[fol. 1r] Chapter 1 : Here begynneth the hystorye of the noble ryght valyaunt and worthy knyght Parys and of the fayr Vyenne the daulphyns doughter of Vyennoys, the whyche suffred many adversytees bycause of theyr true love or they coude enjoye the effect therof of eche other.

prose-textblock1In the tyme of kynge Charles of Fraunce the yere of our lord Jhesu Cryst 1271, was in the londe of Vyennoys a ryche baron daulphyn and lord of the lond that was named syr Godefroy of Alaunson and was of the kynges kynrede of Fraunce, the whyche daulphyn was ryght myghty and a grete lord bothe in havoyr and in landes, and was a ryght wyse man, in so moche that for his grete wysedom he was moche made of, bothe of the kynge of Fraunce and of al the lordes and barons of his courte, soo that noo thynge was doon in the sayd royame but that he was called therto. And had to his wyf a moche fayre lady whiche cleped was dame Dyane, whyche was of so grete beaulté that she was wel worthy and dygne to be named after that fayre sterre that men calle Dyane that appyereth and sheweth a lytel afore the day. And also she was replenysshed of all noblenes and gentylnes that a lady may or ought to have. The sayd daulphyn, thenne, and his noble lady Dyane were seven yere togyder wythoute yssue that moche they desyred to have, and prayed our Lord bothe nyght and day that they myght have chyldren playsaunt and redy to Hys devyne servyce. And our Lord, through Hys benygnyté, herde theyr prayer and after Hys playsyr gaf unto them the eight yere of theyr maryage a ryght fayr doughter for the whyche grete gladnes and joye was made thorugh all the daulphyns londe. And the chylde was baptysed with grete honour and joye, and in token of grete love they named hyr Vyenne bycause the cyté where she was borne in was called Vyenne. And thys doughter was delyverd unto a noble lady for to be nourysshed wyth hyr, the whyche lady was of the sayd cyté and had a lytel doughter of the age of Vyenne the whyche was named Ysabel. And so the fayre Vyenne was nourysshed wyth the same Ysabel from hyr tender age unto many yere after. And soo grete love was bytwene them bothe that they called eche other systers. And the fayre Vyenne grewe and encreaced ever in soverayn beawté and gentylnesse so that the renomee of hyr excellent beawté flourysshed not onely thurgh al Fraunce but also thurgh al the royame [fol. 1v] of Englond and other contrees.

prose-textblock2It happed after she was fyftene yere of age that she was desyred to maryage of many knyghtes and grete lordes. And at that tyme was in the daulphyns courte emonge many hys knyghtes a noble man of auncyent lygnage and of fayr londes, the whiche was wel byloved of the daulphyn and of alle the lords of the lande, and was called Syr James. Thys noble man had a moche fayr sone that had to name Parys, and his fader made hym to be taught in al good custommes. And whan he was eightene yere of age he was adressed to the dyscyplyne of armes, and demened hymself so nobly and worthely in al maner dedes of chyvalrye that wythin a shorte tyme after he was doubed knyght by the hande of the sayd lord daulphyn.

prose-textblock3Noo fayte of knyghthode ne none adventure of chyvalrye happed after but that he founde hymself at it, in soo moche that the renommee of hym ranne thurgh al the world, and men sayd he was one of the best knyghtes that myght be founde in ony contree. And helde hymself ryght clene in armes and lyved chastly and joyefully, and had ever aboute hym fowles, hawkes, and houndes for hys dysporte to alle maner of huntyng suffysaunt ynough for a duc or for an erle. And thurgh hys prowesse and hardynes he was acqueynted and knowen of many other grete lordes. And emonge alle other, he was gretely and lovyngly acqueynted with a yonge knyght of the cyté of Vyenne that hyght Edward, and were bothe of one age and moche loved eche other. And as two brethern of armes wente ever togyder there as they knew ony jousytng or appertyse of armes to be had, for to gete honour.

prose-textblock4And wete it wel that, besyde theyr worthynes in armes, they were good musycyens, playeng upon alle maner instrumentes of musyke and coude synge veray wel, but Parys passed in al ponytes his felowe Edward. Notwythstondyng, Edward was amerous alredy of a noble lady of the courte of Braban, but Parys as yet knewe nought of amorousté. But not longe after, Venus, the goddes of love, fyred his thought with the hert unto a noble yong lady, that is to wete the fayre Vyenne, the daulphyns doughter of Vyennoys that was his lyege lord. And the more he growed toward his flouryng age, the more he was esprysed and brennyng of her love for the grete beauté that was in hyr. But Parys thought ever in hys herte that this love was not wel lykly ne cordable, for he was not of so hyghe lygnage as the noble mayden [fol. 2r] Vyenne was of. And therfore Parys kept hys love secrete that none shold perceyve it sauf Edward, his trusty felowe, to whom he brake and shewed his counceyl. And the fayre Vyenne perceyved not that Parys was amerous of hyr, nor Parys also durst neyther shewe nor say nothynge to hyr of hyt, but the more that he sawe hyr, the more grewe the fyre of love within hymself.

Chapter 2: How Parys and Edward hys felowe played wyth dyvers instrumentes by nyght tofore the chambre of Vyenne.

prose-textblock1Parys thenne and Edward wyth one accorde dysposed for to gyve somme melodyous myrthe to the noble mayde Vyenne, and wyth theyr musycal instrumentes as recourders, they yede by nyght tyme togyder toward that parte of the castel where as the fayre Vyenne laye in hyr chambre, and there they sange ful swetely and sowned melodoyously theyr musycal instrumentes and pypes. And certeyn the melodye of their songes and the sowne of heyr instrument was so playsaunt and so swete that it passed al other melodye. And whan the daulphyn and his wyf and the fayre Vyenne, theyr doughter, herde this swete and melodyous sowne as wel of mans wyces as of dyvers instrumentes, they had grete joye and took grete playsyr at it, and had grete desyre to knowe what they were that so grete solace and joye made tofore theyr castel. And for to wete and knowe what they were, the daulphyn assygned a day of a feste at the whyche he sente for alle maner mynstrellys in hys londe, chargyng theym upon grete payne that they shold come for to playe before hym and hys barons in hys castel of Vyenne. And whan they were al come, they played and sange in theyr best wyse. But among them were not founde tho mynstrelles that the lord daulphyn sought sore, wherof he was sorouful and desyred more to knowe what they were than he dyd afore. And whan Vyenne herde alle the mynstrellys of the londe that sowned at that feste, she sayd to Ysabel, her damoysel and prevy felowe, “By my fayth, swete syster, these mynstrellys playen nought to the regarde of them that were wonte to come before our chambre. And me dysplayseth moche that I may not knowe them, for certeynly they come not hyther for nought, for they love outher you or me.”

prose-textblock2Whan the daulphin understode hys doughters wordes, he, wyllyng to playse hyr, sayd unto hyr that, yf it were possyble, she shold knowe what they were that soo [fol. 2v] sange every nyght before hyr chambre. Wherfore he ordeyned ten men of armes and commaunded them to hyde themself pryvely there as the sowne was herde, and that they shold brynge to hym, other by force or otherwyse, them that made that swete melodye. Now came the nyght that the two yonge knyghtes, Parys and Edward, that no thynge knewe of the embusshement that was layed for them, came with theyr instrumentes toward the castel, and there they began to synge and sowned theyr instrumentes so melodyously that grete playsyr it was to here. And whan they had songe and wold have retorned thyder as they were come fro, the ten knyghtes lepte and cam forth and salewed them curtoyslle, sayeng that they nedes must come wyth them for to speke with their lord the daulphyn. Thenne sayd Parys to them, “Fayr lordes, abyde a lytel whyle, yf it playse you, and of us ye shal have an ansuer.” Thenne wente Parys and Edward aparte and spake togyder. “Ye see fayr brother,” sayd Parys to Edward, “in what party we be now and I wold not that ye shold have by me ony dysplaysyr nor harme, but soo moche I telle you that or I sholde suffre me to be ledde tofore the daulphyn I had lever deye. Therfore, fayr brother, advyse ye what is beste for to do.” And Edward, heryng Parys wordes, sayd, “Brother myn, have noo fere of no thynge and lete us doo as ye wyl.” Thenne sayd they to the ten men of armes, “Lordes, thurgh your curtosye suffre us to retorne thyder as we came fro, for we be at my lord the daulphyns playsyr and of all the lordes and barons of his courte, but in ony maner, as for thys tyme we may not fulfylle hys commaundement.”

prose-textblock3Whan the sayd ten men of armes saw the two knyghtes dysobeyssaunt, they ansuerd to them, “Ye shal now come to hym other wyth your wylle or by force.” And bygan to pulle oute theyr swerdes and came ayenst the two yonge knyghtes that naked were from al armes, sauf theyr swerdes and theyr bowclers wherwyth they coverd them, and so manfully deffended theyr bodyees that they hurte and wounded sore al the ten armed men, insomoche that they maad them alle to voyde and flee fro the place, whether they wold or not.

prose-textblock4And on the morowe erly, the ten men of armes came tofore the daulphyn alle wounded and sore hurt. And they recounted to hym how two yonge men onely had arayed them so and how they nedes must flee for fere of theyr lyves, [fol. 3r] wherof the daulphyn was ryght angry to see them so sore hurt and took grete dysplaysyr of it and thought wel that the sayd two yonge knyghtes were of grete strengthe and vertue. Wherfore he comanded an hondred men to be redy for to espye and take them the nyght folowyng yf they came ageyn, chargyng that none hurte shold be doon to them but, after theyre songe doon, they shold be brought unto hym. But thys enterpryse came to none effect, for the two yonge knyghtes came not ageyn but kepte alle that they had doon secrete.

prose-textblock5Whan the fayre Vyenne sawe that she myght not knowe what these mynstrelys were, she thought they were somme grete lordes that were amerous of hyr, and she and hyr damoysel Ysabel spake of none other thynge than of these mynstrelles and had grete playsyr to talke of them. Parys, seyng he durst not say nor shewe the grete love that he had to the fayr Vyenne, thought he wold hyde hys courage from hyr, wherfore he took acqueyntaunce wyth the bysshop of Saynt Laurence, the whyche lerned hym holy scrypture.

prose-textblock6The daulphyn thenne seyng hys doughter ful tryste and pensyful for thys that she myght not knowe the sayd mynstrelles that so melodyously played tofore hyr chambre, he ordeyned a joustyng place wythin his cyté of Vyenne and made lystes and scaffoldes to be sette up and sente his herauldes in Fraunce, in Englond, and in Normandye to anounce and shewe unto al knyghtes and gentylmen that wold doo faytes of armes and of chyvalrye for love of al ladyes and damoyselles, that the joustes shold be holden the fyrst day of May in the cyté of Vyenne. And he that shold doo best in armes, shold have of the Daulphyns doughter a shelde of crystalle of grete valure, and a garlond wyth roses and floures of fyn gold. And wete ye wel that Vyenne, the noble and fayr mayden , was ryght gladde of the joustes that hyr fader ordeyned for hyr sake. For grete talent and desyre she had to knowe hym that was soo amerous of hyr, and she thought he wold be at the sayd fyrst day of May at Vyenne.

prose-textblock7After the messagers that had pronounced the joustes were comen ageyn to the cyté of Vyenne, the moost parte of the knyghtes and gentylmen of the royame of Fraunce, of Englond, and of Normandye made them redy for to come to the cyté of Vyenne to the sayd joustes. And in especyal many noble barons of the royame of Englond and of France, that amerous [fol. 3v] were of the fayre Vyenne for the renommé of her grete beaulté, came to the sayd joustes wyth ryche and noble araye, emonge whome was Johan duc of Bourbon, nevew to the kyng of Fraunce; Edward, the kynges sone of Englond ; Anthony, sone to the erle of Provence; Gherard, the marquys sone of Mountferat; and Wyllyam, sone to the duc of Carnes.

prose-textblock8Parys thenne, knowyng this noble assemblé and the joustes that shold be the fyrst day of May, thought in hymself whether he shold goo thyder or not, but the grete love that he had to the fayre Vyenne constrayned hym therto. Nevertheles, he took counceyl of Edward his felowe, the whyche answerd to hym, “Yf ye goo I wyl holde you companye thyder, but we must departe secretly that we be not knowen.” And anone they made redy theyr harnoys and pourveyed theym of good horses whiche they harneysed al in whyt, and none other token they had on them wherby they myght be knowen sauf that they were arayed al in whyt and one lyke that other.

prose-textblock9The day of the joustes thenne approached and al the lordes and barons afore sayd cam two dayes before the feste to the cyté of Vyenne where the daulphyn for love of them dyd doo make a noble scaffold where as the fayre Vyenne was rychely arayed. And al that sawe hyr were amervaylled of hyr grete beauté. To that feste came many noble knyghtes and squyers clothed and arayed rychely after the guyse of theyr contree. And there were many mynstrellys playeng upon al maner instrumentes and many good syngars, whyche the noble mayde Vyenne herkened ful wel, for her hert was onely sette to thynke how she myght knowe hym that was hyr lover. Parys thenne came thyder and was ordeyned for to serve at the daulphyns table where Vyenne satte, and wete ye wel that ful gracyously and curtoysly he served and kerved byfore hyr.

Chapter 3: How Parys gate the prys of the joustes in the cyté of Vyenne.

prose-textblock1Whan the day was comen that the lordes knyghtes and gentylmen shold juste for love of the ladyes, Parys and Edward yede to a secrete place where they armed them secretly, and syn came to the lystes with theyr badges and tokens and were horsed and armed ful rychely and wel. Alle other knyghtes there were knowen by theyr armes, but the two whyt knyghtes were unknowen. The daulphyn thenne commaunded that everyone shold mustre [fol. 4r] or the joustyng began along the felde tofore the ladyes and damoyselles. And soo they mostred, rydyng tofore the scaffold of the fayre Vyenne, and were so nobly and rychely armed and arayed, and so godley men they were, that everyone sayd the floure of knyghthode may now be seen in thys place. And emonge al other prynces, Edward of England was moost amerous of al and ryght renommed in armes. The pucelle Vyenne, seyng all these noble knyghtes, sayd to hyr damoysel Ysabel, “Fayr syster, whyche of them al thynke you that moost dooth for the love of me?” And Ysabel ansuerd, “Honourable lady, me semeth he that bereth the lyon of gold in his armes dooth more for your love than the other.” “Certes,” sayd Vyenne, “yonder two whyt knyghtes that bere none armes in theyr sheldes are more to my fantasye than ony of the other alwaye. We shal see now what they can doo.”

prose-textblock2Thenne were the knyghtes redy to do fayte of armes. And fyrst an hardy and valyaunte knyght that bare in hys armes a crowne of gold bygan the fyrst cours, and ayenst hym ranne the good knyght Edward, Parys felowe, and recountred eche other so vygorously that they brake bothe theyr speres. Many other mette eche other sodaynlye, gyvyng grete strokes. Somme were overthrowen to the erthe, and somme brake theyr speres worthely and kept theyr sterops ryght valyauntly. The other recountred eche other so manfully that bothe hors and man were caste to the grounde, for every man dyd hys best to gete worshyp there. Edward, the kynges sone of Englond, bare hym ful wel and had the better upon many a knyght there. But the strong knyght Parys broched hys hors toward hym and mette hym so vygorously that, atte ende, he overthrewe hym and had the better of hym, wherof he gate grete worshyp and was moche praysed for hys grete prowesse. Thys joustyng lasted tyl souper tyme, and whan the even cam many of them were wery of the jouste and rested them, but Parys dyd thenne more of armes shewyng his mervayllous prowesse than he had doon of al that day, in so moche that none durst approche hym ne withstonde his appertyse in armes. And so moche he dyd that the honour and prys of the joustes rested and abode in hym that day.

Chapter 4: How the shelde of crystal and the garlond with floures of gold were yeven to Parys as to the best doer in faytes of armes.

prose-textblock1The feste ended, grete worshyp and loenge abode to the two knyghtes with the whyt [fol. 4v] armes, and Parys was ledde unto the scaffold there as Vyenne was, the whyche delyverd hym the shelde of crystal and the garlond with floures of gold that she helde in hyr honde. And thenne Parys wyth Edward, his felawe, departed then in the secretest wyse that they coude and wente to unarme them to the place where they fyrst armed themself. The barons and knyghtes that were there spake wel of the prowesse and of the chyvalrye of the knyghtes with whyt armes, so that the daulphyn and the other grete lordes had grete desyre to knowe what they were and to have theyr acqueyntaunce. But they departed so secretly fro the felde that no man knewe where they were become nor what waye they toke.

prose-textblock2After al thys was thus doon, the knyghtes retorned into theyr contrees spekyng ever of the ryal feste and chere that the daulphyn had doon to them and of the prowesse of the whyt knyghtes, and of the ryght soverayn beauté and noblesse of Vyenne. And in the mene whyle, there moeved a stryf betwyxte the barons and knyghtes of Fraunce and of Englond. For somme were there that were amerous of the doughter of the duc of Normandye, and somme were that loved and bare oute the beaulté of the syster of the kyng of Englond, sayeng she was fayrer than Vyenne was, and other were there that helde contrarye oppynyon, sayeng that the daulphyns doughter Vyenne passed in beauté al other wymmen in the world. And for this reason was grete debate and stryf betwyxte the knyghtes of Fraunce and them of Englond for the beauté of these thre damoyselles.

prose-textblock3Ever multeplyed and grewe more the bruyt and the renommé of the daulphyn by cause of the joustes and tournoyment doon in his cyté of Vyenne, wherof he had grete joye, for they had be moche honourable and playsaunt to al knyghtes. And Vyenne ever thought in hyrself who myght he be that had goten the worshyp and prys of the joustes, and sayd to Ysabel, “Never truste me, dere suster, but the knyght to whom I have yeven the shelde of crystal and my garlond is he that so swetely sang for the love of me tofore our chambre, for myn hert gyveth it me, and by my fayth, syster, he is ful noble and worthy, and in alle hys dedes ryght curtoys and gentyl as we myght have seen whylere. Wherfor I say you, my swete syster, that in hym I have putte the rote of myn entyere herte, my wylle, and al my love. Nor never I shal have playsyr ne joye [fol. 5r] unto the tyme that I knowe what he is, for my love is al hys, and of whatsoever estate he be of, I never shal take myn herte fro hym.”

prose-textblock4Thenne began she to wayle and syghe for the love of hym ful tenderly, for tyl now she had not felte the sparkles of love that sprange out of hyr hert. But Parys knewe nothyng herof that she desyred to have him and to knowe what he was, but he kepte hys love secrete in hys hert. For he durst not shewe it unto hyr, wherfore he ledde hys lyf in grete trystesse and sorowe. He went ever in the felawshyp of the bysshop of Saynt Laurence and made semblaunte of nothyng. And James, the fader of Parys, that had seen the noble feest and the ryal joustes in the cyté of Vyenne, wenyng to hym that hys sone Parys had not ben there, was ful sory and had grete dysplaysyr of it and sayd, “Fayr sone Parys, I am in a grete malencolye and in a thought for you that ye be not so joyeful ne mery as ye were wonte to be. Here afore tyme, I sawe you ever redy to the joustes and to al maner faytes of chyvalrye for to gete honour, and I now see you al chaunged syn ye took acqueyntaunce wyth thys bysshop, for lothe I were to see you bycome a man of relygyon, as I fere he wyl brynge you to. And ryght wrothe I am that ye were not at that noble and ryal tournoyment that hath be holden in Vyenne, for the sake of alle the ladyes of thys londe. Wherfore, dere sone, I praye you to take hede to yourself that ye lese not your good renommee, your worshyp, ne the praysyng also that ye gate afore tyme, and that ye spende not your yougthe in ydlnesse.” And Parys, heryng alle thys, ansuered noo thyng to hys fader but abode stylle pensyfull, thynkyng on the beauté of Vyenne.

