon, if he come hether, all the Diuels of hell muste bringe him hether, and therewith hee passed foorth without any more wordes, but he said to him­selfe. Ah good Lord Iesus Christ, helpe and aid me in all my busines, I was tempted with an euill spirite, when I made the lye at the first gate, I did it by lightnesse of courage and for lacke of remembrance, whereof I am right sorie. Huon thus being in displeasure with himselfe for the lye that hee had made, went forth till he came to the Pallaice, and en­tred into a faire garden, wherein the Admirall tooke often­times his pastime, for there could no trée, frute, nor flower be wished for, but there they might be found both in sōmer & winter. And in the middest of this garden there was a faire Fountaine comming out of the Ryuer of Nyle that cōmeth from Paradise, the which fountaine as then was of such vertue, that if any sicke man did drinke thereof, or washed his handes and face therin, incontinent he should be whole, and also if a man had béen of great age, he should retourne againe to the age of xxx. yéeres, and old women to become as fresh and lustie as a maide of xv. yeares. This Fountaine had that vertue by the space of lx. yeares, but x. yeares after that Huon had béen there, it was destroyed and broken by the Egiptians, who made warre on the Admyrall that was as then in Babylon. And when Huon had washed his handes and face in the Fountaine, and dronke of the water, he be­held y ^e Pallaice, and thought it maruaylous faire, and whē he had well regard it, he saw a little beside the fountaine a great Serpent, who kept the Fountaine, to thintent that none should be so hardy as to drinke or touch y ^e Fountaine: for if a traytour, or any man that had falsefied his faith did touch it, he could not escape without death. But when the Serpent saw Huon, he enclined himselfe, without making of semblance to do him any ill. Huon sat down by the Foun­taine, and began gréeuouslye to lament, and said. Ah good Lord, without thy succour it is impossible for me to depart hence aliue. Ah noble king Oberon, forsake me not nowe in [Page] this néede, for the trespas that I haue done ought to be for­giuen me, séeing I did it negligently for lacke of remem­brance, certenly I will know, if for so small a cause yee will leaue me, wherefore whatsoeuer fall, I shall prooue & assay to know the troth, then he tooke his Horne and blew it so fiercely, that king Oberon heard it being in his Forrest, & when he heard it, he said. Ah good Lord I heare the false Knight blow his Horne, who setteth so little by me, for at y ^e first gate that he passed by, he made a false lye: by the Lord that fourmed me, if he blow till the vaines of his necke bur [...] in sunder, he shall not be succoured for me, nor for any man­ner of mischiefe that may fall to him. Then Huon being in the garden blew so lowde, that the Admirall, who was set at his dinner, arose from the boord with all his Lords, and all other ladies and Damsels, knights and squiers, boyes, and scullions of the kitchen, and all other came into the Pallaice to the Admirall, and began to daunce and singe, and made great ioy, the more that Huon blew his Horne, y ^e more they daunced and sang. And when Huon left blowing, than the Admirall called his Barons, and commaunded them to be armed, and said. Sirs goe into this garden, for surely there is some Enchaunter, therefore take héed that he escape not, but bring him aliue to me, for I will know of him the cause why he hath done this déed, for if he escape, he will doe vs more ill. When Huon had blowen a longe space, and sawe no body come to him, he was sore abashed, and thā he began to lament and said. Ah good Lord god, now I sée well mine end approcheth, when king Oberon fayleth me, in whom I haue all my trust in life and death. Ah déere Lady Mother and brother Gerardine, I shall neuer sée you more. Ah noble king Charlemaine, great wrong haue yée done to me, thus to banish me without desert, for that that I did was in my de­fence, god forgiue it you. Ah king Oberon, well mayēst thou be reputed for an vnkind creature, thus to leaue me for one small fault, certenly if thou be a noble man, I hope thou wilt pardon me, at least, I put all to god, and to him I submit [Page] me. And whatsoeuer fall, I will enter into the Pallaice, & doe my Messuage that king Charlemaine hath commaunded me to doe. So he made him readie, and departed from the Fountaine, thinking he should finde the Admirall at din­ner at that time.

Chap. XXXVII.

WHen Huon had been a cer­ten space at the fountaine, he departed all armed, and mounted vp the degrees of the Pallaice, the same time the Admirall had caused twoo of his principall goddes to be set in the middest of the Pallaice, richly adorned, and before thē twoo great torches burning, so that no Sarazin passed by them, but made to them great reue­rence, but Huon passed by them, and would not once looke on them, nor speake to no man that hée met, whereof they had all great maruaile and sayd one to another, so that Huon ea­sily heard them. I beléeue this man, who thus entred into y ^e Pallaice all armed, is some messenger sent from some great Prince to the Admyrall, and then Huon saw a Paynim King speaking to the Admyrall, who was newly come to the Ad­mirall, bicause the same day the Admirall Gaudise should haue deliuered to him his Daughter the faire Escleremond in mariage, and Huon sawe well, howe hee was the greatest Prince that as then was there with the Admirall, then Huon sayd to himselfe. Ah good Lord, if I acquite my selfe truly to King Charlemaine, I must slay this Paynim king, I thinke it be he that I looke for, séeing he sitteth so néere to the Admi­rall, [Page] god confound me▪ but incontinent I will strike of his head, and then let our Lord Iesus Christ do with me at his pleasure. Then Huon came nere to the table, and drew out hys sword, and therewith gaue the said King suche a stroke, that his head fell on the table, so that y ^e Admyrall was ther­with all bloody. Then Huon with a hye voyce said. Ah good Lord, what a good beginning is this, the rest I remit to our Lord Iesus Christ whome I require to aid me to perfourme the rest of mine enterprise, in this point I haue nere quit my selfe agaynst king Charlemaine. Then the Admirall said to his Barons, take this man that hath doone me this offence, as to murder this king [...]itting at my table, if he escape, looke me neuer in the face. Thē the Paynims assailed Huon on all sides, and cast at him darts and swords to haue slaine him. But his good Armor saued him from the death, and with his sword he slew many a bolde Paynim, so that none durst ap­proch néere him. When he saw that he was sore oppressed, he tooke his Ring from off his arme, and cast it on the table be­fore the Admirall and said. Sir Admirall, beware on paine of thy lyfe, of doing to me any hurt or damage, by this token that I shew thee. Whan the Admirall saw the Ring, hee knew it well, then hee began to crye, that no man should be so hardye as to touch him that hath slayne the Paynim King, and euery man let Huon in rest, wherof he was right ioyfull, than he said to the Admirall, Sir, I will from hence forth that thou do as I commaund thee. Friend quoth the Admi­rall, thou mayest do in my Pallaice what thou wilt, what­soeuer thou commaund shalbe done, no man shall say the cō ­trary. Than Huon saw where his daughter the fayre Escle­remond sat by her Father, and Huon went to her, and kissed her iij. times before her Father, whereat the Damsell was much abashed, but she saw him so fayre, and felt his mouth so sweet, that she thought without she might haue him to her Louer, she should dye for sorow, so that she changed colour, and blushed as ruddie as a rose. Whan Huon had kissed the ladie, than he went to the Admirall and said. Sir Admirall, [Page] know for troth that I am christened, and am a Messenger sent from noble king Charlemaine to thée, bicause there is no Prince christian nor heathē, but that obeyeth his cōmaun­dement, except thy selfe: therefore by me hee sendeth thee worde, that since the dolorous day of battaile at Ronceuaux, whereas he lost his twoo Nephews, Rowland and Oliuer, he neuer since assembled so much people, as he will do this next sommer to come vpon thée both by water and by land, with­out thou wilte beleue in the lawe of Iesus Christ, therefore if thou wilt beléeue me, be christened, or else this mischiefe will fall vpon thée. Speake no more of that quoth the Admi­rall, for I had rather be hewen and slaine, then to leaue my law and beléeue vpon thy god. Sir Admirall quoth Huon, moreouer king Charles commaundeth thée to send him a M. Sparhawkes, a M. Goshawkes, a M. Beares, and a M. wayters chayned together, a M. yong Varlets, a M. faire Damsels, and also a handfull of thy beard, and Foure of thy great téeth. Ha quoth the Admirall, I sée thou art hardy and outragious, to demaund of me this that thou hast said. And also I haue great maruaile of thy Maister, that he is so foo­lish as to commaund me by thee, to send him my beard and great téeth, before this time he hath sent me more than xv. Messengers, & hath demaunded part of this that thou spea­kest of, but all xv. haue been hanged, & nowe thou art come by thy folly to make vp the xvj. But by reason of the Ring that thou bearest, we dare not touch thée: I pray thée there­fore by the faith and law that thou art of, shewe mee what Diuell hath giuen thée that Ring. Than Huon sore abashed, as he that durst not make a lye, for feare of king Oberon, said. Sir, not for doubt of thée, or of any Paynim héere, I will not spare to shew thee the troth, know then that with this good sword I haue slaine the Lord Angolofer the Gyant. When y ^e Admirall heard that, he said to his Lords. Sirs looke that this Villaine escape not, for by all the Gods that I beléeue on, I shall neuer haue ioy in my heart vntill I sée him takē. Then Paynims and Sarazins on all parts assayled Huon, [Page] when he saw that, he commended himselfe to our Lord god, and thought he should neuer sée faire day more, and so with his sword in both his hands he defended himselfe nobly, in slaying and cutting off handes, and féete of the Sarazins, & of many he made the braynes to flye abroad on y ^e pauement, great terrour it was to behould, for by reason of his good Armour, there was no Paynim could do him any damage, but they gaue him way, and durst not approch néere him. Huon being full of yre as he fought, he saw on the one side of the Pallaice an Arch in the wall, and so euer still fighting he drew thether, and set his backe to the arch, to thintent that none should come behind him. There he fared like a wilde Boare in the wood▪ and defended himlelfe in such wise, that whome soeuer he touched with a full stroke, had no néede af­ter of any surgeon, thus a long space Huon endured, and had no great harme. But the force of the Paynims was so great, that it was not possible for him to sustaine long, for he wax­ed so wearie, that his stroakes féebled, oftentimes he called vpon god, and on the other part the Admirall cryed to his men and said. Ah yee fainte harted slaues, great shame is to you all, that one man shall so long endure against you, that ye can neither take him nor slay him. Then the Paynims whē they heard the Admirall so dispraise them, they came in a great rage all at once vppon Huon, whereas he was alone vnder the arch, and a Paynim who was Nephew to the Ad­mirall, came vpon Huon, but when Huon saw him approch, he lifted vp his sword, and gaue the Paynim such a stroake on the helmet, that he claue his head to the breast, and there­with his sword fell out of his hands, and another Sarazin tooke it vp, then all the Sarazins at once ran vppon Huon & tooke him, and then tooke from him his Horne and his Cup, and put off his armour: whan he was vnarmed, the Sara­zins beheld him well, and many said, how they neuer saw so faire a man before, affirming, that if all Frenchmē were such as he, there were no King able to resist them.

Chap. XXXVIII.

WHen Huon was disarmed, the Paynims tooke and brought him before the Admirall, who was right ioyfull when he sawe Huon, and called his Barons & de­maunded of them, what death the Caytiffe should die that had done them such damage, as to slay one of his most puissant Kings, and also his Nephew, beside many others. Then they all answeared with one voice, that hee should be slaine aliue incontinent. Then stept foorth an old ancient Admirall of Six score yéeres of age, who was of y ^e Admirals priuie counsell, and he said. Sir Admirall, yée may not doe thus, for the loue of this good day, the which is the feast of Saint Iohn, according to our law, there is none ought to die on that day, but Sir, respite his life for a whole yéere, and then shalbe the feast of your Gods, on that day ye ought to deliuer xj. Champions, to doe with them you Sa­crifice: let this man be one, and another may come by that time, and which of the twoo Champions be ouercome, yée shall make your sacrifice to your Gods of him. Thus ye pro­mised your Gods to doe, the first day that yée tooke on you the Signiorie of Babylon, and Sir, if it were not for that this man hath slaine one of your Kings, and your Nephew, ye ought not to slay him, but rather to thanke him, for by him, the man that you ought most to hate in the world, is slaine, that is Angolofer, and now by his death yee are out of all seruitude & bondage, and by this man set at libertie. When the Admirall Gaudise had well heard the Paynim, he saide, [Page] séeing it is so that ye giue me this counsell, and that of right mine Auncestors haue euer accustomed the same: I will not doe the contrarie, but it shall be as ye haue said. Then was Huon led with iiij. Paynims to a darke prison, and the Iay­lor was commaunded to giue him meate and drinke suffiti­ent. When Huon saw how he was in prison, he was right sorowfull and began to remember y ^e noble Duches his Mo­ther, and Gerard his brother, and said. Ah Oberon, how is it that art so vnkind & outragious to me, for so little an offence to suffer me to endure this great misery? for I know well it is not vnknowen to thee, that the offence that I haue done, was but only by forgetfulnes.

Now let vs leaue speaking of Huon, and say somewhat of faire Escleremond Daughter to the Admirall: when shee saw that it was night, and shee all alone in her bed, shée remem­bred the French knight, who had kissed her iij. times in the presence of her Father, and shee was in great sorow bicause he was put in prison, & said to her selfe: Without he were a Knight of great enterprize, he would neuer haue béen so hardy to haue done as he hath done this day in diuers man­ners. Wherefore she said, he was well worthy to be belo­ued and succoured. Then incontinent shee arose and made her readie, and priuily she tooke a torch of waxe in her hand, and lighted it, and issued out of her chamber as priuilye as she could. It was about midnight, and euery man was a sléepe in the Pallaice, she went strait to the prison, & came at so good a time that she found the Iaylor fast a sléepe, then she stole away the keyes, and went and opened the prison dore. But when Huon saw the torch light, and the dore of y ^e prison open, he was in great feare, least they would take him out to put him to death, or to doe him some other displeasure, whereupon he began to make pitifull complaints, The La­die who could well speake french, vnderstood all Huons com­plaints, and remembred his name, bicause the day before she had heard himselfe shew her Father his name, then shée said. Huon, dismay not, I am Escleremond Daughter to the [Page] Admirall, whome this day passed thou didst kisse iij. times in the presence of my Father, if it be so that thou wilt fulfill my will, I shall put to my endeauour to deliuer thée out of prison, for I am so affectionate towards thée, that euer since thou didst kisse me, I haue none other thought nor immagi­nation but only on thée, & how to bring thée out of the dan­ger that thou art in. Madame quoth Huon, god reward you for your great courtesie that ye would do vnto me, but faire Lady Escleremond, you are a Sarazin, and I am christened: True it is, that I did kisse you, but that was by the com­maundement of king Charlemaine, who sent me hether so to doe, but else I had rather to haue been heere in perpetuall prison, than to haue touched any part of your bodie or mouth so long as ye be a Sarazyn. Huon quoth y ^e Ladie, seing thou art of that mind, thou shalt end thy daies heere in prison mi­serably, and neuer trust me, but if I can, I shall cause thee deerely to aby the refusall that thou hast made me. Then the Lady Escleremond parted from the prison, and came to the Iaylor and awaked him, and said: Friend, I charge thee on paine of thy life, that to this french Prisoner within thy keeping, for these iij. daies and iij. nightes thou giue him neither meate nor drinke. Madame quoth the Iaylor, your commaundement shalbe fulfilled. Then the Lady in this dis­pleasure went againe to her bed, right pensiue and full of fantasies, and Huon was iij. daies and iij. nights without meate or drinke, and on the iiij. day he said all sorowing. Ah good Lord, I see well I must heere die for hunger, I hū ­bly require thee to ayd and succour me, and graunt me thy grace, that I neither consent nor doe any thing that shall be against thy pleasure or against thy holy law, for any tribu­lation that can come to me. Thus noble Huon complayned all sorowing, & there was no creature that had heard him, but he would haue been partaker of his great sorowes.

Chap. XXXIX.

Thus (as haue ye haue heard before) Huon complayned pitiously, for he had been iij. daies and iij. nights without sustenance, and the Lady Escleremond who caused it, came euery morning and euening to the prison to heare what Huon would say, and euer shee would demaund of Huon, if he were any otherwise aduised to answere her or not, and euer she found him at one point. But at the last, when she saw that he still continued in that minde, then she demaunded of him, that if she deliuered him out of prison, whether he would then promise her to lead her with him into Fraunce, and take her to his wife when hee came there, if thou wilt promise me this (quoth shee) thou shalt haue meate and drinke sufficient at thy pleasure.

Madame quoth Huon, I promise you faithfully, that vp­pon your forsaking Paganisme, and conuersion to our chri­stian faith: I shall doe your pleasure, whatsoeuer happen to me thereby. Then know for troth quoth the Lady, that for the loue of thée I will become christened, and beleeue in y ^e law of the Lord Iesus Christe so soone as we come into any place whereas it may be done. Huon thanked her, and then she caused him to haue meate and drinke, whereof he was ioyfull, and she called the Iaylor and said. Goe thy way in hast to the Admirall my Father, and tell him that the french knight is dead iij. daies past, through féeblenes & hunger. Ladie quoth the Iaylor, I am ready to doe your commaun­dement, and so he went to the Admirall and said. Sir, the [Page] french Knight that was in my keeping, is dead by famine iij. daies past. Alas quoth the Admirall, I am sory therfore, but seing it will none otherwise be, I must passe it ouer as I may, but I had rather that he were aliue. And thus as ye haue heard, Huon was deliuered from death, for it is a commō, but a very true saying, that one day of deliuerance, is worth a hundred yeeres of endurance. Then the Iaylor returned to the prison vnto the Ladie, and shewed her what he had said to the Admirall. Well fri [...]nd quoth the Ladie, if thou wilt be secret, I shall make thée rich for euer, helping to aide me in such things as I would haue thee. Madame quoth he, to die in the quarrell, I shall doe you seruice such as you commaund me, the feare of death shall not let me to doe it.

Now let vs leaue speaking of Huon, who was oftentimes visited with the Iaylor, and had all things as he desired, and was well lodged at his pleasure. And let vs now speake of Gerames, and of them that were with him in the Castle of the Gyant.

Chap. XL.

WE haue heard heere before, how Huon departed from the Tower of the Gyant, and left there Gerames and all his company with y ^e Damsell his Coozen: they taried there iij. moneths, and neuer heard any thing of Huon, wherof they were sorowfull. They went foorth one morning, and came to the Sea-side, to sée if they might heare any newes of their Lord Huon, and as they loo­ked [Page] vpon the Sea, they espied a shippe charged with xxx. Paynims and great riches, and Gerames saw how the ship was coming to that Port, wherfore he said to his company: Sirs, let vs go and see if we can learne any tiding [...] of Huon by them. Then they went to the Port, and by that time that the Maryners had cast their anchor, then Gerames demaun­ded of them whence they were, and whither they would go. Sir quoth they, we would goe to Mesque, to pay to Ango­lofer the great Gyant, a Tribute that we are bound euery yeere to pay, therefore Sir we desire you to shew vs where we might find him. And when Gerames saw that they were all a land out of the ship, he said, Ah ye vnhappie Paynims, ye shall neuer depart hence, for he that ye demaund for is dead, and all ye shall beare him companie▪

Then Gerames saide to his company, sirs let all these Paynims be slaine, and then incontinent they set vpon thē, so that all the Paynims were slaine, not one escaped aliue, for the christian men were armed, and the Paynims with­out armour or any weapon, for otherwise they durst not come on land for feare of the Gyant. Then Gerames entred into the ship, and tooke all that they found there and bare it into the Tower, and then they went to dinner and made great ioy for that aduenture, and after dinner Gerames said. Sirs if wee were now in Fraunce, and that king Charle­maine should demaund of vs what is become of Huon: yée know wel there is none of vs can tel whether he be aliue or dead, for if we should say that he is dead, and he afterward retourne home, then we should be reputed for false men euer after both we and our children, for a man may be a Priso­ner xiiij. or xv. yeeres, and yet come home againe at the last safe and sound. But sirs if yee will be ruled by me, we shall doe like true men: we haue as now in this port a good ship well fournished with euery thing, and we haue heere gould and siluer plentie, and we shall soone vittaile our ship, and then let vs take the Sea, and neuer rest sayling vntill wee heare some newes of our Lord Huon, & if we doe thus, then [Page] wée doe as true men ought to doe, and I desire you all euery man shew his aduice herein. Then without taking of any longer respite, they answered all with one voice, that they were readie to accomplish all that he had deuised. So they tooke gould and siluer and all their riches, and bare it into the shippe, and fournished it with wine, bisket, salt flesh, & artillerie, and when their shippe was garnished, they put in their horses and their armour, and they all xiij. Compani­ons entred into the ship, & the Damsell with thē, then they wayed vp their anchors, & hoysed vp their sayles, and so left the Tower of the Gyant all voyd and no man therein. And thus they sayled along the coast, vntill they came into the high sea, and so long they sayled till they came to Damieta, & there they entred into the Riuer of Nyle, and so long they sayled therein, that they arriued at Babylon, and came to the Port, and tooke out their horses.

Gerames that knew well the language, and the manner of the entring into all the iiij. gates, said to his companie. Sirs lets vs mount on our horses, and let vs enter into the Citie, to see if we may heare any newes of our Maister Hu­on. Thus they roade foorth and entred into the Citie, & then Gerames said. Sirs, wée will goe to the Pallaice, but when we come there, [...]ould you all your peace, and suffer mee to speake, wherein it is conuenient that yee all agree to my wordes, and say not the contrary. They answered and said, they were content so to doe, and thus they roade together through the towne, Ah good Lord quoth Gerames, I beséech thee of thy grace to grant vs, that we may heare some good tidings of our maister Huon of Bourdeaux, for whome we be heere in ieoperdie of death, so they passed all the iiij. brid­ges and gates, by reason that Gerames shewed foorth suche reasons that the Porters were content. Then they came be­fore the great hall, & there they alighted & mounted vp all xiij. and the Damsell with them, and when they were in y ^e hall, they saw the Admirall Gaudise sitting on a rich chaire garnished with gould & pretious stones, and Gerames that [Page] could well speake the Sarazine language, came before the Admirall and said.

The same god that causeth the wine and corne to grow, saue and keepe the Admirall Gaudise, whome I see there [...]it­ting among his Barons. Friend quoth the Admirall, thou art welcome, I pray thee shew me what thou art, and whi­ther thou wouldest goe? Sir (quoth Gerames) to tell you plainely, I am come from the good citie of Mombrance, and am Sonne to king Iuoryn. When the Admyrall heard that, he rose vp on his féete and said: Thou art welcome the son of my brother, faire Nephew, I pray you shew me how doth my brother Iuoryn? Sir (quoth Gerames) when I depar­ted from him, I left him in good health, and he saluteth you by me, and hath sent heere to you xij. french men by me, the which were taken vpon the sea, as they were going on Pil­grimage to the holy Sepulchre of Christ in Ierusalem, and he desireth you to put them in prison, vntill the day of Saint Iohn the Baptist, at which day you must make the feast of your Gods, and then to bring them into the meadow heere without, and there tye and binde thē to stakes, and let your Archers shoot at them, to thintent to know who shooteth best. As for this Damsell that is héere with me, she is to be put to your Daughter, to teach her to speake perfectly the french language. Faire Nephew (quoth the Admirall) as he hath appointed it shalbe done, and I giue you power to cōmaund euery thinge in this house at your pleasure, and I pray you shew me what is your name? Sir quoth he, I am called Ieracle. Well (quoth the Admirall) from hence foorth I re­taine you to be as my chiefe Chamberlaine, and I will that yee haue the key of the prison in your kéeping, and therein to put these Captiues, and doe with them at your pleasure, ex­tend vnto thē what kindnesse you please, but let them haue meat & drinke suffitient, that they die not with famine, as but lately died a French man that was sent to me by king Charles of Fraunce, who was called Huon of Bourdeaux, the which was a right faire yong man.

[Page]When Gerames heard that, he had neuer before greater sorow at his heart, for then (hearing of the death of Huon) his displeasure & anger was so great, that he had néere hand runne vpon the Admirall, and he was so vexed in his mind, that he tooke vp a staffe that lay by him, and gaue each of the French men such stroakes on their heades, that the blood ran downe: but they suffered it and durst not stirre, they were in such feare of the Admirall, but they cursed Gerames for his stroakes, who did it for the nonst. And when the Admi­rall sawe how hee had well beaten the frenchmen, he said: Faire Nephew, it seemeth well by you that you loue these christian men but little. Sir quoth he, I hate these christian men more then any men in the world, for Sir all the waye that I haue come, I haue thus beaten them thrée times in euery day, in the honour of my God Mahound, and in des­pight of their law and God on whome they beléeue. Thus then Gerames departed from the Admirall, and led with him the xij. french prisoners, beating them till he came to y ^e pri­son, and none of them durst speake one word, but to them­selues they cursed Gerames. And as they went towards the prison they met with the Lady Escleremond, and she said, Co­sin, I am right ioyfull of your comming, but if I durst trust you, I would shew you a secret matter, so that you promise not to discouer me. Cousin quoth Gerames, by the faith that I owe to my god Mahound, ye may well shew me your will and pleasure, for if mine eyes were to be drawne out, I shal neuer discouer you. And when the Damsell heard that pro­mise, she said. Deare Cousin, it is a v. months passed since there came to my Father the Admirall a french knight, with a messuage from king Charlemaine, who called himselfe Hu­on of Bourdeaux, who when he had done his messuage, hee slew a Paynim king as he sat at the table by my Father, & after came & kissed me thrée times before my Fathers face, and after that slew many Sarazins, wherefore at last hee was taken Prisoner, and put in prison whereas he is yet, howbeit I made my Father beléeue that he is dead with fa­mine, [Page] yet deere cousin he is as yet aliue, and as well serued of meat and drinke as my father is. When Gerames vnder­stood the Damsell Escleremond, he was both sorowfull & an­grie, for he thought that the Damsell did it to deceaue him, and to cause him to shew forth the secretnes of his minde, & bicause he was in doubt thereof, he passed foorth and made no manner of answeare to the Damsell, but came to the pri­son, and put in the Prisoners rudely, and the Damsell re­turned right sorowfull in that she had shewed so much of her minde to Gerames whome she tooke for her Cousin. When Gerames had put the xij. Frenchmen in prison, he returned right sorowfull, and Huon being in the prison, had greate maruaile what prisoners they were that were let downe in­to the prison, for he could not sée thē the prison was so darke, then he drew néere to them to heare them speake, and at last one of them began to make his complaint, and said. Ah good Lord Iesu Christ succour vs, for thou knowest well, this that wee suffer we haue not deserued, but it is for the loue of our yong Lord Huon of Bourdeaux, we haue loued him so well, that now wée be lost for [...]uer, except deere Lord thou haue mercie vppon vs. When Huon had heard what they said, then he knew well that they were christened & french­men, and then he coueted much to know what they were, & so approched néere to them and said. Sirs, yée that be heere, I pray you shew me what yée be, and how yee be come hi­ther?

Sir quoth one of them, true it is that v. moneths passed, there departed from vs a young knight, with whome wee came out of the Realme of Fraunce, and he was borne in Fraunce, and sonne to a noble Duke, called Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux, this Knight slew Charlot sonne to King Charle­maine by misaduenture, wherefore hee was banished out of the Realme of Fraunce, and sent by king Charlemaine to do a messuage to the Admirall Gaudise, and he is dead in prisō as it is shewed vs, and sir wée came to séeke for him, & are betrayed by one of our owne companie.

[Page]When Huon heard him speake, he knew him well, & said. Sirs, be of good comfort and make good chéere, for I am Hu­on, safe and in good health, thanked be god and the Admi­rals daughter, who is so enamoured of me, that she hath sa­ued my life, yée shall sée soone how shée will come and visite me. But I pray you sirs what is become of ould Gerames, whether he be left behind to kéepe y ^e Tower, with the Dam­my cousin whome I left in your kéeping? Sir quoth they, a worse creature or more false Traytor was neuer borne, for he hath betrayed vs, and hath beaten and put vs in pri­son: and as for the Damsell, shee is with the Admiralls Daughter. When Huon perceiued that all they were of his companie, he went & embraced them and said. Sirs knowe of a suretie, that all that Gerames hath done, is done to the intent to deliuer vs all out of prison, I doe so well know the troth of Gerames. Sirs make good chéere, for assoone as night commeth, wée shalbe visited with great ioy. Sir quoth they, surely wee beléeued that Gerames had forsaken the faith of Christ, and was become a Sarazin, for he hath made the Admirall beleeue, that he is sonne to his brother king Iuo­ryn of Mombrance. When Huon heard that, he had great ioy at his heart and said. Ah good Lord, the troth of Gerames and loue that he hath alwaies shewed to me, shalbe to vs right profitable, in the despight of king Oberon, who hath forsaken me for a small offence, by Gerames we shalbe deli­uered out of this pouertie and danger. Now leaueth the Historie to speake of Huon and his companie being in pry­son, and returneth to the ould Gerames, who studied and practised for the deliuerance of Huon and his company.

Chap. XLI.

NOw sheweth the Historie, that when Gerames was retourned to the Admirall, he said. Sir the French men that I brought, are fast in prison and well bea­ten. Faire Nephew quoth the Admirall, they haue had but an euill neighbor of you. Then Gerames went into his chamber, and studied how he might fournish the Prisoners with vittailes, & did so much that he had sufficient, and when night came, he went with his vittailes to y ^e prisō, for he might do there what he listed, for euery man was ready to doe him any seruice. When he came to the prison dore, he sent euery man away and taried there alone, and he had not béen there longe, but that the Ad­mirals daughter came thether. When Gerames saw her, he wist not what to thinke, but said. Faire cousin, I pray you shew me what you doe heare at this houre? Déere cousin quoth shee, the great trust that I haue in you, hath made me to come hether, bicause to day I discouered to you all my se­crets, and what I am intended to doe. Therefore let me in­treat you, that you would leaue the law of Mahdund, and receiue the christian faith, and then to goe with mee into Fraunce together with these Prisoners, and we shall well find the manner how to depart, and we will take with vs al the prisoners that ye haue put in prison.

When Gerames had heard the Lady, he was right ioy­full, for then he knew well that shee went not about to des­crie him, but that she did it of good heart and good will that she bare to Huon, howbeit, hee thought that hee would not [Page] discouer himselfe to her, vntill the time he knew the troth of Huon, wherfore he answered the Damsell angerly and said. O thou false and vntrue maide, how art thou so hardy as to speake or thinke thus? surely the Admirall thy Father shall know it assoone as he commeth out of his chamber, and then shalt thou be burned and the Frenchmen hanged. Alas Sir quoth shee, yet I pray you let mee goe into the prison with you, to thintent y ^t I may sée Huon once yet before I die, for the loue of whome I am content to die, for if he die I will not liue one day after, therefore let me once take my leaue of him. Well quoth Gerames, for this time I am content that ye goe with me, then Gerames tooke a torch in his hand, and opened the dore & entred, he was no sooner entred, but Huon knew him, and went and embraced him, and said. Ah my true louer, blessed be the houre that I found you, then they all clipped and embraced him, when the Lady saw their ma­ner of saluting she was ioyfull, for then she saw well, that her intent should be more surely compassed, & then she came to Huon, & demaunded if they were his seruants that made so great loue together? Madame quoth Huon, surely all these that be heere be my men, boldly ye may trust them, for there is none of them but that they shall do your commaundment. Huon quoth the Damsell, their comming pleaseth me right well, then Huon said to his companie. Gentlemen and my deare friends, forbeare this extremitie of kindnesse to me, and bestow it vpon this noble Ladie, for by her wee shalbe deliuered, and it is shee that hath saued my life, thē they all together humbly thanked her.

Sirs quoth she, if yée will worke by my councell, I shall shew you how I may aid you to deliuer you frō hence. First let me vnfainedly perswade ye that I doe firmely beléeue in Iesus Christ, and at this day there is no man that I more hate than the Admirall Gaudise my Father, bicause he be­léeueth not in our Lord Iesus Christ, for hee hateth so the christian men, that he cannot abide to heare any speaking of them, for he beléeueth but vpon Mahound and his Idols, [Page] therefore my hart cannot loue him, if he did otherwise, I would purchase to him none ill for all the good in the world, but I shall shewe you what yee must doe. When it is the houre of midnight, I shall bring you all into my chamber, whereas I will prouide Armour for you all, and there yée shall all be armed, then I shall bring you into the Admirall my Fathers chamber, whome yee shall find sléeping, and there yee may slay him, and as for mee, I will bee the first that shall strike him, and when he is slaine, then shall wée depart surely.

When Huon had vnderstood her, he said, Madame, and god will your Father shall not be so slaine, y ^e day shall come that ye shall otherwise deliuer vs, wée thanke you that yee so much desire our deliuerance, but I thinke it good that you and Gerames depart hence for this time, for it is néere hand day, to thintent that our busines be not perceiued. Then the Lady and Gerames departed, and closed againe the prison dore, and went vp into the Pallaice, as if they had not béene there at all. And thus euery day Gerames & the Lady went to visite the Prisoners, and bare them euery thing that was néedefull for them. Gerames was alwaies with the Admi­rall, and did what he would, for there was not any Pay­nim that durst do contrarie to his commaundment. Now leaue wée to speake of the Admirall, of Gerames and of Huon and of all them that were in prison, vntill such time as wée may returne to them againe.

Chap. XLII.

IT hath beene sufficiently declared heere before, how Huon slew the Gyant Angolofer, the which Gyant had Seauentéene Brethren, all elder than himselfe, who liued distant from him in diuers seuerall places. It was no longe while after, but that his elder Brother named Agrapart, was aduertised of the death of his Brother, which he tooke to his hart excéeding heauilie. Now you must vnderstand, that he was in all respects of as huge stature as his brother, for he was xvij. foote of length, and in bignes he was made therafter, he was a foot betwéen y ^e browes, & his eyes more redder and burning than a brand of fire, and the gristle of his nose as great as the nostrill of an oxe, and he had twoo téeth issuing out of his mouth more than a foot long each of them: but if I should describe his foule figure at the full, it would annoy all the hearers thereof, therefore yee may well beléeue when he was in his displeasure, that he had a feare­full countenance to looke vpon, for then his twoo eyes séemed like twoo burning torches. When he was certenly aduerti­sed of the death of his brother, he sent ouer all his countrey, that euery man should come to him in armour, and so they did, and when they were come, he declared to them y ^e death of his brother Angolofer, & said how it was his mind to goe to Babylon to y ^e Admirall Gaudise, there to take possession of [Page] the landes and signiories that were his brothers, and also to haue the tribute that was due by the Admirall, then all his L [...]ds said, Sir, commaund at your pleasure, and wee shall obay it. Well sirs (quoth he) then I will that euerye man mount on their horses to goe towards Babylon, and so they all obayed, and got on their horses and departed, & rode so long, that they came into a plaine néere to the citie of Ba­bylon, there were about Ten Thowsand men together, and Agrapart said, Sirs tarie yée all héere till I come againe, for I will goe all alone and speake with the Admirall Gaudise. Then he armed himselfe, and tooke a great fawchin in his hand, and departed all alone, and so went and entred into the citie of Babylon, and so past the Foure gates, there was no Paynim that durst say him nay, and he rested not vntill he came to the Pallaice, the same time as the Admirall was sitting at dinner & Gerames with him, then the Gyant came to the table, & said. The same god Mahound vnder whome we liue, confound the Admirall Gaudise, as an ill caytiffe and a false Traytour. When the Admirall heard himselfe so highly abused, he said to Agrapart, in this that thou hast said, thou lyest falsely, thus shamefully to rebuke me in mine owne Court before all my Lords: therefore shewe mee the [...]ause why thou doest me this iniurie? Admirall quoth hee, it is bicause there is come into thy Court he that hath slaine my Brother, whom incontinent thou oughtest to haue slain likewise, wherefore if it were not for mine owne honour, with my fist I would strike thée on the face, thou hast put him in prison, without any more hurt dooing vnto him, therefore thou traytour théefe, by Mahound be thou cursed, thou art not worthy to sit in a seate royall, therefore arise vp, it is not mée [...]e for thée to sit there. And therewith hée drew the Admirall so rudely out of his chaire, that his hat and Crowne fell downe to the earth, whereat the Admirall was sore abashed.

Then Agrapart sat downe in his chaire & said, thou false Traytour, my Brother is dead, therefore from hencefoorth [Page] thou shalt be my Subiect, for it appertaineth to me to haue the Lands that my Brother had, and the Tribute that thou wert woont to pay vnto my Brother, or else I shall strike off thy head: howbeit I will not doe against right, for if thou wilt prooue the cōtrarie, or find two Champions to be so har­dy, that for thy loue they dare or will fight with me in plaine battaile, I shall fight with them, or more if thou wilt send thē to me. And if it be so, that I be ouercome & discomfited by any of thē, I am content that frō hence foorth thou shalt hould thy landes franke & frée, without any tribute paying. But if it fall out so that I conquer thē both, then thou to be my subiect, and to pay me tribute for euer, & also to pay me for a due taxe euery yéere Foure Ducates of gould as thy head money. Agrapart quoth the Admirall, I am content thus to do, and to appoint twoo of my men to fight with thée.

Chap. XLIII.

WHen the Admirall had heard the great Gyant, he said alowd: where bee the twoo gentle knights, that will for euer be my friends? now is the time come, that all the goodnes and great gifts that I haue giuen among you, is now to be rewarded. If there be any of you that will fight against this Gyant, I shall giue him my Daughter Escleremond in mariage, and after my death to haue my Heritage, no man shall be so bold as to say nay thereto. But for any faire wordes or promises that the Admirall could make, there was no Paynim so har­dye to vndertake it: whereuppon the Admirall made great sorow, and began to lament, and when the Gyant Agrapart [Page] sawe him, he said. Thy lamenting cannot auaile thée, for whether thou wilt or not, it must beheeue thée to pay these iiij. péeces of gold yerely, for I am sure there is no Paynim that dare fight against me.

When the faire Ladie Escleremond saw her Father wéepe, it sore gréeued her hart, and she said, O my Father, if I knewe that it should not displease you, I would shew you one thing which should bring you out of this doubt. Daugh­ter quoth he, I sweare by Mahound, I will not be displea­sed whatsoeuer thou sayest. Sir (quoth shée) I did once de­lude you, in telling you that the French-man that brought you the Messuage from king Charlemaine, was dead in pri­son: but sir credite me he is as yet aliue, if it please you I shall fetch him to you, and without doubt I dare warrant you, that he will take on him this Battaile against the Gy­ant, for he shewed you how he slew the other Gyant Ango­lofer, therefore I haue hope by the ayd of Mahound, in like­wise he shall slay his brother this Gyant Agrapart. Daugh­ter (quoth the Admirall) it is my pleasure that ye shall fetch the Prisoner to me, for if he can discomfite this Gyant, I am content that he & all his company, shall depart franke & frée at their pleasure. Then the Lady & Gerames went to the prison, & tooke out Huon & all his company, & brought them before the Admirall. Then the Admirall earnestly beheld Huon, and had great maruaile that he was in so good case, yet his colour was somewhat pale, by reason of lying so long in prison, then the Admirall said. Friend it séemeth by thy lookes, that thou hast had no ill imprisonment. Sir quoth Huon, I thanke your Daughter therefore, but I pray you shew me for what cause yée haue as now sent for me?

Frend (quoth the Admirall) I shall shewe thée, behould yonder Sarazin that is armed, who hath challenged to fight with me hand to hand, or against twoo of the best men that I haue, and I can find none so hardy that dare fight against this Paynim: but if it be so that thou wilt take vpon thee this enterprise for me, I shall then deliuer thée and all thy [Page] company, quite to goe into thy country at thy pleasure, and safely to conduct thée to the Citie of Acre. And also I will giue thée a Sommer with gould, the which thou shalt pre­sent frō me to king Charlemaine, and euery yere from hence­foorth to send him like present as for my head money, and to make such assurance as his councell can deuise. Also if hee haue any warre, I shall send him twoo M. men of armes payed for a whole yere before hand, and if it be so that he de­sire mine owne person, I will then passe the sea with a C.M. Paynims to serue him: for I had rather to be in serui­tude there, than to pay iiij. d. to this Gyant. And moreouer, if thou wilt abide héere with me, I shal giue thée my daugh­ter Escleremond in mariage, and the halfe of my Realme to maintaine thine estate. Sir quoth Huon, I am content this to doe, so that I may haue mine owne Armour, and my rich Horne of Iuory and my cuppe, the which were taken from me when I was yéelded Prisoner. Frend quoth the Admi­rall, all shalbe deliuered to thée, thou shalt not loose the value of one peny. Then the Admirall sent for the Horne, Armour and Cup, and deliuered them to Huon, whereof he had great ioy, but when Agrapart saw & knew, that the Admirall had found a Champion to fight with him, hee saide to the Admi­rall. Sir, I will goe out and speake with my Knights, and in the meane time let thy Champiō be ready apparelled, for I shall not tary long, beside, I shall neuer haue ioy at my hart, till I haue torne his hart out of his bodie: therewith he departed and went to his men, and Huon put on his coate of mayle, and then he tooke Gerames his horne of Iuory, and said: Friend, I pray you kéepe my Horne till I returne a­gaine. Then he went & prayed to our Lord, to forgiue him his sinnes, and to succour & ayd him to discomfite that foule [...]end the Gyant, and when he had made his praiers to god, he put on his armour as quickly as though he had neuer béen in prison, wherby he knew well that god was pleased with him, and then he said.

Ah noble king Oberon, I pray thée séeing God is pleased [Page] with me, put away thy displeasure and pardon me, for the breaking of thy commaundement I haue béen sore punished, and I pray thee be not displeased if I spake any hasty worde being in prison, for famine caused me to doe it. In the brea­king of thy commaundement, I confesse I did ill therein: yet it was but by negligence and forgetting. Alas Sir, re­member but what courtesie ye shewed me, when yée found me in the wood, and gaue me your rich Horne and Cup, by the which often times I haue been succoured: therefore sir now I require thée to pardon me all my trespasses, and helpe me at my néed, for I sée well, without it be by y ^e grace of god & your helpe, there is nothing can saue my life, thus he be­sought god of pardon, and to giue him grace to destroy his e­nemy, who was so horrible to behould. And when he had made his prayer, there came a Sarazin to Huon & said, Sir héere is your owne swoord that yée lost when yée were taken. Friend quoth Huon, yee do me great courtesie, God giue me grace to reward thée. Then he did on his helmet and girt on his sword, and the Admirall sent him a good horse the best in all his Court, for he was not so faire, but he was in goodnes aboue all other. When Huon saw him, he was right ioyfull & thanked the Admirall. As for his rich fourniture I make no mention thereof, the saddle, harnesie, and bridle were so rich, that the value thereof could not be estéemed. Then Huon made the signe of the crosse, and mounted on his horse armed at all points, and so rode out of the Pallaice into a faire meadow, and there made a course to assay his horse, & then he rested him before y ^e Admirall, who leaned in a win­dow in his Pallaice, and when he beheld Huon, he said to his Lords. Trust me these Frenchmen are to be doubted & feared, for Huon is a goodly yong man, and great wrong it had been if he had béen slaine. The Admirall commaunded the field to be kept with a Thowsand Sarazins, to thintent that no treason should be done, or any iniurie offered to his faire séeming Champion.

Chap. XLIIII.

WHen Huon hadde made his course, he came into the field whereas his enemie was ready, and when Agrapart saw Huon, hee said. Thou that art of so great courage as to fight against me, howe néere of kinne art thou to the Admirall, séeing that for the loue of him thou wilt put thy selfe in aduenture of death? Paynim quoth Huon, know for troth, that I am nothing of kinne to the Admirall, but I was borne in the Realme of Fraunce, and if thou desire to know what I am, I say vnto thée, that I am he that slew thy Brother. For that (quoth the Pay­nim) I am the more sorowfull, and yet againe ioyfull, in that Mahound hath done mée the grace, to haue power to reuenge his death: but if thou wilt beléeue and worship my God Mahound, and forsake thy beléefe and goe with me in­to my countrey I shall make thée so great a Lord, that of all thy kinne there was neuer any such. And I shall giue thée my sister in mariage, who is a foote greater than I am, and is as blacke as a cole. Paynim quoth Huon, I care neyther for thy land nor for thy sister, but all the diuels in hell kéepe them both: beware thou of me, for I shall neuer ioy in my hart, vntill the time that I haue slaine thee as I haue done thy brother: I defie thée in the name of god, and I thée quoth the Gyant, in the name of Mahound.

Then they went a sunder to take their courses, and they ran each at other and met so fiersly, that their speares brake in péeces, and the encounter was so rude, that by force of the [Page] shocke both the horses fell to the earth, but the Champions quickly recouered, and came each vpon other. Agrapart tooke vp his fawchin to haue striken Huon, but he stept a litle on the one side, whereby the Paynim missed his stroke, & Huon lifted vp his sword and strake the Gyant on the helmet so maruailous a stroke, that he strake of a quarter therof, and wounded him sore, and the stroke descended downe and cut of his eare, so that the black blood ran downe to the ground. Then Huon said, Paynim thou wert vnhappie when thou camest hether, thou mightest haue béen content with y ^e death of thy Brother, and not to come hether to haue as much thy selfe, for thou shalt neuer sée faire day more.

When the Gyant saw him selfe hurt, he had great feare and said: Cursed be he of Mahound that forged thy swoord, I had rather I had béene bound to haue paid a great summe of money to haue saued my life, than to be slaine héere: ther­fore I yéeld my selfe to thée, take héere my swoord, I pray thée doe me no hurt. Paynim quoth Huon, haue no doubt, séeing thou doest yéeld thée to me, there is none so hardy that shall doe thée any displeasure. Then Huon tooke the Paynim by the arme & brought him into the Citie, whereof the Ad­mirall and all his Lords had great ioy: but the inward con­tent that Escleremond had, passed all other. When Gerames saw how the Gyant was ouercome, he came to the Admiral and said. Sir Admirall, know for troth that I am christe­ned, and I am not your Nephew: I came hether but only to search for my Lord Huon, & the better to know the troth, I said I was sonne to Iuoryn of Mombrance your brother, thereby to know the certentie what was become of Huon, for I knew well he was sent to you from king Charlemaine on a Messuage.

Chap. XLV.

WHEN the Admirall heard Gerames, he had great maruaile and said, it is hard for any man to beware of the craft and subtiltie that is in a Frenchman. Then the Admirall sawe where Huon was com­ming vp the steps, and bringing with him the Gyant, whereon the Admirall and all his Lords came & met him, and Gerames & his company with him, who were right ioyfull when they saw him come. When Huon sawe the Admirall, he tooke Agrapart by the hand and said to the Admirall. Sir, I deliuer him into your handes, that this day did you so great iniurie, euen he that drew you out of your chaire, I deliuer to you, to doe with him at your plea­sure. When Agrapart saw that, he knéeled and said, Sir Admirall, he hath much to doe that foolishly thinketh, I say this by my selfe, for to day when I came to you, I thought my selfe the most puissant man that raigned on the earth, & thought that yée were not sufficient nor worthy to serue me: but often times rash beléeuing deceaueth his maister, for I thought that for x. men I would not once turne my chaire to haue regarded them, but otherwise is fallen to me, for I am discomfited alonely by one man, and am taken and brough [...] into your hands, therefore ye may do with me at your plea­sure, yet sir I require you haue pitie on me, and pardon the outrage that I haue done vnto you.

Then the Admirall answered & said, how he would par­ [...]on him on the condition, that he should neuer after trespas [Page] him nor any man in his country, and beside that, to become his man, and to doe him homage before all them that were there present. Sir quoth Agrapart, I am readie to fulfi [...]l your pleasure, and then he did homage to the Admirall in the pre­sence of all thē that were there, and in ioy they sat all downe to dinner. The Admirall made great honour to Huon, and caused him to sit by him, then Agrapart and Gerames, and al the other Frenchmen sat downe. As for their seruice, and many dishes of sondrie sorts of meates, I leaue speaking of them. Huon, who had great desire to accomplish his enter­prize drew out his Cup, the which Gerames had before deli­uered to him with his Horne of Iuory, and then said to the Admirall. Sir yée may sée héere this rich Cup in my hand, the which yee see is all emptie. Sir quoth the Admirall, I sée well there is nothing therein. Now Sir quoth Huon, I shall shew you how our Law is holy and diuine, then Huon made the signe of the crosse thrée times ouer the Cup, the which incontinent was full of wine, whereat the Admirall hadde great maruaile. Sir quoth Huon, I present you this Cuppe, that yée may drinke thereof, and then shall yée tast the good­nes of the wine. The Admirall tooke it in his hand, and in­continent the Cuppe was voyde and the wine vanished a­way, whereat the Admirall had great maruaile and saide, Huon yée haue enchaunted me. Not so Sir quoth Huon, I am no Enchaunter, but it is because yée be full of sinne, for the law that yée hould is of no worth, the great vertue that god hath put in this cuppe, is by reason of the signe of the crosse that I made, whereby yée may perceyue that my say­ing is true. Huon quoth y ^e Admirall, yée néed not to trouble your selfe to speake to me to forsake my beléefe and to take yours, but I would know of you, whether you will abide heere with me, or else goe into Fraunce, for that I haue pro­mised you I shall fulfill it. Ah Sir Admirall quoth Huon, I know well you will kéepe couenaunt with me in that yee haue promised me: but Sir aboue all other matters, I pray you haue pitie on your owne soule, the which shalbe dam­ned [Page] in hell without yée leaue your beleefe, in that it is ney­ther good nor iust, without yée doe thus, I sweare by my faith, that I shall call hether many men of armes, that all y ^e houses in your Pallaice and Citie shalbe full. When the Admirall heard Huon say so, he beheld his owne men & said. Sirs, heere yée may well heare the pride that is in this Frenchman, who hath been more than halfe a yéere in my prison, and now he threateneth to slay mee, because I will not take on me his law and leaue mine owne. I haue great maruaile where he should find such store of men as he hath said, or what lets me to slay him at my pleasure? Sir quoth Huon, yet I demaund once more of you if ye will doe as I haue said. Huon quoth the Admirall, beware on paine of your eyen, and as much as you loue your life, that ye speake no more to me of this matter, for by the faith that I owe to Mahound, if all King Charlemaines Hoast were heere assē ­bled, it should not lye in their power to saue your life. Ad­mirall quoth Huon, I am in doubt that too late yée will re­pent you.

Chap. XLVI.

WHen Huon saw that the Ad­mirall would not leaue his Law to receiue christendom, he set his Horne to his mouth, & blew it with such violence, that the blood issued out at his mouth, so that the Admi­rall and all other that were there put the tables from them, [Page] and rose and all that were in the Pallaice began to sing and daunce. The same time king Oberon was in his wood, & hearing the Horne blow, said. Ah good Lord, I know sure­ly that my friend Huon hath great neede of mee, I pardon him of all his trespasses, for he hath been sufficiently puni­shed, & nowe I wish my selfe with him with an C.M. men well armed, for there is not in all the world so noble a man as Huon, it is great pitie that his hart is so light and muta­ble. Then incontinent he with all his companie were in the Citie of Babylon, whereas they began to slay all such as would not beleeue on Iesus Christ, and then Oberon went to the Pallaice with all his Chiualrie, and euery man with his sword naked in his hand. When Huon saw Oberon, hee embraced him and said, I ought greatly to thanke God and you, that yée be come so farre off to aide me in all my busi­nesse.