prose-textblock5Now sayeth the hystorye that, as ye have herde above, a grete stryfe befyl emong the knyghtes aforesayd for the love of the thre damoyselles aforesayd. For the erles sone of Flaunders was gretely wrothe for thys cause wyth the duc of Breunes, and had beten and hurte sore each other so that none myght make the pees betwyxte theym, for eyther of hem mayntened and bare oute the beauté of his lady. It happed thenne that fyve knyghtes hardy and valyaunte came forth, the whyche sayd that they were redy to fyght and for to prove by force of armes that Florye, the dukes doughter of Normandye, was the fayrest damoysel of alle the world. And incontynent stert up fyve other knyghtes that said and mayntened [fol. 5v] that Constaunce, the kynges syster of Englond, was the fayrest. And forthwyth other fyve knyghtes rose up that mayntened and uphelde the beauté of Vyenne above alle other wymmen in the world, in so moche that thys debate cam to the knowleche of the kyng of Fraunce, whiche sayd that herof myght growe a grete trouble and dyscorde emong his barons and other lordes. Soo sente he worde to them that they shold come toward hym and that he shold gyve suche a sentence upon theyr stryf that they al shold be therof contente, the whyche message plesed them wel, and came alle toward hym as sone as they myght. And whan they were come tofore the kyng, they spake of theyr stryf. But anone the kyng ordeyned a joustes for the love of the sayd thre ladyes and made his maundement that they al shold come wyth theyr armes and hors for to jouste the eighth day of Septembre in the cyté of Parys. And they that shold do best in armes at that day, they shold have the prys and the worshyp of the feste, and the lady on whos beauté they helde with shold be reputed and holden for the fayrest damoysel of alle the world.

prose-textblock6The kyng of Fraunce thenne sente worde to the faders of the forsayd thre ladyes, prayeng them to come atte same feste and that eyther of them shold brynge wyth hym a present of rychesse, the which thre presentes shold be yeven in the worshyp of their thre doughters to the best doer in armes in token of vyctorye. And thus the kyng of Englond fyrst sent for hys syster Constaunce a fayre crowne of gold alle sette wyth perlys and precyous stones of grete value. The duc of Normandye, for love of hys doughter Florye, sente a ryght fayre garlond sette wyth dyvers perlys and precyous stones moche ryche and of grete extymacyon. And the daulphyn, for love of hys doughter Vyenne, sente a moche ryche coler of gold al envyronned wyth precyous stones of dyvers colours, the whiche was worth a ryght grete tresour. And these thre jewellys were delyvered to the kynge of Fraunce. The forsayd knyghtes thenne made them redy and apparaylled al thynges accordyng to the joustes and in ryche araye came al to the cyté of Parys. And wete ye wel that in Fraunce was not seen afore that day so grete noblesse of barons and knyghtes as were there assembled, for there were the moost hye prynces and barons of Englond, of Fraunce, and of Normandye. And eyther of hem dyd sette al hys wytte and entendement to upholde and bere out that [fol. 6r] they had purposed and sayd. And every baron gaf hys lyverey that they shold be knowen eche fro other. And the bruyt and renommé was that my lady Constaunce shold have the honour of that feste for thys that many a fayre and hardy knyght made them redy to mayntene the quarelle of hyr beaulté. But nevertheles eyther of these thre partyes hoped to have the worshyp of the feste.

prose-textblock7And Parys, that was in Vyenne the cyté and that wel knewe the grete apparaylle of thys feste, took counceyl of Edward, hys felawe, whether he shold goo to Parys or not. And Edward counceylled hym to goo thyder so that he wente secretly, and sayd, “Yf ye goo thyder secretly, and yf God gyve you grace that ye gete the worshyp of the feste, grete wele and good shal come to you therby. And yf ye goo and be knowen, the daulphyn and the other lordes shal not preyse you soo moche as they shold yf ye were unknowen for cause that ye be not of so grete lygnage as they be. Another is, yf ye goo openly and that my lady Vyenne happeth to have the honour of the feste by your prowesse, she shal nought be sette by, consyderyng the other grete lordes that shal be there procedyng your degree. And yf she gete the worshyp of the feste by a knyght unknowen, the love and honour shal growe the more in hyr courage toward hym that thus hath doon for hyr sake. Wherfore I counceyl you to goo thyder in the moost secretest wyse that ye may, for my truste is that ye shal gete grete worshyp there. And but yf ye goo, trust me I shal make myself redy to goo thyder for you, for I wyl be lothe to see the beaulté of my lady Vyenne to be rebuked.”

prose-textblock8At these wordes graunted Parys to goo to the sayd joustes, and whan he was redy and had al thynges accordyng to a noble knyght, he departed in the secretest manere that he myght toward the cyté of Parys, where as the kyng of Fraunce maad grete provysyon of alle maner metes and of al other thynges necessarye to suche a ryal feste. And in the myddes of the cyté of Parys he ordeyned the place where the knyghtes shold jouste, and dyd doo make many fayre scaffoldes for the ladyes and damoyselles to be sette on for to beholde the joustyng. Also he dyd do make thre baners ful fayre and ryche. The fyrst baner was whyt and there was wryton upon hit in letters of gold, “Vyenne, doughter to my lord Godfroy of Alenson, daulphyn of Vyennoys”. The second baner was rede and was wryton theron in letters of gold, “Constaunce, the [fol. 6v] kynges syster of Englond.” The thyrd baner was whyt and in letters of gold was wryton theron, “Florye, doughter to the duc of Normandye.” And these thre baners were pyght up at the thre corners of the felde, and wete ye that so grete prees was there that the peple took theyr place upon the scaffoldes two dayes afore the feste for to see the grete peple and the fayr ordynaunce that there was.

prose-textblock9Whan it was so that the lordes were redy of alle thynges that were necessarye and were departed fro theyr contrees, they assembled al at Parys the fourtene day of Septembre. And never tofore was seen so grete a companye of nobles, for fro alle partyes was comen grete chyvalrye, the somme for to do armes and the other for to see the feste whyche was moche sumptuous and noble. And whan the day assygned came of the joustes, on the mornyng erly he dyd soo sette these thre joyaulx or jewels in the baners, the whyche shone and resplendysshed moche merveillously for the nombre of perles and precyous stones that were in the baners. Now it shold be overlonge to recyte of the barons and of the knyghtes that were in that journeye, for many were comen thyder fro the royame of Spayne, of Aragon, and of many other contrees for to prove their strengthe and persones, and for to mayntene the barons that mayntened the thre ladyes maydens, of whome we shall reherce of the pryncypallest hereafter the shortest wyse we may.

prose-textblock10And whan it came in the mornyng that every man was armed and apparaylled in the felde, and that the kyng of Fraunce was sette in hys grete scaffolde and began to say al alowde and moche mervayllously that alle the people myght here and understonde, “Knyghtes and barons that been here for to do the fayte of armes, goo ye everyche under that baner that he wyl mayntene for the love of hys lady. And we gyve in comaundement that this felde be of love and of curtosye, as it to you apperteyneth; how be it, we wyl wel that eche of you do valyantly hys armes and hys chyvalryes for that damoysell whyche he wyl mayntene. And he that shal wynne the felde shal have the prys and the honour of the feste, and that lady or damoysel shal be mayntened and allowed for the moost fayre damoysel of the world and shal have the prys and honour of them of Englond, of Fraunce, and of Normandye. And that to thys noo man be so hardy to gaynsay upon the payne to lose his lyf.” [fol. 7r] And yet after thys he sayd, “Ye see here a fayre crowne the whyche the quene of Fraunce hath ordeyned to the ende that it be delyverd to the fader of the damoysel that shal have the prys and honour of the felde and of the joustes, and the knyght that shal gete the prys and the honour of the joustes shal have all the thre baners and the thre jewels that been in them,” and comaunded that the baner of Normandye shold fyrst make hys mustre, and nexte the baner of Constaunce and thenne that of Vyenne.

prose-textblock11And fyrst under the baner of Normandye were they that folowe, that is to wete: Johan, sone of the erle of Flaunders; Phelyp of Bauyers, nevew of the kynge of Fraunce; Edward, sone of the duke of Bourgoyne; Johan, earle of Armynak; Balaxe, brother of the marquys of Saluce; Geffroy, duc of Pycardye, and after them came many other wel armed and habylled. After came the baner of Constaunce the whiche accompanyed Johan, sone of the duc of Bremeos; Gastamons of Gastre, brother of the erle of Foyes; Anthonye Alegre, sone of the duc of Carnes; Larer, nevew of the duc of Bourgoyne; the honourable Johan of Braban; Salamon de Launson, brother of the erle of the Marché, and after them came many other barons and knyghtes. And thenne after came the baner of the fayr Vyenne the whyche accompanyed Hughe, sone of the duc of Bourbon; Edward, sone of the kyng of Englond; Wylliam, sone of the duc of Barry; Antonye, sone of the counte of Provynce; Parys, son of Sir Jacques of Vienne; Dormando of Monferrant, sone of the marquys; thre sones of the duc of Carnes; Johan Peryllous, duc of Normandye, and after them came many other barons and knyghtes wel armed and wel horsed. And whan the mustre was made, every baner retorned into hys place, whyche moche noble and mervayllous thynge was it to see and to byholde the noblesse of the barons and knyghtes soo wel horsed and armed as they were. And the daulphyn and Syr Jaques, fader of Parys, were comen for to see the feste and the joustes.

Chapter 5: How Parys wan the prys at the joustes in the cyté of Parys.

prose-textblock1Whan thenne it came to the houre of tyerce began the joustes. And cam into the felde moche nobly armed Johan, sone of the erle of Flaundres, and ageyn hym came Johan, sone of the duke of Breunes, and coped togyder so fyersly that they [fol. 7v] brake theyr speres. And Johan, sone of the erle of Flaunders tombled to the erthe under hys hors. And after ayenst Johan de Breunes came Edward, sone of the duke of Bourgoyne. These two knyghtes bete doun puyssauntly Johan de Breunes, unto the tyme that there came ayenst hym Johan Peryllous, duc of Normandye, whyche smote hym wyth so grete force that he overthrewe hym under hys hors and brake hys arme and put hym suche estate that he wyst not whether it was day or nyght. And ayenst Johan Peryllous came Anthonye Alegre, sone of the duc of Carnes, and dyd so moche prowesse wyth his persone that he conquerd Johan Peryllous and fyve other knyghtes myghty men of his partye, whom he smote to the erthe by force of armes. After came ageynst Anthonie Alegre Geffroy of Pycardye and smote Anthonie in suche wyse that he fyl to the erthe and six other stronge knyghtes of hys partye, and after dyd soo mervayllous feates of armes that every man sayd that he had the honour of the felde.

prose-textblock2And thenne came the free knyght Parys ayenst Geffroy, beryng lowe hys spere, and they gaf so grete strokes that the knyghtes and horses wente al to the erthe. Wherfor the kyng sayd that sythe bothe two were throwen to the erthe, that they shold retorne ageyn to the joustes, and Parys wyth a grete desyre consented, and soo bothe retorned and came rennyng. And Parys gaf to Geffroy so grete a stroke that hys hors slode, and thenne Geffroy overthrewe to the erthe. But bycause that the hors slode, it was sayd that the hors was cause that he overthrewe, for moche they mayntened Geffroy and sayd that he was not vaynquysshed, and that it shold be wel doon that they shold juste ageyn. And by cause that Parys was not knowen, ther was none that mayntened hym ne susteyned. Nevertheles, the kyng of Fraunce knew wel that Geffroy was vaynquysshed loyally and wel, for he had wel seen the adventure and wold do no wronge unto the knyght whyche was of grete strengthe and myght, and anone sente to hym an heraulde whyche sayd to hym in the name of the kynge of Fraunce, that the kyng had wel seen and wel knewe that Parys had vaynquysshed hys knyght. Notwythstondyng, yf he wold yet ones retorne to the juste, by hys noblesse that he shold do hymself grete honour. And thenne Parys maad hys ansuer sayeng that, “The beaulté of my lady Vyenne was so grete that in al the world was none to hyr lyke, that yf it pleased the kyng I am redy for to [fol. 8r] furnysshe the joustes for hys love ayenst the knyght yet another tyme and to juste tyl that Geffroy shold be vanquysshed, and that was wythoute ony gaynsayeng.” And the heraulde retorned and tolde it to the kyng, wherof the kynge was wel contente and sayd that the knyght ought to be somme grete lord, for he was of grete valoyr and puyssaunce and spake moche swetely and curtoysly. And after, Parys chaunged and took another hors, whyche Edward hys felowe had made redy for hym, and retorned to the justes and smote togyder wyth soo grete myght that by veray force Geffrey went to the erthe under hys hors ryght evyl hurte.

prose-textblock3Thenne, whan it came toward even, the joustes were so grete thycke and stronge that al the thre partyes, as wel of one as of the other, were throwen doun to the erthe, that ther abode no moo of the partye of Vyenne but Parys allone. And of the partye of Normandye thre knyghtes stronge and puyssaunt, and they were Balaxo, brother of the marquys of Saluces; Johan, sone of the erle of Armynack; and Phelyp of Bauyere. And of the partye of Constaunce other thre stronge and myghty, that is to wete Johan of Braband; Larer, nevew of the duc of Bourgeyn; and Salamon da Lanson, brother of the counte de la Marché. And they sayd that the justes shold abyde tyl on the morne, for they were moche wery. And whan Parys saw that they wold have retorned, he fewterd hys spere, and there cam ayenst hym Balaxo, brother of the marquys of Saluces. And Parys at the fyrst stroke strake hym doun to the erthe under hys hors, and in lyke wyse dyd to the other fyve. And moche nobly and valyauntly he wanne the honour of the justes and of the felde.

Chapter 6: How the kyng commaunded that the thre baners wyth the two jewellys shold be yven to Parys, champyon of Vyenne.

prose-textblock1The joustes fynysshed, Parys wanne the beauté of hys lady, the fayer Vyenne, and he was ledde to the scaffolde where as the kynge was and the other grete lordes and knyghtes. And there were delyverd to hym the thre baners and the thre jewellys that were in them, and Parys shewed them thurgh all the felde, in sygne that the sayd Vyenne had goten the honour for to be the fayrest damoysell that was in alle the world by the same yonge knyght. And whan Parys had the thre fayr baners and the thre ryche jewellys, he [fol. 8v] and Edward hys felowe departed out of the cyté of Parys and oute of Fraunce the moost secrete wyse that they myght and retorned into Dalphyné. Parys retorned in to the companye of the forsayd bysshop of Saynt Laurence, as he had not been at the feste, and alwaye he demaunded tydynges of the justes that were made in Fraunce and who had the honour of the joustes.

prose-textblock2Whan the feste was made, al the barons and knyghtes that were there had grete desyre to knowe who was he that so valyauntly and so nobly had wonne the journeye and the honour of the justes, for to doo to hym worshyp. But they coude never knowe hym, wherof they had grete dysplaysyr and sayd that the knyght was of grete wysedom bycause he wold not be knowen. And after this, the barons and knyghtes took leve of the kyng and retorned into theyr londes al dyscomforted bycause they had not goten the honour of the feste. And yet were they more angry bycause they knewe not to whome the honour was gyven of the feste ne of the justes. The kyng of Fraunce, whyche moche loved the dolphyn, made to hym grete feste and moche grete honour. And the kynge delyverd to hym the crowne that the quene had gyven for to gyve to hyr that shold have the honour of the joustes, to the ende that he shold gyve it unto hys doughter Vyenne in sygne and token that she was the moost fayr damoysel of the world. And whan al thys was doon, the dolphyn and the fader of Parys retorned into Dolphyné in moche grete honour and grete joye.

prose-textblock3Whan Vyenne knewe that hyr fader came, she came and mette hym as she was accustomed. Thenne whan the dolphyn sawe hyr, he kyssed hyr and sette on her hede the crowne whyche the kynge had gyven hym and tolde to hyr how she had goton the honour for to be the moost fayrest damoysell of the world. “And loo, here is the fayr crowne that the quene of Fraunce sendeth to you in token that ye have goten the honour, notwythstondyng, fayr doughter, that ye have had many contrarye therto. But ye have had a good deffendour and ryght stronge and hath wel quyted hym in your nede. For of eche partye were abyden thre knyghtes moche stronge and puyssaunte, and on your partye was left but one knyght onely whyche vaynquysshed al the other, wythout ony token, and is departed alle secretly that no man knewe hym ne the kyng of Fraunce hath no knowleche of hym. But he hath [fol. 9r] borne awaye wyth hym the thre baners and the two jewellys that were in them and also the prys and the honour of the feste, wherfore, swete and fayr doughter, ye wote never to whom to gyve thankynges of so moche honour as hath be doon for you. But I praye to God of heven and to the glorious Vyrgyn Marye that it playse Hym to gyve to hym good and honour, joye and excellence, and in alle his feates vyctorye. Lyke as he is chyef and hede of al honour and of al chyvalrye in thys world, for I never sawe ne herde of knyght that so gracyously and so curtoysly bare hym in his armes and in his chyvalryes.”

prose-textblock4And whan Vyenne herde speke of these tydynges and sawe the grete honour and prys that she had goten, and al was comen by this noble knyght, she sayd to Ysabeau hyr damoysel, “My suster, sayd I not to you wel but that late that I was byloved by the moost noble and valyaunt knyght of Fraunce? And by my fayth, my swete suster, this is he that so swetely songe and that wanne the justes in this cyté and bare with hym the shelde of crystal and my garlonde, and went his waye so that noo man myght knowe hym. Advyse you wel, fayr suster, what hanour is comen to me by his prowesse and by his bounté. I may wel be sory and dolant whan I may not knowe who he is, and myn herte is moche hevy and myn entendement that I never can fynde the moyen to see and knowe hym.” And yet she sayd, “Certes, my swete suster Ysabeau, I byleve that my dayes be shorte and that I shall deye of somme cruel and fals deth for the grete desplaysyr that I have contynuelly in my herte, for I can none other thynge doo but wepe and waylle and alwaye to contynue in sorouful lyf and hevy.” But none apperceyved it but onely hyr damoysel Ysabeau.

prose-textblock5The fader of Parys, whyche had then ben with the dolphyn in that feste, had not seen there hys sone Parys wherof he had grete sorowe in his herte, for he had seen that he was accustomed to be in al noble justes. But thenne he sawe hym goo with the bysshop of Saynt Laurence and dysposed hym not to doo armes as he was woned, wherfor he sayd to hym on a day, “My sone, I had hoped to have had in thee grete consolacyon, but now thou bryngest me into grete hevynesse and dysplaysyr whan I see that thou wylt not departe from thys bysshop. Wherfor I praye thee that thou leve hym, and doo soo that it may be to me playsaunt and to thee honneste.” Parys herde hym wel, but he gaf not a word to ansuer. [fol. 9v]

prose-textblock6The fader of Parys, seyng thys, went to his secrete felowe Edward and sayd to hym, “I see wel that the grete amytye and love that ye have to my sone, and knowe ye for certayn that I have in my hert grete melancolye whan I remembre that Parys hath had grete honour and fame of chyvalrye, and now I see that he gooth al wyth thys bysshop and leteth hys hawkes, his houndes, and hors to deye for hongre. Wherfore I praye you that ye wyl gyve me somme counceyl, whyche am soo meschaunt that I deye for sorowe.” And whan he had sayd these wordes, Edward had pyté of hym and comforted hym the beste wyse he coude, and departed fro hym and wente strayte to hys felowe Parys and sayd to hym, “I knowe wel that love constrayneth thee so strongly that thou hast noo power over thyself, wherefore thy lyfe may not longe endure. And also thy fader and thy frendes ben evyl contente ayenst thee, and I say to thee that for to be vertuous and valyaunt it playseth moche to God. And for the love of one woman thou doost moche desplaysyr to thy fader. And also for noo persone, whatsomever he or she be, thou oughtest not to lese the wele and renomee that thou hast of chyvalrye. It appyereth not in thee, that thou hast ony vertu or courage, wherfore I praye thee that thou wylt do somme thyng that it may be playsaunt to thy fader, whych hath desyred and prayed me that I shold soo say to thee.” Whan Parys had herde al this, he ansuerd to Edward and sayd to hym, “I knowe wel that these thynges that thou hast sayd to me been vertuous and honnest, but they been to me grevous, for to put me from the thoughtes in whyche I am contynuelly. Nevertheles, I praye thee that thou gyve me counceyl what is beste that I doo.” Thenne sayd Edward, “It shold wel playse me, yf it were thy playsyr, that we shold goo into Braband, for it is six monethes passed that I have not seen my lady, and there shall we do armes by which we may gete fame and honour.”

prose-textblock7And Paris agreed therto, sayeng that he was contente yf it playsed hym so to do, and incontynent they made redy theyr harnoys and horses and alle thynges necessarye to them. And or Parys departed, he put in hys chambre al the thynges and pryses that he had wonne by chyvalryes, and closed them fast in his chambre and delyverd the keye to his moder and prayed hir moche derly that she shold not open it, ne suffre that ony persone shold entre therein. And after they wente toward Braband, where as they dyd grete [fol. 10r] feates of chyvalrye and joustes wherof they gate grete honoure and worshyp, and were moche praysed of ladyes and damoysellys. And Parys made countenaunce for to have abyden in Braband for the love of Edward, but hys herte drewe unto the fayre Vyenne whome he so moche loved in hys herte secretly.