Huon quoth Oberon, as yee beleeue me, and worke by my councell, I shall not faile you: then on all sides they slewe the Paynims, men, women, and children, except such as would bee christened. Oberon came to the Admirall & tooke him, and deliuered him into the handes of Huon who had thereof great ioy, and then Huon demaunded of the Admi­rall what he was minded to doe, if he would leaue the lawe of Mahound, and take christendome. Huon quoth the Admi­rall, I had rather be hewen all to péeces, then to take your law and forsake mine owne. Oberon then said to Huon, why doe yée tarrie to put him to death, whereupon Huon lifted vp his sword and therewith strake the Admirall, that his head flew from his shoulders, and Oberon said to Huon. Now it lieth well in thy power to be quit with king Charlemaine: then Huon tooke the Admirals head, and opened his mouth, and tooke out his foure great téeth, & then cut off his beard, and tooke therof as much as pleased him, then Oberon said. Now thou hast in thy hands the Admirals téeth and beard, looke as well as thou louest thy life, that thou keepe them well. O Sir quoth Huon, I require you to put them in such [Page] a place, where they may bee well kept, and so that I may haue them againe in time of need, for I feele my selfe that my heart is so light, as either I shal forget thē, or else loo [...]e them. Of this that thou saiest quoth Oberon, I thinke thou speakest wisely, therefore I doe wish them in Gerames side, in such manner that they shall doe him no hurt. He had no sooner spoken the word, but by the will of God, and y ^e pow­er that he had by the Fayrie, they were closed in Gerames side in such wise, that no man could sée them, then he said to Huon. Friend I must goe to my Castle of Momur, I de­sire you to doe well, yée shall take with you Escleremond daughter to the Admirall. But I charge you on paine of your life, and in as much as yee feare to displease me: that ye be not so hardy as to company with her bodily, vntill yée [...]e married together in the citie of Roome, for if thou doest the contrarie, thou shalt find such pouertie and miserie, that though thou hadst double the mischéefe that thou hast hadde [...]nce thou camest out of Fraunce, yet can it be nothing in regard of that, that shall fall to thée hereafter if thou breake my commaundement. Sir quoth Huon, by the pleasure of our Lord Iesus Christ, I shall well beware of doing of any thing against your pleasure.

Then Oberon apparelled a rich shippe, well garnished with chambers, and hanged so richly, that it was incredible to be heard or seene, there was no cord, but it was of gould and silke, if I should shew you the beautie and riches of this shippe, it would be ouer long to recite it. When the shippe was fournished with vittailes, then he put therein his hor­ses, and Oberon tooke leaue of Huon, and kissed and embra­ced him greatly lamenting. When Huon saw him wéepe, he had great maruaile and said Deare Sir, for what cause doe you weepe? Huon (quoth he) the thing that mooueth me thus to do, is bicause I haue great pitie of thée. For if thou knew­est the pouertie and miserie that thou shalt endure, there is no member that thou hast but it would tremble for feare: for I know for certen, that thou hast so much to suffer, that [Page] no humane tongue can rehearse it, and then Oberon depar­ted without more speaking. When Huon sawe Oberon de­part, he was right pensiue, but his swéetnes of youth put him out of his sorow. Then hee made his ordinance in the citie, and christened the faire Ladie Escleremond, and after­ward did marrie his Cousin Sibilla to an Admirall of the countrey who was newly christened, and Huon gaue to thē the Citie of Babylon, and all that longed thereto. Then he made and ordayned a little ship, to goe with his owne ship, to thintent to send a land for vittailes when need should re­quire. Then he and his companie went into his great ship, and so tooke his leaue of his cousin that was newly married, who was right sorowfull for his departing.

Then they set vp their sayles, and had a good faire wind, and so sayled till they were out of the riuer of Nyle, and so passed by Damieta, and came into the high sea and had wind at will. And on a day as they sat at dinner and made good chéere, for by reason of his Cup they had wine at their plea­sure: Ah good Lord quoth Huon, I am greatly bound to thanke king Oberon, that I haue such a Cup and Horne & Armour, for whensoeuer I shall blowe my Horne, I can haue men ynough to come to aide me, and also I haue the Admirals [...]eard and great téeth, but specially the faire La­die Escleremond, whome I loue so perfectly, and am so ena­moured with her faire body, that I can no longer endure it. How be it, the Dwarffe Oberon to mocke me, hath forbid­den me strictly, that I should not touch her in any wise. But I will that he well know, that in this case I will not obey him, for she is mine own, therfore I will do with her at my pleasure. When Gerames heard him, he said. Alas sir, what will yée doe? Yée know well Oberon neuer as yet made any lye, but alwaies ye haue found him true, for if hee had not been so, both you and wée all had béene lost before this time. And now againe you would breake his commaundement, if yee touch this Ladie ere the time come that he hath set you, great misfortune shall f [...]ll thereby. Gerames quoth Huon, for [Page] you nor for any other will I forbeare, but ere I depart I will haue of her my pleasure, and if any of you be affraid, I am content he shall depart in this little ship, and goe where he list, and take vittaile into it for his prouision. Sir quoth Gerames séeing yée will doe none otherwise, I am right so­rowfull, and I will depart, and so will all our other compa­nie.

Then Gerames departed out of the great shippe, and en­tred into the little shippe, with the xiij. in his companie, and Huon tarried still with the Ladie, and when he saw that all his company was departed, he went and made readie a bed, and said to the Ladie. Madame surely I must now haue my pleasure of you, when shee heard Huon, shée fell downe sore weeping, and humbly desired Huon that he would forbeare her companie vntill [...]he time that they should be married to­gether, according to the promise that he had made to king Oberon. Faire Ladie quoth Huon ▪ no excuses can auaile, for it must be thus, then he tooke the Ladie, and made her goe to bed, and there they tooke together their pleasures. He had no sooner accomplished his will, but there arose such a mar­uailous tempest, that the waues of the sea séemed so great and high as mountaines, and therewith it blew and thun­dred and lightned, that it was very fearefull to behould the sea, and the shippe was so sore tormented, that it burst all to péeces, so that there remained but one péece of timber, whereuppon Huon and the Ladie were. And it happened so well for them, that they were néere to an Isle, and thither the winde draue them, and when they saw that they were there arriued, and that they were on the land: they both kneeled downe, and thanked our Lord Iesus Christ, that they were so well escaped the perill of drowning. The other companie that were in the little shippe, draue at aduenture in the sea, and they cried to our Lord Iesus Christ to saue them from drowning, for they had séene well how the shippe with Huon and the Ladie was broken in the sea: wherefore they thought surely that Huon and the Ladie were perished. [Page] Now let vs leaue speaking of them, returning againe to Huon of Bourdeaux and the faire Escleremond.

Chap. XLVII.

WHEN Huon and Esclere­mond saw how they were driuen a land al naked, pitiously weeping they entred into [...]he Isle, wheras there dwelt neither man nor woman, but the earth was so faire and gréen, that great ioy it was to sée it, it was likewise so faire & hot, that they hid them selues in the greene grasse, to thintent they should not be perceaued, still the Lady wept pitiously, and Huon said vnto her. Lady bée not abashed, for if we dye for loue, wée shall not be the first, for Tristram died for the loue of the faire Isoluda, and shée for him, and so all wéeping they clipped and kissed eche other. And as they lay wrapped in the gréene grasse, there ariued Tenne Sarazins in a litle vessell, who entred into the Isle to take fresh water and other things that they needed, then they said eche to other, let vs goe foorth into this Isle, and see if wée can find any aduenture: these men were Pyrates of the sea, and had serued before the Admirall Gaudise Father to Escleremond. Huon (who was with his Louer in the gréen grasse) heard how neere to them people was comming, hée thought to go to them to sée if he might get any meate. Deere Louer quoth Huon, I pray you goe not hence till I returne. Sir quoth shée, God be your guide, but I requyre you to re­turne againe shortely. Then hee departed all as naked as he was borne, and so came to thē before they had dyned, where [Page] he saluted them & desired them humbly for the loue of God to gyue hym some bread. One of them aunswered and saide, Fréend, thou shalt haue ynough, but we pray thee shew vs what aduenture hath brought thee hether? Sir quoth Huon, the tempest of the sea hath brought me hether, for the shippe that I was in is perished and all my companye.

When they heard him, they had great pity, and gaue him two loaues of bread. Huon tooke them & departed, and than­king them went backe to his Loue, and gaue her parte of the bread, whereof shée was not a little glad. Then the Pyrates that had giuen Huon the bread, said one to another, this man that is thus gone from vs, surely it can not be but y ^t he hath some other company, therfore let vs goe presently after him, and peraduenture wée shall finde out his company, for mee thinkes if he were alone, hée would not so haue come to vs. Let vs go and sée quoth all the other, and not returne till we know the troth. Than they went all together, & followed Huon as priuilie as they could, and when they came néere whereas hée was, they saw him and the Ladie hard by him eating of the bread that they had giuen him, there they stood still & aduised them, to sée if they could haue any knowledge of him or of the Lady.

Now among them there was one that said: Sirs, neuer beleue mée, but this Ladie is the faire Escleremond daughter to the Admirall Gaudise, and hée that is with her, is the same Frenchmā that fought with Agrapart & slew him, and also the Admirall, it is happy that we haue found them and specially that he is naked without armour, for if that he were armed, our lyues were but short. When they knew certainely that it was Escleremond daughter to the Admirall Gaudise, then they approched néere to them, and cryed aloude and saide. Madame Escleremond, your flying away auayleth you no­thing, for by you and your meanes, your father hath been slaine by the theefe that sitteth there by you, therefore wee shall bring you to your Vncle Iuoryn of Mombrance, who shall take of you such correction, that ye shalbe an example [Page] to all other, & the leachour that is by you, shalbe there slayne before your face. When the Lady saw these Paynims, she [...] was right sorowfull and sore discomforted, then she kneled down and held vp hir handes, & prayed them humbly, that they would haue pitie on the frenchman, & as for her owne life, shée did put it to their owne pleasures, either to slay hir or to drowne her, or else to bring her to her Vncle. And sirs (quoth shee) I sweare by Mahound, that if ye will grant my request, if I can be agreed with mine Vncle Iuorin, I shall doe you all such pleasures, that ye and all yours shall be rich for euer after, for little shall yee winne by the death of one poore man.

Ladie quoth they, we are well content to leaue him héere, but wée shall doe him all the shame and rebuke that we can, that hee may remember it for euer after. Then they tooke Huon, and laide him on the grene grasse, and did blind his eies, and binde his hands and féet, so that the blood burst out at his nayles, wherby hée was in such distres, that hée swon­ded three times, and pitiously called on our lord god▪ to haue pitie of him and to forgiue him his sinnes. When the swéet Escleremond saw her Louer Huon so handled, and that shee should depart from him: to shewe the pitifull complaints that shée made, it were impossible. Also Huon made pitious complain [...]s when his Loue Escleremond departed, the which gréeued him more then his own paine that hée suffred. Now wee shall leaue speaking of him, and say what happened af­terward to the faire Escleremond. ▪

Chap. XLVIII.

NOw sheweth the Historie, how that when these théeues had takē and bound Huons hands, féet and eyen, they left him alone in the Isle, and tooke the faire Es­cleremond and brought hir into their shippe. Then they gaue hir a gowne and a mantell furred with ermyns, for they were Robbers of the sea, and had much goods in their shippe, then they sayled foorth night and day, at last a wind tooke them, that whether they would or not, they arriued at the Port of Anfalerne, and at the same time the Admirall there was newly risen from his din­ner, and stood leaning out at a window in his Pallaice, and when hée perceiued the shippe that lay at anchor in the ha­uen, and saw the banners and streamers wauing with the winde, thereby hée well perceiued, that the ship pertayned to Kinge Iuoryn of Mombrance, whereuppon hée with his Lords went downe to the hauen. Then he cryed out aloude, & said. Sirs what marchandize haue ye brought? Sir quoth they, we haue brought sendals & clothes of silke, wherefore sir if we shall pay any Tribute or custome, wee are redie to pay it at your pleasure. Then Galaffer the Admirall said, I know well ynough if yee should pay any tribute, yee should not choose but doe it: But sirs I pray you tell mee, what Damsell is that which I sée in your shippe sore wéeping. Sir quoth they, it is a slaue a Christian woman whome we bought at Damieta.

The Ladie heard well how the Admirall demaunded for [Page] her, and likewise what answere the Mariners had made, then shee cried out aloud and said. Alas Sir Admirall, for the loue and honour of Mahound, I pray you haue pitie on me: for I am no slaue, but I am Daughter to the Admirall Gaudise of Babylon, who is dead and slaine by a Frenchman, the Mariners heere haue taken me, and would carrie me to mine Vncle king Iuoryn of Mombrance: and I know surely that if he had me, he would burne me. Faire Lady (quoth the Admirall, dismay you not, for yee shall abide with mee whether they will or not, then he commaunded the Mari­ners to bring the Ladie to him, but they answered that they would not so doe, then the Admirall commaunded to take her from them perforce, and then they of the shippe began to make defence: But anon they were all slaine, and the Lady taken and brought to the Admirall, who had great ioy ther­of, howbeit he was sorie, because one of them that were in the ship scaped away and fled to Mombrance, notwithstan­ding the Admirall cared not greatly for it séeing he had the Ladie, whome he brought into his Pallaice.

When the Admirall saw her so excéeding faire, hee was taken in her loue, so that incontinent he would haue marri­ed her after the Sarazins law, whereof shee was right so­rowfull and said. Sir, reason it is that I doe your pleasure, séeing yée haue rid me out of the handes of these Pyrates of the sea. But sir I require you for the loue that ye beare me, that yee will forbeare your pleasure at this present time, for Sir I haue made a faithfull vow and promise, that for a yeere and a day from henceforth, I will not lye with nor touch any man boldly, for the which vow sir I am now so­rie, euē for the loue that I beare to you, but Sir I am right ioyfull that yee will doe me so much honor, as to haue me to your wife, our great god Mahound reward you. Now sir, for the loue of him I pray you be content, vntill my vow be accomplished. Faire Ladie quoth he, know for troth, that for the honour of my God Mahound, but more for the loue of you, I am content to tarrie this yeere, yea and if it were [Page] Twentie yeeres, to be sure of your loue then. Sir quoth she, Mahound reward you, but she said to her selfe. Ah deare Lord god Iesu Christ, I humbly require thée to giue me that grace, to kéepe my troth to my Louer Huon: for ere I shall doe the contrarie, I shall suffer as much paine and gréefe as euer womā did, and I will neuer breake my troth for feare of death. Now leaue we to speak of her, and say somewhat of the theefe that scaped out of the shippe.

Chap. XLIX.

YE haue heard heere before, how the faire Escleremond was receiued by the Admirall Galaffer, and of the manner y ^t shee found to keepe her selfe true to Huon, and how one of the Mariners scaped away and fledde by land till at last he came to the Citie of Mombrance, where he found Iuoryn, to whome he shewed all the whole matter as ye haue heard, and how his brother the Admirall Gaudise was slaine by a young french knight, and how he and his companie found the said knight and his Néece the faire Escleremond, whom they had thought to haue brought to him. But (quoth he) the Admirall Ga­laffer hath taken them from vs by force, and hath taken our shippe, and slaine all your men that were within it, so that none escaped but I alone. When king Iuoryn vnderstood the Mariner, he said. Ah mightie Mahound, how hast thou suffered that my brother Gaudise hath thus pitiously been slaine, and also my Néece his Daughter to consent thereto? certainely the gréefe that I féele at my heart, constraineth [Page] mée rather to desire death than life. And also moreouer, to see him that is mine owne Subiect and houldeth his landes of me, to keepe my Néece, and thus to slay my men. Alas, I cannot well say what I should doe therein, a little thing would cause me to slay my selfe. Then in great displeasure he called his Lords and caused the Mariner to come before them, & there he made him to shew again all the matter b [...] ­fore them, both how his brother the Admirall Gaudise was slaine, and also how the Admirall Galaffer held his Néece by force, and how he had slaine his men, which when the Lords had heard, they said thus to Iuoryn.

Sir, our aduice is, that yée should send one of your secret messengers to the Admirall Galaffer, and commaund him in­continent to send you your Néece, and to make amends for that he hath slaine your men, and that he send you word by writing, what cause hath mooued him thus to doe, and if it be so, that pride doth so surmount in him, that hee will not obey your commaundements, then by a iust quarrell ye may goe and make warre vpon him, and take from him all his lands that he houldeth of you. When Iuoryn vnderstood his Lords, he said, Sirs I perceaue well your opinion is good, and then a Messenger was appointed, and his charge giuen him, and so he departed and rode so long till he came to An­falerne where he found the Admirall Galaffer, whome he sa­luted in the name of Mahound, and then hee declared his Messuage at length, but assoone as Galaffer had heard his messuage, he said. Friend, goe and say to king Iuoryn, that as for the deliuerance of his Néece, I will not doe it, and as for his men that are slaine, it was through their owne folly, and as touching that I should come to him, I will not come to him, let him do what he can, but if he come to assaile me, I shall defend as well as I can. When the Messenger heard that, he said. Sir Admirall, séeing yee will doe none other­wise, in the name of our god Mahound, and in the name of great king Iuoryn, héere I defie you, & he sendeth you woord by me, that he will leaue you neither Citie, Towne, nor [Page] Castle, but he will put them all to flame and fire, nor leaue you one foot of land, but also if he may take you, ye shall die a shamefull death.

When the Admirall saw how hee was defyed, hee was more inflamed then a burning fire-brand, and said to the messenger. Go and say to thy Lord, that I set nothing by his threatning, and if I may know when hée commeth, I shall do him that honour, that I will not abide till hée enter into my country, but I will méete with him before, and say vn­to him from me, that if I can take him, I shall soone ryd his soule out of his body. So the messenger departed, and came to Mombrance, where whē Iuoryn saw him, he said▪ Frend, what saith Galaffer? will hée send me my Néece? Sir quoth the messenger, hée will not doe it, hée saith hée doubteth you nothing, and if yee be so hardy as to come and assayle him, then hée will meet with you before, and fight with you: and I heard him sweare, that if hée may take you, hée will slay you without mercy. When Iuoryn heard that, hée swet for anger, & was in that case that hée could not speake one word of a long space, but when hée had somewhat asswaged his yre, hée sware by his God Mahound, that hée should neuer haue ioy nor mirth at his heart, till hee had destroyed the towne of Anfalerne, and slaine the Admirall Galaffer.

Then in hast hée sent for all his Lords, and with them concluded to send for all his men of warre, and gaue them day to be with him within xv. daies before Mombrance, the which thing was done, for at that day they were all assem­bled as ye shall heare heereafter. Now leaueth the Historie to speake of them, and returneth againe to speake of King Oberon.

Chap. L.

NOw the Historie sheweth, that King Oberon (the same time that Hu­on was in the Isle of Noysant) was in his wood, where for the most part hee was ac­customed to be conuersant, bicause y ^e place was very much delectable and farre from people, there hee sat him downe vnder a faire oake, and hee began to weepe and complaine. When Gloriant a knight of the Fairie, saw him, he had great maruaile, and demaunded of him why he lamented so much? Gloriant quoth king Oberon, the periu­red Huon of Bourdeaux causeth mee thus to doe, whome I haue alwayes perfectly loued, and yet he still trespasseth my commandements, for when I departed from him, I caused him to haue the Admirall Gaudise at his pleasure, and also I made him to haue the faire Escleremond the Admirals Daughter, and also I haue giuen him my rich Horne of I­uorie and my good Cup, the which he hath lost by his pride and folly and therefore he hath been punished, and now hee lyeth all naked bound handes and féete, and his eyes blind­folded in an Isle, in the which place I will suffer him to die most miserably. Not so Sir, (quoth Gloriant) for the honour of our Lord Iesus Christ, call to your remembrance, howe that by Gods owne mouth, Adam and Eue were forbidden from the eating of the fruit that was in Paradise, yet they by their fragilitie brake Gods commaundement, how­beit our Lord God had great pitie of them. And therefore [Page] Sir, I pray you haue pitie of Huon, then Mallaborn stept foorth and sayd. Alas Sir, for the honour and reuerence of our Lord God, I desire you to graunt me this one time, that I may goe and ayd him.

When Oberon sawe he was so earnestly desired of Glori­an [...] and Mallaborn, he was sore displeased, and answearing, sayd. Mallaborn, it pleaseth me so well, that this Caytiffe Huon who endureth so much paine be visited by thée: there­fore I condemne thée to bee xxviij. yeares a Monster in the Sea, beside xxx. yeares that thou art enioyned too alreadie. Now I will that thou giuest him none other counsaile nor aid, but alonely to beare him out of the Isle that he is in, and to set him on the maine Land, then let him goe whether hée will, for I desire neuer more to see him. Also I will that thou bringest againe vnto me, my rich Horne of Iuorie, and my rich Cup, and my Armour, fetch them there as hee hath lost them. Alas Sir, (quoth Mallaborn) great paine you put him vnto, when for so smal an offence you are so sore displea­sed with Huon. And as for y ^e Armour that you would haue againe, you know well how Huon of Bourdeaux did conquer it, and hée had been lost if it had not béene, great ill you shall doe if you cause him not to haue it againe. But Sir, since I haue Licence to bring him out of the Isle, I pray you shewe mée in what place is the Isle whereas he is. Then Gloriant sayd, Brother Mallaborn, this Isle is néere vnto Hell, and it is called the Isle Noysant. Well, (quoth Mallaborn) then I commend you all to our Lord Iesus Christ, and so he de­parted and came to the sea-side, and when he came there, he leapt into the Sea, and began to swim as fast as the bird fly­eth in the ayre, and so arriued in the Isle Noysaunt, and so came vnto Huon whome hée found sore wéeping, and sayd. Sir Huon, I pray our Lord Iesus Christ to succour and aide thée. Ah deare God, (quoth Huon) who is that that speaketh vnto me? Huon, (quoth hée) I am a man who loueth thée, and am called Mallaborn, and am a beast of the Sea, who hath before this time borne thée ouer the salt water to Babi­lon.

[Page]Ah Mallaborn déere Brother, (quoth Huon) I require thée vnbind mée, and bring me out of this dolorous paine. With a right good will, (quoth Mallaborn) then he did vnbind him and opened his eyes. When Huon sawe that, hée was right ioyfull, and demanded who sent him thether. Huon, (quoth he) knowe for troth, that it was King Oberon, and whereas I was condemned before to be a beast of the Sea Thirtie yeares, now for thy sake I must endure so eight and Twen­tie yeares more, yet I care not for the paine, for the loue that I beare vnto thée, there is no paine impossible vnto mée to beare: but I must carie againe vnto Oberon the rich Horne and Cup and Armour, for so I haue promised King Oberon to doe. Ah, (quoth Huon) I pray to our Lord Iesus Christ to confound the Dwarfe, who hath caused me to endure all these paines for so small an occasion. Huon, (quoth Malla­born) you doe ill to say so, for you haue no sooner spoken it, but that King Oberon doth know it. Certainly, (quoth Hu­on) I care not what he can doe, he hath done me so much ill, that I can neuer loue him: but Sir, I pray thée tell me, if thou wilt beare me hence, or else whether that I must abide héere for euer. Fréend, (quoth Mallaborn) I will beare thée out of this Isle, and set thée on the maine Lande, other ayd may I not doe thée, and then Mallaborn tooke vppon him a­gaine his beasts skin, and sayd: Sir, leape vppon mée, then Huon leapt vppon his backe as naked as euer he was borne, and Mallaborn leapt into the Sea, and began to swim, and came to the mayne Land, and sayd. Fréend Huon, more ser­uice can I not doe vnto thée at this time, but I recommend thée to the kéeping of our Lord God, who send thee comfort, I now must goe and séeke for the Horne, Cup, and Armor, the which thou wert woont to haue and enioy, and I am to beare them vnto King Oberon, for thus haue I promised to doe.

Now Huon was there all alone and naked, pitiously com­playning and sayde. Ah good Lord, I require thée to ayde [Page] mée, I know not where I am, nor whether I may goe, yet if I had cloathes to couer my naked skinne, I should haue some comfort, for then I might goe and séeke some aduen­ture: greatly I ought to hate the crooked Dwarfe Oberon, who hath brought me into all this paine, but by the faith y ^t I owe vnto God, séeing he hath left me thus, from hence­foorth to doe him the more spite, I shall make lyes ynough, I shall not leaue for him, whom I recommend now to a hun­dred Thousand Diuels. When he had béen there a certen space all alone, hee arose and looked all about him, to sée if he might perceiue anye man passe by, from whome hee might haue any succour, for he was néere famished for lacke of sus­tenance: howbeit, he thought to depart thence to séeke some aduenture, so he went on his way, and hée went so far, that he found an aduenture such as you shall heare, for our Lord Iesus Christ neuer forgetteth his Seruants.

Chap. LI.

WHen Huon hadde gone a great way, hee beheld on his right hand, and saw néere him a little wood by a faire meadow-side, and therein was standing a great Dake full of leaues, and there be­side was a cleare Fountaine, and there he saw an ancient man with white haires sitting vnder the Dake, and before him he had a little cloth spread abroad on the grasse, and thereon flesh and bread and wine in a Bot­tell. When Huon saw the old man, he came vnto him, and the ancient man sayd. Ah thou wild man, I pray thée for the [Page] loue of Mahound doe me no hurt, but take meat and drinke at thy pleasure. When Huon sawe him, he espied lying be­side him a Harpe and a Vyoll, whereon he could well play, for in all Pagany there was no Minstrell like him. Fréend, (quoth Huon) thou hast named me right, for a more vnhappy man then I am, there is none lyuing. Fréend, (quoth the Minstrell) goe to yonder Male and open it, and take what thou likest best to couer thy naked skinne, then come to mée and eat at thy pleasure. Sir, (quoth Huon) good aduenture is come vnto mée thus to find you, Mahound reward you. Sir, (quoth the Minstrell) I pray you come and eate with me, and kéepe me companie, for you shall not find a more so­rowfull man then I am. By my faith, (quoth Huon) a com­panion of your owne sort haue you found, for there was ne­uer man that suffered so much pouertie as I haue, praise be vnto him that fourmed me, but séeing I haue found meat to eat, blessed be the houre that I haue found you, for you séeme to bee a good man. Then Huon went to the Male and tooke cloathes, and then came vnto the Minstrell, and sat down, and did eat and drinke as much as pleased him. The Min­strell beheld Huon, and sawe that he was a faire young man and a courteous, and then hee demaunded of him, where hée was borne, and by what aduenture hee was arriued there in that case that he was in.

When Huon heard how the Minstrell demaunded of his estate, he began to study in himselfe, whether he should shew the troth or else to lye, then he called to our Lord God, and sayd. Ah good Lord, if I shew to this man the troth of mine aduenture, I am but dead: and King Oberon, for a small offence thou hast left me in this case, now if I shewe the troth of my life to this man, I am but dead, I shall neuer trust thée more, but I will now put all my trust in God, for the loue that I haue to my Loue, thou hast mee in hate, but séeing it is so, as often as I haue néede I shall ly, nor I shall not leaue it for feare of thée, but rather do it in despite of thée: then Huon saide to the Minstrell. Sir, you haue demanded [Page] of mine estate, and as yet I haue made you none answeare, the troth is, I find my selfe so well at mine ease, that I for­gat to answeare you, but I shall nowe shewe you séeing you would know it. Sir, of certaine I was borne in the coun­trey of Affricke, and fell in company with diuers Marchants by the Sea in a Shippe, thinking to haue sayled to Damie­ta, but a great misfortune fell vppon vs, there arose such an horrible tempest, that our Shippe perished and all that were within it, none escaped but I, and I thanke Mahound that I am escaped aliue: therefore I desire you now to shew mée your aduenture, as I haue shewed you mine. Fréend (quoth the Minstrell) séeing you will knowe it, knowe for troth, I am named Mouflet, I am a Minstrell as thou séest héere by mine Instruments, and I say vnto thée, that from hence to the red Sea, there is none so cunning in all Instruments as I am, and I can doe many other things, and the dolour that thou séest mee make, is bycause of late I haue loste my good Lorde and Maister the Admirall Gaudise, who was slayne miserably by a Vacabond of Fraunce called Huon, that Ma­hound shame him, and bring him to an ill death, for by him I am fallen into pouerty and miserie, I pray thée tell me thy name? Sir, (quoth Huon) my name is Solater. Well, (quoth the Minstrell) Solater, dismay thée not, for the great pouer­ties that thou hast suffered, thou séest what aduenture Ma­hound hath sent thée, thou art nowe better arayed then thou wert, if thou wilt follow my counsel thou shalt haue no néed, thou art faire and young, thou oughtest not to be dismayed, but I that am old and ancient haue cause to be discomforted, séeing in mine olde dayes I haue lost my Lord and Maister the Admirall Gaudise, who did me so much good and profit, I would it pleased Mahound, that he that slewe him were in my power.

When Huon heard that, he spake no word but cast down his head. Solater, (quoth the Minstrell) séeing my Lord is dead, I will goe to Mombrance to King Iuoryn, to shew him the death of his Brother the Admirall Gaudise, and if thou [Page] wilt abide with me, so that thou wilt beare my Fardell and harpe a foote, ere it be halfe a yéere past, I warrant thée thou shalt haue a Horse, for whensoseuer thou shalt heare me play vpon my instruments, all the hearers shall take therein such pleasure, that they shall giue mee both Gownes and Man­tles, so that thou shalt haue much adoe to trusse them in my Male. Well Sir, (quoth Huon) I am content to serue you, and to doe all your Commaundements. Then Huon tooke the Male on his necke and the Harpe in his hand, and Mou­flet his Maister bare the Vyoll, and thus the maister and the seruant went on their way to goe to Mombrance. Ah good Lord, (quoth Huon) my heart ought to bée sorrowfull when I sée my selfe in this case, that nowe I must become a Min­strels Varlet: Gods curse haue Oberon the Dwarfe, who hath done mee all this trouble. Alas if I had nowe my good Armour, my Horne, and my Cup, I would reckon al the sor­row that I haue endured as nothing. But when I had xiij. Knights to serue me, how is this chaunce now turned, that I my selfe must serue a poore Minstrell?

When Mouflet heard Huon make such sorow within him selfe, hée said. Déere brother Solater take good comfort, for before to morow at night, thou shalt see the good cheere that shall bee made to mée, wherof thou shalt haue part, and of all the goodes that I can get. Maister quoth Huon, Mahound reward you for the goodnes that ye haue shewed mée, and shall do, thus the maister and the seruant went foorth toge­ther deuising, at last Huon espied behind them coming certē men of armes, houlding the waye to Mombrance. Maister quoth Huon, héere behind vs are coming men in armour, I know not whether they will doe vs any hurt or not. Solater quoth Mouflet, bee not abashed, wee will abide héere, and know whether they will goe, and within a while the man of war came to them, who were in number Fiue .C. persons, the minstrell saluted them and said. Sirs, I pray you shewe mee whether ye will goe. Frend quoth one of them, bicause we sée that ye be a gentle minstrell, I shall shew you, we are [Page] going to king Iuoryn of Mombrance, who will néeds goe and make warre vppon the Admirall Galaffer, bicause that now of late, the Damsell Escleremond daughter to the Admirall Gaudise, passed by Anfalerne, who should haue béen brought to her Vncle king Iuoryn of Mombrance, but the Admirall Galaffer tooke her by force, and slew all them that ledde her, and hath maryed the faire Escleremond, whereof King Iuoryn is as sorowfull as may be, and for that cause we be sent for by king Iuoryn, who is minded to assemble all his power, to go & destroy the Admirall Galaffer. Now I haue shewed you the cause of our going to the Citie of Mombrance.

Chap. LII.

WHen Huon of Bourdeaux vnderstood the Paynims, how they were going where the Ladie Escleremond was, he was surprized with ioy, & said to his Mai­ster. Sir, I require you lette vs goe to the warres with them. Solater quoth Mouflet, beware what thou sayest, for where as warre is, I would not come there for any thing. Thus they went foorth vntill they came to Mombrance, and went straight to the Pallaice, whereas they found King Iuoryn and all his Barons, when the Minstrell saw him, hee saluted him in the name of Ma­hound, and sayde. Sir, I am right dolorous for the newes that I bring you, for Sir, your Brother my Lord and Mai­ster the Admirall Gaudise is pitiously slayn. Mouflet, (quoth Iuoryn) these newes hath béen brought vnto mée before this time, whereof I am much agréeued, and also I am sorrie for my Néece the faire Escleremond, who is kept from mée by the [Page] Admirall Galaffer, and for any Messuage that I can send to him, he will not send her backe to mée. But by y ^e faith that I owe to my God Mahound, I shall make him such warre, that the memorie thereof shall bee had an Hundred yeares héereafter. For I shall leaue him neuer a foote of Land, but I shall bring all into fire and flame, and cleane destroy him, and in the despite of his téeth, I will sée my Neece Esclere­mond, and if I may get her, I shall cause her to be striken al to péeces, and burne her into ashes, for my Brother is dead by a Villaine of Fraunce, vppon whome shée was amou­rous.

When Huon heard him speake of his Lady, his heart rose, & made promise in himselfe, that ere the moneth was past, he would goe and sée her, and find the meanes how to speake with her. Then King Iuoryn called Mouflet the Minstrell, and sayd: Fréend, I pray thée doe some thinge to make mée merrie, for by reason of the displeasure that I haue had, my ioy is lost therefore it were better for me to take some mirth, then to bee long in sorrow. Sir, (quoth Mouflet) I am rea­die to doe your pleasure, then hée tooke his Vyoll, and playd thereof in such wise, that it was great melodie to heare it, for al the Paynims that were there had great ioy and mirth, and made great feasting, when Huon heard it, he said. Good Lord I require thée, that this great ioy may turne to mée, as to heare some good newes of her who I desire so sore to sée. When the Minstrell had finished his song, the Paynims did of their cloathes, and some gaue him their Gownes, & some their Mantles, hee thought himselfe right well happie that could giue the Minstrell any thing. Huon had ynough to doo to gather together the cloathes that were giuen him, and hée put them into his Male, whereof Huon was ioyfull, bicause he should haue the one halfe.

King Iuoryn beheld Huon, and sayd vnto them that were about him, great dammage it is that so faire a younge man should serue a Minstrell. Sir, (quoth Mouflet) be not a­bashed though this young man doe serue me, hee hath cause [Page] so to doe, for when your Brother was dead, I departed from thence to come hether, & by the way I found a great Dake, vnder the which I sat downe to rest me, and there by was a great Fountaine faire and cleare, there I spread abroad a Towell on the grasse, and set thereon bread and such meate and drinke as I had, and the same time this young man ar­riued and came vnto mee all naked, and prayed me for the loue of Mahound to giue him some of my bread, and so I did and cloathed him as you sée, and I did so much for him, that he promised to serue mée, and to beare my Fardell and my Harpe, and moreouer, when I came to any passage of wa­ter, hee would cast me in his necke as light as though I had béen nothing, (he is so strong) and beare me ouer. Ah poore Catiffe, (quoth King Iuoryn) hast thou liued so longe, & can­not perceiue why he doth it? he abideth vntill thou hast got­ten some riches, and then he will cut thy threat and cast thée into the Riuer, and then goe away with all thy riches, cause him to come and speake with mée. Sir, (quoth Mouflet) hée shall come to you, and so he called Huon, and brought him to King Iuoryn.

My fréend, (quoth the King) I pray thée shewe me where thou wert borne? for I haue pitie of thée, to sée thée in so low estate, as to bee Varlet to a Minstrell, it were better for thée to serue some Prince, or helpe to kéepe a Towne or a Castle, rather then thus to loose thy time. I wote not what I should thinke therein, but that it séemeth to mee that thou art of a faint courage, what hath mooued thée thus to doe? thou sée­est thy Maister hath nothing, but that hee getteth with his Vyoll, canst thou find none other meanes to liue by more ho­nestly? Sir, (quoth Huon) I can Crafts ynow, the which I shall name vnto you if you will heare me. Say on, (quoth Iuoryn) for I haue great desire to know what thou canst do: but of one thing I aduise thée, make no vaunt of any thing, without thou canst doe it indéede, for in euerie thinge I will prooue thée. Sir, (quoth Huon) I can mew a Sparrow-Hauke, and I can chase the Hart and the wilde Boare, and [Page] blow the prize, and serue the hounds of their rights, and I can serue at the table before a great Prince, and I can play at Chesse and Tables aswell as any other can doe, and I ne­uer found man could winne of me if I list.

Chap. LIII.

WHEN king IVORIN heard Huon, he said, hould thée to this, for I shall prooue whether it be true that thou saiest or not. Yet Sir (quoth Huon) I pray you let mee shew farther what I can doe, and then assay mee at your pleasure. By Mahound quoth the king, I am content that thou shalt shew all that thou canst doe. Sir quoth Huon, I can right well arme me, and set the helmet on my head, and beare a shield & speare, and runne and gallop a horse, and when it commeth to the point where strokes should be giuen, yée may well send foorth a worse than I. Also Sir, I can right well enter in­to Ladies chambers, to embrace and kisse them, and to doe them any seruice. Friend quoth Iuoryn, by that which I heare by thée, thou canst doe more things than should turne to good, but to prooue thée, I shall cause thee to be assayed at the play of the Chesse: I haue a faire Daughter, with whome I will that thou shalt play, vpon condition, that if she winne, then thou shalt loose thy head, but if thou canst mate her, then I promise thée that thou shalt haue her to thy wife, to repose with her at thy pleasure, and a C. markes of money therewith. Sir quoth Huon, if it were your pleasure▪ [Page] I would be glad to forbeare that enterprise. By Mahound quoth the king, it shalbe none otherwise, come thereof what will.

In the meane season that this Bargaine was making, a Paynim went into the Ladies chamber, and shewed her how there was with the king her father a young man, who had made promise, how he should play at the Chesse with her vpon condition, that if he lost the game, hee should then loose his head, and if he chaunced to win, then he to haue you to his wedded wife, and a C. Markes of money. But Ma­dame quoth he, I assure you he that shall play against you, is the fairest man that euer I saw, pitie it is that he should be a varlet to a Minstrell as he is. By Mahound quoth the Ladie, I hould my Father a foole, when he thinketh that I should suffer a man to die for winning of a game at Chesse. Then Iuoryn sent for his Daughter by twoo Kings, who brought her to y ^e King her Father, then Iuoryn said. Daugh­ter, thou must play at Chesse with this young Varlet that thou seest héere, so that if thou winne, then he shall loose his head, and if he winne, then I will that hee shall be thy hus­band, to doe with thee at his pleasure. Father quoth the La­die, séeing this is your pleasure, it is reason that I doe it whether I will or not. Then shee beheld Huon, whome shee saw to be right faire, and said to her selfe. By Mahound, for the great beautie that I see in this young man, I would this game were at an end, so that I were his wedded wife.

When then Ladie was come, their places were made re­die, then shee and Huon sat downe, and king Iuoryn and all his Barons sat downe about them to sée them play, then Huon said to the King. Sir I require you, that you nor none other doe speake in our game, neither for the one partie nor for the other. Friend quoth the King, haue no doubt thereof, and for more suretie, the King caused to be proclaymed tho­row out all his Pallaice, that none should be so hardie as to speake one word vpon paine of death. Then the Chesse were made readie, and Huon saide: Ladie, what game will yée [Page] play at? Friend quoth she, at the game accustomed, that is to be mated in the corner, then they both began to studie for the first draught, there were Paynims that beheld Huon, but he cared not for any of them, but studied on his game, the which they had begun so, that Huon had lost most parte of his Pawnes, wherewith he changed colour and blushed as redde as a rose. The Damsell perceiued him, and said, Friend, whereon doe yée thinke? yee are almost mated, a­non my Father will strike of your head. Madame quoth he, as yet the game is not done, great shame shall your Father haue, when yée shall lye all night in mine armes, and I be­ing but a seruant to a poore Minstrell.

When the Barons heard Huon say so, they began all to laugh, and the Ladie, who was so surprised with the loue of Huon, (in regard of the great beautie that she saw in him) that she forgat all her play to thinke of him, whereby she lost the game, whereof Huon was right ioyfull, and called the King and said. Sir, now may yée sée how I can play, but if I would studie but a little more, I could mate your Daugh­ter whereas I list. When the King saw that, he said to his Daughter. Arise, cursed be the houre that I begate thee, for great dishonour hast thou now done to me, that heretofore hast mated so many great men, and now I see heere before my face, that a Minstrels varlet hath mated thée. Sir quoth Huon, trouble not your selfe for that cause, as for the wager that I should winne therby, I am content to release it quite, let your Daughter goe into her chamber, and sport her with her Damsels at her pleasure, and I shall goe and serue my Maister the Minstrell. Friend quoth the King, if thou wilt shew me this courtesie, I shall giue thée an hundred Markes in money.

Sir quoth Huon, I am content with your pleasure, and the Ladie went her way sorowfull, and said to her selfe. Ah false sainted heart, Mahound confound thee, for if I had knowen that thou wouldest thus haue refused my compa­nie, I would haue mated thée, and then thou hadst lost thy [Page] head. Thus the matter passed till the next day, then king I­uorin made proclamation through out all the citie, that eue­rie man should be armed and mounted on their horses, and that it was his minde to set forward towards his enemies. Then euerie man armed them and mounted on their horses, many helmets glittered against the sunne, and many trom­pets & drums began to sound, such brute was made within the citie that it was maruaile to heare it.

Chap. LIIII.

WHen Huon saw how he had not wherwith to arme him, his heart mour­ned right sore, for gladly hee woulde haue gone foorth with other, if he might haue had any horse to haue ridden on, wherefore hee came to king Iuoryn and said. Sir I require you to let mee haue a horse and armour, that I may goe with you to the Battaile, and then shall yee sée how I can aid you. Friend quoth Iuoryn, I am content that ye goe with me. Then the King commaunded one of his Chamberlaines to deliuer him a horse and armour, and the Chamberlaine said. Sir, be­ware what yee doe, for oftentimes such flying vagabounds are of a light courage, if he haue a horse and armour, he may assoone goe to your enemies part, as to kéepe with you, and neuer trust me, but he is some counterfeit varlet. When the King heard him say so, he saide, it may well bee, yet let him haue a good armour, and helmet and shéeld, and let his horse be but of a small valew, to the intent that he shall not goe farre of though he would.

The same time there was a Paynim, that heard the king [Page] grant, how Huon should haue armour, he went to his house, and tooke out of his coffer an old rusty sword, and brought it to Huon, and said Frend, I sée wéell yée haue no sword to aid your selfe withall, and therefore I giue you this sword, the which I haue long kept in my coffer: the Paynim did giue it to Huon in a mockery, for he thought the sword to be but of a small value. Huon tooke the sword, and drew it out of the sheath, & saw letters written thereon in french, saying, how this sword was forged by Galams, who in his dayes forged thrée swords, & that same sword was one of the three, and the second was called Durandell, and the third Courtayn. When Huon had read the letters, he was right ioyfull, and said to the Paynim. Friend, for this good swoord that yee haue geuen mee, I thanke you, and I promis you if I may liue long, I shall reward you with the double valew therof. After that Huon had this sword there was brought vnto him a good Armour, helmet, shéeld, and speare with a rusty head, Huon cared little for it, by reason of the great desire that hee had to come to y ^e place whereas hee might shew his strength & vertue, thē there was brought to him a leane horse pilled, with a long necke and a great head. When Huon saw that horse, he tooke him by the brydle, & leapt vpon him without any foote in the stirrop, in the sight of a M. Paynims that were there present, & some said it was not well done to giue him a horse, the which could not serue nor aid him in time of need. When Huon was mounted on his leane féeble horse, hée was sorowfull, for well hee perceaued how they mocked him, and said softly to him selfe, Ah yee false Paynims, if I may lyue a yeere, I shall quitte your mockes.

Then Huon rode foorth with others, but for all that hee could doe with his spurres, the horse would goe but his own soft pace, wherat diuers Paynims mocked him. Thus king Iuoryn departed from Mombrance with his great armie, and tarried in the fields for his men, & when they were all assem­bled together, then hee departed and tooke the way to Anfa­lerne, the which was distant of but foure leagues, and when [Page] they came there, they ran before the citie, and draue away all the beastes, béeues and muttons, and sent them to Mom­brance. Then when the Admirall Galaffer saw king Iuoryn before his citie, and had driuen away all the pray aboute the towne, he was so sorowfull that hee was neere hand out of his wit, and then hée saw the faire Escleremond before him & said. Madame, the great loue that I haue set on you, is this day derely bought, for by your occasion I sée my country de­stroyed, and my men slayne and led in seruitude. Sir quoth shée, I am sory thereof, it lyeth in you to amend it, seeing this ill is come to you by me, then it is in you to render me to king Iuoryn, and thereby ye and your country shalbe in rest and peace. Faire Ladie quoth Galaffer, by the grace of Ma­hound, for any feare that I haue of Iuoryn your Vncle, I will not render you into his handes, vntill I haue had of you my pleasure. Sir, (quoth shée) you may do with mee as it shall please you, after that the twoo yeares bee past for the accomplishing of my vow. Madame quoth Galaffer, before I will render you to your Vncle Iuoryn, I shall haue neuer a foot of land, for first it shall be cleane distroyed.

Chap. LV.

WHen Sorbryn (Nephew to the Admiral Galaffer) heard his Vncle make such sorow, hée said to him. Faire Vncle, be not dismayed, though Iuoryn hath taken and slaine some of your men, and driuen a­way your beastes: for eche one of yours, if I lyue, I shall [Page] render againe to you foure, I shall tell you how, I will goe and arme me and issue out, and shew to Iuoryn, that if hee will set one or twoo of the hardiest men of all his hoast to fight with me, and that if it be so that I be ouercome, then you to render his faire Néece Escleremond to him, to do with her at his pleasure: and that if I discomfite his men, then let him depart, so that for all the damage that he hath done to you in this warre, hee will render againe to you the dou­ble thereof, for better it were that this warre should end by two men, rather then so much people should be destroyed. Faire Nephew quoth Galaffer, I neuer heard a better word, I am well content if ye will haue it thus.

Then Sorbryn went and armed him selfe, he was a goodly knight, for in all y ^e Paynims lands there was not his Péere, nor none that approched neere to his valiantnes. When hée was armed, then Blanchardyn his good horse was brought to him, the goodnes of this horse excéeded all other, and of beau­tie there was none like him, he was as white as snowe, the freshnes of his apparell, it was so riche and goodly, that I cannot make due mention thereof, for no man could estéeme the valew of the riches of the brydle, saddle, and harnesse. Then Sorbryn leapt vppon his horse without any stirroppe, and tooke a great speare, and so rode out of the Cittie, and when hée saw king Iuoryn a farre of, hée cryed aloud & said. Ah thou Iuoryn of Mombrance, the Admirall Galaffer hath sent mee to thée, and willeth that thou doe arme one of thy valiantest men of thy Court, and let him come against me, and if hee can vanquish me, then hee shall deliuer to thée thy Néece Escleremond: but if I ouercome thy man, then thou to retourne to thy Citie, and suffer thy Neece to remaine still with him, and also thou to restore all the damages that thou hast done to him and his in this warre. When Iuoryn heard the Paynim, he looked about him, to sée if any of his men would take on him this enterprise to fight with Sorbryn, but there was no Paynim that durst speake one word, for they feared Sorbryn for the fiercenes that was in him, and they [Page] said amonge themselues, that whosoeuer did fight against him, was like miserably to finish his dayes.

The same time that Iuorin spake with Sorbrin, Huon was among the other Paynims, & heard what Sorbryn had said, and also he saw y ^t no man durst goe against Sorbryn, then as well as hée might, he got himselfe out of the presse vpon his leane horse, & strake him with his spurres, but for all that hée could doe the horse would neither trot nor gallop, but go still his own pace. The old Minstrell beheld Huon his Var­let, who made him readie to fight against the Paynim, and saw that he was so ill horsed, he cryed on hye and sayd. Sir King Iuoryn, it shalbe vnto you great dishonour, when such a Horse that is nothing woorth you haue deliuered vnto my Varlet, who gooth for your sake to fight with Sorbryn, with whome none of your other men dare fight, great sinne it is that he hath not a better Horse. Then Huon sayd vnto Sor­bryn: Sarazin, I pray thée speake with me. Fréend, (quoth Sorbryn) what wilt thou with mée? Paynim, (quoth Huon) I require thée to prooue thy vertue against mée. Then (quoth Sorbryn) tell mée, art thou a Paynim or a Sarazin? Fréend, (quoth Huon) I am neither Paynim nor Sarazin, but I am christened, beléeuing in y ^e law of Iesus Christ, and though thou séest mée but poorely apparelled, despise me not, for I am come of a noble extraction, wherefore I require thée on thy lawe that thou beléeuest on, let mée not goe without battaile. Fréend, (quoth Sorbryn) in this request thou doest great folly, for thou desirest thy death, I haue pitie of thée, & therefore I councell thée to returne backe. Paynim, (quoth Huon) I had rather dy then to returne ere I haue iusted with thée. Then they went each from other to take their course, but for all that euer Huon could doe, his horse would not ad­uance foorth, whereof Huon was sore displeased, and sayd: Ah verie God and man, I desire thée to giue mée the grace, that I may winne this Horse that this Paynim doth ryde vppon.

When Huon saw that his horse would neither go forward [Page] nor backwarde, hée set his Shéeld against his enemie, & Sor­bryn came running like the Tempest, and with his Speare strooke in Huons Shéeld such a stroake, that the buckles nor any thing else coulde resist the stroake, but the Sheeld was peirced through-out, but the good armour saued Huon from all hurts, and hée remooued no more for the stroake then if it had béen a strong wall, whereof Iuoryn & all other had great maruaile, and said one to another, how they had neuer séene before so great a stroake, nor a goodlyer receit thereof with­out falling to the earth, euerie man praised greatly Huon that he held himselfe so firmly. By Mahound, (quoth Iuo­ryn) our man is fierce and of great hardynesse, I woulde hée were mounted now vpon my horse. And Huon who had re­ceiued the great stroake, in great yre cast downe his Speare, and tooke his Sword with both his handes, and gaue there­with the Paynim a great stroake as he passed by him a hye vppon his healme, the stroake was so puissant, that neither the healme nor coiffe of stéele could resist the stroake, but that his head was clouen to the shoulders, and so hee fell downe dead in the féeld.

Then Huon who was quicke and light, tooke y ^t good horse Blanchardine by the reyne, and alighted from his own horse without féet in the stirrop, leapt vppon the Paynims horse, and left his owne in the féeld, and when hée saw himselfe on Blanchardine, he smoat him with his spurres to prooue him, when the horse felt the spurres, hée began to leape and gam­bould, and gallop as it had béen the thunder, and the Pay­nims had maruell that he had not fallen to the earth, so whē he had well prooued him and turned him in & out, he thought hee would not giue him for the value of a Realme, then hee came vnto King Iuoryn with twentie gan [...]ulds. By Ma­hound, (quoth Iuoryn) this Varlet séemeth rather Sonne to a King or Prince, then to be a Varlet to a Minstrell, then he came vnto Huon and embraced him, and made him great re­specte, and the Paynims that were within Anfalerne, with the Admirall Galaffer yssued out of the Citie, and when Ga­laffer [Page] saw his Nephew slain, he road about him thrée times, and made a pitious complaint, and said. Ah right deare Ne­phewe, I may well complaine, by reason of your youth, when I sée you thus pitiously slaine, certainly, if I liue long, your death shall dearely be bought, so he caused the dead bo­die to be carried into the Citie with great lamentations, and then hee and his men entred into the Battaile, where was great slaughter made on both parts, but among all other Hu­on did maruailes, he slew and beat downe, & tare of helmets, and strake out braines with the pummell of his Sword, hée slew and beat downe all that came within his stroake, his prowesse was such that no Paynim durst abide him, but fled as the Shéepe doth from the Woolues, he did so much by vertue of his armes, that within short space hee brought all his enemies to playne discomfiture, so that the Admirall Ga­laffer with much paine fled and entred into the Citie, right sorrowfull for the losse that he had receiued that day, for the third part of his men were slaine in the Battaile, and all by the valiantnesse of Huon, the which was so great, that King Iuoryn and his Barons stood still to beholde his valyant déedes.

And as Huon fought, hee spyed out the Paynim that had giuen him his Sword, then hée remembred the promise that he had made him, and he lifted vp his Sword, and strake a­nother Paynim therewith, so that hee claue his head to the breast, and so hee fell downe dead, and Huon tooke the Pay­nims horse, and gaue the horse to him that had giuen him the good Sword, and sayd. Fréend, take well in woorth y ^e gift of this horse, f [...]r a reward for the good Sword that you gaue me. Sir, (quoth the Paynim) I thanke you. In bréefe, Huon did so much, that there was no Paynim that durst a­bide him, but fled and entred into the Citie of Anfalerne, then they closed their gates and lifted vp their bridges, and King Iuoryns men departed with the bootie that they had wonne: then with great triumph Huon was conuayed, riding chéeke by chéeke by Kinge Iuoryn, and so brought to Mombrance, [Page] whereas they were receiued with great ioy, and the Admi­rall Galaffer was entred into Anfalerne, in great sorrow for Sorbryn his Nephew who was dead, & also for his men that he had lost in battaile, and when he was vnarmed, hee cau­sed his Nephew to be buried with sore wéepings and lamen­tations. Nowe let vs leaue speaking of them, vntill wee haue occasion to returne vnto them againe.

Chap. LVI.

WHen Iuoryn was entred in­to Mombrance, hee went & vnarmed him, & his Daughter came vnto him to make him reuerence, and when hee sawe his Daughter, hée kissed her and said. Déere Daughter, thou wert mated in a good houre by the Minstrels Varlet, for in the day of battaile that we haue had against the Admirall Galaffer, he was discomfi­ted by the only prowesse of this Varlet by whom thou wert mated, thanked be my God Mahound, for by him I haue o­uercome mine enemies, and beside that, he fought hand to hand against Sorbryn Nephew to the Admirall Galaffer, and hee slew him, but if I may liue one yeare, the great seruice that he hath done vnto me, shalbe euen right well rewarded: Father, (quoth the Ladie) you are bound so to doe.

Then Kinge Iuoryn went vp into his Pallaice, and his Daughter with him, and Huon went to the lodging where as the Minstrell was lodged, where hee vnarmed him, and went with his Maister to the Pallaice, but when King Iuo­ryn saw them, the King aduanced foorth, and tooke Huon by the hand, and sayd. Fréend, you shall goe with mée and sit [Page] at my Table, for I cannot doe you too much honour, for the good seruice that you haue done vnto mée, I abandon vnto you all my house, to doe therein at your pleasure, take all my gould and siluer, and iewels, and giue thereof at your plea­sure: I ordaine and will, that all that you commaund shall be done, all that is heere I abandon vnto you, yea in the La­dies chambers take there your pleasure as you list, and whē I goe out, you shall goe with mée. Sir, (quoth Huon) of the great honour that you haue done to mée, I thanke you, then they sat downe at the Table, and when they had dyned, the King and Huon sat together vppon the rich Carpets. Then Mouflet the Minstrell opened his Vyoll, and played so me­lodiously, that the Paynims that heard him had great mar­uaile thereof, for the Vyoll made so swéet a sound, that it sée­med to be the Mermaides of the Sea, and Kinge Iuoryn and all his Lords had so great ioy, that it séemed vnto them that they were in the glorie of Paradise, so y ^t there was no Pay­nim, but that gaue him Gownes and Mantles and other ie­wels. The Minstrell saw Huon sit by the King, hee saide: Fréend, yesterday I was your Maister, and nowe I am be­come your Minstrell, I thinke nowe you haue little care for me, yet I pray you come vnto mée and gather together these cloathes, and put them into my Male as you haue done ere this. When the King and his Lordes heard that, they be­gan to laugh. Now let vs leaue speaking of them, and say somewhat of the old Gerames.

Chap. LVII.

[Page] YE haue heard heere before the Aduentures that haue fallen to Huon, & how the old Gerames and xiij. with him▪ de­parted and left Huon, bicause he would not beléeue them whereby fell to him such ad­uentures as yee haue since heard, and how Gerames and his companyons that were in the litle shippe, sailed forth in the tempest, without any knowledge what was become of Huon, but they thought rather hée had been dead then aliue and so within a moneth after, they were dri­uen by another tempest to the port of Anfalerne.

When Gerames saw how they were ariued there, he said to his companie. Sirs wee be not ariued at a good Port▪ in this City dwelleth a Paynim king who beléeueth not in our god, a more fierce Paynim cannot be found frō hence to the red Sea, he is called the admirall Galaffer, without god haue pitie of vs, I cannot sée but we are like to die, and we cannot returne backe. The same time the Admirall Galaffer was risen from dinner, and looked out at a windowe, and behelde the sea-side, and then he perceiued the little Shippe, where Gerames and his companie were in, when he saw it, he went downe with some of his men, desiring to knewe what they were that there arriued: then he approached to the Shippe, and said. Sirs, what men be you that are thus arriued at my Port? Sir, (quoth Gerames) wée be French-men, Pil­grimes, and are going to offer at the holy Sepulchre, the for­tune of the Sea hath brought vs hether, and therefore Sir, if there be any Tribute that we ought to pay, we are readie to do your pleasure. Sirs, (quoth the Admirall) haue no doubt, that by me or any of mine you shall haue any displeasure, for if yée will abide with me, you are well arriued. Sir, (quoth Gerames) I would it might please you to shewe vs the cause why: Why, (quoth the Admirall) that I shall shewe you. True it is, héere néere mée dwelleth Kinge Iuoryn of Mom­brance, [Page] who maketh vppon mée great warre, hée slayeth my men, and destroyeth my Countrey, whereof I haue great sorrow in my heart. Sir, (quoth Gerames) if your quarrell be iust and rightfull, we shall be all readie to aid you truely, for Sir, without your quarrell be good, wee will not abide with you.

Sirs, (quoth the Admirall) I shall shew you the troth, so it was, vppon a day I stood in a window, and looked downe to y ^e sea-side, (as I did now when you arriued at this Port) and then I saw a Shippe comming, which tooke anker there as you be nowe, and in the Ship there was a Damsell and Ten Marriners, who thought to haue ledde her vnto Kinge Iuoryn of Mombrance, I cannot tell where they had taken her, but shée was Daughter to the Admirall Gaudise, that Mahound take his soule, and I knewe for certaine, that if King Iuoryn might haue the Damsell, hee would haue burnt her, because it hath béen shewed him, that she was the cause of the death of her Father the Admirall Gaudise, who was Brother to King Iuoryn, and so hée is Vncle to the Damsell, and when I was aduertised, that the ten Marriners would haue deliuered her into the hands of her Vncle Iuoryn, I tooke her from them, and slew them all, because they would not deliuer her to me with entreatie, and thus I haue wedded the Damsell. When Iuoryn heard this, he made mée war, and was héere before my Citie with all his puissance, & hath slayne my men, and led away all my beasts and prouision, and hath burnt and destroyed my Countrey, and euerie day he commeth and ouer-runnes all the Country, and he hath with him a young man, I know not of what countrey hee is of, but this last day hée slewe a Nephewe of mine, whome I right dearely loued, and who was called Sorbryn, hée was Sonne to my Sister, for whome I haue such sorrowe at my heart, that it cannot be appeased, and he hath led away his Horse called Blanchardyn, the which is the best horse in ten Realmes, his like is not in all the world, wherefore I desire you (as I may deserue your seruice) to abide with mée, and [Page] to doe so much, that I might haue the saide younge man ta­ken Prisoner, and the horse againe to me restored, and if you can this doe, I shall so reward you, that you shall alwaies be rich, and all those in your companie.

Sir, (quoth Gerames) if hée come any more hether, & that you shewe mée him, I shall doe my best to bring him, and the Horse also vnto you. Freend, (quoth the Admirall) if you will shew me this courtesie, I shall abandon all my Realme to bee at your pleasure and commaundement. With these words the old Gerames yssued out of the Ship & all his com­panie, and entred into the Citie of Anfalerne with the Ad­mirall Galaffer, & when they came to the Pallaice, Gerames sayd. Sir, I and my companie require you to shewe vs the Damsell, for whose sake you maintaine this war. Fréend, (quoth the Admirall) if you were a young man, I would not shew her vnto you, but I see well you bee olde and ancient, wherefore no young Ladie will set any thinge by you: then the Admirall tooke Gerames by the hand, and led him into the Chamber whereas Escleremond was, assoone as the Ladie saw Gerames, she knew him, wherewith she began to chang colour, and fell down in a swound in the Chamber, making a great out-crie. When the Admirall Galaffer saw that, he was right sorrowfull, and said: Faire Ladie, why doe you make this sorrow? are you troubled at the sight of this olde man that I haue brought hether? Nay surely Sir, (quoth shée) it is for a paine that hath taken mée in the right side whereby I haue often times great annoyance: but Sir, if it were your pleasure, I would gladly speak with this french Knight, for customably they know many things, and perad­uēture he may shew me such things as shalbe for my health, for French-men are right discréet in giuing of good counsell. Madame, quoth the Admirall) it pleaseth me well that you speake with him secretly. Then the Ladie called Gerames, and said: Fréend, I pray thee giue me some good counsaile, that I may be eased of the paine that I endure. Madame, (quoth Gerames) for the honour of you and of the Admirall [Page] that is héere present, I shall ayd you in such wise, that you shalbe eased of the paine that you endure.

Then Gerames who was subtill, well perceiued the mind of the Ladie, then he approached néere vnto her, and they sat downe together on a Couch there by. Gerames, (quoth the Ladie) I pray you what aduenture hath brought you hether? Madame, (quoth he) wee bee come hether by reason of tem­pest of the Sea, but Ladie, (quoth he) I pray you what is become of Huon? By my faith, (quoth she) I beléeue hee is dead, for when you departed from vs, such a maruelous tem­pest rose on the Sea, that all that were in our Shippe were perished, and the ship drowned and broken in small peeces, except Huon and I, we saued vs on a Table of wood, where­vpon we arriued in an Isle that was neere vs, and when wée were on the Land, there came vnto vs Ten Marriners, and they tooke me from thence, and [...]it Huon there blindfold, his hands and féet fast bound, so that he had no power to reléeue himselfe, and those Ten Marriners brought me hether, and the Admirall Galaffer hath slayn them al, therefore I thinke surely that Huon is dead, Iesus haue mercie vppon him, and thus I am héere with this Admirall, who hath assured me to wed mée, but as yet he neuer medled with me bodily, but I haue made him to beléeue, that I made a vowe to Mahound for twoo yeares to come, that no man should haue vse of my body, and that is for the loue of Huon, whome I cannot for­get, the Admirall hath beleeued me, and for as long as I liue I shall neuer forget Huon, and shall alwayes be ready to die, in the payn to kéepe me from the bodily company of any man liuing. Ah Sir Gerames, if you might doe so much, that I might escape from hence with you, you should do me a great courtesie, for if I might escape from hence and come into a christian Realme, I would yéeld my selfe into some Abbie of Nunnes, to the entent that the reasidue of my life, I might pray for the Soule of my Louer Huon. Madam, (quoth Ge­rames) be not dismayed, for if I can escape from hence, what­soeuer come to me thereof, I shall carie you with me. Then [Page] the Admirall came vnto them, and sayd: Fréend, you hold ouer-long talking with the Damsell, come away, you haue taried there long ynough; then Gerames departed from Es­cleremond, strayning her by the hand, and the Admirall Ga­laffer tooke Gerames by the arme, and brought him into the Hall to Supper, and after Supper they communed of the Feates of the warre. Now let vs leaue speaking of them, and returne to King Inoryn of Mombran [...]e, and noble Huon who was with him.

Chap. LVIII.

NOw sheweth the Historie, that about twoo dayes after King Iuoryn had made his course before Anfalerne, then Huon came vnto Iuoryn & sayd. Sir, cause your men to be armed, and let vs goe visite the Admirall Galaffer, for a man that is in warre ought neuer to lye still, vntill he hath brought his ene­mie to vtter ruine, for it séemeth that he setteth but little by you, when he kéepeth still your Neece against your will, hée being your Subiect, and one that holdeth his Lands of you. Freend, (quoth Iuoryn) you say truely, I shall doe by your counsaile, then he made to be cryed through the Citie, that euerie man should make him readie, to go with the King be­fore Anfalerne. Huon who was desirous to haue battaile, armed him, and tooke Blanchardyn his good Horse, moun­ted on him without any stirrop, and tooke a great Speare in his hand with a good sharpe head.

[Page]Now the same time as Huon was in the Pallaice, king Iuorins daughter was leaning in a window in her chamber, accompanied with diuers Ladies and Damsels, shee beheld Huon and shée said. By Mahound, it is a goodly sight to be­hould yonder young man sitting on the horse Blanchardyn, how well he becommeth his armour, a goodlier man cannot be found, nor a more hardie: for the last day he slew Sorbryn the valiantest knight in all Pagany, and also wanne his good horse. But yet I am displeased with him, for that whē he played with me at the Chesse, he was not so hardy as once to embrace and kisse me, if he had, I would haue loued him in such wise, that if he had required of me my loue, I would not haue refused him, though my father had sworne the con­trarie an hundred times: thus the Ladies and Damsels de­uised together, but Huon set little thereby. Thus king Iuo­ryn and his men issued out of the Citie of Mombrance, and came to the fields and then roade foorth toward Anfalerne, & at the last came before the gates of the citie, and there orde­red them in battaile array, and Huon who had great desire to attaine to renowne, came to the gate with his speare in his hand, and cried alowd to them that were on the walles, and said. Where is Galaffer your Lord? goe and shew him, that he come and Iust against him that hath slaine his Ne­phew, and that I will serue him in like sort if I may méete with him in Battaile, or else he shall deliuer to me the faire Escleremond.

Galaffer was néere by, and heard what Huon saide, and knew well that it was he by reason of the horse Blanchardyn, whereof he was right sorowfull, & said to Gerames. Friend, I shal shew you héere him that hath done me al this ill, now I shall sée if yée will kéepe promise with me. Sir quoth Ge­rames, take no care, for by the faith that I owe to God, I shall render to you both the horse and the man, to doe with them at your pleasure. Then Gerames yssued out all armed, well horsed, and tooke a good speare in his hand, hee was a goodly knight of his age, puissant of bodie, and in his time [Page] greatly redoubted, and when he was on his horse, hee stret­ched himselfe in his saddle in such wise, that his stirrops stretched out a long handfull or more, he was greatly pray­sed of the Paynims that saw him, and then the Admirall Galaffer commaunded euery man to be armed, and he him­selfe was armed richly. Then the gate was opened, and Gerames was the first that issued out with his company, when he was without the citie, he strake his horse with his spurres, so that he was a great space before all his compa­nie, with his speare in his hand & his shield about his necke, and his white beard hanging downe on his brest vnder his helmet. Nowe when Huon on the other part saw Gerames comming, hee spurred Blanchardyn, and came against Ge­rames, and so they met together without any word speaking, and strake each other on their shéeldes, so that all was bro­ken, but their armour was so good that they tooke no hurt, but their speares brake to their handes, and the shiuers flew vp into the ayre, and the stroakes were so rude, that both the knights & horses fell to the earth, but they arose againe, and gaue each other great stroakes.

Gerames who was expert in déedes of armes, tooke his sword with both his hands, and gaue Huon such a stroake on the helmet, that perforce he was faine to set one of his knées to the earth the stroake was so heauy, and if it had not béen by the grace of God, he had béene slaine, and Huon was so astonished with the stroake, that he had much adoo to re­couer, but said: Ah good Lord succour me, and graunt me that before I die I maye sée the faire Escleremond. These words he spake openly, for he thought that Gerames had not vnderstood him, for he little thought that it had béen Gerames y ^t fought with him, thē he came to Gerames with his sword in his hand to haue béen reuenged, for he neuer before recei­ued such a stroake as Gerames had giuen him. But Gerames vnderstood Huon by his words and knew him, and therwith cast downe his sword to the earth, and had such sorow that he could not speake a word. When Huon saw that, he mar­uayled [Page] greatly why he cast his sword to the earth, and then Huon would not touch him, but said. Paynim, what is thy mind to doe? wilt thou haue peace or else fight with me? Ah sir quoth Gerames, come foorth and strike of my head, for well I haue deserued it séeing I haue stricken you so rudely, but I knew you not, whereof I am very sory. When Huon heard him speake, anon he knew well that it was Gerames, wherof he had great ioy in his heart for finding of him. The Paynims that regarded them, hadde great maruaile what thing the twoo Champions ment or thought to do. Sir quoth Gerames, it behooueth vs shortly to determine our businesse, for I sée on all parts Paynims assemble together to behould vs, I shall shew you what is best for vs twoo to doe, leape you vpon your horse, and I shall leape on mine, then I shall take you, and lead you perforce as my prisoner to the Citie of Anfalerne, and there shall yée sée your Loue Escleremond, who will haue great ioy with your comming, and shée will tell you other newes. Friend quoth Huon, I shall doe as yee deuise, then they leapt on their horses, and Gerames came to Huon and laid hand on him, as though he tooke him Pri­soner, and so led him toward the citie of Anfalerne, and his companie followed him, and when king Iuoryn sawe how Gerames had led away Huon as Prisoner, he began to crie & said: On forth yée Sarazins, how suffer you this yong man to be led away as a Prisoner to y ^e citie of Anfalerne? I shall neuer haue ioy at my heart if ye suffer him thus to be ledde away.

Then the Sarazins dashed into the preasse to haue rescu­ed Huon, and on the other part the Admirall Galaffer came & met Gerames and Huon, and then Gerames said to him: Sir, goe and fight with your enemies, behould heere the young man that slew your Nephew Sorbryn, I shall lead him into the citie and set him in sure prison, and then I shall shortly retourne againe to you to fight against king Iuoryn. Friend quoth Galaffer, I require you so to doe, and assoone as yee haue set him in prison retourne againe. Gerames departed [Page] from the Admirall, and went to the citie with Huon and his xiij. companions with him, when they were entred into the Citie, they lifted vp the bridges and closed the gates, in the Citie there was no man of warre, for all were in the field with the Admirall against king Iuoryn, there were none but women, children & ould folkes, and when that Gerames and Huon saw how they were strong ynough for them in the Ci­tie, they went into the stréetes and cried Saint Dennis, and slew all that they met aswell old men, as women and chil­dren, so that within a short space they had cleane wonne the towne. Many Paynims fled and leapt into the dikes, and brake neckes, armes, and legges, then they went into the Pallaice, and there they found the faire Escleremond, & when Huon saw her, he did of his helmet, and ranne and embra­ced her, and when the Ladie saw that it was Huon, the ioy that shee had was so great that it was maruaile to sée it, there was such ioy at their méeting that it cannot be recoun­ted. Huon and the Ladie embraced & kissed each other many times, and she said. Ah Huon, ye be right hartily welcome, for I thought that I should neuer haue séene you more. La­die quoth Huon, I ought greatly to loue and cherish you, and I am right ioyfull that it hath pleased God that I haue now found you in good health and prosperitie, for a more truer man than ye be there is none liuing.

When all the companie had made their salutations one to another, they went to dinner and were richly serued, for there was great plentie in the citie, and the Sarazins were without the Citie, wheras they fought and slew each other, there was such slaying on both parts, that the fieldes were couered with dead men and fore wounded, many a horse ran about the field and their Maisters lying dead, these twoo Kings fought one against the other puissance against pu­issance, and twoo Sarazins that were escaped out of the Ci­tie of Anfalerne, came to the Admirall Galaffer and said. Ah Sir, your Citie is lost by the Frenchmen, who be entred in­to it, there is neyther man nor woman therein but they are [Page] all slaine, the old knight that came to you and his xiij. com­panions be all seruants to the young man that slew your Nephew, when the twoo Frenchmen fought one with ano­ther, they tooke togither acquaintance, and they be all sub­iects to the young man that was with king Iuoryn, and it is he that slew the Admirall Gaudise, and discomfited the gyant Agrapart, we knew him well when he entred into the citie, we would haue shewed you thereof, but we durst not vntill yee were returned from the battaile. Now they be in your Pallaice which pleaseth them, for there is neither man nor child liuing, but all are slaine except some xxx. Ladies and Damsels, who were with her that should be your wife, and they be put out of the Citie, yée may sée them sitting with­out the gate pitiously wéeping.

When the Admirall Galaffer heard that, he was heauy & sorowfull, and said to his men that were about him. Sirs, I pray you hastily giue me some councell what I shall doe, for it is néedfull. Sir quoth they, it is now of necessitie that yée goe to king Iuoryn, and knéele downe at his foote, and pray him to haue mercie vppon you, other councell as now we cannot giue you. Sirs quoth Galaffer, I shall doe as yée haue said, then the Admirall Galaffer with his sword in his hand went through the preasse, and came to king Iuoryn, & alighted from his horse and knéeled downe before him, and said. Sir King, I yéeld to you my swoord, with the which if you please strike of my head, for well I haue deserued it. But Sir I pray you for the loue of Mahound haue mercie of me, I offer to make you such amends as you & your Lords shall iudge, so that yée will aid me to take the Frenchmen that bee in my Citie, and haue taken away my wife your Néece Escleremond. Sir, the young man that yée so loued, who came but lately to your Court with a Minstrell, is the same Frenchman that slew your brother the Admirall Gau­dise, these tydings I haue heard by twoo messengers that knew him in your Court, and now there are with him xiij. other Frenchmen, whome I had retayned with me to main­taine [Page] my warre, but they be al subiects to the yong man, and now all xiii. bee in my pallace, and my wife with them.

Chap. LIX.

IVORIN heard Galaffer, and saide, Alas, I was vnhappie that I knew not this yong man that had slaine my brother, if I had, it shold dearly haue béene bought. Therefore Sir Galaffer, cause your men to withdraw from the battaile, and I shall withdraw mine, and I shall know of my Barons what counsaile they will giue me. Then both parties blew the retrait, and King Iuoryn said to his Lords. Sirs, what counsaile will yee giue me, as touching the Ad­mirall Galaffer? Sir (quoth they) giue him againe his lands, since he asketh mercie, if he hath done ill, he offereth to make amends. Then Iuoryn called Galaffer, and sayd: Sir Admi­rall, I render againe to you all your lands, and pardon you of all mine ill will, and beside that, I shall helpe you to de­stroy the Frenchmen that are in your citie of Anfalerne. Then Galaffer kneeled downe, and thanked King Iuoryn for the courtesie that he shewed him and offered to doe, and so would haue kissed his feet, but Iuoryn would not suffer him, but lift him vp.

Thus these two kings agréed together, and sware toge­ther, to haue the death of Huon and his knights. Then Huon and his companie abandoned vp the citie of Anfalerne, be­cause hee had so few men to kéepe it, and so kept the Castle, the which was strong inough, standing on a rocke on the sea [Page] side, it was indéede impregnable, so it were well victualled, at the corner of the Castle there was a strong towre, and vn­derneath it was the Port whereas ships came to their an­chor. When Iuoryn and Galaffer saw that the towne was gi­uen vp by the Frenchmen, they entered into it with all their great puissance, and lodged about in the towne, but in ta­king of their lodgings, Huon and Gerames, and such as were with them, shot out darts, and quarrelled in such wise, that there was not so hardie a paynim that durst peere before the Castle, if he did, he was slaine or hurt. When Iuoryn & Ga­laffer saw the dealing of the Frenchmen, they raysed vp a gibbet before the Castle, thereby to make the Frenchmen a­fraide, and then they tooke Mouflet the Minstrell, and bound his hands behind him so sore, that the bloud came out at the nayles, then they hanged his violl about his necke, and then he was brought before Iuoryn, who sayd to him. A thou false traitour, ill hast thou remembred the goodnesse that my brother Gaudise hath done to thee, when he that slew him, thou hast brought into my Court, thereby to do me despight. But I shall neither eate nor drinke, till thou hast thy desert, and that is to bee hanged.

Alas quoth Mouflet, neuer in all my life haue I done or thought any treason, nor knew not that, that I brought to your Court, him that slew your brother the Admiral Gaudys, who was my Lord and Master, therefore Sir, great sinne it were for you to put me to death, for that I am not guiltie of. Thou lyest false traitour (quoth Iuoryn) and so commaunded a thirtie men to leade him to the gallowes, and when they were come thither, they caused the minstrell to mount vp on the ladder. The Frenchmē in the Castle had great maruaile who it should bee that they would hang vp there: and when the minstrell was aboue on the ladder, hee turned him to­wards the Castle, and cryed with an high voyce: Ah Huon, how will ye suffer me here to die? yet remember the goodnes that I haue done to you, and the courtesie that I did, when yee came all naked, I gaue you then cloathing, and meate [Page] and drinke, and I abandoned to you all that I had, ill it hath béen employed without ye reward mée better. When Huon heard the Minstrell, hée knew wel that it was Mouflet who had béen his maister, then hée said to his company. Sirs, I require you arme you quickely, for the Paynims héere with­out haue reared vp a gybet, whereon they will hang a Min­strell, who hath done me great pleasure, I would be right sorie if he should haue any ill.

Then Gerames and al his companions made them ready, and issued out of the Castle with Huon, by a secret posterne, so that they that were about the gibet were not aware of of them, till Huon and his companie was among them. Huon ranne at him that should haue hanged the minstrell, and strake him with his speare cleane through, and so hee fell downe dead, and then Huon tooke downe the Minstrell, and made him to flie away to the posterne, and his violl about his necke, he that had séene him flie away, could not haue kept himselfe from laughing, for he ranne so fast, that he sée­med to bee no old man, but rather of the age of thirtie yéere, and Huon and Gerames and his companie, slew and beate downe all the thirtie Paynimes, so that none escaped the death. When King Iuoryn and Galaffer perceiued that there was much adoe about the gibet, they sayd, Sirs, the French­men are come out of the Castle, goe and looke that ye doe so much, that none of thē enter againe. Then Paynims on e­uerie part issued out of their lodgings, and ranne thither hée that best might, without kéeping of any good order, & Huon and Gerames when they saw them comming, they made semblance to returne to y ^e citie a soft pace, and the Paynims came after them crying and howling like dogges, and when they approched néere, Huon sodainely turned, and with his speare he met so the first, that he ranne him cleane through the body with his speare, so that he fell downe dead, and Ge­rames and his companie strake so among the paynims, that the place ranne like a riuer of bloud of the dead Paynims: Huon strake with his sword with both his hands, hée strake [Page] none with a full stroke, but that he claue the head to the téeth, but finally, the force of the paynims was so great, that at length they could not abide it.

Then Huon, who was expert in déedes of armes, percei­ued that it was time to depart, he called his men together, and went toward the posterne, the which with much payne they got in thereat, and so they entred in al xiii. companions, but yet they were so hasted and pursued, that Garyn of Saint Omer abode without, and defended himselfe valiantly: but at last he was slaine by the Paynims, then Huon was right sorrowfull, when hee saw that Garyn was not entered into the Castle, and pitiously complayned for him, and sayd. A déere cousin, who for the loue of mee haue left your wife and children, and land, and signories, I am sory of your death. Sir, quoth Gerames, leaue your sorrow, and thinke to make good chéere, and to kéepe well our fortres, our Lord God hath alwayes ayded you, and shall doe through his grace, go we vp and make good chéere, for with this sorrow wee can winne nothing.

Then when they came into the Pallace, they met with Escleremond, and when Huon saw her, hee sayd: My faire Loue, this day haue I lost one of my good friends, whereof I am sorrowfull. Sir, quoth she, I am sorie thereof, but that thing that cannot be recouered, must be left, wee be all made to die, God will haue mercy on his soule, with such like worde Escleremond and Gerames appeased Huon, and when they were in the hall, they vnarmed them, and went to din­ner, and afterwardes they looked out at the windowes, to sée the countenance of the Paynims: then Gerames sayd to the Minstrell. Mouflet my friend, I pray thée take thy violl, and giue vs a song to make vs merrie, then the Minstrell tooke his Instrument, and gaue them a most sweete song, the which was so melodious for to heare, that they all be­leeued that they had beene in Paradice, and they all made excéeding great ioy, with such a cheerefull noyse, that the Paynims that were without, did heare it, and sayd [Page] among themselues. Ah these French-men are people to be feared and doubted, and they were right sorrowfull for the men that they had loste by the prowesse of these Fourtéene persons.

Chap. LX.

WHen that King Iuoryn sawe and knewe the great losse that hée had recei­ued, hee was right sorrowfull, and then the Admirall Galaffer said. Sir, for the honour of Mahound bee not so sore troubled, for a thing the which you shall well atchieue and bring to an end, you knowe well these French-men are as a bird being in a Cage, for they cannot escape neither by land nor by water, and they are without hope of any rescue: to day they were Fourtéene, and now they be but Thirteene, you are lodged in a good Towne, and haue the féelds and the Sea at your pleasure, it is not possible for them to escape, they haue neither Shippe nor Galley to flye in: Therefore Sir, appease your selfe, suffer them to waste their victu­als.

By these woordes somewhat King Iuoryn was appeased, and the French-men in the Castle deuised together, and Hu­on sayd vnto Gerames. Fréend, you sée well wée be héere in­closed, and wee can neither depart by Land nor by Sea, nor wee looke for no succour of any man liuing, and héere before vs are lodged Paynims who haue sworne our deaths. Sir, (quoth Gerames) true it is, but I hope in our Lord God that he will send vs some good aduenture, and if it please you, let vs two go downe and sport vs by the water side, néere to the [Page] Port vntill night come. I am content, (quoth Huon) wee may goe thether and not bee séene by the Paynims, for the­ther might come Shippe or Galley without daunger of the Towne: thether they went, and when it was néere hand night, Huon looked into the Sea, and saw a Ship comming thether-ward. Then Huon sayd vnto Gerames: Fréend▪ behold yonder commeth a Ship with full sayle, they will ar­riue at this Port, they be Christian men I sée well by the to­kens that the Ship doth beare, for vppon the Mast I sée a red crosse. Sir, (quoth Gerames) by all that I can sée the shippe is of Fraunce, and therefore (as I haue said to you before) God will send vs some good aduenture, & therewith by feare of the Tempest, the Shippe came into the Hauen and caste their anchors.

Then Huon approached to the Ship, and demaunded for the Patron, and for the maister of them that were in the ship, then the Marriners regarded the place whereas they were, and they knew plainly by the great Tower, that they were in the Port of Anfalerne, whereof they had great feare, and sayd one to another. Ah good Lord God helpe vs, for we sée well wee are but dead, séeing wee bée arriued héere in this Port, for wée knowe well, that the Lord of this place is the most cruellest Paynim betwéen this and the red Sea. Thus they complayned them one to another, and Huon (who was néere them) vnderstood them well, and sayd. Sirs, haue yée no doubt of death, for yée are arriued at a good Port: I re­quire you to shew me from whence you come, and what yée bée? and they answeared & sayd. Sir, séeing you can speake French we shall shew you, so that you will assure our liues. Sirs, (quoth Huon) haue no feare of death, nor of any hurt that yée shall haue, for wee that haue this place in kéeping, are French-men: therefore shew vs hardly your entents? Sir, (quoth they) since you would know what wée bee, wée are all borne in the Countrey of Fraunce, and one of vs is of Saint Omers, and some of the Citie of Paris, and of diuers o­ther parts of the Realme of Fraunce. Fréends, (quoth Hu­on) [Page] I pray you shew me, if there be any among you borne in the Citie of Bourdeaux. Sir, (quoth one of them) heere is one in this ship that was borne in Bourdeaux, an ould ancient man, I thinke he be of an hundred yeares of age, his name is Guyer, and wee are going on pilgrimage for the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ, to visit the holy Sepulchre, but fortune by force of Tempest of y ^e Sea hath caused vs to arriue héere, and this Tempest hath endured these thrée dayes and thrée nights passed, whereby wee be so wearie and so sore trauai­led, that wée can doe no more. Fréend, (quoth Huon) I pray you shew him foorth, that you speake of.

Then the Patron of the Ship commaunded, that the old man of Bourdeaux should come forth, then Guyer the Prouost came to Huon and sayd. Sir, behold me héere, what pleaseth it you to say vnto mée? When Huon saw him, he knew in­continent that it was Guyer the Prouost, and sayd: Fréend, I require you shew mee where you were borne? and what hath mooued you to come hether, séeing the great age that you be of? and to shew me what is your name? Sir, (quoth he) I shall shew you the truth, I had a Lord whome I loued en­tirely, hee was Sonne to Duke Seuin of Bourdeaux, and hee was called Huon, and it fell so out, that after the death of his Father about a Seauen yeares, King Charlemaine sent for him to doe his homage to receiue his Land of him, the young man by the commaundement of his Mother, he and his bro­ther Gerard with him tooke their way towards Paris, and by the way King Charlemaines Sonne called Charlot, was ly­ing in a wood by the counsaile of certaine Traytours, and there lay in a waight to haue slaine Huon and his Brother Gerard, but the case fell otherwise, for Huon slew Charlot not knowing who it was, wherefore Kinge Charlemaine bani­shed him out of the Realm of Fraunce, and charged him ere he returned, to goe to Babilon to do a Messuage to the Admi- Gaudise. But his Brother Gerard aboad still at Bourdeaux to kéepe the heritage, and then the Duchesse his Mother was so full of sorrowe, that her Sonne was so banished without [Page] cause, that shee tooke thereof such a maladie, that shee dyed thereof about fiue yeares past, and so thereby Gerard is Lord and Gouernour of all the Lands, and hee is married to the daughter of y ^e most cruellest Tirant from thence into Spaine, and this Gerard hath learned of him many ill customes, and hath left all the good wayes that was vsed in the dayes of Duke Seuin and of the Duchesse his Mother, and hee hath raysed vp in all his Landes new Tayles, and Gables, and Impositions, and chaced and put from him all noble men, hee destroyeth the Burgesses and Marchants, Widdowes & Orphelings, there can no man shew you the ill that hée hath done and doth dayly, and he hath disenherited me. And on a day the Barons of the Countrey desired me, that I would take the paines to goe and search aswell by land as by wa­ter, if I might finde the young Lord Huon who is our right­full Lord, it is now about two yeares that I haue searched for him in diuers Countreys, but I coulde neuer heare one word of him, whereof I am right sorrowfull, & to séeke him I haue spent all my gould and siluer: howbeit, these good Marchants haue taken me into their Ship, and for the loue of God, they thought to haue brought me into Fraunce, but by fortune we be héere arriued at this Port.

Chap. LXI.

WHen Huon vnderstood the Prouost Guyer, he said vnto Gerames. Sir, come foorth, héere I haue found your Bro­ther. Then Gerames came to his Brother, and embraced and kissed him all wéping, [Page] and said: My deare fréend and Brother, you be right hear­tily welcome. Ah Brother, (quoth Guyer) nowe I care not whether I liue or die, séeing I haue found you, and if it were so that yet once ere I dyed I might sée my Lord Huon: then I cared not howe soone I dyed. Ah deare Brother, (quoth Gerames) you shall not die so soone, and yet you shall sée Hu­on, whose presence you so sore desire, it is Huon to whome you haue spoken all this season. Then Huon sore wéeping came and embraced Guyer, and said: My deare Fréend, your comming is a ioy to my heart, for a more truer Knight cannot bee found. Sir, (quoth Guyer) doe you know mée? Yea truely, (quoth Huon) and do you know mée? Yea Sir, (quoth Guyer) you are greatly desired in Fraunce, and Bro­ther Gerames, I desire you to shew me where you haue béen since I sawe you, for it is about Fortie yeares since you de­parted out of Fraunce: then Gerames shewed him all his life, and shewed at length how he found Huon.

Longe they were talking together, whereof they of the Ship were right ioyfull, for then they sawe well they were arriued at a good Port, and then Huon said to y ^e Marriners. Sirs, I pray you make this night no great noyse, nor make no fire, nor shewe no light, for héere before the castle is lod­ged two Admirals Paynims, who haue swoorne that they will neuer goe hence vntill they haue vs at their pleasure: therefore I counsaile that wee may escape out of this castle, wée bée hére about thurteene persons, and with vs a noble Ladie, wherefore I require you let vs come into your Ship or else we be all lost, and feare not but you shall be well paid for your labour, ye shall haue gold and siluer as much as yée will desire. Sir quoth the Patrone, yée néed not to speake of any gold or siluer, for this our ship is yours to do therewith at your pleasure. Sir quoth Huon, I thanke you of your cour­tesie, I pray you and your company come with me into the castle, and I shall charge your ship with gold and Siluer, and rich iewels and pretious stones, that you and all yours shalbe rich for euer, this must be done in hast, before the Pay­nims [Page] héere without perceiue vs, for if they perceiue vs, wee shal neuer get hence, but incontinent they will send some of their shippes and take this shippe.

Sir quoth the Patrone, wee are ready to obey your com­maundement, and then the Patron and xxiiii. Maryners went with Huon into the Castle, and charged all the treasure that was within the castell, and other riches that Huon and his company had taken in the towne, they bare all into the ship, and vittayles sufficient, then Huon tooke Escleremond by the hand all smiling, and said. Fayre Ladie, one thing I demaund of you, be yee not displeased to leaue that country & land where as yée were borne? Sir quoth shée, I haue long desired to sée the day that I now doe sée, therefore well wée may thanke our Lord God, that hath giuen vs that grace to be set out of the handes of the enemies of the faith of Christ, wherein wée ought to beleue, then Huon entred into the ship, and the faire Escleremond and Gerames and all the other cō ­pany, so they were in number within the ship some xxxiiij. persons, and with them was Mouslet the Minstrell, & when they were all entred into the ship, and the ship charged with all things necessarie, they weyed vp their anchors, and hoy­sed vp their sailes, and had so good and fresh a wind, that they were within a while farre from the lands of the twoo Admi­ralles Sarazins.

They sayled so long, that ere it was day light, they were passed the coast of the Roades, & so came by the Isle of Creet: and so by the aid of God and good wind, they arriued at the Port of Brandis. And so about noone, the Admirall that lay at siege before the castell of Anfalerne, had gread maruaile that they could sée no man stirring within the castle, then a Paynim said to Iuoryn. Sir, know for troth, that within the castle yée shall find no man, the Frenchmen are all fled, but wée cannot tell how. When the twoo Admirals heard that, they were sore troubled, and in hast they set foorth a Galley and xxx. Paynims therein, commaunding them to goe to the Posterne, which they did incontinent, and when [Page] they came there, they found neyther man nor woman, but found the Posterne open, and so they entred into the castle, and so opened the broad gates, and the twoo Admirals en­tred in sore displeased that the Frenchmen were so escaped. Now let vs leaue speaking of them, and retourne to Huon, who was arriued in sauegard at the Port of Brandis.

Chap. LXII.

WHen Huon and his com­pany saw how they were arriued at the Port of Brandis, they issued out of their shippe, and deuoustly went to the church of our Lady, and there gaue laud & praise to our Lord God, that had brought them thether in such sauegard, then they went to Garyn of Saint Omers lodging, when they came there, the Ladie of the house (who was right wise and courteous) came to Huon & said. Sir, of your comming I am right ioyfull: but Sir I pray you where haue you left Garyn my Lord and husband? for séeing I sée him not with you, my heart trembleth, for feare least he be dead, or else of some great incumbrance happened vnto him. Madame quoth Huon, to hide the troth from you, cannot cause you to haue him againe, for it hath pleased god that he is departed out of this world: wherefore I will coū ­sell you as much as yée may leaue dolour and heauinesse, for wée must all come thereto, and I repute you so wise, that yée know well that for any sorow or wéeping that ye make, yée cannot haue him againe. When the Lady had heard Hu­on, [Page] she fell downe in a traunce, more like to be dead then a­liue, than Huon and his companie set her vp, and comforted her as much as they might, then Escleremond tooke & brought her into her chamber, and did so much with her faire & swéet words, that somewhat shée appeased her, and then sore wée­ping shée came to Huon, and he said. Madame appease your selfe, and praye for him, for wee must all passe the same passage.

With these wordes and such other the Lady was appea­sed, then they washed and went to dinner, and after Gerames and other of his company went into the towne, and bought horse and Mules to ryde on, and bought rich gownes all in one liuery, there they tarried about viij. daies, and on the ix. day they payed the Patrone of the ship in such wise, that hee was rich euer after, and euery Mariner had a good re­ward, whereof they thanked Huon and offered to doe him seruice. Then Huon and Escleremond with all their company tooke their leaue of their hostesse, whome they left sore wée­ping, and at their departing Huon gaue her a rich guift, whereof she humbly thanked him, and when they were all readie and their baggage trussed vp, they depatred and tooke the way towards Roome with great ioy and gladnes: who­soeuer was ioyfull, Guyer the Prouost was ioyfull in twoo maners, one in that he had found his Lord Huon, and the o­ther for that he had found his brother Gerames, and also bi­cause that his Lord Huon, had fulfilled the Messuage that King Charlemaine had charged him to doe to the Admirall Gaudise.

So long they rode together, that in a morning they came to Roome, and alighted at their lodging, then they all toge­ther went to heare diuine seruice, and as they issued out of the Church, they met a seruant of the Popes, then Huon de­maunded of him in what estate the Pope was in. Sir quoth the Squier, he is readie to heare seruice, then Huon and his companie leapt on their horses, and road to the Popes Pal­laice and their alighted, and then Huon held the faire Escle­remond [Page] by the hand, and the good Prouost Guyer held his brother Gerames by the hand, and so all the other twoo and twoo together, then they found y ^e Pope sitting in his throne deuising with his Cardinalles, then Huon approched and sa­luted him humbly. When the Pope beheld Huon, he knew him incontinent, and arose vp and came to him and embra­ced and kissed his cheeke, and said. Faire sonne Huon yee be welcome, I pray you shew me how is it with you, and shew me of your aduentures? Sir quoth Huon, I haue endured many euils and troubles ynow and all these that are come with me, but (thanked be our Lord god) it is so now, that I haue brought with me, the beard and great téeth of the Ad­mirall Gaudise, and haue also brought his Daughter who is heere present, and Sir I require you to giue her Christē ­dome, and then I will wed her to my wife. Huon quoth the Pope, all this pleaseth me right well to doe, and the rather séeing it is your pleasure, & I desire you to tarrie héere with me this night. Sir quoth Huon, your pleasure shalbe mine.

Thus Huon and his companie tarried with the Pope all that night, whereas they made great ioy, and on the nexts morning a Font was made readie, wherein the faire Escle­remond was christened without changing of her name, and also there was christened Mouslet the Minstrell, and he was called Garyn, and when the Sacrament of Baptisme was finished, the Pope himselfe said seruice, first he confessed Huon, and assoyled him of all his faultes, then hee wedded him to Escleremond, and when diuine seruice was ended, then they went all with the Pope to his Pallaice, and there was made the solempnities of the Mariage, but to shew the maner of their seruice, with the meates and drinkes, and y ^t apparell of the Brides, it would be ouer-tedious to rehearse it. But one thing I dare well saie, that there had not béene séene of a long time before such a glorious and rich seast, for the Pope did as much for them as though they had béen his owne Brother and Sister, the melodie of the Minstrels that played was so swéet and delectable, that euery man was sa­tisfied [Page] with the hearing thereof, and specially it was mar­uaile to heare Garyn the new christened Minstrell to play, hee played so swéetlye on his vyoll, that it was geat ioy to heare it.

Thus there was great ioy in the Popes Pallaice, and e­uen as they were well serued at dinner, so it was better at supper, and at night euery man withdrew himselfe, and the new Brydes lay together in great pleasure all that night, & in y ^e morning they arose and heard seruice, and then dined, and then they trussed vp al their Baggage and charged their Somers, Mules, and Mullets, and sadled their horses, and then Huon and Escleremond went and tooke their leaue of the Pope, and thanked him for the honour and great courtesie that he had shewed them. Sir quoth the Pope, if it would please you to tarrie longer heere with me, my goodes and my house should be at your commaundment. Sir quoth Huon, I cannot render sufficient thankes to your Holines for the good that yée haue done to vs: But Sir, longer I cannot tarrie, for the great desire that I haue to accomplish the rest of my businesse, therefore Sir, I recommend you to our Lord God. The Pope kissed Huon, and tooke Escleremond by the hand: thus they tooke their leaue, and at their departing, the Pope sent to them a Somer charged with gold, and cloathes of silke, and thus they departed from Rome.

Chap. LXIII.

[Page] AFter that Huon had taken leaue of the Pope, he and his companie de­parted, and the faire Escleremond was mounted on a faire mule, and so long they rode, till they might sée y ^e town of Burdeux. When Huon saw it, he lift vp his hands to the heauens, thanking God of his grace, that he had brought him thether in sauegard, and then he sayd to Escleremond. Faire Ladie, yonder you may sée the Citie and Countrey whereof ye shall be Lady and Duches, though it hath béene ere this time a Realme. Sir (quoth Guyer the Prouost) it is good ye regard wisely your businesse, the which toucheth you right néere, and Sir, if you will doe after my counsell, send first to an Abby that is here by, called the Abby of Maurise, the Abbot is a notable Clarke, let him know of your com­ming, and that ye wil dine with him. Sir (quoth Huon) your counsell is to be beleeued: and then Huon sent to the Abbot, certifying him of his comming.

When the Abbot knew of Huons comming, he was right ioyfull, for he loued intierly Huon, wherefore he sore desired the sight of him, then hée called all his Couent, and charged them in the vertue of obedience, to make them selues readye to receiue Huon, the rightfull Inheritour to the country of Bourdeaux, though the kings of Fraunce be our founders. But as to our good neighbour wée will doe this reuerence, for honour is due to them that deserue it. Then the Couent as they were commaunded, ordered themselues, and so went out of the Abby to méete Huon, who when hée saw them, hée alighted on foote, and also Escleremond and Gerames and all the other, thus the Abbot and his Couent in rich cluthes séeming, mette with Huon, when Huon was néere to the Ab­bot he was right ioyfull, and the Abbot who anon knew Hu­on, came to him right humbly and said. Sir Duke of Bour­deux, thanked be god that ye are come home, for your presence [Page] hath long béene desired, then they embraced each other with wéeping teares for ioy, then the Abbot welcomed the Pro­uost Guyer and all the other: But he knew not Gerames, for for if he had, he would haue made him great feasting.

Chap. LXIIII.

THVS the Abbot with his Couent brought Huon to the Abbey of Mau­rise, and Huon and Escleremond on foot follo­wed them, & when he came into the church, Huon offered greate gyftes, and after theyr offerings and prayers made, they went in­to the hall, and went to dinner: how well they were lerned, it neede not to be rehearsed, they had euerie thing that née­ded, the Abbot sate by Huon and said. Sir, I pray you shew me how ye haue done, & how ye haue ended your messuage, that ye were charged to do by King Charlemaine. Sir quoth Huon, thanked be our Lord God, I haue accomplished and done all that I was commaunded to do, for I haue brought with me the Beard and the foure great Téeth of the Admi­rall Gaudise, and also I haue brought with me his Daugh­ter the faire Escleremond, whome I haue wedded in the citie of Roome▪ and to morrow by the grace of God I will depart to goe to King Charlemaine my soueraigne Lord. Sir quoth the Abbot, of that I am right ioyful, but if it were your plea­sure, I would send to certefie your comming to Gerard your Brother, that he might see you before yée depart hence. Sir quoth Huon, I am content that yée send for him.

Then the Abbot commaunded a Squier of his to goe for Duke Gerard, and so he went and rested not, till he came to [Page] Burdeux before Duke Gerard, & said. Sir, if it be your plea­sure to come to the Abbey of Saint Maurise, there shall ye find your brother Huon,, who is come lately from beyond the sea: when Duke Gerard heard certainely, how his brother Huon was come to the Abbey of Saint Maurise, hee was so ouercome with ire and displeasure, that his visage became like a flame of fire, and sayd to the messenger: Goe and re­turne, and say to my brother Huon, that I will incontinent come and visite him. Sir (quoth he) I shall shew him of your comming, and so departed, and came again to the Abby, and shewed Huon what his brother Gerard had sayd. And when Duke Gerard saw that the messenger was departed he was sorrowfull and pensiue, and called to him his father in law, his wiues father, who was named Gibouars, the most falsest traitour that was from the East to the West, and Gerard said to him: Sir, I pray you giue me counsell in that I haue to doe, for all the diuels in hell haue brought my Brother Huon from the parts beyond the Sea, and he is now present in the Abbey of Saint Maurise, the Abbot there hath sent me word thereof, and that I should come thether to speake with him, for as to morrow he would depart to goe to Paris to the king, so that when he is come thether, he will doe so much that all his land shalbe rendred to him, and that I shal haue neuer a foot of land left me, but that which yée haue gi­uen me with my wife your Daughter, wherefore deare Fa­ther in law, I pray you in this great matter to councell and aid me, or else I am but lost. Faire Sonne quoth Gibouars, dismay you nothing, for without my wit doe faile me, I thinke to play him a tourne, that it had béen better for him to haue tarried where he was, than to haue come hether to claime my land.

Chap. LXV.

THus as ye haue heard, these two traitours conspired, and then Gybo­uars sayd to Gerard. Faire sonne, go ye your way to your brother Huon, and take with you but one Squier, and when you come there, make to him all the chéere you can, and shew him as great loue as ye can doe, and humble your selfe to him, to the intent that he take in you no suspicion. But when the morning commeth, hast him to depart, and when ye c [...]me with him néere such a little wood, find some rigorous words to him, and make as though ye were dis­pleased with him, and I shall be readie in that same little wood ambashed, and xl. men of armes with me. And when I see that words are betwéene you, I shall issue out and slay al those that come with him, so that none shal escape aliue, and then take your brother Huon, and cast him into prison, in one of the Towres of your Pallaice in Bourdeaux, and there miserably he shall end his dayes, and then in haste ye shall ride to Paris. But ere ye goe to Paris, ye shall take from him the Admiralles beard and great téeth, and then ye shall shew to the King, how Huon your brother is returned, without bringing either beard or téeth of the Admirall Gaudys, and how for that cause you haue put him in prison. The King will beleeue you, for he hateth Huon greatly, because of the death of his sonne Charlot, whom hee slew: for the hate that the King hath to him in his heart, shall neuer depart from him, and therefore sonne, when you be with your brother, [Page] demaund of him, if he haue the Admirals beard and téeth or not, and whether he doe beare them himselfe, or who else, for if he haue them not, he shall neuer haue peace with the King, but he will cause him to be slaine of an euill death, ei­ther hanged or drawne, for your brother laide hostage, pro­mising that he would neuer returne, without he brought with him the Admirall Gaudys beard and great téeth, and also he promised, that he would neuer enter into his heri­tage, till he had spoken with the King, and that was enioy­ned him on paine of death.