Chapter 7: How Dyane and Vyenne hyr doughter wenten to vysyte the fader of Parys the whyche was seek.

prose-textblock1Now it happened that duryng thys tyme that Parys and Edward duelleden in Braband, the fader of Parys fyl into a sekenesse of fevres or accesse. And the cause came of the thought that he had of hys sone Parys. And he beyng seek, the doulphyn wente on a day to see hym and demaunded the cause of hys maladye and comforted hym the beste wyse that he coude, and after retorned home and sayd to hys wyf that it were wel doon that she shold goo see and vysyte messyre Jaques, whyche was seke. And forthwyth incontynent my lady Dyane, hyr doughter Vyenne, and Ysabeau, hyr damoysel, wyth a grete companye wente to the castel of Syr Jaques and salewed hym moche nobly, as it wel apperteyned and the best wyse that they myght.

prose-textblock2And whan they were in the chambre where messyre Jaques was and laye, Dame Dyane demaunded hym of his sekenesse. And messire Jaques sayd that al hys dysease came for hys sone Parys bycause he loste so hys tyme, and that he went alway wyth the bysshop of Saynt Laurence. “Wherof I fere me that he shal become a man of relygyon. I have no moo chyldren but hym. I wote not what I shall doo wyth the goodes that God hath gyven to me.” And my lady Dyane comforted hym and sayd that hys sone was moche wel byloved of the doulphyn and that he had moche grete amytye of many grete lordes, barons and knyghtes. And also she sayd, that emong al thynges, he shold ordeyne for hys helthe. And after all thys, the moder of Parys prayed hyr that it myght playse hyr to come see the castel, and she ansuered that she moche desyred it. Thenne the moder of Parys shewed hir al the castel, and ledde hir into an halle al ful of armes and abylemens of warre for to fyght in batayll. After, she ladde hyr into another halle where as were many hawkes, faulcens, and many other fowles of chace, and after into many [fol. 10v] other halles and chambres rychely arayed, whyche were over longe to reherce.

prose-textblock3And after, the moder of Parys shewed unto hyr the chambre of Parys where that he slepte, wherin were many abylments whyche shold wel suffyse the chambre of a grete prynce. And in the sayd chambre were two grete standardes coverd after the guyse of Fraunce. That one was ful of clothe of gold and sylke, and that other of harnoys and of many other thynges. Thenne sayd Vyenne to Ysabeau, “By my fayth, fayr syster, I have noo grete mervaylle of this yonge knyght Parys, though of hym be maad grete mencyon, for the ordynaunce of thyse thynges shewe wel that he is of grete valure.” And in byholdyng of these thynges she sawe a coverture of an hors alle whyte. And hyr semed that it was the same that the knyght bare that wanne the prys of the joustes that was made in the cyté of Vyenne, and that had the shelde of crystal and the garlond, whych she tolde to Ysabeau. And Ysabeau ansuerd to hyr, “Never thynke ye soo, for all day been made semblable covertures and tokenes whyte wherof ye may wel be deceyved.” Vyenne enforced allewaye hyrself to take better hede, and of the grete joye that she had, she sayd to hyr moder, “Madame I am a lytel crased and sodenly taken, wherfore, yf it playse you, I wold fayne reste a lytel in this chambre. And late me be alle allone wyth my suster Ysabeau, for I wyl have none other.” And anone eche body avoyded oute of the chambre, and Ysabeau dyd shytte the dore that none myght come in.

prose-textblock4Thenne sayd Vyenne, “Now we shal see yf we may fynde ony thynge that we may have better knowleche of, for myn herte sayth yes.” After that they had serched and vysyted alle the chambre, they cam on a syde of the chambre where they fonde a lytel dore, of whyche henge a lytel keye by a thwonge, and anone they opened the dore and entred therin. And there was a lytel chambre whyche was twelve foot longe, and was an oratorye where as was the magesté of our Lord Jhesu Cryste upon a lytel aulter and at eche corner was a canstyke of sylver, and thyder cam Parys for to make hys sacrefyse whan he aroos and whan he wente to hys bedde. And there were the thre baners that the noble knyght Parys had wonne in the cyté of Parys, and the thre jewellys of the thre damoyselles aforesayd. And in the same place was also the shelde of crystal [fol. 11r] and the garlond that Vyenne delyverd to hym whan he wanne the prys at the joustes in the cyté of Vyenne. And all these he kepte secrete in that place.

prose-textblock5And whan Vyenne sawe these thynges, she was sure that Parys was he whome she had so moche desyred to knowe and that soo moche honour had doon to hyr. And for the grete joye that she had, she sette hyr doun on the grounde and there abode a grete whyle and coude not speke a word. And after, she spake to Ysabeau and sayd, “My swete syster, blessyd and preysed be our Lord of thys good journey, for me thynketh I shold never departe oute of thys chambre. Alas, I have so longe abyden to know who he was that so swetely played in his instrumentes so nygh unto me, and now he is so ferre.” And thenne Ysabeau began to repreve hyr and sayd to hyr, “Swete lady, I praye you that ye say ne do ony thyng whiche myght torne you to folye, and be ye ruled by wysedom and reason, for notwythstondyng that Parys have so moche good and vertues, yet ye ought to consyder that he is not egal to you in lygnage ne in estate. For I knowe wel that many noble and puyssaunt lordes have demaunded you in maryage and love you and do grete thynges for you, and also the honour of Parys, whyche is your vayssal and subget, is not egall ne worthy unto you.”

prose-textblock6Thenne Vyenne was moche angry on Ysabeau and began to say, “A veray God, I am wel dyscomforted and deceyved by thee, that thus agaynsayest me of hym that I so longe have desyred to knowe. Alas, I had supposed that in noo thyng ye wold have dysplaysed me. And in good fayth I say to thee that this man I wyl love and demaunde. And I promyse thee in good fayth that, yf thou ony more gaynsaye me, I shal slee myself and thenne thou shalt be cause of my deth, for I wyl not lese hym that I have so longe loved. But I say to thee for trouthe, that yf thou ever say to me suche wordes of my frende Parys, that thou shalt never after have space to say them ageyn another tyme, for yf thou consyderest wel hys noble condycyons and custommes, thou sholdest preyse hym better than thou doost. And knowest thou not wel that the kyng of Fraunce wold that it had coste hym half hys royame that hys sone Lowys were as valyaunte as Parys is? And also there be many notable lordes that desyre to knowe his name and to have hys amytye. Thenne take hede and byholde, by my fayth, yf ever thou sawe [fol. 11v] man that myght be compared to hym. Certaynly alle vertues been in hym. And sythe that fortune hath brought me to hys love, he is worthy to have my love and yet more than is in me. And have I not reason and cause thenne to love hym, whyche hath doon to me so grete good and honour, and doubtyng noo peryl of hys persone. And is it not wel grete worshyp to my fader to have for vaissal and subget the beste knyght that is in all the world? For in alle the world is noo knyght that I wold forsake Parys fore, ne oone that hath doon so moche for me.” And thus to speke of the feates of Parys she coude not stynte.

prose-textblock7Thenne came two damoyselses knockyng at the chambre dore sayeng, “Vyenne, ye must come to my lady.” And Ysabeau sprange oute sayeng that she shold come anone. And Vyenne, seyng that she must nedes departe fro thens, sayd to Ysabeau, “My suster, syth we must departe hens, late us take somme of these jewellys. And we shal kepe them secretly tyl that Parys be comen, and we shal see what countenaunce he shal make in hymself.” Thenne they took the colyer and the whyte baner of Vyenne and other jewellys and hydde them under theyr clothes and wente into the chambre of messyre Jaques. But Vyenne desyred gretly to speke with Paris and thought longe or he came home. And in the mene whyle, messire Jaques recoverd of his maladye and bycam alle hool wherof Vyenne had grete joye, but she durst not shewe it.

Chapter 8: How Parys and Edward retorned oute of Braband.

prose-textblock1After certeyn tyme that Parys had be in Braband wyth hys felowe Edward, he desyred strongely to see the fayr Vyenne, for the love of hyr destrayned hym moche strongly. Nevertheles, he durst not telle it to hys felowe to the ende that he shold take noo dysplaysyr of hys departyng. And sone after the space of fyve dayes, Parys receyved a letter that hys fader was seek and thenne he sayd to Edward, “Ryght dere brother and felowe, pleseth it you to wete that my fader is sore seke, and me semeth it were good that we departed, yf ye consente, but I praye you that ye take noo desplaysyr in thys departyng for, yf it playse God, we shal sone retorne.” And Edward, seyng the juste reason of Parys and hys good wylle, sayd to hym that he was wel content and plesyd. Wherfore incontynente they departed oute of Braband [fol. 12r] and came into the cyté of Vyenne, of whose comyng messyr Jaques had soverayn playsyr, specyally bycause he had herde that Parys hys sone had doon valyauntly feates of armes.

prose-textblock2Now it happed that whan Parys was arryved at home wyth hys fader, lyke as he was accustomed allewaye tofore, or he wente to hys bedde he wente to make hys orysons and prayers. And after he advysed yf he lacked ony thynge, and fonde that tho thynges that he loved beste were taken awaye, wherof he was moche angry, and quasi half in despayr in suche wyse that alle the nyght he coude not slepe. And whan it came in the mornyng, he came to hys moder and sayd, “Moder how is it that ye have not kepte my chambre cloos and shytte? For I lacke certayn thynges whyche I wold not gladly lese, and have for them grete dysplaysir.” To whom hys moder ansuerd, “My sone, by my fayth, there never entred therin persone, but on a tyme whan your fader was seek came my lady Dyane and hyr doughter Vyenne, and whan they had vysyted your fader, they wente al aboute for to see thys castel, and thenne they entred into your chambre. But I can not thynke that they took ony thyng for they taryed not longe, sauf onely Vyenne whyche taryed onely allone sauf hyr damoysel, bycause she was eavl at ease in hyr hert. Wherfore, my sone, I praye you to take noo dysplaysyr.” And thenne Parys sayd to hymself, “Yf none other theef have taken it sauf she, I shal not be dyscoverd. Nevertheles, I wote never yf Vyenne hath taken it awaye for onythynge.”

prose-textblock3And after he arayed hymself and cladde hym moche nobly, and wente to do the reverence to the daulphyn, and to dame Dyane, and after to Vyenne theyr doughter. And the dolphyn receyved hym moche curtoysly. And the daulphyn demaunded hym tydynges and of many other thynges. And whan the fayre lady Vyenne sawe Parys, of the grete desyre that she had to see hym and of the grete love that she bare to hym, alle hyr chere was coloured lyke a fresshe rose in the monthe of Maye, and coude not be contente ne fylled to beholde hyr fayre love and frende Parys. And the more she byhelde hym, the more grewe and encreaced hyr love toward hym. And Parys, beyng tofore the dolphyn on his knee moche humbly, durst not loke on Vyenne. But in hys herte he had grete payne, and who had wel beholden hym had wel seen in his [fol. 12v] vysage hys thought. And after that the dolphyn had demaunded hym of that it plased hym, Parys took leve of the dolphyn and of my lady Dyane, and of Vyenne, theyr doughter, and retorned home to hys faders hous.

prose-textblock4After a fewe dayes, Vyenne, in suche wyse as love destrayned hyr, said to her damoysel Ysabeau, “My suster, knowe ye for trouth that me semeth that Parys is moche pensyf, and I byleve that it is for hys thynges whyche he fyndeth not in his oratorye. Me semeth it is beste that we lete hym have knowleche that we have them.” Isabeau ansuerd, “It were wel doon soo, but that it be doon honestly and secretely.” Thenne sayd Vyenne, “I shal advyse the manere.” After certeyn dayes Vyenne sayd to hyr moder, “Madame, I lete you wete that I am a lytel charged in my conscyence, and I wold fayn confesse me to somme good persone. And it is tolde me that the bysshop of Saynt Laurence is a moche honest man and devoute, wherfore, madame, I praye you to sende for hym that I myght speke wyth hym.” And my lady Dyane, seyng the good wylle of hyr doughter, sente for to fetche the bysshop. And Vyenne confessyd hyr to hym moche devoutely spekyng alwaye of our Lord and of hys commaundementes, and after that she was confessyd, she prayed the bysshop that he wold come ageyn on the morne, for she fonde grete comforte in his wordes, and that she wold telle hym somme thynges in grete secrete. And on the morne the bysshop came ageyn to Vyenne, and Vyenne sayd to hym thus, “My ghoostly fader, somme thynges have been taken away in a place, the whiche longen to Parys, sone of messyre Jaques. And the persone that hath them hath therof conscyence. And therfore I praye you as moche as I may that, by your benygnyté, ye say to hym that yf he may, he come tomorne hyther wyth you.” And the bysshop, whyche advysed hym noo thyng of the entencyon and thought of Vyenne, said that he shold brynge hym wythoute faute.

Chapter 9: How Vyenne dyscuverd hyr courage to Parys.

prose-textblock1On the morne, the bysshop came moche dylygently and brought Parys wyth hym. And Vyenne salewed Parys wythoute to make only semblaunte of love, and Parys rendred hys salewes ageyn moche humbly. And thenne Vyenne wythdrewe hyr fro the bysshop and the other, and said to Parys, “It is not longe sythe ye were [fol. 13r] goon into Braband, and that I accompanyed my lady my moder for to goo vysyte your fader whyche thenne was seek. And we sawe and byhelde al the castel untyl we came to your oratorye, and there I sawe certayn jewellys whyche moche wel pleased me, and I took them and have kepte them untyl thys present tyme. And I shal now rendre them to you ageyn. And therfor I praye you that yf I have doon ony dysplaysyr or maad ony defaulte that ye wyl pardonne me, for I promyse to you by my fayth that I have doon it for none evyl.” To whome Parys answerd humbly and wyth grete reverence and sayd moche curtoysly, “Madame, by your curtoyse ye came to vysyte my fader, of whyche vysytacyon not onely my fader but alle our frendes have receyved grete and soverayn honour, wherfore myn excellent lady, my fader, my moder, and I been alle youres and alle that we have also. And yf by adventure your ladyshyp had ony playsyr to take of my jewellys, I ensure you by my fayth that myn hert hath therin moche gretter playsyr than hert of man may thynke, yet more shold have yf the sayd jewellys were better the half than they be. Soo thenne I praye you, ryght honourable damoysel, that ye wyl pardonne me for not al onely these jewelles, whyche been of lytel valewe, but my fader, my moder, and I been al youres and al redy to obeye to your servyce. And knowe ye verayly that it is not longe sythen that the sayd jewels were by a Frensshe knyght gyven to me.”

prose-textblock2Thenne sayd Vyenne, “Ye nede not to say to me fro whens these jewels ben comen, for I knowe them as wel as ye.” And Vyenne sayd, “I mervaylle me gretely how ye so longe have hydde your love fro me. I praye you as moche as I may, and by the fayth that ye have toward me, that ye say to me the trouthe of that whyche I shal demaunde you, for moche I desyre it to knowe.” Thenne sayd Parys, “Ryght honourable damoysel, ye ought not to praye me, where ye have power to commaunde me, for alle that your ladyshyp shal plese to demaunde me I shal say to you the trouth wyth good hert and good wylle.” Thenne sayd Vyenne, “I wyl fyrst that ye say the trouthe that yf ye were he, that in suche a yere cam every nyght syngyng and sownyng instrumentes so swetely tofore my chambre. After, I wyl that ye telle me yf ye wanne the justes that were made the fyrst day of May in this cyté, and yf ye bare awaye the [fol. 13v] shelde of crystal and the chapelet whyche I have seen in your oratorye. After, I wyl that ye say to me yf ye wanne the justes the eightene day of Septembre whyche were made in the cyté of Parys, where as were so many noble knyghtes and barons, and yf ye had goten there the two baners whyche I have seen in your oratorye. And I praye you that ye telle to me yf ye have doon to me suche servyce, for suche thynges ye ought not to hyde. And yf by adventure ye have doon them for the love of my fader or of hys courte, we be moche holden to you and be bounden to thanke you. And yf by adventure for ony lady or for the love of me ye have doon it, I thanke you as moche as I may, and it is wel reason that ye therfore be rewarded.” And yet sayd Vyenne to Parys, “Knowe ye for trouthe that it is long sythe that I have desyred to knowe, and yet desyre strongely to knowe it. Wherfore, yf ye wyl do me ony playsyr, I praye you that ye say to me the trouthe wythout levyng of ony onely thynge or word.”

prose-textblock3Thenne sayd Parys, moche humbly with grete shamefastnes that he had to utter the folye that he had enterprysed, “Ryght honourable and fayr ladye, I am not worthy to be named hym whiche hath doon thys whyche it hath pleased you to demaunde of me. But notwythstondyng that I be a man of lytel estate, I humbly supplye you that in caas ye shal fynde dysplaysyr in my wordes, that it playse you to pardonne me, and that ye take noo dysplaysyr in that I shal say, for your noblesse shal not be the lasse in valure. For my caas enforceth me to say that whyche is to me folye to thynke.” Thenne Parys, al shamefast and in grete reverence kneleng upon hys knee, sayd, “Ryght worshypful damoysel, Parys your indigne servaunt is he of whome ye have spoken and demaunded, and shal to you obeye and serve in al thynges that ye have me demaunded. For sythe that I have had ony rememberaunce, my wylle and my thought hath be submysed to your persone and shal be as longe as I shal lyve.” Thenne sayd Vyenne, “Parys, my swete frende, it is not now tyme that I make ansuer to your wordes, for it shold be overlonge to recounte. But that not wythstondyng, I wyl wel that ye knowe that your love destrayneth me so strongely that there is no thynge in the world that I love soo moche as you. Wherfore abyde in good hope joyously for, yf it playse God, ye shal see that thys whyche I say [fol. 14r] shal be trewe.” Thenne sayd Parys, “Madame, who may thynke the joyousté in whyche I am by your ansuer whiche is to me ryght swete, for I never supposed to have had so swete an ansuer of you but for to have endured in payne and in languysshyng. For not onely to me, but unto a kyng shold be overmoche to have your love, and I praye God that I may doo suche thynges as may be to you playsaunt, and that I never lyve to do to you thynge that shold desplayse you ne torne you to melancolye.”

prose-textblock4And thus departed that one fro that other in gretter love than tofore, and took terme to see eche other ageyn as hastely as they myght. And Vyenne retorned more joyously than she shewed and wente into hyr moders chambre. And after, the bysshop departed and Parys accompanyed hym unto his paleys and took leve of hym and retorned home unto hys faders lodgyng, and after tolde to Edward hys felowe alle the parlament that he had had wyth Vyenne. And Edward sayd to hym, “Fayre brother and frende, herein is no jape ne truffes, but I praye you that ye do your thynges secretly, for there ben many false tonges.” And Vyenne was moche more joyous than she had ben accustomed, and Parys also. And the sayd Parys and Edward hys felowe made grete chyvalryes and dyd grete armes, whyche were moche playsaunt to the fayre Vyenne.

prose-textblock5Thenne it happed that after certeyn tyme, seyng the dolphyn that hys doughter was come to fyftene yere of age, treated for to gyve to hyr an husbond. And many tymes he had ben requyred of many noble prynces, but bycause he had but hyr onely and no moo sones ne doughters, unnethe he wold consente. And in treatyng thus of maryage, Parys herde somme thynges wherof he was sore ennoyed in hymself and thought, “Why thynke not I to have this noble lady whyche is so moch desyred of so many noble prynces and barons?” And sore bewaylled hymself, and dyd soo moche that he spake to Vyenne and sayd, “O swete Vyenne, where is your fayr and agreable promesse that ye made to me whan I departed fro you, and how may it be that your fader speketh for to marye you?”

prose-textblock6Whan Vyenne herde Parys speke in thys manere, she sayd to hym, “Parys, yf my fader speke to me of maryage, it is noo grete mervaylle, for I may not deffende hym. Nevertheles I have not consented to ony maryage, and ye knowe wel that maryage is [fol. 14v] nothyng worth wythout the consentyng of bothe partyes. Wherfore I praye you to be contente, for I promyse to you that I shal never have man in mariage but you, and I wold that it shold be shortly accomplysshed, yf it pleased God, honestly and justly and not in synne ne in ordure. Therfore I wyl that ye assaye one thynge, which shal be moche dyffycyle to doo and ryght peryllous, but nevertheles it byhoveth that it be doon.” Thenne sayd Parys, “Honourable lady, that whyche shal playse you to commaunde me, I shal accomplisshe it with good hert though I shold deye.” And thanne sayd Vyenne, “I wyl that incontynent ye say to your fader that he goo to my lord my fader and requyre hym that he gyve me in maryage to you, and that herein ther be no deffaute.” And whan Parys herde the wylle and desyre of Vyenne, he was quasi al abasshed and sayd, “Ryght honourable lady, and how wyl ye that I deye thus? I praye you, yf it playse you, that it be not doo.” Thenne Veynne sayd, “Sette ye so lytel by me that ye wyl not enterpryse this? Alas where is your entendement? Certes it must nedes be doon.” Incontynent Parys ansuerd, “Worshypfull lady, sythe it playseth you, I shal accomplysshe your commandement though I shold deye therefore an hondred thousand tymes.”

prose-textblock7And thus took leve of Vyenne and wente to hys fader incontynent and sayd to hym, “Dere fader, alwaye ye have shewed to me grete love, wherfore I byseche almyghty God that he rewarde you lyke as I desyre. Dere and honourable fader, I wold praye you of one thynge, and bycause it is doubtous, I wyl that ye promyse it to me tofore I say it to you, for ellys I wyl not say it unto you.” And hys fader sayd to hym, “My sone, there is nothyng in the world that I may doo for thee, but I shal accomplysshe it by the grace of God; therfor, say to me thy playsyr and wylle.” And thenne Parys tolde to hys fader a parte of the pryveté and promesse that he had wyth Vyenne, by cause he shold wyth the better wylle doo that whyche he wold requyre hym. Thenne sayd Parys to his fader, “The prayer that I praye and requyre you is that it playse you to say to the dolphyn that he gyve to me his doughter to wyf and in maryage. And I humbly byseche you that herein ye wyl not faylle me.” And messire Jaques, heryng hys sone thys speke, almoost he was fro hymself for the grete folye that he sayd to hym. And he sayd in reprevyng hym that he never shold speke more of that fayte, for he wold not deye for hys doughter, and [fol. 15r] that he shold demaunde of hym somme other thynge, for it were grete folye to speke to hym of suche a thynge. And Parys sayd, “Worshypful fader, as moche peryllous is it to me as to you, therfor I am not abasshed thugh ye reffused to doo it. But love enforceth and constreyneth me so strongley that I am half confused, and am as wel contente that he do it not as to doo it, but that ye do your devoyr onely.” And so longe Parys prayed hys fader that he promysed hym to doo it.

Chapter 10: How messire Jaques demaunded of the doulphyn hys doughter Vyenne in maryage for hys sone Parys.

prose-textblock1Thenne went messire Jaques to the dolphyn, all chaunged of colour, and sayd to hym, “My ryght redoubted and soverayn lord, a certeyn requeste is made to me whyche I must say unto you, the whiche me semeth is of passyng lytel reason, and therfore it must be at your mercy. And in caas ye fynde therin dysplaysyr, that ye pardonne me and to take noo regarde to my grete folye.” The doulphyn, trustyng in the grete wysedom of messire Jaques, graunted hym to say whatsomever he wold. Thenne sayd messire Jaques, “Myn hye and soverayn lord, Parys my sone hath prayed me so moche that I shold requyre of you Vyenne your doughter to be hys wyf, the whiche thynge is not onely to say, but also to thynke, grete presumpsyon and grete folye, but the love of my sone constrayneth me soo strongly that by force I must say it to you.” And sodeynly the doulphyn was moeved in grete felonnye and wold not suffre hym to ende hys wordes, but repreved hym moche hardly sayeng, “Vylayne and vassal that thou arte, how kepest thou my worshyp? By God I shal wel chastyse you that ye shal never thynke suche thynges.” And comaunded hym that incontynent he shold departe thens and that never he ne hys sone shold come in hys syght. Wherfore messire Jaques departed thens moche rebuked, holdyng doun hys heed, and retorned into hys hous and tolde to hys sone Parys al that had be sayd and doon bytwene hym and the doulphyn, wherof Parys thanked moche hys fader.

prose-textblock2The doulphyn wente in grete thought thurgh the paleys, havyng grete indygnacyon and alle angry in soo moche that none durst speke to hym ne come in his waye. And he beyng thus in thys manere [fol. 15v], he sente for his doughter Vyenne and made hyr to come to hym, and sayd to hyr, “We have had wordes of grete dysplaysyr. Thys vyllayne, messyre Jaques hath sayd to us that we shold gyve you to wyf and in maryage to hys sone Parys. Advyse you what wysedom it were, by God. Or that I shold do it, I wold rather make you a nonne or a menchon. And it shal not be longe to but that ye shal be hyely maryed, so that ye shal holde you contente. And here I swere to you that yf it were not for the grete servyces that he hath doon to me, incontynent I shold do smyte off hys hede.” And when Vyenne sawe hyr fader in so grete angre ayenst messyre Jaques and hys sone, she sente for to seche Edward for to come speke to hyr. And whan Edward was come, Vyenne sayd to hym, “Edward, it is soo that my fader is moche angry ayenst messire Jaques and ayenst Parys, wherof I have grete dysplaysyr and have grete doubte that my fader wyl do somme harme to Parys. And therfore I wyl that ye say to hym that he kepe hymself in the moost secretest wyse that he may, and I shal also see the manere yf I may appease his felonnye and angre.” Thenne Edward incontynent took leve of Vyenne and went and sayd to Paris all that Vyenne had sayd to hym and sayd, “Fayr brother, me semeth that it were good that ye departed oute of this contrey for to absente you for a space of tyme, for it may be that to the doulphyn shal longe endure hys angre, as I understonde by that whyche Vyenne hath sayd to me.” Thenne ansuerd Parys, “Sythe that ye have counceylled me soo, I shal so do, notwythstondyng that it shal be to me a sorouful and an hevy departyng. But er I departe I shal take leve of Vyenne, though I shold deye.”

prose-textblock3Thenne Parys dyd soo moche that he spake unto Vyenne on a derke nyght at a lowe wyndowe where as they myght wel say what they wold. “I am certeyn,” sayd Vyenne, “that my fader hath wylle to hurte you, wherof I lyve in grete melancolye, for in al the world is no thynge that I love so moche as you. And yf by adventure ye deye, I wyl not lyve.” Thenne sayd Parys, “Honourable lady, it semeth me beste that I departe fro hens a certeyn tyme tyl my lord your fader be more peased and hath passed hys evyll wylle, how be it that it shal be to me a moche sorouful thynge to wythdrawe me fro you, for my lyf shal be moche hevy. Nevertheles, I shal accomplysshe your wylle in alle that ye shall [fol. 16r] commaunde me, whatsomever come therof.” And Vyenne, seyng the good wylle of Parys, after many wordes she sayd to hym, “Parys my frende, I knowe well the grete love that ye bere to me, and sythe it so is, I swere to you by my fayth that ye shal never departe fro thys cyté wythoute that I goo wyth you, for it is my wylle. Wherfore, as sone as ye may, make you redy of al thynges necessarye and fynde ye the manere that we may escape oute of the royame of Fraunce, and that we may goo into somme other lordshyppe where as we may lyve joyously and surely. Nevertheles, tofore or we departe from hens, I wyl that ye promyse two thynges. The fyrst is that ye touche not my body unto the tyme that we be lawfully maryed. The second is that Ysabeau parte in al the goodes that we shal have. And other thynge wyl I not as for thys present tyme, but that onely our departyng may be shortely. And I shal pourveye somme jewels and money for our necessyté.” And al thys Parys promysed to hyr, and eche departed fro other for to adresse suche thynges as to them shold be necessarye.

prose-textblock4Whan Parys was departed fro Vyenne, he wente to a man named George and sayd to hym, “George, my frende, alwaye I have trusted in you and have alwaye loved you, wherfore I praye you now that to thys that I shal say you ye faylle me not, for I promyse you ye shal not lese therby.” And George promysed to hym to doo al that shal be to hym possyble wyth ryght good hert. And thenne Parys sayd to hym, “Knowe ye for cartayn that I have wrath and rancour to a man of thys toune for certayn desplaysyr that he hath doon to me, wherfore I wyl slee hym. And incontynent as I have slayne hym, I wyl departe out of the royame of Fraunce; wherfore I praye you that ye wyl goo to Aygues Mortes and that ye there make redy a galeye furnysshed of al thynges necessarye tyl that we be arryved there as we wold be. And also I praye you that ye doo ordeyne fro hens to Aygues Mortes fro fyve myle to fyve myle alwaye good horses redy, to the ende that we may surely refresshe us yf it be nede. And also I wyl that ye do thys as secretly as ye may, and loo, here is money ynough for to furnysshe these sayd thynges.” George sayd, “I shal doo al thys gladly.” And incontynent made hym redy, and whan he came to Aygues Mortes he hyred a galeye and establisshed al the passages and dyd wel al that Parys had charged [fol. 16v] hym, and came ageyn and tolde to Parys how he had pourveyed al that he had charged hym, wherof Parys was moche joyous. And anone Parys wente and told to Vyenne that alle thynges that she had comaunded were doon. And thenne they concluded that the nexte nyght folowyng that at a certeyn houre eche of them shold be redy. Thenne he took leve of hyr and wente home and bad George to take two hors out of hys stable, and that he shold sadle them and abyde hym wythoute the cyté in a certayn place tyl he shold come. And Edward, the felowe of Parys, wyste noo thynge of alle thys, wherof he was moche abasshed and mervayllously angry whan that he knewe it.

Chapter 11: How Parys ladde awaye Vyenne and Ysabeau by nyght.

prose-textblock1Whan Parys was pourveyed of money and of al other thynges beyng to them necessarye, he wente allone the secretest wyse that he myght and came to the place emprysed at the houre taken, and he made a tokene whiche Vyenne knewe. And anone Vyenne and Ysabeau cladde them in mannes araye and lepen oute of the castel by a fauce porte. And so came these two damoyselles to the place where as Parys was allone, whyche awayted upon theyr comyng. And incontynent they departed and went where as theyr horses were, whom they took and rode as faste as they myght. And George rode alwaye tofore bycause to knowe wel the waye. And whyles they thus rode, aroos a storme wyth a grete rayne whyche endured tyl on the morne at nyght. And thenne they arryved nygh unto the lytel towne, but they entred not bycause they wold not be knowen and went and lodged them in a lytel chyrche nygh unto the toun, where they fonde a chapelayn whiche receyved them gladly the best wyse he myght. And thenne whan the nyght came, Parys and the chapelayn slepte in a lytel hous joynyng to the chyrche, George and Parys servaunte slepten in the stable with the bestes, and Vyenne and Ysabeau slepten in the chyrche. And in the mornyng erly they wente lyghtly to horsback and rode tyl they came nyghe unto a ryver whyche was rysen hye bycause of the rayne that had fallen. Thenne Parys was moche angry bycause he sawe wel that it was moche peryllous, and sayd to George that he shold serche and advyse somme good place where they myght passe over. And George wythdrewe hym a lytel from them and chaas a place whiche [fol. 17r] thought hym good, and took the ryver wyth hys hors. And whan he was in the myddes of the streme, hys hors faylled hym that he was drowned and hys hors also.

prose-textblock2Parys, seyng that George was drowned, was moche sore abasshed and durst make noo semblaunte bycause that fayre Vyenne shold have noo melancolye. And after, Vyenne demaunded of Parys where George was bycomen, and Parys answerd to hyr that he had sent hym for to serche somme good passage, and they wold torne into the chyrche ageyn tyl George were comen. And Vyenne ansuerd to hym that it playsed to her wel soo to doo, for she had grete doubte and fere for to passe the water.

prose-textblock3And whan they were in in the chyrche, Parys was moche aferde to abyde longe in that place, for he sawe that it was not sure, wherfore he demaunded the chapelayn yf they myght in ony wyse passe that water. And the chapelayn sayd not in thre dayes tyl the water were decreced and avaled. And Parys sayd to hym that he shold goo into the towne to seche and see yf he myght fynde ony men that wold make a brydge soo that they myght pass, and that he shold spare for no money. “For I shal paye to them as moche as they wyl have.” And the chapelayn sayd that he shold doo hys beste. Thus dyd Parys noo thynge but thynke how they myght passe the ryver. Now leve we Parys and torne we to the doulphyn, whych had lost his fayre doughter Vyenne.

Chapter 12: How the doulpyn dyd doo serche and seche Vyenne by hys servauntes.

prose-textblock1On the morne that Vyenne was loste and departed fro the hous of hyr fader, and that the doulphyn knewe it, he supposed to have goon oute of hys wytte, and al the courte was troubled, and sente hastely men on horsback and afote by dyvers partyes the moost secretely that he myght, and prayed them that they shold brynge home to hym Vyenne, quyck or dede. It happed by adventure that one of his men afote that was sente to seche Vyenne came into the towne where as the chapelayn was comen to seche men to make the brydge. The foteman demaunded every man yf they had had seen two damoyselles whyche were fledde fro the doulphyns courte. Thenne the chapelayn said to hym that it was not longe syth suche tweyne departed wyth other men.

prose-textblock2And the man supposed that the sayd chapelayn had sayd it [fol. 17v] in jape or in mockyng, and sayd that the doulphyn was moche angry and had sworne that yf ony man or woman knewe where they were and shewed it not, that he shold make them to lose theyr hedes. And whan the chapelayn herde these wordes, he remembred hym of them that were hyd in hys hous and in grete drede sayd to hym that he shold tarye there a lytel, and that for the love of my lord doulphyn he wold gladly seche for them, and as sone as he myght fynde tydynges of them he shold lete hym wyte. And so departed fro thens and retorned home ageyn, and tolde al thys to Parys, and what he had herde in the toune, sayeng also that he doubted that it was for them of hys companye. Wherfore he sayd to hym ferthermore, “Syr, I praye you that ye departe from hens and suffre not that I lese my lyf. But take ye the best counceyl ye can, for there ben fyfty men on horsback that seche you.”

prose-textblock3Whan Parys herde hym say this, it nedeth not to demaunde yf he were hevy and melancolyous, and for the grete sorowe that he had, he chaunged al his colour. And he sayd to the chapelayn, “I praye you that ye tarye a lytel and I shal make you an ansure.” And thenne Parys went to Vyenne for to telle to hir al thys feat. And whan Vyenne sawe hym entre and so chaunged in hys colour, sayd to Paris, “What tydynges brynge ye whyche are so pale and your colour chaunged? I praye you as hertely as I can that it playse you to telle me.” Thenne Parys sayd to hyr, “The tydynges that I brynge ben evyl for you and for me, for shortly shal be accomplisshed our adventure, and therfore I wyl slee myself.” And also he said complaynyng, “O God, how my lyf is sorowful and hevy to have brought thys excellent lady as ye ar in suche daunger. O good God, why gaf thou not to me the deth tofore or that I fette hir out of hyr faders hous? O alas my fader and my moder, what shal befalle of you whan the doulphyn shal knowe that I have stolen from hym hys doughter? O my good felowe Edward, why counceylled not I wyth thee tofore or I had doon thys folye?” And after he retorned to Vyenne sayenge, “And what shal falle of you my lady, whan your fader shal see you? Certes I thynke that how cruel that he be, whan he shal see your noble persone, his hert shal not suffre to do you ony harme. O God almyghty, do to me that grace that I onely may bere the payn of this fayt and none other. O lady, unhappy was that day for you and for me whan [fol. 18r] fyrst ye had acqueyntaunce of me.” And whan Parys had fynysshed hys complaynte, he tolde to Vyenne al that the chapelayn had sayd to hym, and forthwyth, as a persone despayred, took hys swerde and wold have ryven it thurgh hys body.

prose-textblock4And Vyenne, as vertuouse and valyaunte, took to hyr hert and took the swerde fro hym and comforted hym and sayd, “O free knyght, my joye, my lyf, and my solace, what wyl ye doo? Know ye not wel that who that sleeth hymself wytyngly, sleeth the soule and the body? And yf ye deye, I assure you I shal deye also, and so shal ye be cause of my deth as wel as of your owne. O Parys, where is your wysedom and your prowesse? Now whan ye shold have moste strengthe and moost vertuous courage, ye be aferde. O my knyght, thys is noo newe thynge that the persones that lyven in thys world have trybulacyons, of whatsomever lygnage they be. Certes, thys is not the courage of one so valyaunte knyght as ye be, for now whome that ye ought to comforte, she must now comforte you. And therfor, my fayr brother and frende, I praye you as moche as ye may that incontynente ye departe fro hens and that ye goo your waye. And yf ye do not so, I shal slee myself wyth your swerde, for your departyng is as grevous to me as myn shal be to you, but it byhoveth to eschewe of two evyls the werse. And also ye ought to consydere one thyng, that not wythstondyng the grete faulte and trespaas that I have made to my fader, yet therfore he shal not put me to deth, consydered the grete love that he hath alway had toward me. And yf ye were taken, I wote wel that ye and I shold bothe deye. And yet I have good hope that myn entencyon shal come unto a good ende. For be ye sure, though he never pardonne me, I shal never have other husbond but you, and that I promyse you be my fayth. But alle waye of one thyng I praye you, that for none other lady ye forgete not me, and whan ye shal be in another contreye wryte unto me of your adventure. And to the ende that ye the better remembre me, loo, here is a rynge of gold wyth a dyamonde, the which I praye you that ye wyl kepe for the love of me.”