Thus as ye haue heard, these two Traitours deuised and concluded the death of Huon. Gerard (quoth Gibouars) thinke well on your businesse, and I shall goe and assemble toge­ther fortie of my most secret seruants, and in other places where I can get them, to furnish this enterprise. Sir (quoth Gerard) I shall goe to the Abbey to see my brother, when it is a little néere to night. So when the houre came, the false Traytor departed from Bourdeaux, and with him but one Squier, and so they rode till they came to the Abbey, and there alighted, and when he perceiued his brother Huon, hee imbraced and kissed him with such a kisse as Iudas kissed Christ.

When Huon saw his brother Gerard come with such hu­militie, the water fell from his eyes with kindnesse, and em­braced him and kissed him, and sayd. Right déere brother, I haue great ioy to see you, I pray you shew me how ye haue done since my departure? Sir (quoth Gerard) right well now I see you in good health. Brother (quoth Huon) I haue great maruaile that ye bee thus come alone without company. Sir (quoth Gerard) I did it for the more humilitie, because I know not how ye shall speede with the king, nor whether ye shall haue againe your land, or no, if God will that ye shall haue it, I shal assemble al the Barons of the court to receiue you, & to make you cheere according, this Sir I shall do till you returne, for often times these great Princes are muta­ble, & lightly beleeue, for this cause Sir, I am secretly come [Page] to you. Brother, (quoth Huon) your aduise is good, I am content that you thus doe, and to morrow betimes I will depart towards Paris; then these two Brethren tooke each other by the hand making great ioy. Brother, (quoth Ge­rard) I am right ioyous when I sée you thus returned in health and prosperitie, haue you accomplished the Messuage that Kinge Charles charged you withall? Brother, (quoth Huon) know for troth, that I haue the beard and great téeth of the Admirall Gaudise, and beside that, I haue brought with me his Daughter the faire Escleremond, whom I haue taken to my wife, and wedded her in the Citie of Rome, and also I haue héere with me thirtie Somers charged with gould and siluer, and rich Iewels garnished with pecious stones, whereof the halfe part shall be yours, and if I should shew thee the paines, trauailes, and pouerties that I haue endured since I sawe you last, it would bee ouer-long to re­hearse.

Sir, (quoth Gerard) I beléeue you well, but Sir, I pray you shew me by what meanes or aid you did bring your En­terprize to an end? Brother, (quoth Huon) it was by a king of the Fayrie called Oberon, who did mée such succour and ayd, that I came to my purpose, and strooke off the Admirals head and so tooke his beard and great téeth. Brother, (quoth Gerard) and how do you kéepe them, and where? Brother, (quoth Huon) behould héere Gerames, who hath them in his side, King Oberon did set them there by the Fayrie, and by the will of God. Sir, (quoth hée) which is Gerames? Bro­ther, (quoth Huon) héere you may sée him before you, he with the great hoarie beard. Sir, (quoth Gerard) of what Land is hée of? He is of the best Fréends that I haue, (quoth Hu­on) and he is Brother to the good Prouost Guyer, you neuer heard speake of a truer nor more noble man, I found him in a wood, whereas hee had dwelt about Fortie yeares in pe­nance, God ayded mee greatly when I found him, for if hée had not béene, I could not haue returned hether, much paine and pouertie hee hath endured for my sake, and nowe Bro­ther, [Page] I pray you shew me how ye haue done since I depar­ted from you? it hath béene shewed me that ye are very richly married, I pray you where was your wife borne, and of what lineage is she of. Sir (quoth Gerard) she is daughter to Gybouars of Cecyle, who is a great Lord and Signior. Bro­ther (quoth Huon) I am sorie that yee haue taken such ali­ance, for I know him for the most vile traytour that can bee found, and the most vntruest. Sir (quoth Gerard) ye doe ill to say so, for I take him for no such person.

Chap. LXVI.

THus as these two brethren deuised of Gibouars, the Abbot came to them, and demanded of Huon, if it were his pleasure to goe to supper. Sir (quoth Huon) when it please you, I and my brother shall be readie. The fayre Escleremond, who was wearie of tra­uaile, was in her chamber apart, and diuers other of her company with her, whereas she supped and lay that night. Huon was somewhat troubled, because his brother had ta­ken to his wife the daughter of a Traytour, thus they wa­shed, and sate them downe to supper, where they were richly serued: and at another table sate the Prouost Guyer and Ge­rames his brother, and diuers other Barons.

Gerard beheld the Prouost, whom hee vtterly hated, be­cause hee went to seeke for Huon. Hee sware to him selfe, that if hee might once goe out of the Abbey, that he should bee the first that shoulde loose his life, and hee did eate and [Page] drinke but little for thinking to accomplish his ill Enter­prize. When they had supped, they aroase from the board, and their bedds were made readie. Then Huon called the Abbot apart, and sayd: Sir, I haue brought hether with me great riches, I will leaue it héere with you to keepe vn­till my returne, and I pray you for any manner of thing that may fall, deliuer it vnto no man liuing, but all onely to my selfe, and if God giue me the grace to returne, your part shall bee therein. Sir, (quoth the Abbot) all that you take mée to keepe shall bée safely kept to your behoofe, and I shall doe so that you shall bée content: then hee went to bed and Ge­rard with him, where Gerard sayd, Brother if you thinke it good I shall call you vp betimes, for it séemeth that to mor­row the day will be hot. Brother, (quoth Huon) I am con­tent.

Thus they lay together in one bed, but the Traytour Ge­rard had no lyst to sleepe, for the great desire that he had to be reuenged of his Brother, who neuer did him any trespasse, but alas why did not Huon know his entent? if hée had, the matter had not gone so to passe. At last the houre came that the Cockes began to crowe, then Gerard awooke Huon, and said: Brother, it were good for vs to arise for anone it will be day, it is good to ride in the coole, but the ill Traytour, his thought was otherwise. When Huon heard his Bro­ther, he rose vp, and euery man arose vp and made them re­die, Sir quoth Gerames, how is it that yée be so hastie to de­part from hence? I pray you let me sléepe a little longer. Sir quoth Gerard, that is ill said, for he that hath businesse to doe that toucheth him néere, ought not to sléepe nor rest vn­till his businesse be finished. By my troth quoth Huon, my Brother saith troth, for I haue a great desire to speake with King Charlemaine, then euery man trussed vp their things and tooke their horses, and the faire Escleremond was readie and mounted on a stately mule, and so they all tooke their leaues of the Abbot, who was right sorowfull that they would depart so early. Then the gates were opened, and [Page] so departed Fourtéene in a companie, and Escleremond made the Fiftéene, and Gerard rode before to lead them the right way that he would haue them to ride, and Escleremond be­ing very sumptuously apparelled rode very soberly, and she came to Huon and said. Sir, I cannot tell what ayleth me, but my heart is so sore troubled, that all my bodie trembleth. Madame quoth Huon, be not dismaid, nor haue any feare, for yée be in a good countrey, where by the grace of god, yée shall be serued like a Princesse and Ladie of the countrey, and with those wordes speaking, her Mule stumbled on the one foot before, so that shée had néere hand a great fall, then Huon approched to her, & tooke the bridle of the Mule in his hand & said, Faire Ladie haue yée any hurt? No Sir (quoth shée) but I had almost fallen.

By my faith quoth Gerames, we haue done very ill, for that wée departed from the Abbey before day light. Sirs quoth Gerard, I neuer saw men so fearefull for so small a cause. Sir quoth Gerames, I know not why yée speake it, but if I might councell yée, we would not goe one foot far­ther, but returne againe to the Abbey till day light. By god quoth Gerard, it were great folly to returne againe now for the stumbling of a Mule, I neuer saw men so fearefull, let vs ride foorth and make good chéere, I sée the day beginneth to appeare. So they road foorth vntill they came to a crosse, whereas there was foure wayes, this was about a League from the Abbey. Then Huon rested and sayd: Loe, héere is the border of the Territorie of the Abbey of Saint Maurise, and this one way is to Bourdeaux, the which way I will not ride, for so I haue promised to King Charlemaine, to whome I neuer yet falsed my faith, if I did, it should bee the cause that I might loose my Signiorie, and this other way goeth to Rome, & this other way before vs is y ^e right way into Frāce, the which way I will ride and none other. So they road foorth and all their companie, and within a while they were néere to the wood, within a bow shoot whereas the Traytour Gybouars lay in ambushment.

[Page]Now when Gerard saw his houre and time to speake vn­to his Brother Huon, he said: Brother I sée you are in mind to goe into Fraunce vnto Kinge Charlemaine, to haue your Lands and Signories, the which I am sure you shall haue, it is a long space that I haue kept it & maintained the Coun­trey in peace and rest, and good iustice, and haue wonne but little, nor haue hadde but small profit, not the value of one pennie, and I am maried to a noble Ladie, Daughter to a great Lord, and it troubleth my heart sore when you repute him for a Traytour, if hée knewe it by likely-hood it might turne you to great folly, for wee beléeued that you should ne­uer haue returned, therefore nowe I may say that I am not woorth a pennie: Therefore I would knowe of you, howe you would ayd mée, and what part I shall haue at your re­turne out of Fraunce? Brother, (quoth Huon) I haue great maruaile of this that you say, you knowe well that in the Abbey of Saint Maurise I haue left Twentie Somers char­ged with fine gould, and I haue saide vnto you, that your part shall bée therein as much as mine, nor I shall haue no penny but that one halfe is yours. Brother, (quoth Gerard) all this suffizeth not to me, for I would haue part of the Sig­norie to maintaine mine estate. When Huon vnderstood his Brother, his bloud roase into his face, for hée sawe well his Brother searched all that he could to fall at debate with him, and Gerames who was sage and wise, perceiued anone that the matter was like to goe euill, and sayd vnto Huon. Sir, graunt to Gerard your Brother his demaund, you are both young inough to conquer Landes. Gerames, (quoth Huon) I am content that he shall haue Bourdeaux or Gerone, let him take which hee list. Brother, (quoth Huon) shewe which of these two you will haue, and I will haue the other.

Chap. LXVII.

WHen the false Traytour Gerard saw and vnderstood his Brother, how hée did graunt him his desire, & saw how that in no wise hée wold striue with him: hee was therewith so displeased that he was néere hand in a rage, then he came to the Prouost Guyer, and sayd. Guyer, Guyer, false Traytour, by thée and by thy purchase I am like to loose all my Signorie, but by the faith that I owe vnto him that cre­ated mée, before I die I shall strike off thy head, nor I shall not let to doe it for any person, and therewith when he sawe his time, he cried his word and token, and Gybouars who was in the wood with Fortie men armed, brake out with their speares in their rests, and when Huon perceiued them, it was no maruaile though hee was abashed: then humbly he besought our lord God to saue his body from misfortune, and gladly hée would haue returned to the Abbey, but hée was so sore ouer-layd that hee could not, then hée drewe out his Sword, and gaue therewith the first that came such a stroake, that he claue his head to the téeth, and so fell dead to the ground, and Huon strake so vppon the right hand and vppon the left, that whosoeuer he strake a full stroake, née­ded after no Surgion, if hée had béene armed hée would not lightly haue béene taken without great losse, but his defence could not auaile him, for he and all his companie were vnar­med, and all the other Fortie were cleane armed, & they all [Page] fought cruelly, in such wise that within a while Twelue of Huons men were slaine in the place, & none escaped aliue ex­cept Huon, who was beaten downe to the earth & his hands bound: then Gerard the Traytour came to Gerames, who was beaten downe by force, and then hee cut open his right Side, and tooke out thereof the Admirall Gaudise beard and foure great teeth, the which were set there by Kinge Oberon of the Fayrie.

Huon séeing the old Gerames lying on the earth, hee sayd with a hie voice vnto Gerard: Brother I pray you shew me that courtesy, as not to slay that old Gentleman, but saue his life. Brother, (quoth Gerard) that hée hath, let him keepe, other hurt hee shall none haue at this time, then they bound his eyes, and then they came to Escleremond, who lay on the earth in a swound they bound her hands and eyes, and so set her whether shée would or not vppon a horse, and Huon as he was blindfold, hée heard the cries & wéepings that she made, then he sayd: Brother Gerard, I pray you for the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ, suffer none ill to be done to that good La­die, who is my Wife, nor no dishonour. Brother, (quoth the Traytour Gerard) thinke on your selfe, & speake no more, I shall doe as it pleaseth me. Then they set Huon & Gerams on two horses, & the false Traytour tooke the Twelue dead bodies, and did cast them into the great Riuer of Gerone, then they tooke that way to the Citie of Bourdeaux, and led the thrée Prisoners fast bound vpon thrée horses. Pitie it was to heare the noble Ladie Escleremond complaine, and she said vnto Huon: Ah Sir, you haue sayde to me, that when wée were once in your Countrey of Bourdeaux, that you woulde cause mee to bée crowned with gould: but now I sée well, y ^t in great paine & miserie we must vse the residue of our liues, you haue found héere an ill Brother, since hée hath purchased for you so much ill, surely there is better faith & troth among the Sarazins, then is in the people of the Realme of France. Madame, (quoth Huon) your trouble more displeaseth mée, then mine owne, God send to my Brother Gerard such re­ward [Page] as he hath deserued, for y ^e treasō that he hath done vs.

Thus they complayned, and wist not whether they were caried, they entred into y ^e Citie of Bourdeaux an houre before day. Alas that the good Burgesses of y ^e City had but know­en, how their Lord Huon was so falsely betrayed, if they had knowne it, he had béene rescued, and Gerard & Gybouars he­wen all to péeces, but the false Gerard brought them by priuy darke Lanes to the Pallaice, for that they should not be per­ceiued. Thus they came to the Castle, where they alighted and vnarmed them, then they tooke Huon and Escleremond & Gerames, and put them all into a deepe Prison all thrée toge­ther, & ordained that they should haue euery day barley bread and water, and commaunded the Iaylor to giue them none other thing, & also commaunded, that neither man nor wo­man should speake with them, the Iaylor promised so to doe, for he was seruant to Gybouars, & such as the Maister was, so was the Seruant. Thus Huon betraied pitiously by his Brother Gerard, & set in prison, and with him his wife Es­cleremond, and Gerames wounded on the Side as he was.

Now wee will leaue to speake of this pitious company, enduring great sorow in the horrible prison in the greate Tower of Bourdeaux.

Chap. LXVIII.

THus as ye haue heard here before how Gerard and Gybouars had put in prison Huon and Escleremond and Gerames in great miserie, and when it was day, Ge­rard and Gybouars departed out of Bourdeaux and all their company, and road againe vn­to the Abbey, and so came thether to dinner, then Gerard [Page] sent for the Abbot to come and speake with him. When the Abbot heard how Gerard was come againe to the Abbey, he had great maruaile, and so came to Gerard and sayd: Sir, you be welcome, I pray you what aduenture hath brought you hether againe so shortly? I had thought that you had been gone with your Brother Huon. Sir, (quoth the Trai­tour) after that my Brother Huon was departed hence, hée remembred his riches that he left with you to kéepe, and by­cause he shall haue great neede thereof, to giue gifts vnto the great Princes and Lordes that be about King Charlemaine, to the entent that his businesse may take the better effect: Therefore my Brother hath sent mée vnto you, desiring you to send his goods vnto him by mée. Sir, (quoth the Abbot) when your Brother Huon departed hence, true it was, that hée left with mée his riches to kéepe, and charged mée, not to deliuer it to any person liuing, but all onely to his owne per­son: Therefore Sir, by the faith that I owe vnto my Pa­tron Saint Maurise, I will not deliuer vnto you one penny.

When the Traytour Gerard vnderstoode that answeare, he sayd: Dane Abbot thou lyest, for whether thou wilt or not, I will haue it, and no thankes to thée, and yet thou shalt also repent thy woords. Then Gerard sudainly tooke the Ab­bot by the haire of the head, and Gybouars tooke him by the one arme, and did so strike him with a staffe, that hee all to bruzed him, and then did cast him to the earth so rudely, that his heart burst in his bodie, and so dyed. When y ^e Monkes saw their Abbot slaine, they had great feare, & so fled away, and the two Traytours with their Swords in their hands, went after them with sore threatnings, & when the Monks sawe howe they could not escape for the two Traytours and their men, they fell downe on their knées, humbly praying them to haue pitie of them, and they would shew them all the gold & treasure that was in the house, to do therewith at their pleasure. Then the Traytour Gybouars said how the Monks had spoken well, & when the Monkes saw how they had peace, they shewed to y ^e two Traitors the place where y ^e [Page] treasure was, and deliuered to them the keyes, so they tooke away all the treasure that Huon had left there, and besides that, all the treasure of the church, crosses, sensers, chalesses, copes, and candlestickes of siluer, all they tooke and caryed away, & if I should recite all the riches that they had there, it should be too long to be rehearsed. In that house there was a Monke who was cousin to Gibouars, whome the twoo Traytors made Abbot of that place, so when they had atchieued their enterprise, they departed with all that ri­ches, wherewith was charged xv. strong Sommers, they left not in the Abbey the value of a Florent, for euerie thing that was good they tooke with them, and so road vntill they came vnto Bourdeaux. Nowe as they passed through the Towne, they were greatly regarded of all the Burgesses of the Citie, who had great maruaile from whence their Lord came with so great riches. These Traytours passed foorth vntill they came to the Pallaice, and there they discharged their Somers, then Gerard tooke the Treasure that fiue of the Somers did carie, and laid it in his Chambers and Coffers, then hée ordained that Ten Somers should be trussed foorth to goe to Paris, and sent them forward, & sayd how hée would follow soone after. Then he and Gibouars dyned, and after meat they mounted vppon their Horses, and the new Abbot Coozen to Gibouars with them, and two Squiers and about si [...]e other Seruants, and so road in hast to ouer-take their Somers with their treasure, and so within two Leagues they ouer-tooke them, & so then they all together road so long, vntill on a Wednesday they came to Paris, they lodged in the Stréete next vnto the Pallaice in a good Hostrie, and were well serued, and so rested vntill the next morning: then they arose and apparelled them in fresh array, and they led with them fiue of their Somers with riches, and two of them they presented to the Quéene, & the other thrée to the King, where­fore they were receiued with great ioy, then after they gaue great guifts to euerie Lord in the Court, and specially to the Officers, wherefore they were greatly praised.

[Page]But whosoeuer tooke any guift, Duke Naymes would take neuer a penie, for he thought that all that riches was not well gotten, and that they did it for some craft, thereby to attaine to some false & damnable enterprise, this Duke was a noble, wise, and a true knight, and of good councell, and he very well perceiued their malice. Then the King commaunded the thrée Coffers to be brought and set in his chamber, and would not looke into them vntill he had spo­ken with Gerard, whome he caused to sit downe by him, and Gibouars in like manner, and also the new Abbot, for it is an old saying and a true, that they that giue are alwaies welcome. Gerard quoth king Charlemaine, yée be welcome: I pray you, shew me the cause of your comming. Sir quoth Gerard, I shall shew you, the great businesse that I haue to doe with your Maiestie and your Lords, hath caused me to giue these large guifts that I haue giuen to you and o­thers, and Sir I am sorowfull at my heart for that which I must shew you, and I had rather be beyond the Sea, then to shew you that thing which I must néedes doe, for to hide it, that cannnot auaile me, yet I neuer shewed any thing in all my life with so ill a will, for I shall be blamed of many persons, howbeit, I loue better to defend mine honour then I loue all the world beside. Gerard quoth the King, yée say troth, for better it is to shew the troth, then to be silent in so great a matter which so much toucheth your honour.

Chap. LXIX.

[Page] SIr, quoth Gerard, true it is that you haue made me Knight, and beside that, I am your liege man, wherfore I am bound to kéepe your honour to my power, for I am certaine I shall shew you such newes, that all that bee in your Court will be sorrowfull, much more my self. Gerard quoth Charles, come to the point, & vse no more such language nor such ceremonies, by that I sée in you, it is but euill that you will say. Sir quoth hee, but late as I was in my house at Bourdeaux, and with me diuers Lords and Knights, as we were deuising together, I saw my Brother Huon enter into my house, and thrée with him, the one was a yong damosell, and the other an old man cal­led Gerames.

When Duke Naymes of Bauyer heard Gerard, he had great maruaile, when he sayd that Gerames was one of them, and sayd: Ah deere God▪ I heare that, which with great paine I can beleeue, for if it be the same Gerames that I thinke it be, he and I were companions together at a tourney holden at Chalons in Champanie, where he slew by misaduenture, the Earle Salamon. Sir, quoth Gerard, I shall shew you as I haue begunne, true it is, when I saw my brother Huon, I was greatly abashed, howbeit I did him honour, and made him good cheere, and made him and all his companie to dine: then after dinner I reasoned with my brother, and demaunded of him, if he had beene at the holy Sepulcher of our Lord God. But when hee saw that I demaunded that of him, he was sore abashed, so that hee wist not what to an­swere, and then I perceiued by his words that hee had not beene there. And then Sir, after I demaunded of him, if hee had furnished your message to the Admirall Gaudys, but hee could giue me no answere, nor say any words that I could beléeue, and when I saw that I could find no truth in any of his words, I tooke him, and set him in prison, howbeit, it [Page] was full sore against my will, but I considered in my selfe, that I must owe vnto your grace, faith & fidelitie, and that I am your man, and that for no man liuing, (though he were neuer so néere of my kinne) yet I would not be found with any treason, and therefore Sir, my Brother, his wife, and his Companion, I haue retained them in my prison: where­fore Sir, it is in you to doe herein what it shall please you best. When all the Princes and Lords that were there vn­derstood the words of Gerard, and that he had taken his Bro­ther Huon, and had put him in prison, there were none but that were sorry thereof, and many (for the loue that they bare to Huon) began to wéepe, and demaunded of Gerard, who had done that déed, saying, surely it is done by some manner of treason.

Chap. LXX.

WHen the Emperour Char­lemaine vnderstood Gerard, he arose vp on his féet, sore troubled and full of yre, for by Gerardes wordes, the ancient hate and dis­pleasure that the King had to Huon for the death of Charlot his sonne, was renewed in his heart, and said openly that euery man might heare him. Lordes that be héere present, before you all I summon them that were Pledges for Huon, in such wise, that if the Traitour Huon be not rendred into my hands, to doe with him my pleasure: I shall cause thē to be hanged & drawne, and there is no man in my court that may be so hardy, as to speake or desire the contrarie, but I shall cause him to die a shamefull death. And when he had thus said, he sate him [Page] downe againe, and called Duke Naymes to him and said. Sir Duke, ye haue heard what Gerard hath sayd of his bro­ther Huon. Sir quoth the Duke, I haue well heard him but I beléeue the matter to be otherwise then hee hath sayd, for there is no man will say the contrarie, but that all that Ge­rard hath sayd, is done by false treason, and you shall finde it so, if the matter be wisely enquired of. Sir quoth Gerard, you may say as it pleaseth you, but I take God to witnesse, and my father in Law Gibouars, and this good notable religious Abbot, and his Chaplaine, that all that I haue sayd is true, for I would not for any thing say that which is not iust and true.

Then Gibouars and the Abbot his Chaplaine answered and said, how it was true that Gerard had sayd. By my faith quoth the Duke Naymes, all you foure are false lyars and theeues, and the King is ill counselled if he beléeue you. Nay­mes (quoth the King) I pray you how seemeth it vnto you, this matter betwéen the two brethren? Sir quoth the Duke, it is a great matter, he that is here before you, is the accuser of his brother, and hath set him in prison, & now he is come and accuseth him here before you, because hee knoweth well he cannot come hither to defend himselfe. I should do a great euil déed, if I had a brother that were banished out of France, and if hee came to mee for refuge, and I then to take him, and set him fast in prison in mine owne house, and then af­ter to goe and complaine vpon him, to the intent to purchase his death. I say there was neuer Noble man would thinke so to doe, and they that haue done thus, are all false Tray­tours: all Noble men ought not to beléeue any such, and spe­cially he that will purchase such a deede against his owne brother, I know well, al that they haue imagined and done, is by false treason, therfore I say according to the right, that all foure are false Traytours, and I iudge for my part, that they are worthie to receiue a villanous death, for they are foure false witnesses.

When Gerard heard Duke Naymes, he changed colour, [Page] and waxed as white as snow, repenting in himselfe the déede that he had done to his brother, hee cursed to himselfe Gybouars, in that hee beleeued his counsell, yet hee answered Duke Naymes and sayd. Ah Sir, ye doe me great ill to owe me your ill will. Gerard (quoth the Duke) it is for the ilnesse that is in you, ye that would be one of the Peeres of France: certainly of such a Councellor as you bée, the King hath litle néede, I had rather haue lost one of my hands, then I should once haue consented thereto. Duke Naymes, quoth the King, I will you cause to come before me, all such as were pledges for Huon at his departing. Then the Duke caused them to appeare before y ^e Kings presence, of whom there were diuers Dukes and Earles. Then King Charlemaine sayd, Sirs, ye know well yee bee pledges for Huon of Bourdeaux, and you know the paine that I laide on your heades, if Huon did not accomplish my message that I gaue him in charge, the which hee hath not fulfilled, wherefore without you deliuer Huon into my handes, yee shall not escape, but that ye shall die all. Sir (quoth Duke Naymes) for Gods sake I require you, be­leeue me at this time, I counsell you to take a good number of your notable men, & send them to Bourdeaux, and let them take Huon out of prison, and bring him to you, and heare what hee himselfe will say, and if it be true that Gerard hath sayd, then I desire you to haue no pittie on him, but I beléeue surely yee shall finde the matter otherwise then Gerard his brother hath sayd. Naymes quoth the king, your saying is reasonable, I accord thereto, I will he be sent for.

Chap. LXXI.

[Page] YE haue heard before, how the good Duke Naymes did so much, that King Charlemain was content to send for Huon, but the king was sore displeased with him, that hée would not abide so long as to send for him, but he made himself rea­die to go thether in person with all his traine, and comman­ded that the pledges should be set in prison till his returne: but the good Duke Naymes became pledge for them all to bée forth comming, and so they went not to prison. The King made him readie, and tooke with him twelue of his Péeres, and so tooke their way towards Bourdeaux: God aide Huon, for hee was now in perill of his life, if God had not pitie on him.

Thus as I haue shewed you, King Charlemaine nobly accompanied, rode so long by his iourneyes, that hee came within the sight of Bourdeaux, and when he approched neere to the Citie, Gerard came to the king and said. Sir if it please you, I would gladly ride before you into the Citie, to ordain to receiue you accordingly. Gerard quoth the King, it is no néede that you goe before to prepare for my comming, there be other that shall goe before, you shall not goe till I goe my selfe. When Duke Naymes heard the kings answere, hee said to the king. Sir you haue answered like a noble Prince, blessed be he that counselled you so to say: thus the king rode forth, without giuing any knowledge of his comming, and so entered into the Citie of Bourdeaux, and rode to the Pal­laice and there alighted. Then dinner was made readie, & the King sate down and Duke Naymes by him, and at other bordes other Lords and knights, and there they were richly serued: great brute was made in the Pallaice, so that Huon being in prison, had great maruel of the noyse that he heard, and demaunded of the Gailer what noyse it was that hee heard aboue in the Pallaice: the Gayler answered with [Page] great pride and despight, and sayd, It néedes not you to de­maund, for you are like to know it too soone, but since you would know it, I shall shew you the truth, it is king Char­lemaine and all his Barons, who are come hether to iudge you to be hanged. Goe thy way false traitour quoth Huon, canst thou not shew to me none other tydings but that? thus Huon answered the Gayler, and there was as great brute in the Citie as in the Pallaice, with lodging of the kings men.

The Commons and Burgesses of the Citie of Bourdeaux had full great maruaile, why the king came thether at that time so sodainely, and the king sitting at the table made good [...]heere, but Duke Naymes who sate by him, began to wéepe, and could neither eate nor drinke, he rose vp then sodainely, so [...]udely that hee ouerthrew cuppes and dishes vpon the ta­ble. Naymes quoth the King, you haue done ill thus to doe. Sir quoth Duke Naymes, I haue good cause thus to doe, and I haue wondrous great maruaile that I sée you so doted, I am in such sorrow thereby, that I am néere hand out of my wits: how is it that you be come into the Citie of Bourdeaux, for to eate and to drinke, and to take your ease? you néede not to haue gone out of France for that, for you had meate and also good wines sufficient at home in your owne house. Ah right Noble and worthie Emperour, what meane you to do? it is no small matter to iudge to death one of your twelue Peeres, & it is not possible to giue any true iudgement, when you and we are full of wine and spices. But Sir sayd the Duke, by the Lord that mee fourmed, that whosoeuer this day doth eate or drinke wine, as long as the life is in my bo­die, I shall neuer loue him. Naymes quoth the King, I am content with your will.

Then the King commanded that the table should be auoy­ded & commanded incontinent Huon to be taken out of pri­son and brought before him, they that had commission to doe it, went to the prison, and there they tooke out Huon and his wife Escleremond, and old Gerames, and they were all three brought before the King and his Barons. Huon sawe [Page] where King Charlemaine sate among all his Lordes, and they all arose when they saw Huon and his companie so pale and ill coloured, by reason of the noysome prison that his brother had put them in, and Escleremond and old Gerames were greatly regarded: and when the Pledges sawe Huon before the King, they said. Sir, now yée may sée Huon for whom we be pledges, wee trust now to be quit and dischar­ged, it lyeth now in you to doe with him at your pleasure. Sirs (quoth y ^e King) I hold you quit, you may go from hence forth where you please, for Huon cannot now scape our handes, then Huon kneeled downe before the King right humblie, and when Duke Naymes saw him, the drops fell from his eyes, and sayd to the king. Sir I require you giue Huon audience, and heare what hee will say. I am content quoth the King, let him say what hee will, then Huon knee­ling on his knées sayd.

Sir, in the honour of our Lord Iesus Christ, I first crie mercie to God, and to you and to all your Barons I com­plaine me of that false traitour that I sée there, who was my brother, if there had béene any faith or troth in him, but I be­leeue in all the world cannot be found so cruell and false a Traytour, for Cayne that slew Abell his brother, was neuer so false nor so cruell. When all the Lords heard Huon, they al beganne to weepe, saying each to others. Ah good Lord, where is the beautie become that was woont to be in Huon? we haue séene him so faire, that no one could passe him in beautie, and now wee sée him pale and leane and ill colou­red, it appeareth well, he hath not béene alwayes in the La­dies Chambers, nor among damsels to sport and to play with him. Thus they deuised of him, and tooke no heede of Gerard who was by them. Then Huon spake againe, and sayd to the King.

Sir, true it is, the message that you gaue me in charge to doe vnto the Admirall Gaudys, I haue doone to the ve­rie vttermost as you haue commaunded vnto mee, and I haue passed the Sea, and came vnto Babilone to the [Page] Admirall Gaudys, & there I required of him in the presence of all his Lords, to haue his beard & foure great téeth. But when he had heard my demaund, he held it for a great folly, and so incontinent he cast me into prison, whereas I had di­ed by famine, if the Admirals Daughter had not béene, whome yée may sée yonder sitting by the piller, and also by the aid of good King Oberon whome I ought greatly to loue, he is a king of the Fairie right puissant, and is in the Citie of Momur, and he knowing of the perill that I was in, had pitie on me, and came and succoured me in such wise & with so great a puissance, that in Babilon he slew al such as would not beléeue in our Lord Iesus Christ. Then he tooke me out of prison, and then we entred into the Pallaice, and there wee slew all such as wee found there. Then I went to the Admirall Gaudys and strake off his head, and then I cut off his beard, and opened his mouth and drew out foure of his great téeth, and when I had them, then I desired king O­beron to aid me, and to finde the meanes that I might safely bring the Beard and Téeth to your presence, and to shew me where I might best kéepe them. Then the good king O­beron, by the grace of our Lord God and by the puissaunce that God had giuen vnto him, he closed them within the side of Gerames, so that they could not be perceiued, and Sir know for troth, ye neuer heard of such a man. Now when I saw that I had fournished your messuage, I retourned, & tooke with me the faire Ladie Escleremond Daughter to the foresaid Admirall Gaudys, and the Twelue gentlemen that went with me out of Fraunce, who alwaies haue béen with me. And Sir, if I should shew you the great paines and pa­uerties that I and they haue suffered, it would be too long to rehearse, but I may well say, if the grace of God had not been, I had neuer come hether againe, if I had had x. liues I could neuer haue escaped the death. Next after all these paines and trauailes that I and they that were with mee suffered, by the grace of God we came and arriued at Rome, whereas the Pope receiued me with great ioy, & there wed­ded [Page] me to Escleremond the Admiralles daughter, whom you may sée yonder all desolate, and full of displeasures, and not without cause.

When the Barons that were there heard the pittious complaints of Huon, euerie man of pitie beheld the Lady, who pale and ill coloured sate sore wéeping, so that such as regarded her, were constrained to take part of her sorrow, there was no man but they began sore to wéepe, and Huon who was before the King, was sorrowfull to sée his wife make so great dolour. Then hee sayd vnto the King. Sir, if you will not beleeue my saying, send to Rome to the Pope to know the truth, if you proue my words contrarie, I sub­mit my selfe to receiue such death, as you and your Barons can deuise, if the Pope doe not beare witnesse of that I haue sayd, God forbid that I should shew you any thing other­wise then truth. I haue sayd nothing, but hee shall shew to­kens that my saying is true, and I can say more if I would shew all, but it is not néedefull that I should make a long sermon. But Sir, thus as I haue shewed you, I did returne from the place that you sent me to, and Sir know for truth, I came not so vnprouided, but that I brought with me great plentie of gould and siluer, and my companie came all with mee, and I purposed not to rest in any place till I had spoken with your grace, for the great desire that I had to see you, and so along I rode till I came to an Abbey heere hard by, a foure leagues hence called Saint Mauris, because the Ab­bey was of your foundation, and not pertayning to the land of Bourdeaux, for I would not haue entred into this towne, because of the commandement that you gaue me.

Thus I came and lodged me in the Abbey, and the Abbot receiued me with great ioy, and hee sent word of my being there to my brother Gerard, and the traytour came to mee like a false traytour, and brought with him but one Squire, whereby now I may perceiue, that in him was nothing but falsenesse and treason. Huon quoth Duke Naymes, your rea­son is good, for if he had beene true as he ought to haue been, [Page] he ought to assemble the Barons and Lords of the Country, and so to haue come with them, and haue receiued you with reuerence and honour. Sir quoth Huon, it is true, but the Traytour did otherwise, for when hee was come to mee, by great subtiltie hee demaunded how I had sped in my iour­ney, and whether I had spoken with the Admirall Gaudys or not, and declared to him your message, and if I had brought with mee his beard and foure great teeth: and I shewed him I had accomplished your whole commande­ment, then the vnhappy Traitour demaunded where I kept them, and I shewed him, for I had no mistrust in him. Then he so exorted mee, that at the houre of midnight hee made me to arise hastily, and mkde me and al my company ready, and so leapt on our horses and rode forth our way, and when [...] came to a crosse way, and saw that I tooke the way into France, he beganne to speake rigorously, to haue occasion of some strife betwéene vs, and neere thereunto was a little wood, whereas there lay in ambushment Gibouars and his companie, fortie men of armes well armed, and they came and ranne at mee and my companie that were vnarmed, whereby they found in vs but small resistance, and so finallie the twelue Gentlemen that were with mee, were all slaine and all to hewen, and then they tooke their dead bodyes and did cast them into the Ryuer of Gerone, then they strake me to the earth, and bound fast mine féete and handes, and blindfolded mine eyes, and in like sort they did to my wife, and then they came to Gerames, and the Traitour my Bro­ther came to him, and with a sharpe knife opened his side, and there [...] tooke the beard and foure great treeth of the Admirall Gau [...]s, the which were set there by king Oberon, the [...] Traytour knew the place whereas they lay, by rea­ [...] that I had shewed him therof before, would to God that the same time that hee came to Gerames to doe that cruell [...] that Gerames had beene armed, I am sure then the [...] durst not haue regarded him, to haue done him [...], but Sir when he had taken out the beard and téeth, [Page] then he bound Gerames handes and féete, hurt as he was, as Sir ye may know the truth by him. Then Gerames stept forth and lift vp his cloake, and shewed the king the wound in his side, the which euerie man might sée that was there. Sir quoth Huon to the king, when he had done all this, hee set vs on three leane horses, and so brought vs into this towne bound hands and féete, and then set vs in a déepe pri­son, and so hath kept vs hetherto with bread and water, and so hath taken from vs all the riches that wee brought with vs, and Sir, if hee be so hardie to say the contrarie, that it is not true that I haue sayd, let him and Gybouars, like tray­tours as they be, arme themselues, and I shall fight against them both, and if I can conquere them both, whereof I haue no doubt (with the aide of our Lord God) then let them haue as they haue deserued: and if I cannot ouercome them, nor make them to shew the truth, I will that then incontinent you cause me to be drawne and hanged.

By my faith quoth Duke Naymes, Sir, Huon can say nor offer no more, for hee offereth to proue the contrarie of that Gerard hath saide. Sir quoth Gerard, my brother sayth at his pleasure, because hee knoweth well that I will not striue a­gainst him, because he is mine elder brother, let the king doe as it shall please him, as for me, I neuer consented to doe so cruell a deede as hee layeth to my charge. Ah good Lord quoth Duke Naymes, how the false Traitour can cloke and couer his ilnesse. Huon quoth Charlemain I cannot tel what you haue done, but I will you shew mee the beard and [...]oure great teeth of the Admirall Gaudis. Sir quoth Huon, I crie you mercie, I haue shewed you how they be taken from me, by the false traytour my Brother Gerard. Huon quoth the Kinge, yée know well at your departure out of Fraunce, I charged you vppon paine of your life, that i [...] by aduenture you returned againe into France, that you should not bée so hardy as to enter into this Citie of Bourdeaux, vntill you had spoken with mee first, and to keepe mee promise, you deliuered to mee Hostages, the which I haue quit séeing I [Page] haue you in my handes, it lyeth now in mée either to hange you or to draw you, or to giue vnto you any other iudgment, for at your departure you were agréed that I should so doe, and by the faith that I owe vnto Saint Denis, before it bee night I shall cause thée to bee hanged and drawne, and that shall I not let so to doe for any man liuing, for nowe I take you in your owne house.

Sir, (quoth Huon) God forbid that a Kinge of Fraunce should doe so great a crueltie. My Lord, I crie you mercie, for Gods sake doe not to mee so great an out-rage, for you may knowe right well that perforce I was brought hether, and therefore great King, I require you let mee haue right­full and true iudgement. By my faith Huon, (quoth Duke Naymes) it is but a small request that you make, for your right is so cleare, that if reason may be shewed to you, there is no man can say the contrarie, but that your Lands ought to bee rendred vnto you franke and frée, and your Brother Gerard to bee hanged and strangled. Then the Duke said to the King: My Lord, I require you haue pitie of Huon, and doe nothing to him but right, and you shall doe great sinne without you doe him right. Naymes, (quoth the King) you know well it is in mée to cause Huon to die, but séeing that he is one of my Péeres, I will order him by iudgement.

When the Lordes and other Knightes heard the King say so, they were right ioyfull, for then they beleeued that the King would haue pitie of Huon, but whosoeuer was ioyfull, yet Duke Naymes was not content, and sayde to the King: My Lord, by that I sée and heare, you beare Huon but small [...]o [...]e, seeing that you will put him to iudgement, considering his deedes and sayings to be true, and namely whereas hee [...]ffereth to prooue it by the holy Father the Pope, then Huon with-drew backe and leaned him to a piller there by. Then the Kinge called vnto him all his Peeres and Lordes, and [...].

Sirs, I require you by the faith and truth and homage that you beare vnto mée, that for me, nor for mine amitie, [Page] that you ayd not Huon against mée, nor lay nor doe no false­hood, but the most rightfull iudgement that you can make, doe, I charge you giue true iudgement, without any fauour or partialitie. When the Lords heard the King say so vnto them, and that he coniured them so sore to doe right and iu­stice, well they perceiued, that the King had great hate vnto Huon, and that the death of his Sonne Charlot was not for­gotten out of his mind. Then they all together drew apart into a Chamber, right pensiue and mourning, and they sat downe on benches, and beheld each other without speaking of any word a long space. When Duke Naymes saw that, hée arose vppon his féet and sayd: Sirs, yée haue heard how the King hath charged vs to say the troth, wée may perceiue well by him, that hee beareth great hate vnto Huon, who is one of our Companions, and therefore Sirs, I require you, that euerie man by himselfe will say his aduise as hée thin­keth.

Chap. LXXII.

THen there rose vp a knight called Gaulter, hée was yssued of the lineage of Ganelon, who was one of the Péeres of Fraunce, then hée sayd. Sirs, as for mée, I say, séeing the case as it is, that Huon by right iudgement ought to bee hanged and drawne, for as yée know well, the King hath founde him in the Citie of Bourdeaux: therefore I say that the King may (without doing any sinne) put him to death, and Sirs, if yee thinke that I haue sayde good reason, agrée yée then to the same, and let Gerard his Brother be Lord and Maister of all [Page] the Landes and Signiories that should appertaine vnto Hu­on. I consent and will as much as toucheth my part, that Gerard be one of the Péeres of Fraunce, in the place of Huon his Brother, and when Gaulter had ended his reason, Henry of Saint Omers spake and sayd.

Sir Gaulter, goe and sit downe, your wordes can beare none effect, for they bée of no valure. But Sirs, (quoth hée) shortly to speake and righteously to iudge, I say that it is rea­son, that Huon be restored to all his Landes, for his déede is well prooued and by good witnesse, as our holy Father the Pope, for wee may beléeue surely, that Gerard his Brother that thus hath betrayed him, hath done it by false couetous­nesse: therefore I say and iudge that Gerard bee drawne at horse tayles, and then hanged vntill hée be dead. Then hée sayd no more, but sat downe againe.

When Henry of Saint Omers had sayd his reason, y ^t Earle of Flaunders arose vp and said to Henry. All that you haue sayd, I will not consent thereto, but I shall shewe you mine aduise what ought to bée done. Sirs, yée all knowe well the world, the which as nowe is little woorth, for nowe adayes cannot be found such true Fréends as were woont to bée, yée may well sée by these two Brethren, y ^e strife that is betwéene them is foule and dishonest, wée should doe well, if we could find the meanes by any manner of wayes to appease them, and therefore I counsaile, let vs all together goe to the King, and desire him to haue mercie & pitie of both these twoo Bre­thren, and that it might please him to appease them, & ren­ [...]er to Huon all his Landes, and if wee could bring it to this point, it should bée a good déede as to accord them together.

Chap. LXXIII.

[Page] AFter that the Earle of Flan­ders had spoken, the Earle of Chalons rose vp and said. My Lord of Flanders, your rea­son is good, and you haue spoken like an Noble man: but I know surely, that the King will doe nothing at our desires. But Sirs if ye thinke it good, let vs all put the whole matter vp­on Duke Naymes of Bauyer, and all that hee will say, let vs agrée thereto, then all the Lords accorded together, and sayd how the Earle of Chalons had sayd right well. Then they came to Duke Naymes, and desired him that he would take the charge of that matter vpon him, and whatsoeuer he did, they were all agreed thereto: when the Duke heard them, he stood still a certaine space, and beganne to studie on the matter, and tooke all the tenne Peeres to counsell with him.

And when the faire Escleremond saw Huon her husband in that danger, among them with whom he should haue béene in ioy, then she beganne sore to wéepe, and sayd. Ah Huon, I sée here great pouertie, when in the same proper towne whereas you ought to be Lord, to be in this danger, and be­side that, ye are not beleeued nor heard of any man that is here, for any proofe or witnesse that yee can say or shew. King Charlemaine will not beléeue that you haue béene in the Citie of Babylone, and yet surely there you haue beene, for I saw you there slay my Father the Admirall Gaudys, and tooke his beard, and drew out of his mouth foure of his grea­test teeth, great pitie it were if you should die for your truth and faythfulnesse, but the thing that most feareth me, is that I sée none that be héere likelie to be a Noble man, except the King, (who is chiefe of all other) and yet me thinkes hee is full of falshood, for I sée none other but he that séekes your death. But I promise to God, that if hee suffer you to haue this wrong and thus to die, I say then as for my part, that Mahound is better worth then your King Charlemaine, and [Page] it be so that you receiue death without a cause, I will neuer more beléeue in your king, but renounce his law, and beléeue in Mahound.

There were many Lords and knights that heard the La­dies words, whereof they had such pitie, that the most part of them beganne to wéepe. And when Huon heard his wife, he turned toward her, and sayd. Ladie I desire you to leaue your sorrow, and trust in God almightie, who so oftentimes hath succoured vs, you know not what he will doe, let vs bee content with his good pleasure. Thus with such words Hu­on appeased the fayre Escleremond. And Duke Naymes, who was in counsell with the other Peeres, sayd to them. Sirs I haue great sorrow at my heart bicause of these two Bre­thren, so that I cannot tell what counsaile to find: I desire you all in this waightie matter to counsaile me, and shewe mee your opinions therein. Sir, (quoth the Lords) other counsaile you shall not haue of vs, for we haue layde all the matter vppon you, to doe therein what it shall please you. Sirs, (quoth the Duke) to dissemble the matter auayleth not, but since that Huon must passe by iudgement, how say you, shall he be hanged or drawne? Sir quoth Gaulter, who was the first speaker, mée thinkes he can escape none other­wise? Ah Traytour quoth the Duke, thou liest falsely, for it shall not follow after thy councell, whether thou wilt or not, there is no man this day that shall be so hardie as to iudge him to die, therefore Sirs yet shew me againe, whe­ther yée will agrée to my councell. Sir quoth they, wée haue laid the charge vpon you, the which we will all abide by, but whosoeuer was glad, Gaulter was sorowfull & angrie, for he would haue consented to the death of Huon.

Then all the Barons right sad and pensiue went out of the counsell Chamber, and they could find no manner of wayes how to saue Huon, but they all prayed to God to aide and succour him. And Huon seeing the Barons comming so sadly together, thought that the matter was not at a good poynt, whereby hee beganne sore to weepe: when Esclere­mond [Page] and Gerames saw the sorrow that Huon made, they had great pitie thereof. Then Huon beheld Duke Naymes, for he knew well all the matter lay in his hands, he feared greatly the iudgement that should be made vpon him and said. Thou very God and man, as I beléeue verily that thou didst die on the holy crosse to redeeme vs all, and that on the third day thou didst rise from death to life: I require thee humbly in this great neede to succour me as truely as I am in the right, for more wrong no man can haue. Then the Duke Naymes of Bauier came to the king, and sayd. Sir, will it please you to heare what we haue deuised? Yea quoth the king I desire nothing else to know. Well Sir quoth the Duke, then I demaund of you, in what place of your Regi­on thinke you to iudge one of your Peeres of Fraunce? Naymes quoth the King, I know well you be a Nobleman, and all that you say is to deliuer Huon of Bourdeaux, but I will ye know, all shall not profite him. Then the Duke sayd, Sir to say so ye doe great wrong. Therefore sir regard well in what place you will haue one of your Peeres iudged, if you know not where it should be done, I will shew you. In your Realme are but three places to doe it in: The first is the Towne of Saint Omers, the second is Orleance, and the third is Paris, and therefore Sir, if you will proceede vpon Huon by iustice, it is conuenient that it bee done in one of these three places, for here in this town he cannot be iudged.

Naymes quoth the King, I vnderstand well why you say this, I well see and perceiue, that you entend to none other end, but to deliuer and quit Huon: I had thought to haue en­treated him by the order of iustice, to the intent that none of you should haue reprooued mee, therefore I ordained that he should haue beene iudged by you that bee the Péeres of France, and I sée well you haue done nothing therein, and therefore as long as you liue, you shall meddle no more with that matter, but by the beard that I beare on my chinne, I shal neuer dine nor eate meat after this dinner, til I sée him hanged and drawne, for all your bearing of him against me▪ [Page] Then he commanded the tables to be set vp, and when Ge­rard vnderstood the king, he was ioyfull thereof in his hart, but he made no semblance of ioy, because of the Lords that were there present. When Huon and Escleremond had heard how the King had sworne the death of Huon, the dolorous weepings and teares that they made were so extreame, that hard it were to declare it, and Escleremond sayd to Huon. Ah Sir, now I see well that great pitie it shall be the departing of vs two, but if I had a knife, I would not abide your death, but first I shoulde slay my selfe before this false and vntrue king. Her complaints were so pitifull, that most part of the Lords wept for pitie, and the old Gerames sorely wept and sayd: Ah good Lord God, in what howre was I borne? in great dolour and paine haue I continued my youth, and now in mine age thus shamefully to die? Thus all three made such sorrow, that it would haue made a hard heart to lament. All three thought no otherwise but to die, because they had heard King Charlemaine make such promise, but that which God will saue, no man can let: and god saue the good king Oberon, for king Charlemaine shalbe forsworne, as ye shal heare hereafter. Now let vs leaue speaking of this pitious companie, and speake of the noble king Oberon of the Fayrie, who as then was in his wood.

Chap. LXXIIII.

[Page] YE haue heard before, how King Oberon was displeased with Huon, bicause he had broken his commandement. But when Huon had béen at Rome, and con­fessed all his sinnes, and was assoiled of the Pope: then King Oberon was content, and in his heart for­gaue all the ill will that he had to Huon, and as he sat at dy­ner he began to wéepe. When his Seruants saw that, they had great maruaile, and sayd vnto him: Sir, we desire you to shew vs, why you doe weepe and be so troubled? there is some displeasure done vnto you: therefore for the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ, wee desire you hide it not from vs.

Sirs, (quoth the Kinge) I remember nowe the vnhappie Huon of Bourdeaux, who is returned from the farre parts, and he hath passed by Rome, and there hath taken his Wife in mariage, and is confessed of all his sinnes, for the which sinnes he hath béen by me sore punished. But it is time if e­uer I will doe him any good, now to ayd him and to succour him against King Charlemaine, for he hath sworne neuer to goe to bed, vntill he haue hanged & drawne the poore Huon, but by the grace of our Lord God, Charlemaine shall bée for­sworne: for at this time I shall succour and ayd him, for he is as now in such a danger, that without he be succoured, in­continent death is néere him, he was neuer in his life in such perill. He is now in the Pallaice at Bourdeaux, & his Wife the fayre Escrelemond and the old Gerames, with fetters on their feete, being in great sorrow, and king Charlemaine is set at dinner, and hath made his oath to hang Huon, but yet whether hee will or not, he shall be periured, for I will goe to my Fréend Huon and helpe him at his neede, therefore I wish my Table and all that is thereon, neere to King Char­lemaines Table, and somewhat aboue his about two foot hy­er, & also I will, bicause I haue heard say, that often times of a little Castle commeth a greater: therefore I will that [Page] on my table be set my Cup, my Horne, and my Armour, the which Huon conquered of the Gyant Angolaffer, and also I wish with me a C.M. men of armes, such as I was woont to haue in battaile. He had no sooner said the words, but by the will of god and the puissance of the Fayrie, his table and all that king Oberon had wished, was set iust by king Char­lemaines table, more higher and greater then his was.