Chapter 13: How Parys departed from Vyenne and lefte hyr in the chyrche.

prose-textblock1After moche other langage, Paris kyssed Vyenne wyth grete syghes and [fol. 18v] thoughtes, and she comforted hym the best wyse she myght, in prayeng our lord Jhesu Cryste that in short tyme she myght see hym, lyke as hyr herte desyred moost of ony thynge that was in the world. And thenne Parys departed fro Vyenne wyth grete sorowe and hevynesse. And took his waye wyth hys servaunte tyl he came to the ryver wher they coude not tofore have passed, and as despayred doubted noo thynge but entred therin, and the water was soo avaled that they passed wythoute ony peryl. And they rode two dayes wythoute ony mete, for they durst not passe thurgh ony toun. And they passed tyl they came to Aygues Mortes, and there he founde the galeye that George had hyred, whyche anone he took and so longe saylled and rowed tyl that they arryved at Gene. Parys made mervayllous countenaunces in the galeye, that alle they that were therin had supposed he had be a fool, for allewaye he was pensyf and ymagynatyf, and unnethe wold speke ne say a word. Thenne whan he was at Gene, he hyred hym a lodgyng and lyved there in grete hevynesse and sorowe. Now leve we to speke of Parys and retorne we to Vyenne whyche abode in the chapelayns hous.

Chapter 14: How Vyenne was founde in the chyrche by a foteman, and how she was brought ageyn to hyr fader.

prose-textblock1Whan Parys was departed fro Vyenne, she abode allone wyth Ysabeau makyng the grettest sorowe of the world that it was a grete pyté to byholde, lyke as she had as leef to deye as to lyve. And whan she was wel wery of wepyng, and that it was force that she must retorne to the mercy of hyr fader the doulphyn, she appeased hyrself. And anone the chapelayn went for to seche the foteman and brought hym into the chyrche. And whan Vyenne sawe hym, she knewe hym wel, for she had oftymes seen hym in hyr faders hows. And thys man sayd to hyr alle hys charge and that many knyghtes were oute for to seche hyr. And Vyenne sayd to hym, “Goo and telle them that thou hast founden me here and brynge them hyther.” Thenne the man wente and fonde the knyghtes, that thenne were comen into the towne, and tolde to them how he had founden hyr, and that they shold come with hym and he wold brynge them to the place where she was. Whan the knyghtes herde these tydynges, anon eche made grete haste tyl they cam to hyr. Thenne whan they were [fol. 19r] tofore Vyenne, they salewed hyr and sayd to hyr that the doulphyn had doo seche hyr in dyvers contreyes, and after they comforted hyr and sayd that she shold not be aferde of hyr fader, for he wold doo to hyr noo desplaysyr, “For he shal have so grete joye whan he shall see you, that he shal pardonne you and appease hys yre.” And than incontynent they wente to horsbacke and brought forth the chapelayn wyth hyr, to the ende that he shold excuse hyr tofore hyr fader and tolde how she was pure and clene of hyr body.

prose-textblock2Now sayth the hystory that whan Vyenne was comen tofore hyr fader the doulphyn, he made toward hyr hevy and evyll chere. But notwythstondyng, Vyenne kneled doun on bothe hyr knees to the erthe sayeng and in wepyng, “Redoubted fader, I see wel and knowe in myself that I have mesprysed and faylled toward you, wherof I have grete desplaysyr. Nevertheles, folysshe love hath enforced me to love hym whyche is wel worthy to be beloved of the moost grettest lady of the royame of Fraunce, allewaye seen the noblenes that is in hym. For I wene that in alle the world is none to hym lyke ne pareylle. And also, I thynke that I am not the first that have trespaced by semblable reasons. Wherfore, redoubted fader, I am in your mercy, and take of me vengeaunce suche as shal playse you, and to me chastysement and example to other. Nevertheles, I wyl wel that ye knowe, and that I swere by my soule that I am as pure and clene of my body as I was that day I departed fro hens. And loo, here is the chapelayn whyche can say to you the trouthe.” And thenne the chapelayn tolde how she came wyth two men, of whom that one was a moche fayre knyght yonge and curtoys, “the whyche I byleve is drowned in passyng a ryver. And they were in myn hous, and the two damoyselles slept togyder in the chyrch and the knyght slepte wyth me, and the other two slepte in the stable with the horses.” Thenne whan the doulphyn herde these tydynges, he had ryght grete playsyr of which he made noo semblaunte, and gaf to the chapelayn moche money and grete yeftes and bad hym retorne.

prose-textblock3After, the doulphyn took Vyenne by the hande in reprevyng hyr moche gretely, and lad hyr into hyr modres chambre wyth Ysabeau, for hir moder was seke of the grete sorowe that she had for hyr doughter, and there the [fol. 19v] moder blamed them bothe two. And Ysabeau sayd that Vyenne was as pure and clene of hyr body as she was the day that she departed. “Alas,” sayd the doulphyn, “thou hast put us in the moost grettest shame of the world. And I promyse that alle they that have consented therto shal be wel punysshed, and especyal that evyl traytre Parys whych is cause of al thys fayte, and yf ever I may have hym, I shal make dogges devoure hym and also bothe ye tweyne shal suffre therfore grete penytence.” Thenne sayd Vyenne wepyng, “I see wel and knowe that ye have entencion to do me moche gryef and harm, and I see wel that my lyf shal not longe endure. Therfore I swere to you in good fayth that there is noo man in the world that I so moche love as I doo hym whom ye so menace and thretene; for in hym I have my thought and courage wythoute ever to faylle hym. And yf ye shortly gyve to me my penaunce, so moche shortly shal be my deth. And yf ye suffre me to endure it longe, so moche more shal I bere it, and my soule shal be the more sure tofore almyghty God. And knowe ye for certayn that for hym and hys love I am redy to deye.”

prose-textblock4Thenne the doulphyn yssued out of the chambre in grete indygnacyon and commaunded that the fader of Parys shold be put in an evyl pryson, and that al hys goodes shold be taken fro hym. And also that Vyenne and Ysabeau sholde be enclosed in a chambre and that wel lytell mete shold be gyven to them, and moche he menaced and thretened them. And thus they abode a longe tyme in that chambre, and contynuelly Vyenne dremed of Parys. And whan she myght have ony space to speke to Edward, felowe of Parys, she requyred hym that he shold serche yf he myght have ony tydynges of Parys and that he shold lete hyr knowe therof. In thys maner Vyenne passed hyr tyme in grete sorowe and in grete thought, allewaye desyryng for to here somme tydynges of that noble knyght Parys.

prose-textblock5Whan Vyenne had ben a grete tyme in thys manere, the doulphyn bythought hym that thenne hys doughter Vyenne had been wel chastysed. And thenne the doulphyn, fader of Vyenne, ordeyned that she came oute of pryson. And thenne he purposed to gyve to hyr an husbond and sette hyr in hyr fyrst estate, wherof alle [fol. 20r] the courte was moche joyous, and in especyal Edward, felowe of Parys.

prose-textblock6And after certayn tyme, the doulphyn wrote to the erle of Flaunders that he wold doo marye hys doughter Vyenne, wherupon he requyred hym that he wold gyve to hym counceyll in thys mater, for it was unto hym chargeable. And duryng the tyme that Vyenne was oute of pryson, hyr herte was never in reste, but ever she was hevy and sorouful for hyr swete and faythful frende Parys, whome she myght not see and knewe not whether he were dede or alyve. And whan the doulphyn sawe hyr so hevy, on a day he sayd to hyr, “My swete doughter, wherfore be ye so sorouful? Gyve yourself to playsyr, for as to me, I remembre nomore the thynges passed, and there is noo thynge in the world that ye demaunde me but I shal doo it for you.” And thenne Vyenne, whyche had not forgeten Parys, sayd to hym, “Honourable fader, yf I were sure of the thynges passed that they were forgoten by you, I shold be more sure than I am, but I byleve fermely that ye have them yet in your remembraunce, for ye holde alwaye messyre Jaques in pryson, the fader of Parys, whyche is not culpable of ony parte of thys dede ne cause. And yf ye wold do to me soo moche grace that ye wold pardonne hym and rendre to hym al hys goodes and thynges, I shold be moche joyous.” And the doulphyn, for the playsyr of hys doughter, sayd to hyr that it wel playsed hym. And incontynent the doulphyn dyd do delyver messyre Jaques out of pryson and dyd do retorne to hym al hys goodes and thynges that had be taken from hym, wherof messyre Jaques had grete playsyr, for yf he had abyden lenger in pryson he had be dede for hungre. There was none that comforted hym but Edward, whiche comforted hym the best wyse he myght and gaf to hym dayly that whyche was necessarye for hys lyf. Whan Vyenne knew that messyre Jaques was oute of pryson, she was moche joyeful and had grete playsyr. Nevertheles, al the consolacyon of Vyenne was whan she myght speke wyth Edward of hyr love Parys. And thus she passed hyr tyme in ryght grete payne and hevynesse the beste wyse she myght.

prose-textblock7Whan the erle of Flaunders had redde the letters of the doulphyn and understood that he wold marye his doughter Vyenne, whych was [fol. 20v] of the age of fyftene yere, he trayted that she shold have of two barons that one, that is to wete the sone of the kynge of Englond, or the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne, whyche thenne had grete renommee in Fraunce and that was for the grete prowesse that was in hym. And the sayd erle made thys sayd traytye and sente word unto the doulphyn that hym semed best that the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn were beste for hyr, bycause that it shold be grete playsyr to the kynge of Fraunce, and that he was a noble knyght and of grete prowesse. And whan the doulphyn had receyved these lettres fro the erle of Flaunders, he sente to the kyng of Fraunce to wyte of hym whyche shold best playse hym of these two prynces aforesayd that shold have his doughter, for whome that he wold shold have hyr. Wherof the kyng had grete playsyr and reputed it to hym grete honour. And he sente to hym worde that it shold playse hym best that he maryed wyth the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn, hys nevew, and in so doyng he shold doo to hym ryght grete playsyr and wold do as moche for hym whan tyme and place requyreth. And seyng the doulphyn the wylle of the kyng of Fraunce, sente worde to the erle of Flaunders that he had counseylled wyth hys barons, and also that it was the wylle of the kyng of Fraunce that his doughter shold be maryed to the sone of the duc of Bourgoyne. And thenne the erle laboured so moche in thys mater that he made the sayd sone of the duc to agree as for hys partye.

Chapter 15: How Parys sente a letter to hys felowe Edward.

prose-textblock1Now late us leve to speke of thys mater and retorne we unto Parys whyche abode in the cyté of Gene moche hevy. And whyles thys maryage was in trayté, Parys dwelled in Gene out of al joyes and playsaunces worldly, and al for the love that he had to the fayr Vyenne whome he had soo moche at his hert. And abode alwaye in hys lodgyng allone and bycame so devoute and soo humble toward God that it was grete mervaylle. And also for the good countenaunces that he made, he was moche wel byloved of al the peple of the cyté, and they helde hym for a noble man and sayd he must nedes be the sone of a grete lord. And Parys, beyng in thys manere, had grete desyre to have tydynges of Vyenne and what was hyr adventure. And anone ordeyned two letters, that one to [fol. 21r] hys fader and that other to hys felawe Edward, of whyche the letter to hys fader sayd in thys manere:

prose-textblock2“Ryght dere and honourable syr and fader, playse it you to wete that I am moche sorouful and hevy of my cruel adventure, and also I endure grete hevynes, sorowe, and afflyctyon, doubtyng that for me ye have suffred grete payne and trybulacyon. And I late you wete that I am at Genes and dwelle in a lodgyng allone, deposed fro al joyes and consolacyons mondayne, for myn entendement is to serve God and Our Lady fro hens forth, and purpose that ye shal see me no more, for I wyl departe and goo thurgh the world to seche holy pylgrymages. And yf by adventure I shal deye tofore that ye shal see me, I praye you that it may playse you that I deye not in your evyl wylle but humbly byseche you that it playse you to pardonne me and to gyve to me your benedyctyon. Also, dere syr and fader, I praye you and supplye that my dere brother and felowe Edward ye wyl take in my name and place, and that he be recommaunded as your sone instede of me, as wel in your herytage as in other thynges. And the grace of the Holy Ghoost be wyth you. Recomaunde me to my moder and etc.” And the letter of Edward sayd thus:

prose-textblock3“Dere and specyal brother and synguler frende Edward, the peryl of Paris and of hys adventure is poursyewed of alle evyl and cruel fortune. I comaunde me to you as moche as I may say or thynk. Nevertheles, lyke as we have ben accustomed to wryte letters of love and of chyvalrye, now I must wryte letters anguysshous of sorowe and of evyl fortune, for, alas, I am unhappy al allone in a strange contré and exyled fro al joyes and fro alle playsyr, and out of al worldly playsaunce thynkyng nyght and day on the bele Vyenne, the whyche I thynke that for me hath suffred mortal sorowe. And I say to you that, yf I knewe that for me she suffred payne and sorowe, I shold be in despayr, for I am worthy for to be punysshed cruelly for that fayte and none other. Wherfore I praye God and alle Hys sayntes that she may be kepte from al evyl, and gyve hyr grace to prospere in al good and honour lyke as she is worthy and myn herte desyreth. My dere broder and felowe, the moost dere thynges that I love in thys world is fyrst the fayre and swete Vyenne and next you, to whom I praye you yf it may [fol. 21v] be in ony wyse that ye wyl say to hyr in my name how that I am lyvyng in Genes, passyng my lyfe moche hevy and sorouful for the absence of hyr noble persone and for the cruel and evyl fortune that hath poursyewed me. And also say ye to hyr that I crye hyr mercy and that it may playse hyr to pardonne me yf by me she have ony dysplaysyr. And God knoweth myn entencyon and in what trybulacion I lyve. And syth that it hath not playsed to our Lord that we accomplysshe not our desyre and wylle, we ought to bere it pacyently. And also ye shal say to hyr that I praye and supplye her as moche as I may that she yet take no husbond unto the tyme that she shal see the ende of our adventure. And after thys I praye you, dere broder, of the consolacyon of my fader and my moder, and that ye be to them as a sone. For, seyng the love that alwaye we have had togyder, I have wryton to my fader that, in the stede of me, he take you for hys sone and that, after hys lyf, he wyl leve to you hys herytage. For so moche, broder and felowe, I praye and byseche you that ye be to theym humble and obeyssaunt, and the better parte shal be youres. And yf by adventure ye wryte to me ony letter, late the letter be kepte in my faders hous. The Holy Ghoost have you in hys kepyng.”

prose-textblock4And he delylverd thys letter to a courrour, whyche whythin fewe dayes was at Vyenne and secretely delyverd hys letters to Edward, the good knyght. Whan Edward had receyved these letters and knewe that Paris was alyve, he had ryght as grete joye as ony man coude thynke or byleve; nevertheles, he helde the courrour secretely in his hous to the ende that the dolphyn shold not knowe therof. And whan he had herde the letters, he went to the hous of messyre Jaques, the fader of the noble Parys, and sayd to hym, “Messyre Jaques, I brynge to you thys letter.” And whan messyre Jaques had redde the letter, he coude not be sacyat of redynge, he took so grete playsyr therin.

prose-textblock5After that he had redde it at hys playsyr, he prayed Edward to wryte to hym an ansuer wel at large of alle that was byfallen syth hys departyng. And thys doon, Edward departed fro hym and wente unto beale Vyenne, whome he fonde moche hevy and sorouful for hir love and frende Parys. And Edward sayd, “Honourable lady, and how is it that ye be thus hevy?” And Vyenne sayd to hym, “Alas, fayr broder Edward, I have good reason and cause to be hevy, for myn herte abydeth thynkyng day and nyght on my good [fol. 22r] knyght Parys. And I knowe not whether he be alyve or dede, of whyche thynge I moche desyre to knowe, for yf he be deed, I am cause therof, and certes, yf he be dede, I may not lyve after hym. Yf our Lord wold doo soo moche grace that he be alyve, fayn wold I knowe in what londe he is, to the ende that I myght sende to hym a lytel money soo that he have noo necessyte for hys persone.” And Edward sayd to hyr, “Madame what wyll ye gyve me yf I telle to you good tydynges and sure of hym?”

prose-textblock6Thenne sayd Vyenne, “By my fayth there is noo thyng that I have in thys world whyche I may gyve wyth myn honour, but that I shal gyve it to you.” Thenne sayd Edward, “Loo, here is a letter whyche he hath sente to me.” And whan Vyenne sawe the letter, she opened it and redde it al allonge, and whan she had redde it she had soo grete joye that hyr semed God had appyered to hyr. And the joye that she had in hyr hert shewed wel in hyr vysage, for sythe that she departed fro Parys she had not so good vysage ne chere as she had thenne. And whan the solace had ynough endured, Edward sayd to hyr, “Madame, gyve to me ageyn my letter that I may make to hym an ansuer.” And Vyenne sayd, “It pleseth me moche that ye make to Parys my swete frende an ansuer, but surely the letter shal remayne wyth me.” Thenne he sayd, “Madame, have ye not promysed to gyve to me that thyng that I shal demaunde you?” “Yes,” sayd she. Thenne Edward sayd, “I desyre ne wyll have none other thynge but that ye gyve to me my letter, for as sone shal I gyve to you my lyf, but yf ye wyl demaunde ony other thynge, I wyl wel.” Thenne sayd Edward, “I am content that the letter abyde wyth you.” And after he ordeyned another letter to Parys whiche sayd in this manere.

Chapter 16: How Edward sente ansuer of his letter to Parys, whyche abode in the cyté of Genes.

prose-textblock1“Ryght dere brother frende and felowe Parys, your fader and your moder grete you wel, the whiche have suffred for you moche dysease, payne, and desplaysyr, and in especyal your fader, whiche hath longe been in pryson and alle hys goodes were taken fro hym. And also I certefye you that, by the grace of God and at the request and prayer of Vyenne, the doulphyn hath pardonned hym alle hys evyl wylle and delyverd hym oute of pryson and restored to hym alle hys goodes ageyn. And plese it you to wete, fayre [fol. 22v] brother, that Vyenne hath had so moche joye and so grete playsyr whan she had knowleche that ye were alyve that it is wonder to byleve, for al hyr consolacyon was for to have tydynges of you. And she recommaundeth hyr to you as moche as she may and hath moche grete desyre to see you and also prayeth you not to wythdrawe you fro hyr ne fro that contreye, but that ye wryte ofte to hyr of your estate. And she sendeth to you an eschaunge of thre thousand floryns, of whiche she wyl that ye take your playsyr and joye, for al hyr hope is in you. Also, ye shal understonde that she hath be kepte in pryson a certayn tyme, but, thanked be God, she is now oute. Also, I have shewed to hyr your letter, whyche she reteyneth, and after that she had redde it I myght never have it ageyn, but she sayd that she had lever to lese al that she had than the said letter. And ye shal knowe that the doulphyn treateth a maryage for hyr, the which is the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn, and he hopeth fro day to day that it shal be accomplysshed. Nevertheless, I truste soo moche in Vyenne, seyng that whiche she hath sayd to me, that she wyl never have other husbond but you, wherfore lyve ye forth joyously in hope. Dere brother, I thanke you as I can or may for the presentacyon that ye have doon for me. Your soule be wyth God, to whome I praye that He kepe you in hys holy warde and protectyon and etc.” Whan thys letter was wryten, he delyverd it to the courrour, whyche made hasty journeyes so that he arryved at Genes where as the good knyght Parys dwelled and abode.

prose-textblock2Whan the noble Paris had redde the letter and knewe that Vyenne had been in pryson, almoost for sorowe he was oute of his wytte cursyng his evyl fortune, and after he cursed the day that he was borne and moche dyscomforted hymself, and also he cursed the doulphyn sayeng, “O cruel fader and unconnyng, how may your hert suffre to put in pryson hyr that is soo noble a creature whyche is ful of al vertues, that is the fayre Vyenne, whyche is noo thynge cause of thys fayte? For I myself onely have doon it and ought to bere allone the penaunce. Alas and wherfore dyd not God to me so moche grace that I had be taken in stede of hyr? O fayre Vyenne, what have I doo for you whyche have suffred soo moche payne for me?” Thus he made a grete whyle hys sorowe in wepyng strongely. After, Parys sawe that the fayr Vyenne was [fol. 23r] retorned into hyr fyrst estate wherof he was moche joyous. And whan he had receyved the eschaunge that Vyenne had sente hym, he hyred a moche fayr hous and cladde hym honestly and rychely and took acqueyntaunce and amytye wyth the grettest and beste of the cyté, insomoche they dyd hym moche good and honour. And thus duellyd Parys a grete whyle, alway remembryng in hys hert the love of Vyenne, for alleway hys love encreaced. And every moneth they wrote letters eche to other of whyche here is made noo mencyon, for it shold be over longe to reherce. And torne we here into Flaunders for the fayte of the maryage of the excellent Vyenne.

prose-textblock3Now sayth the hystorye that whan the erle of Flaunders had accorded the maryage with the duc of Bourgoyn, he made redy hys sone and apparaylled hym of companye and of horses, and lete it be knowen to the doulphyn that he shold make redy al thynge necessarye, and that he shold hastely sende to hym his sone. Whan the doulphyn herde these tydynges, that he whome he so moche desyred shold come, he was moche joyous and incontynent dyd doo make redy many grete and mervayllous festes. And duryng the same dyd doo make redy hys sone, the duc of Bourgoyne, horses and peple for to accompanye hym, whiche was a fayre thynge to see. And after sent hym to the erle of Flaunders, whyche receyved hym wyth grete joye and wyth grete honour and fested hym two dayes, and delyverd to hym hys sone in his companye, and sente hym to the doulphyn. And whan the doulphyn knewe theyr comyng, he dyd do make redy to receyve hym. And whan they were by a day journeye nygh unto Vyenne, he rode oute wyth moche grete chyvalrye and receyved them with moche grete joye and playsyr, and eche made grete feste to other whyche were over longe to recounte.

prose-textblock4Nevertheless, tofore that the doulphyn came to the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn, hee and hys wyf entred into the chambre of Vyenne, to whome the doulphyn sayd, “Fayr doughter, it was the playsyr of God that I and your moder were togyder seven yere wythoute havyng ony chylde, and in the eighth yere our lord comforted us wyth you, in whom we have al our affectyon. For we have neyther sone ne doughter but onely you, ne suppose never to have, so we truste that by you we have one. It is trewe that, so as God wyl and hath ordeyned, we wyl assemble you to a moche honourable maryage the whiche to us [fol. 23v] playseth moche, for I ensure you the doughter of the kynge of Fraunce hath moche desyred to have hym that ye shal have, for God hath endowed hym with so moche good and honour as hert of knyght may have. Thus, to the playsyr of God and of the Vyrgyn Marye, we have made the maryage of the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne and of you, wherfor we praye you that therto ye wyl gyve your good wylle and playsyr, and also that ye wyl have the maryage agreable.” Thenne Vyenne ansuerd to hyr fader, “Honourable fader and lord, I wote wel that thys that ye entende is for my wele and prouffyt. But notwythstondyng that I be in age for to marye, and that in thys maryage I shold recyve honour more than I am worthy, nevertheles, I shal not yet be maryed, for yf we have not thys man, yf it playse God, we shal have another as good or better. And thynke ye not, myn honourable lord, that I say thys for ony excusacyon, but it is sythen fyftene dayes that I have be evyl dysposed of my persone, and the maladye that I have causeth me to take noo playsyr for to be maryed. For I have avowed unto God never to be maryed to thys man ne to none other as longe as I shal be in thys maladye.” Thenne thought the dolphyn that Vyenne sayd it for shamefastness. Nevertheles, he travaylled hyr every day wyth fayre wordes that she shold consente to thys maryage, but it avaylled nothyng all that he dyd, for the wylle of hir was more in Parys than in ony man of the world.

prose-textblock5Thenne on the morne, the sone of the duc of Bourgoyne and the sone of the erle of Flaunders entred into the cyté of Vyenne, wherof the doulphyn had grete joye and playsyr. And thys feste endured wel fyftene dayes that they dyd no thynge but daunce, synge, and dyd other dyvers playsyrs. And duryng thys feste, the daulphyn sayd to the sone of the duke of Bourgoyn, to the ende that he shold thynke none evyl bycause he abode so longe or that he myght espouse hys doughter. “Fayr sone, I praye you and byseche that ye take you to playsyr and joye. And gryeve you noo thynge of thys longe abydyng here, for certayn my doughter is so seke that unnethe she may speke, whyche doth to hyr grete desplaysyr and shame, for fayn she wold be out of hyr chambre.” And thenne the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn, as he that mente but good fayth, byleved it lyghtly.

prose-textblock6Nevertheles, the doulphyn dyd nothyng nyght [fol. 24r] ne day but admonested hys doughter, one tyme in fayr wordes and another tyme in menaces, but in no wyse he coude make hys doughter to consente, and comaunded that she shold nothyng have but brede and water, and Vyenne abode one day soo in thys manere. And al thys dyd the doulphyn to the ende that she shold consente to the maryage. And alwaye he dyd to hyr more harme and payne, and Vyenne was alwaye more harde and ferther fro hys desyre, wherof the doulphyn had moche grete dysplaysyr, and not wythoute cause. And seyng the doulphyn that hys doughter was soo indurate, he thought that by somme good moyen he wold sende home ageyn the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn, for he doubted that yf he abode longe that this feat myght be dyscovered. And he gaf to hym fayr jewellys and after sayd to hym, “Fayre sone, I wyl that ye take noo desplaysyr in that I shal say to you. Me semeth wel that at thys tyme this maryage may not goo forth of you and of my doughter, for after that I see, and as me semethe, the wylle of God is ferther than I wold at thys tyme. For He wyl not that the maryage of you and of my doughter take now effecte, wherfore I have ryght grete desplaysyr in my hert onely for the love of you.” Thenne the sone of the duc of Bourgoyne, seyng that at that tyme he myght doo noo thyng, toke leve of the doulphyn and retorned into his countree bycause that Vyenne was not in helthe, and promysed that as sone as he myght knowe that she shold be hool, he wold retorne for to accomplysshe the mariage lyke as the doulphyn had promysed to hym.

Chapter 17: How the doulphyn dyd doo enprysonne Vyenne bycause that she wold not consente to the maryage to the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne.

prose-textblock1After certayn dayes that the sone of the duke of Bourgoyn was departed fro the cyté of Vyenne, the doulphyn, for grete desplaysyr that he had, dyd do come tofore hym the mayster jayler of hys pryson and dyd doo make wythin hys paleys a lytel pryson derke and obscure. And he dyd do put Vyenne and Ysabeau into that pryson and commaunded that they shold have nothyng to ete but brede and water, and one damoysel in whome the dolphyn trusted shold brynge it to them. And in thys manere Vyenne and Ysabeau passyd theyr tyme in grete sorowe. And thynke not that for thys pryson the hert of [fol. 24v] Vyenne wold in ony wyse consente to the wylle of hyr fader, but alway encreaced wyth hyr the wylle toward hir swete frende Parys. And wyth swete wordes she comforted Ysabeau sayeng, “My dere suster, abasshe you not for thys derkenes, for I have confydence in God that ye shal have yet moche welthe. For, my fayr suster, it is a moche ryghtful thyng that for the good knyght Parys, whyche for me suffreth so moche payne, that I suffre thys for hym, and also I say to you that al the paynes of this world be nothyng grevous to me whan I thynke on hys swete vysage.” And in thys manere that one comforted that other in spekyng alle day of the valyaunte knyght Parys.

Chapter 18: How the sone of the duc of bourgoyne departed fro hys contrye for to come see the fayre lady Vyenne.

prose-textblock1Whan the sone of the duc of Bourgoyne had abyden longe tyme in hys contree, on a day he had grete thought of Vyenne, and that was for the grete beauté of hyr. And it dysplesed hym moche that at hys beyng there he had not seen hyr, and so concluded to goo and see hyr. And it was not longe after that he cam to the dolphyn, and the doulphyn receyved hym moche gladly and with grete honour. Thenne prayed he the dolphyn that it myght plese hym to shewe to hym Vyenne, also seke as she was, for in the world was nothyng that he soo moche desyred to see as hyr. And the doulphyn, seyng the wylle and desyre of hym, wold noo lenger hyde hys courage but sayd to hym, “My fayr sone, by the fayth that I owe to God, I have had grete desyre that thys maryage shold be made, but my doughter for thys present tyme wyl take noo husbond ne be maryed, wherfore I have grete desplaysyr. And that for the love of you, and to the ende that ye knowe that it holdeth not on me, I swere to you that sythe ye departed fro thys toun, I have doon hyr to be kepte in a pryson derke and obscure and hath eten nothyng but brede and water onely, and have sworn that she shal not goo oute of pryson tyl she shal consente to have you in maryage. And thus I praye you that ye take noo desplaysyr yf, at thys tyme, ye see hyr not, for ye may not faylle to have grete maryage in caas that this faylle you.” And thenne he ansuerd, “Honourable syr, I praye you moche hertely syth that it is so, that er I retorne I may speke to hyr, and I shal praye hyr as moche as I [fol. 25r] shal mowe, and shal see yf by ony manere I may converte hyr fro hyr wylle.” Thenne sayd the doulphyn he was contente.

prose-textblock2Thenne he sente to his doughter clothyng and vestymentes for to clothe hyr, and also mete for to ete, for in two monethes she had eten but brede and water, wherof she was moche feble, and that shewed wel in her vysage. And thus he dyd bycause she shold consente to the maryage. And thenne it was concluded that the sone of the duc of Bourgoyne shold come see her and speke with hyr. And thenne whan Vyenne sawe thys and had receyved all, and knewe that the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn shuld come and speke wyth hyr, she said to Ysabeau, hir damoysel, “Fayr suster, beholde how my fader and moder wene by these vestymentes and thys henne that I shold ete to deceyve me and put me fro my purpoos, but God forbede that I shold do so.” And thenne she took the henne and sayd to hyr that brought it, “Syth it playseth to the sone of the duke to come and speke to me, say ye to hym that he may not come these two dayes, and whan he cometh that he brynge with hym the bysshop of Saynt Laurens.” She that had brought to hyr the henne sayd all thys unto the doulphyn and to dame Dyane hir moder. Thenne Vyenne took the two quarters of the henne and put them under hyr arme hooles, and helde ther there so longe that they stonken moche strongley.

prose-textblock3And whan it came to the thyrd day, the bysshop of Saynt Laurence and the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne camen for to see Vyenne, and or they entred they opened a treylle whyche gaf lyght into the pryson. Thenne whan the sone of the duc sawe Vyenne in the pryson, he sayd to hir by grete pyté that he had, “Noble Vyenne, how wyl ye deye thus for hungre soo folyly by your owne defaulte? And knowe ye not wel that your fader hath gyven you to me to have to my wyf, wherfore I lyve in grete payne and in moche grete sorowe for the duresse of your courage, wherof ye doo ryght grete synne. And doubte ye not that God punyssheth you for thyn obedyence that ye doo to your fader and to your moder. Wherfore I praye you, fayre Vyenne, to telle to me for what cause ye wyl not have me in maryage to your husbond. Doubt ye that whan ye shall be wyth me, that ye may not serve God as wel as ye now do that suffre thys payne? I promyse you by my fayth that ye shal have playsaunces and lybertees in al the maners that ye shal conne demaunde. Thenne I praye you [fol. 25v] that ye wyl not here deye so dolorously, and yf ye wyl not doo it for the love of me, yet at the leste do it for the love of your fader and of your moder whyche lyve for you in grete sorowe and in grete hevynesse, wherfore ye ought to have pyté on them.”

prose-textblock4Whan Vyenne had herde these wordes, she was quasi abasshed and sayd, “Syr, savyng your honour, I am maryed, how be it ye knowe hym not whome I have in my hert. And also I knowe and graunte ryght wel that ye be worthy to have one moche gretter and more hye a lady than I am. And I late you wete that for hym that I desyre I shold suffre more payne than I fele. And therfore I praye you that fro hens forth ye speke to me no more of thys mater. And also I am so evyl dysposed in my persone that yf it endure in me, my lyf shal not be longe, and, yf it were honeste, I shold shewe it you and than shold ye see how it stondeth wyth me. Nevertheles, approche ye ner to me and ye shall the better byleve me.” And the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne and the bysshop of Saynt Laurence approuched unto Vyenne, fro whom yssued soo grete a stenche, that unnethe they myght suffre and endure it, whiche savour came fro under hyr arme holes of the two quarters of the henne, whiche were roten. And whan Vyenne sawe that they had felte ynough of the stenche, she sayd to them, “Lordes, ye may now knowe ynough in what adventure I am dysposed.” Thenne they took leve havyng grete compassyon on hyr. And they sayd to the dolphyn that Vyenne was thenne half roten and that she stanke, and demed in themself that she myght not lyve longe, and that it shold be grete damage of hyr deth for the soverayn beauté that was in hyr. And incontynent the sone of the duc of Bourgoyn took hys leve of the doulphyn and retorned into hys contrey and recounted to hys fader the lyf of Vyenne, wherof alle they that herde hym had grete pyté in theyr herte.

prose-textblock5Whan the doulphyn sawe that the maryage was broken by the deffaulte of his doughter, Vyenne, he sware that she shold never departe fro thens but yf she wold consente to hys wylle. And so she abode longe tyme in that pryson where she had grete thought and sorowe for hyr swete and trewe frende Parys. And hyr desyre was on noo thynge but for to here tydynges of Parys hyr love, but in the estate [fol. 26r] that she was in, no man myght brynge hyr tydynges. And Edward, the felowe of Parys, seyng that Vyenne abode in soo grete payne and that none durst speke to hyr, he had in his herte grete sorowe and was moche moeved of grete pyté and also for the grete love that he had to Parys, and concluded to make a chapel in the chyrche that touched on the palays of the dolphyn. And in a corner he dyd do dygge so depe that it was nyghe to the foundement of the pryson wherein Vyenne was, and bycause he wold not have the thyng dysclosed, he wold that they shold dygge no ferther. And whan the chapel was acheyved and fynysshed, Edward alle allone dygged hymself so ferre that he made an hole by whyche he spake to Vyenne whan he wold, whyche cave was made so secretly that no man myght apperceyve it.

prose-textblock6Soo it happed on a day, Edward byhelde Vyenne thurgh this hole and salewed hyr, and thenne whan Vyenne herd hym and knewe hym, she had so grete joye and consolacyon that she semed that she was rysen fro deth to lyf. And the fyrst tydynges that Vyenne demaunded of hym were yf he knewe ony tydynges of Parys. And Edward tolde to hir that it was not longe syth that he had receyved a letter fro hym wryton at Genes. Thenne said Vyenne al wepyng to hym, “Alas, whan shal the day come that I shal see hym, and that doon I wold be contente that God shold do His wylle of me, for none other thyng I desyre in this world. Alas, fayr brother, what semeth you of my lyf and of this fayr chambre in whyche I dwelle in? Certeynly I byleve veryly that yf Parys knewe it, that for his love I suffre thyus moche sorowe, that the hert of hym shold swelte for sorow.” And after she tolde to Edward the parlament that she had with the sone of the duc of Bourgoyne, and also of the henne, and prayed hym that he wold sende worde of al thys to Parys and that she recommaunded hyr to hym, and also that she had none other hope in thys world but in hym. Edward brought to hyr every day fro thenne forthon mete and drynke, and al that was necessary to hyr for hyr lyf and comforted hyr with fayr wordes the best wyse he myght. And Edward wrote al playnly to Parys how for hungre she shold have been dede ne had he ben, whyche dayly pourveyed for hyr al that was to hym necessarye. And he wrote to hym alle the manere that Vyenne had holden wyth the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne. And that thys fayre lady Vyenne desyred noo thynge in this world but for to see hym onely. [fol. 26v] And also that she prayed hym that he shold not departe oute of the countree that he was in.

prose-textblock7Whan the noble Parys had receyved the letter fro Edward and knewe that Vyenne abode in pryson, it is no nede to demaunde yf he had grete desplaysyr and almoost was in suche caas as to lese his wytte for sorowe. And on that other parte, he had grete drede that she shold be maryed in eschewyng of the grete harme and payne that she suffred, and herein he was pensyf nyght and day, sayeng to hymself, “I see wel that I may not escape but that Vyenne must nedes be maryed, and by that moyen hyr love and myn shal faylle. Alas, now see I wel that now me byhoveth noo hoope ne truste. Alas caytyf and unhappy, what shal byfalle of me? I shal goo so ferre that fro hyr I may never here tydynges ne also she fro me.” And after this he bygan ageyn hys complaynte sayeng, “O veray God of heven, wherfore hast thou not doon to me soo moche grace that in the stede of hyr I myght suffre the payne that she suffreth for me? O cruel fortune ful of cruel tormente, and what hath Vyenne doon or made that she must suffre so grevous penaunce? Alas, were it not more reason, justyce, and cause that I whyche have doon alle thys evyl bere the punycyon? Certes yes.”

Chapter 19: How Parys sente a letter to Edward hys felowe.

prose-textblock1After that he had made hys complaynte, he wrote a letter unto Edward doyng hym to wyte how he had soverayn sorowe for Vyenne whiche was in pryson, and he thanked hym of the goodnes and dylygence that he had doon toward hyr, in prayeng hym that he never wold faylle hyr but contynuelly ayde and helpe hyr. And after, he wrote to hym how for veray dysplaysyr and melancolye he wold goo into somme straunge contreye, and that fro than forthon he shold sende to hym noo moo letters, and that he never retche for to here moo tydynges fro hym, no more than of a deed persone.

prose-textblock2Thenne whan Edward had receyved these letters fro Paris and knewe that he wold estraunge hym fro that countree of Genes and wold goo into a strange contreye, he was moche wroth and sore agryeved. And thenne incontynent Edward wente and tolde it to the fader and moder of Parys, [fol. 27r] wherof they toke so grete sorowe that they supposed to have loste theyr wytte. And after Edward wente and tolde it also to Vyenne, wherof it nedeth not to demaunde the grete sorowe that she had, for it was so grete and overmoche that yf Edward had not comforted hyr, she had been dede. And thenne she complayned to Ysabeau sayeng that sythen she never entended to here tydynges of hyr love Parys, she was ryght wel contente to deye, and that she wold never more have playsyr of no thynge that was in thys world, and that thenne she wold that she were dede. And Ysabeau comforted hyr alwaye.