When king Charlemaine saw the table, and the Cuppe, Horne, and coate of maile, he had great maruaile, and said to Duke Naymes: Sir Duke, I beléeue you haue enchaun­ted mée. Sir, (quoth the Duke) neuer in my life I me [...]le [...] with any such matter: the Lords & such as were there, were greatly abashed howe that matter came to passe. Gerames who sat néere to Huon, when he saw the Table, the Cup and horne of Iuorie, & the Armour thereon, he knew them well, and said to Huon. Sir, be not dismayed, for on yonder Ta­ble that you may sée, is your Cup & horne of Iuorie, and coat of maile, whereby I perceiue that you shall bée succoured by King Oberon. Huon beheld the Table, & had great ioy when he saw it, then he lifted vp his hands to heauen and thanked our Lord God, that hée would visit such a poore sinner as hee was saying: Ah Kinge Oberon, in many great needs haue you succoured me. Therewith arriued King Oberon in the Citie, whereof the Burgesses & the Commons were greatly abashed, when they saw such a number of men of war enter into their citie, without any knowledge before. When king Oberon was within the Towne & all his company, he said to his Lords: Sirs, looke that you set good watch at euery gate, so that no man go out, the which they did diligently, for at e­uerie gate they set x.M. men. Then King Oberon tooke the way to the Pallaice, and at the gate he left x.M. men, com­manding them vpon payn of their liues, that they should not suffer any man to passe out, and also he commanded, that if they heard him blow his Horne of Iuorie, that incontinent they should come into the Pallaice to him, & slay all such as they should find there. Then king Oberon went vp into the [Page] Pallaice, and many of his Lords with him, he was richly apprrelled in cloath of gold, and the border thereof was sette with rich precious stones, goodly it was to behold, for a fay­rer little person could not be found: hee passed iust by King Charlemaine, without speaking of any word, and went so néere to him, that he shouldred him so rudely, that his bonnet fell from his head. Ah good Lord quoth Charlemaine, I haue great maruaile what this dwarfe may be, that so rudly hath shouldred me, and almost ouerthrowne my table, he is fierce when hee thinkes scorne to speake to me, howbeit, I will see what hee will doe, I cannot tell what hee thinketh to doe, but me seemeth hee is right ioyfull, and also he is the fayrest creature that euer I saw. When Oberon had passed by the King, he came to Huon and wished the fetters from all their féete, and led them before Charlemaine without any woord speaking, and caused them to sit downe with him at his own table that he had wished thither: then he tooke his cup, and made thereon thrée crosses, then incontinent the cup was ful of wine, then King Oberon tooke it, & gaue it to Escleremond to drinke, and then to Huon, and so to Gerames, and when they had all three dranke well, he said to Huon. Friend arise vp, and take the cuppe and beare it to King Charlemaine, and say vnto him, that he drinke to you in the name of peace, if hee refuse it, hee did neuer such a follie in all his life. King Charlemaine, who sate néere to them at his owne table, hea­ring king Oberons words, wist not what to thinke, and so sate still and durst not speake one word, for the great mar­uailes that he saw there, and no more durst none of his men, for they were so abashed, that there was none there but that gladly would haue béene a hundred leagues thence. But whosoeuer was afrayde, Gerard was not verie well plea­sed.

Then Huon rose from Oberons table, and tooke the cuppe, and went therewith to king Charlemaine, and deliuered it to him. The king tooke it, & durst not refuse it, as soone as it was in his hands it was drie & voyde, & not a drop of wine therin. [Page] Fellow quoth the King, you haue inchaunted me. Sir quoth Oberon, it is because you are full of sin, for the cup is of such dignitie, that none can drinke thereof without he be a noble man, and cleane without deadly sinne, and I know one that ye did not long agoe, the which as yet you were neuer con­fessed of, and if it were not to your shame, I should shew it héere openly, that euery man should heare it. When the Em­perour Charlemaine heard King Oberon, hee was abashed, and afraid that King Oberon would haue shamed him open­ly: then Huon tooke againe the cuppe, and then incontinent it was full of wine againe, and then Huon bare it to Duke Naymes, who sate next to Charlemaine. Naymes tooke the cup and dranke thereof at his pleasure: but all the other could not touch the cup they were so full of sinne. Then Huon re­turned to king Oberon, and sate downe by him, then Oberon called to him Duke Naymes, and commanded him to rise from Charlemaines table, and to sit downe by him at his ta­ble, the which Duke Naymes did, for hee durst not say nay. Then Oberon sayd to him. Sir Duke Naymes, right good thanks I giue you, in that you haue béene so true and iust to Huon, and thou King Charlemaine that art Emperour of the Romaines, behold here Huon, whom wrongfully and with­out cause you haue disenherite, and would take from him all his lands, hee is a Noble man and true, and besides that I say vnto you for truth, hee hath done your message vnto the Admirall Gaudys, and I ayded to bring him to his death, and then hée tooke out of his mouth foure of his grea­test téeth, and also did cutte off his white beard, and I did [...]lose them within the side of Gerames by the will of God, this that I haue sayd, you may bee surely beléeue, for at all these déedes I was present. Sée yonder false Traitour Ge­rard, who by his malicious intent hath done this treason, and to the ende that you may know the matter more surely, you shall heare it confessed by his owne mouth.

Then Oberon sayd to Gerard, I coniure thée by the diuine puissance and power that God hath giuen mee, that héere [Page] before King Charlemaine and all his Lords, thou shew and declare y ^e troth of this treason, which thou hast done against Huon thy Brother. When Gerard vnderstoode Oberon, hee was in such feare that hée trembled for dread, for hée felt in himselfe, that hee coulde haue no power to hide the troth of the treason, & then he sayd. Sir, I sée well to hide the troth cannot auaile mée, therefore true it is, I went to the Abbey of Saint Maurise to sée my Brother Huon, and Gybouars ac­companied with Fortie men at armes, wee departed from this Citie and layde our ambushment in a little wood about twoo Leagues from this Citie, to watch when my Brother Huon should passe by that way. Gerard, (quoth King Obe­ron) speake out hyer that you may the better be heard, and that euerie man may heare the treason & falsenesse that you haue done vnto your Brother. Sir, (quoth Gerard) I wote not what to say, for I haue done so ill and falsely against my Brother, that more ill I could not doe, and I am ashamed to recount it. But to say truely, that before it was midnight, I made my Brother to rise and to depart from the Abbey, and when wee came néere the place where as my Father in law Gibouars was with his ambushment, I began to striue with my brother so highly, that Gibouars might heare mee, who when he heard me speake, he brake forth of his ambush­ment, and ranne at my brothers companie, and so slew them all, except these three that be here, then we tooke the dead bo­dies, and did cast them into the Riuer of Gerone, then wee tooke Huon and his wife, and the old Gerames, and bound their handes and féete, and blindfolded their eyes, and so brought them on thrée leane horses into the Citie, and I tooke out of the side of old Gerames the beard and foure great téeth, the which (if it please you) I shall fetch from the place where I left them.

Gerard quoth Oberon, you shall not neede to take that la­bour, for when it shall please me, I can haue them without you. Well Sir quoth Gerard, thus when I had set them in prison, I went backe againe to the Abbey, and then I de­maunded [Page] of the Abbot and Couent, where the treasure was that my Brother had left there, and that hée should deliuer it to me, bearing him in hand that my Brother Huon had sent for it. The good Abbot would not deliuer it to me, where­fore Gybouars and I slew him, & then wée made this Monke héere the Abbot, who is néere of kinne to Gybouars, to the en­tent that he should ayd to beare vs witnesse, and to iustifie our sayings. Then we tooke all the treasure that was there, and brought it hether, then I charged Tenne Somers, the which I had with me to King Charlemaines Court at Paris, the which treasure I gaue part thereof to the King, and to other, by whom I thought to be aided to performe mine vn­happie Enterprize, and I beléeued surely, that by reason of the riches that I gaue, that my Brother should haue recei­ued death, and thereby I to haue béene Lord and Maister of all his Landes and Signiories, and all this treason that I haue shewed, Gybouars caused me to doe it, or else I had ne­uer thought to haue done it.

Gerard, (quoth King Oberon) if it please our Lord Iesus Christ, you and he both shalbe hanged by the necks, there is no man liuing shall saue you. Sir Emperour Charlemaine, you haue well heard the confession of Gerard, of y ^e great trea­son that Gybouars and he haue done vnto Huon: but by the Lord that fourmed me to his semblance, both they two and the Abbot and his Chaplaine, shall bée hanged for their false witnesse. By the faith that I owe to Saint Denis, (quoth King Charlemaine) they cannot escape it. Sir, (quoth Duke Naymes) it is great sinne to trouble a noble man, you shall doe well if all foure be hanged. When all the Lordes heard Gerard confesse that great treason that hée had done vnto his Brother, they blessed them, and had great maruaile of the false treason that the one Brother did to the other.

Chap. LXXV.

WHEN King Oberon had heard Gerard confesse the treason done to his Brother, and heard howe Gerard had offered to goe and fetch the beard & great téeth, and how he had denied him to goe: then he sayd, I wish them here vpon this Table, he had no sooner made his wish, but they were set on the Table, whereof all such as were there hadde great mar­uaile. Sir, (quoth Huon to King Oberon) humbly I require you, that of your grace you will pardon my Brother Gerard all the ill that he hath done against me, for he did it by Gybo­uars, and as for me, héere, and before God I pardon him, and Sir, if you will doe thus, I shalbe content therewith. And to thentent that we may vse our liues from henceforth in good peace and loue, I will giue him the halfe part of my Lands & Signiories, and Sir, in the honour of our Lord Ie­sus Christ, haue pity of him. When y ^e Lords that were there present vnderstood Huon, they all for pity began to wéepe, & sayd among themselues, that Huon was a noble knight, and that it had béen pity if y ^e matter had framed otherwise. Sir Huon, (quoth Oberon) it is not necessarie to request this, for all the gold that is in the world shall not respit their deaths. I wish by the puissance that I haue in the Fayrie, that here beneath in the meadow there be a paire of Gallows, and all iiij. thereon hanged. Incontinent it was don, & all iiij. han­ged: thus as ye haue hard y ^e traitors were paid their deserts.

[Page]When king Charlemaine had séene the great maruailes that were done by king Oberon, he sayd to his Lords. Sirs I beléeue this man be some God himselfe, for there is no mortall man can doe this that he hath done. When Oberon vnderstood the Emperour, he sayd. Sir know for truth I am no God, but I am a mortall man as you be, and was engen­dred on a woman as you were, and my father was Iulius Ce­sar, who engendred me on the Ladie of the Secret Isle, who had béene before louer to Florymont sonne to the Duke of Al­bany, she bare me nine moneths in her wombe, and I was begotten by Iulius Cesar, when he went into Thessaly after Pompey the Great, he was amorous of my mother because she prophesied that my Father Iulius Cesar should winne the battaile as he did, and when I was borne, there were with my mother many Ladies of the Fairye, and by them I had many gifts, and among other there was one, that gaue mee the gift to be such a one as you sée I am, whereof I am sory, but I cannot be none otherwise, for when I came to the age of thrée yéeres, I grew no more, and when this Ladie sawe that I was so little, to content againe my mother, shee gaue me againe, that I should be the fairest creature of the world, and other Ladyes of the Fairie gaue me diuers other gifts, the which I ouerpasse at this time, and therefore Sir know for truth, that aboue all things God loueth faith and troth, when it is in men, as it is here in Huon, and because I know for certaine that he is true and faithfull, therefore I haue al­waies loued him.

After that king Oberon had ended his words, and shewed the Emperour Charlemaine of all his estate, he called Huon and sayd. Sir arise vp, and take the beard and the téeth, and beare them to king Charlemaine, and desire him to render you your landes as he promised. Sir quoth Huon, I ought so to doe, then Huon came to King Charlemaine, and sayd. Sir by your grace, and if it may please you, receiue here the beard and téeth of the Admirall Gaudis. Huon quoth the King, I hold you quit, and I render to you all your lands and signio­ries, [Page] and pardon you of all mine ill will, and put all rancour from mée, and from hencefoorth I retaine you as one of my Péeres. Sir, (quoth Huon) of this I thanke God and your grace. Then the Emperour Charlemaine clipped and kissed Huon, in token of peace and loue.

When the Lords saw that, they wept for ioy, and than­ked God that the peace was made, and especially Duke Naymes was ioyfull: then within a while diuers of y ^e Lords departed from the Court. Then king Oberon called Huon vnto him and sayd: Sir, I commaund you as dearely as you loue mée, that this same day foure yeare to come, that you come into my Citie of Momur, for I will giue you my Realme and all my dignitie, the which I may lawfully do, for at my birth it was giuen me that I might so doe, for it ly­eth in mée to giue it whereas I thinke best, and bicause I loue you so entirely, I shall set the crowne vpon your head, and you shalbe King of my Realme. And also I will, that you giue vnto Gerames all your Landes and Signiories in these parts, for he hath well deserued it, for with you and for your loue, hee hath suffered many great trauailes. Sir, (quoth Huon) séeing this is your pleasure, I ought well to be pleased therewith, and I shall accomplish all your comman­dements. Huon, (quoth Oberon) know for troth, I shall not abide longe in this world, for so is the pleasure of god, it be houeth me to go into paradice, where as my place is appoin­ted in the fayrie, I shall bide no longer, but beware as dearly as you loue your life, that yée faile not to be with me at the daie that I haue appointed, beware that yée forget it not, for if yee faile, I shall cause you to die an ill death, and there­fore remember it well. When Huon heard king Oberon, he was right ioyfull, and stooped downe to haue kissed his féet, but then Gloriant and Mallaborn tooke him vp. Then said Huon: Sir, for this great guift I thanke you.

Chap. LXXVI.

WHen king Oberon had im­parted to Huon as much as he would that he should doe, then he said to Huon, how he would depart, and tooke leaue of him, and kindly embraced him: then Oberon stoode still a little while and beheld Huon and be­gan to lament, when Huon sawe that, he was sorie in his heart and said. Ah Sir king, I desire you to shew me why you make this sorow at your departure? Huon quoth Obe­ron I shall shew you, it is for pitie that I haue of you, for I sweare by him that created me, that before I shall sée thée a­gaine, thou shalt suffer so much paine, trauaile, pouertie, hunger, thirst, feare, and aduersitie, that there is no toong can tell it, and thy good wife shall suffer so much, that there is no creature that shall sée her, but shall haue great pitie of her. Ah Sir quoth Huon, then I require you to aide & com­fort me. Huon quoth Oberon, what comfort would ye haue of me? Sir quoth Huon, I desire you to let me haue your horne of Iuory, to thintent that if I should haue any néed, that you may succour me, for so well I know you, that you will come and succour me. Huon, (quoth Oberon) séeing I haue agréed you with Charlemaine, trust not on me to be suc­coured in any of your businesse, suffice you with the gift that I haue giuen you, euen all my Realme and puissance that I haue in the Fayrie, trust on none other succour of mē. Sir, I am sorrie thereof quoth Huon, y ^t it may be none otherwise.

Then King Oberon tooke leaue of King Charlemaine, and [Page] of Duke Naymes, and of all other Lords there present, and went to Huon and embraced him, and tooke his leaue of him, and of Escleremond and Gerames, and sayd to Escleremond: I commend you to God, and desire you, if you haue done well hetherto, that you will perseuere euer better and better, and beare alwaies fayth and honour to your husband. Sir quoth she, I pray God I liue no longer then, if I doe the contrary. Thus King Oberon departed, and after his departure, king Charlemaine made readie his companie, and tooke leaue of Huon and of Escleremond and Gerames, and they brought the King about two leagues off, and then tooke their leaues of him, & of Duke Naymes, and of all the Lords. Then the king sayd Huon, if any war be moued against you, or if that you haue any great affaires to do, let me haue knowledge there­of, and I shal come and succour you, or else send you such aide as shall bee sufficient. Sir quoth Huon I thanke your grace, and so tooke his leaue of the king, and returned to Bourde­aux, whereas he was receiued with great ioy. Now let vs leaue speaking of Huon, and speake of Oberon of the Fayrie.

Chap. LXXVII.

WHen King Oberon was de­parted from Bourdeaux, he came to his Citie of Momur, and there he began sore to wéep, Then Gloryant demaunded of him, why he made that sorrow? Gloryant quoth Obe­ron, it is for the vnhappy Huon, he is alone, and I know well hereafter hee shall be betrayed, and all for Escleremond his wife, for though that hee haue ere this time suffered great trauaile, and much trouble and pouerty, [Page] yet I know surely, that he shall suffer more then euer he did, and hée shall haue no succour of any man liuing. Why Sir, (quoth Gloriant) how can that be? for Huon is a great Lord, and hath many fréends, and is the most hardiest Knight now liuing, and hée is at accord wich King Charlemaine, there­fore he were a great Foole that would make him any warre, or doe him any displeasure. Well, (quoth Oberon) God aid him in all his affaires, for ere it be long hée shall haue much to doe.

Thus Oberon entred into his rich Pallaice, and sayde a­gaine. Ah deare Knight Huon. I knowe well you shall bee betrayed for the loue of your Wife, who is faire and good, and if you take not good héede, you shall leaue her and your selfe in great perill of death, and if you escape the death, yet you shall suffer such paine and pouertie, that there is no Clearke liuing so sage that can put it in writing. Sir, (quoth Gloriant) mée thinkes this cannot bée, séeing the loue that is now betwéen him and Charlemaine. Gloriant, (quoth Oberon) yet I say againe vnto you, that before this yeare be passed, Huon shall be in such distresse and so hardly kept, that if he had Ten Realmes, he would giue them all to be out of that danger that he shalbe in. Then Gloriant was pensiue, and said. Alas Sir, for Gods sake neuer leaue Huon your fréend in such danger, but rather succour him. Nay surely, (quoth Oberon) that will I not doe, séeing I haue promised him my dignitie and Land, he shall not be aided nor succou­red by me, for he shall be closed in such a place, that I would not goe thether for Tenne of the best Cities of the world. Nowe let vs returne vnto Huon, being in his Pallaice at Bourdeaux.

Chap. LXXVIII.

AFter that king Charlemaine was departed from Bourdeaux, & that Huon was returned, he assembled al his Barons, to whome hee made good chéere, and there they tooke their Landes and Fées of him, and made their homage. Then hée tooke a Thousand chosen Knights with him, & road to his Lands, and tooke possession of Townes and Castles, and was o­bayed in euerie place: except of one named Angelers, who was Coozen germaine to Amerie, whom Huon had slaine be­fore at Paris, before the Emperour Charlemaine for the loue of Charlot. This Angelars was false and a Traytour, and hee had a strong Castle within thrée Leagues of Bourdeaux, he would not hold of Huon, nor obay him though he was his Leige-man. When Huon saw that he wold not hold of him, nor doe him homage: he was sore displeased, and made pro­mise, that if that he might get him perforce, he would surely hange him vp, and as many as were in the Castle with him.

Then Huon assailed the Castle, and they within defended themselues valiantly, so that many were hurt and slaine on both parts, Huon was there eight daies, and could not win the Castle: then Huon ordained before the place a paire of Gallowes, and vppon the ninth day he made a fresh assault by such strength, that hee wanne the Castle and entred per­force. Angelars was taken and Fortie men with him, and they were all hanged on the Gallowes. Then Huon gaue [Page] the Castle vnto one of his Knightes, and then hee departed, and went to the Castle of Blay, whereas hee was receiued with great ioy. And the faire Escleremond was in the Pal­laice at Bourdeaux, well accompanied with Ladies & Dam­sels, and as they were deuising together, there entred into the Pallaice thrée Pilgrimes, who right humbly saluted the Ladie Escleremond. Sirs, (quoth the Lady) I pray you shew mee out of what Countrey yée are come? Madame, (quoth one of them) knowe for troth that we are come from Ierusa­lem, and haue made our offering to the holy Sepulchre, wée haue suffered much pouertie in our iourney, wherefore La­die wee require you humbly for the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ, to giue vs some meat. Sirs, (quoth shée) you shall haue ynough, and then she commaunded two of her Knights to sée that the Pilgrimes should haue meat and drinke, and so they were set at the end of the Hall, and a Table couered for them, and thereon bread, flesh, and wine, they were well serued. Then y ^e Duchesse Escleremond went to visit them, and demaunded where they were borne? and whether they would goe? Madame, (quoth they) wee bee all thrée borne at Vyenna, and thether wee would returne. Sirs, God bee your guide, (quoth the Ladie) and she gaue them Ten Flo­rents, whereof they had great ioy & thanked the Duchesse: but alas, that guifte was ill bestowed, as you shall heare héereafter.

They departed & tooke their way, and trauailed so longe, that vpon a Tuesday they arriued halfe a League from Ʋy­enna, and there they met Duke Raoul who was going a kau­king, hée was a great and puissant Lord of Lands and Sig­niories, and hardy in déedes of armes, great pittie it was that he was such a Traytour, for a more subtill man coulde not be knowne, for all the daies of his life he was euer a moo­uer of warre and strife, and to doe treason without hauing regard either to kinne or other, God confounde him, for by him and his cause Huon suffered so much ill, that it cannot bee recounted. This Duke Raoul was to marrie, thus as [Page] hée was in the feelds a hauking, and twentie Knights with him, he met the said thrée Pilgrimes, and anone hee knewe them. Then he road vnto them and said: Sirs, yée be wel­come home, they were ioyfull, when they sawe the Duke their Lorde salute them so humbly, and for ioye thereof they shewed him such newes, that by the occasion thereof, twen­tie Thousand Knights lost after their liues, and Raoul him­selfe receiued the death, and Huon had such trouble, that hée had neuer none such before, as you shall heare héereafter.

Then the Duke said to the Pilgrimes: Freends, I pray you shew mee, by what Countreys you haue passed to come hether. Sir, (quoth they) we haue passed by Fraunce, and first we were at Bourdeaux, and there we found the Duches Escleremond wife to Huon of Bourdeaux, of whome you haue hea [...]d so much speaking, for she is so faire and so well fauou­red, so swéet, pleasant and gracious as can bée deuised, shée is Daughter to y ^e Admirall Gaudise, whom Huon hath slaine and taken her to his wife, great pitie it is that Huon should haue such a wife, for she were méeter to be wife to a puissant Kinge, for whosoeuer had such a wife to lye by, might well say that there were none like her in all the world, would to our Lorde God Sir, that shee were your wife. When the Duke heard that, hee chaunged colour, and greatly coueted the Ladie in his heart, so that he was striken with such vio­lent and burning loue, that he had to the Ladie Escleremond, as he promised and sware that he would haue her whosoeuer sayd the contrarie, and said that he would slay Huon, & them haue Escleremond to his Wife. Thus Duke Raoul sware the death of Huon, & then hée departed from the Pilgrimes: ill was bestowed the almes that Escleremond had giuen them.

Chap. LXXIX.

THus Duke Raoul returned to the Citie of Vyenna right pensiue, & sent for his priuie counsaile, and then he com­maunded them to assemble as many people as they could, bicause he sayd that he would goe to his Vncle the Emperour of Almaine, to whome he sent a secret Messuage, that hee should cause a Tourney to bee proclaimed in some conuenient place, to the entent that the Knights of Almaine and of other Countreys should assemble there. The false Traytor did it for a craft; to the entent that Huon by his prowesse and hardinesse shold come to that Tourney. The Messenger roade foorth vntill he came to Strasbrough, whereas hee found the Emperour who was vncle to Raoull, for he was the Emperours bro­thers sonne. When the Emperour heard the messuage, hee was ioyfull, and not a little pleased to heare such newes frō his Nephew Duke Raoull, whome he loued entierly, and to doe him pleasure, he sent to all Lands vnder his obeysance, to all Knights and Squiers, such as of custome were woont to iust and tournay, desiring them to come at a day assigned to the citie of Mayence, for there he would kéepe open Court.

Now the Emperour knew not for what entent his Ne­phew Raoull had deuised that tournay: Alas he did it but to find the place to slay Huon, to thintent to haue his wife Es­cleremond. Then Duke Raoull assembled his Barons, espe­cialle such as he had perfect trust in, he shewed them at large the cause why he had assembled all the people to goe to the [Page] tournay. Therefore Sirs quoth he, I will that yée sweare to me the death of Huon of Bourdeaux, for I will that yée and I put all our vttermost to slay him, and then I will wed his wife, of whome I am so amourous, that I cannot sléepe nor take any rest. The same time that they thus made promise and sware the death of Huon, there was among them a var­let with Duke Raoul, who in his youth had serued Huon of Bourdeaux: now when he vnderstood, that if Huon came to y ^e Tournay, there hee should be murdered: as priuily as he could, he departed from Ʋyenna, and neuer rested vntill hee came to the Citie of Bourdeaux, whereas he found Duke Huon in his Pallaice with his Lords, who had béen before aduertised, that there should be held a great Tournay at Mayence in Almaine, and he deuised with his Lords how to goe thether.

The same time the Varlet came thether, and humbly sa­luted Duke Huon, who said to him: Friend where hast thou béen so long? Sir quoth the Varlet, I come now from Vy­enna in Austrich, where Duke Raoul who is Lord thereof, hath proclaymed a Tourney in euery Countrey, but Sir, if you goe thether, you shall bée slaine, for this Tourney is de­uised for none other entent, bicause it is too well knowne, that there can bee no hye déedes of armes done in any place, but that you will bee present at it. And when they haue slayne you, then Duke Raoul will haue the Duchesse your Wife in mariage: therefore Sir, (for Gods sake) aduise you well that you come not there, in as much as you loue your life, for you cannot escape, there be twentie Thousand men that haue sworne your death, therefore if you enter in­to the Tourney, you can neuer escape the death, and I haue heard Duke Raoul sweare, that when he hath slaine you, hée will keepe all your Landes. When Duke Huon had heard the Varlet, hee sware by God and made a solemne promise, that Duke Raoul should dearely buy his false treason.

Then the Duchesse Escleremond knéeled downe before Hu­on and sayd: Deare Lord, I desire you to forbeare your go­ing [Page] thether at this time, for I haue heard often repeated, that this Duke Raoull is puissant and hath great Lands, & besides is Nephew to the Emperour of Almaine, and also I haue heard say, that a faller Traytour there is none ly­uing in this world. Madame quoth Huon, I haue well heard you, but by the Lord that fourmed me to his Image, though I should loose halfe my landes, yet will I goe to sée the Traytor, what, thinketh he to abash me with his threa­tenings? If I may méete him at the Tournay, or in any other place where soeuer it be, though he had with him ten Thowsand men of armes, and that I had alonely but my swoord in my hand, I shall slay him whatsoeuer should fall thereof, and let our Lord God do with me as it shall please him: I shall neuer haue ioy at my heart till I haue slaine him.

When the Duchesse heard Huon how he would doe none otherwise, and that shée could not let him of his enterprize, she was sorrowfull and said. Sir, séeing it is your pleasure, reason it is that I must be content, but yet Sir I desire you to take with you x.M. men well armed, to thintent that ye be not found vnprouided: so that if ye be assayled, yet yée may be of sufficient puissance to resist your enemies, and that it will please you to suffer me to goe with you, and I will he armed with my shéeld and swoord by my side, and if I may méete Duke Raoull, I shall giue him such a buffet, that I shall strike him from his horse, for I am so displeased with him, that there is no ioynt in me but in trembleth for anger, and I shall neuer haue ioy at my heart till I be re­uenged of him. When Huon heard the Duchesse his wife, he was well comforted, and began to laugh and said. Faire Ladie, I giue you great thankes for your wordes, but yee are too farre gone with child to ride armed, it is a vij. mo­neths past since yée were first with child, then Huon made to be proclaimed in all his lands, that euery man should be readie to goe with him to the Tourney at Mayence. The Dukes entent was anon knowen throughout all the coun­trie, [Page] so that it being spread abroad, the brute therof came to the hearing of the Duke Raoull, and when he heard that Hu­on would come to the Tournay hee was not a little ioyfull thereof, then hee sware he would go and sée Escleremond in the guise of a Pylgrime, and then hee putte on a beggers garment, and tooke a staffe and a wallet, hée shewed his intent to them of his priuie Councell, they would haue stop­ped his going, but they could not.

Thus he apparelled himselfe like a beggar, and with an hearbe rubbed on his face and handes, that such as had not séene him otherwise apparelled, could not haue knowne him, hée was so foule and blacke, then he desired his men to kéepe secret his enterprise. Then hee departed from Vyenna, and neuer rested till hee came to the Citie of Bourdeaux, and so went vnto the Pallayce, where hée founde Huon a­mongst his Barons making great chéere and feast, for vnto him were come diuers Lords and Knights, deuising of the Tourney that should be holden at Mayence. Thus Raoull came before Huon, and desired him for the honor of our Lord God to giue him some meat and almes. Friend quoth Huon, thou shalt haue inough, but I pray thée tell me from whence thou commest, and whether thou wilt go, and of what coun­trie thou art. Sir quoth Raoull, I was borne in the countrey of Berry, but it is xx. yeres past since I was there, when I de­parted thence I was but yong, for if I saw my father or mo­ther now before me I should not know them, & Sir I came frō beyond the Sea, wheras I haue been prisoner among y ^e Sarazins, the space of 14. yéeres in a strong Castle, where I haue suffered much disease of hunger and cold, and at the last I escaped, by reason of a yong man, to whome I pro­mised that if hée could bring mee to Acre in sauegard, that I would then giue him twentie Duckets of gold, the yong man was couetous to haue the money, and founde the meanes that hee brought mee to Acre, whereas I founde a kinsman of mine, who payed the yonge man the money the which I had promised vnto him, and also hee gaue [Page] me fifteene Ducates, the which I haue spent with comming hether. Fréend, (quoth Huon) I pray vnto God to ayd thée, for if thou wert not so ill apparelled, thou shouldest séeme a man of a high lineage, for it séemeth to me if thou wert well armed & weaponed, and were in some businesse, thou wert like ynough to be feared.

Chap. LXXX.

AFter that Huon hadde long deuised with Raoul, hée washed & sat downe to diner and the Duchesse his wife by him, then Huon commaunded that at the end of the Table right before his Table, Raoul the Pilgrime should bee set, and there hee was well serued: but Raoul had litle care either of meat or drinke, for his thought was of another matter whereupon he sore studied, for before him he saw the noble Duchesse Escleremond, of whom he was so amourous, that he could not withdraw his eies from her, for the more he beheld her, the more hee was embraced with her loue, he thought he neuer sawe before so faire a Ladie in all his life, so that for the great beautie that was in her, hée changed often times his colour, but it could not bee percei­ued, bicause he was so blacke and foule with rubbing of cer­taine hearbes, and he sayd within himselfe, that whosoeuer had such a Ladie to his Wife, might well make auant to be the happiest man of the world, euen hee that might but haue his pastime with so faire a Ladie, & sw [...]re by the Lorde that fourmed him, though he should bée damned in hell for euer, he would slay Huon and haue his Wife in mariage, and all [Page] Huons Lands to be his for euer. Alas that it had not pleased our Lord God, that at this houre Huon might haue knowne the treason of Raoull, hee shoulde then haue bought it full dearely.

When the Traytour had eaten and made good théere, Hu­on gaue him a Gowne, shirt, hose and shooes, and monney for his dispence, Raoul tooke it, he durst not refuse it but than­ked Huon, and so tooke his leaue and departed, hee durst no longer tarie for feare of knowledge, and assoone as hée could he departed out of the Towne: of his iourneys I will make no long rehearsall, but he laboured so long that he arriued at Vyenna, then he went to his Pallaice, whereas he was well receiued of his Lords, and they laughed when they saw him in that apparell. Then within a while after hee made him readie, and his men who were a great number, and so depar­ted from Vyenna, and tooke the way to Mayence. When his Vncle the Emperour of Almayne was aduertised of his comming, he went and met him without the Towne to doe him the more honour, and when he saw him, he was ioyfull and kissed him, and said: Faire Nephew, I am glad of your comming, I haue long desired to sée you. The good Empe­rour knew nothing of the treason, that his Nephew had pur­chaced against Huon of Bourdeaux, for if he had knowne it, to haue dyed in the quarrell, he would neuer haue consented to that treason. Thus hand in hand the Emperour and his Nephew Raoul entred with great ioy into the City of May­ence, wheras they were highly receiued, great ioy was made at their comming, much people were in the Towne come thether to Iust and Tournay, and many other to behould the Tryumph. Now let vs speake of Huon of Bourdeaux.

Chap. LXXXI.

WHen Huon sawe his time to depart from Bourdeaux, to goe to the Tour­ney at Mayence, he made readie his traine, and tooke with him tenne Thousand men of armes for the guard of his person, of the best horsemen in all his Countrey: then he tooke his leaue of the faire Escleremond his Wife, who began sore to weepe when she saw his departure, right swéetly they kis­sed together at their departing. Then he tooke his Horse, and hee and his companie departed from Bourdeaux, and re­sted not vntill he came to Coleyne on the Rheine, there hee ta­ried two dayes to refresh him, and vpon the third day he ar­med himselfe, and called his companie before him and said: Sirs, I will take my leaue of you all, for none of you shall goe with me, be nothing abashed, for hée that alwayes hath saued mee out of all perils, will not forsake mee at this time.

When his men heard him, they had great maruaile that he would take his Voyage alone, and hee saide vnto them. Sirs, haue no doubt of me, for I shall not die vntill mine houre be come. They of Coleyne enquired nothing of their e­state, for as then there was no warre, and they beléeued that they would goe to the Tourney. When his Lords saw that he would thus depart, they were sorrie that he would goe to the Tourney alone, and said one to another, we feare great­ly that he shall neuer returne againe, & wee shall neuer haue such another Maister againe. Sirs, (quoth Huon) you shall not need to take any sorrow for mée: for certainly I knowe [Page] well, if any perilous businesse should come to mee, that I should be aided by King Oberon: but he needed not to haue said so, for when Kinge Oberon departed from him, hee had him not to trust vpon any ayd from him, and therefore Huon was a foole and ill aduised to trust thereon, or to vndertake so perilous an Enterprize as he did, wherby he was in great perill of death, as yee shall heare héereafter.

When Huon was readie, he leapt vpon his horse without any stirrop, cleane armed as he was, and after stretched him so in his stirrops, that the leathers strained out thrée fingers, he was a puissant Knight armed or vnarmed, and greatly to be feared, hee tooke leaue of his men, and left them wéeping in that Citie of Coleyn. Then hee road towards the Citie of Mayence, and so long he road that he had a sight of the Citie, and then he saw about in the meadow many Tents and rich Pauilions, pitcht vp with pummels of fine gould shining a­gainst the Sunne. Huon behelde them well, and so passed foorth and entred into the Citie, whereas he saw euerie stréet full of Knights and Squiers, abiding there vntill the day of the Tourney. Huon passed foorth vntill he came to the Pal­laice, whereas hee founde the Emperour and his Nephewe Raoul, whom Huon loued but little, as he shewed well short­ly after as yée shall heare.

When Huon was come before the Pallaice, hee sawe the Emperour and Raoul his Nephew going vp the staires: then Huon met with a great Almayne, and said to him. Fréend, I pray thée shew mée what be yonder two Princes that goe vp the staires, and that so much honor is done to them? Sir, (quoth he) the first is the Emperour, and he that followeth is his Nephew Duke Raoul, he was Sonne to the Emperours Brother, the Tourney that shalbe made, is done for the loue of him, & at his request, and after the Tourney, he thinketh to marrie a great Ladie, whose name shall not bee knowne till the Tourney be done. When Huon heard that, hee blu­shed in the face for the great yre that he was in, for he knew well, that Raoul (if he could find the means) would haue from [Page] him his Wife the faire Escleremond: but he promised in his mind, that first hee should dearely buy her. Fréend, (quoth Huon) I desire you to do so much for me, as to hold my horse vntill I returne againe out of the Hall, and that I haue spo­ken with the Emperor and with his Lords. Sir, (quoth the Squier) with a good will I shall héere hold your horse vntil you come. Nowe God ayd Huon, for ere he might returne againe, he was in great perill of death, as ye shall heare.

Chap. LXXXII.

H Ʋon who was ful of ire and displeasure, went vp into the Pallaice, and came into the Hall, whereas hée found ma­ny people, there was the Emperour, who had newly washed his handes, and was set at the Table. Huon pressed foorth before the Table with his Sword in his hand, and said. Noble Em­perour, I coniure thée by the great vertue diuine, & by your hopefull part of Paradice, or that your Soule is to be dam­ned, if case be that you say not the troth, and giue true iudg­ment without falshood, nor to spare to say y ^e troth for no man liuing, although he be your néerest Parent. Fréend, (quoth the Emperour) say your pleasure, and I shall answere you. Sir, (quoth Huon) if you haue wedded a Ladie, & loue her dearely, and that she be faire, good, swéete, and sage, and re­pleat with all good vertues, and that you know surely, that she loueth you entirely, as a good true wife ought to loue her Lord and Husband, and then a Traitour priuily to purchase [Page] your death for loue of your Wife, and if by aduenture after [...]ward you find him in the féeld, or in town, meadow or wood, in Pallaice or in Hall, and that you might accomplish your thought and your desire, against the same Traitour who did purchace the said treason against you: I demaund then of you, if you would slay him or not?

Fréend, (quoth the Emperour) you haue coniured me, and I shall answeare you to the troth. Not for the value of ten Cities I will not lye, therefore know for troth, if I hadde a Wife such a one as you speake of, adorned with such faire vertues, and whereof there bee many such: Howbeit, if I had such a one as you recite, and that I knew surely that she loued me entirely, then if I kn [...]w any man liuing that wold purchase me such a treason, although he were my neere Pa­rent, if I might find him in what place so euer it were, and though I should be slain in the quarrel, there should neither be Church nor Aulter that should saue his life, but that with my two hands I should slay him: and also my heart should serue me further, that after I had slaine him, I would draw out his heart out of his bodie, and eat it for despite. When Huon heard the Emperour, he sayd: Oh right noble and ver­tuous Emperour, iust and true iudgement you haue giuen, the which I repeale not, but I shall shewe you what hath mooued me to demaund of you this iudgement, if such a case should haue fallen vnto you. And Sir, to the entent that you shall know the troth what hath mooued me thus to doe, you may sée héere before you he that would do in like case against me, which is your Nephew Raoull, who hath purchaced my death like a cruell and a false Traytor, to the entent to haue Escrelemond my Wife and all mine heritages: the iudge­ment that you haue giuen is iust and true, you shall neuer bee blamed in any Court, but you shall therein bee named a noble Prince, and therefore Sir, hauing found him so néere me, that purchaceth for my death and shame, I should neuer be worthy to appeare in any Princes court, without I were reuenged of him, and I had rather die then to forbeare him [Page] any longer.

Therewith he drew his Sword, and when Raoul saw the clearenesse of the Sword, he was affraid bicause he was vn­armed: howbeit, he thought that Huon would not haue béen so hardy, as to doe him any hurt in the presence of his Vncle the Emperour: but when hee saw that Huon did lift vp his Sword to strike him, he was in great feare, & fled to the Em­peror to saue his life, but Huon perceiued him so quickly, that he strake him with a reuerse stroke in such wise, y ^t he strake off his head from his shoulders, and the bodie fell downe be­fore the Emperour, & the head fell vpon the Table in the dish before the Emperour, whereof he had great dolor. God giue me good lucke, (quoth Huon) this Traitour shall neuer be a­mourous of my wife, for now I am sure inough of him. The Emperour who sat y ^e Table, had great sorow at his heart when he saw his Nephew dead before him, then he cried a­loud and said. Sirs yée my Barons, looke that this Knight escape you not, I will neuer eat nor drinke vntill I sée him hanged, I should haue great sorrow at my heart if he should escape. Huon vnderstood him well, and feared him but litle, but with his sword he layd on round about him, and strake off armes, handes, and legs, so that there was none so hardy that durst approch néere to him, he slew so many that it was fearefull to behold him, within a short space hee had slaine moe then eight and Twentie, and the Emperour was in such feare, that hee wiste not howe to saue himselfe, for the great maruailes that he saw Huon do, he doubted bicause he was vnarmed, and Huon cried and saide: Traytours I doubt you nothing. Then on all parts Almaines and Baui­ers assailed Huon, but hee defended himselfe by such force and puissance, that by the murder that he made, the bloud ranne vpon the pauement like a Riuer.

Huon might haue tarried too long, for the Emperour and his men went and armed them, & Huon who saw well, that hée could not long endure without great perill of death, stri­king with his sword round about him, he withdrew backe [Page] downe the staires of the Pallaice, and none durst approach neere him, bicause they were vnarmed and for feare of him. Huon by his hie prowesse, for all his enimies, came vnto his horse and mounted vpon him, and so yssued out, and there was a Knight called Galeram, who was coozen Germaine to Duke Raoul, and he was cleane armed and mounted on a good horse, and hee followed Huon and said: Abide Vil­laine, thou haste slayne Duke Raoul my Coozen, without thou returne vnto mée, I shall strike thee behind.

When Huon heard him, hée sware he had rather die then to refuse to turne vnto him, then hee turned, and they cou­ched their Speares, and they met so fiercely together, that they gaue each other maruailous great stroakes, Galerames Speare brake all to peeces, and Huon who had employed all his force and vertue, strake Galeram vppon the Sheeld with his Speare, the which was bigge and strong, so that Gale­ram fell out of his Saddle so rudely, that in the fall hée brake his necke, and so lay dead vppon the earth, and Huon who thought hee had not béen dead, returned againe to him, but when he saw that he stirred not, he departed thence: but hée taried verie long, for he saw well hee was closed in round a­bout, & saw well without God had pitie of him, hee was not like to scape without death or taken Prisoner. They cast at him Darts and Swords, and one with a sharpe Swoord came vnto him and gaue him a great stroake, but his good Armour saued his life, for all the stroakes that hée had recei­ued, he neuer remooued out of his Saddle.

When Huon saw in what danger hee was, he called vpon the Lord God humbly, praying him to deliuer him out of that perill, with his sword he did maruailes, hee slew and claue heads to the braine, that hee séemed rather a Spirit of hell then a man, for he that had seene him, would haue sayde that he had beene no morta [...]l man. Hee saw passe by him a Knight of Almayne, called Sir Hans Sperguer, as he passed by, Huon gaue him such a stroke that hee claue him to the gyrdle: whereof the Almaynes were so abashed, that none [Page] durst approach néere to him, they feared him sore. Alas that his men at Coleyne had not knowne what case he was in, they were so farre off. Huon who fared like a wilde bore, he layd on round about him, so that his sword was all bloudy, of the men that hee had slaine and maimed. They cast darts at him so, that at last his horse was slaine vnder him, wher­of he was sorrowfull: howbeit like a couragious Knight, with his sword still fought valiantly with his enemies, and he saw where the Earle of Seyne came to him, to haue striken him with his sword, but Huon met him so hastily, that hee had no leysure to strike him, and Huon gaue him such a stroke, that his helmet could not saue his life, for Huons sword entred into his braine, and so he fell downe dead a­mong the horse féete.

Huon who was quicke and expert, tooke the dead knights horse, and leapt vppon him, and when he saw that he was new horsed againe, he was ioyfull, and then hee was able to depart in despight of his enemies: but the Emperour who had great sorrow at his heart for the death of his nephew Raoull, made great haste after Huon with ten thousand men with him, and so came from Mayens all on the spurre, desi­ring to ouertake Huon, and so rode on before his men, for his horse was so good, that hee would runne as fast as a byrde could flie, in all the world there was no horse like him. The Emperour on this horse followed Huon, and as he rode, hee saw all the way dead men lie that Huon had slaine, he spur­red his horse, that anon he ouertooke Huon, and sayd. Thou Traytour, turne thy shéeld towards me, or else my Speare shall goe through thy bodie: for the sorrowe that lyeth at my heart, for loue of my Nephew whome thou hast slaine, con­strayneth me to make hast to be reuenged of thée, nor I shall neuer haue ioy at my heart vntill I haue slaine thée, much it greeueth mee that I am constrayned to slay thee with my Speare, for I had rather hang thée. When Huon heard the Emperour who was so néere him, & saw how he was moun­ted on so good a horse, he called vpon our Lord God, & desired [Page] him of his grace to ayd him to conquere that horse, and when he saw that the Emperour was farre before his men, he tur­ned his horse head towards the Emperour, and couched his speare, and the Emperour came against him like the tem­pest, and they mette together so rudely, that their speares were pearced, so that the Emperours speare brake all to shi­uers, and Huons speare was so rude & strong, that he strake y ^e Emperour with such puissance, that hee was striken from his horse to the earth sore astonied, so that he wist not where he was, and Huon who had great desire to haue the Empe­rours horse, alighted quickly from his owne horse, and tooke the Emperours horse and mounted on him, and was thereof right ioyous, then he sayd to himselfe, that hee doubted not them all, he strake the good horse with his spurres, and found him quicke and light vnder him.

There he left the Emperour lying on the earth, who was not a little content that he was so soone succoured, for if the Almaines had not quickly come, Huon had slaine him, but when the Almaynes came to their Lord, and found him ly­ing on the earth, they beléeued verily he had beene dead they beganne to make great sorrow, and the Emperour who was come againe to himselfe sayd. Syrs, thanked be God I féel [...] no hurt, but I may well ride, but I haue great sorrow at my heart, that Huon hath thus ledde away my good horse, and is escaped away, and also hath slaine my two nephewes: but Sirs I counsell you that none follow him, for it shall be but a lost time, for the good horse that is vnder him and he that is on him is so valiant in armes, y ^t he is greatly to be doubted, therefore I counsell let vs returne backe again, for we may loose more then wee shall winne, but by the grace of God, ere it be thrée moneths past, I shall assemble such a number of men, that the vallies and mountaines shall bee full of men, then I will goe to the Citie of Bourdeaux, and will not de­part thence till I haue woonne it, and if I may get Huon, I shall make him die of an euill death, and shall take and wast all his lands.

Chap. LXXXIII.

THus as yee haue heard Hu­on departed with the Emperors good horse, and left the Emperour lying on the earth, who commaunded his Barons to returne backe, and not to follow Huon any further. Therewith there came to the Emperour a Knight called Godun, he was borne at Norembridge, and he sayd. Sir, if you will beléeue me, and doe after my councell, you shall doe otherwise, you shall returne to Mayence this night, and ordaine foure Thousand of such men as you haue heere, and send them within two Leagues of Coleyne on the hye way into Fraunce, and there you shall find a little wood, and there let them lye enambushed till Huon passe by them, for I know well he will goe straight to Coleyne this night, & lodge in a French-mans house that dwelleth there, and in y ^e morning surely he will depart thence, and so passe by the said ambushment, so that it shall not be possible to saue himselfe alone, but either he shall be slaine or taken.

When the Emperour heard Godun, he said: Sir, you haue giuen me good counsaile, and this is likely to be done, but it were conuenient to send more then foure Thousand, for the great desire that I haue to get him into my hands, constrai­neth me to cause him to bee taken, to the entent to be reuen­ged of him: therefore I would goe my selfe, and take with mée ten Thousand men, and shall go and ly in the place that [Page] you haue appointed, for I shall neuer haue perfect ioy at my heart as long as Huon is aliue, for he hath caused much sor­row at my heart, for the death of my two Nephewes whom so pitiously hee hath slaine, let vs take our way about twoo Leagues beside Coleyne, néerer wee will not approach, to the entent that our comming bée not knowne. Then hee chose out ten Thousand of the most valiantest men in his compa­nie, and the rest he sent backe to Mayence. Thus the Em­perour road foorth, and road so long that day and night, that an houre before it was day he came to the sayd wood, and there layd his ambush. And Huon rode so, after he was de­parted from the Emperor, that late in the Euening he came to Coleyne, whereas hee was receiued of his men with great ioy, then Gerames said. Sir, I require you shew vs of your aduentures, then Huon shewed them euerie thing, and the manner how he had slaine Duke Raoul, and how hee depar­ted from Mayence, and how he was pursued, and howe hee wanne the Emperours good horse: whereat Gerames and all the other had great ioy, and thanked God of his faire ad­uenture, and hadde great maruaile howe hee escaped: but they knewe nothinge what the Emperour was about to doe, nor that hee was in the woode abydinge there for Huon.

That night Huon and his companie were at Coleyne ma­king good chéere, and the next morning they heard seruice, then they mounted on their horses & issued out of the towne, they were to the number of thurteene Thousand hardy figh­ting men, and when they were out in the feelds, Huon like a good man of warre said. Sirs, I desire you let vs keepe to­gether, and ride like men of warre, to the entent that we be not suddainly taken, and so they did: the day was faire and cleare, they might well be perceiued a farre off, as they were by the Emperour of Almaine, who lay enambushed for Huon, the Emperour espied them firste, and sayde to his compa­nie. Sirs, yonder a farre off I sée many people comming towarde vs, they séeme vnto mée men well expert in armes, [Page] neuer beléeue me but they be Frenchmen, and he that is their Captaine is Huon of Bourdeaux, he is not come hether like a small Personage, but he is highly accompanied like a great and mightie Prince: I sée well he is valiant by that he hath done, hee is so noble & hardy that none may be com­pared to him, you haue well séene, howe that hee all alone came into my Pallaice, and there slewe my Nephew Duke Raoul, wherewith my heart is in great displeasure, hee is greatly to bee doubted, for without God helpe vs, wee shall haue ynough to doe with him, would to God that hee and I were at accordment and agréed, for he is so noble and so vali­ant that he feareth no man. You haue well séen since he de­parted from Mayence, he hath slaine more then fortie of my men, and hath borne me to the earth, and he hath taken from me my good horse, whereby he may be wel assured, that there is no man shall take him if he be vppon his backe: howbeit we must set vpon him, for my heart shall neuer be in ease as long as he liueth: therefore Sirs, I desire you euerie man, this day shew the loue that you beare vnto me, and the saue­gard of your liues, for to fly away auaileth not: therefore Sirs, set on together, and doe so that wee may haue the first aduantage.

Chap. LXXXIIII.

H Ʋon who roade before his Barons deuising with old Gerames, regar­ded on his right hand towards y ^e litle wood, and he saw in the wood great clearenesse, by reason of the Sunne shining on the healmes [Page] and on the speares poynts, whereby he perceiued plainely, that there was much people hidden in the wood, hee shewed them to Gerames and to his other companie, and sayd: Sirs bee in a surety, that without battaile we cannot scape, héere is the Emperour who lyeth in waite for vs. I desire you let vs doe so, that hee shall haue no cause to make any auaunt of vs, yonder you may sée them, how they set themselues in order to abide vs, therefore let vs quickly sette on them: and so they did in such wise, that with the very running of their horses the earth trembled, and the sunne lost his light, by reason of the powder that rose vp into the ayre from both parts.

Huon who ranne before on his puissant horse, behelde Godun who was formost in his companie, hee ranne at him with a strong speare, so that he ranne him cleane through the body, so that hee fell downe to the earth, and with the same speare Huon met Crassyn Polinger, who bare the Emperors banner, Huon strake him so fiercely, that he bare horse and man and banner all to the ground, whereof the Almaines and Bauiers were sorrowfull. Huon did so much ere his speare was broken, that he first bare fiue to the earth, so that they had no power after to reléeue themselues, there were many speares broken, and many a knight borne to the earth, and there dyed among the horse féete, for the father could not helpe the sonne, nor the sonne could not helpe the father, and many a horse ranne abrode in the field, and their Maisters lying dead in the bloud and myre. Huon who rode about in the battaile slaying and wounding his enemies, behelde on his right side, and saw the Earle Sauary slaying many of them of Bourdeaux. Ah good Lord quoth Huon, if yonder knight raigne long, he shall doe me great damage. Then hée rode to him, and gaue him such a stroke with his sword, so that he strake off his shoulder and arme so rudely, that it fell vpon the earth, so that for the great paine that the Earle Sauary endured, he fell from his horse, and there was slaine among the horse féete, whereof the Emperour (who was [Page] there by) right sorrowfull when he saw another of his ne­phewes slaine, and sayd. Ah Huon, of God bee thou cursed, since thou hast slaine so many of my friends, I shall neuer haue ioy in my heart, till I haue thée in my hands to hang thée. Sir (quoth Huon) ere you haue taken me, you are like to loose more of your friendes, and beware of your selfe, that you come not into my handes, by your nephew Raoull yee haue all this damage, who by his falsenesse thought to haue betrayed me, and to haue had my wife: if I haue slaine your nephewes and your men, I haue doone it in defending mine owne body, I say to you if you bee not well aware of me, I shall bring you to the poynt that it shall be hard for you to be carried away in a litter. Huon quoth the Emperor, the great hate that I haue to thée for the death of my ne­phewes, makes me féele much dolour at my heart, that I had rather die then that I should not bee reuenged of thée, therefore beware thou of mée, for I shall neither eate nor drinke, till I haue thée either quicke or dead.

Then they two went backe to take their course together, but ere they met, the Almaynes came running thether, for the feare that they had of loosing their Emperour, and on the other part came thither the olde Gerames, who fought so fiercely, that whomsoeuer he strake with a full stroke, had no neede of any Surgion, and his companie fayled not for their parts, and Huon with his good sword opened the thick prease, so that the Almaynes greatly doub [...]ed him. Huon with his noble chiualrie, caused his enemies to recule backe halfe a bowes shoote. Then there was a knight of Almain saw well, that without some remedie were found, the Emperour and his companie were like to be slaine, he went out of the battell as priuily as he could, and ranne on the spurres, and rested not till hee came to Coleyn, where incontinent he rode to the Prouosts house, and found him in his house newly reine from masse, then the Knight sayd to him. Sir Prouost, if euer you will sée the Emperour aliue, cause the commons of this Citie to be armed, and come and succour the Empe­rour [Page] hastily, for when I came from him he had great neede of ayde: there is Huon of Bourdeaux, who hath slayne thrée of his nephewes, and this other day he was lodged in this Citie, the Emperour knoweth well that you knew nothing thereof, for Huon had lodged his men in the suburbs, and in other little houses, because hee would not be perceiued. Syr Prouost make haste in this businesse.

When the Prouost heard what daunger the Emperour was in, he sounded the watch bell, and made to be cryed in euery stréete, that euery man that was able to beare armes, should arme them, and goe out into the field to succour the Emperour, who was in great daunger of his life. When the Bourgesses of the towne heard that crie, euery man ar­med them as well as they could, some were harnessed be­hind, and some in a Iacke all smoked, and with staues and other weapons, what a foote and a horse backe, there went out of the Citie twentie thousand men, if you had séene the horsemen, you would haue laught at them, for it séemed they were set on horse backe in despite, there was neuer séene so rude a companie it was no maruaile, for they were not ac­customed to ryde in harnesse. The Prouost went before, and exhorted them to doe their deuoirs, so they tooke their way to come to the battaile, whereas Huon and his companie did part of their willes, and the Emperour séeing that, he began to loose his men and place, hee rode searching in the battaile for Duke Huon, whereas he found by aduenture Huon, who had then newly slaine by aduenture the Emperours Senes­chall.

When that the Emperour sawe him slaine, he was right sorrowfull, and in a great rage he cryed to Huon and sayd [...]: Thou knight that neuer art satisfied to shedde the bloud of my men, to abate my linage and force, I pray thée turne thy shield vnto mee, for if thou knewest the great hate that I beare thée, thou wouldst neuer appeare before me. Sir quoth Huon, I maruell that you so sorely hate me, & haue tarry [...]d so long for reuēge, therfore beware, for if I can I wil send you [Page] after your Nephewes, whome yée say that yée loue so well. They tooke their course with great and rude speares, and so came together like the tempest, and met so rudely, that the buckles of their Armour all to brast, and the Emperours speare brake all to péeces, but Huons speare was bigge and strong, & therewith he strake the Emperour with such pu­issance, that his speare ranne through his shoulder, so that the Emperour fell to the earth so rudely, that with the fall he brake the bone of his thigh, whereby he was in such do­lour that he swounded. And when Huon saw him lye on the ground, hee came to him with his swoord in his hand, and would haue slaine him if he had not béene succoured: but there came so many Almaines, that whether Huon would or not, they tooke the Emperour and bare him out of the field, and laid him in the wood, and then demaunded of him how he did. Sirs quoth he, I am sore hurt, for my thigh is bro­ken, whereby I endure more gréefe than I can abide, but as for death, I trust by the grace of god I shall escape it. When they heard that, they were all ioyfull, and said: Sir, know for troth, that your men are sore discomfited, for they be so sore oppressed by Huon and his men, that wée feare all your men will be slaine, wée will goe againe to the battaile, and leaue some with you to looke vnto your Maiestie. Well quoth the Emperour, but your force nor your defence cannot auaile you any thing against Huon, nor against his men. But I shall shew you what yée shall doe, yée shall send quickly to Huon, and desire him in my name to cease slaying of my men, and that there may be a truce had betwéene him and me, for the space of halfe a yéere, for within that time I hope to finde some other treatie that hee and I might be friendes: and if he refuse this, then I see none other reme­die but that wée shall be all slaine or taken, and then he will cause me to die in some noysome prison. Sir (quoth his knights) we shall doe your commaundement, but we feare sore that we shall not be heard. Sirs quoth the Emperour, goe to him and doe the best yée can.

[Page]Then they returned to the battaile, whereas they founde their companie readie to flie away, for they were neere all slaine and taken, the Knights from the Emperour came to Huon, and desired him in the name of the Emperour that he would cease the battaile, and sound the treatie, and they would do likewise in the same manner, and that there might be a firme truce betweene them for halfe a yeere, and in that season they trusted that some good wayes would be found, that the Emperour and hee might be good friendes together. Sirs (quoth Huon) if the Emperour your Master had mee in that danger which he is in, hee would not suffer me to scape aliue for all the gold in the world, howbeit, I am content that he haue truce for halfe a yeere, the which I shall surely kéepe on my part, and if I be assayled, I shall defend mee, and if so be that hee come to Bourdeaux to assayle mee, by the helpe of God and my good friendes, I shall doe the best that I can. But if he will haue peace with mee, and pardon mee his displeasure, for the death of his nephewes, I shall be rea­die to make peace, and I shall make amends for al wrongs, though I was not the beginner.

Then Huon caused the retrait to bee sounded, and in like­wise so did the Almaynes, who had thereof great ioy: it came to them at a good poynt, for else all had béene slaine or foyled. When he had the vpper hand, now that he pursued still his chase, for then he might haue had an end of that warre, and neither shield nor speare more broken, whereas after many a man was slaine, and was the cause that the Citie of Bourdeaux was lost, and the fayre Escleremond taken and set in prison in the Citie of Mayens, and Huon suffered so much paine and trouble, that no mortall man can shewe it. Thus as you haue heard Huon granted the truce, and so both parts withdrew, whereof the Emperour and his companie were right ioyfull. Then Huon called his companie, and shewed Gerames and his Lords how he had graunted truce to the Emperour for halfe a yeere, and therefore I charge you all not to breake the peace: the Emperour was glad when hee [Page] heard it, for he knew well hee had scaped a great daunger. Then he charged all his men on paine of death, that they should not breake the truce. And Sirs (quoth he) I pray you make readie a litter that I may be carried to Coleyne, for the paine that I féele in my legges causeth all my bodie to tremble, and when I come there, I will tarrie till I bee whole. Sir (quoth his Lords) your commandement shal be done, then they layde the Emperour in a litter, sore com­playning the losse and death of his nephewes and Lordes that were slaine, and his legge gréeued him sore. Then Huon sayd to Gerames, Sir thanked be God we haue vanquished the Emperour, and slaine many of his men, therefore it is good that we returne now to Bourdeaux, I haue great desire to sée my wife Escleremond, who thinking long for my com­ming, I am sure shee is sorrowfull that I haue tarried so long Sir (quoth Gerames) if ye haue great desire to returne, so haue al other of your seruants, they would gladly see their wiues and children, and some would sée their louers.

Chap. LXXXV.

WHen Huon vnderstood the old Gerames, he had great ioy, then he soun­ded the Trumpets with such brute, that maruaile it was to heare, and commanded euery man to set forward towards Bourde­aux. Then he beheld on his right hand, and saw them of Coleyne comming in a great number, they were well néere twentie thousand Burgesses and other, they came with banners displayde readie to fight. When Huon [Page] saw them, he had great maruaile from whence they should come so hastily. Then he sayd to his men: Sirs, I perceiue cléerely we be betrayed, for if I had pleased, the Emperour nor his men could not haue escaped, he hath falsely betrayed me, since vnder the colour of truce they come to set newly vpon me.

Thus Huon sayd by the Emperour without cause, for hée knew nothing thereof, nor that any succour should haue come to him. Sirs (quoth Huon) let vs rest here, and tarrie till they come néerer to vs, then let vs set on them with such haste, that they shall not know what to doe. Sir (quoth his men) haue no doubt, wee shall not faile you for feare of any death, we trust to slay so many, that the earth shall bee couered with the dead bodies of your enemies. Huon ordered his battaile, and the Prouost of Coleyne comforted his men, saying: Sirs, our Emperour is discomfited by Huon and his companie, who be yonder abiding before vs, they thinke to depart in sauegard, but they haue no power to doe so, for the most part of them are sore hurt, and their horses sore tra­uailed, wherefore they shall the sooner be discomfited. Then the Prouost and his men ranne quickly vpon Huon and his men, there beganne a fierce battaile, wherein many a most valiaunt man lay on the earth dead, and at the ve­rie first brunt there were so many slaine, that the whole fielde was couered with dead and maimed men: some were ouerthrowne without any hurt at all, and yet they could neuer rise, because of the great prease of the horses that did runne ouer them. Huon who was very full of ire, be­cause hee had thought that vnder the colour of truce he was assayled, he ranne fiercely at a knight, who had doone verie great hurt among his men, it was he that went to Coleyne for that succour, and Huon strake him cleane through the body with his Speare, so that he fell downe dead to the earth.

Then Huon cryed his crie to call his men together, hée layd on the right side and on the left, so that hee did cutte [Page] of armes and legges, and raced their helmets from their heades, he séemed rather a man of the Fayrie then a mortall man. But he had much to doe, for his men who had fought all the day, were sore trauayled and wearie, howbeit they defended them selues right valiantly, and slew so many of the Commons of Coleyn, that the bloud ran on the ground in great streames, and the Emperour who issued out of the wood in his Lyttour, when he came into the field, he heard the brute and crie of the Battaile, wherewith he was so a­bashed. Then he demaunded what noise it might be. Sir (quoth a Knight) it is the good Prouost of Coleyn, who hath brought with him the Commons of the Citie of Coleyn to aid and succour you. Sir, (quoth the Emperour) and he shall dearely buy it: howbeit, I thinke hee knoweth not of the Truce that we haue taken with Huon, for if I knew that he was aduertised therof, I should cause him to die an il death. Goe to him and command him that incontinent he goe to Huon, to make amendes for his trespasse, and if he will not doe it, I charge you incontinently to slay him. When the Emperour had giuen his commaundement to one of his knights, he rode as fast as he might to y ^e Prouost, who was right sorrowfull, for that he had lost foure thousand of his Commons, & the knight was slain that came to him. Then the Emperours knight sayd. Sir Prouost, ye haue doone right ill, séeing ye haue broken the truce that was made be­twéene him and Huon, if the Emperour may gette you, yée shall neuer sée fayre day more, without incontinent ye goe to Huon, and deale so with him that he be content, so that no reproch be layd to the Emperor. When the Prouost and his companie heard the Emperors commandement, they were sore abashed, & reculed back. And the Prouest, who was in great feare for that hee had done, and desiring to accomplish the Emperours commandement, strake his horse with his spurres, and rested not till he hrd found Duke Huon. Then he lighted a foote, and tooke his sword and sayd. Ah right no­ble and vertuous Prince, I desire thée in the honour of Ie­sus [Page] Christ haue pitie on me, and pardon me the iniurie that I haue done against you, the which I haue done without the knowledge or licence of the Emperour, who will cause mee to die a shamefull death without yee pardon mee, for all I knew not of the truce betwéene you and the Emperour, for I thought he had beene dead: Sir that which I haue done, was to the intent to rescue my rightfull Lord, and thereby I haue lost this day more then foure thousand Burgesses and commons of the Citie of Coleyn, and the most part of my best friends, and therfore Sir, I pray you haue pittie on me, else the Emperour will slay mee, or sette me in perpetuall pryson.

Chap. LXXXVI.

WHen Huon vnderstood the Prouost, he had great pitie, and though that he ought in reason to pardon him, séeing that that hee had done was in a iust cause, and that hee was not aduertised of the truce taken betweene the Emperour and him. Then Huon approched to the Prouost and sayd: Friends arise vp, I pardon you this trespasse that you haue done for your Lord, and it is but reasonable, since ye knew nothing of the truce, ye haue done as a true subiect ought to doe to his Lord, and I cannot bee angry with you for the same.

Then the Prouost tooke leaue of Huon, and returned to the Emperour, who was then néere to Coleyn, and Huon rode forth towards Bourdeaux, and so on a Wednesday about din­ner [Page] he entred into Bourdeaux, wheras he was receiued with great solemnitie of the Bourgesses, and of all the Clergie of the Citie. Then he alighted at his Pallaice, wheras he was by the Duchesse Escleremod wel receiued with great ioy, and she demaunded of him if hee were well and in good estate. Fayre Lady (quoth Huon) thanked bee our Lord God I am in good health. Sir (quoth shee) of your comming I am right ioyous, and I desire you to shew me of your aduentures. Madam (quoth Huon) know for truth I haue béene at May­ens, whereas I found the Emperour, and with him Duke Raoull his nephew, who had proclaimed a tourney, and be­cause he was aduertised of my comming, his intention was that if he had found me there, hee had concluded with his men to haue slaine mee, but by the grace of God I haue done so much, that in the presence of the Emperour his vncle, and all them that were there present, I strake off his head, be­cause he made his auaunt, that as soone as he had slaine me, he would haue had you to his wife, and all mine heritage. And when I had slaine him, I departed in haste to Mayens, and it was not long after, but that the Emperour followed me with all his men, mounted vpon the good horse that yee haue séene, who is so good, that I beléeue surely there is not such another in the world, and the Emperour who had great desire to reuenge the death of his nephew Duke Raoull, vaunced himselfe a bow shoote before his companie, and cryed after me with many iniurious words. And when I saw that he was farre off from his men, I turned toward him, and ranne and bare him to the earth, then I tooke the good horse and mounted on him, and let mine owne go, and wh [...]n his men sawe him lying on the earth, they feared lest he had beene dead, they assembled about him, and tooke no héede to follow mee, because they knew well it was but a folly to follow me, séeing I was mounted on the Emperors good horse.

Thus I departed from them, and went and lay all that night at Coleyne, whereas I found my men, whom I had left [Page] there when I went to the Emperours Court all alone, the next day I departed, but I was not gone farre out of Coleyn, when the Emperour and tenne thousand men mette me in the way, whereas they had lien in a little wood in waite for me. Then they ranne at me and at my men, there was a great battaile on both parts, and many slain and wounded: but I did so much by the grace of God & my good company, that I ouercame them, and I slew two of his nephews, and I bare the Emperour to the earth, and when he saw that the losse of the battaile ranne on his side, he sent to mee then a messenger to haue truce for halfe a yeere, the which I gran­ted, because I thought I had doone him displeasure inough, as in slaying of thrée of his nephewes. Thus we departed, & as he returned, I met the Prouost of Coleyn, who brought with him twentie thousand men to haue rescued the Empe­rour, and so we fought together. But as soone as the Empe­rour was aduertised thereof, hee sent and commaunded that he should no more fight with mee. Then the Prouost came to me and cryed me mercie for that which he had done, excu­sing himselfe that he knew nothing of the truce. Then wee made to sound the retrayt on both parts: and thus wee de­parted without any more strokes giuing, whereof I thanke God that I am thus scaped.

Sir (quoth Escleremond) ye ought to thanke God that hee hath sent you that grace, for I haue heard say, that the Em­perour of whom you haue slain his two nephewes, is great, puissant, and a rich Prince, right sage and expert in the wars, wherefore it is to be feared, that he will not lette the matter thus to rest. Madam (quoth Huon) I know well this that you say is true, I thinke well he be displeased with mee for the death of his nephewes, and many other of his kin, thus as I haue said I iusted with him two times, and at the second time I strake him to the earth in such wise that hee brake his thigh, so that hee was constrained to bee borne thence in a litter, and it hath beene told me since, that the losse of his good horse gréeueth him more then the losse of [Page] his men. Lady to shew you the perils and aduentures that I haue had since I departed from you, it would be too long to shew you. But surely I thinke as soone as the truce is expi­red, that then the Emperour with all his puissance wil come and besiege me here in Bourdeaux, for it hath béene shewed me of troth, that then the Emperour hath so made his oath and promise, and hath sworne by his crowne imperiall, that he will not depart hence till he haue taken and destroyed the Citie. Sir (quoth Escleremond) if you will beleeue me, ye shall resist this, and I shall tell you how, ye know well I haue a brother called king Salybraunt, who is king of Bougye, the which extendeth on the one side néere to Mombraunt, and on the other side néere to Trypoley in Barbary, he may leade in battaile a hundred thousand men, and Sir, surely hee is a good Christian, howbeit there are but few that know it, verily he hath beleeued in Iesus Christ, and Sir if you will goe to him and desire his aide, by the same token, that when you were prisoner in Babylon, I discouered the secrets of my minde to him, and shewed him of the loue betwéene you and me, and how ye would leade me into Fraunce, whereof hee was ioyfull, and desired me affectuously that I should doe so much to you, that we might come and see him in his own Realme.

But the aduenture fell so, that our departing fell other­wise then we had deuised, he was there, and saw howe my father was slaine, and all such as were with him, then for feare he ranne away, and did hide him in a garden behinde the Pallayce, and there tarried till it was night, and then he stole away and went into his owne Realme, there shall yee finde him if you will goe thither, I know surely that hee will make you excéeding great good chéere, and will not refuse for to ayde and succour you, for hée will bee so excéeding puis­saunt and mightie, that hee will bring with him more then a hundred thousand Sarizens, and also Sir, I would counsaile and aduise you, for to take along wyth you some fiue or sixe Priestes well furnished wyth Oyle [Page] and creame, for assoone as hee hath his men out of his owne Countrey, hee will cause them to be christened, and such as will not, he will cause them to die an ill death. Sir, I re­quire you beleeue my counsaile at this time, for you knowe well, that out of Fraunce you shall get no succor, for if some would, yet they dare not for doubt of King Charlemaine, the hate that he hath to you is not yet quenched, for the death of his sonne Charlot he will neuer forget, and Sir if yée goe not to my brother for succour, yée may happen to repent it, and peraduenture it may be too late, and doe as he doth, that shutteth the stable dore when the horse is stollen. Thus the faire Ladie Escleremond exhorted Duke Huon her hus­band, whome shée loued entierly.

Chap. LXXXVII.

WHen Huon had well heard his Wife, hée said: My right deare La­die and Companion, right well I know the great loue that you beare to mee, the which hath constrayned you to say thus, whereof I thanke you. But by the Lord that vpon the Crosse died for to redeeme humane Lineage, I will goe to no place, nor send for any succours, vntill I sée them before my Citie, and that I haue cause to labour for succours, nor vntill I feele the stroaks of Almaines and Bauiers, that they can giue when they be out of their owne Countrey, nor as longe as my sheeld is hole and found, first I thinke they shall feele the sharpnesse of my Speares head and good Sword, and yet by Gods grace I shall not aban­don you, nor leaue my City and good Burgesses, for it might [Page] greatly bée layd to my reproach if I should thus goe away. Alas Sir quoth Escleremond, yée may well know that this that I haue said, is for the feare that I haue of you, for I haue béene well aduertised, that the Emperour sore hateth you, and not without cause, for his Nephewes and Lords that yée haue slaine, and therefore Sir if ye will beléeue me, yée shall haue men to defend you brought hether by the king my brother, so that when the Emperour is come into your land, it shall lie in you either to make peace or warre at your will: reason it were, that you made him some amends for the hurts that yée haue done vnto him. And on the other part, if he will haue no peace, thē it shall lie in you to make him such warre, so that he shall not depart without your a­gréement and to his great losse. Sir, the feare that I haue to loose you, constrayneth me thus to say, I haue heard it of­ten times said, that the entrie into warre is large, but the issuing out therof is very straight, nor there is no warre but it causeth pouertie. But séeing it is your pleasure not to be­léeue me, it is reason that I must be content that your plea­sure shalbe fulfilled: then they entred into other deuises, and great ioy & feasts were made in the Pallaice at Bourdeaux between Huon and the Lordes of the Countrey.

At last the faire Ladie Escleremond, who was great with child, fell vpon trauayling, and shée prayed to god for helpe, and suffered great paine, whereof Huon had great pitie whē he heard thereof, for the loue betwéene them was excéeding great, at last the Lady was brought to bed of a faire Daugh­ter, whereof Huon thanked God: then entred into the La­dies chamber a great number of the Ladies of the Fairie, and came to Escleremonds bed-side and said. Ladie, yée ought [...] to thanke God, for yée haue brought foorth the fairest & best creature that as now is in the world, and to whome our Lord god hath graunted most graces at her birth, for a more faire, me dest, wise, and courteous hath not béen borne this C. yéeres past, for shée shall haue such destinie & fortune in this world, that of the Realme of Aragon shée shall bee [Page] crowned Quéene, and shée shall so gouerne her selfe, that shée shalbe accounted of, as if she were a Saint in Paradice. At Tortouse there is the Church where she is honoured, the which is founded in her name, and is named Saint Clare.

Escleremond was ioyfull of the wordes of these Ladies of the Fairie, and great ioy & feasting was made euery where for the birth of this Child, who was greatly regarded of the Ladies of the Fayrie, and they said each to other, that this Child was the fairest creature in all the world, they tooke this Child each after other, and blessed it thrée times, & then they layd it downe and departed suddainly, so that no man wist not where they were become, whereof all the Ladies and other had great maruaile. This tidings was brought vnto Huon, he was right ioyfull and sayd: A worthy King Oberon, I beleeue surely that as yet you haue not forgotten me: now I doubt nothing the Emperour nor all his puis­sance, séeing you haue remembraunce of mee. Then Huon came into the Hall, and thether his Daughter was brought vnto him to sée, hée tooke her in his armes and shewed her to his Lords, who were very ioyfull to sée her. Then shee was borne to the Church, and with great solemnitie christened, and named Clariet, bicause she was so faire and cleare to be­hold. Then shee was brought to the Duchesse, who had of her great ioy. When the Duchesse had kept her Chamber a Moneth, then she was churched, whereof all the Court was ioyfull, and such feasting was made, that if I should shewe you the riches and noblenesse that was there shewed, it should be ouer-long to rehearse. Therefore I wil leaue spea­king thereof at this time vntill another season.

Chap. LXXXVIII.

YE haue at large heard here before, the manner and cause why this war was mooued, betweene the Emperour of Almaine and Huon Duke of Bourdeaux, the which after the Truce was expired, & that the Emperour was hole of his thigh that Huon had broken: he published the war againe, and sent ouer all his Empire, that euerie Duke, Earle, Baron, Knight and Squier should come to him, and Souldiers from all parts, and that with­in a Moneth they were to be at the Citie of Mayence, to the entent to make warre vppon Huon of Bourdeaux. This com­maundement was published, and such diligence was made, that by the day appointed, euerie man was come to the City of Mayence, and lodged in the Citie, and in Pauilions about the Citie: there were assembled more then fortie Thousand, and all men well appointed for the warre. When this Em­perour who was named Tirrey saw them, he was verie ioy­full, and sore threatned Huon, and made promise to all his Barons that hee would neuer returne into his owne Coun­trey, vntill hee had first slaine Huon, who hadde doone him so great damage.

Then hee commaunded his Constables and Marshals to be readie to depart the next day, & to take the way towardes Coleyne with all his Artilerie and carriage, the which was done. The next day the Emperour entred into the feeld, & so road towards Coleyne, and when the Emperor was with­in a League, then there met with him the old Sauarie his Brother: who was Father to Duke Raoul slaine by Huon. [Page] when these two brethren met together, there was great ioy made betwéene them. But then Duke Sauary beganne to wéepe, and sayd to his brother the Emperour. Sir of your comming I am right ioyfull: But when the pitious death of my deare beloued sonne your nephew Raoull commeth to my minde, there is no member of me but for dolour and dis­pleasure trembleth, nor I can neuer haue perfect ioye at my heart, as long as he that hath done mee this displeasure li­ueth.

This Duke Sauary was a noble man, but betwéene him and his sonne Raoull was great difference: for the Duke Raoull was the vntruest Traitor that euer liued: the which wickednes procéeded by the Duchesse his mother, who was daughter to Hurdowin of Fraunce, the most vntruest and falsest Traytour that as then liued in the world. When the Emperour heard his brother speake, the teares fell from his eyes, and he embraced him & sayd. My right deare brother, your dolour much displeaseth mee, for your dolour is mine, and thereof I will haue a part, and if ye haue much ioy, my part shall likewise be therein. But it is not possible for vs to haue him againe for whom we make this sorrow. God ayde Huon now frō his enemies, for they greatly desire his death: yet oftentimes they that desire another mans death, auaun­ceth their own. Thus as you haue heard, the Emperour and Duke Sauary entred into the Citie of Coleyne, whereas they were receiued with great ioy, and so rode to the Pallayce, and there they supped. I will make no long rehearsall of the good chéere that they made there. Then after Supper they went to their rest, and the next morning rose and heard ser­uice, and tooke a sop in wine, & then departed out of Coleyne. It was a goodly hoast to behold, they and their carriage and their artillerie reached foure leagues of length. Thus they all had sworne the death of Huon, they passed by high Bor­goyn and by Dolphinne, and so passed the riuer of Roan, and so into the countrey of Bourdeaux. Now I will leaue speaking of them till another season.

Chap. LXXXIX.

THus you haue heard heere before, the deuises that the Duchesse Escle­remond had made to her husband Huon, who as soone as she was churched, Huon sent his commaundement through all his coun­trie, euery man to be readie in armes, and to come to Bourdeaux, because he was aduertised of the com­ming of his en [...]mies. The messengers made such diligence, that within fifteene dayes after euerie man was come to Bourdeaux, and there Duke Huon receiued them with great ioy. Then he repayred the Citie and the towres and walles, and it was well furnished with victuals and artillerie, as in such a case it well appertained, for at that time the Citie of Bourdeaux was not so strong as it is now, when Duke Hu­on saw the Citie so well garnished with men and victuales, he was right ioyfull, and then he called to him the old Ge­rames, and sayd: my right deere friend, ye see wel this warre that is apparent betweene the Emperour and mee, and now we be wel aduertised of his comming, who is ready to come with all his [...], to besiege this our Citie, and therefore my heartie deere friend▪ who hath ayded me in so many busines­ses, I pray you counsell and ayde me now, for in all the con­duct of my warre, I will that ye haue the charge, and that you will comfort my men well, so that of vs there be no euill report ma [...]e, and that our enemies haue no cause to prayse the warre that they haue against vs, nor that when they bee returned into their countries, that they make not their a­uaunts [Page] among their wenthes and their louers.

Sir quoth Gerames, I thanke you of the honour and great trust that you haue in mee, howbeit, ye haue many other more sage and hardie then I am; to whom this great charge should better appertaine then to me. But Syr, as for me, I shall so acquite me, that I trust I shall not be repre­hended.

Thus as you haue heard, Huon made his deuises among all his Barons, and made all his ordinances for the defence of the Citie, and the manner of their issuing, and appoynted men for their rescue in reculing. And the Emperour was entred into the Countrey of Bourdeaux with a mightie ar­mie, burning and destroying the Countrey, whereof the poore people were sore abashed, because they neuer had war before, and thus the Emperour neuer rested wasting and destroying the Countrey, till they came before the Cittie of Bourdeaux, and there hee pitcht vp his tents and pauillions, and the Emperour lay on the way leading to Paris, on the o­ther part Duke Sauary father to Raoull was lodged by the Emperours marshalles, so that all the Cittie was closed round about. Huon who was within the Cittie, beheld their countenaunces and manner of their lodging: he commaun­ded that all his men should be readie to issue out vpon their enemies, the which they did. Then Huon armed himselfe verie richly, and mounted vpon his good horse, the which was the Emperours, and sware that ere he returned again, he would shew his enemies what they of Bourdeaux could doe. When hee was mounted on his good horse, hee came into the Citie, and found the old Gerames readie apparel­led with all his companie. Then he appoynted fiue thousand men to keepe the Citie, and twentie thousand men to goe with him. Thus Duke Huon made his ordinances. Yee may well imagine that the sorrow was great that Escleremond made for the Duke her husband, she was right wise, she fea­red to loose him, because she knew him so aduenturous, and that his enemies were of so great number, but right [Page] pitiously weeping, shee made her prayers to the Lord God deuoutly, that hee would keepe and defend Huon her hus­band and all his men from danger and losse, and to send him peace with his enemies.

Chap. LXXXX.

THus as you haue heard, Bourdeaux was besieged by the Emperour of the high Almaynes, and by his brother the Duke Sauary with a great number of men. Then Huon issued out, and when hee was past the port, hee made haste, to the in­tent to surprise his enemies, for at that time the Emperour was set at dinner. Then Huon and his companie all at once dasht in among the tents and Pauillions, and beate them down to the earth, so that they that were within were much abashed, for they thought verily that Huon durst neuer haue issued out of the Citie against him and the great number that hee was of. Huon layd on round about him, so that who soeuer met with him, had no néede of a leches craft. Also the old Gerames did maruailes, and so did the Bourdeloies, ma­ny a rich tent and Pauillion was beaten to the ground, and they within slaine and all to behewen, and Huon who was mounted on a good horse, met a Knight of the Emperours house, and he gaue him such a stroke with his sword, that he cloue his head to the teeth, and then he stroke another, that his head, helme and all fell to the earth, they that sawe that stroke were sore abashed.

The Emperours men assembled together by heapes, but by the mightie prowesse of Huon, anon they were againe de­parted, [Page] for he was so doubted and feared, that none was so hardie to approach néere him. The crie and voyce mounted so high, that the Emperour who was at dinner, when hee heard them crie, he rose from the table and demaunded what noyse it was? Sir (quoth a knight) who was fledde and sore hurt, know for truth that your enemie Huon is issued out of Bourdeaux, and hath done so much hurt, that he hath slaine a quarter of your hoste, and without that you doe rescue your men verie shortly, your losse is like to be excéeding great, for I haue séene Huon your enemie mounted vppon your good horse, whereon he doth great maruailes, for there is none that méeteth him but he is slaine, he is so cruell and hardie. When the Emperour heard the knight, he swet for displea­sure, and incontinent he armed him, and issued out of his tent, and mounted on his horse, and found his men readie. Then he saw Huon mounted on his good horse, whereon hee sayd to his men. Sirs I require you at this time putte to your paines, that I may be reuenged on my enemie, who before my face yonder killeth my men, he is so valiant, that whomsoeuer he striketh with a full stroke, is but dead, great domage it was when he slew my nephewes, whosoeuer can deliuer him to me quicke or dead, shall be my friend for e­uer, and I will shew him that courtesie, that Escleremond who is so fayre, I shall giue her vnto him in marriage, and all the Court of Bourdeaux.

Then such as heard the promise, made them ready for the couetousnesse of that gift: But some hasted so much to ac­complish the Emperours will, that it was too late after for them to repent. It is an old saying, that an ill haste is not good, some hasted so much, that afterwards bought it too déere, as you shall heare héere. After these wordes spoken by the Emperour, such as desired to accomplish his will, ranne in altogether into the Battaile against the Burdeloyes, where was great slaughter made on both parts. Huon who had great desire in his heart to slay his enemies, did so much by his prowesse, that hee reculed his enemies to their tents, [Page] and it had béene ill with them if Duke Sauary had not res­cued them, he with his great prowesse made them to recouer againe the fielde, and there was a sore battaile on both the parts. The old Gerames that day slew many a man, but hée aduentured himselfe so farre forth among his enemies, that his horse was slaine vnder him, so that hee was constrained to fall to the earth, and then hee was taken and led to the Emperours tent, and great fetters clapt vpon his legges: a­las that Huon had not knowne thereof, if he had, he should not haue béene ledde away without great losse. But he was in the Battaile doing maruailes in armes, he held his sword in his hand, tainted with bloud and braines of men that hee had slaine, there was none so hardie that durst approach néere vnto him, he cryed still Bourdeaux, to draw his men to­gether, and dashed into the greatest prease, and strake on all parts, in such wise, that his enemies still gaue him place, for none durst abide his strokes.

Now the prease was so great of the men of Duke Saua­ries, that he had great paine to breake in among them, hée fought so, that hee séemed rather a man of the Fayrie, or a Spirit, then a mortall man, euerie man had great maruaile of the prowesse that hee and his companie shewed. Then came against him the old Duke Sauary, with a burning de­sire to be reuenged for the death of his sonne Raoull. And Hu­on perceiued him well, and made such haste, that the Duke had no leysure to giue the first stroke, for Huon gaue him such a stroke with his sword, that hee cutte a quarter of his shield cleane off, and the stroke glyded to the horse necke by such vertue, that it strake off the horse head cleane, so that thereby the Duke fell to the earth, and if he had not béene wel succoured, he had béene slaine, but there came to him so ma­ny men, that whether Huon would or not he was succou­red, and mounted vpon a new horse. When Huon sawe that he was escaped, he called vpon our Lord God, and sayd. Ah good Lord, if I tarrie héere long, I sée well that my force shal but little profit me, for there be twentie against one.

[Page]Then hee called certaine of his Lordes that were about him, and sayd. Sirs, I perceiue well our force cannot long endure, therefore it is better to depart betimes, then to tar­rie too long. Sir (quoth they) as it shall please you, so then they turned them towardes Bourdeaux a soft pace, and Huon did as the shepheard doth goe behinde his shéepe, so went hée with his sword in his hand, defending his companie from his enemies, right sorrowfull and angrie for the losse that he had that day, for in the morning when he departed from Bourdeaux, hee had twentie thousand of good fighting men, and at his returne he sawe well that he had not aboue foure thousand, wherewith he was sore displeased, and oftentimes by the way turned and returned to his enemies. At last hee met with a Knight named Iozeram, and gaue him such a stroke, that he fell downe dead to the earth, whereof the Em­perour Tyrrey was sore displeased: for hee was his cosin germaine, and after that he slew foure other Knights of Al­maine. Then he returned againe after his men, and so ledde them forth still as the shepheard doth his sheepe, and often­times turned and returned vpon his enemies, so that there was none so hardie that durst approach néere him.

Therewith thither came the Emperour, richly armed with armes imperiall, and mounted vppon a puissant horse. Then hee cryed, on forth my Barons, take héede that this traitour Huon scape not away, if I may haue him in my hands, all the gold in the world shall not redeeme him from hanging. Huon who heard the Emperour sayd: Ah false olde dotard, thou lyest falsely, I was neuer traitour. Then the Emperour ranne at Huon, and strake him on the shield, and strake it cleane through, and the speare brake all to péeces: but Huon with his sword strake the Emperour on the Hel­met, so that the circle sette with stone and pearle was beaten to the earth, and if the horse had not swarued, the Emperour had not scaped aliue: neuerthelesse the stroke light so on his shoulder, that the sword pierced the maile, & gaue him a déep wound, & further the sword descēded to the bow of the saddle, [Page] so that the horse was stroken nigh asunder in two péeces, and so the Emperour and the horse fell downe to the ground together, so that if he had not béene rescued by the Almaines he had béene slaine. Huon was sorie when he saw the Empe­ror so scaped with his life, then he turned and rode towards Bourdeaux after his men, who tarried still for him, and Huon did so much by his prowesse, that for all the Emperour and his men he entred into the Citie of Bourdeaux.

But as then hee knew not that the olde Gerames was ta­ken prisoner, so thus as you haue heard Duke Huon entred into Bourdeaux with foure thousand men, of whom the most part were sore hurt, then he rode to the Pallaice, and there alighted. Then he looked about him, and was sore abashed when he saw not Gerames by him, then he demanded if any man knewe where hee was. Sir (quoth a Knight named Gallerance) know for truth that hee is taken prisoner, and is in the hands of your enemies, for to haue ayded him I was wounded in thrée places, and néere hand slaine, I employed my force to haue succoured him, but I could finde no remedie. When Huon heard that, hee praysed greatlie Gerames force and vertue, and greatly complained and said. Alas that I had not knowne of his taking ere I returned, I would sooner haue dyed, but that at the least I would haue taken some man sufficient to haue redéemed him againe out of danger. A lamentable thing it was to heare Duke Huon, what sorrow hee made for his friend Gerames, but his com­plaints could not auaile him, his Lords sayd, Sir by the grace of God you shall haue him againe safe and aliue. Sirs quoth Huon, it shall be a great aduenture without they put him to death.

Then Huon mounted vp to the Pallaice, whereas he met Escleremond his wife, whom hee kissed and embraced manie times. Sir (quoth the Ladie) I pray you shew mee of your newes. Ladie (quoth Huon) they be but poore and dolorous, for of twentie thousand men that I had with me out of this Citie, I haue brought home aliue but foure thousand, and [Page] yet the most part of them before wounded, and beside, the old Gerames is taken prisoner, who hath suffered before this time so many paines and trauailes for my sake. Alas Sir quoth the Ladie sore wéeping, I had rather you had beléeued me, and that you had gone and sought for succour of my bro­ther, who would not haue fayled you, but would haue come with you with so much people and puissance, that the Em­perour should not haue durst to haue abiden you. Madame (quoth Huon) speake no more thereof, for the losse of as much as tenne Cities be in value, I would not haue gone thither, nor to none other part for any succour, nor yet will not, till that I sée mée more oppressed then I am as yet, I might well be reputed for a coward and recreaunt, thus to abandon my Citie, I had rather be dismembred into pée­ces, then for feare I should leaue you, it would be greatlie to my reproch in the Courts of hie Princes, and when I come there, to be marked with the finger for that great default. Sir (quoth Escleremond) your pleasure is mine, since that you wil haue it so, but I am right sorrowful for the old Gerames, who is prisoner in the tents of your enemies, who hath suf­fered for your sake many great pains and pouerties, I can­not be but sory when I remember him. Madame (quoth Hu­on) as yet Gerames is not dead, I hope by the grace of our Lord God that we shall haue him againe aliue. Sir quoth she, I pray to God that it may be so. Now let vs leaue spea­king of Huon, and speake of the Emperour, who lay sore hurt on the earth.

Chap. LXXXXI.

[Page] YOu haue alredy heard here before recounted, howe Huon entred into Bourdeaux, after hee had beaten downe the Emperour Tirrey, whome he left lying vpō the earth, and had beene flaine, if his men had not quickly rescued him: now his men were sorrowfull, for they feared hee had been dead, and vn­laced his helmet, and was right ioyful when they found him aliue. Then they demaunded and said: Sir, we desire you shew vs in what case you feele your selfe? Sirs, (quoth he) I am sore hurt, whereby I feele great paine, this enemie Huon hath brought me into this case, I was foolishly coun­sailed when I came hether to seeke for him, for if I had tari­ed still at Mayence, I beleeue to do me displeasure he would haue come thether: sirs, I pray you beare me into my Tent, that my wound may bee searched, then hee was borne into his Tent & vnarmed, and layd vpon his bed, and he swoun­ded thrice for paine of his hurt. And when he came to him­selfe, and his woundes were searched by his Surgions, hee demaunded where y ^e Knightes of Bourdeaux were, they that were taken in the Battaile, and demaunded that they should be brought to his presence.

Gerames was brought before him, who was great & pu­issant, with a beard as white as snow, hee was a faire ould Knight to behould, his visage plaine and smiling, he seemed to be a man of high affaires, when the Emperour saw him, he said: Thou old Catiffe, shew me what thou art, beware and shew me the troth? Sir, (quoth Gerames) know well that for feare of any death I shall not spare to say the troth, [...]ing you will needs know what I am, I am named Ge­rames, and am Huons Seruant, whome I loue naturally, and also I am his kinsman, whereby I haue the more cause to loue him, and I haue slaine diuers of your men. Well, (quoth the Emperour) I repute thee for a Foole to giue mee [Page] this knowledge, for by the grace of God, to morow early ere I eate or drinke, thou shalt be drawne & hanged, & xl. of thy company y ^t were taken with thée in the battaile. Sir quoth Gerames, of this that you shew me I giue you no thanke for it, but I hope by the aid of Iesus christ, y ^t I shal do you more damage ere I die. Ah Villain quoth y ^e Emperor, great mar­uaile I haue of thée, that thus before me thou doest vse these threatnings, & yet thou séest how thou art my prisoner, & that it lyeth in me to put thée to what death it pleaseth me, know for troth, & if it were not so late of the day as it is, I wold not suffer thée to liue one houre. But ere I sleepe I shall cause a Gallowes to be made, whereas thou and thy company shall be hanged, and I shall cause thée to be hanged so néere to the Citie, that if Huon be so néere kin to thée as thou sayst, he wil shew how well he loueth thée, he may haue great [...]olor, whē before his eyes he shall sée his coozen and his men hanged, & then afterward I wil assaile the citie, & take it perforce, so y ^t then Huon in any wise shall not escape out of my hands, & so to be hanged with other, & the faire Escleremond shalbe burnt or condemned to prison, and then I will burne all the Citie and destroy it cleane. Sir quoth Gerames, you may say your pleasure: but in the doing is all the matter, & when the Em­perour saw that Gerames doubted not the death, he was sore abashed. Then he commanded incontinent Gallows to bée raised vp, so great, to hang thereon the fortie prisoners, & to be set on a little rocke neere to the Citie of Bourdeaux, to the entent that Huon and his men might sée them plaine, therby to abash them, the which was done, so the matter rested vn­till the next day in the morninge. And when it was day, Huon within the Citie rose and came to his Pallaice, and regarded out at his windowes, to sée and behold the hoast of his enemies, and as he stood, he espied the newe Gallowes standing on the rocke: then hee called his Lordes and sayd. Sirs, neuer beleeue, but yonder Gallowes that I see newe raysed, is for none other entent, but for to hang thereupppon my men that bee taken and my good Freende old Gerames: [Page] whereof I am verie sorrowfull. Therefore Sirs, quickly make you readie, and mount vppon your horses, for ere they be hanged, we will prooue our selues against them: looke to­ward the Hoast, and sée when they bée comming toward the Gallowes, and when you sée them, be readie on horse-backe and open the gate, that we may issue out all at once, and let vs neuer thinke to returne vntill we haue rescued our men, for I purpose neuer to returne into this Citie, vntill I haue deliuered them out of the hands of our enemies. Then they armed them about seauen Thousand by tale, of good men of armes well horsed, readie at the gate to depart when time came. Now wée will leaue speaking of Huon, and speake of the Emperour.

Chap. LXXXXII.

THe Emperour, who hadde great desire that Gerames and his company were hanged, caused thē to be brought forth by couples, one fast tyed to another, and Ge­rames was the formost, who then right ten­derly began to weepe when he saw himselfe in that case. Ah good Lord, (quoth he) I require thee haue mercie on our soules, & kéepe and defend my good Lord Duke Huon, who by the commandement of King Oberon, should giue me his Duchy, and he to haue king Oberons dignitie of the Fayrie after foure yeares passed: I cannot say what for­tune will fall, but I may well say, that I shall neuer come to greater honor, yet I am comforted in y ^t I am so old, it is good reason that I be content to haue liued so long, it is now time [Page] that I depart out of this world. Then the Emperour called vnto him a Knight, and said: Sir Othon, I will that incon­tinent you take three Thousand men, and take these Priso­ners, and hang them vp all vppon the Gallowes that were made yester-night late, and if it bee so that Huon yssue out▪ looke that you quit your selfe valiantly, and if you haue néed of any ayd, take my horne and blow it, for I haue ready ap­pointed ten Thousand men to succour you if need bée.

When Othon heard the Emperour, hee was right sorrie to haue that euill office, for in his youth hée was brought vp in the house of Duke Seuin Father to Huon, and somewhat he was of his kin, but as then hee had slaine a man, where­fore he fled from Bourdeaux, and came and serued the Empe­ror at Mayence, wherefore he was right sorrowfull to haue that Commission: then hee sayd vnto the Emperour. Sir, mée thinkes you doe ill to cause them to die so hastily, better it were to abide to sée what end your warre will come vnto, and also if it fortune that any of your Lords to be taken here­after, for one of them you might recouer him againe, and if you slay them, then if any of your Barons happen to bee ta­ken, they shall die of like death: and therefore Sir, if you wil beléeue me, you shall forbeare slaying them at this time, and Sir, if you will giue me licence, I will doe so much to Duke Huon, that for the offence that he hath done vnto you, hee shall make you amends at your owne pleasure, and hee shall goe vnto some holy Pilgrimage, to pray for the Soules of your Nephews, and other of your lords that he hath slain, and he to haue with him two Hundred men in their shirtes, and so to goe to the holy Sepulchre at his owne charge and coste, and hee to hould of you all his Landes, and to doe you homage.

Then the Lordes that were there present, all with one voice sayd vnto the Emperour: Sir, the counsaile that sir O­thon hath giuen vnto you, is worthy to bee beleeued, wée all agree thereto, and desire you so to doe, but when the Empe­rour heard them, he was sorowfull and sore displeased. Sir, [Page] (quoth Othon) you may surely know, if you hang any of them that be taken, if Huon happen to take any of your men, hee shall neuer escape vnhanged and drawne. When the Em­perour had heard Othon speake, he was so troubled & angry, that it seemed by his face, that for verie anger he was neere hand in a rage, and said. Behold sirs this Foole, who would let mee to take vengeance on them that so sore haue troubled me, he hath heard me ere this time sweare and make solemn promise, that I would neuer returne into my Countrey, vn­till I had hanged and drawne Huon of Bourdeaux, for by that Lord that made mée to his similitude, I knowe no man this day, though he were neuer so neere a kin to me, except mine owne Brother, but I shall make him to be slaine, if he speak any more to me for respiting of their liues, nor I shall neuer loue him, for I make a vow to our Lord God, that I will ne­uer returne into my Country, vntill I haue taken this Citie perfor [...]e. Sir, (quoth Othon) séeing it is your pleasure I shal speake no more thereof, but I beleeue it will bee longe here­after before you finde any that will be glad to doe your plea­sure. Othon, (quoth the Emperour) dispatch the matter, and reuenge me vpon the old Gerames and vpon all his com­panie. Sir, (quoth Othon) it is conuenient that I doe it sée­ing it is your pleasure: then without any more words he de­parted, and tooke Gerames and the other Prisoners, and went with them towards the Gallowes.

Gerames went before with the haulter about his necke sore weeping, and all his companie after him, so that at the laste they came to the place of execution, where the Ladders were set vp, and then the hang-man came vnto Gerames and said: Come on thou old Dotard, thou hast liued long inough, thou shalt no more see him whome thou louest so well, and I hope shortly he shal beare thée company wauing in the wind. When Gerames heard him, he beheld him fiercely and sayd: Ah thou vnhappie Villaine, if one of my handes were loose, thou shouldest neuer sée faire day more, how art thou so har­dy, to say or to thinke so villainous a worde, of the best and [Page] most valiantst Knight now liuing? Then Othon came to them, and hearing the hangman how hee reuiled Gerames, he sayd. Ah thou base slaue▪ thinkst thou not that this knight hath not inough to suffer though thou dost not reuile him? if thou thy selfe were in that case that they be in, and they in the citie of Bourdeaux, thou wouldest soone repent thy saucie words, and therewith hee lift vp a staffe that he had in his hand, and strake the hangman therewith, that he fell down to the earth: then hee sayd. Ah thou false theefe, doe thine office and speake no words: whereupon the hangman durst speake no more, but then he tooke Gerames by the halter that was about his necke, and so mounted vpon the ladder and Gerames after him, who made pittious complaints for Huon his good Lord.

The same time that Gerames mounted vpon the first step of the ladder, they within the Citie vpon the walles percei­ued it, and saw euidently, that without the prisoners were spéedily rescued, their liues were lost, then they said to Huon. Sir, if you tarrie any longer, your men shall be all hanged, for yonder wée sée one of them is mounted on the ladder, who hath a beard as white as the snow. When Huon heard that, he was sore displeased, and sayd. Ah good Lord, I know surely that it is my true friend Gerames, whom they would first put to death, therefore Sirs, I require you quickly let vs issue out at the gate, for if Gerames bee not presently suc­coured, the Traitours will putte him to death, but if that I may come time inough, his perill shall bee dearely solde to them. Hereupon Huon with seuen thousand fighting men, issued out at the gate so fiercely, that the earth seemed to groane vnder them, their horses made such a thundering, and so within a short spare (by a secret way) they came to the place whereas the gallowes stood. Huon was the first that arriued there, and he marked well the hangman that should haue hanged Gerames, and gaue him such a stroke with his speare, that he ranne him through, so that hee fell from the ladder dead, so was Gerames reuenged of y ^e iniury [Page] that hee had done to him before: then Huon saide, Gerames come downe of the Ladder, and arme you in some armour of them that shall bée heere slaine. Gerames thanked our Lord God, and came downe the ladder, and then thether came Huons companie, who vntyed all the other Prisoners: then began a sore Battaile, the Almaines would not fly, the which Huon séeing, cried to them and said: Yée false Traytours, your deaths are iudged, deare shalbe sould to you the offence that yée haue done vnto mee, when yée would slay thus my men with so villainous a death, better it had béen for you to haue been at Mayence, hidden in the laps of your Mothers and Louers.