Chapter 20: How Parys wente to shyppe at Venyse, for to goo to the holy sepulcre in Jherusalem.

prose-textblock1After that Paris had sent the letter to Edward, incontynent he departed fro Genes wyth hys servaunte and wente to Venyse, where he took shyppyng and saylled so ferre that he cam to Alexandrye, where he abode a space of tyme. And after in that contrey he enformed hym and lerned the waye to the mounte of Calvarye and of Jherusalem, and how he myght passe surely. And afterward Parys concluded to goo into that contrey a pylgrymage, but tofore or he took hys waye, he lerned for to speke the langage of Moores. And whan Parys coude wel speke Mouryske, he and his varlet took the waye toward Ynde, and so ferre laboured by theyr journeyes that they arryved in the londe of Prester Johan, in whyche he dwelled a longe tyme. And in that whyle hys berde grewe longe, and after he took the habyte of a More and also lerned alle the custommes and maners of the contree. And he had alle waye faste byleve in our lord Jhesu Cryste and in the gloryous Vyrgyn Marye hys swete moder. And thus abydyng in thys maner, he had grete wylle to go to Jherusalem to the Holy Sepulture for too see the holy sayntuaryes and for to accomplysshe the holy pylgremage. Thenne whan he was in Jherusalem, he sette al his courage in devocyon and bycam so devoute that it was mervaylle, and prayed contynuelly our Lord that by the meryte of his passyon he wold gyve to hym salvacyon of hys soule and consolacyon for his body, and also for fayr Vyenne. And after, he departed fro thens and wente into Egypte and arryved in the contree of the soudan. And hys money bygan to faylle, and hyred hym a litel hous wherin he dwellyd moche hevy and sorouful [fol. 27v] for hys infortune. And also he had grete desplaysyr whan he sawe other tryumphe and wexe lordes.

prose-textblock2Now it happed on a day that Parys wente to playe and dysporte hym out of the toun in the feldes and there mette wyth the faulconners of the soudan whyche came fro hawkyng. And emonge them was one fawcon moche seke, and that fawcon the sowdan loved beste of alle the other. Thenne demaunded Parys of the fawconner what sekenesse the fawcon had, and the fawconner sayd to hym that he wyst not. Thenne sayd Paris, “Truly, yf he contynue in the maladye that he hath, he shall not lyve thre dayes, byt yf ye doo that I shal say to you and yf he be not hole therwyth, he shal never be hole.” Thenne sayd the fawlconner to hym, “I praye you that ye wyl telle me what I shal do, for I ensure you faythfylly that yf ye may make hym hole, it shal mowe avaylle you and me also, and that I promyse you, for the souldan had lever lose the beste cyté that he hath than this fawcon.” Thenne Parys wente and sought certayn herbes and gaf them to the fawlconner and bad hym to bynde them to the feet of the fawcon. And so he dyd, and sone after the fawlcon amended and becam as hole as ever he had be tofore, wherof the souldan was moche joyous. And for the love of thys faulcon, the souldan made the fawlconner a grete lord in hys courte. Thenne the faulconner, seyng that by the moyen of Parys he had goten thys lordshyp, he dyd to hym moche playsyr and shewed to hym as grete amytye and frendshyp as he had ben hys brother, and brought hym in the grace of the souldan and was receyved into hys courte. And the souldan loved hym soo wel that he gaf to hym grete offyce and mayntened hym in grete honour.

prose-textblock3Ye shal understonde that in thys tyme regned a moche holy pope, the whych was named Innocent, and was a moche holy persone and devoute. And it pleased soo hym that he gaf oute a croysee ayenst the fals myscreauntes and hethen men, to the ende that the name of our lord Jhesu Cryst were more sayntefyed and enhaunced thurghout al Crystyenté. And therfore was maad a grete counceyl emonge the cardynals and prelates, and was concluded by theyr parlament that thys croysee shold be wryton to the kyng of Fraunce and to other kynges Crysten, dukes, erles, and other grete lordes. And so was it doon.

Chapter 21: How the doulphyn came toward the kyng of Fraunce.

prose-textblock1[fol. 28r] Whan the kyng of France had receyved the letters fro the pope, incontynent he sente for the doulphyn of Vyennoys that he shold come and speke wyth hym, the whiche incontynent came at his commaundement. Thenne the kynge sayd to hym, “Syr Godefroy, we have made you to come hyther, for ye be one of the moost wysest of our courte, and also ye be of our lygnage. And we late you wete that our holy fader the pope hath wryton to us that he hath yeven a croysee ayenst the mescreauntes, wherfore we, for the love and reverence of God, entende for to goo thyder. Nevertheles, we have advysed that ye shold goo fyrst into thoo partyes, and we praye you, for the love and reverence of God, that ye take on you the charge for to espye the contrees and also the passages.” Thenne the doulphyn sayd, “I am redy and apparaylled to do your comaundement wyth good wylle. But how shal I mowe do it for to passe surely emonge the hethen peples? For yf they apperceyve in ony wyse that I goo for to espye theyr contree, I shal not conne escape, but that I must deye by cruel deth yf God kepe me not.” Thenne sayd the kyng, “Ye may goo and your companye surely clothed in habyte of pylgryms, for ye knowe wel that thys is not the fyrst tyme that many Crysten men have been in the Holy Londe. Wherfore I praye you yet eft ones that in the name of Jhesu Cryst that ye make you redy for to goo thyder, and take wyth you of our knyghtes as meny as it shal playse you.”

prose-textblock2Thenne the doulphyn, seyng the wylle of the kyng and that incontynent he must departe, he sente letters to hys wyf that he wold goo into the Holy Lond to seche the holy sayntuaryes and pylgrymages, and prayed hyr that she moche wysely shold governe hys londe and that Vyenne hys doughter shold not escape oute of pryson tyl he retourned, for in shorte tyme he wold come ageyn.

Chapter 22: How the doulphyn took hys shyppyng for to goo into Jherusalem.

prose-textblock1After that the doulphyn had taken hys shyppe and passed into Surrye and Damaske, to Jherusalem and in many other places, and had advysed and espyed moche wysely and wel alle the countree, and enquyred of the Crysten men that dwellyd there many thynges without dyscoveryng his wylle and entente. Nevertheles, somme evyl Crysten men, for to gete money, tolde it unto the souldan of [fol. 28v] Babylone.

prose-textblock2Thenne whan the souldan knewe it, he maad noo semblaunte, but incontynent he made all the passages to be kept whereas the pylgryms went by in suche manere as the doulphyn was taken and alle hys companye wyth hym in a place called Ramon not ferre fro Jherusalem, whyche was brought tofore the souldan. And he ordeyned that the doulphyn shold be tormented and pyned. The doulphyn, seyng hymself in suche a poynte, sayd that they shold not tormente hym and he wold say to them the trouthe. And thus he recounted to the souldan how the pope had gyven oute a croysee ayenst them, and how he was comen to espye the contreye. Whan the soudan sawe thys, he sayd that he wold advyse hym of what deth he wold do hym to deth in maner that al other shold take ensaumple, and commaunded that anone he shold be ledde into Alysandrye, and there to be put into an harde pryson, and also that none shold gyve to hym but brede and water. Thenne the doulphyn was brought into Alysandrye and was put into an hard and stronge toure, and there he suffred a myserable lyf and had kepars that kept hym nyght and day. Thus was the doulphyn in grete sorowe, thynkyng never to yssue out of that pryson but dede. Nevertheles, the pope and the kyng of Fraunce dyd ofte tymes grete payne to have hym out by fynaunces, but they myght not have hym, for the souldan sayd that he shold do on hym suche punycyon that al other shold take ensaumple. Now late us leve to speke of the doulphyn,and retorne we to Parys that knewe no thynge of these tydynges.

prose-textblock3Now recounteth the hystorye that Parys was in Babylone, lyke as ye have tofore herde, whyche knewe noo thynge of thys fayte. So it happed that, by adventure, two frers relygyous sought the yndulgences of the Holy Lande and aryveden in Babylone where they wold see the seygnorye and the puyssaunce of the sowdan, for thenne the sowdan helde hym in Babylone wyth moche grete puyssaunce. These two freres were of these partyes, whych beyng in tho partyes, it happed as they wente in the towne, Parys fonde them. Thenne Parys salewed them and demaunded of these partyes and sayd to them in thys manere: “After that I have herde say emonge you Crysten men ye have a pope the whyche is moche stronge and puyssaunt. And also ye have many kynges and grete lordes, and so grete townes, cytees, [fol. 29r] and castellys that I have merveyll how he suffre that we that be not of your lawe have the seygnorye of the Holy Lande, whiche ought to apperteyne to you as ye say.” And whan the freres had herde Parys thus speke, they were sore aferde, and one of them ansuerd in the langage of the Moure, for they wyst none other but Parys was a Moure, and so dyd al they of the contrey. And he sayd to hym, “Syr, I byleve wel that ye have herd say that in our partyes been assembled grete companyes of peple and men of warre for to come into thyse partyes bycause that our holy fader, the pope, hath graunted oute a croysee. And in the tyme whyles our men of warre assembled, the kynge of Fraunce, whiche is the grettest of Crystyenté, sent a noble baron whyche is named the doulphyn of Vyennoys for to vysyte and espye these partyes. Thenne, he beynge in these partyes, the souldan sette men in suche places where as the pylgryms were accustomed to passe. And sodeynly he dyd do take hym in a cyté named Ramon, and after sente hym into Alysandrye and there sette hym in an evyl pryson wherein I suppose that he be dede, and thus for thys cause, the fayt was dyscoverd.” Thenne sayd Parys, “How is that lord named?” Thenne sayd the frere, “He is named Godfroy of Allaunson, doulphyn of Vyennoys.” And whan Parys herde thys, he was moche abasshed, but he made noo semblaunter and thought in hys hert that hys adventure myght yet come to good and effecte. Thenne he demaunded them of many thynges, and sayd to them that he wold more speke to them another tyme and demaunded them where they were lodged. And they tolde hym more for drede than for love, for they thought he wold have doon to them somme harme.

prose-textblock4Whan Parys was departed fro the freres, he was moche pensyf how and in what maner he myght goo into Alexandrye for to see the doulphyn, and how he myght gete hym oute of pryson. And so moche he thought on his fayte that he purposed to goo to the hostry where the freres were lodged and soo wente thyder, and whan the freres sawe hym and were sore aferde. Thenne Parys took them by the handes and ladde them to solace thurgh the cyté spekyng of many thynges alwaye in the langage of Moure, and sayd to them, “I have grete desyre to see that Crysten knyght whiche is in Alexandrye, for I have alwaye had good wylle to the Crysten men. Peradventure I myght yet wel helpe [fol. 29v] hym, and yf ye wyl come with me, I promyse you be my lawe that I shal make you good chere, and doubte ye nothyng.” And thenne whan the freres herde hym thus speke they wyst not what to ansuer, they had so grete fere. Nevertheles, they trustyng in the mercy of God, they promysed hym that they shold goo wyth hym though they shold deye, and prayden God in theyr courage that He wold graunte grace that he myght come oute of pryson.

prose-textblock5Thenne Parys had grete playsyr of the ansuer of the freres and wende never to see the houre that he myght be wyth the doulphyn for to see the ende of his adventure. And so departed fro the freres and wente strayte to the faulconner of the souldan, wyth whom he had grete knowleche, and sayd to hym, “Seynour, I thanke you of the grete honour, curtosye, and gentylnes that ye have do to me, and playse it you to wyte that I wyl departe fro hens into Alysandrye, and I promyse to you that for your love I shall not tarye longe but that I shal retorne hyther ageyn. And bycause I am there unknowen, and that I never was there, I praye you ryght humbly that I myght have maundement of the souldan that he commaunde to the governours that I may goo thorugh alle hys londe surely, for ye knowe wel that one may not kepe hym over wel fro evyl peple. Therfore I praye you and requyre that ye wyl gete me suche a maundement, and also that ye wyl commaunde me humbly to the good grace of my lord the souldan.” And forthwyth the faulconner wente to the souldan and made hys requeste for Parys, and incontynent the souldan graunted hym al hys desyre, sayeng that it moche desplaysed hym of the departyng of Parys, and yf he wold abyde and dwelle in hys courte he wold make hym a grete lord. Thenne the faulconner sayd, “Dere syr, he hath promysed me that in short tyme he shal retorne.” Thenne the souldan dyd do make the maundement lyke as he wold devyse, chargyng al his lordes, offycers, and subgettes of townes, cytees, and castellys of his londe that they shold do to hym grete honour, and that they shold gyve and delyver to hym al that shold be necessarye to hym wythout takyng ony money or ony other thynge of hym. And also the souldan gaf to Parys many ryche clothes and vestymentes of cloth of gold and of sylke, and also he gaf to hym grete tresour, prayeng hym that he shold not longe tarye but hastely retorne ageyn, and promysed hym that he shold make hym a grete lord and delyverd hys [fol. 30r] maundement, the whyche was sealed wyth the propre seale of the souldan and sygned wyth hys owne hande.

prose-textblock6Whan Parys had receyved alle these thynges that the souldan had gyven to hym, he took leve of hym and of hys courte and went with the freres into Alexandrye. Incontynent after he was comen, he shewed the maundement to the admyral, the whyche anon after he had seen it dyd grete honour to Parys and delyverd to hym a fayr lodgyng pourveyed of al thynges necessarye, and delyverd another to the freres. The admyral came every day to see Parys in hys lodgyng for to do hym honour and companye and wente and rode togyder thorugh the cyté, and bycause that Parys was rychely clad, every man made to hym grete honour and sayd that he semed wel to be the sone of somme grete Moure.

prose-textblock7And on a day as they rode in the cyté they passed forth by the toure where as the dolphyn was in pryson. Thenne Parys demaunded of the admyral what toure it was that was so fayre. Thenne he tolde to hym that it was a moche cruel pryson and terryble, in whyche the souldan helde a prysonner, a grete lord and baron of the weste whyche was comen for to espye these contreyes. Thenne sayd Parys, “I praye you, late us goo see hym,” and the admyral sayd he shold gladly. Thenne they alyghted fro their horses and entred into the pryson, and whan Parys sawe the doulphyn, he had in hys hert grete desplaysyr bycause of the myserable and sorouful lyf that he suffred. And Parys demaunded of the kepars what man he was, and they sayd that he was a grete baron of Fraunce. Thenne sayd Parys, “Understondeth he Mourysshe?” And they sayd nay, but that notwythstondyng, yf he wold speke to hym, that they shold fynde tourchemen ynough. Thenne sayd Parys he wold retorne another day for to demaunde of hym of the partyes of the weste, and prayed the admyral to gyve comandement to the kepars that as ofte as he shold come, that they shold shewe hym to hym. And incontynent he comanded lyke as Parys had desyred, and thenne they departed. And a fewe dayes after, Parys returned and came to the pryson and brought one of the freres wyth hym that coude speke Mouryske. And whan they were wythin the pryson, Paris sayd to the frere that he shold salewe hym curtoysly; nevertheles, the frere knew noo thyng that Parys coude speke Frensshe. Thenne the frere sayd to the doulphyn that that lord was come [fol. 30v] for to vysyte hym, and that he loved wel Crysten men, and that he was wel in the grace of the souldan, and that he trusted ys moche in hym as in ony man of hys contrye. And thus the frere demaunded many thynges of the doulphyn in the name of Parys and sayd yf he myght doo for hym he wold gladly.

prose-textblock8Whan the doulphyn herde the relygious frere thus speke in the persone of the Moure, he was moche abasshed in hys courage, bysechyng our Lord that he wold put hym in suche courage and good wylle for to brynge hym out of pryson. Parys desyred to here tydynges of the fayr Vyenne sayd to the frere that he shold aske of the doulphyn yf he had ony wyf or chyldren. Thenne the doulphyn began to wepe and said that he had a wyf and a doughter holden for the fayrest of Fraunce, whom he helde in pryson bycause she wold take noo husbond. Thenne Paris began to comforte hym by the mouthe of the frere sayeng that he shold take alle in pacyence and God shold yet ones delyver hym oute of pryson, by whyche wordes the doulphyn was so rejoyced and joyous that hym semed that God had appyered to hym. And the doulphyn sayd to the frere that it was grete pyté that the Moure was not Crysten and prayed our Lord that he wold gyve to hym puyssaunce to kepe hym in that good wylle that he had. And so departed that one fro that other moche comforted. Thenne Parys sayd to the kepars that he had found so grete playsyr in the prysonner that he wold ofte tymes come for to dysporte hym, and they sayd whan it playsed hym he shold retorne and be welcome.

prose-textblock9And thenne Parys sayd to the freres that were in that place, “Yf I thought to be sure of you, I thynke wel to fynde the moyen to brynge thys prysonner out of pryson.” And the freres were moche admerveylled of thys whiche Parys had sayd to them, and they sayd to hym, “By the fayth that we owe to our God that of us ye nede not to doubte, and in caas that ye be in wylle, late us assaye. But it must be doon secretely, for ye see wel how many kepars been there contynuelly.” Thenne sayd Parys, “I shal gyve to you good counceyl and remedye of alle thys, but I wyl have two thynges. The fyrst thynge is I wyl that ye goo wyth me. That other is that he shal gyve to me my lyvyng honourably in hys contré, for I am in grete doubte whan I have delyverd hym and shal be in hys countreye, that he wyl sette nought by me, and I can noo mestyer ne crafte and [fol. 31r] soo I myght be wel deceyved. Therfore, yf he wyl assure me and that he wyl gyve to me a yefte suche as I shal demaunde hym whan I shal be in hys contreye, I shal delyver hym and shal leve my contree for love of hym, and ye may see in what estate I am.”

prose-textblock10On the morne, Parys and the freres came into the pryson and the frere recounted al thys to the doulphyn, and whan the doulphyn understood thys, hym thought that God bare hym awaye, and sayd, “I thanke God and thys Moure of the good wylle that he hath toward me, for I never dyd hym servyce ne playsyr wherfore he ought to do so moche for me; nevertheles, I hope that is the playsyr of God that he shal delyver me oute of pryson. I am redy to swere upon the body of Jhesu Cryst, or I ever departe from hens, that as sone as I shal be in myn owne lande, I shal mayntene hym in more gretter estate than he ne is here. And I wyl that he doo alle hys wylle of al my londe, for it shal suffyce to me onely that I have a lyvyng for me and my wyf, and I shal do al that he wylle. And so say ye to hym of my behalve.” And thenne the frere tolde al to Parys that whych the doulphyn had sayd and promysed to do, and to the ende that Parys shold be more sure, he sayd to the frere that he shold bryng tofore hym the body of our lord Jhesu Cryst, and that tofore hym he shold swere to holde alle that he promysed. And the frere tolde it to Parys, and the doulphyn sware it tofore Parys to accomplysshe alle that he had promysed. And whan he had sworne, to the ende that Parys shold be the better contente, the doulphyn receyved the precyous body of our lord Jhesu Cryst, sayeng that it shold be to the dampnacyon of hys soule in caas that he accomplysshed not al that he had promysed whan they shold be in his londe.