When they vnderstood Huon, anon they knew him, wher­of they were sore abashed, then Huon met with a Knight of Almayne, and ran him cleane through, and so hée serued thrée other, then he drew his sword wherewith he did great mar­uailes, for ere he ceased, he slew fourteene, and also his men did maruailes in armes, so that within a short space the Al­maines were discomfited, so that none escaped away aliue, except Sir Othon, who valiantly defended himselfe. But when he saw that his force would not helpe him, hée yéelded himselfe to Huon, and gaue him his sword, and cryed him mercie, and sayd. Sir, I beséech you slay me not, but haue pi­tie on me, and I promise you faithfully, that against my wil I came hither, but I was forced so to doe by the Emperour, and first I desired respite. Insomuch that the Emperor was sore displeased with me, I intreated for a peace to haue been made betwéene you and him, but my words could not pre­uaile. Sir I am your kinsman, & was brought vp in Duke Seuin your fathers house, and there I serued a maister who did beate mee, and when I felt my selfe strong and of age, I was displeased that he did beate me so without a cause, & I slew him & fled away, and came to Mayens, and euer since I haue serued the Emperour, who is come hither to besiege you. Friend (quoth Huon) feare not your death, but I pray you from hence forth ayde and serue mee, as ye ought to doe [Page] to your louing friend. Sir quoth Othon, God shame mee if I doe the contrarie, but I shall serue you truely as long as life is in my body.

Then Huon came to the foote of the ladder, whereas hee found Gerames as then not vntied, Huon embraced and kis­sed him often times, and sayd. Right déere friend, I am right glad at my heart when I see you whole of body, and then hee went to the other and losed them, and vnbound their eyes, and sayd. Sirs arme your selues with the harnesse of them that bee dead, for a man that is armed hath the aduantage of others that bee not armed. It was néedfull for them to be armed, God defend them from euill, for anon after they had so maruailous a reencounter, that they had neuer the like be­fore, for the other tenne thousand men came to reuenge them that were dead, they hoped to haue come time inough, but they fayled, for they came too late, Huon had taken of al them their truage. When Huon saw that he had done that which he came for, he returned him towardes the Citie, but he was so pursued, that he was neere surprised and stopped from en­tring into the Citie. When Huon saw his enemies com­ming, he cryed aloude to his men, saying. Sirs, let vs turne vpon them that come toward vs, to the intent that they shall not make their auaunts, that they haue caused vs to flie a­way before them: then hee and all his men turned against their enemies with a most valiaunt courage, and at that méeting many speares were broken on both parts, and ma­ny a knight borne to the earth, that had neuer the power af­ter to reléeue themselues, there was such a slaughter on both parts, that it was pittie to sée them. And great maruaile it was to see Huon, how he beate downe his enemies, & claue helmets, and rased them from the heads of his enemies: hee dealt in such wise, that no Almaine durst abide his strokes he was so doubted and feared, hee made the thicke prease to breake a sunder, and flie away before him, and by him was Sir Othon, who that day did many a noble deed of armes, for next Huon (aboue all other that day) hee bore the price.

[Page]Finally, Huon and Othon and his other men did so much, that the Almaines were chaced to their Tentes, and many slaine in the chace and sore hurt, so that they neuer road vp­pon horse-backe after. Sometime it fortuneth, that it is folly to venture too much forward, and too late to repent af­terward: I say this for Huon and his company, who were gone so much forward, that in great dau [...]ger they returned to the Citie, for the Almaines (who were thirtie Thousand men ready before their Tents) when they saw Huon and his men chace their company, they set foorth againste Huon: and when Huon saw them, hee sayd vnto his men. Sirs, it is good that wee recoile into our Citie, for yonder I see comminge [...] then thirtie Thousand Almaines as fast as they can: so when Huons company saw them, they doubted greatly, and not without cause, for they had beene before at two great skirmishes, whereby they and their horses were wearie and sore trauailed, the which was no maruaile, so by the counsaile of Huon, they returned a false gallop toward their Citie, and the Almaines were at their backe, and cha­ced them so quickly, that more then fiue Hundred Almaines entred into the Citie with them of Bourdeaux. But they that kept the gates that day were wise and discreet, for as soone as they perceiued that Huon and his company were entred, and with them about fiue Hundred of their enemies: they woulde keepe their gates no longer open, for feare that their enemies should haue entred with too great a number, so that for hast they cut asunder the cord y ^t held vp the Port­ [...]lloys, the which fell downe by such force, that it fell vpon the horse of an Almaine that was vnder it, the which horse was cutte cleane assunder, so that the man and the fore part of the horse fell within the gate, and the hinder part of the horse fell without, whereat the Almaines that followed after were sorrowfull and angrie, that they had not come thether sooner.

Then they returned to their Tents, complaining for the great losse and damage that they had sustained that day, by [Page] the high prowesse of Huon and his men, and also they that were entred into the Citie were sore abashed, when they sawe themselues encloased within the Citie. When Huon perceiued it, he had great maruaile, that they were so entred in among his men, for he knew not thereof, and yet he him­selfe was the laste that entred, then hee sayde. Ah yee false Traytours, yee shall all die an ill death: and then he sayd to his men. Syrs, slay them all, then incontinent they aligh­ted, and kneeled downe before Huon, and required him to haue mercie and pitie of them, and to saue their liues, and put vs in prison (quoth they) we be all men of a noble line­age, and it may bee so, that by vs yee may haue peace with the Emperour. Then Gerames sayd vnto Huon: Sir, I re­quire you to haue pitie of them, and put them not to death, for so it may bee that by them you may haue peace with the Emperour. Freend, (quoth Huon) I am content to doe at your pleasure, as you will haue me doe: then he commaun­ded that they should all bée vnarmed, and they all made pro­mise vnto Huon not to depart without licence. Gerames, (quoth Huon) I will that these Prisoners bee brought vp in­to the Borough, and there parted and set into diuers houses that be sure, and let them haue all things necessarie for their liuing: then Gerames deliuered them to the keeping of such as hee trusted, and so each of them was kept in a courteous Prison. Now let vs leaue to speak of Huon and of his Pri­soners, and returne to the Emperour.

Chap. LXXXXIII.

[Page] AS you haue heard here be­fore, how Huon chased his enemies to their tents, and how it was time for him to re­turne to his Citie, and how hee was so pur­sued by the Almaynes, that more then fiue hundred of them entred into the Citie, and were closed within it, and the residue returned to their tents, sorrowful and angrie for the great losse that they had. So when they were returned, the Emperour demaunded what tydings, and how they had spedde, and if they had not taken Huon quicke or dead. Sir (quoth a knight) it is follie for you to speake thus, for Huon is no man so lightly to bee taken, for the fiftie men that you sent to haue beene hanged, be rescued by Huon, and the three thousand men that you sent with them are all slaine, and diuers other sore hurt and in perill of death, and besides that, fiue hundred men of the best of your friendes are entred into Bourdeaux: for wee so hastily pursued Huon and his men, that entring into the Ci­tie, fiue hundred of our men entred into the Citie, entermed­led with Huons men, and there they be inclosed within: ther­fore Sir we aduise and counsell you, that you agrée with Huon, for if you doe not you shall loose all your men, for Hu­on is so fell and cruell, that hee will hange vp your men, as ye had thought to haue done his, of whom one of them was his cosin, you may doe as it pleaseth you.

When the Emperour heard his Barons, what counsell they gaue him, he was verie sorowfull and sayd. Sirs ye do me great wrong, to require me to make any peace with Hu­on, since ye know wel what [...]ath and promise I haue made, that I will neuer be at peace with him, & to the intent y ^t ye shall speake no more therof, know for troth, that if X.M. of my néerest friends were taken by Huon, I would rather suf­f [...] them to die a shamefull death, then to agree to any peace with Huon till I haue slaine him, and his Citie be burnt [Page] and destroyed. Sir (quoth they) séeing it is your pleasure, yée may do as you thinke best. Sirs, (quoth the Emperour) I will that yée assemble all mine hoast, and send to my Bro­ther that hée bring all his men, & then with all our puissance we will assaile the Citie, and that none be so hardie as to recule back vntill the Citie be taken: this was proclaymed through the Hoast, and euery man was readie to assaile the Citie, and the cheefe Captaine was Duke Sauary, who brought all his men in good order to the dikes, well fourni­shed with ladders and other necessarie things pertaining to assault.

The same time Huon and his men were vnarmed and go­ing to dinner, but when he heard the noise and crie without, he tooke a sop in wine, and armed him & all his men, and e­uery man went to the walles to their defence, and Huon & old Gerames, Othon, and Barnard a valiant knight mounted on the towre ouer the gate, and the Almaines on euery part entred into the dikes, and raysed vp many a scaling ladder to the walles, but they within cast them downe, so that they had no power to rise vp againe, for there was cast downe vpon them earth, timber and stones. Fierce was the assault that the Almaines made, & they within made noble defence, for Huon and Gerames shot so with their crosbowes, thar at euery shoote they slew some man or sore wounded him, and long endured this assault, so that finally the Almaines were constrained to recule backe a bow shoote, whereof they with­in were very ioyfull.

Then the Emperour Tirrey being sorrowfull and full of rage, came to his men, and rebuked them shamefully, com­maunding them that incontinent they should returne again to assaile y ^e Citie, saying that they should not faile to winne it. Then the Almaines (to please their Lord) retourned in great hast with their ladders & pikes, and came into y ^e dikes whereas then there was no water, & raysed them vp to the walles: but they were no sooner vp, but they within beat them downe againe, and put them in danger of their liues, [Page] for they cast downe Timber, stones, and faggots, with fire and hoat oyle and lead vppon them, so that the assailants were faine perforce to recoile backe, and they within shot ar­rowes so thicke, that it seemed like snowe. The Emperour was sore displeased and Duke Sauary, when they saw none other remedie, many were slaine and sore hurt, and the Em­peror and Sauary his Brother seeing that they could nothing profite, sounded the retrait, and so returned to their Tents, sore displeased for their great losse that they had, for they lost that day more then two Thousand men, lyinge dead in the feeld and in the Dikes, and more then thrée Thousand sore hurt.

Then Duke Sauary sayd to the Emperor: Sir, me thinks it is but folly to assaile this Citie, it is strong, and well fur­nished with men and good Knightes to defend it, wherefore we may well perceiue, that without great damage we can­not winne it, without it be by famine, for hee that is Lorde thereof is hardy and cruell, and to be feared and doubted, for he is expert in armes, wherefore it is impossible to take the Citie perforce. When the Emperour vnderstoode him, hee was right sorrowfull, and made againe newe promise, not to depart thence, vntill hee had Huon at his pleasure. Huon, who little set by the threatnings of the Emperour, went in­to his Pallaice, and said to his men: Sirs, we ought great­ly to thanke God for the defence of our Citie, many Almains [...]ee slaine and hurt, I doubt them nothing, for our Citie is strong, & before it be lost, it will cost many men their liues. I desire you all take good héed that we be not beguiled. Sir, (quoth they) we shall take good héed thereof, as well for you, as for the sauegard of our liues. Thus Huon and his men deuised together, howbeit, they were sore greeued, for at the beginning they were about twentie Thousand men, & then they were not aboue six Thousand. Now let vs leaue spea­king of them, and speake of the Emperour, who was right sorrowfull for his losse.

Chap. LXXXXIIII.

WHen the Emperor hadde heard Duke Sauary his Brother speake, he made a solemne oath, that whatsoeuer fortune should fall, hee would not depart thence Winter nor Summer till hee had wonne the Citie, and then he sent for his Réerband, as farre as his Empire stretched, commaunding euerie man to come to him all excuses layd apart, and so they did. Now of their comming by the way I make no mention, but so long they trauailed, that they came within a League of Bourdeaux, and when the Emperour knew thereof, he had great ioy, and mounted on his horse with other Lords with him, and road & met them, and spake to them and made them good cheere. Thus his force encreased, & Huons diminished daily, often times Huon issued out vpon his horse called Am­phage, & made daily many great Skirmishes, sometime hée wan, and sometime hee lost, he slew many Almaines, so that they all feared him, for there was none that durst abide him, his horse was so cruell, that none durst approach néere him without he were slaine, & Huons men quit them valiantly, so y ^t if they lost at one time, they wan iij. times for it: but their force could not long endure, for their enemies were so many & they so few, & they had made so many issues, that they had lost many of their company, for of xx.M. they were left but v.C. men, wherof Huon was sorowfull. Now when he saw y ^t he had but v.C. men, he called to him Gerames, Othon, Bar­nard, & Richard, saying. Sirs, I see that euery day we dimi­nish, wherfore we cannot long endure against the Emperors [Page] force, therefore I thinke that it were good that wee sent to the Emperor, to know if he wil heare speaking of any peace. Sir, (quoth they) wee thinke your aduise right good, and it were good to knowe if hee will agrée thereto or not. Then Huon called Habourey his Messenger, and commaunded him that incontinent he should goe to the Emperour, and say vn­to him: that if it bee his pleasure to heare speaking of any peace, I shall (quoth he) condescend therto, and to make him amends at his pleasure, for the wronge and damage that I haue done vnto him and his men. Also shew him, how that I will become his man, and doe him homage for all the Landes that I haue, the which I was woont to hould of the King of Fraunce: but séeing I haue no succour from him, I am driuen perforce to purchase for my profit in some other place. And besides that shewe him, that the fiue Hundred Prisoners that I haue of his men, I shall deliuer them quit without any raunsome paying, and also when Lent com­meth, I and a Hundred knightes with me at my cost & char­ges, shall passe the Sea and goe to the holy Sepulchre, to pray for the Soules of his Nephews that I haue slaine, and for all other that haue been slaine by occasion of this warre. Sir, (quoth the Messenger) I am readie to fulfill your com­maundement whatsoeuer fall thereof, and so hee departed & went to the Emperours Hoast, & entred into the riche Tent, and then hee kneeled downe before the Emperour and sayd.

The almightie God, who on the Crosse dyed to saue all humane kinde, kéepe and defend from all ill the Emperour & all his Barony: Sir, Duke Huon of Bourdeaux sendeth to you salutation and good amitie, requiring you in the ho­nour of god, that he may haue peace with you, by that hee will become your liege-man, and doe you homage and hould his Landes of you, and will deliuer quite the fiue Hundred men of yours that he hath in prison in the Citie, and more­ouer, hee offereth himselfe and a Hundred Knights to passe the Sea this next Lent, and to goe to the holy Sepulchre, to pray to our Lord God for the soules of your Nephewes that [Page] be dead, and for other that by him and by his meanes haue beene slaine in this warre. Sir if it please you this to doe, ye shall doe a great almes deede, for life cannot bee had againe to them that bee dead. When the Emperour Tyrrey had wel heard Habourey the messenger, he became as red as a brand of fire, and regarded the messenger fiercely, and sayd. Auoyd my sight thou false varlet, but that I doubt to be reprooued, I should cause thée to be hewen in peeces, but a messenger ought not to be touched for any words that hee can speake, but say to thy Lord, that by him and by his meanes I haue lost more then twentie thousand men, beside my thrée Ne­phewes & my yonger brother, but by the Lord that died on the Crosse to redeeme vs all, I will neuer haue peace with him, till I haue him at my pleasure, nor neuer returne thou againe hither to mee, nor none other, vpon any such message.

When Habourey the messenger heard the Emperour, hee was in great feare, and would gladly haue béen in Bourde­aux, then he departed without any more speaking, and rested not till hee came to Bourdeaux, where hee went to the Pal­laice, wheras he found Duke Huon, then he sayd. Sir I haue béene with the Emperour, and shewed him at full all your message, but his answere will not serue to your demaunde, for he sayd to mee, that he will haue no peace with you, till he haue you at his pleasure, to doe with you what hee will, and thus I departed from him, and left him sitting at his ta­ble at dinner.

Chap. LXXXXV.

[Page] WHen Huon vnderstood the Messenger, hee was full of anger and dis­pleasure, and saide. Sirs, I commaunde you all in hast to goe and arme you, for ere euer the Almaines bee risen from their din­ners and armed, I shall make them so sorrowfull, that they shall curse the houre that euer they were borne, for I had ra­ther die then to leaue them in this point, for I will goe serue them of their first messe. Then euery man armed him, and Huon leapt vpon his good horse Amphage, and then he tooke his leaue of the faire Escleremond his wife, and so departed out of Bourdeaux with his company, and road towardes the Emperours Tents. The same time the Emperour was ri­sen from his Table, and he had ordained three hundred men on horsebacke to keepe the Tents whiles he was at dinner: then Huon and his company came so quickly, that hee was among them ere they perceiued any thing, and he cried Bour­deaux, and strake a Knight with his Speare cleane through the body, so that he fell dead to the earth, then he ran at ano­ther, and serued him in likewise, and so he slew foure before his Speare brake. Then he drew his Sword, & beat down men and horses, and brake the thickest presse, so that euerie man gaue him way, and Gerames, Othon, Barnard, and Ry­chard and all his company did maruels in armes, & so much they did, that within a short space the iij. hundred Almaines that were set to keepe the Tents, were all slayne. Then Hu­on and his company entred in among the Tents and Paui­lions, where they bet downe the Tents, & such as they met were slaine: then the Almaines on all parts armed them, and the Emperour sounded his Trumpets & armed him: he was so sorrowfull and angry, with the trauell & damage he was put too by Huon, that hee enraged and was néere out of his wit, for night and day he could take no rest. When he was armed, hee mounted on his horse, and xx.M. Almaines with [Page] him, and they all sware the death of Huon, whome God de­fend, for if he long taried there, he should be in danger of his life. But he was wise and discréet in Feats of armes, & hée looked towards the Emperours Tent, and sawe well twen­tie Thousand men readie to come vpon him, then he said to his men. Sirs, it is time that wee retire to our Citie, wee may well now goe without blame, for we may no longer ta­rie heere without great danger. Sir, (quoth Gerames) wée bee readie to doe your commaundement, then they tooke the way to returne to the Citie, but the Emperour who greatly desired the death of Huon, he & his men pursued Huon as fast as their horses could goe, & when the Emperor was néere to Huon he said. Ah thou false Traytour, so many times thou hast troubled and angered mee, that longer I will not suffer thée to liue, turne toward me, for with thee I will iust, or else I shall slay thée flying: I had rather to die, then not to take of thée vengeance for the hurts that thou hast done to mée.

When Huon heard how the Emperor called him Traytor hee was sore displeased, and turned his horse towardes the Emperour and sayd. Ah false old Churle, whereas thou say­est I am a Traytor, I shall shew thee how thou lyest false­ly: then they ran eache at other with their Speares in their restes, so that they met so rudely, & strake each other on their sheelds by such force, that their sheeldes burst assunder, the Emperour was a puissant Prince, so that his Speare burst all to péeces, but Huons Speare was strong and held, where­with he gaue the Emperour such a stroake, that Sheeld nor Holberd coulde not warraunt him, but that the Speare en­tred into the Emperors side, so that if he had not swarued a­side, he had not escaped death, that stroake was so sore, that the Emperour sell to the earth in such wise, that néere hand he had broken his neck with the fall, and so lay in a swound. Huon séeing the Emperour lying on the earth, in great rage and displeasure, he desired to haue slaine the Emperor, then he drew out his Sword, & turned to strike off his head: the which he had don, if he had not ben rescued: but y ^e Almains frō [Page] all parts came thither, so that they rescued the Emperour from death, and sette him on a horse with much paine, then he thanked our Lord God that he was so well escaped, and made a vowe to God, that he would neuer more fight with Huon hand to hand, but hee would pursue him to the death if he could.

Chap. LXXXXVI.

WHen Huon sawe that hee could doe no more at that time, and that the Almaines encreased in great number to haue assayled him, then he spurred his good horse Amphage, who made such leapes, that it séemed hee had flowne in the ayre, he had his sword in his hand, and stroke therewith so great strokes, that none durst approach neere him. Thus he rode after his men, and led them towards the Citie as the shepheard doth his shéepe, for as soone as his enemies approached néere him, he shewed them his shield and his speares poynt, and as hee rode, there came a yong knight named Gerard, right hardie and valiant in armes, hee was bastard sonne to the Empe­rour, who greatly desired in his heart to winne honour and prayse: hee sawe Huon mounted on his good horse, and sawe likewise that no man durst approach neere vnto him, hee came after him and cryed. Ah thou false Traitour, to flie a­way it shal not auaile thée, for I bring thy death in the point of my speare, with the which I shal slay thee flying, without thou turne to mee, for ere thou scape me, I shall cause thée to be hanged in the sight of them within Bourdeaux.

[Page]When Huon vnderstood the Knight, and saw the great hate and rage that he was in, and hearing how he called him Traitour, he thought and sayd to himselfe, that he had rather die, then he that had sayd these words should haue departed without feeling the sharpenesse of his speare, the which hee couched in the rest, and spurred his horse, who ranne like the thunder, and he gaue the knight such a horrible stroke, that neither his shield nor his armour could saue his life, for his speare pierced through both his sides, and hee was cleane borne ouer his horse [...]upper starke dead. Go thy way quoth Huon, thou shalt neuer haue power to doe any man displea­sure any more▪ and then he drew his sword, wherewith hee dealt such discipline among the Almaines, that all fledde be­fore him. Gerames, Othon, and Bernarde, and Richard em­ployed their forces and vertues right valiantly, but the Al­maines did so much, that Huon lost part of his men, and the rest he ledde with him, oftentimes hee turned and returned against his enemies, but whatsoeuer force or prowesse hee shewed, if he had not in haste gone away, he nor neuer a one of his men had escaped without death, for more then thirtie thousand Almaines were néere him, and all those desired his death, but God gaue him that grace, that hee and the small number that he had left, entred with him into the Citie, and the gates were clo [...], and the Emperour in great displea­sure returned to his tent, and by the way hee found his ba­stard sonne dead, for whome he made such sorrow, that his Lords nor his brother could not appease him, and so hee cau­sed him to be borne to the tents, and was greatly complai­ned of all the Barons, for hee was like to haue beene a ve­rie noble man.

And Huon went to his Pallaice, where he found the faire Escleremond, who demaunded how he did. Right well Lady, quoth Huon, thanked bee God I am returned in sauegard, but I haue lost many of my men, and therwith he wept, and the Ladie comforted him so much as shee might. Then the Emperour being in his hoast, knowing for truth that Huon [Page] [...] a small companie in the Citie, and that he thought hee could do [...] him but small damage from thence forth, [...] and came and lay neerer the Citie, and dressed vp his [...] and mountaines to breake the w [...]lles, and made e­uerie day b [...]ttering at the walles, and they within defended [...]hem valiantly, for with their crosbowes many men both within and without were slaine. This siege endured from the beginning of August to the Easter after, whereof Huon was sore displeased, and verie much complayned for the losse of his noble Barons, and other good men that hee had lost. Also hee saw his towres and gates so beaten, and his e­nemies lying before the Citie, and looked for no succor from any part, and that he had with him not aboue thrée hundred knights, and a hundred men to keepe the Citie withall, then he called Es [...]le [...]emond his wife, and sayd. Madame, I know well you indure trouble and displeasure inough, and there­fore I pray you if you can giue me any good counsell, giue it me now, for the rage and displeasure that I haue at my heart troubleth so mine vnderstanding, that I cannot tell what to do [...], now on the other part I see my Citie besieged, and my men slaine, and I can get no agréement with the Emperour, for he is sore displeased with mee, that I can neuer haue his loue, hee hath slaine my men, whereof I am so sorrowfull, that my heart neere fayleth me.

Sir (quoth Escleremond) yee doe great wrong to say these words before mee, or in this sort to complaine your dama­ges, if you would haue beleeued mee, then you had gone to my brother for succour, who would haue come with you, and brought you such a number of men, that the Emperour durst not haue abidden you, and also to haue made therby my bro­ther a Christian man, for hee hath beléeued in our Lord God this seuen yeeres past. Madam quoth Huon, all that you say might haue beene done, but I hadde rather haue lost three such Cities as this, then to haue left you and my Lords and good Burgesses whome I loue so faythfully: if I had but a thousand Knights to defend my Citie, with an ill will I [Page] should depart from you, for I am assured, that if I goe and seeke for succour, both I shall haue paine inough, and yee that shall abide heere, are like to haue more, for I know well that the Emperour so hateth vs, as hee setteth all his intent to haue vs, and if hee take you, you shall be in great perill, and if I tar [...]ie here with you, and goe for no succour, this Ci­tie will bee taken or famished, and both you and I be de­stroyed: the Emperour who loueth vs but a little, and not without a cause, i [...] he may take mee, I shall die a shamefull death. It is no maruaile if hee be displeased with mee, for I haue slaine his sonnes and nephewes, and many of his best friendes, if he may take me, I shal haue no pitie shewed me, and I know well without I haue some succour, my ende is at hand. Wherefore Madame, I thinke it best that I goe to your brother for succour, for I sée that I haue tarried ouer­long. Sir quoth Escleremond, ye speake of this verie late, for now ye know well, that all our bread and wine, and flesh, and fish begins to faile vs, and all our other victuals, where­fore it cannot be long after your departure, but that this Ci­tie wil be taken and destroyed, and the men within slaine, and I ledde into great misery, yet for all that I would not coūsel you to abide here, but I pray you make hast to depart.

When Huon heard her, he began to weep, & abashing his cheere to the earth, and studying a little, hee sayd▪ Madame I thinke vpon one thing, the which to you will be profita­ble, whereby you shall haue victuall inough to liue an whole yéere. Sir quoth she, of that I thanke God if it may so come to passe. Madam quoth Huon, I shall tell you how this City may be reuitayled without any great losse of any men, true it is, that here without in the medow, there are two hundred men set there by the Emperor, to keep the beasts pertaining to his host, the which are without number, what in beefes, kine, & hogs, and more the [...] ten thousand shéep, which beasts ere I sléep, I will bring into this Citie, and then ye may slay them and po [...]der them in salt, so that ye shall haue no famine for a whole yeere.

[Page]Sir, (quoth she) I pray vnto God you may bring it well to passe: thus they taried vntill supper time, and after when it was night, and that they thought that they of the hoast were a sleepe, and saw that the weather was troubleous, euen as they would desire it, he armed him and all his men, and set men at the gate to defende him at his recoiling. Then hee mounted vppon his good horse, and he opened the gate, and yssued out as priuily as hée might, and tooke the way to the meadow and came thether: and Huon then cried and sayde. Ah ye Villaines this pasturage is mine, I come to challeng it, in an euill houre yee put your beasts heere to pasture, yee shall make me amends, for all the beasts that I find héere in my pasture, I will goe and pound them, and if the Emperor will haue them, hee must buy them and make amendes for their forfaite, and yee that bee the Keepers shall dearely a­bide it.

When the kéepers heard Huon speake, they had great feare, and they thought to haue gone and taken their hor­ses, and so to haue defended themselues: but Huon and his companie gaue them no leysure so to doe, for Huon with his speare strake one starke dead, and after he slew the second, then the third, and fourth, and so slew very many as long as his Speare held: then hée set his hand on his sword, where­with he claue asunder healmets and sheelds, and beat down men on euerie side, and Gerames, Othon, & Richard did ve­rie valiantly, and so much did Huon and his men within a short space, that the twoo Hundred men that kept the beasts were all slaine, except one who escaped, and ranne to the Emperours hoast, where he shewed the Emperour, how Huon and his men were issued out of the Citie and that all the kéepers of the beastes were slaine, and the beasts taken and driuen into the Citie.

When the Emperour heard these tidings, he was right sorrowfull, and armed him and his men, and leapt on their horses and ranne towards the Citie, to stoppe Huon from entring into the Citie: but before they came thether, all [Page] the beastes were entred into the Citie. Nowe when Huon saw the Emperour comming, he said vnto his men: Sirs, I require you let vs turne vpon our enemies who commeth after vs, for I would faine shew them, how men that com­meth from foraging can runne with their Speares. Then they turned against the Almaines, so that each of them [...]re a man to the earth, and they drewe their Swords, and stewe men round about them, and Huon vpon his good horse Am­phage held his Swoord in his hand, all to be sprinkled w [...]th the bloud of his enemies, wherewith he cut off armes, legs, and hands, he was more doubted then the Deuill, for by his prowesse hee did so mu [...]h, that his enemies fledde before him and made him way, so that in despite of all the Almaines, af­ter that he and his men had slaine foure Thousand of his e­nemies, he entred into the City with al y ^t pray of his beasts, wherewith the Emperour and his men that followed, were sore displeased for the losse that they had receiued, & for that Huon was so escaped from their hands, and that he had ta­ken away their beastes and slaine his men. Thus as yee haue heard, Huon entred into the Citie of Bourdeaux with all his pray.

Chap. LXXXXVII.

AFter that Huon was entred into the Citie, he went to his Pallaice, and there found the Duchesse Escleremond, who vnlaced his helmet, and clipped and kissed him, and saide. Sir, I pray you howe haue you done? Faire Ladie, (quoth he) [Page] we haue slaine many an Almaine, and haue brought away the pray, for in all the Emperours hoste we haue not left neither Porke, Kine, nor Mutton: we haue brought all in­to this Citie thanked bee God, so now I shall leaue you in more suertie in mine absence, for you haue nowe victuall inough for a whole yeare. Nowe I will goe to your Bro­ther, and if I find that hee will bee christened, I shall bring him with me: if not, I shall defie him and slay him, with­out he will beleeue on Iesus Christ whatsoeuer fortune fall. Sir, (quoth Escleremond sore wéeping) haue no doubt of that, for it is more then seauen yeres since he desired to be christe­ned: wherefore Sir, I require you loue my Brother. Ma­dame, (quoth Huon) I shall doe your pleasure: then he cal­led to him his priuie friends, and saide.

Sirs, yée knowe well what danger and perill we be in: and because in all thinges néedefull, there ought to be made prouision with diligence, this Citie is now well prouided of victualles, wherefore yée shall not néede to make any issu­ing out, without yée sée great aduantage: & as for assault, if yée defend it well, it is impregnable for our enemies to win it, but if yée be to yéeld it vp, beware what yée doe, for the great hate that the Emperour hath against vs, peraduen­ture will constraine him to breake his promise, if yée be ta­ken by force or by this meanes, yée shall all die miserably, and my wife bee murdered in prison, or else miserably to fi­nish her dayes, and my little Daughter Clariet, whome I loue so dearely, shee shalbe lost, and my Citie destroyed and brought to vtter ruine: wherefore I commend vnto you my wife and my Daughter, and all the rest vntill I returne a­gaine: the which shalbe shortly if I may, and I shall bring with mee such succour, that yee shall all bee ioyfull thereof. Sir, (quoth Gerames) God giue grace to send you againe in sauegard, you knowe well that you leaue vs in great po­uertie and feare: wherefore wee all desire you not to forget vs, and therewith they all wept. Then Huon sayd, I pray yee▪ make no such sorrow [...]or my departing, for yee know the [Page] businesse that causeth mee to depart: for without I goe for some succour, yee know well we are but dead, and Gerames I giue you the keeping of my wife and Child, ye are bound to serue me truely, for in you I haue my perfect trust. Sir, (quoth Gerames) haue you no doubt, but that as longe as I haue life in my bodie, I shall not faile them in life nor death.

When Huon heard Gerames say so, he began sore to wéepe, and the faire Ladie Escleremond began to make such sorrow, that great pitie it was to see her: she wrang her hands and tore her haire, and made such out-cries, that euerie man had pitie of her, yet they comforted her as much as they might. But shee had great cause to weepe and to be sor­rowfull, [...]or before Huon returned to Bourdeaux, shee and all they that were with her suffered so much pain and pouerty, that to shew it would cause a hard heart to weepe for pitie. And after that Huon had thus spoken to his companie: hee entred into his Chappell, and was confessed of the Bishops of the Citie, and receiued the Sacrament. Then the Bishop gaue to Huon a stoale that was hallowed and of great ver­tue, and saide. Sir, I require you for the loue of our Lord Iesus Christ, keepe well this stoale, for such an houre may fall that it will stand you in good stead. Huon right hum­bly tooke it, and thanked the Bishop: it did him good ser­uice afterward, for on a day as hee passed, he had thereof so great neede, that he would not haue forborne it for fourtéene good Cities, as yee shall heare more heereafter.

Chap. LXXXXVIII.

[Page] WHen Huon had taken the the halowed sto [...]le, hee deliuered it to his Chaplain, who was a wise man, & of a holy life, and commaunded [...] to keepe it well. Then he to [...]ke fiue knights to haue with him, and his Chaplayne and a clack to serue him▪ Then Huon went to his wife, and kissed her at his de­parting, and she fell in a swound in his armes, and Huon [...], releaued he [...] and sayd. Fa [...]re Lady▪ I require [...] making of this sorrow. Ah good sir (quoth she) [...] ought to bee sorrowfull, since ye leaue mee besieged with them that desire your death. Madam, (quoth Huon) [...] you not, for by the grace of God I shall make a short returne. Then he clipped and kissed her, recom­ [...]ding her to our Lord Iesus Christ. Then Huon and such as were appoynted to goe with him, departed out of the Pallaice, and went to a backe pos [...]er [...]e vpon the riuer of G [...]round, where there was a shippe ready, and richly garni­shed with all things conuenient, there Huon being armed and his men, entred into the shippe, and had no horse with them▪

When Huon departed, hee deliuered his good horse to the [...]éeping of sir Bernarde his cosen, and tooke his leaue of Ger [...]mes and of all his other companie, & so hoysed vp sayle, and [...] was day in the morning, hee was more then two [...] from Bourdeaux. Then Huon regarded the Citie, and [...]re weeping, did recommend it to our Lord Iesus Christ, humbly requiring him to haue in his sauegard, his [...], wife and child, and all other that were within it. Thus [...] Huon sailed along the riuer of Geround, pitious­ly complayning for his wife the fayre Escleremond, and for hi [...] [...]ayre daughter Claryet, whom he could not forget, for he had so great doubt to loose them, that when hee remembred them hee wept. They sayled so long, that they entred into [Page] the high Sea, and hee had good cause to weepe and [...] great sorrowe: for hee [...] till the [...] had taken it: [...], Huon [...] in his Shippe, [...] his heart gaue him, that before hee [...] Citie of Bourdeaux, the Citie should bee taken and his [...] Escleremond [...] therefore he [...], that if it so [...], and if euer he returned [...] end [...] thereof, he would [...] the Emperour [...]: and that Castle nor Towne should no [...] saue him.

There was a notable knight with Huon, who said [...] him: Sir, leaue your musing, and put your trust in God, hee shall ayd you and succour you in all your [...] your Wi [...]e, and keepe your Citie [...] fort your selfe no further, [...] th [...]nke of God, and [...] vnto him to giue you the grace to accomplish your Voyage, the [...] I hope you shall not faile of, if you thus d [...]e. When Huon heard him, hee was much comforted, and thanked the Knights and so sayled [...]oorth, vntill they were [...] the Sea, and lost their right way, for the [...]hippe turned [...]n the right hand, and losse the way that they should haue sa [...]led, and [...] vnto places not knowne to any of the [...], whereof the Pa­tron was sore abashed in himselfe, without making any know­ledge thereof, and so long they sayled with winde and weather, that they arriued at a Port whereas they found many boats, there they cas [...] their anchor, and went a [...] them­selues. Then Huon called to him the [...], and demaunded of him if he could sayle [...]. Sir, (quoth the Maister) I was [...] no winde to goe thether, it were a [...] me to sayle thether, [...] by that straunge Sea. But I [...] heere in this Port whereas you are nowe, to [...] Patrone that can bring you [...] (quoth Huon) I pray you to doe so much as to get me [...]. Sir, (quoth [...] doe what I can: then h [...] and Huon [...] Shippe, and from boat to boat to get a Pilot, [...] [Page] to an auncient man, who sayde that he could well bring them thither, and sayde how that hee had beene there before that time. Friend quoth Huon, if hee will bring me to the Realme of Aufamie, I shall giue you gold and siluer plentie. Sir quoth the old Patron, I shall doe your pleasure, but Sir, one thing I say to you, know for troth the voyage is very daungerous for to passe, and a verie long voyage, for it will be halfe a yeere [...]re you can come thither, and beside that, wee must passe by a perilous Gulfe, the which is reputed to be one of the mouthes of hell, and if by aduenture or fortune of the winde, that wee bee blowen neere vnto it, wee shall neuer depart, but be lost foreuer.

When Huon heard the Pilate, hee beganne to weepe and complaine for his wife and his deere daughter, whome he had left in the citie of Bourdeaux in great daunger to be taken. For he saw well then, that hee could not returne for the space of a whole yeere with any succour: howbeit, hee left not his voy­age, then hee commaunded his seruaunts to discharge all his baggage and victualles out of the one shippe into the other, and when the newe shippe with the newe Patron was readye in all things, Huon entred into it. Then the new Patron deman­ded of the old marriner, the cause why they came thither, and from whence they came. Sir, quoth hee, true it is, wee came from the citie of Bourdeaux, the which standeth vpon a notable riuer, and when we were entred into the sea, a sore winde rose vpon vs, in such wise, that wee were constrained to abandon our shippe to the winde and weather, and fortune of the sea, the which hath brought vs hither. Friend quoth the newe Pa­tron, as soone as yee were out of the riuer of Gerone, if yee had turned your sterne towards the sea roade, yee had neuer come hither, and within a moneth yee should haue come to the realme of Aufamie, whereas now ye be verie farre off. When Huon vnderstood the cause of their comming thither, he was right sorrowfull, and sore displeased if he could haue amended it. But his displeasure could not helpe him, but rather hinder him▪ therefore he lette it passe, and so tooke leaue of his first Patron, and lift vp their anthors and sayles, and when they [Page] were in the sea, the winde arose, and increased more and more for the space of sixe weekes that the wind changed not, so that if God had suffered the winde to haue continued one moneth or sixe weekes longer, they had come to the place whereas they would haue beene.

But ere that they came there, they suffered much paine, for there arose vppon them such a winde and tempest, that they were forced to auayle their sayles. The heauens waxed darke, the moone was couered, the torment was great and daunge­rous, the waues of the sea were of a great height, & terrible to beholde, whereby, whether they would or not, they were constrained to goe as the winde would leade them, theyr for­tune was so great and terrible, that there was neuer seene such a mightie storme before, whereof Huon and his men, and his Patron were greatly afraide, & specially the Patron more then Huon was, hee was sore discomforted, and pittiously he called on our Lord Iesus Christ, requiring him to bring them to a good Port, there was neither marriner nor Pa­tron, but all were sore afraide, nor they wist not where they were. They were in this torment for the space of ten dayes, in all the which time they neuer sawe the cleerenesse of the sunne, for the great darkenesse that was there as then, the which did verie greatly annoy them. And when it came to the eleuenth day, and that the torment and winde beganne to a­bate, and the sea waxed peaceable and still, therewith Huon and his companie wer [...] well comforted: the heauen cleered by, and the glorious sunne cast out his rayes along vpon the sea. When the master of the shippe saw the fortune of the Sea, and that the great torment beganne to cease, hee caused one of the marriners to mount vppe into the toppe, to see if hee might dis­crie any lande, but hee could see none, whereof the Patron was greatly abashed, and sayde howe that hee knewe not in what Countrey hee was, for hee neuer sayled in those parts, and sayde to Huon. Sir, it is fiftie yéeres since that I first vsed the sea▪ but yet I neuer sayled in these parts, whereof I haue great maruaile. When Huon heard that, he was sore displea­sed and sayde. Sir lette vs take the aduantage of the wind, [Page] and let our Shippe driue vnder the conduct of our Lord Iesus Christ, I hope that our Lord God will not suffer vs to bee pe­rished in this Sea. Sir, (quoth the Patrone) I doe agree well to your saying, and so let vs doe: then they turned their hel­ [...], and tooke the winde into their full sayle, the winde was [...]ood and fresh, and the Sea very meeke and peaceable, so that within a short space they had sayled a great iourney.

When Huon called vppon our Lorde God, and helde vp his handes towards heauen and said. Thou verie God, who in [...] transit [...]rie world diddest vouchsafe to be borne in the [...] of a maide, and afterwards diddest raigne héere vpon earth xxxi [...]. ye [...]res, and then didst suffer death and passion vp­pon a Friday, and after that didst rise from death to life, and wentst into hell, & drewest out soules out of paines infernall: Euen so as I beleeue that this is true, I require thée to haue pitie and compassion vpon vs, and giue vs grace that wée may safely escape out of this perillous Sea, and to kéepe and saue my déere and louing wife Escleremond and my Childe, and my noble Lords whome I left in the citie of Bourdeaux in great pe­rill of their liues, and giue mee the grace, that I may bring with me such succour and aide, that thereby I may bring them out of the danger that they he in.

Chap. LXXXXIX.

WHen Huon had made his prai­ers to God, he beheld into the Sea, and sawe a farre off like a great péece of Canuasse, and there by he heard as great a noyse, as though there had beene a Thousand Smithes, and a Thousand [...] Carpenters, and a Thousande [Page] great running Riuers together, all beating and labouring to­gether. Huon who heard this great noise, had great feare thereof, so that hee wi [...]te not what to doe, and so were all those that were in his companie, the Patrone commaunded a Mar­riner to mount vp into the top of the Ma [...], to see what [...] it was that made all that noyse, and so hee did, and [...] round about him and beheld that way, and at [...] the daungerous Gulfe, whereof hee hadde heard often times spoken, and thereof hee had such great feare, that neere hand hee had fallen downe into the Sea, hee came downe and saide vnto the Patrone. Sir, wee bee all in the way to bee lost, for wee bee neere one of the Gulfes of hell, whereof Huon and the Patrone and all other had such great feare, that they all trembled. Sir, (quoth the Patrone) knowe for troth, that it is impossible to escape out of this perilous Gulfe, for all the Seas, and waters and Riuers there assembleth together, and perforce wee muste passe that way, which when Huon heard: then hee beganne pitiously to complaine, and sayd. Ah sweete and loouing wife Escleremond, I see nowe clearely that our loues muste depart, the beautie and the bountie that is in you I cannot forget. Alas I shall neuer see you more, I pray to our Lord Iesus Christ to giue you that grace, as to bee a­greed with the Emperour Tirrey, to the entent that in peace and rest you may vse the residue of your life: for as for mee, I shall neuer bring you any succour or ayd.

Then hee studied a long season, and then sayd againe. Good Lord I thanke thee, and since it pleaseth thee that I shall passe out of this world: I humbly require thee to receiue my S [...]le into thine handes, as for my bodie and life I care little for, see­ing it pleaseth thee that I shall thus end my dayes, and depart this life.

Then Huon lefte his weeping, and the winde ceased and the sayle abated: yet neuerthelesse the shippe still went foorth a­lone in such wise, as though it had flowne vppon the Sea. Sir, (quoth the Maister of the Shippe) you may see euident­ly, that wee neede not to trauaile our selues to guide our Ship, for the Gulfe that is so neere vs, draweth the Shippe vnto [Page] him in such haste as yee may see, and anone yee shall see that we shall tumble therein. Maister quoth Huon, it is conuenient now that wee abide the aduenture and fortune of the sea, such as our Lord God will sende, lette vs trust in him, and desire him that his pleasure be fulfilled, and more I cannot striue. Then Huon Chaplaine confessed them one after another, and then incontinent the great noyse ceased. But they came thi­ther at a good poynt, for the verie same time, (as theyr good fortune was,) the Gulfe was full and plaine, so that a shippe might passe ouer it without daunger, as well as in another place of the sea, and when the Patron sawe that, hee sayd to Huon. Sir, wee ought greatly to thanke our Lord God, for wee are now come at such a time, that the Gulfe is full and plaine, so that wee may passe ouer surely without any danger. When Huon heard that hee was right ioyfull, and all weeping he kneeled downe, and so did all the companie, and de [...]outly they thanked our Lord God, that hee had sent them that good grace.

Then Huon rose vp, and sawe beside him a great peece of Canuasse, and the waues of the sea beating against it with great violence, whereof he had great maruaile. For the waues of the sea bea [...]e so sore against the cloath, and with so great vi­olence, that they reculed backe, and for all the beating of the sea against the canuasse, yet it brake not. Then Huon hearde a voyce crying an hie, and pittifully complayning, saying. O verie God, in an ill howre I was borne, when I sold the puis­sant God▪ who did mee that fauour, as to take me as one of his disciples and Apostles, and for the goodnesse that hee did mee, I rendered him an euill reward: for the diuell, the enemie of all humane linage, entred into my body, the which was full of sinne, and exhorted me to sell my God & good Lord, for thirtie pence of money, that was then currant in the country of Iude, and vnhappie that I was, if I had trusted in his great mercy, all the trespasse that I had doone had beene forgiuen mee. But pride and misbeleefe, and false hope that was in mee with the [...]iuell, who blinded mine vnderstanding, and would not suffer me to haue any hope of grace, or pardon for my trespasse, for of [Page] my sinne I neuer had repentance. And the Diuell doubting to haue lost mee, put mee into despiration, whereby I loste the grace of God: for if I would haue asked mercie of my Lord God, hee would haue pardoned mee of all the trespasse that I had committed against him: Alas poore Caytiffe that I am, from hence shall I neuer depart, but alwaies to remaine in this torment and paine.

When the Maister of the Shippe heard this voyce, hee de­maunded of him and sayde. What art thou that thus pity­ously complaineth? I commaund thee to shewe mee, and whether there bee any man liuing in this world that can ayde and succour th [...]e, and cast thee out of the torment and paine that thou art in. When the voyce heard him, hee spake no more woordes, nor made no answeare at all: then Huon ad­uaunced himselfe to the board of the Shippe, beeing desirous to know what thing it was that made that pitifull complaint, and saide. Thou that so sore doest complaine and mourne, I coniure thee in the name of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by all his power, and by the blessed Virgin Saint Marie his Mo­ther, and by all the Saints and holy Angels and Archangels, that are in the Realme of Paradice, and by all that euer God hath made and created in Heauen and in earth, that thou aun­sweare and shewe mee what man thou art, and who hath put thee heere in this miserie? and wherefore thou art heere? and whether thou maist come to vs or not? and what is thy name? and why that this Canuasse is heere set, wherefore it serueth? and also shew me if euer thou shalt depart from hence or not?

When this voyce had heard Huon coniure him in such wise it aunswered him shortly, and sayd. O thou mortall man that hast coniured mee so sore: and also hast desired for to knowe my name, I shall shewe vnto thee for certaintie, that my name is Iudas, and I am the selfe same man that sould our Lord Iesus Christ to the Iewes for thirtie pence, then be­ing currant money in the countrey of Iude, and deliuered into their hands my right deere Lorde and Maister, who so much honoured me, as to account me as one of his Apostles, and by a false and a fained loue, I kissed him on the mouth, for to [Page] [...] which was he. And after I saw him beaten [...] as yee may read in the holy [...] and [...], who therein haue made [...] passion, [...] I had betrayed my [...] [...] my [...] sore displease [...], [...] crie [...] I did commit [...] [...]olly, for he was so [...], that if I had cried him mercie, hee [...]. But the Diuell [...] is enemie to [...], would not suffer me to do it▪ for I went [...] and hanged my selfe on a tree, and when I was [...] in the place whereas yee sée [...] I shall remaine [...] & paine, [...] from hence, for now it is too late to [...] grace, for iudgement is giuen vpon me. [...] suffer this torment and paine continually, [...] and [...]euers of the world doe assemble toge­ther [...], euen heere as I am in this Gulfe, where I am sore [...] and greatly tormented, by the great [...] and course [...] I am tormented, and cannot by [...] shall come out of this great torment nor [...] ▪

[...] that yee demaunde whereto it serueth, and [...], knowe for a troth, that on a day I [...] of God, nor I [...] gaue after any thing [...] as long as I liued, and therefore when I was [...] God would, that the good deede that I [...] this [...] for his sake, should not bee [...] our Lorde God would that this [...] right side, to the intent for to [...], and from the great waues of the sea, [...] against mee, as you haue [...] against this C [...]as, I had no grace for [...] God for my trespasse the deuill was [...], wherefore let euerie man take example by [...] he hath space: and thus I haue shewed [...] quo [...]h Huon, I beléeue if thou wilt yet cry [...], he will haue mercie and pitie on thee.

[Page]Nay, nay quoth Iudas, to pray now cannot auayle me, for I am damned for euer, and if yee will beleeue mee, beware, and tarrie not here too long, for if ye doe, ye shall neuer de­part hence, for the G [...]lfe which is now full and plaine, it will not continue long, but that the sea will issue out, and al the riuers within it: yee were happie that yee came at the howre that you did, for anon the waters will issue out with such aboundance, that the waues that will rise shall seeme like high mountaines. It is more then two hundred yeeres since there passed any ship this way, but that men, ship and all were swallowed into the Gulfe: wherefore Huon I counsayle thee, that inc [...]ntinently thou depart hence, with­out thou wilt bee lost foreuer, it is time that thou depa [...]t hence whilst the Gulfe is full, for it will not long rest, but that the waters will issue out with such a brute and noyse, that if ye be fi [...]teene leagues off, ye shall well heare the tor­ment that it will make. If ye had come but halfe an houre sooner then yee did, ye had neuer escaped the great daunger thereof.

When Huon vnderstood Iudas, he had great maruaile, & ioyned his hands toward the heauen, thanking God of the grace that hee had sent him. Then Huon desired the Patron that they might depart from thence in haste: Sir (quoth he) it shall bee done. Then they drew vp theyr sayles and depar­ted, and they had not sailed a league, but that the saw a farre off great brands of fire burning, issuing out of the Gulfe so long and so high, that they had neere hand come to the [...]r ship: and the waues that issued out of the Gulfe, were as high as mountaines, and they approched so nere vnto their shippe, that they had like to haue per [...]hes, for there [...] was neere hand full of water, so that they had [...] to [...] to lade out the water and were fayne to abate theyr sayle, and the wa­ter that [...]ssed out of the Gulfe dra [...]e them so [...]orftly, that a bird could not die no faster then they went. In that case they we [...]e a moneth, and durst neuer hoyse vppe sayle, but thus they draue a great season without seeing of any land, [Page] then Huon called vppon God, and saide. Ah verie God, I hadde rather haue tarried still in mine owne Countrey, and haue taken such fortune as it should haue pleased thée to send mee: then heere to bée lost in this strange Sea. Deare La­ [...]ie Escleremond, I pray vnto God to keepe you and Clariet my Daughter, for I thinke that I shall neuer see you more. Thus Huon complained, sayling in the Sea in feare of his life, and thus they were in the daunger of this Gulfe fiue weekes, and neuer coulde see lande, whereof they were in great feare, often times they prayed to our Lord to haue pity of them.

Then Huon desired the Patrone to mount vp to the Mast, to see if he might see any land, and the Patrone who great­ly desired so to doe, anone hee mounted vp, and regarded on all parts, to see if hee might espy any land. At last he saw a farre off an hye rocke, and on the height thereof they sawe a thicke wood, and at the entrie of the wood hee sawe a little house, whereof hee thanked God, and descended downe and shewed Huon what hee had seene, and sayd. Sir, yonder a farre off I haue seen a great Rocke, and on the height there­of a great thicke wood, and therein I haue séene a little house or hermitage, the house is white, I cannot tell what it is, but by the grace of God ere it be night, wee shall land there and refresh our selues. When Huon heard that, hee was right ioyfull and thanked God: then they drew to that Port, and had good wind and a fresh, wéening to haue come thether the same night: but they sayled foure daies and foure nights, and could come no neerer to the wood then they were before, whereof they had maruaile, for it seemed to them euer, that the wood and the house roase vp higher and higher, and then they could not tell whether they went, for if they had known, they would not haue gone thether for al the gold in the world, for if God had not had pitie of them, they were all likely to haue beene lost, for the place that they sawe a farre of was a Castle, and therein cloased the Rocke of the Adamant: the which Castle was dangerous to approach, for if any Ship [Page] come neere it, and haue any yron nayles within it, and that a shippe come but within the sight thereof, the Adamant will draw the Shippe vnto him. And therefore in those parts the Shippes that sayleth by that Sea, are made and pinned with woodden nayles, and without any manner of yron, otherwise they be lost and perished, for the propertie of the Adamant is to draw yron to him.