prose-textblock11And whan thys was doo, Parys and the freres departed fro the doulphyn and wente to the porte for to wyte yf there were ony fuste that wold come hytherward. And by adventure they fonde a fuste, and Parys wyth the freres spake to the patrone and promysed hym a thousand besaunts of gold yf they wold lete have passage fyve persones. The patron, seyng the grete tresour, sayd to them that he was contente, but he wold have half at the porte and sayd to them, “Lordes, I praye you make you redy, for in caas that the Moures of thys londe fonde us we shold be al dede.” Thenne sayd Parys, “Make yourself al redy for thys nyght at mydnyght I [fol. 31v] shal come.” And after thys Parys retorned to hys lodgyng and dyd do make redy moche vytayll and the best wynes that he coude gete, and he with the freres maad provysyon of alle other thynges and mantellys and towellys.

prose-textblock12Whan al was redy, Parys wente to the kepars of the pryson and sayd, “I thanke you many tymes of the playsyrs thet ye have doon to me. I wyl now departe from hens for to retorne to my lord the souldan. But for your love I wyl soupe wyth you thys nyght and praye yow that we may soupe togyder.” And they ansuerd that it wel pleased them for his love. Thenne Parys sente for the vytall and for the wyn, and after it was come they souped togyder. And the kepars, which had not been accustomed to drynke wyn, drank so moche that they alle were dronke, and incontynent layed them doun to slepe and slepte so faste that for noo thyng they coude not awake them. And whan Parys sawe that, he sayd to the freres that they shold unfeter the doulphyn and that they shold opene the yates of the pryson, “and yf ony of the kepars awake, I shal slee hym.” Thenne the freres began to unfetere the doulphyn wyth grete drede, prayeng God to be theyr ayde and helpe. And whan the doulphyn was loos, he cladde hym lyke a Moure. After, Parys slewe alle the kepars one after another, bycause yf they awoke they shold not come after them.

prose-textblock13Thys doon, the doulphyn wyth Parys and his varlet and the two freres camen to the porte and hastely entred into the fuste which was al redy, and wonde up theyr saylle and, by the helpe of God, began so fast to saylle that wythin fewe dayes they arryveden in a place that thenne was Crysten. And there the doulphyn wente alonde bycause he was moche greved and annoyed as wel of the see as for the harme that he had suffred in pryson, and there borowed money. And fro thens came into Cypres where was a kyng whyche had dwellyd in the courte of the kyng of Fraunce, the whiche, as sone as he knewe that the doulphyn of Vyennoys was come, he went to mete hym and prayed hym that he wold come and lodge in hys paleys. And the doulphyn wente thyder, wherof the kyng had grete joye, and there he made hym grete chyere, for many tymes they had seen eche other in the kynges court of Fraunce. And after, the kynge demaunded hym of his adventure, and the doulphyn recounted [fol. 32r] it to hym al alonge. And bycause of the comyng of the doulphyn, he made moche grete feste and receyved hym moche hyely and made hym to sojourne there as longe as it playsed hym. And whan the doulphyn had sojourned there at his playsyr, he look leve of the kyng and of al hys courte, thankyng hym moche of the grete playsyr that he had doon to hym. The kyng, seyng that the doulphyn wold departe, he gaf to hym grete yeftes and dyd do arme two galleyes whyche accompanyed hym and brought hym upon the see, and had soo good wynde that in fewe dayes after they brought hym into Aygues Mortes.

prose-textblock14Whan the doulphyn was arryved, the knyghtes of the Doulphyné herde it anone and forthwyth maad them redy and went to horsback and mette wyth hym at Aygues Mortes and there receyved hym in grete honour, and so came forth the ryght waye to Vyenne. And for joye of hys comyng, al they of the cyté made a moche noble and mervayllous feste whyche endured wel fyftene dayes, and the playsyr and joye was so grete emonge them bycause they had recouverd theyr lord that noo man shold and coude have thought it. Parys in alle this wyse never chaunged hys vesture ne clothyng but contynuelly wente to masse. And, by the commaundement of the doulphyn, the people dyd hym grete reverence and honour, so moche that Parys was ashamed therof, and spake noo thynge but Mouryske. And he had a grete berde and made to noo persone of the world ony knowleche. And after a whyle of tyme, the doulphyn, for to accomplysshe that he had promysed to Parys, by the frere dyd do say to Parys and do demaunde yf he wold have the seygnourye of hys lond and contree, for he was al redy for to accomplysshe that whyche he had promysed. And Parys made to hym ansuer that he shold kepe stylle hys londe. Thenne the doulphyn dyd do demaunde hym yf he wold have hys doughter, Vyenne, and Parys made the frere to say ye, for that pleased hym wel. And thenne they wente to hyr.

prose-textblock15Thenne, whan they were tofore Vyenne, the frere spake first. “Madame, ye knowe wel that my lord your fader hath ben a grete whyle in pryson and yet shold have been ne had have been thys Moure whyche hath saved hym, puttyng hys persone in ryght grete peryl and daunger for the love of my lord your fader. And thus ye may wel [fol. 32v] knowe how moche he is holden to hym, and bycause herof your fader is subget to hym ever. Wherfore your fader prayeth you that, upon al the playsyr that ye wyl doo for hym, that ye wyll take hym for your husbond, and he shal pardonne all the desplaysyr that ever ye dyd to hym.” Whan the frere had fynysshed his wordes, Vyenne ansuerd to hym sayeng, “The bysshop of Saynt Laurence knoweth wel, that is here present, that it is longe syth that, yf I wold have be maryed, I myght have ben maryed wyth more honour unto my fader than unto this Moure, for the sone of the duc of Borgoyne had espoused me yf I wold have consented. But God hath put me in suche a maladye that I may not longe lyve in this world, and every day my maladye encreaceth and so enpayreth me that I am half roten. Wherfore I praye you to say to my fader that he holde me excused, for at thys tyme I wyl not be maryed.”

prose-textblock16Thenne they took theyr leve of Vyenne and recounted alle thys to the doulphyn. Thenne the doulphyn sayd to the frere that he shold say it to the Moure, and so the frere tolde it al to Parys. And thenne Parys, which was aferde to lese the love of Vyenne, wente for to see hyr in the pryson with the frere and the bysshop of Saynt Laurence. Thanne whan Parys sawe Vyenne in that dysposycyon, he had moche grete sorowe and grete merveylle, and thenne he made the frere to salewe hyr in hys name, and Vyenne ansuerd unto hys gretyng ryght curtoysly. And the frere sayd in the name of Parys, “Madame, ye knowe wel I have delyverd your fader oute of pryson, wherof ye ought to have synguler playsyr, and yet he shold have been there yf I had not have been and holpen hym oute. And he pardonneth you wyth good hert and good wylle all the desplaysyrs that ever ye dyd ageynst hys playsyr, and prayeth you that ye take me for your husbond and wyll that we have the lordshyp of the Doulphyné; and therfor I praye you that neyther ye nor I lose not thys honour. And yet more though thys were not, ye ought not to dysobeye the commaundementes of your fader.”

prose-textblock17And thenne Vyenne ansuerd to the frere as to the persone of Parys sayeng, “I knowe wel that ye have delyverd my fader oute of pryson, notwythstondyng, my fader shal have suche regarde ageynst you that ye shal lese noo thynge. And I wote wel that ye be a man of grete lyngage and are the worthy to have a gretter lady than I am. But the bysshop of Seynt Laurence, whyche is present, knoweth [fol. 33r] wel that for the maladye that I am in, I may not long lyve.” And thenne sayd the frere in his name, “This is bycause I am a Moure that ye refuse me. I promyse you that I shal become Crysten. But I thynke wel that yf ye knewe who that I am and what I have lefte for to brynge your fader oute of pryson, that ye wold preyse me more than ye doo. Knowe ye for certeyn that your fader shal be parjured, for he hath promysed that ye shal be my wyf, wherof ye shal have blame. Therfore, yf it playse you, graunte ye hym hys wylle.” Thenne sayd Vyenne, “Lord, I have herd say moche good of you, and that ye be he that have doon so moche for my fader, but nevertheles, in the maladye in the whyche I am, none ought to counceyl me to take an husbond, for my lyf may not longe endure. And bycause that ye may knowe that I say trouth, approche ye ner to me and ye shal fele and smelle in what dysposycyon I am of my persone.”

prose-textblock18And thenne they approuched ner to hyr. And Vyenne had put two quarters of an henne under hyr two arme hooles, and there yssued so grete stenche that the bysshop ne the frere myght not suffre it. Nevertheles, the stynche was to Parys a good odour, for he smellyd it not and sayd, “I wote not what ye smelle, for I fele none evyl savour.” And they mervaylled strongely bycause he felte not the odour. And the frere sayd in Parys name, “For this odour shal I never leve you, and I assure you I shal never departe fro hens untyl ye have consented to that your fader wyl.” And Vyenne answerd moche angrely and sayd, “By the fayth that I owe to God, I shal rather renne wyth my hede ayenst the walle that I shal make my brayn oute of my mouth, and so shal ye be the occasyon of my dethe.” Thenne sayd the frere, “Ye shal not so doo, madame, for I promyse you fro hens forth that I shal never speke more to you, sythe that it is not your wylle ne plesyr. But atte leste of one thyng I praye you, that this nyght ye advyse you, and I shal retorne to morn for to have of you an ansuer. And ye shal take counceyll of your felowe, and I praye to God that ye may be wel counceylled.” And alle these thynges sayd the frere in the name of Parys to Vyenne. And after, they took theyr leve of Vyenne and sayd alle to the doulphyn, wherof he was thenne moche dyspleased, and had the frere to telle it alle unto Parys for to excuse hym and that he shold not lye the blame on hym.

prose-textblock19And whan they were departed fro Vyenne, she sayd to Ysabeau, “My [fol. 33v] fayr suster, what semeth you of the wysedom of my fader that thynketh that I shold take thys Moure to my husbond and have refused the sone of the duke of Bourgoyne? But God forbede that ever in my lyf I have other lord than Parys to myn husbond, whome I hope yet to have.” And Ysabeau sayd, “Certes madame, I wote not what to say of your fader whyche wold gyve you to a Moure in maryage. I have therof grete thought, for he hath sayd that he shal retorne to morn to see you and hath sayd that ye shold remembre and advyse you.”

Chapter 23: How Parys came to see Vyenne in the pryson, and how she knew hym.

prose-textblock1And on the morn betymes, Parys cladde hym moche more rychely than he had be accustomed and gyrde wyth a moche ryche swerde and came to the pryson with the frere. And the frere sayd to hyr, “Madame, we been retorned for to knowe your good answer and your entencyon.” And Vyenne ansuerd, “Lordes, myn entencyon is that I shal never breke my promesse that I have made. For I have avowed that I shal never take husbond, ne goo oute of this pryson but dede, sauf hym to whome I have promysed, and therfore retorne ye in good tyme.”

prose-textblock2Thenne sayd the frere, “By my fayth, I wote not what to say, for it is grete dommage that ye suffre so moche sorowe and payne. And syth it is thus your wylle and that ye wyl none otherwyse do, nevertheles, the Moure prayeth you that it may playse you to do to hym so moche grace that, syth ye wyl not take hym in maryage, that ye wyl were thys rynge for the love of hym.” Now thys rynge was the same rynge that Vyenne gaf to Parys whan he departed fro hyr in the hows of the chappelayn, and Vyenne, bycause they shold nomore come ageyn, took the rynge. And whan she had receyved the rynge, Parys sayd to the frere, “I praye you that ye tarye a lytel wythoute, for I wyl see what countenaunce she wyl make of the rynge.” And the frere sayd, “Gladly,” nevertheles, he mervaylled moche. And incontynent the frere wente oute. And Vyenne began to beholde the rynge, and whan Parys sawe that Vyenne byhelde the rynge so strongely, he began to speke in hys playne tongue and sayd, “O moche noble lady, why be ye so moche admervayled of that rynge?” Thenne sayd Vyenne, “Certes, to my semyng I sawe never a fayrer.” Thenne sayd Parys, “Therfore I praye [fol. 34r] you that ye take therin playsyr, for the more that ye byholde it, the more ye shal prayse it.”

prose-textblock3Whan Vyenne herde the Moure thus speke, thenne she was more admervaylled than tofore and was as a persone al abasshed and sayd, “Alas, am I enchaunted, and what is thys that I see and here speke?” And in sayeng these wordes she wold have fledde for fere oute of the pryson, bycause she herde the Moure so speke. Thenne sayd Parys, “O moche noble lady Vyenne, mervaylle ye noo thynge ne have ye noo doubte. Lo, here is Parys your true servaunte.” And Vyenne was thenne abasshed more than tofore. “Certes,” sayd she, “this may not be but by werke enchaunted.” And Parys sayd, “Noble lady, hit is none enchaunted werke, for I am your servaunt Parys whyche lefte you with Ysabeau in suche a chyrche, and there ye gaf to me the dyamond whiche now I have delyverd to you, and there ye promysed to me that ye wold never take husbond but me. And be ye noo thynge admervaylled of the berde ne of the vesture that I were, for they take awaye the knowleche of me.” And many other wordes sayd Parys to Vyenne, by whyche she knewe clerely that he was Parys. And for the soverayn love that she bare to hym, and for the grete joye that she had, she began to wepe in hys armes and to embrace and kysse hym moche swetely. And there they comforted eche other wyth swete wordes, and so abode longe tyme. Vyenne coude not ynough kysse hym and enbrace hym, and also Parys demaunded of hyr of hyr adventure, and she tolde hym alle.

prose-textblock4And of alle thys Ysabeau had nothyng herde of, for she was faste aslepe bycause she had watched alle the nyght byfore. And for the grete joye and swetenes that Parys and Vyenne demeaned bytwene them, she awoke. And whan she sawe Vyenne beyng enbraced with the Moure, she sayd, “Madame, what is thys that ye do? Have ye loste your wytte that so enbrace this Moure? Hath he enchaunted you that ye suffre hym soo famylyer wyth you, and is this the fayth that ye kepe to Parys, for whom ye have suffred so moche payne and sorowe?” And Vyenne sayd, “Swete suster, say ye noo suche wordes, but come and take your parte of the solace that I have, for also wel have ye founden good adventure as I have. See ye not here my swete Parys whome so moche we have desyred?” Thenne Ysabeau approched ner to hym and byhelde hym wel and sawe that it was Parys, and she wente and kyssed hym and demened so moche [fol. 34v] grete joye bytwene them thre that there is noo persone in the world that myght say ne thynke it, but so abode a grete whyle in thys soulas and joye, tyl atte laste Parys spack. “Swete Vyenne, it byhoveth that we goo hens tofore my lord the dolphyn, your fader, for now fro hens forth it is necessarye that he knowe alle our fayte; nevertheles, I praye you to say nothyng tyl I desyre you.”

prose-textblock5And al thre came oute of the pryson and fonde the frere, whyche mervaylled gretely, and alle they togydre wente to the doulphyn, whyche had soverayn playsyr whan he sawe them, and nevertheles, he was moche abasshed how his doughter was so come. And thenne Parys sayd to the frere, “Say ye to the doulphyn that I have converted hys doughter to hys wylle and to myn, and that it playse hym that she be my wyf.” And the frere sayd soo. Thenne the doulphyn sayd to hys doughter, “Wyl ye take thys man for your husbond, whyche hath delyverd me oute of pryson in grete peryl of hys persone?” Thenne demaunded Vyenne of Parys yf he wold that she shold speke, and Parys sayd, “ye.” And thenne Vyenne sayd to the doulphyn, “My fader, I am redy to do your commaundement and hys, and praye you to pardonne me and to gyve to me your benedyctyon.” And whan she sayd thys, hyr fader pardonned hyr and gaf to hyr hys blessyng and kyssed hyr. Thenne sayd Vyenne, “Loo, here is my good frende Parys whome I have so moche desyred and for whome I have suffred so moche payne and sorowe. And, fader, thys is he that so swetely songe and floyted and that wanne the joustes in thys cyté and bare with hym the shelde of crystal and my garlonde, and also thys is he that wanne the joustes in the cyté of Paris and wan there the thre baners wyth the two jewellys and went awaye with them wythoute knowyng of ony man. And also, he hath delyverd you out of pryson, puttyng hys lyf in jeopardye for you.” And whan the doulphyn understood al thys, he was mervayllously glad and joyous.

prose-textblock6After al thys, Parys went to his fader, and whan he sawe hym and knewe that he was hys sone Parys whome he had so longe desyred to see, he enbraced hym and kyssed hym, and for the joye that he had he coude not speke a word, and after alle the other lordes and knyghtes ranne for to embrace and kysse hym. And after this joye, Parys fader sayd to the doulphyn, “My lorde, playse it you that I may borowe my sone home to my hous for to see his moder and hys felowe Edward?” [fol. 35r] Thenne sayd the doulphyn, “It playseth me ryght wel onely for thys day, for tomorn I wyl that the maryage of hym and my doughter be made and solempnysed here.” And thenne messyre Jaques wente with hys sone unto hys hous, and whan he was there, verayly his fader, his moder, and hys felowe Edward wyst not where they were for joye and playsyr that they had. And that was noo wonder, for they had no moo chyldren but hym, and he shold wedde the doughter of their lord, and also Parys was in that tyme become a valyaunte knyght and ful of al beaulté. And for many reasons, it was no mervayll though they had in hym grete joye and playsyr. And Edward demaunded of hym of hys adventure and many other thynges, and he recounted and tolde hym alle.

Chapter 24: How Parys espoused and wedded Vyenne, and of the feste that was there made.

prose-textblock1Thenne on the morne, the dolphyn gaf his doughter in maryage to Parys and the feste was moche noble and sumptuous for moche peple were comen thyder for to see the feste, and it endured fyftene dayes. And the playsyr and solace whyche was doon for the love of Parys and of Vyenne was soo grete that unnethe it may be byleved, whyche Parys and Vyenne lyved togyder a grete whyle in ryght grete consolacyon and playsyr. But after the accomplysshement of the maryage, the fader and moder of Parys lyveden not longe after in thys world. And Parys had by Vyenne, hys wyf, thre chyldren; that is to wete two sones and one doughter. And the doulphyn ordeyned for them moche noble matrymonye. And Parys, after the deth of hys fader and his moder, wold that Edward, hys dere felowe, shold be herytyer of al the goodes that hys fader lefte, and gaf to hym Ysabeau to hys wyf, whyche lyved togyder longe tyme in grete love and concorde. And sone after, the doulphyn and hys wyf deyeden. And thenne was Parys doulphyn and had the possessyon of al the seygnourye, the whyche lyved wyth Vyenne in thys world fourty yere and ledde a good and holy lyf, insomoche that after the entendement of somme men they be sayntes in heven, and they deyed bothe in one yere. And semblably Edward and Ysabeau deyed bothe tweyne in one yere. Therfore, late us praye unto our Lord that we may doo suche werkes in this world that in suche wyse we [fol. 35v] may accompanye them in the perdurable glorye of heven. Amen.

prose-textblock2Thus endeth the hystorye of the noble and valyaunt knyght Parys and the fayr Vyenne, doughter of the doulphyn of Vyennoys, translated out of Frensshe into Englysshe by Wylliam Caxton at Westmestre, fynysshed the last day of August the yere of our lord M CCCC lxxxv, and enprynted the ninetene day of Decembre the same yere, and the fyrst yere of the regne of kyng Harry the seventh.