Thus Huon and his company were there the space of sixe dayes, going and sayling about the Rocke of the Castle of the Adamant: But if they had had a good wind the first day, they had arriued euen at the white house that they saw first in the wood, the which was the fairest and most richest house in the world, within the which was so much gould and riches, that no man liuing could esteeme the value thereof, for the Pil­lars within that h [...]use were of Cassedony, and the wals and Towers of white Alablaster. There was neuer described in Scripture nor Historie, the beautie of such a Castle as this was, for when the Sun cast his rayes on it, it seemed a farre of to be of fine christall, it was so cleare shining. In this Ca­stle was neither man nor woman, but dead mens bones ly­ing at the gate of this Castle, and at the Port there lay many Shippes, so that their Mastes seemed a farre off to bee a great Forrest.

Chap. C.

[Page] THis castle was set on a rock of the Adamant [...]one, from the East to the west was not so strong a Castle, for if all the world had come before it and men with­in to defend it, could neuer be wonne by a­ny mortall men. The forrest that so seemed to them a farre off, were the [...]a [...]s of shippes that had beene there arriued by constraint of the Adamant, but for all the shippes that were there, there was no man liuing therein, yet there lay bones of men that had died by famine & rage. Huon and his c [...]m [...]a [...]te had great maruaile, for when they approached [...] to the Castle, they [...] forced to strike sayle, for the [...]da [...]ant drew the shippe so sore, that if they had not quickly striken their sayle, their shippe had broken all to péeces, and they all béen drowned in the sea. The ship went so fast, that it was maruailous to consider it, and then the Patron of the shippe, who was wise and discreet, knew anon how they were néere to the Castle of the Adamant, be­cause their shippe went so fast without sayle thetherward, faster than if they had had a full winde in all their sailes, and they could not turne their ship any way from that part, for they would gladly haue returned, but it would not bee, because the Adamant drew the yron so sore to him by nature. When the Patron saw that néedes they must arriue there, he began pitiously to lament, and saide to Huon. Sir, our Lord God hath created vs in this world to liue and to die, and there is none but must passe the passage of this, and be­cause wee knowe surely that no creature can escape that, therefore we ought to be content with that which can be none otherwise: Sir I say this, that we must all dye.

When Huon heard the Patron, he had great maruaile and said: Patron, I pray you shew me the cause why yée say thus? in this Castle that we see before vs, are there any Sarazins within it, or spirits of hell that haue sworne our [Page] death? surely I doubt them not, make good cheere, and bee nothing abashed, take good courage and ioy, [...]or by the ayd of our Lord Iesus Christ, and by the force of my armes, and good Swoorde, if there bee any man within the Castle that will resiste againste vs, I assure you I shall soone deliue [...] you from him. Anone you shall see what I can doe, I neuer [...] in all my life so faire a Castle, I cannot tell whether they with­in will defend vs the entrie into the Port or not: if they will haue any Tribute of me, I shall gladly pay it, so they demaund nothing else, and if I see that they will demaund any thinge else of mee, I shall shewe them howe my Sword can answeare it, for I had rather to die, then in any Princes Court it should bee layd to my reproach and shame, that for any man I should retire backe one [...]oote for feare or doubt of any death, for I will neuer bee taken aliue, thereby to dye in prison. Sir, (quoth the Patrone) your force and great prowesse can nothinge a­uaile you, for if wee were as stronge and as great as euer was Sampson, it should nothing aduantage you, I shall shewe you the cause why. The Castle that you see yonder before you, is the most fairest and strongest Castle in all the world, it is set and compassed round about with a Rocke of Adamant stones, the which naturally doth drawe vnto it all manner of yron, as you may well see by our shippe that goeth so fast without any sayle: the Adamant doth drawe it, because of the anchors and nayles that bee in our Shippe, the wood that seemeth to bee a Forrest, are the Mastes of such Shippes as hath there arriued, and are drawne thether by the Adamant.

When Huon vnderstood the Patrone, hee was right sorow­full, and no maruaile, then pitiously hee complayned for his wife and for his Childe, for hee sawe well that hee could not escape the death, nor neuer depart from thence: then hee wept pitiously and sayd. Ah good Lord, who in this world hath for­med me, I require thy grace, that thus (poore sinner that I am) enclined to all misfortune, that it may please thée to receiue my soule into Paradice, as for my life I make none account there­of. But I pray thee good Lorde to saue my Wife and Childe, whome I haue lefte in daunger of death, or else in shamefull [Page] imprisonment. And with those woordes the Shippe entred into the Port with such a force and puissance, that it ranne in amongest the other Shippes, so that if the shippe had not been stronge, and the other shippes rotten, Huons shippe had béene broken all to peeces, for it ranne vnder the water thrée or foure of the other olde shippes, and was not broken thanked be al­mightie God. Then hee looked into the Hauen, and sawe so many shippes, that hee had great maruaile thereof, and hée was sore dismayed and abashed, in that hee sawe neither man woman nor Child stirring abroad. Also hee looked about him and behelde the Castle, the which was so faire and rich, that there was none such throughout all the world. Then hee thought to send thether one of his companie, for to know what people were within the Castle, but hee sawe well that there was no way to enter, but by a straight way of thrée Hundred and fourscore gréeces of height, the way was so straight and narrow, that no man but one at once coulde mount vp the de­grées, he had great maruell & was sore troubled in mind, when hee sawe no man comming from the Castle. Then hee called one of his Knights and sayd: Sir Arnold, I will and command that you goe vp into this Castle, to see what people bee within it, either Sarazins or Paynims: knowe who is Lord thereof, and say how that I greatly desire to be acquainted with him: if you can doe so much that I may bee acquainted with him, then I and my men will mount vp together vntill some good aduen­ture fall, for I hope in our Lord God that wee shall escape this daunger. Sir, (quoth Arnold) I shall doe as you haue com­maunded mee. Then he departed, and went from one shippe to another vntill hee came to the land, and then hee went to the [...], and [...]ound the degrees and mounted vp: but before hée came to the Castle gate, hee rested himselfe thrée times, and when he came to the gate, hee rested him he was so wearie, and beheld the gate, the which séemed vnto him maruailously faire and rich: then hee beganne to crie and call, to the entent that some man should come and to speake with him, and when hee sawe that none did speake, hee sto [...]de and hearkened if any per­son were comming to open the gate: but none appeared, and [Page] then hee knocked and called againe, and sayd: Porter that art within, come and open the gate, or else cursed be thou of God: this Arnolde hadde a good occupation to knocke, crie, and call, for within was neither man woman nor Childe that would o­pen the gate, when hee sawe that, hee was neere angrie with displeasure, and looked downe vnder the gate to knowe if hee might espie either man or woman to speake vnto, then hee tur­ned him round about and looked on the right hande of the Hall dore, and there hee sawe an horrible Serpent, the which kept the Castle and Pallaice, it was a maruailous great Serpent, higher then any horse, his eyes like twoo Torches burning: when Arnold sawe him, hee was right sorrowfull and sore dis­pleased, and when the Serpent heard the knocking and great noyse at the gate, braying and crying he came toward the gate: and when Arnold sawe the Serpent with great furie approa­ching to the gate, hee fledde away in so great hast, that he néere hande (with verie feare) fell downe the staires, hee rested not vntill hee came to the shippe whereas Huon was, and saide. Sir, I haue beene aboue at the gate of the Castle, and called and knocked thereat more then the space of an houre: but there was neither man, woman, nor Childe that did appeare, and when I sawe that, I layde mee downe and looked vnder the gate, to knowe if I might see either man or woman to speake vnto, but I could neuer sée any creature, but a great and a hor­rible Serpent higher then a great horse, with eyes redder then fire, with maruailous great tallons and and taile, there was neuer man sawe a fowler figure of a beast. Alas, (quoth Huon) nowe I sée we be all but dead, for wee haue nothing to eat nor drinke, wherefore wee shall die for famine and rage. But if I may enter into the Castle, I shall giue that Serpent such a stroake, that hee shall neuer hurt any man liuing. Alas what haue I said, my hardinesse nor my prowesse cannot helpe me, for I see well that I and all you must die, for it is impossible for vs to depart from hence.

Then the Patron sayd to Huon sore weeping. Sir, it behoo­ueth vs to part our victuall, if you will sustaine the right & cu­stome of the sea, whē men come to such a case, y ^t there is no remedie [Page] to get any fresh victuall, then it is reason that the Lord and Captaine to haue the one halfe to his part, and the other part [...] to bee deuided amongest his men. Maister, quoth [...]) you may doe your pleasure, doe as you shall thinke [...] ▪

[...] the Patrone caused all their victuals to bee brought [...] was deuided, the Patrone was a wise man. [...] that, hee began to weepe, hee did eate but [...], because his victuall should endure the [...], all that but little auailed, for before fifteene [...] ▪ all their victuals were spent, except Huons [...] man part, and kept for [...] other men had. And as they were in this [...] a Galley wherein were Thirtie men [...] and Pirats of the Sea, they came and arri­ued [...]eere [...] the Shippe whereas Huon was in, not knowing what place they were in: when they arriued it was in a darke night, they had great maruaile of Huons Shippe wherein they sawe great light, and then they sayd one to another, it is hap­pie for [...] that wee haue found heere this faire Shippe, it can [...]ot [...]ee but it is rich and full of goods: they shall not escape vs, [...] shal [...] bee ours, for ther [...]in are [...]ut fewe men to defend the Shippe.

Chap. CX.

WHen Huon saw the Galley a­riue and going to his Shippe, hee hadde great maruaile what men they were, then he aligh­ted a torch, and to [...]ke it in his hand▪ and came [...] on the Shippe and sayd. Sirs of this [...] well arriued heere, wee haue great ioy of your [Page] companie, whē the Sarasins heard Huon, they perceiued by his language, that he and his companie were Christian men: then each of them beheld other, smiling for ioy, one of them turned his spéech, and spake good Spanish, and sayde to Huon: Fel­low it is no néede for vs to hide what wee bée: all wee that thou séest héere bee Sarasins, and ye be Christned, wherefore we will haue al the riches that is in your ship, and beside that, all your heads shall be striken off, and your bodyes cast into the sea. Paynim, quoth Huon, ere thou hast our shippe at thy com­mandement, first thou shalt buye it déerely. Then Huon cryed to his men that they should arme themselues to defende them from the Paynims, the which they did diligently. And Huon who was readie armed, and by that time the Sarasins were entred into the shippe. Huon was readie before them, with his sword in his hand, wherewith he strake the first that he mette with all, in such wise, that his head flew from his shoulders. Then he strake another, and claue him to the throat, and so the third and the fourth were shortly slaine, he layd on so rounde a­bout him, that his enemies were afrayde to behold him. Then the cheefe maister of the theeues came and rebuked his men, because they had suffered Huon to doe them so much hurt and domage, he approached to Huon to haue striken him, but Huon, who was light and expert in déedes of armes, auoyded his stroke, and strake the Sarasin with a reuerse, that his head flew from his body a great way off. Then Huon cryed Bourde­aux, to reioyce his men, and to giue them courage. Also Arnolde who had seene the Serpent in the Castle, did maruailes, and beate downe his enemies, whereof Huon had great ioy. And there was a great mightie Sarasin, who came behinde this knight Arnold, as he fought with another Sarasin, and he gaue Arnold with an axe such a great stroke, that hee claue his head to the téeth, whereof Huon was right sorrowfull, and sayd, hee had rather die then the death of Arnold should not be reuenged. Then hee approached neere vnto the same Paynim, and lif­ting vppe his Sworde with both his handes, hee strooke the Sarasin on the shoulder, that the sword entred into the breast. And the Patron of Huons Shippe, vnarmed came into the bat­taile [Page] with a great staffe in his handes, wherewith hee laid vp­pon the Sarazins in such wise, that such as hee strake needed after no Surgion. Then a Sarazin aduised him, and came and gaue the Patrone such a stroake with a Swoord vppon the head, that his head was clouen to the braine, wherewith Huon was right sorrowfull and sore displeased. But it was not long before he reuenged his death, for hee strake the Sara­zin such a stroake, that hee claue him to the breast, and when the Patrones Seruaunts sawe that their Maister was slayne, they all made great sorrowe, and disarmed as they were, they came and entred into the Battaile with great staues in their handes, and fought with them fiercely.

But the Sarazins who were all armed, had anone slayne them all, whereof Huon was right sorrowfull and angry, for hee hadde then with him lest aliue no moe but foure men of de­fence. And the Sarazins, who in the beginning were Thir­tie, were all slayne except seauen persons, they greatly feared Huon, for they sawe well that none coulde endure against his stroake [...], and then they fledde out of Huons shippe and entred into their owne Galley. But Huon and his thrée Knightes that were with him, followed them so fast that they slew them all, and caste them into the Sea. Then Huon and the thrée Knightes that were with him, tooke all the flesh, bread, and wine that was in the Galley, and bare it into their shippe, whereby they liued more then seauen Monethes. And then when their victuals begann to fayle, then they were right sor­rowfull, they had no victuall to liue by longe, and yet they did [...]a [...]e but little, so they beganne to be pale and leane through fa­mine, pitiously Huon complayned and sayd. Oh yee my déere and true Freends, who for my loue haue left your Lands, your Wiues and Children, n [...]we I pe [...]ceiue yée must néedes die for th [...] [...]ag [...] of famine: [...]las poore Cayliffe that I am, I shall not longe liue after you, great pitie it was to heare the complaints that Huon made, who saw that he must folow the same daunce. Then hee sayd: Ah faire Ladie Escleremond, I shall neuer see you more, I pray vnto our Lord God that hee will comfort you in all your affaires, as for mee poore soule, it is impossible to [Page] liue foure dayes longer. After that hee had made this pitifull complaint, hee beheld the thrée Knights, who rendred vp their soules and died through hunger. The pitifull complaints that then he made was pitie to heare, he had no hope to be aided by any mortall man, wherefore he knew surely that hee could not liue aboue twoo dayes longer. Then all weeping, hee went from his Knightes that lay there dead, and went to the board of his shippe, and looked into the Sea to see if hee might espie any manner of Shippe comming thether. For hee thought that if any shippe came thether of the Sarazins, hee woulde haue some victuals or else to dye in the quarrell. Thus Huon was there alone without any company, sore weeping and al­most dead through famine.

When Huon sawe that no manner of shippe was comming thether, hee was right sorrowfull. Then hee turned him and regarded the Castle, the which seemed vnto him maruailously faire and great, and sayd. Ah good Lord, how can it be that this faire and rich Castle should bee voyd without man or wo­man? I haue great maruaile of that sir Arnold shewed mee, for he shewed me that within the Castle there was neither man nor woman, and howe that there should bee a great Serpent, I cannot tell whether it be true or not, or whether hee spake it for feare, but by the grace of God (though I shall die in the qua­rell) I will knowe the troth, for I were as good to die by the horrible Serpent, as to die for hunger. Then hee tooke his good Sword, and put on his helmet, and tooke his sheeld, and did so much with going from shippe to shippe, vntill hee came to the gate of the land. And then with much paine hee moun­ted vp the degrees, and so came to the Castle, and then he sat downe and rested him, and beheld the faire Castle, he thought that he neuer saw none such before, for the wals and Towers were of fine Alablaster cleare shining, and the Towers richly couered with fine goulde of Arabia: when the Sunne cast his rayes and spheares thereuppon, it cast so great a light, that it gaue light a farre off, and when hee had longe beheld it at his pleasure, hee sawe the gate the which was faire and rich, that great beautie was to beholde it: for the twoo leaues of the gate [Page] were couered with fine goulde, intermedled with other rich ouerages.

And on his right side he saw by the gate a window, and ouer the same there was written in Letters of gould, saying: Let a­ny man beware how he entreth into this Castle, without hee bee the worthyest Knight of all other, or else it were folly to assay it. For he shall find there such aduentures, as if his bodie were harder then a stethye of steele, yet hee should be but dead and lost, with­out hee bee of that puissance, to resiste againste the great Serpent and vanquishe him, many men haue assayled, that neuer coulde speed, and he that will enter into the Castle, behold a little purse that hangeth on the right hand of the gate, where he shall find the key for to open the gate. When Huon had read the writing, hee began sore to muse in himselfe, and said: Good Lord, since thou hast saued mee from so many perils in time past, I hum­bly require thee at this time to ayde and succour mee: and to giue me that grace, that I may vanquish this horrible Serpent and bring him to the death, for I had rather die in fighting like a valiant knight, then to die for famine. Then Huon arose vp, and went to the purse, and tooke out the key, and opened the gate and entred, and closed the gate againe after him.

Chap. CII.

WHen Huon was entred into the Castle, hee sawe before the Hall dore the horrible Serpent, who was risen vp: his skin was of diuers colours, and it was so hard, that no yron nor steele could enter into it. When Huon sawe the beast so great, hee doubted him­selfe, and called vppon Iesus Christ, requiring him to haue pi­ty vppon him, and to giue him the grace to slay that dreadfull [Page] beast: when the beast sawe Huon, hee had great maruaile, for hee had beene there a long space that neuer man came there, he stretched out his clawes, and cast his tayle round about him, and came hastily against Huon, who when he sawe the beast approach neere to him, hee made the signe of the Crosse vppon his forehead, recommending himselfe to God, with his Sword in his hand and his sheeld before him, and hee fiercely marched towards the Serpent, he was so hideous and fearful to behold, that the beast seemed rather an enemie of Hell, then any other beaste, his bodie was maruailous great with an ougly head, with twoo eyes bigger then twoo basons full of burning fire, and when hee came neere vnto Huon, hée lifted vp one of his pawes, thinkinge to haue drawne downe Huon to the earth, hee strake vpon Huons Sheeld with such force, that hee pulled it from his shoulder, leather nor buckle could not resiste it, and then with his teeth and nayles hee tare the Sheeld all to pee­ces: Huon who was legier and light, leapt by the side of the Serpent, and gaue him a great stroake with his Sword vppon the eare, that he thought to haue clouen asunder his head. But hee coulde doe it no more hurt, then if hee had striken vppon a stethy, so that his Sword rebounded againe, whereof Huon was right sorrowfull, and said: Ah good Lord, nowe I sée well that my dayes are at an end. Ah faire Ladie Escleremond, I pray our Lord God to saue you and my Daughter Clariet, for this day you shall loose mée.

Then hee aduaunced him to the Serpent, and gaue him a great stroake vppon the haunch behinde, and if hée did but little with his first stroake, hee did lesse hurt with that stroake, for hee could in no wise cut through the Serpents skinne, where­fore hee was in great feare: and the Serpent when he felt him­selfe striken cast his tayle rounde about Huon with such force, that hee ouerthrew Huon to the earth, yet hee quickly releeued againe. Then he saw by the gate a great square Speare with a sharpe broad head, and then hee put vp his Sword, and tooke the Speare in both his handes, and came with all his force and strength against the Serpent, who came and encountred him with open mouth to haue swallowed Huon ▪ but Huon [Page] who was strong and light, tooke the speare and layd it on his arme, and saw the Serpent with his mouth open, hee strake the Speare into the mouth of the Serpent so deepe, that with the head of the Speare, he cutte his heart asunder, when the Serpent felt himselfe hurt to the death, hee cast out a terrible crye, so that all the place sounded, and so that the noyse might be heard a league off. Thus the horible Serpent was slaine. When Huon saw that hee was dead, hee kneeled downe and lift vp his hands to heauen, thanking our Lord God for his grace. Then he arose, and went to the Serpent and behelde him, for hee was hidious and fearefull to behold, he was eigh­teene foote long. When Huon had well beheld him, he went and sate downe by the hall doore for to rest him for he was so wea­rie and faynt with the bloud that hee had lost, and with sweat, that he had much paine to draw his breath, the which was no maruaile, for hee had neither eate nor drunke of all that day.

When he had well rested him, then he arose vp, as desirous to know whether any man or woman were within the Castle or not, to speake vnto them, he entred into the hall, the which he maruailously regarded, it was so fayre and ritch to beholde, that there is no Clarke in the world can discribe the beautie and richesse thereof: the rich Chambers that were on the side of the hall, were all composed and made of whi [...]e marble poli­ [...]ed, the posts were couered with fine golde, at the ende of the hall there was a chimney, whereof the two pillars that sustai­ned the Mantle trée were of fine Iasper, and the Mantle was of a rich Calsedony, and the Lintell was made of fine Emera­ [...]is, [...]rayled with a wing of fine gold, and the Grapis of fine Saphers. This chimney was so rich, that none such could bée [...]ound, and all the Pillars in the hall were of red Calsedonie, and the pauement was of fine Amber.

When Huon had well beheld this Hall, hee looked towards the Chambers, & ouer the doore of euerie Chamber was writ­ten in letters of gold, the which shewed where the keyes were of euerie chamber: Huon who could well reade the letters, and vnderstood it, he found a purse, wherein were the keyes of euerie chamber, all of fine golde: he tooke one of the keyes, and [Page] opened one of the Chamber doores, and entred into the Cham­ber. Then he looked all about the Chamber, and sawe it garni­shed and hanged with the most richest cloathes that euer were séene, the benches and bedsteads were all of white Iuorie, so richly entrayled, and wrought and garnished with precious stones, that no mans tongue could describe the beautie and richesse thereof, all was made by enchauntment. This Pallaice was exceeding great and large, and well garnished with chambers.

When Huon had well beheld this chamber, hee was greatly abashed, that hee could neyther see man nor woman. Then he looked ouer another Chamber doore, where there was also written in letters of gold, according as it was written ouer the first doore. Then Huon tooke the key, and opened another doore, and entred into that Chamber also, and there he found a great quantitie of gold and riches, and rich Iewelles, with other most precious stones, that great beautie it was for to behold. Ah good Lord (quoth Huon) I would neuer haue beléeued that in all the world there had beene so much riches, as I sée héere present before mée: then anone he sawe another chamber, and tooke the key and entred therein, and for all the riches that he sawe before, there hee found much more, there were Presses made of fine Iuorie, very richly wrought and entrayled, so that there was no beast nor birde, but there it was most cunningly wrought, in the which Presse were gownes and roabes of most fine gold: and most rich mantles furred with Sabyles, and all other things the which were ap­pertayning vnto the apparell of man-kinde, and the beds so richly couered, that it was impossible to be described by anie mortall man, this chamber was so fayre and rich, that Huon could neuer bee satisfied with beholding and viewing thereof, there were windowes verie richly glazed, opening vppon a Garden side, the which Garden was so fayre, and so well gar­nished with flowers of most precious swéete smelling, and of all manner of trees charged with fruits, so good and so delici­ous to eate, that the verie smell of them would haue satisfied a mans appetite.

[Page] Huon who saw this fayre garden, desired greatly to enter into it, to gather some of that fruit, hee looked ouer the doore and found the purse with the key therin, and then he opened the doore and went into the garden, and gathered of the fruite at his pleasure, and did eate thereof, for hee had a great desire to eate, hee thought the fruit maruailous good. If I should shewe or discribe the beautie of this garden, it would be ouer­long to resite, there were so many sundrie fruits, so fayre and so sweete of smelling, that a sicke man of any infirmitie, would soone haue recouered his health. Also there were herbs and flowres so sweet and delightfull, that all the garden seemed to be full of balme. When Huon had beene there a good space, and had well eaten of the fruite at his pleasure, hee returned backe into the chamber that hee came from, and then hee vn­armed him, and putte off all his cloathes, and tooke out of the Presse a fine shirt, and doublet, hosen, and shooes, gowne, coate, and cappe, such as he would choose, for there was no man to say him nay, when hee was thus newly arriued, there could not bee founde a more goodlier man, according as the Chronicle sayth, I beléeue hee was borne by the Fairie, as then there could not bee found so goodly a man liuing. When he was thus apparelled, he went from chamber to chamber, alwayes hearkening whether he could heare the voyces either of men or women, but as long as hee continued there, he could heare nothing, whereof hee was right sorrowfull. There hée continued eight dayes, without eating of any thing, sauing of the fruits of the Gardine, whereby hee waxed féeble and [...]aint, the which was no maruaile, for hee had béene there eight dayes without eating either bread or flesh, he was so féeble, that hee thought he could not long indure there without death. Then he prayed vnto our Lord God for to comfort and streng­then him out of that great daunger: most pittiously hee com­playned for his wife and childe, saying: Ah my deere Wife, God ayde and succour you in all your affayres, for ye shall ne­uer haue any succour and ayde of me more, for I tarrie but for the howre of my death, the which is nowe neere at hand approaching vnto mee, for I am so sore and grieuously bitten [Page] with famine, that I haue much paine to sustaine my selfe. Thus Huon was eight dayes in the Ca [...]le of the Adamant, e­uerie day eating of the fruits of the gardine, and at night hee lay euer in the [...] bed in the chamber. Now let vs leaue spea­king of him, and let vs turne to the Duchesse Escleremond, who was besieged within the Citie of Bourdeaux, whereas she was in great displeasure, and not without a cause, for shee suffered much paine and trouble.

Chap. CXII.

YE haue heard before, howe Duke Huon departed from his Citie of Bour­deaux, wheras hee left the Duchesse his wife, who was in great displeasure when she sawe the departing of her husband, she greatly com­playned, and sayd: Ah my right [...]eere Lord, your departure ought g [...]eatly to greeue mee, I feare you shall not come in time to succour, and to bring me out of the danger that I am in, for it is impossible for vs long to endure against this Emperour. A [...]as I haue more so [...]ro [...] for my daughter▪ thē for my selfe: and I am sorrowfull for my Lords and [...] ▪ who for the loue of you and mee are in pe [...]ll of th [...]ir [...] ▪ had beene better for vs to haue tarryed still in [...] come hither to [...]uffer all these to [...]men [...]s, p [...]ines, and [...], and at last painefull dea [...]h: with saying of these [...] Duchesse fell in a tr [...]ce among her Lords. [...] relee [...]ed [...] ▪ & sayde discomfort you [...] but take good [...] and [...] your men, who haue great desire to defend [...] [Page] Citie, for the sauegard of their owne bodyes and liues, thus to make sorrow, ye can winne nothing thereby, but loose more to more: haue no doubt that Huon your husbande will leaue you at this poynt, hee is gone to your brother for succour, hee will not long tarrie, and he will bring you such succour, that the Emperour nor the Almaines shall haue no leysure to grant him the victorie.

Thus Gerames comforted the Duchesse, who was glad for to heare Gerames, and thus as they deuised together, the Emperour who was aduertised of Huons departing, and how he was gone for succour, he assembled his Councell into his tent, and there hee shewed and declared the great losses that he had suffered, as well of the death of his nephewes, as of other of his friends and kynne, and the great domage that by Huon he had suffered, and sayde. Sirs, all this ye know well, his ac­quaintance hath cost vs déerely, ye haue all heard how he is de­parted to séeke for succour, but I cannot tell to what part hee is gone. As for the Realme of Fraunce, I know right well hee shall haue no succour there, for as it hath béene shewed mée of [...]ate, that the right Noble and victorious Prince Charlemaine is dead, who loued Huon but little, because of his sonne Char­lot, whome Huon slew, and Charlemaine hath left behinde him but one sonne named Lewes, who is but of a yong age: and I beléeue if hee were of full age, that he would rather come for to succour me then Huon, who slewe Charlot his brother, therfore it can be no otherwise, but that he is gone into some far coun­trey for succour, therefore I thinke it best that in the meane time ere he returne, that on all sides let vs continually assaile the Citie, and let euerie one doe their part, to bee reuenged for the death of their friendes, which are héere slaine by them within the Citie.

When the Lordes heard the Emperour, all with one voyce aunswered and sayd. Syr, the reason which you haue shew­ed vnto vs, is to bee kept and done, and wee shall goe arme vs and make vs all readye, to the intent to come to your inten­tion, the which is verie good and reasonable. Then they sounded al their hornes and busins, and euerie man speedily [Page] armed himselfe, and came with Ensigne displayde to assayle the Cittie, and they that were within, as well as they could they defended the Citie: they which were without, reared vppe ladders against the walles with mightie strength, but they which were within did beate them down into the Dikes, and then they did cast downe vppon them hote leade and boy­ling Dyle, and quicke Lyme, and great stones, and fagots burning, so that they which were down in the Dikes, had no power for to reléeue themselues againe, but there most misera­bly dyed vnder the ladders. There was on both parts excee­ding great shooting wyth Crosbowes, and slinging of stones so thicke, that they seemed like vnto snow flying in the ayre, maruailous it was to beholde the olde Gerames, howe hee exhorted his companie for to doe well, and also the Duchesse Escleremond, with her daughter in her armes, crying vnto her men, and sayde: Yee my deere Lords and Knights, fight lusti­ly, but to your paynes, for to defende your bodyes and your liues, your wiues, and your children, to the intent that the Almaynes make not their bragges and vaunts of theyr win­ning of this most noble Citie by theyr assaults, the which is so goodly and rich, for Sirs, I knowe right well yee shall not a­bide this trouble for no long season, for Duke Huon your right­full Lorde will shortly ayde and succour vs all. Then all the noble Barons, Knights, and Burgesses, hearing the excée­ding great comfort of the Noble and vertuous Lady the Du­chesse Escleremond, with a maruaylous great courage and va­lour they came to theyr defences, and behaued themselues so valiantly, that theyr enemies were forced to retyre backe with great losse and domage, whereof the Emperour and his Lords were right sorrowfull, and they within the Citie right ioyfull of the great victorye the which God had giuen them that day. Then euery man went vnto his lodging, and made great ioy, and the Emperour and his men withdrew themselues in great displeasure for his losse.

When the Emperour was vnarmed, and had well refre­shed himselfe, then hee sayde vnto his Lordes, Sirs, wee haue beene a long season before this Citie, and haue sustained ma­ny [Page] losses, therefore sirs I require you to counsell mee what is [...] do, this Citie is strong, and wel furnished with knights and men to defend it, by vs it will neuer be wonne: without vic [...]ualles [...]aile them, but I thinke they haue but small store of [...], therefore I desire you to shew me your abuises, whe­ther [...] shall depart from this Citie without more doing, or [...] here vpon such fortune as God will send vs. When the Emperour had sayd as much as hee pleased, then the Duke Sau [...]y his brother rose vp and sayd. Sir, me thinkes if it may [...] beleeued, that this Citie cannot long endure, and the cause [...] I shall shew you: ye knowe well that Huon their Lord is [...] to seeke for succour, on the other side, they within the Ci­tie haue but fewe men, and but ill furnished of victualles, within the Citie there is an old knight, who is a valiant and a hardie knight, and therefore it were profitable to studie howe he might bee taken or else slaine, this should greatly aduaunce your enterprise, of the which ye cannot fayle, if you wil beléeue my counsell as I shall shewe you. True it is that this day wee haue had great losse, and receiued great domage, whereof they within are ioyfull, wherefore it were good to send certain mut­ [...]ons and beasts in the night time, with a few keepers: sende them into the medow neere vnto the Citie, and I am sure that when the olde knight knowes thereof, the which he shall know by the watch men on the towres and walles, then incontinent he [...] out [...] such power as hee hath, to take the beasts [...] bring them into the Citie. And to the intent that they [...]all neuer returne againe into the Citie, incontinent ere the [...] a good number of Béefs and Muttons. Then [...] armed tenne thousand men, and send them to a [...] whereas the gallowes is raysed, and when they [...] that they within the Citie bee issued out to fetch the [...] the tenne Thousand men drawe neere to the gate [...] ▪ to the e [...]tent that they without shall not enter [...] to their great losse. And if you will thus doe, I put [...] that before it be midnight they shall bee all taken [...], and the matter may so come to passe, that you shall enter into the Citie at your pleasure.

[Page]Thus I haue shewed you as I thinke best, if any man know any better way, let him speake. Then euerie man regarded the Emperour, and sayde, Sir the counsaile that Duke Sauary hath giuen you, wee thinke that a better counsayle cannot bée giuen to any Prince. When the Emperour vnderstod the counsaile of his brother Duke Sauary, and that all his Lordes did allow the same, hee was right ioyfull, and sayde that it should bee so done. Then he called his marshall, and comman­ded that it should be done according as his Brother had deui­sed it before, the which was done verie diligently, and sent with him fiftie men, with sixe hundred muttons, and two hun­dred beasts néere vnto the Citie, and then layd theyr ambush­ment of tenne thousande men by the little mountaine: it was darke night, and the Moone was not risen, whereby they within could not perceiue them, the which turned to theyr great losse and damage, for all those that issued out of the Citie of Bourdeaux were slaine and taken prisoners, as ye shal heare hereafter.

Chap. CIIII.

YE haue heard before, howe the Emperour assayled the Citie of Bourdeaux, and of the great losse that he sustained, wherof Gerames and they within the Citie were right ioyfull, and made great feasts, and thanked our Lord God. Then after Supper Gerames called all the knights and other together, and sayde. Sirs, ye haue séene this day the great assault that the Emperour and his men haue made to this Citie, but thanked be God the losse [Page] is returned to them, for there are dead and wounded a great number of them, and many of them are sore wearyed with tra­uaile, and thinke now for to rest themselues, and now is their howre that they be sette at Supper, and customably they sitte euer long at their Table, farre longer then French men doe: wherefore I thinke best, that incontinent without delay we should arme our selues, and issue out of the Citie, and goe to their tents and rayse them, and then lette vs doe there as good Knights ought to doe, to the intent that good songs may bee made of vs, and that the Almaines haue no cause to say, but that wee bee as good men as they bee. Sir (quoth Othon and Barnard) we be readie thus to doe. Sirs (quoth Gerames) let vs make haste, that we may returne againe ere the Moone riseth. Then they armed themselues. Alas what an il aduenture came to them at night, for the most part of those that issued out, were taken and slaine. Ah good Lord, what a losse fell to the Citie of Bourdeaux. Ah noble Lady Escleremond, yee may well weepe and complaine all your dayes, for sorow, paine, and dolour ap­proacheth néere, whereby ye are like to beare such diseases and pouertie, that no man liuing can recount it, nor yee shall neuer bee out of that daunger and trouble, till yee be deliuered by the good Duke Huon your husband.

When Gerames and his companie were readie, they moun­ted on their horses, and issued out at the gate as priuily as they could, so that they were not perceiued by them that were set to watch for them, nor they heard not when they were in the field, they rode a false gallop to the tents, the which they might well [...]e cleerely by the lights that were in the tents: when they came neere, they dashed their spurres to their horses, and cryed Bourdeaux, and s [...]rake and cut asunder the cordes and stayes, so that many tents fell to the earth, and such as came out were slaine, a great noyse and crie beganne to rise in the hoast, and euerie man ranne to their armour, and Gerames and his com­panie slew many of their enemies, and made them for to flie before them, it was dreadfull for to beholde the damage that they did there. But finally the losse fell vpon them, for the Em­perour and all his men were readie, when Gerames sawe howe [Page] all the hoast was mooued, then he sayd to his companie. Sirs, it is time for vs to retyre backe, for we may tarrie héere too long, yonder commeth the Emperour with a mightie armie to close vs in, it is needfull for vs to make haste, that wee may goe away in safetie. Then altogether in one companie they re­turned, and went the way towards Bourdeaux. But they had not gone farre, ere that they were ouertaken by the Almaynes, & they layd on on all parts with their swords & speares. Then Gerames turned him to an Almaine, and with his speare ran him cleane through, and in drawing out his speare, hee fell downe dead to the earth, and then he strake another, whome also he slew. He did such déedes of armes, that ere his speare brake, hee slewe fiue of his enemies, whereof the Almaynes were sore abashed. He brake the prease in such wise, that none durst approach néere vnto him, right well did Othon and Ber­nard, and such as were with him. But when the Duke Sauary, who with tenne thousand men lay in ambushment néere vnto the Citie, had heard the greate noyse and crie, hee suppo­sed that they within the Citie were issued out. When Gerames and his companie sawe howe they were inclosed both before and behinde, they were sore abashed.

When Gerames sawe that their force and powers could not auayle them, but that either they must bee taken or slaine, then earnestly he called vpon our Lord Iesus Christ, requiring him to saue and defend his good Lord Huon of Bourdeaux, and the Duchesse Escleremond his wife. And he cryed to his com­panie & sayd. Sirs, I pray you hartily at this time shew forth your Prowesse, and behaue your selues so valiantly, that this Emperour & Almaines haue no cause to make their auaunts, that they haue found vs as men amazed, but let vs shew them how our swords can cut. Then all together they assayled their enemies in such wise, that at y ^e first brunt the Almaines were constrayned to retyre backe, and Gerames did such déeds, that none durst approach néere vnto him. Then the Duke Sauary with ten thousand men came vpon them sodainely, the which was no equall part, and also the Emperour with his great battaile came also vpon old Gerames and his companie, who [Page] had gotten themselues into the subburbs of the Citie, and a mightie wall behind them at theyr backes, whereas they did stand at a bay against the Almaines. Gerames was in the mid­dest of them, and vnderneath his helmet appeared his long white beard, and the Emperour who had great shame, that so few men in number should kéepe a baye against his highnesse, and doe vnto his men so great damage, he perceiued where the old Gerames was, who had oftentimes slaine many of his men, and done him so mightie damages, that hee thought hee could neuer be reuenged thereof sufficiently, and thought that if hee should haue scaped then aliue, that hee would doe him much more hurt and damage after, and sayd to himselfe, that hee had rather die incontinent, then he should not as then bee reuenged on him, and therewith incontinent he couched his Speare and ran at old Gerames on the one side ere he was aware, so that the Emperour ranne him cleane through the bodie, so that the gen­tle knight Gerames fell to the earth, and died incontinent: great damage fell that day to Huon of Bourdeaux, for he lost the truest and best friend that he had. Alas for that pitious iourney that fell that day to them of Bourdeaux. They had good cause for to wéepe, alas good Duchesse Escleremond, what losse haue yee receiued, to loose him, who was your cheefe comfort and re­fuge, ye might haue called him more then father. Ah right no­ble Ladie, there neuer came to you a greater mischiefe, then ye haue by the death of Gerames, who lieth dead euen now among the enemies.

When the Almaines sawe that Gerames was dead, then they fought so, that within a short space all them of Bourdeaux were slaine, and not one scaped aliue, except Barnard, who was on the puissant horse Amphage: for the gambaudes and worke that he made, not an Almaine durst approach neere him, for Bernard next vnto Huon, was the most valiaunt knight of his body, that was as then liuing, for when the Almaines sawe him vpon that horse, they chased him no further, but they went to theyr tents, and Bernard ceased not till hee came vnto the gate of the Citie, the which was opened, when hee was entred, and the gate closed againe, the Burgesses and comunaltie saw [Page] how Bernard came in all alone, they demaunded of him, and sayd. Sir, where is your captaine and the old Gerames. Then sore wéeping, he shewed them at length the pittious and do­lorous aduenture, the which when they heard, they made such cries and wéeping, that pittie it was for to heare and to sée them, the bruite and noyse was so great and loud, that the La­die Escleremond heard it, whereat she maruailed, and stood in a great feare. Therewith Syr Bernard entred in at the Castle gate, and so mounted into the hall, whereas hee found the Du­chesse Escleremond, who was sore abashed when she sawe Syr Bernard come alone, who shewed her the great losse that he had sustained that day, wherwith for inward sorrow she fell down in a swound, and so lay a long space as though she had beene dead. Then the Ladyes and Damsels sore wéeping reléeued her, and then shee cast out a great crie, wringing her handes, and tearing her hayre, and sayde. Ah Huon my right déere Lord, this day yée haue lost your most sorrowfull and dolorous wife and well beloued daughter.

Then the Ladies, & Damselles, and other wiues, who had lost their husbands, fathers, and brethren, came into the Ca­stle, and made such cryes and sorrow, that the noyse thereof was heard into the Emperours hoast without, and it was shewed the Emperour, that the noyse and brute that was made within the Citie and Castle, was for the losse they hadde receiued that day. And then they sayde, that it should be good that the next morning euerie man should be readie to goe and assayle the Citie, and sayd, that if euer they would winne it, the howre then was come. When the Emperour had heard that reason, he sayd that the aduise was very good, and that he would that it should so be done, hee gaue the charge thereof to his Constable and Marshalles: & so the next morninge his hoast was readie, and the Emperour commanded to set for­ward, and then they came before the Citie garnished with all things néedfull and necessarie for assault: and they marched forward, and approached the Citie, and when they came there, they gaue a great crie, and entred into the Dykes, and reared vp their ladders to the walles in diuers places, so that they [Page] that were within were sore afrayd. For within were but Bur­gesses and Marchants, who could but little skil of warre, how­beit, they mounted vpon the walles, and defended their Cit­tie. But the Citie was so sore assayled on all parts, that the de­fendants wist not where to make resistance, the shotte of them without slew so thicke, that none within durst appeare vppon the walles: whereby they entred perforce into the Citie, and slew as many as they mette withall in their entring. And then they went vnto the gate, and opened it, so that the Empe­rour and all his Lords entred into the Citie. Then euerie man went abroade in the stréetes, to take prisoners, and to spoyle mens houses.

When the Emperour saw hee was Lord of the Citie, hee caused it to be proclaimed in euerie streete, that no man on paine of death should wrong any woman, or deflowre anie mayde, nor to breake any Church, nor to set any house on fire, and also such as were in any Church for sauegard, that they should goe at their pleasure, without any trouble or danger ei­ther of body or goods, for the Emperour, who was a wise Prince, thought in himselfe, that great damage and pittie it would bee, to destroy and putte to ruine such a famous Citie, so strong and well furnished with Burgesses and Marchants. When such as were fledde into strong places for refuge, vn­derstood the Emperours commaundement, euerie man and woman returned to their owne houses, so that there was but little damage done, and that was done by them that entred first. When the Lady Escleremond saw how the Citie was taken, ye may bee sure she was right sorrowfull. For first shee saw her Citie taken by the enemie, and her selfe closed within the Ca­stle ill furnished with victualles, and much people with her, whereby she saw cleerely (without God did ayde her) that her death approched neere. Then pitiously she complayned to God and sayd. Verie God on whome I beléeue firmely, and for whose sake I haue left my first misbeleefe, and forsooke my pa­rents and friends to take to my husband a Christian man, to the intēt to receiue thy law, O God I require thee of thy grace to haue pittie vpon mee poore desolate creature, and to keepe [Page] and defend my deere children from all ill incombrances, for if it be thy pleasure to saue my childe, I am content to abide what fortune it shall please thee to send mee, and beside that, I re­quire thy grace to saue and keepe Huon my deere Lord and husband.

Then all wéeping she called vnto her sir Bernard, and said▪ Right deare Fréend, I can take no counsaile nowe but of you, you sée well howe our deathes approache, and that it is impos­sible for vs to kéepe and defend this Castle against the Empe­rour, who hath wonne the Citie, and I doubt if he enter into this Castle perforce, wée shall bee the first that shall receiue death, and because I sée well that I cannot escape from hence, I require you my deare Fréend, and by the troth that you beare vnto Huon my Lord and yours, that incontinent you take my deare Daughter Clariet whome I hold héere in mine armes, and finde some meanes that you may depart out of this Citie, and beare her straight to the Abbey of Cluny, the which is in Burgoyne, and deliuer her into the kéeping of the Abbot there: and recommend me vnto him, hée is Vncle to my Husband Hu­on, and great Vncle to my Childe. Lady, (quoth Bernard) I know well that if I be taken here, I shalbe vtterly slaine: how­beit, if I could sée or knowe that my abiding héere could aid or succour you, both for mine honour and for the loue of my good Lord and Maister Huon, I woulde neuer depart hence from you, but my resistance and force is but of small value, and be­cause I woulde serue you as I am bounde to doe, I am readie sournished to take vppon mee that aduenture, as to beare your Child away, and to set her in sauegard by the grace of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ.

When the Duchesse vnderstood Barnard, she was well com­forted, and as for her selfe shee regarded neither her life nor death, when shee knewe that her Child should be saued. Then shée deliuered her Childe vnto Barnard, to the entent that in the night time hée should yssue out. Then the Emperour and his Lordes came before the Castle: and when the Duchesse knewe that, shee came to the gate, and at a windowe shee desired to speake with the Emperour, who was there readie present and [Page] said. Madame, say what you will to mée at your pleasure: and when shée sawe the Emperour, shee sayd. Sir, I knowe well that you are the head and cheefest of all the christened and noblest, whereby you are bound to defend and to kéepe from ill all noble men and women, I that am the Daughter of an high and mightie Emperour, and that for the loue of my good Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ, haue forsaken mine owne false bée­léefe, to beléeue vppon the Christian faith: Sir, I require you (for his sake that made and created you) to haue pitie and com­passion of mée, and of all those that be héere with mée, & to re­spite our liues, and to put from you all rancour and malice, and pardon them that nothing had to doe with the beginning of this warre.

When the Emperour hadde heard the reasonable request of this faire Ladie, hee cast from him all the mortall hate that hée had vnto her, and vnto them that were within the Castle with her. Then hée mooued with pitie and compassion of the noble Ladie, aunsweared and sayde: Madame, for the loue of our Lord Iesus Christe, I repell from mée all my displeasure, so that you render vnto mee this Castle, and to put it vnder mine obeysance to vse it at my pleasure, and to yéelde your bodie as my Prisoner, and all those that be within, and thus you shall haue all your liues saued. Sir, (quoth the Duchesse) laude and praise bee giuen to our Lord Iesus Christ, for this grace that you shewe vnto mée and to my companie. Then the Em­perour went backe, and made expresse commandement throuh­out the Citie, that no man should bée so hardy, as to doe any hurt or iniurie to any manner of person within the Citie, but to suffer euerie man to abide in their owne houses peaceably without killinge, whereof the Burgesses and communaltie of the Citie, were right ioyfull. Thus as yée haue heard the Ci­tie of Bourdeaux was taken by the Emperour, who was chosen in Almaine: and committed by the Emperour Charlemaine vn­till his Sonne Lewis shoulde bée of full age, and able to rule the Empire.

Chap. CV.

YEE haue heard the pitiful ta­king of the Citie of Bourdeaux, and of the trea­tie and appointment that the Duchesse Escle­remond had made with the Emperour, & when shee had made her appointment, shee went vn­to her companie pitiously weeping, and shewed them all the manner of her treatie, whereof euerie person was glad that their liues should bée saued, but they made great sorrowe, for that the Duchesse should become a Prisoner, and then she cal­led Barnard, and sayd. Sir, when it is night, yssue out by the Posterne with my Daughter Clariet, and beare her vnto the good Abbot of Cluny, who is her great Vncle. Madame, (quoth hée) bée of good cheere, and by the grace of our Lord and Saui­our Iesus Christ, I shall not rest twoo nights in one place, vn­till I haue deliuered your daughter vnto the good Abbot of Clu­ny her great Vncle. Then Barnard tooke leaue of the Duchesse, who kissed her Daughter at her departing, sore wéeping and pitifully complayning.

There was a Posterne that opened into the féeldes, and it was so small that Barnard was faine to leade his horse in his hand, the night was dark, but he knew well the waies, & after­wards he mounted on his horse with the Childe in his armes, and so road foorth and passed the Landes of Bourdeaux, and was neuer séene by any mortall man vntill the next day, he road so all the night that his horse was wearie. And when hee sawe that hee was past all daungers and escaped all perils, then hee road at his ease for loue of the Child, and he complained great­ly for the good horse Amphage, that Huon had left in his kéeping [Page] vntill his returne, but hee durst not take that Horse with him, for feare that hée should haue dealt the worse with the Ladie Escleremond, the which had béene true, for the Emperour loued the horse so well, that he desired more to haue the horse againe, then for to winne the Citie, and therefore Barnard durst not take the Horse with him. So long Barnard road, that hée ar­riued at Monglew, the which is called Lyon on the Riuer of Roane, and from thence hée road to Mascon, and from thence he rested not vntill he came to the Abbey of Cluny, and then hée a­lighted, and desired to speake with the Abbot: and when the Abbot sawe Barnard with a Child in his armes, hee had great maruaile thereof: and when Barnard sawe the Abbot, all wée­ping hee saluted him and said. Sir, the right desolate Duches of Bourdeaux, your Néece and wise vnto the Duke Huon of Bourdeaux your Nephew, hath sent héere vnto you her Daugh­ter Clariet. Then the good Abbot embraced him, and tooke the child and kissed it more then twentie times, and demaun­ded why hée brought the Child vnto him. Sir, (quoth Barnard) the Citie of Bourdeaux hath beene besieged by the Emperour of Almaine, and so straightly kept, that it was néere hand fami­shed, many Knightes that were within are slaine, so that Hu­on your Nephewe, by the counsaile of the Duchesse his wife, and consent of all his companie, is departed out of Bourdeaux to séeke succour of the King of Auphamie brother vnto Esclere­mond Huons Wife, and so it is a longe time since hee departed, and wée neuer could heare word of him, and thus hée left vs in Bourdeaux, and our chéefe Captaine was the old Gerames your Coozen, who was Brother to the good Prouost Guyer, and so it was that vppon a night wée yssued out and roade to the Empe­rours Tents, and slewe many of our enemies, and when wée sawe our time wee returned towardes our Citie, but by some spie wée were perceiued when wée yssued out, whereby the Emperour knowing thereof, sent Duke Sauary his Brother with tenne Thousand men to lye in ambushment néere to the Citie, so that when wee hadde thought to haue entred into the Citie, Duke Sauary was before vs with tenne Thousand men, there wée fought a long space, but finally the old Gerames and [Page] his companie were all slaine, none escaped but my selfe, and that was by reason of my horse, so I entred into the Citie, whereas there was made great sorrow, and the next day the Emperour with great assault wanne the Citie, and came to the Castle whereas the Duchesse was, who saw well that shée could not long hold the Castle, shée made her treatie to saue her bodie and her companie, and so they are all Prisoners: before she deliuered vppe the Castle, shee deliuered me her daughter, and so I issued out at a Posterne priuily, and was not percei­ued, therefore Syr your Néece hath sent you her daughter, to the intent that for the loue of her father, and of her yee would kéepe and nourish her, till her father Duke Huon were re­turned.

When the abbot vnderstood Bernard, he beganne to weepe, and tooke the childe in his armes, and kissed her oftentimes, and sayd. My deere childe, if it please our Lord God I shall bee to you both father and mother, and shall nourish you vntill yee be great, and then marrie you vnto some mightie Prince, in whome it shall lie to conquers your heritage, lands, and sig­nories, for I haue here in my house such treasure, that it is suf­ficient to conquer a whole Empire. Then the Abbot sent for a noble Ladie of the countrey, and a nurse, and deliuered vnto them the child for to keepe and to nourish, for a fayrer creature of her age was neuer seene. Then the Abbot sayd to Barnard, Sir yee shall abide heere still with mee, vntill the childe bee of age, or else till her father bee returned. Now lette vs leaue to speake of this young child Clariet, and of the Abbot, and re­turne to speake of the dolorous companie that were in the Ca­stle of the noble Citie of Bourdeaux.